Provisional IRA bomb Waltons Restaurant in Knightsbridge London, 18 November 1975
On 18 November 1975 an Irish Republican Army (IRA) unit nicknamed the Balcombe Street Gang without warning threw a bomb into Walton's Restaurant in Walton Street, Knightsbridge, London, killing two people and injuring almost two dozen others
Calling time on bar queues at the UK's first iPub
LEADIN:
The holiday season is traditionally one of the busiest times for ringing in the New Year in pubs in the UK. Bars are crammed with drinkers all queueing for a festive tipple.
Now a pub in Wales is embracing new technology and is raising the bar when it comes to self-service.
STORYLINE:
It might look like any other from the outside but inside, The Westbourne has just had a technological makeover fit for the 21st Century.
Welcome to Britain's first iPub.
Customers set up a traditional bar tab, but it comes with a modern twist.
They're given a card which allows them to order drinks on this self-service tablet and after just a few taps on the screen, drinkers can pour their own pints from the comfort of their seats.
Mark Lingwood, landlord at the Westbourne, says: Everyone's very wary of it at first, they sort of, everyone's a bit unsure if they can pull their own pint but as soon as people get going on it, they pull their first pint, then it becomes a bit of a competition for everyone and it's great fun then for the rest of the evening.
Like the drinks, the self service system seems to have gone down well with the locals.
Dan Jenkins, a customer at the Westbourne, says: Yeah it's great, we can sit here, we can have a chat and we can pull our own pints.
It's been dubbed the self-service revolution, but this revolution came with a hefty price tag of �20,000 ($31,000).
Lingwood says: It's taken quite a while, we had a major refurb in March to drill through the cellar floor. We had to install pipes up through the floor to each of the tables and then it's been a bit of a while getting through licensing, but now it's all approved and up and running it's going well.
With people encouraged to pour their own pints, how do the landlord and his staff make sure customers don't get carried away and have one too many?
The system monitors how many pints are pulled on each table and then sends alerts to the bar, so staff have to come over and check otherwise the taps are automatically cut off, says Lingwood.
If you're a bit of a bar fly and like to stay on your feet while having a drink, the Westbourne's self service beer wall may be for you.
But can customers take advantage and sneak in one for the road once last orders have been called?
Last orders, message appears on the screen, as you'd hear the bell at the bar as well and then at eleven o' clock or when we shut, the taps will shut off automatically, explains the landlord.
'Tis the season to be jolly and that means the bar will be especially busy over the next few weeks. So how is the self service revolution coping with extra demand?
We get a lot of big groups coming in and they tend to stay a bit longer then. Once they get a bit of competition about who can pour the best pint, that, everyone seems to be enjoying that aspect of it, says Lingwood.
But with the self-service revolution, are the staff worried they'll soon be out of a job?
I get asked that question at least once a night and hand on heart I'm not worried at all. We've actually had to hire more staff because of it, barman Jack Reynolds explains.
The next step is for customers to be able to use their phones to order drinks and serve themselves, but for now everyone who visits The Westbourne is keen to see how using a tablet can get them a tipple at their table.
I think it's an absolutely fantastic idea that you can order drinks from the comfort of your own seat, you don't need to get up to the bar, says this female drinker.
Of course, there are those who are still quite happy to stand in line for their favourite drink.
But those who are not have got something to raise a glass to. No more queuing!
You can license this story through AP Archive:
Find out more about AP Archive:
Moneypenny's Lock Portadown
Moneypenney's is 4km from Portadown town centre via the Ulster Way footpath. Here you will find a lockhouse, bothy and stables along the Newry Canal.
The Newry Canal was the first major inland canal in the British Isles. It opened for traffic in March 1742. Eighteen miles in length, it extended through a series of locks from Newry to Whitecote Point, 2km south of Portadown. The last lock before the canal joins the River Bann is known as Moneypenny's Lock.
The Moneypenny's were lock keepers for 85 years and operated the lock gates. They also took note of the barges, which passed through the lock carrying a great variety of cargoes including linen cloth, farm produce, coal, grain and flax seed. However, with the growth of the railway network, the use of the Newry Canal began to decline and the last known commercial journey through lock was in 1936.
Cebu Singing Priests - Cafe de Manila - Reno
Siren of Death - Peter McVeigh & Ciara O'Neill
This is the 2nd collaboration between Peter McVeigh & Ciara O'Neill. This is a haunting song written about the loss associated with war! Acapella vocals are the only instrumentation! petermcveigh.com & ciaraoneillmusic.com
The video is animated by the fantastic Maria Becvar find more of her stuff over at becvardoodles.com
Belfast's 'vape cafe' serves up a taste of e-cigarettes
By Kirsten Elder – 13 May 2015
Belfast's first E-Cigarette Club and ‘vape café’ is now open for business as electronic cigarettes continue to grow in popularity.
The recently established E-Cigarette Club on Royal Avenue, is much more than just a place to go and ‘vape’, Director of the E-Cigarette Club, Jordan Stewart said: “It’s still very much a work in progress, we have plans to open a food café upstairs, have open-mic nights on a Thursday and a cinema club on a Sunday.”
Jordan and his wife Nadya, who is also co-owner, opened up their first ‘vape café’ two-years ago in Lisburn and they wanted to bring one to Belfast.
Mr Stewart said: “I was a smoker for 15-years and I was about to become a parent and wanted to find a healthier alternative. I also have asthma and found within a few months of switching that my breathing had become a lot better.”
“Being completely honest it is still a habit, but after a short while is becomes a hobby. Ultimately my wife and I wanted to create a safe environment for people who vape to come and do so in a safe place and where people will not stare at them for vaping.
Mr Stewart added that studies had found there was no second-hand smoke risk to vaping, By the time it leaves your lungs the particles are negligible.
The café currently offers the choice of 140 flavours or ‘juices’ to smoke and also offers tea, coffee and buns.
Jordan advises: “I would only try about four or five at the most, otherwise it will be too much for your taste buds.”
Vaporisers include nicotine, the addictive element in cigarettes, but not tobacco, which is believed to make them less harmful than cigarettes. However, as the industry is in its infancy, the long-term effects are yet to be known.
Mr Stewart said there was no definitive answer on the long-term effects. To get a clinical trial I think you have to do it over 10 years. It isn't that old yet as an industry. There still is work to be done and there still is obviously new things that come up that we keep on top of.
E-cigarette stores have become popular around the UK and Northern Ireland, and are the fastest-growing category of retail on the British high street, research from PwC and researchers the Local Data Company found.
E-cigarettes were the fastest-growing product in UK supermarkets last year, as sales rose 49% in 2014.
Riding in U.K. #15 (Midland Riders - Beach Ride)
Rideing in U.K. #16
Jamie Cupples Drum Major display at Portadown College
Video from Alan Cupples
Classic Ford Event Meet 2016 Essex UK Battlesbridge County Show Ground
14/8/16 Slideshow
Hillsborough Fort Co Down
A remarkable place of vast proportions.
It's an Artillery fort built in 1650 by Colonel Arthur Hill - the Hill family built the village of Hillsborough starting with the fort. Remodelled in the 18th Century for feasts and entertainment.
Hillsborough Fort lies just outside the village of Hillsborough in County Down. Set in the beautiful Hillsborough Forest Park and built on the site of the old Magennes stronghold, the Fort was founded in 1630 by Peter Hill and completed around 1650 by Colonel Arthur Hill.
Certainly one of the Historic Houses of Northern Ireland, the Fort consists of a square enclosed by an earthen rampart with outer stone facing. The stone facing rises above the rampart level to form a parapet wall. It was constituted a Royal Fort by Charles II.
William of Orange spent several nights at the Fort on his way South to the Boyne in 1690.
The building’s historic significance is still marked in the 21st Century by the “Hillsborough Old Guard”, a local society which keeps the tradition of the fort alive through re-enactments and events. There is an official Bugler of the Hillsborough Fort Guard (historically the keepers of the Fort) who plays at ceremonial events.
Whilst Adults will ‘get’ the history of the location, kids will love the freedom they can experience in the vast grounds in front of the fort, making it a great family attraction in Northern Ireland. Despite the impression that the location is far from the rest of civilisation, the fort is just metres away from the pleasant centre of Hillsborough, with its restaurants, shops and cafés, and of course, Hillsborough Castle, the official Royal Residence in Northern Ireland.
Former SDLP politician and architect of Good Friday Agreement Seamus Mallon dies
Former Stormont deputy first minister and SDLP deputy leader Seamus Mallon has died at the age of 83, the SDLP has announced. Announcing Mr Mallon's death, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Ireland had lost one of its most fierce champions for justice, equality and peace. Mr Eastwood said the former civil rights campaigner had carved a pathway beyond Ireland's troubled past, providing an opportunity to build a shared home on the island. Seamus Mallon was a force of nature, he said. In the darkest days of conflict, when hope was in short supply, Seamus represented the fierce thirst for justice that ran through the SDLP and through communities that had lost so much to political violence. Former prime minister Tony Blair described Mr Mallon as a brave, blunt and tough negotiator, while his former powersharing partner Lord David Trimble said he was a committed democrat. Mr Mallon was deputy first minister of the first devolved Assembly at Stormont following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, leading the powersharing coalition government along with first minister Lord Trimble of the Ulster Unionists. Civil rights drew Mr Mallon into politics and the thoughtful and well-read political leader served as an MP for Newry and Armagh before his career reached its pinnacle at Stormont. Mr Blair said he was one of the most important architects of peace in Northern Ireland. “Brave, blunt, often prepared to swim against the tide if he felt it right, he was someone deeply respected and admired across the troubled landscape of Irish politics. “I spent many hours listening to him and learning from him. He had a brilliant turn of phrase and sharp wit which he would use to great effect. “He could be difficult but never ill-intentioned. “Tough to negotiate with but always for a purpose. Even occasionally fierce but always wise.” Lord Trimble told BBC Radio Ulster his former Stormont deputy was committed to peaceful, democratic politics. He was a stubborn man but at the end of the day he was prepared to make an agreement, which we did and implemented. The most senior Catholic cleric in Ireland, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin, said Mr Mallon was a man of integrity and great courage. To his dying day Seamus Mallon remained a man of hope for a brighter future - a shared and respectful future where we all experience a sense of belonging. A fitting tribute to his legacy would be a renewed effort by all our political leaders and by all of us to build that shared home place which was Seamus's vision and lifelong project. Former Irish premier Bertie Ahern also paid tribute along with the current leader of Fianna Fail, Micheal Martin. Mr Eastwood added: His passion for peace underpinned by truth, justice and reconciliation came from a lifetime as a proud son of Markethill, where he was born, grew up and raised his own family. It didn't matter who you were, where you worshipped or what your politics were, there was always help to be found at S
Irish hedge schools. What were they? part 2 (Hedge School History #4)
©2006...2017 copyright Irish Roots Cafe, all audio and video items are in the public domain, used with permission, or property of the Irish Roots Cafe. False copyright claims are actionable.
Subscribe here:
From the Irish Roots Cafe, show #4 part 2. Irish History from the Hedge Rows with Peter Reilly Adams and Michael O'Laughlin. This episode continues on the topic of the Irish Hedge School. This show has 21 episodes to date. Did you carry the Turf ?
The Irish Roots Cafe and Hedge school features Irish Genealogy; History; travel and traditional Irish song, including old style Sean Nós singing. Founded by Michael C. O'Laughlin in 1978 with headquarters at
We open todays broadcast with Peter singing that old
song that mentions school and carrying the sod.
Here are some random notes for today, with a timeline:
Payment of the Hedge Teachers 2:35
Free Schools of the English Way 3:40
Competition Between Teachers
This verse won the day for one teacher:
“ In Teaching the Young our Mother Tongue
at least I may venture to Mention
I am better than some, who greedily thumb,
the Bible Society Pension. “
Failed Charter Schools set up by authorities. 6:03
Outlawing of endowments,
Hedge Schools were pay schools
Baptist Schools use the Irish Language !
End of the Hedge Schools 8:50
Building of Churches and Open Education 9:45
“ A sod house scooped out of the road side “
Catholics to Pay for Protestant Minister.
Irish vs. English Language 11:45
Current debate over language in Ireland
How they taught in the hedge school 14:45
Individual instruction, Recitation, Copying
Writing in Slate, Paper, Sand.
The City ‘Acadamy’ 18:15
Hedge Schools and the Church
Elizabeth I sponsors Bible in Irlsh 22:00
Some Popular Books of Students:
Freny and O’Hanlon, Hiwaymen
The History of Witchcraft
The Articles of LImerick
The Stranger or ‘Poor Scholar’ 27:18
The Pass, or letter of recommendation
Giddyhead O’Hacket, Coxcomb O’Boland, Buffoon O’Mulcahy
The New National Schools of Ireland 31:40
The final of the Hedge Schools.
“Rough unpolished men, and brilliant scholars “
Total Time: 35:20
Our next session will be on a new topic from Irish History.
Thanks,
Mike O’Laughlin
JustiX Vlog 2013: A Royal Baby, Windsor and Hotel!
The first day in England!
Moriarty family Irish roots; Co. Armagh Ireland, genealogy notes; Scottish Tartan Archives; IF113
©2017 Irish Roots Cafe. All sound and video is either used with permission; in the public domain; or property of The Irish Roots Cafe. False copyright claims are actionable.
We feature weekly videos on Irish Genealogy; History, Heraldry and Old Style 'sean nos' song, with leading author Michael C. O'Laughlin. Founded in 1978 with headquarters at
Subscribe here:
Among Todays Topics:
1) The Irish Family Name of the Week is: Moriarty
2) Obama Targets Ireland
3) The Book of the Month is: County Armagh Genealogy
4) Scottish Tartan Archives.
5) Kenyans overrun the Irish convincingly
6) See you at National Archives family history fair in KC
7) Irish Video of the Day: Best Riverdance smiles yet....
Timeline for this weeks audio broadcast:
This Weeks Topics: 1:05
Notes from Mike: 2:04
Book of the Month: 5:36
The Magnificent Seven: 8:28
Irish Name of the Day: 10:50
Websites of the Week: 16:18
Curious News and Notes: 18:59
Time: 25:15
Provisional IRA bomb destroys a UDA pub on the Shankill Road, Belfast 6th June 1972
The IRA's Belfast brigade 1st battalion bombed the Woodvale Arms pub on the Shankill Road destroying the pub & damaging a number of other buildings. 18 people were injured in the bombing of the pub.
Smith Smyth(e) McGowan names; Special Census; Irish Families #176
©2006...2017 copyright Irish Roots Cafe, all audio and video items are in the public domain, used with permission, or property of the Irish Roots Cafe. False copyright claims are actionable.
The Irish Roots Cafe and Hedge school features Irish Genealogy; History; travel and traditional Irish song, including old style Sean Nós singing. Founded by Michael C. O'Laughlin in 1978 with headquarters at
Subscribe here:
Show Notes #176
Among Todays Topics at the Irish Roots Cafe:
1) Family of the Day: Smith
2) Book of the Month: Special Irish Census
3) Searching For: Lord of the Dance
4) Curious News: Quinn attacks a mountain
5) Web Page of the Month: Baby Irish Giraffe
6) Curious Note: What it means to be Irish
7) One minute podcast: Will America Forget the Irish!
This Weeks Video Timeline
Todays Topics: 1:00
Notes from Mike: 2:00
One Minute Podcast: 4:00
Book of the Month: 6:30
The Magnificent Seven: 9:30
Irish Name of the Day: 11:30
Sources: 15:30
Websites of the Week: 16:30
Curious News and Notes: 18:30
Irish Family Name of the Day: Smith
Todays family history in honor of member:
Dena Adams, searching for Smith and McKiernan
Related Spellings of the Name
Smithe, Smyth, Smythe, Gowan, Gowing, Goldrick, McCona, Mc Givney, etc..
Varient Spelling Groups: #728, #733, #1348, #1358, #1897, #1901, #3114
From The Guide to the Various Spellings of Irish Family Names
History of the Name
Smith is one of the most numerous names in England, Scotland
and America. In Ireland the name ranks among the 10 most
numerous surnames. In America Smith is the #1 name. The
spellings of Smyth and Smythe are found commonly in Ireland too
Families of the name have arrived here from several countries,
and it can be difficult to determine origins. One Irish family of the
name can be found originally as MacGowan, not Smith. In Co.
Cavan, many of the name are really Mac Gowans, their names
being translated into Smith. Keating finds the them as Mac Gorhains or Mac Gowans, driven into Donegal by the English, found in Leitrim in Rossinver and Cavan. A part of the Clanna Rory.
Estate papers on the Smith family in Ireland are at the National
Library of Ireland in Dublin.
Irish Family Coats of Arms From the Irish Book of Arms
A Brief search in that work shows:
1) We have five illustrations of ‘Smith’ coat of arms in the Book of Arms. These include Dr. Arthur Smith of Dublin; Robert Smith baron Carrington; Smith of County Meath; Smith of Glasshouse; of Bally Edmond, Co. Cork; and of Mayo; most given with more specifics. One family seems to have Lions, and another seems to have Unicorns and another..... well you get the idea, it can be a clue to origins !
Book of the Month:
A Special Census of Northern Ireland
Rare Land Owner Records and Historical Notations Including
Counties Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal, Cavan, and Fermanagh,
with notes on Londonderry (Derry). with names of Catholics and Protestants Affected.
Family Name Changes
There are many notes on family names, locations and
backgrounds. Of the name of John Whisher, Hill gives
that it is 'now' written as Wishart, and that Carew writes
it as Wyhard, and that he had returned to Scotland and
returned and suffered many misfortunes. We also find
lists of tenants who were not landowners in addition to
the 'census' type material.
Many Families Given
There are too many families and specific plots of land to
give here, but a few of the families listed several times in
the work are: Acheson; Alexander;
Bingley; Beresford; ODonnelly; O'Boyle; Browne; Chichester;
McCaffery; Butler; McBryan; Cole; Dillon; Hamilton
(over 30 index listings); Moore; Maguire; Oneale; OReilly;
Stewart; Richardson; Wilson; and Wray.....
This is but one example of an historical work furnishing
great genealogical information. Admittedly this is one of
the better source examples I have found.
For more about this book go to: