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August / September 2014
IN YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL PAPER…
Page 10: Dublin Four celebrates Bloomsday
SAMRA’S FUN DAY S
By Steve Kingston andymount and Merrion Residents’ Association (SAMRA), who have been holding annual community events in Sandymount Green since 1969, hosted a Family Fun Day on Sunday 15th June. There were races for kids and adults alike, a raffle and other activities, all played out in glorious sunshine. Lorna Kelly, who has been
actively involved with SAMRA for 50 years, organised the Fun Day alongside Liam Handy, Joan MacArthur, Glynis Casson and Cathal Stanley. “Sandymount is more like a village in the countryside than a city. There’s a real sense of community here, and so many people who live in the area actively work to make it a better place,” Kelly told NewsFour. “These events are a great way to bring people together; there are always new families moving into Sandymount and this gives them a chance to meet other residents.” When asked about the costs of putting on such an event, Kelly told us, “We raised the money through subscriptions to our news letter, and from the proceeds of the raffle. In the last few years, Dublin City Council have been making a contribution, which is great. We couldn’t do it without local help though. Joe McCarthy
supplied and set up the PA, and all the raffle prizes were donated by local businesses.” SAMRA need all the help they can get, as they are fighting hard to have the Irishtown Nature Park extended to include reclaimed land that is not required by Dublin Port. “It was agreed with Dublin City Council that any land not needed would be given over as park land, and we’re going to hold them to it,” says Kelly, who envisages a day when the Nature Park is a tourist attraction in its own right, with a visitors centre and amenities that would make it more family friendly. Cathal Stanley from Park Avenue is another great example of someone who is trying to improve the community he lives in. He organised the races and other activities for the kids and adults who attended, but told us modestly, “Joan MacArthur is my neighbour. I had just moved in and was
painting the front of my house. I offered to paint out some graffiti on her wall, and a week later I was a part of SAMRA. I’m just in the background though, supporting them however I can and doing the grunt work really.” Mairead Finucane and Ciaran O’Connell from Sandymount were there with their son Cian and his grandparents Mick and Eleanor Finucane, who travelled from Malahide to attend. They all went to the Green to enjoy the atmosphere and meet other local families. Mairead told us, “We joined the residents’ association today but try and attend local events. Things like this are so laid back; it’s really easy to talk to people, and Cian had a great time doing the races.” When asked what his favourite thing about the day was, two year old Cian replied, “Grandad!” Pictured: Francis, baby Chloe and Anne Cassidy enjoying the day. Left: Waffles the Wonderful makes balloon animals.
Page 14: Ringsend Roses bloom in the National Gallery
Page 17: Strategizing our town for local renewal
Page 33: Out for coffee with Sean O’Rourke
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
The Editor’s Corner
NewsFour Newspaper is part of a DSP Community Employment Programme.
I
’m writing this from my desk in NewsFour’s swanky new location above Clyne’s Butchers on Fitzwilliam Place. You might think above a butcher’s shop an odd locale for the offices of a newspaper, but if you ask any of our journalists they will probably tell you that what I do in editing their articles is a form of butchery in itself.
NewsFour Managing Editor CE Supervisor Karen Keegan
Speaking of our roving reporters, it’s with great sadness that we must bid farewell to Liam Cahill. Liam joined us two years ago and I’m sure you’ve all enjoyed the great work he put out during his time here. I know his Out for Coffee pieces have always been hugely popular and you can read his final instalment of the series on page 33, in which he interviews RTE’s Sean O’Rourke. We wish Liam all the best in his future endeavours and hope he remembers his roots when he fulfils his dream of becoming editor of the New York Times.
Editor Eric Hillis Staff Liam Cahill Rúairí Conneely Maria Shields O’Kelly Craig Kinsella Steve Kingston Aimée MacLeod Gavan Bergin Anita McPhillips Jacinta Langan
Our new writers, Craig and Steve, have settled in now and we’re sure you’ll enjoy their contributions this issue, along with those of Rúairí and Maria, who continue to provide the sort of local scoops you expect from NewsFour. There have been lots of local outdoor events over the past couple of months - some of which even managed to get some sunshine in this unpredictable Dublin summer – and we’ve got reports and photos from several of them in this issue, including the SAMRA Fun Day, the Heytesbury Lane party and the celebration of WB Yeats’s birthday on Sandymount Green.
Contributors Noel Twamley James O’Doherty Nicky Flood Gemma Byrne Kirstin Smith Felix O’Regan David Nolan Mary Caulfield Jimmy Dent
One of the annual highlights of a Dublin 4 summer is the Bloomsday celebration, which you can read about on page 10.
Summer tends to bring out the artist in all of us and this issue we feature several locals who have been expressing themselves creatively, from the Ringsend Roses to established painters Charles Hulgraine and Tony Gunning.
Design and Layout Eugene Carolan Web Designer/Ad Design Karen Madsen
Brian from Sandymount’s Books on the Green has donated us one of his new Sandymount Towers t-shirts (see opposite) to give away to one lucky reader. To enter the draw, send your name and address to NewsFour, 13A Fitzwilliam Street (Above Clyne’s Butchers), Ringsend, Dublin 4, or message us at our Facebook page. Entries must be in by September 10th.
Photographer Ross Waldron (All photos by Ross Waldron unless otherwise stated)
Sandymount Community Services, 13A Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4. Telephone: (01)6673317
Don’t forget to check NewsFour.ie for daily web exclusive articles from our web editor Aimee MacLeod, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter so you never miss a trick.
NEWSFOUR AROUND THE WORLD
E-mail: newsfour@gmail.com Website: www.newsfour.ie
Opinions expressed in NewsFour do not necessarily represent the views of Sandymount Community Services. Printed by Datascope Ltd, Wexford
John Murphy has been living in Valencia, Spain for 20 years, having originally hailed from Castle Park in Sandymount.
Eric
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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By Craig Kinsella s the end of the rowing season is fast approaching, we are getting ever nearer to the annual Hope Cup/ Row event. The Hope Cup/Run competition is a new event that was kickstarted last year by The Stella Maris Rowing Club from Ringsend. The inspiration behind the cup was a young boy named Tadhg Ryan, the youngest ever child to be diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in Ireland. Tadhg is receiving treatment and care at St Michael’s Ward, Our Ladies’ Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, under the supervision of Doctor Paul McNally and several other staff members. David Doyle, Secretary of Stella Maris RC, was full of praise for Doctor McNally and his diligent staff for their commitment and care in their work. “The work they carry out is unbelievable for all these children, and ensures they are all kept healthy while also creating a child-friendly environment within the ward,” he told NewsFour. Last year’s event was a big success and featured a litany of Irish rowing clubs participating in the event, which included
STELLA MARIS EXTENDS THANKS
Arklow, Bray RC, Courtown RC, Dalkey RC, Dun Laoghaire RC, Greystones RC, Skerries RC, Wicklow and fellow Ringsend rowing club St Patrick’s, who also provided some of their own boats and skiffs. The day itself also featured a 12km run of the Irishtown Nature Park, which
was completed by all 44 participants. The final total raised by the Hope Cup/Run was €8,540, which all goes to the St Michael’s Ward, which specifically treats children who suffer from cystic fibrosis. Doyle was keen to thank eve-
ryone who made the event possible. He thanked The East Coast Rowing Council for their support and cooperation, along with St John’s Ambulance and Irishtown Gardaí, who ensured all participants were kept safe during the event. He also extended his thanks to Poolbeg Yacht Club
PAGE 3 for opening their premises for the participants. The sponsors of the event were DynoRod, Aviva, John Clarke & Sons “South Dock” and Dublin Port Company, and Doyle thanked them for their brilliant support. He also thanked the members of Stella Maris RC, and all of the different clubs who participated in the event. The winners on the day were: U18 Ladies: Stella Maris, U18 Men; Stella Maris, Novice: Stella Maris, Vets: Dun Laoghaire, Short ladies race; Stella Maris, Mixed Race: Wicklow, Long Ladies Race: Dalkey RC, and men’s: St Patrick’s (Winners of the Hope Cup 2013). Ladies Running Race: Audrey Gannon. Men’s Running Race: Craig McMahon “Many thanks to everyone who donated their hard-earned money for such a worthy cause,” Doyle said. “Even in these very trying times for everyone, you all came up trumps.” Pictured above, left to right: Tadgh Ryan, Ken Fay (Tadgh’s dad), Claire Ryan (Tadgh’s Mum), Doctor Paul McNally, Physio-therapist (name unknown), Darragh Ryan.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
JOURNEY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY
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By Craig Kinsella n 17th July, St Andrew’s Resource Centre on Pearse Street staged the 10 year anniversary screening of Journey through the Community 2004, under the auspices of the South Docks Festival. The film was originally devised by Patrick McGauley (pictured right) who was a worker at St Andrew’s and editor of Newslink magazine, about 18 years ago as a measure to commemorate the transformation of the local area over the course of time. The idea fermented in McGauley’s mind at a time when many of the local buildings were disappearing, prompting him to help create a series of films through which he and his colleagues could, in his own words, “capture history as it was being knocked down.” Journey through the Community 2004 was presented by Gerry Browne, a local who was interviewed initially by McGau-
ley many years ago before finally embarking on the project. The film focuses mainly on Pearse Street, Ringsend, Irishtown and the surrounding areas, and features the multiple testimonies of people who have grown up in the community and how the changes have affected them. The film was put together by a volunteer group called Creative Minds Productions, with Patrick taking the reins as producer and director. Set against a backdrop of emotive musical numbers such as Fields of Gold and The Long and Winding Road, the viewer is treated to various historical testaments pertaining to the area, including the scattering of the community in the aftermath of the demolition of the local tenement buildings. The movie also features recollections from people like James Hamilton, who provides the viewer with a brief maritime history of the Liffey and Ringsend
docklands area, recalling a time when the place was awash with cranes, boats and merchants. The film has an authentic People before Property message throughout, with tales of community solidarity prevailing in the face of adversity, notably the protests against the Mount Street office blocks 30 years ago due to
Green awareness in Sandymount schools
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By Rúairí Conneely ere at NewsFour, we’ve previously covered efforts to solve urban environmental problems that communities can tackle on the ground level. There have been issues surrounding the disposal, or lack thereof, of dog mess. One company has teamed up with Sandymount residents to raise awareness of this problem with full advantage to the local environment. The company is Greensax. NewsFour spoke with Russell Walsh, co-founder and general manager, about their recent collaboration with the Sandymount community. June 23rd saw the announcement of the winner of a schools poster competition to promote the responsible use of Greensax products. Greensax are biodegradable refuse bags which can be used to convert recyclable waste into useable bio-material. Russell explained that “there is a difference between biodegradable and compostable. Something like a wooden desk or table might be technically biodegradable but only over a very long time, and with the possibility of toxic chemicals contaminating the dumping site. The plastics in Greensax are fully compostable. They allow dog waste, for instance, to easily become useful fertiliser.” The poster contest, named Bag It, Bin It, took place across the three National Schools based in Sandymount. Greensax gave a presentation at each of the schools, on the subject of littering, with an emphasis on dog fouling and personal responsibility. Entries were divided in both cases into Junior and Senior categories, for the sake of fairness. Winners could be awarded 1st, 2nd or 3rd place and would win book vouchers from Sandymount’s own Books on the Green. The overall winner, whose poster will be displayed in businesses in the area, was Sarah Forbes of St Matthew’s National School. Each school also received a supply of the bags and a half-ton or so of compost made from food and garden waste. “Kids were judging kid’s entries,” Russell explained, “and it was a lot of fun working with them. Their enthusiasm is infectious.” For more info, see greensax.ie Above: Overall winner Sarah Forbes with her winning design for a poster.
the dispossession of local residents. The final say on the matter is uttered by Gerry Browne himself in the film when he says, “It’s not the buildings that make a community; it’s the people that make a community.” McGauley told NewsFour that the main reason behind this
year’s screening was to honour many of the contributors and cast of the film, as many of them have sadly passed away. Most of the film was filmed in St Andrew’s, and many of the original staff have since moved on to pastures new. “It’s to remember people,” he said. “Half the cast have sadly died, and then there’s a lot of people who have moved on from St Andrew’s. People take whatever they want from it (the film).” McGauley, originally a native of Pearse Street himself, also states that response to the film has been very positive, with many relatives and friends of the original cast being very appreciative of the crew’s efforts. He also describes the overall objective of the film as not being merely confined to the immediate area. “What we tried to do with this film was try to bring everyone together,” he said. “Normally, most people don’t go over the bridge, so it was about breaking that down, bringing people from Dublin 2, 4 and 6 together, and I think that was a barrier that should be broken, and we’ve done it since with the other films.”
COMMEMORATING EMILY WILDING DAVISON
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By Mary Caulfield protest took place at lunch time on Tuesday 10th June outside the Dail to commemorate the suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, who was trampled to death in 1913 while trying to pin the suffragette colours to the King’s horse, racing in the Epsom Derby, in an attempt to get word to King George V that his female subjects demanded the vote. Mary Ryan, whose brainchild this event was, decided an hour of civil disruption would aptly commemorate Emily Davison. The civil
disruption was by way of continually pressing the button for the green man at the pedestrian crossing outside the Dail, thereby legally obstructing the traffic while getting the message out via placards. We got the odd beep from a horn or dinga-ling from a bicycle bell in support. No one appeared to take umbrage. There wasn’t much traffic, and, unfortunately, even less protestors; but for all that, it was a jovial protest. The core of the protest was Ailbhe Smyth, academic and feminist activist, Ryan and myself. We were joined by two
brave male feminists who cheerfully took up placards and crossed back and forth with us, before returning to Cork and South Africa. We were then joined by Joan Collins TD and Anthea McTiernan of the Irish Times. Photographers from the Irish Times, the Independent and a freelancer named Sam called out instructions to get the best photo, one of which made it into the Irish Times. Pictured left to right: Ailbhe Smyth, Mary Ryan, Mary Caulfield and Joan Collins TD.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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WATERSEDGE STAGE THE FAMILY FEUD PARTYING IN HEYTESBURY LANE
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By Maria Shields O’Kelly he Watersedge Community Drama Group recently performed their production of The Family Feud, a play directed by Paul Kennedy, in the RICC. The drama group has been performing for about seven years now and their usual brand of light humour and variety has not failed audiences to date. This year, however, they took a leap of faith and changed the format, testing the waters with their loyal fans. “We wanted to credit the audience with the intelligence it takes to accept this new direction. We thought: let’s try something else and see how it goes,” said Philip Murphy, who had two parts in the play. Philip was in favour of the new departure. Hiding within the Dublin humour are the serious issues of conflict, murder and death.
The magic of theatre provided a timeline with reverse chronology, opening with a funeral scene and working backwards to reveal the explanation for the death in the finale. According to the group, The Family Feud explores the struggle to find order and justice in a world where hysteria and accusation are rife. However, the dark themes were interjected with the humour that has become the hallmark of the drama group, with characters like the crazy arsonist, the deranged Ban Garda and the ghost adding the balance. After the show NewsFour spoke to Philip Murphy, who said, “The play was written for the community by the community. So far the feedback has been positive.” This year’s performance saw 15 members of the group displaying their acting skills onstage. Watersedge describe themselves as more of an acting class than an amateur dramatic group. They will be starting again in September with some improvisation that will be the raw ingredients of next year’s play in the RICC. Anyone who is interested in joining the group can contact Philip Murphy on 0872789383.
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By Steve Kingston unday 22nd June saw the residents of Heytesbury Lane in Ballsbridge throw a street party. It has been an annual event for over 30 years and many of the residents who were there have been attending since it started all those years ago. Bunting was hung from lamp post to lamp post along one end of the narrow lane; various flags used to feature but only the Tri-Colour has withstood the test of time. The bunting was stitched together by the residents 25 years ago out of old clothes belonging to their children, many of whom were there and quite a few of them recognised scraps of fabric from
favourite dresses or tee shirts. The festivities kicked off mid-afternoon, and by four o’clock the barbeques were fired up and in use, filling the lane that runs in between Wellington and Waterloo Road with delicious cooking smells and the chatter of those hungrily waiting for the cooks to dish it out. A steady flow of people from the area came by to have a snack and a drink and meet new neighbours and old friends. Wine and beer flowed freely well into the evening and then into the small hours. Shortly before midnight, Donnybrook Gardai even came by, not to clear the street but to stop, chat and pose for photographs with some of the revellers.
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SUICIDE AWARENESS: DUBLIN TO BELFAST
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By Rúairí Conneely eath is a taboo topic in all cultures but some forms of taboo are more constructive than others. Social psychologists and cultural commentators are often given to comment on our unhealthy relationship with death at a cultural level, but particularly troubling is the silence that falls over a conversation in the event of a mention of suicide. Putting aside the debate concerning euthanasia and the right to self-terminate, suicide due to distress or mental illness is an urgent concern in contemporary Ireland. Although, as a country, we have unusually high rates of suicide, especially among young men, there is little in the way of a comprehensive strategy against the problem. NewsFour spoke with Stephen O’Toole, who has established the action group Suicide Awareness for All. Over the upcoming August bank holiday weekend (the 1st to the 3rd of the month) O’Toole and a number of supporters – a few of whom work with him at the Dylan Hotel, Eastmoreland Place - will take part in a sponsored walk to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and self-harm. The walk will be something of an epic, from Dublin to Belfast. O’Toole explained that, “about a year and a half ago, I was out of work and went through a rough time where I had contemplated suicide myself. I decided I wanted to do something and took to volunteering with a suicide awareness group.” His volunteer work led him to establish Suicide Awareness for All Ireland, with the aim of establishing it as a charity, a process which is currently in the works. He took inspiration from, and is grateful for the support of, the charity 3TS (Turn the Tide on Suicide). Why the walk specifically, NewsFour asked? “The idea for the walk is that Suicide has no borders. It’s an illustration of that. North, South, it doesn’t matter,” O’Toole answers. The itinerary for the walk is to start out from the GPO on O’Connell Street and arrive at Drogheda United football ground. Day two will take the hikers over the border to Newry, and on the final day the walk will end at Belfast Town Hall. The Awareness Walk is part of a larger campaign O’Toole is spearheading called Speak Up – Speak Out, which is on-going. Readers interested in taking part can reach Stephen O’Toole through www.suicideawarenessforall.eu Pictured from left to right , Stephen O’Toole , Janine Buckley and Marcin Worek.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
GYM EQUIPMENT FOR SANDYMOUNT PROMENADE
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By Maria Shields O’Kelly andymount Promenade has seen the installation of outdoor gym equipment at six locations along the current fitness trail. Brian Kirk of Dublin City Council’s South East Area Office states that, “The installation of this equipment is in line with Dublin City Council’s promotion of sport and recreation for all its citizens by providing a range of activities aimed at encouraging physical exercise among people of all ages.” The equipment mirrors other city and county council sites that have successfully implemented the initiative as part of this policy. Many of the machines are wheelchair accessible. NewsFour spoke to Michael Noonan, of DCC’s Parks Services. “Park Services are delighted to be working with Outfit Fitness Equipment Ltd, who have gifted the gym equipment to the city,” he said. “It is hoped that the equipment installed along the seafront will encourage the general public and the local community to get more active by using the outdoor gym equipment as part of their exercise re-
gime.” Get Out and Get Fit is Outfit’s motto, and Chris Glynn of the company tells NewsFour how they had exhibited the equipment in last year’s Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park, where it was spotted by a representative of DCC. The decision was then taken to gift the apparatus to the city, enhancing the company’s profile to the same success levels as elsewhere in the country, where the equipment is installed in hospitals, hotels, rehab centres, fitness trails, and parks. Glynn tells NewsFour, “There was a local resident who voiced concern that it might attract van-
dals, but generally the response has been positive.” There were ongoing talks between all parties involved in the process during the planning stage, which included the Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association. Sarah Staunton, spokesperson for SAMRA, has this to say on behalf of the group, “SAMRA welcomes any improvements to amenities that will benefit the residents and the greater public. We hope that this initiative from Dublin City Council will prove to be of benefit to everyone” With summer on its way, there is now no excuse not to get out and get fit.
So many to protect you. To keep you warm and safe We are all so happy, To see your smiling face.
The Snow White Angel Hurry now sweet Abbie don’t want to be late, So many want to welcome you, Just behind this gate. Say goodbye to Mam and Dad, If only for a while, Already they’re so proud of you Just look at both of them smile. Hold my hand as we go through, Your journey continues with something new. You’ve given us so many joys, And helped so many girls and boys. Look, there’s some white rabbits playing in a field, You go run and play with them, You’ll love how they feel. Hey Abbie, here’s a pony, his name is Mr Ed, He can talk to me you know. Shall I tell you what he said? He asked if he could come with us, To where we have to go, So you could ride upon his back, Whenever we have snow.
Ah, here’s that little cottage, The one you’ve always loved. We’ll stop and have a rest here And listen to the birds. Oh look, a beautiful rainbow In a sky of blue We’ve put all these colours together Especially for you. You love the smell of flowers, Dancing in the breeze. Tomorrow we can pick some And laugh when they make you sneeze. Time to sleep little princess And dream of fairytale friends. Stories for you to tell, full of joy and laughter For you my little Angel, It’s happy ever after. God Bless Darling, Abbie Rose Mary Lou xxx
Abbie Rose Kemple 10 year anniversary. The Kemple / Heapes families would like to thank all the people for their continuous support over the years.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
DIGITAL DISTINCTION
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By Craig Kinsella ocal primary school Star of the Sea is currently in the running for the prestigious Digital Schools of Distinction award. The Sandymount school is one of 190 Dublin primary schools that have signed up to the programme, which is a HP and Microsoft funded initiative, and is the sole candidate from the Dublin 4 area. 2014/15 is the second year of the programme. The Digital Schools of Distinction Award is a flagship programme launched by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn in September of last year. The purpose of the initiative is to promote the best practical use of information and communications technology (ICT) and to improve the educational experiences of pupils at primary school level. In Ireland, ICT training by teachers is currently at a higher grade than any of our EU counterparts, and the award
aims to further integrate technology into the classroom to help equip pupils for the de-
mands of a competitive world dominated by computers. The benefits of becoming a
PAGE 7 Digital School of Distinction include teaching and learning resources, free hardware and software, technical support, and opportunities for collaboration. Star of the Sea has been afforded the opportunity to apply for the award, as they meet the five criteria under which schools are evaluated. Participating schools must convey a positive attitude to ICT with regards to leadership, vision and the integration of ICT into the curriculum, demonstrate the impact of learning in a school’s ICT culture, and ensure that schools have the appropriate ICT resources in place. A recent survey conducted among 300 primary schools, many of them Dublin schools who have registered for the programme, yielded positive results for the utility of ICT in the classroom. 98% of teachers agreed that ICT used in teaching was a necessary tool for educating pupils in the 21st century, with 80% agreeing that it had a positive impact on student motivation, while 84% said that the initiative helped their school
focus on curriculum objectives Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland, spoke of the importance and success of the project at a recent news release. “The importance of this programme is underscored when you see that 98% of teachers recognise that the integration of ICT into the classroom is an imperative if our young people are to be prepared to live and work in the 21st century,” Hallahan said. “Industry has a responsibility to help make technology as accessible as possible to students and teachers and to help equip them with the skills to enhance their learning experience. We are proud of our involvement with this programme and delighted with the response to date.” More information on the Digital Schools of Distinction Award can be found online at www.digitalschools.ie Pictured: Pupils from 5th Class Star of the Sea using laptops to advance their studies under tuition from Kevin Munnelly.
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By Liam Cahill new report shows a rise in rental prices is hurting tenants on rent supplement and has the potential to lead to increased homelessness and overcrowding. The report, by the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), highlights a number of issues that are fuelling the current housing crisis, such as the lack of supply by local authorities and the cost of appropriating additional housing. In terms of social housing, the report states that if current conditions continue it could start to affect not just the finances, but the health and safety of low-income tenants who are struggling to survive. “For these people, and therefore for us, this is a housing crisis,” the report says. “To fund social-housing provision on the scale needed will require the creation of publichousing institutions capable of attracting finance without adding to the national debt.” The report comes on the back of a number of worrying reports and statistics that point to a disquieting trend within the Dublin rental market. The first came in May, with the publication of figures by property website Daft.ie showing the average cost of renting a property in
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
LOW COST HOUSING NEEDED
Dublin City has increased by a staggering 14% from the same period last year (representing an average monthly rent of €1,289). The report claims a robust demand for accommodation and lack of supply has pushed up rental prices. Back in April, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive said that up to 500 families are now living in hotels, as local authorities struggle to quell a ballooning rental waiting list, which now stands at about 96,000, according to national statistics provided by the Government. “The Council needs to address the number of vacant units in social housing which are out there at present,” says Fianna Fáil Cllr Frank Kennedy, speaking to NewsFour. “The scale of the crisis is such that it can’t, in my view, be resolved without more units constructed.” Cllr Kennedy also says that he has met a number of families on the ground whose stories would “break your heart”, like that of a local woman who shares her apartment with seven others, and of Pauline Delany, who has been living in what she calls unsuitable ac-
commodation in Sandymount. “I don’t want to live here anymore,” Pauline tells NewsFour. “It’s not suitable, it’s a half of a house, it’s damp and there’s no heating in it and it’s just falling down.” With only two bedrooms, in terms of size the house is unsuitable. Although most of Pauline’s family have since moved out, having them over for visits or sleepovers is practically impossible due to the size of the property. Pauline’s name has been on the Dublin City Council waiting list for the past eight years but she claims she has been practically stonewalled by the Council on a number of occasions. “Looking around the city, there are plenty of places that are vacant, and I think the Council should give them to the people, let the people buy them from them. It’s disgraceful; no wonder the Irish are
so unhappy,” she says. “I have arthritis, I suffer from depression and when I want to use the bathroom I have to go up two flights of stairs,” says Claire Farrelly, who lives in Cuffe Street. “I’m on the transfer list for the last few years; there are flats here but they are not getting renovated because the Council hasn’t got the money to do them.” Claire put in for a transfer over four years ago but has yet to hear anything back. “They brushed me off and any communication is me ringing them, not them ringing me.” Claire is originally from Baldoyle; she moved to Cuffe Street because it was the only place the Council would locate her. She’s on a Disability Allowance and depends on her 16 year old daughter for additional help with housework and shopping. She is barely able to afford the rent, and with the housing crisis as it is, depends on the Council to provide suitable accommodation. “I’m just appalled that there are people out there homeless and there are flats in here that can be given to
them. Lack of money shouldn’t be an excuse; the excuse they are giving me is that there is no money to build, she says.” “Now we have a situation where the state doesn’t have the money to fund social housing,” Labour Cllr Dermot Lacey tells NewsFour. “The best way, in my view, to solve the crisis, is to enable communities to build houses themselves. In every single parish in Dublin there’s a local community where you could build 20 or so houses, which can be built off Government balance sheets.” Dublin City Council has tried to get to grips with the housing crisis for some time now, but for people like Claire and Pauline they are not fast enough. In January, the Assistant City Manager with responsibility for housing, Dick Brady, said they had built only 29 social houses in 2013, this despite the fact there are more than 16,000 applicants waiting for social housing in the city alone. In May, while the rest of the country was to see an investment of €50 million for new social housing nationwide, Dublin City Council proposed a cut to the housing of 50% over the next two years. A copy of the NESC report can be found online at NESC.ie
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
HAVEN RAISES FUNDS
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By Maria Shields O’Kelly aven recently launched its €500 from 500 fundraising campaign, which aims to continue with its support to the people of Haiti by engaging with the top 500 businesses in the country to donate €500 each to the charity. The Haven Partnership is a non-governmental organisation that was set up in 2009 solely to provide support to Haitian communities, focusing on areas such as shelter, water and sanitation and education. The subsequent earthquake of 2010 and the emergency relief operation morphed the organisation into
what it is today. This innovative campaign will be concentrating its efforts on Ile á Vache, the small island that was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. The thinking behind the plan is simple: each company donates €500, which is the cost of rebuilding a home, meaning at the end of the plan 500 families will have secure dwellings. Haven founder and chairman Leslie Buckley said, “It is a great testament to these Irish companies to show their generosity by getting involved in €500 from 500. Each donation means so much to the people of Haiti and will have a direct impact on
PAGE 9 providing the basic conditions to build a better future in Ile á Vache.” Leading Irish firm Arthur Cox signed up to the campaign and was represented at the launch on 5th June. Conor McDonnell, partner with the firm, says, “We in Arthur Cox are proud to sponsor Haven’s €500 from 500 campaign. The impact of the campaign will make a significant difference if everyone gets involved, and I would encourage each of the top 500 to donate to this worthwhile cause.” 100% of the donation goes towards the rebuild. For further information, contact Antonia King 01 681 5440, or email antonia. king@havenpartnership.com To register your company for this new initiative visit www.havenpartnership.com Pictured at the launch were, left to right: Leslie Buckley, founder and chairman, Haven; Ruaidhri Gibbons, Partner, KPMG; Conor McDonnell, Partner, Arthur Cox; Jeff Smith, CEO Bilfinger Ireland Group; David Maguire, CEO BNRG Renewables; Antonia King, Communications Manager, Haven.
T
Annual Across Ireland
By Rúairí Conneely he Across Ireland motorcycle run is approaching again. 2014 marks the 10th year of this charity event and the call has gone out for willing participants. This year’s two-wheeled fun run takes place on the August Bank Holiday weekend (August 23rd and 24th) and will start from the Xtreme45 Motorcycle Shop, on the Old N1 road, North of Swords. The run is a cross-country affair, travelling from Swords to Eyre Square in Galway, with an overnight stay for participants in the renowned and popular Hotel Clybaun, and on the Sunday, the return jaunt to Dublin. This year, the Across Ireland organisers have announced that Teen Line Ireland are the charity who will reap the benefits of the funds raised. The run has a strong track record. Last year’s run rose €177,500 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, giving them a chance to make a seriously ill child’s dream into a reality for a day. This year’s choice of beneficiary was inspired by the alarming and often-quoted statistic concerning the suicide rate among young people in Ireland (the highest in Europe, after Lithuania). In a press release issued in mid-June, Nicky Carvin, organiser and spokesperson, alluded to the widespread nature of this problem with reference to the sad story of Darren Bolger, a teenager who committed suicide in 2003 at the age of 16. This became a paradigm case for the effects of teen suicide in Ireland, thanks to the work of Darren’s mother Maureen, who undertook a personal mission to highlight the lack of available support services for depressed young people in Ireland. It is in support of those services, like Teen Line Ireland, that this year’s Across Ireland cycle run is being held. To pre-register for the cycle run and download a copy of the registration form, go to www.acrossireland.com Image from Wikimedia commons
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
BLOOMSDAY COMES AROUND AGAIN
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By Craig Kinsella une 16th, Bloomsday, that devotional time of year when the disciples of James Joyce emerge in force to honour his timeless modernist novel Ulysses, widely considered to be the greatest novel of the 20th century. It is a day when Joyceans the world over celebrate the adventures of Leopold Bloom and Stephen Dedalus by dressing up in Edwardian regalia, reciting prose from the novel and, naturally, tucking into a full Irish breakfast. The James Joyce Centre is at the heart of the majority of Bloomsday events taking place around the city, with walking tours, Bloomsday survival kits and literary pub crawls being staples of the annual experience. This year’s Bloomsday festival had an added poignancy as it commemorated the 100th anniversary of Dubliners, another seminal work by Joyce. NewsFour attended both the annual Bloomsday breakfast at St Andrew’s Resource Centre on Pearse Street, and the debut breakfast at the Iris Charles Centre in Sandymount. The Bloomsday breakfast took place in St Andrew’s at 8 am, to coincide with the beginning of the day’s events in Ulysses itself. The event was organised by John Fitzsimons, administrator of St Andrew’s, and the breakfast itself featured the standard Bloomsday fare of sausage, puddings, eggs and even the odd kidney for those brave enough to indulge! The breakfast was a distinctly informal affair with no speeches, but did include plenty of musical entertainment and some Ulysses scene performances by Mick
Rafferty, a north inner city resident. Representatives from numerous local community groups and businesses heartily tucked into the complimentary food, many of them from the city quays, north inner city and Ringsend areas. John Fitzsimons told NewsFour the Bloomsday breakfast has been a great way to bring the local communities together in a fun and informal manner, “It started off a few years ago and it was very, very small,” he said. “But now it’s become a social event where all community groups and everybody is invited to come along, have a bit of craic, no speeches, very informal and just have a bit of fun.” St Andrew’s has an intrinsic connection to Bloomsday in several ways, as the centre was completely opened to the public on June 16th, 1989. The resource centre was also once a national school, and is mentioned in the
Hades episode of the novel, when the funeral procession passes by to take Paddy Dignam to his final resting place at Glasnevin Cemetery. It was such coincidences that prompted the centre to become part of the annual tradition. The Bloomsday event at St Andrew’s was almost called off this year due to financial constraints but for the intervention of local businesses, making this year’s breakfast the first sponsored in the centre’s history. John Fitzsimons was keen to express his sincere thanks for those who made this year’s event possible. “The great thing about the event this year was that it was completely sponsored,” he said. “We would like to express dear thanks to all our sponsors this year. They know who they are!” The Iris Charles Centre in Sandymount had its Bloomsday
debut this year. The event was put together by Phyllis of the Centre, who said that the breakfast was a matter of “trial and error”, in determining whether or not it would be a success. “We hadn’t a clue if we had enough breakfast for everybody when we started,” she told NewsFour. After the breakfast, guests were
brought on a Ulysses-related tour of Sandymount by Rodney Devitt, a Sandymount resident and Joycean. Devitt guided guests on a walk from 9 Newbridge Avenue (residence of Paddy Dignam) up to Leahy’s Terrace and Star of the Sea Church (featured in the Nausicaa episode of Ulysses) and then on to Sandymount Strand. It was here where Rodney Devitt elaborated on the significance of the strand in the novel, as it is the famous setting for Stephen Dedalus’ soliloquy, in which he utters the immortal words, “Am I walking into eternity along Sandymount Strand?” a sentence which has made the Strand one of the most famous beaches in world literature. The group then retired to Sandymount Green to engage in public readings from ‘Ulysses’, concluding the day’s events. Clockwise from top: Olive Farrell, Father Tonge and Mary O’Toole. Anne Flood, Esther Kelly and Betty Ashe at the Bloomsday Breakfast in St Andrew’s Resource Centre. The Bloomsday Trail finishing up in Sean Moore Park.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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GYMSOMNIA
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By Liam Cahill n abandoned warehouse sounds like such a good idea to throw up a fitness facility, right? But what if that gym stays open 24-hours a day? It’s all the part of a new phenomenon hitting Dublin, allowing people to be flexible in their approach to training and visit when they want. What’s going on that we would need a 24-hour gym? And more importantly, what if a limitless timeframe isn’t for you? Where can you go to keep fit? “The 24-hour gym model was in fact a response to criticisms in the industry around high gym rates and gym contracts,” says Jackie Skelly, director of the Flyefit group, who operate the facility on Macken Street, as well as three others. “The consistent demand to open earlier and earlier and stay open later, especially at weekends was considerable, so we just went for it.” It may not look much from the outside; the front has been extensively renovated and the glass entrance conceals what’s on the
inside, making it appear like a swanky new office. But once you get your foot in the door it’s like being in a warehouse rave party for fitness fanatics; there’s a giant pitch on the side, a large tyre used for resistance training, pull up bars, cardio equipment, locker facilities and giant graffiti all over the walls. “We are also the first gym chain to combine normal commercial gym services with massive functional training areas, i.e astro-turf floors, battle ropes, rigs, racks, Olympic lifting platforms, prowlers and sleds,” Skelly tells NewsFour. “It appeals to anyone in the pub, restaurant, nightclub, hotel, catering, leisure, entertainment industry, taxi drivers, nurses, students and any kind of shift workers. It’s an eclectic mix, and we are very happy with the response.” Flyefit isn’t the only gym offering a 24-hour service; in Dun Laoghaire there’s Anytime Fitness, which offers pretty much the same fitness facilities as Flyefit with a few minor exceptions, such as high definition TVs, 24-hour se-
curity and free parking. “People are leading busier lives nowadays and need to fit in a workout at a time that suits them,” says Gar O’Holohan of the Aura Holohan Group, who operates Anytime Fitness in Ireland. “A clear gap has emerged in the market for people
who want convenient, quality facilities at an affordable price, and the Anytime model fills that requirement perfectly.” The gym offers treadmills, exercise cycles, free weights and functional training facilities. The gym also holds a number of circuit
classes, which are free to members. “Fitness is so important for physical and mental health that if some people get their fitness fix by going to 24-hour gyms then great,” says Killian Hurley, manager of YLifestyle Fitness, based in Sandymount and Aungier Street. “We are Dublin’s only social enterprise gym and 100% of our profits go toward funding the YMCA charity services supporting youth development in the local area,” says Hurley. “We are not a chain or corporate gym, and although we offer the best in classes, trainers and equipment. We are more than just a gym, as training here literally helps to change the prospects for disadvantaged young people in our local area.” YLifestyle fitness offers an extensive range of fitness facilities such as pilates, thump boxing, body blasts, step aerobics, barbells classes, squat racks, astro track with battle ropes and prowler, various cardio machines, dumbbells, and TRX facilities. For more information on prices and timetables visit: Flyefit.ie, Anytime Fitness.ie and YMCA.ie/YLifestyle
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
HAPPY HAPPENINGS
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By Steve Kingston hat could be better than lying in a park with friends and watching a good film on a cinema screen? On warm summer evenings in Dublin, and elsewhere around the country, there have been people enjoying just such a privilege, with music before and after the film, picnics and food stalls for those who didn’t bring their own, all courtesy of Happenings. Happenings is the brainchild of Peter O’Brien, who has been running open-air cinema and other events since 2009. On their Facebook page, a couple of days beforehand, they announce the venue and line up, and all for a lot less than the price of a normal cinema ticket. There have been regular screenings in Fitzwilliam Square and also Grand Canal Dock and Kings Inns on Dublin’s North Side. O’Brien was originally a golf professional who became angered by the domination of sport by big business. He left it all behind to try and do something
that would add to the world rather than just take from it. “I didn’t believe in having a privileged life,” he tells NewsFour. “You can’t sustain a life like that; consuming without putting anything back, except by handing over money, can’t work in the long term. Sustainability drives my life now.” When we meet him on the banks of the Grand Canal, near where he lives, it’s a sunny afternoon, with droves of people lining the banks, sitting beside each other but not talking. O’Brien points out that you simply have to add music and the atmosphere changes completely. “Cities are often not the happiest places to live; we are living on top of each other but we’re not really connected. Few people speak to or even acknowledge others they see every day around where they work and live. It can be lonely, but with the right intervention, like a little bit of gentle music or a film showing, people feel good and they’re more likely to strike up a conversation. It’s
a good way to strengthen a sense of community. We had a free apple pie day in Dartmouth Square. Two local bakeries donated a load of apple pies; we got cream and gave slices away for an afternoon. It was a great success.” O’Brien is an activist, but one who does it with wit and charm, as he believes that is the only way to really get through to people. The environment, and our treatment of it, is the issue dearest to his heart.
One of the ways he raises awareness of this is through his “leave no trace” policy. Before the events, he explains to the crowd that everything that enters the event area has to be taken away afterwards, right down to cigarette ends and bottle caps. He hopes this is something people will take away with them in a broader sense. “People are usually good about taking the bigger bits of litter away, but the small bits usually get left behind,” he says. “These build up over time, and the next thing you know, someone else has to pick it all up. If we can get people into the habit of completely cleaning up after themselves without thinking, that’s a success.” At the events NewsFour attended we witnessed people staying to clean up after the movies and other entertainments had ended. O’Brien himself often stays until the small hours to finish the job properly, but it is getting noticeably better as the regular attendees learn to tidy up automatically. “Paddy’s Day Unlocked is another event we do that we hope will have a positive effect,” O’Brien says. The unlocked bit is the key here, as these are events where drunkenness is not encouraged. Over 3,000 people attended it in Limerick this year and next year it will be held in Temple
Bar, Limerick, Cork and maybe even New York. “The idea of being able to celebrate St Patrick’s Day without being bothered by very drunk people is something of a revelation in Ireland, and something we hope will spread”. With regard to future plans, O’Brien says, “Our long-term vision is that on a nice sunny summer’s day there could be five Happenings events on in Dublin, some in Limerick, Cork and elsewhere around the country. We’re making connections and partnerships with people in other towns and cities who want to get involved all the time.” The only problem Happenings is experiencing is that their audience is getting too big. As a result, they will be reducing the amount of notice they’re giving before events and are talking to Dublin City Council about using Merrion Square and other larger venues. If you would like to keep up to date with Happenings see their Facebook page for details. Above: Kerri McGuigan Ana Mova Mark Lyons Ciara Ni Fhlionn and Karen McLaughin sit out with a picnic. Below: Peter O’Brien gets ready to show the movie in Fitzwilliam Square.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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By Craig Kinsella two-week free audio visual exhibition hit the Dublin docklands on July 1st. Rhythms of a Port opened in the Red Brick Shed on John Roger-
son’s Quay and is a production by Dublin-based artist and filmmaker Moira Sweeney, pictured above, in association with Dublin Port Company. The exhibition is part of the Photo Ireland Festival 2014.
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DOCKLANDS GOT RHYTHM
Rhythms of a Port tells the story of Dublin’s Docklands and attempts to illustrate the intimate connection between the docks and the surrounding city areas. The documentary combines the personal tales of dock workers past and present with Sweeney’s unique modern style. The Red Shed was formerly known as the Old London Shed, an integral historical structure in the Docklands legacy, making it an ideal setting for the exhibition. By hanging large screens from the rafters displaying the tales of the port’s dock workers, boatmen and managers, Sweeney transforms the old dry cargo storehouse into a living and breathing exhibition. Visitors are treated to visuals of Sweeney’s striking photography accompanied by the sounds one would expect to hear at a working port, including forklift warnings, creaking wood and metal, squeaking ropes and squawking seagulls. The launch on July 1st welcomed a multitude of revellers, consisting mainly of dock workers, local art-
ists and representatives from Dublin Port Company. Dublin Port Company Chief Executive Eamon O’ Reilly emphasised the timely significance of the exhibition, given the rich historical importance of the Dublin Docklands area. “The Docklands is an integral Dublin institution, and one close to the hearts of all Dubliners,” he told NewsFour. “The Rhythms of a Port exhibition sheds new light on one of our oldest and most bustling city quarters, and aims to educate and challenge its audience on the Port’s special relationship with Dublin and the workers who have served it so well.” This is Sweeney’s second exhibition for Photo Ireland; the previous one was held in 2012. She is the recipient of a PhD from the Centre for Transcultural Research and Media Practice in the Dublin Institute of Technology, a scholarship that allowed her to commit to the study in the first place. Her work has been exhibited abroad in cities as farflung as London, Melbourne, Ber-
lin and Edinburgh, and she has also produced documentaries for BBC, Channel 4, RTE, TG4 and ZDF. Sweeney spoke to NewsFour about her reasons for producing the documentary, as port life is something that often goes unnoticed by the general public. “It allows people to see something of port life, working dock life,” she told us. “It’s a temporary setting in a space that doesn’t get used at the moment; it’s a way of celebrating the heritage of the port and making it accessible to people.” Sweeney also underscored the importance of the docklands with regard to local areas, given the history of the port labour forces in those areas. “All of the dockers in the film, at one point of their life, lived close to the docks or their parents: most of their parents worked on the docks, and their grandparents,” she stated. “They mostly lived in Sheriff Street, the North Wall, Ringsend or East Wall, so there was that connection and that’s very strong.”
up to private companies to actually start building. Back in June, Nama invited companies to buy land in the vacant site at North Wall Quay next to the new HQ of the Central Bank in what they call a long leasehold interest. If the building work begins, the site has the potential to accommodate 500,000 square feet of office space and 160 new homes. “Our main points are that we need to be guaranteed funding for education and training and that the housing is kept in the Docklands and the jobs are available to local people,” said Betty. Many other locals have been similarly worried about the nature of the plans. Back in February, the chairman of the North Wall Community Association, Gerry Fay, warned that the plan would
split his area into two. In May, he likened the plans to “Thatcherite policies” and many other locals see the plans as an attempt to erode the community. Despite this criticism of the plan, it should be noted that Dublin City Council has made a serious effort to be inclusive of the local community during the consultation process. The Council held a number of conferences under the title A Community for All, hosted alongside the now-defunct DDDA, in May of last year. Similarly, Fine Gael Cllr Kieran Binchy and former Labour Cllr Maria Parodi amended the plan to be inclusive of Ringsend with the proposals for a new bridge in the area. You can find more information about the conferences and the plan at dublincity.ie
DOCKLANDS DEVELOPMENT APPROVED
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By Liam Cahill n Bord Pleanála has approved the Docklands Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) plan. The document, which was also adopted by Dublin City Council, acts as a blueprint for underdeveloped parts of the Docklands, detailing the types of buildings that can be constructed – such as residential or commercial – within the strategic zone. The current strategic zone stretches from the North Lotts, including some parts of Grand Canal Basin, to Spencer Dock on the north side of the city, covering 22 hectares. “The Docklands area is highly attractive to international investors, so the approval of the planning scheme should now lead to construction of new commercial developments,” says former Lord Mayor of Dublin Oisin Quinn. The plan calls for the allocation of some 2,600 residential units and almost 366,000 square metres of commercial floorspace, which would add an additional residential population of 5,800 and employment of almost 23,000 people, according to the plan. Broadly, the plan outlines a vision for the Docklands as an area that will become world-class at cultivating a maritime environment, socially inclusive urban
neighbourhoods, and become expert at the promotion of a green economy. In a statement welcoming the adoption of the plan, the Council said it hopes the SDZ plan “meets the future needs of the city” by creating what it calls a “vibrant living urban quarter” capable of becoming a major player on the international business scene. The Council also reiterated that it wants the new SDZ plan to help support a “real economic recovery” with the hope that a boom within this area will filter throughout the city and the local communities. “What it does is rezone many parts of the Docklands to ensure that sustainable long-term development can take place,” Fine Gael Cllr Kieran Binchy told NewsFour. “If you go down to the Docklands at the moment it’s a job half done, so we’re zoning it in such a way that it will be built for businesses and residents, because there’s a big housing crisis in Dublin.” The housing crisis has become somewhat of a lurking problem for this new SDZ plan. During the consultation process with the local community, the allocation of housing wasn’t a pivotal issue. In the past few weeks, and particularly after the publication of a number of worrying stories and statistics relating to a housing crisis, there
are calls for the plan to be re-written to address the ongoing issue. “I think the housing crisis has become more acute than when this plan started,” said Sinn Féin Cllr Chris Andrews. “I think that given that there is that realisation (of a crisis in housing) it would be worthwhile revisiting the plan in terms of housing, because we’ll be looking at it through a different lens.” The instigation of the new SDZ plan comes after the wind-up of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) in 2012 and the conclusion of the Docklands Masterplan, which saw the Docklands transformed. During the time of the DDDA, the governance and oversight for the project was solely in the hands of that external authority. In accordance with this new plan, however, Dublin City Council has the governing authority as the development agency. “The good thing about it is that the rest of the Docklands redevelopment will be completed; that’s the good part,” said Betty Ashe, the External Liason Co-ordinator at St Andrews Resource Centre. “There is aspirational stuff written into it about education and jobs, but nowhere does it state where the money will come from.” In accordance with the framework, it’s
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THE RINGSEND ROSES
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By Craig Kinsella local seniors group, The Ringsend Roses, had their artwork recognised at an exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland, Clare Street on June 26th, the culmination of a 10 week art course that took place in Ringsend Community Centre. The project was a result of a working relationship between The Docklands Seniors Forum and the National Gallery of Ireland, with the objective of getting seniors
more personally engaged and socially active. Joan Taafe, member of the Docklands Seniors Forum and a participant in the course, was the one who got the project rolling after discovering that a similar initiative in East Wall had recently seen great success among seniors on the opposite side of the Liffey. After teaming up with Elaine Leader, who works on the National Gallery’s outreach campaign, they set up base camp in the Blue Room
in Ringsend Community Centre. It was here they met once a week over a 10 week period to engage their inner artist and learn stenciling, etching, painting and working with art-based technologies that have been used for hundreds of years. Taafe spoke to NewsFour about the apprehension that members initially felt when the project was proposed, given the participants’ lack of artistic experience. “Beforehand, all I could ever draw was matchstick men,” she said. “The other people, one or two of them, have a little bit of art culture, but the rest of us were all just matchstick men. It’s something for seniors in the area to do instead of sitting in front of the telly all day.” Over the course of the 10 week
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 period, between eight and 11 seniors participated in the course, all of them from the Ringsend-Irishtown area. The group were also given free access to the facilities in the community centre. “Most of us have L-Plates on our backs!” Taafe told NewsFour. “We have really progressed in 10 weeks. It just shows the community that you don’t have to be full of art to begin with.” The National Gallery sponsored the course and the programme was financed through The Ireland Funds, part of the outreach objective from the Gallery specifically aligned to work with elderly people. Brina Casey served as the liaison between the gallery and the Roses. Leader had previously taken the group to the Gallery, where they enjoyed privileged access not normally afforded to the general public. She was full of praise for the senior students, who overcame early apprehension to end up with an exhibition dedicated to them. “I think they underestimated themselves when they first started; there was such a gap there since they would have last been engaged in art practice at all,” said Leader. “There were a number of them that were very reluctant at the start, and now they have embraced it.” Taafe hopes this course is only the beginning
of similar programmes being launched in the community and believes that local support is essential in maintaining momentum. “Anyone who would like to come forward and support us in doing another course, we would love to continue on,” she stated. “Can we get a class going, even if we have to pay three euro a week, just to keep it ongoing, because the interest is so good in it.” Taafe was also keen to extend thanks to Lorraine and Barbara of the Ringsend-Irishtown Centre for granting the group full access to its amenities, which made the programme possible.
Top left: Joan Taafe. Below: Creative designs from the Ringsend Roses.
Michael Foran and Martin Coffey stand with a photo taken of their fathers back in 1922, displayed at a recent Ringsend Dock Workers photographic exhibition.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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LOCAL ARTIST WOWS LONDON
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By Maria Shields O’Kelly rtist Tony Gunning, pictured right, is just back from his whirlwind trip to London, where his painting, Kerry Humour, (pictured) is on show at the 246th Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. This year’s open submission attracted 12,000 entries. This prestigious exhibition runs from 9th June to 17th August and is one of London’s top visitor attractions, with an annual attendance of 200,000. “It is a bit of an honour to appear in this particular exhibition and one that those in the art business would really appreciate the significance of,” Gunning told NewsFour. Gunning spotted the scene on a visit to Kenmare and thought it typified Irish wit. “It’s dark, and probably not my usual style, but it’s quirky. I was driving around on a rainy day thinking this is so drab, where would you find humour here? Then I spotted
the scene.” NewsFour asked Gunning, whose previous career was in the civil service, about the art business. “There are many ups and downs, and if the only reason you’re doing it is to make money, you wouldn’t carry on. I have had some great success and at one stage couldn’t keep up with demand. I have noticed tough times for the galleries though; in particular 2010, when I saw a gallery close down after 47 years.” Speaking of his artistic style, Gunning states, “It is very hard to put me in a box, which can be difficult for an artist. Many of my pieces can be described as modern realism. People sometimes assume that means they are dreary, but bright colour is my trademark. The colour attracts attention and then the picture tells a story.” One of Gunning’s pieces, entitled Open for Business, is a good example of this. It de-
picts a pair of trainers hanging from electric wiring, which notifies the sale of drugs in an area, hanging alongside a pair of guns, and set against a bright blue sky. Gunning also has an interest in painting urban and rural landscapes, and tells us he wants to capture a dying way of life before it is gone for good. He speaks of his observations in the West of Ireland. “All the young people are leaving with no one to run the farms. Post offices are shutting down, leaving no sense of community. Villages are dy-
ing as people take their custom to bigger towns. I paint these scenes with a sense of nostalgia and think, ‘If I came back here in 50 years what would I see?’” Now and again, Gunning does something completely different. His lifelong connection to the county of Waterford led him to champion the promotion of a national treasure, Mount Congreve Gardens. He held an exhibition in 2013 at the municipal gallery in Waterford, which was opened by the head of Bord Fáilte. The publicity from this was consid-
ered to have made a huge difference to Waterford as a tourist destination. NewsFour asks Gunning’s wife Ellen which of her husband’s paintings is her favourite. “Oh, I love every one of them. If I had a choice we wouldn’t sell any.” Kerry Humour was recently purchased by a gentleman from Belgravia. Original works by Tony Gunning can be purchased at the Marley Park Markets at weekends, and his websites are www.tonygunning.com and www.blueskyart.ie
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By Steve Kingston n what will be a continuing series, NewsFour went to Herbert Park in Ballsbridge to see what use citizens are making of this most precious amenity. We looked for clubs or groups that meet there, but thought we would focus on the smaller groups, rather than the well established bowls, tennis and football clubs that are regular features in the park. One such small group we found, sitting in the shade on a scalding hot Sunday afternoon, meet randomly during the summer months and refer to Herbert Park as meatspace, a term the Urban Dictionary describes as originating from cyberpunk fiction and culture, referring to the real (that is, not virtual) world, the world of flesh and blood; the opposite of cyberspace. Yes, they met on the internet, through the online version of the popular video game Call of Duty Modern Warfare, in which people play solo or team up to play in battlefield scenarios. For years, gaming was, by its very nature, a solitary affair. With the advent of high-speed internet
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
MEATSPACE IN HERBERT PARK
connections, a whole new world has opened up around video games. The five people we met that day are part of a much larger group scattered around Ireland and the world. They don’t see themselves as mere video gamers, they are the more evolved social gamers, meaning they seek out and enjoy co-operation and social contact through the
games they play online. They first found each other on recruitment forums on the internet, becoming first clan members then friends. One member, who is 22 and originally from Iran, prefers that we not publish his real name, but instead use his nickname hahahaji. “I suppose if you’re working or doing anything around other people,
you get to know them and make connections,” he told NewsFour. “We started chatting more and more outside of the game, in forums, and from there to Facebook and that. We’d be in regular enough contact so I thought we should meet up, for real. That was the summer of 2012; here we still are.” Conor Harnett, 42, of Rath-
farnham, the elder of the group, told us he is a recent convert to social gaming. “I work from home a lot so obviously an Xbox is an essential piece of kit. I’d never even heard of Call of Duty until last year; my girlfriend’s kid gave me a lend and within the first few minutes of trying it I was hooked. I wouldn’t enjoy it as much if I didn’t have the lads to buzz off though. We have mad craic and get along great. We’re sitting here talking about the game but other stuff too, like TV and things,” he told us. “Since I joined them, we’ve become an effective military force; we’re tight and the team dynamic is so good we know what each other will do before they do it. It’s something I try to take into my real life. It’s given me the confidence I never had to deal decisively with situations. I’m more of a leader now.” As for why they choose Herbert Park to meet, Harnett had the last word. “It’s a safe park, there’s no gangs sitting around locked drunk, and it’s huge. In other parks you’re always sitting near people but here feels more private”.
40 YEARS OF SCOIL MHUIRE NEW EDUCATE TOGETHER SCHOOL
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By Maria Shields O’Kelly round 1,000 people passed through the gates of Scoil Mhuire, Sandymount, on 14th June for the free Family Fete that was held to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The activities included giant outdoor games, a Grandparents’ tea-party, face painting, food and refreshments. NewsFour spoke to the school’s principal, Mary Price, who commended the parents’ committee on all the hard work they put into the organisation of the day. “We are celebrating 40 years in this building and also the amazing generosity of the Sisters of Charity. When I came here in 1976 the school grounds did not comprise of the extra ground and fields that we now use for Sports and we have recently received the funds to build these new classrooms from the Department of Education,” she told us.
The gathering included the families of current pupils, locals, teachers and past pupils. A group of Scoil Mhuire graduates, who are currently first and second year students, told Newsfour that their favourite attraction was the chocolate fountain. They all enjoy attending the school, and a certain Miss Sword was mentioned with fondness. Alice Doherty was on the board of management when she was at the school, and was then known by her religious name, Sister Carmel. She spoke very highly of Principal Price. “She always kept the connection with us.” The highlight of the day for all concerned was the cutting of the cake by Sister Finian. Doherty explains how Sister Finian was here at age 61, when the school opened in 1974, and is now celebrating this anniversary at age 101. “She’s such a lovely person.” Other attractions included bouncy castles, a nail bar, storytelling area, photo-booth cutouts and student performances. Pictured: Banshika, Laoise and Zara from Mr. Cleary’s 5th Class enjoying the chocolate fountain provided by Heavenly Chocolate.
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By Rúairí Conneely arly in the year, NewsFour was able to share the announcement that an Educate Together school for Dublin 4 was to be launched later this year. Now, the new school year is weeks away (sorry kids!) and we thought it was time for an update. The new school, for the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount area, is named Shellybanks Educate Together National School; quite a mouthful, but Shellybanks will do for the casual mention. The name was selected for the school’s relative proximity to Sandymount Strand. We spoke with Amy Swearingen, Educate Together’s Communications Officer. Educate Together is a volunteer-run organisation, an NGO dedicated to running schools that seek to guarantee equality of access to education and resources for children from all social, cultural or religious backgrounds. Swearingen explains that the school is due to open on September 1st this year, and will be accepting admissions until
the 30th of that month. The approach of Educate Together schools is to build from the beginning of the school career. Shellybanks National School will begin with at least two classes of junior infants, with approval having been granted for up to three such classes. Their first senior infants will be those who pass into the second year. “Parents who are interested should go to our website www.shellybanksetns. ie for information on how to enrol their child and if they’re curious about us. We have room for one more class as things are right now.” The initial plan for this school, formerly called simply Dublin 4 Educate Together, was for it to be sited on the Strand Road, by Sean Moore Park, Sandymount. The current site is instead just off Simmonscourt Road, Ballsbridge. This will be a temporary location, pending planning permission on the permanent site. For more information, consult the website or the Facebook page www.facebook. com/ShellybanksEducateTogether
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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By Rúairí Conneely he latest meeting of the Our Town Ringsend/Irishtown project took place in the first week of July at the RICC. Seeking to retain the momentum from the previous week’s visit by Belfast community activist Jackie Redpath (see the special report on NewsFour.ie 30/6/14) the purpose of this summer meeting was to refresh the memories of previous participants, and introduce new people to the insights that had been developed so far. The overall aim of the Our Town initiative – spearheaded by architect Felim Dunne, landscaper and broadcaster Diarmuid Gavin, and Padraic White, a founding member of the Irish Development Authority and Chairman of the Northside Partnership Programme – is to restore prestige to the Ringsend and Irishtown area, tackle social problems with voluntary action, and regenerate the environment physically and economically. Since the first meeting of 2014 in January, six core areas have been identified for action; Education, Work, Sport, Social Exclusion/Inclusion, Physical Regeneration and Communication. Another key order of business for
STRATEGISING OUR TOWN
this July meeting was to select volunteers who felt they could bring their strengths to these key areas. The evening opened with a certain lightness of touch. Dylan Clayton of the Ringsend Rock School played a song specially written for the occasion, which was warmly received and set a positive tone. Some familiar faces were in attendance: Deke McDonald, Boy Murphy, councillors Kevin Humphreys and Dermot Lacey, and Sueann Moore of the Spellman Centre, to mention just a few, all brought together by the urge to
restore and develop their neighbourhoods. Each topic was thoroughly discussed, and two to four volunteers were tasked to an area of their interest, following fair extensive debate. These six groups will explore their topics and what can be done before the first Ringsend Irishtown Community Convention, this October. Diarmuid Gavin chaired the meeting, speaking of his sense of Ringsend being a “Gateway to Dublin”, and due to its proximity to the mouth of the Liffey, that there is a sense of national affinity with the Docklands’ communities.
Research that he brought to the event created a sense of the scope of what could be done: he cited examples such as Bill Strickland, the community activist from Detroit, Michigan, USA, who raised the funding to build a school on neglected industrial land in a city that had fallen far from its prime. “Have a look online for his TED talk,” Diarmuid advised. Some of the more substantial points seemed to revolve around the importance of long-term thinking – for instance, youth training and upskilling for jobs that are likely to arise in five or 10 years – and breaking from patterns of
PAGE 17 education and action that may no longer work. The relationship between the community and its new neighbours, the local tech giants, was debated. Where things go next is a matter determined by the findings of the small versatile volunteer groups that were established. Strategy is in play, now comes tactics. Some problems will be more easily solved than others, but as was observed multiple times on the night, the six areas are inter-related, and maybe each presents possible solutions to the others’ problems. Main picture: A group shot of those who attended the Our Town meeting. Below: Diarmuid Gavin goes through the points made at the previous Our Town meeting.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
GO FOR LAUNCH?
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By Rúairí Conneely n recent years, Space has come back onto the international agenda. With the retirement of NASA’s Space
Shuttle last year, and the unveiling of the Virgin Corporation’s Spaceship One, a new moment in human space flight is being inaugurated, as national agen-
cies make room for privately-financed space flight. Virgin’s craft marks the early beginning of commercial space flight, but plans are also afoot to establish permanent outposts off-world. Prominent among these proposed efforts is Mars One. A non-profit organisation, Mars One is an extensive effort to establish a stable human colony on the red planet. The catch is it’s a one-way trip. The first launches, scheduled from 2018 onwards, will involve shipping equipment and materials for the construction of a habitat. These will be unmanned freight missions. 2024, ten years from now, is the proposed date for the first manned excursion. Although Mars One is based on the premise that a habitat for humans is technically feasible, it is not yet possible to ship and construct a launch platform for a return journey. The application process was open to the public from April to August last year and currently the most prominent Irish candidate is Joseph Roche, a member
of the Astrophysics Research Group at Trinity College Dublin, and Research Projects Coordinator at the Science Gallery, Pearse St. NewsFour spoke to him about what might be lightly referred to as an unusual lifestyle gamble. Roche explained to us that he heard of the project when it was first announced in 2012. “I keep an eye on any interesting astrophysics stories, and this one caught my attention because the Mars One Foundation is a notfor-profit organisation based in the Netherlands that is aiming to put four humans on the surface of Mars in 2025.” Subsequent missions will raise the total number of colonists to 20. Some commentators and space industry notables have expressed doubt and even condemnation towards Mars One. In January, German former astronaut Ulrich Walter strongly criticised the project as being ethically questionable and unlikely to succeed. He estimated the probability of successful arrival at 30%, and survival for more than three months at 20%. For his part, Roche regards
FUNDING ALLOCATED FOR LOCAL SPORTING GROUPS
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By Liam Cahill alf a million euro is to be invested in Dublin 4 sporting groups through the government’s sporting grant system. The allocation of grants, which is part of the government’s Sports Capital Funding
Programme, the main source of funding for sporting organisations, will pump €570,000 into local sporting groups in Dublin 4. The total fund invests €40.5 million for 800 sporting organisations nationwide. “Sports clubs and organisations are the life blood of communi-
space exploration in general as being of huge value to humankind. “It’s almost impossible to quantify the value that space exploration has to life on Earth. If someone is sceptical about the benefits, I would invite them to consider the vast technological advances made by society as a direct consequence of the Apollo missions.” Velcro, carbon water filtration, mylar insulation: there is an extensive list of technologies that had their origins in solving the hard problem of keeping people alive in a tin can in the midst of nothing. Roche is still only shortlisted; he doesn’t know if he will be selected but, if so, will have to embark on extensive training in harsh environments here on earth, in order to make the cut. He has his own doubts about whether humans can cope as a multi-planetary species, but in essence feels that the mission is a worthy one. It would be hard to argue it’s anything less than – quite literally - the adventure of a lifetime. Pictued left: Joseph Roche.
DAD
From my heart Since your depart Right from the start My heart fell apart I still miss you so much I will always keep in touch You were my crutch
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Whatever you had to say ties across Ireland,” said the Junior Minister for Sport, Michael Ring. “Thanks to their largely voluntary work, these clubs and organisations are delivering on the government’s target to get more people to be more active, more often.” The following are set to benefit: Donnybrook Lawn and Tennis Club (€106,827.00), Lansdowne Lawn Tennis Club (€60.053.00), Old Belvedere Rugby Club (€200,000), Old
Wesley Rugby Club (€200,000) and Pembroke Fencing Club (€3,723.00). According to the Government, the allocation of funds represents a 30% increase in funding over the €31 million allocated in the last round of funding in 2012. The programme will allow sporting groups to invest in their facilities such as sports pitches, floodlighting, tracks, courts, security fencing, dressing rooms and gym equipment.
As we walked our way Around Dublin Bay Each day you would pray For that rainy day But, come what may Alas, you couldn’t stay Love from your Daughter Barbara Doherty
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
DCC NOT ES Compiled by Liam Cahill
Sinn Féin now largest party on City Council Sinn Féin is now the largest party on Dublin City Council. In May’s Local Elections, the party won 16 seats on the Council, leaving them as the largest party, but without a clear majority. Sinn Féin will now govern the Council with the help of a coalition between the Greens, Labour and 11 independents. During the period of negotiations, Fine Gael, under its chief negotiator Cllr Kieran Binchy, pulled out of any deal, saying he was “putting policy ahead of the spoils.” The new arrangement is set to leave housing as the Council’s top concern as well as the unemployment crisis. The arrangement will last for the next five years until the next round of local elections. “Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had the opportunity to be part of this agreement, including the proportional allocation of Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions. But they chose to pull out,” said Sinn Féin’s City Council Deputy leader Cllr Mícheál Mac Donncha. “It is Sinn Féin’s aim that the parties to this
agreement on Dublin City Council will work together to achieve a budget for 2015 and subsequent years that is equitable, that adds no further to the financial burden on citizens.” Sinn Féin have also pledged to fulfil their promises regarding property tax and water charges – saying they will be “working to reduce” the burdens of such taxes on local residents. The make-up of the council is as such: 12 independents, eight Fine Gael representatives, eight Labour and three Green Party Councillors. Christy Burke is the new Lord Mayor Former Sinn Féin Councillor turned Independent Christy Burke is the city’s new Lord Mayor. He was elected by Dublin City Council covering 2014–2015, after which point the office will rotate between the governing parties – with Sinn Féin holding the office for the 1916 centenary in 2016. “The election of Christy Burke was well deserved. As someone
who has worked hard on the City Council for 30 years I was very pleased to be able to support him,” said Labour Cllr Dermot Lacey. “While I do not share his Nationalist views, I respect him as a committed City Councillor and have always worked well with him.” Mayor Burke started out in politics in the 1980s, working as anti-illegal drugs activist with Concerned Parents Against Drugs and was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1985. He spent a majority of his years as a political activist, speaking out on a number of contentious local issues, and even being jailed, along with the late Tony Gregory, for campaigning on behalf of traders in Moore Street, an episode that proved he was a formidable candidate. Mayor Burke was re-elected a number of times to Dublin City Council before parting ways with Sinn Féin in 2009. The Mayor will hold the office until the end of 2015. Labour suffers hard blow in D4 A number of notable Councillors representing Pembroke/ South-Dock lost their seats in May’s Local Elections. Gerry Ashe, the former Labour Councillor, lost her seat shortly after the count began, followed by former Lord Mayor and Labour
councillor Oisin Quinn. Henry Upton also had a disappointing day, losing his seat. The losses were replicated nationally, where Labour saw a massive decrease in Council seats and a rise in seats for Sinn Féin and Independents. New councillor appointments There have been a number of important appointments to various local boards since the Local Elections. Independent Cllr Mannix Flynn has been appointed to the Board of the Hugh Lane Gallery. Sinn Féin Cllr Chris Andrews was appointed to the Board of the East Link Bridge. Green Party Cllr Claire Byrne has been appointed to the Board of Holles Street Hospital. Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Cllr Frank Kennedy and Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Cartan will be sitting on the Board of the Royal Hospital Donnybrook, while Fine Gael Cllr Kieran Binchy will be a member of the Grafton Street Committee. Labour Cllr Dermot Lacey was re-elected the leader of Labour group on the Council and appointed to the Regional Authority and Standing Committee of the Association of Irish Local Irish Government and to the Board of the Dublin City Business Improvements District Scheme.
New Traffic Arrangements for City Quays Dublin City Council announced new traffic arrangements for the city’s quays. The new measure, called Smart Travel, integrates public transport, cycling and walking over the period of construction in the city. “Dublin City Council is introducing this to facilitate the operation of the new Rosie Hackett public transport bridge,” said Brendan O’Brien of Dublin City Council. “The measure will facilitate the introduction of a contra flow bus lane, which will give buses priority access to the Rosie Hackett Bridge.” The new arrangement will see the introduction of a permanent right turn ban from Custom House Quay to Talbot Memorial Bridge, changes to the junction layouts at the Butt Bridge and Matt Talbot Bridge to improve mobility for impaired and disabled people as well as pedestrians and cyclists. East-bound cycle lanes on Eden Quay and Custom House Quay will be widened and cyclists will be allowed to use bus lanes for west-bound cycling along the north quays. For more information see the City Council website: Dublincitycouncil.ie Pictured above: Sinn Fein’s Dublin City team.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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EVERYONE FOR COFFEE
Back to school budgeting tips from MABS
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By Rúairí Conneely here has been, no doubt about it, a serious boom in coffee culture in Ireland over recent years. Beyond the vicinity of Bewley’s, once the coffee capital of the nation, homegrown chains like Insomnia, and mega-franchises like Starbucks have come to our shores in the last two decades, and spread virally. Away from the big corporate purveyors however, a subtler movement has been taking root. NewsFour got talking with a few entrepreneurs carrying the can for coffee culture in Dublin 4 and beyond. One of Grand Canal Dock’s best kept secrets is the Pause Café, known to some but not to others. The owner and manager, Alex, is gregarious and chatty with his customers, and the café specialises in an authentic Italian experience. From the food to the gelato to the coffee itself, it inspires loyalty in those who visit it. As we conduct the interview, we watch the wakeboarding on the water out of the corner of our eyes. I ask Alex why he thinks so many places like his have sprung up in recent years; it’s a lazy question and he takes polite issue with it. “The way you’re asking this, it’s like you’re saying all coffee places are the same. All the cafés in the area are different: owners, clients, not the same at all. Each place has its own speciality, its own way of doing
business. Some places will teach barista courses, for instance.” Pause Café has been in Grand Canal Dock for two years now, and Alex says he loves the area. Walking up from Pause, sloshing inside from large cappuccinos, we pass Il Valentino’s on the corner with Pearse St, another good spot for a continental style coffee. On Grand Canal Street Lower, on the corner with Macken St is one of Ireland’s great success stories of recent years, 3fe Coffee. Founded by Colin Harmon, 3fe was sited for a long time on Abbey Street in the Twisted Pepper. Their current D4 location has a sleek, minimal interior. When asked about the rise in coffee culture and gourmet coffee, Colin credits it to travel. “I think it would have happened eventually anyway, as it’s been growing in the States and the UK, Australia for a while. Irish people travel a lot and I think
they were coming home after having great coffee elsewhere and then still wanting that experience at home.” As for their own uniqueness, Colin says 3fe always strive to improve. “We have a training school upstairs for people who want to become baristas professionally, or just get better for their home brewing. We now have a roasterie down in Dublin Port which supplies beans for about 40 companies.” As if echoing Colin’s first answer, the next person I speak to, Ken Flood – owner and manager of Love Supreme Coffee, recently opened as far afield as Stoneybatter – explains that he spent 12 years in Sydney, Australia and wanted to bring some of the quality he experienced there back. “The coffee culture in Australia is highly developed. We ran a cocktail bar, night club so we didn’t serve much but what we did was good.” Ken explains that loving supremely good coffee is what his place is about, hence the name, and creating a great experience overall is part of that. “We’ve gone hell for leather on the interiors, a great sound system and design. It’s about introducing people to what they might not otherwise encounter.” And on that note, your correspondent might need to switch to decaf for a day or two. Above: Colin Harmon of 3fe coffee. Left: Alex of Pause Café.
By Maria Shields O’Kelly t is that time of year again and as soon as the children have their summer holidays, the shelves of the department stores are packed with school uniforms and new school bags, reminding us of the pending expense lurking at the other end of the summer months. Not to mention the booklist that comes home with the children on the very day that the holidays begin. Many parents shy away from these looming costs as they do not seem as immediate as the days that now need to be filled due to the temporary school closure. However, Lorraine Waters from the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) believes it’s never too early to start planning ahead. This way, the cost can be spread over the summer months, rather than panicking in the last week of August. MABS offers some useful tips on the subject. It is a good idea to check the Back to School Footwear and Clothing Allowance if you are on a social welfare payment, employment scheme, approved training course or FÁS (Solas)/LES training scheme. It is a means-tested payment, so the number of dependents and household income will be taken into account. There are many other ways to cut costs, such as the School Books Grant Scheme, book sales, budget plans from suppliers and bulk buying of essentials like pencils and copybooks. School uniforms can be very costly, but it is a good idea to check if your school sells second-hand uniforms and sell on good quality items yourself. Watch the stores for promotions on school-wear, and if your school wears a crest it can be transferred from old jumpers. It is good to be aware of everyday costs in advance. For instance, school trips, photocopying, crafts and healthy lunches are more economical than processed pre-packed foods. Remember also that the voluntary contribution is voluntary, hence the name. Speak to the principal if you are having difficulty in any area, as most are happy to discuss solutions with you. Once you have gathered all your information together you can make a budget plan. There are handy templates for laying out income and outgoing expenses on www. mabs.ie along with other money saving tips. MABS advice is, if you do need to borrow, shop around for the best lending rate (APR) and avoid doorstep moneylenders. For information on any of the services mentioned in the article go to www.mabs.ie or MABS helpline 0761072000 School Books Grant Scheme www.citizensinformation.ie or call 0761074000. Back to school clothing and footwear allowance www.welfare.ie or lo-call 1890662244.
A warning from MABS:Why pre-paid electricity meters are bad value for money
Pre-paid electricity meters have become very popular, and at first glance can look like a cheaper alternative to a high bi-monthly bill. They operate in a similar way to mobile phone top-ups and energy is paid for in advance rather than in retrospect. There are a few issues that people should be aware of, however. These devices are expensive, and you will be locked into agreement with one provider, says Frank Conway, founder of the Irish Financial Review. He recommends taking some steps to reduce energy usage, such as checking that windows are draught-free and attics are properly insulated. Also, the daily account charge is very expensive at 37.5 cents a day, adding up to €137 per year. There are various ways to pay your electricity bills, including at the post office, using the barcoded bill, selected Credit Unions e.g. DubCo Budget Account, online with billpay.ie or at the bank through direct debit, standing order, online transfer and phone banking. If you opt for the pre-paid meters from Pinergy/Pre Pay Power, beware of the extra costs.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
POST ELECTION INNOVATION
By Steve Kingston ike it or not, election posters are part of our lives. Whether it’s Local, General, European, Referendum or Presidential Elections, the one constant is the thousands upon thousands of posters that appear quickly but linger for weeks, and sometimes months, after the vote has been decided. These large pieces of flat plastic are often stored by candidates for further use but more usually they get processed and recycled. Most are handed over to Dublin City Council, who melt them and turn them into pellets to be reused in such things as garden furniture and wheelie bins. But what of the strays? Although there are hefty fines for candidates whose posters end up as litter, the ones that get away in the clearing-up process often end up lying around front gardens, alleyways and ditches all over the country. However, more and more people are now seeing this as an opportunity. Individuals and groups all over the country have found new and interesting uses for them, and many are now receiving posters directly from the candidates or simply going out and gathering up what they can find. The Fourth Dodder Sea Scouts are one such group. NewsFour spoke to scout leader Geraldine Smith about what they do with the posters. “They’re really useful for us; we have an organic garden and use cut-up posters as borders and for markings in the beds,” says Smith. The FDSS also use the
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posters as supports for netting, and even lined the shelves of their greenhouse with them. The main reason they wanted them was to make a massive cash saving on their 80th anniversary celebrations. Smith tells NewsFour that, “amongst other things, we’re putting on an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia for it; we need to mount the pictures and other items, and to buy the
mounting board to do it would have cost us a small fortune. The posters are perfect, and the candidates were only too happy to give them to us.” The exhibition ran from the 16th to the 31st July in the Sea Scout Den, Derrynane Gardens, Ringsend. James O’Brien of Donnybrook found an ingenious use for the posters; he spent the week leading up to the last election pick-
ing up any posters he could find, and is now using them as durable and replaceable flooring in his garage and garden shed. He tells NewsFour, “I work on my car in the garage, and the concrete floor was near ruined with oil and grease. I’d looked into buying something that would last, as cardboard gets destroyed too quickly. It was my 11 year old son Pascal who had the idea to use the posters.” O’Brien found them ideal for this purpose, and tells us they were easy to cut and thus fit around his existing cabinets, so there was no need to clear out the spaces completely; he simply stuck them together from underneath with strong carpet tape, and has a whole stack of them set aside as replacement panels. “They saved me a good few hundred and I felt like I was doing my bit by collecting them.” One very inventive person also using the posters is 17 year old Oisin Carr from Sandymount, who is using them to build a garden shed. “I had a friend who was the son of a TD who was retiring at the time, four to five years ago, and we thought we’d be able to use his old election posters to make whatever, which at the time was going to be a giant fort in his garden,” he says. “Unfortunately, we never got our hands on the posters, but the designs I had were in the back of my head somewhere. Seeing some posters at a recycling
plant recently reminded me, and the designs for a fort turned into this kind of outdoor room”. Carr, who is considering careers in mechanical engineering or game development, already has advanced plans for the structure, and says he will be building a prototype soon. When asked about other ideas for reusing this abundant resource he tells us, “I was looking at how chairs or tables could be made out of them, but really they’re not easy to work with. A dog kennel was another idea. The main problem is they’re strong in only one direction, and very hard to cut in the other direction. Really, what interests me is being able to work on different problems every day. I could never work somewhere where you do the same things year in year out”. So the next time there’s an election, we can start seeing the dreaded post-election posters as materials for something useful, rather than merely eyesores and litter. As James O’Brien says, “If more of us picked them up there’d be less of them lying around.” Pictured above and below: Some innovative uses for old posters.
LOCAL BOYS REMEMBERED IN SONG
By Craig Kinsella he tragic deaths of Dylan Lacey and Daniel Lynch in August of last year sent shockwaves through the RingsendIrishtown community. The two local lads lost their lives in a car crash on North Wall Quay, leaving family and friends devastated. In the wake of their passing, a group of friends decided to commemorate the memory of the two gentlemen by coming together to write a song to convey their emotions about the tragic event. The idea was spearheaded by a group, including Nicole McKeown and Philip Murphy, who both work for the Spellman Centre and were close friends of Dylan and Daniel. McKeown spoke to NewsFour
about the catharsis provided by the song, with friends and family taking what they could from it, and about how the project itself ultimately came together. “Basically, we thought it was a good idea to come together and write a song and just get our feelings out there; especially lads, as they don’t show their emotions,” she tells NewsFour. “It was literally that we just wanted to do something for the families; we didn’t really know what else to do.” The song and music were put together and recorded by singersongwriter Mark Maxwell, along with participants from the Spellman Centre. The track Day By Day made its public debut at this year’s Spellman Awards, which
took place on May 15th, where copies of the CD were also made available. The song itself was sponsored by the Spellman Centre
and Dublin Port Company. McKeown was delighted with the immediate positive reaction to the song. “Yeah, I have to say the
community were right on board,” she says. “Even at the awards a lot of people were coming up to me and saying ‘That’s amazing’, wanting to speak to Mark, and I have to say that the community were great towards it.” McKeown expressed the group’s thanks to the Spellman Centre, Dublin Port Company and in particular Teresa Weafer, manager of the Spellman Centre, through whom contact was made with Mark Maxwell in the first place. Copies of the CD are available from the Spellman Centre and Dublin Port Company for those interested in hearing the song for themselves. Pictured above: Singer and songwriter Mark Maxwell.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
ST. ANDREW’S STUDENT EXCHANGE
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By Liam Cahill t. Andrew’s Resource Centre has kick-started their annual student exchange programme. This year, the programme will see students from Malta and Finland travel to Dublin for a week at the end of this month, to partake in the festivities of the South Docks Festival and get accustomed to the local community within Pearse Street. “During that time they are going to perform, sing, dance, eat food and they’re going to perform for the community,” says Eddie Fitzpatrick, a Youth Worker in the Talk About Youth Programme at St. Andrew’s, who operates the programme. 12 young people and two adults from St.
Andrews will also travel to Madrid on August 4th for ten days and discover a number of local cultural hot spots, eat local cuisine and partake in beach sporting events. “It’s going to be so hot over there that they will need to be cooled down,” says Fitzpatrick. “Then they’re going to be going up to the Spanish mountains, go to a fresh water lake, do more water sports, and stay there up for a night or two.” The Exchange Programme started in 2004 with groups travelling to Slovakia, Portugal, Finland, the Philippines, the UK and France. Each exchange has a different age group (from 15+), and travels to different parts of the world depending on the age of the participants. The programme has also garnered a lot of positive feedback from the local community and young participants, which has swelled the numbers travelling each year. “They love it, the kids from Ireland are the life and soul of these exchanges, that’s why we keep getting invited back,” says Fitzpatrick. “One of the things that they (the kids) love doing is a thing called Irelands Call. When we’re away, they stand up with their hands on their hearts, they’re ambassadors for themselves, for their area, for their country.” The Talk About Youth Programme are always looking for sponsors or volunteers; anybody who wants to get involved should contact them directly on 01-677 1930.
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SANDYMOUNT GOSPEL CHOIR
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By Maria Shields O’Kelly ooking for something to do on those cold winter nights? Why not join a choir? Sandymount Gospel Choir is singing out loud for new members. They are a non-professional group, comprised of tenors, basses, altos and sopranos. An ability to read music is not necessary, just your voice and enthusiasm. NewsFour had a sneak peek at the preservice practice in St. Matthew’s Church, Irishtown, where the popular Oh Happy Day raised the roof with its upbeat message. “I don’t sing because I’m happy, I’m happy because I sing.” That is the motto of Cathy McEvoy, who has been the choir’s talented and experienced musical director for the last two years. They have been a regular feature in the Star of the Sea Church for some time, performing there every second and fourth Sunday from September to June, and are expanding all the time with St Matthew’s Church and Christchurch, Sandymount Green added to the performance list. Edel Mulligan, along with her husband Dermot, is a founding member of the choir. “It evolved in 2009 from the parents who were singing at the family mass and is drawn from the people in the Parish of Sandymount. Choral singing is very beneficial for both mental health and prevention of the onset of dementia, which is very important to some of the members,” she jokes, but goes on to say that it is in fact true that singing reaches oth-
erwise untapped sections of the brain. “As a social event, it really is the highlight of the week,” adds choir member Cindy Carroll. On Friday 23 May, Sandymount Gospel Choir performed their first concert in Lansdowne Football Club, next door to the Aviva Stadium. It was a great success and all proceeds from the concert went to the Sandymount Matero Friendship Programme. The SMFP was founded in 2008 and links Sandymount with Matero, an impoverished suburb of Lusaka, Zambia. The choir is having an open day on Tuesday, 9th September and hopes to welcome all levels of musical experience in sampling what the choir has to offer. Cindy highly recommends the choir. “Regardless of how I am feeling going into practice, I always feel happy coming out,” she says. For more information, see facebook.com/ sandymountgospelchoir and www.sandymountmatero.ie or contact Cindy on 087 9725220.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
THE STORY OF JOHN CECIL DRIVER
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By Jimmy Dent he next time you are in Ringsend, stop and have a look at the barber’s shop that faces the front doors of St Patrick’s Church. It used to be Cecil’s barber shop and I am sure it will bring back some very happy memories, as it did for me, to all those who had their hair cut by either Cecil or Jimmy Driver. I remember the chairs they had in Cecil’s were like big dentist’s chairs. So big, in fact, that when you were a young boy and you were called up next, Cecil or Jimmy would put a piece of wood resting on the arms of the chair and then invite you to sit on the piece of wood. Climbing up that chair was like making an assault on Mount Everest; you suddenly became the tallest person in the world! When I was in the shop there was always one thing that would catch my eye and that was the medal hanging on the wall. It was the Purple Heart award, and the soldier who was awarded it was a man called John Cecil Driver. John Driver was a professional soldier in every sense of the word. He joined the British Army when he was 17, and made the rank of Sergeant. He was selected and came through the very hard training programme for the Special Forces, taking part in the Rhodesian Civil War and the Malayan Emergency, and went on to serve in a number of other places, such as Aden and Cyprus. So, when John joined the U.S. Army at 27, he had seen plenty of action already. He was with the 1st Air Cavalry Division, known as the Gary Owen, who went into a war zone by helicopter. The 1st Air Cavalry division were the heirs to General Custer of the Little Big Horn 7th Cavalry. There was also a Hollywood movie, We Were
Soldiers, based on them. General Hal Moore, portrayed by Mel Gibson in the movie, described John Driver as a legend in the world of combat soldiers. John progressed through the ranks and finally made the breakthrough into Officer Candidate School, reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant. During the Vietnam War, when John was on his first tour of duty, he went down into the Cu Chi Tunnels, where he lowered himself into a tiny shaft and then had to crawl along the inside of the tunnel in total darkness, not knowing what was ahead. John would go down into the tunnels and call out, in a rather domestic fashion, “Hello, anybody home?” The tunnels of the Cu Chi were the base of the Military Region Committee Saigon-Gia
Dinh High Command of the Cu Chi District Party Committee. These tunnels were a very sophisticated system underground, having hospitals and even kitchens built within. In April 1969, John was on his second tour of duty in Vietnam, having just returned from leave. This was to be the last action he would see, sadly. John was in a region called Thua Thien at the time. I suppose the best way to hear of what happened on that day would be from Mitchell “Mike” (Doc) Edwards, a contemporary and comrade of John: “I was a medic with Bravo Company and was with Lt. Driver just before he died. He and I were sitting, leaning against opposing trees reading letters from home. He was telling me about his family and how much he missed them. We
were having a very personal moment talking about our families. John was a very likeable, capable leader. I didn’t get to know him very long as I had just transferred in from Echo Company a few days before. However, in that short time I grew to respect him as a leader and as a very kind man. When the explosion of the claymore went off, he grabbed his M-16 and was off down the hill in a
flash. I grabbed my aid bag and started down the hill after him. At that moment, another soldier and I were pinned behind a large tree with AK bullets whizzing by, kicking up dirt and tearing bark from the tree. After a few seconds it let up, and about that time 1st Sgt, hollered, ‘Doc, help, LT’s been hit.’ Just a few feet away, it broke my heart to see Lt. Driver had been hit in the head, and that he was dying. 1st. Sgt was a tough man, but he was crying and pleading for me to help Driver. It was the hardest thing I could do to tell 1st. Sgt that there wasn’t anything that could be done. He told me to go tend to the other wounded, as three others had been hit. I’ve always had regrets that I didn’t get to finish hearing the stories of the Lt’s family. He obviously loved them very much, as he was emotional as he spoke of them. Please let the family know the last thing on his mind before he died was of his family. This has affected me greatly over the years; I had just lost Lt. Bruce King a few days before in Echo Company, and Lt. John Walsh, Lt. Driver’s replacement, was killed just a few days later in the same general area. I have not thought of these events in years, but my son is currently serving his second tour in Iraq, and all of these memories have come flooding back. I will carry these memories of these great men for the rest of my life, as I am sure their lives have shaped mine in some small way. God Bless All of Them.” John is buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland Oregon, and is honoured on 27W, Row 99 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Main photo is from Veterans Wall of Faces website, supplied by Phil Dean and was taken on the night these men became Senior Candidates in late 1967. 53rd Company, 5th Student Battalion. John, circled, is second from right in the front row.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
PAGE 25
THE CAPITOL TOWER, NATURE BOY AND THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN
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By Noel Twamley n the mid 1950s, after Nat King Cole opened our shop – Tara Records in Tara Street – we went to see Nat at the Theatre Royal, now long demolished. Michael Tyrell invited Nat and his trio to drinks in our apartment over the shop. It was a great party. I recall Droghedaborn Louis Mullen, who was resident vocalist in the Crystal Ballroom, asking Nat about his first big hit, Nature Boy. Nat told us an intriguing story about this song and its composer. Capitol Records was a new label then and they were building the Capitol Tower on Hollywood and Vine, a distinctive circular structure. Shaped like a large stack of 12-inch long playing records, it’s well worth a view. One morning, a strange-looking character handed reception a song he had written, and walked out. This song went from department to department, finally end-
ing up in the Artist and Repertoire department, where the three greatest arrangers sat: trumpet player and band leader Billy May, string section arranger Gordon Jenkins and the immortal Nelson Riddle, who made all of Sinatra’s super 1950s albums. These giants made a head arrangement of Nature Boy, and got Nat King Cole to record it. This disc was issued without fanfare, but Nature Boy took off like a jet plane in the US. It stayed at number one for seven weeks on the billboard charts and was a smash hit in Britain and Ireland. Nat said Nature Boy made him a national and international star. The money was pouring in; it was Capitol Records’ first multimillion hit record and enabled them to construct the Capitol Tower faster. They even hired the musician and guitar pioneer Les Paul to design the studios for a warm, rich sound on disc, which worked. Everything was fine and dandy
until they discovered they had a large sum of money in royalties for composer X. Capitol Records had no name, address or phone number for the composer. In fairness to Capitol, they hired a detective to search for the composer of Nature Boy. Reception gave a description: long hair, long beard, long kaftan coat and flip flop sandals. The detective smiled and said, “I will have him in 24 hours.” In those days, all men wore a suit, shirt, tie and hat. The cop drove down to Southwest Los Angeles, and in five minutes had a name: Eden Ahbez. “That’s great, I have a name! Now does anybody know where Eden lives?” “Yeah, Eden lives in the Hollywood Hills.” The cop replied, “What the hell are you guys saying? Nobody lives in the Hollywood Hills.” At this, another barfly said, “Mister, you will find Eden Ahbez, his new girl and four or five
of his disciples under the first letter L in the giant Hollywood sign.” The cop shouted, “You are all drunk as hell. Nobody lives at the Hollywood sign.” Some time later, after calming down, the private eye walked up to the big Hollywood sign and found Eden and his entourage under the letter L. He told Eden, “There’s a handsome cheque in Capitol Records for you.” This could never happen today, as California has made the Hollywood sign a listed structure and it is now very well protected. Nobody seems to know what happened to this handsome cheque. I must have been bored, about 12 years ago, when I wrote to Capitol Records for information. I am still waiting for a reply. I have trawled paper trails, books, papers etc, and now the internet, and found two dubious answers. First answer: Eden collected the cheque and tore it to shreds. Second answer: Eden cashed
the cheque, went back to the Hollywood sign, gave all the money to his disciples and told them to go home and start a new life. I hope the second answer is true. There are many search engines where you can see and hear Nat King Cole singing Nature Boy. If you tune in, listen out for a great guitar solo by Oscar Moore. I listen on YouTube and read all the comments, mostly by young people and all positive. The song has had almost four million hits on the web. Most comments mention the last two lines of the song, saying it gives them hope and consolation. I concur; the last two lines are as valid today as when written over 60 years ago. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, Is just to love and be loved in return.” Above: The Capitol Records building in Hollywood. Left: The singer and pianist Nat King Cole in action.
PAGE 26
LOCAL PICTURE ROUNDUP
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
Clockwise from top left: Dylan Lacey’s family – Helen, Robert, Lesley Ann and Chloe on the maiden voyage of a boat named in his memory. Damien Duff meets Damian Dempsey at this year’s Damien Duff Intersevens Tournament at Irishtown Stadium.
Liz Oxley, a native of Ballsbridge, was a participant in the Special Olympics in Limerick in July 2013, where she won a Gold Medal in Table Tennis Doubles and Bronze in the Singles Table Tennis. Liz has been training for a number of years now and her club is Carmona Cougars of Dun Laoghaire, who play in the Eastern Region division. Pixie paints the face of Ella Whelan at the Donnybrook Residents Street Party in Herbert Park.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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By Steve Kingston rand Canal dock is the setting for what will hopefully become a thriving new community in the area. Houseboat living is something that may seem impractical or expensive, but the people we spoke to on a sunny day in the dock told a different story. The waterways family is spread out over the 1,000 or so kilometres of navigable canals and rivers of Ireland, but Grand Canal Dock is something of a hub. There are no permanent residents there yet, as only extended mooring permits have been granted to those in the dock. “We only have 20 spaces for live-aboards, 20 extended mooring spaces and 20 for people travelling through,” Ifty Finn of Waterways Ireland told NewsFour. “We are waiting for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to sign off on new by-laws, and until then it’s not possible to live here full-time.” We met one boat owner called Dermot, who is originally from Co Cavan. “It’s something myself and my wife always wanted to do, and when we finally got around to looking
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By Craig Kinsella t is often said that when God closes a door, He opens a window. Rarely do instances of supposed failure evolve into stories of heroic success, but that is certainly true of the case of Irishtown resident Alan ‘King of Cambridge’ Kinsella. In November of last year, Alan made the audacious move of applying for the then-vacant managerial position of the Republic of Ireland national football team in the wake of Giovanni Trapattoni’s departure. In early December ‘The King’ received a reply from the footballing body informing him of his unsuccessful application for the post. This is a distinction of a kind, given that out of all the potential managers scouted by the FAI, Alan was the only individual to receive an official letter from the organisation. The response sent shockwaves throughout the community but it merely provided the catalyst for Alan to ensure that a positive outcome would result from his new-found local celebrity status. Alan, who suffered a stroke over a year and a half ago, is
HOUSEBOAT LIVING
into it we were quite surprised by how easy and practical living on a boat could be. We’ve been cruising on the Shannon and the Erne for about 10 years now, but we love the challenge of coming into the city. It’s very physical but not only because
of all the locks; the propeller can get tangled up with plastic bags and weeds and it’s a job in itself freeing them sometimes,” he said. “The social life is really great. When it comes to the city, most people only feel safe in Grand Canal Dock, but
we regularly moor overnight along the populated parts of the Grand Canal. People always come over to chat or ask questions so we usually invite them aboard. We’ve had musicians stop by to play for the evening, in return for a glass of wine or
THE KING OF CAMBRIDGE
still being cared for by Neurology staff of St. Vincent’s hospital. With help from friends, including Michael Behan, Alan decided to put together a charity walk in aid of St. Vincent’s Foundation/Neurology Section. King Kinsella’s Walk took place on May 5th in Ringsend Park, in conjunction with the Fun Run/Our Town project and Ringsend and Irishtown Com-
munity Centre’s Annual Parade. All the money raised goes directly to St. Vincent’s Foundation/Neurology Section and The King has raised €1,893 for the cause to date. John Hickey, CEO of St. Vincent’s Foundation stated “this terrific result will make a huge contribution to our care for patients in Neurology.”
Alan told us how his life has changed since the fateful day that the FAI got back to contact him. “It was a journey that we enjoyed; it was great craic, and the laugh that other people got out of it was unbelievable.” Dubbed the King of Cambridge since his schooldays playing for Cambridge Boys FC, Alan boasts a significant
PAGE 27 a few beers of course.” As for the other boat owners on the waterways, Dermot said, “It’s not just meeting old friends from our travels that we enjoy, it’s all the new faces you constantly see along the way. It’s a close knit community, but spread out all over the country.” We also met a narrow barge owner doing repairs and asked him two obvious questions: is it cold in winter, and are there rats to contend with? He told us, “It’s really easy to heat. I’ve a solid fuel stove that is more than enough, and it can actually get too hot inside when I light it. As for rats, I’ve never once had one aboard. You see them on the banks the odd time but they don’t come near the boat.” Of all the people we met that day, not one was able to come up with a downside to this kind of living. We’ll leave the last word to a gentleman called Brian. “You can buy a reasonable boat that you could comfortably travel and sleep in for the price of a good second-hand car, with minimal running costs and complete freedom of movement around the waterways of the country. What could be bad about that?” soccer pedigree. During his playing days from the early seventies to 1981, he lined up alongside such legends as ‘Rocky’ O’Brien and Jody Byrne, and managed by Leo McDonagh. Alan was a staple of the Cambridge Boys Under 17 and Under 18’s teams that won the then Pepsi Cup at schoolboy level two years on the trot, an achievement that has not been matched since. Alan expresses his gratitude to those he played under and alongside, both living and deceased, and credits them with moulding him and those around him into who they are today. “For those who have passed away; Terry Dent’s father, Mr. Dent, Michael Waters, John Byrne, Tony Caldwell and the manager, Leo McDonagh, who gave us every help since we were kids, brought us up the way we are to get this far, the man who made it possible for us to win trophies.” All donations for St Vincent’s Foundation/Neurology Section are completely voluntary and go towards patient care, research and education. Donations can be made via www.mycharity.ie/ event/king_kinsellas_walk.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
MEET YOUR NEW LOCAL COUNCILLORS
Compiled by Liam Cahill
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t’s time to meet your new Councillors, all clean and shiny ahead of another five years. Can these guys work together for the better of Dublin? And more importantly, what are they going to do over the next five years?
Cllr Dermot Lacey (Labour) Cllr Lacey was re-elected as one of only a handful of Labour representatives on the new Dublin City Council. “To be re-elected for a fifth term to the City Council by your own community is an incredible honour, for which I am hugely grateful,” Cllr Lacey tells NewsFour. So what will be Cllr Lacey’s focus over the next five years? “The provision of social and affordable housing is a huge local issue that I would like to continue working on,” he says. “On a wider city level, pursuit of a directly elected longer term Dublin Mayor is a must if we are to ever seriously progress the needs, aspirations and possibilities of Dublin and Dubliners.” Cllr Lacey can be reached through the following: Email: Dermot.Lacey@labour.ie Phone: 087 264 6960.
Cllr Chris Andrews (Sinn Féin) Cllr Andrews topped the poll in the Pembroke/South-Dock area in the Local Elections, being reelected to an area he previously represented under Fianna Fáil,
both as a Councillor and member of the Dáil. “It’s not about me, it’s about the policy platform that SF has put forward at local and national level,” Cllr Andrews tells us. “It’s about ensuring that we are as effective as we can be, given we have 16 out of 63 Dublin City Councillors.” So what about the next five years? “We aim to deliver the best services possible by City Council to people who live, work and play in Dublin,” says Cllr Andrews. “Housing: make tackling the housing crisis a priority in the City Council. Policing and public Safety: increase the number of Gardaí for Dublin City. Community Development: demand the money seized from CAB to be channeled into community-based drug rehabilitation services.” Cllr Andrews will hold clinics, but he is awaiting confirmation on locations. In the meantime, he can be contacted at: Chris.Andrews@dublincity.ie Phone: 0872851515.
Cllr Frank Kennedy (Fianna Fáil) Cllr Kennedy was successfully elected to Pembroke/South-dock, taking the seat once held by Cllr Jim O’Callaghan. “I was delighted to be elected,” says Cllr. Kennedy. “But, as a new candidate, I am very conscious that when people voted for me it was a leap of faith.” What does he hope to achieve within the next five years? “First, working on local issues that fall within the power of the Council. Secondly, continuous involvement with all community activity in Pembroke-South Dock; thirdly, working on broader citywide issues that go beyond the local and will shape the future direction of our city.” Cllr Kennedy can be contacted through mobile: 0873383972 and email: frank. kenendy@dublincity.ie.
Cllr Kieran Binchy (Fine Gael) Cllr Binchy was re-elected to Dublin City Council after previously serving as local Councillor. “I am delighted that the residents of Dublin 4 have elected me back on the Council,” he tells NewsFour. “I am honoured to have the support of residents of Sandymount, Ringsend, Irishtown and Bath Avenue, and of the wider area.” What about the next five years? “Over the next five years I will fight dereliction in our urban villages, I will protect our amenities, such as our parks, and seek funding and locations for playgrounds for the new generation of residents,” he said. Cllr Binchy can be reached through mobile: 087 1774365 and email: kieran. binchy@dublincity.ie.
Cllr Paddy McCartan (Fine Gael) Cllr McCartan was successfully re-elected to Dublin City Council. “Having been co-opted on two previous occasions, it gives me great personal satisfaction to have been the first elected of the Fine Gael candidates in Pembroke/South Dock,” says Cllr McCartan. “I would like to thank the people of the local area for giving me the opportunity to work for them.” What about the next five years?
“I will continue to be a pilgrim of the pavements, meeting the people of the area and dealing with the queries they raise. As highlighted in my election campaign, my priorities include: completion of the Dodder flood works in Ballsbridge and Donnybrook, continuing the campaign to scrap the Poolbeg incinerator project and encouraging participation in Vibrant Village and Tidy Towns programmes.” Cllr McCartan can be contacted through mobile: 087 2248817 and email: paddy. mccartan@dublincity.ie.
Cllr Claire Byrne (Green Party) Cllr Byrne successfully won her seat in Pembroke/Southdock. “I am delighted to be that Green voice for the people of Pembroke South Dock,” Cllr Byrne tells NewsFour. “For me, winning a seat in Dublin City Council means that people recognise the valuable role that The Green Party still have to play in politics.” So what does Cllr Byrne hope to achieve over the next five years? “I plan to work hard and do my best to represent the people of Pembroke South Dock and to meet the needs of the local community. I want to see improvements in waste and litter management, provide better transport facilities, and ensure sustainable planning,” she says. Cllr Byrne can be contacted through her email: Claire. Byrne@dublincity.ie. Cllr Sonya Stapleton (Independent) Cllr Stapleton was successfully elected to Dublin City Council representing the People before Profit Alliance. “Winning a place as local Councillor for the Pembroke/ South Dock constituency is a fantastic opportunity for me to
represent people that are struggling on a daily basis,” says Cllr Stapleton. What does she plan to do for the next five years? “I plan to cover many areas of council over the next five years. We need schools for our children, community centres, post offices, and to protect local businesses. We need to protect our communities and ensure that no further financial cuts are infringed on them,” she says. “I believe we need to really look at our housing policies and tackle the homeless issues, overcrowding in homes and deal with the empty flats/houses that are sitting unoccupied.” Cllr Stapleton can be contacted on her mobile: 0851658384 or you can meet her at her clinic times, which are the first Tuesday of each month from 6–7pm in St. Andrew’s Resource Centre, Pearse Street. Ringsend and City Centre clinics are to be confirmed.
Cllr Mannix Flynn (Independent) Cllr Mannix Flynn was re-elected to Dublin City Council representing Pembroke/South Dock. The national media dubbed him as “colourful”, due to his participation in a music video and use of innovative election posters, which allowed people to write positive messages. Cllr Flynn can be reached through both mobile: 087 2246664 and email: mannix.flynn@dublincity.ie
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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By Gavan Bergin n a World Cup year, conversation will often turn to the question of who were the greatest footballers ever to have played for Ireland. Debate can be fierce, and everyone will have their own choice of those who should or should not be regarded as Ireland’s finest. John Giles, Liam Brady, and Ronnie Whelan will certainly be among those regularly chosen, and few of us would argue with their selection, but ask the wise football men of Ringsend and you will always hear another name mentioned, a name from the far and distant past: Val Harris. Valentine ‘Val’ Harris was born in 1884. He was a star player for his country and his club, for the Ireland team and for Shelbourne FC. He was a winner, earning silverware and bringing home glory to Ringsend and Ireland football. He played his last match for Ireland one hundred years ago in 1914, but still, all these years later, in Ringsend and beyond, his legend lives on. Stories of his deeds have been handed down from grandfather to father to son. He was hard, they say, he was strong, and powerful. Of course, it is not possible to analyse video footage of him in action, but the stories conjure vivid images of the player he was. They tell of the characteristics he shared with some more recent men in green. You can picture him winning the ball with a clattering, reverberating tackle, a Kevin Moran special. You can see him nearly bursting his lungs, covering every blade of grass on the pitch and controlling the game with the authority of Roy Keane at
VALENTINE’S DAYS
his peak. You can imagine him marshalling the back line, and sensing danger, with the uncannily accurate anticipation and defensive instinct of Paul McGrath. The records show that Val Harris also had the ability to conjure vital goals at just the moments they were most needed. Testimony from his own era tells us of a football master, who excelled for club and country in all areas of the field. For Ireland, he filled multiple roles, playing in five different positions during his 20 appearances. He started out as a forward and ended up as a defender in internationals, and was occasionally criticised for his lack of goals. However, whether playing in defence or attack, he usually spent games marking the opposition’s top player. His consistently high levels of play, and his importance to his team, made him a target for the oppo-
sition, and this, along with his combative and physical style of play, resulted in many severe injuries during his career. On three occasions he was believed to have been finished as a player, due to the severity of his injuries, but each time he battled back to play another day. When fit he was an automatic starter for Ireland, making 13 consecutive appearances. This run included, in 1913, victory against Scotland, two wins versus Wales, as well as Ireland’s first-ever victory over England. On that occasion he captained the side to a 2-1 win in Belfast. These successes came at a time when it was rare for Ireland to win any games. Then, in his final year as an international, he starred in what remains one of the finest achievements in our soccer history. This came when, in 1914, Ireland won the British Home Championship for the first time.
Val Harris earned a total of 20 caps, during an era when Ireland played no more than three international matches each season. Additionally, it was a time when the Belfast-based Irish Football Association showed a consistent and deep reluctance to select Ireland players from the south of the country. The fact that Harris overcame these factors to become a regular helps to illustrate his huge value to the Ireland team. He was also a bona fide star for Ringsend’s local football club, Shelbourne FC. Signed by Shels in 1903, he went on to set records for most appearances (36), and most goals (12) in the IFA Cup by a Shelbourne player. He was the first Shels player capped for Ireland, winning six of his Ireland caps while with the club, between 1906 and 1908, and remains the club’s most capped player. A key
GARDEN DAMES
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By Steve Kingston he Life Centre, Pearse Square, was the scene of some special transatlantic co-operation on 9th July. Students from the world famous University of Notre Dame in Indiana dropped by to give a dig out, literally, as the garden was in need of a makeover. The students were part of a special programme that allows them to come to Ireland for short stays and work in placements that are useful for their studies, For this they are required to provide time for community-based employment,
such as helping out in the Life Centre. The Centre was established in October 1996 by the Christian Brothers, with assistance from the Holy Faith Sisters. It caters for up to 10 boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 16, who have been excluded from, or have dropped out of, the mainstream school system. The garden in the centre is an ongoing project and a very useful one for the kids who attend, not only by providing a better environment for them, but also by teaching them how to tend and nurture it.
When we arrived at lunch time, the Notre Dame students had been hard at it for hours and had made huge progress digging the flower beds, planting
flowers, herbs and other plants, but also painting and generally sprucing up the outside of the building. Inside saw a hive of activity
PAGE 29 player in the Shels teams that reached four straight IFA Cup finals during that same period, he captained the side to the victory in 1906 that saw them become the first Dublin club to win the trophy. In four of those finals he displayed that famous versatility of his, playing in three different positions for the team. In 1905 and 1906 he played centre-forward, 1907 he was on the wing at outside-right and, in the last of that run in 1908, he lined out at right-half. After a successful stint in English first division football, following his transfer to Everton FC in 1908, Harris returned to Shels in 1914. He remained at the club until his retirement in 1927. During his later years, the Reds won the IFA Cup again in 1920. In 1921, the club was a founder member of the Free State League. In 1926, well past his fortieth birthday, Harris earned his final honour as a player, as Shels won the new league for the first time. On his retirement from playing in 1927, he became the manager of Shelbourne and of the Irish Free State international side. Later he would seal, beyond any shadow of doubt, his status as a Shelbourne legend when, in 1939, he guided the club to their first victory in an FAI Cup final. His first home was at Clarence Place off Macken Street, and more than a century has passed since he was born, but he is still revered locally in Dublin and beyond as a true football hero. I feel sure that after another century has passed, valiant Val Harris will still be remembered as one of the greats. Pictured: Val Harris, top row, second from right. as well. There were students placing and hanging pictures, scraping old paint on windows and then repainting them. Each one we spoke to had surprising enthusiasm and passion for what they were doing, with one summing it up neatly for the rest: “We get so much out of coming to Dublin. One of the reasons the programme is so successful is because we do things like this. It doesn’t seem right to come to a city and take so much from it without putting something meaningful back” From left: Patrick Valencia, Barbara Tyznik, Kelly Hoffman and Tatum Snyder from Notre Dame University.
PAGE 30
PARTY HARD, LIVE CLEAN
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By Rúairí Conneely he global roll-out of a new kind of start to your day has come to Dublin. Morning Gloryville is coming to the capital, a little over a year after its birth in London last May. The premise is simple, but eyebrow-raising for some. Perhaps it’s best framed as a series of questions: are you a morning person? Do you always aim to go to the gym before work but never quite summon up the motivation? Do you get to the gym only to realise you don’t want to be there? And do you enjoy dancing? If you tick all those boxes but still have the urge to make the best of your early mornings, Morning Gloryville might be what you’re looking for. Morning Gloryville is an early
morning rave. Starting at 6.30 am and going through until 10.30 am, it is pitched as an alternative to the perceived slog of cross-trainers and treadmills. Attendees can enjoy healthy early morning refreshments and services to get them warmed and ready to dance. NewsFour spoke with Morning Gloryville’s Dublin agent Ed Hurrell, a Sandymount resident, and Chris Flack, organiser and promoter, about why they think dancing at dawn is a good idea. “Morning Gloryville was created by Samantha Moyo in London last year as an alterParty Hard, Live Cleannative to the drudgery of the morning commute and the gym,” explains Flack. “It’s a kind of outgrowth of the Conscious Clubbing movement, taking the drink and drugs out of clubbing and making
HERITAGE WEEK 2014
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By Rúairí Conneely he high summer weeks always see a generous bounty of events across the country. As well as the peak of festival season, we have Heritage Week, when museums and cultural institutions across the city open their doors with free events for the public, emphasising Ireland’s unique national inheritance, and the at times littleappreciated details of our past that help make us what we are. The week dating from August 23rd to August 31st is this year’s designated Heritage Week, and there is a healthy course of Dublin 4 based events, all free of course, and many kid-friendly, for when the little ones run out of phone
credit or have to be prised away from the couch and the games controller for their own good. Firstly, on Haddington Road, at the Beggars Bush Barracks, the National Print Museum will be giving two free guided tours a day for the entire week, at 11.30am and 2.30pm. The second tour is more family-oriented, the first maybe of more interest for the adults. Booking is essential for these tours, so the museum can estimate staff and facility requirements, so call ahead. Also at the Print Museum, on the 24th of the month, is Family Fun Day, a day of workshops and demonstra-
it more about being fully alert and in the moment as you dance.” This year sees the global launch for the events, rolling out internationally. Events have taken place in New York, London, Amsterdam and Barcelona. “We’re in talks with about a hundred cities. 10 are rolling out this summer,” Flack said. Chris and Ed both attended their first event earlier this year, in London, and came away impressed and eager to be involved. How did they become involved to begin with? “Well, I was actually running a similar event, but it was an after-work event called After Worky Boogie Woogie. It was going well, with around 30 to 50 people attending a month,” said Hurrell. “Then a friend told me about Morning Gloryville; I contacted tions of the classic methods of printing. Kids might get to print up their own broadsheets, or get their faces painted. This event is for under-twelves. Be sure to say hi to Vinnie Caprani, a friend of NewsFour who’s been in printing since before digital media was a pipe dream! The National Print Museum is contactable on 01 660 3770 Still in Beggars Bush Barracks,
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 them, and ended up as their Dublin agent. I brought Chris in because he’s a friend, and I know he is very good at organising events.” The events offer smoothies and coffee and, in the interest of making sure everyone is warmed up and ready to dance, there are free massages and a Yoga corner, where instructors are on hand to help would be revellers stretch the sleep out of their limbs. All well and good, but how do you get people dancing at that hour of the morning? “We employ motivational dancers,” answered Flack. “The one we attended in London earlier in the year, in Hackney, to begin, I was standing on the sidelines tapping my foot, as you do, but the motivational dancers really help set the dance floor going.” As for the music, there’s a balance to be struck: “First thing in the morning is a bit early for hipster playlists. It’s a general kind of crowd and there needs to be a bit of a universal appeal to the music, to get people to be willing to dance. So there are classics and floor-fillers,” said Flack. “We’ve had good feedback from DJs though. Rob Da Bank (UK DJ known for his dancefloor mixes and BBC radio show) loved it. He liked that no one was high or drunk, so he could really see how people were reacting to his set-list. He told us he was using it to test out new mixes.” Sobriety and alertness is a big part of the intention behind the Morning Gloryville events. They’re intended to be mid-week, to reduce the odds of people turning up who have been out all night and are a bit worse for the wear. There’s
no VIP list either; everyone turns up the same. Will it catch on though, one has to wonder. Everyone involved hopes so. The simultaneous international rollout is part of that hope, large-scale and everywhere it can be at once. “The hope is that people will bring their colleagues from work, that it will spread that way,” said Hurrell. “The idea is that people turn up for their job energised and inspired. It could be good for team-building, or for people in creative lines of work.” The July event will have been and gone by the time NewsFour readers see this article but the morning raves will be a monthly occurrence. See Morning Gloryville Dublin on Facebook for local updates, and check out www.morninggloryville.com
on the 31st of August, a 1916 Walking Tour will be held, focusing on the Barracks connection to the Easter Rising and, particularly, the Battle of Mount Street Bridge. On the 27th and again on the 29th, starting from Mespil Road at 11am, Grand Canal walks will be conducted. Attendees will be given a tour of the five locks and five bridges, ending at Grand Canal Dock. A €3 donation is requested, no booking required. Two library events of interest: on the 27th from 6.30pm at Ringsend Library, a slideshow presentation of old images of Ringsend and adjacent areas, such as Sandymount and Irishtown, will be given by Brian Siggins of the Old Dublin Society. Again, booking is required.
At the Pembroke Library on the 26th, actor Conor Doyle will be leading a trip down memory lane. In association with the Irish Theatre Archive and the Dublin City Archive, this will be a remembrance and celebration of Dublin’s Theatre Royal, and of course, booking is essential. Lastly, for the immediate D4 area, in St John’s Church, Sandymount on the 28th through to the 31st from 10am (12am on the 31st, a singular exception), there will be a celebration of music from the newly-restored church organ, and also a remembrance of the centenary of the beginning of World War 1. Be sure to get out and enjoy the week, there’ll be events all over the city. See www.heritageweek. ie for more information and contact details.
Pictured: Early morning revellers at a recent Harcourt Street event. Photos courtesy of Andrew Miller.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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By Rúairí Conneely ituated on the Shelbourne Road is Charles Hulgraine’s Ballsbridge Gallery, a contemporary arts space that opened in 2013. Hulgraine is a very easy and open interview subject, happy to share the fruits of a lifetime love affair with the arts. He is a painter, print maker, draughtsman and collagist. A Ballsbridge resident since childhood, he attended school on Haddington Road. For most of his career, he worked as an architect, having graduated from DIT. He also holds a qualification in Art and Design from the National College of Art and Design Ireland. “I decided to become a full time artist about three years ago,” he explains, “but I always loved painting and have always painted. Being an architect meant I would always have to draw anyway.” The influence of his former profession is evident in his work. Charles paints landscapes and landmarks with considerable compositional rigour but also in the spirit of play and emotional evocation: his pictures have a deliberate haziness to them, an impressionistic quality, as though a momentary glimpse or misperception of a scene has been frozen for the viewer’s contemplation, warts and all. “For me, drawing is the basis of all art. Drawing is less au fait with the contemporary arts world, but it has to be the basis, really. You can develop the idea
ARTIST IN PROFILE: CHARLES HULGRAINE
from there.” We wanted to know why he works in so many different artistic media? “Well, as I say, I always start with the drawing but then I may want to follow the idea and that might require taking it into a different medium. I might decide an idea would work best in oils. Lately I’ve been working a lot in pastels; I’m finding myself very
comfortable there. I’ve taken inspiration from Degas; he was great for working in pastels. He’s regarded as a painter, but they’re drawings really, I think.” This leads us onto the inevitable discussion of artistic influences, something every artist is asked, or expects to be asked, and is maybe the reason some of them stop doing press inter-
views. Charles is forthcoming however. “In the late sixties, ’69 or ’68 I think, I went to the ROSC exhibition, which was one of the first major exhibitions of modern international art in Ireland, and that was a real landmark for me. Before that, Ireland was maybe more insular, or so it seemed to me, so it was a big thing to see what
PAGE 31 was going on elsewhere in the world. I remember that was the first time I saw the work of people like Sidney Nolan, the Australian artist. It changed things for me, that exhibition.” In discussing influences further, Charles explains that he is very inspired by contemporary music. “I love the Chemical Brothers and Arcade Fire. I take ideas from lyrics and the poetry of them. I also am chief co-ordinator at the James Joyce Centre in Sandycove, so Joyce and Beckett, their words are a source of ideas. I like David Bowie a lot too. A woman in the gallery recently spotted one of my paintings and knew it was a Bowie song, from his most recent album. ‘You should tell him’ she said to me. It turns out she knows him, and advised me to reach out, that he would probably appreciate the work,” A mind boggling prospect for any fan! Does Hulgraine sit around waiting for the muse to descend or is he busy and organised? “I draw or paint something every day. Because of my former job, I’m organised, I’m a planner.” Charles also tells us that he hopes at some stage to introduce other artists’ work to the gallery. “Setting the gallery up was a big task. It’s no simple thing to frame and hang 40 paintings, believe it or not. I do intend to diversify though.” Pictured: Charles stands next to his painting titled Ringsend.
YEATS’S BIG DAY ON SANDYMOUNT GREEN
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By Steve Kingston andymount Green came alive on 15th June with birthday celebrations for William Butler Yeats, who would have been 149 on the day. Anthony Jordan, who was Principal of the Enable Ireland School for many years, was the driving force behind the celebrations. For 15 years, he used to bring his pupils down to Sandymount Green on Yeats’s birthday to read poetry, and brought Yeats’s work into the classroom whenever he could. “When I’d need to cover for a teacher I’d invariably bring a book of Yeats’s work (one that his wife bought him in 1969 and he still has to this day) in with me,” he told NewsFour. Four years ago, Dublin City Council was looking for community development ideas. He approached them, alongside
SAMRA (Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association) with the idea of celebrating Yeats; they agreed, and it’s been going from strength to strength every year since. Jordan, who has written and published three biographies about Yeats, went on to tell us, “My main attitude to it is that it’s a non-celebrity thing; it’s
for us ordinary local people and it’s them who we invite to get up and read. We ask people to either read, recite or sing.” A solid hour and a half of Yeats’s masterful words later, and after the 20 or so scheduled readers were finished, Anthony called to the crowd to see if anyone else wanted to add anything.
He had a volunteer straight away, who read his selected piece with great skill and aplomb. Other special entertainment came from the 6th class of St Matthew’s School, who were conducted expertly by Jessica Rothwell, and a beautiful harp recital by Deirdre Seaver. Special mention has to be giv-
en to a man whose name keeps coming up around local Sandymount events: Joe McCarthy, a behind-the-scenes hero whom Jordan considers as his partner in the Yeats celebrations. McCarthy supplied and set up all the PA equipment and shelters for this and many other SAMRA events, three of which were held over that weekend. He and his partner Valerie even read a poem on the day. Keep the day free next year, as it will be a very special occasion. The celebrations will be the biggest yet, as it will be Yeats’s 150th birthday, and Jordan is planning a theme for the day, one that focuses on the love triangle between Yeats, Maud Gonne and Major John McBride.
Pictured: Joe Mc Carthy reads from Yeats surrounded by pupils from St Matthew’s School.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
TALL SHIPS RETURN TO DUBLIN T
By Craig Kinsella hree tall ships with over a hundred young trainees berthed in Dublin Port on the morning of Friday 30th May to help kickstart the weekend’s river festival. The flotilla was escorted up the River Liffey by the Irish Naval Services yacht LE Creidne and featured trainees from both north and south of the border, aged between 16 and 30 years old. The arrival of the tall ships is a project run by Sail Training Ireland, which aims to increase the number of tall ship voyages to and from Ireland. The vessels, named the Gulden Leeuw, the Morgenster and Pelican of London, sailed from Belfast to Dublin, where the ships were berthed at North Wall Quay above the East Link Bridge. To commemorate the occasion, Sail Training Ireland hosted a social gathering aboard the Dutch ship, Gulden Leeuw. The evening itself featured a presentation by the many young trainees currently away at sea, who described in detail the trials and tribulations that go in tandem with life aboard a tall ship. They extolled the virtues of teamwork in their speeches and described how they have formed friendships due to the wonderful teamwork that exists aboard these vessels in the
expose the general public to life aboard a tall ship at a competitive price”, which was €25 on the day, rather than the usual price of €100. Speaking to NewsFour at the event, Michael Byrne said that he has been in contact with Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre about potentially expanding the project within the Dublin 4 coastal area, as part of a wider strategy developed by Sail Training Ireland. “What I do is, I get funding in and then I make it available for youth organisations and I nominate a young person to get involved,” Byrne said. NewsFour also spoke to Conor
open waters. The evening also provided an opportunity for guests to tour the ship, with information available to those who are interested in becoming future trainees. The social gathering also featured refreshments and music, with some songs being performed by a colourful cast of characters known as the Brotherhood of
Zebo, a pirate fraternity formed on Liverpool’s Albert Docks. Sail Training Ireland manager Michael Byrne was optimistic about the success of the gathering and of the overall project. He said that young trainees were “coming from literally every corner of Ireland,” and went on to say that the gathering was “an excellent way to
BEGIN A CHARITY AT HOME
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By Steve Kingston t’s well known that charities everywhere are feeling the squeeze, with many people who would have given regularly having to cut back on what they can afford to give. This leaves a lot of people wishing they could do more. Well, it’s probably a lot easier than you might think to do something that will make a real difference. Arran Henderson of Ballsbridge was one such person who found his belt being tightened. He decided to use the resources he had to raise money rather than just donate it. Henderson runs a walking tour of Dublin called Dublin Decoded, and he used this as a platform to fundraise for Focus Ireland. He chose the charity after noticing a marked increase
in people sleeping rough around the city. “I walk for a living and when I’m not doing the tours I’m out researching or taking photographs all around Dublin,” he tells NewsFour. “The rise in homelessness is heart-breaking and impossible to miss; there are whole families who are homeless in Dublin city.” The tours Henderson runs are historical in nature and he raised hundreds for Focus by staging three walks especially for the charity; an ancient and Viking tour, a walk around the walls, gates and watchtowers of old Dublin, and a World War One history tour. He plans to run many more charity events, and if you’d like to learn about the hidden history of our city while
and Suzanne from Sail Training Ireland, who operate a yacht called 2041. The 2041 is based in Poolbeg Marina in Ringsend, and Conor and Suzanne take people out sail training in the bay. The Dublin Port Company pay for their berthing down in Ringsend, although they were initially meant to be based down by the Samuel Beckett Bridge. The tall ships, working with the Sail Ireland training programme, remained open to the public for the three days of the Dublin Port river festival. Further details on upcoming Sail Training Ireland events and memberships can be found online at info@irishsailtraining.com
helping a worthy cause, check the Dublin Decoded website for details. Another person who got busy to help the charities he cares for is Anthony O’Keefe. He and Aide Clark hosted a pub quiz and a separate musical event in
aid of charities they supported. Of setting these up, O’Keefe says, “It was quite straightforward; the venues we got for free because we were bringing in business. We needed prizes for the quiz and raffle, so we just approached everyone we knew and
asked them to help; we got great ones this way. The Football Association of Ireland gave us two tickets to the Ireland vs England friendly in Geneva.” As for actually making the approaches, he says, “All you have to do is ask. The worst someone can say is no, so it’s worth a shot.” The musical event was also very little hassle for such a great reward. “Aide knew well known Irish band The Pale, and another friend knew a singer called Cat Dowling; we just asked them and they said yes. Again the venue was free, and we sent the shout out to all our friends via Facebook and word of mouth; we charged €10 on the door and raised hundreds,” O’Keefe says. The message from everyone NewsFour spoke to was that if you can’t give money, give a little bit of your time. Pictured: The Pale, who performed at one such event.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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By Liam Cahill ean O’Rourke, host of Today on RTE Radio 1, joined me for a coffee in his Donnybrook RTE studio. There have been tons of media attention around his appointment in the morning slot formerly held by Pat Kenny, but he’s had “heaps of goodwill,” Sean says as we discuss his interview with Hillary Clinton, his time as political correspondent at the Irish Press and why the Indo got it all wrong about a supposed bustup between him and Donald Trump. LC: Tell me about your work with the Irish Press? SOR: The Irish press was a really interesting period in my life. First of all, I worked for the Sunday Press for two years, as a sports journalist, and then I was the features writer for another two. I left the Irish press to work in RTÉ briefly and I went back as political correspondent in 1984 and did that for five years. That was very interesting because all I was interested in was current affairs and it was the absolute dream job. Looking back, I was probably too young for it. It was a very exciting time in Irish politics, just coming off the period when we had three elections in 18 months; there was that ferrous rivalry between Charles Haughey and Gareth Fitzgerald, the exchanges were pretty heavy. LC: What were some of the most interesting stories you worked on while there? SOR: Northern Ireland was important and then the stories of the day, like getting the first few chapters of the New Ireland Report (the prelude to the Good Friday Agreement) and going to all those summits between Fitzgerald and Thatcher. Some of the stuff hasn’t changed at all – like budget and deficits – it was news if the British Prime Minster and the Taoiseach spoke on the phone. One of the things that hasn’t been acknowledged enough is that politics was made to work, and Ireland is better than it was. LC: The 1977 general election, where Fianna Fáil won a majority, you cited as a reason why you got into political reporting. SOR: It was just one of these really dramatic elections and it confirmed that I wanted to work in politics or cover politics. It was assumed the out-going coalition government would be returned to power, and they were just swept out of office and Fianna Fáil got
OUT FOR COFFEE WITH SEAN O’ROURKE
a majority, far better than what was good for them, because it had caused trouble in the party. It’s just one of those spheres of activity where you say “anything can happen”. LC: You moved into RTÉ in 1989? SOR: I left the Irish Press to go to RTÉ, thinking politics is going to be dull. Literally within a month, the government had fallen and there was an election. I had a number of great years in the This Week programme and
then I did Morning Ireland and (was) Editor of News at One. LC: Was News at One challenging? SOR: Yes, because I always considered it one of the great news junctions of the day. It’s not like people turn on to hear me, they turn on to get the service that RTÉ provide in politics, industrial relations, courts or whatever. We have the resources to be fairly comprehensive in what we do. It’s great to be at the centre of that.
LC: What was the toughest interview while you were at News at One? SOR: I always found David Trimble, not that he was difficult to interview, he’s just someone you had to be very careful with, because he’s a lawyer. And if you got a phrase wrong in the Good Friday Agreement, he’d pick you up. So, I would never interview Trimble without having a copy of it on the table. LC: The most enjoyable interviews that you had?
PAGE 33 SOR: Actually, I’ve had a lot of enjoyable interviews in this new show. I enjoy interviewing sports people, I enjoy interviewing writers and if you get an artist performing on the show it’s just such a privilege. I had a good conversation with Hillary Clinton last week. LC: What was it like to interview Hillary Clinton? SOR: The way I put it afterwards is she weaved her way through the interview and nobody is going to trip her up. She’s as tough as nails, she’s very smart, you’re talking about somebody who could very well be the next President of the United States; you don’t often get to talk to somebody like that. LC: Did Donald Trump really reprimand you over the hair quip? SOR: They (The Independent, who reported that O’Rourke and Trump got into a heated exchange due to an on-air interview) had it completely wrong. We had an exchange and it wasn’t unfriendly; it wasn’t the hair thing, he just thought I was a bit assertive with him, but actually we met and he said he didn’t think it was that nice, but he didn’t reprimand me LC: Finally, what was it like to take over from Pat Kenny? SOR: It was initially quite tense; I kind of compare it to the circus meets the warzone because there was such an amount of controversy about it. It was great because radio as a medium was at the forefront of the public eye. I’ve had nothing but goodwill; I really enjoy doing the job and the tension has given away to enjoyment.
This year’s batch of pupils celebrate graduating from Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre crèche.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
HOME SWEET HOMEBEAT
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By Steve Kingston ewsFour attended a musical event recently that was something very special, and unusual. It took place in a private house on Lad Lane, just off Baggot St. The tickets were free and the two acts that played were exceptionally good new Irish talents. The crowd were having a great time and we felt like we’d just stumbled on a house full of old friends. This was HomeBeat; they were based in the Mabos Lounge in Grand Canal Dock (the building is being developed into offices and has now closed) and have so far staged over 20 of the events since they started up two and a half years ago. We caught up with Emmet Condon of HomeBeat to find out how it started and where it’s going. Condon left college and travelled extensively before coming back to Dublin and wondered what to do. “When I came back it seemed like the music scene in Dublin was all about big business and established acts; if you weren’t connected, you didn’t get to play. Venues just weren’t booking or looking for new bands; if you weren’t big you were nothing,” he told NewsFour. Condon pursued other careers but started to notice a burgeon-
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ing creative scene in the city, one that was largely driven by the economic crash, with people having to get out and make things happen for themselves. He found small venues popping up around the city, making the live music scene more exciting than it had been in years. Then in 2009, he and a group of friends travelled to Caherdaniel in County Kerry on the October bank holiday weekend. “We rented a room upstairs in a pub and had our own festival. It’s now a successful annual event called Fading Light; we take over the whole village”. This further reinforced his belief that if you want something
done do it yourself. Of the beginnings of HomeBeat, he says, “We never planned out HomeBeat; we lived in a real party house so we thought why not just stage our own gigs? It’s snowballed ever since.” As for promoting the events, Condon says they’ve never had to, “It grew through friends, and friends of friends, and spread out like that”. The obvious questions are how do people behave, and do things in the chosen home get broken or stolen? “Very well” and “they don’t” are the straight answers. “We’ve never had any problems with people misbehaving; because the event is free and in someone’s house, it seems to
make everyone respect it more.” Shauna Gillan answered a last minute SOS call from HomeBeat and hosted an event in her apartment. “I didn’t know them from Adam. I saw something a friend had liked on Facebook about them looking for a house, and thought ‘why not?’ A few hours later they showed up in a van with speakers, lights, candles and everything they needed; it only took 20 minutes to set up,” she told NewsFour. “They put a little sign on the door and at eight o’clock people started arriving with bottles of wine and other booze. They were all so nice and grateful to me for doing it; I made a lot of new friends.”
RINGSEND REMEMBERS LOCAL SOLDIER
By Steve Kingston th August sees the 100th anniversary of the death of Joseph Pierce Murphy, one of 20 or so young men from Ringsend killed during World War One. One of the things that makes Ringsend special is the way many of the families who live there have done so for generations; one such clan stems from Joseph and his brothers, and about a quarter of the people of Ringsend are related to them, with some showing a marked physical resemblance to Joseph. The four brothers came to the area from Wexford in 1850; they all had a small number of favoured first names and this is true even today, the unusual spelling of Pierce being one of them.
There are other memorials to fallen seamen in the area but none to those who died in the First World War. Newspaper Columnist Kevin Myers, who will be speaking on the day and who has a particular interest in the First World War, discovered during the course of his research that many men from Ringsend had fought and died during the conflict. Murphy was on the first ship sunk in combat, so was of particular interest, and Myers found that many relatives of Murphy were in existence in the area. He and Father Ivan Tonge of St Patrick’s Church in Ringsend first discussed the idea for the memorial, then Richie Saunders and John Hawkins of St Patrick’s rowing club stepped in to make it happen. They were helped by
Barry Saunders, who did all the necessary welding work, but also by Pat Orr, John Doyle and Gerrard McDonnell. Murphy joined the Royal Navy at 16 and was killed in action on
HMS Amphion at age 25. “His ship hit a mine, which destroyed everything from the bridge onwards,” Richie Saunders tells NewsFour. “The Captain survived but was unconscious and
When asked if she’d recommend others to give HomeBeat a try, Gillan replied, “Absolutely! It was no hassle; there was very little cleaning up and everyone had a great time.” Of the unique atmosphere, Condon said, “If you’re sitting in a strange person’s house it can be a little awkward at first but everyone relaxes quickly. When you’re in a setting like that it’s much easier to talk to those you don’t know, unlike a pub or club where it’s all a bit forced.” Of the future, Condon said, “We’re trying to keep the heart of it intact; the house events will stay as they are but it’s gone from being just a project to almost a fulltime job. Obviously, money has to come into it somewhere. We’re never going to stage big acts in the O2, so the plan at the moment is to find a middle ground. We had an event in Whelan’s of Wexford St and it was exactly the same as the house ones; people came, sat and chatted but then actually listened to the music, because that’s what they were there for. It was great to see the atmosphere from the house gigs transfer to one in a pub. When you see people behaving in a pub as they would in someone’s house it’s really special.” If you want to keep up to date with HomeBeat you can follow them on Facebook by searching for HomeBeat. the ship continued on at some 20 knots before the Captain came to and tried to bring it to a stop. Survivors were rescued, but then they hit another mine and the ship sank. They lost a third of the crew including Murphy.” Another important event to honour and remember local seamen will take place on August 4th in Pearse St Library. Ringsend Seamen in the Great War Period is being staged by David Snook of Irish Mariners (www. irishmariners.ie) and will feature copies of 1918 identity cards with photos of 70 Ringsend and Irishtown merchant seamen. The exhibition runs until the end of August. As well as the unveiling, there will be a special oar salute by members of St Patrick’s and Stella Maris rowing clubs on the Dodder. Pictured: Richard Saunders, Chairman of St Patrick’s Rowing Club and John Hawkins stand next to the memorial anchor donated to St Patrick’s church.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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SUGAR – THE NEW HIGH
By Nicky Flood e are a society of sugar addicts, let’s face it. The very essence of marketing drives us to consume sugar and the act of consuming sugar drives us to consume more. Sugar is one of the most heavily marketed products out there, especially towards children, who are exposed to a startling 40,000 television adverts every year. Sugar is added to a surprising number of foods as it boosts flavour, is a great preservative, serves as a bulking agent, balances the acidity of food and above all, it is very cheap. Sugar in itself is incredibly addictive and this can be triggered by various scenarios – hunger, low blood sugar, stress, mood, certain places and of course the smell and sight of the food itself. Our taste buds have slowly become skewed by the food industry to favour sweet or salty while bitter and sour are now virtually redundant. But is it is as simple as all that? Scientists have found that sugar is one of the few foods that activates the ‘reward system’ in the brain – the same neural pathway as drug and alcohol addiction. According to a recent research study, refined sugar is far more addictive than cocaine – one of the most addictive and harmful substances currently known. An astonishing 94% of rats
who were allowed to choose between sugar water and cocaine, chose sugar. Even rats who were addicted to cocaine quickly switched their preference to sugar, once it was offered as a choice. The rats were also more willing to work for sugar than for cocaine. The researchers speculate that the sweet taste buds, which evolved slowly in ancestral times when the diet was very low in sugar, have not adapted to modern times – high-sugar consumption. Therefore, the abnormally high stimulation of these receptors by our sugar-rich diets generates excessive reward signals in the brain, which have the potential to override normal self-control mechanisms, and thus lead to addictions and over-eating. Studies also show
that children who consume a lot of sugar in childhood are predisposed to addictive tendencies later in life. To label sugar as a natural product intimating that it is healthy is dangerous. It is not natural to take a substance from a plant, process it to such an extent that it is unrecognisable and then consume it. Is it just the same as processing poppies into heroine and saying it is good for you because it comes from a plant? Because we are so used to sugar as an everyday substance, we assume it is safe, when we are now discovering it is responsible for the ill-health of millions of people. I suspect in the not too distant future it shall be following the demise of genetically modified foods and trans fats. Focus on feeding your reward system with tangible sources – exercise, music, an amazing sunset, a meaningful moment with your family, your dog licking your face – all of these are scientifically proven to trigger the same receptors in this system as sugar does, so start thinking about getting yourself a more natural high! Nicky is a Naturopathic Nutritionist practising in Dublin. She writes, speaks and advises nationwide on all aspects of health, nutrition and wellbeing. Check www.nickyflood. com for further info, upcoming courses and workshops.
WIN A FUNNY FEST FAMILY TICKET
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his month, NewsFour has a great competition for its readers: a Family Ticket to the FunnyFest Stand Up comedy gigs in the Ark in Temple Bar! Each of the gigs features three comedians delivering family-friendly gags for everyone from the age of six, on the 23rd and 24th of August. They are part of the Ark’s children’s comedy season, which has been running since the 5th of July.
Some of Ireland’s best comedic talents feature on the bill, such as Kevin Gildea (who starred as Father Cave in the Flight Into Terror episode of Father Ted), Sharon Mannion, and comedy troupe Foil, Arms and Hog to name but a few. The ticket covers four people, including at least one adult, and would normally be worth €40. The lineup for the 23rd has Marcus O’Laoire, Sharon Mannion and Paul Tylak, with the 24th featuring Andrew Stanley, Totally Wired and Joe Rooney. To win, all you have to do is answer the following question: What was the name of the character played by Kevin Gildea in Father Ted? Mail or hand in your answer to NewsFour, 13A Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 before the 18th of August. You can also get it to us by sending a message to the NewsFour Facebook page.
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Name:…………………………… Telephone:………………… Address:………………………………………………………… Prize of a €25 book token. Post entries to NewsFour, 13A Fitzwilliam St, Ringsend, Dublin 4 (Above Clynes Butchers), by 10th September 2014. Winner of our June/July crossword competition was Claire Lambert from Simmonscourt. ACROSS 1) Upped-sticks (like NewsFour did recently) (9) 6) This cup was all the rage during June and July (5) 9) Shatter, recently resigned minister (4) 11) Painful toenail or hair (7) 12) Ms Ryan was sleepless in Seattle (3) 13) Noise (3) 14) Messer/Idler (6) 17) Symbolic rectangular pieces of cloth (5) 18) Mineral deposits (4) 19) Persistently persuade someone (4) 20) Exist (2) 21) Japanese wheat noodles (5) 22) Causes for complaint (10) 28) With a heavy heart (5) 29) Les _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, Victor Hugo’s famous book (10) 31) Odes (5) 32) Chunks, chicken or gold (7) 34) Ms Blyton, Noddy’s creator (4) 35) Lengthen (8) 36) Rhythms (5) DOWN 1) Extra troops sent in for support (14) 2) Accessories for the lower limbs (3, 7) 3) Opting (8) 4) Food skewered and cooked in an Indian oven (8) 5) This girl might be in distress (6) 6) Income (4) 7) Atop (2) 8) Perils (8) 10) A smaller amount (4) 15) Either (2) 16) Regret (3) 20) Rolls, of steel? (4) 23) Its very hot in this oven! (8) 24) Austrian whirls or waltzes (8) 25) Everything: The whole kit and this (8) 26) This Mr was a talking horse (2) 27) Most slender (8) 30) Ovum (3) 33) Scoring one of these was the aim during 6 across (4)
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BOOK REVIEW WHOLESOME: FEED YOUR FAMILY WELL FOR LESS Reviewed by Maria Shields O’Kelly holesome: Feed Your Family Well for Less is the debut cookbook by author and food blogger Caitríona Redmond. What sets it aside from your average recipe book is the holistic and practical response to the challenges that face the modern family surviving on a limited budget. Instead of window-shopping through the expensive recipes, it is possible to apply the tips on lifestyle changes, food economy and basic budgeting to the varied menus that are featured, making them attainable. The motivation for this, and the blog, which is where the book stemmed from, arose from a reallife experience, when Redmond found herself out of a job in 2009 and needing to manage on a food budget of €70 per week to feed her family of five. The acknowledgements sec-
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014 tion of the book reads in part, “To my last employer, thank you for making me redundant. For a time I thought it was a huge disaster, but I know now that it set me on the right path.” NewsFour spoke to Redmond on the subject. “It’s the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. I loved my old job but I enjoy doing this so much that it doesn’t even feel like work,” she said. “The feedback from the blog is amazing. I update it two or three times a week. Last night I posted a recipe for meatballs and onion gravy that worked out at 90 cent a portion and the comments I got back on that were very positive. It really validates what I am doing.” In the book, Redmond talks about, “The days when I filled
my shopping trolley without a care for what it would cost when I got to the checkout.” The irony of it is that it was those days that, “took their toll on my body and my purse. Nowadays I run my
kitchen like I ran the offices I used to work in.” The tips at the beginning of the book are invaluable. She acknowledges issues of limited means, equipment and space to work in and advises to, “Change your attitude on how you run the kitchen. Do a stocktake and list incoming and outgoing items, as this makes it easier to plan meals, knowing exactly what you have in.” She considers a shopping list to be, “essential on a restricted budget. I write down the list in categories, it will make it harder to be sucked in by flashy stickers and red-marked aisle ends that may not be as good value as you think.” She also researches before going shopping and stocks up on non-perishable
FILM REVIEW THE GRAND SEDUCTION
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Reviewed By Eric Hillis he sleepy Newfoundland harbour community of Tickle Head is in a bad way. The local men, once proud fishermen, are reduced to living off welfare cheques. Town Mayor Murray (Brendan Gleeson) is desperate to convince an oil company to select Tickle Head as the location for a planned chemical recycling plant. There’s one major problem though; with no town doctor, Tickle Head is ineligible to host the plant. As luck would have it, a former Tickle Head resident, now an airport security officer, convinces plastic surgeon Paul (Taylor Kitsch) to serve a month as town doctor in return for keeping quiet about the cocaine found in his luggage. Murray rallies the townsfolk in an attempt to win over Paul enough to convince him to become Tickle Head’s resident doctor. The town’s seduction tech-
nique involves a considerable amount of deceit, however, from bugging Paul’s phone for intimate details of his likes and dislikes to feigning a love of his favourite sport, cricket. This English language Canadian film is a remake of a 2003 French-Canadian film, La Grande Séduction, but the plot
of both movies owes a lot to the 1991 comedy Doc Hollywood, in which Michael J Fox’s plastic surgeon found himself reluctantly manning a rural community’s clinic as community service punishment. But it’s with 1983’s Local Hero that The Grand Seduction will draw most comparisons. That
film’s template – cynical big-city hotshot grows to love the rural community he was initially dismissive of – has been reworked several times over the years, as recently as last year’s Promised Land, which saw Matt Damon attempting to sell a small farming community on the idea of gas fracking in their locale.
items when they are on special offer. It is an empowering book in many ways. Redmond’s openness about her own challenges resonates with many who would find themselves in similar circumstances but unable to talk about it. Dealing with redundancy and unemployment leaves a psychological scar and taking back control of any aspect of your life helps with the healing process. Protection and provision for the family are qualities that can feel threatened with restricted means but this book shows how that can still be achieved. Redmond’s view is that, “If you talk to people and are open about yourself, people talk back.” Packed with templates and tips as well as recipes, the book is a story of optimism that was born out of darkness, an uplifting look at what positive thinking can achieve. Redmond says she started the blog as a way of expressing herself and that if it helps one person it has been worthwhile. She recommends checking out the blog, wholesomeireland.com, first. The book is available from all good bookstores, retailing at around €15. The Grand Seduction reverses Promised Land’s dynamic. The townsfolk of Tickle Head are the ones who are desperate to welcome a dubious giant corporation into their community. “What does the factory make?” a cynical local asks Murray. “Jobs!” is his bluntly honest reply. It’s rare to see a film acknowledge that, especially in these tough times, what’s most important to the majority is having a job, regardless of how dubious that occupation might be. Murray and his cohorts even go so far as swindling a bank out of $100,000, which they use to bribe a crooked oil executive. This cynicism sits uncomfortably with the film’s general airy good nature, and leaves the movie ending on something that feels a lot more of a downer than the cheery voiceover would like us to believe. The Grand Seduction ultimately comes up lacking in the originality department, but it has a breezy charm that makes it hard to dislike, and Gleeson is outstanding as a man who, in his words, “just wants to go to bed tired again.” Pictured: Brendan Gleeson and Taylor Kitsch in The Grand Seduction.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
A SEASON OF SPLENDOUR
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By James O’Doherty od writes the gospel not in the Bible alone but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars” (Martin Luther King) Gospel means good news, and if there is a season of good news in the garden it is to my mind the summer season. We are well into the Summer Epoch, the great months of blossoms and ripening fruit. The longest day has passed but each month has its own special charm and August and September are no different. The days remain pleasantly warm and it is a time to enjoy rich beautiful flora, colour, fragrance and plants bursting with life. It is a good time to be a gardener – gardens are enhanced with gladioli, geraniums, petunias – all competing with late-flowering trees and shrubs, the lovely lace cap hydrangeas, ceanothus, hibiscus with its lovely blue flowers, the butterfly bush (buddleia davidii) attracting butterflies with its pale lavender flowers. It is really a season of colour. So what tasks are busy gardeners up to during these months? Remember attention to detail will keep your garden fresh and interesting. Prune summer flowering shrubs as soon as they have finished flowering, as this will encourage new shoots. Divide and replant iris. Prune rambling roses and continue to dead roses and flowers in beds to ensure continual flowering.
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By Craig Kinsella rain-soaked night of almost biblical proportions could not dampen the spirits of revellers at St. Mary’s Church’s annual barbecue. The Haddington Road church’s BBQ took place on July 10th in the Lansdowne Hotel on Baggot Street. Local punters braved the torrential conditions to enjoy an evening of quality food and entertainment featuring live music, an auction and a raffle. The barbecue has been running for several years now and is an entirely community-based enterprise irrespective of the Christian faith of the church itself. St Mary’s parish is a district encompassing around 3,000 homes and the primary goal of the barbecue is to bring people from the surrounding areas together.
Mow your lawn frequently at this time of year. September is the best month for sowing grass seed or laying turf. Continue to water and feed all hanging baskets, window boxes and containers with a tomato fertiliser. Sow hardy annual flowers like calendula, cosmos, sweet pea in the open ground in a sheltered spot and they will flower early next year. It’s also time to plant or replant the beautiful Madonna Lily (L Candidum) a plant idolised by ancient Greece. It is universally recognised as a symbol of peace
and all that is good in life. The Madonna is the oldest of all the lilies, it likes a warm sunny position in well drained soil, do not plant it too deeply – two inches is enough. It is also time to plant autumn flowering bulbs – crocus and colchicums. Once flowering is over, lavender can be clipped back, but be careful not to cut into the older wood. A lavender hedge looks well in paved areas of stone or brick. For a dwarf hedge, plant lavender Munstead. In the vegetable garden, foresight and good management
are very important. Stop outdoor tomatoes when they have produced four trusses of fruit to help ripen them. Sow some spinach and keep hoeing between the rows. Begin successful sowings of spring cabbage and sow turnips and Japanese onion sets. Sow white Lisbon onions and lettuce. Now is the time to cut back your raspberries and plant strawberry runners for next year. Plant narcissi of all kinds during September and do not plant tulips until November. September is also the ideal month to plant ev-
ST MARY’S ANNUAL BBQ
Meagher’s Pharmacy of Baggot Street were the chief sponsors of the event and were responsible for ticket sales. Reverend Michael Collins, curate of St Mary’s, spoke to NewsFour about the barbecue and its place within a wider community outreach strategy,
which is largely aimed at many of the more elderly members of the local area. “There are two aims here: one is to get the community together, as well as to create a trickle down effect,” Reverend Collins states. “Secondly, it brings in funds, which can be used
throughout the year. We have something called the St. Mary’s Friendship Club, which is principally for elderly people so they can come up every fortnight on a Monday afternoon. We have a set of activities whuch elderly people can come to; poetry, music, exercises and the like.”
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ergreen shrubs and trees, perennials and biennials. Turn your attention to the final hedge clipping at this time also. You may recall that last year environmentalists asked the EU to limit the use of a group of chemicals called neomicotinoids to protect the bees. Unfortunately, the problem continues and the bee population is beset with disease and parasites. We can do our bit in this fight to protect our bees. Widespread use of pesticides is not a good idea so limit your use of these. And plant more flowers – we need them, so do the bees Planting a few beefriendly plants in your garden will go towards increasing the bee population in your neighbourhood. Providing nectar-loving plants for as long as possible will go some way towards addressing this problem. Remember, the economic value of pollinating insects cannot be underestimated. So a few plants you can try include lavender, clover, buddlia, calendula, cosmos, viburnum, sweet peas and roses. Harvest season beckons, so as we continue to enjoy the splendour of summer, keep your gardening eye on all around you and ready your garden for what lies ahead. “Summer afternoon.” To me these have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. (Henry James) I hope you get to enjoy many summer afternoons. The church has a strong relationship with the Lansdowne Hotel, who provided the space for the BBQ free of charge. Reverend Collins said that in spite of the scare provided by the weather, the evening itself had been a success. “They’ll go home and talk about it tomorrow and they’ll have a great evening. The barbecue is very reasonable, its 20 quid with a lovely meal. Kids come free and people are very happy to support.” St Mary’s Church was built in 1836 and celebrates its anniversary in November. Reverend Collins states that there is a great sense of loyalty in the area to St Mary’s, and he is thankful to all church volunteers, from Meagher’s Pharmacy to the schools in the parish, for their efforts, including the barbecue and throughout the year.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
CLANNA GAEL FLIES THE FLAG
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By Felix O’Regan mong the many highlights of recent activity was the club’s proud hosting of Féile na nGael. Club employees, officials, parents and supporters rallied together to facilitate a
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By David Nolan ’d like to begin our update by quickly reflecting on the 2013/14 season, which finished up in early June for the club. Our final match took place on Friday June 6th at Richmond Park in Inchicore, where CY’s senior side faced League of Ireland champions and namesake St Patrick’s Athletic in the 2nd round of the FAI Senior cup. The game ended 3-0 to the hosts, with the pick of goals coming from former Irish international Keith Fahey, who scored a fantastic second half goal to put Liam Buckley’s side in command. It was a strong performance from CY in front of an attendance of around 800 spectators. Our senior team ended a tough league campaign in sixth place, a fantastic achievement considering we spent most of the season staring relegation in the face. Two semi-final appearances in both the Intermediate and Metropolitan cups topped off what was a solid season in the end. Unfortunately our Saturday side were relegated from the top division and will now compete in Major 1 Saturday next
wonderful U-14 hurling tournament, doing so with great efficiency and even greater hospitality – as acknowledged by the hundreds of guests who were provided with free food and refreshments and plenty of glorious sunshine for good
measure! And to match that, the Clanns U-14s produced some thrilling displays in notching up three straight wins before eventually losing out narrowly in the semi final – and that after extra time. The Club’s annual Beach Run has become an established feature of the area’s sporting and community calendar. The inclement weather wasn’t enough to deter some 350 runners of all ages from partaking in this year’s event, which is organised to raise funds for the club’s activities – with welcome support from KBC Bank and Fyffes. Clanns’ own Col-
lie Reynolds came in fourth in the 5km run in a time of 20.40, which was not far off the winning time of 19.27. Finally, many of our underage girls have also been proudly ‘flying the flag’ – for club and county. The U-8s have embarked on their first competitive games and their combination of skill and determination has served them very well. Meanwhile, in addition to playing for the club, Niamh Shaw and Maria O’Dea have been busy helping the Dublin U-14 ladies football team win the Leinster title; while Orla Flanagan has also featured with the Dubs in the National U-14 Blitz. Clanna Gael Fontenoy is generously sponsored by Dublin Port Company.
ST PATRICK’S CYFC UPDATE
season. So on to the future; pre-season began on July 3rd and will continue apace until the new campaign for both sides reconvenes in mid-August. In the meantime, the club will embark on a thorough series of friendly matches, while also competing in the Noel Fox tournament, which takes place in late July.
The Y will be hoping to add to its record haul of wins in this great competition; as always new players are more than welcome. We would encourage all players from our catchment area to play at the highest level in the amateur game, which St Patrick’s CY provide, plying our trade in the top Intermediate division.
As always, we continue to drive the club forward with promotional events while looking for new ways to keep the club’s much-needed financing strong. We recently held our annual golf classic at Millicent in Clane; the event was a great success with 40 participants, who helped raise much-needed funds for the club. A big thank
Left: Assisted by Donal Byrne (left) and Shane Gallagher (right), Shay Connolly proudly carries the tricolour in the piperled parade of competing teams that preceded the tournament. Below: Crossing the finishing line together in the 1km junior run.
you to all who took part and congratulations to the winning team of Ed Saul, Paul Flood, Paul Andrews and Stewart O’Connor (pictured). We would also like to take this opportunity to announce our new partnership with The Irishtown House. The club previously spent the best part of 20 years with this well-known watering hole and we are delighted to return for the coming season and beyond! This means we end our relationship with The Shipwright, and would like to sincerely thank Peter and the gang for some great times over the past three years. Finally, we end with the terrible news of the recent passing of former player Paul Behan. Paul played for CY’s league winning DDSL under 18 side back in 2006 and went on to play for the club’s first team. Paul had battled illness bravely and with great dignity over the past 18 months and he is a devastating loss to his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with his father John and family, along with his extended family and friends who gave him a fitting send off, may he rest in peace.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014
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RAILWAY UNION RUGBY
Where are you playing rugby next season?
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By Kirstin Smith ailway Union RFC is recruiting players across all teams and is looking for ambitious players who can add to the club on and off the field. We have teams to cater for all abilities and fitness levels, with the ability to progress as you get better. Regardless of what team you play on in Railway, you will be valued and involved – we truly operate as ‘one club’ and you will be part of a club, not a team. We have an excellent coaching team and all our head coaches are IRB/IRFU Level 2 qualified, whilst all coaches have a minimum IRB/IRFU Level 1 qualification. The coaching team is young and
RAILWAY UNION SPORTS CLUB Railway Union Sports Club has announced the establishment of a community scholarship programme.
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By Kirstin Smith he overall goal of the programme,” said Railway Chairperson John Cronin, “is to recognise, encourage and support the development of our talented young sportsmen and women to help them achieve their sporting potential. Relevance in our community, the pursuit of sporting
Francis X Carty was M.C for the night at the recent Railway Union Cricket Club Table Quiz.
progressive, is open to new ideas, and aspires to play an open and ambitious brand of rugby across all teams. We have a very vibrant social scene, with an organised social event at least every month
(poker nights, quiz nights, Ladies Day, race nights, bake-off, Halloween and Christmas parties, annual ball, etc), as well as ad-hoc nights out. We have a pre-season club tour, where our Men’s, Wom-
en’s and U20s teams travel for a pre-season match and team building activity over a weekend in September. We also do a club end-of-season tour (we were in Madrid in 2013) and travel to the Kinsale 7s for the
excellence and the development of representative players, including Internationals and Olympians, is all part of the vision of Railway Union Sports Club.” The Railway Scholarship Programme is open to those who wish to compete and succeed at the highest sporting levels, while simultaneously attaining a third-level education. Eight annual scholarships are available for one male and one female athlete across the sports of Cricket, Hockey, Rugby and Tennis. The aim of the Railway Scholarship programme is to give talented young people the opportunity of developing their sporting career by offering the highest standards in coaching, training,
nutrition, and strength and conditioning advice, while supporting the completion of their chosen course of study.
of study or chosen career * Complimentary gear * A bursary of €1,000 to €1,500 per annum to facilitating balancing training and study
The benefits of the Railway scholarship programme include: * Gym Access at Fitter Faster Stronger (FFS), Railway’s scholarship partners and Ireland’s leading sports-specific gym * Individual sport-specific and functional physical development plans, which will be developed by and monitored every six weeks by FFS * Coaching Support * Medical and Physiotherapy support * Performance Planning and Mentoring * Assistance with summer work placement relevant to your area
“Each scholar will be an ambassador of Railway and their sport,” said Cronin. “As part of their scholarship, they will be expected to ‘give back’ by being a role model in our community and developing the next generation by coaching in our local schools.” Rory McInerney of FFS said his firm was delighted to support high-level athletes across multiple sports in their community. “FFS was created with the vision of bringing a high-end athletic training system to members of the public, who wouldn’t typ-
RAILWAY UNION HOCKEY
New Coach for Railway Hockey
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ailway Union are pleased to announce the appointment of David Bane as Men’s Hockey 1st team coach. David is a former Irish Senior International player and one of the brightest young up and coming coaches in Irish hockey. He has recently retired from a long distinguished playing career and has been player/ coach at Fingal HC for the last number of years. Railway would like to wel-
come also young players Mateusz Nowakowski and James Dick to the Club for the 2014/15 season. Mateusz is a Polish Under-16 International and was part of the squad who were runners-up in the recent European Under-16 Championship. James Dick is another exciting young striker who hails from Tasmania. Both Mateusz and James will assist Railway with the delivery of their Youth Development Hockey Programme during the season.
May Bank Holiday weekend. Our Player Welfare programme, led by Leinster Rugby doctor Professor John Ryan and our Player Welfare Team, is second to none. We have a huge amount of functional equipment, including power bags, prowlers, kettle bells, sleds, ropes, and Olympic bars and free weights. We are currently rebuilding our gym to develop a modern, state-of-theart functional gym and medical room, with an estimated completion date in December. And we’re successful. We’ve won 14 trophies in two seasons, with every team in the club having won at least one trophy. All teams will be aiming at continuing this success in the 2014/15 season. If you are interested in discussing how you might fit in Railway, please contact us on the emails below: Men’s and U20s: directorofrug by@railwayunionrfc.com Women’s: womensrugby@rail wayunionrfc.com ically have access to this type of training environment or the elite standard of coaching that we give at FFS. We are delighted to be working with Railway Union to bring through the next generation of potential Irish Internationals and Olympians across a range of sports.” “FFS is a training facility that specialises in Strength Training, Metabolic Conditioning and Functional Training. This combination of training is designed to create a natural and agile physique – in essence to make athletes FITTER, FASTER & STRONGER,” concluded McInerney. To read more about the Railway Scholarship Programme and to apply, please see www.railwayunion.com If you would like to play hockey for Railway Union, please contact: Girls (7-18): Margaret Shaw 086 368 9365 mshaw086@gmail. com Training on Fridays 4.30- 5.30 pm. (Primary schools) and Sunday mornings (Secondary schoolgirls) Boys (7-18): Kenny Carroll 087 275 7486 kencarroll20@hotmail. com Training is on Tuesdays 4-5pm. (Primary schools) and Saturday evenings 6pm - 7.15pm. Training commences at the end of August and the season runs to April 2015.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2014