Phoenix Bark!

by Katie Finnegan

Bruno - Courtsey of Valerie Hughes

Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina will not be joined by their four adult children in their new home in Dublin's Phoenix Park, but the couple are not the only ones moving in. The halls of Aras an Uachtarain will be filled with the sound of heavy paws as the couple is set to adopt Bruno the Bernese Mountain Dog. 

The presidential pooch, was a 12-month-old homeless puppy owned by a Northern Irish couple who emigrated to South Africa. Sadly, they could not take him with them and that’s when Galway Bay fm radio broadcaster and dog breeder Valerie Hughes stepped in.


"They were absolutely devastated and heartbroken when they handed him into the Bernese Mountain Dog Club," Ms Hughes said.






Ms Hughes is one of the best-known breeders of Bernese Mountain Dogs in the country and has won many awards in a variety of different dog shows for her pedigree Bernese Mountain Dogs. Many of these have been at Crufts, the world's largest dog show held annually in Birmingham, amongst others.

"He has had Bernese mountain dogs for over 19 years and is very familiar with the breed so we are just delighted that the new president is going to stay with the breed that he knows and loves."

Bernese Mountain Dogs can reach up to 70cm in height and an astonishing 120 pounds in weight. The handsome Swiss dogs retain their puppy-like enthusiasm until they are about 2½ years old, so need plenty of open space to bounce and play. Where better to do that than in Aras an Uachtaran.

Ms Hughes said that the new President had been in touch with her regarding the dog for some time and he was adamant that the lucky dog that would be joining him the Aras would be a dog that was in need of a good home. She also revealed that one of her own pedigree puppies would be joining Bruno at some stage in the New Year.


"When I told Michael D about the dog, his eyes lit up and he was bowled over by the pictures. The second puppy will be born in the New Year and I will house-rear that so that the Aras staff and security don't have to be cleaning up after a young puppy," she said.
 
Bruno moved into his new home on the 11^th of November

Valerie and her award winning Miss Ailce pictured with Michael D. Higgins at Galway Bay fm

John Lee and the chair

In other presidential news, the white Oak inauguration chair used in the inaugural ceremony for Michael D Higgins has been designed and made by GMIT Letterfrack graduate John Lee. 

John, based in Pagestown, Maynooth, Co.Meath, graduated from the Furniture Design and Manufacture programme in 1993 and following a number of years working in the UK, returned to Ireland and set up his own highly successful furniture design and making business.

John was awarded the commission following a tendering process conducted by the OPW to replace the previous chair, the ‘Viceregal Throne’, made in the 19th Century for the British Viceroys or Lord Lieutenants of Ireland who controlled British administration in Ireland.  This chair was altered for use by the Éire government to inaugurate the first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde, by removing a carved crown that decorated its top and incorporating the State Harp as a fabric inset in the back of the chair.

"The new chair is a modest and modern but not overwhelming piece that reflects the dignity of the office of the President," says Mr Lee.

‘Tis the Season for Christmas Markets

By Katie Finnegan

It’s that time of year again when there’s a certain magic in the air. Festive lights sparkle against the dark winter sky, as people wrap up warmly in their hats and scarves. It’s also around this time that town and city squares are taken over by little wooden stalls festively decorated and ice rinks dotted with both young and old skating, and falling around. Christmas markets are a big festive tradition all over the world and are an ideal place to get your Christmas shopping started with plenty of unique gift ideas along with traditional food and drink to sample.

Galway Christmas market – Eyre Square 2010

Last year marked the first year of the Galway Continental Christmas market and it’s returning again this year. Come the 25^th of November, Eyre Square will be transformed into magical winter wonderland with over seventy wooden chalets retailing food, beverages and goods from all over Europe with over a third of the chalets being occupied by local traders. The authentic Bierkeller will be home to great European beers, plus mulled wines and hot ciders.

It seems this year, that as well as the 70 wooden chalets; the Christmas market will also feature 25 tents. The ‘Occupy Galway’ protesters are currently camped at the top of Eyre Square, adjacent to where the Continental market will open later this month.

The protest began just over a month ago with four tents and a handful of protesters, however as time has gone on, more and more people have begun to join in the protest.  Just yesterday, the Christmas Continental Market released a statement saying that they had come to an agreement with the protesters.

Occupy Galway protest

“We are very happy to confirm and to welcome the consensus reached by Occupy Galway on Friday November 11, in which they have agreed to relocate their camp from its current position on Eyre Square to a new location on the north east corner of the square in order to facilitate the complex logistics and layout of the planned Christmas Market and to fully enable to market to go ahead as planned.”

“This consensus has been achieved as a result of very positive and constructive engagement with Occupy Galway which saw both parties gain strong mutual understanding. We now have a strong basis for positive working relations and co-existence over the next month until the market ends on December 18th. We thank Occupy Galway for their hard work, generosity and understanding in achieving this consensus.”

Event producer Maria Moynihan Lee said the organisers are currently finalising the layout of the site and the final contents prior to works beginning in Eyre Square on Monday 21^st of November.

Galway is just one of many cities that transforms over the Christmas period. Markets like these originated in Dresden, Germany in 1434 and later spread to Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. In recent years, they have become increasingly popular in Scotland and England as well as further afield in the likes of Chicago and New York.

Nuremberg hosts Germany’s largest Christmas market every year, and is often referred to as ‘Christmas City’. At 5.30 p.m on the Friday before the first Advent Sunday, the Christmas Angel opens her market, reciting the solemn prologue from the gallery of the church of Our Lady. 180 wooden stalls, ornamented with red-and-white cloth, have given the Christmas Market its name of "Little Town from Wood and Cloth".

Plum people for sale at the market

Stall holders sell a variety of traditional merchandises: Nuremberg spicy gingerbread, fruit loaves, bakery goods and sweets, typical Christmas articles such as Christas tree angels, cribs, Christmas tree ornaments and candles, toys as well as arts and crafts products. Unique souvenirs include "Nuremberg Plum People", little figures made from prunes. In the line of refreshments, people can stay warm with a mug of mulled wine and indulge in a Nuremberg Bratwurst sausage.

The market's stall-holders also compete for the most elegant stall design and each year the City presents an annual award of gold, silver and bronze "Plum People" for the winning stalls. This year the Nuremberg market runs from the 25^th of November to the 24^th of December.

of the best Christmas markets in the country, and its location in the picturesque town centre only adds to its appeal. As you would expect from the nation that produces some of the world’s best beer, sampling some local brews and mulled wine are a big feature of this Christmas market. There’s also an open-air ice rink and a variety of Christmas stalls. Christmas markets in Belgium are a big feature of its festivities and are well worth visiting to get you into that Christmas spirit. Bruges’ Christmas market runs from the 25^th of November to the 3^rd of January 2012.

Ice Rink in Bruge

Other European Christmas markets can be found in nearly every big city. Vienna, Strasberg, Copenhagen, Gothenberg, and Madrid are just a few that deserve to be noted. Europe is not the only place where these beautiful markets can be found; America also follows in the festive spirit. 

Chicago’s Christkindlemarket took its festive influence from the German Christmas markets and is currently in its 16^th year. This is one of the most popular markets in the city of Chicago and attracts an estimated one million visitors to Daley Plaza in the heart of the city every year. A variety of typical German foods tantalise the taste buds and European chocolates and baked goods can also be found at the market. The famous Glühwein, which is served in a souvenir boot shaped mug, and the imported German beer rounds off the culinary tour. The city of Chicago is an ideal location for a festive market as the twinkles of the stalls mirror the twinkles of the many surrounding skyscrapers that highlight the city’s snowy backdrop.

Flyer for market in Chica

A visit to an authentic Christmas market is sure to engage all your senses and get your body, mind and soul ready for the holidays. Even before you arrive at the market area, the wonderful aroma of hot beverages, freshly grilled and fried snacks, and seasonal sweets fills the air. You're likely to find Glühwein (hot mulled wine), bratwurst grilled to perfection and served in a crusty bread roll, fried fish fillets with tartar sauce on a roll, and other hearty snacks that will warm you up from the inside out in no time. These markets are also great for those who enjoy the sweeter things in life such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Christstollen (traditional sweetbread), freshly candied almonds, Christmas cookies and many other delicacies. A visit to a Christmas market also makes shopping for the holidays easy, offering a great array of toys, ornaments and other gift ideas, often hand-crafted by local artists.

Galway’s Christmas market runs from the 25^th of November until the 18^th of December. For more information, visit www.galwaychristmasmarket.ie.

Diary of a graduation Student.

By Katie Finnegan

Friday 21^st October

I haven’t really given my graduation much thought, or at least I hadn’t until today. I was in two minds as to whether or not I’d even go, after all as I’d heard a countless number of times, it was ‘only arts’. However, I decided to go anyway and see what it was all about, have no new outfit or anything though. Met a few friends today, one of them, Laura is also graduating on Monday. She’s booked in for her hair and make up, has a cake ordered, dinner booked and was shopping for her ‘graduation present’. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe this is more of a big deal than I thought. I’m working all weekend though, so no time to go shopping for anything new. Don’t know what I’m going to do!

Saturday 22^nd October

Well I was working all day today so I didn’t have time to go into town and have a look around for anything to wear, but I’m sure I have something at home. Also, up until now I was happy to do my own hair and make up, but I hurt my finger and I’m finding it hard to do everything so I don’t know how I’m going to curl my own hair. I guess I can try and do it myself. Going to have to get up really early because the graduation ceremony is on at 11.

Sunday 23^rd October

At seven O’Clock I decided I should probably pick a dress for tomorrow. Not my best idea. There’s only one I had in mind, the one I wore for my 21^st 2 weeks ago but I never checked to see if it was clean. There was a big stain down the front where I’d spilled something. Ran down to mom who said she’ll do her best to have it ready for tomorrow. I hope she does or I’m not sure what I’m going to do!

Monday 24^th October

Well today was D-Day. I got up at 8 and made an attempt to curl my hair, although I wasn’t happy with it – nothing new there. The dress was fine thank god, all evidence of my carelessness had vanished. The whole family was ready and lined up to leave at ten and as dad struggled to find parking in NUIG, mom and I went in search of the black gown I’d waited 3 years to wear. We queued for a while behind others like me and I was robed up just like everyone else. I even put on the cap – sexist and all as it is! By the time all of that was done, Dad and my brother Aidan had showed up and we decided it would be best to have our photos taken before the ceremony to avoid the rush that would inevitably come after the conferrals.

What came next was confusing and disorganized! We checked for our seat numbers and then were directed to go upstairs to wait. We waited and waited and an hour later were told to go back down and given new seat numbers! As it was an arts graduation, there was 3 timeslots for the day 11am, 2pm and 4pm. Unfortunately this meant that I knew nobody and was sitting in a row of other Finnegans I’d never met before!

The ceremony was shorter than I thought and as I sat twiddling my thumbs and rearranging my hat (that was far too big for my small head). There were many speeches and more Latin before they started to call people up to the top, one by one. I hadn’t given a thought to walking to the top and shaking Jim Browne’s hand. However, as my row was beckoned up, my stomach flipped and I didn’t know where to look! I was terrified! It was over as quickly as it started and before I knew it, I was standing outside the hall looking for my family. I found them eventually where dad presented me with an NUIG graduation teddy.

Many photographs ensued as many photographers rushed over to take our photo. Unfortunately, I’m skeptical as to whether it was me or my father they really wanted a photo of! At half one, the next batch of students had started to arrive and after I had handed back my robe we set sail for lunch in the huntsman. It was a lovely excuse to get together as a family as we’re all so busy with our individual lives. On top of that, I don’t think I can remember a time before now when Dad took a day off from his show, so that was a good feeling.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the day, and the best part? I get to do it all again next year!

“Private firm to run GUH to be announced this week”

A private firm is to be drafted in to run a number of the countries hospitals. Among these is Galway University Hospital, which has been beset by long waiting lists and overcrowding.

5 firms, one Irish and 4 from the UK have been shortlisted to fill the position and it is expected that the successful private company will be revealed later this week.

Eight per cent of patients at Galway University Hospital’s emergency department wait more than 24 hours to be admitted to the hospital. According to HSE HealthStat figures, GUH is the worst performing hospital in the country.

Deputy Colm Keaveny believes that the problems in GUH are resource related.  He says “the bed capacity and bed closures are a consequence of degrees of clinical mismanagement at GUH and the allocation of resources.”

Speaking on the issue, he believes that “one of the critical problems is the failure of the previous administration’s plans around the fair deal policy.” The purpose of the Scheme is to provide financial support for people assessed as needing long-term nursing home care.

“There are significant numbers of elderly people who should be housed and supported in the community under the fair deals scheme that are currently taking up to 40 beds in GUH causing a backlog in the A&E department” said Deputy Keaveny. He went on to say “We need to reform how we spent money and connect with the community in terms of primary health care”.

Deputy Keaveny is “not convinced the managers at GUH currently who are directly employed are not the best people for the job. The current management is under resourced and spread quite thin. They have been carrying out the jobs of a number of people. Key managers have not been replaced.”

The firm who will take over management of the hospital for 18 months will be announced later this week.

“From Aras na Mac Leinn to Aras an Uachtarain”

Michael D. Higgins NUIG Student Card

Former Student Union President of NUIG is to become the next president of Ireland. In a dramatic turnaround, it was declared that Labour’s Michael D Higgins topped the poll with 701,101 first preference votes.
The poet and campaigner received 39.6 per cent of the vote, ahead of Independent Sean Gallagher who trailed behind with only 28.5 per cent. He received an unprecedented swing in support early last week after Mr Gallagher was publicly derailed by Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness on live television.

Michael D grew up in County Clare with his Aunt, Uncle and younger brother. He moved to Galway and spent time working in factories before getting a job in the ESB. He spoke of it as being a “wonderful time”. He made an impression on an ESB worker who gave him a £200 scholarship to go to University College Galway.

Serving as Student Union president during 1964/65 in University College Galway Michael D led over 600 students in a march to protest about poor relations between the university and the local community. 

He also served as the Chairman of the Fianna Fail cumman before a meeting with Noel Browne who convinced him to join the Labour party instead. He held the positions of Auditor within the Literary and Debating society and as editor of SIN newspaper.

He graduated in 1965 and later returned as a professor in the Faculties of Arts, Commerce, Celtic Studies and Law. He was also appointed Adjunct Professor affiliated with the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI, Galway.

Current SU President Emmet Connolly says “It’s a great day for NUIG. It gives hope to the students that they’ve come to the right place to study. It gives them optimism. Michael D has always been a friend of the students and the Students Union. He’s helped us in the past and I hope that will continue. I think he’s inspired a lot of students to get involved in the community and volunteering. It’s a good day for the college. We’re very proud. It’s also great to see NUI Galway graduates now occupying the positions of President, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and Attorney-General.”

Michael D was always a favorite to win the election amongst students across the country. A poll carried out on the 6^th of October by the UCD College Tribune showed that he was the preferred candidate in five of the seven universities that took part.

NUIG students are delighted with the outcome; Masters student Aisling Crowe says “I’m happy, I think he can be a father figure to the country”, while IT student Eamonn Brophy says “He's quite a lefty which I really like. He’s anti-blood sports, anti US in Shannon and other things most politicians wont talk about or touch. He's just a pretty cool normal guy who's seen life. There's no dirt on him because he's an honest person. I think he's by far the best man for the job.”

He grabbed national attention when he protested against the visit of US President Ronald Regan in 1984. President Regan was receiving an honorary doctorate of law from UCG and at the time, Michael D condemned the US government for arming and financing the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. Along with other UCG graduates, he held a “de-conferring” ceremony in Eyre square where previous recipients of honorary doctorates burnt their parchments to show their disgust at the decision of the University.

More than any public representative in the history of the Oireachtas, Michael D Higgins has campaigned tirelessly at home and abroad against the oppression of peoples, in defense of human rights and in securing justice for all.

He will be inaugurated at a state ceremony in Dublin Castle on November 11th.