A LEGEND DEPARTS
Tributes paid to League of Ireland’s greatest ever
By Paul Byrne
LEGENDARY Dundalk FC manager Jim McLaughlin has been laid to rest following his passing at the age of 83 last Thursday.
The Derry native was buried in Haggardstown on Sunday and tributes have been flowing all week for the man who was in charge for one of the truly golden eras at Dundalk Football Club.
As well as leading the Lilywhites to three league titles, three FAI cups and two league cups, McLaughlin also presided over a scarcely believable set of European results against some of the powerhouses of world football, which given the changes in format over the last couple of decades will probably never be repeated.
Under McLaughlin’s watch, Dundalk thrived against the bigger teams and in matches against the likes of Glasgow Celtic, FC Porto, PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham, Dundalk were only beaten once at Oriel Park (against Liverpool in 1982). They famously came within a whisker of knocking out Scottish giants Celtic in the European Cup when after a battling 3-2 defeat away from home they almost did the unthinkable when Tommy McConville’s came within inches of scoring a last minute winner which would have put Dundalk into the ¼ finals of Europe’s premier competition.
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Tributes have been flooding in for the late great Jim McLaughlin following his passing last Thursday. McLaughlin is generally considered the greatest league of Ireland manager of all time. See
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Tributes paid to League of Ireland’s greatest ever manager
From Page 1
At his funeral last Sunday current manager Jon Daly as well as current and past players for the club formed a guard of honour as the hearse
bringing Jim’s remains arrived at St Fursey’s Church. One of those former players Dermot Keely spoke fondly about the man he called his ‘Football Da’. Teak
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tough defender Keely enjoyed a fruitful spell under McLaughlin at Dundalk with the Dubliner winning the double in his first season with the club. He would go on to play under McLaughlin again at Shamrock Rovers where he won a further three league titles under the Derryman.
“There would be no Dermot Keely without Jim McLaughlin,” stated an emotional Keely.
“He was an absolute genius and an absolute gentleman. He helped me so much, not just on the pitch but off it too. He was one of a kind and in all of the years I knew him I only ever heard him curse once. Of course that curse was directed at me,” laughed Keely.
“Jim took myself, Sean Byrne and Leo Flanagan from St Pats when he was rebuilding at Dundalk and from nothing he created a fantastic side who won the double in my first season with the club. He just had an eye
for a player and he was able to give them confidence and make them run through walls for him. This week people will be arguing over his greatest achievements in the game but for me by far his biggest achievement was being able to manage myself and Tommy McConville. We were hard going! Tommy thought he was always right and I knew I was always right!
“I left Dundalk in
1981. I wasn’t happy with the players that Jim brought into the club during the summer. I thought we were slipping and I told him that he didn’t know what he was doing. He never said a word to me. He just stood there and let me rant. I departed for Glentoran thinking Dundalk were going to have a tough season but of course Jim being Jim he won the league with them that year. He just
had this unbelievable knack of bringing in the right players at the right time.
“A measure of the man was that he never held a grudge against me for my stupid tirade against him before I left the club. Me saying he had lost the plot and all that. He never uttered a bad word about me in public after I left and he had every right to do so. He moved on to Shamrock Rovers and I was
at UCD at the time and he called me and asked me to join him there. He bore no grudges whatsoever. He just got on with the job. I can’t put into words how much he helped my career both as a player and as a manager. As I said before there is no me without him.
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AS part of Operation Tara, Gardaí say they have seized suspected illegal THC oil with an estimated value of €181,000 and arrested one male, in Dundalk, on the morning of Friday 16th August 2024.
Gardaí say they attended the scene following a report of an incident involving a male youth.
The youth left the scene and
was pursued by Gardaí. He was subsequently apprehended and approximately 7 litres of suspected THC oil were seized, along with drugs paraphernalia and an Armani watch.
The drugs seized will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
The male youth (aged in his teens) was arrested in connection
“I went to Dundalk as raw as ropes but he saw something in me and he gave me this huge belief. He trusted me 100% and he told me that if I saw something that needed changing on the pitch to change it. What other manager does that? He used to always say to me ‘Don’t mind about the attributes that you don’t have. Concentrate on what you have got,” He just had a lovely way about him. Quiet and unassuming but he had this quiet confidence. As I said earlier the only time I ever heard him curse was when we were playing Glasgow Celtic in the European Cup. We had been playing the offside trap all season in the League to great effect. We’d step up and always catch the striker offside. Celtic had their homework done though. They had runners from midfield and they were destroying us in the first half getting behind us at every opportunity. One of our players went down injured and Jim runs on with a sponge. As he’s down on his knees with the sponge he looks over at me and says quietly ‘See if you step up again? I’ll fucking kill you!”. I just looked at Paddy Dunning and he said ‘Edge of box from here on in?’ and I replied ‘Edge of Box’. laughs Dermot.
“We’ve kept in touch down through the years and he came over to me in Lanzarote, where I live now, a few years ago and we had a lovely walk and reminisced over a few pints. I loved meeting up with him. He was an absolute gem. He grew me as a person. He was the Master. One of a kind. Simply the best.,” concluded Dermot.
Operation Tara—Male arrested and €181,000 THC Oil seized
with the investigation and conveyed to a Garda station in the Dundalk area.
He has since been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Garda Youth Diversion Office.
Investigations are ongoing.
This seizure is part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on 2nd July 2021. Operation Tara focuses on disrupting, dismantling, and prosecuting drug trafficking networks at all levels—international, national, and local—involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale, and supply of controlled drugs.
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Gardaí seized THC oil with an estimated value of €181,000 last Friday in Dundalk. Investigations are ongoing.
Dermot Keely alongside his ‘Football Da’, the late Jim McLaughlin.
No-uniform trials for a year letters to the editor
Dear Editor,
As our country’s four-year-olds prepare to start the sad Irish practice of dressing in school uniforms for almost every day of the rest of their entire childhood until they are 18, shouldn’t we as a nation at least pause and consider how oppressive and totally unnecessary this practice is? The vast majority of children across the EU, including small numbers in Ireland, will go to school in September in their own clothes and no catastrophe will befall them!
As a post-primary teacher, it galls me to see the low-intensity culture of intimidation, humiliation and coercion of students which the daily enforcement of school uniform rules entails. It makes a mockery of all the talk about student wellbeing when the school itself becomes the bully.
These rules and practices are unjustifiable and anti-educational. They are a huge waste of money and time. I have no doubt that they will be seen, like corporal punishment eventually was, as oppressive of students, and may end up in the courts.
I suggest that the way to start this process is for progressive, forward-thinking school leaders to implement no-uniform trials for a year. If they do so, I suspect very few would return to the outdated practice.
Is mise, le meas, Gearóid Ó Riain.
Rhiannon to represent Ireland in China
17-YEAR-OLD Rhiannon Dolan
will be Ireland’s representative in Henan Province this week at the Junior Track World Championships. She is due to contest the Elimination, Scratch, Points and Omnium events. The hugely talented Dundalk cyclist couldn’t really have avoided getting involved with cycling with both her father Karl and grandfather Kevin well known names in cycling circles.
Both men have ridden in numerous Rás Tailteanns and won Senior Irish Championship medals and Rhiannon has obviously inherited those cycling genes with the St. Louis student’s excellent recent form rewarded with a call up for the Junior Track World Championships in China.
Rhiannon was a former member of the Cuchulainn Cycling Club but recently she switched to TC Racing Team who she rode for last month at the Europeans where she performed very well.
Her Dad Karl, who owns and runs the popular Bike Station shop in Bridge A Crinn, says his daughter has loved cycling since she was a young kid.
“Yeah, Rhiannon and her younger sister Ffion have loved cycling since they were kids. Rhiannon’s strength is her endurance and she is very good over long
distances. Last September she was brought in to the Athlete Development Programme due to her consistent performances in competition and that has brought her on even more,” explained Karl.
“Most track events are either endurance or sprint events just like in athletics so Rhiannon would excel in the longer distances. She does most of her training on the road and she has been working with Eve McCrystal recently who has been a great help to her. She’s only 17 so it’s a bit early to say if she is going to make a career out of this but knowing Rhiannon she will have one eye on trying to get to the next Olympics. She works hard and trains probably 10-15 hours every week.
The team manager for Ireland is Olympian Martin Irvine so she
will be in good hands in China,” stated Karl.
Dolan has represented Ireland previously at the UEC European Championships earlier this year in Cottbus, Germany. She performed strongly there and will be looking to push on to even greater heights in China this week.
In China, Dolan takes to the track today (Wednesday 21st of August), in the Scratch event. Tomorrow will see her compete in the Elimination race with qualifying in the morning followed by finals later in the afternoon.
On day three she takes to the track again in the Omnium. Saturday sees Rhiannon compete in the Points race with the 10km event taking place in the morning
€120,111 awarded to Louth Forest Parks —McGreehan
welcomed €120,111 in funding to enhance the visitor experience at
Forest Parks in Louth.
The investment is part of a strategic partnership between the Department of Rural and Community Development and Coillte to maintain and manage existing trails in Coillte forests, and to develop new recreation opportunities.
Senator McGreehan said, “€60,000 has been awarded for works accompanying the completion of recent recreation infrastructure improvement works at Slieve Foye. There has also been funding awarded for general maintenance, fence repair, trail upkeep and the car park surface at Townley Hall and new signage and trail repair, bridge repair and support works at Ravensdale.
“There are so many hidden gems on our doorstep and I would encourage people to get out and explore them.”
Full details of the funding being allocated to projects for 2024 are available here.
Rhiannon Dolan takes to the track today in China.
Local Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan has
Coillte
Over 200 compete in the Sarah Fagan Women’s Lap of Louth
OVER 200 women and girls compete in the Sarah Fagan Women’s Lap of Louth
The much anticipated Women’s Lap of Louth in memory of Sarah Fagan rolled out on Sunday morning 18th August from DKIT Sports Centre in Dundalk.
From early on Sunday morning, the Women’s Committee of Cuchulainn CC together with an army of male members of the Club, assembled at DKIT to pull together the final arrangements for the much anticipated start at 10am. It was all systems go with the men despatched to their marshalling stations and to set up the food stops on the Cycle route. Others rolled up their sleeves to set up tables and arrange the food before the first eager cyclists arrived.
Meantime Gary Shiels, Paul Callan and the amazing volunteers behind the Louth Disability Cycling Group arrived to assemble their splendid collection of disability
friendly bikes and organise their excited members who were lined up to lead out the Cycle of almost 200 women and girls who came from all corners of Ireland who had registered.
The Sarah Fagan Women’s Lap of Louth has now been running for three years and last year was renamed in dedication to our beloved and stalwart member Sarah Fagan who tragically lost her life at a triathlon event in France. This event is also a flagship event in the Cycling Ireland Calendar as it aims to encourage women and girls to get on their bikes as part of their “Her Outdoors Week” .
The Cycle started promptly with the Louth Disability Cycling Group as guests of honour leading out the women and did a lap of the carpark. It created much joy for themselves and for the women cyclists who waved in awe at such an innovative project.
The cycle was a great
success all round. We were blessed with sunshine, happy women participants from all walks of life and of course being led out by our partner charity. Food, music and craic galore was had by all at the finish. The Report from Chief Marshall Ciaran Sheridan put the icing on the cake when he reported that the cycle was totally accident free thanks to the excellent marshalling. Everyone got home safely he reported including
two women who had a break in a pub enroute as well as doing some yoga on Anagassan Beach. Now that really topped a fun day for the girls and women who participated in the WLOL!!!
The Women’s Lap of Louth Committee also wanted to thank Caroline Kerley for her wonderful action packed photography on the day as well as their sponsors who include: DKIT Sport; Fyffes; Dole; The Cycle Centre;
Sr Briege McKenna returns to her routes in Faughart
SR. Briege McKenna, O.S.C. returned to Faughart Parish last weekend to speak to local parishioners about her extraordinary life to date. Sr Briege grew up in Thistlecross in Faughart and entered the Sisters of St. Clare at the age of fifteen. Following her final vows and after suffering for more than three years with rheumatoid arthritis, she was transferred to her community in Tampa, Florida with the hope that the Florida sunshine would relieve her suffering.
At the age of twenty-four, she claims she was miraculously and instantaneously healed during the celebration of the Eucharist and some time later
received, in prayer, the gift of healing for which she has become so widely known.
In 1974, again during prayer, she says she was given a deep spiritual insight into the mystery of the call to priesthood. Since then, bishops and priests in many parts of the world have
invited her to speak and minister at their retreats and conferences.
Sr. Briege ministered to priests in collaboration with Fr. Kevin Scallon, CM for over forty-two years until his death in June 2018. She is now working alongside Fr. Pablo Escriva de Romani, a priest of the Archdiocese of Madrid, also working as a missionary in Costa Rica.
Last weekend Sr Briege, accompanied by Fr Pablo and Dana took part in a weekend of prayer and celebration at Faughart Shrine and St Joseph’s church with hundreds of local parishioners taking part in prayer and a Eucharistic Healing Service.
Kelleher Insurances; German Salami Company; The Bike Station; Galibier; EK Fuels Ltd; Velo Revolution; Louth Local Sports Partnership; Grenade: Ronaghans Pharmacy; Byrnes Late Night Pharmacy; The Hair Shop. Meanwhile, Paul Callan from Louth Disability Cycling Group praised the organisers of the Women’s Lap of Louth for putting on a great event while thanking everybody in Cuchulainn
Cycling Club for their ongoing support.
“We were honoured to lead the race for the Women’s Lap of Louth and we thank Cuchulainn Cycling Club for their ongoing support. We had 11 bikes out for the race and everybody really enjoyed the event.
Cuchulainn Cycling Club raise money through various events such as this one each year and at the end of every year they have given us a donation which is always very well received. It allows us to purchase more trikes which allows for more kids with special needs to get out and enjoy a spin on the bike.
Cuchulainn Cycling Club also provide us with seven or eight volunteer pilots every week down in St Helena’s Park where we meet for a cycle every Wednesday evening. That initiative has been a huge success and we thank the club for their continued support. We will have to look for an alternative venue now
with St Helena’s Park closing for renovations but hopefully we can keep it going in the meantime as the kids really enjoy getting out for a spin on the bikes,” explained Paul.
“We’re very busy at the moment with the Sean Conlon Memorial Cycle coming up this Saturday morning and an Inclusion Louth event on Sunday. We also have a big event coming up in St Anne’s Park in Dublin on September 8th which is in conjunction with Irish Rail,” added Paul.
The final Wednesday evening event in St Helena’s Park (which is temporarily closing for refurbishments) takes place this evening between 7 and 8pm. Louth Disability Cycling Club have wheelchair bikes, trishaws (2seaters plus rider), chair bikes (single seat plus rider), single kids bikes and tandems for all ages. This is a service for anyone who would like a spin in the park but normally wouldn’t be able to walk long distances or are disabled.
Life saving device installed on Templetown beach
MICHAEL Muckian, Chairperson of Cooley Community Alert has thanked Cooley Credit Union for their generous sponsorship which will allow the group to get yet another defibrillator in the area. This life saying device is located at Templetown beach.
According to Michael the local credit union is at the heart of the community and Cooley Community Alert were delighted to partner with them on this initiative to add a defibrillator at the blue flag beach alongside Louth County Council who supplied and installed a secure unit for it. Access is controlled by the emergency services that give the code via 999 in order to ensure the use is monitored and device maintained.
Cooley Credit Union board member Elaine Harold presenting the check to our chairperson, Michael Muckian.
Sr Briege McKenna.
Some of the cyclists at the event with Vincent Fagan (brother of Sarah).
Louth’s ‘Brown Bull of Cooley’ structure returns home
THE iconic ‘Brown Bull of Cooley’ has returned to his home overlooking the M1 in County Louth following extensive repairs, Louth County Council have confirmed.
The Bull was removed from the roadside site through farmland adjacent to the M1, using heavy lifting equipment, in Autumn 2023 to undergo essential repairs. It was transported to a specialist stainless steel fabrication workshop in Ardee, where work to remedy weaknesses in the steel structure began.
The sculpture was specially cleaned with great care and the damaged 3mm bars and welds which had been broken were repaired and replaced with stronger 5mm bars in the areas where it had mostly weakenedaround the feet. These new steel bars were fitted in the same position as the original steelwork,
The iconic Brown Bull of Cooley sculpture has returned home.
to maintain its legacy.
A new stainless-steel base was also made and attached to the bottom of the feet and legs with strong stainless steel 10mm solid bars. Retaining the precise shape and design of the original bull sculptor was paramount in this detailed repair project. It was essential also to strengthen the sculpture around the feet and legs, to ensure the structure
can continue to withstand the elements. This strengthening and renewal will keep the Bull’s steel hooves intact in all weathers for many years to come.
The eye-catching structure has now been returned by Louth County Council to its original site along the M1.
Known as ‘An Tarbh Donn’, the stainlesssteel structure was
commissioned to mark the opening of the M1 outside Dundalk in 2005. The three-metrehigh bull was directly inspired by the ancient heritage of north Louth, and the Bull in the Táin Bó Cúailnge. It was positioned on a base looking towards the Cooley Peninsula and has become a unique Louth landmark over the last three decades.
Ukrainian refugee accommodation contract to be terminated
CARLINGFORD Adventure Centre will no longer house Ukrainian refugees with the government confirming that they are in the process of terminating a number of contracts for state funded accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine. Carlingford Adventure Centre began housing refugees in 2022 amid a backdrop of local protests with some locals expressing concerns about the number of refugees that were being brought into Carlingford.
The Department in charge of relocating Ukrainians fleeing from the war against Russia say they are now reducing the number of contracts in place specifically for people fleeing the war in Ukraine in order to return accommodation to the private sector which in the case of Carlingford Adventure Centre means tourism. This means that significant numbers of people who have been granted temporary protection in Ireland will be moved to other locations over the next months.
When asked by the Dundalk Leader what the plans are for the people
who are currently living in Carlingford Adventure Centre that are due to be moved a spokesperson for the department in charge of housing Ukrainians said every effort would be made to ensure they are able to stay locally but that no guarantees could be given.
“The Department is reducing the number of contracts for accommodation for people from Ukraine who are beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) for a number of reasons, including a decrease in numbers needing accommodation, compliance concerns, value for money and greater oversight of the portfolio.
“The Department cannot discuss individual contracts.
“In terms of moving
people, every effort is being made to keep BOTPs as local as possible. However, given the number of moves that are taking place, this is not always possible. People affected who wish to stay in the area are welcome to make their own arrangements, including through pledged accommodation. Due to the scale involved, the only factors that can be considered when allocating follow-on accommodation are HSE assessed medical needs.
“The Department appreciates that this is not easy for people and that moving location can be very disruptive, but at all times the Department was clear that Statefunded accommodation is temporary and subject to change,” concluded the statement.
Relics of St Bernadette
The Relics of St Bernadette will visit Ireland this Autumn and will spend some time in both St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, on 19th October and St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dundalk, on 20th October, 2024. A great opportunity for all with a devotion to St Bernadette to venerate the relics and give thanks to Our Lady for the gift of St Bernadette and Lourdes to the Church.
Upcoming Pilgrimages
Lough Derg: Sunday, August 25th. Bus will depart from the Friary Church, Dundalk, at 7.00 am sharp, Retreat on Island is €45. Phil: 0860638452Laurena: 0851833110. Lourdes: Departing Sunday, Oct 20th, returning Thursday, 24th, 2024. (Four nights, five days). Fare of €775 includes flight, full board in Lourdes A Rosminian father will lead pilgrimage as spiritual director. Everybody welcome. Kathleen 0429375281 – Mary 0861072222 – Laurena 0851833110.
The Sarah Fagan Women’s Lap of Louth
All pics courtesy of Caroline Kerley.
Local songwriters invited to take part in inaugural Drogheda Songwriting Festival
THE inaugural Drogheda Songwriting Festival,taking place on Sunday 29th September in The Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda, promises to be a day full of inspiration, collaboration and creation for songwriters of all levels.
The afternoon will have two Q&As, with guests Brendan Murphy (the 4 of Us) and folk singer Emma Langford, both hosted by Eurovisionwinning songwriter Charlie McGettigan.
These will be preceded by a morning full of workshops on themes such as Thinking Outside the Box, Story Songs and Improv Songwriting Games.
Throughout the day there will be spaces provided for songwriters to network and co-write with fellow participants, and then perform the fruits of their days’ labour at the gala concert which will close the festival.
The mentors hosting the workshops are themselves
also songwriters of critical acclaim – Suzanne Savage, SJ McArdle and Keith Burke –and they will be on hand at times throughout the day to lend a listening ear to anyone seeking outside perspectives on their work-in-progress.
Darren Flynn, festival coorganiser, explained the vision for the festival:
“We want to provide a space to the songwriting community in Ireland, to help more songwriters feel a part
Intercultural Football Tournament in Oriel Park this weekend
ORIEL Park will host the inaugural All-Ireland Intercultural Football tournament this weekend. The event will take place over two days with the action beginning at 1pm on Friday (August 23rd) until 6pm and on Saturday the tournament will take place from 1pm until 5pm. The football competition will consist of teams of people from multiple nations and will act as a celebration of the diversity in our communities.
The event will be hosted in collaboration by LASG (Louth African Support Group), SICAD (Somalian Irish Community Development Association), and FSPG (Future Stars Parents Group)”. The event is free of charge and all are invited to take part. This is an inclusive event promoting connections, unity and love in our community state the organisers of the event.
€686 for North Louth Hospice
of it, and to provide them with a few new tools to get the most out of their raw talent and inspiration. Think of it as an in-service training day for songwriters”.
This initiative is presented with the support of Droichead Arts Centre, Create Louth and the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO).
Early bird tickets are on sale now for €35 at https://bit. ly/drogsingersongwriter or on www.droichead.com
Brendan Murphy, Charlie McGettigan and Emma Langford will take part in the inaugural local songwriting festival.
The Dundalk Malayalee Community, which is an Indian Community Group living in Dundalk, recently organised a charity collection event in Muirhevnamore community centre which raised €686 for the North Louth Hospice.
Dismay over the closure of pharmecutical factory Wasdell
THE closure of pharmaceutical company Wasdell which will result in the loss of 220 jobs has been met with dismay locally. Louth
TD Ruairí Ó Murchú called the decision by the company to close ‘a massive blow to local workers and their families’. Meanwhile Dundalk Chamber said they hoped that the IDA or EI have identified potential companies who can utilise the modern facility with its trained workforce.
Wasdell’s asset, a 90,000 sqft pharmaceutical packaging and storage facility in Dundalk, has recently been acquired by PCI Pharma Services but the deal did not include the employees or Wasdell’s customers.
Deputy Ó Murchú said the loss of the jobs was a ‘massive blow’ to the workers and their families and urged State agencies, including the IDA, to ensure that the factory is not ‘moth balled and left to rot’.
He said: ‘This is a massive blow to the workers and their families who have given great service to this company and are now left facing unemployment. I am aware that there have been enhanced redundancy offers
made and I understand that many of the employees have already left the site, with the remainder to go by the end of this month.
‘‘All the arms of the State should be used to support those who are losing their jobs to find alternative employment and be assisted through this very difficult time.
‘The government must ensure that there is a ‘skills audit’ carried out on those who are being made redundant to ensure that their transition into other suitable employment is as seamless as possible.
‘The obvious macro issue is that Wasdell have only been here for a relatively short time and I believe there had been State agency engagement ahead of this announcement of closure.
‘I have sought an update from the IDA and from PCI Pharma Services about what is happening’.
Dundalk Chamber said the contribution made by the company during their short time in the town was significant and that their building must be utilised quickly by new employers.
“The Chamber has read with regret the closure of
Wasdell. While the company has only been here a few years its contribution to the town has been significant.
“The building and equipment are all less than 6 years old and therefore the fact that there has, based on press reports, been interest shown in the facility is welcome news.
“The Chamber will offer whatever support it can either directly or indirectly to the employees and all affected. There are other supports to enable retraining/ upskilling through DkIT and LMETB, both adjacent to Wasdell.
This closure will also have an impact on suppliers to Wasdell and we would ask members to support those companies as they adjust to a loss of business.
“Pat McCormick, President of the Chamber said that he hoped that the IDA have identified potential companies who can utilise this modern facility with its trained workforce.
Our PRO Paddy Malone has said that that the facility’s location on the MI Corridor offered an incredible opportunity to the right company,” stated Pat.
Alan’s purple patch continues
WEEK five of the Summer Series Of Darts saw the first running of the Thomas & Richard Callan Perpetual Shield.
The brothers both passed away too early in life and were well known, especially around the Lower End of town and the large attendance in a packed out venue was a setting for a great night of darts.
With 44 throwers on the night it was always going to be hard to call a winner from an early stage.
With it being the penultimate ranking event in the Series there was always going to be a lot of pressure on a lot of players to hopefully make the top 15 in the League and qualify for the Finals night.
The draw did a lot of players no favours as a lot of players who were hoping to go well on the night were handed tough draws with Ray Harte beating Darren Ludlow, Stephen Shields beating Aidan Conroy & John Kelly beating Eamonn Rogan and that was only in the preliminary round.
Conor Dunn was hoping to go well on the night but after early success on the night he would eventually be knocked out by Joe Roddy who was rolling back the years, throwing super darts on his way to a last 16 spot. He would later be eliminated by Alan Dullaghan who has hit a rich vein of form in recent weeks.
Probably the most watched game of the early rounds was Craig Callan v Cian Callan, the cousins had never played competitive darts but despite Cian hitting some big scores, missed doubles cost him victory as Craig would go through to the next round.
A few dark horses were starting to emerge from the pack and Stephen Smith, Fergal Shields & Simon Wykes all claimed notable wins on the way to a semi-final spot.
Joining them in the semi-final was Alan Dullaghan who after winning the previous weeks event was looking to claim another event.
Thomas and Richard Callan along with friends.
Simon and Alan both went through to the Final and Alan’s Purple Patch would continue and he would claim victory over Simon with both players throwing super darts all day and the standard of darts didn’t let up in the Final.
Next up is The Quigley Family Cup tomorrow night, 22nd August, it’s a Doubles event that hasn’t been played for in a few years but previous winners include some well known names in Tommy Dunn (R.I.P) & Daniel Dunn, Andrew Mackin & Dermot Ralph, Aidan Rice & Steve Mc Donald, the Mc Mahon brothers Noel & Michael, and also cousins John O’ Brien & Gerard McKeown.
Big thanks to all our Sponsors: 5’s Taxis, Mullens Roden Place, Gonnelly Signs, Northend Bar Ring A Drink,Shang Garden Chinese Takeaway Louth Village, Smashers, Bellurgan Engineering, Mulligans Fuel & Imperial Hotel.
Sr Briege McKenna visits Faughart
1 Her first hit single was released in 1987 with her hugely successful debut album topping charts all over the world a year later. Last Sunday evening she headlined the Electric Picnic main stage. Who is she?
2 What is the name of the system, used in computing, where numbers and values are expressed as 0 or 1?
3 What
4
5
10
Sr Briege addresses the congregation in St Joseph’s Church
Fr. Pablo Escriva de Romani.
Sr Briege with a local parishioner.
Dana with Sr Briege McKenna (All pics by Tommy Kerley)
Fr. Pablo Escriva de Romani and Sr Briege.
John Morgan with Sr Briege McKenna
FAMILY NOTICES
BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE IN MEMORIAM
McALESTER
John ‘Maxi’
In loving memory of John ‘Maxi’ McAlester, late of 125, Oakland Park, shose birthday occurs on 25th August.
Lonely is the home without you, Life to us is not the same, All the world would be like Heaven, If we could have you back again. Beautiful memories are treasured forever,
Of happy days when we were all together.
Happy Birthday Maxi.
—Always remembered by your wife Angela; sons Gerard, Sean, Mark, Micheal, Darren; daughters-inlaw, grandchildren, great-grandkids and brother Thomas.
For your birthday in Heaven. Still loved, still missed and very dear.
McALESTER
Your birthday is here, But you aren’t, I’d send a gift, But know I can’t.
So I’ll make a wish, Upon a star, To carry my love, To where you are. Missing you loads. —Lots of love from your Godchild, Charlene.
IN MEMORIAM
CONWAY
May and Dominick
In loving memory of May and Dominick, whose anniversaries occur around this time.
To me you were someone special, What more can I say, I only wish with all my heart, That you were here today. Mine is just a single prayer, That God will keep you in His care.
—From your Daughters, Sons, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren.
McCRORY
Martin 1st ANNIVERSARY
In loving memory of Martin McCrory whose first anniversary occurs on 22nd August.
August comes with sad regret, The day, the month, we won’t forget.
We never knew that morning, what sorrow that day would bring,
A heart of gold stopped beating and we couldn’t do a thing.
Loving you is easy, we do that every day,
Missing you is a heartache, that will never go away.
Dear Jesus, take this message, to our Martin up above,
Please tell him how much we love him and give him all our love.
—Forever sadly missed by his Mammy Marian, brother Jimmy, wife Eryn and daughter Leila.
IN MEMORIAM
NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
(Never Known to Fail)
Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me wherein you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (Say 3 times).Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (Say 3 times) Amen. M.McC.
NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART
Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail). A.D.
AN CHUIRT DUICHE
THE DISTRICT COURT
District Court Area of Dundalk District No. 6 Public Dance Halls Act 1935, Section 2 Notice of Application for a Public Dancing Licence Seamus Lambe, Chairman, Kilkerley Community Development Group Limited (Applicant)
TAKE NOTICE that I, Seamus Lambe of Newtownbalreagan, Kilkerley, Dundalk, County Louth, Chairman of the above mentioned Kilkerley Community Development Group Limited intends to apply to the District Court sitting at the Courthouse, Dundalk, County Louth on the 25th September 2024, at 10.30am for the grant of a Licence to use a particular place to with Kilkerley Community Development Group Limited premises situate at Plaster, Kilkerley, Dundalk in the County of Louth in Court Area and District aforesaid for Public Dancing.
Dated this 8th day of August 2024. Signed: Hamill Wallace & Hardy (Solicitors for the Applicant) 2 Demesne, Dundalk, County Louth.
To: The District Court Clerk, The Courthouse, Dundalk, County Louth.
And To: The Superintendent of the Garda Siochana, Dundalk Garda Station, The Crescent, Dundalk, County Louth.
And To: The Secretary, Louth County Council, Millennium Buildings, St. Alphonsus Road, Dundalk, County Louth, Being the Fire Authority for the purpose of the Fire Services Act, 1981, and being the Local Authority for the purposes of The Public Dance Halls Act 1935.
AN CHUIRT DUICHE
THE DISTRICT COURT
District Court Area of Dundalk District No. 6
Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1927 Section 12A
Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1960 Section 9
Notice Of Application For A Limited Restaurant Certificate Slieve Foy Construction Limited (Applicant)
TAKE NOTICE that the above-named Applicant Slieve Foy Construction Limited ,Slieve Foy Construction Limited of Beagan’s Business Park, Dundalk, Louth the holder of an on-licence in respect of the premises situate at Dundalk Road, Carlingford, Louth, A91 YY89 in court area and district aforesaid, intends to apply to the Court at Dundalk District Court on 10th September, 2024, at 10:30 for a certificate certifying that portion of the said premises, to wit: A91 YY89 is a RESTAURANT for the purposes of section 13 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1927.
Signed: Eleanor Kelly & Company (Solicitors for the Applicant) Solicitors, 10 George’s Street, Drogheda, Louth
Dated this 19th day of August 2024.
To the Garda Superintendent, at LCM.LouthNorth.CE@Garda. ie, Dundalk Garda Station, The Crescent, Dundalk, Louth, A92 DK46
To the Health Service Executive Official, at louth.peho@hse.ie
To the District Court Clerk, Dundalk District Court
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Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School
THE 13th Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School, held on 13th-14th August in Carlingford, concluded with a powerful exploration of current human rights challenges. The two-day event gathered scholars, activists, and commentators, offering a sobering yet hopeful examination of the global state of human rights amidst rising populism, racism, and authoritarianism.
In his opening address, Seamus Murphy, Chair of the Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust, set the tone with a reflection on the pessimism of the post-war baby boomer generation. He highlighted the “new reality” of declining human rights in the face of growing populism across Europe, the US, and the Middle East. Murphy invoked stark imagery, noting that the recent violence in Gaza and the far-right riots in Belfast had “shattered our sense of rules-based human progress,” drawing comparisons to the darkest periods of the 20th century. Despite this, he found hope in the global backlash against Western human rights hypocrisy, particularly among young people in the US and on the island of Ireland.
A highlight of the Summer School was an interactive session with prominent Israeli commentator and rights advocate Gideon Levy, who joined the event online. Levy expressed his despair over the ongoing violence in Gaza and the “permanent occupation” of the West Bank by Israeli settlers. He emphasised that the denial of Palestinian humanity by Israeli society and leadership rendered human rights meaningless. Levy called for a shift towards a one-state solution based on human rights, equality, and democracy, drawing parallels to the international
efforts that dismantled apartheid in South Africa. He also touched on the role of American youth in shaping future US policies on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite the failures of current leadership.
Professor Colin Harvey of Queen’s University Belfast emphasised the need to centre human rights in discussions about the future of Ireland. He stressed that these rights extend beyond political freedoms to encompass economic and social rights, arguing for enforceable rights at the grassroots level—house by house, street by street, and service by service. Monica McWilliams echoed these sentiments, lamenting the UK Government’s refusal to implement a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland as stipulated in the Good Friday Agreement. She recalled the repeated rejection of rights legislation during the pre-Troubles era, which, she argued, set the stage for decades of conflict.
Throughout the event, speakers underscored the complex interplay between human rights and governance. The Chief Commissioner of the Northern
Ireland Human Rights Commission highlighted the Commission’s success in using human rights law to challenge the UK Government’s “Illegal Immigration Act.” Niall Muldoon, Ireland’s Ombudsman for Children, questioned the prioritisation of inheritance tax cuts over critical funding for children’s mental health services, while Rachel Coyle of the National Women’s Council of Ireland criticised the recent rejection of constitutional changes affecting women’s rights. Coyle argued that Ireland suffers from “Implementation Deficit Disorder” despite its strong policies.
The challenges facing asylum seekers in Ireland were brought into sharp relief by Bulelani Mfaco of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI).
Mfaco debunked the notion that asylum seekers are drawn to Ireland by benefits or job prospects, explaining that most flee to the nearest safe country. He described the dire conditions in Ireland’s direct provision centres and the added trauma caused by anti-immigrant protests.
The Summer School also fea-
tured a thought-provoking play by Anthony Russell, “The Trial of John Mitchel (and his statue in Newry) before the Court of Human History,” performed by the Newpoint Players. The audience, acting as jury, debated whether Mitchel’s statue should remain in Newry given his known racist beliefs and support for the US Confederacy. In a surprising outcome, the jury voted almost two-to-one in favour of retaining the statue, with South African activist Bulelani Mfaco arguing that it could serve as an educational tool, highlighting the contradictions of history.
The event concluded on a philosophical note, with Turlough O’Donnell, Jury Foreman and facilitator, stressing the importance of dialogue over dialectic. He highlighted the significance of the Summer School as a space for meaningful discussion on human rights in a small, yet impactful, setting.
For more information on the Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School, please contact myself or gerry@mcalinden.eu.
St Olivers Church centenary celebrations
A WEEKEND Festival of Flowers featuring the work of renowned Dundalk landscape and garden designer Paul Martin and a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Eamon Martin will form the centrepiece of the celebrations to mark the Centenary of Saint Oliver Plunkett Church in Blackrock at the end of this month.
They will take place over the weekend of August 30 to September 1 coinciding with the solemn consecration of the church on Sunday, August 31 100 years ago, which by a extraordinary coincidence was five years exactly to the date when the foundation stone of the building was laid in 1919.
The Festival and Mass are the kernel of a weekend programme that also will include the celebration of a special Mass at the shrine in the parish dedicated to Saint Oliver at Ballybarrack on the Ardee Road on Thursday , August 29 at 7pm . A short talk on the life of the Saint will be given on the occasion by local historian Noel Sharkey.
The next day (August 30) the Festival of Flowers which will take place in Saint Oliver’s Church will officially begin with an Ecumenical Prayer Service in the Church at 2pm. Very Rev Canon Benedict Fee will impart a homily on the spiritual impact of Saint Oliver on the Irish Church.
The Festival of Flowers and Mass of Thanksgiving by Archbishop Eamon Martin on the Saturday, August 31 in the church will be the culmination of the celebrations, the plans and preparations for which are being overseen by a Centenary Group in conjunction with the Parish Pastoral Council, a task that is ongoing all this year and initiated even further back.
The parish is very fortunate and privileged to have obtained a designer of the stature of Paul Martin to put on the Festival of Flowers, the themes for which have been decided, and florists engaged. It will be open to the public from the Friday to the Sunday from 2pm to 6pm daily and is already generating a lot
of interest over a wide area. An information pamphlet has been produced to enhance viewers’ enjoyment of the festival
A public celebration will follow the Centenary Mass with a marquee hired and to be erected in the grounds of the church to host a reception for parishioners and invited guests.
A number of significant projects have been undertaken in conjunction with the celebrations, notably the funding of the construction of a new church in Brazil in the parish of Soa Felix do Xingu in the Amazon and the renovation of Our Lady’s grotto in front of the church. The combined cost of the two projects is projected to come to E25, 000.
To raise the funding the parish finance management committee are inviting parishioners and friends to sponsor a paving at the cost of E25 each.
Other integral features of the celebrations was the research, compilation and publication of book covering the 100 year history of the church, together with the design and creation of a Cen-
tenary flag and souvenir coin.
The flag has been flying outside the two churches in the parish since June when a ceremonial flag raising ceremony was held in the grounds of Oliver Plunkett Church to signal the start of the celebrations. The ceremony was conducted by pupils of Blackrock School which is named after Saint Oliver Plunkett and this year is the 125th anniversary of the opening of the school. Saint Oliver’s Church stands on an elevated site overlooking Dundalk Bay close to Blackrock village’s main street. It was solemnly consecrated on Sunday, August 31 1924, five years after the foundation stone was laid on the same date in 1919.
His Eminence Cardinal Logue presided at both ceremonies. The church was designed by Ralph Byrne, Dublin and built by James McAdorey & Son, Dundalk.
It was constructed with coarse limestone rubble with Newry granite dressing and green Cumberland slates at a cost of E18, 480.
The two day event included a talk about human rights challenges in the world today.
Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School
The Ramparts, Dundalk (formerly Martin's Garage)
