15 minute read
George Bernard Shaw, Nobel Laureate and Oscar winner
Proper impressive and no mistake
Continuing her literary travels around these islands, Lorna Hogg’s latest subject needs no introduction: Dubliner George Bernard Shaw, one of the most influential and successful dramatists of the 20th century but forever associated with his creation, the flower girl Eliza, in Pygmalion
Nobel Prize winner, writer, critic, political activist, vegetarian, early Anti-Vaccer - and author of over sixty plays, he was one of the most influential dramatists of the twentieth century; George Bernard Shaw – or Bernard Shaw, as he liked to be known -- was born on 26th July 1856 at 3, Upper Synge Street, Dublin. Irony was a feature of his work - and also his life.
Hailed as a great Irish writer, he may have been born into the then Protestant Ascendency, but his was an impoverished branch. His early home life was unconventional and unhappy, and he departed Ireland early for twentyseven years, and never returned to live here. He retained his British citizenship after Irish independence and lived in England for most of his adult life, challenging its values and political beliefs, as much as he did the Irish variety. He would claim that complete Irish independence was ‘impractical’ but met Michael Collins, and was impressed by him - and also received the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 1946. Shaw grew up in a lower middle class family, the son of George and Lucinda Shaw. His mother was close to the family lodger, musician George Lee, with whom she, Shaw and his sisters Lucinda and Èlinor Agnes, eventually moved to Hatch Street. The young boy disliked it even more. He left school at fifteen, and self-educated, whilst working for a time in a firm of land agents. In 1862 his mother and Lee along with his two sisters, left Ireland for London. Shaw joined them in 1876, from the Dublin home shared with his father, upon hearing that his sister Agnes was dying of tuberculosis.
Shaw’s early London years were filled with his attempts to get work, and also his interests in political movements and societies. He lived with his mother, and developed an interest in Fabianism, Marxism and Socialism. By the 1880s, however, his life had changed. He finally found work as a newspaper critic, insisting that ‘all great art needs a message.’ He also had his first serious love affair with an older married woman, Jane Patterson. It lasted for eight years.
Shaw’s magnificent Arts and Craft style house at Ayot St Lawrence, Hertfordshire is set in prize-winning gardens. Both are open to the public. An Oscar and Nobel Prize for literature
Shaw was unafraid to pick controversial topics for his work –and to strip away hypocrisy. Arms and The Man (1893) satirised the concepts of love, honour and class. Mrs. Warren’s Profession (1893) took a look at the hypocrisy around prostitution. whilst Candida (1894) focused on a young woman’s choice of romantic love - for unconventional reasons. Financial success came during the 1890s - the £2,000 in royalties from The Devil’s Disciple (1897) finally allowed Shaw to give up work as a critic and become a dramatist.
Local politics At this time, Shaw, interested in various political philosophies, became involved with local politics. However, the inevitable increase in workload damaged his health, and he suffered serious illness. He was nursed back to health by wealthy Anglo Irishwoman, Charlotte Payne Townsend, who had apparently once proposed to him. She suggested that the most practical solution would be for her to move into the house to care for him. Shaw, concerned at how her suggestion would appear, now agreed to marriage. So, in 1898 the pair entered a union, largely believed to be of companionship, to silence any gossip. He retained his London flat, but his marriage also prompted a move down to the idyllic Hertfordshire village of Ayot St. Lawrence. There, he purchased a beautiful house, re-named it Shaw’s Corner - and got in touch with his inner gardener.
The new century brought him major success as a dramatist. John Bull’s Other Island, (1904) about an Englishman’s Irish experiences, opened at the prestigious Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square. It was said that on opening night, King Edward VII laughed so much that he broke his chair. However, the Abbey Theatre in Dublin was too nervous about the play’s political slant to stage it here. Shaw, however, insisted that he focused upon the ‘the real old Ireland’ whilst modern Irish dramatists presented the New Ireland’s view of the New Ireland. None of this prevented his growing friendships with such figures as Lady Gregory, and Synge. By now, Shaw’s plays were attracting international interest. Man and Superman (1902) was staged in New York, and Major Barbara (1905) and The Doctor’s Dilemma (confirmed his status. However, Pygmalion (1912) remains one of his best-known plays, ironically thanks to the change in emphasis brought about by the later film My Fair Lady. The two versions presented different futures for flower girl Eliza, whose life was changed by learning to `speak proper.’ In Pygmalion, Eliza walks out on Professor Henry Higgins, and creates a new life for herself. She realises that he would never see her as she had become. In the later film version, My Fair Lady, love conquers all.
In his personal life, Shaw had become quite the romantic - flirtatious and appreciative of women, especially actresses. Unsurprisingly, his relationships with women were complex. His appreciation seems to have been mainly emotional and platonic, involving impassioned letter exchanges. Ellen Terry was one such, and he was also said to have had a love affair – again, much by written word, with his stage Eliza, played by the famous actress, Mrs. Patrick Campbell, which lasted several months.
Politics remained a strong concern. He became interested in the Fabians, and he also took out a share in the magazine The New Statesman. However, few were surprised when in 1925, Shaw finally found himself travelling to Stockholm to receive his Nobel Prize for Literature. It says much about the man however, that he arranged that his prize money should sponsor a new Anglo-Swedish Literary Foundation, to translate Swedish works into English.
Unique achievement in the 1930’s: An Oscar for his screenplay for the film adaption of Pygmalion and a Feet up at home. Irish Times photo
despite a spell of ill health, and also moved with the times; working on film screen plays for both Pygmalion and St. Joan. He also had the chance to see some of the acclaimed stage acting greats e.g. Ralph Richardson, Laurence Olivier and Sybil Thorndike, take on his creations.
New venture Ever prepared to consider new ventures, he developed an interest in the Malvern Literary Festival, and was a regular visitor in his later years. His presence there drew considerable public, and press, interest. Shaw did not cultivate this and could be quite dismissive with enthusiastic local journalists. The festival often coincided with his birthday, and he became somewhat irritated by questions of how it felt to be growing older. On the day one enthusiastic young journalist asked how it felt to be seventysix, Shaw promptly asked him how he would like to be continuously questioned about his feelings around his age. ‘Oh, I don’t expect to live that long’ was the reply. `’That’s all very well, but you never can tell. The worst may happen ' was Shaw’s reply, to the delight of the crowd. He died aged ninety-four, on November 2nd 1950, after falling out of a tree he was pruning – having recently completed his play Why She Would Not.
One obituary by the Times Literary Supplement pointed out that he was ‘no originator of ideas rather an insatiable adopter and adapter’. Some might say that he was a visionary. In 2018, a New York stage production of My Fair Lady finally reverted to Shaw’s original ending – as his Eliza finally declared to Higgins that she could ‘do very well without you!’
No 3, Upper Synge Street Dublin, is under renovation, and is expected to become an artists’ residence.
Shaw’s Corner, in Ayot St. Lawrence was left by Shaw to the National Trust, and its Shavian treasure trove house and beautifully maintained gardens can be visited.
The Ombudsman and complaints about public services
Ombudsman Ger Deering says that complaints can be used to improve the delivery of public services.
In most cases, services provided to older people by public bodies such as government departments, local authorities and the HSE, and by private nursing homes, go well. However, when things go wrong you may have to make a complaint to that body. If you are unhappy with the outcome of your complaint you can then contact the Ombudsman.
The Office of the Ombudsman provides a free and impartial service for dealing with complaints about most providers of public services. The Ombudsman is independent of government.
What can I complain to the Ombudsman about?
The Ombudsman can examine complaints about:
• decisions you consider to be unfair and that affect you in a negative way
• a failure to give you clear reasons for decisions
• a failure to communicate with you on time
• providing you with incorrect, inaccurate or misleading information and
• a failure to deal properly with your complaints
How will the Ombudsman deal with my complaint?
First, we check that we are allowed to handle your complaint. We may ask the public service provider you have complained about to send us a report. We may examine their files and records and ask them questions. It can take time to gather the information we need. Next, we will decide if:
• your complaint should be upheld
• you have suffered because of the action or decision of the public service provider If we decide you have suffered and the public service provider has not taken steps to put this right, we may ask the provider to:
• look again at what it has done • change its decision • offer you an explanation, an apology and/or money (we do not always seek compensation or indeed receive it even if we do request it)
Usually, we handle complaints by discussing the problem with the public service provider and looking at the relevant files. If necessary, we do a detailed investigation.
What the Ombudsman cannot examine
People sometimes contact us about things we are unable to deal with. The Ombudsman cannot look at complaints about:
• clinical judgement, such as decisions on treatment or diagnosis
• employment
• complaints where the law provides for a right of appeal to a court
• the complaint is, or has been, the subject of legal proceedings before the courts
When should I complain to the Ombudsman?
Before you complain to the Ombudsman, you must first complain to the service provider whose action or decision has affected you. In some cases there will be a local appeals system which you should use.
If you have complained to the service provider and are still unhappy, then you can contact the Ombudsman. You should submit your complaint within 12 months of the action or decision that has adversely affected you. However, even if more than 12 months has passed, we may still be able to help if there is a good reason for the delay.
How do I complain to the Ombudsman?
The easiest way to make a complaint to the Ombudsman is through our website: www.ombudsman.ie
You can also write to us at: Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773.
Or call us if you need any help at 01 639 5600
The past two years have thrown all we know about the world into disarray. We were told to stay at home and to stay away from family and friends. For some they were advised not to go outside at all. Since Covid-19 arrived in Ireland, uncertainty became our new normal. We all needed to adjust and learn to manage this uncertainty in our own way. The uncertainty was compounded with restrictions being lifted and reintroduced over the past 24 months. We had to get used to a cycle of change throughout the months which undoubtably increased stress, worry and anxiety for everyone in Ireland and the world.
For people in the older age bracket the restrictions imposed were severe, over 70’s were asked to cocoon, directed to stay indoors, curtail social visits from friends and family and halt outdoor exercise. Many of these activities shaped the daily routines of people and their quality of life prior to the pandemic.
Isolation and loneliness do not care what age we are, they can affect any person at any stage of life. However, for those aged 60+ isolation was imposed in an effort to protect them from Covid-19. The Irish Longitudinal Study on aging (TILDA) found that 1 in 10 adults aged 60+ and older felt they lacked companionship during the pandemic and 30% felt lonely at least some of the time with 37% reporting low levels of life satisfaction. The Drinkaware annual Barometer survey 2021 found that the primary motivation for people aged 65 and older for drinking was for enhancement (to get a buzz, to get drunk, because it is fun).
While some people turned to alcohol to decrease feelings of boredom, this can have unintended negative consequences, and now that restrictions have been lifted, it is important to take stock of habits that might have formed during the pandemic. Have you increased the amount you drink? Or have you increased the frequency of your drinking? Over the past months many of us have been forming new habits, some might be healthy habits that would be beneficial to maintain. The TILDA study found that 45% of those aged 60+ increased their DIY and or gardening during the pandemic. But other less positive habits may have formed including increased frequency of drinking alcohol, or increased volume of alcohol consumed. Remember it is never too late to break an unhealthy habit to protect your health and well-being and keeping up with positive habits that you started during the pandemic will help with the adjustments that will arise in the coming months, as society reopens.
There will be new feelings of stress and worry about restrictions lifting. It may be a good idea to think about whether alcohol is affecting your mental well-being at this time and if you would like a change. Some key questions to ask yourself are:
• Am I drinking to change my mood? • How is my mood the day after drinking? • Is drinking alcohol affecting my sleep?
The reopening of society is a positive step, but it may increase worry and stress for some. After months of being directed to limit social interactions, some might find it difficult to be social again. Drinkaware provides public health resources, covering mental health and coping strategies, measuring cups and information and advice on how to cut down/out alcohol. All are available on the website, drinkaware.ie and can be delivered straight to your front door, free of charge. If you are concerned about how your relationship with alcohol changed during the pandemic or are worried about the reopening of society, there are supports here for you, visit drinkaware.ie to find out more.
WELCOME TO THE HARDIMAN
The Hardiman is an iconic landmark, perfectly positioned overlooking Eyre Square, in the heart of Galway City. A hotel steeped in history and romance, with a warmth of character that’s woven into its very walls, this Grand Old Lady is the epitome of effortless charm and timeless elegance.
Part of the fabric of Galway since 1852, The Hardiman has played host to many notable guests and countless special occasions, offering generous hospitality with a familiar, easy charm that makes our guests feel right at home.
LUXURY ACCOMMODATION
All of our 103 guest rooms, including 19 luxury suites, combine authentic, immersive historical character with exceptional modern comfort. Our rooms in the Main House boast charming traditional décorative touches, reflecting our rich history and heritage. The design takes full advantage of the high Victorian ceilings and impossibly tall windows. Rooms in our newer wing are decorated in restful, natural colours and textures.
WEDDINGS
For over a century and a half, this Grand Old Lady has played host to so many special occasions. It’s a spectacular setting for an unforgettable day. Your dream wedding may be an intimate, candle-lit dinner with close family, or an opulent ball, surrounded by everyone you know and love. Perhaps it might be something in between. Whatever you are planning, it would be our great privilege to help you bring that dream to life. We know that every moment is precious. We’re here to make sure that each one is as perfect. Every member of our team is devoted to ensuring that you and your guests have the best day imaginable.
THE TREATMENT ROOMS
This beautiful, intimate space comprises a superb outdoor Canadian hot tub, indoor jacuzzi, plus a sauna and steam room. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind and re-energise, while stimulating the senses from top to toe. Our team of qualified beauty therapists can assess your wellbeing needs and help you choose the perfect treatment from a menu, including mud or seaweed body wraps & baths, indulgent massages and a range of facials. The Fitness Centre at The Hardiman is available to residents and guests, with exercise machines, interactive training programmes and motivational activities.
+353 (0)91 564 041 info@thehardiman.ie thehardiman.ie
