August September 2019

August / September 2019

August / September 2019

Web: www.newsfour.ie  Email: newsfour@gmail.com  Local newsdesk phone: 01 667 3317 Serving Sandymount, Irishtown, Ringsend, Pearse Street, Docklands, Ballsbridge & Donnybrook

Page 1

FREE

www.newsfour.ie

Cube Homes: The Future of Housing?

A n Geneva Pattison s property prices continue to soar in Dublin, the public are constantly looking for creative solutions to get their foot on the housing ladder – enter Cube Homes.

These homes are stylishlyconverted shipping containers fitted to your ordered specifications, with all mod cons available for inclusion.

This innovative brainchild of Vincent Byrne was born out of the desire to provide affordable and functional housing to people who may feel trapped in the cycle of poverty that high rent costs seem to create. Other companies on the continent are exploring similar ideas and repurposing shipping containers but as the company director said himself, not to the level of

quality they’re offering.

On the subject of the structure itself, Vincent explained some of the aspects a Cube home has to offer: “The outside is all maintenance free…

The render on the outside is acrylic so it’ll stay like that forever. All you have to do is power wash it. Everything’s electric, so no fossil fuels are used, only heaters to heat the water… The roof is very strong, so if you wanted to put a roof garden on it you could.

The world’s your oyster!”

In keeping with his aim of limiting people’s financial burdens, he is also hoping to set up finance payment options for those interested in purchasing

Page 10-11: Campaign to save Markievicz Pool

a Cube, paid over a period of time in regular installments.

It’s all in the details Everything in the 320 square foot single showhouse cost a total of €60,000 to complete.

That included insulation, storage facilities, fridge, freezer, hob, oven, dishwasher, washing machine and fitted bathroom facilities.

The electric and plumbing pipes installation is included too, all you have to do is connect the drains, water and electric to the relevant sources.

Vincent clarified that “there is no issue in supplying electricity to the cube as long as there is an electricity source and abso-

lutely, electrical meters can be easily installed.”

Before purchasing the home, laying preparatory groundwork on the site would be necessary in most scenarios. The homes are not made on site, they come ready-made, which means there will be an extra cost for truck transport and to hire a crane to lower it into place.

These structures can be made into two-storey premises or several containers adjacent to one another, whatever layout suits your purpose and budget.

Vincent has an independent planning consultant who is available to consult with prospective owners regarding obtaining planning permission

In this issue…

Page 16: RTE funding crisis

Page 26: Profile. George Noble Plunkett

from the relevant authorities for each Cube Home, regardless of its final specification. Whether you’re looking for a multi-storey house, student accommodation, granny flat, office or studio, all options can be explored.

The single cube show house in Poolbeg included handmade fittings and bespoke interior design elements with a classic feel, that touched on the stylish Scandivanian interior trends. The interior designer of the show home, Rachel, explained that working with a smaller space provided some challenges. She explained that a main focus of hers was “making sure that there was enough living space in terms of dining and room for guests if they come over,” without sacrificing comfort.

Continued on page 2.

Page 34: Running for Sanctuary

Page 2

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Cube Homes: The Future of Housing?

NewsFour Newspaper is part of a DEASP Community Employment Programme

NewsFour Editor Eoin Meegan Online Editor Kathrin Kobus Journalists Beibhinn Byrne Kathrin Kobus Eoin Meegan Peter McNamara David Prendeville Geneva Pattison Dermot Carmody Contributors Felix O’Regan Gavan Bergin Rodney Devitt Susan O’Brien Joe Kenny Glenda Cimino Tom Crilly Crossword Gemma Byrne Design and Layout Eugene Carolan Ad Design Dara O Riordain Photo Pages Gary Burke Joseph Martin Sandymount Community Services, 13A Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.

Telephone: (01)6673317 E-mail: newsfour@gmail.com Website: www.newsfour.ie Opinions expressed in NewsFour do not necessarily represent the views of Sandymount Community Services.

Printed by Webprint, Mahon, Co. Cork

Continued from page 1.

The use of space was clever throughout the property.

An entire wall in the living area was occupied with sleek floor-to-ceiling shelving, with room left for a large television at the centre and added space on a lower shelf for storing a seating pouffe.

A similar style of practical yet elegant shelving was used in the bedroom to allow for plenty of floor space around the bed. The main colour scheme was a classic charcoal and white, with splashes of jewel tones and vibrant yellow coming through in the accessories throughout the house.

Container homes on the Continent In the Netherlands, they have successfully utilised container housing to try and improve their student housing deficit. The Netherlands is already the highest populated country in Europe and one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with around 488 people per square kilometre.

The yearly influx of students coming to study from abroad started putting a huge demand on their already scarce accommodation.

Those coming to college saw themselves being put up in shared tents with cots in them near their respective campuses.

That was until the government decided to invest in a quick, affordable and effective solution. This paved the

way for the creation of Keetwonen in Amsterdam.

Keetwonen is the largest shipping container housing project in the world and when it was first launched in 2006, it was the biggest student accommodation ever undertaken. Currently, Keetwonen is being dismantled and 249 of the units have already been relocated to the city of Groningen, where the demand is the most dire.

The remaining 751 units are still up for sale which also include housing, a shopping centre and a cafe. This is a great example of one of the perks of container housing.

You can pick it up and move it wherever it’s needed.

The implementation of this container housing, on larger scales, has been a great success abroad. With Minister Eoghan Murphy’s introduction this year of the co-living housing model and the

The Editor’s Corner

W

e live in times of great uncertainty. The world seems to be sliding towards a politics of separation, and a hardness that is slowly becoming the norm. In the present time along with a growing affluence there is a concomitant sense of isolation and individualism. With the ever increasing likelihood of a no deal Brexit, which according to a recent government report could mean a potential €6 billion cost to the Irish economy, and an estimated increase of 50,000 plus in unemployment, that uncertainty got a whole lot worse.

Yet it is not Brexit, nor the global economy, but homelessness, which is undoubtedly the defining issue of 21st century Ireland.

The provision of affordable public housing must be a priority and a demand at the next election. As from the end of May 2019 there

recent refusal of planning permission for over 200 coliving units in Tallaght, it begs the question – would a well planned container home format have been more successful? An Bord Pleanála released a quote regarding their reasons for refusing the build, stating that the coliving structure would “fail to provide an acceptable living environment,” and that it had a “notable shortfall in the provision of sufficient communal facilities.”

Comparing this interpretation of co-living with the privacy and independence a container home could offer, there really is no comparison.

Similarly, consider the prospects it could offer those in Ireland currently homeless or living in hotels. It is without a doubt an idea that should, and hopefully will, be explored by our government in the near future.

Forward thinking Cube Homes may be in its early days, but Vincent is looking to the future of this emerging business already.

He hopes to introduce solar panels as an option to generate clean energy and similarly, a circulating water harvesting system, which would be installed underground near the house providing all the necessary water for consumption and washing.

Similarly, Cube Homes are looking to get government backing to ensure this potential housing solution succeeds. With potential government backing and investment, Cube Homes may be able to provide people in dire situations some comfort, dignity and interim security while saving on overall governmental expenditure.

If the idea of living in a converted shipping container still doesn’t feel very appealing to you, after walking around the show house myself and seeing what can be done with limited space on a budget I was blown away.

The space on the whole felt bright, roomy and full of infinite possibilities. I can assure you with every confidence that these are not just houses, they’re homes.

Cube Homes are based out of Ringsend, visit http s : / / w w w. c u b e h o m e s . i e / for any inquiries or to view their projects online.

House photos by Geneva Pattison.

were over 10,000 people homeless in Ireland. Many young children are growing up knowing only hotel rooms as their home.

An unacceptable situation. Our cover story offers one innovative solution, but the government needs to look at the broader picture and treat this malaise with the urgency it demands.

With communities breaking down (see pg 32-33) many people on the margins are made to feel invisible. That’s why it’s more important than ever to reignite the sense of belonging, of community, and resilience which Ireland has traditionally been known for, and to make sure it extends to everyone, including asylum seekers and refugees (pg 34).

Progress and development in our city, so vital and welcome in many ways, must not be allowed to happen at the expense of the destruction our homes and amenities (pg 10-11). The future may be uncertain, but that doesn’t mean we have to meet it with fear. We as a human race have an innate need for connection and community. Now is the time to nurture this, and with compassion and strength, make sure everyone shares in our common wealth.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

EDUCATION

Page 3

The UCD Irish Young Philosopher Awards

T

n David Prendeville he second Irish Young Philosopher Awards Festival (IYPA) 2019 took place earlier this summer at University College Dublin. The aim behind the IYPA is for primary and secondary school students to explore philosophy through a nationwide award programme and festival.

Students from Third to Sixth Class in primary schools and all secondary school students were invited to participate. Students created complex projects and were judged according to their critical and ethical thinking, creativity, collaboration, philosophical analysis and innovation.

The number of participants doubled this year, with 350 finalists chosen for Wednesday’s festival. Students submitted their philosophy projects using various mediums, including posters, films, essays, and podcasts. They also visualized their philosophical thinking in mindmaps or posters.

President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins attended the awards ceremony at UCD’s O’Reilly Hall. The

President reiterated his support for philosophy in schools, saying: “History tells us that it is the asking of questions to which there is, yet, no definite, definitive answer that leads to new discoveries, new possibilities, the potential to create a better world.”

The overall winner was Lauren Doyle (16) a transition year student at Mount Sackville Secondary School, who was awarded the Grand Prize sponsored by Arthur Cox for her project: “Why is nature beautiful and why do we destroy it?”

Speaking at the event, one of the festival’s organisers Dr. Danielle Petherbridge, of the UCD School of Philosophy, said “we would like schools from every county in Ireland taking part – 19 were represented this year – and also more input from Deis schools in disadvantaged areas, where additional supports may be required to ensure philosophy is offered as a subject.”

The philosophical topics submitted this year included nature and environmental ethics, artificial intelligence and ethics, freedom and free speech, happiness,

identity, reality and perception, gender representation, animal rights and ethics, fake news and facts and friendship.

Staying on the theme of philosophy, An Post are releasing a commemorative postcard of Irish-born philosopher and novelist Iris Murdoch to celebrate her centenary. They are also partnering with In Parenthesis and the UCD Centre for Ethics in Public Life to launch Philosophy by Postcard, a public philosophy project introducing #slowphilosophy and celebrating Murdoch.

People can send a postcard to the address of Iris Murdoch’s birthplace on Blessington Street in Dublin. Posing a question to an esteemed philosopher, applicants will be in with a chance of

being one of the 100 people to receive an individual reply from a philosopher, based on their readings of Murdoch’s philosophy.

The window for submitting questions is between July and September. One of the postcard designs will be that by Amelia O’Connell, a primary school student who won the Iris Murdoch prize which was also announced at the Irish Young Philosopher’s Awards Festival.

Further information on Philosophy by Postcard is available at: https://www.philosophybypostcard.com/.

Photo of IYPA Winner Lauren Doyle and President Michael D. Higgins courtesy of UCD.

Page 4

N

COMMUNITY / LOCAL

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

End of an era at St Brigid’s

n Dermot Carmody ewsFour attended the closing ceremony for Saint Brigid’s Primary School and launch of a commemorative book, Memories of Saint Brigid’s Primary School Haddington Road 1902-2019, which took place in St Mary’s Church in Haddington Road on Wednesday June 26th.

There was a large number of pupils and staff, past and present, and their families in attendance to celebrate over a hundred years of St Brigid’s and look forward to the future when the school merges with St. Mary’s BNS in September in the newlybuilt St Christopher’s Primary School.

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin presided along with Fr Fachtna McCarthy and Fr Patrick Claffey from St Mary’s Parish. St Brigid’s Principal, Annemarie Hogan, who has also been appointed principal of the new St Christopher’s, welcomed all those attending, and in particular former teachers. Pupils from the current fifth and sixth class choir sang beautifully throughout.

The school was celebrated by a procession of symbols borne by current pupils. Among these were the school crest, representing the school’s connection

to its founders the Holy Faith Sisters, a school register representing pupils throughout the school’s history and a collection of books representing teaching and learning at the school throughout its 117 years of existence. A globe was chosen to represent the modern diversity of the school community.

There was a sense of history throughout the evening, as when Archbishop Martin alluded in his address to a number of significant historical facts related to the year of the school’s foundation, and to the very different Dublin of the time.

The Archbishop went on to say that the future is secured in the fertile ground of our efforts in the present, as with the creation by the Holy Faith Sisters of an educational opportunity for girls in the community that had not previously existed at the beginning of the last century.

Remarking on the very differ-

ent cultural and social context of present day Dublin, he stressed the importance of permanent positive values as embodied by St Brigid’s.

Gerardene Harty, who is retiring after thirty eight years teaching at St Brigid’s, also spoke. She was instrumental in instigating the project to publish the book being launched at the

event, Memories of Saint Brigid’s Primary School.

She described the long process of bringing the book into being from an idea over a cup of coffee some years ago to publication.

She thanked the many past pupils and staff who made contributions to the book and the many more whose contributions couldn’t be included.

The book itself is very attractively laid out with numerous photographs of the school and its pupils from throughout its history, as well as artwork from current pupils. There are fascinating articles on the history of the school and its connection with significant events such as the 1916 Rising and the Influenza pandemic of 1918, the effects of which can be seen in the number of children withdrawn from the school register through illness around the time.

But it is the memories of former pupils that take pride of

place in the book, providing a window through which bygone eras are viewed. Anna Hulgraine, who was a pupil in the 1940s, remembers the pleasure of trekking to Ringsend Technical College with ingredients for cookery class wrapped in a white cloth and of bringing the resulting dishes home to an appreciative family.

She also recalls with less happiness the use of cane and strap which could be terrifying to the children at times. Maureen Stafford remembers further back to the 1930s, recalling how the nuns would walk to school from Clyde Road every morning (or take a taxi if the weather was bad) before they moved to the convent on St Mary’s Road.

Patricia Duirnin, who was a pupil from 1945-1954 remembers the weekly drill exercises, with activities including “figure marching, skipping, swinging clubs and using coloured scarves to make designs.” Parents would attend a drill display at the end of the year.

Elsewhere, there are articles about the vital role of fund raising sales of work in the 80s and 90s. Esther Butler, whose children attended the school, recounts how a delegation was formed and met with Garret Fitzgerald to plead the case for extra staff at St Brigid’s in the face of severe cutbacks in education at the time. Ashling Lanigann, a pupil in the 90s, recalls the excitement of being among those from the school chosen to sing with Michael Jackson in his concert at Lansdowne Road.

The book concludes with a snapshot of life in present-day St Brigid’s and looks forward finally to the beginning of a new chapter in September with the move to St Christopher’s Primary School.

Overall, Memories of Saint Brigid’s Primary School is a treasure trove of memories for those connected with the school and a fascinating insight into a unique institution for any reader.

St Brigid’s informed NewsFour that a number of copies of the book were still available to purchase. Anyone wishing to do so should contact the school directly at stbrigidsprimary@gmail.com

www.newsfour.ie

F

n Kathrin Kobus

August / September 2019

or five days this August, the Convention Centre at Spencer Dock will be the focal point for science fiction fans from all over the World.

Irish sci-fi fans started planning with the idea “Why don’t we?” seven or eight years ago, 2011 or 2012 before Dublin was officially announced as the location at the Helsinki Con/Finland in 2015.

James Bacon, chairman for the Dublin event says: “More than 800 people will be attending Worldcon for the first time. It’s especially important because a Worldcon coming to town is often a member’s first experience with fandom.

Diversity in areas such as background, experience, race, country of origin, socio-economic status, language, and religion leads to a deeper and more enriching convention experience for all of our members.”

Opinions differ about what is to be regarded as the first piece of science fiction literature. Even Shakespeare’s The Tempest gets mentioned. But science fiction really took off a little over a century ago. Works by Jules Verne, HG Wells (only examples, there are others of course), featured journeys to the moon and other planets, other worlds.

Sci-fi and dime novels went hand-inhand by the time the first WorldCon was held in 1939.

WORLDCON DUBLIN 2019

Beam me up, Spencer Dock

The Hugo Award The Hugos are the most prestigious award in the science fiction genre, honouring literature and media as well as fan activities. The awards were first presented in 1953. The one-off event quickly became a tradition that will, of course, continue in Dublin. Those signed up for the convention could nominate up to five suggestions for the ballot box that they believed worth a Hugo.

“The six most popular nominees in each category will appear on the final voting ballot. Only Dublin 2019 members will be able to vote on the

final ballot and choose the winners.

The 1944 Retro Hugo Awards will be presented on Thursday, August 15, the opening night of Dublin 2019, and the 2019 Hugo Awards, and the Lodestar and Campbell Awards, will be presented on Sunday, August 18.”

The 2019 Hugo will get the Irish touch, as the base for it has been designed by Dublin-based Jim Fitzpatrick, famous not least for THE Che Guevara poster.

Among invited guests is Irish astronaut in training Dr. Norah Patten, who will lead a space flight workshop as part of the children-specific program-

Page 5 ming of the con. “In 2017 she founded Planet Zebunar, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education company focused on space stories. Her children’s book Shooting for the Stars is forthcoming from O’Brien Press in September. She won the 2018 PoSSUM Science Educator award.

Dr Patten will be our first Special Guest and will attend the convention on Saturday and Monday. It’s wonderful that we are going to hear about cuttingedge developments in space research from a scientist of Norah’s calibre.”

There are over 700 programme events, from readings, panel discussions, meets with fans, Pokemon hunting, video gaming, theatre plays, karaoke parties and of course CosPlay, the masquerade ball on Saturday night.

Online sales for the Con are closed now, but there will tickets available at the Convention Centre. The 77th World Con will run over five days from 15th till 19th of August at the Spencer Dock.

For details, check out @dublin2019Facebook, @dublin 2019 Twitter and @dublin2019worldcon Instagram accounts up until the convention. More information is available on the Dublin 2019 programme pages.

COMMUNITY

Page 6

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Golden applause at RDRD Annual Event

T

Beibhinn Byrne he teenage years are notorious for trouble. A highlycharged and creative time in life that can prove tricky for most often requires huge support.

The many rites of passage at play – from peer group approval to sexual awakening, growing independence and freedom, to anxiety about identity, insecurity, a wavering spectrum of self-worth and the hostile arrangement of hormones – all are confluent tributaries that can become an overwhelming swell.

Home isn’t always the help or comfort it should be either. Often times, it can be the original source of discomfort that drives many teenagers to self-harming addiction. Even when this isn’t the case, the most nurturing parents can be at a loss or feel helpless faced with the heartache of a family member experiencing such suffering.

There are many reasons why any young person may end up harming with substance abuse, but there is only one, true, long-term solution and that is to undergo treatment and support and recover. The Ringsend and District Response to Drugs (RDRD), located at The Spellman Centre in Irishtown, does vital work in the community to help and support young people and their families.

The centre was established in 1995 by its current manager Teresa Weafer and the late Fr. Paul Spellman. Teresa was a community youth worker at the time who saw first-hand the harm addiction was doing to young people and their families. Fr. Paul was a parish priest and with the indispensable assistance of Betty Bissett they set up the RDRD The Ringsend & District Response to Drugs (RDRD) comprises of statutory, voluntary and community groups which have come together under the umbrella of the centre. n

M

any thanks to all who attended what was a very packed hall for the Annual Festival Event of RDRD / the Spellman Centre that took place in Ringsend College on June 26th.

The Spellman Centre provides family and addiction support services, and helps to develop awareness on mental health, on teenage bullying and on suicide, developing alternative treatment, as well as building a strong network of

The project’s goal was, and remains: ‘To support young people and their families in their struggle to become free of drugs’. Located in the Spellman Centre on Irishtown Road, RDRD provides a wide range of services with the aim of combating the effects of addiction and drug use and to support people on their journey toward rehabilitation.

RDRD works closely with the community to create awareness of drug misuse issues and help the community respond to the problem. Community is key, and it was out in full force at the annual RDRD drug awareness graduation event.

It was a golden moment of achievement on a hot, and sunny June evening. Ringsend College’s auditorium was coppered with late evening sunlight. Each individual table was decorated with goldfish swimming in bowls surrounded by lit candles that reflected the shimmer.

Recovered graduates, their families, friends and supporters animatedly seated themselves at tables or milled about greeting one another triumphantly, drinking non-alcoholic refreshments and checking out the barbeque area outside the doors at the far side of the room.

The room was packed.

A display of children’s pictures and slogans artistically expressing positivity and the clear bell of children’s emotional wisdom and insight was a joyful testament to

proactive classes in self-esteem and reinforcement at these developmental stages. A cohort of preteen youngsters were awarded certificates for their work.

Adult artwork was also on display. The hot weather brought the summer clobber of short shorts and skimpy T-shirts and a roomful of arms and legs showed off some very fine tattoo work to full advantage. And the eye travelled.

The intricate realism of a coloured dream catcher that you felt you could catch the rope of was one marvel, another shoulder displayed minutely detailed, winged mythical creatures, while elsewhere, intricate, thunderous old gods and a menagerie of animals were glowering on calves, shin bones, backs, shoulder blades and arms, and were long wrought achievements in their own right.

It was a celebration and everyone here was ready to congratulate and acknowledge the hard and brave work from these inspirational young people and the depth of the emotional achievement won by them. Whoops and cheers went up every time someone got roll called followed by long applause when each assembled group stood awarded.

Nearly all of the local politicians, both councillors and ministers, attended, there was a very supportive presence from the new Garda Supt. of Donnybrook and Irishtown Tim Burke with many of his colleagues, including the well-known and

friendly community Gardaí Derek Dempsey and Anthony Kelly.

Many local community activists were there, not only from Ringsend, but from across the city, including ‘from across the bridge,’ represented by St Andrew’s Resource Centre’s Betty Ashe. Another long-time Drugs Task Force member Dermot Lacey was also present and has only just recently stepped down from these duties and of course co-founder of RDRD at The Spellman Centre, prime mover, Teresa Weafer as well as Dublin Port representatives and many volunteers and co-ordinators.

During the welcoming speech, it was highlighted that recent cuts in budgets and current government policy have made things very difficult for drug services resources all over the city. They are not getting the financial support they need and it is through the sheer dedication of the volunteers, workers and community that they are getting by. It was stressed that without Dublin Port’s sponsorship, many programmes would simply not go ahead.

This conscientious, social engagement reflects well on Dublin Port, but reflects poorly on the current government’s successive social neglect. That it is leaving it up to the generosity of big business to help out vital social services, rather than formulating strong policy and earmarking properly costed budgets for funding such important and

community groups linked to the Drugs Task Force.

Presentations were made by the Minister for Housing Eoghan Mur-

phy TD, Jim O’Callaghan TD and Senator Kevin Humphreys, and by Superintendent Tim Burke and Edel Curry of Dublin Port Company.

We congratulated the IGB Housing Action for their campaigning work on social and affordable housing and made a special pres-

necessary schemes is really an indictment of its priorities.

How much of this dissonance was felt by the legion of politicians present, enjoying the community camaraderie and ingratiating themselves with potential locals’ votes is questionable, as none of them voiced an opinion, risked a response or tackled the issue when speechifying later.

When the correct services and supports are in place, it works. In recent years the process found most effective, and now being followed, is the Iceland model, so named because in 1998, 42% of Iceland’s 15 and 16 year-olds reported that they had got drunk in the past 30 days.

By 2016, though, this figure had fallen to just 5% and drug use and smoking had also sharply declined.

The action plan that led to this dramatic success – strikingly – does not focus on tighter policing or awareness campaigns to warn children off bad habits. Instead, top researchers collaborate closely with communities on initiatives like parental pledges and nighttime patrols after dark, while the government invests in recreational facilities.

Its basic principle stems from working with parents and the community ‘to have their backs’ rather than ‘be on their backs’. The Spellman centre has also added over the last seven years a range of holistic services to its programme, including acupuncture, mindfulness training and reiki.

If you, a friend or a family member have a drug or addiction problem and are looking to access support and services which can help, The Spellman Centre, which provides positive and non judgemental support towards rehabilitation, welcomes you to contact them.

Telephone : 01 667 7666 https://rdrdspellman.wixsite.com/ rdrd/ entation to Dr Patricia Comer, our local GP who has retired after 40 years’ service to the community.

Many thanks to Betty Ashe from St Andrew’s Resource Centre, Bernie McDonnell of CAD, Anna Quigley, Fr Ivan Tonge, Lord Mayor Deke Rivers, Beibhinn Byrne of NewsFour, Cllrs Dermot Lacey, Danny Byrne and Daithí Doolan for their ongoing support.

Tom Crilly, Chair, RDRD.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Page 7

Triple award-winning Sandymount Hotel is crowned ‘Europe’s Leading Green Hotel’

Europe’s ‘Green’ leader puts Ireland firmly on the international map of sustainable hotel practices

M

adeira, 8th June 2019: Sandymount Hotel, Dublin’s largest family-run hotel, has yet again been awarded ‘Europe’s Leading Green Hotel’, scooping the award for a third year running at the prestigious World Travel Awards.

Triple award winning Sandymount Hotel, famed for its sustainable hotel practices, beat stiff competition from some of the world’s most renowned hotels including ICE Hotel in Sweden, Vila Vita Parc in Portugal, Eagles Palace in Greece and Angel’s Marmaris, Turkey, to put Ireland firmly on the international map, setting award-winning standards for environmental friendly hotels worldwide.

Renowned as the “Oscars” of the travel industry, the World Travel Awards recognise leaders across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. A special World Travel Awards 2019 red-carpet event took place at the picturesque Belmond Reid’s Palace in Madeira last night.

In attendance were father and son duo, John and Gerard Loughran, Family Directors at Sandymount Hotel, to celebrate their prestigious win: “The team at Sandymount Hotel are delighted to scoop the award for ‘Europe’s Leading Green Hotel’ for a third year running. We’ve come a long way since we first became more environmentally aware

and year on year, we have progressed our sustainable approaches to ensure that we are consistently improving and minimising any negative effect our procedures and systems have on the environment.

Our dedicated in-house ‘green’ team has been tremendous, researching and instilling new measures to offer our best environmentally-friendly practices, in

line with our overall guest offerings and experiences.

In an age where the environment has truly become an emotive topic, green travel is on the rise with travellers inspired to choose eco-friendly travel options as they think more about conservation and sustainability. We are honoured to play our part in protecting the Earth, whilst also offering an exceptional hospitality experience. We would also like to congratulate our friends at EPIC for their fantastic ‘Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction’ win. A great night for the Irish hospitality and tourism industry as we celebrated our success on an international stage.”

In 2013, Sandymount Hotel took an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to achieve a greener, cleaner hotel by reducing both energy and water consumption. Fast forward to 2019 and the ‘green’ award winning Sandymount Hotel is the European front-runner. www.sandymounthotel.ie Email: info@sandymounthotel.ie Telephone: 01 6142000.

Pictured: John and Gerard Loughran.

GARDENING

Page 8

U

n Geneva Pattison rban landscapes often present the issue of having little space for growing at home. With less city houses with gardens being built and apartment complex living on the rise, we have to think outside the box.

In recent times, people have been turning to hydroponic growing to solve this problem. Hydroponic gardening is the practice of growing plants or vegetables through a growing medium, usually clay pellets or moss, with just water and nutrients.

The premise of this method is that you’ll be providing a higher oxygen content for your plant, with a consistent supply of fertilised water that is filtered. You may have seen hydroponics used in sci-fi movies like Passengers or 10 Cloverfield Lane, but this method has been used for thousands of years.

The word hydroponic, is derived from the Greek words “hydro” meaning water and “ponos”, meaning labour. Historically, the method was first alluded to in relation to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, in a text from the third century BC, which quoted the Babylonian monk Berossus.

It is believed that the hanging gardens used a system of irrigated channels on top of ziggurat structures of varying heights. The ancient people devised a system of chains and pulleys to get water from the nearby Euphrates river, directing it towards the city.

Eventually, it was dropped on the landing of the hanging gardens, trickling down to lower levels.

Babylon, now modern Iraq, has a very dry climate with little rain.

Thus, the hydroponic theory made perfect sense.

Hydroculture methods were even used by the Aztecs. Around the 10th and 11th century AD the island city of Tenochtitlan, which lay on lake Texcoco, devised a series of floating man-made islands to grow crops. Because sec-

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

No garden? No problem Let’s talk about hydroponics

tions of the lake were shallow and marshy, they pushed the rafts to the centre of the lake, where roots could access non-stagnant water through breaks in the wood. The swampy deposits along the shores were then harvested and utilised to nourish the plants.

Benefits of hydroponic gardening One of the major benefits of hydroponic gardening is overall water conservation. Hydroponics use less water than traditional growing methods, as the water is re-circulated or stored in a reservoir for later use.

Another positive aspect of hydroponic growing is that your plant’s growth rate will speed up by around 25% with it’s produce yield improving by 30%, as opposed to traditional cultivation in soil. By eliminating the element of soil, you’re also promoting a higher oxygen intake for your plants as soil can often block the oxygen uptake for the root systems, making it difficult for plants to truly flourish.

Similarly, in traditional farming, plants only absorb a fraction of the water you give them when in soil. When you choose to grow using hydroponics, you’re much more in control of your growing environment. Usually the systems are raised high off the ground, so insects will have a harder time

destroying any vegetation.

Hydroponics are in essence, portable growing devices, if the growing environment is wrong, pack up and move it . Best of all, there’s no need to worry about soil-based diseases like root rot and you never have to pull weeds again.

Potential difficulties with hydroculture There are some aspects to keep in mind when choosing hydroponic growing. For example, in traditional cultivation the soil is used as a buffer for stabilising the environment’s PH level. Hydroponics leaves little room for error with regards to PH changes – if too many nutrients are added to the growing solution, the entire crop could fail.

You really need to know your plants well and be acutely aware of their specific nutri tional needs.

In the same vein, the steady availability of water promotes a more humid environment, which could lead to mildew or fungi developing on your plants. Simply put, until you get the hang of hydroponics watch your plants.

Impact in Ireland Urban Farm is an initiative created by Andrew Douglas. The project enables communities to work together on sustainable horticulture projects specialising in aquaculture and hydroponic growing.

One of the many innovative projects Urban Farm has been involved in was creating a roof-

top indoor farm for the students of Belvedere College S.J. The students used a glass-roofed Science Laboratory aptly named the GROWlab, to cultivate their own fungi, crops and fish for yearround sustainable produce.

One of Urban Farm’s aims was to educate the students on the technology associated with hydroponics and alternative farming methods, as quoted on the website: “Using smart technologies like interactive displays, students monitor and record variables in humidity, temperature, PH, EC, DO and the environment inside and outside the GROWlab helping to educate in biology, physics, earth sciences, the living environment and helping to provide tomorrow’s decision-makers with an elevated set of skills, a broader perspective, and a lasting sense of commitment to lead the global community in an environmentally efficient way”.

Urban Farm has also successfully created an indoor allotment project called LOST THE PLOT in Dublin, it’s main aim being to reduce our reliance on imported goods and reduce food waste. The project hopes to create a space for people to utilise for growing crops and shared learning, while also playing host to cultural events such as talks, poetry readings and community get togethers. LOST THE PLOT also has the benefit of being assisted by knowledgeable hydroponic gardeners, so beginners can learn as they go along, with no pressure.

The farming of tomorrow The United Nations have predicted that by 2050 the world’s total population will rise to almost 10 billion people from our current population which stands at 7.7 billion. With this forecasted increase, there will be gargantuan pressures put on agricultural sectors across the globe to provide adequate amounts of food per person. Similarly, considering the predicted upsurge of extreme weather events set to occur, a protected hydro-farm seems like a far more functional option longterm, as opposed to a flooded field and ruined crops.

Farmers from less arable countries with dustier climates like Yemen and Bangladesh have already started to explore the possibilities of hydroponics. It takes 1,000 years to generate the first 3cm of topsoil and with the rate of soil degradation occurring right now, we have to start viewing alternative means of growing.

Once the feasible and sustainable methodologies have been put in place, hydroculture should be a very real and viable option for keeping up with food demands on a global level.

Urban Farm’s website: http:// www.urbanfarm.ie/ United Nations population forecast graph: https://population. un.org/wpp/Graphs/Probabilistic/ POP/TOT/900 Scholarly article on Hydroponics: https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/330080392_Hydroponics_as_an_advanced_technique_ for_vegetable_production_An_ overview History of Hydroponics: https:// www.greenandvibrant.com/historyof-hydroponics Information on Hydroponics: https://www.fullbloomhydroponics. net/hydroponic-systems-101/

Images, clockwise from top: Map printed in 1524 AD of Tenochtitlan; vertical farm; Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

(Images: Wiki Commons, pixabay)

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Page 9

Page 10

LOCAL / COMMUNITY

Campaign to save Markievicz Pool from Metrolink

O

Peter McNamara n Thursday June 16th members of the “Save Markievicz Pool” campaign group convened a public meeting at St Andrews Resource Centre, on Pearse Street. At issue was the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) proposal to demolish the newly-refurbished Markievicz Pool and Gym complex on Luke Street, the attached College Gate apartments, and eight townhouses, to build a Metrolink Station in their place.

Given the extensive impact of the NTA proposals, it’s not surprising that the June 16th meeting was well attended.

John Dean, a key campaign organiser, opened proceedings. According to him the reason for the meeting was threefold: to outline what’s been going on with the Metrolink plans; to discuss how the community campaign has been going; and to lay out what is needed to be done next to save the threatened buildings.

Seán de Burca, another affected local, took the stage to highlight the concerns of local residents amid questionable official behaviour. Finally, College Gate owneroccupier Nicola Brait scrutinised the NTA’s proposals in detail, and offered alternatives. n

Lack of Official Communication Metrolink, announced in March 2018, is a plan to run an underground train from Dublin Airport to Sandyford in the south of the city. The project is being conducted by a number of official bodies.

The National Transport Authority is the administrative wing of the plan, with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) acting as the engineering wing of operations.

As part of the Metrolink Plan, a station is to be built in the Luke Street area to connect with the DART station at Tara Street, and thereby link these transport routes.

With their thorough and professional presentation, the campaigners made a robust case for reconsidering the NTA’s choice of locating a Metrolink Station at Luke Street. Instead of knocking the housing and the leisure centre, they argued either for a station to be built instead on the site of

nearby Hawkins House, or for the construction at Luke Street to be done underground, to preserve the buildings that currently stand at street level.

While giving an overview of the situation, De Burca was quick to emphasise that although the campaigners were against the NTA plans, they were strongly in favour of the project in general.

“We need a Metrolink,” De Burca told the crowd, “but not at the expense of the local community.”

Given the current housing crisis, and the fact that the NTA intends to pull down 70 high-quality city centre apartments, and eight townhouses with elderly residents, he went on to describe the official plans as “shameful and incomprehensible.”

To what extent Dublin City Council is involved remains unclear. Officially, they have no role.

However, local residents and campaign organisers claim to have seen Council staff taking an active part in preparations. According to campaign organisers, this lack of clarity is indicative of the careless approach being taken by the NTA, the TII, and DCC, when it comes to the planning and execution of the Metrolink project, and communication with residents.

Many of the residents who will be evicted as result of these proposals received no direct communication or information about the scheme from the NTA. At the public meeting, one woman spoke about how she chanced upon an article in a newspaper, and thereby discovered that her home was to be demolished. Another affected resident only learned of the plans when he queried a City Council

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

employee, who was drilling in the area.

Campaigners also claim that the Public Consultation was very poorly advertised. De Burca had invited officials to attend the public meeting, but received refusals all around. “That’s not acceptable,” he said. “We live here. We are stakeholders in this project.

They should appear in public and properly engage.”

Hawkins House or an A ll - u nde r g r o u nd Build Nicola Brait, an owner-occupier at College Gate, gave a more detailed analysis of the official plans, and offered the campaigner’s alternatives.

One of the NTA’s key reasons for building a Metro Station on Luke Street is its proximity to the existing DART station at Tara Street. The Hawkins House site is further from the DART station than the Luke Street location – it’s 150m from Tara Street. The NTA has deemed this distance to be too great for passengers making Metrolink and DART connections.

However, each of the proposed Metrolink Stations for Dublin Airport are roughly 230m and 250m from the airport terminals.

In that light, argued Brait, 150m shouldn’t be seen as an unacceptable distance to walk from one train connection to another, and should make Hawkins House a perfectly acceptable site.

What’s more, Brait suggested building an underground pedestrian tunnel to connect the two stations. Such a tunnel has proved an effective solution in Rotterdam.

As part of his slideshow presentation, he showed an impressive rendering of an underground pedestrian tunnel, complete with shops, cafés, and travellators.

The Hawkins House alternative would also reduce the journey time on the Metrolink, as a station at that site would create a gentler curve along the Metrolink line, when compared with one on Luke Street. Also, this more straightforward route would require 125m less tunnelling.

Brait went on to outline the possibilities and advantages of completing most of the proposed build at Luke Street underground.

Instead of knocking the Markievicz Pool and Gym, and the apartments and townhouses, a station could be built underground – such a built had been completed successfully in Bilbao.

While a viable option, he noted that this approach poses greater risks for construction workers, and emphasised that of the two proposals, the Save Markievicz Pool campaign was primarily in favour of relocating the Metrolink station to Hawkins House.

A Fight for Inner City Communities At the public meeting on June 16th, one thing was abundantly clear: users of the Markievicz Pool and Gym treasure having such a centre in their locality. De Burca described it as a place “for health, connection, and social experiences.”

“I use the pool and the gym,” he said. “I’ve been living on Pearse Street for the last four years, renting here. It’s not a private enterprise. It’s a public celebration. It’s not just about health and fitness, it’s a real social centre. Those kinds of opportunities are quite limited.”

During the questions and comments part of the meeting, another attendee said that the leisure centre “saved my life.” “The staff,” he added, “are like a family in there. They’re like social workers.

They’re wonderful.” His words won a round of applause.

An elderly woman living in one of the targeted townhouses said, “I love my house, I love my little garden. They’re talking about replacing the housing, but when?

And where will be it? Out in the middle of nowhere?”

Her concerns have validity.

Pledges have been made to compensate renters and owners in the affected apartments and townhouses, but there is nothing set in stone. And, given the pressure for space in Dublin city centre, and the low supply of housing, it would be challenging to provide adequate compensatory accommodation – and that’s assuming the Metrolink planners made a genuine effort to do so.

In the absence of a binding agreement such compensation might not come at all. The townhouses were built only 16 years ago. And, like the College Gate apartments, they are of a high quality, and would be difficult to match.

Séan deBurca, when giving his concluding remarks in his speech, speculated on the possible ulterior motives of the NTA, the TII, and Dublin City Council, given their persistent lack of engagement, and the un-advertised public consultation. He wondered if there was a push to knock the housing and the leisure centre, so as to end up with not only the Metrolink station, but also some additional empty sites in that valuable area of Dublin 2. He speculated – emphasising it was only a hunch, and not founded in evidence – that such

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

valuable vacant sites might be used for additional office blocks or hotels.

Getting Involved If the issues raised here concern you and you’d like to get involved, there are a number of things you can do to help the Save Markievicz Pool campaign. If you have experience or qualifications in the construction industry that might be most useful of all: what campaigners really need is an advising engineer.

Money is also an issue. The Freedom of Information requests campaigners have to see official plans/activity which costs €30 at a time. Added to this is the cost of posters and leaflets, which are used to inform those concerned and the general public about the situation on Luke Street. Donations can be made via gofundme.com, which is linked from their Facebook page.

Likewise, the campaigners welcome anyone who might be able to spare some time now and then, to distribute flyers and posters. Sending letters and emails to the media, and to local councillors and TDs is another way to influence the situation. You might simply add your name to the online petition at my.uplift.ie/petitions/save-markieviczpool-gym.

According to campaigners, the plans are already over-budget, and appear to be rushed and sloppy. They insist that with the right public pressure, they can be unraveled.

Campaigns to revise the Metrolink plans have been effective in other parts of the city.

When disruptive building was announced near the Charlemont Luas stop in Ranelagh, locals successfully had the Metrolink plans changed. While this success may be related to the affluence of this area, it nonetheless shows that the NTA can be made to reconsider.

Changes were also forced when the Na Fianna Gaelic club in Glasnevin realised it was set to be affected by the Metrolink construction. In this instance, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar personally stepped in to reverse the NTA’s decision. It’s perhaps noteworthy that the Minister for Finance Pascal Donoghue is TD for Glasnevin.

Although the Save Markievicz Pool campaigners don’t have the same clout as those in Ranelagh or Glasnevin, they are not deterred. De Burca exhorted the crowd at the public meeting to “believe in your rights, be confident.” “It’s a bad plan,” he said, “it can be changed, it’s been done so before.

Spread the word, stay connected, and keep each other informed.”

If you’d like to get involved with the campaign, or to get more information about it, contact savemarkieviczpool@ gmail.com. Check in on the ‘Save Markievicz Pool’ Facebook page, to donate to the campaign and connect with those involved.

Page 11

T

n David Prendeville he new exhibition Perfection is running from now until October 6th at the Trinity College Science Gallery on Pearse Street. The exhibition explores the notion of perfection and how people strive for it in various different forms throughout life.

It explores both the positive and negative aspects of this rather abstract notion that is consistently present in some aspects of our lives. Whether someone is striving for the perfect job, wants to do their job perfectly, stives for the perfect partner or to create a perfect piece of art, the idea of perfection is something that we almost innately cannot get away from.

This exhibition is, as always with the Science Gallery, a fusion of art and science. It is a highly stimulating and thought-provoking show. One of the highlights includes French artist Orlan’s Omnipresence. This was her seventh medical performance in which she altered her appearance to reflect the beauty ideals of Western Art. Some of the surgeries she undertook included forehead implants to reflect Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa’s permanent brow and plumped lips to imitate Moreau’s Europa.

With these surgeries, the artist’s body be-

comes the medium of her art and is a perfectly provocative fusion of the desire for aesthetic and artistic perfection with the innately imperfect nature and fragility of the human form.

The idea of perfection in relation to the human body is also explored in Graham – a body designed to withstand the impact of a car crash. The body certainly doesn’t fit with traditional notions of aesthetic beauty, but is perfect in an altogether more practical way.

The idea of a perfect partner is explored in Symbiotic Ones by Jane Sverdrupsen. This piece examines the idea that couples look similar to each other and that over time, couples who live together begin to look more alike. Data from a survey of twelve couples in which they answered questions about their similarity to each other is used to determine the width of the mid-section where their photographed faces merge into each other.

The theme of a perfect partner is raised also in the presentation of Harmony, one of the world’s most romantic companions. As things advance, would a robot make a perfect partner? The deceptive element of perfection is examined in Morphoteque #15 by Dressens and Verstappen. Here it is highlighted how crops are manipulated to look ‘regular’, whereas in reality the appearance of these fruits and vegetables is much more diverse.

This is a fascinating exhibition that lingers long in the memory. Highly recommended.

Image: thebluediamondgallery.com (stock photo).

Page 12

BOOK REVIEW / LANDSCAPE

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Irish Cinema in the 21st Century

T

n David Prendeville he latest book from Professor Ruth Barton, of Trinity College, is an extensive look at Irish cinema in the 21st century. It’s broken down into eight chapters and covers Irish animation, horror, documentary, history and

trauma, Northern Ireland, rural and small-town Ireland and images of the city.

It gives a fascinating insight into how Irish cinema has both evolved and stayed the same over the years. In her conclusion Barton says that her reason for writing the book was to affirm the idea of a national identity still had relevance in modern Irish cinema. The idea that the advent of co-productions would put paid to such an idea, she finds, to be unfounded.

In her introduction she illustrates the complexity of how co-productions impact on notions of an Irish National

Cinema, by using The Lobster as an example. That film was shot in Ireland, produced by Mespil Road-based company Element Pictures and had some Irish actors and crew.

However it isn’t explicitly set in Ireland and its director, Yorgos Lanthimos, is Greek She explores in the book the myriad ways that these modern films – some co-productions – deal with notions of Irishness in their own ways.

Barton starts each chapter of the book with a textual analysis of a short film. Included amongst these are Foxes, directed by Lorcan Finnegan, who recently enjoyed success at Critic’s Week in Cannes with Vivarium, and Martin McDonagh’s Oscar-winning Six Shooter.

It is an interesting and successful tactic by Barton, as it allows her to engage with the

highly fecund area of short film-making in Ireland, without having to go into the level of depth that might require another book altogether.

The book is extensive in the breadth of feature films it covers, from low-budget idigenous Irish films such as Once to the aforementioned The Lobster.

The relationship between modern Irish cinema and culture, and the past is fascinatingly illustrated in a chapter in which Barton explores how Irish films in the 21st century tend to grapple with Ireland’s history in an altogether different manner than in earlier periods.

Barton also focusses heavily on the marginalized and under-represented in Irish cinema. She highlights how, despite modernization in lots of ways, modern Irish cinema

still restricts women to roles as wives, mothers, etc, giving them little agency of their own. She also highlights how people from ethnic minorities are either ignored or represented problematically. She also points to the fact that gay people have also been very under-represented until recently, with films such as A Date for Mad Mary and Handsome Devil.

This is a rich, insightful book. It is intellectually rigorous but also written in an accessible, clear and concise manner, and is essential for those with an interest in Irish cinema. It will likely stand alongside Barton’s earlier works as a touchstone of Irish film studies.

very challenging, varied and valuable role with lots of opportunity to travel! Plant knowledge is key.

As late autumn and early winter is synonymous with tree planting, now is the time to consider a suitable species. If you’re looking to select a tree for your space, there is plenty of local inspiration to be found amongst our neighbouring front gardens.

Here, you will clearly see an established tree in context. There are some beautiful specimens thriving throughout the locality.

In particular, I adore the multistemmed trees, such as magnolia, lilac, myrtle, kousa dogwood, river birch and the larger-leaved

Japanese maples. They bring such a defined character and flow to a space, with a subliminal sense of seasonal movement. All it takes is a little planning, patience and time.

Published by Manchester University Press, 2019, paperback, RRP: €22.

A 21st Century treescape

W

Susan O’Brien hile walking along the neighbourhood streets in recent sunny days, I found myself actively seeking out the tree-lined side of the road.

In an endeavour to keep cool my route was notably influenced by the welcome cooling effect from the leaf canopy above.

Whenever possible I choose to walk. Unaccompanied, my awareness of the surrounding environment and sense of place is heightened. When my route takes me in a treeless direction there is a clear lack of spatial rhythm ahead, no play of light or shadow, and limited colour, apart from grey. If I plug in my earphones, I do so reluctantly and above the advised sound level. I long for a turn onto a leafier lined path.

In principle, the urban landscape is a manmade, constructed environment with no place for components from a natural woodland setting. Indeed, it is a pretty hostile place for a tree with multiple challenges and constraints.

Below ground, there is limited root space and competition with utilities, poor quality, compacted soils and fortuitous root mutilation. n

Above ground, there is an uncomfortable microclimate, reflective glare, wind exposure, and damage from needless vandalism.

Without a doubt, tree failure and premature decline has a negative impact on the look, feel and sense of place for any neighbourhood.

Over the past 25 years astounding progress has been made by companies such as Greenleaf.

They have researched these problems to provide practical solutions that stimulate integrated thinking, and allow two unlikely components to fit together throughout the life of a tree.

Of course, there has to be a twofold alignment in order to prevent the likelihood of any conflict.

Above all, the objective is to create a place where tree species can thrive and deliver their full range of benefits, without causing harmful nuisance to people or property. This requires a collaborative appreciation of context, from a broad spectrum of stakeholders that include councillors, planners, developers, engineers, insurers, utilities, designers, nurseries, arborists, businesses and residents.

It may seem like an oxymoron, but trees matter for 21st century living in built-up communities.

Up to date research findings clearly identify the economic, social and environmental gains that include air pollution control, rain water management, noise abatement, reduced crime, traffic calming, economic potential and overall quality of place.

Together, collaborative forethought and integration bring wider returns. Successful case studies abroad in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Sheffield, demonstrate how grey and green infrastructure is combined to deliver this 21st century vision that looks, feels and works better for everyone.

Closer to home, a finished example of a state of the art, tree pit design solution can be seen at the newly-planted site on Shelbourne road. At ground level the protective load-bearing grille has a built in irrigation/ventilation inlet and a removable inner section that allows for tree girth expansion.

Even the biodegradable hessian tree tie reduces maintenance time and cost. It gives adequate support, without damaging or strangling the tree.

For anyone considering a future career in horticulture and landscape design, this area presents a

If readers are looking for any guidance and tips with regard to composting, soil cultivation, indoor and outdoor, plant selection or plant care, please email your query to me at gardennewsfour@gmail.com I will happily answer your questions here in this column.

Susan O’ Brien Dip. Hort (Kew) Above: Acer japonicum.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

GARDEN

Page 13

Slugs and snails begone!

DIY repellents

A

n Geneva Pattison s the sad but inevitable end of the Summer holidays approaches, so will the dreary weather.

Snails and slugs can wreak havoc on even the most acutely tended-to gardens during rainy periods and it can feel impossible to prevent.

There is a growing public concern about the over-use of well-known pesticides which have been linked to damaging human health, along with

playing a part in the decline of certain animal and friendly insect species. So how can we stop these pests from destroying all our hard work in the garden without damaging anything else?

DIY pest repellents are gaining in popularity on a large scale. As with most DIY repellent methods, what works for one gardener may not work for another gardener so experimentation is key. Here are some homemade and eco-friendly recipes you can concoct and trial run at home.

1: Coffee Grounds Do you ever make yourself a nice French press coffee on the week-

ends? Well, save up those leftover coffee grounds. Apparently, coffee grounds are a major deterrent to snails and slugs. If you don’t have the coffee grounds to hand, coffee shops are great for giving them away. Just ask!

2: Slug Repellent Plants Many people swear by the old method of planting slug and snail repellent plants in their garden. Some of the most popular choices to send the nasty critters running the other way are chives and garlic plants. These plants’ pungent odours are toxic to molluscs and will often kill them. If you don’t want to plant anything new, you could make a garlic spray solution. Mash or blend two bulbs (yes, bulbs!) of garlic. Allow to sit for 24 hours, strain the puree into a jar and

add a teaspoon of mild dish soap. Mix two tablespoons of this mixture into an averagesized spray bottle and fill with water. Spray it liberally around the affected plants.

3: Egg shells As molluscs have sensitive membrane bodies, they have an aversion to abrasive surfaces. Crushed egg shells scattered around your plants will send the slugs packing. If you live near the seaside try using crushed seashells instead

4: Natural predators Encouraging birds and hedgehogs to come into your garden can be an effective and hassle-free solution to keeping your garden looking great and pest-free. Leave out some unsalted nuts and seeds around your garden for the birds, and for hedgehogs leave out some pieces of fruit. Be sure not to over feed them or they won’t go for any snails or slugs.

Images: Snail and hedgehog – Wikimedia Commons.

HISTORY / POLITICS

Page 14

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Mrs Carter’s eventful Irish visit

I

n Dermot Carmody n 1977 ‘Miss Lillian’ Carter, mother of the then recently-elected President of the USA, Jimmy Carter, made an eight-day visit to Dublin as part of a Friendship Force visit by a group of around 250 people from Des Moines, Iowa.

Friendship Force had been started by Jimmy Carter and Presbyterian Minister Wayne Smith a few years previously when Carter was Governor of Georgia.

The President’s mother remained honorary chairperson of Friendship Force until 2002. The organisation promotes intercultural relations through “homestays” such as the one Lillian Carter was making to Dublin, where ordinary people travel and stay with their counterparts in another country. In Carter’s case, her hosts were Tim and Noelle Ryan’s family in Foxrock.

With the Des Moines group having such a notable personage among its number as Lillian Carter, the visit excited media interest on both sides of the Atlantic. Mrs. Carter had quickly become popular with the US press with her charming Southern manner and down to earth wit. Accordingly, The New York Times covered her visit to Ireland in a number of articles, including one about the New Ross

her eyes before she left.

And apparently she left more than a tree in Herbert Park behind her as a legacy of the trip.

Bórd Fáilte subsequently attributed a 14% rise in tourism to Ireland from North America in 1977 to the substantial publicity that Lillian Carter’s visit had received while here.

“hoax” incident.

Brendan O’Keefe, the proprietor of the Five Counties Hotel in New Ross had received a call purportedly from a representative of Bórd Fáilte, saying the Mrs. Carter planned to visit New Ross to see the ancestral home of John F. Kennedy later that day and would call to the hotel for tea. O’Keefe got the call around 11 am and quickly mobilised to organise the hotel and the surrounding community for a suitable “hooley”.

Suspicions were aroused when a call later in the day to Bórd Fáilte received a bemused response, but it was only when the Garda Sergeant in New Ross got on the blower to Dublin Castle that the call was definitely established to have been a hoax.

The New York Times reported that O’Keefe and the disappoint-

ed crowd assembled made the most of it by having a great party anyway, and when word of the hoax got back to Mrs. Carter’s representatives they got in touch with the disappointed hotelier and arranged for him to meet her while she was on a scheduled and genuine visit to Kilkenny.

Most of Mrs. Carter’s visit was centred in Dublin. She was treated to lunches in the Dáil and at the Mansion House, and was entertained at the famous Jury’s Irish Cabaret in the Ballsbridge hotel. She also visited UCD and was a big hit on The Late Late Show, with the Irish Times television reviewer noting that despite his concern at having the already over-exposed celebrity on the show, he was quickly won over by her “outspoken charm” and sense of humour.

Ballsbridge was also where

Mrs. Carter planted a maple tree, which is still growing strong after 42 years, and where she and her companions marked the official end of the visit at a dinner in Thomas Prior House.

The group nearly didn’t make it out of Ireland however, with the ITGWU blocking the flight meant to take them home in sympathy with American unions who were involved in strike action with Trans-International Airways, the charter company running the flight.

The Irish Times reported that it took a day of “frantic rescheduling” to work around the union action. Eventually, the group flew to the UK and joined up with a TIA charter flight there.

Apparently, this did not sour the visit for Mrs. Carter, who reportedly bade a fond and emotional farewell to Ireland with tears in

Clockwise from top: President Jimmy Carter and his mother Lillian pictured at the White House in 1977.

(Photo: Wiki Commons) Maple tree planted by Lillian Carter in Herbert Park, Ballsbridge in 1977.

(Photo: Dermot Carmody) Plaque marking tree planted by Lillian Carter in Herbert Park.

(Photo: Dermot Carmody)

Big Grill returns to Herbert Park

T

he Big Grill which prides itself on being Europe’s largest BBQ festival returns for its sixth year to Herbert Park in midAugust. Festival organisers promise an exciting line-up: “Over 20 restaurants will join in for the weekend, with the only rule being they must cook with live fire using natural charcoal and wood only. No gas or electricity allowed! This year’s fire-filled line-up, curated by pitmaster and festival co-

founder Andy Noonan, has a distinct international street food vibe with New York, London, Buenos Aires and Birmingham all represented.”

The festival will run from Thursday August 15th until Sunday 18th. Hopefully, the sun manages to stay with us and make it a real sizzler.

To avail of tickets go to tickets www.biggrillfestival.com/tickets Images courtesy of Big Grill.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

HISTORY / POLITICS

Shakespeare in the Dail?

The Holinshed Chronicles and other treasures

T

n Geneva Pattison his year, the Oireachtas Library displayed the oldest book in its collection The Holinshed Chronicles, for the entirety of May. Originally housed in the library of the Chief Secretary of Dublin Castle, The Holinshed Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland was a project conceived by a man named Reginald Wolfe in 1548. He intended to compile an all-encompassing history of the three nations, but died before finishing the full compendium.

Raphael Holinshed succeeded Wolfe in 1573 and expanded the project to include more writers, information and original woodcut illustrations.

The copy belonging to the Oireachtas happens to be a second edition of the book from 1587.

Second editions may not sound particularly enthralling, but this reprint holds a special place in literary history. It’s widely believed by scholars that Shakespeare used this version of the historical anthology as a source of reference for many of his plays, including Macbeth and King Lear.

While there are certain parallels between the wordsmith’s plays and the depictions in Holinshed, one in particular comes to the fore. The Three Witches from Shakespeare’s Macbeth are depicted as dark, ugly creatures and are largely nefarious in nature. However, when examining the Holinshed Chronicles they are referred to as “Creatures of the Elderwood… nymphs or fairies.’’

By comparing Shakespeare’s works to the 16th century book, academics have been able to determine to what extent the famous

McCartan Opticians moving to new building

M

n David Prendeville

bard cleverly employed dramatic suspense and literary devices to engage the crowds of the time.

This in turn has given the world a clearer view on the anthropological societal tendencies of the people during the English Renaissance. These are entertainment trends we still gravitate towards today. Who doesn’t love a hardhitting drama with a gripping plot?

The Dail at 100 The Oireachtas has been making many historical documents in its collection available online for public viewing to celebrate the centenary of the Dail’s first formation. Guest curators were invited to explore the historical collections in the Oireachtas Library and choose their favourites of the selection on topics that most appealed to them.

The guest curators comprised of Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Ceann Comhairle of the 32nd Dáil, Martyn Turner, political cartoonist for The Irish Times, Dr. Aoife Whelan, lecturer at the School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore at UCD and John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy Prison.

The exhibit available to view via the Oireachtas website is called Treasures of the Dail and includes items of national interest from a parliamentarian perspective. It includes political cartoons as far back as the 1880’s, an original copy of Arthur Griffith’s publication To Rebuild the Nation and also pamphlets from the early 20th century that document the repeated push to preserve the Irish language in Ireland.

There’s a particularly interesting document in the Parliament for Ireland section of the exhibit of Vanity Fair caricatures of Irish political figures. One dates from as far back as 1873 and depicts a very well dressed, red faced leader of the Home Rule League, Isacc Butt.

Charles Stewart Parnell, is depicted in the selection with what I would say is a very complimentary likeness. However reading the accompanying outline of his rise to prominence, he did not entirely escape the shrewd magnifying glass of the journalists of the time. Comments such as “Without eloquence, humour or knowl-

Page 15

edge, Mr. Parnell has managed to elevate reiteration and persistence into a fine art” and “English by family, American by inclination and Irish by interest” illustrate the dual nature of opinions on a man now generally deemed to be an Irish political hero.

The visual depictions are relatively scathing in most cases and the accompanying abstract on each of the men are on occasion, even more so. However, it makes for a highly interesting look into our shared past.

Visit https://www.dail100.ie/ en/oireachtas-library to view the Treasures of the Oireachtas online exhibit.

To view what’s currently in the Dail’s display case and to read more about the Holinshed Chronicles, visit this website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/ visit-and-learn/history-and-buildings/historical-documents/in-thedisplay-case/ A fully digitised page-by-page copy of the Holinshed Chronicles is available from the link below: https://archive.org/details/holinshedschroni01holi/page/740

Images: Parnell caricature courtesy of the Dáil press office.

Holinshed chronicles title page and Macbeth and Banquo meeting the witches courtesy Wiki Commons.

cCartan O p t i cians, which has been in Ringsend since 1987 and Baggot Street before that, since 1935, is moving to 2 Thorncastle Street on the corner, beside Ferrari’s chip shop. The building they’re moving into was formerly the old post-office, and has also been a wine shop, butchers and barbers in the more recent past.

Jason McNerney, who has worked there since 2004 is going to take over the business from Paddy McCartan, who is retiring from optics. Jason tells me how much of an advantage it is that the new location is a ground-floor premises: “It’s great in that it facilitates mobility-impaired patients. It’s also good for us from the point of view of visibility. We have been hidden away upstairs for the last thirty-odd years.”

Jason is looking forward to an exciting journey ahead, hoping to see the familiar faces of his old clientele as well as making some new friends along the way.

Cllr McCartan will remain on Dublin City Council and wishes to extend his deepest thanks to his clients “for their loyalty over the years.”

Pat Ann Dodd, the chiropodist, will also be moving to the new premises. She will have a room upstairs.

Here at NewsFour we would like to extend our best wishes to all those involved on the move and to Jason and Paddy on their pastures new.

CULTURE / MEDIA

Page 16

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

New funding model needed for RTÉ?

R

n David Prendeville TÉ have released their annual report for 2018 and it paints quite a bleak picture. Last year saw the launch of RTÉ’s five-year strategy from 2018 to 2022.

This plan reflected the need for RTÉ to evolve in an age of changing technologies and the changing means of consumption of televisual content. This strategy was backed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, which recommended that RTÉ receive an increase of at least 30 million per annum moving forward.

The Director-General of RTÉ, Dee Forbes, in her review in the 2018 report, emphasises that against this backdrop RTÉ recorded a loss of €13 million in 2018.

This is despite cutting costs once more. Forbes goes on to suggest a need to reform the licence fee as one method of averting what is currently an unsustainable situation.

The perceived problem of the licence fee is further elaborated on in the financial report section. Here, the evasion figures of 14% and higher collection costs than the UK are highlighted.

Naturally, another concern to which attention is drawn in the financial report, is the fact that many households are now consuming home entertainment in new ways, beyond the television. This figure now stands at 10.6%.

This leads on to their argument that, as per some other countries, the model of license fee should be changed and should move beyond being device dependent.

This is obviously a very contentious issue for members of the public. It’s understandably frustrating that somebody who watches all their shows on Netflix or some other streaming platforms, and has no reliance on RTÉ, should be charged to keep the station afloat. However, on the other hand it is absolutely imperative that we have a national broadcaster for obvious democratic and cultural reasons.

To justify bringing in a universal media charge, then, quite simply means that higher standards must be set across all aspects of the station’s output. The fact that the report boasts of RTÉ’s factual shows such as At Your Service, Operation Transformation, Daniel and Majella’s B & B Roadtrip, Don’t Tell the

been reflected in a statement in which the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland, which includes the likes of Neil Jordan, Lenny Abrahamson and Dearbhla Walsh, amongst others, have called for both an increase of the €30 million cited in the 2018-2022 plan and backed by the BAI, and the creation of a separate

ued governmental mandate that views cinema as pure industry, as opposed to an artform such as the theatre or literature. This attitude possibly stems somewhat from old Catholic Ireland’s deep suspicion of the subversive potential of cinema.

However, a well-run RTÉ can also help reverse the tide

anomaly exists that, while all European broadcasters have funds to invest in both film in addition to drama, RTÉ has no budget to invest in film and this is adversely impacting industry growth and any hope for a vibrant future.”

With a more fecund drama output, RTÉ could act as a training ground for emerging

Bride and Say Yes to Dress tells its own sad story about what RTÉ considers quality, ‘factual’ programming.

The question for RTÉ is really one of trust and reform.

I have written extensively on the issues facing the FAI recently and really it’s hard not to think the same issues apply to RTÉ. I believe the vast majority of people, even those who do not own a television, would have no problem paying a media fee if the standard of programming on RTÉ was higher. The area of home-grown drama is particularly contentious.

If one thinks back on the last decade, only Love/Hate could be considered a bona fide success. That simply isn’t good enough. This has

drama fund to produce quality home-grown work.

One need only look to Denmark, a similar-sized country to Ireland, and the amount of Danish dramas that have been exported far and wide as a model Irish drama should aspire to. Denmark does have a far richer heritage of the moving image, sadly, than Ireland does. From Carl Theodor Dreyer to Lars von Trier, Denmark has a rich cinematic history.

Ireland’s lack of a cinematic heritage is a deeper problem and stems from a contin-

on this. It can share the burden with Screen Ireland (formerly the Irish Film Board) in funding films more frequently. This is also addressed in the SDGI statement, with one of their four key recommendations being: “the fragmentation of RTÉ engagement between the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is not productive. We recommend that communications and culture should operate in the same department and to build on synergies on the investment in film.”

Chairperson Maurice Sweeney elaborated on this further, as reported in the Irish Times, saying: “An

talent. An institution that is looking for increased finance cannot brag about their continued commitment to Mrs. Brown’s Boys when discussing their dedication to high quality drama, as they do in the 2018 report.

This is the only sensible way forward. RTÉ is currently unsustainable. Efforts have to be made to ensure that there is a sustained focus on creating a breedingground for high-quality culture. That, in turn, can sustain the interests of viewers, regardless of what device they are using.

Above: Danish drama Borgen versus Mrs Brown’s Boys: Is more quality output needed?

Images courtesy of wikipedia.

www.newsfour.ie

A

August / September 2019

Page 17

Top Tips on Back-to-School Dental Health

s part of the busy backto-school transition this year, have you considered reviewing your family’s dental health routine?

According to Dr Jennifer Collins, lead general dentist at Northumberland Dental Care in Dublin 4: “Dental pain or disease can lead to difficulty for children in eating, playing and even learning, not to mention hours of missed school. The best way to prevent dental worries is a regular dental examination, and a thorough cleaning routine.”

Six Tips on Back-toSchool Dental Care: 1. Schedule Dental Appointments A dental examination should be an integral part of back-to-school preparations. Prevention is better than cure, and regular check-ups are the best way to avoid unnecessary pain and minimise impact on important study time during the school year.

It may seem a long way off, but a good rule of thumb is to sched-

ule your child’s back-to-school check-up when the summer reports arrive.

Similarly, it is a great idea to plan all orthodontic visits at the start of the school year to restrict interruption to teaching time, particularly in the case of students preparing for State examinations.

The transition from primary to secondary school, known as the mixed dentition stage, is an ideal time to see an orthodontist.

2. Regular Tooth Brushing In the rush to update school shoes, uniforms and stationery for the new school year, be sure to consider replacing the family’s toothbrushes too. It is important to replace your child’s toothbrush at least every three months, or after an illness.

To keep their mouths healthy, regular brushing with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is key. Children should also floss once a day, preferably after dinner.

For younger children just start-

opt for a small child’s size bottle of water if possible or a small carton of milk.

Replace sugary snacks such as chocolate and granola bars with alternatives like celery sticks, baby carrots and cubes of cheddar cheese.

ing school, parents will still need to provide assistance with brushing, whilst at the same time encouraging them to manage their own brushing routine.

3. Tooth Friendly Lunch Boxes Most schools have a healthy lunch box policy, which goes hand-in-hand with maintaining good dental health, and should include a balance of grains, milk, cheese, raw vegetables, yoghurt or fruit.

Try to avoid too many fruit drinks and smoothies that can appear to be healthy but often tend to be high in sugar and therefore impact on dental decay. Instead,

4. Birthday Party Prep With a busy birthday party season and Halloween on the horizon, try to limit treats to mealtimes and avoid grazing on them throughout the day. Our saliva production increases during meals, which helps rinse away sugary food particles and can reduce the risk of cavities.

Avoid treats that tend to linger in the mouth, such as hard or sticky sweets. Drinking water will help to dilute any acid attacks caused by sugary snacks.

5. Mouth Guard Fitting A properly fitted mouth guard is an essential safety feature for children ahead of the winter sports season. Whether participat-

ing in organised team sports, PE classes or extra-curricular activities, a mouth guard should be part of every child’s sports kit.

A dentist can custom fit your child’s mouthguard to ensure that it is accurately adapted to the mouth and stays in place securely.

As the child’s teeth develop and change, it is important to check each year that their mouthguard still fits.

6. Emergency Contacts The new school year is an opportunity to update your emergency contact list, which should include details for your dentist.

It is also worth checking if your school has access to a dentist on call, in case of playground or sports mishaps.

Northumberland Dental Care is offering a free back-to-school child’s check-up, with all adult examinations booked during August. For further information, contact the practice on 01 668 8441 or visit www.nidm.ie

Page 18

music profile

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Percy French: Sandymount’s adopted son

P

n Eoin Meegan ercy French is known far and wide as the writer of timeless classics such as ‘The Mountains of Mourne’, ‘Phil The Fluter’s Ball’, and ‘Slattery’s Mounted Fut’. What is less well-known is that the composer, who was born in 1884 in Roscommon, and not Cavan as is sometimes believed, was also a landscape painter of some distinction.

What fewer still will know is that, for a short time, he was a resident of Sandymount. In fact, his time in Sandymount could be said to have been the happiest of his life, until it ended abruptly with the tragic death of his first wife and child.

Coming from a wealthy background, Percy was able to attend Trinity College, and although academically gifted he preferred artistic pursuits. When he first moved there, he promptly bought himself a banjo and starting attending operas at the newly-opened Gaiety Theatre.

He excelled at music, tennis, and painting, and was a somewhat reluctant attendee at lectures. He was, by all accounts, a gifted tennis player and had a low cutting net shot that might even give one Roger Federer some trouble, had the pair been able to meet.

French graduated from Trinity with a degree in civil engineering and took up a job inspecting drains in County Cavan with the Board of Works, hence his association with that county. He lived there for many years and fell in love with the beauty of the place, inspiring songs such as the Mountains of Mourne, and Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff.

He also fell in love with Ettie Ar-

mytage Moore, a Cavan native, who was to become his wife. The couple married on the 28th June 1890 at St Stephen’s Church, Dublin. After their honeymoon at Castle Howard, Avoca, they moved to Victoria Lodge, at number 3 St John’s Road, Sandymount.

By all accounts the couple spent many happy days here, for according to the local rector’s wife, he and his new bride were always known to be laughing and singing. He loved the area, doing many sketches of Sandymount Strand. Sadly the idyllic time was to be all too short, when exactly a year and a day from their wedding, following the birth of their first daughter, both Ettie and the baby died.

Ettie’s loss inspired French to write Gortnamona, a haunting tribute to her.

It is believed the double tragedy greatly affected him mentally and he disappeared to the country for several months, ceasing all activity.

French had a keen eye and a sensitive soul. It is said when he came upon a scene of outstanding allure he would stop transfixed, almost intoxicated by its beauty. He produced hundreds of watercolours, making a steady income from this as well as from his music.

He toured London during the theatre season, and followed this by a tour of the seaside resorts in Ireland.

He also did tours of America and Europe; in 1914 helping to raise money for children displaced due to the war.

His life was a hectic round of shows and engagements, but he always insisted on taking a month off every year when he would repair to the West of Ireland to rest, soak up the scenery, and of course paint.

In 1897, he was travelling to do a concert in Moore’s hotel, Kilkee, Co Clare when the train broke down at Miltown Malbay, leaving the passengers stranded for five hours. So put out was he that as well as suing the West Clare Railway Company for loss of earnings, he got the perfect revenge by penning the satirical song ‘Are you right there Michael’.

Later, due to the embarrassment the song caused them, the Company took

a libel action against him. It’s reported that French deliberately turned up in the courthouse in Clare nearly an hour late and when questioned by the judge, replied (no doubt to peals of laughter) that it was due to him travelling by the West Clare Railway. The libel was thrown out!

Percy was to marry again, and once more live in Dublin, this time at 35 Mespil Road, not far from his former Sandymount home. His second wife was Helen Sheldon, who was a chorus girl, and the pair had three children, all girls, the first he named after Ettie. Apparently known for his wit, he used to casually inform acquaintances, “We are living by the canal, do drop in.” I’m not sure if the pun was intended. There is

also a seat dedicated to him on the Canal very near Paddy Kavanagh’s.

Percy French died in Liverpool after contracted pneumonia in 1920. He was 65. It’s regrettable that his final resting place is not in Ireland, but in Formby, Merseyside where he died. Ettie is buried in St Jerome’s.

Percy French will always be remembered for his witty, occasionally profound, and sometimes subversive songs.

Left: The Percy French Memorial in the town square of Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan.

Above: Mayo Mermaids painted by Percy French.

(Images courtesy of Wiki Commons)

This photo is from a performance of Songs Across the Sea on July 5th at St John’s Church, Sandymount, led by distinguished conductor and great grand nephew of Percy French, John Daly Goodwin.

The concert featured the A Viva Voce Festival Chorus of New York, and included some of Percy French’s most memorable tunes. The night was a great success.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Hugh Lynch.

www.newsfour.ie

T

August / September 2019

n Dermot

Carmody he Dublin Fringe Festival celebrates its 25th birthday this year with shows in more than 30 locations around the city running from September 7-29. The festival draws over 30,000 spectators each year to a range of innovative and often subversive events across a range of art forms.

Among the highlights promised this year is Gym Swim Party at the O’Reilly Theatre. The show is co-created by Danielle Galligan and Gavin Kostick and directed by Louise Lowe and tells the epic tale of a turf war between rival gym dynasties through an exhilarating triptych of movement, dance and story.

Project Arts Centre and Dublin Fringe Festival bring a co-presentation series bringing international artists who are making waves around the world to an Irish audience. This includes Natalie Palamides’s Nate at The Project. The award-winning American comedian and erstwhile Power Puff Girl plays Nate in male drag in a cross-dressing comedy show for the #MeToo era that workshops, with audience participation, the idea of consent.

Project Arts Centre also hosts aerialist Emily Aoibheann’s Sorry Gold, a groundbreaking live art piece, where sculpture and body merge to create the ultimate moving artwork. If aerial is the dance of industrial technology, what will the dance of biotechnology be? Sorry Gold is part

S

n Dermot

Carmody inger and songwriter Kevin Morrow has been playing on Thursday nights in McCloskey’s pub in Donnybrook for the last five years.

McCloskey’s is an old-school shop where a body can expect the type of efficient service that comes wrapped in a convivial deadpan expression and only requires the correct angling of an empty pint glass to set the wheels in motion.

No dusty books, sewing machines or faux antiques adorn its shelves. It’s just a big old comfortable local where you and the twenty members of your bell-ringing club can be accommodated and still leave plenty of space for the book readers, field enthusiasts or solo philosophers to have their piece of peace.

Kevin’s poster suggests a human jukebox. It lists about twenty artists whose material he performs in his solo gigs ranging from Bob Dylan to Eric Clapton via David Bowie and Joni Mitchell.

Kevin’s mental songbook must contain hundreds, if not thousands, of songs in dozens of genres.

However, it would be wrong to see him as a hack covers artist. His beautiful guitar playing and excellent harmonica combine with a soulful vocal range and lovely overall musicianship to mark him out as someone capable of interpreting a song faithfully while very much making it his own.

Not many men from Hollywood,

CULTURE / MUSIC

Dublin Fringe Festival 25th Birthday Feast

one of a twin-production project on the themes of civilization and nature As part of the festival’s international programme Fringe presents Things We’ve Always Wanted To Tell You at Project Cube.

The show is directed by UK-based writer and actor Scottee, and made and performed in collaboration with spoken word artist and poet Felispeaks, aerialist Jade O’Connor of Femme Bizarre, photographer Brian Teeling, and actor and writer from the North inner-city Thommas Kane Byrne.

This world premiere production invites

patrons to a dinner party to sit down, shut up and overhear the conversations of four proud working-class Irish folk as they discuss the middle classes, privilege and the bright lights of Lidl. It’s a show for any of us who think Ireland doesn’t have a class system and for those of us who are aware enough to know better.

The Ringside Bar at the National Stadium, Dublin is transformed into a music venue on the brink of closure for We Are Lightening, a show about gentrification and the resulting loss of music and club venues.

Kevin Morrow at McCloskey’s

County Down could pull off Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights. In fact, there’s only one, and he really enjoys the Thursday night gig in McCloskeys.

“I do really like this gig,” says Kevin.

“People are kind of chilled it’s not like a mad weekend with people letting off steam.” He feels more people are listening here on a Thursday night, as demonstrated by the fact that, in this gig more

than some of his other regular performances, he gets requests not just for the songs of other well-known artists, but for his own songs.

Perched on a high stool, straw trilby atop his head, Kevin is charming and affable between songs, clearly comfortable in his performer’s skin. It’s not surprising really – he’s been at it a while.

He formed the rock band Renegade in 1981 in Belfast and they became well known there, supporting Wishbone Ash and Mama’s Boys. After a four-year stint in London in the 80s, where life revolved more around building sites than guitars, he moved back to Belfast, playing with local band The Attic and then to Dublin in 1990.

He played with a number of Dublin bands, notably Parchman Farm, who were resident at the legendary JJ Smyths in Aungier Street for many years, and Brian Downey’s Blues Up Front in 2001.

In 2004 he formed Hollywood Slim And the Fat Cats who played a residency in the Burlington Supper Club until 2009, when he went solo.

Now he’s keen to promote his own songwriting talent. “I’m recording with a fellow called Bill Shanley,” he explains.

“He’s Ray Davies’ guitar player and he works with Paul Brady. I’m recording the voice, guitar and harmonica and

Page 19 A teen band, a brass band, a community choir and ageing rockers from Dublin join Joseph O’Farrell’s drums and Sam Halmarack’s guitar to mark and protest its demise, leading audiences through a strange ceremony and heartfelt celebration of how music shapes the lives of the people who play it.

Dublin Fringe Festival runs from September 7-22 at over 30 venues in Dublin For more information and booking visit http://www.fringefest.com/ Below, from left: Scottee, Director Thing’s We’ve Always Wanted To Tell You (Photo: Holly Revell); Gym Swim Party actress Danielle Galligan (Photo: Ste Murray); Natalie Palamides as Nate (Photo: Nick Rasmussen).

he’s adding bass, keyboards, slide guitar, loads of vocal harmonies as well. I’m really, really pleased with it.”

Kevin’s face lights up talking about the project and he whips out his phone to play me some snippets of recent recordings, including his haunting ballad, October Moon, which will be a track on the EP he’s planning to release this autumn.

When I ask him how he intends to promote the recording, his faith in his own work comes through: “I reckon if the songs are really good, they’ll speak on their own without having to push too hard.”

As our conversation ends and Kevin prepare to start the gig, an elderly patron grabs him on his way out the door to apologise for not staying. “She told me not to tarry,” he laments. “Ah, for God’s sake,” says Kevin sympathetically, “I’ve the Green Glens Of Antrim all set for you…” And off he goes to play another thirty requests instead.

Kevin Morrow plays at McCloskey’s in Donnybrook every Thursday night. No cover charge.

Kevin also plays O’Reilly’s in Sandymount on Saturdays, The Old Mill, Tallaght on Fridays and Birchall’s in Crumlin on Sundays.

Left: Kevin Morrow blows a mean harmonica on Thursday nights at McCloskey’s pub.

(Photo Dermot Carmody)

Page 20

PHOTO DIARY

The Amerigo Vespucci, a sail training vessel for Italian Navy cadets seen moored at and later departing from Dublin Port. Images by Gary Burke.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Dermot Lacey and his wife Jill took a final boat trip around the port before he officially resigned as chairman from the Rinn Voyager programme.

Lorcan Tucker (wearing yellow bib) at Lords.

Image by Sean Smith, Pembroke Foxes.

Pembroke Foxes on tour at Lords.

Image by Sean Smith, Pembroke Foxes.

Craig Senior, Kieran Vulker, Greg McNamara, Tammy Grinager, Caroline Lynch and Amanda Dunlop supporting the Irish cricket team at Lords.

Image by Sean Smith, Pembroke Foxes.

Andy Balbirnie scoring his 50th innings at Lords.

Image by Sean Smith, Pembroke Foxes.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

PHOTO DIARY

Page 21

Page 22

POETRY

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

THE POETRY PLACE

Talking to The Trees

By Glenda Cimino, (written in Herbert Park)

Bloomsday on the double

S

n Rodney Devitt ixty-five years ago, a photograph, which was to become a cultural icon, was published in the Irish Times. Five literary gentlemen, John Ryan, Anthony Cronin, Flann O’Brien, Patrick Kavanagh, and Tom Joyce, a cousin of James Joyce, decided to visit, as far as was possible, the various famous scenes throughout Dublin depicted in James Joyce’s great novel Ulysses.

On the morning of the 16th of June, 1954, the fiftieth anniversary of the date the novel was set, they commenced their odyssey, thus inadvertently creating the first “Bloomsday”.

Many stops for refreshments were made along the way, and their full itinerary was never completed. While still reasonably steady on their feet, their picture was snapped in front of Sandymount Tower, more or less on the spot where Stephen Dedalus asked himself the question: “Am I walking into eternity along Sandymount Strand?”

Sixty-five years later, with Bloomsday now an international institution, that celebrated picture is recreated in the same location by five members of the Sweny’s Pharmacy Joycean Museum: Paddy O’Dwyer, Joe Kenny, Val O’Donnell, Rodney Devitt, and Gerry O’Reilly, in homage to their illustrious predecessors.

The original photographer is now unknown. His modern successor is Philip White.

FIRST BLOOMSDAY PHOTOGRAPH First Bloomsday, fifty years beyond a date, A famous date, fictitious and yet true, That somehow never happened and yet did.

Strange pantomime of laughing gods and men, A toast to Bella Cohen and a glass, A tipple here, a tipple there and soon Half-arsed with drink on Sandymount they stand O’Brien, Cronin, Kavanagh and Ryan In June day celebration of a man Whose dentist cousin stands now in his place.

First June day writers’ celebration of A book and of a man who’s in his grave And Homer smiles as dead Joyce shouts a laugh – Stand straight you eejits for the photograph.

Copyright © 2018 by Joe Kenny

I went to the park one summer morning Stood looking at the tall old trees And imagined that I was an alien Just landed on earth From a faraway planet And these were the earthlings I was meeting for the very first time.

I greeted the natives, who were standing with great dignity, in twos and threes. Somehow they understood my thoughts, and I theirs.

They told me of their long lives, Of the many things they had seen How they produced oxygen for other earthlings, Let some earthlings nest in their branches, provided shade From the planet’s sun, and shelter from the winds.

But there was another species on this planet, Humans, who thought they were superior to the trees – in fact, in their ignorance, they imagined themselves to be Superior to all the other earthlings.

These self-centred beings mostly did not understand any tree languages, but chopped them down as if they were objects, turning their skin and flesh into houses or furniture or paper or firewood. And those who were left grieved for the ones who were taken.

I admired these sturdy creatures, who seemed to be mistreated, and perhaps even a little endangered.

I told them that on my planet they would be honoured for their wisdom, strength, and giving nature.

They warned me to be wary of the humans, The most dangerous species on earth.

They might choose to kill or capture me, Use me for unnatural experiments.

I wondered what these strange beings were like.

They are not rooted, like us, the trees said.

Instead of branches and trunks they have Odd-looking arms and legs and move restlessly around the planet. They rarely thank us, though they can speak, they can’t hear our whispers in the wind.

They are like sleepwalkers; if they do not awaken, They will destroy all of the rest of us, and Themselves as well. We try to warn them, but they just won’t listen.

Suddenly I am brought back to reality, My own humanness seems a shameful thing.

I look at the peaceful trees, now silent, And wonder if they really believed For a moment as I did; that I was an alien Who saw them as they saw themselves.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

News from the Old Dublin Society

Launch of ‘Dublin Historical Record – Spring/Summer 2019’, Editor Dr. Séamas Ó Maitiú, published by the Old Dublin Society.

ness is not a modern issue as in the middle of the 19th century it was a major one in Dublin and Ireland. If modern Dublin owes a huge debt to Fr. Peter McVerry and his co-workers for providing a night shelter for those without a roof over the heads, then it owes a huge debt to his 19th predecessor Fr. James Spatt whose work has been largely overlooked but now recalled by Fergus A. D’Arcy in ‘From Weavers to Waifs – From Tenter House to Asylum: The Cork Street Night Refuge for Homeless Women and Children, 1818 – 2001.’

• In ‘Countess Markievicz, a cottage in Sandyford and her neighbour Mary Mulligan’, Peader Curran provides an insight into this retreat used by the Countess to get away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Other items in this publication are Society News

R

ecently Dr. Mary Clarke, Dublin City Archivist, launched the latest issue of the Dublin Historical Record at a reception in Kevin Street Library, Dublin, attended by members and friends of the Society, and also presented John Fitzgerald with the Old Dublin Society Medal for his paper ‘The Life and Times of Lundy Foot & Co., Tobacco Manufacturers’, the most outstanding paper published in the Dublin Historical Record during 2018.

This issue of the Dublin Historical Society has as the front cover an oil painting purporting to be ‘Passengers boarding a train probably at Westland Row Station. Dublin’ and relates to one of the articles in this issue Articles featured in this issue of the Dublin Historical Record, which has the wider world of Dublin’s Industrial, business, economic, and social life as a common theme, include: • ‘In Around the Town’ Dr. Séamas Ó Maitiú reflects on various events that have taken place in the city including the return of the Liffey Ferry and the demolition of the Tivoli Theatre in Francis Street, Dublin, which is the subject of a poem ‘They knocked down the Tivvo today’ penned by Leo Magee, one of the Library Assistants based in Dublin City Library & Archive.

• Seán Magee in ‘Grand Jury and other records of St. Thomas’s Parish, Dublin City’ provides a picture of this body of men who did their best for the wretched of their area within the limits of their resources.

• Bríd Nolan in ‘Newtown on the Strand – an elusive townland’ traces the evolution, peoples, houses and history of this part of south Dublin which became submerged into modern day Blackrock.

• The Ballinteer Local History Group in ‘The Round House Stackstown, Co. Dublin – A query’ seek information on this building, in particular the design and use of this cottage, which now lies in ruins above Stackstown Golf Club.

• In ‘The Medlar’s Gotcha!

– The Story of Dublin family’, Pól Ó Duibhir writes about P.J. Medlar, (18851849), undertaken, alderman and city councillor, and his family, whose origins are in Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny, with the emphasis of that part of the family which settled in Dublin.

• Ireland’s first railway, The Dublin & Kingstown Railway, has been the subject of numerous books but in ‘The Dublin & Kingstown Rail-

way: History, Art and Reality’ Kurt Kullmann provides new insights into this railway and some masterful insights and comments on some of the illustrations published when the line opened in 1834.

• Medical matters are covered in ‘St. Ultan’s Hospital, Charlemont Street – Background and Achievement’ by Margaret Bradley, who provides a fascinating history of this Dublin infant’s hospital, established in 1919 which closed in 1984 when its services were transferred to the National Children’s Hospital in Harcourt Street, Dublin, which in 1998 was absorbed into Tallaght Hospital.

• Irish Whiskey distilling is currently enjoying a remarkable resurgence and in ‘The Roe Family and Roe’s Distillery’ Sean J. Murphy tells the story of what was Dublin’s largest producer of whiskey until closure in the 1920s and currently the Roe brand of whiskey has been re-launched by Diageo.

• The issue of homeless-

Page 23

and Book Reviews and Notices. Over the counter copies of this journal can be obtained from Book Upstairs, Westmoreland Street, Dublin, Hodges Figgis, Dawson Street, Dublin 2, or directly from the Old Dublin Society via www.olddublinsociety.ie or by email: olddublinsociety@gmail.com.

Correspondence: Wren’s Rest, 19 Hazelwood, Shankill, Co. Dublin D18 ND79.

James Scannell, Hon.PRO. Cumann Le Seandacht Átha Cliath (The Old Dublin Society).

Directors: Bernardine Ruddy, Anthony P. Behan, Barry Farrell, James Scannell, Bryan MacMahon.

Sheila Fleming.

Company No.15059 CHY No. 5327 Registered in Ireland. Registered Address: 1-2 Marino Mart, Fairview, Dublin 3.

MUSIC REVIEW

Page 24

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Hot 8 Brass Band at the Button Factory

T

n Dermot

Carmody

he Hot 8 Brass Band brought the second line parades of their native New Orleans to a heaving, happy and hopping July night at The Button Factory in Temple Bar. The band was formed from the fusion of two high school brass bands by sousaphone player and bandleader Benni Pete in 1996.

Like the communities its members come from, the Hot 8 Brass band was dispersed in the process of evacuation and resettlement that tore New Orleans apart in the wake of the massive damage done to the city by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The band reformed and played to the re-located New Orelans people around the US. They began to play abroad as well and opened for R&B singer Lauryn Hill’s tour.

The Hot 8 Brass Band also featured prominently in two HBO documentaries about New Orleans post-Katrina directed by Spike Lee: When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2016) and If God Is Willing and da Creek

Don’t Rise (2010). They’ve released a number of albums including 2017’s On The Spot and the Grammy-nominated The Life & Times Of… The Hot 8 Brass Band in 2015.

Apart from Katrina, the band has suffered personal tragedy, losing four members over the years, three of them to gun violence. In 1996, 17 year old trumpeter Jacob Johnson was shot dead in his home.

Then in 2004 trombonist Joseph “Shotgun Joe” Johnson was shot dead by police officers in disputed circumstances when they stopped his truck. Two years later snare drummer Dinerral Shavers was shot dead while driving with his family. Additionally, the band lost 28 year old trombonist Demond Dorsey to a heart attack.

The band’s music builds on a bedrock of traditional New Orleans marching jazz to incorporate R&B, rap and hip hop influences. There can be up to 10 in the ensemble, but on this night there were eight: saxophone, two trombones, two trumpets, snare, bass drum and the

humongous sousaphone.

The result is a soulful, danceinducing house party. The voices of the horns soar above the rhythm section of the bass and snare drummers and the bass lines from the depths of the Mississippi mud channeled through Benni Pete’s sousaphone.

Early on in the Button Factory the band had the audience enthusiastically committed to call and response singing and waving its arms in the air like it just don’t care. Their eclectic repertoire of Hot 8 “remixes” create a number of highlights.

From a thorough de-electronification of Joy Division in Love Will Tear Us Apart, through epic versions of Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing and Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together the Hot 8 work the room until it becomes practically physiologically impossible not to dance.

Possibly the most affecting highlight of the night is their version of the American jazz classic St. James Infirmary Blues.

The spirit of Louis Armstrong is

The NewsFour Crossword Compiled by Gemma Byrne

Name:…………………………… Telephone:…………………

Address:…………………………………………………………

there in the opening bars of solo trumpet quoting Chopin’s funeral march into the wonderful dirge with dizzyingly beautiful patterns of the horn lines woven around the stomping lament of the rhythm section.

Despite the tragedy in their back story, or perhaps because of how they have come through it all, The Hot 8 Brass Band embodies the

ACROSS: 1) Human embodiment (15) 8) Extremely unpleasant (6) 9) Spring onion (8) 10) Threw/kicked in a high arc (6) 11) Stop (6) 12) Comic book sound effect (3) 13) Covert (11) 15) Romantic Elvis Costello hit (3) 16) Precipitation (4) 18) Corridors (11) 21) Hilarious fossil fuel? (7, 3) 25) Predicament (6) 27) Picking it up wrong (15) DOWN: 1) One who gets on easily with others (6, 6) 2) A proud spectrum of colours? (7) 3) Luxury (8) 4) Ralph Lauren or Coco Chanel (7, 8) 5) This silent family game is a complete sham (8) 6) Put up with (8) 7) Even so (11) 14) Espadrille or brogue (4) 17) Ain’t (4) 18) Each (3) 19) Cigarette (informal) (6) 20) Open mouthed in suspense (4) 22) Opposed to (4) 23) Unattractive citrus fruit? (4) 24) To help like this is criminal (4) 26) Chasing or rugby? (3)

power of their music to bring people together in a healing and joyously life-affirming way.

For more about The Hot 8 Brass Band visit http://www.hot8brassband.com Pictured: The Hot 8 Brass Band playing at The Button Factory in Temple Bar on July 17th 2019.

Photo by Dermot Carmody.

Solutions for the June / July 2019 Crossword Across: 1) Hypochondriac; 7) Prospectus; 9) Mac; 10) Gaga; 12) Earliest; 13) Doff; 14) Deli; 15) Oboe; 16) Levi, 17) Sir; 18) Null; 19) Near; 20) Ooze; 22) Nape; 24) Ore; 26) Land; 27) Eros; 28) Exactly; 29) Sip; 31) Inconsistencies Down: 1) Happenstance; 2) Progress; 3) Capricorn; 4) Occasionally; 5) Drug; 6) Armadillo; 8) Safeguards; 11) Officers Mess; 21) Oar; 23) Plaice; 24) On; 25) Stink; 27) Epoch; 30) ETA; 31) In Prize of €25 book token. Post entries to NewsFour, 13A Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 by 27th September 2019.

The winner of our June/July crossword competition is Margaret Battle, North Circular Road, Dublin 1.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019 DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL NOTES

DCC Notes

Cllr Conroy in reply said, “nobody would want anyone’s private business to be affected, but this is an entirely different thing, it is an outdoor event open to the public… in the open square children can be brought in with their parents, and dogs can be brought it, so there’s things like that that can never be brought into a studio. The yoga teachers themselves are being paid, it’s five euros per person, so it’s very affordable.

Cllr Flynn (Ind) thought the park facility was a very good thing, but they should try to include the studio owners too. He proposed they ask the OPW why Stephen’s Green and the Iveagh Gardens are not being used for this facility as well.

The motion was agreed which would allow the yoga to continue.

for SEAC meeting, July 2019 Compiled by Eoin Meegan

F

resh from the May elections the South East Area Committee (SEAC) got proceedings underway on July 8th with Cllr Dermot Lacey (LAB) taking up his new role as Area Committee Chairperson.

The meeting began with a presentation

by Elaine Sullivan, one of the area planners for the Dublin 4 area, outlining the planning application for the development of the Poolbeg peninsula, notably the SDZ zone on the former Irish Glass Bottle site, and the adjoining Fabrizia lands.

This was followed by a presentation

by Kevin Rossiter on the Dublin bike scheme arising from a motion earlier this year calling for the scheme to be extended to Ballsbridge and the surrounding area.

The Poolbeg development was generally welcomed by the members, while the timeline for any future expansion of the Just Eat Dublin bike scheme, and what form that would take, is still unclear and awaits an evaluation of the market and the direction the scheme will go.

Nowhere to bathe The arbitrary closure of beaches to bathers which dogged the city last year was back on the agenda following a number of “no bathing” water notices popping up over the summer. Apart from the general inconvenience to the public, the specific problem of overflows at the Ringsend Wastewater plant was raised by Cllr Claire Byrne (GP). The issue of real time testing and the reasons for the closures became the subject of some debate.

Cllr James Geoghegan FG) began: “Because we don’t have real time testing [the beaches] remains closed to bathers, and there would be a period in which we could get back in the water if there was real time monitoring, which I understand is an inexpensive thing to deliver…

We know that it’s not just the Ringsend Wastewater treatment plant that’s contributing to the water being unswimmable, it’s also the Ailesbury pump station, it’s the Elm Park stream, there’s a whole heap of factors that are contributing to the poor bathing water qualities.”

He called for the council to be updated as to which phases of the Ringsend Wastewater treatment plant are likely to precipitate closure. Cllr Hazel Chu (GP) while agreeing, took Cllr Geoghegan to task on one point: “We talk about real time testing and it actually is available, and the current testing time is three days… but what we need to bring in is on the day turnaround.” Which, given proper investment she argued is highly possible. She also expressed the need to

Page 25

implement a real time text alert to facilitate the public.

Cllr Manix Flynn (Ind) however, was in no doubt as to where the blame lay: “Whatever about everything else in terms of real time monitoring the point of the matter is that the system that’s there in Ringsend is openly dumping sewage into the water and will continue to do that until we have the proper facility.”

He went on to say that it’s not a leak or an accident but a deliberate situation.

“In my opinion, you just have to tell the public not to go in there and swim at all, because I wouldn’t trust the kind of information that’s coming ou… if you bear in mind that Irish Water didn’t even bother to inform the public or Dublin City Council, it took a member of the public and their own drone to do so… It’s an outrageous situation to happen here, and that’s the crux of the matter, you can have all the real time [testing] you like but if a State company is going to dump that kind of effluent into the water, well then we’re in deep trouble.” The motion was accepted by the committee.

Reducing Speed into Ringsend Cllr Kevin Donoghue (LAB) proposed that the speed limit on the main road through Ringsend into Irishtown be reduced to 30 km/h.

The reply was: “Ringsend area has been included in the fourth phase of the 30 km/h speed limit introduction. This proposal will be going for public consultation during summer 2019. Following the adoption, and sealing of the new bye-laws in the autumn 2019, works will commence to erect the relevant signage in the new areas in summer 2020.

The main road through Ringsend into Irishtown is an approved arterial route.

Dublin City Council will be reviewing the speed limits on the arterial and other routes and based on the findings from the review will make a decision if changes are required. This will take place after implementation of 30 km/h is fully completed. It is planned to do so by the end of 2020.

The selection process will still be focused on areas where schools are located and areas that have previously had significant engineering interventions introduced. It will also be a priority to ensure that there is a flow from one 30 km/h zone to another rather than a stop-start approach; this is to ensure that road users are travelling at constant speeds where possible and also not to add any confusion and/or a proliferation of signage in the areas.”

Yoga in the Park Yoga and fitness classes have become a common sight in our public parks throughout the summer time in recent years, organised by Happenings.ie in association with DCC. Cllr Deirdre Conroy (FF) called for the reinstatement of the outdoor yoga class on Saturday mornings in Dartmouth Square, which apparently had ceased. “This is something that the local residents and people in general really appreciate so I don’t know why it’s been banned,” she said.

Cllr Byrne (GP) who had this down as a motion previously, said the problem wasn’t confined to Dartmouth Square but affected other parks too. She called for someone in the Parks Department to provide the committee with an update on what’s happening “as we’re nearly half-way through the summer and it’s a hugely important facility for the citizens of the city in order to have affordable, accessible yoga classes for the health and mental health of our citizens.”

However, Cllr Mary Freehill (LAB) argued that the subject was more complex, and raised the issue of permanent studios who paid their taxes and, one in particular she mentioned, found their customer numbers had fallen to zero. “It is a bit like people who are selling stuff along the canal, and the local shops who are paying their rates then can’t sell anything at lunch time.” She pointed out that while not against the park facilities there was a need for balance and fairness to be exercised in this matter.

Wildflowers and Biodiversity Cllr Chris Andrews (SF) proposed that this area committee agrees and requests that DCC sow wildflowers as proposed

by Donnybrook Tidy Towns on the median strip from Donnybrook Church up to RTÉ entrance as it would help pollinators and also reduce maintenance costs.

The council replied: “Park Services welcomes the planting of wildflowers and flowering species which increases biodiversity in the city.

If a representative of Donnybrook Tidy Towns contacts the undersigned [Mary Taylor, Executive Manager, South City, tel.: 222 5112, email: mary.taylor@dublincity.ie] we will be very happy to assist them in their endeavours and also in selecting suitable locations.”

And on a similar theme Cllr Hazel Chu (GP) proposed that this local area committee would sow wildflowers on grass verges without mowing throughout the year to both save cost and support pollinators and increase biodiversity.

The reply was: “Park Services supports the planting of wildflowers and other flowering species which increases biodiversity in the city. However, such planting is labour intensive at certain times of the year and therefore safe access is essential during these times.

Therefore, other means of increasing pollinator planting and enhancing biodiversity e.g. seasonal bulb planting, may be more appropriate and will be considered for grass verges.”

An emergency motion put down by Cllr Dermot Lacey (LAB) called for traffic officials to immediately engage with residents of Seafort Avenue regarding two proposed new pedestrian crossings, and the removal of the already limited parking for residents. The council replied that it was willing to discuss these matters with the Dept of Education, and with local residents, and also to try and provide parking permits for residents of Seafort avenue on surrounding roads.

Above: Among the ‘wildflowers’.

Photo: Eugene Carolan.

HISTORY

Page 26

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

George Noble Plunkett

A

n Dermot Carmody hundred years ago, Count George Noble Plunkett led the TDs into the first Dáil in the Mansion House. He had won the election in Roscommon largely because of his son, Joseph Mary Plunkett (Joe), a signatory of the 1916 Proclamation who had been executed as a leader of the Rising. But there was more to Plunkett than that, both politically and as a significant figure in culture and art in Ireland.

He was born in Aungier Street on December 3rd 1851. His parents were Patrick Joseph Plunkett, a builder and urban councillor and Elizabeth (Bess) nee Noble, who owned a successful shop selling French and Italian leather.

The stamp of Nationalism was made early in Plunkett’s life, when he was visited aged six months by two men saying they were the drummers who had fought at Vinegar Hill in 1798. Plunkett’s great granddaughter, writer and musician Honor O’Brolchain, admits the folklore could be imprecise. “Of course nobody could find drummers,” says Honor, “but that could be anything in the Irish army. They could have said ‘well, you two are the drummers now’.

But it was two men from ‘98 and everybody regarded that as a tremendous thing.”

Plunkett was educated at primary school in Nice for three years and at the Oblate Fathers school in Upper Mount Street. From 186769 he attended Clongowes Wood College, Kildare, where Honor suspects his political formation continued as “there were these terrific debating societies, I think that they had only recently started, so there was a lot of Nationalist discussion and things going on.”

After travelling for a time, mainly studying painting in Italy, Plunkett entered Dublin University in 1872. There, he became friends with Isaac Butt and Douglas Hyde,

as well as with literary figures like Bram Stoker, the poet Katherine Tynan and Oscar Wilde.

Plunkett’s primary ambition was to be a journalist. While still at school he contributed to The Shamrock and The Nation. In 1882, he started and edited the monthly review magazine Hibernia, which was notable for its inclusion of women poets, especially his friend Katherine Tynan.

In 1884, Pope Leo XIII made Plunkett a count, Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre in recognition of his donation of funds and a villa in Rome to a nursing order, the Little Company of Mary. He didn’t like using the title but the Vatican asked him to use it for political reasons. Italy was in the process of unification and there was concern that the Vatican states might be absorbed and even that such titles might be banned, as had happened in France.

Another in Plunkett’s life who favoured his use of his title was Josephine Mary Cranny, whom he married in 1884. She disliked it when he received invites addressed merely to “George Plunkett”.

The couple represented a union of two great Catholic builders of Dublin, the Plunketts and the Crannys. Their wedding settlement included a number of houses in Rathmines, which Patrick Plunkett had built, as well as a Cranny-built terrace on Marlborough Road, several houses on Elgin Road and 26 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, where the family lived for a number of years.

The Plunketts had seven children, Philomena Mary Josephine, Joseph Mary, Mary Josephine Patricia, Geraldine Mary Germaine, George Oliver Michael, Josephine Mary Jane and John Patrick.

In later years, they also lived in 40 Elgin Road, a large house where meetings of the “Second Dail”, composed of those like Plunkett who didn’t recognise the Republican legitimacy of the treatyite Dáil, were held.

In 1892, Count Plunkett ran for election as a Parnellite in Mid Tyrone. He ran because he could afford to lose his deposit and in the end he withdrew in order not to split the Nationalist vote between himself and Matthew Joseph Kenny, who was on the anti-Parnell side of the Irish Parliamentary Party.

Plunkett also ran twice for election in St Stephen’s Green, reducing the Unionist majority in the seat to 137. Eventually in 1900, the Irish Parliamentary Party won the seat, but the party leader John Redmond would not allow Plunkett to run.

That election marked the start of a hiatus in Plunkett’s political career, perhaps, as Honor O’Brolchain observes, because of a difference between his politics and those of Redmond.

Plunkett’s more radical views, for example his belief that there should be tariffs on trade with Britain, were at odds with the Irish Parliamentary Party’s links with the British Liberal Party. “The oddity about Count Plunkett is that he was so out of politics in that 16 years between 1900 and 1916 – because of Redmond really. If he was going to be anywhere that’s where he would have been, in the Irish Parliamentary Party.”

Plunkett returned to his other interests, publishing his Botticelli biography and other books on art and architecture. He was director of the Cork International Exhibition in 1903 and was appointed director of the National Museum of Ireland in 1907, where visits increased from 100 to 3,000 in his first year.

In the run-up to the 1916 Rising, Larkfield in Kimmage, where the Plunketts were living at the time, was a training centre for the “Liverpool Lambs”, young men from Irish organisations in Britain who came to train for rebellion and to escape conscription.

In April 1916, Plunkett’s son Joe swore him into the IRB. He went to Europe to confirm the date of the Rising with Roger Casement, who was trying to buy arms from

the German government, and to plead with the Pope not to condemn the Rising.

After the Rising, Joe was executed and his brothers George and Jack imprisoned. Count Plunkett and his wife were also imprisoned in Richmond Barracks and then deported to Oxford. He returned without permission to fight and win the North Roscommon byelection which he won, largely on account of being Joe’s father.

He held a meeting in the Mansion House to form an abstentionist alliance with his own Liberty League, Sinn Féin, Cumann na mBan, the IRB, the IPP and others.

In October, the alliance became a party using the name Sinn Féin.

Griffith, Plunkett and de Valera, who was still in prison, were nominated as president of Sinn Féin, but Griffith stood aside in favour of de Valera and Plunkett followed suit.

Plunkett was interned again in 1918, but was released after Sinn Féin’s electoral triumph, in which he was again elected. He presided at a planning meeting for Dáil Éireann on January 21st 1919, and led TDs into the first Dáil session in the Mansion House. He was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs.

With de Valera and Griffith, he travelled to Paris in an unsuccessful attempt to secure a place at the post-war treaty talks. He also travelled with de Valera to negotiations in London after the War of Independence in 1921, but, believing they were merely being offered Home Rule he took no further part in negotiations.

De Valera removed him from Foreign Affairs to a portfolio outside cabinet for Arts. Opposing the treaty, he left office in Janu-

ary 1922 and led the anti-treaty Cumann na Poblachta, which lost the June General Election.

Plunkett abstained from the Dáil in the Civil War and was interned until December 1923. In the 1923 election he topped the poll in County Roscommon. He would not take his seat in the treatyite Dáil and as a result lost his deposit in the June 1927 general election.

He ran again in 1935 for Cumman Poblachta na hÉireann in the Co. Galway by-election but again lost his deposit.

In later life, Count Plunkett continued to lecture in art history as long as his health allowed him to do so. He also founded The Academy of Christian Art, which operated out of 42 Upper Mount Street.

The family moved to Ballymascanlon in Louth for a time and ultimately Plunkett and his wife moved back to Dublin. “His children and his grandchildren were all mad about him,” Honor says. “They all spoke of him with huge love and affection, all the ones that met him.” Speaking this year at a symposium in The Mansion House organised buy Honor, Seoirse Plunkett, his grandson, remembered him as being “a dote”.

He died at home in Upper Mount Street on 12 March 1948, four years after the death of his wife and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.

You can read more on Honor O’Brolchain website www.honorobrolchain.ie and watch a video of Seoirse Plunkett speaking about his memories of his grandfather Count Plunkett at The Mansion House earlier this year on YouTube https://youtu.be/WvaMfARmCsA

Clockwise from bottom left: George Noble Plunkett (Parisienne print dated July 1875 on reverse).

Wedding group photograph in front of Muckross in Marlborough Road, June 1884.

Count Plunkett in Papal regalia on the steps of 40 Elgin Road.

Images: All courtesy of Honor O’Brolchain.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Page 27

Surgeons, Starlets and Suffragettes at Ringsend Library

N

n Dermot

Carmody

ewsFour attended a talk given on Wednesday July 3rd by Maeve Casserly, Historian In Residence for Southeast Dublin, about notable women associated with the area from mainly 20th century history.

Maeve’s talk was entitled Surgeons, Starlets and Suffragettes, a title reflecting the diversity of the women in question.

The talk mentioned many women associated with Rathmines and environs, including the several residents of Belgrave Road, or Rebel Road as it became known, so prominent were its insurgent residents.

Dr. Kathleen Lynn ran her general practice in 9 Belgrave Road, where she lived with her partner Madeleine ffrench-Mullen. Both were members of the Irish Citizens Army and Dr. Lynn was the ICA’s chief medical officer during the 1916 Rising.

Both were imprisoned in Kilmainham for their part in the Rising and Dr. Lynn was deported to England for a time, but returned then to re-establish her Belgrave Road practice.

She was vice-president of Sinn Féin and was elected TD for Dublin County in 1923. Lynn cofounded St. Ultan’s Children’s Hospital, which was entirely run by women, in Charlemont in 1919.

Dorothy Stopford Price was another important woman associ-

ated with St. Ultan’s. She lived with her husband in FitzWilliam place and in later years at 8 Herbert Park. They moved there after Dorothy suffered a stroke and the grand house in FitzWilliam place became unmanageable.

She pioneered the use of tuberculin testing for TB in Ireland, along with the use of the BCG vaccine to immunise children.

In 1937, a BCG vaccination programme was run from St. Ultan’s and in 1949, Price became the first chairperson of the Irish National BCG Committee.

Another Rathmines revolutionary was Constance Gore Booth (Countess Markievicz). She was a close associate of James Connolly and joined his Irish Citizen’s Army, formed during the 1913 Lock Out. Connolly lodged with her at Surrey House in Leinster Road and published The Spark and The Worker’s Republic from her printing press there. Constance fought mainly at St. Stephen’s Green in the Rising and was subsequently jailed. She was elected a member of the first Dail and served as Minister for Labour.

One of Countess Markievicz’s neighbours in Leinster Road was Anna Haslam. Anna and her husband Thomas were from a different reforming tradition, regarding themselves as suffragists rather than the more radical activism of the suffragettes. Anna campaigned for social and political reform from the mid 19th century, and was celebrated by all shades of political activism when at almost 90 she went to vote for the first time in the 1918 general election.

Worth mentioning too is Elizabeth O’Farrell, nurse and rebel, who was literally airbrushed out of a photograph of Padraig Pearse surrendering at the end of the 1916 Rising and who is therefore

perhaps emblematic of the masculine prism through which history is too often viewed.

As well as tending the wounded during the Rising, O’Farrell and others acted as despatchers through the perilous streets and it was she who approached the British from the GPO under a white flag seeking to surrender.

Maeve Casserly’s tour of notable women from Southeast Dublin was not confined to rebels and social reformers, however. Women in the arts were also celebrated including Maureen O’Hara, born in Beechwood Avenue in Ranelagh and perhaps most famous for her role alongside John Wayne in The Quiet Man. O’Hara is very much a figure of local folklore in Ranelagh and as recently as 2010 she was pictured opening the Ranelagh Arts Festival that year, her neck proudly adorned with a Shamrock Rovers scarf. Her father had bought a stake in Rovers when she was a child and she remained a lifelong supporter of the club.

Another Ranelagh native who became famous in the USA was Maeve Brennan. Moving to New York in the 1940s, Brennan was a writer at Harper’s Bazaar and then at The New Yorker. Her witty prose was much admired. Sadly, she grew ill in the 1970s and by the 1980s was destitute until she died in a nursing home in 1993.

Painting and fashion design were represented in the talk by Sarah Purser and Sybill Connolly. Purser lived in 19 Wellington Road and had a studio at the Grand Canal end of Harcourt Terrace. A notable portrait painter, her portrait of Constance and Eva Gore Booth sold for an unexpectedly high €200,000 in 2018.

Purser was also instrumental in the setting up of the Hugh Lane Gallery.

Sybill Connolly, who lived in 71 Merrion Square, became fa-

mous for her designs, typically using traditional Irish fabrics such as linen, tweed and lace. Her clothes were worn by Julie Andrews and Elizabeth Taylor and most famously by Jacqueline Kennedy when the President’s wife sat for an official White House portrait.

Surgeons, Starlets and Suffragettes provided an interesting starting point from where one could delve deeper into the stories of these women and others which time and history excluded. Maeve Casserly returns to Ringsend Library in August for a further talk, this time focussing on domestic life in Dublin during the First World War. Maeve Casserly, Historian In Residence for Southeast Dublin will give her talk Food Fuel And Making Do in Ringsend Library on Wednesday August 14th at 6.30pm.

For further information or to book a place for this event contact Ringsend Library Telephone: +353 1 6680063 Email: ringsendlibrary@dublincity.ie Clockwise from top left: Kathleen Lynn with Madeleine ffrench-Mullen; the actress Maureen O’Hara; Elizabeth O’Farrell and Dorothy Stopford Price.

ARTS

Page 28

L

n David Prendeville ocal company Wildcard Distribution scored another big hit at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh, which ran from the 9th to the 14th of July. Their supernatural comedy Extra Ordinary took home the prize for Best Irish Film.

The film stars Maeve Higgins, Barry Ward and Will Forte, and was directed by debutants Mike Aherne and Enda Loughman. It follows a lonely driving instructor, played by Higgins, who has supernatural abilities.

The film will be released by Wildcard across the country in September. It is an Irish-Belgian co-

H

Peter McNamara oly Show is a new print arts magazine, that was launched at the end of July at the Project in Temple Bar. For sale in Eason’s, and most bookshops around Dublin, Holy Show is being pitched as an arts magazine for everyone, something the regular passer-by might pick up off the shelf. In the runup to the launch, I sat down with its editor and creator, the Dublin writer Brendan Mac Evilly.

Why do you decide to call the magazine Holy Show?

A holy show is someone who makes a spectacle of themselves.

Is that such a bad thing? That wild rant you went on last night; the pang of dread that courses through your mind when you recall everything you let slip. But didn’t it hold a grain of truth?

August / September 2019

Locals win at Film Fleadh

production with Dublin’s Blinder Films co-producing with Umedia, with funding from Screen Ireland, Umedia and Inevitable Pictures.

The film had previously played to a great reception at the prestigious SXSW festival in Austin earlier this year. American comedian and co-star of the film, Forte, was also one of the big name guests present at this year’s festival, providing an acting masterclass.

Other notable guests at the festival included American writer/ director Alison Anders, known for films such as Gas Food Lodging, who also provided a masterclass.

Wildcard will also distribute two other acclaimed Irish films that

premiered at the festival. Never Grow Old, a western starring John Cusack and Emile Hirsch and directed by the supremely talented, eccentric Irish film-maker Ivan Kavanagh. Kavanagh’s previous work includes the micro-budget Eraserhead-esque Tin Can Man and the post-modern, ornate horror The Canal. Irish viewers can check out his latest when it is released here on August 23rd.

Wildcard will also oversee the release of Jihad Jane, Ciaran Cassidy’s debut feature documentary, which received its world premiere at the festival. While that hasn’t yet been set a release date, people can expect to see it in cinemas before the end of the year.

Mespil Road-based Element Pictures were the other big winners at this year’s Fleadh. Their film A Bump Along the Way starring Bronagh Gallagher won Best First Irish Film. The drama, directed

by Shelly Lowe, follows a boozy 44-year old played by Gallagher who becomes pregnant, much to the chagrin of her teenage daughter, played by Lola Petticrew. Petticrew also went home with the prestigious Bingham Ray New Talent award. The film will be released by Element on August 30th.

There is also an Element con-

Holy Show: New printed arts magazine is launched

n

www.newsfour.ie

Has something not consciously or sub-consciously been revealed?

Is it so awful that you danced or sang as badly as you did? Isn’t it more important that you danced and sang? You took a risk. You ignored propriety and broke with convention. Weren’t you glad to get it off your chest? Well... maybe not!

How does being a ‘holy show’ relate to being an artist?

For artists, making a spectacle and breaking with convention are arguably the modi operandi, to draw attention to their work, to create a show, an exhibition, but with purpose, deploying skill and craft, aiming to reveal something true about the world, from a surprising viewpoint, about people and places, where we live or pass through; a commentary or observation on our collective lives

unfolding, our beliefs, struggles, pains and joys. Artists in Ireland have a history of doing this in the face of censorship and censure.

Why do you think there was so much censorship?

To reveal what is both new and true can be a dangerous business.

Our old friends shame and judgement are never too far away, the checks and balances of public opinion. Edna O’Brien, a holy show. John McGahern, a holy show. Panti Bliss, a holy show.

nection in what was one of the undoubted highlights of the festival for this writer, Joanna Hogg’s superb The Souvenir. This painterly, highly intelligent films charts a doomed romance between a young film student and a complicated older man.

Based on a chapter in Hogg’s own life, the film works as a serious philosophical consideration of what cinema is and the role of the film-maker.

While that film was a UK/US coproduction, Element Pictures are co-producing The Souvenir Part 2, which is currently filming. Tilda Swinton and her daughter Honor Swinton-Byrne star in both parts.

Part 1 is released here on August 30th, while we can look forward to Part 2 some time in 2020.

There was another vast array of shorts on show at this year’s festival, the most high-profile of which was Bainne, the directorial debut of Jack Reynor, fresh from his turn in Ari Aster’s Midsommar.

The film, which stars Reynor’s Midsommar co-star Will Poulter, is a black and white, Irish-language drama set during the famine. It played to warm reviews and landed the much coveted Best First Irish Short Drama award.

Another highlight of the shorts

that played was the cinema debut of Barry O’ Connor and Grace Dyas (both known for their theatre work), Aftermath, a harrowing, extremely powerful depiction of grief.

Also impressive was Brute, a genre piece, directed by Brian Folan and starring Elva Trill. Micael Smiley, the veteran character actor and star of such films as Kill List, was also in town for the premiere of his directorial debut, the short Le Petite Mort. Film fans should keep their eyes peeled for those at upcoming festivals.

It was another strong and eclectic line-up at this year’s festival, now in its 31st year. The sun was shining and there was a great atmosphere in the Rowing Club and the Galmont after the screenings, workshops and events that took place.

Will Fitzgearld must be congratulated on another highly successful, stimulating year, only his second in charge. We are already looking forward to next year’s event and extend our congratulations to the local companies and talent who enjoyed success at this year’s festival.

So will Holy Show go in search of that kind of controversy?

No, not at all. But it will look for life, energy. It’ll give printed space to artists to say or show us something true, trusting them to tell the stories of who we are with honesty and insight. Nor is the title Holy Show intended as a nod to the idea of art as a replacement for religion. The gallery is a secular temple. The growing reverence for self-expression, an occasion for meaning. That said, reading Issue one from cover to cover will take about as long as Fr Clippit takes to say mass – “a good, long mass” since his stroke.

morning. With added fire.

Holy Show is a cross-arts publication and production company.

Over the next year it will produce and tour a live audio-visual version of Ian Maleney’s Minor Monuments in collaboration with film-maker Jamie Goldrick, to venues and festivals north and south of the border. See the inside back cover for more on this.

In print or in person, you will not be bored. What follows should feel like something between an entrancingly esoteric lecture and the best pub conversation you’ve ever had. Enjoy irresponsibly.

Put simply, what can we expect from this new magazine?

These stories come in a variety of forms, from a range of incredibly talented artists working in diverse media. Issue one includes critical musings on TV archival footage, hybrid essays, theatre show extracts and poetry adaptations, film footage, conversation, audio extracts and a gonzo jaunt to Mass of an Easter Sunday

Holy Show is available to buy at holyshow.ie, in Eason’s, and in most book shops around Dublin. Tickets for Ian Maleney’s Minor Monuments tour, and the full list of tour dates, are available at holyshow.ie.

Picture of Will Forte courtesy Wiki Commons.

Above: A cheeky swimmer adorns the cover of the first issue of Holy Show.

Picture courtesy of Holy Show.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

FAMILY

Roll up, roll up!

The Laya City Spectacular

J

n Geneva Pattison uly 12th to 14th saw the much-loved Laya City Spectacular return to Merrion Square for yet another successful year. The free jampacked festival is in its 14th year of running and had entertainment galore, food aplenty and sunshine to boot.

This year saw many performers from overseas delight and amuse onlookers, with some acts standing out in particular.

Orbax and Pepper do Science are a Canadian duo specialising in kooky sideshow science for kids. The pair educated the crowd on the speed of sound using a bullwhip, created homemade smoke guns and for the finale, propelled a large bin into the sky using the explosive power of liquid nitrogen.

In short, they started with a whip and ended with a BANG, it was fantastic. When they’re not nourishing minds or breaking Guinness World Records, they also operate under the name Monsters of Schlock performing classic and fantastical sideshow feats and very recently, they guest starred on one of Blindboy Boatclub’s live shows.

Aussie sideshow and street theatre artist, The Space Cowboy provided a truly out of this

world performance. For starters, he warmed up with a bit of sword swallowing and knife juggling. A few minutes later he climbed onto a nine-foot unicycle juggling knives and machetes blindfolded.

Again, the 55-time Guinness

world record holder amped it up a notch by trying to break his own world record for juggling a functioning chainsaw on the towering unicycle.

Spoilers, he broke it – the world record, not any of his appendages.

He engaged with the audience throughout all of his death-defying acts, even convincing one brave audience member to throw the knives up to him while he sat in skyward confidence. The Space Cow-

Page 29 boy was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the festival, head and shoulders above the rest, literally and figuratively.

Even with the high octane elements from some performers, acts such as B-Xtreme, a New York based breakdancing group and wacky visual comedy from Cartoonette the living statue, made for a very familyfriendly day out.

An interesting thing about the festival is that they encourage the audiences to tip the performers, giving the audience the power to exercise their judgement on the worth of each performance. The idea of the tipping format really plays an active role in re-invigorating our love, interest and appreciation of street art in all its glorious forms.

Street theatre truly is a form of whimsical escapism for the public and we should relish in it when available.

Images: Laya logo courtesy of Laya City Spectacular press office.

Other photos by Geneva Pattison.

Page 30

Refurbishment of Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre

T

he refurbishment of the Centre commenced in Early February 2019 and is on schedule to be completed in September 2019.

This refurbishment/development of the Community Centre is fundamental to improve the area of Ringsend and Irishtown. Our plan will bring the Community Centre up to date by providing a fully functioning up to standard place of work and access.

The local Community will have access to a modernised building with an improved environment for Centre users and Centre staff.

We will upgrade spaces for these valuable services such as; Ringsend & Irishtown Community Crèche, Money Advice and Budgeting Ser-

vice (MABS), Citizens Information Service (CIS), Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC), Senior Services and activities and Youth Services.

The refurbishment allows better use of the current layout and will also provide additional space to cater for our expanding services.

The Board, management and staff of the RICC would like to sincerely thank our service users, neighbours and the Community for their continued support during the works and business will continue as usual at the rear of the Centre until the works are complete.

Pictured above are, left to right: Dylan Clayton, Barbara Doyle CSP Manager and Assistant Manager at RICC, Marie Murphy RICC, John Lynch Chairman of RICC, Marian Finn and Lorraine Barry Manager of RICC. Below: Builders on the job at RICC.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Page 31

The Challenge of Co Parenting

C

o-parenting is a challenge that is facing an increasing number of parents in Ireland. Many couples no longer stay together ‘for the sake of the children’, instead seeking a more appropriate and healthier situation in which to live and parent. With the stigma associated with divorce and separation dissipating slowly, parents are now much more likely to find an alternative to living together in what may well be an acrimonious and unhealthy atmosphere.

The challenges that co-parenting presents and how ‘you try for the children always to just remain calm and get through it’. This touches upon what is probably the ultimate

goal of co-parenting: to offer the children the opportunity to grow in a home environment free from being caught in the middle of the parents’ hostility. Parents need to switch their role from spouses to co-parents. This is a substantial challenge but absolutely necessary to lessen the impact of conflict on the child’s development.

Cooperative Parenting The benefits to the child of a co-operative parenting programme will last for their lives.

One of the hardest parts is ensuring that the children do not get caught in a Loyalty Bind.

This can be very unsettling for a child; the sense of being in an environment that is not relaxed

Tips on Parenting

and suffering the stress of parental conflict. A co-operative environment will help the child learn effective communication and conflict-resolution skills. It gives the child the best chance of keeping two active parents in their lives.

For the parents, a healthy co-operative parenting programme also offers benefits. It allows the parents to rebuild and develop their lives as separate individuals. It allows both parents to focus on current child-rearing issues instead of dwelling on past marital issues.

Relationships begin and relationships often end. Sometimes, children are involved.

As a society we would do well to acknowledge the difficulties faced, and to deal with the challenge of co-parenting in a responsible and supportive manner. The benefits will last a life-time, not just for the children but for the parents also.

Valerie Kilkenny Counsellor and Psychotherapist BA, MA, MIACP. Eamonn Boland Counsellor and Psychotherapist A, MA, MIACP. Directors at Bath Avenue Counselling Centre.

Wednesday 25th September 2019.

This is a consultation for parents and carers only. Please do not bring your children to the appointment as this consultation is to be a space for you to speak freely.

We offer support in relation to a child’s: Development; behaviour; relationships and Adjustments to life changes.

Booking is essential.

By teaching you the various skills you will need to support your child/children in the above aspects of their lives, you will be relieved of a lot of the stress that goes with being a parent.

Are you a parent or carer who would value some support on any aspect of parenting (from toddler right through to the teenage years)?

We will offer you individual 30 minute parenting consultations at €20.

These sessions will take place every Wednesday morning between 10-12am, starting on

Bath Avenue Counselling Centre Contact us to book on: 01 678 8864 or Email info@bathavenuecounselling.ie

Parenting After

Are you separated from your partner and open to gaining support with adjusting to the changes in your relationship in regards to co-parenting your children?

We are offering a limited number of spaces for you to join a weekly, two hour co-operative parenting group for the duration of 5 weeks.

The programme content includes but is not limited to: • The importance of developing a parental relationship that is sensitive to your child’s needs.

• Shifting the relationship from former partner or spouse to co-parent.

• Effective communication.

• Negotiation skills and planning for the future.

Prior booking is essential.

A complimentary 30 minute consultation is included prior to signing up to take part in the group please use our contact information above to book your session.

We have additional information about the method and content of this programme. If required please do not hesitate to contact us and we will forward this to you.

Cost: €40 per session. Starting date for this group: Tuesday 24th September 2019.

Bath Avenue Counselling Centre Contact us on: 01 678 8864 E-mail info@bathavenuecounselling.ie

COMMUNITY

Page 32

The destruction of Community Development R Peter McNamara emarkable new research, undertaken by Patricia Kelleher (PhD) and Cathleen O’Neill (MA), traces the rise and dramatic fall of the oncethriving community development sector in Ireland.

Their paper, The Destruction of the Community Development Sector (2002-2015), was launched earlier this year at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The focus of the paper is to ascertain how, when, and why so many progressive forces within the state were silenced.

A vibrant community sector had been developing in Ireland since the mid-1980s, with a state-supported framework that actively encouraged people to have their say in official decisions. By the early 2000s, however, instability, disbelief, and demoralisation was rife.

Although the recession eventually decimated the community development sector, it might surprise some to learn it was being undermined as far back as 2002.

During the boom years the state had huge money to spend on community development, but, according to Kelleher and O’Neill, it set about destroying the sector, for reasons of ideology, and not austerity.

In the absence of a strong community development sector, issues around drugs, housing, healthcare and migrant rights have worsened to an extreme degree in Ireland.

Community workers were deliberately put out of touch with the movements in their community.

At its height in the 1990s, the community development sector fostered an inclusive, participatory kind of democracy, with decision-makers and civil servants keeping strong ties to local groups and local needs. As the sector was eroded, the participatory approach came to be replaced by a distant and authoritarian representative democracy, where official decisions were made from atop a rigid hierarchy, behind many layers of bureaucracy.

Kelleher and O’Neill’s groundbreaking research can help us understand how things have gotten to this point, and how trends

n

might be reversed.

A century of active Irish Communities Social movements and community development in Ireland have long played a significant role in moderating how power is distributed in society. Such movements challenged the status quo and brought about change by assisting marginalised groups, working class communities and poorer rural societies.

In the late 1800s a period of renewal and upheaval began in Ireland. Many remember the Irish literary revival, led by William Butler Yeats. When it comes to political agitation and grassroots activism, most people might think of the violent revolutionary politics of that time, which culminated in the Easter Rising of 1916.

However, there was during these decades a related but different kind of revolution taking place, in the sphere of civic debate and civic action. Countless ordinary Irish men and women banded together to agitate for political change. They campaigned for sovereignty, women’s suffrage, land reform and working class rights. The Gaelic Athletic Association was one early example, as was the rural co-operative movement.

With the founding of the Irish State, community activism spread even further. Muintir na Tire emerged in the 1930s, as did the United Irishwomen (now the Irish Countrywomen’s Association), and the Irish Housewives Association.

Through the 1960s and 1970s, vibrant social movements continued to emerge in Ireland. One notable example was the “second wave” of the women’s liberation movement – which questioned the role of women in society. Added to this was the student movement; the anti- nuclear campaign which helped to make Ireland a nuclearfree zone; the National Farmers’ Association which demanded that the voice of farmers be heard; Save Wood Quay which opposed the building of civic offices on a Viking settlement site; and the Living City Group which resisted the de-tenanting of Dublin’s inner

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

city and helped to reverse the destruction of the city.

These groups, among many others, helped lay the foundation for the remarkable growth that was to come in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Community Development Programme: A golden era The late 1980s and early 1990s in Ireland was a time of high emigration, income deprivation and social marginalisation. The unemployment rate rose to 17%, with consistent poverty levels at 16%.

Inside Dáil Éireann many members of the Labour Party were committed to eliminating poverty. In addition, sympathetic civil servants (some of whom were directly involved in EU initiatives) were in key positions, enabling them to support anti-poverty and community empowerment initiatives.

Up until the mid-1980s, community activism and the newer forms of community development mostly originated and grew outside of official state structures.

Organisations were generally funded by member subscriptions or voluntary contributions and operated on a purely voluntary basis.

Gradually funding arrangements were put in place, and the sector accessed significant support from the state, the European Union and philanthropic organisations. Improved funding gave rise to the increased professionalisation as many volunteer activists of the 1970s became paid community workers. It was, ironically, this recognition and empowerment of the Community Development sector that eventually led to its downfall – by becoming tied to state structures, the sector entered into a paradoxical relationship, that gave it strength while eroding its autonomy.

The Department of Social Welfare (DSW) was the lead government department with a brief for community development in the 1990s. The Community Development Programme (CDP) was formally established in 1990.

Under this emerging model, community development came into its own. It built relationships and empowered people to participate in decision-making

structures that affected their communities. It emphasised critical social analysis. It developed local social infrastructure – including local neighbourhood networks and coalition-building between organisations.

Using these principles, community-led, locally-tailored models of service provision were developed in a range of areas across the country. Workers in the sector gave life-changing assistance with employment, training, child care, and adult education and eased problems around drug use and violence against women.

The publication of the White Paper on the Relationship between the Community and Voluntary Sector and the State (Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs 2000) was a milestone, in that it gave formal recognition to the community and voluntary sector. The paper articulated a vision of Participatory Democracy to govern local community and voluntary activities. It outlined the values of social justice, and a belief that citizens had a right to participate in decisions that affected their lives. It affirmed the value of empowering working class and rural communities, as well as the rights of Travellers and migrants.

According to Kelleher and O’Neill, the vibrancy of the community, anti-poverty and equality sector during this period led many to describe it as a “golden era”.

Targets and quotas: Neo-liberal managerialism The sector developed through the 1990s, bringing relief, assistance, and hope, to countless people. Then, on June 6th 2002, Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats entered a coalition government. They established a new Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Between 2002 and 2010 a major paradigm shift occurred in how the Community Development sector was governed: a top-down approach of target-based “managerialism” began.

This managerialism was part of the international movement towards Neo-liberal globalisation.

Neo-liberalism is an economic model that gives maximum control to private commercial interests, with minimal state interventions, founded on the belief that consumer demand will cause society to regulate itself.

The theory is that, based on their personal needs, people will seek the goods/services that they want, which will lead the private entities to provide such services, and at the most competitive price possible. It promises commercial efficiency, and greater personal freedom.

The neo-liberal economic model came to prominence in the 1980s, with the privatisation and anti-welfare policies of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, in Britain and America. With the col-

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

lapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, and the effective end of the communist alternative, neo-liberalism gained a supreme position in global politics: indeed, it became an unchallenged fact that the only way to organise a free democracy, was on free-market economics.

Neo-liberalism became the “ideology with no name”, such was its dominance. It is only since the economic crash of 2008 – which was caused by a lack of state intervention and market regulation – that people have come to question this model, and seek out alternatives.

By 2002 neo-liberalism had come to Ireland. Based on its freemarket assumptions, Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats went about fragmenting and effectively destroying the Participatory Democracy framework.

Aside from ideological reasons of cost-cutting, and minimal state intervention, Kelleher and O’Neill also report a feeling among politicians that the sector had gone beyond its brief in its campaigning and public education role. Community organisations became rivals to local government and politicians. The political system was sceptical – they saw such groups and activists as alternative forms of local democracy.

As effective as the sector was in solving community problems, officials became cagey of autonomous forms of community development. And it was a catch-22 situation: the sector could not take on the state and expect to be funded by it at the same time.

Many inter-related developments were split. This structural change caused much confusion and inefficiency, and gave a core group of civil servants in the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the opportunity to impose a new model for managing the community and local development sectors.

This model focused on externally-set and often arbitrary targets.

“Value for money” became the central theme, and on-the-ground social good receded into the back-

ground. Social interventions were calculated in terms of cost and benefit, to give a shallow numerical value.

Recession annihilates the sector When workers challenged these policies, they faced great hostility. Official warnings were given to those in community and local development projects that they were not to engage in any activism or campaigning work, and that no employee should undermine or be in conflict with representative democracy. Faced with reduced funding, and mounting disregard, the sector began to wane. It grassroots, bottom-up values had been outlawed. Demoralisation set in.

Then, with the economic downturn of 2008, came annihilation.

Although funding cuts had commenced prior to the financial crisis, as part of the government’s policy of austerity cutbacks were exacerbated. Between 2008 and 2011 the community and voluntary sector was cut by 35%, in contrast to the 7% faced by other sectors. Some estimations put the decrease in funding as high as 41%.

In 2009, nineteen of the 180 Community Development Projects were closed with two weeks’ notice. Workers were made redundant without full entitlements, something that SIPTU is still pursuing to this day in the Labour Court. Worse still, communication of redundancies came not by personal contact but by way of email or text. Coming two weeks before Christmas, the devastation was total. One worker said “it was as if my life’s work was erased, it was like a bereavement.”

With no redundancy payments and no entitlements to a work pension, the economic realities of the closures hit hard. Many workers ended up unemployed, while some workers ended up on temporary employment and training schemes. Unable to pay the rent in her private sector housing, one woman interviewed by Kelleher and O’Neill ended up homeless.

Project budgets of the remaining projects were cut and projects

COMMUNITY were ordered to desist from all campaigning and advocacy. Local project structures, project workers and the language of community development were taken over and a centrally-driven, repressive, and bureaucratic procedure was put in place. The autonomy of the sector was finally done away with. Statefunded community development work was an at end.

Local Development Companies (LDCs) that managed the programme were accountable to central government through Pobal.

These companies were responsible for achieving targets set by the centre and adhering to budgetary obligations. Local projects in turn were answerable to the LDCs. The result was a complex relationship between the state and community organisations as control was exercised through devolved structures with stifling levels of bureaucracy.

Administrative and reporting responsibilities in the Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) were excessive and time consuming.

The high-point of the 2000 White Paper on the Relationship between the Community and Voluntary Sector and the State was a distant memory. The state had once official endorsed values of bottom-up development, had recognised the capacity for communities to identify and create innovative solutions, and enshrined the importance of advocacy and campaigning. Today, workers in the sector report being engaged in endless red-tape, being confined to offices and metrics, instead of taking an active role outside their office, amongst community groups.

Naming neo-liberalism and forging new alliances According to Kelleher and O’Neill, the shift that took place in the community development, anti-poverty and equality sector between 2002 and 2015 was a shift from participatory democracy to a more controlling representative structure based on neoliberal values. Ordinary people were no longer encouraged to take a role in the decisions that affected them; and community workers were distanced from individuals and groups in their locality, tasked more often with filling out lengthly reports and satisfying arbitrary targets.

Under the new model social problems were individualised and de-contextualised from their social and economic context.

The principles of social value,

Page 33 social solidarity and the building of social capital were given little attention. Community was commodified. Worse still, according to Kelleher and O’Neill, the trauma, shame, hopelessness, anger and demoralisation experienced, resulted in a silence around the destruction of the community development sector. It’s a story that has largely gone untold.

Notwithstanding this, much of the community and local activism which was built up under statefunded programmes in the 1980s and 1990s has moved onto street protests. Examples include the anti-austerity marches concerned with water charges, as well as protests about cut-backs in community and social services, the bank bail-out, homelessness and affordable housing.

Aside from this, some key figures in the movement to repeal the eight amendment had been fighting for the cause since the introduction of the amendment, in 1983.

Kelleher and O’Neill argue that when it comes to fighting for the interests of the community development sector, and for social solidarity, a huge part of the problem still lies in the dominant and invisible position enjoyed by neo-liberalism in modern political discourse. Seldom was it named in the crises to which it gave rise such as: the financial meltdown of 2007/2008; or the offshoring of wealth by the super-rich, documented in the Panama Papers in December 2016.

They stress that neo-liberalism needs to be named, challenged, and market economics needs to be put under greater regulatory restraint, with some sectors taken under state control entirely.

The marketisation of the housing sector in the 1990s, and the gradual withdrawal of the state from direct local authority house building contributed to the current crisis in homelessness, and the unaffordability of houses to buy or to rent. The persistence of the crisis was in part due to the reluctance of the Irish state to undertake the robust interventions that were needed, as the political elite waited for the re-balancing of a self-regulating housing market.

In the concluding sections of their report, the academics argue for the state to re-engage in a substantial housing building programme, with the retention of public land in public ownership.

They also outline the need to fund

initiatives based on those principles of social value that were once central to the community development sector, such as cooperative housing.

Furthermore, they advocate for an increased role for credit unions which, unlike exclusively profitdriven banks, are owned and provide mutual benefit and support for members. Likewise, approved housing associations could address mortgage default needs, and avoid the outsourcing of mortgages and loans to so-called “vulture funds”.

Based on their wide-ranging interviews with former participants in the sector, Kelleher and O’Neill argue for building a new bottom-up, autonomous, independent movement. Such a movement would suffer from a lack of official funding – but would by the same token enjoy a much greater level of autonomy.

Funding, they suggest, might be sourced from the trade union movement or philanthropic foundations such as the Carnegie Foundation. By forging closer networks with Irish trade unions, as well as other international entities in the global justice sector, a new community developmenttype movement could begin to find its feet.

If you are interested in the research outlined in this article, and would like to request a copy of Kelleher and O’Neill’s entire research paper, email peternewsfour@gmail.com.

Pictured page 32: Pauline Conlon MA who provided assistance with the research, and was present at the official launch.

This page: Patricia Kelleher who co-authored the report. She has a PhD from UCD, and was previously a research fellow at Harvard University.

Pictures courtesy of Patricia Kelleher and Cathleen O’Neill.

Page 34

A

n Kathrin Kobus Saturday morning at the beach, and the runners line up at Blackberry Lane, nearly 250 this time because it is the 100th event.

That’s a steady climb from the beginning almost two years ago with about 75-80. “On average we have 130-150 runners, some regulars, and always someone just here for the weekend in Dublin and tagging along,” said one of the organising volunteers.

A whole new group of runners turned up for the first time at the beginning of the year, with their light blue tops and the word “Sanctuary” on the front instead of a team name. On the back the top says “Solidarity, Friendship, Respect” – that is the short summary for the aims of the group which sees asylum seekers, refugees and Irish citizens come together.

Ronan Waide is one of the latter who shows in this way his solidarity with those who come to the country looking for asylum, and he knows first-hand how difficult and challenging this is. “My wife came from Sri Lanka with a work permit, and an invitation by an employer and still she had to wait and wait for the forms to go through the levels. Asylum seekers now who live in Direct Provision are even further down the ladder.”

POOLBEG PARK RUN 100

www.newsfour.ie

Running together

One important point is that the sanctuary run is an event with participants running together for solidarity and for mutual respect. It is not a fundraiser or a charity. The light blue tops are printed and provided via the local councils, in this case Dublin City Council.

Currently there are two sanctuary running groups in Dublin, one in Clondalkin the other came regularly to Poolbeg. However,

August / September 2019 they need a shuttle bus to bring them to the city centre and back for meal times, etc.”

The Saturday morning run offers a chance for them to join in a community and become a part of it. There is a small chance for a return of the Hatch Hall group to our shore, according to Ronan Waide. “The group from Hatch Hall have grown fond of the Poolbeg run so we the sanctuary runners not in DP [Direct Provision] might think about finding a way to collect them and offer a lift here to Poolbeg.”

Maybe once a month or every six weeks the blue top runners will be joining the others on a Saturday morning, come rain or sunshine, running, walking and volunteering as well.

For further details check out info@sanctuaryrunners.ie

the 100th run on July 20th was their last show at Sandymount beach for a while. “They moved from Hatch Hall out to Balseskin near the airport. That’s too far away a journey every Saturday morning.”

Maria Long, another Irish sanctuary runner told N4. “The move out there is a big change for them anyway. In Hatch Hall they could walk out the door and were in the city centre. Now

Ringsend Active Retirement Association joins the Gardaí

T

he Ringsend Active Retirement Association recently spent a very enjoyable day at the Garda Training College in Templemore. They were accompanied by Garda Paddy Collins and Garda Katie Sammon and were greeted on arrival by Sergeant Michael Reynolds who was their guide for the day.

After enjoying a three-course lunch in the dining hall they visited the museum and even got to try on various hats from the past and take photos. Later there was a talk in the lecture hall followed by a film about the history of the State and how the An Garda Síochána came to be formed, and about their current training methods.

The group had a wonderful time and found Sergeant Reynolds a most informative guide.

The trip was sponsored by the Aviva Community Fund.

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

SPORTING HISTORY

Page 35

Salute to the great Ringsend Eagles

S

n Eoin Meegan ome thirty years ago, a group of Ringsend youths made history by being part of a unique and very special athletic club. And even if they are not recorded in the official sporting records, one man recalls their true heroism and grit.

Way back in 1988, when Dublin was celebrating its millennium, the idea was mooted to hold a triathlon at the Ringsend Community Games. To pull off this feat, the man they turned to was Derek Murphy.

Not only was Derek Lord Mayor of Ringsend at the time, but he had been involved in triathlon clubs since the sport’s inception in Ireland. The triathlon consisted of a 200-metre swim, an 8-mile cycle, and a 2.8-mile run for the under-16s, while the seniors faced a 2.5-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle, and a marathon distance run.

Initially, some thirty young people aged between 10 and 15 turned up and Derek anticipated the event would be a one-off. However, the kids had a different idea. So enthusiastic were they, that after the event they went on Radio Snowflake (Ringsend station of yesteryear that prided itself on being a community, not a pirate radio), and appealed to Derek to continue with the project.

Derek was only too happy to oblige, and so the Eagle Youth Triathlon Club was born. After three months, 35-40 youngsters, both girls and boys, with an average age of 10-16 had signed up. Such was the demand that Derek had to create a second team, the ‘Mascots’, to accommodate under-10s, who desperately wanted to be with the older group.

The training was tough. They trained four nights a week for nearly two hours each night.

Then at weekends they would set out from Ringsend to the Dublin / Wicklow Mountains, a 15-20 mile round trip, and once there, run another 3-4 miles in the mountains.

That was tough going, but the kids never faltered. Derek pushed them to their limit, tak-

ing them up Ticknock Hill, which is extremely steep and tortuous, and they rose to the challenge.

It’s clear that Derek Murphy feels they were very special individuals. “These kids didn’t know how good they were at the time,” he reminisces.

Ger Mooney was one of the original Eagles and at 16 was an outstanding athlete, whom Derek describes as the guiding light behind the club, and an inspiration to the younger kids.

Unfortunately, around this time Ger developed cancer, which he fought bravely. After a period of remission the cancer returned and sadly, in 1993 Ger passed away at only 21 years of age.

Because of his inspiration to the others, his outstanding athleticism, and the wonderful bravery he showed, Derek instigated the Ger Mooney Trophy in his honour. Only weeks before he died, Ger completed a cycle for rehab on a tandem along with Derek.

Music was another great passion of Ger’s and for a time he played drums in a local band.

One time, at a Bon Jovi concert Derek approached drummer Tico Torres and told him Ger’s story, and asked could he have his drum sticks. Tico didn’t hesitate and graciously gave them to the youth.

The Eagle Youth Triathlon Club never received official recognition, as in order to be recognised by the triathlon association members need to be over 16, so the Ger Mooney Cup is their official prize.

The trophy has been awarded only to the most outstanding athletes in the Eagles, and will be posthumously awarded this August to another original member who also sadly passed away, James Byrne, or ‘Jay’ as he was affectionately called.

Jay died in June of last year in a tragic accident at Dublin Port where he worked. Originally from Ringsend, he was loved and held in very high esteem by everyone who knew him.

He was barely ten in the first triathlon and holds the record for being the fastest to run around the Nature Park, including the hill which Derek says he did in 2 minutes and 53 seconds. Derek speaks of those youngsters with deep respect. The word he uses to describe them is ‘indomitable’.

The Club lasted for about twelve years. Then, as members began to grow up they naturally went their individual ways.

Among the former members were Collis Moran, Mark Saunders, Ruth Berry, David Doyle

who is now a coach at Stella Maris, and Colm Reynolds who trains the hurlers in Clanna Gael Fontenoy.

Another outstanding member was Mark Doyle. Mark went on to win the prestigious Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield trophy two years in succession, in 1996 and 1997. The Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield is a ten-mile, cross-country, handicap which takes place every year on St Stephen’s Day. It is so tough it’s been described as a two-legged version of the Grand National.

Former winners were Eamonn Coghlan and Frank Cahill.

Started by the Donore Harriers in 1896, the race has taken place every year since, with the exception of 1916 when it was postponed due to the war. It is the oldest continually run race in Ireland, and some say the world.

An interesting thing happened during the 1994 World Cup. Through contacts of Derek’s in Holland, the Ringsend Eagles were invited to go to one of Ireland’s games. Derek rounded up over 250 kids in total, plus minders, and brought them all to the US. He recalls chaotic scenes in Dublin airport at the time, trying to get them all boarded and through security, with so many excited youngsters everyone who worked in Dublin airport earned their money that day!

But eventually they got on the plane and arrived in Orlando, Florida, where more chaos ensued in getting them all checked into the hotel.

However, all went well and the Ringsend contingent got to see Ireland play Mexico at the Citrus Bowl. Derek followed this success by hiring eight stretch limos to take them on a trip to see the city after the game. A lot of memories there.

Originally, Derek worked on the coal docks in his late teens and early twenties, which was really hard work. All his life he has been involved in sporting activities of one kind or another.

During those years he has raised thousands for good causes, one particularly dear to his heart being the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Now, in his 70s, Derek is still very active. He recently did a skydive, and he has acquired a new kayak, which he intends to paddle from Cahir Point in Wexford to the Mendicity Institute on the Liffey. He claims his youth and vigour is down to a secret recipe he has that involves ginger and turmeric, although no amount of inducements could compel him to share its exact ingredients! Let’s hope it continues to work its magic.

His parting words are: “I want people to know that these were the greatest kids ever.” Derek gave up a lot of his time to help the kids of Ringsend thirty years ago. They all hold him in high regard too.

Above: members of the Ringsend Eagles Triathlon Club.

Left: Derek with Robyn Hanrahan and Leonie Richardson from Barrow Street Post Office.

Images: Derek Murphy / Eoin Meegan.

Page 36

B

Gavan Bergin ill McCracken was born in the Falls Road area of Belfast in 1883. As a boy, Bill was very good at football, and by the time he left secondary school he had gained a reputation as one of the best young players in Belfast.

In 1899, when he was sixteen, Bill was signed by Belfast Distillery FC and began playing for their second team, but by putting in consistently excellent defensive performances he quickly earned promotion to the first team.

He made his Irish League debut for Distillery against Cliftonville on December 25th 1900.

He did so well in that first game that Linfield, the biggest club in the country, immediately tried to buy him. Distillery refused to sell Bill and instead they signed him to a professional contract.

That was a deal that worked out extremely well. Bill anchored their defence for years to come and, in the 1900/01 season, his defensive brilliance was a major factor in the team’s success. They conceded only ten goals on their way to winning the Irish League championship.

In the next few seasons, the team became a major force in Irish football and Bill matured into one of the best players in the country. After the 1902/03 season, when Distillery won the Irish League and the Irish Cup, several big clubs from England and Scotland were taking a serious interest in signing Bill.

By the summer of 1903, he did indeed look ready to leave Irish football. At the age of twenty, he was already a masterful defender. He was big and strong, fast on the ground, dominant in the air and his reading of the game was superb. As well as all that, Bill was a fierce competitor with a reputation for never backing down from a confrontation.

He had the knack of aggravating opposition players, officials and supporters. He was involved in plenty of incidents such as onfield fights, pitch invasions and abandoned games.

But none of that put off clubs who wanted Bill, and Distillery received persistent enquiries about his availability from Liverpool, Aston Villa, Rangers and Arsenal. However, Bill was a man who knew his own mind and was well aware of his worth as a player.

When he eventually left Disn

SPORTING HISTORY

www.newsfour.ie

Bill McCracken:

August / September 2019

A master of defence

tillery, it wasn’t to any of the clubs that had been after him for so long. In May 1904, he signed for Newcastle United. They were rumoured to have made underthe-table payments to get Bill to join them and there was quite a fuss made about the matter. It was big news in Belfast, and the Irish Football Association made enquiries about it, even checking Bill’s bank account for any suspicious lodgements. They found no evidence of wrongdoing, but the affair was the start of an uneasy relationship between Bill and the IFA. Bill made his Newcastle debut against Woolwich Arsenal, on the 3rd of September 1904 and he played a storming first game, preventing the opposition from getting any chances in Newcastle’s 3-0 victory. He kept doing well for Newcastle, and their defence showed a marked improvement with him in the side, conceding thirty fewer goals than they had the previous season. That turned out to be a significant contributing factor to the team’s success, as Newcastle went on to win the League. They became champions of England in Bill’s first season with them.

Bill built on his good start in the black and white shirt, he improved his tactical play and became famous as an expert in the use of the offside trap. The Evening Herald said he was “the offside king, who perfected a

trap which caught forwards like flies in a spider’s web. A couple of steps forward by McCracken, and all those attacking moves, so carefully thought out and executed by soccer’s artists, were simply reduced to nought.”

Bill became the key man in the team with the most effective defence in England, a defence which provided the rock-solid foundation for Newcastle as they went on to further success. They won the League again in 1907 and 1909, and then there was the FA Cup in 1910, which they won with an astonishing defensive record of a mere three goals conceded in the six matches they played on their way to the Final.

Newcastle’s style of play was not popular with everyone. Bill copped plenty of abuse. He was booed, spat on and attacked by away supporters throughout the country. But the startling effectiveness of the tactic was undeniable and it wasn’t long before other teams began to copy it, and eventually the offside ploy became widespread, the number of goals scored in the League dropped and the spectacle of the game was said to have been ruined.

According to a report in the Manchester Guardian, “by the mid 1920s several clubs, most notably Newcastle United with their full-back Bill McCracken, had become so obsessed with offside that games would be

compressed into a narrow sliver either side of the halfway line.

When Newcastle drew 0-0 at Bury in February 1925, it was the final straw. The football was boring, attendances were falling and the FA, for once, not only recognised that something needed to be done, but set about doing it.

They changed the offside rule.”

Bill was not playing for Newcastle by then, but his contribution to the situation was recognised as being partially responsible for the change in the offside rule. He had retired after the 1923/24 season, having played 432 matches for Newcastle in his 20 seasons with the club.

Bill had a long and eventful international career for Ireland, which started when he was nineteen. In his debut match he gave a flawless defensive performance to help Ireland to a 3-0 victory over Wales, on February 22nd 1902. He played regularly for the Irish team over the next few years, winning his seventh cap in the match against England at Middlesbrough, on February 25th 1905.

Ireland’s record against England was appalling, eleven matches lost, conceding 71 goals and scoring only 5. The Freeman’s Journal reported on “drizzling rain and patches of snow” before the game. But the weather, at least, took a positive turn when the skies cleared around

noon as the last of the many thousands of fans arrived by rail, and a local brass band played a choice selection of English and Irish airs to accompany the two teams as they took the field, England wearing their strip of white shirts and dark shorts, while Ireland were in their traditional St Patrick’s blue jerseys and white shorts. Then, promptly at three o’clock, it was down to business when England, having won the toss, kicked off the match.”

The English players were superb from the start. Within the first couple of minutes they moved forward, getting close enough for a good long shot in on the Irish goalkeeper. Next, after a neat midfield move, an English attacker got a clear run on goal and raced free, looking certain to score, “when all of a sudden he was deprived by McCracken who got in a perfect interception and clearance”.

Ireland tried to counter, but could make no headway as England kept coming on strong time and time again, allowing no breathing room. They were relentless in streaming forward in attack, “but every time they looked certain to make the breakthrough, Bill McCracken stood firm and he succeeded in keeping the Irish goal intact “ At half-time the score was 0-0, giving Ireland grounds for optimism. And after two goals in the first five minutes of the second half the score was 1-1 and the Irish side had a good opportunity to slay the ghosts of humiliations past. But there was still plenty of hard work to be done before the game was safe.

Luckily for Ireland, they had the very man for the job, as Bill marshalled the backline with a display of resolve and defensive skill that repeatedly prevented England from getting through.

And, although time passed but slowly, inevitably it did pass, and as the ninetieth minute eventually got nearer the scores remained level and, as the final seconds ticked down, Ireland held their nerve as the end came at last.

And when the final whistle blew on a draw as sweet as any victory, there they stood: an Irish team undefeated on English soil. The next day’s edition of the Irish Times reported on “a fine performance by Ireland, and particularly by McCracken, the outstanding man in defence, who was cool, resourceful and cleanplaying. Nothing got past him.”

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

After that outstanding performance Bill continued put in superb defensive displays for Ireland. In February 1907 he won his tenth international cap and, at the age of 24 he was all set to be the mainstay of the Irish defence for years to come. But money matters were again to cause problems between the IFA and Bill.

In February 1908, after he was selected for Ireland’s next match, against England in Belfast, Bill was talking with some Newcastle teammates who were also England internationals, and he found out from them that England paid their players £10 each to play, while Irish players only got two guineas. When he learned this, Bill told the IFA that he would be happy to play for Ireland if he was paid the same amount as England paid their players. Bill didn’t play in that match, in fact he didn’t play international football again for more than ten years, after the

T

IFA banned him from the Ireland team .

It wasn’t until October 1919 that Bill played his long-delayed eleventh international, and, although he was 36 years old, he was majestic in defence, helping Ireland to another superb draw with England. He stayed in the team for another four years before making his last international appearance for Ireland at the age of 40, against Scotland in March 1923.

Bill retired from playing that same year and went straight into a management job with Hull City, and over the next six years he made them one of the best defensive teams in the Second Division. The 1929/30 season was the most eventful during Bill’s spell in charge of Hull, as they had their best-ever run in the FA Cup, knocking out the champions of the Second and Third Divisions, Blackpool and Plymouth Argyle then eliminating First Division Manchester City on the

SPORT way to a quarter-final tie against Newcastle United at St James’s Park.

Hull scrapped to a 1-0 win against Newcastle and in the replay they defended just like the boss when he was in his heyday, and got the one goal needed to send Newcastle packing from the competition.

In the semi-final, against Arsenal at Elland Road, Hull did well but only managed a 2–2 draw, and the replay turned out to be a game too far. Arsenal got an extremely fortunate 1–0 win, and Hull’s Cup dream was over.

A year later, Bill left to manage Gateshead for the 1932/33 season. After that he managed Millwall from 1933 to 1936, then joined Aldershot, with whom he spent thirteen seasons before he finished with management in 1950.

Although he was 67 when he left the Aldershot job, Bill wasn’t ready to be pensioned off.

Page 37

He was hired by Newcastle as a scout, doing that job for them until 1958, when he began scouting for Watford. He finally did retire after his 88th birthday, in 1971.

Bill lived a long life. He died, at the age of 95, in 1979, inspiring many a reverent obituaryeven though it had been over seventy years since he was showing the brilliance on the field that had stirred the senses of everyone who saw him play, whether they were on his side and hailing his defensive genius and tactical cunning, or in opposition and

damning him as the dastardly destroyer of the beautiful game.

Yes, in his day they all knew Bill McCracken. Some called him ‘football’s arch-obstructionist’ and ‘the game’s Irish Mephistopheles’.

Here, we call him ‘Ireland’s greatest defender’.

Pages 36 and 37: Bill McCracken.

Above: The measure of a footballer’s fame could be gauged by the number of cigarette cards he appeared on.

FAI soap opera rumbles on and on

n David Prendeville he FAI has taken one small step, it would seem, to having their funding reinstated by ratifying the 78 recommendations put forward by the FAI Governance Review, at their EGM held in Dunboyne on the 20th of July.

These recommendations, issued as part of a report that was a joint effort of Sport Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland, alters the make-up of the FAI board, amongst other things.

These changes were passed by a close to unanimous vote of 116 of the 120 members.

However, while that has been seen as a step in the right direction by some, there is still an unmistakable taste of the old guard left by the fact that subsequent to the meeting Donal Conway confirmed he will stand unopposed for re-election as president.

The Minister for Sport Shane Ross has been a vocal critic of the FAI of late and has continued to be so in light of Conway’s decision to run once more. Ross, speaking on the Today with Miriam show, said that the FAI’s funding should not be reissued until all the people who oversaw their recent problems were gone.

Prior to the EGM, as reported

by RTE, Ross had written a letter to Conway asking him to withdraw his nomination for reelection. In the letter, Ross suggested that Conway was reneging on an earlier commitment to step aside as part of the major reform necessary. Ross stated that: “Together with your decision to appoint former FAI employee and loyalist, Noel Mooney to the post of General Manager, this development means that the new regime has a very old look about it.”

The FAI’s response to this was that keeping Conway as presi-

dent adheres to the recommendations in the report. They stated: “in accordance with the report, endorsed by the FAI and Sport Ireland, two members of the current board have been nominated

by AGM members to stand for the positions of president and vice president. Only one nomination for the position of president has been forthcoming from AGM members whereas three nominations have been received for the role of vice president.”

Subsequent to the EGM, Ross added further to his criticism, stating in a column in the Sun-

day Independent: “Accountability can go out the window.

Vigilance can disappear. Pals keep pals on boards. Expenses become lax. Annual accounts are not produced in time for scheduled meetings. Numerous inquiries or forensic audits are required. All familiar sins in the FAI. Conway’s decision to stay on – even if unopposed – is mind-boggling.”

It looks like this sad soap opera will go on and on. Football fans can hopefully find some welcome distraction in the return of the Premier League on

the 9th of August.

Ireland play their next Euro 2020 qualifier on September 5th, when they will be taking on Switzerland in the Aviva. Some good news for the Irish team recently was 17-year-old Dubliner Troy Parrott starting and impressing for Spurs in their recent friendly with Juventus. Hopefully he’s set for a bright future in the green shirt and hopefully may break into the Ireland senior squad sooner rather than later.

Above: The Aviva Stadium.

Photo: Eugene Carolan.

Page 38

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019

Clanna Gael Fontenoy

Summer comes early to Clanna Gael n Felix O’Regan U12 girls blitz opposition There was no shortage of class on display in the U12 girls’ blitz hosted by the club.

Visiting teams from Cuala and St Judes certainly added to that class and colour. But it was the manner in which Clanns won all six of their matches that really stood out on the day.

Our two U12 girls’ teams finished their pre-summer season in style by hosting Naomh Mearnóg from Portnarnock. Both teams played very well. And while one lost narrowly the other won comfortably.

Mini All-Irelands Over 300 boys and girls, aged 7 to 13, participated in this year’s ‘Mini All-Ireland’ football competition at the club. Each team was assigned a county, assigned to a group and kitted out with t-shirts in that county’s colours – kindly sponsored by Dublin City Council, Bennetts Auctioneers and FT consulting.

The teams were mixed as between boys and girls at the older age levels. The winning team in each age group was ultimately decided by a ‘Mini

All Ireland Final’ between the top two teams in that group.

Apart from the exciting action on the pitch, there was a carnival atmosphere off it, with food and refreshments aplenty. “The quality of the skills on display was a fantastic reflection on the practice put in by our young players and the support and input of their coaches”, stated Eoghan Heneghan who, along with Christina Deevy, headed up the club’s organising group.

Traditionally a football-only event, this year saw the introduction of a hurling/camogie competition and this attracted an additional 160 young participants. The quality of play was a real standout and augurs well for the future of hurling in Dublin.

Adult footballers performing well Our Intermediate footballers have certainly helped their promotion prospects by achieving good results in their most recent games played during July: a comprehensive victory over Na Fianna played in an unseasonally-wet Sean Moore Park; preceded by a draw away to

Cuala in Shanganagh Park.

The latter game was on balance the more significant result, as gaining a point away from home can prove really valuable, particularly when it’s a key fixture between the second and third-placed teams in the league.

On a sunny evening with little breeze, Clanns fought for every ball and never let up to the final whistle. The first half started well for them with

some fine points, including a long-range effort from Ross Wherity.

A well-worked goal followed some typically strong running by Dave Meenan to give them further impetus.

Still, there was nothing between the sides at half-time.

The second half also started well for Clanns, with a goal direct from a free giving them the edge. David Lyons and Austin Dodd worked tirelessly in midfield to stem a comeback; but in fairness to Cuala they kept up the pressure and, with the game heading for injury time, they had taken a one-point lead.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going and Ed O’Sullivan stood up to score the point of the game with a terrific long-range shot to bring the teams level. Cuala had a long-range free at the death which, if converted, would have given them both points; but the ball veered to the right and was gathered by and played out of danger by relieved Clanns defenders.

The final score of 0-14 to 2-8 represented a wellearned draw for a good Clanns performance.

U-13 hurlers top their league What a great finish to the pre-summer part of the season for our U13 hurlers. They remain unbeaten to date and, as a result, sit atop of the Division 4 league table. This follows their most recent victory, where they got the better of St Kevins by two points with a score line of 2-13 to 4-5.

Both teams played fabulous hurling in a sunny Dolphin Park, but Clanns had the advantage come the final whistle. Great credit is due to the players themselves and to their coaches, Oran Burke and Eamon Horan.

Photos, clockwise from top: Clanns, St Judes and Cuala teams relax ahead of the U12 girls’ blitz.

Girls show their skills in the Mini All-Ireland.

U11/U12/U13 Boys & Girls mixed winners – Waterford – in the Mini All-Ireland.

High performing U-13 hurlers.

Clanns player Austin Dodd gets the better of his Cuala marker.

(Photos: Michele O’Briain, Brian Moran and Roger McGrath).

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019SMALL ADS / NOTICES

REMEMBRANCES

Page 39

Page 40

www.newsfour.ie

August / September 2019