This week, the jovial clan who run The Happy Pear are somewhat less cheerful. Food enthusiasts and twin brothers from Greystones, Dave and Steve Flynn, have experienced controversy in the past, having previously issued an apology for associating antibiotics with an increase in depression during a podcast episode, and for claiming that mushroom consumption could lower the odds of breast cancer. Now, they’re fretting over the introduction of 5G technology.
An Bord Pleanála had recently authorised Cignal Infrastructure to erect a 35m telecoms mast within the premises of the Holy Faith convent in Kilcoole, situated just south of Greystones and adjacent to the Flynn brothers’ product manufacturing location.
Darragh Flynn, another brother who typically maintains a less conspicuous presence compared to his more famous siblings, contested the mast on the company’s behalf. The main point of contention was that the 5G mast, positioned next to their organic farm, could potentially cause substantial reputational harm. He asserted that customers might become hesitant to buy their products due to concerns about the unknown health effects of having a 5G mast in such close proximity to their organic produce.
Despite multiple health and environmental organisations giving the new technology a clean chit, Flynn’s appeal against Wicklow County Council’s approval of the mast proved unsuccessful. He warned that 5G technology could pose health risks to their staff and have negative impacts on the “diversity of biotic life thriving on our farm.”
In other news, Jack Crowley, the Cork-born out-half, is adapting swiftly. He recently established a limited company to manage his earnings. The talented rugby player, who honed his skills at the Bandon and Cork Con rugby clubs, has appointed his aunt, Elaine Burke, as a co-director – a solid choice considering her status as a celebrated sports figure in Munster, where she won three All Ireland titles with Cork’s camogie team in the early 2000s.
The name of the company, JC10 Rugby Ltd, mirrors another company created by a former Irish international, Bod 13 Sports Management Ltd, suggesting that Crowley possesses abundant self-confidence. While many team members have their own companies to manage sponsorship income, one player, Joe McCarthy, hasn’t yet established one.
Maybe one of his knowledgeable colleagues could recommend a competent accountant?
Lastly, De Paor has run afoul of Wicklow’s architectural critics.
Recognised architect Tom de Paor is no stranger to commendations. He’s widely known for his design of the Pálás Cinema in Galway, a project which brought him into the limelight in the early 2000s when he designed a pavilion for Ireland at the Venice Biennale using 1,741 peat briquettes. This accomplishment earned him an international fellowship from The Royal Institute of British Architects in 2003, depicting him as “the leading Irish architect of his generation”.
However, one of his latest projects has faced a somewhat tepid response from vigilant planners of Wicklow County Council. De Paor has requested retention permission for the redevelopment of a string of farmyard buildings at Dysart, located on Bray Head, the area he calls home. His plan revolves around transforming the seven outbuildings into a collection of residential spaces situated in a courtyard setting. Last week, the council’s planners expressed numerous issues with the project, criticism that found its way into the description of the project as a “haphazard form of development”.
The council planners suggested that de Paor is “unlikely” to receive retention permission given the present layout and they recommended the amalgamation of some of the structures into one single building. They also called for more detailed floor plans, stating that only the structure designed as a home office/study appears acceptable.
Well-regarded Italian architectural magazine Domus portrayed a considerably more positive outlook when it showcased Dysart, covering the project. The statement it made indicated an ambiguous interpretation of the architecture, suggesting it represents both reality and illusion, a design seemingly stuck in constant present time.
Moving to a different field, actor Barry Keoghan intends to return to education. Being one of the most notable celebrities from Summerhill since Bill Cullen, Keoghan lacked formal acting training due to his difficult upbringing. In an interview with Vanity Fair at an Oscars preview party, Keoghan revealed his enrolment in acting classes at Stella Adler, in Los Angeles, where he currently resides.
“I’ve become a part of Stella Adler, the acting institution. It’s Mark Ruffalo who directed me to it,” he mentioned. “I didn’t possess any formal training in acting growing up and I’m eager to learn some techniques. Learning knows no bounds.”
Keoghan and his intimidating gaze surprised other students when he showed up for his first class. “They seemed perplexed. ‘For what reason? You’re an actor by profession.’ I haven’t had formal training; I crave those abilities for future use.”
Aosdána, the elite artists’ association established by Charles Haughey in the 1980s, has reconsidered its initiative to reintroduce ornate membership badges. The original 250 members were honoured with a brothel pin, symbolising their induction into this exclusive milieu. Over the years, this tradition gradually diminished. However, the organisation’s administration, An Toscaireacht committee, which consists of 10 members, entertained the possibility of distributing new pins to the current members, who include artists, authors, musicians, architects, and choreographers. They approached ESL Jewellery for a quote for gold pins, the creators of the original badges, but the cost was too high. The initiative has since been paused. If the plan does advance, members will be expected to bear the cost of their pins. It’s safe to say that The Squire would have found the situation distressing.
Harry Crosbie has been attempting to build a hotel at his Vicar Street location for over ten years. He recently sought planning permission from Dublin City Council for a luxurious 182-bedroom structure, reaching eight floors, with an expansive art studio encompassing the ground floor and basement. A new obstacle has arisen for the showman, however.
A collection of horse and carriage owners, who provide tourists with a city tour, are opposing his hotel plans. They believe that the hotel’s encroachment into Molyneaux Yard, where their carriages have been kept since the good old days, might jeopardise their source of income.
They urge the council to add a clause ensuring the protection of the horse lodgings, should the hotel be granted permission – after all, the council should be endorsing sustainable transport.
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