IPA Accommodation SUMMER EVENTS
GALWAY RACES 2025
Fancy a chance to hire IPA House Galway for the Galway Races 2025 - Stay with IPA!
Check-in Saturday 26th July, check-out Saturday 2nd August 2025. To enter send an email to accommodation@ipaireland.org before 15th June 2025.
FLEADH CEOL WEXFORD 2025
Fancy a chance to hire IPA Apartment for the Fleadh? Stay with IPA!
Check-in Saturday 2nd August, check-out Saturday 9th August 2025. To enter send an email to accommodation@ipaireland.org before 15th June 2025.
OASIS CONCERT DATES – 16th/17th AUGUST 2025
Due to the high volume of enquiries for these dates we are having a lottery. These bookings are restricted to IPA members only and groups/members with non-members will not be given bookings. Please do not enter this Lottery if you do not have tickets already secured.
Members may apply for a maximum of 4 people to stay subject to availability. If the following criteria are not met your entry will be disregarded from the Lottery.
To enter send an email to accommodation@ipaireland.org stating:
• Your name / phone number / IPA member number (your garda reg number)
• Which night do you want to stay the 16th or the 17th August 2025
• How many people you are seeking to stay (max of 4)
• What is the preferred bed option? ie singles/double beds
• Do the people staying meet the IPA member criteria - the member, their spouse, their adult children only.
In order to maximise occupancy of IPA House for both nights, each person’s application drawn will be accepted subject to availability as to the numbers required and available. To enter send an email to accommodation@ipaireland.org before 15th June 2025. Those drawn will be contacted directly to confirm bookings.
Yours in friendship, Chris Verling
Welcome to the Spring 2025 edition of the IPA Journal.
Editorial
This Edition goes out following a busy few weeks for IPA members. We are just back from our National Congress in Kilkenny, which saw the election of the new National Executive Committee for the term 2025 to 2028.
Congratulations to Carlo Griffin, our new President and welcome to new NEC members Gill O’ Donoghue and Danny Devlin. We will cover the National Congress in more detail in the Summer Edition.
In this edition, we have a mix of articles which I hope you will find of interest. Section Ireland travelled to Boston in March, where over 80 members and guests marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, under the watchful eye of Ann Liston, our Travel Secretary. I was lucky to be part of this group, and we have a collage of pictures from the trip inside.
Our regular contributor Richard Casey features another great article on his stay in the IPA Apartment in Loule, Portugal. I was happy that he had booked this trip having seen the IPA Apartment advertised in an earlier edition of this Journal. Richard sells it well, and it should be a welcome change from the busier spots on The Algarve. Kieron Fennelly also looks at a Chinese petrol powered medium SUV which will come to these shores in the near future.
I have to wish my colleagues Conor and Willie the very best, following their departure from the NEC this year after years of service to the membership. Thank you both for all of your assistance and friendship on the NEC, I have no doubt that you will continue to serve IPA in the years to come.
Finally, we would continue to encourage you to go to our website and register for online access, before downloading the IPA App. This will provide you with prompt communications on IPA activity and events worldwide. Don’t forget to turn on ‘push notifications’. We are now at nearly 3,000 members registered and climbing.
I wish you and those close to you a healthy and energetic Spring.
Servo Per Amikeco
Chris Cahill Editor
email: chris@ipaireland.org
IPA
JOURNAL IRELAND
IPA
serving members of An Garda Síochána of all ranks, the remainder being retirees. We also mail the magazine to friends of IPA Ireland overseas.
This magazine is sustained by the generous support of sponsors and advertisers; we exhort our members to appreciate this and to patronise those who contribute to our success. All revenue received by IPA in excess of requirements is devoted to philanthropic purposes. IPA provides funding for scholarships, relief of distress, charities, education, sport, cultural pursuits, bonds of friendship and co-operation between all police officers.
IPA Office:
IPA House, 13 Iona Drive, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. T: 01 830 2907 F: 01 830 4612
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Editorial Board
President: Carlo Griffin
Editor: Chris Cahill
E: chris@ipaireland.org
1st Vice President: Marie Daly
National Treasurer: Damian Crummey
Contributors
Chris Cahill
Richard Casey
Kieron Fennelly
Carlo Griffin
James Healy
Conor O’ Higgins
Ann Liston
Chris Verling
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The views expressed in IPA Journal unless expressly stated, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor, the Publications Management Committee, the International Police Association, the Publisher, An Garda Síochána or the Garda Commissioner. The Editor reserves the right to edit and abridge any material submitted for publication. Durgan Media excludes liability for any loss or damage resulting from errors or inaccuracies in the printing or omission of the whole or part of any advertisement. Further, views expressed within editorial content reflect those of the author, not those of Real Media, and are printed in good faith for informational purposes only. Advertisement material may not be reproduced without prior written permission from Real Media. The contents of the publication, such as text, graphics, images and other material may be protected by copyright under both Irish and foreign laws. Unauthorised use of the material may violate copyright, trademark and other laws.
Photo by Michael Starkie on Unsplash
Journal is distributed to members of the International Police Association in Ireland, 75% are
President’s Message
Carlo Griffin
Spring 2025
Dear Friends,
As I sit here in the glorious April Sunshine a few days after our National Congress in Kilkenny it is beginning to sink in a little bit that I was elected by you the members as President of IPA Ireland. I feel very proud as a serving member of An Garda Siochana to have been elected and I thank all of those who have put their trust in me. I would like to say well done to Kilkenny/Carlow Region for a fantastic National Congress at The Newpark Hotel, especially to Lisa Kavanagh, Adrian Fitzpatrick along with Dave Dowling. They were there 24/7 ensuring all was running smoothly in the hotel. Also a special thanks to the tellers Fran Dunphy and Liam O Connell who had the unenvious job of ensuring the election count was carried out professionally.
Two of our Young Police Officers Kyle Dunphy and Donagh Hanrahan were thrown into the spotlight counting votes and numbers for motions unexpectedly and did a fantastic job. A special word of thanks to Owen Ganly and the Standing Orders Committee who guided us through some unexpected waters during motions and elections. Donie Sweeney and the CAC as usual pulled out all the stops and ensured we were all fed, watered and entertained over the few days.
Over the next three years in my term of office as President, I hope to continue the good work done by our Immediate Past President Conor O’ Higgins, who excelled in his seven years as President. I am sure I will be calling on Conor’s expertise during my term as I have done throughout my time as Secretary General.
A special thanks also to Willie Maye, our former Membership and Enrolment Officer who gave 21 years of his time on the NEC. The fact our membership numbers are so strong is a testament to the hard work he put in over the years both recruiting new students and re-enrolling members who retired.
Congratulations to all the members of the NEC who retained their roles and a special welcome to our new NEC members Gillian O› Donoghue and Danny Devlin. Not forgetting Joyce O› Grady who has stepped into my previous role as Secretary General. To all those who were elected to other roles such as Internal Auditors, Standing Orders, HLM and Archive Committee I wish you all well in your roles.
Lastly to all the regions and local members of IPA who put the work in on the ground to make sure we all take up our positions, a huge thank you and I look forward to meeting you over my term as President.
Yours in Friendship
Carlo Carlo Griffin, President, IPA Section Ireland.
IRELAND
THE
FIRST FOREIGN TEAM TO BEAT ENGLAND ON BRITISH SOIL
by James V. Healey, BL.
ONE OF THE GREATEST MISNOMERS IN THE HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL IS THE BELIEF THAT THE GREAT HUNGARIAN TEAM KNOWN AS THE ‘’MAGICAL MAGYARS’ LED BY THE LEGENDRY FERENC PUSKAS WAS THE FIRST FOREIGN TEAM TO BEAT ENGLAND ON THEIR OWN SOIL WHEN THEY WALLOPED THEM ON A SCORE OF 3-6 AT WEMBLEY STADIUM ON 25TH NOVEMBER 1953.
On Wednesday 21st September 1949, Ireland played England in a full international match at Everton’s home ground Goodison Park. The team that Ireland fielded on that memorable day was very inexperienced by reason of the fact that due to World War II there was no international football during the war years from 1939 - 46. The Irish team lined out as follows, under the 2-3-5 W formation then prevailing at that time - Tommy Goodwin (Shamrock Rovers), Johnny Carey (Manchester United) Capt, Tommy ‘Bud’ Aherne (Luton Town), Willie Walsh (Manchester City), Con Martin (Aston Villa), Tommy Corr (West Ham), Peter Corr (Everton), Peter Farrell (Everton), Davy Walsh (West Bromwich Albion), Peter Desmond (Middlesboro), and Tommy O’ Connor (Shamrock Rovers). Ireland at that stage had no team manager and only four of the team had played more than 10 international matches, with Johnny Carey having the most caps with 22. The combined team total amounting to just 74 caps. The team management was left in the hands of team Captain Carey as well as the tactics to be applied during the match.
The FAI named just eleven players for this match, as in those days no substitutes were allowed, a position which pertained in soccer until 1968. If a player was injured during a match, he had to go off with his team continuing with ten men for the remainder of the game, unless he was not too badly injured and could continuing hobbling on the wing as was often the case. If a player suffered an injury just before the match started and was unable to take his place, the Irish team would have had to play the match with ten men. Happily, as luck would have it, all eleven players assembled for training in Southport on the Monday and were put through their paces by Carey (1948/49 English Writers Player of the Year) and trainer Billy Lord and declared fit to start. None suffered any injury during the match.
England on the other hand fielded a relatively experienced team including Billy Wright (Wolves) and Neil Franklin (Stoke) at the back and two of their greatest ever forwards Wilf Mannion (Middlesboro) and Tommy Finney (Preston North End) up front. They blooded just two debutants with a view for qualifying for their first ever World Cup Finals in 1950 -
Jesse Pye (Wolves) and Peter Harris (Portsmouth). As events transpired Pye never played for his country again and Harris only once more some five years later.
The pre-match odds were very heavily stacked in favour of the home team, as was how the British Press reviewed the match, with one noted journalist Henry Rose (who later lost his life in the 1958 Manchester United Air Disaster) of the Daily Express suggesting a ‘brains test’ for anyone who might hold the view that Ireland were capable of winning the match or even achieving a draw. This despite the fact that just two weeks previously Ireland recorded their first ever World Cup qualifying win with a comprehensive 3-0 home victory over Finland with Con Martin scoring two of their goals.
The match got under way on a balmy Autumnal evening in Liverpool under referee Mowat (Scotland) before an official attendance of 51,047, the vast majority supporting the home team as in those harsh post war years, very few Irish supporters travelled to away matches.
“The Irish defence, having stood firm for the opening half hour withstanding the onslaught”
From the outset England applied intense pressure on the Irish goal in the hope of scoring the opening goal and had some glaring misses with newcomer Pye guilty of missing two gilt edged chances and Aherne making a clearance off the line. Goalkeeper Goodwin pulled off some heroic saves. As the game progressed, the English scoring chances reduced in number. The Irish defence, having stood firm for the opening half hour withstanding the onslaught, came
more into the game as a result of employing a five men across midfield which broke up the home teams fluent passing moves with dominant tackling. At thirty three minutes, Tommy O’ Connor on the left found his inside partner Peter Desmond with a beautiful pass, which split the home defence open and as Desmond advanced on goal he was tripped from behind in the penalty area by Bert Mozley. Con Martin elected to take the penalty and although goalkeeper Bert Williams (Wolves) got a hand to it, the power of the shot beat him for the opening Irish goal. Ireland had further chances to increase the score before half time through misses from Desmond and Willie Walsh. Half time was reached however with the score England 0: Ireland 1.
On the resumption, England went all out for the equaliser applying incessant pressure on the Irish goal. Goalkeeper Goodwin made great saves from Billy Wright, Johnny Morris and Peter Harris, the latter’s shot which he deflected on to the crossbar. Con Martin made two goal-line clearances to deny the home team yet again. As the game neared its end, England had clearly run out of ideas on how to beat this Irish gallant team and its heroic defending. At 85 minutes with time running out, the home team were pushing forward in numbers for at least an equaliser to preserve their great unbeaten record on home soil, when one of their last desperate attacks broke down as they moved forward.
Tommy O’ Connor picked the loose ball up and with Peter Farrell up in support. He drew the only two English defenders back out wide with him before slipping the ball inside to Peter Farrell who lobbed the goal-keeper for the insurance winning goal for the visitors. The match ended before a stunned home crowd and media on a score of England 0: Republic of Ireland 2. England had lost their proud record of never having lost against foreign opposition on their home soil.
The English media were adamant afterwards that their great home record against foreign opposition had been preserved, with one noted journalist going on record so far as stating ‘Not only is Ireland part of the British Isles, but only two of the Eire (sic) team do not play for English League teams. How can players like Carey and Martin be regarded as ‘foreign’? However in this regard, with the passing of the new Irish Constitution - Bunreacht na hEireann earlier that year, Ireland had severed all links with the UK & Commonwealth and were regarded as a Independent State in its own right known as the Republic of Ireland. Ireland was not then part of the British Isles and neither at that stage was it known as Eire.
On a final note and with this historic win over England as well as the initial World Cup qualifying win over Finland, despite many near misses and hard luck stories due to controversial decisions made by referees in the interim, Ireland was destined not to qualify for the World Cup Finals for another forty years, ironically under an English man - Jack Charlton at Italia 90
IRELAND V. ENGLAND 1949
5th international Childrens Drawing Competition
POLICECARS ENVIROMENT ANIMAL S
All children or grandchildren of our members, aged 6-12 years (born 1-1-2013 to 31-12-2019) are eligible to participate.
Each child participant must paint on A4 size paper. The following can be used: pencil, watercolours, tempera, oil pastel, dry pastel and inks.
Projects must be accompanied by a completed entry form including the full name of the contestant (name, surname), age, parent’s email and contact phone number.
The deadline of the competition is the 16th August 2025.
Email - artsandcultureprojectteam@gmail.com to enter, please request entry form
Each contestant will be entitled to only two (2) entries and the same child cannot be a winner of more than one topic.
• For the overall winner: a gift worth 100 euros
• For the first winner of each category: a gift worth 50 euros
• For the second and third winners of each category: a gift worth 50 euros
In Loving Memory
MICHAEL RINGROSE
A loving husband, father, friend and honored colleage
Dear Reader,
It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Former President, Michael Ringrose.
Micheal died on the 5th March 2025, unexpectedly at his home in Knockaulin, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.
Michael was one of the great pioneers in stablishing IPA in Ireland. He and a number of people showed great foresight and vision in developing and spreading the great news of IPA throughout the country in the 1960s and 70s along with John Hickson, the president of the time and many others.
Michael served for many years on the National Executive before being elected as President in 1982 and served two terms up to 1988, when IPA Section Ireland continued to grow throughout the country.
Michael gave sterling service as a member of An Garda Síochána retiring having reached the rank of Chief Superintendent.
We remember Michael as a person with vision, who worked to develop IPA Section Ireland to where we are today.
At this sad time, our thoughts are with his family, we send our sympathies to Michael’s wife Oonagh and children Eileen, Niamh, Fiona, Gareth, his family and friends.
Rest in peace Michael.
Conor O’ Higgins
IPA Ireland
MOTOR REVIEW
OMODA 5
Kieron Fennelly
BYD, SKYWELL, FARIZON, OMODA-JAECOO: SUDDENLY THE EUROPEAN CAR MARKET HAS A PLETHORA OF NEW BRANDS – ALL FROM CHINA. THE FIRST THREE OFFER ONLY ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN EUROPE, BUT THE FOURTH, OMODA-JAECOO HAS DECIDED TO ESTABLISH ITSELF WITH PETROL CARS AS WELL, ALTHOUGH FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS TEST, WE FOCUS ON THE PETROL OMODA 5. OMODA JAECOO ALSO INTENDS TO OFFER PETROL HYBRID VERSIONS TO COMPLETE ITS RANGE LATER IN 2025.
Jaecoo and Omoda belong to Chery, one of the most experienced car builders in China established in 1997. Until recently it was the largest too until overtaken by the all-electric and much newer Byd company. Chery remains China’s foremost exporter of cars though until now and like other Chinese auto manufacturers, it has not ventured into Europe. But the politically driven push to battery power in the past few years has opened a huge opportunity for the Chinese who have both more production capacity and a significantly lower cost base than European competition.
Chery is launching its two brands here: these are far from small cars of the Opel Corsa - Hyundai i20 - Kia Picanto variety. Rather they slot straight into the fastest growing (and far more profitable) segment, the small-medium SUV market. Jaecoo is positioned to challenge the domain of cars like the Land Rover Velar and BMW X1, while the fractionally smaller Omoda aims at market favourites such as the Nissan Qashqai, VW T-Roc or Kia Sportage.
Where the Omoda 5 fits in the market - The cheapest offering is the Omoda 5 which the company describes as a “crossover,” retailing in Britain at £25,325. This is the same price as the substantially smaller, Romanian-built 1.0 Ford Puma or the Hyundai Kona, also a 1.0. Styling is rarely a strong point with these high-riding SUVs which inevitably all seem to have the same boxy look. Car stylists today are severely constrained by crash regulations which mean a high front bonnet, traditional Land Rover height in days
of yore, and small glass areas, particularly around the rear cabin: unless these cars have badges, it is often impossible to tell them apart. The Omoda slightly distinguishes itself at the front with a huge lattice-work grille which wraps almost around the sides of the car and very low-set headlights surmounted by a full width lightbar. The rear has a markedly sloping roof (which makes the back window quite narrow) and the sharp edges characteristic of the class.
Mechanically the 5 is conventionally engineered: a 1.5 litre transverse engine drives the front wheels through a seven-speed double clutch gearbox.
The Omoda is currently assembled in China though as Chery takes over more of the former Nissan factory in Barcelona, manufacture could shift there. As do other far east manufacturers, Chery operates an engineering centre in Germany at Raunheim near Frankurt to ensure that its cars are configured to behave more in the way European drivers expect.
The 1.5 engine was developed for Europe in conjunction with AVL engineering in Graz and suspension settings were decided after extensive testing on European roads.
The trim levels and equipment fitted were also matched to what competitors are offering in Europe. As well as exceeding exhaust emissions regulations, the Omoda also boasts an NCAP 5
Brief Specification Omoda 5
Engine: 1598cc 4 cyl turbocharged unit mounted transversely driving front wheels
Power and Torque: 183bhp at 5500rpm; 202lbs/ft 2000-4000rpm
Transmission: seven-speed double clutch, three drive modes
Performance: 0-62 mph 8.0 s maximum: 128 mph
Weight: 1430 kg
Consumption: test: 31.4 mpg; mixed use average 3040 mpg.CO2 emissions: 169g/km
Price: an RoI price has not yet been established, but it is very likely that the company will want to pitch its Omoda 5 below €30,000.
Driving the Omoda 5
Initial impressions are favourable: the front cabin feels airy and quite classy for a car in this price bracket; driver and front seat passenger sit high and the view out is good, though the driver soon discovers that on entering roundabouts the A pillar and door mirror can create a blind spot. Seats are comfortable, wellshaped and electrically adjustable and at first glance, the finish looks quite reasonable, the plastics used on the main surfaces generally soft; the touchscreen houses most of the secondary controls, though the radio once tuned at least has a knob for volume control.
The steering wheel houses important features such as drive mode, but, excluding the stalks for lights and indicators of course, other controls such as seat heating are in the menu of the touchscreen: this is a long stretch and can cause long and potentially dangerous ‘eyes-off road’ moments. Ironically, the ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) safety regulations, which mean the Omoda has the whole panoply of lane departure, blind spot and other nannying features, have nothing to say about the dangerous impracticality
of touchscreens. In the Omoda, the infuriating bings, bongs and other audible interference of these systems together with the way they tug at the steering wheel can largely be switched off, but the driver has to remember to do this every time the engine is switched on and because this involves scrolling through touchscreen menus, it is an operation that needs to be carried out before setting off.
In the rear, the cabin is short of legroom, surprising in a car with a 2.63 metre wheelbase and the combination of dark upholstery and almost slitlike windows can make it seem claustrophobic. Similarly the boot is shallower and smaller than those of competitors. Underway, impressions are mixed: the combination of very light steering and tight lock takes some of the stress out of parking manoeuvres, aided by the excellent reversing camera. Acceleration is surprisingly brisk: the engine is tuned to deliver 183bhp and this is quickly apparent. Despite a dry weight of 1430kg, if pressed, the Omoda reaches 60 mph in a brisk eight seconds. It is really in dynamics that the keen driver will notice the car’s shortcomings - while generally quiet, the engine becomes unpleasantly vociferous when solicited.
The transmission has a choice of three modes and the driver soon learns to avoid ‘eco’ as it delays throttle response and slows take off from junctions or roundabouts. The ‘sport’ mode on the other hand is not sensitive enough to the driver’s foot and holds on to ratios too long. Even in ‘normal,’ the transmission can seem unhappy on twisting roads, hunting unnecessarily between ratios.
The shift is however, unfailingly smooth and the blame must lie with the calibration of the otherwise widely used Getrag gearbox.
At steady motorway speeds, the Omoda is calmer, more in its element, aided by accurate steering which holds its line and never requires continuous correction.
While the ride offers acceptable comfort on what is evidently quite soft springing, the Omoda tends to lurch into corners taken briskly and the car does not respond quickly enough for the press-on driver.
Road and tyre noise are insufficiently suppressed too and tyre roar is often intrusive on some of Britain’s all too common rough asphalt. The 5 is at its best driven gently or moderately in undemanding conditions.
Verdict
Chery’s Omoda 5 is an interesting and significant entrant in crowded market: it would undoubtedly benefit from further development.
Its class-leading acceleration is more than offset by a drivetrain that feels unrefined and a chassis whose damping could be improved.
Minor changes to the cabin might also be on Chery’s ‘to do’ list: certain materials on our 5,000 mile test car such as the imitation leather steering wheel were already starting to fray and some recalibration of engine management might bring about a better mpg average than our overall 31.4 mph in mixed driving, which makes the Omoda 5 amongst the thirstiest in its class.
On the other hand, it is its maker’s first stab at a highly competitive and sophisticated market and it offers a substantial, better-equipped junior SUV than immediate competitors. And as the adage goes, competition improves the breed.
IPA NATIONAL TOUR TO BOSTON
AS NATIONAL TRAVEL OFFICER FOR SECTION IRELAND, I HAD THE HONOUR OF LEADING A LARGE GROUP OF 85 PEOPLE ON A NATIONAL TOUR TO BOSTON, TO TAKE IN THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS IN THAT CITY. UNFORTUNATELY, ONE PERSON COULD NOT TRAVEL DUE TO ILLNESS. I WAS ASSISTED ON THE OCCASION BY NATIONAL SOCIAL AND CLUBS OFFICER, DONAL SWEENEY. ON A COLD DRY MORNING, FRIDAY 14TH MARCH, WE GATHERED FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY IN BOTH SHANNON AND DUBLIN AIRPORTS. SOME OLD FRIENDS AND SOME NEW FACES IN THE GROUPS.
Both groups were greeted on arrival to Boston Logan Airport by IPA friends and police colleagues, Jimmy Devlin, Pete Bramante and Tina Langley, our friends for many years and from a previous trip to Boston. Our accommodation in Boston was the very central 4 Star Sheraton Hotel on Dalton Street. There was a “Meet and Greet” that night in a local Bar, where the group mingled together.
On Saturday, a group tour of Boston Harbour was arranged for us by the Boston State Police Marine Unit. A wonderful trip in the Boats. Thanks to all who made this possible, especially to Lt. Colonel Marc Lavoie and retired Lt. Colonel Jimmy Concannon who accompanied us on the occasion. Harvey was a big hit with the ladies!!!
On Sunday, 16th March we gathered to march in the annual South Boston St. Patrick’s Day/Evacuation Day Parade. Blessed with the weather….a beautiful sunny day. Our uniform Gardaí looked so smart in their uniforms. We were joined at the hotel by local Police members with Cruisers for a photo opportunity. It is
estimated that up to a million people lined the streets. Throngs of green-clad revellers filled America’s most Irish big city, all boasting of Irish heritage and all claiming to be Irish on that date. The parade went on and on, a total of three and a half miles. Crazy Parade but so enjoyable. Great fun and banter. There was some thirst at the end and a number of us enjoyed a street party sitting on the flower pots!!!
Monday, 17th March, brought recovery and celebration again with the locals. On Tuesday, a number of the group set out by metro and train to Salem. We were accompanied by Tina and there we were met by former Peabody Police Department Lt. Sheila McDaid, who took us on a walking tour of the town, followed by a visit to The Salem Witch Museum, where we were given a dramatic history lesson. Very informative and a great presentation.
A number of the group had booked tickets to attend TD Garden for a basketball game between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. The rest of us took up the invitation from The Emerald Society to attend their club in Roslindale, where
food and drinks were laid on. An exchange of gifts took place, we sang a few songs and a great night was had by all. Appreciate all that turned out to welcome us that night. I am sure you will all have your own special memories (or lack of in some cases) about the trip and the enjoyment you got from same. There was a “little bit” of partying, lots of sightseeing and a little shopping. And the main thing being that everybody got home safely. Boston is a beautiful city. Thanks to all our Boston friends for being there for us at all times, especially Christine and Jimmy D, Pete and Kimberley Bramante, and of course, Tina.
On behalf of IPA I would like to thank you all for putting your faith in me and travelling on this trip. Thank you to Donie Sweeney for being there for me. Even though it was a large group, you were very easy to manage and all such great company. Ye sure were a great bunch. Who knows, we may meet up again on another IPA trip. I certainly hope so.
Remember the motto of IPA is “Service through Friendship.”
Ann.
PHOTOGPRAHY COMPETITION 2025
THE IPA SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMISSION IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE IPA INTERNATIONAL PHOTO COMPETITION 2025. THERE ARE TWO CATEGORIES FOR THE 2025 COMPETITION:
Open Category: Any photographic subject or topic Subject Category: Police at work
400 Euros will be awarded to the overall winner of the competition.
300 Euros will be awarded to the winner of each category, with second and third places also receiving awards of 200 and 100 Euros respectively.
6 further photos shall receive a merit award.
TIMEFRAME: Deadline 31st July 2025
SELECTION : 15th August 2025
A first display of the photos will take place during the IPA World Congress 2025 in Kraków,Poland. A total of 50 images will be selected and will be sent to IPA Section Poland for mounting and displaying at the International Exhibition. Subsequently the photographs will be offered to other sections, to encourage them to hold similar exhibitions.
RULES:
• The competition is open to all members of the International Police Association.
• Entries are limited to 5 photographs per person for each category.
• Prizes will be awarded as stated, and will be presented at the IPA World Congress 2025 in Kraków, Poland
• All photographs should be sent together with the official entry form by email to the following email address: anetasobieraj@ipapolska.pl Aneta Sobieraj will be the contact person (Arts and Culture Project Member) If the size of the photographs exceeds 10 MB, please send several emails.
Copyright: The right to reproduce photographic images for International Police Association purposes is assumed. The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into by the International Police Association. Whilst the International Police Association will exercise care in the handling of entries, it regrets that it cannot accept any responsibility for the loss of images, however caused.Submission of entries implies acceptance of the stated Rules. More information along with the entry form can be found on our website.
Having been delayed collecting our hire car we reached Loule, a market town 20 minutes northwest of Faro, late on a Saturday night. After ringing our IPA host, Fernando Palma, he arrived 5 minutes later smiling from ear to ear and told us to drop our bags and accompany him to a local restaurant where we met a large group of Spanish police who were also staying in the IPA House. After a fantastic meal we opted for an early night and left our colleagues to enjoy what was shaping up to be a mighty session.
The following morning we drove to Quinta do Lago and walked the nature trails at Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. As the most important wetland in the south of Portugal, the park is known for its barrier islands, marshes, dunes and pine woods which form a richly woven mosaic of biodiversity. We spotted spoonbills, whimbrels, a blackcap and several little regrets during our wanderings.
The next morning saw us tackle the coast walk from Praia dos Arrifes to Praia do Castelo. The ground was covered in wild lupins, African daisies, broom and mallow and we passed several amazing umbrella pines along the way. After a quick post walk swim in Arrifes beach we explored the Marina de Albufeira and Albufeira old town before calling it a day.
Our penultimate day saw us continuing westwards along the coastal path from Praia do Castelo to Praia dos Salgados, the last section of which is along a never ending white sandy beach.
A pre-dinner relaxing stroll along the promenade at Armaco de Pera later that evening rewarded us with some spectacular gra ti art despite my feeling heart-broken that a mouthwatering ice cream parlour that we stumbled upon was closing up for the day. The 6 year old boy in me wanted to throw a temper tantrum, lie on the ground and start stamping my feet but the voice of reason (i.e. my long su ering wife) calmly pointed out that most men my age would probably have their dinner first and then ice cream, not the other way round.
On our final morning we drove to the stunning town of Tavira and strolled around the old town, the castle, bridge and riverside on a beautiful spring morning.
On our way back to the airport we also stopped for lunch in Olhao and spotted a stork nesting on a church façade and another nesting on an old red brick factory chimney stack. Storks are protected and revered across Portugal and Spain and return year on year to the same nesting sites. The town also featured some more great gra ti art.
Except for the first night, we had the IPA House to ourselves and Fernando was definitely the host with the most as he messaged us to check everything was going ok for us and that we were enjoying ourselves as well as recommending places for us to visit. While the region is known for its golf courses, there are countless other activities and sights to see for non-golfing enthusiasts. Top marks all round for the IPA Loule.
Loving Life In Loule
Loving Life In Loule
Loving Life In Loule
