Today the cold wet clay fell on the coffin of Niall Smith ,Dressogue,Athboy ,a proud native of Dunderry,a husband to Marie,a father to Fiona,Nigel and Francis,a brother to Marie (Dalton ) a grandfather ,a father in law,a neighbour,a friend and a man whose existence will long live in the memory of all those who knew him.
Those close to him knew knew that he was tortured betimes but never suspected that his agonies would be terminated so tragically and would weigh so heavily on all ,particularly his immediate family who are in a state of utter shock and bewilderment.
Not inappropriately his burial took place in Dunderry Graveyard on a weekend of tempest and drenching rain similar to the prevailing conditions of THE MAN in whom he totally believed and who died over 2,000 years ago.
I don't doubt for one second that himself,the Showman,the Old Showman,Metal Mickey and Skin are driving the Highways of Heaven,free of multi agency checks ,insufferable work smothering regulations ,breakdowns and with a full order book of back loads in the full and beaming approval of Jesus Christ.
Dunderry Church was absolutely packed last evening as his mortal remains arrived there for the last time and was thronged also this morning for his funeral Mass .Both occasions were sombre events as is fitting and his sons,daughter ,nieces and extended families paid heart rending tribute to a man so desperately missed and a life so well lived, albeit far too shortly spent.
Father Hornick,ably assisted by his Athboy counterpart ,presided admirably over the ceremonies and if there is a better singer than Paddy Mc Garry for these occasions ,I have yet to hear him.
I do hope that he appreciates fully the unreal talent that God bestowed on him,
The fact that he often shared a session with the Nailer,and indeed myself in the days of yore inspired him to impart the proper amount of passion and poignancy into the well chosen hymns sung.
It took ages for all the sympathisers to commiserate with the family and file past the coffin on both Friday and today.I'd wager that Nailer would never have dreamt that he so many and so dispersed good and true friends.
The Nailer and his clan has history,all good,with myself and my mother's people the Mc Cormacks going back the generations.The old Showman and Joe and Tommy Mc Cormack were Shinners a lifetime ago. Tommy reverted to Labour at a time when Labour were proud to advance the cause of working people.
I ran as an Independent for the last Dail.About two weeks before the election the Nailer called to the house and offerd me the benefit of his experience in spreading the good news of my candidature ,an offer I gladly accepted.And canvass he did.
Then a week before the Election ,surprise of surprisesm RTE came to my house to interview me for "The week in politics "programme.The weather was like today and we were on tender hooks awaiting the arrival of the crew,who were delayed with a puncture in what was Indian territory to them.
When they did arrive like drowned rats we had no idea what format the interview was going to take and had each practised our lines .
They interviewed me separately from Nailer and very kindly explained to him that his chance would come on another day.He accepted this graciously and took it in his stride.
I made the introductory headline appearance in the programme subsequently.publicity money could not buy.
Maybe Nailer got the hump as a week later he was canvassing for Sinn Fein, a throwback to his father's genes maybe,In any event he backed a winner in Peadar Tobin.No fool he.
It wouldn't be the first time that Nailer and family helped us out.In the late 1980's Tommy Mac moved into a shed behind their house in Dressogue to shepherd hogget ewes through the lambing period.Tommy never believed in doing things by half and was a shepherd in the real sense of the word.
He lived in the shed for over a month and was cared for and fed like a King by Nailer and Marie.
He didn't lose even one lamb.I kid you not.
Anyone who knows about these things will tell you that if you handle a hogget's lamb the human scent will more often than not cause her to abandon the lamb.Tommy overcame this by turning a sheet of galvanise into a crude sleigh by attaching a rope harness and poking any distressed newly born lamb onto the sleigh with the toe of his boot and pulling it into the shed with the hogget continuously smelling the lamb as it was in transit.
When inside he had the door rigged for quick shutting and lamb and hogget mother would be coaxed back to full health under the heat of the Super Ser.
I tell a white lie when I say thart not even one lamb was lost.One was lost and it was my fault.It happened like this.
One Sunday he wanted a break and asked me to go on duty,which I did.One ewe was unable to deliver and I caught her and put my hand in to deliver the lamb.But the lamb was coming wrong and I had to manipulate the tiny front leg to get her into delivery position.I felt a snap but delivered a live lamb in the end.But she couldn't stand up as a front leg was broken by my clumsiness.After the ewe took to the lamb the vet put on plaster of Paris and a splint on the break.Unfortunately too long a period was let expire before the cast was removed and the circulation had been cut off and the leg had to be amputated.She lived for a few months on three legs but was slaughtered before her time as she eventually could not bear her weight.
Tommy was a very clever man and learned from this experience.When a similar break arose subsequently,he cured it himself.Figuring that the plaster was too rigid,he devise a splint made of plastering scrim,ice pop sticks and melted tar,which was poured on the scrim,absorbed by it and stretched with the growth of the lamb's leg.
Anyhow the point is that the Smiths treated Tommy and myself like royaltyand often brought a very young Fiona and Nigel to our house,where if memory serves ,they particularly had a likeness for Agnes's gravy.
I in turn helped Nailer when I was in a position to.
Nigel had a brief but enjoyable hurling career under my tutelage.That is when himself and Gerry Murrray were not hiding in the fields to avoid being collected.I usually found them .Another connection was that our Mags worked with Marie and Nigel in the Lodge where they formed close bonds that persist to this day.
I know Francie since he was a young child.A grand chap.
And Nigel's partner,who also read at Mass ,is a former Camogie player I coached in her youth.A lovely woman.
But no tribute to Nailer would be complete without reference to the mechanical love of his life,trucks and trucking.
"Smith International " was the legend under which he and Frank a.k.a the Showman and betimes "Rodger Rabbit " ,traded in their prime and which name he preserved up to his untimely death.
I remember them in their prime inn Dunderrry when they were at the top of their trucking game and had a good few rigs on the road.Showman and himself were an odd pair for brothers and partners.Showman was well over six foot and built like a bull,with a tenor voice.Nailer was barely over five foot with a deep baritone voice.I often thought that the Lord got the voices mixed up ,but maybe not.One complimented the other.
Two other men,both now dead also wee on the crew,Michael Wimsey (A..K A Metal Mickey,further abbreviated to "Metal") and Joe Mc Nally (a.k.a "Skin").
One Saturday myself and Tommy Mc Cormack were working on a machine beside the boys who were laying a new wooden floor in a full length trailer.All day long the banter was magic.Not once was anyone on the Smith International crew called their Christian name,with roars of "Showman","Nailer","Metal" and "Skin"good naturedly filling the air.
Of that crew I am the only survivor."Metal " too died tragically,"Showman" of cancer at far too young an age,"Skin " of breathing difficulties and Tommy of cancer.I was spared when suffering a severe stroke four years ago.
These man lived like men and were independent to the nth.degree.
When these boys were in full business bloom in the late eighties and before "Showman's "death there was some buzz around Dunderry.Top shelves were emptied ,craic was had,Nailers courtship of Marie was celebrated often and well and full loads were dispersed worldwide,no bother at all.
And Father Enda narrowly missed being decapitated by a half block through a Pub window .while enjoying a well earned pint of the black stuff.A story for another day.
An uncle of mine suffered from Maniac Depression for most of his life.Nowadays it is called "Bipolar" I think.I am not a doctor nor an expert on this condition but know well that when the chemical balance of the brain is out of synch it can kick in and periods of sleepless elation are succeeded by periods of deep depression.Highs and Lows in my language.
Maybe Nailer had this condition.I don't know.
What I do know is that a number of months ago he was out of sorts and maybe fell off the wagon a few times.I left him home on a few occasions.He unburdened himself to me.Total love for his family I hasten to add.But he was a tortured man and felt pressurised.
I never thought that this would be the result.
I have long held that people who die as he did should have their dealings with State institutions in the run up to death examined to l see whether lessons could be learned to improve future outcomes and hope this happens here.
Let me hasten to add that I am not apportioning blame to anybody.It was one of these unforeseeable things.
Musketeers Liam is married to Niall's sister.They have buried his brother, mother and now Niall in quick succession.Fiona buried premature twins in recent times.
Lord help us all.and pray for his family in particular.
Ar Dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis.
P.S.I have been informed today that Nial was convicted of drink driving three weeks before his death and as a consequence barred from driving for four years.Given that the only occupation he ever had was truck driving and that he was in his sixties ,as far as I know ,that was the end of his working life in reality.
He was clearly unwell mentally in recent times and its not that long since he was in the physciatric unit in Navan.
As a self employed man he would have very little entitlements under the Social Welfare system.
There are all sorts of investigations into top up payments to charity bosses and the journalists are having a field day.Nobody died as a result of these top up payments.
Nial Smith is dead.
Did the three branches of the State talk to each other before the sentence above was imposed on Nial?
Has anybody involved in the charging and sentencing process even a tinge of regret ?Does anybody give a continental fuck about Nial and his family?
Given that it is the anniversary of another Meath man who died tragically.Shane Mc Entee,will Fine Gael pay anything other than pay lip service to tackling suicide amongst men and look closely at what happened to Nial to see if lessons can be learned for the future ?
Your guess is as good as mine but I will not be holding my breath.
I stress that I am not apportioning blame to anybody involves in the process but would like to know if a holistic approach was taken in his particular circumstances.
The say that the mark of a civilised society is how it treats its weaker members.Nailer was as down as it gets.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
The modern plantation of Ireland.
I am the originator of the phrase "living in fear"as I. used it on my election literature in the last general election.
And it has come to pass,big time in what is left of Ireland under Enda and Eamon et all.
They have broken the most basic of undertakings given before the last election ,when they said on public television that they would not countenance evictions from family homes.
Not only have they reneged on this but they have legislated to make it easier when the Courts blocked it.
Now Ireland is being sold piece by piece to the Gall for half nothing while the native people either emigrate by the new time or are forced into homelessness under the watch of the Blue shirts and the Stickies.
I find it disgusting to look at some old photographs of GAA teams and see lined up in them as team mates members of the above parties who are now overseeing the eviction of their former team mates.
Truly this Government is Cromwell's spiritual successor.
And it has come to pass,big time in what is left of Ireland under Enda and Eamon et all.
They have broken the most basic of undertakings given before the last election ,when they said on public television that they would not countenance evictions from family homes.
Not only have they reneged on this but they have legislated to make it easier when the Courts blocked it.
Now Ireland is being sold piece by piece to the Gall for half nothing while the native people either emigrate by the new time or are forced into homelessness under the watch of the Blue shirts and the Stickies.
I find it disgusting to look at some old photographs of GAA teams and see lined up in them as team mates members of the above parties who are now overseeing the eviction of their former team mates.
Truly this Government is Cromwell's spiritual successor.
A tale of contrasts.
Yesterday evening Dunderry National School put on its annual Carol service in a packed Dunderry Church.I was there as guest of Evan and Aoife and Glenda and Edward to witness first hand the choral ability of my grandchildren Padraic and Caoire.
I was not disappointed as all the Schoolchildren put on a magnificent show celebrating the birth of Christ in true Catholic fashion.
It was edifying to see that so many past pupils have decided to send their children to the same school that they themselves were educated in.Clearly they are very satisfied with the education they themselves got and wanting only the best for their children are as proud as punch to have them educated here.
And they are dead right.It was glaringly obvious that the teachers had put a huge effort into preparing their charges for the concert as they were word and note perfect ,both in English and as Gaeilge.
The classes performed in ascending order from the youngest to the oldest.And what the beer drinker said about pints of the black stuff "there is no such thing as a bad pint,only good ones and better ones" had application to the performances in that there were only good ones and better ones.
We had traditional carols ,contemporaneous ballads and even a Dunderry Rap.
I pads .I phones ,Tablets and conventional cameras were in constant use as another generation of mammies and daddies secured prime position to record for posterity the heroics of their progeny.
Afterwards al were invited to the Parish Hall for refreshments and the draw ,for which there were 40 prizes.
On a personal level I take pride that two parishioners and former camogie players I coached,Aimee Cregan and Kate Martyn are now school marms in the school.Only the best for the best and I must say the Mrs Kiely is steering a steady course at the helm.
And of course the real and shy Capo ,Father Hornick is playing a blinder.
All in all a very pleasant and rewarding occasion.
It was therefor with some trepidation that I sat down this evening to watch the Vincent Brown show as it discussed the latest audit on the Catholic orders and Diocese on the issue of child protection.
I have taken it for granted this long time that Vincent would assemble a panel as prejudiced and bigoted against Catholicism as he himself is to "discuss " the matter.And I was not disappointed .He set the tone by equating allegations with proven facts and distorted the "discussion ab initio.Patsi Mc Garry,who has never displayed any balance on the matter gladly rowed in ,some approach for a self styled journalist,a wan from One in Four who is routinely wheeled out to belittle Catholicism ,opined that Catholic Clergy should not avail of the legal protections available to all other citizens and roll over on the making of an allegation,as if none of the allegations ever made were false and motivated by filthy lucre,(as a Lady judge pronounced recently about a black Catholic nun in a motor crash case) ( one wonders whether lady judges have become so anti Catholic at this stage that it is a waste of time going to Court at all if you are a member of a Catholic religious order ) and the coup de grace was a so called Theologian who described the Catholic Church as "toxic" if I heard right and suffers from as bad a case of penis envy as I have ever encountered.
As they say around here she is fierce well balanced ,with an equal bundle of chips on each shoulder.And she capped it all by belittling Padraic Pearse for daring to fight for the freedom of his country.What a yoke.
Yes the bush telegraph of Hell was in overdrive in assembling such a sulphuric assholery.
I went to the Christian Brothers for five years as a day pupil.I think more of the discarded nail clipping of the least of these men than the totality of the bigoted mouthpieces on display in that insult to decency.
Some contrast between both events.
I was not disappointed as all the Schoolchildren put on a magnificent show celebrating the birth of Christ in true Catholic fashion.
It was edifying to see that so many past pupils have decided to send their children to the same school that they themselves were educated in.Clearly they are very satisfied with the education they themselves got and wanting only the best for their children are as proud as punch to have them educated here.
And they are dead right.It was glaringly obvious that the teachers had put a huge effort into preparing their charges for the concert as they were word and note perfect ,both in English and as Gaeilge.
The classes performed in ascending order from the youngest to the oldest.And what the beer drinker said about pints of the black stuff "there is no such thing as a bad pint,only good ones and better ones" had application to the performances in that there were only good ones and better ones.
We had traditional carols ,contemporaneous ballads and even a Dunderry Rap.
I pads .I phones ,Tablets and conventional cameras were in constant use as another generation of mammies and daddies secured prime position to record for posterity the heroics of their progeny.
Afterwards al were invited to the Parish Hall for refreshments and the draw ,for which there were 40 prizes.
On a personal level I take pride that two parishioners and former camogie players I coached,Aimee Cregan and Kate Martyn are now school marms in the school.Only the best for the best and I must say the Mrs Kiely is steering a steady course at the helm.
And of course the real and shy Capo ,Father Hornick is playing a blinder.
All in all a very pleasant and rewarding occasion.
It was therefor with some trepidation that I sat down this evening to watch the Vincent Brown show as it discussed the latest audit on the Catholic orders and Diocese on the issue of child protection.
I have taken it for granted this long time that Vincent would assemble a panel as prejudiced and bigoted against Catholicism as he himself is to "discuss " the matter.And I was not disappointed .He set the tone by equating allegations with proven facts and distorted the "discussion ab initio.Patsi Mc Garry,who has never displayed any balance on the matter gladly rowed in ,some approach for a self styled journalist,a wan from One in Four who is routinely wheeled out to belittle Catholicism ,opined that Catholic Clergy should not avail of the legal protections available to all other citizens and roll over on the making of an allegation,as if none of the allegations ever made were false and motivated by filthy lucre,(as a Lady judge pronounced recently about a black Catholic nun in a motor crash case) ( one wonders whether lady judges have become so anti Catholic at this stage that it is a waste of time going to Court at all if you are a member of a Catholic religious order ) and the coup de grace was a so called Theologian who described the Catholic Church as "toxic" if I heard right and suffers from as bad a case of penis envy as I have ever encountered.
As they say around here she is fierce well balanced ,with an equal bundle of chips on each shoulder.And she capped it all by belittling Padraic Pearse for daring to fight for the freedom of his country.What a yoke.
Yes the bush telegraph of Hell was in overdrive in assembling such a sulphuric assholery.
I went to the Christian Brothers for five years as a day pupil.I think more of the discarded nail clipping of the least of these men than the totality of the bigoted mouthpieces on display in that insult to decency.
Some contrast between both events.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
One cure for Dogs that worry sheep
We went on a double mission last week to Sas. and Wales.We went to Frome in Somerset to bury Alice Loughlin ,my wife's last surviving aunt and did so.The Catholic ceremony is different in England than here.At least the one I was at is,in that a number of Hymns are sung during the Funeral Mass by the congregation.Nor is a decade of the Rosary recited at the graveside as is the norm here.Herself and myself said a Decade anyhow,
The second leg of the mission was to visit the grave of my grandparents in a place near Cardigan in Wales called Pont Hirwaun,which as far as I can make out is the Welsh for the Bridge over the river Hirwaun.
We found it and the place is so small that Dunderry is Tokyo by comparison.I don't know who looks after the graveyard but it is very well kept.
Welsh is very much the spoken language in West Wales as far as I could see and and the writing on the grave was as follows:-
Er Cof Annwyl
am
Ianto Stephens
Pont Hirwaun
Hunodd Rhag. 16.1976 .
Yn 76 oed.
Can eto cwrdd.
Herfyd Dewi ei fab
Bu fawr yn Iwerddyn
Ion .25.1982.Yn.52 oed.
Hefyo Maggie ei briod
Bu farw yn Salisbury
ym mlwyddyn 2000,
Yn 99 oed.
It refers to my grandfather Ianto (Evan),Father David (Dewi) and grandmother Maggie ,although I am sure that her Christened name was Sofia.
We placed a wreath on the grave and said a few prayers.
The thought has recently struck me that I have much to be humble about as both my parents were born into houses made of stone ,which are now extanct and where life was very hard and tough.
They were great people to survive at all and to be able to rear us was a miracle in itself.
This background probably explains my indignation at the exploitation of ordinary people by the uncaring and powerful.T'wasn't off the genetic road I licked it.
This area is primarily agricultural. and cattle manure and slurry were being spread all over the shop.
The roads are very narrow but well marked ,even the least significant ones ,but there are practically no soft margins to pull in if you break down.In that event you would have major tail backs,I imagine.
The Welsh language is given prominence on all road signs and official signage and the people are hugely proud of it and use it all the time.The antagonism of many native Irish to their own language is hard to understand in this context.Maybe it is the case that the genetic make up of the Irish whose ancestors " took the soup"and effectively renounced their own traditions to help the Crown forces subdue Ireland over many centuries lives on here more strongly than in Wales.I just don't understand the difference in attitude.
One thing that struck me is the fact that sheep throughout rural Wales and England graze right up to the very edge of the towns and villages without worry.You just would not see that here as the certainty of attacks by dogs would be inevitable.
The explanation is simple enough.In Wales in any event you either own a house dog or a working dog.A farmers dog is a working dog.Owners of house doge keep them at home and under control at all times,usually.
If a dog is caught worrying sheep ,without killing or biting them ,it may be that the farmer would tightly tie a piece of twine around his goolies and attach a number of empty tin cans to the twine and let him find his way home.A ring of sheep shit around his neck would let the owner know what it was all about.
Were the owner foolish enough to let the dog stray again and if the dog didn't learn his lesson then the dog would be shot without compunction and the owner would have to fully compensate the farmer.
It works.
More anon.
The second leg of the mission was to visit the grave of my grandparents in a place near Cardigan in Wales called Pont Hirwaun,which as far as I can make out is the Welsh for the Bridge over the river Hirwaun.
We found it and the place is so small that Dunderry is Tokyo by comparison.I don't know who looks after the graveyard but it is very well kept.
Welsh is very much the spoken language in West Wales as far as I could see and and the writing on the grave was as follows:-
Er Cof Annwyl
am
Ianto Stephens
Pont Hirwaun
Hunodd Rhag. 16.1976 .
Yn 76 oed.
Can eto cwrdd.
Herfyd Dewi ei fab
Bu fawr yn Iwerddyn
Ion .25.1982.Yn.52 oed.
Hefyo Maggie ei briod
Bu farw yn Salisbury
ym mlwyddyn 2000,
Yn 99 oed.
It refers to my grandfather Ianto (Evan),Father David (Dewi) and grandmother Maggie ,although I am sure that her Christened name was Sofia.
We placed a wreath on the grave and said a few prayers.
The thought has recently struck me that I have much to be humble about as both my parents were born into houses made of stone ,which are now extanct and where life was very hard and tough.
They were great people to survive at all and to be able to rear us was a miracle in itself.
This background probably explains my indignation at the exploitation of ordinary people by the uncaring and powerful.T'wasn't off the genetic road I licked it.
This area is primarily agricultural. and cattle manure and slurry were being spread all over the shop.
The roads are very narrow but well marked ,even the least significant ones ,but there are practically no soft margins to pull in if you break down.In that event you would have major tail backs,I imagine.
The Welsh language is given prominence on all road signs and official signage and the people are hugely proud of it and use it all the time.The antagonism of many native Irish to their own language is hard to understand in this context.Maybe it is the case that the genetic make up of the Irish whose ancestors " took the soup"and effectively renounced their own traditions to help the Crown forces subdue Ireland over many centuries lives on here more strongly than in Wales.I just don't understand the difference in attitude.
One thing that struck me is the fact that sheep throughout rural Wales and England graze right up to the very edge of the towns and villages without worry.You just would not see that here as the certainty of attacks by dogs would be inevitable.
The explanation is simple enough.In Wales in any event you either own a house dog or a working dog.A farmers dog is a working dog.Owners of house doge keep them at home and under control at all times,usually.
If a dog is caught worrying sheep ,without killing or biting them ,it may be that the farmer would tightly tie a piece of twine around his goolies and attach a number of empty tin cans to the twine and let him find his way home.A ring of sheep shit around his neck would let the owner know what it was all about.
Were the owner foolish enough to let the dog stray again and if the dog didn't learn his lesson then the dog would be shot without compunction and the owner would have to fully compensate the farmer.
It works.
More anon.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Yet another blow to Muskateers
My better half (and you better believe it ) has suffered the sad loss of the very last sibling of her mother's side,the Heffernans,with the death of her aunt Alice Loughlin of Frome,Summerset,England in her 95th year.She did not suffer for long,thank God.
I understand that she emigrated over 70 years ago from Tipperary to Frome.She outlived her husband by many years and is survived by a number of children and grandchildren ,about more of which anon.
She graced Dunderry when she was able to travel a number of years ago and stayed with us for a short visit.
For many years now my better half has sent her weekly a copy of the Tipperary Star,which she avidly looked forward to.Bernie Flanagan very kindly orders it weekly for us to transmit over, a tradition we will keep up for my wife#s sister Dolores,who also emigrated from Tipp to FRome and who like myself is burning a drop of diesel.
Herself is heading over for the funeral.
We mourn her death as no matter what age you are there is no convenient time time to die.
Ar Dheis De go raibh a hAnam Dilis.
I understand that she emigrated over 70 years ago from Tipperary to Frome.She outlived her husband by many years and is survived by a number of children and grandchildren ,about more of which anon.
She graced Dunderry when she was able to travel a number of years ago and stayed with us for a short visit.
For many years now my better half has sent her weekly a copy of the Tipperary Star,which she avidly looked forward to.Bernie Flanagan very kindly orders it weekly for us to transmit over, a tradition we will keep up for my wife#s sister Dolores,who also emigrated from Tipp to FRome and who like myself is burning a drop of diesel.
Herself is heading over for the funeral.
We mourn her death as no matter what age you are there is no convenient time time to die.
Ar Dheis De go raibh a hAnam Dilis.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Extraordinary Generosity of Dunderry Massgoers.
At the four Masses celebrated by Father Hornick in Dunderry,Robinstown and KIlbride last weekend he most generously forsook the usual Sunday Mass collection for the upkeep of the Parish Churches ,Schools and clergy and dedicated it to the displaced people of the Philippines and Syria instead.
The Mass goers responded with the sort of Christian charity which is indicative of their Faith by stumping up the sum of E 3,024.00.
I think that about 37 % of Parishioners attend Mass regularly ,maybe 600 people men,women and children. This level of charity is ,in these austere times, laudable.
Were this level of Christian charity matched by those who sneer at ,deride, criticise and belittle practising Catholics in the Parish and indeed countrywide these worthy causes would benefit hugely.
A frustrated scribe called Liam Fay ,who sneers for the Irish Independent ,has described a Catholic Priest ,who advocates for the right to life of the unborn as a "sky pilot".
Now Liam ,let us see how good well you and your fellow sneers can do in helping such charitable causes ,or is sneering and belittling your sole stock in trade ?
Through out a short and interesting life I have found that an empty vessels makes the most noise and that actions speak louder than words.
So buala bos again to the Mass goers of Dunderry Parish Churches ,no matter where they live.
The Mass goers responded with the sort of Christian charity which is indicative of their Faith by stumping up the sum of E 3,024.00.
I think that about 37 % of Parishioners attend Mass regularly ,maybe 600 people men,women and children. This level of charity is ,in these austere times, laudable.
Were this level of Christian charity matched by those who sneer at ,deride, criticise and belittle practising Catholics in the Parish and indeed countrywide these worthy causes would benefit hugely.
A frustrated scribe called Liam Fay ,who sneers for the Irish Independent ,has described a Catholic Priest ,who advocates for the right to life of the unborn as a "sky pilot".
Now Liam ,let us see how good well you and your fellow sneers can do in helping such charitable causes ,or is sneering and belittling your sole stock in trade ?
Through out a short and interesting life I have found that an empty vessels makes the most noise and that actions speak louder than words.
So buala bos again to the Mass goers of Dunderry Parish Churches ,no matter where they live.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Immoral Medics contemptible
Just a few short months ago the masters of the Maternity Hospitals lectured us all an the ethics of abortion.Those who favour it left those opposed in no doubt that they regarded them as idiots.I thought to myself at the time that some of these people were so dismissive of other similarly qualified medics of opposing views that an unborn baby, who has no voice at all in the world of the womb raiders, would have no chance of putting his case even if anyone was interested in taking up the cudgels on his behalf.
Abortion ,in the instance where there is no immediate threat to the life of the mother is largely a matter of morality and ethics.
The recent disclosure that some of these people are taking top up payments on top of their well paid salaries (these top up payments alone are many times the Welfare payment that many unfortunate unemployed people receive) reveals yet again the contempt that these people hold for those less fortunate than themselves.
The untrammeled greed they display in these austere times when many decent and less well off people are facing the emigrant boat at best and eviction,illness and suicide at worst, displays a total lack of morality and contempt for others and a total absence of community solidarity.
Given their total lack of judgement and outrageous greed in such a basic arena as a maternity hospital totally disqualifies them from attempting to pronounce on such a moral and ethic subject as the deliberate taking of life in any meaningful way.
Put another way.;if they are so greedy and morally deficient in this area they have no right to lecture anyone else on matters affecting life and death.
I recently saw that these masters of the universe will force pregnant smokers who are incarcerated in their hospitals to decamp to the streets for a smoke and one at least will enforce a policy of zero tolerance.
Surely these people ,now that the financial cat is out of the bag ,will have the moral conviction to do the decent thing and resign.
And surely a Minister,under whose watch the general public are in dread of going to hospitals for fear of infection ,will treat his colleagues as severely as he treats mature smokers who he is so clearly persecuting.
But no and don't hold your breath.The contempt will live on.And the masters of the universe,where greed is most definitely not limited by gender,will continue to lecture and bully and dictate.
Abortion ,in the instance where there is no immediate threat to the life of the mother is largely a matter of morality and ethics.
The recent disclosure that some of these people are taking top up payments on top of their well paid salaries (these top up payments alone are many times the Welfare payment that many unfortunate unemployed people receive) reveals yet again the contempt that these people hold for those less fortunate than themselves.
The untrammeled greed they display in these austere times when many decent and less well off people are facing the emigrant boat at best and eviction,illness and suicide at worst, displays a total lack of morality and contempt for others and a total absence of community solidarity.
Given their total lack of judgement and outrageous greed in such a basic arena as a maternity hospital totally disqualifies them from attempting to pronounce on such a moral and ethic subject as the deliberate taking of life in any meaningful way.
Put another way.;if they are so greedy and morally deficient in this area they have no right to lecture anyone else on matters affecting life and death.
I recently saw that these masters of the universe will force pregnant smokers who are incarcerated in their hospitals to decamp to the streets for a smoke and one at least will enforce a policy of zero tolerance.
Surely these people ,now that the financial cat is out of the bag ,will have the moral conviction to do the decent thing and resign.
And surely a Minister,under whose watch the general public are in dread of going to hospitals for fear of infection ,will treat his colleagues as severely as he treats mature smokers who he is so clearly persecuting.
But no and don't hold your breath.The contempt will live on.And the masters of the universe,where greed is most definitely not limited by gender,will continue to lecture and bully and dictate.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Muskateers in deep mourning.
Muskateers Liam (Dalton ) and Deirdre (Clynch ) missed these last two Friday;s prayer sessions.I figured but did not intrude into the reasons ,as I guessed that his aged mother and her aunt in law was unwell.
And so it panned out.
This venerable and aged lady died recently in her 97th year.Not a bad age.
She was well until very recently and was sick only briefly.
I know that there is no convenient time to die and am mindful that Queen Victoria is reputed to have said "my Kingdom for just three minutes more."
This lady led an exemplary life and I have little doubt but that she has already passed through the Pearly Gates.
She suffered the loss of her husband Peter and her other son Paul during her long life but there remains to celebrate her good life a son of the highest integrity in Liam and his wife Marie and grand daughters Edel,Annemarie,Mairead,Louise and Sharon and four great grandchildren,as well as a very decent coterie of relatives including the aforementioned Deirdre and her husband and children ,who are neighbours as well as relatives.
Robinstown Church was packed tonight for her arrival there.
Tomorrow Wednesday 13th November her funeral Mass will be held in Robinstown at 1.00 p.m.with funeral afterwards to Dunderry Cemetery,
Ar Dheis De go raibh a hAnam Dilis,
And so it panned out.
This venerable and aged lady died recently in her 97th year.Not a bad age.
She was well until very recently and was sick only briefly.
I know that there is no convenient time to die and am mindful that Queen Victoria is reputed to have said "my Kingdom for just three minutes more."
This lady led an exemplary life and I have little doubt but that she has already passed through the Pearly Gates.
She suffered the loss of her husband Peter and her other son Paul during her long life but there remains to celebrate her good life a son of the highest integrity in Liam and his wife Marie and grand daughters Edel,Annemarie,Mairead,Louise and Sharon and four great grandchildren,as well as a very decent coterie of relatives including the aforementioned Deirdre and her husband and children ,who are neighbours as well as relatives.
Robinstown Church was packed tonight for her arrival there.
Tomorrow Wednesday 13th November her funeral Mass will be held in Robinstown at 1.00 p.m.with funeral afterwards to Dunderry Cemetery,
Ar Dheis De go raibh a hAnam Dilis,
Monday, November 11, 2013
Minor Silverware arrives in Dunderry.
Pairc Tailteann is a big place for adults,never mind juveniles and there is no hiding place.Anyone who played there knows that.It is especially big for thirteen a side teams,which is the norm for the Div.5 .M.F.C.,where we met Nobber in the Final last Sunday.
T'was cold enough but the pitch was immaculate.
I can only take my hat off to a young female steward who was kindness itself to yours truly,a total contrast to the behaviour witnessed in the Vodaphone shop in Trim a fortnight ago (see article "Bullied etc in Trim,"in earlier blog).Faith in human nature fully restored.
From the go we had an exciting contest between two well matched teams who tried to the bitter end and who were only separated by a point after 70 minutes of intense football.
I suppose our more prominent players are Luke Martyn and Mark Kane.Both ooze potential in this grade and both excelled.To be fair both their markers were no daws either and both had their hands full ,but both contributed massively to our cause.
No one man wins a match on his own and the supporting cast gave it their all (and more) in pursuit of the laurels.Nobber forged ahead in the early play and coming up to half time we were in trouble .But a scoring burst in the run in to half time when Lukie lent his considerable support to the attack gave us hope.
On the resumption Nobber forged ahead again and with ten to go were ,if memory serves right ,six points ahead and looked comfortable.but Kane was still using his speed and accuracy to advantage and splitting the posts and Brady was playing the way his father used to,that is going only in one direction; forward.
Daly and Casey minor made up for their lack of bulk by playing cleverly and passing to better placed and stronger colleagues..Clarke was playing a Captain's part and winning his share of possession.ably assisted by Leonard.
Gradually we clawed our way back into contention and drew lever with five to go.
Nobber stepped on the gas again and gallant defending was called for.Conor Dempsey and Aaron Feeney (a chip off the old block Tommy) stepped up o the mark but for me the man who really rose to the occasions was first half sub ,Cillian Conway,who not once,nor twice but thrice put in telling tackles and brave interceptions which negated sure scoring chances for a confident Nobber team.Cometh the hour cometh the man.
Mc Cabe,whose great grand uncle in the 1880's was the first Dunderry man to play in an All Ireland Senior football final did his part and Dowdall dug deep,
Casey major made intelligent use of his kick outs and it is a tribute to his backs that he was rarely called on to make saves,
With the teams level at full time an extra 20 minutes (10 each half ) commenced.Fortunes swayed first one way and then the other and mentors Mitchell,Casey,Hickey and Dowdall and trainer Fitzie,,rang the changes using substitutes to full advantage and we snuck it by a point in the end on a scoreline of 3-14 to 1-19,the subs, fully justifying their selection to a man.
Team was.
A,Casey
C.Dempsey (0-2) A.Feeney
C Harten L.Martyn R,Mc Cabe,
C.Leonard S.Clarke,
M.Dowdall (1-1) M.Kane (0-8.3 frees ) J.Brady (0-2)
E Daly P.Casey.
Subs used.C.Conway.A .Walsh.(1-0),C.Lawless.P.Hickey,T.O.Conaire
The attendance stayed fully transfixed to the end and Clarke made a brief but well modulated acceptance speech
I.n truth no team deserved to lose,but take it we will.And did.
A bonfire blazed in the centre of the Village afterwards but someone rang the fire brigade.Political correctness gone mad.Who will get the bill?
Such are the times we live in.No joy allowed.
T'was cold enough but the pitch was immaculate.
I can only take my hat off to a young female steward who was kindness itself to yours truly,a total contrast to the behaviour witnessed in the Vodaphone shop in Trim a fortnight ago (see article "Bullied etc in Trim,"in earlier blog).Faith in human nature fully restored.
From the go we had an exciting contest between two well matched teams who tried to the bitter end and who were only separated by a point after 70 minutes of intense football.
I suppose our more prominent players are Luke Martyn and Mark Kane.Both ooze potential in this grade and both excelled.To be fair both their markers were no daws either and both had their hands full ,but both contributed massively to our cause.
No one man wins a match on his own and the supporting cast gave it their all (and more) in pursuit of the laurels.Nobber forged ahead in the early play and coming up to half time we were in trouble .But a scoring burst in the run in to half time when Lukie lent his considerable support to the attack gave us hope.
On the resumption Nobber forged ahead again and with ten to go were ,if memory serves right ,six points ahead and looked comfortable.but Kane was still using his speed and accuracy to advantage and splitting the posts and Brady was playing the way his father used to,that is going only in one direction; forward.
Daly and Casey minor made up for their lack of bulk by playing cleverly and passing to better placed and stronger colleagues..Clarke was playing a Captain's part and winning his share of possession.ably assisted by Leonard.
Gradually we clawed our way back into contention and drew lever with five to go.
Nobber stepped on the gas again and gallant defending was called for.Conor Dempsey and Aaron Feeney (a chip off the old block Tommy) stepped up o the mark but for me the man who really rose to the occasions was first half sub ,Cillian Conway,who not once,nor twice but thrice put in telling tackles and brave interceptions which negated sure scoring chances for a confident Nobber team.Cometh the hour cometh the man.
Mc Cabe,whose great grand uncle in the 1880's was the first Dunderry man to play in an All Ireland Senior football final did his part and Dowdall dug deep,
Casey major made intelligent use of his kick outs and it is a tribute to his backs that he was rarely called on to make saves,
With the teams level at full time an extra 20 minutes (10 each half ) commenced.Fortunes swayed first one way and then the other and mentors Mitchell,Casey,Hickey and Dowdall and trainer Fitzie,,rang the changes using substitutes to full advantage and we snuck it by a point in the end on a scoreline of 3-14 to 1-19,the subs, fully justifying their selection to a man.
Team was.
A,Casey
C.Dempsey (0-2) A.Feeney
C Harten L.Martyn R,Mc Cabe,
C.Leonard S.Clarke,
M.Dowdall (1-1) M.Kane (0-8.3 frees ) J.Brady (0-2)
E Daly P.Casey.
Subs used.C.Conway.A .Walsh.(1-0),C.Lawless.P.Hickey,T.O.Conaire
The attendance stayed fully transfixed to the end and Clarke made a brief but well modulated acceptance speech
I.n truth no team deserved to lose,but take it we will.And did.
A bonfire blazed in the centre of the Village afterwards but someone rang the fire brigade.Political correctness gone mad.Who will get the bill?
Such are the times we live in.No joy allowed.
Monday, November 4, 2013
A surfeit of scores for Dunderry u 21's
5-29 we racked up against a hapless Wolfe Tones this weekend.We won that hurling match and play Longwood in the final.My heart went out to Father Heaney's brother and the other Tones mentors .The former has been preaching the hurling Gospel for a long lifetime and this must hurt him.I'd say he holds some kind of record.More luck to him.
Our boys didn't rub it in and emptied the bench to give them a chance.
Longwood deservedly beat us in the under 21 football championship a few weeks ago and will expect to do the same in the Hurling Final.
We won't get 5-29 but have a fair team and will be all out as this is our last chance of adult silverware.
To auld lads like me it is sacrilege to be beaten in Football by a recognised hurling power like Longwood.With a much lesser population we won three under 21 football championships proper in the 1990s ,as a Dunderry man in exile in the States recently reminded me.
God be with the days.
Our Minor footballers did what our Junior B 's couldn't do and beat Boardsmill last Friday.I missed the match but am informed they played well.Nobber awaits us in this Div,5 Final.They already beat us this year but we were short then.We have a chance.
Our Junior Camogie Team went down against a more experienced Kildalkey Intermediate Team in the League Final in Boardsmill last Sunday.They led for much of the game but were caught and just about passed in a thrilling finale.
No shame in this defeat and with the junior Championship in the bag it was a season to be proud of.
The team was.
Our boys didn't rub it in and emptied the bench to give them a chance.
Longwood deservedly beat us in the under 21 football championship a few weeks ago and will expect to do the same in the Hurling Final.
We won't get 5-29 but have a fair team and will be all out as this is our last chance of adult silverware.
To auld lads like me it is sacrilege to be beaten in Football by a recognised hurling power like Longwood.With a much lesser population we won three under 21 football championships proper in the 1990s ,as a Dunderry man in exile in the States recently reminded me.
God be with the days.
Our Minor footballers did what our Junior B 's couldn't do and beat Boardsmill last Friday.I missed the match but am informed they played well.Nobber awaits us in this Div,5 Final.They already beat us this year but we were short then.We have a chance.
Our Junior Camogie Team went down against a more experienced Kildalkey Intermediate Team in the League Final in Boardsmill last Sunday.They led for much of the game but were caught and just about passed in a thrilling finale.
No shame in this defeat and with the junior Championship in the bag it was a season to be proud of.
The team was.
Back to the one Muskateer .
Just mise last Friday.I'd say that Leo and Carmel were minding the pub,what with Fiacra and Leanne on the honeymoon,No word yet on Liam and Deirdre.
With the realisation that the barbarity of Love/Hate is dwarfed by the real life dismemberment of a human being in Blanchardstown it is clear that evil and its proponents are on the march.
The atheist and anti Christian bigots who dominate the media and facilitate the anti life agenda must be pleased.
No doubt the Catholic clerics who speak out against this type of thing are no more than "sky pilots" as the" Independent" scribe resident in Leitrim so sneeringly labelled a Catholic Priest who committed the "sin" of standing up for the defenceless preborn.
Yep you gets what you pay for.
I hope we get what I pray for.The beat goes on.
With the realisation that the barbarity of Love/Hate is dwarfed by the real life dismemberment of a human being in Blanchardstown it is clear that evil and its proponents are on the march.
The atheist and anti Christian bigots who dominate the media and facilitate the anti life agenda must be pleased.
No doubt the Catholic clerics who speak out against this type of thing are no more than "sky pilots" as the" Independent" scribe resident in Leitrim so sneeringly labelled a Catholic Priest who committed the "sin" of standing up for the defenceless preborn.
Yep you gets what you pay for.
I hope we get what I pray for.The beat goes on.
Monday, October 28, 2013
History made by Dunderry Gaels this weekend.
History was made today when the Dunderry u 16 Camogie Team played Rathoath in Martry this afternoon.I doubt if hurling was ever played in Martry before,much less camogie.Very kindly St.Ultans lent the girls the pitch as our own pitches at Dunderry and Rathcairn were unplayable.Can't beat good neighbours.
Although narrowly beaten the girls have great pride in the Dunderry jersey and fought to the bitter end..
The under 21 hurlers played their match in Dunganny ,having been rerouted there from KIldalkey which too was unplayable.The place was bitterly cold and I had to scarper before half time I was so perished.The boys were in total control at that stage and ran out comfortable winners in the end against Clanna Gael,who were short on the day.
Our boys have enough pride in the Dunderry jersey to make the effort to appear despite having had double cause for major celebration over the bank holiday weekend.
And now to history of a kind I would rather not report.Last year I got involved with an under 14 football team who did the unspeakable of awarding a walk over in the Football Championship.Subsequently they were unbeaten and were the only football team in the Club to win silverware.
A month ago I was again invited by Juvenile Chairman Darren Yourell to join him and Derek Hickey and get involved ..I did so gladly.To my astonishment I discovered that a few of the better players from last year had retired from the team and gone elsewhere to play other sports and that about half the team hadn't trained with the Club in the interim but were plying their sporting trades and training with assorted non GAA clubs around the County.
It was normal procedure for these players to play with us even though they don't train with us.This is totally alien to my concept of Club loyalty and totally at variance with my notion of promotion of our native games.which in Essenes means being available for training and matches in a condition mentally and physically to participate meaningfully.
I outlined this scenario.And then found that about five players were coming to our Saturday afternoon matches straight from the soccer fields of Meath totally exhausted after giving their all there.They were in no condition to play our matches in any meaningful way.
We were beaten so comprhensively by Dunsany and Oldcastle that it was a total embarrassment to the Club and an insult to the jersey.And this is in Division 5.
I totally qualify this by stating that there are a number of players who do respect the jersey and do their level best but worry that this total disrespect for the jersey and by extension the mentors and indeed the Club will too permeate their thinking.
Last week only 6 out of thirteen were willing to field and give preference to our native games.So we gave a walkover.
No sense of loyalty ,no sense of community and and some actually despise the game.
I am flabbergasted how it is possible that so many players ,who have been involved,coached and looked after by our club for over 5 years have so little respect for it and for our mentors.
I have discussed the matter with Darren and we are resolved to give top class coaching and attention to those willing to commit to Dunderry and restore pride in the jersey at that level,
This coaching will recommence this week .
I am mindful of the boast of Robinstown Club in the 1987 Meath yearbook,over a photograph of soccer posts fronting GAA goalposts that sporting harmony was the way to go.Not for Robinstown it wasn't.It ceased to exist permanently very soon afterwards.
We won't be making this mistake.
This is a rally to arms ,as it were for Gaels of this age group.
Although narrowly beaten the girls have great pride in the Dunderry jersey and fought to the bitter end..
The under 21 hurlers played their match in Dunganny ,having been rerouted there from KIldalkey which too was unplayable.The place was bitterly cold and I had to scarper before half time I was so perished.The boys were in total control at that stage and ran out comfortable winners in the end against Clanna Gael,who were short on the day.
Our boys have enough pride in the Dunderry jersey to make the effort to appear despite having had double cause for major celebration over the bank holiday weekend.
And now to history of a kind I would rather not report.Last year I got involved with an under 14 football team who did the unspeakable of awarding a walk over in the Football Championship.Subsequently they were unbeaten and were the only football team in the Club to win silverware.
A month ago I was again invited by Juvenile Chairman Darren Yourell to join him and Derek Hickey and get involved ..I did so gladly.To my astonishment I discovered that a few of the better players from last year had retired from the team and gone elsewhere to play other sports and that about half the team hadn't trained with the Club in the interim but were plying their sporting trades and training with assorted non GAA clubs around the County.
It was normal procedure for these players to play with us even though they don't train with us.This is totally alien to my concept of Club loyalty and totally at variance with my notion of promotion of our native games.which in Essenes means being available for training and matches in a condition mentally and physically to participate meaningfully.
I outlined this scenario.And then found that about five players were coming to our Saturday afternoon matches straight from the soccer fields of Meath totally exhausted after giving their all there.They were in no condition to play our matches in any meaningful way.
We were beaten so comprhensively by Dunsany and Oldcastle that it was a total embarrassment to the Club and an insult to the jersey.And this is in Division 5.
I totally qualify this by stating that there are a number of players who do respect the jersey and do their level best but worry that this total disrespect for the jersey and by extension the mentors and indeed the Club will too permeate their thinking.
Last week only 6 out of thirteen were willing to field and give preference to our native games.So we gave a walkover.
No sense of loyalty ,no sense of community and and some actually despise the game.
I am flabbergasted how it is possible that so many players ,who have been involved,coached and looked after by our club for over 5 years have so little respect for it and for our mentors.
I have discussed the matter with Darren and we are resolved to give top class coaching and attention to those willing to commit to Dunderry and restore pride in the jersey at that level,
This coaching will recommence this week .
I am mindful of the boast of Robinstown Club in the 1987 Meath yearbook,over a photograph of soccer posts fronting GAA goalposts that sporting harmony was the way to go.Not for Robinstown it wasn't.It ceased to exist permanently very soon afterwards.
We won't be making this mistake.
This is a rally to arms ,as it were for Gaels of this age group.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Bullied,threatened and intimidated in Trim.
Today 25/10/2013 is a day to remember.Our Fiachra Geraghty from Duderry married Leane Darcy from Cortown.A Union made in Heaven, about which more anon.I was at the solemnisation in Cortown and afterwards dropped a number of family members off at the Castle Hotel for the reception and proceeded to the Vodaphone Shop opposite Coogan's Butcher's shop in Trim where I had some business to transact.
On entering the shop I observed that there was one woman behind the counter serving a male customer and there was another male customer next in line,a well known local sports journalist who I know well.All very serene.
Just as the man being attended to by the Vodaphone lady,Ciara I believe her name is,had finished his business and before the sports journalist or indeed myself could begin our business two physically imposing males burst into the shop,brushed us aside and aggressively and with menace tore into the unfortunate and visibly distressed Ciara shouting her down and demanding a refund of e50.00.
Never have I seen such aggressive,ignorant ,threatening ,menacing and indeed frightening behaviour in public ,nor indeeed private before.
The sports journalist objected to the behavior but was totally ignored and these two boys proceeded too bully and intimidate Ciara,
I had enough and as civilly as possible in the circumstances pointed out to them that there was a queue,that they were third in it and their manners towards us and especially towards the lady was totally unacceptable.I worked my way to the counter to position myself between them and Ciara and have my business attended to .I was brushed aside and glared at with menace.All the time these heroes kept their heartening and nakedly aggressive row with Ciara,who was visibly distressed ,shaking with fear,trying to get clear instructions over the phone and hold herself together.
I don't take intimidation too readily and even though disabled,relying on a walking stick for mobility and having one useless arm ,permanently in my pocket ,continued to face up to theses bullies,pointing out to them that bullying older men and women was the mark of a coward.
For this I was called a "four eyed c..."and invited to the car park around the corner to "sort it out".I might point out that I am 62 years old and would have difficulty walking as far as the car park and these two gents would be under thirty ,well muscled and were in full flow.They are obviously athletes of some description,boxing I would guess.
I can say with certainty that were this challenge put to me before my stroke I would give it a lash.Not now however but still I was not prepared to be cowed.
I threatened to call the Gardai.The sports journalist said he would have done so before now only his phone was broken,hence his presence in the shop.They dared me to so,so I did despite stares and body language designed to intimidate,but having the opposite to the desired effect.
I outlined the position to the Gardai and was assured they would be down shortly.I announced this but the news had little effect on their behaviour except to motivate one of them to go outside the door and talk into a car that was idling outside the shop.I went out the door to take the registration of the car and came back into the shop and borrowed a pen to write it down,not attempting to conceal what I was doing.I was barked at to give up the piece of paper but refused putting it in my pocket.
I sat down on the window ledge with my back to the road watching the proceedings unable to do much more except await the arrival of the Gardai.Maybe ten minutes I saw the Garda van drive slowly by out of the corner of my eye but it did not stop.Surely said I the squad won't be too far behind.But divil a sign of it.I have since deduced that the van drove slowly by,observed no fighting and kept going.
Realising that the Gardai were not coming I went outside the shop,to have the younger coward put his face in mine calling me a "four eyed fat >....who never washed ,was also smelly and asking me again around the corner to sort it out"I told him that him and his ilk didn.t scare me and I would be making a phone call to a lad near his own age to see how brave he really was,or if his courage disappeared when dealing with other than disabled people and women.I must say I seriously considered giving one telling belt of my walking stick and feck the consequences ans was nearly goaded into it.
I reentered the shop and in full view of the two bullies did phone a friend and asked him to appear quam cellerime as I feared for my own safety and that of the others involved.These boys continued their abuse as though invincible.
A smaller male customer who seemed to know them entered the shop,said he knew them having boxed against them and asked them to calm down and leave.Not a word about it.
My friend arrived .He matches them for physicality.I asked them to repeat the threats they had made to me and invited them to challenge him to the car park to sort it out.
You never saw such a climb down in your life.They proceeded to regale him with the details of their claim against Vodaphone and denied they ever intimidated anyone.As regards the car park to sort it out,not a mention of it .
Typical cowards and bullies,.thugs.
Afterwards I contacted the gardai and gave them the registration number of the car outside.
This is rural Ireland for you and in the capital of Meath,
On entering the shop I observed that there was one woman behind the counter serving a male customer and there was another male customer next in line,a well known local sports journalist who I know well.All very serene.
Just as the man being attended to by the Vodaphone lady,Ciara I believe her name is,had finished his business and before the sports journalist or indeed myself could begin our business two physically imposing males burst into the shop,brushed us aside and aggressively and with menace tore into the unfortunate and visibly distressed Ciara shouting her down and demanding a refund of e50.00.
Never have I seen such aggressive,ignorant ,threatening ,menacing and indeed frightening behaviour in public ,nor indeeed private before.
The sports journalist objected to the behavior but was totally ignored and these two boys proceeded too bully and intimidate Ciara,
I had enough and as civilly as possible in the circumstances pointed out to them that there was a queue,that they were third in it and their manners towards us and especially towards the lady was totally unacceptable.I worked my way to the counter to position myself between them and Ciara and have my business attended to .I was brushed aside and glared at with menace.All the time these heroes kept their heartening and nakedly aggressive row with Ciara,who was visibly distressed ,shaking with fear,trying to get clear instructions over the phone and hold herself together.
I don't take intimidation too readily and even though disabled,relying on a walking stick for mobility and having one useless arm ,permanently in my pocket ,continued to face up to theses bullies,pointing out to them that bullying older men and women was the mark of a coward.
For this I was called a "four eyed c..."and invited to the car park around the corner to "sort it out".I might point out that I am 62 years old and would have difficulty walking as far as the car park and these two gents would be under thirty ,well muscled and were in full flow.They are obviously athletes of some description,boxing I would guess.
I can say with certainty that were this challenge put to me before my stroke I would give it a lash.Not now however but still I was not prepared to be cowed.
I threatened to call the Gardai.The sports journalist said he would have done so before now only his phone was broken,hence his presence in the shop.They dared me to so,so I did despite stares and body language designed to intimidate,but having the opposite to the desired effect.
I outlined the position to the Gardai and was assured they would be down shortly.I announced this but the news had little effect on their behaviour except to motivate one of them to go outside the door and talk into a car that was idling outside the shop.I went out the door to take the registration of the car and came back into the shop and borrowed a pen to write it down,not attempting to conceal what I was doing.I was barked at to give up the piece of paper but refused putting it in my pocket.
I sat down on the window ledge with my back to the road watching the proceedings unable to do much more except await the arrival of the Gardai.Maybe ten minutes I saw the Garda van drive slowly by out of the corner of my eye but it did not stop.Surely said I the squad won't be too far behind.But divil a sign of it.I have since deduced that the van drove slowly by,observed no fighting and kept going.
Realising that the Gardai were not coming I went outside the shop,to have the younger coward put his face in mine calling me a "four eyed fat >....who never washed ,was also smelly and asking me again around the corner to sort it out"I told him that him and his ilk didn.t scare me and I would be making a phone call to a lad near his own age to see how brave he really was,or if his courage disappeared when dealing with other than disabled people and women.I must say I seriously considered giving one telling belt of my walking stick and feck the consequences ans was nearly goaded into it.
I reentered the shop and in full view of the two bullies did phone a friend and asked him to appear quam cellerime as I feared for my own safety and that of the others involved.These boys continued their abuse as though invincible.
A smaller male customer who seemed to know them entered the shop,said he knew them having boxed against them and asked them to calm down and leave.Not a word about it.
My friend arrived .He matches them for physicality.I asked them to repeat the threats they had made to me and invited them to challenge him to the car park to sort it out.
You never saw such a climb down in your life.They proceeded to regale him with the details of their claim against Vodaphone and denied they ever intimidated anyone.As regards the car park to sort it out,not a mention of it .
Typical cowards and bullies,.thugs.
Afterwards I contacted the gardai and gave them the registration number of the car outside.
This is rural Ireland for you and in the capital of Meath,
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Keeping your word,
On 21st.October,according to newspaper reports ,a woman in the course of an eviction by the Sheriff',backed up by the Gardai,was found to be dead,when they went in to the property in Dublin.
She had been alive the previous Friday when discussions on "voluntary" vacation took place.
The death of the woman has been described as a "personal tragedy"although no official cause of death has yet been disclosed.
Before the most recent election Enda Kenny and Eamonn Gilmore gave the following commitments on the subject of evictions,"Guarantee won't lose home " and "Head off the Bailiffs"
I wonder whether the poor misfortunate woman and indeed everyone who has been evicted since then actually believed these men ?
I know a number of people who have been voluntary evicted .These are all personal tragedies.
Government T.D.s complain vociferously when citizens picket their homes,(Too" personal" they say).
I can think of little more" personal" than being evicted.
It seems to me that the pre-election commitments of these men should be taken at face value and that anyone threatened with eviction should buy a tent and try to gain access to the "personal" accommodation of their local T,D,s pitch it there and stay there until these bucks deliver on their promises.
And to make it more "personal"their local Government canvasser should be approached for" tent" space on the canvasser's property until the matter is resolved.
And by the way the printed and electronic media are so totally in the Government's pocket as to be useless,so media coverage of the above woman's death has been so muted as to be non existent.
Imagine the the media uproar that would ensue were she to die in a religious institution in rural Ireland..The atheist hacks and their fellow travellers would be salivating with indignation.
The one environment this Government have created is one where suicide is rampant and widespread and getting commonplace and hope is dying a tortuous death,
She had been alive the previous Friday when discussions on "voluntary" vacation took place.
The death of the woman has been described as a "personal tragedy"although no official cause of death has yet been disclosed.
Before the most recent election Enda Kenny and Eamonn Gilmore gave the following commitments on the subject of evictions,"Guarantee won't lose home " and "Head off the Bailiffs"
I wonder whether the poor misfortunate woman and indeed everyone who has been evicted since then actually believed these men ?
I know a number of people who have been voluntary evicted .These are all personal tragedies.
Government T.D.s complain vociferously when citizens picket their homes,(Too" personal" they say).
I can think of little more" personal" than being evicted.
It seems to me that the pre-election commitments of these men should be taken at face value and that anyone threatened with eviction should buy a tent and try to gain access to the "personal" accommodation of their local T,D,s pitch it there and stay there until these bucks deliver on their promises.
And to make it more "personal"their local Government canvasser should be approached for" tent" space on the canvasser's property until the matter is resolved.
And by the way the printed and electronic media are so totally in the Government's pocket as to be useless,so media coverage of the above woman's death has been so muted as to be non existent.
Imagine the the media uproar that would ensue were she to die in a religious institution in rural Ireland..The atheist hacks and their fellow travellers would be salivating with indignation.
The one environment this Government have created is one where suicide is rampant and widespread and getting commonplace and hope is dying a tortuous death,
Monday, October 21, 2013
Anti Catholic Bigot sneers at Bishop on RTE.
I relapsed into a former habit of watching other than sport on RTE tonight.I have long since given up the ghost on any notion that Christians and especially Catholics would receive a balanced hearing from the hateful and vociferous atheists and agnostics that infest the station as staff and as guest panellists.The stickies of the sixties and seventies who dominated RTE seem to have morphed into a sneering cabal of hateful knowalls who get their jollies from belittling religions of any sort except Islam (because these cowards know that Muslims will strike back).
True to known form an atheist blogger showed his total ignorance by making a snide remark about Jesus appearing in a pub in Coronation Street,pontificated disparagingly at length about the rules of Catholicism,belittled the 86% of the population who claimed to be Christian in the census as being too stupid to know what their religion was and making the ludicrous claim that the Church censored Irish writers over the centuries (the Censor was never a clergyman ,always a Government employee.)
I am beginning to fully believe a clergyman I admire who claims that the Devil is fervently at work in the media conditioning the populace into the acceptance of evil by the drip.
Given the preponderance of aggressive atheists,prejudiced anti Catholic bigots and outright liars that populate the electronic and written media he may just be right,
Let me clarify that Des Peelo the presenter was fair to all sides.
But why was that hateful prick of an atheist even given air time to sneer sat decent people?
Sport only from now on.
True to known form an atheist blogger showed his total ignorance by making a snide remark about Jesus appearing in a pub in Coronation Street,pontificated disparagingly at length about the rules of Catholicism,belittled the 86% of the population who claimed to be Christian in the census as being too stupid to know what their religion was and making the ludicrous claim that the Church censored Irish writers over the centuries (the Censor was never a clergyman ,always a Government employee.)
I am beginning to fully believe a clergyman I admire who claims that the Devil is fervently at work in the media conditioning the populace into the acceptance of evil by the drip.
Given the preponderance of aggressive atheists,prejudiced anti Catholic bigots and outright liars that populate the electronic and written media he may just be right,
Let me clarify that Des Peelo the presenter was fair to all sides.
But why was that hateful prick of an atheist even given air time to sneer sat decent people?
Sport only from now on.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
The refusal of people to abolish the Seanad.
The politicians,the pet media commentators both electronic and written,the useless pollsters,and the bookies all got it wrong.These gob shites live in a bubble totally divorced from the reality that is most peoples lives.
The inescapable facts of the matter are that it is dawning on the populace that they were totally duped by the unholy alliance who are running the country into the sands,
I repeat for the umpteenth time that Enda and Eamonn pledged that there would be no evictions from the family homes of Ireland on their watch.These are happening daily and this government went to the trouble of ensuring they would continue by legislating to remove a judicial block imposed for a period by the Courts.
Driven by a Central Bank and Regulatory offices that fanned the flames of greed in the first place,whipped up by mouthy mini Ministers who use the language of deceit to disguise their real intentions,ponied up by banks who betrayed our trust in the vilest manner possible, executed by grippers who owe their ancestry to feudal Norman and Anglo Saxon invaders and presided over by the fir and mna breaga who have broken the hearts of the population.,the "no" vote is the clearest possible sign that we have had enough.
These spiritual successors of Cromwell have implemented eviction on a massive scale,taxed the right to own your own home,the right to drink water ,the very air we breathe (carbon tax) ,the right to dispose of your own shit in your own land and have placed the cost of electricity and heating fuel out of reach of most people.
They have legalised the murder of the unborn and assumed the right to lecture the religious leaders of the majority Churches all the time pushing the secular theism of a Labour Party in total free fall.
Well liberal Ireland,secular Ireland and all the main parties got it up the Khyber and properly so.
For once the Pale got it right.
The simple fact of the matter is that the majority of people just hate this Government with an unbridled hatred because of what they are doing to us.Pure and simple.
The inescapable facts of the matter are that it is dawning on the populace that they were totally duped by the unholy alliance who are running the country into the sands,
I repeat for the umpteenth time that Enda and Eamonn pledged that there would be no evictions from the family homes of Ireland on their watch.These are happening daily and this government went to the trouble of ensuring they would continue by legislating to remove a judicial block imposed for a period by the Courts.
Driven by a Central Bank and Regulatory offices that fanned the flames of greed in the first place,whipped up by mouthy mini Ministers who use the language of deceit to disguise their real intentions,ponied up by banks who betrayed our trust in the vilest manner possible, executed by grippers who owe their ancestry to feudal Norman and Anglo Saxon invaders and presided over by the fir and mna breaga who have broken the hearts of the population.,the "no" vote is the clearest possible sign that we have had enough.
These spiritual successors of Cromwell have implemented eviction on a massive scale,taxed the right to own your own home,the right to drink water ,the very air we breathe (carbon tax) ,the right to dispose of your own shit in your own land and have placed the cost of electricity and heating fuel out of reach of most people.
They have legalised the murder of the unborn and assumed the right to lecture the religious leaders of the majority Churches all the time pushing the secular theism of a Labour Party in total free fall.
Well liberal Ireland,secular Ireland and all the main parties got it up the Khyber and properly so.
For once the Pale got it right.
The simple fact of the matter is that the majority of people just hate this Government with an unbridled hatred because of what they are doing to us.Pure and simple.
The curse of cancer.
The older I get the more people I know who are afflicted with the curse of cancer.I would say that one of every two people I know who are ill have it.It is the scourge of our times.
Now I know very little of the forms of cancer that mostly afflicts women.I am a bit like that man in the Lotto ad.who cringes when a female employee tells him that she suffers from "women's problems."
Nevertheless I must keep a promise I gave to a female friend of mine to implore all ladies,especially younger ones,who think they may be immune on account of their youth,to frequently and regularly check for the tell tale signs of breast cancer.
I am sure that they know better than me what these signs are.
So over to ye ladies.
And by the way I am the world's worst to get check ups myself and hate being lectured to on the subject.
So do as I say not as I do.
Now I know very little of the forms of cancer that mostly afflicts women.I am a bit like that man in the Lotto ad.who cringes when a female employee tells him that she suffers from "women's problems."
Nevertheless I must keep a promise I gave to a female friend of mine to implore all ladies,especially younger ones,who think they may be immune on account of their youth,to frequently and regularly check for the tell tale signs of breast cancer.
I am sure that they know better than me what these signs are.
So over to ye ladies.
And by the way I am the world's worst to get check ups myself and hate being lectured to on the subject.
So do as I say not as I do.
Thr Drudge is under pressure, a little.
Jim Newman a.k.a as the Drudge is hobbling around the village on two crutches.He recently got the hip done for the second time in Navan Hospital,because the first one put in wasn't up to scratch,.He says he was treated well in the hospital and asked me to say he is getting on the finest.
Rumour has it that he will be going in to training for the Intermediate Team for next year.Jim himself refused to either confirm or deny these rumours.
Rumour has it that he will be going in to training for the Intermediate Team for next year.Jim himself refused to either confirm or deny these rumours.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Dunderry V Drumree Junior Camogie Final 28/9/2013
Dunderry v Drumree.Junior Camogie C.Final.28/9/2013
On an Autumn evening stolen from Summer Dunderry Gaels
gathered in the well appointed Longwood Grounds hoping that their young team
would continue the tradition of bringing
home a junior championship cup in each decade since the foundation of the
Club.The elder sisters ,mothers and aunts of the present crew had brought home
the Laurels in the 1990’s the 2,000’s and we were hoping that this talented
team would repeat the dose again today.
The dearth of
silverware quarried this few years back by their hurling and football brothers
and husbands hurts and we are all there
willing them to come up trumps.
There is history between Dunderry and Drumree.Both are
rural clubs flying the Gaelic flag in the face of adversity.Both are deeply
embedded in the communities they serve and some families have been trumpeting
the Games of the Gaels for over a century in their Parishes.Both know that
families are the backbone of rural clubs and that in no circumstances should
staunch and loyal members be treated without due respect.Ted Dowd coached
Drumree for a few years recently at Adult hurling.In revenge Drumree have sent G.T.Troy to us to coach this
Camogie team.He has done so assiduously as Ted did when the roles were
reversed.
Kit Doyle whose family
is synonymous with Drumree Gaels played here for a year when living in
the Parish.When he ceased to reside here
he transferred back home quam celerrime.
Maureen Doyle (nee Maguire) is a leading light in Drumree
Camogie.Her sister is married to my brother Martin,She captained KIlmessan to a
Senior Camogie Championship at seventeen years of age c.1968.The next Senior
Championship Kilmessan won was captained by my daughter Margarita many years
later.Margarita was a driving force in initiating many of the younger members
of today’s panel into the game.Families and
tradition.Ya can’t bate it.
The appointed referee Pat Gannon is a referee of
probity.From a family of traditional Gaels.He played hurling.He coached club
and County Teams.He knows his onions.The
nuances and the beauty of the games are second nature to him.Was delighted to
see him nominated to take charge in full confidence that fair play would
prevail.And it did.
The teams lined out as follows.
DUNDERRY.
1,Rebecca Scannell
2.Laura O Malley.
3.Grainne Dowd.
4.Michelle Daly.
5.Aisling Mc Donagh.
6.Emily Bray.
7.Danielle Clarke,
8.Jane Martin.
9.Labaoise Martyn.
10.Aoife Mc Cormack (Cap)
11.Julianne Griffin,
12.Sinead Broderick.
13.Aoife Minogue.
14.Emer Daly.
15.Jade Fitzsimons.
16.Leah Fitzsimons.
17.Freda O Leary.
18.Michelle Smith.
19.Aoife Gillick.
20.Niamh Quinn.
21.Muichelle Clarke.
22.Megan Byrne.
23.Sile Mc Kenna.
24.Emily Fleming.
25.Emer O Shea.
26.Tracey Fitzsimons.
27.Eveline griffin.
Manager .G.T.Troy.
Selectors.Eveline Griffin,Grainne Dowd and Tracey
Fitzsimons.
Four and fourteen are twin sisters.Five and ten are
second cousins.Twenty seven is the mother of eleven.Twenty six is Club
Secretary and the mother of fifteen and sixteen.Twenty two is the daughter of
Tom Byrne Club Chairman.
Emily Fleming injured her hand in the last match and
wasn’t available for selection.Emer O Shea could not be present due to an
unavoidable family commitment.Two huge losses.
Aisling Mc Donagh is the daughter of my daughter Jacinta
and Jacinta was one of the first to play with the Club when it was founded in
1988.I’d say she is unique in this respect.Aisling and labaoise are the babies
of the Team.
Aoife Minogue is daughter of GAA Club Chairman Mick.Niamh
Quinn is sister in law to Jane Martyn.
Families.Danielle Clarke is sister to Swiss a fair
footballer.
DRUMREE Team.
1.Anne Marie Rattigan.
2Jessica Wall.
22,Lisa Donnelly.
4.Emer O Reilly.
5.Muireann O Hora.
6.Alannah Chalkey.
7.Hannah O Brien.
8.Loise Griffin
9.Aine Brennan
10.Gemma Flanigan.
11.Clionadh O Riordan.
12.Cliona Murphy.
28.Aldi Pritchard.
14,Cliona Delaney.
15.Trish Monks.
3.Rosie Hand.
13.Emma Kenneddy.
17.Marissa Horan.
20.Sarah jayne Brady.
21.Bronagh Gavin.
22.Chloe Byrne.
23Cisara Jones.
25.Niamh Gallogy.
26.Emma Doyle.
29.Kim Slater.
30.Sarah Keane.
A short time ago
these teams met in the Junior League in Dunderry.Neither management showed
their full hand ,putting out shadow outfits .Today is the business.
Drumree put two players on Aoife Minogue our scorer in
chief.Both teams go out full blast.No quarter given nor asked.Hard and fair as
it should be.Tit for tat for a while .Rebecca misjudges a probing ball and we
concede a goal.The only mistake she makes in an impressive outing.Her puck outs
are deadly.Grainne leads her full back line from the front,fearlessly.Her
corners are rock steady.Emily is not easily brushed aside at centre back and
Aisling and Danielle hold their ground well ,tidying up any loose ball that stray
into their paths with aplomb. There is a battle royal in the middle and Jane
and Labaoise shade it ,just.Julianne is causing problems and Aoife must have
glue on her stick as she dances hither and thither helping herself to two
goals.Sinead prospers at the fringes of the acr tion and feeds the ball to
Aoife Minogue at every opportunity.Jade and Eimear get stuck in and take the
pressure off Minogue.
Despite the close attention she registers 3-3 by half
time at which we lead by 5-3 to 1-1.
The biggest Drumree cheer of the first half registers
when Troy is put outside the wire by referee Gannon.I was too far away to
witness what happened.G.T.is not flavour of the month in Drumree for sure.
The second half is a horse of a different colour.Drumree
employ a sweeper.Aisling likewise lines up as our sweeper.The initiative passes
to Drumree and cheered on by their
fanatical supporters they register 1-3 to nada for us in the first twenty
minutes after the whistle.
Spurned on in particular by Lisa Donnelly.Muireann O
Hara,Louise Griffin ,Gemma Flanigan and
Claire Delaney they bring the game to us and you would be anxious for our
lassies.
But not for nothing did we labour in the training field
all year.Aoife Mac quarries another minor,Julianne drives over and Eimear Daly
rattles the onion sack.
We lose the second half on a scoreline of 1-4 to 1-3 but
paddle safely through on the strength of the 5-3 banked in the first half.
Shelly Smith and Aoife Gillick were introduced after half
time and did their bit to stem the Drumree mini revival.
All those nights in the training field have achieved
their reward and the celebrations begin.Feed in the Lodge for starter.Disco in
Geraghtys and Grainne and a few other can look forward to their second Junior
medal with the Fort of the Oaks.
We have a young team tempered with the required
experience and a stream of players coming to replenish the ranks.The mammies
and daddies of the girls who do the coaching know their onions and are on the
ball.We have a good thing going .
With proper nurturing the sky is the limit.
D.V.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Brutal seven days for Dunderry Gaels
In the last week we lost successively,the quarter finals of the Intermediate Football and Hurling Championships and the quarter final of the Junior B Football championship .Not a great week .Reports in due course.
Pressure on Muskateers continues.
Deirdre has gone to Lourdes.We pray she gets healing.Liam's Ma is still under pressure.My own family need for prayer has not abated .On the plus side Liam was in England for a week visiting the new grand daughter born to his daughter.,we had another most welcoming Christening last Sunday (Kate duughter of Claire and Owen ) and Leo and Carmel are dancing jigs to celebrate the much hoped for and now imminent marriage of Fiacra.
The Stag party returned from Berlin last evening in the very finest of fettle.I met some of them and have the hangover to prove it.
The Stag party returned from Berlin last evening in the very finest of fettle.I met some of them and have the hangover to prove it.
Modern day Cromwellians destroy rural Ireland
The spend on the shopping baskets of ordinary rural residents for basic foodstuffs has ,in my opinion,declined by 8.73% in the first quarter of 2013 as compared to the first quarter of 2012.This is exclusive of the cost of petrol/diesel,luxury and tobacco products.The unjust and inequitable property tax imposed by Cromwell's successors has worsened the situation of ordinary people and the eviction of rural people from their homes ,whether by agreement.(holding a gun to people's head ) or by the employment of the assorted grippers who fit so easily into the shoes of Cromwell's enforcers has driven the flight of the Irish from the country to record ever heights of 90,000 per annum plus.
Combined with the massive increase in suicides caused by the loss of hope of the inhabitants and the unquantified number of people embracing death by illness brought on by loss of hope by their persecution by uncaring State and State endorsed activities ,we live in the most hateful of times.
It is worth noting that the people who oversee these deprivations are all female.from the head of the I.M.F.,to Angela Merkel to the Irish Attorney General,to the D.P.P.,to the Minister of Social Welfare ,to the Chair of the Revenue Commissioners to the Chief Justice.
Never in modern times has there been so much law ,so little real justice ,such an absence of compassion and such hopelessness and in a society dominated by so many females.
Combined with the massive increase in suicides caused by the loss of hope of the inhabitants and the unquantified number of people embracing death by illness brought on by loss of hope by their persecution by uncaring State and State endorsed activities ,we live in the most hateful of times.
It is worth noting that the people who oversee these deprivations are all female.from the head of the I.M.F.,to Angela Merkel to the Irish Attorney General,to the D.P.P.,to the Minister of Social Welfare ,to the Chair of the Revenue Commissioners to the Chief Justice.
Never in modern times has there been so much law ,so little real justice ,such an absence of compassion and such hopelessness and in a society dominated by so many females.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Whaco and Harrow.,
Had a few bevvies with the man known as the Whacko and his (much ) better half the Empress of the man also known as the Emperor of Eskaroon the weekend gone.Royal company indeed,I must say.This man ,who won a minor football championship with Saint Barnabus in the Bronx in 1987 played with,managed and adored the Dunderry Hurling team ,a feat achieved by his brother Donie also.He handed over a ship in good condition.
The Royal duo are heading Stateside soon to my good friend,gentleman and former fine footballer from Bohermeen Paul the Prosecutor.His brother Jim adorned the Dunderry football team in his day before he too emigrated .Another duo for the next exile team I publish.
America won't know what hit it and we wish the Royal couple bon voyage.
We met at the twenty first of Christopher Harrington ,one of the gosons who saved my life on July 1st,2009.A good night was had by one and all with Nance in Horans.
Just to throw a spanner into the works my night was tinged with sadness when I learned that a further two of the finest young ladies in the Parish are emigrating to France to join their parents next month.
Louise and Kate will be joining up with Larry and the missus.(can;t remember her name,mea culpa.)
Is there no end to this and will the last person out turn off the light.
That the light may shine on those who (mis) govern us.Bad cess to them.
The Royal duo are heading Stateside soon to my good friend,gentleman and former fine footballer from Bohermeen Paul the Prosecutor.His brother Jim adorned the Dunderry football team in his day before he too emigrated .Another duo for the next exile team I publish.
America won't know what hit it and we wish the Royal couple bon voyage.
We met at the twenty first of Christopher Harrington ,one of the gosons who saved my life on July 1st,2009.A good night was had by one and all with Nance in Horans.
Just to throw a spanner into the works my night was tinged with sadness when I learned that a further two of the finest young ladies in the Parish are emigrating to France to join their parents next month.
Louise and Kate will be joining up with Larry and the missus.(can;t remember her name,mea culpa.)
Is there no end to this and will the last person out turn off the light.
That the light may shine on those who (mis) govern us.Bad cess to them.
25 th August 2013.Seminal Week for Dunderry GAA and Camogie.
On Sunday 25th a heap of Dunderry women won All Ireland Camogie Medals with Meath at under 16 and Junior B level thus adding considerably to the sole All Ireland held by our Mags.
This Tuesday our Junior Camogie Team play Trim in DunderryA win would qualify us for the Final.
On Sunday our Intermediate Hurlers hammered an out of sorts KIlmessan ,scoring 8-17 in the process,a resurrecting a thus far disappointing campaign.I understand we face old adversaries Wolfe Tones in the playoffs.
On Friday we play Clanna Gael in Cortown in the Intermediate Football Championship.We need to win this to assure our place in the playoffs as far as I can see.
Certainly if we score only 6 points ,as we did against Michaels last Sunday week we will be pissing against the wind.
For the likes of Swiss ,Finn ,Ted ,Spongee,Jennings,Lar .Peadar and a host of others who have burst a gut countless times I hope we rise to the occassion.We owe it to ourselves to so do.
Come on the boys and the girls.
Si gra mo croi,si Dunderry.
I had a fair article just completed on the above ,which took me over two hours to complete but I lost it due to a malfunction.You have no idea how frustrating this is.
This Tuesday our Junior Camogie Team play Trim in DunderryA win would qualify us for the Final.
On Sunday our Intermediate Hurlers hammered an out of sorts KIlmessan ,scoring 8-17 in the process,a resurrecting a thus far disappointing campaign.I understand we face old adversaries Wolfe Tones in the playoffs.
On Friday we play Clanna Gael in Cortown in the Intermediate Football Championship.We need to win this to assure our place in the playoffs as far as I can see.
Certainly if we score only 6 points ,as we did against Michaels last Sunday week we will be pissing against the wind.
For the likes of Swiss ,Finn ,Ted ,Spongee,Jennings,Lar .Peadar and a host of others who have burst a gut countless times I hope we rise to the occassion.We owe it to ourselves to so do.
Come on the boys and the girls.
Si gra mo croi,si Dunderry.
I had a fair article just completed on the above ,which took me over two hours to complete but I lost it due to a malfunction.You have no idea how frustrating this is.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Devil's Spawn polishing hooves
Following on from Bishop Smith's very proper directive to keep Funeral Masses Christian and Catholic in nature,the serried ranks of womb raiders,anti Catholic bigots,aggressive atheists, anti Catholic gonad idolaters and and their many media collaborators are furiously planning their next Satanic attack on Catholicism in Meath and Countrywide.
I know this because my blog has been extensively researched by persons targeting all articles in which I mentioned Masses.
Be warned.
I know this because my blog has been extensively researched by persons targeting all articles in which I mentioned Masses.
Be warned.
Egyptian Secularists primarily responsible for their countrymen's deaths.
Those armchair Egyptian secularists ,mostly preaching from the safety of exiled academia ,who stoked the fires of unrest in their homeland and kickstarted the military coup turning democracy on its head,are personally responsible for each and every death in that Country.
America,the West,the European Union and the United Nations,all cheerleaders for secularism ,by their tacit support for the military there are like tits on a bull,totally useless .
What sort of a world have we got when every decent person knows that military dictatorship is an abhorrence and that the building by Zionists of houses in Palestinian lands is the Jewish equivalent of the plantation of Ireland by the British Empire and not one political leader is prepared to stand up and unequivocally condemn them..
That such wimps occupy positions of power would drive you to despair.
America,the West,the European Union and the United Nations,all cheerleaders for secularism ,by their tacit support for the military there are like tits on a bull,totally useless .
What sort of a world have we got when every decent person knows that military dictatorship is an abhorrence and that the building by Zionists of houses in Palestinian lands is the Jewish equivalent of the plantation of Ireland by the British Empire and not one political leader is prepared to stand up and unequivocally condemn them..
That such wimps occupy positions of power would drive you to despair.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Pulling pints.
The story goes that in a rural pub in Meath and definitely not Horans or Geraghtys about forty years ago,a newly married wife of the Publican made her debut behind the counter.There was a big crowd in ,she had no experience whatsoever of the bar trade and her husband was called awy on urgent business.Her ageing mother in law was called into action but she was as slow as wet week.It being thirsty weather and Guinness being the favourite tipple the customers were gasping with the thirst and the murmurs of discontent grew with the dearth of service.
A man,shall we call him the CAT,breezed in with Join Mac."Pull two pints "said he "horrid quick ."We are parched with the thirst cocking hay all evening"Under pressure she said",Paidin ,Seamin and Mickey are before ye"Take your time".
After an age still no pints."For Jasus sake where are them pints"said the Cat."Look" she said"I'm pulling Mickey's and when I'm finished pulling his I'll start pulling yer's ."
At which stage the Customers went into convulsions of laughter.
A man,shall we call him the CAT,breezed in with Join Mac."Pull two pints "said he "horrid quick ."We are parched with the thirst cocking hay all evening"Under pressure she said",Paidin ,Seamin and Mickey are before ye"Take your time".
After an age still no pints."For Jasus sake where are them pints"said the Cat."Look" she said"I'm pulling Mickey's and when I'm finished pulling his I'll start pulling yer's ."
At which stage the Customers went into convulsions of laughter.
Female Guile.
Maybe 100 years ago a single lady lived in this Parish.She was cracked about one man and one man only,the local Postman.He was aware ,polite but had no interest whatsoever.If anything this intensified her unrequitted love which in turn made him more disatant.
She did get her weekly fix of his presence by writing and posting a letter to herself every week.He had to deliver ,grin and bear it.
She did not snare him.
She did get her weekly fix of his presence by writing and posting a letter to herself every week.He had to deliver ,grin and bear it.
She did not snare him.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Whatever you do don't set land in Churchtown,Dunderry
In 1870 the following incidents happened in Churchtown,Dunderry.It happened in the house that preceeded the house of Colin Boles in Churchtown ,as you pass Churchtown going for Retaine graveyard.A man called FAGAN lived there then.
"Five or six men ,armed with pistols and having their faces covered with hankerchiefs with holes cut for their eyes,visited the house of a farmer named Thomas Fagan residing at Churchtown,put him on his knees and swore him on a book which they produced ,to give up possession of grazing he took some time ago adjoining his own land ,after which they demanded money ,and received 1 shilling after which they decamped.
The polis on hearing of the occurrence,at once proceeded to the place,under the command of Thomas RossEsq.S.I. and the Headconstable Bourke and have been most indefatigable in their exertions.They brought in several prisoners ,who were examined before George Mc Carthy,esq.,R.M.It is alleged that one of the party fired a shot in Fagin's house and another carried a brass blunderbuss."
This was brought to my attention by a direct desendant of the Fagins trying to trace his ancestors.The Fagins he comes from are not necessarily this branch but definitely came from either Retaine or Robinstown
Anyone who may be of assistance might contact me.
Seemingle letting land in Churchyown was a hazardous pastime in those times.More than likely the descendants of those involved with the hold up are still living locally.Any further information may be sent to me in confidence.The Statute of Limitations has well run out.
Today someone mentioned the vendetta that some Gardai had against Dunderry people about twenty years ago and more.What appears to have been a crime free zone was apparently under siege at times,a scene I witnessed myself.
Maybe its true that the Police have a long memory but stretching it as far back as 1870 may be pushing it.
"Five or six men ,armed with pistols and having their faces covered with hankerchiefs with holes cut for their eyes,visited the house of a farmer named Thomas Fagan residing at Churchtown,put him on his knees and swore him on a book which they produced ,to give up possession of grazing he took some time ago adjoining his own land ,after which they demanded money ,and received 1 shilling after which they decamped.
The polis on hearing of the occurrence,at once proceeded to the place,under the command of Thomas RossEsq.S.I. and the Headconstable Bourke and have been most indefatigable in their exertions.They brought in several prisoners ,who were examined before George Mc Carthy,esq.,R.M.It is alleged that one of the party fired a shot in Fagin's house and another carried a brass blunderbuss."
This was brought to my attention by a direct desendant of the Fagins trying to trace his ancestors.The Fagins he comes from are not necessarily this branch but definitely came from either Retaine or Robinstown
Anyone who may be of assistance might contact me.
Seemingle letting land in Churchyown was a hazardous pastime in those times.More than likely the descendants of those involved with the hold up are still living locally.Any further information may be sent to me in confidence.The Statute of Limitations has well run out.
Today someone mentioned the vendetta that some Gardai had against Dunderry people about twenty years ago and more.What appears to have been a crime free zone was apparently under siege at times,a scene I witnessed myself.
Maybe its true that the Police have a long memory but stretching it as far back as 1870 may be pushing it.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Muskateers under pressure
Had a full quorum last Friday.Carmel is going well.Proud as punch of Monaghan.Liam is under pressure .His 96 year old ma is not the best.A close family member of my own needs urgent prayer.And Deirdre motors on.Leo is in good nick.
Oremus.
Oremus.
"Guarantee you won't lose your home" said Enda Kenny.
And "head off the bailiffs "said Eamonn Gilmore on the live debate on Pat Kenny show before the last election,when questioned on evictions and repossessions.
I actually believed them.Did you ?
They will surley keep their word as honorable men do.
I actually believed them.Did you ?
They will surley keep their word as honorable men do.
U 14 Summer League F.F.Dunderry V Blackhall
July 30 th. 2013 was a beautiful summer's evening in Trim and our lads took on Blackhall in the Final.I have a special interest in this team as I gave a hand last year with these lads,trying to supplement the considerable effort being then put in by Jim Mitchell and Darren Yourell.. Darren didn't play much and would not deny it.Jim spent many years gracing the playing fields of Meath with Robinstown.I played a bit with Brigids of Blanchardstown and Dunderry,although my football career with Dunderry was brief after 1986 as Father Heaney who was in charge then had a massive clean out the pensioners of which I was one.
Notwithstanding this I spent the guts of twenty years with juvenile and adult football teams here and threw in my twohalpence worth with the two lads after a walkover was given in the championship.I was given a huge welcome by the two boys,much to their credit and the team was not beaten afterwards last year.
The stronger lads from last year have graduated to the next grade up and the guys who were underage again this year formed the backbone of the this year's team.They are supplemented by much younger troops from down the age time line to make up the numbers.
In an effort to get the juvenile teams away from the depths of the lower divisions where they have laboured these few years back it seems that a bigger effort is being put in to improve coaching of the lads at this level.In general it is needed and it is great to see the likes of Con O Neill taking on the under 8's and vowing to take them through to minor level.That is the type of commitment needed.And Derek Hickey and Stan are having a go with the under 16's.There are many other good labourers in the vineyard.
Timber Leavy and his troops have in place a great system in hurling these years back which plonks us in the premier competitions mainly.This is now being replicated in football.Not before time.
Anyhow myself and last year's lads got the old heave ho and have been replaced by Sean Kelly ,John Brady and Stephen O Rourke.I don't mind really.Sean and John have sons playing.All three played for Meath ,Sean is a current Meath selector and ,if I am not mistaken all three have All Ireland medals .Certainly all three have played with Dunderry as boys and men and in the case of Sean and John are the fourth or fifth generation to so do.Stephen is making his own legend.All have managed or selected the premier football teams in the Club.
The team is young but had'.t been going well I had heard.So with a timely reminder from Juvenile Sec.Orla I ventured forth to judge for myself what progress was made.
A good crowd from Dunderry was there.Oisin Martyn ,a son of Gerry was hurt and didn't play.He is a class player,the polychrome of the team last year.A dreadful loss.
The selected team was( for the benefit of our emigrants, of which there are legion,I have placed the names of their fathers where they used play with Dundery in brackets after their names):-
1.Ronan Brady (son of John a.k.a. Bunny)
2.Adam Kelly (son of Marty)
3.Colum Flynn-- a fine footballer.
4.Donagh O Loire (son of Eoin and camogie player Freda)
5.Simon Lynch.(grandson of Joe Rowntree,whose Cavan genes are showing through and who Joe adores)
6.Adam Keenan.(Tommy's son and Breda Gough of camogie fame.)
7.Dermot Kelly (Sean's son )
8.Shane Heffernan -another fine footballer.
9'Jack Feeney (son of Tommy and grandson of Tom )
10.Diarmuid o Curraoin (son of Colum a great prospect)
11.James O Neill (son of Donal ,a nice guy)
12.Jamie Leavy (son of Tommy and grandson of Paddy Kavanagh the only Dunderry man to referee an All Ireland )
13.Cian Eginton whose grandfather Ned O Reilly played for Longford in his day.)
Subs .Cormack Brady (son of John)
Luke Hill--a grand young lad.
Michael Garry (son of the Bear.)
Eoin Wilson --a man on fire.
Conor Leavy ( Timber's son)
Ciaran Brady.
This was the Summer League Final.If memory serves me correctly I got into a frenzy last year at such a match.There are rules for this competition that are not in accordance with the rule book.Last year frees were given because some moves were too "soccerrey".Whatever that means.It may be that such rules departures were in vogue again at this match.I don't know.Nor did the attendance in general, who on more than one a occasion howled protest at at some of the refereeing decisions.On both sides.If I am wrong and normal rules did apply then a rethink is in order.
Referring is a lonesome occupation.I kept sthum.He didn't influence the outcome actually .And was fair by his own lights.
There was a noticeable maturity gap between the teams.Some of the Blackhall lads were on the cusp of shaving ,whereas the bulk of our lads were as far from it as could be.They were bulkier and bigger on balance.And outnumbered our big men about three to one.Good footballers too.
We had a few sweet footballers and little ball was wasted.By dint of effort,skill and pure determination we kept in touch until fifteen minutes from time,but they inevitably pulled away to win by 4-12 to 2-8.A fair result on the day.
Our lads did well.I can see a good future for these lads.They are a credit to us and themselves.
The gauntlet is down to the management to produce silverware.I assume that they are there for the long haul.The goods are there waiting to be harvested.Should be a good crop.
I hope the present crew stick with it.
Notwithstanding this I spent the guts of twenty years with juvenile and adult football teams here and threw in my twohalpence worth with the two lads after a walkover was given in the championship.I was given a huge welcome by the two boys,much to their credit and the team was not beaten afterwards last year.
The stronger lads from last year have graduated to the next grade up and the guys who were underage again this year formed the backbone of the this year's team.They are supplemented by much younger troops from down the age time line to make up the numbers.
In an effort to get the juvenile teams away from the depths of the lower divisions where they have laboured these few years back it seems that a bigger effort is being put in to improve coaching of the lads at this level.In general it is needed and it is great to see the likes of Con O Neill taking on the under 8's and vowing to take them through to minor level.That is the type of commitment needed.And Derek Hickey and Stan are having a go with the under 16's.There are many other good labourers in the vineyard.
Timber Leavy and his troops have in place a great system in hurling these years back which plonks us in the premier competitions mainly.This is now being replicated in football.Not before time.
Anyhow myself and last year's lads got the old heave ho and have been replaced by Sean Kelly ,John Brady and Stephen O Rourke.I don't mind really.Sean and John have sons playing.All three played for Meath ,Sean is a current Meath selector and ,if I am not mistaken all three have All Ireland medals .Certainly all three have played with Dunderry as boys and men and in the case of Sean and John are the fourth or fifth generation to so do.Stephen is making his own legend.All have managed or selected the premier football teams in the Club.
The team is young but had'.t been going well I had heard.So with a timely reminder from Juvenile Sec.Orla I ventured forth to judge for myself what progress was made.
A good crowd from Dunderry was there.Oisin Martyn ,a son of Gerry was hurt and didn't play.He is a class player,the polychrome of the team last year.A dreadful loss.
The selected team was( for the benefit of our emigrants, of which there are legion,I have placed the names of their fathers where they used play with Dundery in brackets after their names):-
1.Ronan Brady (son of John a.k.a. Bunny)
2.Adam Kelly (son of Marty)
3.Colum Flynn-- a fine footballer.
4.Donagh O Loire (son of Eoin and camogie player Freda)
5.Simon Lynch.(grandson of Joe Rowntree,whose Cavan genes are showing through and who Joe adores)
6.Adam Keenan.(Tommy's son and Breda Gough of camogie fame.)
7.Dermot Kelly (Sean's son )
8.Shane Heffernan -another fine footballer.
9'Jack Feeney (son of Tommy and grandson of Tom )
10.Diarmuid o Curraoin (son of Colum a great prospect)
11.James O Neill (son of Donal ,a nice guy)
12.Jamie Leavy (son of Tommy and grandson of Paddy Kavanagh the only Dunderry man to referee an All Ireland )
13.Cian Eginton whose grandfather Ned O Reilly played for Longford in his day.)
Subs .Cormack Brady (son of John)
Luke Hill--a grand young lad.
Michael Garry (son of the Bear.)
Eoin Wilson --a man on fire.
Conor Leavy ( Timber's son)
Ciaran Brady.
This was the Summer League Final.If memory serves me correctly I got into a frenzy last year at such a match.There are rules for this competition that are not in accordance with the rule book.Last year frees were given because some moves were too "soccerrey".Whatever that means.It may be that such rules departures were in vogue again at this match.I don't know.Nor did the attendance in general, who on more than one a occasion howled protest at at some of the refereeing decisions.On both sides.If I am wrong and normal rules did apply then a rethink is in order.
Referring is a lonesome occupation.I kept sthum.He didn't influence the outcome actually .And was fair by his own lights.
There was a noticeable maturity gap between the teams.Some of the Blackhall lads were on the cusp of shaving ,whereas the bulk of our lads were as far from it as could be.They were bulkier and bigger on balance.And outnumbered our big men about three to one.Good footballers too.
We had a few sweet footballers and little ball was wasted.By dint of effort,skill and pure determination we kept in touch until fifteen minutes from time,but they inevitably pulled away to win by 4-12 to 2-8.A fair result on the day.
Our lads did well.I can see a good future for these lads.They are a credit to us and themselves.
The gauntlet is down to the management to produce silverware.I assume that they are there for the long haul.The goods are there waiting to be harvested.Should be a good crop.
I hope the present crew stick with it.
Monday, August 5, 2013
I'm a believer
Last Thursday my niece Lauri Stephens united in Marriage
for life with Eoin Donnelly before a class guest list of decent people in
Kilmessan Church.
How two such laid back people found each other is hard to
discern,but they did.They are soul mates as well as life partners and we are
all delighted.
The Stephens clan as well as the Maguires are GAA
fanatics and this will fit in well with the Donnelleys,and Eoin’s grandfather
Tony is a GAA legend of yesteryear,having in his short life collected over 60
medals of significance including All Ireland's and Railway Cups.
When the sprogs start arriving,as I pray they will,there
is little doubt that the GAA genes are set
for greatness.
The guest list was well sprinkled with great GAA people
of both sexes and all codes.And in Cabra Castle we all enjoyed ourselves
thoroughly.
On each table was a song title,the idea being that as
that song was played by the band,the table guests were supposed to give it
diddy on the dance floor.Great idea.
Our table song was” I’m a
believer,”by the Monkeys.You would of course remember that the lead
singer was Davy Jones.
I am a rabid pro life supporter and regard the deliberate
killing of the unborn,save where the life of the mother is in immediate danger,
as murder,pure and simple.( I regard those who had abortions against their principles and
who did so under mental duress as being
incapable of forming the necessary intent to do what was perpetrated on them
and therefor not guilty of murder.)
I regard any political
party who supported the recent Bill with contempt and barbaric and regard their
supporters in a similar vein.
I find it appalling that such people insist on taking
part in the Mass celebration in any public capacity knowing that it is contrary
to Catholic teaching and principles.I think that they should have the cop on to
stop flouting themselves thus and seek forgiveness and if not be
excommunicated.
I find it extremely difficult to even look at them in a
Catholic Church.
I have been looking for some time for Latin
(Tridentine)Masses in Meath.At the wedding I sussed out that one is held each
Sunday at 1.00 p.m. in Johnstown ,Navan.As the Priest alone reads all the lessons etc at these Masses ,I
would be spared the seething indignity of listening to unrepentant people whose
Political parties acted in direct to
Catholic teaching disgracing the Mass as I see it.
So off with me to Johnstown last Sunday.
And I was not disappointed.A Priest in cowl and
vestments,two Alter Boys in Surplice and Sutane, the Mass sung and answered in
Latin.The alter boys know the Latin responses .There are leaflets which give
the Latin and English translations.The Priest exudes Holiness.His sermon is not
politically correct but solely of the Gospel.He is passionate and raises his
voice.Powerful stuff.
The congregation is about three dozen ,families mostly
,male and female .No body is rushing away before Mass is over.
In fact nearly all stay to get Confession
afterwards.Candles are lit and prayers are said.
The Priest is a hermit.He is Welsh.He spent time in the
part of Wales my own father was born and reared.And his name is Davy Jones.
Yep I.m a Believer.
On Saturday evening I had attended Mass at 6.00 p.m. in
Kilbride.Got hard to get a seat.Only 95% full.Small attendance because many had
gone to Croker to support Meath.I hear that 6.30 Mass in Bohermeen each
Saturday is standing room only too.
Father Hornick was on his game too.Dare I say it a Holy
man too.
What’s all this about a crisis in the Catholic
Church.This must be the place that time forgot .Else the devil’s spawn are
talking shite.What you would expect from them anyhow ?
From now on I will attend two Masses each weekend.One
Latin and one in the vernacular.
By the way there are a good few daily Mass goers in
Dunderry.I don’t make the halpenny place by comparison.
Give Johnstown a whirl.Brought back pleasant memories to
me.If you never experienced a Tridentine Mass now is your chance.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Drumbeat Dividend for 27/07/2013
After a lengthy sabbatical the tipster has resumed wit a tip for the 2.40 in Ascot.Try a fiver win on Cape Peron.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Contempt is permanent.
We were reared in Blanchardstown in the fifties and sixties in a semi detached bungalow.Two bedrooms a kitchen a scullery and a bathroom.Cold taps alright but no hot water.Friday night was bath night.The scullery floor was covered with bath towels and a tin bath placed on top.Our mother boiled kettles and saucepans full of water to heat the bath and mixed cold water and hot to make the experience enjoyable.
One evening disaster struck Just after she had emptied a kettle full of boiling water into the bath a sister of ours stumbled and fell into it.She was badly scalded on both hands and up to her elbows.
Our mother often wondered what if and half blamed herself.My sister never did.
She was sent to hospital and over the years had a torrid time what with skin grafts on her hands for many many years until she stopped growing.The bones in her hands and fingers grew but the skin did not stretch to match and every few years the webbed skin between her fingers had to be cut through through surgery,
She did not let this impede her and grew up a confident and attractive woman even representing her country at schoolgirl level at volleyball.
Our father was a tradesman and when the opportunity arose got a mortgage and bought the house out.Despite having nine children and because of this we never qualified for a medical card.
For 15 years or thereabouts my mother had to take a red ten shilling note off the top of my fathers wage packet and send it to the hospital to pat y for my sister's treatment.This before any other expenditure.
We had little enough but that tore the arse out of it.
Fast forward sixty years.The Government have decided to withdraw and cease issuing medical cards to people with active cancer.This means that people will have to concurrently worry about raising money in the worst recession n in living memory while scared to death and undergoing chemo ,radiotherapy and surgery and perhaps fight off debt collectors while seriously ill.
Anyone with a smidgin of compassion and even a shred of decency would not allow this to happen.
It is only when the canker is terminal that these excuses for people will grant medical cards.
You have to die to get one.
This Government sees severe illness as an opportunity to bully the sick.
Yep,allow the deliberate death of the unborn .terrify the cancer sufferers and only relent when death is imminent.
One evening disaster struck Just after she had emptied a kettle full of boiling water into the bath a sister of ours stumbled and fell into it.She was badly scalded on both hands and up to her elbows.
Our mother often wondered what if and half blamed herself.My sister never did.
She was sent to hospital and over the years had a torrid time what with skin grafts on her hands for many many years until she stopped growing.The bones in her hands and fingers grew but the skin did not stretch to match and every few years the webbed skin between her fingers had to be cut through through surgery,
She did not let this impede her and grew up a confident and attractive woman even representing her country at schoolgirl level at volleyball.
Our father was a tradesman and when the opportunity arose got a mortgage and bought the house out.Despite having nine children and because of this we never qualified for a medical card.
For 15 years or thereabouts my mother had to take a red ten shilling note off the top of my fathers wage packet and send it to the hospital to pat y for my sister's treatment.This before any other expenditure.
We had little enough but that tore the arse out of it.
Fast forward sixty years.The Government have decided to withdraw and cease issuing medical cards to people with active cancer.This means that people will have to concurrently worry about raising money in the worst recession n in living memory while scared to death and undergoing chemo ,radiotherapy and surgery and perhaps fight off debt collectors while seriously ill.
Anyone with a smidgin of compassion and even a shred of decency would not allow this to happen.
It is only when the canker is terminal that these excuses for people will grant medical cards.
You have to die to get one.
This Government sees severe illness as an opportunity to bully the sick.
Yep,allow the deliberate death of the unborn .terrify the cancer sufferers and only relent when death is imminent.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Muskateeer Liam on pro life march.
Tempting though it is to form the first Irish branch of the Catholic Brotherhood (a mirror image of the Muslim Brotherhood ) to legislate for Catholic beliefs as opposed to atheist beliefs.this Musketeer for one is as proud as one could be of Musketeer Liam,who although not in the first flush of youth put his Christian money where his mouth is by participating with 50,000 other devout Christians in the pro life march in Dublin last Saturday.
When I contrast the compassion of this man with the doctors for death(of the unborn but not their own ) ,the womb raiders ,most of whose wombs haven't seen any action as it were nor won't I'd say and the fanatics WHO OPENLY BOAST ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ABORTION ASSISTS THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN,I FEEL PRIVILEGED TO KNOW HIM.
The farce in the Dail this week which subverted democracy will ,I predict ,haunt those who bullied it through for ever.Fir and mna breaga all.
The prayers go on in Dunderry Church every Friday from 6.00 to 6.30.
When I contrast the compassion of this man with the doctors for death(of the unborn but not their own ) ,the womb raiders ,most of whose wombs haven't seen any action as it were nor won't I'd say and the fanatics WHO OPENLY BOAST ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ABORTION ASSISTS THEY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN,I FEEL PRIVILEGED TO KNOW HIM.
The farce in the Dail this week which subverted democracy will ,I predict ,haunt those who bullied it through for ever.Fir and mna breaga all.
The prayers go on in Dunderry Church every Friday from 6.00 to 6.30.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Somebody is lying.
The Health Minister says that Fine Gael did not guarantee that it would not legislate for abortion before the last election.The European Minister said it did promise not to legislate for abortion before the last election.Who do you believe ?If Lucinda is right that means that the Health Minister is a liar.Is it right to have a Minister and a Cabinet who are all liars,no matter how carefully crafted the lies are?Can we believe anything out of their mouths.
Minister Reilly consistently spoke over the interviewer on the Mid day news programme on RTE last Sunday.Not only was this insulting to the interviewer but also extremely dismissive of the audience.
I have noticed that certain public servants are taking their cue from this type of dismissive behaviour and treating the public with contempt.
It's the example they get.
Minister Reilly consistently spoke over the interviewer on the Mid day news programme on RTE last Sunday.Not only was this insulting to the interviewer but also extremely dismissive of the audience.
I have noticed that certain public servants are taking their cue from this type of dismissive behaviour and treating the public with contempt.
It's the example they get.
Super Sporting weekend for the real Irish
Those of us who ate our dinners in the middle of the day and stand to attention for Amhrain na Fiann (not that West Brit. abomination Ireland's Call) had a bumper sporting weekend from our very own National games.
In hurling Tipperary and Kilkenny served up a classic and the de Dubs defied the critics and the bookies by beating Galway,who are far too reliant on Joe Canning who is undoubtedly a sporting genius. Clare hammered an improving Laoise and will face a dogged Wexford.
In football Kerry just about held out against an experimental Cork side who are probably a better team if they would only field the old reliables from the start .Don't write Cork off just yet.
Roscommon nearly caught Tyrone off guard and Waterford nearly did likewise against Galway.
Derry bested a game Down and Clare were hammered by a good Laoise team.
Four counties can still do the double,Dublin,Cork,Galway and Wcxford I think.Don't dismiss the chances of Dublin and Cork.
The Galway camogie women did well too.
Dunderry footballers hammered an understrength Moynalvey team on Saturday and our junior Camgie team beat a game Drumree tonight.
And the sun is splitting the stones and every farmer in the Parish is suffering from hay madness.
And the countrymen of my father had ten men on the lions team that beat Australia and proper order.Rugby in Cymru is the game of the common people as is GAA here, is not the sport of the snobs and the social climbers and the menopausal auld wans who infest RTE'
I'd say that Driscoll at his best wouldn't last five minutes in a inter county hurling match.
Hon the Gaels
In hurling Tipperary and Kilkenny served up a classic and the de Dubs defied the critics and the bookies by beating Galway,who are far too reliant on Joe Canning who is undoubtedly a sporting genius. Clare hammered an improving Laoise and will face a dogged Wexford.
In football Kerry just about held out against an experimental Cork side who are probably a better team if they would only field the old reliables from the start .Don't write Cork off just yet.
Roscommon nearly caught Tyrone off guard and Waterford nearly did likewise against Galway.
Derry bested a game Down and Clare were hammered by a good Laoise team.
Four counties can still do the double,Dublin,Cork,Galway and Wcxford I think.Don't dismiss the chances of Dublin and Cork.
The Galway camogie women did well too.
Dunderry footballers hammered an understrength Moynalvey team on Saturday and our junior Camgie team beat a game Drumree tonight.
And the sun is splitting the stones and every farmer in the Parish is suffering from hay madness.
And the countrymen of my father had ten men on the lions team that beat Australia and proper order.Rugby in Cymru is the game of the common people as is GAA here, is not the sport of the snobs and the social climbers and the menopausal auld wans who infest RTE'
I'd say that Driscoll at his best wouldn't last five minutes in a inter county hurling match.
Hon the Gaels
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Time for Excommmunication .
The alacrity of the spiteful and ugly expulsion of those in Fine Gael who voted against the introduction of abortion sets a precedent for the Catholic Church to also act likewise and immediately excommunicate those who vote in favour of legalised death of the unborn and claim to be Catholic.
If it is to retain any credibility at all with its loyal believers it has no option to do so.I for one will take fierce exception to the Church if it sits on the fence on this issue.It will stick in my craw to see any person who actively promotes Fine Gael,.Labour or Sinn Fein actively involved in the Mass or Sacraments or made welcome in any manner in any Catholic Church or institution.
If it is to retain any credibility at all with its loyal believers it has no option to do so.I for one will take fierce exception to the Church if it sits on the fence on this issue.It will stick in my craw to see any person who actively promotes Fine Gael,.Labour or Sinn Fein actively involved in the Mass or Sacraments or made welcome in any manner in any Catholic Church or institution.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Syria.Now we know.
The Syrian rebels have beheaded a Catholic Priest and a fellow Christian for no other reason than that they are Christian.The Syrian rebel mob cheered on as the heads of both were cut off with a kitchen knife.
Secular England and Socialist France want to give arms to these murderers so that they can more effectively kill more opponents.
Barrac Obama,whose Snoops will undoubtedly read this post will do likewise if he has not already done so.
The halo of the great black hope is well and truly tarnished and he is a huge disappointment to all those who thought of him as a force for good.
He will be remembered as a man who directed murder by drone,an eavesdropper on his so called friends,a supplier of arms to savages who behead Christians and a bully who swaggers the world stage threatening all those nations who might offer santuary to the man who revealed the true extent of his Countriy's snooping actiivities.
Not to mention his enthuastic support for the legslised murder of the unborn at the whim of the mother.
Secular England and Socialist France want to give arms to these murderers so that they can more effectively kill more opponents.
Barrac Obama,whose Snoops will undoubtedly read this post will do likewise if he has not already done so.
The halo of the great black hope is well and truly tarnished and he is a huge disappointment to all those who thought of him as a force for good.
He will be remembered as a man who directed murder by drone,an eavesdropper on his so called friends,a supplier of arms to savages who behead Christians and a bully who swaggers the world stage threatening all those nations who might offer santuary to the man who revealed the true extent of his Countriy's snooping actiivities.
Not to mention his enthuastic support for the legslised murder of the unborn at the whim of the mother.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Patrick Nulty a man of honour
It is no surprise to me that Patrick Nulty has parted from the Labour Party.He is a man of honour,a member of a family of honour rooted in a long tradition of working class and very decent people and fully understands the real concerns under which decent Labour people live.
He belongs to that real strain of labour supporters who actually earn a living by the sweat of their brow and who the likes of Brendan Corish and Frank Cluskey represented.
He would, I guess, have little in common with the Worker's Party lite now masquaring as Labour in this repsessive Government.
His actions prove that an ounce of breeding is worth a ton of feeding.
As far as I know he is the only locally born person from the constuency ever to represent it in the Dail.
Long may this most decent of men continue to represent his constituents.Not on my Fear Breags list nor ,I hope, will he ever be.
He belongs to that real strain of labour supporters who actually earn a living by the sweat of their brow and who the likes of Brendan Corish and Frank Cluskey represented.
He would, I guess, have little in common with the Worker's Party lite now masquaring as Labour in this repsessive Government.
His actions prove that an ounce of breeding is worth a ton of feeding.
As far as I know he is the only locally born person from the constuency ever to represent it in the Dail.
Long may this most decent of men continue to represent his constituents.Not on my Fear Breags list nor ,I hope, will he ever be.
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