Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Death of Phil Carolan

One of nature's gentlemen and a long time friend of my own people ,the Mac Cormack's of Churchtown ,passed to his eternal reward on the 19th February 2012 .I met the man on the way into Dunderry Mass only recently and was surprised how well he looked for a man of his age.As far as I know he was in his 89th year and he was in great form that evening.He admitted to talking the farming side of life less seriously these past few years.His farm nearly mearned my people's land and never a cross word passed between the two families over two lifetimes.
He was a native of Rathmore and his brother Johnny often sheared sheep for my uncles in days of yore. He was as cracked about football as my uncles were and many's the conversation they had about times gone,when I think Rathmore had a football team.I know Johnny played but am unsure whether Phil and Paddy did.
They all had the reputation of being fierce hard workers and as decent as the day is long,a reputation that was well deserved.Anyone who lived on or near the bog were well used to hardship and ordinary work was a doddle by comparison.A very good friend recently recounted a true story about the sort of hard workers the Carolans were.Forty years ago a friend of mine while  putting  up a hayshed for one of their neighbours ,set the steel pillars in concrete and went off for a week to complete other works.The neighbour was admant that the pillars had to be a certain height but no higher.It was agreed that when my friend returned the matter could be resolved by cutting back any excess height with tools made for the job.He returned ahead of schedule to witness Johnny cutting through the last pillar with a hacksaw.Can you imagine the sweat and energy expended in this task.Try one pillar yourself and see how long it takes.The height was guaged by measuring how high Johnny could throw up a forkful of hay with a pitchfork as Johnny always threw up the hihger forkfulls..
I had the very great pleasure of drinking with Johnny,Paddy and Tommy Mac Cormack in Athboy a number of years ago.It was one of the most memorable and pleasant nights of my life as the breath of knowledge ,experience and pure goodness that emerged that night was awesome.Tghey were very well read and had huge experience of life's foibles.
I never drank with Phil and don't know if he did drink.Rumour has it that himself and his wife used slip up to a certain Navan establishment of a Saturday for a dance and a bottle of stout.This I cannot confirm but suspect it is true. I never saw him in a public house and strongly suspect that he imbibed very little ,if at all..He did however defy medical science in another way as he reached that great age having smoked 40 fags a day since the age of fourteen,as far as I know.
To pass the yard would give you an idea of the type of farmer he was.The round bales in the hay shed would be stored in absolute symmetry.Every thing in its place.He was a man who did not carry much weight and no grudges.I have a fair idea that a bull of mine went walkabouts a number of years ago and left his calling card with a few of his heifirs.Not a word from him about it .I hope the progeny did well for him.He was a good bull.
I would say that he hadn't an enemy in the world .
He will be sadly missed by his sons Hubert and Phil and daughters Deirdre and Mary and his very loving and distraught wife Eileen,his grandchildren ,nephews and nieces ,neighbours ,a wide circle of friends and the wider community.
His son Hubert would be well known to the Gaels of Meath as a former umpire for his neighbour Paddy Kavanagh and older Dunderry  residents would remember  his daughter Deirdre (Smtyh) well.
His grandson Alan Watters is a well respected member of Dunderry GAA club,having recently arrived from Simonstown.
The Church in Boyerstown was overflowing for his funeral and I believe that the house of his son Hubert ,where he was waked, was full to capacity at all times when he was in repose.
Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis.

Solution to stop destruction of Gaa

Next week the Drumbeats are playing the Bohermeen Bruisers.In hurling.Both teams are gentlemen and wouldn't foul the opposition,despite a healthy rivalry stretching back 100 years.Believe that you will believe anything.To ensure fair play Paddy the Gom has agreed to do fair play man.|At great personal risk to himself and his family.These amateurs are involved for the love of the game.Unlike the Rugby and Soccer heads who are paid professionals.
As a gesture of gratitude each player on each side voluntarily donates E1.50 to the fair play man,This is a gift to him.He has no entitlement to it.Even if the player plays each weekend for 30 years he will not exceed the threshold that attracts tax.
Any attempt to identify a multiplicity of donors of E1.50 per week to a fair play man over his life would be futile even the world of the Stanhope Screecher (former) who has perverted the idea of "love your neighbour" to "shop your neighbour."
Any State Organ or Government who refuses to accept this proposition can only be assumed to be actively hostile to voluntarism and clearly have very little to do.
I rest my case.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Government to decommission GAA

Having decommissioned the Irish language,humiliated the Catholic Church ,stripped rural Ireland of its youth ,decimated small business,destroyed the pub trade ,starved the unemployed into emigration, driven the suicide rate into the  stratosphere ,and while selling off the family silver (State Assets),this Government is now hell bent on completing the job by destroying the GAA.
See my earlier article "Is GAA now a tout for Revenue."
Yep this would remove the last beacon of hope for rural and urban Ireland.
And you know what ,they will succeed.The GAA has been infiltrated by enough Government supporters to sign its own death warrant and roll over.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Hit the old where it hurts.

The older one gets the more one hopes that medical attention will be forthcoming if needed.Some politicians have made their reputations on the promise of improving local hospital services.
I have heard a harrowing story lately,which I have checked out to my own satisfaction and I am happy it is true,
One recent Sunday a local octogenarian urgently needed medical assistance.As the person's G.P.does not work on Sunday,Doctor on Call had to be called.Approximately four hours elapsed between first notification of the call and attendance on the patient in the family home.I am told this is not unusual as sometimes only one doctor is on call and is often overwhelmed .Another person informed me that if you attend the  Doctor on Call and he/she is called out on urgent business you just have to wait as long as it takes.In any event when the Doctor did call out he/she was first class and allayed the main fears of the patient.However an X Ray was needed.Navan seemingly don't do rays on weekends and the patient had to be brought by Ambulance to Drogheda.
The patient hit Drogheda at approx.6.P.M.Got a E.C.G. fairly promptly (to ensure no heart attack I assume) and lay on a trolley until 3.A.M.the next morning,when the family had to return to their respective homes.As far as they can gather the patient did not receive the X Ray until 5 or 6 A.M, later that morning.The parking fees for the stay was E.28.00
One family member  who accompanied the patient at all times from the initial call to the Doctor on Call informed me that the waiting arena in Drogheda was like Vietnam during the War  at its worst.It was totally understaffed and bedlam reigned .People in obvious pain were walking around with flapping limbs,Mothers with children with vomiting sickness were at their wit's end minding those children and maybe other children they had to bring with them because they had nobody else to mind them.Seemingly Drogheda had to deal concurrently with all emergencies in the Louth /Meath area. The family member who told me this is by no means squeamish  and swore that he never saw the likes of it.
I ran in last election mainly to highlight the fact that Navan Hospital had not until 2010 ever stocked the blood thinner that can dissolve the clots that cause stroke.I found this unbelievable and have often wondered since how many avoidable deaths and unnecessary disabilities were caused by such woeful neglect.Of course the thinner must be administered within a few hours of the stroke and only to patients who have a clot and not a bleed ,as naturally thinner would only worsen the bleed.To discern if a clot is present an X ray is necessary and A Radiologist must examine the X Ray .
Given that X Rays can not be taken in Navan on Sundays and maybe Saturdays (I am not sure ) is it a fact that things have now reverted to the pre 2010 position for weekends and presumably Bank Holidays and maybe after 6 in the evening.
If this is the case then God help anyone from the catchment area who falls seriously ill.
Now those politicians who made their reputations on the back of providing a reasonable level  health of service must surely know what gives and the Government T.D.s must deliver.
It is just not good enough to treat any person,particularly an elderly one in a fashion that if a farmer applied to an animal,would be prosecuted for cruelty.
There again this may be the secular way.
My use of medical jargon is deficient I know and some assumptions I make may be off.If they are I will gladly correct them.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Railway Cups for Dunderry?

Didn't see matches last week but heard the competitions being talked down by everybody bar the players,who are mad about it.And why wouldn't they be.It is some honour to represent your province.Seemingly they are attracting only small attendances.
Well we here in Dunderry are confident we can solve this.Three years ago we hosted a challenge her on the Fair Day between Meath and Mayo in the month of May.A few thousand attended at six in the evening.
Let us host the finals May twelve months and I guarantee that we will produce a spectacular day's outing between the Fair and the Games.
I am confident that all in the Parish would burst themselves to ensue a success and no stone would be left unturned to produce a historic novelty.
TOWID.

Is GAA now a tout for Government?

Those of us concerned with the continued intrusiveness of the nanny state into all aspects of our lives and the increased snooping of the organs of the State into the minutiae of our existence must be extremely alarmed at the reported requirements of the proposals on amateurism currently under consideration.And one must wonder if the soul of the organisation is being sold,.as the Country has been, for the few shekels thrown the way of the GAA by the money men,in the form of grants .
According to an article by Colm Keys in the Irish Independent today February 22nd.2012 Option 2 of Padraic Duffy's Report on Amateurism is the Option favoured by the stronger counties.This involves :-
1.The establishment of a registration and audit board in Croke Park.
2.This committee have to be supplied with the RSI Number or the Northern Ireland equivalent of every manager and selector who wants to get involved with a club or county team.
3.Prospective managers,selectors and all backroom members must submit their names ,addresses and dates of birth and RSI numbers to Croke Park for inspection by November 30th.(For County Teams seemingly).
4.Clubs have to do likewise for local committees before 30th January.
5.Heavy fines and/or suspensionwill be imposed for inaccurate information.
A number of questions of the most serious nature arise.
(a)Why in the name of God  would you give  details of your RSI Number to anyone else in a situation where you were not obliged to so do by law is beyond me.It is more important than your Bank PIN  number and should only be disclosed in either a job situation or a Social Welfare situation.
(b)Has this proposal evolved as a result or in conjunction with the recent headlines concerning Revenue's intention to crack down on under the counter payments.
(3)Will Revenue have the right of inspection of this information?(My informed opinion is that it would)
(4) To what extent do these proposals reflect the requirements of Revenue.
(5) What legally enforceable guarantee is there that this information will not be shared with anyone else and do all members of the GAA having access to the information have to swear an oath similar to the Official Secrets Act (which Civil Servants having access to such information swear) that they will not disclose the information to anyone else.
(6) In the event that it is disclosed who do you sue.
Will the GAA shop you to Revenue if irregularities come to light and is the Association inculcating an informer culture as Government Departments are so actively doing these days.
Would you be utterly brain dead to volunteer for any position in the Gaa either local or at County level if it involved supplying this most secret and personal information ,which could easily ruin you.
Remember the word "audit" is used as a threat in most Revenue documents and anyone who has been subject to one will never forget it.
It is no secret that Government and its services have destroyed the most important thing entrusted to it, ,the Country .Are you willing to allow like minded autocrats and bureaucrats  to take over the Association and ruin it also.
Is it not enough that our amateurs have submitted to the  humiliation of dope testing in order to be good boys I assume.
I am fully aware that many legislators owe their popularity to the exploits ,either on or off the field .of themselves or their relatives.Many current legislators and civil servants have dual roles in the Gaa and the State. You can only serve one master however.
Which master is being served here.
How this proceeds has the capacity to destroy the GAA at worst,or at best make it into a vassal for the Government of the day.
Finally how long until the RSI Numbers of stewards and referees will be demanded and passed on.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Good people strike again

Every so often an event happens which restores one's faith in human nature.In an earlier blog I drew attention to the good people who ensured the Christmas of many less fortunate people by donating anonymously to the giving tree before Christmas.
Since then it is heartening to know that a well wisher or well wishers have made substantial  anonymous donations to Father Hornick to assist with the installation of radiators in the Church and to the GAA Club  to add to Club funds.
Well done.Pity ye are not in Government.
"Hon the dacent." 

Monday, February 20, 2012

Dunderry V Senchaelstown.F.L,2 19/2/2012.

Played 2.30 away.Pitch perfect and weather likewise.
About 30 turned up for us.

Team.                                                Jennings
                 Callaghan D.                   Kelleher                     Mc Cormack
                 Stephens.E.                     Harte S.                      O Shea
                                  Doherty.R.                Garry T.J.
                 Carty                              Coogan A.                   Kenneally J.P.(a,k.a Pope )
                 Clarke                             Newman A.                 Coogan .S.

For the first 10 minutes they owned the ball but only led by 2 points to nil.A five minute passage of play ensued during which a number of scoring chances were spurned by both sides with intended passes from both sides going astray and scorable frees being missed.Backs from both sides were mopping up the stray passes with their (5) Byrne and 12 being very industrious and Stephens and Mc Cormack tackling with gusto.Following a free on Stephens Garry hit to Newman who scored a minor.We are well there despite being outplayed.What counts is what is on the scoreboard.Garry is substituted ,seems he has broken his nose ,and Callaghan Keith is introduced as a blood sub.The man who didn't loan the axe tells me that Swiss is deployed to midfield,Keith goes full forward and Aaron to the half forwards.Sheridan ends a period of aimless play,littered with poor passes from both sides,by pointing from a free on the fourteen near the sideline.Bad passing gifts them a minor from play.Both sets of backs are mopping up the plenitude of stray passes emanating from both teams.From a foul on Stephens the ball is worked to Newman who hits wide.Harmless play ensues from the two sides.Garry back on.Fairhill hits over a free earned by Davy Mac.Andy hits wide from play.Finn  to Swiss to Stephen.Fouled.Free falls short and the Furze counterattack results in a fisted point.Macken is growing in influence as is Sheridan and they work a point from play.Half time .down 0-6 to 0-2.A fair reflection ,but we are still game.
Disrupt start of second half  because caught crossing the pitch.Reason being that grandson Padraig drops crisps from bag and insists on picking each sliver up ,a true child of the recession.
They take a point from play on the restart.Furze 12 is causing problems as is Macken but we man the breaches well enough.Alan Garry on for O Shea and we concede a free which is converted.Simon Carty is at the end of a fluid move and scores a minor.Just about there still and still fighting.Period of trench warfare ,without either side advancing,ensues ,and Andy takes point from play.8 to 5 now.Are we good enough?Sheridan asserts authority by scoring a 40 yard free.Macken is growing in influence and is about three seconds ahead of other players in reading the game.Banty could do worse.Good passing move by us works ball to Stephen who takes nuclear option but misses target.Coogan amends by taking a point from play.Furze miss scorable free following a foul on Macken.Ruddy is opening shoulders.Pope is barely wide from play.Defiant to the end we concede a free,which is taken quickly and is dispatched in a manner the Wenger would appreciate to the onion bag by The foxy Macken.
We resist the end but they add another 2 point to end 1-11 to 0-6 winners.Keith replaced the Pope but no ball came his way.

The Furze deserved their victory.They were less rusty and more experienced than us.To our credit we never gave up and the more grizzled players on our team performed well.Maybe the younger lads were overcome by the level of competition ,but this is the level we must meet to advance.
The mentors will have learned a lot and have much to think about .They have the nous to weld this panel into a more formidable outfit than showed today.
On another day later in the year I would fancy us.  
I picked out their Byrne (5),Ruddy, 12, Macken and Sheridan.James Byrne is my nephew and his brother David was injured on the sideline.Two fine gosons.
Met Mickey Collins,who was hard and fair and against whom I exchanged pleasantries in our day and was glad to see his son Andy coming on,after serious injury.I am told he is a chip off the old block.
Gerry Mc Giveney did a master class in refereeing as clean and as competitive a game as you could wish.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Pray in hits a wobblie.

Changed venue to Robinstown tonight as Dunderry Church is closed having new radiators put in.Just myself and one other turned up.Fair dues Liam.On the good side,sure two heads are better than one ,even if they are only sheeps heads.This is not an insult to either myself or Liam.The beat goes on.Dunderry next Friday.D.V.

Dunderry GAA Update 17th Feb.2012

Was in pitch tonight.Had tay and jaffacakes .Myself,Minogue,Seamin,Johnnie,Declan ,Billy and Mc Kenna prating as the lads trained.Fresh from the AGM of the Fair Committee after repelling all would be boarders .Mc Kenna (Sean ) informed me that   ageism never took hold in Dunderry,as Danny Mc Gourty ,at 81 years has been elected head honcho over all matters of a sheep nature relating to the Fair.Great room for the P.R.O.Gus Martyn to make hay,if you get my drift.
The growing tradition of supplying the players with these modest perquisites is a scant gesture for all the effort they put in.They seem to appreciate it.Can,t praise Conleth O Neill,John Brady and Barry Sheridan,Flange Mc Guinness ,Mickey Horan ,Geerry Mc Laughlin and Billy enough  for the huge effort they are putting in.And Mickey Casey who never misses a night at training.
Over 35 training tonight ,swelled by the number of students returning from college for the weekend.For the hurling  dual players this was the third night this week and a match to come on Sunday against Senechalstown at 2.30 in their ground.These lades make some effort.Hats off.
The minor footballers got a walkover from Clanna Gael last Saturday.I hate to see this happen as they are our nearest neighbours and hope that this was a temporary blip.The minors are out again this Saturday at home to Curragha at 3.00 I think.Must cast an eye over them and maybe do a report.
Was pleasantly surprised to hear a very harmonious rendition of the "Holdem"  song wafting from one of the dressing rooms when passing".The Lady of the Handbags and Inion an Breithimh have a future in that area if all else fails.  Ask A.C. and K.L.who were spellbound.
The club is seeking E.50.00 donations to cover annual membership ,free entrance to all home games and inclusion in a free draw for those who are not yet members.This money is badly needed as the Club is stripped for cash after purchasing the three acres at the top of the field behind the top goal.
Finally the Official Club website will be opening soon.You will be spoiled for choice as this one ,which is solely my own ,will continue to do what it does.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

DUNDERRYGAA NEWS FEB.2012

Was at pitch tonight.About 30 training.Hurlers and footballers training together.This makes sense as most are dual players.Billy,Johnnie,Phil,Seamin,Declan Carty there and piping hot tea and biscuits available for all.Great to see Kevin Keaveney and Ollie Carty there shooting the breeze.The panel is very young so far ,but some older lads are expected back soon.Time will tell.Quite a number of lads in their early to late twenties are out of work and hate being idle.One at least and possibly a few more are bound for the emigrant ship soon.Not from choice but out of desperation.Aside from the activity in the field the village is basically deserted.Nobody out ,not a bob in circulation.There is an eerie feel about the place.Without a shadow of a doubt there are considerably fewer cars on the road than heretofore,a fact I noticed accelerating since last July.
No wonder road deaths are down.There are far fewer cars on the road.And nobody is drinking out.The prohibitionist have won.With the pub trade decimated and cars parked up The RSA and the anti drink lobby will undoubtedly be rubbing their hands in glee.The logical conclusion is to force everybody to  emigrate and abolish motor vehicles entirely and both the drink problem and motor vehicle deaths will cease to be.
What is of major concern to me and to anyone with any iota of compassion is the huge rise in suicide ,particularly amongst men.I would say that we all know at least a half dozen men who have ended their lives in recent times.While one could never know ,in the absence of a suicide note,why this is done ,one factor I have noted amongst the people I knew of was that they were all self employed.I have absolutely no doubt that these people were driven over the edge by the relentless pressure applied by the multiplicity of State agencies ,Financial institutions and  mean offences drawn up by a petty legislature to keep the people in their place.
It seems to me,as in the reign of the Empire, that the law is again being used as an instrument of oppression and it is not good enough for Judges to wash their hands and blindly follow the law in achieving the results that a powerful State seeks to impose on genuine citizens ,who are fighting an unequal and unwinnable battle against over whelming odds.
Authorising an eviction on Monday will not in my view be exonerated by receiving the Host on the following Sunday.Of course if you don't believe in an afterlife strict adherence to secular law is probably an excuse for horrible decisions.
Anyhow,back to business.
In football we have three adult teams.Intermediate,Junior B and Junior D.
Group Teams for Intermediate Championship  are Ourselves,Michaels,Syddan,Clanna Gael and Na Fianna.Not a cakewalk .Michaels first up.
Junior B.Vincents,Walterstown,St.Colmcilles,Rathoath and Ourselves.Colmcilles first up.
In hurling we have an Intermediate and Junior Team.Inter Championship Group are  Ourselves,Kildalkey,Kilmessan,Rathmoloyn,Wolfe Tones and Dunboyne.Dunboyne first.Not a cakewalk either.
Top three qualify.
It is to the eternal credit of the mentors that not a penny will change hands.
Sunday we play Senchaelstown in the League.A tough one too.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Lay Teachers.

Is there any person my age or older ( 60)who wasn't flogged to within an inch of his life by a lay teacher during his school years.In a school not run by the religious.These sadists were usually married ,had families and  many of their descendants are teachers.Thankfully the descendants of the flailed are also now teachers and will stop a repeat.
Can all of us now sue the State for damages and why oh why has only the religious muinteoiri been singled out.
Will this secular Government pursue the estates of those responsible?
Answers on a postcard.

Fear Breaga Identifier.Eyes have it.

Just after watching a gaggle of politicians shooting the breeze on T.V.What a shower.Study these boys carefully and watch the eyes.The more they lie the more they blink.One participant spent the whole time blinking.Definitely the Fear Brega.
Judas kiss ,hand wringing and blinking eyes.Red ,black and blue Biro's in breast pocket.Apple for teacher.

Friday, February 10, 2012

The sporting week.

Adult Hurlers and Footballers continue to train.Three to four dozen a shot.And more to come.
Camogie players resume tomorrow Saturday at 12 .30.Good women.Keep it going.
I know s.f.a. about soccer but the Eyetie over the Brits was dead right.Innocent until proven guilty ,no ifs and buts.After they removed his captain without consulting him he had to walk.
Much hullabaloo about the handbagging at Portlaoise with the usual cretins talking shite.There wasn't a decent punch thrown.Every anti GAA bigot on the airwaves venting his spleen.Gob shites.
Every punch thrown in Portlaoise added together hadn't the potential for injury that the spear tackle had in the rugby match.Hardly an eyelash batted amongst the rugger heads who dominate the media .Of course the Ranelagh Rameisher,who wouldn't know a solo from a ball hop fronted a programme on the issue.Didn't even watch it as the accent alone would be enough to put me off.
The nonsensical alcohol report.which you would just know had to be fronted by a doctor,recommended what most doctors do.Rise the prices until no one can afford to go .
Is it only me that is sick of this nonsense.
Yeah,stick it into the GAA.Bar Drinks advertising for them .But leave our beloved rugger alone.Heino et all cannot be touched.Outside the jurisdiction Time for a Shirley Bassey.

Campaign continues

The Friday Pray- In continued tonight at 6.00 p.m.Three new people and three unable to be there.Six in total in attendance.No inspiration yet,but loads of peace.The beat goes on.Next week Robinstown.Same time.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Unbearable grief of Denise Coogan's clan.

When my uncle Joe was depressed my aunt Molly used say say to him"God never closes one door but he opens another."To which Joe would reply "You are wrong,there is nothing more certain than when he closes one door,he then slams another in your face."
So it must seem to Denise( nee Reardon) and her extended family who not only have lost a sister and mother this last quarter in Boston,but who lost the sister's husband Eric Uhrmann last Sunday through sudden illness.
For once I am stuck for words adequate to express the sorrow all here feel for them on their unspeakable loss ,but inadequately send condolences to all their relatives and friends ,especially the three children,Ryan,Trevor and Conor.
All in Dunderry are dumbfounded at this misfortunate turn in events and cannot understand how one family can be so stricken.
We will pray for ye and implore that he sits at the right hand of God with his wife and mother in law.

Mick Wimsey R.I.P.

The above,who lived for many years on the Black Road, died tragically at the tender age of 56 years in Trim last Sunday 30th January 2012..We fully sympathise with  his children Karen,Jenny,Sandy and Michael,all of whom played either hurling or camogie with the GAA and Camogie Clubs and their mother Anne on their most sad and heartbreaking bereavement.
In later years Mick lived with his partner Nuala and her children in Trim.
A native of Ardsallagh,Navan,he will be sadly missed by all his family already mentioned,his partner and her children,brother ,sisters,grandchildren,nephews ,nieces,in laws and a wide circle of friends.
The funeral Mass in Trim today was packed to capacity,a sign of the esteem in which he was justifiably held and the hearse wound its way through Dunderry ,where he spent much of his life ,on its way to the graveyard in St.Mary's cemetery in Navan.
A good crowd turned out in Dunderry to pay respects to a life cut short in its prime.
My memory returns to happier times when the four amigos,Frank and Neill Smith ,Joe Mc Nally and Michael soldiered together in the haulage trade.They were some crew and no one nor nothing fazed them.
I happened to be in their company for a whole day years ago when they were salvaging a truck for use on the road.Them boys could work and work they did,not once over the whole day referring to each by their Christian names.
The banter between "Showman"aka "Rodger "rabbit (Frankien),"The Nailer"(Neill),"Skin "(Joe Mac) and "Metal"(Mickey) was priceless as they addressed each other by these monikers totally unaware that an outsider would be totally lost.
But to paraphrase what  the Cavan man said when he refused to pay the lady of the night for services rendered,"That is the Dunderry way".
Happily "Nailer" is still with us and I have no doubt that the other three are repairing the haulage fleet of the Good Lord.
These boys will deliver on time,make no mistake.
Ar deis De go raibh a hAnam dilis.

100% increase in half hour contemplation meet.

Six people turned up tonight,which doubled the previous weeks attendance.Little acorns.Maybe,just maybe,Divine influence will pull people out of their stupor and sense of betrayal.
Hearing that the youth are so pissed that they are telling their parents that whatever about the parents coming to Australia to visit them,they have no intention of ever returning here gives a fair and sad picture of what has been inflicted on them.Being sent from Office to Office by Joan's dragoons in order to deny help is now standard procedure for the unemployed.
The nasty responses given by Government to the appalling treatment of Catholic communicants dependant on the State to justify its actions are beneath contempt and many would argue is further evidence of the  bigoted anti religious hue of this Government,starting with the Taoiseach's populist speech in the Dail and the severance of the Ambassador from the Holy See.
As expected an anti Catholic press ,which guzzled on the excesses of the Celtic tiger and were its foremost cheerleaders are first out of the traps to portray communicants as being driven by limousines and spending a fortune on tanning .I would guess that these so called journalists have neither faith nor chic nor kin .I know they are talking through the orifice that rarely sees the light of day.
Fianna Fail,the Greens ,the P.D.s,Labour,Fine  Gael ,have all let us down.
We are surrounded by the tragic results of their failures almost daily now.
It is not for nothing that the Government and the E.U. wants to avoid a constitutional vote at all costs.
Come over next Friday and bring your overcoat.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Christening of Senan Paul Maguire in Dunderry

The above is the newest addition to the family of my daughter Glenda and her husband Edward and one of my ten grandchildren.He is a grand goson and is the spit of his father.He was christened last Sunday in Dunderry Church by Father Hornick ,who did a wonderful job as usual.
The godparents are our Finn and Susan Maguire.
There was a full turnout of both families both in the Church and at Dunderry Lodge afterwards ,where a most enjoyable meal was had by everybody.The more adventurous of us had a few jars in Horan's Emporium afterwards.Went down well and Nance in mighty form.
Reports that a bright star was observed in the sky at the time of his birth and that camels driven by princes bearing gold frankincense and myrrh were dismissed as fanciful by most ,but not all of the attendance.
His existence has further strengthened my resolve to continue the Friday contemplation in Dunderry Church from 6.00 to 6.30 P.M  so that the fear and hopelessness afflicting most people is banished and our leaders act in our interest and resurrect some vestige of compassion for ordinary people. 
Given the meanest stroke ever pulled on poor Catholic kids by Joan Burton  today,which limits the spend of the State for those families totally reliant on the State for  First Communicants and  Confirmation to E100.00 for the occasion  I don't hold out much hope of this happening anytime soon.
What next,the slaughter of the first born?
Senan is lucky to have such great family support.We will ensure he does not grow up a slave.