Digital Edition April 2022 Is 274 Vol 20
Young Female & Addicted Janet Devlin: “At 19 I was a fullyfledged alcoholic. It can go very south very quickly.”
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Contents
Going Forward: A New Challenge The Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on us, like it has on many other magazines, organisations and businesses globally. Unfortunately we are faced with a landscape that has irreversibly changed since the Big Issue first hit the streets in 1995. To meet this challenge Ireland’s Big Issue must also change. We have reluctantly decided, albeit with a heavy heart, to host the magazine digitally only for the foreseeable future. From now on, Ireland’s Big Issue will focus our support on the Irish Homeless Street Leagues. This volunteer-driven, non-profit has been using the power of sport to transform the lives of men and women who’ve found themselves affected by social exclusion all across Ireland north and south. By continuing to support the magazine online you’ll be helping to develop resilient individuals and stronger communities, connecting people and promoting equality and diversity, inspiring and motivating those affected by social issues and essentially giving people the confidence and tools to become the best possible version of themselves. We will also be adjusting the content to reflect the times we live in. We thank you for your support to date and ask that you continue to help us help those on the margins of society. This has always been our aim and shall continue to be our driving force. Digital Edition Contacts: Editor: Sean Kavanagh Ireland’s Big Issue Email: info@irelandsbigissue.com
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Talking Point: Why Aren’t We Protected by GDPR from Major Tech Firms? Our buyer behaviour is worth a lot of money to Google, hence the reason that highvelocity trading of our data for realtime ad auctions is under scrutiny in “the biggest data breach ever.” Sineád Dunlop reports.
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Irish Books that became Big Screen Hits In part-two of our series, Shaun Anthony looks at Irish books that have been successfully adapted for the Big Screen.
Page 22 Historical Issues: Terence MacSwiney The Hunger Strike That Commanded the World’s Attention, David Ross reports.
Page 30 Climate Anxiety
Letter to my Younger Self – Tony Kent Crime author and barrister Tony Kent takes on the challenge.
Page 8 Life on the Streets Daniel Knaus experiences the bleak days and rough nights of life on the streets.
Page 12 Young, Female & Addicted From the little pixie red-head who graced our screens with her hauntingly beautiful voice on The X factor to talking candidly about self-harm, mental illness, anorexia and alcoholism, Janet Devlin is helping thousands of young people, not only in Ireland but across the globe. Sam McMurdock reports.
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The disasters that never happened: how to sooth rising climate anxiety. Beh Lih Yi reports.
Page 36 Why Pop Music Breakup Songs Owe a Lot to the Lovelorn Lyrics of the Romantics. Breakup pop, whether it knows it or not, is marked by this Romantic inheritance. Anthony Howe reports.
Page 40 The Podcast Review We review some of the best new podcasts.
Regulars 20/21– Photo World 26/27 – Screen Scene 34/35 - Book Club
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Issues: Talking Point
Is this the Biggest Data Breach ever?
W
hy Aren’t We Protected by GDPR from Major Tech Giants? Sineád Dunlop reports.
Ireland’s ambiguous response to a serious security complaint filed against Google’s AdTech (Advertising Technology) the year the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into practice is the target of a new indictment that accuses the Data Protection Commission (DPC) of years of negligence over what the plaintiffs declare is “the largest data breach ever.”
and take action under the EU’s GDPR, but they didn’t. Due to Google’s EU operation being based here, the DPC has the chief task of seeing that it obeys Europe’s data protection law - no other EU enforcers can proceed until the DPC does its job so the DPC’s negligence in taking action on this complaint has allowed Google’s mammoth data breach to continue across the entire EU for 42 months - 42 months of our personal information in the hands of who knows who!
Google’s ‘Real Time Bidding’(RTB) system chooses what ads you see when a website or app loads. For those unaware of this term, RTB is a means by which advertising inventory is bought and sold on a perIs the Data Protection Commission’s existence even impression basis, worthwhile if they are via instantaneous not going to protect our programmatic auction, data? Commenting on similar to financial the suit, Liam Herrick, markets. With real-time executive director of bidding, advertising ICCL stated: buyers bid on an impression and, if the “We are concerned that bid is won, the buyer’s the rights of individuals ad is instantly displayed across the EU are in on the publisher’s site. jeopardy, because the When that ad pops DPC has failed to up on your screen for investigate Google’s that Joe Browns dress RTB system over three you just love or your and half years since favourite actor’s new film - that’s no coincidence - your first notified by Johnny Ryan [former AdTech turned personal information and browsing history says a whistleblower and plaintiff in the case] in 2018.” Why are lot about you. the major tech giants like Ireland’s data protection regulator Google calling the shots? Back to RTB, this all happens continues to attract scathing behind the scenes, and transmits the condemnation over its meandering aforementioned sensitive information about attitude to GDPR enforcement when it you to over 1000 other tracking companies in, quite comes to major tech giants. It should NOT be left up literally, a second. There’s NO controls in place over to civil society and individuals to file complaints to what those tracking companies do with this information. regulators as they drag their feet - or downright avoid the This contravenes the fundamental GDPR concept issue. Why have the DPC if they are not doing their job? that companies must safeguard personal data. Google Why have a string of serious complaints from systemic operates this felonious RTB system on literally millions privacy and consent abuses to location tracking violations of websites which transmits personal data to tracking not been dealt with? This is sheer incompetence. Why companies billions of times every day. are the major tech giants like Google calling the shots? Is the DPC incapable of regulating a powerhouse like The DPC received a complaint about Google’s RTB data Google? breach 3.5 years ago and they were required to probe Why are the major tech giants like Google calling the shots?
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Issues: Life
Letter to my Younger Self Tony Kent
E
ach issue we ask a well-known person to write a letter to their 16-year-old self. This issue, thriller writer, criminal barrister and former heavyweight boxing champion Tony Kent (44) whom you’ve probably seen on Netflix, Prime and Channel 5 where he appears as a criminal justice expert on a number of true crime shows has a word with his 16-year-old self. At the risk of seeming a bit smug - always the best way to start any article designed to introduce you to new readers: immediate alienation!! - I think there is only a single piece of life advice that I would give to my sixteen year old self. Everything else I would leave as is, mainly because I’ve seen ‘The Butterfly Effect’ and no way am I ending up like Ashton Kutcher in that movie. But this one change I would risk, because this one change - this one piece of advice - just can’t go wrong.
tempting as would be to turn to yourself and say ‘see, I told you so’, I would do my best to resist that urge in all but one respect.
‘Get yourself down to WH Smith’s’, I would say, ‘and buy a copy of The Day of the Jackal’. And if that skinny, awkward boy was inclined to listen to a much less skinny and slightly less awkward older version of himself, he would soon find himself enjoying the first and so far longest enduring ‘love of his life’. **Sorry, wife…**
Even before I was a teenager I was obsessed with film and with TV, with comic books and - a little more unusually back then, pre-the Marvel Cinematic Universe - with mythology. But, weirdly enough for a kid who became a writer, I was never really bothered with books. Or at least not with fiction books. I used to race through history and biography and even science, but the books on my school curriculum just did nothing for me. The result? Aged sixteen, I could not wait until the day when I would never have to read another novel.
Of course, what I did not realise back then was that it was never actually the medium that fascinated me. It was the story. I loved thrills and spills, action and suspense. I loved THRILLERS. I just did not For all the reasons I’ll know that thrillers existed Aged sixteen, I could not touch on later, I could not in book form. Novels wait until the day when I would never be happier with the way were, to my teenage have to read another novel. things progressed for me in understanding, the classics. the 26 years that have passed And at the risk of since that young age. And so I would do excommunication amongst other writers, my best to leave well enough alone; no mean feat for one the classics leave me cold to this very day. of Mother Nature’s born know-it-alls but, as I was lucky, then, aged 18, to trust my Mum when she 6
handed me a copy of ‘The Winner’ by David Baldacci and said ‘you MUST read this’. Because that book changed everything for me. It was fast paced and actionpacked, twisty and unexpected, gripping and just so very cinematic; like watching a movie that was playing out in my own mind. In other words, at least to me, it was everything that ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Wuthering Heights’ were not. I even found myself casting Hollywood stars of 1990s movies as the main characters! From that moment I was hooked; I can’t think of a great thriller I have not read at least once and I still kick myself that I did not start earlier. I’m happy to say it’s my only big regret in life, and so if I could kick-start that kid just a couple of years earlier. But as I’ve already said, apart from this one thing, I would let my sixteen-year-old self ’s future play out just as it did. Which, if you’d known me back then, might be a little surprising… To start, I was a geeky, awkward kid. Six feet two aged thirteen, I stopped growing upwards at that age and for the longest time it seemed like I wouldn’t grow outwards, either. I was a teenage beanpole with too many spots and with hair I would only remember to cut once it was in my eyes. God alone knows what a malcoordinated tragedy I must have looked from the outside but, luckily for me, the outside was never that much of a consideration; it never is when you live so completely in your own head.
archeologist. In reality I was a disaster. But I didn’t know that. I was perfectly content with my life and my own little world inside my impenetrable bubble, and the ridiculous level of utterly unearned self-confidence that I developed there has served me very well in life. It has left me - as a barrister - with the self-assurance to crossexamine world renown experts on subjects about which I know next to nothing. It has allowed me as a trial lawyer to have the assuredness to stand in front of a jury and speak for an hour or two, certain they are listening with rapt attention (even when their verdict suggests otherwise). And it is what gave me the self-possession to write my first thriller - ‘Killer Intent’ - when everyone told me the odds were against it ever seeing the light of day, and to keep writing that series at one book a year since then (including my new paperback release ‘No Way To Die’) despite there being way too few hours in the day to be both a thriller writer and a jury advocate.
I have my childhood to thank for everything I am and everything I have, because the sixteen-year-old me was the luckiest kid on Earth. He had the best Mum and Dad imaginable, a family who would support him and fight for It has left me - as a For my first ten years I was him through thick and the youngest of three boys, thin, and - even though barrister - with the self-assurance my two brothers being five there would be some to cross-examine world renown experts and four years older than teething trouble as he on subjects about which I know next to me respectively. They were learned to live in the nothing. both mature for their age and real world a little more they took up a lot of my parents’ - eventually he would have attention. The upshot was that I was left everything he ever wanted. to my own devices; my brothers had no interest in ‘the baby’ and my parents had their hands full. It was only No way would I risk any of that. Not for all the terrible when my sister came along when I was ten - and another Ashton Kutcher movies in the world. brother when I was twelve - that anyone really realised I was ‘a person’, and by that time I had fully embraced the * No Way to Die is available now in paperback (Elliott world of my very fertile imagination. & Thompson) from all good bookshops, online and on In my mind I was a superhero. A genius. A knight. A Audible. gangster. I was a spy. A stuntman. A scientist and an 7
Issues: Life
Life on the Streets D
aniel Knaus experiences the bleak days and rough nights of life on the streets.
“My fingers are numb, pale and chapped. I rub my hands together, but they don’t warm up. The skin just cracks more. The cold doesn’t just hit your lungs: it damages skin, bones and joints, too—and faster than I thought. My hands aren’t inflamed or bloody yet; I’m only on the streets for one night after all. I can go home again afterwards, unlike those in need who have to survive out here.” This is one writer’s experience of nights on the streets.
and humbled by the experience and gained a profound, physical understanding of a simple thought: every person should have a place to stay. I equip myself with clothing that’s supposed to be suitable—and make my first mistake straight away
I just need to dress warm, I think, to survive a cold night. But this is naive of me. Everything is more complicated on the The philosopher streets. After taking Diogenes used to my first steps through walk across market the hustle and bustle of Safety is fleeting and privacy is precarious for many homeless squares in broad Stuttgart’s Königstraße, people daylight holding I overheat and learn a lamp, shining my first lesson: those its light on the Athenians and crying, “I’m looking for who live outside are constantly sweating or freezing. They an honest man!” Nowadays, the socially wear the same clothes during the day I critical Diogenes wouldn’t have and at the night so that they’re not overheat and learn my to try hard to find figures even stolen and because their bags first lesson: those who live outside are always full. “You have to in the darkness: humanity shimmers under the streetlamps are constantly sweating or freezing. take them with you to every at night in our cities. If we look social appointment, even if closely enough, we will see not only you have to make several trips grief and longing there, but also strength. across the entire city. One of those in I wanted to look closely and learn what it’s like for the need explained to me in an interview. “ you can’t approximately 50,000 of my fellow human beings who just go and freshen up when you look like you’ve been live on the street here in Germany. I was crushed working out for five hours!” 8
Not being able to take off your clothes is no small But it suddenly jolts, and I jump forward. A warning: problem. Not being able to regulate your own body don’t lean on it! “Another running of the gauntlet today,” temperature can even kill you: your body cools down my friend Sven mutters. We find two metal seats instead. quicker when you’re wearing sweaty clothes. How do They’re cold and don’t let you relax. We look at the wall people endure such experiences? I look around. There’s in front of us as a stream of partygoers pass. Sven groans. a young man collecting donations in front of a shining He tells me that his headaches might be getting worse shop window: he’s wearing less clothing than me and because he can’t find any peace. “The city is made up of seems walls,” he says. to be “They block Autumn isn’t cosy on the streets, but brutal. Even the colourful foliage loses its beauty; getting out the heat, it blows damp into your face when you wake up himself but the nicer ready for walls also the night have alcoves ahead. for you to Tired, lie in.” Then but he frowns smiling, and starts he to prepare shares for the night some of ahead. He the skills wishes me he’s luck and learnt disappears on the into the street darkness. He with me. can’t show “Hiding me his hiding a couple place, of of things course. He is vital barely knows for me,” me. he says. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to get dressed properly. I drift from the station to the bridge to the I’m scared they’ll be found again and end up in the bin.” church to the station to the church We want to sit on a bench, but nothing is that easy on the streets
My third lesson: good sleeping places are rare. At first, I am surrounded by groups of men partying who are as revved up as their Bluetooth speakers. The Ferris wheel in Then the place becomes quieter. The moisture makes your Schlossplatz lights up the Draughty. The chill of the wind feet sore... night sky like a wheel blows the warm air from my skin. of fortune. In front of the This acrid weather kills homeless benches the rain has transformed people. Under a bridge, another person puddles into glimmering expanses of water, and people’s in need, Sarah, has a warning for me: “You can’t stay footsteps have created trenches in the ground. My second here,” she says. “You’re going to catch your death!” She lesson: those who live on the streets hardly ever get to stops beside me to catch her breath before going back rest; they’re constantly plagued by external factors, like out to seek donations from the public. “I just don’t the weather. “The snow almost did me in once,” my new know what to do if COVID gets worse,” she continues, friend laughs cheerfully. “The water is harmless here. concerned. “You need coins for everything, including the But you shouldn’t stand in it. The moisture makes your toilets. As a woman, I can’t pee outside, or men will be feet sore.” So, we look for a better place to rest. Council after me. It’s dangerous.” She tries to breathe in and out workers are cutting the trees. A digger seems to have evenly to help herself relax. been parked, so we put down our backpacks and lean I take Sarah’s advice and continue my search for our stiff shoulders against its tires. The world feels better somewhere to sleep. I feel sad after our encounter. Later, straight away! I push myself into a corner, but then someone comes over. It’s his corner. And he doesn’t want to negotiate. I 9
remember going to a performance of Molières’ The Miser during which the audience laughed at the wrong time, whenever a character was beaten. During the interval, I had gone outside. There, I saw homeless people sitting in a nearby bank branch and sleeping next to the heaters. The people wanting to withdraw money were standing right next to them. This image, viewed through a window as I stood outside, seemed to be the real socially critical piece of the evening. My perspective has been utterly changed The Ferris wheel is meant by becoming to symbolise optimism. one of those But can it? It doesn’t make people I saw the damp, cold nights any through the better for the homeless bank’s window. Now, I see those in need everywhere. A flock of birds flies through the night sky. Passers-by stop and exclaim “Beautiful!” Grey silhouettes circle in front of the blackness. I continue.
and future disappear. I now see being unable to take your shoes off for days at a time as a special kind of torture. If I had to keep going for longer, permanent damage would be inevitable. But who wants to take off their shoes in a situation like this? Who wants to be barefoot in the underpasses? It’s damp and cold, and there are shards of glass everywhere. But it gets worse! After limping through the park for only a couple of meters, the mud starts to stick to my shoes and trousers. I’m already dirty. I’m starting to fit the part of one of the city’s homeless in terms of my appearance, and I notice that stigmatisation has begun. Passing partygoers are looking at me; I must look worn out as I trudge past them in my parka with my backpack. But maybe I’m just imagining it.
My fourth lesson: the streets attack your selfconfidence. Cold, loneliness and fear mean that you look for a place The streets attack your I thought my shoes would to sleep alone in darkened self-confidence. Cold, loneliness fit corners with a lump in your and fear mean that you look for a throat and a queasy feeling in place to sleep alone My shoes turn out to be too tight your stomach. I dream of my for the conditions on the streets. My flat, wistfully. daily life suddenly seems as comfortable Your own flat is the promised land, as it is naïve. Now, the tops of my feet are squashed up where water and electricity flow against the toes of my shoes, I have blisters and a limp. I’m surprised to see that I’ve been drifting around for Here, in your comfortable paradise, hot water flows fifteen hours. The stress makes time pass quickly. The directly from the wall with just a flick of your wrist. present is meagre when you’ve got urgent needs. Past Pulling on a handle reveals an abundance of food. Even 10
the walls here are as friendly as concrete can be, they but I don’t have any more water. My change is all gone block out evil from every direction. Those who own after buying a pretzel. Where can I get some coins for the their own paradise toilet? I cut myself All photos by Daniel Knaus can doze, safe on some paper and warm, and and bleed on my synchronise their jacket. As the day thoughts with the trudges towards soothing hum of its end, I become their refrigerator. more and more Of course, even limp and dejected. these proud I encounter paradise owners more people and have to go out into learn about the the cold, but they strategies they use can return home for surviving. But to their own space it’s still easy for and relax after a me. I was rested day among people before I came out We humans think in roles. Everything changes once you’ve spent a few and noise. On the to spend a day on hours homeless. streets, however, the streets; I’d be noise from the day wrecked after a repeats itself as the noise of the night, and it continues month here. That’s when the real horror would begin. until it becomes noise of the day again; endless. And so it continues until someone gets sick because of being My most important lesson? We should help every person out on the stress, freezes to death or experiences terrible find a home. Housing first. violence.
Translated from German by Catherine Castling Courtesy of Trott-war / International Network of Street Papers
After a couple of hours in a clammy half-sleep, I get up off the pavement. My back stings. My lips are cracked,
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Issues: Interview
Young, Female & Addicted Janet Devlin - The Interview
F
rom the little pixie red-head who graced our screens with her hauntingly beautiful voice on The X factor to talking candidly about self-harm, mental illness, anorexia and alcoholism, Janet Devlin is helping thousands of young people, not only in Ireland but across the globe.
Flame-haired Janet Devlin hit the spotlight in 2011 when she competed in the eighth season of The X factor. As she sung those words, “It’s a little bit funny, this feeling inside I’m not one of those who can easily hide…”
chat post-documentary airing. Janet, you’ve the most hauntingly beautiful voice; when did you first realise, ‘I need to share my talent with the world’? “I never had that moment. Family and friends would tell me and eventually my best friend bought me a video camera for Christmas with the instructions ‘You need to upload videos of yourself singing to YouTube’, which led to me going on TV.”
We all realised we were witnessing a raw talent - a 16-year-old schoolgirl singing with such conviction it was difficult to fathom how she channelled such emotion given her young age and lack of worldly experience. Two years ago Janet posted a video on YouTube telling her fans she was a recovering alcoholic and has been clean since the age of 20. At the time she stated,
How difficult was it for you appearing on The X factor as a child? “I had a thing I’d do in my head, instead of performing in front of millions [14 million on the show views alone], I’d pretend I was just singing to the cameras and a few people in the studio [laughs].”
”I hit many rock bottoms, to be honest, but I kept digging. It’s not that I was ashamed but I never found the right time to say it.”
The BBC recently featured the evocative documentary film ‘Janet Devlin: Young, Female and Addicted’ in which When did you first realise you were struggling Janet talks about her own alcoholism, with mental health and how “Depression the effects on those close to her did you manage those was such a dirty word.” as well as interviewing other feelings in the early days, young women across the north pre-alcohol? who have struggled with alcoholism. The documentary should be a talking point in all homes with “I realised around 11. I started getting bouts of teenagers and certainly in schools as Devlin was brutally depression. I didn’t know what to do. There wasn’t honest in her account. I recently caught up with her for a discussion about mental health in those days. Depression 12
was such a dirty word. I tried my best to keep going. I dived deep into the internet to find somewhere I belonged as I certainly didn’t belong in school - I got picked on pretty hard. I think that’s why I fell in love with the online world, online gaming and all that kind of stuff.” You’ve selfharmed in the past. What advice would you have for any young people out there suffering in silence? “It’s a shock to a lot of people but there’s loads of people online who post graphic images online anonymously and a lot of people who’re suffering gravitate towards those platforms and share posts themselves, but my advice is - please avoid these parts of the internet like the plague - just don’t go there, it’s a deep, dark world and these people normalise self-harm and not in a good way.” When did you have your first drink and how long was it before you realised you had a problem? “AA
to your friends when you’ve a reason like I had, but its harder to say no when you just want to have a good time and you’ve nothing you’re passionate about. My advice would be - when everyone else is drinking, invest yourself in a hobby, something you love and put all your time and effort into that.” Were you surprised so many young women struggle with alcoholism and do you think females are more ashamed of having a drink problem? “I think I was surprised there were so many young women. I’ve been in recovery for a good couple of years now and I see more older women, like women who’re seeking help after their kids have fled the nest and gone to university. Sometimes mums have extra time on their hands and turn to the drink.” Do you think reality TV does enough to protect young people competing? “My experience was I had to ask for help - it was never explicitly said on the show that ‘Hey, if you’re struggling, we have resources you can access,’ but I got to breaking point during the show and ended up reaching out to one of the people who look after us and they quickly got me seen by a doctor and a psychiatrist, so the help was there - you just had to ask for it. I wish shows would make it clearer to contestants that help is there.”
meetings changed my life...”
“I was 15 and it was fine at the start like most things. About 19 I was a fully-fledged alcoholic. It can go very south very quickly.”
There’s a culture of binge-drinking here - kids who think they can’t have a good time without their Buckfast and cheap cider, but how do we help teens stop when ‘everyone’s doing it’? “All my friends went to the park and got drunk at the weekends. At the time I didn’t drink - I was the only one who didn’t in my circle as I had a hobby I was passionate about - I did my horse riding and competed at the weekends so I didn’t want to drink. It’s easy to say no 13
What made you get sober? “I had no clouds parting or a miraculous day but I fell back into drinking one weekend, started doing the same
things, making myself unavailable, not turning up for work and stuff and my mum actually flew over and marched me straight to the doctors. She made me go. It was a place I’d been to before - a government scheme to manage people’s drinking, but they were full and a manager slipped me in. My mother made me go to the AA meetings - these meetings changed my life and my mother keeping me accountable was a huge part of that.” What are your coping tools now? “Going to therapy is my coping tool. I have to have a psychiatrist, which is an expense I wish I didn’t have [laughs] but because I have Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Type 2 I need to be in regular
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therapy and I need someone who challenges my thoughts and actions. Establishing a team around you is incredibly important. What advice would you have for anyone feeling suicidal? “A suicidal person feels like a burden, that the world is better without them. I always called The Samaritans hotline and that helped me a lot. I would advise anyone to call The Samaritans, tell your doctor. There’s no shame. Please don’t feel like a burden - there’s help there.” Any advice for 16-year-old Janet? “I’d love to show her videos of all the laughs and fun I’ve had and tell her that would be missed out on if she took her life. I’d tell her life IS worth living. I’d tell her to stop taking everything so seriously. Not everything is life or death. Available on BBC iPlayer: Janet Devlin: Young, Female and Addicted’“
The Communications Workers’ Union will continue its work through the ‘RAISE THE ROOF’ campaign until everyone in Ireland has a place to call home. For more information on the work that the CWU does, both as a trade union and within wider society, please visit us at: www.cwu.ie
CWU Ireland
@CWU
Issues: Film
Irish Books That Became Big Screen Hits I
n part-two of our series, Shaun Anthony looks at Irish books that have been successfully adapted for the Big Screen.
The Quiet Man (1952)
finally paved the way to turn the project of Walsh’s short story into a motion picture
In 1952 John Ford made his film The Quiet Man, based on the story of the same name by Listowel native, Maurice Walsh. The original tale appeared in The Saturday Evening Post nineteen years earlier. As soon as Ford read the story he was hooked and decided he just had to bring the romantic tale to the big screen, and bought the rights from Walsh on 25th February 1936. Initially it was purchased for a meagre $10 - but on the same day, the price hiked to $2,500 and in 1951 Walsh received an additional $3,750.
The long period of time between acquiring the rights and making the film produced a breathtaking transformation from the original. What had been, in essence a romantic story, appropriately printed just before Valentine’s Day, of a man’s quest to win the love and respect of his feisty wife was revamped in Frank S. Nugent’s screenplay and direction by Ford. Cinematographer Winton Hoch’s extravagant photography of the Irish countryside complimented the storyline beautifully.
The Quiet Man movie contains all the aspects that Sadly, bringing the story to the masses was more difficult mark Ford’s work: a poetic, deeply felt sentiment for than originally envisaged due to World War II and the an unregainable past, for tradition and unsettled economics of the movie industry, The ceremony, for Ireland and its emigrant which provided huge obstacles to Ford bloodlines, for the affinity within Quiet Man movie in finding a financier for the film. Having already secured Maureen contains all the aspects that community, and for the heartfelt yet changeable bond of marriage. O’Hara and John Wayne as his mark Ford’s work… Set in the 1920s, The Quiet Man leads, he agreed to a deal with tells the story of Sean Thornton Republic Pictures: he would make three (John Wayne) an Irish-born American who has movies, one of which had to be a Western, and then travelled to his birthplace of Innisfree to claim his family he would receive financing for The Quiet Man. The farm. Although warmly embraced by the residents of Western was the now classic Rio Grande, and its success 16
the village, Thornton isn’t welcomed by the acerbic landowner, Squire Will Danahan (Victor McLaglen) who objects both to the turnover of the land, and to the handing over of his sister Mary Kate’s (Maureen O’Hara) dowry to the man whose community stature now threatens his own. What follows is a confrontation with custom and with the personal past, all before an unforgettable extended brawl sprawling the entire countryside of Innisfree (this scene was an official selection of the 1952 Venice Film Festival).
traditionalist working-class family when she refuses to reveal the father’s identity. In 1993 Roddy Doyle wrote the screenplay for The Snapper movie. The surname Rabbitte had to be changed to Curley as 20th Century Fox owned the rights to the Rabbitte name from The Commitments in 1991 (which featured the same characters). Having read the book and watched the movie at the time, I imagined the book would be difficult to improve upon, but Doyle really brought his characters to life on screen and adding in the familiar locations around Dublin including Raheny, Kilbarrack, The original story was excellent, well-written and Ballybough, Dún Laoghaire and The Old Shieling Hotel atmospheric, but Ford definitely really added a sense of authenticity. In …there’s brought the tale to life by fact, after watching the film, some hilarious scenes where casting Maureen O’Hara I read the book again as he studies up on childbirth and the female and John Wayne as Mary in many ways, it really Kate Danaher and Sean anatomy - with satisfying results for his wife as a improved (in my opinion) Thornton respectively; the book too. fringe benefit!. the supporting cast were also excellent and the film Tina Kellegher (fantastically) really illustrated the peculiarities of played the role of Sharon Curley, the Irish, country life, especially when viewed by an outsider young woman expecting a snapper (baby). The book and like American, Sean Thornton. film both illustrated beautifully how a family, no matter how seemingly dysfunctional to outsiders It’s no surprise that the film was a huge come together and inspire strength and financial success, grossing almost $4m in its unity. Colm Meaney was excellently cast first year alone. It’s one of those films that as Des, Sharon’s father and there’s some is always welcome viewing. hilarious scenes where he studies up on childbirth and the female anatomy - with satisfying results for his wife as a fringe benefit! The Snapper (1993) As widespread speculation mounts in the area as to the father’s identity, Sharon concocts a story that a Spanish sailor got her pregnant - but of course the father of her baby is much closer to home.
The Snapper, published in 1990 was the second novel in Roddy Doyle’s critically acclaimed Barrytown Trilogy and tells the story of unmarried 20-year-old Dubliner Sharon Rabbitte’s pregnancy and the unanticipated effects it has on her
The book was gritty and so was the film as much of Doyle’s work usually is. 17
The film however did not have a wide theatrical release – with it been made for TV but it did gross over 3 million at the box office.
by the shoulders for her annoying passivity sometimes. In 2015 the book was adapted to film - directed by John Crowley and written by Nick Hornby. Saoirse Ronan was outstanding in the lead role (when isn’t she?) and despite feeling like shaking her into action whilst watching the movie, I think the film captured the character perfectly. To be fair the film is generally perceived as a faithful adaptation of the novel with even Tóibín noting the overall “authenticity” of the film in an interview with The Washington Post. The film however notably diverges from the book in regards to its ending. In the novel, Eilis leaves Ireland, but her destination and ultimately her fate is left for the reader to decide. The film, however, gives Eilis a poignant reunion with Tony in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn (2015)
In 2009 Colm Tóibín won the Costa Novel Award for Brooklyn and The Observer named it as one of “The 10 best historical novels.” The book, published by Viking tells the story of Eilis Lacey, a young woman who can’t find employment in Ireland and so moves to New York after her sister arranges a meeting with Catholic priest, Fr. Flood who tells her of the amazing employment opportunities in the Big Apple. Lacey moves to Brooklyn and gets a job in a department store whilst taking night classes in The film had a budget bookkeeping. Initially, of $11m and took in Eilis hates the city $62.1m at the box office and the repressive alone. boardinghouse, run by the strict Madge Kehoe - not to mention battling severe homesickness, however, that soon changes when Lacey Young Cassidy (1965) falls in love with an Italian plumber named Tony Fiorello at a local Friday night dance. The course Rod of love never did run smoothly and Taylor stepped in to the Based on Seán O’Casey’s Eilis is called back to Ireland role when original choice, Sean autobiography Mirror in after her sister dies. Eilis my House (the umbrella marries Tony and rushes back Connery: had to drop out because of title under which the six to Ireland - but soon realises scheduling conflicts with the James autobiographies he published that the Emerald Isle holds Bond movie Goldfinger from 1939 to 1956 were her heart much tighter than she republished, in two large volumes, realised. Will she stay and build a in 1956), the biographical drama was the life with Jim Farrell, the boy she never 1965 film directed by John Ford (the movie was initially liked but takes a shine to on return - and what happens directed by Ford who had already directed a movie when a busybody discovers she’s actually married. version of The Plough and the Stars in 1936 but fell ill, Tóibín’s story was excellent, both dramatically and six weeks into production). Only four minutes and five historically - even if you do feel like shaking Eilis Lacey 18
seconds of the footage shot by John Ford ended up in the finished movie. Jack Cardiff took over directing the film with Rod Taylor, Maggie Smith and Julie Christie starring. The movie began production in 1964, changing his name in the film to John Cassidy. O’Casey had read earlier drafts of the movie, and gave his approval to the script, as well as to the choice of lead actor (Taylor). Rod Taylor had actually stepped in to the role when original choice, Sean Connery had to drop out because of scheduling conflicts with the James Bond movie Goldfinger.
and is surprised when W.B. Yeats, the founder of the Abbey, accepts and produces his new play. The opening of the play causes the audience to riot, and he loses many friends; but he is undeterred and is soon acclaimed as Ireland’s exceptional young playwright.
The film, set in 1911 and based on the screenplay by John Whiting tells the story of the growing protest against British rule in Ireland. Young Cassidy (Seán O’Casey) is a manual worker by day and a pamphleteer by night. ....he loses many friends; but he When the circulars he is undeterred and is soon acclaimed as Ireland’s has written incite uproar, exceptional young playwright. Cassidy fathoms he can do more for his people with the pen than with the sword. He writes a new Rod Taylor and Maggie Smith play, The Plough and the Stars, which he presents to the Abbey Theatre (which had already declined another of his plays, The Shadow of a Gunman) 19
Sadly O’Casey died shortly before production on the film finished. The film had a budget of $1m, which was a fortune in those days. ‘Young Cassidy’ although an enjoyable film was not a big commercial success, it was always going to be difficult to translate so much of O’ Casey’s life into a 107 minute movie. Warner Home Video released Young Cassidy to DVD on 6 September 2012 via the Warner Archive DVD-on-demand system available through Amazon.
Dunmore East. Ireland. Yachts moored in the bay near the popular coastal town of Dunmore East, Co Waterford.
Issues: Historical
Terence MacSwiney
T
he Hunger Strike That Commanded the World’s Attention, David Ross reports.
One hundred and two years ago we were in the midst of the War for Independence. British rule was being challenged constitutionally by Sinn Fein and physically by the IRA. Terence MacSwiney’s hunger strike was one of the longest (to this day) on record. His act of peaceful protest was so powerful, it drew global attention and inspired other world leaders fighting for independence, including Gandhi.
Education
MacSwiney was educated by the Christian Brothers at the North Monastery in Cork but had to leave at the age of 15 as the family were struggling financially. Despite having to pull his weight as a a breadwinner, he was a voracious “I have decided reader and became the term of my an accountancy imprisonment…I clerk. He would shall be free, alive also continue his or dead, within a formal studies and month.” Terence MacSwiney at the end of his courteventually obtained a place at the Royal University martial on 16th August 1920 when sentenced for 2 (whilst also working full-time), graduating with years. a degree in Mental and Moral Science in 1907. During his university years Terence “It helped establish the Celtic Literary is not those who can Background Society and the year after inflict the most but those graduation founded the Cork Terence MacSwiney was born who can endure the most who Dramatic Society and wrote on 28th March 1879 in North will conquer.” several successful plays for them Main Street, Cork and was one including The Last Warriors of of eight kids born to an English Coole and The Revolutionist. mother (with Nationalist leanings) Mary and father John, born and raised in Cork. Terence’s parents had met when he as a teacher in London but Political Activism the pair came back to Cork and he opened a tobacco factory. The business failed eventually and John Terence began writing political pamphlets and emigrated to Australia in 1885 leaving Terence and distributed them and founded a newspaper, Fianna his brothers and sisters in the care of their mother. Fáil, in 1914, but it was suppressed after only eleven 22
issues. This led to the newspaper Irish Freedom asking him to pen articles for them. Friends and colleagues described MacSwiney as “a very sensitive man”, “a sensitive poet” and “an academic”. The Irish Republic Brotherhood got in touch after they read his pieces in the Irish Freedom and he was a democratically elected Sinn Fein representative and commandant of the Cork IRA Brigade. In April 1916, he was intended to be second in command of the Easter Rising (in Cork and Kerry) but stood down his forces on the command of Eoin MacNeill.
Imprisonment After the rising, Terence was imprisoned by the British under the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA). This Act gave the British government wide-ranging powers whereby they could make regulations creating criminal offences. DORA heralded a variety of autocratic social control mechanisms, (sounds similar to what Russia is doing at the moment) like censorship for example,
married Muriel Murphy, of the famous Cork brewing family. In the 1918 General Election MacSwiney was returned for Mid-Cork, and took his seat for Sinn Fein in the First Dail Eireann. He carried out much organisational work and raised funds for the Dáil Loan, organised nationally by Michael Collins, Minister for Finance. After the murder of Lord Mayor of Cork (and good friend) Tomás Mac Curtain on 20th March 1920, MacSwiney gave an oration at his graveside in Irish, telling the assembled mourners that Mac Curtain’s work would be continued and he would be replaced - as no matter how many were killed, others would step in and continue the work. MacSwiney (40) was referring to himself as within seven days he’d taken Mac Curtain’s place at the centre of political life in Cork, becoming commander of the Cork No 1 Brigade and Lord Mayor of Cork.
In his first address to the corporation He “No person shall by word of mouth of the city he paid homage to his knew he was risking or in writing spread reports likely to cause disaffection a slow, lingering death, and murdered friend and gave the prophetic statement, or alarm among any of His he was ready for it. He even Majesty’s forces or among the thanked God… “It is not those who can inflict civilian population.” the most but those who can endure the most who will conquer.” MacSwiney was interned in the Rising’s aftermath, in May 1916, and would spend the remaining 4 years of his life in and out of jail. He was imprisoned in Wakefield, moved to Frongoch, known as ‘The University of Revolution,’ and finally to Reading, remaining there until December 1916.
On his return to Ireland he again became active with the Cork Brigade of the Volunteers and was interned from February to June 1917, during which time he
MacSwiney, like Mac Curtain before him had a very idealised view of the war, believing the IRA should concentrate on large scale offensives, like barracks attacks rather than assassinations; this led to strained relations between him and other members of the Cork IRA - led by Sean Hegarty who viewed the war, in what some would term, more realistic terms. Hegarty preferred small ambushes and assassinations 23
which played to the IRA’s strengths - whereas in larger actions, their rudimentary training and lack of experience would show.
“Add to all that the continued mental strain of seeing his wife, sisters and brothers daily. This, while a comfort in one way, was a great distress in another, for it made him see and think of the sorrow of parting from them, and the suffering they were themselves undergoing. … But he never complained, never flinched. He knew he was risking a slow, lingering death, and he was ready for it. He even thanked God for giving him the chance of a long preparation for death….”
MacSwiney Arrested The new Lord Mayor was soon seized in Cork for having, what they described as, “seditous articles and documents”, and a cipher key. He was instantly tried and sentenced to two years in Brixton Prison in England. He immediately started his hunger strike to protest against his unlawful arrest.
MacSwiney’s Hunger Strike Gains the World’s Attention
Word was spreading in America about Terence’s hunger strike Terence and Muriel MacSwiney holding their and the daughter Máire British were threatened with a boycott of British goods by The Hunger Strike Americans while several countries in South America pleaded with the Pope to step in. Demonstrations were held across Europe. Hugh Mahon, an On 12th August (the day he was imprisoned in Cork) Australian member of parliament was thrown out of Terence joined the prisoners there who had started the Australian parliament for “seditious and disloyal the 1920 Cork Hunger Strike a day previously, (and utterances at a public meeting”, after objecting to the stated, British Government’s behaviour. A fortnight later the “If only a few are faithful found, they must be the Spanish Catalan organisation Autonomous Center more steadfast for being but a few”) however, when of Employees of Commerce and Industry (CADCI) he was transferred to Brixton Prison in the UK sent an appeal to the British PM calling for his days later, he continued his hunger strike there. The release and the newspaper of the organisation, Acció British Government issued a statement, started a campaign for Terence. MacSwiney and Ireland’s cause tore at the heartstrings of the world ”….the release of the Lord Mayor would have and sparked riots on the streets of Barcelona, caused disastrous results in Ireland and would probably lead workers to down tools on the New York waterfront, to a mutiny of both military and police in south of and prompted mass demonstrations from Buenos Ireland.” Aires to Boston. Fascinated by MacSwiney breaking all previous records for a prisoner going without Throughout his time in Brixton Prison his good food, the international press afforded the case so friend, Fr Dominic OFM, aided MacSwiney. Fr much coverage that Ireland’s War of Independence Dominic wrote extensively about his time with him, was suddenly parachuted onto the world stage, and and was constant in his praise: King George V was considering over-ruling Prime 24
Minister Lloyd George and enduring a constitutional crisis. Nutritious and hunger-inducing foods were left beside MacSwiney frequently to coax him to halt his hunger-strike. Female relatives were brought in to plead with him. When this failed, moral suasion was used by the prison GP, Dr William Davies Higson. Higson discussed the morality of his conduct with him but stated that Terence said that the matter had been fully considered by the Church, and that it had been decided that his death would be a “sacrificial” one and not “suicidal “otherwise he could not have been given the blessing of the Church, the Sacrament by the priest.”
his coffin directly to Cork, and his funeral in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne on 31st October attracted enormous crowds. Arthur Griffith gave the graveside oration as his body was laid to rest in the Republican plot in Saint Finbarr’s Cemetery in Cork
Although the hunger strike failed to achieve its aim - that of MacSwiney’s release, his death was a huge turning point in the War of Independence. MacSwiney’s sacrifice changed the way the public here and around the globe viewed the struggle for independence, in fact, MacSwiney became a symbol of Ireland itself, so in many ways, his death was a triumph in the struggle for “I am independence.
As his wife, brothers and sisters confident that my kept daily vigil around his bed in Brixton Prison, watching death will do more to smash Of course, MacSwiney’s success his strength ebb away minute the British Empire than my inspired other generations of by minute, MacSwiney’s fast Republicans over the years to release.” had Michael Collins preparing sacrifice their own lives - but reprisal assassinations. never again to such a victorious outcome, probably because MacSwiney was a On 20th October 1920, MacSwiney fell into a coma public servant at a time when the war was reaching and died five days later after 74 days on hunger its climax, and one of the first to carry a hunger strike. He was one of three prisoners to die during strike through to its conclusion, therefore his cause the hunger strike along with Joe Murphy and achieved a greater urgency and impact than any Michael Fitzgerald. Speaking from his prison cell, other hunger striker. prior to his passing, MacSwiney declared, MacSwiney’s essays were collected in ‘Principles of “I am confident that my death will do more to smash Freedom’ (1921), which inspired countless political the British Empire than my release.” leaders over the years, including Nehru and Gandhi. Thirty-thousand people viewed his body as it lay in St. George’s Cathedral in London. Frightened of huge demonstrations in Dublin, the authorities diverted 25
Screen Scene The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey ****
Act of Union *** Starring: Various individuals (personal accounts) Streaming on: TG4 Catch-Up Available to stream: Currently
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Dominique Fishback. Run Time: 6 x 60 mins Streaming on: Apple TV+
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (based on the novel of the same name by Walter Mosley) stars Samuel L. Jackson as Ptolemy Grey, an ailing man forgotten by his family, by his friends, and by even himself. Suddenly left without his trusted caretaker and on the brink of sinking even deeper into a lonely dementia, Ptolemy is assigned to the care of orphaned teenager Robyn, played brilliantly by Dominique Fishback. When they learn about a treatment that can restore Ptolemy’s dementia-addled memories, it begins a journey toward shocking truths about the past, present and future. A heartbreaking depiction of the cruel illness, dementia and Jackson brings his character to life beautifully. Worthy of setting time aside for.
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Directed by Neil Clerkin. A documentary on the conflicting narratives of the Northern Ireland troubles, consisting of newly filmed revelatory interviews cut alongside archive footage. Contributors are from various backgrounds and of unique lived experiences; former IRA volunteers, Loyalist paramilitaries, Crown Forces, victims/ survivors, investigative journalists, politicians and various activists etc. The documentary explores interpretive frameworks, trauma and resolve, 100 years on from Ireland’s partition - at a time when the pursuit of reunification has been growing increasingly stronger.
Along for the Ride *** Starring: Emma Pasarow, Andie MacDowell, Dermot Mulroney. Streaming: Netflix Run Time: 106 mins Available to stream: 22 April. The summer before college Auden meets the mysterious Eli, a fellow insomniac. While the seaside town of Colby sleeps, the two embark on a nightly quest to help Auden experience the fun, carefree teen life she never knew she wanted.
Doineann ***
Based on the YA novel of the same name by Sarah Dessen, I’m certain this will be the next big teen romcom as its written and directed by Sofia Alvarez who also adapted the highly successful, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
Starring: Peter Coonan, Bríd Brennan, Seán T. O Meallaigh Streaming: TG4 Run Time: 94 mins Available to watch: Currently Tomás is a successful television producer. Specialising in investigative journalism, over the years he has made many enemies in Dublin’s criminal underworld. In search of peace and quiet, he and his wife Siobhan take their baby son Oisín to their holiday home on a remote island off the north-west coast of Ireland. There they keep to themselves, avoiding interaction with the islanders.
Moon Knight ** Starring:Oscar Isaac, Ethan Hawke, May Calamawy. Streaming: Disney+ Run Time: Varies Available to stream: Currently
Love Actually****
Early one morning, Tomás receives an urgent call from work and must return to the mainland, leaving Siobhan and Oisín on the island. Later that day he returns to find that they are both missing and, in desperation, seeks the help of the island’s retired policewoman, Labhaoise. With warnings of an approaching storm, Labhaoise organises a search party of islanders. The next morning they make a grisly discovery – but it is not what they expected. Meanwhile, the storm is getting ever-closer to the island. Exciting!
Starring: Hugh Grant, Martine McCutcheon The series follows Steven Grant, a mild-mannered giftStreaming: Prime shop employee, who becomes plagued with blackouts Run Time: 129 mins. and memories of another life. Steven soon discovers he has DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt. Not for everyone!
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Issues: Football
Football Association of Ireland Celebrates its Centenary
F
ans celebrate as team earn creditable draw against top opposition Belgium in Centenary match.
For all football fans Saturday was a day to celebrate move forward, but if Saturday’s match is anything to go as Ireland by the future produced President of the FAI Gerry McAnaney presents a Centenary medal to Sean Kavanagh in looks bright an excellent recognition of his services to football. for Irish performance Football. to draw 2-2 against the As part World’s top of the ranked team Centenary Belgium. celebrations After years Street of turmoil League within the founder and association Big Issue it was a editor Sean fitting way to Kavanagh celebrate its was centenary. presented with a Sitting in the Centenary Aviva it was medal to thrilling to recognise his experience services to the buzz, the football. excitement and passion of the fans as they responded to the While accepting the award he was keen to emphasise that team’s performance. The atmosphere was electric and the Irish Homeless Street Leagues (IHSL) is a reminded me of time’s past on the terraces team effort and without the help and ...it’s of Dalymount Park in 1974 when support of many people both on the sense of pride in Ireland defeated Russia 3-1 and and off the field of play none giving it your best shot, and not Landsdowne Road when we beat of it would be possible. been stifled by a lack of confidence Holland 1-0 to qualify for the or ambition... World cup in 2004. This is what Our Homeless World Cup the game is all about, memorable coach Thomas Morgan was moments, the team and the fans together similarly awarded for his role as supporting each other and giving it their all, win Captain of Ireland’s under 20s side that or loose it’s the sense of pride in giving it your best shot, won Bronze in the World Under 20s Championships in and not been stifled by a lack of confidence or ambition. 1997. This is what has been missing from Irish football for so long. No doubt there will be more ups and downs as we 29
Issues: Environmental
Climate Anxiety T
he disasters that never happened: how to soothe rising climate anxiety. Beh Lih Yi reports.
When Typhoon Haiyan smashed into the Philippines in 2013, killing more than 6,000 people, everything was wiped out on the tiny island of Tulang Diyot, with all its 500 houses destroyed. But early warnings and a swift evacuation just before the storm struck saved the island’s entire population of 1,000 people, from one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever, which left a trail of destruction across the Asian country. Now some experts are pushing for more recognition of such efforts to avert disasters, or at least their worst effects - which they say would help the world prepare better for accelerating climate change impacts and ease rising eco-anxiety.
leading scientists recently warned in a new UN report that climate change losses are becoming hard to avoid and will likely worsen.
Too much bad news? From searing heat to floods and drought, global warming is affecting the world faster than anticipated and on a more intense scale, according to the flagship report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Approved by 195 governments, the report urged policymakers to step up initiatives to adapt to more extreme weather and rising seas, and to limit the vulnerability of their people.
“People don’t highlight it when ‘nothing happens’, but even if nothing happens, it is in itself extraordinary,” said David Lallemant, a disaster risk expert at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU). “These are invisible (successes). We want to change that; we want to bring visibility,” he said.
“We Climate change has also have to be careful not “adversely” affected mental to cause too much fear among health, from the stress of rising heat and trauma the young people. The fear should from weather disasters be targeted towards decisionto loss of livelihoods and makers..”
From retrofitting schools to withstand earthquakes to installing irrigation that saves crops from drought, Lallemant said there have been many effective early interventions that should be lauded but have gone largely unnoticed by the public.
culture, the IPCC said, in its first formal acknowledgement of the growing problem.
Recognising these achievements is crucial to encouraging policymakers to invest in similar measures, he added, as 30
Despite the bleak outlook, the head of the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned against creating more “apocalyptic fears”, especially among
younger generations.
“We spend all our time thinking about disasters - it’s quite depressing,” said Lallemant, who is also a principal investigator at the Earth Observatory of Singapore, a research centre focused on natural hazards.
“We have to be careful how we communicate the results of our science, tipping points and when we talk about the collapsing of the biosphere and the disappearance of mankind,” said WMO SecretaryGeneral Petteri Taalas.
“But there are a lot of things that we’re already doing all over the world in addressing some of our disaster and climate risks. The problem is we never heard about it,” he added.
“We have to be careful not to cause too much fear among the young people. The fear should be targeted towards decision-makers,” he told the approval meeting for the IPCC report. The broader negative narrative around climate change could be balanced partly by showcasing more “averted disasters”, especially in news reports that are often dominated by catastrophes, said NTU’s Lallemant. He and a team of researchers have been studying how disasters would have cost far more lives and damage without anticipatory action - and trying to quantify the benefits.
‘Multiple truths’ A growing mental health crisis linked to climate change - often dubbed “eco-anxiety” - has come under the spotlight in recent years, from heat-linked suicides in
Mexico and the United States to people who fear the future is too uncertain to “But have children. there are a lot of things
They found that when Cyclone Fani struck the state of Odisha that we’re already doing all over on India’s east coast in 2019, To help combat this, the world in addressing some of more than 10,000 deaths discussions around were prevented thanks to a our disaster and climate risks. The climate issues should hold prompt evacuation of coastal problem is we never heard about “multiple truths together”, communities and some 9,000 said mental health specialist it...” shelters built during the previous Emma Lawrance, who studies two decades. the phenomenon at Britain’s Imperial College London.
In Nepal, a seismic strengthening of schools that started in 1997 is thought to have saved hundreds of lives when a massive earthquake struck in 2015, killing some 9,000 people overall.
This would include showing both better and worse future paths in messages aimed at spurring action and optimism.
None of the 300 retrofitted schools under the programme collapsed or needed major repairs, according to the researchers.
“If coupled with hopelessness and powerlessness, climate anxiety may worsen our mental health and wellbeing, and hamper our ability to act,” added Lawrance.
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Other advocates argue that giving more recognition to averted disasters could push policymakers - in both developed and developing nations - to increase investment in disaster prevention measures, and to do so sooner rather than later.
“So how do we incentivise that? The benefits should be quantified as early as possible,” said Rabonza. “If we just shift our perspective a little bit, we can take advantage of the lessons from positive actions and not only ... the failures in disasters,” she said.
The IPCC report estimates that 3.3 billion to 3.6 billion people live in places that are highly vulnerable to climate change, including Africa, South Asia and small island states.
Courtesy of Reuters / Thomson Reuters Foundation / International Network of Street Papers
But many developing countries are struggling financially to adapt to the pressures of a warming world, as wealthier nations responsible for most past carbon emissions have fallen short on commitments to provide finance to help the poor and vulnerable. Maricar Rabonza, a disaster risk researcher also from Singapore’s NTU, said elected politicians are often reluctant to make bold moves as positive results could take years to become evident - by which time most of them are no longer in office.
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Proud Supporters of Ireland’s Big Issue & Homeless Street Leagues
Wishing all my constituents a Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year
Wednesday 27th April.
Issues: New Book Releases
Patricia Scanlan’s Book Club
P
atricia Scanlan was born in Dublin, where she still lives. She is a #1 bestselling author and has sold millions of books worldwide. Her books are translated in many languages. Patricia is the series editor and a contributing author to the award winning Open Door Literacy series.
This issue, Patricia brings her favourite books of the moment. Secrets And Styes - Gerard Smith - Choice Publishing “I was seven the summer I travelled to Ireland with my brother and sister. Determined I was, to discover the identity of the tall-man, a ghost who appeared to Dad when he was my age - making Dad proud was a priority. Soon upon arrival, the whispering started. Hushed voices hinted of harmful secrets. Secrets that threatened to derail my search for a ghost I had to find, whatever the cost. Secrets and Styes is a coming-of-age memoir, set in an Ireland many think has long gone. But no, remnants always remain.” We are told in the blurb for this remarkable memoir. I came across Gerard Smith on Twitter when he posted the thread below. It touched thousands of Tweeters who read it, myself included. After 30 years in London, I’m moving back to Ireland. Clearing through my flat, I’m feeling reflective and feel the urge to tweet about my Dad. I need to talk about my Dad, and finding Happiness. Like many Irish youngsters of the 50s, Mum & Dad travelled to England to find work. Dad found work on the building sites, Mum found work as a Nurse. Then they found each other and married. They had my brother & sister, and after almost a decade they had their baby – me. I wasn’t like my brother. He was fearless & football mad. I was fretful & football frightened me. I was curly headed and often mistaken for a girl, “She’s a bonny one Sean, how old is she?” As I got older, this bothered me. But Dad always did his best to deflect and shield me from the misgendering. At the age of 10 Mum and Dad decided to return to Cavan with me. My brother and sister remained, as they had jobs. I sobbed throughout the night on the boat, and more so on the bus to Cavan. Cavan was a universe away from the Manchester Council estate I’d come from. There were no brown or black people, and I sounded different from the locals. Kids laughed at my accent, not in a cruel way, but I didn’t realise that, then. My Cousin’s (Dad’s brother’s sons) were all rising up the ranks of Junior GAA. I wasn’t. I felt deeply ashamed for letting Dad down. I wanted him to feel the pride in me that his brother’s were feeling for their sons. But Dad wasn’t bothered, “Come on son, Crossroads on.” When I got into Dublin’s National College of Art & Design, I’d say my Dad was the proudest man in Ireland. I was the first in our family to enter into 3rd Level Ed. Mum & Dad toiled to ensure I graduated. Dad died in September last year. He knew he was dying. I was in denial – we hadn’t been given a diagnosis for his illness, so I held onto tight delusional hope. My last living moments with him were in the magnificent house he built, us both sitting silently looking out over the Cavan countryside. He was frail and speaking tired him, so his words, his voice were rare. I was returning to London. When my taxi arrived I noticed Dad steel himself, getting ready to say something he’d rehearsed. At the door he inhaled, “Son, I hope you find happiness.” They were his last words to me. And you know something; I don’t think he ever called me ‘Gerard’ I was always his ‘Son.’ I treasure that. And so, Gerard’s unforgettable memoir, and tenderly travelled journey with his dear dad, idolised sister Maria, and family, was birthed. And what a triumph it is, as he writes about his 7-year-old self and a special summer in Ireland. Hilarious, and deeply poignant it will resonate with everyone who has left our shores and returned home changed, yet still the same. Secrets and Styes is evocative and beautifully written and will touch readers to their core. I loved it. 34
The Green and White House: Ireland and the US Presidents - Lynne Kelleher - Black & White Publishing Intimate, complex, long-lasting: the links between Ireland and US presidents extend much further and deeper than JFK. From Andrew Jackson in 1829 to Woodrow Wilson in 1913 and Joe Biden in 2021, Ireland’s sway in the White House is hugely significant. Handwritten letters, weatherworn tombstones, shipping records and even an old desk unlock the ancestral secrets of 23 presidents. Spanning the centuries from covered wagons to the American Revolution, the birth of the Irish Republic to JFK’s heady glamour, The Green and White House takes in political machinations and the firebrands who pushed for freedom, justice and peace for Ireland. For centuries, Irish emigrants crossed the Atlantic by boat, but an intense diplomatic bromance has seen American commanders-in-chief returning to remote Irish villages via Air Force One and armoured limousines. Incredible stories spring from these presidential visits. High-tech phones are installed in an ancient cemetery while an Aran cardigan is treated like a hostile device. Anti-personnel nets produce a bumper catch of salmon, but a Secret Service gun is lost then found amid a jubilant crowd. Each homecoming – always conducted with a twinkle in the eye – turns local people into international media darlings. But this transatlantic courtship, forged over the unearthed mysteries of sprawling family trees, has secured Ireland an annual invite to the White House – something no other nation can rival. The Green and White House takes a wry look at the special relationship one tiny nation shares with the world’s greatest superpower. An absolutely fascinating read.
Twelve Secrets – Robert Gold- Sphere Ben Harper, true crime journalist, is about to unravel his most shocking story yet . . . his own. The day his older brother was murdered was the day Ben Harper’s life changed forever. In one of the most shocking crimes in national history, Nick and his friend were stabbed to death by two girls their own age. Police called the killings random, a senseless tragedy. Twenty years on Ben is one of the best true crime journalists in the country. He has left the past behind, thanks to the support of his close-knit hometown community. But when he learns about a fresh murder case with links to his brother’s death, Ben’s life is turned upside down once more. He soon finds himself caught in a web of lies, one that implicates everyone around him. And on his quest for answers, Ben discovers one very important truth: Everyone has secrets. But some secrets are deadlier than others.
Trespasses – Louise Kennedy - Bloomsbury Circus One by one, she undid each event, each decision, each choice. If Davy had remembered to put on a coat. If Seamie McGeown had not found himself alone on a dark street. If Michael Agnew had not walked through the door of the pub on a quiet night in February in his white shirt. There is nothing special about the day Cushla meets Michael, a married man from Belfast, in the pub owned by her family. But here, love is never far from violence, and this encounter will change both of their lives forever. As people get up each morning and go to work, school, church or the pub, the daily news rolls in of another car bomb exploded, another man beaten, killed or left for dead. In the class Cushla teaches, the vocabulary of seven-year-old children now includes phrases like ‘petrol bomb’ and ‘rubber bullets’. And as she is forced to tread lines she never thought she would cross, tensions in the town are escalating, threatening to destroy all she is working to hold together. Tender and shocking. Trespasses is an unforgettable debut of people trying to live ordinary lives in extraordinary times. Immersive, raw, honest and tender, this superb debut novel will linger long in the mind of readers. 35
Issues Arts
Why Pop Music Breakup Songs Owe a Lot to the Lovelorn Lyrics of the Romantics
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reakup pop, whether it knows it or not, is marked by this Romantic inheritance. Anthony Howe reports.
The Romantic poets defined, in many ways, the cultural concerns of the 19th century, and remain vitally influential to this day, most notably in modern music, from Jacques Brel to Adele. The Romantics were preoccupied by lost states of innocence and the darkness we risk in trying to recover paradise. Breakup pop, whether it knows it or not, is marked by this Romantic inheritance. Taylor Swift’s recently rerecorded and released 2012 album Red is a discombobulating affair for those interested in the singer’s relationship status. ‘Treacherous’ and ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ build into the earworm magnum opus ‘We are Never Ever Getting Back Together’. But this is pop, not tragedy, and Swift’s “never ever” starts to take on a “never-saynever” tinge. The Last Chance Saloon has revolving doors and the next track is ‘Stay, Stay, Stay’.
come. It’s the breakup song to break your speakers. Breakup songs express big, universal feelings. 1. Please don’t go 2. You’ve gone and the world is broken 3. You’ve gone, thank God, and we are never ever ever…
Lord Byron was the original breakup artist. [National Portrait Gallery, London, CC BY-NC]
We can all get on board, which is why there are so many successful breakup songs with equally or more successful cover versions. Sinead O’Connor, with unscripted tears rolling down her cheeks, turned a song from a Prince side project (Prince and the Revolutions) ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ into a breakup classic. Jacques Brel’s ‘Ne Me Quitte Pas’ (‘Don’t Leave Me’) has been reworked by, among many others, Nina Simone, Shirley Bassey, Sting and Barbra Streisand.
Also no stranger to breakup songs, Adele’s latest album, 30, takes relationship disintegration Brel is a modern to the next level. Like Fleetwood Mac’s representative of the French 1977 Rumours, this is a full breakup chanson tradition, a poetic style of album, charting the singer’s songwriting that can trace its The titan of Romantic lockdown divorce, her guilt at origins back to the medieval disappointment (and wine abuse) the effect of this on her son, period. He bridged the was Lord Byron, another great and the prospect gap, along with artists such breakup artist. of picking up the wineas George Brassens and Léo stained pieces. It is raw, straightFerré, between popular music through-your-bullet-proof-vest stuff. and serious literature. They were Songs like ‘To Be Loved’ make you feel every latter-day Romantics, growing up on the hangover, every ugly cry, every vocal cord nodule to writers Lamartine, Vigny and Victor Hugo. 36
Mourning the Loss of Childish Innocence
as long as Adele’s), a young daughter he would never see again, and his half-sister Augusta, with whom he had an intense, and probably incestuous, relationship. His always-fragile emotional world was shattered, and he wrote about his feelings in some of the most powerful, but also complex, breakup lyrics in the English language.
The Romantic poets defined, in many ways, the cultural concerns of the 19th century, and remain vitally influential to this day. They were preoccupied by lost states of innocence and the darkness we risk in trying to recover paradise. Breakup pop, whether it knows it or not, is marked by this Romantic inheritance. The serial breaker-upper is an idealist, forever searching for a heaven on Earth that is either lost or withheld.
Love may sink by slow decay, But by sudden wrench, believe not, Hearts can thus be torn away
In ‘I Drink Wine’, Adele recalls that: When I was a child, every single thing could blow my mind, Soaking it all up for fun, but now I only soak up wine.
Every ‘We will never ever...’ has a ‘Stay, Stay, Stay’ B-side because the wrench is never clean when sudden.
Being a grownup is a permanent state of mourning for the enchanted consciousness of childhood. Repetition of the experience wears away what William Wordsworth, in his ‘Immortality Ode’, calls the “visionary gleam”. As a child, his world had been “apparelled in celestial light”, but no longer.
Byron’s breakup lyrics are not always what they seem. His poems to Lady Byron are canny public relations exercises with a nasty side.
Like Taylor Swift and Adele he was a major celebrity who knew the world was fascinated by his personal life. By taking control of the narrative in the public sphere, he Wordsworth sought to compensate could limit the damage to his reputation and for the lost “gleam” through his deflect from his undoubted culpability Romantics were lifelong enthusiasm for the in the affair. In the end, he realised preoccupied by lost states of natural world. Nature can that acceptance was the best policy. still save us, if we accept the Heaven is for the young and should innocence... shadows that build with age: not bear repetition: “To me the meanest flower that blows can give / Thoughts that do often Could I remount the river of my years lie too deep for tears”. But not everyone is in a position to To the first fountain of our smiles and tears make such sensible commitments. The serial monogamist I would not trace again its stream of hours seeks a lost paradise pathologically, in a series of echoes, Between its outworn banks of withered flowers. in diminishing returns. Other Romantics took the path of But bid it flow as now – until it glides chemical obliteration – Coleridge’s opium, Adele’s cases Into the number of the nameless tides. of rosé. Even if he could go back to the start he wouldn’t. The Byron the Breakup Artist flowers only bloom once, so attend to the part of the journey you still have left. If Adele ever does 35, perhaps The titan of Romantic disappointment (and wine abuse) it will be a more Zen affair. was Lord Byron, another great breakup artist. Courtesy of The Conversation / International Network of When Byron departed England for the final time in 1816, Street Papers he left behind a disastrous marriage (that lasted about 37
s e k o Because laughter is J the best medicine!
One day, an old lady went to the shop to get some food for her dog. When she got to the counter to pay, the cashier said she needed proof that the old lady had a dog because some old people have been known to just eat the animal food themselves. So she went home and got her puppy, brought it to the store and purchased the dog food. One week later, she went to get some cat food. Once again the cashier needed proof that the old lady had a cat. So she went home, got her cat, came back and purchased the cat food. Two weeks later, the old lady walked into the same market to buy something. She held a bag in front of the cashier and told him to put his fingers in the bag and then smell them. When the cashier did this he said, ‘It smells like poop!’
1. A man walks into a library and asks the librarian for books about paranoia. She whispers, “They’re right behind you!” 2. I couldn’t figure out why the cricket ball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me. 3. I saw a movie about how ships are put together. It was riveting. 4. A man walks into a library and orders a hamburger. The librarian says, “This is a library.” The man apologises and whispers, “I’d like a hamburger, please.” 5. My teachers told me I’d never amount to much because I procrastinate so much. I told them, “Just you wait!” 6. Why were they called the Dark Ages? Because there were lots of knights.
The old lady replied, ‘Can I buy some toilet paper now?
This is the transcript of the ACTUAL radio conversation between the British and the Irish off the coast of Kerry, What kind of jewellery does the Easter October 1998. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Bunny wear? Operations 10/10/2001. Carrot Gold What do you call the Easter Bunny the day after Easter? Eggshausted
IRISH: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the South, to avoid collision. BRITISH: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the North, 38
to avoid collision. IRISH: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees South to avoid collision. BRITISH: This is the Captain of a British navy ship. I say again divert YOUR course. IRISH: Negative. I say again. You will have to divert YOUR course. BRITISH: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER HMS BRITANNIA! THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE BRITISH ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH. I SAY AGAIN, THAT IS 15 DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP. IRISH: We are a lighthouse - your call. What happened to the Easter Bunny when he misbehaved at school? He was eggspelled! How many Easter eggs can you put in an empty basket? Only one. After that it’s not empty anymore!
A Little Bit of Irish
Phrase:
Translations:
Pronounciation:
Comhghairdeas
Congratulations
Co-gair-djas
Níl agam ach beagáinín Gaeilge. I speak only a little Irish Kneel ah-gum ock byug-aneen gayle geh Cad is ainm duit?
What is your name?
Coad iss annim dwit
Ta an aimsir go halainn inniu The weather is beautiful today Taw an eyeim-shur guh haul-inn inn you Ta me i gcruachais.
I need your help
Tah ih grew-kuss
Gle mhaith!
Very good!
Glay moth
Taim i gcruachais anois
I need your help now
Tah-imm ih grew-cuss ah-nish
Word Power Word
Pronunciation
1. Multifarious muhl-tuh-fair-ee-uhs 2. Quotidian kwoh-tid-ee-uhn 3. Solipsism sol-ip-siz-uhm 4. Travesty trav-uh-stee 5. Recalcitrant ri-kal-si-truhnt 6. Neurodivergent noor-oh-di-vur-juhnt 7. Largess ahr-jes 8. Inveterate in-vet-er-it 9. Convivial kuhn-viv-ee-uhl 10. Sesquipedalian ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee- uhn 11.Liaison lee-ey-zawn 12. Bastion bas-chuhn
U score? How did YOPerfection!6-9 – 10 or more t. Brillian ne. 3-5 Well do o better. d t s 0-2 Mu
Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Having many different parts/elements/ forms. Daily. The theory that only the self exists. A grotesque or debased likeness or imitation: a travesty of justice. Resisting authority or control/hard to deal with. Atypical neurological behaviour and development like autism. Generous bestowal of gifts. Settled or confirmed in a habit, practice or feeling. Friendly, agreeable. Given to using long words. An illicit sexual relationship Fortification, a fortified place.
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The Podcast Review W
e source the best selection of podcasts each issue. This time we bring you Dolly Parton’s America, The Irish Passport, American Radical and You’re Wrong About.
Dolly Parton’s America (Easy listening)
as to what happened to her. But also to find closure on why she headed down that path in the first place.
In this intensely divided moment, one of the few things everyone still seems to agree on is Dolly Parton—but why? That simple question leads to a deeply personal, historical, and musical rethinking of one of America’s great icons. Join Dolly Parton’s America for a 9-episode journey into the Dollyverse.
You’re Wrong About (Educational) Each week on ‘You’re Wrong About’, journalists Sarah Marshall and Michael Hobbes select a major historical moment – say, the OJ Simpson trial – and analyse why it’s been ‘miscast in the public imagination’. The results of this podcast are invariably fascinating and surprising.
Hosted by Jad Abumrad.
The Irish Passport (Topical) Irish culture and current affairs with the historical backstory that explains it all. Presented by journalist Naomi O’ Leary and lecturer Tim Mc Inerney, each episode, from ‘Churchill versus de Valera’ to ‘Ukraine and Ireland: A Shared History’ will keep you captivated.
How to: Search “Google podcasts” in the Play Store app (if you’ve an Android phone).iPhones comes with Apple podcasts app installed. Open the app and type in the name of the podcast you want or you can just browse categories whilst there.
American Radical (Conspiracy Dangers) Journalist Ayman Mohyeldin got a phone call from his old high-school friend asking him to cover his sister in law’s death. She was one of the victims at the capitol riot. American Radical takes you through how Rosanne Boyland got entrenched in conspiracy theories that led her to that fateful day. The family, led by sister Lana, is seeking the truth 40
D is c o u n
t Corne
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Is í ár dteanga féin í. It’s our language.
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