Dáithí deserves a new heart now

The

voice

of the Irish in Britain since 1970

Pints and more at JJ Devine’s

ANYONE who enjoyed hit film The Banshees of Inisherin will likely be feeling as delighted as we are about the opening of JJ Devine’s this week.

The pub, which was the epicentre of life on the fictional island of Inisherin, featured in many key scenes in the film.

It is where much of the drama between friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) plays out as they find themselves at an impasse when the latter unexpectedly calls a halt to their friendship.

But as authentic as the pub appeared on screen it did not in fact exist.

It was purpose-built for the movie and later taken apart, with its fittings and fixtures left in a scrapyard.

Luckily Galway publican Luke Mee was quick to salvage the discarded pub and give it a new home.

And now, after the painstaking task of relocating and rebuilding the watering hole, it is open to the public for pints or whatever tipple takes your fancy.

But you’ll get so much more than just a pint with a visit to JJ Devine’s.

To sit down and sup at its tables is to sample a little piece of Irish history.

The film was a worldwide hit following its release in October 2022 and went on to win multiple awards.

Earlier this year it scooped nine Oscar nominations. It didn’t win any of those, but it still became the most Oscarnominated Irish film ever – overtaking both Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast and the 1993 movie In the Name of the Father.

So, as pubs go, this one is certainly worth a visit the next time you are in Galway.

Talk about The Change

COMEDIAN Bridget Christie is on a mission to bring talk about the menopause into mainstream discussion.

With her new series The Change airing next week, we will all get to see her take on the topic – which will no doubt be imbued with her unique sense of humour.

Male or female we are assured that this is a show that will appeal to all, and it’s been something of a lifelong dream for Christie.

The second-generation Irish star has written, executive produced and stars in the Channel 4 series, so we are expecting great things.

Celebrating Coley

GREAT to see another impressive turnout for the annual Coley Folan memorial day in Birmingham.

Sadly the 2023 event marked ten years since the 44-year-old GAA stalwart passed away.

Celebrations of this nature are always bittersweet given that the loss of a loved one is at the heart of it, but what a fantastic legacy for Mr Folan and his family to see this day dedicated to GAA sports and family fun continues to grow.

Long may this popular tribute event continue.

WHAT

Fantastic

There are not many people in this world with the courage and determination to lobby the government to change laws.

And there are even less who would do it while dealing with a medical condition.

So for this young boy to take on this campaign and see it through to fruition at the age of just six is nothing short of remarkable.

He is a truly impressive young man.

His actions, and that of his family who have facilitated his campaign and helped to garner the support it needed, have had a momentous impact.

With the law now changed it won’t be long until the positive benefits will be seen by people young and old in Northern Ireland who are in need of organ donations.

It was lovely to see Dáithí be honoured by his home city by being given the Freedom of Belfast in recognition of this achievement.

What I liked most about this was that Belfast City Council made this a ceremony that was appropriate for a six-year-old.

Dáithí was surrounded by superhero characters, which is how every young boy should celebrate – but especially when he too is a little superhero.

To see his smiling face as he sat next to Spiderman and the Lord Mayor of Belfast in your coverage was an absolute tonic.

It got me thinking. Wouldn’t it be lovely if young Dáithí could be pushed to the top of the waiting list now for his heart transplant?

Wouldn’t that be a fitting gesture for this boy, who has already been waiting since 2018, and who has done so much for the organ donation cause?

Could there be anyone out there who would object to that?

I certainly would support a move to have this young man given the transplant he needs as quickly as possible.

It would mean he could leave his campaigning days behind as well as his heart condition and simply go back to being a six-year-old.

Anthony Kearney Essex

Disgusted by Russian dam attack in Ukraine

now gone on for more than a year, would be targeted in such a way.

Ireland were one of the first nations to come out and condemn the attack, calling it out for the war crime that it is.

We should all be proud of the solidarity that Ireland has shown with the people of Ukraine since their torment at the hands of the Russians began in February 2022.

Russia continues to show itself to be inhumane, immoral and thuggish in its ongoing invasion of this impressively strong country.

Ukraine is a proud nation, one with honour and one that refuses to bow to their aggressor, but how much more can they take?

This is a question I seem to ask myself regularly.

Joan Ryan Hertfordshire

Bright future ahead for young magician

Re. ‘Magician places third in Britain’s Got Talent final’, Irish Post, June 10

HE showed real talent and should have won. Wish you all the best for your future Cillian, you’re a winner. God bless you.

Bridget Conlon via Facebook

HE was a winner in my eyes and should have won.

Sure the royal family would have loved his magic.

Freda McIntyre Wigan

WHAT an amazing young man. He proved an inspiration to my nine-year-old autistic grandson. Looking forward to seeing him in the future.

Annie Christopher Via Facebook

CILLIAN should have won; he was by far the best entertainer. Well done young man. I hope you have a wonderful career ahead, amazing boy.

Majella Denehy via Facebook

Congratulations to volunteer award winners

Re. ‘Community volunteers honoured at IIB awards’, Irish Post, June 10

HOW inspiring to read of the many men and women, young and old, who offer up their time for free to support Irish centres and groups across Britain.

Volunteers are such an important part of our society, providing a backbone for the third sector and by default the many people living among us that are in need of the services they provide.

We have so many great Irish organisations across Britain and it was so interesting to read about the people who are there supporting them by giving their time or offering their services for free.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading of their awards and why they were selected for them and I am sure they were grateful for the recognition.

I WAS disgusted to read the reports of the Russian bombing of a Ukraine dam which has forced thousands to flee their homes.

The flooding caused by this hit, which has destroyed a major piece of infrastructure in the south of the country, will have a catastrophic impact on the civilians in this area.

How awful that these people, already displaced within their homeland due to the illegal invasion by Russia, which has

YOU were robbed Cillian. You blew my mind. I had goosebumps watching you, you’re a little star. Good luck to you, you have a very bright future ahead of you.

Ger Clarke Dublin

CILLIAN O’Connor was by far the best in the final and mark my words, Simon Cowell knew that.

I’d say Simon himself was fuming and disgusted that he didn’t win.

Keep up the good work, Cillian.

Kay McManus Mullingar

They may not want attention on their efforts, but how lovely to attend a ceremony dedicated to them and their achievements.

It was well deserved and I hope they all had a great time.

Congratulations to all of them and thank you for the work you do to support the Irish people living in this country.

And well done to the Irish in Britain group for organising this event and ensuring the work of volunteers is recognised among the community more widely.

Catherine Bohan West Midlands

Vol. 53. No. 24.

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EDITORIAL

Editor: Mal Rogers

Tel: 020 8900 4329

Mal.rogers@irishpost.co.uk

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Conor O’Donoghue Conor.o’donoghue@irishpost. co.uk

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The newspaper seeks to provide the Irish in Britain with comprehensive news coverage of Irish issues from Ireland and Britain, sports news and reviews, a weekly entertainment guide, reader feedback and features of interest to the Irish in Britain.

©2009 ISSN No. 0959-3748. The Irish Post Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publishers. Newsagent distribution and printing by Trinity Mirror Printing Limited whose registered office is at One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AP.