23rd September, 1999
Would any of our readers know if there
is a chess club in the Douglas area? One of our readers is
anxious to find out if one exists, so if you know of one please
give us a call on 896496.
Good news for residents of Grange Park, you finally got a
pedestrian lights crossing to the Grangehill Stores. The council
are also putting up pedestrian lights at Dino’s to Douglas
Village Shopping Centre. Speaking of that crossing, I was stopped
at that zebra crossing the other day to let a woman and child
cross, when a red BMW, driven by a woman, overtook me on the
inside, missing the woman and child by inches. Another place
where you take your life in your hands is Greenhills Estate, onto
South Douglas Road. There are traffic lights there, but the
amount of drivers on the South Douglas Road who crash through the
red lights is frightening. A serious accident waiting to happen!
Finally, motorists, if the amber lights are flashing at a light
controlled pedestrian crossing, you must yield to pedestrians.
Last Tuesday night I called into O’Flaherty’s pub in
Parnell Place. Now owned and run by Douglas man Bernard McCarthy.
The event was a birthday tribute night to a screen legend Maureen
O’Hara, now living in Glengariff for almost 30 years. She
spoke about her life, her family and her time in Hollywood. She
told us about her father, who was from Meath, and he loved
playing Gaelic Football, until one day he committed the ultimate
sin - he attended a soccer match (it was the era of the infamous
ban). He was banned from playing Gaelic Football and he never
again went to a GAA match. He played soccer from then on. Maureen
then told us a bit a soccer history - her father was a founding
member of Shamrock Rovers, his name was Fitzsimmons. A customer
in O’Flaherty’s asked her who would she be cheering for
next Sunday in the Football Final. “Cork, of course”,
she replied. She spoke about how she, John Wayne and John Ford
had spent 6 years trying to get financial backing for “The
Quiet Man”, but none of the big studio’s wanted to make
a “silly Irish movie”. Eventually they approached a
small studio which made 15 day B westerns. The producer said he
would finance “The Quiet Man” if Maureen and the
“Duke” starred in one of his westerns. They agreed, and
they made “Rio Grande”. She corrected one error in film
books, she told us, that “The Quiet Man” was made in
1951. We also learnt that there are only 3 people who were
involved in “The Quiet Man” still living - Maureen, her
brother, who decided on the areas in which the movie was filmed,
and a Galway actor whose name she couldn’t remember. Soon,
and much too soon, the talk came to an end. I approached to take
some photo’s, thanked her and shook the hand of not just an
actress, but of a true star. And Maureen, they don’t make
them like you anymore. Thanks for lovely night.
Our attempt to beautify Douglas and bring a sense of pride to the
village is succeeding. Douglas Credit Union, as usual, lead the
way. Last week the hanging flower baskets were out, now we
wonder, who will be next?
Another reader asked me if I could do something about getting a
light for a pathway leading to a housing estate. It’s
situated at the back of the Pinecroft, and the laneway is at the
side of the Grange Launderette. If one of our locally based
councillors reads this, perhaps they might do something for these
residents.
I had a sneak preview of the beautifully restored St.
Columba’s church last Saturday afternoon. Well done to all
concerned, it really is magnificent. What I would love to see
now, as we approach Christmas and the millennium, is the two
churches, St. Luke’s and St. Columba’s, floodlit. What
do readers think? Canon Bantry-White and Father Liam
O’Reagan might consider it.
This weeks violent attack on the Gardai in the city centre had
led to Fianna fail TD Noel O’Flynn calling on take-aways to
be closed early. Does Noel really believe that if these
take-aways are closed early the thugs will go home? Say their
prayers and go to bed? Chip shops are blamed for litter,
violence, you name it, the old chipper is at fault. As someone
who has been involved in this food business for many years, I
have mentioned before that we cook the food, wrap it and the
customer leaves our premised with it. Are we responsible for what
our customers do with their litter? Violence is brought on by
young people who cannot handle alcohol. We all know people whose
personality changes with drink. Some are happy, some will sing,
some will fall asleep and some become violent. These are the
people who will start the trouble and then the others will join
in. The American Indians called whiskey, “Crazy Water”.
They were so right.
I almost forgot to mention the beautiful restoration of the
statue’s in St. Columba’s Church and the life size
crucifix in the sacristry. Well done Cecelia (who can be
contacted at 021-362022)
Finally, this thursday there is a fabulous “Opera Gala”
at the Rochestown Park Hotel. Douglas man Barra O’Tuama has
brought another class act for us to enjoy. I’ll be there,
hope to see you there also. Tickets are on sale at the hotel.
Also I would like to wish the very best of luck to the Cork lads,
especially Ronan McCarthy at the weekend.
Bye for now,
Michael O’Hanlon.
