WEDNESDAY
Cycle of life…
So I’m parking the car in Abbey Street this morning, unaware that I was about to witness a commendable attempt to break the world land speed record. Well, I exaggerate… a little.
Still, it was a bit much. As I emerged from my car, a young lad whizzed by at high speed along the footpath… peddling a bicycle.
What if someone had been emerging from any of the offices or houses on the street just as this cyclist was travelling past?
I don’t necessarily wish to be a party to dampening the exuberance of youth, but really, the moral of the story (for cyclists of all ages) is: footpaths are paths for people to walk on. They are not for bicycles.
Good morning. I will now have a cup of tea and google ‘Do people get grumpier as they get older?’
THURSDAY
Cycle of life (2)
In more bikes-on-footpaths news, after a meeting in Longford town this morning, I was walking… along a footpath. From behind came a slightly impatient demand: “Excuse me!”
I had moved aside before realising my fellow traveller was a man on a bicycle, complete with raingear and a bunch of flowers (Valentine’s Day).
Declining to acknowledge my prompt stepping aside, the romantic rider carried on… cycling along the footpath.
What is going on?
THURSDAY/FRIDAY
A communal sadness
A sense of lingering disbelief permeated the bitterly cold air in Ballintubber on Thursday evening. Disbelief that the village’s ‘Go to’ man has slipped away, that we are here, in huge, numbed numbers, for this reason. Hardly anyone spoke. A communal sadness and silence bonded the tapestry of mourners.
When we eventually reached the entrance to the old schoolhouse, it was immensely poignant. A montage of photos and newspaper/social media extracts reminded us of the remarkable breadth of Tony’s community work over the decades.
The late Anthony (Tony) Waldron touched lives far beyond Ballintubber, but there was a real sense in the village on Thursday evening of how personal his untimely passing is to the people there. It’s a beautiful village, lovingly maintained by a close-knit community. Over the years, I have observed the pride of place that is so evident in Ballintubber. This is a great community… and Tony Waldron, who died unexpectedly on Sunday, 9th of February last, was at the heart of everything positive there.
On Thursday, the photos really got to me… Tony’s central role in so many projects poignantly celebrated. There was one of Tony – as ever, the dapper dresser – chaperoning then-President Mary Robinson, many more of him with locals… images that evocatively linked milestones of a community’s ongoing development.
On Friday, the gifts brought up to the altar included Roscommon and Mayo jerseys, a Joe Dolan album, and the mobile phone that Tony always seemed to be on.
In his Homily, Fr Julian Lupot movingly highlighted what the late councillor meant to people locally. Referencing the Liveline promotional line – ‘Talk to Joe’ – the priest said that in the Ballintubber area, you talked to Tony if you needed help. He painted a picture of Tony which those who knew him could immediately identify with, that of him parked in his car, engaged in a phone call, slips of paper strewn around.
Bonnie Garvey delivered a lovely, heartfelt tribute. A niece of Tony’s sang a beautiful version of one of his favourite songs… ‘The Parting Glass’. David Waldron – his voice breaking at times – spoke of his brother’s “brilliant smile” and “contagious laugh”, while also thanking the people of Ballintubber for lovingly embracing their sibling.
Tony’s integrity, generosity of spirit, compassion, kindness and relentlessly selfless dedication to helping others throughout his life was celebrated. This was a fitting send-off to a local community’s departed champion.
So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befalls
Then gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all
(From ‘The Parting Glass’)
FRIDAY
Wrong host?
The most frustrating aspect of Patrick Kielty’s vapid interview with the brilliant Steve Coogan on the Late Late Show tonight was the fact that it wasn’t Tommy Tiernan’s interview with the brilliant Steve Coogan.
SATURDAY
Hitting right notes
Kerry v Dublin is ‘a dual that has gripped people for decades’ The Sunday Game tweeted by way of promoting this evening’s big game in Tralee.
I wasn’t quite as excited as the person looking after digital media for the RTE show, nor did I agree with their assessment; Kerry v Dublin is more a duel than a dual, I reckon.
Still, I dipped into RTE’s live coverage to see if this latest meeting between the two big beasts of the GAA would be in keeping with the spirit of the misspelt marketing. The early action from Tralee had Kerry threatening to humiliate the Dubs. 12 points ahead at one stage, by half-time the Kingdom were 11 clear. Even with a strong wind blowing, it looked like game over. I almost switched over to the final of The Masked Singer, where a Pufferfish was in a duel (not dual) with a Dressed Crab.
The second half saw Dessie Farrell’s Dubs slowly reel Kerry into view, before remarkably overhauling them with a flurry of great, late scores. It turns out that reports of Dublin’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. They won by a point, a pretty sensational turnaround, and a first win in 40 years in Tralee for the Dubs. Things may be looking up for Dublin football!
On nearby Virgin Media, Putterfish won its duel with the crab on The Masked Singer.
SUNDAY
Not bowled over
Some topical political commentary overheard in Roscommon town…
Man A: “I don’t think Trump wants a bowl of shamrock on St Patrick’s Day…”
Man B: “It’s another green he wants… (reference to Greenland)… then “I bet he’d take the bowl if it was full of dollars!”
MONDAY
Just a thought…
But seriously… there’s still no word of that traditional St Patrick’s Day invite to the White House for the Taoiseach.
Even if/when it does come, I note that radio commentators and doubters on social media are questioning if Micheál Martin would be brave enough to talk tough to Donald Trump… and tell him some blunt home truths.
Has anyone checked if Samantha Mumba’s available?
