Ireland Around the Web: 05.09.08

Here are some Ireland items in the news lately:

• Following the lead of such cities as London and Milan, Dublin is now looking to introduce a congestion charge to drivers.
• Art is subjective, that’s a given, but check out this two part series about four particularly odd (to this fellow, at least) statues in Ireland – part one here and part two here.
• They may not be the Three Tenors, but these singing priests are trying to make their mark on the music scene nonetheless.
• Ireland is looking at ways to cut the high levels of binge drinking, and one method they’re planning to employ would restrict alcohol sales in convenience stores and gas stations to certain times of the day.
• I’m not sure rural pubs in Ireland really are “so yesterday” – isn’t that why some people still visit?
• Dublin and Cork are to be the two latest settings for Spencer Tunick’s “mass nude” art projects this summer. I hope the Irish weather cooperates.
• Ireland is going to offer gun crime advice to Scotland.
• It’s not always cold and raining in Ireland – folks got lucky over a recent bank holiday with “some of the hottest temperatures of the year so far.”
• Ireland has a new prime minister – Brian Cowen.