April may 2012 newsfour by News Four

READ IT AND SPEAK T

By Joe McKenna he fact that you’re reading this means at some point, somewhere, someone introduced you to the idea of reading. Could it be that sitting down and concentrating on a long line of sentences might influence you in a positive way? Well, it beats watching TV. The One Book One Community initiative is an offshoot of the One Book One City project that began in Washington State, USA in 1998 as the ‘If All of Seattle Read the Same Book’ project. Started by author and librarian Nancy Pearl in an attempt to promote literacy and encourage community, the idea has continued to spread across the world. The concept is simple. Everyone reads the same book over the course of the same period of time and is encouraged to discuss it and exchange opinions and viewpoints. Home School Community Liaison at St Patrick’s Boys National School in Ringsend, Helen Sherry, recently started a community-based

IN YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL PAPER…

The May Day Parade is returning to Ringsend. See page 22

initiative based on Nancy Pearl’s original model and opened the programme at St Andrew’s Resource Centre on Pearse Street. Children and adults in the community were encouraged to read ‘Across The Divide’ by Irish author Brian Gallagher. The book focuses on the relationship between Liam and Nora, two children from opposite sides of the class divide and is set against the backdrop of the

1913 lockouts in Dublin. Helen spoke with NewsFour about the project. “This is the first time we’ve done it in this area but most Home School Liaisons are doing it every year or every other year in some areas. The choice of book has been great because there’s so much local history and music in it. The area features quite heavily in the book, so it really helps that people can connect with their own area in that way.

“We plan activities around the book and the children learn about the time period in school. The idea is that it generates a buzz around the book and around the area because everyone is talking about it. So it’s not just in school they hear and talk about the book, it’s everywhere and hopefully it encourages them to read more through their life.” Above: Author Brian Gallagher launching the event.

Summer came in March, so why not enjoy it?

D AFFODIL D AY DELIGHTS

he ladies at Cambridge Court, Ringsend are pictured on the left, selling their mouth-watering cakes, confectionery and other items to raise funds for cancer charity Daffodil day.

From left, rear: Barbara Kane, Margaret Grey, Angela Steel, Avril Henderson and Lilly Cunningham. Front: Claire Power, Ms Kemple, Jennifer Henderson and Liz Flood.

There was a fairytale ending for the Dolls’ Hospital. See page 36

Lucinda Creighton TD at the Clanna Gael Awards. See page 38

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NewsFour Editor Karen Keegan Staff Gemma Byrne Eimear Murphy Rupert Heather Jason McDonnell Sandy Hazel Joe McKenna Caomhan Keane Contributors Glenda Cimino Audrey Healy Aaron McAllorum Jimmy Purdy Pat Kane Kirstin Smith Therese O’Toole David Thomas Nolan James O’Doherty Noel Twamley Lorraine Barry Ann Ingle Nicky Flood Anthony Brabazon Catherine Lloyd Teresa Rooney Oliver Doyle Breda Johnston Web Designer Andrew Thorn Photography John Cheevers

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

The Letterbox

Dear Editor I just love my NewsFour. I’ll be 82 on the 7th February please God and still miss Raytown. When I was home in 2011 I did visit your new office so now when I get my News 4 I can picture where it comes from. I love all the old pictures of people my age who still live in Ringsend, all of my 10 children have all been home to Raytown also 12 of my grandchildren, they all talk to me about it. I have many Dublin friends here but their kids don’t seem to care about seeing Ireland. My lads all say it’s because when they first opened their eyes all they could hear was someone singing Ringsend Rose (not true). Maybe I’ll make another trip before I die, who knows. Thank you for all the wonderful memories, it’s great for people like myself, quite a few Raytowners here. Kind Regards Jean Lynch Australia Dear Editor, I would be very grateful if you could print the attached prayer. PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your powers. Mary conceived without sin. Pray for us who have recourse to thee. Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. Many Thanks, Chantal Nash

Design and Layout Eugene Carolan Ad Design Karen Madsen Sandymount Community Services, Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4. Telephone: (01)6673317 E-mail: newsfour@gmail.com Website: www.news4.ie NewsFour Newspaper is part of a FÁS Community Employment Programme. Opinions expressed in News Four do not necessarily represent the views of Community Services. Printed by Datascope Ltd, Wexford

�e Editor’s Corner Hi Everyone, Welcome to our Easter edition of NewsFour. We would like to wish a fond farewell to another valued member of our NewsFour team, Glenda Cimino. Thanks for all your hard work Glenda, we wish you the very best in your future endeavours. It’s great to see all the smiles that the good weather brings. One person in particular who always brings a smile to my face when he pops into the NewsFour ofﬁce is Jimmy Purdy. All the staff would like to wish you a very happy 79th birthday when you celebrate on April 11th. You don’t look a day over 78! We are currently recruiting for a childcare assistant and a café assistant on our community employment project. If interested, please send your CV to me at newsfour@gmail.com. I’d also like to remind all community groups in the Docklands and Dublin 4 areas that we have a community administrator available for secretarial and account work at no cost. Phone 667 3317 for information. Congratulations to Clare Lawless who won our Avon competition. Happy Easter, Karen

Photo Callout Fr. Ivan Tonge of St Patrick’s Church in Ringsend would like to know if anyone has ‘working’ photographs of the Irish Glass Bottle Factory. You can contact him at 087 272 6868

NEWSFOUR AROUND THE WORLD

Dear Ms Keegan, I enclose a notice which you might be kind enough to put in your next edition of NewsFour. As you can see the Girls’ Brigade Company has been in Sandymount for 80 years and now has a membership of over 120 girls, meeting each Thursday in Christ Church, Sandymount Green Church Hall. The present captain is Sharon Kinsella. I was captain of the company for 21 years back in the 50s and 60s and would add that the original concept of the girls’ brigade originated in the old Presbyterian Church Hall located on the corner of Tritonville and Sandymount Roads. There is a plaque in the grounds of Tritonville Close to this effect. Hoping this may be of interest. Yours sincerely, Emily Anderson

11th Company Sandymount Irishtown Girls’ Brigade are delighted to announce a celebration of their 80th year Friday 11th May 2012 80th Display @ 7.15pm– Venue to be conﬁrmed Saturday 12th May 2012 Celebration Dinner and Entertainment in the Stillorgan Park Hotel Sunday 13th May 2012 Thanksgiving Service in Christ Church, Sandymount Green P l e a s e k e e p t h i s w e e k e n d f re e a n d c o m e a n d j o i n i n our celebrations. For further information please contact Gillian Dean on 087-945 8024

Agnes Brown reads NewsFour in Carrollton, Georgia, while visiting the grave of Oscar-winning actress Susan Hayward, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Carrollton, Georgia, USA.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

SMS FOR DEAF SOS HEAD2HEAD CHALLENGE

By Sandy Hazel ow do you make a call to the emergency services if you are deaf? Up to now, deaf and hard of hearing people have had to text their friends and family to make that call on their behalf. Not exactly what you need in an emergency when time is critical. Now a pilot scheme will offer a system where emergency services can register texts on a special SMS line. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte launched the innovative pilot scheme last month. The mobile networks, user communities and Comreg were thanked for their technical input. “Thanks too to the emergency services for allowing us to trial this technology,” said Minister Rabbitte. The text SMS 112 mobile number starts with the user registering by text or online. They must identify their home address online and then a text is sent to the mobile phone to conﬁrm the service is available. If an emergency occurs, the details can be texted in to the emergency services rather than a voice call. Location of incident information will be critical. The user then gets a response to say the text was received. It is currently available on Meteor, O2, Vodafone and Three. There are some concerns however; it requires a registration process which might act as a barrier. It also requires users to have credit in their account, depending on their network. Eddie Redmond from the Irish Deaf Society described the time delay in some SMS messaging as “a real worry, the pilot project assessment needs to look at this.” Users are urged to be careful around border areas where networks may switch. Roaming should be switched off unless they have also registered with the service in those countries. Deaf organisations say this is fundamental and deaf people are disadvantaged by these restrictions. They would also like to see instructions on the website by signing. A caution on the www.112.ie website states that “An SMS text message is a non real-time service and therefore there is no guarantee that your SMS will be delivered.”

By Rupert Heather nspirational Southside fundraisers Kevin Feeney and Neal Collins are organising a gruelling 620km charity cycle to raise money for local charities Barnardos and Goal. Initially, they planned to convince a few close friends to take part but almost 100 people from all corners of Ireland and the UK have signed up so far. The cycle takes place over seven

days from May 29th. Each cyclist will cover approximately 100k per day, from Malin Head in Donegal to Mizen Head in Cork, taking in Sligo, Mayo, Clare, Limerick and Kerry. “It’s not just experienced cyclists who want to get involved,” said Neal. “People who haven’t cycled since their school days and others who don’t even own a bike have been in touch.” The Head2Head Challenge is an

opportunity for Kevin and Neal to give something back to “two great charities”, which help children in Ireland and the developing world. Kevin already worked with GOAL and Neal has ﬁrst-hand experience of the great help that Barnbardos provides to children in need. Figures from the worlds of sport and politics have given their support. Minister for Transport, Sport and Tourism Leo Varadkar said, “The organisers have put together a really tremendous event. It promises to be a lot of fun and exciting as well. I’d like to wish everyone the best of luck.” Those interested can register for the Head2Head Challenge at www.head2headchallenge.com or they can email the team at head2head2012@gmail.com. A deposit of €80 is required to secure your booking and a further €320 is payable within 4 weeks to cover transport and accommodation. Participants are encouraged to raise at least €400 each. From left to right at back: Leinster rugby star, Jonathan Sexton; Minister Leo Varadkar; Eoghan Murphy, TD; and Kevin McLaughlin and Devon Toner (both Leinster rugby players) Front: Kevin Feeney and Neal Collins

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

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NOTORIOUS APRIL FOOLS’ DAY HOAXES

By Glenda Cimino here is an old saying, “believe none of what you hear or read, and only half of what you see.” This warning is especially true on April Fools’ Day, when in addition to the usual personal pranks your friends try out on you, media hoaxes on radio, television and in print have intentionally misguided many people. Wikipedia states that the earliest recorded association between April 1st and foolishness can be found in Chaucer’s book Canterbury Tales (1392). The website www.irishcultureandcustoms.com states that New Year’s Day was celebrated on April 1st until the 16th century. When Pope Gregory introduced a new Christian calendar in 1582, New Year’s Day shifted to January 1st. Many people either did not hear or believe the news, and continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1st, thus becoming ‘April Fools’. On April 1st 1698, some people were tricked into going to the Tower of London to ‘see the Lions washed’. The custom of giving

people false news became widespread, and still exists in many countries today. Television brought new opportunities to fool the people. To this day, the ﬁrst and perhaps best April Fools’ hoax on television was the ‘spaghetti harvest’. On April 1st 1957 the British television programme, Panorama, broadcast a three-minute segment about a bumper spaghetti harvest in southern Switzerland, presented by the authoritative Richard

Dimbleby. People trusted him. Dimbleby looked into the camera and without a trace of a smile said, “We end Panorama tonight with a special report from the Swiss Alps.” The success of the crop was attributed both to an unusually mild winter and to the virtual disappearance of the spaghetti weevil. Video footage showed a Swiss family pulling pasta off spaghetti trees and placing it into baskets, and serving the fresh, ‘homeg-

rown’ spaghetti at dinner. Dimbleby reappeared and said goodnight, emphasising the phrase “on this ﬁrst day of April,” but evidently few got the point. Hundreds of people phoned the BBC wanting to know how they could grow their own spaghetti tree. To this query the BBC diplomatically replied, “Place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best.” Panorama never attempted another April Fools’ Day spoof, despite numerous calls for a sequel. However, the hoax was an inspiration for the future. Would you have been fooled? Remember, in 1957 spaghetti was still an exotic food in these isles. Test your gullibility by watching the footage on YouTube. The tradition continues on the internet today. Google has introduced its own April Fools’ Day hoaxes, such as announcing that Google Docs will have the capacity to upload anything, including physical objects like keys or remote controls. The site declared that one could use this to ﬁnd items like keys using CTRL-F and send objects around the globe by “uploading” and “downloading” them, at the low price of $0.10 per kg!

Experience Japan 2012

There are a variety of events planned for the Experience Japan Festival 2012 which takes place in April. Photographic Exhibition at Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park, April 1st–14th from 10am–4pm daily Japanese Origami Workshops in DCC Libraries (libraries TBC) April 2nd–13th UCD Japanese Society ﬁlm presentation on Thursday April 12th at 7.30pm Chester Beatty Printmaking Workshops Learn how to make a colour print in this two day workshop Thursday April 12th–Friday 13th 10am–4pm Limited to 15 places at €50.00 each– materials provided. Online booking at: www.cbl.ie Chester Beatty Silk Worm Club Saturday April 14th from 2.00– 3.30pm Make your own Japanese hat and listen to a Japanese story. Suitable for ages 6–11. Admission is free. Online booking at: www. cbl.ie Chester Beatty Public Lecture Thursday April 19th at 1.10pm A Mirror into the Floating World: Japanese prints of the Edo period, 1600–1860. Ruth Starr, Lecturer, Arts of Japan, Trinity College Dublin www.experiencejapan.ie

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

TEENIE PREEMIES NEED BEANIES T

Port Launch

By Sandy Hazel he Dublin Port Company’s Master Plan 2012–2040 is now underway. It will cost €600 million over thirty years with €110 million ready to spend in the next five years. “Dublin Port handles 40% of all tonnage into Ireland, it uses its own resources for capital development, has its pension deficit under control and pays a regular dividend to the taxpayer every year; it is every minister’s dream,” Minister for Transport and Sport Leo Varadkar said at the launch. He said the 1.7 million passengers coming through Dublin Port last year prove it is a gateway to Ireland. “Ninety cruise ships came to the port last year and it is emerging as a popular destination,” said Varadkar. Increased cruise tourism, which will be able to berth closer to the city than is currently possible, will benefit the wider city, according to City Manager John Tierney. “Integrating the port into the heart of the city is crucial, not just for imports and exports but for the recreation, tourism and enjoyment of the bay,” Tierney said at the launch. Plans for land reclamation have had to be put on hold due to planning issues. Head of Dublin Port, Eamonn O’Reilly said the board was “genuinely taken aback” by the “thoughtfulness” of over 300 submissions received to the consultation. O’Reilly said that the role of the port is as “infrastructure provider.” The plan includes increased tonnage capacity to 60 million tonnes by 2040– up from 7 million in 1981, a massive import car park in East Wall Road, South Wall vantage points, softer boundaries and centralised check ins for Roll On–Roll Off facilities. A proposal is also advanced to develop an “innovative” cultural centre at Poolbeg Harbour and the Great South Wall. The new cruise ship terminals will be situated near the O2, “away from the industrial workings of the port” according to the plan. Local residents, campaigning to have a port tenant, Marine Terminals Ltd confine its loading to daytime hours, have their case listed for hearing in the High Court. It is unclear if the night time noise from those MTL containers will keep the cruise passengers awake too.

By Sandy Hazel rnest Hemingway once took a bar bet to create a six-word short story. ‘For sale, baby shoes, never worn’ was the heart-wrenching result. Infant clothes evoke such emotions it is difﬁcult for parents to discard even ragged, well worn babygros. The most exclusive club in Dublin 4 must surely be the Sandymount Ladies Club, Knitters’ Branch. The women meet to knit and chat over cups of tea at the Iris Charles Centre on Newbridge Avenue on Wednesdays. But these are no ordinary knitters; they crochet and purl the daintiest jackets, hats the size of egg cosies, blankets and toys for the tiniest people in Ireland; premature and full-term babies born in Holles Street Hospital. Started by local lady Eileen

REMEMBERING DAVID KELLY

By Audrey Healy (Author) uring my journalistic career I had the immense pleasure of interviewing the late great Dublin-born actor David Kelly, (pictured right) who impressed me greatly. Always courteous and a dapper dresser he had a certain style about him. It may not be well-known about him that he was a talented calligrapher right up to his passing. I am the proud owner of precious letters written by him, which I will always treasure. During our interview David told me that though he had a long and established love of theatre he will perhaps be forever fondly known for those inimitable nine minutes in the TV comedy ‘Fawlty Towers’ as the dubious Irish builder O’Reilly, for which he found himself signing autographs as far away

as Australia and for which he “still receives royalty cheques for,” he laughed. In my most recent book, co written with author Don Mullan, ‘The Rose and the Thorn’ (on sale in Easons and all good bookshops nationwide), fifty Irish celebrities follow in the footsteps of US President Barack Obama and write about their highs and lows of the past year, the ‘rose’ being their high and the ‘thorn’ being their low. They write about many personal highs and lows and royalties go to Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association. When I sent out my appeal, David Kelly was the first to respond and said he was flattered to do so. Here is his beautiful contribution in ‘The Rose and the Thorn’: In 1937 a rose bush was planted in my front garden. It is

there to this day. Now, at eightyone years of age, I have begun to appreciate what a wonderful symbol it is. Down the years it has delivered immense pleasure as well as the not infrequent stab from the thorns. THE THORN Last year’s thorn was the near fatal illness of my wife. THE ROSE She is now fully recovered– and that must be the main rose, but blessed with a son and daughter of whom I am so proud and are with me every day of my life, usually in person and when not, by phone, I realise that there are a lot of roses. Add to that a highly successful career doing what I love and a dog called Max and allowing for the few thorns that come with age, it doesn’t have to be the rose season for me to enjoy many rose after rose after rose.

Dalton, the knitters have sent thousands of these tiny creations to the nurses for babies “who may have arrived so quickly that parents hadn’t time to pack, or to mums who just don’t have anything,” says Theresa O’Loughlin, the club secretary. “Eileen’s daughter is a nurse and we started sending them in to her,” explains Theresa. Parcels of the teeny hats and minuscule matinee coats are picked up by the matron: boy blue, girly pink and multi coloured, but as Theresa explains “the white ones are kept for the little ones who don’t make it.” One of the knitting circle, Maureen Bohan, says she would knit a little coat in about three days. “I crochet small blankets too, we make them small but they can then be stitched together if a bigger blanket is needed,” says

Maureen. Crochet is second nature to Maureen, having knit for four children and six grandchildren. “It was hard to get wool for a while, the wool shops closed, but it seems to be getting popular again,” says Maureen. “Friends of Eileen’s knitters from Carne in Wexford, have just sent up a bag of 500 hats this week and we would like to say thank you to them,” says Theresa Small buttons, soft baby wool and patterns are not cheap and the group would love any spare baby haberdashery to be donated to it. Contact Theresa O’Loughlin club secretary. 086 0707572. Above, Left to right: Vera Ward, Eileen O’Keefe, Chris Mullen, Mary Seaver and Maureen Bohan.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

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FINE TO FOUL?

By Sandy Hazel wners who allow their dogs to foul our footpaths and parks are getting off lightly, according to fines records from DCC. Councillor Paddy McCartan asked the Manager for the number of fines issued in the South East Area for dog fouling and the tally of court cases. He also asked for the total amount collected for 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Manager replied that in 2011 a total of five fines in the amounts of €150 were issued: three fines were returned by An Post marked ‘insufficient address’. One prosecution was initiated but the case was dismissed in court. Only one fine of €150 was paid. In 2008, three fines were issued, one fine paid, one fine returned by An Post marked ‘insufficient address’ and one prosecution initiated but cancelled on the advice of the law department. There were only two fines issued in 2009. One was paid and one returned by An Post marked ‘unknown at this address’. There were no fines issued at all in 2010. So the grand total for four years’ work is €450 fines paid and no pros-

NOT

ecutions. At this rate, with wardens’ salaries and transport, it is costing the city a fortune to collect such a small sum. The low rate of prosecutions and fines can possibly be blamed on a process which seems overly legalistic. You can complain to the District Court under the litter laws against an owner or someone in charge of a dog who allows that dog to foul public places, but you must first inform the dog owner of your intention by completing a special form available from the Dog Control Unit of your local authority. Enforcement is the issue. The health risk posed by dog faeces, toxocariasis, is still uncommon in Ireland, and other factors come into play. But the blight of dog poo on shoes, buggy wheels and bike wheels cannot be underestimated. A major survey for the Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown Open Spaces Strategy found that 18% of over 700 people cite dog fouling as the main reason not to visit a park. One reader tells us of parts of Sandymount Road, Cranfield Place and Leahy Terrace (both next to primary schools), Farney Park, the local parks and the strand have all become canine toilets. It is not con-

FARE…

IRISH RAIL CHARGES CHILDREN FULL PRICE

By Sandy Hazel he policy by Irish Rail to remove child fare options from its ticket machines on Dart lines is outrageous, according to the head of the Consumer Association of Ireland (CAI). The policy, in practice for some years, means that a child fare cannot be purchased if a bookings ofﬁce is closed or unattended. A child must pay the full adult price. “We removed the child ticket op-

tion as we had revenue protection issues. We have no way of knowing if a child is in fact travelling,” an Irish Rail spokesperson said. “That is an outrageous decision taken by Irish Rail, it is not realistic or acceptable to remove the option because of that one concern,” said Dermott Jewell of CAI. It suggests that everybody who approaches the machine after a certain hour has a determination to purchase a ticket ille-

Volunteers Needed for Special Olympics

ﬁned to Sandymount or Ringsend, it is a universal problem. Another reader points out that often it is not the dogs on leads that are the problem “but those owners who just open their doors and allow the dog to run off by itself.” In that case, the dog may be considered a stray and you could contact the Dog Warden Service. The warden service will arrange to carry out patrols in your area with a view to impounding any dogs found to be straying in breach of DCC’s Control of Dogs Bye Laws. Call 222 3371 if you see dogs out without an owner. Or we could push for a poo prints scheme where all dogs need to be on a DNA register. Offending waste is then matched to the owner. This type of management has led to cleaner cities and communities around the world. We might love dogs, but we don’t like what they leave behind.

gally at the lowest available rate. They should facilitate consumers, not penalise those who should be able to avail of a child fare. It is a ridiculous consideration and they need to reverse that decision,” said Jewell. In claiming not to be able to check if children are children, Irish Rail are proving themselves “determined not to incur any costs whatsoever in policing their own system; they have decided that one size will ﬁt all and charge everyone at the highest possible rate,” said Jewell. Irish Rail said that its system cannot be compared with the Luas since the Luas system is smaller and easier to police. We asked Irish Rail about refund options. A spokesperson said that passengers who have had to pay a full adult fare for children can claim a refund in writing from the Customer Services Section at Pearse Street Station in Dublin. It is unclear, however, how a passenger can, at that stage, prove it was a child travelling. It also said that it was going to look at providing a child ticket option “as an add-on option with an adult ticket” in the coming weeks. Watch this space.

Sean O’Brien Leinster and Ireland Rugby hero has pledged his support for Special Olympics Ireland’s Collection Day, which will take place throughout Ireland on Friday 27th April 2012. This is the biggest annual fundraising event in aid of Special Olympics Ireland and is hugely important to the organisation. 1,000 volunteers will be needed throughout Dublin collection points both in the city centre and beyond. For further information about Special Olympics Ireland’s Collection Day and to volunteer please visit www.specialolympics.ie/collectionday or phone Paul Ahearne or Amy Vaughan on 01 869 2000.

April 15th will mark the centenary of the world’s most famous passenger liner the ‘Titanic’ that sank after colliding with an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean. 1,517 passengers and crew perished in 1912.

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

Fire up your metabolism & keep that weight off for good!

onder why you lose weight only to put it back on again? It’s important to concentrate on firing up your metabolism, which will lead to sustainable weight loss. Jamie Myerscough, CEO of educogym explains why. “Science shows us that when we age we lose muscle tissue. This is not only from our bodies but also from vital organs such as our heart, liver, kidney and even our brain. This muscle loss also leads to a lowered metabolism, the rate at which you burn food and fat for energy. Aerobics and low calorie diets may help lose weight initially, but much of this weight loss is muscle. This means that it gets harder and harder to burn fat with the more muscle we lose.” Jamie goes on to add “The key to the educogym concept is a careful combination of short 20-minute bursts of exercise, good nutrition and concentration. Without one of these elements, the system would fail. All three elements will lead to increased muscle, which means more energy, improved wellbeing and a faster metabolism. “Each pound of muscle burns 50 to 100 calories a day so even putting on a few pounds of youthful lean tissue will have you burning fat 24 hours a day, even at rest. To maintain this long term– you train for only 20 minutes a day, three times a week.” The health benefits can also be immense. Robert McKeon, who joined educogym comments: “I was given three months to get my weight and cholesterol down and my blood pressure under control or my insurance company would cancel my policy. Within four weeks with educogym, I lost over a stone (14lbs), 3 inches from my waist and my body fat dropped from 22% to 18%. I passed my medical and held onto my insurance policy.” It’s simple! So forget those low calorie starvation diets. Eating good nutritional food and using the educogym system will fire up your fat burning metabolism! Educogym offer personalised training sessions with certified instructors– all appointment-based from early morning to late evening. They also provide motivation, continuous assessments and updates to keep you on track– if it’s building up your body muscle and physique or simply knocking off those pounds for good in your weight loss goals.

EDUCOGYM SPECIAL TRIAL OFFER

TRY 3 GYM SESSIONS WITH YOUR OWN PERSONAL TRAINER and CONSULTATION FOR JUST €49! (REDUCED FROM €125) Call into educogym Dundrum Town Centre, Blackrock, Dublin Docklands or Naas. Tel. 1850 737 737 or email dundrum@educogym.com

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

By Rupert Heather he Community Volunteer Network held a breakfast at the Pearse Hotel on Sunday 4th March to raise awareness about the importance of volunteering in our local communities. Despite the good work being done there is still a need to get local people involved. Funding cuts mean that volunteer efforts are going to be even more crucial. Local Anchorage project manager Joe Donnelly says, “We need to regain the plot in terms of volunteering in this country.” Those who attended and gave their contact details and committed to at least one volunteer day received a free full Irish breakfast. Representatives from all sections of the local community attended. The guest speaker was Edwina Dewart from the Dublin City South Volunteer Centre. Joe Donnelly is keen to emphasise that getting “local” people involved is the “nut that everyone is trying to crack. Business in the

Community and Corporate Social Responsibility programmes have made an enormous contribution to the volunteer effort, but ultimately they will only bear fruit with the support of local people.” The Anchorage Project is a shining example of how volunteers can make an authentic and meaningful contribution. It has been nominated for a best practice award and supports a variety of local and global causes. Joe says, “Over the next few months we will be moving around different venues in the area to raise the proﬁle of volunteering.” Those in attendance varied from local politicians, community workers and representatives from local projects and resident groups. Every month a different representative is asked: what work they do, what are their hopes and fears for the community and to nominate a project that needs volunteer assistance. “It’s a springboard for local volunteers to talk about what they do. Long term, one of the aims is to get funding for this,” Joe adds. If you or your organisation is interested in volunteering, then come along to the next volunteer breakfast, there is no obligation to sign up. For more information contact Joe Donnelly on 086 0612127 or email: jdonnely@indigo.ie Above: The Fair Play Cafe at the Anchorage.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

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MOTOR TIMES IN IRELAND THE

EARLY DAYS

By Noel Twamley oday as I look at the choice of cars we have from around the world for sale in Dublin, I am truly amazed when I recall the 1950s. We only had British cars and maybe 5% German and American cars. To jog older readers’ memories I shall mention some famous names, many of them long gone; Hillman, Humber, Standard, Triumph, Sunbeam, Rover, Lagonda, Alvis, Riley, Talbot etc. Some garages you may remember; Archers and Autocars in Fenian Street and Waldon Motors, Parnell Street Ford. Lincoln and Nolan in Lad Lane, D.4 for Austin. G.A. Britton at Portobello, D.6 for Morris. McCairns in Townsend St. and Santry for Chevrolet and Vauxhall. O’Neill in Plesants Street, D.8 for Dodge. Booth Poole, Islandbridge for M.G. and Wolseley. McEntaggarts, Baggot Street for Packard and Hudson. The above were main agents, there were many more, too numerous to mention. In 1950, Ireland had only 15,000 miles of paved road, but we only had 52,000 cars. This shot up to 775,000 in 1980. I have no idea how many cars are on our roads today, but a fair guestimate would be two million. Looking back to the 1950s we had two garages selling petrol 24 hours. They were L.S.E. in North Frederick Street and Auto Service in Harcourt St. Petrol cost four shillings

and three pence a gallon. In today’s money that’s about 25 cent per gallon– no litres then. My first driving licence in the early 50s cost 10 shillings in the Motor Tax Office on Kildare St. There was no driving test then, if you had 10 shillings or 50 cent, you had your licence. My first insurance cost 12 pounds, that was for a Hillman Minx. Some years later when I was in Jaguar School in Hendon London, I was charged 10 pound 5 shilling for the same insurance. Even way back then we were being shafted in Ireland! NewsFour readers may be interested to know that the Ever Ready Garage in Donnybrook was the first covered petrol station in Ireland. In 1952 I called to Armstrong Motor Factor in Drury Street D.2, young Reg Armstrong had just won the Senior T.T. in the Isle of Man and a lot of the then media were there taking photos of him with the cup and the winner’s laurel wreath around his neck. I remember it clearly, we all had a great time. Reg won the Opel Agency for Ireland 10 years later. He had a factory in D.4 near Shelbourne Park; he also had a Honda Motor Cycle unit in Long Lane, D.8. Alas, Reg was killed in a car crash in the 1970s and is sadly missed. In the early 1960s I was called to trouble-shoot a stalled Mercedes on the Naas Road. As I arrived, I noticed it had German number plates and left hand steering etc. The owner stepped out and walked towards me. He cut a very imposing figure, about 6 feet 4 inches tall. He was tanned and had a battle-scarred face and through my interest in modern history I knew I was looking at Col. Otto Skorzeny. This was the man who rescued Benito Mussolini from the Italian partisans and delivered him to Hitler. I could hardly

believe I was speaking to this German officer. Up close, his battle-scarred face seemed to make him more manly and handsome. I remember thinking to myself that I bet Otto didn’t have any problem winning many a maiden’s hand! Inside the car sat a huddled up old man who stared at me intently. We never spoke and I recognised him as Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz who had just been released from jail. The allies had tried Dönitz for war crimes as his kriegsmarine had sunk millions of tons of allied shipping. Otto Skorzeny was taking Admiral Donitz for a holiday to his farm in Co. Kildare. I never met these people again and I am asking our many astute readers of NewsFour for help: Does anybody out there have any information on my strange encounter, for instance? Was this visit brought up in the British House of Commons? Did the British Embassy complain to our Government? Were there any questions raised in the Dáil? I really would like to know if there are any answers to this strange visit. Finally, I would like to wish all our readers many miles of safe and happy motoring. Above: The Mercedes-Benz Type 770 Cabriolet, produced from 1938 to 1943 was the vehicle of choice for high-ranking German officers, Nazis and, most notably, Adolf Hitler himself. Left: Admiral Karl Dönitz at the height of his powers. He was President of Germany for less than one month in 1943 and lost both his sons in the War.

The gift of laughter

By Rupert Heather omic Jason Byrne invited a host of pals to the Sugar Club on Lesson Street for a special Phantom FM Radio show to celebrate his 40th birthday. Beginning at 10.00 am or “stupid o’clock” on Monday 27th February, Jason was joined by Eric Lalor, Jarlath Regan, P.J. Gallagher, Jennifer Maguire and his uncle Paul. The show, in its fifth week, is a blend of music and irreverent chat with the Ballinteer-born comedian, seemingly in his element, making observations about all things Irish in trademark unpredictable and hilarious fashion. On this occasion the subject was birthdays and birthday parties. Audience members who were prepared to offer up their worst birthday experiences for panel discussion received concert tickets. Those who attended the live show were treated to coffee and muffins. To be fair, this format could take off. Fancy grabbing a few laughs with some of Dublin’s finest comics before work? Sounds like a good way to beat the Monday morning blues to me. Check out Jason’s show on Phantom Radio FM 105.2 for details of future events. Info at www.phantom.ie

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

LIFE

IS NOT A REHEARSAL

‘The 80s Kid’

By Aaron McAllorum re you an 80s Kid? Do you remember staying up late to watch Glenroe, wearing dodgy jumpers, eating Big Time bars and drinking Calpol? Dubliner Andrew Murray is 25 and he remembers all of that. Last time Ireland was in recession he rode it out, sharing baths with his siblings, playing Tip the Can and watching Italia ‘90. This time, he’s a little bit too old for all that so he’s compiled all of his 80s and 90s memories into one colourful, hardback, 160-page nostalgiafest called ‘The 80s Kid’. From Irish Summers (tarmac melting and sticking to your shoes and cousins coming to stay) to School, Games, Sweets, Toys, Telly, Clothes and Haircuts and plenty more in between, ‘The 80s Kid’ is a humorous retrospective on the decade that taste forgot. You will be catapulted back to the days of Marathon bars and bad haircuts in 13 chapters of memorable hits and misses. Side effects may include a deep nostalgia for the beloved toys, sweets, and cartoons of your childhood, along with a sudden onset of nausea as we open the ﬁle on the questionable fashions of the era. Some authors dream of the bestseller list, and while he wouldn’t say no, Andrew mostly wants to sell enough copies to avoid emigrating. A qualiﬁed town planner, 21 of his college class of 25 have already left Ireland to look for work abroad. Keen to stay in Ireland, Andrew put pen to paper and produced ‘The 80s Kid’. Uniquely Irish and crammed with facts and photos, it’s a perfect bathroom book, easy weekend read and perfectly-sized to slip into an envelope and send across the world to all the 80s kids you know who’ve emigrated and would like a delivery of a little slice of home. www. the80skid.com

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NO JOB TOO SMALL OR TOO LARGE

By Joe McKenna iza Caulﬁeld has been on stage since the age of three and has studied and worked in almost every aspect of theatre production throughout her thirty one years experience. Her Irishtown Stage School has featured on RTÉ in the brief two and half years that she has been teaching young locals about dance, music theatre and drama. “I teach them hip hop, bolly-

wood, tap, jazz and music theatre. Every year they do a show at the Liberty Hall where I hire a stage manager, lighting engineer and sound man to put on a big performance. It makes the kids feel like stars and it’s great for their conﬁdence and self esteem. A lot of kids get the impression that the X-Factor is what they should reach for, but I just try to teach them to enjoy doing it for themselves.”

ALTERNATIVE INFORMATION: ‘VICE’

By Joe McKenna here has been much talk recently involving the merits of popular journalism since the exposure of phone hacking by tabloid newspapers in the UK and the recent Prime Time investigation, which went so badly wrong for those plying their trade out in Donnybrook at RTÉ. As a result, many people have turned their backs on regular media and taken to the internet. But how much news diversity will you ﬁnd on the internet? Many large tabloids have websites and many news feeds simply copy from one another, regurgitating the same stories. So where do you turn when you want a different perspective? The Vice media conglomerate was founded in 1996 by Shane

Smith, the son of Irish immigrants who grew up in Ottowa, Canada. Having taken over a glossy style magazine called ‘The Voice’, he set about making its output a little more hard-hitting and is now published in 27 countries. But he has also made a huge impact online as one of the most watched video journalists ever. Since launching vice.com, Shane Smith and his team have managed to uncover some breathtaking stories that might never have seen the light of day. So they decided to go out and film some. “When ‘Vice’ began to grow we just had way too many stories coming in from different places all around the world and we couldn’t do it all justice in the magazine. It had gotten that big we weren’t really going out into the field anymore. So, seeing as we all liked to travel, we decided to start filming them and actually investigating them. “We had spent time with direc-

With classes every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 4:30pm until 7:30pm with hour-long sessions, Liza is working with students consistently to bring out the performance in every member. The €15 per child per week, or €25 for two children goes to help with production costs for the big night and helps raise the curtain on the community’s youngest celebrities as they face the music and dance. Phone 087 7901591 for info tor Spike Jonze and he turned us on to the idea that we could put them on the internet. So we started ﬁlming our whole backlog of stories. We went to Afghanistan, Beirut, the gun markets in Darra, Pakistan and we started to do the ‘Vice Guide To Travel Videos’. “We are one of the only camera crews to make it into North Korea and get ﬁlm out twice. From there, we found out about North Korean slave camps in Siberia, where the slaves don’t know they aren’t in North Korea because it’s built to look like their home. “We covered the tradition of bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan and the 12th of July riots in Belfast and we uncovered one of the biggest Coltan mines deep in the Congo, where companies use child labour to acquire the minerals needed to build computers, iPhones and nearly every digital device you see. It’s been dangerous, it’s been shocking, but it’s always been fun. And seeing as I’m Irish, all it takes is a few drinks to help me cope with any trauma.” www.vice.com

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

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THE LIFE CENTRE - LIVING FOR THE YOUNG

By Joe McKenna hildhood is the ﬁrst step in character development. The moment you start remembering is the moment you begin to grow. But for some that progression itself holds restraints. The Life Centre at 57 Pearse Square is a stellar example of an ethos that might soon fade, a philosophy that nurtures young people through close experience, young people who have fallen out of the education system or are disadvantaged in life. Starting in Westland Row in October 1996, the Life Centre moved to its current location in April 1997 under the tutelage of Christian Brother Paul Hendrick and is the ‘second chance’ that sits on the doorstep of so

many. “We take all children from 12 to 15, children who have maybe left school for various reasons or come from a troubled background; we help them prepare for the Junior Cert and in some cases we offer education where there might be nothing else.” With a maximum of 10 students, the Life Centre caters for young people in a practical sense, offering meals, new experiences and focused learning on a one-to-one basis in an environment that breeds togetherness. Students cook for one another and are introduced to arts and crafts, often selling some of the ﬁne work that is produced and are also given experience of the outdoors in what is essentially a holistic approach to person-

SANDYMOUNT

By Sandy Hazel andymount Promenade is to become a market location since new bye-laws were passed by councillors in March. A list of new locations to allow casual trading includes outside Saint Patrick’s Park in the city, the Ranelagh Triangle, Harcourt street, Barnardo Square, Newmarket Square and the Sandymount Promenade. The council feels that traders should contribute more to the commercial life of the city and are allowing more licences for casual trading but are also intro-

al development. Brother Paul Hendrick spoke to NewsFour. “We take kids who want to be here, and most kids do want to be here when they come and see it. We hold an interview really just to see if that kid can relate to us and can function in a group. Some kids have had such harsh experiences that they can’t really relate, but if we see some spark that we can work with, we will put them on a waiting list and when a vacancy arises we try and take the most needy.” Comprising of three full-time staff, part time tutors and a large number of volunteers, the Life Centre has been funded by the Christian Brothers and the Dept of Education and Skills for many years. Unfortunately, that situation is under threat due to increasing ﬁnancial pressures and the centre, its great work and the needs of countless children may well slip through the cracks unless ﬁnancial assistance can be found. Pictures of outdoor pursuits featuring what look to be happygo-lucky youngsters adorn the walls of the Life Centre and art work can be seen at every turn. Open to children all across the city, the Life Centre is a place that offers more than a second chance. It opens young people up to a level of existence and development that would otherwise pass them by. With centres in Pearse Square, Cherry Orchard and Cork, the Life Centre has been a lifeline to many throughout the years. For all the hope they have provided, we must be hopeful they continue.

TO GET TRADERS

ducing stricter revenue tax rules and increased trading licence fees. Ireland’s casual trading costs are well below EU norms. Newspaper stalls will come under these new rules but selling ‘by hand’ and pop-up markets will be treated more ﬂexibly. Trading is to be categorised by location as in the Paris model and may allow the trading of clothes, shoes, handbags at Henry Street Christmas stalls depending on some further consultation. Cllr Paddy Bourke said that there should be a deferral until councillors had a chance to

review the proposals. “It’s not just about Henry Street, Moore Street or Grafton Street where some ﬂorists are possibly millionaires, it’s about the smaller traders too. We should have a short deferral for a month to enable us to review this,” he said. Other councillors are concerned that some markets only trade on Sundays and the ﬁnancial implications need to be looked at. The motion was passed, however, and a subgroup will be deputised to review the new bye laws once they are introduced.

HSE Medical Card delays By Sandy Hazel People who are waiting on medical or GP visit card applications to be processed by the HSE can continue to use their existing cards. Minister Roisin Shortall conﬁrmed that medical cards remain valid while the holder is “genuinely engaging with the HSE review process.” Some people had to pay for GP visits when their cards expired but according to Labour TD Anne Ferris “the situation varied from GP to GP.” Ferris tabled a question in the Dáil and said she is delighted with the conﬁrmation. “This will come as a relief to many who are waiting a long time through no fault of their own,” said Deputy Ferris.

Calling all runners! Dublin City Council and Samsung are calling on runners to take part in a 10k night run through the streets of Dublin on Sunday April 29th at 8.30pm. The aim is to bring some of the spirit and excitement of the London 2012 Olympic Games to Ireland. The route starts and ﬁnishes at Trinity College and takes in some of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks including the GPO, Custom House and the new Samuel Beckett Bridge. There will be a post-race event with music, entertainment and a farmers market at Trinity College. For more information and to register for the event see www.samsungnightrun.com

Joyce’s ‘Dubliners’ exhibition James Joyce’s book of short stories ‘Dubliners’ which was published in 1914 is being celebrated as DCC’s One City One Book throughout April. The National Gallery are holding an exhibition which brings together sixteen atmospheric works from their collection which gives a sense of the city of Dublin as a character in itself. The exhibition runs from April 2nd to July 15th, featuring paintings and watercolours by Walter Osborne, Jack B. Yeats, William Orpen and Rose Barton. Admission is free. To complement the exhibition the gallery’s website will have an online resource dedicated to James Joyce’s ‘Dubliners’ and the visual arts. Visitors will also be able to view (by appointment) material and artworks connected with the book. For more info see: www.nationalgallery.ie

A gift from the USA Donnybrook Stadium is hosting two American football games on Friday August 31st featuring High School and college teams from the United States. The games are part of Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012 which will also see American Football played in stadiums in Navan and Donnycarney on the same date. Tickets for the Donnybrook games are €15.00 for adults, €10.00 for students and free for children under 12. The Donnybrook event is a double header with games at 4pm and 7.30pm. www.GIFT2012.com www.tickets.ie/GIFT2012

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

Naturopathic Nutrition By Nicky Flood

Sneezy season

or most, summer brings the promise of long bright evenings, beautiful sunsets and the eternal hope of some warmth… for the rest the t e l l t a l e i t c h y, p u f f y, w a tery eyes and red, stuffy nose are the signal of the change in season. What these people suffer from is allergic rhinitis, or more commonly known as Hayfev e r. H a y f e v e r i s a n a l l e r g i c r e a c t i o n t o f o r e i g n m a t e rial in the air we breathe, such as pollens and moulds, and being airborne, are impossible to avoid. The good news is that recent studies show that, with a bit of help from nature, you can protect yourself f r o m n a t u r e ! ! Vi t a m i n C , Vi t a m i n A , Z i n c a n d B i o flavonoids help to boost your immune system and act as an antihistamine. Other preventative measures are, where possible, stay inside when pollen is at its peak, usually from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm, on windy days or just after thunderstorms. Also, avoid drying clothes and sheets outside in peak hours when pollen is likely to stick to them and avoid freshly-cut grass (below). It is important to start an anti-Hayfever reg i m e e a r l y o n i n t h e s e a s o n t o b u i l d u p a n i m m u n i t y. Applying a barrier-ointment, such as an un-petroleum jelly to the base of the nostrils helps to trap the pollen and prevents it from irritating the lining of the nose. New research from Ohio State University shows that stress and anxiety lengthens the effect of seasonal allergic reactions such as Hayfever so it is important to bear this in mind. Also, there is usually a link between these types of allergies and food intolerances, such as dairy and wheat. Dairy intolerance is common and can be triggered by products from cows, goats, sheep and other sources. Dairy is a mucous-forming f o o d a n d o v e r e x p o s u r e c a n i n t e r f e r e w i t h t h e b o d y ’s natural mucous productions. The body produces mucous when tissues become inflamed or irritated (muc o u s a c t s a s a p r o t e c t i v e f i l m ) . Tr y a v o i d i n g a l l m u cous-producing foods at this time to see if symptoms improve. Good luck! N i c k y i s a N a t u ro p a t h i c N u t r i t i o n i s t p r a c t i s i n g i n Dublin. She writes, speaks and advises nationwide on all aspects of health, nutrition and wellbeing. C h e c k w w w. n i c k y f l o o d . c o m f o r f u r t h e r i n f o , u p c o m ing courses and workshops.

BOOGIE WOOGIE WOOGIE

By Caomhan Keane ho are you going to trust when it comes to shedding the pounds? Kirstie and her Jenny Craig approved blind Alley? Weight Watchers? Mr. Motivator? All that brings to mind is blood, sweat and tears as pounds slouch off and fly back on with hardened vengeance. Boogie Bounce was launched in Ireland in April last year and if you don’t want to take their word that you can burn 700 calories per class, NASA are calling it “the most efficient and effective exercise yet devised by man.” A complete exercise programme choreographed to funky, fun inspiring music, it is an excellent, non-impact, aerobic exercise gained by bouncing on a mini-trampoline. “I came across the Boogie Bounce website through research on the internet,” says Emma Weafer, the 27year old owner and fitness trainer of this brand new business. “I was teaching Pilates at the time but wanted something new and fresh for clients which I could build myself as a brand. After researching the benefits of this type of exercise on a mini trampoline, I realised how fantastically beneficial this cardio movement was to the human body.” Having worked in the fitness industry for the past five years, teaching various classes such as step aerobics, circuit classes and Pilates, nothing has compared to the benefits and fun Weafer has seen from

POST

Boogie Bounce. “It’s suitable for all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels and is two to three times more efficient than normal aerobics,” says Weafer. ‘It’s fabulous for cellulite reduction, there is less stress impact on joints than other fitness routines and it has powerful muscle-toning results.” It greatly improves balance, co-ordination, energy, circulation and the immune system and it is superb for combating stress. Boogie Bounce can accommodate all ages, male and female, ranging from 16 right up to the elderly, as the rebounder has a soft mat which is gentle on joints in the ankles and legs. Classes start with a cardio warm up, then stretches for the whole body to get the muscles mobilising for the class ahead. This is followed by an intense 40-minute cardio workout with the motivating music pumping, disco lights glaring and the instructor enthusiastically motivating the clients all the time

over her head mic. Classes ﬁnish off with some arm, bum, tum and thigh work. Clients wear short trousers (leggings or shorts are perfect) or they can roll their trousers up so they don’t get caught in the sides of the bouncer. On their feet they wear slip socks or good grip runners. They may do the class in their bare feet if preferred, just no normal socks. Ladies wear a support bra for comfort. A month of Boogie Bounce, with three classes a week will set you back €95 or twice a week for €65 or €10 per class. “I teach the classes in Old Wesley Rugby Football Club in Donnybrook, Dublin 4. Clients love the fact that it’s in the Wesley hall, which brings back quite a lot of crazy memories from the infamous ‘Wesley Disco’. This always adds a little bit more fun to the already bubbly class.” Phone 085 735 8144 for info

POLIO SYNDROME

By Catherine Lloyd trangers often stop me in the street or in the shops while I hobble along on my two sticks and ask: “Which hip?” “Neither,” I reply. “It’s polio.” Like many others around the country who appeared to make a full recovery after the last epidemic of polio, the late effects of the disease can haunt us as we grow older. Post polio syndrome develops slowly some 30-40 years after the initial attack. It affects some 60% of survivors and usually develops with pain and weakness, usually in a lower limb. It may mimic arthritis with its intermittent course. This state of affairs may remain static or may gradually become worse.

No one has definite answers as to the exact cause nor why some develop the condition and some do not. Mine may be due to the loss of muscle groups, the damage to the nerves supplying them and overwork on the part of the muscles which were not damaged. There is ongoing research, especially in Holland, in an effort to try and find a cure and to help survivors maintain the best possible life style. Lots of help is available from the Post Polio Support Group (PPSG) for polio survivors. There are also area support groups around the country where survivors meet and support each other and share whatever they have found helpful. The PPSG receives financial help from the

HSE, from charities and from fundraising by volunteers. For those who think they may have Post Polio Syndrome, help is available. Firstly, get a referral from a GP to attend the Post Polio Clinic at Beaumont Hospital. To obtain practical help and useful information from the PPSG phone Lilian at 01-8898920 or E-mail: sic@ppsg.ie Visit their website at: www.ppsg.ie

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012 website (www.hillwalkersclub. com) was set up. There you can ﬁnd all the club’s news and information. The Hillwalkers Club started in 1993 and is based in Dublin. The club organises a ‘hard’ hike each Sunday on the Wicklow and Dublin mountains for active walkers. Once a month, the club organises an Introductory Hillwalker Hike, which allows non-members to try out a hike before joining the club.

AN ÓIGE - THE IRISH YOUTH HOSTEL ASSOCIATION

By Jason McDonnell ell it is that time of year again when it is a good idea to get out walking and getting in shape for the summer. An Óige– the Irish Youth Hostel Association (IYHA) is a great way to travel around Ireland if you are on a budget. They have 21 youth hostels located in prime locations throughout the country. Their budget youth hostels offer good quality, safe and comfortable accommo-

dation for families, groups and individuals of all ages. You can choose from budget hostels in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kerry, and Wicklow. They also have clubs to help get you out walking. You can check out the An Óige Event Calendar to see what’s up-and-coming including Digital Photography Classes, Weekly Hikes, Overseas Trips and Cycling trips. An Óige is a non-proﬁt membership organisation which was founded in 1931 to encourage

After a day’s hiking, many of the hillwalkers like to socialise in The Palace Bar on Fleet Street. An Óige is also a part of a worldwide network of national organisations belonging to the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) known as Hostelling International (www.hihostels. com), offering more than 4,000 hostels in over 90 countries. Left: The Cliffs of Moher. Below: Ramblers at large.

youths to appreciate the Irish countryside and Irish culture through hostelling. Recently a new An Óige Hillwalkers Club

RINGSEND

STUDENTS SHOW THE WAY

By Sandy Hazel essica Boylan from Whelan House and Andrew Murran from Canon Mooney Gardens are both studying at Dublin Institute of Technology. They took some time out from studies to tell NewsFour of their college experience. Jessica went to Christian Brothers on Westland Row and Andrew was a pupil at Ringsend College.

“I never really thought about going to third level,” said Andrew, above. “All my family are electricians or carpenters so I was going to go into a trade apprenticeship when I did my leaving. But the economy was slowing and my parents encouraged me to go to college.” Andrew’s skills in computing led to the degree course in networking technologies. Jessica is half-way through a pre-degree foundation course. She said she “always liked the idea of college, my brother was always pushing me to go,” but she wasn’t sure what subjects

to take. “The foundation course is perfect for allowing me to get a feel for the college while deciding the course I would like to take,” she explained. She has now fixed on applying for a degree in human resources management. Both students got good advice from their respective careers’ guidance counsellors. Andrew was told that he should consider college as he was “well capable for it,” that opportunities and career options, as well as earning power, would increase. A DIT Access officer went to Ringsend Tech to explain the paperwork and logistics of applying. Jessica’s application for foundation was through interview. “The Access programme gives us a bit of a head start since we get to attend college for a few weeks before term starts to orientate and get to know other Access students,” said Andrew. Jessica, right, said that as a newbie you can get a bit lost (the DIT campus is spread out over the city). “I am in Mountjoy Square for political philosophy then at Aungier Street for marketing.” Jessica also studies maths, applied writing, communications and IT. She finds the course work manageable but doing presentations “is hard at the moment, you are up there on your own.” She finds the essay writing and deadlines are a good grounding for starting the degree. “Having to work on your own without a

teacher pushing you is also good, you learn to push yourself,” said Jessica. Andrew is studying IT, web development and a separate Cisco certificate. He agrees that presentations can be difficult but group work helps. “In the third year the workload has definitely increased, a lot of reports and essays have to be in at the same time,” said Andrew. His course is 50 percent practical and lab work and 50 per cent academic. But it’s not all work and no play. DIT offers a massive range of societies. Jessica joined the Banter Society (cocktail making, camping and whatever takes their fancy) and the Fashion Society– not just girls apparently. Andrew joined the Airsoft and Jenga societies. Then there’s Rag Week and balls, so no shortage of socialising. The two Ringsend students’ message to others in the area: “Definitely consider a foundation or other Access programme. It’s not a bit like school. Promise.”

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

PAGE 15

H EADWAY

THE CULINARY CORNER

Positive change for those affected by Acquired Brain Injury

By Joe McKenna efore the founding of Headway in 1985, the awareness of Acquired Brain Injury, its effects, causes and developments were relatively unknown. For too long brain injury sat as an undiscovered afﬂiction that for many was a lifechanging, mental sentence. As a long-standing support network for those affected by brain injury, Headway has developed a well-rounded philosophy that traverses the many levels of cognition. Acquired Brain Injury splits with statistic evenness between brain trauma (such as an assault, fall or blunt force) and stroke or haemorrhage related issues. The Dublin South Day Rehabilitation Service moved to premises in Argyle Square, Donnybrook in April 2011 and is now thriving in its new surroundings. Centre co-ordinator, Helen Gaynor was kind enough to speak to NewsFour. “Families of people who had

brain injury didn’t have any support once they left the hospital setting; there was nothing, so the families set up support groups and that’s how it started.” My ﬁrst ten minutes were spent speaking to Theresa Fagan. Theresa had been out dancing with her daughter one night when “all of a sudden, boom.” Theresa fell over and woke up in hospital. I lost so much family. People thought I was someone else; they didn’t understand. You just don’t realise that it can happen so easily, something can just go off. Without Headway I don’t know where I’d be. They’ve really helped me recover.” I was lucky enough to be part of one of Headway’s Brain Awareness exercises upon my visit. Activities geared towards stimulating the brain through thinking skills which enhance at-

tention, listening, concentration, memory, organisation, problem solving, sequences and turn taking help to generate neurological activity and move those affected by brain injury through their rehabilitation. With a programme that offers stimulation, education, rehabilitation and integration, it was clear to me that the work Headway do proves the brain and the mind are separate entities; the brain operates, the mind exists. For those who attend Headway the value is immeasurable. As one woman put it to me, “It helps you to be more of a person, and it helps you to think and do things for yourself.” But in the current ﬁnancial climate Headway, like many other valuable services, are faced with having to depend more and more upon donations to help people across the country on the road to recovery. If you or anyone you know has been affected by brain injury, please contact Headway on (01) 810 2066 or alternatively you can ﬁnd information at www.headway.ie

Wine Boutique choice Ciclos Malbec Merlot 2009 14.5% (Cafayate) – RRP €17.25 This is as full-bodied as one could wish for! It displays aromas of red fruit, vanilla and candy with intense black fruits, chocolate and liquorice on the palate, followed by a silky ﬁnish. Not for the faint-hearted! Enjoy with red meats and smooth cheeses. Recommended by the Wine Boutique in Ringsend, Dublin 4

Easter Bunnies

By Gemma Byrne

Ingredients: 100g Butter (room temperature) 100g Caster Sugar 150g flour ½ teaspoon baking powder 2 eggs About 1 tablespoon water Vanilla Extract (a few drops) Method: Preheat the oven to 200ºC/ Gas Mark 6. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat the eggs and vanilla and gradually add to the mixture. Sieve the flour and baking powder into the mixture and fold in gently. If the mixture is a little thick add about 1 tablespoon of water. Spoon the mixture into paper cases about half way so they have space to rise. Bake till lightly browned (about 20 mins). Allow the fairy cakes to cool completely before icing and decorating. Butter Cream Icing: 100g Icing Sugar 50g Butter (room temperature) Vanilla Extract (a few drops) Food Colouring (optional) Beat together the ingredients until pale and fluffy. I split my icing in half and put a drop of red colouring into one batch to make it pink. Add water (a drop at a time) if you want to loosen the icing so it is a spreading consistency. To make the bunnies I used chocolate eggs cut in half for the ears, smarties for the eyes and a tube of ‘writing icing’ for whiskers. I also had mini cake decorations but you can use your imagination and whatever you have around the house. Try raisins, glacé cherries or jelly sweets. Chocolate Nest 200g Dark or Milk Chocolate 150g All Bran Mini chocolate eggs Melt the chocolate in the microwave or over a pot of hot water. Add the cereal and coat thoroughly with the chocolate. Grease small bowls, cups or muffin tins lightly with a flavourless oil. Pack the all-bran mixture inside, bringing the mixture up the sides to form a nest shape. Allow to cool and harden. Fill with mini chocolate eggs. Photo by Louise Doyle

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

RINGSEND COMMUNITY SERVICES FORUM EASTER FEST 2012 Wednesday 11th April to Saturday 14th April All Events Are Free Of Charge Contact Teresa Rooney– Tel: 0877675655 or email: tr.rcsf@gmail.com

List of Events WEDNESDAY 11th APRIL Dublin City Council Parcs Tennis Feel free to bring your own racket 11am/12.30 7yrs+ Ringsend Park Tennis Area. PowerOf1 Lone Parents Easter Egg Hunt Eggs for all. Come Early 2pm-4pm. All ages Ringsend Park Bridge Utd Club House. Stella Maris Rowing Club D.J. Ger McGuiness Bunny Hop Disco Sweets Drinks Disco Compt. 6.30/8pm 5/14yrs Stella Maris Rowing Club THURSDAY 12th APRIL Garda Siochana Adults & Kids Tour: Garda Station 11am/12noon, all ages, Irishtown Garda Station Dublin City Council Teddy Bear Picnic Stories, booking essential, phone 6680063, 11am, Under 5yrs only Ringsend Library Irishtown Stage School Hip-Hop/Flash Dance Introduction & Party 3-30/5pm 4/18yrs, Irishtown Sports Stadium G.A.L Women’s Group Easter Art Workshop Make your own Artwork 6.30-8pm, All ages, Cambridge Court FRIDAY 13th APRIL Clanna Gael Fontenoy Fun Gaelic Football Free Drinks & Sweets, 11am/12.30 7/14yrs, Clanna Gael Club Cambridge Court Senior Citizens Entertainer Maggie Biggs Kids Party/ Clowns/ Balloons/ Music/ Face painting, Free Sweets Drinks Teas/ Coffees etc. 2pm-4pm, All ages, Cambridge Court SATURDAY 14th APRIL Ringsend Community Services Forum Groups, DCC/ DJ Ger McGuiness/ Maggie Biggs Entertainer: Balloon Animals/ Face Painters/ Clowns Family Fun Day BOXING SHOW CASE, Fun Games: Adults/ Kids/ Music/ Face Painting/ Bouncy Castles/ Free Eggs/ Drinks and More, 2pm-4pm, All ages, Irishtown Sports Stadium

Easter Sports Programme Irishtown Sports Stadium Registration before Thursday 5th April Phone: 222 3818 Tues 10th Cricket 2pm–4pm 8yrs to 12yrs Wed 11th Ultimate Frisbee Thurs 12th Tag Rugby Fri 13th Boxing

By Teresa Rooney t’s hard to believe a whole year has gone by since our last Easter Fest. So much has happened since then, some very good news and some not so good. However, the Fest is a very positive event whereby the whole community comes together, encouraging and leading community spirit. Our groups in the Forum (28) work very hard for the Easter and Halloween Festival. They open their doors on a voluntary basis to take care of their own: children, seniors, over 50s, rowers, F.A.I and G.A.A footballers, dancers, entertainers, clowns, D.J.s, musicians, our youth, face painting, Garda, Dublin City Council, lone parents, NewsFour, churches and sports groups, all from our very own community, Ringsend and Irishtown. Where else would you meet such a bunch of highly talented people?! That is what the Ringsend Community Services Forum leads in our community, groups of

the community, voluntary and statutory agencies all working together, meeting and talking, sharing information, resources, development work, policy work, inclusive of all the makers and shakers. At our last meeting, a D.C.C. ofﬁcial said people in other areas feel we are the prototype of what other communities want to be, they want what we have. And we are willing to pass it on, that’s the magic of networking, being helpful, supportive, caring and sharing and it’s all thanks to our directors, community groups, our development ofﬁcer and, last but not least, our community. We believe in partnership, working together, evaluations, and reaching solution-based ideas through listening. The people in a community make a community and a community working together rears its own. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the south inner city local Drugs Task Force, which funds our only staff member position and our sponsors D.C.C., Aviva Stadium, Eastlink Fund and Ed O’Connor of JCs in Swords. We look forward to welcoming you at this year’s events.

Ringsend Community Services Forum APPEAL FOR PREMISES

The Ringsend Community Services Forum is the local network of 28 member groups in the area who work together sharing information and resources. This includes development work advocacy on a local and national level. We are funded for one project worker under the South Inner City Local Drugs Task Force. For the last three years we have worked in partnership with community, statutory and voluntary agencies and have made major inroads in all of these. We have been housed in Irishtown Sports Stadium but have had to vacate on March 26th 2012. WE HOPE YOU CAN HELP. PLEASE CONTACT: MARY DOOLIN, R.D.R.D @ (01) 6677666

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

PAGE 17

TAKE THE VANTASTIC HEALTH ROUTE

By Joe McKenna n excellent and valuable service has recently come to the Dublin South East area and we at NewsFour are more than happy to help in promoting what many hope will become a mainstay among community services. Health Route is a pilot programme being run by Vantastic, in conjunction with the Aviva Community Fund. With programmes running all across Dublin North East and Fingal, Health Route is a free, fully accessible, door-to-door transport service to hospital and health appointments. It operates ﬁve days per week (Monday–Friday) between 10am and 3pm for citizens over 65 living in the Dublin South East area. Set up in June 2000, Vantastic is an extension of a service that was originally set up by the Centre for Independent Living to help address the lack of acces-

sible transport. They now have 28 customised wheelchair accessible vans and have expand-

DISSECTING MISS WORLD

By Caomhan Keane haron Stone once quipped, “You can only sleep your way to the middle; you have to claw your way to the top.” The same thing can be said of familial notoriety. Being the granddaughter of one of the country’s most infamous ﬁgures, Terry Keane, puts Holly Carpenter at the top of the queue when it comes to press attention. But Carpenter is well able to maintain it with her frank assessment of the Miss World Pageant. “No one really knew what to expect,” she says, revealing just how unaware she was of the control contest organisers would have exerted over her had she won. “Some of the girls spoke to Miss World 2010 and learned what they had to do and thought ‘that’s alright. I wouldn’t mind doing that.” This included telling her what to wear, how to wear her hair and controlling what she said. And being told how to dress and keeping schtum is not in Carpenter’s blood. “Some of those girls had nothing to go home to, so they wouldn’t mind being told what to do. But I have family, a career. I don’t mind doing a

photo shoot. I’ll wear what I am told and pose in whatever. But I don’t think I could, literally, be told who to be.” Not all the contestants could be viewed in a positive light. “It was obvious how competitive some of them were and I don’t think it did them any favours. Some girls were making a huge effort and they were doing it well. But other girls were trying to work the room, smiling too much and being fake.” What was the fakest thing she witnessed? “When one of the girls was singing and suddenly broke down crying because the song was so emotional. She said

ed their services from Health Route to other programmes such as Shop Route where pensionshe wrote it about her Granny. It seemed really contrived.” Unsurprisingly, she believes the event can make a girl more confident or more self-critical. “It does give you confidence because you have been picked to represent your country and that’s why you are there. But when so many gorgeous girls surround you, everyone is comparing themselves to each other because it IS a competition. Some of the girls at Miss World were shorter and they didn’t want to be ever seen in flat shoes because they were paranoid that all the other girls were taller than them.” Negative attention is something Carpenter is getting used to attracting. She found herself fleeing from an angry farmer at a photo shoot. “I was in the Wicklow Mountains for a bridal magazine shoot and we were driving around, not knowing where to go and I had this huge, puffy dress and we were in a Mini. We were like, ‘sure we’ll just go into that field.’ Then someone noticed off in the distance this farmer was waving his arms in the air and shouting at us. I thought he was waving at us and I was waving back. Then we copped that ‘oh no he was really angry’ and we had to peg it. It was kind of surreal because I was in this huge dress and three people had to help me over the fence.”

ers and those with disabilities can avail of free travel allowing them to stock up on their shopping. They have also introduced Group Travel, which enables members to get together and travel to whichever function

they choose, be it a play, a lunch or a dance. To become a member of Vantastic and to make use of Health Route, a person must fill out a simple form proving that they are over 65 years old. Once in the system they need only call and request a pick-up for whichever hospital or doctor’s appointment they need to get to and a Vantastic driver will come to their door, drop them off and bring them home. I think you’d agree that a service like that would be considered invaluable to many in the area. If you or anyone you know would like to make use of Vantastic’s free service, then freephone 1800 242703. Early booking is advised as places are limited and all bookings are on a first-come-first-served basis. As a pilot programme in the area, Vantastic are hopeful that the service becomes as popular and as valuable as it has in other areas. Vantastic are here simply to help improve the quality of life for those who may find travel a constant headache and with 100% success rate so far it’s safe to say that whoever uses the service will be in good hands.

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

B RUGH P ADRAIG 1964

Brugh Padraig 1964 Backline (L to R): Eamonn Thomas, John Kenny, Larry Murphy, Pat Kavanagh, Jimmy Byrne, George Molloy, Matt Power. Frontline (L to R): Fr. Peter Lemass, Dermy Murphy, Jimmy Whelan, Derek Lawless, Tony Doyle, Jim Donnelly. Referee Unknown.

At the Iris Charles Helpers Day– 50th Anniversary celebration of the Iris Charles Centre. From left: Mary O’Toole and Theresa Doyle.

Old boxing club in Ringsend Front row left to right: Pato Murphy, Lar Ebbs, Paul Kelch, Robert Maguire Back row left to right: Larry Keane, Emmet McCabe Middle row: 2nd in Noely Murphy

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

P ICTURE

PAGE 19

ROUNDUP

Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Maria Parodi with Ringsender Caoimhe O’Reilly and her children Cian and Ella in the Lord Mayor’s Coach during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Taking part in fundraising at Tesco Merrion in aid of the Irish Cancer Society were, from left: Ms Kennedy, Rowena Salmon and Rania Farahat. €800 was raised.

This protest march from Ringsend Library against the Household Tax and Water Charges took place on 25th February.

The Market Cafe in Blackrock recently celebrated the opening of an enlarged gallery space with an exhibition entitled ‘Symphony in Sienna’ by artist Michael McWilliams, pictured second from left, sculptor Rowan Gillespie, Eva Geraghty, jazz musician ‘Rock Fox’ and Rosheen Callender. Picture by Gabriel Noonan.

Each year Ballsbridge ICA hold a charity auction of unwanted Christmas gifts. This year the charity selected was The Capuchin Day Centre (for homeless people); Bow St. run by a Franciscan Friar, Brother Kevin Crowley. Br. Kevin attended a meeting of the guild recently and gave a very interesting talk on the work done in the centre. Picture shows President of the Ballsbridge Guild ICA, Frances Patton, presenting a cheque for €1,530 to Br. Kevin.

Fun and laughter at the 21st Anniversary Dinner Dance of Ringsend Active Retired on 23rd March.

PAGE 20

SAVING

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

THE HARVEST

By Jimmy Purdy ven city people know how important it is that the harvest is gathered and safely stored before winter arrives. While I don’t know a lot about how it works, I do remember the year 1946. I was still at school and the weather must have been bad as a call was made to save the harvest. The call was made to employers to release workers to go out onto the farms to help save the harvest. My two sisters, who worked in the Swastika Laundry at the time, would have been free to go, but only my sister May went and told great stories of the event. She said it was like holiday time on the ﬁrst morning when they were let go from work. Lorries were made available to transport the volunteers to farms. As they passed out of the city they began singing and soon they stopped at a farm around

Dunboyne in Co. Meath. When they got off the lorries, they looked in awe at the huge fields of ripe grain. Most of the grain was lying broken and strewn on the ground. The farmer gave them a great welcome and showed them where they were to work. The men were placed where the corn was cut with scythes. Some were sent to make stookes. The farm hand showed the voluntary helpers how to do it. Doing this stooking was very monotonous and tiring, the stubbles pricked the arms and brought blood from a thousand pin-points, but the volunteers did their best and worked on with good humour all round. Some of the workers became aware that a failed harvest would bring a shortage of wheat and flour, and bread was already scarce. At times, the Irish famine of 18461847 was talked about and became a spur to push on with the saving of the harvest. The break for dinner was welcomed and the lady of the house was very generous in providing some very good food and plenty of it. After dinner, they went back into the field refreshed and with vigour and good humour to finish the job. My sister May and the other volunteers worked saving the harvest until 6 pm as in their own jobs. All agreed going home aboard the lorries that they were tired but happy. Above: a farmer’s daughter from Roscommon also saving the harvest in 1946.

THE EASTER RISING

By Jason McDonnell he Easter Rising was mounted by Irish Republicans with the aim of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War. It was the most signiﬁcant uprising in Ireland since the rebellion of 1798. It was organised by the Military Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the Rising lasted from Easter Monday April 24 to April 30 1916. Early on Monday morning April 24 1916, roughly 1,200 Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army members took over strong points in Dublin city centre. A joint force of about 400 Volunteers and Citizen Army gathered at Liberty Hall under the command of Commandant James Connolly. The rebel headquarters were located at the General Post Ofﬁce (GPO) where James Connolly, overall military commander and four other members of the Military Council; Patrick Pearse, Tom Clarke, Sean Mac Dermott and Joseph Plunkett were located.

TIMES PAST ON THE PIGEON HOUSE ROAD

By Jason McDonnell hat an exciting road. At one stage it was the longest straight road in Ireland until they built the roundabout in the middle of it. It has seen a fair share of people and trafﬁc over the years since Irish highwaymen used to rob the coaches from the packet ships on their journey to Ringsend. The Pigeon House Fort was built to put an end to the highwaymen and protect us all from the French. There was also a hospital there at one stage where British troops (who had contracted STDs from prostitutes in Monto) would go to die. They had no cure for most STDs at the time. It was said that the soldiers would go down to the Pigeon

House screaming in pain and come back up two or three days later in a box. The hospital was later used as a fever station for cholera patients and then as a tuberculosis sanitorium. For years the Pigeon House Road was a well-known place as

somewhere you could wait at the bend in the road for a coal truck to pass by and spill coal when it took the corner at high speeds. Many a backyard was full of free coal in the winter, right up until the 80s. Pigeon House Road was the place where many NewsFour readers learnt how to drive and nowadays it is full of joggers and bird watchers. But where did the name Pigeon House come from I hear you ask? Well, it got its name from a man called John Pidgeon (later the ‘d’ in his name was dropped). Around 1760, John Pidgeon was the caretaker of a storehouse used by the builders of the Great South Wall. At that time sailing ships brought letters and packets as well as passengers from England and Europe to Ireland.

After occupying the Post Office, the Volunteers hoisted two republican flags and Pádraig Pearse read a Proclamation of the Republic. Elsewhere, rebel forces took up positions at the Four Courts, Jacob’s Biscuit Factory, Boland’s Mills and at the hospital complex at South Dublin Union and the adjoining Distillery at Marrowbone Lane. Another contingent, under Micheal Mallin, dug in on St. Stephen’s Green. The GPO was the only major rebel post to be physically taken during the week. The others surrendered only after Pearse’s surrender order, carried by a nurse named Elizabeth O’Farrell, reached them. The Rising was suppressed after seven days of fighting and its leaders were court-martialled and executed, but it succeeded in bringing physical force republicanism back to the forefront of Irish politics. Above: The GPO after evacuation, showing at top left the flagpole from which the Republican flag was flown.

These were called packet ships and landed and departed near Mr. Pidgeon’s storehouse. John Pidgeon started selling refreshments; tea, sandwiches, cakes and lemonade to hungry and thirsty passengers. It became so popular that even Dublin people used to come out to Ringsend at the weekends for a day out.

In 1793, long after John Pidgeon died, a new, bigger building was built which was used as a hotel. This building can still be seen to this day. Left: the area today. Below The Pidgeon House in 1835, viewed from the lighthouse.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

PAGE 21

MEMORIES

By Oliver Doyle n 1932, I was a twelve year old pupil at the Star of the Sea school. It was the year of the Eucharistic Congress. We marched the short distance to the Merrion Road (above) to take up our position to greet the Papal Legate, Lorenza Lauri on his journey from Dun Laoghaire to the Nunciature in the Phoenix Park. The Eucharistic Congress was (as far as I can remember) a threeday event with Mass in the Phoenix Park. The ﬁrst day was for

men, the second for women and the third day for children from the various schools throughout Ireland. We arrived at the park (my ﬁrst time ever there), I was too far away to see the Altar. All I can remember was the voice of the great John McCormick singing the Panis Angelicus coming over the PA system. All the streets of Dublin were festooned with ﬂags and banners, which was a great sight to behold. At that time, our family

1932 lived in Stella Gardens and my father Matthew (Sailor) Doyle erected a ﬂag on our chimney stack. He had no fear of heights as he started his seafaring days in sailing ships. When he passed away in 1954, he was the last of the ‘square riggers’ from our part of Dublin. And so ends the great event of 1932, which always brings back happy memories of that eventful year. It was also a great year for our (then) local team Shamrock Rovers, who won the FAI Cup for the fourth time in a row and even went one better the following year. Below: Momentos of the 1932 Eucharistic Congress supplied by May Kane.

Bridge Watch

t may have taken them a year and a bit to replace it, but apparently the quay wall at Ringsend Bridge can now withstand a bomb the force of Hiroshima. Piling and steel girders have been put in, bored 12 metres down into the earth, reinforced with steel and sheet piles to ensure that the collapse which happened in February 2011 does not happen again. Building only started three months ago and a source tells us he is unsure as to what caused the council’s delay in repairing the bridge, but suspects it has something to do with a 200 year old sewer that runs beneath the site. “It’s an 8 foot, live sewer which had to be seriously considered before digging it up. They put sheet piles around it to hold back the ground with steel girders so that it wouldn’t fall in on top of it.” They had to work with the tide, putting in a big massive trench box, a steel thing that keeps the ground back “and they put trench piles beside it so they could investigate where the sewer was.” They only had three hours a day, every day to complete the task, made all the more difficult as they had trouble locating the sewer in the first place. “They didn’t expect it to be so far down.” The source says that bad foundations and bad workmanship caused the wall to collapse in the first place, aided by the cold snap and the floods. “Sure it was built on muck,” he said. Work on the wall is due to finish this month. Above: The bridge during the reinforcement works.

PAGE 22

RINGSEND AND IRISHTOWN COMMUNITY CENTRE NEWS RICC by Lorraine Barry

RICC MAY DAY PARADE RICC are in the process of organising the 2012 May Day Parade (below) which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday May 7th at 2pm. We would like to welcome you to participate in this year’s festivities. The purpose of this annual event is to celebrate growth and development in the community, even through these challenging times. It is also a great opportunity to showcase the wonderful talents and services on offer to the people of Ringsend & Irishtown. Last year’s parade played host to over 500 people and a great day was had by all. We encourage you to become a part of the fun once again this year as community spirit is of great importance to us all here at Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre. For Further details contact Barbara or Jennifer @ 6604 789. RICC– VOLUNTEERS NEEDED RICC are currently looking for volunteers to help with the activities organised for the community to include the May Day Parade, Summer Project and Tall Ships events. This is a great opportunity to gain experience while helping out in your community. Full training will be provided. For further details contact the Centre on 6604 789. POST OFFICE BUS RUN TO BARROW STREET RICC facilitates the Post Ofﬁce move to Barrow Street with two bus trips on Fridays; after 10am Mass and 2.30pm. This service is free of charge and collection and drop-off is at the Church. For further details contact the RICC @ 6604 789. SPRING AT RICC : GARDENING WORKSHOPS We would like to invite you to join our gardening workshops. Join the RICC gardening staff with Landscape Architects Sophie and Anke. We will show you how to turn your own back garden into an enjoyable space for growing vegetables, playing and living. Our garden is sustainable using Irish materials and native plants. There is also a sand pit so bring your little ones too! The workshops takes place every Tuesday morning from 10am-12pm and are FREE OF CHARGE. RICC YOUTH CLUB We cater for 7–9 year old boys and girls and meet every Wednesday in the Centre from 4pm-5.30pm and it only costs €2. Activities include crafts, kiddersize, clay modelling, sports and much more. PREPARING FOR WORK IN IRELAND– FREE OF CHARGE A 4-module integrated part-time programme for learners who need to progress their level of English and wish to access employment. The modules are: ESOL: English for speakers of other languages, Communications: Personal & Interpersonal Skills), Internet Skills. All modules are FETAC accredited and delivered by qualiﬁed tutors. The programme is delivered over 30 weeks, from January 2012 to July 27th, 2012. Participants will attend for 2 days each week. The programme content will be designed to meet the needs of the group. CITIZEN INFORMATION– Every Thursday 9 – 1 pm in RICC FLAC– Every Monday @ 7pm in RICC No Appointment Necessary RICC would like to take this opportunity to wish Michelle Coughlan every success in her future endeavours. Michelle was seconded on a Community Employment Scheme to the RICC from Sandymount Community Services for the last two years and has been a huge asset to the Centre and the community in her role as team support.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

AIB SHOWCASE LOCAL BUSINESS

By Sandy Hazel IB’s new initiative gives local businesses the opportunity to reach out to potential customers. AIB in Sandymount recently highlighted its dedication to small business promotion by offering showcase space for local businesses. It is a communitybased initiative which is proving popular with businesses around the country. The most recent example of entrepreneurial spirit in D4 is local man Fraser Brown who happens to be the artistic director and CEO of The Monica Loughman Ballet Company. AIB offered the ballet company ﬂoor area and wall space as a platform to display brochures and posters for the company’s upcoming La Sylphide. So how does Fraser make ballet pay as a business? “Well, sponsorship is one thing but there is also a huge audience for ballet in this country,” he says. “You have to reach them, tell them that something great is happening; they will come out to support that.” Funding through sponsorship simply came from sending out letters and DVDs. “Allianz was looking for a way of doing something tangible in the arts and they

decided to sponsor Monica herself,” says Fraser. Monica’s face, her world class reputation and her Russian experience– Monica left Ireland at the age of 14 for Perm in Russia where she became the ﬁrst ever westerner to dance for the prestigious Perm State Theatre– are, as sponsorship deals go, brilliant branding. Fraser says that there are also opportunities for an “equivalent sponsor” to enable the ballet company to expand. In September the pair will open a full-time professional ballet school in state-of-the-art facilities in Blanchardstown. The company also uses the Irish fund.it website to raise ﬁnancial support. And, of course, the help of the AIB small business promotion.

With a resurgence of interest in dance among children, so many dancing competitions on TV and a wide array of dance schools on offer, Monica advises parents to research ballet schools and choose the right one depending on their child’s talent and potential. “It can be harder to unlearn some technique; if your child really shows promise, pick the right school for their needs.” Monica says that ballet dancers are athletes ﬁrst– during training and rehearsals and the accompanying lifestyle. “But then we put on the costumes and become artists.”

questions, we have fully qualiﬁed solicitors and barristers advising, they are all volunteers.” Longstanding volunteer John Lynch spoke about wills and Family Law specialist Aoife McCann addressed the audience. There was also a talk about social welfare appeals by John Deignan, an intern with FLAC, and a law and human rights graduate who said, “I think that human rights are really important for everyone. Certain rights and liberties we take for granted in the Western world, but they start at home, not just in far-ﬂung places.” The sense of community pur-

pose and spirit was evident here. Anyone wishing to discuss any legal or rights issue would be well advised to take advantage of the “free and conﬁdential” services provided by FLAC and CIC, right here on your doorstep. For further information visit www.ﬂac.ie and www.citizensinformation.ie

Above, from left: Emma Larkin AIB, Monica Loughman and Fraser Browne.

JUSTICE FOR ALL

By Rupert Heather pancake morning was held last month by Citizens Information (CIC) and Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) in Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre. The atmosphere was friendly and convivial but the message was loud and clear– know your rights and entitlements. A series of talks and pop-up clinics took place to highlight the services available and to get more people using them. Liz Carroll, CIC Development Manager said, “traditionally it was a service for the most vulnerable but it’s changed because everyone is vulnerable now.” With Free Legal Advice Centre information evenings every Monday (7pm to 8.30pm) in RICC and Citizen Information Centre mornings every Thursday (9am–1pm), this really is a ‘one stop shop’ for all your rights and entitlements. Zest Vargas, FLAC Volunteer and Centre Manager said, “People should just come to us and ask

Above, from left: Liz Carroll, CIC, Karen Horne, Information Officer, CIC; John Lynch, FLAC volunteer; Martin Taylor DCC; Zse Varga, FLAC volunteer and John Deignan, FLAC legal intern.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

PAGE 23

THE MUSICAL YOUTH FOUNDATION

By Joe McKenna he Stax Music Academy in Memphis, Tennessee nurtures young local talent and holistically equips them to excel and impact the world through the language of music. Just check some of the internet videos if you want to be truly blown away, it’s breathtaking. The access to lessons, instruments and quality tutelage has seen students thrive and blossom to full potential. Past students have performed for the likes of Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder and good old Bono. Chris Maher was being recognised by the Stax Museum in Memphis as an Ambassador of Soul Music and an Honorary Tennessean when he came up with the idea for the Musical Youth Foundation. His inspiration was found at the Stax Music Academy. Setting up the Dublin City Soul Festival in 2007, Chris’s passion for music and its benefits is evidently deep upon meeting him. By sheer will, he acted on “the idea of putting a music stage in Merrion Park and putting on great acts, whether you know the names or not.” In 2009 the Musical Youth Foundation was granted charitable status and Chris Maher took the first steps towards spreading the love of music around Dublin. “Ringsend College was one of the first schools we got into and

been proven that a child active with music tends to do better academically in nearly every area. There’s also the social aspect of it. When people get together to play music they get to know each other and share things. That’s all good.” With a background as a Radio Sales Manager, Chris Maher took it upon himself to alter the course of his life and impact the city he loves with fresh initiatives such as ‘Guitars for Kids.’ His love of soul music has seen him host a soul radio show and provide a platform for artists, offering live music to people who probably get very little exposure to such things. The Musical Youth Foundation is founded upon this passionate activity. “When you think about it, where do kids get their music from? They get it from X-Factor and Jedward. That’s got nothing to do with music, it’s about ratings and selling advertising, which I know quite a bit about. But when you look at these

Pictured: Mirenda Rosenberg with Musical Youth Foundation.

Musical instruments wanted

really I just wanted to get the instruments into kids’ hands. The foundation runs on donations and ever-decreasing funding, so if someone gives me money, I want to be able to look them in the eye and tell them it’s going to the right

place. I didn’t just want to deliver instruments and leave them there. I wanted to come in and be there so kids could use the stuff and explore it. “Music is great for their coordination, their conﬁdence and it’s

The Musical Youth Foundation children’s charity is asking people to help it in its mission to provide every child on the island of Ireland with access to a musical education by donating any old, unused or even damaged musical instruments they have. “There are hundreds if not thousands of old, unused and unwanted instruments clogging up storage spaces all over the country and we’re asking people to help us give every child on the island of Ireland the opportunity to access music education by supporting our call for instruments.” If you have an instrument that you would like to donate, please email: saoirse@soul.ie

F ARCEBOOK

By Rupert Heather ack in the mists of time when we wandered the earth sharpening flints and twiddling sticks to make fire, before we had house phones, before Facebook, Twitter and the iPhone, social networking was something people did to catch fish. Seriously though, the whole thing has gotten out of hand. Most of us have woken up after a night out with the hazy recollection of saying something embarrassing to a friend. That feeling would be sheer bliss compared to the thought of baring your slightly inebriated soul to the digital community. Let’s face it – when it comes to Facebook, every time we post, we are laying ourselves bare to the scrutiny of a host of organisations who may have an interest in our personal information. Quite why the CIA, the Government, or even

people on TV, they’re not bands. Where are the guitars, where are the drums and that cool look you get from spending hours rehearsing with your mates and losing yourself in the moment? That’s what music’s all about.” The Musical Youth Foundation can, and hopefully will, become a beacon of creative hope within the lives of the children it encourages. Chris Maher has clearly committed himself to an ethically solid ideal. “Ultimately I’d like to open a centre where there’d be a big room, and kids could touch and feel the instruments. When I was growing up, there was a room in school that was locked and that’s where the instruments were. If you were lucky you got chosen to grab the triangles and hand them out; I got told to shut up in music. Had I been encouraged, maybe I’d be able to play the guitar now.”

your family would have any interest in such irrelevant ramblings is beyond me but the fact remains, Facebook is a permanent digital footprint. Forget about opting out, though. It’s rumoured that Bono got the inspiration for the title ‘How to dismantle a nuclear bomb’ when he discovered it was easier to do that than delete his Facebook account. Still, fair play to the lad for making a killing. How was he to know the immortal line, ‘I still haven’t found what I’m looking for’ would so accurately describe the task of navigating the privacy settings. The whole concept of Facebook friendship needs serious re-examination. If people you haven’t seen for 20 years and a collection of vague acquaintances constitute ‘friends’ then I’m Mark Zuckerberg (pictured above). Unless, of course, you’re the kind who engages in

shameless self-promotion and has zillions of friends or the kind of person who gets hundreds of comments for the most banal of observations. Most of us are lucky if our mum leaves a comment. Whatever happened to being unpopular? At least you knew where you stood. The other infuriating thing is that people can tag you in photographs you don’t want to be in and post them all over the shop. Simply put, the tool allows people you

don’t really like to post humiliating pictures of you half cut on a night out. I mean, if I wanted people to see that, I wouldn’t bother going out. I’d rather sit at home in front of the computer with a can of lager, a smoke machine in the corner and get one of my ﬂat mates to knock on the door and shout “last orders.” All this brings me untidily onto the subject of the new Facebook timeline. The change from the old format that presents your entire

history encompassing ex-partners, silly posts, everything you’ve ever liked, joined or attended as a sordid little journey into the past. Having taken the sensible option of deleting most of this before the change over, I was amazed to read that on the 18th January 2007 I had come up with the revelation, “I’ve just had a sandwich,” intellectual stuff eh? I mean, let sleeping dogs lie. The new layout requires you to adopt a ‘cover’, a catch-all image that says everything about who you are. I remember when a cover was what your mum put on your school books, usually made from a spare roll of woodchip left over from decorating the hall. Cover indeed. Anyway, I’m off to log into Facebook just in case I’ve missed three messages from groups I’d forgotten I’d joined, a pig from something called Farmville and an invitation to an event in Wales. Just don’t get me started on Twitter…

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

DERELICT DUBLIN

By Sandy Hazel lthough it was written about Salford in Lancashire, the song ‘Dirty Old Town’ has become Dublin’s theme tune. Tourist trails are swept many times a day, yet local areas are lucky to be cleaned every three months. Illegal dumping vomits waste onto footpaths. Bins and dog poo receptacles disappear daily

from public areas because– get this– they are being used too much. But the saddest blight on our dirty city is surely that of the derelict site. Councillor Gerry Breen is passionate about removing the scars on our city streets and wants the council to take “a more robust approach to derelict sites in the city.” He wants to avoid being overly legalistic, preferring the

practical. “There are three DCC ofﬁcers working in derelict sites and over 200 in planning. Now that construction and development has slowed, there are opportunities there for more enforcement.” The amount of sites left unﬁnished and decaying is too much for the current derelict sites division within Dublin City Council. Lack of resources is regularly

cited as the reason for not being able to chase up errant owners. Breen’s suggestion of using more planning staff would seem to make sense. “Removing overgrowth, painting and cleaning up hoardings is a start,” says Breen. The gloom factor can be underestimated when the spirit of a whole community is lowered. Breen has set up a page on his website dedicated to collecting images of the sad and neglected parts of the city; old houses, grocery shops and industrial units, all left undeveloped for years. So how are owners allowed to let their properties slide into rack and ruin? “Same as the ﬁnancial meltdown,” says Breen. “Regulator regulate thyself, and here we have the regulator, Dublin City Council not doing its job. If you had ten to ﬁfteen people working on a project team dedicated to derelict sites, taking on one catchment area at a time, identifying owners and agreeing a programme of works, it is doable.” It seems a simple enough solution but what of owners who cannot afford to upgrade properties or sites which are mired in NAMA? “Name and shame and then move into the legal area,”

says Breen. The legal option means levying the owner three percent of site value per annum and possible compulsory purchase by the council. There are some obstacles, however, when a community tries to put derelict sites onto a register. If those sites belong to DCC, it is exempt from paying any levies and it is not subject to its own enforcement rules.

Contact details

Visit www.gerrybreen.ie to view or add your local derelict sites pictures. Contact the Dublin City Council Derelict Sites division at 222 2143. If the building has accumulated a lot of litter and waste, contains dangerous or ruined structures or they are in a neglected or unsightly condition, the property may be declared derelict. To view other websites dedicated to dereliction in Dublin visit www.derelictdublin.blogspot or the Irish derelict sites discussion forum on www.archiseek.com

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

WATER

PAGE 25

CHARGES

Councillors call for free basic water allowance in advance of any agreement to charge for water.

By Sandy Hazel new agency to be introduced this year called Irish Water is being called a new quango by some Dublin City councillors. Fears were expressed that it might become a “repository for all local authority staff from around the country working in water services.” There are currently six local authorities in Dublin providing a shared water service for the past forty years. The Dublin region is thought to be at the limits of its capacity and there are plans

to draw water from the Shannon with the possibility of a water corridor from west to east of the country. Other plans include ﬁxing of leaks and improving infrastructure. The new Irish Water agency will, according to Minister Phil Hogan, result in 6,000 jobs over the three-year transition phase. Water and service charges will be introduced via water meters outside every home. The rollout of universal metering is to be in three phases. Phase one is to identify where all customers and connections are in 2012. Phase two will be 2013 and meter boxes will be installed outside all properties, followed on by phase three putting meters into those boxes.

It is expected that a free allowance will be available, above which water will be charged on a volume basis. (In the UK un-metered bills– charged on rateable value of a property– averages stg£360 a year and a metered bill averages stg£305. Some regions charge separately for water and sewage services).

Local Councillor Dermot Lacey feels that any new agency should be administered by an existing State body to avoid duplication of roles and “there need to be public representatives on the board of any water agency,” Lacey told last month’s Dublin City council meeting. Councillors also asked the manager to

“provide an assessment of potential weaknesses in the water plan along with the opportunities.” A free allowance of water would only encourage consumption, according to Cllr Gerry Breen. “Credits off the household charge would encourage more water conservation,” said Cllr Breen. He also called on the manager to ask for “a modern web portal so customers should get to see their consumption in real time, not as bills are done now, a month behind.” The motion by Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick that “The Elected Members of Dublin City Council call on the Government to conﬁrm that there will be a free basic allowance and full roll-out of domestic water meters before water charges, in any form, are introduced” was passed. Other councillors said this was all just “privatisation by the back door.”

DODDE R F LOOD ALLE V IATION

DC C Sh o r t s By S a n d y H a ze l

DC C SH ORT SEA DEFENCE

th e ma nage r if a sit uCo un cil lors have as ke d ar ise in rel at ion to sea at ion lik e Clo nt ar f wo uld e co un cil rep lie d; th e sea def en ces in Dubli n 4. Th of is an are a at high ris k fro nt in Sa nd ymou nt overt opp ing of th e ex ist co as ta l floo ding. Wave s cur oc tly nd Ro ad cur ren ing ma son ry wa ll at St ra ing rn tid al surge ea rly wa 10-20 times a ye ar. Th e n ne d an d op erated by Dubli sys tem for Dubli n, de sig va nc e wa rn ing of ha za rdCit y Co un cil , pro vides ad d to ale rt pro pe rty ow nous con dit ion s an d is use at al def en ces . Pro pe rties ers an d clo se ex ist ing tid s, op d 294 dwell ing s, 20 sh ris k inc lude an es tim ate lo ize n cen tre s, one M artel t wo pubs, t wo sen ior cit e on n, tio sta l tre , one pe tro Tower, one tra ini ng cen ur25 B sub statio ns an d sup erm ar ke t, th ree ES e th e sea fro nt an d in th ba n roads. Pro pe rties on at in th e pa st. Th ere are hin ter lan d have floo ded is th for ces for floo d def en th is time no pro po sa ls is th ine inten ded to exam loc at ion . Ho we ve r, it is al loc s, th e po ssi bil ity of ye ar, subjec t to res ou rce nt l def en ces at Sa nd ymou im pro vemen ts to co as ta cy en qu fre d high ris k an in vie w of th e ide nt ified be ll wi e l Area commi tte of overt opp ing . Th e Lo ca ded ve lopme nt of any floo ful ly inv olved in th e de fen ce sch eme.

INCINE RATOR WATCH Foll ow ing on from the cou nci l’s relucta nce to disc uss the inc ine rat or con tra ct at the Dublin Cit y Cou nci l mee ting, cou nci llors bro ugh t the matte r up aga in at the last are a mee ting. Cllr Ma ria Parodi ask ed that the ma nager pro vide a full rep ort on the revise d commercial arrangeme nts . “Co unc illors have onl y eve r see n a red act ed version of the con tract, yet we are exp ect ed to foo t the bill s. We cal l on the ma nag er to use the bre ak clause in the con tract,” said Parodi. “Th is inc ine rat or has bee n a poli tica l foo tbal l for the pas t few yea rs. €8 0.5 mil lion paid so far and not a bric k has bee n laid ,” said Cllr Jim O’C allagha n. “We have spe nt this huge amoun t on a pit of a pro pos al. The con sta nt def erral of the con tra ct for six mo nth s and the n ano the r six mo nth s is hiding the fac t that this is not goin g to happen . The ma nager nee ds to rea lise tha t this thing isn’t going to happen .” It wa s said at the mee ting tha t Cov ant a invest ors have alre ady bee n told “no thing wa s happen ing” in the nea r fut ure , yet this wa s at a time wh en cou nci llors were being told that it wa s all going ahe ad. Cllr Der mo t Lac ey said that the pro ject “is led from Customs House. It wil l go ahe ad unl ess the ministe r sto ps it legi slat ive ly.”

Commen ts ar e in vi te d from th e Publ ic on Do dder Catchm th e en t Fl oo d R is k M an agemen t Pl (Draft), Fl oo ds an M ap s, SEA an d N at ural Im St atemen t un pact ti l 8t h Ju ne 2 012 . All th es men ts are av ai e do cula ble on th e pr ojec t web si te du bl in ci t y. ie / w w w. Pa ge s/ D od de rF lo od in gStu dy.a an d in h ard co sp x py in th e D4 ar ea at R ings en brar y, Ir ish to d Liw n, Ba lls br idge Li brar y, Any men ts, views comor fe ed back sh ou ld be se n t by to th e projec em ai l t em ai l addres s do dder@rp sg com or by po ro up. st to th e fo llo w ing addres s: de r CF R AM St Do dud y, Projec t M an ager, Dubl in Co un ci l, Fl oo r Ci ty 4, 68-70, M ar ro w bo ne La ne, 8, Irel an d. Dubl in

ISRUP AFF IC D

TION

h avs e d by u a c e g ra o ach d ro ad p ort c n r i a a n d io n t rt ra n k a S immo n s c o u C o nge s i x a t at ew he i n g a n e e ac h o t h e r b ro ugh t t o t id s s a e w Mcs top b b r idge Padd y s l l r l a l B C he n R o ad i at te n t io n by ng i n DC C. “T i l’s me e t le d t o c o unci re c e n t s h as t a is t r a o t n o ally Ca rt a is o n m McC a rt a n . S c h t f o Trafﬁ ,” s a id im p ac t p l a i n ts e R o ads a n d m o c y h at io n s man f rom t t h at “t h e l o c n o t g ntly Re di n re p lie d t y we re re c e t n e i m ga c De p a rt in the ol lo w in s f k s n w a a r i -l ed o f t a x te d i n t h e by s s . Th e re v is a e r c o o r p s r of np i nc or me m b e e u l t at io h s t n o y c b io n s p ublic rat iﬁe d s s t o p l o c at e r e w s ci l . Bu by-l aw y C oun t i rd a i .” C n t he Ga Dubli r o f r e at t a re a m

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

KENNY CARROLL – GAME CHANGER

By Rupert Heather ew genuine sports people are interested in accolades but in becoming Railways Union’s ﬁrst Dual International since Joey O’Meara in 1960, Kenny Carroll has earned them. Committed, dedicated and driven are some of the characteristics those who know him recognise. In Irish terms, his career and accomplishments are almost unique. Kenny’s Irish Cricket debut came in 2006 against Italy in Glasgow. On Sunday April 17th 2011 in a friendly against Canada at UCD he made his International Hockey debut. Kenny was a part of Ireland’s 2007 Cricket World Cup success

under coach Adi Birrell, possibly his single biggest influence. Having amassed 190 senior appearances for Railway Union’s 1st XI, including 4611 runs, 161 wickets and 63 catches, he is regarded as one of the most consistent all-round performers in Leinster Division 1. In hockey terms though, it could have been so different. At five years of age Kenny had gone along with his older brother Gareth, who was trying out this ‘new’ sport along with other young hopefuls. Coach Brendan Smyth saw his enthusiasm, and instead of asking him to “come back when you’re older,” registered him in the colts section. Smyth was at Belfield 23 years

later to see Kenny make his Ireland debut. “It’s not surprising that when he turned his attention and focus to playing hockey that he has made the Irish squad. He makes sacriﬁces and just trains harder than anyone else,” says Emmett Whaley from Pembroke Cricket Club. “You really have to admire

his achievements, he got the rewards because he earned them, it’s as simple as that,” he concludes. Professionalism and dedication are the key attributes of a sportsman who is always trying to get the best out of himself, characteristics that convert neatly into his ﬂourishing coaching career. He

presidents, kings and queens around Ireland.” The ﬁrst queen Patrick drove was Queen Margaret of Denmark and that same day his wife Bridie gave birth to his youngest daughter, who they naturally called Margaret. Patrick enjoyed this type of work as he got to meet a lot of famous and interesting people. His favourite was Nelson Mandela, who at the time had been invited to Ireland by Charlie Haughey. He was given the freedom of the city. “He was a complete gentleman and I had the good fortune of taking care of him for a full week.” During his career as a chauffeur he met numerous heads of state: Nancy Reagan the former First Lady of the United States,

Juan Carlos, the King of Spain, the King of Malaysia Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Helmut Kohl the Chancellor of Germany, the Prime Minister of Australia Paul Keating and New Zealand’s Jim Bolger. Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, U2, Barry Manilow and Maureen O’Hara were among the celebrities he encountered. Paul Newman was “very down to earth.” He met Sean Connery on the set of ‘Zardoz’, which was produced and directed by John Boorman. Patrick remembers they were looking for a new-born baby to star in the movie alongside the lead actress Charlotte Rampling but Bridie refused to let them use their ﬁrst-born daughter Deborah for the part. Kevin Costner

recently took up the position of Cricket Community Coach with South Dublin County Council. Kenny became the ﬁrst player from Railway Union to represent Ireland at hockey for 34 years since the legendary Joey O’Meara, who also represented Ireland at cricket. The last player to represent Ireland at both sports was Jimmy Kirkwood in 1983. Both men became absolute heroes and role models. With the Neville Cup, Railway Union’s ﬁrst senior men’s hockey trophy in three decades and the Leinster Cricket Division 1 Championship under his belt from last season, clearly there is still more to come. At the age of 29, who knows what the future holds. One thing is certain, there are still a few twists and turns left in the story. Above: Kenny Carroll in action.

D RIVING D AYS

By Jason McDonnell atrick Kavanagh was born and reared in Ringsend at No. 1 Cambridge Place. Nowadays, it would be better known as Sammy McIntyre’s garage. When he was 10 years old he moved to George Reynolds House in Irishtown, where he lived for a number of years. He got his ﬁrst job down in Eugene Byrne’s pig yard at the back of the library, which was where he learned to drive under the instruction of Dan Redmond. Patrick emigrated to England and worked as an overhead crane

driver for two years, during this time he married his wife Bridie. When he came back to Irishtown he got a job with Boland’s Mill driving trucks. He later moved on to work with Abbey Delivery on a big contract with Ardmore Studios in Bray. This led to him working on the ﬁlm ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ with stars like Robert Mitchum and Sarah Miles. After that, he worked for Murray’s Chauffeur Drive for 35 years. “They were a fantastic company to work for,” said Patrick, who only retired six years ago. “They had a contract where they would drive all the

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was “very funny” and he spent a week with him when he was here trying to get the role of Michael Collins. “Luckily, Liam Nieson got the part. Nobody could have played Michael Collins better than him.” Not long afterwards, Patrick became great friends with Liam’s mother in law Vanessa Redgrave. Having met a very long list of household names, Patrick himself is now well-known all over the world for his work with Murrays. Patrick and his family suffered a terrible loss in 2004 when their only son James was murdered in Irishtown. To this day, the case remains open and unsolved. Patrick and his family hope that someday they will get some closure.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

PAGE 27

THE RIVER OF LIFE

By James O’Doherty ature is amazing. Whatever its mood is today it marches on, sometimes slowly, sometimes swiftly. Today I write this against a backdrop of blue skies, long green grass, leaves opening in trees, hedgerows with blossom displays growing daily. Birds are doing a Riverdance among the trees, sorting out their nests. There is always something to look forward to as nature opens its Pandora’s Box and at last winter becomes a memory. The sun climbs higher into the sky each day as it illuminates nature’s great beauty and spring has arrived with all its glory. From now on, every day in the garden will be a time of beauty as the evenings lengthen and the birds sing again. So the river of life flows on. Daffodils make way for tulips, the wallflowers, forget-me-nots, the beauty of the cherry blossom, lily of the valley, aubrietia, arabis, grape hyacinths and new blossoms on fruit trees. The magnificence of

the ﬂowers lifts our hearts and spirits at this time of year. Life feels brighter. There are some great gardening months ahead. Throughout April and May watch your garden come to life again. You should try to spend a few hours each week doing the routine jobs and you will keep on top quite easily. Now is the time to prune box topiary and cut back lavender plants. Give your grass a weekly cut and also a spring feed. From mid-May you can use a selective weed killer to control weeds in your lawn. Use Aftercut on a regular basis. Sow new lawns and repair where necessary. Cut back shrubs such as hypericum, spirea and wiegela. Continue to plant container shrubs and roses and give rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias a feed with a fertiliser such as iron sequestrene. Plant out sweet pea, and sow in the open and select hardy annuals such as colendula, clarkia, larkspur, cornﬂower, cosmea etc. As your spring bedding starts to look tired from mid-May pre-

pare to plant out your summer bedding– lobelia, geraniums, petunias, begonias, dahlias etc. In your allotment keep up a successional sowing of vegetables– little and often is the rule here. Sow some white Lisbon for lovely scallions, plant onion sets, sow lettuce, radishes, beetroot, turnips, peas, broad beans, cabbage, carrots– the list is endless. Plant your main crop potatoes in late April and during May. It takes fourteen weeks to harvest these. If you have a patio or balcony, it is possible to grow a large range of vegetables in pots. Use a large container and multi-purpose compost, water carefully and feed every second week

MOUNT TABOR CHRISTCHURCH FAIR

By Sandy Hazel s there a better way to spend a leisurely Saturday? Browsing for books and curios, choosing one-off clothes at craft stalls, sampling gorgeous homemade fare, picking up a couple of fresh baked loaves and stocking up on local honey. These delights are promised at the Christchurch Craft Fair and car-boot sale in Sandymount on 28th April. There are still some stands available too if you want to exhibit and sell your wares (€20 for a stand– €15 for a car). Plants, window boxes, dolls house furniture, glassware, jewellery, scarves, cards, bags, quilts, mufﬁns, cakes, jam, candles, beads, sauces, cookies… what’s not to like? Organiser James Bailie says it’s a good opportunity for neighbours to get out and meet, chat over a coffee and admire the local produce. “We are looking to attract more artisan food producers and to make this a regular event,” says James. He says the event is always popular with the Ringsend and Sandymount locals.

Organiser Maria Keane says that the honey seller in particular is very popular. “She can explain all about her bees and the ﬂowers they work on. People come to our fair just to seek out the bee lady,” says Maria. The funds from stall rent will be donated to Mount Tabor Care Home, which is in the Christchurch grounds. So head over on Saturday 28th, get your bedding plants and window box sorted for the summer and start stocking up

on birthday presents for the year ahead. Maybe treat yourself to something nice to lift your spirits… you deserve it. Christchurch Hall, just off Sandymount Green, Saturday 28th April 10 am to 3 pm. Contact 086 329 6010 if you want to hire a stall. Above: Una O’Brien with a display of her patchwork quilts and other craftwork.

with a tomato fertiliser. You can also grow herbs in the open ground or in window boxes. Remember, you can also use

grow bags. In this case, you must feed these plants on a weekly basis. To keep the garden tidy you should now apply a residual weedkiller to paths and driveways. Treat yourself to a shrub for mid to late summer. Unbeatable in ﬂower power is the lovely lavatera rosea (treemallow). This morning, as I look at a group of silver birch their trunks whiter than any other time of the year, I realise that the gardening world I am so lucky to inhabit is incredibly lovely and peaceful. So embrace Spring and enjoy this time in your garden– nature is all around us.

‘MICHAEL KIWANUKA – HOME AGAIN’

By Joe McKenna nce in a while a voice will come along that sounds like it came from another time. There’s been Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, Adele and not to mention Susan Boyle; all of them sounding like they stepped through a time portal from a richer musical age and wound up gracing the pop-sodden airwaves around us. Michael Kiwanuka is one of those voices. 24 years old and the son of Ugandan parents who escaped the Amin regime, Michael Kiwanuka grew up in North London and began playing as a session guitarist before striking out solo. In 2011 his life changed forever. Releasing his ﬁrst EP on a small label, he was soon supporting Adele on tour and becoming a much sought after act on the festival circuit. But it was being crowned winner of the ‘Sound of 2012’ poll at BBC Radio 1 that brought his music to a wider audience. Music that is sure to brighten the rest of the year with the release of his debut album. Apart from having a voice that is truly unforgettable (think Bill Withers meets Ray Charles meets Sam Cooke meets Otis Redding with a little smidgen of Louis Armstrong), Michael Kiwanuka also possesses a fantastic ear for melody, and as an accomplished guitarist his ability to make the most simple progressions sound incredible is just another feather in what is an already well-decorated hat. If I had to deﬁne the sound of this album I think my head might explode. It’s soul music, but done in a unique way. There are few large horn arrangements and the organic way in which Paul Butler has recorded Kiwanuka’s guitar playing is what I can only describe as sonic intimacy. From the opening track ‘Tell Me a Tale’ you get the impression that Michael Kiwanuka is about to open his soul to you, and that’s exactly what he does. Songs such as ‘Getting Ready’, ‘Home Again’, ‘I’ll Get Along’ and my personal favourite ‘Bones’, all take you into different areas of this young man’s heart and with a voice that is pure audio chocolate you will be hard-pressed to get enough. I could not recommend this more highly. If you like soul music, get it. Michael Kiwanuka plays Dublin’s Academy 19th May. Don’t miss it.

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

THE COFFEE SHOP CLASSROOM

By Breda Johnston elishing the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, warmed with an atmosphere of animated

conversations, the Fair Play Café on York Road in Ringsend is the place to be. If you are in the neighbourhood, please feel free to

stop by sometime. This spot has become a lot more than just a local coffeehouse, it has become a classroom. My computer literacy

students and I meet every Tuesday morning at the cafe, a welcoming environment which begins with the big smiles from Joe, Jamie and Michelle as you come in the front door. It is an easy transition from the traditional ‘computer lab’ to the friendly coffee shop– a learning experience in itself. Exploring the world of the Internet– searching the world wide web, communicating far and wide with email, sharing photographs, typing interesting texts, watching and listening to a wide range of video footage is all part of our morning. Classes cater for beginners, improvers and those just looking to refresh what they have learned in the

past. Of course, the first task of every visit is to place our orders and settle down to the palate pleasers the cafe has to offer. I happily indulge in a smooth latte while some of my students have a particular fondness for the array of fine cakes and pastries. For my students, the Fair Play Café offers the challenge of gaining knowledge, and the pleasure of learning new skills. All are welcome to drop in and classes are completely free, for directions see map on page 8. Classes start at 10am and finish at 11.30. Summer term: Tuesday 24th April–Tuesday 29th May.

C YCLING

GETS THE GREEN LIGHT By Rupert Heather To show their support for cycling and walking as the most sustainable way to travel, Dublin City Council constructed the Canal Way Cycle Route. The ‘green’ route starts from Portobello (Rathmines Road) and ﬁnishes at Sheriff Street, Dublin 7. The segregated cycle track is a state-of-the-art facility with cycle detection, signal heads, a new light sequence and CCTV. Funded by The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport the route was ofﬁcially opened by The Lord Mayor of Dublin Andrew Montague on Thursday 22nd March. Above: Pete Matthews on his 1888 ‘penny farthing’ bicycle. Below: Lord Mayor Andrew Montague (left) and Alan Kelly TD display their distinctive cycling style.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

PAGE 29

By Jason McDonnell ver the St. Patrick’s weekend I met Katie Taylor and she was in great form, you couldn’t meet a nicer, more modest person. For those of you who are not familiar with Katie Taylor’s achievements, let me enlighten you. She is a superb athlete who has won every European Amateur Boxing Championship title since 2005. She also has three successive world titles at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships to her name. Her training is going really well at the moment and she has a few ﬁghts lined up over the next few weeks to keep her busy. She is very proud of what she has achieved, but the Olympics are the pinnacle of every amateur boxer’s dream. If she qualiﬁes for the London 2012 Olympics the whole country will be praying for her to bring back Gold for Ireland but for the moment, she will be concentrating on the Boxing World Championships in China from May 21st to June 3rd.

A home defects and improvement column by Anthony Brabazon B.Arch. MRIAI. I want to replace my rotting windows but don’t know if PVC is best. What are my options? PVC is the cheapest but not necessarily the most appropriate for many houses, particularly older houses with character or protected structures. If you have up-and-down sash windows, a number of joinery companies can renew them and even provide specialised slimline double glazing units. Draught sealing is critical at windows and is more important than double or triple glazing. A recent study has shown that many replacement windows have been badly ﬁtted with poor perimeter sealing resulting in huge heat loss. The best windows for many houses are aluminium-clad Scandinavian pine windows, which are maintenance free and can come in any chosen colour and have the beneﬁt of a warm timber colour to the interior. Aluminium windows, common for commercial projects, are rare in houses as they need to be ‘thermally broken’ and prove expensive. Steel win-

GET ‘WIT’ IT

By Rupert Heather ric Lalor is a witty comedian who is comfortable with his Ballymun roots but doesn’t see why that should deﬁne him or his act. Discovered by Des Bishop on the ‘Joy in the Hood’ series in 2006, Lalor is starting to break into the big time. He is already well-known on the circuit here, having received the recent award ‘Stand-up of the Year’ in a public vote on entertainment.ie. His regular appearances as a panellist on the ‘Craig Doyle Show’ demonstrate that his star is rising. He says, “I’m a Dublin man but that only gets you so far. You have to broaden your horizons.

K ATIE T AYLOR

dows, which can now be fully galvanized and therefore rust free, are even more expensive yet necessary for proper replacement of some 1930s Art Deco style houses. Hardwood windows, from sustainable suppliers are excellent but in my opinion should have aluminium primer to seal in their oils and be painted, as the natural dark colour if varnished goes much darker over time. If left untreated, they lighten up unevenly. As a rough rule of thumb, consider replacement costs Don’t get me wrong, if I have a joke about Ballymun and it’s funny, then I’ll tell it but I don’t want to be known as the Ballymun comedian.” His ﬁrst venue at the Edinburgh Festival was called Opium and with his Ballymun/Finglas background he thought “are you taking the piss?” Illustrating the point he adds, “People always ask me about where I’m from and I say it’s like anywhere else, a two-tier society, there are haves and have-nots, those who have been to jail and those who have not been caught yet.” His early material focused on people’s perceptions, the “elephant in the room,” as he calls it. “Sometimes when I go on stage, I say to the audience that they should feel comfortable and familiar with me. Then I tell them that even if they don’t, I’ve been in most of their houses anyway.”

‘Vexed’

of €175 per square metre for uPVC, €240 per sq.m for hardwood and €300 per sq.m for aluminium clad Scandinavian pine. Having considered all that, you can see why uPVC is so popular. A Help My House visit can help put you on the right track on this and other matters. Contact Help My House to arrange a visit to your home for €150. Ring Anthony Brabazon on 01-6683519 or visit the new helpmyhouse. ie site on the web. Questions for this column can be sent to anthony@helpmyhouse.ie

By Jason McDonnell n episode of ‘Vexed’ was filmed in Ringsend Park on March 16th between 7am and 10am for the BBC. The show stars Toby Stephens, as D.I. Jack Armstrong. He is best known for playing mega villain Gustav Graves in the James Bond film ‘Die Another Day’ (2002). The show also stars Miranda Raison, who previously starred in ‘Spooks’ as D.I. Georgina Dixon. The show is a comedy/drama set in Surrey, this is the second series, the first was aired in 2010. The episode filmed in Ringsend will be shown on BBC2 this autumn. A lot of work by the BBC is being outsourced lately to Cardiff, Bristol and Dublin. This is great for Ireland and small communities as it means a lot of money is circulated locally with these productions. Each shoot, usually lasting 12 weeks has a production crew who use local accommodation, restaurants and other facilities in the vicinity.

Sitting in the International Bar, he is happy to contemplate the road to success. His very ﬁrst gig was broadcast to the nation on the RTE show, with the help of Bishop his “Jedi Master.” Cheerfully admitting to being slightly underwhelmed by his ﬁrst sight of the “dingy” room upstairs, expecting “glamour, glitz and disco balls,” Lalor en-

thuses about the International Comedy Club, the home of Irish comedy and the breaking ground for many an act. “Everyone that’s anyone has been here. You still get established comedians trying out new material here all the time. I love doing stand up and I love getting up on stage,” he says. Taking the leap of faith into full-time comedy two years ago with the responsibility of a family with four kids, earning a decent living is very much the nut that Lalor is trying to crack. He has opened for most of the big names and is a regular at the major comedy festivals but “dreams” of that big solo show at Vicar Street, a “great place” to do comedy. New projects include a screen acting course with Factory Studios which he was “lucky enough” to be invited to and a sporadic

tour called ‘Chalk and Cheese’ with Gearoid Farrelly. Lalor will meet up with his mate and “inspiration” Jason Byrne in Dubai for a few gigs, the latter returning from shows in Australia. “Jason has done what I want to do and now he’s patented that style of comedy, he’s the number one ticket seller at the Edinburgh festival. He taught me that you get nothing unless you work hard,” Lalor adds. His advice to anyone starting out in the business is simple, “surround yourself with good people, family and friends, listen to good advice and don’t take no for an answer.” I get the feeling that even if he hadn’t got his big break on the show he would have made it anyway. The best place to ﬁnd out more about Eric Lalor is to add him as a friend on facebook or follow him on twitter @ericlalor

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

‘LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL’

THEATRE REVIEW

By Caomhan Keane egally blonde is a love story about a young girl, who’s blonde and whom everybody thinks is a bit ditsy, but ends up going to Harvard law school and falling in love with a very nice boy. You’ve seen the movie, you know the score. X-Factor ﬁnalist Niki Evans takes on the role of Paulette, Elle’s best friend, a salon owner, whom she turns to for advice and who helps her get rid of one guy and hook up with another. She talks here to Caomhan Keane about the show that comes to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in April. Is there much difference between the ﬁlm and the stage show? Well, it’s a musical so there are obviously a lot more tunes in it but with the general story line? No. It’s about the same. There are a few different characters in there, but they are trying to keep it true to the movie. So if you liked the movie you’ll love the musical.

‘ALBERT NOBBS’

By Caomhan Keane aving first played the title role on Broadway 30 years ago, ‘Albert Nobbs’ is a dream come true for the actress Glenn Close, who finally gets the stage-to-screen transformation she has so long desired in this three-time Academy Award nominated film. While it would be easy to dismiss this as a gender-bending period flick, a ‘Tootsie’ for the Merchant and Ivory set, Close’s performance, plus that of fellow Oscar nominee Janet McTeer makes it a piece of sweet sorrow, simple desires complicated by circumstance, where the wonderfully restrained yet beautifully embroidered characterisation gives depth to the delightful camp elsewhere.

FILM REVIEW Based on the novel by Irish writer George Moore, it is cowritten by Close and the Booker Prize winner John Banville and envelops us in the world of a 19th century hotel run by a carping Pauline Collins. Much of the humour is gleaned from the interaction between her, the staff and the guests, but there, steady in the background, is Albert, a woman dressed as a man, who out of economic necessity has kept her gender a secret, her life a lie. There is nothing titillating, nothing humourous about Albert. Indeed Close appropri-

ately wraps him in asexual threads so we feel the fear and claustrophobia of the environment. When Hubert Page (Janet McTeer) arrives to do some house painting and reveals to Albert another way of existing, one that involves happiness and a family (Brona Gallagher in a terrific performance), Nobbs dares to dream. And with naive practicality he goes about wooing a wife, Helen (Mia Wasikowska), a young housemaid at the hotel. It might seem a bit of a stretch to believe that so many sexual outlaws paths would just happen to cross in 19th century Dublin, but this beautiful little drama pushes past its implausibility to be a beautiful study of hope and despair.

How did you get involved? I auditioned for the original version in the West End but I was busy doing ‘Blood Brothers’ so they waited for me, bless their hearts.

That’s the production Melanie C was involved in wasn’t it? She took over from me and then I took over from her so she did the stints between me, basically. Mel is lovely. She is a really nice girl. But a lot of people have played the role. Maureen Nolan is playing Mrs. Johnston at the moment and she is fantastic at it, but you do have your favourites. Mine is Lyn Paul because she is the ﬁrst one I ever saw, but everyone is as good as everyone else. They have just done it in a different way. Had you any experience in musicals prior to taking on the role? None at all, I’d never even been to a musical theatre. I’d never been IN a theatre, aside from the pantomime. I hadn’t got a clue what ‘Blood Brothers’ was about. I had about seven days to learn Mrs. Johnstone and went straight on. I didn’t get any acting techniques or anything. They didn’t want that from me. They wanted it to be very real because I’m a mom, they basically wanted me but with a Scouse accent.

Are you now a fan of the genre? I appreciate what they do now and how hard it is to work in musical theatre. The one that I love and that I totally would go back to see a million times is ‘Wicked’. I just love it. When I watched ‘Legally Blonde’ for the ﬁrst time it’s a really fun-loving musical. There are a lot of things in it. I had a tear. I had a laugh. It’s very pink. Paulette was someone I wanted to play rather than it being offered to me. She’s brilliant to play. ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’, Staring Ray Quinn and Niki Evans runs from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 21st April 2012 at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. Tickets priced from €20.00.

Meeting up at Meetup

By Glenda Cimino eetup is an online social networking portal which says it is on a mission to help the world’s people self-organise and it seems to be very popular. Unlike Facebook, with all its virtual ‘friends’, Meetup aims to foster real, face to face community in your locale. So far more than 10 million people have signed up and formed over 90,000 local Meetup Groups in their areas. Worldwide, there are 92,000 local groups on one of 90,000 topics in 45,000 cities, and counting. Joining is free. You put up a little about your interests, then click to join the groups you like, whether it is Korean BBQ, Tibetan singing bowl healing, speed dating, sailing, arts and culture, or simply making friends. There seems to be something for everyone. But if your interest isn’t there, you can lead an event or organise a group yourself. There is even a ‘randomness’ group. The website will tell you how many people are in the group you have joined, who the members are, when the meetups are planned costs involved in the meetup, (if any), reviews by members and future activities. You must RSVP because for some meetings attendance is limited by space. But let’s stick to Dublin for a minute. If you love going out but your friends or partners don’t share your interests or are too busy, if you are sick of seeing ﬁlms on your own, if you like making new friends who enjoy the activities you do, then www.meetup.com is for you. There are 132 groups in the Dublin area. So what are you waiting for? I went to see ‘The Artist’ at the IFI with the Arts and Culture Group and met a dozen congenial people for coffee and discussion after. Yes, I will be going back!

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

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‘TROUBLED MAGNIFICENCE’

By Caomhan Keane comparison could be made by France at the end of Louis XIV’s reign and Ireland after Fianna Fáil was through with her. Both oversaw reigns where achievement in art, culture and science were unprecedented and by the time both were on their death bed the state was bankrupt, with the rich getting fatter and the poor getting sweet FA. Hopefully we won’t have to wait the 90 or so years to see

the heads of their predecessors on a plate, like the French did, but if you fancied soaking your brain in the opulent misery that our Gallic brethren suffered through you couldn’t do better than Troubled Magnificence, the exhibition which recently ran in the gorgeous Long Room in Trinity College Dublin. Under Louis XIV (The Sun King to our Teflon Taoiseach) France became the most powerful land in Western Europe. Considerable territorial expan-

sion was achieved through a series of wars, which were costly in both lives and money. At the same time Corneille, Moliere and Racine emerged through his patronage and great architectural achievements such as the building of the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre were made (I’m beginning to feel shortchanged by Westlife, Boyzone and the O2). The exhibition looked at various aspects of French life in the seventeenth century including taxation, warfare, trade and religion and while reading the notes on display one couldn’t help but wonder how our ignorance will be presented years down the line. The exhibition is entirely drawn from the rich visual and textual resources of the Trinity College Library which has the ﬁnest collection of seventeenthcentury French books in Ireland (although to be honest, who else could) and price of entry to exhibitions here include entry to the Book of Kells exhibit on the ground ﬂoor.

Celebrity Put Downs

By Caomhan Keane ecent celebrity put-downs are sadly thin on the ground of late. With the juiciest offering coming from Adele’s raised ﬁnger or Madonna’s snide, homophobic asides about Elton John, NewsFour longs for the golden age of the bon mot. We’ve gathered a few of the best quotes from the ﬁnest silver tongues to show these young’uns how it’s done. JOAN RIVERS (above) Boy George is all England needs– another queen who can’t dress. DOROTHY PARKER You can lead a whore to culture but you cannot make her think– (when asked to use horticulture in a sentence). On being told that the infamously quiet President Calvin Coolidge had died– ‘How could they tell?’ If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end to end, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised. If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to. She runs the gamut of emotions from A to B– (talking of Katherine Hepburn). The affair between Margot Asquith and Margot Asquith will live as one of the prettiest love stories in all literature. That woman speaks eighteen languages and can’t say “No” in any of them. GROUCHO MARX She got her looks from her father. He’s a plastic surgeon.

The Dubliners 1962-2012

By Jason McDonnell he best band to ever come out of Ireland are celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year. Formed in 1962, they made a name for themselves playing regularly in O’Donoghue’s Pub in Dublin. To mark the 50th Anniversary of The Dubliners, artists Niall O’Loughlin, Pervaneh Matthews and Ray Sherlock showcased their paintings of the famous musicians and other Dubliners at Balla Bán Art Gallery in March. All three artists are big fans of the Dubliners. Dublin artist Pervaneh has one of her limited edition

prints hanging in O’Donoghues Pub on Merrion Row, the venue where it all started for the ballad group 50 years ago. Niall O’Loughlin and Ray Sherlock, Ireland’s two top caricaturists, brought plenty of humour and colour to the show with their portraits of the Dubliners in ﬂying form. Invited artists, Mark Baker and Tom Byrne also featured in the exhibition with their portrait paintings of Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew. You can get the chance to see the Dubliners live this June 2nd in Listowel, Kerry; June 3rd in Cork Opera House; June 7th in Waterfront Hall, Belfast and June 9th in the TLT Concert Hall & Theatre in Drogheda. Painting above by Niall O’Loughlin.

MAE WEST His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork. And we’ll end with a pair of tête à têtes between British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Nancy Astor, the ﬁrst woman to sit in parliament. NANCY ASTOR– You’re drunk. CHURCHILL– And you’re ugly. But in the morning, I shall be sober. NANCY ASTOR– If you were my husband, I would poison your tea. CHURCHILL– Madam, if you were my wife, I’d drink it.

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

No stress… By Rupert Heather The D4 Clinic on South Lotts Road which specialise in hypnotherapy, counselling and psychology is running stress reduction sessions in the workplace for local companies free of charge. Statistics indicate that in the UK alone work-related stress cost nearly 10 million working days in 2009/ 2010. Stress, the ‘silent killer’ is now known to contribute to a variety of more serious health problems. Stress can be deﬁned as a negative emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical physiological, cognitive and behavioural changes that are directed either toward altering the stressful event or accommodating its effects. Work related stress is on the rise, so don’t suffer in silence. Take action and contact therapist Jason O’Callaghan. Stress reduction sessions could be just what you or your employees need and they’re free. For more information visit http://www.d4clinic.ie or email info@d4clinic.ie to book your session.

A HEALTHY

By Sandy Hazel ublin 4 ladies were well looked after at the Spellman Centre and at the Ringsend Primary Healthcare Centre on International Women’s Day last month. The doctors and nurses at Ringsend Primary Healthcare gave us all the once over. After a glucose raising breakfast of fruit and juices, there were one to one sessions with experts; cholesterol checks, blood pressure monitoring and advice on smoking cessation. Dental hygienist Eithne Mackey told us girls how to keep our pearly whites exactly that; how to keep them. She told us that gum health can affect heart health and that we should all ﬁght acid attacks every day. “That biscuit after your lunch is taking away from your saliva’s natural plaque ﬁghting properties,” said Eithne handing us our pink toothbrushes and dinky mini tubes of toothpaste. Brush up and down she reminds us not sideways, for mighty molars. Then on to the nurse for blood tests and advice on keeping the cholesterol low: “By all means have the porridge, but not the cream,” she

WOMEN’S DAY

informs us. Butter and cheese are the main offenders in the Irish diet we are told. Olive spreads from now on. Organisers of the health event were Cathy Carrie and Michelle Phelan, network administrators for Ringsend and Pearse Street. “This is to help women look after themselves,” said Cathy. The event was a community partnership: “We are supported by the Spellman Centre, Dublin City Centre, the community centre and the testing kits were donated by Pﬁzer,” said Michelle. They also wanted to

say a big thank you to Joe from the Anchorage Café for all the teas and coffees throughout the day. Candles, fresh fruit, healthy water, teas, coffees and scones were also on offer at the Holistic therapy treatment day in the Spellman Centre. Organiser Teresa Rooney said that it was great to see all the women out for a hands-on therapy treat. Massage for hands, feet and head. Back massage and healing therapies made for a most relaxing morning. Top tip: sugar and sunﬂower oil makes a brilliant, low-cost massage exfoliant. The therapists at the Spellman gave their time to help the women in the area feel pampered and relaxed. If only every day was women’s day. There is a men’s health day at the primary care centre planned for summer. Michelle said that the men are getting more aware of their health too and are getting better at talking about it. “The feedback we had from last year’s men’s health day was very positive, men were saying how glad they were that a special day had been also dedicated to them,” said Michelle.

Congratulations

All the staff at NewsFour are delighted to congratulate Julien Behal who won the prestigious AIB Photojournalist of the Year Award 2012. Julien worked as a photographer for NewsFour in 1998 and made rapid progress. He moved on to work for leading photographic agency Maxwells in 1999 and is currently employed as a staff photographer with the Press Association in Dublin.

The judges felt his winning entry ‘Presidential Welcome’ brilliantly captured the excitement and theatre of President Barack Obama’s speech to the thousands gathered in the centre of Dublin on his visit to Ireland. The AIB Photojournalism Exhibition will be travelling the

country in selected AIB branches in the coming months. Well done Julien! Pictured here are some of his impressive entries: From top left: State of the Nation, Easter 1916, Waiting to Perform and Spiritual Vision.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

POET

PAGE 33

PROFILE:

JOHN MCNAMEE

By Glenda Cimino ohn McNamee is a longstanding Dublin writer and poet with many strings to his bow: poetry, short stories, plays, journalism. For 10 years, he organised the now legendary Out to Lunch poetry readings in the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, his readers including the big guns of poetry, such as Heaney, Longley, and Montague. At 65, he is still going strong, currently adapting his radio play, ‘Psychotherapy Blues’ for the stage, gathering enough poems for a new book, and writing songs in collaboration with a singer. He will have a rare public reading with Poetry Ireland on April 19 at 7.30pm in Purcell House, All Hallows College, Drumcondra. All of his many publications are out of print now, including his most recent, ‘A Station Called Heaven, Collected Poems 1967-2006’, but his collected works are in the National Li-

brary of Ireland and some public libraries. John grew up in Whitworth Road in Dublin, the youngest boy in a family of ﬁve boys and three girls. It was Ireland of the 50s, emigration seemed inevitable for many. John is a true survivor and has been through some hard times (without an ounce of self pity), always strapped for cash, sometimes a vagabond, and much of his poetry comes from the distillation of his substantial share of human suffering, and the insights that brings. “I probably wouldn’t have written if I hadn’t suffered. Being a poet is an odd vocation. You have to sometimes be carrying a very heavy weight to motivate you to put something on paper.” When John was 11, he was diagnosed with a serious disease, osteomyelitis, which caused great pain and a long period of hospitalisation. He got a pen from a nurse and tried to write out his feelings in a poem, on

his bedsheet. The nurses were aghast; but John’s poetic career had begun. Fifteen years later in 1972, his ﬁrst published poem would appear in ‘Icarus Magazine’ at TCD. John went to school at St Vincent’s CBS, Glasnevin. He remembers being impressed by Yeats, ‘An Irish Airman Meets his Death’, ‘The Lake Isle of Inisfree’, ‘Hamlet’ and ‘The Fool’

by Padraig Pearse. At 16, he wrote his ﬁrst real poem, ‘Night Walk’. He wrote another poem, a sonnet, about a friend who emigrated, ‘The Youth of Dreams’. But John wasn’t always sure he wanted to be a poet. “I was at one point keen on being a doctor, having read Tom Dooley’s book, ‘Before I Sleep’.” (Dooley was a doctor who built hospitals in

Vietnam and Laos, before dying from cancer at age 34.) John began his own extensive travels at the age of 17, when he went to Hertsfordshire to take up a summer cannery job. He has lived all over the world from Morocco to New York but Ireland was home, and John returned. In the recessionary 80s, he could afford one year in an arts programme in St Patrick’s Maynooth, where he got involved in the drama society. On writing, John says his wild life led to losing a lot of poems. Writing for him is “all intuition. In a way I feel I am a medium for a message. What makes me put the ﬁrst word on paper comes from a deep place within myself that is a mystery to me. And it has to be a mystery because if it was obvious and clear I wouldn’t do it.” His advice to new writers? “To be a writer you have to plumb the depths, you have to dive deep to get the pearls. And if you don’t do that, chances are you won’t last. Go into your own heart and soul and record what you see there.” John is always available for readings and workshops. Phone him at 087 7792068.

THE POETRY PLACE A Life

Winter Tree

You try to fit into it, Like dressing up in a suit of clothes. Then the ill-fitting details begin: The trouser-ends are too long, They affect your confident footsteps. Then the jacket buttons fall off, So now the world knows that you are poor. So because you are poor, The waist becomes loose,

Mama

Driving down Eglington Road I asked myself how come I’d never noticed you before?

The old rocking chair still sits there –

Certainly not in winter When you stood out in front of me In your nakedness

So many times she’d be there,

But Mama’s gone.

I wasn’t expecting beauty In bare winter branches as you stood there Doing your treelike thing Of sprawling upwards and outwards, And as I gazed at you more intently, You sent me your deﬁant winter vibe: “I’m here starkers beside the dual carriageway No fancy gown of leafy green for me these days Take me or leave me just as I am today.”

And you don’t own a belt. Then you realise your life does not fit perfectly. But oh thank God for the compensations! Nudity is pure and healthy, Like the trees and flowers in winter– A shape awaiting the improvement of the selfless Saint you’ve been searching for all your life In the ruffled creases of your soul. By John McNamee

Like a prizewinning piece of sculpture You spoke to me that day; “Hey you, WAKE UP You’ve never seen me like this before.” By Rachel Stanley

As always, we welcome contributions to The Poetry Place, which can be sent to the ‘NewsFour’ ofﬁces at Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4, or by email to newsfour@gmail.com

All alone. But when the door would open Whether friend or kin She’d welcome each with open arms. “So happy to see you again!” So we hope with all within us There’s rocking chairs ‘up there’, And she has got a gold one, And not one single care. For now she’s rocking with the angels Forever in God’s care Just waiting for the door to open And us to join her there.

By Agnes Brown

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

BALANCING RTE’ S C LAIRE B YRNE

By Rupert Heather rriving early for a ‘big’ interview with one of the nation’s foremost broadcasters I’m not really sure who to expect. Claire Byrne’s career has steered a course through commercial radio and TV into the national psyche but she’s not exactly easy to pin down. Claire is comfortable with the ‘light’ entertainment format but is also a serious journalist with experience and knowledge of current affairs, someone who obviously does not ﬁt the unfortunate stereotype of attractive but irrelevant female presenter. She says, “I think my days were slightly schizophrenic because they were split between light topical stuff and the radio show current affairs. It represents my career to date in a day.” Claire Byrne is as easy going in real life as her Daily Show persona. Arriving from an hourlong walk she explains that her “gruelling” and “unsustainable” recent work life has given her some perspective. “My day began at 11.00am in TV centre

TALKS TO

Eamonn Byrne died tragically in a house ﬁre recently, He was born and reared in Stella Gardens with his ﬁve brothers, two sisters and parents Paddy and Kathleen. Eamonn emigrated to Philadelphia with his late wife Maureen in 1975, where he reared his two sons Robert and Niall. His funeral was held in Philadelphia, where his family and friends said their sad farewells. A memorial mass will be offered on Friday 27th April at 7.00pm in St. Patrick’s Church, Ringsend. RIP

N EWS F OUR

and would ﬁnish at 6.00pm. I’d go home grab something to eat, watch the Six One News and be back in RTE for 6.45pm until 11.00pm,” she says. “You can’t expect to work a twelve hour day and have a work/life balance.” With the scheduled end of the ‘Daily Show’ which “was only ever going to be 100 shows,” Claire has been able to concentrate on RTE radio’s ‘Late Debate’, a format where “everybody gets to tease out the issues of the day, mainly from the Oireachtas.” She enjoyed the “atmosphere” of the ‘Daily Show’ and the camaraderie which “translated” to a substantial daily audience of 175,000 viewers. She says, “Despite the fact that I do miss the ‘Daily Show’ and the team, it’s good to be able to concentrate on one job.” Starting her career with East Coast Radio, before moving to Jersey “for a laugh,” Claire returned to Ireland and “threw” out a few CVs. She was “lucky” to get a job with TV3 before establishing herself in RTE. She

Eamonn Byrne RIP

ACT

W AY

admits that her career has been unplanned and that she is open to whatever the future brings. Although there is the thorny problem of “paying the mortgage,”

TO GO

By Jason McDonnell oseph Fitzgerald is a well known gospel singer and former vocalist of the band The D11 Runners who had three hit singles in Ireland and a club hit in the UK. They were once hailed as the hottest band in Ireland. At one stage it was said that they had the world at their feet and were considered the ‘real’ Commitments. They had a large line-up, were from the same neighbourhood and had guitarist Ken McCluskey, who played a major role in the Commitments movie. Joseph’s brother George was the saxophone player with the D11 Runners and author of the book ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me Too’. The book is about the two brothers growing up as boxers and forming the band The D11 Runners. George also wrote two other books; ‘Tommy Two Coats and Mister Jacob’s Coin’ and ‘The Manuscripts’, both of which are based on Dublin’s Monto area. Joseph’s singing was what separated The D11 Runners from all other bands. In 1990 The D11

that does bring its own reality. Expressing an interest in journalism through school Claire was encouraged by one of her English teachers to write letters to

the broadsheets and get involved in public debate. Her early career in news reporting nurtured a sense of journalistic integrity, an innate sense of being unbiased, factual and presenting events as they happen, instead of just presenting opinion. For the moment Claire is having a “little” bit of down time, just getting on with the ‘Late Debate’ and enjoying herself. She loves being able to go out for walks and catch up on everything she “intended” to do. “I spent two days in the garden, pruning and weeding, it’s quite therapeutic,” she says. Planning her holidays and enjoying her work Claire Byrne is obviously in a good place at the moment. Quite literally in the sense that she adores living in Sandymount her new “home” for the last ﬁve years. “It’s not since I left home that I have felt the sense of community that I do now. It’s a very secure feeling and I think everyone is looking for that sense of belonging,” she reﬂects. “I just like going to the butchers and the greengrocers and having a relationship with the local community,” she adds, before doing precisely that and leaving to do some shopping.

J OE

Runners performed one of the best live performances this journalist had ever seen in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Around 100,000 people attended the show and the crowd was mesmerised by their cover version of ‘Wishing On A Star’ by Rose Royce. It was a great night, with Christy Dignam making an appearance and playing an acoustic set. The D11 Runners were set for stardom after that night but unfortunately due to personal reasons, they missed out on a couple of big deals in Europe. When these fell through, the band decided to break up in 1993. After witnessing the drowning of his best friend, everything changed for Joseph. This eventually led to him becoming a gospel singer. In 2001, he released his ﬁrst album based on the book ‘The Cross and the Switchblade’. This album produced a No. 2 European gospel hit and picked up a Coca Cola National Video Award around the same time. Joseph played a lot of gigs since then in churches and schools around Ireland, some festivals in

the UK and some low-key gigs in Los Angeles. You can ﬁnd one of Joseph’s gospel songs on Youtube called ‘Joseph After The Pain’ which is dedicated to his lost friend. Later on, he turned his ﬁrst album into a programme and toured schools in disadvantaged parts of Dublin, teaching kids about the dangers of drugs and gang violence. This was a very successful tour until August 2010, when he became unwell due to Motor Neurone Disease. He is currently working on an audio book about Dublin’s notorious Monto area and an audio book of poems. April 20th will see the release of a compilation CD ‘Maybe We Can Start Again’. I will contain his best vocal work

from the D11 Runners to the solo gospel days. Joseph’s main aim now is to highlight awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and the hard work of The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA), the services they provide such as home visits by MND dedicated nurses, ﬁnancial assistance towards home care and the provision of specialist medical equipment/appliances on loan free of charge. Joseph would like to commend Professor Hardyman and his research team in Beaumont hospital and Trinity College who have dedicated themselves to ﬁnding a cure for this debilitating disease. Above: George and Joseph Fitzgerald.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

PAGE 35

WORD MAGIC

WORDS FOR DIFFERENT FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

By Glenda Cimino nce again this column refers to the wonderful website of Stephen Chrisomalis, www.phrontistery. info. Phrontistery evidently means a thinking place and this website will certainly make you think. It is a must for language lovers. Chrisomalis, who goes under the name of Forthright on the web, was born in Canada in 1974. He tells us that he has a doctorate in anthropology and is teaching at the University of Toronto and pursuing postdoctoral studies. His current research is on the comparative study of systems of numerical notation. Noting the disarray in European government today, with elected leaders (an example

ARTIST

of democracy) being replaced by unelected technocrats with dubious links to the banksters (moneyocracy or argentocracy, government by money), I was wondering about what other kinds of government exist. It has been suggested that every government which has ever existed has been a prime example of kakistocracy, or the rule of the worst. Forthright has come up with no less than 169 different names for types of government, deﬁned as being run by a certain kind of person or group. Both our sufﬁxes for government come from the Greek language: ‘archy’ meaning rulership, and ‘cracy’ meaning power. Whenever there are a lot of words to describe something that

IN PROFILE:

By Sandy Hazel iona de Lacy, a graduate of Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design, is a mother of “four beautiful bright boys”, two of whom are autistic (Asperger’s Syndrome). Her eldest son has hyper sensitive senses. Various fabrics, smells, and noises can cause

thing is usually problematic for people. This long list suggests that people have conceptualised almost every kind of government, tried quite a few, and nothing has ever been a perfect ﬁt. I thought he must be making at least some of these terms up, but googling some of the more outlandish ones on the net, I found they do exist, and there are some examples in the world today. I will dwell on the lesser known forms. For instance, Syria today is an example of a government run by chirocracy (rule of force) or barbarocracy (rule by barbarians). We recall that ‘barbarians’ were originally people with an unintelligible language– that is they didn’t speak Greek. We could be living in an angelocracy (government by angels) or a demonocracy (government by demons). Many governments are andocracies in effect (government by men). Marx’s dream was an ergotocracy (government by the workers or the working class). Berlusconi’s government came close to being a hetaerocracy (government by paramours or lovers). Doulocracy (government by slaves) is quite rare, although Haiti began that way. These governments can make anarchy (government by none) start to look good. Is our government a foolocracy?

FIONA

him tremendous distress. Because of this Fiona’s own senses and awareness have become heightened over the years and she felt it fundamental to incorporate the many textures of daily life into her work. “To me, art is not just a visual experience; it is something much more than that,” says Fiona. “It gives me great pleasure

LACY

creating works that everyone can appreciate if not through sight, then through touch. I hope that my creations illustrate this. Everyone is very welcome to come and touch my paintings.” Fiona’s work is a vivid and powerful array of the abstract, dramatically textured and meticulously structured. Her signature style was born through her early fascination with the construction and mechanics of inanimate objects. She uses mixed media, metallics and non-organic materials. Her paintings draw the audience in via their own irresistible urge to make physical contact with the highly textured surfaces. Fiona’s inspiration comes from all aspects of her life, “especially my family, friends and at times poignant personal experiences,”she explains. She is currently prepping a solo show of ﬁfty paintings. The exhibition ‘A Touch of Sense’ will be at Taylors Three Rock, Rathfarnham during April.

THE NEWSFOUR CROSSWORD COMPILED BY ANN INGLE

Name:…………………………… Address:………………………… Telephone:………………… Prize of a €25 book token. Post entries to NewsFour, RICC, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, D.4 by 18th May 2012. Winner of our February/March crossword competition was Ann Maher, Pearse Grove, Dublin 2. ACROSS Spicy cakes for Easter (3,5,4) 1 10 Mad - - - - - - - Tea Party (7) 11 UK TV cook - ﬁnger licking good (7) 12 Involved in the preparation and creation of food (4) 13 A meat dish often eaten on the way home after a good night out (5) 15 Start to eat the chocolate again when this is over (4) 17 - - - Charles, American singer (3) 19 Flowers associated with Easter (6) 21 Someone who participates in sport (6) 22 Goes with cups and saucers and 23 across (4,3) 23 A vessel for making a cuppa (6) 25 French cake (6) 27 The piper’s son? (3) 29 A guitarist with U2 (4) 30 Bread roll in the shape of a ring (5) 31 Eager (4) 34 The Archangel (7) 35 To follow a pattern, copy (7) 36 The hats for the coming holiday (6,7) DOWN The main ingredient for porridge (7) 2 3 A group of people working together (4) 4 There could be a pearl inside (6) 5 The day of rest (6) 6 To push or force along (4) 7 By the Light of the - - - - - - - Moon (Doris Day movie 1956) (7) 8 Treats for Easter (9,4) 9 They are supposed to bring 8 down (6,7) 14 Work waiting to be done (7) 16 Citrus fruit (7) 18 Edward - - - - -, English composer (5) 20 Don’t stand (3) 21 Small dog with a wrinkly face (3) 24 Branch of mathematics (7) 26 Pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner (7) 27 He makes suits (6) 28 Country bordered by the US, Belize and Guatemala (6) 32 A mass of ﬁne droplets of water in the atmosphere (4) 33 A native of Finland (4)

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

THE DOLLS’ HOSPITAL

Caomhan Keane od never closes a door without a window opening and in the case of The Dolls’ Hospital it was one of those ornate French windows. Forced to shut up their George’s Street shop thanks to spiralling rates, the company, run by husband and wife team Chris and Melissa Nolan, were preparing to go online when the management of The Powerscourt Townhouse Centre offered them the old gallery space on their premises, saving what they now admit would have been their ruin. “We received offers from all over the country,” said Melissa when I met her soon after the shop re-launched. “People were even willing to let us occupy their shop fronts for free but we have always been a Dublin company and when we saw the space Powerscourt were offering us we really couldn’t say no.” The shop was set up in 1986

and has been overwhelmed with business since they opened their doors. “I was a doll maker originally,” says Melissa “but we received more and more enquiries for repairs over the years and the business just grew from there.” As the years went on they developed more experience so they could do repairs on everything from China dolls to whatever doll was in vogue, from Tiny Tears to First Love. “We were learning as we went along. We started with the simple repairs, replacing an arm and a leg. It was the eyes that provided the challenge but I found a source for them in Germany and I was the only person in the country who could do them right.” The company was blessed with good fortune. Over run from the moment they started, due to the fact that the country had had no Dolls Hospital in the six years prior to their opening. They were soon contacted by the manager of the Crolly Doll Fac-

tory (the company that made the majority of the dolls they ﬁxed) to inform them that they had a number of parts left over from when the factory closed. “Arms, legs, eyes, shoes, they were all being stored in a broken-down ambulance in a ﬁeld in Donegal. I bought the lot and up until recently I was still using them in my work.” But hard work more than good fortune attests to their continued success. “You get a teddy bear in, it’s in rag order and you can only charge €25 or €30 to do it. It’s

‘DANNY AND CHANTELLE’

‘D

By Caomhan Keane anny and Chantelle (Still Here)’ the 2004 Spirit of the Fringe winning show by Philip McMahon is being revived in a brand new production in Rí Rá’s nightclub this April courtesy of director Tracy Martin. Set throughout a single night out in Dublin at the height of the Celtic Tiger, the story is a look back at the pinnacle of Dublin Club Culture and at the beginning of Ballymun’s regeneration. The towers are coming down but Danny and Chantelle are coming up as they hit the town for a last hurrah as life takes them in different ways. A snapshot of the town we love so well, it’s a reﬂection of a not-too-distant past that makes one stop and wonder where we go now. “I know Philly McMahon casually,”

says Tracy, “and I was looking for a two-hander to direct. All the online scripts I found were English and VERY English, and I wanted to do something that was Dublin and very modern. So I asked Philly if I could have a read of Danny and Chantelle. Tracy had been in a show in the same Fringe festival so had missed it then and missed it again due to its popularity when they revived it. When she ﬁnally sat down to read it she loved it, felt a connection and knew she had to put it on. “I met with Philly and he asked how I wanted to stage it, how I saw it going. We had a big, long chat and he realised that I used to go clubbing as well, that I had been to those parties, I’d been to those clubs and I knew those characters he was portraying. I knew them inside out.”

‘Danny and Chantelle (Still Here)’ by Phillip McMahon and directed by Tracy Martin with Eva-Jane Gaffney and Stephen Jones, for Red Bear Productions will be in Rí Rá’s, downstairs in The Globe on Georges Street from April 17th–29th. For ticket info email redbearproductions@gmail.com

very labour intensive, it’s all hand done, and you can’t get a machine. So, you wash it by hand, dry it naturally and do all the repairs by hand.” There is a ten-week waiting list for each doll to account for emergencies “a child in hospital or whatever,” with a staff of four keeping the whole thing going. The move to Powerscourt allowed Melissa to open a museum. “Over the years I have collected so much myself and customers will often drop down stuff that belongs to a child that

has grown up or a parent who has gone into a home and it’s all just been wrapped up in tissue in the basement of the old shop. The move here allowed me to put them all out on display. “It’s not like a supermarket,” she concludes. “People come in with their dolls, their teddys, their treasures. They tell you about their life through them. “My dad bought me this and he bought it for me in such and such a place.” And maybe the father isn’t around anymore. This one boy, his father had bought him a teddy bear before he was killed. He came up from Limerick on the train with his Nan, who was the only person who he would trust with it if he didn’t have it in his presence. It was a big deal for him to be parted with it. They are more than just toys.” Pictured: Gertrude Kiersey, aged 97, chatting with Lilly Clarke Hanrahan at the ofﬁcial reopening of the Dollstore in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. Gertrude, from Kevin Street, a long-time customer, was special guest of honour at the event.

48 Months– go conquer or go bonkers?

By Joe McKenna here have been numerous successful ad campaigns which in many instances have bled into society and in some cases become part of popular vernacular. Think Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ campaign, Adidas with their ‘Impossible is Nothing’ line or most famously Audi with ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’, a slogan that has lasted over thirty years. All three examples prove how powerful advertising can be and all three promote an empowering and motivational message. Responsible and moral advertising you could say. But are those standards a thing of the past? Recently an ad campaign has caused some concern across television and radio. 48 Months, a subsidiary of the Telefonica communications company which is operated by O2, recently launched their ‘Go Conquer’ mobile phone deal. The deal is an offer that gives all calls and all texts for €10 per month, not a bad deal I think you’ll agree. In these times a good bargain is well received. But sadly the ad campaign 48 Months have decided to employ leaves a lot to be desired. The idea of the 48 Months network is that between the ages of 18 and 22, which is the age group the offer is aimed at, you get to abandon all responsibilities, discard any concerns and simply ‘Go Conquer.’ Sounds like quite a footloose and fancy-free idea, not entirely unethical. But it is the manner in which 48 Months have decided to promote their service across the airwaves and television screens that is causing concern. Those behind the 48 Months campaign have clearly gone out of their way to engage their target consumers through the temptation of their carnal instincts. Here is a sample of one radio ad featuring a young man: “I will think with my pants, heart and head, in that order. At least once I’ll spend the weekend spanking some milf. I’ll tell girls whatever lies they want to hear as long as we both get what we want. I don’t care if it’s bad for me.” This ad says more than just join our network and for those of you who don’t know what a milf is it’s mother I’d like to f**k. Here’s another featuring a young girl: “I will ﬂirt, kiss, date and dump. I’ll even break your heart. I’ll give guys my number, knowing it’s a digit short. I’ll go out for an hour and sneak in the next morning. I will wake up on your couch and have no clue who you are, and if you don’t like it, you can go f**k yourself. Things happen when you turn eighteen.” It’s pretty obvious from ads like these that 48 Months are basing their ad campaign on the sexual urges of those in their late teens. That in itself is troubling, but when you factor in that these ads run on morning radio as children head to school in the car it becomes a bit more worrying. Young people should not be encouraged to devote 48 months of their lives to careless sexual

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

RINGSEND / IRISHTOWN KARATE CLUB PASSING

ON THE MARTIAL ARTS HAND TO HAND

By Joe McKenna ichin Funakoshi interpreted the kara of Karateto mean “to purge oneself of selﬁsh and evil thoughts. For only with a clear mind and conscience can the practitioner understand the knowledge which he receives.” Funakoshi believed that one should be “inwardly humble and outwardly gentle.” Only by behaving humbly can one be open to Karate’s many lessons. If ever that was evident, it’s in the life of Fran Nangle, the long leading Karateka from Irishtown. For forty two years, Fran Nangle has followed his passion for

Karate around the world and given years of life experience to countless students at the Ringsend and Irishtown Karate Club. A 7th Dan Blackbelt, awarded by Japanese Master Sensei Shinohara 9th Dan, Fran has represented and won for Ireland. Having trained under the famous Peter Suzuki, an instructor sent from Japan by Professor Hinori Ohtsuka in the 1960s and a man who has trained the top instructors in both Ireland and England, it’s no wonder Fran’s dedication has beneﬁted the community. With a background in boxing

practice and irresponsible drinking. Advertisers should be reprimanded for promoting such things. Many radio stations across Ireland have received complaints regarding the ads but still they continue to run. NewsFour found out why. If one decides to complain about an ad it is natural to call the broadcaster and complain. But given that broadcasters live by their own codes and standards, they are obliged to do nothing about it. To complain to the broadcaster is just complaining to the person responsible for the problem, and they’re getting paid to play that ad. Fat chance they’ll pull it because you or I have a moral issue with it. Radio ads such as this one go through no outside process before being aired, no independent body examines these ads to check if they are abiding by the advertising standards. The Advertising Standards Authority are, in fact, the only people likely to do anything about it. If enough people kick up a fuss about a certain ad issue then the ASA are compelled to look into it and present it to a committee, who will decide if there is a case to answer and whether the ad should continue to run. Currently the 48 Months campaign is still running. The billboards show girls in various states of undress and the television ads make out that once on the 48 Months phone package life becomes this huge orgasmic party free from danger. But what happens if that message seeps through to the minds of those younger? What happens if a now 7 year old gets the impression that turning 18 is the doorway to inconsequential sexual practice? Where does that lead? We contacted 48 Months, Telefonica and O2 for a response but received nothing back. So we decided to reach out on Facebook with our concerns and were surprised to see open mocking of complaints against the campaign. It would seem those at 48 Months have no moral compass and still the power of money overrides any concern for decency, all to sell mobile phone time to young people.

and a love for sport, Fran moved into Karate with great athleticism and discipline and his natural ability with people has seen him provide so much for so many. “I was taught very regimented, very technical and strict. I had a knack for teaching people and I’d teach classes out in Blackrock and change things. I’d teach people how to ﬁght and encourage them to enjoy it and be competitive. The boxing helped with that.” Throughout his life Fran has taught and inﬂuenced many students with an effective philosophy. “I enjoy helping people achieve the very best of every-

thing through karate.” With a career in security running concurrent with his teaching, Fran has seen and experienced an eclectic life. “I was two years on the road with Michael Flatley, I was his 24-hour security when he started ‘Lord of the Dance’. I spent six years with Christy Moore and provided security for Michael Jackson when he played in Lansdowne and Cork. Larry Mullen also trained in my club for six months. “It’s been great and I’ve always kept it in the community. I’ve had people come from Navan and Carlow to train with me and I’ve had great help from people like Teresa Rooney at the Ringsend Forum and Shay Connolly at Clanna Gael, who’ve helped provide a space for me. I still have people coming to me and new people are always welcome. I train whoever’s there, myself and Cheryl Kelly, who’s an Ireland coach got her 5th Dan recently. We work with the students and bring them on.” Several members of the club have been selected to represent Ireland in the forthcoming world championships being held in Lithuania in July. The champi-

PAGE 37

onships involve over 2,000 elite competitors from all continents competing over four days. There are plans to hold fundraising events in order to help the Ringsend and Irishtown Karate Club fly the Irish flag proudly at the event. In the modern age of digital addiction, it’s refreshing to know that someone like Fran Nangle is continuing to pass on his wealth of knowledge and is helping young people and adults pursue an art form for nothing more than their self-benefit; passing on the positive enhancement that Karate gave to him. Ankō Itosu, the grandfather of modern Karate, would surely approve. Classes are held on Mondays: Children 6:30-7:30pm & Seniors 7:30-9:00pm. Sundays: Squad Training from 12pm to 2pm. Prices: €4 for children, €10 for Adults. More information can be found at www.karateireland.ie The picture attached is of the recent grading featuring Fran, Cheryl Kelly and Sensei Shinohara.

Bye Bye Mrs Quins Now Buy NCBI As part of National Council of the Blind of Ireland’s corporate branding strategy, the name ‘Mrs Quins’ will be dropped over the next several months as the shops re-brand to ‘NCBI’ with prominent indication to the public that the trading from these premises supports the services provided by NCBI.

PHOTO EXHIBITION OF DUBLIN PORT HISTORY

he Dublin Dock Workers Preservation Society’s Photo exhibition at Dublin Port was a great success. The group is made up of ex-dock workers and people interested in preserving the history of Dublin Port. Thanks to the support from the Dublin Port Company, the group was able to hold a photographic exhibition in the Port Centre (covering the period 1940 to 1990) on March 23rd. They also have plans in the next six months to put on the exhibition in the Five Lamps Arts Festival, St. Patrick’s Rowing ClubRingsend, Pearse Street Resource Centre, Liberty Hall and East Wall Community Centre. They would love to see it touring the Dublin libraries in time. They would like to extend a special thanks to the Dublin Port for sponsoring the event, to Alan Martin for setting up the Face Book page– ‘Dublin Dockers’

and a web page www. Bluemelon. com/alanmartin and also to the St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Ringsend and Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme for allowing the use of their premises for meetings and everyone else who donated photographs. Without those donations the exhibition would not have

been possible. In addition to the night being a celebration of a way of life that no longer exists, they would like to see it as a ﬁrst step in bringing local community groups and other interested parties together to explore the possibility of opening a Dublin Docks museum.

PAGE 38

he season is ﬁnally up and running and all our Adult teams are into league and cup action. It’s very much a case of taking up where we left off last year. Camogie have won all three games played in the league so far and while their sideline maternity ward is well occupied at the moment, they have been lucky that some new players have joined and have contributed hugely to the great start to the league. Senior Hurlers too have started the new season well and put in an outstanding performance in winning their ﬁrst league game of the season away in Kilbarrack. Despite having a player sent off early in the second half, the lads refused to lie down and battled their way to a great win. Rumour has it that Collie Reynolds was so inspiring and driven during this match that in the days following the game he received a letter of solidarity and admiration from Nelson Mandela. It seems Nelson felt they had a lot in common. Collie, it seems, has been speechless ever since. At the time of writing we await the visit of a fancied Raheny team to Ringsend for our second league game and as always we look forward to giving them a good oul D4 welcome. Footballers have won one and lost one in the league so far but under the guidance of Dermot Flanagan and Declan Darcy they are determined to push

The Fontenoy Files By Pat Kane

on now and aim for the long awaited return to Senior Football. As always they will give it their best shot. Ladies football teams are the only teams who have yet to start full competitive action. Pre-season challenge games have been very encouraging for both panels, with numerous wins having been achieved and the Junior Ladies under the coaching of Meriem Djazouli managing to win the recent Robert Emmett’s invitational 7-aside tournament, therefore we would

be very optimistic and hope to have many more positive reports in the next edition. Juvenile teams are all busy across both codes and every Saturday morning the club is an absolute hive of activity with teams from Under 8 up to Under 16 going about their business in a most enjoyable way. I’ll be forgiven for saying that our U16s, under Ray Walsh and the forever enthusiastic Albert Hannon are bringing a smile to everyone’s face as, despite starting the season with worryingly low numbers, they have gone from strength to strength and are proving to be an extremely competitive outfit. They will only get better as the season progresses. Huge credit is due to Ray and Albert for the massive amount of sometimes thankless hard work they have put into this team. There is no doubt that before this season is finished the rewards will be great for all involved. Juvenile teams these days are also now starting to benefit from the Club’s partnership with Trinity College GAA. Although we feel that our own mentors and coaches are doing an outstanding job, it is always worthwhile availing of other opportunities to see

and do things differently. This is exactly what the intention was when Trinity GAA along with our Juvenile section undertook to provide the club with what has now been dubbed ‘Masterclass Coaching’. Heading up this from the Trinity side is their development ofﬁcer and current Down inter county player Conor Laverty. The intention is to develop and strengthen the links between Trinity and the Club by continuing with initiatives such as this and many more that will be implemented in the coming months. April 3rd will be a major milestone date for the club. On this date we intend to launch ‘The Plan’. Over the last 18 months we have been working on a strategic plan that will provide the club with direction and purpose over the coming years.

Do you have this photo? My name is Lorraine Dunwoody (married name Collins) and I’m trying to trace a First Communion photo taken at Lakelands Convent in May 1957. The following are some of the people who appeared in the photo– Boys: Jackie Finnegan, George and Bert Shaw, Brian Penston, Paul Lambe, Patrick Kavanagh. Girls: Cleo O’Neill, Mary Finan, Susan Gilmartin, Angela O’Keeffe, Eileen McKeown, Rosemary O’Neill, Patricia Kenny, Noelle Lambert, Eileen Crosbie, Lorraine Dunwoody and Mary Mere. I would be very grateful if any ‘old lakelanders’ could look into their photo collection to see if they would have a copy. Yours Sincerely, Lorraine Collins (nee Dunwoody)

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012 Under the chairmanship of Paul Duffy, countless meetings and discussions have taken place and endless arguments have been had. Hundreds of people attended an open forum meeting in the club and finally we have arrived at the stage where we believe we have a plan that can go a long way towards assisting us in developing into the type of club we all hope we can be. The plan covers all aspects of the club affairs both on and off the field from finance to facilities. A copy of the plan will be available for every club member on the night. The Incoming president of the GAA Liam O’Neill will be present at the launch and as Liam is a former club player sure he’ll feel right at home among us. Everyone has in some way contributed to this plan. It is hoped that we can all take ownership of it and deliver a top-class club for our future generations. Clanna Gael Fontenoy always has a welcome for new members both as players or otherwise, if you would like to access further info on the club check us out at www.clannagaelfontenoy.ie or on facebook. Pictured above at the Clanna Gael Player of the Year Awards are, from left: Eamonn O’Reilly, CEO Dublin Port; Eoghan Murphy; French Ambassador Emmanuelle d’Achon; Lucinda Creighton TD and Councillor Pat McCartan. Below: Juveniles Jump for Joy– Over 300 Teams and 102 Referees will participate in Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football Juvenile League games from March 3rd. Pictured are Members of Fingallians and Clann NaGael Fontenoy with Dublin Inter County Star Sinead Finnegan.

NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012

PAGE 39

PROTECTING PLAYER WELFARE

By Rupert Heather RUPA (Irish Rugby Union Players Association) represents the collective interests of professional players across the four provinces. It provides advice and advocacy services in what can be an uncertain world. Away from the media spotlight and the surrounding hype, professional rugby players are simply people who face similar concerns to the rest of us. CEO Omar Hassanein, pictured right, says, “Players can sometimes get caught in the here and now and think they are invincible and think a life after rugby will never come but it can happen at any time.” As well as negotiating the standard player contract and dealing with insurance issues, IRUPA offers advice on a range of issues like continuing education, ﬁnancial services, mental health and life after rugby. Hassenein played professionally, for New South Wales Waratahs before moving on to contracts in Japan, France and Italy. He says, “I have a strong belief in the role of player associations, having been a professional athlete and understanding their needs and requirements. “I retired from the pro game at 30 years of age because I wanted to tackle the next phase of my life. Professional rugby can be dif-

ﬁcult, moving from contract to contract with the uncertainty that exists.” The organisation which is funded by the IRFU, commercial partners and players subs represents 150 fulltime pros and 70 academy players. Current Chairman Brian O’Driscoll is heavily involved in the organisation and “recognises the need to grow the association and get the opinion

S T P ATRICK ’ S CY

By David Thomas Nolan e start our update as always with CY first team news. Things have gone a little pear-shaped since I reported last. In the league we’ve lost three games in almost as many weeks with two of those at home. Given that this is the Club’s first year in the Senior Division we’ve maybe allowed ourselves to get a little overoptimistic. There is still hope for a top three finish, which would be a serious achievement for this talented bunch of players. In cup action, CY are still involved in the Leinster Senior Cup with a possible quarter final tie at home to Bray Wanderers, if we can overcome Willow Park at home on Saturday March 24th. CY also got

RAILWAY UNION

a buy into the second round of the FAI Senior Cup. We excitedly await the draw, which will be done after the first round games are completed. John Young’s squad are also still involved in the Noel Ryan Cup in which we were beaten finalists last season and the EBS Metropolitan Cup. Our second team are edging ever closer to promotion, need-

leaders on board.” Among them are Paul O’Connell, Rory Best, Shane Jennings and Gavin Duffy, “guys who recognise that players need a voice to ensure that conditions remain strong.” The IRUPA awards night will be held on 9th May at the Burlington Hotel. The event is open to the public. For tickets and information see www.irupa.ie.

UPDATE

ing just three more points to go up a division. Unfortunately, the lads were knocked out of the Carroll Cup on penalties by League contenders UCD, but on the upside CY have a huge quarter final at home in the Leinster Junior Cup. This is a major achievement. This prestigious competition was won by the club 25 years ago and it’s rare enough that a

By Kirstin Smith he 2011/2012 season is drawing to a close and for the Railway Union RFC teams there is a certain amount of bitter-sweet satisfaction as the season ends. After an overall successful season, the 2nd XV narrowly missed out on silverware, coming in joint-first in their league but lost out on win difference to Parkmore. An impressive final match saw them run out 35–19 winners to St Mary’s at Templeville Road. The 1st XV travelled to Mullingar in early March in a winner-takes-all battle. The winner would take the much sought after second place in the league and would be in a play-off for promotion. A huge support group travelled to Mullingar to cheer the team on, but unfortunately Mullingar hung in at the end to win a very tight game 17-16. February 2012 saw the installation of the club’s match standard floodlights, and the hosting of touring French side, Les Zespoirs, who had the honour of being the first opposition to play under the new lights against the Railway Legends. There is plenty to look forward to for the 2012/2013 season with the introduction of an under 20s team and a women’s team, and the creation of a third XV to cater for the increasing numbers in the club. New members are always welcome and anyone interested in joining should contact us at info@railwayunionrfc.com. Check out our website www. railwayunionrfc.com and our facebook page www.facebook.com/railwayunionrfc for match reports and updates on life in Railway Union RFC! The club has an active social scene. This year alone saw successful events in the form of Ladies’ Day, Quiz Night, Carol Singing fundraiser, Christmas party, London Tour, Poker Night, Legends Night and the hosting of a touring French side. Upcoming events will see many members enter the internationally acclaimed Kinsale 7s tournament in May, plus the hotly anticipated annual Dinner Dance in April. Above: Railway Union v Mullingar

‘reserve’ team progresses this far. Good luck to all involved with that. The third team have had some positive results of late. In a strong division, Paddy McGuinness and his players are positioned in mid table. In other local soccer news: Ringsend Rovers sit comfortably in mid table of the LSL’s Saturday Major1. Promotion at this stage looks a tall order and it looks increasingly like they will go head-to-head with nearest rivals CY in this division next season. Markiewizc Celtic’s first team also sit mid table in Major Sunday but games running out may well have to wait till next season for another tilt at promotion to Intermediate football. Their second team also off the pace in the league but could push for promotion in a tight division. Bridge United have fought

valiantly all season long but have come up short with Ballyogen and East Wall battling it out for AUL Division 3 Sunday League honours, a strong finish could see them claim third position. Irishtown O35s have been in great form since the turn of the year with the only dropped points coming in the draw with league rivals Baldoyle. That result could be the difference between success and failure. Currently, with just a handful of game remaining, Irishtown would need Baldoyle to drop four points, either way and 100% record in their own remaining games would gain the lads promotion and run their rivals close for the title. Pictured: St Patrick’s CY first team squad who look forward to a second round date in the Ford FAI Senior Cup this coming May.

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NEWSFOUR APRIL / MAY 2012