7th February, 2002
Notice
Board
BATT O'KEEFFE, TD, WRITES ...
In the new traffic
proposals as part of the Douglas study, Douglas West is to get a
revamp. Senior Executive Engineer, Dan Ryan, has indicated that
the traffic situation in Douglas West has to be alleviated to
some extent and a suggestion made some time well in the past is
now being taken on board and that is where the footpath Is
particularly wide, there is an opportunity for parking bays to be
put in place. Council Officials have now accepted that this will
be undertaken in 2002 as part of their overall strategy to
improve traffic flow in the general Douglas area.
Also I was delighted that Cork County Council would have a
throughput of approximately 500 houses in the South Cork area by
the end of 2002. This is a dramatic increase in the number of
houses being provided through the Council's own building
programme through the Social Housing Programme by way of
Affordable houses, the voluntary sector, through the purchase of
serviced sites and through the purchase of individual houses. The
availability of these houses at the end of 2002 should certainly
have a dramatic impact and while not curing the incidence of a
severe shortage of housing, it will, with the coming on stream of
the Social Housing programme make a significant dent on the
waiting list which I accept is far too high.
I call on the County Manager to ensure that houses which become
available and which require repairs should be repaired at a far
earlier stage that they have been to date. Let me point out that,
in one case, a house was in the Council's possession since 1999
and was only now actually being let to a tenant. This is an
unsatisfactory situation and while I am aware that we have
employed a significant number of personnel in order to carry out
repairs, I hope that we will never see a repeat of this delay as
it is very demoralising for housing applicants to look at houses
boarded up for long periods of time while they were in dire need
of housing.
At the moment, there are in excess of 70 houses vacant, many of
them still requiring repair and it is important that these houses
would be made available to aspiring tenants at the earliest
possible time.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWS
Patrick Street Refurbishment
The Chamber at its own Board and through representation on the
Cork Business Association and Cork City Challenge Ltd Board has
been expressing deep concern at the delay in starting work on the
redevelopment of Patrick Street and subsequently had discussions
with the City Manager.
Originally the work was estimated to cost €10.1m with the
majority of the cost coming from the sale of land for the Mahon
Development, which however is still awaiting a decision by An
Bord Pleanála. Meanwhile the original specification had to be
changed and well into double figures over the last 3-4 years with
the estimated cost now at €17.7m.
Given the above background the City Manager sought a special
grant from the government, particularly with the City of Culture
designation in 2005, but to date this has not been approved. The
Chamber has also made representations on behalf of the city and
raised the matter with the local TD's.
As the work has a two-year timescale it is vital that it be
started shortly to ensure it is completed by mid-2004 at the
latest and all Cork political and business interests must pursue
this issue vigorously particularly with the pending General
Election.
Litter Audit
Cork City Challenge in which the Chamber is a shareholder with
the City Council and CBA, recently commissioned a study into the
question of litter in the city. This looked at where and how
litter is created and all the factors that contribute to it. The
key recommendations include renewed efforts with prosecutions,
focus on evening, night-time and early morning litter especially
at weekends, review and revise the servicing of on-street litter
bins, substantial increase in the number of litter bins on prime
streets, strategic locations for litter bins, review the type of
bins supplied, eliminate fly postering and provide more cigarette
butt dispensers.
Reception in honour of Paddy Gallagher
Paddy Gallagher, Regional Director IDA Ireland recently retired
from the organisation having spent the last 4 years in Cork.
Paddy spent 12 years in the US before returning to Ireland and
arrived in Cork after a brief sojourn in Athlone. His time in
Cork was extremely fruitful and the successes achieved were a
tribute to him and his colleagues. As a tribute to his
contribution to Cork's economic development the Chamber recently
hosted a dinner in Fitzgerald House in his honour.
The History of Douglas by Con Foley
Part 73 VERNON MOUNT AND AN ABDUCTION (continued)
Note 1:
“Sir Henry hid behind the tree
Sir Henry kissed the Quaker
He kissed her once, he kissed her twice,
But sure he didn't ate her."
(This version was given to me by a lady living in Castletreasure).
Note 2:
“Henry Brown Hayes, eldest son of Attiwell Hayes was
admitted freeman of Cork City, Nov. 12,1782. In 1790 he was one
of the Sheriffs of the City and on the arrival of the Lord
Lieutenant at Mitchelstown Oct.20, he waited on him as Sheriff,
to request the honour of his dining with the Mayor and
Corporation, when he was knighted."
Note 3:
A current epigram in Cork, at time of abduction:
"The fate of Sir Henry is sure a hard case,
Unable in Cork to exhibit his face.
Pursued by the brethren, proclaimed in the papers,
Though his mighty misdeeds were mere boyish capers.
Since Mercy, high Goddess, revisits these climes
And rebels and traitors are pardoned their crimes,
Tho' different his guilt, let them all share alike,
He was not “UNITED” and gave up the "PIKE"."
Here is another account taken from reports of the trial, more
graphic and revealing.
At the Cork Summer Assizes in the year 1801, was staged one of
the most dramatic trials of the century. It was the result of a
famous abduction case, which took place two years before in the
Southern capital, and this is the graphic story as gleaned from
reports of the trial.
Sir Henry Brown Hayes was a middle-aged widower, whose wife had
died many years earlier, leaving a number of children in his care.
He was the son of a wealthy Cork citizen, but being fond of
pleasure and liking to 'cut a great dash,' he soon spent the
money left to him by his father. Well-known and very popular in
Cork, Sir Henry occupied a splendid mansion 'Mount Vernon'
situated in the Liberties of the city. In the year 1797, his
finances had reached such a disastrous state that he was forced
to take some action. He decided upon the audacious plan of
abducting one of the richest young ladies in the district, and
marrying her for her wealth.
(continued next week)
NOTICE BOARD
Carrigaline I.C.A
Meeting tonight Thursday 7th February to discuss the National
Plan for women. 8.30pm in the Community complex
Craft work-night in the day care centre Monday 11th February. Ph
Noreen 4372673.
Swimming every Thursday morning (Carrigaline Court Hotel).
Water Aerobics on 1st & 2nd Monday Nights ph. Pauline 4372673
Divine Mercy
The Divine Mercy National Conference takes place on Saturday 16th
February at Ballsbridge, Dublin. The speakers are Sr. Briege
McKenna, Fr. Kevin Scallon and Fr. Cathal Price. The bus leaves
from The Convent of Mercy, Cobh on Saturday morning at 5.30 am
sharp. Tickets are € 32 for bus and conference. Meals are
extra. Bookings from Henry Hayes 4813073, Paddy Lynch 4811785 and
Fr. Fitzgerald 4815511
Wedding Ring Found
A wedding ring was found in Barry’s of Douglas about two
weeks ago. If you are missing your wedding ring call to Barry’s
and see Michael Gilmartin.
Springtime Ceili
Ireland's No. 1 Ceili Band, The Glenside Ceili Band from Co.
Longford, pay their annual visit to Carrigaline for the Ceili Mor
in the Carrigaline GAA Pavilion on next Saturday Feb 9th. The
Glenside play non stop from 9.30 pm to 1.30 am with a break for
tea at 11.30 pm. Adm only 7 Euro. Be early.
Cead mile failte roimh cach.
DOUGLAS ISSUES by Cllr. Deirdre Forde
Douglas Pool
Dear Readers, there were a lot of things happening this week, but
with the longer 'stretch' in the evenings I suppose we are all
thinking about getting a bit of exercise. I have been asked to
find out what was happening about the Douglas Pool (the issue
hasn't gone away you know). I understand from Ald.Terry Shannon
that a meeting is to be held soon to discuss its future. At
present there are two options 1. Funding from the Department of
Tourism, Sport and Recreation, whose funds must be matched by the
Cork Corporation. This funding would be for the Pool only. 2. A
Public Private Partnership whereby a proposal for Pool and state
of the art leisure facilities could be agreed. Whichever option
is decided the pressure must be maintained to ensure that the
matter is brought to a satisfactory conclusion as soon as
possible. In the interim, I believe, (because Terry Shannon tells
me) that there is a firm committment now to improve and upgrade
the facilities. Funding has also been allocated to ensure that
the pool continues to be operational over the coming months. I
would urge all who have an interest in seeing state of the art
leisure facilities for this area to contact their local
Councillors;and TDs who continue to take an interest in this
matter.
At our next Area Roads Meeting I have placed the Draft Bye Laws
on Drink on the Agenda. There was a sub-committee formed to
examine options particularly for urban areas but as I have had
quite a few representations in relation to this matter I wanted
to see where matters stand. I also contacted the Gardai. The
solving of some of the problems in relation to this issue has to
be multi-faceted but I want to ensure we are proactive at Council
and other levels.
Someone also has drawn my attention that there is an old Gas Lamp
in the middle of the footpath near the Church so I am having the
matter investigated. (I won't go into the matter of an ESB Pole
in the middle of someone's gateway somewhere in Douglas in order
to spare someone's blushes. Didn't I always say this job gets
more and more interesting!!!!!!. Talk to you all next week,
Deirdre Forde Ph 363318
Censorship - Foundation of the Irish Free State to World War II
From its foundation in 1922 the Irish Free State, though the
books were balanced and law and order firmly upheld, was said to
be in a permanent state of emergency. Under threat from the IRA
and armed republican activists who refused to accept the
legitimacy of the first government made up mainly of the Sinn
Fein party who had accepted the 1921 treaty. Cumman na nGael,
under William T. Cosgrave were in power and had the support of
certain sections of the Irish community including businessmen,
merchants, shopkeepers and large farmers, while also enjoying the
support of the major daily newspapers of the time such as The
Cork Examiner, Irish Times and Irish Independent.
Censorship became an important method of control to protect the
culture and morals of the nation while maintaining the security
of the state. It was during this period - the inter war years -
which saw the growth of international censorship.
In the early years of the Irish Free State, Public Morality was
high on the agenda of the Cosgrave government with the passing of
the Censorship of Film Act in 1923. This act gave an official
film censor the power to keep films which were believed to be
indecent, obscene, blasphemous or a threat to public morality,
away from public viewing.
Three years later the Wireless Telegraphy Act was passed giving
the government a monopoly over radio with a built in censorship
in broadcasting. The first broadcast from a national radio
station was from Dublin in 1926 with broadcasting beginning in
Cork a year later in 1927. It was in 1926 which saw the
foundation of the Fianna Fail party by Eamonn de Valera who in
1927 accepted the role of parliamentary opposition for Fianna
Fail. The threat to the state from the IRA still remained and was
demonstrated in 1927 with the assassination of one of the
governments most active young ministers, vice president of the
executive council and Minister for Justice, Kevin O'Higgins. This
deed led to the passing of the draconian Public Safety Act, as it
did again in 1931 following republican violence and intimidation.
This act included a ban on the publication of any statement by or
on behalf of 'an unlawful organisation'.
Obscene publications were covered by the Customs Consolidation
Act and Obscene Publications Act which had been inherited from
the British and which in 1929 after pressure from Catholic
pressure groups, the Censorship of Publications Act was passed.
This act gave power to a censorship board to ban any publication
which it deemed obscene or indecent. In the early years of its
forty year duration the censorship board, between 1930 and 1939
banned over 1300 books and periodicals, indeed in the thirty
years from its inception it banned many of the major literary
works of the 20th century including the works of Irish authors.
This form of censorship wasn't exclusive to the Irish Free State
as many countries in the early 20th century felt that the growing
number of publications, particularly cheap newspapers and
magazines created an immoral and anti social problem. Such
problems were the subject of an International Convention to stop
the distribution and traffic of obscene publications.
ENTERTAIMENT NEWS by Aoife Barry
'Vanilla Sky', the latest film starring
Hollywood's shortest man, (joke! Don't sue me Tom!) Tom Cruise,
is the latest in a line of movies that have defied critics by
pushing their way to the top of the Box Office charts, despite
mostly negative reviews. Co-starring the bird-like Penelope Cruz,
Kurt Russell and Cameron Diaz, it boasts not just a fine cast,
excellent soundtrack and camera-work, but probably the weirdest
plot since - well to be honest I haven't yet come across such a
weird plot! The film basically concerns the story of one Mr.
David Aames, a man who appears to have it all: money, success,
women, and power. Head of a multi-million dollar business, with
an adoring 'ladyfriend', Julie Gianni (Diaz) on his arm, his life
seems to be perfect - that is, until a woman called Sofia enters
his life. One night at a party at his house, David's best friend
brings Sofia as his date, only for David to develop a little more
than a crush on this woman who describes the aforementioned Julie
as "the saddest girl I've ever seen holding a martini glass".
As we see Julie become more and more obsessed with David, and
David fall more and more in love with exotic allure of Sofia,
this story grows from your run of the mill love story to a
strange, confusing tale of deception, dreams, and disfigurement.
When David is brutally injured in a car crash that leaves Julie
dead and him with facial lesions, the tale goes deeper and deeper
into unknown territory. David is charged with Julie's murder, and
undergoes 'therapy' sessions with (a rather wooden) Kurt Russell,
where he reminisces about his perfect past. But before long, he
does not know if he is living in a dream or fantasy world, or if
Julie is dead or alive, as he keeps having strange dreams that
seem to intersperse with reality. Confused already? I certainly
was. I literally spent most of the film silently mouthing "huh?!"
and ten minutes nodding " aha. I see!" The trouble with
this particular film is, that as a remake of the 1997 Spanish
Film "Open Your Eyes", ("Abre Los Ojos",) it
is obvious that the director Cameron Crowe has not put much of
himself into it - he is too constricted by the chains of doing a
new version of someone else's work. While his ideas regarding the
remake are original, he is too constrained by someone else's
vision. Acting in the film is quite good - Cruise and Cruz are
their usual selves, while Diaz steals the show as the obsessive
lover. Kurt Russell puts in one of the worst performances of his
career, but his role is minimal enough so as you don't notice too
much. All in all, Vanilla Sky is worth going to see only to try
figure out what really happens at the end - this is a film that
you really have to engage your brain to watch, so be warned! 6/10
Music News this week - the Handsome Family are coming back to
Cork! Fans of 'dark-country' had better get their tickets fast
before they sell out, as this is a band that have consistently
sold-out the last few times they have visited Cork! Weird, wacky
but downright wonderful, go see the Handsome Family at the Half
Moon Club on Wednesday, 10th of April, for a night you won't
forget. Tickets cost 13.50euro and are available from the Cork
Opera House and Half Moon Box Offices.
Fred Zeppelins plays host to three Cork bands this Saturday
night, when Wretch, Decoy-X and Dog On Stilts play upstairs at 8.30pm.
3 Euro admission, to be paid at the door, is a cheap price for to
pay for some local talent!
Finally, don't forget about Damien Rice at the Lobby this
Saturday; he will be playing at 4pm. His debut album, 'O', should
be available in Cork this week! And about time too!
