9th August, 2001
It’s a sad state of affairs when mothers ask
me if there is any news on somebody opening a nightclub in the
Douglas area. Not for themselves, but for their teenage sons and
daughters. I’m told that the city centre is becoming a no-go
at the weekends, especially when the night clubs close. Mothers
and fathers who cannot sleep until they hear the key unlocking
the front door and they know their children are home safely. I’ve
spoken to young people who told me they, or their friends, have
been beaten up in the city centre at night. What happens to the
thugs when they get caught? A £30 fine, and they laugh at the
system. No wonder they laugh, they’re probably on £300 or
£400 a week wages. A half days wages is not exactly painful. My
suggestion would be to confiscate their passports for one year
for the charge of assault, so when the summer comes along and all
their friends are going to santa this or santa that, they’re
stuck at home. That will hurt more than a paltry fine. Perhaps
readers, especially parents, would let us know what they think of
a night club for the Douglas area.
Now that things are beginning to happen in Douglas, especially
with all the floral displays on the roundabouts, the houses on
the St. Columba’s terrace look beautiful, it is about time
we had some sort of annual carnival or festival. Last weekend
there was a ‘latino’ weekend organised by the Cork
Vinteners, but as far as I could see only the Bohemian took part
in our area. The bar played Latin American music and the
restaurant served some beautiful spicy dishes. The main
organisers would want to put a bit more into the marketing and
advertising of this concept if it is to grow. The next long
weekend is the October weekend, and that means jazz!! Why not
paedestrianise Douglas East for the October weekend. Buskers,
live music in all the bars, hotels and clubs, an open air
concert, inter-pub quizzes, inter-pub football matches. The
potential is there, let’s put some fun into Douglas.
Speaking of fun, Noel Magner tells me that there will be an Elvis
tribute rock’n’roll night on in the Rochestown Park
Hotel on Saturday night, August 18th. Tony “Elvis”
Leen, the Stardust band and the ageless Rockin’ Gerry will
bring us back to when rock’n’roll was young. I’ll
be there on the night because that’s my music!!
I, like most people in the Douglas area, was shocked and saddened
by the tragic death of John McSweeney. I first met John about 20
years ago. I forget how we met, but we discovered that we liked
the same type of music, traditional, bluegrass, folk. John, like
me, enjoyed a trip to the Lobby folk club, have a few jars, meet
people with the same musical tastes and make new friends. John
was, by trade, an electrician, and was always on hand if there
was an electrical problem in our home. Many years ago when I was
a DJ, in another life, I was honoured when John asked me to
provide the music at his wedding, when he married Rhye. They
married on December 8th, and the reception was in the West Lodge
Hotel in Bantry. I brought my wife and children with me, and they
stayed in the room while I did my show. I began at seven, and
about half an hour later, John asked me where my family was? I
told him they were up in their room. “Mick,” John said,
“Get up there and tell them to join the party”. I did,
and they had a great night. Even though it was his big day, he
still thought of others.
Then John and Rhye moved to Crosshaven, but we would meet up a
few years later when I worked in the chipper there. An electrical
problem in the chipper, and John would be down to fix it. John
loved his chicken and chips and a carton of curry sauce.
Sometimes I would close early and the staff and I would proceed
to clean up, when there would be a tap on the sidedoor and a
voice would say, “Mick, anything left hot or cold?” It
was John, and the chipper, opened or closed, was always open to
John. If I was off-duty the staff always looked after John,
because he was, in their words, “A gentleman”. The
picture below is one I took of John as he called in for his
chicken and chips, and always a smile, and that’s the way I’ll
remember him.
My deepest sympathy to his wife Rhye, his parents, Jack and Biddy.
I’m sure I speak for everybody who knew and loved John that
our thoughts and prayers are with you and that God will comfort
you in your tragic loss.
Bye for now,
Michael O’Hanlon.
