11th October, 2001
The good news of the week is that Douglas
Swimming Pool has been throw a lifeline (dreadful pun Michael). I
know from speaking to a lot of people that they would have been
very disappointed if the pool had been closed. We hear so many
stories about what happened and why the pool was allowed to fall
into such a shabby condition. I was amazed to hear that the
government department had not been approached by Cork Corporation
for funding to improve the pool. Perhaps its more valuable for
something else than its present use. I called up last Thursday,
and it was pretty busy, it's not just a couple of local people
who use it, but clubs from all over the southside, including
Carrigaline, Passage West, Kinsale, etc... I met an old friend of
mine, Michael O'Sullivan, who has been involved in the Cork
branch of the Royal Lifesaving swimming club. How many years have
Michael, and people like him, put into this great work? How many
youngsters and adults are now qualified lifeguards, not
forgetting that they are also trained in first aid. Common sense
prevailed, the pool is staying open, now spend a couple of bob on
it, because someday the life the save might be yours.
Coming out of Douglas Credit Union last week I met an elderly
resident who lives in Douglas West. She asked me if I could do
something about the condition of the footpath (I wouldn't use
that word!) opposite the Credit Union, stretching from the
doctors surgery to the paedestrain crossing. A few weeks ago I
saw a woman fall as she tripped over this horror, I got my camera
and took some pictures, which were shown in the 'Weekly. The
following week local councillor Deirdre Forde replied stating
that the county engineer would put it to the top of his list of
urgent repair work. Since then we have seen new footpaths put
down outside most of the pubs in Douglas, and a fine job was done
on the old narrow footpaths, which were part of a different era.
Now its time to finish the job, before somebody injures
themselves on the above mentioned footpath.
The piece and photographs I did on the condition of Douglas
Village on Sunday two weeks ago brought a response. A member of
the Douglas Tidy Towns told me that a member of the County
Council stated that if Michael O'Hanlon is so concerned about the
condition of Douglas on Sunday, tell him to get a yellow jacket
and a sweeping brush!!! I suppose if I was getting £3,000,000 a
year from Douglas in rates and charges I 'd put on a yellow
jacket and brush Douglas seven days a week!
This is the final issue of the Douglas Weekly to be produced from
our office in Shamrock Lawn. By the time you read this article we
will have moved to new offices in St. Patricks Woollen Mills, in
the heart of Douglas. Now my landlord, Denis Murphy, will get the
first copy of the Douglas Weekly every Thursday, and Frank Downey
won't have to cross the road to Douglas Village Shopping Centre
to get his copies. The offices of the Douglas Weekly are situated
in the main office building (next to Betty's furniture) and will
be open 9.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday (or later if you see the
lights on!)
It seems like a hundred years ago since I started the Douglas
Weekly, with four black and white pages). Now, thanks to the
readers and my faithful advertisers, it has reached 32 pages, and
I know from speaking to readers (as one lady reader said to me
"Michael, my week is incomplete without the Douglas Weekly!")
that having a paper in which to express your feelings about local
issues is very important to all our readers.
Thanks to George and Ronnie, and the man from Liverpool, now
living in Douglas, who walked into my office last year and said,
"I'm a graphic designer, I can design the 'Weekly!" By
God Stuart, you were right!! Finally to my wife for all the great
sandwiches everyday.
The world is becoming a dangerous place to live in, especially
when one hears the term, "Holy War" used. Surely that
expression is a contradiction in terms. How can anybody support
the massacre of almost 7,000 innocent people (including almost 2,000
Irish Americans) on September 11th. Now we see children being
primed with hate to continue the "Holy War". How can
millions of people support the Taliban? When they treat all
females with such contempt, no education for female children,
women are forbidden to work, and starve to death when they become
widows. Ordinary people enjoy sport, TV, cinema, a couple of
drinks, nice clothes, a holiday, the things we take for granted,
but others see this as sinful and decedent, and they view our way
of life as offensive to God. Sorry lads, I'll take my chances
with multi-channel TV, a couple of pints, and treating everybody,
including women, as equal. That's the way I want to live, and I
don't believe God finds our way of life offensive.
Finally, get well soon to my friend Tony Healy from Grange
Heights. Tony, I have a cold six pack of Bud in the fridge, it
won't last there much longer. I also have a bottle of good
Russian Vodka, as yet unopened, I'm saving it for your knock on
No. 27.
Bye for now,
Michael O'Hanlon.
P.S. Douglas Camogie Club U12 County Final is on Saturday 13th
October at Ballinhassig at 4pm. Good luck girls!
