MARINA PROJECT PASSED

After long months of protest, the Dun Laoghaire Marina Project has finally got the green light from An Bord Pleanala to begin construction.

The controversial marina debate has been going on since the decision was made by Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council on May 28th 1998 to construct a major marina at Dun Laoghaire harbour. Objections to the plans came mainly from An Taisce, Mr Charles E Pearson and St Michael's Rowing Club, who throughout 1998 staged a number of protests both on land and in the harbour itself. On September 28th 1998 all who protested were given an opportunity to put forward their reasons for objecting to the marina at a public oral hearing by An Bord Pleanala.

For a project as ambitious as the Marina Project, substantial funding is necessary and as the obvious means of raising this type of finance, i.e. the building of luxury apartment blocks, was not possible at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, government funding for the project was sought. This funding was secured by Mr Sean Barratt TD during his term of office as Minister for The Marine and was in effect one of the final decisions of the Rainbow Coalition Government.

The decision by An Bord Pleanala has been welcomed by local politicians, and the Dun Laoghaire Business Association. The Association's general secretary, Mr Breasail O Caollai, said "this is in line with the type of development we all wish to see in Dun Laoghaire and it is in keeping with the tourism theme of 'Dun Laoghaire On Dublin's Rivera'.

The Dun Laoghaire Business Association supported the proposal throughout the planning process as has the current government with T.D. David Andrews coming out strongly in favour of the project. The ordinary people of Dun Laoghaire however are not convinced that this is a move that will benefit them. Speaking to Alice Sheridan, local resident and well known journalist, Carmel Lavelle said "it is a decision that will deprive local people of an amenity they have enjoyed for many years. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council look after everybody except the people of Dun Laoghaire ".

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PAY & DISPLAY GETS GREEN LIGHT

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council unamimously passed a motion to introduce a 'pay and display' scheme for the County.

The motion put forward by Councillor Betty Coffee asked "that this Council implement a paid parking scheme throughout the County and to provide local residents with free parking permits". The motion was brought by the vivacious councillor in response she said to "the hundreds of phone calls and letters from irate residents. Many of these residents are elderly, they cannot use their cars to go to hospitals etc because when they return home it is impossible to get a parking place in any of the surrounding streets.

There is also the case of families with babies and very young children who are effectively prisoners in their own homes". The move has been welcomed by the Dun Laoghaire Residents Association who have criticised some of the businesses in the town for their opposition to this type of scheme. "It is ironic that a small number of local business people opposing this scheme are well aware that the main problem to the parking situation is the all day parking of cars belonging to their staff" said Pat Walsh Hon Secretary of the Association.

Echoing Councillor Coffey's words Mr Walsh went on to say " the fact that for years residents are prisoners in their own homes. Their relatives cannot collect elderly people and mothers with children cannot get a space on their road when returning home from schools or shopping. The situation regarding the emergency services is that in many cases access cannot be gained to premises which is quite dangerous , for too long this problem has been ignored.

We are quite confident that this parking scheme will benefit both the residential and business community."

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RIAI EXHIBITION OPENS

A major new exhibition entitled 'Designed For Living' which shows how good design is essential in creating buildings which are sustainable over the long-term and which meet people's ever changing needs throughout their lives, will be on display at the AIB Branch 103 Georges Street Dun Laoghaire from January 26th to February 11th. The exhibition will run simultaneously in AIB Bray, before it goes nation-wide. The exhibition is being mounted by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and is sponsored by the AIB Bank Group and the Arts Council.

The 'Designed for Living' exhibition contains over 200 photographs and drawings and consists of over 80 building projects, including housing of all types, building in the countryside; leisure facilities, workplaces and open spaces. The projects range in size and complexity from a small garden room conversion to the complete renovation of an old hospital. The exhibition contains dramatic 'before and after' pictures of most of these projects, an account of the work carried out and the comments of the clients.

According to John Graby, RIAI Director, the purpose of the exhibition is to show the importance of good design, not just for major buildings and not just as an optional extra, but as a vital element in making a better and more sustainable built environment. "The building boom which the country is currently experiencing, with almost 40,000 new houses expected to be built this year, has led to the widespread use of unsustainable building practices and the creation of many buildings which will not stand the test of time" said Mr Graby. John Graby argues that one of the biggest factors contributing to unsustainable building is poor design. 'Designed for Living' is divided into two parts one dealing with housing and the other general architectural and design issues.

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SNOOKER GLORY FOR ST MICHAEL'S CYMS

The Dun Laoghaire Club was full to capacity when the local community came out in force to see the final of the King Laoghaire Snooker Perpetual Trophy Final. Contesting the final, after six long weeks of tough competition between all the local clubs, were The British Legion Club and St Michael's CYMS.

Both teams were very evenly matched having beaten off stiff competition to reach the final and after almost four hours of play CYMS emerged victorious. The presentations were followed by a dinner dance and by all accounts the craic was mighty.

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DARAGH BOLTON WINS AIMAA BRITISH TITLE

At the recent international Martial Arts Tournament in Doncaster, Daragh Bolton Head Instructor in the Stillorgan TaeKwon-Do School Kilmacud took the AIMAA British Championship Title in the patterns section after also winning the AIMAA Irish Champion Title in the AIMAA National Championships in Wexford in '98.

The six man squad representing the Action International Martial Arts Association Ireland, led by the coach Mr Peter Byrne 4th Degree Black Belt from Aughrim Co Wicklow, returned victorious yet again from the AIMAA British Championships in Doncaster England. The Ireland Regional Director for AIMAA Mr John Darcy, who was in the USA training with the Head Instructor and founder of AIMAA based in New Mexico Grand Master Hee il Cho 9th Degree Black Belt, was also very happy with the team performance.

The Irish team are now looking forward to the World Championships in Las Vegas in the year 2000 and are training hard in order to achieve top performances at what promises to be a very tough event with over 15 countries competing. For the coming year the entire association of almost 800 students nationwide are looking forward to the visit of Grand Master Cho in June for Black Belt testing and seminars. Anyone interested in joining the Stillorgan TaeKwon-Do junior or senior classes should contact Daragh Bolton at 087-2711767.