October 2007 NewsFour

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

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

HELENE’S TONIC FOR SICK CHILDREN

AS THE LEAVES TURN TO GOLD… As green space is swallowed up, James O’Doherty sings the praises of public parks on page 7

We reveal the name of Rosanna Davison’s ‘close companion’ on page 19

H

elene Hugel, pictured above with Nikita Dixon, was one of 16 Dublin people honoured at the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards Ceremony last week in recognition of outstanding work in the community.

This award enables her to further her work in supporting a more imaginative and creative, childfriendly approach to childrenʼs health service provision.

After a long and vigorous application process, which included an interview, Helene joined the

programme for a year. This gave her some financial support, training sessions, mentoring and peer networking. For Helene meeting other trainees was most important as they shared their ideas and collaborations arose.

Helene, originally from Upstate New York, is a puppeteer and a clown doctor who has been living in Ireland for 14 years. She specialises in art and health and is endeavouring to transform the hospital environment and the negative effects for children of being in hospital. The hospital can be an

Dancers Ciara McCormack and Jasmyn Dillon-Coote were pictured at the recent Dublin Port Family Fun Day.

unfamiliar and frightening place and Helene has developed a series of hospital play sessions for children to help alleviate their fears.

Currently she is artist in residence in Tallaght Community Arts Centre, developing a performance in association with Monkey Shine Theatre Company. This piece of work aims to transform paediatric patientsʼ beds into imaginative, performing landscapes using puppetry, simple clowning, interactive storytelling, tactile set, and sound.

This will be launched in Waterford in January 2008, and from there tour hospitals and arts centres across the country. It will also be resident in The National Childrenʼs Hospital Tallaght from November 2007.

Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, established in 2005, is a privately funded, not-for-profit organisation that believes innovation and social change in Ireland will be driven by exceptional people with exceptional ideas. It has developed a support model that helps these social entrepreneurs grow their ideas from concept to reality and has, to date, committed in excess of €2.1 million in direct funding.

For more information visit www.socialentrepreneurs.ie. Applications for next yearʼs awards will be open in early 2008.

Can we have our ball back, mister?

Only if you turn to page 25

Move your Saturday food shopping from supermarket to Natural Food Market.

See page 35

Congratulations to Jennifer Betts, above, the winner of our Short Story competition. You can read ʻThe Lakeshoreʼ on page 10.

PAGE 2

NewsFour Managing Editor Ann Ingle Advertising Manager Grainne McGuinness Office Manager Miriam Holmes Staff Grace Charley Brian Rutherford Fergal Murphy Audrey Healy David Hussey John Cavendish Nessa Jennings Stephanie Morris Contributors Michael Hilliard Derek Buckley Shay Connolly Jimmy Purdy Austin Cromie George P. Kearns James O’Doherty Jennifer Betts Saoirse O’Hanlon Tobin Tom Sheridan Paul Madill Cathy Caulfield Alan Roberts Derek Sandford

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

I

The Editor’s Corner

love receiving entries to our Crossword so you can imagine how excited I was when so many of you entered the short story competition.

Thank you all so much and thanks especially to Paul Howard author of the popular Ross OʼCarroll-Kelly books (his latest is riding high in the best-seller list) for being our judge. The winner of our €100 prize was Jennifer Betts with ʻThe Lakeshoreʼ (page 10), a moving story about loss and hope. Our runner up was George Kearns with ʻThe Trolley Boyʼ. I am sure there are many of you who will empathise with his tale of woe in the supermarket (see page 4). This competition has been so successful that we are going to make it an annual event.

There are two articles in NewsFour (see page 00 and 00) relating to alcohol. With the holiday season coming up it is good to reflect on the dangers of

over-indulgence. There is nothing wrong with drink in moderation, of course, and I am looking forward to visiting Mulligans, the new pub on Sandymount Road as soon as I can.

I was just about to write that I will see you again around 10th December when I remembered that one of our short story entries had commented on my tendency to say ʻsee youʼ. Chris Ostrowski wrote “Is Ann implying that the newspaper is the physical embodiment of the contributors with eyes of its own? Should I feel as I did as a child while watching television, thinking the people on it could see me just as I could see them? Should I then be fully clothed while reading Newsfour. Should I wave?”

By all means wave but keep your clothes on.

See you.

Ann Ingle

• SPECIAL NOTICE •

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.

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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

Web Designer Andrew Thorn Photography John Cheevers Design, Typesetting, Layout Eugene Carolan

A Social and Natural History of Sandymount, Irishtown and Ringsend, first published in 1993 and The Roads to Sandymount Irishtown and Ringsend, first published in 1996 are now available From ʻNewsFourʼ, 15 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 and ʻBooks on the Greenʼ, Sandymount Village.

Telephone: (01)6673317

Ringsend Active Retirement Association

E-mail: newsfourscs@eircom.net

Retired with time on your hands?

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

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

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

Writer Gordon Snell captivated pupils from St Patrickʼs Boys School with his stories and poems at Ringsend Library. Among his own favourites are the ʻJust Williamʼ series and Edward Learʼs rhymes.

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 / NOVEMBER 2007

H AD

ENOUGH TO DRINK ?

Have you had enough of people who donʼt know when theyʼve had enough?

M

PAGE 3

EAS, the alcohol social responsibility organisation behind drinkaware.ie, has launched a ground-breaking advertising campaign entitled ʻHad Enoughʼ. This hard-hitting nationwide advertising campaign highlights the unacceptable impact of drunken behaviour on a range of innocent parties, including A&E nurses, people walking alone, taxi-drivers, shop workers and neighbours of a noisy house party.

“The message is powerful in its simplicity: the days of drunken behaviour being acceptable to Irish society are over,” explained Ms. Fionnuala Sheehan, the Chief Executive of MEAS. “The primary aim of the campaign is to remove the social permission for public drunkenness and anti-social behaviour that

has been tolerated in Ireland for so long.”

The Irish Nurses Organisation contributed to the consultation process and are backing this drinkaware.ie campaign. “Over one quarter of patients with an injury in A&E had consumed alcohol prior to the injury. Irish nurses have had enough of such drunken behaviour– itʼs not ok anymore,” asserted Liam Doran, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses Organisation. “I hope Irish consumers who choose to drink will become more aware of the necessity to enjoy alcohol responsibly and moderately through these powerful adverts.”

John Ussher, President of the Irish Taxi Federation, highlighted the reality for many Irish taxi drivers, “There are over 20,000 taxis on the streets of Ireland and most taxi drivers have had to scrub vomit off their back seats, all because peo-

ple donʼt know when theyʼve had enough to drink.” The Irish Taxi Federation are also giving their support to the drinkaware.ie campaign.

Pictured above: Fionnuala Sheehan, Chief Executive of MEAS; Liam Doran, General Secretary of the Irish Nurses Organisation; John Ussher,

President of the Irish Taxi Federation and Dublin A& E Nurse Bernie Stenson at the launch of the new drinkaware.ie campaign entitled ʻHad Enoughʼ.

MULLIGANS of Sandymount 86 Sandymount Road, Sandymount Village, Dublin 4 Telephone: 01 660 2061

Dublin’s newest bar and lounge is now open for business Open normal pub hours Serving coffee, tea and pastries from 10.30am Commencing Monday 5th November 2007 Lunch 12pm to 3pm Monday to Friday Brunch 12pm to 5pm @ weekends Serving a wide range of beers & spirits, a comprehensive cocktail list and 36 wines & champagnes by the glass General manager Gerry Grant (formerly Kiely’s of Donnybrook) Jobs available in bar and kitchen Contact Gerry or call to pub

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

A ROUND R INGSEND …

TROLLEY BOY

By George P. Kearns

W

Congratulations to William and Patricia McDonnell who celebrated 50 years of marriage on 25th September, when they renewed their wedding vows in Ringsend Church.

ell of course you will have to stretch your imagination a little on the boy part, but then of course as I am well into my second childhood, perhaps the ʻboyʼ is not exactly wanting.

However, boy or no boy, my job for about one hour a week is to wheel a trolley around a quite large supermarket in the wake of my good wife, who picks her way around shelf after shelf, after shelf.

Of course, this is a non speaking part for me as I am not allowed to make any suggestions, nor am I allowed to make any purchases, except that is the wine, which I greedily purchase for myself anyway.

Despite the fact that I am sleepwalking behind her with a large trolley, she also uses one of the shopʼs wire baskets which hangs out of her arm during the complete shopping trip, not fully dependent on me, one might suppose.

There was a time when I was allowed to select the milk, this was at a time when we used one particular brand, but when she who knows all found that it soured too easily, she started to

vary the brands and I lost my one and only shopping experience.

On the very odd occasion she would say to me in a very condescending manner, if you see anything you like, dear, help yourself. In the early days I would happily have a look around the shelves and once or twice I picked a certain article that I fancied and put it in the trolley.

However, when we were going through the checkout she would spot the foreign item and, picking it up, she would check the price and exclaim, ah sure thatʼs too dear, and she would then reject the purchase by leaving the article at the checkout. So much for ʻif you see anything you like, dearʼ I donʼt bother anymore now, I just wheel the trolley.

During the week leading up to Halloween however, I had a bit of a surprise when she said to me, “go down that aisle over there and get a packet of croquette potatoes,” and I, in shock stuttered, “what brand, what will I look for, do I count the con-

tents or what?” and grabbing me by the elbow, she shook me and loudly whispered “get a bargain you thick.” I got the croquettes and when they were found acceptable I felt that at long last, I had arrived.

Left on my own for a short while I doddered around various shelves in order to gain a few experiences for future assignments and I found myself taking stock of things that I would not normally have noticed in my sleepwalking trolley boy days when I was a non-participating shopper.

The first thing to catch my eye was a tray of ʻHot Cross Bunsʼ and in another section I ran into a display of Witches and ʻHalloween Goodiesʼ and further on again I found ʻChristmas Fareʼ and I thought: “what am I shopping for, is it Halloween, Easter or Christmas?” and back I scurried to my lovely shelf-crawling ʻknow it allʼ wife and happily sleepwalked with my trolley in her wake.

Boxers Tim Witherspoon and Joe Egan with Joeʼs mother Anne at Cambridge Court.

GILMORE SOLICITORS 22 BRIDGE STREET, RINGSEND, DUBLIN 4 Tel: 6677170 * Fax:6673809 E-mail: gilmoresol@gmail.com

House Sales/Purchases Re-mortgages & Commercial Property Family Law Wills/Probate/Estate-Planning Employment Law District Court & Road Traffic Offences

A Friendly & Professional Service

Taken about 1960, the Public House Rowing Team were photographed in Smythʼs.

Pictured from left: We have no names for the first and fifth men. The rest are Padser Healy, Mr Hawkins, Butch Pullen, Webber Egan and Paddy Devey.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 5

T HERESA

AND E DDIE CELEBRATE 60 YEARS

T

heresa and Eddie Gregg celebrated their 60th Anniversary with a Mass in St Patrickʼs Ringsend, where they were married. Their wedding day was 15th September 1947 on the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows. Eleven children, 27 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren later, they are still going strong.

All the family gathered together to celebrate this great occasion and Theresa says her children are “the best in the world.” Eddie

and Theresa met at the wedding of Eddieʼs cousin and three years later they were married themselves.

Theresa tells me that her courting consisted of the odd kiss and cuddle and trips to the cinema.

Theresa worked in the tobacco factory in Townsend Street for 10 shillings a week but of course she had to leave her work when she married, as was the custom in those days.

Eddie worked for 44 years in Merville Dairies (now the Pre-

mier Dairies). Eddieʼs mother took him straight from the school in St Andrewʼs in Pearse Street, bought him a long pair of trousers and he started work the next day.

Theresa was never one for going out much and occupied herself with knitting, sewing and embroidery in between bringing up eleven children. ʻNewsFourʼ sends congratulations to Eddie and Theresa and wishes them many more happy years together.

PAGE 6

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

J OY

ON

By Stephanie Morris

P

enrose Beauty Salon, 1a Penrose Street, Ringsend, is tucked away in the area off South Lotts Road.

I was booked in to have a facial with Ying, the owner of the salon and was looking forward to a relaxing hour or two. The salon is nicely decorated with soft tone colours and as Ying is from China there is a subtle Chinese influence in the decor.

Ying dimmed the lights and set about preparing the scented oils for my facial. On her advice I chose the Skintruth Aromatic Facial (â‚Ź58) concentrating on the nourishing treatment for dry skin. This facial includes a super relaxing face and upper neck and shoulder massage helping you relieve tensions and stress and lasts an hour.

Ying started with a deep cleanse to my face and neck.

She then applied a herbal scented exfoliation treatment,

P ENROSE S TREET breaking through layers of grime to skin that had not had any care in some time.

I could really feel this working and my skin felt tingly and soft. This was left on for 10 to 15 minutes as she inquired if I would like citrus, herb or floral aromatic oil blend for the mask. I chose the citrus. The bouquet of citrus filled the air and my mind alike as it soaked into my skin. She then began the massage, concentrating on the facial pressure points.

During the neck and shoulder massage, I chatted to Ying and learned that she moved from China to Ireland when she was 19. At this stage, she was unsure of exactly what career path she was going to embark on, but always had a love for the beauty world.

She studied full-time at Dun Laoghaire Beauty College for 2 years and worked in beauty salons part-time. Upon completion of her course, she worked full-time in top beauty salons in Dublin. It was during this time

she met her Irish husband.

Ying worked on 5 star cruise ships as a beautician and as she unassumingly told me of the experience at sea, I almost felt transported to a luxury liner cruising the world seas.

When I got dressed I looked over the many Penrose Beauty treatments on offer, ranging from manicures, pedicures, body massage treatments and make-up applications. She also sells a lovely range of Chinese make-up with various jewellery items on offer.

The opening hours of Penrose Beauty Salon are very suitable to anybody working full time. It is close to the city and is open on Sunday. I really enjoyed my facial and will definitely book in for more treatments. I am guaranteed to have Ying to do the treatments, since she is the owner and works full-time in the salon. I found Ying very professional, articulate and knowledgeable and wish her all the best in her new venture.

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

A WALK

PAGE 7

IN THE PARK

By James OʼDoherty

I

have been promoting the physical benefits of green spaces for many years, so it came as no surprise to me to learn that the local Stockport borough council in the UK has started a drive to encourage the use of parks and open spaces for both physical and mental fitness.

They have made efforts to persuade GPs to prescribe walks in these areas, particularly for people recovering from surgery.

The initiative is based on the biophilia effect developed in the 1970s when it was found that post-operative patients recovered quicker when their hospital beds overlooked green spaces.

Our brain needs to be exposed to green spaces and textures like grass and planted areas as well as still and running water. We need all these to remain healthy.

This idea is taking off all over Europe and beyond. Planners and landscape architects are paying close attention. For the initiative to work there will, of course, have to be careful thought and consideration put into providing and planning parks and open spaces. They will need to meet the needs of all people, all ages and stages of life. They will need to be well maintained, properly supervised and planned all year

round so that the beauty of the changing seasons is there to be enjoyed.

So put on your hat and coat, donʼt hibernate. Come, join me as we stroll though the park, through the changing seasons– there is so much to see.

Winter Itʼs winter and winter brings its own unique beauty the contrast of the evergreen shrubs against the pale winter sky, the magic of frost on a crystal clear morning.

We see the splendour of the conifers, delicate winter blossoms, the holly beckoning the arrival of Christmas, the red berries, the scent of witch hazel. All of these

are winter delights that you can savour as you stroll through this winter wonderland.

Spring Spring time beckons nature in all its glory. Spring invites us to greet the great awakening of nature, daylight hours increase and we enter the loveliest time of year. Tulips, daffodils, wallflowers and indeed all kinds of spring blossoms are ready to explode into the most glorious of colours. We can sense spring in the winds as they get busy carrying the precious pollen from tree to tree. For many inhabitants of the plant world, they depend on the wind in the springtime to trans-

RDRD RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT DRUGS

port their pollen and thus assist in the bringing forth of new life.

Birds are singing in the trees and spring is like an exquisite rainbow– a splash of colour in the seasons.

Summer Spring gives way to summer.

The plant growth is amazing and the long evenings and sunny mornings are drenched with the fragrances of roses and beautiful flowers. Indeed as you stroll through the park at this time of year your attention will be divided, for so much beauty is evident.

Ponds and water features offer a welcome respite from summer heat, the scent of herbs encourages a picnic and the green lawns invite long walks through the grass.

Autumn Autumn follows and our walk in the park brings with it mists and a more mellow sense of nature. The foliage is beautiful; the yearʼs declining days bring with them a glorious misty horizon, trees drenched in the most glorious of colours catching the rays of the evening sun. The winter heathers are in bloom and gardeners are busy planting their spring bulbs and bedding. This is a lovely time to observe nature. There is something magical about autumn– enjoy it.

And so, when you walk through the park appreciate all that is around you. Perhaps the seasons reflect our experience of life– a cycle of birth and death and all the growing that comes in between. Nature can teach us much about ourselves– take the time to look and listen. Take a walk in the park.

Above: Take a walk– or toddle– in your local park today!

The Basin Club THERE IS a friendly and relaxed atmosphere at the Basin Club located in Blessington Street for people with mental health problems and those recovering from mental illness. The kitchen is well supplied with tea and coffee. You can read the morning newspapers.

There is a quiet room, where one can go to think, read a book, watch a movie or play some music.

There is a jobs club run by the ever helpful Jennifer, where you can try and obtain community employment, further education courses or full-time work.

The members make all the decisions concerning the running of the club. There is a weekly Wednesday meeting, where members can vote on any changes concerning the running of the Club.

There is a seven-week stress management course to help control and manage stress and there is also the weekly Monday health management course where members and a staff member discuss in a constructive manner medication and any other problems members are having.

Art classes, creative writing and the Friday social outing to historic places and areas of scenic beauty are other advantages to belonging to the Club. As one of the staff members said, if the members wanted the kitchen painted pink with polka dots, their wishes would be carried out. Once a year there is an open day, where family and friends of members are welcome.

The Basin Club is located at 39 Blessington Street, Dublin 7. The telephone number is 01 8601610.

New members always welcome.

By Derek Stanford

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 €13.53 per hour (gross) to visit and care for vulnerable elderly in the community THE RINGSEND and District Response to Drugs (RDRD) organised a week-long series of events to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of drug addiction. The events included a visit to local projects by Minister Pat Carey, public meetings, an art competition and exhibition, a football tournament.

Pictured here are the lucky winners of the competition with Minister Pat Carey.

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

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007 receive from my brother. I spent the first 22 years of my life in Sandymount Parish and your articles bring back many happy memories God bless and keep up the good work Yours Sincerely Antoinette OʼConnor Ballinteer

The Letterbox Pat Baker of Rathfarnham has sent us some information about her great grandfather who passed away 100 years ago this month at the early age of 36.

Thomas Dunne of 44 Thorncastle Street died in his home on 2nd October 1907. He was a bottle blower in the IGB for many years.

In the newspaper of the day it was recorded that: “To those who knew him he was known not just a prominent member of a particular trade, nor yet as an active Gael but as a genial, upright, warm-hearted outspoken Irishman. A marked feature of the funeral was the parade of the trade colleagues of the deceased who marched two deep after the bier through the principal streets of Ringsend and Irishtown.”

Tommy Dunne was connected with the Isles of the Sea Football Club from its formation in 1887 and captained the team through the County Dublin Championships in 1895. Tommy was the father of the famous Jimmy Dunne (Snowy) who lived on Tritonville Avenue and was capped many times.

Madam Editor I am looking for a book entitled ʻJoe Murphy: Master Shipbuilder and Shipwrightʼ. If any readers of ʻNewsFourʼ have a copy for sale I would be very pleased to buy it from them.

Jimmy Purdy (name and address with the Editor)

Madam Editor What a shocking way to celebrate the hundredth birthday of our beloved Hailing Station, or as some might call it, the Berthing Station. What price our Heritage Week celebrations, when we turn a blind eye to the wanton destruction of this protected structure? A pile of rubble is all thatʼs left of this building, which served the Dublin Docks area for many a long year.

Many a docker got word of a dayʼs work, by hanging around this structure in the early part of the 20th century. Now, instead of celebrating its hundredth birthday, it has been shamelessly wiped off the face of this earth.

In sadness, I hear not a whisper or a bell toll, nor see a tear shed, or the raising of a jar to wake its passing.

The following paragraph is an extract from a Government issued document entitled ʻA Guide to Protected Buildingsʼ and I quote paragraph [5] which is laid out in a Q & A mode.

Q: What obligations fall on owners and occupiers to ensure the preservation of protected structures?

A: Each owner and occupier must ensure that a protected structure or any element of a protected structure is not endangered through harm, decay or damage, whether over a short or long period, through neglect or through direct or indirect means.

One of the reasons put forward for the demolition of this listed building was because it was in a serious state of decay.

George P Kearns Madam Editor The lady in the small photograph [top photo] is Mrs Doyle who was clerk of St Patrickʼs Ringsend for many years. I think she was the only female clerk in the diocese.

In the bigger picture [lower photo] the lady on the left (standing) was a Miss May Murphy, later to become Sr M. Bede with

the Franciscans. She is now deceased R.I.P. The other lady (sitting between the rows of children) is my sister Kathleen OʼMalley now Kathleen OʼConnor. She has been widowed for some years. She is 93 years old and is living in St Clareʼs nursing home in Stamullen where she is being cared for very well.

May and herself were great friends and at that time they belonged to the sewing guild attached to St Vincent de Paul in Ringsend Parish. I would not know any of the children.

I love your newspaper which I

Madam Editor You had a picture in your last issue of Mrs Annie Doyle. Mrs Doyle was a stalwart of Ringsend Parish and was Sacristan from 1901 up to her death on 6th June 1946. She was known locally as the ʻchapel womanʼ.

Her duties were vast and onerous, including cleaning the church from early morning to last thing at night. In her latter days in office her wages were 12 shillings and 6 pence per week.

The Parish Priest paid her on a Saturday night and she told that on many an occasion with queues for confession she was so late in being paid that the local shops were closed and she could not get her few messages.

Mrs Doyle entered the church on one occasion to find the Parish Priest standing on a chair cleaning the sanctuary lamp and on enquiring what he was doing he said he was cleaning it. She said “well, you have it lovely.” “Yes,” he said “and I would like to keep it that way,” and she replied “no trouble at all, Father, sure Iʼll get you a few cloths.”

Sincerely A. P. (Tony) Behan

Beach Road Tyre Services (Rear Kilroy College)

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Pictured at the recent Dublin Port Family Fun Day are Brendan Behan, Oscar Wilde and James Joyce with Sophie Bolger, Natasha Byrne and Enda Connellan, CEO Dublin Port Company.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 9

THE ART AMBULANCE

By John Cavendish

T

he Art Ambulance pulled up in Beach Grove, off Beach Avenue on a pleasant evening in September and projected three movies on the screen on the front wall for guests at number 5, the home of the Curator Tony Strickland.

The Art Ambulance is a 1973 Ford Custom Ambulance that is now owned by the director and projectionist Andrew Manson, who with Tony Strickland travels to art events and festivals showing pictures of both the still and moving kind.

It began when Tony Strickland was asked by film maker David Dunne to help launch a film about his experience in Bangkok so the movie was screened from the Ambulance in Beach Grove to an invited audience.

Tony Strickland and Andrew Manson recently travelled to the Kilkenny Arts Festival, where the public viewed the exhibits, some painted by Andrew. Tony

Strickland has brought on board artists from his time working in the Hallward Gallery in Merrion Square over the last few years.

Tony is the sociable kind and during the Summer he likes to get some friends together for a garden party and this has now fused with a film show from the Art Ambulance.

The event began with a film by Kelly OʼConnor. Kelly is an Irish video artist also working in photography and drawing. She is the director of Sprawl Studios and a member of Moxie Dublin Art Collective. Her film ʻMarbulus Interuptusʼ is part of the mortgage series, an on-going project about the impending demolition of the artistʼs childhood home due to the redevelopment of the land. This piece deals with the wider impact of a building project and being forced to move (4.20 mins).

This was followed by a work

by Andrew Manson, who is currently completing his final year in the National Film School.

His work has been shown at the

Galway Film Fleadh, the RDS Student Art Awards exhibition and is part of the Kilkenny Arts Week.

Andrew says that his work “is centered on the search for what Werner Herzog described as the elastic truth, my path in finding this form is often abstracted as I impose different amounts of manipulative chaos into the process.” The film from him called ʻRockfieldʼ is a paranoiac and delusional journey through phys-

‘W HAT C OLOR I S Y OUR P ARACHUTE ?’

B Y R ICHARD N ELSON B OLLES Reviewed by Nessa Jennings

“T

he clearer your vision of what you seek, the closer you are to finding it. For what you are seeking is also seeking you.” ʻWhat Color Is Your Parachute?ʼ has been the job-hunting classic for decades– it remains the most complete career guide around. According to its title, your parachute is the career, or series of careers that will save your skin.

The book says that no day of work, whatever the work, is ever wasted. Your life experience is a story of survival, practice and skills acquisition. The book has sold more than 9 million copies worldwide.

The book is a complete guide to the process of getting a job, pointing out the important observed rules most commonly used by employers when they are hiring– what to look out for.

But most importantly, the exercises contained in the second half of the book provide you

with an insight into your own abilities which will tell you the direction you should be going.

Personal skills are matched with job characteristics. This is highly motivating.

A friend of mine says the book makes sense, as it takes the average person 18 weeks to find a new job, and 3 months to do the exercises. This represents time well-used, as you end up with the job you want, rather than one you donʼt want.

He did the exercises, and said it was somewhat of a shock to him when it pointed out his true direction. He had thought he wanted something else. The book helped him gain the self-knowledge he didnʼt pick up at school.

“Job-hunting is an activity that repeats itself over and over again, in most peopleʼs lives. Accord-

ical and mental realms. The story takes place in an old dilapidated building where four friends reunite for a final sending off (13 mins).

The final film was by David Dunne, who helped inspire the Art Ambulance. He is a Dublinbased filmmaker and sculptor.

David studied at Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design and the Johnson Atelier Institute of Sculpture in New Jersey.

This year he has been selected

again for the EV+A exhibition in Limerick and the RHA annual show as well as the Boyle Arts festival. His film ʻImmersionʼ attempts to deal with several different issues such as religion, immortality, consumerism and the human condition drawn from life in Bangkok.

Above: Tony Strickland and Andrew Manson with the Art Ambulance, which Andrew says “has a role in art being there to rescue sick art.”

ing to experts, the average worker, under 35 years of age, will go job-hunting every one to three years. And the average worker over 35 will go job-hunting every five to eight years.” Change is the norm. Jobs are constantly changing: being destroyed, sometimes getting replaced, new ones being created.

Not every person cuts a clear path through life, and the book says a degree is no guarantee.

A lot of graduates feel cheated when there is no sure job there at the end of all their hard work.

And what if you want to emigrate or move to different parts?

There is a chapter in the book devoted to this. There are also very useful website addresses throughout to help you with the information you need in your quest to find the most suitable job.

The latest 2007 edition that I looked at is full of grids and tables, diagrams and lists, beautiful illustrations and funny cartoons. You will learn everything from writing resumés and sending them; how to score an interview; how to conduct the interview. “An interview resembles dating. An interview is two people trying to go steady”; how

to send a thank you note (“the most overlooked step in the entire job-hunting process”); and salary negotiation, Never discuss salary until the end of the interviewing process, when they have definitely said they want you.

In the last chapter ʻHow to find your mission in lifeʼ God and oneʼs vocation takes a religious (Christian) perspective. It is all about how to think about God in finding your true path in life.

You spend a lifetime developing this. These are times when life coaching, career counselling and analysis are becoming more and more popular. Your life choices and direction are very much who you are.

Your career (best use of your unique person or self-realisation) and wage packet (bread on the table and what permits you to support a family) is one of the most important decisions youʼll ever make. So you could call this the ultimate self-help manual.

The book has undoubtedly made Richard Nelson Bolles a rich man. He receives thousands of written testimonies every year from grateful readers who used the knowledge found in ʻWhat Color Is Your Parachute?ʼ

PAGE 10

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

THEB LJ AKESHORE B Y ENNIFER ETTS

THE WINNER of our NewsFour Short Story Competition is Jennifer Betts of Irishtown (pictured right) for her short story ʻThe Lakeshoreʼ. We are very happy to present her with her prize of €100. This competition will now become an annual event due to the great interest shown by our readers.

Paul Howard (of Ross OʼCarroll Kelly fame) kindly agreed to judge the competition and had great praise for Jennifer. Paul was fascinated by ʻThe Lakeshoreʼ and said her story was: “Excellent, emotional but without being over sentimental.” Overall, he was astonished by the standard and gave praise to all the writers. This is praise indeed coming from a best-selling author with his debut play ʻThe Last Days of the Celtic Tigerʼ due to open in the Olympia in November. He was especially taken by George Kearnsʼs ʻTrolley Boyʼ, typifying as it does so many unfortunate men in the supermarket, so we have decided to publish this one too (see page 4).

Emma Costello, who is 13 years of age, sent in an excellent story, ʻThe Gas Maskʼ, which we will publish in our December issue.

Thanks to all those who entered, keep writing, there is so much talent out there.

Ann Ingle

T

he long winding path seemed to lead to nowhere.

My mother had a knowing smile about what lay ahead, the cottage where she spent many summers as a young girl. It was a far cry from our two-storey council house back home, but it didnʼt impress me much. I hadnʼt wanted to leave the city, but I made no fuss.

My father said that my mother needed peace and quiet, somewhere to come back to. I didnʼt know what that meant at the time.

My sister, Sissy, was too young to remember the cottage, too young to remember our mother.

I wandered too far from the house one day, too far for a 9-yearold boy, but I donʼt think my father noticed me gone. I had heard about the lakes in these parts, but never imagined such beauty.

My father, being a Scotsman, remained openly unimpressed by the Loughs of Ireland, he would say that all the Loughs of Ireland put together would fit only into the corner of the smallest Loch in the Highlands. Everything was bigger and better in Scotland according to my father.

It was at the lakeshore of Lough Bann that I met Brill, an eight-yearold local boy, who knew the lakes well. He was a boy far older and wiser than his years.

“Can you swim?”

“Erm, yeah.”

“Ok, race ye!”

And so began our friendship, Brill the effervescent explorer, me the cautious, sheltered follower.

Brill was much wilier than what I expected of a country boy. Maybe I was out of my depth, plucked from the familiar surroundings of my

city life. I canʼt explain why I trusted this boy with a whole heart, but our kinship was immediately unquestionable. Brill taught me how to fish, how to catch rabbits, even how to build my first club house, or ʻThe Stationʼ, as we liked to call it.

He lived on the hill with his family, but didnʼt mention them much.

“Why do you miss the city?” he asked me one day.

“I miss my friends I suppose, the shops, the busy streets.”

“Over rated if you ask me.”

Brill seemed unimpressed by my descriptions: there was no importance of belonging here, out in the freedom of natural surroundings.

I went to meet him one day, at our usual spot. Brill was already there, gathering more materials for the station.

“What are the rocks for Brill?”

“Monsters.”

“Monsters??”

“Yeah, in the caves, donʼt worry weʼll be safe with our weapons.”

And of course I believed him, I trusted him. We sure gave those unwelcome guests a run for their money. Monsters werenʼt a problem here anymore.

“What kind of a name is Brill anyway?” I asked him one day.

“Dunno..”

“Is it short for anything?”

“Donʼt think so.”

I came back late to the cottage one evening, my father didnʼt question where I was, he just said what he always said.

“Get up tae much today lad?”

“No sir.”

He protectively kept me sheltered from my motherʼs suffering, but he couldnʼt hide his feelings as well as he thought. I would see

tears in his eyes as we ate supper, but I never commented on it. I didnʼt tell him about Brill. I donʼt know why. Maybe I thought if I shared my friendship with anyone that it would disappear as quickly as it had arrived.

Summer turned to autumn and the lake became even more beautiful in the dusky light. Yellowish brown leaves fell silently from pubescent trees.

As I took in the splendour around me I noticed a small black bird with a red beak, swimming at the waterʼs edge, collecting discarded leaves that floated on the water. Back and forth he went, carrying the leaves back to his nest, hidden in the bushes. What a task I thought? Where does he get his energy?

He didnʼt seem to mind the hard work though, nor did he notice his forage being cruelly blown back into the water. I couldnʼt help but think how easy it would be to do it for him, take a big bundle of leaves and hand them to him. It seemed like a pointless exercise. How could such a small task make such a difference in this mighty world?

It made a difference to him though and then I realised that I was a guest in his world, not him in mine.

I went to meet Brill the next day, as usual. He ran towards me, looking excited.

“Better get some covering for The Station, itʼs to rain later.”

He didnʼt seem to notice my anxiety, nor my formal attire.

“I canʼt stay today Brill.”

“Some sort of sheeting weʼd need…”

“Brill! I canʼt stay today, itʼs my mother.”

He didnʼt say anything else, just looked at me, smiled and said “ok”.

It did rain that day, just as Brill said it would. They say rain at a funeral means a peaceful passing.

Who really knows though, lest Christ no one else has ever come back to tell us otherwise?

The cottage was so busy with mourners that I didnʼt make it back to the lakeshore for several weeks.

My father did his best to create decent meals for my sister and me although they lacked the care and attention of a motherʼs hand. I still thanked him for his efforts though.

He didnʼt say it, but I think he liked having me around in those few weeks. For company? help with Sissy? who knows?

It was after the last egg salad sandwich was eaten that he came to my room one day and softly dropped a letter on my bed.

“Here lad, youʼre old enough.”

It was a letter from my mother. If my father thought turning ten was

old enough then who was I to argue?

I didnʼt know what to expect from the letter, or how to react. And I knew that there was only one person I wanted to share it with.

I raced down to the lakeshore, the cold wind sweeping me along.

But when I got there I sensed that I was alone. Everywhere looked untouched, like no one had ever been there, ever played there. Even The Station stood still and barren.

And there was no sign of Brill.

I sat down at the waterʼs edge and nervously opened the letter. My emotions immediately calmed when I read the first three words.

“To My Charlie” it was my mother, every sense and breath of her poured into one page, right down to her scent. She told me to look after my sister, my father, to have a fulfilling life, to laugh and play and be happy. And some other things that I will not share with anyone else, for as long as I do then she is still with me.

I wept for her hard, I wept for myself. As the water soothingly crashed against the rocks I could have sworn I heard her call my name, but when I turned all that was there was my old friend the black bird, still there, still surviving.

We left the cottage soon after. I didnʼt return to the lakeshore until many years later. My wife and daughter came too and even my father, whose tired and weary legs had left him wheelchair-bound, but the fire was still there in the old man.

I donʼt think I imagined the de-

light on his face when we settled, even he should be impressed by ʻmy placeʼ. We sat there together, staring out at the water as my wife and daughter played a few feet away.

I looked over and saw two boys larking about at the waterʼs edge and for the first time in longer than I care to remember I thought of Brill. One of the boys bore an uncanny resemblance to him and for a moment I had to remind myself that even imaginary friends grow old. Was he imaginary? I really donʼt know.

My father seemed distant as he stared out beyond, then he seemed to smile.

“Your mother would have loved it here.”

I grabbed his hand as we both held on to our fondest memories of her, hoping she could hear us.

Maybe Brill wasnʼt real; maybe he was a fantasy, created by my foolish young mind. Maybe he was an angel, sent by my mother, to watch over me. Or maybe he was just the best friend I ever had.

I donʼt know which conclusion gives me more peace. Some people say that our minds sometimes delude us into remembering events past with more sentiment than what the event itself actually deserves.

You donʼt think at the time that this day will stay with you, comfort you, in years to come.

For me and for whatever reason I met Brill, I consider myself lucky for the experience. That I still think of it now, shows me that innocence never dies, if you donʼt let it.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 11

S PEAKERS ’ Ringsend wins Presidentʼs Award Sinn Féinʼs Cllr. Daithí Doolan has congratulated Ringsend & District Response to Drugs on winning the prestigious Presidentsʼs Award. Following the announcement Cllr. Doolan said, “I am delighted that the work of this project has got this recognition. This is a wonderful achievement shared with the whole community here in Dublinʼs south inner city.

“Ringsend has led from the front in tackling the causes and consequences of addiction in the community since Ringsend & District Response to Drugs was set up in 1995. This award will serve to strengthen everyoneʼs resolve to create a new and better future for many of our young people and their families.”

City Manager desperately attempting to keep incineration alive– Doolan

Councillor Daithí Doolan has responded angrily to the announcement that City Council Management has signed the contract for the proposed Dublin incinerator before An Bord Pleanála has published their findings.

Councillor Doolan said, “The announcement by Matt Twomey, Assistant City Manager, that the contract with Waste to Energy Ltd has been signed, flies in the face of reality. The plan is unwanted, unworkable and unviable. Dublin City Councillors voted to have the plan excluded from the City Development Plan, so the Management are working against our very own development plan. This is both unacceptable and undemocratic.”

McCartan seeks clarification from City Manager on Ballsbridge Area Plan Fine Gael Councillor for Pembroke Councillor Pad-

CORNER

dy McCartan sought clarification from the City Manager, Mr John Tierney, on remarks that he made in the media about an aspect of the controversial Ballsbridge Area Plan.

Mr Tierney was quoted in the ʻIrish Timesʼ as saying that a recent decision by Dublin City Councillors not to endorse the Ballsbridge Local Area Plan did not have the effect of stopping high rise because applications would just revert to being determined under the existing development plan.

“However, the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011 states in Paragraph 15.6.0 that: ʻA study commissioned by Dublin City Council to examine the height of Dublinʼs building height (Managing Intensification and Change: A strategy for Dublin Building Height, DEGW, 2000) identified character areas and locations within the city that would allow for

large scale growth and innovation in building form,” Councillor McCartan explained.

“Ballsbridge is not listed within this study as an area suitable for high-rise development of this scale.

Rather, lands to the west of Heuston Station, Spencer Dock and Grand Canal Dock are specifically identified– but nowhere does Ballsbridge feature.

“The Ballsbridge Local Area Plan was originally nick-named the ʻKnightsbridgeʼ plan for Dublin– but there is nothing of the scale thatʼs in this plan in Knightsbridge! With a current plot ratio of 5.8:1, this plan is on a par with Manhattan,” the Councillor stated.

“There are other problems too, such as the fact that only the very wealthy will be able to afford any one of these units, and the fact that there is no provision of social housing at all.”

Taxis to take the plunge in River Liffey Taxis will be taking to the water with the launch of a new river taxi in Dublinʼs Docklands. The floating taxi, which will be named the Liffey Ferry, will take passengers across the River Liffey, from Sir John Rogersonʼs Quay to North Wall Quay. Operated by Killary Cruises, who also run the successful Liffey Voyage river tour service, the ferry will be in operation each day during the week.

The 12.5 metre long Liffey Ferry will seat 12 people and operate from 7.30 am to 6.30pm daily, Monday to Friday. Tickets for the minutelong journey across the river will cost €2 or €10 for a book of ten tickets. Passengers can board the boat at the diving bell on the south side of the river and at the Cill Airne pontoon on the north side.

The Liffey Ferry is an initiative of the Dockland Authorityʼs River Regeneration Strategy, which aims to bring back life to the River Liffey.

Advice Clinic every Wednesday 7pm, Ringsend Community Centre Telephone: 086 8534666 Email: cllr_daithi.doolan@dublincity.ie Visit our website: www.dublinsoutheast.com

LOCAL HEALTH CARE CENTRE FOR RINGSEND AND IRISHTOWN. NO INCINERATOR FOR POOLBEG SINN FéIN IS WORKING FOR PROPER PLANNING AND ENSURING DEVELOPERS DELIVER 20% SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR LOCAL PEOPLE

PAGE 12

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

The Fontenoy Files

By Shay Connolly

Ladies’ Section On September 22nd last 11 members of the Ladies football section headed for Portmarnock to take part in the All Ireland Club 7-a-side competition. Clans were in the Junior Section with 24 other teams from all over Ireland. From the outset they had hoped to improve on their performance in 2006 when the won 2 and lost 2 of there group games but failed to qualify for the knockout stages.

Our first match was against Clarinbridge from Galway and despite conceding the first score we went on to beat them convincingly with Lynn Flood getting on the score sheet with 2 unusually well taken goals. Next up was Templemore from Tipperary who were also beaten with relative ease, although we had won two games we knew the hardest games had yet to be played. Killygarry are Cavan county champions and they proved to be extremely tough opponents but with Kim Flood starting to exert her influence with some fine scores and Liz Mcdonald and Serena Hannon keeping their scores to a minimum. Clans pulled away in the second half to win by 8 points.

The deciding Group game had

Clans against Kilbride from Wicklow who were also unbeaten at this stage.

This game was as tough as we had expected and at half time we were behind and looking at not making the playoffs and having to settle for the minor shield competition. However on the Second half we got into top gear and with top class performances from Louise Kane, Grace Dunne, Colleen Brierly and Lauren Rimmer we ran out winners by 6 points.

As we had completed our group unbeaten and with an excellent points scoring difference we went straight to the Semifinal to play Gleann Ard from Tipperary. This proved to be our performance of the day and in a thrilling game were Rachel Byrne, Karen Flood and Aisling Ryan excelled we scored the winning point in injury time to send Clans to the Final against a very strong Millown team from Tuam in Galway.

Unfortunately, this proved a bridge to far for Clans and although putting in a huge effort they came up short and had to accept defeat to what was on the day a better team. Disappointment although extreme, was short lived as players realised what they had achieved and that they were the first Dublin team to ever reach the Junior 7s Championship Final and

only the second Dublin team to reach a Ladies 7s Championship final at any level in 25 years– a truly remarkable achievement.

The team on the day was Serena Hannon, Liz McDonald, Lynn Flood, Karen Flood, Louise Kane, Colleen Brierly, Rachel Byrne, Lauren Rimmer, Grace Dunne, Aisling Ryan and Kim Flood. In the Championship the girls were knocked out by Croí Rí Naofa when beaten by two points.

As the league enters its final stages Clanns are level with Cabinteely at the top and are very much in line for promotion. Their recent match against these opponents was a sheer classic.

Level at half time Cabinteely went into a four point lead entering the last 5 minutes. But Clanns were not to be denied and a brilliant goal by Aisling Ryan followed by a point at the death

by Grace Dunne earned Clanns a well deserved draw. Kate McKenna and Kim Flood more than held their own at midfield against much loftier opponents. These girls could run for Ireland and the energy they brought to that sector kept Clanns in the game at difficult periods.

The Camogie lasses under the new management of Paddy Joyce found a new lease of life in the past couple of months. Beating St Pats of Palmers-

town got them to a County Final for the first time in many years. However they fell at the final hurdle to a much younger Round Towers side.

An injection of some new blood here could work wonders for them and keep alive one of best serving teams in the club. Never say die girls!

Clanns are fielding at U11, U13, U16 and Minor level. U11s under the tutelage of April McDonald and Maureen Joyce are flying high in the league with only one loss to date.

They also reached the semi final of the Championship. They are also involved in the U13ís along with Conor Dodd and are currently unbeaten in the league. They have some star quality and names to look out for in the U13s for the future are Jessie Hogan, Nicole Rush, Ruth Shaw and Kerri Joyce.

U 16s also reached the semi final of the Championship only to be beaten by Skerries Harps. This squad are looking for new players and are actively recruiting at present. They train on a Monday night at 7.00 and all are welcome down. If you want to contact someone first please phone Grace Dunne at 087-2123885.

The league for the Minor girls has just started and they are very much holding their own. They recently

had a great win over Round Towers in Sean Moore Park where the skill levels on display from the Clans girls was only fantastic. They also reached the semi-final of the Championship losing out St Brigids.

One couldnʼt leave this section without mentioning the girls who did us and this area proud when donning the county jerseys over the past 12 months. They were Serena Hannon, Rachael Byrne, Niamh Foley, Kim Flood and Sharon Higgins. Three of these girls won Leinster medals with the Dubs this year and Lynn Flood and Sharon Higgins played with senior squad. Six of the adult team recently went to Canada to represent this area in the All Canada Powercreen ʻSevensʼ Championships. And guess what– they won it. So the areas of Ringsend, Sandymount, Irishtown, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook etc are internationally famous through the good work being done at the Club in the Ladies section. The girls are invited over to Canada next year to defend their trophy and to play other ladies teams throughout that country. The entire panel is travelling and they are currently fundraising for the event. If anyone out there has a few dollars to spare or would like to sponsor this trip the girls would be

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007 delighted to hear from you to offset this costly voyage.

On a final note there are a huge number of girls attending our ClannÓg nursery on a Saturday morning and the conveyor belt is very healthy but this will need to be streamlined when they become of age for the competitive games. Work to be done in this area!

Juvenile Section

If we could win a championship every year that would surely represent phenomenal progress for our Club. Well we stuffed one up our jumpers by capturing the U14 hurling title a few short weeks ago. This team is managed by contrasting managers. Firstly Chairman Eugene Davey comes with a wealth of experience having played both Senior Football and Hurling for Dublin and also having managed the Dublin Senior Hurling team. Secondly, as we all know him is the Cranky Yankee. The Cranky Yankee came back from the USA some years ago. The Crank had no real knowledge of hurling before this. In fact he still hasnʼt. But he has a way with this team and he is getting the best out of them. Thirdly, is the man from the home of hurling (Mayo). A man who likes to stay in the background but whose head pops above the parapet every now and then with invaluable advice. So they set out on their championship campaign some months ago with only a moderate chance of doing well.

Eugene trained them every Friday evening and at the beginning Eugeneʼs voice could be heard in Carlow. Eugene, used to training pedigrees was finding it hard to tame these stallions but as the weeks progressed his bellows became softer and everyone buckled down for the road ahead. In their first match they overcame Commercials. In their second encounter they put out Faughs.

In the quarter final they had to travel to Thomas Davis and yet again they came away with a win.

Their semi final opponents were the mighty Craobh Chairan. And worse again they had to play them in their own back yard. This was indeed a tall order but after a heroic hour and titanic struggle the Fontenoy fouls carried it off with 5 points to spare. A truly wonderful achievement.

And so to the final. Their opponents were St Peregerines, a new and vibrant club from the Blakestown area of North Dublin who earlier this year had beaten all before them to win the Dublin Féile. Dublin County Board was struggling to find neutral venues for these championship matches and in the end both teams tossed for home venue to stage the match. Alas we loss the toss and for the third consecutive match in this campaign we had to travel to our opponentsʼ den.

If we were going to win it we were surely going to be the hard way. The lads played with a hunger not seen for many a day and won out on the score line of 4-7 to 1-8 to carry the honours back home across the bridge to Ringsend. A presentation will be held shortly in the Clubhouse to honour their achievements. The Squad was as follows. Michael Gilroy, Anthony Byrne, Robert ʻBobʼ Lacey, Aidan Bolton, Conor Saunders, Jordan Barnes, Ciaran Diviney. Davide Ianelli, Desmond Soon, Michael Power, Dylan Lacey, Kenneth Lyons, David Nangle, Domhnall McAmhlaigh, Glen Cassidy, Dean Coleman, Scott Edwards, Matthew Groves and Joey Sadlier.

In football these same lads reached the semi-final of the championship.

They are also an excellent side at this code and are still in line for the promotion in the league. Former Dub and Leitrim star Declan Darcy has taken them for a few sessions and they can only get better.

In the rest of the Juvenile section there are many good stories to report.

Our ClanÓg section on Saturday mornings is flying at present. Our U5s, U6s and U7s boast of more than 150 members with more joining up each Saturday. These age groups are not at competitive level yet and the sessions are mainly made up of fun games with a Gaelic slant. The parent participation is the secret here and most parents are involved each week in delivering this service, overseen by the 8 club coaches who are ever present.

U8s compete in the Go Games leagues and this age group is beating all before them in both football and hurling. They have played Kilmacud 4 times this year and beaten them handsomely on each occasion. They

Shay Connolly with Minister Pat Carey and Cllr Daithí Doolan.

PAGE 13 are unbeaten in all competitions and no team can even get near to matching them.

When all things are equal as it usually is at this age, Clans can hold their own with anyone. It is how we structure our progress going forward that sometimes catches us out. But our relatively new Juvenile Committee under the chair of Dave Walsh has an energy and vibrancy that is second to none and all the stops are being pulled out to plan our way forward.

All new parents can also play their part.

U10 with Simon Beirne are steady in progress. Training is healthy each week. Simon says that he would welcome new members at this age level to strengthen his squad.

U 11ʼs managed by ʻthe two Johns from Sligoʼ (Is everyone from Sligo called John?) have a fine squad with numbers increasing weekly and competing strongly in their campaign having won 3 out of their 4 matches to date. U11 hurlers entered the Camaint Hurling tournament and had some wonderful victories en route to the final in Parnell Park. From meagre beginnings the numbers are now increasing each week. They train each Monday at 6.00 with Ciaran Murphy and Johnny Sadlier. They will be entering league competitions shortly. U13 need new blood immediately. This team was beating all before them but due to work and family commitments manager Dave Trolan had to take some time out. Stephen Cox is carrying the can at present but would dearly love to hear from old squad members and new members. Could David Trolan be enticed back??

to go senior for the first time since 1989. Backboned by the very young warriors their new training schedule is well on course and our new game plan can be seen working more and more with each match.

Junior Hurlers despite some serious defections to the first team have produced way above what was expected of them. We now have 40 adult hurlers with us and there is some serious juggling to be done in the next 12 months between the two teams. Competition for places is going to be fierce.

U21 football and hurling championships are due to start next month and training has commenced. A few friendly games are lined up so those of you are eligible but who have taking a break your services will now be required back for this campaign. God I hope that I did not leave out any team or life wonʼt be worth living!

Once again we would like to thank our sponsors Dublin Port Co for their continued support and may we take this opportunity on behalf of everyone here at the Club to send our deepest sympathies to the Portʼs Brenda Daly on the untimely passing of her late husband Richard. Ar dheis De go raibh a ainm dilis.

Other news

Our Hurling (Ball) Wall project is nearing completion and what a fabulous site it will be. The €350,000 project which will consist of wall, all-weather playing surface, flood-

lights and fencing is due for completion in the next month or so. This will be a massive area for all young hurlers and footballers from the age of 5 years and up. All can enjoy the wonderful recreation that this area will now provide.

The new Club Shop will be up and running inside the next couple of weeks with designated times for opening. All stocks of gear from hurleys to helmets, from jerseys and tracksuits, from stockings to nicks, from sliotars to bands and grips will be available and we might be doing Motherʼs Day cards next March. And now I may be able to put my head on my pillow each night without ʻHave you any hurleys, any nicks, any socks?ʼ etc ringing in my ears.

The club recently displayed its wares and tears (page 12) at the Drug Awareness Week run by RDRD at the Club recently. Many thanks to Alice Foley, Niamh Foley, Marie Daly, Roger and the boys for the wonderful display of Club paraphernalia. Drugs Minister Pat Carey emphasized the importance of sport in the fight against drugs and praised Clanna Gael Fontenoy for its management of young people over the years. The drugs scourge affects us all and nowadays knows no social boundaries. At the club we believe that prevention is better than cure and we can guarantee the local community that we will endeavour to do all in our power to provide the recreation necessary in providing that prevention.

Calafort Átha Cliath

Adult Section

We are making sure and steady progress here folks. As you read this the Adult footballers are tantalizingly close to making the play offs for Senior status. We have a three year plan. Last year was to gain promotion which we did. This year was to consolidate our new position which we are doing (and could go beyond it if possible) and next year to make that final push for Senior. We are very much on track. Keep it up boys.

At a recent match against St Finians of Swords, Dublin Selector Brian Talty could be seen hovering around the bushes in Sean Moore Pk. One rumour has it that he is looking at our midfield duo of David Lyons and Stephen Mulreaney. The other one is that he is trying to recruit the Legend into the management of the Dubs senior team. I donʼt know which one is true!

Junior Footballers are still fielding away but did not achieve anything near their expectations for the year.

The loss of Albert Hannon due to injury seriously curtailed their training plans but we expect to see Albert back in the very near future.

Adult hurlers are still in contention

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

Telephone: 887 6000, 855 0888 Fax: 855 7400 Web: www.dublinport.ie

PAGE 14

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

‘STONE MAD’ SEAMUS MURPHY

By Austin Cromie

C

ork city has been celebrating the centenary of one of its favourite sons, Seamus Murphy, artist, stonecarver and renowned story teller.

Acclaimed as one of the foremost stone carvers and sculptors of his time, he prospered over four decades to become a master of his trade.

Born in Mallow in 1907 he left school at 15 years of age to work as an apprentice stone carver at John OʼConnellʼs marble works in Blackpool, Cork. In 1931 he received a scholarship which

enabled him to go to London and then to Paris, where he was a student of the Irish American sculptor Andrew OʼConnor. After returning to Ireland, he worked in OʼConnorʼs stone yard and in 1934 opened his own studio at Blackpool.

Now in popular demand, his early commissions are a record of the people who shaped modern Ireland. In 1944 he was elected Associate of the RHA. The same year he married Maighread Higgins, daughter of cork sculptor Joseph Higgins.

A year later he designed Blackpool church and in 1947 carved the Apostles and St Brigit for a

church in San Francisco.

In 1964 he became professor of sculpture at the RHA and in 1969 he was awarded an Hon LLD by the National University of Ireland. As an artist in a country recovering from the political strife of civil war, most of Seamus Murphyʼs commissions from the state were art which commemorated political figures.

In the Cork city hall foyer, a bronze plaque by Seamus honours John F. Kennedy and a bust remembers Jack Lynch, former Taoiseach and Corkʼs sporting hero.

Inside Aras a Uachtarain there are bronze busts of former presi-

dents from Douglas Hyde, Sean T O Kelly, Eamon De Valera, Erskine Childers to Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh.

Seamus was a protógé of Daniel Corkery, the novelist and story teller who started him off on his career.

He enjoyed a fond friendship with Frank OʼConnor and composer Sean Ó Riada, all of whom he sculpted.

Some of his works can be seen in the Leinster area, such as St Patrickʼs in Maynooth, Francis Ledwidge in Slane, Countess Markievicz and OʼDonovan Rossa in St Stephenʼs Green, Michael Collins in Hugh Lane Gallery and Tailor and Ansty in Farmleigh House.

In 1966 his memoir ʻStone Madʼ was published and is considered to be an Irish classic.

Recently his daughter Beibhinn in an interview said: “My father was a gentleman and a great man

about the house. Seamus was very particular about the housekeeping. He wouldnʼt do it all himself, but he saw to it that it was done. He would go to the sales for new sheets and all that sort of thing, like the captain of a ship.”

On 2nd of October 1975 Seamus Murphy died suddenly in his home off the Wellington Road, Montenotte and is buried at Rathcooney graveyard Co Cork.

Above: Seamus Murphy working on the ʻVirgin of the Twilightʼ for Fitzgeraldʼs Park, Cork.

Left: ʻDaydreamʼ (1931), about 18 inches high, carved in marble

by Seamus Murphy.

John Rollo JOHN ROLLO who died on 16th of September came from Hastings Street and was well-known in the Ringsend area.

He was co-founder with his uncle, Commodore James Stewart, of the Poolbeg Yacht Club and only gave up sailing after he became disabled with arthritis. He will be sadly missed by his wife Dolores and his four children, grandchildren and his brothers and sisters.

May he rest in peace.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 15

Planning Watch • Planning Watch • Planning Watch

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL SAYS NO TO SéAN DUNNE ON BALLSBRIDGE PLAN

By John Cavendish

A

t a meeting of the Council on Monday 1st October, Dublin city councillors turned down Seán Dunneʼs proposed high-rise development, which includes a 37-storey tower, on the site of the former Juryʼs and Berkeley Court hotels in Ballsbridge on the grounds that it contravenes the city development

plan.

Mr Dunne needed to get the City Councillors to agree to change the Dublin City Development Plan to allow him to build 17-storey blocks and a 37-storey tower well beyond the current zoning. In June, city councillors, at a local area meeting rejected a draft area plan for Ballsbridge that would have allowed highrise development in the area.

Seán Dunne bought the

FABRIZIA DEVELOPMENTS – AN BORD PLEANÁLA REFUSE – FOR NOW!

4.84 acre Juryʼs Hotel site in Ballsbridge for €260m, which worked out at €54m per acre, then an Irish record. Dunne then purchased the Berkley Court Hotel for €119m, €57m per acre ,breaking the record he himself had set with the Juryʼs Hotel purchase.

He was financed by a 5.25% interest bond compliments of Ulster Bank. The plan for the 7acre site was recently unveiled, with Dunne himself saying that it would “bring Knightsbridge to Dublin” by developing a mixed use site of cafes, bars, restaurants, light retail and offices as well as the 37-storey block of apartments.

Labour Councillor Dermot Lacey said that he did not believe that the 37-story tower would be built but it was being used to disguise the fact that there was a 17-story block that had no merit whatsoever. “Itʼs just a box,” he said.

Fine Gael Councillor Paddy McCartan warned that if the scheme was granted, other developers would try to piggyback permission for re-zoning for high-rise buildings in the area.

Sine Feinʼs Daithí Doolan said

By John Cavendish

L

iam Carrollʼs Fabrizia company has been refused permission for a major redevelopment of a site adjacent to the former Irish Glass Bottle factory in Sandymount, Dublin, by An Bord Pleanála citing concerns that it would be “premature” due to existing infrastructural problems.

The site that was formerly part of Sandymount Strand is located on South Bank Road close to Seán Moore Park and the Irish Glass Bottle Plant. Carrollʼs site was purchased in 1999 for more than €31m from AIB. In his original application, in May 2000, Mr Carroll had considered developing mainly appartment housing on the site but then changed his mind because of the effects that the Bacon Report had on discouraging residential investors at a time when commercial demand remained strong. Amendments to the initial plans were submitted, causing delays with An Bord Pleanála in terms of a decision.

that Seán Dunne had “stepped over the line” in offering €31 million to the local community as “some sort of bribe.”

Senior city Planner Kieran Rose told Councillors that the height of the buildings proposed in the plan needed serious consideration, as did the issues in re-

lation to childrenʼs play areas and the distance of the buildings from the public road, but he went on to say that it was an ideal mixed-use scheme. All the City Councillors bar Fianna Failʼs Deidre Keane, who abstained, voted to reject the proposal as injurious to the good planning of the area.

In November 2004 an application for permission to build a €350m development overlooking Sandymount strand in Dublin 4 was submitted. The plans differed substantially from the previous plans for a 30-storey tower and mainly commercial development which Fabrizia submitted for the former AIB sports grounds in Sandymount.

The height and commercial element had been reduced and plans for a hotel were dropped.

The new scheme had more than 780 new apartments. In addition, six office blocks had been retained with as much as 21,804 sq m of office space, an additional 2,600 sq m of retail space as well as a bar and restaurant.

Most of the 16 blocks were to be be six storeys and were to be for residential accommodation. All of the office blocks were seven storeys and one of the mixed blocks was proposed to be eight storeys. Standard two-bedroom apartments in the Ringsend area are selling from €380,000 but penthouse units with sea views could expect to exceed €1m.

In May 2006 Dublin City Council approved Mr Carrollʼs plans granting permission, but this was appealed by Sandymount and Merrion Residentsʼ association and other objectors and now An Bord Pleanála has refused permission for the development of this site adjacent to the IGB site owned by developer Bernard McNamara.

This refusal has been cautiously welcomed by local resident groups. An Bord Pleanálaʼs ruling says the proposed multimillion euro development of the 4.9 hectare site would be “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

Although it found that the site was “generally suitable” for development of the kind proposed

by Fabrizia Developments, it noted a number of concerns.

These included deficiencies in the capacity of the local road network, insufficient public transport and “uncertainties in the funding, design and implementation of the proposed Dodder Bridge, approach routes and connections to the site”.

PAGE 16

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

Bookworm Reviewed by Audrey Healy

ʻBABYPROOFʼ BY EMILY GIFFIN Every woman wants a baby– donʼt they? Not Claudia. Sheʼs known from day one that she wasnʼt the maternal type and when she meets the handsome and like-minded Ben she

thought sheʼd found her soul mate.

But as the years progress and their contemporaries become swamped in a sea of sleepless nights and dirty nappies, Claudia and Ben become embroiled in a battle of wits as Benʼs biological clock begins to tick very loudly and shake the very foundations of their marriage.

Itʼs not that Claudia has anything against children per se, she adores her nephews and nieces after all, but she cherishes the freedom and independence her current lifestyle brings her– and Ben is going back on their deal to sail through life as a couple.

Theyʼd talked about this before so why is he changing the goal posts now? And not only that but as word spreads of their martial difficulties it becomes clear to Claudia that her in-

nermost family and friends are blaming her for upsetting the apple cart.

They canʼt understand her reason for not wanting to become a mother. What could be more fulfilling? Isnʼt she just beings selfish? How can she let a good man like Ben slip away?

Two lovers endure a journey of self-discovery in this humorous and entertaining read from Emily Giffin, the author of ʻSomething Borrowedʼ and ʻSomething Blueʼ.

Set in New Yorkʼs Manhattan itʼs an excellent read and will appeal to both parents and those who havenʼt quite managed to make that life-changing decision yet. ʻBabyproofʼ is published

by Orien Books and is priced €10.90. ʻDO YOU WANT WHAT I WANT?ʼ BY DENISE DEEGAN As someone who couldnʼt ʻget intoʼ any of Denise Deeganʼs previous novels, I admit I hesitated slightly before purchasing her latest novel ʻDo you want what I want?ʼ but Iʼm glad I gave it a chance because it

proved to be money well spent and Iʼm already looking forward to her next.

This time, in an unusual change of direction from the stereotypical chick-lit story of a thirty something female, weʼre introduced instead to Rory, a thirty-something male, a successful neurologist with the world at his feet. Heʼs living with his girlfriend Louise and life is good but one night everything changes.

Rory swaps shifts with another doctor and is attacked by a deranged youngster, who, not content with robbing him, pierces him with a needle containing potentially contaminated blood.

Rory is forced to confront his own mortality and he reflects on his life, what heʼs done with it so far and what he wants to do with the time he may have left.

His relationship with Louise is affected, he canʼt take her pity, he canʼt sleep, he has recurring nightmares when he does and his professionalism is affected. He finds his confidence has diminished and heʼs no longer the esteemed doctor he once was.

Worse that that, his relationship with Louise is falling apart and all because the attack makes him realise that he wants to be a father– and itʼs more than clear that Louise doesnʼt see the pitter patter of tiny feet appearing any time soon– if at all.

There are many twists and turns in this compelling read

by Deegan and readers will find themselves taken on an emotional rollercoaster with Rory as he grapples to come to terms with his life as a possible death sentence hangs over him. ʻDo you want what I want?ʼ is published by Penguin.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 17

‘T HE G REAT W HITE F AIR ’ T HE H ERBERT P ARK E XHIBITION

I

By John Cavendish

n our last issue, I wrote about the great exhibition that took place in Herbert Park a century ago, so it is with great pleasure that I write about a new book on the event by Brian Siggins.

Brian previously wrote a short history on the exhibition in the

book ʻThe Roads to Sandymount, Irishtown and Ringsendʼ (now reissued) compiled by Sandymount Community Services.

This new publication of seven chapters over 125 pages takes us from the background to these types of grand exhibitions in the 19th and 20th centuries through the fine details of the making of the Irish Exhibition of 1907 which he calls

OF

1907

in the title of this book ʻThe Great White Fairʼ.

The book gives an interesting view of the scale of the show. How it took up all the ground between Donnybrook and Ballsbridge with large buildings to house the various exhibits that were dismantled when it was over, creating Herbert Park in its present form. The main road through Herbert Park from Ballsbridge to Donnybrook, lined with elm trees, is pretty much where the Grand Central Palace once stood.

There are photographs of the Canadian Water Chute in action, the remains of which is now the duck pond that every child in Dublin 4 has toddled around. The boats full of people splashed down from the chute and passed under two bridges, long since removed, and returned after sailing around an island that is now a wild bird habitat.

The photographs in the book from the show bring us back to a time when Ireland was part of the United Kingdom before the revolution, when the British King and Queen last paid a visit to Dublin, with the Great Exhibition as the best of Empire show which was opened and frequented by the Lords and Ladies of the time.

Media reports of the day show the arrival of the great and good, titled and famous, arriving at the show.

Itʼs a book that takes us back to a time when being Irish was also to be British and this exhibition was a manifestation of Dublinʼs place in the Empire.

Brian Sigginsʼs book is an im-

portant history of an exhibition that was to show a range of advancements in Irish industry and even an important event of the time, the introduction of incubators for maternity hospitals. It makes the current exhibits at the RDS look somewhat small-time, given the size of the show.

When reading and looking at the pictures, we have to go back in time,

before the two world wars and the Rising of 1916 and the War of Independence that followed and by the Civil War which have shaped our relationship with the British since.

It was a time when the future was optimistic and not gripped by the damage of war both at home and abroad. This exhibition was to put Dublin at the forefront of the Empire at a time when separation from British rule was not on the horizon.

Brian Siggins is a member of the

B URDOCK ’ S

By Brian Rutherford

I

know what youʼre going to say. We all know Burdockʼs Chippers, be it Werburgh Street, the Epicurean Centre on Abbey street or main street Rathmines. But what makes Burdockʼs a great chipper?

It was opened in 1913 and has survived two world wars. Because of this it has become an institution.

It has been visited by a list of celebrities whose pictures adorn the chipperʼs walls. Everyone from U2 to Tom Cruise has graced its sidewalk.

The reason for the interest is the food. The fish and chips used to be made in a coal-powered fryer.

This built a firm basis for Leo Burdockʼs future. The fryer was destroyed in a fire some years ago but they managed to produce something close to these beginnings.

Every day, the very freshest fish arrives at Burdockʼs including cod, ray, whiting, haddock, plaice and other varieties. The fish are then filleted and coated in Burdockʼs own delicious batter which comes from a secret recipe that is guarded with pride, before being placed in the old-fashioned fryers.

The chips are made from spe-

Old Dublin Society and tells in the introduction of how he gave a seminar about the Herbert Park event to an audience in the Iris Charles Centre on Newbridge Avenue some 15 years ago and was in luck then to get to meet Mrs Mary Murray of Sandymount, who was a centenarian and was able to say that she had slid down the Water Chute when she was fifteen. She had clear recollections of the exhibition and was able to give Brian some interviews, so that his history here has been helped by her personal experiences of the event.

The book is from a series published by Nonsuch Publishing, ʻImages of Irelandʼ and is full of images of a time gone by, when Dubliners travelled by tram to a show that both entertained and informed. ʻThe Great White Fairʼ by Brian Siggins is available at Books on the Green and all good book shops (€16.99).

Above: Brian Siggins with Rev. Dudley Lebistone Cooney.

RDS COMMEMORATES 1907 E XHIBITION

cially selected Irish potatoes, which are big and chunky and full of flavour. This said, itʼs also the price that catches the eye– the value for money is incredible.

Burdockʼs is listed in many international food guides and has won several awards for excellence in food and service, so you donʼt have to worry about hygiene.

AN ILLUSTRATED exhibition commemorating the Irish International Exhibition of 1907 is being presented by the Royal Dublin Society in association with the Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Sandymount Historical Society with original memorabilia and souvenirs.

Brian Siggins will present a slide show and lecture at 6pm prior to the launch of the Exhibition on 17 October in the RDS. This Exhibition is open to members of the public at the RDS Library from October 18 to November 30, Monday to Saturday, 11.00 am to 5.00 pm. Admission is free.

PAGE 18

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

Film Scene•••By Michael Hilliard ‘Shoot ‘Em Up’ Waiting to catch a bus, Mr. Smith (Clive Owen) finds himself in the wrong place, at the wrong time, as a pregnant woman runs by, chased by a group of thugs. Conscience victorious, Smith jumps into action, kills them, delivers the baby, and is left as an unexpected daddy, as the mother meets her untimely demise. This random occurrence

sets in motion, a sequence of events, resulting in one of the most over-the-top yet ridiculously fun pictures of the year.

With the evil Mr Hertz (Paul Giamatti) and his henchmen army watching his every move, and trying not only to execute him, but the baby too, Smith enlists the assistance of prostitute Donna (Monica Bellucci), to help him care for the baby.

As you can probably tell,

ʻShoot ʻem Upʼ wonʼt be everybodyʼs cup of tea. The plot is almost non-existent, and as for character development, look elsewhere. If however, an unequivocally silly action movie, with a healthy dose of self-referencing absurdity is your thing; jump right in.

Owen is perfectly cast, as a tough-as-nails ex-special-ops weapon turned hero, delivering delightfully cringe-worthy oneliners at every opportunity. It works because itʼs intentionally cheesy. Giamatti chews scenery here and spits it out with equal glee (think a Bond villain on steroids and youʼre close). Bellucci doesnʼt have a lot to do here but looks good doing it, which I suspect is why she was cast.

Itʼs anyoneʼs guess how such A-list actors, were reigned in for what is essentially, a re-tread of those hilariously over the top eighties movies in which the likes of Jean-Claude Van Damme made his name. Itʼs been a while since weʼve seen one of those done well though, and I for one, appreciate the effort. To go into specifics regarding the type of outrageous action scenes on display here, would do nothing but cripple the surprise/ horror of experiencing them first-hand.

Go see it, but donʼt recommend it to your mammy.

4 out of 5

‘Superbad’ ʻSuperbadʼ is essentially a teen sex comedy in much the same way as ʻAmerican Pieʼ was. The same basic premise, the same character archetypes, all tied together with a healthy dose of new gags.

If ʻPorkyʼsʼ, the aforementioned ʻPieʼ trilogy, and the like are something you find particularly funny, you could do a lot worse than ʻSuperbadʼ. If not though, stay away, youʼve been warned. Boundaries of taste are pushed quite a bit further here and some may be turned off by this.

Seth Rogen, of ʻFreaks & Geeksʼ, ʻ40-year Old Virginʼ & ʻKnocked Upʼ fame is the comedy flavour of the month. As cowriter on ʻSuperbadʼ and playing the show-stealing rookie cop, Rogen once again proves why.

The three lead roles are populated by Rogen cohorts of old and are still largely unknowns outside the U.S. The film has a low-budget

feel, a sort of indie vibe, allowing an instant connection to the world these characters inhabit: if youʼre a socially outcast, hopeless geek, that is!

Again, not everbodyʼs thing, but if you donʼt find yourself chuckling away at their misfortunes, youʼre probably missing your funny bone.

4 out of 5

Previews ʻSaw 4ʼ All bets are off in an attempt to breathe some life into the fourth instalment of this Halloween tradition with an entirely new perpetrator, new death traps, more gore. In cinemas October 26th. ʻAmerican Gangsterʼ In cinemas November 16th.

The dream team of Director Ridley Scott reunited with his ʻGladiatorʼ star, Russell Crowe, as the cop charged with bringing down famed 70s drug baron Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington).

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 19

YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

By Grace Charley

E

very day we are becoming more and more aware of what it is to be environmentally friendly. Only right too. But if like me, you take an age to grapple with the meanings of modern terminology, donʼt fret– for Iʼm about to give you the low-down on what has been termed the Carbon Footprint.

Technically speaking, a Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact

human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

In other words, how much do we individually and collectively contribute to global warming?

Nowadays, filling the green recycling bin goes a little way to alleviating pollution. There are many other ways we can go greener and in the process minimise our Carbon Footprint.

Who’s a lucky dog?

THE NATIONAL Lottery recently ran a competition to find 10 dogs to feature on a new limited edition scratch card called ʻLucky Dogʼ. Sadly the competition is now closed for entries. In addition to the overnight fame achieved for their dogs, the owners of the 10 winning entries receive €1,000 each.

The judging panel for this innovative game included a representative of the Irish Kennel Club and former Miss World and dog lover, Rosanna Davison, seen here with Scruff.

Electricity is one of the biggest producers of carbon emissions, so every time we make a cup of tea or turn the television on we are adding to global warming.

Hereʼs a list of simple things we can do immediately. The items in this list cost nothing and will in fact save us money in the long run.

1. Sign up to a green energy supplier where possible, who will supply electricity from renewable sources (e.g. wind and hydroelectric power)– this reduces our carbon footprint contribution from electricity to zero.

2. Turn it off when not in use– lights, television, DVD player, hi-fi, computer etc. Turn down the central heating slightly (try just 1 to 2º C).

3. Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving).

4. Fill the dishwasher and washing machine with a full load– this will save on water, electricity, and washing powder.

5. Fill the kettle with only as much water as is needed.

6. Unplug mobile phones as soon as charging is complete.

7. Defrost fridge/ freezer regularly.

8. Do weekly shopping in a single trip.

9. Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying.

Even the aviation industry is taking responsibility for its part in contributing to global warming and are re-assessing ways to alleviate air traffic pollution. Although taking the boat is far more environmentally friendly than jumping on a plane, for many it isnʼt practical. But regarding travel, there are other ways to reduce carbon monoxide.

1. Car share to work, or for the kidʼs school run.

2. Use the bus or a train rather than the car.

3. Donʼt use domestic flights (e.g. from Dublin to Cork), use a train or a coach.

4. When replacing your car– check out diesel engines. With one of these you can even make your own biodiesel fuel. Find out more about biodiesel.

5. When on holiday– hire a bicycle to explore locally rather

than a car.

And what about our shopping habits? Itʼs interesting to know that not buying food from abroad not only helps support our local grocer but it also is more environmentally friendly. The following is a list of how we can be a greener consumer.

1. Donʼt buy bottled water if your tap water is safe to drink.

2. Buy local fruit and vegetables, or even try growing your own.

3. Donʼt buy fresh fruit and

vegetables which are out of season– they may have been flown in.

4. Try to buy products made closer to home (avoid items that are produced abroad).

5. Donʼt buy over–packaged products.

6. Recycle as much as possible.

Decoding the mystery surrounding the Carbon Footprint was easy. Easier still, we can all do our bit in the fight against global warming. For the sake of the planetʼs future, go green and stay green.

The Yacht Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, 6680977

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

PAGE 20

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

L ATE S UMMER

I

By Eugene Carolan

n late August I departed Dublin airport early on a bright morning and landed in Milan to rain and gloom. Apparently, I had just missed the hailstones.

However, two hours later as we took the turnoff for Lake Garda, the sun burst through and remained. Rain fell on a few other mornings, usually an

AT

L AKE G ARDA

early downpour. Having cleaned and greened, it switched off and turned on the warm sun for the rest of the day.

The Garda area and the lake itself was created millions of years ago by continental drift, forming a cleft between the Veneto and Lombardy areas of what is now northern Italy. Today, the lake is about 50 km long and 17km at its widest point, mainly narrow but widening out towards the south.

The lake and its environs is fed and heated by subterranean thermal fonts and is protected from cold northern winds by the high mountains which surround it, producing a temperate microclimate which averages 14ºC in winter and about 26ºC in summer.

Historically, it has been settled since the Bronze Age, later coming under the successive influences of Rome, Verona, Milan

and Venice. Napoleon briefly dominated the area before it passed to Austrian rule. Many of the battles for Italian independence in the 1860s were fought in this area, but it was only after World War I that the area finally passed under Italian control.

This area has been a tourist haven since Roman times, when opulent villas were built along the shore. Taking the road up the western side to Limone, you will see the terraces which were used to grow lemons on the hillsides, thus the townʼs name. Limone itself is a steep warren of houses and narrow streets, carefully restored and updated, which lead down to a little harbour off the main lake shore.

Fishing and agriculture has been supplanted by tourism in most of these small towns which line the lake. Each of the towns retains a unique character, some grand, others unpretentious, but all worth seeing.

I was based in

Desenzano at the southern, wider end of the lake. This town originally grew up around a vast Romanesque villa, of which little remains.

The very plain exterior of the Mary Magdalene Church, completed in 1611, belies the internal grandeur of its three naves and columns of Botticino marble, with religious paintings by Andrea Celesti.

This is the largest town on the lake with a harbour area fronting

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007 the old town and narrow winding streets leading up (past the Irish Pub!) to a castle which provides a great vantage point of the lake in the evening sun. Further up, beyond the pristine town, expensive modern villas are the leisure retreats of the wealthy who escape cramped apartments and traffic in Milan or Rome.

Taking an excursion by road around the lake gives some idea of its variety and beauty. Towards the northern end, long tunnels were blasted through cliffs to complete the road in the 1930s.

I took several trips on the century-old paddle steamers to plac-

PAGE 21

es glimpsed from the bus and explored them at leisure. These marine dinosaurs have the unhurried gentility of their era and sitting on deck in the warm sun and gentle breeze is a sublime pleasure.

Salò on the southwestern side is in a deep, natural bay with an old town square and fine church, broad promenade and restaurants overlooking a marina. Behind and above runs the sleepy main street of the town, culminating in a long uphill square. It was not always so serene. This area was a favoured retreat of Fascists and Benito Mussoliniʼs tragic mistress Clara Petacci was ensconsed in a villa here– until his wife found out! Towards the end of the War, after the fall of Mussolini, die-hard Fascists set up the ʻRepublic of Salòʼ.

Riva is at the extreme northern tip of the lake. An orderly town leads through to a palazzo skirting the water with an oddlyplaced clock tower in an angle of the square. The lake here is at its narrowest, a popular area for cycling, windsurfing and small boating, but no ferries as the water level fell a metre below nor-

mal this summer.

Heading back down the eastern side is a vast entertainment complex– Gardaland! I had not time to explore it but this may be an ideal area for families to base themselves.

Near the lower eastern end, Lazise has a very attractive harbour area, entered through the original town walls and moat of 1077, with a castle from 1381 at its southern end. Sirimione is at the end of a long finger of land extending from the southern end of the lake. An ideal ferry stopoff, there was a (very good) brass band concert when I was there.

The train from Desenzano to Verona takes about a half-hour and it is well worth seeing this fine city which dates back thousands of years. The Coliseum (more intact than its Roman cousin) is used every Summer for an opera festival. Every era of his-

tory since then can be seen in the architecture and layers of history can literally be viewed through a hole cut in the pavement.

Wherever you travel in this area, there is no shortage of restaurants serving good food at very reasonable prices. A visit to the Garda area is an ideal prescription for anyone wishing to recharge their sun-deprived and work-stressed batteries.

From left: The eastern lakeshore near Garda viewed from the ferry; hillwalkers will enjoy Limone; taking it easy by the lake shore at Salò; passengers on the paddle steamer bask in the sun; the lighthouse at Desenzano.

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PAGE 22

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

SAOIRSE’S

TORQUAY

By Saoirse OʼHanlon Tobin Saoirse is an ex Sandymount resident who lives in France

F

or my school tour in May, we went to Torquay in the South-West of England. The trip lasted a week and I couldnʼt wait! I was going to another country with my best friends for a whole week.

On Friday, at 6 oʼclock, we were all in front of the school with our bags, waiting to get going. We travelled through the night, and arrived at Le Havre at 8 oʼclock on the Saturday morning.

Nobody really slept that night, we were all way too excited.

After waiting for about an hour at the port, we finally got onto the ferry. It was a really nice one too. We had breakfast on the boat: Hot chocolate, orange

TRIP

juice, croissant, bread and jam.

It was lovely! We had 6 hours of journey ahead, so we went and investigated the boat.

At about 2 oʼclock (English time) we arrived in Portsmouth.

We all had our cameras out, ready to take pictures of anything unusual. We got straight back into the bus, for another 5 hours before arriving in Torquay.

We got there at 5.30pm and our ʻEnglish familiesʼ came to collect us around 6 oʼclock, at the meeting point.

Everybody was a little nervous. What could they talk about? Would the family understand them? Everybody was checking their English with me before they left: “How are you?

Iʼm fine thanks, and you?”

When my ʻEnglish familyʼ arrived (I was staying with two of my best friends: Audrey and Laure) we couldnʼt wait to meet them! I was a bit nervous too,

even though I could speak the language. The people were very nice. They had a ten-year-old daughter, with whom we got on very well After getting settled, the family told us that the bus would come and get us every morning at 8.30, and bring us back at 5.

We couldnʼt wait until the next day, to go and visit Torquay!

The week flew by. We visited Torquay itself, a miniature

museum, an aquarium, two old villages– we even had a ride around Plymouth on a pleasure boat! We also spent a day in Exeter, where we visited a museum, and spent the afternoon shopping. My friends and I had a great time with our ʻEnglish familyʼ. They were really really nice to us!

We were a little sad when we had to leave them, but happy to get home to our real fami-

lies! We left Torquay at 9.30 on Thursday and did the same trip the other way around, only this time, we all slept on the way back.

On the Friday morning, at about midday, we arrived in front of the school, where our parents were waiting for us, all looking so happy to see us. I loved Torquay. Itʼs a really nice place. Iʼd love to go back some day, because it was brilliant!

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 23

21 YEARS OF RINGSEND COMMUNITY T RAINING CENTRE successful graduation of a former student and a staff member who were presented with their certification in Womenʼs Development Studies at UCD this year.

RCTC would like to acknowledge the 21 years core contribution from FÁS and would like to thank all members and staff for their invaluable experience and dedicated service to the local community. RCTC would also like to acknowledge their continued successful partnership with

By Nessa Jennings

T

his year RCTC celebrates 21 years of service to early school leavers of the local community. On 10th November, Ruairí Quinn TD will officiate at the 21st celebrations and present FETAC certification to graduates.

Ruairí Quinn TD, then Minister for Labour & Public Services officially opened the training facilities at Regal House, 28, Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 in 1986. Since then, the centre has been pursuing its objective: To entice, encourage and channel early school leavers back into the education/ work environment.

Denis Murphy is the General Manager, with 14 years experience in community services, and has been working in Ringsend for the past four years. He is very dedicated to education and retraining in order to create opportunities.

He says there are a variety of reasons the candidates dropped out of school: possibly low selfesteem, the system doesnʼt suit them or they have no interest in academic qualifications.

The target of the programme is to encourage the young people to stay in education, to develop opportunities for further education and to progress them to employment. The students get great support. At their own pace, individual learning plans are developed and a profiling web is made of each student, based on their perception of where they are.

Instructors address the problems of dropping out, attendance and time keeping. A FÁS Training Allowance is paid to each student, and courses normally run for one year, with an optional tracking system which follows learners into their next career.

Ringsend CTC has 40 places, and its intake for training is continuous. The student teacher ratio is usually 10:1. They offer Office Procedures, for those wishing to work in a modern office, the European Computer Driving License (ECDL) which covers the basic concepts of I.T.; word processing; spreadsheets; database; Powerpoint presentation; and internet communications.

Catering provides opportunities for employment in the catering industry and helps develop a lifestyle of healthy nutritional eating habits. Sports & Health Related Fitness (supported by Dublin City Council) provides quality training and recognised qualifications to young people in a variety of sports, health and leisure activities.

The VEC sponsors two other courses: Literacy and Numeracy and the Junior Certificate. They also do some leaving certificate courses as well. Three students achieved the Junior Cert this year.

A ten-week course in Radio Production and Presentation was successfully piloted resulting in the production of a CD. The college also have a graduate on a Sports Scholarship to Tri County College, South Carolina, USA. They are also very proud of the

Dublin City Council.

The centre also remembers the valued contribution of their deceased former directors Fr. Paul Spellman, Capt. Philip Murphy, John Farrell and former Manager Ann OʼGorman, Instructor Marjorie Arundell, and they especially remember the sad loss of graduate Alan Young.

RCTC also welcome the appointment of new members to the Board of Management and trust that they will re-invigorate

DÁIL ÉIREANN, LEINSTER HOUSE, KILDARE STREET, DUBLIN 2 TEL: 01 6183054 FAX: 01 6184146 EMAIL: CHRIS.ANDREWS@OIREACHTAS.IE WEB: WWW.CHRISANDREWS.IE

efforts to provide a learner-centred approach to early schoolleavers in a stimulating and supportive environment. RCTC also look forward to FASʼs continued support with their future planned development and the establishment of a new, permanent training centre in the purpose-built development at the Plot 8 site at Grand Canal Basin, Ringsend.

Pictured left is General Manager Denis Murphy.

PAGE 24

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

I AN RESTORES YOUR ENERGY

By John Cavendish

E

nergy efficiency in the home is now an important way to reduce your impact on the environment and save money on fuel bills and some construction companies are offering refurbishments to homes and businesses.

I spoke with Ian Lester, a native of Beech Hill in Donnybrook, who has started such a company, Architectural Project Construction, APC, with some important aims.

Ian Lester studied Construction technology at Bolton Street and took a Project Management Higher Diploma in Trinity College. Ian works with David Moran an Architect also from Bolton Street and together they have founded a company that is committed to help reduce the carbon footprint of businesses and private homes.

Ian said that they have examined a number of means by which energy consumption can

be reduced in the home. These include both passive and active solutions. Passive solutions include providing or increasing the insulation to a property. Solar gain through passive means, passive solar redistribution and air tightness are examples of other passive means of energy control.

Active means including the

Ringsend and District Credit Union Ltd.

provision of solar panels for both hot water and energy, photovoltaic and P.V. units, to provide electricity. Heat recovery ventilation systems, geo-thermal energy and wind energy are examples of active controls: these can either serve to conserve energy or to provide energy.

Ian Lesterʼs company has been busy trying to persuade local authorities to increase the insulation of houses and flats and have approached Dublin City Council

about sites, such as Beech Hill where he grew up, to add insulation to the units.

Ian says, “external insulation offers the best in terms of financial and ecological return. Due to the climate in Ireland and in particular to the moisture content, this also offers the best control of dampness. This solution is also applicable to most houses and can be carried out with minimal inconvenience to the day-to-day running of the house.

“When considered in isolation the provision of external insulation, we believe, offers the best solution in over 90% of circumstances. This, when offered as a part of designed and engineered solution, can offer very great savings and reduce considerably the production of environmentdamaging carbon.”

One technology that they have recently investigated is the provision of a windmill to support energy consumption in private homes. An example of their investigations into this is the study of the provision of one 9-metretall windmill, having a three-rotor diameter of 2.6 metres located in Drumcondra.

The wind speeds averaged 5.5 metres per second on an annual basis, this generates 250 Kilowatts of electricity on average per month. This is equivalent to the average familyʼs consump-

tion of electricity per month, where gas is used for cooking and heating.

Ian says that the difficulty in providing this is that storage of energy is currently required due to the fact that the semi-state ESB will not purchase energy even at the standard rate that they sell it at, which alone renders this an uneconomic solution but believes that through EU measures that this will change in time.

Ian Lesterʼs company will, where possible, promote passive building values and the movement towards the reduction of energy waste and increase efficiency in buildings with advice, specification and installation of tried and tested products into the technology of new buildings to reduce their carbon footprint.

The same thinking goes for existing builds where products can be added to enhance the enjoyments of these properties with insulation and active energy solutions such as windmills and solar panels.

“We pursue, evaluate and use new technologies wherever it is practical to use them to help in the future and prolonged health of our environment, whether these are in the built environment or general living and quality of life,” he says.

Ian Lester can be contacted on 087 6940175.

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5 Irishtown Rd., Dublin 4.

Phone: 6686676 • Fax: 6686288

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Award-winning author and ʻNewsFourʼ journalist Grace McKenna is pictured recently in Waterstoneʼs bookshop in Jervis Street Centre. Her book ʻThe Trouble With Benny Bubbleʼ went down a treat with these avid young readers!

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 25

MOUNT HERBERT SPONSORS SUPER LEAGUE An opportunity to win coaching lessons worth €1,500

U

CD-Marian, one of the Basketballʼs longest serving franchises, is delighted to announce that the Mount Herbert Hotel will again be its major sponsor for the new Super League Basketball season.

Mr John Loughran, Proprietor of the Mount Herbert Hotel, said: “Situated as we are in Sandymount, beside Marian College, the founding home of UCD-Marian Basketball, and not far from the campus at UCD, we are delighted to start our second year of involvement with the Basketball Super League which involves teams not just from Dublin but from all four corners of Ireland.”

The Mount Herbert is a boutique hotel, ideally located within walking distance of Dublinʼs main attractions and in the shadows of the world-famous Lansdowne Road Stadium. Guests of this family run

hotel appreciate the quiet, comfortable surrounds, the renowned, excellent service and the sociable, relaxed atmosphere of the Mount Herbert.

This exceptional three-star hotel with 168 bedrooms includes the recently-refurbished Tritonville Bar and the revamped Cordyline restaurant. Their friendly team constantly strives to offer four-star quality value at bargain three-star prices.

The involvement of the Mount Herbert has enabled UCD-Marian to fly in three US graduates for the year ahead. They are Irish-American, David Ryan, whose mother is from Leitrim, but who grew up in New York, and two players from Michigan, Jim Clement, from St. Ignace, and Pat Beilein, from Ann Arbour, pictured above with John Loughran.

Coach Cormac Connor is delighted with his new recruits, who will join former international, Gary Edge, who returns to the top

flight for this season, and the other players from last season, to give UCD-Marian its best chance of League and Cup honours for many seasons.

The UCD- Marian Club is also presenting a great opportunity for primary schools throughout the Dublin area to mark the new Superleague Basketball season.

Irish International basketball

star, Conor Meany is amongst the list of top UCD professional players who are offering ʻonce in a lifetimeʼ coaching lessons worth €1,500. The primary school that has the largest number of pupils attending the UCD home games will win the €1,500 grand prize of coaching for the winning school between January and March.

So, if you are looking for bas-

ketball action on Dublinʼs south side this season, then UCD and the Mount Herbert Hotel are the places to be from the first game on October 4th to the play-offs next March.

For further information contact: Michelle Sweeney, Mount Herbert Hotel at 01 668 4321.

Paul Meany, UCD-Marian Super League at Ph: 086 314 8375.

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PAGE 26

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

Sports Desk Sponsored by

Raytown Bar

Compiled by Derek Buckley KINGSWOOD V RAILWAY UNION 2:7 OʼGormanʼs Guys chop down Kingswood! had a pre-match conversation with Railwayʼs under 8s manager, Tom OʼGorman, in which he told me that todayʼs opponents, Kingswood, were his troopsʼ toughest test to date.

Railway are currently playing in a league cup where every team get to play each other, home and away. So far Railway have had four matches in which they gained maximum results in all. The confidence was there and the togetherness also, as that could be seen in the pre-match warm-up as each player looked out for each other.

So the game commenced and within 20 seconds Rory McGovernʼs cross was headed into the Kingswood net by their own defender, 0:1 Railway. OʼGorman couldnʼt have wished for a better start as Kingswood defence looked nervous.

I

David Pugh nearly made it 0:2 from a McGovern cross but his effort sliced wide.

As early as the 2 minutes, Railway made sure this time as McGovern slotted into the bottom corner from close range, 0:2. Kingswood from the restart went close but Railwayʼs keeper, James Aiken, did enough to put Kingswood striker No. 7 off. Aikenʼs monster kick-out contributed to Railwayʼs third as Pugh linked up with McGovern for the third after only 7 minutes on the clock. Even at this stage the writing was on the wall for the Tallaght team.

Midway through the first half, Killian McCarthy was getting plenty of possession and laying it off well. Sean Collins was in full control and he was unlucky with his 30-yard strike as it blasted just wide. The fourth goal came from Christian Farrell, a player who has the same style as Manchester Unitedʼs Ronaldo, 0:4.

Kingswood pulled one back

Above: Railway Union Under 8s. before the break but it could have been more if it wasnʼt for the clever defending by Jack Mulligan and Collins. Looking at Manager OʼGorman as the half-time whistle blew, his expression of a massive smile summed up Railwayʼs excellent first-half performance.

As the second half started, OʼGorman made several changes, most noticeably putting Collins in goal (a player who

can play in any position) said OʼGorman. Caelan Kelleher, Richard OʼConnor and Sean Tighearnigh made valuable contributions.

McGovern got his second goal to make it 1:5 from an OʼConnor corner. Kingswood star player No. 7 made it 2:5 midway through the second half. From the re-start Kingswood attacked again but were denied by a double save by gift-

ed Collins. Pugh made it 2:6 as the Kingswood keeper failed to hang on to the ball from a Ronaldo Farrell belter.

As the game entered the final minute, McCarthy was unlucky as his long-distance shot thundered past the top corner.

But the last laugh went to McGovern to give him his hat trick and make it 2:7. Overall Manager and supporters were thrilled with the performance.

From left, three Outstanding Players: Rory McGovern, Christian Farrell and Sean Collins.

All trophies sponsored by the Raytown Bar.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 27

JOHNNY MCEVOY 40 YEARS OF SONG

By Audrey Healy

F

or someone who became king of the Irish folk scene, itʼs ironic that the young balladeer Johnny McEvoy had little or no interest in Irish music as a child growing up in Banagher County Offaly.

“My father was big into Ceili music but I wasnʼt. I think it was a kind of rebellion on my part,” he recalls. “I was more into Radio Luxembourg. This was the sixties when the Beatles and Bob Dylan were huge, I loved music growing up but was very shy and it was only

during my teenage years that I began to broaden my outlook,” he said. “I loved Johnny Cash and Hank Williams and used to save up for weeks and weeks to buy their records. Iʼd cycle to school every day and sing all their songs– then wonder why everyone was looking at me strangely!”

As time went on Johnny nurtured his love of music by accompanying his brother, who played the accordion and later his friend Michael Crotty to explore his musical abilities. “It was very easy in those days to get up and sing,” says Johnny, “you didnʼt even have to be very good! Michael would play the

T HE RDS

UNVEILS

guitar and I was on the tin whistle. I learned a few chords of the guitar later– I wasnʼt much good,” he says modestly “but

M OZART

knew enough to get me by.”

Johnny celebrates forty years in show business this year and has deservedly earned a reputa-

PAINTING AT A CEREMONY held in the RDS Concert Hall, Mr Anthony Cronin, well-known Irish poet, unveiled a painting of Mozart, which was donated to the RDS and painted by Micheál Ó Nualláin.

The painting is an oilon-canvas measuring 5 feet by 4 feet. It is the only full-length painting of Mozart as an adult in existence and one of the few original paintings of Mozart in Ireland.

Micheál Ó Nualláin has kindly donated the painting to the RDS in memory of his brother, Brian Ó Nualláin (better known as the novelist and satirist who wrote under the pseudonyms of Flann OʼBrien and Myles na gCopaleen) and because of the role the RDS has played in Micheálʼs development as an artist.

Notably Micheál Ó Nualláin won numerous RDS art competitions in his youth which helped him pursue his chosen career.

tion as one of the greats of his era. It was in the sixties that the handsome young performer first began to make his mark on the circuit with local gigs and UK tours and it was also around this period that he began to write his own material– which proved to be the secret of his success.

Following on from the success of ʻBoston Burglarʼ, ʻAn Bonnáin Buíʼ and ʻBanna Strandʼ, one of his most famous compositions ʻMuirsheen Durkinʼ, set him on the road to international recognition– and amazingly the song that hit the charts both at home and abroad was composed during a quiet few moments at home. “I used to stand in my bedroom and play base and harmonica and my mother heard me singing ʻMuirsheen Durkinʼ and suggested I record it,” he says.

With the ability to produce such moving compositions as ʻLong Before Your Timeʼ, the moving story of a couple in love and the tragedy that befalls them, itʼs not difficult to be drawn to Johnny the man as well as Johnny the performer and his story is an inspirational one.

He has lived with depression for almost half his lifetime and his candidness in speaking about it has earned him great respect. Not only has relating his experience helped others but, he admits, talking about it and its effect on his life has been something of a coping mechanism for him.

“Itʼs over twenty-five years now that I was first diagnosed and itʼs the most frightening thing to go through. I had nobody to talk to and nobody to turn to,” he confides. “For me, singing is a great release and I would recommend singing or writing to anyone suffering. I always said if I got through it I would go public and try to help others. Because itʼs not talked about, people donʼt understand it. The physical act of singing helps me immensely,” he adds.

“It releases good endorphins and even if I know I might be in the depths of despair three hours later, for the time Iʼm on stage it helps greatly.

“Itʼs great to know that famous people like Spike Milligan had depression and lived with it and it doesnʼt have to stand in the way of you living your life.

I want to say ʻthis happened to me, this is how I feel now and I have come through itʼ.”

PAGE 28

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

B ERNIE S MYTH THE SILENT WORKER A Tribute by Tom Sheridan

A

ll those who knew her were deeply saddened by the recent death of Bernie Smyth. Her death at a comparatively young age seems, in our human way of thinking, untimely.

However, God doesnʼt think the way we do. God obviously thought that Bernie was ready for heaven, and so she was for the good life she lived. She gave unstinting and truly selfless service to our community in Ringsend for a very long number of years.

I only had the privilege of working with Bernie in one of her enterprises and that was the Active Age week which we worked on together with many other people for several years.

The thing I couldnʼt help noticing about Bernie in those years was that while many people (including myself I have to confess) were doing a lot of talking, Bernie had very little to say, she just got on with do-

THE NEWSFOUR

CROSSWORD COMPILED BY KILLIAN HOLMES

ing what needed to be done. She was a worker, not a talker. Thatʼs why I called Bernie ʻthe silent workerʼ.

Apart from Active Age Week, Bernieʼs list of activities is very impressive indeed. She was treasurer of The Cambridge Court Committee for about twenty years. She helped to organize, prepare and serve the annual Christmas dinner for the residents.

She also helped with the organization and management of the annual summer outing for the residents. Week in and week out all the year round she collected donations from the patrons of the Yacht Tavern so that every elderly patron of the Yacht from the Court received a Christmas box every year.

With whatever money was left over, with the help of Bob and Monica, she organised a social night in the Yacht for the same elderly patrons around Christmas time.

At the time of the terrible Tsunami, with a number of other peo-

ple she organized and ran a sale of work and a coffee morning to help the victims. Between the two ventures she and her co-workers raised an astonishing €1,000.

Every year for years, she helped with Angela Murphyʼs coffee morning for Our Ladyʼs Hospice, Haroldʼs Cross. Bernie also played a part in the setting up of Ringsend Active Retirement Association in the CYMS which has been a tremendous success since its inception and is still going strong.

A very dear and close friend of Bernie who knew her and worked with her for over twenty years, told me that she never once heard her speak ill of anyone. When someone was being condemned by others for something, Bernie would always try to come up with some kind of understanding or excuse for what they had done. Thatʼs the kind of person Bernie was, kindly and non-judgemental. Her friend I mentioned described Bernie to me as a Saint.

I will always remember Bernie as

Name:……………………………

Address:………………………… Telephone:…………………

a quiet, gentle and lovable person and she was indeed much loved.

She will be sadly missed by those close to her in this life. We extend our sincere sympathy to her loving family and her close friends.

God rest her good soul and give her the reward of all her goodness May she rest in peace.

Above Bernie pictured with former Lord Mayor Catherine

Byrne.

The winner of the last crossword was Ulick Corkery from Ballinteer.

Entries to be with us by 1st December 2007.

CLUES ACROSS 1. A fortified, usually walled residence (6) 5. To play again (6) 10. Takes into custody (7) 11. It wants to suck your blood! (7) 12. Melody (4) 13. A philatelist might have one (5) 15. ---- Four, your local paper (4) 17. A fastener or energy and vigour (3) 19. A cure (6) 21. River rising on the northern slopes of Kippure, entering Liffey at Ringsend (6) 22. Absence of hope (7) 23. Men (colloquial) (7) 25. Pre-Columbian Meso American people of Mexico (6) 28. Expression according to aesthetic principles (3) 30. Plastic construction set (4) 31. Vladimir _ _ _ _ _, President of Russian Federation (5) 32. It isnʼt false (4) 35. A vehicle for watching Coronation Street episodes on a Sunday (7) 36. A purplish red (7) 37. Period of long term cooling of earthís temperature and climate (3,3) 38. A person that goes naked (6) DOWN 2. Word formed from initial letters of a phrase or series of words (7) 3. Exam (4) 4. Fake, artificial, not real (6) 5. Renovate, redo or revise (6) 6. Might use this to inflate the tyres on your bike (4) 7. The aromatic seed of anise (7) 8. Light hearted conversation (6) 9. Hot spring that sends fountains of water and steam into the air (6) 14. Youʼd find departure and arrival gates here (7) 16. Black _ _ _ _ _, BBC comedy with Rowan Atkinson (5) 18. Chip shop in Sandymount (5) 20. It isnʼt no (3) 21. Buiochas le _ _ _, thanks be to God, as Gaeilge (3) 23. Second name of boxer played by Sylvester Stallone (6) 24. Grown without fertilisers or pesticides (7) 26. Short trips to deliver or collect (7) 27. Ride up and down while seated at opposite ends of a plank balanced at the middle (6) 28. Australian (Informal) (6) 29. Character in fictional Land of Oz (6) 33. Swedish quartet pop group, became famous in the 70s (4) 34. Advanced in years (4)

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

M ASQUERADE J ACK B. Y EATS

By Nessa Jennings

T

he circus and the travelling fair is the theme of the current exhibition of Jack B. Yeats at the National Gallery.

Yeatsʼs long fascination with the circus began with childhood visits to fairs and small travelling circuses in Sligo, where he was brought up by his grandparents.

When, in 1887, at the age of sixteen, he joined his parents in

G REAT

PAGE 29

AND SPECTACLE

EXHIBITION AT THE

N ATIONAL G ALLERY

Earlʼs Court in London, he became a frequent visitor to the spectacular London circuses and related establishments. Post-impressionist artists were already using the circus, as a theme closely connected to the newly expanded world of recreation, by the time Jack Yeats became interested in it as a subject for his own work. The conflicting vistas of performers and audience echoed the new perspectives being found in modern art.

While many of Yeatsʼs early drawings and watercolours relate to famous circuses visited in England, the artist subsequently explored the relationship of the travelling circus to rural Ireland in particular. This exhibition contains both the early watercolours produced at the turn of the century and his later more experimental oils, such as ʻThey Love Meʼ, where areas of deep impasto are juxtaposed with sections which are barely covered in thin washes of colour.

The works displayed also reveal his interest in the side-shows and entertainments of local fairs visited around the west of Ireland, ʻThe Barrel Manʼ and ʻThe Maggie Manʼ. The equestrian theme can be seen throughout the exhibition, as in this painting ʻDouble Jockey Actʼ, pictured left, of a daring horseback act.

His admiration for the performerʼs horsemanship and courage also contributed to Yeatsʼs romantic depictions of jockeys and horsemen in the west of Ireland.

Yeatsʼs portrayal of circus performers emphasises their position as outsiders from society.

In particular, Yeats was drawn to the clown, whose dominance of the strange world of the circus became a central theme.

He had a lifelong preoccupa-

GARDENING AT

tion with the famous Irishman, Johnny Patterson, (1840-89), The Singing Clown, who died violently as a result of injuries received at the hands of his audience. Patterson epitomised the success of the circus performer who, coming from humble origins, achieved great wealth and fame. But his chosen occupation contributed to a difficult and complicated personal life and to his untimely death.

The choice of subject matter, the masquerade and spectacle of

the circus, is intrinsically connected to the manner in which Yeats painted, concerned with the creation of a world of fantasy and illusion. The works in the exhibition are beautifully lighted in an otherwise dark Yeats Museum, showing off all the luminosity of the paintings.

The exhibition commemorates the 50th anniversary of Jack B. Yeatsʼs death, and runs until 11 November, 2007 in the National Gallery of Ireland.

Above: Jack Butler Yeats.

C OMMUNITY C ENTRE !

By Paul Madill CONGRATULATIONS TO the gardening crew at the Community Centre and also to Ringsend Residents Association on getting through to the Streets and Gardens Competition finals run by Dublin City Council.

May Kane accepted a plaque and glass sculpture by well-known artist Michael Ray. The residents were up against tough competition in the urban village category. There is always hope for next year if everyone pulls together and helps to keep the village tidy.

Senior Gardener Mr J OʼBrien accepted on behalf of the Community Centre. The Community Centre came joint second in their category and received a cheque for €300. The money will go on seeds and plants for next year. The garden crew, P. Madill, J. OʼBrien and P. McDonagh, would like to see more involvement from children in the area to show them how to sow their own flowers and vegetables from seed. There are plots set aside for anyone who is interested with the backing of Lorraine Brady, the Manager, and the Board.

The lads are trying to set up a practice bowls lawn and an area for French boules. There will be picnic and a seating area so next year with a bit of good wether you could be spending a few hours with friends playing bowls and having a picnic.

From left: Paul Madill; Lorraine Brady, Manager Ringsend and District Community Centre and Senior Gardener J OʼBrien.

PAGE 30

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

E UCHARISTIC C ONGRESS MOMENTO

T HREE MEN FROM R INGSEND

By Jimmy Purdy

This cross was made from the wood of the altar used for the celebration of high mass in the Phoenix Park for the Eucharistic Congress in June 1932. It is owned by the Morley family of Stella Gardens, Irishtown.

T

he year was 1957 and Ireland was in the same group as England in the World Cup in soccer. England won their home game at Wembley and Ireland had to win at home in Dalymount Park to force a play-off in a neutral country if Ireland were to beat the Danes, as they went on to

do by two goals to nil.

Over forty seven thousand were packed into Dalymount and it erupted with delight when Alf Ringstead scored for Ireland after three minutes. The team were spurred on to hold out for a win by the big crowd, but this was not to be as England scored a goal in the last minute of the game. John Atyeo headed in from a Tom Finney cross from the right to silence the big Irish sup-

port.

But my story today is about what must stand as a world record, because in this team were three men who came from Ringsend. Arthur Fitzsimons, Ronnie Nolan, and Tommy Godwin, all three lived within five minuteʼs walk of each other. Arthur was transferred from Shelbourne to Middlesboro and played alongside the great Brian Clough. Ronnie stayed in Ireland

‘M ECCANO M AN ’

FOR

and played for many years with the great Shamrock Rovers side of his time. Ronnie holds the record of being capped by the league of Ireland, now the Eircom League.

Tommy Godwin went on from Rovers to play for Bournemouth and was considered one of the top keepers in England at the time.

Paddy Coad was coach to Rovers during this time and was considered as good a footballer as any English player. Arthur Fitzsimons won a Miller Shield medal at Gaelic football for St Patrick Boysʼ National School Ringsend.

Another interesting story of Ringsend footballers and Dundalk AFC is that on three different years when they won the FAI Cup they had a Ringsend man on their team– Leo McDonagh, Paddy Gilbert, and Herbert Gannon. Paddy Mullen from Beggarʼs Bush, which is in the Ringsend Parish, also played for Dundalk but I donʼt know if he won the cup with them.

The Irish team: Godwin (Bournemouth), Dunne (Luton), Cantwell (West Ham), Nolan (Rovers), Hurley (Mill Wall), Saward (Villa), Ringstead (Sheffield United), Whelan (Man UTD), Curtis (Bristol), Fitzsimons (Middlesboro), Haverty (Arsenal). England: Hodgekinson, Hall, Byrne, Clayton, Wright, Edwards, Finney, Atyeo, Taylor, Haynes, Pegg.

This game was played on the 19th May 1957– 50 years ago

L IFFEY ?

PROBLEMS PAYING OFF DEBTS? EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY? NEED ADVICE ON MONEY MANAGEMENT? HELP IS AVAILABLE AT:

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

PLANNING PERMISSION has been requested for a new work of art in the shape of a human body in the River Liffey close to the Sean OʼCasey Bridge. At up to 48 metres high, it will be constructed from an open latticework of steel covered with black bitumen.

Its open-weave design will allow light to permeate through and will allow visibility in all directions. Antony Gormley described it as being “like a charcoal drawing against the sky, changing as your position changes in relation to it.” The sculpture will appear different depending on where it is viewed from within the city and depending on the light levels at different times of the day and in different seasons. The work

has been commissioned by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

Subject to planning permission, construction is likely to start during 2008 and, once on site, the work will take approximately ten months to build. It will cost in the region of €1.6 million.

It is expected that the name of the artwork will evolve during the design and construction of the sculpture. Anyone who wishes to submit a name for consideration can do so through the Docklands website www.dublindocklands.ie or by contacting the Docklands Authority office, 52-55 Sir John Rogersonʼs Quay, Dublin 2.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 31

THE MYTHOLOGY OF CHE GUEVARA

By Brian Rutherford

E

verybody knows of the iconic symbol that is Che Guevara. He is on t-shirts and posters the world over but what do we really know of the South American hero who was shot in the jungles of Bolivia?

Che, whose full name was Ernesto Guevara, was born in Ar-

gentina in 1928. His father was a civil engineer named Ernesto Guevara Lynch. One of Guevaraʼs forebears, Patrick Lynch, was born in Galway in 1715. He left for Bilbao, Spain, and travelled from there to Argentina.

Francisco Lynch (Guevaraʼs great-grandfather) was born in 1817, and Ana Lynch (his grandmother) in 1868.

Cheʼs first two years were

spent in Caraguatay where his father had a plantation and where Celia, his sister was born. The family moved a lot during Cheʼs early years. He also developed asthma which was to haunt him throughout his life.

In 1948 Guevara entered the University of Buenos Aires to study medicine. In 1950 he decided to take a year off and set about touring on a motorbike with a friend of his, Alberto Granado, a fellow student.

Che was 23 when they began their journey. They set off from Cordoba in Argentina on a 1949 Norton 500cc motorbike and travelled through Chile, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico. They worked as casual labourers, football coaches and medical assistants along the way.

The poverty of the native population changed them forever.

Guevara narrated this journey in ʻThe Motorcycle Diariesʼ, which was translated into English in 1996 and used in 2004 as the basis for a motion picture of the same name. He returned to Argentina and completed his studies in 1953.

He first spoke of the revolution, saying “The revolution will fail unless it succeeds in breaking through the Indiansʼ spiritual isolation, touching them to the core, shaking them to their very bones, giving back their stature as human beings, otherwise, what good is it?”

RINGSEND ACTION PROJECT OLDER PEOPLE SUMMER PROGRAMME

T

his year Ringsend Action Project provided a Summer Programme for older people living alone in the community. It is through our contact with them that we have identified that they feel very isolated and lonely during the summer months. The reason for this is that most of the

community activities donʼt operate during the summer.

With the support of the local community mini bus we were able to bring them on day trips.

This summer we had a day out at the Dublin Horse Show and a day out in Wicklow, pictured below and left. These trips catered for 100 older people each time, and were very much enjoyed by all who came along.

We were also able to continue our monthly trips to a shopping centre where they can have the opportunity to do their own personal shopping.

The exact date that Che met Castro is not known but it was around 1955. Che did know Raul Castro, Fidelʼs brother who was an experienced militant in the International Communist movement. Fidel and Che became friends.

Guevara , by 1956 was a fully trained member of the military.

He married his first wife in 1955 and he had one daughter, Hilda.

In the mountains Guevara met Aleida March in 1958, a 24-yearold revolutionary fighter, and she became his second wife in 1959.

Castro knew of Cheʼs leadership qualities and set him a task in the jungles of Cuba. In 1956, along with Fidel Castro and a handful of others, he crossed the Caribbean in the rickety yacht ʻGranmaʼ on the mad mission of invading Cuba and overthrowing the dictator Fulgencio Batista.

Landing in a hostile swamp, losing most of their contingent, the survivors fought their way to the Sierra Maestra. A little over two years later, after a guerrilla campaign in which Guevara displayed such outrageous bravery and skill that he was named comandante, the insurgents entered Havana and launched what was to become the first and only victorious socialist revolution in the Americas.

In 1966 Guevara turned up incognito in Bolivia where he trained and led a guerrilla war in the Santa Cruz region. Guevara failed to win the support of the peasants and his group was surrounded near Vallegrande

by American-trained Bolivian troops. In 1967 on 9th October Che was executed. At the age

of 39 he was shot by Lieutenant Mario Teran in a dilapidated schoolroom at La Higuera, where he had been captured after a skirmish.

Guevaraʼs corpse was buried in a ditch at the end of the runway site of Vallegrandeʼs new airport.

Forty years have passed and Che has persisted in our memory. His figure stares out at us from coffee mugs, posters and the end of key rings.

The real man has been swallowed by the myth. Ariel Dorfman in ʻTimeʼ magazine has written: “Gone is the generous Che who tended wounded enemy soldiers, gone is the vulnerable warrior who wanted to curtail his love of life lest it make him less effective in combat and gone also is the darker, more turbulent Che who signed orders to execute prisoners in Cuban jails without a fair trial.”

Main picture: Guevara in 1951 before undergoing the image overhaul which transformed him into the messianic-looking Che, seen below.

C ARER ’ S

ALLOWANCE BOOST FOR SOCIAL WELFARE RECIPIENTS PEOPLE IN receipt of social welfare income can now qualify for up to half the carerʼs allowance and still hold on to their primary social welfare payment, according to Dublin South East Fianna Fáil TD, Chris Andrews.

Chris Andrews told ʻNewsFourʼ “This new initiative was announced in last Decemberʼs Budget and came into effect on Thursday, September 27. Until now, a carer could receive either the carerʼs allowance or another social welfare income. This has now changed and I would urge carers in the Dublin South East area to enquire whether theyʼre entitled to benefit under the new rules. For example, if a widow is caring for an elderly parent or a member of the family with a disability, she may now be able to get half the carerʼs allowance and still hold onto her widowʼs pension.”

Contact the Department of Social and Family Affairs information services on 1890 66 22 44 or visit www.welfare.ie if you feel you can benefit from this initiative.

PAGE 32

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

HALLOWEEN FUN PAGE

I

By Grace Charley

tʼs nearly time for the Googledy-Gooks and SpooketySpooks to come out– so beware, be very aware!

A LITTLE HALLOWEEN HISTORY Halloween falls on the 31st of October and is translated as All Saintsʼ Day. The tradition of Halloween originated among the ancient Druids, who believed that on that evening, Saman, the lord of the dead, called forth hosts of evil spirits.

The Druids customarily lit great fires on Halloween, apparently for the purpose of warding off all these spirits. Among the ancient Celts, Halloween was the last evening of the year and was regarded as a favourable time for examining the signs of the future.

The Celts also believed that the spirits of the dead revisited their

earthly homes on that evening.

For your Halloween Hamper PUMPKIN PIE INGREDIENTS: 175g granulated sugar ½ tsp salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp ground cloves 2 eggs 300g pumpkin purée (tinned or fresh) 350g evaporated milk 1 unbaked 23cm/9in deep-dish pastry case (or line a deep 23cm/ 9in tart tin with shortcrust pastry) PREPARATION: 1. Preheat oven to 220ºC/ 425ºF/ gas mark 7.

2. Combine sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in small bowl.

3. Beat the eggs lightly in large bowl.

4. Stir the pumpkin purée and

sugar-spice mixture into eggs.

5. Gradually stir in the evaporated milk.

6. Pour into the pastry case.

7. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 180ºC/ 350ºF/ gas mark 4.

8. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted into the centre comes out clean.

9. Cool on a wire rack for 2 hours.

10. Serve immediately or chill.

Ghoulish Games Guess The Ghost Have one child leave the room.

Then take a large sheet and have a different child stand and hide under the sheet. Mix up the remaining children in the room and then allow the child who left the room to come back inside. That

child has to guess who the ghost is by process of elimination and figure out which child is hiding under the sheet. Then that ʻGhostʼ goes out of the room and a different child becomes the new ghost, mix up the remaining children and repeat until all of the children have had a turn being the ghost.

a scarecrow. Give prizes to the scariest or funniest.

Build A Scarecrow Form groups and have a variety of old clothes, pillowcases for heads, markers and newspaper.

Groups have 20 minutes to create

HALLOWEEN HOWLERS Q. Why was the skeleton afraid to cross the road?

A. It had no guts...

Q. How do monsters tell their future?

A. They read their horrorscope...

Q. What is Draculaʼs favourite kind of coffee?

A. Decoffinated...

Q. What do birds give out on Halloween night?

A. Tweets...

Q. Whatʼs a vampireʼs favourite fast food?

A. A man with very high blood pressure…

Q. What does a cannibal get when he comes home late for dinner?

A. The cold shoulder...

unsafe products have been sold.

With Christmas on its way many wonder how Mattel will fare. With new health scares and Bratz currently in more favour than Mattelʼs own Barbie, it might prove difficult for Mattel

to do well.

Now also there is a legal battle over the original designs for Bratz, manufactured by MGA Entertinment. Is this a desperate last ditch attempt to stay on top

by Mattel?

Halloween Candy Hunt Like an Easter egg hunt: Buy plastic eggs and paint them in Halloweʼen colours. Put sweets in them, then hide them. The prize can be the sweets inside or some of the eggs can contain a note telling them theyʼve won a small prize.

DANGEROUS DORA AND FRIENDS RECALLED

By Cathy Caulfield (transition year student)

M

attel, the worldʼs largest toy distributor has recently recalled several of its newly-released products. The reason for this recall was that some of its toys were found to be defective and dangerous for children to play with.

The most recent recall in September was concerning several of its toys found to be coated with lead paint. These toys were Geo Trax Engine, Barbie accessory set and Its a Big, Big World. Lead paint is extremely

dangerous for young children and can seriously damage their health.

This is not the first time Mattel has recalled a toy found to be dangerous after passing its tests and being distributed. Recently two more recalls were sent out for toys with dangerously powerful magnets. A Fisher Price toy was recalled and barely two weeks later five different products brought back for the same reasons. Dora comes under the Fisher Price umbrella.

When small children swallow magnets they can become very dangerous especially when more than one is consumed as the magnets make their way

down the digestive tract they are attracted to one another.

If the attraction is too strong, the magnets are drawn to each other through the tissue of different internal organs. This can cause perforations in essential organs and can result in death.

All of these toys so far have been manufactured in China where the safety precautions around toys are much more lax than in the places where they are distributed. Mattel has tried to reassure its customers that they have tightened up any holes unsatisfactory toys could fall through. Many people find this hard to believe as it has been said many times before and still

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

T WO

FROM AROUND

PAGE 33

1950

PICTURED ABOVE on a ferry are, among others: Billy Cummins, Christy Cummins, Lodger Lawless, Billy Murphy, Paddy OʼToole, John Hawkins, Car54 Smith, John McKeever, Jimmy Dunphy, Peter Byrne, Ted Hawkins, Paddy Byrne, Babiers Murphy, Pat Gaskin and Barney Mannion.

Below, at the Brugh Padraigh Boysʼ Club performing ʻSchool Around the Cornerʼ circa 1950 are Michael Sinnott, Hughie Ashmore and George McDermot.

SCRUFFY MURPHY’S PUB 1 - 2 Powerscourt Lower Mount Street Tel: 6615006 Fax: 6620259

Now serving Sunday lunch commencing Sunday 21st October from 12 - 4 pm Hot carvery lunch and sandwich bar Monday to Friday Evening menu from 5.30 - 8.30 Function room available for hire All functions catered for Late bar available Big screen TV for all major sporting occasions

PAGE 34

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

GLOBAL WARMING AT POOLBEG?

THE AZORES – AN ATLANTIC PARADISE

By Brian Rutherford

I

By George P. Kearns ON TUESDAY, August 14th 2007 circa 1pm and some 15 minutes after the ʻSea Stallionʼ and its small flotilla had passed me by, I noticed the sea beginning to overlap the South Wall, and I wondered if, global warming had begun.

This was a relatively calm day, with not a ship in sight that might have created a wash and for a while blue skies ruled, but by the time the Viking ship, which had engaged in delaying tactics for some time by drifting back and forth in Dublin Bay between the Howth and Dun Laoghaire light house areas, had passed, the sky was overcast and a rain shower appeared imminent.

Some years back, yours truly highlighted in ʻNewsFourʼ the dangerous cracks that had appeared in the foundations of the South Wall and it now looks as if I neednʼt have bothered, as nature has found another way of reclaiming its own.

Chamber Music Weekend at the RDS The Chilingirian Quartet: Saturday, November 3 at 8.00pm Haydn – Quartet No. 6 in E flat op. 64 Bartók – Quartet No. 4 Beethoven – Quartet in A minor op. 132 Triocca: Sunday, November 4 at 3.00pm Bax – Elegiac Trio Britten – Lachrymae Saint-Sáns – Romance for Flute and Harp Debussy – Trio for Flute, Alto and Harp

t seemed to be a paradise in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. The island of San Miguel, a part of Portugal, one of nine islands in the Azores.

From squashing my nose against the travel agentʼs window on a rainy day in Dublin trying to find a good holiday, I found myself on day two of the holiday sitting by a pool at the hotel in tropical sunshine. This was Ponta Delgado and this indeed was paradise.

The effortless flight took three and a half hours and we were treated to a dinner on board. The airport was small but we landed safely and the first thing we noticed was a statue of a modern soldier standing ominously to attention on a hill.

There were two other statues which were neither artistic nor suitable for such a tropical island.

They symbolised a barracks on the seafront, next to the magnificent boardwalk of the port that is Ponta Delgado.

On day three we decided to book a whale-watching trip as it seemed the most popular pastime on the island. For €45 we could spend three hours with these masters of the deep, we thought.

The dolphins were all we saw on the day, but with cameras clicking and bouncing over waves we still enjoyed ourselves.

If Amsterdam is bicycle heaven, then San Miguel is motorbike heaven, and oh, how the natives like to cruise this Isle.

The bikes ranged from dirt track

for the teenagers to Choppers for the older ones. The children who were propped on the back were treated to a tropical breeze in their hair as the bikes toured the boardwalk and roads of the island.

To eat here means eggs– these people love their eggs, for breakfast, for dinner and eggs all around and you can see why after tasting one of their omelettes.

I also highly recommend the hot dogs as I have never seen so much effort put into making one,

for a mere €2.5. The cost of living itself on San Miguel is very low, from beer at €1.50 to the best meals for €10.

We decided to visit the lakes to the south of the island on our last day, and it was well worth the trip. The vegetation ran right to the lakeʼs edge and the view was breathtaking.

As holidays go, I highly recommend it and you will return with money in your pocket.

Above: The Terra Nostra Gardens in the Azores.

Chilingirian Quartet with Finghin Collins: Sunday, November 4 @ 7.00pm Haydn – Piano Trio Gubaidulina – Piano Quintet Brahms – Piano Quintet in F minor op. 34 TICKETS €18/ €14 (concession) per concert €45/ €35 (concession) for all three concerts Advance booking for all tickets is essential For further details, please contact: Johanna Suhr, Arts RDS Foundation Department, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Tel: 240 7255, Email: arts@rds.ie, Web: www.rds.ie/chambermusic

These children at the recent Dublin Port Family Fun Day were… having fun.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

PAGE 35

SATURDAY MORNING CURE AT THE N ATURAL F OOD M ARKET

By Stephanie Morris

T

he Natural Food Market is a new Saturday market, trading at St Andrewʼs Resource Centre, Pearse Street, from 9.30 am to 3 pm, replacing the Co-op which moved to new premises in July.

It is easily accessible on a Saturday morning as the traffic on Pearse Street is not as bad as on a week day and there is ample disc parking. The ambiance is relaxed and you can enjoy yourself just browsing or chatting with the stall owners.

Beibhinn Byrne, a journalist, a native born and bred in Dublin, a mother and a regular Saturday morning die-hard shopper at the Co-op was deeply saddened when she heard that the Co-op was moving on. Not someone to accept the inevitable, Beibhinn took on the challenge of replacing the old market with The Natural Food Market. She started by abolishing the paying-in system and the market is now open to everyone free of charge.

Beibhinn, pictured right, is passionate about the quality of goods sold at the market and sources only from highly reputable suppliers. They also stock their own brand called Supernatural selling

wholefood cereals, pulses and lentils which are pre-packed in biodegradable packaging.

There is a vast range of herbal teas, tea blends and spices. I chose ʻmoonphaseʼ which is a tea promising balance and harmony to the system and found it delicious. Other unique products include dried blueberries with no added sugar, quince rose jelly and apple concentrate.

Spelt is one of the oldest cultivated grains, itʼs not only known for its wholesome nutty flavour, but for its high protein and nutrition content. A wide variety of spelt products are on offer at the market, such as spelt haburmus porridge, a specially blended oat mix, spelt flour and pastas.

Jens Krumpe of Terryglass Organic butchers provides premium quality organic lamb, beef and chickens but get there early if you want an organic chicken for Sunday lunch.

Penny and Udo Langhe of Ballyroan Farm, Kiltegan West Wicklow supply organic fruit and vegetables and they also have a very interesting cheese stall. All cheeses are sourced from Oisin Farmhouse or Moss Field Organic Farm in Co Offaly. They can all be tasted before purchase.

George Heise Baker, Slane,

J OHN D UNNE ’ S DREAM EXHIBITION

By Grace Charley

A

s a child, I used to flick through our gigantic leather-bound bible and pore over the beautiful art work.

I loved to watch Daniel grappling with the Lion and stared wondrously at ʻthe visitʼ from the angel Gabriel. Religious art captured my imagination and depicted for me the workings of Christianity.

After meeting John Dunne, I now realise that religious art is by no means dead and gone.

The emergence of new work from John Dunne in his exhibition the ʻDream of Gerontiusʼ harks back to the renaissance

period.

This exhibition is on view from 1st-11th of November 2007 at the Edith Stein Room at the back of Clarence Street Church. Inspired by the John Henry Newman poem, Dunne takes us on a “journey of an old man from when he dies to when heʼs judged.” The pieces are both fantasy and realism and the palette both rich and vibrant.

What perhaps is most interesting about this figurative painterʼs work is his use of the canvas. Preferring to paint from a black canvas allows him to work from dark to light. And all his paintings tell a story which is why he is also renowned as a narrative painter. Oil is his

Co Meath is a master baker, originally from Germany, who has a wonderful range of breads all baked fresh at 6.00am. They have a specialty gur cake, an original Dublin delight as well as rye, focaccia, tomato, olive and paprika, walnut and raisin and gluten-free bread. I purchased a loaf of cinnamon and walnut, itʼs so good itʼs addictive!

Soneil from India was serving lentil and vegetable soup on the Saturday I went and it was great, warm and wholesome and only costing €3. He also makes lattes and cappuccinos and will grind fresh coffee beans to suit your coffee maker. Also on offer are medium and the varying brushstrokes give good contrast in terms of both texture and structure.

Dunne gets inspiration mainly from literature and a mere line can spark off a process of work. Indeed, it took four years to put his most recent work together. Although Dunne does not indulge in a lot of preparatory drawings, he does tend to develop his work via story boards.

Dunne is originally from Bath Avenue and started out his career in the Royal Air Force as an electronic engineer. It was in 1960 that his love of art came into fruition when he studied life drawing in Singapore.

Having arrived back in Ireland in 1980, Dunne took up a driving job so he could paint part-time. Now a fulltime artist, he is beginning to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

apple danish, pain au chocolate and pain au raisin all sourced from La Artisan bakery from Cavan.

I spoke with Giovanni from La Botega de Enrico (Enricoʼs Shop) and he had some Italian treats such as pestos, tomato sauces and a range of organic extravirgin olive oils flavoured with truffle, porcini, chili and garlic.

There is a variety of wines on offer in red and white.

Products are sold for household cleaning which are ecofriendly and Lotsacleaning is selling concentrated cleaners in little bottles which you mix into your own spray bottle. Only a

small amount of cleaning product is used and the rest is water.

The Natural Food Market is a Saturday morning cure and all ranges of ʻnatureʼs nurturesʼ await you there! The approach is holistic, itʼs all about promoting good health and well-being and being environmentally aware.

Everything you need is under one roof and the prices are competitive. Itʼs worth a try instead of the weekly hassle at the supermarket. There is a volunteer scheme for those who want to help set up and clear away and you receive 10% off all dried and wholefoods.

Website: www.supernatural.ie

PAGE 36

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

MY

STAMMER STRATEGIES

F

By Alan Roberts

or most people I know, speaking is a simple, natural everyday activity that holds no fear. This is not the case, though, for a person who has lived many years of their life as a stammerer.

For twenty-odd years of my life I was one of those people who woke up every morning with the fear of having to speak. As simple as it sounds, fluent speakers donʼt really understand what goes on inside a stammererʼs mind, the fear, the stress and the emotional baggage that comes with having a stammer.

It is not known what causes a stammer, some people say its genetic others say itʼs a chemical imbalance in the brain. Whatever it is, the bad news is, there is no known cure for a stammer.

As far back as I can remember, I have always had some sort of speech impediment, maybe not a stammer at the beginning but something was definitely different. My mother tells me that I could never pronounce my words properly as

a toddler. I can remember that she used to bring me to speech therapy every week when I was about five.

This obviously didnʼt help much.

Maybe I was too young to realize what was going on.

My speech didnʼt seem to affect me during the first few years at school, it was when I reached 1st class that I noticed myself getting very tense when asked to read aloud. I didnʼt stammer though– just felt very uncomfortable and nervous.

One day I was moved into a different class for the day as my teacher was sick. Iʼll never forget that day as long as I live. The substitute teacher asked me to stand up in front of the class and say my name.

This was the first but definitely not the last time I stammered, it took me about thirty seconds just to get my first name out. I remember hearing everybody in the class laughing at me. That fear of stammering then travelled with me throughout my primary school days.

In secondary school I suppose I was perceived as a shy person but all the way through secondary I was

always in trouble with my teachers, maybe this was something to do with the anger and frustration of my speech building up inside.

Anyway, I made it through secondary school without any major bad memories. I passed my Leaving Cert but never really achieved my full potential. It was definitely when I left school and was on my own in the real world that my problems began.

Life is hard enough for fluent speakers leaving school, never mind having to do it with a stammer. It was quite impossible for me to get a job as I was terrified of using the telephone. I still was until a few months ago. So I always applied for jobs by email or had my mother ring up about them.

Iʼve been out of school seven years now and havenʼt held down a proper job for more than two

GIRLS,

years. I just couldnʼt cope with the stress of going to work every day and having that fear of when will I stammer next. My confidence was rock bottom.

At this point, I was doing anything I could do not to talk and when I had to talk I used tricks like substituting difficult words for easier words to say. This can be very frustrating and very annoying so there was always an element of anger and confusion inside me.

Many people I worked with must have just thought I was very quiet and a little strange. But what people saw of me on the outside wasnʼt the real me, Iʼm actually quite an outgoing person but this monster of a stammer on the inside was messing with my head and holding me back.

My speech finally went totally out of control about a year ago, I

could hardly get a word out, I was closing my eyes and had a very bad facial struggle trying to speak. I said to myself and family ʻI cannot take anymore of thisʼ. My mother had mentioned to me on a number of occasions about a speech therapy course called the McGuire Programme that she had seen on the television, but I was always too afraid to pick up the phone and get in touch. Thank God, I finally built up the courage to pick up the phone because itʼs the best move I ever made in my life.

Iʼm now on the McGuire Programme and the difference in me is amazing. Iʼm full of confidence, my speech has improved dramatically, Iʼm more assertive and finally my true personality is coming out. Iʼm not cured as there is no cure but Iʼm a lot happier now than I ever was in my life.

Iʼm actually looking forward to doing interviews for jobs and I now enjoy making and receiving phone calls. I never thought for a minute, Iʼd be writing an article like this about my speech. I owe an awful lot to the McGuire Programme for the help they have given me.

The McGuire Programme started in 1994 and is now a worldwide organization run by people who stammer to help other people who stammer. It is a combination of physical techniques and mental strategies that deal with the fear of stammering, as well as how to develop an assertive attitude towards the problem.

The McGuire Programme can be contacted through Joe OʼDonnell Tel: 074 9125781/074 9110134, Mob: 086 3429602, www.stammering.ie

A CROWD

Pepper Canister Church ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH, MOUNT STREET CRESCENT, DUBLIN 2

MORNING SERVICE 25TH NOVEMBER AT 11AM IN AID OF GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND GUIDE DOGS AND PUPPYWALKERS ESPECIALLY WELCOME Cambridge Girls Under 14 Football team pictured at the Poolbeg Yacht Club recently.

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

By Tom Sheridan

T

he previously existing parish centre of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) of the Sacred Heart, which had ceased to function for a time, has been re-established in the parish of St Patrick, Ringsend.

The PTAA stresses very strongly that it is not anti-alcohol. It has no problem with people who choose to enjoy a social drink in moderation. Its aim is to promote the virtue of temperance which, although in the minds of many people might suggest total abstinence, does not in fact do so.

The virtue of temperance does not preclude the legitimate enjoyment of alcohol in reasonable moderation. This concern for intelligent moderation in the use of alcohol which the Pioneer Association has is shared not just by religious leaders, but also by the State. Alcohol abuse destroys individual lives, wrecks marriages, causes unspeakable suffering in families and is very often a contributory factor in the tragically high number of deaths on our roads. The abuse of alcohol is not just a matter of spiritual or moral concern; it is a gravely serious social problem.

The Pioneer Movement is spiritually based. That is not to say that it doesnít have all the human and social concerns I have referred to. In fact it is precisely because it is spiritually based that it can be most effective in addressing those concerns.

The Pioneer makes the personal choice to make the sacrifice of renouncing alcohol for life for the love of God and neighbour, to make reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the sins committed through the excessive use of alcohol and also, very importantly, to try to help people by their sacrifice and prayers who have problems with alcohol. The PTAA absolutely condemns any idea or attitude of a Pioneer looking down his or her nose on the person with a drink problem. The true Pioneer has nothing but understanding and compassion for anyone with a drink problem, especially those unfortunate people who bear the burden of the illness, and I stress illness, of alcoholism.

Part of the motivation of a true Pioneer is to try by their own personal sacrifice and prayers to help those people. If you are a catholic and a non-drinker, but not a Pioneer, why not turn your natural habit of not drinking into a super-

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natural virtue by becoming a Pioneer, by wearing the badge to give good example and to give support and encouragement to those who are struggling with a drink problem by the daily recitation of the Associationʼs prayers. You would be doing immeasurable good. Please think and pray about it.

There are five categories of Pio-

Ringsend Action project, 28 Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 Tel: 01-6607558

neers. Juvenile Pioneer (aged 8-11 years) who undertake not to drink alcohol for a chosen period of time, for example, up to the age of sixteen. These children must have their parentsʼ consent to join. Then there are young Pioneers (aged 12 years and upwards) who promise to abstain from alcohol up to at least 18 years of age and refrain from the use of illicit drugs for life. Next there is the temporary Pioneer.

These are adults who pledge to give up alcohol for a chosen period of time, maybe to get their drinking under better control and with a view to becoming a permanent Pioneer if they think they can manage it. Then there is the permanent Pioneer. These are 16 years old plus who havenʼt partaken of alcohol for a period of at least one year prior to enrolment. The permanent Pioneer takes a pledge of total abstinence for life. Finally there is the short term pledge Pioneer. These

are adults who take a pledge of total abstinence for a period of their own choice. The pledge may be renewed as frequently as desired.

Each category of Pioneer has its own distinctive badge. Members are asked to wear the badge publicly.

Most importantly of all, members are asked to pray the prayers of the Association on a daily basis for the intentions, aims and objectives of it and in a very special way to help individuals and families who suffer through the abuse of alcohol.

If you want to help people who are suffering through the abuse of alcohol then please consider becoming a Pioneer. Members of our centre in Ringsend are available in the sacristy of the church every Sunday morning between 11.00am and 1.00pm to enrol new members.

We would be delighted to see you.

God be with you Tom Sheridan Council secretary

Ringsend Action project International 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence Against Women Campaign 2007 Each year, Ringsend Action Project (RAP) support the community to take part in the Annual 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence Against Women. The Campaign starts from the 25th November (International Day Against Violence Against Women) and ends on the 10th December (International Human Rights Day).

In 2007, RAP and the Domestic Violence Working Group will focus on remembering the 133 women of Ireland who were murdered since 1996 with a Commemoration Service. The Service will consist of readings, poems and songs relevant to the issue of domestic violence. Religious leaders from the many denominations in Ireland will also participate in the Commemoration Service. This event will be the first of its type in Dublin and will send a message of solidarity and encouragement to the families of the women who have died.

Ringsend Action Project would like to take this opportunity to invite the readers of News Four to join us in remembering the 133 women who have been murdered since 1996. We want the families to know that their loved ones have not been forgotten by the people of Ireland.

The Commemoration Service will take place on Wednesday 28th November in St Patrickʼs Church, Ringsend, Dublin 4 at 7.30pm Anne Delcassian, whose sister Irene was murdered in her home in Dundalk on 6th April 2005, will give the opening address.

Letters of Solidarity from President Mary McAleese and Pope Benedict XVI will be read out at the Service.

Enjoying the Dublin Port Family Fun Day was Josh Murphy from Pearse Street.

For More Information Contact: Aileen Foran at 087-7706503 or e-mail raponforan@eircom.net

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

M u s ic4 …

BY FERGAL MURPHY * NESSA JENNINGS * JOHN CAVENDISH

Album Choice

Paddy Casey– ʻAddicted To Companyʼ ʻAddicted To Companyʼ is the third album from former busker Paddy Casey. Although Iʼd be a fan of Paddy Casey, for some reason I wasnʼt too pushed on listening to this album after I got it. Probably ʻcos I was in a good mood!

This album is pretty good though, in the same vein as the rest with the same sensitive singer-songwriter style shining through and Paddyʼs soulful, lovelorn voice still as good as ever.

This album is definitely more soulful with gospel like back up singers ʻAddicted To Companyʼ, tells of the plight of the displaced ʻRefugeeʼ and the funky start-off chords on the best song on the album ʻNot Out To Get Youʼ which takes off Bill Withersʼs ʻGrandmaʼs Handsʼ. Thereʼs no ʻSweet Suburban Skyʼ on this but a good album none the less.

Ian Brown– ʻThe World Is Yoursʼ Ian Brown is back!

The man, the myth, the former lead singer of the Stone Roses and legend in his own rightʼs fifth studio album is out now. This album is a natural progression from the preceding four which have seen his sound break away from rock and get more soulful and strings-influenced.

The lyrics also have got much more political and socially aware and the first single condemning the war in Iraq ʻIllegal Attacksʼ featuring our own Sinead OʼConnor has been causing controversy since its release.

This album is a masterpiece and the thought-provoking lyrics tackling everything from poverty, ʻSave Usʼ, realising your own potential, ʻThe World Is Yoursʼ, to organised religion, ʻSome Folks Are Hollowʼ, over hip hop, soul-influenced beats and orchestral-like strings make this album a must!!

Can music improve literacy skills?

M

usical tuition could help children develop literacy and combat reading disorders, according to a study published by a US university. It may be as important for enhancing verbal communication skills as phonics, which requires children to learn the sounds of words rather than their shape, says a team at Northwestern University, Illinois. The value of musical tuition rests on how musicians use all of their senses to practise and perform a musical piece.

They watch other musicians, read lips, and feel, hear and perform music. As it turns out, this multi-sensory feature of musical training also enhances the same communication skills needed

for speaking and reading, concludes the study. The 30 people who took part in the study, who had varying amounts of musical training or none at all, wore scalp electrodes that measured their brain responses to audio and video of a cellist playing and a person speaking.

“Audiovisual processing was much enhanced in musiciansʼ brains compared to non-musician

counterparts, and musicians also were more sensitive to subtle changes in both speech and music,” said Prof Nina Kraus, director of Northwesternʼs Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory.

Reading, like speech and music, requires multi-sensory combination: children need to associate what they hear with a visual image, and they engage their motor skills as they write, said Prof Kraus. The study suggests that musical training could help children develop literacy skills and combat literacy disorders.

10 best movie soundtracks

T

By Fergal Murphy

hey say the best soundtracks are like movies for the ears. Did you ever notice the way a good soundtrack can transform a very average film into a classic? The right song at the right moment can either get the heart rate soaring or have you reaching for the tissues. The right soundtrack can turn film watching into an emotional experience. With this in mind, here is a list of ten of my favourite film soundtracks: The Blues Brothers – Soul and blues, every one a cracker. My own personal favourite being the ʻRawhideʼ theme tune!

Almost Famous – The bus scene with Elton Johnʼs ʻTiny Dancerʼ brought the song out of obscurity for me.

Forrest Gump – From Elvis, to Credence, to the Supremes. A complete history of American music from the fifties to the eighties.

Boogie Nights – Funk, soul, disco. Itʼs the seventies again baby! Stick on the platforms, break out the medallions and get down on it!!

O Brother Where Art Thou – One of my favourites (pictured above) and I wouldnʼt normally listen to this sort of music. An angelic mix of blues, bluegrass, folk and gospel music.

Purple Rain – Princeʼs masterpiece, containing ʻWhen Doves Cryʼ and the powerful title track.

Jackie Brown – All Tarantinoʼs soundtracks are top-notch. This opened me up to The Delphonics and made Bobby Womackʼs ʻAcross 110th Streetʼ one of my all-time favourites.

Dirty Dancing – To get in touch with your feminine side, Iʼve had the time of my life!

Shrek 2 – With brilliant songs from the Counting Crows and Joseph Arthur.

Trainspotting – A perfect example, right, of a top class soundtrack, with excellent use of songs from New Order, Lou Reed and who can forget that opening scene with Iggy Popʼs ʻLust for Lifeʼ!!

NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007

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Music4 …

2

DAVE LIEBMAN IN DUBLIN TRIBUTE TO JOHN COLTRANE

By Nessa Jennings

N

ew York saxophonist Dave Liebman, above left, has been coming to Ireland for twenty years, which he says is one of the best places for music at this time.

Liebman is arguably the reigning king of the soprano, as well as one of the most complete improvisers in modern music.

He played with the Guilfoyle/ Nielsen trio recently, with whom he recorded an album ʻAfter Darkʼ in 1998. They were joined by Michael Buckley on stage in J.J. Smyths and in a packed Meeting House Square by a group of young Irish musicians to play the music of his mentor John Coltrane, pictured right. With only one three-hour practice that morning, these Irish musicians proved their mettle.

Liebman performed on tenor,

joined by Kelan Walsh (alto), Paul Williamson (trumpet), Francesco Turrisi (piano), Dave Redmond (bass) and David Lyttle (drums).

Dave Liebman did the arrangements, and recalled seeing the Trane live from the peanut gallery at Birdland for the first time in 1961 when he was only fifteen. He went back over 30 times (the Half Note, the Village Vanguard also).

Dave Liebman is a teacher and mentor himself. He led these young Irish musicians through ʻDahomey Danceʼ, ʻAlabamaʼ and ʻOléʼ.

The first was joyful; the second is a haunting theme, written about the burning of a church in Alabama in 1963 when three young girls were burned; and ʻOléʼ had three horns skidding over a baseline that would frighten children!

Later, the very moving ʻDear Lordʼ was played simply (Coltraneʼs Love Poem to God); ʻCompassionʼ was

played with an unbeatable groove overlaid with three horns climbing and throwing shapes, and interplaying to create the sound of a New York traffic jam. ʻIndiaʼ opened with a tin whistle like the cry of the heartland, with bowed bass behind serving as a drone, and a two note riff to blow you away. I cannot say enough to compliment these fine young musicians, who have the repertoire and the chops to perform these arrangements.

Coltrane came on the scene in 1955, appearing with Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk (his early period), culminating in the ʻGiant Stepsʼ recording, and ʻKind of Blueʼ in 1959; then formed the classic quartet, McCoy Tyner (piano), Elvin Jones (drums), Jimmy Garrison (bass), John Coltrane (tenor saxophone) which burned for five years until 1965, culminating in the mythic ʻA Love Supremeʼ recording (middle period); and then entered his highly spiritual late period with a change of personnel (Alice Coltrane, Archie Schepp, Pharoah Sanders, Rashid Ali, Eric Dolphy), with the recordings ʻInterstellar Spaceʼ and ʻMeditationsʼ, lasting two years until his death in July 1967, from liver disease.

In a lecture by Dave Liebman about John Coltrane, probably the most talked about jazz musician of all time he said that when he saw the quartet live in New York he was

overwhelmed by the unbelievable power, intensity and vibe. “Youʼd sit, and youʼd be in a trance, it was volcanic.” Dave said that he wouldnʼt be the same person if it hadnʼt been for seeing John.

Dave dispels the idea that Coltrane might have been a prodigy. He wasnʼt. He was a slow developer, came through the ranks, paid his dues. Born in North Carolina, he became part of the Philadelphia scene.

He owed a lot to Lester Young for his sound. In the lecture, we heard some early Coltrane playing the blues. In those days, if you couldnʼt play the blues, you couldnʼt take the stand.

At the beginning, no-one had any idea that Coltrane would become a legend. He did not stand out, and he was very self-effacing. He was renowned for practising between sets. Coltrane saw that there was

a lot to be explored: exotic scales; whole-tone scales; Phrygian; halftone scales. Coltrane sweated it out to put the theory into the fingers. He came in with an agenda, something to work out.

Dave Liebman asked Elvin Jones how many times they might have played ʻMy Favourite Thingsʼ? His answer: “I donʼt know how many goddamn times we played it. But every time we played it, we played it like there was no tomorrow.” In the lecture we heard a piece from ʻCrescentʼ, which was sublime, and ended with a DVD of ʻImpressionsʼ which was truly inspiring.

John Coltrane was really the first to talk about his music being a vessel, that he was a vessel, a conduit to a higher power. His music today continues to hold rewards for musicians.

GONE TO CARCASSONNE

I

By John Cavendish

travelled with my friend Sarah to the French city of Carcassonne.

Carcassonne is most often described as a walled medieval town in the Languedoc region of southwest France. There are, in fact, two Carcassonnes: the famous walled City (cité) and the adjacent town of about 45,000 people. The mediaeval walled town lies on the right bank of the River Aude and is featured on UNESCOʼs World Heritage list.

It has 52 towers and 2 rings of town walls making a total of 3 km of battlements.

The main reason for our trip was to see the former singer from Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, pictured, and

his band the Strange Sensation at the end of a European tour that ended in Monte Carlo. Plant, the legendary voice of one of the most influential bands in the history of rock, first discovered blues music near Birmingham where he spent his childhood.

A vocalist and harmonica player, he joined The Band of Joy in 1967; the groupʼs drummer was none other than John Bonham. In 1968, Jimmy Page, the Yardbirdsʼ amazing guitarist was looking for a new singer for his band and fell under Plantʼs charm at a concert. Robert and John joined the New Yardbirds, whose name was changed quickly to Led Zeppelin.

The rest is history: ʻStairway to heavenʼ, ʻWhole lotta loveʼ, ʻHeartbreakerʼ… Seeking inspiration in blues and folk music, the group was

the precursor of a new generation of musical trends: hard rock and heavy metal. After the unfortunate death of the drummer John Bonham in 1980

Led Zeppelin disbanded and Robert Plant embarked on a solo career and released five records between 1982 and 1993.

From 1995 to 1998, he joined forces again with his old accomplice Jimmy Page for two albums and two tours. He started the new millennium by exploring musical styles he found particularly interesting: Moroccan music from the Atlas region and psychedelic indo-rock from the West Coast of the USA. For this original fusion, he founded a new band: Strange Sensation and recorded ʻDreamlandʼ and, more recently, ʻMighty Rearrangerʼ which was nominated twice at the Grammy Awards. In May 2006, he received the ʻPolar Music Prizeʼ for Led Zeppelin from the hands of His Majesty

The King of Sweden.

The Band led by Robert Plant on vocals also featured Billy Fuller on bass, Clive Deamer on drums, John Baggott on keyboards and synths, Justin Adams and Skin Tyson on guitars. The sound of Plantʼs music has shifted from the classic metal sounds to a newer feel with the introductions of mandolins and Far Eastern cadences as well as a re-arrangement of ʻWhole Lotta Loveʼ which kept the riff and yet saw a gypsy-punk tinge added it. The song ʻFreedom Friesʼ allowed Plant to make his feelings on the war in Iraq known as he played the words of George Bush to the audience to point to the shame of the war. The audience insisted on standing and cheered the Zeppelin numbers everyone knew.

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NEWSFOUR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2007