“Terms and Conditions Apply!”

So Frances Fitzgerald finally fell on her own sword. Not before putting up a huge, behind closed doors fight, with her Fine Gael colleagues. There was even talk about her “Having something on Leo?” Nonetheless, he remained so steadfastly on the side of “She has done nothing wrong and let’s wait for the tribunal, before judging her!”

The trouble was, that Leo’s pantomime Dames were also told, in no uncertain terms, to get behind their Tánaiste. “They’re behind you!” The spin was “Innocent until proved guilty.” Then more and more, leaked emails started to appear. Evidence against the Minister was mounting, indications being that Frances knew more about the shenanigans surrounding Maurice McCabe, than she was willing to tell the Dáil. Had she convinced Leo, she was no Panto Baddie, no Wicked Witch?

Pressure mounted on ALL concerned, nobody wanted a pre-Christmas election. The hustings were awash with threats of rebellion. There was no festive cheer. The door knocking over the 12 Days of Christmas, was without doubt, going to be a complete and utter disaster. It would be an election date of infamy.

Joy of joys. Two Tuesdays ago Frances did the honourable thing and tendered her resignation, at the very, very, very last minute. Talk about leaving it late. She took the Government and the country right to the wire.

There must have been terms and conditions attached?

Sure enough, only a few hours later, the now ex-Minister and ex-Tánaiste received the full backing of her party. She stood for and was nominated, as the FG candidate for the next general election in her Dublin Mid West constituency. I have no doubt that a future ministerial role has been pencilled in, if FG are returned to govern.

Scroll forward a few days and on Thursday 30^th November, Scotland’s St.Andrew’s Day, Minister Simon Coveney, can’t believe his luck. Accepting the position of Tánaiste with alacrity. Have absolutely no doubt, he has attached his very own “Ts and Cs” to keep FG and FF happy. Will we see a third budget, as promised in the Confidence and Supply Agreement? “Oh yes we will!” Well, only time will tell.

 

Then out of the blue, the terms of reference are announced, by Minister Simon Harris, for the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services. We’d rub our magic lamp and Waterford’s Lotto numbers would come up. We’d scoop the Euro Millions jackpot. Professor Nolan would lead the review that would once and for all, deliver the South East’s cardiac services.

Alas, yet another false dawn, I am afraid.

The terms of reference, are once again, comical, laughable, and even “Wishy-Washy”. They are quite evidently worthy lines for a pantomime Dame. “Oh NO they’re NOT!” the Government shout. “Oh YES they are!” we shout back.

An unbelievably long, drawn-out timescale of 12 to 18 months. Hello, we might all be dead, by the time the report comes back to Minister Harris! At least the can has been well and truly kicked down the road, for the next Government to fight Waterford.

Then, we see the now obligatory photo shoot, appearing all over social media. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am sure that some, maybe even all, are trying very hard to deliver our very basic health service rights. But when you see only three TDs pictured with the Minister, is it any wonder that this South East “Crisis”, is seen by those in the Dáil as wholly Waterford’s conundrum?

Could I produce a few more TDs from behind the Minister? “Abracadabra”, I shouted, but without my magic lamp to rub, no more appeared.

There are 158 TDs in the Dáil, yet only 3 turned up for the launch picture. That represents less than 2% of the total number seated in Dublin. If all 19 regional representatives had shown up, that would have increased the proportion to 12%!!!!

Or to put it another way. I win €1,000,000 on the Lotto and offer a lucky reader the chance to get 2% or 12% of these winnings. €20,000 or €120,000 – what would you choose????

Percentages matter in Irish politics. It’s very simple. The bigger representation you have, the greater the slice of the pie - Ts and Cs always apply. 

“It’s beginning to feel at lot like Christmas!”

If truth be told, that Christmas feeling seems to begin earlier and earlier each year. In fact, it appears to start right after Halloween. Once all the reduced in price “Trick or treat” paraphernalia, such as vampire costumes, werewolf masks, gory face paint, sickly marshmallow sweets and monkey nuts are gone, they’re gone.

Tinsel, baubles and Christmas trees, miraculously come out as if by magic! Even the BIG man from the North, invites us to make a list, before “Black Friday” gets us all excited whilst maxing out our credit cards. Make no bones about it, we succumb to commercialisation all too easily. Even Santa’s hard working wee elves are not immune to modern day pressures.

We can see evidence of Waterford making its annual Christmas statement, with the return of Winterval and Santa switching on the lights, on Friday 17^th November. This will take place in the heart of the City Centre. Supported live on air by WLR FM. All this exciting action will take place between John Robert’s Square and The Apple Market.

You may also have noticed that preparations are well under way, ready for the official Winterval Festival launch.

A huge vintage Ferris wheel has located itself on The Quay, opposite Shaw’s Department Store. You may just have seen the structure being erected last weekend. This is apparently, the largest mobile in Ireland. Offering passengers a unique perspective of the City and unparalleled views across the River Suir. Just remember to wrap up and maybe bring a warm blanket when going on this, as you wouldn’t wish to have a cold for Christmas day.

Winterval’s very successful ice rink, has of course moved to a bigger, better, new location, the Waterside Car Park, previously the old gas works. This will allow not one but two ice rinks to be operated. There will be the usual large rink and a smaller rink, to encourage the wee ones to take up ice skating. This makes a lot of sense. Previously, the mix of giddy teenagers trying to impress one another, caused many a collision and safety concerns for the smaller members of our community.

The move has caused some consternation, stoked of course by social media. One or two Facebook posts, indicating that the rink was NOT returning! In reality this has given the new operators lots of free publicity, creating a frisson of excitement. Will the new rink deliver a little bit extra this year?

The Apple Market, Waterford’s newest outdoor venue, continues to programme fresh, innovative exciting events. There will be a Christmas village located here, lots of live music and maybe even the opportunity to have an interactive snowball fight!

With so much going on, I do wonder, if these Christmassy distractions, will encourage those who represent us, to have some down time? After all, our Santa list for Waterford Inc. is not that big, is it?

Well yes it is!

The Cath Lab resolution must be at the top of Waterford’s long standing Christmas wish list. However, the recently published “Terms of reference”, appear, “Surprise, surprise”, to be anti-Waterford. Why, one wonders, do we have to start every process quite literally on the back foot! Surely, someone, given the record of reports for Waterford, had to be influencing the terms of reference, before they were published and NOT after.

University status for WIT, has been kicked so far down the road, that yet another generation of secondary level school leavers are missing out and having to travel many kilometres to go to a third level university. Waterford Airport has had no commercial flights for nearly 20 months and Government has been very quiet on the funding for our North Quays. This wish list, despite numerous opportunities, would have allowed Ireland’s Three Wise Men (Varadkar, Donohoe and Coveney) to be the bearers of gifts, our Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

There is much to look forward locally this festive season. Waterford will no doubt be supported regional by many a Christmas shopper and visitor.

I hope that these Dublin centric elves, don’t forget us and remember to deliver the odd present or two, to kick start our 2018.

Cycle Waterford, in Ireland’s Ancient East

Could leisure and road cycling become one of the biggest jewels in Waterford’s tourism crown?

There can be absolutely no doubt, that Waterford and the wider South East region, has an abundance of road and leisure cycling opportunities just waiting to be discovered. Many new businesses have opened up to encourage this emerging market, as well as various Waterford Greenway hire companies. Waterford Camino promises to help you explore and uncover some of Ireland’s hidden gems.

Waterford, Ireland's oldest City, boasts a very proud heritage when it comes to cycling. There's something about the air in this place, not to mention the arduous mountain climbs and undulating roads, that produces great champions. Home to former World Number One cyclist and current Eurosport commentator Sean Kelly. Also up and coming future champion Sam Bennett and Olympian and Giro d'Italia rider Ciaran Power. There really is a depth to road and leisure cycling in and around Waterford.

Why do we not hear and read more about “Cycle Waterford, in Ireland’s Ancient East?”

In a county where excitement for the approaching All Ireland Final is reaching fever pitch, it has to be said that these last few months have become a defining time in showcasing the best of what Waterford has to offer to the world. The Waterford Greenway is a game-changer, a vast meandering outdoor amenity that opens up the County like never before. There is a buzz in the county and sport is at the heart of it!

Our Greenway, in the very few short months since opening, has given added impetus to cycle touring and cycling holidays. This, the newest of Ireland’s Greenway cycle tracks, has attracted literally tens of thousands of visitors. The 46km old railway line bisects the County, linking Waterford City and Dungarvan Town. It has been an immense success to date and will continue to be so.

There is of course much, much more to discover in this most ancient of Ireland’s counties.

A leisurely route, mapping Waterford’s Copper Coast, a UNSECO Global Geopark, will take you and your bike, on a touring cycle with stunning seascape vistas. This stretch of coast line, running East-West along the Irish Celtic Sea, offers views from prehistoric, rugged, high cliff tops. Kilometre upon kilometre of amazing rock faces, precipices and sea stacks. Idyllic “private” golden sandy beaches awaiting you, around ever turn and corner. You may even catch a glimpse of schools of dolphins or porpoises playing in the surf.

Cycling out of Dunmore East, you’ll be pedalling “By Hook or by Crooke”, as you head towards the Passage East, before taking the car ferry across the mighty River Suir. Once in Ballyhack, County Wexford, all points on the compass will steer you South along the coastal road, towards Hook Lighthouse. On the way, you'll pass many of Ireland’s Ancient East’s historical attractions; Duncannon Fort, Loftus Hall, Dunbrody Abbey and Tintern Abbey, with mystical connections with the Knights Templar, before arriving at Hook Lighthouse.

Alternative cycle routes can take you past some of Ireland’s and Waterford’s most ancient locations. The copper ore mines at Tankardstown, the acidic fen peat environment of Fenor’s Ice Age bog, or Stage Cove/Knockmahon beach where the rock face resembles that of the Giant’s Causeway, although much older.

Newer more modern sites to visit, whilst cycle touring, include the John F Kennedy Memorial Park and Arboretum. Only a stone’s throw away from the actual Kennedy homestead, where the US political dynasty began. Explore the Dunbrody famine ship, with the eternal “Emigrants Flame”. Burning warmly 365 days of the year, in remembrance of those who had to leave these shores throughout the generations.

For those with more cycling experience and oomph there are, let us say, more challenging cycles available. Following in the footsteps of Sean Kelly, you can take on the demanding climbs of Mahon Fall, Tickincor, Powers The Pot and if you are brave enough, Mount Leinster – “All the way to the mast”, some 800m of climbing!

As a new leisure and road cycling destination, Waterford has so much to offer. Routes and trails will take you through the very heart of Ireland’s Ancient East.

Here is the county where sport and history collide...beautifully!

Kelly’s Heroes!

I haven’t become a film critic this week and will not be reviewing the Brian G. Hutton film starring the likes of Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas.  I am referring to those absolutely mad, mad, men and women who took part in the 10^th Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford, which took place last Saturday and Sunday.

You always know that the Sean Kelly is upon us, as the weather inevitably turns nasty for Sunday’s main events. It is almost as though the man upstairs does not think the 160km Kelly Comeragh Challenge is hard enough. So, he throws some curve balls at you. This year we got incessant rain, fog, sea haar and a cruel headwind, strategically directed straight into your face on the homeward leg.

However, the day did start with the promise of better cycling weather.

My wee Mini was parked in a side street in Abbeyside, at around 06:15, just before sunrise. The omens were good. The morning was overcast, but bright enough, as I unpacked the car. Putting on let’s say, summer cycling gear – bib shorts, sleeveless shirt and a very light windproof, NOT waterproof, gilet.

I knew we were in for a decent weather day, as the Sean Kelly Facebook posts said so. “Looks like we might just escape the deluge” and “Sunrise Dungarvan Bay, it's gonna be a great day”. There was even a link to a weather website promising soooo much; “Forecast looking better now for tomorrow... here's hoping”!

Hmmm – a Michael Fish weather forecaster for 2017 I’d say!

As we mustered to set off for our Biscuit Club start time of 07:15, the weather closed in. Right on cue it started to rain. That nasty, thick, misty drizzle that just penetrates everything. Little did we know, that we would have its company for the next 160km! It would not have mattered if we had dressed in rubber, I am sure we would still have been soaked, by the time we returned to Fungarvan.

So, six courageous Biscuits set off. A pair who left at 07:00 and then, a group of four. By the time we had passed the viaduct on the coast road, we had, jokingly, contemplated turning back and taking on the lesser 100km challenge. Surely the rain Gods would relent at some stage and turn the taps off! If only we could have heard them taunting at us, they were about to open up both taps.

We soldiered on through Bunmahon and onto Kill, then up and down into Balllaneen. There we ALL encountered our first of many “Squeaky bum moments” on the greasy, treacherous back roads, resembling ice rinks, in some places. Kilmacthomas, Carolls Cross and up that nasty wee climb, between the reservoirs, which is part of the Comeragh CC Tuesday night circuit. (Oh the memories of pained, sore legs, as I raced this course for the first time in 2017, as a 50 plus grumpy MAMIL). Down Church Hill and into Portlaw, with yet more buttock clenching needed to round a few of these corners.

Scrouty was the first biggish climb, then some back roads to a welcoming warm cup of tea and a bun, in Rathgormack. There we were told that “It’s sunny at the top of The Powers the Pot!” “Yeh right and I am Sean Connery,” I said.

Tickincor and Powers the Pot were soon upon us, at around the 95km mark. A 15km loop of vertical tarmac that took us all closer to God. Some quite literally much closer to God!

The descent down the treacherous Mountain Road into Clonmel was difficult and dangerous. Especially with wet, tired, cold hands, unable to grip slippery brake levers. At this, the 115km mark, those chasing their own personal best times knew to stop or chase the clock.

The weather was unrelenting. A headwind now tried to push us backwards, all the way from Ballymacarbry. The last hour of cycling was sheer, utter torture. With Fungarvan appearing out of the mist and now insight, spirits were lifted. A tough, tough day to be a MAMIL!

Of course, the real heroes were the organisers, administrators, stewards, volunteers and caterers – a BIG bualadh bos!

As for the weather forecaster.....

Dare we dream?

Well, well, well, just how do you put that into words? What a Sunday performance from Waterford’s young charges. They quite literally destroyed the Rebel Army from Cork, in that hurling semi-final. An early September final weekend awaits with Galway.

Is it now time to start dreaming?

I openly admit, that having being brought up in Scotland, on a diet of amateur rugby, I am no hurling cognoscenti. But Waterford’s second half performance was just magnificent and a sheer joy to watch. The pace, the passion, the aggression, the determination and for the first time that I can recall, a steely determination and strength of mind to win at all costs. I get the feeling that these players would have run through the walls of a nuclear bunker, for Derek McGrath and his backroom staff.

Though some on the RTE’s Sunday panel were not so enamoured with the way we played. They were surely watching another game, or maybe it was just a wee bit of sour grapes! The Cats will be at a loss come 15:30, on that first weekend in September. For the first time in an awful long stretch, Kilkenny will have to support another team.  As we chase that little white sliotar around the vast green fields of Páirc an Chrócaigh. Maybe they will see fit to support their Waterford neighbours?

I know nothing about Mr McGrath’s “Controversial” sweeper system or the way a team has to set up, to play this way. What I do know, is that it is working 100% and maybe that is all that counts. This team, through absolute hard graft and effort, have worked out how to beat other squads. Waterford’s set up, contentious or not, suits this line up and this group of players. Perhaps the Naysayers, those RTE panellists included, should shut up and embrace our team’s ambitions? A winning formula appears to have been found and if we are celebrating on the 3^rd of September, others might just start copying Waterford’s set up.

What also struck me, was the sheer number of blue and white supporters, who travelled up to Dublin, to shout “Déise Abu!” Waterford must have one of, if not the best supported hurling teams in Ireland. It looked like half of the 70,000 crowd came up the M9, or sneaked up the M11, to avoid the clash with Cork supporters on the M7!

I can only imagine, that tickets for the final clash with Galway, will be rarer than hen’s teeth. This, I have been told, will be the first time these two teams have met in an All Ireland Final. Neither will want to lose, on such an historic occasion. The match has the capacity to become a game we will all remember for many a year. Those lucky enough to secure a ticket, will remember the experience forever.

It never ceases to amaze me, how sporting successes can lift our spirits. Particularly when Waterford is still dealing with some very serious infrastructural issues. To take a trip to Dublin in early September, is both a distraction and is a welcome relief. This gives hope that a brighter future lies ahead for the people of the Déise.

As an aside and probably due to the excitement of a possible semi-final win, we all seem to have become very giddy. I noticed over the weekend a platform has appeared in the middle of the River Suir, just in line with the clock tower and the centre of the North Quay. When I asked what it was for I was told “We had struck oil and gas”. Forget the Corrib Gas Project, Waterford was to become the Dallas of Ireland! We would all get rich on the back of this and our Hurlers be presented with a brand new 50,000 seated stadium, with many bells and whistles, if we allowed Shell to start drilling!

As our young hurlers get down to the Herculean task of preparing for the All Ireland Senior Hurling Final we must support them in every way possible. We need to show our support by turning the city, county and of course Páirc an Chrócaigh blue and white.

Déise Abu!

(Hurling photograph taken by Ray McManus, with our very own Noel Browne in the background!)

Our Showcase Weekend!

It has to be one of the most eagerly anticipated weekends of the year. The annual “Spraoi Bank Holiday in August”, as we all now call it.

The 2017 three-day event was even more special this year, as we were celebrating the 25^th Birthday, of this festival of street music and entertainment. An event that, in all honesty has probably grown to such an extent, that those originators who came up with the idea, are pinching themselves very hard.

Who could have imagined that from such a small acorn, a whole forest would grow?

Spraoi 25, has brought to Waterford City, brand new international acts and a plethora of exciting, innovative and extraordinary home-grown talent. Year on year we see this festival “Reinvent” the concept of street entertainment. This production seems as fresh as ever. It is an amazing formula, has not become stale under any circumstance. You certainly don’t hear people saying this is just the “Same old, same old!”

This was my 16^th Spraoi, since relocating to Waterford City from Scotland. Having come from an events background, covering venues such as Wembley Stadium and Arena, also The Business Design Centre, I know just how challenging and difficult it is to keep an event relevant.

Hats off to the team, some would say army, of staff and volunteers who keep this Waterford treasure rolling along. Not only do they deliver annually, on the first weekend in August, but they are now even packing attendances in, at other festival in far flung corners of Europe. Maybe one year Edinburgh City will open its eyes and invite our SPRAOI to attend the Fringe? Now that would be worth visiting “Auld Reekie” for!

Despite a wee bit of warm rain on Sunday, the weather was excellent for wandering around this oldest of Ireland’s cities. It was great to see that so many of our visitors were exploring Waterford’s wee narrow streets, for the first time. They would turn a corner and there in front of them would be another performance area. We really are blessed with wondrous ancient architecture, Spraoi blending in so well, with its almost chaotic choreographed stage shows.

To many, the weekend is of course bookended by the parade and fireworks display. It would appear that Uncle Tom Cobley and his extended family were in attendance. There is something truly mesmerising about late night fireworks. The myriad of psychedelic colours, ear splitting loud bangs, pops, whizzes and whooshes, exhilarate our very essence. We all love a grand finale to a festival and Spraoi has this down to a fine art.

Of course the whole event needs sponsors and our support, the donating public. As with “ALL things Arty”, there is a huge squeeze on funding for such projects and festivals. The annual struggle, to get just enough to cover costs will always be a difficult uphill task! Funding is forthcoming from various tax payers’ resources, but alas, more and more is being channelled, yes you’ve guessed correctly, away from Waterford!

Once again we are, proportionately, at the very bottom of the Giving Tree, when it comes to supporting our Waterford arts. Local Authorities are being squeezed year on year. Have no doubt that Government pressure will force constraints, come the annual budgetary months of November and December. Those Councils, who wish to continue funding The Arts at the same levels, will be “Encouraged” to find these costs from direct increases in local commercial rates and the local property tax. The jungles drums are already tapping out a beat!

Government is at pains to tell us that “The Arts” are high on their agenda and at every local level they apparently matter a great deal. Yet, the opposite is true when fiscal policy dictates that they be adequately funded. The funding pinch will happen in 2018, as the current Government try to “Buy” our votes for the next general election, looming on the horizon.

Waterford City and County manages to incorporate many, many festivals into the calendar year. In fact we are just as busy as other cities, including Galway.

Spraoi works, because we all feel we’re part of the festival. We feel like we “OWN” a part of “OUR” festival, roll on the next 25 years.

Who is listening? #awaitinganotherreview #missinginaction

We are being heard, but no one is really listening!

Now, there is a very distinct difference between hearing and listening.

When you hear something, your ear is quite simply picking up and perceiving a particular sound. If you remember your Physics classes in secondary school, you hear and then your brain interprets those sound waves and vibrations.

Listening on the other hand, is a conscious effort to choose what you want to hear. To do this, you must concentrate on the messages you receive and understand them. Many of our senses are involved in listening and the result is more often than not, an immediate call to action. Whether that be a fight or flight response, or a simple “Yes, I am listening” response, to when Mrs Garland asks you about housework, when Scotland are playing rugby, on the TV!

Many people get these two completely mixed up. As a result, there are far too many people assuming that other people are listening to them, when in fact they are only barely being heard.

It would seem that the root of many of Waterford’s current woes and problems, stem from our inherent inability to get Waterford’s message out to the wider public and those in power. We do enough shouting and we are very good at getting people to listen on a local level. Outside of that very narrow boundary, we do not seem to be able to get the right influencers to listen to, appreciate and grasp our case. This of course has been happening to Waterford for many, many years. When we do eventually connect to the island’s consciousness, we are thrown the odd crumb, an appeasement for another few years. M9 motorway, case in point.

Could we learn from other regions?

It seems that we continue to climb our Everest, unaided, unsupported and without oxygen, whilst others are gaining copious help. Many, many Sherpa Tenzings, considerable quantities of that essential life giving odourless gas and base camps supporting the treacherous ascent. The result is that “Regional Development”, and I use that phrase very lightly, is given to those who are able to make people listen to their plight and struggles.

For some reason we just seem to be an irritating background noise, annoying far too many “People in power” and “Influencers”. This can even be heard and seen, across the world of our terrestrial broadcasters. Ask them to highlight Waterford’s current health problems, third level educational issues, unemployment struggles etc and to a man and a woman they seem disinterested. It is almost as if they have not listened to our messaging. They are only hearing an irritating buzzing in their ears.

It is clear that we need to change the way we are engaging with people on a national level. Our regional issues appear to have become solely Waterford issues by the time they reach Leinster House. Thus, diluted and diminished on impact.

Yes, a lack of political clout and Ireland’s love of parish pump politics does not help our case. But we should surely become just a bit more tactical in our campaigns? To gain Dublin’s ear?

It might be time to get our national broadcasters to sit up and to give more than a few seconds to our many issues. Of course the sixty five million dollar question is “How?”

Maybe we could take a leaf out of Fianna Fail’s recent social media campaign, #askfiannafail, and ask them to deliver for the region? Maybe this hashtag should actually read #askalloppositionparties, if we are really to get things moving?

Or better still we could just #askfinegael, as they are in power and we do have two TDs, who form part of this current Government. We even have a Junior Minister in Waterford. Of course I forgot, one is #missinginaction and the other is #awaitinganotherreview.

Our other option is to #takethefighttoDublin. I have heard people talking about taking a 90-minute protest to Dublin. #driveslowly or #blockthetolls on the M50! This would get us noticed. But would we be listened to if we were to take such a direct approach?

We clearly have an awful long way to go, #tobelistenedto. 

Finally, for the weekend ahead "Happy 25th Birthday Spraoi!" Looking forward to the fireworks display and parade. #Spraoi25

For the love of (insert your Deity here)!!!

I spent nine wonderful years working in London during the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. During that time I earned and lost heaps of money. Bought property and got weighed down with massive negative equity debt. Had some great jobs and was lucky enough to work with some great bosses. I worked with and for Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Protestants, Catholics, Jehovah’s, born again Christians, Rastafarians, Islamists, to name but a very few.

I lived in areas predominantly populated by Jews, Indians, Pakistanis, North Londoners and Cockneys. Whilst living in these areas I deliberately mixed, went out of my way to become part of the community and “That cheeky Scotsman”, “Sweaty Sock”, “Jock”.

I was even in the City of London, with two friends, celebrating something to do with Japan, in a Japanese multi-national’s karaoke basement bar, in July 1990. We were quite literally around the corner from the London Stock Exchange, when the IRA set off a massive bomb. Destroying many a building and luckily injuring nobody. We knew absolutely nothing about this blast, until we exited the building, bleary eyed from one too many warm Sakis. It was like walking onto the scene of an H-bomb apocalyptic movie set, where we were apparently the only survivors. The City was empty – no taxi cabs, no buses, no cars, tube station shutters closed....!! We hadn’t a clue what had happened, until approached by a member of the City of London Police. Boy did we sober up very quickly after that, as we had to somehow make our way home!

When I worked in Wembley Stadium, in the borough of Brent, only 30 odd years ago, we were the “Ethnic minority”. I was one of the first people to secure a “Bollywood” type concert for Wembley Stadium, on that most hallowed of turf. I dealt with ALL manner of promoters regardless of race, creed or colour. Everyone was treated as an equal and much more importantly, treated the very way I would wish to be treated as a customer.

During those nine years in London I never felt unsafe. Never felt that there was a risk to my health, whilst being out and about late at night. Never felt in danger of a terrorist attack. Never felt threatened by speaking to, or being in the company of someone who was different.

Maybe these were completely different times? Or perhaps I look back on those youthful days with extra strength rose tinted glasses? Either way, I don’t think I would recognise the London that has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this week.

It now appears that gone are the days when you would be able to walk in the footsteps of Dick Whittington, feeling safe and cosseted. As the horrific attacks of recent weeks hit home, showing just how vulnerable we now are.

People immediately started blaming Blair, May and even Thatcher, on social media. Take this blame game to a logical conclusion and we should start holding historical people like Victoria, King Billy, Attila the Hun, Hannibal, Nero, the Egyptians, Adam, Eve and even that damn serpent culpable!

No one individual from history, past or present, can possibly be responsible for these current heinous acts. Where one human being painstakingly plans to kill, murder or mutilate another. All in the context of a misguided religious belief.  

Our “PC world” has gone bonkers mad. Why are we allowing such known individuals to undertake such cowardly acts? It is because of our Western World’s freedoms, that these people use this liberty to plot, scheme and kill with targeted precision.

Surely, the time is now right to balance the scales, if we are to live our lives without fear of a terrorist attack?

We live in a predominantly Christian country. We unconditionally give freedom of speech and freedom of movement. We have laws and rules that we ALL abide by, or accept the consequences for breaking these. The primary language spoken is that of English. We live in a democratic society. Freedom to vote is a constitutional right for all citizens.......

If you do not like these rules, regulations and more besides, you have the freedom to leave!

Greenway is up and running, or cycling or walking!

On Saturday 25^th March, to be exact, the much anticipated Waterford Greenway officially opened. Encompassing Waterford City, in the East, to Dungarvan Town, in the West, along the full 46 kilometre route.

The use of this old, decommissioned railway line has been in planning for many, many a year and a number of sections have been accessible for some time now. Saturday marks the opening of the “Full Monty”. A 46km coastal/inland route, which will simply blow your socks off. Sharing some stunning vistas of sea, mountains, hills and glens.

Some parts of this coastline have for far too long been hidden gems, known only to a select few locals, quietly spoken about in the corners of bars and coffee shops. Now we can ALL shout from the rafters, that at long last, we are to have an alternative tourist attraction, which really does rival those dotted around the various corners of this wee green island.

In particular, the Waterford Greenway will rival the explosion of this type of development. Examples of these, can also be found in places that link Athlone and Mullingar, Westport and Achill Island, Abbeyfeale and Rathkeale. There are also plans to open a Greenway in Connemara, between Cloonbeg and Athry, later this year.

These large infrastructural projects are being designed to bring new life to otherwise unused, huge tracks of land. The restructuring of old railway lines and tracks is a good idea and one that should be welcomed by all. We need to find and source new tourism markets for Waterford, if we are to drive the County and wider South East, out of the third tier of recovery we find ourselves in. The recent Sunday Times Rich List report shows Waterford County has the lowest level of wealth, when compared to the other 32 counties on this island. This is something that we must quickly address and correct, if we are to ever regain our status as the fourth city of Ireland.

Waterford’s Greenway, must now be sold to the people of Waterford and further afield, to a National and International market. What cannot happen is that we open this wonderful attractor and sit back under the age old adage of “We have built this and now they will come!”. Not insignificant sums of public, Council, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland money must be spent on PR, marketing and promotion of our Greenway. There will be plenty of competition fighting for these additional resources and we must make sure that we get our fair share.

There will also be an onus on the Council, to make sure that the eastern end of the Greenway actually connects to the heart of Waterford City. We created a wonderful Viking Triangle and the connectors to the City Centre have been an awfully long time in the making! This cannot be allowed to happen with this project.

At present, the western end connectors are ALL in place, with access right into the very heart of Dungarvan. The eastern access points seem to be taking rather longer to be put in place and we have the very real prospect of yet another east/west split. Our “Full Monty” has to be delivered and delivered in a timely fashion.

Hopefully, from Saturday 25^th March, tens of thousands of people will be coming to Waterford, with the sole purpose of travelling our Greenway. We must at the very least, ensure that they leave having been absolutely stunned by what they have seen. We want these people to return in their hordes, bringing more and more family and friends. Repeat customers are the very best customers and we need to encourage this culture.

 

I do hope that we, the local citizens, look after this important piece of new infrastructure for our future guests. We cannot allow the Greenway to become a cycle race track, a scrambler track, a pony-trekking route, or a convenient place to let your dog poop or a place to dump rubbish.....!

Waterford’s Greenway is another jewel in our crown, so let us keep it shining bright. 

So it begins......AGAIN!!!!

If you are in favour of the expansion of Waterford City and the greater South East region (which I am), then you will be positively disposed to support the “Report of the Waterford Boundary Review Committee”. A rather meaty 70 page document, which was released last week and immediately, started World War III. With ALL manner of, hitherto silent TDs, from “Across the border”, suddenly getting their tuppence worth on the local airwaves. In fact I would not be surprised if some had contacted The Donald and asked him to fund building another wall!

It will be our shootout at the Ferrybank Corral, with party TD against party TD. The opening salvos have already been fired in the run up to the report’s release. Locally, we have FF and FG Councillors, upsetting their elected TDs, by clearly and openly being in favour of the expansion. Putting their electorate first, above inter-party politics. There have been contradictory radio interviews, thousands of written words in the “North side” local newspapers. As for social media. I am sure the fallout may well take down Mr Zuckerberg’s Facebook empire!

The Report recommends that the Administration area of Waterford Council, be extended to include a significant area, lying to the North of the River Suir. Thus, allowing the City to naturally expand and this in turn should allow for greater economic flexibility in marketing brand Waterford. In time this will help the whole South East region to catch up with the other regional areas of Ireland, which are quite simply miles ahead of Waterford/SE, in terms of their economic recovery?

Our Government’s track record, with regard to accepting and implementing reports, can be vividly demonstrated in the delivery of the Herity Report, on UHW. This of course means that the “Report of the Waterford Boundary Review Committee” will have to be realised, in full, no matter what the political outcry or consequences are!

The Ministers in the Dáil, cannot cherry pick which parts of this independent report they wish to activate. It is all or nothing, as with the Herity Report. A u-turn due to political carping from diametrically opposing views, will not be tolerated and in fact if this happens every “Independent report” can now be questioned, ridiculed and binned.

Unfortunately, like the current health campaign, many will to their own benefit, turn this into an entirely Waterford issue. Deflecting from the stark economic realities, that the South East region is so far adrift from the rest of the country, this expansion needs to happen to generate jobs, jobs and yet more jobs.

Those high horse political naysayers, with rose tinted glasses and myopic vision, need to realise that Dublin’s economic sphere of influence is creeping, rather rapidly, ever closer to our region. This will not only affect Waterford but Wexford, Kilkenny and Carlow too. Jobs will be sucked towards the capital and we will very quickly become dead, soulless commuter belts. It is already happening and to have any chance of stopping the tumbleweed blowing across the whole of the South East, we MUST compete. These recommendations will go some way to levelling the playing field.

It beggars belief that so many, can be influenced by such a few, with only one real agenda. The agenda of getting re-elected. These absent TDs now espousing a “Land grab” and some supportive Hacks, even likening the boundary extension to certain a Mr Hitler invading Poland, need to take a long hard look at themselves. Perhaps they have a rather jaundiced view of European history when it comes to Adolf et al?

The campaign opposed to the boundary extension, took the rather easy option. Asking people to duplicate, copy and regurgitate the same message, on a simple A4 piece of paper. Where’s the passion and emotion in that?

If this was such an emotive issue, then surely that should have been reflected in 19,000 individual heartfelt letters written from the soul? Not a Xerox duplicate.

The wider picture, like our health issues, needs to be addressed. We need investment and more jobs in the region. Moving a line on a map will undoubtedly help.

Time to support our own!

One Swallow doesn’t make a summer! It is not one good quality that makes a man!

These are certainly two sayings that could well be used to paraphrase the Festive shopping period in Waterford City. Some, quite wrongly assumed, that as there appeared to have been large numbers of people visiting Waterford in December, taking in the wonders of Winterval, exploring the architecture of Ireland’s oldest city, visiting our retailers, that businesses have, figuratively speaking, made a “killing!”

This of course could not be further from the truth.

Many businesses have done well over the festive period, with the hotels, restaurants and entertainment establishments being particularly buoyant. There can be no doubt, that general retail had at best flat sales when compared to 2016 and some sales were even slightly down on last year. Many will ask just how this could be, when guesstimated numbers for Winterval could be in excess of half a million, going on the 2015 figures (we are still awaiting the official bean counter announcement)!

All the data released so far, will back up the fact that Christmas sales were, for many retailers, very disappointing. As these could account for up to 30% of a businesses’ annual turnover, the real cost of a poor Christmas, in terms of sales, hits home during the months of January, February and early March.

There are many contributing factors to these poor sales and there can be no doubt that countless shoppers, are simply holding on to more of their hard earned cash due to continued uncertainty in the economy. In addition, Waterford and across the wider southeast, we continue to be a low wage economy with higher unemployment, when compared to national averages. This in turn means that we have less disposable income to spend in our local shops. After all, if you only have €50 of disposable income in Waterford, compared to €150 in another city, then who will have a stronger, better economy – it really is that simple. WE have far less to go around.

 

For years we have suffered, as regional strategy, after regional strategy, has left Waterford City and the southeast’s economy trying to play catch-up.  We have been running the 100m, against the likes of Mr Bolt. But we have been wearing wellies that are two sizes too big, filled with custard and our lane has been coated in treacle! It is proving impossible to get on even terms, let alone be in with a chance of winning the race.

To throw even more fuel on the fire, we have very low third level attainment and we are the only region not to have a University. This in turn means that we have limited higher education capacity for our children. The lack of IDA visits is a constant thorn in our side and for the period 2011-2015 the southeast accounted for only 4% of new IDA jobs created. There are many other metrics that clearly show we have much to do to get back on an even keel. But then you the readers already know this! Don’t you?

But here is the crux of the issue. Getting people to talk openly and honestly about where our economy is, proves very, very difficult, time and time again. There are very few people willing to speak up, because they somehow fear that speaking the truth, will sound negative! Yet, our very own excellent academics, in WIT, have been saying the above for many years. So why can’t we be more honest and say it like it is?

If our businesses do not start speaking loudly enough to be heard, then many of those in power (locally and nationally) will, wrongly assume, that Waterford’s economy is “booming”. Come the Council budget next year, scores of our Councillors will vote for commercial rates increases. Maybe increased car parking charges, increased property taxes and who knows what else.

We need to stop being the “Quiet people of Waterford” and start to shout just a wee bit louder. In the meantime get out and support your local businesses – because once they are gone they are gone!

Whoopee, my 100th Blog! Who would have guessed I could have lasted so long?

It’s Christmas time!

Nollaig Shona, Nadolig Llawen, Joyeux Noël, Fröhliche Weihnachten and as we say in Scotland Merry Christmas!

Yes, yes, yes, there are only a few days left, until the Big Man dressed in red, creeps down your chimney in the middle of the night, wanders around your house, whilst you are asleep, eats your food, deposits a few presents and then leaves! Now if you think about that, logically, that’s weird and unsettling. But, “Hey Ho!” it is Christmas time and this is the only time of the year when our houses are open season for a stranger to simply waltz in.

I hope that all your letters have been sent and posted on time, by snail mail. Reaching those wee elves, who work tirelessly, 24-hours-a-day, making millions of toys, in time for a delivery deadline date of 25th December.

It is by all accounts, an impossible task, but so was The Donald winning the US Presidential elections and we all know what happened there!

2016 was a great year for news and stories. It has also been a sad year, with so many wonderful people, stars and friends passing away.

Politically, the year I think, can be defined by the death of opinion polls. The pollsters getting it unbelievably wrong in the Irish, UK and US elections and as for the Brexit predictions – well I imagine that those guys will be working in Santa’s sweatshop next year. Just what were they doing when they were “canvassing the opinion of the people?” Either everyone was being two-faced or they were making it all up!

In Waterford, we had our very own Neville Chamberlain moment, of September 1938 and the euphoria of waving an A4 letter, when returning from that Munich meeting. Our newly appointed Minister was also saying there would be “peace of our time”, as we were told that, “I will deliver, with bells and whistles, 24-hour cardio care for UHW, despite the need for a specialist report!” Then along came Herity and in July, delivered something completely different. Now where in the annals of history have we read that before?

Keeping the WWII theme, the escalating boundary dispute, between the Councils of Waterford and Kilkenny, has seen thousands of column inches written, particularly in the last week. The pens for hire have had a field day liking the “land grab” to Mr A. Hilter invading Poland! Now, I am no

history expert, but Germany invading Poland and Waterford Council taking over the administration of, a wee bit of Kilkenny are poles (excuse the pun) apart. It does make good reading though and I suppose, those headlines, also sell newspapers – the ultimate aim of the hacks!

I still believe that we have missed a huge opportunity, to build our own wall, by using the rubble from the flour mills, as in “The Great Escape”. Using the people of Waterford to carry the rubble, across the bridge, in their trousers and dump, strategically, along the proposed new border frontier line. Alas, we have missed the chance and now await on yet another report on the future of Waterford, again, completely out of our hands.

My quote of the year has to be from Mr Des O’Keeffe, partner of the sadly departed and yet never to be forgotten Billy McCarthy. During Billy’s funeral eulogy, Des stated, “I even whispered in his (Billy’s) ear that Donald Trump had won the US election, in the hope that the fright would wake him up!!!” With all the pressure associated in delivering a tribute to the one you love, we were all amazed, that in addition to the fortitude and strength Des showed, he could also share such a humorous and intimate moment. All in attendance knew that Billy would have appreciated the sentiment.

On a personal note, I do hope that over the past year you have enjoyed my wee column, as much as I have enjoyed writing for you.

So, as we move ever nearer to the morning of 25th December and that mad one hour of tearing open presents, I wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas and of course a Happy Hogmanay.

Thanks to The Donald – we all became Political Commentators last week!

There were probably more words written on last week’s US Presidential election, since records began. Just when those records began no one knows. But rest assured 8^th November 2016 will go down in the annals of history, when every person with access to social media, was suddenly to become a qualified Political Commentator!

As soon as the election results started trickling through, from around 02:00 on the 9^th November, it became very clear that things were not going Hillary’s way. The Donald started securing more and more Electoral College votes. Was he to be the latest political force to rubbish and poo poo ALL the highly paid, soon to be extinct pollsters – oh yes he was!

When The Donald finally crossed the whitewash, the social media backlash started. All and sundry suddenly became interested in politics. But not Irish politics, the politics of the United States of America. For some unexpected reason this became everyone’s raison d'etre. Well, on the plus side, this did, thankfully, signal the end of “Brexit Bashing”, but not unfortunately, the end of Mr Farage, who now seems to be Donald’s Bestie UK politician.

Social Media, all of a sudden, had people believing that they were Jeremy Paxman, Andrew Neil, The Dimbleby brothers....the list was endless. We even had the conspiracy theorists somehow inextricably linking the 9^th of November with the 11^th of September - just because they share the same day and month digits, in an abbreviated calendar! Now, I am no believer in conspiracy theories at the best of times, but lads, come on, get a life!

In the cold light of day only around 55% of US citizen voted in the election. That meant that there were over one hundred million, that’s 100,000,000, eligible voters, who simply did not bother to go out and vote. That is voter apathy on an enormous scale. You have to wonder just why nobody actually twigged to the fact, that there were so many latent votes to be secured. By somehow relating to this enormous legion, forgotten in all the poles and predictions, either side could have ensured a landslide victory.

Now, the common thread on Social Media, was that The Donald somehow encouraged all manner of lunatic, numpty, fringe voters to carry him to the magical 270 Electoral College votes, required to win. He secured over 60,000,000 votes and surely not all of these voters are the uneducated loonies the media painted? A similar sentiment has been suggested at the “leave” voters in Brexit. But the truth be told, is that so many are just missing the point.

After years and years of obnoxious and elite political rule, the “normal people” on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, were simply sick and tired of politicians NOT listening, to the very people who employ them. Protest voting will become the norm in the next few years across many European countries and if Governments wish to stop this happening again, then they MUST listen to the disenchanted, disillusioned voters. Not listening will increasingly generate these types of election results.

The Donald mobilised and capitalised on so many people, who wished to stick two fingers up to their Government and give them more than just a bloody nose. They wanted to say “HEY, we are here and you are NOT listening to us, so accept the consequences of your continued indifference!”

Perhaps, we in Waterford and across the South East could learn a thing or two from the lack of concern, shown by our national politicians. We need to remember that TDs are elected to work for us and not the other way around. We do appear to be very accepting of poor performance and yet this infertility for Waterford has just been rewarded with a €5,000 pay increase.

I only wish, that those who have turned to politics in the last few weeks, would channel that energy and passion towards our Waterford problems. Just imagine the fear that we could engender by striking at the heart of Government, if we could marshal the voters across the whole South East!

Memories - One hell of a ride!

On the 20^th and 21^st August thousands will take part in the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford.

I have once again signed up to tackle the gruelling Sean Kelly 160km, along with many another Lycra clad pedal pushers – drivers be warned, the roads will literally be thronging with cyclists!

My memory of last year, the first time I tackled this most challenging of cycling events, is still very vivid and fresh, as though it was only yesterday that I completed the course, over some of Sean’s “training routes”. Whilst, I will never be a great cyclist, like Sean, I can at least say I have trained on the roads that made him the great cycling ambassador for Waterford!

Here is my memory of the 2015 Sean Kelly 160km.

I collected my goodie bag, the night before the event. This contained; a snazzy commemorative race jersey, a bottle of water, a couple of flapjacks, wristband and a bike registration number sticker. When I returned to the car I had a feeling that I would need far more than a couple of flapjacks and one bottle of water, to complete the daunting task that I would take on the very next day.

At 07:45 I and ten other Biscuits, set off from Dungarvan on an adventure that would test each and every one of us. Ahead lay 160 kilometres of hills, hills and more hills!!!!!

As we shot up The Pike and veered left at Lemybrien, we cycled for around 10km with the imposing Mahon Falls, shrouded by black low clouds, taunting us, teasing us and ultimately calling us, knowing that we would have to cycle, walk or crawl up this wicked hill at around 120km into the route.

But our first real challenge would be a wee hill called “Tickincor” at around 55km. Now if you have never heard of this hill go out, find it and try to drive up it. You will very quickly see just how steep it is and then image how hard it is to cycle up the damn thing!

Roche & Kelly

The “Powers The Pot” was the next hill at around 90km. Some comedian spray painted “3km to go” after what seemed like an eternity on the hill, just to remind us how hard the bloody climb was. There was a collective intake of breath, the odd swear word, when I and my fellow Biscuits crossed this marker and a realisation we were only halfway up this mammoth test of endurance. Up at the top, the Biscuits regrouped, then a quick food stop at Rathgormack and we headed towards the final challenge of the dreaded, nasty climb up Mahon Falls.

At around 120km the Falls called us like some cruel Siren would have called Greek ships to their doom. Low gear selected, with some “Rusty Spokes” ahead of me to chase up the Falls, I dropped my head down and I was off. Some hellish 20 odd minutes later, it was all over and a quick regroup with my fellow Biscuits and it was “all downhill” to the finish (so they told me).

No it wasn’t! We still had the 7km or 8km drag up the Mama Road.

Mama Road conquered and now it was mostly downhill to the finish line in Dungarvan. We had enough in our legs to manage a wee sprint and top speed of 53kph on the borders of Dungarvan.

One final regroup and these 11 Biscuits crossed the line together in perfect formation. Our wee group had stayed together for 160km of torture, hell, fun, laughs, memories and a sense of accomplishment.

Well done to ALL involved. A great event, great company, great event organisation, a great “Packet of Biscuits” and above all a great occasion for Waterford to be VERY proud of.

It was one hell of a ride! Bring on the 2016 SKT.

The question is, will I be so elated after next Sunday’s cycle. Oh the joys of looking forward to “THAT” pain in my legs once again!