Art and sport have come together to achieve a slam-dunk for recreational basketball players at Kirwan’s Willowbank Park half-court Willowbank has recently been made over with a colourful design by local artist Kennie Deaner Division 5 councillor Vera Dirou said the newly-painted artwork at Willowbank Park had added vibrancy to the community space “Council is very proud to support sport and the arts on a local level which is why we ran a competition for locals to submit a design to be painted on the basketball half-courts at Willowbank Park and Marabou Park,” Cr Dirou said “Our local parks are a meeting space for young people It’s very exciting to see the beautiful new design at Willowbank Park and the positive reaction from the community.” For more information on sports facilities in Townsville, visit our Sport & Leisure page, or for more information about street art visit our Street Art page ABN: 44 741 992 072 Copyright 2025 Townsville City Council all rights reserved Townsville City Council acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun Gugu Badhun and Nywaigi as the Traditional Owners of this land The divide between lace curtain and shanty had pretty much disappeared by the time I hit New York in the 1970s the clientele of the original Irish Pavilion on 57th Street bore little resemblance to those of us who frequented the many Blarney Stones that dotted the city and the general couldn’t-give-a-damn attitudes of the 1960s had swept away many social barriers up-to-date news and views from Irish America Guys like me who dwelt in lowly tenements on the Lower East Side were welcomed to such temples of culture as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Frick up on tony Fifth Avenue But never once did I think of approaching the lace curtain fortress of the American Irish Historical Society across the avenue from the Met There was an air of “keep your distance” about this gilded age mansion for I was interested in Irish-American history But like most others I gave this forbidding Then some years back Brian McCabe became Chairman of the AIHS Executive Council and Sophie Colgan assumed management of events These two dynamic New Yorkers took over the day-to-day administration of the building and threw the doors wide open It was a new beginning and many of us organized or took part in events It was then I came to appreciate the beauty and stateliness of the mansion But I was never able to discover how many valuable original documents are contained within the hallowed walls of 991 Fifth Avenue though I did hear rumors of a vast collection of rare books among the “10,000 or so” volumes in the building The AIHS has never been known for its specificity Brian and Sophie were eventually dismissed and in 2021 the building was put on sale for $52 million along with a proposal to transfer the archives to Cooperstown Perhaps room for Irish-America’s heritage had been found within the Baseball Hall of Fame and eventually the building was taken off the market and in 2023 a “permanent” board of directors was appointed I knew Elizabeth from her sterling work as Executive Director of the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany She had transformed that organization and was a popular cultural figure throughout the Capital Region The AIHS appeared to be in safe hands and Elizabeth set to her task of reopening 991 Fifth Avenue with her customary transparency and vivacity The Irish Rep resumed their wonderful immersive Yuletide production of James Joyce’s "The Dead." and though cash flow – the bane of most non-profit establishments – was a problem there was a general air of optimism about the future of the AIHS something as simple as another dismissal notice along with the resignation of a sizeable portion of the “permanent” board to add a little farce - a Dickensian changing of locks There is talk of a lawsuit over an unpaid $3 million loan and the necessity of selling the building so that the organization might be salvaged To my mind that would go against the spirit of Irish America Brigid’s Church on Avenue B from the wrecking ball That too seemed impossible until a sainted anonymous donor provided $20 million the road to recovery should begin with the immediate reinstatement of Dr some “permanent” board members – have been impressed by her hard work and devotion to the organization and the building in a less pricey area of the city where the digitized archives paintings and other treasures can be opened to the public Perhaps then the AIHS can finally fulfill its original mission “to place permanently on record the story of the Irish in America” - be they shanty or lace curtain Pic of Day: It was a good day for sailing out of Dun Laoghaire Harbor and into the waters of Dublin Bay The Ancient Order of Hibernians has "strongly" objected to President Donald J Trump’s "recent offensive social media post depicting himself in pap.. It’s probably difficult for many GAA supporters to get their heads round the fixtures master plan Before Covid and the introduction of the split-s.. Developed and maintained by Soundlining ABC News News HomeTownsville man dead after being shot twice tasered by officers outside Kirwan Police StationShare Townsville man dead after being shot twice tasered by officers outside Kirwan Police StationBy Georgia Loney A crime scene has been established at Kirwan Police Station after a 46-year-old man was shot dead A man was shot and tasered by police after approaching Kirwan Police Station while allegedly armed with a knife Police say the man's motive is not clear and he had never been involved with police before Involved officers and the deceased's family are being offered support and an Ethical Standards Command investigation is underway Link copiedShareShare articleTwo north Queensland police officers are set to be questioned after an armed 46-year-old man was shot dead outside a police station The shooting happened on the footpath outside the Kirwan Police Station in the north Queensland city of Townsville on Saturday night approaching the 24-hour station with a knife and confronted him before he was able to gain entry A crime scene has been established at Kirwan Police Station with it expected to remain in place for the next 24 to 48 hours One Queensland Police Service (QPS) officer fired two shots while the other discharged their taser before rendering first aid until paramedics arrived Two other officers from the station rushed to help after the shooting joined shortly after by ambulance officers just metres away Last year, the ABC reported Queensland police shot more people in 2022-2023 than officers across the rest of Australia combined QPS Acting Detective Superintendent Jason Brosnan said he was confident the officers involved made the right decision firing the shots after the man allegedly refused to comply with police directions "It's a very confronting incident for police It's not an easy thing to use lethal force."  He said QPS training was of the "highest standard" He said officers would be interviewed by the QPS Ethical Standards Command None of police officers involved were physically harmed as well as the footage from the officers' body worn cameras However Acting Detective Superintendent Brosnan said there wasn't yet any indication why the armed man had attended the scene CCTV footage and body-worn camera vision from the officers involved will be analysed in the investigation the 46-year-old had no interaction with police He could not confirm if the man was impacted by drug or alcohol at the time of the shooting One lane of traffic remained closed on Sunday morning and the front of the police station was part of a cordoned-off crime scene but locals can still access the building if needed The scene was expected to remain in place 24 to 48 hours Police in Queensland were responsible for the most shootings in 2023 Local police and the deceased man's family are being offered counselling support following the shooting The Crime and Corruption Committee (CCC) will be overseeing the investigation and a report will be prepared for the coroner When questioned about reports there were more Queensland police shootings in 2023 than the rest of Australia, Detective Acting Superintendent Brosnan said training undertaken by QPS officers is "at the highest standard". "We don't take a life lightly," he said. "It's a very confronting incident for police … it's not an easy thing to use lethal force." He said one lane of traffic remains closed and the front of the police station is part of a cordoned-off crime scene, but locals can still access the building if needed. "I would imagine that we're probably looking at another 24 to 48 hours before things return to normal," Detective Acting Superintendent Brosnan said. Thanks for following along, we'll leave our live coverage here. Copy link7 Jul, 2:37amSun 7 Jul 2024 at 2:37amNo witness accountsDetective Acting Superintendent Brosnan said initial investigations hadn't located any citizen witnesses yet. "There's not a lot of foot traffic at 10 o'clock at night in front of the station," he said. Counselling has been provided to the deceased's family, and the officers involved are also being offered support. Copy link7 Jul, 2:34amSun 7 Jul 2024 at 2:34amVideo footage will inform investigationDetective Acting Superintendent Brosnan said body-worn footage from the officers involved and CCTV from the station would form part of the investigation. He said the 46-year-old man was of Caucasian ethnicity. He could not confirm if the man was impacted by drugs or alcohol at the time of the shooting. "He has no involvement with police whatsoever," he said. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Two people have been seriously injured after a motorcycle and a dual-cab utility vehicle collided in Townsville Please call us on 1800 070 535 and we’ll help resolve the issue or try again later Any Questions? Please call 1800 070 535 Saturday & Sunday 7:00am – 11:30am (AEST) All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan believes that “all the pressure’s on” the Springboks ahead of the key Rugby Championship double-header South Africa host New Zealand for two Test matches in games which are likely to decide the Rugby Championship title The Boks have won both of their fixtures so far in impressive fashion, while the All Blacks slipped to a shock defeat to Argentina in Round One Although Scott Robertson’s men recovered to thrash Los Pumas 42-10 in Auckland on Saturday they are very much playing catch-up to the double defending world champions South Africa made 10 alterations for the Perth clash but they still managed to ease to a 30-12 success over the Wallabies Rassie Erasmus’ selection call was seen as a risky strategy but Kirwan isn’t buying that narrative and insists that the Boks are “incredibly strong favourites” against the All Blacks at home “Rassie put that out through the media that it was the ‘B’ side We know that they have 33 international players at the moment,” he said on The Breakdown we had a side where anyone could have played Kirwan then turned to the camera with a message to Springboks supporters saying: “Welcome to my South African friends Springboks boss Rassie Erasmus previews defining Rugby Championship Tests against All Blacks side already ‘written off’ The former wing was once again impressed by what he saw from Erasmus’ men but also added that the Wallabies were simply poor they’ve got an amazing coach who’s innovative and moves forward,” Kirwan said “I think Australia made some really basic errors at the wrong time Poor old [Noah] Lolesio had to kick that on the stroke of half-time to keep creating pressure “They dropped the ball when they didn’t need to; you cannot makes those mistakes at international level and you cannot make those mistakes against South Africa particularly.” One victory in South Africa would probably be deemed a success for the All Blacks given that they are under new management and in transition but that would likely end their Rugby Championship hopes “We will probably have to win both games to win the Rugby Championship that’s going to be hard,” Kirwan’s fellow All Blacks great “They bombed a couple of tries in the first half [against Australia] They’ve shown in two Test matches that they’ve got a couple of different game plans and they’re starting to develop another one when the conditions are a little bit better “We have to be concerned on the evidence on what they’ve done to Australia.” READ MORE: Scott Robertson: Rassie Erasmus ‘not brave’ with selection as All Blacks boss addresses duel with ‘one of the personalities of world rugby’ Please note that we are aware the comments section is not visible at the moment We are in the process of upgrading our comment moderation system Feel free to share your thoughts on our social media platforms or email us using planetrugbyeditor@planetsport.com Sam Whitelock will assist the Robbie Deans coached Baa Baas against the Springboks Pieter-Steph du Toit has returned to training but won't be taking the pitch for Toyota Verblitz Jasper Wiese had previously said he would be out for the rest of the season following a neck injury Our five takeaways from the Lions' victory over Connacht The first 100 of 170 photos from the Kirwan State High School formal in Townsville in 2024 There are a number of building blocks in any reasonably successful rock ‘n’ roll band Add a dogged and dedicated agent and you’re off to the races but if you haven’t learned how to manage yourself after a couple of years then you haven’t been looking or listening – besides adding a manager’s 15% off the top to an agent’s 10% just favor a united Ireland and oppose an American war and you’ll get all the publicity you need you’re going nowhere unless you have a loyal fanbase led by superfans Ten years after Black 47 disbanded I can still summon up the faces in the first two rows in most American cities I first met Jack O’Leary when I was 18 and playing a pub in Wexford Donna,” a little-known ballad; no one was listening - except Jack Jack seemed to know every song that had any bit of soul or history to it and was determined to pass on his knowledge He worked on the Rosslare/Fishguard ferries and on his time off attended most of my gigs I can still picture him roaming around pubs He was an excellent singer of sea-chanteys and could have gained a PhD in the semi-mystical songs of the merchant-marine songwriter He came to London when Black 47 opened for The Pogues at their remarkable Christmas show in 1990 guy knows more about music than anyone I’ve ever met.” Like many other commercial sailors Jack had little time for religion wheedling his way into heaven by entertaining St Peter with a lusty version of Tawney’s “Five Foot Flirt.” Although he was recognized as the Prince of Punk he had an inexhaustible knowledge of popular music For about six months he came to every Black 47 gig in Paddy Reilly’s It was a rare night we didn’t introduce a new song and Joe took delight in mentioning its “obvious” influences Even when I’d tell him none of us ever heard of such arcane writers music is universal and we’re all linked.” He always had a friendly suggestion for how we could make a song better But just knowing Joe was listening made you better anyway He never mentioned The Clash but he often spoke about Thomas Moore’s "Minstrel Boy" and how someday he hoped to improve on Paul Robeson’s magisterial interpretation He eventually did in the soundtrack for "Black Hawk Down." David Johansen’s mother was a Cullen from Staten Island I noticed him on the streets of the East Village not long after I arrived in the U.S he had been vocalist for The New York Dolls and became big daddy to many New York musicians veteran producer/engineer Stewart Lerman murmured “I learned more in the last two hours from Dave than I did in the past twenty years.” The Kirwan Bears are ready for their biggest game of the year when they take on the might of PBC in the grand final of the Phil Hall Cup Legendary All Black Sir John Kirwan has expressed his dissatisfaction with the countries who have slammed the adoption of the new 20-minute red card which will be trialled during the upcoming November internationals Six Nations Rugby confirmed last week that several law variations and trials will be in place during the Autumn Nations Series including the controversial 20-minute red card The law tweaks come after World Rugby confirmed that several new amendments – including the reduced conversion time and a 30-second limit at the scrum and lineout – will all be in place for the year-end Tests The new 20-minute red card was recently trialled in the 2024 Rugby Championship and U20 Championship and it was confirmed on Friday by Six Nations Rugby that the 20-minute red card will be implemented during the November internationals but the referees will still be able to issue a permanent red card In the event that the official issues a 20-minute red card to a player they will not be able to return to the field but their team will spend 20 minutes with one fewer player on the pitch before the sin-binned player is replaced The 20-minute red card minus the option of referees issuing a permanent red card has been used in Super Rugby Pacific since 2023 and Kirwan hit out at countries like France and Ireland who issued statements in which they revealed they do not support the new initiative with the Irish Rugby Football Union saying “player welfare and safety are paramount to the core values of the game” “That is absolutely ridiculous. What really annoys me is I don’t know what they’re doing because France came out, I think Ireland came out,” Kirwan said on The Breakdown don’t you send someone to World Rugby that votes for you And to come out and say that the modern rugby player is going to go out and punch someone or kick someone is absolutely ridiculous Controversial 20-minute red cards, with a tweak, to feature in the November Tests along with shot clocks and NFL-style ref mics “Those that paid $400 to go to the World Cup final and then Sam Cane is sitting in the stand It’s about the people that go and watch the game So I just can’t believe they came out “And the scrum and lineout clocks was fantastic but I want to see a shot clock Kirwan received support from fellow All Blacks legends Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina with Wilson saying: “All of these things (the law variations and trials) make sense We all feel as though it’s taking the game forward.” Kirwan agreed but still slammed those who are in opposition to the 20-minute red card It’s people of our game that come out and say ‘oh no players are going to get more aggressive’,” he said people are going to be more aggressive and get away with it’ “Our game needs to be sped up and our game needs to be more about the people that are paying to go and watch.” READ MORE: IRFU latest union to oppose 20-minute red card trial which goes against ‘core values’ Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public WorksThe Honourable Meaghan Scanlon Shovels have hit the ground on 20 new accessible social homes in Kirwan as the Miles Government rolls out its Homes for Queenslanders plan After works finished recently on the 40-home Townsville Youth Foyer Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper today turned the sod on the project which includes 16 The homes will be designed to platinum and gold level under the Social Housing Design Guidelines which makes them suitable for people with disability and older Queenslanders with mobility needs Quotes attributable to Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper: “What was once just a handful of houses will soon become 20 homes for people in Townsville and it’ll allow our seniors to downsize “I’ve made it clear to the Premier and Minister that we need to build more homes as well as support renters and our hardworking homelessness organisations – and it’s great to see that happening.” Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon: "These 20 homes and our $2.8 billion injection in the Budget for housing and homelessness proves that we’re delivering more Homes for Queenslanders “Whether it’s getting more shovels in the ground and tradies on the tools to deliver our social housing Big Build or fast-tracking approvals for even more homes – only this government is doing what matters for Queensland “It’s a stark contrast to the LNP who just last year voted against 30,000 social and affordable homes for this country and are right now blocking thousands of Queenslanders from buying their own home.” Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact the Townsville Housing Service Centre on (07) 4724 8500 during business hours or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753 Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078 Please use our complaints and compliments form Continuing his tour of the classed growths of the Médoc db’s Bordeaux correspondent Colin Hay arrives at Château Kirwan a Margaux third growth whose reputation has been slowly transformed Château Kirwan is a Margaux third growth on 37 hectares of clay-gravel soils on the plateau of Cantenac in the southern half of the appellation It is a property whose reputation has been slowly transformed since the arrival in 2007 as general manager of Philippe Delfaut from Palmer (where he had held the post of technical director since 1996) It is now widely regarded as one of the most consistent and authentic of Margaux classed growths The property itself takes its name from Mark Kirwan one of the famous ‘wine geese’ who flocked to Bordeaux on the basis of their success importing wine in the mid 18th century Shortly after his arrival in Bordeaux and his marriage to the daughter of the then owner Kirwan acquired what was then Domaine de Lassalle duly re-baptising it Château Kirwan – the name it would take in the 1855 classification in which it was identified as a third growth When Kirwan died the property to which he had given his name passed to the Jean-Pierre Godard and gifted the estate to the city of Bordeaux on his own death in 1882 only 20 years later the city decided that it was not appropriate for it to own and manage a Margaux classed growth and the management of the estate was passed to the Bordeaux négociants Schroder and Schÿler In 1907 the city sold Kirwan to another négociant sold it to Schroder and Schÿler outright in 1926 The property featured prominently in the debate on the influence of Robert Parker on the style of Bordeaux in the early 2000s singled out by non-other than Michael Broadbent the then head of Christie’s wine department in the 2004 film Mondovino as the supreme example of the triumph of ‘the Parker-Rolland style’ as he put it Since then – and due in no small part to the reputational damage of this – Kirwan has seen a dramatic change with Michel Rolland replaced as wine consultant in 2005 first by his protégé Athanase Fakorellis and then marking rather more clearly the intended change in direction He refocussed the grand vin on the best parcels from the gravel-rich plateau and launched a detailed project to map the diversity of the soil types of the vineyard The precious information gathered led to immediate changes in the vinification process and would ultimately inform the redesign and refurbishment it comprises 37 gravity-filled tulip-shaped concrete vats of 40-50 hectolitres which allows for a parcel-by-parcel vinification which gives it much more precision than was possible in the old facility 2015 is the first vintage to benefit fully from these changes and the transformation is immediately evident in the wine itself From this moment onwards Kirwan reverts to being one of the most classical of Margaux classed growths it is from these parcels that the grand vin is now exclusively sourced But it has an unusually high proportion of clay within it That is Kirwan’s singularity and it helps explain the wine’s notable success in vintages that are hot and dry – like 2003 above all in the context of the appellation it is a terroir that supports climate change better than most At a recent visit to the Château I tasted through all of the vintages already in bottle that were made in the new wine-making facility with Philippe Delfaut Kirwan 2015 (Margaux; 50% Cabernet Sauvignon; 35% Merlot; 10% Cabernet Franc; 5% Petit Verdot; 13.5% alcohol) Richly aromatic with quite lifted red berry fruits and a little touch of garrigue herb Dried floral elements too – crushed rose petals and patchouli Quite sunny and nicely expressive of the vintage Plump and ample on the attack but focussed with grip from the tannins drawing this back to the spine There’s a pleasing sapidity that counteracts the summer heat of the vintage Kirwan 2016 (Margaux; 55% Cabernet Sauvignon; 33% Merlot; 7% Cabernet Franc; 5% Petit Verdot; 13.5% alcohol) A little more closed and cooler in personality The floral elements are fresher and this is altogether darker hued – more peony and lilac than rose petals The herbal element is more fresh too – with wild thyme and oregano prominent with a menthol note seeming to radiate from the depths of the wine’s spherical core Kirwan 2017 (Margaux; 40% Cabernet Sauvignon; 30% Merlot; 20% Cabernet Franc; 10% Petit Verdot; 13.5% alcohol) bright but a little etiolated in comparison with the 2015 and 2016 The comparative lack of density is already evident aromatically bright fresh spring blooms and an assortment of quite crunchy berry fruits Quite a narrow frame giving this more impact on the attack than you expect from the aromatics the tannins not as fine-grained as the 2016 I find this more saline in its minerality too Kirwan 2018 (Margaux; 43% Cabernet Sauvignon; 29% Merlot; 15% Cabernet Franc; 13% Petit Verdot; a final yield of 25 hl/ha; 14.5% alcohol) Rich and full and spicier than the vintages either side This has some of the ‘solaire’ notes of the 2015 But it’s spicier and more concentrated too Sweet fruited with plenty of crushed red berries – wild strawberry and raspberries freshly plucked from their husks maybe a hint of pot pourri but I find this less floral than the preceding vintages Creamily textured and quite ample on the attack ripples of freshness in the mid-palate and a gracious dynamism – this is very limpid One notices just a little the comparatively elevated alcohol on the finish but that actually gives this a lift that accentuates the pleasing sense of freshness A fine expression of the vintage and better than I would have imagined Kirwan 2019 (Margaux; 59% Cabernet Sauvignon; 28% Merlot; 6% Cabernet Franc; 6% Petit Verdot; 1% Carménère; a final yield of 50 hl/ha; pH 3.55; 13.5% alcohol) Distinctly sweet in its fruit profile as I noticed when last I tasted it There’s a salinity and a ferrous character to the minerality that I find in the 2017 too above all in the mid-palate – quite viscous and bloody in fact There’s great density and a sense of compactness but with the lovely crystalline luminous quality of the 2016 – but here with even greater definition pushing the cheeks but within the parameters set by the beady polished tannins Quite floral in its way – with rose petals intermingling with the berry fruits Very attractive and perhaps the pick of the tasting thus far So fresh and Margellais on the finish with those floral and cedar elements both very much at play Kirwan 2020 (Margaux; 50% Cabernet Sauvignon; 28% Merlot; 14% Cabernet Franc; 7% Petit Verdot; a final yield of 33 hl/ha; pH 3.64; 14% alcohol) Aromatically explosive yet somehow restrained and hyper-elegant at the same time The epitome of Margaux with lots of florality – a veritable bunch of fresh blooms wisteria and touch of lavender – with hints of hazelnut shell and rich dark chocolate and fresh herbal notes all beautifully intermingling nothing dominating or taking the spotlight cool and mentholated in the density of the mid-palate beautifully crystalline and limpid (even more so than the 2019) It has greater density too making this plunge-pool cool at the core Kirwan 2021 (Margaux; 73% Cabernet Sauvignon; 13% Merlot; 8% Cabernet Franc; 6% Petit Verdot; a final yield of 33 hl/ha; pH 3.63; 13% alcohol) but a little closed at first – though it slowly unfolds aromatically and everything is in balance it’s the sense of harmony that I really like here al dente fruit just on the right side of ripeness Laser-sharp in its precision and with the now signature clarity of the mid-palate of the new Kirwan A classy bottle in the context of the vintage Kirwan 2022 (Margaux; 55% Cabernet Sauvignon; 32% Merlot; 7% Cabernet Franc; 6% Petit Verdot; a final yield of 27 hl/ha; pH 3.55; IPT of 77; 14% alcohol) There’s a gentle sweetness to the aromatics here – almost a subtle hint of floral honey A little more closed and restrained than I found it en primeur at least aromatically and more difficult to pick blind now than before But there are signature violets and the cedar is beautifully interwoven with the plump cool and crunchy cherry and dark briary fruit almost glacial – an effect that comes from the silky softness of the tannins; but it’s also deep perhaps the most concentrated and dense of the entire flight and that means that this needs time crystalline and fabulously sapid as the waves of juicy freshness roll in and crash on the shore to form the finish I love the gracious sense of focussed intensity on the finish We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again The Grizzlies will welcome back a familiar face while injury plagues the side ahead of the biggest game of their NRL Schoolgirls Cup season Full Digital Access $24 charged every 4 weeks unless cancelled. Renewals occur automatically unless cancelled as per full Terms and Conditions. Each payment, once made, is non-refundable, subject to law. Not in conjunction with any other offer. Prices may be varied as per full Terms and Conditions. See www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/subscriptionterms for full details Maroons and Kangaroos test star has been unveiled as coach for one of North Queensland’s elite school footy talent factories All Whites defender Niko Kirwan has sent an emotional message to his family back in New Zealand after scoring the winning goal in his 100th game for Italian club Padova Kirwan hammered home the winner for Padova in their 1-0 Serie C victory against Caldiero Terme extending the side’s lead in the competition to 13 points Main photo: Niko Kirwan … ‘Today my time has come’ Kirwan said: “I’ve said it on several occasions for me to be captain and also to be rewarded with 100 games for me is a source of pride.” only two or three players had been rewarded with the number 100 shirt “I had said one day I want to be among those too Kirwan said his family in New Zealand had woken up to watch the game and he dedicated his performance All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan and his Italian-born mother Florella This story was first published on January 6 May 3-9: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – qualifying, Tonga (click here for details) May 5-18 (NZT): Auckland United at OFC Women’s Champions League, Tahiti (click here for details) May 16-18: Grand final, women’s A-League (click here for details) Monday May 19 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Switzerland, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) Tuesday May 20 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Guatemala, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) May 26-June 3: FIFA international window (women) May 30-June 1: Grand final, men’s A-League (click here for details) May 31-June 1: Second rounds of Chatham Cup June 2-10: FIFA international window (men) Sunday June 8 (11am NZT): All Whites v Côte d’Ivoire, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) Wednesday June 11 (9am NZT): All Whites v Ukraine, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) June 15-July 13: FIFA Club World Cup, United States (click here for details) Monday June 16 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Bayern Munich, FIFA Club World Cup, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio (click here for details) Saturday June 20 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Benfica, FIFA Club World Cup, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida (click here for details) Wednesday June 24 (7am NZT): Auckland City v Boca Juniors, FIFA Club World Cup, Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee (click here for details) June 23-July 1: FIFA international window (women) July 5-6: Quarter-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup August 1-14: OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, Samoa (click here for details) August 15-30: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, Solomon Islands (click here for details) August 16-17: Semi-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup September 2-9: FIFA international window (men) September 17-24: University of Auckland at FISU Men’s Football World Cup September 20-24: OFC Futsal Men’s Cup September 21-October 4: OFC U-19 Women’s Championship September 27-October 19: FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup September 27-28: Season starts for men’s and women’s National Leagues October 7-15: FIFA international window (men) Wednesday October 15 (k/o TBC): Norway v All Whites, international friendly, Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway (click here for details) October 17-November 8: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Morocco (click here for details) October 20-28: FIFA international window (women) November 4-28 (NZT): FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup, Qatar (click here for details) November 10-18: FIFA international window (men) November 17-22: OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League November 21-December 7: FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, Philippines (click here for details) 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania qualifiers December 13-14: Grand finals of men’s and women’s National Leagues June 12-July 20 (NZT): FIFA Men’s World Cup © 2025 Friends of Football Site designed by Hurricane Press Ltd using - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP Ex-New Zealand international Sir John Kirwan has effectively stated that World Rugby should change its laws so it suits the All Blacks’ natural style New Zealand have gone from the game’s dominant force winning the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and 2015 to dropping behind South Africa and Ireland in the rankings The Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019 and 2023 Although the All Blacks reached the final last year succumbing by just one point in the showpiece event they endured a difficult period under Ian Foster between 2020 and 2022 They suffered historic home defeats to Argentina and Ireland and went on a terrible run of form which almost saw Foster sacked they almost went down to England in his opening game only for the hosts to edge to a 16-15 triumph in Dunedin Part of that, Kirwan believes World Rugby have sought to speed up the game but the ex-wing has suggested that it is not enough When we talk about English DNA – they brought it on Saturday – it’s hard to stop,” he said on The Breakdown “When we talk about South African DNA and we talk about them expanding on their DNA… what we need to understand is that our DNA needs to be innovative and moving forward as well “We’ve always been the innovators and I think the interesting thing is that the reason why I want the rules to change is because I think the rules currently don’t help our DNA All Blacks legends fear the future of ‘scary’ Springboks under ‘most innovative coach’ Rassie Erasmus Kirwan was joined on the panel by fellow All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson who disagreed with the 59-year-old and highlighted South Africa’s clash with Ireland as evidence The Springboks are renowned for their forward power and accurate kicking game but there has been a noticeable shift in style from Rassie Erasmus’ men in their two games since the World Cup that was a fast game between Ireland and South Africa I would love the challenge of playing those teams,” Wilson said “That quarter-final against Ireland last year was probably one of the greatest games of rugby I’ve been at In numbers: The All Blacks INSANE unbeaten run at Eden Park since 1996 “We’ve got to remember that at the Rugby World Cup final It was raining in the semi-final when England played South Africa you go back to what you know and can do well “I think all those things are going to add to the drama when we head back to South Africa You get the sense that they see us as one and two in the world.” Kirwan agreed with Wilson over the upcoming Rugby Championship and the battle between the Springboks and the All Blacks while also delving into the future of the sport for me there’s a few things happening in our game,” he said not only do they need to be incredible at scrum time they need to be doing the passes out of the back “There seems to be some innovation in our game I think we (All Blacks) played a little bit differently [against England]; not too much playing in our own half it’s going to be a pretty good Rugby Championship.” READ MORE: Victor Matfield hits back at Sir John Kirwan’s claim that the Springboks are ‘not the future’ of rugby Cover EditorialsARTS & CULTURE Fashion EditorialsInterviewsSubscriptionLoyalty ProgramCONTACT Lancashire-raised Kadiff Kirwan moved to London at the age of 18 to pursue a career in acting From ultra-beloved British TV shows like Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag to productions in the National Theatre and the Old Vic to feature films like Mary Queen of Scots—Kadiff’s varied roles speak to his range and momentum With his warmth and enthusiasm no less palpable on a video call Kadiff talks to New Wave about the ‘explosive’ Season 4 of Slow Horses This new season is Kadiff’s third on the show and premiered on the 4th of September on Apple TV Sort of rested… I'm doing a theatre production at the moment at the National Theatre  called the Hot Wing King So I had two shows on Saturday—Sunday is my only day off thank you so much for taking the time to talk about Slow Horses It’s your third season with the show—you’ve been a part of it for over two years now How did you feel about it when you first picked up the script the tone was unlike any tone I’d come across before It’s about a motley crew of spies who for one reason or another have been relegated to a unit that no one wants to be in It’s sort of spy drama meets British workplace comedy with this resentment of the mundanity of the day-to-day jobs NW: What was it like joining a cast after a whole season KK: Myself and the actress who plays Shirley Dander were two new cast members that joined for Season 2 you get nervous because you're joining something that's already sort of established and they've spent six months together you're starting school halfway through the term The cast welcomed us and working with Gary [Oldman] was just 20 out of 10 most collaborative people I've ever had the honor of working with Slow Horses has been one of the highlights of my career I think we’ve pushed ourselves and challenged ourselves in ways that we couldn't have imagined The characters are all being challenged—there's ghosts from the past that have come to haunt the Horses which affect every person in the team in a very different way all the stunts and explosion rehearsals—I think it’s all been worth it because we've made something that I hope the public will embrace and enjoy and want more of It’s—this is the word I keep using—explosive and they’re also all frustrated with their professional failures All this causes a lot of tension between them—that’s sort of the fundamental dynamic flamboyant cast of characters—how can each actor do their character justice The writing is so specific and so particular but there’s those little breaths where someone just breathes something unique into their role and you react in the way that your character would and that just elevates it to another level We’re quite playful as a company of actors brilliant showrunner Will Smith—he’s so collaborative It's just this constant thing of nurturing the story No one's trying to steal the spotlight because the spotlight's on all of us at the end of the day NW: Slow Horses definitely handles its bleakness with humour It’s a reflection of life—in terrible situations laughter can be an absolute wash of relief And—it’s harder to make someone laugh than cry I get to bring a tiny bit of joy to someone's life making people laugh is my ultimate mission Even if it’s just on the bus or on the tube or my colleagues at work making people laugh and making people cry every now and again I think the world is a pretty dire place at the best of times for many reasons but it can also be a place full of joy and hope It's clear that his excitement for Season 4 of Slow Horses is contagious With the show's signature blend of suspense and the gripping new twists awaiting us all make this season a must-watch Don’t miss Season 4 of Slow Horses—it promises to be the most explosive yet a family business has expanded to a new location in Kirwan that offers takeaway coffees All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan has taken a cheeky dig at the TMO in a short video reviewing the Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park The former winger and ex-Italy head coach is well-known for his controversial views on Sky Sports NZ’s Breakdown show but missed this week’s episode because he was in Italy Ahead of the clash at Ellis Park, Kirwan stated that the All Blacks were clear underdogs and that all the pressure was on the Springboks Following the 31-27 victory for Rassie Erasmus’ charges, Kirwan has posted a video where he referenced Bongi Mbonambi’s controversial try taking a dig at the TMO while congratulating the Springboks on the win He also highlighted the Springboks’ ability to turn to their maul to grind out the win with Kwagga Smith and Grant Williams scoring late tries after their driving maul got South Africa close to the line while he rued the All Blacks’ errors in the final quarter congratulations on your win,” he said “You are probably wondering why I wasn’t on the Breakdown I’m actually in Venice getting a pair of these beautiful reading glasses so that the TMO might wear them next week,” he added with a chuckle All Blacks: Scott Robertson’s verdict on controversial Springboks try I just love when South Africa play New Zealand I thought New Zealand were outstanding at times – for 50 minutes – but the great thing about South Africa is and they know how to go to things like their maul when they win “I thought the inexperienced of this side kicking game last 20 minutes and a few errors was the difference but can’t wait for next week.” Rassie Erasmus responds to personal attack as pundit issues insincere ‘apology’ for ‘unfair comparisons’ to ‘ruthless’ Springboks boss @JohnKirwan_14 @skysportnz For legend, JKs contant complaining on THE BREAKDOWN, has become a bore. JK, should the TMO had worn your glasses, D-Mac’s convertion, would have timed out, Bongi’s try would have stood, Sam Cane would have been off with 🟥 for second time and Ardie too pic.twitter.com/0syJhNEfjm — BvR89 (@Bren_v_R) September 1, 2024 The All Blacks great concluded his video with an old rugby saying “I don’t know if my South African friends know this New Zealand saying ‘Next try wins’ – that’s how we grow up so what I’m saying is that if we win next week Kirwan have taken first advantage in their sizzling rivalry with Ignatius Park College but they had to do it the hard way in a huge come-from-behind win Kirwan business owners have criticised the opening of the Street University which they said have intensified teenagers’ crime and anti-social behaviour into one area rather than in stopping it Legendary All Black Sir John Kirwan said he is “not convinced” Ardie Savea made the right decision to further his Super Rugby Pacific career at Moana Pasifika from next year who has already made 84 Test appearances for New Zealand signed a three-year contract with Moana through until 2027 and will be reunited with his brother Moana Pasifika have been involved in Super Rugby since 2022 and finished in last place in the standings in the inaugural season of Super Rugby Pacific before improving slightly in 2024 when they finished in 11th position on the table And Kirwan believes the fact that Moana is a struggling franchise could be detrimental for Savea and the All Blacks “I’m not convinced,” Kirwan said on The Breakdown “I could be wrong but the idea of Moana Pasifika for me was to grow Pasifika rugby But is it good for Ardie Savea if they have another season where they are second to last “Is that going to help us as All Blacks that Ardie is going to be coming from possibly doing extra or struggling “It’ll be a bigger workload.” who made 63 Test appearances for New Zealand as a wing between 1984 and 1994 said his comments were made based on personal experience when he joined a second-tier club in Italy All Blacks star Ardie Savea’s shock Super Rugby move confirmed in new deal I went to the second division in Italy and I just played terribly because I was too worried about doing a whole lot of jobs,” he explained However, former All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall disagreed with Kirwan and said he feels Savea’s move would benefit Moana as well as his former Super Rugby club, the Hurricanes Savea was not in action at Super Rugby Pacific level this year as he opted to take a sabbatical in Japan where he played his club rugby for Kobelco Kobe Steelers Despite being without Savea’s services the Hurricanes finished at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table before bowing out of the competition in the semi-finals “This year the Hurricanes functioned so well without Ardie Savea and were very close to being in a final,” Marshall said “There’s no doubt the move will be massively advantageous to Moana Pasifika because of the numbers a world-class player like Ardie Savea will bring he’s been at that one franchise for a very long time and there’s nothing like getting something a bit different when you turn up for training each day.” READ MORE: Scott Barrett picks two All Blacks who could fit into the NFL after the San Diego Test Former All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson believes that Ardie Savea is a frontrunner for the Super Rugby Player of the Year Murray Mexted picks his All Blacks back five ahead of their upcoming Test season Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea has revealed how much his side's shock victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday means to him Our five takeaways from Moana Pasifika's 45-29 victory over the Crusaders in their Rugby Pacific encounter in Christchurch on Saturday Victor Matfield was pleased to see that Sir John Kirwan finally appreciated scrummaging ahead of the games between the Springboks and All Blacks New Zealand go into the contest with one win from two in the Rugby Championship after they succumbed 38-30 to Argentina in Wellington Kirwan complained that a lack of scrums – the first one came an hour into the match – took away one of their key weapons so how you really start them crying is you take them on in the scrum and you smash them in the scrum,” he said earlier this month “You win a couple of scrum penalties and you kick down [field] I thought that was a huge blow to us and it threw us off our game.” Those comments were contrary to what the All Blacks legend has previously said about the set-piece, especially in reference to South Africa. Kirwan has often stated that the current laws suit the Boks more than New Zealand with the All Blacks’ game traditionally based around attack and the talent in the backline Matfield could therefore not resist a little dig at the former wing when he appeared on The Breakdown at the weekend “The one thing that’s really nice for me is that JK did say how important scrums were after that first Test hearing it from you guys,” the ex-South Africa lock joked “I loved that he missed the scrums in that first Test and how important it is.” All Blacks legends blame lack of scrums for ‘throwing us off our game’ The scrum has become a real strength for the All Blacks since Jason Ryan came in as forwards coach and it was a crucial factor in the 2-0 series win over England It also played a key part in the second Test against Argentina as New Zealand responded to the opening round loss with a 42-10 triumph at Eden Park Scott Robertson’s men could well be a significant threat in Johannesburg and Matfield is expecting a close match “I think it’s going to be a very tight game “We’ve seen two years ago after we had that good victory at Nelspruit and the next week they came back and they beat the Boks (35-23 at Ellis Park) so it’s going to be a great game and everyone’s looking forward to it.” The last time these two sides played each other was in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final where the Springboks came out on top to win the Webb Ellis Cup who are looking to expand their game under new attack coach Tony Brown Although they have retained most of the players and coaches that claimed the global title last year head honcho Rassie Erasmus knows that they must continue to develop “It’s just that mindset to look for opportunities,” Matfield added “I’ve heard from the camp that the guys are really enjoying him so just that awareness of where the space is and how we’re going to attack it is definitely something he’s brought to the team.” READ MORE: All Blacks great questions Scott Robertson’s ‘unorthodox’ set-up after New Zealand Rugby’s ‘expensive’ Leon MacDonald ‘mistake’ Our Team of My Life series continues with former England captain Lewis Moody joining us to pick his Dream XV that he shared a pitch with to an Anglo-Irish ophthalmic surgeon father and an American mother He spent his first six years in India before moving to London in 1935 In 1939 he was evacuated during the blitz to Portland He gained a place to study medicine at Gonville and Caius College BMA Member Log In Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles Subscribe Access this article for 1 day for:£50 / $60/ €56 (excludes VAT) You can download a PDF version for your personal record Buy this article Respond to this article Thank you for your interest in spreading the word about The BMJ NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it Read related article See previous polls Kirwan High haven’t touched the Payne Cup in four years but there is a lot of belief bubbling above the surface at the Bears They aim to sweep their pool against Trinity Bay His episode has been described as an \"intergalactic gargantuan extravaganza\" Kadiff Kirwan is swapping Slow Horses' dingy Slough House for the Whoniverse, as he has joined the cast of Doctor Who season 15 While not much is known about Kirwan's character the BBC has revealed that he encounters the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and new companion Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) for an \"intergalactic escapade\" – and given this is Doctor Who Kirwan has starred in a number of acclaimed TV shows over the years first appearing in Michaela Coel's Chewing Gum and BBC Three sitcom Crims I May Destroy You and This Is Going to Hurt \"I feel elated to be joining the rich legacy of actors who have guest-starred in Doctor Who,\" said Kirwan \"Russell T Davies and [writer] Juno Dawson have truly outdone themselves with this episode in what I can only describe as an intergalactic gargantuan extravaganza It’s packed with gravity-defying mastery beyond imagination and being a part of it is an absolute dream Showrunner Russell T Davies added: \"We're so lucky in Cardiff to open the doors to world-class talent so when we realised he was available and happy to come on board that was truly a great day in the office!\" with a number of additional cast members joining for season 2 whose character Cassio has \"one hell of a meeting\" with the Doctor Meanwhile, we can also look forward to returning stars including Millie Gibson, Susan Twist and Anita Dobson Doctor Who returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 12th April 2025 Dive into our Doctor Who story guide: reviews of every episode since 1963 and exclusive material from the Radio Times archive Doctor Who confirms new cast addition: Slow Horses and Black Mirror starHis episode has been described as an "intergalactic gargantuan extravaganza" While not much is known about Kirwan's character the BBC has revealed that he encounters the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and new companion Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) for an "intergalactic escapade" – and given this is Doctor Who first appearing in Michaela Coel's Chewing Gum and BBC Three sitcom Crims "I feel elated to be joining the rich legacy of actors who have guest-starred in Doctor Who," said Kirwan "Russell T Davies and [writer] Juno Dawson have truly outdone themselves with this episode in what I can only describe as an intergalactic gargantuan extravaganza BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James PardonShowrunner Russell T Davies added: "We're so lucky in Cardiff to open the doors to world-class talent that was truly a great day in the office!" whose character Cassio has "one hell of a meeting" with the Doctor Meanwhile, we can also look forward to returning stars including Millie Gibson, Susan Twist and Anita Dobson Dive into our Doctor Who story guide: reviews of every episode since 1963 Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment WriterKatelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times covering all major entertainment programmes reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism you are agreeing to site title privacy policy This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Subscribe to RT!Subscribe to Radio Times magazine and get £10 issues for £10! Could your home unlock your dreams?Releasing equity from your home could help give you the retirement you've been dreaming of? Holiday brochuresNeed inspiration of where to go next Request a free brochure and start your journey Victor Matfield has responded to Sir John Kirwan’s claim that the Springboks will be hampered by World Rugby’s law amendments The All Blacks legend stated that while South Africa were a great Rugby World Cup team their playing style was “not the future of our game.” Stereotypically, the Boks are renowned for their set-piece and physicality two things that tend to pay dividends when the global tournament comes around their sole focus is always on the next World Cup with Rassie Erasmus using the four-year cycle to build towards that That resulted in some mediocre results and performances between 2019 and 2023, and Kirwan suggested that could happen again heading towards 2027 The 59-year-old pointed to the law updates one of which will prevent sides from taking a scrum when a free-kick has been awarded With the Springboks so strong up front, that has led to concerns it will depower the scrum, but Matfield disagrees that it will harm one of their primary weapons there are only two that will have a big impact One is that you can’t go for a scrum off a free-kick and that happens only once strong ball carriers that can get you over the advantage line [like the Boks] you can use that as well [from a free-kick] “I don’t think the laws will make a big difference it was the biggest cheer when we got that penalty try from the scrum that’s our DNA and I don’t think we will go away from that.” All Blacks legends in heated exchange as Sir John Kirwan claims Springboks style ‘not the future’ of rugby Another amendment has seen World Rugby remove the ‘Dupont law’ loophole with players who are in front of the kicker now only allowed to move once they have been put onside by a team-mate I think the whole thing with the guys that can’t advance [from a kick] doesn’t really play that big a part in South African rugby,” Matfield added those big forwards waiting in the midfield We like that and we want to play off those turnovers.” The Springboks played their second game since becoming world champions for a fourth time on Saturday and interestingly there was a slight change in their style Erasmus has brought highly rated New Zealander Tony Brown in as attack coach and they certainly looked to play more expansively against Ireland was superbly created as the Boks moved the ball to the wider channels with pace and tempo who was on The Breakdown panel: “Hopefully John enjoyed the game a little bit more than what he said last week.” Matfield also signed off the interview in hilarious fashion after presenter Kirstie Stanway stated: “Hopefully you won’t have to use that boxing bag in a couple of months’ time when the All Blacks hit town The Springboks great responded: “I’m waiting I’m just putting John Kirwan’s face on it… I’m going for it a little dab Johnny!” Kirwan took it in good spirits and added: “I don’t want to get punched READ MORE: 10 of the weekend’s top performers including a ‘gladiatorial’ Springbok and a ‘classy’ Englishman Expressions of interest are open for a principal consultant as Kirwan Police Academy development progresses on schedule with stage one to wrap up next year Townsville police officers say using lethal force on a knife-wielding man outside their police station was unavoidable as the investigation into the fatal shooting continues I started the book that became my first novel I glanced a thousand times at a stone wall down the far end of one of the narrow lanes off Barrack Street and eventually began writing about what might be behind it inhabited by crime-fighting solicitor Finn Fitzpatrick so I owe Barrack Street big time for my first three books: Darkest Truth It’s called The Seventh Body and I definitely owe the street for this one.  it started with me walking in and out to town but also to think; to stop my back from seizing up; to take the air; to see and hear what’s happening I watch and I listen and I let my mind ramble and often I do that on Barrack Street because (unless I set off early and go the long way for the step count) the old street is an essential part of my morning commute I’m always aware that I’m treading a path where since Corcaigh was a rough settlement of mud and wattle hovels On Barracka — and it might be because so many of the buildings have been permitted to languish long term in a state of disrepair — it doesn’t take much to conjure the dead.  This was especially true during March and April 2020 when cars and vans were mostly absent and the veil between past and present felt thinner.  I’ll never forget the ghostly tap tap of my feet on the footpath even though that year the spring was clear and bright and the slyly stunning view of the northside you’re gifted by the curve just past Tom Barry’s was unmarred by mist which used to be the main route into the city from the west in the time before roundabouts and bypasses the street has become known as a dereliction blackspot — quite something when you consider the state of the rest of the city widely dubbed ‘the dereliction capital of Ireland’ construction started on a Cork City Council housing project along one of the dereliction rows the works would give up some sensational and ghoulish secrets the skeletal remains of six men were found beneath one of the demolished buildings The men’s hands and feet showed signs of having been bound but they were deemed to be of archaeological interest only perhaps related to one of many battles fought in the area in ages past I desperately wanted to know what was happening behind the hoardings.  but the only time I remember being there was sometime in the ’90s with a gang of buddies for an amazing gig by Pierce Turner.  That memory led me to surmise that the seventh body might have something to do with a group of music fans Geography led me down the hill to Sir Henry’s nightclub Henry’s closed in 2003 and where it used to stand is one of Cork’s many vacant sites across from the (non) Event Centre and only a five-minute walk from where the six historic bodies were found.  I formed an imaginary link with Henry’s.  I thought about people who used to be friends united by their shared history and a dark secret I love Cork and I’ve spent the last decade writing the city a series of book-length billets-doux it seems to me that Cork city centre is a depleted place now.  on my way down Oliver Plunkett Street for a sandwich at the Long Valley I play a depressing game of ‘how many vape and phone shops are there today?’.  three-and-a-half years on from the discoveries at Nancy Spain’s it’s heartening to see that work is almost complete on the wonderful development that replaces it it’s not even close to being enough.  I write fictional murder mysteries but there are days when it feels like the beautiful city that inspired them is being strangled.  We have a Cork taoiseach and a recently appointed city manager and new paving schemes don’t fool anyone anymore We need actual people living in the ample vacant residential space in the city centre From as little as €1 a week with our digital introductory offer Already a subscriber? Sign in Check out our Books Hub where you will find the latest news opinions and analysis on all things books from the Irish Examiner's team of specialist writers more books – features and news articles Lottie Ryan joined Patrick Kielty on Friday night's Late Late Show to talk about her father Gerry Ryan's legacy A Townsville builder who specialises in multimillion-dollar homes is the new owner of a unique ‘house’ described as both an Aladdin’s Cave and a hoarders haven The unique “house” at 3 Burramugga Cresent in Kirwan recently sold under the hammer for $255,000 with a whopping 27 registered bidders for the “lucky dip” with the new owner also purchasing everything left inside the home building materials and even a 1960’s vintage aluminium “Chesney” caravan “The property has an extensive collection of books varying in genres and age which would excite the most flamboyant librarian,” Ian Clarke of Ian Clarke Real Estate said of the property which was sold on behalf of the Public Trustee Described as a “brain wave design by (a) former architect designer” the property consists of a “bespoke timber framed metal cladded dwelling” on a 607sq m block MORE: Billionaire’s playground up for grabs From houso to wowzer: Former public housing property now worth millions Listing pictures show a structure reminiscent of two silos or water tanks with a central area dedicated to “casual living” There is also takeaway boxes and other rubbish strewn in some rooms “I think some of the rubbish actually might have been from some squatters but other than that there is an eclectic mix in there,” he said A bed surrounded by more books … and other items who claimed to live across the road from the property But there was no shortage of would-be buyers with bidding starting at $143,000 – or land value it moved quite quickly before the remaining bidders battled it out in $1000 hits “The buyer is a local builder who has bought a few renovator houses but he is more of a high-end builder,” Mr Clarke said “But he has a few tradies who work for him who are struggling for accommodation so they are going to do it up for them to stay in.” Mr Clarke said it was a trend that was becoming more common in the current housing crisis especially if they have work contracts in Townsville are buying properties just to house staff,” he said “We saw quite a lot of that in the mining boom as well.” Mr Clarke said the owner had been an architectural engineer but had not quite finished his passion project “It is really like going back down memory lane in there,” he said described “relatively stable yet dangerously low vacancy rates” during the first quarter of this year But there was some ‘good news’ in the latest PropTrack Market Insight Report Beleaguered Brisbane renters were granted some relief in June with the vacancy rate up 0.05 percentage points to 1.2 per cent But the share of rental properties vacant and available in Brisbane remained a whopping 45 per cent down since the start of pandemic in March 2020 while conditions in regional Queensland were more dire still with 48 per cent fewer rental homes on the market Regional Queensland also notched up a tiny increase in vacancies in June PropTrack senior economist and report author Anne Flaherty said the jump in listings was “good news for renters” but noted a “chronic undersupply of rental properties” was likely to continue over the next few years The Rental Pain Index Report by SuburbTrends also showed that the impact of high rent remained a critical issue across Queensland with the number of suburbs experiencing “extreme rental pain” climbing to more than 81 per cent That result was “indicating worsening affordability challenges” according to SuburbTrends founder Kent Lardner “The impact of high rents on household budgets is profound,” Mr Lardner said which also tracks vacancies at varying levels sitting at 1.5 per cent as of the end of May third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. I grew up on the banks of the Slaney River right where it flows into Wexford Harbor on its way to the Irish Sea lapping under old wooden piers or crashing along the broad strands of County Wexford I’ve always found it hard to live far from the coast Even here in the thick of Manhattan I’m within strolling distance of the surging Hudson or the murky East River I chanced upon a picture in the New York Times of a demure rocky creek and wondered why my heart jumped for joy I had spent a magical summer in this one-horse Catskills village and hardly a day passed when I didn’t sit on those rocks admiring the stream that gurgled its way down a series of micro-falls before settling in a clear pool and whatever else you did in a laid back paradise in the 1970s Pierce Turner and I had been hired to play the summer season at nearby O’Shea’s Irish Center while “Young” Jerry kept an eye out for his parents when his Hunter Mountain ski resort was on hiatus for the summer Mike O’Brien (from The Clancy Brother clan) and Chris King (a St both singer/guitarists and raconteurs who brought the house down nightly with their staccato ad libs Turner & Kirwan played everything from The Kinks to our own “Irish Acid Rock,” so the large back room of O’Shea’s was always bouncing but especially when the young Italian Americans from nearby Pleasant Acres Resort discovered “you can actually dance to these Micks!” Both bands drank liberally and some of us played poker right through the dawn O’Shea’s Irish breakfast and retiring for the “night.” In the late afternoon we re-grouped and swam in the natural pool or reclined on the aforementioned rocks where we dozed or dreamed Turner & Kirwan had been scuffling from gig to gig around New York City except the occasional round in nearby Gilfeather’s Sligo House where The Joe Nellany Band featuring Tommy Mulvihill and Jerry Finlay For well over a century the Irish have been holidaying in the Catskills as they prepare for the year ahead in New York By the end of that perfect summer I knew I’d never live in Ireland again and if I wanted a blast of home I could just head up the Turnpike to the Catskills The last time I was there filming a documentary about Black 47 I couldn’t even identify the buildings that used to house Sarsfields or The Phoenix – at least the Village Pub was hard to miss with John Flynn’s benign presence hovering over it I know there’ll always be an Irish presence around East Durham but with a few exceptions it’s getting harder for the old resorts now that Irish immigration has been choked off Instead of the usual patronizing and platitudes why don’t you get together and create a new immigration law that would guarantee 20,000 Irish green cards every year after our contributions to the life of this country New blood is needed in the Irish community But they could use a shot of 21st Century Ireland The mountains will return the favor double-fold just like they did to me back in a perfect summer in the 1970s Posted in: BBC, Disney+, TV | Tagged: Kadiff Kirwan (Slow Horses) has joined the cast of Showrunner Russell T Davies's Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu-starring Doctor Who Season 2 We have some new casting news to pass along for the second season of Showrunner Russell T Davies's Ncuti Gatwa (Fifteenth Doctor) and Varada Sethu (Belinda Chandra)-starring Doctor Who Slow Horses) has joined the cast for "an intergalactic escapade" (according to the press release) for the upcoming run of adventures "I feel elated to be joining the rich legacy of actors who have guest-starred in 'Doctor Who,'" Kirwan shared "Russell T Davies and Juno Dawson have truly outdone themselves with this episode in what I can only describe as an intergalactic gargantuan extravaganza It's packed with gravity-defying mastery beyond imagination Whovians; this one is gonna rock your world!" Davies added "We're so lucky in Cardiff to open the doors to world-class talent and it's been a riot getting to work with Kadiff I've loved his work on TV and stage for a long time that was truly a great day in the office!" and Kirwan for the second season are Rose Ayling-Ellis Alan Cumming as the voice of Mr Ring-a-Ding and English TV personality Rylan Clark (Eurovision Song Contest) here's a look at the latest trailer that was officially released: "'Doctor Who' takes its talent from a glittering galaxy of names and these extraordinary writers span the skies It's the most wild and exciting season of 'Doctor Who' yet and I can't wait to unleash their brilliant work," Davies shared about Juno Dawson and Sharma Angel-Walfall – the new writers joining the series for its second season: Juno Dawson is a #1 Sunday Times best-selling novelist and journalist whose books include the global bestsellers This Book is Gay and Her Majesty's Royal Coven Her debut short film was The Birth of Venus and she created the first official Doctor Who scripted podcast "I started watching 'Doctor Who' with my grandma when I was ten years old in the 1990s From writing fan fiction for an audience of one to scripting the best TV show of all time is truly a dream come true I can't wait for fans and newcomers to see the new season," Dawson shared Inua Ellams is a writer and curator whose published books of poetry include Candy Coated Unicorns & Converse All Stars and The Actual was awarded a Fringe First at the Edinburgh International Theatre Festival Other plays include Barber Shop Chronicles I started watching when I was 10 in Nigeria Getting to write for the show felt like touching God; it was blasphemously humbling and exciting and I can't wait to share my story with the world," Ellams shared Pete McTighe is a writer and executive producer on the forthcoming spin-off with Russell at the console and the incredible team at Bad Wolf hanging on for dear life and am really proud of what we've been able to achieve with my next episode," McTighe shared I knew that if Kamala Harris was under-performing in the Raleigh/Durham area it would be a short night He is truly a remarkable politician with an unerring ear for the moods Now that he has swept both the popular and electoral college vote is there any chance he might endorse a straightforward democracy that picks its president by popular vote the recent election concerned only the seven “battlefield” states I had returned from Ireland to cast my vote I might as well have stayed there skulling pints for I was one of a very few people voting at my polling station in South-West Manhattan “battlefield” voters were often forced to wait in line for hours the electoral college is right up there with your blind eye towards enslavement and women’s suffrage Despite his gloomy and often dystopian outlook President-Elect Trump is inheriting a first class economy (as he did in 2016); unemployment and inflation are low drill.” He obviously hasn’t heard that under the Biden administration the U.S became the world’s largest exporter of energy Perhaps someone should tell him that gas prices at the pumps are currently quite low Or is Elon squiring him around in his Tesla I’ve always thought of this year’s presidential contest as the pandemic election How soon we forget that less than two years ago we were going mano a mano with Covid 19 It will take years before we can put these crazy days into perspective there is no doubt that Donald Trump has caused a realignment in the Republican Party and indeed throughout the entire electorate When will the party understand that it can’t alienate working class and rural communities and expect to eke out any more nail biters they need a commission of street-savvy pols Jon Tester or James Carville to point out just where they’ve gone astray Despite all he did to economically revivify the country Or did ego blind him to his condition and the country’s perception of him Had he stuck with his promise to be a bridge to the next Democratic generation there would have been primaries to test the mettle of Josh Shapiro Harris often seemed out to lunch on the economy the most vital matter in any presidential election Although this daughter of immigrants ran a valiant race in the little time she was allotted I doubt anyone is longing for another Harris candidacy Candidates aplenty are already positioning themselves to run in 2028 But the next major battle will be the 2026 midterms when a revivified grass-roots Democratic Party could take advantage of the mess Mr His choice of Pete Hegseth and Robert Kennedy Jr unless he’s testing his authoritarian control of the Republican Party At the best these three promise chaos and confusion Trump’s positions on tariffs and mass deportation are part of his trademark bluff and bluster for how many want the rising inflation and mass misery that will accompany the extreme measures he promises regardless of how many times the president-elect calls it a hoax The national debt of $36 trillion shudders at the thought of his second coming and who knows what rough beast lies waiting in the wings Who had any notion of Covid 19 at the Trump inauguration in 2017 Make sure your hatches are oiled and ready for battening down With the worst full of passionate intensity All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan believes that Scott Robertson’s decision to select TJ Perenara could prove to be a mistake New Zealand’s head coach named his 36-man squad to go on their northern hemisphere tour on Monday and it included both players who will retire from Test rugby at the end of the year Perenara and former captain Sam Cane have signed long-term deals to play in Japan from 2025, thus ruling them out of All Blacks selection looking towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup a debate has raged about whether they should go on their trip to Japan and Europe having enjoyed touching farewells at the end of the Rugby Championship The Wallabies encounter in Round Six marked their final matches on New Zealand soil where the openside flanker earned his 100th cap for the national team Kirwan agrees that they still offer plenty to the black jersey and is not completely against Cane’s selection stating that Robertson could “possibly play him against Ireland” but believes that picking Perenara will harm the development of their up and coming scrum-halves “Would they make my squad from an ability point of view Do they make my squad thinking about the next World Cup “Do Sam Cane and TJ Perenara deserve to go Is it the best thing for our game in the future All Blacks squad winners and losers: Scott Robertson’s selection smacks of ‘desperation’ as domestic competition takes a hit Youngsters Cortez Ratima and injury-returnee Cam Roigard have been picked in the 36 but Perenara’s inclusion means that Noah Hotham will be in the second-string All Blacks XV Hotham will be joined in that group by Blues star Finlay Christie who has dropped significantly down the pecking order since starting the second Test against England in July Kirwan was joined on the panel by Michaela Blyde and the New Zealand Sevens star agreed with the 59-year-old’s view on the half-back situation “He’s (Perenara) definitely a quality player but we’ve got some quality half-backs; Noah Hotham is another one,” she said but he’s another developing half-back that we need in the environment.” One of the All Blacks’ scrum-half options made his return from a six-month absence in the NPC at the weekend scoring two tries for Counties Manukau in their victory over Manawatu the 23-year-old has been immediately included in the squad for their end-of-year tour and former Ireland half-back Isaac Boss felt that he looked in good shape he’s been able to come back a little bit bigger but I just think he needs that game time,” New Zealand-born Boss said READ MORE: All Blacks star grabs a sensational brace after six months out as Scott Roberston gets a major boost TJ Perenara's statement before his final haka reportedly blindsided his teammates and coaches Construction crews have officially broken ground on the first stage of the new Kirwan Police Complex Amy Kirwan arrived with a smile that could light up any room and a laugh so infectious it could melt the hardest heart Amy had a remarkable gift for making dreams come true—especially in real estate she opened and ran her very own RE/MAX Real Estate office with her sister earning the prestigious title of Washington State Realtor of the Year she channeled her expertise into building a thriving transaction coordination business mentoring countless agents into becoming “house-selling machines.” Amy’s dedication and insight left an indelible mark on her colleagues and the industry she loved was one for the ages—a blend of romance Alan often marveled at his luck in marrying someone who could outwit him and still leave him laughing she celebrated one of her proudest moments: watching Braxton marry the love of his life Amy also embraced her role as a grandmother with joy earning titles like “Grand,” “Mia,” or whatever Kaiden decided to call her that day Weekends often found them playing in the backyard or sharing snacks—moments filled with pure Amy was a powerhouse of enthusiasm and energy Whether leading the Moses Lake Spring Festival and Grand Moonlight Parade or serving as a dedicated Soroptimist member she had an uncanny ability to rally people around a cause She often joked that standing still too long near her meant signing up for a project—but no one ever minded because Amy made everything she did feel like a celebration Amy’s friends and family remember her as the life of the party and the heart of every home She had a rare talent for making people feel seen and valued or her knack for finding humor in life’s quirks Even the simplest gatherings became unforgettable events in her hands and just enough teasing to keep everyone on their toes Amy was preceded in death by her cherished mother who are undoubtedly catching up with her now swapping stories and laughter as lively as hers ever was Heather (Todd) Hudnall and Emily (Steven) Dykstra; her brothers Heath (Melanie) Smith and Corry (Heather) Smith; and her devoted husband who is still on a mission to uncover where she hid the good serving dishes will always remember the self described "strong female role model" that helped shaped their lives who will always hear her “moming” him—reminding him to be kind and at least one person will tell a joke about Amy’s legendary ability to turn everyday moments into treasured memories and friend—she was a beacon of kindness and her memory will remain a source of light and laughter for all who knew her She’ll be deeply missed but never forgotten especially when we find ourselves laughing at life’s quirks and thinking "Amy would’ve loved this." The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys has extended its long-term development partnership with Townsville rugby league powerhouse Kirwan State High School with a renewed three-year commitment running through 2026 The new agreement will see the Cowboys and Kirwan SHS entering a 12th consecutive year of a partnership which has helped to develop numerous NRL stars and for the first time includes Kirwan SHS’ female rugby league program Kirwan SHS is one of six schools with development partnership agreements with the Cowboys joining fellow Townsville juggernaut Ignatius Park College Cairns’ Trinity Bay State High School and St Augustine’s College Mackay’s St Patrick’s College as well as Rockhampton’s The Cathedral College Kirwan SHS has been the school of choice for numerous Cowboys stars including Dally M winner Jason Taumalolo current General Manager of Football Micheal Luck Jacob Lillyman and Ray Thompson as well as current NRLW player Sareka Mooka The current Cowboys NRL squad contains four Kirwan alumni including Taumalolo Kirwan SHS players and coaches will continue to be provided development opportunities through the Cowboys Both Kirwan SHS’ Aaron Payne Cup team and Open Girls will have the opportunity to train at The Hutchinson Builders Centre with input from Cowboys Elite Pathways Coach Steve Sheppard and NRLW Head Coach Ben Jeffries Kirwan SHS coaches will have access to selected Cowboys Young Guns and NRLW training sessions and one on one mentoring with Cowboys Head of Elite Pathways Glenn Hall as well as Sheppard and Jeffries “Our club has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Kirwan State High School and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership over the next three years,” Luck said “Kirwan’s rugby league program is at the top echelon of the high school level and provides an excellent development pathway for our school-age contracted players before they make the step up to our senior programs.” Kirwan SHS Executive Principal Heather Murry said the school was excited to extend its partnership with the Cowboys “This agreement sees us entering our 12th year in partnership with the North Queensland Cowboys There wouldn’t be many schools in the country that have such a long standing and valued partnership with a professional sporting organisation,” she said “The inclusion of our female students into the partnership was a natural evolution with the progression of NRLW “The value in our partnership is in the professional development of our staff access to elite high-performance facilities and keeping North Queensland kids in North Queensland can attend Kirwan High and participate in our Rugby League Academy and go all the way through to NRL and NRLW with the North Queensland Cowboys.” Dearden: We just couldn't come up with the play Final Cowboys team list: Round 9 v Warriors Updated Cowboys team list: Round 9 v Warriors Four things you need to know: Round 9 v Warriors