Author Archives: Darren Byrne

About Darren Byrne

Blogger, writer, movie buff, amateur dramatist and all round nice guy. When I'm not spouting about on Culch.ie, I can be found Tweeting inanities @DarrenByrne or @Culch_ie. I am the admin behind Culch.ie and if you want to contact me for anything, drop me a mail.

Jackie Lavin

  By Darren Byrne | September 20, 2010 - 9:00 am | Apprentice, The Culch, TV
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TV3′s biography of Bill Cullen’s partner Jackie Lavin introduces her as one of his trusted aides on The Apprentice, alongside advisor Brian Purcell. Following a successful modelling career, Jackie forged herself a career in the world of business by running her chain of retail fashion outlets. In 1991, she and Bill Cullen bought the Muckross Park Hotel, an 18th Century Roadhouse in The National Park in Killarney, Co. Kerry. She designed Molly Darcy’s traditional pub and restaurant which won pub of the year in its first year of business and has won the Best Pub in Kerry award for 11 years in a row.

Will the Afterlife be worth the wait?

  By Darren Byrne | September 10, 2010 - 9:00 am | Movies & TV, The Culch
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I loved Resident Evil (2002). The first film, I mean. It was claustrophobic, action packed, fast paced, with a good storyline and some great performances, particularly from Milla Jovovich. I have watched that movie countless times and I still grin with delight when the creepy little girl says, “you’re all going to die down here”. It was a haunted house set in a mansion, which just happened to have a colossal secret biological warfare laboratory beneath. Like Alien and Event Horizon before it, the tension is what made the film great. Then in 2004, along came Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse. I was so excited. One of my favourite action/sci-fi films was about to have a cool sequel. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement unparalleled since Edmund Hilary told his friend he was off for a hill walk. It was an awful pile of mess. The plot was … There’s more →

Competition Closed: “SIX STRINGS FOR TWO HEELS” Flamenco Performance

  By Darren Byrne | September 1, 2010 - 1:34 pm | Competitions, Gigs, Music, The Culch
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*** Competition Closed *** *** Thank you for all the entries *** *** The winner is Alan O’Connor - congratualtions *** This is a special treat for all our Cork Culch.ie followers. Would you like an evening of exceptional flamenco performance with two of Spain’s most highly regarded artists? Read on. This month sees the welcome return to Ireland of virtuoso composer and guitarist Juan Antonio Suárez “Cano” and award-winning dancer and choreographer Concha Jareño. Proudly presented by Peña Flamenca El Indalo, with the support of the Arts Council, the Instituto Cervantes Dublin and the Agencia Andaluza para el Desarrollo del Flamenco, this tour offers Irish audiences a unique opportunity to enjoy a level of flamenco artistry normally reserved for the stages of Spain and the more established international flamenco festivals. The Spanish artists, who performed separately in Dublin in 2009, are returning to tour Ireland with a new … There’s more →

I’m off to The Gaiety School of Acting Adult Drama Course

  By Darren Byrne | August 16, 2010 - 6:20 pm | The Culch
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Oh yes, it’s true, there was once a time when I was shy and retiring, when I’d sooner hide in the background than stand out in the crowd. Nothing like the noisy irritant I am today. Then a girl who I had a crush on (I thought I was in love) dragged me along to an evening drama course. On the first evening, so much did I blend into the surroundings, the teacher didn’t even notice me sitting there and skipped over my introduction, while everyone else gave their name and reason for doing the course. However, by the end of the course, I was a different person. I had found a confidence I never knew existed; I was performing (badly, granted) in front of a crowd of people; my head was held high and it marked a new turning point for me. Now, I’m not suggesting everyone will have … There’s more →

Milking it for all it’s worth - @MilkFest2010

  By Darren Byrne | August 6, 2010 - 4:35 pm | Gigs, Music, The Arts, The Culch
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Earlier today, Eilish had a post up about this Summer’s festivals and her review of the Indiependence Festival in Michelstown. There’s another very unique Irish music festival coming up next weekend. It promises to be brighter, more colourful and a hell of a lot more flamboyant than anything that has come before it. It’s Europe’s First LGBT Music Festival - MILK. Get your diamond encrusted wellington boots at the ready for Europe’s first ever outdoor music and arts festival for the LGBT community. Taking place on Saturday 14th August, in the majestic surroundings of Ballinlough Castle, which will be transformed into a technicoloured dream world for one day of outrageous gay fun, think Wizard Of Oz meets Alice in Wonderland! From 12noon to 12am, 5,000 of Ireland’s gay community and their beautiful straight friends will strut their stuff, as a Mardi Gras Style atmosphere takes over! There’s a great and … There’s more →

Go see The Colleen Bawn at the @ProjectArts Centre

  By Darren Byrne | July 27, 2010 - 11:24 am | Featured Post, The Arts, The Culch, Theatre
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When the interval arrived, I was eager to find out more about the play’s history, so I leapt on to Wikipedia and I was surprised to discover it was written 150 years ago. The ‘Quiet Man’ style Oirish brogue seemed so over the top, that I thought it a brilliant modern parody of the era. Instead, I discover that this exciting, fast paced and very funny melodrama was written by Irish playwright Dion Boucicault in 1860. The Colleen Bawn, directed by Jimmy Fay, centres on Hardress Cregan’s (played by Ian Lloyd Anderson) secret marriage to Eily ‘The Colleen Bawn’ O’Connor (Liz Fitzgibbon), a woman considered to be below his station, and the fact that he is due to wed the wealthy Anne Chute (Charlie Murphy), which would solve his family’s financial woes. Anne is also being courted by the lovely but lost Kyrle Daly (Will Irvine) and the Colleen Bawn … There’s more →

Congratulations to the Irish Wife Carrying Team

  By Darren Byrne | July 6, 2010 - 5:00 pm | Events, The Culch
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They did it!!! Day 7 brought them to their final destination, their 7th country in seven days, Finland. At the Wife Carrying Championships, Ciara and James entered the Sprint, Team/Relay and main Wife Carrying Competition and managed to bring home the trophies, coming in 3rd in the relay event and defending their “Most Entertaining Couple” crown. Ruaidhri even managed to find himself a wife in Helsinki. Check out the Irish Wife Carrying Team’s finest hour: For more details on Ciara and James’ trip or to find out more about the insane Championship, go to WeddingDates.ie/wifecarrying. Day 6: Ruaidhri Tries to find a Wife to Carry Wife Carrying Day 5/6: The Great Hamburg(er) Challenge Day Four: Even The Wife Carriers Have World Cup Fever Days 1, 2 and 3 Introduction

Day 6: Ruaidhri Tries to find a Wife to Carry

  By Darren Byrne | July 2, 2010 - 9:27 am | Events, The Culch
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Ruaidhri, I’m pretty sure you can get arrested for running off with women like that. Ciara, Ruaidhri, Paul and James seemed to have a ball in Copenhagen. I’m going with them next year!!! Wife Carrying Day 5/6: The Great Hamburg(er) Challenge Day Four: Even The Wife Carriers Have World Cup Fever Days 1, 2 and 3 Introduction