10th May, 2001
Notice
Board
Minister
Martin Welcomes
Improvements at St. Columbas
National School in Douglas, Cork
Mr. Micheál
Martin, T.D., Minister for Health and Children today (4 May, 2001)
welcomed the announcement by his colleague, the Minister for
Education and Science on the proposed building project at St.
Columbas National School, Douglas, Cork.
Approval has now been given to accept tenders for a boundary
fence to the cost of £78,880 at the school and for a complete
yard resurfacing to the cost of £147,448.
I am delighted that the Minister for Education and Science was
able to respond positively to my representations and I have no
doubt that these developments will result in a significant
improvement in the quality of life of pupils and staff. I wish
the school every success with its building project? the Minister
said.
SERIOUS ILLNESS COVER
Joe Harris ALIA (Dip)
If saving is important then income protections is vital. There
has been much hype in relation to savings plans recently. While
saving is commendable it should never he done at the expense of a
proper income protection plan.
In the last ten years critical illness cover has become very
popular. This is because it fulfilled a need for security at a
time when a person is most vulnerable both physically and
financially. These plans can provide cover for about twenty-six
diagnosed illnesses. The core of these being:
Heart Attack; Heart by-pass Surgery, Cancer: Stroke; Multiple
Sclerosis; Rheumatoid Arthritis.
If a person survives one of these, which more and more people
are, for a period of usually 14 days. Then a lump sum is paid out
to what ever- level of cover you opted for: say £100,000.
Once this money is paid out it's yours to keep. The payment is
unaffected by your ability to work or not. Most people would have
corresponding life cover within the same plan, so that in the
event of not surviving the 14 days then the life cover would pay
out. This is called accelerated cover. Accelerated cover gives
one payout on the person that's covered, either death or serious
illness whichever comes first. So, if you have a serious illness
claim then your life cover would be gone.
Stand alone serious illness cover on the other hand gives you a
separate pay out for both life and illness cover. That means if
you have a critical illness claim then your life cover is still
in force.
Anyone who has taken out a mortgage in recent years would more
than likely have included serious illness cover as part of their
mortgage protection plan (this is not to be confused with
repayment protection; which cover the mortgage payments for
twelve months if you are unable to work due to accident, illness
or redundancy. There is no lump sum payment in this plan.)
Sometimes people are put off by the medical questions or the fact
that they might have to go for a medical before their policy is
issued; Don't Be! The insurance company will pay for the medical.
In fact you should welcome and expect a rigorous underwriting
process for one important reason; there can be no come back by
the insurance company when you make a claim.
Joe Harris is a member of the Life Assurance Association and
the Insurance Institute of Ireland.
MOTORING MOMENTS
Enzo Ferrari was asked shortly before he died -
who in his opinion was the greatest driver of all time. He said
it was difficult to judge as cars had changed so much, but he
said there were two men who could always be relied on to work
miracles. One was Tazio Nouvelari the diminutive Italian and the
other was Sterling Moss.
Dan Dempsey's 24 hour rescue & Recovery, Kinsale 086-8217777
UNITED DIOCESE OF CORK, CLOYNE AND ROSS
New curate-assistant appointed - Revd Eileen Cremin
On the evening of April 23, following the Easter General Vestry
Meeting in the Canon Packham Hall, Douglas, a sense of excitement
spread through the air. The Church of Ireland parishioners of
Douglas Union, with Frankfield, were about to meet their new
Curate-assistant, Eileen Cremin from London.
Moments later, a smiling and obviously delighted Eileen and her
husband Tom stood before them, being warmly welcomed to Douglas
and to Cork by Archdeacon Robin Bantry White. In her reply,
Eileen said how much she was looking forward to her new post, to
meeting parishioners in their own homes and to welcoming them to
her new home in Blackrock. A cup of tea was next on the agenda
and this gave the Cremins an opportunity to mix, mingle and talk.
Coming to Cork will be quite a change for Eileen. Since 1994 she
has been Priest in charge of Christ Church Brondesbury, a large
city parish in the multi-cultured, multi-racial Diocese of London.
Eileen's parents came from Antigua to London where she was born
and where she has lived until now. She was educated in the John
Howard Girls' Grammar School, Hackney and later at Salisbury and
Wells Theological College...She was ordained a deacon in 1988 and
priest in 1994. Her interests in ministry include young people,
hospital work, ministering to the sick and religious broadcasting.
Husband Tom comes from Rathanker, Passage West, so for him the
move to Cork means returning home.
Eileen will take up her duties next August. All wish her a happy
and fulfilling stay among us.
LOVE BITS
A short play by G. I. Brilliant and Presented
by Low Brow & Granary Productions
It is the much-anticipated continuation of the award winning play
"Mac Bits" which stormed The Granary Theatre's One Act
Festival last December. Love Bits runs in the Granary Theatre
from Tuesday 15 May to Saturday 19 May.
ST. LUKES CHURCH ANNUAL SALE
St. Lukes Church are holding their annual Sale
in Canon
Packham Hall on Saturday May 12th from 11am to 1.30pm.
With Homemade cakes, Country produce, Plants, nearly new
clothes, books and much more, all are welcome. Entrance fee
is £1 (including morning coffee) and mini-lunches will be
served from 12 noon to 1.30pm for £3.
THE HISTORY OF DOUGLAS
by Con Foley
Part 39 - Montfield House
On the rising ground across from Ronayne's Court stands the
twenty-eight roomed Montfieldstown House, once the residence of
the Kearney family. This was once the science of a great tragedy
and was known as "the Haunted House." The bridal party
had just returned from the church; an illustrious company of
guests seated around the breakfast table waited expectantly for
the bride with her wealthy husband to cut the wedding cake.
Suddenly, a horseman rode madly up the drive, and dashed into the
house. It was the new bride's former suitor, rejected because of
his lack of wealth, returning now with his fortune made, to claim
her hand in marriage. Bitterly he upbraided her for her change of
affections. The bridegroom had given his bride a diamond pin to
fasten her veil and in agony of mind and remorse, the unhappy
girl pulled out the pin and fatally stabbed herself. (Another
telling of the story suggests that she was on the point of
cutting the wedding cake and that she plunged the knife into her
heart). The horror-stricken guests rushed madly from the room,
bundled into their carriages and raced frantically down the
carriageway. The bride's parents left the house that day never to
return. The wedding breakfast was actually left on the table for
the rats and mice to eat. Years later, when the carpet was
lifted, an ominous brown stain could still be seen on the
floorboards.
It is held that Dickens immortalised that tragedy in "Great
Expectations," published in serial form in 1861. Dickens had
given a reading of his works in the Athenaeum (now the Cork Opera
House) and, during his visit to Cork, stayed in a house near
Donnybrook MIII, now divided into smaller houses. During his stay
at Donnybrook, he must undoubtedly have heard the story and
regarded it as "good copy"
The house where Dickens stayed in Donnybrook is now divided into
two houses. It was once the home of Hugh Pollock, brother of
James Wheeler Pollock of Belfast. It stood a little way off the
road just past the mill, facing the northern boundary wall of
Donnybrook House. There is a gate entrance but the gate is gone.
It is true that Dickens gave readings in the Athenaeum on Monday,
3oth August and Tuesday 31, 1858. Although, according to his
letters, he (Dickens) stayed at Morrison's Hotel in Dublin, I
have never found any reference to where he stayed in Cork. It
would be unusual for him to stay privately as when on his reading
tours he was very reluctant to accept hospitality from friends
and several times refused invitations in England. 'In regard to
Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations," I do not think
it likely that the incident you mention inspired that character
or the circumstances surrounding her in the story. Dickens knew
several cases equivalent to that of Miss Havisham and indeed
wrote about a woman in white, dressed as a bride and disappointed
on her wedding day, he used to know as a boy. This was referred
to in a paper called "where we stopped growing" which
he wrote and published in his magazine "Household Words"
in 1853, seven years before he wrote "Great Expectations"
... There were also other cases which Dickens knew of which might
have contributed to the creation of Miss Havisham.' (Above
observations from the Dicken's Fellowship, London).
"Dicken's visit to Cork attracted a large audience. Special
trains were run from Passage and Bandon and a steamer from Cobh.
The audience was as might be expected, very fashionable - the
reserved seats being filled with members of the first families of
the country." Prices were, four shillings (reserved), three
shillings and one shilling (gallery).
There is a brief account of a meeting with Dickens on the steamer
from Cobh to Passage, by James Rederick O'Flanagan, a Cork
barrister and author. The writer tells of his approaching Dickens
on deck while the other passengers were sheltering from the rain
in the saloon, and pointing out the convict settlement of Spike
Island and other features of the harbour to him. They parted at
Passage. On the return journey to Cork, Dickens would have passed
near Monffieldstown House and could conceivably, have heard the
story of the tragic wedding breakfast. Dickens, as we know, was
in Cork in 1858 and "Great Expectations" appeared in
1860.
Anyone who saw the final episode of "Great Expectations"
on R.T.E., December 1969, could not fail to be struck by the
similarity between the breakfast table of Miss Havisham and the
breakfast table of the Kearney family in Montfieldstown House. In
both cases, the wedding breakfast was left uneaten and the room
untouched. I have heard other versions of this story, slightly
altered in detail. The following version was given in the Sunday
Dispatch June 23rd, 1940.
BALLINLOUGH YOUTH CLUB PRESENTS "STARS IN THEIR EYES"
A variety show in aid of the South infirmary
Cancer Care
Unit on the 11th, 12th and 13th of May at 8pm in Ashton
Comprehensive School. Tickets: Adults - £5, O.A.P's &
Students - £3 available from 0'Driscoll's Shop and Liam
Wills Hair Studio.
STORAGE SPACE
Need a place to store out-of-season Sports
equipment, or somewhere to put things while you clear your
workshop or shed, store tools between projects, or a place to put
excess home or office furniture in to storage. Usually we all
find ourselves in a position where we need some extra storage
space even if it's only for a short while.
Now a new company called "U Store It" have come up with
a solution. First of all "U Store It" have developed a
philosophy dedicated to customer service and convenience. They
offer the best facilities, which include the most up to date
security technology, convenient access, and a friendly and well-trained
staff. They have developed a customer care package, designed
around your needs, which is the best in the industry. Their
commitment is to have Space always available, today and everyday.
Have no hidden charges in other words what you see is what you
pay for. There is no long-term commitment; you can stay for one
month or forever. And you can have free unlimited access, which
means you can come and go as often as you please. Open 6 days a
week you can drive your car to your unit door and select a unit
size to suit your own requirements. There is 'State of the art'
security at all times. For packing supplies they've got
everything you need as well as a pick up service, meaning they'll
pick up your stuff. Trolleys and pallet cars are available free
of charge. You can also protect your valuables with insurance
cover. You can store computer and electrical equipment. In brief
you bring it, you pack it, you lock it and you keep the key.
Each customer has a separate unit and is allowed unlimited access
during business hours. There is always secure storage space
available ranging in size from a small locker to a warehouse.
Therefore, you pay only for the space you need and you can use it
for as little as one month or as long a period as you like.
Unlike traditional storage, your space is provided in your own
clean, dry, private unit, which is locked with your own lock and
key. They also sell all the necessary storage materials, such as
boxes, plastic wrap, covers and locks for your convenience.
You can store practically anything as long as it is not
flammable, perishable or illegal. No matter how big or how small
it is, they've got you covered!
Their customers include both businesses and individuals that
means people like you and me, so if you are in need of a
temporary storage space why not check it out.
PRENDEVILLES HOME FURNITURE
Eileen and Jim Prendeville founded Prendeville's
Home Furniture in 1987. They both have over thirty years
experience in the retail trade. Today they are the main stockists
for top quality Pine Furniture. They can supply you with three
piece suites, dinning room suites, bedroom suites and occasional
furniture pieces. In Prendeville's you will find a variety of
furniture to suite every room in the house, including an
exquisite range of cane furniture. They also specialise in
exclusive mirrors and lamps.
They are also very proud of the fact that their entire range of
pine furniture does not have any plywood and all their pine
furniture is assembled with proper dove tail joints.
With their extemporary customer track record, enhanced by a good
delivery service, Prendeville's Home Furniture is a centre every
homemaker should visit, you will find them in the Commercial
Centre on the Kinsale Road and they are open from 9.30pm to 5.30pm
Mon to Sat. and from 2.00pm to 5.00pm on Sundays.
P.S. To get that little extra care and attention, just mention
‘Douglas Weekly’.
LOST BAGGAGE
An adaptation of "Song of Europe" by
Ismael
Kadare.Premier, St. Petersburg State Theatre, Russia
16/21 May 2001 Institute of Choreography and Dance,
Firkin Crane, Cork 23/24 2001 presented by Boomerang
Theatre Company.
FIGHTING BLINDNESS
Fighting Blindness is Ireland's only charity
funding research into blindness in Irish Universities. Various
forms of genetic eye disease affect over 65,000 people in this
country alone. These devastating conditions cause children and
adults to lose their sight over a period of time resulting in
total blindness in most cases. As these conditions are genetic a
number of members of the same family are often affected. "Fighting
Blindness" is committed to finding therapies to combat these
horrific conditions. As a way of raising funds "Fighting
Blindness" have organised the ' Borneo Challenge 2001'
Among those taking part are John Clarke of Pinecroft Grange. John
will be walking 100 Kilometres in Northern Borneo. This walk is a
real test of determination and stamina. Not only must he push
himself physically he must also raise £2,500 for "Fighting
Blindness" He has already donated £200 of his own money and
he is looking for your help to raise the rest. All sponsorship
cheques should be made out to "Fighting Blindness" and
you should contact John at 087 6185064. Any contribution would be
greatly appreciated.
The patron of "Fighting Blindness" is Mary McAleese the
President of Ireland
HOST FAMILIES REQUIRED
Over the past 25 years, Language and Activity
Holidays have been placing foreign students in host families in
the Douglas / Rochestown / Ballinlough area. Many families and
students have kept in contact and friendships have been formed
which have lasted. It is a cultural experience that proves
rewarding to both the students and families alike and many
students return year after year to Douglas with fond memories of
their previous trips. We have always made a point of using as
many services as possible in Douglas as it was our starting point.
Douglas Community School, Hop Island Equestrian Centre,
Frankfield Golf Course, Douglas Cineplex and the list goes on and
on. Of course, we are especially thankful of the fantastic
reception that the host families have provided our students over
the years.
We endeavour to provide a very professional and friendly service
and our host families are guaranteed that when they do host any
of our students, they are dealing with a quality school. We
guarantee the following : 24 hour back-up service, Multi-lingual
group leaders, a school that is recognised by the Irish
Department of Education and members of the regulatory body MEI-RELSA.
These foreign students come over from Spain, France, Germany,
Italy, Russia, etc… and many have never travelled before so
this is their first experience and one they never forget.
All of our families receive a full itinerary so that they know
what their students are doing along with group leaders phone
numbers should there be any questions. These students come over
here to learn English and live as part of a family and we hope
that the experience is a memorable one for both the families and
students.
We are now looking for more families to host our school going
students primarily during the months of July and August and also
throughout the year. We can place up to three students per house
and the rate for these junior students is £95 per week per
person sharing. Maybe you have taken students in the past or
maybe you are considering taking them for the first time, call
Fiona or Marc on 021-4551522 and we will answer any questions you
may have. We look forward to hearing from you.
Marc Cullen
