3 Things we didn’t like this week…
What Rooskey didn’t need
The fire at the vacant Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey, believed to have been started deliberately, has rightly been widely condemned. It was a deeply unwelcome, and – assuming it was arson – unacceptable act. It is of course an isolated incident which is in no way reflective of the community in Rooskey.
A storm in a temple…
The row over Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visiting a male-only temple in Ethiopia was tiresome. Suffice to say, it raged on social media and on Liveline. Varadkar was criticised for visiting the temple while female members of his entourage had to wait outside. Naturally, several rent-a-quote opposition politicians had a go at him too. The Taoiseach could perhaps have decided not to visit the temple, but that would have offended his hosts. He was, after all, being invited into an Ethiopian Orthodox Church…most people will feel that diplomacy has to prevail in such situations, and that the Taoiseach really had to be mindful of local traditions/beliefs/customs. Bit of a storm in a temple…
Read this and weep…
An inquiry which is investigating write-offs on loans at the former Anglo Irish Bank will itself cost a staggering €30m.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar updated the Dáil on the new costs of the Commission of Investigation into Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC) – formerly Anglo Irish Bank. The final cost could actually exceed €30m, he indicated.
The initial ‘transaction’ took three months – the inquiry referred to is now in its fifth year.
This country? Sometimes it feels like we’re all in a Monty Python sketch (except it ain’t that funny).
3 Things we did like this week…
A win is a win is a…
I didn’t get to the Hyde on Sunday as I was in Rooskey, but I kept in touch via Willie Hegarty. Even when Roscommon were a few points behind, I wasn’t too concerned. Roscommon would have wind advantage in the second half, and it was reasonable to expect that the home team would do the business, which they did. And so, a winning start for new manager Anthony Cunningham. Next up is the FBD Final against Galway this Sunday in Tuam Stadium.
Not quite a shed-load of money…but welcome
Here at the Roscommon People, we’re big fans of Men’s Sheds – and try to promote them when we can. They play a very important and arguably under-appreciated role in society. Many men live alone, often in isolated areas, increasingly with limited social interaction. This at least is the reality for some Men’s Sheds members. We were pleased this week to see some more Government funding for these groups. That great purse string releaser Michael Ring is providing some much-needed funds for Men’s Sheds in Ballaghaderreen, Ballyleague, Boyle and Castlerea (and in Co. Galway, for groups in Dunmore, Ballinasloe and Ballygar).
Ah…the memories!
Absolutely adored Laurel and Hardy when I was a kid. Surely everyone did? Delighted so with the release of a new movie which looks at the lives of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Stars Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly have been on a media blitz, appearing last weekend on the Graham Norton Show (BBC) and the Late Late Show (RTE). Coogan, who is always happy to highlight his Irish roots (and where better than on the LLS!) is getting better as the years go by – his straight acting/‘serious’ roles (as he has observed himself) further enhancing an already sparkling reputation. If you’re not already a fan, check out his brilliant ‘I’m Alan Partridge’ series on Gold. Anyways, this new film on the great comedy duo Laurel and Hardy is getting very good reviews. Hopefully it will introduce the brilliant double act to new generations of fans!
Good Week
It was a good week for local clubs in Scór as Roscommon won four provincial titles at the Scór finals in Castlebar last weekend: Kilglass Gaels (quiz), St. Dominic’s (figure dancing), Evan Gunn, Elphin (recitation), and St. Dominic’s (Léiriú) can all take a bow. Congrats to all involved!
Bad Week
It was a bad week for Theresa May (oh, you know the rest!). A massive defeat in the House of Commons vote on her Brexit deal has made a big crisis even bigger. Still, she’s shown some great resilience these last several months. It’s easy for critics to shout from the sidelines. Assuming Mrs. May survived the vote of no confidence last night (Wednesday) she will now begin the process of trying to avoid a ‘crash out’ Brexit. Having ‘lost the house’, she’s now reaching out to members of her own party and opposition MPs, in a bid to hatch together a consensus. Er…to be continued…
Our Person(s) of the Week…
Congratulations to Simon Meehan, a transition year student at Coláiste Choilm in Ballincollig, who was announced as overall winner at the 2018 BT Young Scientist & Technology exhibition.
Quote of the Week…
“This is the end of the McBully” – Galway businessman Joe McDonagh reacts to his company (Supermac’s) winning its long running case against McDonald’s
