An Historic Power Shift

As I am sure you are aware, Ireland is facing a severe economic crisis that has shaken many people to the core.  I have written about it in this blog in the past. Unemployment is very high (13.4% in January 2011) and extremely difficult cuts in the budget will have to be made.

Amidst the great economic disillusion, the lower house of parliament, called the Dail, was dissolved and a general election was held last Friday, February 25. 

Some elections have not been called yet, but it is certain that the long-ruling party Fianna Fail (pronounced something like “Fee-nay Fall”) has been soundly defeated.   This is no surprise to me.  As far as I can gather, almost everyone holds the ruling party largely responsible for the ongoing economic crisis.  Fianna Fail has been the largest party since 1932. 

For the first time in history, the Fine Gael (pronounced something like “Finn-eh Gale”) party has become the majority party.  The second largest party now is Labour with independents in third.  Fianna Fail has the fourth place.  Labour and Sinn Fein won more seats than ever before

Campaigning officially began on February 1 and ended on February 24.  Political ads are banned on TV and radio (imagine!), but there were several televised debates.  I also saw two local candidates campaigning last Sunday.  As I left church, they were ready and waiting with loud speakers to make their case to the emerging congregants.

The Irish election system is called “proportional representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote” (STV).  A voter is given a slate of candidates and s/he rank orders them.  I understand the processing of the votes can be complicated.  I watched some returns coming in today and I heard commentators mentioning a “seventh count,” etc. 

This Poster Asks People to vote for Fine Gael 1, 2, 3 and 4

I’m sure the language barrier was largely responsible, but I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to Italian politics when I was on sabbatical in Italy.  With the exception of following Silvio Berlusconi’s seemingly frequent scandals, I was not tapped in to the Italian political world.  In contrast, I have found the Irish election fascinating.  I especially appreciate the short campaign period and the ban on TV and radio advertising.  How much of substance can you actually learn in 30 or 60 seconds anyway?

After mass this morning I talked a little bit about the election with Fr. Dick.  He was clearly immersed in the whole process.  He mentioned it in his homily and in his bulletin column.  Another man standing nearby said something like, “With all the attacks going on, you’d have to be crazy to run for office.”  Sadly, such things might be universal.  

Note:  I relied on Wikipedia for much of this information.  I also visited the Electoral Knowledge Network online and a few other economic websites.  Please forgive any mistakes.  

Slainte

Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness. 

–Seneca the younger

When I go out walking on particularly nice days I often see young people gathered along the river in pairs and groups drinking beer or other alcoholic beverages.  Living as I do, on the docks, I awake on occasion in the middle of the night when loud and laughing drunk people walk past my building.  Last October I heard an extremely intoxicated woman jump into Galway Harbor in the middle of the night.  Worried for her safety, I got out of bed and looked out the window and saw her winter-coat wearing friend watching her from the dock.  I saw the "swimmer" half way up a ladder that leads to dry land, so I imagine she made it home cold, but safe.  

The Irish caricature is almost always a drinking or drunk person and I have taken care not to stereotype.  I have, however, wondered about the role of alcohol in Irish society.  Historically and currently, the Irish have had their share of hardship and yet they remain a warm, friendly, and welcoming people.

Last December I attended a panel discussion at the National University of Ireland, Galway on “Ireland, Alcohol, and Sexual Violence against Women.”  The Global Women’s Studies Program sponsored the panel. 

The first presenter, Dr. Stacey Scriver Furlong, discussed findings from a research project that looked at rape in Ireland.  She stated, “In Ireland, alcohol is the most common date rape drug.”  According to the study, in the rape cases that went to trial, 2/3 of the complainants and 88% of the defendants had been binge-drinking.  One disturbing story was told of a young man who consumed thirty pints of beer, returned home and raped his sister.  I find it almost impossible to imagine the trauma that family suffers.

In the last week I have seen a public service commercial on television that explains that it takes about one hour to metabolize one serving of alcohol.  After illustrating what constitutes one serving of alcohol, the commercial asks the viewer to consider if they might not be sober the morning after.  This commercial illustrates the culture of binge drinking I heard about at the panel in December. 

The presenters and audience members at the December panel view the drinking culture of Ireland to be a significant problem.  One person commented that while binge-drinking is a common problem for youth in other countries, it remains a problem for older adults in the Ireland.  Others shared that there are few social activities that do not involve alcohol.

A 2007 study* of alcohol use in Ireland found that

·      24% of 18 – 29 year olds drink 9 or more drinks on a “typical drinking occasion”

·      10% of drinkers reported drinking more than the “recommended weekly limit” of 21 drinks/week for men and 14 drinks/week for women

·      28% of drinkers reported binge drinking (defined as six or more drinks) at least once a week

·      Over half of all drinkers reported a harmful pattern of drinking

I’m not a teetotaler; I especially enjoy a glass of wine or two on occasion.  If Irish culture promotes binge-drinking, though, the consequences for personal and community health and safety are enormous.  Clearly, alcohol plays a role in sexual assault.  Alcohol is estimated to be a factor in one of three fatal car crashes in Ireland.  This does not even consider the effect of excessive alcohol use on personal relationships, and work and school performance. 

Ironically, the traditional Irish toast, “Slainte” literally means “health.” 

*Available at: http://www.dohc.ie/publications/pdf/slan_alcohol_report.pdf?direct=1

Churning: An Update

Washer/Dryer

I forgot how much noise my washer/dryer generates.  That’s right!--Laundry churns in my home once again! 

Last week Monday, the friendly repairman returned with the correct parts.  He had the machine fixed within thirty minutes.  When we were saying our goodbyes, he said, “I hope I don’t see you again.  Enjoy the rest of your time here.”  I took that in the kind manner in which it was intended. 

Since that day, I have delighted in doing my laundry.  Though I appreciated having my dirty laundry picked up and then delivered back to me clean, I enjoy that I don’t have to negotiate this task with other people.  Nor do I have to hand over money for the privilege. 

Clean sheets and towels  :-)

Galway Harbor

           

My last blog reported on the gale winds that struck Galway last Thursday.  I eagerly anticipated the report on the gale that I was sure to see on the news on Thursday night.  I did see the report, but I was struck by the matter-of-fact tone of the fairly short segment.  I imagine the Galwegians experience gale-force winds the way I experience a tornado warning:  I don’t like it, but I don’t go on and on about it.  It is simply a fact of life. 

The Irish Meteorological Service issued another gale warning for Friday.  I once again enjoyed the show from my perch by the window.  The water in the harbor looked different than it did the day before.  On Thursday, small waves of water moved across the harbor for short distances.  Some of the waves were strong enough to splash up on the concrete of the docks.   The wind picked up water and blew a significant amount of mist into the air.  On Friday, the harbor resembled a pot of bubbling and boiling water.  Occasionally a small amount of water would “boil” out of the harbor and onto the concrete; I kept imagining a hissing sound when it happened.   

Berating myself for avoiding the roof patio on Thursday, on Friday I made my way to the fifth floor armed with raincoat, camera and cell phone.  The sound of the wind howling through the patio doors started my heart beating with fear.  A resident of Aengus House needs to use a fob to both get onto and off of the patio and I had visions of being so battered by wind that I would be unable to open the door.  I like to characterize my decision not to go on the roof as wise, but others should feel free to consider me a wimp.  I’m not likely to argue.  I went outside to experience the wind on ground level where there is not so far to fall. 

When I woke on Saturday, the harbor was completely calm.  The orange wind sock that hangs on top of the Galway Harbor Company looked worn out and ill used.  The water was very brown from all the churning and I saw trash floating in the usually fairly clean water.

I was happy to get outside on Saturday and move around.  I did a number of errands and rather than return home quickly, I bought a newspaper and stopped for a relaxing lunch at Sweetie Pies.

I appreciate that I continue to have new experiences while doing the same old things—looking out my window and walking around Galway and Galway Bay.  Rest assured, I will report in this space on the next event of note.

A calm harbor, once again

Calm...  ahhh.....

"I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore" -Dorothy Gale

The last few days have been very windy, but that in and of itself is not unusual for Galway.  My first clue that today’s wind was remarkable came this morning during low tide:  the water was choppy enough to splash up on the cement of the dock. 

I planned to go on an errand or two but as the wind blew so strong, I thought I might skip my midday excursion and settle back in my chair near the window and keep working.  I was quite productive this morning, but as the wind picked up even more and the tide came in, I was more and more distracted by the choppy and splashing harbor, the blowing sea water, the rhythmically rocking boats in the marina and the low and quick moving gray clouds overhead. 

I wanted more information, so I visited the Irish Meteorological Service website:  met.ie/.  While there I learned that there was a gale warning and today’s winds might reach up to 110 kilometers today; that’s up to 68 miles per hour.   Staying in seemed wise.

I searched the web for information on wind speed and learned that the Beaufort Scale categorizes wind speed as such:

            0            Calm                            < 1 mph

            1            light air                        1 – 3 mph

            2            light breeze                  4 – 7 mph

            3            gentle breeze               8 – 12 mph

            4            moderate breeze         13 – 17 mph

            5            fresh breeze                18 – 24 mph

            6            strong breeze              25 – 30 mph

            7            high wind,                  31 – 38 mph

                          moderate gale,

                          near gale                       

            8            gale,                            34 – 46 mph

                          fresh gale

            9            strong gale                   47 – 54 mph

            10          storm,                          55 – 63 mph

                          whole gale

            11          violent storm                64 – 72 mph

            12          hurricane-force            > or equal to 73 mph

My dad called me and I filled him in on the weather.  He said, “You have to go outside and experience this.”  He was right.   I put on my waterproof hiking boots and my hooded raincoat and, armed with my camera, went downstairs and out the door. 

The wind blew from the west, so my building was blocking the blast.  I walked slowly toward the harbor and gingerly stepped out from the protection the building offered.  The wind was breathtaking.  And awesome.  And crazy.  And overwhelming.  I leaned into it.  Way into it.  I got as close to the water as felt safe.  While I was likely overly cautious, I have little experience with ocean winds.  I wasn’t sure if I could expect a bigger gust that could push me in to the roiling harbor.   I soon sought the shelter of the building.

Taken while out in the storm

As I was heading back up to my apartment, I wondered about the view from the fifth floor community patio.  I decided that if I was nervous about going near the water’s edge, I should be doubly nervous about going out on a roof. 

I managed to accomplish some work this afternoon, but mostly I was mesmerized by the churning and splashing outside my window.  Things have quieted down some.   I don’t know how strong the winds actually were; I’ll check the news tonight* and find out, but based on the on-line descriptions and pictures, I’d say we had a “whole gale” for at least some of the afternoon. 


*Addendum:  I learned that the winds reached "storm or whole gale force" which is 55 - 63 mph.

Taken from my balcony

The wind blew the life ring from its case

A good Samaritan stopped his van during the storm and put the life ring back

Who's Counting?

“The machine does not isolate man from the great problems of nature 

but plunges him more deeply into them.”  -Antoine de Saint-Exupery           

Just before I went to sleep the night before Mary, Patty and Rod arrived for their visit, I threw the last of the laundry, towels, in the washer/dryer (hereafter w/d) and went to sleep.  When I awoke the next morning and wandered into the living room, I heard a noise that sounded like the w/d.   My not-quite-awake brain couldn’t comprehend the sound because the machine should have completed the wash cycle hours before.  I opened the door to the little closet and, sure enough, the w/d was still running.  It had gotten stuck in the first wash cycle and had agitated all night.  The machine was hot and the knob was not going to budge.  I turned the machine off and tried to open the hatch door.  Stuck. 

Later that morning I called my landlord, Brendan, to report the broken w/d.  I felt bad because I had just called him the day before to report a slow leak in my bathroom.  He assured me that he would tell the plumber about the washing machine problem and that the plumber would look at that, too.  I was surprised as in the U.S. a plumber would handle the leak and a repair person would handle the w/d.  I reasoned, however, that the plumber might actually be a “handy person” who can handle all sorts of issues.

The timing was unfortunate as I had guests arriving and we planned to keep pretty busy, not sit around and wait for a phone call.  I kept in touch with Brendan who assured me he had been in contact with the plumber several times.  Due to an unusually cold December, many people in Ireland had no water in their homes for weeks.  When the plumber finally called, he left me a message indicating that he was busy working on a house that had over sixty leaks.  The not stated but clear message was, “quit whining, some people have real problems.”  Point taken. 

I wasn’t too upset about the leak in the bathroom; I could stay on top of it with paper towels on the floor.  I was frustrated about the w/d, though.  First, I had towels trapped in the machine.  Second, I had three guests who had travelled to Europe with carryon sized luggage and the understanding that they could do laundry while they were here. 

Mary, Patty and Rod were troopers about the whole affair.  They hand washed some items and didn’t seem upset in the least.  The day they left the country, eleven days after the machine broke, I received a call from the plumber who came over to look at the leak.  I suggested to the plumber that I was more concerned about the w/d and he said, “Oh, well, that’s not something I would fix.  But I suppose I could take a look at it for you.” 

Ahem. 

The plumber determined that the bathroom leak is coming from behind tile, so he patched it and told me he couldn’t fix it until someone who could fix the tile was also present.  He looked at the w/d and concurred:  broken. 

Brendan called a repairperson who came by the apartment the next Monday (day 14).  He determined that the machine needs two replacement parts.  The repairperson told me he could order them that night and probably get them in time to install on Thursday (day 17).  On Wednesday (day 16), I received a text message from Brendan telling me that the part would not be in until Friday and the repairperson would be over on Monday (day 21). 

I finally broke down and realized I would HAVE to go to a Laundromat.  No amount of hand washing was going to save me now!  Because I would have to walk to the Laundromat and carry my necessities, I got online to find the closest establishment.  What I found felt like salvation:  a service that picks up dirty laundry, washes, dries and folds it,  and then returns it to you for 7.90 euro/about $10.75 per bag.  I called to arrange a pick up and then chose what I would need to get me through until Monday.  I don’t think I have ever been so happy to have clean pajamas and a clean hand towel in my life. 

On Monday (day 21), I received a call from the w/d repairperson; the parts had not arrived but he expected them on Wednesday (day 23).   I sent out two more bags of laundry.  On Wednesday, he called again and I met him, box of parts in hand, at the door.  He made a joke about a “comedy of errors.”  

One minute later he discovered that he had been sent the wrong parts.

Of COURSE he had.  

           

He looked stricken.  He promised me that he will be here first thing Monday morning (day 28).  That is tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, I decided to send everything dirty to the laundry.  I was tired of seeing the piles of towels and sheets and clothes.   Now almost everything I have here is clean and when my machine is fixed tomorrow (isn’t my optimism charming?) I won’t be desperate to start the wash. 

There may be some grand lesson in all this, but I have yet to determine what it is.  There’s still time; after all, the machine isn’t fixed yet. 

            

Galway Harbour Company, "It's Your Harbour"

When I return to Galway some time after 2015, the view I find most familiar, the one right outside my apartment window, may have undergone a drastic change.  Galway Harbour Company proposes a Port redevelopment that will enlarge facilities and expand the port into Galway Bay.

Galway Harbour Company hosted an open house for two days at which the public could “view and comment on our proposed redevelopment of the Port of Galway.”  I attended today’s open house which took place in the rather ugly gray structure right across the marina from my apartment building.  After signing in, I walked around the room and viewed renderings of the proposed port as well as posters that detailed the impact of the change.  

Shortly after I arrived an employee of Galway Harbour Company who wanted to know if I had any questions approached me.  Though I did not have much to ask, I did talk to him about the scrap heap and he assured me that if the plan is adopted, the scrap heap would be moved further down the new dock in Phase I of the plan.  I told the man that I have a love/hate relationship with the scrap heap and that it would be nice to not have the noise associated with it.  Of course, should this plan be adopted, I will be long gone before the location of the scrap heap changes. 

The current scrap heap

The proposed redevelopment involves potentially significant impact on economic and ecological systems.  If the plan receives approval and goes forward, Galway Harbor will be able to receive freight from even larger ships and transport the goods throughout western Ireland by rail.  In addition, the Galway Harbor Company hopes to welcome cruise ships.  Currently, cruise ships are too big to dock here.  Thousands more tourists could make their way to Galway every year impacting the local and regional economy as well as the cultural life and social scene. 

The “reclamation” of land for the new port would certainly impact marine life and many studies are underway to assess the impact of the proposed plan.  The borehole testing that is underway right now is part of the planning stage

At low tide I saw where I'm pretty sure a borehole test was conducted

Note that Oscar B. Otter might lose his habitat

If this plan comes to fruition, Galway will be quite a different place.  The few people I talked to at the open meeting today seemed supportive of the idea.  Of course, Ireland’s current economic woes might make approval a bigger challenge, but, as it was agreed today, “sometimes you have spend money to make money.”  While it is exciting to think about the beauty of a new harbor and the influx of tourists bringing their wallets and sense of adventure, I imagine the people of Galway are engaged in some serious soul searching about their vision for their community. 

Right now the scrap heap is at its zenith.  

I don’t know if this was part of the marketing plan of the new port, but it strikes me as persuasive to make all visitors walk past the gigantic pile of scrap metal and take a whiff of the "service station smell" it emits on their way to the open house.  

One year from now a final decision will be made on whether or not this project moves forward.  I don’t have a horse in this race, but I am grateful all who did had a chance to be heard. 

Visit http://www.galwayharbour.com/ for more information about the new port.

Of Dublin and Making a Break for the Sea

Dublin lamppost

Once again I left loved ones at the Dublin airport.  Earlier I feared I would resent Dublin because it is the location of so many goodbyes, but I have had such good times in Dublin now, I don’t think there’s any real danger left. 

Mary, Patty, Rod and I spent a quiet few days between our trip to the island of Inishmore and our journey to Dublin.  We spent most of one day inside the apartment watching the wind and rain and goings on in the harbor while Patty baked.  We also wandered around Galway and did some shopping.

Patty took this picture from my balcony

Mary took this picture at afternoon tea at Griffins

We arrived in Dublin in the afternoon last Wednesday.  After checking in at our hotel, we walked to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the library.  After the fairly quiet streets of Galway, bustling Dublin was a change.  That first day we negotiated light rain and lots of pedestrian traffic.  I kept my “always have an amazing Italian meal in Dublin” streak going at dinner that night.

The next day, our only full day in Dublin, was gorgeous.  By gorgeous, I mean that though the skies were cloudy, it did not rain and it was not cold.  We walked to a Georgian house museum that is open for touring.  Unfortunately, it was closed for conservation work.  We walked through a lovely nearby park, though.  We spent quite a lot of time at the National Library exploring the exhibit on WB Yeats.  The exhibit was very well done:  informative, interesting and creative. 

Sign of forthcoming spring?

Rachel at Yeats exhibit in the National Library

Protest near government buildings

Another hopeful sign

Leaves under water, reflection of tree branches

That night Patty, Rod, Mary and I joined a “Traditional Music Pub Crawl.”  We met in a pub in the Temple Bar area where we were introduced to our two “tour guides”—Anthony and Eugene.  Anthony and Eugene introduced us to traditional Irish instruments and songs.  They explained what an Irish session is like.  They shared many things including the fact that it’s a good idea to refrain from clapping along at a music session because one’s hands become an instrument that is considered part of the session.  Once a person begins to clap, that person is expected to “play” until the session is complete; sessions can last  up to 40 minutes without a break.  Anthony told us that a good alternative is to tap your feet; this also leaves the hands free for picking up and setting down a beverage of choice.

Eugene and Anthony explained to us how important singing is in Ireland—good singing or bad singing.  I loved hearing this because I love to sing and I have the personal philosophy that, in tune or not, singing is good for the soul.  This is a self-serving philosophy.  Eugene and Anthony told us that if a stranger walks into a pub in a small town, everyone will stop and stare.  If the strangers manage to stick it out, they will be interrogated (e.g. name, address, phone number) and then, perhaps, asked to sing.  If the person does sing, it will make a positive impression. 

After telling us this piece of information, Eugene and Anthony invited anyone in the crowd to sing.  Three groups or pairs took up the challenge, including Patty and Mary.  Those of you who have heard the Hawks sing know that they brought down the house.  I decided if I was ever asked to sing as described above, I would sing, “You are my Sunshine.”  I had fun singing it as I got ready this morning, so I am ready for my small-town pub debut!

Mary, Patty and Rod at the first stop on the Traditional Music Pub Crawl

Eugene playing banjo and Anthony playing guitar

I returned from Dublin to find a platform had been constructed in the harbor.  I was intensely curious about what it was for, so this morning I emailed the Galway Harbour Company and asked.  I received a kind response that explained the platform is being used for borehole testing on the sea bed as part of the plans for the new port which is under consideration right now.  I was surprised because the platform was close to the dock.  However, I left my perch near the window today for a few minutes and when I returned the platform was gone.  I was flabbergasted.  I grabbed my camera and went out on the balcony and sure enough, the platform had moved.  I had an image in my mind of the platform “crab-walking” as it made a break for the sea.  The platform was in Galway Bay when I took a walk later this afternoon. 

The kind woman from the Galway Harbour Company sent me an invitation to a public meeting this weekend at which plans for the new harbor will be discussed and public comment will be noted.  I am definitely going to attend.  I can’t wait to see what happens next!

The research platform in the harbour on Friday

The platform makes a break for the sea!