April may 2008 newsfour

APRIL / MAY 2008

NewsFour Free Community Newspaper serving Sandymount, Irishtown, Ringsend, Docklands, Ballsbridge and Donnybrook Web: www.news4.ie • E-mail: newsfourscs@eircom.net • Local Newsdesk: Phone 6673317

UNDER 10s WIN WORLD CUP IN LIVERPOOL

NO SUMMERTIME BLUES HERE! Minister John Gormley clarifies some local and national environmental issues on page 4

Star of the Sea Church gets much praise in our letters page for its welcoming atmosphere on page 8

A

team of young boys from Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount have won the 2008 Solar Travel World Cup in Liverpool this year. They are our own Cambridge boys Under 10 A1 Squad.

The competition took place on Good Friday through to Bank Holiday Monday. Eleven local boys and ten fathers went along to Liverpool the City of Culture for 2008.

There were teams from Norway, Dublin, Galway and Cork to name but a few of the 60 teams who entered. The under 10s had a group A and group B with St. Pascallʼs, Lourdes Celtic and

H UGH L ANE

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Burford in the A league and Ballyfermot, Lourdes and Ash Celtic in the B league.

In the semi-finals Cambridge played Ballyfermot and it was a 00 draw until the Cambridge boys stepped up in penalties and won it 4-3. In the final, Cambridge scored an OG with two minutes left but then Eric Reynolds Doyle scored for Cambridge. It was decided on penalties and the score was 4-3.

Also not to be forgotten are the under 11s Cambridge team who lost one and won two and made it through to the semi- finals which they won with a convincing 7–1 scoreline but sadly lost on penal-

CELEBRATES

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ties in the final.

The boys received their medals in Hobblerʼs End on Sunday 6th of April. They are David Lane, Thomas Groves, Gavin Boland, John Lee, Andrew Neville, Dean Gannon, Darragh Smith Byrne, Sean Rimmer, Adam Kavanagh, Eric Reynolds Doyle, Jordan Stone, Ryan Brophy and James Yuxon. Charlie Murphy of Dublin Port spoke warmly of his association with Cambridge Boys.

Thanks and congratulations to the managers David Doyle and Edward Richardson and Coach Thomas Quinn. It was an educational and rewarding trip and a great achievement for the boys.

Ion Anghel is the man with the red mobile coffee dock.

He also rescued a man from the Liffey!

See page 21

Desmond Soon is Young Docklander of the Year and an upand-coming member of Clanna Gael. See pages 32-33

YEARS

he Hugh Lane Centenary Exhibition promises to be one of the galleryʼs headline exhibitions in 2008. It starts on 26 June and runs until 14 September. It sees the gallery display all 39 paintings in the original Hugh Lane bequest for the first time since 1913.

Gallery opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sundays 11am to 5pm. Entrance to the permanent collection is free and there are occasional charges for temporary exhibitions.

Left: The Hugh Lane Gallery. Right: ʻLes Parapluiesʼ by Renoir.

Marie McAuliffe, who was born in 1908, died recently.

There is a full tribute to her on page 11.

PAGE 2

NewsFour Managing Editor Ann Ingle Advertising Manager Grainne McGuinness Office Manager Miriam Holmes Staff Brian Rutherford Fergal Murphy Audrey Healy John Cavendish Nessa Jennings Stephanie Morris Louise Hanrahan Contributors Michael Hilliard Derek Buckley Shay Connolly James O’Doherty Christy Hogan Brian Kelly Derek Charlie Bowden Maurice Neligan Magdalen O’Connell Noel Twamley

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

The Editor’s Corner

Summer is upon us and we have exciting news for young people interested in water sports. Surfdock in Grand Canal Dock have offered 12 places on their summer camp valued at €225 each. To be in with a chance, all you have to do is take a photograph that captures the concept of the Grand Canal Basin, Surfdock or watersports in general and send it in to us by hand or email (details on page 35).

Thank you so much to all you crossword enthusiasts for your entries in our last competition which I thought was somewhat harder than usual. My good friend Maureen Smith was the winner and, no, it wasnʼt a fix. This time our crossword is much easier so I hope we will have lots of contestants for the €25 gift voucher from Easons.

I have just finished reading ʻJulius Winsomeʼ, reviewed on page 29. It is a strange, beautifully

written book and one that I would recommend. We have our usual diverse selection of articles in this issue with John Cavendish keeping us up-to-date on community events, Fergal researching the ongoing situation of our local bus service (page 5) and Stephanie writing about one of the few remaining corner shops (page 9) in the area. If you have any stories, pictures or poems you would like us to include please get in touch.

The little poem ʻThink Againʼ featured on our Poetry Page (page 31) is one that my mother often quoted. It is so easy to judge others and speak imprudently: better to ʻhold your whist to cool your porridgeʼ as Maureen Potter used to say.

See you all at the end of June and enjoy whatever fine weather comes our way in the meantime.

Ann Ingle

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Web Designer Andrew Thorn Photography John Cheevers Design, Typesetting, Layout Eugene Carolan Community Services, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.

Telephone: (01)6673317 E-mail: newsfourscs@eircom.net

A Social and Natural History of Sandymount, Irishtown and Ringsend, first published in 1993 and The Roads to Sandymount Irishtown and Ringsend, first published in 1996 are now available From ʻNewsFourʼ, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 and ʻBooks on the Greenʼ, Sandymount Village.

Affiliated to Comhairle, South-East Area Network, (SEAN) Local History Research, Community Resource Service, NewsFour Newspaper, FÁS Community Employment Programme.

SHELBOURNE PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LTD Swimming in Sportsco

We have a Swimming Session Every Sunday Morning from 11am to 1pm in Sportsco.

Price: €35 per 3 Month Session or €5 for one Swim.

Children under 3 years are FREE! This Swimming Session is open to any one who wants to join. It is not just confined to people living in the Sth. Lotts Rd. area.

For further Info just call over any Sunday between 11am & 1pm.

Ask for Mary or Billy.

NEW CITIZENS INFORMATION CENTRE Dublin 2, 4, 6 Citizens Information Service have opened an outreach service in the Ringsend Community Centre in Thorncastle Street.

This service will be available on Thursdays from 9am to 1pm.

This is a free, confidential and non-judgemental service providing information, advice and advocacy on your rights and entitlements.

Ringsend Active Retirement Association Retired with time on your hands?

Opinions expressed in News Four do not necessarily represent the views of Community Services.

The Bath Avenue and District Residentsʼ Association would like to thank all the local shops and businesses who supported the Senior Citizensʼ Christmas Party, pictured above. Special thanks also to LRSDC for their sponsorship of the party.

Why not visit us at the CYMS in Ringsend any Tuesday to Friday from 2.30 pm New members (men and women) always welcome

Our address: NewsFour, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend Phone: 6673317 • Email: newsfourscs@eircom.net Visit our website at: www.news4.ie

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 3

T HE G REENPEACE

By Brian Rutherford

G

reenpeace origins date back to Vancouver in 1970. The name comes from a slogan used during protests against the United States nuclear testing in 1969.

The movement had come together with the objective of stopping a U.S. nuclear bomb test in Amchitka, Alaska. These were underground tests.

Jim and Marie Bohlen led this protest. They had a boat named the ʻPhyllis Cormackʼ which was a fishing vessel owned by John Cormack of Vancouver. They changed the name to ʻGreenpeace 1ʼ. The second protest was called Greenpeace 2. The nuclear tests were not stopped but the way was paved for the future.

Irving Stowe was the father of Greenpeace and introduced the concepts of non-violence and bearing witness. There is quite a list of people who take the credit for Greenpeace success so Iʼll write about a few who interest me most.

Captain Paul Watson was first director in the early days of Greenpeace and led the Harp Seal campaign. This dealt with the culling of young seals. He also founded Sea Shepherd and sank the pirate whaler ʻSierraʼ in 1979.

In 1972 a yacht called ʻVegaʼ owned by David McTaggart was renamed ʻGreenpeace 3ʼ and it sailed in an anti-nuclear protest into French Polynesia to disrupt French atmospheric nuclear testing.

Rolf Heimann sailed out via New Zealand, which is a nuclear-free zone in a ship called ʻGreenpeace 4ʼ but arrived too late. The French military conducted more than 200 nuclear

tests over a thirty-year period ending in 1996.

In 1974 an anti-whaling campaign took place as Soviet whalers arrived off California. In 1976 a campaign was launched against the killing and skinning of foxes in Newfoundland for the high-fashion fur trade, targeting Norwegian ships who took part in it. Greenpeace also used helicopters to move people and supplies.

Brigit Bardot is one of Greenpeaceʼs loyal followers when it comes to the fur trade and has helped a lot over the years. In the same year a boat called the ʻJames Bayʼ took the title of ʻGreenpeace 7ʼ and disrupted the Soviets again.

It was now also clear that the whales needed protection from Japenese harpooners and the movement reacted.

By the late 1970s more than 20 groups across North America, Europe, New Zealand and Australia had adopted the name Greenpeace and the style of protest was described as David and Goliath on the high seas, David being unfortunately the Greenpeace Vessels. It was time for Greenpeace to take to the courts and have a say in a lot of human rights issues there too.

On October 14 1979 Greenpeace International came into existence. It was a global organization and this meant that the local offices would con-

STORY

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Fitzwilliam tribute a percentage of their income to the movement. 6000 Greenpeace activists reside in the UK. One of the first things the new organization did was to produce a vessel, famously known as the ʻRainbow Warriorʼ for £40,000. Between 1978 and 1985 the crew members protested against the ocean dumping of radioactive waste, the grey seal hunt in Orkney and nuclear testing in the Pacific.

Sadly the ʻRainbow Warriorʼ was sunk by the French when it lay in a New Zealand harbour. The order to do this was given by Mitterand himself. A photographer and Greenpeace activist, Fernando Pereira, was killed during the bombing.

A replacement for the ʻRainbow Warriorʼ, also called the ʻRainbow Warriorʼ, remains in service today as the flagship for the Greenpeace fleet. The latest news of the ʻRainbow Warriorʼ was in 2005 when it ran aground and damaged a reef in the Philippines.

The other ships in the fleet are the ʻArctic Sunriseʼ, ʻEsperanzaʼ, ʻArgusʼ and the ʻBeluga 2ʼ. Today, Japanese whalers have said that out of 985 whales being the quota, only half have been caught due to Greenpeace. The movement is making a difference.

For further information www.greanpeace.org Above: One of Greenpeaceʼs staged protests and below, the ʻRainbow Warriorʼ after being sunk in Auckland by a French government agent.

Health Clinic 19 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2 Phone 6618949 info@fitzwilliamhealth.ie www.fitzwilliamhealth.ie

Dermot Lacey appointed Chairperson of Drugs Task Force Labour Party Dublin City Councillor and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Dermot Lacey, has recently been appointed Chairperson of the South Inner City Local Drugs Task Force.

The South Inner City Task Force is one of 14 such Task Forces established by Government as part of the National Drugs Strategy response. The Task Force area runs from Ringsend to the East though to beyond Dolphinʼs Barn in the West.

Following his appointment, Councillor Lacey said “I am honoured to have been invited to serve as Chairperson and delighted to accept it. I am looking forward to working with all involved in helping the fight against the scourge of drug abuse and building stronger communities. What can we do as a community?

How can we all help in ridding Ireland of the scourge of drug abuse? How can we offer young people a better tomorrow? I do not claim to have all the answers. There are others more skilled and more involved than I who have been working ʻon the groundʼ dealing with what is a crisis facing our country. I salute them and the work of the Local Drugs Task Forces who have, for years, been working with limited resources towards tackling this problem.”

PAGE 4

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

M INISTER G ORMLEY

REPLIES

By John Cavendish

R

ecently I had the chance to have a chat with Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley TD in that fine Gandon building on the Liffey, the Custom House.

John contested his first general election in 1989. In 1991 he was elected to Dublin City Council and was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1994 to 1995. In June 1997 he was elected to the Dáil and in June 2007, after the last general election when he was re-elected for Dublin South East, he was appointed as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

I must confess that I have some interest in Green issues myself and from mid-1996 I canvassed for John Gormley in the run up to the 1997 election when he won a seat over former TD and Táiniste Michael McDowell by 27 votes after a protracted week-long count at the RDS. I had been conscious of environmental concerns from the time I was in architecture school in London during the 80s and 90s, and when I returned back to Dublin in the mid 90s local politics and the environment in Dublin 4 hit home with a fight by John against an Incinerator company in Ringsend called Bio-Burn.

I was drawn to supporting John after he was taken to Court by that company to stop him from speaking out against their activities. So I was pleased to see Minister Gormley as he is now, in his office, his career has progressed but there is a lot to do and problems to deal with.

I drew the Ministerʼs attention to criticism from opposition parties about the Incinerator on the Poolbeg getting the go-ahead from An Bord Pleanála without him being directly able to prevent it. Recently, Fine Gael councillor Paddy McCartan had circulated a leaflet with a quote from himself from before the last election on the subject of the Incinerator which goes on to attempt to demonstrate something of a change in position now that heʼs in Government,

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and also that Fine Gael TD Lucinda Creightonʼs web site quotes him as saying in April 2007, “We have been very clear that in Government this incinerator will not go ahead.”

I gave John the opportunity to reply to this. “When other political parties are using this as a political stick to beat me with, and youʼll probably get a lot more of this coming up to elections, you have to look at their particular record and you go back, first of all, to the legislation which was introduced, the Waste Management Act 1996, and you ask yourself who voted for that?

Who voted for the provision of Incineration to be included in that and you look down the list and look at the amendments that were put down by the Green Party that were to exclude Incineration and you find, and this is a very important point, you find that Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, the Labour Party and the PDs all voted against the Green Party.”

He continued, “Then you go on to 1998 and you find that the Dublin City Waste plan which went to the Council, and this is still quoted by the Council as to why they have an endorsement to go ahead with this project; so who voted for that plan, who put down the amendment again to stop that plan going ahead which included Incineration but the Green Party? Who voted against that plan

and who voted for it? Well, the people who voted for it were the same people again– Fine Gael, the Fianna Fáil party, Labour and the PDs. So these people set up this situation 11 years ago, theyʼre the ones who set this up, and they now expect me to undo all their work within a matter of six months.”

He went on to say: “Since coming to office I have tried to show that there is no need for a 600,000 tonne waste Incinerator. Itʼs far too big and in an inappropriate location from a traffic point of view. Iʼm not just looking at this from a narrow local perspective, Iʼm looking at this, as I have to do as Minister, from the national perspective and I have to bear that in mind at all times, I have to look at the national interest but I donʼt believe that it is also in the national interest to have over -capacity in relation to Incineration.”

I asked him if the laws could be changed so that he could apply a ban under the Waste Management Act to the Poolbeg site and he replied that he had looked at every piece of legal advice preventing him but said that at the moment he is looking at a number of options that are about issuing directions as to how waste is handled in this country. He said “What I am doing will have the overall effect of ensuring that we can minimise incineration.”

We talked about reducing waste at source from packaging products and so on. It is clear John Gormley is concerned about the waste problems that he has inherited. “Iʼll tell you how serious this is, people need to understand this, that we have allowed a waste crisis to develop over many years. Again, I was not in office, other parties were in power– now I have to ensure that we comply with the ʻLandfill Directiveʼ by 2010.

That means that we have to increase the amount of waste, particularly bio-degradable waste, being diverted from landfill, we have to actually double the amount.

Biodegradable waste is the major issue and I am putting in place a whole series of things that will make sure that that will happen. This is probably the biggest challenge that I face as Minister, where we have the roll out of the ʻbrown binsʼ etc. If we

have an over-capacity for incineration, our plans for maximum recycling just wonʼt happen.”

John Gormley says he wants to see some proper planning for the greater Sandymount/ Poolbeg area as there are so many proposals going there to date. He said “People need to understand, and Iʼm looking at this as Minister for the Environment, that we have a confined space down there. We have a sewerage treatment plant there, which is supposed to be state-of-the-art but it is not, it needs to be expanded and not just for the load it takes but expanded for Nitrogen removal.

There is too much Nitrogen going into the Bay– they said that there would be de-nitrification at that plant but itʼs not in place and the result is that weʼve seen more algae in Dublin bay than weʼve seen in years. Iʼm going to have some independent research done into that plant.

We have to have a new designation for the Special Protection Area, so where is that going to go? We need compensatory habitat for birds and where is that going to go? There are plans for a cycle way around the bay so where is that going to go? The whole thing needs to be thought out and it hasnʼt. This hasnʼt been done so Iʼm looking at all of this. Iʼve inherited all this and have to sort it out but I have to do so within the law.”

I asked him for his views on An Bord Pleanála and he replied, somewhat in anger, that the legislation states clearly that they have to take on board the Governmentʼs policy or the Ministerʼs policy. He said that his Ministerial policy was announced very clearly on a number of occasions. “I said that there was only a need in Ireland for thermal treatment of about 500,000 max– those comments were made a number of times both in Dáil Éireann and outside in public and An Bord Pleanála chose to ignore that and it should be noted that they did take account of the Ministerʼs policy.”

His final remarks were about going into government with Fianna Fáil. He said “If in the morning we in the Green Party left Government, I assure you Eamon Gilmore would be doing business with Brian Cowen.”

Sandymount Bridge Club, Christ Church Hall, Mount Tabor, Sandymount Green, Dublin 4 Play Bridge: Monday and Wednesday 7.30pm Cost €5.00 per night Host available on Monday Nights So no need for a partner on Monday Night Friendly Club, New Players most Welcome Open for New Membership Car Parking available

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 5

THE NO. 2 AND 3 BUS: THE SAGA CONTINUES

By Fergal Murphy

D

ublin Bus is meant to be reliable and promises to get you home safely doesnʼt it? Well an ongoing complaint to this paper is the infrequency of the buses down to Ringsend and Sandymount, the numbers 2 and 3. A regular reader phoned in to make us aware of the situation at the bus stop across from Cleryʼs.

At this bus stop in particular eleven (yes eleven) buses stop– now imagine that in rush hour. Eleven different routes and all the people going home tired and cranky after work or a dayʼs shopping and the last place they want to be is among a sea of people taking up half the footpath on OʼConnell St. They wait from twenty minutes to an hour for a bus in which if they are lucky theyʼll get to stand all the way home. While this may be OK for the younger, stronger and more unmannerly of us what about the older, more

respectful of us who were taught to wait in line and show common courtesy, the disabled and women with buggies or shopping?

If you manage to get on a bus without being seriously injured in the frenzy, the people are packed like sardines which surely must be against some safety regulations.

Even the drivers are aware and disapprove of the lack of service and say they have complained to management, citing scheduling problems in the timetable. With a bus not coming for twenty minutes to an hour and then three coming together they have said that if the buses stop at Parnell Square and donʼt go over the Northside where there are already plenty of buses they could get back quicker and therefore reduce waiting time.

Our reader has made local politicians aware of this and John Gormley has written back saying he has made representations to Dublin Bus on her behalf but there has been no change. Also, we were told that one local girl

collected thousands of signatures from people complaining about the service but they have been ignored. 800 people got together and demanded a better service on the 123 bus route and got it.

With the ongoing development in Ringsend and Sandymount, more and more people are moving into and living in the area and the bus service is still the same.

The number 3 route caters for students in UCD and DCU and

other schools and colleges along the way.

Common logic suggests that the service should be upgraded but if anything it has been downgraded with the number 52 having been taken off long ago.

Shouldnʼt a public service provide a service and not a health hazard? The people who make these decisions donʼt seem to care because they donʼt have to travel by public transport but,

what about the elderly who have worked all their lives, paid taxes and should be entitled to some level of respect and comfort in their golden years.

Our reader has asked if Martin Duggan and John Saunders from Dublin Bus would like to come down to the Cleryʼs bus stop during peak hours, see for themselves the chaos that ensues and then tell them that the service is adequate?

PAGE 6

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

MY S

SPRING

By Stephanie Morris

ummer is nearly here. Itʼs a time when we start coming out of our shell of hibernation and pull ourselves away from the crackling fire and hearty roasts. Itʼs a time to begin reclaiming our social activities and hobbies– re-connecting with the world, so to speak.

Each month, I always treat myself to a gift, something I do not really need, be it a gift of therapeutic self indulgence, a pretty household gift or an exotic plant.

Whatever it is, the denominator is one of ʼjoyʼ.

This month it was an expensive serum, ʻUspa vitamin Cʼ which helps combat the signs of ageing associated with being a smoker.

Before I began using it, I decided to treat myself to a facial at the Acupuncture & Yonka Clinic with Deidre. Deidreʼs premises are located just off Blackrock main street. Her house is beautifully designed as is her treatment room. Upon entering you

Y ONKA

are immediately greeted with the the aroma of botanical oils and scents.

A Yon-ka facial is tailor made for your own skin type. Each Yonka treatment is designed solely in response to you and your needs.

Only a Yon-ka trained beauty therapist is capable of administering these specialised facials and Deidre has 12 years experience in this field.

Deidre is also a fully-qualified acupuncturist and combines Yon-ka facial treatments with facial acupuncture if she feels you would benefit from it.

Deidre decided on the Le Grande Classique– a deep pore cleansing, restoring and relaxing facial. This involved two warm mists of five essential oils, lavender, cypress, rosemary, thyme and geranium.

A plant-based soft gel peel is then applied, micro peeling and exfoliating the skin. Then the ʻmust haveʼ extraction of blackheads and a gentle relaxing massage to the face and neck. Deidre then placed a purifying mask with

FACIAL an aromatic compress which was left on for ten minutes while she positioned hot stones in specific spots around my neck and shoulders. An eye contour was applied at the end.

The facial took approximately 1hour 15 minutes. Only botanical oils are used so you are not left with a ruddy red complexion upon completion. Deidre gives very good, practical advice and she is really an expert in the field of accupuncture combined with facials. She advises a facial every six weeks, if not six weeks, at least treat yourself to one at the beginning of every season.

I feel great and my skin looks great, in fact two of my best male friends actually notice there is ʻsomething differentʼ. The vitamin C serum and the Yonka facial have really brought the redness down in my skin tone. I am one hundred percent returning to Deidre for my next facial, it may even be 5 weeks. Iʼm sold.

Deidre at The Accupuncture & Skincare Clinic. Phone 0868559074.

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 7

A CONVERSATION WITH BERTIE

By Audrey Healy

A

lthough thought of as a true Dub, Bertie Ahern was actually raised by parents who were natives of Cork city. Indeed, the Fianna Fáil Leader and former Taoiseach says that although he never acquired a Cork accent, his mother had one until the day she died.

One of a family of five, Bertie was a pupil of St. Patrickʼs Drumcondra, (a part of the teacher training college) and subsequently attended the adjacent St. Aidanʼs Christian Brothers School in Whitehall. Further education was received at the College of Commerce in Rathmines and at UCD where he studied accountancy.

His father maintained his role as farm manager of All Hallows College all his life, permitting Bertie and his siblings the enviable privilege of a wide-open playground unlike any other.

There were horses, open spaces and a five-acre orchard, he recalls fondly. “We were always encouraged by our folks to play there and I worked there as a student in the summer holidays as a farm labourer– it toughened me up,”

he laughs. “You donʼt appreciate it at the time but, looking back, to be living in Dublin and to have a rural lifestyle, it couldnʼt have been any better.”

Bertie speaks highly and affectionately of his parents who have both now sadly passed away.

“My father and mother had very

little money and they believed in education, so anything that they did have went into that. They never went out, they never drank or smoked, they didnʼt socialise apart from going into friendsʼ houses for a cup of tea. My fatherʼs only interest was the horses: he loved reading about them

or listening to races on the radio.

He went to the dogs, to Shelbourne Park and Haroldʼs Cross and bet a few shillings. Our days out were at Croke Park, we had a huge interest in sport.”

Bertieʼs love of sport, nurtured by his parents, is still evident today, despite his hectic schedule. “Weʼd go to club matches featuring St. Margaretʼs or St. Vincentʼs, the college team, or St. Patʼs. Or we would walk to Fairview Park, where there was an Irish night on a Sunday or the Phoenix Park– that was the big day out.”

Throughout our conversation Bertie Ahern speaks of the sense of intimacy that existed in Dublin when he was young. He laments the fact that many of the open, green spaces that existed are now gone and replaced by buildings.

The parks are just about hanging in there, he says.

All the time thereʼs more and more land being built on and itʼs sad. Itʼs great in terms of generating activity and employment but the old, open spaces are all being slowly filled in and thatʼs a great pity.

Despite the faster pace of life today Bertie believes that a strong community spirit can and will survive in the city. He be-

lieves that sense of community is important and should be nurtured through the parish church, parish schools and clubs.

In between his political commitments and a tough year which saw him stand down as Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern finds time to work around the parishes.

From time to time he can be found enjoying a pint in his local in Drumcondra, cheering on the Dublin team at Croke Park or opening a new school in the area, mixing with the people he was brought up with, the people who have supported him on his journey up the political ladder.

“Itʼs what I like doing,” he states simply. “I love people and I love the community. I very much relate to the community areas and the organisations. I tend to look at areas in that way– where is the community, where is the parish?

Where is the centre, where are the clubs?”

I asked him who has been his greatest hero. Sean Lemass, he answers without hesitation. “He was the person I took a huge interest in when I was growing up.

He has been my greatest influence and Iʼm still reading about him and if anyone has read more about Lemass then Id like to meet him.”

D OCKLANDS M ARITIME F ESTIVAL 30TH MAY TO 2ND JUNE 2008

W

ith a record 70,000 visitors to last yearʼs Festival, this yearʼs event has been extended to both sides of the Liffey, offering even more attractions for all ages.

Once again, a spectacular fleet of Tall Ships, including the ʻLord Nelsonʼ, ʻKaskelotʼ, ʻRuthʼ, ʻAtlantisʼ and ʻArtemisʼ, as well of two of Irelandʼs jewels, the ʻJeanie Johnsonʼ and the ʻAsgardʼ, will be open to the public, offering visitors the chance to experience life at sea.

Along with the stunning Tall Ships, Waterfordbased arts group, Spraoi, are planning a breathtaking array of street theatre, musical entertainment and other interesting acts from around the world, all creating a fun carnival atmosphere.

There will be even more activities for children this year ,with a new, dedicated childrenʼs arts and crafts area by Georgeʼs Dock, giving kiddies the chance to enjoy mask-making, face-painting, as well as puppet shows for the whole family in the chq building.

The Festival will also feature the biggest (and best!) outdoor market in the city, with a fabulous selection of crafts, clothing, jewellery, paintings, flowers and plants, as well as the mouth-watering gourmet meats, cheeses and breads.

Geraldine M. Lynch (formerly of Irishtown Road)

General Legal Practice Telephone: 087 9874577 for appointment Email: glynchburke@eircom.net

PAGE 8

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008 Dear Madam Editor

The Letterbox Dear Madam Editor My attention has just been drawn to the article on the 80th Birthday of Donnybrook Scouts in which past members are asked to share their memories.

Although it is some 55 years since I joined the 40th Troop I still have very happy memories of my scouting days which have had a significant influence on my subsequent career and life in general.

We met in the Sacristy of the church when I first joined and subsequently in the new scoutsʼ hut which we built. I edited the Troopʼs newsletter ʻDawʼs Bihʼ.

Michael Potts was our Scoutmaster, a wonderful man who, although short in stature was enormously respected and liked by all the scouts and cubs. I can still recall the order “Scouts Alert” whenever he visited one of the three troops, 3rd, 40th and 41st, under his charge. We would all immediately stand to attention and hang on his every word of advice. Willy Potts his brother was a Commissioner of Scouts at their HQ. We had some wonderful camps and hikes all around the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains. We won the Melvin Trophy at least twice, once when I was the Patrol Leader in charge of the team. We sent our semaphore messages so fast that the judges had great difficulty keeping up with them! Our campsite was a model of order and efficiency.

My brother, Tony Dowling, was also a member for a few years.

I became a Star Scout and had merit badges overflowing so much on my sleeve that my mother complained that there was no room for any more.

Only Muiris McGonigal had more and, furthermore, he was a National Scout. He was not in my troop but in the Third. Joe Doyle, latterly Lord Mayor of Dublin, was in my troop and we both went to Lourdes to help with the sick.

We also had some very memorable annual camps in Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny.

My troop was led by Dan Breen with whom I am still in contact. Dan is a brilliant scholar, who subsequently became a Jesuit Priest working in South East Asia. Today he is Professor of Physics in Mahanakorn University, Bangkok, and is a Thai citizen who speaks many languages, including Thai, fluently.

As for me, I did civil engineering at UCD where I took first place with first class honours in 1960. I then left for Imperial College, London where I did my PhD, and subsequently became Professor and Head of Civil Engineering. I was there for over 30 years before being appointed Vice Chancellor (President) and Chief Executive of the University of Surrey in Guildford, Surrey.

I led that university for 11 years and helped increase its

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research standing so that in the UK 2001 Research Assessment Exercise it came fith after Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College and London School of Economics in terms of the percentage of world-class scholars returned for the Assessment.

I retired in 2005 and now share my time between Guildford (75% and Wexford (25%) where we have relocated from Monkstown and Sandymount before that.

You may be interested that I am a neighbour and personal friend of Lord and Lady BadenPowell whom I see regularly as they also live in Guildford.

Lessons learned as a scout leader which stood me well in later life include; 1 Never ask anybody to do anything you would not be prepared to do yourself 2 Lead from the front by setting the example 3 Respect is earned and cannot be demanded 4 One for all and all for one I hope some of this may be of interest.

Kind regards, Patrick J Dowling, Guildford, Surrey, UK Ann, Many thanks for my very welcome copy of ʻNewsFourʼ.

I believe the photograph of locomotive engine A14 (above) may have been taken in Barrow Street, I would also ask if that building in the background might be Bolandʼs Mills which lies at the end of Barrow Street.

I would also guess that it was taken in the late 50s or early sixties.

Yours as ever, George Kearns

Hi again Ann, I am sure David will be delighted to know that his query regarding the site of the railway line had aroused some considerable interest amongst my many friends in the Dublin 2 and 4 areas.

I have come across quite a few opinions. Today I had coffee with four of the lads associated with The ʻNew Linkʼ magazine and they were all of the opinion that the site was centred around the RDS grounds in Ballsbridge, but I stuck to my guns and continued to plug for Barrow Street.

However, the building on the left of the picture might well have been a barn-like structure in the grounds of the RDS, No matter, if I am wrong I will concede defeat graciously, George Kearns Dear Madam Editor With reference to your photo of the train in ʻNewsFourʼ (March issue), I think the scene is in Ballsbridge, the site where the AIB bank now is. It was a siding from Lansdowne Railway Station to facilitate the movement of animals, etc for the shows in the RDS and also for the Goffʼs Bloodstock Sales which were held in Ballsbridge during the 1950/1960 era.

Yours sincerely Martin Pugh Ballsbridge George Kearnsʼs friends and Martin Pugh are correct. The photo was indeed taken on the site of the AIB in Ballsbridge. Thanks for all the emails and letters putting me right. (Ed)

First of all may I say how much I enjoy your publication.

It is great to have a place to catch up on all things local and to express our opinion.

I wanted to commend through your newspaper the great displays in Star of the Sea Church over Easter. I was so impressed by the Easter Garden and floral displays that I encouraged many neighbours and friends to drop in and see for themselves.

The church gets a lot of criticism at times legitimate but it is only fair to also highlight the good done. My children love the touches at mass in Sandymount– a goldfish called Oscar swimming in the Easter waterfont(!), a chocolate mallow for all the children on Easter Day, a garden that spoke not only to the children but to us adults as well and a team of celebrants who welcome all.

I want to congratulate those who were involved in this visual feast– keep up the good work.

Sincerely, Damien Richardson and family, Serpentine Park Dear Madam Editor I am a newcomer to Sandymount. I enjoyed your last publication– my first! I loved the article about Paddy Gilmartin.

I had spotted him around the village doing his bit to keep the place tidy. My elderly parents loved James OʼDohertyʼs article on The Minstrel Boy– reminding them of the days gone by.

When I recently began worshipping in Star of the Sea Church I didnʼt know what to expect. I was so impressed by what met me that I felt I needed to publicly mention it. I loved the Easter Garden so beautifully laid out and an apt way to celebrate new life. The church is an example of floral display at its best– the person responsible is to be congratulated.

I also feel it is a very family and child friendly place– not always oneʼs experience of church. The church has had dark days of late and it is easy to forget that while there are struggles at Diocesan level there is much good being done at local community level by the local church.

Thank you to all who go towards making Star of the Sea a place of welcome and a true sacred space.

Thomas Grennan, Lea Crescent

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 9

LAWLESS’S FLIES THE FLAG FOR CORNER SHOPS

By Stephanie Morris

I

am living in Ringsend now for the past 14 years. When I first came to the South Lotts area, there were all of three corner shops in the area and now there is only one. Itʼs sad to see the days of the corner shop gone.

I made a visit to Lawlessʼs shop in Irishtown. This little shop is the only corner shop in Irishtown, where once upon a time, there were fourteen or more. Chatting with Lar and Anthony, who run Lawlessʼs with Mrs Lawless, who owns the shop, was a trip down memory lane.

Lar and Anthony (pictured) are brothers from Ringsend. Lar has worked in Lawlessʼs for the past 16 years and he seems to know everyone who comes into the shop. He remembers well as a child working for his grandmother in Maggie Dunneʼs on Cambridge Road and he has worked in other local shops in

the area. He has fond memories of the fresh fish being delivered every Wednesday and Friday and told me how you “couldnʼt give prawns and scallops away, before they became posh!”

Anthony, has worked in Law-

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B

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Bob and Frances started the project in 1997, after working there for over two years. Funds were raised for the acre of land. The plan was that instead of renting inaccessible rooms around Kathmandu they would have their own clinic and school.

All the children and students are on the ground floor, leaving administration offices upstairs. It is a lovely, large building with plenty of open spaces and sun light along with two physiotherapy rooms, occupational therapy room, counselling and speech therapy rooms.

The first school phase for 32 children is a single-storey structure, has accessible toilets, four classes and an activity/ dining room.Additional classes and various staff rooms follow in 2008.

Bob and Frances Corazza– Nepal Cerebral Palsy School Charity No CHY 16410.

ARESelf Help Group for Cerebral Palsy, Dhapakhel, Kathmandu, Nepal, 22 Dromard Terrace, Sandymount, Dublin 4.

Tel: 00353-1 6687538.

lessʼs for the past 11 years and has equally fond memories of the area. I met Anthony and his sister Margaret and they were able to list off a string of shops that once were Mary Codyʼs; Tomʼs Foodstore, where Antho-

ny worked for many years; Mableʼs; Alice Kellyʼs; Lily Bombombs and Kayʼs. Each little shop had its own little history as I am sure many customers have their own memories.

I spoke with Mrs. Lawless

who owns and runs the shop and she had some charming and interesting stories of Ringsend. She told me how she had the shop since the shilling went into pounds in the early 70s.

Since she lives directly opposite the shop, she remembers well sneakily peeling a few spuds behind the counter and running over and back to check on a stew!

Mrs. Lawless has five children who have all grown up with the shop. She told me since she has had ownership of the shop, happily it has changed little.

With Lar and Anthony, who she speaks so fondly of, it continues to flourish as a friendly corner shop. She agrees that it is sad that the corner shop has become a convenience of the past but she can understand why, as we all can.

Lawlessʼs really an old-style one-stop-shop, with just about all the conveniences we run out of quickly and want replaced fast. Itʼs a pleasure going into Lawlessʼs not only because they will probably have whatever you require in an emergency, but being greeted by two local friendly gentlemen is a treat, unique in these changing times!

PAGE 10

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

H APPY B IRTHDAY , F RANK

NO DUCKING THE ISSUE…

By Christy Hogan

Happy Birthday to Frank Nolan originally from Derrynane Gardens.

Go n-Èirí an bóthair leat.

Also good wishes to my sister Ann and all our cousins in Chicago.

From the Kinsella family in Irishtown and all the cousins in the old country. Slán go fóill.

Above: Frank and Ann Nolan.

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T

he first of April had come and gone so I knew it wasnʼt a practical joke.

Through the process of elimination I came to the conclusion that what I had on my hands was in fact a phenomenon. A remarkable occurrence indeed.

Iʼm not what you might call a morning person– in fact Iʼm robotic until noon and so it took a while for the phenomenon to sink in: ʻthe ducks had goneʼ.

Five yellow ornamental ducks had, overnight mind you, decided to up roots and move on.

I missed their presence. The garden seemed empty some-

how. Where once they had mingled with the plants, close to the wheelie bin, was now a void.

Nair a duck in sight.

As I gathered my thoughts and accepted that all five ducks were now fully-fledged, I noticed another phenomenon. A witch on a bicycle. Yes, folks, an ornamental witch riding an ornamental bicycle.

There she was, bold as brass, on the ornamental bicycle down by the bushes. She wasnʼt one of ours, we donʼt wear witches. She didnʼt have to exert much effort to overcome inertia. The bicycle wheels spun in response to the vagaries of the wind.

One phenomenon is unusual, two is downright dangerous and

three would have to be filed under catastrophic. However, thatʼs exactly what happened, we had a triple phenomenon. My neighbourʼs gnome legged it overnight to an adjoining garden. So letʼs have a resume, just to put things in order. We had five ducks a legginʼ, one witch absconding and one gnome a wanderinʼ– alas, there was no partridge in a pear tree.

Throughout the day the witch was returned, dare I say, to her coven garden. The yellow ducks flew home that evening and the gnome, well, heʼs still away with the fairies.

Top: Maybe Christy would fare better with real ducks like the pair above!

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Batik Printing is not the only way to make a beautiful picture. Participants in this workshop will design and create pictures on a piece of material, using wax. They will then soak the material in brightlycoloured inks to make special batik images.

Sunday 11th May, 2.30 to 4pm €20 per Child Handmade Papermaking In this workshop, participants will make paper by hand from recycled materials and natural fibres (bamboo and cotton linters) without using artificial chemical additives or animal products. Participants will use techniques such as texturing and dying and they will take home the paper pictures and collages they create.

Sunday 29th June 2.30 to 4pm €20 per Child Advanced booking and payment is required.

Contact Aoife McGonigle, Education Officer, National Print Museum, Garrison Chapel, Beggarʼs Bush Barracks, Haddington Rd, Dublin 4.

Tel: 01 6603770.

Email: printmuseumedu@iol.ie

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 11

MARIE MCAULIFFE RIP 1908 - 2008

M

arie McAuliffe lived in Sandymount most of her life, where her husband owned the local chemist shop and she reared six children.

She was a well-known character, full of life and famous for her mischievous humour.

Marie McAuliffe was a great swimmer. Her son remembers as a young boy on Silver Strand when she she swam out of sight to retrieve a beach ball blowing out to sea– the wind was faster and fortunately she gave up before she reached Wales. A competitive swimmer, she represented her club in many regattas and went for her last swim in the ocean at Seapoint at the age of 92.

A musician, pianist and songster, she was central to many entertaining parties both at home and in Elm Park Golf Club, where for many years she was an active member. Marie had a great talent for poetry and many of her poems have been printed in past issues of ʻNewsFourʼ.

Her friends and family remember her great gardening talents

too. She loved flowers and gardening and was very proud of her garden full of colour and summer fruits. We hear that she wasnʼt behind the door in a little subterfuge– occasionally plastic flowers bloomed out of season in her front garden!

Marie resumed her career as an art teacher when her children were older, first in Roslyn Park and then with various clubs and societies.She also became an active member of the ICA and her beloved Toastmasters.

In her 70s she gave PE classes to what she termed ʻelderly ladiesʼ and she delivered meals on wheels well into her 80s, until she was persuaded to part with her little car.

After her husbandʼs death in 1992, Marie made several visits to her daughters Kak in Canada and to Evey in New Zeland, where we are told her energy took the locals by surprise, and of course her love of a party brought many more new friends into her life.

Marie died in Leeson Park Nursing Home, where for many

years she still indulged in visits to theatre, bridge, parties and of course the Toastmasters courtesy of family and her many dear friends.

Ni Fheicimid a leithéad arís.

Miserére (Mount Carmel Hospital) Oh Pain, my unwanted companion, be gone!

Unbidden, you came; unrivalled, you rule My body, a play-thing that writhes at your will, A puppet that answers each string that you pull, Now darkness unequalled surrounds me as faster I spin in a whirlpool of torture and pain.

Wracked and tormented, I beg God for comfort, And know that my pleadings shall not be in vain, As once in a garden You suffered Your torment, Forgotten, neglected, You prayed there alone.

Bid pain– that relentless one– ever more leave me, Not my will, dear Jesus, but Thy will be done.

By Marie McAuliffe

Buried Treasure Iʼm digging in my garden And my heart begins to sing, As Iʼm burying my treasure That Iʼll find again in Spring.

Snow– or any other thing, I wonʼt worry, as my treasure Will be safe until the Spring.

Iʼve handfuls of gold dust That Iʼll scatter near the gate, And underneath the cherry tree Are ʻpieces of eightʼ.

Iʼll have daffodils and crocuses, And my heart again will sing As I see my ʻtreasuresʼ blossom I will thank God for Spring.

By Marie McAuliffe

If the weatherman says ʻBlizzardsʼ,

Above: Marie pictured with her great grand daughter Aisling.

Advice Clinic every Wednesday 7pm, Ringsend Community Centre Telephone: 086 8534666 Email: cllr_daithi.doolan@dublincity.ie Visit our website: www.dublinsoutheast.com

STANDING WITH THE COMMUNITY AGAINST INCINERATION

PAGE 12

G REEN

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

AND BLUE

An exhibition of representational landscape paintings by Paul Spellman

By Nessa Jennings

P

aul Spellman has built up a body of work, which captures locations from Dalkey and Skerries, to Cap Ferrat in France and Ostia in Italy. He is a nephew of Father Paul Spellman, the former parish priest in Ringsend.

The upcoming exhibition in Dalkey Castle is so called because of the limited palette employed to render the interplay of sea, sky and land, mainly coastal scenes.

Paul has spent two years on these landscapes. He is a self-

taught painter, however, history of art was the subject of his academic study, with landscapes as a speciality at masters level. The paintings are priced from €180 to €850.

Paul describes the process of each painting, done in three sittings, with brush outline and ochre wash, then the blocking in of the landscape objects, and finally the detail.

It sounds instant and fast, and the impression is immediate, and the locales unmistakeable because of their familiarity to us.

However, these scenes have been with him for a long time, as he grew up in Dalkey, and his wife Margarita comes from Skerries.

“The South Dublin Coast is quite rugged and very hilly: the

land tends to sweep down to the sea, from places like Killiney Hill, Bray Head and the Vico Road. Whereas the North County Dublin coast is flatter, and not as overly dramatic,” Paul says.

When you look at the paintings of the islands: Dalkey, Lambay and Irelandʼs Eye, and the dra-

matic aerial views, from Killiney Hill or overlooking Wicklow, you can experience a sharp intake of breath with the recognition. Trying not to do the obvious, the perspectives used can be either subtle or striking: scenes taken from a low vantage point, from the beach itself, or a birdʼs eye view from the cliffs.

The paintings, being formalist in style, are not intended to be atmospheric and reflect no particular time of day. Yet you canʼt help but want to take a dip in the Mediterranean, or you are in Sligo, imagining yourself in

the Kingʼs Gully at the foot of Ben Bulben, the most auspicious place in Celtic mysticism, as that is where Diarmuid and Grainne met their demise.

Yet this art is not photorealism.

The artist alters the tonality to suit his purposes, sticking to natural muted colours. The colour mix is very close to what you see.

Influences are many and absorbed , such as the the French plein air artists of the Barbizon school, and the post-impressionist Cezanne. His work is concerned with structure and form of the land, and not that obsessed with capturing light as were the Impressionists.

Blues reflect the climate, greens and browns are the coast and rocks. Seaweed is a series of strewn lines leading to the edge of the sea where waves are parallel. There is a swash of white in the water where a power boat has just been. White paint is also barely used on a mountainside to suggest a distant village.

Flat horizons remind me of travelling on the DART, and landscapes with no focal point in green and blue remind me of colour dreams. A rare red object is a towel discarded before a swim.

R ETURN OF THE E COCABS

E

cocabs, Irelandʼs only completely emission-free and free of charge passenger service has returned to the streets of Dublin. Launched in early 2007, the Ecocabs service, which consists of a fleet of futuristic, muscle-powered tricycles, is designed to discourage unnecessary and short-distance motorized travel whilst also being a free and fun way of promoting healthier and more sustainable alternatives within the congested city centre area.

Travelling in an Ecocab doesnʼt cost the punter a penny. The cost is paid for in full by corporate sponsors looking to communicate their own interest in environmental issues whilst also utilizing the Ecocabʼs uniquely attractive advertising space.

Ecocabs are available to shuttle the public around Dublin city centre from 11am to 7pm, 7 days a week, from April 1st-December 31st, operating from designated pick-up points around Dublin city centre.

The serviceʼs founders– Dublin entrepreneurs Andrew Casey and Olaf OʼMoore have received huge credit for their companyʼs role in highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives and have been recognized by business associations and nominated for several business and entrepreneurship awards. 2008 will also see the expansion of the service into other Irish cities including Cork and Belfast.

Cllr Paddy Bourke, Lord Mayor of Dublin pictured on right page with Minister Eamon Ryan outside the Mansion House, Dawson Street.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 13

POOLBEG CHIMNEYS – SHOULD WE KEEP THEM?

By John Cavendish

A

s a resident of Sandymount and a walker over the Irishtown Nature Park I often look up at the two chimneys at the ESB Poolbeg Power Station.

Sometimes when the clouds are low or if itʼs raining the chimneys are obscured but often as not theyʼre dominant and contributing to carbon emissions and global warming.

They are difficult to miss and as the tallest structures in Dublin they are there to greet you as you fly into Dublin Airport and they appear over the horizon as you sail towards the city should one go by ferry.

They are painted with red and white hoops and are known locally as ʻthe goalpostsʼ. Recently, a petition set up on the internet with the support of Irish sculptor Patrick OʼReilly who hopes to see his idea realised, will have the Poolbeg chimneys competing

with Parisʼs Eiffel Tower, which lights up courtesy of 20,000 special strobe bulbs designed by the French Pierre Bideau company. www.petitiononline.com/poolbeg/petition.html The ESB plans to close the station by 2010 and the future of the stacks is unclear. Now Councillor Dermot Lacey of Labour has proposed a motion to the South East Area Committee to ʻtake all steps necessary to protect the twin ESB chimneys at Poolbeg as part of our industrial heritage and to initiate steps to have them included on the list of protected structuresʼ.

But this has been rejected by Dublin City Council officials who have told Councillors that they should not list the chimneys for preservation. They stated ʻFollowing a request from the South East Area Committee a report was prepared to assess the significance of the twin ESB chimneys at Poolbeg and whether the structures should be added to the Record of Protected Structures. A survey, history and full assessment was carried out. This concluded that while the Poolbeg chimneys are considered to be of a certain level of architectural, social and historical significance, they are not considered to be of sufficient value within the meaning of Part IV of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 and therefore should not be added to the Record of Protected Structures.ʼ Councilor Lacey told ʻNewsFourʼ “We did not accept the report and asked the Manager to come back with measures that

we could take short of a full listing. In my view the chimneys have become icons or emblems of Dublin and are often the first thing people see on returning home– particularly by sea. They are worth saving as part of our industrial heritage and should be examined as to the possibility of a viewing tower or a remote control periscope type system that would also allow people take photographs of the City.”

Fianna Fáil TD, Chris Andrews, has joined in the call to protect these chimneys saying “I

am calling for an interim measure ensuring the protection of these iconic structures, now so familiar to all visiting and living in Dublin. The Council must ensure that they are not caught on the hop. A preservation order should be fast-tracked ensuring that these important structures are protected and I intend to raise this matter in the Dáil.”

“There have been a lot of changes occurring on the Poolbeg peninsula. Local residents, who are very fond of these landmarks, need to be reassured that they will not be taken away.

Land is at a premium in this part of Dublin, it is imperative that we protect our heritage and social history,” he added.

The Poolbeg Chimneys The modern Poolbeg ESB station was constructed in two separate phases, beginning in the 1960s. The ESB decided to construct the station in 1965 and the initial development was completed in 1971 with the construction of Units 1 and 2 at a cost of 20 million Irish pounds. The original Pidgeon House generators remained on standby duty until 1976. Unit 3 was completed in 1978 at a cost of 40 million pounds. The Polbeg ESB station chimneys are among the tallest structures in Ireland and are visible from most of Dublin city. Number 1 chimney is 207.48 (680ft 9in) high. Number 2 chimney is 207.8m (681ft 9in) high.

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PAGE 14

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN

By Audrey Healy

D

omestic violence is one of the most common yet hidden crimes in Irish society today, with one in five women affected in Ireland at some stage in their lives. This crime not only instils a constant fear into women but also devastates the lives of their children.

Domestic abuse happens in all classes of society, with victims often left feeling ashamed, isolated and responsible for the abuse they receive. Numerous organisations are working to change these grim statistics and help those who find themselves having to live with the fear of violence on a daily basis.

Recently, a beautifully-sculptured door cast in bronze and wood was designed by local sculptor Joe Moran and erected beside Ringsend Library to remember the women who have

been victims of domestic violence and to stress that the door to help is open. The face on the front of the door is that of Joe Moranʼs late wife.

The idea for the sculpture was the brainchild of Ringsend Action Project (RAP) in conjunction with the Domestic Violence Working Group. According to Aileen Foran, a member of the hard-working committee involved in the project, the door is ajar as a symbolic statement that there is always help for those suffering from domestic abuse.

The structure of the door, reminiscent of many a household door, also suggests that this could be a victimʼs own hall door and that stepping through it can bring closure and hope for the future.

Aileen told ʻNewsFourʼ that Ringsend Library was chosen as it is a public space within the community and provides the opportunity to bring domestic vio-

lence into the public arena and not to keep it behind the door.

The origins of The Door can be traced back to 2002, when RAP formed a local Domestic Violence Working Group as part of the UN campaign 16 Days of Action opposing Violence against Women, which every year seeks to raise awareness of domestic violence as a human rights issue at local, national and internation-

al level.

The Working Groupʼs contribution to the UN campaign was the installation of a simple wooden door in December 2002.

This street sculpture, although only temporary, proved a talking point in the community and marked the beginning of a much bigger project for the Working Group.

With the original door gone, says Aileen, the Group felt that a permanent sculpture would help raise awareness. RAP believes the need to raise awareness of domestic violence against women has never been greater. Statistics from Womenʼs Aid reveal that between 1995 and December 2007 140 women were killed in Ireland, 88 of whom died in their own home.

The fact that some of those deaths might have been prevented had women felt able to seek help in their communities sooner,

makes the message of The Door all the more poignant. If its presence encourages even just one woman to stop and think about getting help, then it will have fulfilled an important function.

The Group has worked for the past six years to bring vision and shape to the project. It is their hard work and drive which has seen The Door brought to fruition. Funding for the project was received from Dublin Docklands Authority, The National Office for the prevention for Domestic Sexual, and Gender-based Violence (Cosc), Dublin City Council, as well as Dublin Port Company.

Above: The Door was officially launched by John Gormley Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Catherine Gorman member of the working group and Joe Moran, Sculptor.

Violence against women: what you can do to protect yourself TALK TO a friend or relative you trust about whatʼs going on.

They may be a good source of support.

If you need medical help make sure to tell your GP or casualty staff what happened and that a record is kept. This information will make it easier for you if you decide to take legal action.

Arrange a signal with a neighbour to let them know when you need help, e.g. turning on a porch light during the day. Keep some money stored in a secret place so that you have access to it in an emergency.

Pack a change of clothes for yourself and your children as well as personal care items, copies of important legal papers, medicines and a spare set of keys. Ask a trusted friend to keep it for you.

Keep a phone in a room you can lock from the inside. If you can, get a mobile phone and keep it with you at all times.

Plan an escape route out of your home and teach it to your children.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 15

JOHNNIE RAY – THE ‘PRINCE OF WAILS’ IN TARA STREET

J

By Noel Twamley

ohn Alvin Ray (January 10, 1927 to February 24, 1990) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist.

Popular for most of the 1950s, Ray has been cited by critics as a major precursor of what would become rock ʻnʼ roll, for his jazz and blues-influenced music and his animated stage persona.

In 1951 Okeh Records, a minor label of Columbia Records empire, issued a single by Johnnie Ray. The two songs were ʻCryʼand ʻLittle White

Cloud That Criedʼ. It was a multi-million seller and worldwide number one. He was, of course, switched to the parent label Columbia. In the 1950s hit after hit was to follow including ʻHey Thereʼ, ʻWalking my Baby Back Homeʼ, ʻLook Homeward Angelʼ, ʻSuch a Nightʼ. The latter was banned on many US radio stations.

Johnnie had many nicknames including ʻThe Prince of Wailsʼ and ʻThe Nabob of Sobʼ as he very often cried on stage and of course his fans would go bananas looking at this.

In the mid 1950s Johnnie was in Dublinʼs Theatre Royal. We

had a shop called Tara Records in Tara Street, and our senior partner George OʼReilly invited Johnnie around for some drinks and food.

We had a great party that night. Johnnie had many drinks and he ended up playing cards in the kitchen until the early hours. With some difficulty we got the bould Johnnie downstairs and back to his hotel in my Vauxhall Wyvern. Do any of you remember the Wyvern?

This was the only time I met Johnnie and he was great fun and an all round good egg.

Johnnie Ray had a beautiful voice and probably would have

WINNING WAYS AT RINGSEND COMMUNITY TRAINING CENTRE

R

ingsend Community Training Centre, fresh from winning a hotlycontested soccer blitz organised

by Darndale Community Training Centre the FAI and Dublin City Council, went on their winning ways again by winning the Soccer Social Inclusion Cup at St Catherineʼs Marrowbone Lane Dublin 8.

This competition was organised through the FAI, Dublin City Council and the local RAPID coordinator Martin Mc Donagh.

Ringsend saw off rivals Ballyfermot in a frantic final. Ringsend Community Training Centre are also taking part in the street league run in conjunction with the FAI and Ireland issues. This is a ten-week soccer league run every Friday at St Catherineʼs.

The league draws to a close Friday 2nd May with both Ringsend and Ballyfermot neck and neck for the league title. Anyone

interested in participating in the league and who has a group eligible to play can contact Jonathan Tormey of the FAI at 0871323252.

Our thoughts are with coordinator of the Street Leagues Ken Brady and his family on the sad loss of Kenʼs father last week.

Denis Murphy, Manager of Ringsend Community Training Centre, says the street leagues are a major success and the teams get to communicate on a different level, realising the importance of team work and that they have more in common than they do in difference.

Denis says “Sport is a valuable tool to engage young people into positive and creative pursuits which can assist in combating the risks facing early school leavers and those educationally and socially disadvantaged from substance misuse, crime and general anti social behaviour.”

Ringsend Community Training Centre with support from FÁS offer courses to early school leavers, including Sports and Health Related Fitness, Office Procedures, European Computer Driving Licence and Catering.

Participants receive a training allowance and FETAC certification which opens up opportunities for young people to progress to further education and employment.

For applications, contact Teresa Rooney, Yvonne Moran or Denis Murphy at Regal House, 28 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4. Phone 01-6601327.

Email: rinn@iol.ie Back row, left to right: Denis Murphy, Centre Manager; Fran OʼReilly, Instructor; Avril OʼNeill, Sports Instructor; Dean Buckley; Ian Nolan; Paul Barry; Vincent McGurran.

Front row: Martin Dunne, Thomas Gannon and Martin Weafer.

been a much bigger star but his hearing plagued him throughout his life. He became deaf in his right ear at age 13 after an accident during a Boy Scout event, and later performed wearing a hearing aid. Surgery performed in New York in 1958, left him almost completely deaf in both ears, although hearing aids helped his condition. To his eternal credit, he gave millions of dollars and much of his time

to deaf causes.

By late 1950s the hits had dried up, however he continued to make a very decent living in night clubs and concerts and was always in demand in the UK. Johnnie Ray died of liver failure in Los Angeles in 1990.

May he rest in peace.

Johnnie left behind a vast catalogue of records. I warmly recommend ʻThe Best of Johnnie Rayʼ on Columbia 4840402.

PAGE 16

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

Bookworm

without exception, have made a significant contribution to the life of our country.

Mary is the first name of all the women Ministers in the government and of the countryʼs two women presidents to date. Such is the popularity of the name among Irelandʼs women political office holders that children are inclined to believe that all presidents of the country are called Mary,

ʻThereʼs Something About Mary: Conversations With Irish Women Politiciansʼ is published by Currach Press, priced at €14.99 and is available at Books on the Green and other good book shops.

ʻHIS OTHER LOVERʼ

by Lucy Dawson Modern technology has a lot to answer for in Lucy Dawsonʼs new book ʻHis Other Loverʼ.

Thirty-something Mia lives with her other half Pete and one night innocently glances at his mobile phone, only to see a suspicious and obviously intimate text from

Liz, complete with kisses.

This unexpected and unwelcome revelation sets off a serious of lethal events.

Mia has always trusted Pete and thought they had a good relationship. He is, she always believed the one and she dreamed of marriage one day, but fuelled by this one text, instead of confronting him, she begins to intercept his phone and as he sleeps at night she cannot rest and makes futile excuses to go downstairs and read his messages and discovers that he is hiding a mammoth secret world from here.

Clearly he and Liz are more than just friends. However, Mia will not give up her man without a fight and she decides to face this

head-on. The other woman in her husbandʼs life becomes an obsession. Mia cannot work, cannot sleep and cries day and night.

She just about gets through each day, a shadow of her former self, and plays a game of cat and mouse with her boyfriend, pretending nothing is wrong, while each acts affectionately to one another, each harbouring a secret.

Discovering an inner strength, Mia becomes manipulative and devious.

The story is compelling and a real page-turner but many times throughout the book the reader will ask themselves why Mia bothers to fight for her man who comes across as a selfish character and not worth the battle.

He obviously enjoys playing the game and is not as committed to their relationship as Mia is.

Eventually, after a lot of phone calls, rows, sneaky suspicions and a dramatic confrontation, Peteʼs cover is blown and there is a glorious cat-fight in which Liz and Mia come face-to-face and Pete is literally caught in the middle.

But is he worth it and whatʼs the outcome? Read ʻHis Other Loverʼ by Lucy Dawson, published by Sphere to find out.

Reviewed by Audrey Healy

T

welve well known ʻMarysʼwere recently unveiled as the subject of the newly-published and appropriately entitled ʻThereʼs Something About Maryʼ book, compiled fittingly by another Mary– Mary Banotti, pictured right.

Coming from a strong political dynasty, Mary is wellequipped to write such a book, as she is a grandniece of Michael Collins and her sister is Nora Owen, former Fine Gael Minister for Justice.

Mary herself has been a prominent, respected elected representative in Ireland for many years and back in 1984 was first elected a Member of the European Parliament.

There she worked on a variety of issues including environmental and womenʼs rights.

She is currently the European Parliament Presidentʼs Mediator for Transnationally Abducted Children and a wellknown spokesman in this area.

She was narrowly defeated by the current incumbent Mary McAleese in the presidential election of 1997. She resigned from the European Parliament in June 2004.

A large and enthusiastic crowd gathered on March 5th to celebrate the launch of Maryʼs first foray into writing, with ten of the fourteen Marys featured putting in an appearance, including Ministers Mary Hanafin and Mary Coughlan and MEP Mary Lou McDonald. Broadcaster Olivia OʼLeary had the privilege of launching the book and paid tribute to the achievements of these courageous women who,

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for women… “in my opinion women tend to take (failure) more personally and, if they fail, have difficulty in coming back for more.”

One issue that is discussed repeatedly is the ʻwomen can have it allʼ cliché. Of all the Marys interviewed, it is notable that only two have young families, with Mary Coughlan and Mary Lou McDonald discussing candidly the trials of balancing family life with holding down a career in politics.

The perennial issue of combining family life with a demanding career is touched on by all the women, many of whom sacrificed family life to get to where they are today.

The book provides a snapshot of the personal and political lives of these remarkable women.

claims Mary Banotti in her new book.

Through the pages of her new book, Banotti sets out to find out what unites all the political Marys and what drives them to take the risks that are essential for success.

Common themes running through the compilation include the nightmare of elections, public campaigns, caution about the media, experience of failure and backbiting, family pressures and profound relief when elections were successfully over.

The author states that noone who has not had the multiple experiences of political life can imagine what these experiences are like… the experience of failure can be traumatic, particularly

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008 ʻTEAR IN THE OTHERʼ

by Sami Moukaddem ebanese by birth but now resident in Sandymount, Sami Moukaddem has just published his second novel ʻTear in the Otherʼ, a book to appeal to the Irish who emigrated to make new lives for themselves abroad and to the recent influx of immigrants now making their home here in Ireland.

Describing it as a sequel to his previous novel ʻSmile in One Eyeʼ, the book tells the story of one manʼs life and his memories of growing up during the civil war in the Lebanon, his subsequent move to Ireland and attempts to integrate into Irish society, a move Sami knows all too well, as he has now lived here for over two decades.

So is the book semi autobiographical? In a way, yes he tells ʻNewsFourʼ. “Iʼve written about what I know. I too studied in Ireland as the main character does.” Sami believes the book will be of wide appeal to several nationalities, thanks to its diverse content. Itʼs written in such a way that you can begin with either this book or his

PAGE 17

L

first ʻSmile in One Eyeʼ. One is set in the Lebanon and one is set here.

This one follows a character growing up in Ireland and going to college and trying to assimilate into the Irish culture.

He comes from a Muslin Arabic background and starts to

ʻTHE FALL GIRLʼ

by Denise Sewell ntriguing and moving are words are on the front cover of Denise Sewellʼs latest book to describe the story of Frances Fall, her coming-of-age and her turbulent journey into adulthood whilst living in times past. Evocative, emotional and traumatic could also be thrown into the mix, thanks to a cold and harsh mother in stark contrast to a soft and loving father and the arrival of the mysterious Aunt Lily and the secrets she has brought which dominate this book throughout each page to its very conclusion.

The book opens with a now grownup and obviously still traumatised Frances stealing a baby outside a shop in a bid to break away from the tragedy that befell her in her teenage years where she was one of the fallen women in more ways than one. Her story did not meet a happy ending and though she wanted to keep her baby she received no support from her appalled mother, rather revulsion at her sin.

Every so often the book fleets back and further between the present day and Francesʼs teenage years and it can be hard to understand where it is going but once you get used to that system it becomes compelling reading and different from the usual ʻchick litʼ out there today.

In fact it is a very sad and moving portray-

find his feet in Ireland– it is basically seeing Ireland through his eyes and would be of great interest to Irish people to see themselves through a different perspective and of course Irish people have emigrated as well in the past so it would be of interest to them as well, Sami

says.

As to the Ireland that he calls home today, how does he view it? “Well, Ireland has changed a lot in the last twenty years,” he says philosophically. “Even the last ten years are very different to the previous ten years and though this book is based

on what I know, it is largely fictional. Itʼs quite humorous and it reflects on Irish society and politics as well and places Ireland in a large context.”

The penning of both novels took Sami two and a half years to complete and were, its plain to see, a labour of love. Both were self-published. “The reason I self-published was because I believed in my work one hundred per cent and I didnʼt want publishers to change anything about the manuscript,” he explains of the lengthy publishing process. “I have a good three or four more books in me yet,” he adds confidently. “Iʼm putting my own money into it and Iʼm willing to take the chance. There will be a book out every year.”

When heʼs not writing Sami is immersed in music and is currently in the process of releasing his fourth CD and bringing up his daughter, both worthwhile projects that keep him busy. ʻTear in the Otherʼ is available at the price of €9.99 from Books on the Green.

ARE YOU CURRENTLY CHILDMINDING OR THINKING OF DOING SO?

I

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Are you interested in FREE TRAINING? Would you like to meet up with other Childminders for socialising and support?

The Childcare Information Service, Dublin South East can offer you FREE TRAINING such as Quality Awareness Programmes, Paediatric First Aid, Behaviour Management, Storytelling, etc.

If you are interested in any of the above please contact Teresa Quigley Telephone: 4965558 • email: teresa@rathmine spartnership.ie Or contact Lorraine Barry (Ringsend/ Irishtown Community Centre) Tel: 6604789 or talktolorraine@eircom.net al of life in rural Ireland and the attitudes to unmarried mothers in times past and it would certainly make the reader ask themselves if we would deal with the situation any better in these times.

Childcare Information Service, Dublin South East, c/o Rathmines Partnership 11 Wynnefield Road, Rathmines

PAGE 18

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

Film Scene•••By Michael Hilliard ‘Street Kings’ Writer James Ellroy (ʻL.A. Confidentialʼ, ʻThe Black Dahliaʼ) delivers another gripping, dirty cop movie, this time set on the tough streets of modern day Los Angeles.

Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves) is a veteran LAPD vice detective, still reeling over the death of his wife, finding comfort only in a bottle of vodka, and his

work. Ludlow is a loose cannon, struggling to control himself, and sees no harm in putting away criminals in whatever fashion he deems necessary, no matter the consequences.

When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to fight the corrupt cop culture heʼs always been a part of, and to question the actions and intentions of those closest to him.

ʻStreet Kingsʼ is a hard-hitting, violent movie and pulls no punches when it comes to depicting Ludlowʼs life and blasé attitude to killing those, he decides donʼt deserve to live. It is a powerful performance by Reeves, who has aged since we last saw him in a leading role, and finally has a sort of lived-in, worn-out look about him.

The supporting cast is excellent, with Forrest Whitaker, as Ludlowʼs long-time friend and unit commander, and Hugh Laurie as the police Captain investigating allegations into police corruption, both standouts.

The story unfolds with wonderful pacing, a sense of urgency and a good twist thrown in for good measure, which most will see coming, but nonetheless satisfies.

4 out of 5

‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ Heartbroken Peter (Jason Segel) takes a Hawaiian holiday to try get over his recent split from his TV star girlfriend, Sarah (Kristen Bell). Unbeknownst to either, they both end up heading to the same resort, only she has brought along her new boyfriend, pompous British rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). ʻForgetting Sarah Marshallʼ is the latest film from producer Judd Apatow, who has had recent smash hits with ʻThe 40 Year Old Virginʼ, ʻKnocked Upʼ and ʻSuperbadʼ. Unfortunately, the law of diminishing returns

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is at work here, and while never quite reaching the heights of his previous efforts, there are worse ways to kill a couple of hours.

The standout here is Russell Brand in his first Hollywood major supporting role. He steals almost every scene heʼs in, and is the polar opposite of the charisma void that is Jason Segel.

The audience never really cares about Peter, and perhaps in the hands of a more gifted actor, ʻSarah Marshallʼ may have been more memorable.

Still though, there are enough laughs to keep it boiling over, but this movie would be best left for a DVD rental on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

2.5 out of 5

The opening of

GREEN & BLUE New paintings by Paul Spellman will take place on Wednesday 7th May 2008 between 7pm and 9pm.

THE GALLERY, DALKEY CASTLE & HERITAGE CENTRE CASTLE STREET, DALKEY, CO. DUBLIN The exhibition runs from 7th to 11th May 2008-04-03 Gallery open Thurs & Fri 9.30 to 5.00 and Sat & Sun 11.00am to 4.30pm.

View paintings at: www.paulspellman.com e-mail: paul@paulspellman.com

The Landlord

by Kevin Byrne

will be performed by Patrick Duffy on the 27 May at 8 pm in The Conservative Club, 20 Camden Row, Dublin 8 off Camden Street after Whelan’s going towards the canal

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 19

COMMUNITY GARDA FOR SANDYMOUNT

Following a series of robberies on business premises in Sandymount, Cllr. Paddy McCartan requested more Garda presence in the village. A Community Garda now patrols the area and this has led to a much improved feeling of security for local businesses in Sandymount. Paddy is pictured here with a new Garda to the area, Garda Anthony Moran.

D AFFODIL DAY RAISES €3,772

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people of Ringsend and Irishtown for their support on Daffodil Day Friday 7th March 2008. Thanks also to all the women who sold daffodils in the community and the women who made cakes, organised the raffle and coffee morning in Cambridge Court.

I am delighted to announce that together we raised €3,772 to help the Irish Cancer Society provide quality care and emotional support to cancer patients and their families through their free nationwide nursing and cancer information services.

Aileen Foran.

The photograph above was taken during a previous Daffodil Day collection.

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IS

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

MISE

By Nessa Jennings

D

es Bishop describes himself as an Irish comedian from Flushing, The Bronx, New York. With his American accent and frat boy good looks he doesnʼt look Irish but he insists he is.

He is a comedian whose material is largely drawn from hilarious observations of Irish life. After spending last year in the Connemara Gaeltacht, “the final frontier of Irish life I had yet to explore”, he now probably speaks more Irish than the rest of us.

This series was very funny as we watched Des settle in to the

DES BISHOP

Gaeltacht and relax in his new environment. It was a spiritual experience. Des went out fishing on a curragh, was shouted at by a GAA team coach (ás gaeilge), and the giggles of the local girls were gas as he stumbled through a practice for his oral Irish.

The most hilarious was the day of the leaving cert Irish scrúdú béal when he was wearing a school uniform which somebody managed to find him.

The day of his results he was really nervous, but passed with Aʼs. He said “Go raibh mile maith agat” to his Bean an Ti who helped him through it.

The aim of the exercise was

to be able to perform the first ever stand up ʻás gaeilgeʼ striving to make them laugh in what he considers his native tongue.

He brought the house down during the series at shows in Connemara, discovered one of the verb tenses, the Modh Coinníollach (conditional mood) to be characteristically Irish, and visibly improved at his spoken Irish. This brought him a lot of joy and he says that it has been one of the best years of his life.

He was also trying to find out what has freaked out so many people for so long about learning Irish. Having the book ʻPeigʼ on the life of Peig Sayers on the leaving cert might have put people off for life. That book was grim and depressing, so Des went down to the Blasket Islands in Kerry to visit the house of Peig Sayers which is still there. He discovers it is a brú (hostel), which a local reliably tells him it was, even in the time of Peig Sayers.

When he goes back to visit his parents in New York after the year, he brings Anthony with him from the gaeltacht.

They find speaking Irish on the subway to be very useful if they donʼt want to be overheard. “Tá an gaeilge handy anois a Antoine” as they gossip on the train. Back in America, Des Bishop finds this new form of communication almost spiritual in its nature.

Tá sé “suimiúil” (interesting) agus difriúil (different) agus tá identity fhéin san áit mar seo (and I have my own identity in this place now).

They meet a freestyle (stil saor) rapper “Ta an fear gorm sin cool” and an oriental guy sings an Irish ballad word perfect. “Ní fhactas duine ar bith ag canadh amhráin i ngaeilge

taobh amuigh í Times Square, ceapaim.” (Never thought Iʼd see anyone singing like that in Times Square). He talks to one of the students in an Irish centre who says it brings you “an sort pride a bheith ag folaim teanga eile” (a pride in learning another language). Pride is ʻmorchuisʼ or ʻdíomasʼ, but it is colloquial to mix up some English words, and easier.

Being able to speak Irish has a lot to do with identity. ʻAnseo, bhí me Meiriceánach, ach ní raibh me ag smaoineamh Meiriceánach i mo shaol. Éireannach me”– (Here I was American, but I never thought I was American in my life).

Des Bishop appears at Vicar Street in Tongues on 2, 22, 24 and 25 May.

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I ON

PAGE 21

TO THE RESCUE

ION ANGHEL, above, runs the mobile coffee stall, Angelʼs Food, on Sir John Rogersonʼs Quay. He is there every day from 8am to 3pm serving delicious Illy coffee with a smile and a chat.

On 25th February at around 10.30am he heard a woman screaming. Ion ran to see what was happening and as the woman rang for the emergency services she pointed to a man in the water. Without hesitation, Ion took off his heavy jacket and boots and jumped in.

The man was 60 metres or so away and Ion managed to get hold of him and bring him safely to the ladder on the side of the quay wall.

The man was by this time unconscious and they had to wait several minutes before the fire brigade arrived to lift them to safety.

Ion told ʻNewsFourʼ that he never thought of himself as a great swimmer but he said “it was the human thing to do. The man was struggling and beginning to go under.” The worst part was the temperature of the water at 5ºC which left him shivering, he says.

Ion has since received letters of thanks from the man concerned and his family. ʻNewsFourʼ would like to add our congratulations for his act of bravery.

Gulliver Arrives at Dublin’s Docklands– Dublin: One City, One Book 2008 THE CHOSEN BOOK for this yearʼs Dublin: One City, One Book is ʻGulliverʼs Travelsʼ by Jonathan Swift. Now in its third year, Dublin: One City, One Book is a project designed to encourage everyone in the city to read the same book over the same period.

The project promotes reading in a city which boasts one of the worldʼs greatest literary heritages including four Nobel Laureates.

Formerly the Dean of St. Patrickʼs Cathedral, Swift has a broad appeal for all readers– from the

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Daniel Doyle is a member of Duthain Dealbh, a group of sculptors who were commissioned by Dublin Docklands Development Authority and Dublin City Council to interpret scenes from ʻGulliverʼs Travelsʼ. Daniel is pictured here at Georgeʼs Dock beside chq with his sand sculpture of the Emperor of the Lilliputians reading a letter granting liberty to Captain Lemuel Gulliver. Daniel also sculpts in snow and ice as well as more permanent materials.

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PAGE 22

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

GASTRONOME’S HEAVEN AT

DUNNE AND CRESCENZI

By Nessa Jennings

T

he restaurant was buzzing when myself and my dinner companion entered Dunne and Crescenzi, only a stoneʼs throw from Sandymount Green on Saturday night.

You needed to have a reservation as the local Italian fare is in high demand. The room has a great atmosphere which my friend described as ʻrusticʼ. By this for a moment, I thought he meant ʻrough and readyʼ.

However, the small, busy room is a cut above this in style and décor, and the service was prompt, courteous and friendly, as our waitress, who had a look of a 1930s Hollywood beauty, with a flower in her blonde hair, answered all our queries about the menu.

We were seated at a cosy table beside dark wood shelves of wines which line both sides of the room like a cellar. The wine list was a study of regional Ital-

ian wines so extensive I didnʼt get past the first page. A glass of house white and a bottle of San Pelegrino sparkling water appeared as if by magic as we deliberated over the evening menu.

Between courses we embarked on a game of chess as my guest had brought along his mini board. Generally speaking, there are two sittings for dinner on a busy night, the first at 7pm, and the second at 9pm.

To start, he had ʻformaggioʼ, a selection of farmhouse cheeses with focaccia. This was a substantial mix of hard and soft rugged cheeses with high impact, served with honey. I had ʻinsalata mistoʼ– a salad of mixed leaves, drenched in balsamic vinagrette, sun-dried tomatoes and prosciutto ham. There was no butter to be seen, and all the breads came drizzled with olive oil.

I lost the game of chess despite the sustenance and resolved to master the Sicilian opening and a few other gambits.

Fillet steak was ordered well

done and to be slow-cooked would take 40 minutes so we had plenty of time to take in the room. We described the ambience as ʻperfectʼ, or what you might expect from your local Italian where they are fanatical about good food.

On the sound system were both unfamiliar pieces and 1980s classics. The steak was well worth the wait, cooked with rosemary

and came with oven-baked potatoes and zesty mangetout. My pasta with truffle-stuffed mushrooms and radicchio was ʻmeatyʼ and satisfying.

We ordered chocolate and almond cake for dessert and Italian biscuits which we took to a friend, along with a bottle of red wine priced at €9.50. There is a table full of food goods which you can take out, including pas-

tas, olive oils, sauces and wines, all imported.

For two starters, two mains, two bottles of water, a glass of house white and a glass of Prosecco as well as dessert, the bill came to €87.50, which was fair enough.

Dunne and Crescenzi, 11 Seafort Avenue, Sandymount, Tel:01-667-3252.

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PAGE 23

R INGSEND P ARK S OCCER A SSOCIATION

By Derek Charlie Bowden

A

bout two years ago the soccer clubs in Ringsend thought it was time to put their differences behind them and try to work together to improve the pitches in Ring send Park.

The first thing we did was to arrange a few meetings to hear what problems each club had and what could be done. We found that our problems were all the same ones.

Our next step was to see what could be done and what help we would need.

We contacted some of the TDs in the area and we arranged to meet with Dublin City Council. The TDs were very helpful and the meeting with Pat Curran and Gerry Barry from the City Council went very well. The Council could see the problems we had with the pitches being in a bad way and the number of teams who were trying to fit into the park. We have 2 intermediate teams, 11 junior teams and 24 school boysʼ teams. We represent 10 clubs from Ringsend, Pearse Street and Bath Avenue areas. Ages range from 7 to 50.

Our aim is to make the park the best park around to play soccer in and with the surfaces of the pitches to be improved to a standard that the clubs deserve.

Because we have so many people in the area who love to play soccer, and the amount of teams and clubs we represent, our problem was we only had one intermediate pitch, two junior pitches and one schoolboy pitch.

At the time, we even had a Ringsend Club having to play their home games outside the area. So after our meetings with the council we came up with a plan of action. What was proposed was to build one full-size all-weather pitch that would be floodlit and one seven-a-side all-weather pitch with a multi-purpose playground beside it. All of the new pitches would be floodlit, and the seven-a-side would be for schoolboys and girls use only. The FAI soccer courses and the local schools can avail of it during the day.

Where we are at the moment is the multi-purpose and the seven-a-side pitches are up and running. The schoolboys have all reported back to us and from what we see, all concerned are over the moon. Where in the past the schoolboys would have to train on the sides of roads or wherever they could or they would have to hire out halls or other all-weather five-a-side grounds that are very expensive. Now all our kids have a state-of-the-art ground which will only benefit them in the future.

The main all-weather ground will be up and running in the summer,. The need for this ground is a must if the clubs of Ringsend Park are to survive. It also means that we and the Council can then start to look at the other pitches in the park that must be brought up to the standards of the leagues the clubs play in.

For years the best talent in the area would leave to play for clubs that had the setups we are now hoping to get. The first part is finished but we have a lot more to do. Dublin 4 and 2 has in the past produced more internationals than any other area and this was without the setup we have now, so the future is looking good.

If anyone has any ideas or would like to get involved, all help is welcome.

There are many people who have spent a lot of time and effort to make these things happen. Thanks to Pat Curran, Dublin City Council; TDs Chris Andrews and Kevin Humphreys; Frank OʼSullivan; Irishtown Stadium; Joe Corcoran; Joe Smith; Cambridge; Anthony Gannon and John Griffin; Liffey Pearse; Boy Murphy; Bridge United; Barry Benson, Vintage; Tony Boland, Ringsend Rovers, Irishtown; Kevin Reynolds; St Marks; Bath Rangers; Marks Celtic; Pat Healy; St Patʼs CY; and David Smasher Kemple.

Yours in sport, Chairman, Derek Charlie Bowden.

Pictured playing in Ringsend Park and on right are the Cambridge Boys team who won the Mini World Cup (above) recently.

DÁIL ÉIREANN, LEINSTER HOUSE, KILDARE STREET, DUBLIN 2 TEL: 01 6183054 FAX: 01 6184146 EMAIL: CHRIS.ANDREWS@OIREACHTAS.IE WEB: WWW.CHRISANDREWS.IE

PAGE 24

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

M EMORIES OF W ASHINGTON DC

By James OʼDoherty

I

t was a cold February afternoon as I boarded an Aer Lingus flight to America. My destination was the most powerful place on earth– Washington DC– the beautiful but daunting imperial city with its neo-classical buildings and great boulevards.

Seven hours later I arrived at Dulles airport and was passed through immigration by a Jimmy Fitzgerald, a third generation Irishman who after a thorough check sent me on my way with a robust ʻGod bless the Irish, enjoy your stay!ʼ On a bitterly cold Monday morning I took the Metro to Arlington Cemetery– the Mecca of my visit!

It was a breathtaking sight: row

upon row of white stones mark the graves of soldiers who gave their lives for the country. This 657-acre site was established during the Civil War and is visited by four million people each year.

On the rolling lawns overlooked

by Arlington House approximately 300,000 people rest. The cleanliness and respect shown by all who visit the cemetery is amazing, the security while apparent is not invasive. One is aware at all times that this is a sacred place honouring the famous, the not-so-famous, the known and the unknown.

In this beautiful, landscaped memorial the most visited grave is that of John F. Kennedy. The plot consists of a circular walkway which approaches a small terrace.

The eternal flame was lit by Jacqueline Kennedy on the day of his

The Yacht Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, 6680977

funeral and in 1994 she was laid to rest alongside him.

I paid my respects to Robert Kennedy a short distance from his brother. His grave is marked by a simple white cross.

Memories of happy nights spent in the Regal Cinema in Ringsend and the Ritz in Ballsbridge came flooding back as I stood at the simple white Government Issue tombstone that marks the grave of Audie Murphy, pictured below, World War IIʼs most decorated soldier and a successful actor (1924-1971). I had been enthralled by Murphyʼs performances in films like ʻTo Hell and Backʼ, in which he portrayed himself. Many would say his best performance was in ʻRed Badge of Courageʼ .

His was an unhappy life, his business was unsuccessful and he was bankrupt in 1968. All his life he was haunted by nightmares from his wartime experiences and he could only sleep with a loaded pistol under his pillow. He died in a private plane crash in 1971 just outside Virginia. He was 46 years

old. Sleep well, little man.

The tomb of the unknown soldiers is a solemn monument, guarded twenty four hours a day by the old Guard. The Shuttle Memorials honour those who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The Amphitheatre Memorial honours the memory of war veterans and is the magnificent setting for the annual Veterans Day commemoration.

Leaving Arlington, my next stop was the majestic monument to the President who preserved Americaʼs unity and began the process of ending slavery. Built in the form of a Greek temple with an enormous statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln, this is a magnificent sight.

On then to one of the tallest masonry structures in the world, The Washington Monument. It is a dominant feature on the cityʼs skyline, 170 metres high it took four decades to complete.

I visited The Korean War Memorial, National Archives, National Sculpture Park and the most visited museum in the world The National Air and Space Museum. I also fitted in the International Spy Museum and the Jewish Holocaust Museum.

A visit to the National Zoo that houses the almost extinct panda was enjoyable. A huge highlight of my visit was The Basilica of The Immaculate Conception. It is a magnificent example of traditional Christian architecture built in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the patron church of US Catholics and the nationʼs pre-eminent Marian Shrine. I enjoyed the majestic space with its beautiful sacred art and its resident professional choir and chamber orchestra. There are six masses and five hours of confessions daily. A simple candle lit

at a shrine was my contribution to this magnificent place.

A visit to the National History Museum with its magnificent butterfly and plants exhibition was most interesting. Hundreds of butterflies flew around us. On to Pentagon City and its four-storey shopping mall. Over to Pennsylvania Avenue with its Borders and Barnes and Nobel book stores.

As the week closed, the weather picked up and it was on a bright, sunny day I walked to the elegant building that is the White House.

Probably the most familiar of the worldʼs political buildings, seeing it up close is an experience. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue– that unique address! This neo-classical mansion has 132 rooms and is the residence of the US President, the seat of Executive Power. Since the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq war it is no longer open to the public.

In the final hours of my visit I attended 12.10 mass in St Patrickʼs Church just ten minutes from my hotel. I was interested to read that the first curate there was one Fr Anthony Caffrey from Dublin.

A small world indeed! I was surprised at the large congregation, young and old, at mass during the day.

Washington DC is planted with trees and flowers and is well maintained. The Tidal Basin is planted with famous cherry trees and in early April the annual cherry blossom festival is held, with concerts, parades and displays of Japanese lanterns to celebrate their blossoming.

I enjoyed my Washington experience. There is so much to see and with most public attractions open free of charge to the public you can have a great visit on a surprisingly low budget.

SANDYMOUNT HOME HELP SERVICE Do you have two to four hours free every week and would you like to earn some extra money?

‘For a Quiet Pint in comfortable surroundings and a friendly atmosphere’

We pay you €13.53 per hour (gross) to visit and care for vulnerable elderly in the community For further information, phone Brenda Dempsey (before 6.00pm) at 087- 9292119

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

T HE

MASTERPIECE OF

By Brian Kelly

A

PAGE 25

ntoni Gaudíʼs genius can be seen all over Barcelona but in La Sagrada Familia even a fleeting glimpse is enough to convince you that the most famous architect in history was inspired by divine forces. This church is a fantasy creation: a playful Gothic masterpiece

A NTONI G AUD í

which looks like no other religious pile on earth.

It is the sheer scale of La Sagrada which grabs you first. Work on this colossal building began in 1882 and, incredibly, 126 years later, it still isnʼt finished. A team of craftsmen toil away each day, but a completion date is still years away, making the Sagrada one of the most interesting building sites you could ever hope to visit.

Gaudí spent more than 40 years of his life before his death in 1926 on La Sagrada. His remains are actually buried beneath the nave of the church.

The crypt, apse and the nativity facade were all completed in his lifetime and remain the most beautiful elements of his creation. In the 1930s, during the Spanish Civil War,

anarchists set fire to Gaudiʼs intricate plans for the building, so the ongoing work is a matter of conjecture and no little controversy.

What is known about La Sagrada is that Gaudí created it in honour of his Christian faith. In front of the church, the nativity facade tells the story of Christʼs birth, and through extraordinary vivid stone carv-

ings the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity are also represented. Gaudí planned two other facades for La Sagrada: the Passion and the Glory, the latter of which is now being worked upon. 12 bell towers dedicated to the apostles are planned with eight already complete. These honeycombed towers stretch towards the heavens at extraordinary heights, the largest of which is a positively neckstraining 170 metres.

Gaudíʼs inspiration for La Sagrada Familia came from the natural environment. Introduced to the delights of the countryside by his mother at a young age, he regarded nature as his muse and incorporated many of the structures found in various flora and fauna in the churchʼs design.

The symbols of Jesus, Mary and Joseph at the bottom of the Nativity Facade for instance, resemble the twisting shapes in the

tendrils of climbing plants. To decorate the apse, Gaudí used as models the small animals that ran around the Temple and the spikes of grass that grew on site.

The interior of the church naves are similar to a tree with the trunk, branches and a mass of leaves acting as a ceiling and between them, some small holes through which you can see sunlight. Overall, the intention was to give visitors the feeling they are walking through a wood.

La Sagrada Familia is one of those magical creations which have long since passed into mass appeal. It is Spainʼs most visited sight, thronged every day with visitors from all over the world.

For a building still to be completed, La Sagrada is a testament to the power of imagination and the ongoing legacy of Antoni Gaudí.

From left: Interior detail, view from above, Gaudí in 1878.

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Herbert Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4 Tel: 6684321 Fax: 6607077

PAGE 26

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

Sports Desk Sponsored by

Raytown Bar

Compiled by Derek Buckley Attention all gol f e r s The Raytown B a r g o l f s e a s on is under wa y a g a i n a n d we are currently l o o k i n g f o r members for the 2 0 0 8 t o 2 0 0 9 season. The offe r i s f o r f r e e membership, yes f r e e m e mb ership and to av a i l o f t h i s i t will cost you on l y € 2 0 . A h you think, how c a n i t b e f r e e so? Well, the c l u b w i l l r ef und your €20 af t e r y o u p a rticipate in three o u t i n g s .

Th e Societyʼs f i r s t o u t ing is at R and R D u n b o y n e , Sunday 18th May a n d f o r o u r members the da y w i l l o n l y cost €30 per pe r s o n , w h i c h includes transpo r t b a c k a n d forth, a round of g o l f , a p i n t of your choice a n d s u r e w h y not– food also. I f y o u ʼ r e luck y enough you m i g h t e v e n win a prize.

So for inter e s t e d p a rties contact m y s e l f , t h e Club Treasurer, D e r e k o n 0860516165 or o u r S e c r e t a r y Brendan on 087 9 7 1 4 2 6 o r leave your name a n d n u m b e r in the Raytown B a r a n d w e will gladly conta c t y o u .

Ringsend Karate Club With all the success in the Ringsend Karate Club (pictured above) we would like to say a very big thank you to our sponsors: Ringsend Credit Union, Keevers Hauliers of Pidgeon House Road, DynoRod, Dublin Containers and John Silk Hauliers.

The children are going to Slovenia in October for the European Championships and to England in November for the British Championships.

The sponsorship is very important to us and we thank all the companies for their continued support.

Yours in karate, Fran Nangle (7th Degree Black Belt. President of the World Karate Confederation) Cambridge Boys Soccer Academy This outstanding idea has been running for the last couple of weeks and has been a major success with at last count 33 children participating.

Originally, it was Thomas

Gregg of Cambridge, who is the Academy Co-ordinator for the Club, who put the idea to the Committee who in turn gave him their full backing. Thomas then approached Jason Donoghue, the Community Development Officer and before you know it everything was up and running.

To date, head coach Darren Ryan has been making sure that everything has been running to plan and having 14 certified coaches under him who have all offered their time for the cause, things have been very professional.

The target of the academy is to teach the children balance and co-ordination skills and make it as much fun as possible. My own son is involved and when he has finished his session on Saturdays itʼs “how many more days Daddy until the next one?”

I recommend that parents should check this out. Itʼs open to boys and girls 5 to 6 years old. Why not just turn up at Irishtown Stadium on Saturday at 11 am and ask for Chief coach Darren Ryan.

Cambridge would like to thank Dublin City Council, Irishtown Stadium and all coaches, Charlie Murphy of Dublin Port Company and mostly yourselves, the parents.

Soccer Trivia The following are clues to football clubs in England and Scotland. See how many you can get. For example Steel City Day: Where in England is Steel City– Sheffield– and the day of the week– Wednesday. Answer: Sheffield Wednesday.

1. May was ill better now 2. Part of a ship 3. Suburb for the piper 4. Every ship needs them (old fashioned) 5. Old wireless expert 6. Fortress for the teller 7. Cowboys kick start 8. Organ on a lake 9. Matt Dillonʼs sidekick 10. Fortress for the weapons 11. Dirty water 12. Modern fort 13. Heʼs not one of ourʼs 14. Car parked outside Spanish house 15. Wild dogs 16. He is joined to him 17. Super Dick knows nothing 18. Whole joint 19. Ripped trying to find a dock 20. Set fire to US general 21. Always heavy 22. Oriental banana 23. Oriental English currency 24. Horse drawn carriage 25. Witches Cove 26. Out in front 27. Tax dodger 28. Southern puff

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 27

110 YEARS OF CULWICK CHORAL SOCIETY

By Magdalen OʼConnell, Honorary President, Culwick Choral Society

F

or the members of the Culwick Choral Society it is a very big deal that since 1898, their choir has an unbroken record of choral performances, mainly in Dublin, but also in other venues in Ireland and further afield.

So often when the name of the choir is mentioned, the response from those not in the know is “The what?” ʻCulwickʼ was the family name of the man who founded the choir in 1898. Dr James C Culwick– an Englishman who made his home in Ireland and who was a very eminent musician of his time.

He was a co-founder of the Feis Ceoil in 1897, and the establishment of a mixed, secular choir the following year was a very new and unique idea. On Dr Culwickʼs death in 1907, the choir was taken over by his daughter Florence, who brought the choir to a very high standard of excellence, albeit for a number of years as a ladiesʼ choir (ʻMiss Culwickʼs Ladiesʼ).

At the time of her own untimely death she had restored the choir to its original character as a mixed choir ʻof 100 voicesʼ– which it remains to this day. And it was in her honour that the Committee of the time decided on the formal name of the choir as ʻThe Culwick

Choral Societyʼ.

Florence Culwick paved the way for a succession of illustrious musical directors, of whom the present, Bernie Sherlock, is the tenth.

The Culwick has adapted to the changing choral scene over the decades, and now concentrates mainly on performance of the great choral works of the classical composers, ancient and modern– never, as one reviewer expressed it, shirking a challenge.

Particularly so in the case of Handelʼs Messiah, which the Culwick, has performed annually since 1990 in St. Patrickʼs Cathedral in Dublin, raising more than €130,000 in support of designated Irish charities, and these performances are now a firmly-established Dublin Christmas tradition.

In 2005, the choir was awarded the prestigious Santa Cecilia Trophy by the Vocal Heritage Society of Ireland and in 2006 was honoured to be chosen as the Ryder Cup Choir performing at the opening and closing ceremonies of the memorable Ryder Cup Golf Classic in the K Club.

The 110th anniversary of a choir is a unique occasion: our Spring concert on 26th April in the National Concert Hall will be the high point of our celebration, and we feel that the two choral works being performed give eloquent expression to our sentiments in this significant year: the reflective beauty of Fauréʼs Requiem and the infectious jubilance of Poulencʼs

Gloria! The celebration will be extended by a performance of the same two works in St. Fin Barreʼs Cathedral, Cork, on 17th May. What are our hopes for the fu-

ture? We hope to continue attracting audiences and giving them the pleasure of excellent performances; we hope especially to attract new generations of singers

who will keep the flame of one of Dublinʼs most enduring choral societies alive for the next 110 years!

See our website (www.culwick. org) for details of how to join.

BORZA’S TAKE-AWAY Established 1965

5/5a Sandymount Green, Dublin 4

Traditional Fish and Chips to take away Phone: 01-2694130

“Save time – Call and Collect” WISHING

CUSTOMERS AND FRIENDS ENJOYABLE SUMMER HOLIDAY

ALL OUR

A VERY

PAGE 28

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

FOOTBALL APARTHEID IN MANCHESTER Sunday 23rd March at Old Trafford

By John Cavendish

T

he main support in Dublin of English Premiership football teams seems to be for Manchester United and Liverpool, so when they play, large numbers of fans go across the Irish Sea to the venue to join in.

I have seen on my many crossings on the Irish Sea, Dublin Manchester United fans call Dublin Liverpool fans ʻScousersʼ even though theyʼre all from Dublin. I suppose if youʼre going to join in with northwest England football banter you might as well go all the way.

This year the premiership in England reached its annual final stages towards the title champions on Sunday 23rd March with two key matches, the first at Old Trafford in Manchester with Liverpool starting at 1.30 pm and a London derby down south between Arsenal and Chelsea kicking off at 4 pm.

THE NEWSFOUR

CROSSWORD COMPILED BY KILLIAN HOLMES

On the 6.30am flight from Dublin to Manchester on that Sunday morning the plane had a large contingent of Man. U. supporters, some had clearly been drinking already and went on to share some champagne on the flight.

I was travelling to the match with three friends and we arrived in the city centre at 8.45 am to find everything closed but for a J.D. Whetherspoon pub near Piccadilly station that opened at 9am on a Sunday.

We went in there for breakfast and it soon filled up with football fans, all from Manchester and no Liverpool supporters anywhere to be seen. We got a tram out to the grounds.

There were only Manchester United stalls selling scarves, hats and posters on the way up to the stadium and a pub called the Trafford nearby which was very busy but again there was no Liverpool supporters evident.

The Police were plentiful around the ground and some were mounted on horses. The crowd was fairly well behaved as far as I could see

and I didnʼt notice any trouble, but segregation of supporters was obvious and nothing that way was left to chance.

A friend of mine in London sent me a text about BBC radio reports that there was a poisonous atmosphere and that someone had sprayed ʻ96 not enoughʼ referring to the 96 Liverpool supporters who died at the Hillsborough stadium disaster in 1989.

Inside Old Trafford the hospitality suites were busy doing lunch and beer so everyone was fed and well oiled for the match. In the arena the Liverpool fans were confined to one corner of the stadium.

Liverpool got off to a good start on the field but Wayne Rooney had three near strikes at goal and Wes Brown scored the first of three goals for United after 34 minutes.

Liverpoolʼs Argentinean Javier Mascherano got booked in the tenth minute for a foul on Paul Scholes and near half-time he reacted badly to referee Steve Bennett giving another yellow card to

Name:……………………………

Address:………………………… Telephone:…………………

teammate Fernando Torres and was then shown a second yellow card himself.

This left Liverpool down to ten players and I noticed that more stewards packed around the Liverpool fans as the decibels roared from the shouting and roaring of the fans. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez came onto the pitch to cool his player down and get him off.

Mascherano now faces an FA discipline hearing for dissent.

United dominated the game in the second half with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his 34th goal of the season

in the 79th minute and Nani scoring the 3rd in the 81st minute.

United fans were happy with their best performance of the season against arch football rivals Liverpool whose Capitan Steve Gerrard had played better games.

Crowd control was again in evidence after the match with the Liverpool fans being kept behind for detention to let the United fans leave the stadium first so that they didnʼt meet any scousers, a cold day to have to hang around for an escort from the ground after losing badly.

The winner of the February crossword is Maureen Smith of Farney Park, Sandymount.

Entries should be sent to ʻNewsFourʼ, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 and should reach us by 3 June 2008. Good luck!

ACROSS 1. Released from closed or fastened position (6) 5. Surface upon which artists sometimes paint (6) 10. Ghost of the opera? (7) 11. Material made from animal skin (7) 12. A requirement, a necessity (4) 13. Collection of maps (5) 15. The opposite of low (4) 17. The organ of hearing (3) 19. Male bees (6) 21. Overjoyed, ecstatic (6) 22. To book a table perhaps? (7) 23. To experience again (6) 25. A short trip, perhaps to buy something (6) 28. 19 across is one (3) 30. Regularly express excessive affection on someone (4) 31. Card with identifying information, often worn pinned to oneʼs clothing (5) 32. Puts a question to (4) 35. Sidelong glancing to indicate sexual desire or malicious intent (7) 36. Native of the Jewish state in the historic region of Palestine. (7) 37. To climb or move upwards (6) 38. To go from one place to another (6) DOWN 2. Substance given to person who assumes it is medicine (7) 3. Brief record of something (4) 4. Reduce to a lower rank (6) 5. Part of shirt that covers neck (6) 6. Tidy (4) 7. Someone that doesnʼt believe in God (7) 8. Expressed an opinion (6) 9. Shaped like an inverted U (6) 14. Hair cut at different overlapping lengths (7) 16. Wait on a table (5) 18. Vigilant, aware (5) 20. Perceive with eyes (3) 21. Adamʼs wife (3) 23. Puzzling problem (5) 24. The symbols of which the alphabet is composed (7) 26. Plain and simple without luxury (7) 27. To increase concentration or purify, usually water (6) 28. Captured or killed game (6) 29. Self-centred, selfish person (6) 33. Pleasing and agreeable (4) 34. Length multiplied by width (4)

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 29

‘Julius Winsome’

DUBLIN WATERMAINS FOR UPDATE

by Gerard Donovan

Reviewed by Stephanie Morris

J

ulius Winsome is a rare and unique breed of character. He lives in a cabin in the northern woods of Maine. Julius lives a very simple, yet fulfilled life, doing general gardening work in the summer months and hibernating during the bleak and harsh winters.

He learned this solitary existence from birth, as he was raised by his father and his grandfather, both World War veterans and it was in this cabin that Julius grew up. His mother died giving birth to him.

Julies also adopted a passion for reading from his father, and upon his death, the cabin remained filled with 3,256 books, wall to wall surrounding the cabin, all leather-bound and alphabetically ordered. Julius cherished his books and the memories bound in them, but his real love and sole companion was Hobbes, his dog.

One day while Julius was reading and going about his daily winter routine in November, getting logs for his fire, making tea and reading Russian stories, he began to notice no sign of Hobbes but continued his reading with a slight unease. It was a very cold winter.

When Hobbes did not return, Julius went in search of his friend.

He found Hobbes dying in the snow. He found a gunshot wound and immediately suspected that the dog had been shot at close range. Peculiar. But he drove to the vets and sadly as he held Hobbes close to him, he died in his arms.

The return journey home with his breathless, lifeless, dead Hobbes was heart-wrenching for Julius as was his burial as he laid him to rest in the spot where he had found him, not far from the cabin. A place that he would have to pass daily.

The story evolves and takes us upon a journey not only of the deep love and grief Julius had for Hobbes. This loss and grief turns

into a tale of suspicion and deep revenge as he is now sure the death of Hobbes was not an accident. Julius, once a placid, soft natured man, a man of integrity and of an intellectual nature now goes in search of the killer or killers only to discover how easily violence overwhelms his life.

Though at times it is difficult to justify his actions, the author so cleverly takes you into the mind of Julius so that one can identify somewhere in their soul with his anguish and pain and extend a heartfelt compassion as to what motivated this deep revenge that took over his life and sadly had a serious effect on the lives of others.

The content of this story is just as endearing as the way it is written. You are magnetically absorbed with every page turned.

The use of his language is like that of poetic prose.

Gerard Donovan has mastered the gift to use the harsh weather conditions, metaphorically, not only to describe the severe endurance of this season in Northern Maine but it depicts to his readers the brutality and rawness of loneliness.

Julies had a brief love encounter with a woman named Claire, who inspired him to find a dog for company. For this he was forever grateful as the joy Hobbes brought to him was endless.

The author keeps us very much in touch with Juliusʼs insight as to how the mind of a dog works. The end has an interesting twist and ties in very strongly with events that took place in his earlier life and the motives behind the dog killerʼs revenge.

Julius is a beautiful man with a strong connection with nature and his inner emotions. Through the loss of Hobbes, these are accentuated and stripped to a raw and relentless sadness until his revenge is complete. It is such a memorable tale, one which lasts with you long after you have read it.

This book not only takes you on an emotional journey but the magnificent way in which the author uses such majestic imagery to describe the weather is remarkable. You may need a wool blanket close by as well as a box of tissues. I miss Julius Winsome like a friend, a true ascetic aesthetic.

IN THE COMING weeks Dublin City Council will begin work across a number of areas to replace old and leaking water pipes with modern, new, heavy-duty polyethylene pipes.

Works began in the Anglesea Road and Pembroke Road areas on Monday 7th April and will take place in the Irishtown, Mespil Road and Kilmainham areas in the coming months. All customers affected by these works have been informed through leaflet drops, and in some cases, visits.

A number of householders and businesses in these areas will experience water shut-offs for short periods of time and a notification will be delivered to anyone affected 48 hours in advance.

Road signage will also be in place in advance of works starting on particular roads to advise motorists of any temporary restrictions.

Itʼs all part of the €118 million programme Dublin Regional Watermains Rehabilitation Project to replace approximately 280km of old cast-iron water mains throughout the Dublin region.

Many of the existing water mains are cast-iron and were laid up to 100 years ago. This essential project will replace them with modern, new, heavy duty polyethylene pipes. As a result of their age and increased workload as demand for water increases, many of the old water mains are leaking or corroded, resulting in millions of litres of high-quality drinking water being lost every day.

For further information and regular updates lo-call 1890 88 24 10 (Monday - Friday 9am-5pm), or visit www.watermainsrehab.ie

An Archive of Dublin 4 and Docklands photographs at fotopic.net DES OʼMURCHU always has a camera with him when he is travelling around the Docklands area and his photographs are now on www.fotopic.net. His early 80s period is highlighted with the DART Construction as well as important photographs of Ringsend at the time the East-Link Bridge was announced. Gasworks pictures were mainly taken from the DART. On the Historic Documents page are original documents regarding Lansdowne Rugby Clubhouse construction in 1972 where the total budget for the Clubhouse Development was around £75,000!

Any questions or requests for publication should be done through fotopic.net

PAGE 30

A

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

MOMENT IN TIME

These three young sisters are dressed to the nines in their matching outfits. We know they are Patsy, Marie and Dolores OʼConnor. The photo was taken many years ago but these three girls are forever captured in their youth.

‘V ILLAGE D ESIGN S TATEMENT ’ FOR S ANDYMOUNT …

IF ITS LOCATION CAN BE AGREED

By John Cavendish

D

ublin City Council officials held a meeting in Scoil Mhuire on Gilford Road on the evening of 31st March last, to announce that Sandymount has been selected for a ʻVillage Design Statementʼ, to enhance the development of the area with the help of the community.

The discussion was opened

by Eileen Brady, the Local Area Manager for Dublin City Councilʼs South East Area of Dublin along with John Murphy the Deputy City Planner and Patricia Hyde also from Planning.

Eileen Brady introduced City Councillors Dermot Lacey of Labour and Paddy McCartan of Fine Gael. Also present was Alison Harvey a Planner with the Heritage Council who was involved with a Village Design statement for Lucan.

Ms. Brady referred to a map for the Sandymount Area with a red dotted line from Church Avenue to St. Johnʼs Road between the DART railway and along the footpath of Strand Road but not including the Beach or the road.

Eileen Brady said that she hoped the meeting could agree a boundary zone with the audience and maybe set up a Steering group of say 10 or so to put together a brief with the Council planners.

Deputy City Planner John Murphy, who had until recently worked for the City Council on getting the Poolbeg Incinerator approved, referred to the map and asked that the meeting get to an agreement as to the boundary extent of Sandymount and opened up the meeting to the floor.

Mrs. Lorna Kelly of the Sandymount and Merrion Residentsʼ Association, SAMRA, said that for the people of Sandymount

the Strand up to the Merrion gates was always considered Sandymount. Ms. Kelly then showed other maps that had been used by SAMRA in the local area plan previously.

In response to a request from a resident asking that Sandymount be classified as an Architectural Conservation Area, ACA, Mr. Murphy said that the extent of the area proposed was too large for that type of designation.

Alison Harvey was then introduced by Eileen Brady as the Planning Officer with Heritage Council. “You tell us what you want in the brief and that will be whatʼs looked at,” she said.

Minister Gormley was keen on Village Design Statements, she said.

Gary Scafe of Claremont Road, complained about the issuing of a leaflet about the Incinerator along with the notice for the VDS meeting and said that looking at the area considered in the plan issued it was unreal to talk about improvement for Sandymount without considering the Waste Water Plant, the Incinerator, traffic, high rise

buildings, proposed roads and so on.

Councillor Dermot Lacey said that there was huge mistrust about the planning process and said in his view that we have an un-democratic planning system that needed fundamental reform. He said that this was an opportunity to participate in the development of the area and that it would not make things worse and might make thing better and encouraged the community to

take part in the process.

Local Architect John OʼNeill asked for clarification as to what exactly a Village Design Statement is compared to a Local Area Plan. Alison Harvey replied that when looking at a Local Area Plan one is looking at land use primarily, whereas with a Village Design Statement aspects of what make an area important, buildings and approaches into the Village all of the things that make the character of the area special and not just a matter of land zoning.

Councillor Paddy McCartan said that he supported Lorna Kellyʼs idea of having an Architectural Conservation Area around the village centre.

Joe McCarthy said he supported the idea of a Conservation area for the village centre and said that the village area should go to the seashore. He pointed out that the Martello tower was not included.

Mr. McCarthy said that the area shown in the map should have included the Beach and made the point that the large developments on the Irish Glass Bottle site, the Fabrizia site, the Incinerator, the new Dublin Dockland EIS for high rise development and the Barrage pro-

posed now by the City Council were all within our hinterland and will have a dramatic effect on the village centre and must be included in the scope and terms of reference of the VDS Steering Group, “If there is anything that this VDS should address it is to protect our quality of life here.”

He said that “we are put to the pin of our collar in this community dealing with the vicissitudes planted on us by Dublin City Council. He said the VDS distracted us from the major problems caused by the other proposals. This was applauded by the gathering.

Catherine Cavendish said that the architect John OʼNeill had prepared a Village Plan some ten years ago and she believed that had won a prize and improvements were made around the footpaths but nothing was heard of it ever since.

The meeting concluded after it was suggested that it would be fairer to call a more widely advertised meeting that would include more members of the public. So keep an eye out for notices on the notice board in the Green for the next meeting.

Left: Just where are the boundaries of Sandymount?

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 31

THE POETRY PLACE

My Mother

There’s a reason

The gift of a life that was given to me, Was the day when I was born, My mother cradled me in her loving arms, On a hot July morn.

I was nursed, fed and bathed, This happened day in and day out, The love and care that was given to me, Goes beyond compare I have no doubt.

Defenceless to the world around, Too young to understand, My mother was always there for me, The greatest friend in all the land.

She worried for me when I was sick, And nursed me back to health, The love of a mother is a wonderful gift, No money could buy, she was my wealth.

She took me to school on my first day, And when I cried she gave me a kiss, Then she collected me when it was time to go home, All day I looked forward to this.

Then came the time my communion I made, She dressed me up as best as she could, My new suit my new shoes and my medal, She was as proud as any mum would.

She looked after me through all my school years, Confirmation came along all too soon, Another new suit, new shoes and a medal.

And the joy shown in her face was a boom.

When the time came around for me to leave school, She was there at my side when I needed her, She prayed for my future in life, And that I would have many happy days, For a secure job a family and a good wife.

Well true to her prayers all this came to pass, Then the day came when she passed away, For the gift of life she had given to me, Iʼll remember her ʻtil my final day.

When I awake and see you lying by my side I know that thereʼs a reason And I cannot hide my pride

See the smile upon my face You put it there with your sweet lips Feel the energy inside You put it there with your sweet kiss

Thereʼs a reason why now My heart beats strong and true Thereʼs a reason why Iʼm smiling And its all because of you

If you give me a little of your time You give me another chance To lose myself in your arms To become immersed in your dance

When I hear the birds are singing and the sun shines throughout the day even though there may be storms ahead or trouble on its way

Together we could have joined as one And journeyed far and wide Together we could build on Those feelings deep inside

I know that thereʼs an answer To all lifeʼs trials and fears I know thereʼs no room in this life For loneliness and tears

See that love shine in my eyes You put it there with your sweet kiss You brought me to a place so beautiful Of eternal unwavering bliss

I know that youʼre the one Who takes away the questions and the fear And I know I can face any hurdle When you are in my life so near

You made me lost for words Unable to comprehend The feelings running round my heart The messages that you send

Whatever life may throw at me Whatever problems I may face I can overcome them When I look into your face

The flicker of electricity That tingles down my spine The savoured knowledge that I am yours And you are always mine

Tonight I close my eyes And turn our bodies into one And know that when tomorrow comes A new life will have begun.

The magic that I breathe with you The light that shines in your eyes The loving things that you do That take me my surprise

By Audrey Healy

A letter from the afterlife I woke up to the fact that I am now dead Having passed away peacefully in my bed.

Iʼm deceased, defunct, totally departed Gone from a life I long ago started.

Glad I am dead, I could do with the rest The bodyʼs tired, the brain not the best.

Gave it my best shot, took life as it came Have no regrets at the end of the game.

By Sonny Kinsella

Think again

Been a good life, canʼt really complain 80 odd years, most of them sane.

Never harmed anyone, never scolded a cat, Paid all my bills, including the VAT. I lie here now and wait my fate Will I be next in line for heavenʼs gate?

Maybe hell will be my home for not going to mass Or could I just stay here, six foot under grass.

Think again before you utter Words that cause anotherʼs pain Wounded hearts are slow in healing If they ever heal again.

Whatʼs the use of being sorry If regrets are all in vain Curb your tongue for just one moment Think again.

By Brian Kelly

By Anon

See the smile

As always, we welcome contributions to The Poetry Place, which can be sent to the ʻNewsFourʼ offices at 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.

And I wonder if tears fall upon your pillow Or if you canʼt sleep at night If darkness descends on you Until the cold morning light And I wonder if you feel The depth of pain that I sometimes do Coupled with the love That I sometimes feel for you And I wonder if we will ever Tell each other how we feel And I wonder if weʼll ever know If we can make our true love real

By Audrey Healy

The stolen child Nothing can bring you peace But yourself.

My heart is getting better.

No men included.

Going forward In the most extreme solitude, Like going Across the desert.

I know how to survive I trained as a child.

By Patrick Duffy

PAGE 32

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

The Fontenoy Files

By Shay Connolly

Senior Status regained after 22 years

T

he proud and cherished history of Clanna Gael Fontenoy was restored some weeks ago when the hallowed arena of Senior Hurling was graced again for the first time in 22 years.

In those days the club was contesting for Senior Hurling Championships and Division 1 honours. Then some barren years were experienced and the Club fell down to Junior ranks.

Along came a team under the management of Tom Ryan, Jack Nicholson, Peter Burnett and the late Jim Kavanagh and pride was restored again as this young team battled their way through the Junior scene to gain promotion to the Intermediate leagues in the late 90s.

Some very near misses were encountered in their attempts to return to Senior grade including two agonising semi-final defeats by one point on both occasions. All seemed lost for this team in their quest to regain senior status as age began to creep up on them and already older colleagues began to retire.

But along came the Warriors who having trailed a blaze of success at Juvenile level were now ready to join their elder lemons. It was the perfect blend. A crop of hardened and experienced 28 year olds and the dash and finesse of 18 year olds.

It was hoped that this blend could reach the Holy Grail within two or three years but the lads were in no humour for such nonsense and after a year of constant hard work, that included training on St Stephenʼs Day and such like the boys did it in the first year. This is truly a wonderful achievement for the local area and great credit is due to Paul, Bob McCarthy, and Paul Brennan for steering them there.

Their campaign has started and the first two matches proved just beyond them as jitters and stage fright were all in evidence for both matches could have been won. But that all went out the window when

the Erinʼs Isle boys from Finglas came down to do battle in the small village of Ringsend.

With a population deficit of about 10 to 1 between Finglas and Ringsend surely Fontenoys didnʼt stand a chance. But we are made of tough stuff down here lads and after a titanic struggle the Ringsend lads won the day by three points and gained their first points in Senior league.

There is a long hard struggle ahead of us to keep our status but believe me there are many fine quality hurlers here and instead of talking about retaining our status we should be talking about improving it and promotion to Division One. There is only one connection between the senior team of old and the recently-promoted side.

Now who would that be? Wait for it! Of course it had to be!

Sure who else would it be! You guessed it– The Legend. Having played for the last Senior team for all of 10 years his son is top scorer in the present team.

We canʼt shut him up here!

Not to be undone, the Junior Camogie team decided to get in on the act. Having held senior status themselves some years ago these ageing belles (oh my God, my life wonʼt be worth

living after that last statement) hadnʼt gone away you know.

It would have been oh so simple to retire gracefully having giving so much to the Camogie scene for many a year. But these ladies were in no mood for retiring. Confronted with a depleted squad, no manager and a host of other difficulties they faced adversity in the face and turned it around.

Up stepped big Paddy Joyce who took the helm as Manager.

Training resumed to acceptable numbers. A few younger belles joined the squad and slowly but surely it began to gel in place.

This mighty effort from all culminated when they captured the Junior A cup amid great scenes in the Phoenix Park by beating Craobh Chiaran in the final by 4–2 to 2–3.Congratulations to all concerned.

I couldnʼt leave this page without mentioning Lisa Murray, who has scored a whopping 15 goals in 4 matches. * Inter footballers welcome new manager Maurice Leahy and the three points out of four gained last week has got the show seriously back on the road. The Club also welcomes back Graham Dent to the fold. * Adult Lady Footballers have

won one and lost one in their new elevated status of Intermediate. * U12 Hurlers recently won their league match by 31 points while the U12 footballers contest the league semi-final against St Maryʼs of Saggart at time of writing. * Mick Fitzgerald joins the management team of the U11 squad. Mick now teams up with one his former pupils, Simon Beirne from the Intermediate football team. * Our sincere condolences to the Heavey, Bannable and Ridgeway families on their recent sad losses. John Heavey was a prominent presence in the Clubhouse for many a year and the jibes between soccer and Gaelic were great.

John played in goal in some of the Gaelic seven-a-sides held here at the club and he would jibe afterwards that it reminded him of his playing days with Shelbourne when he played against Barcelona.

Willie Bannable was widely known around the area. At his packed funeral Fr. Coady joked about him lighting candles for Chelsea. As he had taken to attending Croker for the Dubs matches in recent years we can only hope and pray that Wil-

lie was lighting candles for the Dubs also.

Willieʼs daughter-in-law Sharon is a member of the OʼHanlon clan from Coolock who have donned the jerseys of Parnells and Dublin alike. Our condolences also go to Vicky and Rita Ridgeway on the death of Vickyʼs father Victor, coming so shortly after the tragic loss of John. Ar dheis Dé go raibh gach ainm dilis. * Clann Óg, the Saturday morning Academy for 5 to 8 year olds continues each Saturday morning at 10.45. All newcomers welcome. * Summer Camps.

Football Camp begins on the 11th August Hurling Camp begins on the 18th August For further information phone Donal at 086 8066421 * All local schools have commenced Cumann Na mBunscoil action and every one of them has recorded first round victories. * U15 Hurlers and footballers are still very much in contention for league honours with three great victories in recent weeks against Fingal Ravens, Commercials and Clontarf.

This form bodes well for the upcoming Championship.

Docklands Young Achievers Awards The Club was proudly represented at the Dockland Young Achievers Awards held in the Mansion House earlier this month. Last yearʼs U14 footballers won their Group award and Kim Flood won the Individual U18 award. There was also an award for St Patʼs Ringsend Ladiesʼ Gaelic Football team for their heroic day in Croker last year. The highlight of this award ceremony each year is the overall Young Docklander of the Year award. There were many nominations for this prestigious award from all the various groupings and organisations from both sides of the Liffey.

As the Lord Mayor Paddy Bourke received the envelope from Gerry Kelly, Direc-

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

tor of Social Regeneration at D.D.D.A. a pin could be heard falling at the packed Mansion House. The moment had arrived and when the Lord Mayor announced the name of Desmond Soon the people of Clanna Gael Fontenoy went wild with delight. It was a truly momentous occasion for Des, his family and the Club.

Des hails from Malaysia and his family moved here some 10

PAGE 33

years ago. At an early age Des joined Clanna Gael Fontenoy.

Des like many other foreign nationals could be forgiven for feeling somewhat isolated in his new surroundings. But he endured this isolation and took a huge liking to the nativeʼs ancient craft of hurling and Gaelic Football.

Again, like many foreign nationals Des would have heard the usual jibes about his nation-

Calafort Átha Cliath

ality but undaunted he stuck with it and turned up for every training session. When he developed on to a team and started to play at competitive level Des would have suffered some more jibes about his nationality from opposing teams.

I witnessed some of these jibes and it made me ashamed to be Irish. But by now Des had become the most popular player on the team and had won all the

M ANY

respect of his own team mates.

If you were going to insult Des then you were going to insult the whole team and a wonderful bond of camaraderie emerged from these encounters.

Des could have walked away.

But he stood tall and remained with it and after one year at competitive level he was called into the Dublin Hurling Development Squad such was his skill at the ancient craft. Des survived to tell the story and he is an example to the Nation.

In our eyes here at the club Des is a hero. He represents the new Ireland. A new Ireland where tolerance, understanding and welcoming of our new neighbours should be the order of the day. To Des and his Family we say welcome and thank you for embracing our culture

in such a positive fashion as Des has done to date.

We also say thank you to Gerry Kelly and the DDDA for their innovation in setting up these awards.

Notice to all Gaelic Footballers past or present 10 players urgently requested to fill county team for upcoming League Final and if objections are not successful will be required for forthcoming Leinster Championship also. Experience desired but not essential.

Please reply to Pillar Caffrey a.s.a.p.

Far left: Desmond Soon, who won the Young Docklander of the Year award.

On left, the Junior Camogie team is back with a vengeance!

Roslyn Park School, Sandymount It’s 30 years since the Class of 1978 left Roslyn Park.

Were you in that class?

We are organising a class reunion for September this year and would love to hear from you.

Contact Megan at 086 1602939 or Irene at 087 7558414

HAPPY RETURNS AT

P OOLBEG Y ACHT C LUB

Dublin Port Company Port Centre, Alexandra Road, Dublin 1.

Telephone: 887 6000, 855 0888 Fax: 855 7400 Web: www.dublinport.ie

Best wishes to Dave Crowe who is pictured above celebrating his 90th birthday at Poolbeg Yacht Club. With Dave on the sofa are his wife Kitty and daughter Rosaleen. His other children are from rear left: Dave, Ann, Liz, Catherine and Shay.

PAGE 34

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

S T P ATRICK ’ S G IRLS ’ S CHOOL

HOLD THE LINE

Above: St Patrickʼs Girlsʼ School Ringsend Gaelic Football Team is pictured with Brendan Malone of the Board of Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

Thanks to Uncle Tommy, NewsFour, Power Video Productions and Books on the Green

Mespil House, 37 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 We provide an efficient, professional service at a competitive price SO CALL US TODAY ON - 01 5240135 Fax : 01 2315253 Mobile: 087 6333617 Email : pat@patcaulfieldandco.ie

View all our services on Website: www.patcaulfieldandco.ie

IT WAS ALL my Wifeʼs fault, you see she had decided that the wardrobes had to go and the new sliding mirror type fitted. It was my job to clean out the old ones and find a place for all the junk that had accumulated over the years. The one place left in the house for all the boxes was the loft, and it was there that I came across the box of old cine film that my Uncle Tommyʼs wife had given to me some 20 years ago.

Uncle Tommy was my fatherʼs eldest brother who had a very good job and could afford to indulge in his favourite hobby of film making. He bought himself a Eumig cine camera, and a projector and no matter what the occasion Uncle Tommy would always be found with his cine camera to capture it all. Many a good nightʼs entertainment was spent watching Uncle Tommyʼs films on a big screen.

Again, it was my wife who said that our wedding film must be in the box and we suspected that birthdays, communions, confirmations and much more would also be in there but we did not possess the correct equipment to watch them. I remembered seeing an advert in the last edition of ʻNewsFourʼ for a company here in Ireland that could transfer these Films to DVD . We found the relevant advert and discovered that Books on the Green was our local agent for Power Video Productions.

We also rang Power Video Productions in Dublin, who assured us that not only could they transfer the Film to DVD but they would clean the film first and then digitalise it for the best quality.

The following day we dropped them into the shop and within a week all the film was returned together with a DVD, we couldnʼt wait to watch it. That evening, we all sat down in front of the TV and they say that you canʼt relive the good old days but I can tell you we laughed, cried and squirmed at our clothes and hair styles. Our children loved watching us as youngsters but fell around laughing at our style, there was no Nike in our day.

Thank you Uncle Tommy, thanks for all the lovely memories which both us and our children will treasure for the rest of our lives.

Colm Lambert

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 35

S URF ’ S

By Fergal Murphy

S

urfdock, the windsurfing and watersports shop is running a competition for 8 to 16 year olds to win a free place on their summer camp in this issue of ʻNewsFourʼ. They are offering 12 places valued at €225 each, one for each winner.

More on that below, first a little about the Surfdock.

The shop is situated in the Grand Canal dock yard on the south Dock and fittingly enough for what they stock is situated on a boat, the Naomh Eanna, which used to be used to transport cattle from Galway to the Aran Islands.

Now thatʼs character, which canʼt be said about many shops nowadays! The shop stocks a wide range of windsurfing, surfing, kayaking, kite surfing, wakeboarding boards, clothing and ac-

UP !

cessories.

Surfdock are also running windsurfing courses consisting of four three-hour sessions covering all aspects of the sport and these are ideal for beginners who want to be able to pick up a board and ride the waves.

They also do corporate party nights for adults in which you can try a mix of watersports and then chill out with a barbeque and a few beers.

But the best news of all for parents is that every week through June, July and August, children can go to their summer camp which lets them enjoy windsurfing, sailing, canoeing and surf bikes while you enjoy a bit of peace!

With recognised instructors from the Irish Sailing Association and the area being recently redeveloped, fresh water fed in from the Grand Canal basin, changing room and shower facilities and a

fleet of rescue boats, the kids can enjoy learning about watersports in comfort and safety.

Pictured above are, left to right: Alan Harris, owner: Dunny McCobb, Activities Director and Anthony Byrne, Senior Instructor.

INCINERATOR HEARING LEAVES UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

By John Cavendish

P

reparations for the oral hearing with the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, that opened on Monday 14th April began in earnest with a display in Clanna Gael Fontenoy GAA club on 29th of March by Dublin City Council which was notified to the public by a ʻProject Updateʼ.

This leaflet circulated throughout Sandymount, Irishtown and Ringsend, invited people to an open day for a presentation in Clanna Gael to see how the company Dublin Waste to Energy Limited are progressing with the building of a 600,000 tonne waste burning plant that will be built on the Poolbeg.

The ʻProject Updateʼ tells how Dublin Waste to Energy Limited is made up of a joint venture between Covanta Energy, USA, a subsidiary of the Covanta Holding Corporation and DONG Energy Generation, Denmark.

DONG now owns Elsam Ireland who were the original successful bidder for the contract.

Covanta operates 37 incinerators worldwide. Dublin City Council has signed a contract with developer Treasury Holdings to provide heating for apartments in Spencer

Dock from the Poolbeg incinerator, which has yet to be granted a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Council has secured planning permission for the incinerator from An Bord Pleanála, but it needs a waste licence from the EPA to operate the plant.

Joe McCarthy and Valerie Jennings were amongst the objectors at the oral hearing with An Bord Pleanála and attended the Project Update. Joe said “There were two significant errors in the material displayed by the Council– they showed the site covering all the ground as far as the nature walk and also showed an air-cooled incinerator when in fact the design for the Dublin incinerator is water cooled.”

Joe told ʻNewsFourʼ that they had asked about the electrical efficiency of the plant, which was claimed at the An Bord Pleanála

hearing to be over 32%. Joe said that Covanta could not comment on this.

The presentation showed that the community gain focussed on district heating with pictures of some heating pipes being installed in Spencer Dock. A committee is to be appointed made up of three local representatives, three elected councillors, two DCC officials and one representative from the incinerator operator plus an independent chairperson. This committee would decide on how the monies would be spent in the local area.

Joe McCarthy made a number of serious points about Dublin Waste to Energy. He said, “It is very unclear who is actually in charge of this project because originally the winner of the tender competition was to apply for the waste licence and planning permission. This company was Elsam of Denmark.

However, Elsam has been bought

To win a free place on the childrenʼs summer camp for 8 to 16 year olds all you have to do is send in a picture that captures the feel of Grand Canal Basin and Surfdock to Surfdock Competition, c/o NewsFour, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 or digitally to newsfourscs@eircom.net by 30th June.

by DONG also from Denmark but DONG is unwilling to finance the job and have sold a majority interest to Covanta, an American company.

“Dublin Waste to Energy has only completed a conceptual design of the incinerator and they still have to go to market to design and procure an engineering and manufacturing supplier for the incinerator. This means that no authority in Ireland, never mind the public, will have any chance to examine the actual incinerator which will be one of the largest in Europe.”

Valerie Jennings said: “Given our experience with the sewage treatment plant this seems a foolish way to progress with a major plant which will be in operation for more than 30 years at the publicʼs expense.”

Joe McCarthy reminded ʻNewsFourʼ readers “The EPA proposes to issue an official licence to DCC as the operator but the Council has no experience in operating an incinerator. He says that nobody at the event could address the question about the proposed burning of sewage sludge and industrial sludge.

“In fact DCC refused to address these issues at the An Bord Pleanála hearing saying that they were not asking for planning permission for burning sludge, yet at the same time they are applying to

the EPA for a licence to burn it. So which is it– will they burn sludge or not?”

The running order for the objectors at the EPA oral hearing in the Gresham Hotel is David Farrell of Synergen Power Limited, Frances Corr of the Combined Residents against Incineration, Maurice Bryan, Joe McCarthy and Valerie Jennings, Lorna Kelly of Sandymount and Merrion Residentsʼ Association, Damien Cassidy, Sharon McCormack of Poolbeg Quay Residentsʼ Association, Marco Salino, Mr John Hawkins, James Rowentree, Ryan Meade of the Green Party, Councillor Daithí Doolan and Mary Lou McDonald, MEP of Sinn Fein, Ruairi Quinn, TD of Labour.

Following the oral Hearing, a report and recommendation will be submitted to the EPA Board and a final decision on whether or not to grant a licence will be made.

Mrs. Lorna Kelly said that she had concerns arising from the Inspectorʼs Report by Inspector Padraic Thornton regarding air quality and water temperatures. Mrs Kelly said that the water temperatures used in the EIS for the incinerator with regard to the ESB cooling water output into the Liffey were unreliable and do not reflect the potential situation where the incinerator is also putting its cooling water into the river.”

PAGE 36

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - A LIGHTBULB MOMENT

By Maurice Neligan

H

eartbeat: The highest authority dragged me out at some ungodly hour to walk from the Pigeon House to the Poolbeg lighthouse at the end of the South Bull Wall of Dublin port.

It was a glorious morning, save a brisk cold southeasterly chopping up the waters at the entrance to the river and in the wider bay beyond.

I preach ʻthree miles a dayʼ, and I do try to practise it. On this walk I scarcely noticed the distance or the time.

The red lighthouse, so familiar to Dubliners, was started in 1761 and first shed light on the waters six years later. In those days, cockles, shrimp and oysters were indigenous and formed a major

part of the bill of fare of adjacent hostelries like The Good Woman or The Conniving House in Irishtown and Ringsend.

As a child swimming at Booterstown or Williamstown, I was always warned about the dangers of the cockle lake, supposed to lie in the vague vicinity of Irishtown. According to my mother, about half the population of Ireland had drowned in it, mostly careless and disobedient youths like me.

You would be a brave soul to trust the marine harvest of the bay in these times. I suppose that when the Pembroke main drain began to discharge raw, untreated sewage into the mouth of the Liffey, it was all over for the seafood aficionados, at least as regards produce from the immediate vicinity.

At the lighthouse you appear to

be in the middle of the bay with the surrounding coast spread all around you: Howth to the north, the ever-changing skyline of the city behind, and Dún Laoghaire, Killiney and the Dublin hills to the south and west.

Turning our backs to the breeze and heading back towards the city we met two men about to swim at the Half Moon Swimming Club at the battery.

One told me that a colleague had performed a coronary bypass upon him some six years previously and that he had never felt better. He swam every day, barring gale and storm.

Looking at the choppy, uninviting sea I knew I couldnʼt have done it, whatever the health benefits. My little walk would have to suffice, but a vague feeling of discontent stirred deep within in the presence of such dedication.

IS Urban Beach at Docklands, 4th– 20th July 2008 Can you believe it? Irelandʼs very first ʻurban beachʼ will be created in the heart of Dublin city this summer. Inspired by cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Prague and Berlin, Georgeʼs Dock in the IFSC in Docklands, will be transformed into a tropical seaside oasis which will be home to plenty of sizzling summer activities for Dubliners of all ages. The beach, an initiative of the Docklands Authority, will be in place from Friday 4th July to Sunday 20th July.

My begrudging mind recalled the story of the psychiatric patient who absconded from a hospital in Cavan, stark naked, in a snowstorm. A hastily-gathered posse of gardaí and psychiatric nurses set off in pursuit, into the falling snow and gathering darkness.

They followed the bare footprints, fading in the falling snow, with no success. Eventually a Garda said “thereʼs someone coming”, and a wobbling bicycle light appeared out of the gloom with a hunched figure pedalling laboriously.

“Is that yourself, Patsy?” called the guard.

“It is surely,” came the reply.

“Terrible night to be abroad,” said the Garda.

“It is surely,” came the verbose answer.

“Did you happen to see a mon (sic) heading down the road a whiles back?” asked the Garda.

“I did surely.”

“Did ye notice heʼd no clothes on?”

“I did surely.”

“Did ye not think that was passing remarkable?”

“I did surely.”

“Did ye say anything to him, Patsy?” asked the Garda.

“I did surely.”

“What did you say, Patsy?” came the next question.

“Hardy mon, sez I.” “Good night to yez all.”

I salute the hardy men of the Half Moon.

A lovely walk indeed but it has one unfortunate feature: the flagstones are very uneven and require that you mind your step.

This militates to some degree against your enjoyment of the panoramic views.

It is a small price to pay.

There is another little problemright at the commencement of the walk, beside the car park at Irishtown Nature Park, there is now a Traveller halting site. It is not an official site, nor is it serviced.

Accordingly, it presents the kind of problems of which we are all too well aware. Maybe Minister for the Environment John Gormley can do something to provide proper facilities for these folk who are located in his constituency. They have to have somewhere to live in decency with proper facilities, not in squalor by the roadside.

While heʼs at it, maybe he can fix the smell from the sewage works and do a job on the incinerator as well. His constituents would probably rather that than

everlasting light bulbs.

Main picture: The Poolbeg Lighthouse and above The Half Moon Swimming Club.

Maurice Neligan is a cardiac surgeon. This article was originally published in ʻThe Irish Timesʼ.

LIFE A BEACH ?

A relaxing haven in the midst of the bustling IFSC, the Urban Beach will be dotted with palm trees and surrounded by beach cabanas, lounge chairs, beach umbrellas and a refreshment beach hut. Visitors will have the opportunity to practise yoga or tai chi, play a game of chess or boules or simply relax on a lounge chair surrounded by palm trees and watch the world go by.

Beach goers will feel like they are beside the seaside with a programme of events including a special ʻbaby beachʼ area for sand castle building and those in search

of a few rays at lunchtime can escape the office for a siesta– bring your own beach towel or relax on a sun-lounger. More energetic types can set up volleyball nets for a fun game or two.

Letʼs hope we have a window of fine weather in July to get the maximum benefit from this exciting development.

Further information on the Urban Beach at Docklands can be found at www.dublindocklands.ie Left: The Paris Plage along the River Seine.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 37

C HANGES

By Brian Rutherford

A

nna Livia has been going for 16 years and has now changed to ʻDublin City FMʼ but that is only the beginning.

It is aiming to raise its profile and increase funds through advertising and sponsorship.

Dublin City FM is hoping to take on five full-time staff and thus generate more ideas for innovative radio programmes. There are at present 170 volunteers working there.

Dublin City FMʼs chairman, Mick Hanley, is an Eircom technician who says, “Weʼd like the chance to do more with it, there are a lot of stories in Dublin that arenʼt covered by the national radio and we would like to start telling them.”

Dublin City FM holds a ʻspe-

FOR

A NNA L IVIA

cial interestʼ licence which means the station is somewhere between community radio and regular commercial radio stations. Generous funding comes from Dublin County Council and Dublin Docklands Development Authority which has meant more station equipment.

The station raises about €50,000 a year commercially, covering about a fifth of its costs.

The name is changing to Dublin City FM because of the close association with Dublin City Council over the past two years.

Changing the name from Anna Livia also makes the station more understandable for immigrants.

Dublinʼs ethnic communities broadcast their own programmes.

There are Polish, Russian, Pakistani, Chinese and now Korean.

The most successful programme is a constant live update on traffic with music and current affairs. The

C LASH

station also serves as good experience for young people interested in radio.

The aim at Dublin City FM is to entertain and inform as broad a range of people as possible.

However, there are more specific groups of listeners who have been largely ignored by other commercial radio stations, to which they can provide a service which is unobtainable elsewhere.

These groups would include community groups, ethnic groups, schoolchildren, historians, hobbyists, music enthusiasts, womenʼs groups, Dublin sport enthusiasts and older listeners.

The station says, “Dublin City 103.2 FM provides Dublin listeners with a unique radio station that reflects the lives and aspirations of the cityʼs inhabitants with a broad range of programmes that will inform, challenge and enter-

OF THE ASH

tain them. Dublin City 103.2 FMʼs commitment in providing openaccess radio in conjunction with training to the general public is unique by providing Dublin listeners with effective control of their own radio station.”

Listening to the station myself I find it fulfils their promise of a special-interest radio station, with plenty for everyone. At night, I

tuned in and listened to a late-night jazz session by an older Dublin DJ. Variety there certainly is as I tuned in the next day and listened to a programme on cosmetic surgery.

There was also a student section dealing with film reviews. All in all, there is plenty to please everyone, both young and old.

For more information see www. dublincityfm.ie

common and tallest native tree and thrives in Ireland on fertile soils.

The tallest ash is in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, measuring 40 metres.”

The book will be distributed amongst all primary schools and is available from the Tree Council of Ireland.

The Shelbourne House 2 Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4 Telephone: 6676380

Ash hurleys– some facts: * One and a half acres of ash can produce 3,800 hurleys. * There are over 100 hurley manufacturers in Ireland and about 20 commercial producers capable of producing between 10,000 and 20,000 hurleys per annum. * The ash tree needs to be 25 to 30 years old to produce top quality hurleys.

ʻA

n Fuinseógʼ, a new book on growing hurley ash for profit, written by well known forester Dr Jack Durand, was launched recently by broadcaster and GAA veteran Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

The book, sponsored by Irish Life & Permanent and produced by the Tree Council of Ireland, highlights the shortage of ash trees. As well as giving valuable information about the planting, protection and maintenance of this majestic tree, the book highlights the economic benefits to ash growers and encourages farmers to plant these trees as part of their farming activity. ʻAn Fuinseógʼ focuses on “one

of our most widespread native trees”, and the book hopes to encourage “farmers to consider ash as an alternative crop,” says Dorothy Hayden, President of the Tree Council of Ireland.

“We require over half a million new hurleys every year and we are unable to meet the demand, so 60% of ash used in the manufacture of hurleys is imported. We have to import large supplies from England, even from the Queenʼs own estates.

“Ash is also imported from mainland Europe, especially Eastern Europe, a situation which could change if there was an increase in native production. Ash is our most

Live music every weekend Sunday lunch 12.30 to 4.30 Function Room available

PAGE 38

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

M u s ic4 …

BY FERGAL MURPHY * NESSA JENNINGS * BRIAN RUTHERFORD

Upcoming gigs

Album Choice

April 4th 5th 6th 7th 7th 8th 9th 9th 9th 14th 17th 25th 26th 29th REM – Accelerate In many ways REM stopped being relevant with 1996ʼs New Adventures in Hi Fi, the last album before they parted ways with drummer Bill Berry.

With their new album Accelerate, the bands fourteenth, Stipe and co have taken a step backwards. In a good way! Away from the overproduction of the last few efforts and back to the grittier, stripped down guitar driven sound that made them what they are.

The album runs at about 35minutes long and with most of the songs under 3 minutes long and recorded in 9 weeks in Grouse Lodge in Ireland the album is a short, sharp shock to remind us why we loved R.E.M. in the first place. Stipeʼs vocals have the air of a man whoʼs come back to collect his throne with some of the most hummable and lyrically strong choruses in a long time. All in all a step in the right direction!

The Black Crowes – Warpaint Warpaint is the first studio album from Atlanta, Georgia based rockers The Black Crowes in nearly seven years. The band famous for their blues based hits hard to handle and remedy are back with a return to their tried and trusted method that brought them into prominence in the first place. Brings to mind the old adage, if it ainʼt broke donʼt fix it!

With huge bluesy, southern rockers like evergreen and walk believer walk the Crowes stomp their way back to where they left off. The real standouts on this album though are the two ballads, oh Josephine and locust street which shows that the lads have put their hard living ways behind them and mellowed with age and perhaps Chris Robinson has achieved some semblance of peace in his old age!

The Buckleys on the Living Bridge

L

ast season, RTE showed a programme about jazz and a Dublin Family, two brothers and their cousin, and the father who inspired them.

“There was this baritone sax player who used to turn up at sessions who seemed to have that Xingredient.” Eamon Carr is talking about Dick Buckley, who was partly responsible for introducing jazz to Ireland. He was an incredible musician who played with Louis Stewart for years in the Baggot Inn and who was also a founder member of Jim Dohertyʼs big band in 1977. “There were certain jazz players (60s and 70ʼs) and they were almost institutions.”

Dick married Pam and together they created an atmosphere in which brilliance was allowed to flourish.

Richie, their first born, plays the tenor sax and is about ten years older than Michael, who is also a professional musician who plays flutes and tenor sax.

Their cousin Hugh, plays guitar

and is the son of Sean Buckley, who played bass with Dick when they were in England. “He was very modest, very laid back. Dick led the way while giving the impression he wasnʼt leading anyone anywhere.”

Husband, father and uncle, sailor and artist: the undisputed head of this musical family, Dickʼs legacy, as well as some of the stories, is these three world-class jazz musicians.

For the programme on RTE, Richie, Michael and Hugh wrote, rehearsed and recorded pieces that reflect the city they all grew up in, and still live in. They never went to New York to live.

Jazz is a reflection, and as composers the Buckleys are producing music which is a part of the jazz which is being created outside of

the United States. Ruben Gonzalez reflects, “I admire a good virtuoso, but I prefer a good mix with a lot of heart, head and skill. But the most important thing is to communicate that I am trying to express something. So, first of all, I feel moved, then so do those around me. And a true jazz musician is one who understands this.”

The studio for this session has some of the finest young players we have around. The music is

Republic of Loose The Only Ones Jose Gonzalez We Are Scientists The Breeders Reverend and the Makers Ocean Colour Scene The Enemy Chris Rea Rooney Sugar James Galway Rakim The Presidents of the United States Gemma Hayes

Academy Village Academy Ambassador Vicar St Academy Academy Ambassador National Stadium Club National Concert Hall Tripod Tripod Tripod

May 2nd 5th 12th 13th 13th 14th 19th 23rd 30th

Tom Baxter The Kooks Dinosaur Jr The Pigeon Detectives Two Gallants Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Mark Knopfler Public Enemy Celine Dion

National Stadium Dublin Castle Academy Ambassador Olympia Academy RDS Tripod Croke Park

June 1st 6th 14th 15th 16th 16th 16th 16th 21st 25th 28th

Westlife Radiohead Neil Diamond Leonard Cohen Prince Crowded House Iggy and the Stooges Michael McDonald Eric Clapton Journey Boyzone

many things, moody and exciting, both forceful and sweet. Richie has scored several films, including ʻThe Generalʼ and Hugh has just released an album ʻSketches of Nowʼ as a follow-up to his two studio albums ʻSpirit Levelʼ and ʻYes indeedʼ.

They started young and there were always instruments in the house.

But jazz in not for sprinters, it is instead a long-distance event in which the most important thing is to find your own voice. “A teacher couldnʼt teach you like that. The most a teacher can do is show you how to teach yourself,” says Jim Doherty.

Guy Barker says about this method of learning, “there are points in your life when you study certain players and you try and learn their solos, but

Croke Park Malahide Castle Croke Park Irish Museum Of Modern Art Croke Park Olympia Royal Hospital Kilmainham Vicar st Malahide Castle National Stadium RDS

then after that you have to find your own way.”

Hugh, with beautiful timing and touch, after the west coast style of Grant Green and Wes Montgomery, feels that only recently is he getting closer to his own voice. Richie is like “fire” and Michael is like “ice.”

Hugh looks like a brother and is the third point of the triangle. Richie says that you seem to get more mellow and more musical in your later life, and you just want to bring forth as much beautiful music as you can.

Hugh and Richie play as ʻIsotopeʼ with their band every Thursday night at 9.30 pm in JJ Smythʼs in Aungier Street, Dublin 2. Admission is €8.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008

PAGE 39

Music4 …

2

‘CONTROL’ DVD OF THE FILM

I

By Brian Rutherford

f you donʼt know the band Joy Division, then you must have heard the song ʻLove will tear us apartʼ. If you happen to be a Joy Division fan you will have a deeper understanding of this Anton Corbijn film. If you happen to be a fan of film itself you will also get a kick from

this insight into the life of the most charismatic lead singer from the punk generation.

Its filmed entirely in black and white, which adds to the atmosphere of the film. It follows the life of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division from his adolescence to his suicidal death at 23. The music in the film is exactly like the original Joy Division and you want it to continue for the

full songs.

The catch and crowning glory of this step back in time is that the actor although unknown, who plays Ian Curtis, looks exactly like the original.

The shots of him singing and dancing on stage are reproductions of the highest order and will hold you entranced.

The film is called ʻControlʼ and it seems to reflect Mr. Curtisʼs need to stay in control while suffering numerous epileptic fits and watching the world around him in a bleak and realistic manner.

You also get an insight into where the songs come from. For example, the song ʻSheʼs Lost Controlʼ comes from a visit from an epileptic girl to the job agency where Ian Curtis worked and the band name Joy Division is a brothel which the German soldiers would visit during the war.

You may say I am biased because just like Ian Curtis I too am epileptic– thatʼs may be why he is a hero of mine. This is a polished film and so were the recordings of the band on their vinyl releases ʻUnknown Pleas-

uresʼ and ʻCloserʼ.

The only problem is that you want the live shots of the band playing to continue, but for that pleasure you can

pick up a Joy Division CD or DVD in any music store and I feel like doing just that after watching this film.

Left: Joy Division in 1979.

tured ʻRocking In The Free Worldʼ and with the advent of the grunge era seeing him being hailed as the godfather of grunge and being noticed by the MTV generation.

The release of ʻHarvest Moonʼ in 1992, which saw a return to the sentimental, acoustic folk-stylingʼs contained in ʻHarvestʼ was his biggest seller in 13 years. In 1994 Young contributed the haunting ti-

tle song to Jonathan Demmeʼs film ʻPhiladelphiaʼ which was nominated for an Oscar.

In recent years, Young has released ʻLiving With Warʼ an album criticising George Bush, another acoustic folk album ʻPrairie Windʼ and a concert film ʻHeart Of Goldʼ.

So, all in all, thereʼs a lot of material for him to choose from when he plays Malahide Castle this June.

Neil Young – a man for all seasons

By Fergal Murphy

N

eil Young, a man to whom no serious music lover needs an introduction, who has inspired generations of musicians is playing in Malahide Castle in June. Itʼs about time we got re-acquainted with him, isnʼt it!

Neil Young was born in Ontario, Canada on November 12, 1945.

As a youth he survived diabetes, polio and epilepsy. His father was a highly-respected sportswriter for the ʻToronto Sunʼ. In 1960 Neil and his mother moved to Winnipeg and it was there that music became a driving force in his life.

After switching from ukulele to guitar, he was in a succession of bands such as The Squires. Young recorded an acoustic demo for Elektra records in New York in 1965 featuring an early version of ʻSugar Mountainʼ but he was not offered a contract by the label.

Returning to Toronto, he played the coffee house circuit with the

likes of Joni Mitchell before joining The Mynah Birds led by Rick James of Super Freak fame. When James was drafted into the navy The Mynah Birds was disbanded.

In search of new opportunities, Young moved to Los Angeles, where he formed Buffalo Springfield and had a hit which summed up the paranoia of the time. In 1968 Young quit the band and formed Neil Young and Crazy Horse and released ʻEverybody Knows This Is Nowhereʼ which featured such songs as ʻCinnamon Girlʼ and ʻCowgirl In The Sandʼ.

In the summer of 1969 Young agreed to join forces with the super group Crosby, Stills and Nash and appeared at Woodstock and brought himself to a much wider audience.

In the 1970s Young came into his own and released the classic breakup album ʻAfter The Goldrushʼ featuring ʻOnly Love Can Break Your Heartʼ and ʻDonʼt Let It Bring You Downʼ. He teamed up with the Stray Gators to record ʻHarvestʼ, which contained such Young classics as ʻNeedleʼ and ʻThe Damage

Done, Old Manʼ and yielded him the only number one single of his career with ʻHeart of Goldʼ.

This was a bleak period in his life with the break up of a relationship and the heroin overdose death of Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten. This carried on through 1975 when Young released ʻTonightʼs The Nightʼ, a dark album tainted by the loss of friends. Young proceeded to throw himself into his work and take out his frustrations on stage and in 1978 created the Rust Never Sleeps tour with a film documenting it. One of the best songs to come from this era ʻOut Of The Blueʼ contains the immortal lines Kurt Cobain put in his suicide note, ʻitʼs better to burn out than to fade awayʼ.

The 1980ʼs was a particularly strange and erratic decade for Young as he experimented with electronica, rockabilly, R&B and rejoined Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young briefly. However, from 1989 on Young experienced a major comeback, starting with the release of his ʻFreedomʼ album which fea-

PAGE 40

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2008