Newsletter Issue 6 Nov 2005
Issue Number 6 Sep / Oct / Nov 2005
Emailed free to the Friends & Families of
Our quarterly Newsletter contains items of interest to all past & present islanders, as well as information about future events, which will help the visitor, occasional or frequent, to plan their visit to suit their interests. We welcome contributions of news items. Richard Fenlon, Editor.
Competition: The first person to identify the mystery bird, which was an extremely rare and recent visitor to
| The Cape Clear International Newsletter is made possible by the support of Comharchumann Chléire Teo with funding from The Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, NRDP Program. |
Contents
Bird watching (4)
Calendar of Future Events 2005 (5)
Development, Infrastructure, Jobs (6)
Welcome to (7)
Canoe Club (8)
Entertainments (10)
Whales & Dolphins and other Sea Creatures (12)
Links to Cape Clear Web Sites (13)
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1. Arts & Crafts on
(1a) Quarterly Virtual Art Gallery – Selected Cape Clear Artist
Doris and Ferdia ran An Siopa Beag, the little shop in the
To view the gallery as a slide show, click on the link and then click the play button: Doris and Ferdia Gallery
(1b) General Virtual
All
To view the gallery as a slide show, click on the link and then click the play button:
The equinox on 21st September marks the official start of autumn. Clear skies help us to appreciate the Orion constellation in the early hours of the morning. It is a wonder to know that Betelgeux, the star in the right hand shoulder of Orion (or the left as we look at it), is enormously huge. If it were in the same position as our sun, it would stretch from there and beyond the earth to Mars – now that is biggggg.
Click on the link to have a go at building our Solar System: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/playspace/games/jigsaw/jigsaw.shtml
Click the link to see maps of the constellations and to discover what else you can see in the night sky during the current month.
Maps of the Night Sky from the BBC
Click on the link below to be taken to the NASA website to find out when you can next see the ISS as it dashes across the sky.
Also, try the link to a rather wonderful website designed for children and beginners:
The usual web site for those interested in UFO’s
Don’t we do strange things? Where would you go on holiday if you lived on an island? Well, to another island of course. We are all romantic souls at heart; this is why we live on the most romantic island of all.
A group of islanders, Mary & Ciaran, Mary & Steve, Helen & Fachtna, and Julian & Louise have now returned to
To find out more about Lundy click the link: http://www.lundyisland.co.uk/
4. Birdwatching
The rarest of rare sightings of a Lesser Grey Shrike was reported by Sinead Fenlon. She was delighted to watch the bird for around fifteen minutes in the An Oige youth hostel garden, she even saw it bring up a pellet of waste. Warblers, Flycatchers, Stonechats and numerous other birds now fill our day.
5. Calendar of Future Events 2005
(5a)
Saturday, October 29 through Monday, October 31, 2005
MASTER STORYTELLER IN RESIDENCE: Carol Russell, England, trained at the Jamaica School of Drama. As actress, she’s worked in Theatre-In-Education, Repertory Theatres & National & Int’l touring companies. Her introduction to Storytelling began in
“USING OBJECTS TO TELL STORIES” WORKSHOP: This year, for our 12th annual workshop, Carol will teach us how to use objects to generate and tell stories. Since objects hold stories within them, the workshop will help us unlock the story in any object we select to bring to the workshop, so bring a few!
Open to all but limited to the first 20. A fun yet heuristic opportunity for aspiring storytellers, practicing storytellers, teachers of all levels & ages, librarians, social workers, politicians, actors, priests, publicans.
Click on the link to Chuck Kruger's web site to read about these wonderful sessions and, if you're lucky, to make a booking: http://indigo.ie/~ckstory/workshop.htm
(5b)Rosary At St. Ciaran’s Shrine Cape Clear
Islanders will gather at the shrine and holy well of St. Ciaran, the patron Saint of Cape Clear and the first person to celebrate a Mass in Ireland, at 6.30 tomorrow, 6th October, to recite the Rosary.
It is hoped that this will be repeated for the subsequent Thursdays of this month, which is dedicated to the Rosary.
Everyone is welcome.
Failte Roimhchach
(5c) SafePass Course 17th October.
The FAS
Anyone interested in attending the course (details shown below) should contact Seamus.
The Construction Safety Partnership Plan launched by the Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Mr Tom Kitt, T.D. in March 2000 recommends that all construction site personnel should have basic safety training.
To meet this requirement, FAS, in consultation with the industrial partners has developed the Safe Pass one-day Safety Awareness Training Programme, which will be targeted at all construction site personnel, including new entrants.
What is the FAS Safe Pass Programme
The purpose of the FÁS Safe Pass Health and Safety Awareness Training Programme is to ensure, over the course of time, that all Construction site and Local Authority personnel, will have a basic knowledge of Health and Safety, and be able to work on site without being a risk to themselves or others who might be affected by their acts or omissions.
The FAS Safe Pass Programme has been developed following an initiative by the Construction Industry Training Committee. This initiative was incorporated into the Construction Safety Partnership Plan which was launched by Tom Kitt T.D., Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs. Detailed consultation took place between FAS and Expert Working Groups representing the Social Partners with the support of the Construction Industry Training Committee. The consultation focused on the content and delivery of the FAS Safe Pass Programme and took into account the target group to whom it will be delivered.
The Health and Safety Awareness Training provided under the FAS Safe Pass Programme while complying with the provisions of the Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 1993, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations, 1995, must not be seen to relieve employers of their statutory duty to provide other appropriate Health and Safety Training for their employees.
Upon successful completion of the Safety Awareness Training Programme participants will be registered in the FAS Safe Pass Programme and issued with a registration card. It is a condition of renewal of the registration card that participants must update their Safety Awareness Training every four years.
Aims of the Programme
Raise the standard of safety awareness in the Construction Industry Ensure that all site personnel undergo basic health and safety awareness training with the view to making a positive contribution to the prevention of accidents and avoidance of health hazards. Maintain a register of personnel who have received such training. To provide all participants with a
The information above is taken directly from FAS, click on the link for more information:
http://www.fas.ie/environmental_training_unit/safepass.html
(5d) Irish Lessons for beginners – An Club 20th October.
A series of 20 lessons, subsidised by Udaras na Gaeltachta, starts on Thursday 20th October at 7pm. A total cost of €30 per person. Contact the Co-op for more information: Email here
(5e) Whale Watching Trip - November.
A trip to see fin and humpback whales (hopefully) has been provisionally booked for November. Colin Barnes will collect us from either the North or South harbour. See section 12 for details.
Important Notice: Before Travelling, you must check to make sure that the event of your choice is happening on the quoted date. Not all events are shown and more will be added in the next issue of the Newsletter.
6. Development, Infrastructure, Jobs
(6a) Pier Works North Harbour
Works are still going on and are likely to continue for some time to come. The walkway linking the temporary pontoon to the pier has recently fallen into the harbour and is no longer being used. Currently the ferry is being boarded at the Bulls Nose.
Click the link to see a slide show of the works on the pier and the pontoon:
(6b) Tourist Office & Craft Shop
Quotes are being invited for the building of the new Tourist Office and Craft shop in the
(6c) Jobs on
Email the Co-op for more information: Email here
(6d) Fish Farm
The Fish Farm is soon to be listed on the AIM (Alternate Investment Market) for new companies.
7. Welcome to:
We have two new European volunteers on the island and they plan to stay for one year. They are Sandra Saabey from
We also welcome Ray Foley who is now working full time at the fish farm.
8. Canoe Club report by Richard Fenlon
The annual camp-out was a great success and much thanks must go to Seamus for his commitment and organisational skills. The morning of the trip brought with it a fine day as the fifteen of us, five big kids (adults), and ten children gathered in the
The day was becoming a scorcher and when we awoke from our respective dreams, we continued exploring the island. Soon enough we happened upon a great little pier facing the mainland, which makes me wonder why Castle island is uninhabited. Near the pier is the remains of the Castle, which has practically only one wall still standing but it must have been a grand edifice in its time.
The experienced kayakers in the group, supervised by Seamus and Catherine, kayaked to the nearby islands exploring and foraging for firewood. Later that day Seamus arrange for a group of us to paddle the Canadian canoe, ably supported by one kayak to a beautiful little harbour called Drinagh Tra.
At around 11am the following morning the Karrycraft was back to collect us, and our sojourn on Castle island was over.
This quarter we feature the poetry of Cecilia Ramshaw
Cecilia was inspired to write the featured poem after visiting our beautiful little island earlier this year. Cecilia was born and grew up in the North East of England. She has roots in
Cecilia began writing for personal therapy as a result of a very traumatic event in her life. She found that, to write down the negative experiences was enormously healing.
Holes on
Stoic, ever-resistant to the wind.
Porous stone walls let the storms rage their short
tunnels. They criss-cross, to cage this lost, green
whale, nipped in waist, like stone net across
grass. Ancient rock plants grow in small holes.
They bed into sponge eyes that never close.
Some days, a fresh, soft ally comes in close.
It forms a steamy, wet mist. Then, the wind
ceases to wrap this great fish with news holes
for the sea. Tall foxgloves seem to grow short
along its cowardly hedgerows. Cragged
cliffs rise-up. Fields meet proud edges in green
shades of influence. Tiers of moss-green
rolling hills, ache tired muscles. Legs close
in to let cars pass : old ‘bangers’ of
mended by the love of neighbours in wind
and storm ; new parts improvised when in short
supply. Willing hands come to fill car holes.
Stone-house ruins refuse to die ; past holes
of emotion ; resistant, on their green
carpets, to the decay of this whale’s short
life-span in the universe. At the close
of day, mistress moon shines her light on wind
bruises, as if to reassure the Cape
of necessary change and a new cape
to wear each day ; the forming of the holes
vital against the spirit of the wind.
And in summer, lovers run over green
fields to a marriage-stone pillar. Hands close
through its hole, to be blessed with a bond short
of a diamond lure. Passion locks in, short
of an earthly key. Though a wave may cape
the island, the stone keeps clasps strong. Close
loyal pledges, through the solstace star-holes,
build again, the eyeless ruins with green,
fertile promise. Unpolluted, strong wind
blows through lover’s hair ; steals laughter. While holes
angle, decoy, protect the fragile green
in devious court, to the fickle winds.
By Cecilia Ramshaw
· September 2005 International Storytelling Festival Report
The festival is over for another year and was the usual roaring success. The weather was kind, as it usually is on
Click the link to be taken to the Storytelling website: http://indigo.ie/~stories/
10. Entertainments
(10a) Cards
Every Saturday night at An Club.
(10b) Table Tennis Club
Every Tuesday and Friday at the Old Coastguard Station (An Oige).
8.00pm – 10.00pm. Younger children with parents on Friday.
(10c) Chess Club
Every Tuesday evening at the Old Coastguard Station (An Oige).
All are welcome 8pm – 10pm.
(10d) Soccer
Every Sunday 12 noon, at the sports field. All are welcome – girls, boys, Yimmy & Yammy, young and old.
11. Thank You to the
Our wonderful choir, conducted by Mary O’Driscoil, have brightened many a difficult day with their beautiful renditions of some favourite hymns and tunes. They are always ready at short notice to make our beautiful church ring with their sweet and lyrical singing. We are privileged and proud to have such a choir on such a small island. We are all looking forward , as we always do, in great anticipation of the choir’s performance at Christmas. Long may our choir continue.
12. Whales, Dolphins, & Porpoises etc.
(12a) Basking Sharks and Dolphins
Marie O’Neill reports pods of Dolphins and a wonderful Basking Shark – all to be seen from the lands around her house facing
Boomerang is back. A great name for one of God’s great creatures; Boomerang is a Humpback Whale and he returned to our waters a few weeks earlier than last year – which makes some people wonder about global-warming. Here we are in September and the temperatures are still toasty. We also have reports of some exceptionally big Fin Whales gracing our waters. A recent bird-watching visitor was delighted to report the sighting of a Leatherback Turtle – again viewed from the hills of the island.
Slide show of Whales and Dolphins
(12b) The Whale Man – Colin Barnes – November Trip.
We have made arrangements with Colin Barnes for a whale watching trip in November. The date will be decided by the whales themselves. Colin promises to keep a close watch and to contact me when the sea is ‘full of whales.’ We hope to arrange for him to collect us from the North or
Colin is often to be seen on television or in the newspapers, as he is the person they contact whenever they do a feature on whale watching. The most recent article was in The Guardian and is shown with their permission below:
Whales against
West Cork is now recognised as one of the best places in Europe to go whale watching - and you get the dolphins thrown in for free
Ian Belcher
Saturday October 8, 2005
The Guardian
Minke whales are frequent visitors to the waters of western
I stopped counting when I got to 37 dolphins. The jumping, diving, jostling pod had surrounded our catamaran like a gang of silver grey muggers, but my attention had been sidetracked by two bulky, menacing shapes to the left of the group. Spearing through the briny they were around 25ft long, breaking the surface in smooth rolls of dark skin. At first glance they appeared to be super-sized dolphins, but closed scrutiny revealed far larger prey - 12-ton minke whales.
I've seen whales before - heavyweight, tail-slapping gymnasts off
"On one memorable day last year we had 55 fins, 15 humpback and 20 minke within a mile of the boat," says our genial 56-year-old skipper Colin Barnes. "The horizon was littered with blowing whales. I'd someone on board who'd watched whales all over the world and never seen anything like it."
Colin's in a strong position to count sightings. During 30 years of fishing these waters, he maintained regular records of any whales or dolphins spotted, supplying Greenpeace with vital information. And the omens were good for our afternoon trip. That morning, he'd taken out several photographers who'd spent hours snapping three adult fin whales and one calf. "They were so close we got vapour from their blows on our faces. I always think that's an honour."
The weather gods were smiling as well. Calm seas and blue skies meant their 30ft high blows could be spotted three miles away "like big white exclamation marks". Our group of 12 aboard the catamaran Holly Jo set off from near the fishing
We saw fat puffins, hundreds of shags and a 120-strong colony of grey and common seals. Colin climbed on to the cabin roof, roll-up hanging from his weather-beaten face, and scanned the horizon like Captain Ahab after Moby-Dick.
It wasn't long before he slid us nonchalantly among the minkes and dolphin muggers, but they were mere aperitif for the main course of fin whales. The second biggest species on earth, the 80-ton creatures are over twice as long as our 36ft catamaran. "People are awestruck when we get close," said Colin. "It's like looking at dinosaurs."
So regularly are fins spotted that several now have names - Agnes, Tonto, Silver - identifiable by the shape of their dorsal fins. I was starting to understand why people travel from vast distances - including
My group included Peter McIntyre, a decorator and wildlife enthusiast from
As he and the group scoured the ocean, it became clear that, like fishing, the thrill of whale spotting lies partly in the anticipation. Unfortunately, like a watched kettle, the water never boiled. Putty clouds replaced blue sky, making it harder to spot the blow fountains.
Colin rarely left the cabin roof scouring the water's surface. It seemed somewhat unfortunate to lose several 80-ton creatures but no one could have tried harder to deliver the goods. And then, after several hours and in fading light, he leapt down athletically to steer the boat on its homeward course. Several hundred yards away the water was churning. Finally a fin?
Sadly no, just more dolphins. In previous winters he has watched them school together in an extraordinary 3,000-strong pod. "Another day I saw them consistently for 60km."
People finally relaxed their vigil as we motored back to Union Hall. It had been an exhilarating if finless day, but the dedicated Peter informed me his holiday hunt for the big fellas wasn't over. He was returning for another possible rendezvous with Agnes in three days time. It's addictive stuff this whale watching.
13. Links to
View back copies of the Newsletter and many pictures of
Back Copies of the Newsletter on Line
Our island web site, with lots of links, pictures, places to stay on the island etc.
Emara Community Portal, contains regular news about
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We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter. If we can add anything else to help improve your enjoyment then please let us know. Richard@fenlon.net Email Email the editor with your comments.
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