Dublin Dossier

Pat Keenan reports on happenings in and around the capital

Lighting up Dublin for 600 years

Rathbornes Candles, now based in Blanchardstown say they have been ‘keeping Ireland lit since 1488’

The company was founded in Winetavern Street Dublin by John G. Rathborne, a chandler from Chester in England. They claim to be the the worlds oldest candle producer. That set-up in Winetavern Street is over 150 years before the Cire Trudon candle company in Paris, the other 'oldest candle producer' claimant. During the 1630s Rathbornes supplied Dublin with candles for streets lighting, for churches and for lighthouses along the Dublin coast.

Dublin was first introduced to public street lighting by the enactment of the Candlelight Law of 1616. That required every fifth house on a street had to display a lit candle in the window to cast light the footpath outside. But it took until 1697 for Dublin's first street lamps to appear. They were oil lamps using mostly whale oil, They were replaced in 1825 by gaslamps using gas from the city mains. These gas lamps required lamplighters, someone who each evening went around in all weathers on foot and later by bike, individually lighting each lamp. Next morning they would have retrace their steps to turn each lamp off again. They are long gone but there is still a reminder of them, The Lamplighter pub, still operating at 79 The Coombe in the Liberties. The pub itself used to have gas lamp but alas they are gone. The Lamplighter gets a mentioned in James Joyce's 'Ulysses'. Since Joyce had recurring eye problems for most of his life, lighting, dusk and dawn became pervasive threads in his writings.

And then, in the gas era, there was the 'glimmerman', an fear-fannléis an insolent name given to the inspectors of the Alliance and Dublin Consumers' Gas Company to detect the use of gas in restricted periods during 'the Emergency' aka World War 2. The title 'glimmerman' derives from the many advertisements and posters urging the public not to waste gas ...not even a glimmer. In those days the use of gas in Dublin was down to five hours per day and the gas companies warned against the use of gas in 'off hours', widely referred to as the 'glimmer hours' and was regarded as breach of contract. A slight diversion here as memories drift me back to Howth and the last place I remember seeing indoor gas lamps lighting was in the Abbey Tavern, just a few yards up Abbey Street from the Howth Harbour. The old gas lamps are still there but about ten years ago were converted to electricity. The tavern dates from the 15th century when it was a seminary for local monks. Richard Tobin and Lorraine Gunne are the present owners since 2014 and thankfully have painstakingly managed to maintain its many original features including the old stone walls, flagstone floors and the turf burning open-grate fireplace. The smell of the turf, still there, reminds of days when my dad and I would come to Howth for fish to take home for Friday dinner. We'd get fish down at the harbour direct from the boats or sometimes in pubs where a fisherman might barter fish for drinks. I can't imagine this happening these days.

Vincent and Siobhan Kehoe, husband and wife team who manage Rathborne Candles together.

Good news: The Iveagh Markets will open for business again

The Iveagh Markets could be open in a year after renovations begins

The welcome news just announced in August that the the tender process for the redevelopment of the historic Edwardian red bricked Iveagh Markets, Francis Street and John Dillon Street in The Liberties is finally under way after a three year delay. It was so sad to see our impressive city centre market empty and deteriorating since it closed in 2019.

Dublin Fruit and Vegetable Market - Mary's Lane 2019, just after closure

The potential for Dubliners and visitors to the city will be enormous. When you visit other cities with similar markets you can see the benefits. Just off the top of my head I remember the Central Market Hall in Budapest, the Mercado de La Boqueria in Barcelona, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market and of course at home the English Market in Cork.

Dublin City Council is inviting proposals that include the conservation work so urgently needed. The project should have been finished by now. Originally the city council planned for construction begin in 2019 and finish in 2021. The delay apparently was due to changes in the tendering process and I'm not sure exactly what that meant.

While vacant it fell victim not just to the ravages of nature, weed and damp but greatly added to by vandalism and what is politely called into antisocial behaviour. The place became an allurement for open drug abuse, even at one point the great solid wooden doors were set on fire. A conservation specialist has been appointed to identify works, methodology and specifications for refurbishment and to safeguard the building.

Once the construction starts it is expected to take less than a year to complete. The project has secured preliminary funding approval from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The city council added that they were ‘not only securing this landmark building as a market for future generations, but as a focal point in the local community and a catalyst for regeneration in the area. Fingers crossed.

Keeping your Heart Happy, Naturally!

There are usually no symptoms for high cholesterol, so it’s very important to get your cholesterol checked annually. The Irish Heart Foundation recommends that healthy adults should have a total cholesterol level below 5 mmol/L. A simple blood test will measure your blood cholesterol level. One of the most common causes of high cholesterol levels in the blood is eating too much saturated fat.

Eighty per cent of heart disease is preventable, simply by making a few dietary and lifestyle changes! Taking plant sterols daily should be your first step in lowering LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol. Plant sterols are naturally occurring substances found in plants and are important for cholesterol lowering thanks to their ability to partially block cholesterol (produced by the body and found in food) from being absorbed into the blood stream from the gut. Normally, about 50% of cholesterol is absorbed from the digestive tract into the blood stream, but when plant sterols are taken, it drops to just 20%. This lowers cholesterol in people

High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease. New research confirms that 1.6g (2 tablets) Zerochol® plant sterols can lower cholesterol by 17% in three

Alongside taking plant sterols, you should increase your intake of omega-3 food sources such as oily fish (sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon), seeds such as flaxseed and nuts such as walnuts. Thousands of clinical studies have shown that increased intake of omega-3 fats EPA and DHA enhance overall cardiovascular function. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA together contribute to the normal function of the heart, reduce blood triglycerides (a major risk factor for heart disease) and reduce blood pressure if high, overall improving heart health considerably. Omega-3 fats are found in high amounts in oily fish and to a lesser degree in nuts and seeds.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) state that you need 250mg EPA and DHA daily to support heart health, while 2-3g omega-3 EPA and DHA is needed to lower blood triglycerides and blood pressure. Eating oily fish twice a week – such as salmon or sardines, provides a healthy dose of omega-3 EPA/DHA. Alternatively, you can take a high-quality omega-3 supplement such as Eskimo-3 to ensure you obtain enough omega-3 daily.

Lack of regular exercise, being overweight, drinking a lot of alcohol and smoking can also raise cholesterol levels, so it is important to make lifestyle changes to limit your risk.

Zerochol’s Cholesterol Lowering Program

Changing habits is never easy, so we have created an online support program packed with lots of diet and lifestyle tips and reipes to help support you in your cholesterol lowering e orts. 96% of people rate the program Excellent or Very Good. Sign up today - zerochol.ie!

Available in health food stores, pharmacies and online eskimo3.ie and zerochol.ie. Sign up for the 6 week program - zerochol.ie/register

Dublin Dossier

Top o’ the mornin’ to ye – it’s himself!

Once while visiting USA someone accused me of not being Irish. The Chicagoan said my accent wasn’t Irish. To back up this supposition he announced that I didn’t remotely sound like Barry Fitzgerald. I explained that possibly Fitzgerald had a rural regional accent and I was from Dublin.

Now many years later I find a wall plaque at Walworth Road Portobello, Dublin marking the birthplace in 1888 of one William Joseph Shields. This William was in fact the actor Barry Fitzgerald. William it seems was a civil servant in the Department of Industry and Commerce who decided to change his name possibly to disguise his bludgeoning moonlighting as an actor. Was this an effort to deceive his bosses and still hold on to his job for life while at the same time tread the theatre boards incognito as an actor. And did he loose his Portobello Dublin accent for the same deception or were the Quiet Man and Going My Way accents just for Hollywood or for the Abbey Theatre's 'all Ireland' accent.

I thought it was just me but in my researches Google tells me that another Dubliner had exactly the same experience in America. Actor Colm Meany, a.k.a Chief Petty Officer Miles O'Brien in Star Trek reminisced: ‘I remember many many years ago in America, being told that I didn't have an Irish accent’ and, wait for it, continues: ‘and this is because I didn't talk like Barry Fitzgerald’ 'Top o' the mornin'- that's what they expect an Irish accent to be.

' Top o' the mornin' - how many times I received this well intentioned American greeting. I cannot recall anyone ever use this expression in Ireland’.

We have long heard about the benefits of consuming oily fish and also fish oil supplements. The list of benefits has been growing year on year. It is not so long ago that only the benefits of Omega 3 on circulation and the heart were identified. Now, other than circulation, Omega 3 is also found to affect much more than only our physical health, but also our mental health.

What are omega-3 fatty acids?

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Unsaturated fatty acids are considered as “good” fats, as they can play a number of favourable roles within the body such as increase levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), reduce inflammation, and regulate heart rhythms.

The three most important types of omega-3 fatty acids are ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapenataenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

ALA is found in plant foods such as flaxseeds, rapeseeds, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, perilla seeds, and walnuts. EPA and DHA are found in oily fish, such as salmon, fresh tuna, mackerel, and herring.

The body must convert ALA into either DHA or EPA in order to use for anything other than energy. Unfortunately, this conversion process is inefficient in humans, as only 1–10% of ALA is converted into EPA and 0.5–5% into DHA.

Findings show omega-3 fatty acids may help to:

• Lower blood pressure. • Reduce triglycerides. • Slow the development of plaque in the arteries. • Reduce the chance of abnormal heart rhythm. • Reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke. • Lessen the chance of sudden cardiac death in people with heart disease

How might omega-3 fatty acids improve mental health?

EPA and DHA are essential for normal brain function and development. They are abundant in the cell membranes of brain cells, helping to maintain cell membrane health and allowing brain cells to communicate with one another. Recent research has shown that supplementing with fish oils which contains the fatty acids EPA and DHA, may alleviate depressive symptoms in individuals who have depression, particularly in the supplements that high levels of EPA. This is believed to be primarily due to their effects on serotonin and serotonin receptors in the brain.

What dose of omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial?

You need at least a 1000mg of fatty fish oil supplements (in addition to eating fatty fish at least once a week) to benefit from the Omega 3 fatty acids. Studies have shown for examples that consuming 1000-2000mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily can also help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Sona Omergan provides 1200mg of pure omega fatty acids per capsule, including DHA, EPA, and ALA, as well as Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA), Linoleic Acid (LA), and Oleic Acids.

Are there any side effects to taking omega-3 fatty acids ?

Fish oil supplements are generally deemed safe. However, it is important to mention to your doctor or pharmacist that you are supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids if you are on any medications. It is particularly important to do this if you are on any blood-thinning medication or have an upcoming surgery due to their potential impact on blood clotting.

Omega 3 Fish Oil

References

Ginty, A., & Conklin, S. (2015). Short-term supplementation of acute long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may alter depression status and decrease symptomology among young adults with depression: A preliminary randomized and placebo controlled trial. Psychiatry Research, 229(1-2), 485-489. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.05.072.

Hegarty, B., & Parker, G. (2013). Fish oil as a management component for mood disorders – an evolving signal. Current Opinion In Psychiatry, 26(1), 33-40. doi: 10.1097/yco.0b013e32835ab4a7.

Mocking, R., Harmsen, I., Assies, J., Koeter, M., Ruhé, H., & Schene, A. (2016). Meta-analysis and meta-regression of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for major depressive disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 6(3), e756-e756. doi: 10.1038/tp.2016.29.

Mori, T. (2014). Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: epidemiology and effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Food Funct., 5(9), 2004-2019. doi: 10.1039/c4fo00393d.

Office of Dietary Supplements - Omega-3 Fatty Acids. (2021). Retrieved 10 June 2021, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/ Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/.

Rubin, M., Kim, K., & Logan, A. (2008). Acne vulgaris, mental health and omega-3 fatty acids: a report of cases. Lipids In Health And Disease, 7(1), 36. doi: 10.1186/1476-511x-7-36.

Surette, M. (2008). The science behind dietary omega-3 fatty acids. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 178(2), 177-180. doi: 10.1503/ cmaj.071356.