Áras an Uachtaráin
North Rear facade
General information
Town or city	Phoenix Park, Dublin
Country	Ireland
Construction started	1780
Design and construction
Architect	Nathaniel Clements

Áras an Uachtaráin^[1] (Irish pronunciation: [ˈɑːrəs ən ˈuəxt̪ərɑːnʲ]), formerly the Viceregal Lodge, is the official residence of the President of Ireland. It is located in the Phoenix Park on the northside of Dublin.

Origins[link]

The original house was designed by park ranger and amateur architect, Nathaniel Clements in the mid eighteenth century. It was bought by the administration of the British Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to become his summer residence in the 1780s. His official residence was in the Viceregal Apartments in Dublin Castle. The house in the park later became the Viceregal Lodge, the "out of season" residence of the Lord Lieutenant (also known as the Viceroy), where he lived for most of the year from the 1820s onwards. During the Social Season (January to St. Patrick's Day in March) he lived in state in Dublin Castle.

Phoenix Park once contained three official state residences. The Viceregal Lodge, the Chief Secretary's Lodge and the Under Secretary's Lodge. The Chief Secretary's Lodge, now called Deerfield, is the residence of the United States Ambassador to Ireland. The Under Secretary's Lodge, now demolished, served for many years as the Apostolic Nunciature.

Some historians have claimed that the garden front portico of Áras an Uachtaráin (which can be seen by the public from the main road through the Phoenix Park) was used as a model by Irish architect James Hoban who designed the White House. However the porticoes were not part of Hoban's original design and were in fact a later addition by Benjamin Latrobe.

Phoenix Park Murders[link]

In 1882, its grounds became the location for two famous murders. The Chief Secretary for Ireland (the British Cabinet minister with responsibility for Irish affairs), Lord Frederick Cavendish, and his Undersecretary (chief civil servant), Thomas Henry Burke, were stabbed to death with surgical knives while walking back to the residence from Dublin Castle. A small insurgent group called the Invincibles was responsible for the deed. The Lord Lieutenant, the 5th Earl Spencer, heard the victims' screams from a window in the ground floor drawing room.^{[citation needed]}

Residence of the Governor-General of the Irish Free State[link]

President McAleese greets US President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at Áras an Uachtaráin on 23 May 2011.

In 1911, the house underwent a large extension for the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. With the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922, the office of Lord Lieutenant was abolished. The new state planned to place the new representative of the Crown, Governor-General Tim Healy in a new, smaller residence, but because of death threats from the anti-treaty IRA, he was installed in the Viceregal Lodge temporarily. It remained the residence of the Governor-General of the Irish Free State until 1932, when the new Governor-General, Domhnall Ua Buachalla, was installed in a specially hired private mansion in the southside of Dublin.

Residence of the President of Ireland[link]

The house was left empty for some years, until the office of President of Ireland was created in 1937. In 1938, the first President, Douglas Hyde lived there temporarily while plans were made to build a new presidential palace on the grounds. The outbreak of World War II saved the building, which had been renamed Áras an Uachtaráin (meaning house of the president in Irish), from demolition, as plans for its demolition and the design of a new residence were put on hold. By 1945 it had become too closely identified with the presidency of Ireland to be demolished, though its poor condition meant that extensive demolition and rebuilding of parts of the building were necessary, notably the kitchens, servants' quarters and chapel. Since then, further restoration work has been carried out from time to time.

The main gate to Áras an Uachtaráin is located adjacent to the Phoenix Monument, at the centre of the park

The first President, Douglas Hyde lived in the residential quarters on the first floor of the main building. Later presidents moved to the new residential wing attached to the main house that had been built on for the visit of King George V in 1911. However, in 1990 Mary Robinson moved back to the older main building. Her successor, Mary McAleese lived in the 1911 wing.

Though Áras an Uachtaráin is possibly not as palatial as other European royal and presidential palaces, with only a handful of state rooms (the state drawing room, large and small dining rooms, the President's Office and Library, a large ballroom and a presidential corridor lined with the busts of past presidents (Francini Corridor), and some fine eighteenth and nineteenth century bedrooms above, all in the main building), it is a relatively comfortable state residence.

All Taoisigh as well as Government Ministers receive their seal of office from the President at Áras an Uachtaráin as do Judges, the Attorney General, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and senior commissioned officers of the Defence Forces. It is also the venue for the meetings of the Presidential Commission and the Council of State.

Áras an Uachtaráin also houses the headquarters of the Garda Mounted Unit.

The Office of Public Works completely furnishes the private quarters of Áras an Uachtaráin for the presidential family.^[2]

Visitors[link]

Various visiting British monarchs stayed at the Viceregal Lodge, notably Queen Victoria and George V. American presidents hosted here include Presidents John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama all of Irish descent. Other famous visitors to the Áras an Uachtaráin have been Princess Grace of Monaco and her husband, Prince Rainier III; King Baudouin of the Belgians; King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia; Pope John Paul II; Prince Charles, and Prince Philip.

On 17 May 2011, Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to visit the Áras on the occasion of her state visit to Ireland.^[3] She was welcomed by President McAleese, inspected a Guard of Honour, signed the visitors book and planted an Irish Oak sapling.

Guests do not normally stay at Áras an Uachtaráin. Although it has ninety-two rooms, many of these are used for storage of presidential files, for household staff and official staff, including military aides-de-camp, a Secretary to the President (somewhat equivalent to Chief of Staff in the White House, except it is a permanent civil service position) and a press office. In 2001, the Irish state opened a guest residence nearby in Farmleigh, a former Guinness family mansion.

On 1 May 2004, during Ireland's six-month presidency of the European Union, Áras an Uachtarain was the Venue for the European Day of Welcomes (Accession Day) in which ten new members joined the EU. All 25 heads of government attended the flag raising ceremony in the gardens of the palace. A large security operation involving the Gardaí and the Irish Defence Forces closed off the Áras and the Phoenix Park.

Áras an Uachtaráin is open for free tours every Saturday.

Footnotes[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Áras an Uachtaráin

• Áras an Uachtaráin website
• Virtual tour of the state rooms
• Visiting information at Heritage Ireland

Coordinates: 53°21′35″N 6°19′03″W / 53.359676°N 6.31745°W / 53.359676; -6.31745

v t e Historic Irish houses and castles Connacht Ashford Castle Ballymore Castle Ballymote Castle Clonalis House Dunguaire Castle Lissadell House Parke's Castle Tyrone House Westport House Dublin Áras an Uachtaráin Ardgillan Castle Ashtown Castle Carrickmines Castle Castleknock Castle Chichester House Clontarf Castle Deerfield Drimnagh Castle Dublin Castle Farmleigh Frescati House Howth Castle Iveagh House Leinster House Luttrellstown Castle Malahide Castle Manderley Castle Mansion House Mornington House Rathfarnham Castle Swords Castle Munster Bantry House Black Castle Blarney Castle Bourchier's Castle Bunratty Castle Cahir Castle Craggaunowen Castle Croom Castle Desmond Castle Doonagore Castle Dromoland Castle Dunboy Castle Fota House Kilcash Castle Kiltinan Castle King John's Castle Knappogue Castle Leamaneh Castle Lismore Castle Moorstown Castle Muckross House O'Dea Castle Ormonde Castle Parkavonear Castle Redwood Castle Rock of Cashel Ross Castle Leinster Allenstown House Ardbraccan House Avondale House Barberstown Castle Bellinter House Belvedere House Birr Castle Carton House Castle Durrow Castle Roche Castletown House Dardistown Castle Darver Castle Dunsany Castle Durhamstown Castle Emo Court Foulksrath Castle Kilkea Castle Killeen Castle, Dunsany Kilkenny Castle Kinnitty Castle Leap Castle Loftus Hall Maynooth Castle Middleton Park House Powerscourt House Rock of Dunamase Russborough House Slane Castle Stradbally Hall Trim Castle Ulster Altinaghree Castle Arthur Cottage Bailieborough Castle Belfast Castle Castle Caulfield Castle Coole Castle Leslie Castle Saunderson Clandeboye House Cloughoughter Castle Crom Castle Derrymore House Doe Castle Donegal Castle Florence Court Glenveagh Castle Gosford Castle Grianan of Aileach Hillsborough Castle Lough Eske Castle Monellan Castle Mount Stewart Rossmore Castle Springhill House Tynan Abbey See also Historic houses in Northern Ireland Historic houses in the Republic of Ireland

Si Schroeder
Origin	Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Alternative rock Electronic music Experimental rock
Occupations	Musician, singer-songwriter
Website	MySpace Facebook Blog
Notable instruments
Plays a right-handed guitar upside-down

Si Schroeder (born Dublin, Ireland) is the alias of Irish music artist Simon Kenny.^[1] He has released one studio album, Coping Mechanisms, and the singles Jump Ship, C4 and Brailowsky to date as Si (rhymes with "sigh") Schroeder.^[2][3]

The single Jump Ship was released on 22 July 2011 and is the first release from the forthcoming Si Schroeder LP Holding Patterns.^[4][5]

Coping Mechanisms was nominated for the 2006 Choice Music Prize Irish album of the year and released on Irish independent record label Trust Me I'm A Thief.^[6][7] Influential Irish blogger Nialler9 named Coping Mechanisms his blog's No 1 Irish album of 2006, as did the influential Foggy Notions magazine.^[8][9][10]

Si Schroeder was one of four music acts selected to represent Ireland at the 2008 Eurosonic Festival held annually in Groningen.^[11]

Simon Kenny has also recorded and performed under the alias Schroedersound.^[12][13] Throughout most of the 1990s he was one half of Irish indie rock band Schroeder's Cat whose eponymous four-track EP was released in 1998 on the LA label Emperor Norton Records.^[14]

Si Schroeder's current band members are Mark Jordan (guitar) and Bryan O'Connell (drums).^[15] Previous band members include Ger Griffin (formerly of Rollerskate Skinny), Joss Moorkens, Jimmy Eadie and Brian Mooney (both formerly of The Idiots and Into Paradise), Kevin Brew and Fiachra Lennon.^[16][17] Irish electronica artist Somadrone, aka Neil O'Connor, also a member of The Redneck Manifesto, has also been part of Si Schroeder's live set-up as has Chequerboard.^[18][19]

Si Schroeder has performed on a number of Irish television shows including on RTE's The View presented by John Kelly^[20] and Other Voices presented by BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac.^[21] On 20 July 2011 he was a guest on the RTE Radio 1 arts show Arena where he played two songs from his forthcoming second album Holding Patterns and conducted an interview with presenter Sean Rocks.^[22] He was also a guest on former RTÉ Radio 1 programme The Arts Show on which he discussed the work of Irish visual artist James Coleman.^[23] He has appeared on the Airfield Sessions television programme on Irish television station Channel 6 (now 3e) presented by Irish broadcaster and model Michelle Doherty.^[24] He has been a guest on the Donal Dineen radio show Small Hours on Irish radio station Today FM.^[25]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Coping Mechanisms (2006)

Singles[link]

• Jump Ship (2011)
• Brailowsky - Schroedersound remix (2006)
• C4 (2005)

	Brailowsky - Schroedersound Remix noicon This is a 29-second clip from the 2006 Si Schroeder single
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Si Schroeder blog
• Official Si Schroeder Myspace page
• Official Si Schroeder Facebook page
• Si Schroeder on Trust Me I'm A Thief
• Si Schroeder gig of the week in The Irish Times
• Si-CHEDELIA: Si Schroeder interview in The Irish Times
• Coping Mechanisms review in The Irish Times
• Si Schroeder interview in Hot Press magazine
• Coping Mechanisms review in Hot Press magazine

Imelda May
May performing live in 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Imelda Mary Clabby
Born	(1974-07-10) 10 July 1974 (age 37) Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Rockabilly, blues, jazz
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, composer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, bodhrán, tambourine
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Foot Tapping, Ambassador/Universal Ireland, Decca
Website	imeldamay.com

Imelda Mary Higham (born Imelda Mary Clabby on 10 July 1974), professionally known as Imelda May, is an Irish musician and singer-songwriter. Born and raised in The Liberties area of Dublin, May began her career in music at age sixteen—performing with a number of local bands and musicians— before forming her own band in 2002. She released her debut studio album, No Turning Back, in 2003 and relocated to London, United Kingdom with husband and guitarist Darrel Higham after its release. Following an appearance on the BBC music programme Later... with Jools Holland in 2008, she released her second studio album, Love Tattoo (2009). May collaborated and toured with a number of artists following its release. Her similarly-received third studio album, Mayhem, was released in 2010 and earned her a nomination for the Choice Music Prize.^[1]

Although known primarily as a singer, May also plays the bodhrán, guitar and tambourine. Described as "a unique vocal talent," May is known for her musical style of rockabilly revival and has also been compared to female jazz musicians such as Billie Holiday.^[2] She won the Best Female Artist of the Year award at the 2009 Meteor Awards.^[3]

Early life and career[link]

May was born in Dublin on 10 July 1974 in the Liberties in the south inner city.^[4] She is the youngest of five siblings, with sisters Edel Foy and Maria O'Reilly, and brothers Brendan Clabby and Fintan Clabby. In 1991, She attended Senior College Ballyfermot, where she studied Art, Graphics and Printmaking. Her early musical influences were Folk and Rock & Roll, especially the music of Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent. By the age of nine, she was a fan of Rockabilly and Blues, particularly Elmore James and Billie Holiday. At fourteen, she sang in an advertisement for Findus Fish Fingers. However, her career began at age 16 when she began touring the Dublin club circuit and she was occasionally barred from her own shows at Dublin's Bruxelles club for being underage. "I was getting tips from the best musicians in Dublin," May said. "One of them said, 'your voice is great, but it needs to roughen.'" It was around this time, when driving a tearful Imelda to a gig after a boyfriend break-up, that her father asked her, "Is your heart broken? Excellent. Now you can sing the blues."^[5] After moving to the UK in 1998, May began singing with Blue Harlem and Mike Sanchez.^[6]

Professional career[link]

May at the Azkena Rock Festival, Spain, 2010

May began her professional career in 2003, forming her band and releasing No Turning Back (Foot Tapping Records) under her maiden name, Imelda Clabby. Specializing in rockabilly music, the album was later re-recorded and re-issued by Foot Tapping Records under her married name in 2005.

In 2007, she joined a recording contract with Ambassador Records (a subsidiary of Foot Tapping Records), and recorded her second album. Love Tattoo reached No. 1 in Ireland and received wide critical acclaim. It caught the attention of Jools Holland,^[8] whom she later supported on tour, which led him to request that she appear on his well-known music show Later... with Jools Holland. She was well received in the United Kingdom, performing to an audience that included Jeff Beck, Elbow, and Roots Manuva. Her first two singles, "Johnny Got a Boom Boom" and "Big Bad Handsome Man", were released on 23 January 2009. She performed on Ireland's most popular television show, The Late Late Show. She won Female Artist of the Year at the 2009 Meteor Awards. May has also toured the United States including, most recently, a tour with Jamie Cullum. On 14 August 2009, she appeared on RTÉ's Other Voices singing "Johnny Got a Boom Boom" and an unplugged version of "Big Bad Handsome Man".

On 31 January 2010, she performed at the 52nd Grammy Awards with Jeff Beck in tribute to Les Paul.^[9] After some promotional performances at festivals, such as the Eurosonic Festival in Groningen, Netherlands,^[10] she released her third studio album, Mayhem, in Ireland on 3 September 2010 — again reaching No. 1 in the Irish Album Charts — and in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2010.^[11][12] On 18 July 2011, May made her network television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, performing "Mayhem," in promotion of the album's recent release in the U.S. and later appeared on Conan on 8 August.

May contributed a cover of Buddy Holly's "I'm Looking for Someone to Love" for the tribute album, Listen to Me: Buddy Holly, released on 6 September 2011.

Performances with other artists[link]

May has shared the stage with Wanda Jackson, Alison Moyet, Lou Reed, David Gilmour, Sharon Corr, The Supremes, Brian Setzer, The Dubliners, Madeleine Peyroux, Matt Bianco, Elvis Costello, Jools Holland, Jeff Beck and Meat Loaf . She has worked with producers Tony Visconti and Peter Asher. She also sings in The Candy Box Burlesque Club in Birmingham. She has appeared alongside The World Famous Palookaville! Burlesque Orchestra at every Candy Box show since it started in February 2006.

May has sung for the Flashmonkey burlesque band, a popular night at Cafe De Paris in London, also featuring trumpeter/composer John Eacott.

In 2009, she recorded the official Children in Need single alongside Cara Dillon, Terry Wogan, Hayley Westenra, and others at Abbey Road Studios. In 2010, she participated on Emotion & Commotion by Jeff Beck, singing on the track "Lilac Wine" and also on the Japanese CD bonus track "Poor Boy". On 11 November 2010, she appeared as a guest on BBC2's comedy panel music show, Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

In 2010, she performed with Meat Loaf as part of the UK leg of his Hang Cool Tour. During 2011, she and her band toured with Jeff Beck.

In August 2011 she performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

On 16 December 2011, she played to a capacity crowd of 12,000 in the O2 Dublin, with Bono making a surprise appearance as her guest.

On New Years Eve 2011 she appeared on Jools Holland's Hootenanny on BBC2 Television in the UK.

Personal life[link]

May married her guitarist and band member, Darrel Higham in 2002. In February 2012, the couple announced that May was pregnant with their first child, expected in August.^[13][14] She is a vegetarian.^[15]

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• No Turning Back (2002)
• Love Tattoo (2008)
• Mayhem (2010)

Band members[link]

• Imelda May – vocals, bodhrán
• Al Gare – double bass, bass guitar
• Steve Rushton – drums
• Darrel Higham – guitar
• Dave Priseman – trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, guitar

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Imelda May

External links[link]

• Imelda May on Myspace
• Imelda May Album Review
• No Turning Back (Imelda Clabby) Review
• Blue Harlem (featuring Imelda May) Reviews
• Music On-Air Interview
• Liberation Frequency interview

Donna Marie (born June 28, 1981 in Nottingham) is an English pornographic actress.^[1] She currently appears daily on televised sex line Bluebird TV.^{[citation needed]}

Awards[link]

• 2006 UK Adult Film and Television Awards – Best Solo Scene By A Female Performer^[2]
• 2006 UK Adult Film and Television Awards – Best Female Performer In A Girl/Girl Scene^[2]

See also[link]

• List of British pornographic actors

References[link]

External links[link]

• Donna Marie at the Internet Adult Film Database
• Donna Marie at the Adult Film Database
• Donna Marie at the British Girls Adult Film Database