2nd May, 2002
Last week was another very busy one in the
Douglas Weekly calender - down to the Bohemian on Thursday night,
where Shane Gannon was renewing their sponsorship of Douglas
Rugby Club. It's good to see local businesses supporting sports
clubs in the area. I took a few photos of the lads from Douglas
Rugby club, and then I saw the staff from Dailys having a drink,
so over I went to discover Andrena (from the Deli Dept.) was
leaving Daily's, so the camera was out again. Then, as I was
leaving, I saw a few girls from Breen's of Donnybrook having a
drink. The reason? Paula, also working in Breen's Deli Dept. was
leaving for the U.S., so out came the camera again. So what begun
as one or two snaps ended up as a montage. I had enough photos to
fill the 'Weekly, and this was only Thursday night!!
On Friday night it was down to Monkstown Gold Club, where a very
worthwhile charity golf dinner was taking place. Well done to
Mike Nolan and the rest of the lads for organising this inaugural
night. Next year it takes place in Northern Ireland. It's a bit
too far for me to travel, but I'm sure Mike will bring back some
photos.
The time was 9.30pm and I still wasn't finished. Next stop, the
Ardmanning Lounge, where a fundraising night was taking place for
Debbie. What a tremendous crowd turned out on the night. Music
was by Anna and the Stardust Band (Anna is Debbie's aunt), then
the Cork City Male Voice Choir appeared, and what a treat! They
brought the house down with their magnificent singing. I met
George and Marie Finglas, Greorge, CAB's super-salesman at
Douglas Road, bought me a rock shady, and then I saw almost all
the waiting staff from the Rochestown Park Hotel. Incidently,
somebody told me that Rochestown Park Hotel's general manager
Liam Lally had given a years free subscription to the leisure
centre as a prize to be auctioned. Mick and Peter from the Grange
Swimmers were there, those lads, together with their friends,
have raised thousands of pound (euros now!) for the children's
Lukemia ward in the Mercy Hospital, and once again they were
there on the night to give their support to Debbies night. I
can't forget another of Debbie's aunts, Sylvia Furlong, married
to Eugene of Whizz Wash, who has worked tirelessly for the past
two weeks in making every event a success. I salute you all, it's
nice to see that when people need support we show them that in
this hectic world people do care. At the end of the night I had
enough photos for two weeks Douglas Weekly's ... and I still
wasn't finished!!
Saturday afternoon was spent watching the Munster Rugby team.
What heart, fire, passion, guts, what more can I say, except roll
on May. Hey, I'm a poet, and I don't know it!! After the rugby
match it was down to O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bar for some
facepainting photos, I still wasn't finished. Sunday morning,
back down to Whizz Wash for some more photos, this time a crazy
one, but all in good fun, and for a worthy cause.
In last weeks piece I forgot to mention that Deirdre Forde, MCC,
and I joined Micheál Martin, TD, Minister of Health and
Children, for a short walk on Maryborough Hill. We all know how
busy this stretch of road is. My daughter and her family live in
Lisadell. It's a miracle that nobody has been seriously injured
or killed on this stretch of road. Most of you know it, it's the
bit without a footpath on either side. I'm told that the owners
of this patch of grass want, wait for it, £1,000,000!! One
person asked m not to mention it as talks were at a "delicate
stage" with the county council. I don't care about talks, I
care about the lives of my grandchildren and your children as
they walk on this potentially lethal stretch. What shall it a
profit a man if he gains the world, and loses a child. What
price, a child's life?
Get well soon to Catherine O'Sullivan from all her family,
friends and customers. Catherine has been more than a chemist to
generations of Douglas people. My wife, who lived for all of her
single life a few doors down from the O'Sullivans, had more
confidence and trust in Catherine than most doctors at the time.
It's hard to beat the personal touch. Thanks Catherine.
As I drive around Douglas I've noticed that there are quite a few
coloured men who seem to spend their days walking the streets up
towards the refugee centre, and back down again. For God's sake,
would somebody give them work, there's dignity with work, and
everybody, regardless of their creed, colour or race, deserves a
chance in this land of prosperity. I know the feeling, having
spent a year on the dole, waiting for the postman, hoping he had
a letter which contained the offer of an interview. It's soul
destroying, as bad as watching a Samuel Beckett play, or
Oireachtas report!! The hotels are crying out for staff, but the
state won't give these people a chance to prove themselves. How
quickly we've forgotten the coffin ships of 1848, sailing to
America, where our forefathers were given a chance. Let's do the
same now for our refugees.
I finally gave in and bought an attic stairs, using an old
rattled metal ladder for so long to deposit more of what we don't
want to throw away, but really don't need, became a bit dodgy at
my age (only joking, I'm young at heart!). Where else would I go
to but the Attic Stairmaker. aka. Mr. Plastic, aka. Gary Ryan.
Gary was down with his assistant at 7.00pm, and at 9.30pm the job
was finished - total cost €380 (£299). Now Gary has
launched a new product (see his two page spread this week) and I
believe it's going to be a winner. Gary lives in Douglas, his
business is in Douglas, and what more can I say, except - Support
local!!
Speaking of local, my friend Christy Martin has a big surprise
for all in Douglas and beyond. A fabulous new bedroom furnishing
showroom which will open shortly. I had a sneak preview and it's
like nothing I've seen before. One word, class. Watch this space!
Brendan Heffernan is known to most Douglas people. Known
affectionately as 'Heffo', Brendan is launching a totally unique
and environmentally friendly wall covering next week (see his
spread this week). Give Brendan and Rose a call, you'll be
pleasantly surprised what's on offer.
Finally, this has been a sad week in Douglas. Our deepest
sympathy to the Sweeney family of Rochestown on their tragic
loss, and to the Power family in Shamrock Lawn, and to the
O'Mahony family of Douglas West, we'll miss Mossie in the club, R.I.P.
Bye for now,
Michael O'Hanlon.
