The monthly meeting of the Dalkey Community Council was held on Monday, 1st September 2003.

TIDY TOWNS:
The Tidy Towns full report is reproduced inside -Ed. There have been several fridges dumped illegally at the rear of SuperValu along with sacks of refuse which is not acceptable and everyone is requested to keep watch for any illegal dumping. Improvements are pending to the car park at the rear of SuperValu which the manager of the supermarket is also supporting. An anti-litter poster will be placed at the rear of Our Lady's Hall also.

HERITAGE:
There is a project underway to improve the housing of the artefacts in the Centre. The St. Begnet's Graveyard project will involve not only the Heritage Centre but several other interested parties. Visitor numbers are on the increase.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH:
There have been a number of burglaries and thefts from cars along with two cases of criminal damage and the theft of one car. However several of the burglaries have been successfully investigated by the Gardaí.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The disregard of motorists for the double yellow lines and other traffic markings was discussed. The meeting was informed that tickets are issued to illegally parked cars. The speed of cars on Ulverton Road was raised and it was also stated that speed checks are habitually carried out on Ulverton and Hyde Roads. It was felt that a continuous white line is needed especially to display the contour of the road from Castle Street to Railway Road and hopefully ease the confusion that occurs at this junction

The meeting concluded.

The Irish Coastal Rowing Federation held its annual All Ireland Coastal Rowing open championships in Cromane, Killorglin, Co. Kerry on 22, 23 and 24 August 2003. Clubs were represented from all over Ireland, as far away as Connlough Co. Antrim, from Sligo, Dublin Wexford, Cork and Kerry to mention a few. Dalkey Rowing Club was represented at under 14, under 16 and under 18 years of age. Heats took place on Saturday, 23 August and all Dalkey crews qualified for the finals on Sunday, 24th. The weather in Kerry was beautiful and conditions for rowing were perfect. Dalkey Rowing Club, do not have an All Ireland compromise boat and therefore had to borrow Stella Maris (Ring send Rowing Club) boat. All crews had to do their training in Ringsend three nights a week leading up to the All Ireland Championships. We are all very proud of our achievements and all our crews in Dalkey Rowing Club for their efforts, particularly the under fourteen crew who won bronze medals. The crew is: Eoin Cunningham (Stroke), Barnhill Grove; Jack Cullinane (2nd Stroke), Saval Park Gardens; Gary Foley (2nd Bow) Glenageary Park and Stephen Flood (Bow), Hyde Road. Congratulations from everyone in Dalkey and continued success for the future. New members are welcome.

Ger Cunningham, Secretary, Dalkey Rowing Club. Telephone 235 0934

Congratulations to Robert Thorne who took silver in the Dublin Community Games finals of the under 12 breast stroke in Swimming. He was narrowly piped at the post for the gold when he would have represented Da1key in the All Ireland Finals Mosney along with his brother James who was swimming in the under 14 breast stroke. Well done to James too on participating in the All Ireland Finals and for doing Dalkey and Dublin proud.

I was at the opening debate of the Dalkey Debating Society and every subsequent year. The first was decided by the telegraphed vote of an absent member who had been held- up on his journey and wanted his vote to be recorded if the rules allowed. I don't think we had any rules at that stage!

Doctor John de Courcy Ireland

Don't forget closing date for receipt of entries is Saturday, 11 October. Information and entry forms available from www.dlrcoco.ie/library or telephone 278 1788.

Some two thousand years ago 31 October was the Celtic New Year's Eve. It was believed that on this day, Samhain, the Lord of Death, allowed the souls of the dead to visit their former homes in the company with goblins, black cats and demons. The Celts built huge bonfires to frighten off these creatures and hid from them in costumes made from animal skins and heads. On 31 October after the crops were harvested and stored for the long winter the cooking fires in the home were extinguished. The Druids, the Celtic priests, would meet on the hilltop in the forest (oak trees were considered to be sacred). The Druids would light new fires and offer sacrifices of crops and animals.

As 1 November 1 was the start of the Celtic New Year it was celebrated with a festival and marked the end of the 'season of the sun' and the beginning of 'the season of darkness and cold'.

Apples became part of Halloween by the Romans in honour to Pomona their goddess of fruit and trees.

Making beet and turnips into lanterns became known as jack-o-lanterns after a poor soul named Jack was refused entry to both Heaven and hell.. He was doomed to carry one of these lanterns until Judgement Day. Trick or Treat was a medieval addition. It stemmed from beggars who would go from door-to-door asking for spiced soul cakes.

Halloween is part of our Celtic heritage and along the way other cultures added their own touches however it was the Irish who 'exported' this festival world-wide.

Tea Brack:
Ingredients:
1/2 1b raisins, 1/2 1b sultanas, 2ozs cherries, 2ozs candied peel, 1oz chopped nuts, 1oz ground almonds, 8ozs brown sugar, 2oz butter (melted) 1 large egg, 10ozs plain flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 large cup black tea.

Method:
Dissolve sugar in tea, add the raisins and sultanas and leave overnight. Next day add melted butter, beaten egg, cherries, peel and almonds. Mix well.. Add sieved flour and baking powder in two lots, mixing well after each addition. Turn mixture into well greased 8" tin. Bake at regulo 4, 350f, 180°c for about 1 1/2hours. Leave in tin until cool.

Frozen Jack-O-Lanterns:
Ingredients:
A few oranges, ice-cream.

Method:
Cut the tops off the oranges. Scoop all the pulp out. Cut out a nose, mouth and two eyes in the shell of the orange. Mix the pulp of the orange with the ice-cream and then spoon it back into the orange.

Witches' Hats:
Ingredients:
Small biscuits, marshmallows, melted chocolate.

Method:
Place a marshmallow on top of the biscuit and cover with the melted chocolate.

Those short days and long nights will begin Sunday morning 26 October. Don't forget to put your clock back one hour. It's also the bank holiday weekend so how about a long weekend and an extra hour in bed!!

October can bring us some mild weather as well as the first real signs of winter but if the weather is mild do not be lulled into a false sense of security because often these mild spells can be followed by frost.

• Aerate compacted lawns to allow penetration of feed. Cut the lawn until the growth ceases. Remove all moss etc. with a good raking and feed the lawn with a good fertiliser.
• Lift gladioli corms, dahlia roots and border chrysanthemums for winter storage.
• Plant bulbs for good root structure for spring.
• Cut back thyme, parsley and sage as young growth stands the winter best. Make- up small pots of herbs and bring them into the house or greenhouse.
• Potatoes, beetroot and carrots should now be lifted.

Tragedy at Tuskar Rock by Mike Reynolds -published by Gill. and Macmillan

The author was a researcher for the 2000 international expert group investigation into the 1968 crash of Aer Lingus flight
EI 712 off the Tuskar Rock. This book is based on his contribution to the final report, which dismissed many of the traditional theories surrounding this accident including being shot down by a British missile. Instead the experts came to a new conclusion that the plane was in trouble long before it crashed into the sea and the full story of how the mystery was unravelled and the real story of the crash in presented here for the first time in book form. An excellent and gripping read.

J.Scannell .

I intend retiring from work. If I take up employment again at some time in the future will I still have to pay tax and P RSI?

If you retire from work and subsequently take up employment your earnings will be taxable along with other income regardless of your age. In addition to the usual personal tax-free credits, people over the age of 65 are entitled to an Age Tax Credit of €205 (2002) for a single person and €410 for a married couple. If you are under the age of 66 and earning over €38 a week in insurable employment you pay PRSI at either Class A or a modified rate, depending on your occupation. If you are aged 66 or over you do not pay PRSI regardless of your income. Since 1 July 2001 if you are aged 70 or over you do not pay the 2% Health Contribution. If you are under the age of 70 you will have to pay the Health Contribution unless you are in receipt of a Social Welfare Widow's or Widower's Pension, Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance or One-Parent Family Payment or you are a Medical Card Holder. Further details available from the

Citizens Information Centre
85-86 Patrick Street
Dun Laoghaire.
Telephone 284 4544

Now that the short days and longer nights are coming, try to save a little money by even carrying out a few of the following:

• Buy energy efficient appliances (energy label " A " is the most efficient, "G" the least).
• Purchase low energy CFL light bulbs.
• Buy (or upgrade) a lagging jacket for your hot water tank
• Buy rechargeable batteries (and a charger), particularly for high-use products.
• Thinking of changing your car? Buy one with a more fuel efficient engine.
• Timber framed homes cost up to 50% less to heat than standard houses.
• Insulate your house.

The centre, in collaboration with the Blackrock Education Centre, is preparing its programme of

Living History Re-Enactments

to engage and excite our young learners in the heritage of their area. Last year, in November and December, 747 local students and their teachers took part in the initiative to bring local history/heritage to colourful life. The Living History Re-Enactments are extremely popular with schools and book out within a day of the publicity going into the schools.

Classes of around 30 students are accommodated in each session. Mistress Ann Cheevers of Goat Castle brings the history of Dalkey (as main port for Dublin in medieval times) to life. The origins of the legend/story of Begnet are outlined by Begnet herself. The classes are then divided in two by, for logistical reasons. One group then meets the King of Dalkey who, in regal fashion, sets some kingly tasks (a quiz, which familiarised learners with methods of finding information in a Heritage Centre). The second group, meanwhile, begin their learning experiences by partaking in the animation of the Murder Hole with the students taking the roles of the attacking O'Byrnes and O'Tooles of Wicklow, much to their delight! Rose, the Maid upstairs deals with social history, and Rupert, the Archer deals with the defences of the Castle Towerhouse and the history of the longbow. The session lasts approx two hours. The (theatrical) King of Dalkey presents a personalised Scrol1 to each student before leaving the Centre. After their visits the students send back wonderful responses varying from creative writing to paintings, collages, wall displays and poetry. These animations have been the jewel in the crown of the work at the Heritage Centre to bring history to life for the young learners and to extend the resource bank available to primary school teachers.

Lunchtime Theatre is back for three weeks, beginning on Thursday, October 2nd, with a very exciting programme. The first show is a light-hearted play by Sebastian Barry, Fred and Jane, starring Mary McEvoy and Colette Proctor and directed by Caroline FitzGerald. The play continues on Friday 3rd and Sat 4th at 1.00 p.m. (STOP PRESS - Due to Mary McEvoy's mother's death, Fred and Jane by Sebastian Barry will not go ahead this week. The show will be re-scheduled for a later date (to be advised) You can get full refund on tickets or keep them for the re-scheduled dates We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.)

The second week sees Hugh Leonard's excellent and humourous play The Lilly Lally Show, performed by Barbara Brennan. (9th -I1th inclusive)

Finally, (for now) Ena May performs the tile work from her highly acclaimed collection A Close Shave with the Devil from Thursday 16th -Sat 18th.
Lunch is again being provided by Thyme Out and will be served from 12.45p.m. Early purchase of tickets is advisable as these shows are likely to book out quickly. Admission €12.50 includes a light lunch. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Centre.

Plans are underway with Deilg Inis to revive an 'event' around the Feast day of St. Begnet on 12th November and to explore the possibility of reviving the Markets and Fairs that were traditional in Dalkey in medieval times. The Story of Thorn Island, performed by Deilg Inis on Dalkey Island in Heritage Week was a magical, enriching and enlightening experience.

The Body Sculpting classes on Monday evenings in the Green Room have been extremely popular. Cathy Soraghan, renowned personal trainer, takes the classes, which are a combination of Yoga, Pilates and Dyna Bank routines, Beginners at 6.45p.m. and Advanced at 8p.m. Cathy can be contacted at 086 8758744.

Art Exhibitions continue in the Gallery. Gay Buggy's Exhibition Studies in Light and Landscape runs from 9th to the 12th October. Her paintings form part of a landscape tradition that in Ireland goes back to Paul Henry, PJ Craig, Frank McKelvey and Jack B Yeats. Watercolour landscapes with a low horizon and often dramatic skies characterise her work.

The Patchwork Society of Ireland has a major Exhibition from 22nd up to and including bank holiday Monday 27th October

Tickets for lunchtime Theatre and information on any of the events above telephone 2868366 or email diht@indigo.ie

Open Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm. Sat & Sun Pub Hols. 11am - 5pm

The Annual Art Exhibition will talke place in Our Lady's Hall, Castle Street, Dalkey on Saturday and Sunday 22nd, 23rd November 2003. Artists from the area are invited to submit paintings for this popular event. Entries should be framed, clearly labelled and ready for hanging. Exhibits should be brought to Our Lady's Hall on FRIDAY 21st November between 10.30am and 12.00 noon (no postal entries) - number of paintings limited to two per artist. Entries will be taken on a first come, first served basis, limited to the first one hundred and ten paintings. There will be a charge of €3.50 per picture exhibited. As insurance cover ends at 6pm on Sunday 23rd November, entrants must arrange for collection between 5pm and 6pm on that date. All exhibitors are invited to the official opening of the exhibition on Freday 21st November at 8pm

ADJUDICATION REPORT

Dalkey Town Category E - Mark: 223
Date 26/06/03

Overall Developmental Approach:
The Committee is thanked for their entry into this year's Tidy Towns Competition. This entry contained a very complete Entry Form, excellent additional information, two photographs, Dalkey Community Council Newsletter, an Historic Review, Heritage Guide No. 16 -Dalkey Island and an excellent Map of the Town. The Committee is to be congratulated on the quality of this entry. There is however one item that should have been sent and that is a three-year Programme of Development. The Adjudicator will look forward, in next year's submission, to this three-year Plan. These documents are of great help to the Adjudicator in seeing the work being done and they should also be of benefit to the Committee in monitoring the yearly programme. The committee's liaison work with the County Council, G.A.A., St. John ofGod, community groups and the pupils of the school are to be commended. The contributions from some of the community's businesses is proof of the backing provided by the local community. It is most important to continue this liaison work with the various groups mentioned above, as they can give invaluable help and advice to the Committee.

The Built Environment:
Because of the great number of works, either being considered or to be undertaken by the Committee in the Castle Street area, the Adjudicator decided to concentrate the adjudication in this area and to leave out the most charming areas of Dalkey such as Bullock harbour, Coliemore Road and Vico Road, all of which are superb residential and landscaped areas. Castle Street is basically a delightful street, with the slight curve on its plan and its buildings mostly two-storey in a variety of styles. It is the commercial street of Dalkey. The laneways off Castle Street should be one of the charms occurring in a quite regular pattern at right angles to the main street. Some areas of the street are just delightful, such as around Goat Castle, the Catholic Church, Kilbegnet Close and Termon housing. However, in general, most of the laneways instead of being paved with interesting paving, lighting and some gateways, are very unkempt with much litter and indeed refuse adjacent to kitchens and other work areas. Starting at the railway station, the perimeter of the car park is very untidy, with much litter and with no proper enclosure. The perimeter of this car park should be enclosed in trees and shrubs adjacent to nearby housing. The station itself has the example of the delightful Guinea Pig Restaurant, other good commercial buildings and some very fine houses and their gardens in that space fronting onto the station building. Could not the railway authorities and the Borough Council together not contribute to what could be a delightful urban space and one of the main entrances into Dalkey. The Committee should approach both bodies to work in one of the important areas of Dalkey. St. Patrick's Square, a winner many times for its delightful and partially hidden square and still looking a gem. However, it is completely undermined by the shabbiness of the approach road to St. Patrick's Square and the car park at the rear of the Super Valu Shopping Centre. The entire treatment of the Super Value centre facing onto the car park is very poor, with storage areas for trolleys, card boxes and other materials. Could not these areas be enclosed by sliding doors, and also these doors would stop the trolleys being dragged by vandals all over the car park. The Library looks derelict and basically needs painting to windows, fascias and lettering. The Social Centre, backing onto the car parks is the most offending, with garbage, litter and waste building materials and even a dismembered refrigerator. This areas should be cleared up by the Social Centre. Given all this negative development there is a charming small group of housing off the car park which is most pleasant and is struggling against adjoining litter. The Tram Yard is a most interesting small square with a furniture showrooms and other units, which is very untidy and with much litter. There are very fine wrought iron gates in poor condition and long unused which should be rehabilitated and used in front of the existing gate into the Tram Yard. The footpaths on Castle Street need regular hosing to keep them clean. A chewing gum removal machine must be acquired. The Queen's Bar and Restaurant is a charming building with a very pleasant external sitting area. The car park behind the hotel is relatively tidy and beside this is a most pleasant group of housing known as White's Villas which is a delightful surprise to come onto. The Adjudicator has seen many instances of wirescape, but has never seen so many wires in such a small area. It is amazing that so few houses could generate so many wires. Possibly the E.S.B. and the Borough Council, in conjunction with the Committee, could tackle this most intrusive wirescape. Again, in complete contrast, the very good landscape treatment around Goat Castle, the Catholic Church, Kilbegnet Close and Termon housing, are delightful areas and very well maintained. Similarly the area around Archibald 's Castle, Dalkey Town Hall and Heritage Centre. The Adjudicator will look with interest on the Committee's approach to the items discussed above.

Landscaping:
In many ways Castle Street is basically a delight, with its many fine lamp standards and floral hanging baskets, and this gives a great uplift to people coming into this street from Ulverton Road to Railway Street. Both the Committee and the Borough Council are to be congratulated on this lovely display of colour. Similarly St. Patrick's Square, as mentioned under The Built Environment, is a delightful urban landscaped housing square, with its very well grassed centre, its trees, shrubs and hanging baskets. It is a great credit to its residents to continually keep it to a high degree of maintenance. In the areas outside Castle Street there are the very fine grounds of the houses along Coliemore Road and Vico Road. They make Dalkey an outstanding seaside town to live in. The problem for the Committee is to see that Castle Street is developed to a standard comparable to these outstanding landscaped residential areas.

Wildlife and Natural Amenities:
Killiney Hill is an outstanding area to monitor and an area of wildlife with its many diverse habitats. There is a wealth ofplant life there to support both bird and animal life. The Committee should contact ENFO to obtain some of the very fine publications they produce on wildlife conservation. In the meantime the Committee could consider also the design and construction of illustrated boards showing both land and seabirds that exist on the Hill. The Adjudicator will look forward with interest on what has been achieved on this subject in next year's submission.

Litter Control:
What is basically needed in Dalkey is a Litter Management Strategy, especially for the Castle Street area. There should be more litterbins, of a type that does not impede the narrow footpaths. There should be a number of notice boards on sections of the street showing the statutory by-laws relating to the disposal of packaging waste, litter, dog pollution and the fines applicable to these, and above all, a litter warden to monitor difficult areas.

Tidiness:
There are new buildings being built on Castle Street and this construction work gives a sense of untidiness to the street, but this should be temporary and by next year's submission, the disruption should be completed and the area cleared up. The Committee should see that the contractors leave the footpaths and laneways completely tidy.

Residential Areas:
Beside the large residential grounds there are many single small houses and smaller housing groups, with their gardens, throughout Dalkey. By their care and design the owners of these gardens give a most friendly welcome to people coming into the town. These owners must be congratulated for the care and attention of these very lovely gardens.

Roads, Streets and Back Areas:
The back areas of Castle Street have been discussed in some detail under The Built Environment.

General Impression:
Dalkey is a most delightful seaside town and has the potential to be truly exceptional. Dalkey has heritage sites and buildings, outstanding public open space in Dalkey Hill, very beautiful coastal areas and gardens -except on its most important street, Castle Street -which is in some way letting down the quality of its surrounding areas. All that is needed is good housekeeping on the part of some of the commercial areas in Castle Street and its back areas. The Adjudicator is more than confident that these drawbacks can be overcome with the co-operation of the Committee and with sections of the Borough Council and looks forward to a Programme of Works that will overcome these drawbacks on Castle Street.

Number Twenty-Nine is a completely restored middleclass house of the late 18th century. The owners, ESB and National Museum of Ireland have strived to capture the atmosphere and furnishings of a typical home during the period 1790 - 1820. There is a unique collection of artefacts and works of art and is a wonderful example of Georgian Dublin.

Open:
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 2pm tp 5pm
Admission: Adults €3.15 children under 16 free.
There is a tea romm and gift shop. Dart to Pearse Street (or 7 Bus from Dun Laoghaire). Entrance is on the corner of Lower Fitzwilliam Street and Upper Mount Street.