A local politician has called for organisations that work to prevent suicides to be given much more support from the government in an effort to stem the rising number of young people who are taking their lives. John Gilroy, our Glanmire Labour senator, warned that while the government was focusing all its attention on the economic crisis and the complications caused by the Enigin scam, mental health charities were losing a lot of their financial and logistical support. There are over 300 suicide prevention groups in Ireland, and yet the number of suicides and attempted suicides looks set to rise again when 2011’s figures are released later this year. 2010 had seen a fall, but since then many suicide organisations have had their funding cut as politicians felt that the hard work had been done. This would seem to be far from the truth, with Gilroy anticipating that 2011 could even surpass the previous high of 527 suicides in a year during 2009.

Gilroy knows a lot about the subject as he worked as a psychiatric nurse for half a century before getting into politics. He rightly pointed out in a speech to the senate that if that many young Irish people were dying because of bird flu or some other disease, then the government wouldn’t hesitate to step in and take decisive action; so why won’t they help out when suicide is proving to be one of the leading causes of death for young men under the age of 30?

Pat Buckley set up the Let’s Get Together Foundation in 2004 after his brother committed suicide and is only able to keep the organisation afloat because of donations from the public and fund-raising events; not one Euro for his group comes from the government despite the vital suicide prevention work they do in the Glanmire community.

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Our local entrant into the hotly-contested Rose of Tralee competition failed to secure the top prize in Dublin this week, but Glanmire is rightly proud of Kathryn Brennan for making it all the way to the televised final.

Kathryn may have been dressed up to the nines in an evening dress for the traditional beauty pageant, but she’s more recognisable in a pair of Asics Kayano trainers, as she is a regular player for the Glanmire Ladies Football Club. Kathryn recently made an appearance at the town’s Castle Bar to thank all her Glanmire supporters, including many of the children at the Scoil an Athar Tadgh where she teaches the infant class.

The final itself was won by another teacher, and the hot favourite from the start of the Rose of Tralee competition, the Queensland Rose Tara Talbot. Although she now lives in Australia, Tara was born in Dublin where her father grew up, before moving Down Under with her Philippines-born mother when she was a small child. Her exotic looks and impressive singing voice had been identified by the bookies early on, who made her their odds-on favourite to take the title.

The TV show was broadcast live, with all the competitors performing in a talent section and being given the opportunity to shine in a one-on-one interview with host Dáithí Ó Sé. Irish singing sensation Imelda May even made an appearance at the event, performing her latest single rather than taking part in the pageant!

Kathryn may not have secured the crown in Dublin, but she will always be our champion and she can expect a warm welcome from locals and her pupils when she returns to Glanmire.

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However, the truth is that Glanmire is a great place for a family vacation. How? Well, the county is known for its trekking and hiking activities. If you have a young family, you may not be very keen on a long and extended hike over long distances. Well, this is the reason why you should choose Glanmire because it is a great place for short walks within boundaries of civilization.

Another reason why it is perfect for family vacation is that it is situated right on the coast. Just make sure you choose the right climate to visit this county and you will enjoy a wonderful time frolicking on the beaches that are virtually untouched by humans. The county is very easy to approach and you can forget all those boring negotiations with red diesel suppliers at your office and focus on having a great time when you were vacationing here.

The county is known for its educational institutions and you would do well to choose a time where which coincides with the cultural festivals and others said events in such institutions for some extra fun at minimal increase in cost.

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Aanu (Mercy in Yoruba, a Nigerian Language) had high hopes for herself. Since primary school, she had dreamed of becoming a nurse-midwife. Not that she knew the name of the profession, she had nonetheless set her heart on the profession of the auntie next door who went to work at the hospital wearing impeccable white gown and a matching dainty lace-trimmed headpiece. Unfortunately, her surviving parent could not cope with the financial burden of putting her two children through secondary school with the proceeds of her petty trading. Aanu kept on hoping for a miracle while finishing her primary education, praying that her mother would somehow find a way of doing the impossible: maybe business will boom or her brother would get a scholarship or something. It didn’t happen but she didn’t give up either. Aanu decided she would embark on a trade, make enough money and somehow find her way to that school. She learnt how to make large format printing but had to change to something she loved better. So, armed with 5000 naira (20 pounds) borrowed from a church empowerment agency, she joined the army of telephone recharge cards retailers just before the gate of the polytechnic, under an umbrella furnished by the service provider. By 7a.m. she was at her table, prompt, diligent and friendly. And patrons noticed.

One day, a customer engaged her in conversation wondering why she wasn’t in school. Out came the story of her life. The man left without saying a word and Aanu soon forgot about it but a month later, he came back with his wife in tow asking to be taken to Aanu’s mum. The Good Samaritan couple had come to offer assistance towards Aanu’s secondary education, committing to paying her fees and sundry related expenses. It was the ultimate miracle for the girl who refused to give up. Now, Aanu says she will surely realize her ambition, now she has helper and can put a name to the vocation.

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Whether you work for uk teaching jobs or for any other organisation you are entitled to holida ys every year. We all love going on holidays but we have different fascinations which is what dictates our destination. I discovered a long time ago through my mum that not everybody likes to travel to exotic places. My mum likes it very quiet and she prefers to sign up for country tourism than any other destination. This does not necessarily mean that she does not visit other places of interest because she travels wide. I remember asking her as a child why she loved it there and her response was that the country side connects you more to life and that life there is how the world should be. Mum said then that she did not expect me to understand but now I do know what she meant.

From conversation with other people who are into the countryside life I discovered that most of them have the same reasons for visiting. A colleague said her parents take trips there two times a year and they usually come back acting like they want to go back. I asked another person who said that she grew up in a country side and that life there was unbelievably sane, comfortable and peaceful. It is true that one may not have access to all the city life but the reason people go is to escape the city buzz. My mum said that people there, are usually happier and very friendly.

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Here in Glanmire we’re barely stuck in the countryside, yet even we are struggling to attract new people to move in, and even to keep hold of the youngsters who have lived here all their lives! The lure of the bright lights of Cork and even Dublin are proving too string a temptation – and I can’t really blame them. I never got the chance to go to university, but I’m sure if I’d just turned 18, I wouldn’t want to hang around too long in sleepy Glanmire. I’d be straight on the train to town to have some fun…
But that doesn’t do much to help those of us who have chosen to stay in our beautiful home. The phrase “brain drain” is one that is usually applied to the number of graduates who choose to study abroad because of better opportunities, but it fits our own dilemma perfectly too. After all, we haven’t had a permanent doctor in Glanmire for several years. We’ve had plenty of great people in the village on GP locum jobs – and we thank them for their hard work – but it’s not the same as having a doctor who looks after you and your kids over the years, almost becoming part of the extended family. And don’t even mention the dentist shortage! I think the closest clinic still accepting patients is over ten miles away. It’s no wonder oral health is so bad in Ireland if that’s the best that the health bosses can do.
It seems that our politicians are willing to sacrifice us rural communities in order to make sure the cities survive and flourish. That’s all well and good, but our country was built on the hard work of rural folk, and if the population out here continues to fall, then a whole way of life that has existed for centuries will be lost. And I’m sure even the young folk running off to Dublin wouldn’t want to see that happening!

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Although nestling in the backwater of lovely County Cork, our pretty little town isn’t completely detached from modern-day living you know. I mean, we can – at a push – manage to keep up with you city types. For instance, Mayor John O’Hagen has arranged for a deputation of energy saving boffins to pay a visit to the Council Chambers next month.

The individuals are from a company known as Enigin Partners, or maybe Enigin PLC? Whatever, it’s Enigin something anyway. The main thing is, these kind folks are going to show us how, in true modern fashion, to cut back our carbon footprints.

The only trouble is, this doesn’t appear to be something you only do from the interior of your own home. Although indeed, this can be done – and successfully too – such as changing over your white goods to more energy efficient versions, installing loft insulation and cladding and covering all those gaps in your windows and doors with tape. Easy, huh?

Well, up to that point–yes. The difficulty arises at the point where, in order to cut back on nuclear energy etc, the government are urging little towns like ourselves to think of sharing our countryside with wind farms.

A good idea in practice – harnessing natural energy to produce energy we can use in the home and in our working lives. But is it worth the cost to the environment ie the landscape? That’s what the Council will be debating at their next Planning Meeting and to be sure I’m not sure which way the eventual vote will go.

It’s divided the town, I don’t mind telling you. Half the folks are looking forward to the visit from Enigin and its representatives. The other half could see the idea of windfarms far enough. Of course, I’ll be keeping you updated as to what unfolds. Just watch this space–

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One of the local primary schools always organises a jumble sale around this time of year, speculating (usually correctly) that people may have a few unwanted Christmas presents sitting around the house, that they might just be willing to donate to a good cause!

I remember in years past, we used to get some fantastic donations, things that we could have sold for fifty or even a hundred Euros. These days, most of our residents and parents are computer literate enough that anything expensive, like works of art or contemporary designer jewellery, end up on eBay, rather than helping local children or the church.

Still, we can’t complain too much as everyone is always very generous, and not just with items for the sale, but also their time. If it wasn’t for local people being prepared to pitch in with setting up tables or running stalls or selling refreshments, then these events would never be successful and our schools would have to do without some of the treats that these fund-raising activities pay for.

The jumble sale, along with a sponsored walk that the oldest children are doing in March, is to try and raise money for them to have a leaving party when they finish, before they head up to the big school. Some of the girls are even calling it a “Prom” and talking about hiring one of those stretch limos to take them there! Yet another example of our children growing up before their time…

I’m sure they’ll all have a great time at their party, and the fund raising projects are certainly keeping them occupied out of school hours too. They’re very organised for little ones, and have even set up a committee who come up with all the ideas and give the other kids (and even adults!) jobs to do. Sure, when I was their age I was only interested in football and climbing trees, not organising jumble sales and sponsored walks!

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Glanmire is a typical pretty little Irish town; think Ballykissangel and you’re not far away! Though don’t tell my neighbours that I said that, as most of them hate being compared to the fictional TV village. We have a great local pub which usually has live traditional music on the weekends. And there are lots of walking routes in the nearby hills. One of my favourites is to make the short walk to Lough Mahon, a nearby lake which is a great spot to take some photos and have a picnic.

We’re just on the outskirts of Cork, really, so you could even visit us for a day trip if you’re staying in the city. Everyone will make you really welcome and you’ll get to experience a bit of the real Ireland away from all the usual tourist traps! After all, if you’re going to come to Ireland, you might as well see how us real Irish live? Of course, most of us live up to a lot of the stereotypes; overly cheerful, love the Guiness and can sing along to any Irish folk tune a guy can play on the fiddle.

So, if you happen to be in Ireland, near to Cork, don’t just drive through Glanmire on your way to “somewhere else”. Stop and say hello!

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Fascism requires every individual to surrender his own selfish rights and desires to the whole, to the collective, but at the same time by doing this the individual is guaranteed a fair exchange. The nation can only accept an individual if he submits to the laws of the state, and even though some things may become unrealisable for the individual, his life will become meaningful by becoming part of the group, for fascism sees human beings as essentially social creatures. Fascists explain their position for collectivism and against individualism by stating that in nature the species alone is taken into consideration, whereas the individual is sacrificed.[1] This is why fascism is in opposition to liberalism, which gives the individual a central role and meaning, and therefore promotes individualism.

At this stage a conflict between fascism and another political ideology such as democracy arises. So far in a fascist state it is evident that an individual has no say about what they want to do with their life. Everything is about the state and the individual’s participation in the whole. In the view of fascism, democracy equates the nation to the majority, leaving everyone else’s interests not catered for.[2] Since the state knows best, and does everything in the best interest of the nation, it is the state’s duty to eliminate democracy as a good number of people are left aside. Making everyone subordinate to one person, to one institution, is the fascist way to make individuals within the nation equal. It is not about how happy one can be on their own; it is about what one can do to bring glory and prosperity for the whole, for every fellow countryman.

Fuel management has been ever since important.

[1] Benito Mussolini, ‘The Doctrine of Fascism’ (1932), in Adrian Lyttelton (ed.) Italian Fascisms (London: Cape, 1973)

[2] Benito Mussolini, ‘The Doctrine of Fascism’ (1932), in Adrian Lyttelton (ed.) Italian Fascisms (London: Cape, 1973)

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