James Fenton

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  • Did you know that deep fried lasagne pancakes exist in Dublin?

    Did you know that deep fried lasagne pancakes exist in Dublin?

    With Pancake Tuesday starting to appear over the horizon, now would be a good time to honour some of Dublin’s most creative takes on the much-loved dish. One such effort that we’ve spotted can be found at Michael’s Restaurant in Mount Merrion, where owner Gaz Smith has combined pancakes with another culinary favourite. Any guesses? […]

    6 years ago

  • One of sport’s most iconic stars is the subject of Netflix’s latest documentary

    One of sport’s most iconic stars is the subject of Netflix’s latest documentary

    Tiger Woods, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, whoever else you’re having. The greatest sports star of all-time is a much-debated topic and we’ll never come up with a definitive answer. One man that will always be near the top though is three-time World Cup winner Pelé. The Brazilian superstar is the subject of an upcoming documentary […]

    6 years ago

  • Locals are “livid” after discovery of illegal shebeen in Swords

    Locals are “livid” after discovery of illegal shebeen in Swords

    People in Swords are said to be “livid” after Gardaí discovered an illegal shebeen operating in the area on Saturday night. Gardaí issued a statement on Sunday which confirmed that ‘”as part of Operation Navigation, a private premises was searched under warrant by local Gardaí and ASU shortly after 10pm on Saturday, 23rd January, 2021. […]

    6 years ago

  • Tougher sanctions to see holidaymakers potentially fined on way to airport

    Tougher sanctions to see holidaymakers potentially fined on way to airport

    Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has raised the possibility of tough sanctions for holidaymakers as travel restrictions are set to be tightened. The Government is meeting this week to finalise a decision on the expected extension of current Level 5 measures that are due to expire on January 31. Speaking on RTÉ Radio One this morning, […]

    6 years ago

  • “Close to Easter” before most children return to school

    “Close to Easter” before most children return to school

    It could be “close to Easter” before most children return to in-classroom learning as the Government prepares to make a decision on an extended lockdown. The Irish Times today quotes a Government source as saying that “most children will not be back in school next month and may not return to the classroom until close […]

    6 years ago

  • ‘River of Light’ at Áras an Uachtaráin to stay as sign of solidarity

    ‘River of Light’ at Áras an Uachtaráin to stay as sign of solidarity

    The ‘River of Light’ outside Áras an Uachtaráin is set to remain in place as a “sign of solidarity and hope in the Covid-19 pandemic.” The River of Light was first introduced before Christmas and was put in place as a means of reaching out to members of the Irish diaspora who could not be […]

    6 years ago

  • DCC reveals details of proposed George’s Dock White Water Centre

    DCC reveals details of proposed George’s Dock White Water Centre

    Dublin City Council has released information on the George’s Dock White Water Centre that was first proposed in August 2019. The council has begun a tender process during which a ‘realistic cost estimate’ will be made. They have also stated that no additional Council funding can be allocated to the project and no additional borrowing […]

    6 years ago

  • A cat missing since Christmas Eve was found at Dublin Airport this morning

    A cat missing since Christmas Eve was found at Dublin Airport this morning

    Since it’s Blue Monday, we’ll take any good news story we can get and Dublin Airport have provided a humdinger this afternoon. The social team at Dublin Airport posted this afternoon to say that they had some ‘lovely news’ to share and they weren’t lying. They went on to tell us that Leo, a cat […]

    6 years ago

  • Dublin Bikes will be out of action from later this evening until tomorrow morning

    Dublin Bikes will be out of action from later this evening until tomorrow morning

    Dublin Bikes will be inaccessible from 6pm this evening until 5am tomorrow morning. Essential workers that use Dublin Bikes should take note that they won’t be available for use from 6pm on Monday evening until 5am on Tuesday morning. Dublin City Council announced the news by posting ‘please note that due to a system upgrade […]

    6 years ago

  • The Cupcake Bloke on how easily he caught Covid and making use of isolation time

    The Cupcake Bloke on how easily he caught Covid and making use of isolation time

    Graham Herterich, AKA The Cupcake Bloke, excuses himself as he picks up the phone – “Sorry, I’m eating a salt and vinegar crisp and I might just be getting my taste back. A good sign because for Graham, the first indication that something was wrong was his loss of taste and smell. “We closed the […]

    6 years ago

  • New data shows how well Dubliners have complied with ‘stay local’ rules during pandemic

    New data shows how well Dubliners have complied with ‘stay local’ rules during pandemic

    Dubliners were less likely to comply with ‘stay local’ rules in the days around Christmas than at any other time during the pandemic, new data shows. ‘Stay local’ measures have been introduced at various points during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the currently regulations asking people to remain within 5km of their homes for exercise and […]

    6 years ago

  • Penneys owner warns of massive losses if stores remain closed until end of February

    Penneys owner warns of massive losses if stores remain closed until end of February

    The owners of Primark, trading as Penneys in Ireland, has warned that the company could face losses of €1.2 billion if stores remain closed until the end of February. The fashion chain has noted that 305 of its 389 shops around the world are currently closed due to coronavirus restrictions, a situation which is expected […]

    6 years ago

  • Dealz is opening a new brand new store just off the M50

    Dealz is opening a new brand new store just off the M50

    Discount retail chain Dealz is opening a brand new store at Carrickmines Park this month, creating 40 new jobs in the process. The new Dealz branch will occupy the site where the old Mothercare store stood and will make up 930 square metres. Carrickmines Park is located at exit 15 of the M50 and boasts […]

    6 years ago

  • DCC suspends three popular Dublin markets until further notice

    DCC suspends three popular Dublin markets until further notice

    Dublin City Council has confirmed that the Thursday Market in Merrion Square, the Saturday market in St. Anne’s Park and the Sunday market in Herbert Park, are all suspended until further notice. All three markets are popular spots for Dubliners looking to get out of the house and try new food but concerns over Covid-19 […]

    6 years ago

  • Nine Netflix shows that you should never watch with your parents

    Nine Netflix shows that you should never watch with your parents

    For many people, lockdown means lots of family time and in turn, that means lots of time spent together in front of the telly. The multi-generational nature of families means that it can sometimes be hard to agree on a TV show that will appeal to everyone. One rule of thumb though is that if […]

    6 years ago

  • UCD pays tribute to ‘Old Man Belfield’ who died on campus yesterday

    UCD pays tribute to ‘Old Man Belfield’ who died on campus yesterday

    University College Dublin has posted a tribute to Michael Byrne, known as Old Man Belfield, who died on campus yesterday. The body of Michael Byrne, a homeless man who was well-known by students and staff at UCD, was found on the campus just after midday on Monday. He was known to sleep on UCD grounds […]

    6 years ago

  • Anyone called Darren or Deirdre can get free pizza in Dublin this week

    Anyone called Darren or Deirdre can get free pizza in Dublin this week

    The Back Page are absolutely spoiling their customers by announcing a second free pizza deal in the space of a few days. Hot on the heels of Brian and Angela being the chosen names over the weekend, it’s now the turn of anyone called Darren or Deirdre to pick up a free pizza from The […]

    6 years ago

  • Robbie Keane has given a revealing insight into Bono’s house parties

    Robbie Keane has given a revealing insight into Bono’s house parties

    Robbie Keane and Bono, two masters in their respective fields and both dyed in the wool Dubliners so it’s no surprise that their paths have crossed from time to time. When you’re as famous as Ireland’s record goalscorer Robbie Keane, you can except to be invited to more than a few social gatherings throughout your […]

    6 years ago

  • There’s a new café in Dublin and the opening hours are extremely specific

    There’s a new café in Dublin and the opening hours are extremely specific

    A new café has opened in Chapelizod village and locals have given it the name The Twirly Gate 23. Just before Christmas, the owners put out an appeal asking the public to help name their new venture. They suggested that the name of the new café should contain the number 23 as it’s located on […]

    6 years ago

  • New rules on the sale of alcohol are in place from today

    New rules on the sale of alcohol are in place from today

    A range of new rules regarding the sale of alcohol in supermarkets and off-licenses are coming into place from today. The new measures on alcohol sales are part of the Government’s Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 and follow the introduction in November of a rule that ensures supermarkets place a barrier of at least 1.2 […]

    6 years ago

  • Gardaí issue 17 fines to motorists visiting Wicklow Mountains from outside 5km limit

    Gardaí issue 17 fines to motorists visiting Wicklow Mountains from outside 5km limit

    Gardaí have issued 17 fixed charge notices to motorists who have visited the Luggala area of the Wicklow Mountains from outside the 5km limit. Taking to Facebook yesterday, Garda Síochána Wicklow wrote: ’17 fixed charge notices were issued to motorists in the Luggala area today. Please stay out of the uplands. It is dangerous at […]

    6 years ago

  • The DART is moving to a Saturday schedule on weekdays from Monday

    The DART is moving to a Saturday schedule on weekdays from Monday

    Irish Rail has confirmed that DART services will operate on a Saturday schedule on weekdays from Monday. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, significantly reduced demand is expected across and Irish Rail has reflected this by announcing a range of reduced services which will come into effect from Monday, January 11. Trains will operate at 25% capacity […]

    6 years ago

  • Varadkar tells pubs and restaurants to prepare for closure until end of March

    Varadkar tells pubs and restaurants to prepare for closure until end of March

    An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that if he was running a business, he would “be thinking that it’s a probability that I’ll be closed until the end of March.” Speaking at yesterday’s press briefing to announce tighter Covid-19 restrictions, Varadkar said although the vaccination process expected to ramp up over the coming weeks, “it’s […]

    6 years ago

  • Varadkar: “We should leave restrictions in place until those most at risk vaccinated”

    Varadkar: “We should leave restrictions in place until those most at risk vaccinated”

    An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said that Covid-19 restrictions should be kept in place until “such a time that we have those most at risk vaccinated.” A record 4,962 new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Sunday evening and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said today that hospitals are under “extreme pressure” at the […]

    6 years ago

  • Brother Hubbard close both branches due to ‘alarming levels of Covid-19 cases’

    Brother Hubbard close both branches due to ‘alarming levels of Covid-19 cases’

    Brother Hubbard have confirmed that both their north and south branches will be closed due to the ‘alarming levels of Covid cases’. Both Brother Hubbard branches had been offering takeaway services in line with new Level 5 restrictions announced on December 30 but on Saturday evening, the decision to close was announced on Instagram. In […]

    6 years ago

  • Happy Out confirm temporary closure of Bull Island branch

    Happy Out confirm temporary closure of Bull Island branch

    Popular Bull Island coffee spot Happy Out have confirmed that they will be close temporarily ‘in light of recent Covid-19 figures.’ Yesterday, 3,394 new cases of Covid-19 were reported and daily figures are expected to remain in the thousands for a week to 10 days. The Bull Island branch of Happy Out has long been […]

    6 years ago

  • It’s time to dust off this handy ‘5km from home’ tool again

    It’s time to dust off this handy ‘5km from home’ tool again

    It’s that time again where we say goodbye to some of our favourite spots in Dublin and dust off the old 5km from home tool that has served us so well throughout the year. Ireland has returned to Level 5 restrictions which means that people are asked to staying within 5km from home except for […]

    6 years ago

  • Liam Reilly, the writer of Summer in Dublin, has passed away aged 65

    Liam Reilly, the writer of Summer in Dublin, has passed away aged 65

    The family of Bagatelle lead singer Liam Reilly, who wrote the hit Summer in Dublin, have confirmed that he has passed away at the age of 65. In a statement, the musician’s family said: ‘With sad hearts, the family of Liam Reilly, musician, songwriter and frontman of Bagatelle, wish to confirm that he passed away […]

    6 years ago

  • The full list of essential retail outlets under Level 5 restrictions

    The full list of essential retail outlets under Level 5 restrictions

    A new set of Covid-19 measures for retail outlets came into effect on New Year’s Day and are scheduled to last until January 31. As part of the latest attempt to combat the spread of Covid-19, Ireland will remain under Level 5 restrictions for the entire month of January and possibly longer. Under the measures, […]

    6 years ago

  • Dublin pubs bid sad farewell to customers on ‘toughest day’ for the business

    Dublin pubs bid sad farewell to customers on ‘toughest day’ for the business

    It’s that time again for publicans around Dublin to lock their doors and wonder when they’ll be allowed to welcome customers back again. It’s been a tumultuous year for the hospitality industry with pubs that serve food being ordered to close on multiple occasions and those that don’t serve food remaining shut since March. Earlier […]

    6 years ago

  • Dublin Airport have confirmed Santa’s arrival time tonight

    Dublin Airport have confirmed Santa’s arrival time tonight

    There are just hours remaining before Santa arrives into Ireland and, according Dublin Airport, he’ll be right on time. Santa set off from the North Pole at around 10am Irish time today and people all over the world have been following his movements using this Santa tracker. It was expected that Santa and his reindeer […]

    6 years ago

  • Here’s the Dublin weather forecast for Christmas Day

    Here’s the Dublin weather forecast for Christmas Day

    Planning to get outdoors on Christmas Day? It looks like that could be quite a pleasant festive experience, according to Met Éireann anyway. We’ve already heard that St. Stephen’s Day could be a write-off with Storm Bella bringing damaging gusts on the 26th but thankfully, it seems you’ll be able to get that much-needed fresh […]

    6 years ago

  • These are the last Luas and Dublin Bus times on Christmas Eve

    These are the last Luas and Dublin Bus times on Christmas Eve

    If you’re planning on using public transport on Christmas Eve then it might be handy to know when the last Luas and Dublin Bus services are. Luas has confirmed that services will operate until 8pm this evening although trams won’t be running to Dublin Connolly. Dublin Bus, meanwhile, are operating a Saturday service during Christmas […]

    6 years ago

  • Dundrum Town Centre issues ‘important update’ after new Covid-19 measures announced

    Dundrum Town Centre issues ‘important update’ after new Covid-19 measures announced

    Dundrum Town Centre has issued an update after new Covid-19 measures were announced by the Government yesterday. With the news that restaurants and gastropubs will be ordered to close at 3pm on Christmas Eve until at least January 12, Dundrum Town Centre has taken to Instagram to say that ‘our restaurants and cafés will close […]

    6 years ago

  • Dublin restaurant left with unfulfilled booking for 34 Christmas Eve diners

    Dublin restaurant left with unfulfilled booking for 34 Christmas Eve diners

    After the Government announced that the hospitality industry should close at 3pm on Christmas Eve, restaurants across Dublin are left with bookings that they cannot fulfil. One such establishment is Dax on Pembroke Street who reacted to yesterday’s news on Twitter. The venue, which was recently added to Ireland’s Blue Book List for 2021, has […]

    6 years ago

  • Dublin has a new coffee shop and locals have been asked to help give it a name

    Dublin has a new coffee shop and locals have been asked to help give it a name

    There’s a new coffee shop in Chapelizod village and locals have been asked to help choose a name for it. A couple of months ago, we reported that the picturesque west Dublin village of Chapelizod would be getting a new coffee shop. Built on the site of the old Rinse Dry Cleaners, work is now […]

    6 years ago

  • Dublin Airport issues statement on Santa after travel ban extension

    Dublin Airport issues statement on Santa after travel ban extension

    Dublin Airport has moved to ease fears around Santa’s arrival after a ban on travel to and from Britain was extended to December 31. The travel ban, which was originally announced on Sunday and scheduled to last for 48 hours, has now been extended until New Year’s Eve as part of new Covid-19 measures announced […]

    6 years ago

  • Dublin restaurant comes up with genius way to make use of no-show bookings

    Dublin restaurant comes up with genius way to make use of no-show bookings

    Alfie’s Restaurant have come up with a great way to make use of all those no-shows that are happening at this time of year. Like many other restaurants across Ireland, Alfie’s have had to put up with groups of people booking tables before not showing up or giving notice. The act is frustrating for any […]

    6 years ago

  • PICS: The Luke Kelly statue has shown its support for Dublin’s successful GAA teams

    PICS: The Luke Kelly statue has shown its support for Dublin’s successful GAA teams

    Dubs across the city rejoiced this weekend after the men’s and ladies’ Gaelic Football teams secured an All-Ireland double. The Dublin men clinched their sixth Sam Maguire in a row on Saturday evening by beating Mayo by a score of 2-14 to 0-15. This was followed up by the ladies winning their fourth successive All-Ireland […]

    6 years ago

  • Sad news, Dubliners – It looks like Rick’s Burgers on Dame Street is no more

    Sad news, Dubliners – It looks like Rick’s Burgers on Dame Street is no more

    The iconic Rick’s Burgers on Dame Street, for so long a staple of Dublin nightlife, is sadly no more it seems. Heading into Rick’s Burgers for a post-pub feed has been a tradition for late-night revellers in Dublin for a few generations now. Many conversations have been long forgotten over a juicy burger at this […]

    6 years ago

  • Gardaí and HSE urge public not to visit the Forty Foot on Christmas Day

    Gardaí and HSE urge public not to visit the Forty Foot on Christmas Day

    The Gardaí, the HSE and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have issued a joint statement asking people not to visit the Forty Foot on Christmas Day or St. Stephen’s Day. The long-held Christmas tradition of swimming at the Forty Foot may not be going ahead this year after a joint statement was issued by An Garda […]

    6 years ago