June july 2009 newsfour

JUNE / JULY 2009

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

SUMMER STARTS HERE

THE PAPER YOU NEED TO READ! The veteran British actor Trevor Howard’s greatest passion was for a beautiful car as Noel Twamley recalls on page 7

Tasmania has far more to offer than its little devils and former convict colonies. Aoife Murphy explores its rugged charms on page 14

W

ell, after a few weeks of high winds, grey skies and pelting rain, summer has arrived at last and, fingers crossed, it is starting to look as if we might be in for a good one this year. As usual, there are lots of outdoor events planned for the next few months throughout Docklands and Dublin 4 which will be featured on these pages in the months to come. So letʼs get out and enjoy the good weather while it lasts.

Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre kicked off the sunny season with a May Day parade

‘Star Trek’ returns, Jim, but not as we know it. Michael Hilliard sings the new film’s praises on page 18 through the district. Pictured above are Zoe Doyle and Caitlin Behan from the School of Rock based at the centre.

The Poolbeg Yacht and boat Club had their annual Blessing of the Boats last month; pictured at the event are, from left to right: Skipper Jimmy Murray, Con, Shane, Milaois, Iseabal, Padraig, Josh, Alex, Killian and Molly on board the ʻJoelleʼ.

Hereʼs hoping the weather stays fine for the rest of the summer.

Parade photo: Noel Watson

The Last Post (Office) for Ringsend? Not if the locals have a say in the matter! See page 28

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NewsFour Managing Editor Christopher Sweeney Advertising Manager Grainne McGuinness Staff Harry Cavendish Nessa Jennings Louise Hanrahan Glenda Cimino John Fitzgerald Paula Young Jason McDonnell Contributors Shay Connolly Noel Twamley Michael Hilliard George Humphries Lorraine Barry Aoife Murphy Geoffrey P B Lyon Margaret Dunne Aghna Hennigan Eileen O’Malley

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

H

The Editor’s Corner

ello everyone. My name is Christopher Sweeney.

I took over from Ann Ingle as editor of NewsFour last month. I suppose the first thing I should do is wish Ann well in her retirement. While it wonʼt be easy, I will be doing my best to keep the newspaper as interesting and entertaining as it has been under her stewardship.

Thankfully, Ann has agreed to continue compiling our crossword.

I am not a native of the area; I was born in Wexford and live across the river in Marino, but I am looking forward to getting to know the people and history of this fascinating part of Dublin.

You will notice all the political ads in this edition of the paper due to the upcoming European and Local Elections.

We have compiled a list of candidates which we hope you find useful. We wish all the candidates well. In the current uncertain times, strong local and European representation is more important than ever. So donʼt forget to vote.

Retired with time on your hands?

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

THE MAGNIFICENT 2,500 RUN FOR IRISH A UTISM A CTION

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

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.

Design, Typesetting, Layout Eugene Carolan

Ask for Mary or Billy.

Community Services, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.

DO YOU HAVE SOME FREE TIME?

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

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

Swimming in Sportsco

Children under 3 years are FREE!

Photography John Cheevers

NewsFour Newspaper is part of a FÁS Community Employment Programme.

SHELBOURNE PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LTD Price: €35 per 3 Month Session or €5 for one Swim.

Web Designer Andrew Thorn

Website: www.news4.ie

Ringsend Active Retirement Association

By Eileen OʼMalley

T

uesday 19th May 2009: Close to 2,500 walkers, joggers and runners of all abilities took part in the annual Docklands Fun Run. An estimated €12,000 was raised for the designated charity, Irish Autism Action.

The first man over the finish line was Paul OʼConnell, last yearʼs winner, who completed the 8 kilometre run in 25 minutes and 51 seconds.

Peter Mooney was second with a time of 27:50, followed by Brian Coleman in third place at 27:54.

Caitriona Jennings was the first

woman home, at a time of 30 minutes and 2 seconds. The second woman over the line was Florence Curley with a time of 32:02 and third was Fionnuala Keane at 32:34.

Music was played from 6.30pm and a group warm-up stretching session took place before the runners and walkers took off at 7.45pm.

This yearʼs route took participants around the Docklands, starting in Grand Canal Square, through Ringsend, over the East Link Bridge and past The O2 building. The route then continued up the quayside to the Matt Talbot Bridge, where they crossed over

to the southside quays to finish up back in Grand Canal Square .

Paul Maloney, Chief Executive, Docklands Authority, said “We were delighted with the turnout on the night, the highest in the history of the Docklands Fun Run. Congratulations to all those who took part.”

Irish Autism Action was established in 2001 and campaigns for the rights and entitlements of people with Autism. The charity also acts as a valuable information and advice resource on a range of topics. For further information visit www.autismireland.ie Photo by Brendan Moran/ SPORTSFILE.

Would you like to go on the Board of Ringsend and District Credit Union, which is an honorary position?

There is a vacancy till the end of our Financial Year, which is 30th September 2009.

Please leave your name or phone number with one of our staff.

Our address: NewsFour, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend Phone: 6673317 • Email: newsfour@gmail.com Visit our website at: www.news4.ie

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

B ARTER

By Jason McDonnell No cash? No problem, if you barter.

R

emember back in school when as a kid you would swap apples for crisps, or biscuits for cakes? Well, that was your first taste of bartering. It is a medium in which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods and/ or services, without the use of money, Historically, bartering was especially useful after we dropped our nomadic ways

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IS BACK ! and settled down to farming and living in communities. A wheat farmer canʼt live on bread alone, but he can trade some of his surplus yield to a cattle farmer in exchange for some meat, or the farmer can sell wheat to a hungry worker who has the skills to construct a new plough for him.

In these exchanges, each gets something he considers more valuable than what he gives up.

People have resurrected the ancient practice of bartering using the internet to swap things and advanced the barter industryʼs growth.

Organized bartering has grown throughout the world to the point where virtually every country now has a formalized barter and trade network of some kind.

Bartering greatly benefits

those who are lacking hard currency to obtain goods and services. Swapping is also an excellent way to find and obtain items that are inexpensive. It is becoming increasingly popular during tight economic times.

As there has been an economic shift in the last year and especially in the last few months, a lot of people have shown an interest in a local swap shop to help people get by. It can be amazing how creative people become during an economic downturn.

Most of us had dismissed the idea of bartering and swapping as soon as we got our first pay packet or allowance.

Recently, things have changed. Witness the story of Kyle MacDonald, who drew a media frenzy when, in a matter of one year and 14 trades, he bartered his way from a paper clip to a house. Although he had a lot of help from his local government and some people in show business, his story offers dramatic evidence of todayʼs existing market for bartering. MacDonald is one

of many people who have taken advantage of the growing phenomenon There is already quite an interest in bartering and swapping online and two of the most popular sites would be U-exchange at http:// w w w. u - e x c h a n g e . c o m / b a rtering and Barter-it at www. barter-it.tk.

These sites offer trade in

which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods and/ or services without the use of money and are popular with all age groups.

Left: Kyle MacDonald bartered an afternoon with Alice Cooper for a KISS snow globe– one of 14 barters he made on his way from a paperclip to a house.

YMCA Sandymount Pavilion and Fitness Centre Claremont Road Telephone: 01 607 7102 €5 Pay As You Go Monthly membership €40 (2 passport size photos required) Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Pay As You Go classes at 6 pm €6 Tuesday: Khai-bo • Wednesday: Circuits Thursday: Pilates • Other classes available Come and have a look PARK YOUR CAR at the YMCA for €5 flat rate (from 10.00 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday)

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

LA PENICHE RESTAURANT DUBLIN’S ONLY DINING CRUISE EXPERIENCE

By Glenda Cimino

M

y companion and I had dinner and a short cruise on La Peniche, and it was a very pleasurable experience.

This refurbished barge on the Grand Canal is the only cruising restaurant in Dublin.

It is owned by Sam Field Corbett, who refurbished the 12 year old boat completely four years ago. He also has a second floating (but not cruising) restaurant and bar boat on the Liffey at Spencer Dock, the Cill Airne.

We arrived at the barge, which is anchored at Mespil Place on the canal between Leeson Street Bridge and Baggot Street Bridge, just before 6pm on a beautiful sunny evening.

We were ushered on to the top deck, where passengers were seated at tables enjoying drinks served to them by waiters in seagoing white and navy. The restaurant is on the deck below.

Across the canal a horsedrawn carriage was passing on a quiet street. It really felt, as La Peniche advertises on its website (www.lapeniche.ie), like going back in time.

Who wants cars and buses and highspeed trains, when one can enjoy a leisurely float down a canal?

Our waitress, Julia, spoke German to the tourists next to us, and then ushered us down to the restaurant in English. She is training in hospitality in Germany and is on work experience here, and her truly welcoming demeanour is an asset

to the restaurant and shows that she loves her work. The small boat has six staff, comprising the captain, cooks, servers, and part-time lockmen.

The wood-panelled dining room was compact but lovely, with its clean, polished wood interior and little table lamps on each table. Our comfortable bench was made even more so by plush cushions.

Behind us there were old books on the shelf, so we amused ourselves with Alexander Pope and Thomas A Kempis while waiting– not long– for our order. Tasteful Irish music played softly in the background, to a dinner party of locals and tourists alike.

The boat holds 47 seated passengers, and was nearly full for the 6pm sailing. There was another, less fully-booked sailing at 9pm. You can take your chances as a walk-in on the night, but it is better to book.

It is possible to sail without dinner, but with the lovely smells coming from below, who would want to?

The dinner menu is reasonablypriced by Dublin standards, with three courses at €35 or two courses at €27.50. Drinks are extra, as is the €10 sailing charge to cover fuel and other expenses. There are soft drinks, coffees, spirits and a variety of good wines available by the glass or bottle.

While the possibility of baked Irish goatsʼ cheese with homemade walnut and honey dressing and salad leaves appealed, I opted for the Connemara smoked salmon with avocado salsa and a caper dressing.

It was ample and aesthetically pre-

sented, along with the best avocado salsa I have had.

My dining companion is coeliac, and can get quite ill if he consumes gluten. As he had asked in advance, the restaurant provided him with such delicious, hot gluten-free bread that I have decided to be coeliac in future. I was given an ample basket of equally tasty brown bread and butter For the main course, my companion chose duet of prawn and smoked mackerel served with a wholegrain mustard sauce, baby potatoes and green beans, which he proceeded to consume happily without leaving a crumb.

Bypassing the beef in Guinness, roasted chicken, and confit leg of duck, I chose the Irish lamb shank, slow-cooked with peppers, tomatoes and herbs, and new baby potatoes. The tender cooked meat fell away from the bone, and the concoction was delicious.

I was too full for dessert, but my companion offered me a taste of his raspberry mousse, and I nearly changed my mind. Afterwards we had coffee to round off the meal, by which time we were back at the dock.

The boat is also open for lunch Tuesday through Friday boarding from noon, and cruising at 1.15pm daily, with lunch at €14.50 and a small cruising charge of €5.

La Peniche can be hired exclusively at any time for private parties, corporate events, or group excursions. As part of your exclu-

B OWLING

sive hire they will tailor a cruise for you. They say: ʻYou let us know your requirements, time, location and duration. Your guests may sit out on deck whilst plying along one of Dublinʼs most historic and attractive sights. In addition, we can provide options for live musical entertainment upon request. Each event is tailored around your taste and budgetʼ.

The cost of exclusive hire for a day (12noon to 6pm) or evening (6pm to 12midnight) is €1,000. Or alternatively €600 for three hours (6pm to 9pm or 9pm to 12 midnight). However, if you donʼt mind sharing the boat with a few others, you can bring 20 to 40 friends with you at no extra charge.

With summer on the way, what more could you ask for! Sit out on deck and dine alfresco or alter-

natively in the plush and comfortable cabin. We are already plotting a good reason to return– anybody having a birthday? Want to entertain some out-of-town guests?

You can reserve your place on the boat online or by phone, and also through the Dublin Tourism office.

Booking is recommended at all times, contact 087 7900077 The boat goes out all year round.

There are also plans to launch a second boat in September, starting from a different point on the canal and cruising towards the old Guinness brewery.

I asked if the recession had affected business. Bookings were not down much, but people are buying less wine. This is one restaurant we would hate to see fold, so we highly recommend you give it a try. You wonʼt regret it.

FOR GLORY !

Pictured above are the 1st Division winners of the Ringsend Bowling Club Dublin Subsidiary Bowling League, who won by 13 points.

Left to right: John Wilson, Peter Rossiter, Marie Montgomery, Kay Flood, Olive Farrell, John Higgins, Sean Caulfield and Skipper Derek Murphy.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

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ACTIVATOR METHODS TECHNIQUE

By Dr Danny Scahill

A

ctivator Methods Technique is a gentle, lowforce program of chiropractic care. It has been safely used for over 40 years to help many people with a wide range of health problems– without drugs or surgery! It was developed in the 1960s and has since grown to be the most widely-used ʻlow forceʼ chiropractic technique in the world.

Using the Activator analysis and the Activator instrument, your Chiropractor can help restore spinal balance, safely and comfortably. To address spinal joint dysfunction, we use an instrument called the Activator. This unique hand-held instrument was scientifically designed to give you a

very specific, ʻlow-forceʼ adjustment. The Activator instrument delivers a controlled, light, and fast thrust, without causing undue strain to patients.

You may think that chiropractic care is only for back and neck pain. The truth is, chiropractic care can benefit a wide variety of health problems that stem from the dysfunction of your spinal joints and nervous system.

Everyday wear and tear, old injuries, and stress can cause your vertebrae to lose their proper motion or position. Spinal joint dysfunction may be a source of irritation to your nervous system, causing pain and nerve interference throughout your body.

By correcting spinal joint dysfunction, chiropractic care helps your body heal itself. Now you and your whole family can expe-

rience the Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique difference!

A programme of chiropractic care thatʼs as unique as you are!

The Activator Technique works well for children because it is quick and easy. Even young children who may have problems keeping still typically have no problems with Activator adjustments. Many even look forward to their next visit!

Elderly patients benefit from the Activator Technique as well.

The unique Activator adjustment offers a more gentle and effective care approach for elderly patients who suffer from degeneration, arthritis, and osteoporosis.

Dr Danny Scahill, DC practices in Fitzwilliam Health Clinic, Dublin 2 and is the only Advanced Activator Doctor in Dublin. Tel: 01 6618949. He can also be found listed on www.activator.com under the ʻFind a Doctorʼ section.

Free Chiropractic Screening @ Fitzwilliam Health Clinic

Book your FREE SPINAL SCREENING today Please mention News Four when booking

19 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2 Phone 01 6618949 info@fitzwilliamhealth.ie www.fitzwilliamhealth.ie

WORKING TOGETHER FOR SANDYMOUNT

Labour councillors Dermot Lacey and Kevin Humphreys are pictured beside the new electoral boundary on Sandymount Green.

Dermot and Kevin agree that it is unfortunate that the new boundaries have split Sandymount in two but say they will continue working for residents on both sides of the line to the best of their ability.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

B ALLSBRIDGE

By Glenda Cimino THE BALLSBRIDGE, DONNYBROOK AND SANDYMOUNT HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS IN JUNE AND JULY Saturday, 6 June: Tour of the College of Surgeons

AND

S ANDYMOUNT H ISTORICAL S OCIETY

The Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Sandymount Historical Society is sponsoring a Tour of the College of Surgeons on St. Stephenʼs Green. The meeting place is at the entrance on York Street at 10am. You do not have to be a member to attend.

Saturday, 20 June, Saturday 11 July, and Saturday 8 August: Tour of Donnybrook

Graveyard People are also invited to come along to one of the scheduled openings of Donnybrook Graveyard in Donnybrook Village, and enjoy a tour with David Neary, retired Parks Department Officer, Dublin City Council. All tours will begin at 3pm.

There are many famous people buried in the graveyard. Accord-

ing to David Neary, “The Donnybrook Graveyard Tour is for me a celebration of the lives of the Dubliners who have been put to rest there over the past eight hundred years, possibly earlier.”

Danny Parkinsonʼs work at the Cemetery proved to be an invaluable source of information, and David Neary has since supplemented Dannyʼs knowledge with his own research. “What I have found are unexpected connections with Irelandʼs history, especially that of the 18th and 19th centuries and a good perspective on the influential and powerful in those times. As a teenager I loved ʻGoodbye to all Thatʼ by Robert Graves with its account of his First World War experiences and, therefore, it was exciting to discover that his great-grandfather was buried in Donnybrook, as were a wife and two daughters of his ancestor Dr Robert Graves, the originator of Clinical Medicine and the delineator of the symptoms of Graves Disease. The Cemetery is full of fascinating stories, which is why I see the tours as a way of cel-

NEWS

ebrating life.”

Many people have had a part in reviving interest in the Cemetery.

Danny Parkinson, the participants in the Community Employment Scheme in the 1980ʼs, Cllr Dermot Lacey, Cecil King, Dame Ruth Railton, many unnamed volunteers, Dublin City Councilʼs Parks Department which maintains it and, of course, the people of Donnybrook.

In general, talks are open to the public for a small charge of €3 and free to members. Membership is open to all with an interest in local history, and is €10 for individuals and €15 for a family (two or more members). Most events take place at present in St. Maryʼs National School, Belmont Avenue, Donnybrook.

For more information, contact the society.

Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Sandymount Historical Society, Pembroke Library (pictured left), Anglesea Road, Dublin 4.

Phone Number: 01- 6689575 The website is www.bdshistory.org

CLLR. SARAH RYAN DUBLIN SOUTH EAST

Introducing your new Councillor CLINIC TIMES Sarah Ryan is available to her constituents at: Ringsend Community Centre Saturdays 10.30 to 12.00 St Andrew’s Resource Centre – Pearse St. Tuesdays 7pm to 8pm

CONSTITUENCY OFFICE If I can help in any way, you can contact me at: Members Room, City Hall, Dublin 2 Tel: 087 637 4285 Email: cllr_sarah.ryan@dublincity.ie

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

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DRIVING TREVOR HOWARD’S ASTON MARTIN

I

By Noel Twamley

n the early 1960s I got a position at the Jaguar Motor School in Hendon, North West London. I was immediately sent to do a course on the thennew Jaguar E-Type. This car was the first mass-produced vehicle capable of 150 mph. It is still a very close number two to my first love, the Triumph TR3 The senior teacher there was a lovely elderly Scotsman by the name of Jack McKay– we got on like a house on fire.

Some months later, Jackʼs old friend and wartime comrade called to see him. I was amazed to see it was that great English actor and film star, Trevor Howard.

Trevor wanted Jack to call out to his home to check his cars as he was going away filming for three months. Jack could not oblige as he was going up to Aberdeen for a week, so I was called into action. I agreed to call out to Trevor as I had just bought a two year old Hillman Minx and it would be a

great test run for my own car.

That Saturday I drove out to Hertfordshire. When I arrived, Trevor introduced me to his lovely wife, Helen Cherry. Helen, of course, was a great actor in her own right, playing many leading roles on the West End Stage.

When Trevor brought me out to the garage I was fully expecting to see a Jaguar, so I was astonished to see a beautiful, dark blue Aston Martin DB5 and an older DB2. The DB5 cost an eye-watering £4,500– they were handbuilt, and only a few were made, hence the hefty list price.

I spent about two hours admiring and testing this car. I took it for a test run along the quiet roads of Hertfordshire. I will never forget the beautiful sound of the booming exhaust. For me, this car was a perfect 10 out of 10.

Later that evening, Helen made us high tea finished off with warm scones, jam and cream. Trevor had taken a few drinks and started telling me stories about the movie business and films he had made.

I steered him round to one of my favourites, ʻThe Third Manʼ the brilliant spy movie with Or-

Pictured above is a happy group of local people taking part in the annual Spring Chickens Day Out, sponsored by The Yacht pub in Ringsend.

son Welles set in post–World War Two Vienna.

Trevor replied, “Noel, you are going back 12 years. I never thought that film would be successful. I remember I was always cold on set and the city was still just a pile of rubble because of the Allied bombers blitzing it.

The Viennese were still clearing up the mess. I went out one night and got arrested in a jazz club– someone had reported me as a spy. You see, I had forgotten to change out of my fake costume uniform before setting out. David Lean, the director, had to come and get me out of prison the next morning.”

When asked about working with Orson Welles, Trevor replied, “Donʼt talk to me about Welles. You know he refused to go down the Viennese sewers after the first day of filming. David had to build a mock sewer back in England to finish production.”

As I was leaving, Trevor and Helen proposed we meet up again in three months. Of course I agreed, but sadly, this was not to be. I was back in Dublin 4 weeks later.

My wife, a Lucan woman, could not deal with the homesickness. She missed seeing her

parents and five sisters, and there was no way she could be persuaded to stay in London, even when Jaguar offered to buy us a house in the area.

I got a great send off, dinner and drinks, a wallet of notes, a glowing reference and a complete set of Jaguar technical manuals.

When we got back to Dublin, I got a job with Frank Cavey PLC, they were the main Jaguar agent for Ireland. It was great to be home after all and I quickly settled back in.

Even so, I sometimes think of the many happy times I had in London. Hendon was a lovely part of the city, quiet and leafy, it reminded me of Rathmines or Rathgar in the 1950s.

And of course, I will never forget the wonderful day I spent with the Howards. Sleep easy, Trevor and Helen, I am sure somewhere in England or America, some vintage car collector has your handbuilt midnight blue Aston Martin and everything is just fine with your wonderful car.

Left: Trevor Howard with Celia Johnson in ʻBrief Encounterʼ.

Below: An Aston Martin DB5, also seen in the early James Bond films.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

‘DAN DAN, DAD

AND

ME’

By Nessa Jennings

L

isa Mulcahy, already a prolific director of film drama (including work on ʻThe Clinicʼ) has made a very important social document of three generations of Mulcahy family history in this piece entitled ʻDan Dan, Dad and Meʼ, screened at the library during this yearʼs Rathmines Festival. It has been shown twice before on RTE. The screening was introduced by a lady from The Irish Film Institute, where it was fished from the archives, and who greatly admired its intelligence and historical significance.

Lisa herself spoke by way of introduction, saying that the origin of the piece was when she decided to follow her father around with a camera when he became obsessed with creating a memorial to his own father, General Risteard Mulcahy, present during

the events of the Civil War. The footage she collected was mainly of the excavation of a field in Clonmel, not very interesting!

Nonetheless, Lisa, fuelled by the project and by now emotionally involved, put together this film using RTÉ

archives, old Super 8 clips of the family, and interviews with her relations.

The family home, Lissenfield, on Rathmines Road, was the central hub of activity as they grew up. The making of this documentary was, understandably, very emotional.

Her father Richard Mulcahy, the eminent heart surgeon, will long be remembered for his strong views about the dangers of smoking and as an early advocate of preventative medicine. Her three brothers and two sisters also speak with great fondness and wit of growing up in Lissenfield, where their mother held the fort, and where their many cousins came to play. Their maid also spoke, saying that if you hadnʼt been to the kitchen at Lissenfield, you hadnʼt been to the house at all !

This is a very warm documentary of a different time in Irish social life. I was emotional watching it, struck by nostalgia, and thinking of how close family ties develop over decades against a background of social change, and children are raised in the embrace of their home, despite upheaval and change.

The fashions and trends of the time are seen at family social gatherings, including their grandfatherʼs state funeral. This intimate family history has covered more than eighty years.

Lisa answered questions to

an appreciative audience of all ages afterwards.

She has just completed her first feature film about three unemployed young men, called ʻSituations Vacantʼ.

Left: The modern houses which stand on the site of the Mulcahy familyʼs house in Rathmines.

Below: General Risteard Mulcahy (1886–1971), father of the cardiologist Richard Mulcahy.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

PAGE 9

M URTAGHS A TRULY LOCAL HARDWARE SHOP

By Jason McDonnell

I

n a time when giant, impersonal chain stores are seemingly taking over the marketplace, it is always a pleasure to see a locallyrun retailer continuing to trade in the location it has occupied for

many years, serving the local community through thick and thin.

Murtaghs, formerly Sandymount Hardware, is a well-known local

landmark. The front of the shop is strewn with Flymos, Flower pots , early cabbage and fruit bushes and inside you can find all your needs from eco-friendly turf to energy-saving light bulbs with an assortment of paints and drill bits for those little emergencies.

Manager Declan McDonnell, pictured left, has worked in the shop for the past 13 years, 11 as assistant to David Ryan and two as manager in his own right. Although the name has changed, Declan still has a lot of regular customers he has gotten to know over the years.

Declan has noticed a big increase in demand for gardening supplies and plants over the past few months, perhaps as a result of people ʻnestingʼ in the poor economic climate.

Household goods from pots and pans to light bulbs and ladders are also still selling well. A key-cutting service is also available in the shop. If Declan is not available, customers can also get expert advice from assistants Harvey, Michael and Stewart.

L AR O’B YRNE ’ S

T

he oldest surviving Shamrock Rovers Player, Mr. Lar OʼByrne from Bath Avenue was the Guest of Honour at the game versus Cork City on Good Friday 10th April 2009.

Mr. OʼByrne, who signed for the Hoops in 1946, and his family were invited along to a prematch reception and received a beautiful Dublin Crystal presentation at half-time. The event was organised by the Shamrock Rovers Heritage Trust and the Pride of Ringsend Supporters Club.

BIG NIGHT

Special thanks from Gerard OʼByrne and all the OʼByrne family on Behalf of his dad, and special thanks to Ed Saul and Glenn Dunne from the Pride of Ringsend Supporters Club. Once again, Congratulations Lar, you were a true Shamrock Rovers spirited player and your achievements will be remembered through the Ringsenders.

Margaret Dunne The picture above shows Lar with other members of the OʼByrne family on the night.

Regency Town Garden on view There will be an Open Day at the gardens of 75 Frankfort Avenue, Rathgar on Saturday, 4th July 2009 in aid of St Stephenʼs Church, the Pepper Canister Church. All welcome.

Access at rear via Garville Road. Open 2pm to 6pm. Telephone 4979684.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

The Letterbox Dear Editor The news that Ann Ingle was leaving NewsFour has come as a shock. She has been the rock for so long the idea of her leaving never entered my head. A big thanks for everything she has achieved and all the very best for the future.

The nice stuff out of the way, now to the bad stuff.

I made such a lasting impression on Ann when I called in last month with the Ringsend picture that she forgot my name. Donal McKenna is my name not Donal McCann! The picture looks great and hopefully readers will be able to fill in the detail of what the cup was about.

As you know, family history is my hobby and a letter in this issueʼs Letterbox (Jean Lynch in Australia) is of interest as this lady mentions passing her copy of News Four along to another Ringsender– an 80 year old named Hayes whose grandmother was Kate Daly, nee Maguire who ran the shop opposite the Regal.

As this 80 year old lady is my second cousin is there any way that I could make contact?

Kindest regards to one and all Donal McKenna Address passed on to Donal Glad to say we have some information for Donal from Tom Purdy. (Ed)

Dear Editor The man in the back row second from the right (in the picture below from the last issue) is Kevin Kelly from the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

The Light Vessel Petrel or the Albatross were in drydock at that time. The man below him is my father Joe Purdy and my uncle John and cousin Tom are in the front row. The cup was for rowing and the two girls lived in the caretaker ʼs lodge.

Tom Purdy Dear Editor Mrs Ann Ingle. Even your name evokes nostalgic memories for me of a ʻboxingʼ family from Bath Avenue area some of whom were at school in Haddington Raod where we as a family attended the Holy Faith and the boys school there.

Having married an Englishman (who came over for a rugby match) 50 years ago, we are only back living in Ireland since 2004 and through a friend I got to hear about the two great books on Sandymount which my husband bought for me from your office. I love getting NewsFour and therefore I have to apologise for not sending you some funds earlier, It had always been my intention to do so but you know how time goes by.

I am a Mooney originally from OʼConnell Gardens and later from Seaforth Avenue.

There was another family of Mooneys in Derrynane Gar-

dens and, in fact, in my sister ʼs class– she was known as ʻRed Bettyʼ and the other Betty Mooney as ʻBlack Bettyʼ.

We had a lovely childhood growing up around Bath Avenue. I remember roller skating down Londonbridge in a crocodile (not so much traffic then) and also wonderful games on the Strand and picnics down the Shelly Banks. We also played on the Dodder Bank and lit dixies and cooked potatoes.

The sound of the sheep on Landsdowne Road was part of my childhood. Lovely memories and names from the past keep occurring in your newspaper and it is a great pleasure to read it.

You are doing a fabulous job-please keep it up.

Mrs Ethel Siggins (mother of Brian and David) and my mother were very good friends and Mrs Siggins regularly came to Sunday tea where they ate their tea by the open fire from a trolley in the dining room while we came and went from the kitchen. I Ioved writing and telling stories in those days and they were my greatest fans.

Best Wishes Your sincerely, Peggy (Margaret) Irlam Dear Editor It says a lot about government policy when a childrenʼs hospital is forced to close wards due to financial constraints yet banks are bailed out with billions of euros to keep them afloat.

Due to a forecasted deficit of €9.6 million Our Ladyʼs Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin will shut down three wards this year, starting with St Josephʼs which will close on May 14th with two more to close in July

and August.

HSE hospital network manager John Bulfin has said that “savings should be targeted to ensure frontline patient care services are appropriately maintained.”

What precisely John Bulfin means by appropriate services is unclear given that before the end of the summer there will be over 7,000 fewer in-patient bed days at the hospital. Theatres will also close and there will also be a 15% reduction in day case activity along with a 15% reduction in outpatient activity.

Two ʻplayʼ specialists are to go this week, specialists whose work is crucially important for many children. It is expected that the contracts of 17 household workers will not be renewed in May. There will be cuts in agency staffing and in staff holding temporary contracts, and also in overtime and on-call payments.

I believe these measures are completely unacceptable. Itʼs time Fianna Fáil and the Green Party woke up and realised that the nationʼs health is about more than a set of accounts. If they can find billions to bail out the banks, then they can find the €9 million necessary to guarantee our childrenʼs future.

Yours etc Cllr Joan Collins People Before Profit Alliance Dear Editor Two old school friends, Terry Donnelly and Joe Whelan gave me the NewsFour April/ May edition. It was fantastic to catch up on so much news and lovely memories of Ringsend and Sandymount.

The Star of the Sea Foot-

ball photo (above) sent in by Mary Rollo brought so many happy memories flooding back. I remember Billy, he was in my class in school and our teacher was a lovely man (Mr Daly).

Mr McCarthy and Mr Ted Cooling were our sports teachers and trainers. Two great men who gave so much of their time, although Mr Cooling was not a happy man when I left Clanna Gael and started to play soccer full time.

Billy Rollo lived in Hastings Street and I do hope he is keeping well. I am enclosing the names on the photo as well as I can remember.

I play golf with my lifelong school friends Willie Roche and Joe Whelan (Cambridge Road). I would love to hear from any of my old school mates or friends from South Lotts Road. So many great footballers came from Ringsend and Sandymount.

Yours sincerely, Jim Kinsella Artane The Star of the Sea picture (above) was sent in by Mary Rollo of Sydney, Australia and was carried in the last edition.

Our thanks to Jim Kinsella and Joe Corcoran who also got in touch with us about this photograph and we believe the lineup to be as follows: Back row, from left: Gerry Culliton; Jimmy Flood; Gerry OʼSullivan; Tucker Murray; Jim Kinsella; Willie Roche; Liam Greenhalgh?; Jim Houlihan; Gerry Brannock; Sean Aherne and Barney Ward.

Front Row: P? Pedreschi; Liam Clarke; Joe Nolan; Joe Corcoran; Billy Rollo; Bobby Breen; Sam? Donnelly; Noel Carroll, D? Geoghan.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

PAGE 11

RINGSEND AND PEMBROKE AREA OFFICE Dublin City Council wishes to again advise the local community that it operates an Area Office in Portview House, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 dealing with the Ringsend/Irishtown area and the Pembroke areas of Donnybrook, Ballsbridge, Sandymount, Merrion and Milltown.

This office coordinates the delivery of all Dublin City Council services in this part of the South East Area.

Staff work closely with Community Groups, Residents’ Associations, schools, local businesses and other agencies working in the area such as the Gardaí and the Health Service Executive.

This office will assist you in dealing with any issues relating to Dublin City Council. Up to date information on relevant issues and application forms are also available here.

So why not call in or contact us by phone or email and tell us what local services you would like us to provide in the office.

The opening hours are: 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE OFFICE ARE: Telephone: 01 2227395 • Fax:01 6606921 Email: ringsendandpembroke@dublincity.ie

PAGE 12

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

A tribute to Tommy Bolger

By Margaret Dunne

W

e at News Four would like to pay a special tribute to the recently-deceased Mr. Tommy Bolger, formerly from Ennis Grove, Dublin 4.

Tommy Bolger died in April 2009 and leaves behind his loving wife Cathleen and family.

Tommy was 81 years old and was in the Active Age in Ringsend Community, where he was responsible for many projects and gave a hand whenever he could. He was also a member of the Ringsend Musical Society and was a terrific ballroom dancer and was very, very active throughout his life. He was a referee with the FAI and was very well-known by all for his great achievement in this area.

The children, even the grown-ups, all loved Tommy and had great respect for him.

He loved everyone and had a great community spirit in everything he did. He will be sadly missed by his loving family and by the Ringsend Community as a whole. He was active and eager to get back to the refereeing until the very end. He became ill around October 2008 and passed away peacefully in April 2009.

We all loved Tommy. He was of the old school, and a true gentleman in every sense of the word. God Bless you Tommy up in Heaven above.

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By Louise Hanrahan

W

hy go bald ? It is a question a lot of us ask ourselves as we wonder why we lose strands of our crowning glories and glowing manes, on a regular basis. Itʼs a fact of life for many people who lose their hair due to stress, diet and many other factors.

It can be extremely distressing for both men and women to find their hair is starting to thin out. Roughly 25 percent of men begin balding by age 30; two-thirds begin balding by age 60. There is a 4 in 7 chance of getting the baldness gene.

Cures for baldness, of varying efficacy, have been around for thousands of years. Cleopatra famously used a paste of ground horse teeth and deer marrow to try and cure her boyfriend Julius Caesarʼs thinning locks. To no avail, if the surviving sculptures are accurate.

Many other cures have been touted down the years, from rubbing the scalp with nettles, curry powder or cow-pats to getting a cow to lick your head.

For Dubliners feeling a chill wind on their head, there has been an iconic sign at the bottom of Dame Street for close on fifty years. The sign, with the words ʻWhy go Baldʼ under a quasi-religious flashing head, is one of the oldest operating neon signs in the country.

In the late nineties it was due to be dumped until a group called 20th Century Trust objected. The sign was subsequently restored free of charge by Taylor Signs, who built it 49 years ago. The sign is appreciated by many famous Dubliners, including Bono of U2, who said it was his

favourite Dublin landmark Universal Hair, Scalp and Beauty Clinic, who own the sign, are located at the bottom of Dame Street. Ask them and they will say, “thereʼs no reason to go bald!” All hair & skin problems are analysed and treated by top professionals in the field of trichology and dermatology.

This is good news if you are trying to combat hair loss, thinning hair and related problems such as dandruff, dry skin flakes, dry and oily scalp as well as alopecia and psoriasis in both men and women. A private consultation is arranged on arrival at Universal, and you are told exactly what treatment would be best required to fix the problem.

The client will feel more at ease to know the problem is being addressed and hair loss can be a thing of the past. Dr. Sean Trapp has a practice in dermatology and diseases of the feet

and veins. His colleague, Dr. Conor Kiely is a hair transplant surgeon.

They advise that it is important to remember that most hair loss conditions or scalp problems do not go away by themselves, and can in a lot of cases often worsen if left unattended. Universalʼs advice to anyone who has a problem with their hair or scalp is to do something about it sooner, rather than later.

It is important to watch out for hair loss. It could be a simple thing like not eating enough greens. Diet is extremely important, and lots of fluids keep us hydrated on a daily basis.

Universal Clinic is open 5 days a week, including Saturday, with 3 late nights.

If help or advice is needed, you can call their helpline on 01-6793618 and any queries will be addressed in a private and confidential manner.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

By John Fitzgerald

C

linker skiff boats were once the most numerous type of working boats found along the eastern seaboard of Ireland. They were recorded in 1874 by historian E.W. Holdsworth. He noted that ʻthe smaller boats employed for line-fishery are the same style as the Norway yawl, sharp at both endsʼ.

Skiff racing, with a team of four oarsmen and one coxswain, has its origin in the occupation of ʻHobblingʼ. Hobblers were freelance boat pilots, and competition was strong to be the first to board the approaching ships.

Not only did the successful hobblers receive payment to pilot the ships into port, but they also were awarded the lucrative contract for discharging/ loading those ships while in port.

The skiffs worked mainly between Lambey Island just north

PAGE 13

T HE

SKIFF BOATS OF

of Dublin Bay and Wicklow Head, where they required considerable skill on behalf of the

T HE C EILIURADH C HOIR

AT

oarsmen.

The long tradition of rowing is now carried on through the

M OUNT T ABOR

D UBLIN

rowing clubs of the east coast.

These clubs can be found around the old Dublin pilot stations of Ringsend and East Wall in Dublin Port, Dun Laoighre, Dalkey, Bray, Greystones, Wicklow and Arklow.

Organised by the East Coast Rowing Council each year, a summer schedule of regattas is held from Ringsend to Arklow.

The skiffs also take part in the Celtic Challange, which is a bi-annual race over 90 miles from Arklow to Aberystwyth in Wales, and other long-distance races.

The traditional design is retained in the racing boats.

Present-day racing skiffs are twenty-five feet long, clinker built and double-ended. The east coast skiffs are part of the wide sport of coastal rowing and are affiliated to The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation.

More than eighty clubs are affiliated to the ICRF, mainly based in Cork, Kerry, Antrim, Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford. Each area races its own traditional boat, and they come together annually for the Irish Coastal Rowing Championships, where they now use an agreed single design boat. Coastal rowing helps communities all around Ireland to maintain links with their maritime heritage.

Above: The recently-launched Stella Maris IV in Ringsend.

From left: Mick Curry (cox); Daniel Byrne (1st stroke); Sam Barnable (2nd stroke); Paul Mooney (2nd bow) and Shane Cleary (bow).

COLETTE’S ALTERATIONS

By Harry Cavendish

C

eiliuradh means to celebrate and the choir of that name has been doing just that, since 1992. They now boast 20 members in their group and every autumn they are glad to receive new talent.

The choir is busiest in the Christmas season when they perform at a variety of venues including an annual ecumenical carol service, taking place in a different church each year, in the Dublin 4 area.

Breda OʼShea has been at the helm conducting for the last ten years. I went to see them perform for the residents of Mount Tabor Nursing Home near Sandymount

Green on the 29th April and was very impressed.

The choir is well drilled and extremely professional sounding, singing on a 4-6 part harmony with soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices. There were ten pieces that took about 45 minutes, chosen from the wide selection of choral works in their repertoire.

The choir typically performs a mix of liturgical music, Irish folk song, madrigals and choral arrangements, such as ʻLoveʼs Old Sweet Songʼ, Tchaikovskyʼs ʻCrown of Rosesʼ or Yeatsʼs ʻDown by the Sally Gardensʼ.

This year they are having their main annual concert on Saturday 6th June in St. Maryʼs Church of Ireland Church on Anglesea Road at 8pm. The organist at St.

Maryʼs, John Shera, will perform two pieces and soprano, Hannah Macaulay, graduating soloist from the DIT Conservatory of Music, will be there along with three first-year students: Niamh Kerley, Clare Nolan and Cliona Anderson, who will also perform a short piece.

The choir extends an invitation to NewsFour readers to come along, enjoy the evening and share a glass of wine after the concert. Having seen them myself, I would definitely recommend a visit.

The autumn is the time for anyone interested in joining the choir when they hold auditions. Potential choristers can contact Breda OʼShea at bredaoshea6@gmail.com

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

T ASMANIA

J OURNEY

TO THE END OF THE

By Aoife Murphy

T

asmania may not be the end of the earth, but it does feel very far away considering you are adding on an hour to the already mammoth flight to Australia. Irish people are very familiar with holidaying and backpacking in Australia, however Tasmania (or Tassie as itʼs more commonly known) can very often be left off the itinerary due to the extra flight to the island.

However, it is worth the trek and any traveller who yearns for

clean, fresh air, genuine wilderness, wild beaches, great food and wine, exciting activities, historic sites and museums will certainly find all that here.

Geographically, Tasmania is roughly the same size as Ireland but much more sparsely populated. With a population of approximately 500,000 living mainly in the southern state capital Hobart and the bigger city of Launceston in the north of the island. More than half the island is untouched virgin forest, scrubland and mountains.

Having spent four and a half years in Tasmania, I loved the

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rocky, harsh and remote character of the island. It is also famous for its remarkable ecological diversity. Approximately 40% of Tasmania is protected in national parks and other reserves, over half of this being the World Heritage-listed temperate wilderness in the west of the island.

If you are a fan of untamed rainforest and craggy granite peaks, then this is the place for you! There are numerous national parks right across the island and all hold some fantastic walks through beautiful scenery.

One of my favourites was Freycinet National Park on the west coast which is home to the stunningly beautiful Wineglass Bay. Freycinet National Park is easily accessible from the pretty village of Coles Bay, renowned for its tasty, fresh seafood.

A curving, secluded, white sandy beach– absolutely the stuff of dreams! A brisk one hour climb up Mount Amos will give you a world-class view of this pristine beach. Afterwards, back to Coles Bay for a tasty lunch and a well deserved beer.

Since Tasmania has been cut off from the Australian continent since sea levels rose at the end of the last ice age, the wildlife here is unique. Tasmania supports a rich variety and abundance of animals, although many are nocturnal and elusive.

A quiet walk at dawn or dusk will reward a patient observer.

Encountering a platypus, echidna, quoll, wallaby or Tasmanian devil in the wild is an exciting experience.

Visitors canʼt help but be reminded of Tasmaniaʼs troubled

past. Originally called Van Diemenʼs Land, its name was changed to Tasmania in 1856 in an attempt to erase the grim reputation associated with the transportation of convicts from Great Britain and Ireland.

The largest and most notorious penal colony on the island was Port Arthur, near Hobart. The prison was built on a peninsula which is connected to the mainland by a 100-foot wide isthmus called Eaglehawk Neck. The prison was regarded as totally secure, as the waters surrounding it were shark-infested and the land bridge was guarded by soldiers and wild dogs.

Port Arthur was used as a penal colony for both secondary offenders and the most hardened of criminals. The prison buildings have been restored by the Tasmanian Authorities and the colony is now a popular tourist destination. Port Arthur has a genuinely foreboding air about it; you can get a real feel for the horror and hardship of its convict history.

John Mitchell, one of the leaders of the 1848 Fenian rebellion,

served part of his sentence at Port Arthur.

The capital city of Hobart has a buzzing cultural scene, but with a very laid-back feeling that is unusual in big cities.

Hobart is also famous for its café/ restaurant culture and you will be sure to find some great places to eat around Salamanca Square, which is the epicentre of Hobart.

Salamanca also hosts the largest outdoor market in Australia which is open every Saturday morning between 8am and 3pm.

Tasmania has some of the freshest and tastiest food I have eaten anywhere. It is a fine example of modern Australian cuisine and there is something for everyone. Donʼt miss out on the local beer either. Cascade Brewery in Hobart is a good place to start the sampling.

So, if you are heading to Australia, make the time to go to Tassie. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Clockwise from top left: The (very small) Tasmanian devil; a quoll and a beautiful beach.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

PAGE 15

20 YEARS OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS IRISHTOWN

By Nessa Jennings

H

appy 20th birthday Special Olympics Irishtown. Carmel Malone, inspired by her son Brian, founded this organisation with the help of Bernie Griffin.

The women undertook courses at Thomond in Limerick to assist them with the training. They train every Monday night, and there are 22 athletes participating at present. Their coach is Ger Griffin, to whom Carmel would like to extend a big thanks for his invaluable skills and dedication to the club.

She would also like to thank Clanna Gael for making their facility available for the Monday night sessions. Shay Connelly and Frank White, and all the committee over the past twenty years, she thanks for their part in the success of the athletes, who have brought home medals from area, regional, national, international and world games. Track and field is their event, and the use of Irishtown Stadium for training to compete to a high level is of the utmost importance to the teamʼs success.

Seven athletes are going to the regional games on the 19th/ 20th June taking place in Santry. Competition is stiff, so wish them luck! They may progress to the national finals taking place next year in Limerick. Interna-

tional games will take place in Greece in 2011, followed by the World games in London in 2012. It is very exciting for all the competitors as it increases their confidence and they get a real shot at experiencing the glow of success and achievement that comes from taking part and taking home medals.

The Gardaí at Irishtown station pick up the team in their van to bring them to the stadium, and make sure they get to all events. Carmel would like to send a special thank you to Garda Ken Harrington and all the lads down at the station who never let them down, and who enjoy presenting the medals at competitions.

The two relay teams achieved very fast times in the 4 x 100 m, and Carmelʼs son Brian has won around 350 medals since he began 20 years ago with Carmel and Bernie.

Carmel hopes that she has not left anyone out and would like to thank everyone involved during that time as this is definitely not the type of undertaking you could do on your own.

Finally, she would like to thank all the athletes for their fortitude, discipline and good spirits in training and competing. They have always done Irishtown proud at games. So, may we look forward to London 2012 and recite the Special Olympics Oath: ʻLet me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attemptʼ.

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PAGE 16

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

Bookworm

Reviewed by Nessa Jennings and Christopher Sweeney lives of the rich and poor, the high and the low, intersect every day.

This novel is a very rich and colourful reflection of that world.

And in this story, the underdog survives, beats the odds and wins!

ʻQ & Aʼ

By Vikas Swarup ʻAnd I wonder what it feels like to have no desires left because you have satisfied them all, smothered them with money...ʼ ʻQ & Aʼ is Vikas Swarupʼs debut novel, and has achieved international success through its making into the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. It is the adventure of Ram Mohammed Thomas, a child abandoned to the slums of big city India, who goes on to win Who Wants To Be a Billionaire (rupees) ?

Each chapter tells of his street experience which leads to him knowing the answers left wanting by a formal education.

That leads to his arrest and interrogation after the show, as he couldnʼt possibly have known the answers to the twelve questions, each more difficult than the last.

The author, a former quizzer, was interested in the psychological processes that are at work in a contestantʼs mind. ʻA quiz is not

so much a test of knowledge as a test of memoryʼ. ʻQ & Aʼ is the work of a hyperactive imagination that moves with a modern Indian beat, like Danny Boyleʼs film. We enter on the journey with this slum boy, admiring all his ingenuity and integrity as he pursues his dream.

Each episode is a discrete experience, while also making up the coherent whole of the novel.

The goings on in the Quiz Show take place at the surface level.

The influences of Bollywood are throughout, in both style and content.

There is plenty of bleakness, poverty and darkness, but there is always a sense of ʻthe light at the end of the tunnelʼ. Research for the book was considerable, including: The India-Pakistan war of 1971; life in juvenile homes; betting on cricket matches; the practise of selling tribal girls into prostitution; the modus operandi of contract killers; voodoo, and the Taj Mahal.

In India, says the author, the

ʻGUANTANAMO BOYʼ

By Anna Perera (Puffin Books) Described by the author as her first teenage novel, the ʻboyʼ from the title is Khalid, fifteen years old, a normal teenager, growing up in Rochdale, surrounded by his family and friends. He uses the internet a lot to communicate with his best friend Tariq, who is designing a computer game for them to play, and uses his mobile to make arrangements....

This Easter, he must go to Karachi in Pakistan with his parents to see his relations. He complains a bit as he would rather stay with his friends. Karachi is a dangerous place, he has been warned, as the US Military are picking up visitors to the country and making false accusations about their involvement with Al Queda.

When his dad goes missing, Khalid goes searching for him and gets mixed up in a street demonstration, barely making his way back to his auntʼs house with the help of a complete stranger.

It is not long before he himself is picked up and brought to a place of interrogation. The arrest is senseless and carried out by heartless faceless strangers. He is at once subjected to brutality and transported to Guantanamo.

The skill of the author makes it frightening.

Most prison-set novels and films, such as ʻPapillonʼ and ʻThe Shawshank Redemptionʼ contain glimmers of hope and recovery. Usually, the prison term is a metaphorical proving ground for the resilience of the human spirit and ultimate survival of the hero. But, I donʼt know, here it could be because the detainee is so young, or because there was no crime, or it has to do with a conflict I donʼt fully understand.

Mainly, it is the inhumanity of his captors, and the place. There is hardly a chink of redemptive light apparent here.

This one gave me the horrors.

I do not know what happens to

Khalid, as I wasnʼt able to finish it. The authorʼs note is an indication of whatʼs inside, saying “Although ʻGuantanamo Boyʼ is a work of fiction, it is inspired by real events,” she says. “It remains a fact that children have been abducted and abused and held without charge in the name of justice in Guantanamo Bay and many secret prisons around the world.” ʻLUSH LIFEʼ

By Richard Price Born in the Bronx, New York in 1949, Richard Price is famous for his gritty urban novels ʻClockersʼ and ʻFreedomlandʼ, as well screenplays like ʻThe Color of Moneyʼ and award-winning episodes of ʻThe Wireʼ, ʻLush Lifeʼ, Priceʼs eighth novel, is set in the teeming streets of New Yorkʼs lower east side. A once working-class neighbourhood undergoing regeneration and gentrification, where laptop-toting yuppies rub shoulders with the original inhabitants and luxury apartment blocks are built next to run-down social housing estates, or ʻprojectsʼ as the Americans call them.

The central theme of the book is the effect urban regeneration has on the neighbourhoods undergoing it; and how the people of an area can be bypassed and forgotten about by city planners building shiny new playgrounds for the young and affluent.

On the face of it, ʻLush Lifeʼ is a

straight crime novel dealing with the story of a murder and its ensuing investigation. 35 year old bar manager Eric Cash and two friends are on their way home from a night of drinking, when they are held up by two young robbers from the projects.

One of the victims gets mouthy, saying “Not tonight my man” and gets shot dead by the nervous assailant. The alleged shooters are from the projects and the victims are newcomers to the area.

What follows is the story of a long and frustrating police investigation. The story is told from all angles as the author traces the repercussions of the shooting on the victims, the police, the attackers and the neighbourhood as a whole. Price has a keen ear for dialogue, lovingly reproducing the slang used by the young black and Latino street kids as well as the jargon-heavy speech of the police.

The book is a first-rate police procedural. We know who pulled the trigger. So the suspense comes from finding out whether he will be caught, and how, and what other casualties will ensue.

The police have to spend almost as much effort tending to the victimʼs father, unhinged by his sonʼs death, as they do to running down leads on the killer.

Inner-city streets are, in Priceʼs view, the stage for a play that often ends as tragedy but is at its base a farce.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

PAGE 17

D EKE ’ S : R INGSEND ’ S BOMB - PROOF DINER

By Jason McDonnell

D

ekeʼs Diner, also known locally as the Hound Dog Café due to Deke the owner being a well-known Elvis Presley impersonator, is located opposite the South Quay container terminal just off the Sean Moore Road roundabout in Ringsend.

Dekeʼs is one of the finest places to go for a burger, a breakfast roll or fish and chips. This bombproof eatery has recently been added to ʻThe Dublinerʼ magazine 2009 edition of ʻ100 best restaurantsʼ. The diner was originally a converted ship container and was once used as a British army secure unit in Portadown.

The premises has recently been modified and is now a classic trucker joint. People come from

all around to try one of Dekeʼs famous quarter-pounders. Dekeʼs main clientele are truckers and dockers who drop in for a breakfast bap or a chip butty with a cup of tea. Fair play to Deke, he has a special offer for unemployed and students giving a 20% discount.

The bi-lingual menu is in English and Polish and it is not uncommon to hear a request for Ryba and Frythi (Fish and Chips).

There is always a great atmosphere in the diner with a lot of friendly banter, and as Deke says, he is often reminded that he is still only a blow-in even after 30 years in Ringsend.

Deke (pictured top right behind the counter) wanted to say thanks to all his regular customers, and all of his team, especially Jackie McDermot and Deirdre McGuinness for all their help and support over the years.

Mallard Ducks Down by the Dodder River, I saw two mallard ducks.

They sat like ceramic ones I saw in an arty shop.

Their beaks were under cover Their necks were bent like rubber They sat there.

Breathing air Just like mallard ducks.

By Carmel McCarthy

Councillor Michael Donnelly Contact details: Phone: 4970935 Email: mdonnelly@bfcd.ie

PAGE 18

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

Film Scene

By Michael Hilliard

‘Star Trek’

D

irector J.J. Abrams, of TVʼs ʻLostʼ, fame, takes us back to the early days of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) as he embarks on his journey to become the captain of the USS Enterprise.

By itʼs very nature, the plot must entail the re-introduction of all the main characters from the Star Trek crew, and each one is present and correct, albeit in much younger and, dare I say, trendier form: Spock

(Zachary Quinto), Scotty (Simon Pegg) and Sulu (John Cho) all take their rightful places aboard the Enterprise and we watch them eventually band together through mutual respect to combat a common enemy.

The script sets up Nero (Eric Bana) as the villain of the piece. He plays a slightly over-the-top time-traveller, attempting to spark off an intergalactic war as revenge for the destruction of his own planet.

As with the other sci-fi opera ʻStar Warsʼ, you ei-

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ther have to suspend disbelief for this type of material or youʼd better avoid it at all costs.

But donʼt dismiss Star Trek on those merits, you would be missing out on great entertainment. Sure, there are still references to the more obscure elements of the back catalogue of ʻStar Trekʼ movies and TV shows, but the key thing is, you probably wonʼt even notice them, such is the achievement of the screenwriters in making the movie as accessible to as wide an audience as possible.

Above all else, ʻStar Trekʼ is fun. Case in point: In one scene, we see Kirk with giant balloon hands, (sounds less funny on paper) or Scotty accidentally beamed inside a water pipe in another.

The film is tailored to the general populace, rather than the jaded ʻStar Trekʼ obsessive.

The script works best in these lighter moments such as the amusing exchanges between Kirk and ʻBonesʼ McCoy (a scene-stealing Karl Urban).

Occasionally however, the script canʼt resist some nostalgic nods to past incarnations, most notably, the original TV series. Quin-

toʼs Spock gets more than most, but to discuss that in any great detail here would spoil a genuinely pleasant surprise mid-movie.

Director Abrams knows how to put an action scene together and how to wrench as much tension as possible from a particular set-piece, as shown on ʻLostʼ and ʻMission Impossible 3ʼ, and here pulls every such scene off with style and genuine excitement.

His subtle nods to the showʼs sixties glory days mostly come across through

costume and music, not daring to veer too far off course from the classic look and sound.

A standout breakthrough performance from Pine as Kirk, the aforementioned surprise element (including an ingenious plot device that grants the filmmakers greater freedom for the inevitable sequels), and the sheer spectacle, and surprisingly hilarious script, make Star Trek highly recommended viewing.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

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PAGE 19

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

By John Fitzgerald

f the idea of seeing the Docklands by water appeals to you, then you will have to check out the Liffey Voyage, Dublinʼs tour

service on the River Liffey.

The bright red, glass-roofed tour boat ʻSpirit of the Docklandsʼ operates between the city centre and the docklands, exploring the historical sights and landmarks along the riverʼs path.

The tour guide, a Canadian, Richard Martin, delivers entertaining snippets on Dublin life specific to the Liffey and the Docklands throughout the journey, offering passengers an intriguing insight into Dublin folklore and history.

The script has been developed by leading Dublin historian Pat Liddy.

Richard will tell you that the river has had inhabitants on its banks since the Stone Age, and that it used to be three times its current width.

Land on both sides was reclaimed starting in the 1640s, and new quay walls were built. Supporting timbers from these times can be seen at low tide.

When the Custom House was completed in 1792, it had been built on a foundation of logs and pitch, on reclaimed land that was once part of the river. At this time Ireland was the second richest city in all of Europe, and the second city of the British Empire.

The tour departs from a landing station at Bachelors Walk, passing under OʼConnell Bridge downstream past the Gandon-designed Custom House. It then passes the IFSC and the Grand Canal Basin before turning around at the East Link Bridge, the last of the riverʼs 18 bridges. Passengers are reminded that three out of every four people who left these shores during the Great Hunger of the 1840s left from these very quays. ʻSpirit of the Liffeyʼ arrived in

Dublin in June 2005, she was built in Sweden by boat builders Westers Mekanista, and can seat 50 passengers. She is 23 metres long and capable of travelling at 9.5 knots. The vessel is wheelchair-accessible and suitable for young and old alike.

The service is among the many initiatives being run under the Docklands Authority River Regeneration Strategy to bring life to the River Liffey and to give Dubliners and visitors alike an alternative view of the city. Skippered by Dubliner Paul Kavanagh, the Liffey Voyage operates daily and the journey time is 45 minutes. The service runs from March to November.

Tours begin at 10.30am daily and run hourly with up to six sailings per day, seven days a week. It is advisable to call or e-mail to confirm times and availability, as the schedule can vary due to extremes of tide and weather.

The service is operated by Michael O Cionna, who also operated the Liffey Ferry service, and runs Killary Cruises, which takes visitors on a tour of Killary Fjord, in Connemara, Irelandʼs only fjord.

For details, call 014734082. www.liffeyvoyage.ie

PAGE 20

I

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

R INGSEND & I RISHTOWN C OMMUNITY C ENTRE NEWS

By Lorraine Barry

nside your Centre we have lots of activities for all ages.

Some of the activities include Karate, Irish Dancing, Hip-Hop, Drama, Singing, Art Classes, Childrenʼs Disco, School of Rock, Cookery, Salsa Classes, Computer Classes and lots more.

If you would like more information just call 6604789 or drop in anytime.

Mayday Parade The RICC Mayday Parade, which took place on May 4th, was a great success, but it would not have been so successful without the participation of the various groups and members of the Community.

Thank you for all your support.

Outdoor Bowling Green The first game took place at our Mayday Festival and the Active Retirement Group were on hand giving demonstrations. It is suitable for beginners intermediate and advanced players. If you would like to become a member or organise a team to play please contact the Centre on 6604789.

Parent & Toddler Group We now have a Parent & Tod-

dler Group here in the Centre every Friday morning from 10am to 11.30 am All are welcome to come along.

Ringsend & Irishtown Youth Project Calling all 6th Classers!!

6th class is a very important year and 6th classers are even more important!

This is why Ringsend & Irishtown Youth Project have started a Friday 6th class drop in.

If you are interested and in 6th class and would like to participate in a variety of activities, then come to the drop in every Friday 2.30 to 4.30 in the Youth Projectʼs Portacabins at the back of the Centre.

Citizens Information Service Citizens Information Service is here in the Centre every Thursday morning 9am to 1pm If you need any information or advice, please do not hesitate to call in.

Adult Guitar Lessons Are you interested in learning how to play the Guitar? If so

please contact Vanessa at RICC on 6604789 or 085 7547389.

New Yoga Classes New Yoga classes are starting in the Centre on Monday nights.

To reserve a place please contact the Centre at 6 604789 (RICC) Ringsend Development Forum Established 1st July 2008 As part of the ongoing development and promotion of joint community initiatives in the Ringsend and Irishtown area, RICC invite ALL GROUPS in the community to a meeting on the third Tuesday of every month in the Centre at 7.30pm.

The purpose of this meeting is to identify ways in which the Community Centre could facilitate, foster and promote community activities and help groups in the area to achieve their full effectiveness and potential.

All welcome– we look forward to seeing you there. ʻRingsend & Irishtown Community Centre belongs to YOU, THE PEOPLE OF THE AREA! We strive to meet your needs. If you have any suggestions for new activities or programmes you would like in your centre we will do all we can to facilitate youʼ.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

PAGE 21

A NN SAYS GOODBYE – IN STYLE !

By Nessa Jennings

O

n the evening of Friday 17th April, all gathered at The Hobblerʼs End in Ringsend for Ann Ingleʼs retirement do. All of Annʼs eight children were present, including Roisin Ingle, the expectant mother, who has since had twin girls, making Ann once again a proud grand mother– twice over !

Dermot Lacey spoke of Annʼs long service on the newspaper as editor and originator of NewsFour. Moreover, Dermot was bound to mention Annʼs previous service on many other projects for Sandymount Community Services, and how she had always managed to balance her role in the community with her role as mother of her considerable family !

Ann, much abashed as well as radiant on this occasion, thanked all those present for all she had got back from the community,

with a special mention for the team responsible for this newspaper, with whom it had been a pleasure to work !

In the time I have been on the paper myself, it has been an extremely rich and creative experience, where Ann served as the backbone of support, while juggling administrative responsibilities as well as being personally available to all who needed to call to the Ringsend office for advice and support.

The room above the pub was full of well-wishers, including ourselves, and some alumni of the paper. Eugene Carolan and John Cheevers were snapping photos the whole evening, and there were a lot of locals there too. Food was served on top of the wine and then, I think about ten or more people sang unaccompanied, that is about two songs from each group present.

The chat was great, as we all relaxed in the surroundings. Ann was happy with the send-off party she so richly deserved.

L ADIES – JOIN H ANNAH FOR F LORA M INI -M ARATHON !

I

By Aghna Hennigan

f you have registered to run in this yearʼs Flora Mini-Marathon but havenʼt yet chosen a charity then choose to be in good company and run, walk or jog alongside Dublin Rose, Hannah McDonnell.

Hannah will be taking part to raise funds for her chosen charity, Enable Ireland.

Enable Ireland supports children and adults with disabilities in five locations in Dublin. Hannah is hugely supportive of the work of Enable Ireland and is a passionate disability advocate herself. Hannah has been working with parents and children attending Enable Ireland in Sandymount sharing her experiences of growing up with dyspraxia. Children with dyspraxia can have co-ordination and sensory motor difficulties that can interfere with activities of daily living, school performance and/ or social development. Funds raised

by Hannah will go towards Enable Ireland childrenʼs services in Galway, Wicklow and Dublin where service users include children with dyspraxia.

“This will be one of my last events as the Dublin Rose and I would really love if you would join me.

Over the past year I have been working with parents and children attending Enable Ireland in Sandymount and I have seen at first hand the difference that a service like Enable Irelandʼs can make in the lives of a person who has a disability and their family. Join me and run, jog or walk for Enable Ireland and you can make a difference too,” says Hannah.

If youʼre not registered to run in the Mini-Marathon, you can still support the Dublin Rose, Hannah McDonnell, by sponsoring her to run the race.

Donations can be made by phoning 0857225659.

The Ladies Mini-Marathon takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, June 1st.

PAGE 22

I

By Glenda Cimino

n these uncertain economic times, many people are turning to growing their own food.

One website with a lot of information about how to do it and where is www.dublinfoodgrowing.org.

This organisation started with a conversation between Willie Morrough, Morag Friel and Bruce Darrell, who identified the need for more allotments in Dublin City Council. A public meeting was held in February 2008, to discuss campaigning for allotments and the necessity and urgency of looking at food in Dublin.

More people got involved and a steering committee was set up, and Dublin Food Growing was born with the overall unifying purpose of establishing ʻfood security from the ground upʼ.

THEIR VISION OF A POSSIBLE FUTURE DUBLIN INCLUDES: * All Dublinʼs food (fruit and vegetables) will be grown locally.

Dublin will feed its own population, achieving food security comparable to Havana in 2007. * No organic matter leaves Dublin: Fertile waste and water is captured

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

C OMMUNITY F OOD

SECURITY FROM THE GROUND UP

and used in a closed loop system (including grey water, run off, and sewage). * No space wasted: Every empty space is cultivated to become a productive, edible landscape. * Dublin Food Growing operates at all scales: From window boxes to allotments to commercial. * Anyone who wants to grow food can: Space and resources will be available and easily accessible to all. * The food system does not deprive

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other people of food and resources necessary to feed themselves * Some of the things they recommend to realise this vision are: Increased availability of public park allotments (including new parks). * Public plantings promote productive use by encouraging food cultivation in public spaces in your area. * Aim high. (eg.100 allotment sites and 200 community gardens). * Register all existing community gardens as community associations. * Argue for establishing community gardens at every public amenity: school, library, park, hospital, retirement home. * Support an allotment campaign of letters, lobbying, documenting potential sites and interest. * Lobby and Influence Dublin City Development Plan. * Identify and map potential sites: Google earth and community mapping research, make lists of potential food growing sites. * Ongoing active research programme: conduct research into the best species, soils, techniques and strategies to support every Dubliner interested in food growing. * World Class Resource Centre: Education at all levels. * Resource Exchange Service: Free-cycle for food cultivation offering easily accessible information, experience, materials, ideas, techniques, labour * Build website as active hub with volunteers * Establish a regular media presence: Integrate promotion and outreach strategies into all activities in as many ways possible * Become a recognized source for information on food issues for the media Dublin Food Growing is also an information point for courses teaching the skills people need to

garden successfully, whether in pots, a communal site, an allotment, or a back garden.

They mention: Grow Your Own Food– course run by Bruce Darrell, one of the founders and active contributors to Dublin Food Growing.

Although not in Dublin, the courses run in Gortabrack Organic Gardens, Co. Kerry may give you ideas of courses to run in your growing project!

The Botanic Gardens frequently run courses on diverse subjects from composting to the importance of butterflies in the garden.

Cultivate, Centre for Living and Learning in Temple Bar regularly runs courses on gardening, food production and sustainability. Their premises in Essex Street West also houses an amazing garden which is perfect to stop in, sit out and appreciate nature. Check out their website for dates.

Be inspired, visit gardens around Dublin which are maintained by

the Office of Public Works, there are also details on the site of free educational visits for schools.

STARTING AN URBAN SCHOOL GARDEN According to Jackie Bourke at Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square in the city centre, “Perhaps the biggest challenge with starting an edible school garden is overcoming the fear of what seems like a very daunting task. It can be easy to think yourself out of ever beginning. Best to simply throw yourself in and deal with each un-anticipated obstacle as it comes along. The school yard is tarmac and concrete, and we knew very little about food growing. But we raised funds and began with pots. Tomatoes, beans, and peas thrived. When an old trough was emptied, we craned in five tonnes of rubble and threw in four tonnes of topsoil. Lots of achy backs the following morning!

We transplanted everything into what had become a raised bed.

Children of every age have been involved each step of the way.

The plants cheer up their yard, and they regularly pinch bits of lettuce and parsley, taste nasturtium flowers, and squish juicy little tomatoes in their mouths. Starting and maintaining a school garden is hard work, but the benefits are immeasurable. The children love helping out. They take great pride in their success, and learn a lot about growing food– which in the long run will help save the planet for them, and their children.”

Well– at the very least, this offers food for thought.

Above: Philip McDonough and Jack OʼBrien tending Ringsend Community Centreʼs vegetable garden.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

P OETS

PAGE 23

IN PROFILE

S EAMUS H EANEY

By Glenda Cimino

W

ith a home in Sandymount, Nobel prize winner Seamus Heaney must be the most famous of all local poets, and he has just celebrated his 70th birthday.

I was just building up my courage to ask him for an interview when I discovered that the definitive interview had already been conducted and made into a book, ʻStepping Stones: Interviews with Seamus Heaneyʼ by his friend and fellow poet, Dennis OʼDriscoll, running to an impressive 524 pages, published by Faber in 2008.

Evidently, even this is an edited version, as OʼDriscoll said that ʻthe questions I asked alone could have filled this many pagesʼ. These ʻlinked interviewsʼ, as OʼDriscoll calls them, set out to trace, book by book, the contours of Heaneyʼs writing life and the events and memories that inform it.

The title is taken from Heaneyʼs Nobel Prize acceptance speech, in which he described his “journey into the wideness of language, a journey where each point of arrival– whether in oneʼs poetry or oneʼs life– turned out to be a stepping stone rather than a destination.”

The first section, Bearings, consists of two short chapters

which evoke Heaneyʼs childhood in rural County Derry. His family lived in ʻa one-storied, longish, lowish, thatched and whitewashed house about thirty yards in from the main roadʼ. He remembers ʻthe pleasure of tearing wallpaper off the wall beside the bedʼ and the ʻpink, distempered plaster underneathʼ on which he wrote.

OʼDriscoll then takes Heaney on a journey through the key poems of his early collections, ʻDeath of a Naturalistʼ, ʻDoor into the Darkʼ, ʻWintering Outʼ, and ʻNorthʼ, published in 1975.

As the chapter headings indicate, the book uses Heaneyʼs work chronologically as a hook for the life, rather than putting the life at the forefront.

For a time, Heaney was criticised for his supposed reluctance to write about the Troubles directly in his poetry. ʻField Workʼ, though, published four years later, contains several poems which treat the Troubles. ʻThe Strand at Lough Begʼ is an elegy for his second cousin, Colum McCartney, the victim of a loyalist killing gang, while ʻAfter a Killingʼ alludes to the IRAʼs assassination of Christopher Ewart-Biggs, the British ambassador in Dublin, an act that Heaney describes as ʻmore like the breaking of an ancient taboo than a breach of international protocolʼ.

The book concludes with a

chapter in which OʼDriscoll asks about the serious stroke Heaney suffered in August 2006. Heaney commented at the time to Tom Kilroy that it was “the curse of Field Day,” as Brian Friel had had a stroke a year or so before.

“When Brian came to visit me in hospital, his first words were ʻDifferent strokes for different folksʼ.” Heaney was grateful that he did not suffer any permanent impairment to “speech or memory or vision or humour.”

OʼDriscoll asked, “What has poetry taught you?” Heaney answered, “That thereʼs such a thing as truth and it can be told– slant; that subjectivity is not to be theo-

rised away and is worth defending; that poetry itself has virtue, in the first sense of possessing a quality of moral excellence and in the sense also of possessing inherent strength by reason by its sheer made-upness, its integratis, consonatia and claritas.ʼ OʼDriscoll also addresses the downside of fame, the endless demands on oneʼs time and presence that take one away from the act of writing poetry, of “poetry readings, lectures, book launches, festivals, honorary degrees, exhibition openings, and all the time devouring travel and distraction which such activities entail.” Heaney replied that “lately

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I was becoming more successful at staying clear.”

The book also contains a chronology of Heaneyʼs life, a select bibliography, a ʻselectʼ list of other interviews– you would wonder Heaney had time to live in between being interviewedand a biographical glossary of key individuals referred to in the text.

All in all, in my view this is a very useful addition to the Heaney stores, as it is very thorough and contextualises the poetry in the poetʼs life as well as giving us insights into the writing itself.

Photo by Sean OʼConnor

PAGE 24

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

L OCAL W HO

CANDIDATES AT A GLANCE

ARE THEY ?

W HAT

CANDIDATES PEMBROKE ERIC EBLANA (Independent)

Erik Eblana, aged 40, is an unemployed business manager, writer, blogger and local poet.

He was assistant Director of the Rathmines Festival and says there is a need for a voice supporting the arts, culture and micro-businesses. Has seven points he wants to make his own including, government accountability, protecting the Grand Canal, reducing rates for local businesses, creating new jobs locally, planning issues and community-led government.

JIM OʼCALLAGHAN (Fianna Fail)

Jim OʼCallaghan is a 44 year old barrister educated at UCD, Cambridge and Kings Inns, he is now practising as a Senior Counsel. Jim objected to the Poolbeg Incinerator and says the Council needs to do more to facilitate recycling. He wants public transport improved and praises the LUAS as a success that should be pursued further.

ARE THEIR POLICIES ?

CANDIDATES SOUTH EAST INNER CITY CATHERINE NOONE (Fine Gael)

Catherine Noone-FG, Cllr is a practicing Solicitor, business owner and resident in the area. Originally from Co. Mayo, she aims to improve the lives of all residents by being in constant contact with local residents and their issues in areas such as drug abuse, criminality and social deprivation. Key areas needing change are health, education, housing and public transport being fundamental to the quality of life for Citizens.

KEVIN HUMPHREYS (Labour)

Kevin was born in Ringsend and now lives in Bath Avenue and believes that a fairer society will only be achieved through equality of opportunity.

He is Chairperson of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, Chairperson of the Board of Management of Ringsend & Rathmines College and a member of the Board of Ballsbridge College; he has worked for improved access to education. Kevinʼs priorities over the next five years will be job creation, community investment and social solidarity.

CLAIRE WHEELER (Green)

EOGHAN MURPHY (Fine Gael)

Eoghan is 27 years old and lives in Sandymount. He has worked as a consultant on nuclear weapon disarmament in London, Vienna and Geneva.

Eoghan wants a directly elected Mayor, reform of the electoral boundaries, a modern cycling infrastructure and a properly integrated public transport system.

Claire Wheeler has lived in Irishtown parish for 20 years. An Engineering Science graduate of Trinity College, Claire worked as an engineer in industry for 12 years. More recently, she re-trained as a secondary-level maths teacher, and works as a substitute teacher. Claireʼs priorities include: improving safety for cyclists; making Dublinʼs streets more accessible for frail elderly, disabled and partly disabled; real and meaningful public consultation in making the new City Development Plan and Poolbeg Planning Scheme; conservation of natural and recreational coastal amenity in any Poolbeg development; ensuring that City Council services are improved, and not cut back; ensuring that any local charges are equitable and progressive; provision of allotments.

DERMOT LACEY (Labour)

SARAH RYAN (Fianna Fáil)

Former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Dermot Lacey is the Labour Party candidate for the Pembroke area. He is married with two children and lives in Donnybrook and has been on the City Council since 1993.

Councillor Lacey is active in a wide range of community groups and is particularly committed to the reform of Local Government structures and for the introduction of a directly-elected Lord Mayor. Long housing lists, traffic problems and planning are high on his agenda for reform. He has opposed the proposed incinerator in the area and is enthusiastic about the protection and enhancement of Sandymount Strand.

I have been selected to run for the Fianna Fáil party in the local Elections on June 5th.

Since joining Dublin City Council last year, I have fought for improved social housing in the community, better educational facilities and access to education for all ages.

As someone who has grown up in the local area and worked as a teacher in a local school, I have a strong understanding of the issues we face within the community. My main priority in this election campaign is the protection and creation of local jobs.

If elected, I will be your local voice and will continue to fight for jobs and better facilities in our community.

MICHAEL DONNELLY (Fianna Fáil)

MARIA PARODI (Labour)

Rathfarnam resident, Michael Donnelly is a Chartered Accountant and Chairman of the Finance Committee on Dublin City Council. Michael is particularly concerned to ensure value for money and delivery of the best possible service to the citizens. In addition, high standards in planning and in planning regulation are a key priority. This approach will be particularly vital as we work on the next Dublin City Development Plan. Innovation in working out new methods in traffic calming, reduction in parking frustrations and encouragement in the use of public transport are a central part in his approach to traffic policy. Quality of life issues particularly in terms of the Arts and an appreciation of our cultural traditions and potential are central to Michael Donnellyís approach to public life.

Maria Parodi is your new Labour local election candidate for South East Inner City. As a resident of Ringsend, Maria has actively campaigned alongside members of the community on many local issues. Some of her priorities are to encourage the creation of local jobs, ensure that any future planning is community-led not developer-led, improve public transport, secure local facilities for young people and much-needed amenities for older people and to continue to oppose the incinerator. Maria is committed to tackling the everyday issues facing people within South East Inner City with greater transparency, accountability and open communication.

OISÍN QUINN (Labour)

VICKY CROSBY (Fianna Fáil)

Cllr. Oisín Quinn was elected to Dublin City Council in 2004. He grew up in Sandymount and now lives in Rathmines. Married to Elva with 3 young children, he is a practising barrister who specialises in employment law and last year he was made a Senior Counsel.

Oisín lead the campaign on the City Council to secure changes to the current City Development Plan to protect green spaces and sports fields from development. His main priority is to make a new Development Plan for Dublin that links development to improvements in schools, transport and community facilities.

Vicky, a 35 year old Accountant, originally from Co. Roscommon, lives in South Lotts Road, Ringsend. Vicky is a former member of the National Womenʼs Committee and at the age of 18 secured a seat on the replacement panel for Europe (representing Connaught Ulster). If elected, Vicky intends to be a full time public representative and to put her career as an accountant on hold.

Vickyʼs policies will include: care for the elderly with an emphasis on the availability of home help for those who need it and increased security in the home for elderly people. On education, Vicky would like to see a greater uptake of further education amongst school-leavers in the area. On the environment, she wants to promote the reduction of waste through reusing and recycling.

MARY FREEHILL (Labour)

DAITHÍ DOOLAN (Sinn Féin)

Mary Freehill was first elected for Pembroke and then for Rathmines Ward since 1991. She served on the EU Committee of the Regions in Brussels and served as Dublinʼs Millennium Lord Mayor. She is now a full time Councillor having spent her working life as a Social Worker in Rehabilitation Services. A long time campaigner for Local Government reform, which would give real transparency and more say to the citizen. “I want a society that supports and protects, our most vulnerable children at risk, disabled or elderly peopleî.” Fights against predatory development in residential neighbourhoods and for protection of our built heritage.

Daithí Doolan is the Sinn Féin Representative for Dublin South East and says he has a “passion for politics.” Originally from Cork, He has been a political activist for most of his adult life and was active in CND, The Anti Single European Act Campaign and The Anti Apartheid Movement.

He lived in London for five years and since returning to Ireland in 1992 he has held many posts within Sinn Féin. He opposes bin charges, hospitals closures and high-rise developments. He has also tackled both the causes and consequences of drug addiction in the community with great success as a founding member and current PRO for the Ringsend & District Response to Drugs.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

PAGE 25

CANDIDATES PEMBROKE

CANDIDATES SOUTH EAST INNER CITY MANNIX FLYNN (Independent)

GARRET TUBRIDY (Fianna Fail)

Born in Mercer Street, Mannix Flynn is best known as a writer and actor, but has always used Art as a means of effecting social change, particularly around the rights of children - to be seen, to be heard and to be protected. In 2004 Mannix became a member of Aosdana, and was still a voice for those vulnerable to exploitation. Mannixís priorities include: the development of a robust plan to deal with the continuing flooding at Ringsend; opposing the incinerator at Ringsend; more residential parking for Ringsend/Sandymount; working towards a much more transparent open, and service friendly Dublin city council by establishing one-stop-shops within the community.

Garrett, 33,is an Operations Manager and is married with one son. He holds a B. Comm Degree and a Masters in Business Studies (UCD). Garrett volunteered as an intern for Congressman Joe Kennedy in Bostonʼs eighth district back in 1996. Garrett believes that we should focus on our Urban Villages (Sandymount, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook) to create communities around Dublinʼs shared green spaces. Garrett also has a number of ideas to improve the transport system, making it a safe, efficient, affordable and environmentally-friendly option for commuters. Finally, a litter-free city is more attractive for businesses, tourists, investors, and, most importantly, for residents. It should be one of the Councilʼs highest priorities.

EDIE WYNN (Fine Gael)

Edie is a longstanding community activist. She lives in Terenure with her husband, Tom. She went back to college as a mature student and graduated from Trinity College with a BSc(Mgmt) and MA. Her interests include her family, politics, music, golf and vibrant community life.

Her particular political interests are: retention of urban village community life; enforcement of planning regulations; the preservation of St Lukeʼs Hospital, Rathgar; no incinerator in Sandymount; improved traffic regulation, including safe cycle lanes.

BRYCE EVANS (People Before Profit Alliance)

Bryce works as a History tutor at University College Dublin. He regularly contributes articles to newspapers and journals offering commentary on politics and history. Bryce has been active in Irish Anti-War Movement and Shell to Sea campaigns and is a keen footballer and cyclist.

He is against: cuts in public transport and for the improvement of cycle lanes and against cutbacks at St Vincentís and other local hospitals. He wants another local multi-denominational state school. He would protect green spaces and punish those who destroy our heritage.

PADDY MCCARTAN (Fine Gael)

Paddy McCartan has strong roots in the community, having grown up in Ballsbridge. He attended school in Marian College and qualified as an Optician from Kevin Street. All his working life has been spent in Baggot Street and Ringsend, where he runs two opticians and it is from here that his involvement in community work began.

His priority issues for the local elections are: local environment, planning application and development proposals, harnessing the full potential of our older generation and increasing the integrity and effectiveness of local government.

OISÍN DOLAN (Sinn Féin) Oisin is 22 years old and has been a member of Sinn Féin since 2005.

He says he got involved in politics for two main reasons: one, he wanted to help to bring an end to British misrule in Ireland and establish a truly national Republic; two, he wants to help to bring about a better, more fair society in which people are treated with dignity and respect.

A city council must work together to develop Dublin as a whole; to deal with issues such as social housing, local healthcare, traffic congestion and road safety and planning in a sustainable, equitable and cohesive manner to ensure success for all the people of the city.

By John Fitzgerald

C

ontrary to popular belief many species of shark occur around the coast of Ireland. At least 19 different shark species live in or visit our waters, from the large streamlined porbeagle to the plankton-eating basking shark. At least half of Irish sharks including dogfish, porbeagle and basking sharks (pictured right) are residents of our coast all year round.

Sharks grow and mature slowly.

They have long pregnancies and give birth to very few young. This makes them incredibly susceptible to over-fishing. In other parts of the world sharks are hunted for food or killed just for their fin, which is worth big money in Asia for shark fin soup.

Here in Ireland, sharks are

caught accidentally whist fishing for other target species (bycatch).

Trawling in midwater for whitefish and gillnetting at the surface for salmon are the main types of fishing that kill sharks accidentally. This has lead to a huge decline of sharks in our seas.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of threatened species lists basking sharks , tope, and angel shark as vulnerable, whilst shortfin, mako, porbeagle, blue shark, smooth hammerhead and spiny dogfish are also under threat.

PROTECTION In the case of the basking shark, there is some good news.

Reaching lengths of up to 14 metres, these majestic creatures cruise along the top of the water, filter feeding on plankton. They are the second largest fish on the

CHECK YOUR ELECTION CANDIDATES ONLINE

O

By John Fitzgerald

ne of the main reasons for Barack Obamaʼs victory in the US elections last year was his teamʼs ability to mobilise hitherto-disinterested voters, mainly young people, through on-line social networking.

The Obama campaign had a huge presence on established sites like Facebook, Myspace and Flickr.

They also set up My.BarackObama. com, or MyBO for short, an intuitive and fun-to-use networking internet site that allowed supporters to create groups, plan events, raise funds, download tools, and connect with one another– not unlike a more focused, activist Facebook.

Obamaʼs website was the catalyst that helped turn the election tide in his favour. In addition to mobilising new voters, more than $500 million was raised through donations of under $100 on average.

This is a lesson that has not been lost on the political classes this side

T HE

planet– only the whale shark is bigger.

In the past, gill nets sitting on the surface to capture passing salmon were a ʻwall of deathʼ to the basking shark, but this practice has been banned and hopefully this will help the numbers recover.

Angling for shark is a growing sport all around our coasts through summer and autumn, but a catch and release policy is practiced, so it is sustainable. A typical angler will place fish oil and fish guts in the water and wait for the scent to

of the pond. If politicians want to connect with new voters and broaden their appeal, not to mention raise funds, they will need to connect with younger voters using new technologies.

One website that is helping Irish politicians connect with their electorate is www.micandidate.eu The site was founded in 2007 by a group of college friends who were struck by how difficult it was to find out about all your candidates standing for election.

The site lists all the candidates standing in the upcoming local and European elections. It contains contact details, biographies, photos, and detailed policy information on most of the candidates.

Like Obamaʼs website, there is a facility for making donations. The site has proved so successful in Ireland that they are bringing this simple idea all across Europe.

We certainly recommend the site; it was very useful to us in setting up the ʻcandidates at a glanceʼ feature on these pages.

SHARK STORY

drift for a few miles. The shark will pick up on the scent and swim toward the boat, where a whole mackerel is baited on a large hook using a balloon as a float and

alarm. The second the balloon is pulled under it bursts and the shark is hooked. Porbeagle , blue shark and tope are caught,(and released) in this way.

PAGE 26

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

E UROPEAN E LECTION EIBHLIN BYRNE (Fianna Fáil)

The Lord Mayor has held distinguished positions in advocacy throughout her career to date and is currently employed by the Daughters of Charity Child & Family Services as a Senior Manager with responsibility for 10 family centres around the city. Eibhlin states: “As Lord Mayor I am currently a voice for Dubliners in Dublin. As a member of the European Parliament I would seek to be a voice for Dublin and Dubliners in Europe. I have used the office of Lord Mayor effectively to create links and synergies between people and between groups that add real value to peopleʼs quality of life. I have put people at the centre of every policy and would continue to do so in Europe.”

DÉIRDRE DE BÚRCA (Green Party)

As a councillor I acted on behalf of many community groups in relation to planning issues over the years particularly in relation to planning and rezoning decisions. As a Senator I was a member of the New Forum for Europe and committee on the Future of Ireland in Europe which resulted in a report with wide ranging recommendations. If elected my priorities will include: an EU-wide ʻGreen New Dealʼ economic stimulus package for Europe that will create five million new green collar jobs across all member states; bringing more Democracy to the European Union through giving its citizens more say in its decision-making and making its processes much more transparent and accountable.

JOE HIGGINS (The Socialist Party)

Joe Higgins is a long-time activist in the labour and trade union movement.

Elected to Dublin County Council in 1991, he was a leading fighter against corrupt land rezoning in Dublin and for planning in the interests of communities rather than for speculators and major developers.

Joe Higgins was elected to the Dail in 1997 and for the next ten years was a leading opponent of the policies of the Fianna Fail/ Progressive Democrat Government. He frequently challenged the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on a wide range of issues including land speculation and profiteering in the housing market.

Priorities: workersʼ rights and pay, defending public services, opposing the Lisbon Treaty, taxing big business and the super-rich.

GAY MITCHELL (Fine Gael)

Gay Mitchell has served as a member of Dublin City Council, City of Dublin VEC, and as Chairman of Rathmines College of Commerce. He was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1992 to 1993. He has served as a Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European Affairs. He was the Irish Representative on the Reflection Group which prepared the Amsterdam Treaty. Gay is a full member of both the Development Committee, and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. He is also Vice-Chairman of the EU delegation to the ACP (African Caribbean Pacific)– EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. He is a substitute member of the delegation for relations with the Peopleʼs Republic of China.

EOIN RYAN (Fianna Fáil)

Eoin Ryan was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1985 where he promoted housing improvement schemes, particularly in the inner city.

He was appointed to the Seanad in 1989 and the Dáil in 1992. He was appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy in 2000. He has been Dublin representative on the Economics Committee of the European Parliament since 2002 and is also a member of the Petitions Committee and the Development Committee of the Parliament. If re-elected, Eoinʼs priorities will include: protecting Dublin jobs; fighting for more effective action on the problem of drugs in our society and for increased EU funding for community groups tackling the problem; the enforcement of consumer rights in UK stores here– Eoin believes Irish shoppers are paying too much and will fight for their right to better protection.

European Election Candidates Update Also running: EMMANUEL SWEENEY (Independent). Unfortunately, we were unable to access information and photos for this candidate.

CANDIDATES PATRICIA MCKENNA (Independent)

Patricia McKenna is a former Green Party MEP who recently resigned from the party over its policy direction in Government. She made political history when she topped the poll in Dublin in 1994 and became Irelandʼs first Green MEP. She has ten years experience in Europe. Also famous for the McKenna Judgment which stopped government use of tax-payersʼ money to fund their own advertising campaigns.

The key plank of her campaign will be democracy and accountability in Ireland and Brussels– she wants politicians held accountable for their actions and promises. Issues include: Workers Rights, Environmental Protection, Peace & Disarmament, Fair Distribution of EU Funds, Human Rights and Animal Welfare.

MARY LOU MCDONALD (Sinn Féin)

Mary Lou McDonald is the Vice President of Sinn Féin and is an MEP for Dublin. Educated in Trinity College, Dublin, the University of Limerick and Dublin City University Mary Lou has studied English Literature, European Integration Studies and Human Resource Management.

She is married with two children.

If re-elected, Mary Lou will campaign for a Europe of equals. A true partnership of equal sovereign states, co-operating in social and economic development in Europe and beyond. “We want an EU that promotes peace, demilitarisation and nuclear disarmament and the just resolution of conflicts under the leadership of a reformed, renewed and democratised United Nations. Ultimately, we want a future United Ireland to take an active, leading role in such a reformed EU.”

PROINSIAS DE ROSSA (The Labour Party) Proinsias has served as Labour MEP for Dublin since 1999. He represented Dublin North-West in the Dáil for 20 years. Proinsias was elected leader of The Workers Party in 1988, and left in 1992 to found Democratic Left. He led DL into the 1994-1997 Rainbow Government, where he served as Minister for Social Welfare. His achievements included introducing the first ever National Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Together with his Socialist colleagues in the European Parliament, Proinsias is working to: Launch the recovery of the European economy and prevent new financial crises. Renew Europe’s Social Agenda to deliver fairness in society. Make Europe a global force against climate change. Advance gender equality. Develop a fair European migration policy. Enhance Europe’s role in promoting peace and development, and combating global poverty.

CAROLINE SIMONS (Libertas)

Caroline Simons lives in South Dublin with her husband and five daughters. She works part-time as a law lecturer. She started her career, as a young solicitor, working for the Employment Equality Agency and fighting for workersí rights. She currently sits on the Board of Governors of the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street. Caroline believes that the EU has the capacity to do an enormous amount of good, but it is not living up to its potential. She wants to ensure that MEPs are open about their attendance records, expenses claims, and how they spend your money. Caroline wants a change and opposes over-spending at home and in Brussels. With the current economic crisis we face, Caroline thinks that it is time for a change. She will be a new voice for the people of Dublin, working tirelessly to ensure Irelandʼs place at the heart of a Union that works for and explains itself to its people.”

T HE E UROPEAN P ARLIAMENT

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

PAGE 27

SOUTH DOCKS FESTIVAL 2009 APPROACHES

By John Fitzgerald

T

his yearʼs South Docks Festival, the 22nd to date, will take place from Monday 20th July to Friday 24th of

July. The festival is organised by the communities of City Quay and Westland Row. Having evaluated all the feedback from last yearʼs festival, the organisers are confident that this yearʼs event will be even better

blood, and a head capable of holding a crown, not to mention a good sense of humour are being sought.

The festival opens on Monday 20th July at 7pm with a Dinner Dance in Saint Andrewʼs Resource Centre at Pearse Street On Wednesday 22nd July at 11.30am there will be a very special Viking Splash Tour for senior citizens.

On Thursday 23rd, there will be a Mystery Trip to Courtown, again for senior citizens.

All these are ticket-only events. Contact details for tickets are printed at the bottom of this article.

An Art/ Photography Exhibition will be held at St Andrewʼs Resource Centre, sponsored by the Dublin Docklands Authority.

A Street Party will take place on Pearse Street on Monday 20th with plenty of kidsʼ entertainment, face painting, street performers and competitions.

On Friday 25th a Parade will go from Pearse Street to Merrion Square. All are welcome.

The organisers are looking for volunteers to help out throughout the festival, whether to help with the elderly, manage queues of children, keep score in competitions or help with the face painting. The pictures here are from last yearʼs fun-filled events.

Please contact Amanda Gaynor or Elaine Boland at Saint Andrewʼs Resource Centre, Pearse Street, Dublin 2 Phone 01 6771930 Fax 01 6715734 amanda.gaynor@standrews.ie

than 2008ʼs 21st birthday festival.

Each year a King and Queen of the festival are appointed. The organisers are seeking nominations for these prestigious positions… applicants with regal

T OM H ENNIGAN ’ S H ERITAGE C ENTRE

By George Humphries

F

oxford in Co Mayo is the birthplace of William Browne, the founder of the Argentinean navy. It is a small rural town in the west of Ireland. Back in 2004 the Argentinean navy presented the town with an anchor in honour of their founder, which is a very artistic piece of work.

Tom Henniganʼs Heritage Centre is just outside of Foxford on the road to Swinford. The purpose of the Heritage Centre is to preserve and showcase the agricultural and social history of the Mayo area.

At the heart of the centre is the thatched cottage built in the 1870ʼs where the Hennigan family lived until 1970. Tom Hennigan was born and grew up in this house.

“In 1990 I realized I no longer had a future in farming ten acres of land,” says Tom. “So I decided to open this small plot of land to the public and tell the story of how my family survived here. I decided to maintain the farm and complex as a

way of preserving and showing the rich heritage of Mayo and Ireland it represents.”

I spoke with Tom for about two hours as he took me for a journey down memory lane. Entering the cottage where he was born was like going back in time to an age long since gone. What he has done is to create an atmosphere where one can go on the journey with him as he revisits his own childhood and reminisces about the people and traditions of times long gone.

The main room of the cottage is centered on the old fireplace; this is the room where Tom was reared. He

fondly recalled that when he was a child they did their homework by the light of the fire; one child on either side. Directly behind the fireplace is another room where his grandmother lived with his family until she passed away in 1964 at the ripe old age of 93.

At the far end of the cottage was a room used to house animals; a donkey, a cow and some hens. The dung from these animals was removed daily then placed outside the front door to deter landlords coming to collect rent that these people did not have.

Money was tight, and evictions were very common during this period. As Tom says: “When our clothes became worn, mother cut out the good pieces and made blankets for our beds. Sheets, pillow cases and much of our clothes (shorts and underwear) were made from flour bags, many boys and girls sporting the brand name ʻPurityʼ or ʻCock of the Northʼ on their behinds.”

The family survived mainly on

a diet of potatoes. On special occasions they ate bacon and cabbage.

Milk was drunk fresh from the cow and leftover milk was made into butter which was salted and buried in the bog– this was their fridge. Their farm was just ten acres, ten acres of very poor land at that.

There are some very interesting craft workshops in the centre. For instance, Tom has recreated a cobblerʼs shop. In the shop he has a piece of timber the local cobbler, Willie Higgins, who had only one leg, used to use. This man was able to repair shoes & boots just using this piece of timber. He used one end to do the heels, then the other end to do the soles. I thought it was wonderful that a man could make a living with such a simple piece of equipment. Tom said he would often give him a hand to polish the finished products.

There is also a reconstructed forge on the farm. Tom gives a talk to visitors about the folklore of horses and their

equipment. Tom explained that in the old days, the blacksmith was one of the most respected men in the community. As money was scarce in rural Mayo in those days, a lot of trade was done through barter and it was common for the blacksmith to be paid with butter, eggs or bacon.

The community used the old Irish system of meitheal. The practice was, and is, for a group of neighbours to come together to help each other in tasks such as preparing the hay, or gathering the harvest. Each person would help their neighbour who would in turn reciprocate.

So next time you are in Mayo, make some time to visit Tomʼs place.

You wonʼt be disappointed.

PAGE 28

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

A VILLAGE NEEDS A POST OFFICE

J

ust as NewsFour was going to press we heard the shocking news about the proposed closure of the Ringsend Post Office, effectively tearing the heart

out of a community which is already lacking in amenities.

People are not going to take this lying down. On Friday May 22nd, a huge public meeting was

held at the Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre. Representatives attended from all the political parties: Chris Andrews, Sarah Ryan and Vicky Crosby

from Fianna Fáil, Daithí Doolan of Sinn Féin, Kevin Humphreys and Maria Parodi from Labour and Claire Wheeler of The Green Party A representative from An Post, Angus Laverty, was also present.

As a measure of how seriously local people are taking this, about 350 residents of Ringsend and Irishtown attended.

It was universally agreed that moving the Post Office from Ringsend to Barrow Street was a very bad idea, given the fact that many local residents are elderly or are single parents with young children. Walking from Irishtown to Barrow Street over Ringsend bridge could take some people as long as 45 minutes.

Residents pointed out that the Post Office is the centre of their community, an amenity that many people use every day. It is more than a place of business, it

is a place where people get a chance to meet and talk.

Councillor Humphreys cited the example of Ranelagh, where the closure of the local branch had a knockon effect on other small traders in the area, stripping the locality of its shops.

The good news, for the time being anyway, is that the office will not be closing immediately.

Closing the meeting, Daithí Doolan said that he and the other local representatives have decided to create a cross-party group to petition Minister Eamon Ryan in order to keep Ringsend Post Office in Ringsend. Meanwhile, Angus Laverty of An Post will be looking into other possible locations for a new Post Office in the village.

Our prize for the winner of this issueʼs crossword is a free voyage for two on the Liffey Voyage boat ʻSpirit of the Docklandsʼ featured on page 19.

THE NEWSFOUR

CROSSWORD COMPILED BY ANN INGLE

Name:……………………………

Address:………………………… Telephone:…………………

The winner of the prize of a gift voucher for the April-May crossword was Áine Moloney from Irishtown. Entries for this issueʼs crossword to be in by 10th July.

Across 1,5 10 11 12 13 15 17 19 21 22 23 25 28 30 31 32 35 36 37 38 Down 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 16 18 20 21 23 24 26 27 28 29 33 34

Famous local poet, Nobel prize winner (6,6) Somewhere over this blue birds fly (7) What I was doing when I broke my ankle 3 days after retiring (7) Nautical call to attract attention (4) Spoiled children (5) Leave out (4) Foxes are said to be this (3) Short pieces of writing often required by the teacher (6) A state of the United States in extreme northwest where Sarah Palin lives (6) United States singer and film actor (1915-1998), Olʼ Blue Eyes (7) The winner (6) A young cat (6) To drink in small quantities (3) A young sheep (4) Looks like a boot on the map of Europe (5) Insect with two wings and the ability to sting (4) Not easily understood (7) Does it make the heart grow fonder? (7) Books used for collecting stamps or photographs (6) Group of countries under the rule of a single person or sovereign state (6) People who correct copy for a newspaper or book (7) Large disorderly crowds (4) Where the rats live? (6) Surname Dumpty according to nursery rhyme (6) In the bible, the first man (4) Persons or things which are difficult to understand (7) Famous musical film starring John Travolta (6) ------ Christie famous for her detective stories (6) Country in southeastern Europe on the Adriatic coast of the Balkan Peninsula (7) Make of modern vacuum cleaner (5) Was the Prime Minister of Great Britain (5) Used as a polite term of address for a man (3) What Noah made (3) What 23 across has to succeed (6) Very funny (7) A type of footwear or a person who coaches in physical fitness (7) Male relation (6) Precipitations of rain, hail, etc. (6) A polite request (6) Bill of fare (4) Abbreviation for do it quickly (4)

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

PAGE 29

WORD MAGIC

M ORE

I

WORDS FROM PEOPLE ’ S NAMES

By Glenda Cimino

n the last issue we looked at words for food derived from peopleʼs names (eponyms).

Often peopleʼs names also entered the language because of things they did, with or without their consent or approval. Here are a few examples.

BOYCOTT Captain Charles Cunningham Boycott (1832-1897) inadvertently gave us this word, meaning ʻto refuse to use, buy or deal with an organisation or country as an expression of protest against its policies or actions.ʼ Captain Charles Cunningham Boycott was a former British soldier who came to Ireland to work as a land agent for Lord Erne, a local landowner in the Lough Mask area of County Mayo.

In 1880, as part of its campaign to protect tenants from exploitation, the Irish Land League under Michael Davitt withdrew the local labour required to save the harvest on Lord Erneʼs estate. Boycott tried to undermine the campaign.

Instead of threatening his life or possession of his estate (which would allow him to call in British troops) the locals followed Parnellʼs advice, and refused to sell him food or supplies, to work on his estate, or talk to him and his staff. Even the postman refused to deliver his mail.

This ostracism proved very effective. Fifty Orangemen were brought in to harvest the potatoes and over 1000 soldiers/ RIC, costing £10,000 or more to protect a crop worth £350. After about six months, Boycott gave up the job and left Ireland forever.

GERRYMANDER To ʻgerrymanderʼ is to divide an area into election districts so as to give one political party a majority in many districts while concentrating the voting strength of the other party into as few districts as possible. In short, gerrymandering is designing a district to fit a voting pattern.

The name comes from Gov. Elbridge Gerry from Massachusetts, who signed a bill in 1812 to redraw the district boundaries to favour the Democrats and weaken the Federalists. The shape of the district he formed looked like a

salamander. The combination of Gerry and salamander led to gerrymander, which has stayed in use.

Even though Governor Gerry did not sponsor the bill in question and was said to have signed it reluctantly, his name has gone into history as a villain. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that extreme examples of gerrymandering– in the case they looked at, an election district was literally one road wide at one point, as the district meandered around to try to grab voters from another area– are unconstitutional.

CARDIGAN The cardigan is familiar as a knitted, buttoned jacket, but few people know that it is named after the seventh Earl of Cardigan, a British Cavalry officer (17971868) who led the Charge of the Light Brigade. The story is that either he or his men wore the garment in the Crimean War. SPOONERISM A ʻspoonerismʼ is a transposing of initial letters, such as ʻone swell foopʼ instead of ʻone fell swoopʼ, or ʻlet us raise our glasses to the queer old Deanʼ instead of ʻdear old Queenʼ.

Reverend William Archibald Spooner spent all his adult life at New College, Oxford, joining it as a scholar in 1862 and retiring as Warden (head of college) in 1924.

There is evidence to suggest that he rarely if ever uttered a Spoonerism, although he did transpose words, referring to a friend of a Dr. Child as “Dr Friendʼs child.”

Spoonerisms were more likely the products of undergraduate wordplay, more from affection than

malice, since Spooner (known as the Spoo) was kindly and wellliked. Itʼs a cruel twist of fate that he is now only remembered for something he probably didnʼt do.

BOWDLERISING To ʻbowdleriseʼ a text is to remove those parts considered offensive or vulgar. It comes from Thomas Bowdler, who in 1818 published a censored version of Shakespeare, expurgating “… those words and expressions which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a family.” Ever since, the censorship of literary masterpieces through editing has borne his name.

GUILLOTINE The guillotine, the famous French machine used for beheading, was named after Joseph Guillotin (1738-1814). He was a French physician who, as deputy to the National Assembly (1789) proposed, for humanitarian and efficiency reasons, that capital punishment be carried out by beheading quickly and cleanly on a machine.

Ironically, Guillotin was opposed to the death penalty and hoped that a more humane and less painful method of execution would be the first step toward its total abolition. The association with the guillotine so embarrassed Dr. Guillotinʼs family that they petitioned the French government to rename it; when the government refused, they instead changed their own family name.

LYNCH Lynch is short for lynch law, the punishment of a person for some supposed crime without bothering

with the niceties of a legal trial.

In Ireland, some people believe that the word ʻlynchʼ comes from an event in 1493, when James Lynch FitzStephen, the mayor of Galway, strung up his own son from an upstairs window of his house for murdering a young Spanish house guest.

The window allegedly still exists and has a plaque that commemorates the event. Whether or not the incident actually took place is a matter of debate, but the Oxford Dictionary maintains that this is not the origin of the word.

All the evidence points to its being an American expression. The most likely origin is from a Captain William Lynch (1742-1820) of Pittsylvania, Virginia. In 1780, Lynch led a group of vigilantes combating crime in the Pittsylvania region. Lynchʼs preferred punishment was flogging, and the early uses of the term ʻlynch lawʼ did not imply hanging or capital punishment. Colonel Charles Lynch, the justice who tried offenders, first referred to the process as Lynchʼs Law in a letter to William Hay dated 11 May 1782.

It was only later, principally after the Civil War, that the term invariably came to mean hanging as the result of mob action, princi-

pally of blacks by whites.

MASOCHISM AND SADISM ʻMasochismʼ is defined as deriving pleasure from being humiliated or from having pain inflicted upon oneself. The word masochism is believed to come from Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (1836-95), an Austrian writer who was infamous for portraying a beautiful woman dressed in furs with a whip as a symbol of strength in his book, ʻVenus in Fursʼ. ʻSadismʼ is deriving pleasure by inflicting pain on or humiliating another. The word ʻsadismʼ is believed to be named after the 19th century Frenchman, Marquis de Sade, whose books ʻJustineʼ and ʻ120 days of Sodomʼ caused public outcry for their depiction of torture and pain.

TEDDY BEAR Ending on a gentler note, the soft stuffed toy bear known as a teddy was named after American President Theodore ʻTeddyʼ Roosevelt. Morris Michtom, the owner of a candy store in Brooklyn N.Y., made the first ʻTeddy Bearʼ in the year 1902 in his honour when she heard heʼd refused to shoot a bear cub on one of his hunting trips.

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PAGE 30

A

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

S ANDYFJORD TALE OF MYSTERY FROM

By Geoffrey P. B. Lyon

O

ur family moved from England to Dublinʼs Ringsend district to a house called ʻSandyfjordʼ, shortly after the Second World War. My brother James and I were young boys in our teens at the time.

We pondered over the name of this house because of its Scandinavian spelling. When we first saw the property, a big red brick place, we knew somehow that a great adventure was in store for

D UBLIN ’ S

us. James and I could not wait, we explored the house thoroughly.

A hidden passageway upstairs, with a secret door, soon revealed itself, to our absolute amazement.

Then we came across the artefacts. A peculiar type of whip, and a strange kind of skirt made from hundreds of teeth from God knows where, lay hidden in an old chest of drawers.

We scampered down the steep, ornate staircase to tell Father about the find, but he cautioned us immediately about disturbing

MARITIME PAST

anything that could be dangerous in some way. That night I lay awake unable to sleep, due to the mystery of our very odd find, so soon after our arrival.

Months later, Father came home with details of the artefacts– the whip was Mongolian, while the skirt was from Polynesia. The mystery was obviously enhanced.

As we grew, father gave us some interesting facts about the house. He told us that the staircase was from a ship wrecked in Dublin bay. In my bedroom I found the word ʻFREDʼ deeply

RINGSEND INFANT SCHOOL FIRST HOLY COMMUNION C1959

carved into a part of the wood panelling. This intrigued me, but I was somewhat scared. The list of all the strange happenings that I made would come in useful eventually, I knew.

In 1950 I found a new friend, a guest, who visited the house regularly at dawn. He just sat up on the chest of drawers, tilting his head now and then.

His black trousers and jacket gave me the distinct impression that he was a fisherman at first, but he wore a Breton hat as the skipper of a barge would wear.

Was this ʻFredʼ?

When my father heard about my visitor he did not believe me. Following that, after each morningʼs breakfast I checked the chest of drawers. On every single occasion when the visitor had gone I found a definite hot spot, at the position where he had sat.

I widened my research in the years after these events. My curiosity became unstoppable when I received snippets of information about the demise of a clipper vessel, the ʻPalmeʼ, which sank about a mile off Blackrock, in times past.

A maritime museum in Finland sent all the data necessary to close part of the mystery. I received details of ship and crew from the Mariehamn museum, which is near the Clipperʼs home port.

I re-checked my notes, written during the years since our family had taken up residence at Sandyfjord, facing the port of Dublin.

Apparently, sailors collected and exchanged artefacts during stopovers at the port of Hong Kong, my research revealed.

This would account for the for-

eign items found at Sandyfjord, given that the original occupant, a sailor, had sailed from Hong Kong to Dublin on the ʻPalmeʼ.

Then, by chance, several years later, whilst I was working in Europe, I came across a short newspaper article about Fred.

After the sinking of the ʻPalmeʼ, he had spent several years in Dublin. He frequented a tavern in Ringsend known as Clearyʼs.

Fred Becker later took part in the 1914-1918 War and he was injured in the first battle of Ypres in 1914. He died in his home town of Bremerhaven in 1950, a year that I couldnʼt forget, since it was the year I met the guest who appeared in our house at dawn.

Visiting the Dublin 4 district again in 2000, I talked with the people who then lived at Sandyfjord in Ringsend. They had not used the upstairs of the house because of a regular sighting of a ghostly presence. A fellow dressed in black with a Breton hat!

Perhaps, just perhaps, Fredrick Beckerʼs spirit may have been trying to pass a message through these years.

My Grandfather died in battle on the first week of the Great War. He is resting at Ypres in a grave close to where he fell.

Fred Beckerʼs injuries were sustained in the same battle fighting for the other side!

This situation is quite unique, but we will never really know the reason for Fredʼs haunting appearances at the house called Sandyfjord, which caused such mystery at Ringsend in Dublin.

Above: The crew of the ill-fated ship ʻPalmeʼ.

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PAGE 31

THE POETRY PLACE

Views for the Deaf

Ode to Walking and Singing

Exclusion at gatherings is what we all fear We think weʼre ignored but thatʼs just paranoia What and pardon show the impaired hearerʼs pain We ask to repeat again and again.

Mis-hearing will always be good for a laugh We thought you said Thursday Iʼm going to the flicks But you really meant thirsty Iʼm going for a drink Again and again, over and over, more and more.

Sometimes we hear and sometimes we donʼt Lip-reading can help but you will not always be heard Especially if the speaker is wearing a beard Again and again, over and over, more and more.

We lower the telly so that it is mute And we only watch sport until alone in the house Then Fools and Horses comes on with a roar Again and again, over and over, more and more.

A thought for those who are Mutt and Jeff On hearing a joke we can never laugh As we always miss the punchline and ask to repeat Again and again, over and over, more and more.

By Eddie Duff

Heavenly Blue Out of the ocean comes The purity of your dreams I watch the mystery of you, Swimming innocently into heavenly blue Suddenly magical colours appear.

Now enter into the Seawomb of mystery And leave behind, Then leave behind And face your new destiny.

Your troubled aching heart Will suddenly dissolve Into the ether.

Then a new cycle of love awaits you.

Now transcend, Enter into the flame of loveIt will bring you into the epicentre.

At last the journey From the mind to the heart Is complete.

Someday Iʼll set off walking and singing a Holy Name and never come back because thereʼs nothing like it, small body under a great sky, walking stick and hat and the path-ribbon stretching out or looping as far as you want to go, no good reason, really, to stop, especially when you sing because the human voice is a bird in a cage and song allows it to soar, and when at the top of its arc the bird finds the sky is only another cage a plaintive wail enters its voice, the longing to go still farther, knocking itself against the door beyond.

Amazing what the human voice can do, this bellows of air transmuting longing into a golden bird of song!

You have to walk and sing to know what Iʼm saying.

Melody is a choice every second, and if not a choice, a wild heart-stab; timbre and rhythm, all improv, too, every stepʼs unique signature in the air.

Sometimes for awhile the eye takes over, soothed by green, gathering in springʼs sprigs, passing them deep to keep against future drought; or looking at water or distant hills, or watching the slow meditation of the clouds as they follow deliberately, gracefully their invisible shepherd.

Passing a conference of chickadees and doves, gathered like fruit on a tree, I playfully unfurl my song to them.

Some of their friends fly over to join in.

Are they singing my chant in their language?

No way to know. The fugue winds down. They begin their winged departures and I move on, still wondering.

Cares have been flying off the whole time, first the ones that always come at work or in traffic or even at home, those small, silent freeloaders, then, after a while, the bigger cares, more deeply buried, cranes or geese leaving on migration.

By Jack Lawlor

A Rail Journey To Mary of mercy, to Damien of dreams, Come memories of rattling-over-points trains.

Looking from windows smeared with the dust Of chemin de fer, among forests lost, All of the saints and children along The tunnels through coaches their heartbeats fling.

Damien, dying, remembers his life And coffee machines that trickle his grief, And a mad journey along the dark Seine And dandelion meadows that flock through the Green.

And Mary, living, gathers her wool And knits her a cradle and crochets a stall.

Away in a manger she lays Jesus down And shelters His head in the shade of her ruin.

Over a hurdle. Over a ford.

Heʼs on His way back to Gare du God. He rams through the railyards, Godʼs unicorn, And rides on the mainline, bound for Toulon.

Out stretches un carnet of lavenders high.

Out bursts one carnation where wed night and day.

Sunset. Horizon. The young moon abroad.

Each starry syllable loosed from his word.

Damienʼs grave is all covered with flowers That have seeded themselves and outblossomed the tares.

Mary in wheatfields is wandering on.

How sweet her singing, yet how her tears run.

By Peter Kay

Iʼm again the pilgrim I was at twenty, pack tied on a stick over the shoulder, steadying staff in the other hand

Love Love Love

Searching round every corner Likes waves awash the sea Love love love Is what you mean to me The brightest star in the night sky That where you said youʼd be Thatʼs where I look for you at night Love is what you mean to me I never thought it would happen To a mere someone like me But then a stranger came my way And love came to greet me And you brought love love love When I lie in your embrace Love love love When I gaze into your face Love love love When your eye bore into mine Love love love That I never thought Iíd find You do something to me I just canʼt explain You make me feel so warm inside Bring sunshine after rain Your body close to me at night Shared secrets in the dark Waking up close to you The magic of that spark To feel your breath upon my face Stroll with you hand in hand To know that youʼre forever mine To know that youʼre my man And you brought love love love When I lie in your embrace Love love love When I gaze into your face Love love love When your eye bore into mine Love love love That I never thought Iʼd find Lyrics written just for me As we dance side by side Laughter in the daytime Though sometime we just cried Magical moments, crazy wild and free Love love love Thatʼs what you brought to me

and even the next step a letter as yet unwritten by the Moving Hand

By Max Reif

Dublin Deluge

Love love love Wish Iʼd found you long ago But now that youʼve come my way Iʼll never let you go Love love love

Youʼve heard about the Bible flood.

The ark that landed in the mud.

The famous flood of Dublin Town, That caused OʼConnell Street to drown When only tops of trees were seen By those who sailed on Stephenʼs Green– That was the time I steered my raft on The street– now Grand Canal– of Grafton.

I saw Bewleyʼs. It was open.

I hove-to and threw a rope in Through a window– three floors up.

Someone hauled me in. “A cup Of coffee and cream bun,” I sighed “Right away!” a waitress cried.

“Wet today.”

“Yes. Bad for May.”

By Audrey Healy (Charlie McGettigan has just made this into a song)

The Poet The poet is always blessed By holy intuition that gently grows, taking him to new depths Of innate, ever changing wisdom.

By Peter Kay

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

His grasp of natureʼs ways Propels him to converse With the holy beggarThe poet may never need to write a word but is spiritually inclined.

By Jack Lawlor

PAGE 32

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

The Fontenoy Files

By Shay Connolly

New teams take to the fields as U16s reach Championship final

H

i All. I promise not to make reference to the dreaded R word (recession) in this article as people are telling me that I am flogging this to death and making people more depressed than they actually should be.

Itʼs not that long since the last edition but we have plenty to report about. One of the highlights since I spoke to you last (which was during the recession) was the emergence of the U9 Camogie team. This is the first time in many a year (since before the last recession) that we fielded a camogie team at such a young age.

Proudly prepared by stalwarts Lisa Murray, Elaine McDonnell and Janet White over the last twelve months (roughly since this recession started), they took to the field in Sean Moore Park on Sunday April 19th.

Their opponents were Good Counsel and a wonderful hour ensued where all the girls had a great time in displaying the skills of this countryʼs ancient craft. They continue training each Tuesday and Thursday night at 6.00 and anybody wanting to join in the fun please contact Lisa Murray at 0872801541. Their next match is on May 24th.

Another highlight was the fantastic achievement as we go to press of the U16 footballers who have reached the U16 Dublin Championship Final, which will take place shortly with date and venue to be decided.

The road to the final started out some weeks back with a home win against St Sylvesterʼs from Malahide. The lads received the worst draw possible in the next round when they drew defending champions Thomas Davis out of the hat, and up in their patch no less! But not to be undone, the Clansmen travelled to Tallaght and came away with a three point win– 2-9 to 1-9.

This was an outstanding performance against all the odds and was highlighted by the excellent work of midfield pairing: Jordan Barnes and Jay McCarthy together with an in-

credible save from Lee Weafer right at the death that won the honours.

The semi-final draw was no easier when we drew St Anneʼs away in Bohernabreena. Once again, we set out on the journey to represent our villages in Dublin South East (which has been hit by the recession also, may I add). On a stormy, windy day we led by 0-9 to 1-1 at the break, having played with the tornado in the first half.

We increased that lead immediately after half-time to lead by 6 points. But after this it was backs-to-the-wall stuff as wave after wave of St Anneʼs attacks came at us like a charging ferocious tiger. (where did I hear of that animal before?) But we caught them all in our mouths, chewed them up and spat them back out again and left the Bohernabreena battle field with a two point win: 0-11 to 1-6.

So now the guys have dressed themselves down and are busy preparing for D Day– the day that we hope will see our proud name etched on another championship trophy. Best of luck lads!

Yet another first was the lining out of the present U10 girlsʼ football team in their first competitive match. On Friday May 8th the girls entertained St Anneʼs in Ringsend Park and were victorious with a score of 30 pts to 25 pts. Well done mentors, Niamh and Martin Vaughan, Leo OʼHora and Dave

Walsh as well as all the mothers and fathers concerned.

My match report for this edition is the U16 Hurlers who played St Peregrineʼs at home on April 25th. In this match the lads at last got their campaign off to a winning start with a comprehensive win over St Peregrineʼs.

The return of some of the stars from injury saw the lads play a very economical and skilful game. Leading by 5 points at half time having played against the wind they pulled away in the second half to record their first win in three in this campaign. Ciaran Diviney, Robert Lacey, Des Soon, Dylan Lacey, Dean Coleman, Michael Gilroy and David Nangle all starred.

For me, the highlight of the game was Dean Colemanʼs superbly taken goal. After a scramble in the goalmouth, Peregrineʼs cleared their lines out to about the 20 metre line. Dean was first to react. He lifted the sliotar with his back to goal and turning, struck a rasper through a crowded goalmouth to rattle the bottom corner of the net.

Dean did his now-accustomed warrior dance of high fives as all the lads joined in. After the goal went in, the young St Peregrineʼs goalkeeper dropped his hurley to applaud Deanʼs wonderful strike, an example of real sportsmanship.

The Senior hurlers, who are playing in the Junior A Championship, have got their cam-

paign off to a winning start with three wins out of three. The first against Cuala in Sean Moore Park on Wednesday evening 22/4/09 saw the Fontenoy Fighters leading by 5 points at halftime, having played against the wind in the first half. The boys pulled away in the second half to win on a score line of 2-12 to 0-6 with two well-taken goals from Anto Quinlan and Neil OʼRegan.

Three days later the same crew were out again in the second round where OʼTooleʼs was the opposition in St Anneʼs Park. It followed much the same pattern as the first game with the Clans lads securing victory on a 1-11 to 0-4 score line with an expertly-taken goal from Oran Burke.

Get well wishes to Thomas Joyce who broke a couple of fingers and who underwent surgery during the week. Also get well wishes to Johnny Sadlier and ʻNodgeʼ John OʼLeary who both suffered blood pressure attacks during these two games.

The prognosis from the County Board is that they have to rest for a month.

In the third game against Na Fianna in Mobhi Road the tie

was very much in the balance until up stepped Anto Quinlan to put over three great points in the last five minutes to earn victory and leave them top of the championship table.

Inter Footballers are having a see-saw season to date. They had what can only be described as an excellent win against much-fancied St Peregrineʼs in Sean Moore Park. They faced what seemed a much less daunting task a week later, playing at home to Thomas Davis.

Unfortunately, there was a downward trend (just like the economy, stupid) in their fortunes in just a weekʼs time and they duly flopped to a ninepoint defeat. There has been a recovery since in the value of their shares but the long, mysterious saga of this teamʼs erratic trading continues to the bafflement of all.

Adult Camogie girls are going great guns altogether and donʼt resemble a recession at all! Unbeaten this season to date their latest conquest was Naomh Mearnog on a score line of 3-5 to 0-0.

In a match played in extremely challenging conditions Clans were on top throughout. They dominated midfield and created a platform for the forwards to get the required scores. AnnMarie Roche excelled for Clans and was well backed up by Rebecca Collins, Elaine McDonnell, Lynn Dunne and Anne Corscadden.

Our U14 Ladies Football Team took part in last weekendʼs Feile and we were placed in an extremely competitive preliminary group along with St. Peregrineʼs, Templeogue, Synge Street & Naomh Barróg. Our preparations had not been great as we had played no competitive games prior to the Feile, whereas our opponents had at least two league games prior to the competition start-

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

ing.

The planned venue for this competition had been the Cuala grounds in Dalkey but due to unplayable pitches and the high numbers involved, Clanna Gael Fontenoy was asked to host our section and we were only too delighted to oblige.

Our first game saw us against a much-fancied Templeogue team who had numerous underage inter county players in their ranks, and while the match was very competitive, Templeogue proved to be a little too strong for our girls and we lost on a scoreline of 4:3 to 2:1 Our second game saw us up against St Peregrineʼs and once again they proved to be too strong for us. Although, having 15 wides in the game, we didnʼt really give ourselves much chance and St Peregrineʼs ran out deserved winners.

Although we could not now qualify for the next stage of the competition, our final game was important to our opponents as they had beaten the other two teams and expected to wrap things up with a comprehensive victory over Clanna Gael Fontenoy and finish the group undefeated. But, finally, the Clans turned up and with a great display of pride and toughness along with a huge amount of skill, the previously unbeaten Naomh Barróg were beaten by 13 points and although it still meant we were eliminated, Naomh Barróg would subsequently have to rely on a playoff to reach the semi-final. One wonders what might have been if the real Clans had shown up from the start.

Players that excelled for Clans throughout the day and deserve a mention were; Ruth Shaw, Nicole Rushe, Becky Kemple,

PAGE 33

Daire Power, Jessi Hogan, Niamh Gorman and Stacey Flood.

There are a number of Fundraisers coming up (not due to the recession as we have to fundraise all the time. In effect you could say that the Club are always in a recession). First up is the Ladies Football fundraiser.

This is a novel and unique attempt to raise funds. They are hosting a mock wedding in the Club Hall on Saturday May 23rd. Walking up the aisle will be the former Laois Rose and present adult footballer, Claire Sutton. Her intended husband is none other than runner-up in Mr. Ireland 2008 and present Adult Hurler, John ʻNhojʼ ʻIronmanʼ OʼLeary.

Rumours have it that they have been practising the honeymoon night for the past month and the pair of them look very tired indeed of late. Bridesmaids are none other than the evergreen Noeleen Neville (who by the way is practising for the real one with son Martin and Lynn in the autumn) and present Dublin Senior Ladies Footballer Kim Flood. Groomsmen are Johnny Sad and Collie Sadder (who also by the way is testing for his own with Donna in the New Year).

Speaking of weddings, Adult Footballer Colm McGarvey has asked me to state that rumours of his wedding to Camogie player Sharon Gerathy are highly exaggerated. He says that they have talked about it all right but due to the present recession they have left it on the long finger.

The other fundraiser is a Race Night for the ever busy Juvenile Section. This will take place in the upstairs lounge on Friday May 19th with first race at 8.30.

This promises to be a great

night. How you can help: Buy Tickets! Tickets at €15 each are available from the club and from all the Juvenile club coaches. Everyone with any connection to the club is invited, and even if you canʼt come along on the night weʼd appreciate your support in buying a ticket.

Buy a Horse! For €30 you can ʻbuyʼ a horse in one of the races– and get to name the horse, trainer, jockey and owner. The horses will all be listed in the Race card on the night and the winning ʻownerʼ in each race will receive a prize. There are eight horses available in each race. Horses are on sale from all the coaches.

The Camogie fundraisers of last month turned out be great craic all together. The quiz night was a huge success.The duck race was won by Vickyʼs Vixen, owned by Vicky Costelloe who graciously returned the prize fund of €250.00 to the Camogie section. Fair play Vicky.

Sponsor a race! For €100 you, your family, your company– or any company or business you know– can sponsor one of the eight races on the night. The race will be named by you, listed in the Race Card and youʼll present the winner of the race with their prize. Let your team coach know if you want to sponsor a race or email kjobyrne@hotmail.com RTEʼs flagship programme, Morning Ireland paid a visit to the club on Wednesday 1st April 2009. The Countryʼs main radio station had heard about the ʻEducation Through Sportʼ programme that the club operates together with Trinity College. Trinity Collegeʼs GAA teams have access to our

floodlit facilities for training and matches; in return they are giving grinds to our Junior Cert student members.

This scheme started last year and ten students and club members who took part in the grind sessions received certificates at a reception day in Trinity College. The boys and their parents were shown around the college, including its lecture rooms and laboratories, to give them a feel for the place.

These ten students are now doing honours papers in the Leaving Certificate in the subjects they got grinds for last year. It is doubtful it this would have occurred had they not partaken in this scheme. This yearʼs students have just completed their sessions, which take place in the Clubʼs Offices immediately after their Gaelic training. The theme of this project is ʻthat those who train together can educate togetherʼ. It is intended to extend this programme to more teams in the autumn.

The piece went out on the Morning Ireland radio programme at 8.20am prime-time and to date has received rave reviews from all quarters.

Club Manager, Shay Connolly brought all the listeners through

the concept of this project and the club are delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile endeavour. Maybe troubled Minister for Education, Batt OʼKeeffe will drop in to us and we might be able to give some clues regarding Education Reform!

So folks you will have noticed that I made little reference to the recession in my article this time only to say that… ah sure I will leave it until the next edition.

The Feile team on page 32 is as follows. Back row, left to right: Kerry Joyce, Becky Kemple, Jessi Hogan, Laura Dunne, Sarah Cleary, Hayley Ward, Daire Power, Niamh Gorman, Ruth Shaw.

Front row : Fiona Kelly, Stacey Flood, Nicole Rushe, Deborah Barry, Kate OʼMalley, Shauna McDonnell, Eimer Linehan.

Page 32, bottom: Donnacha McDonagh and Ken OʼByrne put the under-fives through their paces.

Above: Holly Graham, Clanna Gael Fontenoy vies for possession in the first match for U9 camogie team against Good Counsel.

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PAGE 34

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

CLOUGHJORDAN: IRELAND’S FIRST ECOVILLAGE

By Glenda Cimino

C

loughjordan, a small rural village in the north of County Tipperary, is known as the birthplace of the poet and patriot Thomas McDonagh. Now it is the birthplace of Irelandʼs first ecovillage.

Consisting of 130 new homes of various kinds on 67 acres, that will include a working farm, ʻThe Villageʼ, as it is now known, will become part of the town of Cloughjordan.

Curious, I visited recently on an open day to see what they were about, and to attend a guided tour and workshop led by Davie Philip, education officer of Cultivate and a founder member of The Village.

In the 20th century, there were communes (cultural experiments), collectives (with a political emphasis), and ʻintentional communitiesʼ, which often had a spiritual focus.

The 21st century answer to globalisation, climate change, and the new world order is, at least in part, ecovillages.

Ecovillages are urban or rural communities of people who strive to combine a supportive social environment with a low-impact way of life. To achieve this, they integrate various aspects of ecological design, permaculture, ecological building, green production, alternative energy, community building practices, and much more.

They seek to be as self-sufficient and as resilient as possible in food and energy. They exist all over the world, and many act locally while linking globally with others.

According to Helena NorbergHodge, Director of ISEC (The International Society for Ecology and Culture) “The movement to create ecovillages is perhaps the most comprehensive antidote to dependence on the global economy.

Around the world, people are building communities that attempt to get away from the waste, pollution, competition and violence of contemporary life.”

Cloughjordan The town of Cloughjordan has a broad main street, with a tree-lined square at its mid-point. Main Street features a post office, a library, ten shops (including a butcher with his own farm, a pharmacy and a cycle shop), a garage, a restaurant, four pubs, a ʻchipperʼ, a fire station, sports clubs, two surgeries, two schools and three churches (Catholic, Methodist and Church of Ireland), and a book/ coffee shop

(Sheelagh na Gig)– one of five shops which have opened since the town was chosen as the site of this project, providing real evidence of rural regeneration.

Sheelagh na Gig, run by two ecovillage members, offers delicious coffee and chocolates and interesting books. To my surprise, they also have their own local currency, the Sheelagh na Gig, a paper bill which can be bought for a euro and used for local purchases.

Opposite the square is the entrance to the ecovillage, right in the heart of the town, integrating the established community with the new, both architecturally and socially.

The project will substantially enlarge the existing town, which had a population of 431 in 2002.

Only the portion of the site close to the existing town will be built upon; most of the remainder will be farmed for community-supported agriculture. The Villageʼs 130 buildable sites will include apartments, terraces, semi-detached, detached and live/ work units. They range in size from multi-family sites up to sites for detached homes of approximately one fifth of an acre each.

The new villageʼs idealistic founders– Philip, Gavin Harte, and Greg Alan, were looking for a place with existing resources and community assets to build upon, to renew a place that was in decline, rather than to start afresh. Forward thinking Cloughjordan leaders saw their ad in the ʻFarmersʼ Journalʼ and contacted them about what their village had to offer. There was a long process of consultation with local people before planning permission was submitted and approved.

The Village residents are referred to as ʻmembersʼ and go through an interviewing process. They must subscribe to a legally-binding member agreement and the projectʼs ʻec-

ological charterʼ, which specifies construction and operations guidelines for energy efficiency, heating, biodiversity, water and waste management, and maintenance of a healthy indoor environment, among other things.

There is a district heating system, and buildings will be oriented for maximum solar exposure. Once on board, members share equally in the Villageʼs collective governing structure.

The Coach House at the entrance to the development is being renovated to become the projectʼs first Community Building.

The first residents of the community will live in a row of traditional style lime-hemp townhouses.

Construction started in February 2009. One of these townhouses is still available for sale. Prices start at €41,000 for an apartment site. The average site price is €86,000 (excluding council charges and a community development charge).

Members also have access to over 50 acres of community land and infrastructure. Facilities include childrenʼs play areas, garden allotments, community buildings, landscaped parkland, an organic farm and orchards. All homes are connected to the district heating system that supplies hot water for heating and household use. Itʼs generated by solar panels and wood chip boilers. Ducting is in place to supply fibre optic broadband to all homes.

The Village will encourage the use of public transport, car-pooling, community transport schemes, cycling and walking as modes of transportation. Individual parking will be limited to one space per household. Roads will be downsized in order to promote the concept of home-zones. Mendes Go Car, a car-sharing operation, has also established a presence in the

community. In addition, to farming, a tree nursery, featuring 100 varieties of apple trees, has been established.

Around the town is a rolling landscape of rich agricultural land and fine cycling country. A nearby beech wood offers pleasant walks, while Lough Derg and the Shannon are within 20 kilometres, as are the Slieve Bloom and Silvermines mountains.

Eco-Enterprise Centre gets green light Enterprise Ireland has announced grant funding for the construction of an innovative eco-enterprise centre located in the Village project.

The Enterprise Centre will provide an incubation space for new green business, providing community enterprise workspace infrastructure, which clusters a number of manufacturing and service businesses within the common theme of ecoentrepreneurship.

Through the promotion of new green business, the eco-enterprise centre will play a key part in developing a sustainable local economy in Cloughjordan Irelandʼs first Community Supported Agriculture scheme begins in Cloughjordan Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a new model of food production and distribution that aims to improve the quality and quantity of food available locally while reducing the environmental impact of producing this food. CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the communityʼs farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

CSA farms are funded by subscriptions where members receive a weekly basket of vegetables, fruit, eggs or any type of farm produce.

CSA also creates synergy between growers and producers, with grain produced for local bakers and milk for cheese-makers, resulting in a democratic and integrated food production system, leading to employment and local food security.

In partnership with the residents of Cloughjordan, members of the Ecovillage have began farming an

initial 40 acres of land. Work on the first of the farm buildings is beginning soon and the first crop on Irelandʼs first CSA scheme will be harvested in Spring.

To book a place on the experience day, or for further information about becoming a member, please contact Dave on 0505-42833 or sales@thevillage.ie.

Part of a Global Network Cloughjordan is a member of the Global Ecovillage Network, a global confederation of people and communities that meet and share their ideas, exchange technologies, develop cultural and educational exchanges, directories and newsletters, and are dedicated to restoring the land and living ʻsustainable plusʼ lives by putting more back into the environment than they take out.

Their website states that ʻWe envision a planet of diverse cultures of all life united in creating communities in harmony with each other and the Earth, while meeting the needs of this and future generationsʼ.

Network members include large networks like Sarvodaya (11,000 sustainable villages in Sri Lanka); EcoYoff and Colufifa (350 villages in Senegal); the Ladakh project on the Tibetian plateau; ecotowns like Auroville in South India, the Federation of Damanhur in Italy and Nimbin in Australia; small rural ecovillages like Gaia Asociación in Argentina and Huehuecoyotl, Mexico; urban rejuvenation projects like Los Angeles Eco Village and Christiania in Copenhagen; permaculture design sites such as Crystal Waters, Australia, Cochabamba, Bolivia and Barus, Brazil; and educational centres such as Findhorn in Scotland, Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, Earthlands in Massachusetts, and many more.

A subsection of the Global Ecovillage Network is The European Ecovillage Network at www.geneurope.org. They list 435 linked communities worldwide, and advertise their courses and opportunities for visitors and volunteers. This is certainly a welcome development, and one to watch.

Two images from Cloughjordan: The Sheelagh na Gig and a gate into the farm.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

BECKETT TO SPAN LIFFEY

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By John Fitzgerald

he Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublinʼs newest bridge, arrived in Dublin Port on Monday 11th May by barge from Rotterdam in Holland. The bridge was named by Dublin City Council in 2006, Samuel Beckettʼs centenary year. In April 2006 the total cost of the project was estimated at €47 million and the completion date hoped for was September 2008. The bridge has now cost €59 million and is due to open in early 2010.

The bridge was designed by the multi-award winning Spanish architect Dr Santiago Calatrava Valls, who also designed the James Joyce Bridge at Heuston Station, which opened in 2003. It was constructed by Graham Hollandia; a joint venture who were also involved in the building of the Taney Bridge in Dundrum, as well as a number of other high-profile works including the London Eye. Beckett Bridge, near Macken Street, will have four traffic lanes with cycle lanes and footpaths on both sides of the bridge. A cablestayed box girder structure, it will span 120 metres between North and South quay walls. It will be capable of opening through an angle of 90 degrees to accommodate marine traffic heading upstream towards the city centre. This will be achieved through a rotational mechanism housed in the base of the pylon.

The central axis of the bridge is aligned with Guild Street on the northern quays and will cross the river to connect with Sir John Rogersonʼs Quay at a point about 70 metres west of Cardiff Lane.

As part of the engineering works, a reinforced concrete support pier has been cast in the Liffey along with abutments behind the quay walls. These all rest on piles up to 20 metres in length, which were bored into the Limestone rock beneath the river bed.

Jointly funded by the Department of the Environment, The Dublin Docklands Development Authority and Dublin City Council, this landmark sculpture will have a curved profile leaning northwards, resulting in a dramatic shape giving the appearance of a harp lying on its side.

Right: The Beckett Bridge on a barge to its final destination.

Green shoots of recovery in Gordon Street

J

udy Tilson and her two sisters Patricia Donohoe and Katherine Renwick, all over 50, started the ʻGood Food Kitchenʼ on Gordon Street in the South Lotts last December. The award winning restaurant is getting a growing reputation for good, honest food and a great family atmosphere.

The restaurant is only a stoneʼs throw from Barrow Street and the Grand Canal Docks, so if any of you Googlers are reading this, it might be time to swap your bagel and cappuccino for some Ringsend Soul Food like Shepherdʼs Pie or Bacon and Cabbage.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

T HE D OLLS ’ S TORE MINIATURE MAGIC

By Louise Hanrahan

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he Dollsʼ Store on South Great Georgeʼs Street has been Irelandʼs only specialist stockist of designer dolls, dollsʼ houses and miniatures for the last 40 years.

Dreams really can come true with the exquisite range of different dolls, teddy bears and other fabulous toys of all assortments rubbing shoulders happily with each other.

Dolls in their own way have a special and unique place in all our lives; since early childhood and beyond. The Dolls store has a passion for all dolls, cuddly dolls, rag dolls, miniature dolls, even lifesized baby dolls.

The range of furniture and artefacts are second to none.

The range of dollsʼ houses is amazing, going from small,

one or two room houses for under €100, to fully-accessorised mansions for over €1000.

Melissa, a trained porcelain doll maker, runs the ʻTeddy Hospitalʼ, where shabby or damaged bears are sympathetically restored and given a new lease of life. All surgeries at the Dollsʼ Hospital are minor and pain-free! Thatʼs because at the store, generous doses of TLC are administered to any sick toy.

The Porcelain Doll Collection is a unique collection of dolls. The dolls are highly prized by collectors. Each doll is hand-crafted from porcelain components, the faces are hand painted in fine detail and the dolls are dressed in clothes made from exquisite materials.

The dolls make wonderful gifts for children or collectors,

R ECESSION

and they will last for many years. Every doll comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The shop also runs courses for people interested in making their own dolls.

The Vinyl Doll Collection is another range of baby dolls which are treasured collectables that will become priceless heirlooms in years to come.

The store also boasts an extensive range of accessories for both collectors and enthusiasts alike. You can get everything for your dollʼs house from new wallpaper to a conservatory.

The Dollsʼ Store is a great place to go in and browse.

The non-electronic traditional toys, teddy bears, dolls and rocking horses give it an oldfashioned ambience. This is what Santaʼs grotto must look like. The shop is open daily from Monday to Saturday.

STRESSES AFFECTING MENTAL HEALTH

By Harry Cavendish

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he Mental Health Ireland (MHI) annual conference took place in Athlone on the weekend of the 15th May. MHI is a national voluntary organisation promoting positive mental health.

MHI co-exists with a countrywide network of local mental health associations. The MHI and the local associations actively support individuals who have mental illness, along with their carers and families.

The Friday evening of the conference kicked off with John Moloney T.D. and Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children giving a talk. He recognised deep frustration with the lack of progress with ʻA Vision For Changeʼ, the blueprint published in January 2006 by the HSE for a newly-prioritised mental health system.

He went on to say that he wanted to make sure that the money raised from the sale of 12 old psychiatric institutions would go to mental health services.

The keynote address was giv-

en by David Begg, general secretary of ICTU. Mr Begg discussed the origins of the current recession and how the country fell into it. He said the tipping point was the collapse of Lehman Brothers on 22nd September last year.

He described the huge stress many people were now finding themselves in, not being able to provide for their families or pay bills, mortgages, or rents. He pointed out how exporters were

badly hit because of the devaluation of sterling, the lamentable state of the banks here and the hole in government coffers.

He said ICTU were proposing a ʻSocial Solidarity Pactʼ, focussing on keeping people in employment, ensuring families do not have their homes repossessed, and protecting pensions in the private sector.

He went on to say that a thirty-year period of liberal capitalism had ended and we now

had to reinvent society through economic efficiency, individual freedom and social responsibility.

Ciara Griffin from The Ceifin Centre for Values-led Change gave an address about voluntarism in Ireland today. Ciara said, given the range of services supplied by volunteers today, if voluntarism stopped the whole country would collapse. She cited three reasons why people donʼt volunteer: they donʼt have

enough time, they were never asked or they donʼt feel a close connection to their community.

She said that truth, trust and core values, such as transparency, especially in the media, were a must if the first half of the new century was to see society guided by a return to spirituality.

Michael Finneran, T.D. Minster of State with special responsibility for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas, gave a speech on homelessness and mental health. He explained his attempts to deal with the growing problem of homelessness through providing social and affordable housing.

He said addressing the housing needs of those with mental illness was a priority. But that the stigma attached to mental illness was a block to progress in this area. He said the government would be working hard to provide more affordable housing in the coming months.

Pictured at the Mental Health Ireland annual conference are, from left: Brian Howard, CEO of MHI; John Moloney TD; David Begg of ICTU and Dr. John Connolly.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

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S HAMROCKS A STRONOMY

By Glenda Cimino Astronomy Ireland is the National Astronomy Club of Ireland (North and South)

A

stronomy Ireland states that it is the largest national astronomy club in the world relative to population. Founded in 1990, in 19 years Astronomy Ireland has grown to over 11,000 members in 2009.

Their aim is to promote astronomy and space interest and education in Ireland, and to do this they hold talks, lectures, observing sessions and other events nationwide.

They also produce a monthly 48-page magazine, ʻAstronomy & Spaceʼ, which is sent free to members. Members also get concession rate admittance to the public lectures, and can attend telescope nights on clear Friday and Saturday evenings.

You do not need to own a telescope to be a member, and everybody is

IN SPACE I RELAND

welcome to join. They also run Astronomy Classes for Beginners twice per year in various locations throughout the country (Members are also entitled to a discount on the course fee).

In addition, they produce and present a weekly Astronomy news radio show on 103.2 Dublin City FM. This goes out live every Tuesday evening at 8.00pm and is also available for download anywhere in the world.

Other activities include organised trips to Armagh planetarium. The club, like many others, relies heavily on the work of volunteers for its continued success and survival and the main fundraising event of the year is the August Barbeque Under The Stars or Star-B-Q held in the dark skies of Co. Wicklow, open to all.

Shamrocks in Space Last month, Dr. Anthony Heijenga, who has developed an extensive array of biotechnology systems, described how in the last weeks of May 1996,

the first specimens of plants known as Irish Shamrock were grown in space.

The significance of this little plant, its application in human life support in space and implications for human life on earth were presented.

LECTURE PROPUBLIC GRAMMES FOR JUNE AND JULY: June 8: ʻAsteroids– recent discoveriesʼ

By David Grennan and Dave McDonald. They are two of the three discoverers of Asteroids from Ireland– the other being over 150 years ago. What makes it even more interesting is that they made their discoveries within weeks of each other.

Jun 15: ʻHannyʼs Voorwerpʼ By Hanny Van Arkel. She is from Holland where she is a primary schoolteacher. She joined Galaxy Zoo, which is a site that has been set up whereby members of the public can classify galaxies whose images have been taken by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. There are millions of galax-

ies to be classified. In August 2007 she came across a strange blue/ green smudge that has since become known as Hannyʼs Voorwerp. This is her story.

July 13 ʻDark matter and the smallest galaxies, linking LHC to the Universeʼ

By Professor Gerry Gilmore of Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University, UK. Aug 10: ʻMad about Meteoritesʼ

By Matthew Parkes, of the National Museum of Ireland All lectures will be held at Trinity College, in the Fitzgerald Building, near the Westland Row or Lincoln Place entrances.

Admission: €7 (€5 members and concessions) Some of these lectures will also be available on DVD, which you can order from the society.

Above: The Andromeda Galaxy

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

DODDERVILLE 1935

Teresa Westby brought in this picture of Dodderville who played on the football pitch at the back of the Ritz Cinema in 1935. They won 11 out of 18 games, drew one and gained 35 points. Leo Westby is in the picture also the Secretary, Hennessey but do you recognise anyone else?

T

The Ballroom of Romance

he ʻBallroom of Romanceʼ celebrated their 25th anniversary last week at the CYMS in Ringsend. When the dancing club started out, there were male and female members, but nowadays, sadly, it is an all female group. Prominent among the founding members were Joe Carroll and Sara Reilly. The Club originally met in a pre-fab in Canon Mooney Gardens, then the school hall in St. Patrickʼs National School before moving to their present home in the CYMS. Pauline Casey, Josephine Cummins, Bridget Mullen and Margaret Dunne are the main contributors to the continued running of the club.

Pictured at the Ballroomʼs 25th Anniversary, left to right: Pauline Casey, Renee Hannigan, Josephine Cummins, Bridget Mooney, Bridget Mullen, Alice Whelan, Margaret Dunne, Esther Heaps

By John Cheevers

Old Dublin Pumphouse site transformed for new housing scheme

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he Lord Mayor of Dublin, Eibhlin Byrne, is pictured cutting the tape at the official opening of the new Dublin City Council social housing scheme at the Old Pumphouse on Londonbridge Road. From left to right: Deputy Chris Andrews, Cllr Daithí Doolan, Cllr Kevin Humphries, Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne, Minister John Gormley & Cllr Sarah Ryan “I am delighted to see such a state-of-the art, modern housing scheme fitting in so perfectly in this historical setting. The decision to retain the old machinery and chimney forms from the original pumphouse adds greatly to the character and likeability of the building and I know the residents will love having a piece of old Dublin incorporated into their every day lives,” said the Lord Mayor.

NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

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M u s i c 4 … BY

NESSA JENNINGS

T WO HARMONIOUS A OIFES

Aoife Moriarty ake six scrabble sets, using all the letters, throw up all the tiles seeing how they land, and you get the kaleidoscope of words and ideas contained in the lyrics of Aoife Moriartyʼs debut album.

To say just that Aoife came through the singer/ songwriter route (guitar, piano,voice) belies the pop savvy and slick

T

production values on the ten tracks that make up this album. Thereʼs an economy here, around three minutes on songs where everything counts.

Aoife assembled some great musicians on this session and for her appearance on the Late Late Show, when, as the opening track ʻAlphabet Soupʼ was extended and rocked out, there was no doubt then as to the

originality of the performer who sang and played at the piano. ʻNarcoticʼ shows the influence of dance floor Madonna. My first favourite track is ʻMoving Onʼ for itʼs indelible hook, and the blend of female voices. There are a lot of singles on this satisfying and very musical album, which, coming from an Irish artist, is like a new sound.

Aoifeʼs voice is refreshing, on the note, sounds sweet and she has something to say.

Sheʼs right up there with Julie Feeney, only more popular and more accessible than ʻ13 Songsʼ. Well worth the wait and effort by this serious, thoughtful and talented young musician. This CD is available downstairs in Tower Records in the New Irish Releases section at, I think, €12.99.

Aoife Doyle The Martello Bar, Bray, Co. Wicklow. It is a breezy halfsunny day on a terrace in May at the end of the Bray Jazz Festival, and we get a chance to hear a new Irish female jazz singer who is coming of age, a graduate of Newpark Music School. She is singing ʻItʼs No Useʼ by Antonio Carlos Jobim, beautifully, with her band– Johnny Reynolds on piano, Cormac OʼBrien on bass, and Dominic McMullen on drums.

With the apparently perfect memory of jazz musicians, they deliver two sets of carefully-selected standards from the repertoire.

Aoife Doyle, above, catches

our attention with her personal ease and presence, and the powerful singing of studied scat sequences integral to the songs; intelligent, not intellectual. We are treated to a stunning ʻSeptemberʼ and I get chills down my spine during ʻMercy, Mercy, Mercyʼ.

Her abilities and passion are evidence of a trained but natural gift. This is fully-absorbed, fresh jazz singing, no messing, and no holding back. .

On her website, friends are talking about her kicking ʻThem There Eyesʼ. There is no album out yet. It seems you are most likely to catch her at The Joy Gallery on Parnell Street, a venue being promoted by Bottlenote Music Productions.

D EREK

JOINS 500 KM SPONSORED CYCLE FOR H OSPICE F OUNDATION

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n one day last week 130 terminally ill people in the country were essentially told they had to go on a waiting list to avail of hospice care. In Dublin hospices, on April 26th, 45 patients were turned away, having been told there was a five-day waiting list. Those people do not have time on their side.

On the 19th July, veteran Three Rock Triathlon Club member, Derek Murphy, will line up as one of 100 cyclists taking part in a 500km sponsored cycle from Dublin to Paris in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation.

The Three Rock Triathlon Club is holding its annual event on 12th July at the Shellybanks ESB, Ringsend where Derek and Dave Tilley hope to raise plenty of cash for this worthy cause from competitors and friends.

In the meantime, the guys will be asking the local community to sponsor their fundraising activities for the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Derek will be happy to give you a sponsorship card if you want to help.

He can be contacted at: 086 0823228 The Foundation Bank account details are: Irish Hospice Foundation Account No: 64939113 University Branch, Montrose Sort Code: 901351 Any readers who wish to raise funds for the Foundation can contact Kirana Bhagwan at: 01 6793188.

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NEWSFOUR JUNE / JULY 2009

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