Adrian Phelan
Post 55
Failte
The post this week is a bit Irish centric because of the way things have landed. However, there is a bit more besides. I cover The Ali G movie, and we’ll have the usual good cause. Going local for a moment I want to go straight in with a massive ‘Bravo’ to all involved with organising the Stevenage 80 Youth Music Concert at The Gordon Craig Theatre on Saturday. It was brilliant. It’s safe to say the future of quality music in the local area is secure, and reassuring that the council and the local music industry has its back. A big shout out to all the artistes who performed: @izzystrevens.music @sleeptillsunrize @samuel_topping @elimorris.music @official.publicliability You were all superstars.
The K Club
I need to extend a big Happy Birthday to my older brother Ken who turned a non-specific age today (26 October). He’s just back from a trip to Killarney. That’s what you do when you’re 53. Oops I didn’t mean to give the year away.
There was always a U2 v R.E.M. war in our house growing up, with Ken being a big fan of the latter. Ironically (because of endless campaigning) we each became fans of both bands. Everything was blown apart a bit when Oasis came along but that’s a blog post on its own if we can ever get bloody tickets.
Philip Cairns – a significant anniversary
For the benefit of non-Irish readers and perhaps even some younger Irish readers, the disappearance of Philip Cairns aged 13 in 1986 is one of Ireland’s most hard-hitting unsolved cases. None of us who were alive and old enough at the time have ever forgotten him. He literally vanished into thin air on his way back to school after lunch one day, his school bag turning up randomly in a nearby laneway a short time later. Every now and again, developments in the case are reported by the media, and this week has brought another one, on what is the 40th anniversary of his disappearance. Both of his parents have now passed away which is heartbreaking with his mother dying only last year.
The case must continue to bring heartache to a family desperate for closure, so as unlikely as it is I want to do a tiny bit and ask that if anyone reading this has information about Philip’s disappearance, please call Rathfarnham Garda Station on 01 666 6500.
The filim bit – Ali Geez, What did we just watch!
I took my son to watch the Ali G movie (Who Iz I?) at the weekend and I’ve been walking around in a daze ever since. No spoilers but the conversation on the way home was about who was in on it – i.e. acting – and who was taking part thinking it was real. If we’re to believe the credits, there weren’t many people acting, which makes the content absolutely shocking. The protagonists were persuaded to carry out some extreme acts that even choice–editing could not excuse. It was simply mind-numbing.
The film has all the usual crude humour you might expect from an Ali-G movie, and one definite plus is the rapport between Baron-Cohen and Morgana Robinson who plays m’Julie.
I did laugh out loud a lot during the just shy of an hour and a half, but overall, I came away shocked at the behaviour of our cousins in Trump’s America.
In a way the movie was selfless, with Baron-Cohen sacrificing some of the character’s thunder to show us what we could be capable of if under the wrong influences.
I’m rambling, but I’ll end by saying, as ever, you should watch it and make your own mind up, but approach it with caution, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
RIP Donal Lunny
I’m going to do this from the heart and not Google facts or figures. I’ve seen Donal Lunny perform live about three times including with Christy Moore and Declan Sinnott and with Afro Celt Sound System. I’ve also seen him numerous times on telly and have learned more in recent days about his many other collaborations. The country might have used up a lot of its available grief when Glenn Hansard passed a few months ago, but rightly we have also paid fitting tributes to Donal. He was the quiet man of the Irish music scene. I am more familiar with Planxty and Moving Hearts than The Bothy Band but people over the last few days have been talking a lot about the latter.
Anyway, we have lost another Irish institution, and although he went about his business quietly, he made enough noise to mark his passing. Thoughts are with his loved ones. RIP Donal.
Do Good Well – Intersex Awareness Day 2026
Intersex Awareness Day is observed on 26 October to highlight the experiences and human rights of intersex people, who are born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.
I’m very happy to raise awareness of this campaign which I hope supports intersex people to feel included and safe.
Check out all the important campaign information on the awareness days website.
Goodbye and thanks
I’ll end with another plug for my CV page. Enjoy your half term (Mid-term break in Ireland) but the first thing you do when you get back is hire me.
As ever, thanks for sticking with the blog and I’ll see you next week.
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