Updated / Thursday, 31 Dec 2020
09:20
As with everything else this year, the pandemic played havoc with the world of entertainment. However, it was both a curse and a blessing as 2020 proved a fascinating year for the business of show. Here s our 2020 revision
January
The late, great Larry
The month got off to a tragic start with the worlds of media and entertainment mourning the passing of two broadcasting greats
Following her sudden death at the age of 69, the nation remembered veteran RTÉ presenter Marian Finucane for her trailblazing feminist legacy and for being a formidable, wise, sensitive broadcaster .
Tributes also poured in for RTÉ radio legend Larry Gogan following his death, aged 85. President Michael D. Higgins said Gogan made an indelible impact on Irish music, having promoted both up-and-coming and more established Irish musicians and sharing his infectious enthusiasm and passion for pop and rock music of all kinds.
No laughing matter as Offaly groups get Comic Relief boost offalyindependent.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from offalyindependent.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
In August, there was cause for celebration following the miraculous rescue of two cousins who spent 15 hours stranded at sea. Ellen Glynn and Sara Feeney got into difficulty after going paddleboarding at Furbo Beach in Co Galway. A major search and rescue operation was launched after the young women failed to return to shore and many feared the worst.
1. Galway ‘miracle’ rescue
The next morning, however, the pair were discovered by local fisherman Patrick Oliver and his son Morgan. Oliver used his fishing experience to predict where the young women might have drifted and located them some 17 miles from where they had last been seen.
Children with disabilities, people living with illness as well as victims of domestic violence are among the many vulnerable groups to benefit from €5.8 million in funding raised by RTÉ Does Comic Relief and distributed by The Community Foundation for Ireland.
North West Alcohol Forum, Swords, St Joseph s Association for the Intellectually Disabled, Portrane, Familly & Friends, Portmarnock Integrated Arch Club, Northside Partnership, Fingal Community & Recreation Services are just some of the groups in Fingal to benefit from the grants to protect and support these lifeline services in Fingal which remain under severe pressure.
The Foundation says the huge generosity of television viewers, private and corporate donors as well as substantial match funding from Minister O Brien s Department will be used to ensure that no-one is left behind during a time of increased hope of a recovery.
Offaly groups get major funding boost from national fundraiser
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Offaly community and voluntary groups are receiving over €43,000 in funding from money raised during RTÉ Does Comic Relief in a major round of grants to support under-pressure lifeline services.
The money is being distributed through The Community Foundation for Ireland which has provided over €60 million to communities during the past 20-years.
The grants include support for young people, services to older people, community services out of family resource centres, support for travellers and many more. A total of 13 grants are going to eight local groups.
Some groups are in receipt of more than one grant, as they applied for funding over different strands. The groups receiving funding in Offaly are as follows: