FRIDAY
It’s Him, it’s Him, it’s…
For those of us of a certain age, watching Top of the Pops (Thursday evenings, around 7 pm) was a weekly highlight in the 1970s and ‘80s. These days, BBC Four broadcasts old TOTP shows a few nights every week, and I occasionally dip in for a nostalgic detour.
This evening, I was surprised to see the line-up of live performers in an episode broadcast this month 47 years ago (on September 1st) included Mullingar superstar, the late Joe Dolan. He was in elite company too… also appearing were Elvis Costello, David Essex, and Elkie Brooks!
Whether he was singing or miming I’m not sure, but Joe sounded great as he belted out I Need You (presenter Tony Blackburn was very impressed).
Apparently it wasn’t Joe’s only appearance on the show. Sadly, he died in 2007. What a star we had in the greatly missed Joe Dolan.
SATURDAY
The Ticketmasteraurus
Readers this week may not consider the following historical record important, but I include it so that future generations can have some sense of the trauma we endured today, Saturday, 31st of August 2024.
It had started like any other late summer morning in Ireland… dull and dreary, with radio DJs talking inanely. But then it turned even more sinister.
The people had risen at 7.30 am, on what they expected to be a day of destiny. But they could never have imagined the terror that would unfold. Giddy with ill-fated enthusiasm, they had scrolled on their ‘modern technology’ and pursued what they thought was an oasis in the desert that their lives had become – but sadly it turned out to be a mirage.
The people were powerless as a great beast (The Ticketmasteraurus) destroyed all before it. Already worn down by financial volatility, unprecedented climate change, and the 2 Johnnies, the people had been hoping for some joy in their lives… but the Ticketmasteraurus was ruthless, stomping on their dreams and crushing their hopes. To be continued (hopefully).
SUNDAY
The road to yesteryear
Driving to Dublin via the old route is scenic and interesting in its own way – but the real reason I do it is because I’ve developed some kind of phobia about busy motorways.
And long bridges. And tunnels.
Sometimes I surprise myself on motorways, but usually I want to abandon the mission after half an hour or so, turning into the ‘old roads’ and all our yesteryears. It’s best for everyone’s sanity.
On a trip to Dublin today, passing through Kinnegad, Leixlip, Maynooth, Enfield, etc brought back memories of journeys from the west to Dublin in the 1970s and ‘80s, and even into the early 1990s… before the Irish road network revolution.
Seeing those towns and villages again was a nostalgic adventure. The sight of landmark buildings, bridges, streams and long-admired houses opened the memory bank.
I recalled the hype about Mother Hubbards (near Moyvalley) when it first opened! Kinnegad was always a favoured stop-off for a bite to eat when travelling to or from Croke Park (it still is a good option).
Driving into Maynooth, I recalled the historic visit to Ireland of Pope John Paul II in 1979. While many people from the west went to Galway or Knock, our family left Rooskey in the early hours of the morning to see the Pope in Maynooth (where my brother was studying for the priesthood).
While there were thousands of people waiting for several hours across the university grounds, as luck would have it the Pope landed in a helicopter a mere 25 feet or so from us (not quite near enough to give this future journalist an exclusive quote – he did wave, mind you).
Today’s tour of towns also reminded me of the day of the 1997 Aintree Grand National. Travelling to a function in Dublin, we were struggling to find an inviting venue and/or parking. Eventually, we settled into a nice pub in Lucan… only for the Grand National to be abandoned because of two IRA bomb threats.
Maybe taking the ‘old road’ is a bit crazy. But Bob Geldof sang ‘I don’t like Mondays’ – and I don’t like motorways.
MONDAY/TUESDAY
Bikegate exclusive!
The Roscommon People has obtained an exclusive interview with an OPW er, spokesperson… on that controversial new bike shed at Leinster House.
As readers may be aware, the shed – which can accommodate about 18 bikes – has been installed at the politicians’ place of work at a cost of €336,050 (we love the fact that the €50 survived).
The OPW spokesperson was reluctant to speak at first, but finally agreed to an off the record briefing.
“It’s quite simple, Mr Healy. We needed a bike shed. I appreciate the cost may look expensive, but I assure you we were not taking the public for a ride”.
The spokesperson continued: “I promise you, I am not peddling any myths here, we genuinely needed a new bike shed. Sure Eamon Ryan and the Greens are up and down the plinth on bikes morning, noon and night”.
Under intensive questioning from this columnist, he continued: “Every electoral er, cycle… we review urgent priorities. I personally proposed the bike shed project and er, put the wheels in motion. After putting a chain of events into gear, the plans were drawn up, in tandem with my colleagues”.
The spokesperson defended the cost of the bike shed, but muttered that he was sorry taxpayers have been “saddled” with the bill.
“Look, I appreciate we have a housing crisis and other demands on the exchequer, but at least citizens can go to bed at night in the comfortable knowledge that TDs and senators (and staff) have a nice, modern €336,050 structure to store their bicycles in”.
Asked about the €2,952 which was set aside for ‘archaeological services’ as part of the project, the spokesperson said: “I’d rather not comment, I think we’ve dug enough holes for ourselves already”.
Latest: Kieran O’Donnell, Minister with Responsibility for the OPW, asks OPW to conduct a review of the affair and report to him (er, as the Minister with responsibility for the OPW); also, Government politicians breathe sigh of relief as Enoch Burke is jailed again… in the hope that it or something else will distract from Bikegate.
