THURSDAY
Ballaghaderreen meeting
When I meet a few politicians/political enthusiasts today, much of the talk is of last night’s fiery public meeting in Ballaghaderreen, held over plans to accommodate refugees in modular homes in the town.
Speakers were filmed during the meeting – it’s not unusual, as a certain Welsh superstar sang – with the subsequent posts on social media causing a bit of a stir. If the overall mood of a meeting at which emotions were heightened for up to two hours can be summarised in one soundbite, in this instance the relevant one would probably be a variation of ‘Ballaghaderreen has had enough/can take no more’.
I didn’t get to the meeting – which clashed directly with that point in the week when the weekly issue of the Roscommon People ‘goes to bed’ – but it is clear from those social media posts (and my conversations with people who were present) that the general mood last night was one of resistance to the modular homes’ project, an overwhelming sense that Ballaghaderreen has done more than its fair share in terms of accommodating immigrants, and anger at successive governments for a perceived neglect/downgrading of the town.
The plans by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) to house almost 700 Ukrainian refugees in 167 modular homes at different locations in the county is not going down particularly well with the public. This will be a hot election issue.
FRIDAY
Anyone for this debate?
So, just wondering… if Senator Michael McDowell and UFC fighter Conor McGregor both decide to run for President, would a resulting (eagerly awaited) first candidates’ debate be pay per view?
SATURDAY
Champions again
An entertaining final day of the Six Nations Championship saw Ireland deservedly retain the title. Andy Farrell’s team realised their destiny with a narrow win over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium. While a late Scottish try set up a nervy finale, Ireland were well worth their win, having totalled dominated the second half, during which they ‘left behind’ at least two tries.
Judged by the team’s very high standards, it was an unexceptional Irish performance, but the bottom line is Ireland won the game and comfortably topped the table. We should be careful not to get complacent about this extended golden era for Irish rugby. We have won nine of our last ten Six Nations’ games, losing just one (and that by a single point).
Meanwhile, it was a great tournament for Italy, their win over Wales today meaning they only lost two of their five games (and avoided the wooden spoon). The action ended with a thriller in France, the home team edging past England courtesy of Thomas Ramos’ tremendous penalty conversion under pressure.
SUNDAY
Martin’s mood music!
On this morning’s Brendan O’Connor Show (RTE Radio 1), special guest for a culture-related chat – probably mindful of the day that’s in it – is former Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin.
It was one of those segments where a celebrity/personality discusses their favourite TV shows/songs/movies. Asked for his first musical choice, the prelate selected a famous hymn. Okay…
A few minutes later, the much-travelled and cultured guest revealed his second choice: the South African National Anthem. Okay…
I could see how this was going. Diarmuid Martin is studious, learned, well-travelled, his thoughtful choices reflecting those realities.
Brendan asked for his next choice. The former Archbishop said he had chosen a song which used to bring a smile to his face when he was shaving in the mornings in Geneva. We waited…
‘He Drinks Tequila’.
Brendan (and I) were taken aback. “Oh” said Brendan, sounding pleased about the mood change. They joshed about the lyrics.
‘He drinks tequila, and she talks dirty in Spanish…’
A good song (and choice) it was too.
But I know what you’re probably thinking… how could Diarmuid Martin really have chosen… the South African National Anthem?
SUNDAY
GAA early-comers
Driving into town at 11.50 am, I was greeted by that ‘matchday’ sight that still perplexes many of us… the phenomenon of the early-arriving supporters. One hour and 55 minutes before throw-in, people were actually walking towards the Hyde… grasping jackets, refreshments and children (their own).
For some of us, this admirable discipline whereby some GAA supporters go into a stadium so far in advance of throw-in is a touch baffling to observe. Good luck to all concerned, but I’m more of an ‘Arrive as National Anthem is Playing’ guy.
Driving back home from the shop (at 12.15), I could see that a long queue had already formed at the gates; it was no longer just a handful of early-comers. Meanwhile, five hardy looking Kerry men had passed the Hyde entrance and were walking towards town. I admired their discipline too (I don’t believe they were looking for historic sites; in theory, they might have been heading for Supermac’s, but they had the look of men with a pre-match drink on their minds).
It must have been a tense calculation, but I’m guessing they gambled on it being about a 15-minute walk to the nearest pub, which (allowing for return walk, QR code scanning, etc), offered the prospect of about 40/45 minutes’ drinking time before they took their place in the Hyde for the National Anthem (I’ve allowed for a couple of minutes in the toilets on arrival).
Actually, there were quite a few Kerry supporters in town on Sunday for this glamour NFL game, in which the annoyingly good ‘Kingdom’ prevailed (by six points). There were a few bus-loads of Kerry fans, a welcome boost for local businesses. A talking point for supporters in Section 3 of the Stand on the Athlone Road side was the presence of a very familiar face amongst us. Watching the entire first half from a (quaintly) cordoned off corner of the highest point of the Stand was… Kerry manager Jack O’Connor!
SUNDAY/MONDAY
Communities shine…
With one eye on the Roscommon-Kerry game, and one on the weather, local communities hosted their annual St Patrick’s Day parades. The reports I’ve heard have all been positive. Congratulations to all the organisers/volunteers, and hoping all who attended had a wonderful experience.
