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A Song For A Sunday.

Winter Song.

“A good friend can make up for all those missing hours of sunlight, so this song and lyrics, hereunder, pay homage to a close winter friendship, rather than like in summer, when the rules of friendship are more free and moderate.”

Vocals: Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles
Lyrics: American singer-songwriter, and pianist Sara Beth Bareilles and American singer-songwriter and actress Ingrid Michaelson.

Winter Song.

(Also known as the “TWinter Song”)

This is my winter song to you.
The storm is coming soon,
It rolls in from the sea
My voice; a beacon in the night.
My words will be your light,
To carry you to me.
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love
They say that things just cannot grow
Beneath the winter snow,
Or so I have been told.
They say were buried far,
Just like a distant star
I simply cannot hold.
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
This is my winter song.
December never felt so wrong,
‘Cause you’re not where you belong;
Inside my arms.
I still believe in summer days.
The seasons always change
And life will find a way.
I’ll be your harvester of light
And send it out tonight
So we can start again.
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
Is love alive?
This is my winter song.
December never felt so wrong,
‘Cause you’re not where you belong;
Inside my arms.
This is my winter song to you.
The storm is coming soon
It rolls in from the sea.
My love a beacon in the night.
My words will be your light
To carry you to me.
Is love alive?

END

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Death Of Former Pogues Frontman Shane MacGowan.

It was with the greatest sadness that I learned this morning of the death of Mr Shane MacGowan Pogues frontman and songwriter at the age of 65. Mr MacGowan had been ill for some time.

I had the great pleasure of meeting and photographing Mr MacGowan on several occasions, both in his home town of Nenagh and topping the bill at a previous ‘Ned Of the Hill festival’, latter held in Upperchurch, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Born in Kent, UK, Mr MacGowan was the son of Irish immigrants Mr Maurice and Mrs Therese MacGowan; going on to front the band “The Pogues” from 1982 until their break-up in 2014.


Mr MacGowan had been receiving treatment at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin for several months having had well-documented problems with drugs and alcohol, before being discharged on November 22nd last, to return home to spend time with his friends and family.

Mr MacGowan had formed the Irish punk band “Pogue Mahone”, [A derivative of the Irish phrase “Póg mo thóin” in English meaning “Kiss my Arse”], before later shortening same to “The Pogues”, in 1982, with the band releasing seven studio albums.

In 1988 the late Kirsty MacColl (1959-2000) collaborated with “The Pogues” for that most well-loved Christmas song ‘Fairytale of New York’, written by Mr MacGowan, which achieved the No.2 spot in the UK charts and today, within the UK and Ireland, same remains one of the best-loved of Christmas songs.

Mr MacGowan revealed he was diagnosed with encephalitis last year in a video posted to social media. [Encephalitis is an uncommon but serious condition in which the brain becomes inflamed and swollen.] He had also confined to a wheelchair since 2015, having injured himself in a fall.

Garryard East, Silvermines, Nenagh, in Co Tipperary, the oft-time home of singer Mr MacGowan and his family, was offered for public sale on June 9th, 2017. This sale followed on following the death of Mrs Therese MacGowan, mother of much loved singer, following a single-vehicle road crash in North Tipperary, on January 1st 2017.

A statement by MacGowan’s spokesperson confirmed that he had died peacefully at 3:30am this morning, November 30th with his wife Victoria and sister Siobhán by his side.

Shane MacGowan is survived by his wife Victoria, his father Maurice and sister Siobhán.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

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Amen.

Amen

Vocals: by American R&B soul singer Andra Day.
Lyrics: American songwriter Lindy Robbins; American R&B soul singer, songwriter and actress Andra Day; British songwriter and music producer Alexander Reid and American singer-songwriter Lily Meola.

The Greek Old Testament Semitic root from which Amen is derived, usually translates its meaning as “so be it”; while in the English Bible it has frequently been rendered as “verily,” or “truly.”

Amen

I can’t remember why I’m feeling this way.
I guess I should be crying but my heart just won’t obey.
It feels strange to be happy as I lie here on the rooftop in the rain,
I say

Amen.
To all the crazy things that happened that made me who I am,
I say,
Amen.
To everyone who ever hurt me,
I’m stronger ’cause of them Amen.
I’m not worrying ’bout tomorrow,
I’m forgetting yesterday.
Just savouring the moment in this unfamiliar place,
And I’m feeling like the velvet in a beat-up guitar case,
And so, I’ll say,
I say Amen.
To all the crazy things that happened that made me who I am,
I say Amen.
To everyone who ever hurt me,
I’m stronger ’cause of them, Amen.
Oh, life is so bizzare,
Why do we have to be so hard on ourselves?
I think I found a way to smile and be OK with myself,
With myself.
Amen.
To all the crazy things that happened that made me who I am,
Amen.
To everyone who ever hurt me,
I’m stronger ’cause of them,
And I might have not the answers, but the questions make more sense,
Amen.

END

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A Song For A Sunday.

There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune”.

Extract taken from Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’, meaning that the key to success in life, lies in knowing the motivation of men, and it is up to each man to recognize, and seize his opportunity.

Man in the Mirror.

Vocals: American singer, songwriter, dancer and philanthropist, known as the “King of Pop”, the late Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29th, 1958 – June 25th, 2009).

Songwriters: American songwriter, lyricist, and record producer Glen Ballard and American singer and songwriter Deborah Christine “Siedah” Garrett.

Man in the Mirror.

I’m gonna make a change, for once in my life.
It’s gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference,
Gonna make it right.
As I, turn up the collar on my favourite winter coat.
This wind is a blowin’ my mind.
I see the kids in the street, with not enough to eat.
Who am I, to be blind pretending not to see their needs?
A summer’s disregard, a broken bottle top and a one man’s soul.
They follow each other on the wind ya know,
‘Cause they got nowhere to go.
That’s why I want you to know,
I’m starting with the man in the mirror.
I’m asking him to change his ways,
And no message could’ve been any clearer.
If they wanna make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.
I’ve been a victim of a selfish kind of love.
It’s time that I realize there are some with no home,
Not a nickel to loan.
Could it be really me pretending that they’re not alone?
A willow deeply scarred, somebody’s broken heart,
And a washed out dream.
They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see,
‘Cause they got no place to be,
That’s why I’m starting with me.
I’m starting with the man in the mirror.
I’m asking him to change his ways,
And no message could’ve been any clearer.
If you wanna make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.
I’m starting with the man in the mirror.
I’m asking him to change his ways,
And no message could’ve been any clearer,
If you wanna make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself and then make that change.
I’m starting with the man in the mirror.
I’m asking him to change his ways.
No message could’ve been any clearer.
If you wanna make the world a better place.
Take a look at yourself and then make the change.
You can’t, then you close your, close your, your mind.
With the man in the mirror, oh yeah.
I’m asking him to change his ways.
No message could’ve been any clearer,
If you wanna make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself and then make a change,
Gonna feel real good now I’m gonna make a change,
It’s gonna feel real good, come on change, just lift yourself.
You know, you’ve got to stop it yourself.
I’ve got to make that change today.
You got to, you got to not let yourself brother you know.
I’ve got to get that man, that man.
You’ve got to, you’ve got to move.
Come on, come on, you got to stand up, stand up.
Stand up, stand up and lift yourself, now.
Gonna make that change come on.
You know it, You know it, You know it.
You know Change. Make that change.
END

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Limerick University To Host World Wallball Championships 2024.

  • Event coincides with 100th anniversary of GAA Handball.

University of Limerick (UL) has been announced as the host venue for the 2024 World Wallball Championships from August 18th to 23rd.

World Champion Conor McElduff; Gerald Mitchell, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick; and Rory Grace of UL Wolves at the announcement in UL today that University of Limerick will host the 2024 World Wallball Championships.

Formerly known as “The World Handball Championships”, the tournament will see more than 750 competitors, from across the world, battle it out on 10 newly constructed courts in one of Ireland’s leading indoor venues, at the UL Sport Arena.

Wallball is the fastest-growing version of the sport of handball with a significant presence in mainland Europe, the UK and the United States. The triennial event is traditionally hosted in rotation by Ireland, the United States and Canada, with Australia also hosting the 1988 event. Ireland last hosted the competition in 2012.

Hosted at UL Sport and supported by UL Events, the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Limerick City and County Council, Fáilte Ireland and the Munster Handball Council, next year’s event also coincides with the centenary of GAA Handball.

Welcoming today’s announcement, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr. Gerald Mitchell said, “This announcement is another huge win for Limerick and the Shannon Region. This six-day event will make a valuable contribution to the local economy. It helps to further enhance Limerick’s reputation as a sport tourism sport destination as we prepare for the hosting of The 2027 Ryder Cup in Adare.”

Mr Conor McDonnell, GAA Handball President commented, “We are delighted that next year’s World Wallball Championships and Irish Nationals will be staged in world class facilitates of the University of Limerick. This promises to be the biggest and most spectacular handball event ever. GAA Handball want to thank all our partners who have helped make this happen. Please support the Championships by volunteering and participating”.

Mr David Britton, Head of GAA Handball stated, “GAA Handball would like to thank the GAA, Munster Handball Council, Munster GAA and the University of Limerick for all their hard work and support in bringing the 2024 World Wallball Championships to the state-of-the-art UL complex. The event promises to be a fantastic platform for our sport to showcase itself on an international stage. Next year GAA Handball celebrates 100 years as a member of the GAA family, and I could not think of a more fitting way to mark such an important milestone.”

Mr David Ward of UL Events added, “We are delighted to have been chosen as the host venue for the World Wallball Championships, which will see the provision of 10 newly constructed courts at the UL Sport Arena. These World Championships will bring a sporting and economic boost to Limerick with an anticipated 6000 bed nights. We look forward to working with all stakeholders in providing the athletes an amazing one stop shop Olympic Village experience and to showcase the sport of GAA Handball at its very best.”

According to Ms Karen Brosnahan, General Manager of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, “The Bureau’s goal is to attract business and sports tourism to The Shannon Region to help underpin services at Shannon Airport and deliver an economic impact to the tourism sector in the region. I want to acknowledge the role of ambassadors who are hugely important in sourcing and winning lucrative tourism business for the Shannon Region. Fáilte Ireland’s support for the region in bidding for international business also has been instrumental in securing this and other events.”

The World Handball Championships take place in UL Arena from August 18th to 23rd, 2024, and will be followed by the 4-Wall (40×20) World Championships, later in the year in Dublin, Kilkenny, Laois and Carlow.

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