My Photos Mikegibbdon

(Top) Mike Horn, (below) Pascal Donohoe and Niall Gibbons

 

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Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons was left bemused when an American radio host asked him: “I don’t want to put you on the spot here, Niall. I want to find out, there are no plans for Ireland deciding to leave the UK, are there?”

The question was asked on CRN Talk Radio’s What’s Cookin’ programme [in September], a coast-to-coast programme which is broadcast to 250 stations and cable networks across the United States.

Mr Gibbons and Minister for Tourism Paschal Donohoe were on the show promoting the launch of Ifest Boston, a promotional event for Irish tourism in Boston.

Co-presenter Mike Horn asked the question. Mr Gibbons decided not to offer him a history or geography lesson, but instead decided to focus on promoting Ireland.

“(That’s)an interesting question,” he replied. “Ireland is a destination in itself. We are encouraging people to jump into Ireland. It is very much a standalone destination.”

Again? US radio host wants to know if Ireland plans to leave UK (Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times)

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Ger Kenny Art writes:

“I’ve decided to make good use of my Irish Water application with an oil portrait of James Connolly. I won’t be handing a cent to Irish Water as I have already paid for the water in my taps through my income tax, PRSI, USC and the levy on motor tax. I’ve heard the arguments ‘we need to pay for water and improve the infrastructure’ and ‘all the other countries pay for water’ – well, why wasn’t the infrastructure upgraded from our tax money over the years? Why wasn’t it upgraded at the height of the Celtic Tiger when we had a surplus in the budget? Strange, isn’t it, how water quality, conservation and infrastructure wasn’t an issue at the height of the boom when the country was rolling in cash. But, now when we don’t have a penny, it’s on the agenda. We were ordered to setup Irish Water by the Troika for one purpose and that’s to collect a tax to pay the bondholder. If a politician gives any other reason, then they are a liar.”

“This government continues to ignore the people and have any dialog with us but I think now most people have had enough and are starting to do something about it. I chose James Connolly as he would never have put the needs of financial institutions or bondholders ahead of the needs of an Irish citizen. Connolly would never have taken from the pockets of the most vulnerable people in society to top up the over flowing pockets of some faceless bondholder. I only wish that we had a man like Connolly to lead us today.”

Ger Kenny Art

Thanks Ronan

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Marsh’s Library in St Patrick’s Close, Dublin 8

Christa Thompson writes:

Just past the medieval graveyard at St.Patrick’s Cathedral stands a Gothic stone archway and hinged door marking the path of stairs to Marsh’s Library, the first public library in Ireland. As I opened the door to its gallery I was immediately transported back three hundred years. My eyes scanned the thick and dramatic oak shelves. The spines of antique books so textured with age seemed like something from a Harry Potter Movie as if it were only possible they existed had someone imagined them. There was something about this place that made me want to stay. Perhaps this is what kept Bram Stoker, reading books of travel and death. Records of his readings are kept in a ledger where I saw the hand scrawls of the likes of Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker and James Joyce.

Most every Dublin tourist knows of the famed Long Library at Trinity College, but few know of Marsh’s Library. In comparison, Marsh’s Library is merely a closet, but don’t let this fool you, it remains unchanged since its founding in 1638. It is home to 25,000 rare and extraordinary books with permanent residence on its original oak shelves.

The Dark Side of Dublin: the Haunting of Marsh’s Library (Fairytale Traveler)

Pic: Celtic Group Hostels

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Teachers to strike on 2 December over Junior Cycle changes (RTÉ)

UPDATE:

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Via Páraic Gallagher

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UCD law lecturer Dr Liam Thornton tweets from the High Court as Judge Colm MacEochaidh delivers his judgement on the challenge taken by a family of two against the direct provision system.  

The family of two, a mother and child, took the action, arguing that the direct provision system is unconstitutional.

The family have been in direct provision centres for more than four years. They claimed the system was unlawfully established, has no legal basis, continues to operate unlawfully, violating the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. They also claimed the work ban and blanket ban on receiving social welfare payments breaches personal, family and equality rights under the Constitution.

Liam Thornton

Background: Direct Provision System Challenged Before the Irish High Court: Day 1 (Human Rights in Ireland blog)

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