Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Jim Carrey’s “Funny or Die” skit mocks gun rights advocates, like Charlton Heston - VIDEO

Jim Carrey in his "Funny or Die" skit
Jim Carrey’s release of his “Funny or Die” music video “Cold Dead Hand” was bound to raise a few eyebrows as depictions of Charlton Heston, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, and John Lennon roasted guns rights advocates in form of a goofy song.

Carrey starred in the video as the former National Rifle Association president and actor Charlton Heston who was famously quoted saying, "I'll give you my gun when you pry or take it from my cold, dead hands." 

The song also included lines like, "You're a big big man with a little bitty gland, so you need something bigger with a hairpin trigger," while Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, and John Lennon played and sang along. 

The video was in response to, and will likely spark more, Twitter debates with 2nd amendment advocates.

Here’s the video:


Friday, March 15, 2013

Animated short examines Ireland's ‘emigration generation’ and the true Irish spirit - VIDEO

‘Origin,’ a short animation, tells the story a young man in Dublin who, on the brink of emigration, comes to realize the spirit he’s leaving behind.

Screen shot from 'Origin'
The short animation was directed by James Stacey and produced by Souljacker Films with the support of the Irish Film Board.

‘Origin’ was nominated for Best Animation at the 2012 IFTA’s, and was the winner of the Best Animated Short at Blackrock Animation Film Festival of 2012.

The animation was scripted by Matthew Darragh and James Stacey, with an original score by Rónán Ó Snodaigh of Kíla.

To learn more about ‘Origin,’ check out the crew’s blog here.

Watch the award-winning animation ‘Origin’ here:

Friday, March 8, 2013

800 Irish schoolboys break Guinness World Record for largest human shamrock

800 Irish schoolboys form world's largest human shamrock (Irish Independent)
800 Irish schoolboys form world's largest 
human shamrock (Irish Independent)
Hundreds of students in Dublin gathered together to set a Guinness World record for forming the largest human shamrock just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, all while raising money for charity.

The Irish Independent reports on the endeavor that saw 800 schoolboys from Blackrock College and Willow Park schools in Dublin assembled on the lawns of Blackrock College.

Once in the shamrock formation, the Irish schoolboys had to hold their positions for five minutes in order to adhere to the Guinness World Record’s strict guidelines.

The Dublin attempt at a Guinness World Record came just a week after organizers in Limerick were told that a gathering of 250 St. Patricks wouldn’t be recognized by the famous record book as the patron saint of Ireland wasn’t “iconic” enough.

The gathering for the largest shamrock was also used to pay homage to the 25th anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day Badges charity campaign that the Blackrock College conducts. Since the charity’s conception in 1988, more than €2 million has been raised in support of the world’s poor.

“We were determined to mark the 25th year of the badges campaign in a very special way,” said Blackrock College principal Alan MacGinty.

MacGinty continued, “Given the success of the initiative over the years - and the difference the €2 million raised has made in some of the most deprived parts of the world - we are hopeful that we can raise more money for GOAL and Aidlink this year than ever before.”

"We will be sending evidence of the attempt off to London in the coming days and then we just have to wait and see if we were successful", he said.

Barry Andrews, CEO of GOAL and a former Blackrock student, said “The fact that they are attempting such a feat is indicative of Blackrock’s imaginative approach to charitable fundraising. It was this college, after all, that came up with the idea, 25 years ago, of making shamrock badges and selling them on St Patrick’s Day, with all proceeds going to charity.”

"GOAL has been a major beneficiary of the St Patrick’s badges initiative,” added Andrews, “and for this we are extremely grateful. GOAL is delighted to have been associated for so many years with Blackrock College. We trust this association will continue for many years to come.”

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Uniquely Irish scaffolding in Waterville, County Kerry

Only in Ireland!

This rather unique scaffolding set-up was spotted on Main Street in Waterville, County Kerry on Thursday.

Yes, those are kegs being used to support the structure. Hopefully they're emptied already!

Would you climb up there?

Scaffolding in Waterville, Co Kerry
Scaffolding in Waterville, Co Kerry

Thanks to The Daily Edge for sharing.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Irish surfers could fetch $65,000 for ball of whale puke

 Alan Davey (38) and Brian Miller, both from Co Clare could earn big with a ball of whale vomite (Photo: Star)
 Alan Davey (38) and Brian Miller, both from Co Clare could earn big
with a ball of whale vomite (Photo: Star)

Two Irish surfers are hopeful they can cash in on a rare lump of whale vomit that could be worth up to 50,000 euro.

The Irish Daily Star reports that Alan Davey (38) and Brian Miller, both from Co Clare, found the hardened lump of vomit on the beach in Lahinch.

“Who knows what we could get — we have our fingers crossed,” Alan said last night.

The vomit could contain a substance called ambergris which is produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. The substance is used by high-end perfumes from houses such as Chanel and Lanvin to fix scent to human skin.

“One drop of ambergris can change a perfume,” Claire Payne, an aroma therapist and perfumer told ABC News. “It’s what we call an animalic smell, different to the citrusy or fruity scents. It’s like musk, and we use it in several of our fragrances,” she added.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

See Ireland like never before - image taken in space of Emerald Isle and Britain lit up

A photograph taken from space shows a stunning view of Britain and Ireland lighting up the night skies.

The picture, posted on Twitter @earthposts this week shows the more populated areas, like Dublin in Ireland, lit up brighter than others.

What do you think of the picture?

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Dramatic photo shows lightning striking St. Peter's Basilica hours after Pope announces his retirement - VIDEO

Dramatic photo and video of lightning striking St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican just hours after Pope Benedict announces his retirement
Lightning strikes St. Peter's Basilica on the evening that Pope Benedict XVI retires

Just hours after Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement, due to failing health, St. Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican, was struck by lighting.

The event was photographed by Alessandro Di Meo, and a colleague initially. He told the BBC that when the images went public they were met with great skepticism.

He said "I understand that the picture may be incredible. Photos of lightning have always been done, but the only difference, in this case, is that it is the right place and at the right time."

However, when the footage below came to light all skepticism dispersed. One cannot blame the public's skepticism with the uncanny timing of the lighting hitting the earthly resting place of the Catholic Church's first pope on such a historic day.

Check out the video below.

Read more: St. Malachy predicted Pope Benedict’s successor will be last pope

Read more: Canadian cardinal is the most likely next pope say insiders