https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAoZQXz8IHY


 asylum asylumDVDYou may recall how a group of young asylum seekers wanted to make an information booklet and DVD explaining the Irish asylum process in a child-friendly way to other asylee children.

They were seeking help to raise €3,100 to complete the project via Fundit.

Well they did it.

And they’re currently launching the booklet and DVD at the European Parliament Office on Molesworth Street, Dublin.

Fair play.

Previously: Asylum Soul

 

Seeking Asylum From Our Asylum Process

The Institutionalisation of 1,818 Children In Ireland

Pics: Liam Thornton

donkey11

 

Nicola, the Canal donkey on December 3 (top) and today (above).

But for quick-thinking Derek Haughton, the DSPCA and the Fire Brigade who KNOWS what might hNOM OMNOMNOM

Previously: Help On Its Way

vintage1vintage2vintage3

Folks at Vintage Values write:

“It’s hard to believe they are real designs, from the 1920’s to 1960’s. All done by Irish artists and brought back to life after 50 years. There are these prints, postcards and a book. The prints cost €25, the postcard packs a mere €5.99 and the book is €19.99.”

Buy here

Vintage Values

24hourplay

Philly writes:

“A gang of us produce the 24 HOUR PLAYS DUBLIN, a manic and brilliant show where 25 actors, 6 playwrights, 6 directors and 20 technicians pool their skills to create 6 new plays in 24 hours. It happens at the Abbey theatre – this time on March 2, 2014, and all cash raised goes to the very deserving Dublin Youth Theatre. We’re in our third year, and tickets tend to fly out the door. We’ve released the best seats in the house at regular prices as an early bird special. Tickets would make a great stocking filler with a charitable edge.”

Buy here

Abbey Theatre

fil

Andra Gorski writes:

“Colourful, elastic hair ties that create perfect ponies and beautiful buns. Won’t kink or knot your hair. A lovely stocking filler at €8 for a set of 5. Handmade in my studio in Dublin and sold online. Four different colour sets available. Free shipping during the month of December with code DecemberLove.”

Buy here

BornRubie

Irish-made ‘Stocking Fillers’ to broadsheet@broadsheet.ie. Cost: Cuddles (plus VAT).

youmay;like

John Spillane – The Ferry Arms

An epic tribute to The Ferry Arms, Passage West, Cork, John Spillane’s favourite hometown boozer and the city’s most Republican “number one Celtic supporters’ pub”.

Featuring authentic ‘regulars’.

Sorcha writes:

Opera, the haka and a load o mocks in a Cork pub….

 

The Ferry Arms (Facebook)

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Three players boycotted Ireland’s 1981 tour to South Africa, Hugo MacNeill (top), the late Moss Keane (centre) and Tony Ward.

The committee (South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee) said its chairman, Ambassador B. Alporode Clark of Nigeria, had sent letters yesterday to three Irish and two New Zealand rugby players commending them for their decision not to play for their national teams against South Africa.
The Irish team to play Scotland at Murrayfield a week tomorrow, is scheduled to tour South Africa in May and the South African team will play New Zealand if they tour there later this year. Their players, Hugo MacNeill, Tony Ward, and Moss Keane have told the Irish selectors they cannot travel to South Africa for moral reasons.

Glasgow Herald, March 13, 1981.

0007a05e-642In June 2003, Nelson Mandela came to visit Ireland to attend the Special Olympics where he addressed the audience in Croke Park (above).

I knew that Madiba wasn’t difficult or demanding but the basics had to be in place such as security, transport and a comfortable hotel room. As was the norm , two of his security personnel arrived a few days beforehand to ensure everything was taken care of. We met with the irish police and were assured that all was well .

I double and triple-checked everything.

On the morning, I was at the VIP Lounge in Dublin Airport early with Madiba’s security. The lounge was filled with arrivals – including the Kennedy Shrivers.

Then the first crisis developed.

The Gardai motorbike riders informed us that they had been instructed to accompany the Shrivers and that there would be no escort or security for Madiba…I thought Madiba’s security detail were about to explode.

There had been an agreement with the Irish police which had been confirmed the previous evening, on the basis that there was not enough South African protection with him and that, under Irish law, his security personnel could not be armed.

I frantically made a few phone calls but was told that it was a direct instruction from someone senior, who felt that there was no threat to Madiba.

…the journey [into Dublin] took about 45 minutes . Not only did we not have a motorbike motorbike escort but the driver would not use the bus lanes since he did not have a taxi sign and did not want the embarrassment of being stopped with Madiba in the car.

…After getting Madiba settled I made numerous phone calls but got nowhere. Eventually I persuaded someone to get the Minister for Justice [Michael McDowell was minister at this time] to leave the parliamentary chamber to take a call from me.

I expressed my astonishment at the position and said: ‘Minister , with respect, if something does happen to Mandela I will not be the one who will have to explain to the world why the Irish government did not put adequate security in place for the most recognisable and loved man in the world,” I said firmly. There was silence on the other side.

A few minutes after the conversation ended I received a call to say that we would get one armed plain clothes detective for the duration of the visit.

…Weeks after the visit a formal apology from the department of Foreign Affairs was conveyed to me and passed on to Madiba.

I never quite understood what was behind the drama.

Melanie Verwoerd, South African ambassador to Ireland (2001-2005).

From When We Dance: A Memoir by Melanie Verwoerd (Liberties)

(This is a repost from a July item headlined The Nelson Riddle)

Pic: RTE

 

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