Dun Laoghaire News - Pre-Archive

SOME PRE-ARCHIVE LOCAL NEWS

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON

Dear Sir,
On behalf of the people of the United States, I am pleased to extend warmest greetings to the citizens of Dun Laoghaire as you celebrate the 1500th anniversary of your town.
You can be justifiably proud of Dun Laoghaire's claim as Ireland's oldest continuously inhabited town. Since its origin in the 5th century as a sea fort for the High King of Ireland, Dun Laoghaire has occupied a central place in Irish history. In more recent times, your city has played a key role in bringing together the people of our two nations through your annual Fourth of July celebration. Recognised as the largest summer festival in the Dublin region, this annual event not only underscores the significant accomplishments of Americans of Irish descent, but also provides visitors with a deeper understanding and appreciation of our nation's shared values and aspirations.
As Dun Laoghaire looks with confidence to the new millennium, the American people join me in sending best wishes for a wonderful anniversary celebration and for every success in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Bill Clinton,
President, USA,
The White House,
Washington.

MONKSTOWN 1200

The community of Monkstown is about to celebrate its roots. For it was in 798 AD, 1200 years ago this year, that a group of monks, carrying the bones of their founder St Mochonna, crossed Dublin Bay from Inish Patrick off Skerries, and landed in old Dun Leary. Travelling up the hill to Carrickbrennan, the monks founded a settlement from where they built a little church. Free from the marauding Vikings, who had been attacking settlements such as Inish Patrick, the monks could settle into a life of work and prayer. Ever since then a community has existed in Monkstown.
To celebrate the occasion of the monk's arrival, the local churches in the area are sponsoring a community celebration, called 'Monkstown 1200'. Organised to have a widespread appeal, the celebrations will culminate in a special Village Day on Saturday, September 26, when the crossing by the monks from Inish Patrick will be re-enacted.
Monkstown 1200 has so far attracted great attention and none other than President Mary McAleese, herself will be present, along with other dignitaries and guests, to greet the 20th century monks who will retrace the original journey and share in an ecumenical thanksgiving service on the spot where the original monks built their first church. Spokesperson for the Monkstown 1200 Village Day, Diane Swift, said that around 5,000 people are expected to join in this unique event.
"It is a great boost for us that President McAleese will be present at the village day and it will be really nice to see all the people involved dressed up in the period clothes for the day," Diane said. "Monkstown 1200 will be an occasion for everyone." It certainly seems that way, as the Village Day is set to feature a street show, live jazz music, one of the biggest ever model railway exhibitions, a children's art competition, Lambert Puppet Theatre and a whole variety of craft stalls.
While the historical significance of the year for Monkstown will feature strongly in the Village Day celebrations, much of the festivities will be centred on providing enjoyment for the children in Monkstown. President McAleese has agreed to present three prizes to the winners of the art competition and there will be a special kids section where the children can let loose and have fun.
The ecumenical service will be a significant event as ecumenism is a big feature of Monkstown. Nowhere can that be seen more than at the Monkstown Educate Together National School, which opened its doors to children in the area in September of last year. A multi-denominational and co-educational school, Monkstown Educate Together has strong links, through the children and their families, to the local community and it has helped immensely in the planning of Monkstown 1200.
"We aspire to being an integral part of the community we serve by being accessible and responsive to its needs and aspirations and we are delighted to be involved in the celebration of Monkstown 1200," said Mary Stuart, principal of Monkstown Educate Together.
The Monkstown 1200 Village Day will be a magnificent celebration of one community's heritage and culture that will be brought to life in a friendly and fun-filled environment. For those who like to see a piece of history re-enacted, Monkstown 1200 is not to be missed.

DÚN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR MARINA

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has set a deadline of next week to receive "expressions of interest" from private bodies wishing to develop a Ł12m, 680 berth marina in the harbour. And LifeTimes has learned that the planning appeals board will this week, decide on whether or not to hold an oral hearing into the planning appeal against the development.
Planning permission for the international standard marina, to be located to the west of the existing ferry terminal was granted to the State-owned Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, earlier this year. The proposal also involves the construction of two new breakwaters, marine service buildings, an amenity area, a boat hoist, car parking and improvements to the public slipway.
Preparatory work on the application was funded by a Ł300,000 grant from the Department of the Marine and the former minister for the marine Sean Barrett allocated Ł3m for the provision of the breakwaters. The harbour company has decided not to finance the remaining cost, estimated in the region of nine to Ł10m out of public funds and is seeking to enter a development and operation arrangement with private contractors. Advertisements announcing a 'bidders meeting' have recently been placed in the national newspapers by the Harbour Company.
However, the plan is also being appealed to An Bord Pleanala. The appellants include the Department of Defence which operates a helipad and facilities for the FCA in the harbour, St. Michael's Rowing Club which trains on a stretch of water earmarked for the marina, An Taisce and a private individual, Mr Charles Pearson of Killiney who are concerned with heritage aspects of the harbour.
While Bord Pleanala is currently deciding on whether or not to grant an oral hearing on the objections, a spokesman for the Department of the Defence told The Irish Times yesterday that discussions were continuing between the department and the harbour company and if an accommodation could be worked out the objection would be withdrawn. The Irish Times understands that similar discussions are being held with at least some of the other appellants. Meanwhile some reservations have also been sounded by members of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the authority which granted the permission.
Mr Donal Marren, the Fine Gael leader on the council said that while he welcomed the development, the berths were likely to be expensive, given the large cost of the project. Ms Betty Coffey, the Fianna Fail leader said the questions of traffic management and public access to any development in the harbour had still to be fully addressed. "I would be concerned that any development of public space in the harbour and that includes any plans for the Carlisle Pier would retain public access", she commented.

DÚN LAOGHAIRE & THE TALL SHIPS

Thousands of Dubliners gathered along the east coast last week to view the Parade of Sail, as the Tall Ships left Ireland. The spectacle, which was also viewed by some 350 waterborne craft of all descriptions, as well as those in helicopters and others gathered on vantage points at Dalkey and Killiney Hill was an emotional send off to those whose presence brought and additional Ł30m into Dublin during their stay.
According to Dublin Chamber of Commerce the five day visit which coincided with good weather had been a larger than expected boost for retailers' coffers. In addition to the crews themselves and their spending power, the spending power of sightseers had been felt, particularly in city centre pubs and restaurants. In a comparison with the Tour de France, a spokesman said the Tall Ships race had been the better event in terms of business for the city, as the cycle race had actually closed roads and business.
However, for those watching the Parade of Sail from Dun Laoghaire, late on Tuesday afternoon, the traders' extra business was little compensation for the traffic delays. Among those looking frustrated at the inability to negotiate the coast road at Monkstown was the former minister for education Niamh Bhreathnach. At the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire, LifeTimes met Ita Browne from Sallynoggin who was hoping to meet her sister in the crowd.
"I parked way over at Salthill and walked to here, because I just couldn't bring the car any further", she commented, before adding, "now it looks as if the end of the West Pier would have been a better place to watch". But if sightseers were initially disappointed at the fleet sailing towards the Baily lighthouse, the wait was rewarded by late afternoon when the tall ships moved back towards the LE Aisling, moored off Bulloch Harbour.
On board the LE Aisling the Minister for Defence Mr Michael Smith took the salute from the passing ships describing the event as "the experience of a lifetime". Echoing the Minister's words, Ms Margaret McGlynn, watched the spectacle from Ardbrugh Road, in Dalkey. With her were her daughters Aoife(6) and Shauna (4). "I think it is a wonderful sight and I wanted my girls to see it", she told LifeTimes. "I don't think we will ever see the bay so full of colour again - unless of course we can get them back".
The day was remarkably free of accidents - at least on the water - with the comparatively massive bulks of the Stena HSS and the Irish Lights' ship the Granuaile, dwarfing many craft. "It was really amazing to see the HSS charting a course through the boats", said Billy Fawsitt who was watching from Dalkey Hill. "It must have been really scary to see the HSS go past. But I suppose if that thing went over you, there is so much clearance, it wouldn't even hit you".

ANDREWS INTERVENES

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Andrews, TD, and local councillor Betty Coffey have vowed to support the action of the residents of Belgrave Square in Monkstown to save Belgrave Square gardens and retain them for community use.
This follows the recent purchase of Belgrave Square Gardens by Navan-based builder Mr Eugene O'Connor, whom the residents fear will begin developing on the land.
"Development on this site cannot be allowed. This is not an elitist issue. The gardens are an amenity used by generations of people living in Belgrave Square and by people living in the Monkstown area today," Minister Andrews said.
"It would be a national scandal if a private developer could see purchasing this heritage area as a means of making a quick profit."
Councillor Coffey said that she intends to petition her fellow councillors on Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to secure protection for the gardens in the local authority's Development Plan being considered by the council.
"I am confident that every member of the council will join me in ensuring that these historical gardens which have remained intact for almost 40 years are retained in their present form for future generations," Cllr Coffey said.
"The amenity zoning of the gardens means that a range of developments could be built on this space. The idea that one could build a crematorium or a heliport on this site shows just how ridiculous the current zoning is and how essential it is that these gardens be preserved once and for all, for everyone to enjoy."

Homepage Local Directory Brief History The Gallery Event Guide
Guest Book Local Maps Register your Business Contact Webmaster
Family History Riviera Accommodation Riviera Gift Shop Riviera News

IF YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT THIS SITE THROUGH A SEARCH ENGINE
AND ARE VIEWING THIS PAGE ON ITS OWN,
PLEASE GO TO OUR FRAMED HOMEPAGE
http://www.dun-laoghaire.com