THE DALKEY COMMUNITY COUNCIL ANNUAL DINNER

First a thank you to Colette and the Functions committee for the really enjoyable and friendly DCC dinner last month. I am sure I can speak for all who came along. April was productive. The public car park behind Eurospar has undergone a transformation. Coordination between Eurospar management, an adjoining land owner, DLRCC and Dalkey Tidy Towns
has resulted in a vast improvement that we hope will be maintained. I am proud to report that the restoration of the picnic area at the Ramparts on the Vico Road is now complete. The first of our 2 sessions in April involved our committee, volunteer Blanaid McGinty and a coordinator from An Taisce. It was very productive with the seats being repaired as well as more site clearance. The second was a response to the National Spring Clean Campaign’s appeal for volunteers. A group of staff from Timberland in Dundrum, took the trouble to ask how and where can we help. The answer was 11 bags of litter collected from the notorious Dillon’s Park and assistance on our project at the Ramparts. It is reassuring to know that there are people out there who care.
Now, what do we do every summer? We try to keep Dalkey tidy. The twice weekly cleanups begin on Tuesday 30th May at 10.30am meeting at McCabe’s and Thursday 1st June at 11am meeting at Dillon’s Park and thereafter every Tuesday and Thursday during June, July and August. This year we really need more volunteers if we want cover more areas in central Dalkey so please spread the word.

Thank you June Barnett

On Wednesday, 26th April 37 members of the club set off for Killarney via the DART and LUAS to Heuston Station for the train to Killarney. A bus was waiting in Killarney to transfer the group to the Castlerosse Hotel, the venue for the next two days. The following morning the group again set off, this time for the Ring of Kerry. Never have the shops been shopped, views been photographed and visits scrutinised to the nth degree or any bus been so late on the Ring as the Ladies’ bus that day! A charming and easy going young man made it all the more pleasant although I am not too sure his
motto wasn’t “if that many ladies want to do something there is no use objecting”. A leisurely morning in Killarney was followed by a trip to Muckross then lunch and the train home.
Wonderful weather, great company, lovely hotel and spectacular scenery all combined to make a memorable trip. Roll on 2007!
Ladies Club Representative

6th April 2006

I was thrilled to be invited along with Dalkey’s fashion elite to Bolero’s first Fashion Show held upstairs in In. The evening proved to be the “Inn of the Sixth Happiness”. Organised by the charming Iris, whose joie de vivre is infectious and makes a visit to the shop on Railway Road a delight. The evening started with wonderful canapés and wine. Then the fashion show was both exciting and exotic, with a myriad of designs and kaleidoscope of colours exploded all around us, pinks, reds, blues, birds of paradise, dramatic blacks, true Oscar night gowns, stylish suits and day dresses, occasional wear for
weddings or race meetings. More canapés and wine - a truly wonderful evening and great fun. Thank you to Iris and all at Bolero.
Colette Doody

In the case of Dalkey we have been lead to believe that a cinema once stood on the site of 37a Convent Road, Dalkey and that this cinema belonged to one John Kavanagh, a builder whose address was St Bridget’s Convent Road. This cinema was established circa the 1920s and was mentioned in Thom’s Street Directories in the years 1923/4/5.6.7. The owner was also the recipient of a notice which was hand-delivered by a uniformed D.M.P Officer from the Dalkey Police Station in 1922. This notice was from the Government Censor Office and a signed affidavit from the serving officer was required by returned as proof of delivery. {We have a copy of same} The fact that the cinema was on the delivery list was proof enough that it was a bona-fide premises and operating under a license which was issued in accordance with the
Cinematograph 1909 Act by the U.D.C .
However we now have a dilemma, simply because very few people know of this cinema and to-date we have found nobody who could stand firm and point to the actual site on which it once stood. Despite the fact that we have established that the summons / notice as previously mentioned was served on John Kavanagh at St Bridget’s, Convent Road by a uniformed D.M.P. Officer in 1922.
That 37a Convent Road was given in Thom’s directories as the address of the Dalkey Picture House in the 1920s. {1922 - 1927} That the Dalkey Picture House was the 37th cinema listed on the official cinema list from the Chief Superintendent’s Office of the Dublin Metropolitan Police District. It has been suggested to us that the cinema was {A} a myth; and {B} an old Cow-shed situated to the rear of the house, which we very much doubt as the cinema was licensed. However there is another possibility and that would be that the actual cinema was situated in the Town Hall as was the Clontarf cinema in Clontarf. Hopefully your readers will b e able to tell us exactly where it was, and just maybe supply us with a picture or sketch of same.
We would also mention that we have trawled the Dublin evening newspapers and the Bray Herald but never found an advertisement for this cinema,
George P Kearns / Patrick Maguire
c/o 22, Griffith Parade, Finglas East, Dublin 11.
Ph. 01-8345811
Email; georgemamie@eircom.net

In the last few weeks you may have noticed small, pale blue flowers appearing on the very distinctive, strongly aromatic,
evergreen shrub of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officionalis). There is so much to say about this wonderful plant I don’t know where to start! Ros maris means ‘dew of the sea’ and is a particularly good plant to grow along the coastline as its waxy leaves tolerate the desiccation of salt spray and sun. It has long been associated symbolically with fidelity and loyalty and as a result became the emblem of lovers. Rosemary was often entwined in the bride’s wreath and used at weddings and funerals alike to adorn churches. An old custom was to burn rosemary in sick chambers and in French hospitals it was customary to burn rosemary with juniper berries to prevent infection and purify the air. Now there’s a thought! It is one of the oldest and most popular of aromatic herbs along with thyme and lavender used for medicine, cooking and cosmetics. Rosemary is a wonderful tonic for the heart, brain and nervous system and a particularly good tonic for the elderly. Renowned as a rejuvenating tonic it is considered to slow the aging process; this may be due in part to its powerful antioxidant qualities. Since ancient times, rosemary has had a reputation for strengthening the memory. By increasing blood flow to the head it stimulates the brain and heightens concentration. Rosemary contains volatile oils which contain antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties which help enhance the immune system. It is an excellent remedy for indigestion, improving digestion in general, for treating and preventing migraine and headaches and may also be used for insomnia, uplifting the spirits and calming the nerves. It makes an excellent hair rinse particularly for dark hair. It has the ability to stimulate hair follicles, is an effective remedy for dandruff and is said to prevent premature baldness. The essential oil is used externally as a rub and may be added to liniments for it’s pain numbing qualities for stiff, aching limbs, sciatica and conditions such as arthritis.
Rosemary is best picked between April and September. The leaves and young twigs may be used fresh or dried to make a tea. If possible use fresh when cooking. The sprigs may be macerated in oil easily and used as a delicious dressing for salads or for marinating food. This plant is easily propagated from cuttings so if you don’t have a rosemary plant ask your neighbours!
Rosemary should not be used in large doses, a couple of cups a day should suffice. It should not be taken during pregnancy. If a serious condition is suspected consult your doctor or a qualified medical herbalist

The summer months are here again; we at Dalkey Garda Station would like to advise people to take a look at their home security.
The evenings are getting longer and we are all back out in our gardens, trying to get them into shape for the long summer evenings ahead. Because all this activity is going on, we can all become a little too relaxed about locking those windows and doors.
Do you know approximately 8 out of every 10 burglaries are carried out by the opportunist thief, who is out looking for an easy opportunity of gaining entry to your home. Would they consider your home an easy target?
THE FOLLOWING POINTS MAY PREVENT A LOT OF HEARTACHE LATER IN THE SUMMER
• Keep your doors/windows locked. (Remember that in approx 3 out of every 10 burglaries, the burglar does not have to force entry, they take advantage of the open door or window.)
• Fit mortise locks to all external doors. Your local DIY will have a selection to suit all doors and windows.
• Most break-ins happen at the ground floor rear window/door. Are the rear windows and doors in your home secure?
• Have you fitted an additional lock to your patio doors? If not a suitable lock is available from your local DIY outlet.
• If you have a ladder and tools, keep them in your shed, securely locked.
• If you’re away for a few days, have your neighbour keep an eye on the house. You can do the same for them when they are away.
• Thieves watch out for the tell tale signs which indicate that the house may be empty, i.e. build up of junk mail in the letterbox or front porch, no lights at night, etc.
•Use a timer to switch your lights on and off when you are away from the house. Your local DIY have a large selection to choose from.
•Don’t keep large amounts of cash and jewellery in your home.
•If you keep cash/jewellery in your house don’t leave it in the bedroom, it’s the first place a thief would look. Consider a small domestic safe that can be secured in a suitable location within your home. Domestic safes are available from your local DIY shops and start from as little as 40.
• If you have jewellery or antiques, use your digital camera and take photos of the items; remember a picture can tell a thousand words!
• Take an inventory of your electronic goods; take a written note of the makes, model numbers and the all-important serial numbers.
• If you have an electronic intruder alarm, do you use it? Have you had it serviced within the last 12 months?
Don’t forget if you see suspicious activity in your area, please report it.
If you need general security advice or are having a local problem, ask for Garda Marie Barry or Garda Arthur O’Neill your community Gardaí for their help.
You can contact us at 666 5450.