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1st October 2013 • Volume 20, Issue 37 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Momentous Day For Skerries Sunday last, 29th September was a truly memorable day in the history of Skerries, when President Michael D. Higgins visited the town to unveil the Sea Memorial, in honour of lives lost at sea The memorial, with 267 entries of ships and people lost in marine accidents off the North County Dublin coast, consisted of the restoration of a “totem pole” previously used by the Coast Guard, as both a viewing platform and as part of a rescue apparatus. This pole is well known to locals and was a local landmark, climbed by generations of Skerries residents and visitors. The pole fell into disrepair and was removed by the County Council for health and safety reasons about a decade ago. But a community-driven campaign led by
local businessman Karl Duff to “Bring Back the Pole” was initiated by award winning designer, Shane Holland on St. Patrick’s Day 2012. This saw local companies, community leaders and politicians co-operate to reinstate the pole, with 21st century safety improvements. This pole has now been redesigned and installed at the bandstand on Red Island Skerries, with individual plates of stainless steel set out around the plinth, marking each loss. The memorial carries the names of people and ships lost at sea, and forms one of Ireland’s largest registers of marine victims, comprising ships, fishermen, U-boats, sailors, swimmers, rescuers and
By Patrick Finnegan @TheCountyLeader
President Michael D. Higgins is pictured at the Sea Memorial in Skerries, along with County Mayor, Kieran Dennison and members of Skerries Lifeboat crew and other prominent members of the local maritime community
wartime maritime casualties from 10 different nations over 250 years. The unveiling was attended by County Mayor, Kieran Dennison and families and relations of some of the victims, including from the UK and other countries. RNLI boats and crews from Skerries, Howth and
Shock As La Combre Overlooked Fianna Fail held two many as the clear selection meetings last favourite to represent the week, where candidates party from the Donabate were selected to repre- area, but in a surprising sent the party in the development, she was forthcoming local elec- ousted by newcomer, tions. On Tuesday, 24th Adrian Henchy, who joins September, Eoghan John Hennessy and O’Brien and Aileen incumbent councillor, Woods were selected to Darragh Butler. on the represent Fianna Fail in Fianna Fail ticket. Both the Howth/Malahide Butler and Hennessy Ward, at a meeting in the were selected unaniGrand Hotel, Malahide. mously, with Henchy and Ms Woods is a La Combre vying for the daughter of former third position. Henchy Fianna Fail will now repreminister, Dr sent the Michael Woods. Donabate and However the Portrane area of real talking the Swords point was the ward. failure of Clara La Combre, La Combre to from Donabate secure the was widely nomination for seen by many the Swords Clara La Combre as the likely ward, which includes candidate. She has been Donabate and Portrane. very active in local poliAt a heated meeting in tics on the peninsula, and the Carnegie Court Hotel, was regarded by many as Swords, three candidates a highly suitable candiwere chosen to run in the date to secure a seat for Swords electoral area, the party in the Swords which includes ward. Donabate. This selection In what was described by process involved an one insider as “a unexpected contest for surprising development, the third place. La that a procedural deciCombre was seen by sion was needed”, La
Combre was defeated. “This procedure was an area of contention, but eventually Henchy was selected. Clara was one of the most gracious speakers on the night and she handled her defeat with dignity. She’s a tremendous asset to the party.” John Hennessy is no newcomer to politics and he campaigned in the last local elections. He told the County Leader, “I, together with Councillor Butler, and will now move forward to secure as many seats in this ward as possible. I will do that by getting my name out there and I promise that you will not find me wanting in
hard work. I understand tourism. For example, and appreciate it is simply what has now become the about getting to all the tired issue of developdoors in my designated ment of the castle and the area and ensuring that I surrounding area. On this meet and impress as issue, what is required, is many voters as possible.” not endless questions, “I personally but rather to believe that secure the right Swords, for answers with many years the right plan. under opposiHenchy spoke tion party about his plans control, has for the area, been let down. particularly Poor planning Portrane and decisions have Donabate. “It’s been made John Hennessy a real honour resulting in parts of our and privilege to have Main Street becoming been selected by the derelict. There has been party and I was delighted no real cohesive effort to to have been asked to put develop Swords as both a my name forward. I fully business hub and also its recognise that Fianna Fail
has much work to do to restore public confidence, but new energy, fresh ideas and new thinking can energise the party. This needs to begin from the ground up, through honesty and commitment, which I believe I can deliver for the people of Donabate, Portrane and Swords.” He continued, “I have been working hard for the past number of years to help make Donabate and Portrane great places to live and do business. He is an active member of many clubs,in the area, most notably St Patrick’s GAA Club and Portrane Hockey Club.
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Clogherhead, as well as representatives from the Coast Guard, RNLI, Naval Service and Air Corps. A Guard of Honour by local land and sea scouts was another highlight of the day. The poignant ceremony also included the release of hundreds of racing pigeons and the reading of the Lost at Sea by children from seven local schools. It also featured a Fly-over by the Air Corps and Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter and singing by the Sea-Sharps choral group, and Fingal Chamber Choir.
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