St Brigid’s Church, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin Photo: © Michael Fisher
The Church of Ireland church of Saint Brigid in Stillorgan, once a village on the outskirts of Dublin, is where Sir William Orpen (see yesterday) was baptised. His father Arthur Herbert Orpen was honorary secretary to the select Vestry for fifty years. Neither is buried there but on a visit there yesterday I did get a chance to look at the adjoining cemetery.
St Brigid’s Church, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin Photo: © Michael Fisher
Dominic Lee, photographer, of Priory Studios, Stillorgan, has begun a fundraising campaign for a sculpture of the well-known artist, Sir William Orpen. Orpen was baptised at St Brigid’s Church of Ireland church in Stillorgan. Earlier this year Dominic came to nearby Mount Merrion parish to talk about the project and to display copies of some of his paintings from World War I.
Dominic says there is a beautiful spread in the 2015 Obelisk journal about his fundraising project for a sculpture of Sir William Orpen for Stillorgan Village. Cover painting – The Hill, Stillorgan by Olivia Hayes.
Published by Kilmacud Stillorgan Local History Society – Copies available from stillorganlocalhistory@gmail.com for €6. Talks take place at 8pm on the 2nd Thursday of every month in Glenalbyn Sports Club.
Obelisk 2015 Journal, Stillorgan
Obelisk 2015 Journal, Stillorgan
New Casement Park Aerial View Photo: Casement Park Redevelopment Project
It was to be the GAA’s showcase in Ulster: a completely revamped £77m stadium at Casement Park in West Belfast that would seat 38,000 fans. It would take over from Páirc Naomh Tiarnach in the border town of Clones in County Monaghan as the venue for Ulster football finals. Now a judge at the High Court in Belfast has found that the planning application approved by the North’s Environment Minister Mark H. Durkan was “irretrievably flawed“.
The judicial review that lasted thirteen days heard that defects were also identified in the environmental survey, with no assessment of the impact on local residents of extra stadium facilities such as conference suites, bars, restaurants and car parking. A further hearing is expected later this week to decide the final outcome of the case.
Environment Minister Mark H.Durkan announces approval for project, December 2013 Photo: Casement Park Redevelopment Project
The new stadium was set to be included in the list of GAA venues to be used as one of the Ireland’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Hugo McNeill, the chairman of the bid, last month said that the Casement Park upgrade was “crucial” to the Northern Ireland component of its proposal.
Chairman of the Casement Park Project Board, Tom Daly, said they were “deeply disappointed” by the decision. “The proposed redevelopment of Casement Park would have provided the opportunity of a world class provincial stadium for the GAA and the broader community in the heart of Belfast. It would also have provided much needed economic and social benefits to west Belfast and beyond, including financial investment, new jobs, apprenticeships and community projects. Over the coming weeks we will reflect on this decision and consider what the next steps are for Casement Park”, he said.
The redevelopment of Casement Park is part of the Northern Ireland Executive’s policy to upgrade the three major sports grounds in Belfast – soccer’s Windsor Park, Ulster Rugby’s ground at Ravenhill and the GAA stadium at Casement. Three new stands have been constructed at Ravenhill. Work is ongoing on modernising Windsor Park, the home of Irish League club Linfield and the Northern Ireland international team.
I note that former Clones resident Darach MacDonald says he is not going to gloat about this outcome, which he has predicted several times to general disbelief. However, he thinks somebody needs to explain, and quickly, how a planning process described as ‘irretrievably flawed’ was presented to GAA fans and the general public as a fait accompli. From the outset, this was a politically tainted and contrived vanity project to siphon off public funds on a sectarian pretext for an inappropriate development in a place where it was not wanted, he said.
Ulster Final Clones July 2013 Monaghan v Donegal Photo: © Michael Fisher
Meanwhile, the existing venue for the Ulster Football Final, the provincial showpiece for the sport, has been relegated to a state of neglect pending redundancy (without floodlights or other investment since the early 1990s), disparaged and dismissed by those who pursued their ‘Field of Dreams’. As a life-long supporters of Gaelic games, Darach says he is “disgusted and impatient for answers”.
LW252 mast Co. Meath Photo: Save RTE Longwave Radio
When I tune into RTÉ Radio 1 in Belfast I usually have my radio on 252 Long Wave, This is because the signal quality seems to be more stable than FM. Even with the swap of FM frequencies between Radio 1 and Lyric FM, I find the Long Wave service much more convenient. It was always very useful to have LW252 as an option when travelling by car in Britain. When it comes to summer sports such as GAA finals, the LW service remains a very important link for the Irish diaspora in Britain and beyond.
In the Irish Times, Patsy McGarry has an interesting article about the benefits of LW252. RTÉ’s planned closure of its long-wave radio service on January 19th has been described as a “crying shame” by a leading Irish child sex abuse campaigner in Britain. Mick Waters founded the Survivors of Child Abuse Soca (UK) group, precursor to Soca (Ireland). It grew out of the Artane Old Boys organisation he set up in the English midlands in 1965. Speaking to The Irish Times from Coventry, Mr Waters said many of the people he had dealt with down the decades “love that [RTÉ long-wave] connection. It’s very important to them.”
Tony Corcoran was driving in Southport, Lancashire, listening to RTÉ radio when he spoke to The Irish Times on the issue. “It’s as clear as any local station,” he said. If the long-wave service was to go, neither he nor anyone else in the UK would be able to listen to RTÉ in a car, he said. He said that during the football championship, people sat in cars across the UK with RTÉ on and windows open so others could hear commentary. 
RTÉ originally intended to close down the transmitter at Clarkstown in County Meath on October 27th 2014 but it has postponed the move until January 19th 2015 following calls by emigrants’ groups and others in Britain. The Catholic bishops of Ireland also criticised the decision. If you want to know more about the campaign to save LW252, a page with a petition can be found here.
Fernhill House and Gardens Photo: Colliers/daft.ie
Fernhill House and estate has been sold. But it’s not the one in the Glencairn area of West Belfast that used to house a Peoples Museum with loyalist memorabilia. The one I am referring to is in South County Dublin, between Sandyford and Stepaside. I have passed it on a number of occasions in the past two months, but I never realised what was behind the long stone wall along the Enniskerry Road, opposite Belarmine.
The Irish Times reports that the house and gardens have been sold for €4.25m to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Council. A council spokesman said it was planned to redevelop the 84-acres site as a regional public park in the coming years. The property was bought by developer David Arnold for around €45 million in 2008 and later taken over by the assets management agency NAMA. It went on the market in April through Colliers at a guide price of €5 million.
Fernhill Gardens site Photo: Colliers/daft.ie
Council chairwoman Marie Baker said the acquisition was one of the last opportunities for the council to buy a “sizeable parcel of land” to be used for recreational purposes. Fernhill gardens were started in the early 19th century and have rare collections of plants, trees and shrubs. About 45 acres of the land is wooded. The property was owned by the Walker family from 1934 onwards. The house was initially built in 1723.
Fernhill House and Gardens Photo: Colliers/daft.ie
According to estate agents Colliers International, the Darley Family, are credited with most of the changes that the house has been through. The original section of the house is the single storey section to the front which now contains the principle reception rooms. The structure to the rear is believed to have been a range of outbuildings which were converted and extended to living accommodation, probably by Edmond or Justice William Darley.
Michael Fisher presented with NUJ life membership by Seamus Dooley Photo: © Kevin Cooper
At a meeting organised by the Belfast and District Branch of the National Union of Journalists a number of reporters and a photographer were awarded life membership of the union, having belonged to the NUJ for over forty years. I was presented with my certificate by the Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley and somehow I managed to receive two of them! Seamus pointed out that my father Des is also a long-time NUJ member (he helped to start the Irish South Eastern Branch when he started work in Carlow) as is my sister Carolyn who also worked in RTÉ.
Michael Fisher presented with 1913 lockout centenary coin by Gerry Curran Photo: © Kevin Cooper
The Cathaoirleach of the Irish Executive Council Gerry Curran presented me with a limited edition coin, issued last year to mark the centenary of the 1913 lockout in Dublin, which I was very proud to receive in recognition of my contribution to the NUJ in Ireland and Britain. I joined the union in July 1974, becoming a member of the London Radio Branch when I worked in the BBC Radio Newsroom at Broadcasting House as a News Trainee. I later joined the Birmingham Branch when I moved to the West Midlands in 1975. I then joined Dublin Broadcasting Branch on taking up a position with RTÉ News in Dublin in January 1979. I transferred to Belfast in August 1984, becoming a member of Northern Ireland Broadcasting Branch, subsequently amalgamated with Belfast and District.
NUJ life member Michael Fisher with former RTÉ News cameraman Bryan Drysdale Photo: © Kevin Cooper
I remember the Broadcasting Branch Treasurer at the time was Austin Hunter of BBC Northern Ireland. He has also been awarded life membership (44 years a member), along with two of his former BBC colleagues, David Lynas and Noel McCartney. Noel who received his certificate two years ago and had served on the union’s National Executive Council, was congratulated on the achievement by Gerry Curran.
A fifth life membership goes to photographer Alan Lewis, a familiar figure in Belfast media circles. He joined the NUJ 42 years ago. He received his certificate from the President of the International Federation of Journalists, Jim Boumelha, another NUJ stalwart.
NUJ Belfast & District Branch Chair Bob Miller opens the seminar Photo: © Michael Fisher
NUJ Belfast and District Branch held a seminar at the Linenhall Library Belfast on global dangers to journalists. The President of the International Federation of Journalists Jim Boumelha was among the speakers. Local photographer and NUJ member of honour Kevin Cooper spoke about dangers for journalists in Northern Ireland. Another branch member photographer Sarah Hunter spoke about her experiences in Somalia and introduced a Somali journalist and asylum seeker. Ciaran Ó Maolain also addressed the gathering. Afterwards I introduced a round table discussion with the speakers about human rights issues of concern to journalists.
NUJ Photographer Kevin Cooper addresses seminar Photo: © Michael Fisher
Stressing the importance of the union’s Code of Conduct Kevin Cooper said his guidelines were to be true to yourself and be prepared to stand up on issues of concern. He said journalists had a right to do their work unhindered. Despite the peace process, some journalists in Northern Ireland were working under threat, he said.
Photographer Sarah Hunter, another member of the Belfast and District Branch, spoke about the dangers to journalists in Somalia, where she has done work for various NGOs.
Photographer Sarah Hunter addresses seminar Photo: © Michael Fisher
Ciaran Ó Maolain speaking at the NUJ seminar Photo: © Michael Fisher
IFJ President Jim Boumelha Photo: © Michael Fisher
Edgar Street Photo: Hereford United FC
Fifty years ago when FA Amateur Cup winners and Isthmian League champions Wimbledon FC decided to turn semi-professional, the London club was admitted to the Southern League Division One (the lower of its two divisions). I started following the Dons at Plough Lane from that 1964/65 season onwards. With two great strikers, Wembley hero Eddie Reynolds and Gerry O’Rourke, they performed really well in their first season. Only one club was better: Hereford United, table toppers with a record number of points and goals (Albert Derrick: 37). Both sides were promoted to the Southern League Premier division.
Both Wimbledon and Hereford as non-league sides gained a reputation as giant killers in the FA Cup. In 1971/72 after a 2-2 draw with First Division Newcastle United at St James Park in the FA Cup third round, the teams met again at Edgar Street in a much postponed replay. After taking a late lead through Malcolm MacDonald, Newcastle looked certain to progress. However, a Ronnie Radford goal for the Bulls sent the tie into extra time. Substitute Ricky George’s winner gave Hereford a famous 2-1 win, the first time a non-league side had beaten a First Division club since 1949. Three years later Wimbledon beat Burnley in the same round and went on to take Leeds to a replay in the fourth round. So the clubs have much in common, both of them going on to join the Football League.
Hereford United FC Logo
Whereas the Dons have been reformed as a supporters-owned club, AFC Wimbledon, that climbed through the non-league ranks to regain league status, Hereford have had severe problems. Now the Football Association has announced that Hereford United FC which was playing in the Southern League Premier Division (Evo-Stik League) haswbeen suspended from all football activity.
A statement from the FA says that the club and its officer, John McCarthy, had been ordered last month to comply fully and correctly with their obligations under the Owners’ and Directors’ Test Regulations by 4pm on Thursday 4th December. Following consideration of a document submitted by the club, the Independent Regulatory Commission gave the parties until 4pm on Monday 8th December to submit further documentation to satisfy the orders of the Commission. Having failed to provide the requested further documentation by the deadline, both Hereford United and Mr McCarthy shall remain suspended until such time as the order of the Independent Regulatory Commission has been complied with to the satisfaction of the Commission.
The FA says it understands the importance of football clubs to their local communities and will continue to work with all relevant parties to ensure senior football returns to Hereford at the earliest opportunity, although this will be contingent on the club complying with the Regulations and subsequent orders of the Independent Regulatory Commission.
A5 Western Transit Corridor Photo: Mouchel
The A5 dualling scheme from the border at Aughnacloy to Derry (described as a ‘motorway’ by Sinn Féin) is like a STOP/GO/STOP board for traffic. One minute it’s on, then it’s held up, now it seems to be on again. It’s reported tonight by the Ulster Herald that Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has announced that the Irish government has agreed to review its decision to withdraw a £400million funding pledge for the A5 dual carriageway. Speaking in the Stormont Assembly Mr McGuinness said the development emerged at last week’s North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Armagh.
“We had a very constructive discussion at the NSMC and the Taoiseach gave a clear commitment to seek additional structural funds to restore their contribution to this essential North-South project,” said Mr McGuinness. The Irish government had originally pledged in the region of £400m towards the construction of a new £850m 55-mile dual carriageway between Derry and Aughnacloy, which would link in with Dublin bound traffic via the N2 towards Emyvale and Monaghan. However the funding pledge was withdrawn in November 2011.
Welcoming the announcement, West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty said, “A restoration of the funds from Dublin will reignite this entire project. At the same time, Sinn Féin will continue to engage with the North’s Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy to ensure the legal issues which have delayed the northern end of the project are expedited without delay.”
AFC Wimbledon mascot Haydon the Womble Photo: © Michael Fisher
Bring on the Reds! It’s a dream tie for AFC Wimbledon of League Two. Success against Wycombe Wanderers on Sunday has brought them a lucrative home tie against Premier League side Liverpool in the FA Cup third round. Dons supporters will of course remember the shock result of the FA Cup final in 1988 when a Lawrie Sanchez goal secured the trophy for Wimbledon FC for the first and only time. Kingsmeadow has a capacity of 4850 and no doubt it will be a full house for the match to be played between January 3rd and 6th 2015. Gate receipts and television rights will provide a welcome boost for the club’s finances. A draw would be a good result, meaning a replay at Anfield.
Anfield Photo: Liverpool FC
As a non-league side Wimbledon always had a reputation for being giant killers in the FA Cup, with a notable victory against Burnely in the FA Cup third round on January 4th 1975, 39 years ago. The Dons went on to draw at Elland Road against Leeds, a match I was at, but they lost the replay.
Leeds United v Wimbledon FA Cup (4) January 25th 1975 Programme: Collectsoccer.com
Wimbledon v Leeds United FA Cup (4) replay February 10th 1975 Programme: ebay sale
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