Congratulations to Paddy and Geoff

I was at City Hall for a reception honouring members of the New York Cork Association celebrating its 125th year last Friday where I caught up with friends Paddy McCarthy who was awarded Corkman of the Year together with Geoff O’Sullivan at a banquet the following evening at the Rochestown Park Hotel. I wrote for the Irish Examiner USA a number of years ago, not long after it was set up by Paddy McCarthy who’s also responsible for Irish Connections Magazine while Ronnie here at The Post still writes a poetry column for the New York based publication.

Another good friend of ours from far afield , Mike Bowen who also writes for The Irish Examiner USA, travelled from his base in Melbourne for the celebrations. I would like to add our congratulations from all at The Douglas Post to Paddy and Geoff and to the New York Cork Association on the great work they do.

Destruction of our heritage

I read with a degree of sadness and anger at the destruction of a number of ring forts in county Cork recently. These sites are part of our heritage and folklore, indeed they are very much part of our history and should be protected. On the same subject, the house at Vernon Mount seems to be falling more and more into a state of disrepair and though a protected building, if it becomes dangerous, then it may have to be knocked for safety reasons. If this is the case then we lose another piece of history.

Munster 100 returns and Douglas Post Motorcycling begins

Next week the Munster 100 Motorcycle Road races will once again take place after an 18 year absence and at a new circuit, part of which takes in the town of Dunmanway. I covered the last three runnings of the Munster 100 when Clonakilty was its home and the craic and friendship was just mighty. Road Racing is the most thrilling form of motorcycle racing and I would urge anyone and everyone to go and experience it. There are many attractions to attend over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of August to coincide with the races and promises to be a great family event. All motorsport is dangerous and I would all attending to exercise extreme awareness and obey the marshals. To coincide with this event The Douglas Post this week begins a new section on motorcycling. Appearing every month, this new section will touch on all aspects of motorcycling from product reviews to bike tests, while featuring new and reports covering classic bikes, touring, tips as well as sports news and titbits.

Slán

George Thompson