24th May, 2001
Two of the best known businesses in Douglas are
on the move. Firstly, Gregg Lane is moving from Douglas West.
Most of you will know Gregg who operated his domestic appliance
shop next to the Credit Union for the past eleven years. Gregg
has now secured a brand new unit in St. Patrick’s Mills and
he has big plans for his new store, more anon, watch this space.
The second person to move to new premises is Grange based Jim
Hanley. Jim, who ran the “Hanley’s Sheds” business
from Grange for many years has moved only down to the end of
Frankfield Hill to a huge new indoor unit next to the Touchdown
lounge bar and restaurant (where he and his staff will get one of
the best breakfasts in Cork). Best of luck to Gregg and Jim on
their moves, in this case, bigger is truly better!
A few weeks ago I mentioned that the Cork folk club was run in
the old GAA club. That was many years ago. Last week I met a
reader who told me a bit of history about the club. The founder
and organiser was our own Jimmy Crowley. The woman I spoke to
mentioned the names of some of the singers who appeared there,
long before they were famous. Christy Moore, Mary Black, Paul
Brady were just a few who went on to greater things, nationally
and internationally. The GAA club then went on to build a
fantastic new hall which would be ideal now to restart a folk
music revival, after all, you can’t beat live music.
Speaking of the GAA club, as far as I know, it’s the only
live music venue in the Douglas area in Friday night. Usually it’s
a musician on keyboards who starts the show and then patrons are
called up to sing a couple of songs. As most of you know, Perry
Como died last weekend, and I thought perhaps our own tribute to
this great singer might to appropriate. I approached well known
singer Jerry Russell (just back from a holiday in the sun with
his wife Sheila) and asked him if he would do a musical tribute
to the late, great crooner. Jerry’s answer was “yes”.
Perry Como was Jerry’s favourite singer. So, on Friday night
in Douglas GAA, Jerry, accompanied by musician Tim Desmond, will
present a musical tribute to Perry Como. I wouldn’t miss it
for the world!
Another reader mentioned the lack of a main feature in Douglas,
then the word “Douglas” came up. The word means “black
stream”, and the reader suggests that the stream that runs
from Ravensdale Woods through the community park should be the
main feature of Douglas. She also mentioned the shopping trollies
in the river, which runs through Douglas Village Shopping Centre.
Perhaps somebody might take a look at improving that river, also,
I’m told that the flower pots which were on the two
roundabouts at Douglas Village Shopping Centre and outside
Douglas Court Shopping Centre, have been stolen. Perhaps its time
to plant them on the roundabouts, as the corporation do on the
Well Road. How anyone would stop and load a lot of flower pots in
a van/car at two busy roundabouts, without being seen, amazes me!
The Bertie/Celia saga rolls on. The Sunday papers were full of
surveys, opinions, letters, etc., then on top of that was more
controversy concerning the two priests in Kerry who refused
communion to people whose lifestyle they didn’t agree with.
I think we’re very lucky here in Cork to have Bishop John
Buckley as our spiritual leader. Never a man to condemn, telling
his priests to talk to everybody, no matter what their social
situations is. You might see Bishop Buckley at a bowling match, a
football match, a Joe Dolan concert ... always mixing and talking
to the people (not at the people, there’s a difference!) I
like the man, and I think he’s doing a great job as a
churchman, and a man of the people.
On Monday night I called down to the Bohemian Restaurant for the
launch of their new menu. Head chef Kenoz introduced me to the
staff, and what a great international chef-mix they are. Two
Indian, one Japanese, one Egyptian, and one of them from
Mitchelstown!! Second chef Jimmy Barry Murphy is the Mitchelstown
man, and with a name like that he’s definately part of a
winning team. I sampled some of the food and the marinated
chicken in the spicy sauce left me wanting more. I forecast great
things for the Bohemian Restaurant. The staff, management, and of
course, the food, will make it a must for anybody seeking a good
night out in Douglas.
That’s about it for this week, see you at the Perry Como
tribute night on Friday.
Bye for now,
Michael O’Hanlon
