AUGUST 2006
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
IS IT JUST A PIPE DREAM?
IN YOUR ABUNDANT AUGUST ISSUE Audrey Healy encounters that matron magnet Daniel O’Donnell on page 8
Colin Farrell fans will no doubt love ‘Miami Vice’. Michael Hilliard reviews the film on page 18
K
ilkenny born sculptor Patrick OʼReilly has come up with the idea of illuminating the Poolbeg chimneys. OʼReilly recently brought Bertrand Chiron the General Manager of Bideau, the company who created the installation of lights for the Eiffel Tower, to view the chimneys. It is estimated that the installation would cost in the region of €1 million and talks are currently taking place with the Dublin City Council and the ESB. The idea is to light the chimneys for ten minutes every hour, so sometimes they would be visible and sometimes not. The lights would be invisible by day. Rosita Boland of the ʻIrish Timesʼ interviewed OʼReilly and he is quoted as saying “People remember things better when they donʼt see them all the time; itʼs more of a surprise. And then, maybe they could be lit all night in celebration of special events.” OʼReilly hopes that funding would come from the ESB and points out that it couldnʼt be a better ad for an electricity board!
After all, OʼReilly says, the ESB are only caretakers for the chimneys, they are owned by the State and ultimately by ourselves. The two chimneys are always
THE
a welcome sight when returning to Dublin by air. Would the welcome be even more special if they were lit up like two giant Christmas trees? What do you think?
HAT FITS!
Joe Burke, Chairman DCC, is pictured with new Lord Mayor Vincent Jackson at St Andrewʼs Centre, Pearse Street.
How can you wash a jersey with ‘Brian Cullen’ written on it? Shay Connolly is on pages 28 to 29
The pubs are feeling the draught as customers go elsewhere, says Brian Kelly on page 17
A montage of bike photos called ʻBicykillsʼ by Sean Hillen at the Dublin Bicycle Festival at chq, Custom House Quay.
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NewsFour Managing Editor Ann Ingle Advertising Manager Grainne McGuinness Office Manager Miriam Holmes Staff Brian Kelly Maggie Neary Grace Charley Brian Rutherford Fergal Murphy Audrey Healy David Hussey
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
The Editor’s Corner
I HAVE BEEN off for a few days to Donegal with eldest daughter Sarah, her husband Willo and four of the grandchildren. We had a wonderful time despite the showers. With holidays in mind this edition is a veritable tourist trove. Bray has been rediscovered by Brian Rutherford (page 3), Maggie got hot and bothered on the train in France (page 33) and Brian Kelly waxes lyrical in Bantry (page 20). After that there is the usual wide variety of articles from Peregrines in Poolbeg (page14) to Daniel OʼDonnell in Mullingar (page 8). You canʼt say we donʼt give you an assortment in ʻNewsFourʼ.
As usual it is good to hear from our readers abroad and a special hello to them all. I am glad to say we have reproduced the books we published in the 1990s (see below) and I am sure many of you will want to purchase these for presents for those away from home. Our next issue will be out around 15th October so if you want anything included get to us by the middle of September and we will try to accommodate you. Our telephone number is 6673317 and email newsfourscs@eircom.net Happy holidays Ann Ingle
• SPECIAL NOTICE •
Contributors Michael Hilliard Christy Hogan Saoirse O’Hanlon James O’Doherty Aidan O’Donoghue Joe Taylor Shay Connolly Derek Sandford
SHELBOURNE PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LTD Swimming in Sportsco
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.
Guitar Lessons Professional Teacher Contact Tony at 087 9743775
Music Correspondent Brian Kelly Web Designer Andrew Thorn Photography John Cheevers Design, Typesetting, Layout Eugene Carolan Community Services, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4. Telephone: (01)6673317 E-mail: newsfourscs@eircom.net Affiliated to Comhairle, South-East Area Network, (SEAN) Local History Research, Community Resource Service, NewsFour Newspaper, FÁS Community Employment Programme. Opinions expressed in News Four do not necessarily represent the views of Community Services.
A Social and Natural History of Sandymount, Irishtown and Ringsend, first published in 1993 and The Roads to Sandymount Irishtown and Ringsend, first published in 1996 are now available From ʻNewsFourʼ, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 and ʻBooks on the Greenʼ, Sandymount Village.
We are 21!
Flexibility – Movement – Strength –Balance
Sandymount Community Services and ʻNewsFourʼ are celebrating their 21st anniversary in October. If you have been a participant during those 21 years please get in touch so that you can join with us in marking this milestone. Contact Ann Ingle, ʻNewsFourʼ, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 Telephone: 6673317
HATHA YOGA with Rukhsana Kauser
Beginners/Level 1 at Ringsend Community Centre, Thorncastle Street Tuesday 6.30 – 7.30 pm from 5th September to 10th October 6 week course €60 Drop in available (€12) space permitting Call 086 1788 407 to reserve a place Rukhsana is a member of Yoga Therapy Ireland
Ringsend Active Retirement Association Retired with time on your hands? Why not visit us at the CYMS in Ringsend any Tuesday to Friday from 2.30 pm New members (men and women) always welcome
Our address: NewsFour, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend Phone: 6673317 • Email: newsfourscs@eircom.net Visit our website at: www.news4.ie
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
A GRAND
By Brian Rutherford
B
ray is the gateway to Wicklow with Enniskerry and Powerscourt House as its neighbour at the foot of the Wicklow mountains. As the town crest says, ʻFeile agus failteʼ, hospitality and welcome. The fact is there is a lot to be enjoyed in the seaside town of Bray. The amusements and arcades on the seafront are obviously for the children but there are also 15 golf courses available in the vicinity, fabulous walks and a national
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DAY OUT IN
sealife centre. The name Bray means ʻhillʼ or ʻrising groundʼ probably because of the incline of the town from the Dargle river which runs into the sea at Bray. Its history dates to medieval times when it was governed by the English crown from Dublin Castle or the Pale as Dublin was then known. The surrounding countryside was under the control of Gaelic chieftains such as the OʼTooles and the OʼByrnes. In the 17th century it was still a fishing village but the Dublin middle class began to move to Bray to escape city life.
B RAY
Enniskerryʼs Powerscourt House was built around this period. In 1834 the Dublin and Kingstown railway opened and ran to Bray making it the largest seaside resort in Ireland. World War II brought lean times but in the 1950s tourists from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland flocked to it to escape rationing, would you believe. Today it is a thriving town with a population of just over 28,000 governed by a town council and boasts fine hotels, guesthouses and shops. The DART now makes Bray easily accessible for a grand day out for
Dubliners. It is an ideal base for walkers and strollers of all ages, with a mile-long promenade on a shingled beach and a head 241 metres high at the southern end of the promenade. A well-worn track leads to its summit. From the top the view is breathtaking as you look out to sea for as far as the eye can see and on up the coast to Greystones. Sin a Slainte (the healthy walk) covers 14 km (8.75 miles) and runs through urban and coastal areas and is fully signposted. The cliff walk around the side of Bray Head to Greystones covers 4 miles of spectacular scenery. From
the height of Bray Head on a recent visit there was a fine assembly of swans in the harbour. Bray also happens to be home to quite a few celebrities. James Joyce once lived there in a house now owned by Liz McManus of the Labour Party. Also Mary Coughlan and in the 1980s Bono of U2 actually used to own the Martello tower itself. Neil Jordan and his then-wife, Beverly DʼAngelo lived there. Eamon de Buitléar and broadcaster Brian Farrell and Dave Allen the comedian lived there too. Bray is also the home of Ardmore studios, Irelandʼs only film studios.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
B ACK
TO NATURE !
By Grace Charley “This chairʼs too hard– this chairʼs too soft– and this chairʼs not right either!” know the story only too well. ʻGoldilocks and the Three Bearsʼ was one of my favourite childrenʼs stories but for the past year it has resonated into a real ʻpain in the neckʼ, which is entirely down to sitting in the wrong chair. A week wouldnʼt go by without me visiting a healer, a physiotherapist, a GP, sometimes all three. Stress, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and a recent car accident were all cited as the triggering pain factors, both singularly and collectively. Iʼve a lot of faith in professionals, but often times they donʼt have time to listen to scene-by-scene breakdowns of a personʼs typical day, which means that simple things can be overlooked. For example, I didnʼt get to tell them that I used to spend night and day hunched over a laptop. And worse, they didnʼt know that my tiny little abode didnʼt allow desk room so I had
I
to work from my bed. My natural S-shaped spine had quickly redesigned itself into a C-shape, subsequently pulling on every nerve and muscle from my jaw region to my thigh area. From the off, my mother blamed ʻbad postureʼ, and as it turns out, she was right– mothers of course always know best. When I moved into a bigger house, I made shapes to remedy the situation. I bought an ʻoffice friendlyʼ chair which
Vacancy for a Manager/Team Leader
promised ultimate comfort with its specially designed moulding features. I also made sure my laptop was strategically placed at eye level. By now I was begging to disassociate my love of writing with grinding pain. But it wasnʼt to be. Not long after, the pain in my neck worsened and was now radiating up through the base of my skull. Months went by and simple things like sitting round a table eating or conversing sent my
JOE’S
neck into spasms. My zest for life started slipping away and hypochondriacally, I imagined all sorts of things growing in my grey matter. Fleeting relief manifested itself in alcohol, soothing the worry but, most importantly, dampening the pain. Unfortunately, the next day the problem was still there and of course exacerbated by a woeful hangover. Again, I tried other new healing methods, acupuncture, antistress-busting tapes, heated towels– but nothing delivered long-lasting results. It got to the stage where I couldnʼt sit at my computer for more than five minutes at a time before having to get up. A nagging suspicion kept resurfacing. Was it possible my ʻoffice friendlyʼ chair wasnʼt so friendly after all? To find out, I entered The Back Shop, (situated off Grafton Street) armed with a picture of me in my chair. It turned out, my suspicions were correct. I was sitting in the wrong chair and it was responsible for causing new suffering, as well as perpetuating the old. My chair had no neck support which meant my neck was carrying the weight of my head, one stone to be exact. My chair was designed with no lumbar support which explained why I
was constantly crouching. My chairʼs arm rests were too far apart, ensuring further uneven distribution of body weight. And, my chairʼs fancy moulding only served to elongate my spine even more due to poor fitting. My whole body was permanently out of sync. I had three choices, give up writing, buy another new chair or get one custom made. I opted to buy another chair. And after trawling through every home and office store, I could not find a suitable chair. Apparently, they can make fluffy sports car beds for dogs but not chairs with neck support for ʻsmaller folkʼ like me. I really needed to get my priorities and back straight. I had spent a guilt-free fortune on healers and alcohol thus far– why was I quibbling at the idea of getting a chair made? Surely in this profession, itʼs as important as wearing a good fitting bra. Right! Back to The Back Shop. Make me that chair please, Mr Chairman. I might have to work in an unnatural environment, but it shouldnʼt mean my body should have to pay for it. Iʼll get back to you on it. Above: Even in 1949, IBM was aware of the need for correct posture when typing!
SITTING CHAMPIONS
Ringsend Community Centre Ringsend House, Thorncastle Street Dublin 4 Tel: 6604789
The manager’s responsibilities include: Manage and facilitate the development of the community centre and its outreach services on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre. Operate the existing Job Initiative Project of 15 participants in line with Board and FAS requirements (recruitment, finance, preparation of training and development programme, facilitate and encourage transition to mainstream employment) Manage the existing resources and facilities including the Cyber Caffe, computer training room, etc. Letter of application together with CV should be sent to The Board of Directors at the above address marked ‘Confidential’ before 1st September 2006.
BOXING BUDDIES Joe Egan and Mike Tyson have sponsored two large swing seats with sun shades for the residents of Cambridge Court in Ringsend. Pictured above at the presentation of the seats
to the Centre are, left to right: Cas Pennant, Joeʼs publisher, Paddy Rogers, Joe Egan, Christy Walsh, Betty Kiely, Kay Walsh, Margaret Earley, Maureen Robinson, Bridget Ingle, Vanessa Murphy, Lee Murphy and Antonio Fernandez.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006 Iʼm sure I can see my Mammyʼs House at the left hand side of the photo. It is just beautiful to see anything of Ringsend - it still makes me homesick after 55years Best Regards J Lynch, Australia
The Letterbox Dear Madam Editor I wonder if you could settle a couple of disagreements between cousin Donal McKenna (who I got to know through ʻNewsFourʼ) and myself. Can you clarify some of the following? Iʼm saying that Clyneʼs the Butcher used to be located at my corner and Fitzwilliam Street before they moved across the gap. (I used to live at 15 Bridge St. where Noel Richardson now lives– heʼs the brother of my Aunty Nan now deceased who married my Uncle Alfie). Also Iʼm saying that there was a grocery shop named Haltonʼs– heʼs saying it was Nelsonʼs. So whoʼs right? Donal and I have had a very lively e-mail relationship since catching up with him and I have also met his daughter Kerry who came over to Banff with her family last winter. It is great finding new cousins so ʻNewsFourʼ is doing great work for emigrants. Mairead Lavigne
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Ringsend readers please solve the disagreement for Mairead. Ed Dear Madam Editor My family and I would like to thank all relatives, and friends who sent flowers, Mass cards and sympathy cards on the death of Anne Purdy (nee McFarlane) on 30th October 2005. There were too many to reply to each one, so we would like you all to accept this letter as a very great thank you The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered up for you behalf. Yours very gratefully Kevin Purdy and Family, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England Dear Ann Thank you once more for my ʻNews Fourʼ. I have seen so many people I know in the April copy. What a great surprise when I opened page 29
WANTED Rosary beads • Religious videos • Audio tapes • Medals • Small Statues Scapulars • Used postage stamps • Christmas cards
(confirmation class of 1944 Ringsend School) to see my brother Con Campbell second from left back row. I could not believe my eyes. I have sent it to England where he now lives. I am now reading my June copy I received yesterday. Thank you Jimmy Purdy for your letter in answer to mine I would say it is your cousin Jimmy who worked with Gerry
AFRICA
Lynch as they were great pals also Gerryʼs father Stephen Lynch as was a shipwright in the port for many years. Jimmy my brothersʼ names were Michael and Con Campbell. Michael married Nellie Donnelly also from Coast Guard. It was lovely to see the Sandymount Strand on the front cover of June copy and the red and white poles at the end of Pidgeon House Road.
COMES TO
Dear Madam Editor I am writing to ask you to take my name off your distribution list, please. I will be returning to Australia to live at the end of month and will no longer be able to receive ʻNewsFourʼ. I take this opportunity to thank you for placing me on the distribution list in the first place and for publishing some of my poems. You have been very kind. Finally, I originally contacted you about the rubbish in the Dodder River and forgot to write back to say thanks to you and the local authority for actually cleaning it up. Well done! My best wishes to you and ʻNewsFourʼ. Yours sincerely Stephen Carter Canʼt take the credit for the clean-up but thanks anyway! Ed
RINGSEND
For
Ukraine, Poland, Philippines, Ehtiopia, Romania, Sri-Lanka, Fiji, Eritrea, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, Israel, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Paraguay, Pakistan, Lebanon, Indonesia, Uganda, Chile, South Africa, Nicaragua, Peru and Malawi Send direct to: Tom Wall, Ballinookera, Whitegate, Midleton, Co Cork Tel: 021 466 1552 (after 5 pm)
APOLOGY Thomas Gregg was the writer of the piece printed in Derek Buckley’s football page in the June edition and unfortunately this was not acknowledged. This was a serious error, especially so because Thomas was the driving force behind the mini world cup tournament which gave so much pleasure to adults and children alike. Many apologies, Ann Ingle, Editor
FOR ONE DAY in July local children were magically transported from Ringsend Library to a small African village by storyteller Ronke Arogundade. She recounted the tale of a small girl who disobeyed her parents. She wandered off and got lost in the forest, where she encountered nasty spirits. The villagers eventually rescued her, and she returned home, having learned her lesson. Ronke later introduced her young audience to traditional African costume, dancing and drumming, which proved very popular. This event was part of a multicultural Summer programme for children entitled ʻAll Together Nowʼ. By John Cheevers
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
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‘T HE H ONEYMOON R EVIEWED
G
eri Murphy is one of those women who dreamt of her wedding day as a little girl. Her childhood was consumed by visions of the perfect dress, the perfect fairytale castle, the love and the romance– the ingredients she thought were all she needed to create the wedding of the year. But she omitted to set the same high standards for her bridegroom and so caught up is she in the thoughts of marriage that she fails to notice the faults in her boyfriend Gary, whose enthusiasm for the big event wanes by the day. The more plans Geri makes, the more Gary withdraws, yet despite her niggling doubts and the warnings of her best friends Geri is determined to have her day and get
BY
IS
A UDREY H EALY
her man up the aisle. And she does but that is just the beginning of her problems, because before the ink is even dry on the wedding certificate Geri learns that the honeymoon is over. A mere couple of hours after the festivities, Geri comes face to face with the real reason behind Garyʼs lack of enthusiasm– the long-limbed and tarty Jessica! Sheʼs cruelly faced with the stark realisation that Gary has been having an affair with someone he met on their own premarriage course. Throw in a hen night in Spain, the mother-in-law from hell, a lecherous father-in-law and an unplanned pregnancy and you have the perfect ingredients for an enjoyable summer read.
O VER ’
Geriʼs journey from clingy brideto-be to independent businesswoman and single mother is a delight to follow and the reader will find themselves cheering on the heroine as she struggles to overcome all the obstacles that come her way. Annett Hollidayʼs novel is warm, humourous and the ideal read for these lazy, hazy days of summer. It is also tinged with sadness, as readers will note that Annett sadly passed away from cancer just after she completed this, her third novel for Poolbeg. ʻThe Honeymoon is Overʼ follows the success of her previous offerings, ʻA Life Like Yoursʼ and ʻHappy Every Afterʼ. ʻThe Honeymoon is Overʼ is published by Poolbeg and is available at all good bookstores.
T ONY G ILL , S TREET P OET AND T OM C RILLY C OMMUNITY A CTIVIST By Fergal Murphy
ʻT
ony Gill– Street Poetʼ is a book produced by Thomas Crilly, the Chairperson of the ʻRingsend &
District Response to Drugsʼ. It is a collection of the poems of the late Tony Gill, a homeless man from the Quays who died after being set alight by another homeless man. This book gives an insight into the mind of a homeless man and
shows us the human side behind the scruffy, dishevelled exterior. A number of Tonyʼs poems highlight the loneliness of being homeless (ʻToday I spoke to no one and nobody spoke to me. Am I dead?ʼ) and his struggle to be seen as an equalʻDonʼt look at me with a frown, donʼt look downʼ. We are also given a brief history of Tonyʼs life, from his upbringing in the drinking culture on the quays to the point following the death of his mother where his life collapsed into total chaos and homelessness. It shows us he was not a stereotypical homeless man and was very well-read and intelligent. In another lifetime he might have been a respected member of the artistic community. There is one lovely story which gives us an insight into his humanity where Tony buys a Christmas present for a nurse because he “just wanted to give her something.” I met up recently with Thomas Crilly and he told me about his aims for the book and about the Spellman Centre. Thomas said that there is a large problem with alcohol among young people and that there are mixed messages being sent when parents spend seven nights in the pub and then tell their children not to drink. The aim of the Spellman Centre is to get eight or nine heroin addicts a year drug-free, which it has done successfully. It also provides support groups, one-to-one counsel-
ling sessions and family support, which is very important to help repair the ties and rebuild the trust that has been eroded by years of drug abuse. It also helps to provide re-integration into the community for the addicts through people from the community coming in to demonstrate activities such as arts and crafts. Thomas Crilly told me that people from the community wanted something done to help the young people on drugs but were fearful of having the centre in the area because of fear of crime from the ad-
dicts attending the centre. This fear is largely misplaced because most of them are there for help and to turn their lives around. This centre does a lot of excellent work in the community, such as helping young people to rebuild their lives and give them a chance where otherwise they might have ended up in prison or dead. Many of the former addicts have gone on to become productive members of society and to lead normal lives. It is a brilliant achievement to overcome addiction and these young people deserve our admiration and respect.
The Yacht Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, 6680977
‘For a Quiet Pint in comfortable surroundings and a friendly atmosphere’
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AN
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
AUDIENCE WITH
D ANIEL
By Audrey Healy
H
ave you ever been in a room with approximately 800 screaming love-sick women and no, Iʼm not talking about the teenagers featured on the front of the ʻSunday Worldʼ newspaper a few weeks ago but those of a more, ʻmatureʼ age? Screaming, wailing, whistling, hungry women who eyeball their prey with precision before going in for the kill. Little old ladies, many of whom were feeble on their feet, suddenly found a new energy and pushed against each other in a desperate bid to be first in the doors of the Mullingar Park House Hotel last week. Accompanied by two hardened fans I meekly sauntered behind, somewhat curious as to what it is about the performer here tonight that appeals to so many. The atmosphere was electric and the blue-rinse brigade were out in force and I thought, as I made myself comfortable in the interior of this fabulous new hotel, there must be a better way to spend a Wednesday night– after all ʻThe Billʼ and ʻFair Cityʼ were on TV– but, I reflected, this is the price you pay for trying to make
your motherʼs dream come true. Yes, Iʼd spent the past few weeks trying to arrange for my mother to have a personal audience with the man himself– no, not the Pope, but close enough– Daniel OʼDonnell! I decided to keep this news a secret in case the excitement should prove fatal for my mother who is arguably Danielʼs biggest fan. Picture the scene– having spoken to Danielʼs management team to arrange this meeting I had been instructed to call a certain telephone number and ask to speak to Joe so having equipped my mother and her friend with a stiff drink I discreetly excused myself and went to make that all important phone call. The phone rang a number of times and then a very familiar soft Northern accent answered– Oh my God! It was Daniel! My knees turned to jelly and my heart beat a hundred times faster and quite frankly I lost all sense of reason. I found myself speechless. “Hello?” he began again. “Hello, could I speak to Joe please?” I pathetically managed to babble. “Joe isnʼt here, this is Daniel,” said the man, confirming my suspicions. I explained the situation to him. He told me to speak to one of the security guards and escort my mother to see him straight away. Then came the difficult bit– breaking the news to my mother, whose face showed shock, horror, excitement and I suspect lust (though she denies this…) In the past my mother has met many of her favourite people– Gay Byrne, Niall Toibin, Charlie McGettigan, Tom OʼConnor, Johnny McEvoy, Charlie Landsborough and Bertie himself but nothing could have prepared her for this moment. Suddenly, there he was. He appeared like a vision, the hair immaculate, the complexion smooth and that alluring smile which melted the hearts of the two ladies. I decided to take a back seat at this stage and allow the cosy trio to enjoy their five minutes together. As we all know many Irish mammies harbour deep feelings of affection for the boy from Kincasslagh but thereʼs something unique about introducing your mother to him. Thereʼs something about this scenario that turns a down-toearth rational woman who likes a bit of Irish music into a groupie or worse. Be warned, introducing your mother to Daniel OʼDonnell will have a funny effect on her and allowing her to embrace him for the all important photograph is certainly a little precarious! I escorted my mother on very
shaky legs back to the main function room where there were some ten women to every man. Some of the males did appear to be genuine fans but others, you could tell, had come along simply as chauffeurs and one suspected that these puzzled men bonding in the hotel lobby were lamenting the fact that their sane wives had apparently lost the run of themselves. As soon as the lights went down and Daniel appeared in a sharp grey suit the assembled went mad– and I mean mad. They were like a gang of pre-pubescent, hormonally-challenged hysterical teenagers, and I thought Iʼd missed something huge until I realised that the object of their affections had indeed taken his place on the stage. Celebrating twenty years in the business and accompanied by a ten-piece band, Daniel belted out a melody of hits from his numerous albums down through the years and love him or hate him, thereʼs no denying that this man has made a serious impact on audiences all over the world. You have to hand it to him, he has the ʻX-factorʼ and sang everything from ʻDanny Boyʼ to ʻItʼs a long way to Tipperaryʼ, and ʻI just wanna dance with youʼ before a quick costume stage (backstage, thankfully) saw him reappear in a pair of tight leather trousers and a bright red shirt which I felt was a pretty sacrificial choice in a room full of lustful women. He threw in a few Elvis numbers and rock ʻnʼ roll hits along the way and boy, can that man move! He jumped round the stage like a man half his age, he waltzed, he did the splits and he even did an Irish jig. It is clear from his performance that he is passionate about what he does and that he loves his fans. He gave them great value for money and genuinely appreciates the following he has built up over two decades, waiting behind after every show to meet and greet each and every fan who queued up to speak to him, no matter how long it took. With that boyish charm, Danielʼs clean-cut image makes him the perfect potential son in law– or so this is how my mother rationalises his appeal. However, as I pointed out to her in the unlikely event that I were to marry Daniel (even if he were single) I very much fear that I would be a guest on the Jerry Springer show in years to come, with the topic ʻMy mother ran off with my husbandʼ. Special thanks to Joe Collum and Daniel OʼDonnell.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
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M Y FAVOURITE PLACE By Grace Charley ʻMoonlight around the thorn tree, The little people play, Men and women passing, Turn their heads away, But if your heartʼs a childʼs heart, And if your eyes are clean, You need never fear the thorn tree, That grows beyond Clogheen.ʼ (Count John McCormack)
M
y favourite place has somewhat shifted down through the years. For example, when I was a teenager, my favourite place was my bedroom. It was a place of refuge, where law and order had no business being there. As I got older, I sought new tenancy. This time my favourite place was a pub, any pub, as long as it offered reprieve from the Monday to Friday grind. In between all that, my other favourite places
have included Copenhagen, (home to Hans Christian Andersonʼs Little Mermaid) and Mary Grimleyʼs sweetshop. These days, I have a new favourite place. It offers all of the above in one field, and it comes in the shape of a Fairy Tree. Fairy Trees defy law and order and are safeguarded against corruption. Thereʼs not a brown envelope in the Dáil cabinet big enough to pull these trees to ground. Even if planning permission were granted, no builder will uproot the tree for fear of its curse. Oh scoff ye not. According to folklore these beautiful whiteflower trees that stand brazenly in the middle of a field have bestowed bad fortune on those who dared to harm a single twig. Unfortunately, Fairy Trees are a bit scarce round OʼConnell Street, (though stranger things have been planted there) so I have to travel home to Monaghan to where
PURCHASE YOUR TUXEDO ONLINE
The original Tuxedo Man: Fred Astaire pictured with Ginger Rogers.
thereʼs one just a few fields away from where I grew up. My fascination with Fairy Trees began when my grandmother told me about the day she saw fairies dancing around a tree. Itʼs irrelevant to me that no tiny DNA prints were found at the site– the fact is itʼs a lovely tale and given the amount of fantasy Iʼve heard echoing from
wooden pulpits, itʼs a more credible one. Each time I visit that tree, I hear my grandmotherʼs tale and again I feel the magic. The magic feeling lasts much longer than Mary Grimleyʼs gobstoppers and is more inebriating than any liqueur Iʼve ever tasted. I have learned to tap into that
feeling whenever I find myself in bull-bait situations, like Tescoʼs on a Saturday morning or aboard the No.18 on a Friday evening. Times like that, I truly wish I was ʻaway with the fairiesʼ. Little tip. Keep your favourite place close to your heart. Youʼll get there much quicker. Above: ʻFairiesʼ by J. Fitzgerald.
By Audrey Healy
an end to that frantic dash back to the rental shop on a Monday morning, not to mention the worry of losing a hefty rental deposit,” says Cork native Brian. “Many people donʼt like the idea of renting a suit yet are reluctant to spend a fortune buying one. Weʼve priced DickyBow Tuxedos to suit all budgets and ours are typically around one-third cheaper than retail outlets.” dickybow.ie offers a complete black tie package for just €189.00, including black trousers, jacket, wing-collared dress shirt, bow tie and cuff links. The current average 2006 Irish high street retail price for a similar, genuine Tuxedo suit, is
around €350.00 and as DickyBow Tuxedos are brand new, you will be the first person to wear it, it will be perfectly clean and unworn and you donʼt have to hand it back, making it an investment for all those future social engagements. Brian predicts that the service will appeal to a wide range of people, including black-tie wedding guests, society ball-goers, busy professionals and Debutantes. Customers can expect to have their suit delivered to their address within three working days and can check the status of their order at any time. For further information log onto www.dickybow.ie
A
lthough we ladies may have a reputation for spending hours in the bathroom and in every store in town painstakingly searching for that all-important outfit for a special occasion, itʼs always been a less cumbersome procedure for men who just need to buy a suit– and itʼs about to get even easier! Fashion conscious men around the country are embracing the arrival of a brand new website which permits them to shop for a stylish top-ofthe-range dress suit at the scroll of a mouse! www.dickybow.ie, was launched in June this year and is a handy online store that allows men to purchase tuxedos for everything from debs, graduation days and weddings without even leaving the house. Users can take away the worry and time-consuming ritual of shopping for their dress suit by choosing the specific size, style and price of their outfit all on-line. The user-friendly site promises to find the perfect outfit to suit your individual requirements and have it delivered to your home in time for that special occasion. It represents, says proprietor Brian Terry, a whole new generation of shoppers. “We recognised an obvious gap in the market when it comes to buying tuxedos, with some men complaining about the fact that they were expensive and had to be returned within a certain period of time. Using dickybow.ie will mean
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PAGE 12
T AKE
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
THREE CYCLISTS …
Rose Barnes 41 Hospitality and Catering “Iʼve been cycling all my life. From where I have to travel to you could never get a bus and I started work earlier in the morning so cycling was the only means. Itʼs the quickest way in Dublin now to get around. I cycle every single day, about 6 miles in total. For time reasons itʼs so efficient. I never have to tie myself waiting for a bus. On the bike itʼs just A to B, go to and from. I donʼt have to pay any parking fees and itʼs great for health reasons. If I could, Iʼd bring an incentive to get more people out cycling. I donʼt know what but something that would encourage more people. Everyone else should get out cycling, theyʼre putting in the cycle lanes and itʼs cool now to have a bike, itʼs coming back into fashion.”
Sean McMichael 45 Computer Programmer Sean has been cycling all his life but only started cycling around Dublin in the last year and a half. “I started cycling again because I discovered that I had become very unfit and overweight,” says Sean, “It also seems to be the best way to get around Dublin quickly. No waiting for a bus or for taxis and Dublin is a compact enough city. I work in Ballsbridge and Iʼve just been up to Croke Park to buy tickets for the games at the weekend during my lunch break. Every day I cycle 2 miles to work and 2 miles back. If I could change anything about cycling in Dublin Iʼd change other peopleʼs behaviour but thatʼs something that you canʼt really change. For a large part, on the bike you have to look after yourself.”
Rebecca Pla 25 Account Assistant “I have been cycling in Dublin since just after Christmas,” says Rebecca. “For me itʼs handier than taking the bus and more fun than walking. I cycle every day from Marino to Dawson Street for work. Today Iʼve been cycling all morning, itʼs my day off and Iʼve got a few things to do. The only problem I have with cycling in Dublin is the traffic, itʼs really awful. When I first took the bike out I was quite scared of the traffic but now Iʼve become more used to it but the buses and trucks are still quite scary. The bike I had before got stolen so Iʼd like safer places to lock my bike.”
COMING FULL CYCLE
I
n 21st Century Ireland the car really is the star. The economic boom in the country has meant that many of us are doing well financially and so have more income at our disposal. We can now buy those things weʼve always wanted or the things advertisers would have us believe we always wanted. Weʼve gone and bought ourselves cars, lots of them. The figures speak for themselves with new car numbers across the country continuing to rise each year. It is true that ownership of a car provides a wonderful freedom. You have the ability to get from one part of the country to another in a matter of hours, alone or with a group of friends. You could even take the car abroad to Europe or beyond. But while the car as a mode of transportation for journeys of middle to long distances is fantastic it is in the city that the problems arise where, with their sheer volume of numbers, the car is no longer really practical. Here begins a rant: For short to middle length journeys in a
C YCLING
city the bicycle is a very efficient form of transportation. It is practically pollution free, comes with health benefits and is cheap and quiet. In and around Dublin, car and bus journey times compared with those of the bicycle differ little in time, leaning sometimes to one, sometimes to the other, depending on traffic factors, distance of journey or perhaps weather. Cycling regularly is healthy. It keeps the heart, lungs and muscles strong and can help to maintain a steady weight. Most would-be cyclists list poor weather, windy and wet condi-
TIPS
1. Saddle Height A correct position on the bicycle involves the saddle and the handle bars. With the pedal at the 6 oʼclock position your leg and knee should be slightly bent. 2. Clean Chain Clean your chain with soapy water with a small amount of degreaser (you can use diesel) and then lightly oil. If the chain is quite old it probably needs replacing. 3. Pumped Tyres Keep you tyres well inflated. Cycling on flat tyres requires a lot more energy.
–
tions as deterrents and while cycling in heavy rain or in strong winds is never really enjoyable Irelandʼs temperate climate is surprisingly well suited to allyear-round cycling, excepting of course the really bad days. So with regard to the environment, traffic congestion, oil wars and a whole host of other factors the bicycle should be considered. Above: The Second Dublin City Cycle took place over 10 km of Dublinʼs streets. The fun event was well attended with people of all ages and on all manner of bicycle taking part.
NEW AND OLD
4. Pedal Form Keep good form on the pedals, especially the chain side, by keeping clothing out of the way using trouser clips or tucking trousers into socks. 5. Be Safe Be Seen Always make yourself as visible as possible to other road users at night. Use lights back and front and reflective vests. 6. Other Road Users Signal your intentions clearly and always be alert and mannerly when cycling.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
PAGE 13
D R PNATRICIA C OMER OT A RETIRING LADY
By Maggie Neary
D
octor Patricia Comer, the well known local GP, pictured left, was asked to retire by the H.S.E. when she reached her seventieth year. When I met her recently she told me that she had just received the good news that they had extended her contract for a further year. She expressed her thanks to all those people who wrote letters and lobbied the local politicians on her behalf. I met Dr Comer at her surgery in Haddington Road. As we sat looking out onto the trees of the sunny back garden, she recalled how she had come to Dublin, as a shy young girl of 18, from her native Charleville in Co Cork to study for medicine in UCD. The class ratio of 10 women to 110 men was extremely challenging. She smilingly adds “I married one of them.” They had great fun but also worked hard to pass exams
M ISSING
MEMORIES
after which she had jobs in hospitals for three years and then joined her husband in the practice in Haddington Road. She comments that the claim by one of the newspapers that she was one of the first female GPs is, she feels incorrect, as two of her aunts who graduated from Dublin College of Surgeons had gone on to work as GPs in London. I asked how it was for a woman GP in her early days “Not great,” she remarked, “it was mainly female patients for me and at first they only wanted to see Cyril. He had a great personality and was very outgoing.” Gradually however, things changed and now she has a good quota of male patients as well. Also, she feels that patients are more educated now and do not hesitate to question things. In answer to my query about hobbies, she shook her head, saying “there was no time.” Cyril died aged 38, leaving her the sole breadwinner to rear three young children. However, with a twinkle in her eye, she adds that she did like a gamble in her younger days but after one particular marathon poker session her losses were so serious that she says “I stopped from the fright and never gambled again.” Her daughter who has three chil-
dren lives in Dublin. One son lives in Ringsend and the other in the USA. She not only works from Haddington Road but also lives there. She remarks that she sometimes thinks she might like to live by the sea but feels that her work is of too much importance in her life for her to move. Dr Comer expresses her bewilderment at the policy to obligatorily retire doctors who wish to remain working for the H.S.E. as it would appear that they have a scarcity of GPs. Furthermore, she points out that contrary to the busy life of many younger people, she herself is free enough at this stage of her life to choose to be more available for patients, often up to the later hour of 10pm and to do call-outs, as many of her patients are in their latter years. Even though she is free to continue her private practice, Dr Comerʼs eventual compulsory retirement by the H.S.E. will result in the withdrawal of her services from her medical card patients, many of whom have been attending her for up to 40 years. She hopes that a way will be found to alter this H.S.E. ruling that indiscriminately obliges their medical card GPs to retire at 70 years of age.
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ALL DUBLIN
AREAS COVERED
PAGE 14
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
T HE P OOLBEG
PEREGRINE By Christy Hogan
T
his is Polly the Peregrine Falcon who arrived at Poolbeg Station on Monday 3rd July. Iʼm calling her Polly as I understand her to be female, having done some detective work with those who are in the know. Our initial approach to her was cautious, fearing she might take flight. Some photographs were hastily taken with a camera phone. However, these pictures were taken at a distance of some thirty feet and we knew they would be of poor quality. However, a colleague had just returned from holiday and guess what he had in his car, a crate of wine from Bordeaux? No, no; he had a 5 megapixel digital camera. After a few photos were taken we realised that this bird wasnʼt for budging. Our intrepid cameraman edged closer and closer and got some really good photos. Some snaps were taken as close as twelve feet, which
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led us to the conclusion that Polly was unable to fly, or was unwell. After an inordinate amount of detective work and many phone calls it was established that Polly was in fact a fledgling. I phoned RTEʼs ʻMooney Goes Wildʼ, but unfortunately it was a case of ʻleave your message after the toneʼ. I then phoned ʻBirdwatch Irelandʼ. They couldnʼt help but suggested I contact the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Iʼm getting the run-around here, I thought to myself. However a lady at the DSPCA said that “they were very busy at present” but if we could entice Polly into a cardboard box they would arrange for her collection. I emailed some photos of Polly to them. On Thursday July 6th Polly was into her fourth day and it was obvious her flight was severely restricted. She fluttered from the rubbish skip to an oil drum throughout her days with us, a journey of some twenty yards. I noticed her drinking some rainwater from the ridge of the oil drum and promptly got her a bowl of fresh water. The canteen staff was great and very helpful at this stage. They gave me some leftovers from morning tea break, bits of sausage and rash-
er and pudding. I knew that falcons ate rodents such as mice and rats so I knew she was into meat. I left the breckie out for her one evening and it was gone the next morning. I donʼt know if Polly ate it, or maybe the local cats had a ball. On Friday July 7th Polly was into her fifth day and thatʼs when she bade us farewell. She was sitting on the rubbish skip at 1.30 and when I went to check on her again at 3 she had gone. Had she gained enough energy to fly away to pastures new? Or had she finally succumbed to injury and died in the bushes nearby? Well, the answer is a happy one, Iʼm glad to relate. On Monday 10th July she was spotted on the roof of the Poolbeg Station by some vigilant shift workers. A man who has a keen interest in birds and falcons in particular rang the relevant wildlife agency. They arrived promptly and took Polly away to be cared for. I understand she had been scorched, probably by heat from the chimney stacks or some other hot area of the Power Station. Sheʼs being well looked after now and we hope to see her again when sheʼs released and fully recovered from her injuries. Photo by Camillus Ryan
sets, the orchard became a miniature Garden of Eden. Close by, hidden in the grass and overgrown with brambles, lay the secret of its origin: a stone plaque bearing the inscription ʻPlanted in memory of Chico Mendes 1989ʼ. The little coppice on the mound of ash and cinders is a fitting, if somewhat ironic, memorial to a man who was murdered in 1988. Chico Mendes, pictured above, was murdered because he opposed the burning of the Brazilian rainforests by unscrupulous cattle ranchers and mining companies. The rainforests cover less
than two per cent of the Earthʼs surface and yet they are home to over half the animal and plant species on the planet. Chico Mendes (above) led a non-violent protest against those who would rob future generations of their heritage and paid the price with his life. On our tiny planet where the web of life is as fragile as gossamer, the burning of the Amazon forests impacts on every living thing. By his sacrifice Chico Mendes lit the spark of resistance to avarice and greed and the apples that grow on Irishtown hill taste all the sweeter in his memory.
E DEN
J
By Joe Taylor
ust south of the river Liffey near the huge twin barber poles of the Poolbeg power station, a spur of land juts out into Dublin Bay. Less than a mile long by a few hundred yards wide, what was once a slag heap of spent coal and cinders from the E.S.B. plant has been transformed over the years into a nature park. Known locally as Irishtown Hill, its slight elevation seems magnified by the rise and fall of the surrounding sea. The slopes of the hill have been colonized over time by wild flowers and shrubs and in the heart of noisy docklands it has become a little oasis where sea birds and other restless souls can find a haven of peace. For those who were fortunate enough to explore the hill last Autumn, there was the added delight of discovering a tiny orchard of apple trees laden down with ripe fruit. Against a backdrop of crimson and gold sun-
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
PAGE 15
T HE L UCIA C OMPLEX T
he Joyces moved to Trieste in June 1905 and remained there until 1915 and during these years they had two children, Giorgio in 1905 and Lucia in 1907. In 1931 Lucia suffered her first bout of schizophrenia which was to shadow Joyce throughout his life. Lucia was a difficult child and often ill. Nora Joyce, Jamesʼs partner loved Lucia, but preferred her son Giorgio. Giorgio and Lucia seemed set for artistic careers. Lucia became proficient at piano and modern dance and even performed. She was tall and angular, smoked a lot and had a cast in her eye which made her look somewhat cross-eyed. She was treated as a child by her parents and this led to her immaturity, and at 21 she was noticeably odd to people. They agreed to an operation on her eye in Paris. It was a success resulting in both eyes straight. At 23, in 1930, she was desperate to find a husband. Samuel Beckett was suggested but rejected
her, and her already frail personality suffered the shock of this. She also learned that she was illegitimate, that is her parents James and Nora were not married at her birth. Nora was reported to shout “Bastard” at her in fits of temper and Lucia would retort, “who made me one?” She was taken to a psychiatric hospital where a women named Mary Colum was convinced she could cure her, and went so far as to sleep in the same bed and even pinned their nightdresses together in case Lucia tried to escape. She was able to discharge herself, because she was not certified as legally insane. After more attacks of hysteria and mind flashes, the doctors suggested solitary confinement with only a peephole on the door. Joyce objected and smuggled Lucia out of the hospital. He chose a different method of treatment for his daughter and picked a private nurse to move in to a chalet near their home in case of any attacks. It was a far more humane treatment and a lot freer, but Lucia in
her schizophrenia now believed that her father was pushing her around. In another episode Lucia was sent to Dublin to see an American psychoanalyst and wandered so frequently that two nurses had to live with her. Once she was found in a hedge at the foot of the Sugarloaf mountain and another time in Bray. She also spent time in hospitals in London around 1935. When the war broke out, Joyce decided to move the whole family including Lucia to Switzerland from occupied France but because of Luciaʼs British passport it was not granted. The German embassy then received a second letter for Joyceʼs daughter to join the family in Switzerland but Joyce died while waiting for the reply in 1941. Lucia was to say of her dead father that “he is watching us all the time.” She then stayed in France for 30 years under incarceration with hardly a visit from Giorgio or Nora and begged for people to come and fetch her. They never did.
She was then moved to a hospital in England when her mother died and remained there for the last thirty years of her life. She died on the 12 December 1982 in
Daithi is working with the community for an incinerator-free future, jobs for this area, social & affordable homes for this area and a proper free health care system for all
Northhampton, Schizophrenia Ireland runs an information helpline at 1890 621631. Above: Giorgio, Nora and Lucia.
PAGE 16
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
T HE ‘T OUR
DE F RANCE ’ COMES TO OUR VILLAGE
By Saoirse OʼHanlon
I
t all started at the end of April. New roads, new flower beds, flags hung up, and a general facelift for the area. People were talking about it everywhere. All trying to get the day off work, the excitement in our village was enormous. The ʻTour De Franceʼ was coming to town! On the 12th July, everything
was ready. People were out at 8am in the morning, ready to film whatever would go past. I was in the kitchen having breakfast when I heard horns beeping and sirens outside. My sister, brother and friends were the first to get freebies from the ʻCaravanes Publicitairesʼ. The ʻCaravanes Publicitairesʼ have been part of the ʻTour De Franceʼ for many years. They are vans, trucks, motorbikes and cars who sponsor the ʻTour De Franceʼ. They pass a few hours before the bikes, and throw out free samples, such as key rings, hats, cheese, inflatables, magazines, pens, vouchers etc. Police and Gendarme helicopters constantly follow the cyclists from start to finish, to protect them. One Gendarme happened to be passing by our back door, and ended up spending a good half an hour drinking coffee and telling us what a great place Ireland is, having spent his holiday there last year. After his visit, I went back outside, to see what was happening. I was trying hard to film the ʻCaravanes Publicitairesʼ, but things kept coming out of the cars, so I didnʼt get to film much of that!
Two hours after the first ʻCaravanesʼ, the scooters and motorbikes started to come. Press, Gendarmerie, Television Cameras, Radio– everyone was there. I was really starting to get excited. The ʻTour De Franceʼ going through our village! The ʻMaillot Jauneʼ, yellow jersey, (Floyd Landis, pictured left) finally passed us by at great speed. He was about 10 seconds ahead. Cameras and Press followed, then came the main group, and they all passed in less than 26 seconds. Their speed was incredible, and even though it was a downhill road, they were going flat out. And that was it. The ʻTour De Franceʼ had been and gone, in 26 seconds. So many people, so many cameras, so much excitement, for 26 seconds of pure racing. After that, we went inside and rewound the video tape that we had prepared for the occasion, to tape from the tele, and discovered that theyʼd by-passed this part of the village! Floyd Landis the winner of the ʻTour De Franceʼ was subsequently disqualified after failing two drugs tests. Below: The Gendarme with Saoirseʼs brother.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
PAGE 17
H AVE PYE NO PUBS TO GO TO ! UBLICIANS CRY OUT FOR CUSTOMERS
S
By Brian Kelly
o much has been written lately about how much Dublin has changed. If you left the capital to live in another country 10 years ago, you probably wouldnʼt recognize much of the city today. You might say to yourself if you bothered to come home, whatʼs with all these new buildings, shopping centres and apartments? Who are all these new people on the streets? What ever happened to ʻpleaseʼ and ʻthank youʼ? And how much in the name of God has the price of a cup of coffee gone up? Noble truths one and all, but if you really want to wreck the head of a recently-returned Dub, tell him or her to turn on their radio and listen out for the advertisements for the Licensed Vintners Association. In what has become an ongoing series, comedian Dara OʼBrien, tries to entice us into Dublin pubs by means of his verbose comic patter. Witty and well-written though the ads are, the concept behind them is incredible! Can it be true that publicans in Dublin are taking out advertisements to tell us to drink in public houses! Forget about building booms and foreign faces, this is the most amazing transformation you are ever likely to witness in Dublin. Have we really changed that much as a society that we have to be told repeatedly over the na-
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tional airwaves to do something that used to come as naturally to us as brushing our teeth or even breathing? Whatʼs going on, people? Drinking in pubs is part of our DNA. Itʼs our national pastime. These ads are akin to the Catholic Church in the 50s taking out advertisements in the Sunday newspapers reminding us to go to mass. We are proud holders of the title ʻbiggest spenders on alcoholʼ in the EU– currently shelling out an average of €1,675 per year on booze– three times more than any other citizens in the European Union. We donʼt need to be told to go to the pub, do we? Surely we canʼt all have deserted our favourite boozers to spend our money drinking at home or supping in the nearest field?
So here we are in 2006 and publicans are giving us the poor mouth. Dublin pubs are ʻthe best in the worldʼ they cry. Please come back to us, they wail. Well, maybe they are the best and maybe we will return. Maybe too all this is karma. After all, havenʼt we put up with continuous price rises over the years and bouncers on the door of pubs telling us we are ʻnot regularsʼ and ʻfar too casually dressed to get inʼ and sundry other spurious excuses to keep good folk from taking their rightful place at the bar. So publicans, I think this is what you might call payback time. Suddenly we are in charge now and we are going to be fussy about where we spend our money in future. Now if youʼll excuse me, Iʼm off to the off-licence.
ANN-MARIE CELEBRATES
Ann-Marie celebrated her 60th birthday at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium on 27th May with her family and friends. Everyone had a great fluttering time. Left to right back row: Jeremy Dixon, Cousin Deborah Gough, Waiter, Ann-Marie, Olive Holuhan Front Row: Eileen Holuhan, May Gaffney and Joan Murray.
Clanna Gael Fontenoy urgently seeks assistance in the running of their 28 teams.
As part of the club’s new recruitment drive Foundation Courses will be provided for all newcomers. The Club has arguably the best facilities in the country and its €3.75 million investment in the last five years is the envy of top GAA clubs in Dublin. The Club does not belong to any one individual or individuals. It is a community run club and anyone who wishes to join will receive a warm welcome. The Club has a dream of where it wants to be in 3 to 5 year’s time but it needs a team at every age level to achieve this. The players are there but we have no one to train them. If you wish to be part of this dream and could assist in any way possible please contact any of the following: Shay Connollly 087-9011716 Pat Kane 086-3715944 Ciaran Murphy 087-2333720 Jacqui McDonnell 087-7832489
Anyone for Badminton? Epworth Badminton Club is one of Ireland’s oldest Badminton Clubs. It was founded in the 1920’s and has been going strong ever since. Epworth is situated in the hall behind Christ Church on Sandymount Green. We have between 20-30 members and this year we entered one mixed team and two men’s teams into the Leinster league with some success. The club holds a “Summer Club” during June, July and August on Tuesday & Frday nights. This commences at 8pm and there is a charge of €5.00 per night. There is no need to commit, just come along and play. All standard of players are welcome. We will be looking for new members in September, but until then, why not just come down during the summer? You would be very welcome. Any queries, contact David Bowles on 086 8178306.
PAGE 18
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
Film Scene •••By Michael Hilliard ‘Lady in the Water’ Apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) rescues a young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) from the pool he maintains. He discovers that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the journey back home. With the help of his tenants, he must figure out how to protect her from the creatures that are determined to keep her in our world, and take her home. M. Night Shyamalan has so far given us ʻThe Sixth Senseʼ, ʻUnbreakableʼ, ʻSignsʼ, and ʻThe Villageʼ. The first two films in that list are the work of an extremely gifted writer and director, announcing to the world a determination to achieve the mantle that only a select few directors actually manage. Hitchcock did it, as did Kubrick, Spielberg, and Scorcese. They achieved universal recognition; a household name. With the last two films in that list, however, the cracks began to show. Crippled under the weight of expectation, and forced ʻtwistʼ endings, and leading to Shayamalanʼs reputation being questioned, with rumours of enormous ego, and onset clashes with producers, and his eventual split from Disney, ʻLady in the Waterʼ turns out to be his worst film to date, the latest in a steadily declining quality of output. The movie is a failure, albeit
an interesting one. Firstly, forget the television spots being used to sell this film as some sort of horror movie. Thatʼs just the result of an ill-conceived marketing campaign by a studio unsure of what they have on their hands. Shyamalan regards ʻLady in the Waterʼ as ʻa bed time storyʼ. So, what does that mean? In this case, are we to assume it means that leaps in logic are to be expected, and accepted? That conventional story-telling has gone out the window, only to be superceeded by the under-developed whims of a director fuelled by belief in his own brilliance? Shyamalan has always given himself minor cameos in his films a la Hitchcock, but this time casts himself, a poor actor at best, in a central role in the story. Performances are mostly fine, Giamatti and Howard are eminently watchable, but are surrounded by some of the broadest stereotypes you can imagine. Obviously though, there is a lot of imagination on show, presumably conceived in good faith, but executed horrendously. The film does look beautiful, with Christopher Doyleʼs cinematography just about the only thing holding attention. 1 out of 5
‘Miami Vice’ Michael Mann was the executive producer on ʻMiami Viceʼ, the series, from 1984 to 1989. This summerʼs incarnation of ʻMiami Viceʼ is his big-screen re-interpretation of the show, but the only things they have in common are character names and location. The movie couldnʼt be more different from the show if it tried. Gone are
the bright pastel colours and bad eighties fashion and synth-pop soundtrack. Sonny Crocket (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) play Miamiʼs finest, who, after a tragic security breach in the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, the FBI recruit, having not been part of the compromised group. Going deep undercover, they take on the narcotics trafficking network of Archangel de Jesus Montoya-Londono (the incredibly creepy Luis Tosar) and his Cuban Chinese banker, Isabella (Gong Li, pictured below). It takes a while to get into this film. The actors speak a kind of stylised, film noir type of rapid English that comes across as unnatural and heavy-handed at times. They (especially Farrell, as he has the largest speaking role) have great difficulty pulling it off. However, this issue fades as the film progresses, with the audience growing more accustomed to the characters. The film was shot entirely on digital cameras, which gives it an incredibly realistic, almost documentary-style, look and feel, which increases the believability factor exponentially. Occasionally, the film dwells far too long on certain scenes, especially those between Sonny and Isabella, when all we really want to see is these guys doing what they do best. Farrell and Foxx are an undeniably cool pairing, and are allowed run free with their action and shoot-out scenes. These scenes are the films standout moments, containing bursts of extremely gritty violence, and relentless and dramatic action, reminiscent of Mannʼs work on the famous shoot-out scene in his never bettered masterpiece ʻHeatʼ. 3 out of 5
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
PAGE 19
D AVID B AKER COMES HOME
M
any people in the area will remember a certain David Baker, above, who was well-known in the area for his efforts at the local community radio stations in Sandymount and Ringsend, as well as other local stations in the Dublin area. In 1989 he left Ireland to set up a new life in the UK working in radio there. For the last few years he has been working with ʻking of the jungleʼ Tony Blackburn at Classic Gold.presenting drive
home shows. After 16 years away he is returning to Ireland with his family to live and brings with him a great entertainments business which specialises in weddings parties and corporate events. speaking to ʻNewsFourʼ on his return David said: “Iʼm really excited about returning to Dublin with my family, itʼs been a long time away but it wonʼt take me long to settle back in. I expect to be back on radio
‘U NSUNG H EROES ’ ARE
again too.” If anyone needs a night to remember at their party or wedding, get in touch with David. This side of Davidʼs work has proved really popular in the UK and there is no doubt the popularity will extend to Ireland too. As a special offer to ʻNewsFourʼ readers David is offering €100 off his normal price. You can check David out on his website at www.davidbaker.ie or telephone 7750164 or 085 110 1861.
RECOGNISED
W HAT ’ S
IN A NAME ?
By Grace Charley A LOT OF confusion if your surnameʼs McKenna or Treanor and you live in Monaghan. Growing up, the only time I was referred to as Grace McKenna was in the doctorʼs waiting room. All other times, I was known as Pat Charleyʼs daughter or Grace Charley. McKennas were such a common breed, my ancestors had to be given a nickname. But what luck my family got landed with a nondescript nickname like Charley. I could have been known as Pat Big Willyʼs daughter who hung around with the Yella Willys… the Frigaharleys, Faravigs, Japs and the Ditchers. Some people donʼt like being referred to by their nicknames. Years ago I was picking mushrooms for Pat Thump when he sacked me. I knew my friend was looking for a summer job so I told her Thumpʼs had a vacancy. I gave her Patʼs number and she rang. “Hello is that Thumpʼs mushrooms?” After a barrage of abuse, the line went dead and my friend didnʼt get the job. I forgot to tell her that itʼs OK to call McKennas and Treanors by their nicknames behind their backs, but not upfront. Often times, families are given nicknames to suit their demeanour, which they frequently live up to. I guess that makes me a proper Charley.
THE MYTH OF AGEING WORKSHOP Saturday and Sunday 16th - 17th September 2006 Venue: Carmelite Community Centre, Aungier Street, Dublin 1. Cost: €200 THERE IS NO NEED TO FEEL PAIN Hanna Somatics is a system of neuromuscular education (mind-body training) which helps you to enjoy freedom from pain and more comfortable movement for the rest of your life.
CLLR CATHERINE BYRNE in her capacity as Lord Mayor initiated the first ever Unsung Heroes Awards. She presented local residents with scrolls to thank them for “having demonstrated dedication as an active citizen through your voluntary participation and effort.” Pictured with the Lord Mayor are some of the recipients from the area: Maureen Robinson, Christina Kinsella, Gabrielle Weafer, Brendan Wicks, Eddie Byrne, Marie Connolly, Frances Mateer. Bottom: Margaret Biggs, Betty OʼNeill, Gerry Brannock, Fran Nangle, Bernard and Kay Flood.
Educator: Brian Ingle N.D., D.O. Somatic Osteopath and Naturopath. Call 087 6771724 for further information Also check the website www.hannasomatics.com
PAGE 20
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH
By Brian Kelly
W
est Cork is one of the most attractive places Ireland has to offer. The pleasure of places like Baltimore, Castletownbere, Kinsale and Skibbereen have been well documented, but itʼs a lesser known spot, namely Coomhola that must be regarded as one of the countryʼs natural highlights. Coomhola Drive to Ballylickey, not far from Bantry and you will come across the Coomhola crossroads. From here take the mountain road up to an area known as ʻPriestʼs Leapʼ. It is called a road, but really this is nothing more than a track with room for one vehicle going in one direc-
tion only and a drop to the side that is as steep as it is narrow. Take this ʻroad less travelledʼ during the week and the only traffic you are likely to encounter is hairy sheep with fluorescent markings on their back. The site of Priestʼs Leap is marked by a singular cross. It was at this spot during Penal Times (when Roman Catholicism was outlawed) that a priest, hounded by English soldiers, ran free from his pursuers and leapt to his freedom down the mountain. On the day I visited, the only hostility I encountered at the Leap was a stubborn ram. Pick a clear, bright day to visit Coomhola and you will be rewarded with the sweetest sensations. Over soft, boggy soil, itʼs a relatively short climb to the craggy peak of Knockboy. This is Corkʼs highest point, straddling the Cork and Kerry borders. Great swathes of both counties stretch in front of you and youʼll need more than the fingers of one hand to count all the mountain peaks which encompass this awe-inspiring location. The silence upon reaching Knockboy is overwhelming. Unburdened
by thought, the mind chooses to meditate on the vast panorama that envelops you. Not a single dwelling inhabits the landscape. The only sound to assail your eardrums is likely to be the chirping of a passing skylark or the buzzing of an occasional bee. It is a natural wilderness unchanged by centuries of civilization. Sitting amidst the plateau of Coomhola, it is impossible not to be moved by a landscape as solid and spectacular as this. Schull There are two large anchors on the seafront in Schull. They help frame the harbour and provide a link to this small townʼs deep-rooted affections for the Atlantic Ocean. The nautical theme of the town was matched by the weather on my arrival, the sky could best be described as battleship grey. Soon afterwards, the sun burst through leaden cloud and the sky formed a near reflection of the shallow waters in Schull harbour. Beside the slipway, my gaze fell upon a white-haired man digging in the small sandy cove. Curiosity got the better and I ambled over to make his acquaintance. When I bid him
good morning, he carried on loading stones into a satchel without reply. Enquiring upon the nature of his business, he continued to load up his quarry, ignoring my question completely. A stony silence indeed. Moments later as if to answer my queries, I saw my man of stone empty the contents of his bag straight into the sea. I moved along at a loss to explain such odd behaviour. Along the shoreline, walking towards Schull lighthouse, I looked beneath me and caught sight of a large common gull. Beneath his claws lay the remains of a large monkfish. The gull picked at the carcass slowly, looking up constantly to watch out for avian intruders. When another gull approached his prized catch, he simply flew off without protest, leaving the second gull to help himself. Not quite the fight to the finish I was expecting. Further along the coast, junior sea-
farers on baby boats calmly navigated the harbour bay, their linen white sails resembling a flotilla of swans as they glided gracefully across still waters. Overhead, a solitary gannet patrolled the skies. His slow circuit of the bay seemed to be in tandem with the languid rhythms of the maritime men and women below. The town itself has plenty of pretty, pastel-coloured shops just waiting to be explored. Get your timing right and you can also take a boat out to Bantry Bay and explore nearby Whiddy Island or Long Island. There is a lovely, unhurried air to Schull. If you ever want to slip your city moorings, it is worthwhile spending some time here, under the influence of the glorious Gulf Stream in southwest Cork. And if you see a man with white hair uprooting stones in the harbour, see if you can figure out what he is doing.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
PAGE 21
T HE STORY OF A ROSE By James OʼDoherty
I
n my long horticultural career I have had many love affairs with plants. So on a glorious June day recently I decided to pay homage to one of my favourites and in doing so renew my admiration for one of the greatest rose breeders of our time The plant I was looking for grows around the world in parks, homes, hospital grounds, churchyards, cottage gardens and stately homes. As I walked around the beautiful gardens of Sandymount, there it was in all its glory, opening in the June sun, its blossoms shading from ivory to gold and pink, its stems strong with beautiful dark green foliage– the magnificent peace rose. It was in France in 1935 that the name of Francis Meilland became known in the world of hybridists. Along with his father Papa Meilland he introduced his first new rose ʻGarden Stateʼ and professional rose growers were impressed. The breeding of roses is agonisingly slow. Many thousands
of seedlings are discarded: selecting seedlings of cross pollination to meet the demands of the rose world is no easy task. In 1939, Francis had a new seedling rose that looked good. He called it 3-35-40, referring to its pollinating programme. Just before World War II broke out he sent on trial two small parcels of the budded 3-35-40 to two rose growers, one in Italy and another in Germany. The third consignment left France with the American consul in Lyons. The small parcel weighed just one pound and it travelled on the last clipper from France to America addressed to Robert Pyle, a well known rose grower. Older people will remember the long, desolate years of the Second World War and during this time little rose growing took place. All available land was used to cultivate vegetables for food. However, as the years went by Francis decided to name 3-35-40 after his mother, Madame A. Meilland. Other rose growers became enthused by this beautiful trial rose and in Italy it was called Gloria (Joy), in Germany Gloria Dei
(Glory be to God). No news came from America. On June 16th 1944, Allied forces landed on the coast of Normandy and France held its breath. At the end of August France was free once again. A month later a letter arrived at Tassin near Lyons. It came from America, from Robert Pyle. Believe it or not, the last clipper to leave occupied France had arrived safely in America. Robert promptly propagated 3-35-40, planted it, tested it and there came glorious results. The American Rose Society was so impressed they organised a name-giving ceremony at the Pacific Rose Society Exhibition at Pasadena, California on Sunday
April 29th 1945. This date was selected months in advance. The war was still going on in Europe. There had been no communication with Francis at Tassin so between them the American Rose growers decided this rose should be name ʻPeaceʼ. On a sunny Sunday on April 29th 1945, before a great gathering of rose growers who had travelled to Pasadena from all over America, two white doves were released and 3-35-40 was named ʻPeaceʼ. On the same day Berlin fell and a truce was declared in Europe. On the day the rose received the all-American award, the war in Japan ended and when it received the supreme award, the Gold medal, a peace
treaty was signed in Japan. Nine years after it was named, thirty million peace rose bushes were in bloom all over the world. When the forty-nine delegates to the newly-formed United Nations first met in San Francisco, as each delegate entered his hotel room he saw a beautiful vase of roses with a message from the secretary of the American Rose Society which read “this is the rose ʻPeaceʼ which received its name the day Berlin fell. May it help to move all men of goodwill to strive for peace on earth for all mankind.” At Tassin near Lyons work continued. Francis, now married with two children, worked long hours to develop the business. However, his health was failing and he died from cancer in June 1958. It was the month when roses were at their best and his neighbours stripped their gardens of peace roses and laid Francis to rest amidst them in the cemetery of Antibes. His name will forever rank among the greatest roses growers of all time. He gave the world the ʻPeaceʼ rose which to this day continues to sell in millions. Today Francisʼs son Alain has inherited his fatherʼs drive and enthusiasm and ensures that the Meilland name lives on in rose-growing circles.
Sandymount Credit Union Limited 13 Bath Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4. Tel: 668 5079 / 073 Fax: 6681807 email: info@sandymountcu.ie Website: www.sandymountcu.ie Normal Opening Hours
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
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For more information visit our website at www.sandymountcu.ie New Members always welcome
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
A
WEE BIT OF COUNTRY E NCOUNTERS
WITH
P AT M C C ABE
By Grace Charley
P
Calafort Átha Cliath
Dublin Port Company Port Centre, Alexandra Road, Dublin 1.
Telephone: 887 6000, 855 0888 Fax: 855 7400 Web: www.dublinport.ie
arents are weird and wonderful people. Allʼs peaceful, our two dogs are licking each other by the open fire. My father ʼs in his rocking chair dozing and my mother ʼs happily puffing on a cigarette, solving clues in her bumper book of crosswords. Then… it starts. My father wakes up tittering. Next he balloons up like a Ribena berry, brays like a donkey and starts convulsing in his chair. By now the dogs are sitting up staring at him with their heads cocked to one side. My mother bites first. “Whatʼs so funny Pat?” sheʼd ask, looking over her single-lensed spectacles, disapprovingly. My father takes a minute to compose himself, then he launches into one of his many stories. Heʼs a great story-teller. Never misses a beat, has good pause control and his punch-lines always hit the mark. The only thing is, my mother likes telling stories too. Each story shapes up to be more elaborate than the last, until one of them tells a whopper. When my mother thinks she has it, she sits back and crosses her hands victoriously. “Grace, do you remember the night I burnt Pat McCabeʼs eyebrow?” Unfortunately, I do. It was the night the red carpet was rolled out over the ʻstony grey soilʼ for the first showing of ʻThe Butcher Boyʼ. My mother was celebrating her role as ʻchief mourner ʼ in the film and had just sung a rendition of ʻThe Butcher Boyʼ. On the couch nearby, Pat McCabe (writer) was banging away on the guitar. With both hands tied up in G strings and plectrums, Pat asked someone to kindly light the cigarette that was dangling from his mouth. Fortunately for Pat, my mother was at hand to
oblige, unfortunately for him, her lighter was highly fuelled and a second later… Poof! Patʼs eyebrow went up in a blaze of glory. A few nights later, my mother squirmed when she saw Pat on ʻThe Late Late Showʼ sporting a wonky-looking eyebrow. One day that missing eyebrow reappeared. I was on a bus home to Monaghan when I spotted Pat McCabe a couple of seats ahead of me. Now normally, when I board a bus, I end up getting squeezed in with some proud mother who talks non-stop about what college their daughter is attending, how much sheʼll be earning when sheʼs qualified and what her boyfriend does for a living. Why, O why on this particular day would there be no chance of me getting squeezed in with someone like Pat. At least then, I could talk to him about normal stuff, like Fairy Trees and Bog Bodies. I had to
sort it out. One handwritten note later and I was blissfully sitting beside Pat talking about Changelings and Banshees– all that weird and wonderful stuff I was brought up on. Speaking of weird and wonderful, when I arrived at the bus station in Monaghan, my mother was waiting for me. I knew sheʼd never forgive me if I didnʼt bring Pat over to say hello. “Pat! Do you remember the night I burnt your eyebrow?” said my mother, nearly hopping her head off the dashboard with excitement. For safety reasons I decided not to inform my mother that Pat had to taxi it home because my mother would have insisted on giving Pat a lift. In fact, she would have bundled him into the car and raced him up the Clones Road, hitting every pothole on the way. There was no way I was going to be privy to another fireside story which began with the line: “Do you remember the day I broke Pat McCabeʼs neck?” Left: Patrick McCabe and, below, the book cover of ʻThe Butcher Boyʼ.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
ENABLE IRELAND 5KM CORPORATE RUN E nable Ireland are currently enrolling for this yearʼs Corporate 5km Run, which will take place in St. Anneʼs Park, Raheny on Thursday, 7th September. They are asking companies, clubs and organisations to run and raise funds for Enable Irelandʼs East Region Services in Dublin and Wicklow. Last year nearly 400 participants took part in teams of 34, walked, jogged and ran to raise money for Enable Ireland. There were even some familiar faces running, including James Nolan, who represented Ireland in the Olympic Games Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, local TDs and TV personalities. There are team and individual prizes on the night in all categories, as well as spot prizes for participants raising over €100 in sponsorship. Funds raised from the event will go directly towards Enable Irelandʼs Services in Dublin and Wicklow, providing services for children and adults with physical disabilities, such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, pre-school and national school education and providing family support. To maintain our services at their current levels, and to expand these services to meet demand, we need to raise significant funding each year. If you would like to take part in this fundraising event, call the East Region Fundraising Office on 01-2615917 or email eastfr@enableireland.ie. Pictured above are participants in last yearʼs 5km Run.
Auditions for Young Persons Talent Showcase 2006 for residents in the Docklands area will be held on 28th and 29th August 2006. Get your application in by 18th August to: Olive McKenna Burke, DDDA, 52 to 55 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2 Tel: 8183228 Email: omckennaburke@dublindocklands.ie
Hobbler’s End / Raytown Bar 12 to 14 Bridge Street, Ringsend To book call Cliff or Karl at 6674792
Under New Management – Completely refurbished Food served Monday to Friday 12 mid-day until 3 pm and 5 to 9.30 pm Saturday 12 mid-day to 5 pm • Sunday Carvery 12 mid-day to 5 pm Soup and sandwiches served all day every day • Barbecues, weather permitting, over the summer
Monday Bingo • Wednesday James Brown Karaoke King Thursday DJ Don with his unique quiz – 60s, 70s and 80s music • Friday Ballads by South Dublin Union Saturday DJ Don playing today’s music • Sunday A different band each week
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PAGE 24
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
D OCKLANDS
Docklands Authority Welcomes Ministerial Approval of Amendments to Planning Schemes in Area The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Dick Roche, TD has approved, subject to modifications, the amended planning schemes for both the Grand Canal Dock and North Lotts areas in Dublinʼs Docklands. The Ministerʼs decision clears the way for the increase in height of the U2 and Point Village Towers to 100 metres (including the potential for a viewing platform in the latter), the expansion of the Point Theatre to a 12,000 capacity venue and the development of the Point Village as a major district retail centre. “This is excellent news for the area as these amendments guarantee the development of significant
The NewsFour
Crossword
NEWS
cultural and leisure facilities which will drive the revitalisation of the Docklands,” said Paul Maloney, Chief Executive of the Docklands Authority. “With significant expansion in retail and entertainment provision, the area will become a visitor magnet and a dynamic destination during both day and night.” Further amendments in the approved Grand Canal Dock Planning Scheme include the extension of the redevelopment of the campshires as a public amenity from Sir John Rogersonʼs Quay along the Britain Quay. Grand Canal Dock is already home to many business and residential developments, and will also house the spectacular Grand Canal Square designed by Martha Schwartz, as well as the Studio Libeskind designed Grand Canal Theatre. Docklands Authority Calls for Water-Based Businesses to Bring Life Back to the River Liffey The Docklands Authority has in-
vited expressions of interest for new water-based businesses on the River Liffey. An initiative of the Docklands Authorityʼs River Regeneration Strategy, projects are being sought which maximise the amenity potential of the River Liffey. Initiatives already implemented under the strategy include the purchase of the famine replica ship, the Jeanie Johnston, the launch of the Liffey Voyage tour service and the redevelopment of the Dublin City Moorings as a super-yacht berthing facility. The Docklands Authority is offering opportunities for ships, crafts and other vessels to be moored and based in the heart of Dublin to provide recreational and tourist facilities. Possible ventures including hotels, restaurants, community/education facilities, retail/markets, and arts uses and any other exciting, viable proposals will be considered. Further information on opportunities for water-based businesses in the heart of Dublin can be found at www.dublindocklands.ie. Send any proposals to DDDA, 52 to 55 Sir John Rogersonsʼs Quay, Dublin 2. Closing date for receipt of expressions of interest is 4pm on Friday August 25, 2006.
Name:…………………………… Address:………………………… Telephone:…………………
HARE TODAY By Grace Charley Barry Flanagan exhibition in Dublinʼs OʼConnell Street. Last June, the first steps to install Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Laneʼs first ever large-scale outdoor sculpture exhibition were taken. Five giant bronze hare sculptures and an elephant and cougar duo, by one of the worldʼs most renowned sculptors, Barry Flanagan, were installed on OʼConnell Street for one of the most exciting, eye-catching exhibitions ever seen in the Capital. The complete exhibition is installed as part of the celebration surrounding the reopening of the Gallery and the refurbishment of OʼConnell Street. Flanaganʼs works are humorous and poetic. The hare occupies a particular importance as an emblematic image of freedom and symbol of human endeavour. Appearing in an endless variety of guises in OʼConnell Street they playfully leap, and jump, box, play cricket, beat the drum, defying the force of gravity as they extend into space. In ʻThinker on Rockʼ the artist substitutes his signature hare for Rodinʼs ʻThinkerʼ (1880), making a witty and irreverent reference to one of the worldʼs best-known sculptures. “This is a major coup not only for the Gallery but also for the city of Dublin,” said Barbara Dawson, Director of Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane. “This is Flanaganʼs first exhibition in Ireland and itʼs incredibly exciting to be able to bring art onto the street where it can be viewed in peopleʼs own environment.” The installation will be in situ until the 30th September. Right: One of the exhibits on OʼConnell Bridge.
A book token will be awarded to the first correct entry drawn. Closing date for entries is 17th September. The June Crossword winner was Kathleen Ferrari. ACROSS 1 He is watching you according to George Orwellʼs book ʻNineteen Eighty-Fourʼ. (3,7) 5 Download all your tunes on this portable media player from Apple. (4) 9 Coming from good stock you are said to be well ---- but sounds like something to be buttered. (4) 11 Yellow fruit grown in bunches. (6) 12 Not him (3) 13 A right one of these can be a great support. (3) 14 Donʼt just think about it, --- (3) 15 Homes for Eskimos. (6) 17 “----- poets, learn your trade, sing whatever is well made” (ʻUnder Ben Bulbenʼ, Yeats) (5) 18 To be found in the National Gallery. (3) 19 Shortened version of someone in charge of a newspaper. (2) 20 Popular fish but also a bit of a joke. (3) 22 To decay or become corrupt. (3) 24 Short form of north. (3) 25 This cup will be big news in Ireland in September. (5) 27 Popular Irish singing sisters in the 1970-80s. (6) 30 Scottish west coast port. (3) 31 --- no man anything (Romans, Chap. 13) (3) 32 Sound of a little dog. (3) 34 Youʼre so ---- you probably think this song is about you (Carly Simon) (4) 35 The game they will be playing to win 25 across. (4) 36 The guitar sound of the ---- is part of U2ʼs trademark. (4) 37 Political party originally founded in 1905. (4,4) DOWN Current President of the United States. (4) 1 2 Known colloquially as “Gib” or “the Rock”. (9) 3 Growing --- is like being increasingly penalised for a crime you havenʼt committed (Powell) (3) 4 Cheese from Holland (4) 6 Large musical instrument. (5) 7 This is where the serving staff lived in the old days. (10) 8 This river rises in the Wicklow mountains and flows east. (6) 10 No longer existing, obsolete, dead. (7) 11 You can do this to the carpet or your hair. (5) 16 RTE TV programme concerning the whole country. (10) 21 You must pay this to get in. (5,3) 23 Well done, excellent. (5) 26 Stifle this when very tired or bored. (4) 28 Telling fibs. (5) 29 Ships of war or a dark shade of blue. (4) 31 Throw this on troubled waters. (3) 33 Thereʼs no gain without this they say. (4) 35 Alcohol sometimes said to be motherʼs ruin. (3)
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
PAGE 25
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
F ITNESS T OGETHER I
By Audrey Healy
f the only thing stopping you from sweating it out at the gym is the thought of training alongside perfect size 8 ladies and men with bulging biceps, then youʼll be delighted to know that thereʼs a brand new concept in fitness which means that only you and your very own personal trainer get to see your flabby bits. Founded in the US ten years ago by fitness leader Rick Sikorski, ʻFitness Togetherʼ is a new fitness concept that aims to facilitate those of us who are a little self-conscious about our bodies and find this a barrier to partaking in an exercise programme. On arrival youʼll find no queues and no waiting for equipment and
best of all, no unwanted stares because ʻFitness Togetherʼ offers complete privacy and one-to-one attention. Youʼll be shown to your very own private training room where youʼll be offered a full fitness assessment, a customised workout and nutritional programme designed to suit your individual requirements. The userfriendly service operates according to a one client, one trainer, one goal ethos. ʻFitness Togetherʼ Managing Director Carl Cautley, who is also a health enthusiast and Irish water skiing champion, says that the unique fitness club makes working out more of an experience and less of an ordeal. “Our programme offers unique personalised fitness training for men and women ranging from 15 to 80
years of age,” says Carl. “In the privacy of individual suites, our clients work with their own personal trainer to achieve mutually established fitness goals.” So confident are ʻFitness Togetherʼ of achieving impressive results that they are offering potential members a free personal training session. They aim to show you exactly what to do to maximize fat loss and firm up your body and will also give you a copy of their new Special Report, ʻ9 Secrets for Maximum Fitness and Weight Loss Results in Minimum Time!ʼ ʻʻFitness Togetherʼ, 151 Leinster Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6. The club is open from 6 am to 9 pm Monday to Friday and 6 am. to 3 pm. on Saturdays. Further information from www.ftireland.com or call 01-496 5829 to schedule your free session.
says Ann. “All they do is lie. You only have to look at the sewage plant and remember what they said about it being state-of-the-art and that there would be no smell coming from there. Itʼs worse now than it ever was and weʼre three years waiting for something to be done. Thereʼs no use going to the TDs because they will say anything to fob you off. Forget it.” Martin Egan of Ringsend does not agree. He feels that something has to be done about all the waste being produced. “The rubbish has to go somewhere, itʼs increasing all the time. I live in the flats nearby and I donʼt object. Itʼs been working all right in Denmark and other countries so why canʼt it work here?” As Martin sees it, you can only rely on landfill so much. “You canʼt keep putting rubbish in landfills, especially when the developers want to get their hands on it to build. The real problem is traffic and all the lorries coming up and down the road,
which is very narrow and is going to see even more traffic when the incinerator comes. They should get rid of all these cars and bring back the horse and cart!” Mary Murphy of Pearse St believes that the proposed incinerator is now all but inevitable. “Everybody is giving out about it but once the planning permission is granted it will all go ahead,” she says. “There arenʼt enough people out there fighting it and the TDs arenʼt interested. Thereʼll be more traffic and they keep on building apartments at the same time. It wonʼt be worth living here soon.” According to Mary the area needs huge infrastructural development but this is something which is rarely provided. “The only time they ever did anything round here was when Bertie came to open the sewage plant. Why donʼt they put the incinerator where Bertieʼs after building his new house? Thereʼs a lovely bit of land there!”
THE ‘WASTE TO ENERGY FACILITY’ (INCINERATOR) IS STILL WITH US WHAT DO THE RESIDENTS THINK?
Aidan OʼDonoghue went out and about in Dublin 4 to find out
W
ith the planned incinerator now another step closer to becoming a reality the Council are confident that their ʻWaste to Energyʼ project will soon be up and running. The benefits of such a project, we are told, includes the prospect of recycling 600,000 tonnes of waste and converting it into enough electricity for 50,000 homes. 59% of all waste will be dealt with at the proposed incinerator which will conform to the highest of health and safety standards, as seen in cities right across the continent. Whether or not this project will enjoy significant public support is far less of a certainty. Patricia Grimes, who lives in Clonskeagh but works at Butlerʼs Pantry in Donnybrook, is not a bit convinced. She worries about the health risks and would not like to live near any incinerator. “They will be dealing with chemical waste, household waste, possibly hospital waste. I certainly wouldnʼt like to live near an incinerator and if I were a resident I would fight very hard against it,” says Patricia. “Itʼs a bad idea to place it inside a populated area. If I were living in a house and they built an incin-
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL gave public notice on 30 June 2006 of its intention to seek the approval of An Bord Pleanála to the development of a Waste to Energy Facility (Incinerator) and to make application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a waste licence. A copy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is available for inspection at Dublin City Council offices during normal working hours. It is also available on line at www.dublinwastetoenergy.ie. Submissions or observations in relation to the proposal may be made during the period 3rd July 2006 to 4.30 pm on 2nd October 2006 to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1. erator down the road, what would my chances be of ever selling that house? None whatsoever. They can say whatever they want about it but itʼs very rarely the truth.” Bernard Mulligan, a Ranelagh native now in Ballsbridge, believes that the environment is going to cause us all many headaches in the coming years. “I know they have to deal with the waste, and at the moment people are dumping their waste anywhere and anywhere,” says Bernard. “The population is growing and we are going to have huge environmental problems with waste and water. Theyʼre building too many apartments and ruining the countryside, but itʼs all about the money. Theyʼre happy to make it so long as they donʼt have to spend it.” Phyllis Lee, a long-time resident of Cranfield Place in Sandymount, is very unhappy with developments. “Iʼm against the incinerator.
How will we deal with the traffic? Sandymount is just a village,” she protests. “It will be 24 hours a day traffic with waste coming from all over the country when the incinerator is functioning. We canʼt sustain that.” Phyllis has little faith in the current political system. “The TDs say they donʼt want it, Michael McDowell was supposed to be against it but he has stayed quiet. Itʼs all down to the city manager and whatever he decides goes from what I can understand. We seem to make a mess of everything in this country.” Ann Colly of Bremen Ave in Irishtown shares her views. “I think it will go ahead but I hope not. We have enough chimneys down here and we donʼt even know whatʼs coming out of them. Then you have Sellafied over the water. Itʼs just a total disaster area round here.” She too has become disenchanted with the promises of those in power. “I donʼt believe their assurances,”
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
PAGE 27
FROM STELLA GARDENS TO C APE T OWN By Brian Rutherford
F
ather Michael Hulgraine celebrated fifty years of priesthood on 16th July in the Star of the Sea church along with his brother Charlie and sister Phyllis. Father Michael was originally from Stella Gardens in Irishtown. At the age of 18 he entered the junior seminary of the Holy Ghost Fathers at Rockwell College in County Tipperary. In 1956 he was ordained at All Hallows College and was sent for service to Rondebusch, Cape Town. He says that the greatest joy of his service to God is the saying of the Mass, which he sees as a privilege.
These were 50 golden years to Father Hulgraine and he is a happy man. “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” was the sentiment he expressed to me. What was it like serving in Cape Town? After 50 years it still is an exciting, challenging place to work and itʼs multi-racial of course. We have all races and nationalities there including the Irish. God has blessed my work, choosing two of my curates to be bishops and one of my altar boys will be rector of the seminary, heʼs a very good priest. We have a Mediterranean climate in Cape Town, itʼs a lovely climate and a beautiful place to work. When I first went out by ship it took 14
F RANCES ‘B UNCH ’ M ORAN
days. Now air travel has taken over and itʼs now 11 hours from Cape Town to London. Did you miss Dublin? Of course I was a bit homesick when I left my family, which was only to be expected but the work takes your mind off that; there was plenty of work, thank God. Your parents must have been very proud of you joining the Priesthood. My poor father had died earlier but my mother was there. She was a humble soul and everyone said that she was so good that God called her son to be a priest to reward her. She walked to mass every morning, every morning of her life and she was definitely an inspiration to my answering Godʼs call to the vocation of a priest and a missionary. Thatʼs an important detail, I am a missionary priest, I left my home, family and loved ones and moved 6000 miles
REMEMBERED
away, but I was well received and welcomed out there. While at Rockwell the motto was ʻA constant in a changing worldʼ Explain what this meant to you? Itʼs still relevant and it means in other words everything is changing but there are certain things we must hold on to, certain principles such as the importance of the scriptures and the importance of prayer in the life of a priest. These are the constant things that we must hold on to. Father Hulgraine is living
his life as a shining light in a dark tunnel and with deep humility. He sets an example to young people in his helping of others and in all that he has achieved. His favourite Scripture reads ʻ…the Lord, your God, carried you, as a man carries his child, all along your journey until you arrived at this place.ʼ Above: Father Hulgraine celebrates his 50 years of priesthood with his extended family and, on left, he is pictured in Ringsend as a young priest.
Ringsend and District Credit Union Ltd. 5 Irishtown Rd., Dublin 4.
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AT RINGSEND CREDIT UNION WE NOW OFFER • Highly Competitive Lending Interest Rates • Foreign Currencies • Travel Insurance • You can now top up your telephone and pay your household bills All Business Transacted During Opening Hours DUBLIN TOURISM has honoured the artist, the late Frances ʻBunchʼ Moran with a commemorative plaque at 106 Pembroke Road, where she lived for fifty years. Ruairí Quinn TD, performed the unveiling ceremony. In his eulogy he said he met Bunch in the 1970s and they became good friends. Bunch was a very prolific painter and a fine draughtswoman. She was well-
known in the area and along the Grand Canal, which was one of her favourite places to paint. Cynthia, Bunchʼs sister, pictured above, organised and hosted the event. Following the unveiling, her many friends retired to the Lansdowne Hotel for a light reception and to reminisce on happy times past. By John Cheevers
OPENING HOURS Monday and Tuesday 9.30am-12.30pm • 2.00pm-4.30pm Wednesday 9.30am-12.30pm Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm • 2.00pm-4.30pm Friday 9.30am-12.15pm • 2.00pm-7.00pm
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
The Fontenoy Files Another Championship for the Club as Dub Darren McGee joins the setup
By Shay Connolly
W
e added another championship to our bow. The U.14 footballers brought home the third county championship in 12 months to the Club when defeating Ballinteer St Johns in the final at Newcastle last month. At the beginning of the year it looked like we could not enter a team at this age level as we were struggling to get a mentor for them. But up stepped Gary Prior and did the unselfish thing and committed his spare time to take this team out. Gary trained them weekly over the past 6 months and a whole range of youngsters from Ringsend, Pearse St and Sandymount were moulded into a fine outfit. I watched them in the semi-final against Lucan Sarsfields in Ringsend and was hugely impressed at the skill levels on display. In the final the lads were always on top against a much-fancied Ballinteer outfit and ran out winners by 8 points. The squad that captured honours were: Lee Smith, Sean Keating, John Maguire, Darren Behan, Stephen Murphy, Paul Òg Larkin, Warren Behan, Gavin Hogan, Lee Harrison, Kenneth Glennon, Keith Buckley, Sean Gannon, Joe McDonagh, Shane Joyce, Mark Roche, Gareth Tucker, Des Soon, Michael Power, Jordan Barnes, and Peadair Healy. No doubt Manager Gary Prior relied on all the experience he gained round the foothills of Ballyconnell and Gowna in his younger days. Darren McGee is the new Club coach. Darren, known for his magnificent high fielding at midfield for the Dubs throughout the last number of years, is here for the minimum of three years. Darren has been around all the schools in the area planning the year ahead and all school kids will see him in their schools when they arrive back in September. (Will he have Sam with him?). Darren also played minor hurling for the Dubs so his knowledge of both codes is excellent. We are delighted to have him on board and we wish him every success with his three-year plan. Ladiesʼ football is thriving here at the club and last April saw one of the finest achievements recorded by this section when the U14s captured the Dublin Fèile title. We played hosts for this prestigious competition and it was completed over one day. We
had some fine wins in the morning but fell short to a strong Kilmacud side by 8 points. However, we finished runners up and qualified for the semi final. After a close battle we defeated Ballinteer St Johns by 4 points and qualified to meet Kilmacud again in the final. And what a final it was! There was meticulous planning by managers Alan Foley and Tom A. Ryan to avenge the earlier round defeat and a number of telling switches in the line out carved out an epic victory. There were jubilant scenes around Seán Moore Park as the might of Kilmacud had been slain by the sheer will and determination of the Clannʼs youngsters. It is hard to single out any one individual as this was surely one massive team effort. The team that captured honours were: Aisling Ryan, Serena Hannon, Emir OʼNeill, Elaine Woods, Niamh Foley, Rachael Byrne, Michelle Crowe, Grace Joyce, Laura Rimmer, Ciara Joyce, Nikita Hutch, Jessica Hogan, Nichole Rush, Jessica Dent, Chelsea Spain, Michelle OʼBrien, Leanne Heavey and Shauna McDonald. Staying with the ladies section we now have teams at U12, U14, U16, U18 and Adult. All teams are going extremely well and all are in contention for league honours with the U16ʼs having won their league
already. Five local girls have represented Dublin this year. They were Kim Flood, Orla Bolton, Serena Hannon, Aisling Ryan and Kathleen Murphy. Serena Hannon played in the All-Ireland final last week only to be defeated by Cork and Kim Flood produced a Woman of the Match performance when scoring 2-3 in the Minor allIreland semi- final against Cork. The girls were beaten in extra time and Cork went on to win the All-Ireland. So this Club and the local area are highly represented at the highest level of Ladiesʼ Gaelic Football in the country and that is no mean achievement. The Annual Tracy Staunton Memorial Competition is being held on the 19th August. Our girls have been beaten at the semi-final and final stages in the last two years and are confident of going all the way this year. All support welcome. Camogie girls are in a high position in their league and eagerly await the Championship starting next week. Our Juvenile section is going strong with many youngsters drafted into the county squads at present. They are Jordan Barnes, Kenneth Lyons, Aidan Bolton, Fiachra Maher, Ciaran Diviney, Michael Gilroy and Sean Bolton. Dave Walsh, Bernard Bannon and Co are taking hurling each Wednes-
day night at 7.00 for the underage boys 6-9 years and these sessions start back in September. Just come on down and we will slot you in. John Dodd and David Trolanʼs team are going really well and the conveyor belt system is well oiled at these age groups. Some excellent news on the adult playing front. Inter footballers are now under the excellent tutelage of Tom Smith and have gone 7 matches out of 7 unbeaten in their league campaign. Three of those victories were achieved by caretaker manager Des Markey and the club would like to thank Des for his excellent service at the beginning of the season. Tom is ably assisted by Ronan Smith and their recent win away to high-flying Round Towers in Clondalkin after being two points down in the last couple of minutes suggest a bit of mental steel might now be with them. Inter hurlers are in the semi final of the championship. What a turn around from last year. Under the new management team of Wexford man Ray Murphy and club veteran Mick Fitzgerald the hurlers have shown a vast improvement on last year and 4 wins on the trot in the championship sees them contest the semi-finals. With a strong Minor team coming through, hurling looks as bright as it has done for many a year at the club.
Junior hurlers are through to the quarter final of the Championship. Run on a league system the boys recorded 8 wins from 11 to reach this stage. Backboned by 11 minors they bring an excellent quality of hurling to the side. The minor hurling team after another excellent season have one match to play against St Brigids of Blanchardstown and a win will see them capture league honours to add to their U16 title won two years ago. So the next couple of months are crucial for the club and its future. Without a shadow of a doubt there are a lot of things taking shape on the playing front. The important thing is to keep the conveyor belt feeding into the adult section. We have hundreds of youngsters in this area who have played with this club from a very young age up until Minor. But that is when the conveyor belt slows down. But we believe we now have the structure to counteract that. This present minor team will feed into both 1st and 2nd adult teams in both football and hurling next year. Colm Reynolds and Ciaran Murphyʼs Minor team of next year should keep that going the following year and so on. The Dubs journey this year is reaching fever point. As I write, three more matches and Sam could be on Liffey side for the first time in 11 years. Happy days around the corner? We will just have to wait and see and with all the players that we have on county squads at present it surely wonʼt be long until this club is represented at senior level. Top: Children and parents enjoying the Football Summer Season. Below: Activity at Clanna Gaelʼs Summer Camp. Right page: More action from Clanna Gaelʼs Summer Camp as Dubʼs Captain Brian Cullen signs Aaron Doyleʼs jersey.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
‘F RANCES’ – JESSICA LANGE ’ S FINEST HOUR I
By Derek Sandford
have long been an admirer of the glamour and glitter of Hollywood. I love movies, stars and great story lines. For me, perhaps the defining performance by any actress was Jessica Langeʼs portrayal of Hollywood starlet Frances Farmer in the 1982 production of ʻFrancesʼ. She was nominated for the best actress Oscar but did not win, she had to wait until ʻBlue Skyʼ in 1992 to win best actress. Heartbreaking and achingly sad, ʻFrancesʼ was Jessica Langeʼs finest hour. Growing up in a bleak mid-western town, at age 12 Frances Farmer comes to notice by winning a national essay competition with the theme that God does not exist (ʻGod Diesʼ). This brings the young Frances to national prominence. Francesʼs father adores her but he is a weak-willed man dominated by his overbearing wife. She basks in Francesʼs spotlight and takes the credit for her success. Frances forms a relationship with a journalist covering her story which is consummated when she is sixteen, a role played ably and sympathetically
A
by Jessica Langeʼs real life partner Sam Shepard. Leaving her home town, Frances arrives in New York
City, with determination to make it as a serious stage actress. She soon gains critical acclaim for her stage work and falls in love
with celebrated playwright and screen writer Clifford Odets. They are planning to produce Chekovʼs ʻThree Sistersʼ with Frances in the leading role. This part had been promised to Frances by her lover Odets. The financial backers behind the play favour a more experienced actress and Frances does not land the role, betrayed by her lover Odets. Frances moves to Hollywood after Odetsʼs deceit and ends the affair. Sick of the dumb blonde roles given her by Hollywood, she soon descends into alcoholism and is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Pulled over for drink driving the judge takes pity on the once-famous actress and she pays a fine and is released. Driving over the border into Mexico, Frances experiences a complete mental breakdown after a sustained drinking bout. She is admitted to a mental hospital where, according to the movie, she is brutally raped by two male nurses. In the movie she was given a lobotomy by her doc-
tor, played with stark inhumanity by that fine actor Lane Smith. It was denied later that she ever had an operation but no doubt Hollywood decided it made good cinema In the 1950s Frances would eventually rebuild her life, appearing on the American version of ʻThis Is Your Lifeʼ and the ʻEd Sullivan Showʼ. She went on to appear on afternoon television but lapsed into erratic behaviour again and eventually died at the age of 56. ʻFrancesʼ is a film worth seeing for the amazing acting of Jessica Lange who is in almost every frame. Main picture: Frances Farmer, believed to be a still from a film called ʻCome And Get Itʼ.
LITTLE AMOUNT CAN BE HUGELY IMPORTANT
By Fergal Murphy
W
e often forget when we give money to charities or to help people less fortunate than us what sort of impact our money can have on peopleʼs lives and how what seems like a little amount to us can be hugely important to saving or rebuilding lives. In December 2004 twothirds of the population of Banda Aceh in northern Indonesia were wiped out when they had the terrible misfortune to be the closest large city to the epicentre of the earthquake that caused the tsunami. The survivors lost everything, homes, jobs, whole families taken from them in the blink of an eye. Through tragedy comes a test in the strength of the hu-
man spirit and it was not found lacking in the people of Aceh. After the tsunami a group of local activists came together to form Forum Bangun Aceh (FBA) to help rebuild the com-
munities of the city. Recently Azwar Hassan, the chairperson of the FBA came to Ringsend to show us how the money raised by the people of Ringsend and Dublin
Port Company was spent. He met with people such as Claire Casey of RAP, Charlie Murphy and Edel Currie of Dublin Port Company (pictured above) and relayed to us how
much the generosity of people over here meant to the people of Aceh. Through the money donated by Dublin Port Company they were able to rebuild a school which was so completely demolished that nothing was left except a couple of bricks and a fan. Other donations went to help start people back in work such as selling ginger tea and providing a pedicab service. At the moment the construction of a community centre near the school is in progress which is in line with the theme of the community helping each other. ʻPhoenix rising from the ashesʼ is the phrase that springs to mind and hopefully now future generations will get the education and quality of life they deserve.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
T HE L
PAGE 31
MEANING OF LIFE
By Brian Kelly
ife, life, life. What are we to make of it? The most illusive, the most puzzling, the most mysterious question mankind has ever asked itself: whatʼs it all about, Alfie? The greatest intellects in the history of civilization have pondered this question and most of us lesser mortals have asked ourselves the same question too: what on earth are we here for? We humans are smart enough to contemplate our own mortality, but are we clever enough to understand or even accept the answers? Maybe there is not one obvious meaning to life but rather several meanings, which we have not grasped yet. If we all knew the meaning of life anyway, wouldnʼt it make life far less intriguing, far less predictable, far less exciting than it is now? Because invariably, once we start to understand
U2’ S
something, we seem preconditioned to criticize it. Thatʼs the human condition. In passing from this life into another, we may discover the ultimate truth, but for those of you who prefer not to wait for the cold finger of the grim reaper to touch your shoulder, you can always find some answers
NEW HOME
on the Internet. I recently typed the phrase ʻthe meaning of lifeʼ into Google and received 240,000 replies. If was as if some sort of internet god was telling me “Okay smartass, if you really think you can handle the truth, shift through this lot and see how you get on.”
A cursory glance at the vast wealth of material available reveals some real wisdom, which if nothing else will stimulate the mind and help shed a little light on the impenetrable subject. For example, philosopher Julian Baggini has written a book on the subject called ʻWhatʼs It All About?ʼ “The only sense we can make of the idea that life has meaning is that there are some reasons to live rather than to die, and those reasons are to be found in the living of life itself.” Here are some thoughts from some of the greatest minds who ever lived. I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. Jack London– ʻJack Londonʼs Tales of Adventureʼ A baby is Godʼs opinion that life should go on. Carl Sand-
burg The moment a man questions the meaning and value of life, he is sick, since objectively neither has any existence; by asking this question one is merely admitting to a store of unsatisfied libido to which something else must have happened, a kind of fermentation leading to sadness and depression. Sigmund Freud to Marie Bonaparte The web of our life is of mingled yarn, good and ill together. William Shakespeare– ʻAllʼs Well That Ends Wellʼ Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think. Jean de la Bruyere Not to be born is best. Sophocles There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning. Thorton Wilder– ʻThe Bridge of San Luis Reyʼ Try being nice to people, go for the occasional walk, and avoid eating fatty foods, read a good book every now and then. Try also to live together with people and creeds of all nations in peace and harmony. Monty Python– ʻThe Meaning Of Lifeʼ
Iannelli’s 6 Bath Street
The U2 Tower, visualised above, will be over 100 metres high with 20,000 square metres of mainly residential space and will also be the home of the rock band U2ʼs recording studio. The adjacent Britain Quay Development will be approximately 11,500 square metres and will contain a mix of uses including leisure, residential, commercial, arts and culture uses. Both developments will reside at the confluence of three waterways, the River Liffey, River Dodder and Grand Canal, and will be served by specially-designed boardwalks and marinas.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
B OLAND ’ S M ILL
TO BE DEVELOPED
BOLANDʼS MILL is set to be developed as a major office and hotel complex at a cost of over €150 million. The final developed site will be dominated by 3 new office buildings ranging from 12 to 16 storeys in height. The cut-stone listed buildings on the site which were used as grain stores are to be restored and refurbished. The existing six-storey building on Ringsend Road will accommodate a four-star 53-bedroom “boutique hotel” (a North American term describing an intimate, luxurious hotel environment). There will also be a health spa and a 150-seat restaurant at ground floor level which will be run
by celebrity chef Gary Rhodes. Two other listed buildings on the site, a multi-storey warehouse fronting onto Grand Canal Dock and numbers 33 and 34 Barrow Street will be redeveloped as offices. The tall concrete silo pits that dominate the site and which were built in the 1950ʼs will be demolished, with the two new main buildings standing 12 and 16 storeys high most likely being used as corporate headquarters. Undertaking the development is Sean Kelly of Benton Properties who purchased the 1830ʼs cutstone grain store from the food group IAWS for €42 million 18 months ago.
Egan’s Londis Convenience Store now open on Bridge Street Hot and Cold Deli
Full Off-Licence
Opening times Monday to Saturday: 7am to 11pm Sunday: 7am to 10pm
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
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THE TGV TICKETS AND LA POUBELLE By Maggie Neary
P
aris on that Friday at the end of June had dawned to a fierce heat. It was my fifth day there, visiting with friends who live in a very gorgeous apartment in a very sophisticated area of that sumptuous city. The previous days, as Iʼd sashayed about in my favourite places, the heat had been kind and the breezes balmy but on this fateful Friday I dragged myself along the boulevards to the local SNCF (French national railway) office to purchase the already internet-booked tickets for our planned journey to Pontalier. We were to travel first class due to a complicated mixture of special offers, special class passengers and off-peak travel which rendered such a thing affordable. I queued up (sitting on a seat, the office was more like our travel agencies), and when my turn arrived I stated my case to the ticket vendor, trusted all was well, signed the cheque and strolled out into the horrendous heat. We departed some hours later
close to mid day (you know that time when mad dogs and Englishmen etc.). First, we walked along the heat-crazed pavements to the nearby metro and from there to the railway station. French metro and train stations are notorious for their lack of escalators. After all those stairs up and stairs down through the sizzling heat I was feeling very madly disoriented even before I found myself crouching on the ground in the Gare de Lyon gaping down into the empty place in my voluminous bag where I just knew the tickets had once been I could feel my two friendsʼ gaze boring holes in me as I groped around in the overflowing bag desperately snatching time to sort through the
bottomless pit of my sluggish brain for some plausible story. I stood up and not looking at anyone in particular (in truth I remember seeing the lovely arcaded shape of the lofty glass roofing of that magnificent station and the clock above waving the rapid onwards march of time) I declared, “Theyʼre not there.” This bombshell fell 20 minutes to train take-off. “Look again,” said one, “I asked you if you were sure you had them,” said the other. I bobbed down once again, sticking my hand into the now-hated bag giving the impression, I suppose, that there was some hope. Then something clicked and I stood up and said “Look, I know they are not there, please phone Jack
and tell him they are in the poubelle (rubbish bin).” They were the best, those dear friends. He just took out his mobile and began to address the situation. My friend, she told me that if we did not have the tickets before train take off we would lose all the ʻspecialʼ bits about the affordability of the ticket and I gathered that it would all be quite a sensation of fuss and costliness. Jack picked up on the third try and yes, there the three packets were, sitting on the top of the rubbish in the kitchen bin. Donʼt ask, you really do not need to know how Iʼd manufactured that scenario. Could Jack make it? One minute to take off he arrived bathed in sweat, to our yells of triumph. His timely arrival was an amazing feat of speed and determination and for me anyhow, even surpassed the speed achievements of
the TGV itself. We sank gratefully into the plush seats of the air-conditioned train car and settled in for three and a half hours of non-stop Vitesse to Pontalier, a wee town at the foothills of the Jura Mountains. The train gently rocked as it swept through the varying scenes of pasture, vine and faraway mountains. My schooldaysʼ friends and I slipped away to perch on high stools in the Bar café and drink terrifyingly black strong coffee while we caught up on our life experiences. We had a wonderful few days in farming countryside and the journey back by TGV was smooth. Paris was in the grip of a ferocious heat wave. I was very glad to catch the bus for the Ryan Air flight. I arrived back to an Ireland which was just about to start its own heat wave but to me it was like a gentle balm in contrast to its French cousin.
The TGV or Train a Grande Vitesse (high speed train) is the pride and joy of French transport. Its top speed can be 300 km/h and under special test conditions has reached 513 km/h. It might sound dangerous but statistics suggest that travel by TGV is safer than airplane. Mostly made of steel, some newer models may have aluminium body shells and magnesium seat frames. Powered by electricity, a front power car pulls whilst a rear power car pushes to achieve these travel speeds. The whole is usually manned by a staff of four, two conductors in the passenger areas collecting fares and ensuring safety, one driver and one food service worker in the Bar car.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
SPEAKERS’ CORNER THE INCINCERATOR AND DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL Sinn Féinʼs Councillor Daithí Doolan, has slammed City Council officials for spending over €10m of public money on promoting an incinerator that is prohibited by the City Development Plan. Cllr. Doolan says: “I am totally outraged at the fact it has only come to light now, following a question I put the City Manager, that Council officials have spent over €10 million of taxpayersʼ money on promoting an incinerator for the Poolbeg Peninsula which nobody wants. The €10.5m has paid for private consultants, newsletters, newspaper advertising, posters and information sessions. The fact is the proposed incinerator for Poolbeg Peninsula is excluded from the Dublin City Development Plan and this position has been endorsed by City Councillors. No amount of gloss or money can deny that fact.ʼʼ APPOINTMENT PROCESS FOR NEW DUBLIN CITY MANAGER On 3rd July Dublin Councillors were asked to ratify the appointment of a new City Manager. However, according to the former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Dermot Lacey, Councillors will be
faced with “A fait accompli. Unlike the vote recently for Lord Mayor, there will be only one candidate. Unlike the winner, who will serve as Lord Mayor for one year, the new Manager will be appointed to serve for seven years. Unlike the decision to elect the Lord Mayor, Councillors had no hand, act or part in who the new City Manager would be and unlike the outcome of last week, whether we vote Yes or No the Manager will be appointed in any event. So much for democratic Local Government. “I have no axe to grind with the proposed new City Manager, Mr. John Tierney, and wish him every success in his new role. However, under our flawed and deeply undemocratic system of Local Government he will have huge powers to exercise in the name of the City Council and on behalf of the City of Dublin and Dubliners. On Thursday last, for example, we saw the interim City Manager finally lodge the planning application for the Poolbeg Incinerator against the wishes of the Council but with the full backing of the political and bureaucratic masters in the Custom House.” €180,000 FOR PEARSE HOUSE SPORTING FACILITIES Funding of €180,000 is being
ST STEPHEN’S
if you should make an application
made available for the further development of sporting facilities in Pearse House as part of a major Government investment in community facilities. Chris Andrews says that this funding will allow the development of multi-purpose playing, community and sporting facilities at Pearse House, which will be of benefit to people of all ages. “The size of the allocation to Pearse House is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of local community workers and volunteers,” he says. NEW SPEED LIMITS FOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS Labour Cllr. Kevin Humphreys welcomed the new 30km Speed Limit that came into effect on 9th of July, in the city centre and some residential areas on a pilot bases. “It has been shown in numerous studies that the reduction in speed prevents accidents and serious injuries to pedestrians. A no-nonsense approach must be taken by the Garda Síochána on those who breach the new speed limit. If one life is saved on our streets Dublin City Council will see this as a success.”
HAS
SöLL
AN AUSTRIAN GOSPEL Choir, R. G. Söll, recently performed new spiritual gospel songs in English and German at St Stephenʼs Church (the ʻPepper Cannisterʼ), Mount Street to help raise funds for the much-needed restoration of the church. The choir are celebrating their 15th anniversary and all come from the same village in the Austrian Tyrol. On this, their first trip to Ireland, they also sang at mass in Galway Cathedral and in between relaxed and enjoyed the Irish countryside.
PILOT PROJECTS TO START NEXT MONTH Chris Andrews, welcomed the Governmentʼs anti-graffiti pilot project which will commence in July. “This graffiti clean-up is long overdue as many areas are being ruined by this sort of visual litter,” stated Andrews. The pilot project aimed specifically at combating graffiti in Dublin City, Galway City and Bray, Co. Wicklow has been allocated a budget of €3m in 2006. THOUSANDS MORE FOR FREE GP VISITS People across the Southside of Dublin should check to see if they qualify for the GP Visit Card after a major expansion of the scheme, according to Chris Andrews. “This scheme has been grossly under-subscribed with just 3% of Dubliners entitled to free GP visits claiming their benefits. Under the expansion, cover is now being extended to allow thousands of extra people to benefit.” Log on to www.medicalcard.ie where an easy to use ready reckoner is available which allows you to see
LANSDOWNE ROAD STADIUM Cllr. Kevin Humphreys has always supported Lansdowne Road remaining in Dublin 4. However, he says that the 28 conditions imposed in the Planning Permission donʼt go far enough to address the concerns of the local residents, such as dust alleviation measures, overshadowing, number of concerts and the utilisation of the back pitch. Kevin Humphreys says: “To ensure the speedy completion of the stadium, I am calling on IRFU/FAI to meet with the local residents and deal with their concerns in a realistic manner which theyʼve failed to do so far.” CITY COUNCIL ADOPT RADICAL NEW CHILDCARE POLICY Cllr. Doolan welcomes the new childcare policy. “This childcare policy we are adopting puts City Council at the centre of childcare in Dublin. The policy is the product of months of hard work, consultation and investigation. As a member of the Mayorʼs Commission on Childcare, I fully support the recommendations in this new policy. It is a radical move and one that will ensure that City Council rises to the challenge of meeting the needs of children and parents. I hope this document is replicated right across the island of Ireland.”
WHAT VICE, COLIN?
ʻMiami Viceʼ, of course! See Michael Hilliardʼs review on page 18.
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
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THE POETRY PLACE
Another You
September Sky
When he left it went with him.
Thereʼs a little coffee shop nestling on the corner by the square It takes me back to our place And to the secrets that we shared
She sighed A residue had remained.
(written after visit to Ground Zero) By Carmel McCarthy
That was where we sat together our knees touching in the dark Trying so hard to concentrate To ignore that smouldering spark
Urban Zen
For just one hour once a week you were mine to have and hold Weʼd while away the hours While our coffee it ran cold Weʼd snuggle close by the window Watching people go about their day losing ourselves in each other So much to do and say I was mesmerised by your eyes They way they penetrated deep into mine Stirred in me a happiness I didnʼt know that I could find
Thereʼs joy in repetition. One stitch plain, one pearl until I have something that looks like a scarf. Itʼs the same with swimming. One length breast stroke One length back stroke Over and over until the bell. I find comfort in the routine of it all. I am completely in the moment. Lost within it and totally at ease. My urban zen.
Do you remember when I was four? I never wanted to leave your side, my siblings were fools if they thought the grass was greener on the other side.
Afraid to face the truth That I face today The cruel reality that soon You would have to go away
Pictures solemnly placed side by side Names carved on marble stone Just your souls for company But you did not die alone
Who is going to mind me when I get lonely or sad? What if no one treats me as special as my Dad? How do you cook a roast Sunday dinner, or know when the smell means something is rotten?
Telling me one day youʼd have To turn away and leave To leave our private comfort zone Taunted by our grief
September Sky donʼt grieve for us Donʼt give into the pain Learn to face another day Learn to smile again
How will I manage my money and savings, or cope with the shame of a bill Iʼve forgotten? These are the things I will learn alone, probably by using up credit on the phone
Now I drink my coffee black With nothing on the side No strength to keep holding back All I kept inside
The rest Iʼll just have to learn as I go, you werenʼt born a Mum that I now know You had your insecurities just like me, but you were always perfect to me you see.
I canʼt find another you To while away my days I canʼt find another you To say what I want to say I canʼt be the one To call you on the phone But I canʼt get you out of my mind And I donʼt want to be alone
I know there comes a time in every girlʼs life, to leave and become a mother and wife I just didnʼt figure it would be so soon, I thought moving out Iʼd be over the moon.
The couples they surround me Laughter in their eyes Cocooned in their perfect world Untarnished by tears and lies
I know my excitement is hard to be seen, part of me still wants to be sixteen I am looking forward to making my own way, Iʼve learned from the best growing up everyday.
I wonder if theyʼre really in love Or just strangers meeting halfway Itʼs something we might talk about If I ever find you some day
Think of us when the sun breaks through Remember us with pride Our hearts remain as one with yours Too many tears have been cried By Audrey Healy
Faith
Iʼm not going far but Iʼll still miss you so, Iʼll be down every day until these feeling go, But I donʼt think they ever will, look how I grew! I hope you are as proud of me as I am of you.
Until then Iʼll journey alone Until the day that I find you And Iʼll keep an eye on the door And Iʼll keep a seat for you By Audrey Healy
Innocent and unaware of what evils lay in store Who could have known that losing you Would make us love you even more September Sky your tears are still Falling in the rain A collage of smiling faces Lost to you in pain
Now here I am at 28 going back on my word, the thought of me growing up was absurd, How could I live without seeing you every day, missing your cooking and doing things your way.
That date looms hot and heavy a circle on the wall a cruel reminder that I never really had you at all
He came in the room A mood hung round him like a mist Damp, dismal. It would seep through everything She tried to disperse it. “You look well,” she said “The weather is picking up. Lots of good news about The economy and all that.”
Rugged cross stands alone A symbol of your grief A futile last ditch attempt To fuel your fading belief
For my parents
Weʼd talk about films and music And how we felt deep in our heart Afraid to stop talking Afraid to start what we might start
Gloom
They say your city stays alive They say it never sleeps But it seems to me as I watch you grieve Youʼre a city that forever weeps
By Katie
My body shook with laughter All the stories that you told And the way you moved around me And the way you eased my load
September Sky you look so sad As you greet another day Tortured by the memory Of the hurt that came your way
My partner will be patient I hope, when nothing he does will compare with my folks, And I hope that he waits while my broken heart mends, to get used to leaving my best ever friends. By J
As always, we welcome contributions to The Poetry Place, which can be sent to the ʻNewsFourʼ offices at 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.
Dear God, how are You today? I guess You are always well You control everything You gave me free will, Iʼm told No use asking anyone else Iʼve become cheekier Less begging A cheeky child More demanding; insisting You keep Your word You have no need to answer But I know You will Not as expected A surprise Maybe a delight It will come. By Carmel McCarthy
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
Donna the Florist 51a Donnybrook Road, Dublin 4
W HAT
IS THE
K ORAN ?
Donna Ryan, Interflora Award-Winning Florist has now opened her own flower shop
Flowers for all occasions • Donna carries a wide range of exotic flowers and plants • Also a wedding specialist
By Brian Rutherford
T
Opening Hours 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Saturday 11 am to 4 pm Sunday Telephone: 2194555 * Fax: 2611799
he Koran is basically a text of prayer written in Arabic which is Godʼs (Allahʼs) words to mankind. This information was given to a man named Muhammad by the Archangel Gabriel while Muhammad meditated one evening. He had one surviving child at the time and lived in Mecca, a town specifically known because it was totally free of malaria. With his acquired knowledge he became a prophet and began to
preach to people. He preached to a few hundred at first and because of a need to convert people he formed an army. At the time there were Jews, Christians, Nestorians, many monotheistic cults, idol worshippers and people with no religion at all. Just a belief in destiny. The year was around 600 AD. Muhammad and his followers fought many a battle with these peoples and tribes of Arabia. When he could he negotiated rather than fought. At the age of 40, in 632 AD Muhammad died after a short ill-
ness but he had achieved his goal, the conversion of Arabia to the Muslim faith. They were now all believers in Islam. The Koran itself has 114 chapters and it reads very like the scriptures of the Bible. It believes that disobedience will lead to the apocalypse which will be the prelude to judgement day when each individual will be sent to either heaven or hell. It believes that there is one God, a merciful one who is creator of heaven and earth, very like our own bible text. There are also texts on Adam and Eve, Satan, Cain and Abel, Moses and others. Here is an example of the opening verse or Sura as Muhammad called it. “Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, the compassionate, the merciful, King on the day of reckoning, Thee only do we worship and to thee do we cry for help, guide thou us on the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou has been gracious to, not those Thou art angry with not those who go astray.” Above: An extract of the Koran from Spain, circa 12th century.
The Shelbourne House 2 Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4 Telephone: 6676380
Sunday lunch 12 mid-day to 5 pm Weekday lunch 12 mid-day to 3 pm Evening meals 5 pm to 8 pm
Live music Friday nights Saturday 26th Zoom Joker Band Live band Saturday nights Live music with Mick Redmond Sunday night Every Thursday Night at 8.30 Texas Holdin’ Poker Tournament Limited to 64. Freeze out
NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
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‘T HE S INGER AND THE S ONG ’ H ALF THE PROCEEDS OF BOOK GO TO EPILEPSY CHARITY
By Audrey Healy
H
ave you ever heard a song and wondered how it came about? I have and my curiosity about some of Irelandʼs best-known songs has led to the publication of a new book, to be published on September 1st. I recently began writing songs with former Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan and in the course of conversation, he told me that his own composition, ʻFeet of a Dancerʼ, was actually inspired by the tragic Anne Lovette case in Granard, County Longford. Subsequently, the songwriter Brendan Graham revealed that his Eurovision winner ʻRock ʻnʼ Roll Kidsʼ was first written on the back of a ticket stub at a Fats Domino concert! I thought that the origin of these songs was fascinating and quickly realised that there must be a pool of interesting stories about each and every song and who better to divulge those stories than the singers themselves? And so I set out to find those writers and uncover those stories. In some cases I found songs born out of love, songs born out of jealously, loss and humour but in all the recipients I found an eagerness to participate in the project and a genuine passion for music and for the role it plays in their lives. Dubliners feature strongly in this collection, with Patsy Watchorn, Don Baker, Damien Dempsey and Finbar Furey, while the remainder represent a fair cross section from all over, with
Charlie McGettigan, Christy Moore, Brian Kennedy, Rebecca Storm, Diarmuid OʼLeary, Mick Hanly, Eleanor Shanley, John Spillane, Liam Clancy, Paul Brady, Jack L, Mary Coughlan, Kieran Goss, Christie Hennessy, Leslie Dowdall and Phil Coulter to name but a few. As well as my own keen interest in music and more recently in songwriting, I had another strong motive for writing this book. I am donating half the royalties from the sale of the publication to Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association, as I have had epilepsy since I acquired a brain tumour when I was twelve years of age. Over the years Brainwave has been a wonderful and constant source of both practical and emotional support in the management of my condition. Recently a close friend of mine sadly passed away following a seizure and I wanted to do something in her memory. When I first developed the condition I admit that I had never even heard the word before and after dealing with the practical side of it, and being prescribed medication, my next port of call was learning to accept it as a part of me and thatʼs where Brainwave came into their own. Both the organisation and what they stand for are focused on what you can do rather than what you canʼt. The consequences of living with epilepsy are as individual as those who have it and like many others I am on daily medication and try to avoid situations whereby I might be more susceptible to a seizure i.e. late nights, too much computer work, stress and alcohol. Brainwave offers support not only to those with epilepsy, but also to concerned parents, teachers and
guardians, and to frightened teenagers on the brink of adulthood who may see the condition as an obstacle to their journey towards independent adulthood. They help people deal with the practical implications one might face as a result of the condition, providing invaluable advice on issues relating to basic first aid, what to do in the event of a seizure, triggers factors, getting a driving licence, employment issues, insurance, entitlements, as well as providing specialist aids and appliances such as safety pillows and identity bracelets which may well prove to be a lifeline when someone has a seizure. I personally believe that epilepsy is a condition that still, wrongly, has a stigma attached to it. Approximately 40,000 people in Ireland have epilepsy and because of the way it manifests itself, it is not talked about as openly as illnesses such as asthma or diabetes. Ironically, people with epilepsy are dependant on such openness. If I have a seizure it is in my interests that the person next to me knows just what to do and if it is never talked about, how will we ever overcome these obstacles? ʻThe Singer and The Songʼ will be published on September 1st 2006 by Hodder Headline. Brainwave can be contacted at 01 455 7500, email: info@epilepsy.ie, website: www. epilepsy.ie Above: Paul Brady, one of the singers featured in the book.
80 years of HB HB, Irelandʼs, favourite ice cream, is celebrating 80 years of business this year. To celebrate, retired employee Paul Mulhern and his friend, journalist Kieran Fagan, have produced a book which takes you back to the companyʼs beginnings at the Hazelbrook Dairy, where William Hughes set up his business in farming. In 1926 his three sons established a bottle milk dairy and began to make ice cream with the surplus milk. The independence of HB as a family firm ended in 1939 when it was taken over by the Royal Bank. In 1963 W&R Grace bought out the Dairy and as the ice cream end of the company grew, it was taken over by Unilever in 1973. These days colours and flavours are all being replaced by natural ones and there are also Swirl Kiosks where you can actually choose your own flavours and ingredients to create your own personal ice cream. There are low-fat products such as HB light, Solero and now Frusi, a snack made from frozen yoghurt, real fruit and cereals. Bertie Ahern, Maeve Binchy and Joe Duffy are among those recalling what ice cream has meant for them over the years and there are plenty of pictures which will bring back fond memories for many people. ʻThe Story of HB– 80 years of Irelandʼs favourite ice creamʼ is available in selected book shops and from Unilever Ltd. By Brian Rutherford
SANDYMOUNT HOME HELP SERVICE Do you have two to four hours free every week and would you like to earn some extra money? We pay you €13.01 per hour (gross) to visit and care for vulnerable elderly in the community For further information, phone Brenda Dempsey (before 6.00pm) at 087- 9292119
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006
M u sic4 …
BY BRIAN KELLY * FERGAL MURPHY
Albums Razorlight Razorlight Upon us is the so called ʻdifficultʼ second album from the one man band and self proclaimed genius that is Johnny Borrell (also known as Razorlight). It seems all the partying and the rock and roll lifestyle that was found in their debut Up All Night has taken its toll on poor aul Johnny! This is a much more sombre album, maybe the girl with the golden touch got to Johnny! This album is full of catchy pop/ rock songs but you get the feeling if more effort was put into it, it couldʼve been a hell of a lot better. As it is, itʼs still an excellent album with Johnnyʼs emotion-filled lyrics dragging you into his soul and making you realise that even geniuses get hurt! The standout tracks on the album are the up-tempo single In the morning. ʻIn the morning you know we wonʼt remember a thingʼ which sums up lyrically the come down theme of the album. Who needs love which sees Johnny totally disenfranchised with love and romance and proclaims himself ʻtired of loveʼ and ʻsick of loveʼ but, thereʼs light at the end of the tunnel for all us romantics when he announces that he ʻjust wonʼt give up without a fight!ʼ Definitely one for the morning after youʼve been up all night! Born Sandy Devotional The Triffids Like their contemporaries and fellow countrymen The Go-Betweenʼs, the Triffids were a band more admired by the critics than the general public. From Perth in Western Australia, they produced six albums from 1980-89, then broke up frustrated at their inability to reach a wider audience. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of their third and most successful album, Born Sandy Devotional has now been reissued and remastered with 9 bonus tracks as extras. Singer Dave Mc Comb takes all the songwriting credits on this album and the dramatic, almost epic quality of his voice dominates almost every track here. There is a real storytelling quality to his writing, a Jacques Brel-like lyricism transferred to a sun-bleached city on the edge of the desert. Itʼs an album of great power and poetry; you can almost see the heat haze coming off the soundscape on tracks like The Seabirds, Lonely Stretch, Stolen Property and the majestic Wide Open Road, which has become almost an unofficial anthem for Australian backpackers touring the globe. A superb collection from one of the great 80s bands. Bande A Part Nouvelle Vague Hereʼs an intriguing idea. Two hip young French composers take a bunch of 80s new wave songs (everything from Blondie to Visage). They slow the tempo down to a jazzy Bossa Nova beat, then add a bunch of breathy chanteuses who never heard the originals in the first place to sing the vocals. The result was a debut album, which sold over 200,000 copies worldwide and brought a smile to the face of many people who never heard Love Will Tear Us Apart played like that before. Bande A Part continues the winning formula from the 2004 debut. Ever Fallen In Love by the Buzzcocks is sung to great effect as is Billy Idolʼs Dancing With Myself, but it is the reworking of less obvious songs like Bauhausʼs Bela Lugosiʼs Dead and The Cramps Human Fly which really impress. Itʼs all very knowing and ironic of course, but it is also matched by a genuine love of the originals and a great deal of musical accomplishment. To quote Fun Boy Three and Bananarma, it ainʼt what you do; itʼs the way that you do it.
Golden Smog Another Fine Day This is the third album from the country rock supergroup Golden Smog, made up from members of Soul Asylum, The Replacements, The Jayhawks and Wilco. I was a big fan of their second album Weird Tales, so this albumʼs a bit of a disappointment. The standout tracks are the opener You Make It Easy which grabs you in with itʼs rocky piano intro and the opening phrase ʻI want you to understand, Iʼm gonna be your manʼ. No confidence issues for singer Kraig Jarret Johnson then! By far though the albumʼs highlight is Listen Joe, a mournful reminisce to a dead friend where you can feel the sense of loss through Jeff Tweedyʼs vocals. Armed also with some excellent Spanish style acoustic guitar this track is head and shoulders above the rest. I canʼt help thinking if Tweedy had more input this album wouldʼve been a hell of a lot better!
R.I.P. TOTP 1964 - 2006 By Brian Kelly
After ʻTomorrowʼs Worldʼ on a Thursday night it used to be on TV. It was essential viewing for me and my brothers and sister, all music fans and all excitingly awaiting what would be announced as the No. 1 single in the UK that week. We couldnʼt wait for ʻTomorrowʼs Worldʼ to finish (and all those useless inventions which never saw the light of day anyway) and Top Of The Pops to start. For half an hour on a Thursday night, our adolescent lives would be as bright and as luminous as the sound and vision coming from the TV screen in the corner. Happy days. Back in the late 70s and early 80s when I religiously watched the show it was always a great thrill to see one of your favourite bands on TOTP. There was no other music show on television at the time, so when you were young and just starting to appreciate music like I was, the show was simply unmissable. There was lots of crap on it of course, but when one of your favourites came on, it made the whole show worthwhile and of course you would rush out to buy the 7 inch single that weekend. The single was everything then. An appearance on TOTP would virtually guarantee a higher chart placing, which would mean more sales and a higher profile for any performer. Millions of vinyl records were bought on the strength of a performance on TOTP. At its peak, more than 15 million people watched TOTP every week. Almost every band wanted to be on it, because such was its popularity that one appearance could be enough to propel a bandʼs career into fast forward. Jarvis Cocker of Pulp said he considered his band a failure if they didnʼt make an appearance on TOTP. Sadly, Top of The Pops has gone the way of the Dodo (or should that be Dido) and the 7 inch single. I long since gave up watching the show, as has everyone else who used to watch it. Its demise can be attributed to the death of the single as a musical commodity and the fact that kids now have access to music programmes and music channels on a 7 day a week, round the clock basis. TOTPʼs last broadcast went out last month and few can be surprised at its passing. In these days of instant gratification and limited attention spans, nobody is prepared to wait a week for a thirty minute music programme. So for the long-running weekly TV show in the history of music, I say thank you for the music, TOTP. Here are just a few memories of my favourite TOTP moments over the years: Bono and the boys first appearance on TOTP in 1982 with a performance of ʻFireʼ. ʻThis Charming Manʼ from The Smiths in 1983, complete with Morrissey waving a bunch of gladioli around. Bob Geldof in 1984 with Midge Urge and a cast of famous pop stars for the ʻDo They Know Itʼs Christmas Timeʼ single. Panʼs People followed by Legs & Co, the TOTP dancers. Any appearance by the late great John Peel. Dexyʼs Midnight Runners appearing in front of a large backdrop of the dart player Jocky Wilson while performing ʻJackie Wilson Saysʼ.
Memories of ʻTop of the Popsʼ, from left: Jimmy Saville, Elton John, Kate Bush and Fearne Cotton.
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Music4 …
2
Forthcoming Attractions
SATYRIX
September Daft Punk Johnny Mathis Maximo Park Will Young The Beautiful South
Marlay Park 25 September Point Sep 25 Olympia 26 Point 27 Point 30
October Mc Fly LL Cool J The Human League Harlem Gospel Choir Lyle Lovett Tom Jones Status Quo Jack L Gypsy Kings Motorhead
Point Oct 9 Point 10 Vicar St. 13 Vicar St. 14 Olympia 15 Point 24 Point 25 Vicar St. 28, 29, 30, 31. Point 30 Point 31
November Al Stewart Pink Polecats
By Fergal Murphy Satyrix are a four piece rap group from the Sandymount/Ringsend area. I caught up with Graham and Lorcan from the group recently to find out a bit more about them. Tell us a bit about the history of Satyrix as a group? Weʼre doing it about five years, we started off just messing round on the computer. We were always recording stuff with an element of comedy. We started off making films for our own entertainment on our video camera. One day Ron called us round to show us a song heʼd written. We all thought it was hilarious and immediately the rest of us wanted to join in. From there we moved on with the comedy element in our music and taught ourselves to make our own original music without the use of samples. Mainly because you donʼt get paid as much for samples! The first video we made brought it back to what we used to do before music, it was shot in Meath and included a heli-
copter! We played our first gig in the Sugar Club and now we play there regularly and sell the place out. What goes into writing your songs? We like to keep an element of humour in our music. The lyrics come first, then the choruses. We listen to the music to get the feel of it and try to get the lyrics to match the music. The chorus is the hardest to write, we like to leave it ambiguous so people can take out of it what they want. Whatʼs it like to come from Dublin 4 area? Great, one of the best places to live and weʼve been all over the world. Ireland is one of the freest places in the world, it has third world and first world freedoms. Where do you see yourselves in five years? Hopefully alive! We couldnʼt care less if weʼre still in the same situation, the only goal is weʼre still writing tunes. Satyrix is a project that has held old friends together, which is probably one of the most important things to Satyrix. Tell us a bit about the new EP? Thereʼs three songs on it we could have released separately but we wanted to release three
of our best songs. Kuminatcha is about things we get up to, some of our exploits in South East Asia included! 4u is a more sombre, thank you to our girlfriends type of song and the song Reclaimed Land is about Ringsend being built on reclaimed land. Itʼs hilarious with a dancing, driving beat behind it. It went on sale in Tower Records on Saturday 29th July. Do you think because your lyrics are so raw itʼs stopped you getting airplay? In ways weʼve had to restrain ourselves, weʼve had to change around a lot of lyrics which is probably negative because it stunts our creativity. We donʼt think weʼve compromised ourselves very much, when it comes to radio and TV we have to so that we get paid. Live, we have a set where we know what songs go down well and what ones donʼt. We only know what a gig was like from the people who come and their feedback as to what was brilliant and what was awful. When people come to see your gig you have to compromise a bit. Thereʼs a difference between selling out and being clever! Anything youʼd like to say to the readers before you go? Yeah, big up to Mean Gene and all the Sandymount ladies!
Vicar Street Nov 4 Point 16 Voodoo Lounge 17
From top to bottom: Pink, McFly and The Beautiful South.
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NEWSFOUR AUGUST 2006