LIONS CLUBS IRELAND district 105-I Vice District Governor Paul Allen from Newbridge addresses the large crowd of over 200. A great night was had by all members of Monaghan Lions Club and their guests at Castle Leslie, Glaslough, at the annual charter dinner, the 24th. The auction raised over €36,000 for club charities.
County Monaghan Ploughing Association championships tomorrow (Sunday 8th February) in John Carroll’s field on the Dundalk Road just outside Ardee.
Today it was the turn of the County Louth Championships.
Taoiseach’s car passes anti-water tax protestors outside Campus gates Photo: © Michael Fisher
There was a small protest by a group of around two dozen demonstraors from the Monaghan Anti-Water Tax group as the Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD arrived to open officially the Monaghan Educational Campus. It was constructed on the site of the former army barracks at Knockaconny, which was decommissioned in 2009. Owing to the protest, the newly installed plaque at the entrance gates was not unveiled by Mr Kenny, as originally planned.
Plaque at entrance gates to Monaghan Educational Campus Photo: © Michael Fisher
The new campus opened its doors in 2013 and was the brainchild of the Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board under the leadership of Martin O’Brien. It includes two Irish language schools, Gaelscoil Ultain for primary level and Coláiste Oiriall for secondary level. It also houses a gym, named in honour of Barry McGuigan, sports facilities, the purpose-built Garage Theatre, replacing the small and cramped premises at the old St Davnet’s Hospital, and a building for the Monaghan Institute.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD talking to Brendan Ó Dufaigh Principal Coláiste Oiriall and Arts Minister Heather Humphreys TD Photo: © Michael Fisher
Mr Kenny was shown an audiovisual presentation about how the campus had been developed since his previous visit in October 2011, when construction was starting. On that occasion the Taoiseach described it as a brilliant concept and a great decision for the people of County Monaghan.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD unveils plaque at Monaghan Educational campus with CEO of CMETB Martin O’Brien and local politicians Photo: © Michael Fisher
The campus was officially blessed in an ecumenical service that included the two Bishops of Clogher, Dr Liam MacDaid and Most Reverent John McDowell, along with Monaghan Presbytery Moderator Reverend Ronnie Agnew and Methodist District Superintendent Reverend Ken Robinson from Portadown (pictured saying a prayer).
Ecumenical Blessing of Monaghan Educational Campus Photo: © Michael Fisher
Today was an even bigger day for County Monaghan as it coincided with an announcement by local company Combilift that it was moving to new premises beside the Monaghan by-pass and in a €40 million investment creating 200 new jobs over the next five years at what will be its global headquarters. Mr Kenny visited the plant and said the investment would make a profound difference to the local economy and the national export economy. 
Dr Christopher Fitz-Simon Photo: © Michael Fisher
The first in a series of talks organised by the Friends of Monaghan Museum was held tonight in the Museum. The guest speaker was Dr Christopher Fitz-Simon from Dublin. He read from his memoir of childhood ‘Eleven Houses’, published by Penguin in 2008 in which he remembers the 1940s and living at Aviemore, Hill Street, Monaghan, Annaghmakerrig, Doohat, Newbliss, Eldron, Smithborough, Mount Louise and other houses in adjoining counties. It was very witty in parts and it was a pleasure to listen to his reminiscences. Christopher is a former director of the Lyric Theatre, Belfast, Abbey Theatre, Dublin, and was a Ppoducer with RTÉ Television.
From www.ricorso.net: born Belfast [Christopher O’Connell Fitz-simon]; descendant of Daniel O’Connell and Protestant unionists; son of army officer in WWII Middle East) and placed in care of relatives during war; raised a Catholic and brought up in Monaghan, Dublin, Down, Tyrone and Clare; grad. TCD; editor of Icarus; chair of the Dublin University Players; worked in theatre and broadcasting in N. America; appt. drama producer with RTÉ TV; appt. artistic director of the Irish Theatre Company; literary manager and artistic director of Abbey and Peacock (National Theatre Society); author of a radio plays and dramatisations on Boucicault, Bowen, Colum, Forzano, Joyce, Forest Reid, Giraudoux, Somerville & Ross, Stoker and Wilde, and others, including Irish murders; issued The Arts in Ireland (1982), The Irish Theatre (1983); with Sanford Sternlicht, ed., New Plays from the Abbey (1999); acted as visiting professor at the University of Ulster, and completed a doctorate there, “Popular Irish Drama in the Decade Leading up to the Opening of the Abbey Theatre” (PhD Diss., UU Coleraine 2003); 100 Years of the Abbey Theatre (2003); lectures on Irish theatre in four continents; his play Speranza, about Oscar Wilde’s mother, conceived as a radio monologue, was produced by Little Elf at Andrew’s Lane Studio (Aug 28 2003); lectured at Princess Grace Irish Library, Spring 2003.
WORKS:
Theatre history, The Irish Theatre [Eason Heritage Ser., 26] (Dublin: Eason 1979), 24pp., ill. [ports.]; (The Arts in Ireland: A Chronology (Dublin: Gil & Macmillan 1982), xiv, 257pp. [Bibl., pp.248-250]; The Irish Theatre (London: Thames & Hudson 1983), 208p; The Boys: A Double Biography (London: Nick Hern 1994), 320p, [16]pp. [on Michael MacLiammoir and Hilton Edwards]; The Abbey Theatre: Ireland’s National Theatre the First Hundred Years (London: Thames & Hudson 2003), 208pp., ill.; Players and Painted Stage: Aspects of the 20th-century Theatre in Ireland (Dublin: New Island 2004), 200pp. [contribs. Nicholas Grene, Emer O’Kelly, Christopher Murray, Lynda Henderson, Joe Dowling, Alan Titley & Anthony Roche]. See also “Popular Irish drama in the decade leading up to the opening of the Abbey Theatre”, 3 vols. (PhD diss., University of Ulster 2004).
Dr Christopher Fitz-Simon Photo: © Michael Fisher
Autobiography, Eleven Houses: A Memoir of Childhood (Penguin Ireland 2007), 304pp. Miscellaneous, The Irish Village, with photographs by Robin Morrison & commentaries by Fitz-Simon (London: Thames & Hudson 1986), [128]pp., ill. [col., map]; The Most Beautiful Villages of Ireland, with photographs by Hugh Palmer (London: Thames & Hudson 2000), 208pp. [32 cm].
My report from the RDS Arena in Dublin on Sunday. Northern Standard Thursday 5th February 2015.
Knockconan NS, Emyvale Photo: © Michael Fisher
Eight national schools and five young musicians from County Monaghan contributed to a great spectacle of music and song at the Arena of the Royal Dublin Society at the weekend. On Saturday evening, the Model School from Monaghan town took part in the Peace Proms 2015. On Sunday afternoon, seven Monaghan schools helped to form the large choir of schoolchildren performing at the same event along with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland.
St Dympna’s NS, Tydavnet Photo: © Michael Fisher
It was a major operation to get a total of 180 schools from different parts of the country distributed over four performances in the course of two days, usually with the same arrangement of songs and music on each occasion. The seven schools I met all had to leave Monaghan early on Sunday morning, in order to arrive at the RDS at 11.30am in time for a rehearsal. The massed choir and musicians practised together for nearly an hour and were then given a break for lunch. But half an hour before the 2pm performance they had to be ready to go back to take their seats on the stage.
St Joseph’s Boys NS Carrickmacross with Principal Paul Fitzpatrick Photo: © Michael Fisher
Carrickmacross was represented by Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa, Cloughvalley, and St Joseph’s Boys’ National School, Farney Street. There were pupils and their teachers from Knockconan National School, Emyvale, and St Dympna’s National School, Tydavnet. There were also representatives from St. Louis Girls’ National School, Park Road in Monaghan town; Scoil Mhuire, Moys, Clontibret and also Scoil Mhuire National School, Latton, Castleblayney.
The first half of the concert included favourites such as “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Climb Every Mountain”. In the second half the large audience was serenaded with “Ireland’s Call” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and several other popular songs.
Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa Carrickmacross with Principal Maeve Callan Photo: © Michael Fisher
The Peace Proms is a choral education project for Primary Schools devised and delivered by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland. Over 15,000 children from 300 schools participate in Peace Proms annually. It is not a “classical orchestra”. Their music highlights the pop, folk and traditional cultures of the island of Ireland. They use all the instruments of a full symphony orchestra but include traditional instruments.
Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Moys, Clontibret Photo: © Michael Fisher
Scoil Mhuire NS, Latton, Castleblayney Photo: © Michael Fisher
St Louis Girls’ NS, Monaghan Photo: © Michael Fisher
This poem by 12 year-old Eimear Treanor, a pupil at Knockconan National School, from Faulkland, Glaslough, was awarded first prize in the Peace Proms 2015 poetry competition. Her parents received complimentary tickets for the concert at the R.D.S. Arena, in which Eimear participated.
PEACE by Eimear Treanor:
Knockconan N.S., Emyvale, Co. Monaghan
For there to be peace in the world
There must be peace in the continents
For there to be peace in the continents
There must be peace in the country
For there to be peace in the country
There must be peace in the province
For there to be peace in the province
There must be peace in the county
For there to be peace in the county
There must be peace in the town
For there to be peace in the town
There must be peace in the village
For there to be peace in the village
There must be peace in the home
For there to be peace in the home
There must be peace in the heart. 
All but three are my photos. The one on the top right of the Model School Monaghan is copyright Rory Geary/Northern Standard. The top one is copyright Anamaria Meiu/Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland. Knockconan NS supplied the picture of Eimear Treanor.
Presbyterian Moderator-Designate, Reverend Ian McNie, Ballymoney Photo: Presbyterian Church website
A conservative evangelical Minister whose son is in charge of two churches in North Monaghan has been elected as the next Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. He is the Reverend Ian McNie, Minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney, County Antrim.
The 64-year-old was nominated by twelve presbyteries including Monaghan out of the nineteen that met this evening (Tuesday) across Ireland to select a successor to the current Moderator, Reverend Michael Barry. Known as the Moderator-Designate, Mr McNie will officially take up office as Moderator at the start of the Church’s General Assembly on Monday 1st June.
Speaking about his nomination, Mr McNie said, “I am greatly humbled that so many of my colleagues in the ministry, and many ruling elders, within the various presbyteries have felt they could entrust me with this important responsibility within the Church.
Throughout my ministry I have sought to preach the Gospel with clarity and conviction, in such a way that people will be moved by the God’s Spirit to make a positive response to become Christians.
With God’s help and the prayer support of the Church, I would trust that during my year in office, lives would be impacted with the Gospel”, Mr McNie said.
The four nominees in this year’s annual vote were the Reverend Robert Bell, Minister of Ballyclare Presbyterian Church; Reverend Liz Hughes, Minister of Whitehouse Presbyterian Church, Newtownabbey; Reverend Ian McNie, Minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney and Reverend Frank Sellar, Minister of Bloomfield Presbyterian Church in East Belfast.
Voting for each nominee was as follows:
• Rev. Ian McNie: 12 Votes – Armagh, Ballymena, Coleraine and Limavady, Down, Dromore, Iveagh, Monaghan, Newry, Route, Templepatrick, Tyrone, Omagh
• Rev. Liz Hughes: 4 votes – Ards, North Belfast, South Belfast, Derry and Donegal
• Rev. Frank Sellar: 2 votes: East Belfast, Dublin and Munster
• Rev. Robert Bell: 1 vote – Carrickfergus.
Ian McNie will be the 176th Moderator since the election of the Very Rev. Dr. Samuel Hanna in 1840. Describing himself as a ‘conservative evangelical’, he also sees his ministry substantially as a parish ministry, confining himself to work within the congregation and district.
“As a conservative evangelical, I recognise that we are living in the 21st Century and therefore seek to steer the congregation in such a way that we do not cling to the traditions of the past, but seek to be relevant today. At the same time, I also recognise that the truth of the Gospel has not changed and we should not allow society to pressure us into departing from the core values of the Scriptures.”
The ministry of the County Antrim congregation is wide reaching with a daily community playgroup, weekly mums and toddlers group, senior citizens bowling afternoon and a group for adults with special needs. The Church also works with a range of local youth organisations, conducts weekly services in various care homes and sends teams to Malawi to support the work of missionaries in the south-eastern African nation.
Born in 1950, he is married to Anne and has two sons, one of whom, Stephen, is the Minister of Ballyalbany and Glennan Presbyterian Churches in County Monaghan. Mr McNie was brought up in Antrim and attended First Antrim Presbyterian Church, becoming a Christian at the age of 13. Having attended Belfast Royal Academy, he went on to Queen’s University, Belfast graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity.
As a teenager Mr McNie wanted to become a teacher, but felt God’s call to the ministry, a step he says he has never regretted. Having attended Union Theological College, he was ordained as Assistant Minister at Alexandra Presbyterian Church, Belfast in 1978 before being installed in 1980 at Kilkeel Presbyterian Church in County Down. He became Minister at Trinity in 1991.
As well as family life – he will become a grandfather for the first time later this month – Mr McNie enjoys running and walking and takes an interest in the projects his church supports in Malawi, having visited the country on many occasions.
Reflecting on the General Assembly’s theme for 2015 ‘A caring fellowship’ Mr McNie said: “Throughout my ministry I have sought to preach the Gospel in such a way that people will be moved by the Spirit to make a positive response to become disciples of Jesus Christ. The Church today is God’s answer to both the fundamental needs of the individual and society. We need to look beyond ourselves and re-examine the ways in which we include those who are often considered outsiders and become enriched by them.”
“During my year of office I would hope to be given the opportunity to present the Gospel in many different situations, both within the church and community, to learn from the experiences of others and to encourage congregations to be proactive in their presentation of the Word of God. I would also look forward to the opportunity to encourage ministers and their families, particularly those who have just started their ministry”, he said.
Northern Standard p.1 Thursday 28th January 2014 Michael Fisher
Bose factory, Carrickmacross Photo: © Michael Fisher
Carrickmacross was stunned by the unexpected announcement a week ago that the Bose factory is to close in April with the loss of 140 jobs. Now a government Minister has been asked to intervene to establish if the decision by the US-based multinational can be reversed or deferred to give the state agencies an opportunity to seek a replacement business. The news came as a shocking New Year blow for several mortgage holders, and family members, dependent on a weekly wage from the Bose plant. People like Pat McNally from Corduff, who has worked at the plant from the day it was opened in October 1978.
Immediately after the revelation, local political leaders, as well as civic, community, and local authority representatives began to explore what steps they might take to have the shut-down deferred. A number of efforts are underway, at state agency level, to attract replacement jobs. Three TDs from Cavan/Monaghan, Arts Minister Heather Humphreys, Caoimghín O Caolaín and Brendan Smith met the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton, at his office in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon. They were accompanied by senior staff from the Industrial Development Authority and Enterprise Ireland. Mr Bruton gave them a commitment he would seek a direct meeting with the Human Resources executive from Bose, Barry Weaver, who is due to return to Carrickmacross in the next 24 hours. Mr Weaver was one of two US-based management representatives who came to County Monaghan a week ago to break the news to the workforce, who had assembled in the canteen to watch a video link. They were expecting the usual quarterly update from the company President. Even the local management had been unprepared for the sudden statement that was read out, announcing that the plant would close in April, after nearly 37 years in Carrick.
Mr O Caoláin said it might be necessary for Mr Bruton to seek a meeting with the top level of the Bose Corporation in the United States. The initial request to the company would be that it reverses the decision, but if it was unwilling to change its mind, then a deferral of the closure should be sought, he told the Northern Standard. The proposed April date left a very narrow window for any alternative investor, either foreign or indigenous, to be found. The workers in South Carolina had been given nearly eight months before that Bose facility is shut down. Heather Humphreys said the IDA had not been given any advance notification of the company’s plans. She said she would be working with all the constituency representatives to try to persuade Bose not to close but she said it would be wrong to raise any false hopes for the workers at this stage. Brendan Smith said they needed to send out a strong message to the Bose Board and President that the decision, which had left the highly-skilled workforce devastated, needed to be overturned.
Following the meeting between Oireachtas members from Cavan/Monaghan and the Enterprise Minister, a briefing was held at Leinster House in the office of Sean Conlan TD for a delegation from Monaghan County Council, led by the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Padraig McNally. He was accompanied by Councillors PJ O’Hanlon, Colm Carthy, Aidan Campbell and Paudge Connolly. Senator Diarmuid Wilson also attended as did the Director of Services of Monaghan County Council, Paul Clifford, and John McEntegart, Head of Monaghan Local Enterprise Office. Mr Clifford later revealed that the factory site set up by the IDA in 1978 is no longer owned by the Authority, but is in private hands and remains under lease to Bose.
COMPANY STATEMENT
A copy of the 290-word statement announcing that US and Irish jobs would be ‘eliminated’ was issued to local public representatives and the media by an international PR company in Dublin on behalf of Bose. It stated bluntly:
“Bose Corporation has announced it will be consolidating its wholly-owned manufacturing operations, closing its facilities in Columbia, South Carolina, and Carrickmacross, Ireland, to streamline the company’s global supply chain. Operations in South Carolina will continue until September 2015; operations in Ireland will continue until April 2015. During that time, both workforces will be reduced, and work will transfer to other Bose facilities around the world with duplicative capabilities.
The Columbia, South Carolina facility opened in 1996 and currently has approximately 300 Bose employees. It houses a North American distribution/repair center, and does sub- and final-assembly for some headsets, and some remanufacturing for the region. A final decision on a new location for distribution/repair has not yet been made; other operations will transfer to Bose facilities in Arizona and Mexico. All jobs at the Bose South Carolina campus will be eliminated.
The Carrickmacross, Ireland facility opened in 1978 and currently has approximately 140 Bose employees. It provides final assembly for select home theater systems and Wave® radios for the European market, and some remanufacturing for the region. Operations will transfer to Bose facilities in Malaysia and Mexico. All work will cease at the Bose Ireland facility. Impacted employees have been informed, and all employees who lose their jobs based on these actions will receive outplacement services and severance support.
‘Our rapid global growth requires us to keep pace with our customers, dealers, distributors, resellers and stores, and serve them as efficiently as possible,’ said Bryan Fontaine, executive vice president of global operations and corporate development engineering. ‘But these are still difficult decisions because they impact our very capable teams in South Carolina and Ireland. We thank all of them for their dedication, and we thank the communities of Columbia and Carrickmacross for their years of support.’
UNION RESPONSE
SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser Jim McVeigh said that when the workers were informed by management last Thursday the plant was to close, it came as a complete bolt out of the blue. It was devastating news for staff, their families and the wider community. Workers were given a day off on Friday. At a packed meeting in the Nuremore Hotel on Monday evening, SIPTU representatives briefed local politicians on the situation and enlisted their support in the union’s efforts to save the jobs. Mr McVeigh added: “the vast majority of the workforce live in County Monaghan and the plant closure will have a very significant negative impact on the local economy. He said the union was committed to doing everything possible to protect the interests of the workforce.
The atmosphere at the Nuremore was in complete contrast to the gathering there in October 1978, when 150 guests enjoyed a sumptuous reception and luncheon, marking the official opening of the plant by the then Education Minister, the late John Wilson TD. The plant was first blessed by the local Parish Priest. Further details of how the IDA originally set itself a target of creating 4000 new manufacturing jobs in the North East region at the time can be found in Carrickmacross News.
BOSE which has its headquarters at Framingham in Massachusetts was founded by a college Professor of Electrical Engineering and classical music enthusiast Dr Amar Bose in 1964. Before he died in 2013, Dr. Bose donated a majority stake in his company to MIT, the Boston school where he earned three degrees in engineering and taught a course in acoustics. The company employs around 10,500 people internationally and has sales of $3.3 billion.
Carrickmacross provides final assembly for select home theatre systems and radios for the European market, as well as some remanufacturing for the region. It was chosen by the US company because of the local expertise in furniture making. Bose developed wooden cabinets for their high-fidelity speakers and these were sourced in County Monaghan. The US company’s presence attracted a spin-off for local suppliers.
The factory closure whilst having a direct impact on the 140 staff will also affect those who supply services for the plant, such as printers and couriers. This was one of the main concerns on the streets of Carrickmacross during the past week. Local people are waiting to see whether any of the initiatives promised by the politicians will bear fruit over the coming days.
Peace Proms 2015 at RDS Photo: © Michael Fisher
It has been a great weekend of music and song at the Royal Dublin Society’s Simonscourt Hall in Ballsbridge in Dublin. This afternoon seven national schools from County Monaghan helped to form the large choir of schoolchildren performing at the Peace Proms 2015 along with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland. Last night (Saturday) the Model school from Monaghan town took part. This afternoon I met all seven schools from County Monaghan, who arrived at the complex at 11:30am for a rehearsal.
Peace Proms 2015 at RDS Photo: © Michael Fisher
Two schools came from Carrickmacross, Bunscoil Lughaidh Naofa, Cloughvalley, and St Joseph’s National School, Farney Street. I also met pupils and their teachers from Knockconan National School, Emyvale, and my neighbours from St Dympna’s National School, Tydavnet. There were also representatives from St. Louis Girls’ National School, Park Road in Monaghan town; Scoil Mhuire, Moys, Clontibret and finally Scoil Mhuire National School, Latton, Castleblayney.
Peace Proms 2015 at RDS Photo: © Michael Fisher
The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) was established in 1995 as a peace initiative and is now composed of 120 young people from all over Ireland – north and south. It encourages diversity through music and community. The CBOI is internationally recognised as one of Ireland’s flagship peace initiatives and has become one of the most acclaimed youth orchestras that Ireland has ever produced. The Orchestra is led by some of Ireland’s top professional musicians including: Conductor, Gearóid Grant; Violinist, Patricia Treacy; Tenor, Emmanuel Lawler; and Uilleann Piper, Patrick Martin. The CBOI undertakes a National Spring Tour annually performing at:
The Orchestra has performed for:
International tours and showcase of the best of Ireland:
Peace Proms 2015 at RDS Photo: © Michael Fisher
The CBOI plays a vital role in enhancing Music and Arts education in Ireland thourgh “Peace Proms”. Peace Proms is a choral education project for Primary Schools devised and delivered by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland. Over 15,000 children from 300 schools participate in Peace Proms annually. It is not a “classical orchestra”. Their music highlights the pop, folk and traditional cultures of the island of Ireland. They use all the instruments of a full symphony orchestra but include traditional instruments for example Lambeg Drums, Uilleann Pipes and Highland Pipes. Many of the CBOI’s commissions have been written by Brian Byrne who is recognised as one of Ireland leading contemporary composers and arrangers. Based in Los Angeles, Brian is an IFTA winner and OSCAR nominee.
Peace Proms 2015 Commemorative Brochure
Over the past 18 years, the CBOI has played an important role in building and nurturing vital cross border and cross community relations. We are delighted to have recently established a link with the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch and look forward to showcasing our combined cultural talents and working with them for a better future.
Belfast Odyssey Arena Sunday 8th February 3pm Belfast Peace Proms
Limerick Saturday 28th February
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