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Vol. 19 No.1 March 2008 Vol.19 No.1 2 February 2008 Vol.19 No.1 February 2008 Vol.19 No. February 2008 www.skerriesnews.ie www.skerriesnews.ie www.skerriesnews.ie www.skerriesnews.ie

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1919Balbriggan Street, Balbriggan Street, 19 Balbriggan Street, Skerries CoCoDublin Skerries Dublin Skerries Co Dublin Tel: 8491706/ 8491760 Tel: 8491706/ 8491760 Tel: 8491706/ 8491760 Fax: 8491860 Fax: 8491860 Fax: 8491860

ALSO INSIDE ALSO INSIDE ALSO INSIDE ALSOINSIDE scheme at Ardla Burial scheme at Ardla Burial at Ardla Burial scheme YOUR BUMPER YOUR BUMPER BUMPER YOUR BUMPER HOUSING AT one Ground deferred for one Ground deferred for one deferred for Ground ISSUE: ISSUE: ISSUE: BURIAL GROUND 52-PAGE ISSUE: month as alternative site at month as alternative site at as alternative site at month Local Planning Local Planning Local Planning Milverton examined Milverton examined GETS GO AHEAD COURAGE AND Milverton examined Skerries Point Skerries Point Skerries Point Some councillors hit out Some councillors hit out Some councillors hit out AS HOME FARM CANNABALISM: update update at the further delay at the further delay delay update at the furtherSUNK CRASH MAN TO OPTIONdetailsinside details inside Map and Dermot Bolger Map and Dermot Bolger details inside Map and Dermot Bolger VISIT SKERRIES Inside: year, thethecouncillors How proposed Group on Skerries on Skerries on Skerries AST year, the proposed Group AST AST year, proposed Group CYCLE ROUTES: Housing Scheme objections; answered your for Travellers atat Housing Scheme for Travellers Housing Scheme for Travellers at Tractor rally Tractor rally Tractor rally Ardla Cemetary was greeted with Ardla Cemetary was greeted Ardla Cemetary was greeted with why alternative localresidentswith was dumped; 3 TRIPSguide horror by many local residents with with horror by many horror by many local residents with Events guide Events TO TRY Events guide relatives houses The concern buried there. The concern relatives buried there. willconcern buried there. The be where relatives submissions with respect the was soso great that 1008 submissions with respect PLANNING was great that 1008 was so great that 1008 submissions with respect toto the scheme were hand delivered to the Fingal LITTLE CHAMPIONS: Local gymnasts, P50 Short stories the scheme were hand delivered to the Fingal LITTLE CHAMPIONS: Local gymnasts, P50 Short stories CHAMPIONS: Local gymnasts, P50 Short stories to the scheme were hand delivered to the Fingal LITTLE Plus:CouncilofficesononAugust 28. Four County Council offices onAugust 28. Four County Travellers viewpoint RAZZLE DAZZLE: UCA dance picture special, P9 APPLICATIONS County Council offices August 28. Four months later at a council meeting on Jan 15th a
months later at a council meeting on Jan 15th a months later at a council meeting on Jan 15th a motion was Tpassed to defer the decisionof Ardla passed defer the meeting on Ardla motion was THEtoto defer decision on Ardla motion was passed Februarythe decision on Fingal toto allow for consideration ofCllr.alternative site. allow for County Councilof an alternative site. consideration of alternative site. allow for consideration anan Ciaran Byrnes to motion to substitute the site, for a ENTERPRISE CENTRE Housing Scheme, at ENTERPRISE CENTRE Traveller Group ENTERPRISE CENTRE The motion Ardla presented by Cllr Ciaran Byrneat was presented by Cllr Ciaran Byrne The motion was presented to another location The motion was in Skerriesby Cllr Ciaran Byrne and the site inFarm was isis onout Milverton land and the site in question is on the of order.land the site in question on the Milverton land and nearby Home question ruled the Milverton recently purchased isby Treasury Holdings to bethe recently purchased now the approved site be recently purchased by Treasury Holdings to be As a result Ardla by Treasury Holdings to for developed by their company Tamorbrick Ltd. developedwork willcompany Tamorbrick Ltd. Dedeveloped by their begin when the Housing scheme and by their company Tamorbrick Ltd. Ciaran Byrne has had a a number of discussions Ciaran Byrne has had number ofof discussions a number Ciaran is ready, probably in a fewdiscussions partment Byrne has had months. with Treasury Holdings and there isis an agreement with Treasury Holdings and there is agreement Holdings and there an with Treasury decision was based on an agreement The Mayors them toto donate some an argument inin principle for them donate some ofof the land principle for them the land in principle sought to introduce a the land some that 10 housesforand anto donatecenter offor the to for Cllr.houses and an enterprise centerVariation and for the for 10 Byrne enterprise for 10 houses an enterprise center for the theTravellers. Fingal Travellers. County Development Plan without the Travellers. necessary motion Cllr Byrne presented was That The motion Cllr Byrne presented was - -- That The notice. The motion Cllr Byrne presented was That In Council resolves: did defer, to the Councils it this Council resolves: To defer, toto the the sort, this fact my motion To nothing of Councils this Council resolves: To defer, the Councils merely pointed out the necessity for the Manager to introduce PAGE a TO PAGE 33 TO such TO PAGE 3 Variation in order to advance the change of ALSO INSIDE: ALSO INSIDE: ALSO INSIDE: site as required under Local Tides Local Tides the legislation, said Local Tides Cllr Planning & Byrne. & Planning

New local site for travellers New local gets green light Ardl sitesite for travellers
on housing Decision on housing Decision on housing Decision TRAVELLER

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Waste treatment plant to be built on site

FROM PAGE 1
Cllr Byrne was subsequently prevented from putting further arguments on this issue after the Mayor made his ruling on the motion. Cllr Byrne who had spent considerable time and effort having detailed plans drawn up for the new site, to show it was a viable option, was visibly upset. His motion was supported by very comprehensive documentation, including maps, site plans and detailed architectural drawings for the Travellers houses, a resource centre for Travellers and improved sewage treatment. He didnt get a chance to present any of it. The argument was that the council was supposed to vote on whether to go ahead with Ardla or not, and not on whether to consider an alternative site. The problem was that they could not vote no to Ardla unless an alternative site had been identified. If the legislation requires that, in order to replace a site for traveller accommodation, another specifically identified site has to be proposed to the Council yet when such a site is put to the Council (in very considerable detail with all necessary documentation) the motion proposing such an alternative is ruled out of order, then the entire public consultation process as well and the logic of the legislation is undermined. The ruling of the Mayor created a Catch 22 situation said Cllr. Byrne. As the Home Farm site had been turned down the Council went on to consider the Ardla site. The councils presentation was read out. 1182 submissions were received in relation to the site. 88 were individual submissions, 1094 were petition letters (of which there were four different types) and 5 were late submissions. All were considered. The report summarised the public concerns into six main issues - the zoning, the site itself, the lack of local infrastructure, the lack of services, the impact on the Milverton Demesne, the site management. Then an explanation of how each issue was considered was given. For the zoning, the report stated that the area has been zoned for years as open space with specific objective to provide for traveller accommodation and also for a graveyard. This was not necessarily a contradiction as there will still be plenty of room to extend the graveyard as the accommodation will only take up a fraction of the land available. As the site is lower than the graveyard the view will not be affected. Only the roofs of the houses will be visible. The travellers have been made aware of the lack of infrastructure and are willing to live with this as the residents already there do themselves. They also do not find the proximity to the graveyard a problem. by the Traveller Accommodation Group and the same will be done at Ardla. Anti social behavior will not be tolerated. The council recommended that the development proceed. Councillor Devitt said, It is up to the management to manage the site and keep it up to the high standard of Lissenhall. We should invite any concerned individuals up to see the other sites. The council is fully committed to make sure is well run and willing to work with residents and the hotel etc to make sure high standards are maintained. Council manager Mr Brady said it is possible in any situation to have problems with new neighbours but the councils housing department is fully committed to problem solving. After some discussion the motion to develop the Ardla site was passed.
READ ON: Travellers life and viewpoint, see Page 8 YOUR VIEW: Email us editor@skerriesnews.ie

TREATMENT PLANT
For the services, there is a water main on the road and a waste water treatment plant will be constructed on site. Surface water will be drained to the stream. The 10 houses will be a half a mile away from the main entrance to Milverton so they do not expect it to cause any problems. There are two large hotels near a similar development on the Malahide road and in Kildare there is a demesne similar to Milverton with traveller accommodation nearby with no averse consequences in either case. For the issue of site management, the council cited the case of Lissenhall and Morgan Place as being well managed

IN THIS ISSUE:
Local news in brief PAGE 5 Local diary PAGE 7 The road less travelled: travellers, in their own words PAGE 8 Razzle Dazzle: Upper Circle Academy dance show pics PAGE 9

Some Gaul: French girls in Skerries PAGE 11 Courage and cannabalism: Andes crash survivors Skerries visit PAGES 13-15 On the boats: exciitment at the lifeboat station PAGES 15-17 Daytrippers: train trip feature series PAGE 19 Cycle routes special PAGE 21 Theatre review PAGE 31 Local kids art colour picture special PAGE 43

The 10 houses will be a half a mile away from the main entrance to Milverton

EYES WIDE SHUT

Skerries News is produced in Skerries by Monument Media Ltd., 1 Ardgillan View, Skerries, Co Dublin. Tel: (01) 849 0629. Email: editor@skerriesnews.ie website: www.skerriesnews.ie

Articles and advertisements do not reflect the point of view of the publishers. All information is taken as correct at the time of going to press. We reserve the right to edit contributions for style and space

Scottish comedian to perform in Skerries. See Diary, page 5

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Around the

TOWN
Community Centre damaged in attacks
DOORS SMASHED, WALLS SOILED
ON the last weekend in January this year, one set of exit doors to the main hall at Skerries Community Centre were smashed in so badly it had to be replaced - at a cost of 7500. On the second weekend in February the shutters on the front door were repeatedly bashed with a large object. It took a number of staff to open the shutter the next morning and when they finally got it up there had been so much damage to the front doors that they too had to be replaced. The bill for this has not come through yet. They have also recently had to pay 3000 to replace the fire extinguishers which had been vandalised in the Old School. The committee has asked for improved CCTV coverage to help combat the ongoing criminal damage. They have also had problems with vandals soiling the walls of the toilets. They would like to call on all members of the community to be more vigilant. Anyone using the old school should make sure that they close the doors so people cant wander in when classes are in progress and all rooms not in use should stay locked at all times. The recent vandalism would have had to have taken a lot of effort and caused a lot of noise. The Community Centre staff would like anyone that notices anything untoward going on at the centre to immediately phone the gardai. BIRD IN HAND: The bird sculpture back in position and, inset,on holiday at Maeves SKERRIES News has had a lot of enquires about the missing Oyster Catcher from the Dowlings Corner Sculpture mentioned in the last issue. Concerned residents will be glad to hear he has now been safely remounted on his perch after enjoying a brief holiday in a conservatory in Skerries. It was reported to the gardai in December that he was loose on his plinth so he was rescued and kept in the station. Then when Maeve McGann of the Tidy Towns Committee made enquires they entrusted him to her for safekeeping. Thus he spent Christmas in the hands of one of the most reliable, loyal and trustworthy citizens in Skerries while awaiting his reinstatement on Dowlings Corner. Our thanks go to those concerned. BARKING UP THE RIGHT TREE: During his visit to Dublin North Minister Gormley stopped off in Skerries to plant a tree in Ardla. From leftDiarmuid OSuilleabhain (ACORN), Trevor Sargent TD, Cllr Joe Corr and John Gormley TD

Action required on the Ballast Pit Path

SENATOR Brendan Ryan has appealed to Fingal County Coucil to address the problem of the dangerous path across the pit that hundreds of commuters are using daily. This problem has been highlighted by local residents and commuters over the years but no-one seems to be listening. Fingal County Council, who own the land, have stated that they are not prepared to carry out any significant improvement until such time as the Ballast Pit development proposals are carried out. It is unacceptable that Skerries commuters and local students will have to endure these dangerous conditions on a daily basis for the next three to four years, he stated. editor@skerriesnews.ie

STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Great to see that, thanks to the new owners of Milverton, the renovations to the St Movee graveyard have finally been completed.

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FOR YOUR

March 2
Mothers Day. Dont forget it! Inis Rua. Traditional Irish music, 12 noon, Skerries Mills

March 3
Exhibition of oil paintings by Anne Quinn, Skerries Mills

DIARY
year the theme is music. It begins at 3pm

ries Rugby Club 8.30pm

March 23
Easter Sunday

March 28
Skerries Sea Scouts 2nd Dublin Skerries 16th Port are having a PUB QUIZ on Friday 28th March in Skerries Rugby Club 8.30pm. Tables of 4 for 40.00

Upcoming Skerries Events

March 6
A short season of talks about sailing for newcomers will take place on Thursday nights in Skerries Sailing Club from March 6 to April 17 at 8.15 pm. (but not on March 13 owing to the club AGM). The talks are ideal for people who have just taken up sailing, or hope to do so. They are free and open to nonmembers. People attending the majority of the talks will be invited to go afloat in May on practical sailing demonstrations. The first talk will be on The Theory of Sailing and will include a short film on learning to sail. Talks on other Thursday nights will deal with: Understanding the Tides and the Weather in Skerries, Starting to Race, Understanding The Flags, Understanding Racing Rules, Sailing in Windy Weather, Sailing in Light Winds, Sailing with a Spinnaker. Contact Gerry Byrne at 841 1190 or info@skerriessailingclub.com

For inclusion, call 849 0629 or email editor@skerriesnews.ie

in aid of Cancer Care. Skerries Rugby Club, 10am to 1pm Contact Pauline ONeill or AnneMarie Gleeson 086 845 9610

March 28
Scottish Comedian Parrot will be appearing at Blue 9pm tickets 12

March 8
Skerries Sea Scouts 2nd Dublin Skerries 16th Port are having a Book Sale 11am - 4pm at the Methodist Church

March 9
Inis Rua. Traditional Irish Music 12.00 Skerries Mills

Dr Roberto Canessa (a survivor from the 1972 plane crash in the Andes that the film Alive was based on - see page 13) is visiting Skerries with a rugby team from Uruguay they will play Skerries RFC as part of their tour. Old Christians v Skerries RFC, 12.00 - 3.00pm, Holmpatrick. Matches against Under 20s and Senior Team.

March 30
Musician Keith Burke supported by The Goods Skerries Mills 12.00

April 11
Holmpatrick National School Parents Association is hosting a fund raising night of Thai inspired cookery demonstration. Margaret Spence of Bespoke Cuisine Cookery School is the guest chef, she trained under Darina Allen and has taught classes at Ballymaloe and published cookery books. Rugby Club 8pm Tickets on sale from Olive Deli or contact Lisa Crean 086-0608663

March 11
Skerries Historical Society meeting - John Harte - Burial Mounds, from Rush to Gormanstown Bus Bar 8.15pm

March 17
Return of the popular Fishing Boats of Fingal exhibition, commemorating the trawlermen, their boats and families (with new material ) Skerries Mills. See Page 44

March 12
Skerries Cycling Initiative monthly meeting @8pm in Joe Mays. All welcome.

March 18
Birdwatch Ireland talk The lovely Insects: Irelands butterflies by Paul Hillis All Welcome Sker-

March 17
St Patricks Day Parade. Every year our parade is getting bigger and better, and is now the biggest parade in Fingal! This

March 7
Daffodil Day coffee morning

THIRD TIMES A CHARM

New tough route for 160 riders; 1,224km route to end in Skerries again
AIMING for a perfect balance between suspense and spectacle, a tough route for the 2008 FBD Insurance RS has been unveiled by the race organisers and should result in another epic clash. Eight days, twenty King of the Mountain climbs and a total of 1224 difficult kilometres await the estimated 160 riders from at least eight countries who will line out in the world-ranked event. A tough finale is guaranteed, with the longest stage of 180 kilometres being followed by a gruelling climbing leg in the Wicklow mountains and then the concluding stage to

Rs returns to Skerries
stage to Ballinamore. Two category three climbs await at Kells and Slieve an gCallaigh and with these also doubling as hot spot sprints, valuable time bonuses will be up for grabs and could well determine who wears the first yellow jersey. Day two covers 167.5 kilometres between Ballinamore and Claremorris and follows flat, fast roads. ATTACKING There is one category three ascent at Slieve Gamph, and the stage will see plenty of attacking and tactical racing as the rides slug it out for the honours. Stage three should see the climbers come to the fore due to the inclusion of a gruelling first category climb less than eight kilo-

Skerries, which always results in flat-out racing to the line. The 2.2-ranked event begins in Navan on Sunday May 18th with a 142 kilometre

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

The road less travelled . . .

SEEING ALL SIDES: In the midst of the Ardl settled housing row, we took time out to check in with Pavee Point to try and find out a little of the travellers view

FBD Rs 2008: 1,224km all the way to Skerries

FROM PAGE 7
metres from the finish. The race runs 131 kilometres between Claremorris and Lisdoonvarna and crosses both the third category ascent of Ballinalacken and then the crucial final ramp, the afore-mentioned Doonagore climb, which is a particularly steep ascent close to the Cliffs of Moher. The day is likely to have a very important effect on the race. Day four takes the riders 155.6 kilometres from Corofin to Tralee. After a flat first half, the peloton will face three category three ascents at Barnagh Gap, Glanshearoon then a fast run to the finish. Tralee to Skibbereen is the next stage, a 141 kilometre mountain leg which could have a big effect on the bunch. There are five big climbs to cover, including the category two ascents of Farranfore, Ladies View, Molls Gap and Turners Rock, plus the category three Derrycreha. The following day from Skibbereen to Clonmel, the longest stage of the race, is a torturous 180 kilometres of undulating roads to Mitchelstown and then fast, flat roads to the finish on OConnell Street in busy Clonmel. It is followed by another very long stage of 177 kilometres from Clonmel to Roundwood. As this stage features some very serious climbing in the final hour it is likely to be one of the most decisive days. The final stage takes the riders 130 kilometres from Newbridge to Skerries and features four category three climbs. These are Pluckhimin, Cross of the Cage plus the Black Hills climb, which will be covered on each of the two finishing circuits. The peloton will battle it out right until the final kilometres, guaranteeing an exciting finale to this years RS on Sunday 25th May.

In their own words:

ON FAITH
Travellers are very religious. I love a lot of blessed pictures and statues and plenty of holy water in the place. If I miss Mass it takes a lot out of me. Travellers believe in ghosts - it gives us an idea that theres life after death. - Kathleen McDonagh HE Traveller accommodation crisis means that nearly 1,000 Traveller families still live on the roadside in appalling conditions without access to water, sanitation and electricity. Many other Travellers live in official accommodation that is poorly serviced and maintained and often situated in unhealthy or dangerous locations. This has a direct negative effect on Traveller quality of life and how Travellers can access healthcare, education, social welfare and other services. Much of the thinking behind the provision of Traveller accommodation, particularly at local level, continues to be based on assimilationist approaches. This approach wrongly identifies the existence of Travellers as the problem

and sees the settlement and absorption of Travellers as the solution. In 1995, the Task Force Report on Travellers, recommended that 3,100 units of accommodation be provided for Travellers by the year 2000. It recommended 2,000 units of Traveller specific accommodation be provided and 900 standard and group housing. To date 251 units of Traveller specific accommodation has been built while 757 houses have been provided. This would indicate that an assimilationist approach prevails and settling Travellers in houses remains a priority for local authorities. The lack of provision is compounded by prejudiced objections to Traveller accommodation by settled residents. www.paveepoint.ie

ON FREEDOM Travelling - I was all my life at it. Id still rather be travelling around. Im always thinking of it. It was a better and a nicer time on the road - more freedom. I cant do the things today that I could do on the road. Id walk out the door this minute if Id anywhere to go. - Nan McDonagh ON SETTLING Ive done my life travelling and a happier time I never had. When I die Ill be in with the most respectable in Ireland and Ill lie with them and well all be the same. Yet people dont want to lie beside each other in good health - I cant understand it. -Paddy McDonnell.

READ ON: New series on family day trips from Skerries starts on P19
8

IN STEP

Local dancers show their talent

DANCE CRAZE: Pics taken in rehearsals from left - Shane OConnell, Chicago girls, Jack Canavan, Polar Bear Kids, Step into the Bad Side boys, Golden Girls, hip-hop girls, All That Jazz, Amy Collins and Oisin Dunne Pics: Emily Diebold

Razzle Dazzle
The kids of Upper Circle Acad Academy dazzled audiences with three days of performances of their show Dance off And Drama. The choreography was inspired, the dancing was excellent, the skits were funny and all the kids were obviously enjoying themselves.

10
9

VOICES FROM ABROAD

A regular chat with some of the people from around the world who have chosen our town to live in, with our man Bill ONeill
How long have you been here? Marie: Im arrive in September, so since then. Cecile: I have been here six months since September. Do you like it? Marie: I like it. You can meet a lot of people. It is very beautiful. But late in the evening when I come back home, there are a lot of men drunk, old men. I am not relaxed. But in day it is good. Cecile: The first time I was looking around. I thought, beautiful with the sea and everything an the people is always good with me and smiling. I was very surprised about the pubs; Irish people always go outside the home to take a drink, it is not the same in France.

New neighbours
TWOS COMPANY: Marie (19) and Cecile (25) are from France

Some Gaul
Its a French twist with our latest visitors to Fingal
What is family life like? Marie: If the family live in the same village they will have Sunday dinner; but in mine, families only get together for occasions. Cecile: I was walking every Sunday in the forest with my parents, and we had dinner together. mother. I have a brother but lives in the city. I live with them when I am in France. Also, I have a crazy grandmother, from my mother; and my grandmother and grandfather from my father. Cecile: I have one brother. I never knew my grandfather from my father; and my grandfather from my mother was dead at five years ago. What is your town like compared to here? Cecile: Here I have sea, good shops and pubs . . . in my town there is only one shop like Supervalu. It was countryside, now you want to buy a house you spend a lot, like this town. But people . . . you say hello an they look strange at you, not like here. Marie: My place is smaller and people.... you cant talk to them easily; you have to know them. It is not charming like here! you a drink. Marie: No, my life is not very different, not really. Just about the food. I miss my country for the food . . . for the cheese! Do you have a good social life here? Marie: Yes, we meet a lot of people from different countries. I am very friendly with my host family, my employer, and their friends. Cecile: Some people speak too fast and that is difficult for us. Will you stay here or go back to France? Marie: I want to go back home because I have some projects for my future. I would like to be a nurse, meet someone to marry. Cecile: I would go back for food and weather but guys here are interesting . . . maybe I could meet someone and stay . . . ha-ha-ha-ha!

Late in the evening when I come back home, there are a lot of men drunk, old men. I am not relaxed
So, where are you from in France? Marie: I am from France, in the north-east of France, a little village called Colombe-y-lesBelles. Cecile: I am from France, north of Paris called LOise; 60 kilometres from Paris and . . . em . . . my town is called Breuil-le-Vert. Is your family still there and how many in your family? Marie: Yes, my father and

I never knew my grandfather from my father; and my grandfather from my mother was dead five years ago
Is your life very different here to where you are from? Cecile: There people buy you a drink, they dont ask anything, they pay. In France nobody buy

11

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MIRACLE MAN

Crash survivors epic journey

Out of the Andes

In 1972 Dr Roberto Cannessa and his rugby team mates were forced to resort to extreme measures to survive brutal conditions after their plane came apart high in the South American mountains. Few of them lived. This month, Roberto is coming to visit a local rugby club and one lucky community school - before an appearance on The Late Late Show
HERO of the great Andes survival of 1972, Dr. Roberto Canessa will visit Ireland with his Old Christians Past Pupils Rugby team from Uruguay as part of an Irish and UK tour. The tour, from March 11th 18th will include matches against Lansdowne Football Club Under 20s and a Senior Team on Saturday 15th March, and an Under 20s and Senior Team match against Skerries RFC on Monday 17th March. Dr Canessa will be on the Late Late Show that week. He will give a talk at a luncheon at Croke Park on Wednesday 12th March and he will also be visiting the lucky 4th, 5th and 6th year pupils of Skerries Community College on March 14th. AMAZING The amazing story of his survival was told in the infamous book and subsequent film Alive. Dr Roberto Canessa, then 19 and a second-year medical student, shouldered the burden of taking care of his 27 fellow survivors and attempting to get them rescued After almost a week living in temperatures of -30C, with no food except a single square of chocolate, a pot of jam and a tube of toothpaste, Dr Canessa and his companions realised the only way they could survive was by eating the bodies of their friends who had died when their Fairfield F-227 jet had crashed.

FOUR days after the rescue, a Santiago paper alleged that the survivors became cannibals to ward off starvation. The group confirmed that they ate human flesh at a press conference two days later. All the survivors were aged between 19 and 26 except a 36 year old business man. Roberto Canessa made an unsuccessful bid for the Uruguayan presidency in 1994. The story of the ordeal was published in a book called Alive! by Piers Paul Read. A film based on the book was released in 1993, starring Ethan Hawke. Fourteen of the survivors retraced their fateful flight route on the 30th anniversary in 2002.

The group - mostly aged between 18 and 21 and members of a Uruguayan rugby team - lived on human flesh for 72 days. It fell to Dr Canessa to supervise the dissection of the bodies, which was done with pieces of broken glass. In later interviews he said We knew it was crazy and repugnant but there was no alternative. If we had not done it, we would not be here today. In fact, the remaining survivors all made a pact that they were willing for their own bod-

ies to be eaten if they died. I would have been happy to feed my body to my friends, Dr Canessa said. We were driven by the will to live. It was a great act of friendship. TRAPPED Ten days after the crash they heard on a portable radio that the search had been called off. Then an avalanche smashed into the plane. Those who escaped desperately fought to rescue the trapped - but eight people died

under the snow. It was their lowest ebb. With people continuing to die around them, they had to make up their minds whether to sit and wait for death or to make one last desperate attempt to get help. Dr Canessa and fellow survivor Nando Parrado set out across the treacherous jagged peaks wearing only jeans and jumpers, with plastic bags and football boots on their feet. For food they carried small parcels of human

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FROM PAGE 13
flesh. The odds against them making it were incredible, yet somehow they did. On the brink of exhaustion they stumbled down from a mountain plateau and found a startled Chilean peasant tending his cattle. We have come from a plane that fell in the mountains, they told him. Their survival, and the rescue of their 14 remaining companions, remains one of the great miracles of aviation history. For Dr Canessa, now a father of three and a leading cariologist, who lives with his wife Laura in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo, it put the rest of life in perspective. Up there in the mountains with nothing, you learn about the important things in life like friendship and generosity and bravery and determination. HORRORS Outwardly, Dr Canessa and his fellow survivors seem remarkably untouched by the horrors they went through. They found comfort by being with each other and still do, meeting every year on the anniversary of their rescue. We discovered the worthlessness of materialism when we were stranded on that mountainside, one survivor, Coche Inciarte, said. We used to light our cigarettes with dollar bills. It was the only paper we had. To me, money is still just paper. Not long ago, Inciarte won 1.7million in the Uruguayan lottery. He gave most of it away. For years afterwards, some survivors found it difficult to sleep; in the mountains, if they slept for more than 20 minutes at a time they risked dying from frostbite. But Dr Canessa never experienced insomnia or nightmares. The only dreams I have had since, he said, have been dreaming that my friends were still alive. I did not want those dreams to end.
Limited tables for Dr. Roberto Canessas presentation lunch at Croke Park at 12.30pm are still available at 125 per person or 1,000 for a table of 8. To make a reservation please contact Jacinta ORourke on 086 803 3053 or jacinta@2mail.ie

ALL ABOARD: Young Sam, Jona and JessIca Diebold on the Skerries lifeboat which serves both Skerries and Rush with a maximum range of some 45 miles

Women and children first O

ne sunny Sunday morning in February, MARY Courtney, press officer for the Skerries Lifeboat Station, invited us around for a tour. When we arrived the boat had just launched on a training run with a crew of three - Colm Collins, Simon Shiels and Paul Lundy - so we were invited into the control room for a cup of tea and quick chat with chairman Brian Carty. He explained that there has been a life boat station in Skerries on and off for the last 102 years. Whilst we were there the mayday distress beacon signal went off a couple of times but there were other stations closer to the situations. Last year the Skerries boat was called out 32 times. It has already been called out four times this year. The last time was on Febru-

It was all go on the day that Emily Diebold and family called in to the Lifeboat Station

ary 14 when the trawler, 'Paramount' was on tow from Kilmore Quay to Kilkeel. Skerries and Howth RNLI were both called in when the trawler began taking on water. Working in conjunc-

tion with Skerries Firebrigade, crews from both rescue services were able to work together to ensure the safe passage of the crew from the 'Paramount' and the tow boat. The Paramount had been taking on water for some time, but it was only when she was off Skerries that the crew realised the potential danger regarding the amount of water coming onboard. The Howth lifeboat provided pumps to start bailing out the water and the Skerries Lifeboat stood by and provided assistance. It was quickly established that one pump was not going to be sufficient so Skerries Fire Brigade, were called to provide valuable assistance and extra pumps. The Skerries boat ferried the pumps from the harbour at Skerries to the ailing trawler with the aid of Skerries volunteer Lifeboat crew and

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TO THE LIFEBOATS!

RNLI on exercise

FROM PAGE 15

Fireman, Willie Boylan. Just as we were discussing him, Willie Boylan himself, joined us in the control room with his young child who was busy crawling up and down the stairs. He has been a helmsman for 15-16 years. We asked him if it was hard work to be both a volunteer fireman and on the lifeboat crew and he said it was getting harder due to family pressures but he really enjoyed both positions. There is a lifeboat launch every Sunday to train all the different crew members and there is ongoing assessment every Thursday. They often do exercises with the helicopter and practice with a body in the water. There are many trawlers in the area in poor condition. One of them actually sank last year but luckily there were no fatalities. Brian Carty explained that years ago most of the crew

LOCAL HEROES: From left- the gear, Simon Shiels and Paul Lundy with Jessica Diebold, Willie Boylan (lifeboat and fireman), Liam McMahon (crewman and artic explorer) and his dog

would have been on boats all their lives but in modern times this is not the case, so rigorous training is needed. There is a big RNLI training pool in Dorset in England and they can practice rolling the boat right over in it. Then the interview was interrupted by the call that the tractor was needed as the boat

was coming in so we all went out to watch. As usual there was quite a crowd, including other crew members, already gathered. The sight of the huge tractor and cage rolling into the water is really impressive. The crew were practicing docking in the cage so the boat went in and out numerous times before finally being pulled out of the

water and hosed down. This happens most Sundays. Just look out for the Lifeboat in Operation sign. It is definitely worth checking out. The kids certainly loved it!
Skerries Lifeboat is wholly supported by voluntary donations and fundraising in Skerries, Rush and Loughshinny. If you would like to help, email info@skerrieslifeboat.ie

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FAMILY OUTINGS WITHOUT THE CAR OR THE FUSS EVERY ISSUE

DAYTRIPPERS

Looking for a fun, hassle-free way to spend a day out with the kids? Leave the car at home along with the backseat arguments as, for the next few issues, we follow a family on various day-return journies, destination happiness!
PARTY OF FIVE: (left-) Our family makes its way along the river from the station to W5. Fun? Guess

TOP OF THE TOTS: Our little reviewer tries out a musical exhibit at Belfasts W5

Belfast Child
ED been hearing about Belfasts W5 interactive exhibition centre for years but had never actually been there. It just seemed too far, like too much trouble. In fact, its an easy family day trip out of Fingal that doesnt require the car. We took the regular mainline rail train to Drogheda then changed for the 10.06am Belfast train and arrived just before midday. Its about a 15 minute walk along the river to the Odyssey Centre which houses the W5. W5 stands for Who, What, Where, Why and When. It is an interactive discovery centre for children and young teens. There was so much to do that our four, aged 13, 10, 9, and 6,

were engaged from the minute we paid our admission fee - so busy, in fact, we didnt think of lunch until 2.30pm. Even then the queues at Pizza Hut and the American Diner were pretty long. Its probably better to bring food to have in the large open area on the second floor with big leather couches and views over the Lagan. We ate at a bar/restaurant called Buddha, right next to the W5 entrance. The food was nothing special burgers, plaice, lasagne, chips,

cokes - and it was by no means quick or cheap either, but it did the job. After eating we went straight back in and they were all reluctant to leave for the 6.10 train home. VERDICT: Quite expensive all in all, but it something completely different and the kids loved every bit. TIPS: Bring books, comics, travel games and snacks for the train.

DAMAGE:
Family return train ticket: 74. W5 entry (2 adults/4 children) 42.50. Lunch at Buddha: 55.

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RUSH, LUSK AND SKERRIES

TS that time of year again; the evenings are longer and the weather more pleasant. So its a great time to discover our local countryside, and enjoy what it has to offer. The fresh air, the beautiful views, and changing flora are a tonic for the senses and the soul. The area between Skerries, Rush, and Lusk contains a warren of small roads to explore whats on offer. They are relatively free of traffic, making them suitable for family cycling. Here are a few routes you might like to try. While you are at it, bring a picnic. Safe Cycling 1. Skerries to Ardgillan Castle (10km, Hilly - mostly downhill)

Beautiful by bicycle
junction turn left. Cycle a little over 1km to the Skerries Lusk road and the railway tunnel. Go under the tunnel and across the roundabout. Continue on to the crossroads at the Golf links road. Turn left back to the Mills. 2. Rush to Rogerstown Estuary (6km, Flat) Bring a pair of binoculars to enjoy the antics of the birds at Rogerstown bird sanctuary. From the centre of Rush, head towards the harbour, keeping left at the nearby Y-junction. Pass the harbour, following the road into Tower Street. At the end of Tower Street, veer right. Lambay Island will be to your left. Continue through a set of bollards at Tayleurs Point housing estate. Cycle on to a cul de sac, and take it to a car park. You will have to dismount and walk down a bank to the car park. After exiting the car park, take the first turn left opposite the school. Continue cycling through three crossroads until you come to a T-junction. Turn left into Dalys Lane and at the top of the lane go right. This takes you to a yield sign at the sailing club, turn right. Once you pass the club the estuary comes into view. Continue to a stop sign, and turn right onto the Channel Road. Cycle on for about 1.5km, keeping right at the church, to take you back to Main Street. 3. Lusk to Baldungan (10km, A little hilly) Enjoy a very rural cycle to medieval Baldungan Castle, and enjoy the panoramic views. On the bypass from Skerries to Rush, go left off the Raheny roundabout. Cycle on for 1km to a junction; keep left staying on the main road. Soon after, you will pass over the railway track. Cycle the twisty road for about 2.5km to a T-junction and turn left. About 1.5km further is Baldungan Castle. To return to Lusk, continue past the castle and descend a hill to a crossroads. Turn left and cycle on for about 2km to a junction where you go left. Less than 1km further is a T-junction, turn left again. Follow the road to the right to take you back to the Lusk bypass.
For more local routes, check out By Bike from Skerries (proceeds to Skerries Cycling Initiative). For more, Leisure Cycling Near Dublin contains 40 routes. (Both books at Skerries Mills and Bookshop)

Experience the Victorian era and magnificent gardens at Ardgillan Castle From Skerries Mills, turn right to take the Golf links road. Cycle on for about 1km to pass the golf club. Continue to a T-junction with red barns facing you, about 1.5km further. Then turn right and cycle for 1km to the Skerries Lusk road. Turn right, and take the nearby left at the sign indicating Ardgillan. Continue for 2km, passing St Mobhis graveyard and a left turn, until you come to a T-junction. Turn left for Ardgillan, its about 500 meters. To return to Skerries, cycle back the way you came, but continue straight on at the junction. The road descends to Ardla graveyard. Pass the cemetery, and at the next

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Cycle into spring with these scenic routes around Skerries, Lusk and Rush by cycling aficionado and author Hugh Halpin

Get on your bikes

ride
and
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Tales from a local typewriter

Can you write? Are you from Rush, Lusk or Skerries? Please send us a typed story or recollection of 800 words or less, to the email or postal address on Page 3. The best will be published each month on this page

LIKE hundreds of other young Waking to the smell of a hearty fry-up a minimum of fuss at seven lads back in the 50s and 60s, I o'clock in the morning, but not joined the Christian Brothers at welcome treat for most of us, but for without having partaken first of the age of 13. a final brisk, hearty breakfast (I Kevin OMalley it recalls whispered No, I don't mean I enrolled couldn't help but think of the questions on dark, early mornings . . . in the local CBS. I mean I prisoners on Death Row). This actually joined the Brothers. way there would be no And two years later, at 15 disruptive and prolonged you willing to undertake a life quietly expelled. years of age, long before my goodbyes, no awkward of Poverty, Chastity and I was determined not to let voice had even broken, there I Obedience? Yes, Brother. explanations, no appeals or my family down by doing was, dressed in the full garb Where do I sign? anything that would lead to my reprieves, no changes of heart. the black soutane, the white Life in Baldoyle was all I being sent home in disgrace. As Just the short, sharp shock as MAGINE a bird with a happen. Suddenly the crocodile opened his dog-collar and the oversized laugh like a the boy in question donned his had hoped it would be.by HUGH HALPIN each night There I lay on my bed hyena. What! you rosary beads. I remembermight cry, sure camaraderie of black suit for the last time, was the waiting for sleep, the oft- jaws and, SNAP, caught the kookaburra in birds prefer really a his mouth. But as hememories into the thinking: I'm not to sing, and anyway hy- school life,the crocodilesquotedto snackfrom the Gospel packed his swallowed greedily, Now with a liked words on boarding enas are ugly, nasty things, birds are of new friendly faces the Kookaburras long beak got caught Christian Brother. I'm just variety would ring in my kookaburra, finding the birds very tastyears: No man, suitcase and was bundled into in dressed upWell, there is a bird thatand a babel of unhoned accents.very agile his hand to the plough the waiting not. as one. sounds the reptiles throat. taxi, still under indeed. They were putting and skilful and looking on an likeBut I was but more an a bird. There was the comforting and could sneak up back, is fit for the crocodile coughed and spluttered a hyena, no looks like Meet The cover of darkness. tree climbers, impostor than the other lads The the tree, but couldnt regularity strict times for kingdom so quick, the Laughing Kookaburra of the Australian of unsuspecting bird and nab him of God. as he descended driver, presumably used who were joining in their to being summoned thereor down. classes, for study, for thing wouldnt have time to caw games, tropical rainforest. move the feathery obstruction up at this the poor droves well over aof a rook, with whitish and, of course, for hundred hour,His friends tried to help, by would probably note the for meals caw for help. DISTANT SOUND Its about the size every year in Ireland alone. unspoken tension and tearful prayer. There were 3-day I never knew just what it was plumage and brown on its face and wings. slapping him on the back Not that it would do any good, And when I joined, it was retreats in total and absolute that woke me up a few seconds shame and drive his fare to They are whim. I joined exotic looking, not particularly with their great leathery because crocodiles were the the bell every morning. not on a Amiens Street train station silence. before but what makes them special is their infec- seemed to mind too the tropi- presentiment of some undisputed kings of Was it a because, well, mainly because without a tails, all to no avail. The word. Nobody tious chuckle. Brother, with crocodile got to be tercal rainforest. All the sort? Or maybe it was just the other the Recruiting What must it be like into a a much that all incoming and Around sunrise and sunset, the outgoing creatures were terrified his slide show depicting life in combined mail was opened, that faint, distant sound of the bell boy in such rible state and began a position? What efforts of the Kookaburras was like a money was not allowed being picked up before it was the Juniorate in Baldoyle, sound pocket thoughts mustchoking. churn through of them, and so they so persuasive witches celebrating orpower- had visits from convention of and sincere. a that we should. His the his mind as he sits in friends rung in the dormitories. ful Do you want to save your the family only once a month.a nasty new spell. From way up in trees, thought he was But one particular morning I carriage, looking with unseeing They were immortal soul? Of course. Are Those boys bunch, object or eyes out the window asto die, and their deafening laughter echoes throughout who didall mouth and was woken up by something going the tail. train chugga-chug-chugs its to else. The the forest, drowning all other sounds. even disobey were one evening a lone unmistakable smell drew straws However, way back home, back to the old deemed not to havetheof rashers,asausages and black see who would kookaburra sat on bough of reality? What questions will he a true vocation and white DEADLY eat him. The mangrove tree thinking his bird-pudding being fried now face? What whispered and were wafted in through the open But there was a time when kookaburras greedy crocs like thoughts and watching the promptly window of my cubicle from the remarks will he half-overhear? didnt laugh at all. Like the rook, they would eat sun setting to the west. This ridiculous, pathetic- each and kitchen below. screeched a coarse, caw caw, in their own other, given It was a beautiful evening and looking figure dressed like a This, I knew, was not for the characteristic way. Back then, they had a the contented bird was enjoying the Top Table. It priest, but not oldhalf a chance. enough to be Brothers at the deadly enemy which gave them reason not Of course occasion, minding hiswas, by an hour, much too early a priest, with the flicker of they own business. A to laugh. So what have they to laugh about hungry crocodile spotted that. No. Thisout youthful exuberance suffered from gone from for him, slipped earlynow? you might ask. morning ripple, and of the water without causing a fry-up meant only one his weary eyes forever. TO Well, long ago in Australia, nature was thing: climbed the mangrove tree. some boy was leaving. P25 Kevin OMalleys book Inside, very different to what it is today. There He crept stealthily, notTradition was that any boy cracking a twig about life in the Christian Brothers who was leaving was were no people, fish walked on land, repis on sale in Reddins Stationers or even rustling a leaf. The kookaburra voluntarily and Skerries Bookshop tiles could fly, and crocodiles climbed trees. blissfully unaware of or otherwise did so with the what was about to

The Tale of the Food for thought Laughing Kookaburra

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terrible indigestion. As you can imagine, the Kookaburra himself was very uncomfortable lodged in the crocodiles throat. He tried to dislodge his beak by pulling as hard as he could, adding to the crocodiles discomfort. Eventually, his efforts paid off after a great big pull, and his beak broke loose with a pop. The activity of the kookaburra irritated the crocodiles throat, and he started coughing like somebody on sixty cigarettes a day. Suddenly, the bird was shot free in shower of spit and feathers. With difficulty, he managed to open his sticky wings, covered in crocodile saliva, and fly, rather uncertainly, to a nearby tree. The kookaburra tried to catch his breadth and pull himself together; after all he was very lucky to be alive. Then it dawned on him that he, a puny bird, had nearly killed a crocodile. What an absurdity, he thought, and chuckled to himself.

BEYOND PLOUGHED MORE AREA IN ONE RALLY PROUD? THE BLARNEY: LIKE .

CONTIMUED FROM PAGE 23

The truth about St Patricks Day

BY LUIS-COURTNEY JONES

F course, we all know St Patricks Day is really just an excuse to watch the local parade on the weekend with the kids and head off to the pub for a few well deserved pints on our extra day. Its the same every year and this year will probably be no different. Do we take St Patricks Day for HYSTERICAL granted? Probably. But there are some His chuckling got louder and louder as the things you probably didnt know about thought sunk in, rising above the evening Irelands favourite Saint. For instance: sounds of the forest. His friends, seeing St Patricks Day is observed on March the absurdity, began to laugh too, and soon 17 because it is believed that he died on the rainforest echoed with the hysterical March 17, 461 AD. A celebration of laughter of all the kookaburras. Irish culture here, St Patricks Now the proud crocodiles didnt see the Day is also a provincial holiday funny side at all. Why should they. They in Newfoundland and Labrawere supposed to be the most powerful dor, in Canada. creatures in Australia, proud kings of the St Patrick was not rainforest. So they slunk into the water, Irish, he was born to too embarrassed to show themselves. They wealthy parents in 385 gave up climbing trees after that, because AD on Britains west coast, the other animalsthe raffle. Signs to warn traffic were put up by sandwiches and would only jeer, Hey most likely Banwen, Wales. the Loughshinny Motorcycle croc, mind that kookaburra! Club. A garda escort was arranged. At 16, he was captured by Irish All the collecting buckets were supplied. To this day in Australia, kookaburras remarauders under Niall of the The party afterwards sun rises and at the Nine Hostages and count the story when the was organisedsets; Man OWar. Each sold into tractor to take till paid 20 to the fund. and they laugh parttheir bellies ache. As Between tractors, Irish sheep slavery to an buckets and raffle, some 7,500 the raised for the crocodiles, they sink into wasdank and there was still farmer. He escaped when he more money coming in. water in embarrassment, just showing their was 22, spent 12 years in a I would like to thank all the people that gave money and the shifty eyes above the water line, hoping monastery, then drivers and tractor owners. Also the Garda patrol from Lusk; returned in they wont be Motorcycle Club and everyone that 30s as a Christian mishis helped out,said Loughshinny seen. sionary. He died Barney, laughing kookaburra to http:// Hear the presenting the chequeat: Dee Kinane form the Hospice. at Saul and is buried at Downpatrick. www.anbg.gov.au/sounds/kookaburra.au
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St Patricks real name was thought to be the very Welsh Maewyn Succat and Patricius was the Roman name, later familiarised as Patrick. Far from being a saint, until he was 16 Patrick considered himself a pagan. After his return to Ireland, St Patrick was invited to Tara by the King of Laoghaire, where he famously plucked a shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity. But, long before Christians, the shamrock was already a sacred plant to Druids. The colour associated with St Patrick was actually blue. Green only became a national symbol in the 19th century. Many US cities have bigger St Patricks Day parades than we do - some held the Sunday before March 17. Some cities even paint the yellow lines on streets green for the day! In Chicago, the river is dyed green. St Patrick is credited with the Leap Year tradition of women proposing. St Bridget even supposedly proposed to him, but he refused. So girls, if youre popping the question, remember that if it werent for our St Patrick, you mightnt be doing it at all.

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TWO LITTLE FRIENDS

Or is that deux amis?

NYA is an 11-year-old Irish girl from Malahide who could only speak a few words of French six months ago. Today, she is bilingual. Her fast track learning has been facilitated by En Famille International, a 30-year-old non-profit organisation based in France that offers long-term exchanges for children aged 9 to 13. Enya has just arrived home from France where she became part of a French family for half a year and met Philomne, her new best friend. The two girls are now in Malahide and it is Philomnes turn to discover the Irish lifestyle and language for six months. They will have an exciting time ahead as Enya readjusts to her previous life and helps her friend settle into her new environment. It sounds a very daunting proposition to send a young child away for so long but Enyas mother Lourdes Costello says it is a very rewarding one. It was very hard at first but they kept in constant contact with Enya. Lourdes did Two girls a similar exchange when she was a girl and Enya from different GIRLSTALK:Enya has two older siblings and cousins that have also and Philomne done exchanges so she had been looking forward countries have to it for a long time. become bilingual together but Lourdes says she will make more of Lourdes says it is a very good age to go, the children are like sponges and absorb the language thanks to a new an effort in the weeks ahead to speak English in the and accent fast, they are also less self conscious house so Philomne gets to be as fluent in English as scheme than older teens. It is easier too in schools as many Enya is in French. have language assistants now. Most children spend years trying to master a language Enya says It was fun I really enjoyed it. The best bit was at school and never come close to Enyas fluency. Wouldnt it be going skiing. nice to learn in six months and be able to really enjoy a language? Because Enya went to France first the two girls speak French For details contact Sylvia 085 849 6045 www.enfamille.com

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email: ciaranbyrne2000@eircom.net

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NCE more, Skerries Theatre Group showed us that we do not need to travel to Dublin to see first-class theatre. And not just because they put a lot of time and effort into their productions. Everything from props to stage design were spot-on. A play should not be judged by the work that went into it but by the impact it has on its audience. Its all down to the acting, which is this case was spellbounding. I sat there not thinking about the machinations of the production, but wondering instead how Maureen (Theresa DArcy) could have put up with single-handedly looking after Mag (Mary Shannon), her mean-spirited, domineering, interfering mother for all those years. Wondering whether she now, finally, had a hope to lead a different life. Wondering also whether her not stirring her mothers Complan so that it is lumpy, and buying Kimberly biscuits, just to spite the old woman, are understandable acts of small-time revenge for a miserable life or an indication that she is not so very different from her mother, after all. This play, written in only eight days by London-Irishman Martin McDonagh is only set in 1989, but it takes us to an Ireland that seems more than just 20 years ago. In rural Connemara, emigration is seen as the main way out of a bleak and oppressive life. Those who remain, or had to return because their bid for freedom abroad went sour, are angry, spiteful, bored, tired of this life and yet clinging to it. I have seen two productions of The Beauty Queen of Leenane, one in 2000 in the Gaiety - and the Skerries production had me far more enthralled. The characters seemed more believable, more possible (frightening in this case). Mary Shannon whinged, whined, and complained her way through the play so annoyingly that you could understand the extremes to which she drove her daughter. The programme notes tell us that she has a background in drama therapy, and maybe she found acting in this play therapeutic she certainly did not flinch from any of the less savoury aspects.

THEATRE REVIEW

THREES A CROWD: (left to right) Mary Shannon, Theresa DArcy, Dave McGloughlin

beauty
Skerries Theatre Groups Beauty Queen reigns supreme, writes Sabine McKenna
who is asked to deliver There was a gripping dynamic first a message to Maureen between her and Theresa and later that same letter DArcy. And what a perforvery credibly got so bored mance - so convincing as the miserable forty-year-old virand annoyed with old Mag that against Patos orders he gin engaged in petty warfare just leaves them with Mag with her mother. So radiant with tragic consequences for with hope and desire when Mag and Maureen. Simon there is the possibility of CREDIBLY BORED: got a little carried away in a romantic liaison with Simon OConnor the scene where he munches Pato (Dave McGloughlin), through a packet of Kymhome for a short while; so berlys (hes the only character full of rage when she realises that her mother spoiled that possibility by burn- who actually likes them) I will never know what mode of transport was used to ing the letter Pato sent from England. So help Pato leave, plus I worried for Simons uncannily like her mother in the last scene - and always in full command of the stage waist line after a fortnight of performances! Even the interval biscuits were well as far as her mother allows her. chosen, Kimberlys and Shortbread Fingers The male performers were not allowed (those who were at the play will know show as much of their personalities, but why!) as one member of the audience they too were well cast and played their quipped, all that was missing was the Comparts well. Dave McGloughlins Pato was plan. The entire experience left me with an a decent, understanding guy, and he shone appetite for more. Their next production, particularly in the scene where he read out the letter he had written to Maureen. Simon another bold choice, is The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garca Lorca. OConnor as Patos younger brother Ray

What a

Mary Shannon whinged, whined, and complained her way through the play so annoyingly that you could understand the extremes to which she drove her daughter

31

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Let sleeping

was already well ahead of Albert by the time I noticed he was missing. We had been tearing across the Nuns Field together, already late for school. The Nuns field was a great place to find frogspawn as it flooded a lot, leaving small pools of water everywhere. Albert would regularly loose track of time staring into pools filled with wriggling tadpoles. And sure enough, on looking behind I spotted him kneeling on the wet grass, staring into a pool of water, fascinated with something or other. The funny thing was that his arch-enemy, Mrs Shiels, our new teacher, was big into pond life too. We could be in the middle of some very important written exercise and suddenly be jolted from our writing by a gasp from Mrs Shiels. She might have just spotted the back legs beginning to show on a tadpole in the classroom tank. The appearance of front legs would produce and even louder gasp. When the first hopping frog jumped up onto the floating polystyrene islands in the fish tank she would go berserk with delight. Ah, come on Albert I shouted impatiently. He was still staring into the pool of water. Well be late for school again, Mrs Shiels will kill us. Will you come on! There was no movement from Albert. He hadnt even heard me. His face was no more than an inch from the surface of the water as he stared intently into the weedy depths. Albert I hollered with increasing impatience, Shes going to kill us if you dont hurry up. Suddenly he became aware of me. Come here Pat quick he pleaded. Wait until you see this lad. I trudged back protesting at being kept late. Albert, ignoring my protests, pointed to a spot about six inches below the surface. Sitting on a rock at the bottom of the pool was a newt. He looked like a tiny lizard, purplish in colour with bumpy skin. He was about twelve centimetres long from his nose to the tip of his long tail. Albert plunged his hand into the

newtslie
AN ALBERT ADVENTURE

Welcome back to Alberts world. Its a world of youthful mystery and imagination, where even the most innocent of situations in his small Fingal town routinely result in the messiest of outcomes. When Albert is around, anything is possible . . .
water grabbing the newt with lightning precision. The creature flailed about in Albert s cupped hands. Its tail occasionally squeezed out between his fingers. The jam jar! Get the jam jar squealed Albert frantically nodding towards his schoolbag. I pulled out the jam jar and screwed off the metal lid. Albert placed his cupped hands over it, dropping the bewildered newt inside. It sat motionless, curving itself around the bottom of the jar like a cat on the hearthrug. Albert held the jar just below the surface of the water until it filled half way. He screwed the lid on tightly. A green-toothed grin filled his face. Holding the jar aloft he raised his voice in triumph. Wait till Mrs Shiels sees this beauty, shell go berserk! Albert I enquired quietly as we pushed through the school gate, do you know what newts eat at all? Nope he replied, totally uninterested. I suppose they eat weeds and stuff at the bottom of the pond. You see Albert I replied while trying desperately to remember. I m sure I heard somewhere that newts eat tadpoles. Albert s face froze. He stared wide-eyed at me

for a second or two then back at the jar. Screwing his nose up against the glass he put on an American drawl. Hes one ugly critter this baby, yep! One ug-ly critter. Id say he could eat tadpoles no problem and lots of em. Then jerking his head away from the jar he said. Tell you what. Well ask Mrs Shiels. She will know. If hes as mean a critter as he looks well bring him back to the pond after school, whadaya say, pardner? That seemed a fair enough plan to me. I headed on at speed with Albert tripping along after me still holding the jam jar up to his face. There was mayhem in the classroom as we arrived in. Two of the teachers had rung in sick and their classes were being divided. Mrs Shiels stood at the top of the room bellowing orders right left and centre. Pick up those chairs.

Move that table quickly! Who in the name of God dropped their coat in the middle of the floor? Albert was still examining the newt. He suddenly noticed that it had kind of yellow spots on its underside. He had screwed off the metal lid and stood holding the jam jar above his head. He was still squinting through the thick glass on the bottom when Mrs Shiels backed into him. A dollop of water sloshed over his face and into his mouth. The shock caused him to spit a jet of water out at high speed. It caught Mrs Shiels just below her chin then rolled down her neck onto her pink cardigan. A look of surprised horror crossed her face. Albert cringed, not knowing what to expect. Empty those tadpoles into the tank Mc Auley and sit down quickly or I wont be responsible for what I do to you Albert flashed a look of terror in my direction. What should he do? If he didnt do as she said and pronto, he was in clear danger of serious assault. However, if he emptied the newt into the tank and the mini monster finished off Mrs Shiels tadpoles? She stood glaring down at him. Empty it now! Mr Mc Auley and sit down! she hissed through clenched teeth. Albert turned on ever weakening knees and poured the newt into the fish tank. Distracted once again by the increasing uproar in the room Mrs Shiels turned away. We took the opportunity to sneak down

TO P37

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Blakes Cross Lusk Tel: 843 8855 Fax: 843 8055

36
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Let sleeping newts lie

to our desks. All we could do now was hope that my memory was faulty, that newts were if fact plant eaters. However, I knew in my heart and soul that a creature that scary looking could not possibly exist on plants alone. From our desks we had a good view of the tadpole tank. For a while the newt didnt move. Just as hope was rising in us, we saw the little monster dart across the tank, grab a tadpole and take him back to his rocky perch. A few minutes later another dart, then another. I felt the heat rising in my collar as it dawned on me what was happening. The creature was clearing the tank of all Mrs Shiels tadpoles. By small break the tank would be empty! Albert dug his fingers into his hair; little beads of sweat were beginning to form on his upper lip. He spread his hands in silent appeal to me for a solution. I had none. Every last tadpole in that tank would soon become the newts breakfast; there was nothing surer than that. Mrs Shiels would check the tank at home time. She would discover her precious tadpoles were missing. There would be an eartearing scream. Staring out at her from his rock table, would be one very fat, very happy newt! We had to get the newt out, and quickly. It was at this point that God sent us a miracle. We heard a knock on the classroom door. Mrs Shiels opened the door and there stood Fr Hogan. In an instant the scowl on her face changed to a submissive smile. The demon we knew changed instantly into a heavenly angel. She stepped out into the hallway to talk to the priest, leaving us unsupervised. Albert stared over at me. He had that wildness in his eyes again, that wildness that always led to trouble. We have to get it out he insisted before it eats every one of them On cue the newt made another dart across the tank. I know we do! I hissed but how? Mrs Shiels had placed the fish tank up on the high windowsill. That way she could be reasonably sure that no marmalade sandwiches or toffee wrappers would accidentally fall into it. Albert s eyes darted rapidly to and from the door. The hum of deep conversation could be heard from outside. He called me over. Cupping his hands over my ears he whispered. Well push my desk up against the window. Ill climb up in it, put my arm in and grab the monster before she comes back in. I was reluctant to do it. Come on he said nudging me with his elbow and winking conspiratorially. I had a sickening feeling that disaster loomed but I knew that I had to do it. It was our only chance. We pushed the heavy desk noisily towards the window. It scraped and squealed in protest on the floor boards. Albert leaped up and in less than a tenth of a second his hand was in, grabbing the newt, pulling it out. As he pulled it out however, the desk tipped. Albert fell backward pulling the fish tank after him. Down it came with a deafening crash on to the floor, smashing into a million tiny pieces. At almost the same moment the door burst open. Hearing the commotion, Fr Hogan and Mrs Shiels barged in. They almost crushed each other between the doorframe in their haste to see what had made the terrible crash. Their jaws went slack in unison when they saw the state of Albert. He was drenched from head to toe. Bits of tank weed, stones and small pieces of polystyrene islands covered his head and shoulders. But like Daniel in the lions den, he was completely unhurt. Mrs Shiels gave the priest a stricken look. Then another miraculous thing happened. Fr Hogan rushed over to Albert all softness and concern. Are you alright there my poor little lad. Youre not cut are you? Come over here and sit down. That must have been a terrible shock, my poor little chap? Albert was taken to sit on the teachers chair! On the teachers chair if you dont mind! Fr Hogan wiped the weed from his head. He then took Mrs Shiels cardigan off the back of her chair and proceeded to dry Albert s hair with it! The boys fell back in their seats in stunned silence. Worse than this, Fr. Hogan began to order Mrs Shiels about. Pick up that bit and that bit , he ordered harshly, pointing at

Albert
the glass strewn all over the floor. The amazing thing was that Mrs Shiels obeyed him like a lamb. Not a whimper of protest passed her lips. The lion was tamed. Words couldnt describe the amazement in the room. That night at the tea table my father said it was something to do with insurance, that while she was out of the room we were not being supervised or something like that. He said Albert could have claimed thousands in compo. I wasnt sure what he was talking about but the compo whatever that was, sure as hell frightened the two of them! Albert, always one to push his luck, asked Fr Hogan would he mind dropping the newt in the river on his way back to the parochial house. A look of disgust crossed the priests face as Albert produced the bloated newt from his jacket pocket. Mrs Shiels shook her head in despair at this little drama until she was told abruptly by Fr Hogan to get a bloody jam jar quick! No mention was made of tadpoles from that day on. The fish tank was never replaced. Mrs Shiels never wore the cardigan again. Nor did Fr Hogan ever let her leave the room again unsupervised. One day we came to a page in out nature book about newts. Mrs Shiels skipped it. In fact she seemed to lose all her enthusiasm for pond life in general. As for newts, we both decided that they were better left alone. By PETER McNALLY

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Albert Gets Me Into Trouble Again!

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EYEY folks! It folks! January seems quiet on was prettythat spring the is uponfront with movie us, the justweather isof a couple looknotable releases, namely and ing brighter Sweeney Todd is the excellent our lovely townandalmost in No Country For Old Men. bloom again. Its a pretty busy February look brighter though month as well with the last few so lets take a look at my pick of matches thisthe Six Nations, the best of month. Easter and of course Paddys Day, dont let it all stop Luis you from catching a few good movCloverfield ies or picking up your Xbox Cert: Tbc controller though, here are my Released: of the best films picks of threeFebruary 1 coming our way soon. Till April IF movies could earn merit on then hype alone then Cloverfield would take the Academy Award for Best Film in a heartbeat. Already a box office smash in the US and shot in the style of a handheld camcorder, JJ Abrams Cloverfield tells the tale of a FANTASTIC FILMS: group of young friends who hold Other on the same night The a party Boleyn Girl that March 7 Out a monster the size of a skyscraper decides IFCO Rating 15Ato smash its way through New York City.

H H

Luis

Your guide to the very best in new movies previewed by LuisCourtney Jones
Queen Katherine of Aragon, in her relentless pursuit of the King. Anne has her sights set on becoming Queen of England and not even her sister can stop her, and, as the sisters battle for the love of a King, one driven by ambition, the other by love, England is torn apart. With the success of the TV show The Tudors, this good piece of period drama is one to watch this spring.

Now, THATS entertainment

But when younger sister Tess die Highmore, Charlie and the (Malin Akerman, last seen in Chocolate Factory), titles. Bad his twin The Heartbreak Kid) captures brother the A monster Simon (Highmore point number the heart of Janes boss George size ofagain), sister Mallory (Sarahone a there, the (Edward Burns) with whom she Bolger) and their Mother Helen use of AI skyscraper is secretly in love, Jane begins (Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds) controlled to reexamine her always-aleave decides toNew York and move support bridesmaid... lifestyle. Also into the secluded old house A SERIOUS period drama DID YOU KNOW: The cast of troops and smash owned by their strange great, its way featuring James Marsden piece starring Natalie Port-their Cloverfield auditioned for multiple (Enchanted) as New York great Uncle Spiderwick. man and Scarlett Johansson as through New Arthur units have parts using scripts from JJ Columnist Kevin, 27 Dresses Unable to explain the strange Anne and hit TVBoleyn,Alias Abrams Mary shows two been dropped York City is actually a very funny movie disappearances and accidents a sisters who are driven by didnt and Lost as the producer their in favour of made to make the heart warm. that seem to be happening on a ambitiouspart of and Cloverfield want any father the uncle to single daily basis, the family blames plot to be known or familys character advance the Boleyn leaked before filming began. hack and 27 Dresses The Spiderwick Chronicles Jared but, when he, Simon and power and status by courting slash Mallory investigate whats reOut March 14 Out March 21 the affections of Henry Tudor approach Jumperof England (Eric IFCO Rating PG-13 IFCO Rating PG ally going on, they uncover the the King which is less Rating: Tbc fantastic truth of the SpiderBana). Leaving behind the Released: country life, the WITH the macho man release ONCE again this month there wick estate and ofthan creatures the simplicity of February 15 impressive that inhabit it. A magical tale of John Rambo at the beginning is at least one classic fantasy girls are thrust into the dangerthan the other BASED on the 1992 science that the whole family can of March, I think it only fair book adaptation and this time ous and thrilling world of court games in the fiction novel by Stephen Gould, that the girls get a chance at a enjoy over the Easter is is comes in the form of The life and what began as a bid series. There Jumper is the story of David film release and 27 Dresses is Spiderwick Chronicles holidays, one to help their family develops also no free Rice, played by Hayden definitely a release for the girls, based on the best selling to check out, into a ruthless rivalry man who roaming Christensen, a young between There yup, its a chick flick. Starring books by Holly Black video game film Anne and that he has a genetic environments discovers Mary for the love of Will Be Blood as he had Diterlizzi, a fans should also the stunning Katherine Heigl and Terry been a fan of Paul common to other RPG games Henry. Although allowswins to abnormality that Mary him Rating: 15A Knocked Up), fantasy adventure for Thomas Anderson's previous and the basic keep an eye outto premise seems Henrys anywhere he wishes. teleport heart first and becomes (Greys Anatomy, Released: February 29 film, Punch-Drunk Love (2002). be to walk around and kill it tells the story of Jane, an idethe child in all of us. for the Spiderwick Soon David bearing him two his mistress, meets another According to Producer JoAnne things in order to find a quest. Jumper named Griffin (Jamie alistic, romantic and completely Peculiar things games also out this illegitimate children, her sister EXPECTED to pick up a few Sellar, happen When you do receive a quest, it Bell) who is ultimately more something start to the film might not even month. Anne,and finds himself involved selfless 20Awards this and a Academy year, have been made seems pointless and dull. Whats in a war that has existed for perennial bridesmaid is the epic the moment the at all if Day(for 27 clever, conniving and fearless There Will Be Blood Lewis declined. good is the great graphics and hundreds of years with a weddings) whose own happy Grace family, than her sister, edges aside tale of family, faith, power and good co-operative mode; the mysterious and Henrys wife, organisation sworn endingon nowhere in sight. both Mary oil set is the incendiary frontier Jared (Fredcontrols too are simple to use. to rid the world of Jumpers Games review of California's turn-of-theWhen it comes down to it, YOUR KNOW: The CINEMA INFO: LOCAL film century petroleum boom. however, the most important DID YOU elements for me are storyline Kingdom Under Fire: crew was allowed to film inside Inspired by Upton Sinclairs and game play, both of which Circle of Doom the Coliseum in Rome for three novel, Oil!, the film chronicles the life and times of Daniel struggle to satisfy in this game. days under the strict condition (Xbox 360) Savoy Cinema Parking:Plainview (Daniel Daya small Directly provide Lewis) Movies@Swords Parking: In the Also: Kids would that no equipment could be Released: February shoppingI centresuggest that fans of the 1 Mill Street across the street thearea if of 13want Pavillions SC club Saturday who, over course you series rent the game before placed on the ground. Shooting Balbriggan between Parties: years, transforms himselfcake a Action RPG They to bring a from Swords Parties: Group across theSunday buy and 45+ to handing was only allowed prospector name Tel: 895 6150 Tel: 690 5377 and 3.30pm down-and-outAlso: Yourand do sweets and bookingsit, if youre not a fan of the call mornings with 6.30am and 8.30am Circle of Doom is the fourth in father, to series as a whole then rates Screens: 7 snack trays and a self-made billionaire the series of 11 titles for the 3600 lit up on marquee Screens: KoF 870 special avoid. and 5.30pm so as to avoid disturbing tourists which proved oil tycoon. 360 and is more similar in game problematic as the only lighting play to Diablo 2 and Phantasy DID YOU KNOW: Daniel permitted was natural sunlight. Star rather than the other KoF Day Lewis accepted a role in the

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Question
I am starting a new job shortly and, due to a disability, I need to buy a car to get to work. Is there a grant available to help with this expense?
where you own the car and arrange for its adaptation but another named person drives it because you are not physically or medically able to drive. If you receive a Motorised Transport Grant while getting the Mobility Allowance, you will become ineligible to receive the Mobility Allowance for a period of three years. You will become eligible again after this period. If you are paid a grant towards buying a car, it will normally be three years before you can get a grant towards replacing it. You may also be eligible for tax reliefs from the Revenue Commissioners under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. satisfied that your case is legitimate and advisable. You must also pass a means test, with a disposable income of less than 18K and disposable capital of less than 320K (not including your home). Deductions are allowed for expenses such as childcare, dependants etc. Unlike legal aid in criminal cases, civil legal aid is not free. If you qualify, you must make some contribution towards costs - a minimum fee of 50 applies if your disposable income is less than 11,500 or if your only income is social welfare. If your disposable income is over 11,500, your contribution will be calculated as 50 plus one-quarter of the difference between 11,500 and your disposable income. You may also have to pay a contribution based on a means test of your disposable capital. The actual cost of providing your legal services is also taken into account. Your local law centre can tell you the contribution that applies in your case. Local law centres are listed under the Legal Aid Board in the phonebook. If you simply want to seek legal advice at this stage, rather than a solicitor or barrister to represent you in court, the same means test applies but the required contribution will be between 10 and 150. If your application for legal aid or legal advice is refused, you may appeal the decision. There are a number of areas that are not covered by civil legal aid, including defamation claims, land disputes, conveyancing, and matters covered by the Small Claims procedure.

Question
I am having difficulty meeting some of my bills after Christmas. Where can I get help?

Answer
HE Motorised Transport Grant is a means-tested Health Service Executive (HSE) payment for people with disabilities who need to buy a car. This payment is also for disabled people who need to have a car or other vehicle adapted in order to enable them to drive and, as a result, earn a living. A grant of up to 75% of the cost may be paid, up to a maximum of 5,020.50. You can apply to the Disability Services Manager in your Local Health Office.To be eligible to receive this grant, you must: - be over 17 years and under 66 years of age * have a disability that impedes your use of public transport * hold a driving licence - be physically and mentally capable of driving * require a car or other vehicle in order to obtain or retain employment or because you live in a very isolated location. It may be possible to get a grant if you are currently unemployed but could take up work if you had a car. Self-employed people may also be able to get a grant. Normally, the grant is payable where you drive yourself. It may be possible to get approval to have a grant paid

Answer
THE Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) provides support to people who need help and advice in coping with debt problems. It provides confidential advice free of charge. MABS money advisors can help you to assess your financial situation, make a budget plan for the future and deal with your creditors. You can access the service in a number of ways. There are 65 MABS offices around the country which provide a face-to-face service. You can find their addresses and contact details on the website or by phoning the helpline. The MABS national helpline number is Lo-call 1890 283 438 (or 1890 BUDGET) and operates Mon - Fri, 9am - 8pm. The MABS website, www.mabs.ie includes an online money management facility and useful information about managing your money at www. itsyourmoney.ie. Its produced by the Financial Regulator and includes information about budgeting, tackling your debts and starting to save.
Compiled by Skerries CIC which provides free and confidential service to the public. Tel: 849 4443. Strand House Clinic (opp. Pasta Pizza). Or LoCall 1890 777 121.

Question
What can I do if I need representation in a civil law court case but I cant afford to hire a solicitor or barrister?

Answer
YOU may be able to get civil legal aid if you meet certain requirements. This type of aid gives legal representation in non-criminal cases. Examples include separation, divorce, maintenance or child custody proceedings, or disputes about contracts or hire-purchase agreements. For you to qualify, the Legal Aid Board must be

40

Sporting Fingal FC launched

NEW football club, Sporting Fingal has just been launched. All eyes will be on the talented squad as they gear up for the big kick off this month. The first home game will be against Athlone on March 16 at Morton Stadium in Santry. The squad is a mix of local talent and other players. Team boss and former Ireland international, Liam Buckley has invested shrewdly in the transfer market, bringing the likes of Phil Byrne from Kildare County, Robbie Doyle and Christy Doran from Dundalk, Jimmy Hussey and Aidan Collins from Shelbourne, Karl Byrne from Plymouth Argyle and Brian Kelly from River Valley. The head coach is John Devine, the former Manchester United and Arsenal star and a fellow ex-Irish international. The

club is currently based in Santry but have plans to build a stadium in Swords. Fingal has a rapidly growing population estimated at 250,000 yet until now has not had its own senior club in the National League. This is an exciting development and it is hoped the independently-financed Sporting

Fingal FC will reflect the values of community ethos, sporting fair play and cultural integration.
GO TEAM: Keen supporter, Counsellor Byrne with football legend, Johnny Giles and head coach John Devine at the launch

TIDE WATCH
01 05:32 11:44
Sat 3.0m 1.8m 18:21 3.0m 0.7m 4.3m 17:05 0.4m 23:52 4.1m 3.8m 0.9m 15:41 3.7m 21:28 1.2m

Forecast for the month ahead

Dublin (North Wall) - March 2008
GMT (+1:00)/GMT (+0:00)

02 00:24 06:57
Sun

1.8m 3.1m 13:13 1.7m 19:50 3.1m 0.5m 4.4m 17:42 0.2m 3.5m 1.2m 16:48 3.4m 22:39 1.5m 0.9m 4.0m 16:31 0.6m 23:16 3.9m

03 01:42 08:11 09 00:31 05:52

Sun

1.7m 3.2m Mon 14:19 1.4m 20:55 3.3m 4.2m 0.4m 12:43 4.5m 18:20 0.2m 3.4m 1.4m 18:14 3.2m 0.8m 4.1m 17:05 0.5m 23:50 4.0m 3.6m 1.2m 14:42 3.5m 20:28 1.4m

04 02:37 09:08
Tue

1.5m 3.5m 15:09 1.1m 21:48 3.5m

05 03:22 09:57 11 01:47 07:15

Tue

1.3m 3.8m Wed 15:50 0.8m 22:32 3.7m 4.1m 0.5m 14:05 4.3m 19:44 0.6m

06 04:01 10:41
Thu

1.0m 4.1m 16:28 0.6m 23:13 3.9m

07 04:38 11:22
Fri

08 05:15 12:03
Sat

10 01:08 06:32 16 00:06 06:43

Sun

4.2m 0.4m Mon 13:23 4.4m 19:00 0.3m 1.6m 3.3m 12:59 1.4m 19:45 3.3m 0.7m 4.2m 17:38 0.5m 3.4m 1.4m 15:25 3.3m 21:13 1.6m

12 02:28 08:02 18 02:34 09:08

Tue

4.0m 0.7m Wed 14:49 4.0m 20:32 0.9m 1.4m 3.7m 15:08 0.9m 21:52 3.6m

13 03:12 08:57
Thu

14 04:06 10:04
Fri

15 05:17 11:28
Sat

17 01:30 08:04 23 00:22 05:49

Sun

1.6m 3.5m Mon 14:13 1.2m 20:57 3.4m 4.0m 0.7m 12:31 4.2m 18:10 0.6m 3.2m 1.6m 16:24 3.1m 22:15 1.8m

19 03:24 10:00 25 01:22 06:55

Tue

1.2m 3.9m Wed 15:52 0.7m 22:37 3.8m 3.9m 0.8m 13:34 3.9m 19:14 0.9m

20 04:05 10:44
Thu

21 04:42 11:23
Fri

22 05:16 11:58
Sat

24 00:52 06:21 30 05:47 12:07

Sun

4.0m 0.7m Mon 13:03 4.1m 18:42 0.7m 3.1m 1.6m 18:45 3.0m

26 01:50 07:29

3.7m 1.0m Wed 14:07 3.7m 19:49 1.1m

27 02:23 08:08
Thu

28 02:58 08:53
Fri

29 03:42 09:50
Sat

31 00:33 07:05

1.9m 3.2m Mon 13:29 1.6m 20:10 3.1m

Caution: High/low water times will vary depending on location. Tides may change in certain weather conditions. Always check for updates before you go. The information here is published WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Both the author and the publisher assume no liability for damages arising from use of these predictions. They are not certified to be correct and they do not incorporate the effects of storms, seismic events, continental drift or changes in global sea level

41

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42

IN THE FRAME

Young painters brush up well

MERIT WINNER: Thomas ORourke (right)

P-P-PROUD AS A PENGUIN: Veronica Faye Watts (9)

Art attack
Environment was the theme for Texaco Arts biggest annual winners
TREVOR Sargent opened the Skerries Art Schools pre-Texaco Exhibition at the Millls. As always the standard was very high. Last year of 5600 entries Skerries Art School won the most awards for any school for the fifth year. There were 140 entries and the four big winners for the school were Darren Finnegan (1), Nathan Joyce (2), Eve McGann (3) and Hannah Byrne (4). For them, there are three family days out - a presentation at the Burlington, then in Belfast and at the Ulster Museum. Its ike the Rose of Tralee, laughed Denise Joyce. There were also 16 merit winners, each presented with a plaque. Trevor, a one-time Texaco entrant, thanked all the artists for being such an inspiration. PLEASED AS PUNCH: Dan Drumm (6) PICTURE THIS: Ran Drumm (8)

43

Pictures: Emily Diebold

OUR TOWN SHIPS AHOY

SKERRIES FROM THE AIR: A view of the town from over the new developments around Kellys Bay. Commemorative A computergenerated image of the the new shopping centre can be seen in the foreground

A birds eye view

The boats are back

photographic show, Fishing Boats of Fingal returns to Skerries Mills

ALL HANDS ON DECK: Mick Coffeys popular shots depict the life of local fishermen and their families down the years
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843 8225

SKERRIES HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Lost mail - to Skerries from Depression-era New Jersey in the 1930s

THE monthly meeting of Skerries historical Society took place on Tuesday February 12 in Keanes Bus Bar. Members and friends of the Society enjoyed a delightful paper entitled Marian Owens of Skerries and her Circle of Friends given by Patricia Flavin. The paper was based on family correspondence sent to Marion from aunts, uncles and cousins who had emigrated to Hoboken, New Jersey in the 1920s and 1930s. We were given an insight into the good times and the hard times. In America, they were mostly hard times with unemployment during the Depression. In return, Marian kept her relations up to date with life and happenings in Skerries. Marion married Joe Kelly who worked in Accra, Ghana in Africa for many years. They married in October 1930 and had three children, Angela, Eileen and Fintan. Sadly Marion died in 1944 whilst the children were all under the age of ten. These letters gave us a glimpse into family life in Ireland and America. Many Irish families would have had similar experiences at that time. Carmel Power thanked Patricia on behalf of the society.

HE National Tidy Towns Competition was the brain child of Brd Failte 50 years ago. The main objective of the Brd was to promote a sense of pride in communities about their towns and villages and in the process to encourage tourism. It was a rural exercise for many years with such towns as Kinsale in the south and Glenties in the North setting the goal posts for what was to become the biggest, most enduring and successful competition in the country ever. Around the late 70s Malahide and Skerries brought the judges to urban Ireland. For many years Malahide won the Dublin Regional Award and Skerries was always the bridesmaid. Then in 1994 Skerries became the leader in Dublin and except for a minor blip has remained so to date. Nowadays over 800 towns and villages compete in the competition. Although we can be so proud in Skerries to be Regional winners we have a long way to go to win the overall award. That climb to the top would need the interest and endeavour of a partnership of Fingal County Council who are so supportive, the Business

Hardly a picture postcard of the coastline, eh? Well, if this sort of thing enrages you, youre in good company. Meet the people who feel your fury - with 50 years of experience in getting their own back . . .
Community, the Residents and of course the always enthusiastic and hard working Committee. Have you ever taken a walk on a nice day or indeed a day when the sea is furious and thought how lucky you are to live in Skerries. Have you ever been annoyed that vandals have put grafitti on a lovely wall or building or thrown their empty bags of cans on your grass space or indeed thrown cigarette butts from their cars? Well the Tidy Towns Committee feel this fury and take action to remove the offending eyesore. Have you admired the sculptures in the town depicting birds which frequent our shores or the colourful flower containers, or the new walk on the South Strand and the new seats etc all of these have a tidy towns imput. Help is always needed. Even if people do not want to join the committee they can take on a task and see it through for the season eg watering tubs, picking litter or removing grafitti as soon as it appears on their premises. The tidy towns committee will be putting on an extra show of strength to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the competition. We are asking all businesses to display well maintained flowers and to paint their premises where necessary. We will be looking for extra imput fro the County Council this year and feel confident of their co-operation as always. Residents well kept gardens and hanging baskets will impress. Of course even one piece of litter negates all the positive work which goes on. Maybe you can do something special in this anniversay year to impress the judges who think so highly of Skerries.

- MAEVE McGANN

- PAULINE HANLON

45

WORKING FOR SKERRIES

For help or advice contact The Plaza, Swords:

KENNEDY TD
Mobile: 087 243 2995 Fax: 890 2296 email: mjkennedy@eircom.net www.michaelkennedy.ie 46
46

Michael

Tel: 890 2277

PLANNING REPORT

Skerries
ment: Construction of new upper storey extension to existing dwelling to include 3 no. velux rooflights to sides and associated site works (revisions to previously approved application Ref. No. F06B/0732). Data Protection No F08A/0122 04-Feb-2008 Permission Invalid application Applicant: David ORourke Location: Milverton, Skerries, Co Dublin. Proposed Development: To construct a 13.0m x 14.0m x 5.7m high barn. Data Protection No

Applications
F08A/0117 01-Feb-2008 Permission Applicant: Antoinette & George Attley Location: 19 Sherlock Park, Skerries. Proposed Development: To create new driveway entrance for 2 no. on site parking spaces, modify fenestration and door location on front elevation, replace flat roof on side of dwelling with pitched roof, remove existing chimneys and construct a single storey extension to rear. Data Protection No F08B/0034 28-Jan-2008 Permission Invalid application. Applicant: Mr. John OConnor Location: 8 Quay Street, Skerries. Proposed Development: Construct a new two storey extension to the rear and change existing render to front elevation to natural stone cladding. Data Protection Yes

F08A/0134 06-Feb-2008 Permission Invalid Whos application Applicant: Rory Durkin Locadoing what tion: 99 Strand Street, Skerries, Co. Dublin. to their houses Proposed Development: The change of use of the retail unit approved under reg. ref. F06A/1695 to cafe use and and property Protection No associated site works. Data around the F08B/0048 04-Feb-2008 Permission Invalid town application Applicant: Amanda ORourke Location: Milverton, Skerries, Co. Dublin. Proposed Development: Construct a 1 1/2 storey extension to the west side, a single storey extension to the east side and add a new dormer window to the front of existing dwelling. Data Protection No F08B/0054 06-Feb-2008 Retention Applicant: Linda McGirl Location: Skerries Road, Ballykea, Loughshinny, Skerries, Co Dublin. Proposed Development: Retention of single story extension to rear of single storey bungalow at above. Data Protection No F07A/1282 13-Feb-2008 Permission Additional Information Applicant: K. McNamara Location: Fronting Onto South Strand, And Bounded On The South By Callaghans Lane, Skerries, Co. Dublin. Proposed Development: New 2 1/2 storey building to include a restaurant at ground floor level and offices at first and second floor levels with parking and service access to the rear (off Callaghans Lane) and all associated site works. Data Protection No F08A/0163 13-Feb-2008 Permission Invalid application Applicant: Martin Scully Location: 33 Strand Street, Skerries, Co Dublin. Proposed Development: The extension (ground floor only) and change of use from residential to hairdressers (ground floor) and from residential to offices (first floor). TO PAGE 49

F08B/0043 31-Jan-2008 Permission Invalid application Applicant: Paddy and Rosaleen McMenamin Location: The Square, Skerries. Proposed Development: An attic conversion to their dwelling which is in an Architectural Conservation Area. The work includes the re-slating of the existing roof, the provision of two dormer windows to the front, two conservation roof lights to the side and one conservation roof light to the rear of the existing roof. Data Protection No 07A/1280 08-Feb-2008 Permission Additional Information Applicant: Golden South Strand Partnership Location: South Strand, Skerries, Co Dublin Proposed Development: To construct a residential development on a site 0.089 hectare consisting of 1 no. block ranging from 2 to 3 storey over basement with 11 no. apartments with 10 no. 2 beds and 1 no. 3 bed duplex with balconies facing onto South Strand, basement car parking accommodating 11 no. cars, apartment storage and refuse store and new vehicular access accessed from the rear laneway located to the west of the site which accesses onto South Strand and all associated site works at South Strand, bound to the east and north by South Strand to the west by access lane to rear gardens of Sandy Banks and to the south by site known as The Carnival. Data Protection F07B/0590 05-Feb-2008 Permission Additional Information Applicant: Fiona & Philip Ferguson Location: 6 Convent Lane, Skerries, Co. Dublin. Proposed Develop-

Read on . . .

SKERRIES NEWS
First and best with YOUR community sports news and pics. We want to publish YOUR sports club. Please email us at
editor@skerriesnews.ie

Skerries Harps GAA teams picture special see page 50

47

Skerries Harps Under 12s

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48

LOCAL THEATRE UPDATE SKERRIES PLANNING REPORT

This site is within an architectural conservation area. Skerries Theatre Group presents

Page 1 of 2

A Off extension to side Danceone and half storey dormer style porch to front. and rear and F08A/0164 13-Feb-2008 Permission Applicant: Rory single storey extension to rear and Durkin Location: 99 Strand Street, Skerries, and Drama Co. Dublin. Proposed Development: The change of use of the retail unit F07A/1138 GRANT PERMISSION Decision Date:

Rush Dublin Proposed Development: Bay Pier, Skerries, Co Dramatic Society presents

approved under reg. ref. F06A/1695 to cafe use and associated site Academy are Applicant: D & D McNally Location: 5 Hoar UPPER Circle 07-Feb-2008 works. Data Protection No presenting theirRock, Skerries, Co Dublin Proposed Development: first production in February andof 2 no. existing 2-storey houses on the site and the Demolition will & Mrs F08B/0073 14-Feb-2008 Permission Applicant: Mrbe transforming the main a new 3-bed detached 2 1/2 storey house to the construction of hall in Skerries Community C Birney Location: 15 The Promenade, KellysCentre into a theatre, from with new archway giving access to a landscaped front Bay, Skerries. Proposed Development: Demoli- building of the stage to courtyard/parking area to the rear and to 2 new 4-bed the tion of existing single storey kitchen at rear and for bringing lighting, sound and semi-detached 2 1/2 storey houses and all associated the theatre atmosphere. a two storey part single storey extension to rear site development works. The students are now consisting of a kitchen/dining room extension on working hard in rehearsal to RUSH Dramatic Society made an early start this the ground floor and for an extension to an existF08A/0122 INVALID PLANNING APPLICAbring a production of Song, year and are back in action already for AppliMARTIN McDonagh's smash-hit The alterations ing bedroom to first floor with internal Beauty TION Decision Date: 06-Feb-2008 2008. The Dance & Drama to the group opened it's first play mid January. Queen of of house. all to rear Leenane will be on in The Little cant: David ORourke Location: Milverton, community. Directed by Moya Mackle, the group is staging Theatre, Skerries, from February 20 for two It is very exciting for all Skerries, Co Dublin Proposed Develop'Lovers four weeks only. involved and we would like ment: To at Versailles' by Bernard Farrell forbarn. construct a 13.0m x 14.0m 5.7m weeks at the Millbank Theatre. Thexplay to express sincere thanks to It is a disturbing play - an alarming blend of all of those who are making it examines the plight of three women who are left hysterical comedy, grand melodrama and behind when Stephen Sullivan suddenly dies. possible for this show to F08A/0134 INVALID PLANNING APPLICATION horrifying violence. Decision Date: 08-Feb-2008 Applicant: Rory Durkin take place. His wife, Clare, always suspected that Stephen Set in Connemara, PERMISSION Decision F07A/1585 GRANT the play centres on the life Date: Location: 99 Strandhidden life. His Daughter, Isobel ,Prohad a Street, Skerries, Co. Dublin is of Maureen (Theresa D'Arcy), a 40-year-old 01-Feb-2008 Applicant: Seamus & Olivia Corr Location: KYLIE determined to use use of the retail unit move up posed Development: Change of every opportunity to approved virgin who is the sole caregiver Co Dublin Proposed show 16 Martine Court, Skerries, to her 70-year-old TheDevel-named 'Dance Off under reg. ref. the social ladder, and Anna, Stephen's favourite mother, Magtwo storey extension of 66.37 sq.m. to the side of will showcase the F06A/1695 to cafe use and associated site works. (Mary Shannon). & Drama' opment: A daughter, is now offered a second chance at Maureen, with a history of mental illness, is existing dwelling. The development shall consist of awork UCA students have granny flat happiness. trapped in a small, bleak cottage and in an overly F08B/0034 been been doing within theirINVALID PLANNING APPLICATION Decision of 41.42 sq.m. at ground floor level,relationship An hilarious comedy by OConnor the fastdependent, seriously dysfunctional 2 no. bedrooms and an ensuite Date: 04-Feb-2008 Applicant: Mr. Johnthe master ofLocaweekly classes, with with a total area of 24.95 sq.m. at first floor level, the choreography from the widening paced comedy genre, Bernard Farrell, the play with her mother. tion: 8 Quay Street, Skerries, Co. Dublin Proposed Debrings together some new and familiar talent to of existing vehicular entrance to accommodate 2 no. off street car resident teachers, some of velopment: Construct a new two storey extension to the rear and the on a site the theatre. parking spaces and all associated site development works students own IRRESPONSIBLE change existing render to frontCassidy playsnatural stone cladding. choreography and from top Adrienne elevation to Anna, Sandra Gildea of 0.03course of the play, the cottage is visited by In the Hectares. UK Choreographer Marcos is Isobel, John Mackle plays Tony, while Marcia the brothers Ray and Pato Dooley. Many years White (Chance to Dance RTE F08B/0043 INVALID PLANNING APPLICATION DeciWeldon plays Clare, the doubting widow. apart in age, Ray (Simon O'Connor) is an F07B/0812 GRANT PERMISSION Decision Date:Kylie Minogue, Pink, The 1, sion Date: 04-Feb-2008 Applicant: Paddy and Rosaleen Bernard Tonge has been cast as Stephen, Anne irrepressible and irresponsible young man, while 31-Jan-2008 Applicant: Sara Reddy Location: 59A Brit Awards). McMenamin Location: The Square, Skerries, Co. Dublin Kelly plays Sandra, Celeste Jones is Stephanie Pato (Dave McGloughlin) isCo. Dublin Proposed Developa 40-year-old Show Dates: Strand Street, Skerries, and Patricia Walsh conversion construction worker fed up with having to live Friday, Feb Proposed Development: An atticplays Rita. to their dwellment: A new pitched hipped roof over existing two-storey struc- 22; Sat, Feb 23 It is running every Wednesday to ing which is in an Architectural Conservation Area. The work 7.30pm; Sun, Feb 24 2.30pm and together with ancillary works. ture work in England in order to earn a living Saturday 8.30pm from January (Matine). Ticket Prices: re-slating of the existing roof, the provision of two includes the wage. The glimmer of a romance sparks up, then 16th to February 9. Adults 12; Childrenwindows to the front, two conservation roof lights to the sputters out, between Maureen and Pato, with dormer F07A/1576 GRANTresults . . . PERMISSION FOR RETENTION Deciunder 12, OAPs & ultimately disastrous side and one conservation roof light to the rear Admission 12, of the existing roof. concessions sion Date: 31-Jan-2008 curiosity - is already concession 9 Interest - not to mention Applicant: Ros Liath Location: 4 8. Tickets: Skerries Booking Hoar Rock, Skerries,must-see play.Proposed Development: growing locally for this Co. Dublin F07A/1607 Bookshop, 849 0500 or fromREFUSE PERMISSION Decision Date: at 01 Retention planning permission for existing two storeyKevin on 087 741 5252. house with Indeed, the opening night (Wednesday 06-Feb-2008 Applicant: Martin Scully Location: 33 843 rear two storey extension. out. Tickets (10/7) February 20) is already sold UCA classes Strand Street, Skerries. Proposed Development: Extenhave now 7475 can be bought in Skerries Bookshop or by resumed in Skerries and sion and change of use (part of ground floor only) from residential Rush. phoning 087 210 5432 PERMISSION Decision Date: F07B/0776 REFUSE to hairdressers. 28-Jan-2008 Applicant: Paul Phelan Location: 25 Kellys

The Beauty Queen of Leenane

Decisions

Whos doing what to their houses and property around the town

Hot comedy Lovers at Versailles

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52