February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
GOATS FROM DONEGAL
Schoolchildren in Donegal town have sent a precious gift to poor families in Tanzania, Uganda and Bosnia: five goats, called Blossom, Erin, Tara, Misty and Nuala.
The pupils of Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala collected euro 1,500 during Lent to pay for the goats.
Under an agreed plan, the poor families have committed to giving the first female offspring of each goat to another poor family, who will in turn do the same. The gift of a goat is exceedingly practical, said the Donegal Times, encouraging the poor families back to a measure of self-sufficiency.
How did the children raise the money for the goats? From sponsored cycles to baking cakes and cookies, Mrs. Meehan’s P3 (second grade) class gathered the money in record time.
The relief agency they sent the money to is called Bothar (www.bothar.org).
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FIRST-CLASS TRAMP?
Tempers flared in Fermoy, Co. Cork, recently during a council meeting when Cllr. Arthur Dowling called Mayor John Hussey a “first-class tramp” and a “dictatorial bastard.”
This was Dowling’s second interruption of council business in as many weeks. Mayor Hussey referred to Dowling’s tugging of his mayoral chain and his throwing of a cup of water in another councilor’s face the week previous.
As Hussey was speaking, Dowling interrupted again.
“Will you ever shut up? I don’t want to hear you. You’re only a tramp. I don’t want to hear you. I’m not going to listen. If you were a person who was going to give moral guidance, but you’re a first-class tramp and you’ve proved it in the past. You’re not getting away with it,” the independent councilor said.
The mayor then told Dowling it was his last chance to make a choice to engage in debate or discussion, but the outspoken independent was having none of it. “You’re a dictatorial bastard and you’re not fit to be in that chair,” he said. “You shouldn’t be there, giving me a lecture on morals.”
Hussey then commented: “You’re the person who brought disruption and physical force in here. I want you to confirm to me you’ll conduct yourself.”
Business moved on to other issues, but it’s unlikely that sweetness and light will return anytime soon.
COMPUTER WHIZZES
Bill Gates may have met his match in two 10-year-olds from Tuam, Co. Galway.
Jack Mulholland from Barna Road and David O’Connor from Ballybane both passed the European Computer Driving License with scores among the highest ever at the Hitec Computer Training in Galway.
Steven Martin, Hitec office manager, said that the pair had astonishing potential.
“They came to us on a summer school project and we noticed their potential. They did so well that their parents asked if they could continue and our flexible training methods allowed them to fit it in with their school work and other interests,” he said.
MAYO TREASURE
A Mayo man walking on the beach near Geesala found pieces of two gold torcs, or necklaces, in the sand. They were later identified by experts from University College Cork, who have asserted that the torcs are almost 3,000 years old and of immense value.
Mary Cahill, assistant keeper in the Irish Antiquities Division at the National Museum of Ireland, has been to the site to carry out preliminary investigations.
SOLDIERS FROM IRELAND
The Enniscorthy Gaurdian returns to a story it broke three years ago this week, with a report on the Irishmen who emigrated in the 1950s and ’60s and who went on to fight in the Vietnam War.
Ed Somers, who fought with the Australian army in Vietnam, and who told the Guardian in 1999 how he had just been reunited with a friend, Tom Kelly from Longford, whom he believed for more than 30 years had been killed by the Viet Cong.
CELTIC COPS?
Strange news from Derry — rival gangs have clashed in recent weeks and mysteriously dressed undercover police officers have shown up to stop the fighting.
Wearing Celtic football tops, the policemen made several arrests and moved youths on who were loitering.
The police refused to comment on even whether officers were wearing Celtic tops, never mind whether the dress code would become permanent undercover policy.
FISHY FERMANAGH
At the same time as it published a long investigative story into the Continuity IRA, the Impartial Reporter has some more welcome news from Fermanagh: it’s Classic time.
The Classic, the annual prestigious fishing festival will take place on Monday, May 6, with _20,000 in prizes. Guinness will sponsor the event as usual: after a hard day’s standing in the rain in waders staring at the dark Erne waters, what better than staring at an altogether more satisfying glass of dark stuff?
WATERFORD’S NEW YORK ROSE
Waterford celebrates with New York this week as the Rose of Tralee competitor is selected: Beth Condon, New York-born but with Waterford roots.
Representing Passage East Car Ferry, she was crowned Waterford Rose before a packed attendance at the Rose Ball in the Tower Hotel last Saturday night.
A volleyball enthusiast, she is currently teaching in Dublin.
LAOIS LATEST
Minister for Justice John O’Donoghue was in Portlaoise last week for the official opening of Portlaoise Courthouse, which has been recently restored.
The building, which is almost 200 years old, has had its traditional features restored and preserved.
Meanwhile, Laois actor Nuala Hayes has been appointed artist-in-residence by the County Council.
She has embarked on a journey around the county, collecting stories and legends that will be recorded and released on a CD-ROM
Hayes has talked to elderly people in Abbeyleix in her quest for stories and she hopes to gather storytellers with all the regional accents.
Eventually it is hoped to organize a monthly meeting where people can listen to professional visiting storytellers as well as local storytellers and musicians.