Entertainment

Wales features prominently among the Last Voices of the Irish Revolution

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2024

THE IRISH CIVIL WAR ended in 1923. The yearlong conflict had been fought between those who opposed and supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921 – a key component of which was the continued partition of Ireland and the fact that dominion status rather than an Irish republic had been achieved in the south (it would become known as the Irish Free State). Between 1919 and 1921, the Irish War for Independence had taken place followed by a twelve month truce period.

Eighty years after the end of the civil war, author and documentary-maker Tom Hurley wondered if there were many civilians and combatants left from across Ireland who had experienced the years 1919 to 1923, their prelude and their aftermath. What memories had they, what were their stories and how did they reflect on those turbulent times?

In early 2003, he recorded the experiences of 18 people in Ireland, conducting two further interviews in the United States in 2004. Tom spoke to a cross-section (Catholic, Protestant, Unionist and Nationalist) who were in their teens or early twenties during the civil war.

The chronological approach he has taken to his book spans fifty years, beginning with the oldest interviewee’s birth in 1899 and ending when the Irish Free State became the Republic of Ireland in 1949.

Among those interviewed for the book was Mai McMahon, born in 1902, in County Clare. She was a neighbour of a man named Art O’Donnell who was arrested after the 1916 Rising which was an attempt to overthrow British rule in Ireland and establish a republic.

The rising failed and O’Donnell who worked as a teacher and was sent to Frongoch Internment Camp in Gwynedd along with hundreds of other Irish rebels. He was released some months later.

Another interviewee is George Cooper, born in Dublin, in 1910. His uncle had also participated in the 1916 rebellion and interestingly in 1922 his older sister Harriet Maud Victoria, married Corporal Baden Percy Lawrence of the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, in a Dublin registry office.

The author also spoke to William Geary from County Limerick who was aged 105 at the time. He recalled his friend Patrick O’Sullivan who was killed in 1917 during the First World War.

He had enlisted in the British army in Cardiff in 1915. The name of David Lloyd George from Llanystumdwy is salient throughout the book which isn’t surprising as he served as British Prime Minister from 1916 until his resignation in 1922.

He had therefore played an important part in the negotiation of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. There are numerous other references to locations, landmarks and personalities connected to Wales contained in the book also.

100 years after the Irish Civil War ended, these 20 interviews recorded by Tom Hurley come together to create a unique oral account of the revolutionary period and the tensions that were brewing in the run-up and aftermath.

Together, theirs are the Last Voices of the Irish Revolution.

Last Voices of the Irish Revolution by Tom Hurley is available in bookshops throughout Ireland and the UK and can also be ordered online. It is published by Gill Books.

Entertainment

The Hidden Risks of Fast-Paced Casino Games

Published

7 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Staff Writer

Casino games are inherently risky, no matter what style of game or the speed of play. However, fast-paced casino games are often considered riskier because people tend to place a higher number of bets, have less self-control, and find them more engaging which can increase the amount of time spent gaming.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the risks of fast-paced casino games and what options are available out there to encourage slower, more thoughtful gameplay.

The Risks of High Speed Gaming

Reduced Control

When gambling slowly, there’s more opportunity to place thoughtful and strategic bets. Whereas when playing at speed, it’s easy to make more impulsive decisions. It may also be harder to stop gambling during fast games, increasing the time spent on gambling, and therefore the amount of money placed on bets.

Increased Enjoyment

A lot of people gamble because they find it thrilling. A fast paced game can add to that, making gambling even more enjoyable and desirable. While this may sound like a good thing, the enhanced enjoyment can make it harder to step away when needed.

How to Manage the Risks

While there are risks, they can be managed. Here are just some of the ways to handle the risks that come with high speed gaming.

Set Strict Limits

It’s easy to get caught up in the fun and fail to realise how much time or money you’ve spent while playing. One of the most effective ways to ensure you keep your spending to a minimum is to set yourself time limits – and actually stick to them. This way you can maintain control over how much time and money you’re putting into gambling.

Consider Using Bank Blocks

Most banks allow you to block all gambling transactions, preventing you from spending any money on these platforms.

Turn Off Auto-Fill

A great way to slow down is to turn off auto-fill, whether that be for payment cards or passwords. This can help prevent impulsive decisions and keep your gambling to a more manageable level.

Always Gamble Responsibly

Most casino sites, such as MrQ Casino, have a wide range of games, including those that are fast paced and highly engaging. But it’s important to remember that while they can be fun, they do pose a significant risk and it’s crucial to keep safe and responsible gambling in mind at all times.

Entertainment

Green Man names five finalists for Rising competition

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIVE emerging acts have been shortlisted for this year’s Green Man Rising final, with the winner set to open the Mountain Stage at the sold-out Welsh festival.

The final will take place at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff on Tuesday, June 2, hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Huw Stephens.

Now in its seventeenth year, the competition gives new artists from across the UK the chance to perform at Green Man, Wales’ largest music, arts and science festival.

This year’s finalists are Brighton school friends Glasshouse Red Spider Mite, Leeds dance-punk duo Kiosk, Heist or Hit signees The Slow Country, Tall Child — the project of London-based Nigerian/Indian musician Zha Gandhi — and bilingual English-Welsh band Cyn Cwsg.

Organisers said a record number of entries were received for the 2026 competition. The shortlist was chosen by an industry panel featuring representatives from Clash, DIY, NME, Dazed, Wonderland, The Quietus, So Young and BBC Radio Wales.

The winning act will secure the opening slot on Green Man’s Mountain Stage later this summer, along with a week of studio time at Prah Recordings and a physical vinyl release with Dinked Edition.

The runners-up will also appear on the Green Man Rising Stage, which has previously hosted acts including The Last Dinner Party, English Teacher, Westside Cowboy, Silver Gore, Adult DVD and Keo.

Each shortlisted artist will also receive a professional recording at the festival to help showcase their music to labels, agents and promoters.

Green Man managing director and owner Fiona Stewart said: “Launching talent is at the heart of Green Man and our incredible five finalists were chosen from a record breaking number of acts.

“When Rising was launched 18 years ago we could never have imagined how many artists have been supported in their early careers. Our industry panel will choose which band will open the Mountain Stage at Green Man 2026.”

Free tickets for the Green Man Rising final are available via Dice. Those attending will also be entered into a raffle to win two tickets to the sold-out Green Man 2026.

Entertainment

Contemporary art exhibition to mark reopening of Tenby Museum gallery

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION featuring work by well-known local artists and craftspeople will mark the reopening of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery’s temporary exhibition space.

The exhibition will run from Monday, May 18, to Friday, September 4, following the completion of an extensive renovation project at the museum.

Organisers say the collaborative exhibition will celebrate the creative talent of Pembrokeshire and the cultural importance of Tenby.

Curator Anita Schwartz said: “We are so excited to bring together such an inspirational collection of original pieces to showcase the creative talents of our local community.

“The artists featured exemplify the continuing cultural importance of this vibrant Pembrokeshire town.”

Artists exhibiting include Naomi Tydeman RI, John Cahill, Kim Carlow, Ivan Black, Guy Manning, Tom Sloan, Graham Hadlow, Alex MacDonald, Anna Warchus, Alec Lewis and Abigail Blaylock-Squibbs.

The exhibition will open with a private view on Friday, May 15, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, giving visitors the chance to meet the artists and view the museum’s recently refurbished galleries.

The event is open to all, but guests are asked to RSVP by emailing [email protected] by 10:00am on Thursday, May 14.

Works on display will include John Cahill’s North Pembrokeshire Landscape, which was awarded first prize in the Welsh Prize category at the Wales Contemporary Exhibition at Chelsea Barracks, London.

Other featured works include Anna Warchus’ Seaside Plate, Tom Sloan’s Tenby, Guy Manning’s Castle Hill and Naomi Tydeman’s Blue Moon, Newgale.

The exhibition takes place at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Hill, Tenby, SA70 7BP.