THURSDAY
King & Moffatt
There was a great atmosphere at the King & Moffatt HQ in Carrick-on-Shannon today, where the company began a new chapter in its illustrious history with the opening of an Innovation and Technology Hub.
It was a pleasure to chat with management, staff and many of the guests. King & Moffatt is a great success story, providing very significant employment. This was a fitting celebration of another milestone on their journey. Congratulations to King & Moffatt on their continued expansion. See report on page 15.
FRIDAY
On Tarmonbarry…
It’s always a pleasure to spend time in beautiful, picturesque Tarmonbarry. Even Bono, lead singer with one of the greatest rock bands of all time, has found what he is looking for there (being an occasional visitor).
Tonight, we enjoyed a family Dinner in Keenan’s. Barry and Annette and family have built up a fantastic business over the years in this landmark Bar & Restaurant.
Next door, like Keenan’s, the Purple Onion is an award-winning restaurant (recognised last month at the Georgina Campbell Food and Hospitality Awards).
Our enjoyable evening in Tarmonbarry came just under a week since the local St Barry’s club’s fantastic win in the County Junior Football final. I don’t want to sound like the Sunday World’s Pub Spy, but a few young lads having a quiet pint at the bar counter were most likely – and deservedly – continuing the celebrations.
There was no sign of Bono tonight. I hope he’s heard that St Barry’s recently found what they have been looking for (after 17 years).
SATURDAY
Nostalgia trip
Spent some time today moving the past further into the past…
Sorting out stuff that built up over the decades in your family home is, by definition, a nostalgic journey into yesteryear.
The sheds at our late parents’ home were monuments to our shared past lives. Many (perhaps most) readers will be familiar with this type of chore… throwing out possessions which, for all the undoubted worthlessness of some of them, still have the effect of evoking memories.
Many readers who have done this will surely have wondered how that combination of tools, souvenirs, useful bits and pieces and sheer junk was assembled (mostly without the younger you noticing any of this at the time).
This was real ‘Back to the 1980s’ (perhaps even 1970s) territory.
Fire fenders, picture frames, tiles, paint tins, tools, screws, ornaments, old photos, more screws, old newspaper cuttings… LP records from the era of LP records… outdated books and videos, a few stuffed animals mounted in cases (it was a golden era for taxidermists) and hundreds more bits and pieces, deemed useful once upon a time and now doubling as symbolic bits and pieces of our past.
It all went grand, a lot of stuff horsed into the big skip before the late afternoon rain came.
When I saw the Tom O’Connor autobiography, I knew how ancient these cultural artefacts were!
There was even a Chris de Burgh tape, which had unforgivably survived through the decades on a shelf in one of the sheds. I mean, he was fine at the time, but really…
With a coffee break suggested, I theatrically lobbed Chris onto the top of the skip, where I assume he landed in the general vicinity of a stuffed bird or fish…
SUNDAY
Elphin’s day
I have a soft spot for both Elphin and Strokestown GAA clubs. It was a pity today’s driving rain never really relented, but it didn’t stop supporters of the neighbouring clubs making the pilgrimage to the Promised Land of Roscommon GAA, Hyde Park.
It was a high-stakes game, by the end of which Elphin were deservedly crowned county champions. Managed by Nigel Dineen, inspired by Shane Killoran, and with all players making important contributions, Elphin won by 2-9 to 0-7.
Congratulations to Elphin. As for Strokestown, they are well capable of making a return to the top tier in Roscommon over the next season or two.
MONDAY
US election
I tune into the US Presidential election campaign most nights, part-fascinated, part-entertained… and also part-appalled.
It’s almost all about Trump, which is not to say that he is certain to win next Tuesday. In fact Harris is probably slight favourite. But Trump, specifically his conduct, dominates the campaign. Tump dominates American politics.
Contrary to the lazy caricaturing, Trump is brilliant at what he does. Some unforeseen confluence of circumstances has led us to where we are (I am still mystified as to how he managed to become the Republican Party candidate for 2016). However we got here, Trump is now a political phenomenon, the leader of a cult-like movement.
We are living in the era of Trumpism. To a large degree it is unseemly, unpleasant, provocative, perhaps even dangerous. And yet, there is surely no denying that Trump has tapped into genuine concerns, and skilfully positioned himself as the prospective (for some) guardian of American national (self) interest.
When he talks – however colourfully or even outrageously – about immigration, the economy, and many social issues, he is reflecting the views of millions of people. The more outrageous his utterances, the more his ‘base’ laps it up (of course he has to win over undecided voters next week if he is to succeed). His rhetoric is deeply divisive, but then Trump is by now speaking to a divided society, one he is partly responsible for dividing. He is a master of the soundbite era, prospering in a world where fact and fiction dance side by side.
With five days to go, it’s all to play for. I’m not at all sure that Kamala Harris is ‘qualified’ to be President, but then, in a normal political landscape, neither is Trump. To paraphrase George Hamilton (1990 World Cup)… the world holds its breath.
The Late Carol Brandon
Our hearts go out to our long-time columnist Frank Brandon on the sad passing of his beloved wife, Carol (RIP). Carol passed away peacefully last Saturday, after a period of illness.
Carol (nee Kelly) was a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother, and a much-loved member of the local community in Creggs. Many times over the years we saw how close and inseparable Frank and Carol were.
Our deepest sympathies to Frank, their children Mark, Tara, Lisa and Paul, Carol’s sisters, brother, grandchildren and extended family. May she rest in peace.
