28th October, 1999
Last week was a sad week for the people
of Cork, and Ireland. We lost a man who was always known as
“The Real Taoiseach”. One incident which has always
stayed in my mind happened many years ago. An international oil
company made a presentation to Jack when he had opened a refinery
or something similar. The opposition were up in arms. It even
made the newspapers’ headlines. Jack returned it. It was not
a ruby encrusted gold dagger, nor a Rolls Royce. It was a
three-in-one, a record player, a tape player and radio. Looking
back now, it seems ridiculous that a music centre could cause
such controversary. Jack Lynch had something that all the
islands, race horses and charvet shirts couldn’t buy. He had
dignity and class, and we can always be proud of one of
Cork’s greatest sons’, Jack Lynch, R.I.P.
A reader asked me if I could do something about the new
pedestrian lights at Grangehill Stores. She told me it takes ages
for the lights to change when the button is pressed, and last
Friday she was soaked by a shower of rain waiting for them to
change. Even more worrying, she told me that children won’t
wait for the lights to change. I passed on the complaint and
I’m told that adjustments will be made to correct this
complaint.
Nancy, of Douglas GAA club, has asked me to mention that the song
contest continues again this Friday night at the Pavillion. The
cover charge is only £1 and all proceeds this year are going
towards buying a coach for the elderly in St. Finbarre’s
Hospital. The good news is that anyone can enter the competition.
Just get three singers, telephone the club @ 895559 and leave the
rest to Nancy. And you’ll get a feeling that you’re
doing something to help people less fortunate than we are ... and
it’s a good feeling.
We had a piece in last weeks ‘Douglas Weekly’ which
stated that over 3,000 shops will now sell stamps. I wonder if
there is a conserted effort to chip away at the post office? One
more social meeting place under threat, where is it all going to
end?
Parking in Douglas Village is becoming a big problem, and now St.
Patrick’s Mills has to introduce restrictions on parking.
There are a lot of business units in the Mills, and the owners of
the businesses need car spaces for their customers. So motorists,
don’t park in the Mills unless you are there on business!
Another 1,600 houses are going to be built in Douglas in the new
year. Where is the parking for another 2,000 cars? Is
multi-storey car parking on the way?
A few months ago I mentioned that a few years ago I went on
holidays to Scotland and discovered one of the most beautiful
cities in the world, Edinburgh. A city filled with history,
cobblestoned little streets with nooks and cranny’s. I
eventually found Grey Friars graveyard where the old shepard John
Grey is buried. His little highland terrier Bobby slept on his
masters grave for thirteen years. But only after the dog was
given the freedom of the city. It was shown on Network 2 last
Sunday week. The last time I mentioned the movie “Grey
Friars Bobby” some readers rang us to ask if we knew any
video club which had a copy. I taped it, so if any of you readers
would like to watch it, give us a call. It’s a lovely family
film, especially as its a true story.
As far as I know the Rochestown Park Hotel has a “Staff
Person of the Year” award. Not wishing to influence the
judges, a strong contender for the award would have to be the
ever obliging Grace, who gives 110% to her customers in the
dining room. A smile and a chat goes a long way.
Congratulations to George Dunlea and his wife Caroline on the
birth of twins, two little girls! Also, get well soon to Johnny
Burke from Grange. Hope to see you back in the club soon Johnny.
Bye for now,
Michael O’Hanlon.
