Ceannaigh Trádál Chothrom ar line-Buy Fair Trade Online

Tá sé iontach email a fháil ó Oxfam Éire ag fógairt siopa ar-line d'earrai Thrádála Chothrom. Is féidir leat do chaifé, tae, siúcra agus seacláid a cheannach direach ón gcarrtanacht iontach seo anois agus cabhrú leis an obair a dhéanann siad ag aon am amháin. Tá áthas an domhain orm, chomh maith gur leáinseáil mo chomleacaithe, Cllr. Eric Byrne feachtas Thrádal Chothrom Bhaile Atha Cliath le déanai agus táim cinnte go mbeidh an árd-chathair go luath mar Chathair Thrádal Chothrom cosúil le Cill Chainnigh .

Oxfam's Fair Trade online shop is excellent and extremely user friendly. Having been centrally invovlved in the campaign for Fair Trade City status in Kilkenny which we secured last year, we were aware of the diffuiculties of accessing Fair Trade products. This new website allows the stuff to be delivered to your doorstep. Best of luck to Eric Byrne in his attempts to get Fair Trade City status for Dublin also, which you can read about in his fine blog.

On the muddy trail-Ag treabhadh linn

My first visit to the ploughing championships in Tullow last Thursday was some experience. This is without doubt one of the best organised and most impressive events in Irish life. Coming from a farming background, and having lived in rural Ireland for most of my life, I was aware that the Championships are now a fundamental part of rural life. Huge credit for this belongs to a certain Anna May McHugh, the Laois woman who is surely one of Ireland's most suiccessful and formidable women of the past thirty years.

For my own part, I proposed in 1995 that the Labour Party take a stand at the ploughing championships. Finally after 12 years we are there at last. The coverage that Pat Rabbitte received was phenomenal for the day that was in it. The fact that Taoiseach Ahern chose to give a waffly interview in Ballyjamesduff (Pat reckoned he was looking for another Paddy Reilly there!), and that Michael McDowell called on Ahern to answer serious questions about the Manchester after-dinner 8 grand speech, all made Pat and Enda Kenny the centre of attention. The media followed every word that Pat and Enda said in Tullow (or Grange to be exact), and for those of us lucky enough to be part of the entourage for the day, it made for excitement we didn't expect. It started for myself, Michael O' Brien and Jim Townsend, our local candidates with an interview with KCLR radio on Sue Nunn's morning programme. Later, as you;ll see here, Clara Walsh of the KCLR news team got the major intervies with Pat in which Pat cranked up the pressure on the PD's, leading to McDowell's later statement.













For us locally of course, it was vital to get local candidates Jim Townsend and Michael O' Brien to meet as many local voters as possible. The lads did this successfully, as well as getting thier faces on all the national news programmes by Pat's side, including on the Six One news, where Pat was interviewed live by the lovely Sharon Ni Bheoláin. All round, a great day with all that we wanted to achieve. Hopefully the first of many trips to the championships and one of many great days on the stomp before Michael or Jim become the TD for Carlow/Kilkenny. Well done also to party staff Liam Cahill, George Cummins and Shauneen Armstrong who did a great job in keeping the show on the road, and more importantly to local members John McGillicuddy, Brian Harris, Michael Joyce, Des Hurley and our neighbour Aoife Breslin, the mayor of Athy, and an old friend who knows me far too well for my liking!, who worked so hard on the party stand on the day.

On the Trail

Out on the leaflet drop tonight with a good team including Michael O' Brien, our candidate in Kilkenny for the General election, his son Shane, neighbour Mary and the irrepressible Gary Lynch, one of my 'Main Men' from the canvass team. One encounter with a very irate parent of a heroin addict, complaining about the lack of a drug treatment centre and a methadone clinic in the city. Interestingly, this was the topic of Prime Time on RTÉ tonight along with Bertie's tearful performance on RTÉ. Here's a pic of Gary with Pat. Gary says one of them is the conscience of the Irish Labour Party. Modest as ever Gar!

By the way, you can watch the full interview with Bertie Ahern here and make up your own mind. I personally think he has major questions to answer. After all Ivor Callelly had to walk because he failed to pay a [painter for work done in his house. We can all feel sympathy for Bertie's break-up, but why is it that he had managed to get a loan to pay these costs, but still needed another one from his friends to repay this loan. One thing is sure. I'm buying a pair of waterproof shoes. I think we'll be knocking on doors pretty soon!

Well done to Rossport people on their bravery

Comhgáirdeachas do mhuintir Ros Dúch ar an seasamh a thugadar ar maidin. Well done to the people of Rossport who bravely stopped Shell and its agents beginning work on the unnecessary onshore Bealnaboy gas 'refinery' this morning. Interestingly I met a Rossport bus driver at the weekend in Kildare, another Corduff whose first name escapes me. He reiterated the support of the people of the area for the campaign and predicted the outcome this morning. I was delighted to be present when Pat Rabitte presented Vincent McGrath with the Labour Party's Jim Kemmy Justice award in Kilkenny at the Tom Johnson award (Blog coming soon folks I promise). Meanwhile best of luck to the Rossport people on their struggle. Here's a pic of Vincent and myself after the award presentation.

Arts Week Catch-Up

With many apologies to those whose pics I took and those I met during Arts Festival in Kilkenny, here are some of the pics I took with visitors and locals alike as Deputy Mayor.First off here's one of the incredible Ms. Bunty Pike from Dublin, who was with relatives from Phoenix Arizona, I believe. Bunty, who is a sprightly 91 year old is Mum of Andy, the Camphill based designer of the River Parade, which included many of Camphill's residents. To find out more about Camphill's wonderful work, visit their website here.

Just down the street was my neighbour from Waterville, Co. Kerry, Adrian O' Shea, who was visiting for the festival, along with his two blonde sons, like father ..... Adrian and myself grew up across a field from each other after he returned with England with his Dad Naoise, one of our local doctors, and his Mum Anne who became a leading light in our local Tidy Towns committee. I was delighted to suggest the dedication of a new community playground in the village to Anne's memory, and five years after we started the project, it was finally opened at Easter this year. Adrian's wife Liz has stropng Kilkenny connections with the Burke and Hindle families, including with my predecessor as Deputy Mayor and a great Mayor recently, Betty Manning.














On the same day, I met the superb local artist Alan Counihan who lives in Johnswell, and had an amazing exhibition in Rudolf Hetzel's gallery on Patrick Street. Alan makes the most amazing sculpture pieces using feathers and such ordinary things as bird skeletons. As a beachside dweller for most of my life, I could never have imagined these avian remains turning into Viking longships and other wonderful things. An example of Alan's work is shown here, although he also had some interesting sculpture pieces focussing on the loss of the Irish language.

I also met with Alan's former Irish teacher, Michael O' Sullivan, who was one of the special guests at the opening along with his family. I've now finally found the names folks, and here you see Michael, Dervla and Eileen O' Sullivan with Alan in the August sunshine.

Who let the Cats Out- Yahoo!!!

What a day- what a win, and so far what a year. Mar, the kids and I have had the luck this year of being in Cardiff to see glorious Munster grab the Heineken cup in one of Ireland's greatest sporting moments. Yesterday was another as the cats demolished the rebels all over the pitch. What a great day to be an adopted Kilkenny citizen. Roll on tonight when we get to celebrate with the team in the Market Yard. Major congrats to my felllow club members Jackie Tyrell as outstanding captain, to Eoin Larkin, and to Brian Cody, the magic manager. Also to Eoin McCormack and Donncha Cody who didn't make it yesterday but did so much to bring Liam back Noreside. Looking forward to a great night in Larchfield. Please get along also to the Goal challenge between the Cats and the Village on Wednesday night at 6.30 pm in Nowlan Park in aid of my favourite charity, Goal, led by that raucous Kerryman John 'O Shea.

I measc na ndaoine-Meet the people

Saturday last was definitely the maddest day of the week as acting mayor. It was also the most eclectic. I was all ready to collect for Amnesty International at lunch time when Dessie McGrath from the James Stephens GAA club arived to aask me to be in the Village club in 10 minutes.Paul Kavanagh, one of the best supporters of hurling in the county was presenting a sponsorship cheques to the club, and they wanted the Mayor there. I was delighted to do the job, and even got the Kilkenny Rose, Ann Phelan to wear the chain, as you can see here. Here's to a good championship for the Red and Green when it restarts in September.

All that Jazz, Blues, etc. I lár na Féile

It's been a mad few days since the start of the Arts Festival. It all kicked off on Friday (officially that is anyway) in the crescent of the Design Centre where Dara O' Brien of Newstalk opened the proceedings officially. Loads of VIP's including Olive Braiden, the Chair of the Arts Council, and of course all the people who have been lifetime friends of the festival. It was a really liveley evening, with sunshine, vino and plenty good company. The good news announcement was that Mike Fitzpatrick, who heads up the visual arts end of the festival, has been selected to curate Ireland's part of the Venice Biennale, the biggest arts festival in Europe. Mike is a great fun character, full of Clare wit, but really knows his stuff too.



From there it was on to the opening of the Kilkenny Photographic Society exhibition in the Club House hotel. The society has a great website with loads of the work of its 30 plus members. Holding court on the night was old friend, Greenshill neighbour and doc Johnny Cuddihy, who was acting Chairperson for the night. One of the most interesting people I met was a young Polish man working in Callan called Petr, who has mastered the local art of answering questions with cryptic riddles fairly quickly. Get along to the Club House if you can, and here's one of Petr's pics. Nothing to do with faulty fish passes either.

Openings and all that Jazz-The madness begins!

The craic kicked off yesterday in earnest with a round of openings of art exhibitions around the city at the start of Kilkenny Arts Festival. First off I visited Daithi Ó hÚallcháin's fantastic collection of line drawings and colour landscapes which are firmly set in the city. Davy's exhibition was opened eloquently as usual by my colleague Malcolm Noonan.

Then it was on to Gallery One on William Street where Thomastown artist Debra Bowden has some striking oils and mixed media pieces. Many of them reminded me of the interiors of derelict houses in rural Kilkeny and in my native county, and one fabulous piece represented the fulacht fiadh, the ancient cooking pits of the celts which are becoming hard to find now.

Then it was on to Kieran Street where I officially opened joint exhibition which Brock Butler and Roger O' Reilly are holding ain the Kilkenny Gallery, (formerly the Leather and Hide shop), and the new Blackbird Gallery across the road. I described the exhibition as an eclectic ballroom of art. For my speech at the opening click here.

All the above involved a few glasses of wine and led on to Tynan's and further. Today sees more of the same. Roll on the good times. Now I'm really finding out the joys of being Deputy Mayor!

All a Racquet- Parks Tennis Fun

I was delighted yesterday to take part in presenting the prizes for the Parks Tennis Summer camps up at Kilkenny Lawn Tennis club. In my time involved in community and political work, this initiative is one of the best I've seen. For just €15, chidren get a fotnight's coaching at venues all over the county. It's an attempt to bring what some might have seen as a slightly eleitist sport to everybody and to give chidren the basic skills. Well done to Catherine Dore who roped me into the Parks Tennis committee when I moved to Kilkenny, and to all the other voluntary workers on the committee. Yesterday saw almost 100 players take part in the county finals, and they will now go on to represent the county in the South East finals. Go n-eiri ádh leo.

An Riocht Abú- Bring on the Rebels

Cad é mar chluiche- cad é mar bhúa!! Just back off the train in time to see the ball thrown in against Armagh. What a Kerry performance. So much for not being able to come from behind, play with 14 men, not being able to beat an ULSTER TEAM. We've finally got the monkey off our back and we're back on track. Best of all was the smile on Jack O' Connor, my fellow parishioner's face at the end. After all the nonsense in Kerry for the past few weeks, Jack summed it up perfectly. 'What harm if fellas hit each other a few slaps in training?' says he. 'I was praising them for that.' Well done too to Brian Sheehan and Declan O' Sullivan from South Kerry who both redeemed themselves when they came off the bench.

Comhgáirdeachas do mhuintir Ui Shé, Dara, Marc agus Tomás a d'imir go diabhail. As for Billy's boys- Bring 'Em On!!

Pat the first Leader to Podcast

Labour Party Leader Pat Rabitte T.D. has become the first Party Leader to take part in a digital Podcast interview with irishelection.com. The cast covers a range of issues from privatisation of the health services to digital access, and even to Mayo and the Dubs' chances in the football championship. Listen to the podcast here, and let us know what you think here. Once again, Labour is to the fore with digital progress.

Two Anniversaries-Cook and Casement

Yesterday was a strange co-incidence of two anniversaries of humanitarians, whose lives have some funny overlaps. My Dad travelled to Banna Strand, in his own native parish in North Kerry to take part in the commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the execution of Sir Roger Casement. An intersting character, who devoted his life to the emancipation of oppressed peoples in British colonies, he ended his life in the cause of Irish freedom in a somewhat chaotic attempt to recruit Irish POW's in Germany to assist in the 1916 Rising. Finally he managed to presuade the Germans to send an arms shipment to Tralee on board the ill-fated Aud, only to fail to make contact with the local volunteers. Having landed himself, he was duly arrested, with major questions remaining about the failure of the local volunteers to free him. He then became the epitome of the British traitor, being executed for treason, but not before his reputation was destroyed by the famous 'Black Diaries', which insinuated that he was gay, then a fate almost as bad as death. He remains however a much admired figure in Ireland.

Sir Robin Cook, another man with a huge commitment to International justice died a year ago yesterday, with many of his compatriots also considering him a traitor as a result of his principled resignation as Foreign Secretary because of his opposition to British participation in the Iraq war. Like Casement, he was also dogged by sexual scandal, albeit of a heterosexual nature. He was also, as the 2004 Labour Party Conference showed hugely admired for his principled stand by Irish socialists. Click here to see the Labour Party's (and my own) web tribute to Robin. I was fortunate to have met Cook, and can only reflect today on how different our lives might be if both Cook and Casement had succeeded in winning the debates of their day. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh an beirt laoch seo.

The Politicians Squeeze Through again

The lads made it through again last night although I'm not sure about the wisdom of chosing 'Set on You' which George Harrison didn't write but covered from 50's star Rudy Clark. Luckily our lad McCarthy can sing because some of the others struggled last night. Great to see them still there however.

I spoke to Mike after the show and they're having great fun and delighted to be making money for the hospice cause. Keep up the votes for them tonight on the show, and hopefully they'll be there at the end to go one better than that so-called leftie (only joking Finian!!) from the Northside. Remember to text Vote Politicians to 53600 or by phoning 1513 7127108.

Solution in sight on the Lacken Weir??

It was back to Council business yesterday, after a sociable weekend in Kilkenny. Huge congrats to Shane O' Brien and Ellen Nolan who were married on Friday and thanks for a great night's craic in Lyrath. We'll turn up even if Bertie won't Xavier. On Saturday it was off to Croker for Billy Joel. For anybody under 35, please refer to Google!! We were with friends John and Myra, and a good night was had by all.

Yesterday saw a joint briefing for Borough and County Councillors by O.P.W. officials on their plans to replace the disastrous Lacken Weir which hit the headlines so much last Spring. What happened then was outrageous, although, as many speakers pointed out yesterday, the overall effect of the River works has been hugely beneficial for the city centre. The officials estimated yesterday that the damage which would have been done by the last major flooding would have been close enough to the cost of the work so far.

They are now proposing to replace the Denil Pass which was so unsuccessful last year with a rock ramp which will allow the salmon a more gradual passage on their way to their spawning grounds further up tyhe Nore. They have visited a number of similar sites, including in Germany, and seem confident that this solution will work. I warmly welcome their proposals and hope to God they do work. This stuff is an indefinite science, and I genuinely think that the O.P.W. are doing their best. Their characterisation in the local media sometimes as bumbling incompetents is wide of the mark. Local anglers I have talked to seem to be relatively happy also.

It amused me to hear one Fianna Fáil Councillor say that it was their priority to get the fish up the river to spawn. He should have told that to Pat the Cope Gallagher when he was Minister and doing his best to continue allowing the drift-net fishermen to kill every salmon they could before they ever got into the Nore. Equally amusing was the Fine Gael Councillor who was very anxious to know that it would be O.P.W. staff who would actually carry out the work. I reminded him that Labour always believed that public servants do it better. Fine Gael's conversion will be welcomed by all of us on the left!

The proposal also looks like it will be hugely visually attractive, and this canoeist is looking forward to trying to paddle down a fine challenging weir.

Vote for Michael and the other Politicians

The rogue in the middle is Senator Michael McCarthy, Labour's bright hope in Cork South West. This week however, he's starring as part of 'The Politicians' in You're a Star Charity special on RTÉ One TV channel, along with Billy Kelliher, Fianna Fáil T.D., Dan Boyle T.D. of the Greens, and Sen. Frank Feighan of Fine Gael. Tonight the lads sang the Monkees 'Daydream Believer'. The voting has just finished. The lads did really well and have got through again, topping the poll tonight. If you want the lads to win, keep supporting them by phoning 1513 7127108 or text politicians to 53600. You'll also be supporting one of my favourite charities the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Support Vigil against Israeli Bombings

I wasn't able to make the demonstrations in Dublin yesterday against the Israeli actions in Lebanon. I'm delighted that our party was so well represented, and I fully support Trócaire, and the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign in their efforts to bring the Israeli Government to their senses.

Trocaire has called for a demonstration in front of the US Embassy at 6.00pm, with Michael D. Higgins as one of the main speakers. If you're in Dublin, please get along.

Shell chun Sáile-Shell to Sea Campaign Hits Town

Wednesday night saw the Shell to Sea campaign hit Kilkenny as they try to renew awareness about the Mayo campaign. One of the five men jailed last year for attempting to prevent an overland high-pressure gas pipe being run through their small Gaeltacht community was guest speaker. Myself, Cllr. Malcolm Noonan of the Green Party and Sinn Féin's Kathleen Funchion also spoke alonside teacher Micheál Ó Seidhin.

It was a privilege to speak alongside Micheál, whom I described genuinely as one of the bravest people I have met. He is also witty and exceptionally knowledgeable, and he got away with something I never would-speaking for an hour and twenty minutes!!

The continuing scandal of the situation in Rossport was outlined by him. I was able to set the context thanks to an excellent briefing from Tommy Broughan T.D., our spokesperson on Energy, who Micheál praised for his, and our, consistent support and work on the campaign. I hope that Tommy gets his head when we return to Government and that we sort out this mess for once and for all. I also hope that we reverse the Fianna Fáil/PD sell-out to the multinationals and follow the Norwegian example of controlling our natural resources for the benefit of our own people.

If you want to learn more about the campaign visit the Shell to Sea website, or view the superb report by the Centre for Public Enquiry here. The quality of that report shows why the centre was hatcheted by Michael McDowell. While I have my reservations about Frank Connolly, we need an independent body like this to help us all keep a close eye on the golden triangle which will be camped in the tent at the Galway races next week.

No Paseran-Let us remember 70 years on.

Thanks to Comrade Séamus Ryan, Cllr. in Waterford whose excellent blog reminds me that today marks the 70th. anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Recently, the legendary Mick O' Riordan who was honoured by the Labour Party a number of years ago died. I was privileged to know Mick in Dublin in my Labour Youth days, and he'll be missed. Local member and very important one at that, Gary Lynch travelled for Mick's funeral in Dublin. Unfortunately, work meant I could not make it.

Let's remember today the members of La Quince Brigada, or the Fifteenth International Brigade, a group of Socialist and
Republican volunteers who travelled from Ireland and many of whom lost their lives defending the Republican Government. They were to be unsuccessful eventually in the face of Franco, who plunged Spain into 40 years of dictatorship. Now that we are in the era of balance however, it must be recognised that many who travelled on the Blueshirt side under the command of Eoin O' Duffy, were also idealistic young men who believed they were saving the world from Communist dictatorship (the suppport of Stalin for the struggle in Spain gave meat to this argument).

Meanwhile, I came across a number of Kilkenny names of the International Brigade on an excellent website this morning. If anybody who knows anything about these men, I'd be delighted to receive any information about them:George Browne, Manchester-Kilkenny, Seán Dowling, Castlecomer or Denis Holden, Carlow

Meanwhile, here's the words of my party piece, the best Irish song about the International Brigade, although it's short on the Déise names, I'm told


Viva La Quince Brigada by Christy Moore

Ten years before I saw the light of morning
A comradeship of heroes was laid.
From every corner of the world came sailing
The Fifteenth International Brigade.
They came to stand beside the Spanish people.
To try and stem the rising Fascist tide
Franco's allies were the powerful and wealthy,
Frank Ryan's men came from the other side.

Even the olives were bleeding
As the battle for Madrid it thundered on.
Truth and love against the force af evil,
Brotherhood against the Fascist clan.
Chorus:
Vive La Quinta Brigada!
"No Paseran" the pledge that made them fight.
"Adelante" was the cry around the hillside.
Let us all remember them tonight.

Bob Hillard was a Church of Ireland pastor;F
rom Killarney across the Pyrenees he came.
From Derry came a brave young Christian Brother.
Side by side they fought and died in Spain.
Tommy Woods, aged seventeen, died in Cordoba.
With Na Fianna he learned to hold his gun.
From Dublin to the Villa del Rio
Where he fought and died beneath the Spanish sun.

Chorus

Many Irishmen heard the call of Franco.
Joined Hitler and Mussolini too.
Propaganda from the pulpit and newspapers
Helped O'Duffy to enlist his crew.
The word came from Maynooth: 'Support the Fascists.'
The men of cloth failed yet again
When the bishops blessed the blueshirts in Dun Laoghaire
As they sailed beneath the swastika to Spain.

Chorus

This song is a tribute to Frank Ryan.
Kit Conway and Dinny Coady too.
Peter Daly, Charlie Regan and Hugh Bonar.
Though many died I can but name a few.
Danny Doyle, Blaser-Brown and Charlie Donnelly.
Liam Tumilson and Jim Straney from the Falls.J
ack Nally, Tommy Patton and Frank Conroy,
Jim Foley, Tony Fox and Dick O'Neill.

Chorus

Getting Rid of the Graffiti

Just back from helping the local committee who try to keep the city in ship-shape, better known as 'Keep Kilkenny Beautiful' to try and get rid of the graffiti which some of our geniuses in town have decorated our public buildings with.

Next Wednesday, the 26th of July, Kilkenny will be visited by the judges of the Entente Florale competition. This is one of Europe's most important environmental competitions and allows us to claim a major title which would attract additional tourists to our city. The Council have done fantastic work improving the public spaces in the city, and local businesses and voluntary groups have played their part in filling window ledeges, hanging baskets and even floating water beds on the river with flowers.

Unfortunately much of the route which will be walked by the judges has been targetted by graffiti artists in recent months. Today we painted over much of this so-called art. Hopefully it won't be targetted tonight by the vandals. Well done to the local committee for all their efforts.

On a related topic I have proposed a motion which would see a public graffiti wall in the city, which would allow a dedicated space for this work. It also calls for a crackdown on illegal graffiti though. It will hopefully be debated at September's Council meeting.

For more on the Entente Florale visit the Council's excellent website with its cool interactive route map here