21st November, 2002
Notice
Board
BUSINESS WEEKLY
Tanaiste visits
USA
Tanaiste Mary Harney recently took charge of a trade and
investment mission to the West Coast of the USA on behalf of IDA
Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. While there,she met a number of
key American corporations in order to promote Ireland as a
continuing location for foreign investment. US investment is
crucial to Ireland's economic success. It is by far the largest
source of inward investment,far outweighing that of its closest
rivals,Britain and Germany. According to recent data, 58% of new
foreign investment projects in Ireland during 2001 came from the
US and we export approximately 17% of our exports to the US
market. These figures show very clearly the importance the US
plays in our economy and why it is so important that we continue
to target it for increased trade and investment. Some time ago
Mary Harney also said : 'for years we have played a good tune,but
now it is time to take charge of the orchestra and start
composing the music'. This is very valid. We will not survive on
manufacturing alone and we must make all attempts to get
businesses where we can have an input into design and logistics
which will give us a greater value add to anchor us deeper into
the landscape of survival.
Unemployment Numbers
There was a decrease of 3,726 in the number of people claiming
unemployment benefit for the month of October,according to
figures recently released by the CSO. Some 157,706 people are now
registered as being out of work,compared with 161,400 in
September,the lowest level since May. Seasonally adjusted,the
decline was just 100 and the Live Register continues to rise on
an annual basis and it was up by over 11% in October compared to
the same month last year.
Junior Humour
It's great to see that kids are still very creative when it comes
to putting jokes together. The following was created by Kevin
O'Donoghue,aged 9,from Kiltegan. Well done,Kevin,and let's have
some more.
Two coins were out on the lake in a boat. One got tired and said
to the other : 'Euro'.
Ryanair
Ryanair has recorded a 71% increase in after-tax profits to 150
million euros for the six months to the end of September. Michael
O'Leary,Chief Executive of the Airline was delighted with the
results,describing them as exceptional and also difficult to
repeat. Ryanair also unveiled its plans for a 114 million euro
second terminal at Dublin Airport. It will be capable of handling
ten million passengers per year with no cost to the taxpayer. The
Ryanair plan was one of 13 submitted to the Minister for
Transport, Seamus Brennan ,on October 31st.
Manufacturing Activity
Irish purchasing managers recorded the first contraction of the
manufacturing economy in nine months,during the month of October.
The latest NCB Purchasing Managers index (PMI) recorded a reading
of 48.8 for October,which was below the critical no-change mark
of 50, and the lowest level recorded since December 2001. The
erosion in manufacturing activity was blamed on weakened demand
from industries in the US and Europe and a softening of domestic
demand in recent weeks.
Last week the Chairman of the Federal Reserve in the USA, Alan
Greenspan, dropped the US rate to its lowest in over 40 years. I
wonder what he saw in the tea leaves to make him do this?
Sign on company noticeboard
'This firm requires no physical fitness programme. Everyone gets
enough exercise jumping to conclusions, flying off the handle,
running down the boss, flogging dead horses, knifing friends in
the back, dodging responsibility, and pushing their luck’
Microsoft
Some time ago Bill Gates handed over the operational
responsibility of Microsoft to Steve Ballmer. Steve was in
Ireland recently to meet with representatives of the Technology
sector and also to visit the 1800 employees at Microsoft Ireland.
He made some interesting comments during his visit to Ireland.
He said the company was committed to Ireland and would not move
the operations to low-cost locations,such as India and China.
According to Ballmer: 'Things are easier and better here and we
like the business environment' He also went on to say that 'The
business environment in India is non-competitive,even if the
labour market is competitive'. He had no greater visibility than
anybody else as to when there would be a pick up again but felt
that the falling had now stopped and that the technology sector
would pick up again as world economies began to improve.
Glen Dimplex
Glen Dimplex,the electrical-appliances manufacturer privately
owned by Martin Naughton and Lochlann Quinn, has purchased
Norwegian electrical wholesaler NOBO Electro for an undisclosed
sum. NOBO Electro is reported to have about a quarter of the
market for installed electric heaters in Norway. It hopes the
acquisition will give it a foothold in the Scandinavian market,
where it also plans to sell its other brands, including Dimplex
and Morphy Richards. Glen Dimplex employs some 8,500 people
worldwide, about 2,500 of them in Ireland.
The IFI Saga
It is very hard to believe the downward spiral that the IFI
closure has taken. As the Government ran for cover,employees had
to become involved in sit ins and travel to London and Dublin to
protest and fight for their rights. It is a sad reflection on our
political leadership.
When the Government became the major shareholder in the Company
some years ago they took on a legal and ethical responsibility to
the employees in the three IFI Plants.These employees should be
treated with the same dignity and respect as the senior civil
servants who are employed by our leaders in Dublin.
If the business is no longer viable we must accept it and move on
and the Government as an employer must transition the closure to
ensure that the employees are properly looked after ,both morally
and financially. If this happened in the private sector the
Government and TD's would be shoulder to shoulder shouting
outrage and baying for blood. The Government had an excellent
opportunity to process this closure correctly and efficiently,as
an example to others,but failed miserably.
Let's stop the nonsense now before we become the laughing stock
of Europe.Give the people the P45's so that they can seek out
alternative employment and give a fair and justified redundancy
package so that the former IFI employees can get on with their
lives and look forward to Christmas,which is just around the
corner.
Humour
A little boy was doing his maths homework. He said to himself,
"Two plus five, that son of a bitch is seven. Three plus
six, that son of a bitch is nine...."
His mother heard what he was saying and gasped, "What are
you doing? "The little boy answered, "I'm doing my
maths homework, Mam." "And this is how your teacher
taught you to do it?" the mother asked. "Yes," he
answered. Infuriated, the mother asked the teacher the next day,
"What are you teaching my son in maths?" The teacher
replied, "Right now, we are learning addition." The
mother asked, "And are you teaching them to say two plus
two,
that son of a bitch is four?" After the teacher stopped
laughing, she answered, "What
I taught them was, two plus two, THE SUM OF WHICH, is four.”
Words of Wisdom
When things are bad,we take comfort in the thought that they
could always be worse. And when they are, we find hope in the
thought that things are so bad they have to get better (Malcolm S
Forbes)
We would be delighted to hear from our readers at any stage in
relation to any comments,inputs or queries they may have.
Bill Daly works as part of a group of Independent Business
Consultants and specialises in Materials, Operations Management
and Executive Mentoring. Bill can be contacted at
E-Mail: bdaly@tornaservices.com
Web: www.tornaservices.com
Mob: 085 7233362
GRADAM na SCOILE
On the evening of the 7th of November 2002
Douglas Community School celebrated its Gradam na Scoile Annual
Prize giving Awards for the academic year 2001-2002. The awards
recognize the outstanding range of achievements and abilities of
the students and a large gathering assembled in the school to
celebrate and witness the event. The Principal Mr. Bernard
Horgan, addressed the assembled guests and staff paying tribute
to the diversity of achievement enjoyed by students in both
academic and extracurricular domains in the past year. Mr. Horgan
welcomed the keynote speaker and prize giver Mr. Noel Lucy, a
past pupil and currently the president of the Irish Publicity
Board. The awards presented represent a broad spectrum of
activities and achievements highlighting the schools commitment
to the holistic development of its students.
Awards were presented in the sporting fields of Soccer, Hurling,
Gaelic Football, Athletics, Basketball, Swimming, Golf, Pitch and
Putt, Hockey and Badminton Medals were presented on the night to
the victorious Cork U-16 Hurling and Football championship
winning teams, to the Munster U16½ Football champions and the
Cork U-18 Football champions. Awards for Public Speaking, Essay
Composition, Christmas Card Design competition winners, the
Rotary Club Leadership Award winner, the Meitheal group and the
winners of the Ballygowan Young Environmentalist Award winners
were also presented. Outstanding Students in Transition Year and
Community Service were recognized as were the overall outstanding
students of the year whose contribution to school life enriched
the working and social environment of the school for staff and
their fellow students alike. The Junior Gradam Awards were
presented to Eoin O'Sullivan and Kevin Casey for their endeavor
and excellence in the junior school while the Senior Gradam Award
winners are Peter MacDonald and Fergal O'Sullivan who had
displayed exemplary commitment to and participation in all facets
of school life during the last six years. The students' student
of the year is Brian Quilligan of sixth year while the Junior
Certificate Student of the year is Eoin O'Sullivan with Fergal
O'Sullivan winning the Leaving Certificate Student of the Year
Award. The Principals Award for special merit was presented to
Seamus O'Donoghue recognizing his overall contribution to the
academic and extra curricular sphere of school life. These annual
awards celebrate and acknowledge the rich diversity of activities
and achievements among the students body and highlight the
comprehensive role of the school within the local community.
CLLR. MINIHAN SECURES LIGHT FOR BLACK SPOT
At a meeting of the City Council on Monday last,
11th November, Councillor John Minihan secured overwhelming
support for his motion to have traffic lights installed, as a
matter of urgency, at the dangerous junction between the Cross
Douglas Road and the South Douglas Road in the interest of Road
Safety.
The motion to erect lights at the black spot was passed despite
stiff opposition from Council Management who wanted to undertake
a traffic study in the area.
Speaking after the council meeting the Progressive Democrat
Senator and Parliamentary Party Chairman stated, 'that it was not
acceptable to defer the motion for a further traffic study, there
is no need for a survey to point out that this is not an issue of
traffic volumes but a clear issue of road safety. It is quite
simply the case that a motorist exiting the Cross Douglas Rd at
the South Douglas Rd with the intention of turning left cannot
see approaching traffic and exits at risk to themselves and
traffic travelling from the Turners Cross direction towards
Douglas.'
'Traffic lights at this junction are required immediately and
management need to come up with the EUR45, 000 required,' added
Cllr. Minihan. 'I am more than happy to make a substantial
contribution from my ward fund towards this cost and I am sure
that my fellow ward councillors will do likewise.'
NAOMI JAMES TO OPEN KINSALE CRAFTS FAIR
Dame Naomi James, single handed 'round the world
yachtswoman, will open the Kinsale Craft Fair at the Town Hall on
Saturday, November 30. The two day fair is the brainchild of
jewellery maker Gidi Gur and ceramic artist Sara Roberts. As
craft workers themselves, and exhibitors in fairs nationwide,
they knew they wanted a showcase for quality and a variety of
products. Through the fair, members of the general public will
have the opportunity to buy some unique gifts, while retailers
will have the opportunity to source new products.
RONNIE McGINNS - POETRY CORNER
Win €100 in our Christmas Poetry
Competition.
Sponsored by O’Flaherty’s of Parnell Place. It’s
open to everyone so start sending your entries straight away.
This week’s poem was written by Elsa O’Callaghan of
Blackrock and was sent to us by Pat Golden. Commenting on the
poem Pat says that he is “ disquieted by the image it
portrays of a person trapped in one of life's circumstances, be
it depression, rejection, homosexuality, phobia's, physical
incapacity, guilt etcc, etc., and unable to lift themselves out
of the 'pit'. ( ...why do the orphanage's of the'40s & ..50's
also come to mind!!....) 'Mam' at the end---in all it's
connotations- --is the ultimate solution yearned for, which alas
for some often comes to late.
Hearts Desire
Somewhere somehow I must escape
How, where when?
Deepest Dungeons, caverns deep
Seeping walls of slime
Clawing clutching holding on
Fingernails are bleeding
Can anyone hear my cry?
Can ANYONE hear my cry?
Secrets, secrets chain me in
I know, I know I am dying
Let me out say my silent scream's
But I cannot find the key?
Secrets Secrets,
Don't believe his wailing
Deeper, deeper caverns calling
Can I ever escape?
Down' Down' Falling, Falling
Look at my shame, 1’m always looking
Voices screaming don't believe him.
Liar shame
I want to breath Life. I need to win this race
But I'm so tired always falling
Shoulders tired, back is breaking
Breathing Shallow, tears swallowed
Climbing falling, climbing falling.
I cannot win this race
Yet somewhere deep within this cavern
Lives a tiny soul
Crying, crying. Calling, calling,
'Mam' please take me home.
Elsa O'Callaghan
Send your poem or your Christmas Poem to The Poetry Corner / The
Douglas Weekly. Or you can email it to; ronniemcginn@eircom.net
If possible keep your poem to 20 lines. Choose any subject you
like, in any form you like. We look forward to hearing from you.
Ronnie McGinn
NOTICES
Music in Carrigaline Library
The monthly Gramophone Recital will take place in Carrrigaline
Library on Thursday November 21 st... at 11.00 a.m. Margaret
Miller will present her choice of music on tape and CD .A very
pleasant morning is guaranteed, admission is free and
refreshments are provided. All are welcome .
Gala Christmas Demonstration
On Wednesday, November 20th at 8 pm sharp in the Ardfallen
Centre, Douglas Road, Cork, Frankfield Flower and Garden Club
will hold a Gala Christmas Demonstration by Angela Behan
O'Carroll, A.O.I.F.A.
Part of proceeds will be donated to the selected AOIFA charity
for 2003, namely the Irish Heart Foundation. Tickets are
available, ?10 each, from Committee members. Supper included in
price of ticket.
Annual Dinner will be held in Rochestown Park Hotel on December
11th at 8pm. Please contact Secretary as soon as possible as
final number must be given to the hotel prior to the event. Tel:
021-489 2251.
Pioneer Readoiri Competition
Cork Diocesan Readoiri Final will take place on Sunday November
24th at 2 pm in the Tracton GAA Hall, Minane Bridge, Co. Cork.
All centres from the Cork City Region and Mid-West Cork Region
are welcome to enter in all competitions.
Readoiri Competitions include Figure Dancing; Musical Group;
Group Disco Dancing; Group Singing and Set Dancing. With Junior
and Senior (over 16) Solo Singing; Recitation; Musical Solo and
Novelty Act.
SIMON COVENEY, TD, writes...
Speaking after a meeting with Ramco today (Thursday),
Fine Gael spokesperson for
communications, marine and natural resources, Simon Coveney TD,
said he was delighted that the Minister of State for
Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, has granted a
Petroleum Lease to Ramco Seven Heads Ltd. "I met with
representatives of Ramco today to discuss the next phase of the
development of the Seven Heads project. The news that gas field
is in position to bring gas ashore by July 2003 is a very
positive, said Coveney. "The Cork and Munster region stands
to benefit substantially from a new and steady supply of gas,
sourced locally but will also have positive impact that will have
on the national economy.
"In my capacity as Fine Gael's spokesperson communications,
marine and natural resources, I will be closely monitoring the
project and ensuring the continuing political will is there to
drive it forward. I will also endeavour to ensure that Seven
Heads development benefits both the consumer and the State."concluded
Deputy Coveney.
DOUGLAS TIDY TOWNS
It is good to see Douglas looking neater and
cleaner, with more shrubs and gardens, all well maintained.
Since we were formed a couple of years ago the Committee has
endeavoured to raise awareness of the value of a Litter free
environment with well maintained roundabouts.
Of course, there is a lot to be done. Black spots still remain
but our plans for 2003 include substantial improvements. And
credit should be given to bodies who helped -
1. Credit to Minister Dempsey in Environment who introduced the
charge on Plastic Bags which virtually eliminated that piece of
ugly litter from our streets, footpaths, walkways, roads and
hedges.
Can we now encourage other retailers to look at their packaging
to reduce the deleterious effect such thrown-away packaging has?
2. Cork County Council Garden Section who have so
enthusiastically taken control of several roundabouts and the
Cottage Garden (adjacent to flyover) creating wonderful effect.
3. Regina Mundi, whose students last year undertook historical
research on local Great Houses with most interesting results
which they presented at a General Meeting of the Tidy Towns
Committee and whose Transition Year students are this year
undertaking some environmental projects which we look forward to
seeing.
4. We must give our thanks to those who have financially
supported our work. We could not have procured the Flowers and
Shrubs, the Tubs and Window Boxes and of course the "Welcome
to Douglas" sign and the Information Map and Birds of
Estuary signs.
Our projects for next year require your assistance and we are
also looking for Financial Support from the businesses and
commercial interests of Douglas. We also wish to thank Douglas
Weekly for helping with publicity for our achievements and plans.
We can be contacted at the Community Centre, Telephone 4894955.
Yours sincerely, John Fitzgerald, Secretary.
NOTICES
Cork Flower Club
Cork Flower Club are hosting a Gala Christmas Demonstration by
Gene O'Riordan entitled "The Joys of Christmas". The
event will be held at the Ardfallen Centre, Douglas Road, on
Thursday 21st November at 8 p.m. The cost of tickets is EUR10
including Supper. Gene is a very talented flower arranger and a
lively presenter so it promises to be a magical evening! So to
save disappointment at this very popular event, get your tickets
early. Contact Helen Fox at 4892951.
Christmas Day swim
The Grangeswimmers & Friends are holding our launch night for
the 2002 Christmas Day swim in aid of the Childrens Leukemia Ward
of the Mercy hospital on Friday next 1st November in the Grange
Bar. Music by Joe Mac & Friends. A great night is assured.
Please come and support this very worthy cause. For more info
email: info@grangeswimmers.com or visit our web site at www.grangeswimmers.com
Greater Chernobyl Cause - Christmas fair
Sunday 24th November @ 12 noon Cork Opera House sale will include:
Creations from our leading fashion designers, crystal, pottery,
paintings, jewellery, furniture, books, CD’s hand knitted
woollens, sailing jackets & much more! Extremely reasonable
price methods of payment: cash, credit cards & cheques. All
proceeds will fund our work at Ayagus Orphanage Semipalatinsk
Kazakhstan. Please help us to help the little abandoned children
(for further details please call Fiona on 021 4300791)
Planning & Environment Meeting
Carrigaline Community Association Planning & Environment
commmittee monthly meeting will be held in the Community Hall
Carrigaline on Tuesday 26th.Nov. at8pm. new members welcome. Tel.
4371110
Lost Dog
Lost fluffy white / golden hair dog with brown collar, but no
name tag. Answers to name ‘Callaway’. Reward to finder.
Please phone Rachel / Donal 087 2333872
Digital Documents Exhibition
The Youghal based document conversion centre since 1978 Digital
Documents Ltd, in association with Kodak "The Document
Imaging Division "are holding their very first Document and
Records Management Technologies Exhibition. This is to be held
over a two day period in Cork at The Harbour 2 Room, Conference
Centre, Silver Springs Hotel, Cork on Tuesday 26th November from
10.30am to 6.30pm and on the Wednesday 27th November at the
earlier time of 8.30am to 4.30pm. This Exhibition will cover
everything you need to know about document and record management,
all under the one roof. From the Technologies used to Practical
Applications and Demonstrations with Seminars on all aspects of
the industry Learn from the Industry Leaders and how it may
benefit your business or organisation.
Fun Table Quiz
Where - Nemo Rangers Club
When - 8pm on Tuesday 26th Nov 2002
Price - EUR20 per team of 4
Prizes - 1st, 2nd & 3rd plus Spots
Organised by Parents Council of Christ King Secondary School.
THE SUNNYSIDE OF LIFE
By Helen Fox
The sale of any house can be a sad event particularly when it is
a cherished family home, but in the case of "Sunnyside",
home of Mary Hanley and her family, a household name in Douglas,
it brings up all kinds of memories. Mary's life was intertwined
with the people of Douglas from the time she arrived with her
husband Jack and two small children, John and Helen, to take up
her post as District Nurse in 1951. Home births were very popular
then, and Mary was busy delivering babies all over the parish.
Because of her close contact with young mothers, Mary realised
that women were very isolated in the home. Douglas was a village
then, surrounded by farmland and not the populous satellite town
it is today. So she set about starting up a guild of the ICA in
1959. She got a gift of a parcel of land from Michael Hegarty,
and after 2 years of fund-raising the ICA hall was built and
opened in 1961. Film shows were run there every Sunday afternoon
to pay for the building costs and there is not a youth in Douglas
from that pre-television period who doesn't remember the magic of
those afternoons watching the blockbusters of that time, "Gun
fight at the OK Coral", Ingrid Bergman in "The Inn of
the Sixth Happiness", or "Yellow River" starring
Robert Mitchum. Socials were run for adults on a regular basis.
Realising that the youth of the parish needed their own space,
weekly hops were run where many a love story started. A special
room was added on for the youth to run their own meetings.
She went on to become Cork Federation President 1964 and during
her term of office, the no. of ICA guilds around the county
burgeoned.
Later on in the 70's, Mary was a founder member of the Douglas
Community Association and envisioned a time when Douglas wouldn't
have one patch of green field, such was the pressure for building
in the area. Twenty years were spent to and froing to County Hall
to get, in her own words, "the last patch of green space for
the people of Douglas". Today, the community enjoys that
wonderful Green Park that has developed from this vision. In the
70's, her daughter Helen organised a project for tree planting
involving the prisoners from Cork Jail as part of their community
service. Many of these trees are wonderful specimens in the park
today.
In 1977, Mary received the prestigious national of "People
of the Year Award" bestowed in recognition of her major
contribution to her community.
In her last years in Douglas, Mary founded Oscal, a club for
retired people, who meet weekly in the Community Hall to arrange
social/sporting events for those interested in a more active
retirement. Oscal is still going strong.
Mary always saw the opportunity for creative involvement. When
tied to the home with her 4 young children, she did B&B. Two
young German priests from Freiburg, arrived on her doorstep one
day, desperate for lodging. So well did they get along that she
couldn't charge them for their stay. One of the brothers, Fr.
Karl Ruby came every year for 30 years. Many parishioners will
remember his heavy German accent as he said mass in St. Columba's.
He become one of the family and loved the people of Douglas. She
loved to open doors - especially to our foreign visitors. One
year the Douglas ICA hosted a German Landfrau Verband (group of
countrywomen) on a cultural visit to Cork. Many people from the
city and county will remember her tours to Lourdes and San
Sebastian each year, her charters to the U.S. in the 60's for ICA
members to visit immigrant children, the trips to London,
Blackpool and the Lake District.
She loved the garden and before there were nurseries, people
bought many plants through catalogues. Her rockery in the back
garden was packed full of "exotic" plants in the spring
- full of bright colours - purple campanulas, white arabis with
bright yellow daffodils and tulips of all colours. Walkers on the
Carrigaline Road used to look over the wall to admire this garden.
She grew sweet pea on a trellis and sold bouquets to a florist in
town for 2 shillings a bunch. Tomatoes from her green house
supplied Jim Driscoll's shop at the Fingerpost in the summer. She
also supplied Jim with eggs. Coming from a farm, she missed
animals so chickens were kept in a little run in the back garden
until a fox got them one night.
She loved Jim because of his great humour. Hearing of an upcoming
event in the ICA, he was heard to say to customers in the shop
one day "there's big excitement at the ICA Hall - they're
unveiling Mary Hanley's bust"!
Her husband Jack who passed away last March was known to many in
Douglas also. He gave her great support, encouragement and loved
her devotedly.
So when I stand in the garden of Sunnyside, I think of all the
things that grew from there - not just the garden - but ideas and
visions that have impacted on so many!
CARRIGALINE CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
SATURDAY 23rd AND SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER 2002 10AM
- 6PM DAILY - GAA HALL CROSSHAVEN ROAD CARRIGALINE
Now in its fourth successful year, the Carrigaline Christmas
Craft Fair is an impressive showcase for handmade crafts. The
Fair offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to buy original
craft pieces, ideal as Christmas presents for family and friends.
The fair has grown from strength to strength, with over 2,000
people attending last year. This event can only improve and there
is a terrific "buzz" around this year's event. This
year, the 40 craft exhibitors will be selling a fantastic range
of hand crafted pottery, jewellery, woodturning, ceramics,
paintings, weaving, printing and ironwork. Delicious home-made
produce will be available to purchase or enjoy in the café. The
Carrigaline craft Fair is a great example of a community working
together for a most enjoyable weekend event, but also raising
money for the children of the local St Mary's National School.
Last year's Fair raised over £6,000 for the children's "Lets
Dream Dreams" projects at the school. The fair was the
brainchild of jeweller Giddy Gur, whose children attend St.
Mary's school and who himself has plenty of experience of the
national craft fair scene. What started modestly years ago as a
PTA Fund-raising idea for the school, is now a significant
weekend in the craft calendar. This year the voluntary efforts of
the children and parents have, once again, been greatly boosted
by sponsorship from the local business community. This support is
greatly appreciated and has funded some great raffle prizes to
add to the fun of the occasion. There will be a warm welcome for
all at the Carrigaline Christmas Craft Fair on the weekend of the
23rd and 24th of November. Come and enjoy the festive atmosphere
and you might just find an original and crafty solution to the
challenge of Christmas gift buying! For more information, please
contact Mairead Roberts on 086 8195677.
