I received an invitation recently from the Lord Mayor of Dublin to attend two workshops which are to be held in the Dublin City Council offices on wood quay on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th Jan.
I am honored by this invitation and have of course will be delighted to go. The reason that I have been invited to this event is my idea submission in response to an email from the Lord Mayors office regarding the Dublin city strategy development plan draft 2008-2013 and the Lord Mayors employment Commission plan.
The two workshops that I have been invited to are titled 'Lord Mayors Commission on Employment: Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries and Innovation' and ' Promoting Dublin as an International Student City'. .
This is my second major invite after the IDA Ireland invited to an entrepreneurial workshop (should I say closed discussion) about promoting an entrepreneurial culture in Dublin. I had to say it was funny that not one entrepreneur was present that day apart from the numerous representatives from Fingal county council, Dublin chamber of Commerce and Dublin city Enterprise Board. It is a good chance to meet and make some useful contacts even if the event was not entrepreneur friendly.
I will report on the workshop presentations in due course.
Castleknock Hotel is offering a special offer at the moment with a complete package that offers two nights bed and breakfast plus one evening meal in our Brassiere Restaurant from 79 euros pps. These rates are subject to availability and a limited number of rooms are currently available.
Castleknock golf course has moved up 11 positions in the Golf Digest Ireland Top 100 Courses to number 63. Congratulations to all involved, but especially to our course superintendant John Jennings and his course staff. It's great to see recognition for all the hard work that has been put in since the formation of the club only a few short years ago.
Prepare for wailing and gnashing of teeth in some quarters and for prideful boasting in others -- because the 'Golf Digest Ireland Top 100 Courses' list has been released. There are no soft positions on rankings such as these. Clubs either love them or hate them, depending on upward or downward progress.
And in these recession-hit times, those moving down the ranking list won't be pleased. Marketing is at a premium with the country's golfing facilities rattling out the special offers at a rate of knots but the 'Top 100' is always big talking point.
In that respect it's significant that although annual revenue projections by clubs are down for 2009, investment on course improvements has paid off. The other big interest -- apart from the movers and fallers -- is that consideration of length and modern equipment was given particular relevance.
Portmarnock takes over as number one from Royal County Down, which was tops in the rankings for the last two years. Linton Walsh, MD of the magazine said: "After the publication of last year's list, the magazine contacted all of the courses on this island, requesting information on any work that was being undertaken.
"Correspondence was received from 83 of these clubs (96 courses), an increase of over 30pc from last year, outlining the great work that had been undertaken in their club. In total 37 clubs moved up the list, 45 moved down, 10 remained the same and there were eight new entries."
The clinching factor for Portmarnock was upgrade work, particularly to run-off areas on several greens which heightened the difficulty of recovery shots at the second, third, eighth, ninth, and 14th holes, plus work on restoring traditional fescue and marram grasses on the links.
The European Club has jumped two places to third, which means that Ballybunion (Old) drops two places to number five. In Ballybunion's move down the order, the panel considered length to be a significant factor, this time in a negative sense.
While acknowledging the timeless challenge posed by its superb greens, the panellist took the view that, at 6,598 yards off the back tees, the much-revered Co Kerry links has become increasingly vulnerable to modern equipment. Even in the nine years since it staged the Irish Open, tournament players are driving the ball an average of 14 yards further.
Adare Manor goes down three places to number seven, though it remains the top-ranked parkland course in the country. Waterville stays sixth and Lahinch is still eighth. County Louth is down two to ninth and The K Club Palmer course remains in 10th place.
The most significant movement at the upper end of the Top-10, however, has been by Royal Portrush, which is up from ninth to fourth. However, the best mover of all was the fine Sandy Hills links at Rosapenna, moving 27 places from 44 in 2008 to 17th this year. The eight newcomers are Kilkenny (57), South County (70); Castle Dargan (81); Ashbourne (85); Castlecomer (88); Castletroy (89), Limerick County (94) and Portarlington (98).
Top 100
1 Portmarnock (+1)
2 R Co Down (-1)
3 European Club (+2)
4 R Portrush (+5)
5 Ballybunion Old (-2)
6 Waterville (-)
7 Adare Manor (-3)
8 Lahinch (-)
9 Baltray (-2)
10 K Club Palmer (-)
11 Tralee (+2)
12 Mt Juliet (-1)
13 R Dublin (+1)
14 Killarney Killeen (-2)
15 Ballyliffin Glashedy (+2)
16 Co Sligo (-)
17 Rosapenna Sandy Hills (+27)
18 The Island (+1)
19 The Heritage (-4)
20 Enniscrone (+14)
21 Carne (-)
22 Druids Glen (-2)
23 Fota (-1)
24 Portstewart Strand (-1)
25 Portmarnock Links (-)
26 Carton Montgomerie (-8)
27 Seapoint (+23)
28 Castlerock (+3)
29 Old Head (-5)
30 Headfort New (-4)
31 PGA National (-4)
32 Carlow (-2)
33 Malone (+2)
34 Doonbeg (-5)
35 Belvoir Pk (+1)
36 S Russell (+4)
37 Cork (-)
38 Ballyliffin Old (+7)
39 Dun Laoghaire (+17)
40 K Club Smurfit (+1)
41 Powerscourt East (+2)
42 Mt Wolseley (+4)
43 Westport (+5)
44 Knightsbrook (+8)
45 Portsalon (+25)
46 Glasson (-14)
47 Carton O'Meara (-5)
48 Dundalk (-10)
49 Donegal Murvagh (-10)
50 Rathsallagh (-1)
51 Dundrum House (+4)
52 Hermitage (-1)
53 Dromoland C (-)
54 Tramore (+37)
55 Bantry Bay (+20)
56 Mullingar (-23)
57 Kilkenny (NEW)
58 Connemara (-)
59 Tullamore (-12)
60 Hilton Templepatrick (-3)
61 New Forest (+1)
62 Clandeboye (+11)
63 Castleknock (+11)
64 St Margaret's (-4)
65 Grange (+4)
66 Castle (+12)
67 Dooks (-13)
68 Shannon (-1)
69 Woodbrook (-1)
70 South County (NEW)
71 R Belfast (+5)
72 Killarney Mahony's Pt (-9)
73 Roganstown (-7)
74 Skellig Bay (-3)
75 Esker Hills (-10)
76 Athlone (-12)
77 Rosslare (-16)
78 Gowran Pk (+6)
79 Ring of Kerry (-7)
80 Narin and Portnoo (-)
81 Castle Dargan (NEW)
82 Galway (+7)
83 Arklow (+16)
84 Laytown and Bettystown (-3)
85 Ashbourne (NEW)
86 Moyvalley (-7)
87 Ballybunion Cashen (-10)
88 Castlecomer (NEW)
89 Castletroy (NEW)
90 Galgorm Castle (-2)
91 Monkstown (-6)
92 Curragh (-2)
93 Rathcore (-10)
94 Limerick County (NEW)
95 Blainroe (+1)
96 Ballinrobe (+1)
97 Malahide (+3)
98 Portarlington (NEW)
99 Lee Valley (-4)
Firstly, may I say congratulations to the twins Brian & Andrew Hughes who achieved 21 As in their Junior Certificate 2009.
Draiocht: Congratulations to all staff involved with the College Celebration of Music last week. Both nights were a huge success and a wonderful performance opportunity for our students past & present. Special thanks to Ms Staunton, Ms Brooks, Ms McAuley, Ms Foley, Ms Stokes, Mr McColgan, Ms Broderick and former colleague Ms McGovern.
Carol Service: Our annual Carol Service takes place this Wednesday 16th December at 7.30p.m. Sr. Marie extends a warm welcome to all staff & families to what promises to be a very pleasant festive occasion.
St. Vincent de Paul Hamper Appeal: It’s that time of year again & students from Rang Hillery will collect donations in tutorials this week.
Dublin 15 Hospice Appeal: As part of the fund-raising, a limited draw for a Renault Clio is taking place. Tickets available from Margaret Lucey for € 20.
LCA Concert: Rang Durrow will host the concert on Tuesday 15th December in the Canteen.
LCA Trip: Rang Durrow will be visiting Blanchardstown as part of their Key Assignment in English and Communication on Friday 18th December.
French Drama: All LC1 and LC2 students studying French will attend a play on Monday in the canteen from 1.55 to 3.45.
Transition Year News>>More
Fingal County Council/AXA Roadsafe Roadshow.....
Irish Careers’ Association Art Competition.....
Trinity College Transition Year Computer Science Workshop
Kellogg’s Fun Raise 4 Kids Week.......
L.C.V.P. NEWS
As a follow up to their trip to the Java Republic Coffee Company last month, Ms Maguire’s LC2 LCVP class will be running a coffee/tea week next week in the canteen at lunch time. All coffee and tea will cost €1 per cup. Proceeds will go to the coffee farmers in Africa to help maintain clean water supplies to their area. Best wishes to Ms Maguire and her students on their initiative.
SENIOR MENTOR PROGRAMME
Our LC1 Mentors are currently organising a Kris Kindle for our first year students. We wish our Mentors the very best as they embark on this new initiative with our first year students.
Extracurricular News>>More
Gaelic Football
Hard luck to Mr Nolan and the U-16 Gaelic Football team who were beaten by St. Benildus last Tuesday. Best for CCC were Eoin Connor & John O Hare. The U-18 team had mixed fortunes last week, beating Scoil Aodhain in the Dublin Colleges in a great contest 1-9 to 0-10 on Wednesday. This victory means they progress to the Dublin Semis. On Friday current Leinster Champions Maynooth overcame a great challenge by CCC in the Leinster Colleges competition. Best performers were Martin Brady, Paul Crehan (Captain) & Ross Mullins.
Debating News >>More
Congratulations to Sean McGuane ( First Year ) who has qualified for the next round of the Junior Schools Debating Competition following his victory in the opening round last Thursday. Also to Senior Debaters, Lauren McAuley & Deirdre McGuane on their victory in the Aoife Begley Competition at N.U.I. Maynooth last Friday.
CHESS TUITION
Tuition in chess will begin at lunchtime on Friday the 8th January in room 50. From then on lessons will take place at lunchtime on Mondays and Fridays for 5 weeks. If students are interested they should speak oi either Ms. Ryan or Ms. Hayes.
The third annual FODH “Celebration of Dublin Hurling” took place in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel on Friday, 13th November last. In excess of two hundred and seventy people attended on the night. A number of awards were made as follows:
Hurler of the Year 2009 – Alan McCrabbe
Young Hurler of the Year – David Treacy
Hall of Fame Award – Jimmy Gray
The successful clubs in the “Club of the Year “awards were as follows:
Senior - Na Fianna
Intermediate - Thomas Davis
Junior - Good Counsel
Special guests on the night were the players from the All Ireland winning Dublin minor hurling team of 1965 and the u-21 team that narrowly lost the All Ireland final in 1967. Brian McMahon and Mick Bermingham, Dublin’s two hurling All-Stars previous to this year’s award to Alan McCrabbe, were also guests on the night.
DUBLIN’S NHL SCHEDULE 2010
Dublin’s senior hurlers have four home ties in the 2010 NHL. They will host All Ireland champions Kilkenny and defeated finalists, Tipperary in Parnell Park. In addition, Cork and Limerick will travel to the Donnycarney venue.
The full schedule of Division 1 NHL fixtures is as follows:
20.02.2010
Tipperary v Kilkenny
21.02.2010
Limerick v Galway
Cork v Offaly
Waterford v Dublin
27.02.2010
Limerick v Cork
28.02.2010
Kilkenny v Offaly
Galway v Waterford
Dublin v Tipperary
14.03.2010
Tipperary v Galway
Cork v Kilkenny
Offaly v Dublin
Waterford v Limerick
20.03.2010
Galway v Offaly
21.03.2010
Dublin v Kilkenny
Waterford v Cork
Limerick v Tipperary
28.03.2010
Offaly v Limerick
Dublin v Cork
Tipperary v Waterford
Kilkenny v Galway
04.04.2010
Galway v Dublin
Limerick v Kilkenny
Waterford v Offaly
Cork v Tipperary
18.04.2010
Kilkenny v Waterford
Galway v Cork
Offaly v Tipperary
Dublin v Limerick
Not happy with their recent success in the D15 Chamber Awards in the Park Plaza Hotel, The Homework Club, located on Blanchardstown’s Shopping center, is now in line for a major national award for their customer service acumen.
'The O2 Ability Awards' are business awards for best practice in the inclusion of people with disabilities, both as customers and as employees. They look at companies that create an open and inclusive culture and have recognized how the inclusion of people with disabilities is an important goal for an organization.
“We applied on the grounds that we effectively incorporate students with learning difficulties into our classes without having to make any obvious changes to the way we teach,” commented educational facilitator and Homework Club founder Dr. Naoisé O’Reilly. “As we teach in a visual practical way that promotes participation and group learning in a small class environment, this is ideal for students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and Aspergers syndrome'.
“It has been a fundamental aim of mine since starting the project to create a learning situation which suits these students but is not labeled as a special school. This is due to my own background and experiences as a dyslexic. I know very well that dyslexic students hate being taken out of ‘normal’ classes and being made to feel they are different.”
The Homework Club made the application in September for the awards but only found out very recently that they had made it to the shortlist of thirty companies. As most of the companies on the shortlist are large blue chip companies - previous winners include Microsoft, Eircom and McDonalds, for example - it a notable achievement for the Homework Club to have made it this far.
The shortlist was announced after a grueling day-long on site assessment of the club by a team of examiners, which included hours of interviews both with Dr. O’Reilly and with training facilitator Dr. Phil Kingston.
A final, even shorter shortlist will be announced in March before the judging panel announces the findings of its deliberations and the overall winners are announced.
It’s time to grab those lurid fluorescent costumes, ladies put on those the shoulder pads and men, hairspray that mullet and get down to Draíocht for a slice of eighties nostalgia!
“Think Grease in the eighties!” commented CYMS founder and director John Cryan. “In these economic times, this will be a great antidote to all the doom and gloom surrounding us. It’s time to shake off those recessionary blues and embrace the upbeat music of the eighties.”
The newly formed Clonsilla Youth Musical Society will be reliving the sights and sounds of this rather peculiar decade in a musical called Back to the 80s. The production will run for three nights at the Blanchardstown venue this month and will feature such classics as Footloose and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, as the story centers on the lives of the graduation class of William Ocean High School.
John is of course a highly popular teacher at St. Mochta’s National School, as well as being a local thespian of some note, performing everything from serious drama to pantomime dames in his varied career to date. He started CYMS this year largely due to the success of two shows that the school put on in recent years – Raise the Curtain (2007) and Joseph (2008)
“The two shows that we put on were brilliant,” he says, “but of course, once these highly talented pupils had left the school, there had no opportunity to participate in further musicals.
“When I first broached the proposal to form a youth musical society from, mainly but not uniquely, past pupils of St. Mochta’s, the response was overwhelming. We have been very fortunate to have such a highly talented group of young people available for our first production and they are loving it.”
Indeed, with a cast of over fifty drawn from local secondary schools, musical direction by the famous Caitríona Ní Threasaigh and choreography from Mr. Peter Pan himself Mark Rogers, Back to the 80s promises to be a spectacular debut from this new troupe and a surefire way to kick start the Christmas season.
Back to the 80s by Clonsilla Youth Musical Society plays Draíocht’s main auditorium for three nights from Monday 14th to Wednesday 16th December at 8pm.
Tickets are €18 / €15.
It’s not just Santa who is busy at this time of year, as record amounts of Fingal’s young entrepreneurs also get down to business as part of the annual Student Enterprise Programme. This year, nine Dublin 15 schools are participating in the event.
Aimed at potential entrepreneurs from both primary and secondary schools, the educational programme inspires students to set up and run their own student enterprise with support from business mentors.
The programme was officially launched this week by Oisín Geoghegan, CEO of Fingal County Enterprise Board, who commented that “as the local Enterprise Board for the region, one of our long-term goals is to help create an enterprising culture amongst Irish students, giving them an insight into the world of business. We have one of the fastest growing student enterprise programmes in Ireland and we will continue to work in partnership with principals, teachers and parents to help create an enterprising culture in classrooms.”
The most innovative enterprises from each school will compete at the county final next March, with the category winners taking their place at the National Student Enterprise Awards in Croke Park.
The Dublin 15 schools competing in this year’s programme are Castaheany Educate Together NS, Mulhuddart NS, St. Mochta’s NS and Huntstown NS. Five local secondary schools are also participating - Castleknock Community College, Coolmine Community School, Hartstown Community School, Blakestown Community School and Castleknock College.
Hi readers
I just wanted to say thanks all for signing up to the CPB website for updates.
Happy Christmas and happy next 2010 to you all.
I expect to add increasing amounts of blog and video content to this site from Jan 2010 to the local readers and concerned citizens of Castleknock.
Shane O'Donovan
Here is the link to the latest D15 community council meeting in Oct 09.