13th January, 2000
Last Thursday night was Women’s
Little Christmas, and what better way to celebrate it than join
300 women at a Dickie Rock concert in Carrigaline Court Hotel,
which I did. Dickie is still as good as ever, the voice was in
great shape and the moment he appeared on stage the girls were on
the floor, dancing the night away. I must compliment the hotel on
their staff, especially the security, who were pleasant and
helpful to everybody. I spoke to Connie Lynch, Dickie’s
manager, who told me that Women’s Little Christmas is
exclusive to Cork, and it is not celebrated in any other county
in Ireland. I’m not talking about the religious aspect of
the feast day, which is a national Church holiday, but as a
social night Women’s Christmas is only celebrated here in
Cork.
Speaking of Carrigaline, a reader from Grange told me that she
bought her child’s Communion dress from ‘Little
Rascals’ boutique in Carrigaline and saved £60 by driving
down. Give Siobhán a call at 373961. Little Rascals is situated
opposite the Credit Union in Carrigaline.
Yesterday I spoke to Brian Healy of Douglas Motors. Eventually
the conversation came around to the NCT Car Test. Brian made a
good point. We know that the company NCT are Swedish, so do their
rules apply to the Swedish roads? If they do then this test is
about as useful as a bus stop in Frankfield!! We read that 40,000
cars have to be tested, at £35 per car that works out at
£14,000,000, with a failure rate of 80% that means that 320,000
cars have to be re-tested at £20, which brings in another
£6,400,000. A grand total of approximately £20,000,000. Add
another few bob and one would have the price of a Gulfstream jet.
God knows, we can’t seem to manage with only one.
A reader from Galway’s Lane, Douglas West (opposite Village
Hair Studio) telephoned the office today with a plea. Please
don’t park your car in Grovener Mews, Elm Grove or
Galway’s Lane unless you are living or visiting there.
Residents who go out shopping in their cars return to find that
someone has parked outside their house. A far more serious and
dangerous aspect to this ongoing problem is parking on both sides
of Galway’s Lane, which would make it impossible for a fire
tender to get through, so motorists, a little consideration for
the residents would be much appreciated.
Last week I mentioned the book about life in the Northside
entitled, “Life’s Journey”. Mark from Douglas
Books told me that they have it in stock.
The joke of the week had to be George Best offering advice to
David Beckham on how to handle fame!!
This morning (Tuesday) I listened to the Marian Finnucane Radio
Show. The show was about discrimination in golf clubs, based on
gender. Women cannot become full members, women have no vote
(Emily Pankhurst where are you now?). Ladies day (the first
Tuesday of the month ... or is that children’s allowance
day?) is the last bastion of male dominance under siege?
“Little men with little balls, the girls are breaking down
the walls, the boys are scared, they’re in a rut, go on
Mary, sink that putt”.
Local councillor Deirdre Forde made some valid points in her
press release to us this week. Douglas should have its own
council office. I know the council bought a house in the
Rochestown area years ago for this purpose, but no sign of an
opening day. Last year I asked whether developers should be let
walk away with millions while they destroyed the roads into the
developments, now Deirdre is asking the same question. Take a
spin down to Clonakilty or Kinsale anyday and check out the
roads. What have they got that we haven’t got? Answer: UDC
(Urban Distract Council), a council made up of local, and I mean
local people, not from Ballincollig, Crosshaven, etc... Only then
will we have some control over our destiny and the future of
Douglas.
Another reader suggested that the council buy the site for sale
next to Douglas Court and turn it into a plaza. I suggested that
last year for the site next to McDonalds which is now nearing
completion with retail units and apartments. But the chances of
the council buying it for the people of Douglas? About the same
as a bus service to Frankfield.
Finally, get well soon to everybody who is suffering from that
terrible ‘flu, and a special get well to Peter Barry who is
(or has) undergoing/undergone heart surgery.
Bye for now,
Michael O’Hanlon.
