June july 2010 news four

JUNE / JULY 2010

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

DANCING IN THE STREET

THE PAPER YOU NEED TO READ! Apparently the Cannonball Run is not just a Burt Reynolds film. It exists and Valerie Roe has all the details on page 6

That hard man Russell Crown returns, this time as Robin Hood. Read Christy Hogan’s film reviews on page 18

R

wandan Dancers brought a taste of the exotic to Thorncastle Street in Ringsend recently as part of the Midsummer Music Festival run by Dublin City Council in conjunction with Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre. Coming up this Friday is ʻAn evening at the Operaʼ, with

works by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini and many more on the menu.

Bob Donaldson, veteran member of Poolbeg Yacht Club, below, was honoured with a boat named after him at the Blessing of the Boats a few weeks back. Proud members of the clan are crewing the boat behind him.

Who better to turn up for the opening of the new Aviva Stadium than Packie Bonner? See page 20

Did you know the world and possibly our very destiny is dictated by invisible lines? Me neither.

See page 37

Joe and Sharon Donnelly at the service counter of The Anchorage Community Centre and Creche on York Road. Children from The Anchorage held a sponsored toddle last week to promote the Centreʼs charity work. More inside.

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NewsFour Managing Editor Christopher Sweeney Advertising Manager Grainne McGuinness Staff Gemma Byrne Nessa Jennings Louise Hanrahan Glenda Cimino John Fitzgerald Jason McDonnell Contributors George Humphries Noel Twamley Therese O’Toole Jennifer Betts Teresa Rooney Christy Hogan Anthony Brabazon Grainne McGuinness J D Montgomery Arlene Crean Valerie Roe Paddy Brennan Peter Pick Ethel Horan Maggie Neary Kieran Binchy Andreas Byrne David Thomas Nolan Sharon Geraghty Sheila Dunne

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

The Editor’s Corner

Hello All, Hope you are enjoying Irelandʼs first summer for a few years. From freezing in our new office when we moved in, we are now contemplating buying a fan. But like the Pony Express, rain or shine, NewsFour will come through.

Harry Cavendish, our Sandymount-based reporter and a highly-valued member of staff, decided to move on to better things last month. We wish Harry all the best for the future.

As Harry was our only reporter based in Sandy-

mount, we need contributions from people based in the Sandymount and Booterstown districts. So if anyone out there has something to get off their chest, donʼt hesitate to get in touch.

Sandymount Community Services, who bring you NewsFour, held their Annual General Meeting on the 21st May. A vote was taken and Dermot Lacey was re-elected as Chairman, former NewsFour editor Ann Ingle was elected as Secretary and Ed Penrose was re-elected as Treasurer.

Christopher

SHELBOURNE PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LTD Swimming in Sportsco

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

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

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

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

Ask for Mary or Billy.

Web Designer Andrew Thorn Photography John Cheevers Design, Typesetting, Layout Eugene Carolan Community Services, 7 Bridge Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.

Telephone: (01)6673317 E-mail: newsfour@gmail.com Website: www.news4.ie NewsFour Newspaper is part of a FÁS Community Employment Programme.

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

Lorraine Barry, Manager Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre and Barbara Doyle CSP Manager pictured at Clanna Gael Fontenoy.

Ringsend Active Retirement Association

Retired with time on your hands?

Why not visit us at the CM&WSI in Ringsend any Tuesday to Friday from 2.30 pm New members (men and women) always welcome PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS: NewsFour, Upper floor, 7 Bridge Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 Phone: 6673317 • Email: newsfour@gmail.com Visit our website at: www.news4.ie

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

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RDS HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR TWO NOTABLE MEN

By JP Montgomery

T

hursday, June 24– At the RDS today, Honorary Life Membership of the Royal Dublin Society was conferred on Dick Ahlstrom and John Oxx. Since 1981, when Honorary Life Membership was first introduced, the Society has conferred the honour on people who have made a significant contribution to Ireland and Irish life.

Dick Ahlstrom is awarded Honorary Life Membership for his major contribution to the public understanding of science and his promotion of science and science policy in this country through his

weekly columns and incisive articles in The Irish Times.

Dick, born in Philadelphia, moved to Ireland in the mid-1970s to study for an MA in Anglo Irish Literature in UCD. He became a freelance journalist in 1979 and joined ʻThe Irish Timesʼ in 1982 as a staff writer.

In 1997 Dick was appointed as ʻThe Irish Timesʼ Science Editor, with the first new weekly ʻScience Todayʼ appearing in 1998. It should be noted that, what started as a half page piece, within two weeks expanded to a full page, such was the extent of science-related items which, until Dickʼs arrival, had largely gone unreported.

He has a unique gift of present-

ing complex scientific research and technological developments in a form that can be clearly understood by a very wide newspaper audience.

Dick was also involved in the early discussions that led to a revamping of the RDSʼs Boyle Medal, which had first been presented in 1899. This ultimately led to the launching of the RDS Irish Times Boyle Medal for Scientific Excellence in 1999.

John Oxx is awarded Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his outstanding professionalism as a trainer of world-class racehorses and his deep understanding and unstinting generosity in helping others in the promotion of one of Irelandʼs

best-known and valuable industries.

John Oxx, from Co. Kildare, pictured right, is one of Irelandʼs most respected and successful trainers. He qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1973 from University College Dublin. He commenced training as assistant to his well-known and successful father John Oxx Senior. In 1979 he took over the licence on his fatherʼs death and had his first winner Orchestra that year.

In 1990 John Oxx became the Aga Khanʼs sole trainer. Together they have enjoyed tremendous success in Ireland and overseas, starting with Manntari, who won the National Stakes at the Curragh in 1993. John also trained noteable horses, Sinndar and Azamour for the Aga Khan and Ridgewood Pearl for Sean Coughlan.

In 2009 Johnʼs famous horse, Sea The Stars, owned by Christopher Tsui, gave John his first win in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and went on to earn a place in racing history by winning six consecutive Group One races, becoming the

only horse to complete the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Arc treble.

Outside of training, John was Chairman of the National Stud for five years (1985-1990); the Irish Racehorse Association (19861991; 1993-1996) and currently chairs RACE, the Racing Academy and Centre of Education.

Past recipients of RDS Honorary Life Membership include Samuel Beckett, Ronnie Delany, Prof. Ernest Walton, Brian Friel, Seamus Heaney, Dr Patrick Hillery, Ms Christina Noble and Dr Louis Le Brocquy.

The Royal Dublin Society was founded in 1731 to promote and develop agriculture, arts, science and industry in Ireland.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

‘The Waxies’ Dargle’

By Jason McDonnell

COMFORT KEEPERS AND FRIENDS OF THE ELDERLY

T

hese are the traditional lyrics to the song ʻThe Waxiesʼ Dargleʼ.

Written about the cobblers of the time or ʻWaxiesʼ as they were also known due to the wax they used on their thread for stitching shoes. They would frequent the area in Irishtown for parties as, unlike more wealthy Dubliners, they couldnʼt afford to go to The Dargle Glen near Powerscourt for summer outings– hence the ʻWaxieʼs Dargleʼ near Sandymount Strand. ʻThe Waxieʼs Dargleʼ– Traditional Version Says my ʻowl oneʼ to your ʻowl oneʼ “Will ye come to the Waxies Dargle?”

Says your ʻowl oneʼ to my ʻowl oneʼ, “Sure I havenʼt got a farthing.

Iʼve just been down to Monto town To see Uncle McArdle But he didnʼt have half a crown For to go to the Waxies Dargle.”

What are ye having, will ye have a pint?

Yes, Iʼll have a pint with you, sir, And if one of us doesnʼt order soon Weʼll be thrown out of the boozer.

Says my ʻowl oneʼ to your ʻowl oneʼ “Will ye come to the Galway races?”

Says your ʻowl oneʼ to my ʻowl oneʼ, “With the price of my aulʼ ladʼs braces.

I went down to Capel Street To the Jew man money lenders But they wouldnʼt give me a couple of bob on My aulʼ ladʼs suspenders.

What are ye having, will ye have a pint?

Yes, Iʼll have a pint with you, sir, And if one of us doesnʼt order soon Weʼll be thrown out of the boozer.

Says my ʻowl oneʼ to your ʻowl oneʼ “We have no beef or mutton But if we go down to Monto town We might get a drink for nuttinʼ” Hereʼs a piece of good advice I got from an aulʼ fishmonger: “When food is scarce and you see the hearse Youʼll know you have died of hunger.”

What are ye having, will ye have a pint?

Yes, Iʼll have a pint with you, sir, And if one of us doesnʼt order soon Weʼll be thrown out of the boozer.

By Louise Hanrahan

M

y own mother Maureen lives alone, and after undergoing major heart surgery, she was extremely vulnerable and needy. Thanks to the services of Home Help, she got her ʻmeals on wheelsʼ and was visited often by the community nurse.

I did the best I could, as in I was working in a bank, and they were very understanding in letting me have some unpaid leave to care for her, but I could not be there 24 hours a day. Itʼs totally impossible.

Maureen is one of the lucky ones out there. Some elderly people have no-one to look after or care for them. Itʼs a terrible scenario.

Your parents raise you, and

bring you up the best way they know how, and then the children can just forget they even exist.

Itʼs a sad fact.

I met with some elderly ladies of late, who told me they were forced out of their own homes by their sons and daughters, who just got completely money orientated and didnʼt care whether mam or dad lived or died. This society is becoming bloodthirsty and shameful.

Loneliness is a daily reality for thousands of elderly people who live alone. There are many reasons why an elderly person becomes isolated and lonely: the death of a spouse; recovery from illness; depression; change of neighbourhoods; immobility.

Whatever the cause, the effect is the same, a silent house, longdrawn out empty days, and the awful feeling that no one in the

world cares!

There are lots of willing ablebodied carers out there, who are only too willing to help these vulnerable human beings.

There are people working to alleviate this problem, Friends of the Elderly Ireland being amongst the most prominent.

They have over 500 hundred volunteers who call on people living alone or in hospital. These volunteers may be the only social call some people will receive in days.

Comfort Keepers– Home Care is a family-owned home care business that helps people stay in the comfort of their own homes when daily tasks become too difficult. People with disabilities, convalescing from surgery, or those who are frail and have long-term illnesses can all benefit from Comfort Keepersʼ services.

No one needs to be alone. We all need company and caring and we all want to stay and remain happy in our own humble abodes.

Up to you, folks. Your parents brought you into the world.

They deserve the best from their offspring. On my way to my own mam now. Pork chop on the grill!

For any more information, contact: Comfort Keepers at 1850 818 100.

Also contact: Friends of the Elderly at 25 Bolton Street, Dublin 1. Phone: 01 873 1855.

THE YACHT

Thorncastle Street, Ringsend. Phone 6680977

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

ʻEchoesʼ, a new exhibition of paintings by Ringsend artist Tony Gunning has opened in the Signal Art Centre in Bray.

Pictured at the opening were, left to right, the artist Tony Gunning with Marie Whelan his mother-inlaw, MEP Mairead McGuiness who opened the exhibition, Mary Gaskin from Bray and Ringsender Michael Whelan, Tonyʼs father-in-law.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

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D UBLIN ’ S TREASURE TROVE

By Louise Hanrahan

I

have just moved to this historic quarter of Dublin. Born and bred on the Northside, I grew up hearing about the street markets in The Liberties, but I never made the trip over to see them.

But on a hot sunny day in early June, I ambled along Meath Street and was enthralled with the stalls and shops that enticed me in if not to buy, then to browse to my heartʼs content.

This is Dublinʼs oldest street market. Back in the 17th century, the clothes on sale here were made by Huguenot weavers in the streets nearby. Nowadays, who knows, clothes manufacturing is a rare thing in the western world these days, most of the amazingly cheap clothes on sale here must come from China, India or The Philippines.

Wherever the goods come from, this is a bargain hunterʼs paradise.

The stallholders are the real deal too; genuine Dubs who love a

bit of banter and chit-chat as you wander from stall to stall.

Everyone is friendly and informative and even if you donʼt want to buy a thing, the traders donʼt mind, they are happy with the chat and the laugh. It breaks up the boredom for them, I suppose.

The late-lamented boom brought big changes to the Liberties, with young professionals and media types buying homes in places like

Pimlico and the Coombe; nearby Francis Street is now Irelandʼs premier location for antique hunters.

But on a market day here in

the Liberties, the real old-fashioned inner-city Dublin is back in full swing. Take a trip down here

while the weather holds, you wonʼt regret it.

Brian Siggins, far right, shows members of the Old Dublin Society around the historic St. Matthewʼs cemetery in Irishtown.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

Irishtown and Ringsend Primary Care team shortlisted for O2 Ability Awards

By Arlene Crean

H

SE Dublin South City Local Health Office successfully participated in the recent O2 Ability Awards 2010 programme and achieved the status of ʻAbility Companyʼ in the following area of best practice: ʻEnvironmental Accessibilityʼ for their work in Irishtown and Ringsend Primary Care Centre.

HSE Dublin South City Local Health Office was shortlisted in this category based on the high standard of their application form, which was verified by the Kanchi and Price Waterhouse Coopers Assessment team through an onsite assessment as part of the O2 Ability Awards 2010 programme.

From the design stage of the centre, Dublin South City Local Health Office have focused on Irishtown and Ringsend Primary Care Centre being a hub to provide barrier-free access to healthcare to the local community.

Important aspects of the project included; creating a barrier-free built environment; easy access to a wide range of health and social services within the local community; creating a culture of excellence in customer service; community participation in identifying the health needs of the community and a partnership approach to improving health outcomes.

Gerry OʼDwyer, Regional Director of Operations, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster said, “The aim of a primary care team is to provide health and social services that are accessible, of a high quality and meet the needs of the local population. This accessible environment has created a positive and inclusive environment to work in; it allows easy access to services; the universal design benefits all; and ultimately it marries the community and the service which is how we are and will continue to deliver health services.

“The Irishtown and Ringsend Primary Care Centre is the blue-print for primary care centres throughout Ireland and the HSE is committed to this innovative approach for future health service developments,” he added.

The primary care team have a brochure outlining the accessible elements of the centre such as textpad technology, hearing loops and accessible transport options to the centre.

The team and centre have been shortlisted for other awards and were finalists in the 2010 Crystal Clear Literary Awards and the centre was awarded the Royal institute of Architects ʻBest Accessible Projectʼ award in 2009.

To contact Irishtown Ringsend Primary Care Team call 01 6608629

ALL REVVED UP FOR CANNONBALL RUN 2010

By Valerie Roe

T

he Cannonball Run in aid of Barretstown, noted to be one of the most spectacular events of 2009, is back and ready to roll on September 10th 2010! In 2009 the first Cannonball run successfully raised over €150,000 for Barretstown to help rebuild the lives of children affected by childhood cancer.

The Official Launch of the Cannonball Run 2010 takes place at Lillieʼs Bordello on Friday June 25th at 7.30pm and is hosted by Ireland AMʼs Sinead Desmond.

The Cannonball Bentley Flying Spur, Ferrari 360 Spider, Aston Marton and two Rolls Royce Phantoms will give guests a preview of the line-up for this year.

A host of familiar faces from Dublinʼs social scene are expected to the launch, including Sybil Mulcahy; Anna Daly; Deric Hartigan; Conor Clear; Martin King and Jenny McCarthy; DJ and former ʻBig Brotherʼ housemate Ray Shah and Noreen Kelly; trainer to the stars Paul Byrne and Fiancé Siobhan; models Louise Kananagh; Georgia Salpa; Sarah Kavanagh; Tiffany ConnorStanley; Georgina Tracey and Hazel OʼSullivan; Wes Quirke and Restaurateur Ronan Ryan.

Also expected are newlycrowned Mr World Kamal Ibrahim; Paul Sheeran; Berni and Lorenzo Cafolla; socialites Catriona Hanly, Triona McCarthy, Brendan Scully; Sean Montegue, Gail Kaneswarren, Izabella Chudzicka; Johnny Norton and many more.

With people coming from as far as Dubai, Italy, Germany, the US, the UK and Monaco, Cannonball Run Ireland is set to put Ireland on the world map in motoring terms.

Expect the unexpected with this adrenalin-fuelled event, the most exciting motoring and social event of the year with some of the worldʼs finest cars such as Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Porsches, Maseratis, Rolls Royces and Bentleys.

Some of the unique cars already registered for the cannonball include an SL Mc Laren, a Ford GT 40, an American NYP Police Car, some new and classic Mustangs, not forgetting General Leeʼs car from the movie ʻDukes of Hazzardʼ.

Many enthusiastic cannonballers add to the party theme by wearing a colourful array of fancy dress costumes from characters in the cannonball movie such as Burt Reynolds, priests, nuns and Arabs.

The Cannonball Ireland Convoy consists of three action-packed days, taking in some of Irelandʼs most scenic routes while also travelling through the most welcoming towns and villages in Ireland such as Westport, Donegal, Clarinbridge, Killarney, Cork City and Cashel.

Spectators and car enthusiasts along the route will hear the roars of the mighty convoy as they approach their final destination Cannonnball Ireland commences On Friday September 10th 2010, when Dublin will awaken to a spectacular sight of 160 cars being escorted out of Merrion Square at 9.30am for the start of a very exciting drive to Donegal.

An appetizing lunch will be served in the Worldʼs Top Luxury Country Hotel, the five-star Solis Lough Eske Castle. After a lap of Donegal town, the Cannonball Run makes its way towards the lively town of Westport, Co Mayo, where cannonballers will relax in the beautiful setting of Hotel Westport.

On day two the Cannonballerʼs convoy departs Westport to Ashford Castle for a unique boat trip before enjoying the popular ʻLady Ardilaunʼ traditional morning tea.

Next stop is Clarinbridge, Co Galway, where Mr Alan Bannon, chairman of Cannonball Ireland, will officially open the Clarinbridge Oyster Festival 2010. Oysters and Guinness are the order of the day but Cannonball adds a

most thrilling ʻsight in the skyʼ.

The skies will tremble with a spectacular aerial dance and gravity-defying aerobatics from champion aerobatic pilot Mr Eddie Goggins. Brazilian dancers will wow the crowd of spectators and the cannonballers will stay at one of Irelandʼs most beautiful Victorian hotels, The Malton.

On day three, departing from the kingdom, itʼs off to beautiful Cork City, where the Cannonball Run will parade through the city for the final lap to the finish line.

Then itʼs finally time to step out of the metal and into the Boardwalk Bar and Grill Restaurant for the final party of Cannonball 2010.

Car entry fee is €750.00, with all of the money going to Barretstown. Driver entry fee is €460.00 per person sharing. This includes three nights B&B, meals and entertainment. Places are limited.

Barretstown was founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman in 1994 after the success of his Hole In The Wall Camps in the USA. Barretstown has grown from serving 124 children in a marquee in 1994 to over 12,000 children and their families from 23 European countries.

The site has grown to offer a first-class facility for seriously-ill children with an excellent medical centre and a unique therapeutic programme backed by the medical community.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

H ELP

PAGE 7

MY HOUSE !

A home defect and improvement column by Anthony Brabazon Q. We moved back to our house after renting for a year and there is a musty smell in some bedrooms that we didnʼt have before. What could this be?

HMH: It is most probably a condensation problem which arises from 3 factors.

1: Steam production (eg showers and boiling the spuds) 2: Poor ventilation 3: Poor thermal insulation.

This problem is evidenced by black spots and is normally found on a cold wall (perhaps north facing) and in a corner

or behind a wardrobe where air doesnʼt circulate.

It is also often found at the side of windows where a ʻcold bridgeʼ is common. The moisture droplets lead to the build up of mildew, hence the smell.

In some cases there can be damp penetration from faulty gutters and downpipes or rising damp at low level. An inspection is advised before conclusions are jumped to in any case.

In the meantime, check the extractor works in the shower room. You would be amazed how steam will pass through a whole house looking for that cold, unventilated spot in a remote location.

Q. A Builder said he can do an extension for me for €30,000.

Sounds good but what should I do next?

HMH. Be careful that you donʼt let him in with the sledgeham-

mers! What the builder has in mind for this price is unlikely to match your expectations unless you have proper drawings and specifications.

Even if you are not doing a ʻgrand designʼ project, it would be wise to spend a small proportion of the overall budget on advice. Currently in Ireland there is a very poor building control system, so Iʼd highly recommend getting an expert

on your side at the outset.

Find an architect you can work with and perhaps employ them on a stage-by-stage basis (Design, Planning, Working Drawings, Site Operation).

It has been said that ʻbuilding is stressfulʼ but to build without matters agreed beforehand is the subject of nightmares.

When the proper documents have been prepared you could go back to the said builder and

if he is properly insured and recommended he might be included on the tender list.

Need a Visit? Contact Help My House for a fixed fee of €150 Ring Anthony Brabazon at 6683519 or visit helpmyhouse.ie on the web.

Questions for this column can be sent to anthony@helpmyhouse.ie

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

GEORGE REYNOLDS HOUSE UPGRADED

By Paddy Brennan

T

he Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Kevin Humphreys in the presence of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Mr. John Gormley T.D. (above) officially opened the €3.5million George Reynolds House Precinct Improvement

Project in Irishtown on a glorious afternoon on 15th June 2010.

The opening marks the end of the construction phase for the Precinct Improvement Project carried out by Dublin City Council over the last 18 months. The project was completed ahead of time and on budget.

The opening was a colourful event, with the best of

COLETTE’S ALTERATIONS

local talent providing entertainment for the invited guests and residents of the complex. Collide Dance Academy (below) performed several elaborate and energetic routines, to the delight of the crowd, followed by an excellent performance by the Ringsend and Irishtown School of Rock.

Passers-by and locals will have noticed a very dramatic change in the area following an extensive redevelopment project. The complex has been almost completely redesigned.

Ladies, Gents and Childrens express alterations and repairs (Hems, Zips. etc.)

Tailoring Re-lining (Jackets, Coats, Trousers, etc)

Servicing the area for 25 years Call in to see us anytime (Laneway beside Borza’s chip shop)

3A Sandymount Green, Dublin 4 Phone: 087 6183319

The courtyard areas of the complex have had two new playgrounds installed. The area also received new planters, trees and seating areas.

Privatised spaces were constructed for ground-floor residents.

The project involved the complete renewal of all services in the complex, with underground services being replaced or repaired, including the entire sewage and drainage network.

A complete new water main and pumphouse were installed to improve water pressure for residents and all old lead connections were removed.

An enhanced lighting system, together with improved regulation of car movements, parking and the installation of security gates and CCTV cameras, has provided a safer environment for residents and visitors. Safety for residents and visitors alike has also been improved by the provision of two new car parks, making the new courtyard areas pedestrianised zones.

Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr.

Kevin Humphreys said, “I am delighted to open this Precinct Improvement Project in George Reynolds House. It is obvious that a new sense of pride exists in the area, largely due to the regeneration that has taken place.

Local residents have had a voice in the works undertaken here. Communities are the building blocks of our city and this Project shows what can be achieved when the local community and Dublin City Council work together for the greater good of all.

I would like to commend all those who were involved in this project for their work and dedication.”

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Lo-

cal Government, Mr. John Gormley T.D., said: “It was with great pride that I was able to approve funding for this project. As a near neighbour, I know just how much this means to everyone in the complex and have seen at first-hand the impressive improvements made. In fact, it is great to see that so much of Ringsend is being improved during the past twelve months, and I look forward to the completion of works to Whelan and OʼRahilly House later this year.”

George Reynolds, after whom the complex is named, died during the 1916 Rising at Clanwilliam House, previously located on Mount Street. George Reynolds was the section commander of the garrison of seven men at Clanwilliam House.

The battle at Mount Street Bridge was one of the major engagements of the Rising.

Three of the Volunteers, including George Reynolds, (above) were killed but four escaped.

Pictured below is Kathleen Kiernan, the oldest resident of George Reynolds House.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 9

S OMETHING

I

By Peter Pick

tʼs a peculiar thing, justice.

Well, a number of peculiar things, I suppose, either the wheels of it grinding very slow and very fine, or the general idea of it floating in the mind.

It is not a natural thing. Nature has no apparent need of it, being content enough with bloodthirsty ruthlessness, but people have an attachment to the idea.

Children are born howling ʻbut itʼs not FAIRʼ at the fullest extent of their miniature lungs, and of course, what can we say, it is not.

But the mere fact that it is not does not excuse us from making at least an attempt to correct the manifold, many-mandibled, manifest injustices of the world, and even that most disreputable of institutions the British Government can sometimes be pushed into telling the truth.

So it is that almost 40 years after the shootings known as ʻBloody Sundayʼ (and as you know it is just one such Sunday among many Bloody Sundays) the long-awaited Saville report said the soldiers from Support Company, 1 Para, ʻlost their self-controlʼ on Jan 30, 1972 and then ʻput forward false accounts to justify their firingʼ when they gave evidence.

This is no surprise to anyone except possibly the British Gov-

CLOSE TO JUSTICE

ernment which, after all, appointed enquiries with the aim of obscuring the facts beneath legal rigmarole, obfuscation and delay so that everyone had died or lost interest long before any conclusions were reported.

Saville took a mere 12 years to declare the obvious, but nevertheless the British Government was forced to apologise, although whether this is justice or not remains open to doubt since, naturally, no-one has ever been charged with any offence over the shootings.

Perhaps it is not justice, but it is about as close as we are likely to get, as the relatives of various individuals shot by the British police would tell you, should you ask.

But, (as I was attempting to say before I interrupted myself with impertinent and time-consuming facts) there are other forms of justice which do not involve the Law. It was, for example, some sort of justice that saw the French National football team beaten by a team clothed in green shirts and thereafter sent packing from the World Cup in a welter of ignominy and recrimination, bottom of their group and having scored only a single goal.

Perhaps only in France would a President then declare his intention to personally head an enquiry into a footballing matter (he would clearly be incapable of

heading a football, since he is so short and puffed-up with pomposity), but anyway Iʼm sure that he will handle it with aplomb, much like Thierry Henry.

This different sort of justice might be considered as an example of what was described by the wise ancients of India as ʻkarmaʼ, whereby– as I am sure you are aware– all actions are rewarded or punished by a law of cause and effect, which can include the passage of several rebirths or reincarnations, a timescale in itself not dissimilar to that of a Commission of Enquiry.

The idea that there may be principles of justice in operation in the world that do not rely purely on human effort is no doubt a comfort to the helpless in times of need and oppression, but it is no substitute for the determined work of human beings in the interests of justice.

It is uncomfortable to observe the posturings of Governments who claim that punishing the helpless for the excesses of the powerful and penalising the poor to redress the errors of the wealthy are both necessary and somehow good.

We can rest assured that this new austerity will never cast a frost on the tender banquetings of privilege nor yet restrict the onward march of inequality. And so we cry ʻbut itʼs not FAIRʼ.

And well we might, for all the good it will do us.

The Letterbox

Dear News Four I would like to wish Mrs J Lynch and Josie Campbell (a contributor to your paper from Melbourne Australia) a very Happy Birthday.

Josie left Coastguard St, Raytown in the early 50s. I was in the Merchant Navy and in 1957 I met Josie and her husband in her shop that she ran in Swan St Melbourne. My sister Nellie was married to Josieʼs brother Mike and we lived a few doors from Josie on the Pigeon House Road.

Her motherʼs name was Laura and we all called her Auntie Lena. She had two sisters Mary and Patsy as well as Con and another brother. Her father John was a hard working man and I enclose a photo of him with my father John.

Regards Patrick Donnelly Rathfarnam Dublin 14

Property tax not right approach, says Andrews

D

eputy Chris Andrews T.D. said on June 23rd that any proposed property tax would not be the right approach to raise revenue, particularly in light of how many home owners are already struggling with negative equality.

Deputy Andrews, the Fianna Fáil representative for Dublin South East, was speaking following comments by An Taoiseach that no decision has yet been made in relation to such a tax.

Speaking last week, Deputy Andrews said, “I know that the Taoiseach has stated that no decision on this matter has been made, which I welcome. Given the current difficulties experienced by people in relation to mortgages, I would be strongly opposed to the implementation of any such tax. Property values have fallen by an average of 50% and people are struggling to pay for their homes. I believe that a tax on the family home is not the right approach to take.”

“In 1983 the Fine Gael/ Labour coalition introduced a residential property tax (RPT). This tax (set at a rate of 1Ω% of value) was designed to generate revenue from valuable domestic properties occupied by those on high incomes. It was, in my opinion a grossly unfair system, which penalised people who lived in certain addresses, irrespective of their own personal circumstances. The value of property was taken into consideration, while other assets such as cars, second homes etc. were not, hence some very wealthy people paid little or no tax on their property.”

“I do agree that the process of financing local government is urgently in need of reform. However, I believe that domestic rates and taxes should corroborate with individual usage, and that reform of local government procurement processes and service delivery should be implemented as a first step. People are doing everything they can to keep their heads above water and hold onto their homes and we must assist them in this.

By Ethel Horan

PAGE 10

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

D ANCING

By Noel Twamley

A

s I wrote in an earlier ʻNewsFourʼ article, going to the pictures was a popular pastime in 1950s Dublin. Almost as popular was going dancing.

We were very lucky then to have such an array of ballrooms and dancehalls to pick from. I will jog your memory with some of the major ones.

On the Northside, we had the National, the Macushla, the Ierne, the Ballerina, the Kingsway and the Palm Beach, as well as many other small clubs.

On the Southside we had the Olympic, the Crystal, the Four Provinces, the Mayfair and the Adelaide. Bray had two ballrooms, the Arcadia and the Bar B, which had a great band led

by Johnny Butler.

In Dun Laoghaire, there was the Top Hat, whose band leader was an old friend of mine, Norman Williams. There were many others of course, all over Dublin, all gone now.

In the early 50s my cousin John Grace pulled a joke on me

DAYS IN

when he told me to go to the Adelaide on a Friday night for the ʻYoung at Heartʼ evening– it was only two shillings and sixpence, about fifteen cents in todayʼs money– so I went along with my half crown.

When I went in, I got the shock of my life– all the women were in their 50s, plastered with Max Factor. The men were even worse, mostly in their sixties, mostly bald and toothless.

I made a hasty exit and as I was leaving the doorman said to me: “Well young fellow, will you be back?” “Yes,” I replied, “in about forty years!”

At this time OʼConnell Street had two great dancehalls; Clearyʼs and the Metropole.

The Metropole was one of the most fashionable venues in the city, taking up five stories right beside the G.P.O. Let me remind our readers about the wonderful facilities there. Funnily enough, one thing I remember very well was the beautifully-appointed Gentsʼ W.C.– all chrome and black marble.

After you had finished tidying yourself up, there was a gentleman in situ to brush

D UBLIN down your jacket and another to shine your shoes if you wanted, just two of the approximately two hundred staff who worked there.

My favourite spot was the vast Art Deco-style bar, beautifully laid out with large leather chairs. There was also a firstclass cinema in the building, seating 1,000 people, an upstairs restaurant that served a high tea to die for, and, last but not least, the magnificent ballroom, which could accommodate 600 couples. All in all, it is no wonder we spent so many nights at ʻThe Met.ʼ Yours truly was a founder member of Dublin Jazz Club.

We used to have our weekly sessions at The Green Lounge on St Stephenʼs Green, beside that famous old Dublin pub, The Winter Garden Palace and opposite the five-star Russel Hotel.

Again, all long since gone and replaced by soulless office blocks. Now, I know we have gained a lot in this town over the years, but it is important not to forget what came before.

Thanks to papers like ʻNewsFourʼ and the many books on

S USTAINABLE

By John Fitzgerald

T

he latest scientific predictions are suggesting that if the fishing industry continues in its present state, we will witness a collapse of 90% of the worldʼs fisheries by 2050.

Huge technological advances are helping too many boats land massive catches and appalling fisheries management combined with bad

fishing methods are allowing for shocking wastage, particularly through the dumping of by-catch.

We have all heard the horror stories about the pending extinction of cod and some types of tuna, yet they are still to be found on most fish counters. A consumer-driven effort to buy for sustainability is gaining momentum, but it is a complex issue.

Making responsible choices whilst enjoying the goodness

lost Dublin, our young people may learn something about the way it was.

And speaking of young people, maybe they should think about taking up ballroom dancing. Who knows? They may meet their future wife or husband on a dancefloor as I did

so many years ago.

Anyway, thatʼs enough talk about dancing. Letʼs roll back the carpet, put on our dancing shoes and stack the record machine with some Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Fats Domino. Cʼmon everybody. Letʼs dance!

FISHERIES

of fish calls for a balanced approach; we must choose a mix of species so as to spread the pressure on each type and eat what is in season.

Fish caught and frozen at sea is a good choice, as this means the whole catch is used and so less waste caused. An increase in fish farming has kept favourites such as salmon and trout on the tables.

Indeed, farmed salmon is so plentiful some are calling it the new chicken.

But farmed salmon need to be fed, and catching fish to feed fish has proved controversial with vast damage caused to feed-fish stocks such as the North Sea sand eel. The decimation of the eel stocks has, in turn, led to a huge imbalance in the populations of the seabirds that depend on eels to migrate and live.

Hope lies in smarter fishfarming methods. Some salm-

on farms are now using protein-rich seaweeds as a good part of the diet, thus reducing pressure on feed-fish.

Different species also offer relief. For instance, tilapia, a very popular fish in Indian cuisine, is a large freshwater herbivore, so no feed-fish are needed.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is a global non-profit organisation set up to promote the best environmental choices in seafood. It was formed in London in 1997 in response to the catastrophic depletion of fish stocks in various parts of the world.

The MSC works with fisheries, scientists, seafood companies and the public to run a fishery certification programme. Seafood companies/ fisheries are awarded the blue Seafood Ecolabel for practicing sustainable fishing.

So far, the MSC has certified over 2,500 seafood prod-

ucts. The MSC is also active in promoting smarter fishing practices, like line-catching pollack, mackerel and coley.

In August last year they awarded the first certification in Ireland when the Irish Pelagic Sustainability Group met the criteria for the Western Mackerel Pelagic Trawl. During the trawl, 22 refrigerated vessels landed 54,000 tonnes of mackerel in a sustainable way, by leaving sufficient stock in the sea to replenish our mackerel population.

Please look for the distinctive blue logo when dining out or buying fish and make responsible choices for all our futures.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

By Glenda Cimino

A

lmost 98 years after the infamous ʻTitanicʼ sank on a calm April night in 1912, ʻTitanic: The Artefact Exhibitionʼ, which has been seen by more than 22 million people worldwide, ran from December to June at Citywest Event Centre.

This Exhibition was produced

by Atlanta-based RMS Titanic, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Premier Exhibitions, the only company permitted by law to recover objects from the wreck of Titanic.

The Company was granted salvor-in-possession rights to the wreck of Titanic by a United States Federal Court in 1994.

During seven research and recovery expeditions to Titanic, it recovered approximately 5,500 artefacts. There were 300 of these on display in Dublin, including 19 never seen before anywhere.

Assistants estimate 30,000 to 40,000 people saw the exhibition in Citywest before it closed. I got there just in the nick of time, and I am very glad I did, as it was one of the best exhibitions I have ever seen, leaving me with an eerie sense of almost having been on board.

This specially-designed exhibition focuses on the legendary RMS Titanicʼs compelling human stories. Cheryl Mure, Vice President of Education for ʻTitanic: The Artefact Exhibitionʼ, stated that “On that unexpected night in 1912, more than 1,500 passengers met the same fate, no matter their class or place in society; a shocking ending to what was a joyous journey. Their story is our story and it is our honour and duty to share these treasures with Ireland at such a poignant time.”

Jim Mansfield, Proprietor of Citywest Hotel and Event Centre, expressed his delight to be bringing the exhibition to Ireland.

Dean Halpin, one of the specially-trained artefact specialists and guides, said this dream job was a

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010 “once in a lifetime opportunity.”

When you enter the exhibition, you receive a replica boarding pass of an actual Titanic passenger.

My passenger was Ellen Hocking, a 21-year-old woman travelling with her family in second class, on her way to New York to marry her fiancé. During the voyage, she thought she heard a cock crow as she was falling asleep, a sign of impending disaster in Cornish folklore.

In the final gallery, there was a Memorial Wall, listing alphabetically the names of those who survived and those who did not in first, second, and third class, and among the crew. There you could find out the fate of your passenger.

Journey back to 1912 You then take a fascinating chronological journey. It was the beginning of the twentieth century, a time of optimism and progress.

Technology had produced such wonders as the automobile, airplane, skyscraper, cinema, and telegraph. The world was on the move and the transatlantic transport of passengers, cargo, and mail was brisk and competitive.

Ocean liners, the predecessors of our modern day jumbo jets, became ever faster, larger, and more luxurious to accommodate this traffic.

Over dinner one July evening in 1907, J. Bruce Ismay, managing director of the White Star Line, and Lord James Pirrie, chairman of the Belfast shipbuilding company, Harland & Wolff, conceived the idea of building lavish vessels to compete for the transatlantic market: the ʻTitanicʼ, ʻOlympicʼ, and later, the ʻBritannicʼ, which became the largest moving objects created by man.

We see the design office, and a model of the Titanic, the ultimate in safety, with a double bottom and 16 watertight compartments incorporated into the design. According to ʻThe Shipbuilderʼ, a 1911 trade publication: ʻThe watertight subdivision of Olympic

VISITING THE TITANIC

and Titanic is very complete, and is so arranged that any two main compartments may be flooded without in any way involving the safety of the ship.ʼ They did not envisage that an iceberg might hit above the compartments, ensuring that the unsinkable ship was destined for the seabed, where it lay broken in half and lost for 73 years, until 1985.

You then see actual video of the shipʼs construction, objects brought up from the depths in near-perfect condition– champagne bottles with champagne still in them, sample perfumes which you can still smell through holes in the exhibition case, portholes, diamond necklaces.

You see a luxurious first class cabin– they had ensuites with full bathtubs and constant hot water, and a third class cabin with 4 beds in two bunks. You hear and feel the vibration of the engines thrumming on the third class decks. You see the smoking room for the men, and the reading room for the ladies.

The cargo hold and boiler room are recreated, with pictures of the men who kept the fires stoked, all of whom perished. Warning signs begin to appear– messages about icebergs from other ships ignored or not received; the fatal absence of the two sets of binoculars which might have given advance warning of the iceberg they barely struck, but which because of the angle from which it scraped the ship, proved fatal.

Poignantly, the postmen tried valiantly to save the registered mailbags, until it became obvious that not even all the passengers would escape, much less the mail.

Musicians played until the last, and went down with the ship, as did Captain Smith and the heartbroken designer, Mr. Andrew.

There is even an iceberg you are allowed to touch. Putting your hand on its cold surface for 15 seconds gives you the exact temperature of the waters which killed so many by hypothermia. A computer model on the wall shows how the ship broke as it filled and sank.

Some objects in cases have videos on the wall showing how they were recovered from the seabed– china from all three classes, and a

piece of the actual hull which you are allowed to touch add to the reality of the nightmare. One gallery is dedicated to local Irish connections, who was on the ship. and what was the countryʼs reaction to the disaster. In the final gallery, I took Ellenʼs boarding pass to the Memorial Wall, and was relieved to find that she and her mother, if not all their party, survived.

While there are no definite plans yet, it is hoped to bring the artefacts exhibition to Belfast, where the Titanic was built, on the 100th anniversary in 2012.

Clockwise from top: The Titanic in port, the gymnasium and under construction in Belfast with its sister ship ʻThe Olympicʼ on the right.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 13

K INGRAM C OMMUNICATIONS G ROUP

A

M

By Jason McDonnell

S

ome of you may have seen the new shop front for Kingram communications group recently set up at 25a Bath Avenue. They have been very busy over the past six months creating a 13,500 square foot area full of the latest in printing technology and design. Specialising in print and design for advertising and art, the Kingram Communications Group has been doing business since 1975.

In their Bath Avenue venue, Kieran Leonard (pictured right) and the team can provide everything from design to printing

to installation catering for businesses and individuals. Present clients include, Diagio, Coca Cola, HB and J.P. McManus.

The company also does a lot of work for local businesses such as restaurants and local groups such as the Sea Scouts.

As Kieran says, Kingram do not use sub-cotractors, so all the work is done in-house.

This makes it easier to provide a quick and flexible response to

any companyʼs marketing needs.

Kingram are also very popular with local artists and photographers, as the quality of the scanning and printing on their high-end equipment is second to none.

You can contact the Kingram communications group directly by emailing them at reception@kingram.ie or by telephoning them on 01 6601369 and they will be happy to help.

Railway Union Hockey Team made it to the final of the ESB Senior Womenʼs Cup this year. Sadly, they lost out on penalties to Loreto of Rathfarnham.

Flora the Frog, team mascot of Railway Union Hockey Club is pictured on Sandymount Green with team member Emma Smith.

TOUCH OF THE

T IGER

By George Humphries

any years ago I sailed with a Maltese chap who always used Tiger Balm for many ailments and one thing that always attracted me to it was the lovely aroma of menthol and cloves that it gives off.

The balm, developed in China in the 19th century, originally contained tiger bone, an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine dating back 1,500 years to treat pain, inflammation and to strengthen muscle, but Tiger Balm now consists purely of herbal ingredients.

Back in my sailing days, the balm was almost unknown in Ireland and was very hard to get. Nowadays, almost every pharmacy stocks it. Over the years, I always managed to get a little jar, which I used from time to time for minor injuries, such as sprains or aches and the result was always good.

A few years back I was asked to get a couple of jars for a few friends and I got them in a martial arts store in Aungier Street; the chap there asked me if I knew how to use it properly.

I said what I did was just rub it in well to the affected area, give it a few days and then I was usually OK. He explained the way to get the full benefit from Tiger Balm was to apply the balm, cover the affected area with a towel then put a hot water bottle on top for as long as you can bear it.

He was right, the result is amazing! If you do this for a couple of hours what happens is the hot water draws the blood to the affected area and when you remove it the blood retreats and you get a fantastic warming hit of menthol and clove to ease your pain.

In the last few months I have used it on my shoulders after I got a few twists while swimming. I would heartily recommend it for any muscular aches and pains, not just for the relief it brings but also for the lovely aroma. Tiger Balm costs around €10 for a small jar.

PAGE 14

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

B EST

FEET FORWARD

Market opens at the Point

I

By Jason McDonnell

recently went over to the Point to take the Luas out to Tallaght and found a lovely little market was taking place outside the building. I decided to take a few minutes to have a look around before going on my way.

Being a big fan of good pork, one stall that immediately caught my attention was the one selling ʻWild Wicklow Porkʼ spit-roasted on site. I bought a roll from them for €5 and it was delicious. Whatever the wild Wicklow pig gets up to in its spare time, it certainly makes for a fine end product.

I did a bit of asking around and it turns out this market will be running every Saturday and Sunday for the foreseeable future, presumably to attract people out from town to the new developments at the Point Village.

There are stalls selling specialist foods from all corners of the globe, as well as clothing and book stalls, so there is plenty to explore. A play area for kids is also provided as well as a stage for upand-coming musicians, all free of charge.

The Point Village Market has everything and is quickly becoming a popular destination for the people of Dublin as a place to meet up. The market has been designed along the lines of Covent Garden in London, aiming to be modern and vibrant, but still keeping the charm of an old-fashioned market .

There are around 100 stalls at the market every weekend. 30 stalls per week are being designated for the public and 15 of these are for anyone who wants to offload their bric-a-brac or spring clean their wardrobe.

These stalls are offered on a first-come first-served basis. The other 15 are designated for students with a valid student card and are free.

This is something that Dublin has needed for years and Iʼm delighted to say that it is on our doorstep, so take the time to go over the East Link Bridge and have a look this summer.

By Grainne McGuinness

J

ohn Dillon is the resident chiropodist in the Primary Health Care Centre on Irishtown Road. He was born and grew up in Ballymena, County Antrim.

John trained for three years and logged over 1,000 hours of practical experience to earn his honours Batchelor of Science degree in Podiatry and Chiropody.

After a stint in Clerys, he went on to work for the NHS in London and Belfast.

I asked John what made him choose this line of work and he told me that when he was de-

ciding on a career, he had some problems with his own feet and visited a chiropodist.

He liked what he saw and liked the idea of working with people on a one-to-one setting.

Then down to business. I had John examine my own feet as I had not been to a chiropodist in nearly 10 years. He removed a very painful corn I had been suffering with for a long time, and also removed any hard skin from around my feet.

He is very gentle and I didnʼt feel much pain while he was working. When he was finished, I felt like I was walking on air, I hadʼt realised how important it is to look after your feet. I wonʼt leave it so long again.

So John can get rid of corns and calluses in jig time. He also does ingrowing toenail surgery.

If you suffer from leg or knee pain or have fallen arches, he can examine your feet and prescribe a tailor-made insert for your shoes, which should give relief.

The service is free to Medical Card holders over 65. Clients may also pay directly at consultation which costs €45. John is here in the centre every Friday from 9 to 5 and in Pearse Street Health Centre on Markʼs Lane every Thursday. Call 4100300 to make an appointment.

Above: John works his magic on Grainneʼs feet.

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As part of the AIB Better Ireland Awards, a presentation was made recently in AIB Sandymount to winning groups. From left: Barry Campbell of AIB, David Quinn of Red Door Learning, Margaret Judge, Teresa Weafer and Barbara Doyle.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 15

W ALKING THE W ICKLOW W AY

By Jason McDonnell

E

stablished in 1980, the Wicklow Way celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. It was the first trail of its kind in Ireland and, weather permitting, it may be a great place for you to spend some time this summer.

The total distance is around 127 kilometres and the trail takes around 7 to 10 days to complete if you are reasonably fit. The walk is signposted with marker posts, but I would also recommend a good guide book or a marked map and a compass. Mobile telephones can also be useful if a real emergency occurs.

The Wicklow way has traditionally been walked from north to south, beginning at Marlay Park in south Dublin and ending in Clonegal,

Co. Carlow. The walk can be done over seven stages and you can give yourself rest days in between to rest or explore.

It is a remarkably scenic walk, passing from suburban Dublin to the remote uplands and rolling hills of Wicklow.

It also passes through some noted beauty spots such as the Glendalough and Glenmalure Valleys.

The highest climb on the trail is White Hill, at just over 2000 feet. Larger mountains such as Djouce and Lugnaquilla are bypassed but are accessible via side trails for more ambitious walkers.

If you are considering taking on the Wicklow Way this summer, or indeed one of the many other long-distance routes now available in Ireland such as the Dingle Way or the Beara Way, remember that you are embarking on a serious test of physical en-

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

durance. The walks frequently pass through isolated and remote locations, sometimes at altitudes above 400 metres.

Various factors must therefore be taken into account before embarking. For example, the weather conditions, high winds, heavy rain or even sleet are an ever-present possibility, so make sure you have the right clothes and equipment to stay warm and dry, comfortable boots and socks, a hat or cap, gloves etc.

A water and wind-proof jacket and over-trousers are essential outerwear and a strong rucksack if you are carrying a tent and sleeping bag. If you are new to trail walking, advice can be got from the specialist hiking shops in town.

Most importantly of all, never undertake a walk in the wilderness alone– three is the recommended minimum group size.

Right: There are few more invigorating places than Loch Dan in Wicklow on a warm SummerĘźs day

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PAGE 16

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

Bookworm

By Nessa Jennings Patrick Kavanagh and ‘The Leader’ The Poet, The Politician and the Libel Trial,

by Pat Walsh ©2010 Mercier Press RRP €12.99

W

ould you be upset if your voice was described as ʻa load of gravel sliding down the side of a quarryʼ, had your face compared to that of a ʻgargoyleʼ or you were nicknamed ʻThe Ploughboy about Townʼ?

Paddy Kavanagh arrived in Dublin at 35, one of nine children raised in Mucker, Co. Monaghan. He was a big man, standing six feet-four inches, and hustling for work as a writer around the celeb-

rity pubs at the time, usually The Palace, The Pearl and McDaidʼs, he could not hide himself from public attention. He attracted comments like this one from J.P. Dunleavy: “This man, his powerful arms folding his big farmerʼs hands across his chest, walked the streets like a battleship plunging through the waves… usually muttering to himself.” Contrasting the romanticism and spirituality of his poetry with his life, he was a contradiction. Benedict Kiely said of him: “He was a rough sort of man but he was touched by genius and

by God.” If I thought, with this book, I could put to bed the staleness I sometimes feel about Irish writers, by reading the juicy court case which is at its heart, I was wrong. If anything, it made it worse.

Kavanagh himself made the Irish Literary Movement

one of the main targets of his ire, part of a very long list of gripes against the establishment. He railed against mediocrity. With the help of his brother Peter, they published ʻKavanaghʼs Weeklyʼ as a vehicle for bile and bitterness against the Irish society in which he had the misfortune to find himself.

The insults were flying, and personal slander and character assassination were the order of the day in the early 1950s by the time the libel case came to trial.

The author, Pat Walsh, who comes from Co. Mayo, and lives and works in Dun Laoighaire, has done painstaking research to bring us the details of the libel trial which was played out over two weeks in February 1954.

Kavanagh was grilled like a fish by John A. Costello, previous and future Taoiseach, as he was to hold the position twice. There were queues around the Four Courts to witness the battle, more bloodsport than cause célebre, brought on by the profile published in ʻEnvoy Magazineʼ.

The man and his means were picked over; Kavanaghʼs income was so spare as to resemble the accounts of a prayer meeting. Patrick got £450 in 1949 on the sale of the farm in Shancoduff frequently mentioned in his poetry.

A Monaghan neighbour is quoted as saying: “Youʼre the only bloody man that ever made money off that farm, although it was not with the shovel but with the pen.” His lifestyle habits were exposed, particularly his love of horses and gambling, and propensity to drink.

How long exactly, had it been, since he had worked?

How often had he gone to Archbishop McQuaid for help? This was painful enough to read; the humiliation must have been awful for Kavanagh.

But when it came to the textual analysis of the articles, both his own, and the ʻEnvoyʼ profile being contested,

even reading it was like being stretched on the rack.

To be honest, I was sorry I got into it. Context and content were swapped and tossed around to determine the degree and intention of insult. The etymology of quotes and of Patrickʼs own neologisms were ransacked: Gurrier, Graftonia, Buckleppinʼ… But the most annoying and inconclusive thing was that no one would own up to what they had said: It was not clear who was responsible for remarks made in ʻKavanaghʼs Weeklyʼ, during its short life. More importantly, the author of the ʻEnvoyʼ profile never owned up.

He really gets our sympathy the time he nearly has a nervous breakdown on the stand at the mention of Brendan Behan. Costello pursued this as he relentlessly continued to grind him down for the defence.

The case shattered Patrickʼs health. He stated his case, insofar as was possible, as to why the article was so offensive. He proved himself a sensitive man in taking issue with the ʻEnvoyʼ invective, or else he could just have needed the

money that damages would bring.

What did become clear during the course of the libel is that Patrick Kavanagh, author of ʻThe Great Hungerʼ, genuinely feared hunger. Maybe the reader already knows the outcome of the trial. Pat Walshʼs faultless research brings it back to us in this blow-by-blow account.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 17

Bookworm extra ‘In Europe’

G

by Geert Mak

eert Mak is one of Hollandʼs most popular authors and journalists and in 1999 his newspaper, the Amsterdam-based NRC Handelsblad sent him on assignment to travel through pre-millenium Europe and report on the state of the continent.

“In Europe” is a collection of the columns Mak wrote on his travels. Mak certainly took the assignment to heart: in the course of the book he visits all the main European cities– Paris, London, Berlin– but also goes way off the beaten track to such places as Srebrenica, Gdansk, Odessa and even Dublin.

The book is equal parts travelogue and history. Mak

uses his travels to create a history of the 20th century as seen trough the eyes of those Europeans who lived through it, particularly the two catastrophic wars of the period.

Mak used his reporter ʼs eye to describe the vividness of the countryside and cityscapes through which he travelled, his writer ʼs ear to interview individuals who had experienced Europeʼs most terrible and terrific times, and his historianʼs pen to narrate the passing of that most extraordinary of centuries.

Makʼs thesis is that there is no common European history.

Each country has its own version of the events of the 20th century, depending on where you are, Russia, France, England, the history of WW2 is vastly different.

But Mak is, above all, an observer. He describes what

he sees at places that have become Europeʼs well-springs of memory, where history is written into the landscape.

At Ypres, he hears the blast of munitions from the Great War that are still detonated there twice a day. In Warsaw, he finds the point where the tram rails that led to the Jewish ghetto come to a dead end in a city park. And in an abandoned créche near Chernobyl, where tiny pairs of shoes still stand in neat rows, he is transported back to the moment time stood still in the dying days of the Soviet Union.

Mak combines the larger story of twentieth-century Europe with details that suddenly give it a face, a taste and a smell. His unique approach makes the reader an eyewitness to his own halfforgotten past, full of unknown peculiarities, sudden insights and touching encounters. In Europe helps Europeans discover the past that truly unites them.

PAGE 18

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

Film Scene ‘Robin Hood’ Reviewed by Christy Hogan

T

his historical piece stars Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong and Danny Huston. There is action a-plenty in this Ridley Scott version of the Nottingham dogooderʼs story. In fact the arrows descend at an alarming rate almost like confetti at a wedding.

This version of the story deviates from earlier tellings in that it concentrates on the early career of Robin Hood and serves as a sort of prequel to the story of Robin of Loxley.

In this reworking of the legend, Robin Hood (Crowe) returns from France having fought alongside the now-deceased King Richard. He returns to England and finds rampant corruption and exploitation. Peo-

ple are being evicted from their homes having failed to pay exorbitant rents (sounds familiar) to the crown.

He teams up with Lady Marian (Blanchett) and a motley crew of pugilists to fight against poverty and injustice. There are lashings of bows and arrows and pikes and swords to keep the action boiling and the viewers on the edge of their seats.

Surprisingly, arrows do manage to find their mark despite an abundance of chain mail and shields. As you would expect from the team that brought us Gladiator, the action is gritty and believable and fight scenes are bloody and tightly choreographed. This is a lively movie and there are some memorable scenes between Crowe and Blanchett.

Marks: 8 out of 10

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‘The Ghost’ Reviewed by Christy Hogan

T

his film, directed

by Roman Polanski, was adapted from his own novel by Robert Harris. The actors include Ewan McG r e g o r, P i e r c e B r o s n a n , Jon Bernthal, Kim Catt r e a l l , Ti m P r e e c e , J a m e s B e l u s h i a n d O l i v i a Wi l liams.

A ghost writer (McGregor) lands the plum job of writing the memoirs of former UK Prime M i n i s t e r, Alan Lang (Brosnan). Having been at 10 Downing Street for over a decade, Lang has

retired to the US with his w i f e R u t h , ( Wi l l i a m s ) .

He is living on an island in a mansion and money is no object.

Luxury and ostentation a b o u n d . T h e h o u s e ʼs s e curity is akin to Fort Knox and he has secretaries and chauffeurs to beat the band.

Lang then gets tainted with a scandal with international repercussions. It appears that Lang would have done anything to stay in the U S Aʼs g o o d b o o k s d u r ing his tenure as prime m i n i s t e r.

The ghost writer at this juncture realises that this controversy is

of international importance. Before he closes the deal with the publishing company he is convinced that the details of the draft copy contain highly sensitive material.

This movie is slick and a bit complicated in spots but worth the effort in the long run. It is a good old-fashioned p o l i t i c a l t h r i l l e r.

The suggestion of simi l a r i t i e s w i t h To n y B l a i r is evident in the early stages of the film, but I donʼt think the analogy holds for the full length of the picture.

Marks: 8 out of 10

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

R INGSEND

PAGE 19

AND I RISHTOWN

C OMMUNITY C ENTRE N EWS

take place at RICC on Wednesday 30th June from 10am to 2pm, Registration is open to children ages 5 to 15 years. For further details, contact Brendan at the Ricc on 6604 789.

By Jennifer Betts The Community Rocks with Sonny Knowles People from all over Dublin came to see the legendary Sonny Knowles rolling back the years at this social event organised by Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre and held in Clanna Gael Fontenoy on 3rd June.

May Day Parade 2010 The Management and staff of RICC would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody in the Community that took part in the RICC May Day Parade. It was a fantastic opportunity for groups to showcase the wonderful work that takes place in the Community.

The summer project will commence on 3rd August until 27th August inclusive. Registration will

RICC secures award winning Recession Prosperity Garden The award winning Recession Prosperity Garden has found a home at the rear of the Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre.

It will open to the public in August 2010. Come and visit to get inspiration on how to fashion your own garden in a sustainable manner. Look out for further developments.

Designed by Sophie Von Maltzan, Landscape Architect. Fieldwork & Strategies.

Collide Annual Summer Camp Collide Annual Summer Camp at RICC will run from the 12th July for two weeks. Children from 4 to 18 years are welcome. Costs €50 per week or €70 for two weeks or siblings. Times 11 – 2.30 daily.

Surprise trip on last day. Enquiries to Ashling at 087 7624341.

RICC Mini Bus RICC Mini Bus will continue to operate the service to Barrow Street Post Office. Times will remain the same; picking up every Friday at Ringsend Church at 10.30am and 2.30pm. The bus is also available for hire to local groups for details contact the Centre on 6604 789.

Rooms for Hire If you are having a meeting or event then why not consider renting a room in RICC? We have two large rooms and two porta cabins for you to choose from. We can provide tables and chairs in a formal or informal capacity. We can also

direct you towards food and entertainment to compliment your event. Please contact the centre for rates and availability on 01 6604789.

Above: Jovial ladies with Sonny Knowles and Chris Andrews

TD at Clanna Gael Fontenoy.

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PAGE 20

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

N EW

STADIUM OPENS

By Grainne McGuinness

A

n Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen TD, officially opened the new Aviva stadium on Friday 14th May 2010. The stadium, which will be the new home for Irelandʼs international rugby and soccer teams, is a joint venture by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

Funding of €191 million was provided by the government for

the project which came in slightly under the budgeted figure of €410 million.

Planning permission for the new stadium was received in March 2007, with work on the site beginning two months later with the demolition of the old Lansdowne Road stadium.

From the start of demolition through to the handing over of the stadium to the FAI and IRFU, the project took just under three years to complete.

The result is a state-of-the-art 50,000-seater stadium which,

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while making a bold architectural statement, does not impact environmentally on the Dublin skyline. The stadium, which is on four levels on three sides, sweeps down to one level at the northern end, in respect to the housing at that end of the ground.

Mr. Philip Brown, chairman of LRSDC, thanked all those involved in the project, noting that over the course of the three years, over 6,000 people had been involved, with up to 1,300 people being on site at the busiest times.

In all, some four million working hours were spent on the project.

Speaking at the opening, Mr. Cowen said that he believed the new stadium would be of major economic benefit, not only to the city of Dublin, but to the country as a whole.

The IRFU and FAI have estimated that a minimum of five soccer and five rugby internationals a year, could be worth

upwards of €250 million to the economy.

The first fixtures in the new stadium will see a Connacht/Munster rugby selection take on a Leinster/ Ulster selection on 31st July, followed by an Airtricity league team playing Manchester United on 4th August.

The first international will see Irelandʼs soccer team play Argentina on 11th August. The first rugby international will see Ireland face current word champions South Africa on 6th November.

The general admission areas (level 1 to 5), serviced by 18 bars, 16 food outlets, and two confectionary units, will serve up to 70,000 pints of stout and lager, 3,000 hot whiskeys, 2,000 portions of fish and chips, 4,000 specialty Aviv ʻgourmet burgersʼ, and 5,000 hot beef sandwiches.

pints per minute.

John Callaghan, president of the IRFU said: “This venue has been the home of Irish rugby since 1878 and rooted in those 132 years is the celebration and joy for the Irish rugby community, that we are back in our spiritual home”.

The unveiling of this magnificent new facility marks the dawning of an exciting new era on the Irish sporting landscape.

I went along on the opening day and, wow, it is truly magnificent. As a local resident, I have seen the demolition of the old Lansdowne Road stadium, and like many of you, I couldnʼt help but remember, some of the great rugby matches I went to over the years.

Three years on from the day the diggers went in, to the completion of this state-of-the-art Aviva stadium, there is so much to take in. I was there for three hours, and did not manage to see everything!

As I sat looking down on the pitch, I could just about imagine 50,000 fans filling all those seats.

You just know the atmosphere will be electric.

At night time, when the stadium is all lit up, take the time to stand on Ringsend Bridge, which is the best vantage point, and from there you will see just how magnificent it really is. Iʼm looking forward to going back.

The state-of-the-art beer systems installed are capable of dispensing a pint in four seconds, with the ability across the stadium, of dispensing over 2,000

Among the people attending the opening were An Taoiseach Brian Cowen TD and Mary Hanafin TD, below. Packie Bonner, left, also lent his presence.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 21

T HE

GIRLS SET SAIL

Pictured at the recent Blesing of the Boats and Regatta Day in Ringsend are front from left: Chloe McDonald, Jessica Caulfield, Shannon Weafer, Leah Weafer, Shannon Spain, Rebecca Fegin and Sophie Cuffe. At rear: Ciara Bowden and Shauna Montgomery.

VIRTUAL MATES – REAL PROBLEMS

I

By Jennifer Betts

asked a friend of mine recently: what, in your opinion, is the best invention of the 20th Century? Oh, we covered all aspects of modern technology: the aeroplane, the telephone, DNA testing.

Then we moved onto more menial inventions such as the Post-It Note and my own personal favourite, fake tan! None of these though, shone in comparison to the Internet.

The internet; a network that links computers all over the world by satellite and telephone, connecting users with service networks such as e-mail and the World Wide Web… the miracle of our times, or so the received wisdom goes.

Nowadays, if you donʼt have a computer in your house youʼre considered to be behind the times.

Yes, I have a laptop and I donʼt know what Iʼd do without it.

But with modern technology now at our fingertips, are we letting strangers into our home? More to the point, have social network-

ing sites replaced the process of making friends the ʻold fashionedʼ way? Bebo, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr; the list is endless and Iʼm not too proud to admit that I partake in one of the mentioned list.

What I canʼt understand is why some users choose to display their whole life stories for all and sundry to see and really, how much do we care?

Facebook would be my preferred site and I like updating my photos for friends and family, throwing the odd comment in for good measure and occasionally spying on an ex to see if their current girlfriend is a dog or bears an eerie resemblance to my good self.

I do not however, change my relationship status every five minutes depending on whether or not Iʼve had a fight with my significant other. In my days of dating, before mobile phones, before the dawn of the World Wide Web, if we had harsh words and a falling out, we simply avoided each other for the cooling-off period, or until one party, usually me, had calmed down.

Never would I have dreamed

about posting what an arse he was on a page seen by hundreds of strangers. Thatʼs a bit cruel I suppose, they wouldnʼt all be strangers, but come on, letʼs face it, if you havenʼt spoken to that person since you were in nappies and they wonʼt be at your wedding, why divulge intimate details about your relationship to them?

Over the years, the only tool women had at their disposal was cancelling a date or withholding nookie (that one still works, I believe) but now we have a toolbar to do all our work. The latest threat is ʻkeep it up, Iʼll change my relationship status!ʼ I have never

updated my relationship status because basically itʼs my business and no one elseʼs.

Yes, I do share my woes of life with a select group of friends, but in private. Has the world gone mad? Donʼt get me wrong, I am all for these sites in connecting people and finding old friends, but in good taste.

The girl who recently posted that she was glad she decided not to keep the baby should be arrested. Not for the choice she made, but for her stupidity and morose need to share an extremely personal part of her life with the world. She got her five minutes of fame, but for all the wrong reasons.

The most I ever shared on Facebook was the demise of the unusually large spider that I found in my bathroom recently, who died at the hands of a ball of quilted tissue.

Social networking sites have opened a vast door to endless possibilities of friendships, relationships and family reunions, but on the minus side you have stalkers, bullies, potential serial killers, who knows what reading your page.

As I say, Iʼm not against networking sites, thereʼs nothing like kicking back and lazing about,

laughing at the shenanigans of my fellow facebookers, but I am mindful of who I let in. You probably wouldnʼt answer the door if they rang your bell so donʼt let them fawn all over your precious photos and hopes and dreams.

On the other side of the social scene, you know, the one with the three dimensional people, the Licensed Vintners Association are urging people back to the pub. As if Irish people needed an excuse.

They even poke fun at a particular site using their well-known phrases to catch the attention of the tetchy posse.

Funny, I thought we were still in a recession and staying in was the new going out. But OK, so as not to hurt the LVAʼs feelings Iʼll leave my laptop, go out and get hammered, spend too much money, have some snot nose tell me that Iʼm bleedinʼ massive and stagger home with the bag of chips I promised I wouldnʼt eat.

There are angels and demons on both sides, as you can see. No doubt, upon people reading this Iʼll get bombarded with messages and new friend requests and maybe a few random death threats, but I will take it all in my stride.

After all, itʼs just a page of my life, itʼs not the real me. Oh, so you think you know me then?

What can I say? Lol!

PAGE 22

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

E XCITING TIMES AT A IRFIELD

By Nessa Jennings

ʻT

he upgrade will keep the working urban farm and gardens to the forefront, emphasising the importance of farming and gardening in our livesʼ.

There was the usual warm welcome at Airfield for the unveiling of plans for the upgrade of the farm and gardens that will remain true to all the values of Airfield, ʻa gift of natureʼ, bequeathed to Dublin by Letitia and Naomi Overend, and opened to the public in 1998.

The buzzing tea rooms belie the notion that it remains a wellkept secret. Who would pass up the opportunity to lunch in such

beautiful surroundings?

Iʼd say everyone who visits has a very personal relationship with the place. I always look out for Glenn, the pot-bellied pig who can be spotted in varying degrees of exhaustion around the 35 acres.

At the moment, Doris, the saddle-backed sow has just had a litter of four grey piglets with white collars and Iʼm just wondering whoʼs responsible!

I met Mike Haslam, from Solearth Ecological Architecture, who ʻwalkedʼ me around the scale model of the proposed plans displayed on a table in the Lily Butler Room.

The plans for Airfield House and Gardens are extensive, farsighted and adventurous, in-

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cluding major improvements to the horticultural, agricultural and public amenities. The refurbishment of Airfield House will bring the Overend family archive to the fore and greatly enhance the visitor experience.

Airfield is already a working urban farm. You can buy their home-produced honey in the gift shop, but the upgrading programme proposes increasing agricultural productivity. They aim to offer a true farm-to-fork experience in the new Pavilion Café, to be built at the end of Overend Way, the new entrance and long driveway, relocated from the Kilmacud Road, where it is now, to be closer to the LUAS stop at Ballaly.

The new café will free up the house for necessary renovations and take the pressure off the small kitchen inside; a building this old requires essential repairs.

The Pavillion Café will have its own herb garden and pool, filled with water which has ʻrun offʼ from the surrounding vegetation. Trees will be planted in order to maximise the view of the Dublin Mountains, while blocking out the Balally apartment development. The Pavilion will be built on a low aspect, which looks directly up to the main house.

The fabric of the main house will be restored. This will also allow the family artefacts to be fully appreciated for the first time. The sistersʼ vintage Rolls Royces will be rehoused. The project is being financed entirely from Airfieldʼs own resources and total investment in the estate will be in the region of €10 million.

A new ʻOrientation Spaceʼ with its own courtyard will be added for live concerts and other events. The Red Barn will be kept for housing the animals and also for daytime gigs, where hay bales serve as seating.

There will be a new farm centre with stalls for pigs, goats and cattle added in the same southwest corner of the estate. Mrs Nixon– wife of the Airfield Gardener, now 90 years old, will keep her lodge house nearby, which will remain untouched.

The new plans also include a special area devoted to education and a three-acre site dedicated to new garden experiences.

Speaking at the event, Kathy Purcell, General Manager of Airfield said: “We hope to secure full planning approval by autumn 2011 and construction work will begin then. It is anticipated that construction will take 18 months. The design team, led

by Solearth Ecological Architecture, has recommended that Airfield will have to be closed during the construction period in order to expedite the works

and for health and safety reasons.”

So try and visit Airfiled while it is still open. Workshops at the farm this summer include: Organic Gardening; Grow your own Herbs; Cultivating Flowers; Sumptuous Salads; and Yoga for Gardening. Hedgerows are studied during special garden tours each Wednesday at 2pm for €8.00; Every Saturday, there is an open Swap Shop and Bazaar; and on July 11th, they will be celebrating the donkey!

Also, the team at Airfield are currently putting together a compilation of recipes, remedies, and old wives tales to be called ʻThe Big Book of Wise Waysʼ. So if you have any useful tips or yarns youʼd like to pass on for possible inclusion, please submit them to email: arts@airfield.ie.

Or post to the following address: Airfield, Upper Kilmacud Road, Goatstown, Dublin 14.

Ticket office: 01 2984301 Airfield and Overendʼs Cafe are open 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

T HE N ORTH S TRAND B OMBINGS OF 1941

By Jason McDonnell

I

attended the seminar on the North Strand Bombing and The Emergency in Ireland in Dublin City Archives on Pearse Street.

The seminar discussed the bombing of Dublinʼs North Strand area by the Luftwaffe on the night of 31st May 1941.

It was Irelandʼs only taste of the air war, as large swathes of this inner-city neighbourhood were reduced to rubble. Thirty-four people were killed and ninety injured and over three hundred houses were destroyed or damaged during the raid.

After the registration and introduction, Eoin Bairéad gave a discussion on the German bombings of ʻIreland from August 1940 to July 1941ʼ, followed by Col. Donal OʼCarroll talking about the transformation of the Army during the Emergency Period and the serious job they had to do.

Joe Miller, a Red Cross historian, talked about the important role that the Irish Red Cross played in World War II. Kevin OʼConnor talked about the effect of censorship on historical sources regarding the North Strand Bombings, which went some way towards explaining why is is so difficult to find out facts about the bombings even now.

Dr. Michael Kennedy, of the Royal Irish Academy, discussed ʻThe Air Defence of Dublinʼ and I was fascinated to learn that there were two 3.7-millimetre anti-aircraft guns set up in Ringsend Park awaiting the attack by the Nazis that night. There had been some sightings two nights earlier from a look-out post on top of Bray Head.

On the night of the bombing the anti aircraft guns in Ringsend Park fired off several rounds, just missing one of the bombers.

Given the heavy casualties and destruction caused on that night, the assault on Irelandʼs neutrality was severe, but the Irish Government decided to remain neutral despite the provocation.

Conspiracy theories abound regarding the bombings; did the British deliberately steer the bombers off course with false signals in order to draw Ireland into the war? Or, conversely, was it an attempt by the Germans to get us to declare for the Allies in order to invade and use this country as a bridgehead for an invasion of the UK? Were the bombings a reprisal for the Dublin Fire Brigade being sent to help in Belfast during earlier raids? Whatever the reason, and it must not be discounted that the raid was simply an unhappy accident, Ireland stayed out of the war.

The conference was very well attended and many survivors of the bombings shared their memories with the speakers in the latter part of the conference. The Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr. Emer Costello made an appearance and showed her genuine interest in the subject and offered to promote more seminars similar to this one in Pearse Street Library in the near future.

Pearse Street Library has a collection of photographs taken immediately after the raid available to view. I would recommend having a look at them, as apart from showing the devastation, they also offer glimpses of rarely-seen backstreets of Dublin almost 70 years ago.

Above, right: Summerhill Parade today. The pub on the right, known in 1941 as Mulveyʼs, survives from pre-war years, while all the buildings to its left are of much more recent construction.

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

W ORD M AGIC :

O RIGIN

OF THE WORD

By Glenda Cimino

T

he recent eruption of the Icelandic volcano with the unpronounceable name, Eyjafjallaj-jokull, that simply means- ʻisland-mountainglacierʼ(Eyja-fjalla-jokull), has woken us up to the reality that our lives here in Ireland can be affected and disrupted by a seemingly distant geological event.

We know that a volcano is an opening, or rupture, in a planetʼs surface or crust, which allows hot, molten rock, ash, and gases to escape from below the surface. But do you know where the name ʻvolcanoʼ originates?

Throughout history, volcanoes have frequently been identified with Vulcan and other mythological figures. There seems to be something about these fiery phenomena that fires the human imagination as well.

The word ʻvolcanoʼ comes from the little island of Vulcano in the Mediterranean Sea off Sicily.

Centuries ago, the people living there believed that Vulcano was the chimney of the forge of Vulcan– the blacksmith of the Roman gods.

They thought that the hot lava fragments and clouds of dust

‘V OLCANO ’

erupting from Vulcano came from Vulcanʼs forge as he beat out thunderbolts for Jupiter, king of the gods, and weapons for Mars, the god of war.

Vulcan, Roman God of Fire In Roman mythology, Vulcan, the god of fire, was said to have made tools and weapons for the other gods in his workshop at Olympus.

In Greece, Vulcan was known as Hephaistos, god of fire and craftsmanship. He became the smith and manufacturer of arms and armour for gods and heroes, also using a volcano as his forge.

Pele– Hawaiian Goddess of Volcanoes Hawaiian legends tell that eruptions were caused by Pele, the beautiful Goddess of Volcanoes, during her frequent fits of anger.

Peleʼs home is the Kilauea volcano, just under 4,200 feet tall, on the south side of the Island of Hawaii. One of the most active on earth, it rests on the flanks of its larger neighbour volcano, Manua Loa. Pele was both revered and feared; her immense power and many adventures figured prominently in ancient Hawaiian songs and chants. She could cause earth-

quakes by stamping her feet and volcanic eruptions and fiery devastations by digging with the Paʼoe, her magic stick. An oft-told legend describes the long and bitter quarrel between Pele and her older sister Namakaokahai that led to the creation of the chain of volcanoes that form the islands.

Llao and Skell– Native American Gods of Mount Mazama Fiery avalanches sometimes interrupted the lives of Native Americans near Mount Mazama– now Crater Lake– more than 6,000 years ago. These people interpreted Mazamaʼs violent eruptions before its collapse as a war between two gods, Llao and Skell.

Archeological evidence suggests that human beings did witness this cataclysmic event. Shamans in historic time forbade most natives to view the lake, and no information was offered about the lake to pioneers, who crisscrossed the area for 50 years without discovering it.

Northwest Indians and Mt St Helens Northwest Indians told early explorers about the fiery Mount St. Helens. They called it LouwalaClough, ʻsmoking mountainʼ.

According to one legend, the mountain was once a beautiful maiden, ʻLoowitʼ. When two sons of the Great Spirit ʻSahaleʼ fell in love with her, she could not choose between them. The two braves, Wyeast and Klickitat fought over her, burning villages and forests in the process.

Sahale was furious. He smote the three lovers and erected a mighty mountain peak where each fell.

Because Loowit was beautiful, her mountain (Mount St. Helens) was a symmetrical cone of dazzling white.

Wyeast (Mount Hood) lifts his head in pride, but Klickitat (Mount Adams) wept to see the beautiful maiden wrapped in snow, so he bends his head as he gazes on St. Helens.

Native American legends describe how the brothers Wyʼeast (Hood) and Klickitat (Adams) competed for the fair Louala-Clough (St. Helens). Behaviours attributed to Wyʼeast include hurtling of hot rocks from gaping holes, sending forth streams of liquid fire, loss of formerly high summits, and choking of valleys with rocks.

Iceland and the Katla Witch While the name Eyjafjallajokull is merely descriptive, there is a legend about Katla, the bigger volcano– 4,961 feet- next to it. She is rumoured to be a witch who gets very angry and wreaks damage as a result. In 1755, following an eruption, Katla caused flooding that displaced enough water to equal the amount of water in the Amazon, Mississippi, Nile and Yangtze rivers.

Volcanoes are generally found

where tectonic plates are diverging or converging. A mid-oceanic ridge, for example the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, has examples of volcanoes caused by “divergent tectonic plates” pulling apart; the Pacific Ring of Fire has examples of volcanoes caused by ʻconvergent tectonic platesʼ coming together.

Volcanoes can also be caused by ʻmantle plumesʼ. These so-called ʻhotspotsʼ, for example at Hawaii, can occur far from plate boundaries.

Hotspot volcanoes are also found elsewhere in the solar system, especially on rocky planets and moons.

Volcanoes are described as active, dormant, or extinct. More than 500 volcanoes are known to have erupted on the earthʼs surface since historic times, and many more have erupted on the ocean floor unobserved by humans.

Fifty volcanoes have erupted in the United States, which ranks third, behind Indonesia and Japan, in the number of historically active volcanoes.

Of the worldʼs active volcanoes, more than half are found around the perimeter of the Pacific, about a third on midoceanic islands and in an arc along the south of the Indonesian islands, and about a tenth in the Mediterranean area, Africa, and Asia Minor.

There are a number of extinct volcanoes in Ireland, one of the best preserved being Lambay Island.

You could create an entire dictionary of the names of the different kinds of volcanoes (ice volcanoes, mud volcanoes, supervolcanoes, strato, subglacial, submarine, etc.) and craters. One thing is certain: we havenʼt heard the last of them yet.

Clockwise from top: Mt Cleveland, USA; Volcan Chaitenin in southern Chile and Srtomboli off Sicily

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 25

T HE BARBER OF R INGSEND (Reprinted from the August 2004 issue of ʻNewsFourʼ)

Maggie Neary talking with the late Jim Driver

I

stood in Cecilʼs Barbers Shop on Thorncastle Street in Ringsend with the feeling of being in a heritage museum. Jim Driver, the proprietor and barber, pictured right, proudly pointed to the chairs saying, “those chairs are about 43 years old, hydraulic and still going strong.

I have been standing 55 years at this middle chair. Iʼve always worked the middle chair. Originally, there were only two chairs, the third one is like a spare and they all match up. Yes, I am 55 years seeing people coming and going.”

Jim guides my attention around the shop, which is one of the oldest barbers in Dublin. It is akin to a short, nostalgic but pertinent history of a familyʼs trade and connection with the local community.

A collage mounted on one wall is a dedication to Jimʼs brother, who died in the Vietnam War in 1969. Jim once removed this collage but rehung it on the request of his customers who see it as part of the ʻestablishmentʼ.

A sepia coloured black and white photo of two young boys catches my eye, “Yes,” Jim says, “that was taken way back, they were two local boys and one still comes to have his hair done here.”

Certificates adorn the walls, proof of Jimʼs continuing interest in updating and retraining himself on his customersʼ behalf. “I try not to change much about the décor of the shop and do only gradual improvements so people are not put off.

“I did my first shave at eleven years of age, it was on my father and I had to stand on my schoolbag. I was not much of a scholar, so at fourteen I was taken out of school and started to serve my time with my father right here in this shop, which he had opened in 1939.

I also attended Capel Street Tech for

two years, doing gents hairstyling. In the 70s I took fourth place in the AllIreland Hairdressing Championships in Belfast. I have attended courses in England also, even having two hours one-to-one with the great Vidal Sassoon.

Jim digresses and with a great show of emotion says, “you know, Iʼd like to say that it was through the Ringsend Dockers that I learned my trade. What I mean is that mostly when people go into a barbers they really donʼt want the junior working on them, but the Dockers had faith in me when I was a junior, theyʼd say ʻcome on jemmieʼ and so I was able to build up my experience.

“Ringsend was basically a working class area but now it has switched to being semi residential. A lot of the factories and the boatyards and small en-

gineering works have all departed. We get people from all over, north south, east and west.

People home visiting from America and Canada come into Jimʼs, and they want to know the news. “Iʼm lucky enough I have a good memory and indeed this is the kind of thing that keeps me going, I have seen people who are very good hairdressers but they did not like that social aspect of it. Itʼs one thing cutting a personʼs hair, itʼs another thing to get them back.

“You have to build up a relationship with the clients. I could bash haircuts out in three or four minutes but thatʼs no good. We keep moving with the times as well as catering for all ages.

The client comes in, you listen to them, they tell you what they want and you do it.

CECIL’S BARBER SHOP Traditional-Style Barber Shop Established 1939 SPECIAL OFFERS OAPs on Tuesday and Wednesday: €6 Dry Cut: €10 All Week Closed all day Monday 10 Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 Tel: 6680606

“I had one young lad came into me lately, maybe thirteen. He got out the comb and parted his hair in the middle and says to me ʻI want you to take all that side off and just leave the other side thereʼ, and I said to him ʻWhat?ʼ ʻJust take all that off,ʼ he repeated. So I went straight at it and took all the one side off with the clippers and marvellous, out he goes, happy as Larry”.

Jim laughs saying, “It can be very enjoyable. Our clientele come from all walks of life but clients value privacy and I respect that. The age group of the clients ranges from 9 months to ninety and we do our best for them all.”

I asked what he does in his time off.

“I still play golf though Iʼm getting a bit stiff. I have one great secret. I love to get up and listen to the seven or eight oʼclock news and to what they say in the papers. That sets me up for the day with things to talk about.

“So Iʼm still going strong. At the moment I donʼt have any intentions of retiring, I donʼt think Iʼd like to retire anyway. I do take things a bit easier but Iʼm always here because people coming in often ask for me, and I see myself being here for a long time to come.”

So if you need a haircut in a nostalgic setting, Jim is waiting for you with just the right mixture of professionalism and chat that helps make a body feel on top of the world.

PAGE 26

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

B UALADH BAS FOR B ATH A VENUE R ESIDENTS AGM Get growing with your own allotment!

O

n a pilot basis, Dublin City Council will be developing a community garden within Ringsend Park in which people can grow and cultivate vegetables and plants.

All residents of Dublin City Council are eligible to apply for the Scheme. As this is a community-based garden scheme, priority will be given to residents living in the immediate area.

Closing Date for Applications is Friday 9th July 2010.

The following points should be noted: • The Ringsend Community Garden is a pilot project.

• Plots will be allocated by an ʻOpen Drawʼ • The address of the applicant will be taken into account • No commercial operations will be allowed.

• There will be an annual charge of €1 to €1.50 per square metre.

Applications will be assessed on the following basis: • Applicantsʼ accommodation type (i.e– terraced house, apartment, house with back garden etc.)

• Distance from applicantsʼ home to the park • Area of the city in which the applicant resides (i.e.– South East Area or other DCC areas) Please Note: Successful applicants will be given an eleven-month letting. However, as the plots will not be allocated until September, the first group of successful applicants will have the plots up to December 2011.

Application Forms are available from: Bobby Neill, Dublin City Council, Ringsend Area Office, Portview House, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.

Telephone: 01 222 7370 Email: bobby.neill@dublincity.ie http://www.dublincity.ie/YourCouncil/LocalAreaServices/Sout EastArea/Pages/RingsendCommunityGarden.aspx The walled garden is .79 hectares which is approximately 2 acres.

There are two types of allotments available and cost the following to let: Type A– 64 square metres: €120 Type B– 30 square metres: €60

By Sheila Dunne

By Grainne McGuinness

B

ath Avenue and District Residents Association (BADRA) held their Annual General Meeting in the Gasworks hotel on Grand Canal Street. To mark the end of another successful year, they put on a night of traditional Irish music and dancing.

Traditional Irish food was also served as everyone enjoyed a beautiful meal of bacon and cabbage.

Seamus Meehan and his band ʻTemple Houseʼ provided music to suit all tastes. MC Stephen Kelly made sure everyone was involved in the dancing by demonstrating the steps for us.

N EW Z EALAND

mornings every Tuesday in July at the Scoutsʼ Den, Derrynane Gardens. All welcome. There, you can have a look at the gardening project with co-ordinater Terry Byrne.

Finally, BADRA wish to thank everyone who supported them, most especially the senior residents. They would also like to thank Eileen Canning and Anne Keating of the Social Committee for all their hard work.

Pictured above, from left, the Committee of Bath Avennue Residentsʼ Association: Anne Keating, Noel McDonagh, Cepta Hopkins, Mick Kelly, Eileen Canning, Yvonne Yuen, Betty Luttrele, Joe McCann and Terry Byrne.

WINES FOR SUMMER !

By Therese OʼToole

F

I never thought I would be able to say I can dance ʻThe Walls of Limerickʼ but now I can. The dancing was great fun and it really brought everyone together.

Joe McCann, Vice-Chairman of BADRA, started the singing with his rendition of ʻRaglan Roadʼ which went down a treat.

Anne Keating followed up with a rousing version of ʻAn Poc ar Buileʼ.

Afterwards, I spoke to Joe about future plans for BADRA. He told me the aim is to involve all generations in the area in future events. The Childrens Summer Camp is already underway and will last until late August.

Gardening competitions are planned for late summer.

BADRA will hold coffee

or the past seven years, Joyce Austin of New Zealand Boutique Wines, has been bringing to Ireland a collection of hand-crafted wines from New Zealandʼs most exciting boutique wine growers.

Joyce is a native of Dublin, who moved to Auckland seventeen years ago, from where she explores every nook and cranny of New Zealandʼs more than 600 vineyards to bring together a collection of intriguing wines.

These are some gems from among this collection:

Tussock Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Nelson, New Zealand, 13.9% abv €13.25 Aromas of gooseberry, elderflower and passion fruit, this wine has a fresh and lively acidity with flavours of ripe green apples and tropical fruits. Excellent on its own or with seafood and salads.

Waipara Springs Premo Riesling 2006, Waipara, New Zealand 10.5% abv €13.40 A sweet style Riesling, with lively acidity and flavours of orange blossom, citrus peel, ginger and limes. Fresh, zingy and complex, delicious as an aperitif and with spicy food.

Tussock Pinot Noir Rosé 2009, Nelson, New Zealand, 12% abv €13.50 Aromas of strawberries and raspberries, this wine has delicate acidity and flavours of summer red berry fruits. Ideal on its own or with salads, Asian dishes and antipasto.

Wingspan Pinot Noir, 2007, Nelson, New Zealand, 14% abv €16.50 Aged in French oak for eleven months, this Pinot Noir has aromas of blackberries and cherries.

Dry with ripe tannins, this wine has bright red fruits on the palate with a savoury spice finish. Ideal with lamb, beef and duck.

All of these wines are available at good independent wine stores including The Wine Boutique in Ringsend.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 27

CREIGHTON HIGHLIGHTS UNEMPLOYMENT

By Kieran Binchy

T

he number of people on the Live Register in Dublin has increased from 43,000 to 103,000 between 2008 and 2010.

That is 60,000 more people coping with unemployment compared to two years ago.

And those under 25 have taken a disproportional hit from the economic downturn.

The government needs to bring forward proposals to deal with this at a national level, but politician Lucinda Creighton (pictured right) also wanted to do something at a local, practical level.

She has therefore organised a series of public information meetings to provide information on opportunities and resources available in the constituency to those affected by unemployment.

Specialist speakers were present at the first meeting, in the Lansdowne Hotel, Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge on

Saturday 22nd May, to talk about a range of issues.

Training opportunities and job placements were addressed by a representative of FÁS. A representative of the City of Dublin VEC talked about the schemes and support available for adult education. The

Citizensʼ Information Services provided a speaker to talk about the rights and entitlements of job-seekers.

Volunteering in Ireland and abroad was also covered. A second FÁS speaker provided advice on CV and interview techniques. The speakers all

made themselves available afterwards to answer questions on an individual basis.

Speaking about the meetings, Lucinda commented: “I am regularly contacted by constituents affected by unemployment who are looking for information on education and training opportunities, social welfare entitlements, and volunteering opportunities. These meetings are an opportunity to make available expert speakers and positive help, advice

Pictured above from the left are fishing boatʼs skipper Charlie Byrne of George Reynolds House, and Cormac OʼByrne, Charlieʼs nephew. Charlie caught this dangerous-looking creature, a five foot seven inch long shark at Roundstone, Connemara recently. Congratulations to Charlie, commiserations to the shark.

‘ULYSSES’ AND THE BRITISH AND IRISH STEAM PACKET COMPANY

By Andreas Byrne

T

his year has been a strange one to say the least. Nobody could believe their ears. “A volcano?

You cannot be serious?” was the prevailing remark at the time.

Like so many others, I look back and recall being stranded in Dublin airport. I remember that particular morning very clearly.

Passengers were thrilled by the whole sense of Armageddon. It felt like our Latin teacher had failed to turn up for class and everyone had bunked off for the day.

At the time, I was travelling to London on a dreary work trip for a ghastly corporation. So I was quietly pleased that the volcano gave me a legitimate reprieve.

At daybreak the following morning I made my way over to Dublin seaport and boarded a vast ship called the ʻUlyssesʼ, which is owned by

Irish Ferries. The atmosphere aboard was jovial, with a Dunkirk spirit going on.

I had a marvellous time rediscovering boats. I mean boats and me? Hardly! But yes, I was quite happy to be perched on top of a floating holiday camp.

Ordinarily I suffer from nausea. At the mere hint of motion sickness I would be the first to throw up overboard. However, on this occasion, the gods were with us and the crossing was a picture of tranquillity.

I am quite a reserved person by nature, but I chatted freely with my fellow passengers. Two middle-aged twins from Maastricht, returning home from a road trip in Ireland and two rather attractive, if somewhat snooty young Irishwomen on a shopping trip to London.

There was a casino and a bar, which was served by the ubiquitous host of hard-working Eastern European mi-

grants.

Hand on heart I couldnʼt say that Ulysses was pretty in any way. However, she did have an imposing muscular grandness as she towered above the water line.

The scale of the ship was surprising and there were rumours circulating among the passengers that she was carrying over a thousand people that day. We all scrambled up and down her wrought iron frame, peering in and out of the rows of uniform port holes.

and solutions to those faced with such a difficult situation.

“The meeting in Dublin 4 was well-attended and was an informative and positive meeting. Those who attended were provided with clear and practical advice and I have had a lot of good feedback from people looking for practical information.”

A second meeting was held on the evening of 21st June at 7.00pm in the Garda Club on Harrington St.

Weeks later, I found myself walking on the campshires along the River Liffey at Sir John Rogersonʼs Quay.

I stopped in my tracks to admire a dusty and faded old building in my neighbourhood.

It was one of those glorious summer evenings weʼve been having recently and the light was fantastic across the mouth of the River Liffey.

As I gazed upon the building I read out the title carved in stone, ʻThe British and Irish Steam Packet Companyʼ built in 1909.

The original British and Irish Steam Packet Company was in fact founded much earlier in 1836 and at the time consisted of a fleet of paddle steamers.

The company has had a somewhat chequered history to say the least. Over the years ëB&Ií has changed hands many times and has survived the difficult war years and the post-war period of nationalisation. Today the Company in its most recent reincarnation has been privatised and is now known as ëIrish Ferriesí.

I lingered a while in front of the building, imagining all the people who had passed through its doors, smiling about my epic sea voyage earlier in the year. It was heartening to think that for a few short weeks in 2010 the people of Ireland were once more reacquainted with their seafaring past. Isnít life strange? An angry Volcano hundreds of miles away had rekindled a lost love. And like all good love affairs that come to an end, I left the lovely Ulysses with fond memories and a wry sense of nostalgia.

Andreas Byrne, No.1 Hanover Quarter, Hanover Quay, Dublin 2.

Mobile 086-6484812 Email HanoverQuarter@gmail.com

PAGE 28

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

THE CULINARY CORNER

H

By Louise Hanrahan

M ESSING

ABOUT ON THE

C ANAL …

i Folks, welcome to the next mouth-watering edition of the culinary corner with recipes galore to tickle your palate.

Hope you all tried out the beef stroganoff in our last issue; so this time around I am going to tantalise you with my latest ʻEasy Red Thai Fish Curryʼ.

Ingredients: 2 large or 4 small firm white fish fillets (cod, hake, haddock) 1 tablespoon of Red Thai Curry Paste 2 tins of coconut milk 1 potato, peeled and cubed 1 courgette, cubed 1 small tin of baby sweetcorn 100g of green beans or if desired, mange tout– halved 1 lime– well squeezed 1 tablespoon of fish sauce A sprinkling of fresh coriander 2 cups of rice– basmati/ brown Method: 1. Heat up the curry paste with a little coconut milk in a medium saucepan. Add the rest of the coconut milk and all the vegetables except the green beans. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes covered. Add the green beans and cook for a further 3 minutes.

2. Lift all the vegetables out of the pot with a slotted spoon. Keep warm in a serving dish.

3. Add the lime juice and fish sauce to the sauce and stir. Place the fish in this saucepan and poach gently for 5 minutes until just cooked; then lift out the fish carefully, and place on top of the vegetables. Pour over the sauce. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with the rice of your choice.

This is a very versatile curry dish, and one can substitute fish for anything else, whether it be meat/ chicken/ vegetables etc...

A mouth watering curry with no fuss.

Enjoy!

Ronnie Byrne from Sandymount is pictured on the Grand Canal near Baggot Street on his barge ʻ72Mʼ, which was built in 1936.

DO YOU DO SUDOKO? No prizes for cracking the grid below, just the knowledge that you can!

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 29

The Glass Bottle Choir about 1950

The title says it all. As always, if you knew are are one of these people, or can even name everyone here, we welcome the information.

THE NEWSFOUR

CROSSWORD COMPILED BY ANN INGLE

Name:……………………………

Address:………………………… Telephone:…………………

The winner of the prize for April-May was Anne McSweeney, Farney Park, Sandymount. Entries for this issueʼs crossword to be in by Monday 16th August. The prize is a book token for €30.

ACROSS 1 Senator and Joycean scholar (6) 5 The art of pretending to be someone else (6) 10 Their flotilla raid was recently in the news (7) 11 Type of bowling game (7) 12 No place like it! (4) 13 The earth and its inhabitants (5) 15 To walk lamely (4) 17 Crimson (3) 19 Dip this into the ink to write (3,3) 21 Get off (6) 22 Type of milk pudding (7) 23 Second largest continent (6) 25 Causing weariness or lack of interest (6) 28 Drinking vessel (3) 30 To give orders to (4) 31 Energetic and pro-active people (5) 32 Bill of fare which might include 24 down (4) 35 A bullfighter who makes the final kill (7) 36 Small bird with constantly moving tail (7) 37 Attractive or pretty, originally used in Scotland (6) 38 Very fast (6) DOWN 2 Rows the boat (7) 3 A Scottish dance (4) 4 Could he be a 2 down? (6) 5 First name of Terminator actor (6) 6 Lough---- a lake in Fermanagh (4) 7 Donʼt be caught doing this! (7) 8 High ranking cleric (6) 9 Into which you would dip 19 across (3-3) 14 What remains (7) 16 Thumb a lift (5) 18 Former Labour Prime Minister (5) 20 Sound of a sheep (3) 21 Perform (3) 23 They are often used to display photographs (6) 24 Rice dish (7) 26 Country recently in the news for financial and volcanic reasons (7) 27 Charles de ------, one time President of France (6) 28 Abbreviation for popular soap (6) 29 Edible crustaceans similar to but larger than shrimps (6) 33 Perfect garden (4) 34 Stare at in a leering or flirtatious way (4)

PAGE 30

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

P OETS

IN PROFILE :

M ICHAEL C ONNAUGHTON

By Glenda Cimino

M

ichael Connaughton was born and grew up in the Rise in Glasnevin in the 50s. His mother was a teacher in Killester National School, and Michael got his leaving certificate from the Vincentians in 1964 in St. Paulʼs College in Raheny.

He studied architecture at Bolton Street and design in the National College of Art and Design in Kildare Street, but moved to London, then the centre of the ʻhippy cultʼ.

He had a varied career, still pursuing art in one form or another. He founded a dance band in the University of East Anglia and performed with Steam Hammer and the Third Ear Band.

Onwards to Aberdeen, where he connected to a Buddhist society, and spent time in a Christian community, Findhorn, and a Buddhist meditation centre, Samye-Ling.

He linked up with a crowd called the Rainbow Gypsies, healing through the arts of theatre and dance in London and Amsterdam.

Like many hippies of the day, he took off for the caves of India, yogis in France, then back to Great Britain to study spiritual science at Emerson College, eventually resettling in Sutton.

As an artist, Michael was exhibiting his work in the UK and Ireland

from 1975 onwards. He has also published six books of poetry, and is launching his seventh book, ʻPeregrineʼ, at noon on 7 July at Ardgillan Castle in Balbriggan, accompanied by an exhibition of 69 of his recent watercolours– his 44th exhibition.

Michael has a great interest in nature– he likes to paint birds, fruit, vegetables– and his poetry reflects his observations from a rockface with a seat cut into it, on the lower Cliff Road in Howth, where he now lives.

“I wouldnʼt say I have a style– I paint to the best of my ability to express myself,” he says.

After some difficulties, Michael was diagnosed in 1980 with schizophrenia. “I have been taking tablets for this for 30 years, but it has never held me back in my work,” Michael says. In fact, the only arts grant Michael ever got was from “Disability Arts Limited of Belfast, because I had been diagnosed.”

From 1982-1984, Michael was a member of the Howth Poetry Workshop, and two of his poems were published in their anthology, ʻStepping Stonesʼ. “I learned a lot, especially from the criticism of Frank Callery, who founded the group, and Des Fitzgerald, a blind poet who wrote and read from Braille– he was the president of Rehab.”

Michael is perhaps best known in Dublin for the generous support and encouragement he has given over the

N OTHING

By George Humphries

N

ot a week goes by without all kinds of junk mail being dropped into the letterbox, and usually a few of them are from fast-food restaurants making you an offer you canʼt refuse on pizza– that eternal favourite.

In the past, I always loved a good pizza, especially when I started going to sea many moons ago. At first I was not keen on anything other than plain, simple Irish food, but when I sailed with some brilliant cooks this began to change.

On board the M. V. Irish Oak in 1976 the chef/ cook, a Wexford man, Dessie Meagher, used to make great pizzas. He was the first cook I saw using real pizza dough.

He would cover huge trays with the pizza dough, allow it to prove, and then bake the base in the oven

years to many other poets, beginning with his founding of a Poetry Festival called Voicefree, in September 1984 in the Academy Theatre in Pearse Street.

“This attracted about 20 poets. We continued, booking different venues every Monday until we were given the use of the theatre upstairs in the International Bar in Wicklow St. This lasted every Monday for four years, and we produced and sold a broadsheet of poetry and short stories– for 50p, about every two months.

Altogether, we produced 10 broadsheets, an anthology in 1985, four festivals of poetry and two 90minute cassettes of the 1988 festival.

We were on Irish radio, ʻRattlebagʼ, and toured the country as far as Wexford, Waterford, Limerick, and Newcastle West, with readings and workshops. Maurice Scully, Peter Sirr, Brigid McLoughlin, Philip Ca-

sey, Rosita Boland, Ulick OʼConnor, John F. Deane, and others now recognised as poets were part of this process.”

Sinead OʼConnor also performed one of her early gigs there, in a group called Ton Ton Macoutes, before going on to solo success on the international scene.

Voicefree folded finally when Michael got ill and could not continue to carry all of the administrative work. Michael published his first poetry book, ʻListening with Eyesʼ in 1987, followed by ʻIn Good Spiritsʼ in 2000. In 2003, he launched two collections, together, ʻThe Clairvoyantʼ and ʻCreedʼ, at the Irish Writers Centre.

Afterwards in 2003 he launched another poetry festival, Flying Colours, in the Westin Hotel and the Focus Theatre. As no Arts Council money was forthcoming, Michael had to finance the festival himself–

he always made sure participants got paid. The event was very successful in literary terms, and he produced a special broadsheet for the festival in a limited edition of 200 copies.

In 2004, he published a collection, ʻSilken Lassoʼ and in 2006, ʻWild Goldʼ.

Last year Michael held another festival, Whisper, in Howth, which actually sold out. Jenny Brady, another Howth poet, helped him with that. He believes in writers groups, and is currently in the Bayside writers group, coordinated by John OʼMalley, and is included in their recent anthology, ʻMigrating Mindsʼ.

Michael joined the Irish Writers Union in 2003, and the United Arts Club the same year. He always sought Arts Council support for his books, but it was never forthcoming, and he didnʼt let that stop him.

He stayed in the writers retreat at Annamakerrig (also at his own expense) to work on his book and exhibition in 2003 and other times. He published a book of his bird paintings in March 2010, ʻCurlew Collections.ʼ He has sold quite a few of his paintings over the years.

Poets he likes and admires are Maurice Scully, Seamus Heaney, Gabriel Rosenstock, Paula Meehan, and Theo Dorgan. Paula encouraged him to keep writing. “My writing deals with inner evolvement, beauty, wonder, awe and reverence, truth, goodness. Writing poetry for me clears my head and my soul of a lot of rubbish. It puts me on a different level, a higher level of consciousness.

I write nearly every day. My advice to aspiring poets? Write, and write blindly, until they see the light.”

QUITE AS GOOD AS A PIECE O ’ PIZZA

for about 20 minutes. In a saucepan, he would have the pizza mix ready. For this, he always used red and green peppers, tinned tomatoes and mushrooms, as well as chopped onions and garlic.

First, he would spread a layer of garlic and tomato puree on the base, followed by the mix, and topped off with finely-cut ham or frankfurters and lots of grated cheddar cheese.

Then the whole thing was popped under the grill for a few minutes– my mouth is watering while Iʼm typing this! This was real pizza as I first came across it. Miles better, for my money, than anything you will get in a supermarket or even in some restaurants and much cheaper too.

So here is my recipe for real Pizza Pie. You will need: 3 lbs plain flour

Pinch of salt 1 oz fresh yeast 1 oz sugar Good cup olive oil 1½ pints warm water 2 oz milk powder optional 3 tins of tomatoes 2 large red peppers 2 large green peppers 2 large onions 2 large tinned mushrooms Chopped ham or hot dogs

1 small tin tomato puree 1 clove fresh garlic Salt & pepper 1 lb cheddar cheese For the base, first dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water until the yeast starts to ferment.

This will take about twenty minutes. Meanwhile, sieve the flour, milk powder and a pinch of salt into a mixing bowl and add the olive oil gradually, while mixing– then mix well for ten minutes. Then, slowly add the fermented yeast to the mix and make a nice, pliable soft dough. This will be achieved by kneading the dough very roughly– the more the dough is worked, the better the result.

For the topping, peel and chop the onions and drain the tomatoes, add these into a saucepan along with the chopped peppers, mushrooms, finely-sliced garlic and a dollop of tomato puree. Allow to simmer for

twenty minutes and adjust the seasoning. Allow the mix to stand for at least twenty minutes.

When the dough has been allowed to prove twice it is now ready for use. Grease two large baking sheets, then roll out the dough to cover the entire sheet. Cover the centre with a smaller tray and allow to prove for about fifteen minutes in a warm place.

Bake for twenty minutes at gas mark 6 or 250º centigrade in an electric oven. When the bases are baked, allow them to cool before spreading with garlic and tomato puree.

Next, spread the tomato sauce topping, add finely-sliced ham or sausage to taste and lastly cover with the grated cheese. Put your pizza under a hot grill or in a hot oven until the cheese has melted. Finally, sit down with family or friends and a good bottle of wine or two to enjoy a real pizza.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 31

THE POETRY PLACE

Animal House

Memories

Greed

In the dining room I found a cat.

Another cat, There are too many cats

He sits in the window that looks onto the street,

I have fallen to pieces.

As he lights up his pipe his thoughts wander back,

Watching the people and traffic pass by, He is now old and his life is restricted, And Heíll be the last of his pals to die.

To the days when he was a healthy young man,

In the kitchen I found a dog.

Another dog, There are too many dogs I am falling to pieces

A few sad tears run down his wrinkled old face, As he remembers as much as he can.

His memory is failing, its just not the same, All those past years have taken their toll, He remembers the day when he played his first match,

In the scullery I found a giraffe Now, that was a first!

the day when he scored his first goal.

He remembers his friends and the good times they had When they went everywhere together.

By John Moore

Sonnet 54

To partys and dances and holidays too.

Always together whatever the weather.

He remembers the day when he first met the girl

My love, like the spectator, idly sits; Beholding me, that all the pageants play, Disguising diversely my troubled wits.

Sometimes I joy when glad occasion fits, And mask in mirth like to a comedy: Soon after, when my joy to sorrow flits, I wail, and make my woes a tragedy.

Yet she, beholding me with constant eye, Delights not in my mirth, nor rues my smart: But, when I laugh, she mocks; and, when I cry, She laughs, and hardens evermore her heart.

What then can move her? if nor mirth nor moan, She is no woman, but a senseless stone.

By Edmund Spenser

Love on The D.A.R.T. The D.A.R.T. didnʼt go any further, Just enough to be discreet Away from the nosey neighbours And the patter of parental feet.

Whose charm he will never forget.

And the day that he married the love of his life, The one day he will never regret.

Many years have gone by, now he lives all alone Then he pulls the blind down and shut out the light on a world that has gone by much too fast.

By Sonny Kinsella

The World Cup

Election promises, vaouous words, Exceptional profits, now absurd, Property bought, mainly abroad Live a life, paid by fraud.

Done deal, dirty dealing, Clever planning, itʼs not stealing.

Dig the dirt, itʼs not worth Palatial palace, paint all peeling.

Celtic roar, septic tigers, Not much use to insiders.

Those outside can only wait To hear the outcome of their faith.

By Dave Fleming

It will be celebrated From Soweto townships to Johannesberg. All nations

by plane, by sea. South Africa, Spain, Slovenia ñ they will all

They stopped in the shop for provisions No champagne and caviar here, But coke and crisps and 10 cigarettes No money for vodka and beer

Where every possible nationality

A Róisín ná bíodh brón ort féʼr éirigh dhuit: Tá na bráithre ʻteacht thar sáile ʻs iad ag triall ar muir, Tiocfaidh do phárdún ón bPápa is ón Róimh anoir ʻS ní spárálfar fíon Spáinneach ar mo Róisín Dubh.

Mhairbh tú mé, a bhrídeach, is nárbh fhearrde dhuit, Is go bhfuil mʼanam istigh i ngean ort ʻs ní inné ná inniu; Dʼfhág tú lag anbhfann mé i ngné is i gcruthNá feall orm is mé i ngean ort, a Róisín Dubh.

from all over the world, by train,

It was cold; it was wet; it was windy As the sun set over Bray Head But for these two lusty young lovers Their Valentineʼs night lay ahead.

Róisín Dubh

Is fada an réim a léig mé léi ó inné ʻdtí inniu, Trasna sléibhte go ndeachas léi, fé sheolta ar muir; An éirne is chaith mé ʻléim í, cé gur mór é an sruth; ʻS bhí ceol téad ar gach taobh díom is mo Róisín Dubh.

The World Cup is here,

and friendship. They have come

By Dave Fleming

Rogues, raiders, inside-traders, Rags-to-riches, wealthy bitches, Rakes of money, loose it quick, Bankers bonkers; rich men flip.

And the window is his world of the past.

Will congregate in sportsmanship

As they walked past the lights and the laughter To the last B&B on the pier, They disappeared into the darkness, To a world of passion, not fear.

Grovel, growl, Greek, geek.

Money grab; NAMA seek, Banks in trouble, give them more; People worry, let them roar.

Shiubhalfainn féin an drúcht leat is fásaigh ghuirt, Mar shúil go bhfaighinn rún uait nó páirt dem thoil.

A chraoibhín chumhra, gheallais domhsa go raibh grá agat dom -ʼS gurab í fíor-scoth na Mumhan í, mo Róisín Dubh.

be trying to claim the Jules Rimet trophy. The World Cup is being held in the Rainbow Nation. comes together in colourful harmony, leading to fulfilling unity.

By Derek Sandford

As always, we welcome contributions to The Poetry Place, which can be sent to the ʻNewsFourʼ offices at 7 Bridge Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.

Dá mbeadh seisreach agam threabhfainn in aghaidh na gcnoc, is dhéanfainn soiscéal i lár an aifrinn do mo Róisín Dubh, bhéarfainn póg don chailín óg a bhéarfadh a hóighe dhom, is dhéanfainn cleas ar chúl an leasa le mo Róisín Dubh.

Beidh an Éirne ʻna tuiltibh tréana is réabfar cnoic, Beidh an fharraige ʻna tonntaibh dearga is doirtfear fuil, Beidh gach gleann sléibhe ar fud Èireann is móinte ar crith, Lá éigin sul a n-éagfaidh mo Róisín Dubh.

Tradisiúnta

PAGE 32

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

L ETTERS TO M ARIA

By Jennifer Betts

D

ear Mammy, I woke up today and you werenʼt there to make me my Coco Pops. Daddy made them but they werenʼt the same. I think Daddy was crying he looked sad, so I gave him a hug.

Dear Mammy, itʼs been two weeks now and youʼre still not here. Where have you gone? If itʼs because I wouldnít tidy my Transformers then Iʼm sorry, please come back.

Dear Mammy, Daddy says youʼve gone on holiday, I hope itís nice there and you are having fun, but I miss you.

Dear Mammy, it was my birthday today. Daddy threw me a big party with all my friends. Stephen was there; he ate too much cake and got sick on the carpet, everyone laughed. I got lots of presents. Aunt Maura and Uncle Peter were there. They were hugging Daddy a lot. Mammy, can I tell you a secret? When I blew out my candles I didnʼt wish for a new bike, I wished for you to come back.

Dear Mammy, I spoke to Daddy today, he said youʼve gone to a place where there are no visitors allowed. I wish you would write back. I miss you very much.

Dear Mam, Iʼm sorry I havenʼt written to you in so long. Iʼve realised now that youʼre never coming back. I feel so angry. Dad has become distant and weʼre not as close as we once were. I feel so alone.

Dear Mam, I started secondary school today, it was a bit nervewracking. Itʼs so hard having more than one teacher. I donʼt know how Iʼm going to keep

track of everyone. I met some interesting people. One guy is from China, his name is Ping, I laughed to myself, I know I shouldnʼt have! I canʼt say what my favourite subjects are yet but I think Iʼm going to like Art. My teacher, Ms Copeland, seems nice. A few of the others are a bit scary!! Dad is doing better, heʼs been busy at work so we donʼt see each other as much as Iʼd like. Anyway, I miss you.

Dear Mam, met this really cool girl at school today, sheʼs a year ahead of me and doing her Junior Cert. Her name is Janice and everybody fancies her. I havenʼt told Dad about her, Iʼd be too mortified! I was so glad that she talked to me. We met at lunch and just hit it off. I hope she doesnʼt think Iʼm a loser because I like art and poetry. Iʼm thinking of asking her out but Iʼm afraid sheʼll say no! Wish me luck!

Dear Mam, well me and Janice have been going steady for six months now. She was my first kiss. I hope I did it right. Dad has met her a few times, sheʼs been round to the house. Although he just nods hello over the paper. I wish you could meet her, sheʼs perfect. She has long blonde hair and blue eyes. I wrote a few poems about her but Iʼm too shy to read them aloud.

Dear Mam, I start my junior cert tomorrow. Iʼm so nervous.

Dad says if I get five honours heʼll buy me a phone so Iʼm really going to work hard.

Dear Mam, well I got my phone!! I actually got an A in art Iʼm so happy. Dad wants me to sign up for the hurling team, but I donʼt know how to tell him Iʼm not that into sports. Iʼm really getting into music and would

love to take up the guitar, but I donʼt know if Dad can take the noise!

Dear Mam, Janice has been really distant lately, I donʼt know whatʼs wrong. I finally read her one of my poems but I didnʼt get the reaction I was hoping for. Remember when you used to read to me? My favourite was ʻI am Davidʼ. I wish you were here.

Dear Mam, me and Janice broke up. She said that she needed time alone, but Timmy OʼMalley said he saw her with Darren Grimes. Iʼm so upset. I think I loved her, I did love her.

Dad says to cheer up and there are plenty more fish in the sea. I donʼt know what that means. My heart is broken.

Dear Mam, I just got my results for my leaving cert and got the points I need to go to college.

Iʼm going to study art and drama.

I saw Janice the other day but she didnʼt say hello. I havenʼt really had a proper girlfriend since her. Guess Iʼm a bit shy. Iʼm just trying to focus on college. I hope youʼre proud of me.

The recent Anchorage Toddle in Ringsend Park for Third World children…

Dear Mam, had my first drink today, Dad took me to his local. Well, it was almost my first drink I tried it once when I was 15, please donʼt be mad I didnʼt like it!! Dad was so funny he introduced me to everyone. I think heʼs warming to the idea of having a son whoʼs an art major, although I may take him to a hurling match for his birthday in June.

Dear Mam, I met this girl in college, her name is Helen. She makes me feel like Iʼm dancing on stars! Sheʼs an English major and wants to be a teacher. I even showed her some of my poems, she particularly liked the one I wrote about you. She inspires me Mam! You should see her, she has striking red hair and green eyes, she reminds me of you. I think she may be ʻthe oneʼ.

Dear Mam, Helen and I got married on June 3rd, just like you and Dad. Dad brought along a friend, a woman, sheʼs nice.

Please donʼt be jealous! Her name is Anna and she has two boys, which Iʼve grown very

fond of. I wish you could have seen our wedding day, it was beautiful. Not the same without you though.

Dear Grandma! Helen gave birth to beautiful twins at 4.30am. Iʼm so over the moon I canʼt stop smiling! Dad is loving his new role and canʼt wait to babysit. We called them Ella after Dadʼs Mum and Maria, after you. I swear that Maria has your look and a hint of red hair. Never thought Iʼd feel this happy, but I still miss you.

Dear Mam, Dad is getting weaker by the day, I fear for his health. Anna has spent the past two weeks by his side, sheʼs been really supportive. I painted a picture of him and it hangs proudly above his bed. I know his time is nearing the end, but Helen and the girls keep me grounded.

Dear Mam, God itʼs been years since I wrote you. Iʼm sorry, but I think about you and Dad every day. I am now a Granddad. Maria had a beautiful baby boy whom she called Francis, after Dad. Ella is still living in Australia but comes home every few months.

Dear Mother, I donʼt feel as energetic as I used to. Helen keeps urging me to go to the doctor about this cough that I canʼt seem to shake. I wish she wouldnʼt worry so.

Dear Mother, It turns out that cancer will catch you no matter how healthy you are. Guess itʼs time I put things in order. Ella refuses to go back to Australia. I keep telling her Iʼm fine but sheʼs insistent, like her mother.

Dear Mother, I think this will be my last letter for a while. I visited you and Dad today and laid flowers. Please tell Dad that I miss him and my life was better for having parents like you.

But Mam, if I get scared near the end, please hold my hand like you used to. I know Iʼll see you both soon. Love Sam xx.

And the Blessing of the Boats at Ringsend Regatta.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

By Glenda Cimino

O

n June 14 the international Peace Boat, the Oceanic, visited Dublin on its 69th Global Voyage. The Oceanic left Japan on April 16, 2010 with 850 participants.

The ship plans to visit 22 ports in 20 countries around the world over the course of 101 days before it returns to Japan on 25 July. From Yokohama, its visits include China, Vietnam, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Russia, Norway, Ireland, Mexico, and other countries.

The Peace Boat is a Japanbased, international NGO that has been working since 1983 to promote peace and sustainability through the organisation of peace voyages onboard a large passenger ship. It has a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the U.N. Mission: to Campaign for a peaceful, nuclear-free world Ten Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) are on the voyage, and their heartbreaking personal stories of what they experienced in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, and the lifelong suffering they have endured as a result of radiation exposure at that time are moving arguments for nuclear disarmament.

During this voyage, a delegation of Hibakusha took part in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review in May at the United Nations. The Peace Boat has a strong focus on nuclear disarmament and how to create a peaceful, nuclear-free world.

It also features the relaunch of the Global University, with themes including peaceful resolution of conflicts in the Middle East, environmental sustainability in Northern Europe and globalisation in Latin America.

The two atomic bombs dropped by the U.S. on Hiroshima and

PAGE 33

A

PEACEFUL VOYAGE

Nagasaki killed over 200,000 people instantly, created a hell on earth for survivors, and unleashed a nuclear arms race. Sadly, more than 2000 nuclear ʻtestsʼ have taken place since then.

The hydrogen bomb dropped on Bikini Atoll in 1954 was 1,000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, and created more hibakusha in surrounding areas.

There are over 23,000 nuclear weapons in the world today, many on the same state of alert as during the Cold War, and thousands could be launched in a few minutes, devastating the entire world.

On three separate voyages, 103 hibakusha have visited schools, met with leaders and decision makers, and held press conferences. The average age of the hibakusha is now over 75 years old– they were babies or children at the time of the nuclear bombs– so the time remaining for them to share their experience and their message directly with the world is very short.

The hibakusha held a press conference and a round-table discussion in Buswellʼs Hotel, after

which the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello, hosted a reception for them in the Mansion House.

The mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki began the Mayors for Peace Network, which seeks abolition of nuclear weapons. Mayors in 3,800 cities in 143 countries and regions are carrying out the 2020 Vision Campaign, aiming for nuclear abolition by that date.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin is a member of Mayors for Peace and undertook to recruit more Irish mayors to this cause. Also present were representatives of Pax Christi, the Peace and Neutrality Alliance and other NGOs and peace groups.

According to Canon Patrick Comerford, President of the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (Irish CND), the Irish Nobel Peace Laureate, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, had planned to take part in the consultation until her detention by Israeli forces for being on board the ʻRachel Corrieʼ during the recent flotilla that was

intercepted on its way to Gaza.

However, she sent a message of support and thanks for ʻparticipating in this global voyage to remind the world of its moral and legal responsibility to demand their governments abolish these suicidal/ genocidal weapons of destructionʼ.

The participants on board the Peace Boat, including the hibakusha, expressed shock and sadness at the Israeli attack on the flotilla, which was staged immediately after they visited a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan.

As an expression of their appeal for a nuclear-free and peaceful Middle East, over 100 people on board the ship displayed a huge banner that declared: ʻEnd the Blockade– Free Gazaʼ. The banner could be seen on the side of ʻThe Oceanicʼ as it sailed out of Dublin on June 14.

The group also laid flowers and colourful paper cranes at the Hiroshima Peace Cherry Tree in Merrion Square. The paper cranes echo the story of Sasaki Sadako, a young girl in Hiroshima who

was exposed to black radioactive rain at the age of two. She went to elementary school in good health afterwards, but at the age of 12 fell sick with leukaemia.

While fighting with the fear of death, Sadako started to fold paper cranes at the hospital, as she knew a legend that if someone folds 1000 cranes, their wish is granted. She never complained about her pain and suffering and never ceased folding, but died before she could fold all the cranes.

Her classmates erected the Childrenʼs Peace Monument in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and the paper cranes, or orizuru, are now a universal symbol of the wish for world peace.

Later, at a meeting in the Art Exchange in Temple Bar, Irish songs were played and sung, and in return, the Hibakusha sang for us in Japanese.

Also on the journey are Kawasaki Akira and Meri Joyce of Peace Boat International, the Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Miller, Lisa Clarke and Alyn Ware of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, Aaron Tovish of Mayors for Peace, and Dr Randy Rydell, Senior Political Affairs Officer in the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs.

Their visit to Dublin was co-ordinated by Dr David Hutchinson Edgar and Mary McCarrick of the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (Irish CND) and Krisztina Dragoman of World without Wars and without Violence Ireland.

Above: The Peace Boat and on left, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Emer Costello, and the visiting hibakusha and translators at the official reception in the Mansion House (photo from blog of Patrick Comerford).

PAGE 34

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

The Fontenoy Files

By Shay Connolly

H

i Folks. Enjoying the beautiful weather I hope. Wonderful it surely is but even wonders have a price.

Believe it or not folks, we are praying for rain. “Ah will you stop,” I hear you say, but we need the rain to keep our pitches in good order. So we would be grateful if you go down on bended knees and ask the good Lord himself to bring us tears from the sky.

We donʼt need an ʻIrish summerʼ but we do need a couple of rainy days. What happens on these pitches is what we are all about and let me fill you in on the goings on since the last edition.

The Juveniles are approaching their mid-term break. Pride of place goes to the U11 girls who captured the league title and U11 footballers who won the county Championship.

OʼDempseys from Laois paid us a return visit after we journeyed there earlier this year. The preparation was unbelievable.

Not to be outdone by the hospitality on that trip, mothers were busily making cakes, scones, tarts and a list of confectionary that even this much-travelled scribe never heard of.

Deirdre McGrath was the Darina Allen of the whole show, calling to the parentsʼ homes the night before tasting and sampling all the food in preparation. In one of these visits Alice Foley told her politely where to put her opinions before flicking jam and cream at her going out the door.

However a brave front was put up by all the aspiring chefs for the visit and in the end OʼDempseys conceded the hospitality contest when they could eat no more.

With all the splendid dishes on display no one bothered watching the match at all, much to the delight of the young teams involved. Reports from that quarter suggest we sneaked it by a couple of points.

Ballina School also paid us a visit in the past month for the annual Moclair Cup contest with Star of the Sea school.

There were no fancy doughnuts

here as Ballina, despite losing the second leg, won the overall trophy on aggregate scoring.

Everyone had a bag of chips afterward with a string of chicken thrown in and there wasnʼt a scrap left for the Brent Geese.

Staying with the Juveniles, they ran their annual fundraiser in the Function Hall on June 25th; poncho in Chief, Ken OʼByrne, threw down the gauntlet by demanding that all and sundry had to buy a horse for this much-needed fundraiser.

Penalty for failing to do so was 60 press-ups in the Hurling Wall arena the following morning.

The parents who attended were aghast at the newly-refurbished Function Hall in all its glory, with flashing lights and pink elephants bombarding the walls throughout the night. This was a night for the young parents as they danced the night away after all the races were run.

Pat Duffy didnʼt like it at all.

He sulked away in the corner chanting “why canʼt we have a sing song?” Bernard Barron tried to console him by bringing him out the back where Pat sang ʻFour Roads to Glenamaddyʼ into his ear ever so quietly.

After Dave Walshʼs escapades last year he had to be frisked on the way in and security kept a close eye on him throughout, especially when he did ʻThe Walls of Limerickʼ at the end of the night.

Mentioning Pat Duffy and

Ken OʼByrne, Pat and Ken are resurrecting the ancient game of Rounders for the summer break every Tuesday night at 7.00. Anyone interested in this ʻgreat craicʼ sport please meet at Clubhouse each Tuesday at 7.00 or phone Pat Duffy at 0868316827. Bats and balls will be provided.

These long-suffering mentors in the Juvenile section brought all the kids to Croke Park to view the wonderful museum there and again for Dublinʼs opening round championship match against Wexford.

It was bad enough having to control over 100 youngsters, but having to watch Dublinʼs display was much worse that anything a 100-plus kids could get up to; so all were glad to get out of there in one piece.

The next match against Meath was even more heartbreaking, as the Dubs tumbled to a heavy defeat. Whatʼs gone wrong with our County team? Not enough people from this area on the team, methinks!

Ladies Footballers are in the semi-final of the championship and new trainer Claire Egan has all the girls on their toes in preparation for same. Special diets, no alcohol, 8.00 am training sessions on Sunday mornings are part of the preparations and the girls are responding magnificently The second ladies adult team is up and running and name of the game here is fun and games and it is also a great preparation for the younger teams coming through.

The senior hurlers have come so close to winning matches it is unbelievable. Losses of 1 point, 2 points and 3 points seem to be the order of the day and if they can reverse their fortunes they can still save their season, especially in the championship.

Adult footballers are lying in 2nd place after relinquishing top spot two weeks ago in their match with St Monicas.

However, they kept their titlewinning aspirations very much alive with a 20 point trouncing of OʼDwyers three days later.

With 6 matches to go, the Senior Footballers are still in with a

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010 good chance.

Club Fun Day was a huge success with great fun and laughter had by all sections and visitors to the club. Great praise is due to Jacqui McDonnell for her organisation of same.

IMPORTANT DATES Summer Camps: Gaelic Football: Mon 9th to Fri 13th August inclusive Hurling: Mon 16th to Fri 20th August inclusive

PAGE 35 For more information please visit our website www.clannagaelfontenoy.ie or phone Club Coach, Johnny Sadlier at 085-7343066

phone Shay at 087-9011716.

Registration Day: 2010/2011 season at 10.30 am on September 4th

Opposite page, top: Visit of OʼDempseys to Clanna Gael.

Opposite page, bottom: Action on the field from the visit of OʼDempseys.

Below: A taste of culinary excellence.

Note: Anyone wishing to book our sparkling, sensational, unbelievable, decorative new Function Hall please

Enjoy the rest of the Summer but donʼt forget to pray for rain!

Among historic trees at Simmonscourt Castle, Ballsbridge.

Pictured are, from left: Aubrey Fennell; Anne Ellis, Donnybrook; Tony Callaghan, Simmonscourt Castle; Angela OʼConnell, Pembroke Library and Eve Parnell, Simmonscourt Castle.

Calafort Átha Cliath

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

Telephone: 887 6000, 855 0888 Fax: 855 7400 At the Ringsend and Irishtown Mid-Summer Music Festival in Thorncastle Street, were from left: Stephen Sheridan, Annette Sheridan, Linda OʼReilly, John OʼSullivan, Kathleen Sheppard, Lee Sheppard, Melissa Sheppard, Pauline Thompson, Joan Nolan and Reagan Tucker.

Web: www.dublinport.ie

PAGE 36

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

T HE MINK MENACE

I

By John Fitzgerald

n October 2009, the Green Partyʼs Programme for Government included a phasingout of Irelandʼs fur farms. The six mink farms that operate in the Republic would have three years to wind down and would be closed by October 2012.

The ban was widely welcomed by animal rights campaigners across the country.

Bernie Wright of The Alliance for Animal Rights said it was a major victory. ʻThank you Green Party and thank you John Gormleyʼ, her statement read.

Compassion in World Farmingʼs director Mary-Anne Bartlett also congratulated the Green Party on its commitment to improving the protection of

By David Thomas Nolan

S

t Patrickʼs CYFC capped a wonderful season by lifting the Gilligan cup to add to the 1A league title and the Tynan cup won by the 2nd team.

A ninteen-game unbeaten run

animals.

England and Wales banned fur farming in 2000. At the time there were 11 farms left in the UK. Scotland and Northern Ireland followed suit, with fur farms deemed illegal since 2003.

There are currently almost 6,000 fur farms in the EU, producing 64% of the worldʼs fur.

Mink are farmed in great numbers in northern Europe, with Denmark being the biggest producer in the world. China, the Netherlands and the US are the next biggest.

The American Mink ʻMustela Visonʼ, pictured above, was introduced to Ireland in the 1950s for fur farming purposes. It is a semi-aquatic member of the weasel family and is highly efficient as both a hunter and an since the beginning of March sent the 1st team on its way to an intermediate double, which included fourteen clean sheets and 58 goals scored. Senior 1 football beckons next season in what will be another major step up for the club.

Our second team, pictured, won the Tynan cup, which helped us

escapee.

Descendants of escapees are now found feral in every county in Ireland. They are excellent swimmers and do huge damage to poultry, native wildlife and fisheries.

Methods used to control the overcome the disappointment of a fifth place league finish. Our third team finished the season trophyless, having topped the league for most of the campaign.

Their challenge wilted eventually finishing fourth, but to their credit only losing four league games all season long, with three of those defeats coming during a poor run of results in March.

Our schoolboy team continues to develop well. There are some very talented players in the team, who will hopefully provide the club with more success in years to come. So with the season now over, we will have a well-earned break before pre-season training.

The Leinster Senior League awards presentation is on 19th June. On Saturday 24th July our own presentations will be held in The Garda Club. All are very welcome.

Before we sign off for the 2009/10 season, the club would like to make known its deep appreciation to all our sponsors, both large and small. In these very trying times we recognise the generosity shown by our many sponsors and the wider support from ticket buyers– their continuing support is very important and we appreciate it.

We would like to thank the following: Fanagans Funeral Directors (www.fanagans.ie), P-Mac Ltd, The Hobblers Bar Ringsend, The Yacht, Ringsend, McGowans Print Innovation (www.mcgowansprint.com) and to all our many

feral population seem to have little overall affect. The mink invade the territory of the native stoat, pine martin and otter.

Mink breed in February/ March and the pregnancy can last 40 to 80 days. The female will give birth to three to five

D OUBLE

young or ʻkitsʼ, which are weaned within eight weeks.

These kits will travel to establish their own exclusive territory in late August or September.

The minksʼ effect on native bio-diversity has been widely studied in Scotland. One such study over 10 years shows ground-nesting seabirds suffered a devastating decline due to mink predation.

Like foxes, they donʼt just kill what they need to eat but will kill all they can. Evidence suggests that other ground nesters such as the corncrake are victims.

On top of the change of habitat and pollution that threaten our bio-diversity, the threat posed by mink requires serious action.

Thankfully, the fur farms will soon be gone but the tidying-up operation may take some time.

Perhaps a cull or government bounty for killed specimens would be some help.

JOY FOR

contributors, some of whom prefer to remain anonymous.

Also, a special thanks to all the management and committee for their dedication and hard work.

Thanks to John Young and Mark Benson our 1st team manager and coach, who have done a top-class job in developing a very talented first team. Also, Derek Bowden and Tony for their hard work with our 2nd team as they develop the players of the future as well as he two Rays (Doyle and Williams) for their work with our 3rd team.

A special well done to the hardest working committee around in Padser and John Healy, George Desay, Pat (Biffo) OʼKeefe, Ben Hannigan and Wayne Byrne. Also a special thanks to Paddy McGuinness and John Behan for their continued support.

For more information about the club you can log on to our facebook page at www.facebook.com.

CY

Cambridge young guns fall at final hurdle In other local soccer news Cambridge Boys Under elevens lost narrowly in the Deering Cup Final. Despite a valiant effort, they lost out to Wayside Celtic 3-2, with Jason Byrne and Sean Glynn scoring for the Ringsend side.

Liffey Pearse completed their first season in the the top Intermediate division with a mid-table finish, a very notable achievement. The Liffeys also reached the semi-final of the Ryan Cup, going out to the all-conquering Crumlin Utd. Vintage Docklands, in their debut season in the LSL, won the Liam Dodd Cup, beating Fassaugh Celtic one-nil in the final.

Markievicz Celticʼs first team achieved promotion to Major Sunday, finishing runners-up to Ballyoulster Utd, while Ringsend Roversʼ bid to go back up into Major 1 Saturday fell away with a fourth place finish.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 37

T HE LEYHUNTERS ARE COMING

By Glenda Cimino

T

he Society of Leyhunters are taking a field trip to Ireland from Saturday 18th September to 25th September. This will be their first expedition across the Irish Sea to explore mythic Ireland.

They will be at Newgrange for the Equinox and plan to visit Loughcrew and many other ancient sites. They are running a bus from Bournemouth to Holyhead, and they are already booked-out. Lawrence Main of Machynlleth, Wales, is the coordinator.

Ley lines are alleged alignments of a number of places of geographical interest, such as ancient monuments and megaliths that are thought by certain adherents to dowsing and New Age beliefs to have spiritual power.

In September 1870, William Henry Black gave a talk to the British Archaeological Association in Hereford titled Boundaries and Landmarks, in which he speculated that “Monuments exist marking grand geometrical lines which cover the whole of Western Europe.”

Their existence was again suggested in 1921 by the amateur archaeologist Alfred Watkins, who coined the term ʻleyʼ or ʻleylinesʼ in his book ʻThe Old Straight Trackʼ.

The believers in ley lines think that the lines and their intersection points resonate a special psychic

or mystical energy. To some, this is verified experience; to others, pseudo-science.

Watkins described the straight alignments of ancient sites across country. Such sites included prehistoric standing stones and stone circles, barrows and mounds, hill forts and earthworks, ancient moats, old pre-Reformation churches, old cross-roads, river crossings, fragments of old straight trackways, and prominent hill tops.

A close examination of Watkinsʼs leys reveals that he was perceiving a number of different kinds of alignment. A small number were simple alignments of prehistoric sites, but many were what we would now call ʻchurch linesʼ (a phenomenon fully accepted by German archaeologists), ʻcorpse waysʼ, ʻchurch pathsʼ and ʻcoffin linesʼ.

It is clear from his writings that Watkins also included straight Native American paths or ʻroadsʼ too, and such ancient tracks have also been discovered in Ireland.

These lines appear in many different cultures and periods and manifest themselves in varying forms. Ley lines can be the product of ancient surveying, property markings, or commonly-travelled pathways.

Many cultures use straight lines across the landscape. In South America, such lines often are directed towards mountain peaks; the Nazca lines are a famous example of lengthy lines made by ancient cultures.

Straight lines connect ancient pyramids in Mexico. Some Mexican shamans believe that on December 21, 2012, there will be a complete alignment between a window at the ball court at Chichen Itza pyramid complex, the earth, the sun, and the centre of the galaxy, with unknown consequences.

Watkinsʼs theories have been adapted by later writers. Some of his ideas were taken up by the occultist Dion Fortune of Glastonbury, who featured them in her 1936 novel ʻThe Goat-footed Godʼ.

Since then, ley lines have become the subject of more than a few magical and mystical theories.

Two British dowsers, Captain Robert Boothby and Reginald A. Smith of the British Museum, have linked the appearance of ley lines with underground streams and magnetic currents.

Guy Underwood conducted various investigations and claimed that crossings of ʻnegativeʼ water lines and positive aquastats explain why certain sites were chosen as holy.

He found so many of these ʻdouble linesʼ on sacred sites that he named them ʻholy lines.ʼ Modern studies such as those by Martin Brennan and Robert Bauval also look at astronomical alignments.

Glastonbury Glastonbury is undeniably a magical place, easily reachable from Ireland by Ryanair to Bristol and then bus to Glastonbury. Glastonbury is also said to be the centre of several ley lines.

During the 7th millennium BC the sea level rose and flooded the valleys and low-lying ground surrounding Glastonbury so the Mesolithic people occupied seasonal camps on the higher ground, indicated by scatters of flints.

The Neolithic people continued to exploit the reed swamps for their natural resources and started to construct wooden trackways. These included the Sweet Track, west of Glastonbury, which is one of the oldest engineered roads known and the oldest timber trackway discovered in Northern Europe.

Tree-ring dating (dendrochronology) of the timbers has enabled very precise dating of the track, showing it was built in 3807 or 3806 BC. It has been claimed to be the oldest road in the world.

The track was discovered in the course of peat digging in 1970, and is named after its discoverer, Ray Sweet. Built in the 39th century BC, during the Neolithic period, the track consisted of crossed poles of ash, oak and lime (Tilia) which were driven into the waterlogged soil to support a walkway that mainly consisted of oak planks laid end-to-end. Curves at the bases of the poles show that they were from coppiced woodland.

Most of the track remains in its original location, and several hundred metres of it are now actively conserved using a pumped water distribution system. Other portions are stored at the British Museum, London, while a reconstruction can be seen at the Peat Moors Centre near Glastonbury.

Since the discovery of the Sweet Track, it has been determined that it was actually built along the route of an even earlier track, the Post Track, dating from 3838 BC and so 30 years older.

The remains of the magnificent Glastonbury Abbey also attract visitors. It is possibly the oldest Christian Abbey in Britain.

Richard Whiting, the last Abbot of Glastonbury, was executed with two of his monks on 15th November, 1539 during the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. In 1191, monks at the abbey claimed to have found the graves of Arthur and Guinevere to the south of the Lady Chapel of the Abbey church, which was visited by a number of contemporary historians including Giraldus Cambrensis.

In some Arthurian literature Glastonbury is identified with the legendary island of Avalon. An early Welsh poem links Arthur to the Tor, a 518-foot high hill with tower overlooking the town, and a holy

well, the Chalice Well and garden, at its foot. The water is believed to possess healing qualities.

Irelandʼs early Iron Age Road at Corlea The ley hunters will probably want to visit Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre in Longford, where you can see the the only known example in Ireland of an Early Iron Age road. In 1984, at Corlea near Keenagh, Co. Longford, removal of peat by Bord na Mónaʼs production machinery revealed a great timber roadway, which had lain buried in the bog for centuries.

Tree ring analysis carried out at Queenʼs University, Belfast revealed the trees used were felled late in 148 B.C. or early in 147 B.C. In 1985 the roadway at Corlea was excavated under the auspices of the National Monuments Branch of the Office of Public Works, and there is a fine visitorsʼ centre there.

From top left, clockwise: Ley lines on a globe; the ruins of St Michaelʼs Church on the summit of Glastonbury Tor; the English ʻSt Michaelʼs Lineʼ and a planerary grid system.

PAGE 38

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

DALKEY BOOK FESTIVAL 18TH – 20TH JUNE

By Nessa Jennings

C

hildrenʼs handwritten love letters to their seaside home were on display in the shop windows of Dalkeyʼs main street. The theme for the essays was ʻWhat I love About Dalkeyʼ. If I was to write on this subject, I would say: ʻWhat I love about Dalkey is that itʼs a sleepy village with no timetableʼ. But for the three days of the first ever Dalkey Book Festival this year the opposite was true.

The streets were teeming for all three days of a full programme of events: A performance of ʻThe Happy Princeʼ, Oscar Wildeʼs fair-

ytale brought to life by Michael James Ford; A tribute to the late Hugh Leonard; Maeve Binchy, of course (pictured right) was featured.

Declan Hughes and John Connolly, experts in the genre, were advising on the Ten Crime Novels to read before you die; or you could walk the Flann OʼBrien Dalkey Archive trail with ʻThe Brotherʼ, played by Eamon Morrissey.

Ross OʼCarroll Kelly himself acted as DJ at The Queens on Saturday night; and John Waters was talking about spirituality in writing. His latest book is ʻBeyond Consolationʼ, which I think will be about the godless course of recent events in contemporary Irish Culture.

David McWilliams, organiser, deserves credit (no pun intended) for this event. The fact that we buy and sell from each other locally, and that so many writers live around Dalkey inspired him. The ethos behind it was that most business is, in fact, local.

Now, it was hard to squeeze all this in, what with three matches a day being played in the group stages of the World Cup in South Africa. But, what the hell, England were playing, and the subject of tonightʼs discussion was ʻThe Role of Football in Cultureʼ, coinciding with ʻDays of Heaven– Italia 90 and the Charlton Yearsʼ, Declan Lynchʼs latest offering.

Four key players were assembled in the Heritage Centre to talk about that unforgettable summer, which ended in defeat to Italy in Rome in the quarter finals. Des Cahill, Eamonn Dunphy, Declan Lynch and Fiona Looney all joined forces to replay the events.

They could have scored an own goal for lack of preparation, but with their collective experience, play was spontaneous and flowed freely as they kicked around memories of that year when Ireland qualified for the World Cup Finals in Italy. The memories came back with 20/20 vision and accurate statistics: Packie Bonnerʼs saved penalty and the draw with Egypt while Ronnie Whelan sat it out on the bench.

Eamonn Dunphy still claims that Jack Charlton killed off creative football at a time when the selec-

tion consisted of fine players, all with first team experience in the, then, First Division, some Irish, the rest drafted in because of their Irish ancestry. It was a poor competition and Eamonn actually said at the time we could have won it outright. In any case, Jack had a great team there to work with.

However, he eschewed the passing game, choosing instead to play the long ball. Mick McCarthy took the throw-ins using his long throw, all designed to put the other team ʻunder pressureʼ, a tactic Eamonn called ʻcavemanʼ and ʻprimitiveʼ.

Then, how come, at the time, Eamonn Dunphy, not known for mild opinion, was the least popular man in the country, and Jack Charlton deified?

Is it possible at all, in retrospect, to quantify what Jack did for Irish football? Before Charlton, we had grown accustomed to losing in international competition. The Irish had an inferiority complex that was hard to shake.

But things were different now.

The fans abroad were well-behaved and brought with them great cheer, the players were gentlemen. Jack Charlton was, arguably, among the squad, the only thug.

Even tonight, the audience was well-behaved, barely asking questions, soaking it all up, demonstrating our appetite for sport, and how we crave so badly to be entertained.

Fiona Looney remembers how

everyone poured out of their houses after Packieʼs save and the win, and made their way towards the centre of Dublin on foot, kind of unconsciously, to meet there and celebrate their collective disbelief, embracing one another and, as she said, ʻwearingʼ the faces off complete strangers!

Nelson Mandela, freed months earlier, arrived at Dublin Airport just an hour before Jackʼs Army flew in to an ecstatic reception.

He had heard about the Céad Míle Fáilte, but he couldnʼt understand exactly why the streets were lined with crowds singing Ole Ole Ole! All in all, it was an incredible time to be Irish. And Declan Lynchʼs memoir captures those mercurial times perfectly. He is a self-confessed sports fanatic, and served his apprenticeship as Sam Snort in Hot Press, writing about mainly soccer.

Expect a great read with perfect recall, deep insight and match analysis. Because, as Bill Shankly said: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, itʼs much more serious than that.”

Pictured at The Teddy Bears Breakfast in June in the Anchorage on York Road is Host Rory OʼDonnell, his brother Andrew, Mum Bebhinn and Dad Gavin. The breakfast was held to highlight the planned community café at the Anchorage. It will be opening this Autumn and will be called The Fair Play Café. Profits from the café will go to The Anchorageʼs charity projects in the Third World. This yearʼs recipients will be in Africa, the African Home-Based Care Teams who are working amongst Aids orphans and child-led households in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

PAGE 39

JAMIE CULLUM ROCKS THE OLYMPIA IN MAY

By Nessa Jennings

A

s my companion and me scaled the dizzying gradient of the Upper Circle at the Olympia in May to see Jamie Cullum, Roland compared it to climbing one of the hills of his many outdoor expeditions, only in the dark!

More indoor myself, but thankfully just about fit enough to make it to our seats before Jamie took to the stage and made the sun come out with his vibe and performance.

Truly, Jamie is the leader of this collective and originator of his sound, a mix of Brit Pop and Jazz.

It was hard to believe that the paid-up members of the band bought into it as Jamie fizzed with his own incredible energy. Turns out, they were all tired from a long journey by coach, but Jamie has his own generator!

Piano man, composer and singer, he must have climbed

onto and jumped off the piano at least three times during the gig, reminding of the

freeze frame, him caught in mid-air, on the cover of his 2004 debut album ʻTwenty

Somethingʼ.

At 5feet 2inches, maybe he is five stone as he reassured us! He must be thirtysomething by now, married to 5foot 9inch model Sophie Dahl, and scaling the dizzying heights of jazz and his own musicality, with his new album called ʻThe Pursuitʼ reflecting this positive statement of intent. ʻWhat a difference a day madeʼ; ʻI could have danced all nightʼ; ʻWind cries Maryʼ are just some of the songs that he has made his own, in no particular order. I was waiting for ʻLover, You Should Have Come Overʼ and ʻBlame It On My Youthʼ, or ʻOh Godʼ and ʻMy Yardʼ, from ʻCatching Talesʼ, his second album.

But there were too many to choose from, including the new material. I thought I heard a hot contender for a 2010 World Cup anthem in there, ever hopeful that England, our closest neighbours, are going to do it in South Africa this June.

The play list was being decided instinctively by Jamie from a large repertoire where he only has to settle at the piano and play a few chords

to segue effortlessly into the next track. We were treated to ʻTwenty Somethingʼ and ʻFrontingʼ, which he conjured single-headedly by creating loops on another keyboard.

Some of the singing is getting very accomplished with a lot of variety and scatting.

The band know exactly what theyʼre at while Jamie is running around the stage appealing to the crowd.

There was a moment when you realised that you were being directly affected by his sheer exuberance. I was trying to take it easy, while Roland appeared to be wired to jump leads!

Towards the end, all five band members came down the centre aisle of the theatre, playing a version of ʻCry Me a Riverʼ with a heavy back beat.

The boys blew some serious horn solos, while Jamie was standing on one of the red velvet chairs singing up to the circle.

Iʼd swear he caught my eye!

Creating music on the spot like this amidst the crowd of excited fans, you could literally sense a whole new cohort of jazz fans being created.

‘F ORTY F OOTERS ’ BURSTING WITH INDIGNATION AT TOILET CLOSURE

By George Humphries

T

he H.S.E. has decided to close the public urinal at the Forty Foot bathing facility in Sandycove. I believe that the Sandycove bathers were informed about this decision in the not-too-distant past.

The H.S.E. says that the toilet was unhygienic and unsafe.

In my opinion, the urinal was always well-maintained, with plenty of Jeyes fluid being used every day to keep it ship-shape.

Now the only public convenience available is a single modern-style self-flushing toilet a long walk away from the bathing area, which regularly breaks down, might I add.

Fair to say then, that when they decided to close the old bathroom, they did not provide a replacement facility suitable for the bathers who regularly visit the Forty Foot.

The toilet at Sandycove costs fifty cents to use when it is working and on a busy day it is impossible to use it. Not much thought

was given to the bathers of Sandycove when the urinal was decommissioned.

While speaking with my old friend Tony ʻMontyʼ Montgomery, he remembered when his children were small, he used to bring them to the old baths in Sandycove which had toilets provided, since blocked up.

Now, on a busy day, there can be up to a thousand people out there with only one lavatory to serve them all. The result? People urinate all over the place, now that is what I call unhygienic!

There are no public toilets in the Borough of Dun Laoghaire.

The one on the East Pier has been closed for many years and over the years all the others were closed, as has been the case in many parts of the city.

It does not have to be like this, I was away in Sligo recently at the waterfall in Glencar and the facilities there are excellent, as they are in many other places around the country such as the beach at Rosses Point, where all the toilets are well-maintained, with plenty of running hot water

and spotlessly clean.

As an avid swimmer and a regular out at the Forty Foot, I would like to appeal on behalf of myself and all the other swimmers to Dun Laoghaire and

Rathdown Council, please take another look at this problem. It is a basic human right to have access to a public convenience when the need arises.

In days gone by the forty foot

was predominately a gentlemenʼs bathing place, but not these days.

With equality laws now in full force, it is time to address this problem and put proper facilities in place for all to use .

PAGE 40

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2010

RINGSEND FORUM RAISES €2,645.40 FOR HAITI

T

By Teresa Rooney

he Forum held a fund-raising event, Ringsend Bachelor of the Year 2010, as part of their Easter Festival. The event took place in Clanna Gael Hall and the evening was a great success with over 250 people in attendance.

Five very brave local bachelors participated: Eugene Alehno, James Boylan, Gay Murphy, Shane Kennedy and the winner, Paddy Murphy. Part of the process consisted of interviews by our Compére. Example questions: How long does it take to boil an egg? Whatʼs your best asset? Our bachelors proved their culinary prowess by peeling potatoes and their dancefloor skills by dancing the night away with local ladies.

The Judges on the evening were tough, many times putting our contestants in very

hot water. However, our lads managed to impress them with some very clever answers.

The results were tight as we had real talent up there. It was a very entertaining evening all told, and in aid of a very worthy cause.

Some very talented local entertainers performed free of charge on the evening, DJ and Compére Paddy and Ger McGuiness, Irishtown Stage School, Mark Byrne, The Ennis Twins Mathew and Eoin and Judges Willie Murphy, Linda Flood and Patsy Doolan.

The cheque was presented at the Community for Unity Week Mass organised by our local schools. The students as part of the offerings presented the cheque on the altar

during the mass.

Fr Ivan Tonge expressed to the children how our community has made changes to the lives of another community less well off than our own.

The Forum thanks most sincerely all our groups, all the volunteers who participated on the night and our community for

their kindness and support. We applaud such great community spirit. The money was donated to Trocaire for Haiti.