19th April, 2001
Notice
Board
MOTORING MOMENTS!
The first 'Horseless Carriage' appeared on the streets
of Vienna in 1875 but its builder Siegfried Marcus missed
immortality by not perfecting his machine. Ten years later Karl
Benz braved the ridicule of his neighbours convinced that one-day
his theories would be vindicated. Every night his car would
travel a little further along the streets of Mannheim before
breaking down. Though hotly pursued by Daimler, Moyback and
Levasser, Benz was the first to make it work and go into
production
Dan Dempsey's 24 hour rescue
& Recovery , Kinsale
086-8217777
Calderwood to Capitalise on Additional Allocation
I have made very many representations to County Council Officials
at all levels including the County Manager, Mr Maurice Moloney
over the past twelve months and I am happy that such sustained
representations have now borne fruit.
I have been informed that Whelans will very soon commence work on
600 metres of the Estate at a cost of approximately £37,000. In
all 320 metres had been allocated under the five year Road
Restoration Programme. This programme was drawn up before I was
elected and I strongly objected to its content at the time. Some
Estates in the Douglas area, such as Calderwood and others were
waiting improvements for years. Residents can be assured that
until all areas are upgraded, it will continue to be a high
priority of mine.
I have also asked for the up to date situation in relation to the
installing of Traffic Calming within the estate and that sections
of footpaths in need of repair be included in the current
footpath programme.
Cllr. Deirdre Forde
ON THE ROUNDABOUT ...
Simon Coveney TD MCC calls for increased
resources to Improve Rural Roads broken up after a wet winter……..
Poor Mouth Theatre Company, in association with Granary
Productions, present the Irish Premiere of 'Some Explicit
Polaroids; By Mark Ravenhill. It's at the Granary Theatre,
Mardyke, from April 18 - 28, starts @ 8.00 pm . 021-490 4275………
P.D. National Chairman John Minihan says restrictions on cashing
of cheques by banks are anti-customer, he has also called on the
Taoiseach to urge President Bush to adopt the Kyoto environment
commitments..
Over £2.5
Million of Antiques At Munster
Antique fair
The success of the Munster Antiques and Collectibles fair is now
well known. This twice-yearly event goes ahead at its regular
venue, the Morans Silver Springs Hotel on Sunday next 22nd April.
It will be open to the public from 11.00am to 7.00pm and is a
great opportunity for all the family to enjoy this high quality
event.
"Picture the conference centre filled with antiques valued
at over £2,5 million all exhibited for sale and you will see why
this is such a popular event. The quality is always excellent and
over 60 Antique Dealers will attend". Explained Hugh
O'Donnell, a marketing Consultant who organises the Fair with his
brother Robin, the well-known Antique Dealer.
"There is huge interest in this event, by far the biggest
event of its type in Ireland, and the area is well known as one
of Ireland's leading centres for antiques. It attracts a broad
range of interest, people looking for something different can
start or enlarge their collection and prices start from just a
few pounds" said Hugh.
"It is amazing the interest in the area and those attending
will be guaranteed a wide variety in the thousands of different
high quality items exhibited for sale. Items on sale will include
a huge range of furniture, jewellery, porcelain and china,
silver, pictures and prints, coins and notes, glass, clocks,
curios, phone cards etc." Added Hugh.
" The fair will be an enjoyable day out for all and will be
well worth a visit. Everybody will be more than welcome on the
day." Concluded Robin.
18th
Local Authority members
Association Conference
Readers may be interested to know a little about the above
conference to be held this week. As a local Councillor I was very
pleased to be able to assist in the organising of this conference
and along with my colleagues am very proud to welcome delegates,
Councillors, Speakers and invited Guests to Douglas. We have left
no stone unturned to ensure that all that attend leave with a
keen desire to return and will have happy memories of their time
here.
Our local government system is changing and adapting as it
reasserts its influence in local matters. I am of the view that a
strong vibrant transparent and equitable local government model
is the first building block of democracy and ultimately will
result in better national government.
The Conference itself will be formally opened by our own Mr.
Michael Martin T.D. Minister for Health and Children and the
Speakers will include the genial Chairman of Cork County Council
Cllr. John Mulvihill; Cllr P.J. Hourican Lord Mayor of Cork; Mr
Maurice Moloney Cork County Manager and last but not least
Chairman of L.A.M.A. Senator Jim Walsh.
On Thurs.
Session 1 Title: Planning and Development Act 2000 and its
effects for the 21st Century.
Pascal Sheehy Southern Correspondent R.T.E will chair this
session and there will be four speakers including myself. (I
always have a lot to say about planning because my constituents
in Douglas and elsewhere in South Cork and not shy about giving
me.!!)
Session 2 Title Health, Education and the Arts and the New
Millennium will be chaired by Cllr. Deirdre Forde and our own Mr.
Dick Langford C.E.O. Cork City V.E.C. will be among the speakers.
Session 3 Title Local Government Bill 2000 - a New Beginning?
Chaired by Senator Jim Walsh. There will be an excellent
presentation from Cllr. Peter Mole from Gateshead Metropolitan
Borough Council.
Session 4 Title North/South Co-Operation and the Speakers will be
His Excellency Ronald A. Irwin, Canadian Ambassador and Mr Jim
Nicholson, M.E.P. Northern Ireland.
We have also organised a tour for the visitors to tour Cobh
Heritage Centre and a visit to Blarney Castle and Blarney Woollen
Mills and Dan Wallace T.D. Minister of State at the Department of
the Environment And Local Government will speak at the Conference
Banquet and our own Maryborough Ensemble will entertain the
Diners and will represent us well.
L.A.M.A. is a powerful voice for articulating Councillors views
and ultimately the view of those the Councillors represent. It is
important that we restore people's confidence in the process and
banish the view that Local Government is a 'has been' or
'yesterdays model'. Rather, it's unlimited potential when it
fulfils its core principles such as partnership, democracy and
community leadership. You readers must be and are the real
drivers and rightly so. Cllr Deirdre Forde.
The
Environmental Impact of the Proposed covering
of River Tramore.
The next important event coming up in John O’Sullivan’s
Meeting Room on Monday 23rd April at 7.30pm, which will include a
slide show and talk from John O’Keeffe of South Western
Fisheries, and former native of Donnybrook.
This meeting and slide show should be of interest to any Douglas
person or surrounding areas as it covers Douglas rivers, Flora,
Fauna and wildlife of the past and most important how it could be
again in the near future.
Come and see what used to be and what could be enjoyed by our
children again. Let’s leave them a good heritage!
John Collins.
CITIZENS INFORMATION
For free and confidential on your rights and entitlements,
including your rights at work, your holiday entitlements at work,
your social welfare entitlements, health services, taxation and
consumer rights.
Phone Locall 1890 777 121
MINISTER TO VISIT ST. COLUMBA'S SCHOOL
On Monday April 30th the Minister for Health,
Micheal Martin will present the 6th Class in St. Columba's N.S.
with Facility for Deaf Children, Douglas.
These certificates mark the fact that children will take a pledge
to abstain from alcohol until 18 years of age and drugs for life.
The Ministers visit acknowledges the work that voluntary bodies,
such as the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in conjunction
with Department of Education and Department of Health, are doing
to combat worrying trends in our society today.
HISTORY OF DOUGLAS
by Con Foley
Part 37 - Castletreasure - continued
"The labourer, to whom Mr. Carroll had addressed himself,
thought his advice most sensible and spoke to his fellow-workers
accordingly, as their time for dispersion was at hand; and we
wended our way from Castletreasure hill under the cheers of
approbation and shouts of good wishes, uttered by the followers
of Shelah the Dreamer, whose popularity was evidently on the wane.
The hag stood, uttering maledictions, and I shall never forget
her gestures, when Mr. Carroll told me to look back. She had
seized like a tigress the man, with whom he had conversed, by the
throat; and was flourishing wildly her formidable staff above his
head." The labourer followed them to Carrigaline and
Myrtleville. In the evening he joined them at Templebreedy,
overlooking the entrance to Cork Harbour. After begging pardon
for the interruption, he inquired if it was true that the gold
was buried a spade's depth and would Mr. Carroll help in the
digging! If gold was found, he would build a stone and slated
house on the farm. Mr. Carroll advised him first to clear and
manure the ground and that the results would give him as much
gold as if he had actually found the crock of gold. With profuse
thanks, the man withdrew. In the autumn of 1816, the same man
called to Mr. Carroll's medical shop in the North Main Street. He
informed Mr. Carroll that with his three sons - 'fine,
hardworking wholesome looking fellows as anyone would wish to
see' he had rented Castletreasure Farm. It was an improving farm
and please God, they were all likely to do well and improve there.
Mr. Carroll then extracted a tooth or two. As payment for the
extraction and for the advice on Castletreasure Farm, the man
offered a circular piece of thin gold plate. The plate was marked
by a Maltese cross in the centre; between the cross and the edge,
there were six concentric circles. The piece weighed l dwt. 10
grains. Good humouredly, Mr. Carroll accepted this unusual fee.
When he was next in the Douglas area, Mr. Carroll made enquiries
about his former patient. He was quickly informed that the poor
labourer became a rich man in twelve months - no one knew how.
The man himself studiously avoided all inquiries as to his newly
found wealth.
Collectors of coins and antiquities in Cork were anxious to see
'this curious bit of money.' The gold plate passed from hand to
hand until it was forgotten who was the possessor. "In 1845,
to my extreme surprise, I recognised what I believed to be this
identical gold plate, in a pocketcase which the late Mr. Redmond
Anthony of Pilitown had had fitted up in London for a small but
valuable collection of Irish antiquities formed by him. The plate
was labelled 'Found at Castletreasure, near Douglas, Cork.' He
did not recollect how he procured it and lamented that it
occupied so much space, so that he wished for a ring or other
such small article instead. On my requesting him to select one
from my collection of (mostly) Irish rings, he took one
intrinsically the most valuable - a family relic that had been
given to me but, although I parted from it with regret, I could
not refrain from making the exchange offered, which recalled all
my early associations of Castle Treasure hill, with the dewy
freshness of that morning, just one and thirty years previously."
Note: Local inhabitants state that, in later years, when farm
workers were engaged in clearing briars on the lands of
Castletreasure, some caves were unearthed in which were found
cooking utensils of Danish origin. Crofton Croker's collection
was sold in December 1854, shortly after his death. As the
following correspondence will show, further enquiries about the
ultimate location of the Castletreasure gold plate have not met
with any great success.
National Museum
"I am afraid that l am of little, if indeed any, help to you...
The disc you mention passed through so many hands that no one
knew where it had gone until Crofton Croker found it again in Mr.
Anthony's collection. Much of his material went to Robert Day,
but it was not in Day's collection when auctioned in London. I do
not know of a disc with a band of six concentric circles on it
but we have discs from Cloyne, Ballydehob a gold plate from
Castlemartyr. None of these however, can be the Castletreasure
piece. Prof. M.J. O'Kelly of University College, Cork, might be
able to help you; he could say perhaps, what happened to
individual items from Croker's Collection.
Department of Archaeology University College, Cork.
"Crofton Croker's collection of antiquities were sold by
public auction in London in 1859, and went to several private
buyers as well as to the British Museum and Trinity College,
Dublin. Otherwise, I have no information at the moment as to the
whereabouts of the Castletreasure gold plate."
The British Museum London.
"We do possess one item from Castle Treasure, Douglas; it
was bought by the Museum in 1854, and has the registration number
54,12-27.2. The object is a small gold disk, 1 3/4 ins. diameter,
with a lightly -incised cross. It is of Bronze Age date. I can
find no other material from this site in our collections, though
we do have a number of items, mostly of the Bronze Age, from
County Cork in general."
An enquiry to the Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road,
London, contrary to information, brought only negative results.
ON A FAVOURITE CAT, DROWNED IN A TUB OF GOLD FISHES
'Twas on a lofty vase's side
Where China's gayest art had dyed
The azure flowers that blow,
Demurest of the tabby kind
The pensive Selima, reclined,
Gazed on the lake below.
Her conscious tail her joy declared:
The fair round face, the snowy beard,
The velvet of her paws,
Her coat that with the tortoise view,
Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes-
She saw, and purr'd applause.
Still had she gazed, but 'midst the tide
Two angel forms were seen to glide,
The Genii of the stream:
Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue
Through richest purple, to the view
Betray'd a golden gleam.
The hapless Nymph with wonder saw:
A whisker first, and then a claw
With many an ardent wish
She stretche'd, in vain, to reach the prize-
What female heart can gold despise?
What Cat's averse to Fish?
Presumptuous maid! with looks intent
Again she stretch'd, again she bent,
Nor knew the gulf between-
Malignant Fate sat by and smiled-
The slippery verge her feet beguiled;
She tumbled headlong in!
Eight times emerging from the flood
She mew'd to every watery God
Some speedy aid to send:-
No Dolphin came, no Nereid stirr'd,
Nor cruel Tom nor Susan heard-
A favourite has no friend!
From hence, ye Beauties! undeceived
Know one false step is ne'er retrieved,
And be with caution bold:
Not all that tempts your wandering eyes
And heedless hearts, is lawful prize,
Nor all that glisters, gold!
From Deirdre Forde
NEW SAVINGS SCHEME
by Joe Harris
The Government sponsored savings scheme has by
now been well publicised. Due to start on May 1st! One can join
the scheme within a twelve month period from that date. So there
is no need to rush into a decision by the 1st of May. I will list
a number of points which are very relevant.
1) For every £4 saved, the Government will add £1 to your
savings.
2) This represents about an 8% return on your money over 5 years.
This is a very good return in today’s climate.
3) You can save between £10 and £200 per month per person (over
18 years of age).
4) To get the full benefit of the scheme you must leave your
savings for 5 years. Early withdrawal has certain tax penalties.
5) Putting your money into a deposit account will give you
another 3% interest on your money. So, on top of the 8% you now
have a total of 11% return on your savings.
6) Everything after that should be looked on as a bonus.
7) The more growth above 11% that you look for will probably
involve some risk.
8) An account can comprise investments in deposits, quoted
shares, Government securities, collective funds or life assurance
products.
9) A range of bodies such as banks, building societies, credit
unions, life assurance companies and fund managers will manage
your account.
10) The exchequer contribution to each account will be sent
directly to the account manager and added to your savings.
11) The Government will not be operating or guaranteeing the
account or the return on them.
12) It will be up to each individual to assess any level of risk
they wish to take.
In summary with a risk free return of 11% on your contributions
this sounds like an offer you can't refuse!
Joe Harris is a member of the Insurance Institute of Ireland and
Life Assurance Association of Ireland.
