Satellite image of Ireland

The geography of Ireland, an island in Northern Europe, features low central plains surrounded by coastal mountains. Ireland's western coastline is rugged, with many islands, peninsulas, headlands and bays, while the southern and northern coasts feature a number of sea inlets, such as Lough Foyle and Cork Harbour; no part of the land is more than around 110 km (70 mi) from the sea. The second-largest of the British Isles, Ireland lies in the north Atlantic Ocean, near the western edge of the European continental shelf. The island is almost bisected by the River Shannon, which at 360.5 km (224 mi) with a 102.1 km (63 mi) estuary is its longest river. Politically, the island consists of the Republic of Ireland, with jurisdiction over about five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, a constituent part of the United Kingdom, with jurisdiction over the remaining sixth. The island has a temperate oceanic climate, mild and humid, and warmer than other landmasses at the same latitude. (Full article...)

Royal Opera House, where Flight Pattern premiered

Flight Pattern is a contemporary ballet choreographed by Crystal Pite, set to the first movement of Henryk Górecki's Symphony No. 3. It premiered at the Royal Opera House (pictured) in London on 16 March 2017, making Pite the first woman to choreograph for the Royal Ballet's main stage in 18 years. The ballet won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production in 2018. Flight Pattern examines the plight of refugees, drawing inspiration from 20th and 21st-century events, particularly the refugee crisis caused by the Syrian civil war. The ballet starts with 36 dancers performing on stage and transitions to a series of duets and solos originated by the dancers Marcelino Sambé and Kristen McNally. The piece was mostly positively reviewed by critics, with many praising the performance of the two soloists and the choreography of the ensemble. In 2022, Pite expanded the ballet into Light of Passage, with Flight Pattern becoming the first part of the ballet. (Full article...)