Pretty quiet weekend ahead for the Elevators… Not!

We have a strong Tipperary contingent here in Elevate so we’re hoping for victory in Sunday’s All Ireland final against Kilkenny…. we know the cats will be a challenge but we’re feeling very positive

Electric Picnic is taking place this weekend in Stradbally.. two Elevators are trekking down (going by the rucksacks anyway!) Hope the weather holds up.. it would be nice to have sunshine at it for a change.

Sad news this week with the passing of Mick Lally… It was always Where in the World, Glenroe then bed in our houses every Sunday evening growing up.. Our sympathies go out to his family and wide circle of friends

Today FM’s Ray D’Arcy Show celebrated 10 years on air this morning – it was a lovely show reminiscing with guests including Ray’s Mum, Mary, Dara O’Briain and Dustin the Turkey.

Back to school means good weather… and we are loving it! We will, however, come in from the sunshine to watch the X Factor on Saturday – the auditions are our favourite episodes.

In Photos Dot Org

Stunning photographs from Donncha O Caoimh. Generally taken around Cork City but also showcases other Irish locations.

His work is featured all over the world from being used in a blog for the Irish Times to being displayed in Times Square in New York. By stating a list of the equipment he uses and providing a link to another site, which enables fellow photographers to sell their work online, Donncha is clearly looking out for all the amateur artists and creative people out there! He also occasionally writes for his other blog Holy Shmoly! – a very busy and talented man, we think you’ll all agree!

Following the success of Nokia’s first Developer Day earlier this year, a second Ovi Developer Day will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, 1st September, 2010 in the Arrol Suite at the Guinness Storehouse, St. James Gate from 4.00pm. The primary theme of this event will be “App Development Made Easy”, with presentations from Nokia’s technical consultant Riku Salminen, who will showcase different ways to develop for the Ovi store. The event will also cover developer support and overviews of the market, alongside discussions with Forum Nokia representative Greg Merten. QT and Symbian 3 development will also be a key focus of the event, as well as discussions around how Irish businesses have embraced the concept of applications. This is highlighted by statistics that show Ireland’s increased usage of the Ovi Store and the reach Nokia devices have in the market – the Ovi Store has on average more than 1.7million downloads per day, with users on average downloading eight content items. In terms of handsets, there will be a particular focus on the N8, Nokia’s next major handset release. For further information on Nokia Ovi log onto www.ovi.com.

- Two in a row for London at the Rose of Tralee – we were impressed by host Daithi’s banter with the Roses
- We attended the Prudence Beauty Awards at the lovely Gibson Hotel last night – well done to all the winners and runner ups
- Aer Arann has gone into examinership this week
- After the horrible wheely bin incident in the UK, we were delighted to hear the story of Lilou the cat who went for a trip on the Dart. Iarnród Eireann used twitter to find its owner and the two were reunited yesterday
- Will Dermot Early play a role for Kildare on Sunday in the all Ireland semi-final against Down?

If you are looking for a family day out this Sunday, 29th August, why not make a trip to the beautiful Lough Boora Parklands, located a little over an hour’s drive from Dublin (just off the N52 Tullamore to Birr Road). The parklands consist of a magnificent collection of natural and man-made lakes, along with 50km of walkways and pastureland that provide a home for many animals and plant life.

The event, entitled, Unlock the Adventure at Lough Boora will run from 12 noon to 5pm and activities include nature walks, bike hire and cycling tours, face painting, balloon modeling, food markets and live music. The main attraction on the day will be a series of life-size animatronic wild animals, which are operated by people and will roam around the area, as well as give live performances.

The event is the highlight of the Rehab Waterways Adventure in Association with Bord na Móna, a two week voyage around the inland waterways of Ireland by the heritage boat, the ‘Nieuwe Zorgen’, on an awareness and fundraising adventure for Rehab.

For further information and a full list of dates for the Rehab Waterways Adventure, please visit Rehab or call 01 205 7268

The Torture Garden

Not as scary as it sounds! The Torture Garden is, in fact, an mp3 blog which lets people share their music, whether it’s their own music as part of a band or simply a good song which they want other people to hear. The blog features the latest music videos from both established and new artists. There’s also the opportunity to read past interviews from a range of musical talent, including Cathy Davey, The Decemberists, Shearwater, The Antlers, The Chalets, Shout Out Louds and Lucky Soul.

The Torture Garden is all about sharing good music, so people won’t listen to bad music and it’s well worth checking out.

– Rehab Waterways Adventure, in association with Bord na Mona, kicks off tomorrow in Sallins, Co. Kildare, where there will be entertainment for all the family along the canal from 12.00pm
– The new 2FM line up was announced this week. We are looking forward to listening to Hector and, with Tommy Tiernan as a regular on the show, it should keep us in stitches!
– The TV3 Autumn launch was also announced this week. ‘Come Dine With Me’ finally comes to Ireland and Ray Foley will present ‘Take Me Out’
– X Factor starts on Saturday – the audition episodes are always the best
– Dublin meet Cork on Sunday for the GAA Football All Ireland semi-final

A Chick Named Hermia

Hermia’s blog is a combination of beautiful photographs, flamboyant daily rants and gorgeous fashion finds. She describes it as being a ‘Head Blog’ where she talks and writes about anything that is in her head at the time of writing – this gives the blog a personable and intimate feel.

Hailing from Dublin, Hermia has a BA in Journalism and loves shopping, books, old movies, photography, cheese and pancakes, as well as looking at pretty things and having pretty things.
The blog also has a unique section entitled ‘Secret Stories’, where readers anonymously leave their stories, secrets and rants, completely undetected. Entries have now closed, but you can read past stories, many of which are quite moving.

We particularly love her posts around ‘The Giving My Life Some Purpose Project’, where Hermia has created a list of 85 things she wants to achieve to help her make the most out of life. To date, some of the things ticked off her list include learning to bake bread, eating a hotdog in New York, inventing a cocktail, building a fort and hosting a themed party. Among those left to complete are going on a rollercoaster, knitting a scarf, eating macaroons in Paris, sleeping under the stars and writing a note/letter to leave it in a library book. We look forward to reading all about it.

The Rehab Waterways Adventure, in Association
with Bord na Móna, Sets Sail

On Saturday, 21st August 2010, the Rehab Waterways Adventure will officially launch from Sallins, Co Kildare, proudly supported by Bord na Móna. The adventure will see the heritage boat, the Neuwe Zorgen, set sail for two weeks visiting towns and villages throughout the Midlands on an awareness-raising and fundraising adventure for Rehab. Each stop on the Rehab Waterways Adventure in Association with Bord na Móna will be marked by a public event with entertainment for all the family. The adventure ends on Saturday, 4th September, when the three-person crew of Eric Kemp, Michael Kemp and Michael Ward, docks the boat at Carrick-on-Shannon for one final event.

The highlight of the Rehab Waterways Adventure will take place on Sunday 29th August, when the Neuwe Zorgen will enter the Lough Boora Parklands, a beautiful landscape in Co. Offaly. Located a little over an hour’s drive from Dublin (just off the N52 Tullamore to Birr Road), the parklands are owned by Bord na Móna and demonstrate its commitment to long-term environmental concerns, bio-diversity and its “contract with nature” philosophy. Lough Boora consists of a magnificent collection of natural and man-made lakes, along with 50km of walkways and pastureland that provide a new habitat for flora and fauna. A range of activities will take place on the day to celebrate the adventure with guided walking trails, face painting, balloon modelling, live music, along with other family entertainment and attractions on site on the day.

For further information please visit their website or call 01 205 7268

The Rehab Waterways Adventure will visit the following towns:
Sallins, Co. Kildare – Saturday, 21st August
Edenderry, Co. Offaly – Monday, 23rd August
Daingean, Co. Offaly – Tuesday, 24th August
Tullamore, Co. Offaly – Friday, 27th August and Saturday, 28th August
Pollough, Co. Offaly (Lough Boora Parklands) – Sunday, 29th August, from 12noon until 5pm
Athlone, Co. Westmeath – Tuesday, 31st August and Wednesday, 1st September
Lanesboro, Co. Longford – Thursday, 2nd September
Dromad, Co. Leitrim – Friday, 3rd September
Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim – Saturday, 4th September

- Grainne Seoige made her GMTV debut earlier this week and is a hit with UK viewers – click here to read more
- Dylan McGrath’s new restaurant, Rustic Stone, is due to open on George’s St later this month – we can’t wait to try it
- This week, Terri Hatcher uploaded some natural looking pictures of her in a towel and no make-up to her Facebook page to “reveal some truths about ‘beauty’”. We salute you Terri.
- Irish swimmer, Grainne Murphy narrowly missed on a medal in the 800m freestyle final at the European swimming championships. She also set a new Irish record in the process.
- Tipperary and Waterford play on Sunday to determine who will face Kilkenny in the All Ireland Hurling Final – Come on the premier!