Just a short distance away from the powers-that-be in Ireland, the Joker's Chair is a memorial to one of the country's most beloved alternative comedians, Dermot Morgan, who made his career satirizing Irish politics, and rose to international fame playing Father Ted, a priest that had quite a weakness for fame and money.
A former schoolteacher from Dublin, Dermot Morgan broke into comic acting in the late 1970s. He became a household name in the late 1980s for his work on the RTÉ radio show Scrap Saturday, which satirized the Irish politics of the day on either side of the political spectrum as well as business and church leaders and policy. When the show was cancelled in 1991, there were accusations of political interference.
Morgan would score the role of Father Ted Crilly in the British Channel Four sitcom Father Ted in 1995. The sitcom lasted three series and won multiple BAFTA Awards. One of three Catholic priests exiled to an eccentric parish on an island off the west coast of Ireland, Father Crilly with his weakness for money and great desire for fame headlined a cast that included many Irish comedians throughout its run. The series became a cultural touchstone in Ireland and beyond.
Right after the final episode of the last series wrapped production, Morgan and his family hosted a dinner party at his London home. But at this party, almost 24 hours after the final scene was shot, Dermot Morgan suffered a massive heart attack and died on February 28, 1998, at age 45. At his funeral mass, two Irish Presidents, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson, were in attendance as well as other political and church leaders, who were often the targets of his satire.
His memorial is the Joker's Chair in Merrion Square, Dublin. The joker, or jester, is the entertainer who was able to criticize the royal court. Ireland's first alternative comedian has left a legacy in the country, with his memorial just a walk away from the powers he would satirize.
IHG has just announced that they're acquiring Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants for $430 million.
Here are the highlights from IHG's press release:
- IHG has agreed to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants (“Kimpton”) for $430 million in cash.
- Kimpton is the world’s largest independent boutique hotel operator and a sophisticated food and beverage operator.
- Kimpton is a fully asset-light business that manages 62 hotels in the most attractive cities and resorts in the US with a further 16 hotels in the pipeline. It operates 71 hotel-based destination restaurants and bars.
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IHG is acquiring Kimpton hotels for $430 million. Kimpton has been shopping itself. And they’ve fetched an impressive sum considering their size and earnings. The IHG Kimpton deal is a smaller one than what some had expected — there’s been rumors of an IHG Starwood deal, and a Wyndham IHG combination. I wasn’t a big […]
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Through December 21, 2014, American Express is offering an increased sign-up bonus on their personal and business versions of the Gold Delta SkyMiles Cards.
In both cases they're offering:
-- 50,000 Delta SkyMiles if you spend $1,000 within your first three months of card membership
-- $50 statement credit if you make a Delta purchase within your first three months of card membership
The annual fee is $95, and it's waived the first year. This sign-up bonus is substantially higher than their usual sign-up bonus, which hovers around 30,000 miles upon completing minimum spend.
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… In some cases. And that mattters. Delta says their new program rewards their highest spending customers, but they cap mileage earning at 75,000 miles per ticket. This cap is inclusive of elite and class of service bonuses. For revenue-based earning that means Delta’s 125,000 mile a year Diamond members will not earn a single […]
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One area where I save quite a bit of money by living in hotels is with material goods. Living out of a carry-on really gives you perspective on what material goods you need and which you don't. It makes it really fun for my mom to try and go Christmas shopping for me (I tell her I really don't want anything, but that doesn't mean she'll ever listen). ;)
That being said, I know many people spend a good amount on shopping and shipping this time of year, and the costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, American Express has several ways for cardholders to save on last-minute shipping. I'm sure I'm not the only that's a procrastinator in general, so hopefully this is helpful to some of you.
ShopRunner is a membership program which offers express shipping (generally 2-day) and other benefits for a subscription fee of $8.95 per month, or $79 per year. Amex cardholders (including authorized users) receive a complimentary membership, which can be shared with two household members as well.
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I receive compensation for many links on this blog. You don’t have to use these links, but I am grateful to you if you do. American Express, Citibank, Chase, and other banks are advertising partners of this site. I do not write about all credit cards that are available — instead focusing on miles, points, […]
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One of the most useful transfer partners of American Express Membership Rewards is British Airways Executive Club.
Through January 31, 2015, Amex Membership Rewards is offering a 40% transfer bonus to British Airways Executive Club.
The bonus is hard-coded into the transfer ratio at a rate of 1,400 Avios per 1,000 Membership Rewards points, meaning you can earn the bonus an unlimited number of times. There's no registration required.
I know a lot of people have been waiting for this promotion, given how few transfer bonuses we've seen from Membership Rewards' better transfer partners lately. Back in the day they were common, while this is the only transfer bonus we've seen from Amex to British Airways all year.
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