Alex Conyngham: ‘If I can make it to the mosh pit for Fontaines DC this year, I'll be happy out'
My cultural life
Alex Conyngham was raised at Slane Castle, son of Lord Henry Mount Charles. He founded Slane Whiskey, runs Rock Farm with his wife Carina, and recently launched CAIM, a contemporary art programme exhibiting at the castle this September 12-30.
BOOK: An Irish Atlantic Rainforest
I have the habit of reading a few books at the same time, partly because I can't recall where I put the book I'm reading... so there's normally three or four scattered simultaneously around the house.
Currently, I'm taking inspiration from Eoghan Daltun's An Irish Atlantic Rainforest on how we can reshape the woodland management on the estate to make more breathing room for nature.
And having inherited a lovely collection of paperback classics last year, I'm digging into them, and David Guterson's Snow Falling on Cedars is beside my bed – or at least it is until I forget where I put it.
STREAMING: Yellowstone
We're working our way through the Yellowstone universe, now in the middle of the 1883 series. Its portrayal of the wilderness, the epic beauty and powerful natural forces within it – and the harsh conditions that those early immigrants endured while travelling through it – is enthralling.
It's also a reminder for the US of how strongly immigration has shaped the country, something worth considering in the current political climate.
BAND: Fontaines DC
I enjoy bouncing around on the music front, and have several friends and groups that I swap tunes with. Passing one on is a thrill and receiving a tune you've never heard that you really connect with is something I really cherish. When that happens at a live gig, the experience is even richer – and there's so much talent on the Irish scene at the moment. If I can make it to the mosh pit for Fontaines DC this year, I'll be happy out.
ARTS EVENT: Borris festival
This year we made it to Borris Festival of Writing and Ideas for the first time, and I really relished the different perspectives and conversations – some of which were understandably challenging, given the geopolitical situation – all freely shared in a warm, generous atmosphere.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island fans call out Ben over bizarre claim as he's DUMPED by Shakira
LOVE Island fans poked fun at Ben after an intense conversation he had with Sabrina in the Spanish villa during Friday's episode. The model from Gloucester was paired with Mancunian beauty, but their relationship was rocky from the outset as Sabrina constantly questioned their chemistry. 3 Ben and Sabrina are no longer an item on Love Island Credit: Eroteme 3 Fans mocked Ben for saying he agreed with Sabrina's decision Credit: Eroteme Earlier this week, she was accused of leading Ben on in the ITV reality series, but during the latest installment, dumped him outright. Sabrina gave a range of reasons for her decision, including telling Ben that he "dulled my sparkle." "We don't speak of anything of note," she told him as the pair argued. Fans watching at home noticed that Ben looked devastated during the chat, but then thought it was bizarre that he outwardly agreed with Sabrina's reasoning. love island "Nah Ben looked like he was abt to cry when Shakira said he dulled her sparkle," one Love Island fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another added with a meme of a someone wearing multiple masks: "Ben telling Shakira he's on the same page as her." And a third wrote alongside a skull emoji: "Ben pretending he felt the same way as Shakira." A fourth person commented: "Talk about different pages… not sure Shakira and Ben are even in the same book." Most read in TV Even though she's now flying solo in the Love Island casa, Shakira may be rekindling her fling with Harry after the pair had a conversation about their future. "I wanted to see how you were feeling, I think initially you were number one and I f****d it," Harry told her. Love Island game of 'spin the bottle' kicks off as Shakira snogs Harry - and Megan's left furious over Tommy's kiss with co-star They also discussed his Sabrina told Harry: "It was you, and still is you. But it's your behaviour for me that I can't tolerate." And Harry pressed her for the potential for a second chance: "If that could possibly be arranged?" He also told Sabrina: "You're the one," despite his moves on Yasmin and Helena. Love Island 2025 full lineup : A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. : A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. : A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. : International business graduate with brains and ambition. : A gym enthusiast with a big heart. : A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. : An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. : A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. : A towering 6'5' personal trainer. : A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. : Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. : The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. : A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell . : Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. : Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Departures : : Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. : A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. : A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. But the pair seem like they're definitely going to get close again as a teaser clip for The preview showed the Islanders playing a messy game of 'spin the bottle' on Sunday. In the teaser clip's edit, it seemed as though the Islanders were asked to snog who they'd most like to be coupled up with. It then cut to Shakira smooching Harry as Helena and Ben looked at their current love interests with disgust. 3 The pair got into a row about their relationship Credit: Eroteme
Sunday World
38 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Conor McGregor parties with two Irish international footballers and ‘The Wig' in Ibiza
The ex-UFC champion also posted a picture of him in the famous Pacha nightclub with glamour model Katie Price – along with Dubliners Lee Byrne and Nathan 'Biggie' Little. Conor McGregor with Troy Parrott, Katie Price, Lee Byrne and Nathan Little (right, with glasses and black hat) Ireland international footballers Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott have been pictured partying with Conor McGregor in Ibiza after the MMA fighter was filmed punching a clubber on the island. McGregor flew his Black Forge FC football team to the Mediterranean hotspot to 'celebrate' their league success. Joining him in the sun-kissed Balearics is Kinahan cartel figure Graham 'The Wig' Whelan, who is dating the fighter's sister Aoife. McGregor and 'The Wig' were pictured together at the UFC star's sister Erin's wedding to Terry Kavanagh in Co Tipperary last August. Graham 'The Wig' Whelan and Conor McGregor The ex-UFC champion also posted a picture of him in the famous Pacha nightclub with glamour model Katie Price – along with Dubliners Lee Byrne and Nathan 'Biggie' Little. Lee, is the son of gangster Liam Byrne, and is currently in a relationship with Steven Gerrard's daughter Lilly-Ella. Lee's childhood friend Nathan 'Biggie' Little.- described by gardai in court documents as a gangland footsoldier - can also be seen in the image. Troy Parrott, who like Lee Byrne and Evan Ferguson, Lilly-Ella and Steven Gerrard, have no involvement in crime, were also snapped in the same group photo in Pacha with McGregor. Eyebrows have been raised in the Irish football community at the sight of Evan Ferguson in the company of McGregor. Conor McGregor and Evan Ferguson The 20-year-old from Bellewstown Co Meath, who went on loan to West Ham from Brighton and Hove Albion last season, has scored five times for Ireland. Fellow striker Parrott (23), from Dublin's north inner city, has also scored five goals for Ireland and the former Spurs player is currently with Dutch club AZ. Parrott has been pictured several times in the past with close pal Lee Byrne. Conor McGregor with Troy Parrott, Katie Price, Lee Byrne and Nathan Little (right, with glasses and black hat) News in 90 Seconds - June 21st McGregor has already been pictured several times with Katie Price, ask Jordan, this week on his boozy holiday in Ibiza. The 35-year-old Dubliner returned to Pacha again late this week following his much-publicised double punching of a clubber in the same spot in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Wayne Lineker, brother of soccer legend Gary and owner of the Lineker's pub chain, claimed the assaulted man was his close friend and employee Joe Gomez and took the punches 'like a champ'. McGregor bragged he flew his Black Forge team to Ibiza to celebrate winning the UCFL Premier Division, with McGregor forking out for a VIP holiday to celebrate. Katie with McGregor in Ibiza 'To celebrate winning the league I took the @blackforgeinn football squad away on holiday to Ibiza! All-expense paid, VIP's,' he bragged on Instagram, sharing a series of snaps from the trip. 'The Wig' and 'Biggie' Little were recently pictured by the Sunday World cheering on McGregor and his Black Forge team in the AUL Challenge Cup Final, which they lost 5-1. Also at the match was James Lawrence, McGregor's pal who also featured in his recent high profile court case. McGregor, who was ordered to pay almost €250,000 to Nikita Hand after a civil jury found he raped her in a Dublin hotel, played as his team were as they easily beaten by Ballyfermot-based Roc Celtic at the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh on Dublin's northside. Lawrence was also named as a defendant in the civil suit taken by Nikita Hand. The jury found that Lawrence had not assaulted Ms Hand. During the case he denied being the 'fall guy' for the rape allegation against McGregor. He said, 'not in a million years" and asked why he would put himself up for the rape of a woman. The Civil Court jury awarded Ms Hand close to €250,000 after it found McGregor assaulted her in the hotel. Katie in a Blackforge FC shirt The trial judge, Mr Justice Alexander Owens, said the jury had determined that McGregor had raped Ms Hand. McGregor has launched an appeal against the verdict and wants to introduce new evidence from Ms Hand's former neighbours Samantha O'Reilly and Steven Cummins in his appeal. The Court of Appeal was told that Ms O'Reilly and Mr Cummins's house was 'in close proximity' to the home Ms Hand shared with Mr Redmond. During a directions hearing, Mr Justice Seamus Noonan said Ms O'Reilly had claimed she was looking out of her upstairs bedroom window on 'the Sunday night/early on the Monday morning' when she witnessed 'a heated row' between Mr Redmond and Ms Hand in their house across the road. Her affidavit infers Mr Redmond assaulted Ms Hand in a bedroom by punching her and kicking her after pushing her to the floor. Ms O'Reilly says she could not see any blows landing on Ms Hand, but believed she was being punched and kicked based on the movement of Mr Redmond's arms and hips. Ms Hand has described the content of the couple's affidavits as 'lies'. 'My ex-partner Stephen Redmond [known as 'Ste'] did not assault me on the night of December 9/10, 2018, and never assaulted me in the course of our relationship, or since,' Ms Hand said. The appeal is set to be heard on July 1. Graham 'The Wig' Whelan is part of the Black Forge coaching set-up. McGregor's sister Aoife has been going out with the convicted drug dealer in recent years and regularly visited him while he was in prison on money- laundering offences. A former senior ranking member of the Kinahan drugs cartel, Whelan recently spent a year in custody after being convicted of money laundering offences, including possession of a €28,000 watch. Whelan recently spent a year in custody after being convicted of money laundering offences, including possession of a €28,000 watch. A self-described 'dangerous criminal', Whelan was close pals with cartel figure David Byrne, who was shot dead in the Regency Hotel gun attack in February 2016. David was brother of Liam Byrne and uncle of Lee Byrne. Whelan was also a close pal of Thomas 'The Bomber' Kavanagh. 'The Wig' pleaded guilty in July 2021 to participating in the actions of an organised crime gang by laundering money for the group. He also pleaded guilty to possession of €1,200 in cash and an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak gentleman's watch, the proceeds of crime, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin, on January 31, 2019.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Islander sparks concern after ‘going missing' in Friday night's episode
LOVE Island fans have expressed huge concern after one star appeared to "go missing" during the latest explosive episode. Viewers of the ITV2 matchmaking series joked they would be "filing a missing person" report after her seeming no-show on Friday. Advertisement 6 Love Island fans have been left concerned after one show star 'went missing' Credit: Eroteme 6 It came after an explosive night in the Mallorca villa left Megan, left, fuming Credit: Eroteme 6 Fans have now branded Alima Gagigo a 'supporting character' on the show due to her lack of air time Credit: Eroteme Love Island loyals are now branding It came as Meanwhile US bombshell Advertisement read more love island Yet when Alima appeared to go off radar, fans took to X to comment. One wrote of the personal banker: "Has anyone seen Alima? she's never seen with the girls, or with Remell and the other boys… WHERE IS SHE??? do we have to file a missing person?" A second posted: "Nah it's like Remell and Alima are like supporting characters they vanish as soon as they come on my screen." A third added: "Guys…where TF is Alima????" Advertisement Most read in Love Island One then mused: "I see the girls and their different friend groups - where the f**k is Alima?" FAN FEAR It came just days after loyal show fans predicted doom for the Glasgow-born TV star. Love Island feud breaks out as Meg's savage row with Malisha splits the villa - forcing Alima to step in Alima is 24-year-old bombshell Remell Mullings. Despite recent tensions, a U-turn saw them share a passionate kiss. Advertisement However, show alums Speaking on their Love Island 2025 full lineup : A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. : A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. : A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. : International business graduate with brains and ambition. : A gym enthusiast with a big heart. : A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. : An Irish actress already drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins. : A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. : A towering 6'5' personal trainer. : A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. : Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. : The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. : A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell . : Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. : Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Departures : : Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. : A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. : A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. "You go in the villa and there's more boys than girls. Which means that boys will be at risk. "So, I need to find a girl - and I'm not saying that Alima was an easy option. Advertisement "She's a beautiful girl with a beautiful heart and she's amazing." Continuing, Amy remarked how Remell "didn't even speak to anyone else" and observed her bond with Blu wasn't the strongest. She added: "He saw her and was like, 'That's my target' and then now he's wanting to kiss people in the challenge. "I just think, on paper, it looks like Remell came straight in for Alima, went for her and now they're in a couple. Advertisement "Whereas it's not all those things." The villa couple previously butted heads when Alima told him: 'I think you were so disrespectful, I'm not gonna lie…do you feel like you did everything right?' Their conversation continued, as Alima added: 'You say you like me and do things that just don't match, it's worse you can't even take accountability…maybe we're not compatible…" Advertisement 6 Tommy caused a stir when he kissed two girls - none of which were his show partner Credit: Eroteme 6 Emily, right was also at the centre of a huge spat Credit: Eroteme 6 Yet Alima was merely shown takin selfies Credit: Eroteme
