JOHN DE COURCY IRELAND R.I.P.

CHILDHOOD REMINISCENCES
John, with my brother Brian and me, were an adventurous trio during our school holidays. Being first cousins - our fathers were brothers - we spent our holidays together with a kindly old Irish Grandmother and/or an Aunt and Uncle. John, in those days, was always EVAN, his second Christian name. Out remaining parents were all working in Europe or
India - Evan’s father had died in China during World War I. Granny, Mary K. Ireland lived in Buckfastleigh, South Devon in a house surrounded by trees and a most inviting sloping lawn which we quickly put to our use, sliding down it on trays borrowed from the kitchen. During the hot parched summer of 1921, the grass provided a lot of racy hilarity and lots of fun. An old Pine tree provided accessible branches where we made an eyrie, pretending to be pirates and smuggling food and fruit from the garden earned as ransom from any unfortunate grown-up passing within sight. From Devon the family migrated to a lovely big house near Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire where the vast garden revealed a long-deserted solid pigsty which we immediately appropriated as our HQ for our usual piratical purposes of demanding ransom from the gardener and any other meandering grown-up. Any unwanted bits of carpet and furniture from the house were quickly put to use to create a comfy hideout where we even did some basic cooking and Evan found time to play his everlasting pastime of Paper
Cricket.
Those were happy carefree days for all three of us which were never again repeated as Granny’s disagreement with her daughter demanded yet another move, this time to a smaller suburban house in Southsea. Other grandparents then claimed Evan for holidays while Brian and I became absorbed in Lepidoptera scouring every tree, bush and flower for
caterpillars, butterfly and moths. Subsequently, university claimed the boys and we never enjoyed the same adventures together again. Evan visited me and my family of three, all born in India and being educated in Dollar, Scotland many moons later and the last time I saw him was in his cosy little house in Dalkey when I was in Ireland with friends on holiday a few years ago. By then we were almost ancient history!

Aline Ford-Robinson – May 2006

• Early origins of Dún Laoghaire and how it got its name
• Early Christian, Viking and Medieval eras
• The building of the harbour and the coming of the railways
• The Victorian era, which contributed the many fine buildings to the streetscape
• The major literary connections with Dún Laoghaire and the surrounding areas (Joyce,
  Beckett, Synge, Shaw, Flann O’Brien, Hugh Leonard and Maeve Binchy)
  Tours will leave from the Pavilion Theatre every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Commencing 30th May until 9th September at: 11.00am, 12.30pm & 14.30pm. Admission is free
  Guided historical walks will also take place in Dalkey from May 31st
  On Mondays at 11.00am, Wednesdays at 14.00pm and Fridays at 11.00am..
  Walks begin at Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre and lead down to Coliemore Harbour and Sorrento Park. Cost €4.
  There is special half price admission to the Heritage Centre with walks ticket The Dalkey walks cover the history and literature of Dalkey and Killiney
  Details contact
  Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre at 01 285 8366 Email diht@indigo.ie
  and www.dlrevents.ie

The Owner/Occupier is responsible for the footpath/grass verge (if any) in front of and to the side of his/her property. He/she is obliged to keep private property that is visible from a public area (e.g. front garden) clean and litter free.
All grass cuttings can be and should be composted. Compost bins can be purchased from the Dundrum Office for £35. For more details contact 198 6918.
Dog fouling is a litter offence under the Litter pollution Act, 1997 and is also a health hazard. All dog owners are obliged to clean up after their dog. Please help us stamp out littering by reporting any litter offences on the freephone hot line 1800 403 503.
If you have an old car you would like removed from your property the Council has a removal service which costs £50. For details or to report an abandoned car in your area please call 205 4817.

The Council assists communities in local clean ups by providing bags, gloves and litter pickers. To avail of this contact the litter hotline on 1800 403 503 with details of your clean up.
A full list of recycling facilities is available on www.dublinwaste.ie.

Celebrations of our 50th Year are in full swing. We had our first re-union event at IN, Castle Street on Friday 5th May and were delighted to meet many faces from the past. We welcomed Kit Conalty and David Dowdall who had been members of the previous 3rd Port Sea Scouts at Bulloch in the 1940’s. A number of other members from that era have also contacted us since the previous article in this newsletter, and we have some early photos too.
Our Clambake on Saturday 6th May was our largest ever, and also the most successful. We thank all those who supported the event, and especially Mervyn Stewart of the Guinea Pig Restaurant who as usual supplied us with wonderful Seafood Chowder. The whole Group attended a special camp at Lough Dan Scout Centre on 26/28 May, where we also welcomed their parents for a Barbecue, 50th Birthday Cake and Camp Fire.
The Sea Scouts will parade for the Blessing of the Boats at Bulloch Harbour at 3 pm on Sunday 2nd July. The Dun Laoghaire RNLI Lifeboat will visit the harbour, and there will be a helicopter air-sea rescue display. All funds raised will be in aid of the RNLI.

NATURE CORNER JULY DATE — Saturday 8th July 2006-Trip to Ireland’s Eye: Numbers limited to 30 so early booking essential. Details & bookings from Aileen Prole 288-9565 (7pm-9pm only). Meet at the base of the East Pier in Howth at 10.30am. Bring boat fare (Adults €10, children €5), suitable clothing and a pack lunch. Duration 4-5 hours. See East Coast Sites Ireland’s Eye
This trip is NOT suitable for very young children NOR anyone with mobility problems as the terrain is demanding and in parts potentially dangerous.

The Annual Dalkey Community Garden Outing is taking place on Wednesday, 26th July. The outing is going to Blessington, Co. Wicklow to visit June Blake’s Garden & Nursery and Jim Blake’s Hunting Brook Gardens. Entrance fee to gardens, coach and morning coffee included in price (lunch not included). Price€25.00 (payable in advance). This day outing is open to all residents of Dalkey. The meeting point for the coach is Cuala car park, Hyde Road at 09.45 sharp. Returning to Dalkey at approximately 6pm-6.30pm. Those interested please contact 285 0280

The common marigold is familiar to most with its golden orange flowers and pale green leaves. Known as ‘Herbal Sunshine’ the flowers look like a piece of the sun fallen to earth. By a happy plan of Mother Nature marigolds remain in flower for most of the summer. Indeed this is the origin of the Latin name Calendula. Calendae means the first day of the month, the day on which accounts were paid up in medieval times, whence this medicine dates. The suffix -ula is diminutive and implies affection. This cheerful flower is a member of the Asteraceae family. Its origin is uncertain however marigold has been used in the Mediterranean and Western Asia since early times being first cultivated in North Western Europe during the12th century. Much of the medicinal properties are resident in the resin, concentrated on the underside of
the flower heads. Some is found on the petals, leaves and stems giving the plant a slight stickiness. The petals and whole flower head may be used. Marigold is a general immune tonic and an excellent a remedy for the lymphatic system. It is useful where lymph glands are swollen, where immunity is compromised and where there are lingering remnants of infection. Taken internally it has an anti-inflammatory action on the digestive system and is used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. It has marked antifungal activity and may be used internally and externally to treat fungal infections such as Candida and ringworm. It is even used to deal with a wide range of female complaints. In recent years it has been found to be an effective adjunct in the treatment of cancer, particularly breast cancer.
As an external remedy it makes an excellent dressing for wounds which are tender, swollen and infected. It is also excellent for inflamed conditions of the skin including sunburn (handy at this time of the year!), irritations, burns, eczema, acne and cradle cap.
The petals give colour and flavour to salads and soups, particularly fish soup and have been referred to as ‘poor mans saffron’. Apparently it goes particularly well with eel! In fact you may have noticed its new found popularity as an edible flower in many of the local farmers markets. Traditionally dried marigold leaves were thrown in soups to help fight off colds and fevers during winter time.
A conserve made of the flowers and sugar taken in the morning is recommended for strengthening and comforting the heart! Has there ever been a more useful flower! A delightful and easily drunk tea may be made by adding a heaped teaspoon of the dried or fresh flowers to boiling water and allowed to stand for a few minutes. This tea when cooled may be used topically.
If a serious condition is suspected consult your doctor or a qualified medical herbalist.
Jennifer Derham Medical Herbalist BSc MNIMH MIMHO

1 Within 1 minute of kick off in the opening match (Germany v Costa Rica), the commentator must mention England.
2 Regardless of what two teams are contesting the final, England have to be mentioned within the first minute.
3 The commentator shall refer to the Falkland Isles in passing at some point in the match if England play Argentina.
4 Whenever a hat trick is scored, comparisons with Geoff Hurst will be made within seconds of the third goal hitting the net.
5 Should England wear their red jerseys, then ‘1966’ should be mentioned approximately 20 times.
6 1966 will be mentioned approximately 10 times a match, or only on 4 or 5 occasions for matches not involving England.
7 Prior to the captain of the winning team lifting the trophy, the commentator will mention Bobby Moore. And 1966.
8 When Germany are playing, they must be referred to as being arrogant by the commentator on at least 14 occasions. This must refer to their style, their passing, their haircuts and their general footballing ability.
9 Should England play Germany, mentions of Winston Churchill, Dambusters, The Luftwaffe and Adolf Hitler will be compulsory. And 1966.
10 All Scottish members of our commentary team must continue to refer to England as “we” and “us”.
11 We must ensure that nationlistic stereotypes are adhered to. Of course, the Germans are arrogant. The Spanish are bottlers, The Ivory Coast are fast but bad at defending, The Angolans are disorganised, The Argentinians are cheats and the French are only good because their best players play in England.
12 For matches not involving England, we must only discuss the players that are playing in England. (eg - Holland v Argentina should be referred to as Van Nistelroy v Crespo).
13 The mythical “bulldog spirit” phrase should be used as often as possible.
14 Each match involving England should begin with the phrase “England Expects.”
15 Should any player be involved in an injury that involves the loss of teeth, then references to Nobby Stiles and 1966 are compulsory.
16 If in doubt, mention 1966.
17 Praise all of the stunning new stadiums in Germany but emphasise that they lack the presence of Wembley, the spiritual home of football since 1966.
18 Commentators should feel free to imitate the style of Kenneth Wolstenholme, the hero of 1966.
19 Should any team feature brothers playing together, then Jackie and Bobby Charlton should be mentioned.
20 When England bow out after the first stage, we must emphasise that it is a massive blow to football and a serious loss to the World Cup.

Don’t forget that during the summer months we are being judged for the Tidy Towns Competition. So, please make that little extra effort to keep Dalkey clean.
For example, you could ensure that the area in front of your home is kept weed free and that any overhanging branches of trees, shrubs, etc. are cut back to avoid danger to pedestrians.

If you would like to help at the regular clean-up days please see the Notice Board in Our Lady’s Hall for details.

I spent just 38 years teaching and those years were spent in two schools. Five years in Arklow and thirty-three years in Dalkey and the schools just happened to be boys’ schools. In my experience, boys between six and thirteen years old can be very creative, witty and spontaneous in verbal, written and dramatic presentations. I’m sure girls are equally so!
In the following few paragraphs I hope you will read evidence of the dexterity of young people with words and that it will remind all adults of what we lose sometimes when we grow up! Fr. Tim was a chaplain in the school some years ago. One Easter he came into the class and announced he was going to dramatize the death and resurrection of Jesus. Boys got different parts in this portrayal. Good Friday came and Jesus was put into the tomb on a table in a comer of the room. The story moved on to Easter Sunday morning. Another boy was now the risen Jesus. With that Fr. Tim spotted Jesus lying in the tomb since Good Friday. “What are you doing there?” he enquired. “I’m Jesus in the tomb”, said the boy actor. “No you’re not”, said Fr. Tim, “You’ve risen from the dead over here”. “No one told me!” said the disappointed actor.

Yet a child can write this:

The page is blank
The words won’t come
Can’t think of anything
Trying to write a poem.
Rain is falling outside
I can hear the television
The page is still blank.
No words are there
It’s really very hard
Trying to write a poem.

We can all say “yes” to that.

On another occasion I had given a written geography test and I had asked for the names of two waterfalls in Ireland. On one paper I got Powerscourt and Superquinn in Blackrock Shopping centre. Of course the boy was right!

Even history can be recorded:

In the north there are many fights
Between the Civil Rights and the Paisleyites.
They fight with sticks and stones
And break each others bones!

Luckily the poems etc. were kept as I produced school magazines during my time and the boys themselves decided what was printed.
Sometimes a teacher goes down a road in a classroom into an unexpected cul-de-sac! On one occasion we were discussing the arrival of the DART system in Dublin. It was agreed by all that such a transport system should be countrywide. “What would these systems be called in Cork, in Galway?, said I. With that a boy put up his hand and said “ Sir, what about Fermanagh?”. To save myself from crashing I said “Fermanagh is not a town!” But the witty individual had earned his laugh.

A custom that was kept but has now disappeared was this:

Maybush fires, burning tyres
Leaving nothing but rim wires
Maybush scorching
Making torturing fire
Maybush fires burning bright
Firemen fight with all their might
Quenching fires, drenching tyres
That ends the Maybush fire.

Children also notice the world of adults!

When you’re a child
You’ve got to do
The things that grown-ups
Say to you.
They might be right
I’m sure they’re wrong!

But you are too young
And they are too strong.
You love them and
You hate them too
For all the things
They do to you.

All the above is just a glimpse into children’s minds and the enjoyable moments they provide to
brighten up the school world.