25th April, 2002
Notice
Board
BRENDAN RYAN WRITES ...
Politics of Trust
is dead. We as a nation could be described as a nation betrayed.
Our trust has been broken. Our trust has been broken not only in
institutions but in the individuals in those institutions whose
hands we put our lives and the lives of our children.
We am not talking about just one institution but the most
influential institutions which shape our lives, the parish, the
school, the sports clubs, the political groups. Decent people are
gagging from the diet of corruption imposed on them.
We are tired of seeing tribunals, of seeing the rich going into
them and poor having no voice while prices rise and pensions are
not able to keep pace with them. The government would call it a
'budget deficit'. Many politicians use big words like 'collateral
damage' to make your situation sound harmless.
The reality of 'budget deficit' is very easy to understand when
it is your problem. It is when you draw your dole or pension on a
Friday and you are broke by Tuesday, so from Tuesday to the
following Friday you are suffering from a ‘budget deficit'.
Big words to cover the human suffering and emptiness that you
have to get on with. If you don't get on with it feel you are
useless at managing.
Is their anyone who can be trusted, who is compassionate, who has
a track record in seeing justice in the areas of housing for our
young people, affordable medical care for us when we are sick?
Will fight to make sure the poor are not ignored, will look after
building workers now that they developers have had their way with
them, who has vision of providing low cost social housing for
mixed communities as we mature as a nation? And who believes that
we now live in a profoundly unequal country. Créche facility’s
for young couples with children are no longer a luxury.
Is there anybody out there who is taking note of all of this and
who cares enough to do anything about reducing the obscene
inequality that exists ?
Yes there is. Senator Brendan Ryan is a national figure in
politics in the Seanad, as an Independent. He has been effective
as an independent Senator for 20 years.
He is honest and has integrity. He has a profound dislike for the
party of wealth and privilege, and the power they exercised in
looking after the property owning elite and their tax "burdens"
while scandalously continuing to demand that people on a minimum
wage would have to continue paying income tax.
He is Labour's Candidate in Cork South Central. He presents us
with a real choice for us in the election. He can be trusted. He
continues to ask why 'The government tell us things are very,
good, they are looking up, but if they are that good" he
asks "how come that they are so bad for so many?,.
We will all be given an opportunity to pass judgement on election
day, Brendan Ryan now has the force of a strong party behind him
which has not been in any tribunals. Give him your Number 1.
Over
€3.5 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 Silver Springs Hotel on Sunday next 28th 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 € 3,5 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 Euro" 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.
WATER SAFETY IN DOUGLAS
Did you know, that all the Lifeguards you see on
the Cork beaches were trained in Douglas Pool! Also most of the
Pool Lifeguards in Cork were trained in Douglas! This year Irish
Water Safety is celebrating 25 years in Douglas, and we would
like to say Thank You for your support over the years.
We started in Douglas in 1977, when we moved from the City Baths,
and since then we have trained thousands. Some lifeguards have
worked in England, America and even Australia. Classes start at 7.30
on a Monday night, we have a wide variety of classes (9) which
cater for all ages and levels. We also run specialist
qualifications such as The Pool Lifeguard, and Beach Lifeguard
Awards, which are recognised world-wide.
These classes are taught by 13 dedicated instructors, all who
teach on a voluntary basis.
If you are the more competitive type, The Cork Surf Rescue Club
train at 9pm on Monday nights. Last year our junior team won the
National Junior Lifesaving Championships in Wexford, and this
year we hope to retain our title on home turf. Cork Water Safety
is hosting the National Junior Lifesaving Championships in the
Dunmanway Swimming Pool and the Warren Strand on Fri. 16 and Sat
17th August. There are 4 team members we hope to see on the
National Squad going to Germany in July.
With the summer just around the corner, and thousands of people
planning their summer holidays at the beaches in Cork and abroad,
the risk of water related accidents increases. This could be
dramatically reduced if people had a basic knowledge of water
safety. You don't have to be a qualified Lifeguard to save a
life, and not forgetting, prevention is better than cure. Our
motto in Water Safety is, '”Every person a swimmer, every
swimmer a lifesaver." So if you are interested in learning
some lifesaving or resuscitation, why not call up to us some
Monday night and ask for Ronan -and you don't have to be an
Olympic swimmer to join in the fun. Or check us out at www.corkwatersafety.com
NOTICE BOARD
“Occasions” on the Move.
As and from Monday 23rd April their new offices will be at “Occasions”,
Boreenmanna Road, Cork. The Telephone number remains 021-4276465.
Bone Marrow Fundraiser
The Debbie Donovan Bone Marrow Fundraiser takes place in the Lake
Room of the Ardmanning house on this Friday 26th April. Music is
by Anna & Stardust with guest artists Pat Lynch and the Cork
Male Voice Choir. Doors open @ 8.00PM. Spots Galore. Admission
€ 5.00. Further information from Anna 021- 496 5178 / 087
6254869
National Tea Day
Thursday 2nd May is National Tea Day in support of the Alzheimer’s
Association. Marian Rose Properties on the Douglas Road would
like to raise some funds to support this worthy cause, so you are
invited to vivit their offices for a cup of tea / coffee anytime
between 10.00Am and 12.pm. All donations go to the Alzheimer’s
Association
Douglas Library
Friday April 26th at 11.00 am Meeting of the Irish-speaking
group, An Ciorcal. If you would like to practice your Irish and
have "an cupán tae and the cúpla focal", with like-minded
people, you are very welcome to come along. Admission is free.
COUNTRY COOL! by Aoife Barry
Those of you who have the odd
Garth Brooks CD in your collection no longer have to feel
ashamed, because now it’s official – country music is
the new cool. Well, so-called ‘alternative country’ is
apparently this millennium’s rock ‘n’ roll –
the new musical genre that’s being touted as the next big
thing in music magazines world wide. Some of the bands that are
waving the ‘alt.country’ flag this year are American
groups such as Wilco, The Handsome Family, Grant Willard
Conspiracy and Will Oldham, to name just a few. I popped along to
the Handsome Family gig in the Half Moon Theatre two weeks ago,
with my boyfriend and my mother for company, and ended up having
one of the most enjoyable and unusual nights of my life. You see,
to put things lightly, the Handsome Family aren’t your
typical band. For starters, they are a husband and wife team of
Brett (lumberjack shirt, big glasses and Colonel Sanders beard)
and Rennie Sparks (the upstate NY Morticia Adams of music), a
couple whose favourite pastimes include filling up ice-cube trays
and checking them every three minutes to see if they’re
frozen, and (apparently) living in their basement existing on
nothing but bread and water. The Partridge Family, they certainly
ain’t. Rennie and Brett exchanged insults throughout the
entire set, with Rennie shouting obscenities at her spouse for
his cutting short of one of their songs, while occasionally they
mused over topics such as whether the rain in ‘Singing in
the Rain’ was real, and about whether or not the three
kittens they ordered were ever to appear on stage. At times it
felt as though I was the subject of a Dali piece -stuck in a
surreal world with only lunatics for company! But leaving all
their idiosyncrasies aside, it has to be said that the highlight
of the night was the music – unashamedly depressing, morose
and downright scary country. Suicide, death and depression were
all sung about, the lyrics weaving stories about such tales as a
mother driving herself and her children into a river, a dog who
died after eating Christmas tinsel, and the Giant of Illinois who
died from a blister on his toe. Not exactly what you’d call
easy listening! All in all, it was a night that I wouldn’t
have spent any other way – watching two misfits display
their wares in the wackiest of fashions has never been so
enjoyable.
Oh no – those Aussies are at it again. You might think that
after Natalie Imbruglia, Kylie and Jason Donovan, the mighty
country of Oz would have spewed forth all the soap actors-turned-singers
that the rest of the world could handle, but alas, you would be
wrong. Once again, it’s Neighbours that has spawned the new
talent, and this time it’s the actress Holly Valance, who
plays the oddly named Flick in the afore-mentioned show, whose
song ‘Kiss Kiss’ is making it’s way up the charts
as we speak. The fact that Ms. Valance doesn’t appear to be
wearing much clothes in the video has seen her make a few
appearances in British tabloids of late, which can only mean one
thing: a top-ten hit in Britain, a famous pop-star boyfriend and
pictures splashed all over the front of the Sun. Who could ask
for more?
Finally, if you’re a fan of Irish singer-songwriters, tune
into Cork Campus Radio, 97.4FM, on Friday morning from 8-11
– yours truly will be co-presenting the show and we’ll
be featuring an interview with Nina Hynes, as well as a few
surprise guests. Quality listening guaranteed!
HOURIHANS GOLF SOCIETY
Marymount Hospice Golf Classic
This golfing year is set to be a big one for Hourihans Golf
Society in Passage West Only two years in existence this vibrant
golf society has already chalked up some notable firsts.
Their first year in existence saw them embark on a trip to Spain,
where they played four games over ten days and beat the local
Golf Society into the bargain.
They were then involved in the Ryder Cup. They played three
matches over three local courses; Kinsale, Harbour Point and
Fota, against a team of Twelve players from Red Hook, New York,
which was played in the Ryder Cup format. In true Ryder Cup
fashion the match went down to the last days play in Fota Golf
course. After some impressive play by both sides, Houirhans won
the Competition by three points.
This competition resulted in a great friendship being born by
both sides, so much so that this May sees a party of Eighteen
Players leave for the golf courses of Up State New York to defend
the Ryder Cup won so narrowly at home.
The party will spend eight days Up State in Red Hook and then
spend two nights in New York City, when they hope to return the
Trophy to the stand again in Houirhans Bar. But perhaps their
most ambitious project yet is taking place in Monkstown Golf
Course on Friday June 14th. That day sees the Society run a major
Corporate Golf Classic in aid of the Mary Mount Hospice. This
undertaking by the society for a very good cause, and it is hoped
that it will be supported by one and all.
The Golf Classic will be run off all day on the Monkstown Golf
Course, with teams of three. The fee per team is € 250 and
includes a barbecue. Top Class Music will be provided that
evening in the Monkstown Club House. It is hoped that this worthy
cause will get the deserved support from all golfers and public
alike.
Team Times can be obtained from any of the following people; Sean
Houirhans 4841385, Robert Roha 087-2788809, Tom Morrisey 4841512,
Mark Willis 086-8045668, Pat Walsh 086-8288407, Kiren Brosnan
4843950, Noel Collins 4841949, Donal Crowley 087-2639076
Other fixtures for the year includes; Outings to Kinsale, Water
Rock, Mahon, Fota, Fernh ill and Raffen Creek. Officers for the
year. President: Sean Houirhan, Captain: Pat Walsh Treasurer:
Donal Crowley
ARMY WALK FOR LIFE
The following are the projects we
hope to fund from this years walk.
MAIN PROJECT -MALAWI -SISTERS OF CHARITY ORPHANAGE (Mother Teresa)
In Malawi 54% of the population are below the breadline, 13% of
all newborn babies die within the first year of life and 20% of
all children die before the age of 5 years.
The project aim is to provide baby formula (food) for vulnerable
orphans living in Mtsirizia in child headed families or with old
grandparents. Baby formula has the advantage that it can be
prepared simply and safely in the village, it is also readily
available in Malawi at a reduced rate for orphans. 120 children
will be assisted by this for one year as a result of our
endeavours.
Our aim is also to provide milk for the orphanage at Kawale,
Lilongwe to whom all newborn babies and children under 1 year are
referred and also to provide food and clothing when possible. 80
children will be assisted by this for one year.
SECOND PROJECT - TANZANIA - CANCER TREATMENT
Burkitts Lymphoma (BL) is a cancer, which mainly attacks
children, usually on the face, eyes or jaw. This form of cancer
is a rapidly growing tumour and is always fatal if not treated,
but it is also the only cancer, which can be cured by low-grade
chemotherapy alone. This pilot project was taken on by the Walk
in 2000 in support of Interchurch Medical Assistance.
Up to then parents were expected to pay for this treatment
themselves at a cost of €50.00 per child, which is
completely outside the capabilities of the families.
To date enough money has been raised to treat 536 children who
otherwise would have died. This years aim is to raise enough
funds to treat a further 100 children at a total cost of €5100.
If enough funds are raised this treatment project will be
extended to cover all of Tanzania.
THIRD PROJECT - CORK - Special Baby Care Unit, St Finbarrs
Hospital.
The Special Baby Care Unit, St. Finbarrs Hospital, was another
project taken on in 2000 to purchase comfort items, in
consultation with Sr. in Charge Mary O'Sullivan, for babies and
parents, which are not available through the system. i.e. rocking
chairs, camp beds, baby grows, cot blankets etc. This year we
propose to continue with our support to the dedicated staff of St.
Finbarrs Hospital SBU.
We are particularly interested in receiving sponsorship or
contributions from business. The details regarding sending
contribution are listed below.
Cheques should be made payable to WALK FOR LIFE, and may be sent
to
Sgt. John Wade, Dining Complex, Collins Barracks, Cork.
Sgt. Michael Kelleher, HQ, 1 Logistics Support Battalion, Collins
Barracks, Cork.
or direct to ACCOUNT NO:
99-07-04-58968811
WALK FOR LIFE,
Trustee Savings Bank,
Mayfield,
Cork.
A RECEIPT WILL BE ISSUED FOR ALL MONEYS RECEIVED. ALL FUNDS
RECEIVED WILL GO DIRECTLY TO PROJECTS ( NO ADMINISTRATION COSTS).
This years walk, consisting of members of the Defence Forces
stationed at Collins Barracks Cork, FCA Personnel, ex-serving
members of the PDF, Nurses of the Special Baby Care Unit, St
Finbarrs Hospital, Cork, friends and sponsors takes place on the
22 June from Crosshaven to Patrick Street Cork. The walk begins
at 12 noon and finishes at approx 4 pm.
DEPUTY BATT O'KEEFFE WRITES ...
The number of uninsured drivers on
the road seems to be dramatically on the increase . This is an
extremely worrying trend and one which has to be arrested I
recently received two complaints from persons who were involved
in accidents, both of whom were totally innocent. One of these
people had their car hit by a non-national who had no insurance
and another by a native who had no insurance. In both instances,
they are failing to find some redress for the actions of the
people driving the cars.
I realise the cost of motor insurance is exceptionally high for
young people and this is a matter which has been addressed by the
enquiry into the industry as a whole which recently released it's
final Report. That being said, the notion that, because a person
cannot afford insurance, that they are entitled to take an
uninsured car onto the road is a situation which cannot be
tolerated. Emerging also is the fact that, in many instances,
cars are being sold to persons who would quite obviously not be
in a position to afford the cost of the motor insurance. The law,
at the present time, does not place a requirement upon the person
selling the vehicle to ensure that the purchaser has adequate
insurance. This responsibility rests with the purchaser and I am
now writing to minister John O’Donoghue asking him to
examine how our legislation could be amended to ensure that there
is a responsibility on those people selling cars to ensure that
adequate car insurance is? in fact1 in place before the sale of a
car can be completed
The current almost tragic situation being outlined by the Gardai
in Cork gives further strength to my call for proof of insurance
to be made available when cars are being sold.
DOUGLAS ISSUES
DOUGLAS ACTIVE TEENAGERS
ASSOCIATION
A comprehensive research study into the present and future needs
of young people living in the greater Douglas area is to commence
very shortly.
The research will establish the present and future recreational
and social needs of young people in a specific geographical area
with excessively high population growth.
It will identify the best way to contribute to the Health/well
being of young people in this area
It will consult with young people themselves
The project process and research results can be used as a
template for future use by other communities to suit their needs.
There is great potential in this project not alone for the young
people of Douglas, Grange, Donnybrook and Rochestown but will
ultimately be beneficial for the whole community. Douglas Active
Teenagers Association (DATA) is a voluntary group of residents/parents
representing a wide cross-section of the community. The
association was formed following a wide consultation process
comprising of Cork County Council; Cork County VEC; Cork City
VEC;Ogra Chorcai;Douglas Gardai;Douglas GAA; Residents and
Parents.
I set up this process initially because many young people and
parents approached me looking for particular types of facilities
for different areas.. The DATA Committee whose members met on a
monthly basis over the past twelve months decided to put together
a proposal for the Minister Micheal Martin Minister for Health
& Children seeking funding to commission a professional study
to assess and address this critical matter. The results of the
study will form the basis for a submission for the overall
resources of infrastructure/services etc as deemed suitable and
which will have been based on consultation with young people
themselves. We can all see from recent tragic events and indeed
from incidences at a more local level how important it is that
young people are encouraged, through activities they like,to
participate in their communities in a responsible manner.
The National Childrens Strategy emphasises the importance of
consultation and the involvement of young people in determining
the shape and type of services environment and facilities. This
research will help create a healthy environment where children
from all social and economic backgrounds can feel secure and
develop individually to their maximum potential and have the
opportunity to participate.
The D.A.T.A. Committee comprises Michael Boland; Ray Devine; Gda.
Michael Dineen; Dr Gary Kearney; Tony Lehane; Eleanor O'Sullivan;
Aine Ryan; and myself with assistance from others from time to
time. We met many times and I would like to thank the Rochestown
Park Hotel; Douglas Garda Station and Douglas GAA for
facilitating some of our meetings. I want to pay particular
tribute to the committee who never gave up on the project despite
initial difficulties. Untimately, the project would not have seen
the light of day without funding of 19000 euro sanctioned by
Minister Michael Martin. At the exchanging of contracts with Mr
Bev. Cotton of U.C.C. who will be conducting the research, the
Minister stressed the importance of participation by young people
in activities which will assist them in relation to their
personal and social development and which will help them acquire
the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to overcome any
negative results of problems they encounter as they mature. Cork
County Council V.E.C. also gave assistance with funding.
I am delighted that at last this project will commence. The
results of the research will inform the Statutory Agencies and
Government Departments of their specific needs for our Community.
In fact, for the first time ever, the results of a project of
this nature have been specifically written into the County
Development Strategy. This strategy sets out the basis for
delivering appropriate amenity needs of young people over the
next ten years. Such Research will inform any future submissions
to Government Departnents when we seek funding for any projects
identified by the Study. The Consultation will take place in
various appropriate settings such as Schools, Sports Venues;
Street work etc. Interviews will include focus Groups; informal
meetings with children with children, work with children from
existing group settings and other appropriate methods. The age
groups will be between 7/8 years to 18 years. So whatever the
findings, be it skateboarding; CyberCafe; Rollerblading; All
weather pitches we will then have to put our shoulder to the
wheel to deliver on them. CLLR DEIRDRE FORDE PH 021 4363318
