Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures 2009 (3)

Another wet morning and you find me in the Bloomfields café, supping tea(sensible drinking). It's after 1pm and I'm perusing today's schedule. Oumou Sangare, Babylon Circus and the Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan will all be offering their music free to the public in Newtownsmith later on today. My attention, however, will be fixed on the People's Park with cultural delights from Cameroon, Mexico and Soweto. Will they bring any surprises?

Well I've made it to the Kingston Hotel where Steve Cooney and an assortment of dreadlocked musicians are looking around sternly whilst in rehearsal for their gig later... Signs behind the Kingston bar proclaim loudly 'CASH ONLY'. Everyone's out to take advantage of the money the festival brings locally and you'd have to say why not?

The People's Park is festooned with bunting hanging off the lamposts. A Latin-American band are capitivating a small but devoted audience. Water is the key word today. Not only is it coming down from the sky at an incredible pace, but there are a number of fountains in the park with water spouting from the mouths and penis's of the statues there.I should be thankful I'm not getting showered in urine.Anyway the water won't kill me.

Omnipresent over the weekend are food and children. If they were not present then, one wonders, would the festival work? A little more imagination is needed. If these gripes are addressed next year things will be more exciting. Also, the main thoroughfare in DL is practically ignored. Something for Ms Ackland to work on when she's not busily avoiding interviews....

It's 2.45pm and I am moving away from the People's Park going towards Marine Road for one last trawl through the crowds... Outside Saint Michael's church a lone pan piper is drawing interest. A group of bellydancers are arousing male attention. One of the dancers should clearly have given up this form of exhibitionism about 40 years ago.

Moving on I am approached by who I think is a Latin American man, "Amigo would you like a tattoo on your arm?" I politely refuse,one tattoo is quite enough for me,thank you.

My time at the cultural festival is nearly up and my final thoughts are that this year's events were less than overwhelming. The obvious intercultural attraction has not really been as thrilling as it could have been (although, being single may be part of the reason for that). More diversity is needed to take things to a higher,better level in 2010.
© Ian Callagy 2009

Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures 2009 (2)

It's a wet start, my jeans are soaked. However the Dun Laoghaire area is slowly and surely gathering a crowd today, the first day of this year's festival. No amount of rain will affect proceedings: A Lute/Kora is being played outside the County Hall. A few hippies are watching, enraptured (as, indeed,am I). Hippies are usually well-off people who just want to get wasted. It's difficult to imagine the crusties beside me ever living in splendour. I guess there'll be more of this hippy chic to be seen in DL for the duration of the weekend.I'm not knocking these people, it's just that they never seem to be in the REAL world. And I haven't even mentioned spliffs...

I've moved inside the County Hall and there is a lot going on. Entertainment is being brought our way by an Irish traditional folk group and there is loads of organic food to be sampled. Healthy bread is neatly positioned with other calorie laden produce. A life-sized Snakes and Ladders board is rolled out on the ground and some kids are heavily involved. A word of advice: never ignore what goes on in the County Hall, it is a veritable Aladdin's cave and is most educational and informative.

Moving out of the County Hall, I'm heading to see Natty Wailer at the main stage in Newtownsmith. Please let it not rain! The carnival feeling begins to grow as I approach the area and the sound of drumming gets steadily louder. Be in no doubt, the children here are (or should be)having a great time. Many of the little devils and angels are having their faces painted and stuffed with food. Two Gardaí are supping 7up as more and more souls gather in anticipation of Natty Wailer's appearance. Everyone is relaxed, definitely no need to hurry.

"Greetings Dun Laoghaire - RASTAFARI", bellows Natty Wailer before breaking into Bob Marley's 'Redemption Song'. Natty is a natty dresser (sorry!), he's decked out in what looks like traditional gear. There's a couple of crusties at the front with another type of 'gear' keeping them happy. "Gettin' Irie", Natty sings and my jeans are now almost dry. Despite the lack of sunshine, everyone is skanking to the reggae beat. There's a good selection of dreads to be seen and the DL 'massive' are having a great time. But no-one's going to get heatstroke, judging from today's weather.

Natty continues to pepper his set with Bob Marley songs and it sounds wonderful. 'Stir it up' rings out over the field at Newtownsmith and the backing girls are sounding, and looking, terrific. The bearded Jamaican is in the correct environmnet. Thumping bass is, of course, a key feature and the band are as tight musically as Brian Lenihan's wallet. It was definitely a good idea to seek out Natty Wailer and I recommend others do the same.

Well I am now heading out of DL, going past what seems like hundreds of food stalls. Certainly you'd have no excuse to go hungry! Today was subjected to rain, sometimes heavy. But those at the festival were determined to have a good time and DL locals need no excuse to party. Tonight is going to be full of gigs and the Royal Marine Hotel will be the place to go to. Can't quite remember what's going on exactly but the blurb suggests great activity with late buses running. But for me today's goings on are enough and I have enjoyed the wide selection of events.

Tomorrow is the final day of the festival and I'm planning on going to the People's Park to check out what's in store in that part of DL......
© Ian Callagy 2009

Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures 2009 (1)

This year's event will be the ninth to shake Dun Laoghaire residents to their roots. I tried in vain to get an interview with the chief organiser, Jody Ackland, back in June. Arranging a conversation with Saint Peter would be easier.

I did however, get to do a preview of the festival for Metro Eireann. ME is a weekly multicultural newspaper in a tabloid format and is aimed at immigrants and those drawn to our shores from overseas. Although containing relatively few articles, it is eye-opening - quality rules over quantity. I have become a regular purchaser and hope to remain so in the future. For those interested, ME costs €1 and can be bought in all branches of Easons. I regard it as essential reading.

My sincere thanks go to Catherine Reilly (Deputy Editor), who has been a great help to me in getting some of my work published in ME (two articles, so far!). Catherine is a hardworking journalist and I will always be grateful to her for allowing me the opportunity to get onto the journalistic ladder.

Anyway the festival, this year, has Jane Birkin headlining and as the cliché goes: 'there's something for everyone'to enjoy. I'm looking forward to catching the Irish-domociled,Jamaican musician and one-time acolyte of Bob Marley's: Natty Wailer. He is due to play at the Newtownsmith stage tomorrow (29th August 2009) and should be of great interest. I'm going to roam around DL over the course of the weekend and will try and bring some of the excitement to viewers of IANO'S CHRONICAL.

This evening I'll be helping my Amnesty Ireland colleagues get set up for the weekend in the County Hall, Dun Laoghaire. There will be a stall and exhibition on human rights. Amnesty,alongside other worthy organsiations,always has a presence at the festival and anyone can come along and view the stalls for the duration of the festival. Hopefully many will come to DL and enjoy a festival that, in Jody Ackland's words: "radiates pure cultural celebration!" See ya tomorrow......

Colm O’Gorman

www.colmogorman.com

Colm O’Gorman was born in Wexford in 1966. By 1986 he had moved to London and this led to him training as a physical therapist in 1994. Eventually, in 1996 he qualified as a psychotherapist.

However as a teenager, in the early 1980’s, O’Gorman was sexually abused by a Catholic Priest. In the late 1990’s he sued the Bishop of his local diocese and also the Pope to challenge the clerical sex abuse he suffered. This legal action culminated in the resignation of Dr Brendan Comiskey, Bishop of Ferns in 2002. O’Gorman was awarded €30,000 in damages.

Returning to live in Ireland in 2003, O’Gorman founded the Irish branch of One In Four. The organisation was originally set up in London and campaigns on behalf of males and females who have been sexually abused. In the same year he was the recipient of The James Larkin justice award by the Irish Labour party.

His father, Sean, stood for election at two elections in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s for Fianna Fail but was unsuccessful on both occasions. In 2007 Colm would stand for the Progressive Democrats in the Wexford constituency. Although polling well, he similarly failed to get elected. He was, however, made a Senator in Seanad Eireann for the PD’s.

CO’G often features in the media especially when clerical sex abuse is the topic for discussion such as when the recent Ryan Report implicated the Christian Brothers for the cruelty that they inflicted on those in their care.

Aside from giving support to victims of sexual abuse, he also works in the field of human rights. In February 2008 O’Gorman was appointed as the head of Amnesty International Ireland. He is also a prominent campaigner for gay rights. In 2009 he had a book published; Beyond Belief (Hodder & Stoughton). It has been received well by critics:

‘He has triumphed over sexual abuse’ – Mary Robinson (Former President of Ireland)

‘It is a crucial document in the charting of a dark period in our history. It is also a story of bravery and survival, of strength and resilience, and will serve as an inspiration to many readers’ – Colm Toibin (Successful Irish author)

Mr O’Gorman lives with his family in County Wexford and it is safe to say that he will continue to speak out on issues concerning human rights that affect those both inside and outside of Ireland well into the future. Whatever he does Colm’s hard work and integrity is an example of a caring individual. As a member of Amnesty Ireland I can attest to this man’s dedication to human rights. It is heartening to have him as our executive director.

Step down gracefully Mr Kenny

Since the demise of the Fine Gael-Labour coalition, in 1987, Fine Gael has struggled to assert itself as a party of government. From Alan Dukes to John Bruton to Michael Noonan and now Enda Kenny, they all have found it difficult to establish themselves. Notwithstanding the short-lived ‘Rainbow’ government (1994-97), with John Bruton as Taoiseach, the party is inexperienced in power. Fianna Fáil has all but monopolised government in this country. At the moment Fine Gael is in rude health, but their leader’s value is fast depreciating. Is it the right time for Mr Kenny to vacate his position as leader?

One day, during last year’s referendum campaign on the Lisbon Treaty, I was in the centre of Dublin. I saw the Kenny entourage strolling through Grafton Street pressing flesh. It was almost tearful to witness. Whilst meeting people, on that wealthy part of town, the Fine Gael leader looked stiff and uncomfortable. No doubt that painful scenario will be repeated as we move closer to the second Lisbon Treaty referendum. Put bluntly Mr Kenny is incapable of communicating effectively to the public. This is a handicap his party can do without.

Enda Kenny is 58, he’s been a TD since 1975 and leader of Fine Gael from 2002. Although a true gentleman, and a first rate public representative (he has always achieved high popularity in his Mayo constituency), he must realise that he cannot go on as leader forever. Fine Gael’s best chance at the next general election would be with a new leader, preferably George Lee.

I mention Mr Lee not only because of his economic expertise. When the difficult question of charisma comes up, George can point to his undeniable profile due, of course, to his work on RTE. The TD for Dublin South has much to offer nationally. His shrewd, lucid manner is the mark of a potentially gifted leader. This would contrast sharply with the current leader’s rather wooden style. Certainly Lee’s star is on the rise and those in his party mustn’t ignore the skills he brings to politics.

But right now FG is saddled with Enda Kenny. Overcoming a shocking disintegration at the 2002 general election (they lost around 20 seats) Kenny has worked hard and brought a cheer back to his party. However, despite a resurgence of TDs at the 2007 general election, he hasn’t led Fine Gael back into office.

Looking to the future it is clear that a new person is needed to take the baton of leadership from Mr Kenny. A timetable of change to a new leader needs to be agreed by those in the Fine Gael party. This should be a swift transition. Once the forthcoming referendum is over a new leader should be chosen and this would be the best way of unseating the current government. However any change at the top must be bloodless and a re-run of the coup that cost John Bruton his leadership would not be an edifying prospect.

At the next general election, providing the Dáil goes full term, Enda Kenny will be in his 60s and less in touch with voters than ever before. Mr Kenny holds the keys to the future of Fine Gael and it is important that he knows when to relinquish his grip.

Keeping up appearances

It’s Saturday morning and I am flicking through the television channels. On one of the networks a coterie of young fit and tanned men and women are prancing around, semi-naked (it’s 10.30am!), in what appears to be a ‘reality’ programme set in the Caribbean. I’m wondering could my 12 stone, disproportioned body exist in such surroundings. No! I’m distraught. To be realistic – I’m not the most overweight of people. At 37, one has to accept that my body is simply not ‘hot’ to look at. However middle age has given me a licence to rationalise things more easily and there are many heavier than me in the world. We live in a world that accommodates all shapes and sizes.

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In a recent issue of the Guardian (14th August 2009), it was reported that a disabled student won a case against a fashion store, based in London. Riam Dean (22), who has a prosthetic arm, failed to comply with a company rule which stated that all staff had to wear the same clothing. Riam wanted to wear a cardigan to hide her disabled limb but this was against the rule and led to her being taken away from the shop floor where she was secreted away to work in the company warehouse. Not what she had envisaged when she began working for the store.

The rule, known as the ‘look policy’, states that all employees “represent our company with natural, classic American style.” These rules go further and stipulate that staff should have a “classic hairstyle”, and nails should be “no more than a quarter of an inch beyond the tip of the finger… looking great while exhibiting individuality.” Ms Dean ended up taking a case against her employers for being treated unfairly due to her disability and, quite justly, was awarded £9,000.

Whether you are fat, have a disfigurement or are in the wrong age group, you shouldn’t have to hide this fact. Being proud of one’s appearance has taken precedence in life. But that shouldn’t lead to shame. A myriad of mental illness’, such as depression and anorexia, are harvested by the media everyday. The message must be that image is not the most important issue in life. No one person has ‘the look’. Whatever your weight or however flawed you look, love and respect goes further. It’s what makes us human.

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I’ve been having sneezing fits for the last few days, accompanied by scratchy, itchy eyes and am certain that it is hay fever. “Runny noses, watery eyes and sneezing fits are classic symptoms”, confirms Kate Ravilious in the Guardian (14th August 2009). They are caused by “an allergic reaction to the pollen from a particular grass, tree or weed.” She goes on to explain that “pollen forecasts enable hay fever sufferers to prepare for a pollen onslaught by taking medication or planning pollen-avoiding activities.”

In her article Kate tells readers that the economic downturn is adversely affecting the collection of data on pollen levels in the UK. Anyway having had enough of the sneezing and red eyes, I presented myself at the local chemist where the patient was given tablets, Zirtek, and it has made a hell of a difference. Never doubt the benefit of the local chemist. Are you listening Ms Harney?

Freedom…

So Ronnie Biggs is now free. He may have been on the run for years but was eventually forced to face justice. Arriving back in the UK (2001), from self imposed exile in Brazil, he was returned to jail to serve out the rest of his sentence since he originally fled from his captors, decades earlier. Suffering ill health, he can no longer function without 24 hour care. This, Jack Straw proclaimed, is the reason for Biggs’ release.

However few are happy to see the Great Train Robber out of prison. In last Saturday’s (8th August 2009) Irish Independent, it was reported that the grandson of the train driver, Jack Mills, who was assaulted by Biggs’ gang, was angry. Stephen Mills says: “I wish Ronnie Biggs was dead, he should have been let to rot in jail. Biggs is a terrible man and he should have served his last days in jail…Letting criminals like him out early is a disgrace.”

Indeed Mrs Anne McCabe probably feels the same way. Garda Detective Jerry McCabe’s killers, Kevin Walsh and Pearse McAuley, walked out of Castlerea hotel, sorry, prison last week too. Seemingly they don’t require 24 hour care. Although they probably had a few pints and a guilt- free laugh with Martin Ferris, the self proclaimed IRA gun runner, who collected and spirited the two criminals away, out of sight and out of sound from the prison gates.

Mr Mills adds more of his justifiable rage on Biggs’ release: “He made a mockery of our justice system.” Just like the McCabe killers did here.

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I was saddened to read of the death, last week, of Paul Smyth. Paul was a teacher in Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education. He had a very friendly demeanour and we would, regularly, have chatter and banter across the corridors of the college. I, as a mature student, got on well with the bearded intellectual. Paul, I couldn’t compete with your fine mind, but it was always a pleasure and a privilege to have spent time, however brief, in your company. May you rest in peace.

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More gloom. It seems that the Guardian / Observer group of newspapers are downsizing (redundancies to you and me). They have been losing money, like most of the print media, consistently and it looks like ‘the Ob’ may be cut adrift from its daily sister publication. A sad tale as it is the oldest Sunday newspaper in Britain. Left wing politics needs newspapers like the Observer as many of its competitors are right wing, vulgar and narrow minded. The Guardian online, however, is going well.

Anyway the hot news is that the Sunday Times is getting its own dedicated website, separate from the Times online. Interesting times ahead…

Barack Obama’s Birthday

This week the US president turns 48. The tobacco smoking American leader has seen, in his short time in office, America’s position in the world improve somewhat. He can point to a marked improvement in US diplomacy and, as I have written previously here, an end to nuclear proliferation is now on the agenda – something his predecessor wouldn’t countenance. Surely a good start?

Maybe, but Obama will have to keep his citizens happy and the US economy will be of major importance to him and his supporters. Another issue for him to work on will be his healthcare programme and that will make or break his term as president. With regard to the Middle East, always a thorny problem for American leaders, he is being viewed by some in Israel as being soft on the Jewish nation’s enemies. Relations with Iran will also be carefully monitored. Will Mr Obama be too lenient? We wait excitedly.

Moving away from serious issues of state, I thought it would be interesting to think up some presents world leaders may give Mr Obama. Below are some of my ideas:

from Gordon Brown – a blue tie
from Nicolas Sarkozy – a copy of Carla Bruni’s latest album
from Silvio Berlusconi – a copy of the latest edition of Italian Playboy magazine
from Dmitri Medvedev – a bottle of Alcohol-free Vodka
from Brian Cowen – shares in Anglo-Irish Bank
from Angela Merkel – a year’s supply of German Sausages

I’m afraid I can’t add to that wide ranging list of gifts, Barack. However I am honoured, as citizen of the world, to have you as American president. So happy birthday and long may you prosper. Your dignity and integrity are an example to politicians worldwide.
© Ian Callagy 2009

Socialist Youth’s Day of Resistance

Got to the Central Hotel in time for today’s, day of Resistance, given over to a discussion organised by Socialist Youth. A group of around 30 young people squeezed into ‘The Mullen Room’ to talk (and preach) on what being young and a socialist means in 2009.

The gathering is quiet and attentive. Various socialist slogans adorn the ‘Mullen Room’. It’s clear that these left wing political activists aren’t prepared to be steam-rolled by the government. ‘Reaching out’ is the theme – what can the youth of this country do to alleviate the economic disaster that is affecting their lives? Furthermore it will be today’s youth that will have to clear up the mess from almost 20 years of successive capitalist-style administrations.

The benefits of joining a union are outlined to us by an articulate speaker who was an electrician until she lost her job due to the recession. Pay rates and college fees are also discussed. These activists do their best to inspire. One is reminded of an old image of a slim Pat Rabbitte, campaigning in his youth, clad in a mohair suit and sporting bushy sideburns. Young people will always protest, which is commendable, especially today with the direction our rulers seem to be taking us: We won’t be taken for a ride in Cowen’s state car.

But are we living in an era where the youth can influence politicians? The answer is yes. This government must not take the nation’s young for granted. Those under 25 need to be more focused however. Talk of protest will have to be matched by more effective ways of communicating the anger out there. The young are more competent with technology than many older people. They should use these talents to work for a better future and go further than merely protesting. No doubt they will not let those in FF and the Green Party off the hook for the decisions our leaders make in government.

During the speeches, delivered by three panellists, the government gets criticised for cutting social welfare rates to the under 20’s. I speak up and say that the intention of the minister (Mary Hannifin) is to give these people a chance to access education and training. Unfortunately I seem to be in a minority as Hannifin’s policy is seen as a punishment, rather than an opportunity to assist those in that age group.

I jotted down some of the phrases used by those who spoke:

“Building a mass movement of opposition”

“Government in cahoots with employers”

“Butchering of living standards”

“Slash and burn of wages”

“Parasitic Multinationals”

After we have heard from the panel the chair throws the discussion over to the rest of us. The merits of education and training are discussed. Government must invest more to concentrate on job creation. Socialist rhetoric is well aired but the talk is realistic – not too pie in the sky, like left wing politics of yore.

To conclude my time at Resistance it seems that the fundamental clash between socialism and capitalism is brought to life. Those at the meeting are trying to bring the concerns of young people to the policymakers, the youth are getting restless. Ignore them at your peril, that’s what I learned in Exchequer Street today.