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May 20, 2005

Angony Over Suicide Of 2nd Son

News About Ireland & The Irish

BT 05/20/05 Mother's Agony Over Suicide Of Second Son
BB 05/20/05 Urgent Action Call On Suicides
UT 05/20/05 Loyalist Murder Suspect Freed On Bail
IA 05/20/05 Loyalist Guilty Of Bomb Attack
BB 05/20/05 Seventh British-Irish Summit Held
IO 05/20/05 Dublin Hosts Reception For McCartney Family
NL 05/20/05 Copeland Blast For Parades Body
BM 05/20/05 Rise Of Sinn Fein
BM 05/20/05 Paisley Sweeps To Victory & Pledges To Carry On
BB 05/20/05 Sudden Death May Impact NI Water
BB 05/20/05 Ireland In Shock Eurovision Exit
IE 05/20/05 Echo Focus: A Labored Legacy (James Connolly)
IO 05/20/05 Two Women Rescued Off Dun Laoghaire Pier
IO 05/20/05 Heritage Body -Decline Of Natural Habitats
MW 05/20/05 Cathie Ryan: To Be Cherished

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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=639878

Mother's Agony Over Suicide Of Second Son

Priest calls for urgent action to stop deaths

By Marie Foy
20 May 2005

A priest said today that urgent action was needed to combat suicide as
a north Belfast family was grieving after a second tragic death.

Father-of-two Declan McCluskey, from Ligoniel, was found dead on
Wednesday, nine years after his brother Frank also took his own life.

Their father Francis was murdered by UFF gunmen who shot him from a
passing car as he made his way to work in 1982.

Fr Aidan Troy said: "It is almost too tragic to believe.

"Declan's mother is heartbroken and devastated. It has been just awful
to visit someone in these circumstances.

"When she buried Frank I suppose the last thing she could imagine
would be that the second of her three sons would die like this."

Mr McCluskey, who worked for St Vincent de Paul on the Antrim Road, is
survived by his daughters Cliodhna (7), and Erin (5).

The family are baffled about what led him to take his own life.

His mother, Teresa, said: "He was a good lad. Nobody had a bad word to
say about him. He was so special."

She added: "He was down on suicide. He didn't like suicide from when
his own brother took his life. He helped other kids in the district
that were going to do it."

The suicide rate for Northern Ireland has grown steadily over the last
number of years and currently stands at approximately 19 per 100,000
of the population compared with 13 per 100,000 in the rest of the UK,
which accounts for 20% of all deaths among young men.

According to one source, there have been nine suicides in north
Belfast over the last three months and last year there were 12.

Other 'cluster' areas include west Belfast, Derry and Newry.

Calling for an emergency response to the high incidence of suicide, Fr
Troy said: "If these were road accidents or sectarian murders we would
be saying it is unacceptable in our society.

"If someone is determined to take their life we can't stop them. But
there is evidence in other countries that a direct assault on issues
of mental health, especially in young men, has made a difference.

"That is the sort of thing we need today."

Fr Tory said that without criticising the long term community
strategies, he believed that an immediate response was needed.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-
/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4565195.stm

'Urgent Action' Call On Suicides

Urgent action must be taken to tackle the rising number of suicides in
north Belfast, a Catholic priest has said.

Fr Aidan Troy was speaking after a family in the area suffered their
second bereavement from suicide.

Declan McCluskey,32, was found dead earlier this week. His older
brother took his life nine years ago.

There have been at least 15 suicides in west Belfast in a three-month
period this year with seven deaths occurring in one week in April.

Fr Troy said there must be "an emergency response" to the issue of
suicide among young people in the area.

"There's a sense that there's something totally out of control now.

"We've been here before, we're here again," he said.

"I don't want to make Declan just another statistic but if, God
between us and all harm, these were road deaths or sectarian killings,
I think we would be visibly calling for a lot more to happen."

Earlier this month, families of people who have taken their own lives
in north and west Belfast called for more counselling funds.

Last year, community groups in north Belfast appealed for action over
an alarming rise in suicide among young people in the Ardoyne area.

In a two month period at the start of 2004, 13 young men in the area
took their own lives.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/05/20 08:40:31 GMT
© BBC MMV

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http://www.utvlive.com/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=60505&pt=n

Murder Suspect Freed On Bail

A top loyalist facing a murder trial was today freed on bail with
orders to stay within five miles of a police station.

By:Press Association

William "Mo" Courtney, an alleged Ulster Defence Association boss in
Belfast, was also told to hand over £11,000 in cash and steer clear of
the victim`s family.

Courtney is accused of murdering Alan "Bucky" McCullough, 21, a former
associate of deposed UDA chief Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair.

McCullough was found dead at Mallusk, on the outskirts of the city in
May 2003.

He had returned to Northern Ireland from England, where he fled with
Adair`s rogue unit at the height of a deadly feud.

Courtney`s trial, which was due to begin this month, has been dogged
by delays.

With no new date fixed yet, the 41-year-old was released from custody
at Belfast Crown Court provided he adhered to strict bail restricts.

Courtney, from Fernhill Heights in the city, glanced round at the
public gallery for any friends or supporters as he entered the dock in
handcuffs.

After being told police were happy with a new address for him to
reside at, the judge laid out the terms for freeing him.

Mr Justice Hart said the loyalist had to provide his own bail of
£1,000, plus two sureties of £5,000 each, one in cash.

"He is to report to police twice a day at a time and place identified
by police.

"He is not to travel more than five miles in any direction from the
police station which will be named in the order, and subject to a
curfew between 8pm and 8am."

The judge added: "He is to have no contact with any witnesses or the
family of the deceased."

But Mr Justice Hart rejected an attempt by the Crown to make an order
forbidding Courtney from associating with a list of 17 people linked
to the case.

He added: "I have great doubts first of all as to whether such a
prohibition is practical, and secondly whether it`s correct as a
matter of principle.

"Any one of these people could visit this man while he`s in prison."

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http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irishinamerica/news/loyalistguilty_may
0518.asp

Loyalist Guilty Of Bomb Attack

By Brendan Anderson

A loyalist killer serving a life sentence has been found guilty of a
sectarian bomb attack on an SDLP office after police found a letter
boasting of his crimes.

William Alan Hill was awaiting trial on charges of killing a man in
the mistaken belief that he was a Catholic when police found a letter
written by him.

In the message to his girlfriend, Hill “in chilling and boastful”
language, admitted placing the pipe bomb at the entrance to the office
of SDLP Assembly member Alban Maginness.

Hill, 24, was jailed for 11 years for the attack, described by the
judge as “cowardly and despicable.”

A prosecution lawyer said the blast from the pipe bomb was so forceful
that it left a foot-wide crater in the porch way and “flung parts of
the doors right across the Antrim Road.”

It was, he said, “a planned sectarian attack by willing and dedicated
members of a paramilitary organization.”

The lawyer said that although the attack was directed at the SDLP
offices on the first floor, the building was owned by the Boy Scouts
and four people from the organization had been trapped inside and were
left badly shaken.

Police discovered Hill’s incriminating letter in July 2004 during
their investigations into the murder of civilian army worker David
Cupples.

Last month, as reported in the Irish Voice, Hill was sentenced to life
imprisonment and told he must serve a minimum of 13 years for
battering Cupples to death in December 2002.

During questioning, Hill admitted writing the letter but denied being
involved in paramilitary groups, although he pleaded guilty to causing
an explosion.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-
/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4564373.stm

Seventh British-Irish Summit Held

The seventh summit of the British-Irish Council, which was set up
under the Good Friday Agreement, will get under way later.

The meeting of representatives from across the British Isles is taking
place in Douglas, in the Isle of Man.

Its main theme will be the application of telemedicine to modernise
the delivery of health and social care.

The council was set up in 1998 to promote positive, practical
relationships among members.

Its membership consists of the British and Irish governments and the
devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Jersey,
Guernsey and the Isle of Man.

However, Northern Ireland's assembly has been suspended since October
2002.

The council provides a forum for discussion, exchange of information
and co-operation between its members.

Each region has an issue which it gives a lead on - Northern Ireland's
is transport.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/05/20 05:45:05 GMT
© BBC MMV

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http://www.online.ie/news/viewer.adp?article=3237491

Dublin City To Host Reception Tonight For McCartney Family

online.ie
2005-05-20 11:40:03+01

Dublin City Council is due to host a civic reception at the Mansion
House tonight for the family of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney.

The 33-year-old father-of-two was beaten and stabbed to death in
Belfast on January 30, allegedly by senior IRA members.

His sisters and fiancee have responded to the killing by mounting a
campaign against the republican movement, which they accuse of
covering up the crime.

Speaking ahead of this evening's reaction, Dublin Lord Mayor Michael
Conaghan said he believed their cause was a fundamental human rights
issue for everyone in Ireland.

"What they have done is quite unique," he said. "They have simply not
accepted this injustice that's been visited upon them, they have stood
up against very substantial odds and I think people have rallied to
them."

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http://www.newsletter.co.uk/story/20238

Copeland Blast For Parades Body

By Joanne Lowry
Friday 20th May 2005

The Parades Commission was last night dismissed as an "ineffective
quango" as tensions continue to rise in the run-up to the marching
season.

East Belfast MLA Michael Copeland said the independent body was unable
to objectively adjudicate on parades and questioned its continued
existence.

"The Commission's current approach means that the balance of rights
between those parading and those protesting is skewed in favour of
those protesting," said the Ulster Unionist.

"A threat of a protest should not in itself be enough to rule out a
parade. The rights of those who wish to parade must be upheld and
considered in exactly the same way as those looking to protest."

The Assemblyman's comments come after the Orange Order also slammed
the parades body, accusing it of "half-baked" and confrontational
measures.

It follows the introduction of new legislation which requires
applications for a parade to specify how many supporters are expected
to be in attendance, with possibly problems with future applications
if trouble occurs.

Mervyn Gibson said the breakdown in relations followed a decision to
charge two senior Orangemen for playing The Sash outside a Catholic
church in east Belfast last July.

Mr Gibson said: "Protestants have been treated in a disgraceful way
and the PSNI have shown no common sense on the issue."

A PSNI spokeswoman said: "Police will monitor those identified as
supporters under the new legislation for evidence of any breach of the
relevant Parades Commission determination."

j.lowry@newsletter.co.uk

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http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Newspa
per/Article&pid=1026825179620&cid=1116392915774

Rise Of Sinn Fein

By Rachel Stanford

SINN Fein has doubled its representation in Moyle District Council
after a landslide victory in the local government elections.

The party is now the largest in council after winning a total of four
seats overtaking the SDLP which saw its five seats reduced to three.

For the first time in it’s history Sinn Fein took two seats in the
Ballycastle District Electoral Area at the expense of the SDLP,
including the shock exclusion of Michael Molloy.

Sinn Fein’s Cara McShane topped the poll with 545 votes and her party
colleague, Cathal Newcombe followed closely behind with another high
poll.

Cathal Newcombe said the results were down to "hard work". He said:
"We had a fantastic team out on the road. This time around we have two
in the town where there was none before and over the mountain we have
two.

"We went for five seats and got four of them which is a tremendous
result for us. It was a good campaign and we are delighted with the
results.

"With four seats we are now the biggest party in council and the first
thing we will be asking for is the implementation of De Hondt which
will see the chair rotated.

"However, the most important thing to us is to work for the benefit of
the people on the street."

Meanwhile the SDLP’s Michael Molloy polled only 265 in the first count
and was subsequently de-selected in the fourth which came as a huge
shock to many including his party colleague Madeline Black, who was
returned to council.

She said: "For me it was a difficult election however I am honoured to
be elected and to represent Moyle for the next four years. I would
like to thank the voters, my colleagues and my family.

"I would like to congratulate Cathal Newcombe and Cara McShane on
their success.

"I am, however, very disappointed that my colleague Michael Molloy has
been de-selected. I feel he has done a lot for Moyle

"As far as the interests of the people of Moyle were concerned he
always made them his priority. He also did a fantastic amount of work
during this election.

"I feel Moyle has lost a very high principled, hard working and very
good representative."

Michael Molloy went on to say: "I would like to wish the three new
councillors for the SDLP all the best for the next term.

"They are a very strong team and will give a strong representation in
Moyle District Council for all of the electorate.

"I also wish to thank all the voters of Moyle who gave me their vote
and hope the SDLP will continue to have a strong presence in the area.

"In particular I would like to welcome new candidate Orla Black in the
Glens."

In the final stage of the Ballycastle ward UUP candidate Helen Harding
and Independent Seamus Blaney were deemed elected at the final stage
whilst DUP’s Christine McFaul was eliminated.

Sinn Fein enjoyed another double success in The Glens in which Oliver
McMullan who topped the poll with 682 votes was joined by his party
colleague Marie McKeegan.

The SDLP also saw two of its candidates elected with Catherine
McCambridge being joined by Orla Black. Independent councillor Randal
McDonnell was also elected.

Meanwhile, it was success for the DUP and UUP in the Giant’s Causeway
ward with David McAllister’s 481 topping the poll followed closely by
his party colleague and former council chairman George Hartin.

The UUP’s William Graham was next to be elected and Northern Ireland’s
longest serving councillor, Price McConaghy was also returned.

Finally, UUP’s Robert McIlroy was elected at the final stage with
Independent Thomas Palmer excluded.

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http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Newspa
per/Article&pid=1026825179620&cid=1116392915755

Paisley Sweeps To Victory And Pledges To Carry On

By Lyle McMullan

HE’S said it before and he’s said it again – Ian Paisley Senior has no
plans to hang up his political gloves.

It may not have been the hottest news to emerge from last Friday’s
Westminster elections, but for a man who has gone a decade beyond the
three score and ten, it says a great deal for his enthusiasm,
dedication and commitment to Northern Ireland politics.


His thundering victory over his four other rivals in North Antrim left
no one in any doubt as to the popularity of the DUP leader.

Polling 25,156 votes was a thumping 18,000 ahead of Sinn Fein runner,
Philip McGuigan (7191) who, in turn, was around 500 ahead of Rodney
McCune (6637).

The SDLP’s Sean Farren polled 5585 and Jayne Dunlop of Alliance limped
home last with 1357.

Mr. Paisley’s success – his 12th return to Westminster – reflected a
massive swing to the DUP across the Province and saw crushing defeats
for the Ulster Unionist Party whose spectacular crash has left them in
a virtual political wilderness.

But Mr. Paisley wasn’t gloating at the slump in fortunes for the party
in North Antrim.

During a relaxed half-hour in the restaurant at the Joey Dunlop
Leisure Centre where the counting took place, Mr. Paisley spoke of his
determination to unite the Unionist family and of his desire to see a
political solution emerge.

Looking fitter and much healthier than the Assembly elections in 2003,
Mr. Paisley admitted that had been a difficult period for him.

"I am thankful now that I’m in great shape and have no plans to
retire. There’s too much work to do and I’ll be seeing Tony Blair very
soon to discuss the situation here," he revealed.

There was the usual rhetoric about not sitting down with Sinn Fein and
even in radio interviews the ‘Big Man’ refused to be questioned at the
same time as Gerry Adams.

He even threatened to ‘walk away’ from an RTE interview should the
allegations surrounding party member Paul Berry be raised.

During his election victory speech, Mr. Paisley said he thanked God
for the fact that the people of Ulster had spoken up for decency and a
rejection of lawlessness.

"This is democracy in action and people need to listen and pay heed to
what is being said. The message given today to IRA/Sinn Fein is that
the guns must be silent and weeded out.

"We want to bring up our children in a peaceful and lawful society.
The DUP are going to be a force for righteousness and will fight for a
return to proper law and order in this province."

There was no concealing the disappointment of the Ulster Unionist
candidate, Rodney McCune.

The affable 28-year-old had fought a gritty campaign and he and his
father, Roy, a highly respected former RUC officer, canvassed
extensively in North Antrim, but it was not to be their day.

Mr. McCune was so dejected that he declined to be interviewed
afterwards instead insisting it was a time for reflection.

Philip McGuigan was over the moon about his party’s improved showing
and said it was a sign that Sinn Fein were growing in North Antrim.

"We have a positive message to bring to the people in pursuit of a
united Ireland, a view that is increasingly shared by more and more
people throughout this constituency.

"We will continue to struggle and work as a party for everyone," he
added.

Sean Farren said that while his party did not win North Antrim, those
who spoke of the demise of the SDLP had not seen that realised.

"As we hear results from other constituencies we know that the SDLP
still have strong support. Those who have been elected now have a
heavy duty to discharge and I hope they discharge that duty to all
sections of our community."

Jayne Dunlop said it wasn’t pleasant to be placed last, but she still
felt there was a future for Alliance.

********************************

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-
/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4563853.stm

Sudden Death May Impact NI Water

A second sudden death in the family which owns Lough Neagh may have
unforseen consequences for Northern Ireland's water consumers.

Just weeks after the body of Lord Shaftesbury was found in France, the
BBC has learnt his 28-year-old son died of a heart attack at the
weekend.

The lough passed on to Anthony Ashley-Cooper who died in New York.

The DoE had come under pressure to buy the lough from the family to
secure the water resource.

Although Lough Neagh is Northern Ireland's main source of drinking
water, it belonged to the Earl of Shaftesbury.

Last month, the BBC revealed that after the DoE had turned down an
offer to the rights to the Lough in 1990, they were formally advised
to buy it to protect the resource.

But before they could re-negotiate with Lord Shaftesbury his body was
found in France.

It is thought he may have been murdered.

The death of Mr Ashley-Cooper now raises further questions about the
future ownership of the lough.

With possibly two sets of death duties to pay, the Shaftesbury estate
could be forced to sell the lough to raise cash.

Lough Neagh is the biggest freshwater lake in the UK and 40% of
Northern Ireland's drinking water is taken from it. Work is already
under way to increase this amount.

Next year, Northern Ireland consumers will start to pay for their
water by way of specific charges, set to be some of the highest in the
UK.

Any new charges would also be passed on, including extra charges for
Lough Neagh, were they to be made.

It is understood that several years ago, the earl approached the
government offering them the rights to the lough, but this was
declined.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/05/19 17:54:05 GMT
© BBC MMV

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/entertainment/4563257.stm

Ireland In Shock Eurovision Exit

Seven times Eurovision Song Contest winners Ireland have been knocked
out of this year's competition at the semi-final stage.

Irish entry Donna and Joe were not among the 10 countries voted by
viewers on Thursday to make the final.

Norway and Israel were among those to join acts from 14 other
countries who automatically won slots, including the United Kingdom's
Javine.

The final will be broadcast on Saturday on BBC One and Radio 2 from
2000 BST.

Ireland have won Eurovision more than any other country but siblings
Donna and Joseph McCaul will not be joining the likes of Johnny Logan
as Irish winners.

Surprise exits

Their performance of the song Love? did not earn them a final
appearance.

Bookmakers in London put Greece's Helena and the Norwegian rock band
Wig Wam as the favourites in the final.

Hungary's Nox, who also won through from the semi-finals, lead the
rest of the field.

UK entrant Javine is only rated at about 25-1 with Touch My Fire.

France, Germany and Spain are among the other countries automatically
placed in the final, along with the likes of Malta, Sweden and Serbia
and Montenegro.

Televised event

Eurovision is one of Europe's major TV events, with more than 150m
people expected to watch the final.

The winner is determined by telephone voting in 39 countries. This
year's event is the 50th to be staged.

Ukraine's group are unlikely to notch up a second consecutive win for
the country. Bookmakers see Green Jolly as an 80-1 shot.

One of their rap songs was the unofficial anthem of last year's Orange
Revolution protests.

Huge crowds sang their songs when they gathered in downtown Kiev to
protest against the presidential election results.

Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/05/19 23:33:18 GMT
© BBC MMV

********************************

http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=16532

Echo Focus: A Labored Legacy

As a central figure in the labor movement, James Connolly believed
that "believed that all workers in one organization should belong to
the same union to exert more economic strength within that
organization."

Original working class hero celebrated

By Ailbhe Jordan
ajordan@irishecho.com

As Ireland approaches next year's 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising,
a new wave of public discourse has emerged surrounding one of its
central figures, James Connolly.

On this side of the Atlantic, most trade unionists hail Connolly as
the original working class hero. Born on June 5, 1868 to migrant Irish
parents in Edinburgh, Connolly came from a poor family and left school
at 10 to work in a printing factory.

In 1903, he moved to Troy, New York. There he lived for seven years,
becoming one of the key figures in the trade unionism movement.
Throughout his time in the U.S., Connolly traveled extensively, often
for months at a time, spreading the message of socialism and
solidarity amongst workers.

In 1905 he helped found the Industrial Workers of the World, an
organization that paved the way for modern trade unionism, becoming
organizer in 1908.

So important is Connolly to American trade unionists that the
centenary celebrations of the founding of the IWW in Albany last
weekend doubled as a commemoration of Connolly's life.

"He believed that all workers in one organization should belong to the
same union to exert more economic strength within that organization,"
according to Greg Giorgio, Branch Secretary for the New York IWW, who
spoke at the commemoration.

"He had a vision that monopolies and business barons would have to be
challenged in order for democracy to prevail. He saw the need to
increase solidarity amongst workers and not have them crossing each
other's picket lines."

Connolly's commitment inspired the admiration of leading U.S. trade
union leaders like Bill Haywood, who later traveled to Dublin to
support Connolly during the 1913 lockout. Socialist Party founder
Daniel De Laon was less impressed with Connolly, whose superior
writing and oratory skills were said to be superior to his own.

Throughout his time in New York, Connolly wrote several of his most
important publications, including "Socialism Made Easy," which set
forth his socialist credo.

In 1986, the James Connolly Society of Canada and the United States
erected a monument to Connolly in Troy, several years before a
corresponding monument appeared in Dublin.

Connolly was instrumental in introducing the idea of socialism and
trade unionism in Ireland. He founded the Irish Socialist Republican
party and later the Irish Labor Party and also helped establish the
Irish Transport and General Workers Union.

But many commentators argue that Connolly's political importance in
history is continually overshadowed by his role in the Easter Rising
and his subsequent execution.

Historian Tom Stokes and theatre producer Frank Allen hope to change
that when they bring Connolly's life to the big screen next year.
Their film, entitled "Connolly," will involve the first cinematic
depiction the events of the 1916 Rising. Irish actor Adrian Dunbar
will direct the film and Scottish actor Peter Mullin will play the
title role.

"We want to take Connolly down from that picture on the wall,"
according to Stokes. "We want to illustrate the fact that people who
do ordinary things have to leave people behind."

Connolly's frequent touring of Ireland, the UK and the U.S. meant
frequent, and often, prolonged absences from his wife Lillie Reynolds
and their six children. One scene in the film depicts an excited
Connolly waiting at Ellis Island for his family, whom he has not seen
in almost a year. Only five children climb off the ship and Connolly
finds out that his eldest daughter died in a fire on the night before
the ship set sail.

Told through the eyes of his daughter Nora, the film will also
highlight Connolly's role as a radical feminist. One of the earliest
advocates of universal suffrage, Connolly regularly appointed women to
prominent positions in his organizations.

"Connolly was a true believer in equality," said Stokes. "Hannah
Sheehy-Skeffington described him as 'the finest feminist amongst all
the labor men.' Women like Maude Gonne and Countess Markievicz
surrounded him. He encouraged his daughter Nora to become active in
politics."

In keeping with Connolly's beliefs, Stokes and Allen have set up the
James Connolly Foundation for Educational Equality, a facility that
will enable members of the public to donate money towards financing
the film. In turn, profits from "Connolly," will be used to fund
programs to alleviate inequality in education caused by poverty.

This year will also see the release of a number of books that will
bring to light Connolly's life and the work of the early socialist
movement in Ireland.

"Radical Politics in Modern Ireland -- The History of the Irish
Socialist Republican party 1896 -- 1904," focuses on Connolly's first
seven years in Ireland when he formed the Irish Socialist Republican
Party, which many argue was the first left-wing political party in
Ireland.

"The ISRP were extremely forward thinking," according to author David
Lynch.

"They would hold meetings in places like St. Stephen's Green and the
Phoenix Park calling for an end to British Rule, universal suffrage,
reducing the working week. Nobody else would have been saying these
things out loud at the time."

In her book, "Rebel Girl" feminist writer Elizabeth Gurley-Flynn
recalled one of her many meetings with Connolly at an Italian
socialist meeting in 1907.

"I asked Connolly: 'Who will speak Italian?'" she wrote. "He smiled
his rare smile and replied, 'We'll see. Someone surely.' Then we
returned to the platform and Connolly arose. He spoke beautifully in
Italian to my amazement and the delight of the audience, who 'viva'd'
loudly."

Connolly's desire to communicate with all workers drove him to learn
Italian and German. On one occasion, he reputedly published a pamphlet
in Yiddish for the Jewish Community living around the Christ Church
area in Dublin.

In ideological terms, Lynch argues that Connolly's achievements and
writings were comparable to those of the main socialist leaders across
Europe.

"What's different about Connolly is that he came from an absolutely de
facto working class background," said Lynch.

"He experienced the difficulties of a working class life unlike many
Soviet socialists like Lenin and Rosa Luxembourg, who came from middle
class backgrounds. He was one of the first socialists to come from a
colonized country and the first to articulate a left-wing view of
imperialism."

Said Stokes: "Of all the big leaders, Connolly was the one who left a
body of work behind. He gave us a belief system that could be applied
worldwide. Workers who read Connolly today would find solutions to
many of their work problems."

Some say that Connolly's less than celebrated position in history is
part of an increasing agenda to play down the revolutionary activities
of 1916, whilst others believe it is symptomatic of the Irish
Government's nervous attitude towards socialism.

"In the early days of the Free State, the government consciously
downplayed a lot of Connolly's ideas and tried to portray him as just
another 1916 martyr," Lynch pointed out.

"His ideas are also uncomfortable for a lot of parties now in Celtic
Tiger Ireland. There is a debate about whether we've used the wealth
we have amassed in the best way. That debate is increasing. Connolly's
views on redistribution of wealth have a lot of resonance in that
argument."

This story appeared in the issue of May 18-24, 2005

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http://212.2.162.45/news/story.asp?j=76069730&p=76x7xyx4&n=76070201

Two Women Rescued Off Dun Laoghaire Pier

20/05/2005 - 08:14:46

The Coastguard has rescued two young women who got into difficulties
in the water off Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier in Co Dublin this morning.

One of the women, aged 22, is believed to have dived off the pier at
around 4am before being swept out to sea.

Her 18-year-old friend was also carried out by the current while
making an effort to rescue her.

Another two young women subsequently entered the water to try to save
the others, but they were forced to swim back to shore.

The Coastguard located the two missing women within half an hour of
being alerted and they were transferred to St Vincent’s Hospital,
where they are recovering this morning.

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http://212.2.162.45/news/story.asp?j=61435558&p=6y43586x&n=61435938

Heritage Body Concerned About Decline Of Natural Habitats

20/05/2005 - 11:53:02

The Heritage Council has warned that Ireland's natural habitats and
biodiversity are under threat.

The council said today that the natural range of plant and animal life
needed for a healthy environment was decreasing in Ireland, with 95
bird and 120 plant species listed as endangered.

Ecologist Dr Liam Lysaght said the issue should be a concern for
everybody on the island.

"The more diverse and healthy the environment around us, the better
off we are," he said. "We're healthier ourselves as a nation."

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http://www.mountwashingtonvalley.com/buildIncludeW.lasso?-
database=WWW_CDS_WeeklyArticle&-layout=WEB&-response=Story.lasso&-
recordID=34439&-search

Cathie Ryan: To Be Cherished

William A. Huffman

— When a band member goes solo, often it is to much hype and
anticipation. Rob Thomas, Eric Clapton, Sting, and so on. This is a
common part of the music world, whether from a group disbanding or
someone just needing to spread creative wings on the side. And it is
not contained to rock or pop music. Cathie Ryan is one such individual
who is soaring in a different genre - Celtic and folk music. She comes
to Tamworth to play at Barnstormers Friday, May 20, a make-up date for
a snow-canceled March booking.

Ryan recently released her fourth solo album through revered Shanachie
Entertainment (same label as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Duke Robillard
and Sonny Wailer) and, like most of her career's work, is receiving
high praise.

One of the most recognized and loved Celtic folk groups of the past
two decades, Cherish the Ladies, was Ryan's launching pad. The Irish-
American soprano, born and raised in Detroit by Irish parents, spent
seven years as lead singer with the group and was on two albums.
Overall, between original albums, soundtracks and compilations, Ryan
can heard on more than 40 recordings.

Ryan's Gaelic studies and Celtic heritage provide the foundation for
her original songs and her selections of traditional and other
composer's works. However, her own growth and maturity has broadened
her repertoire. Her new album, "The Farthest Wave," continues her
trend of a more universal collection of styles, with Celtic still
having its place, such as the traditional "Peata Beag Do Mhåthar," but
also embracing folk, with heart.

This folkier approach is not a new thing, but is certainly continuing
to redefine the one-time Cherish the Ladies member. For example,
"Eveline," from her self-titled 1997 solo debut, is uptempo, has a
poppy tone while still being Ryan's voice with a folky storytelling
way.

Her upbringing heavily influenced her musical path.

"I would describe my music as coming from an Irish-American
experience," Ryan said in a press release. "I was raised by Irish
parents in an American city setting, and my music comes from that,
from all of that. But I always thought you had to do one or the other:
you were either an American singer or you were an Irish singer. It has
taken time to understand that I can be both. I just sing what's in
me."

Growing up was not just about Motown, she spent most summers of her
youth in Ireland and enjoyed seisiuns (pronounced "sessions") – Irish
jams that emphasize the passing on of music and oral traditions – at
her grandmother's house. Her grandparents had a profound effect on her
singing and songwriting. According to a 1995 article in Dirty Linen
magazine, her paternal grandmother, Catherine Ryan, was a fine fiddler
and singer and her maternal grandfather, Patrick Rice, was a gifted
storyteller who mesmerized her with tales of Irish myth and history.

At those informal gatherings she learned of sean nos (pronounced
"shan-nos"), which is unaccompanied singing, though not to be confused
with acapella.

Sean nos is an ancient Gaelic singing style, and Ryan has since become
an expert. She even won a North American traditional Irish singing
title. As a child she spent much time, and was popular, at Gaelic
League seisiuns where her father was in demand for his tenor voice.

Coupled with Detroit's own influences, newer folk and her experience
with Cherish the Ladies, Ryan has developed a unique style.

She joined Cherish the Ladies in the late eighties, years after moving
into founding member Joanie Madden's New York neighborhood and meeting
Madden. Ryan's knowledge of the Irish language and musical versatility
provided a perfect fit as the group evolved.

The Ladies was a larger group in the eighties with, sometimes, more
than a dozen members featuring tin whistle, fiddle, dancers, accordion
and more. Around the time of Ryan's joining, Cherish the Ladies became
a smaller ensemble and definite act. Despite a couple recordings in
the eighties that featured solos, duets and group numbers, Cherish the
Ladies became a well-defined band with the studio releases of "The
Back Door" and "Out and About" in the early nineties.

A couple members have managed the solo album project, but Madden and a
couple other lifetime members find Cherish the Ladies taking enough
time and passion to not pursue a solo career. Ryan, on the other hand,
wanted that break and creative change along with more focus on her
private life.

And she has never looked back or been more revered. Now about eight
years into a solo career, Ryan is continuously cementing her place,
not just in the Celtic world, but the music world as well.

The Los Angeles Times has called her "one of the leading voices in
Celtic music," while being hoisted to lofty heights from Chicago's
Irish American News: "Ryan, our Female Vocalist of the Decade, is
quite simply the best. She and her talented, versatile band give the
definitive live Irish music performance."

Ryan performs in various configurations - solo, duo, trio or band, and
for her Tamworth appearance it is as a trio with Greg Anderson on
guitar and bouzouki and Hanneke Cassel on fiddle. Along with Ryan's
original and Irish traditional songs, the trio kicks it up with
rousing jigs and reels.

Tickets are available now at The Other Store in Tamworth Village,
Sandwich General Store, Chinook Café in Conway, and The Sound Resort
in North Conway. The advance price for adults is $15; tickets
purchased at the door cost $17. The student (age 13 and older) price
is $7 and the child (age 12 and younger) price is $2. Tickets may also
be purchased directly from ACT, using a MasterCard or VISA, by calling
603-323-8104.

For additional information visit www.artstamworth.org.
Posted by: Unknown / 7:21 AM
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