Latest news with #Pender
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
How does Dublin's new AI city guide compare to a real walking tour? We tried them both out
But if that odd and slightly concerning thought did cross your mind, then Dublin City Council has an answer. Introducing Brendan, the Dublin-flavoured, snood-donning twenty-something made of pure pixels and infused with pride in his beloved fair city. 'It's grand to see ya. Brendan here, and I'm absolutely buzzing to take you on a journey through my hometown,' he says, carp-eyed, when you select Dublin in the CityMe smartphone app. 'From lively Temple Bar and the old city, to buzzing Stoneybatter and cool Portobello, we'll discover a wide range of historical, cultural and iconic spots.' Besides calling Oscar Wilde 'the Goat himself' (greatest of all time), there isn't much of the promised Dublin wit on show. Brendan is what your granny might refer to as a 'lovely young fella' (if she doesn't mind the bovine stare), but I'd rather someone a bit more engaging to guide me around the madhouse that is Dublin. In fact, you might even go so far as to call him a bit of a dry shite. The city that spawned business names such as 'Knobs and Knockers' and 'Angela's Rashers' deserves a far more engaging voice to bring it to life. So, I decided to pit Brendan against the ultimate foe: a Dublin walking tour with the renowned Pat Liddy's tour company. After brief introductions, myself and two American tourists, Deirdre Pleasure and Rebecca Nolan, set off with our guide Harry Pender, another twenty-something Dubliner, albeit a non-electronic one. We started out at Barnardo Square on Dame Street, and immediately I was drawn in by Mr Pender's personality as he answered questions, and even managed to summarise Irish history in a lively 15-minute back and forth – not an easy task. We then made our way down to Dublin Castle, where we learnt the origin of the word boycott, chatted about the lies embedded in Irish history (St Patrick was neither a saint or named Patrick) and joked about suncream. We were having such a raucous time, one of the other tours asked us to move along. On we went through Ship Street (which should apparently be called Sheep Street, but was mistranslated) to Christ Church Cathedral, where we heard of the robbery and return of patron saint Laurence O'Toole's heart. Crossing Grattan Bridge, we gazed over at the Ha'penny, officially known as Liffey Bridge (who knew?), where Mr Pender pointed out the spot that the River Poddle, now a mere stream, enters the Liffey through a syphon at Wellington Quay. It went on much like this for the rest of the tour through to the GPO and Trinity College, questions, banter and stories aplenty. An experience of more than three hours mentally shrunk down to what felt like an hour. I want somebody I can ask questions of, and I want somebody to interact with It was engaging, informative and great to get to know our charming tour guide, who also teaches drama to children and partakes in pro wrestling. As the walk went on, it became increasingly difficult to see how any AI character, no matter how swooshy his hair, could live up to the interactivity and humanity of a real human tour guide, and my companions agreed. 'I want somebody I can ask questions of, and I want somebody to interact with,' Ms Pleasure said. 'If I'm like, I've got a few hours and I just, spur of the moment, roam around, then the AI would suffice, but it just gives me an overview. 'But to actually learn, and to be able to have my questions answered and all that kind of stuff, I would rather people,' she added. As for Mr Pender, he was doubtful AI was currently capable of providing the same kind of tour experience as a human. 'I'm not opposed to innovation and stuff, and you know, going forward with different new ideas, but at the same time I would be very surprised if [AI] could do the same thing that a person can do,' he said. 'I'm interested in the idea of it, and you know, no one ever thought Deep Blue, for example, was ever going to beat Garry Kasparov with AI chess bots or something, but now we know AI is very, very strong, so in that sense it's good. 'In another sense, I think people want something that is an experience. It's always about making an experience for someone, and if the AI can do that, great. 'But I think there's a lot more to tour guiding than just giving people the facts of what you're talking about, because it's how you put the facts together and how you tell the story'. So much for Dublin slang. He keeps calling things awesome. Why not deadly? Heading around Dublin with Bland Brendan as company, it's hard not to agree. The AI guide definitely leans more on the artificial side of things than the intelligence. For instance, he correctly says that the old name for O'Connell Street is Drogheda Street but then pronounces it 'Dro-geeda'. And so much for Dublin slang. He keeps calling things awesome. Why not deadly? The more you scratch, the more paper-thin Brendan's persona appears. He will simply repeat the same information verbatim each time you click on an individual city landmark. One of the defining traits of AI is that it comes up with slightly different phrasings and sentences each time you speak to it – that's what makes it appear intelligent. Otherwise, it's a glorified Fisher-Price telephone that says a phrase when you press a button. So, is this simply a toy, crafted by tech bros that want to inject AI into your toaster? In fairness, it's not. Brendan definitely does a convincing Dublin accent and sounds like a local for much of his dialogue, which I'm not sure has been done before using AI. Also, the app is free of charge, so maybe I'm being too harsh. It offers a unique experience, like getting your dinner from a vending machine would. But vending machines have their place – sometimes all you want is a Kinder Bueno or a Fulfil bar. I can imagine a scenario where Brendan is all you need to get a quick overview of the city, if you're tight on time or just curious about one specific spot (and you haven't heard of Google). If you can get past the stilted Dublin dialogue and misaligned teeth, there's a reasonably interesting proposition here. For no money at all, you can see Dublin in a way quite unlike any other, so try it out and see what you think. After all, sometimes even adults enjoy Fisher-Price toys.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ECU Hosts 6th annual Pharma Conference
GREENVILLE, N.C (WNCT) — The pharmaceutical industry is rapidly growing right here in the east, and events like today's Spring Pharma Conference at ECU emphasize that. A two-day conference at ECU shared info on topical discussions and networking among fellow pharma professionals. Jack Pender, the event organizer, says an event like this helps create unity in the industry. 'We host this event annually to get the pharma community together, but also, first and foremost, it's an educational event for people to learn about some technical aspects, medical regulatory aspects of the pharmaceutical industry,' he said. 'It's also an opportunity for them to meet their counterparts at other companies to do the same job so they can compare notes and decide what's common practice.' Pender added an event like this also helps young professionals with workforce development. Vendors, sponsors and special guests shared their target approach and manufacturing tracks within the industry. More than 250 professionals representing 99 companies were able to unite. Click the video above for more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Sunday World
28-05-2025
- Sunday World
Gardaí to continue Fiona Pender search into the night as they announce road closure
Ms Pender was and seven months pregnant when she went missing from her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, in August 1996. Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search Gardaí searching a second location in relation to the 1996 disappearance and presumed murder of Fiona Pender have announced the search will continue into the night. In order to facilitate this, the Ross Road at Clonaslee, Co Laois, will remain closed from the R422 entrance to the R440 entrance. 'No through traffic will be allowed onto this road until further notice, with local access available to residents via the R422 entrance only,' a garda spokesperson said. The scene of the search. Photo: Padraig O'Reilly 'This search forms part of a sustained investigation carried out by Gardaí in Laois/ Offaly Garda Division over the last 28-years to establish Fiona's whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which Fiona disappeared.' The search of a remote area of bogland in rural Co Offaly in relation to the disappearance of Ms Pender (25) ended on Tuesday as gardaí hoped for a breakthrough in the nearly 29-year investigation. Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search News in 90 Seconds - May 28th In a statement on Wednesday, the force said that after searches in Co Offaly earlier this week, they were now searching in another area over the border in Co Laois. "Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender in August 1996 have today, Wednesday 28th May 2025, commenced another search operation on open ground at a location in Co. Laois. This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations,' the force said. 'This search forms part of a sustained investigation carried out by Gardaí in Laois/ Offaly Garda Division over the last 28-years to establish Fiona's whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which Fiona disappeared.' The search of a remote area of bogland in rural Co Offaly in relation to the disappearance of Ms Pender (25) ended on Tuesday as gardaí hoped for a breakthrough in the nearly 29-year investigation. Ms Pender was and seven months pregnant when she went missing from her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, in August 1996. Gardaí announced on Monday that an area of land at Graigue, close to the village of Killeigh, around 8km from Tullamore, would be searched as the investigation into Ms Pender's disappearance was upgraded to one of murder. The examination of the land finished yesterday afternoon. It is understood gardaí received new information deemed credible enough to warrant the latest search and the upgrading of the investigation. Fiona Pender has been missing since 1996 The land being searched was in a remote bog overgrown with trees and vegetation, accessible only by potholed dirt roads. A cordon was placed on the access tracks, and a no-fly zone was established above the dig site to prevent drone use while the search took place. In an update on Tuesday afternoon, gardaí said: 'Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender have concluded the search operation on open ground at a location in Co Offaly. 'The results of the searches are not being released for operational reasons. An Garda Síochána have updated the family on any developments. Investigations are ongoing.' Local people said they hoped the search would yield something that might bring some closure to the Pender family and that Tullamore, and the surrounding townlands had been living under a cloud since Ms Pender disappeared. Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Masterson, who was eight years old when Ms Pender was reported missing, said the event had shaped her life and the lives of women in the town. Gardaí search for the remains of missing Fiona Pender. Photo: Frank McGrath 'I grew up hearing prayers being said for her at mass. I remember the posters in shops and on poles fading as the years passed and falling off,' she said. 'And then in 2022 there was the murder of Ashling Murphy along the canal, not far from where the monument to Fiona stands on the canal bank. There really is an issue with violence against women in Tullamore and in wider Ireland. It's just shocking. 'Some things shape who you are as a young woman, and Fiona's disappearance has left its mark on the town. It's appalling. 'It has really stayed with me and I've devoted my life to those who aren't heard or whose voices have been silenced. 'Now that the investigation has been upgraded to murder, maybe there will be more resources put into it that might move things along, or that might encourage someone to come forward with information. 'There is the hope that whatever information gardaí are working from is significant and can bring answers. 'In relation to searches for Fiona, we've been here several times before in that we are waiting for answers. If we get answers, it won't be without pain. It is heartbreaking.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Second dig to begin in search for missing woman
Detectives investigating the disappearance of a woman who went missing in the Republic of Ireland almost 30 years ago have begun a search at a second location. Twenty-five-year-old Fiona Pender was seven months pregnant when she disappeared in Tullamore, County Offaly in 1996. Earlier this week, gardaí (Irish police) said they had reclassified their missing person investigation to a murder inquiry. Having completed a search of land in County Offaly on Tuesday, the search moved to the Slieve Bloom mountains in County Laois on Wednesday. The new site is a piece of open ground which will be "subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations," a garda statement said. Ms Pender was last seen at about 06:00 local time 23 August 1996 at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore. She was 5'5" in height, had long blonde hair and was said to be looking forward to the birth of her child. She was wearing white leggings and bright coloured clothing when she went missing. The previous search, on open ground about 5km (3 miles) from Tullamore, began on Monday and ended on Tuesday evening. Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that the operation was concentrated on bogland at Graigue, near the village of Killeigh. Gardaí said the results of the searches were "not being released for operational reasons" but added that they had kept Ms Pender's family updated. They repeated their appeal to "any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide gardaí with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again". To date there have been no convictions in relation to Ms Pender's disappearance nor her suspected murder. However, over the course of the 28-year missing person investigation, five people have previously been arrested and detained. The investigation team have also taken more than 300 statements and "discovered and collated thousands of documents". Missing pregnant woman investigation upgraded to murder
Sunday World
28-05-2025
- Sunday World
Gardaí search new location over 1996 murder of missing woman Fiona Pender
Ms Pender was and seven months pregnant when she went missing from her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, in August 1996. Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search Gardaí are searching a second location in relation to the 1996 disappearance and presumed murder of Fiona Pender. In a statement on Wednesday, the force said that after searches in Co Offaly earlier this week, they were now searching in another area over the border in Co Laois. "Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender in August 1996 have today, Wednesday 28th May 2025, commenced another search operation on open ground at a location in Co. Laois. This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations,' the force said. The scene of the search. Photo: Padraig O'Reilly 'This search forms part of a sustained investigation carried out by Gardaí in Laois/ Offaly Garda Division over the last 28-years to establish Fiona's whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which Fiona disappeared.' The search of a remote area of bogland in rural Co Offaly in relation to the disappearance of Ms Pender (25) ended on Tuesday as gardaí hoped for a breakthrough in the nearly 29-year investigation. Missing Fiona Pender and the scene of the search News in 90 Seconds - May 28th Ms Pender was and seven months pregnant when she went missing from her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, in August 1996. Gardaí announced on Monday that an area of land at Graigue, close to the village of Killeigh, around 8km from Tullamore, would be searched as the investigation into Ms Pender's disappearance was upgraded to one of murder. The examination of the land finished yesterday afternoon. It is understood gardaí received new information deemed credible enough to warrant the latest search and the upgrading of the investigation. Fiona Pender has been missing since 1996 The land being searched was in a remote bog overgrown with trees and vegetation, accessible only by potholed dirt roads. A cordon was placed on the access tracks, and a no-fly zone was established above the dig site to prevent drone use while the search took place. In an update on Tuesday afternoon, gardaí said: 'Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Fiona Pender have concluded the search operation on open ground at a location in Co Offaly. 'The results of the searches are not being released for operational reasons. An Garda Síochána have updated the family on any developments. Investigations are ongoing.' Local people said they hoped the search would yield something that might bring some closure to the Pender family and that Tullamore, and the surrounding townlands had been living under a cloud since Ms Pender disappeared. Sinn Féin councillor Aoife Masterson, who was eight years old when Ms Pender was reported missing, said the event had shaped her life and the lives of women in the town. Gardaí search for the remains of missing Fiona Pender. Photo: Frank McGrath 'I grew up hearing prayers being said for her at mass. I remember the posters in shops and on poles fading as the years passed and falling off,' she said. 'And then in 2022 there was the murder of Ashling Murphy along the canal, not far from where the monument to Fiona stands on the canal bank. There really is an issue with violence against women in Tullamore and in wider Ireland. It's just shocking. 'Some things shape who you are as a young woman, and Fiona's disappearance has left its mark on the town. It's appalling. 'It has really stayed with me and I've devoted my life to those who aren't heard or whose voices have been silenced. 'Now that the investigation has been upgraded to murder, maybe there will be more resources put into it that might move things along, or that might encourage someone to come forward with information. 'There is the hope that whatever information gardaí are working from is significant and can bring answers. 'In relation to searches for Fiona, we've been here several times before in that we are waiting for answers. If we get answers, it won't be without pain. It is heartbreaking.'
