Emerald Extracts


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Emerald Extracts

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Bite-sized Irish blog gives snapshots of Ireland's news, culture, entertainment and everything in between.

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Friday, May 24, 2013 at 06:34 AM

Irish Eurovision star Ryan Dolan’s song enters charts in 17 countries, including Australia - VIDEO

Irish Eurovision star Ryan Dolan’s song enters charts in 17 countries, including Australia - VIDEO

Ryan Dolan performed “Only Love Survives” for 2013’s Eurovision Song Contest which was hosted in Malmo, Sweden on May 18.

An average of 799,700 people watched the show with viewing figures spiking to 1,079,700 while Dolan was performing. RTÉ were ‘thrilled’ with the viewing figures, as more people watched the entire show in 2013 than last year for Jedward’s entry.



Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 05:15 AM

Surfing descendents of the King of the Blasket Islands to unite in new documentary - VIDEO

View of the Blasket Islands

A new documentary ‘The Crest’ is set to begin filming in Ireland this month. The film will see two Irish-American cousins, who have never met but have led remarkably similar lives on opposite coasts of the US, unite in Ireland.

Andrew Jacob of Boston, Mass and Dennis Kane of California are both great-great-grandsons of the King of the Blasket Islands in Ireland. Though having never met, the two men share similar lifestyles which focus heavily on the sport of surfing.



Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 06:21 AM

Farmers stage 24-hour prayer vigil for fine weather on Kerry-Cork border - VIDEO

St Joseph’s parish church

Farmers in Cork and Kerry staged a 24-hour prayer vigil for fine weather last week, as the region deals with an ongoing fodder crisis.

Hundreds of people showed up for the vigil in Rathmore, in the shadow of the Paps Mountains in Co. Kerry, reports the Irish Examiner.



Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 06:12 AM

Ellen DeGeneres mocks Abercrombie & Fitch’s sizing and customer policies – VIDEO

Ellen mocks tiny clothes at Abercrombie & Fitch Abercrombie & Fitch


Ellen DeGeneres went after Abercrombie & Fitch’s CEO, Mike Jeffries, and his policy of not catering for anyone over a size 8 by saying “Fitch, please!”

DeGeneres, whose talk show’s tagline is “laugh, dance, watch,” mocks the clothing chain and breaks down why their policy is insane.



Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 06:10 AM

Students use tilt-shift photography to create toy town video of Dublin city

Ringsend and Dublin Port as viewed through this tilt shift video


Students the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, in Dublin, have created an almost unreal video of Dublin city using tilt–shift photography. Their aim was to “video and photograph Dublin and turn it into a toy like model by using the tilt-shift effect.” Mission accomplished.

Created by Stephen Duffy, Rafal Baran, Afshin Moosavi and Olivia Ricci, they explained on their site, TiltshiftDublin.com, that “tilt–shift photography is the use of camera movements on small- and medium-format cameras, and sometimes specifically refers to the use of tilt for selective focus, often for simulating a miniature scene. Sometimes the term is used when the shallow depth of field is simulated with digital post-processing; the name may derive from the tilt–shift lens normally required when the effect is produced optically.”



Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 05:08 AM

New Irish stamp features Irish teen’s short story about Dublin

A new 60c Irish stamp was commissioned to commemorate UNESCO naming Dublin as a permanent city of literature in 2010.

On the stamp is an entire 224 word short story meant to “capture the essence” of Dublin, penned by Irish teenager Eoin Moore, who was 17 at the time he wrote it. Moore’s short story was chosen from a group of applicants through Dublin’s Fighting Words’ creative writing program.



Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 06:28 AM

Video of three-year-old Colombian boy 'celebrating' Mass becomes online hit

A video of a three-year-old Colombian boy dressed in priestly garments celebrating Mass has become an online hit.

Samuel Jaramillo, who is an orphan, lives with his grandmother and aunt in the city of Medellin, the Catholic News Agency reports.



Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 06:12 AM

Camera attached to spire records dazzling finale of One World Trade Center – VIDEO

View from above One World Trade Center (Photo: NY Port Auth)

On Friday May 10, 2013, the 408-foot spire was placed on top of One World Trade Center symbolically capping the building, a symbol of New York’s comeback post 9/11.



Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 06:19 AM

Galway teacher thrilled to receive thank you letter from President Obama for sketch drawing


Barack Obama wrote a personal letter in thanks to untrained artist and secondary school teacher Brian Fogarty who simply drew a depiction of the President’s Irish relation.  The 35-year-old Fogarty is a business and economics teacher at Salerno school in Salthill and has always had a passion for drawing.  Although untrained, Fogarty has a very natural talent for drawing as both his father and grandfather were artists.  The Galway Advertiser reported that Fogarty said,  “Since I was a child I would do drawings, mostly of houses, trees and of course being from Tipperary, hurlers.”

Fogarty treated drawing as a hobby for the most part until his girlfriend Agata, now wife, laid eyes on a exceptional drawing of his mother.  After realizing it was her boyfriend’s work, Agata was taken back and encouraged Fogarty to further his work.  He explained that, “She marched me off to Eason’s and got me pencils and art materials.”



Friday, May 10, 2013 at 06:20 AM

Stephen Colbert gets down with the hipster trend of diaperless babies, suggests ‘Kiddie Litter’ - VIDEO

Stephen Colbert Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s ‘The Colbert Report,’ shared on his show this week a new trend spawning amongst “hipster” parents. The trend? Not using diapers on their pre-toilet trained kids, but rather let them “eliminate” in sinks, toilets or bowls.

The movement is being backed by those who say it reduces diaper rash, reduces the waste of disposable diapers and, of course, helps parents get in touch with their children’s “most intimate functions.”



Saturday, May 04, 2013 at 10:53 PM

Irish mad for the dirty talk - one third use Smartphones on the toilet

Texting on the toilet is the norm

One in three Irish people use their cell phones in the bathroom, with a whopping 27 percent texting while actually on the toilet.

According to Eircom’s latest Household Sentiment Survey, phone addiction is most prevalent among younger generations with 37 percent of those aged 16-34 admitting using their phones while on the toilet.



Friday, May 03, 2013 at 07:33 AM

If you thought some Irish names are bad check out the names banned in New Zealand

A word map of the silly names in New Zealand people tried to call their children.

Irish people living abroad after have a terrible time when people go about pronouncing their names. For example names like Aoife, get pronounced A-O-FEE or Siobhan turns into SIGH-O-BAN. There are even cases where Maireads are simple renamed Mermaid but at least you've not been called Messiah, Fear, or MC on your birth-cert.



Thursday, May 02, 2013 at 06:16 AM

Southern cuisine - the National Cornbread Festival through Irish eyes - VIDEO

Galway native James Mahon attended the recent National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, Tennessee and admits he did not know what to expect.

Galway native James Mahon attended the recent National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, Tennessee and admits he did not know what to expect.

Thousands descended on South Pittsburg for the 17th annual cornbread festival which included cornbread cooks-offs.



Wednesday, May 01, 2013 at 06:17 AM

'Republic of Telly’s' 'You know you’re Irish' factually correct - goes viral - VIDEO

you're Irish when" video

 The RTE show "Republic of Telly" hit the nail on the head this week with their "You Know You're Irish When" video. If you're not Irish however we're not sure if you'll "get it".

From your Mammy asking you what Mass was about ("aliens and stuff") colloqualisms like people who thinks everything is modern society is "a disgrace", to ending a phonecall with "bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye....bye". And of course there's always that person in your life who knows how much every piece of property has devalued since "the boom".



Friday, April 26, 2013 at 06:07 AM

Fox anchor wins cool customer award by continuing to report while two women try to kiss them - VIDEO

Mike Tobin keeps his cool

Mike Tobin of Fox News brought focus to a new level after stopping two attention seekers dead in their tracks while simultaneously reporting an unfortunately acute story.

Two women approached Tobin from opposing sides planning a simultaneous kiss attack while cameras were live and rolling. A seemingly harmless gesture but in the midst of one of America’s most horrific tragedies, the Boston Marathon bombings, Tobin, who was recounting the attack’s timeline, had no time for the insensitive interruption.



Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 06:21 AM

'Man of Steel’s' Michael Shannon reads the very mean sorority letter that went viral - VIDEO

Seriously intense Michael Shannon

The intense actor Michael Shannon, who’s brilliantly cast as General Zod in the upcoming Superman movie “Man of Steel” took on his most chilling role to date this week, the insane sorority girl at the University of Maryland.

This letter has been sweeping the Internet due to its insanely potty mouthed rant lashing out at her sisters. The “lady” hurls insults after insults at the girls but reading doesn’t quite do the intensity of this letter justice.



Friday, April 19, 2013 at 06:20 AM

Irish surfer Eoin McCarthy Deering goes surfing on ice in Iceland - VIDEO

 Eoin McCarthy Deering

One of GoPro’s newest videos features Eoin McCarthy Deering enjoying a unique surf in Iceland.

GoProCamera sent the Irish surfer Deering to Iceland where he documented his journey enjoying the freezing waves and jumping through icebergs.  The video was GoPro’s video of the day on April 15th and already has over 110,000 views on Youtube.



Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 05:11 AM

BBC in an iTune pickle - “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead” climbs the charts after Margaret Thatcher’s death - VIDEO

 

slot following Margaret Thatcher's death (Photo: Mirror)

After much deliberation the BBC has decided that it will play a short clip of the song “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead” after the track surged up the iTunes chart in Britain following the death of Margaret Thatcher. 



Friday, April 12, 2013 at 06:08 AM

Corrigan Brothers may update ‘Rory McIlroy’ tune if Irishman is victorious at Masters - VIDEO

The Corrigan Brothers

Ireland’s The Corrigan Brothers - whose song ‘No One is as Irish as Barack OBama’ was a hit - are cheering on Co Down native Rory McIlroy in his bid to win the Masters.

The singing group who hails from Tipperary penned a song about the Irish golf wonder last year when he first started making waves on the scene.



Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 05:03 AM

Pure genius or sick? Tayto release the first cheese and onion chocolate bar

Mr. Tayto finally gives in to his sweet tooth


Irish snack staple Tayto is branching out in the sweets world with their release of a chocolate bar infused with their famous cheese and onion crisps.

Tayto has teamed up with Butlers Chocolates to create a “truly Irish product” after consumer demand went viral on social media outlets.



Saturday, April 06, 2013 at 05:15 AM

Irish people tell their favorite cringe worthy jokes – VIDEO

Irish people tell their favorite cringe worthy jokes – VIDEO

Fancy a laugh?

The Irish are known for many things but our wit is certainly one of our more charming traits.



Friday, April 05, 2013 at 06:00 AM

Irish dancers around the world take on Psy’s mega-hit ‘Gangnam Style’ - VIDEOS

Irish dancers go Gangnam Style for performances (An Daire)

You didn’t think that the ‘Gangnam Style’ phenomenon had gone away, had you? It’s not a real fad until Irish dancers around the world begin to work it into their performance routines.

After becoming a viral hit last summer, South Korean artist Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’ has gone on to be recreated in a countless number of parodies. Check out these Irish dancers who work Psy’s signature moves into their own treble reel routines!



Thursday, April 04, 2013 at 06:03 AM

Donegal Council meeting suspended after Sinn Fein member demands the Tricolor be raised above building

Donegal Council meeting suspended after Sinn Fein member demands the Tricolor be raised above building An Irish tricolor

A local town council meeting in Donegal was disrupted on Tuesday after a councilor demanded an Irish Tricolor be raised above the building before the meeting commenced.

The Tricolor is usually flown above official Government buildings in the Republic.



Monday, April 01, 2013 at 10:03 AM

Aer Lingus launch new customer initiative to mark The Gathering and International Hurling Fest - VIDEO

Captains join in on the fun for The Gathering

For the year of The Gathering and the Aer Lingus International Hurling Festival the Irish airline are introducing some new initiatives and changes to their standard operating procedures.

From how their planes will be boarded by clan to the use of hurls during in-flight service the airline is making some serious changes, including Irish dance lessons for all staff.



Friday, March 29, 2013 at 06:12 AM

Star of ‘Tallafornia’ - Ireland’s ‘Jersey Shore’ - threatens to sue over Facebook photobomb

Phil Penny gets pranked

Phil Penny, one of the stars of Irish reality program ‘Tallafornia,’ is threatening to sue after becoming victim of a harmless albeit embarrassing photobomb that made its way to Facebook.

 



Friday, March 15, 2013 at 06:32 AM

Animated short examines Ireland's ‘emigration generation’ and the true Irish spirit - VIDEO

‘Origin,’ a short animation, tells the story a young man in Dublin who, on the brink of emigration, comes to realize the spirit he’s leaving behind.

The short animation was directed by James Stacey and produced by Souljacker Films with the support of the Irish Film Board.

‘Origin’ was nominated for Best Animation at the 2012 IFTA’s, and was the winner of the Best Animated Short at Blackrock Animation Film Festival of 2012.



Friday, March 08, 2013 at 05:01 AM

800 Irish schoolboys break Guinness World Record for largest human shamrock

800 Irish schoolboys form world's largest human shamrock (Irish Independent)

Hundreds of students in Dublin gathered together to set a Guinness World record for forming the largest human shamrock just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, all while raising money for charity.

The Irish Independent reports on the endeavor that saw 800 schoolboys from Blackrock College and Willow Park schools in Dublin assembled on the lawns of Blackrock College.



Thursday, March 07, 2013 at 07:18 AM

Uniquely Irish scaffolding in Waterville, County Kerry

Scaffolding in Waterville, Co Kerry Only in Ireland!

This rather unique scaffolding set-up was spotted on Main Street in Waterville, County Kerry on Thursday.

Yes, those are kegs being used to support the structure. Hopefully they're emptied already!



Tuesday, March 05, 2013 at 05:22 AM

Irish surfers could fetch $65,000 for ball of whale puke

 Alan Davey (38) and Brian Miller, both from Co Clare could earn big with a ball of whale vomite (Photo: Star) with a ball of whale vomite (Photo: Star)


Two Irish surfers are hopeful they can cash in on a rare lump of whale vomit that could be worth up to 50,000 euro.

The Irish Daily Star reports that Alan Davey (38) and Brian Miller, both from Co Clare, found the hardened lump of vomit on the beach in Lahinch.



Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 07:12 AM

See Ireland like never before - image taken in space of Emerald Isle and Britain lit up

A photograph taken from space shows a stunning view of Britain and Ireland lighting up the night skies.

The picture, posted on Twitter @earthposts this week shows the more populated areas, like Dublin in Ireland, lit up brighter than others.

What do you think of the picture?



Saturday, February 09, 2013 at 04:46 AM

Irish boy reminds us it’s okay to be single on Valentine’s Day - VIDEO

Single for Valentine’s Day this year? Not to worry! Charlie, an adorable seven year old Irish boy, reminds us that there is no rush to settle down anytime soon … as in maybe not until your “late 30s.”

The video comes as a promotional spot for the return of ‘Singlehood’ to the Vicar Street theater in Dublin after a successful reception at the Dublin Fringe Festival.



Wednesday, February 06, 2013 at 05:25 AM

CA woman takes to craigslist to find Irish man from infamous Coppers nightclub

A Californian woman has posted on Craigslist in the hopes she can be reunited with an Irish man she met in a notorious Dublin nightclub last year.

Describing herself as “The Girl from California,” the female posted on the popular American website last Saturday as a ‘w4m ‘ or ‘woman looking for a man’ she met in Copper Face Jacks on December 28th last.



Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 05:45 AM

Rare vintage Irish-made American sports car goes on display in Dublin - PHOTO

will be hosted in Dublin from February 9-10.



Friday, January 25, 2013 at 05:17 AM

RNLI lifeboats rescued 1,041 people in 2012, increase from 2011

Incidents included people who had fallen ill or injured on islands, cliffs or shorelines, or medical evacuations, which is a regular occurrence for the lifeboats at Arranmore Island in Co Donegal and the Aran Islands in Co Galway.



Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 04:08 AM

Comedian posing as Irish dancer joins breakdancers on New York subway - VIDEO

Comedian Tyler Fischer doing an Irish jig on an NYC subway


Running into break dancers on a New York City subway is nothing for most native New Yorkers to bat an eye at. However, for the break dancers to be upstaged by a faux Irish dancer?
Comedian Tyler Fischer stole the spotlight from some break dancers on a subway recently when the music switched up to an Irish reel and Fleischer began to prance around the subway car.

“Look at him go! He’s a little leprechaun!” cheered on the break dancers who were presumably in on the stunt.





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