News Four April 2005 by News Four

APRIL 2005

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

RELAY FOR LIFE AT IRISHTOWN

he Irish Cancer Society is delighted to announce that the successful US community cancer initiative Relay for Life will be brought to Dublin on Saturday 18th June at the Irishtown Stadium in Dublin 4. Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported and that one day can-

cer will be eliminated. Relay for Life is a fun-ﬁlled overnight event which will start in Irishtown Stadium on Saturday 18th of June and will take place over an 18-hour period. Teams of 10 to 15 people from all walks of life will be sponsored to camp out all day and throughout the night at the Stadium. Each team member will take a turn to walk, run or jog around the running track, hav-

ing secured sponsorship to take part. It promises to be a fun day and night for all those involved, as well as an exercise in community solidarity in the struggle against cancer, which affects one in three people in Ireland at some time in their lives. The Irish Cancer Society is currently seeking volunteers from communities in north and south Dublin to put togeth-

A HAPPY MEMORY OF JOHN PAUL II

er teams, whether from among workmates, politicians, colleges, schools, sports clubs, residents associations, family or friends to come up with fundraising ideas, or to sponsor some element of the event. Volunteers are needed to help with catering, lighting and sound. Musicians and entertainers will be more than welcome on the day as will stewards and indeed anyone who can raise funds or give support. As the event draws to a close it is hoped to raise funds by selling candles which will be lit and laid around the new running track. Each candle will represent

someone who has lost their life to cancer and also to celebrate the lives of survivors. Whether you have services to offer, sponsorship, can muster up a team or want to help in any way get in touch with Carmel or Mairead at the Irish Cancer Society 43/45 Northumberland Road Dublin 4, Freefone 1850 606060. Dublin City Council, The Irishtown Sports Stadium, and the Combined Residents of Ringsend, Irishtown and Bath Avenue support this venture.

DEEP END FOR LORNA

Patrick and Patricia Lynch spent their honeymoon in Rome in 1998. They were granted a papal audience especially for newly-weds but were told by the ofﬁcials that the bride must wear her wedding dress. Unfortunately Patricia had left her wedding dress back in Ireland but Patrick insisted that she should buy another one immediately. On the day there were couples from all over

the world being blessed by the Pope and the ceremony was transmitted on Vatican TV. Patrick recalls that as he approached His Holiness he felt sure he saw a halo around his head. Patrick Lynch and Patricia Kavanagh met whilst walking their dogs in Sandymount and Patrick proposed ﬁve weeks later and eighteen months after that they were married.

Lorna Brady, above, who has been appointed General Manager at the Sportsco complex in Ringsend talks about her new job on page 3.

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NewsFour Managing Editor Ann Ingle Advertising Manager Grainne McGuinness Staff Rose Hogan Frances Corr Maggie Neary Patrick Duffy Denis Murphy Brian Kelly John Kelly Kate McAlister Lisa Berigan Contributors Derek Buckley Nicola McMahon James O’Doherty Austin Cromie Patrick Purcell Shay Connolly Michael Hilliard Ruairí Quinn TD Grainne McGuinness Jennifer Hutton Chris Maniocha George Kerr Music Correspondent Dan Hegarty Web Designer Andrew Thorn Photography John Cheevers Design, Typesetting, Layout Eugene Carolan

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

The Editor’s Corner

I HOPE you all had a good St Patrickʼs Day and a happy Easter. Here in ʻNewsFourʼ we have been working hard to bring you the current edition despite the holidays in between. Our next bank holiday is May Day and Ruairi Quinn, who initiated this holiday, writes about it on page 37. Brian Kelly, John Kelly and Kate McAlister have joined us since February. Brian interviewed TV chef, Steven McAllister, (p.34) who was kind enough to give us two of his recipes. Brian has also written a touching love letter to Rome (p.7). Kate went to Dundrum to talk to the local people about the new shopping centre and spoke to many unhappy shop-keepers (p.11). We had a disturbing short story sent to us (p.19) which we decided to share with you. On a lighter note, Jennifer Hutton (not her real name) sent us an amusing poem about the Gasworks (p.25) which highlights a remarkable change of usage.

Elsewhere Rose Hogan is giving us very sensible advice on how to keep the weight in check (p.12). Rose is entering the mini-marathon and has asked me to remind everyone to get their entry forms in on time. They can be obtained from the Evening Herald. You can of course run for any charity but we hope our story on Abbie Rose Kemple (p.18) and our notice from Enable Ireland (p.6) will inspire you. I was delighted with the great response to our last crossword competition and look forward to receiving loads of entries this time. Please keep writing to us as this is your paper and we are always happy to publish letters and articles or promote activities in the area. We will be back again on 3rd June with lots of news and entertaining features for your enjoyment. Ann Ingle

Iris Charles Centre,

tre from Sister Salome in Lakelands Convent. In 1981 the Centre had its own kitchen built on. The Centre is open for dinner on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 2 pm. Frances Dignam (Chairperson) says they have a great team of volunteers, without whom the place would not survive. They cater for between 12 to 18 men and women every day and there is room for more if anyone would like to avail of this service. It is a great opportunity to have your meals handed up to you and to have a chat with other people from the area. If you are interested but incapacitated there is the possibility of a taxi to collect you. You can contact Frances at the Centre on Tuesdays between 11 am and 3 pm at 6600191. By Rose Hogan

Newbridge Avenue IF YOUʼRE an older member of the community in Ringsend, Irishtown or Sandymount and ﬁnd cooking for one tiresome then the Iris Charles Centre on Newbridge Avenue could be of interest to you. Iris Charles, the founder of the organisation, passed away ﬁve years ago at the age of 93. She had a keen interest in the welfare of older people in the area. Back in the 50s and 60s Iris and her friends were constantly trying to organise dinners and outings from whatever sources were available to them. When they got the Centre up and running the Eastern Health Board eventually stepped in and offered dinners four days a week. At that time the meals were sent down to the Cen-

We have a Swimming Session Every Sunday Morning from 11am to 1pm in Sportsco. Price: €25 per 3 Month Session or €5 for one Swim. Children under 3 years are FREE! This Swimming Session is open to any one who wants to join. It is not just confined to people living in the Sth.-Lotts-Rd. area. For further Info just call over any Sunday between 11am-&-1pm. Ask for Mary or Billy.

CALLING ALL PAST PUPILS OF MARIAN COLEGE MARIAN COLLEGE is celebrating 50 years with a Past Pupils Black Tie Dinner Dance on Friday 28th October in the Burlington Hotel. The organisers are very anxious to get in touch with all past pupils. If you are interested telephone 6684036 or email: past pupilsmariancollege@eircom. net with your name, leaving cert year and phone/email details. Your year representative will then contact you.

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

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

SANDYMOUNT HOME HELP SERVICE

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

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

SHELBOURNE PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LTD

Mr Tilley Enlightens MR TILLEY would like to thank local residents for their generous contribution to his Christmas Lights fund raising venture. He was able to donate €1000 to the Hospice and €325 to the Tsunami disaster on your behalf.

We pay you €11.55 per hour (gross) to visit and care for vulnerable elderly in the community For further information, phone Brenda Dempsey at 087- 9292119

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

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

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L ORNA TAKES THE HELM AT S PORTSCO T

By Brian Kelly

he Sportsco complex in South Lotts, Ringsend is one of the countryʼs top sports and leisure facilities. Situated next door to Shelbourne Park, Sportsco is the official sports association of the ESB, but its membership is open to everyone who has an interest in staying fit and healthy. Having celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2004, Sportsco has also recently seen the appointment of its first female general manager, Ringsend-born Lorna Brady. 38 year old Lorna started her working life as a lifeguard in Sportcoʼs swimming pool in 1982. She has gone on to work her way through successive positions in Sportsco to become General Manager in January of this year. Lornaʼs achievement is a combination of hard work, dedication and inside knowledge of more than 20 years service to Sportsco. She has seen a lot of changes

in that time. Ringsend, she feels has become more corporate and less family-orientated with more business than ever in the area and much more house letting than family-occupied homes. More aware than anyone of the

immense changes in the community, Lorna has made a conscious effort to facilitate local people into Sportsco. Ringsend residents for instance, are regular users of the centreʼs swimming pool. The

schools in the area avail of the multi-purpose sports hall (thereʼs also Easter and summer sports camps for kids) and the local community often receives preferential treatment for Sportcoʼs function room. The community

connection is further enhanced with a quarter of Sportscoʼs staff coming from the neighbourhood. The success of Sportsco with over 12,000 members and 20,000 visitors per month is due to the wealth of facilities on offer but also to the personalised, one to one service which marks the Dublin 4 spot out among leisure centres. Lorna herself, who is on ﬁrst name terms with many of Sportsco members is quick to praise the quality of her staff, whom she says are among the most loyal and dedicated within the health and ﬁtness industry. Lorna has taken charge of Sportsco at a very exciting time in the centreʼs development. Planning permission has recently being granted to extend the South Lotts facility. We can expect a doubling in the size of the gymnasium for starters and an improvement in the changing room facilities. After that, we need to wait and see. Keeping her thousands of members happy and the competition guessing, is the challenge local woman Lorna faces every day. And you get the feeling sheʼs loving every moment of it.

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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

The Letterbox Dear Madam Editor, I run a busy Video Production Company in Dublin and in my childhood and early youth was a resident of Sandymount. I well remember the Sandymount of yesterday and the number 3 bus laden down with families from the city and everyone disembarking at the tower for a day at the strand. Ahhh memories!! Over the years, I have recounted many stories of the Strand and the village and was told on many occasions, “as you are in the movie making business, why donʼt you make a movie of those years?” Well up to now, time was in short supply, but a couple of months ago I met up with an old school friend and this year we have decided to make that movie and in doing so we will require some help. First of all, we would like to acquire some old photographs of people on Sandymount Strand etc. Also, any old 8mm film, Standard 8, Super 8 or 16mm, which we will transfer free of charge to DVD for any people who donate same and also credit them in the film. The years we would like to cover are from 1940 to the present day. If anyone can be of any help in this project we would be very grateful. L.J. Sheeran (email: powervid@ntlworld. ie, telephone: 01 4560982

Guitar Lessons Professional Teacher Contact Tony at 087 9743775

Dear Madam Editor I found your website by chance while doing a search for information on The Theatre Royal. My father Bernard Baum is writing a book on the history of Irish theatre and cinema and the people that shaped it. His father was a well-known ﬁlm distributor and ran many cinemas. Iʼm helping my father gather information and he would be most interested in getting in contact with Patrick Purcell about his wonderful article on his father, Noel Purcell. I would very much appreciate it if you could pass on any information to help me. Regards Shimon Baum (We put Shimon in touch with Patrick Purcell and look forward to seeing the results. Ed.) Dear Madam Editor The over-reaction by RTE to a number of isolated events on St Patrickʼs Day is typical, unfortunate and brings little credit on RTE. Thankfully it is as far removed from the reality of the majority of young people. When will the Public Broadcaster start acknowledging the huge number of young people who daily participate in positive activity, community work, sports, youth groups, voluntary work? When will it start portraying positive images of the reality of young people in Ireland? When will it start giving young people positive role models? I spent St. Patrickʼs Day morning with a group of nearly two hundred young people within yards of the RTE studios. Among the activities of that group last year was the raising of funds to travel to Peru and to pay for and engage in the reconstruction of a home for single mothers. Was RTE there to cover that? Will RTE be there to cover the many other examples of young people as they live positive lives in this City and throughout the Country? The answer by their record is sadly crystal clear. Yours truly Councillor Dermot Lacey Dear Madam Editor I have been a resident of Sandymount and living in the same house off the Strand Road, which my parents bought in the mid-20s when I was ﬁve years

old (work it out!) so I am the oldest inhabitant. There were just six houses in Lea Road on one side of the road then and building was continued up to the Strand Road. On the other side was a shrubbery with lots of large trees and shrubs. This side was not built up until the 30s. I had a school friend living up the road and we boasted we could climb every tree. In those days there were green fields around. There was no Durham Road, only a large field. One side of Gilford Road was a field with sheep. The tide came right up to the sea wall on Strand Road where there is now a stretch of green. I used to cycle along this road and got many a shower bath when high tides came splashing across the road. Our church was the Star of the Sea. The Parish Priest was Father Ridgeway, a convert and a member of the family furniture business, Anderson Stanford and Ridgeway. The curates were Fathers McSweeney and OʼToole. There were no supermarkets then but we had Leverett and Frye and Findlaters in the village. Local kids flocked to Miss Paisleyʼs sweet shop where you could get a variety of sweets at one penny for eight. Those were the days! May Nolan, Sandymount Dear Madam Editor I am an expatriate Australian recently arrived in Dublin and living in Ballsbridge. I suggest that we need to do something to clean up the Dodder. It is full of plastic and rubbish and yet ducks, herons and swans, yes beautiful swans, congregate there. I am sure that more locals and visitors would enjoy this quiet river if it was not so dirty and rubbish strewn. Perhaps your publication could organise a Sunday once a year when volunteers could spend a few hours in gumboots and rubber gloves removing the detritus of our 21st Century. I would be your first volunteer! The kind of volunteer CleanUp-Day is carried out in many other countries (for example Australia) and is supported by community organisations, schools, politicians, etc. All the best to you and your publication for the future. Stephen Carter, Ballsbridge (Such clean ups have been done before but obviously work needs to be carried out on an ongoing basis. Ed.)

Dublin Rape Crisis Outreach Initiative THE DUBLIN Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) provides speakers to schools and organisations to highlight the awareness of sexual violence and to inform the public about the various services offered by the Rape Crisis Centre. They would like to introduce the outreach service to the broad community sector within the Dublin and greater Dublin area. DRCC provides a 24-hour crisis helpline, crisis counselling, and therapy. It is also involved in lobbying on policy regarding the issue of sexual violence, education, training and fundraising. The outreach programme is designed to challenge the myths and common attitudes prevalent within society surrounding sexual violence and abuse. At least 20 minutes at the end of the presentation is allowed for discussion and questions and it is common that those who have personal experience of sexual abuse may be present. Should anyone wish to approach the trained speakers after the presentation and discussion they are encouraged to do so. The Rape Crises Centre is currently seeking funding to consolidate the outreach work. At the moment this work is voluntary. The speakers are highly trained volunteers. Groups or organisation that can afford it are asked to contribute a small amount to the outreach work. However, if this is not possible, they strongly encourage any group wishing to avail of the talks to get in touch with them. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre can be contacted at their free phone number: 1800 77 88 88 or the business phone number: 01 6614911. Ask to speak to Mairead Mallon, head of Volunteer Service.

Councillor Garry Keegan Phone: 6643548 • Mobile: 086 235 8913 Web: www.keegan2007.ie

New Constituency Office: 60 Upper Grand Canal Street, Dublin 4. (Above Washboard Launderette, opposite Slattery’s) Advice Centres St. Andrew’s, Pearse Street, Dublin 2 Tuesdays 7pm–8pm Community Centre, Ringsend, Dublin 4 Thursdays 7pm–8pm

If you want to contact me please do so on 6643548 or 086 235 8913

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

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ST PATRICK’S PUPPETEERS PERFORM

Geraldine M. Lynch (formerly of Irishtown Road)

TEAMS OF students from 3rd and 4th classes of St Patrickʼs Girls School, Ringsend entertained fellow students and their proud teachers, Miss Daly and Miss Farren, with performances of puppet shows at the school recently. The shows were a Dublin City Council Green Schools initiative and were sponsored by DCC waste management team. The girls made the hand puppets and sets themselves from a variety of waste materials. They wrote their own stories which contained references to the environment. The entertaining shows were a fruition of eleven weeks tuition by puppeteer Helene Hugel. By John Cheevers

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

MURRAYS OF BATH AVENUE Sandymount, Dublin 4 Telephone: 6684940

New style upmarket pub grub available at reasonable prices

Lunch: Monday to Friday 12.30 – 3 pm Sunday: 12.30 – 5 pm

Premiership plus on large TV screens for all major sporting events

Office parties, corporate functions and social events catered for on request Heated smoking area Texas hold ‘em Poker Classic every Thursday

Music every weekend UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

‘THE QUIET MAN’ IS ‘A N F EAR C I ú IN ’! By Denis Murphy

ʻQ

uiet Manʼ enthusiasts will know that the film had its world premiere in Dublin at the Adelphi Cinema on June 6th 1952. We have raised the issue of ʻThe Quiet Manʼ being dubbed in Irish in previous editions. We are glad to report that plans are now underway to allow this to finally happen. The film has been translated into 12 languages including French, German, Russian and Japanese. ʻQuiet Manʼ Movie Club spokesman Des McHale said: “If John

Wayne can speak in German and Japanese, then why not in Irish.” ʻThe Quiet Manʼ Movie Club, which has 200 members worldwide, has lined up native Gaelic actors to speak the lines of screen legends John Wayne and Maureen OʼHara. Irish language agencies Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta are ready to fund the project in conjunction with TG4 and independent production company Telegael. However, permission must be sought from Paramount Pictures, which owns the rights to the Oscar-winning ﬁlm. Maureen OʼHara revealed in her autobiography ʻTis Herselfʼ that when on set with director John Ford they played a prank on the rest of the cast by speaking in gibberish, that somehow resembled Irish. Iʼm sure there were a lot of shahʼs and nihahʼs thrown in for good measure, along with lashings of laughter. The shopfront exterior that was

used for Pat Cohanʼs bar was merely a small grocery shop that has stunned many tourists down through the years, when they come to visit Cong. All of the movieʼs interior scenes were ﬁlmed in Hollywood. A new owner purchased it and has vowed to make it into a similar bar to the one in the ﬁlm, provided his planning permission to do so is granted. The thatched cottage named ʻWhite OʼMornʼ that Sean Thornton bought back from the Widow Tillane is also in ruins and has been for many years. It was purchased by a wealthy Californian nearly twenty-one years ago while he was over on a ʻQuiet Manʼ tour. The small cottage came along

with twelve acres of land overlooking the sea. All that remains standing now is a gable wall while the rest of the house is almost rubble. Many stones have been taken down through the years as souvenirs by fans. ʻQuiet Manʼ enthusiasts come in tens of thousands each year and see two replicas of ʻWhite OʼMornʼ. One is in Cong and the other at Maam Cross, but only a few re-

ally keen, intrepid buffs manage to visit the original that lies down at the end of a muddy track. This is ﬁfteen miles west of Cong with not one single signpost to show the way. Hedgerows are densely overgrown and each winterʼs inclement weather leaves the land a dangerous quagmire. Paddy Rock, Congʼs most enthusiastic ʻQuiet Manʼ fan and tour guide says: “We donʼt want the original cottage to be lost, it is a very important part of our culture.” Why not a grant from the National Lottery? It would only be a miniscule amount for them and would go to a very worthwhile and deserving cause. It would state quite clearly and categorically to the world that we really do care about what deserves to be a listed dwelling and part of our proud Irish heritage. Left: Pat Cohanʼs pub. Above: Maureen OʼHara and John Wayne outside the original cottage. Also shown are Maureenʼs brothers, from left, James and Charles.

Enable Ireland’s 2nd Annual Art Exhibition– 23rd & 24th April 2005 Enable Ireland Welcomes you to their 2nd Annual Art Auction & Exhibition. The exhibition will be held in Enable Ireland, Sandymount Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4 on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April 2005. All welcome. For more information contact the East Region Fundraising Ofﬁce on 01-2615921 or email chazell@enableireland.ie

Women’s Mini Marathon - 6th June 2005 The Flora Womens Mini Marathon will be held this year on Monday 6th June 2005. We hope you would support us by raising funds for your local area for children and young adults with physical disabilities. To receive your t-shirt, sponsorship card or any further information, please contact Caitlin or Belinda in the fundraising ofﬁce on 01-2615921 or 01-2615917 or email bkearns@enableireland.ie

Enable Ireland’s Mid-Summer Gala Ball 18th June 2005 To raise funds for Enable Ireland Services in the East Region (Dublin / Wicklow), we are organising our 2nd Annual, ʻMidSummer Gala Ballʼ on Saturday 18th June 2005, in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. If you would like to be part of this exciting fundraising event, tickets can be purchased for €140 or €1,400 for a table of ten people. To make your booking, please contact Caitlin in the Fundraising ofﬁce on (01) 2615921 or by email: chazell@enableireland. ie Enable Ireland, founded in 1948, is a leading national provider of services to children and adults with physical disabilities and their families. All proceeds from these fundraising events will go towards enhancing our services in the Dublin/ Wicklow region, where we work to provide a balance of therapeutic, assistive technology, social, educational, training and employment services to clients that takes into account individual and family needs. Services are provided from Sandymount, Bray, Tallaght, Crumlin, Sandyford, Dun Laoghaire and Arklow.

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

R OME

PAGE 7

Wild Tracks

IS WHERE THE HEART IS

THE IRISH Wildlife Trust has a current project called Wild Tracks which is aimed at fostering an awareness of local wildlife areas at a community level. They aim to liaise with local community groups to foster a sense of ownership of the wildlife around us in parks, wild areas etc. This project has been helped with funding from the Vodafone Nature Fund and Conservation Volunteers Ireland. Any group from around the Ringsend/Irishtown/Sandymount area who would like to do a guided walk and talk in the Irishtown Nature park is welcome to contact the Irish Wildlife Trust at 860 2839 to arrange a walk during the month of April.

The Irish Cycling Campaign

By Brian Kelly Dear Roma, I just returned home after spending 5 days in your company and I wanted to write and tell you how I feel. Although we were together for such a short time, I felt like I got to know you very well. In fact, and I donʼt mind admitting this, I think I have fallen for you in a big way. And before you say it was just a holiday romance and Iʼm seeing everything through Rome-tinted glasses, believe me itʼs more than that. The simple truth is, Roma, I am a little in love with you and I canʼt stop telling my friends about you. Youʼre beautiful Roma, really beautiful. I know you have probably heard that one million times before but itʼs true. Youʼve got so many attractive features I just couldnʼt even begin to list them all. But if I had to start somewhere I would highlight your most famous feature, the Vatican. Millions of people from all over the world come here every year and you mesmerise them all with your timeless treasures. Saint Peterʼs Basilica was enough for me. I have gazed

upon many church interiors in my time, but never have I witnessed beauty on such grand a scale. I am told Michelangelo designed the massive Dome, which is almost as impressive as the Sistine Chapel next door. And if the genius Michelangelo hadnʼt enough to be doing painting and decorating ceilings, he also found time to create another masterpiece, the Pieta, his sculptured study of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, which is on view behind glass in the Basilica. And to think Roma, you let people see all this for free. How kind and generous you are. I was also hugely taken with your ancient temple of Pantheon, 2,000 years old with 20 foot thick walls and almost perfectly preserved inside. Aside from the extraordinary variety of marble in the Pantheon, what makes this temple such a pleasure is the Dome, (What is it about you and Domes, Rome?)which is the largest of its kind in Europe. Gaze upon its glory and you are literally looking at the heavens, for the Emperor Hadrian, who designed the temple in 118-125AD left the top of the Dome open for the sun and the showers to pour in on the exquisite marble floor.

What a surreal sight it must be to stand inside the Pantheon and have Roman raindrops fall down on your head. Your beauty, Roma, can also be savage. The Colosseum, crumbling and incomplete, is still a magnificent structure but one shudders to think what those poor creatures, the Christians suffered inside this arena at the hands of merciless lions and the even more merciless Emperors. History greets you at every turn in Rome. It would take a week of solid sight-seeing to discover the best jewels in your crown, but if you want a more relaxing view of Rome, just go for a ramble and youʼll soon discover some cobblestone streets leading onto an open piazza or square. It is in such piazzas, surrounded by terracotta-coloured buildings and shuttered windows, you can sit down over a cappuccino or ice cream and watch Rome and the world go by. And in a place like this, I think I gave my heart to you. So now you know my feelings for you Roma, Iʼll sign off and say no more. I threw my coin in the Trevi fountain and made a wish to return. ʻTil we meet again, so long and thanks for a great time. Brian XXX

A READER informed us that Noel Shiels, Jimmy Dunwoody and Con OʼShea all appear in the Marian College picture which appeared in our last issue.

THE IRISH Cycling Campaign (ICC) recently called on the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, to ensure that cyclist and pedestrian representatives are appointed to the new National Safety Council (NSC) board, once its current 3-year term ends on April 14, 2005. Currently both of these key groups of vulnerable road users are excluded from the NSC. David Maher PRO of the ICC explained “currently cyclists and pedestrians are excluded both from the NSC board and from its Road Safety Committee. The domination of the NSC by sections of the motoring industry such as the AA, the Motor insurers and the National Roads Authority (NRA) has left vulnerable road users voiceless in their campaign for safer roads. Currently there is no forum for cyclists or pedestrians to express their concerns in this area”.

Schools Radio Programme A NEW Docklands Schoolsʼ Radio Programme is currently underway with six secondary schools participating, including Ringsend Technical Institute, Westland Row CBS, Marian College and St Maryʼs Holy Faith, Haddington Road. The programme is run in conjunction with Anna Livia Radio. Tune in to 103.2 FM Mondays and Fridays at 1 pm from now until the end of May.

South East Inner City THE SOUTH East Inner City Local Education Committee are busy putting the ﬁnishing touches to a Healthy Lifestyles awareness week which takes place from 25 April to 29 April with a follow-up awareness week in early November. The highlight of the week promises to be in St Andrewʼs Resource Centre on 27 April when sports demonstrations, club stands, exhibits, artwork and a directory of sports and other club activities will be on display.

Custom House Quay Pedestrian Bridge THE CUSTOM House Quay Pedestrian Bridge will be ofﬁcially opened in May and will be called the Sean OʼCasey Bridge.

Beach Road Tyre Services (Rear Kilroy College)

CAMBRIDGE ROAD, RINGSEND, DUBLIN 4 PHONE: 6683805

Computerised Wheel Balancing Fast Puncture Repair New & Remoulded Tyres Stocked

FREE FITTING ALL WORK DONE WHILE-U-WAIT Open 6 Days a Week • Phone 6683805

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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

P ATRICK T AKES C ENTRE S TAGE

M EET

ME AT THE

By James OʼDoherty

F PATRICK DUFFY recently performed his 40-minute show at the Ocean Bar, Charlotte Quay, Ringsend, which he is currently presenting in Hamburg. Patrick brought us a mixed bag of readings from Frank OʼConnor, Percy French and W. B. Yeats together with some of his own work and some lesser-known pieces. His lively delivery made this a very stimulating evening. Some of the monologues were hilarious and with very few props Patrick was able to portray the characters to great effect. Patrick ended with an excerpt from Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, showing just how versatile a performer he is.

The Yacht Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, 6680977

‘For a Quiet Pint’

or 157 years it was the most conspicuous object in Dublin and from the top splendid views of the Wicklow Mountains and the Bay of Dublin could be seen, that is if you could climb the 168 steps to its summit. It was erected to commemorate the transcendent heroic achievements of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Duke of Bronti in Sicily, Vice Admiral of the White Squadron of His Majestyʼs Fleet, who fell gloriously in the Battle of Cape Trafalgar on the 21st day of October 1805. After many meetings it was decided to build a triumphal pillar with a spiral staircase and a statue of the Great Admiral on top in the city of Dublin, all to be funded by public subscription. The site selected on Sackville Street (now OʼConnell Street) was at the intersection of Henry Street and Earl Street and this came under much criticism and the papers of the day carried strong protests. Many wanted it erected where the OʼConnell monument now stands and even Mountjoy Square was mentioned. On Monday February 15th 1808 in the 48th year of the reign of George the Third, great crowds attended the laying of the foundation stone by Charles

Duke of Richmond and Lennox, Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland. The streets were lined with military, horse yeomanry, foot soldiers with ﬂags, navy and army in uniform. The Duke and the Lord Mayor arrived in splendid coaches drawn by beautiful horses. A little after noon, the Duke took a trowel and laid the foundation stone and the bands played Rule Britannia and I am sure our lady readers will be interested in the fact that red was the favourite colour worn by the ladies present. It was said that the city never looked so colourful. The pillar was completed in August 1809. The architect was Mr Johnston, the statue was by Mr Thomas Kirke. The height of the pillar including the statue was approximately 144ft. from the pavement. The pillar was of the Doric order of architecture, the statue Portland stone and on Trafalgar Day the pillar was covered with ﬂags and bunting. On Tuesday March 8th 1966 at 1.32am the top of the pillar was blown up. During its chequered history many efforts had been made to replace the statue with St. Patrick and Eamon de Valera, amongst others. Dublin Corporation wanted it removed altogether. For thirty four years the

P ILLAR

giant Christmas tree was erected on the spot where the pillar stood, now occupied by the Spire. Much to my shame, I have to admit that, in union with many Dubliners, I never made the ascent of the circular column to see the magniﬁcent views of our beloved Dublin. Today the head of Nelsonʼs Statue rests in the Old Dublin Society, City Assembly House in South William Street, Dublin 2. This tram beside Nelsonʼs Pillar was photographed during a Dublin festival known as ʻAn Tostalʼ in 1953– thus the number on the tram. Photo by Michael Maguire. Pictured below is Nelsonʼs head at the City Assembly House. (This building is currently closed, apparently for renovation).

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 9

ertisement feature - Advertisement feature - Advertisement feature - Advertisement feature - Advertisement feature - Advertisement featu

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL WASTE MANAGEMENT RECYCLING MAKES SENSE IN 2005 THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW PAYMENT BY USE SYSTEM FOR THE COLLECTION OF DOMESTIC WASTE FROM 1ST JANUARY 2005, IS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT BY ENCOURAGING HOUSEHOLDS TO REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE THEIR WASTE MATERIAL AND PRESENT THEIR BINS AND BAGS ONLY WHEN THEY ARE FULL. THE LESS WASTE THAT IS THROWN AWAY IN GREY BINS OR BAGS, THE LESS THE HOUSEHOLDER WILL PAY. ALL HOUSEHOLDS IN DUBLIN CITY NOW HAVE ACCESS TO A GREEN BIN COLLECTION FOR DRY RECYCLABLES. THE CHARGES FOR THE MOST COMMON COLLECTION METHODS ARE AS FOLLOWS. BIN TYPE

STANDING CHARGE

STANDARD WHEELIE BIN (240 LITRES) SMALL WHEELIE BIN (140 LITRES)

CHARGE FOR COLLECTION

PER YEAR

€5

€65 PER YEAR

€3

€80

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PER LABEL INCLUDING STANDING CHARGE

BAG COLLECTION

HOUSEHOLDERS ARE AGAIN REMINDED THAT THE RECYCLING CENTRE AT PIGEON HOUSE ROAD (PH. 6144750) WILL ACCEPT A WIDE RANGE OF MATERIALS THAT CANNOT BE INCLUDED IN THE WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD COLLECTION PROVIDED BY

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL.

THE OPENING HOURS OF THE CENTRE ARE: FEBRUARY 1ST – OCTOBER 31ST MONDAY – FRIDAY 9.00AM – 8.00PM SATURDAY AND BANK HOLIDAYS 9.00AM – 5.00PM NOVEMBER 1ST – JANUARY 31ST MONDAY – FRIDAY 9.00AM – 5.00PM SATURDAYS AND BANK HOLIDAYS 9.00AM – 2.00PM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CHECK OUT WWW.DUBLINWASTE.IE ertisement feature - Advertisement feature - Advertisement feature - Advertisement feature - Advertisement feature - Advertisement featu

PAGE 10

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

C ARL L INNAEUS

R EBECCA IS BELGIUM -BOUND

REBECCA NAGLE, aged 12, from Sandymount has been selected to play for the Dublin Under 13 girlsʼ Basketball team that is travelling to Belgium in May for a ﬁve-day Basketball Tournament She plays for Meteors girlsʼ teams under 14 and under 15. Rebecca is following in her brother Markʼs footsteps as two years ago he played for the Dublin team in the boys U13 Basketball Tournament in Liege, Belgium.

FIANNA FÁIL

Chris Andrews and Eoin Ryan T.D.,M.E.P.

T HE F ATHER OF M ODERN B OTANY

By Austin Cromie

otanists all over the world recognise the name Carl Linnaeus. He is said to be the worldʼs most well-known Swede. He devised a system for the scientific naming of plants and animals, each species being identified by two Latin names. First the genus followed by the name of the species. The yellow water lily, for instance, is called Nuphar Pumila, the Blackberry Rubus Fruticsus and the Banana Musa Sapientum. Linnaeus was born in 1707 in the province of Smaland in Southern Sweden. A son of a curate, his love of flowers developed at an early age: when only eight years old he was nicknamed ʻThe Little Botanistʼ, he studied at the universities of Lund and Uppsala and received his degree in medicine and botany.

The volume of his publications is vast 7,700 about the species of plants and 4,400 of animals that includes Systema Naturae, Benera Plantarum and Species Plantarum. His writings have been studied by every generation of naturalists, including Charles Darwin, who said he was a genius. He was master of the common touch and made rather a big thing of his humble origins. “A great man can step forth from a small shovel,” he wrote in one of his autobiographies. He visited London in 1736 and his impact on professional scientists was enormous. Ten years after his death, the Linnean Society of London was established and in 1802 purchased the Linnaeus Collection from their owner Sir James Edward Smith. These are now permanently housed in the societyʼs headquarters in Burlington House, Piccadilly.

It boasts a membership of over 13,000. They received a grant of arms in 1802 and the design was based on that chosen by Linnaeus. The shield is supported by a lion and an eagle with small shields carrying the plant symbols for England and Scotland on the Lion and the shamrock of Ireland on the eagle. The motto, Naturae Discere Mores, means ʻTo learn the ways of nature.ʼ The Great Man never came to Ireland, though he corresponded with the eminent Mayo scientist Dr. Patrick Browne (c17201790). Another Irish connection is that two of his publications are held by Marshʼs Library beside St. Patrickʼs Cathedral. So next time you stroll around the Botanical Gardens give your attention to the index plates in front of the plants and remember it was the great Latin scholar Carl Linnaeus who classiﬁed the plant kingdom.

TREASURY HOLDINGS EXTENDS COTTAGE

Working together for our Community

If you have any concerns that you would like to raise with either of us, you can contact us on 087-2851515 or Eoin on 6184375

Treasury Holdings intends to build a 16-storey block of 26 apartments on this site at the corner of the Basin at Pearse Street. The site was previously occupied by a cottage.

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 11

DODDER YOUTH LEARNS TO DRIVE

Crataegus Monogyna (Hawthorn): ‘May’/’Common’ This tree was planted in Ringsend Technical College recently in memory of Gay Flavin. What cannot be matched stands alone Because what is unique is unique. Un-common, rare she was– Deep-rooted in humanity Attuned to animals In harmony with music. A child of the sky, of the sea, of the mountain, A mother of the earth:

s we all know the price for driving lessons in this country is very costly. A lot of young people cannot afford to learn how to drive through professional instruction. This is the reason why Dodder Youth Service with the help of the RAC School of Motoring gave young people in the local-

A spirit free to dive or soar ity the opportunity to see what it is like to drive. Using the RAC School of Motoring simulator the young people learned the basics of driving. They then went on to practice the driving theory test with excellent results. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience and now feel they canʼt wait to drive.

Dodder Youth Service would like to thank the RAC School of Motoring and their instructor Tony Whelan for volunteering their services. To ﬁnd out about learning to drive, call the RAC on lo-call 1890621621. Anyone aged 17 and over, living in the area interested in joining the Dodder Youth Service should contact 6608875.

And she did–

Needles, the only wool and haberdashery shop in the area for thirty years. “There is no fabric shop in the new centre. We have customers who like to sew and knit and they have to go into Dublin to get fabric. It really is very sad, particularly for the older people,” she said. “Having said that, we are not bitter towards the new centre– itʼs beautiful, bright, airy and all that.” In addition to the lack of wares to suit them, the vastness of the new centre has proven to be offputting for many older residents. The social aspect of having a small shopping centre in a small village is now destroyed. “Most of the regulars here are elderly and there is absolutely nothing

for them at the new Town Centre,” said Alison. “At one stage a group of elderly people came for coffee at CocoBerrys every day. Theyʼve been coming since I was a child. Before it was CocoBerrys it was Bewleys and they came then too. There are places to eat in the new shopping centre but they are crowded and expensive.” No-one is sure when the old shops will close. “It could be two years or two months. We donʼt know for sure. Itʼs very uncertain,” said Marie from Pins and Needles. “Weʼre not closing down, weʼre hoping for relocation. That was part of the original plans.” Irene from the Flower Shop said, “Itʼs strange they were al-

took us there sometimes but mostly went alone. Alone– not a sad word but whole, all one. She is that still, in our minds, All one. By Moya Ní Helí

‘T HEY WERE ALLOWED TO DO AWAY WITH A VILLAGE ’ By Kate McAlister

he new Town Centre in Dundrum appears to be on its way to being just that– a town centre. But of which town? According to some shopkeepers in the old Dundrum shopping centre, the new building has eclipsed the real centre of Dundrum village and has left many locals feeling used. Both the infrastructural and emotional impact on some local shopkeepers and residents has been extreme, with parking and trafﬁc problems, the loss of old social hubs and the lack of new shops that carry real day-to-day necessities at the Town Centre cited as areas of concern. “From what I gather from the people around here, they feel they have no control over their village anymore,” said Sheila, who has worked in Dundrum Bookshop for four years. “Itʼs very sad. Itʼs too big for this area really because it impacts on the locals and itʼs seven days a week. Most of our regulars are really upset about it. Itʼs hard to know

how itʼs going to pan out.” “Our estates are being used for parking,” alleged Leanne, who works in a small gift shop called Bright Ideas. “When I come to work in the morning there are lines of cars.” Alison, who works with her mother Irene in Ireneʼs Flower Shop held a similar point of view. “The new shopping mall does not cater for staff parking. So they have to park somewhere else. Itʼs changed a lot here and a few people I know are even thinking of moving.” Irene agreed, “There is a feeling that the village has been taken over.” The size of the new shopping centre seems to appeal to the younger generation. “Itʼs great. Itʼs brilliant for shopping. It doesnʼt have pubs and clubs in it but itʼs great,” said Leanne, who is 21. The new Town Centre is full of popular British High Street clothing stores but short on those that provide everyday necessities. Because the type of clothing on offer is mainly aimed at the younger market, there is a feeling that older peopleʼs needs have been overlooked. Marie has worked in Pins and

lowed to do away with a village,” and her daughter added, “I think theyʼre hoping weʼll just disappear.” Don Nugent, Centre Director of the Dundrum Town Centre in a recent letter to The Irish Times said, “When completed, the Dundrum Town Centre will include a community theatre, cinemas, an adult education centre, restaurant, pedestrianised streets, a library, a public square, a hotel, ofﬁces and apartments among other features. The businesses in the centre already include many Irish retailers of various types and all of this will sit alongside the many established local businesses and services on the main street.”

PAGE 12

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

B IG F OOD I

O UT !

By Rose Hogan

f youʼve got the perfect body and the perfect diet to go with it then you wonʼt need to read this article. For the rest of us the Easter chocolate feast is over and itʼs time to start losing weight for the summer. Just one look at last yearʼs strappy tops and shorts can be enough to make us cringe. Are you a martyr to the yo-yo dieting and the tiresome struggle to shed those unwanted pounds, only to have them creep back on in half the time it took to lose them? Well join the club. If you take a walk around the health and nutrition section of any bookstore the amount of diets on offer is mind-blowing. For example thereʼs the seasonal detox diet, the watercress soup diet, the starch-free diet, the south beach diet, the Atkins diet, and one of the latest is the G.I. diet, (glycemic index) and thatʼs to name but a few. The question is do they work? Well, temporarily they can do but, unfortunately thereʼs no miracle diet and the weight always seems to go back on. According to the experts, this is because most of the time when we lose weight by

adjusting our diet, its just ﬂuid and not fat weʼre losing. Sadly, there is no way to lose a pound of excess fat without burning 3,500 calories. So, instead of worrying about dieting we should be concentrating more on exercise. The trouble with diets is theyʼre just plain boring. Weʼre all striving for that perfect body and we

SEAN MOORE COMMUNITY AWARDS 2005 The Sean Moore Awards for ʻexceptional community serviceʼ are presented in memory of Sean Moore, former TD and Lord Mayor of Dublin. This is the tenth Award Ceremony which began in 1988. Nominations are open to individuals and groups from Dublin 2, 4 and 6. Community organisations, residents associations, youth groups, clubs and individuals are invited to submit their nominations marked ʻPrivate and Conﬁdentialʼ to: The Chairperson, Panel of Judges, Sean Moore Community Awards, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4. Nominations which should be in a sealed envelope must be accompanied by background information about the person or group nominated and details of why you think they should receive an award. The awards will be adjudicated by an independent panel of judges. Nominations must reach the judges by 5pm on Friday 30th April.

want results fast. Itʼs no surprise weʼre becoming impatient when we can turn onto programmes like ʻNip Tuckʼ, ʻThe Swanʼ, ʻ10 Years Youngerʼ and ʻExtreme Makeoverʼ. You can have an

eye lift, a brow lift, tummy tuck, breast reshaping and a whole new set of teeth in the length of time it takes to watch two episodes of Coronation Street. Very soon a visit to the Plastic Surgeon will be as common as a visit to the Hairdressers or the Dentist, itʼs already high on the list for loans after cars and holidays. Over on Channel 4 thereʼs ʻYou Are What You Eatʼ with Gillian McKeith. This is the slow, painful approach, where she takes an extremely overweight person and helps them to change their whole lifestyle and diet. Gillian helps them to clear their presses of all the stodgy comfort foods theyʼve been eating for years and replaces them with plenty of green leaves, pumpkin seeds and nettle tea etc. Thereʼs also a very tough exercise programme including a visit to the GYM three or four times a week, which is extremely difﬁcult if youʼve not exercised in years. This is a very drastic change and although it may have immediate results it could become very monotonous after a while. There is an alternative to these extreme measures, itʼs called the ʻJust eat less than you used to

S T M ATTHEW ’ S D AY

dietʼ. Some of the stars like Halle Berry, and Jennifer Garner say that big food is out and portion control is in, and for once itʼs a diet thatʼs gimmick-free, you donʼt count calories, carbs or G.I. you simply eat whatever you like (being sensible of course) but in much smaller quantities than you used to. Itʼs not about starving yourself either or a return to the ʻNouvelle Cuisineʼ of the nineteen eighties when it was all design and no substance. The days of supersizing are gone and the days of smart sizing are here. If you are eating out a lot or someone else is cooking for you, the secret is to stop when you are 75% full, and the rest of the time you make sure to serve yourself a smaller portion than normal. Always put down your knife and fork between bites and try to leave something on the plate even if itʼs only one bean. Combine this with a good, brisk walk at least three times a week, and any other exercise you can do like swimming, cycling, skipping or dancing. Eating less will help with weight loss, but you need the exercise for toning up. Good Luck! Above: The best diet includes plenty of excercise!

A CTION

ST MATTHEWʼS School, Irishtown had a Day of Action in the school in their continuing efforts to obtain a Green Flag. The children planted ﬂower bulbs, collected rubbish, weeded the garden and worked with the compost heap. The children have their own fruit and vegetable patch where they grow potatoes, corn tomatoes and rhubarb. They also have strawberry beds and a herb garden. Young plants are nurtured from seed in a greenhouse, to be re-planted around the gardens of the school. A small area is specially set aside to attract butterﬂies and bees. Frogs, which grew from spawn, inhabit a little pond which has the appropriate foliage and rocks. The young students also recycle a variety of items as part of their environmental activities. Green School Committee members pictured front, from left: Abby Guest, Aiden Coll. Middle: Ellen Coll, Philip Sheehan. Back: Niamh Corcoran, Maeve Coll. Not shown are Coordinator Miss Sheridan and Committee members Christine OʼNeill and Mary Bolton. By John Cheevers

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 13

T HE T ARA P RINCE By Denis Murphy

ifty years ago in the spring of 1955 a team of archaeologists led by Dr Sean OʼRiordain of University College Dublin began what was intended to be a routine expedition on the hill of Tara. On March 12th while excavating what they firmly believed to be a prehistoric settlement on the eastern side of the Mound of Hostages, this dated from about 1500 BC. Tara has for centuries in legend, myth and tradition, always been associated as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Since the arrival of the first Celtic Gaelic tribes around 300 BC, its true history remained somewhat of an enigma. The excavation hoped to unearth some proof to verify that. As the team began to remove soil from the Mound, they eventually came across a huge boulder. Behind it they found a narrow stone passage, four metres long, which divided into three separate chambers. In the first two they found many human remains and simple stone artefacts which led them to believe that they might perhaps be Neolithic or late Stone Age.

Burial chambers similar to this were fairly common in Ireland and Britain from 3000 BC until the coming of the Bronze Age tribes from Europe around 1500 BC. The third chamber revealed a truly astonishing ﬁnd. In a pit surrounded by the cremated remains from a number of bodies, a skeleton was discovered crouched in a foetal position. The remains were clearly later than the previous chambers and lying beside the skeleton was a Bronze Age dagger and pin. Around the area of the neck was an exquisite necklace, consisting of a selection of amber and jet droplets. Set in between them was a series of smaller beads, turquoise coloured and conical in shape, which had been artiﬁcially made and were known popularly as faience beads. These were relatively common in places with advanced civilizations, such as Kemi (Egypt), Minoan Crete or Sumeria. Technology such as this was way beyond the comprehension of the Bronze Age peoples inhabiting Ireland then. Who then was this skeleton the remains of, seemingly buried out of time and place? The fact that he was interred at Tara intact could only mean that he was

L ADIES

WHO

an important personage of some significance. After intensive forensic examination the remains were identified as that of a 14-15 year old male and carbon dated to around 1350 BC. The Irish media and broadsheets of the day called him ʻThe Tara Princeʼ. Dr OʼRiordain the leader of the expedition died shortly after the discovery and the work here ceased completely. Many archaeologists were approached and asked for an opinion as to how the beads may possibly have ended up there, almost all gave the same stock reply: by fluke and a rather extremely isolated incident. Somehow or other they arrived along trade routes, exchanged by different peoples across the European mainland. This glib answer at first seemed so very plausible yet highly improbable. With the cessation of excavations here the Tara dig may yet hold a few more sur-

prising secrets waiting to be revealed. Sixty-six years previous to the Irish ﬁnd, in 1889 at North Molton, Devon, a farmerʼs horse accidentally put his hoof through the top of a Bronze Age tomb. A similar necklace was discovered here around the neck of a man, who it was later revealed died around the same period as the ʻTara Princeʼ. This artefact is now on display in the Exeter museum. One discovery may be considered a ﬂuke, but two and simi-

lar in design, is much more than mere coincidence. When both necklaces were compared with the golden collar around the boy king Tutankhamum, who died around the same period as the Irish and English find, the faience beads were found to be, not only of identical manufacture, but also of matching design. In a recent visit to the National Museum, we were informed by the duty officer that tests were still being carried out on the remains and artefacts of the 1955 dig and no definite date could possibly be given before they would be permitted to go on exhibit. In Britain and Ireland a total of 286 beads were discovered that archaeologists would have us believe all arrived completely by accident. They are only human and even today, with the vast advances made in radiocarbon dating and DNA testing, are still prone to error. Our minds must always remain childishly inquisitive as well as open and investigations into our past must remain constant and continuous or else it will remain a mystery to us forever. (Further reading: ʻKingdom of the Arkʼ by Lorraine Evans).

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P ARTY

FULL RANGE OF BOTH SOLID WOOD AND P.V.C. AVAILABLE WE ARE NOW AGENTS FOR ULTRAGLIDE SLIDING MIRROR WARDROBES BADRA Annual Party for Senior Citizens and people with special needs Left to right: Peggy Memory, Jo Murray, Gretta Black, Carmel Mangan, Eileen Luby, Gladys Raythorn and Terri Brazil.

ALL DUBLIN

AREAS COVERED

PAGE 14

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

D UBLIN C AMERA C LUB A P HOTOGRAPHIC P ARADISE !

A S THIS GREAT D UBLIN INSTITUTION APPROACHES ITS 60 TH BIRTHDAY , M AGGIE N EARY FINDS IT AS VIBRANT AND PROGRESSIVE AS EVER

ugene Carolan our very own ʻNews Fourʼ designer and photo editor was recently elected President of the prestigious Dublin Camera Club of which he has been a member since 1987. He has been on the Council for 12 years and was also President in 1999. The Club, founded in 1945, caters primarily for amateur photographers, although it has generated many professional photographers over the years. The President is just one of the dozen hard-working people on the Council which runs the club on behalf of the members. Sub-committees organise club exhibitions and a number of other events, reporting back to the Council. The Camera Club is entirely nonprofit making, being financed by membersʼ subscriptions and fees from running classes for beginners and more advanced photographers. Recently, I was invited to the Tuesday weekly meeting of the Dublin Camera Club in its premises at 10 Lower Camden Street. I arrived early for the scheduled 8.00 pm start. The room quickly filled up and an aura of fellowship and chat spread a lively atmosphere. The lady beside me, a club member for 10 years commented “itʼs a great night out every Tuesday, tonight is the finals of some three categories of monochrome prints, judged by a visiting professional.” The man at her side joined in the chat. He has been a member for

some 31 years and currently runs the library section of the club. Eugene, meanwhile, having personally welcomed me, went about the business of seeing to the needs of people. Order was called and the evening officially began. After an entertaining hour of commentary on competing photos and applause for the winner, the meeting finished and people adjourned to the second floor coffee dock. Eugene, being now free, took me on a tour of the three-story premises. The meeting area on the ground floor is also used for photo exhibitions, usually open to the public on Saturdays 12.00- 5.00pm. On the walls that evening hung an exquisite black and white exhibition by Gerard Kelleher of Saltee Gannets taken over a twelve-year period. Behind the meeting room are the two darkrooms and toilet facilities. On the second floor people were gathered around the coffee counter or in the library area. Eugene commented, “There is a great mix of members and a very vibrant feel. In age, membership ranges from the very young to the ʻvery highly experiencedʼ! We have a good balance of male and female and a wide spread of people from numerous nationalities, which has enriched the club enormously. The mutual interest in photography is great for breaking down reserves.” Eugene was particularly proud of the Clubʼs third-floor fully equipped

photographic studio which members can utilize to produce portraiture work. Also on this floor is the digital facility. Back in the library, where there is a comprehensive collection of photographic books available for membersʼ use, Eugene showed me the chain of office and the many trophies won by various members throughout the years. He noted: “Photo competitions are a club mainstay. There is a summer competition, five-month League and others. No-one is obliged to enter– many just enjoy looking at the photos. Every Summer there is a major public exhibition, incorporating prizes. This is held at large external venues, last year at the Public Library in Pearse Street. This is the clubʼs major

ʻshop windowʼ and always includes excellent photographs.” For non-members who just wish to improve their photography, the club runs evening courses for beginners, which cover every aspect of producing good digital and ﬁlm photos for all levels and Eugene remarked, “We include a Saturday afternoon workshop, where beginners can get practical experience of studio, digital and darkroom. There is currently a team of 10 excellent presenters, each with their specialist knowledge.” Eugene told me that there is a strong social side to the club. “It is a good place to make friendships. Even romances are not unknown! There are generally outings to areas of interest, usually day trips, sometimes long weekends in Summer. However, these depend on interest from members and pressure of work is a problem for many members nowadays, who would love to get away and take photos.” Eugene himself is modest about his own prowess as a photographer and says he prefers working outside with landscapes and buildings.

The Club runs many other activities, including talks by visiting photographers, advanced courses in Photoshop and digital photography and courses in advanced darkroom printing for which there is considerable demand. Dublin Camera Club is at 10 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2. Weekly meetings are on Tuesday nights at 8pm, all year round. For information on the club visit the website on www.dublincameraclub.ie or phone 6624464. Membership is open to anyone interested in photography. Beginnersʼ classes in photography at the Club commence in September and January each year, with a choice of 6.30pm or 8.30pm sessions. Details of upcoming classes will be advertised in our August issue. Above left: Martin Dolan, on left, explains how to make the most of studio lighting for portraits. Top: Eugene Carolan with the Presidential chain of ofﬁce. Below: Gerard Kelleherʼs (centre) darkroom photographic printing classes are a ﬁrm favourite.

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 15

T HE G OLDEN B OYS

Images by Dublin Camera Club Members A selection of photographs by Dublin Camera Club members. Above is ʻPiʼ by Tatiana Grytsayeva. Left is one image from the superb exhibition of Saltee Gannets by Gerard Kelleher. Below is a view of the Grand Canal taken from Huband Bridge towards Baggot Street Bridge by Eugene Carolan.

TWINS MATTHEW AND OWEN Ennis were winners of the ﬁrst gold medal for Marian College in the Wesley College music festival. This was a great achievement for the boys who came 1st in the under 15s duet. They made their debut at the battle of the bands in Marian and went on to represent the College in March this year with their wonderfully harmonic version of Yesterday by the Beatles. Joseph Murray won the silver medal for Marian in the same competition two years ago.

c c

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PAGE 16

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

Film Scene •••By Michael Hilliard

‘House of Flying Daggers’ DURING THE reign of the Tang dynasty in China, a secret organization called ʻThe House of the Flying Daggersʼ rises to oppose the government. A government deputy called Leo (played by ʻInfernal Affairsʼ star, Andy Lau) sends his friend and fellow deputy

Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) to investigate Mei (Zhang Ziyi of Crouching Tiger fame), a suspected member of the ever-elusive ʻFlying Daggersʼ. Leo arrests Mei, and the two men hatch a cunning plan to lead the police to the new leader of the secret organization. There has been a recent Western surge in the popularity of Chinese

martial arts ʻwushuʼ movies. Since Ang Leeʼs ʻCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonʼ debuted in 2000, audiences have begged for more. The man responsible for satisfying the demand is director Zhang Zimou, who last year gave us Jet Li in ʻHeroʼ. His follow-up has ﬁnally arrived on western shores, but is it worthy? In a word, no. The movieʼs only real plus points are the stunning cinematography by Xiaoding Zhao and the production design by Tingxiao Huo. Every frame of this movie is presented beautifully, with inventive and entertaining action set-pieces to rival those of any decent western action movie. However, one canʼt help but feel that ʻHouse of Flying Daggersʼ was a rush job, hoping to capitalise on the success of ʻHeroʼ. The script is a mess of clichés and wooden dire-logue, with a third act throwing twist after twist at the audience, battering them into

submission. A disappointing film. 2.5 out of 5 ‘Melinda and Melinda’ ʻMelinda and Melindaʼ is Woody Allenʼs thirty-sixth feature film in as many years. Hit and miss in recent times, with the likes of ʻAnything Elseʼ and ʻThe Curse of the Jade Scorpionʼ, Allen seems to have returned to form with this latest offering. Over a meal in a New York restaurant, a pair of writers and their fellow diners argue back and forth about their take on the essence of life, encouraging one another to chip in with their views along the way. Is the essence of life comic or tragic? For argumentʼs sake, one of the diners tells the tale of a mysterious woman who shows up out of the blue at a dinner party one evening. Two of the writers then take us through the tale, one adopting a tragic tone, the other comic, with both interpretations played out through the titular character. Radha Mitchellʼs (ʻMan on Fireʼ, ʻPitch Blackʼ) central performance is the key to understanding the significance of Allenʼs

cross-genre script. It is crucial for the audience to buy her character as both a suicidal, depressed hopeless case, and at the same time, a more traditional romantic-comedy heroine whose inevitable success with love cushions the occasional falls from grace along the way. Mitchell is ably supported by the dramatic talents of Chloe Sevigny (Melindaʼs lifelong friend Laurel) and Chiwetel Ejiofer (love interest, Ellis Moonsong) and the comedic talents of Will Ferrell and Amanda Peet, as a couple drifting apart, offering Melinda refuge in their home. An interesting and thought provoking central concept will hold

POOLBEG Y ACHT AND BOAT CLUB

By Frances Corr

lthough there is a long tradition of boating in the Ringsend/Irishtown area most locals would have viewed the sea as a way of earning a living, and for many years there was no tradition of organised boating or sailing clubs in the area. The Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club (PYBC) was founded in 1970 by a group of enthusiasts from various boating backgrounds. The founding members of the club initially held its

meetings in various locations in and around the area, such as the CYMS Hall, Irishtown Road, the Mission Hall, York Road, the IGB training centre, in fact anywhere that was available. Eventually, they managed to acquire a trawler called the ʻRos Picoʼ, which was purchased in 1972 and berthed at the bank to the east of the present site of the club house. The trawler was damaged in a high spring tide and gale that lifted the boat on to the rock armour and it rolled over on the falling tide. The enterprising club members managed to lift the wheelhouse

and place it on the quayside and used it as a meeting room until the development of the first club house in 1987. The new Club at South Bank, Pigeon House Road, Ringsend hosts a bar and lounge, showers, changing rooms, training facilities, television lounge and reading room. The new Poolbeg Marina has 100 fully serviced berths. PYBC has 18 junior members at present. The Club is hosting an open day for juniors ranging in age from 8 to 17 years on Saturday 7th May between 2pm and 6pm for young peo-

ple from the area who wish to learn boating skills. A parent or guardian must accompany all children. All instructors are members of the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) and are fully qualified and trained to deal with young people, sailing and their safety. Young people can become members of PYBC for a small fee of €28 per year plus ISA membership of €14. Dave Berney is a member of the club committee and is the Secretary of the junior club. James (Jimmy) Murphy is the Club Manager and will be

only too pleased to deal with any enquiries for club member ship, or queries about the club or training or hiring the facilities for functions etc. The official opening of the boat club will take place on Saturday 21st of May at 12pm and this will be followed with the traditional blessing of the boats on the following day Sunday 22nd of May also at midday. Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club and Marina can be contacted at 6689983 (10.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday), email: club@poolbegmarina.ie, website: www.poolbegmarina.ie

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005 your attention all the way through, but it is down to personal taste whether one is more satisﬁed by one take on the story or the other. As the stories progressed though, it became apparent that, on that particular day, the comedic story arc was the clear winner. Effectively, two movies for the price of one, Melinda and Melinda is a satisfying slice of movie entertainment, which uniquely caters to both the die hard romantic and world weary cynic. 4 out of 5 ‘The Machinist’ Writer Scott Kosar had the unenviable task of scripting the remake of ʻThe Texas Chainsaw Massacreʼ in 2003, but when that did big business stateside, he was immediately tapped to pen the script for another upcoming horror remake, ʻThe Amityville Horrorʼ. Between those two jobs, however, Kosar teamed up with director Brad Anderson to deliver his most accomplished work to date. ʻThe Machinistʼ is the story of Trevor Reznik, an insomniac lathe-operator whose physical and mental health is steadily declining.

PAGE 17 Exhausted and fatigued, Reznik claims to have not slept in a year, shufﬂing through life one day at a time, desperate for some rest. Strange occurrences begin to plague his daily life, what with the appearance of creepy Ivan, and seemingly inexplicable post-it notes appearing in his apartment. Christian Bale presents an outstanding portrayal of the emaciated, sickly Reznik. His dedication to the character was compounded by his sixty three pound weight loss, a record for any actor for a movie role. It works shockingly well as both the physical representation of a tortured soul, and metaphorically as a man who is wasting away,

consumed by some untold fear or guilt. On supporting duties are Jennifer Jason Leigh, as Reznikʼs hooker girlfriend, and the always value-for-money Michael Ironside as his co-worker, Miller. Structurally, ʻThe Machinistʼ is most obviously inﬂuenced by the time-twisting ʻ21 Gramsʼ or perhaps ʻMementoʼ but the look and feel of the movie is reminiscent of David Fincherʼs work. Baleʼs revelatory central performance, some genuinely creepy imagery, and a smartly-written (if not very original) script make ʻThe Machinistʼ highly recommended viewing. 4 out of 5

Four Unmissable Summer Blockbusters! THE RECENT onslaught of post-Oscar, pre-Summer lower budget movies, has brought on the usual drought of B-I-G movies, that crucial element in any film-goers diet; The Blockbuster. Listed below, are previews of four major studio releases waiting to be discovered at a multiplex near you, this summer. ʻThe Hitchhikerʼs Guide to the Galaxyʼ – April 29th Early word on this one is good, the eagerly awaited retelling of the immensely popular radio series/novel/television show of the same name. First-time feature director Garth Jennings is one half of ʻHammer and Tongsʼ, the music video team that brought us Blurʼs ʻCoffee and TVʼ and ʻPumping on your Stereoʼ by Supergrass. Starring Martin (Tim from ʻThe Officeʼ) Freeman, the excellent Sam Rockwell, John Malkovich, Bill Nighy and Stephen Fry as ʻThe Guideʼ. ʻKingdom of Heavenʼ– May 6th Director Ridley Scott returns to ʻGladiatorʼ-style period epic territory with this Crusades tale. Starring Orlando Bloom as a French blacksmith who inherits an estate in 12th century Palestine, it remains to be seen if there is still a public appetite for period epics after sitting through ʻThe Lord of the Ringsʼ trilogy, ʻTroyʼ, ʻKing Arthurʼ et al. Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson and Brendan Gleeson also star. ʻRevenge of the Sithʼ– May 19th The sixth and final chapter in the thirty-year ʻStar Warsʼ saga will see Anakin Skywalker be seduced by the dark side, and will mark the return of one of cinemaʼs greatest bad guys, Darth Vader. Early word appears to be positive, with many promising that the film makes up for the lacklustre efforts of the previous prequel episodes. Stars Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christiansen, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson and Christopher Lee. ʻSin Cityʼ– June 3rd Being billed as the new ʻPulp Fictionʼ, ʻSin Cityʼ is the movie adaptation of Frank Millerʼs acclaimed graphic novel series of the same name. Told over three intertwining stories, the movie is being co-directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez, with a guest director credit afforded to Quentin Tarantino. A hard 18s cert. is expected, as the movie will stick closely to its ultra-violent roots. A dream cast includes Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Benicio del Toro, Jessica Alba, Nick Stahl, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Elijah Wood.

PAGE 18

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

R UNNING

SPORTSCO Has a vacancy for a

Full Time GYM Instructor Contact: Lorna Brady at 6687022

SELENA KEMPLE will by running the Mini-Marathon in June to raise funds to buy essential equipment for the Cardiac Department at Our Ladyʼs Childrenʼs Hospital in Crumlin. She came into ʻNewsFourʼ to tell us the story of Abbie Rose who was born in the hospital on April 2000. It was 21st March 2000 that the doctors told us that our unborn child had a complicated heart problem. Until the baby was born they could not tell us any details. We waited, praying and crying until 11 April when my beautiful daughter Abbie Rose was born. She weighed 4lbs 12 oz and was immediately put into a tiny incubator with lots of different monitors. I hated the noise they made and was very confused and sad. On 30th May we were told that Abbie would have to have an operation immediately. The doctor explained to me with diagrams all the problems with her heart but I couldnʼt take it in. Something inside me didnʼt

FOR

want to know. I just kept saying “everything will be all right.” Abbie came home on 12 July 2000 after spending three months in hospital. She had further corrective surgery in August 2002. The operation took ten hours. The doctors were fantastic and once again I had a new child and we were home within a week. In July 2004 Abbie went for her big operation. She died on the operating table, her little heart could take no more. Abbie in her four years of life has touched so many peopleʼs hearts, she will live on in our hearts forever. If you wish to run in the Mini-Marathon for this worthy cause, sponsorship cards may be obtained from Selena at 086 6015304. If you would like to make a donation to the account in AIB Bank Sandymount the details are as follows Account Name: The Vintage Baldies, Account no. 251 44011, sort code 933600.

A BBIE R OSE

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 19

‘Set Free’ A WORK OF FICTION BY

GEORGE KERR

can remember early childhood now in old age, but what event came ﬁrst and at what age? I can see myself in the sun, in our backyard by the river in Cork, making mudpies, a favourite and clear vision, my mother in the kitchen behind me. Perhaps I was then two or three years old; I know that this picture comes more often than most, but I donʼt know why and cannot be sure if it is my ﬁrst memory. Easily recalled is being carried on the cross-bar of a bicycle by one of my brothers out the Carrigrohane Road on the way for a swim in the Lee; or days with my oldest sister, now long dead, with me just able to walk, or in my go-car. She left home to be a Nun (the traditional hostage to religion of the times) when I was only three, and I never saw her again as she went as a Missionary to Cairo. Clear recollections are those of the old Jail off Western Road, and also the Asylum, as my sisters would point both out to me with implied threats of my future place of residence if I did not “behave”. Whether I “behaved” well or badly in my fu-

ture existence is not for me to be the judge. It is not clear if the happy or sad memories are the stronger, for mixed equally with the sunny days and buttercups by the Lee fields are those black scenes of my parents of an evening, with sudden eruptions of shouting and hatred, the cause never known to me, and perhaps obscure to them, as they fought against their burdens of too many children and too little time left, and those strange menopausal shadows that can haunt the middle years for us all. I wonder how they lived and fought, and if they ever tried to analyze what socio-psycho-religious conglomeration of circumstances made them cry out so in their agony, or were they just eating, working, mating and sleeping creatures with no end in view, taking what their instincts bade them, seared much of the time by threats and visions of eternal fires presented to them on Sundays? We lived in a small house by the Lee, our family large and close, happy and unhappy, loving and hating and fighting, it

seemed for no more than minutes in any one state at any time. I got a fair education from the Presentation Brothers, my only remnant of this being my clear handwriting, as I enjoyed copying scripts. I think that much of my education of value was gathered from the streets of my hometown. My Fatherʼs promotion in the Garda brought us to Dublin, and me to the care of the Jesuit Fathers for a further eight years of

Times Past in Dublin… Under Christchurch arch, about 1950. Photo by Dick Deegan.

schooling. A lasting memory of my senior years at school is of the good Fathers trying to guide us in the path of righteousness. On one such occasion I was reduced to near celibacy by the intricate and oblique references to sexual activity and its terrible hazards and possible consequences– these delivered by a cadaverous Cleric in a dimly lit Chapel. It says much for the inherited instincts of man that I recovered within weeks of leaving school, even taking pleasure in the occasional bad thought. My recovery was hastened by the choice of Medicine as a career and the process was not retarded by my introduction to Arthur Guinness in the pubs of central Dublin. It was in the mid-thirties that I arrived in the capital, and the disappearance of Mrs. Ball was a sensation of the time; I had many a swim at the bottom of Corbawn Lane in Shankill where her remains may have been a companion for a time– her body was not recovered. In retrospect, a recurring thought is the dismantling of the human body, layer by layer. I spent several years as a student, and later as a demonstrator, in my favorite subject of anatomy. Never in all those years did I see, or hear of, a body being dishonored in the slightest degree– entry into that great hall seemed to bring a temporary reverence to even the most light-hearted.

We seemed to share with the dead a sacred act in the donation of their remains, and their wishes to beneﬁt humankind. After graduation I spent early years in traditional posts in teaching hospitals around Dublin then migrated to Britain, like so many others, in search of enough money to get married. Then with wife and child to support, I had the need and impetus to get a higher degree in medicine, and this I obtained after another two years of intensive study. Then, suddenly, I found my niche. It seemed a religious vocation as I became a Geriatrician, caring day-by-day for the elderly– life was good at last, busy with happy days in the clinic, visiting the wards knowing that my sympathy was much appreciated; gradually my real work was realized. At the end of each life I could see the countenance of one after another portraying something like a benediction as the relief from pain and anxiety spread gently across aged features. My merciful syringe was always ready– the dose delivered usually toward evening, so often coinciding with the change-over of nursing staff from day to night duty rosters. My Grandmother was one of my dearest triumphs, smiling at me in trust and slowly receding from the scene of her earthly trials. As she slipped to her reward, I was reminded of the lines from Thomas Hood– “We thought her dying when she slept, and sleeping when she died”. It could not go on indeﬁnitely, for this is life on earth, a place of imperfections and torment, man, as so often, his own worst enemy. After some 37 cases of beautiful deliveries from this vale of tears, that last Coroner was far too suspicious and probing, with critical questioning. I have served enough, the dead have given me a mission served faithfully, so my time has not been wasted.

PAGE 20

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

I N P RAISE OF C LAY By Maggie Neary

“E

very day Iʼm here I go out to walk on the South Wall. The work is very much water-based. The colours reflect sea blues and the golds of the sand. My inspiration comes from those walks and also, of course, from the west of Ireland.” So commented Julie Shiels, when I met her in her pottery studio in Sandymount, surrounded by work in progress and captivating finished pieces Julie pointed out the two kilns and explained a little about the process, which starts, she said, with a bag of clay. She puts a lump of clay on the potterʼs wheel and shapes for example a jug, which is then allowed to become leather-hard before the first firing in the kiln for about 8 hours. Then it is decorated and put back in the kiln for another 12 hours– this is the glaze firing. Julie herself uses a variety of techniques, some of her work is thrown on the wheel, and some of it is handled. She said “My work has to be

hand-painted to achieve the desired variety of colours and movement. Work could be sprayed but to get the sense of movement it has to be done by hand.” Julie is from Cavan and originally had a studio in Irishtown, which became too small. She started seven years ago and for three years did showcases at the RDS Craft Fair, building up a reputation. Foot and mouth intervened and began a rapid downhill spiral for Irish craftspeople. With the fall-off in tourism orders many businesses went to the wall. She says “I survived, I believe, because I am very diverse. I teach night classes, and childrenʼs workshops and in doing that I actually discovered that this is how I prefer to work. Iʼm not really a mass production potter, Iʼm much more an artist. And I also like to teach. When I was just supplying shops fulltime I found that I lost touch with my creativity. “I teach a lot here in the studio. Tuesday and Wednesday nights, 7 9pm. Tuesday is an advanced class. There are six to a class. We work in a very individual way. All the students make individual pieces and

are encouraged to develop their own creativity. Wednesday night is for beginners and less advanced. And there is the childrenʼs class, which I plan to restart on Saturday mornings. Iʼm also an outreach teacher for the NCAD. “Clay is good for people to work with. They start playing with it and suddenly realise that they can do things with it without engaging the mind, expression seems to be born almost accidentally but thatʼs not

quite the case, itʼs just the nature of clay, it is a very unstressed way of creating. “But of course Iʼm a potter,” Julie says, “so I end up working quite differently and I do get stressed. I get a monthly order from Kilkenny Design. I have to ﬁre the kiln every week; it has to be full of work to make economic sense. If I donʼt do that I can forget it. As a potter I design my work ﬁrst, so I am working to a prototype Iʼm

working with ideas in my head. I do a lot of one-off commission work. I like to combine different kinds of work if possible”. She pointed to the beautiful bigbellied vase decorated in ﬂowing blue colours sitting high up on a shelf. Financially, she says, hers is not the easiest route to take but it is her preferred one. Julie sells from the studio and can be contacted for classes, commissions, or sales at: 01 6671745.

Clyne Bros COME IN AND SEE OUR SELECTION OF

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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 21

Sandymount Credit Union Limited 13 Bath Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4 Tel: 6685079 / 5073. Fax: 6681807 Website: www.sandymountcu.ie Email: info@sandymountcu.ie

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PAGE 22

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

B ACK TO THE F UTURE By Grainne McGuinness

hen we were children growing up in Irishtown, our aunts, uncles, and cousins were regular visitors to our house. We loved them coming for the hooleys, because all us kids were sure to get a glass of orange, sweets and a few pennies to keep us occupied while all the old people, probably in their late twenties, had a few drinks and the sing-song. As the night wore on, my Dad and his brother would get sentimental and always talked about Matilda. Who is Matilda, you might ask? Matilda was their sister who met and married a local man, Robbie Donovan, from Margaretʼs Place, Bath Avenue. Nothing unusual about that, except that was ten or more years earlier, and nobody had heard from her since. Not even a postcard. They were just an ordinary family. There were three boys (Paddy, Bob and Bill) and two girls (May and Matilda). They were born on Cambridge Road, in Ringsend and years later they moved to Stella Gardens. When Matilda married Robbie, there was a huge wedding party in the house. Everyone had a great time but little did the family think, as they waved them goodbye on their honeymoon, that it would be the last time they would ever see her.

The Youth Forum

he Youth Forum is a group of young people that were elected in 2000 to represent the youth of Ringsend and District. They have organised many events since then with the most recent one being the Open Day with a Solicitor (Ronan Sheehan) and the local Garda (Paul Byrne) on Young Peopleʼs Rights. Some of the questions posed and the answers given are listed below: Q. Do the Gardai have the right to move us on from a pub-

The years passed and when my grandparents died, the family tried to contact Matilda through radio and newspaper appeals in Ireland and England. They never gave up trying to ﬁnd her, every year placing ads in newspapers. My dad travelled to England several times, to where his brother lived and they would both continue the search for some information, but to no avail. They never gave up until the day they died. The mystery remained with us all through our lives, another generation left in the dark, asking the same questions. What could have happened to her? Is she dead? If not, how could she not get in touch at least to say she was okay? I often let my own thoughts wander was it a case of ʻHoudiniʼ? Well, we know that she vanished! Or was it a case of ʻwho done it?ʼ Was she murdered? Is she lying in an unmarked grave somewhere? One day, I was sitting at home. My mother had gone into town with my two sisters, June and April. I knew they wouldnʼt be back for hours so I sat down to read the paper, when I heard the postman. I went to see what was in the hall and it was a letter addressed to my Dad. I just stared at it because my Dad had been dead for many years. Who on earth could this be from? Then I looked at the back of the envelope, and saw the

senderʼs name, Matilda Donovan. The hair stood up on the back of my neck. It was forty-seven years since we had heard from her. I remember I was shaking and thinking the worst part was how to give this letter to my mother. I knew it would be a shock as she went through all the hurt with my Dad over the years. My mind was racing. I was dying to tell someone but they were all out. It seemed like the longest day of my life. Finally they came home. I kept thinking “How am I going to tell her?” I looked at her and said “I

think you had better sit down. I have something to show you.” As she looked at the letter, she said “My God, who could be writing to your Dad after all these years?” “Look at the back of the letter and youʼll know.” “Oh my God, I donʼt believe it.” I said “Do you want a cup of tea?” She replied “No. Give me a bloody brandy!” The letter went as follows: My Dear Paddy, Iʼm very sorry for not keep-

lic place, eg move us from the playground or from the Library Building if we are doing nothing wrong and do we have to move? A. They do if the person or group is causing noise or anti social behaviour or if a local resident has complained. If the Gardai ask you to move they have a reason and you do have to move. If you have an issue with this you can write to the Gardai Commissioner or local Superintendent. Q. What is the legal age to buy cigarettes? A. The legal age to buy cigarettes is 18 years old.

Q. Do the Gardai have the right to treat young people badly? A. No. Gardai do not have the right to treat young people badly. If you have a complaint about the way a Gardai has treated you, you can write to the Garda Commissioner, Gardai complaints board or make the complaint in person at any Garda station. Q. What is the legal age for having sex? A. The legal age for having sex is 17 years old. Q. Have the Gardai the right to search me for no reason or do they have to give a reason?

A. No. Gardai do not have the right to search you for no reason. If a Gardai is given a description of somebody that has broken the law and you match that description Gardai then have a right and a reason to search you. They may also have grounds to search under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Q. What is the legal age to drink alcohol? A. The legal age to drink alcohol is 18. Q. What is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child? A. This is an international agreement that Ireland agreed to which means that Ireland is

ing in touch all these years, but I want to put that right now. Myself and Robbie lived in England for a few years after we were married and then we moved to New South Wales, Australia. We have a very happy life together. Robbie is a wonderful husband. We have no children. I hope you will write to me. Iʼm very sorry such a long time has passed. All my love, Your Sister, Matilda. I said “Is that it? No explanation?” Well, at least we knew she was alive. Her phone number was on the note so my mother dialled the number and on the other end, was a cheerful voice. My Mam said who she was and I could hear Matilda laughing with delight on the other end of the phone. So what had happened? Why did she never get in touch? Did something happen? She said that nothing happened, but that over the years it got harder and harder to get in touch. She just sent the letter on the off chance that someone might still be living here. My Mam had to tell her that her Mother, Father, brothers, and sister were dead. She told her about her nieces and nephews, trying to ﬁll her in on all that had happened over the years. Four years have passed. We ring and write to her every few weeks. Her husband Robbie died last year, and she misses him an awful lot. She thanks God that she found the courage to put pen to paper and get in touch because now, she has us. It just goes to show that if thereʼs anything you want to do, no matter how many years pass, itʼs never too late. Diverse roads: Matilda and Robbie pictured early in their marriage. saying our society will respect childrenʼs rights and make every effort to satisfy childrenʼs needs and nurture their potential. Q. What are the Rights of the Child? A. Survival rights, development rights, protection rights, participation rights. Q. When they say child what age do they mean? A. Any young person under the age of 18. The Youth Forum would like to thank Ronan Sheehan, Paul Byrne and all the TDs, Councillors, volunteers and young people who attended.

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 23

For Sale by Private Treaty

ʻThe Retreatʼ,

Richmond, Templemore, Co. Tipperary Westgate, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Price: offers in excess of €575,000

Tel: 0504 90500 Email: sfryantalbot@eircom.net Net: www.myhome.ie

ʻThe Retreatʼ, built circa 1820, is a fine period residence of immense character and charm extending to 3,170 sq ft and conveniently situated within minutes walk of The Square, Templemore Golf Club, Tennis Club and Templemore Town Park. ʻThe Retreatʼ is also within one hour & ten minutes commuting distance of Dublin, with rail facilities close by. The beautifully appointed accommodation provides a good balance between bedroom and reception accommodation. While retaining many original features synonymous with its era including coving, some exposed original timber floors and window shutters, ʻThe Retreatʼ also benefits from a number of modern conveniences. The present owners have undertaken a number of restorative works including new roof, rewiring, installation of new windows and a central heating system. The sale of ʻThe Retreatʼ offers a rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful residence of historic importance in an excellent location.

* One hour and seven minutes commuting time to Dublin * Low cost childcare * Low cost insurance * Highly visible security (Garda College) * Strong community spirit * Excellent sporting facilities

PAGE 24

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

T HE M AN M E M OTHER M ARRIED L IFE

WITH

N OEL P URCELL (P ART 4)

By Patrick Purcell

n 6th February, 1985, I got the call that any child of any age would dread. I was woken at 6.00am by the phone. It was my brother, Victor, calling from Dublin to say that Dad was very poorly and the prognosis wasnʼt good. In fact, could we get home as soon as possible? He didnʼt go into details, nor did he need to, as it galvanized us into action and we started ringing the airlines. Frantic packing of winter clothes (mid-summer in Sydney for us!) and hasty arrangements of money, passports and taxis followed and we made the 3pm Sydney-Singapore-London-Dublin ﬂight. 26 hours in an aeroplane gives one a lot of time to worry, panic and generally feel more and more despondent as we got closer to Ireland. It also gave me a lot of time to think about Dad and what this might actually mean to us as a family and what we might have to do. We arrived at 9am the day after the call (due to the 10-hour time difference in Sydney.) My brother, Mike, and Mum met us as we fell out of the taxi and off we went to the Adelaide. Dad was in a general ward of about six (his request, he didnʼt want to be on his own in a private room). When we got to his bedside he was awake and sitting up and delighted to see us, saying “Yiz didnʼt have to

come all this way for me, did ye?” He looked frail and a bit shrunken and, compared to our trip the previous year, old. I hadnʼt thought of Da as ever getting old. One thing about the white hair and beard was that he looked the exact same to us for about 30 years. We should all look so good. Anyway, he was O.K. at the time and Mum and Victor told me the whole story of how the ca-

The Vintage

tastrophe happened. A couple of nights before, late in the evening , as Mum was drying the cups in the kitchen and getting ready for bed, she heard the most almighty crash in the hallway. She rushed out to ﬁnd Dad, ﬂat on his back at the bottom of the stairs, looking ghostly white. All 5 foot of Mum struggled with all 6 feet 4 inches of Da and managed to get him into the liv-

ing room, where Dad told her heʼd just reached the top of the stairs when he felt thʼ aulʼ legs going and, knowing what was coming , heʼd used the old theatre tumbling training and rolled onto a ball. Thirteen steps later, he hit the floor and was winded, he said, but no 84-year old bones broken, thank God. But it did take a lot out of him, so Mum left him on the sofa and next morning, when she checked, found he wasnʼt looking very well. She got him a cup of tea and said, “Noel, I donʼt like the look of you, better get you checked out.” Dad said “Fair Enough” and Mum called the ambulance. What went next mixed elements of the Keystone Kops and Fawlty Towers, but I suppose, when Dadʼs name was mentioned as the casualty, it was only natural Dad was sitting in the living room having a cuppa, when sirens blaring, around the corner hurtles the ambulance and a rescue truck. In came the squad equipped for everything from extracting a kidʼs finger from a plughole to jacking up the entire house! Anyway, thereʼs Dad and Mum having their cuppa, so they all wait and chat till Dad finishes, whereupon he proclaims: “The Adelaide was nice the last time, weʼll go there.” “Fair enough,” say the Ambulance crew and Mum and Dad get aboard and with full sirens and lights away they go. Halfway down Baggot Street, on the way to the hospital, Mum suddenly looked at Dad and said, “Oh Dear!”

The Ambulance men looked at her in major concern and at Dad and said “What is it, Missus?” Mum said: “Iʼve forgotten his bottle.” The Ambulance man said, “Donʼt worry, thereʼll be plenty of his medicine when we get there.” Mum says: “No, you donʼt understand, I mean his bottle, ye know… er his Paddy Whiskey!” “No problem, Missus, “ sez the driver, and Dublin was treated to the sight of an ambulance pulling up to an off-licence, sirens and lights still going, a fellow getting out of the back, trotting in and emerging with Dadʼs treasured Drop, followed by the ambulance roaring away to the Adelaide. All true and actually RTE reported in the news, that “Famous actor, Noel Purcell, was today taken to hospital after a fall at home, but cannot be too badly hurt, as they stopped for a drink on the way!” After he was settled in, the doctor examined him and said to Mum: “His heartʼs not good and heʼs not well at all.” Mum: “I thought his heartʼs as strong as an ox.” Doc: “Well, not at all. Havenʼt you noticed Noelʼs lips are quite blue.” Mum: “Heʼs had a beard on him for 30 years, how would I?” Doc: “Well, didnʼt you see his nose is all purple?” Mum: “Ah, sure I thought that was from the Jar!” (Final episode in our next edition in June) Above: Noel in action, 1940s.

N ATIONAL T REE W EEK

74 Irishtown Road

LUNCH SERVED 12.00 – 2.30PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY BEER GARDEN SMOKING AREA TO THE REAR

NATIONAL TREE WEEK is in its 21st year. This year the theme is ʻHarvesting an ocean of airʼ, which reﬂects the concerns for global warming caused by the build up of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. One way to combat this build up is to plant more trees which absorb CO2 and release the oxygen contained within, back into the atmosphere. Pupils from St Matthewʼs School, Sandymount and St Patrickʼs Boysʼ School, Ringsend contributed to this greener, healthier environment by taking spade

in hand and planting two trees in Ringsend Park. The trees are Prunus Sargentii, which are a variety of Cherry tree, originally from Korea, ﬂowering with mauve/pink blossoms. The leaves have good autumn colours and in early winter they are scarlet. The young students were helped in their task by the parkʼs main gardener, Norman Hennessy and staff. Norman Hennessy is pictured above with students, teachers and parents from St. Matthewʼs. By John Cheevers

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 25

ODE TO T HE G ASWORKS , D UBLIN 4 By Jennifer Hutton WHEN EIGHTEEN-twentyseven came, it seemed as any year the same. But Barrow Street will neʼer forget that in that year the scene was set to build there on some vacant land a gasometer ʻto beat the band!ʼ

A BUILDER was glad to buy such a treasure ʻTo build on such land will be my great pleasure The round ironwork frame is really tremendous and filled up with apartments it will look stupendous.ʼ

NO COMMON gasometer would it be, like some around for all to see. No. The news left the locals elated for they heard it was to be decorated. A lovely iron frame, whatʼs more would be built around its central core. THE HUGE core (a sort of upside down saucepan construction) But telescopic, my dear, quite a new introduction. This centre core, all made of steel, unlike the others, had much appeal for as the gas ﬁlled it, it would rise up and up towards the skies. BUT WHEN gas-stoves got busy

BUT TIME moves on, the years went past, and when the city was ʻnaturallyʼ gassed, our lovely gasometer was no longer needed The central core gone, it lay cold and unheeded Until the Gas Company with brains so bright had a great idea ʻWeʼll sell the siteʼ.

around Ringsend Town, The telescopic core would go down and down. And then the iron frame came into its own, when its lacey beauty was truly shown. Against the sky the tracery stood

out, proving the people of old knew what they were about. FEELING MUCH pride in their work we are sure, but much tedious repetition they had to endure.

Obviously they kept at it, they didnʼt stop, and at last one great day, they came out at the top. They ﬁnished it with iron ﬁngers pointing up to the skies And packed up their tools with very contented sighs!

WE ARE glad the old landmark was kept in its place To melt down or dump it would have been a disgrace. A gasometer filled with people will be something new But weʼre sure theyʼll be happy to look out at the view Theyʼre near Dublin City, canal, park and river No car, they can walk, a great help to their liver.

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CHILDREN’S MENU

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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

The Jukebox Review paper for the past ten years, and have really enjoyed it. I just hope that youʼve heard about some decent music over the years, and that Iʼve helped ﬁlter out some of the dross thatʼs out there! I canʼt thank the following people enough: Anne Ingle, Eugene Carolan, Anthony Mackey, and in particular Dennis McKenna who took a chance and gave me the job– thank you, thank you, thank you!

MUSIC

By Dan Hegarty

ith new albums from New Order, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Mars Volta, and Beck, March and April 2005 have proven to be musically fertile months. ʻWaiting For The Sirenʼs Callʼ (London) New Orderʼs latest album comes highly recommended. Itʼs hard to say whether itʼs one of their best, but if youʼre a fan, you wonʼt be disappointed. The Bravery have been acclaimed in recent months for good reason too. However, their debut album ʻThe Braveryʼ (Loog) is slightly disappointing. The main problem with it is one that is common with a lot of debuts– it relies on four or ﬁve strong tracks to carry it. Saul Williams is a guy whoʼs been around for a while, but until now has largely been overlooked. His current album ʻSaul Williamsʼ (Wichita) is incredible. Pick of the tracks is ʻAct III Scene 2 (Shakespeare)ʼ which features former Rage Against The Machine vocalist Zack De La Rocha. Buy this album at all costs, itʼs destined to be one of the records of the year. The latest ʻB-Sides & Raritiesʼ (Mute) compilation from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds has some very interesting stuff on it. This deﬁnitely isnʼt for any newcomers, itʼs more suited to his hardcore followers. Jack Whiteʼs pal Brendan Benson has struck the right notes with his third solo album ʻThe Alternative To Loveʼ (V2). Heʼs an artist that youʼll get to appreciate more and more– fans of Jason Falkner should check this record out. Fold is the latest guise of Hyper (Borea) man David Bickley. ʻSlowburnʼ (Fold) is an album that suits the quietest hours of the night, evoking traditional imagery with an electronic treatment. Speaking of electronic, ʻBangzillaʼ (Immortal) from

RECOMMENDED Beck ʻGueroʼ (Interscope) Engineers ʻEngineersʼ (Echo) Populous ʻQueue For Loveʼ (Morr)

New Order keep the good stuff coming. Mix Master Mike should be on your list of records to get if acts like Beastie Boys, Hurricane, and Moneymark are your thing. While you have your pen in your hand, add Halfsetʼs ʻDramanalogʼ (Elusive) to that list– mellow, beautiful and highly recommended. There has been plenty of talk about ʻLullabies To Paralyzeʼ (Interscope) by Queens Of The Stone Age. Some say itʼs not half the record that ʻSongs For The Deafʼ is, others say itʼs better– the fact is, itʼs a very dif-

ferent album. The guitar sound isnʼt quite as intense, yet ʻLullabies To Paralyzeʼ has a composed quality that not of the other QOTSA albums have. If they havenʼt won you over yet, then Stanley Super 800ʼs ʻ2-Hours-Lateʼ EP (Bingo) might just do so. The Cork band have built quite a following after the release of their album last year, and this EP maintains their high standards. Joe Chester has had an impressive career thus far. He was a key member of Ten Speed

Racer, and the main guy behind the short-lived Sound Of Bells. His new solo album ʻA Murder Of Crowsʼ (BARP) contains a nice collection of songs, but at times some are a little too nice. His previous work always had an edge, which he lacks in this current crop of songs. Itʼs a more commercial record in many ways that could turn out to be his most successful work to date. Lastly, this is the last of my regular music features in News Four. Iʼve been writing for the

Damien Dempsey ʻShotsʼ (Sony) Husky Rescue ʻNew Light Of Tomorrowʼ (Catskills) Jon Kennedy ʻUseless Wooden Toysʼ (Grand Central) The Kills ʻNo Wowʼ (Domino) Mogwai ʻGovernment Commissions– BBC Sessions 1996 to 2003ʼ (PIAS) The Mighty Stef ʻLetʼs All Get Violent With The Mighty Stefʼ (Dirty Propaganda) Various ʻMusic For People With Long Earsʼ (Sofa)

ESSENTIAL LISTENING

Lemon Jelly ʻ64-95ʼ (XL)

The Evens ʻThe Evensʼ (Dischord)

This is one of those albums that gets

Fans of Fugazi and Minor Threat will be

better each time you listen to it. ʻ64-95ʼ is

frothing at the mouth about Ian Mackayeʼs

more upbeat than their 2002 album ʻLost

latest project. He has teamed up with Amy

Horizonsʼ, and if you liked that, youʼll love

Farina of The Warmers on a record that is

this. The third instalment in the Lemon Jel-

far more melodic and warm than many will

ly odyssey is an absolute gem.

expect.

www.lemonjelly.ky

www.dischord.com

Fred ʻMaking Music So You Donʼt Have Toʼ (RCM) After the glory days of the early 1990s, the volume of good sounds coming out of Cork has been replenished itself once again. Fred are one of the bands that have helped this revival. Their latest album is full of humour, and more importantly good songs. www.fredtheband.com

The Mars Volta ʻFrances The Muteʼ (Universal) If youʼre looking for an album thatʼs unpredictable then ʻFrances The Muteʼ is it. Some will say The Mars Volta have been too smart for their own good, but give the album a chance, and youʼll discover something quite remarkable - a haunted air guitar opera perhaps? www.themarsvolta.com

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 27

Live and Dangerous

Queens Of The Stone Age, Snow Patrol and Iron Maiden.

The feast of live music thatʼs set ahead of us this year has never been seen on these shores before. This may sound like a slight exaggeration, but take a look below, and youʼll have to agree. Warp/Lex Records Weekender (Temple Bar Music Centre– April 15 & 16) This is one of those events that youʼre not going to get the opportunity to see very often. Featuring Boom Bip, Jimmy Edgar, Beans, and various others, this weekender might manage to turn out as one of the yearʼs live highlights. Green Energy Festival (Dublin castle - April 30, May 1 & 2)

The Black Eyed Peas are back this side of the world for what will be their biggest Irish live date at Dublin castle on Saturday, April 30. In the last couple of years theyʼve won a Grammy Award, along with the admiration of millions thanks to songs like ʻShut Upʼ, ʻWhere Is The Loveʼ and ʻLetʼs get It Startedʼ. Paddy Casey is no stranger to packing in the crowds as you might have gathered following his eight-night sold out run in the Olympia Theatre last year. Prior to his support slot with U2 in Croke Park, Casey plays at Dublin Castle on Sunday, May 1. Faithless are possibly one of the best live acts youʼll see. Theyʼre back in Ireland next month for a Dublin Castle headline date on Monday, May 2.

Slipknot (RDS Arena - June 10) The chaps with the masks are back, and theyʼre angry! After blowing everyone away supporting Metallica last year (everyone aside from Metallica that is). Slipknot bring their entourage to Dublinʼs RDS Arena. Anyone thatʼs into Rock/Metal should try and see them play live– you wonʼt be disappointed. Slayer (Ambassador Theatre– June 13 & 14) They may not be the hip kids of Metal anymore, but theyʼre still one of the loudest and one of the best. The ﬁrst date is sold out, but if you hurry, you should be able to get tickets for the recently added second night. Coldplay (Marlay park - June 22) The third Coldplay album is

almost ready for release, and is said to be their strongest. Over the last few years the UK act have become a true force in music, and always deliver live. If theyʼre not enough to tempt you along, then support act Interpol might swing it for you. U2 (Croke Park - June 24 & 25) These are the shows that everyoneʼs been trying to get tickets for. Both dates sold out in minutes, and promise to be nights that youʼll think about for years to come. Support acts for the dates include Snow Patrol and Paddy Casey. ʻHow To Dismantle An Atomic Bombʼ is a monster of an album, and it should transfer into a live setting extremely well. Oxegen (Punchestown Racecourse– July 9 & 10) The festival formerly known

as Witnness has always had a good line-up, but this yearʼs is the strongest so far. Headliners The Prodigy, Green Day and Foo Fighters are joined by New Order, The Frames, Queens Of The Stone Age, James Brown, Ian Brown, and Snow patrol. Other recent additions include Kaiser Chiefs, Jimmy eat World, and Snoop Dog, along with a huge number of established and up-and-coming domestic acts. For More see www.oxegen.ie Iron Maiden & Marilyn Manson (RDS - August 31) Either one of these acts would sell out this venue on their own, so the chance to see both on the same bill should be mouth-watering. Maiden may be the elder statesmen of Metal, but they can still create quite a noise. Marilyn Mansonʼs live shows are spectacular.

NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS • NEWS

fter what seems like a million years, JJ72 have announced that they are to release their third album this Summer. The followup to 2002ʼs ʻI To Skyʼ will also see them undertake an extensive Irish tour. Which starts in May. Watch out for a downloadable single in the bandʼs website www.jj72.com In other new album news, the rumours of a Portishead reunion are true (thank God!). The duo is currently finishing their first album in almost eight years. No release date has been confirmed, but itʼs expected to

surface some time this Summer. Contrary to reports, Geoff Barlow commented that Portishead never actually broke up. If youʼre planning to catch The Go! Team when they play their debut Dublin date next month, itʼs worth taking note that the venue for their April 16 gig has been changed. Due to demand, the UK group will now play The Village. If you havenʼt checked out their album ʻThunder Lightening Strikeʼ yet, do so immediately! If you were one of the many that got a laugh out of eyebrowy.comʼs animated beauties,

then make a point of tracking down the latest release from The Rags. The ʻMonster & Iʼ EP features the latest eyebrowy visual feast– you wonʼt be disappointed. Finally, Fearghal McKeeʼs recent download only single ʻWhat You Wanna Start?ʼ has been downloaded by more than 1,000 individuals since its release just over a month ago. This will be followed shortly by his debut solo album, which McKee recorded with God Is An Astronaut as his band. For more, see www.fearghalmckee. com

Fearghal McKee.

PAGE 28

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

P ATRICK B OYLE By Patrick Duffy

atrick Boyle formally launched his ʻSelected Poems (1983-2003)ʼ in November 2004 in The Alliance Francaise with music by John Clarke. The collection charts his life over the period when he lived and worked in Dublin, Clare, Limerick, Copenhagen, Bornholm and Paris. He was born and raised in Dundalk. Along canal wakening To the fresh waters Morning rippling Flashing thoughts It matters little When youʼre singing Over lockgates waters tumbling (excerpt from Canal Contentment by Patrick Boyle) This poem is a tribute to Patrick Kavanagh, a major in-

ﬂuence on Boyle, especially in some of his earlier poems. Iniskeen is near Dundalk and Patrick relates how his motherʼs father who worked as a guard on the train used to let Kavanagh into the guardʼs carriage on the train for free. Kavanagh used to tell him at the time about this book he was writing and he was going to put everyone in Iniskeen in it– he was going to create a rumpus. Of course that book became ʻThe Green Foolʼ. “My motherʼs father said: ʻDonʼt put me in it or Iʼll lose my jobʼ. She was always sorry that he didnʼt because he would have immortalised our father,” says Boyle. “I kind of identiﬁed with his struggle being a writer and poet, a kind of quest for truth, that mystical side and Kavanagh was a bit of an outsider. He felt he wasnʼt part of any movement although he had friends

when he went to Dublin and as Kavanagh himself would say, there was always something in him, a kink in him, that made him bite the hand that fed him.” Patrick Boyle ﬁrst started writing at the age of 16 and his ﬁrst poem was called ʻThe Human Raceʼ. It was written during a religion examination– “when a few of us decided weʼd fail the exam as a protest, so I started writing a poem instead

of answering the questions on the paper,” relates Patrick. Sitting on a dirty brown chair in St Maryʼs Hall (Am I about to fall?) I look around me seeing walls of ﬁxed faces Eyes glued to their meaningless questions: Automatic answers appearing in some places. Patrick lived in Paris for two years in the late 1980s to early 90s. “I was inspired by the city,

by its history and beauty. In a way, I had an education there in art. I was thinking of becoming a painter.” Patrick sees himself in the mould of a romantic poet influenced by his emotions and surroundings. “Poetry is a distillation of experiences into a beauty that hopefully will last and will be read by people for generations or remains to be discovered,” says Patrick. Lately, Patrick has been working with musicians John Clark and Peter Kay and is writing words and poems to music. ʻPass-Her-Byʼ (1996) was their first collaboration and ʻLovetalkʼ came out recently with the selected poems. Patrick is currently working on a new album which he hopes to release in November and then tour with it. Patrick Boyleʼs ʻSelected Poems (1983-2003)ʼ is available from Frascati Books, Blackrock, Hampton Book Shop in Donnybrook, Hughes and Hughes, Alan Hannaʼs and Book Bargains in the City Centre. Above: Patrick with the statue of one of his poetic influences, James Clarence Mangan.

DOCKLANDS DUET By Frances Corr

Ringsend and District Credit Union Ltd. 5 Irishtown Rd., Dublin 4. Phone: 6686676 • Fax: 6686288

At Ringsend Credit Union we now offer • Highly Competitive Lending Interest Rates • Foreign Currencies • Travel Insurance All Business Transacted During Opening Hours OPENING HOURS Monday–Thursday 9.30am-12 noon • 2.00pm- 4.30pm Friday 9.30am-12.30pm Closed Wednesday Afternoon

arry Dunphy from Ringsend and Simon Murphy of East Wall, pictured with Gerry Kelly of DDDA, were chosen as the overall winner of the fourth Dockland Talent Showcase. The grand final of this yearʼs contest was held in the Abbey Theatre on 6th of March. The two musicians who performed their own song called ʻShine Onʼ received the first prize of a trophy and a holiday voucher worth €1,200. Patrick Brennan of Ringsend was awarded second prize. He gave a truly excellent performance of ʻSomewhereʼ from ʻWest Side Storyʼ and the third prize was won by Linda Dowling from Oriel Street in the North Strand who performed ʻThe Power of Loveʼ. The show featured fourteen talented finalists, who either live or work in the Docklands, selected from a group of over forty hopefuls who took part in auditions held in the Clarion Hotel. The Dublin 4 area of the Docklands was well represented with eight of the finalists living in the locality. They were Sara Murphy from

Irishtown, and from the Ringsend area came Francis Daly, Patrick Brennan, Amy Blount, Deborah OʼConnor, Kate Murphy, Stephen Naughton and Garry Dunphy who was part of a duo made up of Simon Murphy from East Wall. Kevin Hough produced the event, the musical director was Andy OʼCallaghan and the former Irish international footballer Niall Quinn presented the show. The panel of Judges included Bairbre Power, assistant News Editor with the ʻEvening Heraldʼ; Derek Mooney, radio and TV presenter with RTE; Brenda Donoghue, Actress; Brian Jackson, the Chairman of the Abbey Theatre and Donall Curtain, member of the Board of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority and Chairman of the Adjudication panel.

The Docklands talent Showcase is organised as part of the Social Regeneration initiative. Gerry Kelly the director of Social Regeneration at the DDDA said they were delighted with the response to the talent contest and very impressed with the range and talent of all the participants. Young people from Docklands will get the chance to show their talent in the Young Persons talent Showcase that will take place on the 24th of April. This will be the second Annual Young peopleʼs talent showcase. There are two age groups 12 to 16 years old and 6 to 11 years old. Flyers will be distributed in the area in March. The ﬁnals will be held in the National Concert Hall. If you are eligible to take part, and think you have talent apply for the audition and start practising your act.

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 29

SPORTS DESK

By Derek Buckley

ello and welcome again to another issue of Sports Desk. Just to let Senior teams know that the Noel Fox Memorial Tournament will be starting in the coming months. There are still places left at the moment. We have holders and favourites to defend their title: Markievicz Celtic, St Patʼs CY, Ringsend Rovers, Liffeys, Irishtown FC and Pearse Rangers. If any other club is interested please contact me at ʻNews Fourʼ. From this year on there will be no seedings, it will be an open draw. In the June issue of News Four this page will be an All Stars Hall of Fame which will feature outstanding players from junior and senior teams throughout the area. These players will be chosen by their managers. Pearse Rangers V Dublin Bus 5:0. Five Star Performance by Keogh This under 10s B1 match was a top of the table clash with both teams level-pegging on points and games, and as we now enter the ﬁnal quarter of the season the winners of this match could easily end up as league champions. It was a lively start by both teams and with only minutes on the clock it was a quick thinking throw in from Dillon OʼToole to Ivan Soroka who made it 1:0 from close range. For the next 10 minutes Dublin Bus dominated. If is wasnʼt for the heroics of Pearseʼs

goalkeeper, Ryan Keogh, Paul Mooneyʼs team could have been in trouble but they weathered the storm and their second goal came from a Dublin Bus defender off a Dillon OʼToole cross, 2:0. From that moment, Dublin Bus lost heart, especially when players like Ivan Soroka, Steven Waters and Dillon OʼToole were in full flow. It was a fantastic finish to the first half. Ryan Keogh was tested again from the restart but there was nothing going to pass his line today. With substitutes flying on and off, Paul Mooneyʼs team exploded into life. Their third goal came from Lee Ryan as Dublin Bus tried to play the ball out of their own half, 3:0. Their fourth and fifth goal came from quick feet Steven Waters, 5:0. Other stars were Leann Paine, Patrick Kirwin, Philip Roche, Lee Uzell, Paul Mooney, Dillon Riordan and Aaron Kilic. As manager Paul Mooney stated, it was a brilliant performance and they now sit proudly on top of the table. (Pearse Rangers under 10s are currently looking for sponsorship of a set of gear– if interested please contact Paul Mooney) Man of the Match: Shared by Ryan Keogh, Steven Waters, and Ivan Keogh. Liffeys V Beggsboro 3:1 Liffeys March On Three points today for Liffeys would see pressure mount on the likes of Drumcondra, Mount Merrion and Celbridge as they play catch-up, but also have games in hand and are ready to pounce on any mistake league

favourites and leaders make. Well there were no mistakes by Liffeys. It was a solid performance and a well-behaved display. Liffeys earned the lead early on from an Andy Doolin header off an Anto OʼConnor cross 1:0. For the remainder of the first half it was one-way traffic, with Doolin missing a tap-in from 5 yards to extend their lead. The start of the second half was similar to the first only this time goal provider turned goal scorer after sluggish defending as OʼConnor made it 2:0 with his precision finishing. By this stage full credit to John Byrne who was rock solid in defence. Kevin OʼToole and James Sullivan ran their socks off in the middle of the park and OʼConnor ready for any half chance up front. OʼToole nearly turned hero with his breathtaking strike

Always a winning team

which breezed passed the top right corner from 35 yards, instead moments later turned villain as his cushion back header gifted Beggsboro striker a goal which left keeper Glen Rigley no chance, 2:1. Suddenly for the visitors there was light at the end of the tunnel but it was James Bradshaw who effectively shut that door with his match winner, 3:1. Overall it was an enjoyable game. What surprised me was the likes of John Mullen and Philip OʼConnor having a below-par performance. Come the day when the team play like they did today on top of all that if you

have Mullen and OʼConnor in full ﬂow, Iʼd feel sorry for their opponents. Man of the Match: Anto OʼConnor. The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank A.G.M Builders, Crawfordʼs of Sandymount and the proprietor of the Widow Scanlonʼs for their generous sponsorship. Top left: Pearse Rangers Under 10s. Above: Cambridge player Andrew Doyle with new gear sponsored by DOC. Below: Team of the Month Bath Rangers.

PAGE 30

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

The Fontenoy Files Ofﬁcial Opening brings us on to a new level

Development Authority, the guests included the Bomber Liston, Niall Quinn, Ray Houghton, Nicky English and Don Givens. Des Cahill hosted the Evening. Some of the stories told were hilarious and they were only the stories they were allowed tell. Ray Houghton is a nutcase. He danced the socks off everyone afterwards, both men and women. Some craic! Backchat:

By Shay Connolly

ell they all landed for our grand opening. Bertie turned up and had a tour around the place ﬁrst. President of the GAA, Sean Kelly arrived next and expressed sentiments about the strength of the GAA being in its clubs and nobody disagreed with him. TDs, Councillors, community activists were all there to join in the celebration. Aspiring FF hopefuls in this area for the next election followed Bertie around the place with a “Look at me Bertie, please” etched all over their faces. Bertie says “anyone here in Clanna Gael Fontenoy want to run?” and we told him weʼd get back to him. Everybody gave their speeches and told us what wonderful people we were and all our knees went jelly, all our heads expanded and all our shoulders broadened to such ﬂattery. And we all clapped ourselves on the back, mindful that a clap on the back is only a couple of inches away from a kick in the ass. All the folk from Dublin Port were there, Joe Burke, Enda Connellan, Jimmy Carolan, Charlie Murphy, Brenda Daly and Ann Moran. On the pitch Dublin lined up against Monaghan to mark the occasion. Our own Stephen Saunders from Penrose Street got a run in the famous blue and navy and was so overawed by the occasion that he fainted afterwards. I watched him against St Maryʼs of Saggart since and itʼs obvious that he still hasnʼt recovered. Father Jack (Nicholson) was the scorekeeper for the night. Now everybody knows that Arklow Jack has no great love for

Chairman Pat Kane.

They Came from Outer Space… well from the Dáil anyway. the Dubs even though his mother hailed from Clanbrassil Street. With 10 minutes to go his darling wife Therese slipped Jack an extra number two to give Monaghan the lead by 4 points but alas they didnʼt get away with it as Dublin went on to win by two points. Chairman Patsy Kane gave his speech and told all that the hard work starts now. What you see in front of you, he told the hushed crowd, would all be in vain if we donʼt return to senior ranks in the future. And we all nodded. All of the teams are back in action including the U12 hurlers. There is a great tale here, folks. These young lads never played hurling for the Club before. After a blitz one weekend they fell in love so much with the game that they started practising each evening down at the Club. President Eugene Davey spotted them and decided to take them over. The end result is phenomenal. Everybody is born again, most of all Eugene himself. Eugene, who played both football and hurling with the Dubs, has taken 10 years off his life such is the enthusiasm he has found with these lads. Their ﬁrst match was away to the mighty Faughs. After an enthralling hour they won the day by a point. The show was on the road. Next stop was Ringsend Park where they faced giants St Marks.

After 15 minutes the game was very much in the balance but by half-time Clanns had begun to hurl like demons and went in leading by 5 points. With much more confidence in themselves they pulled away to record an emphatic victory. Played two won two. And if ever there was a sign of how cosmopolitan Ireland has become, well this team is surely one. Included in its ranks are Italian Davide Ianelli, Chinese Desmond Soon, American Conor Saunders and Australian Seamus Keating. Who said that hurling is not an international game? Now the lads can be seen everywhere in the area with their hurley sticks and this has earned them the title of Young Warriors. Eugene has taken his Easter break in southern China happy in the knowledge that he has saved another 20 kids from going through life without the joys of playing hurling. Inter footballers have won their first match in the league. Second adult team has won their first three matches in the Murphy Cup and are going strong. Well done to Steve McGrath and Co. Third team is competing strongly in their league. Inter hurlers have been plagued by injuries and should be very strong when all return. All juvenile teams are competing well in their new higher divisions and it is too early to tell how they will

finish up. Saturday morning Academy is flying with a huge interest from the parents seeing them very much involved in coaching. Good Fridayʼs Blitz was a popular success with all involved. All teams very evenly matched, so much so that Group 1 winners Longford got through on an aggregate score of plus one point. Group 2 had to go to a penalty shoot-out after the top two teams Dublin and Kerry finished level on aggregate score with Dublin winning 5-4. The final was no different with another penalty shoot-out having to declare Dublin the winners over a gallant Longford side. Great day! Fantastic night at the TalkSportʼs evening in the Club. Sponsored by Dublin Docklands

* Des Markey travelled back to the Far East recently to try to unearth some more hurlers. Des who hurled everything in front of him in his search, once again came back with nothing only miraculous medals. Is he trying to tell us something here? * Great to see Lynn Flood roll her up sleeves on the opening day. Lynn could be seen sweeping up every piece of unwanted rubbish in the place. When asked what brought on the sudden rush of blood, Lynn said she ﬁnally realised that to be a true club person you have to do things like this. Couldnʼt agree more. Could Club Person of the year be on its way to Rathmines? * Many of the regulars travelled to Waterford for a weekend away last month. Other regulars were so annoyed at not being asked that they took a trip to Irishtown instead. * Staying with travelling, Tom Ryan travelled to the Big Apple for the St Patrickʼs Day festivities. Invited by the Ancient Order of Tipperarians, Tom gave the main speech at the ʻHow to improve Lotto salesʼ Seminar.

On left is Joe Burke of Dublin Port Company with Eugene Davey.

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 31

RINGSEND LIBRARY Free Art Classes for children 7 - 12 years of age 10.30 - 11.30 Saturday mornings Booking essential, Telephone 6680063

From left: Joe Pat Prunty, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD, Joseph Prunty, Shay Connolly and Eugene Davey. * New PRO Jacqui MacDonnell, has produced an excellent Overview document for the way forward for the club. A truly excellent read– everyone that has an interest in how this club should move forward should read it. * A think tank day for all members is planned for next month. Croke Park personnel will chair the meeting and any thoughts or ideas about the future may be incorporated into the ﬁnal structure of the way forward. Credit is due to Chairman Patsy for his foresight in organising same. * Willie Dwyer has returned from America after 6 years and Sandymount is registering 5.5 on the Richter scale ever since. Everywhere he visits he leaves such an earth trembling effect that his return to the deep south in a few weeks time should bring some normality back to the area.

* Any parties or functions coming up. Ring your man Shay at 087-9011716. * Sincere condolences to the Pope family on the death of Fred. Fred has been a true friend of Clanna Gael Fontenoy for some years now and his presence and wit will be sadly missed about the place. Ar dhéis Dé go raibh a ainim. * At the recent TalkSport night in the Club sponsored by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Julie Egan was asked up to dance by none other than former Irish Soccer International Ray Houghton. Believing that Ray was someone from The DDDA (Julie thinks that everyone who visits the Club is from the Docklands Authority) she began to inquire of him the fortunes of the Company. Ray, believing he was on a winner here asked our Julie to go to a

night-club with him. “Oh Iʼm happily married,” Julie told him. “Where is your husband?” Ray further inquired. “Heʼs at home minding the house,” says Julie. “No wonder youʼre happily married,”quipped Ray * One of the embarrassments of the SportsTalk night was when a bulb blew on one of the lights on the high ceiling. We couldnʼt ﬁnd a ladder anywhere but up popped the Bomber Liston and saved the day. How many Kerrymen does it take to change a light bulb etc etc. * Anyone see Jenny Heavyʼs new car. Well if you havenʼt you must be blind. Jenny is like the country farmer in his tractor, beeping at everyone that she meets and stopping for a chat whilst still driving. Itʼs only when she passes you that you realise that the leg hanging out of the boot belongs to Ger Brannock.

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PAGE 32

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

My Little Sunshine CONCEPTS OF time and place are becoming important in the world of My Little Sunshine and me at the moment. When she wakes in the morning she asks if it is eight oʼclock yet because if it is not she knows sheʼll probably have to wait a while until she gets her porridge although she will tell me she is “so starving” despite the fact that when it is placed in front of her I will have to use all manner of tricks to get her to eat it. She is accustomed to a certain routine which is based around créche hours and involves an afternoon snooze that she will do anything to get out of. She is either starving or thirsty or there are books to be read,

or “ﬁrst you watch your programme and then Iʼll watch my programme ﬁrst”. Of course the same thing happens at night when she wonders if it is eight oʼclock and therefore time for bed. But at least during winterʼs dark evenings she was inclined to believe me because we all associate darkness with sleeping. I foresee plenty of bedtime struggles this summer because it isnʼt dark. The present bedtime ritual is a long and arduous one, with extra bits being added all the time. There is the beaker of milk, the sofa cuddle, the washing of the teeth, story time and the bed cuddle which could

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go on forever as I often feel I could stay put in the bed myself if there werenʼt so many other things to do. However, I drag myself up because it was one of my own rules from the beginning that My Little Sunshine sleeps in her own bed and by herself. My God, sometimes your own rules are the hardest to keep With regard to place, I have been trying to show areas of relevance to her on a map of Ireland because I have found it so difﬁcult to explain through mere language. In her mind the world works like this: we live in Dublin (not Ringsend because that is where the créche is) and she just wonʼt agree that anyone else lives in Dublin because to her it is our apartment that comprises Dublin. Clare is where her grandmother lives, so

last year when I told her we were going to the seaside in Clare she was very upset when we didnʼt end up in grandmaʼs house. Actually, her grandmother seems to own most of the trees in Clare according to My Little Sunshine As we drive now I tell her where we are and find myself laughing at my pitiful explanations of towns, cities, counties and countries. She knows about aeroplanes but that doesnʼt mean that she actually understands just how far our friend Mary went when she moved back to New York. The part I find most amusing is My Little Sunshineʼs concept of ʻtownʼ– the Jervis Street Car Park and the juice bar. Believe me, there have been tears on the occasions before I realised her definition, when I told her we were going to town only to arrive in another part of Dublin. Even funnier is the fact that ʻtownʼ is actually any high storey car park. Oh the joys and exasperations of explaining simple concepts. I love trying to explain, Iʼm just not sure Iʼm doing a very good job of it.

Description

Colour

Speedo

Euro

Ka Collection

Neptune

40,000

5,950

Fiesta 1.25 LX 5 Door

Silver

7,000

14,750

Fiesta 1.3 LX 5 Door

Black

17,000

13,950

Fiesta 1.3 LX 5 Door

Red

23,000

8,950

Fiesta 1.3 3 Door

Red

30,000

5,250

Fusion 2 1.4 5 Door

Black

14,000

15,950

Focus 1.6 GHIA 4 Door

Machine Silver

10,000

19,950

Focus 1.4 5 Door LX ABS A/Con

Pepper Red

25,000

14,750

Focus 1.4 5 Door

Red

31,000

13,950

Focus 1.4 LX 5 Door Alloys

Metallic Blue

29,000

14,250

Focus 1.1 LX 5 Door Alloys

Silver

14,000

14,950

Focus 1.4 LX 4 Door Alloys/Sun roof

Dark Green

22,000

14,950

Focus 1.4 3 Dr Zetec Alloys/Sun roof

Silver

49,000

11,750

Focus 1.4 LX 5 Dr Alloys/Sun roof

Pepper Red

51,000

10,500

Focus 1.4 LX 5 Door

Silver

41,000

10,500

Focus 1.4 LX 5 Door

Grey

15,000

17,750

Focus C Max 1.6 Zetec 5 Door

Red

9,000

20,950

Mondeo 1.8 LX 4 Door

Oyster

1,200

20,950

Galaxy 1.9 LX TDI 90 BHP

Shadow Blue

8,000

32,750

Fiesta 1.2 LX 5 Door

Oyster

9,000

14,750

Fiesta 1.2 LX 5 Door

Ink Blue

14,750

Focus 1.4 LX 4 Door

Ink Blue

18,250

Focus 1.4 LX 5 Door

Machine Silver

11,000

17,500

Nissan Almera 1.4 5 door

Gold

10,000

17,500

Toyoto Corolla 4 door saloon

Wine

12,000

17,950

Honda Civic 1.4 S 4 door

Wine

5,500

17,950

Nissan Micra 1.0 Visia 5 Door

Blue

7,000

10,950

Renault Megane 1.4 5 Door

Blue

16,500

15,450

Citreon Xsara 1.4 VTR 2 Dr Coupe

Silver

11,500

11,950

Alfa Romeo 147 T Spark/3 door

Red

17,000

16,950

VW Golf 1.4 5 door/comfort line

Red

32,000

14,950

Opel Astra 4 door Elegance

Black

30,000

13,450

Opel Astra 4 door GL

Black

30,000

11,450

Opel Zaﬁra 1.6 Comfort 7 seater

Silver

22,000

16,950

Other Makes

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 33

NEWS FOUR CROSSWORD COMPILED BY ROSE HOGAN AND ANN INGLE

Name ……………………………………………… Address ……………………………………………………………………………………… Prize: €20 book token. Closing date for this competition is 3 May 2005. Winner of the February crossword was Jimmy Pullen, Ringsend, Dublin 4

S ENATOR J OHN H ANAFIN S

on of Des, brother of Mary, John Hanafin could be the next in the family to be elected to Dáil Eireann. From Tipperary to Kildare Street, thatʼs the aim of the prospective Fianna Fáil candidate for Dublin South East, John Hanafin. A native of Thurles, John was elected to Seanad Éireann in 2002. John is no stranger to the Dublin 4 area, having lived in the area since the 1970s and worked with the First Active Building Society for 17 years. His time was well spent, he feels, giving him a chance to understand the needs of the area and develop a real liking for his surroundings. He is hopeful of getting the FF nomination for Dublin South East given the very positive reaction on the doorstep. His political life is now based in Dublin which is why he is selling his house in Tipperary (advertised on p.23) and hopes to find suitable accommodation in the constituency soon. The name Hanafin might be a strong political name in the minds of the electorate but John has no intention of resting on the family laurels. He intends to work twice as hard to prove he is more than just a well-known name. Qualified in a number of areas including marketing and public administration, John is also studying for the bar at Kingʼs Inn, Dublin and it is in the area of law and economics that

Across 1 If we make these then we can proceed amicably (10) 5 All work and no play makes him a dull boy (4) 9 Allot parts in a play (4) 11 Not us (6) 12 and 17 Pixarʼs animated movie starring Buzz Lightyear and Woody (3,5) 13 Adamʼs mate (3) 14 US organisation for gathering information (abbr.) (3) 15 Retire for the evening (4,2) 18 Boxing legend (3) 19 Deﬁnitely not (2) 20 Currency of the USA (6) 22 Command to a horse, … up (3) 24 The atmosphere (3) 25 They do this with your credit card to access your funds (5) 26 Californian Governorʼs ﬁrst name (6) 29 If you are good you might become the teacherʼs … (3) 30 These molecules carry genetic information (3) 31 Unwell (3) 33 Eager (4) 34 Material attached to a mast to catch the wind (4) 35 Toy on a string (4) 36 He came, he saw, he went home in (3,5)

he sees himself progressing within the party. Describing himself as a pragmatic politician, the Senator feels the way forward politically is to balance elements of both left and right wing policies. A pragmatist, he may be, but that doesnʼt mean John Hanafin isnʼt afraid to ruffle a few feathers when needs be. He is particularly keen to challenge what he sees as a duopoly between Vodafone and O2 in the mobile phone market and feels we pay too much for our mobile charges compared to the rest of Europe. Health is another area in need of reform and represents the single most contentious issue facing the present government. To counter the criticism, John offers some solutions based on his business experience. Private enterprise, he feels, has a role to play in improving primary health care in this country. Tax relief in the form of Sections 23 and 48 has been successfully used by business to build hotels, holiday homes, apartments and car parks for instance, now he thinks we have reached saturation point in this area, so why not encourage the private sector to invest in the health service instead, using the tax system so they, as well as the whole community can benefit. It may be two years to the next general election but for John Hanafin, the man from the home of the GAA in Thurles, the game has already begun.

Down 1 Bobʼs your uncle and Charlieʼs your … . (4) 2 Converting waste into reusable material (9) 3 Encountered (3) 4 Method of betting at the races (4) 6 Intentionally setting property on ﬁre (5) 7 Irish Times journalist who recently had to apologise for what he said about single mothers (5,5) 8 Large vessel with tap used for making hot drinks (3,3) 10 Sandy retreat on the coast (7) 11 Going over the brim of a receptacle, be excessively full (11) 16 Current Tanaiste (4,6) 21 Used to be essential headgear for female Massgoers (8) 23 A brown tint used in photography (5) 27 Always in the company of Big Ears (5) 28 Our latest mode of transport (4) 30 High ranking Maﬁa member (3) 32 A narrow passage or road (4) 34 Oriental sauce (3)

PAGE 34

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

TV Chef

Place in a non-stick pan and cook over a medium heat for five minutes. When the apples have started to soften a little, add the granulated sugar and the cinnamon, allow to dissolve and then place in a baking dish. To make the crumble, rub together the flour, brown sugar and butter and rub through your fingers to make crumbs. Spread the crumb mixture over the apples, sprinkle with brown sugar and bake at 190C for 20 to 25 minutes. To Serve Serve hot with ice cream.

Stephen Mc Allister

By Brian Kelly

tephen Mc Allister is fast making a name for himself in Dublinʼs culinary circles. Still in his early twenties, Stephen is a veteran of such ﬁne eateries as The Commons, Brunoʼs and Jacobʼs Ladder and until recently the Citron restaurant in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Stephenʼs Green.

Much in demand, the young Dublin chef seems to be more than just ﬂavour of the month with our national broadcaster, where his cooking skills can be seen on ʻThe Afternoon Showʼ and on a second series of ʻThe Restaurantʼ. With the recent birth of his second child, Stephen has even more on his plate than usual, but he still found time to talk to us epicureans at ʻNewsFourʼ. To begin Stephen, where would you say your love of food came from? My grandfather was a very good cook, he used to work in the kitchens on ships and while everyone else was out playing in the garden when I was young, I remember being the one who was beside the stove helping out. My Mam was a good cook as well, so it was always in the family I suppose. What kind of formal education did you receive in cooking? From school in Raheny, I got a job in a little French bistro in Donnybrook and then I did a DIT in Cathal Brugha Street for three years, so that was my basic education. The lecturers in college were

It’s worth a try I AM NOT a lover of self-help books and hate it when someone tells me that this or that book has ʻchanged their lifeʼ. However, when I read ʻThe Four Agreementsʼ by Don Miguel Ruiz I felt compelled to reassess my own behaviour. I keep going back to it and each time I try harder to put into practice what I read. It isnʼt easy but then anything really worthwhile never is. Don Miguel Ruiz was raised in Mexico and went on to Medical School and became a surgeon. A near-death experience changed his life and from then on he devoted himself to carrying forward the Toltec knowledge as his ancestors did before him.

ﬁne but I never wanted to follow the rules and recipes. I always liked experimenting with things, almost playing with the food. I didnʼt like to be told “you canʼt do that”, so I think I really learnt to express myself better in the kitchens on work experience. Where did the inspiration for your cooking come from? Adrian Roche in Jacobʼs Ladder on Nassau Street was one good teacher. I really feel I learnt a lot there. We had a very small team and it was hard work but the food is very good. He was a real inspiration in terms of the work ethic. I learned quickly you really have to put the hours in, if you want to become a good chef and create your own individual style. Are you a fussy eater? Would you be the type to complain in a restaurant? To be honest with you, Iʼm not the type to complain. If I donʼt like something on my plate, I wouldnʼt send it back, I just wouldnʼt return to the restaurant. I suppose the thing that annoys me, though, is a lot of people put up with bad food and by that, I mean they pay a lot of money for poor food. I mean €18 for a bowl of pasta! Nobody should pay that. A lot of places are getting away with serving the same type of food at over-the-top prices and the service is poor and itʼs giving a lot of restaurants a bad name. Sometimes people just want to be seen in the right place. They are there not necessarily for the food but just to socialise. The Four Agreements is written very simply and can be read in less than a day. However, trying to live by the message is much harder and could take a lifetime. The First Agreement: BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. The word impeccable comes from pecatus, which means sin. Ruiz says that sin means everything that you do or believe that goes against yourself. So impeccable means exactly the opposite– without sin, which means that you donʼt use anything against yourself. You donʼt use words for self-

Do you think men make better chefs than men? I think the kitchen is a little bit like the army. Itʼs tough work, very physical and male-orientated but itʼs so easy to get burned out. Women might be as talented as men and have the right mentality but the physical nature of the job means its more suitable to guys, I suppose. Having said that, I like having women in the kitchen, with too many guys things can go a little too wild and so itʼs good to have a gender balance. What about ambitions and awards? Any Chef who tells you he doesnʼt want to win a Michelin star is lying. Thatʼs what you strive for, because you want to cook the best food you can possibly serve and you want to give the best service and thatʼs what the star system is all about. I would love to win one and touch wood, in

the future, hopefully I will. A lot of chefs shy away from the limelight, but the way I see it you have to do try your hardest and the awards help prove you have tried to create the very best for your restaurant.

APPLE & CINNAMON CRUMBLE Ingredients 1kg Granny Smithʼs apples 150g plain ﬂour. 150g butter (cold). 150g brown sugar. 100g granulated sugar. Good pinch of cinnamon. Vanilla ice cream to serve. Method Peel and chop the apples into bite-sized pieces.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE WITH GINGER BREAD AND LIQUORICE-SCENTED HONEY Ingredients 100g coverture chocolate, melted 100ml cream, lightly whipped 2 egg whites, whipped to soft peak stage 50g sugar Water to cover 2 slices ginger bread. Honey Liquorice root Method First heat the honey and liquorice and let infuse. Next bring the sugar and water to a soft ball stage. Take off and let cool slightly. While whipping the egg whites, add the sugar at a slow, steady stream, until it is well mixed. Fold the chocolate and cream together. Then fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Let set in the fridge for one hour. To Serve Place a slice of ginger bread onto a plate. Place a scoop of mousse on top and drizzle some honey over and around. Serve strawberries or raspberries on the side.

destruction or for self-rejection. The Second Agreement: DONʼT TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY. Nothing others do is because

of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you wonʼt be the victim of needless suffering. Ruiz says that you live in your own story, and everybody around you is living their own story. They see you according to their point of view. By realizing this, and not taking anything personally, you have immunity in your relationships with those around you. The Third Agreement: DONʼT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. We can make so many assump-

tions about life, about other people or events, and consequently suffer for things that may never happen. The Fourth Agreement: ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse and regret. Ruiz quite correctly says that you need a very strong will to adopt the four agreements into your life. Personally I think itʼs worth a try. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (ISBN 1-878424-319) is available in all good bookshops at €15.80 By Ann Ingle

As a treat for ʻNewsFourʼ readers, Stephen has given us two of his favourite desserts to share.

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 35

O NCE U PON

F AIRY T ALE

fertile imagination. Having been born into abject poverty his one urge was to break free from his social inheritance and fulﬁl his potential in the only outlet available to him, the world of art. One huge advantage he had

living in Odense was the fact that there was a theatre which he visited for the first time in 1812. It was here that he met with travelling players from the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. The magic of the stage immediately set his young heart on fire, thereby deciding his future destiny. On September 4th 1819 at the age of fourteen he left his home to seek his fortune in the theatre in Copenhagen. His first stay here was a dismal failure as he tried desperately to become a ballet-dancer, actor or singer. The management, recognising his raw talent, softened the blow somewhat by arranging for him to attend a school in Slagelse. Jonas Collins the theatre manger became his guardian. In 1829 he made his official debut with his first prose work which proved reasonably successful. Throughout his life he wrote prolifically, but it would be as a childrenʼs storyteller that he would gain world fame and renown. He managed to get his first stage play performed at the theatre in 1829 and his calling as a writer seemed established. In 1835 his first novel ʻThe Improviserʼ was published along with his first booklet of ʻFairy Tales Told for Childrenʼ.

In writing to a friend, he declared that he “wished to win the coming generations.” Having read the fairy stories his friend physicist Hans Christian Orsted prophesied: “If the novels will make you famous, the fairy tales will make you immortal.” In the early 1950s Hollywoodʼs premier film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer made a fictionalised movie about him, declaring that it was a fairytale of part of the authorʼs life. It starred the irrepressible Danny Kaye and the songs and music composed by Frank Loesser more than did justice to Andersen. The magic of his stories was retained with ʻThe Ugly Ducklingʼ, ʻInchwormʼ, ʻThumbelinaʼ, and ʻThe Emperorʼs New Clothesʼ. Many films have been made of Andersenʼs fairy-stories and all retain the freshness and novelty, which still captivate millions to this very day. His works have been translated into 150 languages and the full total output of his fairytales was 210, three autobiographies, five travel journals and six novels. A great many parents may perhaps recall fondly, memories of their own childrenʼs bedtime stories, as they began with the age old litany: “Once upon a time.” That is a rich reward and a fitting epitaph for the man who popularised childrenʼs stories and whose very name now is forever associated with them.

into the area, also called the “Poolbeg Procession”. This bridge is included in the 2005 Dublin City Development Plan as a potential bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. Recommendation: The plan should specify that any bridge at this location will be for pedestrians and cyclists and rail-based public transport only. Flooding Coastal communities in Dublin Bay are susceptible to serious flooding, and development on any part of the Bay will have an impact on the likelihood of floods. Recommendation: A flooding impact study must be carried out and proposals for development amended accordingly. Soil contamination Given the history of the use of the area as landfill, it seems likely that problems will arise in terms of soil contamination. If the sites are not properly decontaminated, serious health problems will arise. Recommendation: The plan should include an assessment of the issues surrounding soil contamination, and

set appropriate standards for decontamination. Community Gain The plan as it stands has not attempted to identify the forms of community gain which should arise from any development. Although a portion of any levies derived from development should be used for community facilities, it would seem appropriate to attempt to identify what these facilities might be in the plan itself. Recommendation: A separate exercise should be undertaken to seek input from existing communities on what new community facilities should be provided. Social & Affordable Housing The plan should have as one of its aims the provision of social and affordable housing, with a view to maintaining existing communities. The plan must speciﬁcally address how any new development will be integrated with existing communities. Recommendation: The plan should include speciﬁc targets for the provision of social and affordable housing units.

Schools Improvements of existing schools and the development of new school buildings should be part of the plan. In addition, the provision of playgrounds and sports facilities must be included. Recommendation: Phasing of residential development must be explicitly tied to improvements in educational, sporting and play facilities. No development should go ahead before the issue of waiting lists in local schools is addressed. Protection of wildlife The importance of the wildlife in this area has been recognised by the designation by the EU of a Special Protection Area (SPA) for rare and threatened European bird species and their habitats and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for plants, animals and wildlife habitats of EU importance. The importance of these habitats indicates that conservation should form an integral part of any plan for the area. Recommendation: The plan should not be adopted before a comprehensive ecological and conservation study has been completed.

By Denis Murphy

pril 2nd 2005 marked the bicentenary of Denmarkʼs most famous son, Hans Christian Andersen (1805-75). His homeland planned a huge extravaganza to honour their world-renowned storyteller. On the anniversary of his birth in Copenhagen, at the Parken event arena, a gala opening ceremony was held to commemorate their proliﬁc writer. Organizers referred to the event that was televised live as the ʻcultural Olympic gamesʼ. A host of International personalities were present representing politics, sport, music, theatre and literature. From April 2nd until August 31st on the forecourt of Rosenberg Castle there will be a 600 square metre pavilion in the shape of a two-storied book. On display will be images and artefacts about the life, fairy tales and art of Andersen. Hansʼs father was a poor cobbler and they lived in a small, mean room in Odense that held his fatherʼs workbench, parentʼs bed and the childʼs crib. During his early years his father ﬁlled his young mind with stories from

the ʻArabian Talesʼ, the Bible and Holbergʼs comedies, giving Hans the education in life that he himself had sadly missed. The tales and stories related to him acted as a colourful and powerful stimulus to his ever-

P OOLBEG PENINSULA PLANS – T HE GREEN PARTY RESPONSE

ohn Gormley TD recently held a public meeting in Ringsend Community Centre on the proposed framework plan for the Poolbeg peninsula. In general, he welcomes the preparation of a framework plan for the Poolbeg peninsula but feels that any development should only be allowed to take place if it meets the needs of the local community. John Gormley says: “In the absence of a plan, we can expect the future of the Poolbeg area to be developer-led, which will be to the detriment of the local community and the needs of the city at large.” The following is an extract from the submission made by John Gormley on behalf of the Green Party/ Comhaontas Glas. Presentation of plan There is a lack of clarity in the plan as currently presented. It consists of two documents, the 2002 Strategic

Development Framework, and the 2003 Poolbeg Framework Plan. Recommendation: The plan should be revised to comprise a single document. Public transport and traffic The most obvious difficulty with the plan as it stands is that it provides no solution to the transport deficit that will arise with any new development in the area. Recommendation: The scope of the plan should be widened to identify sources of funding for public transport solutions other than development levies. Input from central government and public transport agencies should be sought. Proposed bridge between Britain Quay and York Road No reference to a proposed bridge is contained in the 2002 plan, but in the 2003 plan, this bridge is shown as forming part of the “Main Route”

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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

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L OCAL D ELIVERY S ERVICE

NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

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May Day– a tribute to hard-won reforms

By Ruairí Quinn TD

n March 1993, as the Minister for the new Department of Enterprise and Employment, I had the Cabinet agree to make the ﬁrst Monday in May a public holiday. It was Irelandʼs belated recognition of the international day in celebration of the contribution that working men and women make to the development of our society and to our collective prosperity. It had taken a long time for the Labour Party to have this policy objective converted into law. Mayday is celebrated worldwide as a public holiday with the unique exception of the United States. Their Labour Day takes place in September of each year. The origins of Mayday, however, owe a particular debt to American workers and their trade unions. It all began in the 1880s as the United States moved rapidly from its agrarian and farming origins to become an emerging industrial power, not unlike modern China today. The raw capitalism of that era produced enormous wealth for the owners of capital but at the cost of appalling working conditions for the men, women and even children who toiled in the new factories. Many were forced to work fourteen-hour shifts in excruciatingly uncomfortable conditions. Legislative efforts by reform minded politicians to legally constrain these appalling conditions had failed. In 1884 the Federation of Organised Trades and Labour Unions in the United States passed a resolution restricting the

working day to eight hours from and after 1 May 1886. It also called for a general strike to achieve this goal in the light of the failed legislative attempts to change the law. At that time, Chicago was the major centre of support for this proposal. It was also a predominately Irish city where more than 40 per cent of the population had Irish origins. But local business leaders were ﬁercely opposed to reform. On May Day, 1886, demonstrators clashed with police in the famous ʻHaymarket Riotsʼ, resulting in the deaths of seven policemen and four protestors. A bomb was thrown, and a number of labour radicals were charged with murder in what was as described as a ʻkangaroo courtʼ. Eight were found guilty of conspiracy to murder, but none were convicted of actually throwing the bomb. Four were hanged; one committed suicide and the remaining three were subsequently par-

doned in 1893. The whole episode galvanised not just America but the rest of the industrialised world. Not only was the eight-hour day demand to become standard across the globe, Mayday would become a public holiday as well. We tend to think that globalisation is a recent, modern phenomenon, but it is not. International capitalism, at the turn of the second last century, was highly interconnected and as a consequence so too was the international labour movement. When James Connolly and Jim Larkin founded the Irish Labour Party as the political arm of the trade union movement, they were well aware that, across Europe, socialist, social democratic and Labour parties had been established by the labour movement to campaign for the legal changes and improved social conditions which we now take for granted. Connolly was an internationally known political ﬁgure. At the end of the 1913 Dublin lockout, another struggle about union recognition, Jim Larkin went on to the United States and ended up in jail for his labour organising activities in that country. Today, the Irish Labour Party is a member of the Socialist International, a worldwide organisation uniting workers, trade unions and the politicians who support them, and is also a member of the Party of European Socialists– the second largest, and arguably the most inﬂuential, group within the European Parliament. Mayday is celebrated, across the globe, in recognition of the role of labour and the dignity of work in our society. On 2nd April 1993, the day of my birthday, I was proud to sign, on behalf of all those who fought for the rights of workers, the Order making May Day a public holiday in Ireland.

Brent Geese Flex Their Wings THE BRENT GEESE, which arrived from Greenland last October to over winter in our mild climate, are nicely nourished and are preparing for their long flight home. The majority will have flown out by the end of March or early April. The geese gather together in a huge flock and the majority depart on the same day. This is a spectacular event. This year over 600 geese were recorded at the one time on their new feeding grounds in Irishtown Nature Park. If you have not seen these wonderful birds you may still catch a glimpse of them on the flat land beside the new waste treatment plant in Ringsend. Those who use the Nature Park and particularly the dog walkers are to be commended for observing the rules of nature by keeping their dogs under control, so as not to disturb the feeding geese during the winter. By Frances Corr

What’s Going On ••• What’s Going On ••• What’s Going On Sunday lunchtime 1 to 3 pm Low and Sweet Down 3 piece jazz group at D-One Restaurant, Campshire Cafes, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1. Enjoy jazz and lunch every Sunday

Thursday 14 April 8 pm Jack Harte Reading. Founder of the Irish Writersʼ Union and the Irish Writersʼ Centre, this widely published writer reads from his diverse work at Airﬁeld House, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum Tel: 298 4301 €8/€5

During April, 10am to 4 pm Art exhibition by Henry Buckley at Phoenix Park Visitor Centre.

Friday 15 April at 7.30 for 7.45 pm Literary Evening of songs, poems and stories at Christchurch Hall, Sandymount organised by the Irish Christian Writersʼ Fellowship.

Sunday 10 April 12 mid-day to 5 pm ANIMAL FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER at North Star Hotel, Amiens Street. Healing €20 per session, Tarot €20 per session. For further details telephone Catherine 855 2799. Monday 11 April Get ready to host a cuppa tea party for Alzheimerʼs. Phone: 1850 931 931.

Friday 15 April Race night at Murrayʼs of Bath Avenue. Monday 18/19 April at 10 am/1 pm SHAKESPEARE FOR KIDZ, Macbeth and The Tempest. “Shakespeare 4 Kidz does for Shakespeare, what ʻOliverʼ did for Dickens.” Tickets: €10 (1 teacher free with every 10 children) The Helix Box Ofﬁce 7007000 online booking: www. thehelix.ie

Friday 22 April 8 pm Poker Night at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club. Saturday 23 April 8 pm Gala Concert in memory of Leslie Knight featuring Niamh Murray, St Georgeʼs Brass Band and the Stedfast Band in St Andrewʼs College, Booterstown (Admission €15 including a glass of wine). Proceeds in aid of Irish Lung Fibrosis Association. Tickets available from Nicola Goodbody 298 5336 or Arthur Austen 2893322. Saturday 23 April 10 am to 4 pm The Irish Raynaudʼs and Scleroderma Society (IRSS) will hold their Annual Awareness Conference in the Stillorgan Park Hotel. Admission: €25 including lunch and coffee. Reservations and information from 2020184 or email: info@irishraynauds. com

23 and 24 April Art Exhibition at Enable Ireland, Sandymount Avenue (26115921) 27 April 10 am to 1 pm Healthy Lifestyle at St Andrewʼs Resource Centre, Pearse Street for all local 6th class primary and 1st year secondary students in the area. Thursday 5 May Alzheimerʼs Lyons Tea Day. Friday 6 May 8 pm Pub Quiz Night at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club, Pigeon House Road. Saturday 7 May 8 pm Bray Vista perform at Airﬁeld House, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum Tel: 298 4301 €15/12.

Saturday 7 May 2 to 6 pm Open Day for juniors (8 to 17 years of age) at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club, Pigeon House Road. A parent or guardian must accompany all children. All instructors are members of the Irish Sailing Association Sunday 7 May 12 mid-day Special Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Dublin to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of St Patrickʼs Ringsend as a Parish Church 9 to 13 May Open week at The Anchorage, York Road. Flowers galore– Ringsend in bloom. Phone: 6600517 25 and 26 May Over the Bridge by Paul Kennedy performed by Watersedge Community Drama Group at Ringsend Technical College. Tickets from Bernie in Bridge The Gap coffee shop after 15 April. 6 June Womenʼs Mini Marathon

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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

Images of the Phillipines By Chris Maniocha THESE ARE just some of an outstanding selection of photographs taken by Chris in the Phillipines. Covering friendly children, rickety housing, the military cadet quite literally ʻpassing outʼ in the heat, leisure pursuits and the lady beside grafﬁti saying ʻno litteringʼ these photos capture the unique and varied Filipino way of life.

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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

PAGE 39

THE POETRY PLACE Monday Morning On the country train from Bray I found a seat beside a young woman Her head buried in a Maeve Binchy book The man across from me was talking Enthusiastically to the young married Woman beside him, his posh accent Waked the Monday morning death from Our minds, as we came to be aware Of the city sounds. Crowds left the train at Pearse Station Disappearing in all directions, some Into the Church to say a silent prayer And invoke the strength to face another Week of monotonous burdens, some queued At bus stops while others went into shops Purchasing the paper, cigarettes and soft Drinks, the necessities to revive the Body and take it into the routine that Makes cash available for our survival. By Mary Guckian

Memories Was the sky always blue in my childhood, As we sat in the Shelly Banks and made tea. We walked back home in the evenings As the ﬁshermen where coming in from sea. And the ﬁsh that they gave us when they landed, Would be shared among the neighbours for free. I can still see the home of my childhood, When nights where dark, and ships lit up the sea. They have torn out the roots of my childhood, Houses built where once a beach was seen, And by the old sea wall, are factories straight and tall. So only in my memories can I see The Pigeon House when it was wild and free. By Carmel Donnelly Gallagher (deceased) Carmel was born in 76 Coastguard Station, Pigeon House Road

Words Words Words How imprisoning they can be They paralyse you; they paralyse me They can freeze us to death They can leave us bereft Cheer us up no end Empower us to extend Help us not to stray Teach us to pray But remember, in what he says, The speaker gives himself away By Carmel McCarthy

CinderEmma, CinderEmma. Or the Double Sonnet CinderEmma, CinderEmma, - my house needs a dust, Turn off the tap or the basin will rust, Listen to me and obey my will, Take out the plug or the water will spill. Wash up the dishes and dry them quick, You are far too slow– you make me sick. Polish the floor and dust the books, Pick up my clothes– there are plenty of hooks. Donʼt just stand there looking at me, Get in the kitchen and make the tea. Plenty of water and not too much milk, Then iron my clothes but not if theyʼre silk. Hoover the carpet, then, make the bed, I want clean sheets, the ones that are red. Iʼve told you before and Iʼll tell you again, Donʼt hang out the clothes if itʼs going to rain. Why donʼt you listen and do what you are told, You are far too cheeky and far too bold. Clean out the grate and mop the floor, Then polish the handles on every door. Dust the pictures and all round the edges, Dust the shelves and all the ledges. Get on with your work and never complain, And when you have finished– you can start again. By A.E. Mouse

Migrants Hands– roughened and coarse from over-zealous gardening, To wish to show in my own special way A welcome for your home-coming– Are idle now. How sweet it was, that task to plant, to weed and trim; In June a blaze of colour– red triumphant warring flags– My favourite floribundas heralded your coming. The home, once filled with voices, now is quiet. In the garden the weeds thrive and the grass is long. Across the road young voices shout at play– Last games before the call to bed. Nostalgic sounds– the memory of childrenʼs voices. Long shadows fall; twilight ghosts that haunt me On autumn evenings, now that youʼve gone. What matter if the weeds have grown Or that the grass is long? By Maire McAuliffe

I Like Me I like me because I am intelligent and smart I like me because I have a big heart And I am a talented child The best thing about me is I ﬁt in with everybody And I like the colour pink. Nicole Murphy. aged 7

Dawn’s Precipice A fatherʼs hand warm and tender touching mine His golden ﬂaxen hair. Smiling eyes and quiet ways And just before dawn. And with the gorse Beneath his feet. The silence, then the sound Of the soil with his spade. And the breaking of the twigs Beneath his nimble feet He then made that steep climb Up to the cliffʼs edge and as he stood To look at the sea below And as the fog lifted He looked down at the currents Of the rotating circles of the sea below He, then turned around once and looked at us all And with his dancing blue eyes And with a new day beginning He waved, and then said goodbye. By Dolores Duffy

It’s Only My Heart Itʼs only my heart youʼre breaking, nobody else feels the pain Itʼs only my world youʼre shaking, how can I love ever again Itʼs only my world, itʼs only my heart, itʼs only my life falling apart Itʼs only my heart youʼre breaking, nobody else feels the pain I thought this time I had made it, true love at last had come along, But now you say your love has faded and it is time that you moved on Well itʼs only my world, itʼs only my heart, itʼs only my life falling apart Itʼs only my heart youʼre breaking, nobody else feels the pain And now you say that you must leave me, well if you must go then you must go But just how much it will grieve me, no one will know, no one will know Because itʼs only my world, itʼs only my heart, itʼs only my life falling apart Itʼs only my heart youʼre breaking, nobody else feels the pain By Michael Green As always, we welcome contributions to The Poetry Place, which can be sent to the ʻNewsFourʼ ofﬁces at 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.

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NEWSFOUR APRIL 2005

Sportsco opened in 1979 and celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. ESB Sportsco is without doubt one of the leading leisure facilities in the country. Sportsco’s mission statement is: ‘to offer the very best in sports facilities combined with quality service to all our members’.

FUNCTION

ROOM OPEN TO MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS

SPORTSCO SUMMER CAMP 2005

• 4 six a side soccer pitches • 25 metre swimming pool • Fitness centre • Aerobic studio • Leisure suite • 4 Squash courts • 5 Tennis courts • Sports hall • Jogging track • Therapy clinic • Members’ lounge • Function/meeting room • Snooker room • Creche facilities

7 weeks from 4th July-26th August Activities: Pool and games Basketball Soccer Swimming Unihoc Aerobics and dance Rounders Treasure Hunt Arts and Crafts Tennis Hours: 9.30 am to 4 pm Ages: 4 to 12 Book early to avoid disappointment

South Lotts Road, Ringsend, Dublin 4 Telephone Nos. 6687022 6765831 FAX 6604187