In a memorable (and often hilarious) encounter, President Michael D. Higgins sat down for a chat with Tommy Tiernan, as two of the nation's most unique minds talked about aging, Brexit and Donald Trump on The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ One 

  #MichaelDHiggins is an Irish politician, poet, sociologist, and broadcaster who has served as the ninth President of Ireland since November 2011. Higgins served as a Teachta Dála for the Galway West constituency from 1981 to 1982 and 1987 to 2011. Wikipedia  irish comedian 

#TommyTiernan is an Irish comedian, actor, writer and presenter. He and Hector Ó hEochagáin presented The Tommy and Hector Show on i102-104FM. Tiernan also featured in the last episode of the sitcom Father Ted as suicidal priest Father Kevin. Wikipedia

The #chromaticscale or #twelvetonescale is a musical scale with twelve pitches, each a semitone above or below its adjacent pitches. As a result, in 12-tone equal temperament (the most common temperament in Western music), the chromatic scale covers all 12 of the available pitches. Thus, there is only one chromatic scale.[a]  Moreover, in equal temperament, all the semitones have the same size (100 cents) and there are twelve semitones in an octave (1200 cents). As a result, the notes of an equal-tempered chromatic scale are equally-spaced.  The chromatic scale...is a series of half steps which comprises all the pitches of our [12-tone] equal-tempered system.  — Allen Forte (1979)[1] All of the pitches in common use, considered together, constitute the chromatic scale. It is made up entirely of successive half steps, the smallest interval in Western music....Counting by half steps, an octave includes twelve different pitches, white and black keys together. The chromatic scale, then, is a collection of all the available pitches in order upward or downward, one octave's worth after another.  — Walter Piston (1987)[2] A chromatic scale is a nondiatonic scale consisting entirely of half-step intervals. Since each tone of the scale is equidistant from the next [symmetry] it has no tonic [key].[3] ... Chromaticism [is t]he introduction of some pitches of the chromatic scale into music that is basically diatonic in orientation, or music that is based on the chromatic scale instead of the diatonic scales.[4]  — Benward & Saker (2003)  Notation  The circle of fifths drawn within the chromatic circle as a star dodecagram.[6] The chromatic scale has no set enharmonic spelling that is always used. Its spelling is, however, often dependent upon major or minor key signatures and whether the scale is ascending or descending. In general, the chromatic scale is usually notated with sharp signs when ascending and flat signs when descending. It is also notated so that no scale degree is used more than twice in succession (for instance, G♭ – G♮ – G♯).  Similarly, some notes of the chromatic scale have enharmonic equivalents in solfege. The rising scale is Do, Di, Re, Ri, Mi, Fa, Fi, Sol, Si, La, Li, Ti and the descending is Ti, Te/Ta, La, Le/Lo, Sol, Se, Fa, Mi, Me/Ma, Re, Ra, Do, However, once 0 is given to a note, due to octave equivalence, the chromatic scale may be indicated unambiguously by the numbers 0-11 mod twelve. Thus two perfect fifths are 0-7-2. Tone rows, orderings used in the twelve-tone technique, are often considered this way due to the increase ease of comparing inverse intervals and forms (inversional equivalence).   weki

Chernobyl 2019 ‧ Historical period drama ‧ 1 season In April 1986, the city of Chernobyl in the Soviet Union suffers one of the worst nuclear disasters in the history of mankind. Consequently, many heroes put their lives on the line to save Europe. No. of episodes: 5

The #Chernobyldisaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on Saturday 26 April 1986, at the No. 4 nuclear reactor in the #Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near the city of Pripyat in the north of the Ukrainian SSR.[1][2] It is considered the worst nuclear disaster in history and is one of only two nuclear energy disasters rated at seven—the maximum severity—on the International Nuclear Event Scale, the other being the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan.  The accident started during a safety test on an RBMK-type nuclear reactor, which was commonly used throughout the Soviet Union. The test was a simulation of an electrical power outage to aid the development of a safety procedure for maintaining cooling water circulation until the back-up generators could provide power – there is a time gap between the moment of power outage and the moment at which the back-up generators reach full power. 

This operating gap was about one minute and had been identified as a potential safety problem that could cause the nuclear reactor core to overheat. Three such tests had been conducted since 1982, but they had failed to provide a solution. On this fourth attempt, the test was delayed by 10 hours, so an unprepared operating shift had to perform it.[3] During a gradual decrease of reactor power that was done in preparation for the test, the power unexpectedly dropped to a near-zero level at one moment. The operators were able to partially restore power, but this put the reactor in a highly unstable condition. The risks were not made evident in the operating instructions, despite a similar accident occurring years before, and the test proceeded even though the power was still lower than prescribed. Upon test completion, the operators triggered a reactor shutdown, but a combination of unstable conditions and reactor design flaws caused an uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction instead.[4]:33  A large amount of energy was suddenly released, vapourising superheated cooling water and rupturing the reactor core in a highly destructive steam explosion. This was immediately followed by an open-air reactor core fire that released considerable airborne radioactive contamination for about nine days that precipitated onto parts of the USSR and western Europe, before being finally contained on 4 May 1986.[5][6] The fire gradually released about the same amount of contamination as the initial explosion.[7] As a result of rising ambient radiation levels off-site, a 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) radius exclusion zone was created 36 hours after the accident. About 49,000 people were evacuated from the area, primarily from Pripyat. The exclusion zone was later increased to 30 kilometres (19 mi) radius when a further 68,000 people were evacuated from the wider area.[8][8]

Subtractive is the most common method that gave birth to the concept of sound synthesis. And is also one of the most popular synthesis types of all, perhaps due to its inherent simplicity and application.

This type of synthesis is a very simple signal chain of an oscillator (or the combination of multiple oscillators) running through a filter (EQ curve) which is then sent to an amplifier for gain staging and ADSR (attack, decay, sustain and release) for controlling the envelope response. The harmonics present within the oscillators tones can be whittled into harmonic structures that mirror those of actual instruments. This method is very easy to achieve in both analog and digital realms and can be used to create numerous (possibly infinite) instruments, effects, and sounds.

The analog subtractive synthesizer was initially designed for this purpose–as an alternative to hiring musicians to play on recordings, however, it quickly morphed into its own instrument, creating various sounds never before made by any acoustic instrument.

Subtractive synthesis is the most closely associated with the analog synthesizers of the ‘60s and ‘70s.  In which the harmonics of simple waveforms, such as the ones previously mentioned, are attenuated with a voltage-controlled resonant low-pass filter.

Some of the Vintage synths most known in this type are the Minimoog, and the Korg Ms-20, maybe you recognize them!

topmusicarts/4-main-types-of-synthesis-explained-wavetable-fm-additive-and-subtractive

Figure 5.1 Sine, square, triangle, and sawtooth waveforms

An oscillator is a repeating waveform with a fundamental frequency and peak amplitude and it forms the basis of most popular synthesis techniques today. Aside from the frequency or pitch of the oscillator and its amplitude, one of the most important features is the shape of its waveform. The time-domain waveforms in Fig. 5.1 show the four most commonly used oscillator waveforms. Although it is possible to use all kinds of unique shapes, these four each serve a range of functions that are suited to a range of different synthesis techniques; ranging from the smooth, plain sound of a sine wave, to the harmonically rich buzz of a sawtooth wave.

Oscillators are generally controlled by a keyboard synthesiser or MIDI protocol device. A key press will result in a MIDI note value which will be converted to a frequency value (Hz) that the oscillator will accept as its input, and the waveform period will repeat accordingly to the specified frequency. From here, the sound can be processed or manipulated in a variety of ways in the synthesizer or program to enrich or modify the sound further. weki

Dublin coronavirus Mania - small businesses closed  78 suspected cases of coronavirus tested in Ireland Darragh Bermingham  SEVENTY-eight people suspected of having the coronavirus have been tested in Ireland in recent weeks, the Department of Health has revealed.  All test results returned negative but leading doctors and health workers have warned that it is only a matter of time before Ireland experiences its first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, which has been officially named Covid-19.  The Echo understands that at least one person has undergone tests for the illness at Cork University Hospital in recent weeks.

  The latest national figures come after it was revealed on Tuesday that two Irish passengers who were on board the Princess Diamond cruise ship have been diagnosed with the #coronavirusdubin .  A coronavirus is one of many viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds. In humans, coronaviruses cause respiratory tract infections that are typically mild, such as the common cold, though rarer forms such as SARS, MERS and COVID-19 can be lethal. Symptoms vary in other species: in chickens, they cause an upper respiratory tract disease, while in cows and pigs they cause diarrhea. There are no vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent or treat human coronavirus infections.  Coronaviruses comprise the subfamily #Orthocoronavirinae in the family #Coronaviridae, in the order Nidovirales.[5][6] 

They are enveloped viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and a nucleocapsid of helical symmetry. The genome size of coronaviruses ranges from approximately 26 to 32 kilobases, the largest among known RNA viruses. The name coronavirus is derived from the Latin corona, meaning "crown" or "halo", which refers to the characteristic appearance of the virus particles (virions): they have a fringe reminiscent of a crown or of a solar corona.

#Synthesis another  how to

#coronavirus leaves irish business empty

Dr Glynn said that people are at "greater risk from flu at the moment than they are from the coronavirus."

He explained that the coronavirus seems to spread easily, when compared to other similar outbreaks.

"There were 8,000 cases of MERS, 2,000 of SARS and there are 75,000 cases of this virus, so it does seem to spread easily.

"But when you look at the fatality rate of each virus, one in three died from MERS, one in ten died from SARS, and at the moment the fatality rate of Covid-19 is 2%."

He explained that often in the early stages of a disease outbreak the cases that tend to be picked up are those which are more severe, and as more becomes known about the overall number of cases, it is likely that the fatality rate associated with this virus will decrease.

Meanwhile, Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, said the 621 cases of the virus discovered on a cruise ship in Japan should not cause panic in Ireland.

He said air traffic is still the most likely method were the virus to spread here.

"It would appear it has peaked in terms of transmission ... really it's airline traffic, so it's traffic from flights in China, none directly to Dublin or Ireland, but there are to other European countries so that's the biggest risk Ireland is facing - somebody coming on a flight from China via another European country and then bringing it on to Ireland." - rte.ie/news/ 19 Feb 2020 20:19

VEGANSTEVEN

His election as ceann comhairle means that both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin now have 37 voting TDs, while Fine Gael has 35.

Only one other candidate ran against him - independent TD Denis Naughten, who received 28 votes.

Following the failure to choose a new taoiseach, the Dáil will be suspended for about a fortnight to allow negotiations on government formation to continue.

Sinn Féin emerged from the poll on 8 February with the highest number of first preference votes and it won 37 seats, one seat fewer than Fianna Fáil, which had 38.

Sinn Féin celebrates historic election result

There were demonstrations and celebrations outside the home of the Irish parliament in the hour before the 33rd Dáil sat for the first time.

Protesters delivered messages about homelessness, healthcare, and the Middle East. 

Irish election: No new taoiseach as Dáil vote ends in deadlock

20 February 2020 BBC NEWS

high-speed #horserace on #N7 main road  ISPCA “shocked and appalled” at high-speed sulky race on N7  N7 Road in the Republic of Ireland DescriptionThe N7 road is a national primary road in Ireland, connecting Limerick and Dublin. The majority of the route is motorway standard and is designated as the M7 motorway. At the Rosbrien interchange in Limerick the route continues as the N18 dual carriage to Shannon and Ennis. 

Wikipedia  #Horseracing in Ireland is intricately linked with Irish culture and society. The racing of horses has a long history on the island, being mentioned in some of the earliest texts. Domestically, racing is one of Ireland's most popular spectator sports, while on the international scene, Ireland is one of the strongest producers and trainers of Thoroughbred horses. The Irish horse racing industry is closely linked with that of Great Britain, with Irish horses regularly competing and winning on the British racing circuit. 

  Earliest records  Insular style grotesque illustration of a man riding a horse, from the Book of Kells Horse racing in Ireland has a very long history. The ancient text Togail Bruidne Dá Derga (Destruction of the Mansion of Da-Derga) mentions chariot races taking place on the Curragh during the lifetime of the monarch Conaire Mór,[1][2] whose reign is disputed but is believed to have occurred sometime between 110 BC[3] and 60 AD.[4] The use of the Curragh as an early location for horse racing is also mentioned in a gloss to the 7th century Liber Hymnorum.[1] The mythological Fianna were said to have enjoyed horse racing without the use of chariots;[5] the Book of Leinster contains an early poem mentioning races at the Curragh and near Croom, as well as a tradition of racing on the beach in Kerry,[4] a tradition which continues today.[4][6][7][8] There are later mentions of "horse matches" in Galway in the 13th century under the "Kings Plate Articles".[9]  The earliest datable evidence, however, is a 1603 royal warrant entitling the governor of Derry to hold fairs and markets at which horse races could be staged.[10] Horse racing was evidently popular in the 17th century: a 1622 poem tells of a jockey killed participating in a horse race in Carrickfergus,[11] 

while other accounts mention a 1634 race between Lord Digby and the Earl of Ormond,[12] and the establishment in 1682 of a race by Lord Kildare, with a plate of 40 pounds to the winner.[2] In a correspondence to King Charles II in 1673, Sir William Temple stated "Horses in Ireland are a drug... we see horses bred of excellent shape, and vigour, and size, so as to reach great prices at home, and encourage strangers to find the market here."[13] weki

#Irishcuisine is the style of cooking that originated from Ireland, an island in the North Atlantic; or was developed by the Irish people. It has evolved from centuries of social and political change, and the mixing of the different cultures in Ireland, predominantly the English and Irish (and, in Ulster, the Scottish). The cuisine is founded upon the crops and animals farmed in its temperate climate and the abundance of fresh fish and seafood from the surrounding clean waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  

The development of Irish cuisine was altered greatly by the English conquest of the early 17th century, which introduced a new agro-alimentary system of intensive grain based agriculture. Large areas of land were turned over to cereal and a large portion of the population were confined to more marginal agricultural areas. 

The rise of a commercial market in grain and meat altered the diet of the native population by redirecting these products abroad as cash crops used to feed the British Empire's armed forces and cities.[1] Consequently, the potato, after its widespread adoption in the 18th century, became just about the only food the poor could afford (which was the vast majority of the population).[citation needed]  By the 21st century, much of Irish cuisine was being revived.[citation needed] 

Representative traditional Irish dishes include Irish stew (made with lamb, mutton, or beef), bacon and cabbage (with potatoes), boxty ( #potato pancake), coddle (sausage, bacon, and potato), colcannon (mashed potato, kale or cabbage, and butter), and, in Ulster, the soda farl. Modern Irish Food still uses these traditional ingredients but they are now being cooked by chefs with world influences and are presented in a more modern artistic style.[2]  Potato dishes  

A bowl of colcannon, an Irish potato and kale dish Boxty – a kind of potato pancake Champ – main ingredients: mashed potato, scallions, butter and milk Colcannon – main ingredients: mashed potato, kale or cabbage, and butter Shepherd's Pie/Cottage Pie – main ingredients: mashed potato, minced lamb/beef, and vegetables[178][179]  Potato Famine In 1845, the Potato Famine (otherwise known as the Great Famine) began when many potato crops in Ireland had been infected with a mold called Potato Blight. This had turned their potatoes diseased and useless, putting many who are already in poverty into deeper poverty[citation needed]. The crop had failed due to potato blight in 1845-46, had little success in 1847, and failed once again in 1848. The starving Irish tried eating the potatoes, and would get extremely sick from eating them[citation needed]. Irish people began eating a diet of eggs, birds, and plants like nettles and chickweeds.[168]

 Many Farmers would bleed their cattle out and fry the blood, rather than eat their meat. If the cattle were as malnourished as the people, then the resulting meat wouldn't be fit for consumption, so they resorted to using the blood mixed with herbs, garlic, oats and butter, it could be used as good emergency meal.[169] The extremely desperate and malnourished ate rats and worms found off the street[citation needed].weki