OCTOBER 2006 NewsFour final by News Four

OCTOBER 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

BALLOON RELEASE FOR CANCER

FILLED WITH AUTUMNAL DELIGHTS! Katie serves up whole food with broadband and Peaches. See page 9.

Who is this handsome guy? Audrey Healy talks to him and his alter ego on page 12.

here was a great turnout for the Balloon Release in aid of the Cancer Awareness Programmme– Relay for Life– at the Mansion House. The Lord Mayor Councillor Vincent Jackson hosted the Release. The Balloon Release was one of the many events which were held in the Pearse Street Community area over the last few months as part of this awareness programme.

A message of faith, love and hope from those who have been touched by cancer and also in memory of those have died and those who have are still ﬁghting the battle was placed inside each balloon. The messages in the 300 purple balloons were written by families, friends and neighbours in memory of loved ones who had passed away from cancer. The Relay for Life is all about raising awareness of cancer.

Getting good and wet at the Dublin Aquathon! See page 14.

There are 120,000 cancer survivors in the Republic and thousands more are affected by the loss of loved ones through this disease. Over the past few months the Community in Pearse Street and other Docklands areas, along with the Irish Cancer Society have been running events to raise awareness and to support home care services and research. The Relay For Life took place on Saturday the 7th October at Custom House Quay, CHQ Building, Georges Quay from 6 pm to 6 am the following morning. Filmmaker and cancer survivor Peter Sheridan launched the event. There was a Service of Light and Hope at 9.00 pm where people dedicated a candle to someone they love or know who is affected by cancer. Cancer Helpline 1800200700, Action Breast Cancer 1800309040, Smoking Quitline 1850201203, Prostate Cancer Information Service 1800380380. Irish Cancer Society, 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4. Tel: 2310500.

Michael Hilliard is not behind the door on his opinion of the ‘Black Dahlia’. See Film Scene on page 18.

This cheesy pair is one of the most successful musical acts ever. Fergal Murphy explains on page 38.

Ryan Nevill, Colm OʼKeeffe and Aaron Dunne enjoying themselves at Ringsend and District Community Centre Summer Project.

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

The Editor’s Corner

NewsFour Managing Editor Ann Ingle Advertising Manager Grainne McGuinness Office Manager Miriam Holmes Staff Brian Kelly Grace Charley Brian Rutherford Fergal Murphy Audrey Healy David Hussey John Cavendish Maggie Neary Contributors Michael Hilliard Christy Hogan Saoirse O’Hanlon Tobin James O’Doherty Christopher Sands Eamon Tilley Jimmy Purdy Sonny Kinsella 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

I AM SURE Mairead Lavigne did not realise that ʻNewsFourʼ would be inundated with answers to her query about the location of Clyneʼs shop. We have published some of them on our letters page (p.6) together with a map which Hugh Egan has drawn from memory. Itʼs great when ʻNewsFourʼ becomes a melting pot of memories for our readers and we really appreciate your interest and enthusiasm. Thanks to Brian Siggins I learned that we have yet another famous poet in our midst, Robert Greacen (p.7 ). I really enjoy his poetry and am now the proud owner of his latest work signed by the author. Philip Murphy (stpatsrowing@gmail.com) would like you to contact him if you have any old photos or

other memorabilia of the St Patrickʼs Rowing Club. They want to use these in the new club room and on their website. St Patrickʼs celebrate their 70th anniversary this year and we will be publishing an article about their history in the December edition. I hate to mention it but it will be Christmas soon and we would be very happy to publish any good wishes for relatives and friends at home and abroad in the next edition. Please let us have these as soon as you can. We would also be happy to publicise any ideas you have for Christmas presents or new ways of managing our time and energy over the festive season– speaking of which I suppose I had better start making the cakes and puddings! Take care of yourselves. Ann Ingle

Drive in Movie Theatre on Pigeon House Road Fire Station Artists’ Studios and Docklands Authority commission groundbreaking film project

ʻ12

Angry Filmsʼ is an outdoor season of 12 films examining class consciousness in cinema by artist Jesse Jones. This ʻDrive Inʼ movie theatre will take place on the second weekend in November in Pigeon House, Pigeon House Road, Ringsend. Movies such as ʻBattleship Potemkinʼ, ʻThe Rocky Road to Dublinʼ and ʻRoger and Meʼ will be screened in a ʻdrive inʼ movie setting alongside lesser-known films, some of which have never been screened in Ireland before. In addition, six short films made by the workshop participants and the artist Jesse Jones will be screened. The workshop participants and Jesse Jones

SONNY’S

made three radio programmes to be broadcast before and after the cinema screenings. These radio programmes will be broadcast on a special radio frequency set up especially for the Drive In that the public can access on their car radios on site in Pigeon House. Location: Pigeon House, Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, Dublin 4. Dates: Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November 2006 Times: 7.30pm to 11pm. Admission free but pre booking essential. Book by calling Liz @ 01: 8069012 or email liz@firestation. ie

DAY

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

SHELBOURNE PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION LTD 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

Ringsend Active Retirement Association Retired with time on your hands?

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

Sonny OʼBrien from Gordon Street in Ringsend had a surprise 70th birthday party in the Garda Club recently. Pictured above with Sonny and his wife are his extended family, who joined him on his big day.

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 OCTOBER 2006

S OUTH

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EAST LONE PARENTS

ELP (South East Lone Parents) is a local group which have been running for the past four years in the local area. When the group initially started it was just to meet up with other lone parents to share experiences, knowledge and time with our children. Since than we have organised days out with the children and nights out for ourselves. We have received support from RAP (Ringsend Action Project) which has arranged classes i.e. basic computers, creative art and

most recently Training for Transformation. Training for Transformation works with groups to further their organisational skills and grooms the group to become independent. In August, we had a weekend away in Carlow with mothers and children, which was very successful. In future, we hope to continue with the work we are doing and to move forward to widen our activities. A lot of our work depends on the commitment of the parents and the support from RAP and the Spell-

man Centre, who allow us to use their facilities and their minibus free of charge. If you would like more information please call: Rachel: 0863036452 or Edel: 0871306835 after 6pm. Thanks to RAP (Ringsend Action Group), Aileen Foran (RAP), Spellman Centre, Ringsend Training Centre, Ringsend Community Centre, Rachel Rooney and all the parents involved. Above: Children enjoying the sun, fun and ice lollies.

Geraldine M. Lynch (formerly of Irishtown Road)

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

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

VIN-DEPENDENT By Brian Kelly

ublinʼs latest Lord Mayor is Vincent Jackson, an independent councillor from Ballyfermot. Vincent was elected in June, benefitting from a tied vote between other candidates. Vincent became interested in local politics in 1991, a year in which he also began his career as a youth worker. When his term finishes next May, Vincent intends to return to his position as manager of Youth Services in Dublin 10. His reign as First Citizen temporarily came to a halt when, at the end of August, Vincent and his wife Veronica were forced to evacuate the Mansion House for a couple of days when the police and army were called in to investigate a suspected explosive device hidden inside a fire extinguisher. No device was discovered and Vincent and Veronica are now enjoying the pleasures of residing in one of Dublinʼs finest historic houses in Dawson Street. ʻNewsfourʼ met up with the new Lord Mayor recently to talk about his intentions for office and what he hopes to achieve for the capitalʼs citizens. How are you settling into the Mansion House since your election in June? Very good so far. There has been a huge amount of people coming in here to see me since we moved in. The diary is packed up well into next year already and with

the General Election pending, it is going to get even busier, but I have to say I am looking forward to the term. What does your wife Veronica think of the surroundings? I think she likes the place more than I do! Itʼs quite a noisy place here, living in the centre of town. Our place in Ballyfermot would be a lot quieter than this location. Itʼs nice to be here for the year, though, in terms of the living space and all the trappings of the Mansion House. How would you like the see the role of Lord Mayor changing in the future? In the long term, I would like to see the role of Lord Mayor as someone who is directly elected by the people, with executive powers to change things. People like the Mayor of London and New York have a direct say in how the city is run from the point of view of policing, housing and transport. These are the big issues in Dublin and I often think it is ironic that the local authority, which is one of the biggest service providers in the city as well as one of the largest employers, does not have one representative. What would you like to achieve in your year as Lord Mayor? I would like to ensure that the elderly are made more visible in the community. I feel for far too long old people have been ignored and forgotten but really they are the foundation of the prosperity we enjoy now. I know a lot of people will think

MAN that the last 10 or 15 years just happened overnight, but if you think about it there were people in the 40s and 50s who went to Britain and further afield and they worked their backsides off to send money back home to keep their families going. These people are at the age now when they are retired and I think from the point of view of a local authority, we have to be seen to reinforce the whole concept of ensuring that older people can remain at home with support services there to help them. What measures would you like to see in place to achieve these aims? I would like to develop within the local authority an office that will co-ordinate at local level services for the elderly. I hope to set up structures where, if an elderly person breaks their hip or leg, they are not waiting 12 months for an occupational therapist to meet them in the hospital Iʼm talking about overcoming bureaucracy to create scenarios where simple things for the elderly, like a handrail in their homes to go up the stairs or a grab rail in the bathroom, can be installed after a stay in hospital. This would ensure that someone is not staying in a hospital bed and can happily go home. People, as we all know, heal much quicker at home where they have their comforts around them and have the support of family and friends close by. You are a youth worker by profession. What do you hope to achieve for the youth of Dublin in your term of office? I am chairman of the Youth Services Board here in the city and I want to ensure that more services and facilities for our young people are created in the future. I am happy to say that more high-quality youth centres are on the way, including one in my own constituency, the Ballyfermot Leisure and Youth Centre, which will be the biggest of its kind ever built in the country and will open next March. I am very concerned with the issue of young people taking their own lives and the whole problem of teenage suicide, which has reached frightening levels in this country. We have developed a service, which was officially launched on September 8th called

the ʻTeenage Suicide Prevention Lineʼ, where counselors, trained by the Samaritans, will help young people going through low ebbs in their lives. The concerns of the youth and the elderly are not easy areas to address but they are subjects very close to my heart, and if we can make inroads into these issues, then I think I can make a difference. How do you address the problem now that people are fed up with politicians and totally cynical of their motives. Councillors are democratically elected. They stood up, put their name forward and people went out and voted for them. Whatever you think of politicians, there is a great opportunity next May or whatever the date is for the election, if people think they can do a better job and hopefully a lot of people will, they should stand for election.

When there is an issue in an area, the very first person the local community turn to is the local councillor or TD. Now, I accept that we cannot please everybody in the work we do, but people sometimes forget the good work politicians do. What about your own political ambitions? Well I am not going to be running for any Dáil elections. I have to be realistic. The size of the constituencies is absolutely huge and I donʼt have the resources of the large parties to support me. In my constituency alone, you go from Chapelizod out to Tempelogue. I believe you can get a lot done in local politics regardless of your political status. If you come up with a good idea and you have the support of your community, I find you will get the support of local officials to implement change. Above: Vincent at his desk in the Mansion House.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

The Letterbox Dear Madam Editor, I canʼt comment on whether Mairead Lavigne or Donal McKenna are correct about Clyneʼs location, but I do know that the grocery shop was Nelsonʼs. My Uncle Eddie Gilligan was a shop boy there many moons ago, and my mother, Annie Byrne (now Doyle) lived above the shop before moving as a young girl to Thorncastle Street (above what is now the Pharmacy). Mum was the daughter of Sonny (Patrick) Byrne, one time Lock Keeper on the Grand Canal. Many thanks for sending ʻNewsFourʼ to my husband Ray and myself. In turn it is forwarded to my sister Anne Gorman in Port Sunlight, Cheshire. She then shows it to Mum who is in a Care Home, and I know this edition with the lovely photo of the Poolbeg chimneys will bring back many happy memories to her of walking down the Pigeon House Road to her Auntie Maggie and Uncle Tommy Dalton in the Pigeon House. Eddie Gilligan who worked in Nelsonʼs married Auntie Maggie and Uncle Tommyʼs daughter Anna! Just ﬁnished reading NewsFour, and my husband and I have enjoyed all the articles. Nice to see an ad for The Yacht where there is a grand painting of the ʻGlenagearyʼ. Thank you again, Joan Canada Dear Madam Editor I would like to thank all the people who attended St Patrickʼs for my Mumʼs funeral on Friday 18 August and again on Saturday morning for the Mass. It was such a lovely send off for such a lovely person and to meet so many old friends there made it a really memorable day. My sisters Kay and Ann did so much for Mum. Could I through your paper pass on my thanks to all those people and there will be a Mass offered up for them all. Only Ringsend could have done it their way. Yours Sincerely John Byrne Madam Editor In answer to Mairead Lavingneʼs letter in the August 2006 edition. She was right, Clynes the butchers was on her corner of Fitzwilliam Street. Mag Doyleʼs vegetable shop was where Clynes now is. She used to bring the salmon to the market for drifters. Haltons was on the corner

of Bridge Street. It was known as Haltonʼs corner, a meeting place. Here is a list of shops from Haltonʼs corner to Allenʼs Sweet shop at the top of the bridge. They may not be in the right order but here goes: Haltons, Olinʼs sweet shop, Perkinʼs Shoe sales and repairs, Annie Payneʼs pork shop, the Lara Dairy. Then there was the Halpins an old couple who sold curtains, old books and comic cuts ʻDandyʼ, ʻBeanoʼ and ʻFilm Funʼ. Next the hardware shop, Nelsonʼs the grocer and next door Nelsonʼs the butchers, Northʼs Pub the Post Office, McCluskey Pub then Allenʼs. There was a shop opposite Allenʼs on the church grounds a barber shop and newsagents. The oldest messenger boy was Mr Flanagan who worked in Haltonʼs. His son served behind the counter. By the way, the picture in the June issue is not a Hobbler but a Ringfisher. They shot the net out in a half circle then the crew hauled in from each end until the net was a bag. The picture was taken in the 1940s. Sean Donnelly Dublin 12 Dear Madam Editor I am enclosing a poem in honour of ʻNewsFourʼsʼ 21st birthday and wish you every success with it in the years to come. Also many thanks for posting me the ʻNewsFourʼ direct to the house, this is an unexpected surprise and very much welcomed. To you and all the staff ʻthank youʼ. Sonny Kinsella Santry (See page 37) Dear Ann Just reading my copy of August ʻNewsFourʼ received today and thank you so much. Every time I see Poolbeg Chimneys I want to be back in Ringsend where I lived for the first 21 years of my life. I am reading Mairead Lavingneʼs letter and I can truly say that the grocery shop was Haltonʼs and next door was Annie Payneʼs pork shop. There was also Nelsonʼs by the fish and chip shop beside Kitty Whelanʼs clothes shop. Nice to see Gerry Brannock is one of the Unsung Heroes. It would be nice to see lights on the chimneys. Itʼs the first thing myself and my children look for when they fly into Dublin. Are you any relation to Jimmy

Ingle whom I knew so well back in 1948. One day he chased me the full length of the Pidgeon House Road because I belted him with snowballs. He never did catch me thatʼs why my nickname was Legs Campbell. Kind regards J. Lynch Australia Ed. Jimmy was my brother-inlaw as I married Peter Ingle Dear Madam Editor In my schooldays Clynes Butchers were on the corner of Fitzwilliam Street and later moved over to where Mag Doyleʼs shop was. Later on they moved to their present location. Haltonʼs was a shop that had aisles and was my ﬁrst experience of a ʻmini marketʼ. Mary Lovely sold clothes and excelled at dressmaking and alterations. Olinʼs was a stationery shop, the family were also plumbers. There was a barbers on the bridge, the window sill still exists. It was the premises that Cecil Driver (RIP) and Jack OʼNeill (RIP) learned their trade. The ʻgapʼ as it was known at the side of the Library was a meeting place at election time when politicians made their promises and where Shamrock Rovers fans started their parade to Dalymount on Cup Final Day. Hugh Egan Derrynane Gardens (formerly Pidgeon House Road) Ed: Hugh gave us the map below which from his memory is how things were Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportu-

nity to thank your readers in Dublin Four for supporting the work of Enable Ireland. In 2005, Enable Ireland Sandymount provided services for over 319 children from birth to 18 years of age with a primary disability or developmental delay. Services included a range of educational, therapeutic, training, employment and family support services, making a difference to the lives of children and young adults with disabilities in Dublin. The Enable Ireland Sandymount centre ﬁrst opened in 1948. It also houses the Eastern Region Postural Management Service, which deals with wheelchair and seating needs for disabled people. In September our annual fundraising and awareness campaign Action Week on Disability took place. On behalf of everyone in Enable Ireland and the people that we work with, a most sincere thank you. Yours sincerely Fionnuala OʼDonovan, Chief Executive, Enable Ireland Dear Madam Editor My name is Jimmy McVeigh, I work on a project called Clean Coasts for An Taisceʼs Environmental Education Unit. Clean Coasts is a pilot project based along the eastern Irish coast aimed at increasing environmental action, awareness and ownership by coastal communities. The unit is also responsible for the Green Schools programme, the Blue ﬂag campaign and the National Spring clean (see www.antaisce. org/projects for more info). The Clean Coasts project has been running for a number of years and we now have more than 35 Coast Care Groups from various backgrounds spread over the

ﬁve counties of Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, and Dublin Meath. These groups have been involved in numerous environmental actions i.e. beach clean ups, improving access, dune protection and education. We are currently trying to get more people involved with the project and help as many coastal communities as we can in the process. The process is straight forward and free. If any of your readers are interested in getting involved please do not hesitate to contact us here at An Taisceʼs environmental education unit Regards Jimmy Mc Veigh, Clean Coast Project, An Taisce– Environment Education Unit Unit 5A, Swifts Alley, Frances Street, Dublin 8. Tel: (01)4002211 Mob(0862283690) Email cleancoast1@antaisce. Org, Web www.cleancoastproject. org Dear Editor I write to congratulate you on your excellent publication. It is a wealth of local knowledge and a great way of knowing so much about Dublin 4. Can I mention how much I enjoy James OʼDohertyʼs writings. I have read with interest his contributions over the last few months and there is always such variety– the story of the rose, the walk around Dublin, Nelsonʼs Pillar, the parks etc. I look forward to more to come. I am also glad you are still with us as editor and believe you are keeping a community spirit alive and well at a time when society is becoming more isolated. Regards David OʼDonoghue Serpentine Park

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

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T HE LIFE AND WORKS OF R OBERT G REACEN By Grace Charley I am I, I am the poet, the maker, the breaker, I am the prophet, the madman, the dreamer, the healer, I am the killer, the killed, the universal panacea For the broken, the inarticulate, the oppressed, the tortured. (Verse from The Poet Answers, Robert Greacen)

he above is a fitting tribute to any poet, not least the author, Robert Greacen. Having had the pleasure of interviewing Robert recently, I was able to get an insight into the life of such a prolific artist, now living in the heart of Sandymount. At the ripe old age of 86, Robert oozes the sensitivity, humbleness and disarming honesty that is encapsulated in his most recently published work ʻSelected & New Poemsʼ (Salmon Poetry). Robertʼs writing career spans well over sixty years. In 1990, to celebrate his 70th birthday, his peers honoured him with a commemorative volume of poems. In 1995, he was awarded ʻThe Irish Times Poetry Prizeʼ for his ʻCollected Poemsʼ. Robert was also nominated for membership of Aosdána, an association of 220 living artists in Ireland. In between all the awards and achievements, Robert lived an extraordinary life. Although he was born in Derry on October 24 1920, Robertʼs family soon moved around. As a child, he remembers growing up in urban Belfast and rural Monaghan. Obviously, the experience of having lived in such diverse places had an influence on his work. One of his fondest memories as a child was living in Mona-

artists with difﬁcult childhoods, Robert successfully channelled his anger and frustration through his work, which now enables him to speak of his father in a forgiving tone. As an only child, he was close to his mother and ultimately heartbroken when she died. Robert was also very close to two of his aunts (whom he lived with for a time). Under their care he got plenty of love and affection. He smiles when he recalls the magic moments he shared with his own daughter, though regrets that time and lack of shared common interest has created a distance between them. Looking back over his life, Robert always held onto the dream of becoming a famous writer. Money was never a motive. Instead, he longed for the sense of achievement and the recognition of oneʼs

gift. Speaking about the current publishing climate, Robert believes that although it may be easier to get published nowadays, it is much harder to get your work read within a publishing house than before. I asked him if heʼd like to be growing up in todayʼs world. Without hesitation, he shakes his head. At 86 heʼs dogged with brittle bones and a limp, though his eyes still twinkle with warmth and aspiration. Having seen most of his family and dear friends pass on before him, Robert has had time to reﬂect on his own mortality. For someone who has lived to see and achieve so much, war and technology will forever remain foreign to him. “Itʼs not my world,” he says with a non-judgemental smile.

ʻFinding a Catʼ is taken from Robert Greacenʼs recent publication ʻSelected & New Poemsʼ. In it, he describes the difﬁculty of writing a poem as catching a black cat in a dark room and, despite scratches, bringing it out whole. Finding a Cat A clever man said: ʻThereʼs no cat in that roomʼ. A clever woman said: ʻItʼs too dark to see a cat inʼ. A child said: ʻI heard a pussy miaowingʼ.

ghan. As the only protestant in a catholic-run school, he used to have to go outside at prayer time. Far from feeling alienated, he felt special, which is how the teachers and other pupils treated him. Undoubtedly, this acceptance played a part in Robertʼs neutrality towards contentious issues like religion. As a man of peace, Robert believes everybody has the right to live as individuals without being labelled and categorised. At the tender age of 12, Robert already knew he wanted to be a writer. He was an avid reader and lost himself in ʻCharles Dickensʼ, ʻDavid Copperﬁeldʼ being among his favourites. Later, he attended the Methodist College in Belfast where he was able to develop his writing talent and move around in literary circles.

Ringsend Library Free Art Classes for children 7 to 12 years of age Saturday mornings 11.00 to 12.00 am Booking essential, Telephone 6680063 Free Computer Tuition Computer basics, e-mail, using the Internet Booking essential, Telephone 6680063

Robert pays homage to Ronnie Marshall (English and History lecturer at Methodist) who recognised his literary talent and encouraged him as a writer. After completing his studies in Belfast, he attended Trinity College, Dublin, where he pursued a practical diploma in Social Studies. Whilst still a student, his writing career flourished and as a result many poems, articles and book reviews were published in magazines like ʻThe Bellʼ (Dublin) and ʻHorizonʼ (London). But love was to flourish also. While at Trinity, he met Patricia Hutchins (a future writer of works about James Joyce). While their marriage was happy for a time, and enhanced by the birth of their daughter, Arethusa, their relationship later became blighted with personal and cultural differences. Their inevitable break-up was a devastating blow to Robert and, in turn, affected his work. For seventeen years, Robert published nothing but prose. Robertʼs sometimes turbulent childhood is heavily reflected in some of his work. In ʻThe Fatherʼ, from ʻSelected & New Poemsʼ, he expresses the difficult relationship he had with his father, who was a heavy drinker. Like most

I thought. ʻThe child is right. Iʼll go in and wonʼt come out Till I ﬁnd that cat, However dark the room Even if the cat is blackʼ. After a long time I came out, Bloody from scratches, Half-sorry Iʼd ever ventured in. In my arms I carried a cat, Vicious, black, beautiful. ʻSelected and New Poemsʼ by Robert Greacen is available from ʻBooks on the Greenʼ, ʻHodges and Figgisʼ and most good book shops.

The Yacht Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, 6680977

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

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

B IG B ROTHER S YNDROME

R EMEMBERING L ILY M APOTHER

By Fergal Murphy

ave you ever wanted to be on ʻBig Brotherʼ and have your every move watched 24 hours a day? Well, unbeknown to us this is probably happening already. Outside our own homes (they havenʼt got inside yet, thank God, some things should never be shown on camera) chances are that we are under surveillance and are totally unaware. Cameras have become so commonplace now that we pay little or no attention to them. Around the centre of town there are very few places that arenʼt under surveillance, whether itʼs from Garda cameras, traffic cameras or storefront cameras. If youʼre a law abiding citizen like myself, it can only be a good thing. With the technology getting smaller and more dis-

creet, as with anything beneficial, it can be used for mischief. Iʼm sure weʼve all seen the hidden camera TV shows of bad babysitters and chefs doing unmentionable things with the food. On principle I would be against hidden cameras but, if I wasnʼt doing anything wrong and wasnʼt aware I was being watched Iʼd have no problem with them. This technology, though, can be

taken to the extreme– it was recently reported that a father put a tracking device in his daughterʼs car to see where she went on a date. There are other ways we are being watched which are a bit sneakier, such as the loyalty cards from supermarkets to track our shopping habits. With the growing fears about terrorism in the United States and England peopleʼs privacy is going to be invaded even more with the introduction of the controversial ID cards in the UK. They plan to take fingerprints and DNA samples to make sure you are who you claim to be. All a bit too Star Trek for me! So from now on if you want privacy stay indoors or move to an island off the coast of Ballygobackwards. The picture above is from the BBC TV broadcast of ʻNineteen Eighty Fourʼ (1954), written by George Orwell.

One-to-one guitar lessons for beginners Guitar provided All ages welcome Call Michael on 087-6184763

was very sorry to hear that Lily Mapother, who for so many years ran the newspaper shop on Sandymount Green with her husband Harry, passed away in June of this year. The gentleman who gave me the sad news was Brendan Gregg who has lived in Chicago for many years. As a young boy he was employed by Lily to deliver newspapers and went on to help out in the shop. He told me she was like a second mother to him and took him on trips to the country on the train. Brendan never forgot her kindness and called to see her in Buncrana on his regular visits home. He gave me a copy of the photograph below of Lily taken in August 1958 which he kept with him always. There must have been many people touched by her generosity. I remember she always had something special for my children at Christmas. When my late husband was in hospital she would drive me to see him and make so little of it I never felt under any obligation. There are not many people with her special spirit of unselﬁshness in this world. She will be remembered with great fondness by all who had the privilege to know her. The photo above was taken on the occasion of Harryʼs retirement. Ann Ingle

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

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KC P EACHES ON P EARSE S TREET K

few of our breads is made on site everyday so youʼre always going to get the freshest items.” At the moment the restaurant offers take-away meals and eatin meals and the customer base comes equally from those two sectors. Katie, though, would like

C Peaches is a new restaurant open on Pearse Street in the Trinity Enterprise Centre. The manager and founder is Katie Cantwell (pictured right) who along with three Irish investors established the restaurant four months ago. Katie, an American originally from Seattle, spoke about those initial months of the enterprise. “We deﬁnitely had our teething problems. We had to learn about the Irish mindset for food and the Irish palette, what it likes and what it doesnʼt like. Itʼs not been challenging but more interesting than anything else.” The restaurant takes special pride in the food that they offer and use only the best natural ingredients. “Weʼre all whole foods,” says Katie, “which means we donʼt use any additives or preservatives or colourings. None of that is used in our foods. Everything apart from a

to see more trade come in through the ʻtake-awayʼ side. “Iʼd really like to see people bringing items home for their family. Business comes primarily from the offices around the area but weʼd like to see the balance shifted and get more residential people from the apartments coming in for their dinner and so on.” The restaurant is also a wifi (short for ʻwireless fidelityʼ) hotspot which means that after making a purchase you can have free wireless broadband access. So, using a laptop with a wi-fi connection inside the restaurant you can go online, check your email and browse the internet all for free. Katie believes that this service will help drive business. The restaurant also features disabled access. As the next few months progress many more items are to be made available at the restaurant. It is an exciting and adventurous time for Katie and her staff. “Overall itʼs going well,” she concludes “and weʼre excited to be here, to be part of this community. Toward the upcoming holiday season I think you will see a lot of changes here at the restaurant. Itʼs going be an exciting time for us all.”

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PAGE 10

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

S HELBOURNE FC REFLECTIONS By Christopher Sands (The following article was first published in the match programme of Shelbourne FC on Friday, 8th, September, 2006, for the game v Longford Town, which Shels won 2-0 to remain in top spot on the FAI National League Premier Division). n St Patrickʼs Day 1923 at Dalymount Park, when Shelbourne FC appeared in their first FAI Cup Final, they lined out as follows: Paddy Walsh, Paddy Kavanagh, James Connolly, Dan Delaney, Val Harris, Mick Foley, Eddie Brierley, Stephen Doyle, Hugh Harvey, Ralph Ardiff, Sammy Wilson. This team included many fine players and interesting personalities. Walsh, Kavanagh, Harris, Foley and Ardiff had all played in Irish League or IFA Cup games before the FAI in Dublin had been formed. While Val Harris and Mick ʻBoxerʼ Foley were the outstanding and best-remembered personalities of the team, some of the others are worthy of further examination.

A VERY BRAVE FOOTBALLER We often hear a player described

M ISSING

as a ʻbrave footballerʼ, but very few could produce a record of proven bravery such as our outside-right of the day, Edward Brierley (Shelbourne records show him as Eddie, but most other items refer to him as ʻNedʼ Brierley). As a former member of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Ned has been the subject of extensive research by Tom Burke, Chairman of The Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association, in 2000, to whom I am grateful for permission to use the following. When Ned was born in 1896, his family lived in Turnerʼs Cottages on the Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge (very close to the spot where Shelbourne Football Club had been originally formed and named). The site of Turnerʼs Cottages is now best-known as the place where the UCD Veterinary College had been built, and has been very much in the news as one of the main sites in the proposed massive multi-million euro development, to include Juryʼs Ballsbridge Hotel, being planned by developer Sean Dunne. Earlier, the site had also included the smelting and engineering works of the Turner company which produced the wonderful hothouses and glasshouses for the Botanic Gardens

MEMORIES RETURNED

In the August edition of NewsFour we published the above photograph that had been found in Irishtown. Theresa Tighe was the owner and she was delighted to have it back. Many thanks to the person who handed it in to Lawlessʼs shop in Irishtown Road. Dessie Tighe, Thereseʼs late husband, is the man on the right. Mikey Kavanagh telephoned us from Newbridge to say it is himself with Milo Kavanagh his son on his knee. On the bike is Mary Kavanagh and the other two girls are Gwen Martin and Ingrid Martin. The picture was taken at the back of 134 Ringsend Park circa 1959. Thanks to everyone who telephoned us to identify the people in the photograph.

in Dublin and many other places in Ireland and Britain, some of which have been restored in recent years and are now considered pieces of artwork, although produced originally by tradesmen or artisans. As that type of cottage housing would have been very much in demand at the time, it is most likely that some member of the Brierley family had to be associated with the Turner company to gain housing there. After leaving school, Ned Brierley worked for the Pembroke Urban District Council, which later became part of Dublin Corporation. At the age of 18, on the outbreak of war in 1914, Ned volunteered for the British Army, joining the Royal Dublin Fusiliers (RDF). Although many people may then or later have expressed disagreement with young Irishmen joining ʻHis Majestyʼsʼ forces, young Irishmen joined in very large numbers (my own father William ʻBillyʼ Sands included). One of the biggest recruitment offices for the British Army then was located in Brunswick (now Pearse) Street, almost opposite the Queenʼs Theatre, sandwiched between Larry Cerviʼs (the first fish and chip shop in Dublin), and Hopkinʼs Menswear, and ironically almost beside the family home of Patrick Pearse. Most of those men then enrolling would have been brought or sent for induction and initial training to Beggarʼs Bush Barracks, on the Haddington Road corner of Shelbourne Road (almost the exact spot on which our team was given the name of Shelbourne FC, as local legend has it). But, Private Brierley was no ordinary soldier. He received no less than three awards for bravery while serving in the RDF with the 16th (Irish) Division. His first came in September 1916 during the Battle of Ginchy toward the end of the Battle of the Somme. His second award came in August 1917, for bravery near the

Belgian town of Ypres at Frezenberg Ridge, at the beginning of the battle of Passchendaele. Nedʼs third bravery award came in October 1918 during the ﬁnal Allied assault on the German forces. During most of his service Ned wrote up his personal diary, which has become very useful for researchers of the period. An item that Ned wrote about was the ʻBrown Lineʼ, this being part of a defence in France against German attacks in March 1918. Far from successful, this ʻdefenceʼ caused more than 1,000 men of The Royal Dublin Fusiliers to be killed, wounded by shell or gas, or taken prisoner. Ned Brierley survived the killing ﬁelds of France and Flanders and returned to Dublin, where he resumed his job with Pembroke District Council. Amongst other activities he returned to playing football and in 1922 he signed for Shelbourne FC. And in this 1923 FAI Cup Final, Ned Brierley lined-out at outside-right for Shels. In an amazing turn-about, this very talented and highly fancied Shelbourne team lost 1-0 to an unknown team, Alton United from Belfast. Ned later played with St Maryʼs United AFC from Ballsbridge in the Leinster Senior League. With them he had some success in the Edmund Johnson Cup and the Metropolitan Cup. Ned Brierley died in November 1955 aged 59 from a heart attack while at work with Dublin Corporation. He had been one of seven children. His marriage in 1924 produced eight children, many of whom are very well-known and respected in the Ringsend-Irishtown area of Dublin. On 1st June 2005, the national newspapers carried a death notice for another Edward (Ned) Brierley. It was the son of our former player of the same name. The senior Edward (Ned or Eddie) Brierley, is listed in the Shelbourne FC Facts and Fig-

ures booklet as having played in 19 League games, scoring 5 goals, and 4 FAI Cup games, one of which was the 1923 Cup Final. ANOTHER PERSONALITY, OF A DIFFERENT SORT Centre-forward Hugh J (Jimmy) Harvey later achieved fame on the stage of variety theatres in Dublin, particularly the Queenʼs Theatre in Dublinʼs Pearse Street. Brought by my parents to the Queens on many occasions, I clearly remember in the 1940s, the ʻdynamic duoʼ, of Danny Cummins and Jimmy Harvey on the stage in their top hats and tails, with walking sticks, in the spotlight, dancing and singing through their routine with songs such as, ʻShine on Harvest Moonʼ, ʻMoonlight Bayʼ, and others. We knew Danny and his family from the Townsend Street area, were all Shelbourne people, but we didnʼt know for many years after that the ʻJimmyʼ Harvey on the stage was the ʻHughʼ Harvey who had played for Shels. His son Gerry Harvey, in his then position as head of An Post, oversaw the introduction of the National Lottery to Ireland. Gerryʼs son, or Hughʼs grandson, David Harvey, now MD of a national radio and TV media company, was best known as the presenter of ʻCrimelineʼ on RTE TV. Disappointing as that result in the 1923 FAI Cup Final had been for all the players, officials and supporters of Shelbourne FC, Hugh must have felt it even more so, as he had missed a penalty for Shels in that game, when the score was still at nil-all. Above: Shelbourne FC, FAI Cup Final team of 1923. Edward ʻNedʼ Brierley is in the front row, first left. Hugh ʻJimmyʼ Harvey is centre, front row (mascot is not named). The great Val Harris, Shelbourne captain and later club manager, is first player to the left in the back row.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 11

BRENDAN’S ‘BRIGHTEST DAY’ RAISES YOU UP

By Audrey Healy

cclaimed songwriter Brendan Grahamʼs third novel– ʻThe Brightest Day, The Darkest Nightʼ– a novel of the Irish who fought on both sides of the American Civil War, and of the women who bound up their wounds, has just been published by HarperCollins in paperback. Since Brendan, at almost fifty years of age, was made redundant in 1993, he has enjoyed remarkable success as both songwriter and novelist. In 1994, his song ʻRock ʻnʼ Roll Kidsʼ stormed to victory in the Eurovision Song Contest by one of the biggest winning margins in the Contestʼs fifty-year history. Typically, he refused to be budged by RTE on how the song should be presented– “no bells, bugles or belly-dancers”, instead opting for “a conversation in a kitchen”, the song performed acoustically by Paul Harrington on piano and Charlie McGettigan on guitar. In a poll of ʻLate, Late Showʼ viewers prior to this yearʼs Eurovision, ʻRock ʻnʼ Roll Kidsʼ, resoundingly swept home as the viewersʼ all-time favourite of Irelandʼs Eurovision entries. It is this apparent knack for telling a good story, that makes his novels such compelling reading. His first novel, ʻThe Whitest

Flowerʼ, became a number 2 bestseller in Christmas week 1998, the most competitive book-selling week of the year. “I was in New York,” Brendan told ʻNewsFourʼ, “I didnʼt realise it until I came back home after Christmas. It was the best present I could get. I was happy at no. 2, because Maeve Binchy was at No.1 and Maeveʼs untoppable!” ʻThe Whitest Flowerʼ went on to sell over two hundred thousand copies, is still selling and along with his second book ʻThe Element of Fireʼ is listed as support fiction for the new Leaving Certificate History Course. “Iʼm really pleased at that. Theyʼre not ʻhistory booksʼ– just stories about people and how the events of the times might have affected them– but obviously if they can excite the interest of young readers towards learning more, then thatʼs a good thing,” he says. Of ʻThe Brightest Day, The Darkest Nightʼ, the ʻIrish Newsʼ heads up its review with the banner, “Brendanʼs Saved the Best for Last” and goes on to say “What I like about these books is certainly the drama of the storyline and the historical facts, while the development of the characters is such that you miss them sorely when you finish the last page. This is a story on so many levels, many twists and turns, beauty and horror– but the book is dominated by Ellen and her determination to reunite her family. The chapters are short, the book is easy to read and hard to put down. You donʼt need to read the earlier books but you probably will after reading ʻThe Brightest Day, The Darkest Nightʼ.” Gifted both literally and lyrically Brendanʼs composition ʻYou Raise Me Upʼ has become a phenomenon the world over in modern popular music. To date, over 130 artistes have re-

corded ʻYou Raise Me Upʼ. It is one of Oprahʼs favourite songs; it is skated to by Olympic Gold medallist figure skaters. Itʼs at Superbowl, the Commonwealth Games and Croke Park. Itʼs at New Yearʼs Eve on Times Square and Fourth of July rallies and the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. It is sung at every second graduation in the USA, and this year was one of only six songs selected for The Worldʼs Largest Concert, where an estimated 6 million children around the world sang it. Used as the basis for sermons in churches of every denomination, it is also used by trauma recovery groups, Third World hunger campaigns, anti-bullying programmes and sung equally at weddings as it is at funerals. Keeping his eye on the ball and keeping both his literary and musical ventures active can be a struggle, admits Brendan. “Itʼs a juggle sometimes to meet conflicting deadlines– but then each day has twenty-four hours, not eight. And it can be confusing in the market place. For example if I have a new book out and Westlife are no.1 in Britain, with ʻYou Raise Me Upʼ– what do you think people want to interview me about? Half the country will then ask me ʻdid you ever write another book after the first one?ʼ While, when the book gets a bit of light, the other half will ask ʻare you still at the ould songs?ʼ “I love the use of the word ʻatʼ– it seems to signify scratching, or gnawing at them, and without much success, like an itch or a bone. But of course thatʼs exactly what you do– you scratch at the song until the itch of it is gone and you gnaw at it until only the lean bone of the song is left. “Novels are a different beast– they claw at you until you finish them. Songs are butterflies, they have their brief, intense moment, their brightest day and then you let them off. A novel is a monkey on your back, a claw in your gut, your darkest night.” Brendan Grahamʼs novel ʻThe Brightest Day, The Darkest Nightʼ is now published in paperback by Harper Collins Publishers and is available nationwide.

Doggone fireworks John Hanley, Vet from the Sandymount Hospital gives some sound advice to John Cavendish about animals and ﬁreworks around Halloween Unfortunately events involving ﬁreworks, especially the Halloween period, can be very stressful for dogs and pose a serious risk to their safety. Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than people, so the sounds

(and sight) of fireworks can terrify them. The first step to take with dogs around Halloween is to ensure they are kept indoors. Even a loyal and well-trained dog may run away due to fear of fireworks. They may go missing, are at risk of getting injured or killed on the road, and may show aggression to strangers due to panic. Never take your dog to a fireworks display, and ensure they have a microchip, or a name collar at the very least, in case they do escape. Even dogs that are kept indoors can become very distressed. They may show signs such as pacing, trembling or panting, and start to become destructive by digging or chewing around doorways or windows in an attempt to escape. If your dog is showing early signs of anxiety, they should be distracted by trying to play with them. Petting or reassuring a frightened dog is not recommended as it may in fact reinforce such frightened behaviour. Some noise-phobic dogs will attempt to find a hiding place in the house. This can actually be very useful as it will make them feel safer. Praising them and offering them treats in their ʻsafe placeʼ can be very effective, and should mean less destructive behaviour around the home! It may also be useful to have a loud radio or television on in the background to help drown out the noise of fireworks. Taking your dog for a long walk before a fireworks display starts, and then giving him or her a meal, can help them become tired and more relaxed during the fireworks. It is possible to train your dog to be comfortable with the noise of fireworks by desensitisation, especially from a young age. Desensitisation works by gradually and regularly exposing dogs to the noises that normally frighten them. A tape or CD of such noises can be played to your dog. Start by attracting your dogʼs attention with playful behaviour, and play the noises at a low volume that your dog can hear. Reward calm behaviour with praise and attention, and do this for 20 minutes. Leave the noises playing for a few minutes after you leave the room. It may take a few months of doing this on a daily basis, gradually increasing the volume, in order to achieve desensitisation. Unfortunately, despite best efforts, some pets will still suffer from a phobia of fireworks. You may need to speak to your vet, who could recommend various products that can be very useful to ease anxiety, or may consider prescribing some calming medication for your dog.

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PAGE 12

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

M EET P AT S HORTT W

By Audrey Healy

hen you think of comedian Pat Shortt you might remember the eccentric village idiot Tom in ʻFather Tedʼ or Irelandʼs favourite politician Maurice Hickey, who took the political world by storm. However, by the time Pat appeared on our screens in Channel Fourʼs ʻFather Tedʼ, he had in fact been actively working as a stand-up comic for many years. Pat, who was born and raised in Thurles County Tipperary, says that although he had “a healthy interest in comedy as a youngster”, he was “no more a joker than anyone else in the class! I suppose I was a bit of an extrovert,” he said, “but there were a lot of lads in the class with a natural wit.” In fact, he says that the era in which he grew up was a contributory factor to his journey into showbiz. “It was during the nineteen eighties when there was a sense of depression about the place. Factories were closing down and a lot of people were emigrating to find work. They say in times of depression comedy flourishes and people just have to get on with life.” Pat was evidently bitten by the comedy bug in early childhood and grew up on a diet of Billy Connolly, Niall Toibin and Hallʼs Pictorial Weekly but it was the coupling of Pat and old friend Jon Kenny in 1986 which provided the perfect ingredients for the hilarious and lovable duo that became ʻDʼUnbelievablesʼ, arguably Irelandʼs most popular comedy act. When Jon Kenny became ill in recent years, he was forced to take some time off and Pat was faced with the prospect of appearing alone in front of an audience for the first time. It was, he admits, a nerve-wracking time. “It was very, very hard. Iʼd never done solo work before, Iʼd always been part of a double act. It was my first time going out to face an audience on my own, with no one to fall back on. Once I got over my nerves, though, there was a new kind of energy and excitement about it.” Anyone who has ever been in the audience of one of Patʼs shows will know precisely what kind of energy that is. Theyʼll also know that thereʼs no point going to a show if youʼre the quiet, shy and retiring type because the Tipperary man makes it a point to involve his audience in every aspect of the show. This, he believes, is part of the appeal. “In general, people are very good at playing along. They know at this stage that if they come to a show, thereʼs every chance they might get involved and thatʼs

part of the attraction of going. Even if they donʼt want to be picked on, the fear factor definitely generates energy and people tend to be good about it.” Things havenʼt always run smoothly however. “The only time I encountered a problem was when there was a fellow half asleep and I approached him and he let out a punch at me, but it was just a reflex action and not done in malice. He was mortified after it!” Also an accomplished actor, Pat has appeared with Druid Theatre Company in their production of Martin McDonaghʼs ʻThe Lonesome Westʼ, as well as in many recent movies including ʻAngela Mooney Dies Againʼ, with Mia Farrow, ʻThis Is My Fatherʼ, with Brendan Gleeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea and James Caan and ʻThe Closer It Getsʼ, with Ian Harte, Niamh Cusack and Sean McGinley. He also starred in the recent production ʻMan About Dogʼ written by Belfast-born Pearse Eliot. These experiences were all valuable groundwork for his most recent contribution to Irish television, ʻKillinaskullyʼ, the first production he has written and produced single-handedly. The comic drama, set in a rural Irish village, has a wealth of diverse and eccentric characters, three of which are portrayed by Pat himself. The series has been received exceptionally well by both RTE and the viewing audience. “Iʼm very happy and very proud of it,” says Pat, who is optimistic that the series will return for a second run. Pat, who has a soft spot for Dan who props up the bar in ʻKillinaskullyʼ, admits that, unluckily for him, the character people want to see more of is Grettie, the busty power walker. “A lot of people seem to like Grettie,” he laughs, “but I have to wear high heels to play her and itʼs a pain. People seem to like her power walking scenes so I think sheʼll be power walking for a long time yet!” There are a range of colourful characters created especially for the brand-new run. Set in a village hall which is about to be demolished, prepare to meet Patsy the caretaker who patrols the aisle to make sure that there is nothing dirty going on in the back row, Sheamie the builder who comes in to demolish the place, and Dympna the Air Hostess who lives on in Sheamieʼs dreams as one of his most memorable flights. “A huge amount of work and energy goes into every new show,” says Pat, who is looking forward to seeing his new creations come to life. Pat will be bringing his new show on a nationwide tour soon, so watch out for him at a venue near you!

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

G ETTING

By Grace Charley

used to riﬂe through the dictionary daily, hunting for a new, exciting word to learn. Now, I ﬁnd myself grappling with old ones trying to decipher what they mean. Example: progress n improvement, development; movement forward. Oh yes, thatʼs what that word means. Please forgive me, I get a little confused whenever I hear politicians waxing rhetorically about economic progress, yet most people still canʼt afford to buy a home. Then, God bless me, I get slightly puzzled whenever I think of the money squandered in human resources yet bullying is still rife in the workplace. But what really throws me is when I ring our national ʻtel-

PAGE 13

BACK TO PROGRESS ecomʼ company looking for Customer Service and they put me on hold after theyʼve transferred me through to ninety other departments. Sorry, could someone tell me what the word ʻprogressʼ means again? I seem to have become a little confused. I ask you. Are we really better off now than in days of yore? I wouldnʼt dare deliberate on how things were in the bygone days because I wasnʼt there, but I can use my imagination. Iʼm using it and Iʼm ﬂinching at the idea of children being starved of hugs like so many people in my fatherʼs generation. Nowadays, hugs come with a lorry load of play stations as it trundles down Compensation City. ʻI didnʼt get it when I was young so why shouldnʼt they have it?ʼ It may be what they want but it isnʼt what they need. Children need balance. We need to learn balance.

But how can we? We donʼt even know how to stay still. There was a power cut in my area recently which caused mass hysteria. People panicked at the idea of having no TV or mobile phone charger. What are we going to do if the power isnʼt back on after an hour? More worryingly, what if we run out of things to say and, God forbid, thereʼs a silence? There were silences and it was precious. Those who couldnʼt handle it ﬁlled in the gaps talking about the ʻpracticalʼ people who owned generators. Itʼs truly terrible when we start hyperventilating because thereʼs no background noise to quell the silence. This is modern society. This is what they call progress. Our lives have become so mixedup and maxed-out with technology and quick ﬁxes; we feel weʼre permanently wired to the moon.

www.yougetitback.com By Audrey Healy

In an effort to sustain Modern Society, weʼd do well to cherish the gift of simple living. Mark Cleary lives in Ballyfermot. He has studied and practised in the areas of Active Balance and Amatsu (Japanese Healing). As well as working fulltime as a healing practitioner, he currently runs Meditation and Healing workshops. If you are interested in exploring potential healing abilities, learning the art of Stillness or working with energy through meditation contact Mark on (01) 6266535/087 9216100. Places are limited.

D-O-NEE Kitchen Co.

eʼve all done it– carelessly left our mobile phone on a bus or in a pub with all those important contact numbers inside. Weʼre forced to start all over again, purchase a new handset and go about re-entering the numbers. Expensive and inconvenient, but what if there was a simple system in place that allows you to prepare for this eventuality, safe in the knowledge that you may well retrieve both the phone and the contacts? Internationally-recognised online service www.yougetitback. com has come to Ireland and not before time for the 2000 people who lose or have stolen, mobile phones in Ireland every week. Add to that the estimated 300 laptops left in Dublin taxis every year, while Dublin Airport recovers 500,000 lost items alone each year– so clearly we badly need someone or something to look out for our valuable items when they go walkabout. yougetitback.com describe themselves as “a straightforward, no-nonsense, 24/7 lost and found service that makes it easy for people who ﬁnd lost items bearing yougetitback.com secu-

I put both hands up. It took a car crash before I discovered the power of stillness. Initially I went to Mark Cleary (practitioner in meditation and healing) to get a few bones re-aligned, but after each session I realised there were other ʻdeeperʼ parts being healed in the process. In one thirty-minute session, I was able to stay quiet for more than ﬁve minutes, my mind was able to clear itself of all past regrets and future wants and for the ﬁrst time since I was born, I learned to breathe properly. I had never felt so alive and well doing absolutely nothing.

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rity tags, to return them.” A novel idea but how does it work– and what will it cost the service user? Basically yougetitback.com is a lost and found service that mediates between owners and finders of lost or stolen items to arrange their safe return to the rightful owners. Itʼs a scheme that will largely depend on peopleʼs honesty. Research shows that up to 75 to 78% of lost items are returned by finders if it is easy for them to do so, and if it does not cost them anything. The items registered with yougetitback.com come with a tag featuring a Finderʼs Freefone number. As an additional incentive, all finders of yougetitback.com tagged items receive a

small reward. Once it has been conﬁrmed that the found item has been returned to the owner, yougetitback.com send the ﬁnder a yougetitback.com gift pack to the value of €20, at no cost to the owner. However owners may offer a cash reward if they wish. Yougetitback.com is surprisingly inexpensive with two tags which remain valid for up to three years for just €9.99. Tags can be purchased on the website and are then attached to the item you wish to protect. Users then activate the tag via the website or by telephone and youʼre ready to go, safe in the knowledge that should you be the victim of a theft, thereʼs a good chance that some honest soul will return it to you.

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

D UBLIN D OCKLAND A QUATHON

By Eamon Tilley

ongratulations to all who participated in the inaugural Dublin Docklands Aquathon on Sunday 24th Sep-

tember in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, with the valued support of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority. The event was voluntarily organised and sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland. As an inaugural event the organ-

isers managed to attract some of Irelandʼs Triathlon and Swimming luminaries to participate in an end of season 750 metre swim and 5K run. A ﬁeld of 65 took part in the event which was supervised by Triathlon Ireland and Belparkʼs David Tunney as technical race delegate. At 10.30am the swimmers took to Dublinʼs infamous river Liffey for a 200-metre warmup, with the race proper starting adjacent to the new O² building on Sir John Rogersonʼs Quay. A vast array of spot prizes had been gathered that were distributed on the day. The rain held off throughout and despite the cold conditions, athletes performed superbly. Sustenance was provided in the goodie bags as well as high stocks of water and fruit post race. Thanks again to Rob from Wheelworx for both the prizes and the photos taken, we should support the people that supported us. The race organisers would like to thank Triathlon Ireland, Dublin Docklands Development

Authority, Dublin City Council, The Army Sub Aqua Team, Local Rowing and Sea scouts, Store Street and Pearse St Gardai, Dublin Fire brigade, Tipperary Natural Water, Wheelworx, Legrand Ireland Ltd, Peak Centre Ireland, McDonaldʼs, Tesco Ireland, Frankie Sports, Cassidy Wines, The Clarion Hotel, Jury Doyle Hotels, Celtic Baits, Musgrave Foods, TRI and RUN, Glanbia Foods, SuperValu Balally, Lifestyle Sports Bray, Alburn Electrical Contractors, National Electrical Wholesalers, Philboro electrical, ESB Poolbeg Station, DC Sports, Maru Swimwear, Reliable Security, Northwood Technologies, The Metro newspaper, (Dave and Tina Corcoran), the Evening Herald (Lindi Naugh-

W.T. COSGRAVE 1880-1965 FOUNDER OF MODERN IRELAND

rmy lorries pulled up outside number 8 Lansdowne Road on the night of August 22 1922. They came to inform W.T. Cosgrave that Michael Collins had been assassinated earlier that day in Cork. Cosgrave was taken from his motherʼs house to Government Buildings for an emergency meeting of the Cabinet. He emerged as head of a Government, all of whose members were under the threat of imminent death. W.T. Cosgrave was born in James Street. He was a Sinn Féin member of Dublin Corporation from 1909-1922. He fought in the South Dublin Union alongside Eamon Ceannt and Cathal Brugha during the Easter Rising, where his stepbrother was killed. He was court-martialled, sentenced to death and awaited execution in Kilmainham, hearing the shots that executed his friend Major John MacBride on the morning of 5 May. The testimony of senior

ofﬁcials from Dublin Corporation, including the Lord Mayor, and his role as Chairman of the Corporationʼs Finance Committee, as well as his own defence, convinced General Blackadder that his death sentence should be commuted to life imprisonment. Cosgrave defeated the IRA and his erstwhile friend Eamon deValera in a bitter civil war during 1922-3, during which terrible deeds were perpetrated by both sides Gradually his Government established the new Irish Free State as a functioning democracy and ensured it achieved international recognition at the League of Nations. Though Fianna Fáil refused to take their seats in the Dail until 1927, the Labour Party did so and provided a parliamentary opposition to what became the Cumann na nGaedheal governments. The Shannon Scheme, which brought electricity to the country, was one of the main achievements of the

Cosgrave governments. In 1932 Cosgrave called an

early general election which, with the eager help of the IRA, put Fi-

ton), News 4, 103.2 FM, Timing Ireland, and Wicklow Triathlon Club. As is the case with many Triathlon, Duathlon and sporting events, people give selﬂessly of their time and thanks are due in particular to the Tilley Family, (Dave, Liam, Ciaran, Joanne, and Sinead) Dave Rock and family, Aidan Bolger and Family (Dean, Sarah, Tilly) Robbie Hyland and family, Keith Sommers, Michelle Lambkins, Rob Cummins, the webmaster Ronan Lupton and all the supporters that helped on the day not forgetting Cindy, Daniel and Adam. It is hoped to run this event next year slightly earlier in the Triathlon and race calendar. For results and photos go to http:// www.aquathon.info Below, left, is Aquathon winner Brian Campbell from Derry with Eamon Tilley.

anna Fáil into government for the first time, with the support of the Labour Party. In the inter-regnum between the final election results and the establishment of a new government, Fianna Fáil feared there would be a coup dʼetat to keep them out of office. They did not realise that Cosgrave saw their accession to government as the fulfilment of his determination to establish a peaceful democracy in the country. W.T. Cosgrave remained a member of Dáil Éireann until 1944, when he retired from politics. He returned there in 1963 for the reception of President J.F. Kennedy, where he received a standing ovation from the assembly. His death shortly before the centenary of the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, occurred on 17 November 1965. He is buried at Goldenbridge cemetery in Inchicore. Anthony J Jordanʼs biography of W.T. Cosgrave is published in October 2006 by Westport Books (westportbooks@yahoo. co.uk) and will be available from Books on the Green, Sandymount.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 15

T APPING

By Maggie Neary

isling Killoran of Accomplish Change Clinic in Sandymount invited ʻNewsFourʼ to come along to her studio for a session of Energy Psychology. I was volunteered and found myself heading along Sandymount

Strand one hot, sunny day to a new experience. Aisling, pictured above, is a bubbly smiling lady, who opened the door of her studio and led me into a bright room with a window that faced out into the green of her back garden. I was feeling intensely hot and worn out from the heatwave

weather and looking forward to a session of luxurious pampering and utter relaxation. This did not happen because I was to learn that energy psychology is about helping yourself with special techniques. “Energy Psychology is a family of mind/body therapies and self help techniques,” Aisling enthusiastically explained. “Methods include working with the human energy system providing relief from mind-body distress, using meridians, acupoints, chakras and the bioﬁeld. This involves self-tapping, eye movements or holding particular points on your own body.” Aisling has lived in Sandymount for over 35 years, is a professional certiﬁed Clinical Hypnotherapist & Psychotherapist and uses Energy Psychology to facilitate change in a clientʼs thought, emotional and behavioural patterns. She claims that these gentle techniques are safe to use with stress, fears, panic attacks, performance anxiety, allergies,

FOR HEALTH

grief, sexual abuse and chronic physical illness. The method is said to help with the emotions and can be complementary to medical treatments. To start the session, I was asked to pick an issue to work with and I suggested my strong sense of self-criticism as something I would like help with. I copied Aislingʼs lead as she demonstrated a pose in which one presses on certain acupressure points on the head with oneʼs hands and repeats phrases in connection with the issue being worked on. This technique, known as TAT, can help dissipate the original trauma underlying the emotion or behaviour, thereby helping to release its grip on the person. It is held to be effective with allergies, weight problems, negative self-beliefs, trauma, chronic illness and addictions. My arms got heavy holding them up for lengthy periods, otherwise I strode purposefully on. To give me a further view of

Wishing NewsFour a happy 21st birthday 21 years of serving the Community Looking forward to another 21 years

the processes of Energy Psychology, Aisling went on to lead me through a further seven steps. In each step, one again repeats certain phrases whilst tapping certain points on the head, face and upper part of the body. At the end of the hour and a quarter I felt tired but also had a sense of being less tense and calmer than when Iʼd arrived. The techniques are indeed simple and with the help of the instruction hand-out from Aisling are easy to follow. It is recommended that they be repeated on any one day for a maximum of 20 minutes. Children are said to enjoy the process of tapping and to beneﬁt greatly from its effects. To experience this method for yourself call Aisling at 087 1352 122 or get further information on www.accomplishchange.com. The fee is €100 for the ﬁrst hour and €80 for further sessions. Sessions last approximately one hour and 3-5 sessions are recommended for best results.

PAGE 16

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

I INK THEREFORE I AM How tattoos are getting under a lot of people’s skin

By Brian Kelly

nside a small shop in Dublinʼs Fleet Street, a queue of teenagers wait patiently in line. A few more loiter outside, peering in the window every now and then to see if they will be served soon. The crowd is mostly female and they chat animatedly among themselves. For some it is their ﬁrst time here, others know what to expect and are content to bide their time till their turn comes. The shop in question could be a hairdresser or a tanning centre. Instead it is a tattoo studio, the latest

in a long line to open in Dublin in recent years. The Golden Cat in Fleet Street, Temple Bar has been in operation since February 2006. Set up by Vicki and her partner Jay, the shop is ﬂourishing with steady lines of young customers frequenting the shop most weekends. Vicki served her apprenticeship in another tattoo studio in town and has 17 yearsʼ experience of creating and engraving artwork onto peopleʼs skin. On Saturdays, Vicki works in tandem with Isabelle and they are probably the only two female artists working together in the cityʼs tattoo studios.

Today, one of the shopʼs customers is getting a rose planted on her left foot. Suzanne already has a small tattoo on her leg and is not concerned about the prospect of a high-powered needle carving into her flesh. Vicki consults with Suzanne about the style and shape of the rose. Once she is happy with the final artwork, she allows Vicki to proceed with the tattoo. Vicki begins by tracing the outline of the rose on Suzanneʼs skin. Colouring and shading comes later. Vicki uses a high-powered machine, which looks like a cross between a dentistʼs drill and a spray gun. Five needles can be accommodated inside a single instrument but in this instance, Vicki uses a device which drives three needles in and out of the skin in rapid succession, sometimes up to 100 times a second. A lot of people associate tattoos with pain, but Suzanne says she doesnʼt feel anything too uncomfortable. She describes the sensation as “no worse than shaving!” The whole process takes about 45 minutes and Suzanne walks away delighted with the result. Before she departs, Vicki applies some soothing cream to the raw tattoo, and then puts on a dressing, which has to be kept in place for a few hours to allow time for the pores on the skin to close up. Every customer who receives a tattoo also goes away from the shop with specific instructions on how to keep the tattoo clean and free from infection.

The origins of tattoos A TATTOO is a mark made by inserting pigment or dye into the skin. The word tattoo itself comes from the Tahitian people in the south Pacific. It means to mark or strike. Tattoos in Europe date back to the Stone Age, while in Japan, the practice is even more ancient with forms of tattooing found on bodies over 10,000 years old. In the other chair, Isabelle is seeing to the skin of a teenage girl, who has brought quite a few of her friends and family with her for support. The girl doesnʼt flinch as Isabelle applies a small wing motif to the centre of her lower back. As soon as she is done, another girl immediately takes her place and orders a similar tattoo in the same part of her anatomy. The tattoo on the lower back, sometimes disparagingly referred to as a ʻtramp stampʼ is now very much de rigueur for many women. When high profile film actors and pop stars started wearing them, it didnʼt take long for the power of global media to

take effect and girls around the world to beat a path to their nearest tattoo studio. On a sunny day in Dublin, you donʼt have to look far to see girls showing off their skin designs, lying just above their derrieres. Later on in The Golden Cat, Isabelle takes care of her first male customer of the day. Brian is a tattoo virgin and is nervous about facing the needle. He chooses a five-point star from the studioʼs tattoo portfolio. Once he decides on the exact size and location of the star on his shoulder, he allows Isabelle to begin her work. The pain is a little bit hard to bear for Brian and he needs the firm grip of his girlfriendʼs hand to guide him through the procedure. Isabelle herself is a walking advertisement for tattoos with one lower arm covered by a fire design (applied by Vicki). She also has a large panther on her shoulder. Her piece de resistance however is a depiction of the Little Red Riding Hood story complete with a large wolf and goblins in the forest, all of which completely covers her back. As the clientele of The Golden Cat or any other tattoo studios proves, tattoos have long since passed from the realm of sailors, stevedores and borstal boys. Nowadays, there is no class or income divide among tattoo wearers. Professional classes have taken to tattoos just as much as the people from working-class backgrounds. Our new found confidence as a nation is reflected in the body art of our young tiger cubs. It is not just the sheer number of people now wearing tattoos; it is the size and style of the designs that has changed dramatically too.

Previously tattoos would amount to nothing more than a simple ʻMum & Dadʼ or a small illustration of a cross or tricolour. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to witness limbs covered with the most intricate and elaborate patterns. In the past, people would be content to take their designs from the books and the drawings in the tattoo studios. Now artists are ﬁnding that people are walking in with their own ideas of what they want to wear. Celtic designs are hugely popular as is Chinese lettering. Trends come and go of course, but an increasing favourite among wearers is memorial tattoos. The death of someone close can now be applied to someoneʼs skin as easily as it is etched onto their memory. Whether they form part of a ritesof- passage for teenagers, an initiation ceremony for gang members or simply an accessory for fashionable young folk, tattoos are now leaving their mark on all kinds of Irish people.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 17

HOUSEHOLD GOODS FOR FREE! By Fergal Murphy

new scheme has just been launched by the local authorities in the greater Dublin area intended to reduce the amount of waste going to landﬁll sites. Under this scheme, people getting rid of old stuff (furniture, clothes, electronic goods, etc) that theyʼd otherwise have thrown out can advertise it on the website for free and people can come and collect it for nothing. Now, thatʼs the general idea so, being a bit of a scavenger by nature and free being my favourite word, I jumped on the opportunity to research this. I got on the website and although small (itʼs still in its infancy) there was a wide range of free bits and pieces people were getting rid of from Ralph Lauren shirts, computers, couches to TVs. I was delighted with my little discovery and had my heart set on a 32-inch colour television for the ﬂat which I was going to go out and collect and bring back

WHEN: Every Monday WHERE: Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre, Thorncastle St, Dublin 4 Pilates Class 7:30pm to 8:30pm, 6 weeks course costing €60 Aerobic, Taebo & Toning Class, 8:30pm to 9:30pm, pay as you go For more information on any of the classes contact Deborah 086 0876314

Suitable for all Levels of Fitness on the bus if I had to. I had romantic notions of how we would spend the cold, wet winter nights together. Just me and my big TV. So I phoned up the number on the website and to my horror the voice on the other end of the line told me they were selling it. Shattering stuff! I deﬁnitely

W HAT By Audrey Healy

hen you think of diabetes you may think of tedious daily injections, erratic blood sugar levels and the risk of falling into a coma but with care, this common condition can be successfully managed. Diabetes is a disorder caused by a lack of the production of the hormone insulin by the pancreas. Insulin is responsible for absorbing glucose into the bloodstream, where it is available for body cells to use for growth and energy. There are two major forms of diabetes– type 1 and type 2. Both tend to run in families, although only 10% of type 1 patients will have a family history of diabetes; in type 2 diabetes, this ﬁgure rises to 30%. Type 1 This is known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and though most often seen in children or young adults, can actually appear at any age. It occurs

PILATES CLASSES + AEROBIC, TAEBO & TONING CLASS

wasnʼt paying for something that I had in my head was going to be given to me for nothing. Ah well, back to my old reliable 21-inch. It hasnʼt let me down yet! Hope you have better luck than me! Go to www.dublinwaste.ie and click on FREETRADE.

Brugh Phadraig Mass for deceased members

On 2nd November 2006 at 7.30 pm In St Patrickʼs Church, Ringsend

IS DIABETES ?

when the body produces little or no insulin. Type 2 Also known as non insulindependent diabetes (NIDDM), this is the most common type– 90% to 95% of people with diabetes have this type. In type 2 the pancreas usually continues to produce some insulin, but the body cannot use it effectively. It is most common in adults over the age of 40 and in those who are overweight or have high blood pressure. What are the symptoms? People with type 1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a relatively short period. Symptoms in those with type 2 are not as instantly noticeable and often diagnosed by chance through routine medical check-ups. The most common symptoms are* Increased urination. * Increased appetite or loss of appetite. * Excessive thirst. * Weight loss. * Blurred vision. * Skin infections. * Fatigue.

* Vaginal infections or infections of the foreskin in uncircumcised men. Diabetes is diagnosed by examining glucose levels in blood samples using a random glucose test, fasting glucose test or glucose tolerance test. TREATMENT Type 1 diabetes will require insulin treatment while type 2 may be sufﬁciently controlled by diet and exercise alone. Insulin therapy This is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes which aims to control the amount of insulin in the bloodstream so that glucose levels are normal. In addition to daily self-injections of insulin, diabetics must also check their blood sugar level every day to ensure they receive the right dosage of insulin. Diet is essential in both types of diabetes. A dietician may be assigned to a patient to help design a diet that includes a lot of carbohydrates and high-ﬁbre food, and minimises the intake of sugar-rich foods. Exercise is also very impor-

tant and can help to control blood sugar level although the amount of insulin taken may have to be adjusted according to the amount of exercise. Oral medications These lower the blood sugar by increasing the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas or by increasing the action of insulin in the body or by delaying the absorption of glucose. Routine check-ups Routine check-ups ensure you are getting the right treatment

and allow for careful monitoring and treatment. GPʼs will need to see diabetics every three to six months to check the amount of long-term glucose in the blood, take blood pressure, evaluate home glucose readings, and discuss diet and exercise. Other checks will need to be done including the lipid levels in the blood, urine tests for protein, blood tests for kidney function, eye examinations and regular examinations of the feet.

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

Film Scene •••By Michael Hilliard ‘World Trade Center’ Despite the overly sentimental feel of the promotional material accompanying this release, Oliver Stoneʼs ʻWorld Trade Centerʼ is a remarkably involving and quite powerful ﬁlm. Wisely steering clear of his typically conspiracy-drenched representation of historical events (ʻJFKʼ), Stone instead opts for

a surprisingly gritty, almost documentary-like style, projecting images of overwhelming confusion and desperation surrounding the events of the morning of September 11th 2001. The story centres around two port authority cops, John McLoughlin (Nicolas Cage) and Will Jimeno (Michael Pena), who went into the trade

centre as part of a four man rescue team. The attacks on the twin towers occur very early on and make up only around twenty minutes of the movie. We are left with the two men trapped under the rubble, and their struggle to get through the experience, learning who they are through cutaways and occasional ﬂashbacks to their families and close relatives. Perhaps a little jingoistic (the returning marine character), ʻWorld Trade Centerʼ is nonetheless, superb cinematic storytelling. Stoneʼs goal, by his own admission, was to create a tribute to the two survivors, by recreating the events of the day in as realistic a fashion as possible, and in that sense, he has surpassed expectations. 4 out of 5

‘The Black Dahlia’ ʻThe Black Dahliaʼ is director Brian De Palmaʼs (ʻScarfaceʼ, ʻThe Untouchablesʼ) adaptation of the James Ellroy novel of the same name. Concerning two 1940s LA cops, heading up the hunt for the killer of a murdered starlet, the movie really is quite awful, the most horrendously miscast picture to come along in some time. ʻDahliaʼ assaults the audience with noirish dialogue that might sound appropriate coming from the mouth of Humphrey Bogart, but simply doesnʼt work when spewed by the likes of Josh Hartnett (ʻPearl Harbourʼ). Blame lies solely at the feet of the director. The movie adaptation of another Ellroy novel, ʻLA Conﬁdentialʼ, proved it possible to craft a fantastic feature ﬁlm from his complex crime stories, using the right people. ʻDahliaʼ is by all accounts, an extremely complex story, here forced into a too-short running time, ʻbrought to lifeʼ by utterly unconvincing actors, populating cardboard sets. Thereʼs not a lot to recommend here then, apart from interesting turns from Hilary Swank, and John Kavanagh. 1 out of 5

‘Children of Men’

‘Click’

Director Alfonso Cuaron delivers a superb adaptation of P.D. Jamesʼs novel. Set in London in 2027, a future in which humans can no longer procreate. An alcoholic and former political activist Theo (Clive Owen) agrees to help take a miraculously pregnant woman to safety, where her childʼs birth may help scientists save the future of humankind. The ʻfutureʼ world created in ʻChildren of Menʼ is a frighteningly plausible one. With the world at war, demeaning immigration camps, daily terrorist bombings, martial law, and war scenes reminiscent of news footage from the war in Sarajevo, the world that Cuaron has created here is visually astounding. Fight and chase scenes shot in long takes serve to increase the realism, and further draw the audience into Theoʼs plight. A notable supporting turn from Michael Caine, portraying one of the most intriguingly tragic characters of the year, and a truly great science ﬁction story, make ʻChildren of Menʼ highly recommended viewing. 4.5 out of 5

Workaholic architect and family man Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) stumbles upon a universal remote control with which he can control his own existence. Fast forwarding through arguments, replaying good times, and pausing at the happier moments in life, Newman discovers he can juggle both work and his family, with the aid of his newfound mystery gadget. Thereʼs more to this Sandler (ʻHappy Gilmoreʼ, ʻLittle Nickyʼ) vehicle than meets the eye. The trailers would have you believe itʼs the same old Sandler schtick as always, the rule being that an angry Sandler equals comedy gold. Well, those moments come thick and fast, but ʻClickʼ takes a different route, in that it actually has some depth to it. Borrowing liberally from both Dickens and Capra, Sandler inevitably abuses the power of the remote, and gets to see what might become of his future personal and professional lives, if his behaviour doesnʼt change drastically. 3 out of 5

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

T HE

PAGE 19

HORROR OF IT ALL !

By Brian Rutherford

S HIPWRIGHT QUIZ FOR C ONQUER C ANCER

As Halloween approaches Brian gives us his favourites.

rom Clive Barker to Dracula, from James Herbert to Frankenstein, the list is endless as we, the devoted followers of horror, read and get our fill of the darker side. What makes us read such chilling tales? Is it night time and its shadowy silhouettes or are we just children who grew up in a few shadowy rooms? I know my parents grew up in rooms with nothing more than a religious picture in the corner with the bleeding heart of Christ or Mary the virgin mother looking down. These rooms were grim definitely. I myself have walked on many a dark night and felt the chill of the wind and seen shadows play on the imagination. The mountains where I grew up are steeped in stories of a horrific kind that have never seen print. I started reading horror books while on holiday in Waterford at about 13 years of age. The book entitled ʻBatsʼ was by James Herbert and the more I got into it the more I gazed out the window at night time

when I should have been asleep. Bats seem also to have spawned the great ʻDraculaʼ, a book written by our own Bram Stoker. I wonder was this story based on any real-life character from Mr Stokerʼs times. Also readily available is the great ʻFrankensteinʼ, written by Mary Shelley, wife of the great poet Percy Shelley, who tragically died at age 30. Edgar Allen Poe is another gothic/ horror writer with such classics as ʻThe Black Catʼ which inspired a film starring the kings of horror Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. To see this film is to step back in time to a black and white era when tension made the film. Other favourites of the horror era are ʻNosferatuʼ the great monster with two fanged front teeth which also reminds me of ʻSalems Lotʼ by

S PENCER D OCK

By Fergal Murphy

he ﬁrst new railway station in Dublin city centre since Tara Street station in 1890 is under construction at the moment. What is the purpose of this, I hear you ask. Surely we have enough darts, trains, trams and buses clogging up the streets of our fair city! Well, the Spencer Dock railway station is being built as an inter-connector system. In other words, the missing link in the existing rail network to end the remoteness of Heuston and eliminate the bottleneck between Connolly and Tara Street stations that prevents additional commuter services being added. It is also proposed to relieve Connolly Station which at the moment is at or above capacity. It is also proposed that the project will bring in an extra 20,000 passengers into the capital, whether thatʼs a good or bad thing Iʼll let you decide! In 2008 the Navan line to Dublin will be reopened which would remove more than 4,000 cars per hour from the N3 during peak times and means weʼll have more farmers in the city centre! The good news for motorists, though, is that this station is proposed to remove 10,000 cars a day from our roads when it opens in 2007. Weʼll see!

Stephen King when the same monster was used– a very frightening beast he is too. Nowadays, horror films are two to a penny and Hollywood seems to think that the more evil and bloody, the better the film. I have to disagree with this. The last Horror book I read was ʻCreedʼ by James Herbert and I can only say that at my age itʼs a comical journey from cover to cover. I have read all of Clive Barkerʼs books, so if you want a short journey to the other side of reality I can recommend them. From ʻCabalʼ to ʻHellraiserʼ they always work their magic. Now the witching hour is here, this Halloween be sure to read a good horror book or even see a film and marvel at the characters of the dark side.

RAILWAY STATION

By Christy Hogan

here was a terrific turnout on Tuesday 5th September at the Shipwright in Ringsend. The event, a quiz night, was held to raise funds for Conquer Cancer. It was part of a number of events organised by a hardworking group of local people. They had come together under the umbrella ʻRelay for Lifeʼ which had its origins in the United States some years ago. At a meeting in the CYMS hall in August the group began their preparations. They were told that Ireland was the 10th country in Europe to join ʻRelay for Lifeʼ. They were informed of the unfortunate well-known fact that cancer knows no boundaries. Race or creed, male or female, young or old, cancer is not choosey. Yet the meeting was upbeat, and Relay for Life was a ʻcelebrationʼ of life in all its beauty and richness. One lady displayed a quilt beautifully made and containing names of loved ones who had sadly passed on due to cancer. Making these quilts was a means of raising funds for the group. Quiz nights was suggested as another form of revenue. However ʻRelay for Lifeʼ, as the name suggests, would culminate in a relay to be held in the docklands area on October 7th. The meeting was informed that cancer survivors will perform a ʻvictory lapʼ to celebrate overcoming cancer, but there is no ʻfinish lineʼ until we find a cure. The quiz night at the Shipwright was billed to commence at 8 oʼclock. However, it finally got under way at 9.15 pm. Entry per table of four €40. Former FF councillor for the Pembroke ward, Chris Andrews was there and Dublin City Council Labour leader Councillor Kevin Humphries was also present. Local priest Father Fergal was a team member and there was lots of banter when the quizmaster asked “how many sons had Adam and Eve got?” I think there was a high failure rate for this question as most people didnʼt know about Seth, the youngest chisler. There was more laughter and banter at the question, “which is higher: a deacon or a priest?” “Iʼm not telling you,” said Father Fergal, giving as good a ribbing as he was getting. As well as the quiz, a raffle was also held and there were lots of prizes donated by magnanimous people. At the end of the night the winners had 62 points. Our table of myself and three girls I teamed up with for the night (thanks girls) had 56 points, and no passes. It was a great night for the organisers and participants and ultimately for Conquer Cancer. So lets say it once more, ʻRelay for Lifeʼ is a celebration of life in all its beauty and richness.

MESSIAH BY CANDLE LIGHT TO HELP ENABLE RELAND FOR THE SECOND YEAR The Culwick Choral Society and Enable Ireland are continuing their partnership once again for The Messiah performances on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th of December 2006 at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Tickets for Messiah by Candlelight are available at Enable Ireland, telephone 01-2615917 and at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Shop, Price €28.00.

PAGE 20

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

THE SENTINELS OF O’CONNELL STREET By Jimmy Purdy

ow that OʼConnell St is back to normal after all the construction work is completed I took a walk down the centre promenade to look at the monuments and statues to see who and what they represent. Starting from OʼConnell Bridge, the ﬁrst monument is of Daniel OʼConnell. The decision to commerate Daniel OʼConnell (1775-1847) with a monument in Sackville Street was an important move away from commemerating only members of the castle administration or the British Royal Family. By April 1862, ﬁve months before John Gray inaugurated the appeal for subscriptions of the OʼConnell monument, over £2000 had been collected for a Prince Albert monument in Dublin alone. The origins of the OʼConnell monument date back to 1847 when, after his funeral, a fund was promoted by newspapers and the hierarchy.

The composition is in three sections, a frieze in the middle, at the centre the Maid of Erin, her right hand raised, pointing to OʼConnell her liberator. Look hard and you will ﬁnd bullet holes, a legacy of 19161922. Moving on from OʼConnell, the next monument is of William Smith OʼBrien. William was a leader of the Young Ireland group who instigated an abortive rebellion in 1848. He was sentenced to death for high treason. His sentence was commuted to transportation to Australia. As you cross over to the next monument be careful and look out for the Luas as it comes down from Connolly Station. The man you will be looking at is Sir John Gray. He was a member of Dublin Corporation. A liberal protestant, he promoted such causes as religious freedom and free denominational education. He was chairman of Dublin Corporation Waterworks Commission from 18621875. During this period the Ventry water supply was introduced to the city and suburbs. Sir John was born

on July 13th 1815 and died April 9th 1875. Walking away from Sir John, the next is the striking ﬁgure of Jim Larkin, arms stretched out almost asking you to listen. He talked to the workers and told them “the great appear great because we are on our knees, let us rise.” On his monument you will read a piece from Patrick Kavanagh As you ramble on from Jim Larkin

you come across the Spire, so make up your own mind about it. The next monument or statue is of Father Matthew, the Apostle of Temperance. This is a centenary statue of 1890. The next should be a shrine of the Sacred Heart but it hasnʼt arrived back in its place even though the promenade is completed. Dublin taxi drivers have been located in this part of OʼConnell St for many years and

the small red shrine housing a statue of the Sacred Heart is known generally as the taxi driversʼ shrine. It was put there by the taxi drivers around the time of the Eucharistic Congress in 1932. On enquiring at Dublin City Council, I was assured it will return. People will remember it was almost opposite the Royal Hotel, just at the taxi rank. From the shrine we arrive at Charles Stewart Parnell (pictured). He was one of Irelandʼs greatest constitutional leaders, sometimes called the uncrowned king of Ireland. Though a well-to-do Protestant landowner, he placed himself at the head of a movement which achieved extensive reforms relating to land, much against the interest of his own class. More than 200,00 followed his funeral to Glasnevin. The shaft of the monument is constructed in undercoated ashlar granite. The stone was described in an article in the ʻIrish Architect and Craftsmanʼ as shantalla granite from Galway with an inlaid trefoil of barna granite embracing the base and pedestal. The names of the thirty two counties and provinces are on the triangular shaft. I hope when you are in the city you will take time out and look to see who is around you in stone. Twenty minutes to a half hour should do it. Mind the trafﬁc.

Clyne’s Butcher 13 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 Tel: 6680456 6 Chicken Fillets €7 2 lb Sirloin Steak €11 4 Pork Chops get one free!! 3 Striploin Steaks only €10 6 Italian Meatballs €4 3 lb Collar Bacon Joint €7.99 All Ham Joints 33% off

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WEEKEND SPECIALS Free Cabbage with every joint of Corned Beef €14 2 Stuffed Chicken Breasts €5.50 1lb rashers, 1lb sausages, ring of white and half of black for just €10.99 Chicken and bacon combo €9.99

Our Christmas Club is now open!

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 21

ZINÉDINE ZIDANE – MORE THAN A FOOTBALLER BY SAOIRSE O’HANLON TOBIN

Saoirse reports from France

ust like Pele for Brazil, Maradonna for Argentina, Zinédine Zidane is the French hero. Not only is he a brilliant footballer, he is a role model for all of us. What a sad ending he had to such a glorious career. In the eyes of certain people, he might only be ʻThe guy who led France to the World Cup Final and then got sent offʼ, but there is a lot more to Zinédine Zidane. After starting off in a relatively small club, AS Cannes, in 1988, he moved on to bigger clubs: Bordeaux, Juventus, and ﬁnally Real Madrid, where he retired from club football, in May. By then, everyone was already talking about the World Cup, which was only a month away. Kids were coming in to school with Brazilian, Argentinean, and other Jerseys. But there was a lack of French ones. People said Zidane was

too old, finished, and as a result, France wouldnʼt go too far. No one thought that France would end up playing Italy on the 9th of July. When they got through the first stage, people starting wondering how far Zidane would bring them this time. Some people said the last sixteen, others said the quarter final, with a bit of luck. Only very few people thought that we would end up in the final. But we did, Zidane did it. He gave us hope, carried his team, and the whole nation there. And even if France didnʼt win, Zidane was the real hero of the World Cup. But as I said, heʼs not only a footballer. Heʼs more than that. He does a lot of work for charity, goes to visit hospitals and does a lot of anti-racism work too. As he is of Algerian origin, it is something very important to him. And also, very importantly, he still has a lot of strong ties to the

area where he grew up, in the suburbs of Marseille. He comes across as a very nice person, and doesnʼt act like some big super star– which he is! I donʼt think he deserved such a disappointing ending to such a magical career. The perfect example to show what a nice person he is, is that two days after the World Cup ﬁnal, he was on the news, and all the major French TV stations, so he could have his say about what had happened that night. We still donʼt know what the Italian player, Marco Materazzi said to him, but we do know that it had something to do with his family. He said “On nʼagit pas sans raisons” which means “One does not act without reasons”, but at the same time, he didnʼt try to justify it. He also apologised to all the children that saw him head butting Materazzi. To all the little boys and girls with their faces painted in the French colours watching him, and to everyone else too. Zizou on tʼaime, on te regretteras. (Zizou we love you, and will miss you).

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PAGE 22

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

P APER S

W INDING

Glass Bridge for Grand Canyon THE GLASS Bridge construction of the Grand Canyon Skywalk began March 2004 and is estimated to be completed by the end of 2006. The Glass Bridge will be suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River on the very edge of the Grand Canyon. On May 2005, the ﬁnal test was conducted and the stucture passed engineering requirements by 400 percent, enabling it to withstand the weight of 71 fully-loaded Boeing 747 aeroplanes (more that 71 million pounds). The bridge will be able to sustain winds in excess of 100 miles per hour from 8 different directions, as well as an 8.0 magnitude earthquake within 50 miles. More than one million pounds of steel will go into the construction of the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Dublin City Council– Public Libraries Pembroke Branch Library To meet the requirements of the Disability Act 2005, adjustments are being made to the library Proposed plans will be on view in the library from mid October 2006. Dublin City Council invites submissions from all interested parties, especially people with disabilities.

Submissions may be made: * In writing (not later than 24th November 2006) to: Angela Cassidy, Dublin City Public Libraries Administrative Headquarters 138 -144 Pearse St Dublin 2 * By commenting online at: http://pembrokeaccess.blogspot.com * By email to: angela.cassidy@dublincity.ie * By attending a public consultation meeting: Venue: Conference Room, Dublin City Library & Archive, Pearse Street, Dublin 2 Date: Tuesday 28th November 2006 Time: 6.00pm to 8.00pm

BACK

TAIR BOOKSHOP RE - OPENS

By Brian Kelly

tʼs strange but for such a literary city, Dublin does not have a great supply of good quality boutique bookshops. Giant retailers like Easons and Waterstones have put paid to a lot of the smaller stores, so it is refreshing to welcome an old favourite back– spruced up and carrying a fresh supply of books you wonʼt find anywhere else in the metropolis. The old Winding Stair was very much old school Dublin: slightly unkempt with a dusty and dark appearance. The shop seems to be as old as the Halfpenny Bridge, which it stood beside on the North Quays till 2004, when the previous owner pulled down the shutters and closed the book on one of Dublinʼs most well-known second-hand bookstores. Speed read to the present day and the Winding Stair is back in business with a new owner, new manager and a brand spanking new appearance. It is not a total transformation by any means, but what manager Regan Hutchins has done is create a lot more space and with the help of 3 glorious chandeliers, brightened up the old place by several wattage. With the counter deliberately set at the back in the shop, the interior is designed specifically for browsing. There are books here, which you wonʼt find on the multi-floored shelving of the multinational booksellers. The choice on display is eclectic and quirky: old Penguin paperbacks from 50 years ago, giant size childrenʼs books also from bygone times, contemporary fiction, art and design books and, complementing the restaurant upstairs, a selection of cookery titles. Take your time and you might come across a rare old find. The old typewriter and the gramophone playing a selection of old 45s and 78s add a touch of character to the new store, the carpet creates a quiet living room feel, and the big comfortable leather armchairs in the window are the perfect location to lose yourself in a good book. In keeping with the relaxed atmosphere, thereʼs even a book where you can fill in what reads you would like to see in the Winding Stair. If you want to see an old chapter of Dublin undergo a new lease of life, you know where to come.

‘D UBLIN 4’ ʻDUBLIN 4ʼ is a fascinating and delightfully-illustrated book. It is a collaboration between a local artist and author, depicting some of the ﬁnest suburbs in the capital city. After a brief introduction to the early history of the area, author Ken Finlay and artist Tom Roche embark on a leisurely journey around Dublin 4, starting at Sandymount and taking in Donnybrook via Ringsend, Irishtown and Ballsbridge. Ken Finlayʼs wealth of local knowledge assures the reader of informative and interesting text, having previously had two books, ʻBlackrock, Dun Laoghaire and Dalkeyʼ (with Tom Roche) and ʻDublin Day by Day– 366 Days of Dublin Historyʼ published. He is also the creator of www.dublinhistory.net Artist Tom Roche illustrates

the book with some thirty-plus beautifully-painted scenes of the area. Tom has been teaching watercolour and oil painting for many years, and a huge canvas measuring 17 feet by 7 feet depicting ʻThe Last Supperʼ, painted by him, hangs in the Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall, Dublin.

ʻDublin 4ʼ is published by Cottage Publications and is available from ʻBooks on the Greenʼ in Sandymount or direct from the publishers priced €24.95. For further details on any of the above, please contact Cottage Publications on 048 9188 8033 or e-mail info@cottage-publications.com

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 23

THE QUEEN OF SPRING FLOWERS By James OʼDoherty

id you ever consider the magic of a garden, particularly in spring? Tulips and daffodils abound. There is something irresistibly happy about them– gay and enlivening. Every spring thousands of them dance in the wind. To my eye, the colours of the rainbow fade into insignificance when compared to the colours of spring bulbs. Indeed, creation reigns supreme in our gardens– take a small bulb, plant it at the right time and achieve a miracle. So I would like to say a few words about one of these miracles– one of our greatest flowers– the tulip. Over the last seventy years there has been a revolution in the type and classes of this beautiful spring bulb. In 1554 the history of the tulip began when bulbs arrived in Western Europe from Turkey. Tulips reached England in 1579 from Austria, introduced by Austrian Ambassador (Ogier Busbecq) to the court of Suliman the Magnificent. In 1608 they arrived in France through Flanders and Holland. The famous tulip mania in Holland, a series of gambles, happened between 1632 and 1637. The tulips involved were Semper Augustus (red and white stripes) and Viceroy (white streaked with purple) and other multicoloured tulips of the type we know now as Rembrandts. The bulbs were so valuable they were sold by weight, like diamonds. The weight was calculated in Azen. An azen was les than a grain

so a large bulb would weigh between five hundred and a thousand azens and sell for sums of between 1,500 and 3,500 florins. In every town a club for trading bulbs was set up. People mortgaged their homes and many lives were ruined. The bottom fell out of the tulip market in 1637. In the eighteenth century the popularity of the tulip increased rapidly in England and France. In Turkey the love of the tulip became obsessive around 1750 and in the early years of the twentieth century there came a huge expansion in the Dutch bulbs (hence tulips from Amsterdam). Every year great crowds attend the Dutch flower festivals. Tulips have a huge following in the United States. This is due to the influence of Dutch settlers and another great display takes place in Ottawa in early May. Tulips have fifteen different classifications: single, early all the way to the species tulips. The most popular variety used in Ireland is the Darwin Hybrid Tulip. These are lovely single large flowers on huge stems and are in bloom from mid-April to mid-May. They are 26 inches (65cm) high. If you wish to grow a really special tulip I recommend the Lily flowered variety, lovely sloped flowers with long, pointed petals. You plant your bulbs from October to November in well-prepared ground and add a small amount or general fertiliser when planting. Good drainage and a sunny location are essential to good growth. It is very strange that the great Dutch painter Rembrandt was one of the few artists who didnʼt paint tulips!

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

Regular Bingo, Quiz and Music events through the week

PAGE 24

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

GUILT-FREE SHOPPING ʻNewsFourʼ discovers whatʼs instore at Dublinʼs charity shops. See picture on page 25.

Lucinda’s Coffee Morning THE RECENT coffee morning in Ringsend community Centre proved very popular, giving local Councillor Lucinda Creighton a chance to meet people from the area in a relaxed setting. Pictured above are, from left: Carmel Mangan, Peggy Kearns, Pearl Clarke, Councillor Lucinda Creighton and Una Henry.

Wear red for heart fundraiser

THE IRISH HEART Foundation is urging people all over Ireland to help raise badly-needed funds for heart health simply by wearing something red on Friday 10th November, Wear Red Day. The fundraising initiative, now in its second year, was launched by TV personality Pamela Flood and children from Merrion Montessori School. Funds raised from this yearʼs Wear Red Day will once again go towards the care of stroke patients throughout the country. Speaking at the launch, Susan OʼDwyer of the Irish Heart Foundation said “Itʼs easy to get involved in Wear Red Day, whether itʼs at work or with friends. We encourage as many people as possible to take part in this fun event by wearing something red on 10th November and donating much-needed funds to the Irish Heart Foundation.” Details on how to sign up for this yearʼs Wear Red Day can be found at www.wearredday.ie

The NewsFour

Crossword

By Brian Kelly

ublin, as we all know to our cost, is one expensive city to live in. Shopping is not for the faint-hearted and those attempting to do so in the city centre should come prepared with a full wallet and an empty credit card. Arriving home from town with a string of fancy bags offers a real thrill of course, but like drinking the night before, shopping often presents itself us with a hangover of the emotional kind the next morning. (“Oh why did I buy that jumper?” or “did I really need another pair of shoes”). Thankfully pain relief for guilty buyers is available in the form of charity shopping. Here is a way of enjoying the craving of consumerism without getting a dose of buyerʼs remorse the next day. Because your money is going to a good cause, there is little regret to your retail. You pick up the bargain and the euros you hand over go to a variety of good causes

Name:…………………………… Address:………………………… Telephone:…………………

throughout the city. Everybody wins. From Age Concern to Vincent De Paul, Dublin enjoys its fair share of charity shops and Ringsend has its very own charity shop, Mrs Quins. Entrusting three reporters with €35 each, ʻNewsFourʼ set forth to the cityʼs second-hand stores with a mission to uncover value and variety. Our trio of intrepid bargain hunters returned to base with bags of the following items: Menʼs tee shirts range between €2 to €5 Manʼs designer tee shirt (New) €5 Candles Range between €2 to €3 Mini Digital Camera €5 Womenʼs Dresses Range between €4.50 to €6.50 Novelty teddy slippers €4.00 Selection of teddies ranging between €3 to €5 Skipping Rope €2 Knife set €5 Bracelet (New) €10 Necklace(New) €10 Ladies Fashion scarves range between €2 to €3 Fruit Bowl €5 Hand Bag €2 Picture Frame €2

The August Crossword winner was Mrs Gillian Clark of Lusk. Book token for winning entry to be submitted before 15 November 2006. ACROSS 1 Resident of Oz (10) 5 Prepare for publication (4) 9 Slightly open (4) 11 across and 21 down Married to Ozzie and colleague of Simon Cowell (6,8) 12 and 20 Was a contender for PD leadership (3,6) 13 Past of eat (3) 14 Decay of animal or vegetable matter (3) 15 Ships used for cruises (6) 17 ----- vessels make the most noise (5) 18 French for lake (3) 19 Former husband or wife (2) 20 See 12 across 21 See 11 across (8) 22 A habitual drinker (3) 24 Jelly is ready to eat when it is --- (3) 25 Sounds like the ﬁrst name of the Irish winner of the X Factor (5) 26 A spear formed by the freezing of dripping water (6) 29 --- edged sword (3) 30 Ampliﬁer (abbrv.) (3) 31 Uncle Samʼs country (3) 33 and 35 Political party that will maybe form a government with Labour next year (4,4) 34 Look at or an English nobleman (4) 36 Founder of the theory of relativity (8) DOWN 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 10 11 16 21 23 27 28 30 32 34

Female relative (4) Plants with 3 leaves (only found in Ireland?) --- Lingus, our national airline (3) A dull pain (4) A person slow of learning (5) Takes from one place to another (10) A voyage on a ship taken as a holiday (6) Try, have a go (7) Mansion open to the public in Great Britain (7,4) No longer used when shopping in Ireland for environmental reasons (7,3) See 11 across (8) Unit of length (5) Next ----- of NewsFour will be out on 15 December. (5) Let not your ---- hand know what you right hand doeth (St Matthew) (4) NewsFour editor (3) Authorʼs name not known (4) Writing implement (3)

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 25

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CALL CIARA ON 01-6684321 Herbert Road, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4 Telephone: 00 353 1 6684321 • Fax: 00 353 1 6607077 • Email: info@mountherberthotel.ie • Web: www.mountherberthotel.ie

PAGE 26

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

R EMEMBERING J ACK ’ S A RMY By Brian Rutherford

t all happened between 1986 and 1996. First the Irish football team qualiﬁed for the 1988 European Championships, then the 1990 World cup in Italy and then the 1994 World cup in America. All this was spearheaded by one man, who was not even Irish, Jack Charlton. Jack had been in the game of football since the age of 15 and now he was 60. He was described as a shock choice by the tabloids to be manager but as he said himself, he “won them over very quickly.” It started with a three year contract. First were the qualiﬁers for the European championships. Ireland played Iceland in May 1986 in Reykjavik. Paul Mc Grath and Gerry Daly scored. It was described as no miracle that they won, but after the next match between Belgium and Ireland in Brussels in September 1986 it was noticed that Jackʼs tactics were a new approach incorporating something called ʻpressingʼ– this meant putting people under pressure. He also brought in two new players, the young Ray Houghton, whose father was from Donegal, and John Aldridge from Tranmere Rovers. It was in Jackʼs words, “Time for Houghton to grow up.” Liam Brady scored a penalty in this match to equalize. Ireland faced Bulgaria in Dublin in October 1987. Paul McGrath and

Kevin Moran both scored. Brady retaliated and kicked a fellow opponent and because of this missed the European championships. Then something happened that was a surprise for the Republic of Ireland team. Scotland won their match against Bulgaria with the result that Ireland went through. The ﬁrst match was against England in Stuttgart in June 1988. Houghton scored a header and the Irish team won 1–0. The second game was against Russia in Hanover in June 1988. Ronnie Whelan scored a magniﬁcent goal on the volley from a throw-in. Russia also scored and they drew 1–1. The third match was against the Dutch in Gelsenkirchen in June 1988. Holland scored from a spinning header and the Irish were reported to have ʻmade an impactʼ.

The team returned home to a heroesʼ welcome but were out of the championships. Jackʼs team then had to enter the qualifiers for the World Cup in Italy. The first thing Jack did was to call up David OʼLeary, who had been excluded from the side for two years. The first match was against Spain in Dublin in April 1989. Frank Stapleton scored and they won. The second game was against Hungary in Dublin in June 1989. Paul McGrath scored a volley and Cascarino scored a header. They then took on Northern Ireland in Dublin in October 1989. Ronnie Whelan scored, Cascarino scored a header and Houghton also scored. They had qualified for Italy. Ireland were then drawn in the same group as England and Holland. The first match took place in Caligari

HERE’S TO MURPHY’S BOATYARD

in June 1990 against the English. Kevin Sheedy scored a blinder from outside the box and the Irish won 1–0. They then faced Egypt and only drew 0–0. After the write-up on the match, Jack Charlton declared that he did not like Eamonn Dunphy and tempers flared. The Irish then took on Holland in June 1990. Ruud Gullit scored for the Dutch and Niall Quinn equalised when the keeper dropped the ball. The next match was against Romania in Genoa and the Irish team had to deal with blistering heat. It went to penalties when the result was 0–0. Packie Bonner made a tremendous save and Dave OʼLeary took that famous penalty, leading to an Irish victory. Ireland then went through to the quarter finals. The Irish team while in Italy took time to visit the Pope and Jack probably took a blessing from this and needed it as Ireland had to take on Italy in Rome that June. In the match Schillachi scored after a mistake between Sheedy and Aldridge. Ireland had to return home and did so to 500,000 people who filled the centre of Dublin city. Ireland were back to square one and had to qualify for the next World Cup to be held in 1994 in the U.S.A. After winning most of their matches, they qualified and boarded a plane for their first match in the Giants Stadium, New Jersey against Italy in June 1994. Houghton scored from outside the box after only 11 minutes. Sheridan then hit the crossbar and Ireland won 1–0. Their next match was against Mexico in Orlando in June 1994 but the heat was 120 degrees and the Irish were not able to perform. John Aldridge scored a header but

• • •

the Mexicans who were well-used to the heat won 2–1. The Irish then faced Norway in New York with 0–0 the final result. That left Holland, the old enemy of the Irish football team. It was a 2–0 victory for the Dutch in Orlando, Bergcamp scoring and Bonner letting one through his fingers. Paul McGrath scored but it was disallowed. Ireland were out of the World cup for the second time. Jack was then asked to stay as manager for the European Championships in England. The first match was between Northern Ireland in Belfast in 1994. Aldridge scored and Roy Keane scored his first international goal. Sheridan and Townsend made it four and the republic returned home happy. In the return match things did not go as well with a 1–1 draw in Dublin in March 1995, with Quinn scoring. Ireland then took on Portugal in Dublin in April 1995. Aldridge again scored. They then played Liechtenstein and Austria with a 0–0 result and a 3–1 loss. The pressure was now on Jack as manager of Ireland. Then after a rainsoaked match in Lisbon in November 1995 the Irish were left speechless as they lost 3–0 to Portugal. Jack then stated that he “would not like to outstay his welcome.” The last match in Jackʼs 10 years with the Republic was again against their old rivals Holland, in Liverpool in December 1995. Kleivert scored 2 and Ireland were then out of the European Championships and Jack left the team. His final words were that the Irish team were ranked as eighth in the world at one stage and it made him very proud. Above: Jack Charlton and Paul McGrath.

PROBLEMS PAYING OFF DEBTS? EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY? NEED ADVICE ON MONEY MANAGEMENT?

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TAKEN AT THE launch of a boat in Murphyʼs Boatyard in Thorncastle Street circa 1947. Included is Ms Murphy, owner, my mother Margaret Purdy (Maggie)and my sister May Purdy, who worked in the Swastika Laundry at the time. (J. Purdy)

DUBLIN SOUTH EAST MABS 26 – 28 Lombard Street, Dublin 2 Phone: 01 6706555 Fax: 01 6705439 Email: pearse_street@mabs.ie Website: www.mabs.ie

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 27

HALLOWEEN

Once there was an old man walking through the graveyard… Once there was an old lady who looked so much like a witch… Once there was a shadow… Once there was an eerie sound that was like…

FUN IDEAS

making Rice Krispie buns) 4. Fill bun cases. 5. Cut liquorice sticks in half. 6. Stick four liquorice sticks into each side of bun (spider legs. NB: important to do this before chocolate sets) 7. Stick two sweets on bun (spider eyes)

By Grace Charley This page is dedicated to all the children and young at heart. How to make: SPOOKY SPIDER COOKIES Ingredients: Rice Krispies Dark Chocolate 40 large liquorice sticks (spider legs) One large bag of Bertie Bassetts liquorice allsorts (spider eyes) Method: 1. Place Rice Krispies into a bowl 2. Melt chocolate 3. Pour chocolate into Rice Krispies and mix (as you would

PUMPKIN CARVING (Jack-OʼLantern) * Select a pumpkin that is ripe, has no bruises, cuts or nicks. For easy clean-up, place your pumpkin on several layers of newspaper before carving. Children: have a parent or other adult cut a circle around the stem of the pumpkin for you. (Use a sharp knife with long, sturdy blade for best and safest results). * Make sure the hole is large enough to reach in and pull out the seeds and stringy membrane. The bottom of the pumpkin could also be cut off, this will allow the pumpkin to sit up straight and make removing the seeds easier. When cleaning out the pumpkin, use an old soup ladle to get out the seeds. * Examine your pumpkin to determine the best place to carve his or her face. Draw an outline of a face on a plain sheet

JITTERY JOKES How do witches keep their hair in place while ﬂying? With scare spray...

of white paper (use simple bold features), or copy the JackOʼLantern below. Tape your paper to the pumpkin where you want the face to be. Score the design onto the pumpkin by punching through the paper into the pumpkin with a large nail or pin. * Carefully cut out the design following the holes that were punched. When you are ﬁnished cutting, simply push out the pieces to view the ﬁnal results. Now youʼre all set up to light up your home on Halloween night!

EARLY LANGUAGE INTERVENTION FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN

LI (Early Language Intervention) is a group established in 2001 to meet the growing demand for language therapy services in the Dublin area. They work with children up to the age of 6 who have a speech and language delay or disorder. Their students are children with Autism, Downʼs Syndrome and other developmental disorders. A language disorder is impairment in the ability to understand or use words in context. The attending child would have low vocabulary skills; make improper use of words and would have difﬁculty expressing ideas or following directions. They may hear a word but not know what it means and could have trouble getting others to understand what they are trying to say. In the playgroups run by ELI a structured approach to language

GHOULISH GAME (Scary Stories) Object of Game: Tell a chilling tale or two. Preparation: None Playing the Game: 1. Sit around in a circle in a dark room, with a ﬂashlight in the middle of the circle. 2. One player starts the game by saying “Once there was…” and makes one or two sentences. It should relate to and build upon what was previously said. 3. The next person to the right then adds to the story a couple of sentences. Go around the room at least once. 4. Try to make the stories scary and gross. Tips and Ideas, start with:

Do zombies eat popcorn with their ﬁngers? No, they eat the ﬁngers separately... Why donʼt skeletons ever go out on the town? Because they donʼt have any body to go out with... What did one ghost say to the other ghost? “Do you believe in people?” What is a vampireʼs favourite mode of transportation? A blood vessel... Why do mummies have trouble keeping friends? Theyʼre so wrapped up in themselves...

Ringsend and District Credit Union Ltd. 5 Irishtown Rd., Dublin 4.

Phone: 6686676 • Fax: 6686288

learning is offered. Each group is operated by a professional Speech and Language Pathologist who in a language-rich environment understands the vital need in the children for early intervention. Each group has a ratio of up to 11 children to 3 teachers. ELI recently announced the opening of their newest school in Blanchardstown. This expansion will enable ELI to provide Early Language Intervention to over

100 children across four schools in Blanchardstown, Bray, Monkstown and Stillorgan. Their structured approach to language learning for children with developmental disorders has produced signiﬁcant results with over 70% of the children who graduate from the programme able to attend mainstream educational settings. For more information visit www.eli-ireland.com or call Adrienne at (01) - 202 0489.

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 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

PAGE 28

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

P UBLIC ANTI - INCINERATOR MEETING AT C LANNA G AEL F ONTENOY

Report by John Cavendish

n anti-incinerator meeting was held by John Gormley, TD Green Party Chairman, in the Clanna Gael clubhouse to assist residents to submit objections to An Bord Pleanala before the deadline of 2nd October 2006. Speakers included Dr. An-

thony Staines, School of Public Health, UCD, Nick Loughnan, CHASE, anti-incinerator campaigner in Cork, Joe McCarthy an independent IT expert and Francis Corr from the Combined Residents Against Incineration (CRAI). Francis Corr spoke ﬁrst and outlined the history of the antiincinerator campaign in the area. In September 2004 with the

Rainbows– supporting children through bereavement THE DEATH of a loved one obviously affects each and every person in a different way but for children the loss can sometimes be more confusing and traumatic. To help young people deal with their grief, a unique support programme for children and teenagers who have suffered a major loss in their lives through a death or separation is operational in Dublin and indeed throughout the country. RAINBOWS Ireland, an international organization aims to help children who have been bereaved through death, separation or divorce and to work through the grieving process which follows any significant loss. According to a spokesperson Sr. Angela, the support group is of enormous benefit to children in the aftermath of bereavement. “We will meet once a week and cater for children of all ages. A trained facilitator will work with the children through the various stages of grief and help them to come to terms with their grief and their loss.” The children may have lost a parent, a sibling or a friend and they talk about their loss and express their grief through various mediums including art and music. Often Sr. Angela finds that the children open up more to their contemporaries in the group than they would at home. “Itʼs all confidential and free so they can say how they really feel without feeling guilty or afraid.” RAINBOWS Ireland aims to support children to re-build their self esteem; enable them to name, understand and come to terms with the many emotions they experience; reassure those who have anxieties or feelings of guilt and encourage them to move towards forgiving those people whom they feel have caused their pain. RAINBOWS Ireland National Office can be contacted at Loreto Centre, Crumlin Road, Dublin 12 or by calling (01) 473 4175 Fax: +353 (1) 473 4177, website: www.rainbowsireland.com By Audrey Healy

help of all the City Councillors there was a motion passed to rezone the Poolbeg peninsula but the City Manger overturned the decision. The Dublin Council produced a Waste Management Plan which included Poolbeg as the site for the Incinerator. In June this year, after a previous meeting at Clanna Gael, a motion was tabled by the Green Party in Dáil Eireann to move that no incinerator be built on the Poolbeg site. The motion was supported by Fine Gael, Labour, the Green Party, Sinn Féin and the Independents, but it was defeated by a tiny majority with no PD representatives present.

TEA

Joe McCarthy said he had put two years detailed scientific and commercial research into the incinerator and is vehemently opposed to what he called “an unsustainable white elephant.” He called for the public to make their feelings about the incinerator known by all reasonable means, such as letter-writing, calling radio stations and other agitation. He called the incinerator a millstone around our necks for the next 30 years. Joe McCarthy said that it would cost €266 million to build the incinerator and €54 million per annum to run it for each of the 30 years. On the health side, he said that in addition to the dioxins and florins there would be a health risk from a large amount of ultra-fine particles, similar to that from cigarette smoke that would be emitted by the incinerator. Site selection proceeded on a false premise. Traffic assessment was based on having the SE motorway across Sandymount Strand, which is neither built nor planned. The proposed development by reason of its overall height and scale would be visually intrusive in the landscape. It would be a huge building– as tall as Liberty Hall, as long as Croke Park. Dr. Anthony Staines spoke for the need of a Health Impact Assessment and warned that the trucks alone would play a signifi-

cant part in the health problems of the area, as their emissions were low-level and local. There was no attempt in the 2000 pages of the EIS to address the impact on health in the area and that it was an absolute minimum to expect politicians to ensure that health was not in jeopardy resultant from emissions. Nick Loughnan, from the Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment (CHASE) spoke at length for the need of the campaign group to stick together and keep up the protest because, as they had found in Cork, whilst the Planning Inspector had found 14 reasons why it should not go ahead, the Planning Board overruled the Inspector to allow the incinerator to go ahead because it was Government policy. “The reaction to the contributions of the speakers was very positive, and we had a very healthy debate afterwards,” said Mr Gormley. “We tried to keep the meeting focused on practical issues, rather than political statements, as the deadline for making submissions on the proposal to An Bord Pleanála was Monday 2nd October. The panel was able to provide a great deal of useful information on the grounds for objecting to the proposal, as were a number of speakers from the ﬂoor.” John Gormley TD is pictured at a previous anti-incinerator meeting.

MORNING AT THE

TECH

ON FRIDAY 22nd of September 3rd year C.S.P.E class hosted a coffee morning and raised €650 for the Hospice. A very enjoyable time was had by all the students, staff and friends of Ringsend Technical Institute and the third years would like to thank everybody who came. The lucky winners of the rafﬂe were Mr R Booth (iPod), Ms A Casey (Ireland Jersey), Liam Brennan (Signed Shamrock Rovers Football) and Donna Merrigan (Italy Jersey).

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 29

Clanna Gael win the Treacy Staunton 7-A-Side Tournament

A day at the swings in South Lotts THE NEW PLAYGROUND at South Dock Street was ofﬁcially opened by the Lord Mayor Vincent Jackson. On the day there was a crowd of about 100 people with a garda presence for the arrival of the Lord Mayor and his paparazzi. There was a marquee with refreshments and it was plain to see by the children on the various facilities and astroturf that the park uplifted not only them but also the whole area. The Lord Mayor welcomed everyone and thanked Dublin City Council and the staff in parks development, especially John Tierney the new city manager. Eileen Brady the south-east area manager said that the area badly needed the upgrade and that it was fantastic that the local community

got involved. Dermot Lacey said a few words and ofﬁcial proceedings ended with Nora Walsh of the local residents association asking everyone to enjoy the park. A green ribbon was then cut by the Lord Mayor. The new park can only be described as a multicoloured funpark with a new ﬂoodlit astroturf play area for both football and basketball and various roundabouts and hanging frames for the younger ones. The money for the new park was set aside by the leader of Dublin City Council, Councillor Kevin Humphreys in Labourʼs budget proposals. It cost €430,000 in all and was built by Dick Bridge of Thorntons. It took 18 months of time and effort for the transformation and it covers approximately 200 square metres. By Brian Rutherford

THE Treacy Staunton Cup stayed at home this year with a deﬁnitive win by Clanna Gael Fontenoy. This was the third running of the Treacy Staunton Junior 7-A-Side Tournament which took place last Saturday the 19th August. The tournament commemorates the memory of Tracey Staunton from Kilnamanagh, an ex-Clanna Gael Fontenoy player. She was aged 20 when she was tragically killed by a drunken hit and run driver in America on 5th December 2002. The weather did nobody any favours on the day but ﬁve teams still turned up to battle it out, with Clanna Gael ʻAʼ team taking the Cup which was run on a round-robin league basis. The Shield was a tighter affair and it came down to Cuala from Dalkey and St. Anneʼs of Tallaght, with Cuala narrowly taking victory on points. There were also two players of the Tournament– Shauna OʼNeill of Clanna Gael Fontenoy winning in the Cup Section and Sinead Deegan of St. Anneʼs in the Shield. A great day was had by all despite the rain and the celebrations at Clanna Gael went on well into the night.

PAGE 30

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

S LICES

By Grace Charley

y the time my holiday journal is printed, my duty-free Turkish Delight will have gone mouldy in the back of my kitchen cupboard. Saturday Excited. Then panic sets in. Turkey= Five hours on a plane. Help! Whereʼs my Alan Carr? ʻEasy Way to Enjoy Flyingʼ. A literal godsend, albeit printed pre 9/11. Arrive at the airport with himself. Watch countless take-offs (desensitization). Record timing of each take-of, (taxi to airborne, 33 seconds). Good, everything is going to clockwork, according to the book. My sister and her Navan man in the bar. Take another quick glance around to see that nobody is acting suspiciously, or leaving any unfamiliar bibles lying around. Airborne. My sister is blaming me for transferring my fear of ﬂying on to her. I remind her that she gave my brother a fear of wasps. We let it go. Arrive in Turkey. Two hour coach ride to apartment. First rule of Turkish thumb– no ﬂushing of loo roll down the toilet, dispose of in bins provided. Stinks. Itʼs going to take at least a week to get used to this. Too tired to think about that now. Sunday Looked out apartment window this morning expecting to see towels cemented to deck chairs. Big surprise! Not one deck chair hijacked in an early morning stampede. Either itʼs still the middle of the night, or thereʼs a lot of Irish staying here. The latter is true. Spent day conjuring up new ways to jump into the pool. My sister and I agree that (in general) Dubs connect better with water than country folk. Himself had swimming lessons from the age of three. Lake at home was treacherous beyond paddling point. Nearest pool, next county.

T URKEY

Dinner time. Dread. The other three will eat anything put in front of them. Nibs still hasnʼt ventured past her meat, two veg and pot of spuds diet. I remind myself that holidays are a time of rest; wonʼt be shocking the taste buds with new culinary experiences. “What way do you like your steak madam?” “Burnt please… (pause) yes I appreciate itʼs probably va va voom when itʼs still half alive, but I prefer it this way, so lets all try and move on from that.” Monday This could be tricky. There are four of us. Weʼre like chalk, cheese, milk and pepper. All with different interests. We decide to split up and do our own thing. After our chat with the rep. “Iʼd like to go on that trip….” “So would I…” “Iʼll go on this trip if you go on that one…” “OK but only if you promise to go on that one…” “Right!” “Hold on, I donʼt know if Iʼm really into that.” “Yes, thatʼll be four tickets please.” Went to market and bought nothing. Constitution could not handle constant badgering. Told one trader Iʼd buy quicker if heʼd stop hounding me. “Please! I just want to look!” I scream. He doesnʼt get it. Have walked into stores at home where it sometimes takes donkeys to ﬁnd service, then when you do youʼre met with a sullen, “If itʼs not on the shelf, we donʼt have it.” If itʼs not on the shelf in Turkey, these boys whiz off on scooters and return with a friend who has shiploads of what you want! Trust me. Navan man mentioned ʻrugsʼ and in a heart beat we found ourselves in some magic carpet shop sipping on a glass of ʻRakiʼ. Never seen clouds like that at home. They werenʼt clouds. Smoke. Rep warns me I may not get to see the House of the Virgin Mary as

it was most likely burning to the ground at this very moment. Forest fires. Where would you get them? Found a restaurant where they stocked ʻDairy Goldʼ butter in their fridge. Place was packed with Irish people. Avoid Irish bars at all cost. Turkish bars are much more relaxed and their folk music and dancing is really something. Tuesday Water Park. Brilliant. Sister tells me that the Turkish think Irish people look like big white shiny chicken fillets in the water. Getting tired of slapping on the sun cream every five minutes. Water resistant. Sure it is. Wednesday Boat trip around crystal water beaches. I donʼt think so. Beaches clogged up with other tour boats so captain anchors our ship in the middle of the ocean. Magnificent circus dives all round, except for the two ʻchicken filletsʼ (me and my skin and blister) dangling over the side of the boat shark hunting. Finally get into the water, freak over floating seaweed, jump back onto the boat, slip, grab nearest person for support (mature Italian woman) who loses it over a small matter of spilt beer. Would have offered to buy the woman another if she had of accepted my apology and not drew out and whacked me one. Quick exchange of profanities then I grab my ʻSpiderwick Chroniclesʼ and sit quietly for the rest of the voyage.

Peace. Thursday 7 am. Panaluke (Hot Springs and Calcium Mountains) Rep said it was three hour bus ride to destination. She conveniently forgot to mention that it takes a further three hours crawling around collecting other resort people. Worth it. Dips in hot thermal springs and big leaps in remote pools. Speaking of big leaps. Navan man called me ʻsisʼ for the first time today. Heʼs only gone and asked my sister to marry him while me and himself were off ogling statues of Dionysus and Apollo. She said yes. Least thatʼs one less thing sitting on a Turkish shelf. Celebration dinner. Bubbly is flowing. Suddenly our table is surrounded by Turkish jewellers and Wedding Dress shop owners. The restaurant staff alerted them about my sisterʼs engagement and now they were circling us chanting “Good price! Good price!” Was furious. Couldnʼt challenge manager. Not my party. Friday Miracle. House of the Virgin Mary was the only thing to survive the fire. Oh ye who have little faith. Visited Ephesus first. Stood on the patch where Cleopatra and Mark Anthony met for the first time. Lovely. Now will someone please be practical and pass me the factor 60? Tour guide is a funny character and keeps us rounded up like frazzled sheep. “Shade to shade,” is all I can hear Navan man muttering from under a tomb stone. Gas thing is, the Turkish people keep mistaking my sisterʼs fiancé as one of their

own. Then he opens his mouth. Evening. Haman Bath. Strange feeling having someone (other than your mother) scrubbing you down. Childhood memories of ʻfour in the bath and the little one yelledʼ come flooding back. Enjoyed the Haman experience until I slipped off the soapy marble slab and kneed the ʻscrubberʼ in his Turkish delights by accident. Thank Mohammed Iʼm going home tomorrow. Saturday First time I thought of the return flight all week. They say the more times you do something, the easier it gets. That doesnʼt apply to flying. That one awful flight moons ago still haunts me and with each flight, the terror only intensified. Not today, though. Alan Carr kicked my smoking habit. I believe he is finally curing my fear of flying (I mean crashing). Thought I could help comfort my distraught sister on the flight home. Ended up drawing attention to myself which resulted in me getting a history lesson on aviation from an Air Steward. Problem was, he was a little enthusiastic and the whole plane decided to listen in. Having children tittering at you through the cracks of their seat is highly pathetic. Seeing me squirm amused my sister and she almost forgot she was 35,000 feet in the air (wine may have helped just a little). Home. My pillow, my bed. Heaven. Woke up in the middle of the night in a sweat. “Iʼm going to be bridesmaid!” One thing more terrifying than flying and sharks– Hen Parties.

Pictured recently at a dinner and karaoke in Cambridge Court in Ringsend, were Maureen Robinson, Lily Cunningham, Willie Murphy, Dorothy Murphy and Lee Murphy. This was one of the many events enjoyed by residents of Cambridge Court in August. They also visited the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmainham Jail, the National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Kildare. The week was rounded off by an open air barbecue.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 31

I N D UBLIN ’ S F AIRTRADE By John Cavendish

Stress in the city By Fergal Murphy WITH TODAYʼS HECTIC lifestyles and the way everybody seems to be in a hurry nowadays its not surprising that most people suffer from stress in one form or another. We find it coming out sideways in instances such as snapping at partners and loved ones for no reason, road rage (someone cuts you off on the road and suddenly theyʼre your worst enemy in the world) and feeling run down. It seems in todayʼs society as if weʼre all running around like headless chickens. Stress affects us in such ways as: high blood pressure, decreased circulation, headaches, depression and overall poor general health. Here are a few simple things to help you combat all of the above: * Get up fifteen minutes earlier By taking some time out at the start of the day to relax, slow down and not just getting up and running out the door. Chances are youʼll be a lot calmer throughout the day. * Change your thinking Changing your thinking gives you a whole new outlook on life. Changing your thinking from I canʼt to I can, from negative to positive. Viewing problems as challenges to be overcome and hard times in your life as learning experiences makes life a whole lot less stressful. * Be good to others A little bit of love goes a long way. By being kind to other people such as being there for a friend or a simple act of kindness such as giving up your seat on the bus to an elderly person brings its own rewards in how you feel within yourself. A bit of understanding and acceptance for other people goes a long way too. Youʼre not the only one whoʼs stressed-out and that person youʼre about to murder for walking in your way is totally oblivious to you and their effect on you. * Exercise Any form of exercise is good to relieve all the tension our bodies take on in everyday life. Whether itʼs going to the gym, stretching throughout the day, football, yoga, swimming or going for a jog. It releases endorphins that help make our bodies, as well as our minds, healthier. A few other things, such as taking time out to breathe properly, reading, having fun and getting out of the city even if just for a weekend, are also very important to relieve stress. It may take a while and a lot of practice but with consistency these methods become second nature and within no time youʼll be floating around like Buddha!

ublin City Council and Fairtrade Mark Ireland are working to make Dublin Europeʼs first Fairtrade capital city with a launch at the Mansion house on the 25th September. A steering group for the city has met with the cityʼs area committees and they are close to setting up a website www. dublin.ie/fairtrade. The steering group chaired by Councillor Eric Byrne have met with the Community and Development department of Dublin City Council and obtained a commitment by the department to run community events during Fairtrade Fortnight in 2007. They will be connecting with both primary and secondary schools on initiatives and Fairtrade promotions. John FitzGerald, the City Manager has approved a proposal to engage a consultant to conduct research for a Faitrade

Audit of Dublin and reporting to the council in mid-October 2006 for a charge of €8,000. Sales of fairtrade products are growing at 40% a year and in September a leading Irish coffee company, Insomnia announced that all coffees served in its 25 outlets would be 100% Fairtrade. Almost a year ago, Insomnia commissioned an R&D programme to reproduce the same Insomnia coffee taste from Fairtrade producers, mainly in Ethiopia. Speaking at Insomniaʼs IFSC outlet, Insomnia CEO Bobby Kerr said “We believe that this is a win-win for all stakeholders. This deal benefits coffee producers and

CITY

we hope it will leave a sweet taste in the mouths of our customers, staff and management. Sourcing Fairtrade coffee is part of our commitment to ethical trading and is an important part of our corporate philosophy.” At the gathering the Minister for Overseas Co-operation, Conor Lenihan said, “this deal amounts to 2.5 million cups of coffee a year and is a good example of how Fairtrade is becoming increasingly more mainstream.” Fairtrade coffee now accounts for 4% of the market and its share of tea, banana, chocolate markets and other products is growing. ʻNewsFourʼ is currently investigating the possibility of joining the Fairtrade campaign by having only Fairtrade tea and coffee in the office.

SHELBOURNE P19HARMACY Irishtown Road Phone: 6684481

BERTIE OPENS HEADQUARTERS

AN TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern TD ofﬁcially recently opened the Campaign Headquarters of Fianna Fáil Dublin South East Candidate Jim OʼCallaghan at 37 Richmond Street, Dublin 2.

SPECIAL OFFERS ON TOILETRIES GIFT SETS FOR CHRISTMAS NOW AVAILABLE JOIN OUR CHRISTMAS CLUB AND ENTER OUR FREE DRAW FOR €250 IN VOUCHERS DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE ON 18TH DECEMBER 2006

PAGE 32

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

L IFTING C RICKET ’ S I RISH S ENIOR C UP

C UP

FINALLY CROSSES THE

L IFFEY

Great day of celebration for Railway Union Cricket Club–ʼNewsFourʼ Reports

andymountʼs Railway Union Cricket Club became the first Club from south of the Liffey to lift the Irish Senior Cup when they overcame Rush CC in a nail-biting and tense final at Castle Avenue, Clontarf on September 1st. For Railway, it was third time lucky as they had reached the final in both 2003 and 2005, only to be beaten by North County on both occasions. Rush had also been beaten finalists, losing out to Malahide in 2002 so there was going to be a new name on the cup, whatever the outcome. The Irish Senior Cup was inaugurated in 1982 and in the early years, apart from one lone southern success by Phoenix CC in 1986, the Cup had been the preserve of northern teams drawn from the Northern Cricket Union and North West Cricket Union. When two other Sandymountbased clubs, YMCA and Pembroke dominated Leinster Cricket,

ON TWENTY FIFTH ATTEMPT

they failed narrowly to make the vital breakthrough at Irish Senior level. The Northern domination began to fade in recent years as the standard of cricket in Leinster improved and this is also now reflected in the composition of the national squad. The Celtic Tiger played a part in this development as many talented overseas players, coming to Dublin seeking work, joined Leinster Clubs and raised standards. Allied to this was the excellent under-age coaching structure and development programme being implemented by the Leinster Cricket Union. It was no surprise in 2001, when North County won the cup by defeating Cliftonville in the final. Malahide won the following year, in the first all-Leinster final against Rush. North County, as stated, beat Railway Union in both 2003 and 2005. It was rather ironic that the person captaining Rush CC in the final was none other than Brían OʼRourke, originally from Sandymount and a stalwart of Pembroke CC for many years. Now residing in Rush, Brían is also the full-time Leinster Cricket Development Of-

ficer and has had a big impact of the development of many of the younger Railway Union players, coaching and managing them at underage level and later on developmental tours to the U.K. Brían also supports the development of cricket in Star of the Sea BNS by his weekly visits over the last number of years and it from the school that Railway Union draw on most of their underage players. Railway Union fielded seven players that had begun their cricket at underage level in Railway Union and six of those players were in the successful Molins Cup (U-11) team of 1992. It was fitting that their coach from 1992, Brian Donnelly was on hand to witness the triumph. Niall OʼBrien, who had been playing with Kent and Ireland throughout the season was eligible to play in this competition and came home to lend his support to his local Club. Following the win, the cup was proudly displayed in the clubhouse at Park Avenue and celebrations went on into the early hours of the morning. Many thanks are due to sponsors, Paul Barry of Architectural Hardware and Rangan Aruchevlan of the Russell Court Hotel for their generous support on the night to make it such a memorable one and for their continued support for the Club throughout the season.

The Irish Senior Cup win rounded off what had been a magniﬁcent season for the Club. Earlier in the season the Club won both Leinster DGM 45-overs League and Leinster Alan Murray Cup 20/20 Cup. In addition the Club won Section B of the Leinster Senior League and gained promotion to the A Section for 2007. With three players selecting in the Irish Squad for the World Cup in Jamaica in March and another player on the list of reserves, the future is indeed bright for the cricketers of Park Avenue. From top: Ginger OʼBrien with his sons Kevin and Niall; Francis X Carty gets the picture; jubiliant supporters and, right, batting Brian OʼRourke. Photographs courtesy of Barry Chambers, Cricket Europe.

Irelandʼs leading cricket writer Ian Callender of the Belfast Newsletter reports on the match: Kenny Carroll (pictured) got his hands on the Irish Senior Cup last night but only after the closest final in the competitionʼs 25-year history. For the Railway Union captain, who transformed himself from an Ireland A hopeful into a World Cup finals pick in the space of four months, it was a fitting finale to an unforgettable season. But he had to rely on his team-mates in a pulsating finale as No 11 James Rogan pulled his first ball to the fine leg boundary and finally end Rushʼs heroic comeback. When Carroll and Niall OʼBrien were adding 83 for the first wicket the Rush total of 207 on a slow pitch looked woefully inadequate. But the loss of five wickets in 33 balls for 27 runs turned a tepid contest into a clash worthy of Irelandʼs premier club knock-out competition. The man that defied Rush for 21 overs, and ultimately won the match, was Adrian Murphy. The dynamic West Indian was out immediately after bringing up his 50, with his side just seven runs short of victory. But the last-gasp drama had only begun. Gourav Singh, much to his disbelief, was given out caught behind second ball, and with the scores tied Gary Black played no stroke to Niall Mullen and was leg before. It was Rogan, the diminutive wicket-keeper, however, who was to break Rushʼs hearts and give Railway their first Irish Cup success. Dan van Zyl, Rushʼs South Africanʼs off spinner, had ended the opening stand with a return catch off Carroll and in his next over forced Niall OʼBrien into a false stroke and the Kent and Ireland wicket-keeper was palpably leg before. When a third member of Irelandʼs World Cup squad was also trapped in front in the following over, Rush were back in the game. When Mullen then dismissed his namesake Conor and Mohammad Tariq with successive balls in his next over the men from Fingal were probably favourites. With the scalps of North Down, Clontarf and last yearʼs winners North County on the way to the final it was a confident Rush who believed they could finish the job. But the strength of this Railway team is its depth and Murphy, first in partnership with Ross Wynne and then, decisively, Gary Black put the south Dubliners back on the winning course. Brian OʼRourke, the Rush captain, tried every bowling combination but when Naseer Shoukat and Shahid Iqbalʼs overs ran out, the game was up for the side who can still win the Section A league title. The Rush innings never got going until the last five overs. After winning the toss, OʼRourke and Fintan McAllister were so desperate to avoid losing wickets the runs became secondary. The first wicket stand of 55 used up 20 overs and the 50 runs for the fourth wicket took another 16. It was no more than a competitive total but Rushʼs never-saydie spirit almost turned it into a winning one. This though, thrillingly, was Railwayʼs day.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006 Advertising Feature

PAGE 33

NAME: Gwen Furness WAS: 13 stone 5 pounds

FROM: Lucan NOW: 10 stone 1 pound LEADER: Catherine Costello

What made you decide to join Weight Watchers? I had been overweight for a while and although I had tried to slim down by myself a few times, nothing ever really worked and any weight that I lost just went straight back on. My sister, Susan had been trying to get me to join Weight Watchers with her so eventually I decided to give it a go. I remember when I first stood up on the scales I was horrified! So I followed the programme for the first week and when I went back I had lost two and a half pounds. What kind of lifestyle changes did you make? Well, I had been on low-fat milk and butter for years so I stuck with them and I also began to eat a lot more fruit and vegetables. I never used to eat a lot of fresh food and would always just root around the freezer for dinner, but that’s all changed now and I love to experiment with new recipes. I was never interested in cooking, but since joining Weight Watchers I have come to love it and I have a huge collection of cookery books, which I use all the time– it makes me laugh, because cooking is something I never would have thought that I’d like doing, but now I’m always playing around with new recipes. Did you do any exercise? I found walking brilliant and I do it about three or four times a week; I also have an exercise bike which I use a couple of times a week.

BEFORE

You had tried to lose weight before, what was different this time around? Knowing that I was going to be weighed each week was a great incentive to stay on track. I also had the

CLASS: Lucan LOST: 3 stone 4 pounds

support of my sister, Susan so that was a big help. At first I didn’t think that I would do it, but I just took it a half pound at a time and stuck with it. There were bad days, but I was determined to reach goal weight. Going to the classes each week was fantastic. I got huge encouragement from my leader, Catherine and everyone else there. Staying for the meeting is so important– it’s amazing the things that you can learn in 30 minutes! What’s the best thing about being slim? Being able to fit into size 12 jeans– that was my goal from day one! I don’t have to buy clothes just to cover me up now and I go for styles that I never would have worn before in all sorts of colours straight from the hanger. I went through three wardrobes as I lost weight: size 16, then 14, until I got to a 12, sometimes now I even fit into a size 10! I refused to keep all my old clothes and packed them off to a charity shop, because I know there’s no way I’ll need them again. What advice would you give to other slimmers? Stay to the meeting, take regular exercise, drink plenty of water and always write down everything that you eat. Buy some cookery books and experiment with new recipes to make your food more interesting. There are over 900 Weight Watchers classes held in Ireland every week. For more information, contact 1850 234 123 or log on to www.weightwatchers. ie. For details of Weight Watchers ‘By Post’, contact 056-7722276.

S PEAKERS ’ GOVNMENT SHOULD RETURN €77M DIVIDEND TO EASE PRESSURE ON ESB PRICES The Labour Party Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Ruairi Quinn has urged the government to forfeit the €77m it is due to take in dividend payments from the ESB this year, in order to reduce the pressure on electricity prices. “This is the ﬁfth year in succession in which consumers have faced increases in ESB charges that have been well ahead of the rate of inﬂation. IBEC recently pointed out that prior to these latest increases commercial users had seen energy costs jump by 30% since 2003. The price increase for

gas announced today is one of the biggest ever. These latest increases will create huge problems for high-energy users, such as those in the hi-tech area. “I accept that the ESB and Bord Gáis have faced a very difﬁcult situation arising from the substantial increase in oil and gas prices over recent months and that there is little that the government can do about this. But there is one area over which the government has direct control and where it could make a signiﬁcant contribution to easing pressure on both companies. Over the past three years the government has taken €174m in dividend payments from the ESB, with smaller amounts taken from Bord Gáis. This year it is due to

take a further €77m from the ESB and €10m from Bord Gáis. With government coffers awash with money, the €77m they are taking from the ESB will make little or no difference to the overall Exchequer position. But if the ESB were to be allowed to retain this money it would reduce the need for such a major increase and ease the pressure for future increases.” MAKING VOTING EASIER FOR THE PEOPLE Jim OʼCallaghan, Fianna Fáil Dublin South East candidate, has called on the Minister for the Environment to make it easier for the electorate to vote in Dáil elections by increasing polling to two days. “I propose a plan that allows greater numbers to vote and would halt the declining participation rates in Dáil elections. This plan would prevent the disenfranchisement of people who are away on business or travelling away from their home. The times of voting

AFTER

CORNER

would be the same as present– 8am to 10pm, but the public would be allowed to vote over two days instead of one. Further, the elections should be held over a weekend so as not to disrupt schools,” OʼCallaghan said. NO SEX SHOP BESIDE CHILDRENʼS CULTURE CENTRE “Itʼs a disgrace that the proposed Sex shop in Temple Bar is due to be opened on Eustace Street beside the Ark, the countyʼs biggest cultural centre for children. Over 40,000 primary school children go to the centre each year,” said Cllr. Kevin Humphreys. “I will be calling of the new City Manager, John Tierney, to bring forward a variation of the Cityʼs Development to prohibit sex shops from being located beside playgrounds, schools, toy-stores and other businesses that cater for children,” said Councillor Humphreys. TODAYʼS AN POST DEAL

A SHAM AS POST OFFICES CLOSE ALL OVER DUBLIN Cllr. Lucinda Creighton (FG) has described as a sham the deal between An Post and the Belgian/ Dutch international financial services company, Fortis, to introduce high-tech financial services, in light of multiple post office closures in the capital. An Post, a state-funded body, is supposed to provide an accessible, user-friendly service to Irish citizens. However, in recent years it has dramatically scaled back on post offices, forcing people to travel long distances in order to avail of its most basic services. Lucinda stated: “Todayʼs announcement is an insult to people and shows An Postʼs determination to try to dupe people into believing it provides an adequate service. This deal to introduce retail banking products and services is of no value to the people who rely on basic post office functions, particularly the elderly.”

PAGE 34

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

D UBLIN D OCKLANDS – SECOND - RATE HOUSING ? By John Cavendish

rchitecture is responsible for about 45% of the carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions in the UK. Architects are a large part of the problem, and consequently the solution– sustainable architecture. The UK government has set a target of reducing CO² emissions by 20% by the year 2010. In the United States architecture– residential commercial and industrial buildings and their construction materials– account for nearly half of all energy used in the USA. Here in Ireland, Fingal County Council have taken a lead on sustainable architectural design by introducing a mandatory planning requirement for seven areas that all new developments reduce energy use and CO² emissions relating to space and water heating to 60% below building regulations requirements, with 30% of space and water heating coming from renewable energy sources. Wicklow County Council has recently followed suit and several oth-

er local authorities are looking to follow in their footsteps. Many councils may fear that introducing standards of this kind would add a cost burden that would stifle development and make new homes unaffordable for their constituents. I talked with Dublin Architect Emer OʼSiochru, who hopes to see the new building standards introduced by Fingal become adopted across the capital. I first asked about the price of housing in Dublin 4 and how it was affecting the design of buildings with the average cost of a home now six times the average income, whereas in the rest of Europe it is more like three times. “You can see that the price of property here has gone sky-high and its extremely difficult, if not impossible, for two people with decent salaries, say two teachers, to afford an apartment in Dublin. There are a number of reasons why this happened, there has been a great deal of money around and huge demand in Ireland so that with little or no property taxes, any money available got sucked into land.”

I asked what we should hope for in Dublin 4 to improve the environmental design standards of our buildings and encourage sustainability, bearing in mind the swathe of new apartments and offices in Dublin. “Thereʼs a lot that can be done. Most of the new buildings are very swish and very cool looking, a lot of steel, a lot of glass a lot of fancy detailing but if you go inside those buildings youʼll find that the apartments are still heated by electric storage heating in many cases. Certainly youʼll not find district heating, which is the cheapest form of heating when building in that type of dense area, so a huge opportunity seems to have been lost in the Dublin 4 area, an area with the highest per capita income population you might find, and yet the standard of new houses and apartments purchasers are living in would be seen as second rate in European terms. “Now what they could do in Dublin is to do what Fingal has done in certain areas. They have new area plans covering new parts and areas of remit where they demand much higher thermal insulation standards than the minimum standards in the Building Regulations. They want 50% higher in those standards and they want 30% of all the energy used in those areas to be locally generated

from renewables. “This is ambitious but in fact theyʼve discovered that itʼs perfectly legal. It can be done by local authorities, the councillors can organise together and instruct their own professionals to do it. Itʼs been checked by the energy research group in UCD to see if it can it done. There have been studies done on the cost– it does put the cost up a little for a construction yet it is surprisingly little in many ways, but the interesting thing is it wonʼt put up the cost of housing or apartments to buy as everyone is having to construct that way. You can get higher building standards in an area if a local authority bands together and decides it can be done without any signiﬁcant increase in cost of housing.” We talked about encouraging people to have solar panels and passive solar design in their build-

ings and how they would respond if their home was environmentally sustainable. Emer says with enthusiasm “Passive solar design is all about designing a house that doesnʼt even need any active heating, and thatʼs well established in Europe now, so the principles of passive solar design are that you build a compact house, not a sprawly house, not too large, well insulated and you make your big windows face south as much as possible and you keep your small windows on the north face so you plan your building with smaller rooms such as bathrooms to the north. Once youʼve insulated your house fully and taken any advantage you can get from the sun you must seal it properly so itʼs not leaking air to the surrounding atmosphere; in Ireland this is important because the air pressure causes a lot of draughts. Finally, we discussed the application by developers who want to build more of these Dockland-type apartments on reclaimed land from Sandymount Strand which is a Special Area of Conservation, a wild bird habitat with the Brent geese coming in off the Strand to graze on Seán Moore park alongside the proposed apartments that arenʼt in any way environmentally friendly in themselves. “I really donʼt think we should be building on SACs and there shouldnʼt be any exceptions made because in the city we need those lungs. I would like to see more gardening and even farming in the city. But we must keep our green spaces and we have to keep spaces open to species other than us because this is what enriches our soul. Itʼs not all about saving money on your heating bill– itʼs about including the whole diversity of life where we live.” Above: Emer OʼSiochru and, left, a ﬁne example of well-designed sustainable housing.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 35

THE POETRY PLACE

Epilepsy

Refugee

Butterfly

You are marked by the steel stick that props you up on the narrow grass patch in the centre of the N4 dual carriageway where a constant ﬂow of vehicles move towards changing lights.

I thought I had accepted you, That youʼd become a part of me; But sometimes I hate your arrogance, And what you do to me. I canʼt see you with my eyes, Youʼre not a person or a thing; Just an angry hostile imposter, An alien within.

When the trafﬁc comes to a halt I will stretch out my arm, place a donation in the bucket you keep near your body, while you struggle to sell the Big Issue.

Iʼm with my friends in a crowded bar, Iʼm walking down the road; Just a normal happy human being With a concealed and heavy load.

In your luminous lemon jacket you seem out of place among the surroundings here. None of us know how your limb was damaged and we never seem to have time to ask or ﬁnd out if you speak English words.

Then suddenly youʼre overwhelming me, a sensation I despise; but the more I try to ignore you, The more you disregard my cries.

I often wonder if you have a room of your own or a place to rest after hopping by cars, while leaning on crutches and the steel pin that holds up your body all day.

You ﬁll my brain with mixed messages, You eat away at my soul; You suck the strength from my body Yet still you strive for more.

Is it for rent for your room that you spend so much time in the rain and wind around the same trafﬁc lights here, have you a friend who will cook a meal or heat to dry your clothes at nightfall?

I turn around in panic Who will come to my aid? I attempt to shout in vain Before my sight begins to fade.

By Mary Guckian

Sycamore Trees

Where will my dreams take me this time? What will this journey take? What horrors will invade my mind? What if this time I donʼt wake? People are looking at me strangely, As I begin to moan; I want to scream and shout, I donʼt want to be alone. For I know that Iʼm about to fall Into a dark and gaping hole, I know Iʼll be pathetic I know Iʼll lose control. I pray with the precious seconds I have left; I hold on with all my might; Before your cruel strength overpowers me And I succumb to ﬂight. By Audrey Healy

Flowers for the living I would rather have one little rose From the garden of a friend Than to have the choicest flowers When my stay on earth must end I would rather have one pleasent Word in kindness said to me Than flattery when my heart stands still And life as ceased to be I would rather have a loving smile From friends I know are true Than tears shed around my coffin When this world I bid adieu Bring me all your flowers today Weather pink or white or red Iʼd rather have one blossom now Than a truckload when Iʼm dead

Secure and stately sycamore trees, across the road, fill our front windows with pink candelabra on this May morning. The candy floss blossoms give light to the grim grey area where many young people reside in bed sitters and small flats. These trees have witnessed much change, yet they continue to flood from their branches brilliant blushing petals, bringing a delicate grace to an old Edwardian Street. By Mary Guckian

Nedeen As we walked down the boreen We made a friend, Nedeen, The name we gave the donkey, Who stood there all alone. For meet and greet, His frame expanded, Then breathing out his bray resounded Exertion over, he lay down And turned and rolled upon the ground Feet in the air. Quick as lightening, he was up We stood, in wonder, at the fuss, A big performance, just for us. When we returned upon the track, He poked his nose into my back. By Carmel McCarthy

By Ann Marie

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

That day sunny warm and beautiful, no different than any other summerʼs day. As I sat on my garden chair careless and free you flew into my life, and garden of flowers and blossoms fluttering and waltzing in the midday sun. You looked majestic exclusive admirable and fine freedom at its best, glorious. Your colours, those are of delicate pastels blue and white. When then arrived your partner, who joined you to perform, both of you fluttering and chasing each other in the sunny afternoon. I look and thought you are the perfect pair, compatible in every way. Oh what a shame your marriage lasted for one day, but then to you both thatʼs a lifetime. By Francis Brady

March day on the canal Warmer that June our weather pattern keeps on changing our central heating needs resetting. From across the road gangs of workers erupt from overheated buildings sit on metal seats and gaze into water, cooling down while they eat sandwiches and drink from plastic bottles or tin cans. On doorsteps cigarette smokers melt down in their skimpy tops and open shirts enjoying the temperature of the fresh air outside and the freedom to banter with other workmates their headphones switched off, away from call centres. Central heating consumes the air where bills are paid and shopping takes place If the ice melts, we all will smother, when water covers us over, our space gone, buildings buried a way of life vanished. Yet we continue to store water in plastic containers while our buildings are heated like pizza ovens. By Mary Guckian

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

T HE ‘B OOK

By Brian Rutherford

he ʻBook of Kellsʼ was written around AD 800. It is a book of the Gospels. It isnʼt known exactly who wrote it but it was completed by a number of monks in the settlement on Skellig Michael. It is said that they worked on the book in a scriptorium. Printing had not been invented. Two monasteries in particular are said to have been the makers of this great book, Iona, off the west coast of Scotland and Kells in County Meath. The close connection between Iona and Kells is backed up by the fact that St. Columba sailed between the two around the time of the creation of the books. It was also said that he loved to copy the scriptures. Iona remained a monastery until the invading Norsemen attacked it and the monks had to move to Kells in Meath. St Columba also loved animals and so did his monks so it is no surprise that there were so many illustrated in the Book of Kells. The Book is written in Latin. There are 680 pages, that is 340 calf skins which were turned into leaves or vellum. 150 calves were used and it weighs 20 pounds. It was written with a reed or quill. Ink was made out of the juices of plants, leaves and roots. There are sixteen to eighteen lines per page.

K ELLS ’

There are four parts, these being the Gospels, that is Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each gospel is the telling by these men of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Matthew is illustrated as an angel, John an eagle, Luke a calf and Mark a lion. The portraits throughout the book are of Christ, Matthew, John, scenes from the life of Christ, that is, the birth of Christ, the temptation of Christ, the arrest of Christ, the cruciﬁxion and resurrection, the cross, Christʼs family tree, little animals and capital letters. One of the names inscribed in the ʻBook of Kellsʼ is Sitria, a silversmith who also appears in another famous book called the ʻCathachʼ. In the year AD 1006 the ʻBook of Kellsʼ was stolen but was soon recovered and not much else happened to it until it reached Trinity College in 1661. It was put there by Bishop Henry Jones of Meath. The last page has been lost. To see it is to experience an incredible piece of art and discipline. It seems never-ending in its complexity. The monks may have had a hard life and were attacked and killed on occasion but they managed to keep it relatively safe throughout all this with only one missing page. The ʻBook of Kellsʼ is housed in the Old Library building in Trinity College. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9.30 to 5 pm, Sunday (May-September) 9.30 to 4.30 pm and Sunday (October-April) 12.00 to 4.30 pm.

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 on Sunday Halloween Party Fancy dress, Karaoke Sunday 29 October Prizes for Best Fancy Dress Every Friday Night at 8.30 Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 37

L ECTURES ʻThe Ancient Books of Irelandʼ by Michael Slavin. Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at 6.00pm. Merrion Room, RDS Ireland is fortunate to have some of the most beautiful and fascinating ancient books in the world. Perhaps with the exception of the ʻBook of Kellsʼ however, little is know about them. The books have survived for centuries in manuscript form and include: the ʻCathachʼ, a book taken into battle at the head of the OʼDonnell armies in Ulster; the ʻBook of Armaghʼ, long a source of the earliest accounts of St Patrick, and the ʻBook of the Dun Cowʼ which contains the earliest versions of some of Irelandʼs most well known-stories and legends. Michael Slavin is a wellknown voice in equestrian broadcasting. He was commentator and reporter with RTÉ for 25 years. Since his semi-retirement from journalism ten years ago Michael has run an antiquarian book shop near his home at the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath. He is the author of three very successful books, ʻThe Book of Taraʼ, ʻIrish Showjumping Legendsʼ and most recently ʻThe Ancient Books of Irelandʼ. The talk will be illustrated by visual images and will be hon-

YOUNG

IN THE

ing in on insights in the history, contents and legends of some of Irelandʼs most prized ancient manuscripts. Admission is free and open to the public. Seats should be reserved by phoning 01 240 7256 or emailing: lectures@rds.ie ʻHorse Fairs in Irelandʼ– A Photographic Exhibition by Noel Mullins. Photographs taken by photojournalist Noel Mullins on the Horse Fairs of Ireland. The exhibition will open with a talk by Mr Mullins on Wednesday, October 18 by way of an introduction to the subject, and will then run through to November 10. The exhibition will have representative photos taken at fairs such as Ballinasloe, Spancil Hill and the Ould Lammas Fair and from the heart of Dublin at Smithﬁeld. In his photographs, Mr Mullins has tried to capture that sense of the occasion, as well as the unique expressions of the people and the animals. The work has taken over three years to complete and the collection represents some of the best pictures from the series. This exhibition, which will be taken all over Ireland, will open ﬁrst in the RDS Library, during normal library hours from 10.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

RDS

For further information, please contact either Mary Kelleher at 01 240 7288 or via email at mary.kelleher@rds.ie or Gerard Whelan at 01 240 7256 or via email at ger.whelan@rds.ie Energy Boosters & Energy Robbers– Paula Mee. Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 6.00pm Merrion Room, RDS Food and nutrition expert Paula Mee is a scientist who has used her wide range of qualiﬁcations and expertise in a number of roles in the Irish food industry. She has worked for Superquinn, The National Dairy Council and Bord Bia, and is a member of the consultative council of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. So many people today are trying to be aware and, where possible, take active control of their health and the food they eat. There will be an opportunity for members of the audience to ask questions on daily food intake, including all the healthy or unhealthy snacks that we are targeted to consume every day, as well as our regular meals– breakfast, lunch and supper. This one hour presentation and Q & A is free. Seats should be reserved by phoning 01 240 7256 or emailing: lectures@rds.ie

DUBLIN DOCKLANDS PERSONS TALENT SHOWCASE

Congratulations Congratulations to NewsFour And to all the staff connected For twenty-one years of nostalgic reports The stories the poems, none rejected. This paper is a joy to read, There is nothing left amiss From the editor to the tea boy Nothing compares to this. We look forward to it every two months The old photographs to appraise They bring back many old memories Some good, some sad of bygone days. It covers quite a lot of news And to all its readers is free From the locals to our friends abroad. Far across the Irish Sea. So thank you very much NewsFour You are priceless to all who read you Especially to those far away from home Neighbours family and friends they all need you. So congratulations dear editor I wish your paper well Your reporters, poets and photographers Have many more tales to tell. NewsFour brings back old memories Itʼs worth its weight in gold. With the photos, poems and stories Itʼs read by young and old Once again congratulations to all and sundry For twenty one wonderful years You have just become of age dear friend And may you continue to your golden years. By Sonny Kinsella

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 THE Dublin Docklands Young Persons Talent Showcase took place in the National Concert Hall recently. Pictured above with 15 year old Jessica Servi from East Wall, who won the 12 to 16 age category are Donall Curtin, Lucy Kennedy, DJ Damien Farrelly and Helen Jordan.

For further information, phone Brenda Dempsey (before 6.00pm) at 087- 9292119

PAGE 38

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

M u sic4 …

BY BRIAN KELLY * FERGAL MURPHY

Albums Nuggets Various Compilation Mid-sixties America and the times-they are a changing. The Beatles and The Stones have arrived, shaking the rock ʻnʼ roll roots of the country to the core. Their music proved a lightning rod for a whole new generation of young bands. Out went the staid and the bland to be followed by experimentation, innovation and psychedelica. A new era in music had arrived. The psychedelic sixties was a happening and this CD is the soundtrack of bands going on a musical journey to the outer limits and beyond. The fact that most people on this side of the pond would be unfamiliar with most of the acts on this low-priced 27 track compilation is irrelevant. 40 years on and the inﬂuence of bands like The Electric Prunes, The Seeds, Thirteen Floor Elevators and The Mojo Men can be heard in a lot of todayʼs Irish and English indie scene. Nuggets is an absolute gem, containing some stone-cold classics from a golden age in music.

In Towers & Clouds The Immediate Along with their fellow Malahide denizens, Director, The Immediate are leading the charge of a whole new battalion of shiny new Irish bands. The bandʼs debut is evidence of a serious incoming talent and has already gained a level of praise which hasnʼt been heard in homegrown circles for a long time. Like all good albums, In Towers & Clouds, gets better with each listen, although tracks like Stop + Remember and Donʼt You Ever are instant hits to anyone with a clean pair of eardrums. The boys obviously listened to tons of music before they recorded this album, but they wear their influences very well. You could say they sound like a lot of bands but in essence, they sound like nobody but themselves. One aspect of this album that really stands out is the strong vocal performances. It benefits from having the band swap around vocal duties and together with the rich harmonies on display lends a real fluidity and freshness to proceedings. In Tower & Clouds is up there with The Kooks Inside In, Inside Out as one of the finest debuts of 2006.

Kasabian Empire The new album from the contenders to Oasisʼs throne as indie rock gods was released during the month. One thing Kasabian (like the aforementioned Oasis) have never been short of is conﬁdence, proclaiming this album ʻa classic from one to eleven. Itʼs up there with some of the best records ever made.ʼ Well I wouldnʼt go for that, but itʼs pretty damn good! Kasabian combine rock and dance music with more than a hint of psychedelia in a way that hasnʼt been done well in a long time. The opening two tracks– Empire and Shoot the Runner– are the best on the album. Combining driving drumbeats, Zepplin style guitars and balls out vocals to make two cracking, rock and roll, good time, party songs. The album slows down a bit from there and gets more psychedelic and trippy. Still good, though a couple more tracks like the ﬁrst two wouldʼve made it a classic. No matter how good their albums are, this is a band that really excels live. They must be one of the best bands Iʼve seen live recently, frontman Tom Meighanʼs stage presence is only electric and the bandʼs energy and love of music comes across in an explosion of everything live music should be. Fun!

Scissors Sisters Ta-dah If you thought the Scissors Sisters debut album was just a flash in the pan, quirky little, good-time pop fad well, think again, theyʼre back! Their follow-up is laced with more of the same. This is real good-fun pop music, except with a dark undercurrent in the lyrics. Full of cynical wit and references to love and death which is surprising considering their image is so glam and glitzy. Singer Jake Shears has suffered the deaths of family and friends and they have made a record “to cheer up ourselves. and the world.” You can hear their influences all over the album and Jakeʼs falsetto voice is reminiscent of the Bee Gees and really suits their up-tempo 70s disco era style of music. Other influences that keep popping up range from Elton John to Blondie to Leo Sawyer on the fabulous first single I donʼt feel like dancing. Definitely one to get– if only to put on an have a bop to before going out on a Saturday night!

P AUL S IMON By Fergal Murphy

here arenʼt many artists that have managed to stay relevant and keep producing good music for nearly half a century… Paul Simon is one! In 1957 (yes, that long ago!) Simon had his first chart hit as half of the duo Tom and Jerry with Art Garfunkel with ʻHey Schoolgirlʼ when they were both only 16 years old. Simon spent the following years travelling England. It wasnʼt until 1965 and the folk rock trend of that year that he had his next hit. ʻThe Sound of Silenceʼ went to number one as half of the duo Simon and Garfunkel, bursting them onto the scene. With haunting melodies (Garfunkel has the voice of an angel) catchy rhythms and simple but genius lyrics, Simon has a way of describing things, though sometimes on the manic depressive side, that leaves me in awe at how he can say so much with so few words. Over the next five years they followed up with such timeless classics as ʻMrs Robinsonʼ, ʻThe Boxerʼ and ʻBridge Over Troubled Waterʼ. After Simon and Garfunkel split acrimoniously in 1970, Simon re-launched his solo career with the self titled album ʻPaul Simonʼ. Though not as successful as his work with Garfunkel it paved the way for his solo career with the top ten single ʻMother And Child Reunionʼ. He followed up with two albums ʻThere Goes Rhymin Simonʼ and ʻStill Crazy After All These Yearsʼ, which included the number one hit ʻ50 Ways To Leave Your Loverʼ. Over the following few years Simon went on to release a greatest hits album which contained the beautiful hit ʻSlip slidinʼ awayʼ and co-wrote and starred in the film ʻOne Trick Ponyʼ. Simonʼs biggest solo success was with the release of his ʻGracelandʼ album in 1986, which incorporated South African rhythms with his own inimitable songwriting style, containing the hits ʻYou can call me Alʼ and the title track ʻGracelandʼ. This features one of my favourite lyrics of all time– ʻThey say losing love is like a window in your heart, everybody sees youʼre blown apartʼ, simple but brilliant! He followed that up with ʻRhythm Of The Saintsʼ in 1990, which was based in the Brazilian musical style. In 1993 Simon and Garfunkel toured together again covering his solo work as well as their own in the live show. His next album ʻYouʼre The Oneʼ (2000) received a Grammy nomination for album of the year and most recently he has toured with Garfunkel again on the ʻOld Friendsʼ tour and just released another solo album called ʻSurpriseʼ. Phew… some people just canʼt fade into obscurity, can they? He is playing the Point Theatre in November. Make sure you catch him. It could be the last time.

Three ages of Simon: On left with Art Garfunkel as Tom and Jerry; in their glory days as Simon and Garfunkel and today.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

PAGE 39

Music4 …

JOHN PEEL REMEMBERED

Forthcoming Attractions October The Go!Team John Cale Tom Jones Status Quo Lambchop Jack L Gypsy Kings Motorhead

By Brian Kelly

arlier this year, Britainʼs Radio One recorded the second anniversary of the death of one of its longest serving DJs with a special broadcast of John Peelʼs final show. It formed part of a month-long celebration of his contribution to his lifelong love, music. During this month, a series of events, gigs and recordings are taking place to mark Peelʼs huge importance and influence on the independent music scene. Following his passing in October 2004, a lot of bands were quick to pay their respects as well as their dues to John. Many like Jarvis Cocker, P.J Harvey and Blurʼs Damon Albarn admitted they largely owed their careers to the contribution John Peel made to them. It says so much of the irreplaceable qualities of the man that two years after his death, his late night show on BBC radio has been replaced by three different programmes and his nonmusical programme on Radio Four, ʻHome Truthsʼ, has now been scrapped in his absence. The ʻJohn Peel Dayʼ on Oct 12 has become an annual fixture on the BBC Radio One calendar. In Ireland too, Tom Dunne on Today FM got in the act with a special week of shows featuring bands that John helped championing the cause off. Derryʼs Undertones were one band that John Peel loved. He went as far to pay for one of

Olympia 23 Vicar Steet 24 Point October 24 Point October 25 Vicar Street 27 Vicar Street 28,29,30,31 Point October 30 Point October 31

November

their early recordings, when the band was too broke to travel to London for the showʼs legendary sessions. ʻTeenage Kicksʼ, was one of Johnʼs favourite tracks of all time and even made an appearance, at his request, at his funeral service. Still today, Peelʼs presence is still hugely missed. It is safe to say that no other broadcaster gave as much time to emerging bands as he did. For all the years he was with the BBC, he received at least a dozen padded envelopes every day, each one containing the hopes, dreams and recording of aspiring, unsigned new bands. He would do his best to listen to each one, then apologize profusely on air to all the bands he didnʼt have time to hear. He would joke that he would probably meet his Maker while he was travelling in a car listening to a recording of a new band, all the time rummaging round the glove compartment for the band

track listings and not noticing he was driving the car very quickly into the back on a large truck in front of him! I used to listen to John Peelʼs show on BBC Radio One late at night from the early 80ʼs onwards. In the days before digital, the sound would ebb and flow but what would come across crystal clear was the genuine affection of the man for his music. People always associate Peel with indie music but his tastes were much more varied and eclectic. ʻBhundi Boysʼ from Zimbabwe were one of his all-time favourite bands and on any given show you were likely to hear hard-core Belgium house music, followed by death metal from Norway, before returning to his latest find: three skinny white boys with guitars from Doncaster. A key characteristic and perhaps the defining quality of John Peel as a broadcaster was the sound of his voice. He had a great voice for radio, distinctive, warm and with a sincerity singularly lacking in other DJs. He was also a very witty man, with a sense of humour as idiosyncratic as the music he played. In essence, he was a man difficult to dislike, and few if anybody at all, had a bad word to say about him. It was these qualities that drew so many people to John Peel and the reason he won so many awards and accolades as a broadcaster. ʻFaithlessʼ said God is a DJ. Maybe thatʼs true, but in heaven John Peel is manning the decks. John Peel, left, as a young DJ in 1969 and, above, in later years.

Sufjan Stevens Muse The Rat Pack Paul Simon Divine Comedy Scissors Scissors Primal Scream Pink Paul Weller Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Band Christiana Aguliera Mundy Scritti Polliti The Pussycat Dolls The Undertones The Killers

Olympia 1 Point 3 Vicar Street 3 Point 8 Olympia 9 Point 9 Olympia 11 Point 16 Olympia 17,18 Point 17,18,19 Point 21 Olympia 23 Whelans 23 Point 24 Tripod 25 Point 30

December Bell X1 Rodrigo y Gabriela The Zutons George Michael The Kooks Declan OʼRourke Madness Tenacious D Damien Dempsey The Charlatans The Dubliners The Stunning Iron Maiden Christy Moore and Declan Sinnott The Pogues (Original Line up) Snow Patrol

Point 1 Vicar St 4 Olympia 6 Point 7, 8,9 Ambassador 10 Olympia 10 Point 10 RDS 10 Vicar St. 11 Ambassador 14 Vicar St 17 Olympia 20 Point 20 Vicar Street 20, 27,28 Point 21 Point 22, 23

Tenacious D… for the RDS in December.

PAGE 40

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER 2006

All new

MICHAEL BYRNE & SON

Butcher Shop in Sandymount – now open

•All new Fish Counter •Delicatessen opening soon

•Wide range of Meat •Wild Goose available from end of October

ORDER

YOUR

CHRISTMAS TURKEYS

AND

HAMS