issue #929 - 930 Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 2

PamplonaDear Editor,

The goring of several men in the annual Pamplona bull-run has drawn attention again to this barbaric festival that poses a threat to humans and animals alike. You risk being injured or even killed when you take your chances in the event, and the bulls are routinely killed afterwards, some in bullfights where they are stabbed repeatedly before being put of out of their misery by a swaggering caped man wielding a sword. Both practises are stains on civilisation.So, however, are other forms of recreational animal cruelty. Ireland’s answer to the bull-run and bullfighting is hare coursing. We have more than seventy coursing fixtures every year. There are differences though. Unlike the bull, the Irish Hare is a meek, gentle creature that is easily frightened. In Irish coursing, unlike in Pamplona, it is the animals that do all the running and the fans take no risk whatsoever. Having captured the hares and confined them in wired compounds for weeks, they are forced to serve as live bait. On coursing day, the fans and club officials wrap themselves in snug winter garb while the hares perform in torrential rain, snow or hail storms, or on water-logged fields. They stand or sit in safety and comfort as the hares are mauled, pinned to the ground, or tossed about like rag dolls.The fans imbibe whiskey or brandy from flasks as a mammal that survived the ice age, part of our treasured wildlife heritage, is forced to run in terror from hyped-up greyhounds. The ghoulish aficionados that take pleasure in this idiotic spectacle include such erstwhile pillars of society as TDs, Senators, and members of the clergy.I think it is interesting that in Spain people feel a need to dress up animal cruelty as a challenge, a test of manliness and courage. They think of the event, perversely and misguidedly, as a showdown between man and bull. Here, hare coursers don’t even pretend that the animal they target for their gratification could ever stand up to them.

Bullfighting and bull running may be among the bloodiest cruelties ever devised. But hare coursing could surely rank as the world’s cowardliest blood sport.

Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in these letters are solely those of the individual author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of The Douglas Post

letters to the editor

The Douglas Post Magazine | Unit 29C | St Patrick’s Mills | Douglas West | Cork | IrelandEmail: frontdesk@douglaspost.ie | www.douglaspost.ie

The publishers have made every effort to ensure all information is correct at time of print, however no responsibility is accepted for errors or omissions.The views expressed in the articles herein are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher of The Douglas Post Magazine.

The Douglas Post is published weekly by South Link Publishing Ltd, Unit 29C, St Patrick’s Mills, Douglas West, Cork.

PAGe 2

Montessori/ playgroup class graduations. The children in blue outfits are; Morning Glory Montessori Riverstick.

Photos by O’Brien Studios Cork, 021 4276557

We’d love to hear from you. If you have any news, views or issues you’d like to see covered, write to the Douglas Post, Morris House, Douglas West, Cork or by e-mail to frontdesk@douglaspost.ie Please include your name and address and a contact number. Letters may be edited due to space considerations.

Callan, Co. KilkennyJohn Fitzgerald (Campaign for the Abolition Of Cruel Sports)

Padraig Hennessy, Clancy’s Youghal, with Edel Coyne, representing Clancy’s, in Clancy’s at a pre drinks reception before the opening night of

Youghal’s Queen Of The Sea Festival.Picture: John Hennessy

(Further Info; Youghal Chamber Office: 024 92447)

issue #929 - 930 Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 4

Writer’s Group Meetings• Douglas Writers Group, - John O’Sullivan’s, Boardroom - Friday

the 9th August at 5.30 pm• Douglas Junior Writers Group - Douglas Library Thursday 15th

August at 4.30.PM• Ballinlough Writers - John O’Sullivan’s (Douglas) Fri 16th

August at 5.30 PM• Bishopstown Writers- Bishopstown Library Thurs 8th

September at 6.30 PM• Mallow Poetry Group – Mallow Library - First & Third Tuesday

of the month at 12.30 p.m • Ó Bhéal – Open mic every Mon at The Hayloft (upstairs at The

Long Valley), Winthrop Street

Arts

PAGe 4

howie the rookie – by Mark o’rowe

Mark O’Rowe’s Howie the Rookie is that odd thing in theatre, a play which I enjoyed but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. Starring Love/Hate’s Tom Vaughan-Lawler it presents the stories of both Howie and the Rookie over the course of two tumultuous days. Both characters inhabit a world of street slang, sleazy dives and council estates. This is a tale which is firmly from the wrong-side-of-the-tracks and proud of it. As such we are presented with a cavalcade of humorous grotesques (the Daily Mail would have a field day) from gigantic seductress Avalanche to the mysterious Ladyboy. The play has an odd balance and walks a very fine line between laddish humour and emotional impact. It is thankfully just about pulled off due to the strong physical acting and rapid-fire delivery of its star Vaughan-Lawler. The speed of the play is however a double-edged sword. It’s nice to see the action kept tight and engaging, but I needed to get to know the characters better in order to feel fully transported to the world. I equally felt oddly dissatisfied that the play seemingly had very little of depth to say and that for myself it’s emotional punches were too telegraphed. That being said the play was entertaining. It’s descriptions of places, people and action are masterful and there is a thundering energy and drive to the production which manages to sweep you along for the ride. Like a well-crafted soap opera episode it’s not deep or necessarily memorable but it’s extremely entertaining whilst it lasts.

Every good poem has a life of its own, its own peculiar atmosphere, its own flavour and its own emotional key. Our poem this week from Mark Stout of the Ballinlough Writers Group has all those soul searching ingredients and pushes all the buttons that stir our innermost thoughts. For some unexplainable reason, after reading the poem a few times, I felt an urge to sing that old Irish Ballad “A Mothers Love is a Blessing”. Hope Mark’s poem triggers similar emotions for you.

thinking of my MotherFlashing thoughts fire around in my brain-

Like an enemy’s bullet, It scars and maims my feelings,

I bleed moments of passed loved ones Remembering the love and the laughter,

My last thoughts before I sleep is of my mother, Five years have flown — time heals,

She meant the world to me,A little prayer flows from me when I think of her,

“Life is not to be feared •It is to be understood”,

I understand why my mother was taken from us,She suffered enough - now she is at peace,

Fear grips me • devours and secretesLittle miniscule beliefs engulf me,

They play a harsh game of strategy - Empowering me — making a checkmate,

Pitiful end—games play out, But thinking of my mother I try and understand,

Life is to be enjoyed, not feared.

Mark Stout

Send your poem to ‘The Poetry Corner’ / The Douglas Post, Unit 29C, St Patrick’s Mills, Douglas or you can email it direct to ronniemcginn@eircom.net. If possible keep your poem to 20 lines. You may choose any subject you like, in any form you like as long as it’s original. We look forward to hearing from you. - RonnieMcGinn

A peArl of scottish wisdom

help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you when he is in trouble again. By Chris Bennett Douglas, Cork

issue #929- 930Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 5

enterPrise

A revolution in hair care

In the heart of Blackrock a revolution is taking place; a revolution in hair care. At award-winning salon Simone Best Hair Styling a new product is being used which has been astounding people world-wide with its remarkable results.

BTX Hair truly is revolutionary. Using active ingredients including caviar oil, B5 and E vitamins and collagen the formula not only nourishes repairs and revives hair straight from the first use, but it also adds softness, shine and eliminates frizz. BTX doesn’t simply stop there though as it also provides hair rejuvenation and anti-aging capabilities which can transform hair back to its youthful state. Using heat infusion BTX can regenerate your hair and provide a complete and comprehensive make-over in just 45 minutes. Astoundingly the results themselves last for four weeks!

To truly get the best out of BTX you need the right salon and there is no better place to go than to Simone Best Hair Styling. As a salon it’s been in business since 2009 and has been featured in the Good Salon Guide. Owner Simone is friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated to providing a top-quality service. Both she and her experienced staff provide a range of award-winning treatments and cater for all needs from weddings and photo shoots, to cuts and colouring. The salon is bright, tasteful and state-of-the-art, with beautiful décor mixing contemporary and vintage to great effect. So join the revolution and travel down to Blackrock to seek out Cork’s hairdressing phenomenon, you will not be disappointed!

BTX Hair is an innovative concentrate of active ingredients including caviar oil, B5 and E vitamins and collagen that, when combined, create

the revolutionary BTX Complex which guarantees to moisturise, nourish, repair and revive hair right from the very first use, adding incredible

shine and softness and eliminating frizz. One major benefit of the treatment is that it has the capability to repair split ends. It can be used on absolutely any hair type, as opposed to other treatments currently

available that only suit certain hair types.

issue #929 - 930 Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 6

reAder’s Photos

issue #929- 930Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 7

issue #929 - 930 Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 8

fAMily ties

lost in WalesIIt now seems like a long time ago since my husband managed, to get tickets for the Heineken Cup Final. The only way to get to Cardiff at that late stage was to go via Dublin and the ferry to Holyhead. I have a horror of ferries ever since my London days and the only way I could afford to come home was on the Slatterys bus and coach. Call me high maintenance but there was many a time I wished the creaking bucket would break up and sink as we lurched through the Irish Sea in the company of vomiting, drunk passengers. The things I do for Munster. On Friday we left Cork at 2.30pm and arrived, without stopping for breaks, at Dublin Port at 6.46pm, loads of time to make the 7.3o sailing. The crossing was a merciful 3.5 hours on a subdued Irish Sea. A 15 minute delay in unloading caused much blasting of horns from several cars accompanied by roars of, “C’mon Munster!”. At 10am the next morning, we set off again on the road to Cardiff. I was in charge of the SatNav, christened by my husband as Nadine. I prefer maps because, contrary to myth, I can read them. I keyed in destination Cardiff and Nadine directed us to the A5. We travelled through the prettiest countryside I have ever seen. It was a balmy sunny day and I was enchanted by the villages, the trees that overhung the road, the crumbling walls, the lakes and endless supply of tent shops. JR Tolkien must have had it mind when he wrote the Hobbit. After twenty minutes, my husband got tired of the twisty roads and I took over the driving. We had all day to get there. After two hours, we got a little worried, ‘where

the hell is Cardiff?’ It didn’t occur to anyone to bring or buy a map. After four hours, I was wondering, ‘just how big is Wales anyway?’ The A5 took us over the border to England and even the kids started to wail that we were in the wrong country. My bloodhound instincts prevailed. Since the sun was in my eyes we were at least heading in the right direction i.e. south. Around 2.30 pm we saw signs for Newport and spotted a fellow Cork car with Munster banners hanging out the window. We hooted our horns in solidarity and relief. We reached the Millennium stadium at 4pm, some 25.5 hours after setting out. Millennium Stadium is utterly magnificent. Rain was forecast; so the roof was closed and this intensified the noise and atmosphere. The pulsing energy of the sheer mass of Munster fans was intoxicating. The power of positive thinking is one thing; this was a complete conviction that victory was ours. There was a patch of Toulouse fans behind us and to their credit they made a great racket considering that they were only about a 100 of them. Our seats were up in the Gods; the players were mere pin pricks on a billiard table but I could identify Howlett by his hair, Stringer by his baldness (he was warming up below us) and O’Gara by the number 10 on his back. I blithely assumed Munster would win but even I began to chew on my rosary beads when the score stood at 13-13. At 8pm we set out again for Holyhead, still without a map. A policeman outside the stadium told us to get the A40 and then the M6. Heading out of Cardiff we couldn’t see an M6; so we chose the next best thing, the M5. After two hours, we pulled into a service station near Birmingham, checked in on the Eurovision Song Contest and bought a map. To our surprise, we found we were going the right way. The M5 evolved into the M6. However, even with sticking to the motorways we couldn’t shave time off the six hour journey. The boys fell asleep around midnight. Outside Manchester, we stopped again at a service station for the critical cup of coffee; my husband knocked back two cans of red bull. I never drink the stuff: I’m afraid I would be awake for a week. By 1 am I was hallucinating: mistaking clumps of trees at the side of the road for trucks that we were about to crash into because they had no lights. My husband insisted that I stay awake to keep him awake. I did my best. I would start a sentence, dribble into a coma and then jerk awake to finish another sentence. Hubbie said I wasn’t making sense. I countered that with a rude comment about his driving. We traded insults for the rest of the journey which was more effective than the coffee as well as being entertaining. Finally at 3am, five weary Munster fans crawled into their hotel beds delirious with tiredness but happy to be horizontal and stationary.

Moya O’Donnell of Cork City Centre pictured at the World Street Performance Championship, Patrick’s Street, Cork City.

Picture:Clare Keogh

issue #929- 930Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 9

Cork’s maritime history celebrated

In the splendidly decorated boardroom of the Port of Cork Customs House An Post representative Barney Whelan, Chairman John Mullin and Chief Executive Brendan Keating unveiled three new stamps commemorating the Port of Cork and Cork Harbour. Mr Keating told the assembled guests that he was “honoured and delighted” and that the stamps would give Cork international, national and local recognition. He gave praise to a dedicated team of staff who helped make the project possible including Brendan Tuohy, Gillian O’Leary, Sarah Mackeown, and Sinead Cavanagh. Mr Whelan described how An Post release 40 special stamps per year and each undergoes a significant process just showing the measure of importance placed on the final selection. The new stamps are designed by Steve Simpson and show the potential of the Port of Cork in freight, leisure and cruising. Depicted on the three stamps are a Maersk container ship, the 2010 Cork clipper yacht race travelling by Cobh and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth docked. The stamps show to the world how Cork’s vibrant maritime heritage is well and truly alive and thriving. Also at the unveiling was Tony O’Driscoll, winner of the Port of Cork photography competition. His beautiful photo of Cobh has been turned into a postcard and he was presented with a framed copy of the stamp set as well as a postcard stamped and ready to send. All of Cork should be proud of the new stamps and of the deserved recognition they give to the city and its continuing progress.

Aphorism

we have enough “youth”.how about a fountain of “smart”?

According to old irish folklore

if a deceased person’s clothes are given away, the recipient has to wear them to mass on three

consecutive sundays? if he or she is ill and has to miss mass, they have to send the clothes along in a bundle.

Annual Report launch Cork Simon Community 2013:Sophie Johnston and Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr. Lorraine Kingston pictured at at Cork Simon’s Emergency Shelter for the launch of the community’s

Annual Report for 2012. The report highlights the progress that has been made in tackling homelessness in Cork despite the ongoing recession, but warns there’s little hope Government policy on homelessness will work If

current levels of funding are not maintained.Picture: Clare Keogh

issue #929 - 930 Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 10PAGe 10

Blackrock historical Walking tour, saturday 27 July 2013As part of ongoing community project into the local history of the south-east ward, Cllr Kieran McCarthy will conduct a historical walking tour of Blackrock Village on Saturday 27 July 2013, 2pm, leaving from Blackrock Castle (approx 2 hours, free event).The earliest and official evidence for settlement in Blackrock dates to c.1564 when the Galway family created what was to become known as Dundanion Castle. Over 20 years later, Blackrock Castle was built circa 1582 by the citizens of Cork with artillery to resist pirates and other invaders. In the early 1700s, the prominent Tuckey family, of which Tuckey Street in the city centre is named, became part of the new social elite in Cork after the Williamite wars and built part of what became known in time at the Ursuline Convent. The building of the Navigation Wall or Dock in the 1760s turned focus to reclamation projects in the area and the

eventual creation of public amenity land such as the Marina Walk during the time of the Great Famine. The early 1800s coincided with an enormous investment into creating new late Georgian mansions by many other key Cork families, such as the Chattertons, the Frends, the McMullers, Deanes and the Nash families, amongst others. Soon Blackrock was to have its own bathing houses, schools, hurling club, suburban railway line, and Protestant and Catholic Church. The pier that was developed at the heart of the space led to a number of other developments such as fisherman cottages and a fishing industry. This community is reflected in the 1911 census with 64 fisherman listed in Blackrock.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy noted: “A stroll in Blackrock is popular by many people, local and Cork people. The area is particularly characterised by beautiful architecture, historic landscapes and imposing late Georgian and early twentieth century country cottages; every structure points to a key era in Cork’s development. Blackrock is also lucky that many of its former residents have left archives, census records, diaries, old maps and insights into how the area developed, giving an insight into ways of life, ideas and ambitions in the past, some of which can help us in the present day in understanding Blackrock’s identity going forward.”

low cost household waste disposal €6 for two bags at Centra, Kinslale road

The BIGbin at Centra, Kinsale road, Cork is for household rubbish and is only €6 to dispose of two average size black bags. The BIGbin is simple to use; just bring your bags of rubbish to Centra (opposite Harvey Norman), buy a ticket in the shop and key in the code on the ticket. This allows you access to the drum of the bin and can hold 2 X 80L black bags. Just place your bags in bin drum and walk away. It’s that simple! No bin tags! No stickers! No special bags! No pulling and dragging wheelie bins! No waiting for specific days of collectionWith the BIGbin you get decide when you want to dispose of your rubbish seven days a week instead of having to dance to someone else’s tune.

A survey by The BIGbin Company discovered that people on a budget, single people, couples, small households, empty nesters and pensioners were largely forgotten and definitely not catered for by private waste disposal firms and local authority waste schemes. These were households that produced smaller amounts of rubbish than an average family but yet were still expected to pay fixed charges and were tied to set collection days. Customers, on average, use our service once every two weeks, which adds up to a total cost of €156 annually and is a much cheaper alternative to collection services.

John O’Connor of the BIGbin company said, “Obviously we fill a niche in the market but anyone can use the BIGbin and it’s also very handy for excess waste at specific times of the year. The BIGbin fills a gap for everyone and it is very cost effective. We have more locations planned for towns and cities right across the country in 2013 so those working on a weekly budget finally have a real alternative when it comes to managing their waste disposal

However the story is only beginning with plans to position the BIGbin Company as one of the most progressive and environmentally conscious waste disposal companies in Ireland, recovering 45-55% of its waste through Mechanical Biological Treatment.

BIG bin is good for the environment, good for your local garage and provides great savings for our customers.

Check out www.bigbin.ie for further information.

In total, we now have six BIGbins operating in Cork. These are:

• Kinsale Road- Centra, Ballycurreen (beside Harvey Normans)• Balyvolane- Texoil, (North Ring Road)• Cobh- Cobh Service Station, Tiknock (Opposite SuperValu)• Hollyhill- Discount fuel Deals, Harbour View Road, Hollyhill• Carrigaline- Co-op Superstore (Top of the village)• Mallow- Co-op Superstore

British hUmoUr

teAcher: winnie, name one important thing we have today that we didn’t have ten years ago.

winnie: me!

issue #929- 930Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 11

Win tickets to see daniel o’donell at Cork opera house this August 10th

The Douglas Post is pleased to offer it’s readers a chance to win a pair of tickets to see traditional favourite, Daniel O’Donnell. The performance takes place in Cork Opera House, this August 10th (Saturday).

For your chance to win, simply send an email to:competitions@douglaspost.ie

You can additionally provide your mobile number if you do not check your email account regularly. Winners will be accounced next issue.

last issue’s winnerCongratulations to Seamus Mc Grath, last issue’s winner. Seamus Mc Grath has won a pair of tickets to The Indiependence Music & Art Festival being held in Cork on August 2nd - 4th.

Blonde men

two blonde men found three live grenades. they decided to take them tothe nearest

police station. the younger blonde asked:

“what if one explodes before we get there?” the older answered,

“then we’ll justlie and say we found only two.”

issue #929 - 930 Thursday 25.07.2013

PAGe 12

younG At heArt

Most burglars are opportunists. They are like bogus callers. They prey on your weaknesses.This week, we outline some of the weaknesses that intruders look for. Weakness: From the front of your house, do you have very high hedges that they could hide behind? Solution: Always keep your hedges well trimmed.

Weakness: Do you always leave the backdoor or front door unlocked? Have you windows left open due to the good weather? Solution: Always ensure your doors and windows are locked even if you leave your home for a short while.

Weakness: Can Intruders come onto your property undetected?Solution: Install security lighting in the front and rear of your home. This is a natural deterrent for the potential intruder. They will not want to draw attention to themselves by lighting up your property in the evening time.

Weakness: No visible sign of an intruder alarm installedSolution: Install an intruder Alarm. Intruder alarms are another deterrent for the Burglar. They will look for a house without an alarm rather than an alarmed house to break in to. Weakness: Will there be a record of them entering your property?Solution: Install a domestic CCTV system. It will allow you to see who comes on to your property and will hold a record should you need it for the Gardai

Weakness: Have you left your garden tools left lying around in your garden? These will be used by intruders to gain access to your property.Solution: Make sure you lock away everything at night time.

These are some of the weaknesses that intruders prey on. It is important that we become security aware. It only takes a moment to review your own security in your home.

Next time will be giving tips on security for your property while you are on holidays.

PAGe 12

free dental exam - over 65’s

Cork University Dental School and Hospital, in conjunction with the Health Research Board of Ireland, are running a study on dental fillings in older adults. If you are over 65 years of age and have any of your natural teeth remaining you are can avail of a free dental exam and a scale and polish. Some of those who come for the free check-up will be offered a place on a study looking at dental fillings in older adults. If accepted onto the study participants will receive free dental fillings provided by a fully qualified dentist. If you have any further questions or if you wish to take part in this study please ring Cork University Dental School and Hospital on 021 4901100 and ask to speak to Vanessa or else ring 089-4225963 and leave a message with your name and phone number.