Latest news with #Eamon
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘I've worked at some child's christening and I'm now serving them their first pint of Guinness' – the ties that bind Stray Sod pub in rural Cavan to the community
The Stray Sod is a pub in the heart of Drung – but in reality it's a lot more than than. There's a school, church and a shop. The place is full of charm and character. In contemporary fantasy literature, a stray sod is a clump of grass enchanted by fairies: if you stand on the stray sod you may not get home till dawn. Eamon Denning is the owner of the pub, which opened in the year 2000. His father owned Dennings shop next door, and his dream was always to have a pub attached. 'The reason I built the pub was that my father owned a shop and always wanted to build an extension to it. I was doing frozen food runs back then. I started to lose customers because they were all going to the big shops,' Eamon said. 'I remember coming home one day and I decided to make this extension that daddy always talked about. I went off to get the planning permission. 'I opened on December 8, 2000. You were able to smoke in the pub then, then it stopped all of a sudden. The changes at the time were unbelievable. The biggest thing I remember was the change of the currency. 'The banks and the government made the businesspeople distribute the money. So, in the spare room of my own house, I had a four-foot tray, eight inches deep – it was literally full of money. 'To this day, I would never understand why it happened but the government and the banks at that time used us to distribute the money.' Anne Washington, who is Eamon's right-hand woman, started working in the pub in 2002 and hasn't looked back since. 'Time flies, you don't realise it. I've gotten to know so many people over the years. It starts at the very beginning, where we'd have their stag and hen parties. We'd have brides and grooms coming in for breakfast before heading off on the buses to their do's,' Ms Washington said. 'Then you have their wedding drinks, the christening of their first child and it goes on from that. You have their communion, you have their confirmations. ADVERTISEMENT 'As life goes on, we're actually at the stage where I have worked at some children's christening and I'm now serving them their first pint of Guinness – it's the circle of life. 'My favourite thing would have to be the customers. They're great craic. They have their own seats. The lads that come in from work around the 5.30pm mark, they're all in the corner, you know what they want and put in front of them. They don't even have to re-order, you know when to start another pint.' Drung Vintage Club is a community-based organisation that coordinates and run local events to raise money for charities. The foundation of the club is 'built on is a bedrock of community spirit and determination'. Late last year, Eamon's brother PJ, who worked in the business, died from motor neurone disease. In his memory, the community gathered together for a tractor run to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Alongside that, a group of women from Drung came together to walk 100km last month to raise funds for the same charity. 'It is a good community pub, locals come here all the time. We have a tractor run every year. We'd a big tractor run for cancer, and we raised €50,000,' said Eamon. 'This year we're doing it for motor neurone on May 10. Then in August there'll be one for the school. 'We've a marquee now, it goes up the first week in May ahead of the tractor run and come down in October.' You can still donate to the fundraiser here.
Irish Examiner
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Dry spring delivers quality silage but slows grass growth in Youghal
Grassland management No two years are the same, and after a tough and wet start to 2024, 2025 has been the opposite. Looking at the rainfall for our region, we have received 139mm of rain since February until now. For the same period last year, we received 314mm of rainfall. The silage season commenced early, and although yields have been slightly down (seven to eight bales per acre), quality has been excellent. As we have a buffer of over 100 bales of silage in stock, we decided to prioritise quality. The silage ground has received 2,500 gallons of cattle slurry per acre using a dribble bar. The nitrogen was topped up to 72 units per acre using protected urea. The weather conditions have made making silage a pleasure this year for all involved. The only downside to the dry weather conditions has been a slowdown in grass growth. At the end of April, we recorded grass growth rates of over 70kg DM/ha/day — this has gradually reduced back to a growth rate of 37kg of DM/ha/day for the last week. The rain that has fallen since the weekend should help increase grass growth rates. Our farm cover is 1081kg dm/ha, meaning we have 20 days of grass left in front of the cows. Cattle have been very content at grass with the dry conditions so far. The reseeding work has also been carried out, and the newly emerging seedlings will benefit from the more broken weather conditions. Breeding update We commenced breeding on May 1, and so far, all cows which will be retained for 2026 have been submitted for AI. We are now seeing the repeats from the first week of breeding, and the non-return rate so far is close to 80%. The bulls used so far are CH4321, CH8571, LM9379, SI1434 and AA9860. The Angus bull AA9860 was used on maiden heifers. We will continue to breed until the end of the second week of June, which will result in a calving spread of just slightly over six weeks. Cows that were not identified as cycling using the automated heat detection system were put on a synchronisation protocol to induce heat. We find the conception rates to the synch programme can be slightly lower than natural heats. However, it brings the cow into heat and gives her a chance to be served again within the six-week breeding season. Bulls and autumn calvers The first bulls were drafted for slaughter on May 19. The bulls were 15 months of age and killed out at 420kg carcass with a fat score of u-3=. We are very pleased with how the bulls have improved since January. The autumn calves are all weaned off, and the cows have been moved to the out farm for more marginal type grazing. We find the cows do not become over-conditioned on this type of grazing. We have treated the cows with a pour-on solution to help guard against flies and summer mastitis. These cows will return to the home block for calving in July. Eamon and his son Donnchadh are farming in Carrigeen, Glendine, Youghal, Co Waterford, and are part of the Teagasc Future Beef programme with the Signpost programme. They run a suckling to beef enterprise split into 60% spring and 40% autumn-calving, consisting of 55 suckler cows. The males are finished as under-16-month bull beef, while the heifers, not retained for breeding, are finished at 18-20 months. Own heifers are kept for breeding. Read More Teagasc and Kepak host knowledge transfer event for beef discussion groups
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Family hit with second tragedy as ‘sadly missed' Donegal dad-of-2 dies after 3-vehicle crash in Galway as tributes paid
TRIBUTES are being paid to a dad-of-two who died after a three-vehicle crash in Galway over the weekend. Father-of-two Aidan McNern, 45, sadly died after the fatal crash that happened at Clareview Park, in Ballybane, at about 2.50pm on Sunday. All three drivers of the Tragically, Aidan, who was originally from Dunkineely, Co He is survived by his mother Caroline, his daughters Grace and Ciara, their mum Annmarie, and his twin siblings. Locals described Aidan as a "true gentleman". READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS This is the second tragedy to hit the McNern Aidan's father, Eamon, tragically lost his life in a boat accident at Bruckless Pier in Co Donegal in September 2023. Eamon had been a prominent member of Bruckless rowing club. Aidan's family paid tribute to him in his online death notice. Most read in Irish News It read: "The death has taken place as a result of a road traffic accident of Aidan Mc Nern. "Predeceased by his father Eamon. Deeply regretted by his loving family, his mother Caroline, his daughters Grace and Ciara and their mum Annmarie, his twin brother Gordan (Laura), his sister Lisa (Martin). "Sadly missed by his aunts, uncles, niece and nephews, and all his relatives, neighbours and friends." FUNERAL DETAILS Aidan's funeral is due to take place at noon on Friday at The Church of St Joseph and Conal, in Bruckless, Co Donegal, with a burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Road users with dash-cam footage or any other relevant camera footage are particularly encouraged to assist with the investigation. INFO APPEAL Anyone with information is asked to contact Gaillimh Garda Station at 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any local Garda station. Mr McNern's death is the 61st fatality on Irish roads in 2025. It comes just 48 hours after the death of prominent Galway It is believed that Mr O'Donnell suffered a medical event while driving in Tuam at around 10.30pm. Mr O'Donnell, who is the father of Galway Senior 1 Aidan McNern died in hospital following a crash in Galway on Sunday Credit:
Irish Independent
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Dublin Marathon organisers pay tribute to ‘great stalwart' and ‘true gentleman'
Described as a 'true gentleman', Mr Dolan passed away peacefully on May 12 at the Hermitage Clinic. Originally from Rialto, Mr Dolan was living in Sallins, Co Kildare, and was a member of Liffey Valley Running Club and a familiar face in the running community. His funeral Mass will be held at 10am on Friday, May 16, in St Agnes's Church, Crumlin. Dublin Marathon organisers took to social media to say it was with 'great sadness' they shared the news of the passing of one of their 'great stalwarts'. 'Eamon was a beloved part of marathon weekend and played an integral role in the Dublin Marathon – from being the main MC at the expo, to sharing his deep knowledge of Dublin to help shape the event's route,' they said. 'On race day, he was always the first out on the course and proudly led the women's field as our lead driver. 'Eamon was a true gentleman, known for his sharp wit, kind smile, and generous spirit. He was one of life's great characters, and he will be deeply missed by all of us and the wider running community. 'Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time,' they added. Tributes poured in under the post, with one mourner saying they had met Eamon through running. 'Taking part myself in the Dublin City Marathon since the 80s, we talked running,' they said. 'I haven't run the marathon in years due to injury, but I love to stand on SCR and support every year. Eamon always beeped and waved as he was driving the leading car. 'He was a true gentleman, a Liberty man, a lifelong friend, a brilliant athlete – and he will be truly missed.' Another added that he was the 'kindest gentleman' they had met. One other said it would be a 'huge loss' for the marathon, saying his energy and experience led to 'better experiences' for many competitors.
Irish Times
10-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
‘It's still raw after 24 years': Walkers remember personal tragedy at poignant Darkness into Light event
A grandmother, mother and a nine-year-old boy from Maynooth huddled together on a damp wooden bench at the local GAA club at 4am this morning in preparation for the Darkness into Light walk . 'It's still very raw, even after 24 years,' the younger woman said. Her eyes glistened when asked why they were there, as she remembered a close friend of hers, Eamon, who died by suicide. 'He was a friend of hers from school, the debs and all,' said the older woman said. READ MORE 'It was his first year out of secondary school. He got help, they gave him the three weeks for mental health , he came out, [but after] three days he did it quietly himself, he will always be remembered.' 'We still have his rugby jersey in the house,' added the younger woman. The family asked not to be identified. 'Talking about it is far better than not. She was in her first year in college and Eamon spoke with her a few hours before about how they were going to go to Australia ,' the older woman said. For the grandmother and mother it was important that the boy was present too. 'To let him know that this is what goes on in the world, and that it's good to talk,' said his grandmother. 'We wanted him to experience this,' added his mother. The walk is an annual nationwide fundraising event for Pieta , a charity that supports people affected by suicide or self harm. Participants walked 5km, setting off from locations including GAA clubs, churches and schools, beginning at 4.15am. [ Darkness into Light in pictures: Thousands take part in predawn walk to raise funds for Pieta Opens in new window ] Pieta opened in Lucan, Co Dublin, in 2006 and now operates in 20 locations across Ireland, employing more than 300 therapists and support staff. According to a post on the charity's Facebook page on April 24th, sign-ups for this year were down 40 per cent. Some people posted in the comments section that the €22 sign-up fee for adults was too much and other comments referenced issues, which came to national prominence in 2021 , relating to the remuneration of management at the top of the charity. Pieta said they would respond to queries but had not done so by the time of publication. In Maynooth, attendance at the event was similar to last year, with organisers reporting that more than 1,000 people walked the route. Participants began walking at the GAA club and continued along the main street, returning again via a loop which brought them back up along Carton Avenue to be greeted by the music of local artist Matthew Lennon as the dawn began to break through. One organiser of the walk, who is also involved in organising events in Maynooth University, said that there was a 40 per cent drop off there too post-Covid. Eimear Deering said she had relied on Pieta in the past. Photograph: Stephen Farrell Any participants that The Irish Times spoke to were effusive in their praise of the event and Pieta, including Eimear Deering (70) and her daughter, Niamh (37). 'It was fabulous,' says Niamh. 'There was mist on the fields and the sun was coming up, it was absolutely stunning. We are remembering those who passed on in their own way,' adds Eimear. For them the walk and the charity have added personal significance. 'We had to go to them [Pieta] in years past, it was a life saver. I have no problem in giving them any amount of money, I think when you have been touched by it you'd give anything,' says Eimear.
