In memoriam of James Gandolfini Irish student recreates 'The Soprano' opening credits in Cork city - VIDEO

RIP James Gandolfini

Following the untimely death of New Jersey actor James Gandolfini in Rome last week Joe.ie took a look at Alan Burn's remake of the opening scene of "The Soprano" set in Cork City.

The show created by David Chase revolved around Gandolfini's character Tony Soprano. The opening credits music is Alabama 3's "Woke Up This Morning".

At the time Burn's was a student in Tralee and created a video tranposing New Jersey for Cork spectacularly well.

Check out the video below:

Beloved funny crooner Josh Groban tweets in Irish after O2 Arena Dublin gig - VIDEO

Josh Groban

Self titled "Professional Scribbler, Warbler, and Ivory Tickler" Josh Groban played Dublin on Sunday evening and evidently had a great time.

The American singer songwriter with a hugely loyal fan base, nick named Grobanites, tweeted in Irish after the show.

He said: "DUBLIN!!! you made me feel like this kid tonight. Go raibh maith agaibh agus slán go fóill!!"



Groban played at the 14,000-capacity amphitheater located at the North Wall Quay, in Dublin City's Docklands. Among his song choices for the evening was the old Irish favorite "She Moved Through the Fair".

Last week the Hollywood Reporter announced that the LA singer, known for his sense of humor, would be joining Charlie Day and Danny DeVito in the cast of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia".

Here's a clip of Groban doing a skit on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" singing Kanye West's Twitter updates:

100 brave Irish souls skinny dip for charity in “Dip in the Nip” in Cork

Brave souls go for Dip in the Nip to raise money for cancer charities at Pilmore Beach in Cork

Despite brisk weather on Sunday hundreds of hardy soul turned out for the annual charity Dip in the Nip in Cork and Sligo. Swimmers took the plunge with the aim of raising money for a number of different cancer charities.

On Pilmore Beach, Youghal, County Cork, 100 people turned out despite cloudy conditions and in Sligo more than 120 turned up.

In Sligo the situation was more dire with the Irish Coastguard warning who high winds and a swell at Dunmoran Stand.However with guests having flow in from as far a Mexico to take part organizer Maire Garvey told the Irish Times it would have been impossible to say no.

For more on this charity event visit www.dipinthenip.eu.

Irish beauty brand Karora launches in U.S. retailer Henri Bendel – VIDEO

Karora self tanning launched in NYC

One of Ireland’s most popular self tanning products is now available in the U.S.

This week Irish skincare range Karora launched their new collection in NYC in the upscale Fifth Avenue department store Henri Bendel.

The company co-founder Karen Brown has developed an unique tanning product, using only organic and natural extracts and contain no parabens, artificial fragrances, synthetic colors or harsh chemical ingredients.

Karora is the first self tanning brand to offer custom color with skin caring benefits and currently comprises a seven SKU range.

Watch a report on one of Ireland’s hottest Irish skin products below:

Australian court hears supermarket's 'freshly made bread' imported from Ireland

Australian supermarket chain Coles

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has began legal proceedings against the Australian supermarket chain Coles after discovering that the bread they claim was baked in store came from Ireland.

The bread was partially baked and then frozen in Ireland and shipped to Coles stores where it was “finished.” The ACC started legal proceedings in the Federal Court for “false, misleading, and deceptive conduct.” The ACCC said in a statement that the legal actions covers the Coles Bakery and Cuisine Royale branded bread products, which is based in Co Offaly, Ireland.

At least 625 of Coles’ 749 supermarkets in Australia contain a bakery according to the ACCC. A spokesperson for Coles said the company has become aware of the ACCC legal action and plans to “vigorously defend” itself. The Irish Times reported the spokesperson said, “Coles has only just become aware of the ACCC legal action and will fully examine the ACCC statement before making any further comment.”

The ACCC is seeking an injunction and pecuniary penalties against Coles. They are also seeking orders that Coles review its compliance program and publish corrective notices on its websites and in supermarkets.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims said consumers need to be able to make informed decisions about their purchases. He said, “Bread is an important grocery basket staple and customers need to be confident in claims made about food they buy.”

Sims went on, “We believe consumers are likely to have been misled by Coles that the entire baking process, including preparation, occurred in-store, when in fact the bakery products were prepared and partially baked off site, frozen, transported and then ‘finished’ in store. Indeed, the Cuisine Royale products were partially baked overseas.”

The case is on the fast track list of Melbourne Federal Court and the first court appearance is scheduled for August 13, 2013.

Kickstarter project launched for Irish dance video game featuring Fusion Fighters - VIDEO

The next step in Irish dance...computer games

We’ve seen Irish Dance take the world by storm with groundbreaking shows such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance but Irish Dance is set to reintroduce itself to the world in a brand new style - computer games.

Dancer, Chris Naish, who is well known as an alumni of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and has helped create dance group the Sneaky Steppers and Fusion Fighters, is behind this creative idea and has teamed up with a producer and special effects team who are keen to help get it off the ground.

The motion sensor style video game will tell a story of two friends who try out a new console called 'Virtual Fusion'. They both control separate dance crews and must get through a series of levels which test them in percussion and multiple dance forms. Their Virtual Fusion experience takes several twists including friends being transported into the game and having to dance their way back out, leaving no choice but to defeat other dance crews in Vs. Battles. The players must work as a team before their energy runs out, by combining percussive elements together to build up power and perform special dance moves.

A 40-day Kickstarter campaign will begin in three weeks in order to raise funds for the computer game project. “As extra motivation we will be rewarding prizes and incentives that will naturally become more desirable the more people pledge,”  Chris said. “We're really hoping people get behind it.”

Watch the Fusion Fighters’ Launch Video here:

Dubliners jump off restaurant rooftop into the River Liffey - VIDEO

The sun's been shining in Dublin lately

Turns out the bit of sun that Ireland has been basking in lately has truly made some people a little nutty.

This video, posted on The Journal, shows some revelers perilously jumping from a Dublin restaurant rooftop into the Liffey River - which was some distance away.

Mad from sun stroke, perhaps? If you can't take the heat ... maybe go find some shade and air conditioning before you consider jumping into the Liffey.

Watch the video here:

Stamps celebrating 50th anniversary of John F Kennedy's visit to Ireland revealed - PHOTOS

In June 1963, Irish American US President John F. Kennedy made a historic four-day visit to Ireland. As part of his trip, JFK visited his ancestral hometown of Dunganstown in Co Wexford, as well as Dublin.

The Journal now reveals the two stamps that have been issued in Ireland to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the late President’s visit.

The 60c stamps - above - shows President Kennedy being served tea by his cousin’s daughter, the late Mary Ann Ryan, in Dunganstown, just outside New Ross in 1963.

The 90c stamp - above - shows President Kennedy, Taoiseach Seán Lemass and then Commandant PJ Daly (left) laying a wreath at Arbour Hill. Daly, now aged 92, later went on to become Brigadier General of the Defence Forces, helped launch the stamps in New Ross.

The Irish Independent reports that local representative councillor Paul Crowdle welcomed the decision to unveil the stamps in New Ross, Kennedy’s ancestral home.

"This stamp launch is part of this year's special JFK 50 programme of events and reinforces the close links between New Ross and the Kennedy Family," said Crowdle.

Barney Whelan, An Post Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, said "As they [the stamps] travel on letters and parcels and take their place in treasured stamp collections across the globe, they loudly proclaim Ireland's enduring respect and fondness for John F Kennedy, his historic visit and its significance for Irish people in the United States and at home."