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June / July 2022
Web: www.newsfour.ie  Email: newsfour@gmail.com  Local newsdesk phone: 01 667 3317
Serving Sandymount, Irishtown, Ringsend, Pearse Street, Docklands, Ballsbridge & Donnybrook
Muckross Park House
Site under threat as owners seek re-zoning
n Dermot Carmody
A
site around the historic
Muckross Park House
in Marlborough Road,
Donnybrook, which includes
the original house, build-
ings associated with the old
convent and school and sur-
rounding green area would
be rezoned if a recent sub-
mission to Dublin City Coun-
cil on behalf of the site’s own-
ers was to be acted on.
The 1.19 ha site shares an
entrance on Marlborough
Road with Muckross Park
College, and was owned by
the Dominican order of nuns
for some 120 years until they
sold it to a development com-
pany, Reilly Lands 2012 SPV.
The suggestion that the zon-
ing of the land be changed to
allow housing development
there came in a submission
made to Dublin City Coun-
cil by Dun Laoghaire based
planning and development
consultants, Brock McClure,
on behalf of the new owners
Pg 10 : Blessing of the Boats
* YOU CAN ALSO READ NEWSFOUR ONLINE AT WWW.NEWSFOUR.IE *
as part of the consultation
process on the new Dublin
City Development plan 2022-
28.
The draft development plan
proposes that the Z15 zon-
ing of the site be maintained.
Z15 is intended to “protect
IN THIS IS S U E …
Pg 21: Purple Run - Ringsend 2022
and provide for community
uses and social infrastruc-
ture.” Z15 lands typically in-
clude ‘community related’
developments such as sports
grounds, healthcare facilities
and, as was the case on the
site in question, schools and
colleges. The zoning is in-
Pgs 24 - 25 : O’Reilly’s Pub Sandymount
tended to promote the reten-
tion and protection of such
lands, which are seen as an
important element of the sur-
rounding community.
However in the submission
on behalf of Reilly Lands
SPV, it is argued not only
that this is no longer an ap-
propriate zoning, in the own-
ers’ opinion, for the site, but
that in fact the circumstances
of the usage of the site have
changed materially so that it
no longer serves the function
that Z15 zoning is intended to
protect and support.
In essence, the submission
from Brock McClure argues
that since the lands in ques-
tion are no longer owned by
the Dominican convent, and
are separate from the educa-
tional buildings of Muckross
Park College which adjoin
it, the criteria from maintain-
ing Z15 zoning do not apply.
They further argue that fail-
ure to rezone for residential
development “prevents the
opportunity for the existing
buildings to form part of an
integrated development solu-
tion for the site. It is important
that the site is re-zoned to fa-
cilitate the delivery of viable
uses, as the former convent
Pgs 32 - 33 : Bloomsday
Page 2 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022

use is no longer sustain- opened in 1909 the college

NewsFour Newspaper
is part of a DEASP
Community Employment
Programme
able.” The submission also
suggests that appropriate
residential development on
the site would actually open
up access to green spaces
within such a development
for residents of the surround-
ing area.
was no longer needed and
only the school continued
there, the forerunner of the
modern Muckross Park Col-
lege schools.
However, despite the house
being a protected structure,
there still might be some

NewsFour History concern regarding the pres-

The original residential build-
Editor ing, Muckross Park House,
Eoin Meegan was built by the Victorian de-
veloper Patrick Cranny, who
Online Editor built many houses in Rath-
Geneva Pattison mines, Ballsbridge and else-
where as a private residence
Journalists for his family, and is a pro-
Peter McNamara tected structure. Later ad-
David Prendeville ditions which formed part of
Dermot Carmody the convent, and the chapel
Brian Quinn which is behind the original
Louise Whelan house are presumably not
subject to such protection.
Contributors Patrick and his wife Maria
Gavan Bergin Cranny moved there in 1862.
Teresa Weafer In 1896, Maria sold Muckross
Ronan O’ Donnell to the Dominican nuns who
Shay Connolly opened a school and college
Michelle Walshe in Muckross in 1900. When
Cassie Byrne University College Dublin
Mia Harrington
ervation of local heritage in
the future, should the land
be rezoned and residential
development on the site go
ahead, particularly in the light
of the failure of a campaign to
save the destruction recently
of the house of The O’Rahilly
in Herbert Park. In the case
of the latter, strong but un-
successful arguments were
made for the heritage and
historical value of the prop-
erty, but the building was de-
molished before it was pos-
sible to have it placed on the
protected structure list. Such
oversight must not be al-
lowed to happen with Muck-
ross Park House. Wedding party, marriage of George Noble Plunkett and Jo-
sephine Cranny on the steps of Muckross Park House, 1884
(photo courtesy of Honor O’Brolchain)

Crossword
Gemma Byrne
The Editor’s Corner
Design and Layout

T
Gary Burke
o the proverbial visi-
Ad Design tor from Mars it might
come as something
Dara O Riordain
of a shock as to why we in
Ireland cannot establish a
Sandymount
health service fit for pur-
Community Services,
pose. Indeed that question
13A Fitzwilliam Street,
has been puzzling many of
Ringsend, Dublin 4.
us who live here for a long
time too. While most Euro-
Telephone: (01)6673317 pean countries have got this
issue sorted years ago, here
E-mail: we’re still struggling with the
newsfour@gmail.com basics. Even the physical lo-
cation where we put our hos-
Website: pitals gets us in a knot.
www.newsfour.ie
While the site for the national
Opinions expressed in NewsFour children’s hospital was even-
do not necessarily represent tually settled at St James’s,
the views of Sandymount the latest €2bn projected
Community Services. cost will likely make it the
most expensive hospital on
Printed by this or any other planet. And
Webprint, then there’s the national ma-
Mahon, Co. Cork ternity hospital (NMH). With
no room for expansion at the
current Holles Street loca-
tion there is no denying the
need for a new one, and the
Elm Park site co-located with
St Vincent’s, makes perfect
sense at first glance. If only
there wasn’t that sticky little
question of who exactly will
own it.
Minister for Health Stephen
Donnelly T.D. told an Oi-
reachtas Health Committee
that “consistent” requests by
the current and previous gov-
ernment to purchase the site
had been turned down. In-
stead the former owners, the
Sisters of Charity “gifted” the
site to the not-for-profit group,
St Vincent’s Holdings CLG.
Why not to the State? Only
they can answer that and
they’re remaining stumm.
However, that point remains
largely irrelevant because un-
der a Compulsory Purchase
Order (CPO) the government
could acquire the land, en-
suring the hospital was 100%
owned and operated by the
State. They’ve instead cho-
sen another option, the 299
year lease, which they want
us to believe at €10 a year
is as good as ownership. But
the term ‘clinically appropri-
ate’ regarding procedures
in the hospital’s constitution
has already raised a few red
flags. Could such medical
procedures as fatal fetal ab-
normalities and tubal ligation
be under threat if the hospital
was still required to operate
under a Catholic ethos?
It should also be remem-
bered that any infringement
of the terms by the State
could see that €10 inflate to
a dizzying €850,000 per an-
num. But cost aside, there
can be no ambiguity around
this, women’s reproductive
health care must be protect-
ed and made safe above all
else. And with resignations
from Sláintecare, and the
cracks that Covid revealed
especially around underfund-
ing beginning to show, we
need to seriously fix a service
that is already on life support
before it becomes defunct.
On a lighter note, we’re ex-
cited after a two-year hia-
tus to welcome Bloomsday
(pgs. 4, 32-33) back again. I
think everyone should make
a special effort, it being the
centenary of the publication
of Ulysses, to don period at-
tire. Two other centenaries
are occurring as well; this
year sees the Gardaí cele-
brating one hundred years of
excellent service to the peo-
ple of Ireland (pgs. 30-31);
just look and see how the
uniforms have changed over
the years! And that centre of
excellence that is O’Reilly’s
pub in Sandymount village is
also marking 100 years (pgs.
24-25) promising lots of fun
and excitement in the locality.
Elsewhere we take a cheeky
look at the mullet (pgs.34-
35). Be honest, who hasn’t
donned one at some time?
Enjoy the festivities.
www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
The ESB Swimming Club 2022 Gala
Two days of
competition
1,835 entries
28 clubs
88 relay teams
A record last set with Irish
Olympians on the team
SMASHED!
I
t was a record breaking
May bank holiday weekend
at ESB Swim Club’s 71st
Annual Swim Gala. Almost
1000 junior athletes attended
Sportsco Leisure Complex
from clubs throughout Lein-
ster. The viewing deck was
full of enthusiastic supporters
cheering on their young ath-
letes. For many youngsters
For the more senior swimit
Page 3
was their first taste of compet-
itive swimming. For the more
senior swimmers it was about
chasing qualification times for
the upcoming National Short
Course Championships and
of course friendly inter club
rivalry. Special mention must
go to ESB’s victory in the fe-
male medley relay. The team
of Saoirse Dorgan, Aurora
Batori, Una Burke and Ellen
O’Driscoll broke the 16-year-
old club record, which had
been set by a relay team that
included ESB Olympian Ais-
ling Cooney. ESB Swim Club
is now looking for new junior
members. Our Learn to Swim
Academy is taking bookings
Images courtesy of Vanes-
for September and for more
sa Fenton
advanced juniors there are
free trials in May and June.
Please contact us at esb-
swimmingclub@gmail.com.
Your young athlete could be
our next ESB Olympian!
 Page 4 BLOOMSDAY www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022

Ringsend and Irishtown, where Hope and History rhyme with our Present
n Shay Connolly
‘Steeped in history’ is an old
cliche perhaps but in the
case of Ringsend and Irish-
town we are drowning in it.
Multiple centuries of it!! And
before some of it submerged
into the sea altogether we
decided to set up a local His-
torical Society. And already
some gems of history are
unfolding to our naked eyes
and ears. The various differ-
ent landmarks, the reclaimed
land, the origin of the name
Irishtown and how it came
about, the spot where Crom-
well landed here, the huge
activity of Revolutionaries
during the War of Independ-
ence, culminating with the
death at Stella Gardens of
Margaret Keogh, the last per-
son to die in that War, the old
industries of Boat and Ship
Building, Glass-making, fish-
ing, rope-making and many
other maritime professions,
our deep connection to the
sea and reflected in the pre-
sent healthy recreation of our
Rowing Clubs, the incred-
ible history of our Sporting
achievements from Isles of
the Sea winning the All-Ire-
land for Dublin in 1901 to the
formation of great League
of Ireland rivals, Shamrock
Rovers and Shelbourne,
the amount of natives who
donned the Green jersey in
umpteen different disciplines,
the influx from different Eng-
lish towns of people who
came here for employment
and eventually settled here.
On early inspection there is
no escaping the realisation
that our history very much
makes us who we are as a
Community today and while
history denotes a reference
to the past, it is evident in our
case just how much that past
carries on into the present
day with maritime activity a
prime example of this con-
nection.
St Matthews Church
Our first big project is the
upcoming Bloomsday Ring-
send Festival on the 16th
June. There is an incredible,
yet unannounced connection
between James Joyce and
Nora Barnacle with Ring-
send. Ulysses, arguably one
of the most studied books in
the world, is all based around
one day, that being the 16th
of June. This was the date era clothing if at all possi- famous book. May I speak
chosen by Joyce to centre his ble. It promises to be a great through the ghosts of James
Novel around. And the high- Community Day for Ringsend Joyce and Nora Barnacle to
light of June 16th for Joyce in and Irishtown. It is as if Joyce say....”Thank You Ringsend”
his own life was his first date himself, on the centenary of
with his future wife Nora Bar- the publication of Ulysses, For full Programme of Ul-
nacle in Ringsend, the signifi- has called upon us to cele- ysses-themed events see
cance of that encounter with brate the place where he met Pgs. 32-33
her, and how it influenced his his one true love who influ-
later life and writings. In the enced him to write his most Images: Eoin Meegan
numerous letters exchanged
between them over a long life
together Joyce makes refer-
ence to that first date in Ring-
send and Ringsend Park in
many of them.
The 15-spot Historical Walk-
ing Tour with guest appear-
ances from Leopold Bloom
and Molly Bloom along the
way will assemble at 2.15
at Grand Canal Dock (Red
Poles). The 15 venues (cho-
sen by online poll) and their
history will be narrated by
Cormac Lowth.
For Pensioners and disabled
a bus will be provided for the
tour and will leave from Ring-
send and Irishtown Commu-
nity Centre on Thorncastle
Street. The bus will return to
St Matthews Church in Irish-
town where an official guide
of the Graveyard there will
be undertaken. Everybody
is welcome to all the events
and we also invite people to
wear any bit of that Joycean Joyce bust Stephens Green

n Louise Whelan
RICC Tea Dance Gets Everyone on their Feet

R
ingsend & Irishtown
Community Centre
hosted an amazing af-
ternoon of live music, danc-
ing and an incredible mouth-
watering feast for the CYMS
Active Retirement group re-
cently.
The room was upbeat with
lively chatter, laughter and
joy and it was great to see
everyone greeting each oth-
er, thrilled to be able to en-
joy this special afternoon of
letting one’s hair down and
getting up for a bop on the
dance floor. Angel and Frank-
ie put on a great show, sing-
ing all the hits from old school
classics and show tunes and
they had everyone on their
feet, everyone with a smile
on their faces just loving the
atmosphere. Even local TD
Chris Andrews had himself a especially when you can
bit of a dance with one of the make new friends and learn
ladies. new skills, all the while being
part of a wonderful group of
A big thank you went to Caran like-minded people to spend
Flood for the delicious food, time with during the week.
Ronan from DCC and Waf-
fles for spreading the happy To find out more information
vibes during the afternoon. contact CYMS.
The Active Retirement As-
sociation are seeking new Image: Angel & Frankie
members to join for ages 55 (Louise Whelan)
and over. They are a fun and
supportive group that meet in
the CYMS Hall in Ringsend,
every Tuesday, Wednes-
day and Thursday at 2-4pm.
There’s so much on offer
from keep fit, snooker, trips,
plays and many more activi-
ties to keep you going. They
also need a few more mem-
bers to join the indoor bowl-
ing team. Getting out of the
house has never felt so good,
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022 Page 5

Volunteering Opportunities with NCBI NCBI is currently recruiting volunteers to play a vital role in our retail
shops. We are seeking volunteers to fill Retail Assistant and other roles in
our furniture shop on Fitzwilliam Street in Ringsend, Dublin 4.

By volunteering with NCBI you can have a direct, positive impact on the
lives of people who are blind or vision impaired across Dublin and the
whole of Ireland. Please contact shopvolunteer@ncbi.ie or visit the www.
ncbi.ie/supporting-us/volunteer/ to register your interest.

Family Fun Day on the Village Green, Sandymount

After a break of three years
the Sandymount and Mer-
rion Residents Association
hosted the annual action
packed Family Fun Day on
May 22nd last, on the Vil-
lage Green in Sandymount
Village.

There was music, magic,

dancing, face painting, arts
and crafts, raffle prizes and
more than 20 races. A great
day was had by all.

Image Courtesy of Louise

Whelan
 Page 6 TRAVEL www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022

Personal Journey: A Writer’s Retreat to Iceland

through Asia, but I had never
been to Iceland.
It shares a common history
and geography with Ireland,
an outer lying island, monks,
Vikings, and a shared love of
Eurovision! But it is a place
apart. I realised that as soon
as I landed.
Iceland has an extra-terrestri-
al feel – the spurting ground,
the erupting rocks, the gush-
ing falls, everywhere nature
n Michelle Walshe is showing off.
I stood at the foot of it, gaz- Michelle at the geysers, the sound made me jump
ing upwards, amazed to see
in reality what I had watched
for years on television.
I visited the house of Halldór
Laxness, the Icelandic Nobel
Laureate and tried to soak in
the atmosphere in the hope
of taking in some of his skill
by osmosis!
The second and third days
were spent at workshops,
two hours at a time of expert
tuition from established, ex-

I
perienced authors. On the
won a writing scholarship to
Reykjavik was my first stop, second day there was a two-
the Iceland Writers Retreat
prettier and larger than I ex- hour break and I dragged fel- At the Gullfoss Waterfall with fellow student
2020. It was postponed,
pected. Colourful buildings low scholarship winner, Lon
like so many events during
lined the main street and Kirkop, from Malta to the sea
the pandemic, but finally took
warmed the landscape. My where we swam in the freez-
place this year from April
hotel overlooked water which ing water and sat in a long,
27th to May 1st.
is a feature everywhere. heated tub afterwards with
Coming from an island and smiling Icelanders decked
The scholarship included
already aware of the pres- out in woolly hats and swim-
flights, accommodation, a
ence of water, I noticed in Ice- suits. I noticed quite a few dry
day tour of the island, two
land how visible water is as if robes too!
days of workshops on dia-
the buildings are designed to
logue with Patrick Gale,
always keep it in view. The highlight of the trip was
(Mother’s Boy, 2022) creative
a visit to the Presidential resi-
non-fiction with Gretchen Ru-
Water features in homes and dence on Friday April 29th.
bin (Outer Order, Inner Calm,
hotels and public spaces The sun shone and illumi-
2019) and perspective with
– hot tubs and saunas and nated the peninsula. Water
Aminatta Forna (The Window
steam rooms abound. glittered as the champagne
Seat, 2022).
popped and we stood on
The retreat took place in the the lawn admiring the spec- Reykjavik
The faculty comprised world
new Edition hotel next to the tacular view of Reykjavik.
famous writers Adam Go-
stunning Harpa concert hall We were meant to meet the
pnick, David Chariandy, Cyn-
whose exterior looks like it is President Jóhannesson, but
thia D’Aprix Sweeney, Dan
covered in fish scales. It glit- he caught Covid, so the First
Kois, Elnathan John, Will
ters in the light like a swish- Lady hosted the reception.
Ferguson, and Kristín Helga
ing mermaid’s tail.
Gunnarsdóttir but I chose my
On the final day after a Q&A
workshops based on what I
My first day was spent on the session with the faculty I vis-
needed to work on in my writ-
Golden Circle Tour where I ited the Blue Lagoon. The
ing.
saw Gullfoss waterfall and morning was dark, overcast,
had to put up my hood to pre- the sky was black but by the
I began writing in 2017 with-
vent getting drenched by the time I had immersed myself
out a background in English
spray. It was a magnificent in the water, the sun had
literature or any creative writ-
and noisy sight. come out and turned the blue
ing qualifications and first ap-
water even bluer.
plied for the retreat in 2018
At Skáholt church I learnt
and shortlisted. I reapplied in
about Icelandic myths and There are several lagoons to On Reykjavik’s Rainbow Street
2019 and won. It was a huge
legends and the story of an visit in Iceland, the Sky La-
win early in my writing career.
Irishwoman, Melkorka in the goon just outside Reykjavik
I was afraid after such a long
saga Laxdaela. becoming popular but the
wait and build up that the trip
Blue Lagoon is the original
might disappoint. It did not.
At the Geysir centre, I saw with its thermal water and
geysers pop, the sound healing salts.
I have travelled far and wide.
made me jump as pure white
I worked as a guide in the
streams of clouds shot into Iceland gave me five days
nineties on Skellig Michael.
the air. of sights and sounds, vistas,
I wrote part of my first novel
and views, so many swims
in the Sahara Desert at a
At Thingvellir, the giant fis- and lots of inspiration. I have
month-long writing retreat in
sure that split the tectonic a notebook full of ideas and
2020 just before the pandem-
plates in two is home to The am strongly considering set-
ic broke. I lived in Australia
Wall from Game of Thrones. ting my second novel there!
and America and travelled
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
D
ublin – May, 2022 – Sand-
ymount Hotel announced
it has been recognized by
Tripadvisor as a 2022 Travellers’
Choice award winner. The local
4-star, family-run hotel is in the
top 10% of hotels worldwide.
The Travellers’ Choice Award
celebrates businesses that have
received great traveller reviews
from guests around the globe
on Tripadvisor over the last 12
months. As challenging as the
past year was, Sandymount
Hotel stood out by consistently
delivering positive experiences
to anyone that walked through
its doors.
John and Gerard Loughran
have no doubt as to the reason
for the award.
“Our staff have shown great
resilience in dealing with the
unprecedented challenges of
Covid. This award recognises
their commitment to ensuring
our guests experience the genu-
ine personal service unique to a
family run hotel.”
Sandymount Hotel enjoys a long
& distinguished history which
continues to whisper through
the bricks & corniced ceilings
of the eight Victorian Houses
Sandymount Hotel Wins 2022
Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award
acquired over two genera- George who came from a large
tions which now comprise the farming family and his talent
modernised hotel on Herbert for everything from carpentry
Road. The Victorian houses to building soon had the guest-
were originally built in 1866 as house up and running. Raising a
homes for Dublin City’s aristoc- family in a guesthouse was not
racy. Famous residents included without challenges and in the
Sir Henry Robinson, Vice Presi- busier summer months, the fam-
dent of the Irish Local Govern- ily slept in one bedroom to cope
ment Board (1879-1891) and with the demand for bedrooms
more recently, the Irish writer, during this high season.
Mary Kenny.
The couple were able to extend
As it stands today, Sandymount the guesthouse by buying the
Hotel owes its roots to George neighbouring property. They
Loughran from Cookstown, Co. were often ahead of trends, in
Tyrone and his wife Rosaleen the 1960s they were one of the
from Downpatrick, Co. Down in first guesthouses to have cen-
Northern Ireland. Together they tral heating and George put in
opened the hotel on 2nd May ensuite bathrooms before many
1955 under its original name: other B&Bs. George and Ro-
The Mount Herbert Hotel. It was saleen continued to expand and
their first home and they bought by the time the couple handed
it with the aid of fellow northern- over the hotel to the next gen-
er, Michael O’Hare. eration in 1988, it comprised of
five period houses and 100 bed-
Three weeks after they moved rooms.  It has now expanded to
in, Rosaleen gave birth to the encompass eight of the two sto-
second of five children, John, rey buildings and has 187 bed-
who now runs Sandymount Ho- rooms.
tel with his son Gerard. Sand-
ymount Hotel has  very much A formidable team, George &
been a family operation from the Rosaleen were the first to instill
start with everyone helping out. an ethos of heartfelt care and
service for their guests. This
legacy continues right into the
twenty-first century through their
son John Loughran and his son
Gerard.
Awarded 4-star status by Failte
Ireland in 2016, these days
Sandymount Hotel may be
grander and much larger but at
heart it remains the same with
enduring emphasis on making
sure guests are comfortable and
well cared for. Receptionist Bea-
trice, part of the hotel’s extend-
ed family, celebrated her 40th
year working at Sandymount
Hotel in 2021. Every team mem-
ber at Sandymount Hotel con-
tributed to this award. Reviews
constantly mention employees
by name from Beatrice and the
front of house team to the res-
taurant team and Duty Manager,
a recent May TripAdvisor re-
views reads
“When entered to Reception
greeted warmly by staff. Shown
to our room. Every staff mem-
ber we encountered with were
all lovely. Sandymount Hotel is
great, well caters for people with
food intolerance. Very good
Page 7
value for money and clean. I
recommend that you stay with
them”
John Loughran and his son
Gerard are the leading force be-
hind the success Sandymount
Hotel has achieved today, fight-
ing through a recession, a pan-
demic, a rebrand and significant
customer led additions and
refurbishments. It just goes to
show what a business with fam-
ily values, work ethic, a good
team and a commitment to cus-
tomer service can achieve.
“Congratulations to the 2022 Tri-
padvisor Travellers’ Choice Win-
ners,” said Kanika Soni, Chief
Commercial Officer at Tripad-
visor. “The Travellers’ Choice
Awards recognize the best in
tourism and hospitality, accord-
ing to those who matter most:
your guests. Ranking among
the Travellers’ Choice winners is
always tough — but never more
so than this year as we emerge
from the pandemic. Whether
it’s using new technology, im-
plementing safety measures,
or hiring outstanding staff, I’m
impressed by the steps you’ve
taken to meet travelers’ new
demands. You’ve adapted bril-
liantly in the face of adversity.”
 Page 8
Ringsend Electronic Music School RMS: Rooney Music Services
n Louise Whelan
“We are the music mak-
ers, and we are the dream-
er of dreams” Poet Arthur
O’Shaughnessy (1873)
R
MS is an electronic
music school and en-
tertainment business
that offers DJ tuition, music
production, audio recording,
editing skills and also ca-
ters to corporate and private
events. Located at the back
of Ringsend and Irishtown
Community Centre (RICC) it
is run by local entrepreneur
Pierce Rooney and has been
growing over the past six
years.
Pierce, a self-taught DJ with
over 30 years experience,
and over 20 years teaching,
grew up in the 80’s, a time
where things were hard for
a lot of people and families.
He always had a passion for
music and got into it during
his teen years when he used
to go to his nanny Rooney’s
flat in O’Rahilly house after
school. She had an old ra-
diogram from the 1940’s and
he was fascinated with the
records and how it worked.
Pierce inherited that radio-
gram after his nanny passed
away in the late 80’s and
had it in his bedroom. His
older sister Christine would
buy vinyl records to play and
Pierce used to ‘borrow them’
to scratch them on the radio-
gram. He then got his first
set of decks and he used
the radiogram for the stand
to hold the decks and he
learned how to mix through
turntables.
After the radiogram phase,
Pierce got signed to some
good labels like Tripoli Tracks
and Tidy and moved to the
UK on and off for nearly 11
years working for various
producers, doing gigs and
working with different bands.
He travelled the world djing
some of the biggest events
and meeting people that he’d
always looked up to.
Pierce has his own record
label called Unity Records
since 2005 and released his
own music, which he is still
doing today. After a lot of
globetrotting, he decided to
come back home to Ring-
send with his dream of open-
ing a music school and be-
LOCAL INNOVATION www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
ing able to teach on a bigger
scale. In order to save on
rent and keep his prices low
he approached the Commu-
nity Centre (RICC) and out-
lined to them his vision for
the community. They took
Pierce in and he started RMS
off in the Youth Centre up in
Irishtown (RICCY’S) in 2016
with a few laptops and some
controllers where he could
run classes focusing on digi-
tal and analogue djing and a
small bit of music production.
After three years, and receiv-
ing a Sean Moore Commu-
nity Award in 2018 for all his
amazing work with the youth,
Pierce was offered space at
the back of the community
centre to rent and his dream
of a music school began to
materialise in earnest. In a
twist of fate, behind the wall
is where his nanny Rooney
lived in the flats and where
it all began for Pierce so it
was kind of a serendipitous
moment that came full circle
where RMS was going to live
and thrive.
Students who excelled
Raymond Alwright, despite
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
having Down Syndrome,
wouldn’t let anything stop
him from his dream of be-
coming a DJ, was one of the
first to knock on Pierce’s door
in RICCYS. Raymond was
so eager to learn he never
missed a class and at the
end of the first year he won
the award for best DJ. Un-
der Pierce’s guidance and
support, Raymond found
employment in the local pub,
The Shipwright (Sally’s) to
DJ on a Saturday night and
they loved him down there.
Raymond’s confidence has
soared since and he is push-
ing through to his next goal
which is to dj in the night-
clubs. Raymond’s parents
are so proud of their son and
cannot thank Pierce enough
for all his dedication and
commitment throughout the
years with Raymond.
Another of his protégés is
Holly Larkin, who joined RMS
when she was just nine years
old and has exceeded all ex-
pectations of a natural talent.
She has blossomed from a
youngster into a young wom-
an of 16 playing in some of
the biggest clubs in the coun-
try. Holly has a residency
with Insignia Nights and she
plays to 1200 under 18’s a
couple of times a month in a
controlled environment. Holly
has been on RTE, and she is
getting some amazing experi-
ences. She also teaches and
helps the after-school group
with all the knowledge she
has learned so far. She is
inspiring so many young kids
and proving nothing is impos-
sible if you keep believing.
Pierce first set up RMS with
the aid of I.C.E. (Inner City
Enterprise) and he started to
build his school with all his
DJ equipment, state of the
art software and hardware
from old school analogue
all the way up to the digital
age. He has software which
is the foundation of the way
music sounds, machines like
the TR808, TR909, TV303
among others which with-
out these, we wouldn’t know
dance music, techno, acid
house and hip hop.
Most people don’t start learn-
ing this industry until they’re
17 or 18 because that’s when
the club scene is more in
their life, but in RMS Pierce
offers kids and young adults
the gift of learning everything
about DJs, Djing and all the
various different levels that
he has set up in the school.
Pierce has also a connection
with BIFE (Bray Institute of
Further Education) a college
dedicated to electronic music
production, and collaborates
with Doug Cooney and Sunil
Sharpe who are teachers in
the college. So students of
Pierce’s aged 15 or 16, and
coming to the end of sec-
ondary school, who wish to
pursue a 3rd level course in
music, can progress to BIFE.
Conor Cullen was the first
of the students to graduate
from RMS to BIFE and has
passed with distinction in all
of his classes. Conor djs for
events and parties and has
the talent to go far. Pierce ad-
LOCAL INNOVATION Page 9
vises and encourages all the clusive, and the time break-
students to go onto 3rd level down is as follows:
education if that is what they
wish to do. The differently-abled group is
from 12-2pm every day; then
Some students don’t nec- after school the 6 to 10 year
essarily want to be DJ’s but olds is from 3-4.30pm; and
they find other aspects of the the 11 to 15 year olds 5-7pm;
club enjoyable, like the social and the last class is from
He possesses an endless ar- 7-9pm and is aimed at those
aspect, learning to work with-
ray of knowledge and tech- 15 and older. The RMS pro-
in groups, learning to inter-
nical expertise while also vides the computers, control-
act with each other and that
being so grounded, selfless lers, food, entertainment and
makes a huge difference to
and easy going with an in- a safe environment and it’s
their way of thinking and how
credible work ethic. What he like a little family where mu-
they do things. Everybody
has aimed to achieve down sic bridges the gap between
benefits from RMS, the com-
here, he has done ten fold everyone. Pierce also does
munity as a whole, the local
across the board, smashing private lessons for any age
businesses, and especially
so many goals and always on a one-to-one basis.
the kids.
adding new ones. The things
Pierce has dreamed about RMSdublin can be found on
Pierce’s ethos is one love,
for the students are all com- Instagram
one family, regardless of
ing to fruition and this makes
your status or ability. Anyone
him so proud to see them on Images: courtesy of Pierce
is welcome and he has many
their journey with music, as Rooney
kids from all around Dublin,
young kids developing into
not just Ringsend. It is such a
young adults.
unique thing that Pierce does
down in RMS, it’s never been
And that is why our commu-
about making a lot of money,
nity is so lucky to have Pierce
it’s about improving and bet-
Rooney.
tering people’s lives and that
is a beautiful thing to see.
Classes at RMS are all in-
He also works with a lot of
different organisations in the
community and only recent-
ly added a new class to the
schedule, a music and gam-
ing club for the older kids
from NIRP (Neurodiversity
Irishtown Ringsend & Pearse
St) and they are having a
wonderful time. Furthermore
RMS gets involved in charity-
based events and always
offers their services to the
community when needed.
Also Pierce liaises with the
local Gardaí and is very pro-
active in approaching youths
who might be showing signs
of anti-social behaviour, and
invites them down to RMS
to chill out, play some pool,
video games or just have a
chat. He has a good relation-
ship with these kids and they
respect him too.
At the moment Pierce is a
sole trader but is in the pro-
cess of being a non-profit
organisation and this will en-
able him to apply for financial
grants that will hugely benefit
the school and its students.
It was music that brought
Pierce here to where he is
now, music grabbed him and
changed his life.
 Page 10
Inaugural Irish Nautical Trust Marine Skills & Technology Graduates
The 9 scholarship certificate recipients (in white shirts and black tie) pictured with
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe T.D., members of the Google team, and other
dignitaries.
Blessing of the Boats - Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club
n Louise Whelan
T
he annual blessing of
the boats took place
in the Poolbeg Yacht
and Boat club on Sunday
15th May. Fr Ivan Tonge ac-
companied by the new parish
priest of St Matthews Church
in Irishtown, Canon Leonard
Ruddock, prayed for a safe
and bountiful season as they
walked along the marina
sprinkling each boat with holy
water.
Eileen Murray, Vice Commo-
dore of the club committee,
welcomed everybody to the
special event and thanked
the sponsors who have con-
tributed to the club over the
years, Dublin Port, Covanta
Waste to Energy and the
National Lottery. She also
praised the committee, staff
and everyone who works
in the background for their
great effort to be able to host
occasions like these.
The Lord Mayor of Ringsend
and Irishtown Derek Buck-
ley also gave thanks to the
crew of the Dun Laoghaire
lifeboats for the unseen dedi-
cation and sterling work they
perform year in, year out on
the river. A minute silence
also took place in memory
of departed brothers and sis-
ters.
Everybody was invited then
to go on a few yachts for a
jaunt down the river and
back, taking in the amazing
views and getting the sea
air before returning to feast
on a scrumptious lunch with
drinks and entertainment.
Ethel Woods paid tribute to
her husband Derek Woods
by laying a wreath into the
river as a mark of respect
and remembrance, saying
“He went to heaven doing
what he loved, being on his
boat.”
Such a bittersweet moment
but a wonderful homage to
him.
Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club
caters to all ages and abili-
ties with a full service marina,
club house, bar, courses and
events.
COMMUNITY www.newsfour.ie
M
inister for Finance
Paschal Donohoe
T.D. presented schol-
arship certificates to the first
students to complete the in-
augural Irish Nautical Trust
Marine Skills & Technology
scholarship programme, sup-
ported by Google.org at the
Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club
Ringsend, Dublin 4 on May
27 2022.
The scholarship was
launched in October 2021 as
part of the Google Employ-
ment Task Force. Google.
org, the philanthropic arm of
Google, provided €300,000
to the Irish Nautical Trust to
develop a community-based
environment maritime train-
ing programme aimed at
educating local unemployed
people and school leavers
on the environment. The
funding supports access for
30 students to obtain a cer-
To find out more information
you can check out their social
media or on www.poolbeg-
marina.ie
Derek Buckley, Lord Mayor Ringsend & Irishtown, Eileen
Murray,Vice Commodore, Fr. Ivan Tonge and Canon Leonard
Ruddock.
June / July 2022
tified level of maritime skills
and enable them to gain sus-
tainable employment in the
marine industry. Today, nine
students have been awarded
certificates with four of the
nine already having secured
employment.
Speaking at the event, Min-
ister Donohoe, said: “I am
delighted to be here today to
recognise the Maritime Skills
& Technology programmes’
early achievements. The em-
ployment opportunities this
programme provides to the
students will play a key role
in building a brighter future
not just for the students but
also the wider community. Al-
ready four participants from
the first cohort have been
successful in achieving em-
ployment and I look forward
to hearing more in the future
on the progress of this impor-
tant programme.”
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022 Page 11

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terford. For further informa-
tion, visit dentalcareireland.ie
For media queries, please
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Michelle Downey, Marketing
Manager. michelle.downey@
dentalcareireland.ie
Kieran Hanley, Content Mar-
keting Executive. kieran.han-
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(01) 853 2504
About the Author
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 Page 12
MABS Marks 30 Years of Supporting the People of Ireland
M
ABS, the Money Ad-
vice and Budgeting
Service is marking
30 years since it was estab-
lished to support the people
of Ireland who are in debt
or at risk of getting into debt
through its independent, con-
fidential and non-judgmental
money advice and budget-
ing services. It is funded and
supported by the Citizens In-
formation Board (CIB).
A celebratory event was held
on May 9th in Cork City and
saw a unique 30 year exhi-
bition unveiled, showcasing
the journey of MABS from its
beginnings. The exhibition is
available to view by the
AVOIDING PENSION DELAY: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO STARTING A PENSION
STEP #1: CHECK IN WITH
YOUR EMPLOYER
T
he first step on the road
to pension planning is
to find out if your job
has an occupational pension
scheme, (company pension
scheme) which is a pension
that is set up by an employer
for their employees. If your
employer offers an occupa-
tional pensions scheme, ask
them for more information
on how it works and if you
are eligible to join, as some
schemes may have certain
conditions attached. For ex-
ample, you may need to be
employed for a certain length
of time, or you may need to
be a permanent member of
staff to be able to join, so
be sure to ask for as much
information as possible. An-
other important question to
ask them is if they will also
make contributions to your
pension. Many employers
who offer occupational pen-
sions will most likely pay into
your pension, but they are
not obliged to. If you are a
member of an occupational
public in the Atrium at Cork
City Hall until May 13th and
will travel to other locations
across Ireland over the next
few months. Established in
1992, MABS was introduced
as part of a pilot scheme to
address problems of money-
lending and indebtedness.
Its first offices were located
in Cork City, Limerick, Cherry
Orchard Dublin, Waterford,
and Clare. There are now 51
MABS offices and outreach
clinics nationwide.
Over the past 30 years,
MABS has played a key role
in the community across a
number of areas including
money management educa-
pension scheme, any con-
tributions you make will be
deducted from your salary,
making it simple and easy to
manage. If you leave or move
jobs, you may have a number
of options when it comes to
your pension. For example;
you may be able to trans-
fer your pension pot to your
new employer’s occupational
pension scheme. Alternative-
ly, you may be able to trans-
fer your pension to a private
pension, or take a refund of
contributions made. Be sure
to check in with your current
employer to discuss your op-
tions before you leave.
STEP #2: EXPLORE YOUR
PENSION SAVING OPTIONS
If your employer doesn’t of-
fer an occupational pension
scheme, make sure to ask
them what other options are
available to you. By law, em-
ployers must offer their em-
ployees access to at least
one standard Personal Re-
tirement Savings Account
(PRSA), so be sure to ask for
more information. A PRSA is
FINANCE
tion, Abhaile – free mortgage
arrears support and the for-
mation of National Traveller
MABS, which works to re-
duce poverty, discrimination
and the financial exclusion of
Travellers in Ireland. MABS
has also played an important
role in raising awareness of
policy and practice reforms
that need to be implemented
at local and national level.
Commenting on the 30th an-
niversary of MABS, Fiona
Coyne, CEO of the Citizens
Information Board (CIB) said:
“CIB has funded MABS since
2008 and prior to this had a
role in delivering training to
MABS staff. CIB has worked
with MABS to grow and de-
velop new services including
delivering one of the statutory
debt relief solutions, the Debt
Relief Notice (DRN). The
DRN was introduced as part
of the Insolvency Act 2012
and CIB worked with MABS
to develop the Dedicated
Mortgage Arrears service as
essentially a savings account
used to save for retirement.
Like an occupational pension
scheme, the fund is invested
on your behalf by the PRSA
provider to try to raise the
value of the fund over time,
to help boost your retirement
income. There are different
types of PRSA options avail-
able, so be sure to speak to
a registered financial adviser
about what would suit you
best.
STEP #3: CHECK IF YOUR
EMPLOYER IS MAKING
CONTRIBUTIONS
Whether you choose an oc-
cupational scheme, or a
PRSA, your employer may
also contribute to your pen-
sion scheme. When it comes
to occupational pension
schemes, employers will of-
ten contribute a set amount
or percentage to your pen-
sion pot each month. Be sure
to find out how much your
employer is contributing and
remember, the earlier you
start your pension, the more
your pot will be topped up
www.newsfour.ie
part of Abhaile. As the cost of
living continues to rise, now
more than ever, it is essential
that the public has access to
a free, confidential and non-
judgmental advice service.
I would like to congratulate
MABS on this milestone and
wish their teams across the
country the very best of luck
for the next 30 years.”
Also commenting on the 30th
anniversary of MABS, Ali Fit-
zell, Regional Manager, Dub-
lin South MABS said:
“We are very proud to look
back on all that has been
achieved over the past 30
years in supporting the pub-
lic to prevent and deal with
problem debt. Our team of
money advisers have played
instrumental roles in their
communities, supporting
by the extra employer con-
tributions. If your employer
contributes to your PRSA,
this payment is treated as a
Benefit-in-Kind (BIK). A BIK
is a non-cash benefit provid-
ed to you by your employer,
for example; pension con-
tributions or paying for your
health insurance. In general,
a BIK is taxed in the same
way as income; however, a
pension-related BIK is not,
which means it is a more tax-
efficient type of employee
benefit. For this reason, you
may even consider negotiat-
ing a pension-related BIK as
part of your salary review.
STEP #4: WORK OUT HOW
MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD
TO SAVE
Regardless of the type of
pension plan you have, your
next step should be to work
out how much you can afford
to contribute on a regular ba-
sis. It’s important to remem-
ber that it doesn’t have to be
a large sum. A general rule of
thumb is a minimum of 1% of
your salary each month, but
June / July 2022
clients with their individual
financial situations. A huge
amount has been achieved
since 1992 and there is a
lot more to achieve over the
next 30 years.”
In 2007, MABS launched
their National Helpline and as
of the end of 2021, received
326,994 calls.
For more information on
MABS and to find your local
office, visit www.mabs.ie or
call the helpline on 0818 07
2000, available Monday to
Friday from 9 am to 8 pm.
Follow @MABSinfo on Twit-
ter and Facebook.
only if this is realistic for you
and your financial situation.
Remember, you can always
contribute more in the future,
but it’s important to make a
start. You’d be surprised at
how, contributing even if it’s
a small amount to your pen-
sion plan, can quickly add
up over time. Check out the
CCPC’s online budget plan-
ner Money Tool at ccpc.ie to
help plan your finances and
work out how much you can
contribute.
Courtesy of The Competi-
tion & Consumer Protection
Commission (CCPC)
www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022 Page 13

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 Page 14
IMMA Outdoors and IMMA Nights coming this Summer
n David Prendeville
I
MMA recently launched
IMMA Outdoors 2022, a
vibrant artistic programme
that turns the museum in-
side out and activates the
48 acres of the museum’s
site at the Royal Hospital
Kilmainham, through artist
commissions, performances,
music, talks, workshops, and
tours. As part of IMMA Out-
doors, this year the museum
is presenting a new series of
evening events called IMMA
Nights, which run every
Thursday and Friday evening
until September, as part of a
pilot initiative to support the
Night-Time Economy, funded
by the Department of Tour-
ism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht,
Sport and Media.
IMMA Outdoors explores
the environment and what it
means to be radically pub-
lic by creating an inclusive,
meaningful space for audi-
ences of all ages to enjoy.
New Traditional Music Festival Launched in Smithfield
n David Prendeville
The new late evening pro-
gramme, IMMA Nights, pre-
sents a wide variety of events
including talks, workshops,
dance, performances, film
screenings, book launches,
DJs and live music. IMMA
will also share the site with
other cultural organisations,
initiatives and artist groups
creating a hive of night-time
activity in Dublin 8.
Some of the highlights of the
IMMA Outdoors and IMMA
Nights programming are as
follows:
An installation piece by
Em’kal Eyongakpa, titled
Mámbáy bebhɛp 43t / besáŋ
berat / bakay nɛkɔ, from
May. This immersive sonic
installation presented on the
Terrace of the Formal Gar-
dens features contributions
from singers and storytellers
in Southeast Nigeria, South-
ern Cameroon and Ireland,
D
ublin City Coun-
cil recently an-
nounced a new
free folk and tradition-
al music event set to
launch in Smithfield in
Dublin City Centre.
The first ‘Smithfield
Fleadh’ will take place
this year on the 18th
and 19th of June be-
tween 12pm - 6pm
each day at Smithfield
Square.
Smithfield Square is
Dublin city centre’s larg-
SUMMER EVENTS
as well as intercessions be-
tween the Gulf of Guinea and
Western Europe.
A visually stunning new com-
mission by Navine G. Khan-
Dossos titled, Kind Words
Can Never Die, will be pre-
sented in the Courtyard
from July. Transforming the
iconic courtyard space with
an extensive mural painting
along all three colonnades,
the work explores new psy-
chological states that have
emerged in response to a
greater awareness of global
and local climate change. A
series of public workshops
conceived by the artist will
run through the month of July.
The IMMA Outdoors Eco
Event, Earth Rising, is a cel-
ebration of people, place and
planet that is interwoven with
themes of biodiversity and
sustainability. This weekend
of eco related programming,
taking place from 9 to 11
September, will showcase
the most exciting innovators
in the field of eco citizen sci-
ence, design and creativity,
enabling intergenerational
dialogue and empowering
audiences to become agents
of change.
A specially curated series
of Poetry and Song perfor-
mances titled, More than the
Reverb, will take place from
19 May – 29 July in the For-
mal Gardens. This series of
outdoor live events gathers
est dedicated event space,
and this year’s Fleadh is the
first of its kind to take place in
the location.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin,
Alison Gilliland said “I am de-
lighted to launch the Dublin
City Council Smithfield Flea-
dh to give families and young
people a space to enjoy the
Fleadh festivities outdoors
and for free. We’re also very
proud to give emerging art-
ists and musicians this plat-
form to showcase their tal-
ents after a long pause of live
music. I hope this will be an
www.newsfour.ie
together poets, singers and
storytellers to share lullabies,
chants, laments, poems and
folk songs, and features con-
tributions from Ayuk, Mbon-
geuh Angwi Tah, Ceara Con-
way, Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi,
Em’kal Eyongakpa, Róisín
Ní Shillelagh, Sandra Joyce,
Noirin Lynch, Micheál Mar-
rinan, John Tunney, Samuel
Yakura, amongst others.
These performances reflect
and expand upon the sonic
installation by Em’kal Eyon-
gakpa.
On 30 June in partnership
with Granta Books, IMMA is
delighted to present an even-
ing in celebration of the book
Accidental Gods: On Men
Unwittingly Turned Divine by
Anna Della Subin. Named a
best book of the year in the
Irish Times, the TLS, and Es-
quire, Accidental Gods is an
extraordinary meditation on
race, empire, and power, told
through stories of men who
found themselves inadvert-
ently turned into deities. Sub-
in will be joined by renowned
mythographer, novelist, and
literary critic Marina Warner
and introduced by Mark O’
Connell, author of To Be a
Machine and Notes from An
Apocalypse.
IMMA’s much loved Summer
Party returns in July, Con-
tinuous Patterns is a two-day
summer celebration of mu-
sic, art and atmosphere in the
grounds of IMMA. On Friday
annual event at Smithfield
Square, it was built for events
just like this.”
The two-day event promises
a programme of live music
from a range of talented mu-
sicians across the Irish folk
and traditional music scene,
as well as workshops for all
the family to enjoy.
The programme and more
event information will be
released over the coming
weeks. This event is organ-
ised by Dublin City Council
supported by The Depart-
June / July 2022
15 July Continuous Patterns
presents an evening of for-
ward focused music and en-
tertainment for that particular
Friday feeling, while Saturday
16 July invites you to spend a
relaxing day with friends old
and new, surrounded by the
sights and sounds of a gently
considered programme in the
Formal Gardens of IMMA.
IMMA Nights presents a free
music programme in the
surroundings of the IMMA
Courtyard. Starting from May
6, on the first Friday of every
month DJ Nigel Wood will
play from his contemporary
World Music collection for
audiences to relax and dance
to. Also, in May IMMA will
present Sound Bath Medita-
tion with Liam Oragh; guitar-
ist Redmond O’Toole with his
groundbreaking ‘Brahms gui-
tar’ and a live performance
by Olesya Zdorovetska, a
powerful voice in new music.
IMMA Nights will also bring
together participants of the
IMMA’s Residency Pro-
gramme to create a ‘Stu-
dio Street’ of activation and
Open Studio events with
resident artists and invited
guests generating a suite of
artist-led activities.
More information can be
found at: https://imma.
ie/whats-on/imma-out-
doors-2022/
ment of Tourism, Culture,
Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and
Media.
Image courtesy of DCC Me-
dia Relations Office
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
“Playing With Fire Cartoon” Saloon’s upcoming animated feature
T
n B.J. Quinn
o mark World Book
Day, which took place
this past April 23rd,
Netflix unveiled a sneak peek
at Irish animation studio Car-
toon Saloon’s upcoming ani-
mation, My Father’s Dragon.
Based out of Kilkenny and
founded in 1999, the five-
time Oscar nominated pro-
duction house has garnered
worldwide recognition over
the last two decades thanks
to their enchanting Irish
Folklore Trilogy: The Book
of Kells (2009), Song of the
Sea (2014) and Wolfwalk-
ers (2020). Each film draws
children into natural wonder-
lands of myth and magic, into
tales about protecting and
healing rather than fighting.
However, on paper, My Fa-
ther’s Dragon seems to have
more in common with Car-
toon Saloon’s outlier: the
2018 feature The Breadwin-
ner, which tones down the
signature bright colour pal-
ette and dials back the fairies
and magic in order to deliver
a thoughtful rendering of Ka-
bul under Taliban rule. For
one, it has the same direc-
tor: Academy Award nomi-
nee and Cartoon Saloon co-
founder Nora Twomey. And
like The Breadwinner, My
Father’s Dragon is adapted –
inspired by the Newbery hon-
My Father’s Dragon
oured book of the same title
by Ruth Stiles Gannett.
The story follows Elmer, a
young boy struggling to cope
after a move to the city with
his mother. He runs away
from home in search of Wild
Island and a young dragon
who waits to be rescued.
Elmer’s adventures see him
cross paths with ferocious
beasts, a mysterious island,
and the friendship of a life-
time.
A press release from Netflix,
in the company’s first-time
partnership with the anima-
tion powerhouse, listed a
star-studded cast of familiar
names. Lending his voice to
Elmer is Jacob Tremblay,
best known for his star-mak-
ing turn in Room (2016), di-
rected by Dubliner Lenny
Abrahamson, no less. Join-
ing the young actor is an
impressive ensemble cast
including Whoopi Goldberg,
Ian McShane, Chris O’Dowd,
Rita Moreno, Alan Cumming,
Judy Greer, Yara Shahidi,
Jackie Earle Haley, Mary Kay
Place, and Dianne Wiest.
“Our actors, animators,
and artists at Cartoon Sa-
loon have worked together
to craft this film, inspired by
DRAMA Page 15
Ruth Stiles Gannett’s amaz-
ing book. We were drawn
together by a desire to tell
a very special tale of friend-
includes Academy Award adventure I Lost My Body. As
ship, adventure, and true
nominated The Mitchell’s vs for My Father’s Dragon, an
bravery,” said Twomey. “I fell
the Machines, Robin Robin, official release date has yet
in love with storytelling as a
the new Christmas classic to be announced by Netflix.
child and Netflix excels at
Klaus, Kris Pearn’s The Wil- What is certain, however, is
celebrating all kinds of sto-
loughbys; as well as more that this is one to keep your
ries, through different styles
adult focused content like eye on.
and distinct voices,” the di-
Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10
rector added. “This has given
½: A Space Age Childhood Images: courtesy Cartoon
me the opportunity to look
and the French existential Saloon
through a beautiful lens and
I am excited to share what I
see with our audience around
the world.”
Disney fans will be hap-
py to hear that the film’s
screenplay is penned by
Academy Award nominee
Meg LeFauve of Inside Out
fame. Elsewhere behind the
scenes, the film will be pro-
duced by Bonnie Curtis and
Julie Lynn of Mockingbird
Pictures (best known for pro-
ducing the Dublin-set drama
Albert Knobbs in 2011) and
Paul Young of Cartoon Sa-
loon. Meg LeFauve and John
Morgan, Tomm Moore and
Gerry Shirren of Cartoon Sa-
loon, and Alan Moloney and
Ruth Coady of Parallel Films
will executive produce the
movie.
Fans of Cartoon Saloon’s
wise and wonderful creations
won’t have to venture out to
the cinema this time around;
My Father’s Dragon is set to
be released via Netflix. This
is no surprise considering the
streaming giant’s growing ob-
session with animated films.
Just in the past few years
they’ve put out a raft of origi-
nal animated features which
 Page 16
Summer Movies Preview
7 must-see new movies
for the summer season
T
n B.J. Quinn
he summer movie sea-
son is back! After two
pandemic-plagued
years filled with setbacks and
delays, the movie business is
right back on track. And if the
box office successes of Spi-
der-Man: No Way Home and
– the film that kicked off the
summer blockbuster season
– Doctor Strange in the Mul-
tiverse of Madness are any-
thing to go by, audiences are
chomping at the bit to return
to the big screen. So, if you’re
looking for a refuge from the
unrelenting sun, here’s your
guide to the must-see mov-
ies coming out this summer.
Good Luck to You Leo
Grande (June 17)
Dublin’s own Daryl McCor-
mack plays the title role in
this charming comedy. The
Peaky Blinders star will fea-
ture alongside Oscar winner
Emma Thompson. The film,
directed by Sophie Hyde, fol-
lows Nancy Stokes (Thomp-
son), a 55 year-old widow
who is yearning for some
adventure, human connec-
tion and some sex, good sex.
She hires a good-looking
young sex worker named
Leo Grande (McCormack), in
the hope of enjoying a night
of pleasure and self-discov-
ery after an unfulfilling mar-
ried life.
Good Luck to You Leo
Grande debuted at Sundance
Film Festival to critical ac-
claim, with much praise go-
ing towards Thompson’s
performance as well as Katy
Brand’s script: a provocative
and refreshing study of fe-
male pleasure.
Lightyear (June 17)
Chris Evans trades in his
Captain America cowl for a
space helmet in Pixar’s Buzz
Lightyear origin story. The
animated feature, co-star-
ring Taika Waititi and James
Brolin, follows the legendary
space ranger through inter-
galactic adventures along-
side a group of ambitious
recruits and his robot com-
panion, Sox.
Pixar has a stellar track re-
cord, so we can’t help but be
intrigued by this Toy Story
spin-off. But recasting Tim
Allen, who is the only Buzz
Lightyear in most people’s
minds, will take some getting
used to. Evans will have to
go to infinity and beyond if he
wants to match Allen’s iconic
performance.
Elvis (June 24)
Here’s one that was faced
with considerable pushbacks
– it was during filming that
Tom Hanks caught COVID-19
and everyone finally took
the virus seriously as a re-
sult. Director Baz Luhrmann,
best remembered for Moulin
Rouge and Romeo + Juliet,
delves into the complex dy-
namic between Presley (Aus-
tin Butler) and his manager,
Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks).
Spanning over 20 years, the
FILM
Chris Hemsworth (Thor)
story follows Presley’s rise to
fame to his unprecedented
stardom, against the back-
drop of the evolving cultural
landscape and loss of inno-
cence in America.
The trailer alone has us All
Shook Up; it’s clear that Baz
is up to his old tricks again,
packing the frame with opu-
lent reds and golds, and, yes,
rhinestone jumpsuits aplenty.
If you’re still not convinced,
though, Priscilla Presley’s
glowing endorsement might
win you over, writing on Fa-
cebook that the film is “a
true story told brilliantly and
creatively that only Baz, in
his unique artistic way, could
have delivered.”
Flux Gourmet (June 24)
The director of arthouse hits
such as Berberian Sound
Studio and The Duke of Bur-
gundy looks set on giving us
one of the wildest movies
of the year. In what’s being
billed as a culinary satire,
Flux Gourmet centres around
a collective that finds itself
embroiled in power struggles,
artistic vendettas and gastro-
intestinal disorders. In this
universe, music is made with
food and youngsters dream
of culinary ambitions rather
than becoming pop stars.
Asa Butterfield and Game
of Thrones star Gwendoline
Christie lead a cast that also
includes Ariane Labed and
Richard Bremmer, who you
might remember as Volde-
www.newsfour.ie
mort in Harry Potter and the
Philosopher’s Stone. The film
premiered at the Berlin Film
Festival back in January to
positive reviews, Screen Dai-
ly noting, Flux Gourmet “feels
a culmination of Strickland’s
fascinations and themes to
date.”
Thor Love and Thunder
(July 8)
Thor: Ragnarok is one of the
best movies to come out of
the Marvel Cinematic Uni-
verse, so, six years later, the
pressure is on for its follow-
up to deliver. Director Taika
Waititi returns for the fourth
Thor movie, which sees the
blonde beefcake go on a
journey unlike anything he’s
ever faced – a quest for in-
ner peace. But his retirement
is interrupted by a galactic
killer known as Gorr the God
Butcher, who seeks the ex-
tinction of the gods.
Along for the ride are Tessa
Thompson as Valkyrie and
Natalie Portman, returning
as ex-girlfriend Jane Foster
after a near ten-year Marvel-
hiatus. If the trailer is any-
thing to go by, this looks like
a bonafide summer block-
buster, with a kickass 80’s
rock soundtrack to boot.
Nope July 22
There’s little doubt that Jor-
dan Peele’s third film, Nope,
is the most highly anticipated
movie of the summer, if not
the whole year. The director
June / July 2022
Emma Thompson
is back with another Dan-
iel Kaluuya-led film – their
first collaboration, Get Out,
topped Sight & Sound’s best
films of 2017 list. Plot details
have been kept under wraps,
but the teaser trailer hints to
an extraterrestrial affair, as
residents in a lonely gulch
of inland California bear wit-
ness to an uncanny and chill-
ing discovery. My money is
on space aliens, but we’ll
have to wait and see.
The Forgiven (August 26)
Premiering at the Toronto
Film Festival last year, The
Forgiven, John Michael Mc-
Donagh’s adaptation of Lau-
rence Osborne’s novel, sees
Ralph Fiennes and Jessica
Chastain as a wealthy couple
who are involved in a tragic
accident with a local teenage
boy, after speeding through
the Moroccan desert to at-
tend an old friend’s lavish
weekend party.
For those of you tracking the
British-Irish director’s ca-
reer, a body of work which
features critical darlings The
Guard and Calvary, The For-
given looks like a convincing
return to form after 2016’s
underwhelming War on Eve-
ryone. Alongside Fiennes
and Chastain, the film boasts
a strong supporting cast with
Christopher Abbott, Matt
Smith and the ever-fantastic
Caleb Landry Jones.
All images courtesy of Wikime-
dia Commons
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022 FILM Page 17

Dublin Smartphone Film Festival 2022

n B.J. Quinn
smartphones or tablet de-
vices, with a focus on strong
original concepts and inven-
tive use of technology. This
year’s event was bigger than
ever, with filmmaking work-
shops, a range of short films
from 15 countries around
the next generation of film-
makers to create their stories
using their phones and to
provide them with the widest
possible platform to present
these stories to a wider audi-
ence.”
arm – the motion, the dance,
the energy and excitement …
a no brainer for the choice of
best music video.”
Like previous years, one of
the festival’s most popular
events among audiences
events we can put on. We still
operate on a relatively shoe-
string budget, so it’s great to
have all the support and to be
making larger inroads in the
Irish film community.”
Looking ahead, it’s clear

C
elebrating their fifth an-
niversary, the Dublin
Smartphone Film Fes-
tival returned to the capital
this past April with an exciting
programme packed with films
and workshops. The festival,
which took place at Temple
Bar’s Irish Film Institute (IFI),
ran from the 30th of April to
the 7th of May and took a hy-
brid approach: treating audi-
ences to in-person events as
well as online screenings – a
model which has become the
film festival-norm in the pan-
demic era.
The festival is dedicated to
films exclusively made on
the globe, feature films (a
first for the festival), and the
premiere of the documentary
Are Your Eyes Nicely Open?
from award-winning director
S.J. van Breda.
“The pandemic and sub-
sequent lockdowns have
brought about an incredible
period of creativity with peo-
ple forced to use the tools
they have at their disposal
to tell stories,” said festival
director Robert Fitzhugh.
“There has never been a
more interesting time to ex-
plore Smartphone filmmak-
ing. This is what the Dublin
Smartphone Film Festival
is here to do; to encourage
Boasting an exceptional pro-
gramme this year, a few films
did manage to stand out from
the crowd. Alexandra Guil-
lossou’s Out of Thin Air was
awarded Best Documentary,
while Best Fiction Film went
to Australian-British direc-
tor Tim Hewitt for his gnarly
13-minute thriller, Broken
Shelter: “A film that grips you
in the first 2 min and does
not let up,” according to the
festival jury, “a triumph and
a testament to what you can
do on a small budget.” Add-
ing some vibrancy to pro-
ceedings, Jamiel Laurence’s
To the Sea took home Best
Music Video for what the jury
described as “A shot in the
were the hands-on work-
shops. Ranging from un-
derstanding the film festival
process to script writing and
funding your project through
Kickstarter, these workshops
are all designed to aid film-
makers on their journey to
creativity.
Wrapping up another suc-
cessful year for the Dublin
Smartphone Film Festival,
Fitzhugh wished to “thank
people who have supported
and encouraged the festival,
not just this year but over
the last five years. This year
was our largest, in terms of
our backing from the IFI, the
number of workshops and
Fitzhugh is keen on expand-
ing the festival even further.
“It’s gonna be exciting mov-
ing forward, we have a num-
ber of large projects that
we’re working on. We’re try-
ing to make it not just about
rewarding filmmakers but
actually inspiring them. It’s
about bringing communities
together, it’s about collabo-
rating within the community
on brand new projects.”

St Matthew’s Parish Church appoint a new Rector

S
t Matthew’s Parish Church, part of the Irishtown & Donnybrook Union of Parishes are
delighted to announce the appointment of Rev. Canon Leonard Ruddock as Rector.
Previously Leonard was Rector of the Blessington Union of Parishes since 2008. The
Parish wishes to welcome Leonard, his wife Hazel and family to the community. For more
details please visit www.stmattschurch.ie
 Page 18
Ready, Set, Gogh! Van Gogh: An Immersive Journey comes to Dublin’s RDS
n B.J. Quinn
E
ver wish you could
step into a painting?
Personally, I’d choose
a Rothko and dive into the
deep end. And then, after be-
coming bored with the vari-
ous shades of red, I’d resur-
face from one of Hockney’s
masterworks, an idyllic scene
where swimming pools meet
sunny skies. But inevitably,
I’d end up strolling between
Van Goghs. The 19th-cen-
tury Dutch painter’s brawny
brushstrokes lent a unique
vibrancy to his vividly hued
renderings of the French
countryside and intimate por-
traits. His work swirls like no
other, always running the risk
of spilling off the canvas.
Well, if you’re like me and
want to star in your very own
episode of The Night Gallery
but without the heebie-jee-
bies, then Van Gogh: An Im-
mersive Journey is the place
for you. Taking over the Shel-
bourne Hall at the RDS, from
May 16th to August 4th, the
exhibition is a 20,000 square
foot, light and sound spectac-
ular featuring two-story pro-
jections of the artist’s most
compelling works. Here, you
will encounter the brilliance
of one of history’s greatest
artists in 360 degrees. The
high-tech spectacle, founded
by two Irish brothers Dan
and John Gleeson, is family-
friendly and designed for our
socially distant world.
Speaking about what makes
this immersive experience
a must-see, Project Direc-
tor Jillian Wilson said: “Visi-
tors will experience audio-
visual storytelling at its best
and will be immersed in Van
Gogh’s history and artwork,
enjoying his masterpieces in
an advanced digital format,
transformed using different
facades and technological
approaches. Even finishing
with a futuristic and innova-
tive Artificial Intelligence in-
terpretation of his paintings.
You get to walk through the
fascinating and tragic life of
EXHIBITION
Van Gogh, through his care-
fully curated artworks, cho-
sen to fully absorb you in a
multi-sensory experience,
with mind-blowing audio-vis-
ual effects.”
The spectacle has been mas-
terminded by creative stu-
dio Nohlab. Known for their
mind-bending, multi award-
winning immersive digital-art
exhibitions, the studio seeks
to build a bridge between the
digital and the physical real-
ity, while examining the re-
lationship of technology with
art and design.
BE AWARE! – there is a very
similar event, Van Gogh:
The Immersive Experience,
organised by Fever and Ex-
hibition Hub, that was also
due to start in May at a “se-
cret location” in Dublin. This
event has since been post-
poned due to “production
delays.” The similar names,
themes and timeframes of
the two events have created
confusion for some custom-
ers – me included! I initially
bought tickets for the Immer-
sive Experience event, think-
ing it was the RDS exhibition,
wrong! Thankfully, the refund
process was easy and quick,
and I was able to then book
myself in for the Van Gogh:
www.newsfour.ie
An Immersive Journey.
However, I was not alone.
This past April, callers to
RTÉ Radio One’s Liveline
described purchasing tickets
for one of the events while
meaning to attend the other.
Speaking on the programme,
Oliver Davies, a PR Manager
for Fever, assured listeners:
“Anyone who feels that they
did want to have a refund,
that’s absolutely fine, and we
can also offer vouchers so
that they can apply the same
ticket price but move to a dif-
ferent date.”
The Fever event has already
run in cities in the UK in 2021,
where it has received mixed
reviews. So to avoid disap-
pointment be sure to pur-
chase your tickets via van-
goghdublin.com, which will
then transfer you to the ticket
vendor Universe. Stay away
from vangoghexpo.com, Fe-
ver and Exhibition Hub.
Van Gogh: An Immersive
Journey lasts approximately
60 minutes (40 minute projec-
tion show / 20 minute infinity
room, interactive art wall with
café and retail) There will
be a very limited number of
tickets available to purchase
on site. It is strongly recom-
June / July 2022
mended that you purchase
your tickets online, for your
preferred time slot, to ensure
access.
As part of the show, there are
flashing lights and moving
artwork/videos which may
be uncomfortable for some
people with sensory process-
ing needs, and as such, it is
advised that parents, carers
and/or individuals consider
this before purchasing tick-
ets. If you have any specific
queries in relation to the con-
tent before making this deci-
sion please email hi@the-
atreoflight.ie
Ticket prices: Adult: €25.00
Child 5-12 years: €15.00
Concessions (Student/OAP)
€23.00
Under 5s: Free (but must
have a ticket) Booking fees
will apply.
Images:
Van Gogh Wheatfield with
Crows
Van Gogh Self Portrait
Images Wikimedia Com-
mons
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
Comhar Magazine Celebrates 80 Years
n David Prendeville
Comhar magazine celebrated
80 years in print at a celebra-
tory event in The National Print
Museum, Dublin, on Thursday
the 21st of April.
Founded in 1942, during WWII
when paper was scarce and
special permission had to be
granted by Seán Lemass to
the editors. Comhar is an Irish
language monthly arts and
current affairs magazine that
has thrived.
Comhar is enjoyed by readers
in over 19 countries around
the world. It is read by hun-
dreds of students, Irish lan-
guage speakers and enthu-
siasts each month in Ireland
and is available in most public
libraries, Universities and cul-
tural institutions.
Exciting New Changes Announced for Iris Charles Centre
n Louise Whelan
T
he Iris Charles Centre,
located on Newbridge
Avenue in Sandymount
is planning a complete over-
haul of the centre’s use and
facilities. The aim is to bring
the centre into the heart of
the community, a place where
everyone is welcomed. In the
past, the centre, a charitable
organisation, was primar-
ily known as a place the el-
derly would lunch. But now,
plans to create a new venture
and something wonderful for
the future will bring the Iris
Charles centre into a new
era.
Speaking on the 80th anniver-
sary of Comhar, writer, jour-
nalist and lecturer Alan Titley
said; “Comhar has been to the
fore in the development and
support of writing, literature
and thought for the last eighty
years. It is also a forum for
debate, contention, criticism,
controversy, wit and wisdom.
Ireland is richer because of
Comhar.”
RTÉ broadcaster Sinéad Ní
Uallacháin hosted the cel-
ebrations at the National Print
Museum, Beggars Bush on
the 21st of April where a se-
lection of the extensive mate-
rial published in the pages of
the magazine over 80 years
was brought to life by a group
of actors, including Seán T. Ó
Meallaigh, (pictured above)
Donncha Crowley, Deirdre
Learmont and Bríd Ní Ghru-
agáin. Poetry from Máire
Mhac an tSaoi; book reviews
by Myles na gCopaleen; ar-
ticles by Máirtín Ó Cadhain;
an interview with Mícheál Mac
Liammóir on the state of Irish
theatre, all formed part of a
Their vision is to be a vibrant,
local community centre con-
necting and bringing people
together with a mission to
provide a sense of inclusion
and belonging, to enhance
the quality of life and foster
community, in collaboration
with agencies and local com-
munity groups, social media
and individuals, as a much
used and well known hub
providing space for meet-
ings, gatherings and ac-
tivities which help promote
individual and community
wellbeing.
So watch this space..
Iris Charles was born in 1907
and her family home was in
Churchill Terrace in Balls-
bridge. She was a teacher
before she married Dr Hal
Charles, a GP in the area in
the 1940’s. When her hus-
band remarked that a patient
needed someone to talk to,
rather than a doctor, Iris and
her friends organised coffee
mornings, raised money and
began visiting elderly people
who lived on their own. They
CULTURE
dramatic reading aimed at
providing an overview to the
magazine’s impressive back
catalogue.
Reflecting on the success of
this 80 year old print maga-
zine still making it into eager
readers hands each month,
Seán Tadhg Ó Gairbhí, Editor
of Comhar magazine writes
of the magazine’s enduring
value: “Comhar was lucky to
see its first birthday as its fu-
ture was in doubt almost im-
mediately due to a scarcity of
paper during the war. That
the magazine has survived for
eighty years is a testament to
the many great writers who
have served it so well over the
years and to the loyal readers
who have sustained it since
1942. Comhar magazine and
the wealth of content pub-
lished within its pages, provide
a valuable insight into Irish lit-
erature and thought.”
The music of the 1940’s pro-
vided the backdrop for the cel-
ebrations as DJ Billy Ó hAnl-
uain created a suitably
called themselves the Sand-
ymount/Ringsend Old Peo-
ple’s Group, a committee un-
der the auspices of the Red
Cross. They were anxious to
have a premises in the area
so they eventually bought
the AOH hall and the Old
People’s Club was opened.
The name of the centre was
changed in 1989 to the Iris
Charles Centre and it has
always been run entirely by
volunteers. The committee
formed in 1952 has been in
continuous existence since
that time.
Images: courtesy of the Iris
Charles Centre
historical soundtrack. One of
the magazine’s very first let-
terheads was also printed live
at the museum from specially
designed plates and attendees
went home with a commemo-
rative bookmark to mark this
milestone event.
Founded by university stu-
dents in 1942, Comhar is the
last standing Irish language
print outlet for writers, review-
ers, readers and thinkers and
is a valuable forum for politi-
cal comment on events both in
Ireland and around the world.
Seán Tadhg Ó Gairbhí is the
current Editor and Tristan
Rosenstock is the Literary Edi-
tor. Both new and established
writers are encouraged to
provide material for the maga-
zine and recent editions have
contained an eclectic mix of
political comment, book re-
views and new Irish language
writing. Regular features such
as satirical governmental cri-
tiques and the Book of the
Year list are eagerly awaited
and provoke lively social me-
dia debate. Three special edi
Page 19
tions are published each year:
the most recent celebrating 50
years of Raidió na Gaeltachta.
The celebrations continue
throughout the year and a con-
ference on the theme COM-
HAR@80 is planned in NUI,
Galway on the last weekend in
September.
A monthly column written by
Donncha Ó hÉallaithe pub-
lished in the magazine be-
tween now and the end of the
year, takes a look back on the
most interesting articles pub-
lished that same month, each
decade, over the last 80 years.
This article will be available
free of charge on Comhar.ie.
Comhar is available from se-
lected Eason shops around
the country; from An Siopa
Leabhar and Books Upstairs
in Dublin; An Ceathrú Póilí
in Belfast; Charlie Byrne’s
in Galway; Sheelagh na Gig
bookshop in Cloughjordan,
and online from Comhar.ie
and Litriocht.com.
Page 20 GOOGLE www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022

Education Task Force - Google announces

10 Special Needs Assistance Scholarships
Google has partnered with local community NIRP (Neu-
rodiversity IRP) sponsoring ten SNA scholarships.
The students from NIRP have commenced a QQI Level 5 and 6 SNA (spe-
cial needs assistance) course with the Portobello Institute.

A
spokesperson from the NIRP group said “we are delighted with the
scholarships. SNA courses give us the opportunity to achieve a rec-
ognised qualification and allow us to acquire the knowledge, empathy,
and awareness essential to our group’s role in supporting children needing
assistance with their learning. We are dedicated to accomplishing our goals
of developing our group by creating services for the most vulnerable chil-
dren and families in the Irishtown, Ringsend, and Pearse Street areas.”

Photos of the recent launch of NIRP on Thorncastle Street Inspiring Womens Programme

Big congrats to the inspiring women from Pearse Street and

Ringsend who completed the Google Women Leadership pro-
gramme with Google. On the night of the award ceremony
Leader of the Sinn Fein Party Mary Lou McDonald presented
the awards while sharing leadership insights. The next women
leadership programme is due to start in September. For further
information reach out to Teresa Weafer Google Community En-
gagement Manager.
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
Purple Run in Ringsend Park For Down Syndrome Day 2022
n Louise Whelan Purple Run images courtesy of Sandra Hawkins & Rachel Rooney
T
he sun was shining
down for the 5K Pur-
ple run/walk in Ring-
send Park when the world
marked World Down Syn-
drome Day. The atmosphere
was buzzing as the local
community came out to sup-
port this fundraiser, including
RCSF Network Coordinator
Rachel Rooney, Sinn Fein
TD Chris Andrews, Teresa
Weafer Grennell and Julie
Dilger (Google) the commu-
nity Gardaí, and Cllr Danny
Byrne.
Sinéad K Murphy, from
Bremen Grove in the New
Houses helped raise aware-
ness around neurodiversity
faced by people with Down
Syndrome. Sinead’s sister
Margaret (Maggie) has Down
Syndrome herself, but it has
never stopped her amazing
spirit that touches every-
one she comes into contact
with. Maggie is such a capa-
ble, funny, witty woman and
her infectious laugh is what
makes her special, and the
fact that she has pure un-
conditional love to give out
to her family and to everyone
else. She is truly a blessing
to be around and loved by
the whole community. Mag-
gie and her pals were all in
great form and there was no
stopping them from their
goal of 5k walk around the
park.
As well as the excitement
in the air there were also t-
shirts given out to support
the cause, donation buckets
for people to contribute what
they could, refreshments,
cakes and music to get the
fun started. But before that
everyone received a purple
balloon to release into the
sky to mark the occasion
which was a lovely gesture
and it looked amazing.
Then it was all go, some
people chose to jog, some
walked with buggies, oth-
ers walked with their dogs,
even the kids were doing
their laps no bother to them.
The people on the sidelines
were showing their support
by clapping and cheering as
the groups passed by and
the park-run marshals were
on hand keeping everything
running smoothly. Thanks
to everyone’s donations,
€2,080 was raised for Down
Syndrome Ireland.
Sinéad thanked all the peo-
ple who showed up and con-
tributed to the fundraiser,
including her sister Deborah
Kavanagh, and Jimmy Mur-
ray for all their help in organ-
ising things, Defiant water for
GOOGLE Page 21
their donation of water,
thanks to Teresa Weafer
Grennell and GOOGLE for
making the day possible
with a huge donation to fund
the event, RCSF for all their
help, and jenspartycakes for
her lovely cupcakes, Jennifer
Cummins for the amazing
spread of sandwiches and
food, Sandra Hawkins for
the photos, the park run mar-
shals and Irishtown Guards,
@amandatreatsandsweets
balloons and Danika Hopkins
for the balloon pillar.
Down Syndrome Ireland
have been campaigning for
the rights of their members
and what is effectively need-
ed to bring Ireland towards
a more inclusive society for
people with Down Syndrome
across the country. They en-
courage schools, clubs, com-
panies and individuals to help
raise awareness and togeth-
er can challenge perceptions
of Down Syndrome and en-
able people with Down Syn-
drome to speak up, be heard
and be respected as valued
members of society as they
strive to achieve their goals Sponsored By
Google
and pursue their passions,
just like everybody else.
You can donate to Down Syn-
drome Ireland by logging onto
www.downsyndrome.ie
 Page 22 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022

Dublin City Council unveils Commemorative Plaque to Patrick Pearse

Fennell Photography Dublin 4.
Pearse’s father, James
Pearse, was a monumental
sculptor who moved to Dub-
lin around 1860. The family
originally lived over the shop
in Great Brunswick Street
(now Pearse Street) before
moving to Sandymount. Their
first address in the area was
on Newbridge Avenue, and
they moved to 5 Georgian
Villas, now number 13 Sand-
ymount Avenue, in 1900.
James Pearse made the al-
tar railings for the Star of the
Sea Church, on Sandymount
Road.
Patrick Henry Pearse (1879-
Dublin Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland outside No.13 Sandymount
1916) was an Irish teacher,
Ave, alongside owner Kathleen O’Callaghan, her mother Miri-
barrister, poet, writer, na-
am and daughter Julianne Rogan at the unveiling of the new
tionalist and political activ-
plaque commemorating patriot Patrick Pearse.
ist. Aside from his prominent
phlet on ‘the English educa-
tion system in Ireland’ (Dub-
lin, 1916) and his founding
of the Irish language school
St. Enda’s in Rathfarnham
(which he ran during the last
eight years of his life).
Pearse lived in Sandymount
during a formative period in
his life, when he was train-
ing to be a barrister, became
one of the key figures in the
Gaelic League, and took on
responsibility for the family
on the death of his father.
The terrace of houses at
Sandymount Avenue was
built in 1864 and residents
over the years included
W.B. Yeats and Abbey play-
wright TC Murray, who are
both commemorated with
plaques.
commemorating women (not
as many as we should have)
and men, and events of the
past. Most of them, the vast
majority of them, are in the
City Centre. But great lives
are lived in all parts of the
City, and it is important that
these places be commemo-
rated, as well as those whose
memories are marked in the
streets of the City Centre.”
The decision to erect the
plaque was made by the
Dublin City Council Com-
memorations & Naming Com-
mittee, whose chair, Council-
lor Mícheál Mac Donncha
said, “The Commemorative
Plaques scheme allows the
City to formally commemo-
rate people who have made
a significant contribution to
the life of Dublin. We wel-

T
he home of Patrick
Pearse and his family
in Sandymount, Dublin
has been marked by a Dublin
City Council Commemorative
Plaque.
The plaque was unveiled by
Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland
at 13 Sandymount Avenue,
role in the Easter Rising (for
which he was executed on
3rd May 1916), he is best
remembered as the author
of The Murder Machine pam-
Speaking at the unveiling,
Lord Mayor Alison Gilliard
said, “We have many, many
memorials around Dublin,
come suggestions from the
public for people and events
to be commemorated, and
full details are on the Council
website.”

Crossword Clues Jun / Jul 2022

ACROSS:
1) Place Wham sang of where the drinks are free (4, 9)
8) Conceding (8)
9) Nonfiction narrative of personal experiences (6)
10) Plaything (3)
11) Baltic state, capital Riga (6)
12) This county is up north but it sounds the opposite (4)
13) Home improvements – not outsourced (1.1.1)
14) U.S. national security organisation (1.1.1)
15) Yarn (4)
16) Egg shape (4)
17) Cut off (a branch) (3)
18) Lament (3)
19) Twinge (of pain or guilt) (4)
20) Make noises like a brook or a baby (6)
21) Island where immigrants arrived in NYC (5)
23) Aid (6)
25) Ireland’s largest sporting organisation (1.1.1)
26) Seashell and symbol of order in The Lord of the Flies (5)
27) Much obliged (abbreviation) (2)
28) In theory (14)

Solutions to the April/May 2022 Crossword

DOWN:
ACROSS: 1) Troublesome, 6) Bob, 8) Blueberry, 9) Photo, 10) Emerge,
1) Virtual money alternative, eg. Bitcoin (14)
11) Weir, 12) Tad, 13) Once, 14) Roam, 15) Exams, 17) Vain, 18) De-
2) Suggested deadline printed on your perishables (3, 2, 4)
code, 19) Gnat, 21) Abba, 22) Epsom Salts, 25) Germ, 26) Malfunction-
3) Old fashioned game with discs and squidgers (11)
ing.
4) Bird expert (13)
5) Bell ringer (13)
DOWN: 1) Toblerone, 2) Opulence, 3) Lie Detector, 4) Screwdriver, 5)
6) One who likes to mention their famous friends (4, 7)
Experiment, 6) Biodegradable, 7) Brothers in Arms, 16) Jet, 18) Damsel,
7) In date order (15)
19) Gleam, 20) Lasso, 23) Sin, 24) Lit.
22) Tall and gangly (5)
24) This herb is a wise one (4)
25) Audacity (4)
The winner of our April/May 2022 crossword competition is David Fitzgerald, Co Wicklow.
Prize of €25 book token. Post entries to NewsFour, 13A Fitzwilliam Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4 by 22th July 2022.
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022 LITERATURE Page 23

Cop On Hardships and Comforts THURSDAY 13TH JANUARY

By Paddy Byrne Ireland 1922-2022 By Margaret Boles
By Mary Guckian
Don’t look up Today, on an everyday
Don’t look down In the grandest part of Dublin, Local canal walk,
But for all our sakes at the Shelbourne Hotel, Room 112, A family mourns their daughter,
Look around signing of the Constitution of Ireland sister, cousin, child...
took place in Nineteen Twenty Two. A community weeps and wonders
Still the frowns abound Little grandeur in Ireland then, mostly How has it come to this, -
For most of thee no running water or electricity, kettles Again – a lone woman
Within reasons boiling over open fires, coats drying In broad daylight
That are not sound on the back of chairs after drenchings Faced terror, lost her life
Ever looking for that extra pound cycling to school where rat holes How can it be, that
strewn over floors alongside daily For women, their liberty
Don’t look up beatings and batterings of children. To come and go
Don’t look down At will, to go,
But for all our sakes Today school rooms on the As their spirit moves them
Look around television, full of art and beauty Is negated, threatened,
and books, free education moving Anywhere they want to go
Even where the evil bombs fall us towards global technology. Alone, now they must query
The hopefulness of love Mothers allowed keep their babies Do they need, a chaperone,
Is to be found as our politicians shine on radio and A companion, a force
The tyrant with the Russian lies television, articulate and empathetic. To countermand potential vio-
Clawing his way to the sacred ground lence
Welcoming new people from war How can this be perceived
Up your heads torn countries, enriching our diets, As freedom, that a woman
Look around later they give us cosy restaurants Cannot feel safe,
Don’t look up where we dine in comfort, introducing To venture forth,
Don’t look down a variety of coffees, cakes and food. With only her own company.
Their music and art, acting, singing, This isn’t freedom, this isn’t lib-
Time, as it usually does, writing, boosting our entertainment. eration,
Will tell Now and again we eat take away This is a backwards move
Awaiting hate meals To a darker Age.
Are the hounds of hell or go for a mid week break in hotels.

So don’t look up Scrimping all my life to own

Don’t look down a home, now enjoying vast changes
But for all our sakes in an Ireland that continues to grow
Do look around and work towards achieving
a greater equality and democracy.

“The Zebra With the Pink Mohawk” By Cassie Byrne and Mia Harrington

0
n a savannah in Africa there are loads of ani-
mals but there is one in particular that stands
out from the rest. This animal is a zebra called
Zingy and he is sad because he has been bullied
by the other animals his whole life because of his
pink mohawk.
While Zingy was walking to school he felt some-
one tap him on his back, “Hello my name is Elshini,
what’s yours?” Zingy turned around and saw an el-
ephant he had never seen before. “Hi, my name is
Zingy, you must be new,” he replied. “Yes I’m from
the school on the other side of the savannah” she
told Zingy.
They walked the rest of the way to school together
and became friends. Once they got to school they
saw Jiffer, Jaffer and Joffer (but everyone called
them ‘The Three Js’) who were three hyenas and
were the school bullies. The Three Js’ had con-
vinced everyone to bully Zingy because of his pink
mohawk
When everyone saw Zingy they started to say stuff
like: “hey pinkie pie” or “what’s up pink hair?” Elshi-
ni didn’t like when the other animals called Zingy
names so she made a plan!
Elshini ran to her old school on the other side of the sa- She got up extra early the next
vannah and went straight to the science teacher’s lab. morning so she could pour the mix-
Her old science teacher was a giraffe named Professor ture into the lake as this was an
Long Neck and he had become friends with Elshini on important part of the plan. In the
her first day of school, so she knew the professor very morning, everyone gets 15 minutes
well. to play and before that they all drink
from the fountain so Elshini needed
to make sure the mixture was in
Elshini told Professor Long Neck everything about The there so everybody would drink it.
Three Js bullying Zingy because of his pink mohawk. “I’ll She timed it perfectly and suddenly
see what I can do,” the Professor said. ”What we’ll need all the animals were drinking from
is: a dash of cinnamon, eleven blades of tall grass, a the fountain. What happened next
leaf I’ve been storing in a jar for decades and a hair from made Elshini smile. When the ani-
Zingy’s mohawk.” mals drank the water, their manes
or tails turned pink. Now they all
looked like Zingy and no one could
“Oh no”, said Elshini, “How will I get a hair from Zingy’s
mohawk? Wait, what’s that tickling my ear,” Elshini ex- bully him anymore.
claimed. She shook her head and out came a hair from Bio:
Zingy’s mohawk. “What luck, it must have stuck to my Cassie and Mia are both aged 10
ear when I was playing with Zingy earlier” said a very and came up with the story and
excited Elshini. She put Zingy’s hair in the pot with the individual characters to highlight
other ingredients and let it simmer for seven minutes. the impact that bullying can have
When it was done she put it in a test tube and said good- on young people in school, and to
bye and thank you to the Professor. Elshini ran back to highlight that it is ok to be different
her house and hid the test tube in an empty jewellery from your peers. The girls are pu-
box in her room. pils of St Louis Primary School in
Rathmines.
 Page 24
O’Reilly’s Pub “100 Not Out”
A landmark centenary for one of Dublin’s Finest Traditional Pubs
T.P. O’ Reilly (Paul) is the Third generation of the Family to own the Pub.
C
ongratulations to
O’Reilly’s Pub on Sea-
fort Avenue, in Sand-
ymount, who are celebrating
their centenary year in June.
The O’Reilly family, original-
ly from County Cavan took
ownership of the premises
in 1922. Thomas O’Reilly
bought the pub from Sylvest-
er White who owned Flem-
ing’s Pub where Ryan’s pub
stands today, in late June
1922. This was the beginning
of the O’Reilly family foothold
in Sandymount.
Sandymount was a genteel
and sleepy village. In its
backdrop you had inner-city
Dublin being in turmoil with
the Civil War which raged
across the country in 1922.
James Joyce’s Ulysses was
also published in 1922, in
which Stephen Dedalus asks
himself as he walks on Sand-
ymount Strand, “Am I walk-
ing into eternity along Sand-
ymount Strand?” Over the
following years the electric
trams trundled back and forth
along Strand Road, through
Sandymount village and on
to Irishtown and Ringsend
to the former Nelson’s Pillar
where the Spire is today on
O’Connell Street. The trams
were housed in sheds on
Gilford Road and the single
storey cottages in the av-
enue behind the sheds were
for the tram drivers and staff.
The two-storey house was for
the manager. The last tram
from Sandymount village left
in July 1949.
The building of houses on
Beach Road, Farney Park,
and Wilfield Road began in
the 1930’s, with the houses
on Durham Road being built
in the early 1950’s. Follow-
ing these were the houses
on Castle Park in the early
1960’s and St John’s estate
COMMUNITY
on Park Avenue in the late
1980’s.
Old Shop front Circa 1960’s
After the passing of Thomas
O’Reilly, the pub continued to
operate under the manage-
ment of his two sons, Pat-
rick, better known as Mr. O
and Tommy. Mr O and Tom-
my formed a great brotherly
partnership for years, both
very different characters. Mr.
O with his quick dry wit and
Tommy getting through his
day in his own relaxed way.
Tommy, the last surviving
brother, passed away on 31st
Dec 1999, the eve of the new
www.newsfour.ie
millennium. The pub’s own-
ership passed to T.P. O’Reilly
(Paul), who is Mr. O’s son,
and Tommy’s nephew. He
is the current proprietor and
third generation of the family
to run the pub.
Paul was born and reared
in Sandymount Village and
grew up in the family home
above the pub along with
his two sisters Siobhan and
Derval. Paul’s mother Joan,
known to friends as Mrs. O.,
was an elegant lady who con-
tributed to the pub’s contin-
ued success for many years.
Paul has fond memories of
the pub and Sandymount vil-
lage. He remembers when
he came home from school
helping his father to bottle
Guinness and label the bot-
tles. He would also run up
and down Seafort Avenue
with telephone messages
for neighbours as the phone
in the pub was one of very
few in the village. “Be in the
pub tonight at 8 o’clock, your
uncle Jimmy is calling from
America.” When not helping
their father and uncle, Sand-
ymount beach was a familiar
amenity to the young O’Reilly
children.
At a time when foreign travel
was still a rarity, Sandymount
village and its beach were
very popular destinations
for a day out in the summer
months. Droves of people
arrived from the inner city
to use the beach. This also
brought in an influx of visitors
and shoppers to the village.
Seafort Stores on Seafort
Avenue, on the way to the
beach, sold sand buckets
and spades, toy sunglasses,
sun hats, small lilos and wa-
ter safety rings. Other shops
to name but a few included
Findlater’s where Mace is,
Leverett and Frye, on Sand-
ymount Green, where Mario’s
restaurant is, Batt’s dispens-
ing chemist where AIB is,
McAuliffe’s Pharmacy which
is still there today, but under
June / July 2022
new ownership, Roddy’s on
Sandymount Green, Tom Mc-
Cormack’s vegetable shop
where Books on the Green
is, Miss Milligan’s Hardware
where Sandymount Pharma-
cy is and the legendary Ma-
pother’s Newsagents.
Back during the second
World War many locals col-
lected driftwood on Sand-
ymount beach for fuel to burn
in their fire grates at home,
as coal supplies were hin-
dered coming into Dublin port
by German U-boats on the
open seas.
In the 50’s & 60’s O’Reillys
would Label and Bottle Guin-
ness and Whiskey on the prem-
ises.
The village continues to draw
an influx of visitors due partly
to the wonderful use of Sand-
ymount Green donated to the
community by the Earl of
Pembroke, and the progres-
sive businesses that grow
from strength to strength
every year. The two statues
in the Green commemorate
William Butler Yeats and
Seamus Heaney who were
awarded the Nobel Laureate
Prize for Literature in 1923
and 1995 respectively. Sea-
mus was a very regular cus-
tomer in O’Reilly’s Pub and
lived on Strand Road near
the Merrion Gates for many
years. W.B. Yeats was born
at 5 Sandymount Avenue.
In April 2022, a tree was
planted in the Green, and a
plaque unveiled to commem-
orate the first anniversary of
the death of local entertainer
and winning Eurovision song
writer Shay Healy, who grew
up on Wilfield Road. Cel-
ebrations to mark the occa-
sion took place in O’Reilly’s
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
with live music performances
and songs from Shay’s family
and closest friends. Amongst
them were Flo McSweeney,
Paul Harrington, and Johnny
Logan. O’Reilly’s is no stran-
ger to celebrities and has
enjoyed serving film actors,
models, sports stars, and
writers. A celebration like the
one for Shay demonstrates
that even today after 100
years O’Reilly’s continues to
be a quintessential village
pub at the heart of the com-
munity in Sandymount vil-
lage.
The recent facelift at O’Reillys.
Beautiful work carried out by
Tony McGough of Wicklow
Joinery.
O’Reilly’s has hosted many
players’ celebrations for
clubs such as Clanna Gael,
Railway Union, Pembroke
Cricket Club, Monkstown
Rugby Club and YMCA.
O’Reilly’s Pub has also been
very proud sponsors of all
these clubs over the years.
Watching any of the big sport-
ing events in O’Reilly’s is as
good as being there if not
better when you are sitting
among the very knowledge-
able and friendly sports fans
in front of one of the numer-
ous television screens. With
a pint or your favourite tipple
in your hand you are guaran-
teed to have a very enjoyable
experience.
O’Reilly’s is also proud to
have its own Golfing Society,
which was founded in 1996
by local solicitor John McK-
enna with Paul O’Reilly as
the President of the Society.
This is another invaluable
part of O’Reilly’s business
offering a great social activ-
ity to young and mature play-
ers. Organising and playing
about 10 outings a year and
bringing the fun back to the
19th Hole for prize giving and
craic makes for some very
memorable nights.
The Society has generated
much needed funds for chari-
table causes and its recent
fundraising outing raised
funds for the very deserving
Father Peter McVerry Trust,
who are committed to reduc-
ing homelessness and the
harm caused by substance
misuse and social disadvan-
tage.
Adding to the Society’s fund
raising, the customers of
O’Reilly’s have always dug
deep into their pockets over
the years to raise funds for
a number of charities includ-
ing Temple Street Children’s
Hospital, The Rehabilitation
Institute and Enable Ireland.
These funds are raised at our
seasonal fun nights such as
the Halloween Fancy Dress
and Best Christmas Jumper/
Outfit, not forgetting the pub
quizzes organised by the
staff.
In addition to 3rd and 4th gen-
eration O’Reilly family mem-
bers Paul, Derval and Cara
working in the pub, many oth-
er staff members from the lo-
cality have served behind the
bar with loyalty and diligence.
Amongst them were two sets
of twins - the Donnelly broth-
ers, Peter, who is sadly no
longer with us, and his broth-
er Paul who is now enjoying
retirement, and the Mooney
brothers, Dessie and William.
Many of the other locals, far
too many to name here, also
worked and served behind
the bar with their children fol-
lowing in their footsteps. For
some families O’Reilly’s has
become a rite of passage.
T J and Paula Murphy from
Seafort Ave now have their
youngest daughter, Ella, fol-
lowing in the footsteps of
both her sisters who worked
in O’Reilly’s.
So, what’s the secret, the
magic formula, to the success
and longevity of O’Reilly’s
pub?
We asked Dave Mahony, the
Manager of O’Reilly’s, now in
his 31st year in O’Reilly’s to
share his thoughts. The beautiful Beer Garden at
COMMUNITY
“May i first put on record
my very special thanks to
all our loyal customers for
their support, and for help-
ing us reach this great mile-
stone in O’Reillys history.” I
believe the magic formula is
quite simple, to use the term
‘If it isn’t broken don’t fix it.’
O’Reilly’s is a Dublin Pub,
traditional in its style, a place
to enjoy your favourite drink,
read the paper or a book, lis-
ten to music; a place to meet
family and friends, grab a
sandwich or something much
more substantial, watch a
game or have a coffee with
your neighbour. We believe
we have everyone covered. A
glass of wine or prosecco, a
G&T or a cocktail are among
the ladies’ favourites. Men of
all ages enjoy a splendidly
good pint or two. We cater for
the Designated Driver with
our variety of non-alcoholic
drinks with Guinness Zero
Zero being one of the most
popular. We have a very suc-
cessful collaboration with
BuJo Sandymount. Using
your mobile phone, you can
order from BuJo’s menu and
have it delivered to your table
in O’Reilly’s.
We offer live music every
Saturday night and Tradition-
al Irish music every second
Wednesday. It is a place for
live sport with 6 HD TV’s in-
cluding 2 in the Beer Garden,
with stereo sound to enhance
the big game atmosphere.
The pièce de résistance is
the Beer Garden. The beauti-
ful mature garden at the back
of O’Reilly’s is a must see
for any visitor. Patio seating
area with heaters, mature
trees, shrubs, seasonal flow-
ers, a beautiful green lawn,
and all walled in for privacy.
Enjoy your drink with friends
in a quiet, secluded location
away from passing traffic.
the back of O’Reillys is a hidden
gem.
Young Tom, Pours The Perfect Pint.
Then we throw in the final and
most important ingredient in
the magic formula, the staff.
With 40 years’ experience
in the bar trade, I’ve learned
that people want to be served
well. They want professional,
helpful, and polite staff. They
want friendly staff to whom
they can chat, share a joke
and a story.
In O’Reilly’s you will find a
spotlessly clean pub, great
staff, friendly local custom-
ers, a great atmosphere,
and a relaxed and warm wel-
come. If you haven’t paid us
a visit, please do, and make
sure to check out the beer
garden.”
What better way to finish off
a walk, perhaps over to Irish
town Nature Park and maybe
out as far as the Poolbeg
Lighthouse, than by popping
into O’Reilly’s beer garden to
quench your thirst with a cou-
ple of cool pints or whatever
takes your fancy. If you are
hungry why not order one of
Bujo’s fabulous burgers.
To mark the occasion of our
100th year we have a Mid-
Summer Festival planned,
starting 22nd June and run-
ning until 25th June.
The Time Table is as Follows:
Page 25
Wednesday 22nd June. His-
tory night.
Local Historian, Eamon Bo-
han will talk us through the
many changes to the Village
over the years. An interesting
look at the changing face of
the Village and Pubs in the
Village over 200 years.
Thursday 23rd June. Quiz
Night.
Pub Quiz time, a traditional
Pub Quiz Night with a few
surprises thrown in for good
measure. Teams of 4 player-
ers. Prizes for the top 3 teams
placed. Make sure you book
your team for this event. €40
for a team of 4 Players. All
funds raised will be donated
to the Ukraine Victims Fund.
Friday 24th June. Friday
Night Live.
Live music from 9.30 till close
with Ian Byrne.
Saturday 25th June. Party
Night.
Shorts and Shades Party
night with DJ Dale Tynan.
We look forward to seeing
you soon.
Images: Courtesy of Tom O’
Sullivan.
 Page 26 DCC NOTES www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022

DCC NOTES
cycle route where it meets
Grand Canal Dock and it is
no longer possible for two
cyclists to pass each other.
The manager replied that
Dublin City Council issued
a Hoarding Licence to MB
McNamara Construction Co.
for a development at Grand
Canal Quay (official name of
Clanwilliam Terrace) for the
period 1st March to 31st Au-
gust. The developers plan to
n David Prendeville be onsite for 22 months. The
APRIL run for cars avoiding the new Roadworks Control Inspector
who authorised the licence

C
ouncillors Tara Deacy
and Deirdre Conroy
put forward the mo-
tion that the committee sup-
port an urgent investigation
regarding the speed and
behaviour of traffic on the
stretch of the lower Crum-
lin Road between Sundrive
Road and the Grand Canal
(Dolphin’s Barn Bridge/Par-
nell Road) and that action be
taken to address the ongoing
serious concerns of residents
and children/young people
using the various facilities in
this area.
Councillor Dermot Lacey
put forward the motion that
the Committee requests a
report on what measures
can be taken to install safe
cycling along the Merrion
Road particularly the stretch
from Ailesbury Road to Boot-
erstown to connect with the
works being undertaken by
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown
County Council.
Councillor Paddy McCartan
asked if DCC could fill in the
pot holes on Sydney Parade
Avenue Sandymount from
the Strand Road to the en-
trance to St Alban’s Park as
they are a danger to cyclists
and troublesome to motorists
and cars. The manager said
they had been added to the
Works List for repairs to be
carried out.
Councillor Dermot Lacey
asked the Manager if he
could respond to three is-
sues relating to Leahy’s Ter-
race, Sandymount: 1. That
the road, which has a pri-
mary school located on it,
has recently become a rat
ramps on Strand Road and
leading to congestion and
risk to school kids. 2. That
there have been a number
of large potholes in this road
now for over a year. 3. That
the footpaths are in a very
dangerous state for pedes-
trians particularly the elderly,
as a number of people have
fallen there in recent months
- this being due to the foot-
path moving from tree roots’
expansion which give rise to
serious trip issues when the
footpath slabs move differen-
tially. The manager respond-
ed that there are appropriate
traffic calming measures in
place on Leahy’s Terrace to
ensure the health and safety
of children. There are two
speed ramps on the eastern
part of Leahy’s Terrace, and
the western part is also natu-
rally traffic-calmed with the
provision of on-street park-
ing on both sides of the road.
The road and footpaths on
Leahy’s Terrace have been
inspected and issues not-
ed have been added to the
Works List for repairs to be
carried out. The trees on Le-
ahy’s Terrace will be inspect-
ed in the coming weeks and
any works deemed neces-
sary will be listed for consid-
eration in the tree care pro-
gramme for the area. Parks
will liaise with the Roads
Maintenance Section to re-
quest footpath repairs.
Councillor Claire Byrne
asked the Area Manager if he
can investigate the construc-
tion work on Clanwilliam Ter-
race in Grand Canal Dock.
Fencing has been placed out
over the road impeding on
the cycle route. This is right
at the end of the Grand Canal
is currently dealing with the
developer to ensure that the
cycle track continues safely
and remains unimpeded.
MAY
Councillor Tara Deacy put
forward the motion that the
committee agree to establish
a strategic working group to
assist in the coordination of
the Ukrainian response in the
southeast area. This group
could include representation
from the community, volun-
tary and statutory sectors
and include reps from local
schools, children and young
people services committee,
local drugs task force etc.
Councillor Anne Feeney put
forward the motion that the
committee calls on the coun-
cil to provide adequate and
meaningful consultation to
traders, resident representa-
tive groups, schools and pub-
lic representatives in relation
to future significant changes
to road usage i.e. new safe
cycle-ways; new bus lanes;
changes to sequencing of
traffic lights, etc.
Councillor Claire Byrne put
forward the motion that the
Area Committee calls on the
Area Manager to introduce
more regular cleaning of the
Millennium and Rosie Hack-
ett bridges to remove graffiti
and stickers.
Councillor Danny Byrne put
forward the motion that the
area committee agree that
they request the chief ex-
ecutive to suspend parking
charges for people who are
charging electric cars.
Cllr Paddy McCartan asked
the manager to deal with an
issue from a constituent re-
garding the condition of the
road leading up to the South
Wall at Poolbeg and the poor
state of repair, with a large
amount of potholes potential-
ly dangerous to motorists, cy-
clists and walkers alike. The
manager responded saying
that the section of Pigeon
House Road, leading up to
the South Wall at Poolbeg is
not charged to Road Mainte-
nance Services. This section
of roadway is the responsi-
bility of the ESB. The issues
about the condition of the
roadway have been passed
to the ESB for follow up.
Cllr Paddy McCartan asked
the manager to have the
graffiti removed from Donny-
brook Road adjacent to Old
Wesley. The manager said
that arrangements had been
made to do so.
Councillor Mannix Flynn
asked if the manager could
have a full evaluation for
emergency vehicle access
into Dublin city council social
housing flat complexes. He
cited a recent fire in Glovers
Court, where the fire tender
could not get the vehicle
into the flats because of cars
parked at the entrance. He
said it is high time that DCC
began to address this issue
of parking in social housing
estates and flats. The man-
ager said that Dublin City
Council will examine this is-
sue and arrange double yel-
low lines at any appropriate
pinch points.
Councillor Claire Byrne
asked the Area Manager for
a full list of properties in the
South East area that have
been proposed to facilitate
Ukrainian refugees arriving
in Ireland. The manager said
that a list of 11 large prop-
erties were discussed with
representatives from the De-
partment of Children, Equal-
ity, Disability, Integration and
Youth. Of these properties
three are in the South East
Area but not in the ownership
of Dublin City Council.
Councillor Danny Byrne
asked the manager how of-
ten the liaison officer visits
to ascertain the welfare of
the residents in Cambridge
Court, Ringsend, to which he
replied Cambridge Court is
visited by the liaison officer
approximately three times a
week.
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association
celebrates its 60th AGM
A
n Dermot Carmody
fter a pandemic-im-
posed hiatus of two
years the 60th AGM of
the Sandymount and Merrion
Residents Association (SAM-
RA) was held on Monday
April 25th in the Sandymount
Hotel. Over 100 residents at-
tended the meeting of what is
the longest-existing residents
association in Dublin.
Chairperson SAMRA Committee
David Turner
Attendees at the meeting also
included Jim O’Callaghan TD
(Fianna Fail) and Labour
Party leader, Ivana Bacik TD,
as well as Councillors Hazel
Chu (Green Party), Dermot
Lacey (Labour) and James
Geoghegan (Fine Gael). Su-
perintendent Timothy Burke
and members of the local
Garda Siochana Community
Policing Team were also in
attendance.
A number of presentations
were made to the meeting,
including one on the results
of a survey conducted by
SAMRA among residents
which found that the most
popular features of living in
the Sandymount area includ-
ed the village atmosphere,
access to the beach, safety
and security and the range of
local amenities.
Challenges facing the area
identified are rising sea lev-
els, sea defences, excess
road traffic and the pressure
on existing infrastructure as
a result of increased traffic
in the area. Among sugges-
tions from respondents to
the survey as to how life in
the area could be improved
were calls for less pollution
on the beach and less traf-
fic in Sandymount village.
There was considerable de-
bate during the meeting on
these issues, and on Dublin
City Council’s plans for a cy-
cleway on Strand Road.
There were also reports on
the continued engagement
by SAMRA in developments
affecting the area, includ-
ing SAMRA’s submission on
the Dublin City Development
Plan 2022-28 and on the
3FM project for the develop-
ment of Dublin Port. SAMRA
made a submission voicing
residents concerts on the
latter last December. In that
submission SAMRA asserted
that the proposed develop-
ment should not go ahead
as planned, objecting to the
proposed “incremental ex-
pansion of the port facilities
on prime unique landscape”
including the building of the
Southern Port Access Route
and the expansion of the
“largest container terminal
in the country” adjacent to
Sandymount Strand.
With regard to the ongo-
ing development of the
Glass Bottle site by the Ro-
nan Group, it was noted that
phase 1 of over 600 apart-
ments has received planning
approval and will begin soon,
including the development
of “meanwhile use” facilities
including artists’ studios, a
meeting house and cafes.
SAMRA will continue to lobby
for adequate public transport
infrastructure to be provided
as the development contin-
ues.
SAMRA dates back to when
Sandymount residents or-
ganised in 1957 to campaign
against the use of Sand-
ymount Strand as the main
refuse dump for Dublin City.
The organisation expanded
in 1965 to become the Sand-
ymount and Merrion Resi-
dents Association because of
Dublin Corporation’s plans to
fill in the whole of the Strand
as far as the City boundary at
Merrion Gates with munici-
pal, industrial, and hazardous
waste. This was in breach
of an agreement reached in
1963 with Dublin Corporation
that all dumping would cease
at a point close to the city end
COMMUNITY Page 27
of Beach Road near the pre-
sent Sean Moore Road.
Among the achievements
over its lifetime listed by
SAMRA are the eventual
complete cessation of dump-
ing on the strand in 1978 and
the development of Sean
Moore Park and of Irishtown
Nature Park along lines sug-
gested by SAMRA.
Connecting the current itera-
tion of SAMRA right back to
its origin is 97-year-old Lorna
Pilkington, who was an origi- Left to Right - Aoife Byrne, David Byrne and Patricia Sweetman (Sand-
nal member of the associa- ymount)
tion, and although unable to
attend the AGM is still very
much involved, and has pro-
vided information on the his-
tory of the association which
is held now in the Dublin City
Archives, housed in Pearse
Street Library.
The membership of SAMRA
now stands at around 200
and the association will fo-
cus on increasing this mem-
bership as far as possible.
Given the hard and focused
work of committee members
and the level of engagement
of residents attending the
AGM, SAMRA seems set to
continue to be an effective
advocate for the area and its
residents for the foreseeable
future.
Mary and Derry O’Donovan (Sandymount)
Members of the SAMRA Committee (Back Row l to r) Liam Handy, Niall McElroy, David Turner (Chair-
person), Mark Wheeler, Karl Anderson, Kristin Hadfield, Jeremy Humphries and Councillor Dermot Lac-
ey (Front Row l to r) Stephen Hurley, Joan MacArthur, Deputy Ivana Bacik TD and Irene Duffy Lynch
 Page 28 1988 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022

Compiled by Louise Whelan

Castle stores (where Spar is now) where Urgent phone message.. Oh how technology
Spinning the wheel to 250,000- I hope he invested
you’d get change from 50p. has changed.. Kids dont know the struggle.
it wisely.

Switz swoooo on the legs 11 at the 50’s and

60’s night.

Ringsend Nicknames.. If anyone knows who these

are send an email.. Joe the goat and Sappy head There’s a handy guide for the Video vision.. When its 1988 and Friday night is about
sound like good craic. home brew... to go off #bekindrewind.
www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022 1988 Page 29

Candidates in the race for Lord Mayor.. Spoiler alert,

Michael Byrne won that one.

Ringsend Tech has evolved into Ringsend College.

Declan O Keefe was the bachelor of Sandymount and I

heard he had to dress up in womens lingerie.

When Tesco was Quinnsworth.

Always have the best sponsors for the football jer-

seys and kits.

Beggars Bush Barracks-still an iconic landmark all these years later, and looking beauti-
ful too.
Reopening of Sandymount Dart Station.
 Page 30
An Garda Síochána Celebrate 100 Years
n Peter McNamara
O
n February 22nd
last, Garda person-
nel across all ranks
and grades took part in An
Garda Síochána’s cente-
nary ‘A Day in the Life’ on-
line project, to commemo-
rate the first recruits who
joined the organisation on
that day 100 years ago.
In the century since the first
Garda recruits made their
way to the RDS to begin
their formal training on Feb-
ruary 21st, 1922, thousands
of people have dedicated
their working lives as Gardaí,
protecting communities and
keeping the people of Ireland
safe. Within its first six weeks
of existence, some 700 were
in training to become mem-
bers of An Garda Síochána;
today there are over 14,000
Gardaí working nationwide,
with more to be added in
the current recruitment cam-
paign. Although the last 100
years of policing in Ireland
has not been without its
scandals, and many issues
around corruption and trans-
parency still endure, one can-
not deny the contribution of
these ordinary – and mostly
unarmed – men and women
to the safety of Irish society.
There has been much ado at
Garda HQ. Along with their
centenary celebrations, the
force has also revealed their
all-new uniform – gone are
the stiff blue collars and ties:
in - a looser, swankier, and
perhaps more friendly polo
shirt. This marks their third
costume change in a century.
Slán Leat to the Royal
Irish Constabulary
Speaking about the recent
centenary celebrations, Dep-
uty Commissioner for Policing
and Security, Anne Marie Mc-
Mahon noted the bravery of
those first recruits who came
forward to train as Gardaí.
I don’t think anyone would
disagree, they were signing
up during a “very difficult pe-
riod” in this nation’s history.
Prior to the signing of the An-
glo-Irish Treaty of December
1921, Ireland was policed by
the Royal Irish Constabulary
(RIC) and the Dublin Metro-
politan Police. Needless to
say, due to their loyalty to the
old British regime and their
association with the Auxilia-
ries and Black and Tans, the
RIC was totally unacceptable
to the vast majority of Irish
people. The country need-
SOCIAL/HISTORY
ed a new policing agency.
The inaugural meeting of a
committee responsible for
the foundation of a new po-
lice force took place in Janu-
ary 1922 at the Gresham
Hotel in Dublin. The chair-
man was Michael Staines,
a member of the supreme
council of the Irish Republi-
can Brotherhood, and a vet-
eran of the Easter Rising of
1916, in which he served as
Quartermaster General in the
GPO. He was also a mem-
ber of Dáil Éireann. By 21st
February 1922, the commit-
tee issued instructions to
the Volunteer Brigade com-
manders to begin recruiting
suitable candidates for the
new police force which was
to be armed and known as
the “Civic Guards”. These re-
cruits were to be single men,
at least 5’9’’ tall and able to
pass examinations in arith-
metic, reading, and spelling.
The first Commissioner of
the new force was – perhaps
unsurprisingly – the afore-
mentioned Michael Staines.
Initially, the first recruits were
trained at the RDS Balls-
bridge but were soon to be
relocated to Kildare Military
Barracks. Here, on 15th May
1922, whilst Staines was de-
livering his morning address,
over 1,000 guards broke
ranks and seized the ar-
moury. Staines and his senior
officers had to flee the scene.
It took Michael Collins, as
chairman of the Provisional
Government seven weeks to
bring about an end to the mu-
tiny. It was said to have been
caused by anti-treaty sympa-
thisers amongst the recruits
objecting to the use of ex-
RIC members as instructors
in the force. Staines hand-
ed in his resignation which
was accepted in August – a
short-lived posting it has to
be said. He was replaced
by General Eoin O’Duffy.
It was not until the middle of
September that members of
www.newsfour.ie
the Garda Síochana were
diffused to various locations
throughout the country. On
Ship Street the force suffered
its first fatality when 19-year-
old Garda Charles Eastwood
was accidentally killed by
a comrade. This accident
led to the disarming of the
uniformed members of the
force. Considering that the
country was in the throes of a
vicious civil war, it was a bold
step, and one which demon-
strated the bravery of each
individual Garda member.
This peaceful, de-escalating
approach to safety is one
that largely survives today.
From Reservist to Chief
Superintendent
An Garda Síochána is di-
rected and controlled by the
Garda Commissioner. It’s
unique among policing ser-
vices internationally as a uni-
tary body responsible for the
security of the State and the
provision of policing services.
The two functions are united
by an underpinning philoso-
phy: the protection of the
individual and the safety of
communities. According to its
website, An Garda Síochána
is “in and of the community”
and community policing “is
the key to and at the core” of
the ethos of the Organisation.
The Headquarters of An
Garda Síochána is based in
the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8.
The general direction and
control of the organisation
is the responsibility of the
Garda Commissioner who
is appointed by the Govern-
ment. The Commissioner is
June / July 2022
responsible to the Minister
for Justice who in turn is ac-
countable to the Government
for the security and polic-
ing of the State. The Com-
missioner is assisted by two
Deputy Commissioners and
a Chief Administrative Officer.
In addition, there are a num-
ber of Assistant Commission-
ers in command of Regions
with others who have re-
sponsibility for critical portfo-
lios such as Garda National
Crime Security & Intelligence
Service, Special Crime Op-
erations, Roads Policing &
Community Engagement and
Governance & Accountability.
For anyone looking to climb
the ranks of the Gardaí, at
the bottom rung is the Re-
serve Garda, then Garda,
Sergeant, Inspector, and
Superintendent. Next above
that, the Chief Superinten-
dent is answerable to the
Assistant Commissioner.
At the top of the pile stands
the Garda Commissioner.
Drew Harris currently oc-
cupies the role. For opera-
tional effectiveness, the Or-
ganisation is structured on
a regional basis, of which
there are four. The Regions
are subdivided into Divi-
sions, with each commanded
by a Chief Superintendent.
Policing the Police – 100
Years Under Scrutiny
Vicky Conway’s Polic-
ing Twentieth Century Ire-
land: A History of An Garda
Síochána is one of the most
recent attempts to analyse
the successes and scan-
dals of the force. Published
in 2014, Conway address-
es, among other things, the
problem of modern organ-
ised crime, the impact of the
Donegal corruption scandals
and the effect of the meas-
ures that followed the Gar-
da Síochána Act of 2005.
Swiftly re-telling the history
of the force, Conway draws
on the findings of the Ameri-
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
can sociologist Peter Man-
ning, who has described a
sort of sacred zone around
the Garda. The gardaí were
emblematic of the new,
emerging State; they have
always done their duty by
that State; they are for and
of the people. This, Conway
says, is the discourse around
the Garda. But it is not the
reality. She is deeply criti-
cal of its historic propensity
to use force unnecessarily.
Writing on this subject in The
Irish Times, Conor Brady
believes that one has the
sense that Conway is “be-
mused by – perhaps even in
awe of – an organisation that
is consistently rated as the
most trusted institution in the
country.” He notes that, “the
guards enjoy greater confi-
dence than the courts, the
churches and the leading pro-
fessions. They are far ahead
of the news media and leave
the politicians standing.”
Although people accept that
“gardaí may abuse their pow-
ers,” Conway concludes, this
does not “translate into a
lack of confidence.” The re-
markable reality is that many
people sympathise with the
police in facing organised
crime, violent deviancy and
antisocial behaviour. And
there is a reluctance to con-
demn abuses of power that
often stops just short of en-
couragement. On the sub-
ject of unnecessary violence,
Brady argues that this kind
of behaviour is hardly to be
wondered at “in a society
where the physical chastise-
ment of deviancy was the
norm for so long.” Corporal
punishment was rampant in
schools and homes. Brady
asks: “Could the police in
the past have been expect-
ed to act any differently?”
Something which Conway
highlights is a lack of ac-
countability. Nearly ten years
later, the situation hasn’t im-
proved much. The sponsor
of the 2005 reform act, Mi-
chael McDowell, described
it as the most profound leg-
islation for policing since the
establishment of the force.
On this point, Conway and
Brady agree: there is an illu-
sion of reform; underneath,
little enough has changed.
“The Garda Ombudsman’s
limited role has been circum-
scribed. The Garda Inspec-
torate is merely advisory.”
Resulting perhaps in part
from the Maurice McCabe
scandals, the Gardaí’s 2018
publication, Commission on
the Future of Policing, posits
as its 3rd principle that “Ac-
countability and oversight
structures for policing should
be clear and effective.”
To that end, the Commis-
sion recommends an en-
hanced regular programme
of engagement between An
Garda Síochána and the
Joint Oireachtas Committee
on Justice and Equality, with
quarterly meetings. More
crucially, it also recommends
that GSOC should be super-
seded by a new independent
complaints body, one with a
new name, to make clear that
it is not part of the force. The
Independent Office of the
Police Ombudsman (IOPO)
is the moniker they suggest.
Diversity, Technology,
and Guns?
With a view to the future, the
Commission on the Future
of Policing also calls for a
reflection of the diversity of
Irish Society within An Garda
Síochána, “diverse not only in
gender and ethnicity, but also
in socio-economic, educa-
tional and geographical back-
ground.” They encourage ap-
plications from any and all
backgrounds. And in this mo-
ment of swish new uniforms,
the organisation also pledges
to consider, subject to op-
erational, health and safety
requirements, alterations
to the Garda uniform policy
to take account of religious
SOCIAL/HISTORY
and ethnic requirements.
Likewise, reflecting chang-
ing times, the Commission
recommends the immediate
creation of a national centre
for intelligence collation and
analysis (Strategic Threat
Analysis Centre – STAC), sit-
uated centrally within govern-
ment, as well as an updated
and comprehensive National
Cyber Security Strategy.
The arming of the Irish police
is another long-standing and
divisive issue. The first Re-
gional Support Units (RSU)
were formed in 2008, to sup-
port five individual Garda
regions. In 2016, amid in-
creased gangland violence
and perceived terror threats,
it was decided that a sixth
RSU be established in Dub-
lin. As part of this process,
they were renamed Armed
Support Units (ASU). The
Dublin ASU began operat-
ing with a complement of
55-60 full-time armed offic-
ers, including five sergeants.
According to the General
Secretary of the Garda Rep-
resentative Association, Pat
Ennis, armed support needs
to be available in every divi-
sion. He told the Irish Sun-
day Mirror: “One of our ma-
jor worries is the level of
violent incidents in rural Ire-
land … Gardaí are far more
exposed compared to ur-
ban divisions, where back-
up can arrive far quicker.”
Ennis went on to say that
Gardaí have, “no desire to be
tooled up or any of that ma-
cho stuff” and that they are
“extremely proud of our po-
licing-by-consent model.” But
he emphasised that, while-
crime rates are falling under
many headings, Gardaí are
being subject to ever more
violent and life-threatening
attacks. “We are seeing more
incidents of armed confron-
tation, and vehicle-related
dangers such as Gardaí
being rammed, driven at
and dragged along roads.”
Despite the large number
of feud-related murders in
2017, a recent UN study
suggests Ireland was a
safer country in terms of
homicides than it was at the
time of the last UN report in
2013, when the rate stood
at 1.1 per 100,000. Ireland’s
homicide rate has fluctuated
significantly over the years.
In 1990, when the study
first began, it was 0.5 per
100,000. The worst year was
2007 when it reached 1.8.
According to the newest
data, Ireland has the 11th
lowest homicide rate in Eu-
rope and the 23rd lowest
in the world. It may be the
case that the world might
do better with less rather
than more violent weapons,
lest other countries go the
way of the United States.
Irish Council for Civil
Liberties – Recommenda-
tions into Reality
Liam Herrick, Irish Council
for Civil Liberties Executive
Director, believes we now
stand at a “key juncture” for
advancing and sustaining
policing reform in Ireland.
Those reforms recommend-
ed by the Commission on
the Future of Policing are
now entering a critical phase,
as legislation is moving for-
ward through the Oireach-
tas. Meanwhile, in Northern
Ireland, the PSNI recently
marked 20 years since its
establishment, along with the
introduction of wider polic-
ing oversight arrangements.
“With this,” Herrick writes
on that organisation’s web-
site, “comes an opportunity
to reflect on past success-
es, current challenges, and
risks for the future around
human rights and policing.”
As such, the Irish Council for
Civil Liberties and the Com-
Page 31
mittee on the Administration
of Justice held a free seminar
in Dublin on March 24th, enti-
tled Police Reform in both Ju-
risdictions: Learning from the
Past and Planning for the Fu-
ture. This day-long event saw
input from policy makers, ac-
ademics, practitioners, and
others with a direct involve-
ment in police reform and
oversight. Speakers included
Minister for Justice Helen
McEntee; Marie Anderson,
Police Ombudsman NI; Bob
Collins, Chair Policing Au-
thority; Deputy Commission-
er Shawna Coxon, An Garda;
and Sir George Hamilton, for-
mer Chief Constable PSNI.
Looking back on the history
of An Garda Síochána, there
has been no small amount of
law enforcement scandals in
Ireland over the past century.
Be it the bizarre GUBU affair,
the tragic Kerry babies case,
or the shadowy Sophie de
Plantier murder – to name but
a few – the Irish police can
seem a dubious and heavy-
handed organisation. But is it
fair to tar all its members with
the same brush? After all, for
a community-focused force,
an ordinary working day is
often less about bodies and
cover-ups, and more about
safety and local concern.
With greater transparency
and openness – and heed-
ing the advice of those vigi-
lant academics, activists
and rights organisations –
the Gardaí might well enjoy
the trust, respect, and con-
sent of the Irish people for
many more years to come.
All images courtesy of An
Garda Síochána.
 Page 32 BLOOMSDAY www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022

Bloomsday 2022 in Dublin 4

J
n Ronan O’ Donnell

oycean Village Celebrations are set to take place

in Ballsbridge, Irishtown, Ringsend and Sand-
ymount for Bloomsday this year.

Bloomsday of course celebrates the life of James Joyce, his

book Ulysses and the city of Dublin where the book’s story is
set on 16th June, 1904. The day is named after Leopold Bloom,
the central character in the book and the plot follows Leopold
and his friend, Stephen Dedalus as they roam through Dublin
and experience its many sides over one day.

The book’s structure is based on Homer’s Odyssey and uses a

different style for each of its 18 episodes – it is considered one
of the greatest novels of the twentieth century but also by many,
the world’s most notoriously difficult-to-read novel!

This year actually marks the centenary of the publication of Ul-

ysses in 1922 and Dublin City Council’s South East Area Com-
munity Team have been working closely with the James Joyce Seven Scenes from Ulysees
Centre, Ballsbridge Living Tidy Towns, the Iris Charles centre,
Ringsend & District Historical Society and local centres/busi-
nesses to present this series of Bloomsday events in Dublin 4
which will include street theatre, tours, literary readings and live
music.

So come join in the fun and feel free to put on your

best Period Costume!

Seven Scenes from Ulysses

Sceptres Bloomsday Ulysses Goes Wild

 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022 BLOOMSDAY Page 33

Bloomsday Events - Ringsend, Irishtown, Sandymount and Ballsbridge

Ringsend & Irishtown – Events organised in partnership with Ringsend & District Historical Society with support from Ringsend Community Services
Forum and Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre.

10am – A Date with James Joyce & Nora Barnacle

Meet outside the Yacht Tavern, 8 Thorncastle Street, Dublin 4.

Follow this re-enactment by Waters Edge Drama Group of Joyce’s first date with his wife, Nora through Ringsend Park and around the village.

11am - James Joyce, Dublin Bay & Ringsend

Venue: Ringsend Library, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 4.

Hear about many of the references to Dublin Bay and Ringsend in Joyce’s works during this illustrated lecture by Cormac Lowth.

12.15pm - Bloomsday Brunch

Venue: Ringsend & Irishtown Community Centre, Thorncastle Street, Ringsend, Dublin 4.

Enjoy some refreshments to a backdrop of Joycean music courtesy of the Emilie Conway Jazz Duo as well as excerpts from “Sceptre’s Bloomsday” from
actor, Michael Judd who’ll be recounting the story of the 1904 Ascot Gold Cup and the mighty “Sceptre”; the greatest filly of all time! The Ringsend and
Irishtown Walking Trail Map & Guide will also be launched at this event.

2.15pm - Ringsend and Irishtown Historical Walking Tour

Meeting Point: Grand Canal Square (at the Red Poles), Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2.

Explore the rich heritage and history of these twin villages on a tour led by Cormac Lowth with some guest appearances from the likes of Leopold Bloom
and Molly Bloom expected along the way!

4.30pm – Poetry and Short Story Readings

Venue: Irishtown Gospel Hall & Chapel of Ease, 57 Irishtown Road, Dublin 4.

Enjoy a selection of poetry and short story readings from local writers at this intimate setting.

5.30pm – Ringsend & the Docks in Song

Venue: Outside Ringsend Library, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 4.

Relax outdoors to live performances of 20 Dublin Songs referenced in Joyce’s writings by Mick “The Busker” McLaughlin, Eoin Thomas, Eddie Sherlock
and Shay Connolly & Friends.

Sandymount – Events organised in conjunction with the Iris Charles Centre.

11am – *Elevenses with Leopold

Venue: Iris Charles Centre, Newbridge Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4.

Enjoy an elegant start to your Bloomsday with morning coffee, croissants and a dash of gentle Joycean entertainment. €5 admission with proceeds going
to the Iris Charles Centre.

1pm - Ulysses Goes Wild in Sandymount

Meeting Point: Sandymount Green, Sandymount, Dublin 4.

Join author of “Wild Dublin”, Eanna Ní Lamhna for a 60 minute nature tour inspired by the “marriage of trees” from the Cyclops episode of Ulysses.

Ballsbridge - Events organised in partnership with Ballsbridge Living Tidy Towns

4.30pm - Seven Scenes from Ulysses

Meeting Point: Outside Life Pharmacy, 4 Merrion Road, Dublin 4.

Watch Ulysses come to life on the streets of Ballsbridge in the company of Leopold Bloom and other characters from the book. Trail to last 45 minutes.

5.30pm - Ulysses Goes Wild in Herbert Park

Meeting Point: The Bandstand, Herbert Park, Dublin 4.

Get closer to the wild side of Ballsbridge with Eanna Ní Lamhna, star of RTÉ’s The Mooney Show and Virgin Media’s The Six O’Clock Show, for a nature
tour inspired by the “marriage of trees” from the Cyclops episode of Ulysses.
 Page 34
Hair to Stay? A History of the Mullet
Rebel-Rebel: Bowie set the stage for the androgynous look
H
n Peter McNamara
ave you been witness
to a growing menace?
A shock of hair that
shocks your soul? Over the
last year or so, a fringe move-
ment has been resurrecting
fashions of old. You might
ask yourself, must humanity
forever comb its past? Can
we never make a clean cut?
Perhaps this reporter is over-
stating the case. Though they
may not spell the death of any
hope of progress or of linear
time, one thing is for sure: the
mullet is back. More surpris-
ingly still, this once loved and
later maligned hairstyle might
be set to stay.
Before it even had a name,
this long-in-the-back, short-
in-the-front hairdo dominated
the 1980s fashion scene.
The bi-level. The Kentucky
waterfall. The Missouri com-
promise. Hockey hair. No
matter what they used to
call it in the States, anyone
who was anyone sported this
trendy androgynous cut. That
soon changed – somehow
by the late 1990s the mul-
let was persona non grata,
the shameful follicle foible of
rednecks and oddballs, and
any self-respecting person
found wearing one should
blush to their roots. Enter
2022, and this hairstyle once
again finds itself adorning the
heads – and necks – of the
hippest of the hip.
Not only is the mullet making
a comeback, it has actually
been popular for centuries.
Without splitting hairs, it
could be argued that, given
our long history with the cut,
the natural state of homo
sapiens might be in wear-
ing one: our evolved brains
secure under an expanded
cranium and neat-trimmed
mullet. The short-long style
has been sported by ancient
warriors, pre-modern rebels
and Enlightened leaders
alike. From before the Stone
Age, up to the time that Ziggy
Stardust beamed down from
Mars, the mullet has been a
friend unto man and woman
alike.
Ancient Roots
Literature’s first written re-
cord of this hairstyle comes
from the ancient Greek poet
Homer. In The Iliad, he de-
scribed the Abantes, a group
of spearmen, as wearing
“their forelocks cropped, hair
grown long at the backs.” But
the term “mullet” wasn’t actu-
ally coined until 1994, thanks
to the Beastie Boys’ song
“Mullet Head.” The Oxford
English Dictionary credits the
hip-hop group as the first to
use “mullet” to describe the
high-low cut that’s long been
described as “business up
front and a party in the back.”
The irony is, the cut was bap-
tised after it was already dead
– its 1980s reign had come to
an end. The Beasties used it
as a term of derision.
Although it doesn’t have
quite the same archaeo-
logical provenance as hiero-
FASHION
glyphs or dinosaur bones,
mullet historians – yes, they
do exist – believe there’s
ample evidence to suggest
that the hairstyle has actu-
ally been with mankind for
centuries. According to Men-
tal Floss, Neanderthals may
have favoured it to keep hair
out of their eyes and protect
their necks from wind and
rain. Ancient civilisations in
Mesopotamia and Syria are
believed to have utilised it.
And this iconic do is plain to
see on many Greek statues,
dating right back to the 6th
century BCE.
The mullet’s practical, adapt-
able shape has given it cen-
turies-long staying power. It
offered protection from the
elements combined with im-
proved visibility. According to
Alan Henderson in his book
Mullet Madness, warriors
with the style were harder to
grab during battle and could
fight without the frustration of
hair in their eyes. Added to
that, helmets fit better with a
short-on-top do. And at the
tail end of everything, the
longer locks at the back of
the head likely helped early
peoples keep their necks
warm and dry.
In ancient Rome, the “Hun
cut” was an early bi-level style
sported by young wealthy
bands of hooligans in the 6th
century BC According to His-
tory.com they harassed the
citizenry, and added insult to
injury by styling themselves
like Rome’s worst enemies:
the fierce nomadic horse-
men who terrorised the em-
pire and helped hasten its
fall. In his Secret History, the
6th-century Greek-Byzantine
scholar Procopius wrote that
“the hair on their heads they
cut off in front back to the
temples, leaving the part be-
hind to hang down to a very
great length.” For the old
Byzantine, this mullet-like do
was a “senseless fashion” –
he can be thankful he wasn’t
around for Miami Vice.
Cut to the Chase
How did the mullet get so
popular in the late 20th centu-
www.newsfour.ie
ry? In the US, the style dates
back to Native American
tribes that often combined
the look with a Mohawk. Al-
though in the 16th century,
Hittite warriors sported them,
along with the Assyrians and
the Egyptians, the Native
Americans probably have
the strongest claim to this do.
They often wore it as a sign
of spiritual strength, and the
fact that the style was even-
tually appropriated by West-
ern culture, and that colo-
nial wigs - particularly that of
George Washington’s - look
a little mullet-esque, must
come as a bitter irony. Riding
on their “Manifest Destiny”,
the New World newcomers
stole a hairdo along with a
homeland.
If the mullet-hawk was part of
Pawnee Chief Peskelechaco wearing one of the hairstyles
the rebellion against the
forced relocation of Na-
tive Americans, it contrasts
starkly with events in the
late 18th century, where
President Benjamin Franklin
adopted a ‘skullet’ – bald on
top and long at the side – as
a means of assimilating with
the French to win their diplo-
matic support. According to
Reader’s Digest, this found-
ing father used his mullet-like
stylings to help charm France
into drastically increasing its
financial and diplomatic sup-
port of America in the new
nation’s earliest days. De-
spite his own cosmopolitan
June / July 2022
background, Franklin played
the role of a rough-hewn
bumpkin to win greater sym-
pathy.
As far as America was con-
cerned, conservatism would
win out for much of the early
20th century, with men opt-
ing for short practical styles
and women going to great
lengths (no pun intended) to
maintain an appearance of
smooth, sleek professional-
ism. The idea of the mullet
as a somewhat undesirable
hairstyle would continue into
the 1900s. In 1917 the term
‘mullet-head’ was used by
American sociologists to indi-
cate somebody of lesser in-
telligence or critical interest.
And before that, in 1855’s
Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn, Tom Sawyer refers to
his Aunt and Uncle as ‘mul-
let-headed’ – and not as a
term of affection.
As the 1960s and 1970s ush-
ered in an air of anti-author-
itarianism, some retrospec-
tive debate does exist as to
whether David Bowie’s ‘Ziggy
Stardust’ look or The Beatles
collar-skimming locks could
constitute mullets. Either
way, no one can deny that
they both altered perceptions
of masculinity and femininity.
According to hair historian
(yes - they do exist) Janet
Stephens, Bowie’s radical
androgynous style combined
what were traditionally seen
as male (short) and female
(long) elements. Not only did
it “push the margins of hair
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
A charitable barber cuts his prices
and dress,” according to Ste-
phens, it challenged ideas on
identity and gender bounda-
ries. His look would be end-
lessly reimagined by top rock
bands and A-list actors for
decades to come.
Hair Today, Gone Tomor-
row
The 1980s was a time when
the in-your-face statement
style from the 70s became
the norm. And the decade
when the mullet transcend-
ed culture. Everyone from
Metallica’s James Hetfield
to Billy Ray Cyrus had one.
Whether you were metal
or country, yuppie or punk,
jock or biker, the mullet was
a mainstay. Patrick Swayze
wore it in Dirty Dancing; as
did Kiefer Sutherland in The
Lost Boys. Though the style
was seen predominantly on
white men – with notable ex-
ceptions like Little Richard –
a slew of female figures did
rock the mullet; Cher, Jane
Fonda, and Joan Jett among
them.
What does Bono think when
he looks back to the eight-
ies? In those days, U2 could
do no wrong, making clas-
sic albums like War and The
Joshua Tree, and churning No longer paraded by pop
out hit after hit. As a guest on stars and TV hosts, no longer
FASHION Page 35
legitimised in the public eye, ing teenagers interviewed all As a final word, given the
the hairdo quickly became described getting the haircut modern style’s Native Ameri-
taboo, a source of embar- as a joke, with one stating, can origins, it seems appro-
rassment for the same peo- “there’s an irony to the mullet priate that despite their return
ple who once proudly flicked haircut. It’s this disgustingly to general popularity, mullets
their mullets into the wind. gross haircut, which means remain an image of rebellion.
it’s definitely worn in an ironic In 2010, Iran banned the cut,
It’s Growing on Me… way.” With the world turned hoping to stop the spread of
upside down, it seemed that what it called a “Western in-
So how do we find ourselves good fashion sense has gone vasion.” In May 2021, North
in the midst of the neo-mul- out the window. Speaking Korea’s leader banned both
let? It probably stems from with Vice, Magda Ryczko, skinny jeans and mullets
the recent obsession with founder of the queer-owned from usage, seemingly in fear
throwback 80s nostalgia. In barbershop Hairrari in Brook- that they might be a gateway
the last ten years of western lyn, argued that mullets allow to “decadent” western influ-
culture, mullets have broadly for a professional front facing ences, while an Australian
remained tethered to 80s look for Covid-19 era Zoom school also hit headlines for
nostalgia. TV characters like meetings, while maintaining decrying the style as “untidy”
Steve from Stranger Things a messier, more fun look at and “non-conventional.” With
have tipped their hats to the the rear, out of sight of the people still pulling out their
trend. And with mullet com- webcam. hair over this style, it seems
petitions also a thing, there’s the do has remained true to
a sense that it’s still one big According to Dazed & Con- its roots!
joke. But the biggest culprit fused, there were already
at play – and you might have signs of a comeback. In
already thought it could have 2013, Rihanna sported a
done no further harm to hu- full-on mullet at the opening
manity – might have actually of New York Fashion Week,
been COVID-19. while Zendaya appeared on
the red carpet at the 2016
The closing of hair salons Grammys with a more subtle
The Late Late Show, some take on the style. Everyone
during lockdown is the most
years back, he did offer one seems to have played their
likely reason for the mullet’s
qualification. “I have an erase part in bringing the much-
return. In September 2020,
button on the mullet hairdo.” maligned mullet back to the
i-D called 2020 “the year of
future.
the mullet.” In an article for
In the late 80s and early 90s,
Vice Media, the mullet-wear-
the trend began its decline.
Despite notable exceptions
– AC Slater in Saved by the
Bell for one – the mullet was
becoming one of the most
divisive hairstyles of all time.
As with so many cultural
phenomena, it’s hard to pin-
point what caused this shift
in opinion, but an emerging
stereotype had taken shape.
According to Dazed & Con-
fused, a mullet denoted low-
income families in backwater
towns, redneck dudes in dive
bars who clung to their belov-
ed country music. A wound-
ing blow came when the
Beastie Boys mocked the cut
on their 1994 track “Mullet
Head,” a song that, despite
the efforts of Tom Sawyer,
the Oxford English Dictionar-
ycredits with naming the fad.
Suddenly, mullet-wearers
were objects of ridicule and
scorn, their locks outdated.
The coup de grâce might
have arrived in 1998, when
for Lethal Weapon 4 Gibson
lost his trademark cut. These
were days shorn of hope.
 Page 36
REG RYAN - THE SCHEMER - Part 3
R
n Gavan Bergin
eg Ryan stayed with
West Bromwich Al-
bion for ten years. He
played 272 matches, scored
31 goals, made many more
goals, and won the Cup for
West Brom. It was time to
move on.
In July 1955, he signed for Der-
by County and was immediately
made captain of the club. He did
a great job as a leader and as a
player for Derby. In 1955/56
he played 46 league games and
captained Derby to the runners-
up spot in the Third Division.
The following season he scored
12 goals in 45 games for Derby,
who won the Third Division.
That was the first trophy the
club had won since 1946, and
it earned them promotion to the
Second Division. In ‘57/’58,
Reg was top scorer for Derby,
with 14 goals in 41 games, and
he led his players brilliantly in
their successful battle against
relegation.
That was his last good work
for Derby. He left soon after-
wards. His three great sea-
sons became part of club folk-
lore and in 2019, more than
sixty years after he played
his last match for them, the
Derby Telegraph paid tribute
to “Reg Ryan, County’s inspi-
rational skipper when they’d
fought their way out of the
Third Division.”
In September 1958, Reg re-
turned to his first club, Coven-
try City who were then in the
Fourth Division. In his first
season back with Coventry
he played 38 league match-
es as captain and helped
them win promotion to the
Third Division for the 1959/60
season. He kept going for a
couple more years, until the
end of the 1960/61 season,
when he retired from profes-
sional football at the age of
35. He had started his ca-
reer at Coventry in 1943, and
he finished it there in 1961.
In the intervening years, he
had played 461 matches and
scored 70 goals in the Foot-
ball League and the FA Cup.
As well as his long club ca-
reer, Reg also played inter-
national football. He made
SPORTING HISTORY
his debut for the Republic
of Ireland in their World Cup
qualifier against Sweden at
Dalymount Park in Dublin
on November 13th 1949. If
Ireland could get at least a
draw from that game, they
would be on their way to the
1950 World Cup finals. But
Sweden’s star player, Karl-
Erik Palmer, scored in the 4th
minute. Ireland responded
well and controlled the play
from then on, but their de-
fence struggled against the
speed of Palmer, who scored
again, putting Sweden 2-0
up in the 40th minute. Ireland
were 2-0 down at half-time,
and it could’ve been worse
if not for the tireless work of
Reg in midfield. Time and
again, his awareness and
anticipation broke up threat-
ening moves by Swedish at-
tackers. Because most of his
time was spent screening the
defence, he didn’t have much
of an opportunity to show off
his creative skills, and when
he did get free to play his
searching forward passes,
no Irish attacker could get on
the end of them in the first
half.
He kept trying though, and
when the second half began,
his quick passing helped put
sustained pressure on the
Swedish defence for the first
time in the match, and in the
60th minute Ireland won a
penalty kick which Con Mar-
tin scored, making the score
2-1 with a half an hour left to
play.
The 25,000 crowd at Daly-
mount erupted, Irish hopes
were raised and the ‘come-
back’ was on. It lasted for
less than ten minutes. Palm-
er made yet another dash
forward, tore through the
Irish defence and scored
again. His hat-trick made the
score 3-1 to Sweden in the
68th minute.That looked like
the end for Ireland, but they
didn’t give up. Reg, for one,
kept going to the 90th minute
and beyond. He kept passing
and moving as always, push-
ing to create an opening for
Ireland, but there was no way
through. Sweden held on to
their lead till the final whistle,
won the game and qualified
for the World Cup in Brazil
the following summer.
Although Ireland lost that
game, Reg had proved that
he was international class.
According to the Irish Times,
“the best Irish player was
Reg Ryan, who, though born
in Dublin, was playing his first
match on Irish soil. He was a
terrific tackler and a fine tac-
tician, with an accuracy of
delivery that made passing
look simple, and he covered
the defence in great style.
He had a magnificent inter-
national debut, and he has
come to stay.”
And he did stay in the Re-
public of Ireland team, al-
though his next international
match was not for them. On
March 8th 1950, he played
for Northern Ireland, help-
ing them battle to a 0-0 draw
in their World Cup qualifier
away to Wales. That result
ended a run of six straight
defeats for Northern Ireland.
They had been energised by
Reg’s quick passing, hard
running style of midfield play.
He surely would’ve played
more games for the North
but the eligibility rules were
changed in late 1950, mean-
ing that players couldn’t rep-
resent both Irish teams any-
more. He spent the rest of
his international career with
the Republic, for whom he
was an extremely consistent
performer.
For the Republic of Ireland
he played fourteen consecu-
tive international matches
between 1949 and 1954. He
excelled throughout that run,
even though he was often
selected in a different posi-
tion to the one he played in
club football. Early in his in-
ternational career he played
in midfield and he did a grand
job there, but it was when he
was picked in the forward line
that he showed his best form
for Ireland .
On October 17th 1951, at
Dalymount Park in Dublin,
Ireland took on West Germa-
ny in front of almost 30,000
spectators. That crowd saw a
www.newsfour.ie
thriller of a match in which
Reg played at inside-left as
Ireland’s ‘schemer’. That was
a role he had been used to
playing for his club, West
Brom, and in this barnstorm-
ing performance against Ger-
many he was in perpetual
motion from the kickoff: dart-
ing around the field, harass-
ing opponents and setting up
teammates. He linked mid-
field and attack with relent-
less endeavour and tireless
endurance for the whole nine-
ty minutes, which ended with
a superb 3-2 win for Ireland.
The Irish Independent said:
“In Ireland’s best home inter-
national since the Germans
were last conquered on this
ground in 1936, Reg Ryan
played a defender’s game
in the forward line, tackling
in grand style and going on
many forays through the Ger-
man defence.”
Ireland lost their next three
matches without scoring a
single goal. And it seemed
certain that they would make
it four straight defeats when
they played France in Dublin
on November 16th 1952. But
that was the day things start-
ed to improve for the Irish
team. When they walked out
onto the pitch at Dalymount
Park, they were greeted by
a deafening roar of support
from the vast crowd that was
packed into the ground and
they responded with their
best performance in ages.
But France were top class
and they gave Ireland a hard,
hard game. From the kick-
off the French attack, led by
Real Madrid superstar Ray
June / July 2022
mond Kopa, tore into the Irish
defence and they would have
had a goal in the first minute
were it not for a super save
by goalie Jimmy O’Neill. Ire-
land responded right away
with a magnificent run by
Reg, who won the ball deep
in midfield, got his head down
and charged, shaking off op-
ponents as he broke forward
into space wide on the left,
from where he whipped a
cross into the box that the
French keeper struggled to
hold, but he did. Then, from
his goal kick, France won
the ball and played it for-
ward smartly, and though
Ireland quickly scrambled
back to defend they weren’t
quick enough and the ball
ended up in their net. For
a moment the ground was
hushed, but the linesman’s
flag was raised. It was off-
side: no goal. In the excite-
ment of that incident the
crowd erupted in joyous relief
and surged forward, causing
the barriers at each end of
the ground to collapse under
the pressure. With spectators
spilling out onto the pitch, the
referee stopped the game.
So what happens next?
Reg Ryan - the Schemer’s
thrilling story concludes
in the next issue of News-
Four. Don’t miss it!
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
Ireland Nations League Preview
W
n David Prendeville
ith the league sea-
son now over, and
the World Cup tak-
ing place in Winter this year,
the summer is looking like a
fairly barren period in which
to get a soccer fix. We can,
however, look forward to
Ireland’s upcoming Nations
League games. Beggars
can’t be choosers.
In sincerity, watching the Irish
team isn’t the chore it had
been in the last number of
years and that is testament
to the job Stephen Kenny
has done in quietly revolu-
tionising our football style
and the player pool. Through
this, he has managed to cre-
ate a team that at the very
least are likeable, with plenty
of exciting young talents that
give fans hope for the future.
With the ink drying on his
freshly signed contract, the
next step for Kenny will be to
try and to forge a team that’s
as successful as it is endear-
ing. We still failed to qualify or
secure a play-off spot for Qa-
tar, but Kenny understand-
ably and deservedly gets a
free pass for his first full cam-
paign. Mick McCarthy left be-
hind him a dour, tired, stale
squad, bereft of all belief and
imagination. Kenny has done
a fine job in making players
and fans believe once more,
but this next campaign must
also bring with it tangible suc-
cess to go along with the new
found charm.
The Nations League repre-
sents Kenny’s last chance for
tinkering and experimenta-
tion before the business-end
of getting stuck into the quali-
fying campaign. Ireland’s first
game in the Nations League
takes place on Saturday
the 4th of June in Armenia.
Ireland are then set to host
Ukraine on June 8th. They
travel to Scotland on June
11th. They are then sched-
uled to play their away game
against Ukraine, which will
take place in Lodz in Poland,
on June 14th.
Over the summer months
Kenny and Irish fans will also
be keeping a keen eye on the
transfer market to see if any
of Kenny’s kids can make a
step-up and secure moves.
One major caveat in the re-
cent optimism surrounding
the team is the fact that so
many of the youngsters we’re
pinning our hopes on are
playing at quite a low level.
Hopefully that might change
for some over the summer.
The star of Kenny’s recent
games has unquestionably
SPORT Page 37
been Chiedozie Ogbene and move to a decent Champi- Matt Doherty? He seemed on
Kenny will be hoping he can onship club would represent his way out of the club in Jan-
carry that form into the Na- progress for Parrott, who uary but went on to have an
tions League and beyond. It spent last season on loan excellent second half to the
could be an interesting sum- at MK Dons. Parrott racked season, albeit one cut short
mer for the former Cork City up respectable numbers at through an injury sustained
man with some suggesting Dons and scored for them in in the closing weeks. With
a team higher up the food the second leg of their play- Spurs playing Champions
chain may come in for the off semi final, before their League football next season,
Rotherham man, despite elimination. And what now let’s hope he figures in Anto-
them recently securing pro- for Parrott’s Spurs teammate nio Conte’s plans.
motion from League One into
the Championship.
Gavin Bazunu, who has
spent the last couple of sea-
sons at Portsmouth, on loan
from Manchester City should
also have an interesting sum-
mer. Perhaps he could go
out on loan to a team in the
Premier League or maybe
he may even figure in Pep
Guardiola’s plans as under-
study to Ederson. Given his
impressive performances for
Portsmouth and Ireland, and
given the struggles of Zack
Steffen at City it would be
no surprise to see him usurp
Steffen as City’s number two.
Troy Parrott is another who
could have a key summer
ahead of him. Sadly it’s hard Images: Gavin Bazunu, courtesy of Buzz.ie & Chiedozie
to imagine him realistically Ogbene, courtesy of the Irish Examiner.
being part of Antonio Conte’s
plans at Spurs next year.
Perhaps another loan move
or permanent move is on the
cards for the Dubliner. A loan
 Page 38
NewsFour meets Paul Lynch, Club Captain of Railway Union Bowling Club
Sandymount’s Railway Union Bowling Club hosts Successful OPEN DAY for the local community
O
n the weekend of May
6th and 7th, Railway
Union Bowling Club
extended a warm welcome to
the local community to come
along and try out a new sport
that is suitable for all ages
and abilities.
The Club received an excel-
lent response and many who
experienced bowling for the
first time, were delighted to
have taken part and look for-
ward to coming back again
and joining the club to play
on a regular basis throughout
the summer months. Several
people remarked that they
did not realise that such a
wonderful sporting facility
was practically on their door-
step.
NF. Paul, tell me a little bit
about the history of your
club?
Paul. Railway Union Bowling
Club, part of Railway Union
Sports Club, is located on
Park Avenue in Sandymount.
Formed in 1904, the club is
one of the five founding mem-
ber clubs of the BLI (Bowling
League of Ireland). The club
has a full competition-size
6-rink bowling green, and
a new pavilion has recently
been completed.
NF. Tell us a little about the
game?
Paul. The game is played on
a bowling green which is typi-
cally divided into six parallel
rinks. The basic goal is to
place more bowls than the op-
ponent near a smaller white
target ball called ‘the jack’.
Bowls do not naturally roll
in a straight line as they are
designed with a bias which
is produced by the shape of
the bowl which makes them
travel in a curved path. The
mastery of this is at the heart
of the challenge of the game.
Each bowl placed closer than
those of the opponent counts
as a point. The number of
points required to win a game
varies depending on com-
petition rules. It is a simple
sport to learn. Not so simple
to master!
NF. When did you start?
Paul. Like many of us, I first
watched bowls on TV when
I was a kid. I was fascinated
by the skills of these players
and how there was far more
strategy and consideration
than it first appears. Since
then, I had always wanted to
try it…. however, I was 44 be-
fore I finally stepped foot on a
bowling green in 2015!
I visited the club on a Tues-
day night and by Wednes-
day evening was playing for
Railway Union in a friendly
match against CYM bowling
club in Terenure. They were
obviously stuck for numbers!
Everyone though, including
the opposition, were very
generous with their tips and
advice and I had a feeling I
was going to enjoy this sport.
My only regret is that I didn’t
take it up a bit sooner!
NF. How often do you
bowl?
Paul. The outdoor season
runs from April to September.
Between practice and match-
es, I would usually play 3 to
4 times a week. Practice is
usually made up of coaching
and group drills followed by
what we call a ‘roll-up’ - which
is basically a friendly game
between club mates. Outside
of club matches, the green is
open to members seven days
a week. We currently have a
BLI Division One team, play-
ing league matches on Sat-
urday afternoons and a BLI
Division 5 team playing on
Monday evenings.
In winter we play short mat
indoor bowls in the club hall.
There is also a BLI Winter
League which is played on
artificial surfaces.
NF. Why should someone
consider bowls?
Paul. There are lots of great
reasons to play bowls People
seek differing experiences
from joining the club. It can
be a social game or a com-
petitive game and often both
SPORT www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022
at the same time! A lot of play-
ers come to bowls from other
sports, so it can provide them
with the opportunity to con-
tinue to enjoy the competitive
and team aspects of sport. It
can also just be a casual ‘roll
-up’ with your pals on a sun-
ny afternoon. The game of
bowls allows people of all dif-
ferent levels, ages and gen-
der to fully participate and
enjoy the sport and games
are often played in a mixed
format. Importantly, any form
of bowls can be good for your
physical and mental health! It
truly is a sport for all ages with
competitors aged from under
10 to almost 100 currently
playing in BLI/LBLI affiliated
clubs! From elite competition
to enjoying a barbecue and
bowls on a summer even-
ing, there really is something
for everyone. So, really, why
wouldn’t you try?
NF. Where do you sign up?
The Two Johnnies playing bowls with club captain Paul
Lynch and club member Graham Chisholm.
Paul. At Railway Union we
welcome anyone who is cu-
rious about the sport. You
can try for free at our open
evenings which are held at
6.30pm on most Wednes-
days throughout the summer.
It is an easy sport to join in
and you can enjoy it straight
away. We have all the equip-
ment needed, so just wear
a pair of flat soled shoes or
trainers. The club has a few
different membership levels
starting from just €60 per
year.
The green is also avail-
able for corporate hire and The Two Johnnies get some bowling tips from club cap-
events and we are currently tain, Paul Lynch.
seeking club sponsors with
space available around the
green for advertising posters
and hoardings. We would be
happy to talk to anyone inter-
ested in supporting their local
club.
For more information drop
down to the club or e-mail us
e-mail: trylawnbowls@
gmail.com
Follow our Facebook page
@RailwayUnionBC The sun sets on a fine May evening at Railway Union
Bowling Club.
 www.newsfour.ie June / July 2022 Page 39

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Local Donnybrook man still missing

John Courtney (64) has been missing

since 26th April 2022. John is described
as being 6 foot and of slim build. His hair
is sandy brown and he has a grey/whit-
ish beard with a heavy blue jacket, black-
hat blue jeans and brown shoes. This is
the last pic of John taken by CCTV on
April 26th. His family are appealing to
anyone in the Stillorgan, Dun-Laoghaire,
Blackrock, Booterstown, Sandymount,
Ringsend and Bray areas to look out
for him as he may be wandering around
out there. Anyone with information on
John’s whereabouts are asked to con-
tact Donnybrook Garda Station on 01
666 9200, the Garda Confidential Line
on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.