14th February, 2002
Notice
Board
Censorship - Foundation of the Irish Free State to World War II
In 1932 de Valera
came to power and maintained the censorship policies of his
predecessors. De Valeras association with the Catholic Church in
this country further stamped the moral code of the church on the
population. The threat posed by the IRA to the pre de Valera
government had waned with their early on support for the Fianna
Fail leader who in turn made conciliatory gestures by releasing
republican prisoners and lifting the ban on the organisation by
repealing the Public Safety Act. However this whole strategy in
directing the IRA away from the 'gun' and away from traditional
republicanism failed. The IRA was once more declared illegal in
1936 after the organisations declaration of war on Britain and
this in turn resulted in Fianna Fails introduction of the
Offences Against The State Act.
In 1937 a committee was appointed by the Catholic Truth society
to recommend changes in the Censorship Act. The committee
concluded, 'that the act did not allow for sufficient censorship
and was tardy in its operations'.
In September of 1939 britain declared war on Germany and for the
next five and a half years this period was known in Ireland as
the 'Emergency'. It was also a period during which the government
set about keeping Ireland neutral and out of the bloodiest
conflict in history. To that extent the Fianna Fail government
imposed censorship that was more severe than in other countries
particularly other neutral countries. Irelands main weapon as
part of its neutrality was censorship. The powers of this wartime
censorship were contained in the Emergency Powers Act which was
passed on the outbreak of World War II. The act covered the
press, films and publications plus all communications including
telegraph, postal and telephone. War news was 'neutralised'
including the playing down of reports of the concentration camps
and newsreels were banned. Expressions of opinion on the war and
neutrality in both public and private communications was not
allowed.
Many Irish writers suffered during the war years as up until the
beginning of the war censorship was bearable with markets readily
available abroad for their work, that was until war closed off
many of these markets.
In the early 40s mounting pressure began to create cracks in
Irish censorship policy. The BELL, a review type publication and
edited by Sean O'Faoilain became the acknowledged leader of the
opposition to the Censorship Board and the Censorship Act.
Throughout its lifespan (1940-48, 50-54) the BELL gave constant
attention to the censorship problem.
In 1942 Frank O'Connor wrote a letter to the Irish Times which
complained about the banning of The Tailor and Anstey, this began
a censorship debate in the senate the result of which showed
opposition to censorship policies. Three years later the
government brought in a bill which allowed the setting up of an
Appeals Board.
THE POST WAR YEARS.
The banning of works by some of the most modern Irish and
International authors continued, with 1034 books banned in 1954
alone. By the late 50s the Censorship Board no longer waged a
campaign on cultural and moral corruption but saw itself as a
watchdog body making it difficult for anyone to read pornography
or any publication of no literary merit.
The years 1959 to 1979 witnessed Vatican 2 which saw a change in
the Catholic attitude towards censorship with some clergy arguing
Irish censorship. In a major step forward a bill was passed in
the Dail which lifted a ban on a publication after twelve years.
More recently we've had such issues as the abortion row which led
to the high profile Abortion Referendum which resulted in the
lifting of the ban on abortion information amongst others.
Another major issue concerning censorship in recent times was
Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act which was put in force to
prevent RTE broadcasting interviews with members of the IRA which
was later extended to include members of Sinn Fein.This section
was shown for the joke it was when the very people it prevented
being interviewed were allowed to be interviewed as long as the
broadcaster used a voice over. The ban on Section 31 was lifted
at he end of 1993. In 1994 Michael D. Higgins, Minister for Arts,
Culture and the Gaeltacht decided not to renew the directive
under Section 31. The decision resulted from the widespread
opposition from journalists and human rights activists to this
continuing censorship.
CORK PEACE WEEK - DIARY 2002
Sun. 3rd March: Concelebrated Mass for Peace & Reconciliation
in Ireland. St. Augustine's Church, Cork, at 3.3Oprn. Preacher -Rev.
Brendan Callanan, C.Ss.R., Clonard, Monastery, Belfast.
Wed.6th March: Charismatic Prayer Meeting for PEACE, Nano Nagle
Hall, Evergreen St., Cork. Speaker - Rev. David Armstrong,
Carrigaline, Cork.
Fri. 8th March: Holy Hour for Peace and Peace Mass.St. Marie's of
the Isle Convent Chapel, Cork.
Commencing at 7.3Opm. Celebrant: - Very Rev. Michael Riordan, P.P.
Togher.
Sun.10th March: Ecumenical Service for Peace & Reconciliation
in Ireland.
Methodist Church, Ardfallen, Douglas at 4.OOpm. Preacher: Rev.
Robert Herron, Omagh, Co. Tyrone.
DIGSY ON VALENTINES DAY
Valentine's Day, as we all know, is the day of
love (as well as exorbitantly-priced cards, unimaginative TV
theme nights and Celine Dion on heavy rotation), but its origins
are shrouded in mystery. Apparently named after a French saint
whose bones are buried in Dublin, the first mention of
Valentine's Day as an amorous occasion is thought to have been in
1477, when Margery Brews sent a steamy letter to John Paston, her
"right welbelovyd Voluntyne". The saucy minx. Other
than that, little is known about the origins of the most roman-tastic
day of the year. Why has Valentine's Day become the slush-fest we
all know and despise? It has been an eventful date down through
history, at any rate; maybe clues can be found within those
events. Among those born on February 14th are an English
economist, Spanish WWII double-agent and the guy who wrote All
The President's Men, none of whom strike as being especially
romantic. Although you can never tell with the quiet ones. More
promising is Alan Parker, born in 1944, who directed such
passionate flicks as Angel Heart, Evita and, uh, Angela's Ashes.
The inventor of the typewriter also popped into the world on this
date, thus guaranteeing anonymity for self-conscious Valentine's
writers, as did Kevin Keegan, who was loved deeply by fans of
whoever England happened to be playing.
There is love to be found in Valentine's deaths, too. Six
centuries ago Richard II starved himself to death in a castle -
what greater demonstration of unrequited love is there (apart
from obsessive stalking and writing overwrought poetry)? Italian
painter Fiorenzo di Lorenzo popped his clogs in 1525, and we all
know what those artists are like. Meanwhile, legendary explorer
Captain Cook was torn apart by Hawaiian natives on this day in
1779, when they realised that he wasn't a god because a storm
attacked his ship. Now, if that ain't a good love turning bad, I
don't know what is. Hawaii later "found new love" (=A9
Hello magazine puff-pieces) when the US annexed the island in
1883 on - yes, you've guessed it - Valentine's Day. Spooky.
One of the defining characteristics of new love is how the couple
compulsively phone/text/mail/fax each other in the first flurries
of romance. So it is appropriate that Marconi began regular
broadcasting transmissions in 1929, thus paving the way for the
full smorgasbord of communication devices we know and over-use
today.
Sixty years later, the first Skyphone was launched on British
Airways, making it possible for lovers to communicate at
mindbendingly high altitudes and even higher prices. And
somewhere in the middle, IBM began operating its first computer
in Pennsylvania, starting us off on the long road to on-line
romances, electronic greeting cards and people getting fired for
sending obscene e-mails.
Dancing is often expressed as "a vertical expression of a
horizontal desire", while figure skating is sometimes
labelled "dancing on ice for marks out of 10 while wearing
ridiculous costumes". Put the two together and whaddya got?
Torvill and Dean "dancing" their way to victory in the
1984 Winter Olympics.
Ironically, it later transpired that, contrary to their simpering
looks in each other's eyes while "Bolero" played over
the PA, the pair actually couldn't stand each other off the ice.
Indeed, hate and love often complement one another, and
Valentine's Day has had its fair share of hateful, angry or
belligerent acts. In 1989 the Ayatollah Khomeini chose that day
to issue his notorious fatwah on Salman Rushdie, thereby putting
a total dampener on Salman and Mrs. Rushdie's plans for a
candlelit
dinner and quiet night in watching a weepie on video.
Bald Commie Nikita Kruschev launched into a February 14th, 1956
tirade against his predecessor Stalin, while in 1939, mighty
German war machine, the 35,000 ton battleship Bismarck, was
floated. But probably the most shocking of all Valentine's
violence was the massacre of George "Bugs" Moran's gang
in Prohibition-era Chicago, allegedly by Al Capone. Apparently
Bugs had tried to chat up Al's girl while drunk in a speakeasy
and then started a fight outside the chipper. Well, he does have
an Irish name.
As final proof that there is something inherently romantic about
Valentine's Day, this date saw the first night in London of the
greatest play by one of the greatest playwrights, wits,
raconteurs and romantics of his, or any, era. I refer, of course,
to Oscar Wilde and The Importance of Being Ernest, premiered in
London on February 14th, 1895. An epigram for every occasion, the
perfect bon mot for every situation, a unique take on matters of
the heart; who better to finish with? Over to you, Oscar -
"...the perfect type of pleasure...is exquisite, and leaves
one unsatisfied. What more can one want?"
REPLY re TRAMORE ATHLETIC CLUB PROFILE
I read with interest the profile
on the above club and indeed I have to express my admiration to
the past and present members of this club who have given
sustained commitment over many years to ensure that the Club
continues to operate and grow dispite difficult circumstances.
It seems to me that there is a substantial debt of gratitude is
owed to the Coaches, Mentors, Parents and members, especially
when one realises the hard work, week in and week out, that is
required not alone to function as a progressive club, but to
embue enthusiasm, a love of the sport and a nurturing of young
talent.
At Council level there is now a clear recognition of the failure
in the past (due to extremely limited funding) to adequately
provide for sufficient amenities at Community level. However,
there will be a clear stated policy to redress this imbalance in
the County Development Plan which is currently under Review in
consultation with the general public. In addition, Council can
impose a levy on new Developments to provide for on site or off
site amenities for an area. But where does this new policy leave
Clubs such as Tramore who historically have incurred large debts
in the running and maintenance of their Clubs? Losing sleep I
should imagine over the size of their debt.! I am glad that they
were facilitated by the National Lottery Funding but with their
own borrowings and ongoing costs more must and should be done at
a local level.
I will be advising the Club to make a submission to Cork County
Council for some financial assistance. Many of the members live
and work in the County. In addition, I will place the matter of
the cost of the lease before the Joint City and County Committee
at their next meeting with a view to having the present cost of
the lease waived by Cork Corporation. The Local Authorities must
endevour to assist all who work to encourage our youth to play
sport (be it GAA, Soccer, Rugby or Tidlywinks) Our society and
our future will be all the better for it.
A NIGHT OF SONG & STORY
On Friday 15th of February at 8.30 sharp in the Carrigaline Court
Hotel, there will be specifically for you entertainment a night
of Song and Story, in aid of Marymount Hospice.
The line up performers who have come together for this nights
entertainment will ensure that it will indeed be a night to
remember.
Opening the show on the night will be the award winning and much
travelled Carrigaline Singers. Carrigaline Singers have been in
existence now for just over thirty years, they have sung in
America, France, Wales, Malta, and have won many major
competition in their class throughout Ireland.
Under their present conductor Ruth 0’Shea this group of
highly talented singers 1 know will please everyone.
Another performer on the night will be Pat Speight, or Pat the
Hat Speight as he is sometimes known as, Pat is truly an
entertainer of international renown, he had travelled far and
wide telling stories to young and not so young alike, he has
performed and entertained audiences at international story
telling festivals in America, Africa, Europe, and here at home.
Pat is a man who in every sense of the word is 'keeping the
tradition alive"
Cliff Wedgebury, a singer song writer, an all round entertainer.
He is a singer you will say of "l would like to hear more of
him". Cliff"s latest song is the ballad of Tom Crean a
tribute to that great Arctic Explorer from Kerry. Another great
feature of Cliffs act is his use of one liners, so stay alert or
you may miss them.
To make you laugh we have Paddy Regan a nun with a unique and
rare talent, Paddy has worked all the great's of the Cork cabaret
circuit, if this man does not make you laugh then I suggest that
you check your pulse because if you are not laughing you won't
find one.
A singer to stir the heart and lighten the load, Matt Lawlee
another man keeping the tradition alive, Matt runs a very
successful Irish Night in his home town of Ballyclough, it is so
successful if fact that he rarely gets a chance to sing there
himself When Matt sings you just sit back relax and enjoy.
The Pollyphonics, the first barber shop chorus in Ireland,
founded in 1980 and still practising every Thursday night without
fail, in the twenty two intervening years the line up has changed
from time to time, but two things that never change are the
quality, and dedication of this fine barbershop chorus.
Prize winning all Ireland Champion storyteller Paddy 0’Brien,
with stories of yesterday that are relevant today, a storyteller
who's body language alone tells a story, a storyteller who can
drift from English to Irish and back again and you won't even
notice.
Jerry 0’Neill, a local man, a Carrigaline man, a poet, a
singer, a writer, a man at his best when he combines all these
talents, singing songs with verses that rhyme that he has written
himself, songs like his great classic Cuisine Crubeens, now there’s
a title for you.
That's the line up for the night, Friday 15th. Feb. 8.30,
Carrigaline Court Hotel, a great line up for a great night's
entertainment and all for a very worthy cause Marymount Hospice.
All artists on the night are giving their time and talent free of
charge so why not come along and support them in this once off
fund raising event for a great and worthwhile cause Marymount
Hospice.
Tickets are just €10 each and can be got from Carrigaline
Court Hotel, or by phoning 021 4372648.
NOTICE BOARD
Music in Carrigaline Library
The monthly Gramophone Recital will take place in Carrrigaline
Library on Thursday February 21st. at 11.00 a.m.
Mrs. Joan Murphy will present her selection of music and a very
pleasant morning is guaranteed.
Admission is free and refreshments are provided. All are welcome
.
Douglas Meals-On-Wheels
The work at the Centre is all-voluntary and is provided by
members of the community. Since 1981 about 104,000 meals have
been provided with an average of 750 per month. At present we
have about 70 volunteers (Ladies and Gentlemen) who, on a rota
basis, provide and distribute a variety of meals, five days a
week. The clients requiring a meal on Saturday get it delivered
with the Friday meal.
The cooks arrive before 9.00 am and prepare and cook the dinners
and have them ready and packed for the drivers who arrive just
after 11:00. The delivery of the meal's takes about one and a
half hours and when the drivers and helpers return to the Centre,
they wash and put away the containers so that everything will be
left in order for the next day. This service is always in need of
helpers and if you know of anyone interested please contact any
of the Committee or call to the Community Centre (mornings) or
phone - 4362289.
Committee:
Chairperson: Nuala Keating (4893167)
Secretary Siobhan Murray (4362705)
Treasurer: Tim Collins (4361246)
Dog Found
A Labrador pup has been found in the Donnybrook, The owner should
ring 4364405
Carrigaline ICA
Patchwork Day, with Ember Fahy, is on February 23rd from 10.30 to
4PM in the day care Centre.
February 25th to March 1st - a trip to An Grianan. Non members
welcome.
Enquiries Noreen @ 4573861
THE HISTORY OF DOUGLAS by Con Foley
Part 74 VERNON MOUNT AND AN ABDUCTION (continued)
Miss Mary Pike, a member of a respectable Quaker family, was the
only child of Mr. Samuel Pike, a Cork banker, who kid died a
short time previously leaving his daughter a fortune of over £20,000.
She was twenty-one years old and resided with a relative, Mr.
Cooper Penrose, in a beautiful domain called "Woodhill"
near the city. Miss Pike's mother, being an invalid lived in
Cork, where she was under the care of Dr. Robert Gibbings.
So pleasantly situated was the country house at Woodhill that it
often attracted the attention of strangers, who were welcome to
wander round the grounds. On the 2nd July 1779, Sir Henry, who
was not known to any member of the household, visited the place.
Mr. Penrose himself happened to meet the wanderer in the grounds,
and courteously showed him over the domain. Sir Henry, shrewdly
enough, feigned an uncommon interest in the beauties of "Woodhill,"
thus prolonging his stay till dinnertime. He was invited to join
the family at the meal, and so got to know Miss Pike, whom he had
never before seen. His object accomplished, he returned home and
laid his plans carefully.
He first wrote a letter to Dr. Gibbings, which necessitated a
reply. Having studied the doctor's handwriting, until he could
counterfeit it fairly well, on the 22nd July he sent the
following letter to Mr. Penrose:-
Dear Sir - our friend, Mrs. Pike is taken suddenly ill; she
wishes to see Miss Pike. We would recommend dispatch, as we think
she has not many hours to live.
Yours etc.,
Robert Gibbings.
It was a stormy, wet night when Miss Pike, accompanied by Miss
Penrose and a Mrs. Richard Pike, set out for Cork in the carriage.
They had not gone far, however, when five armed men appeared in
the roadway and ordered the coachman to stop. The ladies were
terrified. Miss Pike was taken out of the carriage and forcibly
placed in a waiting chaise, in which was already seated another
woman - Sir Henry's sister. The traces of the Penrose carriage
were then cut, and the chaise drove away to Mount Vernon.
On arrival there, Miss Pike was taken upstairs. Some form of a
ceremony of marriage was gone through, to which the dazed lady
paid little attention until a gold ring was placed on her finger.
Immediately she tore it off and indignantly dashed it from her.
She was then locked in another room and left by herself. Later,
some members of the Hayes family tried to persuade her that she
had been legally married, and was now Lady Hayes. She was then
requested to write a letter to her guardian informing him of her
new situation. This she did in the hope that it would lead her
Continued next week
My Forever Valentine
Music in Carrigaline Library Moving together
along our life’s path,
Since first our two ways were entwined,
And whatever plans our Good Maker hath,
We made them half yours and half mine.
Waltzing along on the dance floor of life,
As we drift any way the wind blows,
Slipping and sliding thru laughter and strife,
I have tried not to tread on you toes.
Smiling our way thru the good times and bad
And the call of the far away drums,
Somedays are happy and somedays are sad,
Still we take everyday as it comes.
An somehow you’ve always been there for me,
I am blessed with your love, and it’s true
That of all the treasures that there may be,
No treasure is greater than you.
From the oceans floor to the stars above,
Thru the hastening seasons of time,
You are forever and always, my love,
My forever valentine.
Ronnie McGinn
POP IDOL - The Public Speaks
When 'Popstars' band Six were plucked from obscurity during the
television series of the same name, we all breathed a sigh of
relief, vainly thinking that no more would we have to go through
the tortuous experience again. Well, of course, we were wrong,
and, lo and behold, a few weeks later we were glued to our tv
screens, sandwiched on the couch between our siblings, fighting
over who was going to win the final of ITV's Pop Idol. My, it
doesn't take much to keep us entertained, does it?
Based loosely around the same theme as Popstars, Pop Idol was
bigger, better and flashier than its predecessor - larger
auditions, chirpy northern presenters in the form of those
'cheeky chappies', Ant and Dec, and of course, new haircuts for
the judges. Simon Cowell spewed forth vitriol on anyone that
dared cross his path, Nicky Chapman calmed people with her
soothing voice and the glow from her neon teeth, Pete Waterman
discriminated against 'plus-size' people and Dr Fox added a bit
more cheese to a show that was at times as stinky as gone-off
Stilton.
But while Popstars showed us how moderately talented people can
be turned into chart toppers with the aid of a backing track, lip-synching
lessons and a good hairstylist, Pop Idol was determined to prove
that the winner won because of his/her talent, and very little
else. However, although I applaud pop Idol for demonstrating that
the finalists actually needed (shock! horror!) talent to win, I
do have qualms about the length of the series - did it really
have to be 242 (note: approximate figure!) shows long?! One week,
we have the contestants singing ballads, the next, their
favourite ABBA songs - I expected to turn it on one week to hear
them sing The Sea Shanty I Am Most Likely To Sing If I Was Going
Down On The Titanic!
With all the money ITV and co. were due to receive in
advertising, etc, it's obvious that dragging something out has
never been so profitable. Of course, one could argue that the
programmes were dragged out over so many weeks in order to fully
display the contestant's abilities, while preparing them for a
career performing in front of millions, but in one sense it
benefited the judges more than it did the contestants. However,
in hindsight, at least the dragging out did mean that we got to
see Darius making a fool out of himself every week. With cheese,
please!
But it was the Pop Idol final that got me really interested -
pretty-boy Gareth up against Greg Rusedski look-alike Will, in a
competition that got more interesting by the day. It seemed to
everyone, including Will fans like myself, that Gareth, with his
doe-eyed looks and rock-hard spiky hair, would be the victor, and
that Will would go home empty handed - but boy were we wrong. In
the end, it was Will who won by the narrowest of margins - a mere
.7 or so million - and who made all us sceptics realise that what
the public really wanted was not another cute boy-band member,
but a real singer with a 'real' look, a Pop Idol who could be
popular with everyone, of all ages, not just pre-pubescent girls.
Will may have been the underdog, but he can count his win as
being a defining moment in British pop history - the moment that
the public refused to be manipulated and instead spoke out for
themselves. It's interesting, isn't it? The people in power
always think they know what the 'little people' want, and yet
they are so often wrong. Food for thought, indeed.
MUSIC NEWS
Don't forget Wilt and Turn this Saturday at the Half Moon Theatre
at approximately eight o'clock!
Aaaarrgghh! Six will be coming to Virgin this Sunday - bring your
kid sister along for cover if you really want a look! Warning:
the shop is likely to be packed, and Virgin has said that police
will be in full force on the day, so take care of yourselves out
there people, and don't let the little children get squashed!
Planet Of Sound, in FX, will be host to two live bands, Waiting
Room and Azrielle, either this coming Friday or next Friday.
Check out http://www.freakscene.com/ for further details!
BATT O'KEEFFE, TD, writes ...
A number of residents in the Monastery Road area
of Rochestown have been concerned that availability of connection
to the sewer would be investigated and I am pleased to announce
that the sewer in the lower part of the hill was laid by the
developers of the housing scheme on the western side of the road
and the sewer on the upper part which was laid by the contractors
working on behalf of the Capuchin Monastery will soon be taken in
charge by Cork County Council.
It is the intention of Cork County Council also to surface the
road so they are anxious that any group which would be seeking
connection to either sewer would consider getting involved in a
group sewage scheme at the earliest possible date.
Forms in relation to the mechanism in which to proceed with the
group sewage scheme are available from the Sanitary Section,
Floor 7, County Hall.
Bed funding policy for private Health Insurance companies has now
become a major dilemma for Hospital Authorities. The policy where
patients have to stay overnight in order for Consultants to
recoup fees is diametrically opposed to good bed management
policy and unnecessarily ensuring that people who have acute
illnesses are left waiting for beds. Statistics which have been
made available by Cork University Hospital for 2000 and 2001
suggest that 1,200 bed days are occupied by patients who are
hospitalised overnight in order that the Consultant
Radiotherapist can recoup private fees.
The V.H.l. is the main provider to date in Cork University
Hospital. It is incumbent on the V.H.I.. and BUPA to review their
policy that it will only refund Consultants private fees in
circumstances where patients are hospitalised overnight and at
the same time, holding up other members who have extremely acute
needs making good management 'impossible for a system which is
crying out for additional beds. It seems incongruous that we have
the Minister for Health and Children indicating that additional
beds are going to be made available under the Health Strategy
while the VHI in particular are frustrating attempts to improve
the situation.
DOUGLAS ISSUES by Cllr. Deirdre Forde
There were many varied issues brought to my
attention over the past week. Firstly, on the Carrigaline Road
there is a small low wall with a drop of 20 to 30 feet
overlooking some houses. Council have committed to having a
survey of the condition of this section of wall done soon. I
would like to thank the constituent who brought this to my
attention.
In addition, I am asked to clarify the position of resurfacing
the road at the entrance to the Grange/Frankfield Community
Centre. Many people use the centre and Nursary School on a daily
basis and in Summer there is considerable dust and gravel.
I have also been asked to check out the viability of Council
raising and completing the section of wall at Shamrock Park.
Access will continue through from Grange Erin but Residents are
fed up with the litter (cans and papers ) scattered nearby. In
fact, in the original planning application made years ago there
was a provision that this wall be extended further up and to the
right. If any residents would like to discuss the matter with me
I should be glad to hear from them.
I have written to Council and asked that a light be installed at
the Pole opposite the Community Park. This area is quite dark at
night and an extra light would make all the difference. Also I
have asked the Council to examine a Gas Lamp in the middle of the
footpath opposite the Church.
Residents in Bracken Court have been on to me re Caution Children
at Play signs. However, Council will usually assist Estates in
these matters. However, if the Estate hasn't yet been taken in
Charge it can delay getting such a simple job done. As someone
recently said to me "its like pulling teeth, hens teeth"
Regards 'til next week and keep safe. Deirdre Forde 0214363318
