31st May, 2001
Last Saturday I called down to the GAA pitch to
take some photographs of the Street Leagues competition. Hundreds
of youngsters there with their parents made it, I’m sure, a
most enjoyable day for all concerned. Well done to all who gave
their time and effort into this great local sporting event which
is really the youngsters day, and well done to Douglas Credit
Union who continue to sponsor it.
Last Saturday night, my wife and I went for a meal in the new
look Bohemian Restaurant. The two most important people in any
restaurant are the person who greets you at the door, and with
Sheila Murphy to welcome patrons, with a smile, they’re half
way there. The second most important person is the chef, and may
I say, after eating the meal, the Bohemian are on a winner.
Excellent! I almost forgot, when you’ve finished your meal
try a ‘Bohemian experience’. What a drink!! Well done
to Kenoz and his team.
Most of you will have seen the work being carried out on the Link
Road, diggers, wooden fencing, etc... We rang a few of our local
politicians, but only Councillor Peter Kelly could tell us what
was happening. The work is being carried out by the NRA (National
Roads Authority) to reduce the noise pollution level to the
residents parallel to the road. I spoke to a resident of a local
estate who told me that diggers had come to their estate last
weekend, dug up some ground, deposited the earth in front our
their houses, and left. The residents don’t seem to know
what’s happening. I’ve mentioned it before, organise a
residents association, or if you want to know what’s
happening in your area, contact your public representatives, that’s
what they are there for.
I got a very unusual call last week from Frances. She told me
that she was carrying out a survey for the Royal College of
Surgeons, in association with the Dept. of Health and Children
and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. She wanted 15 minutes of my
time to ask me questions on “sexual violence”. I asked
her how she got my home telephone number (ex-directory). She told
me it was picked at random. I told her to fax me the questions
and I’d look at them and reply, but Frances wasn’t
interested. Did any other readers hear from the Royal College of
Surgeons?
Well done to Jerry Russell on his fantastic tribute to Perry Como
last Friday night. Everybody I spoke to who was at the show,
really enjoyed it. Not forgetting Tim Desmond on keyboards. Well
done lads.
Speaking of music, the South County is having a rock’n’roll
night with live music on Sunday night. I’ll be there, hope
to see you there.
Congratulations to Terry and Maeve Brugha of Olgrin Wines,
Douglas East. They tell me that they finally got their wine
licence. Now we have a classy wine bar in Douglas. What’s
that country music song title, “A bottle of wine and Patsy
Cline”, although Maeve is very partial to Edith Piaf. A
selection of coffees is also available.
There is a sense of an election in the air, I can feel it. The
politicians are calling on Louis Copeland, the hair-stylists are
being booked, the tanning lamps are coming out. Ireland is
booming, both Carrigaline and Ballincollig are seeking a town
council. What about Douglas? It’s caught between a ‘rock
and a hard place”. Half of it is in the city and half of it
is in the county. A twenty acre site in Carriagline is being
built as a social and youth facility. There are also big things
happening in Ballincollig. What about Douglas? There is a 13 acre
site for sale at present in our area. What about something
similar for our young population?
Finally, my good friend Derek Rusk, manager of Douglas Court
Shopping centre, is moving to a new job. Most of you will know
Derek, a tall, good looking guy with glasses (that’s another
cup of coffee you owe me!), who has been a tremendous asset to
the centre for the past few years. Readers, if you’re in the
centre on Thursday, wish him well, as I do, and hopefully he’ll
keep in touch with his friends in Douglas. Thanks Derek.
Readers, enjoy the long weekend, drive carefully, belt up, no
drink driving, don’t swim alone and I’ll see you next
week.
Bye for now,
Michael O’Hanlon
