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2nd July 2013 • Volume 20, Issue 24 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Hero Of The Hour There was a great sense of occasion in Rush last week, with the unveiling of a public work of art in the form of statues, depicting the rich maritime tradition of the town. The artwork is called, Men of the Sea and it is located at Echlin Court in the centre of the town. It depicts five legendary characters associated with Rush. However, it was local boy, Stephen Boyle who was the real hero of the day. Stephen, aged seven, is a pupil of Rush National School, and his interest in the project was aroused, when he discovered that one of the five characters in the artwork is a hero of his. Luke Ryan was a notorious pirate and privateer, who terrorised ships around the coast in the 18th century. He was eventually employed by Benjamin Franklin during the American War of Independence, to wreak havoc on British ships in the Irish Sea. Stephen told the County Leader, “I have a great interest in Luke Ryan, ever since my granddad told
By Patrick Finnegan me about him and, when I heard that Luke Ryan’s statue was to be included in the artwork, I decided to write a letter to the Irish Navy and the American Ambassador, saying that someone important should be present when the new statue of Captain Luke Ryan is being unveiled. I also attached the story of Luke with the letters. The American Embassy wrote back to me, but politely said that they would be too busy with the President Obama visit,” said Stephen. However, all was not lost for this tenacious young boy, as the Irish Navy sent a representative to the unveiling. Lieutenant Elizabeth Barrett, who is a native of nearby Skerries was very impressed with Stephen and said, “It’s lovely to see different generations from the locality with a passion for life at sea and this proud tradition being carried on. One of the principal roles of the Irish Navy is fishing protection, so it’s appropriate that we are represented here,” she said. Stephen was the real hero of the day and his enthusiasm was infectious. He was praised by all present and his enthusiasm is widely regarded as giving the whole project the momentum it needed. His entire family were present at the
Pictured at the unveiling of the statues at Echlin Court in Rush, is Stephen Boyle (in red coat), with his family, including his granddad Paddy Boyle, his dad Eoin, his mother Joanne, his brothers Liam, Sean and Robert, as well as Lieutenant Elizabeth Barrett, representing the Irish Naval Services.
unveiling and his father, Eoin was gushing in his praise for his son. He told the County Leader, “We’re really proud of Stephen. He’s a real go getter and is very bright. He has proven that anything is possible, when you put your mind to it. He has a huge interest in local history and when he heard the statues were to be unveiled, he felt the American Navy should be present,” said a proud Eoin. When asked how it feels to be in the spotlight, chirpy Stephen said, “It feels great that I’m getting all the attention. Miss McMonagle, my teacher is delighted with what I’ve done,” said a delighted
Stephen. Other characters depicted in the statues include Jack the Batchelor, the famous smuggler, a French Crusader, who is believed to have built the first church in Rush, a Roman soldier, in reference to Roman coins found nearby, St Maur, patron saint of seafarers and long associated with Rush and of course, Luke Ryan.
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Local senator, Darragh O’Brien (FF) has put up a sterling argument to Taoiseach, Enda Kenny about the abolition of the Seanad. In welcoming the Taoiseach to the Seanad, O’Brien, who is Fianna Fail leader in the House, made sure to mention that it was only Mr Kenny’s second visit to this House in the two and a half years since he assumed office. He said, “I respect the Taoiseach and his office, but I expect the Taoiseach to respect the Oireachtas, as elected. I put it to him that the fact that he has only once, prior to this day, attended the Chamber in his tenure shows he does not fully respect the Oireachtas, as it is currently constituted and this is concerning.” “I can inform the Taoiseach from talking to people where I live, here in North County
Dublin, that reform of the that this is simply a diversionary Seanad is not even in the top tactic from the difficult deciten items that people discuss. sions that he will have to make The vulnerable people, the in the upcoming budget.” victims of the economic down- O’Brien is anxious to see reform turn referred to by the of the Seanad and is totally Taoiseach, are keen to see against the idea of a referGovernment action endum on the abolion matters such as tion of the Seanad mortgage arrears, that would make jobs, employment more than 75 and emigration.” specific changes to He was suspicious the Constitution. about the timing of “I do not envisage the referendum reform coming in the and feels that the guise of abolition.” Taoiseach may be In a stinging rebuke using it to deflect Senator Darragh O’Brien to the Taoiseach, attention from O’Brien said, himself. He said, “I call on the “Amending Bunreacht na Taoiseach to explain the timing hÉireann, which is owned by the of this referendum and whether people, is not something to be he intends to hold the refer- taken lightly. I fear and believe endum in October. Do I take it that the Taoiseach is taking it the Taoiseach intends to hold it lightly and he is vandalising the before the budget? Is that his Constitution with this intention? If so, I put it to him proposal,” he concluded.
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