The July meeting of Dalkey Community Council was held on Monday 5th July.
DCC welcomed two new members Raidie Wheatley who will represent the Dalkey Home Page and Oliver McCabe who is the new Road Rep. For Tubbermore Road and Avenue.
Functions: The Garden Competition took place on 9th June and photos of some of the winning entries are on the notice board in Our Lady's Hall. (See article inside for list of winners.)


Neighbourhood Watch
:
As the summer is here residents are warned to be on the look out for rogue handymen and gardeners. You should know anyone calling to fix the roof or make repairs to the gutters or if they arouse suspicions their identity should be checked out first before any work commences. It is very important not to hand over any money or permit them entry into the house, as some of these people can be intimidating. Unfortunately it is the senior citizens and those living alone who are the most vulnerable in these cases and we all should remain vigilant. If in doubt the best course of action is to contact Dalkey Garda station at 6665450.

Tidy Towns:

TT has now three litter patrols in operation for Dalkey;
Every Tuesday morning meet 10.30am at Select Stores,
Every Wednesday evening meet 8pm at the Church Car park and
Every Thursday morning meet at 11.00am in Dillon’s Park.
Everyone can help with the anti-litter campaign by keeping his or her own property tidy and securing rubbish properly so that it doesn’t end up lying around the area. The litter and dumping of it in the car park at the rear of Eurospar is an ongoing problem.


Planning: ESB DART:

A letter has been received stating that this work is part of the development and improvement of the DART and is exempt from planning permission. Work is now in progress.


AOB:

The double yellow lines and parking bays have been painted on the roads prior to the introduction of the parking control scheme for Dalkey. The enhanced traffic flow on Castle Street brings up the issue for the need of a pedestrian crossing and DCC will pursue this matter with DLRCC again.
As there was no further business the meeting ended.

Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
The centenary of Bloomsday was celebrated in high style in the Heritage Centre with record attendances on the 16th June. The Joycean Walk from the Centre must have been one of the largest Literary Walks ever in Dalkey. 70 people followed the Joycean trail in glorious sunshine. Mr Stephen Porter greeted the delighted participants at Summerfield Lodge. The Queens provided gorgonzola cheese and burgundy wine afterwards to all the walkers. A Joycean Evening linked with music and song followed in the Heritage Centre and was rewarded with a standing ovation.

The Historical Tours to and from Anglesey have captured the imagination and are proving very popular. There are over 50 people going on the August trip. We have been showing off our best sites to the Welsh visitors. They are being entertained with selection of work from the best of Irish writers by Deilg Inis, the theatrical animation company, on the evening of their visit in the Rochestown Lodge Hotel.

The artist residency programme has excited artistic sensibilities on both sides. The second artist Mari Elain Gwent was given a great welcome to Dalkey. She worked part of her time in Kilmarnock house with people of all ages seeking asylum. She lead the creation of large painted cardboard head-dresses to tell the Story of Oisín and Tír na nÓg in Welsh, Irish, English and the people's own languages. The next artist will be here through September. He will work largely in photography. He will work with adults with intellectual disabilities in Carmona Services' sites.

An exhibition linked with the first artist, Eleri Jones, and Valerie Coombes' Art group will open in the Gallery on Wed Sept 15th at 7.00pm.

Graveyard Slowly but surely the preservation and conservation of St Begnet's Graveyard is progressing. The various expert reports have been completed. The Parks Dept of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Co is taking care of some of the tasks. We are forming a panel of volunteers to assist in the restoration programme. If you would like to help please contact the Heritage Centre.

Yoga and Pilates classes will resume in Sept on Monday evening s with Cathy Soraghan.

The Dalkey Remembered Club will have its inaugural meeting in the Heritage Centre on Wed 29th Sept at 8.00pm. The first subject to be 'remembered' will be the Dalkey Tram. If you have any memories that you would like to share or just to listen to others' stories then come and join us. We will have a headline speaker for part of the evening to kick start the reminiscences.

Markets and Fairs Watch out for a Market starting up in the Town Hall on Fridays in the near future. The tradition of markets and fairs in Dalkey goes back to 1482 when an act of parliament gave permission for a weekly market and annual fair on the feast of St Begnet.
For information contact us at 285 8366

It is very easy for us to strike a match to light a fire for example and not think anything of it but how did fire come into being?
In Africa as early as 1,500,000 to 1,400,000 BC man’s ancestors made use of bush fires when they came across them. Between 730,000 to 200,000 BC man searched for natural fires i.e. fires caused by lightning and carefully kept burning as it was not known how to keep them going. It only became known how to light a fire in the time between 200,000 to 60,000 BC. At this stage the first tents were made from animal skins. In the era from 60,300 to 40,300 BC camp fires were guarded carefully and the first house like structures came into being. Fire now not only provided warmth and protection from wild animals but cooked food, thawed animal carcasses from their store rooms, made way for cultivation by burning clearings and flaming arrows also came about during war. Fire was not let go out because if it did the entire settlement would suffer therefore a lot of magic and ritual became attached to fire as it was considered a living being, one that had to be pacified with burnt offerings. Later eras gave names to their gods of fire such as Prometheus, Girru and Hephaistos.

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU – Know Your Rights
Is it true that the minimum wage has increased?
Yes, it is true. From the 1st February 2004 the national minimum wage is €7.00 an hour. The National Minimum Wage Act, 2000 was introduced on 1st April 2001 setting the minimum hourly rate of pay at €5.97.

On 1st October 2002 the rate increased to €6.35 per hour and now it has increased to €7.00.

The rate applies to virtually all employees over age 18. Close relatives of the employer and statutory apprentices are excluded. Employees under age 18 are entitled to 70% of the national minimum wage (NMW), which amounts to €4.90 per hour. If they continue to work in the same employment once they reach 18 they must be paid €5.60 per hour (80% of NMW) for the first year and €6.30 per hour (90% of NMW) for the second year. Those over the age of 18 who are starting employment for the first time are entitled to 80% or €5.60 per hour for the first year, and 90% or €6.30 per hour for the second year, from the date of their first employment over the age of 18. In both cases after two years they are entitled to the full rate.

Employees undergoing training or a prescribed course of study are entitled to a percentage of the national minimum wage for hours worked. If you have a dispute with your employer about the national minimum wage you can try to resolve the matter with your employer directly and if it is still unresolved you can refer your dispute to a Rights Commissioner of the Labour Relations Commission.
Further information is available from the

Employment Rights Information Unit,
Department of Enterprise,
Trade and Employment,
Davitt House,
65a Adelaide Road, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 631 3131, LoCall 1890 201 615 or

The Citizens Information Centre
85/86 Patrick Street,
Dun Laoghaire,
telephone 284 4544

I heard it is possible to receive medical treatment abroad. Is this true?
Yes. It is possible in certain circumstances. Under EU regulations an individual from one member state is entitled to medical benefits on the same basis as nationals in another member state if authorised by the competent institution in his/her own state i.e. your local Health Board in Ireland. This authorisation may not be refused if

• The treatment is among the benefits provided for in the home state’s legislation and
• The individual cannot be given this treatment within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in the home state, taking account of his/her current state of health and the probable course of the disease.

The Health Board has guidelines that set out the conditions for authorisation: Your application must be assessed before you go abroad although some leeway may be allowed in extremely urgent cases. A hospital consultant must provide medical evidence of the details of your condition and of the type of treatment envisaged. The consultant must certify that
- the treatment concerned is not available in this country
- there is urgent medical necessity for the treatment
- there is a reasonable medical prognosis
- the treatment is regarded as a proven form of medical treatment and
- the treatment abroad is in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.

If authorised to go to another member state your Health Board will give you Form E112, which establishes entitlement to the treatment and implies a commitment by your Health Board to pay the cost of the treatment. People on public hospital waiting lists may be sent to Northern Ireland or the UK for treatment by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).

The NTPF was set up to source treatment for adults waiting over a year and children waiting over six months. In some areas these waiting times have been reduced to six months and three months respectively. Contact the NTPF at LoCall 1890 720 820 to check whether you may qualify.

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

1. Dead-head roses, annuals and perennials for a longer flowering period. Also keep watering and feeding with liquid fertiliser.
2. Water and keep feeding hanging baskets/tubs daily.
3. Sow some spring cabbage.
4. Dry off onions as the tops brown.
5. Pinch out the tops of runner beans for a larger crop. Also pinch out the tops of tomato plants and remove lower leaves
   (in greenhouse).
6. Take cuttings of fuchsias and geraniums.
7. Remember to cut back and tidy any overhanging branches, hedges and shrubs that may be encroaching on the footpaths and hampering pedestrians.
   
   Above all enjoy your garden while the weather is milder, possibly even warm (!) and the evenings are longer.

A very hearty welcome to all visitors to Dalkey whether you are returning home for a short while or just dropping by, each and every one of you is very welcome. We hope you enjoy yourself however long you manage to say with us.

The longest road out is the shortest road home.

Dalkey Community Council Garden Competition held on 9th June 2004

• Best Overall Garden

First Place Ard na Cree, Knocknacree Road.
Second Place Rock Edge, Knocknacree Road.

Best Front Garden

First Place 5, Vico Road.
Second Place 5, The Burgage, Dalkey Avenue.

Best Display

First Place 5, Vico Road.
Second Place 13, Whites Villas. (tied)
2, Rock Edge, Knocknacree Road. (tied)

Communal Open Space

First Place Killiney Towers.
Second Place Bailey View Apartments.

Surprise Garden

First Place 11, Sorrento Road.
Second Place Mary Rose Cottage, Coliemore Road.

Torchbearers are entitled to purchase the torch, upon completion of their portion of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Since July 2000 Athens 2004 has recycled 108 tonnes of paper, saving 1,836 trees and cutting energy consumption by 442,800kw.

Before the Games start, more than one million large bushes, 290,000 new trees and 11 million new shrubs will be thriving throughout Athens.

During the Games, 50,000 meals will be prepared daily at the Olympic Village, utilising 100 tons of food.

Revenue generated from the sale of Athens 2004 official licensed merchandise is addressed to the funding of the Games and the Greek Olympic team.

Hyundai (Grand National Sponsor) will provide a fleet of environmentally-friendly electric cars to accommodate certain 2004 transport needs.

The initial revenue target of 200m Euro accomplished two years before the Games.

During the Olympic Games, the Olympic Village will provide accommodation and free-of-charge services to 16,000 athletes and team officials.

For the first time on the occasion of the2004 Games in Athens, the Torch Relay is taking the Olympic message to all five continents.

The Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (OCOGs) organise the Olympic Games in collaboration with their National Olympics Committee and host city.

Greece was the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. In 2004, the Olympic Games will return to their origins when Athens hosts the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad.

South and North Korea marched together under the same flag.

Four athletes from East Timor took part under the Olympic flag as individual athletes (IOA – Individual Olympic Athletes).

Triathlon and taekwondo were two new additions to the Olympic programme.

Athens 1896: Games of the I Olympiad – The revival of the ancient Olympics attracted athletes from 14 nations, with the largest delegations coming from Greece, Germany and France. On 6 April 1896, the American James Connolly won the triple jump to become the first Olympic champion in more than 1,500 years. Winners were awarded a silver medal and a crown of olive branches. The German athlete Karl Schumann finished in the top four in four different events. The people of Athens greeted the Games with great enthusiasm. Their support was rewarded when a Greek shepherd, Spiridon Louis, won the most popular event, the marathon. A total of 241 athletes (all men) took part in 43 events.

The Olympic flame was first lit during the opening ceremony of the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam.

The first athletes’ oath was sworn at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

The first officials’ oath was sworn at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

An Olympic Anthem composed by Spyros Samaras (music) and by Kostis Palamas (lyrics) was first played at the Games of the I Olympiad in Athens. Thereafter, a variety of musical offering provided the backgrounds to the Opening Ceremonies until 1960, since which time the Samaras/Palamas composition has become the official Olympic Anthem.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the modern Games. He said “It is not about winning but taking part, not conquering but fighting well”.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is organising free collections of Hazardous Waste items such as: Aerosols, Paints, Strippers, Thinners, Batteries, Fluorescent Thbes, Insecticides, Old Medicines, Cleaning Agents, Detergents, Bleaches and Waste Oils.

These hazardous wastes SHOULD NOT be presented with normal household waste for landfill.

A Cara Chemcar truck will be located at Our Lady's Girls' National School, Ballinteer Avenue on Saturday, 12th June between 9am and Ipm and 2pm to 5pm. It is very difficult to predict the amount of hazardous waste being deposited so unfortunately once the Chemcar truck is full on the day no more items can be accepted.

For further information please telephone 2054817, e-mail environ@dlrcoco.ie or check our website www.dlrcoco.ie.

In the meantime DON’T FORGET TO RECYCLE ………
The Recycling Facility at George’s Place (opposite the Old Fire Station) takes glass, drink cans, paper (newspaper, junk mail, magazines, telephone books, cards), cardboard packaging and plastic containers (drink, milk and shampoo bottles).
Open Monday to Thursday 8am to 4.30pm, Friday 8am to 3.30pm and Saturday, 8am to 4pm (closed Sundays and public holidays).
Litter free phone number is 1800 403 503

Freedoms
Article 6 – Right to liberty and security: Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person.
Article 7 – Respect for private and family life: Everyone has the right to respect for this or her private and family life, home and communications.
Article 8 – Protection of personal data: (1) Everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning him or her. (2) such data must be processed fairly for specified purposes and on the basis of the consent of the person concerned or some other legitimate basis laid down by law. Everyone has the right of access to data which has been collected, concerning him or her, and the right to have it rectified. (3) Compliance with these rules shall be subject to control by an independent authority.
Article 9 – Right to marry and right to found a family: The right to marry and the right to found a family shall be guaranteed in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of these rights.
Article 10 – Freedom of thought, conscience and religion: (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to change religion or belief and freedom, either along or in community with others and in public or in private, to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance. (2) The right to conscientious objection is recognised, in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of this right.
Article 11 – Freedom of expression and information: (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. (2) The freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected.
Article 12 – Freedom of assembly and of association: (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association at all levels, in particular tin political, trade union and civic matters, which implies the right of everyone to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his or her interests. (2) Political parties at Union level contribute to expressing the political will of the citizens of the Union.
Article 13 – Freedom of the arts and sciences: The arts and scientific research shall be free of constraint. Academic freedom shall be respected.
Article 14 – Right to education: (1) Everyone has the right to education and to have access to vocational and continuing training. (2) This right includes the possibility to receive free compulsory education. (3) The freedom to found educational establishments with due respect for democratic principles and the right of parents to ensure the education and teaching of their children in conformity with their religious, philosophical and pedagogical convictions shall be respected, in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of such freedom and right.
Article 15 – Freedom to choose an occupation and right to engage in work: (1) Everyone has the right to engage in work and to pursue a freely chosen or accepted occupation. (2) Every citizen of the Union has the freedom to seek employment, to work, to exercise the right of establishment and to provide services in any Member State. (3) Nationals of third countries who are authorised to work in the territories of the Member States are entitled to working conditions equivalent to those of citizens of the Union.
Article 16 – Freedom to conduct a business: The freedom to conduct a business in accordance with Community law and national laws and practices is recognised.
Article 17 – Right to property: (1) Everyone has the right to own, use, dispose of and bequeath his or her lawfully acquired possessions. No one may be deprived or his or her possessions, except in the public interest and in the cases and under the conditions provided for by law, subject to fair compensation being paid in good time for their loss. The use of property may be regulated by law insofar as it necessary for the general interest. (2) Intellectual property shall be protected.
Article 18 – Right to asylum: The right to asylum shall be guaranteed with due respect for the rules of the Geneva Convention of 28 July 1951 and the Protocol of 31 January 1967 relating to the status of refugees and in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community.
Article 19 – Protection of the event of removal, expulsion or extradition: (1) Collective expulsions are prohibited. (2) No one may be removed, expelled or extradited to a State where there is a serious risk that he or she would be subjected to the death penalty, torture or other inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Courtesy of European Commission

The Torca Shoulder of Dalkey Hill, the Telegraph Hill
overlooking the two bays from Dalkey Island Northward
to Howth and southward to Bray, is not surpassed in its view
of mountain, sea and sky: anywhere I have been.
It is the beauty of Ireland that has made us what we are
I am the product of Dalkey’s outlook.
“Shaw speaks to his native city”.
The matter with Ireland

Wickerwork is one of the oldest crafts. Willow and osier are the most common materials used and they grow all over Ireland. Many different kinds of baskets are made in Ireland, for example, the ‘cliabh’ or creel for gathering turf. The ‘skib’ for harvesting potatoes, the ‘ciseog’ for straining and serving vegetables, the lusset (losaid), a rectangular basket with wooden sides also for vegetables. In Mayo the ‘tiachog’ is used for carrying eggs. With the larger baskets the rim is constructed first, finishing with the base. Although in times gone by most people knew how to make baskets to match their needs, however, basket making is a very specialised craft.

Best presented Town

The county heritage town of Dalkey has been off target regarding the Tidy Towns competition for many reasons too numerous to mention. However many of the strands which were disconnected are now coming together and the real Dalkey is at last visible.

The reasons principally are as follows

1. Car Parking / Traffic Management
The new parking arrangements and traffic control which is the result of consultation between a joint traffic committee of Dalkey & DLRCC is now being put in place.

2. New Castle Street property developments have been completed or are nearing completion. Kerin’s Pharmacy, the Book Exchange, Benito’s Restaurant. Apartments at Dalkey Avenue junction. Shops & Apartments on the squareabout. Small Complex at the former bus terminus. Tramyard Development awaited. Redevelopment of Old Dispensary awaited.

3. The new developments and refurbishments
on Railway Road, St. Patrick’s Road and Convent Road are now maturing.

4. Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre
Opened in 1998 the centre is a great resource for community activity. It is currently engaged in a joint tourist project with Anglesey. It is developing a new tourist product with visits to Dalkey Island and a history tableau.

5. Litter Patrols
The Tidy Towns committee have encouraged various groups to do litter clean ups. The first of several groups to respond were the cubs and brownies from St. Patrick’s Parish. The Dalkey Tidy Towns committee maintain a high profile two days a week, working with volunteers. This is creating greater awareness among the public of tidiness.

6. The St. Patrick’s Square enclave C
off Castle Street is always a great source of pride to Dalkey. Council and householders jointly maintain the Square.

7. The lanes and side streets
off Castle Street are being targeted for improvement. The joint owners of the lane between Kerin’s Chemist and the Old dispensary are awaiting full development of the dispensary to eliminate wirescape and re-surface the lane and back area. The steps to the upper level of the car park have been enhanced with planter baskets. We are endeavouring to secure a handrail.

8. Eurospar Car Park B
We have a project to eliminate weeds and occasional dumping at the rear of Eurospar (SuperValu). This will involve some hard paving and planting zones.

Large letters relate to locations on site map submitted.

The restaurant owner is renowned for his generosity. Several community and charitable organisations benefit from donations of various cooked delicacies. The restaurant is also offered occasionally as the venue for special Dalkey Business Association or other group events.

There is storytelling every Thursday from 3.30pm-4.00pm for children aged 3-6. Any parents who would like to volunteer in the regular story time sessions please contact the library.

The Writers’ Group, meetings are held fortnightly in Dalkey Library from 6.00-7.45pm on Thursday evenings.
Phone Dalkey Library for further information 2855277.

1 Aug 1498