Paul Healy's Week

Paul Healy’s Week – 22nd January

Written by Paul Healy on

More in Paul Healy's Week:

Paul Healy on saving Roscommon from the clutches of Westmeath; fine dining (in Roscommon and Westmeath); in awe of Paschal Donohoe…and the warm glow of winter football…
Friday

In the Roscommon People office, we’re throwing our weight behind the ‘Save Roscommon’ campaign. We’re designing posters and fine-tuning a sample submission – all with a view to helping to facilitate a mass petition against the proposed ‘land grab.’ This proposal is preposterous, this would-be theft is treacherous, this land grab is ludicrous.

I note the calls for a plebiscite, i.e. a vote or a referendum. That, at least, would be democratic. But why should the people of Roscommon even have to countenance this offensive proposal?

Why should we forfeit part of our county to Westmeath, with all the implications for business, sport, culture, morale, community life, population base, our traditions and identity, etc?

Politics, readers, whether we like it or not, is at the heart of just about everything. And whatever it was that initiated this threat, it is politics that can end it. Suffice to say that if any of Enda Kenny, Joan Burton or Minister Alan Kelly were TDs in Roscommon, this boundary baloney would be out of bounds.

We must make our voices heard loud and clear. So people everywhere should sign the various letters of protest that are put before them, or else make your own submission. And when the General Election comes around in a few weeks, current Government representatives and aspiring ones should be challenged on their position with regard to the feared transfer of part of South Roscommon into Westmeath.

Start with the Fine Gael and Labour candidates (i.e. the outgoing Coalition). Then move on to the representatives of other parties and all Independents.

Any of these people could, on being elected, be in a position to support or be part of a new Government by March of this year. Make sure you know where they stand now, and if you are a supporter of the ‘Save Roscommon’ campaign, make sure they know where you stand.

Sunday

It is true that when you think of gaelic football as its best and most memorable, your thoughts turn to sunny days in summer and the almost tangible excitement of the championship.

But there is something very special too about winter football, when loyal fans enthusiastically embrace the cold conditions and wallow happily at the prospect of making long car journeys, attending relatively undistinguished venues and seeing new players in experimental teams.

Trying to distinguish what is worth getting optimistic about from what isn’t, is part of the fun of the early-season experience. Far from being a very plain starter before the main courses of league and championship, the various ‘lesser’ competitions in January are fulfilling for diehard fans, and presumably of significant benefit to managers.

There was a justifiable pep in the step of Roscommon supporters on Sunday, and it was a great day too for some of our neighbours. In the FBD League, Roscommon had a good win over Mayo in Castlebar.

It was such a shame that the game couldn’t be played in Roscommon, as was originally scheduled. As for the football side of things, it was a very positive performance. I was also delighted to see Leitrim win (against Sligo). It’s not that I have anything against Sligo – I love the county – but I do have a soft spot for Leitrim, a county team that faces a perennial battle to form a strong senior squad, hamstrung as it is by a small player base and the ongoing impact of emigration.

However, Roscommon and Leitrim were both upstaged by Longford, who defeated All-Ireland champions Dublin by six points in an O’Byrne Cup semi-final in Pearse Park. Sure, it’s not the championship and it’s not summer, but that Longford win is already one of the beautiful sporting moments of 2016.

I can just imagine what the atmosphere was like in Longford as the GAA-mad locals savoured the extraordinary giant-killing act. It may ‘only’ have been the O’Byrne Cup, it may be the January shadow boxing before the all-out combat of summer, but this was a marvellous effort from Longford, sport visiting a sprinkling of its eternal magic on a damp and otherwise undistinguished day in Pearse Park.

Every day

The Oscar nominations are out, and still – sadly – there’s no category for ‘arrogant ministers.’ Lest anyone accuse me of political bias, let me say that, had there been Oscars for Arrogance in the past, I would have given one to Dermot Ahern of Fianna Fail, I would have given a ‘Best Supporting’ one to Noel Dempsey of the same party, and I wouldn’t have argued with a ‘Life Achievement’ award going to their colleague, Dick Roche.

There were many more in that FF/Greens administration who scored highly when it came to being arrogant. As for being out of touch with the public/living in a world of their own, that crowd were world-beaters.

When it comes to Enda’s current crew – who will shortly be doing their ‘Greatest Hits’ tour on the airwaves and at selected venues (exciting!) – you have to say that, for a collection of politicians who had been power-starved for years, they fairly hit the ground running. I mean, when it comes to arrogance, who can ever forget Phil Hogan at his glorious peak?

I can only presume, from observing his general disposition, that when Pat Rabbitte woke up in the mornings, servants danced before him. I will remind readers too of Alan Shatter and Brendan Howlin, men with egos that could be donated to science. And a ‘Highly Commended’ award could surely go to the ultra-smooth Communications Minister Alex White.

Oh well, this sometimes insufferable arrogance must go with the territory, I guess; it certainly possesses many, if not all, of our political ‘masters’ once they get called to Cabinet.

My current favourite is the rapidly-rising Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, and a politician who is fascinating to watch in full flow. Marvel as this man displays his incredible self-assurance and feel suitably guilty as he gently but firmly explains what should have been obvious to us from the beginning: that Paschal is always right.

On a serious note, I think we should abandon the General Election for now and experiment with Minister Paschal Donohoe running the country on his own for a fortnight. With the very earnest Simon Harris answering the phone for him.

Saturday & Tuesday

It’s not like we’re always dining out or anything, it just happens that we had two such experiences in recent days – and I am happy to give readers ‘food for thought’ or, more accurately, ‘thought for food.’

On Saturday night we were in The Wineport in Glasson with very good friends, and on Tuesday evening we called into the re-opened ‘Moma’ restaurant in Roscommon with our children (also very good friends).

We hadn’t been to The Wineport for a few years. It really is a most stunning setting, a fabulous restaurant overlooking Lough Ree. The meal was excellent, the service was top class and the setting and décor is such breathtaking. Then on Tuesday evening we called into Moma in Roscommon Town.

It’s an Italian restaurant that recently reopened. The food was beautiful, the service was perfection and changes made to the interior of the restaurant work really well too. It was a fabulous experience.

It’s great to see restaurants, as it is with all businesses, surviving in these challenging times. I wish the new management the very best.

Paul Healy's Week

Paul Healy’s Week – 22nd January

Written by Paul Healy on

More in Paul Healy's Week:

Paul Healy on saving Roscommon from the clutches of Westmeath; fine dining (in Roscommon and Westmeath); in awe of Paschal Donohoe…and the warm glow of winter football…
Friday

In the Roscommon People office, we’re throwing our weight behind the ‘Save Roscommon’ campaign. We’re designing posters and fine-tuning a sample submission – all with a view to helping to facilitate a mass petition against the proposed ‘land grab.’ This proposal is preposterous, this would-be theft is treacherous, this land grab is ludicrous.

I note the calls for a plebiscite, i.e. a vote or a referendum. That, at least, would be democratic. But why should the people of Roscommon even have to countenance this offensive proposal?

Why should we forfeit part of our county to Westmeath, with all the implications for business, sport, culture, morale, community life, population base, our traditions and identity, etc?

Politics, readers, whether we like it or not, is at the heart of just about everything. And whatever it was that initiated this threat, it is politics that can end it. Suffice to say that if any of Enda Kenny, Joan Burton or Minister Alan Kelly were TDs in Roscommon, this boundary baloney would be out of bounds.

We must make our voices heard loud and clear. So people everywhere should sign the various letters of protest that are put before them, or else make your own submission. And when the General Election comes around in a few weeks, current Government representatives and aspiring ones should be challenged on their position with regard to the feared transfer of part of South Roscommon into Westmeath.

Start with the Fine Gael and Labour candidates (i.e. the outgoing Coalition). Then move on to the representatives of other parties and all Independents.

Any of these people could, on being elected, be in a position to support or be part of a new Government by March of this year. Make sure you know where they stand now, and if you are a supporter of the ‘Save Roscommon’ campaign, make sure they know where you stand.

Sunday

It is true that when you think of gaelic football as its best and most memorable, your thoughts turn to sunny days in summer and the almost tangible excitement of the championship.

But there is something very special too about winter football, when loyal fans enthusiastically embrace the cold conditions and wallow happily at the prospect of making long car journeys, attending relatively undistinguished venues and seeing new players in experimental teams.

Trying to distinguish what is worth getting optimistic about from what isn’t, is part of the fun of the early-season experience. Far from being a very plain starter before the main courses of league and championship, the various ‘lesser’ competitions in January are fulfilling for diehard fans, and presumably of significant benefit to managers.

There was a justifiable pep in the step of Roscommon supporters on Sunday, and it was a great day too for some of our neighbours. In the FBD League, Roscommon had a good win over Mayo in Castlebar.

It was such a shame that the game couldn’t be played in Roscommon, as was originally scheduled. As for the football side of things, it was a very positive performance. I was also delighted to see Leitrim win (against Sligo). It’s not that I have anything against Sligo – I love the county – but I do have a soft spot for Leitrim, a county team that faces a perennial battle to form a strong senior squad, hamstrung as it is by a small player base and the ongoing impact of emigration.

However, Roscommon and Leitrim were both upstaged by Longford, who defeated All-Ireland champions Dublin by six points in an O’Byrne Cup semi-final in Pearse Park. Sure, it’s not the championship and it’s not summer, but that Longford win is already one of the beautiful sporting moments of 2016.

I can just imagine what the atmosphere was like in Longford as the GAA-mad locals savoured the extraordinary giant-killing act. It may ‘only’ have been the O’Byrne Cup, it may be the January shadow boxing before the all-out combat of summer, but this was a marvellous effort from Longford, sport visiting a sprinkling of its eternal magic on a damp and otherwise undistinguished day in Pearse Park.

Every day

The Oscar nominations are out, and still – sadly – there’s no category for ‘arrogant ministers.’ Lest anyone accuse me of political bias, let me say that, had there been Oscars for Arrogance in the past, I would have given one to Dermot Ahern of Fianna Fail, I would have given a ‘Best Supporting’ one to Noel Dempsey of the same party, and I wouldn’t have argued with a ‘Life Achievement’ award going to their colleague, Dick Roche.

There were many more in that FF/Greens administration who scored highly when it came to being arrogant. As for being out of touch with the public/living in a world of their own, that crowd were world-beaters.

When it comes to Enda’s current crew – who will shortly be doing their ‘Greatest Hits’ tour on the airwaves and at selected venues (exciting!) – you have to say that, for a collection of politicians who had been power-starved for years, they fairly hit the ground running. I mean, when it comes to arrogance, who can ever forget Phil Hogan at his glorious peak?

I can only presume, from observing his general disposition, that when Pat Rabbitte woke up in the mornings, servants danced before him. I will remind readers too of Alan Shatter and Brendan Howlin, men with egos that could be donated to science. And a ‘Highly Commended’ award could surely go to the ultra-smooth Communications Minister Alex White.

Oh well, this sometimes insufferable arrogance must go with the territory, I guess; it certainly possesses many, if not all, of our political ‘masters’ once they get called to Cabinet.

My current favourite is the rapidly-rising Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, and a politician who is fascinating to watch in full flow. Marvel as this man displays his incredible self-assurance and feel suitably guilty as he gently but firmly explains what should have been obvious to us from the beginning: that Paschal is always right.

On a serious note, I think we should abandon the General Election for now and experiment with Minister Paschal Donohoe running the country on his own for a fortnight. With the very earnest Simon Harris answering the phone for him.

Saturday & Tuesday

It’s not like we’re always dining out or anything, it just happens that we had two such experiences in recent days – and I am happy to give readers ‘food for thought’ or, more accurately, ‘thought for food.’

On Saturday night we were in The Wineport in Glasson with very good friends, and on Tuesday evening we called into the re-opened ‘Moma’ restaurant in Roscommon with our children (also very good friends).

We hadn’t been to The Wineport for a few years. It really is a most stunning setting, a fabulous restaurant overlooking Lough Ree. The meal was excellent, the service was top class and the setting and décor is such breathtaking. Then on Tuesday evening we called into Moma in Roscommon Town.

It’s an Italian restaurant that recently reopened. The food was beautiful, the service was perfection and changes made to the interior of the restaurant work really well too. It was a fabulous experience.

It’s great to see restaurants, as it is with all businesses, surviving in these challenging times. I wish the new management the very best.