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The Dingle News archive: October - 201129 October 2011
Camp, Annascaul and the entire West Kerry community was united in solemn grief on Saturday as Brendan O'Driscoll (28), one of Kerry's most exemplary young sportsmen, was laid to rest in Camp Cemetery on Saturday October 29th.
Brendan, known as 'Bawny' to his friends, was an iconic figure in his parish and well known throughout the county as he excelled in both GAA and soccer at inter-county, county and even international level. Brendan, who had played for Annascaul GAA, West Kerry, Lisselton Rovers, Camp United and was capped as an Irish Junior International three years ago, passed away last Wednesday at approximately 4pm in Cork University Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. To read more, please click HERE. 29 October 2011
A sense of sadness was palpable in West Kerry last week as word filtered through that Fr. Tommy Lynch, a native of Milltown, Dingle, had passed away in India on October 7.
Fr. Tommy, as he was known to his family and many friends, dedicated his life to the people in the region of Manpur, India where he had served as a missionary since 1954.
During his life he had a profound impact on the region engaging in social activism on behalf of the poor, raising funds to provide water and food and helping people gain access to medical care. Deeply spiritual and devout, he was held in equal esteem at home with many people and around Dingle engaging in fund-raising efforts to help Fr. Tommy with his many projects. Some even went to India to work with him, including his cousin Sarah Devane from Dingle who travelled there a few years ago where she worked alongside him.
Fr. Thomas Lynch was born to Mary and Daniel Lynch of Milltown (Dingle) on March 23, in 1932. He joined the SVD order and was sent to India as a missionary where he was ordained a Priest in 1964.
Fr. Tommy became a much revered and respected figure both within in his order and throughout the community in Manpur, India, a developing area stricken by poverty and a lack of resources.
He established a centre for the community, the Dhyan Ashram and was also a social activist, spearheading the distribution of 600 acres of land, which lay officially with the Catholic Ashram, to the villagers who had tilled and worked on it for many years. He also established a 'Charkha Centre' which gave employment to families in the area.
Later on he was instrumental in providing housing and housing materials to hundreds of families in and around Kankaria.
Fr. Tommy also arranged for assistance and medical help for local people through the dispensary at Khurda and at the hospital in Dahani. According to Muiris Bric, a native of Gorta Dubh and President of the Kerryman’s Association in New York, no one else cared for the poor like Fr. Tommy. “He was not allowed to teach or openly practice Christianity and at the end of every month he was required to bring his bank statements to the local constabulary – if any such expenditure was associated with promoting Christianity he would be expelled,” said Muiris. “Before joining the Priesthood, Fr. Tommy has worked with the Department of Agriculture - what he learned at the Department, he put to good use in Manpur. He fabricated a contraption that enabled him to sink wells and they got water where they never had it before. He nursed the sick and got them to hospital miles away when no one else cared.” Despite keeping in touch with family and friends in Dingle, Fr. Tommy vowed to stay with ‘his people’ until he died. “The irony of it all, he was prohibited from practicing Christianity and yet he was the greatest example of Christianity of all,” Muiris added. Fr. Tommy Lynch passed away on October 7 and was buried in India. A special Requiem Mass was held in St. Mary’s Church, Dingle on October 15 in his honour. 24 October 2011
by Marian O'Flaherty
Dingle's Other Voices goes trans-Atlantic this week as Other Voices NYC is hosted at Le Poisson Rouge on Bleaker Street this Thursday and Friday (October 27 and 28). Celebrating its tenth year in existence in 2011, Other Voices NYC: A Celebration Of Music & Literature, presented by Imagine Ireland & The Burgundy Stain Sessions will be curated by Glen Hansard, Thomas Bartlett and Philip King. Glen Hansard (The Swell Season), Bryce & Aaron Dessner (The National), Thomas Bartlett, Laurie Anderson, Sam Amidon, Bell X1, Iarla O’ Lionaird, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Martin Hayes are set to perform (with more to be announced shortly). Tickets are now available to purchase HERE. All sales will benefit the Fighting Words creative writing centre. Heading into its tenth year, the Other Voices music series, produced by South Wind Blows, is filmed each winter in Ireland, at the tiny, historic and very beautiful two-hundred year old St. James’ Church in Dingle, Co. Kerry. Celebrated Irish and international bands and musicians, along with many of Ireland’s most exciting emerging artists gather in the town, recording in-depth interviews and performing unique live sets to intimate audiences. The series has hosted a myriad of acts from across all genres of music including Glen Hansard, Damien Rice, Amy Winehouse, The National, Snowpatrol, Ray Davies, Josh Ritter, The xx, Florence and the Machine, Ryan Adams, Ellie Goulding, Steve Earle, Emiliana Torrini, James Blunt, Rufus and Martha Wainwright and many more. The series is broadcast on TV stations globally. “There is a continually evolving exchange taking place among a new generation of Irish and American musicians and writers," said Philip King of Other Voices. "Many of the great artists contributing to this unique event visited with us in Dingle and found the experience uplifting and inspirational. It’s exciting for us to journey to New York City to continue the conversation." Pictured: New Yorkers,The National, perform at Other Voices 9 in St. James' in Dingle. pic courtesy of OtherVoices.ie. 21 October 2011
Green Street's Dick Macks has been nominated as the 'Best Snug in Ireland' by Powers Whiskey. Dating back to 1899 the walls of this ffine snug in the heart of Dingle has seen it all - from banter to matchmaking, it's a world of its own. The snug has been viewed almost two million times on YouTube thanks to the musician Lisa Hannigan (you can check out the clip HERE). If you would like to see Dick Mack's do well in the compeition you can vote online from anywhere in the world by following this LINK. Or if you are in the Republic of Ireland, freetext MACKS to 50015. Voting closes at the end of the month. Pictured, Oliver Mack of Dick Macks. 20 October 2011
The annual Dingle Film Festival has announced plans to host a showcase of Irish Film in Dingle on March 17.
Festival organisers have this week issued an invitation to Irish film-makers to submit their work to be included in this special showcase of Irish film on St. Patrick's Day 2012. The brainchild of Maurice Galway, the Dingle Film Festival is now in its sixth year and is scheduled to take place in 2012 from March 15 – 18.
“Dingle is home to many filmmakers and one of Ireland’s remaining independent cinemas, The Phoenix,” said the festival’s artistic director, Maurice Galway. “It is also a known film location and is a major travel destination – this makes it the perfect platform to make a showcase of Irish Film on St. Patrick’s Day,” he added.
According to Maurice, on March 17 in Dingle, all film screenings will be Irish films or have a strong Irish connection. The day will also include open discussions on achievement in Irish film and the future of Irish film making, with key Irish filmmakers invited to participate. The day will culminate with the presentation of the annual Gregory Peck Award, which recognises excellence in the Art of Film. “We are interested in all new Irish films and Irish co-production, all people have to do is simply to send on a ‘screener’ of their latest production to the festival,” Maurice explained.
More information is available at the festival website, www.dinglefilmfestival.com 19 October 2011
by Jon Wright
It’s that time of the year yet again when the expectancy of Christmas is upon us and the musical birth pool is over flowing with so called ‘new’ greatest hits from various artists.
Unfortunately most of the time there’s nothing new about them apart from maybe just one of the tracks recorded live.
So I thought I’d leave them well alone until something that actually contains something great and go with something new. The new Tom Waits opus due for release on the 27th just in time for the spooky weekend (no don’t mean the presidential election results!)
If you were thinking of throwing a ghoulish party this would be an apt cd for it but also a nice one to add to your collection, as I must say it’s pretty damn good.
This is the twentieth studio by the man with the gravel voiced vocals whose tales of sad eyed losers, rain dogs and bar flies has influenced countless musicians since his debut album ‘Closing Time’ way back in 1973.
Now his vocal style may not be everyone’s cup of tea especially in this age where singers are tweeted in the studio to sound sickly sweet but there is no denying his raw talent in composing brilliant songs.
At 61 he sounds unbelievably invigorated and youthful, and through out the albums tracks populates the proscenium with his ever-growing cast of voices.
There’s the excellent ‘Talking at the Same Time’ where Waits sings in falsetto mode backed by what I’d describe as ominous Spaghetti Western style guitars and piano which sounds as if some creature is running along the keys.
‘Chicago’ blends guitar and banjo with horns into one exuberant swigging instrument, yielding a huge train like gallop.
Significantly contributing to this album aural landscape is the musicians’ interplay. On the track ‘Satisfied’, which is Waits’ world wise successor to Jagger and Richards’ ode to dissatisfaction we have Mr.Keith Richards; stinging signature riffs locking horns with guitarist Mark Ribot’s angular counterpoint while drummer Casey Waits percolates around the shuffle, thus drawing on the weird, syncopated essence of the great classic blues.
Within the 13 songs my favourite has to be ‘Last Leaf’ here Waits duets with Keith Richards producing a truly moving track, defying in a more vulnerable way ‘Satisfied’.
‘New Years Eve’ harkens back to an earlier familiar style of Waits’ ballad with updated lyrics.
From the singer/songwriter who has given us such amazing songs through the years such as ‘Jersey Girl’, ‘Martha’ and ‘Downtown Train’ one can truly say his new opus is one that surveys many of the mans’ techniques and styles from throughout his career, blending them perfectly with new voices and sounds that create a tightly focused masterpiece, brimming with detail and exhilaration. 19 October 2011
One of the world’s most deadly species, a Portuguese Man-O-War, was washed up on Wine Strand last Friday week where it was discovered by director of Oceanworld and local marine life specialist, Kevin Flannery. According to Kevin, these creatures are extremely dangerous –a sting from their venom can even kill. He is advising the public to be vigilant when walking on the beach or by the sea as more as more of these creatures may be washed ashore in West Kerry in the coming weeks. “They shouldn’t be in these waters but we have had prevailing southerly winds over the past week or so and they have come up from Spain and Africa with the warm waters. The winds have since changed so there is a strong possibility that more of them may be washed ashore in West Kerry," said Kevin.
Kevin also told The Kerryman of the dangers the Portuguese Man-O-War poses, even when dead.
“They are highly dangerous; they can kill. Their tentacles are like a bow and arrow, when you touch them, they release like a spring. Their venom is particularly nasty and can still sting even when dead as the venom is retained in the tentacles.”
A sting from a Portuguese Man-O-War leaves a welt-like red mark on the skin. The venom can travel to the lymph nodes and in some cases induce an allergic reaction. Fever, shock and interference with heart and lung function can also result and in some rare cases, a sting may even lead to death. Read more about the Portuguese HERE 18 October 2011
Dingle GAA is going from strength to strength and the club’s underage players came together to celebrate a supremely successful season with the presentation of new customised polo shirts in Páirc an Ághasaigh recently.
The presentation was made by Jim Garvey of Garvey’s SuperValu (who are sponsoring the shirts), along with Jean Byrnes (who came up with the design along with Christine O’Connor) and Kerry footballer, Dingle’s Tommy Griffin.
“It’s great to have your own gear and your own club identity,” said Tommy at the presentation, “it’s also great to see the young lads around town wearing the red and white of Dingle; long may it continue.”
The presentation is the icing on the cake for the club according to Jimmy Bambury of Dingle GAA who says that the commitment displayed this year at underage level has been exemplary.
“We’ve enjoyed an incredibly successful year,” he explained.
“The Dingle U-16s won Division One of the county, beating An Ghaeltacht in a replay in Lispole a couple of weeks ago, our U-14s won the Central League against Austin Stacks, played in Austin Stacks park and our U-14s also won the West Kerry Championship a few weeks ago.”
“We are also the reigning Coiste na nÓg Club of the Year and are delighted to receive these new jerseys - the lads have worked hard at all levels and deserve it. We are very grateful to Garveys for their sponsorship, they have been very good to the club, and to Jim Garvey, a former Dingle player, for coming along to make the presentation,” Jimmy added.
“There is no doubt that the lads will wear these shirts with pride.” 14 October 2011
About 70 committed walkers took to the hills of West Kerry on October 1st and 2nd as the Dingle Hillwalking Club, in association with Castlegregory Community Council hosted the inaugural Castlegregory Walking Festival.
The wind and the fog did little to dampen the spirits of the many people from across the county and beyond who turned out in force to explore the beautiful expanses West Kerry has to offer. A programme incorporating six graded walks was devised with three walks offered on each day of the festival, from easy, to moderate, to difficult (ability-wise).
Guided by experienced members of the Dingle Hillwalking Club, walkers enjoyed walks on Mount Brandon as well as the lesser known, but equally spectacular, Caherconree and Baurtregaum. The moderate options included the ridge overlooking Annascaul Lake as well as Strickeen and the Coumanare Lakes. Ecologist Caroline Hurley led walkers from Glanteenassig to Castlegregory exploring local flora and fauna while archaeologist and environmentalist Mícheál Ó Coiléain led a group into the valley of Loch an Dúin. Click HERE for more. 10 October 2011
John Calder (84) will be embarking on an All Ireland Tour with his lecture Beckett and God; as part of the tour,Féile na Bealtaine is delighted to welcome John to Dingle. He will be at the Dingle Bookshop on October 22nd at 6pm. This is a free event and all are very welcome to attend.
There are very few people who spent as much time with Samuel Beckett during his lifetime as did John. His book "The Philosophy of Samuel Beckett" is the most insightful on "the greatest playwright of the 20th century". This offers you and those you know a rare opportunity to listen and to be in the company of a literary legend who only this year(2011) nominated John Banville for the Kafka Award, which he duly won.
John Calder's lecture brings out elements of Beckett's thinking that others have either ignored or preferred not to examine too closely. Beckett and God may be found controversial in places but there will be a place for discussion after the talk
Samuel Beckett was born on a Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion and his awareness of it haunted him all his life. This comes up frequently in his work and underlies his vision of human life as a long crucifixion where the end might almost be a relief. Brought up in a Protestant family,educated in Portora Royal in Ulster, a Calvinist school, and Trinity College Dublin,Beckett pondered long on the mysteries, not just of Christianity but of all religions. He was able in his writings not only to extract much comic material but to extend theology into new imaginative areas of literary creation.
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