MICHAEL MERRIGAN, MA, FGSI

Coastal Plan - Ten Years On!!

2011-02-24T01:34:00.004Z

Dún Laoghaire Coastal Plan

Ten Years On!!

http://www.dun-laoghaire.com/coastalplan/

THE DAWN OF IRISH RECORDED HISTORY

2011-02-12T12:35:00.006Z

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The Dawn of Irish Recorded History

High King to be Commemorated in 2013?

Read the full article in the February 2011 issue of

'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette'

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/71044341

Bosnia's National & University Library

Genealogical Society of Ireland supports the campaign by a group of academics and students from the University of Sarajevo to re-stock their university's library following its destruction during the Bosnian civil war. Read the piece in the February 2011 issue of the Society's newsletter on the above link.

BOOKS 4 VIJECNICA

www.books4vijecnica.com

SEANAD ÉIREANN

2011-02-12T12:27:00.006Z

Seanad Éireann

Abused, Legislatively Starved, Ignored and now to be Abolished?

Read the full article from the January 2011 issue of

'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette'

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/68588567

THE EIGHT SURNAMES OF CONSANGUINITY

2010-12-16T08:22:00.006Z

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A Chairde,
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The 'holiday season' always gives us a chance to meet up with relativies that we may not see too often during the year and, of course, for those interested in genealogy this is always a wonderful chance to add to our knowledge of our family history.

Whilst many people with Irish ancestry will have little difficulty in tracing their lineages back to the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century, the descendants of our chiefly families can go back much, much further. Although our Gaelic chiefly families may be able to trace their ancestry to the early centuries of the Christian era or before and thus, making their lineages the oldest in Europe, our nation's turbulent history has made connecting to these lines almost impossible for the majority of us. However, advances in DNA research may throw up some surprising opportunities in this respect.

In the wonderful city of Singapore in October 2010 I came across this panel on the side wall of the Tan Clan Temple. The text traces the eight surnames of consanguinity in a very interesting 'family history' which I found strikingly similar to our own Gaelic origin narratives. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate a copy of this wall panel and searches on the Internet have, thus far, proved unsuccessful.

It was my intention to obtain a copy for publication in the GSI Annual Journal as the Genealogical Society of Ireland is committed to promoting the study of family history amongst Ireland's many ethnic communities and thereby, providing information on such to the majority community. The Society's Director of Education & Social Inclusion has launched a consultative programme to further the participation of members, from all backgrounds, in the activities of the Society. Already the Society has published an article on Irish-Polish links and, no doubt, articles on other communities will follow.

Last month the Genealogical Society of Ireland celebrated its 20th anniversary and also officially opened its Archive or 'An Daonchartlann' at the Carlisle Pier, Dún Laoghaire Harbour. For the full story see this month's issue of 'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette' on www.familyhistory.ie or http://www.docstoc.com/docs/66476146

Featured in this month's issue:

+ Minister Officially Opens Society's Archives
+ Weekend Genealogy Courses
+ Vol 5 (2010) Contents
+ John Grenham, MAPGI, FGSI
+ 1926 Census
+ Will Your Records Well
+ James Scannell Reports...
+++ Dr. Chris Lawlor
+++ Ireland in Turmoil
+ Précis of the November Lecture
+ GSI Lectures 2010/11
+ New Membership Package Agreed

www.familyhistory.ie/shop
+ 'Holyhead to Ireland' (review)

http://www.amberleybooks.com/
+ GSI Board News
+ Dublin in 1707 - A Year in the life of the City (review)

http://www.fourcourtspress.ie/
+ Diary Dates
+ Medal Society of Ireland
+ Morning Meeting (notice)

Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain fé Mhaise.

Michael Merrigan

GSI CELEBRATIONS

2010-11-09T20:28:00.007Z

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Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann
Genealogical Society of Ireland

OFFICIAL OPENING & 20th ANNIVERSARY

Tuesday Nov. 9, 2010

PRESS STATEMENT

The Minister for Tourism, Culture & Sport, Ms. Mary Hanafin, TD, officially opened the new Headquarters and Archive of the Genealogical Society of Ireland at a ceremony held at the Harbour Lodge, Dún Laoghaire on Monday November 8, 2010.

The ceremony also included a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Society in 1990. Members and friends of the Society were joined by An Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy, Mr. Seán Costello, Chairperson and Board of Directors of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; County Councillors, and the President, Vice-Presidents, Board of the Genealogical Society of Ireland

This is a very special day for the Genealogical Society of Ireland as it celebrated two important milestones in the history and development of Ireland’s most active genealogical organisation.

The official opening of the Society’s Archive or An Daonchartlann (The People’s Archive) and the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Society.

Ever since the foundation of the Society in October 1990 one of its main objectives was the establishment of a genealogical archive in Dún Laoghaire for items collected or donated by the Members and friends of the Society. A number of premises held the archival collections over the years, including the Martello Tower at Seapoint.

Pádraic Ingoldsby, Cathaoirleach of the Society explained how the Society acquired the new premises “last year, thanks to Gerry Dunne, Chief Executive of the Harbour Company and, of course, through the good offices of Cllr. Victor Boyhan, the Harbour Company decided to offer of the premises at the Carlisle Pier in May 2010 to the Society. Fully refurbished the Society began its operations at the new premises in July 2010.

It’s a superb location with ease of access and ample parking right in the heart of what could become the ‘heritage precinct’ of the Town and Harbour of Dún Laoghaire”.

Society Cathaoirleach, Pádraic Ingoldsby, concluded by sincerely thanking and commending the Harbour Company for its decision to enhance the heritage potential of this area by allocating the premises to the Society.

The Minister unveiled the commemorative plaque saying “I want to congratulate all involved in getting us to this proud day for the genealogy in Ireland. Helping people tracing their ancestors and the wider study of genealogy is a great service in the community. The opening of the new headquarters at the Carlisle Pier provides an opportunity now to promote this area as the ‘heritage precinct of Dún Laoghaire’ encompassing the Maritime Museum, new County Library & Cultural Centre, the Society’s Archive, the Pavilion Theatre and the Harbour itself. The tourism potential of such a precinct could be enormous and adds to the vibrant cultural and historical attractions in the area.”

“As an international as well as a national organisation, the Society has contributed enormously over the past twenty years to the promotion and development of an awareness, appreciation and knowledge of our genealogical and heraldic heritage’ and as such, it also created a Special 20th Anniversary Award of a Fellowship of the Society for ‘an outstanding contribution to genealogy”.

The Society’s Cathaoirleach called upon the Minister to present the award to Mr. John Grenham, genealogist, teacher, author and Irish Times columnist who becomes a Fellow of the Genealogical Society of Ireland.

The Minister presented the award to Mr. Grenham whose publication ‘Tracing Your Irish Ancestors’ is now regarded around the world as ‘the genealogist’s bible’ for Irish research. (photograph by Tom Conlon)

Mr. Seán Costello, Chairperson of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, thanked the Society for co-hosting the event and wished the GSI Archives every success at the Carlisle Pier, Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

Michael Merrigan, MA, FGSI
General Secretary
Genealogical Society of Ireland
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GROWING ACCESS TO HERITAGE

2010-11-08T15:54:00.002Z

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A Chairde,

Please find attached the November issue of 'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette' - the monthly newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland is available on the following http://www.docstoc.com/docs/60295976 or by visiting the Society's website http://www.familyhistory.ie/

Featured in this issue:

+ Growing Access to Heritage - Recessionary Times Offer an Opportunity to Take Stock & Plan
+ Official Opening & 20th Anniversary
+ Age of Atrocity - Violence and Political Conflict in Early Modern Ireland (review) http://www.fourcourtspress.ie/
+ 1926 Census - A Stimulus Package
+ Overs 50s Show - A Wonderful Success
+ Will Your Records Well
+ James Scannell Reports..
+++ Headstones Erected
+++ Ranks Mills
+++ Biography of Irish Aviator
+++ Memorial to DMP Officers
+ Précis of the October Lecture
+ GSI Lectures 2010
+ Membership of the Genealogical Society
+ Diary Dates
+ Census of Elderly NY Irish
+ Morning Meeting - advice re. December
+ 'Executed for Ireland' (review) by James Scannell
+ Patrick Moran
+ Medal Society of Ireland

Mise le meas,

Michael Merrigan
General Secretary
Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann
Genealogical Society of Ireland

'FICHE BLIAIN AG FÁS'

2010-10-09T11:10:00.007+01:00

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A Chairde,

The October 2010 issue of 'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette' - the monthly newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland is available on
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/56592149 and on the Society's own website http://www.familyhistory.ie/

Featured in this issue:

+ Fiche Bliain ag Fás - 'Ireland's Most Active Genealogical Organisation'
+ Over 50s Show at the RDS
+ Guild of One-Name Studies
+ 'The Irish Church and the Tudor Reformations' (review) http://www.fourcourtspress.ie/
+ GSI Archive - Twenty Years a' Collecting
+ 1926 Census of Ireland (SEE NOTE BELOW)
+ Will Your Society Well
+ James Scannell Reports...
+++ Skellig Michael
+++ Kilmainham Gaol
+++ Viking Fortress Discovered
+++ Medal Society Auction
+ Précis of the September Lecture
+ GSI Lecture Programme
+ Membership of the Society (some administrative adjustments)
+ 'Blood in the Streets' (review) - James Scannell
+ Diary Dates
+ New NLI Board
+ Book Launch
+ Medal Society of Ireland

Remember, you can now keep up to date with the Society on http://www.facebook.com/ - just log-in (joining is free and easy) and then search for the Society by name.

1926 CENSUS OF IRELAND

The Genealogical Society of Ireland is pleased to confirm that the Statistics (Heritage Amendment) Bill, 2010 - the Society's Bill to have the 1926 Census of Ireland released is published and awaiting to be introduced at Second Stage in Seanad Éireann.

The following article which was published in 'History Ireland' outlines our endeavours to date and our arguments in favour of opening the 1926 census:- http://www.historyireland.com//volumes/volume16/issue5/news/?id=114285

The Bill is sponsored by Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil) and has the support of many senators on both sides of the House.

See: http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2010/3610/b3610s.pdf

Mise le meas,

Michael Merrigan
General Secretary
Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann
Genealogical Society of Ireland
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THE NEW HISTORY OF 'BRITAIN'

2010-09-14T08:37:00.003+01:00

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A Chairde,

The September 2010 issue of 'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette' - the monthly newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland is available on the following link http://www.docstoc.com/docs/54516752

The main article 'The New History of 'Britain'' examines how current TV history documentaries have created a new history and geography for a place called 'Britain'.

Mise le meas,

Michael Merrigan
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HERALDRY FOR ALL

2010-08-14T18:53:00.005+01:00

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A Chairde,

The following is the Editorial in the August 2010 issue of ‘Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette’ – the monthly newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland. The Society is Ireland’s most active and innovative genealogical and heraldic organisation. For further information see: http://www.familyhistory.ie/

HERALDRY FOR ALL –

Possible and Profitable

With all the new initiatives being considered by the Government to stimulate a greater awareness of Ireland and its heritage amongst the estimated 70 million people of Irish descent worldwide, heraldry seems to have been overlooked. Why?

Coats of Arms are among the most popular retail items in Irish themed stores around the world, however, most of these popular ‘Irish’ souvenirs are manufactured overseas mostly in Asia and often with dubious claims to authenticity in design. Traditionally, coats of arms are personal to the individual as they heraldically belong to specific families, not to surnames as sold in these souvenir stores.

But if you want the genuine article you must make a personal application to the Chief Herald and currently pay a sizeable sum for the privilege – so most stick with the fake. Back in 2006 the Genealogy and Heraldry Bill introduced in Seanad Éireann by Senator Brendan Ryan promised heraldry for all – an equitable, affordable, cost effective and, surprisingly for some, a profitable national heraldic service.

This Bill didn’t proceed to enactment, however, the recent appointment of the much respected professional librarian, Colette O’Flaherty, as Keeper of Manuscripts and Chief Herald of Ireland could and should usher in a new and exciting era of fundamental change at the ‘office’ of the Chief Herald of Ireland.

Gone for good are the fanciful and somewhat ridiculous notions of the past of exclusivity and pretensions based on anachronistic and non-existent prerogatives. Time has now come to reform, modernise and, in many ways, to establish a State heraldic service fit for a republic. This new heraldic service could be provided under the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 and indeed, at minimal set-up costs to the National Library.

Currently anyone wishing to obtain a Grant of Arms must have at least €3,300 to splash out on what many would, rather disparagingly, consider a ‘vanity item’. The Grant of Arms is made in the form of Letters Patent with the hand-painted arms and the accompanying text in beautiful calligraphy on vellum. The grant is recorded in the Register of Arms and is a matter of public record.

But with such a price-tag it is doubtful whether commissions during this recessionary period could justify the continuation of such heraldic services. Therefore, rather than see its demise fundamental changes in both the structure and the delivery of Irish heraldic services are urgently required which would greatly broaden its customer base by expanding and developing its products.

What is preventing the Chief Herald from restructuring the delivery of services to meet the clear demand for less expensive, but authentic, Irish heraldic products – is it simply a lingering fanciful notion of exclusivity or what? In our republic, the State’s heraldic services must deliver heritage products and not privileges or dignities as claimed by other heraldic authorities.

Therefore, access to such products should be as universal as reasonably possible. To this end, instead of the elaborate and expensive Letters Patent, a computerised Certificate could be issued with the blazon or description of the Arms granted. The client is then free to engage a heraldic artist to paint the Arms on whatever surface or object they wish.

The costs of producing this type of grant would be considerably less given the massive reduction in labour costs and with the ‘out sourcing’ of the consultative work bringing authentic heraldry within reach of most individuals. To capture the enormous potential of such commissions from around the world, the 2006 Bill proposed the setting up of licensed heraldic agents who will do much of the consultative work currently carried out by the ‘office’ of the Chief Herald. Naturally, it would be expected that competition between such agencies will dramatically reduce rates payable for heraldic advice and art work.

More importantly it repatriates a part of our heritage industries and thus encouraging indigenous manufacturing and craft activity in a sector almost devastated by the recession. ‘Heraldry for All’ is possible and, in time, profitable. So why not?

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'Ireland's Genealogical Gazette' (August 2010)

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/49373700/

CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE, YOUR MAJESTY

2010-07-27T09:20:00.004+01:00

A Chairde,

The following is a copy of the Editorial published in the July 2010 issue of ‘Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette’ – the monthly newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland. The article was taken up by two major newspapers in Ireland the ‘Sunday Independent’ (July 11th) and by the ‘Belfast Telegraph’ (July 12th). It was also taken up by ‘The Phoenix’ magazine (July 16th – 29th).

The matter was also extensively discussed on Irish radio programmes during the month with the prospect of a State Visit by the UK’s Queen Elizabeth receiving a general welcome across the country.

‘CLASH OF THE HARPS’

British Royal Visit to Ireland & Heraldry

With the possibility of a State Visit to the Republic next year by the UK’s Queen Elizabeth, it appears that a very warm ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ will be extended to Her Majesty.

However, Mr. Charles Kidd, certainly raised eyebrows and possibly howls of laughter around Irish breakfast tables when he spoke on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland programme (25.06.10) of the correct royal etiquette that should be observed during the visit. No doubt listeners to this popular radio programme were relieved to hear that ‘the sweeping bows of history are gone’ but for gentlemen a ‘nod from the neck’ and for ladies a ‘bob’ or curtsy was the correct way to greet Britain’s monarch.

Evidently the editor of Debrett’s believes that royal etiquette, no matter how anachronistic, travels with the monarch when visiting foreign countries and should be observed by others. No doubt then, when King Bumibol Adulyadej of Thailand paid a State Visit to the UK in 1960 and indeed, when Japan’s Emperor Akihito did likewise in 1998, British officials greeted the latter with a bow from the waist and approached the former on their knees during those State Visits. Surely Mr. Kidd is aware that neither bowing nor curtsying are appropriate for citizens of republics like Ireland or the United States.

Not content with having the citizens of our Republic bowing and curtsying, Mr. Kidd advised us against firm handshakes with the queen and, recalling the ‘transgression’ by US First Lady Michelle Obama, warned us off touching the royal personage. Reminiscent of the hullabaloo in 1992 caused by the then Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, putting his arm around the queen. Well Mr. Kidd needn’t worry as most Irish citizens fully appreciate the historic and political significance of the State Visit to Ireland.

It was Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather, George V, who was the last British monarch to visit Dublin in July 1911. Her own father, George VI, in 1949 became the last British ‘King of Ireland’ when the twenty-six counties of the Republic were declared to be ‘no longer a part of His Majesty’s dominions’ in accordance with the UK’s Ireland Act, 1949. This was the British government’s response to the Irish government’s ‘Declaration of the Republic’ and Ireland leaving the British Commonwealth in April 1949.

The British monarchs were already deprived of any domestic function in Ireland thirteen years previously when De Valera took the opportunity of the abdication of Edward VIII, over his wish to marry Mrs. Simpson, to amend the constitution. Indeed, opinion is still divided over whether the External Relations Act of 1936 was actually necessary to give effect to the succession of George VI in the Irish Free State given that the 1542 Act ‘that the King of England, his Heirs and Successors, be Kings of Ireland’ was already on the Irish Statute Book and only repealed in 1962. The 1542 Act made Henry VIII ‘King of Ireland’ and he duly adopted the heraldic symbol of his new realm—azure a harp or stringed argent—and included this on the Royal Arms.

The British Royal Arms still retain the blue shield with the golden harp symbolising Ireland as part of the realm despite the declaration in the UK’s Ireland Act of 1949. In 1945 the Irish adopted the golden harp on a blue shield as the Arms of Ireland. These Arms are used by the State and by the President of Ireland.

The UK Royal Arms were altered to reflect the political realities in 1801 to remove the Arms of France and in 1837 to remove those of the Kingdom of Hanover. As flags and symbols have always been controversial in our shared history, therefore, if this upcoming State Visit is supposed to represent a ’maturing’ of the relationship between the UK and Ireland, then is it too much to expect that this growing friendship and mutual respect be reflected heraldically by the UK?

‘Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette’ (July 2010)
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/46150860/

NOTE: It is reported that a visit by the British monarch will take place during the month of May 2011. (Feb. 12, 2011)

'SEPARATE BODIES, SEPARATE ROLES'

2010-06-14T08:40:00.004+01:00

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A Chairde,
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The following is the text of the front page article of the June 2010 issue of ‘Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette’ which provides the current position on the Irish government’s proposal to merge the National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission ‘into’ the National Library of Ireland.
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‘SEPARATE BODIES, SEPARATE ROLES’

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During Ministerial questions in Dáil Éireann on Wednesday May 19th 2010 the Minister for Culture, Sport & Tourism, Mary Hanafin, TD acknowledged the sorry state of the National Archives facility at Bishop Street. In reply to Deputies Olivia Mitchell (Fine Gael) and Mary Upton (Labour) the Minister said that ’the storage difficulties at the National Archives are widely acknowledged. A permanent solution would be a new storage building, but in the current economic climate it will not be possible to set aside the necessary resources to construct a new building. However, I am concerned that the best possible use should be made of the accommodation that is currently available to the National Archives. There is a large warehouse behind the National Archives’ Bishop Street offices in which many archives are being stored. Unfortunately, the roof of the warehouse is of poor quality. As a result, many of the records have to be stored in waterproof plastic bales to protect them from damage and are not readily accessible to the public. The other main National Archives record store is located within the Four Courts complex, which makes retrieval difficult and relatively expensive.’

However, besides asking the Office of Public Works to keep the matter under review and to undertake certain remedial works the Minister ruled out any further investment in the building. On the issue of the proposed amalgamation of the National Archives, Irish Manuscripts Commission and the National Library the Minister appears to have taken on-board this Society’s position on the merger. The Minister assured Deputies that she was ‘absolutely satisfied that whatever processes and procedures are put in place will ensure the existence of two separate bodies with two independent directors and two separate roles. Moreover, these roles and the services provided will not change. This proposal is to ensure that such services are improved and that best use can be made of the facilities that would be available for both.’

The matter was raised again by the Leaders of the Fine Gael and Labour Parties on Tuesday June 1st 2010. An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, TD, in reply to parliamentary questions from Deputies Enda Kenny (Fine Gael) and Éamon Gilmore (Labour) clarified his governments plans for the merger of these institutions. He told the Dáil ‘that the Government has indicated that the National Archives, the Irish Manuscripts Commission and the National Library of Ireland shall be merged into a new national library and archives of Ireland. That merger will require amendment of the National Archives Act 1986 and the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Deputy Mary Hanafin, proposes to update the relevant archival legislation as part of that process. The new draft legislation will abolish three separate existing bodies and establish a new body. The initial draft of the legislation has been completed and transmitted to the directors of the National Archives and National Library and to the chairman of the Irish Manuscripts Commission for their observations. It is intended to bring the legislation before the Houses this year and it is the Minister’s intention to reappoint the council in a new guise in order to advise on the amalgamation process as soon as she has the observations of the directors and the chairman of the Irish Manuscripts Commission.’

Some degree of clarity is slowly emerging on this proposed merger but unfortunately there is still no commitment to any meaningful public consultation. But the continued insistence that this merger will result in savings through the sharing of ‘back-office services and technology’ requires greater scrutiny as such savings, if any, could simply be achieved contractually between the institutions without costly and cumbersome legislative measures. The Minister should focus instead on the benefits of modernising the legislative basis for the State’s archival services.

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette – June 2010

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/42458270/

Michael Merrigan

LEGISLATIVE REFORM REQUIRED

2010-05-12T10:26:00.006+01:00

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A Chairde,

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The issue of the Irish government’s proposal to merge the National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission ‘into’ the National Library of Ireland is certainly coming under increasing scrutiny as the original decision underpinning this so called ‘budgetary measure’ is beginning to look like the proverbial ‘back of the envelope job’.

In a written reply to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Deputy Phil Hogan on April 20th 2010, Minister Mary Hanafin confirmed that ‘the basis on which the decision to merge the National Archives and the Irish Manuscripts Commission into the National Library was the consideration that more effective use of scarce resources and better value for money can be obtained by combining similar ’back office’ administrative functions together with certain technical functions that are currently common across the three bodies.’

On April 27th 2010 Deputy Hogan sought clarification on ‘the type of technical functions proposed to be merged; the effect that this will have on the respective collections of the institutions in question; the estimated savings from this proposal; the breakdown on the way these savings will be achieved.’

But in a written reply the Minister seemed to offer little by way of clarification saying that ‘the types of technical functions that are common to the institutions in question and which will be considered for merger are: Paper Conservation, Digitisation, Collections Management, Exhibitions, Education and Outreach and Maps. It is anticipated that this will have a beneficial effect on the collections of the institutions and it will be easier to exhibit material from the national collections held than is currently the case. While the exact future cost savings are difficult to isolate it is clear that savings can be achieved by this measure.’

The matter was also raised on April 27th and 28th in Seanad Éireann (Senate) by Senator Ivana Bacik who sought a debate on the proposed merger, however, in reply the Leader, Senator Donie Cassidy, seemed less than forthcoming on any commitment to arrange for such a debate.

No doubt the Minister will face further probing on this issue in Dáil Éireann on May 19th when she is scheduled to take Ministerial questions. But the time for prevarication on this issue is over as clearly any further ‘holding replies’ will fail to convince anyone that the Government has a coherent plan for this proposed merger. Ever since the Minister’s predecessor, Martin Cullen, was forced to admit on Nov. 19th 2008 in Dáil Éireann that ’there may not be any savings’ resulting from this merger, it was abundantly clear that this ’budgetary measure’ lost all credibility.

The Minister’s reply to Deputy Hogan of April 27th is wholly unconvincing as any savings achievable in the areas suggested would be hugely outweighed by the enormous costs involved in the implementation of this proposed merger. It’s time to get real, either drop this nonsensical and fiscally unsound ‘budgetary measure’ or take the opportunity provided to examine the legislative basis of the NAI and NLI.

The Minister should facilitate a meaningful public consultation process to examine the functions and services of these institutions. Such a process could provide the basis for new legislation to modernise, expand and improve on the National Archives Act, 1986 and the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997. This would deliver the ‘legislative amalgamation’ of the institutions whilst retaining their separate functions and identities.

The Minister should seek submissions on:

(1) The NAI in the 21st century including: Archival Policy (other archival resources); Accessibility (30 Year Rule); Digitisation; Local Authority & State Agency Archives; Archives of private institutions; Places of Deposit; Governance; Standing Advisory & User Committees; Links to Third Level Colleges; Education & Outreach Policy; Services to our Diaspora.

(2) The NLI in the 21st century including: Acquisitions Policy; Accessibility; Digitisation; Special Collections (Film, Photographic, Ephemera); Heraldic Services; Governance; Standing Advisory & User Committees; Links to Third Level Colleges; Education & Outreach; Services to our Diaspora.

Undoubtedly, this is a real opportunity for the Minister to produce hugely significant and culturally important legislative reform now. The Minister has a once in a lifetime chance to introduce ‘landmark’ and ‘world class’ archival legislation – such a wonderful opportunity should not be missed for the sake of short term and dubious ‘budgetary measures’.

On a more positive note, the recent decision by the Board of the National Library of Ireland to appoint Ms. Colette O’Flaherty to the position of Manuscripts Keeper and Chief Herald of Ireland is certainly to be welcomed. Ms. O’Flaherty is a highly respected professional librarian who will, no doubt, bring long overdue reforms to the operation of the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland and in doing so, provide Ireland with a professional and internationally respected heraldic service - at long last!!!

Mise le meas,

Michael Merrigan

HUGE ARCHIVES MEETING IN TCD

2010-04-15T17:55:00.007+01:00

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A Chairde,

Dr. Peter Crooks of Trinity College Dublin has to be warmly congratulated on the enormous turnout at the public meeting held in TCD on Saturday April 10th – see posting below.

The meeting was called to highlight the very serious implications of the Government’s proposed amalgamation of the National Archives, National Library and the Irish Manuscripts Commission. Although announced in 2008 as a ’budgetary measure’ this proposed merger, as currently envisaged, could be enormously costly and hugely disruptive.

This huge meeting was moderated by Prof. Diarmaid Ferriter of University College Dublin and was addressed in turn by Irish Society of Archivists representative, Caitríona Crowe, Irish Times columnist, Fintan O’Toole, and TCD Professor Eunan O’Halpin. These presentations were followed by numerous contributions from the floor dealing with all aspects of Irish archival heritage.

Genealogical Society of Ireland Board member, Séamus O’Reilly, raised the serious and anomalous position of the records of the Irish Land Commission which have been moved from the National Archives building in Dublin to a storage facility in Co. Laois. These important records are ‘closed’ to the public, however, a very short Bill could deal with all the imagined or real legal impediments to having the Irish Land Commission records declared public records.

Speaker after speaker condemned the apparent lack of any detailed analysis of the implications of the proposed merger before it was announced as Government policy in October 2008. No cost-benefit analysis, no comparative study, no comprehensive plan and yet, ‘Heads of a Bill’ have been prepared according to various speakers.

Others focused on the need for the Minister to appoint the National Archives Advisory Council (NAAC) under Section 20 of the National Archives Act, 1986, which hasn’t been constituted since 2007. However, if the Minister was to accede to this request now, ironically it could simply render the TCD initiative redundant as the proposed merger could be discussed by the ‘few appointees’ behind closed doors. Indeed, with the Board of the National Library of Ireland and its committees due to complete their first five year terms next month, a long overdue opportunity now exists to open up the membership of these bodies to representatives of academic institutions and of the ordinary users of both the National Library and the National Archives.

Whilst many organisations used the opportunity to publicly air their grievances and their concerns regarding the state of Irish archives, making the contribution on behalf of the Genealogical Society of Ireland, I focused on a strategic response to the proposed merger.

Firstly, the Society cautioned against an open confrontation with the new Minister Mary Hanafin, TD, on this so called ’budgetary measure’ as a cooperative approach may prove more effective.

Secondly, the Society urged the meeting to welcome the possibilities afforded by the required new legislation to deal with the many issues raised. For example, to update the National Archives Act, 1986 to possibly deal with:

+ Electronic data
+ Records of Quangodom
+ 30 Year Rule
+ Historic Medical Records
+ Land Commission Records
+ Places of Deposit
+ Digitisation
+ General Access

And the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 to possibly deal with:

+ Electronic data
+ Web publishing
+ Heraldic services
+ Acquisitions policy
+ Digitisation
+ General access

New legislation offers possibilities to update and to radically overhaul the State’s archival policies and to improve and expand the services offered.

Thirdly, the GSI proffered the idea of ’legislative amalgamation’ that ensures the ’maintenance of the separate functions and identities’ of the National Archives and the National Library as two independently functioning institutions as follows:-

+ Maintenance of identity and function
+ Administrative savings
+ Coordinated policies
+ Expansion of services
+ Accountable governance – including academic and Sectoral representation.
+ Commitment to public’s right of free access
+ Targeted investment in digitisation.
+ Commitment to serve our Diaspora
+ Maintenance of a national inventory of archival collections.
+ Increased powers in respect to places of deposit, standards of maintenance and prohibition on export.
+ Framework for ongoing consultation & cooperation with the Universities and Institutes of Technology.
+ Provisions for the archiving of web based publications.
+ Provisions to ensure that records generated by ‘Quangodom’ are included.
+ Reduction in the 30 year rule.
+ Amending the Statistics, 1993 Act to allow access to Census Records after 70 years.
+ End the anomaly regarding the Land Commission records.
+ Provide for the State’s delivery of heraldic services.
+ Provide for a structured review every ten years to keep pace with technology and usage trends.

Finally, the GSI insisted that the first objective of the proposed ’Action Committee’ should be to demand a meaningful public consultation process in advance of the production of any draft legislation.

I would propose that the Minister should seek submissions from the public and interested bodies on, for example, the following:

+ Services at the National Archives in the 21st century.
+ Archival Policy (other archival resources etc)
+ Accessibility (30 Year Rule etc)
+ Digitisation
+ Local Authority & State Agency Archives
+ Archives held by private institutions
+ Places of Deposit
+ Governance
+ Standing Advisory Committees / User Committees
+ Links to Third Level Colleges
+ Education and Outreach Policy, including services to our Diaspora

+ Services at the National Library in the 21st century.
+ Acquisitions Policy
+ Accessibility
+ Digitisation
+ Special Collections (Film, Photographic, Ephemera etc)
+ Heraldic Services
+ Governance
+ Standing Advisory Committees / User Committees
+ Links to Third Level Colleges
+ Education and Outreach, including services to our Diaspora

As the latter point was the last contribution from the floor, after the meeting many attendees expressed their support for the constructive approach advocated by the Genealogical Society of Ireland. As a totally independent genealogical organisation, arguably the most experienced in legislative matters, the Society has sought membership of the ’Action Committee’.

The GSI views this issue as an immensely important opportunity for legislative reform offering a bright future for both the National Library and the National Archives.

Michael Merrigan

THE FUTURE OF IRISH ARCHIVES

2010-03-22T22:36:00.004Z

Archives in Crisis

A Symposium to Debate the Future of Archives in Irish Society - Saturday 10th April 2010, 15.00hrs to 17.00hrs at the Robert Emmet Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin.

Moderator: Diarmaid Ferriter. Speakers: Fintan O’Toole, Catriona Crowe, Eunan O’Halpin

In 1922 the bulk of Ireland's documentary heritage was destroyed. This symposium poses a stark question: what will be the state of Irish archives in 2022 on the centenary of the Four Courts blaze? Presentations will discuss the cultural significance of archives in Irish society and the proposed merger of the National Archives of Ireland into the National Library. This will be followed by an open forum, during which audience members will have an opportunity to pose questions and share their views on archival policy in Ireland. The meeting will conclude by taking nominations to a new Action on Archives committee, which will seek to make representations to appropriate bodies.

Admission Free – All Welcome

For further information, contact Dr Peter Crooks, pcrooks@tcd.ie (01 896 1368) Organized in association with the Irish Chancery Project, Medieval History Research Centre, Trinity College, Dublin

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

2010-02-16T17:44:00.003Z

A Chairde,

At the February 2010 meeting of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, at which, the various nominations for membership of the County Council's Strategic Policy Committees were considered by the Councillors, I was appointed to the Strategic Policy Committee for the Environment, Culture and Community.

I have been a Sectoral Representative member of the SPCs in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown since their inception back in 1998 and I am looking forward to contributing to the business of the Environment, Culture and Community SPC whilst also furthering my policy objectives in areas such as the protection and promotion of our heritage etc.

I will be posting regular reports on my pursuit of these policy objectives.

Regards

Michael Merrigan

FESTSCHRIFT PUBLISHED

2010-01-26T00:17:00.014Z

‘Féil-Scríbhinn Liam Mhic Alasdair – Essays Presented to Liam Mac Alasdair, FGSI’ edited by Rory Stanley, FGSI. (ISBN 978-1-898471-67-7 : 152pp p/bk) €10.00 Postage: Ireland €1.35 Overseas €3.00 On Tuesday December 8th 2009, at the inauguration of its third President, Rory Stanley, FGSI, the Genealogical Society of Ireland launched its first ever ‘Festschrift’ or ‘celebration publication’ of essays in honour of longstanding Member, Fellow and former Director, Liam Mac Alasdair, FGSI.

‘Féil-Scríbhinn Liam Mhic Alasdair’ opens with the President Rory J. Stanley detailing Liam Mac Alasdair’s enormous contribution to the Society and Irish genealogy since he joined the Society in 1991. Indeed, former President, Tony McCarthy MA, FGSI, goes further in his exploration of ‘Eight Decades of Irish Genealogy’ by placing Liam’s contribution in the context of the development of Irish genealogy since the 1930s. The eminent constitutional lawyer and renowned heraldic authority, Prof. Noel Cox of Auckland, New Zealand, explores ‘The principles of international law governing the Sovereign authority for the creation and administration of Orders of Chivalry’ and looks at the Order of St. Patrick which was established in 1783.

Philip Lecane, author of ‘Torpedoed – The Sinking of RMS Leinster’ and many articles on the soldiers of the Great War tells the story of ‘Marie Martin: An Irish Nurse in the First World War’ whilst Seán M. Mac Brádaigh examines ‘The Genealogies in the Irish manuscripts’.

Caroline McCall asks ‘Will the Real Baron of Clonmore Please Stand Up!’ while John Hamrock delves into ‘The origins and chief locations of the O Gara sept’. Our new Vice-President, The O Morchoe, provides a military history perspective in ‘Bringing back the memory’ as bother and sister, Michaël Merrigan and Katrijne Merrigan from Belgium look at the Irish Diaspora in ‘The name of our father’.

Garda Jim Herlihy deals with the belated recognition of a co-founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in ‘Thomas St George MacCarthy’ who is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery. Róisín Lafferty details ‘The tragic incident of WW2 - the Ballymanus mine explosion 1943’ as Bartosz Kozłowski addresses another aspect of Irish Diaspora studies in ‘Polish-Irish connections are centuries old’.

Irish lecturer, historian and renowned genealogist, Seán J. Murphy, provides a study of ‘The Gardiner Family, Dublin, and Mountjoy, County Tyrone’. Items in the ‘GSI Archive’ are explored by Séamus O’Reilly.

Michael Merrigan asks ‘Is there a Case for Indigenous Ethnic Status in Ireland?’ whilst, local historian, James Scannell examines the development ‘From Local District Defence Force Command Unit to Reserve Defence Force Infantry Battalion’.

Barry O’Connor and his team provide a complete listing of the Memorial Inscriptions of ‘St. Canice’s Cemetery, Barrack Lane, Finglas’. Biographical Notes on the Contributors are provided just before the ‘Closing Message from An Cathaoirleach’ by Séamus Moriarty. Copies of this special limited publication are available, as stocks last, priced €10.00 plus postage €1.35 (Ireland) & €3.00 (overseas).

http://www.familyhistory.ie/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=249

Dún Laoghaire Town Football Club

2010-01-03T13:46:00.003Z

A Chairde,

On December 31st 2009, after serving for eight very enjoyable years on the Board of Dún Laoghaire Town Football Club, I stepped down as Chairman and as a Director of the Club. The text of my letter to the Company Secretary, as published on the Club's own web-blog, is as follows:

17th December 2009

Derek McAsey
Company Secretary
Dún Laoghaire Town Football Club Ltd.
121, Oliver Plunkett Road
Monkstown
Co. Dublin

c.c. Board of Directors.

Dear Derek,

I am writing to you as the Company Secretary of the Football Club to advise you of my decision to step down as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and as a member thereof, with effect as and from Thursday December 31st 2009.

It is with sincere regret that I have made this decision, however, with an anticipated increase in the demand on my time in the New Year due to studies and research, I can no longer make even an adequate commitment to the administration of the Club and this would, in my opinion, fall very far short of what is required or expected of a Chairperson and a Director.

My decision to step down before the recommencement of the Season will permit the Club to elect a person with the time and dedication necessary to see the Club through its current short-term difficulties and possibly, to explore new horizons based on the Shanganagh Cliffs catchment area.

Whilst, many objectives that we set for the Club are yet to be realised, others were successfully achieved and the fruits of our labours in this respect are manifold. It is now up to others to take the Club further and to develop the potential afforded by the plans envisaged for the playing fields at Shanganagh Cliffs. These plans offer many exciting opportunities for the expansion of the Club's activities and the inclusion of schoolboy teams.

In conclusion, I wish to thank all my colleagues for their advice and support throughout the past eight years. I have most certainly enjoyed and valued my time with the Club and indeed, I was privileged to get to know and work with some exceptionally talented individuals over those years - they are the solid bedrock upon which the bright future of the Club can assuredly depend.

I wish the Board and the Club every possible success in the future on and off the field of play.

Kindest regards,

Michael

Michael Merrigan
Chairperson
Dún Laoghaire Town Football Club Ltd.

Heraldically Sixty Years Late?

2009-10-30T01:29:00.007Z

A Chairde,

The 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Ireland and the State’s departure from the then British Commonwealth of Nations in April 1949 went unmarked by any official ceremony earlier this year.

However, despite all the new arrangements brought about by the 1998 Belfast Agreements that utterly transformed the often fractious relationship between the peoples and nations of this archipelago, it appears that some unfinished heraldic business remains.

Although this transformation has been very positive and indeed, excellent political relations now exist between the sovereign governments in London and Dublin, and on the island of Ireland, the enormous problems caused by political symbolism and official nomenclature in the past must be fully appreciated by all concerned.

For example, royal, civic or official heraldic symbolism is generally reflective of a claimed position of governance, sovereignty or territorial integrity. Therefore, in Northern Ireland a great deal of effort and thought has successfully created a shared or neutral symbolism for the insignia of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The political focus over the past two decades has been on the resolution of the northern conflict and rightly so, including the ending of the Republic’s territorial claim over the North. Only now in these more enlightened times can some attention be paid to the unresolved heraldic matter between London and Dublin.

Independent Ireland adopted the ancient heraldic symbol of Ireland—Azure a Harp Or Stringed Argent and indeed, just over two decades later in 1945 it was registered with the Chief Herald of Ireland as the Arms of Ireland.

The [British] Royal Arms remained unchanged after Irish independence in 1922 as the King remained constitutionally Ireland’s head of state until 1949, however, without any domestic function in Éire after 1936. A point which has cast some doubt over the legality of the functions of Ulster King of Arms between 1936 and 1943.

However, a provision of the Ireland Act, 1949 enacted by the UK Parliament has not been given heraldic expression even after sixty years. Section 1 (1) of that Act states ‘It is hereby recognised and declared that the part of Ireland heretofore known as Eire ceased, as from the eighteenth day of April, nineteen hundred and forty-nine, to be part of His Majesty’s dominions.’

But the [British] Royal Arms still contain the Harp representing dominion or sovereignty over the island of Ireland. A cynic might suggest that such heraldic tardiness smacks of irredentism, however, with the devolution of powers to Stormont almost complete, maybe the time is right to replace the Harp with the above agreed symbol of the Northern Ireland Assembly—a flax plant with six flowers representing the six counties of Northern Ireland.

There are, of course, legislative, historic, political and heraldic precedents for such a change in the [British] Royal Arms with the dropping of the claim to the sovereignty over France in 1801 and the removal of the Arms of France, and the removal of the Arms of Kingdom of Hanover in 1837.

A good neighbourly gesture now by the UK perhaps?

Michael Merrigan, MA, FGSI

SPC System Under Review by County Council

2009-10-04T22:37:00.011+01:00

A Chairde,

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is currently undetaking a review of the workings of its Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) and I have been invited to submit my views. I have been a Sectoral Representative member of various SPCs since their introduction (1998), however, most of that time was spent as a member of the Culture, Community Development and Amenities SPC.

Hereunder, please find some random thoughts on the process.

1. The SPCs and especially, the expertise of the Sectoral Representatives, are under utilised in the formulation of policy documents.

2. The policy documents discussed / considered by the SPCs are merely 'rubber-stamped' by the SPCs with some slight amendment.

3. The current structure of the meetings of the SPCs unfortunately considerably hampers real functionality.

4. The commitment shown by the elected representatives to the SPC process varies widely and is generally a cause of concern.

5. The operation of a process that barely holds the required quorum seriously undermines the whole SPC concept.

6. The organisation of the agendas for SPCs reinforces the perception of irrelevance and process for process-sake.

7. The front-loading of the meetings with slideshows and presentations from officials hampers any real policy debate or scrutiny.

8. Agenda items should be arranged to front-load strategic policy matters rather than ordinary reports or occasional updates.

9. The lack of any feedback whatsoever from Council on any policy decisions or proposals is disappointing and damaging to morale.

10. The lack of any business referred to the SPC by Council or indeed, by the CPG reinforces the perception of function deficit.

11. The SPCs should formulate a work-programme in conjunction with officials for each coming year.

12. The SPC members should be encouraged to initiate policy by proposals and debate.

13. The use of sub-committees of the SPCs to produce policy documents / proposals should be encouraged and supported.

14. A 'Public Petition Process' which would facilitate the presentation of policy ideas by non-SPC members should be considered.

15. Reserving one Sectoral Representative place on each SPC for Student/Youth (Transition Year?) inclusion should be considered.

16. The production and publication of SPC Annual Reports should be considered and such should include future work-programmes.

17. The operation of a public comment line on the Council's Website dealing with strategic policy matters could inform the SPCs.

18. SPC Agendas should include an item specifically catering for Sectoral Representative Business to value and recognise input.

19. The electronic circulation of policy documents in advance of the SPC meetings would inform debate and decisions.

20. The right of a Sectoral Representative to attend, as an observer, the meetings of other SPCs should be upheld.

21. The parameters of the areas under the aegis of each SPC should be clearly mapped-out for each member.

22. Joint meetings of SPCs should be encouraged where appropriate to deal with matters/areas of mutual concern.

23. An information booklet containing the information on each SPC's function, details of officials concerned etc should be produced.

24. A council official should be designated as the Sectoral Representative Liaison Officer for each SPC to advise and assist the SRs.

25. The contribution of the Sectoral Representatives to the SPC process is largely under-valued or simply overlooked.

Michael Merrigan, MA, FGSI
General Secretary
Genealogical Society of Ireland

Fanciful Notions Distort the Historical Narrative

2009-08-31T19:28:00.009+01:00

A Chairde

August 2009 was the tenth anniversary of the ‘de-recognition’ of ‘The MacCarthy Mór’ by the Chief Herald of Ireland in July 1999 following years of speculation and controversy regarding the validity of Mr. Terence McCarthy’s claim to Gaelic chieftainship. Indeed, during his tenure as the recognised ‘The MacCarthy Mór’ this flamboyant claimant from Belfast succeeded in expanding the notion of Gaelic chieftainship to include the granting of 'baronial titles' to his followers and the establishment of a ‘royal court’ much to the amusement and annoyance of some of the genuine chiefs. Whilst, the ‘bogus chiefs’ affair has all the ingredients for a satirical comedy on fanciful notions of nobility in a republic, however, it is unfortunate that the serious underlying causes for this scandal have not attracted the attention of investigative journalists or documentary makers.

Finally, in July 2003 the State formally abolished the facility of ’courtesy recognition’ afforded to Irish Gaelic chiefs – which had no constitutional basis whatsoever. But this unwittingly placed all Gaelic chiefs, bogus and legitimate, in the same predicament. At the root of this ’bogus chiefs’ scandal was a failure on behalf of the State’s officials to properly examine claims for recognition or indeed, to have such examined by competent researchers.

Some have very convincingly argued that if the procedures established by Ireland’s first Chief Herald had been observed the State would have been spared the embarrassment of the ’bogus chiefs’ scandal. Documentation lodged with the Chief Herald was found to be ‘lacking in genealogical integrity’ as dates, events and other pertinent facts were omitted, altered or ’created’ for the exercise.

The publication of a detailed background to the ’bogus chiefs’ affair by lecturer and genealogist, Mr. Seán Murphy, MA, should have encouraged the development of a climate of careful investigation of facts and procedures at the ’office’ of the Chief Herald of Ireland. However, instead of seeking an official inquiry into the circumstances which permitted the ‘bogus chiefs’ and related scandals to bring Irish heraldry into international disrepute, vested interests sought to deflect attention away from the core issues by attacking those uncovering and publishing the details of this scandal.

Indeed, claims on the website of the National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/ continue to undermine the integrity of the ‘office’ and prove that little or nothing has been learned from past controversies. Visitors to the website are informed that ‘the post of Ulster King of Arms, Herald of all Ireland, was created by the Crown in 1552 and continued under the name until 1943 when the Office of Arms was transferred to the Government of Ireland and renamed the Genealogical Office’ and that ‘in 1943 heraldic responsibility passed to the Irish State. Dr Edward MacLysaght, styled Chief Genealogical Officer to which was later added Chief Herald of Ireland, succeeded to the functions and powers of Ulster King of Arms.’

The above statements ’lack historical integrity’ and indicate that the fanciful notions of some vested interests persist. But visitors to the National Library website would find it very difficult to establish the true facts of the matter. Indeed, unlike investigating a corporate body where details are freely available from the Companies Registration Office website http://www.cro.ie/ or indeed, a person’s birth, marriage or death details from the General Register Office, checking the veracity of the statements on the origin of Irish heraldic authority is difficult. Most published accounts of its origin tended to just ’absorb’ the official line as stated on the website without qualification. No doubt it’s simply a case of ’say it long enough and convincingly enough’ and it becomes a part of the historical narrative of Irish heraldry.

Without restating the facts here it is suffice to quote from a small piece on the front page of ‘The Age’ newspaper published at Melbourne, Australia on March 26th 1943 with the headline ‘End of Ancient Office’ and then the writer very succinctly presents the facts of the story as follows. ‘The last relic of British rule in Éire will vanish this month, when the office of Ulster King of Arms in Dublin Castle will be wound up. The office was created in 1552. Valuable heraldic documents which were formerly under the care of this official will be transferred to an Irish state department.’ Simple and to the point, the British closed the office and transferred its contents to the Irish—absolutely nothing more. Legally the current Irish heraldic authority only dates from May 2005 and not 1943.

The Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006 sought to provide a sound legal basis for the delivery of Irish heraldic services and to regulate the situation for all grants made by the Chief Heralds of Ireland between 1943 and 2005. Though, this Bill was not accepted by the then Minister, Mr. John O’Donoghue, TD, it was sent to the Board of the National Library for its consideration. Indeed, Irish heraldic services were suspended for a period of eight months in 2007 due to the legal uncertainties surrounding the State’s delivery of such services. On 25 October 2007, the State finally agreed that it had no power to grant arms between 1943 and 2005 – but this is not reflected in the information on the NLI website. Calls to amend the NLI website have been ignored. However, for genealogists, historians and heraldists, the importance of the publication of verifiable information such as dates, sources, events etc should always be of the utmost concern.

Senator Alex White introduced a short bill - National Cultural Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2008 - which aims to deal with the anomalies created by the implementation of Sections 12 and 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 in May 2005. However, with Government plans to amalgamate the National Library and the National Archives new legislation will be required. It remains to be seen if the Minister will address this matter in such legislation.

Placenames Purely a Planning Matter?

2009-08-10T12:39:00.007+01:00

A Chairde,

By way of clarification, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has included the following section in the Draft County Development Plan, however, it does not address the central issue of the Draft Placenames Heritage Policy document which was to cover more than just new developments. Section 16.3.7 below is for all future developments with no commitment to correct or amend existing problems.

(TEXT)

(iii) Naming of Residential Estates

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown placenames are an important part of the County’s cultural heritage and reflect local history from ancient times to the present. It is Council policy therefore that the naming of streets and residential estates shall reflect local place names or local people of note, heritage, language or topographical features as appropriate, and shall incorporate old place names from the locality as much as possible. Bi-lingual and Irish-language signs will be mandatory.

(END TEXT)

This is very much a minimalist approach to the problem as it only concerns new estates and new streets (or the renaming of existing ones), it does absolutely nothing to preserve the existing placenames heritage by dealing with the inconsistencies, inaccuracies and anomalies of the current naming (including Irish language translations) and signage. It does not, for example, require the Council to correct these signs nor indeed, to have any public consultation on the issue of placenames heritage.

A commitment to public consultation on this issue and a commitment to ensure that existing placenames are correctly shown on signage is the central issue of the Draft County Placenames Heritage Policy and the placing of such under the County Heritage Officer.

To this end, Section 16.3.7 is totally inadequate as it, in effect, confines the issue of our placenames heritage to new developments and therefore, a planning rather than a heritage matter.

So the very dubious translations such as An Naigín (Sallynoggin), Cábán tSíle (Cabinteely), Baile an Róistigh (Rochestown) and the number of Irish versions of Glenageary (Gleann na gCaorach / Gleann na Gaorthaidh / Gleann na Gaorthaibh) remain as such existing errors or anomalies are not covered by Section 16.3.7.

So signage such as the following remains:

Ascaill Radharc an Teampáill (avenue)
Churchview Road

Dún Laoghaire (Irish)
Dun Laoghaire (English version without the 'fada' ???)

Tite Mac Piarais (fallen? spelling?)
Pearse Villas

Bailtíní Sáile an Cnocáin (meaning what?)
Sallynoggin Villas

And, of course, many many more besides....

Mise le meas,

Michael Merrigan
General Secretary
Genealogical Society of Ireland

PLACENAMES POLICY CAMPAIGN

2009-08-02T17:28:00.008+01:00

A Chairde,

Following on from the theme of the annual meeting of International Celtic Congress held in Sligo this weekend as shown on RTÉ News http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0801/6news_av.html?2588791,null,230 (the news story commences after a short advert that some may feel is very apt indeed) you may also like to read the Draft County Placenames Policy produced on behalf of the Genealogical Society of Ireland and, in particular, note its proposed treatment of placenames in Ireland that are derived from other Celtic languages etc.

Back in August 2007, on behalf of the Society, I prepared a detailed proposal for presentation to the Strategic Policy Committee for Culture, Community Development & Amenities of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The proposal was placed on the Agenda for the September 2007 meeting of the SPC, however, as there was insufficient time to consider the document in detail, it was deferred to the December 2007 meeting.

The proposal sought to have a County Placenames Policy adopted by the County Council and it received the unanimous support of the members of the SPC at the Dec. 5th 2007 meeting and was recommended to the Council and sent to the Law Department for consideration.

In the meantime, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council prepared a Draft County Development Plan and invited submissions from the general public. Whilst, it was expected that the issue of a County Placenames Policy would have been contained in the Draft Development Plan, unfortunately this has not been included.

Therefore, as part of the Public Consultation Process, the Society’s Draft County Placenames Policy document was presented, once again, to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for inclusion in the County Development Plan - see: www.dlrcoco.ie

Should you wish to make your views known to the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on this issue you could address such to:

Cllr. Marie Baker
Cathaoirleach
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
County Hall
Dún Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Ireland

E-mail: mbaker@cllr.dlrcoco.ie

Pending the County Council’s decision on this matter, as a person concerned about local history and heritage matters you may like to view the document by clicking on the link below.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/9108186/

Go raibh mile maith agaibh.

Mise le meas

Michael Merrigan

General Secretary
Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann
Genealogical Society of Ireland
11, Desmond Avenue
Dún Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
IRELAND
http://www.familyhistory.ie/

Irish Heraldry 2006-2009 'Campaign for Reform'

2009-07-18T21:34:00.009+01:00

A Chairde,

The Houses of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) are now in summer recess without, once again, having made any significant progress on resolving the ‘heraldic mess’ created by the implementation of Sections 12 and 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 in May 2005.

Therefore, in anticipation of a renewed campaign in the autumn, it may be useful to review developments since May 2005 to date by firstly noting the wording of the current public information on the website of the National Library of Ireland.

To the following should be added the endeavours of other campaigners seeking to have the ‘office’ of the Chief Herald of Ireland reformed etc.

1. CURRENT CLAIM

The current legal status of Irish heraldic servises and the origin of the Irish ‘heraldic authority’ – as claimed by the ‘office’ of the Chief Herald of Ireland is detailed on the website of the National Library of Ireland as follows:-

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND WEBSITE
Current public information provided by the National Library of Ireland.

(TEXT)

The post of Ulster King of Arms, Herald of all Ireland, was created by the Crown in 1552 and continued under the name until 1943 when the Office of Arms was transferred to the Government of Ireland and renamed the Genealogical Office. Since then, the Office has operated as a branch of the National Library and under the direction of the Chief Herald of Ireland.

(END TEXT)

http://www.nli.ie/en/intro/heraldry-introduction.aspx (extracted July 4, 2009)

(TEXT)

The first Ulster King of Arms was Bartholomew Butler, who by Letters Patent of 1 June 1552, was granted 'all rights, profits, commodities and emoluments in that office … with power … of inspecting, overseeing and correcting, and embodying the arms and ensigns of illustrious persons and of imposing and ordaining differences therein, according to the Laws of Arms: of granting Letters Patent of Arms to men of rank and fit persons; and of doing … all things which by right of custom were known to be incumbent of the office of a King of Arms'. The post continued until the death of its last incumbent, Sir Nevile Wilkinson, in 1941. Thomas Sadlier, Deputy Ulster, continued to operate the office until 1943.

In 1943 heraldic responsibility passed to the Irish State. Dr Edward MacLysaght, styled Chief Genealogical Officer to which was later added Chief Herald of Ireland, succeeded to the functions and powers of Ulster King of Arms. The old title of 'Ulster' was attached to the existing post of 'Norroy King of Arms', a member of the English College of Arms.

(END TEXT)

http://www.nli.ie/en/history-of-the-office-of-the-chief-herald.aspx (extracted July 4, 2009)

2. CURRENT LEGISLATION

DEPARTMENT OF ARTS, SPORT & TOURISM
3 May 2005

May 2005 – the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 was implemented by Minister. The Board of the National Library was established and eventually, Chief Herald of Ireland was appointed to fill the vacancy left since the retirement in 2003 of previous incumbent.

National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997

http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/acts/1997/a1197.pdf

3. FIRST PROPOSED REMEDY

SEANAD ÉIREANN
May 2006

Genealogy and Heraldry Bill, 2006 published by Senator Brendan Ryan (right).

http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2006/2306/b2306s.pdf

DÁIL ÉIREANN
7 November 2006

Parliamentary Questions tabled by Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, TD to the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr. John O’Donoghue, TD.

(TEXT)

358. Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to an article in a newspaper (details supplied) that states that the College of Arms in London has difficulties recognising Irish grants and confirmations of arms because of the questions regarding their legal validity; and that this may be causing embarrassing difficulties for certain individuals domiciled outside the State who received grants from the Chief Herald of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36538/06]

359. Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position of copyright in respect of arms granted by the Chief Herald of Ireland between 1 April 1943 and the coming into effect of S.I. No. 219/2005; Bord Leabharlann Náisiúnta Na hÉireann (Establishment Day) Order 2005 on 3 May 2005; if copyright was transferred to the grantee by virtue of the letters patent issued by the Chief Herald of Ireland during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36539/06]

360. Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will confirm newspaper report (details supplied) that in or about June 2002 the Attorney General advised the Chief Herald of Ireland that he had no power to grant arms and that the genealogical office was in effect an illegal organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36540/06]

361. Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if in view of the fact that the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 only recognised the existence of the Genealogical Office as a branch of the National Library and thereby confirmed the status quo which had existed since 1943, he will agree that primary legislation is now required to empower the Chief Herald to continue granting arms and to retrospectively validate grants made from 1943 when the Genealogical Office was established by the Allocation of Administration (Genealogical Office) Order, 1943 following the transfer of the title and functions of the former Crown Office to London and the transfer of the records and treasures of that office to the State [36541/06]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue): I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 to 361, inclusive, together.

I have no statutory function in relation to the grant of arms in question. S. I. No. 219 of 2005 established the National Library of Ireland as an autonomous non-commercial semi-state body under the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997. The matters raised are thus a day to day matter for the National Library of Ireland.

I refer the Deputy to Section 12 (2) b and 13 (1), (2) and (3) of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 in regard to the status of the Chief Herald and the copyright question. I have not been advised by the Board of the NLI that there are deficiencies in the underpinning legislation. Should such deficiencies arise I would expect the Board to bring them to my attention.

(END TEXT)

SEANAD ÉIREANN
12 December 2006

Second Stage debate on Genealogy and Heraldry Bill, 2006

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=SEN20061212.xml&Node=H7#H7

Minister (John O’Donoghue, TD) disputes need for the Bill, however, promises to refer it to the Board of the National Library to consider the points raised by the Bill.

National Library of Ireland suspends heraldic services for eight months in 2007 because of the doubts over the legal basis upon which such are delivered by the Chief Herald of Ireland.

4. HERALDIC ISSUES DETAILED

COLLEGE OF ARMS, LONDON
June 2006

College of Arms Newsletter carries report on the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006 and notes that the Bill ‘seeks to provide a legislative framework for the delivery of genealogical and heraldic services by the Irish state’ and that it ‘aims to clarify the legal and statutory basis on which the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland makes grants of Arms to individuals and corporate bodies’.

http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Newsletter/009.pdf

CHIEF HERALD OF IRELAND
6 September 2006

Chief Herald of Ireland states that he is ‘unaware of any notion that the College of Arms does not recognise the validity of Irish grants’ and that ‘from 1943 until the implementation of the National Cultural Institutions Act the Office operated under an order made under the Ministers and Secretaries Act. To the best of my knowledge the Minister had the power to make such an order and that no specific legislation was required.’

In the same correspondence he dismissed the widespread doubts about the legality of Irish grants saying ‘What ‘international heraldists’, the College of Arms or any other body may or not believe is immaterial to the functioning of this office’.

Substantial file of correspondence forwarded to the Chief Herald and Board of the National Library of Ireland concerning two cases where the College of Arms situation was unambiguously presented.

Note: Several newspaper articles were published on the Irish heraldic issue in the period May 2006 to December 2007 – a selection as follows:-

THE IRISH TIMES
22 May 2006

‘Heraldry can help to honour Ireland’s icons’ by Michael Merrigan

IRISH ROOTS MAGAZINE
No. 38 – 2006 Second Quarter

‘Genealogy and Heraldry Bill, 2006’ by Michael Merrigan

THE PHOENIX MAGAZINE
6 October 2006

‘A New Call to Arms’

THE SUNDAY TIMES
29 October 2006

‘Irish coats of arms ‘have no legal basis’ by John Burns

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article616836.ece

DAILY MAIL (UK)
30 October 2006

‘Garter King questions legal basis of the Irish Chief herald’

‘Family coasts of arms may be worthless’ by Niamh Herbert

THE PHOENIX MAGAZINE
3 November 2006

‘English No to Irish Arms’

SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
19 November 2006

‘Lap-dancers may don President’s coat of arms, and it’s all Dev’s fault’ by John Drennan

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/lapdancers-may-don-presidents-coat-of-arms-and-its-all-devs-fault-137141.html

IRISH INDEPENDENT
15 October 2007

'Coat of arms awards suspended after legal challenge’ by Michael Brennan

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/heraldry-office-in-arms-crisis-1166855.html

IRISH INDEPENDENT – REVIEW
20 October 2007

‘A Farewell to Arms? - With the official Irish heraldry office’s legitimacy in doubt, that family crest may well turn out to be quite meaningless.’ By Kim Bielenberg

IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY
21 October 2007

‘Arm-ageddon’ by Nicola Byrne

‘State knew the truth in 2002 but did nothing’

SUNDAY INDEPENDENT
21 October 2007

‘Red hat’ for new cardinal could mean red faces for Government’ by John Drennan

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/john-drennan/red-hat-for-new-cardinal-could-mean-red-faces-for-government-1200543.html

THE IRISH TIMES
25 October 2007

‘New heraldry law needed urgently, society claims’ by John Downes.

DÚN LAOGHAIRE EXPRESS
26 October 2007

‘Council plunged into ‘arms crisis’ by Niall Foley

IRISH INDEPENDENT
22 January 2008

‘Heraldic Museum is dearly missed’ by Ronan Sheehan

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/heraldic-museum-is-dearly-missed-1271347.html

IRISH INDEPENDENT
29 May 2009

‘New coat of arms for ‘ancient’ city’ by Barry Duggan

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/new-coat-of-arms-for-ancient-city-1754818.html

JOURNAL OF THE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND

‘The Irish Law of Arms – a lingering question of authority’ by Noel Cox

Journal of the Genealogical Society of Ireland (2006) Vol. 7 (2) p 75-103

http://www.familyhistory.ie/docs/The%20Irish%20Law%20of%20Arms%20%96%20a%20lingering%20question%20of%20authority.pdf

‘IRELAND’S GENEALOGICAL GAZETTE’

‘Decisive Action by NLI Board Welcomed – But Future of Irish Heraldry in Doubt’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2007) Vol. 2 No. 9

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8108076/

‘Parliamentary Questions Disallowed by Ceann Comhairle (Speaker)’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2007) Vol. 2 No. 10 p.4

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8107989/

‘The continuing saga of Sections 12 and 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997’ by Noel Cox

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2007) Vol. 2 No. 11 p.4

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8107700/

‘The legal status of Grants of Arms by the Ulster King of Arms’ 1936-1943’ by Noel Cox

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2007) Vol. 2 No. 12 p.4

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2897443/

Clear Blue Water between NLI Board and ‘Shambles of the Past’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2008) Vol. 3 No. 2

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2625762/

‘Amalgamation of Institutions – Good Decision – Flawed Motive’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2008) Vol. 3 No. 11

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2523734/

‘National Heraldic Register to Give Legal Status to Coats-of-Arms’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2009) Vol. 4 No. 1

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/3535859/

‘Amalgamation of Institutions – Meaningful Consultation Required’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2009) Vol. 4 No. 2

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/4324120/

‘Merger - Another Costly Fiasco? - No Comprehensive Plan – No Public Consultation’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2009) Vol. 4 No. 3

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/4801683/

‘Ombudsman, National Consumer Agency to Examine Heraldic Mess?’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2009) Vol. 4 No. 5

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/5865944/

‘Limerick City Arms Confirmed’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2009) Vol. 4 No. 6

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/7069156/

‘Minister Rules Out Compensation’

Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (2009) Vol. 4 No. 7

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/8271103/

5. OFFICIAL ADMISSION OF LEGAL PROBLEM

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND PRESS RELEASE

(TEXT)

Office of the Chief Herald
24 October 2007

Following public questioning of the legal basis of the National Library of Ireland’s heraldic functions, the Board of the National Library suspended the exercise of those functions pending receipt of the advice of the Attorney General on the matter.

That advice is to the effect that, on a proper construction of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, the Board can exercise the heraldic powers provided for in the Act although, with minor amendment, the wording of the Act could be made more succinct.

The Board of the Library has formally brought this advice to the attention of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and understands that the matter is under his consideration.

However, in light of the advice it has received, the Board is satisfied that it can exercise the heraldic powers conferred on it by the 1997 Act and has, accordingly, lifted its temporary suspension on doing so.

The Board is aware that doubts exist regarding the legal basis of heraldic functions exercised in the State prior to the establishment of the Board. Such issues that may exist or arise in that regard are matters to be addressed by the State, and not by the National Library of Ireland.

(END TEXT)

http://www.nli.ie/en/list/press-releases.aspx

DÁIL ÉIREANN
25 October 2007

Parliamentary Questions to the Minister of Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr. Séamus Brennan, TD

(TEXT – extract)
Deputy Séamus Brennan: Between 1949 and 2005 there was probably no power to grant the coats of arms that were being granted at the time by the Genealogical Office under the Chief Herald. In 1997, legislation passed by these Houses effectively legalised or regularised the post of Chief Herald. The legislation provides that “The Board shall, from time to time as occasion requires, designate a member of its staff to perform the duty of researching, granting and confirming coats of arms and such member shall use the appellation Chief Herald of Ireland or, in the Irish language, Príomh Aralt na hÉireann while performing such duties.”

I am advised by the Attorney General that if we want to be absolutely certain that those coats of arms that were issued between 1949 and 2005 are all above board, we probably need to introduce a short Bill. His office assures me that would regularise the position. There is no difficulty at present because the Attorney General has advised that the Chief Herald can carry on with his duties. I am sure that is an enormous relief to everybody in the House.

(END TEXT – extract)

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20071025.xml&Node=H15-3#H15-3

Note: the year 1949 quoted above should have actually have stated 1943.

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND - ANNUAL REPORT (2007)

(TEXT)

Developing and promoting heraldic collections

Following public concerns about the legal basis of the Board’s heraldic functions, the exercise of these functions was suspended in January 2007, pending receipt of advice from the Attorney General. That advice was to the effect that, on a proper construction of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, the Board can exercise the heraldic powers provided for in the Act. In the light of this advice, the Board was satisfied that it could exercise the heraldic powers conferred on it by the 1997 Act and, accordingly, in October it lifted its temporary suspension. There were 20 applications for grants of arms in 2007. However, no client fees were accepted prior to October, owing to the suspension of the Chief Herald’s functions. The legal advice referred to above noted that doubts existed as to the statutory basis for the exercise of heraldic functions prior to the coming into effect in 2005 of the relevant provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997. As this issue relates to matters that predate the establishment of the Board, the advice was brought to the attention of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.

The ‘back register’ project
The ‘back register’ project concerns the creation of new hardcopy artwork from the black and white and text entries by which Registers of Arms between the 1930s and 1980s were maintained. The new full-colour material will be made available online as it is completed and digitised, thus providing a valuable resource for both Office staff and public alike. Throughout 2007 a further 105 paintings were completed and, by the end of the year, 132 were online.

(END TEXT)

Annual Report of the Board of the National Library of Ireland 2007 (p.13) http://www.nli.ie/

6. SECOND PROPOSED REMEDY

SEANAD ÉIREANN
19 December 2008

National Cultural Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2008

http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2008/6608/b6608s.pdf

Bill introduced by Senator Alex White to provide a proper legal basis for grants of Arms made between 1943 and 2005.

7. ACTUAL LEGAL STATUS IGNORED

LIMERICK

Limerick City Confirms its Right to Armorial Bearings (Coat of Arms)

Thursday, May 28th 2009

http://www.limerick.ie/Press/LimerickCityConfirmsItsRightToArmorialBearingsCoatofArms/

(Press coverage throughout Irish media on this event make report the claim by the Chief Herald of Ireland to be the ‘oldest office of State’ – above is the Limerick City Council statement)

8. GOVERNMENT’S LEGISLATIVE PLANS (procrastination)

DÁIL ÉIREANN
17th June 2009

Parliamentary Questions - For Written Reply

(TEXT)

Chun an Aire Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta: To the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.

*126. To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will make provision to compensate individuals, bodies corporate and institutions that received or purchased grants of arms during the period April 1943 to May 2005 when the State did not have legislative power to make such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Upton, TD. [23945/09]

*127. To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will bring forward legislation to amend the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 regarding all pre-May 2005 grants of arms; if not, his views on accepting a National Cultural Institutions (Amendment Bill) 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Upton, TD. [23946/09]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. Martin Cullen T.D.)

I propose to take questions 126 and 127 together.

I am unaware of any corporate bodies or individuals, who were granted arms in the period between 1943 and 2005, that have any basis for compensation in respect of the grant of arms made in that period.

The arms were granted and accepted at the time and continue to be recognised to this day.

As my Department is preparing legislation which will amend the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 to give effect to the merger of the National Archives, the National Library of Ireland, and the Irish Manuscripts Commission it will also consider a specific amendment in relation to the arms granted during the period referred to by the Deputy.

(END TEXT)

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20090617.xml&Node=H20&Page=31

NOTE: A further article by Prof. Noel Cox was published in the Journal of the Genealogical Society of Ireland (2008) and a link to the text of such will be provided in due course.

The campaign by the Genealogical Society of Ireland to have a proper legislative basis for the delivery of Irish heraldic services continues.

Regards,

Michael Merrigan
General Secretary
Genealogical Society of Ireland
www.familyhistory.ie

OPEN THE 1926 CENSUS OF IRELAND

2008-06-11T16:02:00.004+01:00

Access to the 1901 and 1911 census returns for the entire island of Ireland has been available for public research for over forty years and indeed, through the fine work of the National Archives of Ireland, the 1911 census returns are currently being digitised and made freely available on the internet. The public interest in this research facility has been nothing short of phenomenal. After completing the digitisation of the1911 census, the National Archives plans to commence work on the 1901 census returns and eventually, have this wonderful resource freely available via the internet.

However, the current restriction on public access to the returns of census of population taken since independence stems from Section 35 of the Statistics Act, 1993, which reads:

Section 35 In the case of a Census of Population undertaken under this Act or under the repealed enactments, the restrictions of sections 32 and 33 of this Act shall cease to apply 100 years after the date of the relevant Census.

At the time of the passing of Statistics Bill through Seanad Éireann in 1993, the then Dún Laoghaire Genealogical Society (now the Genealogical Society of Ireland) urged Senators to reduce the closure period to between fifty and seventy years to allow for the 1926 Census of Population to be opened for genealogical and family history research.

The importance of census returns to genealogical was recognised by the Minister of State at the Dept. of An Taoiseach, Mr. Noel Dempsey, TD, when he introduced the Second Stage of the Statistics Bill on in Seanad Éireann June 17th 1993, he said:

Another major change to existing legislation is provided for in section 35. This will allow public access to the forms completed in the censuses of population since 1926, but only 100 years after the date of the relevant census. The forms which survive from the 1901 and 1911 censuses are not governed by the Statistics Act, 1926, and are accessible to the public in the National Archives. Indeed, they are the most frequently used documents in the archives. They provide an invaluable source of information for genealogical purposes, and many people call into the archives every day to find out more about their ancestors. Public access to census of population records after a lengthy period is a common practice internationally. (volume 136)

In reply Senator Maurice Manning, who agreed to support the amendment proposed by the Genealogical Society, said:

The Minister of State mentioned the question of raw data being made available 100 years after its compilation. This is one area where I would take issue with the Bill. The Minister said one of the most frequently used sections in the National Archives is that dealing with the data from the censuses of 1906 (sic) and 1911 but we are saying that the census material compiled since the foundation of the State, for example in 1926 and 1936, will not be available for 100 years. I regret this. I should say that the wonderful, new National Archives are doing a great deal for scholarship in this country and are a credit to all concerned.

At present Cabinet papers are made available after 30 years and they frequently contain sensitive material which can make or break reputations, and provide a fuller picture of how Government operated on our behalf at that time. The data made available under a 50 or 60 year rule would largely be used by bona fide scholars and researchers, and the National Archives would be in a position to check the credentials of those who wished to use it.

I would accept a situation where some material is classified and other material is not, as happens with some police records where examinations are made as to what may or may not be released. I would like to hear what the Minister of State has to say on that point because I think a period of 100 years is too restrictive. Perhaps he could say what the situation is in other countries with regard to the release of archive material. I intend moving an amendment on this at which point we can discuss it further. (volume 136)

Senator Manning put down an amendment at the Committee Stage reducing the period of closure to fifty years however this amendment was withdrawn at the request of the Minister who would consider a seventy year closure period. But unfortunately the amendment was not pressed and the Bill finally passed all stages in Dáil Éireann on July 7th 1993.

The Genealogical Sociuety of Ireland has campaigned ever since the passing of the Statistics Act, 1993 for a reversal of this hundred year rule. For many decades the public has been able to view the Irish Census Returns taken in 1901 and 1911, but the continued closure of the 1926 Census Returns leaves an enormously important resource inaccessible to historians, genealogists and the general public.

The years between the 1911 Census and that of 1926 was arguably the most turbulent period in modern Irish history. The outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, which was eventually to see around 49,000 Irishmen killed before it ended in 1918, the Easter Rising in 1916 followed by the General Election in 1918 leading to the establishment of the First Dáil in 1919.

The declaration of independence by the first Dáil on January 21st 1919, a date peculiarly not officially marked in Ireland, was followed by the Irish War of Independence until a truce was declared in 1921. After difficult negotiations a Treaty with Great Britain was signed in 1921 which established the Irish Free State in 1922. The establishment of the Free State was greeted by division and a bitter Civil War which ended in 1924 and left its mark on Irish polical life for much of the last century.

Four years after its establishment, the new Irish Free State held its first census in 1926, fifteen years after the last census and at the height of economic depression and emigration. This fifteen year period has also, for example, an enormous cultural and linguistic significance in that the Gaeltacht areas where much more extensive with native speakers existing in counties that today have no Gaeltachtaí within their borders and yet, the Irish language and culture had now the backing of the new State.

This 1926 Census was “closed” for 100 years by the Statistics Act, 1993, in line with all other census returns taken since 1926. This hundred year rule is in stark contrast with other western democracies with the exception of the United Kingdom. In the United States, for example, the census returns for 1930 are available on-line along with those for each of the preceding decades for which census returns exist.

A Draft Bill was presented by the Genealogical Society of Ireland to Senators and it is currently under consideration with a view to publication. Whilst keeping the hundred year rule for all other census returns, the Draft Bill seeks to create an exception for the 1926 census by affording it a “special heritage status” in order to bridge this gap in our records covering this very important period in our nation’s history from 1911 to 1926. Though, the ideal solution would be to scrap the hundred year rule altogether and replace it with, say a fifty year closure period, the Genealogical Society of Ireland understands the sensibilities that may surround such a proposition. Therefore, the creation of a “special heritage status” for the first census taken since independence should allay fears on the confidentially of later census returns. Indeed, the huge interest that such a measure would have amongst our Diaspora would be welcomed by many sectors in the economy, not least, the tourism industry. The release of the 1926 Census Returns would be an enormously significant contribution to our understanding, knowledge and appreciation of the early years of the independence of our State and its people, our ancestors.

Michael Merrigan, FGSI,

General Secretary,

Genealogical Society of Ireland

http://www.familyhistory.ie/

ADDRESS TO THE LABOUR PARTY SELECTION CONVENTION

2008-05-24T21:23:00.005+01:00

Thursday 22nd May 2008, Stillorgan Park Hotel, Co. Dublin

A Chairde,

Tonight, as members of the Labour Party in the Dún Laoghaire Central Ward, we have some very important decisions to make that will greatly impact on the future of our Party in this Ward and in the county generally.

Nobody can be in any doubt that in this Ward, our Party is facing very real electoral challenges. From a newly invigorated Green Party, from a reorganised Sinn Féin Party machine and not least, from the “People Before Profit” bandwagon.

To meet these very serious electoral challenges we must field the most electable candidates or face the very real possibility of having no seats in the Central Ward after next year’s Local Election.

Let’s not fool ourselves. Based on the 2004 results, standing still is not an option for our Party – the status quo cannot be our ultimate goal. We must increase our share of the vote to survive in this Ward.

This is the only objective that should concern members here tonight. How can we best achieve that goal and ultimately TWO SEATS in the Central Ward?

We must choose the candidates that will attract votes from all quarters and reclaim our Party’s natural constituency in the Ward. This is achievable, but only on the back of the hard graft of community action within the Ward. Nothing less will do it.

Community action, members, that has built up a solid base of support throughout the Ward over a number of years and on a range of issues.

Community action that clearly identifies the candidate with these issues – housing, anti-social behaviour, traffic, parking, clamping, St. Michael’s Hospital, litter, tidy towns and, of course, the ever present “Bin Tax” problem – much in the press of late.

Community action that means something real and substantial to the ordinary voter, who understands and fully appreciates a solid record of community action and the personal commitment that entails.

Members, hopefully, you’ve all received my letters outlining my record in community action, such as Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Community Association; Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Town Football Club; member of the County Council’s Strategic Policy Committees for over ten years and much more besides.

Living in the heart of the Central Ward and coming from a family with six generations in this Ward, I have literally hundreds of family connections throughout the Ward.

Indeed, throughout the Central Ward, in the communities that I have served for nearly twenty years, I am readily identified with campaigns for and on behalf of the ordinary voter who will ultimately decide the fate of our Party come the Local Elections next year.

Members, for the sake of our Party and for what we stand for, I ask you to think hard upon your decision here tonight.

The first step on the road to the capture of TWO SEATS in this Ward begins with your selection of TWO CANDIDATES that are capable of attracting the widest possible support amongst the real electorate. Nothing else will do.

I strongly believe that, based on my solid record of community action, that I should be a candidate for our Party in this important election.

Therefore, I ask you give me your No. 1 Vote here tonight and decisively grasp the objective – TWO SEATS for Labour in this Ward.

Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir.

NOTA BENE:

There were four members contesting this Selection Convention, Cllr. Jane Dillon-Byrne, Angela Timlin, Frank O'Connor and myself. The voting was by Proportional Representation and Cllr. Jane Dillon-Byrne and Angela Timlin were elected on the First Count. I wish Jane and Angela every success with their campaigns and, of course, success in the Local Elections next year.

Contesting the Labour Party Selection Convention

2008-05-12T22:56:00.003+01:00

TO ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS - LABOUR PARTY

DÚN LAOGHAIRE CENTRAL WARD

11, Desmond Avenue

Dún Laoghaire

Co. Dublin

Re: Selection Convention May 22nd 2008

A Chairde,

I am a committed community activist with considerable knowledge and experience of the local issues that are of real concern to the wider electorate and therefore, I am seeking your No. 1 vote to be selected to contest the Local Government Elections in 2009 in the Dún Laoghaire Ward.

Born and reared in the Dún Laoghaire Ward and from a family with six generations in the Town, I have literally hundreds of relatives and wider family associations throughout the Ward. This close connection with the people of the Ward has been the bedrock of my lifelong commitment to the betterment of my community and my hometown of Dún Laoghaire.

Living in the heart of what should be natural Labour territory in the centre of Dún Laoghaire, I bring to this convention the only hope of not only gaining an extra seat, but increasing the party’s share of the vote in Dún Laoghaire. As you will note from the list overleaf, I have a proven record of working in the community on matters of real concern locally. I have eighteen years experience dealing with the Local Authority on a range of community issues from TRAFFIC, PARKING, CLAMPING, ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, LITTER, CRIME & DRUGS, SPORT & RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE, ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE, PARKS and COASTAL & COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLANS in Dún Laoghaire. These are the REAL ISSUES of concern to the wider electorate and the ONLY ISSUES that Members should address in this convention if we are serious about capturing TWO SEATS in Dún Laoghaire.

I believe that working with our long-time Labour standard bearer, Cllr. Jane Dillon-Byrne, that if I am selected, we will successfully capture TWO SEATS and carry Labour’s message effectively into the future throughout the Ward. In the interim we will provide a formidable team to advance and protect the interests of our community – the wider electorate, now and in the run-up to the Local Elections.

The political landscape is changing as we move towards the Local Elections next year. New pressures are being brought to bear on the Party in the Dún Laoghaire Ward from the newly invigorated Green Party, Sinn Féin and from the People-Before-Profit chameleon bandwagon. We cannot and must not shackle the Party’s ability to facedown this challenge locally. Therefore, we must select a person with a proven track record of real community action in the Ward to meet this serious electoral challenge.

The wider electorate should be the main focus of concern to Members at this convention because, at the end of the day, it is the wider electorate alone that will decide on the fortunes of our Party. Remember, that the decision we make at this convention is not about worthy service to Party alone, it is essentially a vital decision on the future of LABOUR in the Dún Laoghaire Ward.

Please help reclaim and secure the Labour heartland of Dún Laoghaire by VOTING No. 1 – MICHAEL MERRIGAN at the Selection Convention on the 22nd May 2008.

Many thanks & Kindest regards,

MICHAEL MERRIGAN

Tel: 086 051 7139
E-mail: michael_merrigan@hotmail.com

MY RECORD IN COMMUNITY ACTION

DÚN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL
Strategic Policy Committee – Planning, Development & Tourism 1998-2001.
Strategic Policy Committee – Culture, Community Development & Amenities 1998 - currently.
Elected Sectoral Representative – Submissions on Tourism, Placenames, Heritage, Play Areas, Arts, Parks and Amenities Policy and on Community Development Matters, including Sport and the Coastal Zone.

DÚN LAOGHAIRE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Current Chairperson of the Community Association. Co-founder of the Association (2001). Liaison with the Community Development, Housing, Parks, Environment and Roads & Traffic Departments of the County Council for and on behalf of the residents in Dún Laoghaire.

Web-Blog: www.dunlaoghairecommunity.blogspot.com

DÚN LAOGHAIRE TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB LTD.
Chairperson and Director of the Club founded in 2002 in conjunction with the DLCA, An Gárda Síochána and the County Council as a “youth diversionary project” and to successively integrate the young asylum seekers / refugees into community activities in Dún Laoghaire through the universal love of sport.
Winner of the County Council’s Social Inclusion Award in 2003 Web-Blog: www.dltfc.blogspot.com

HOLYHEAD DÚN LAOGHAIRE LINK
Executive Liaison Officer, Delegate. Promoter of joint initiatives between the two towns. Advocated links between our Constituency Party and the Anglesey Labour Party. Organised visits to the Oireachtas & Stormont for Welsh County Councillors and Labour MP for Ynys Mon. Campaigned for Labour in North Wales.

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND
Founder, currently Director and Company / General Secretary. Founded in 1990 as the Dún Laoghaire Genealogical Society, the Society is now the premier non-governmental organisation dealing with genealogy and heraldry. The Society has a sizeable membership throughout the county. Website: http://www.familyhistory.ie/

“DÚN LAOGHAIRE NEWS”
Editor of the Dún Laoghaire Community Association quarterly newsletter on issues of concern to the residents of central Dún Laoghaire. Advancing the “Community Manifesto” of which, I am the joint author.

DÚN LAOGHAIRE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN / ANTI-CLAMPING CAMPAIGN
Joint author of the Dún Laoghaire Community Association’s proposal for Traffic Management, and author of submissions on same to County Council. Organiser of community protest marches against the County Council’s inaction on Traffic and co-organiser of the Anti-Clamping Campaign.

DÚN LAOGHAIRE – DUBLIN’S RIVIERA
Community Tourism Initiative from 1998 – 2002. Past Chairman and Public Relations Officer of the Community Tourism Initiative for the coastal area of the County. Author of the “Dublin’s Riviera Coastal Plan”. Liaison with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Tourism and Dublin Tourism.

DÚN LAOGHAIRE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
On-going liaison with the Secretary of the DLBA to develop joint strategies on the development and promotion of the Town of Dún Laoghaire and its hinterland, including the preparation of submissions for the DLBA.

AN FORAM OIDHREACHTA – DÚN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN
Founder of the Heritage Forum in 1996 to promote co-operation between heritage, cultural and arts organisations in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown. Author of “Towards a County Heritage Policy” published in January 1997 and originator of the “County Heritage Plan” and “County Heritage Officer” concepts nationally.

CENTRAL DÚN LAOGHAIRE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
Former Director and Company Secretary of the Park House Community Resource Centre on Library Road, Dún Laoghaire – a joint project between the local community and the County Council.

BELLEVUE, GLENAGEARY & ROCHESTOWN RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Executive Committee member and Road Representative 1990-1998

I am also a published author on history, local history, genealogy, vexillology, heraldry, surnames, Celtic languages, tourism, politics and community development. Campaigned on several pieces of legislation and successfully achieved amendments thereto, including 28 amendments to the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997. I researched and drafted the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006 which was debated in Seanad Éireann in December 2006 and I drafted two other Bills currently pending presentation by Senators. I contested the Seanad Éireann General Election in 2007 receiving 10,000 1st preference votes. Currently lobbying on draft legislation.

"Dún Laoghaire News"

2008-04-04T20:12:00.000+01:00

The latest edition of the Dún Laoghaire Community Association's newsletter "Dún Laoghaire News" is now available at http://www.dun-laoghaire.com/dir/DunLaoghaireNews.pdf The newsletter has been delivered to households in the central Dún Laoghaire area and copies are also available at Costello Flowers, 1, Northumberland Avenue, Dún Laoghaire.

Iconic Monument to Laoghaire Sought

2008-03-26T21:15:00.003Z

The Dún Laoghaire Community Association, of which, I am currently Chairperson, has campaigned for several years now for the erection of an iconic memorial to the eponymous founder of the "dún" which gave its name to the Town. The County Council's Strategic Policy Committee on Culture, Community Development and Amenities has recommended to the Council that it should consider commissioning a statue of High King Laoghaire who reigned between 428 and 461AD. Pictured at the recent public launch of its campaign for erection of the memorial to High King Laoghaire are Cllr. John Bailey, Fine Gael member of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; Ian M. Kane, Co-Founder and Director of Dún Laoghaire Town Football Club; Stephanie Batt, Dún Laoghaire Tidy Towns Committee and myself, Chairperson, Dún Laoghaire Community Association. The photograph has us positioned in front of a superimposed photograph of the memorial to the Gaulish leader, Vercingetorix, in Alesia, France. The Community Association believes that a scaled version of this type of iconic memorial is required for the Town Centre of Dún Laoghaire. (photo by Ken Finlay, click on photo to enlarge)

"Local Authority is without powers regarding Placenames"

2008-03-02T01:20:00.003Z

At the meeting of the County Council's Strategic Policy Committee on Culture, Community Development and Amenities held on Wednesday February 27th 2008 in the wonderfully restored Cabinteely House, County Councillors and Sectoral Representatives were advised that the "local authority is without powers regarding place names". This statement was part of the written reply to my question regarding the powers of the County Council in respect of the proposal that I tabled at the December 5th 2007 meeting of this SPC on a County Placenames Policy. The basis for this statement, according to Tim Carey, County Heritage Officer, is that surprisingly many sections of Part 18 of the Local Government Act, 2001 remain unimplemented by the Minister. These include Sections 188 to 196 regarding the powers of the local authority to change an existing name. Noting the Sections quoted in the reply, I maintained that the statement that the County Council is "without powers" in respect of placenames is incorrect as the Sections quoted only relate to "changing existing placenames" and not to regulating new ones or correcting the Irish language versions of the existing placenames. This point was generally agreed and in an effort to progress matters, the Heritage Officer suggested to the meeting that the Survey of Placename Signage which is currently being conducted by the County Council could be put out, in draft form, for public comment. I agreed with this strategy as a basis of providing very useful information upon which to consider the proposed Placename Policy document. I proposed that the survey in draft form be made available for public comment and consultation, this proposal was seconded by Veronica Heywood, and agreed. During the course of the very lively debate the position of the utterly ridiculous, nonsensical and totally embarrassing use of An Naigín as the Irish version of Sallynoggin was raised by several members as was the "re-naming" of the Sallynoggin Roundabout as the "Glenageary Roundabout" - why? In conclusion, I would like to record my sincerest gratitude to the County Heritage Officer, Tim Carey, who has been of considerable assistance throughout this process and no doubt, this will ensure that any County Placenames Policy adopted will be fully implemented by the County Council.

SPC Recommends the commissioning of a statue of High King Laoghaire.

2008-03-02T00:38:00.003Z

At the meeting of the County Council's Strategic Policy Committee for Culture, Community Development & Amenities held in Cabinteely House on Wednesday 27th February 2008 members passed a resolution recommending to the County Council that it explores a proposal to commission a statue of High King Laoghaire to commemorate the part played by the Town Hall and the people of Dún Laoghaire in the national struggle for independence. The proposal envisages that a statue of Laoghaire would be unveiled in 2019/2020 during the national commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1919 and the fact that the Councillors in the Town Hall at the time, as part of the national struggle, voted to restore the name "Dún Laoghaire" to the area in a demonstration of our national sovereignty and in celebration of the area's ancient heritage. In proposing the resolution I told the SPC that the restoration of the old name to the area was an act of defiance by the predecessors of the current County Councillors - a clear and unambiguous statement of support for the first Dáil. Above all, I maintained that we can be proud of the fact that it was a peaceful, democratic and dignified assertion of our national identity and our right to independence. It is vitally important that the contribution to the national struggle made by our hometown must not be overlooked during the 100th anniversary commemorations. Indeed, what better way to mark the occasion than to have a statue erected of the eponymous founder of our Town, High King Laoghaire. The 5th century High King Laoghaire is reputed to have met St. Patrick and indeed, permitted him to continue his mission unmolested. Surprisingly there are no early Irish Christian martyrs as the conversion of a religiously sophisticated population was achieved peacefully. The resolution at the SPC was proposed by myself and seconded by Cllr. Jane Dillon-Byrne. In addition to seeking the pro-active assistance of the County Council in this endeavour, the Dún Laoghaire Community Association, of which, I am currently Chairperson, also will bring the proposal to the wider public in an effort to attract a single individual benefactor for the project who would commission and erect the statue for and on behalf of the citizens of our Town. The suggested model for any statue is the memorial to Vercingetorix in France - see above.

Holyhead-Dún Laoghaire Link Celebrates 10th Anniversary

2008-02-26T00:48:00.003Z

The member oganisations of the Holyhead-Dún Laoghaire Link will celebrate its tenth anniversary at a function to be held on March 15th 2008 in the Trearddur Bay Hotel outside Holyhead, north Wales. This unique international organisation promotes cooperation and friendship between the communities in Ynys Mon (Anglesey) and the Dublin region through regular meetings, workshops and other events. I have been an active member of the Link since 1998 and greatly value this type of international cooperation. Indeed, on behalf of the Genealogical Society of Ireland, I have presented a number of important discussion documents to the plenary sessions of the Link over the years. Currently the Link is involved in formulating a proposal for INTERREG funding for its activities and to encourage innovation, development and enterprise. Our shared cultural heritage is a central theme running through the Link’s activities and objectives. Individual members of the participating organisations are invited to attend the 10th anniversary celebrations. For further info. contact John Paul Durkan, Link Secretary, E-mail: durkanjp@gmail.com for costs, reservations etc.

Dún Laoghaire Community Association

2008-01-22T16:11:00.001Z

The full text of the Community Environmental Enhancement Plan proposed by the Executive Committee of the Dún Laoghaire Community Association may be found at http://www.dunlaoghairecommunity.blogspot.com

Proposed County Placenames Policy

2008-01-22T11:57:00.000Z

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Placenames Policy

Below is the full text of the "Draft County Placenames Policy" document presented to the Stategic Policy Committee on Arts, Community Development & Amenities on December 5th 2007. The meeting endorsed the need for a County Placenames Policy and sought advice from the County Council Law Officer regarding the powers of the County Council in respect of placenames.

Proposal:
That, this SPC understanding the importance of placenames in our society generally and appreciating that placenames are a significant part of the heritage of this county and its people and in accordance with the various objectives set forth in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Heritage Plan 2004-2008, adopts the following Placenames Policy and recommends to Council the establishment of a Placenames Heritage Committee to implement the policy.

1. Introduction

This County has a rich and varied placename heritage representing and reflecting the human presence in this landscape from ancient times down to the present. Whether these placenames are of Gaelic, Norse, Cambro-Norman or English/British origin, they all form the unique tapestry that is our County’s Placename Heritage. With the naming of new developments and indeed, with the changing values and tastes of society, we are in danger of losing our indigenous placenames and a significant part of our County’s heritage forever.

This County of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown has a distinctive character emanating from and reflected by its placenames and street-names. Therefore, it is vitally important that an effective and comprehensive County Placenames Policy is implemented to protect and preserve this part of our County’s heritage and to promote a greater awareness, appreciation and knowledge of this placenames heritage amongst our citizens.

An effective County Placenames Policy implemented by a Placenames Heritage Committee would assist and advise the County Heritage Officer and provide a valuable service for the Planning Authority. It also would provide a very worthwhile resource for the promotion of the County and enhance its image amongst our citizens, visitors and others.

In this proposal the definition of ‘‘placename’’ includes the name of any province, county, city, town, village, barony, parish or townland, or of any territorial feature (whether natural or artificial), district, region or place, as shown in the maps of Ordnance Survey Ireland. (source:- Section 31, Official Languages Act, 2003)

In this proposal the definition of “street” for the purposes of the term “street-names” includes part of a street and also the whole or part of any road, square, lane or other public place by whatever name known. (source:- Section 188, Local Government Act, 2001)

2. Naming of New Developments
The naming of new developments can seriously alter or damage the character of a particular area by importing inappropriate, misleading, market driven or fancifully ridiculous names for buildings, streets or areas. The man made, natural, cultural, linguistic and social heritage of an area as reflected in its existing placenames must be preserved and indeed, this County has a wealth of such placenames from which the proposed names for new developments can and should be sourced.

The Planning and Development Act, 2000, permits the Planning Authority to impose conditions that require developers to consult with the County Council on the proposed naming of new developments. In this respect, an effective County Placenames Policy implemented by a Placenames Heritage Committee will provide the Planning Authority with a resource and a strategy to ensure that appropriately researched and properly agreed names which reflect the placename heritage of the area are given to all new developments. In considering any proposed new name due regard must be given, at the same time, in accordance with the objectives of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Heritage Plan 2004-2008 (action 2.1.16 page 13), to establishing the correct Irish language version of the proposed name for signage purposes.

When naming new buildings or new streets or thoroughfares and where the use of all or part of the existing placenames may lead to duplication or confusion, a new name appropriately drawn from the artistic, literary, educational, cultural and civic heritage of the County should be sourced for the development.

3. Naming Policy Guidelines
The heritage policies and guidelines governing the naming of new developments throughout the county and the erection of signage for existing placenames should, in accordance with the objectives of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Heritage Plan 2004-2008 (action 2.1.16 page 13), be determined by the following.

i. Streets and housing estates should be named in a manner that reflects and incorporates the existing local placenames, heritage, history, ecology and topography of the area.

ii. In accordance with the objectives of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Heritage Plan 2004-2008 (action 3.1.10 page 16), the names of persons of note in the artistic, literary, educational, cultural and civic life of the County who had an actual and sustained connection with the locality should be used, where appropriate, for the naming of new developments.

iii. The local or colloquial name applied to an area, topographical feature or building, whether used currently or in the past, should be used or incorporated where it is deemed appropriate.

iv. The use of names in the Irish language should be actively encouraged, especially where such names are sourced from the name of an existing topographical feature currently expressed in an anglicized version of an original Gaelic placename.

v. Care should be taken to ensure that proposed new names are easily pronounceable. However, any attempt to re-anglicize an existing placename of Gaelic origin to meet this requirement should not be permitted.

vi. Imported or market-driven names should be discouraged unless the reasons for the use of such have been established to the satisfaction of the Placenames Heritage Committee.

vii. The use of the original form of those placenames which were altered, whether officially or otherwise, before or after independence to reflect the national identity, the struggle for national self determination or the constitutional position of the State should not be permitted e.g. Kingstown.

viii. In considering a name proposed for any new development the Placenames Heritage Committee shall have due regard to the constitutional position of the State and will disallow such terms as it deems inappropriate in this regard.

ix. Petitions received by the County Council under the Local Government Act, 2001 to alter either completely or in part any existing placename shall be assessed by the Placenames Heritage Committee.

4. Interpretation & Translation of Existing Placenames
The interpretation of the existing stock of placenames is important for the public appreciation and knowledge of the County’s placename heritage. Therefore, in accordance with the objectives of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Heritage Plan 2004-2008 (action 1.2.3 page 9) a county placenames survey should be conducted. This survey should enable a database of the existing placenames to be compiled containing such details as locality, meaning, source, Irish language version and possibly era. The database would become, in time, an invaluable resource for local historians and others. Consideration should be afforded to development of a GPS locator for each placename and street-name and to have such integrated with the placenames database.

The translation of existing placenames into the correct Irish language form for use by speakers of the language and for road-signage is important in order to preserve the integrity and actual meaning of the County’s placenames. Therefore, in accordance with the objectives of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Heritage Plan 2004-2008 (action 2.1.16 page 13) the following guidelines should apply.

i. With due regard to local knowledge, research and any special circumstances utilise, as appropriate, the Irish language versions of placenames contained in the “Gazetteer of Ireland - Names of Centres of Population and Physical Features” as published in 2007 by the Placenames Branch of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
ii. Where local knowledge and research has established that the existing Irish translation of a placename in the County is incorrectly recorded by the Placenames Branch of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, this matter should be reported and a correction sought.

iii. The Irish translations and spellings of terms such as street, road, avenue, grove, parade, park, lodge, green, lawns, crescent, lane, terrace, villas and cottages should be standardised for use throughout the County.
iv. Where a name for a new development derives from the name of a landed estate or “big house” the original name should be maintained, except where it is already placename with an established Irish language version e.g. “Aylesbury Villa” the first element should not be translated, whereas “Dunmore House” the first element is already an anglicised Gaelic placename.
v. Where a name for a new development derives from a personal name, the variant of the surname used by the individual should be maintained, except where it is already a surname with an established Irish language version.
vi. Where a placename of British origin is concerned and where such derives from a Scottish Gaelic, Welsh or Cornish language placename, the original Celtic language form of the placename should be utilised where no existing Irish language version of the British placename is available e.g. “Anglesey” (Ynys Môn), “Inverness” (Inbhir Nis), “Camborne” (Cam bryn).

5. Placenames Heritage Committee
In order to effectively implement the County Placenames Policy and to manage any strategies emanating from that policy, it is proposed that a Placenames Heritage Committee be established by the Culture, Community Development and Amenities Strategic Policy Committee to assist and advise the County Heritage Officer and to provide a service for the Planning Department.

The Placenames Heritage Committee (PHC) would set forth and publish guidelines for the naming of new developments and in consultation with the Planning Department establish a procedure for the receipt of proposed new names including the application requirements and the assessment of proposals received by the PHC.

The status of the PHC shall be advisory and consultative, however, it shall be open to the Strategic Policy Committee on Culture, Community Development & Amenities or the Council to assign other powers to the PHC as may be deemed necessary or desirable for the effective performance of its functions on behalf of the Council.

The PHC should meet on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as may be required, to perform the following functions and any other such tasks as may, from time to time, be requested of the PHC by the Council or the County Heritage Officer.

i. Assess and decide on proposed names for new developments.

ii. Review translations and interpretations of existing placenames and street-names.

iii. Assess and advise County Officials on proposals received under Sections 190, 191, 192, 193, 194 and 195 of the Local Government Act, 2001.

iv. Advise County Officials on signage and especially the Irish language versions of placenames and street-names.

v. Formulate and implement measures to promote an appreciation, awareness and knowledge of our County’s placename heritage amongst the general public and especially, in conjunction with local schools and heritage organisations in accordance with the various objectives of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Heritage Plan 2004-2008.

Membership of the Placenames Heritage Committee should include:

* The County Heritage Officer (ex-officio Chairperson)

* An appropriate senior official from the Planning Department

* Such appropriate officials from other Council Departments, as may be required

* Such number of the Elected Members of the Council as may be determined by the SPC or the full Council

* At least two SPC Sectoral Representatives

* Co-option of such outside expertise as may be deemed necessary by the Placenames Heritage Committee e.g. Local & Maritime History, Irish Language etc.

6. Placename Assessment Procedure
The procedure for the assessment of proposed new placenames should be established by the PHC in conjunction with the Planning Department in order to ensure that the process is thoroughly transparent and consultative at all stages and that it adheres fully to the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, the Local Government Act, 2001, the Official Languages Act, 2003 and other relevant legislation and the current County Development Plan.

It shall be the function of the Planning Department to guide the PHC on its adherence to the relevant legislation and the County Development Plan. After consultation with the Planning Department, the assessment procedure to be adopted by the PHC may be based on the following outline.

i. A developer or an applicant may submit names for a proposed new development or change in existing placename in a format designated by the Planning Department.
ii. The Planning Department would forward any requests or placename proposals to the County Heritage Officer for consideration by the PHC
iii. The PHC may after due consideration decide to advise the Planning Department to accept or reject the name proposed.
iv. Where the proposed name has been rejected by the PHC the reasons for such must be provided to the developer or applicant by the PHC.
v. Following the rejection of a proposed name, two or more alternative names may be suggested by the PHC for consideration by the developer or applicant.
vi. The developer or applicant may choose to either accept the PHC suggestions or to consult further with the County Heritage Officer and the PHC on the issue.
vii. The developer or applicant should then submit the final agreed proposed placename or street-name to the Planning Department for processing accordingly.

7. Signage
The issue of the quality and correctness of public signage for the display of placenames and street-names has always been problematic due to the lack of any coherent and easily sourced mechanisms to ascertain the correct translations of placenames and street-names to meet the Council’s obligations in respect of bilingual placename and street-name signage.

Advice on the correct Irish language version of a placename or street-name was generally sought on an ad-hoc basis from County Officials with a proven knowledge of the Irish language and sometimes, following consultation with the Placenames Branch of the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs. The ad-hoc nature of this arrangement has produced signage with different translations of street-names at either end of the same street or indeed, translations which are incorrectly applied to the locality because the anglicised version of a local placename may resemble another somewhere outside the County. This ignores local history, local topography and, of course, local usage including linguistic factors.

Displaying our placename heritage correctly on our public signage preserves this unique heritage and promotes an appreciation and knowledge of this rich aspect of our County’s heritage amongst our own citizens and, of course, amongst visitors to the County. Therefore, the effective implementation of a County Placenames Policy is vitally important in achieving and maintaining a high standard of bilingual public placename and street-name signage.

The PHC should, in accordance with the objectives of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Heritage Plan 2004-2008 (action 2.1.16 page 13), seek to ensure through its deliberations and advice to establish an acceptable standard of bilingual public placename and street-name signage that affords equality of visibility, including the size of the lettering, to both Official Languages; that is correct and uniformly applied; that avoids quasi-translations and nonsensical constructions, both grammatically and otherwise and, in the case of newly proposed names, that they are easily pronounceable for those with little or no Irish.

The PHC should formulate guidelines for the provision of signage in consultation with the Planning and Transportation Departments and possibly, consider the introduction of GPS positioning of all placename and street-name signage for inclusion of the Placenames database proposed above.

8. Review of County Placenames Policy
The review of the County Placenames Policy should be undertaken by the Strategic Policy Committees and the Council during the formulation of the next County Development Plan and then at such intervals as may be determined by the Council in consultation with the County Heritage Officer and the members of the Placenames Heritage Committee.

However, when the Strategic Policy Committee on Culture, Community Development and Amenities is reviewing the current Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Heritage Plan 2004-2008 and considering the replacement for this Plan, this should provide for the inclusion of the County Placenames Policy and the Placenames Heritage Committee in the text of any future County Heritage Plan.

Michael Merrigan
Genealogical Society of Ireland
August 2007

Honouring Our Own

2007-11-02T11:24:00.000Z

We often hear people describe Dún Laoghaire in terms of its fine Victorian and Edwardian architecture and streetscapes – its enclosed squares and magnificent harbour. Some today are all too foolishly overawed by all this regal splendour and imagine a town once graced by all the finery of the age – nice people, elegant horse-drawn carriages and parasols colourfully fluttering in the gentle breeze on “Royal” Marine Road. All the while, the band of the “Royal This” or the “King’s Very Own That” looking resplendent in their bright red tunics, buttons glistening in the summer sun, play cheerfully delightful tunes from the Empire. This picture postcard view of our town was carefully cultivated by the various transport companies and the local businesses to attract visitors from all over Ireland and Great Britain in the latter part of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Nothing wrong with that you’d say as the hotels and guest houses did a roaring trade benefiting the local economy in many ways – a rising tide, sure dosn't it raise all boats?

Buying into this rather idealised notion of our Town’s past has generally been the preserve of those for whom Dún Laoghaire is an adopted hometown or whose families may have been here for just two or so generations. It’s hardly surprising that this fanciful view of the Town’s past gives rise to yet another equally spurious notion largely held by the same group that the population of the Town was somewhat less Irish than the surrounding districts. So there you have it, Kingstown was elegant, rich and most definitely pro-British, wasn't it?

OK, one could be duped into thinking that Kingstown was the home of the great and the good in Victorian and Edwardian society with streets named for monarchs, dukes, earls and their hangers-on – the party hacks of their day, I suppose. Very few of us today know anything of these individuals whose names grace our Town’s thoroughfares, not because of our pro-Irish education system since independence, but that few, if any, of these illustrious personages did anything at all for Ireland, let alone for our Town. Most never even came to visit or possibly hadn’t cared an iota of where the place was in the vast Empire of their day. It’s our heritage, the fancifully deluded shout aloud at the mere hint of any change. Oblivious as they are, of course, to the world of a difference between our history and our heritage.

So our heritage is wrapped up in our Town’s street-names is it? Well let’s take, for example, Sussex Street in the heart of our Town. This little narrow street running down to Eblana Avenue from Lower George’s Street is named for none other than His Royal Highness Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, Earl of Inverness and Baron Arklow – the sixth son of King George III was the little brother of King George IV, after whom the Town, harbour and the main street all were named in honour of his departure from here in 1821. So George IV was here, though by all accounts he wouldn’t have remembered a thing about his short visit as he marked this auspicious occasion with severe intoxication. But what about his brothers the Dukes of Sussex, Cumberland, York and Clarence - what’s their claim to local fame? Well none really, except in a grace and favour political environment, the local grandees thought it was a good idea to name everything after the royals of the day – you never know there could have been a knighthood in it for the dutifully loyal and self serving local official or developer. Certainly sycophantism of the royal highest order naming most of the centre of our Town after an exceptionally dysfunctional family, the sons of which, excelled in producing heirs abundant, alas not a legitimate one amongst them.

But this far removed from the days of Empire and its all trappings, why should we care about our street-names, many of us, probably take a quite moment of satisfaction in knowing that most of our streets were named for right royal rogues who loved to party and party they did. But partying princes and dukes aside, this Town has a much darker and indeed, shameful history in its dealing with the overwhelming majority of its local population, the native Irish poor. Yes, the forgotten underclass of Victorian and Edwardian society living in extremely dire conditions barely a few feet away from the elegant splendour much hailed by some today.

The dark and dank laneways leading to the filthy courts where the cottages, some barely hovels, of the poor lived never made it on to the picture postcard record of our Town and therefore, it’s conveniently forgotten by most nowadays. Overcrowding, the lack of sanitation and clean water led to outbreaks of cholera in 1831/2, 1849, 1867 and 1872 which devastated the local inhabitants of these urban shanties. The fact that the majority of the population of the Town centre, the poor, had to endure such conditions in “elegant Kingstown” and that these conditions existed up to the first quarter of the twentieth century never makes its way into the sanitised histories of this area. These people were the resilient forebears of much of the local population who built the town, its harbour, the railways, its fine buildings and of course, provided much of the labour that made Kingstown prosper.

One man, in particular, did much to provide for Kingstown’s majority population was the very able Parish Priest of St. Michael’s, Bartholomew Canon Sheridan, who was responsible for the founding of schools, colleges, hospitals and care centres throughout the area from Dalkey to Blackrock. His energy and commitment arguably did more to raise the population out of dire poverty than anyone else during his forty years as Parish Priest. But is he remembered by anyone nowadays? A proposal a few years ago to replace the idle and utterly useless Duke’s name with that of the Canon on Sussex Street was greeted with horror causing apoplexy amongst the fancifully deluded who claimed this was an attack on “our heritage”.

OK many of us may find it amusing that our Town’s thoroughfares are named for hard drinking partying philanderers, especially, when faced with the notion of the Town’s former glory as a sedate seaside resort. But shouldn’t our Town consider it only right and proper to commemorate in our street-names the very people who contributed something worthwhile to the Town and its people? People like Canon Sheridan, Robbie Brennan, Matt Byrne, John De Courcey-Ireland and many others are far more deserving of our commemoration in our street-names than the offspring of the madness of King George.

As many changes have occurred to our Town’s architectural landscape over recent years – some good, some bad and others just downright ugly. These mostly developer driven planning disasters have left Dún Laoghaire with no central civic space to provide a focal point for the people and communities of the Town. All throughout the mainland of Europe "Civic Spaces" provide towns and cities with a heart - a place for citizens to congregate, to enjoy, to rest and play or to simply, sit and watch the world go by. The development of a Civic Space at the corner of George's Street and Marine Road on the site in front of St. Michael's RC Church would offer great possibilities for enhancing the ambiance of the Town Centre. This site, possibly “Sheridan Plaza”, could be landscaped to include a statue of Ard Rí Laoghaire (founder of Dún Laoghaire) to highlight the very early origins of the Town in 5th century Ireland.

So if renaming our streets is too much for some, maybe the erection of a marble "Civic Roll of Honour" in a “Civic Plaza” would enable us to commemorate the many sons and daughters, of all creeds, from the Town who made their mark at home and overseas. Surely it’s about time that we should be honouring our own – at last?

Nota Bene: This is the full text of the article submitted to "Dún Laoghaire Express" for publication in their "Soap Box" section, unfortunately, the article was cut and a paragraph was added to the beginning of the article that did not in any way reflect my views. A clarification and correction is to be published on November 6th 2007.

Seanad Éireann General Election 2007

2007-06-24T19:30:00.001+01:00

I was a candidate in the 2007 Seanad General Election on the Cultural & Educational Panel as the nominee of the Genealogical Society of Ireland. Putting forward my election platform, I stressed that my experience covered both national and local issues, including many legislative matters raised in both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. I strongly believe that those seeking election to serve in the Upper House of our National Parliament should have established a track record of legislative campaigns and achievements as the work of the Seanad plays a very important role in the development and quality of our democracy. The electorate in the 2007 Seanad General Election consisted of Teachtaí Dála (MPs), out-going Senators and City and County Councillors. It was a very tightly fought election campaign where the various political party pacts were very strictly observed, the non-party candidates had an enormously difficult up-hill battle to attract the vital first preference votes in order to bring their lower preferences in to play at the count. Therefore, with 10,000 first preference senatorial votes, which was an excellent achievement given the squeeze on the independents, I was eliminated on the fifth count. It was extremely gratifying and indeed, humbling, to note the very many 2nd, 3rd, 4th and other preferences that I received from all quarters. I wish to thank all those that voted for me in the Seanad General Election and to assure all concerned that I will continue to campaign on my various legislative priorities by lobbying parliamentarians, especially, those elected to Seanad Éireann. Listed below are some of my priorities. Finally, I would like to most sincerely thank and acknowledge the very kind support and encouragement that I received from family, friends, members of the Genealogical Society of Ireland, friends in North Wales and from my own local community in Dún Laoghaire.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

Michael Merrigan

EUROPE OF THE REGIONS

2007-06-23T20:04:00.000+01:00

Cross-border interaction between local communities in the European Union has enormous potential. I believe that a national strategy to promote and resource such contact is required. As a member of the Holyhead Dún Laoghaire Link Organisation, I have worked hard to bring Irish and Welsh communities, sports organisations and businesses together in partnership for mutual benefit. In this regard, I have collaborated with Mr. Albert Owen, MP for Anglesey, members of the Welsh Assembly, Anglesey County Councillors and Holyhead Town Councillors. This included organising fact finding trips for the Welsh delegation to Dublin, Belfast and Newry & Mourne District Council. I have also cooperated on INTERREG Projects and planning joint initiatives. I strongly believe that the regions of Europe have much in common and much more to learn from each other. Highlighting these initiatives will be a priority. Recently, I have been appointed as the County Council Liaison Officer for the Dún Laoghaire Holyhead Link Organisation which seeks to bring together community groups, sports organisations, clubs, educational institutions and businesses from North Wales and the Greater Dublin Region. Meetings have also been held with delegations from South West Wales and South East Ireland to exchange views and to share experiences on regional development initiatives. Recently a new and exciting proposal on the future development of the Link was presented to delegates at a meeting held in Caergybi (Holyhead). The discussion document involves the proposal to develop links between the various Local Authorities bordering the Irish Sea and the development of this shared resource - "Mare Nostrum" (our sea) - including tourism and marine leisure etc. "The Ring of the Isles" proposal (see below) would link communities in Ireland (Counties Wicklow, Dublin, Meath and Louth), Northern Ireland (Counties Down and south Antrim), southwestern Scotland, northwestern England and North Wales. It is also proposed to include Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man). The restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland and the successful operation of the various parts of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, including the British-Irish Council, actively encourages such initiatives. A copy of the Link proposal, a version of which was first presented in early 2004, can be viewed under "LINKS TO ARTICLES & FURTHER INFORMATION" at the foot of this Blog.

OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES

2007-06-23T19:58:00.000+01:00

Local communities are very concerned about the quality of life, services and amenities in their areas. All too often nowadays, it’s the lack of basic facilities such as schools, shops or safe play areas for their children that has enraged local communities. The lack of safe recreational facilities for older teenagers is a cause of great concern to parents, communities and An Gárda Síochána. The resulting anti-social behaviour is reaching disastrous levels in many communities around the country. A national strategic plan is required urgently to tackle these important quality of life issues for our communities. This national strategy must be formulated in consultation with local communities and especially, with the voluntary and community sector. This sector provides many of the community support services that have become the mainstay of parishes, villages and urban communities throughout our Republic. Volunteers giving of their time generously, many on a daily basis, to help their communities and their fellow citizens in various aspects of their lives on a local basis. They are the thousands of local people behind our sports organisations, youth clubs, seniors' activities and the promotion of active citizenship and pride of place in communities in every county in Ireland. As the Chairman of the Dún Laoghaire Community Association (DLCA), I strongly support and advocate community action on a range of local problems and initiatives - giving a voice to our community.

(pictured above, the offices of local services at the point of need in Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin - a good example of cooperation between the local authority, social services and the community. Also, a protest march by local residents of the centre of the Town of Dún Laoghaire)

SOCIAL HOUSING

2007-06-23T19:52:00.000+01:00

The length of local authority housing lists around country is causing despair, anguish and real hardship for thousands of families, young couples and single adults who cannot afford the extortionate rents of the barely regulated private sector. Priority must be given to the provision of social and affordable housing, including the provision of secure quality smaller units for elderly local authority tenants wishing to “down-size” from larger local authority housing units. Local Authorities in the Dublin Region must, with considerable urgency, be proactive in providing social and affordable housing in order to stem the decline in their populations and the resulting damage to local economic activity caused by the movement out of the region in the search of affordable housing. Recent proposed changes in Stamp Duty will do absolutely nothing to stem this tide.

(pictured above, one of the many local authority units in Dún Laoghaire boarded-up and awaiting refurbishment before allocation - it some cases it takes many months before the keys are handed over to the new tenants.)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

2007-06-23T19:45:00.000+01:00

The reform of local government in Ireland is long overdue. We don’t really have local government in Ireland, only the local administration of the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government. Power must reside with the democratically elected public representatives and not with County Managers. The participation by local communities and groups in the policy formulation at local authority level must be enhanced. I have been a member of the Stategic Policy Committee on Planning, Development & Tourism from 1998 to 2001 and since then I have served as a Sectoral Representative on the SPC for Culture, Community Development & Amenities in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown. Clearly, the Strategic Policy Committees established by our local authorities have not in any significant manner fulfilled the hopes and aspirations of the Sectoral Representatives on these committees. Many have come to view the operation of the SPCs are merely rubber-stamping exercises with little meaningful debate or actual policy formulation. This is unfortunate as the initial concept of sectoral input in to County Council policy formulation in partnership with the elected public representatives offered many interesting opportunities for the development of our democracy at local level. Regrettably, many citizens have come to view the local authority system in Ireland solely in terms of the essential services provided by our City and County Councils. Local democracy and the valuable advocacy provided by our City and County Councillors is very often overshadowed by unpopular decisions taken by unelected officials on a range of issues from planning matters to imposition of refuse charges or the introduction of vehicle clamping regimes. A popular engagement with the whole concept of local governance in Ireland is urgently required and therefore, our elected public representatives on each local authority in Ireland must spearhead a campaign to have a democratically accountable system of local governance established in Ireland where power would firmly reside with the elected members on behalf of the people. The ideals as set forth in Article 28A of Bunreacht na hÉireann must be given meaningful expression by the repeal of the Local Government Act, 2001 and the introduction of new legislation to provide Ireland with a system of real local government for the first time since the foundation of the State. I strongly support and advocate the empowerment of the democratically elected City and County Councillors in the interest of democracy, accountability, public sevice and citizens at a local level throughout our Republic.

(pictured above, residents of central Dún Laoghaire protesting inside County Hall about the lack of any structured or meaningful consultation on the County Council's plans for their neighbourhood - the oldest in the Town Centre. Also, pictured the Arms of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council)

ENVIRONMENT

2007-06-23T19:40:00.000+01:00

The challenges facing our environment are many and varied. Some require action on the international level, but many are simply local. The current system of “taxing” citizens into compliance with local authority refuse strategies is counterproductive. In many areas fly-tipping has increased, especially in the semi-rural areas outside cities and major towns. The whole emphasis of the current system must be reviewed. A more proactive partnership approach to waste management is required where ownership of the problem is assumed willingly and with enthusiasm by the citizens. Climate change is a very serious problem yet to be fully appreciated and understood by many in Ireland. The challenges posed by climate change will impact on each and everyone of us and yet, many of us are simply prepared to ignore this fact. Jobs, communities and our economy all will suffer unless we tackle the problem nationally and internationally. Local authorities throughout Ireland should establish local environmental protection partnership fora to highlight climate change issues at local level and to establish local community based initiatives aimed at educating and assisting the public on this very important issue. Legislation on climate change is a vital necessity and therefore, it cannot be ignored by our politicians - the government MUST act on this issue with urgency.

(pictured above, fly-tipping in the laneways in the centre of Dún Laoghaire. The ugly sight of fly-tipping is now increasingly seen in the semi-rural areas outside our cities and larger towns in our "Emerald Isle").

AN GHAEILGE (Irish Language)

2007-06-23T19:38:00.000+01:00

Whilst, seeking to strengthen the Gaeltachtaí, we need an effective promotion of bilingualism in the wider community through measures to support, encourage and further the use and visibility of the language. I am also deeply concerned about the quality of bilingual placename and street-name signage erected by local authorities. Given that over 90% of our placenames in Ireland are of Gaelic origin, though sometimes disguised by Anglicisation, this placename heritage is a potent reminder of the position our national language once had throughout this island. However, our placename heritage is in danger from mistranslations and official neglect. In a recent frontpage article published in "Ireland's Genealogical Gazette" I raised the issue of the mistranslations and quasi-translations of our placenames by the designers of street and national road signage. Many County and City Councillors contacted me on this important issue and some, including Cllr. David O'Connor (Fingal), Cllr. Killian Forde (Dublin City) and Cllr. Cáit Keane (South Dublin) proffered very interesting and viable initiatives to tackle this issue at Local Authority level. I have drafted a County Placenames Policy document (see link below) for the County of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown which I will present at the September 2007 meeting of the Strategic Policy Committee on Culture, Community Development and Amenities. The issue of bilingual signage is a significant part of the proposed policy. A high visibility for An Ghaeilge on placename and street-name signage is vitally important as the quality of such signage publicly expresses the value we place on our linguistic heritage. This visibility is an important factor in the maintenance of a high level of goodwill amongst our population towards An Ghaeilge, especially in an Ireland much changed over the past decade or so. I strongly support the Gaelscoileanna movement throughout the country as parents, often with great difficulty, provide an Irish medium education for their children. Recently, I published a lengthy article in the Journal of the Genealogical Society of Ireland on Yn Ghaelg (Manx Gaelic) and the efforts by parents on the Isle of Man to provide a Manx medium education for their children at the Bunscoil Ghaelgagh and through kindergarten groups - Moinjer Veggey. Clearly, in this fast moving modern world of ours, we still value our heritage, especially An Ghaeilge, and want to ensure that future generations will inherit a living language. I strongly advocate a greater visibility for the language and the planning for a sustainable bilingualism in Ireland.

(pictured above, a fine example of bilingual signage in Scotland)

To read the article on the Isle of Man or the Proposal for a County Placenames Policy for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown just scroll down to "LINKS TO ARTICLES & FURTHER INFORMATION" at the foot of this Blog.

OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE

2007-06-23T19:36:00.000+01:00

Following on from my submissions on The Heritage Act, 1995, in 1996 I proposed the formulation of County Heritage Policies and the appointment of County Heritage Officers. To advance this proposal I established An Foram Oidhreachta and invited those with knowledge and expertise in all aspects of our natural and man-made heritage to join this forum. After around 13 sessions held during 1996 the various submissions by each delegate were collated in “Towards a County Heritage Policy” published in 1997. The concept of County Heritage Polices and Officers was later accepted by Minister Síle de Valera and became national policy. Whilst, the County Heritage Officer system is working extremely well, the role of the Heritage Council must be reviewed. New heritage legislation may be required to provide much needed protection for our natural and built heritage. Recently I have advocated the adoption of a County Placenames Policy by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to protect the placename heritage of the County and to provide a mechanism for the promotion of an awareness, appreciation and knowledge of this aspect of our heritage amongst the citizens of the County. I will table the Policy Document at the September 2007 meeting of the Strategic Policy Committee on Culture, Community Development & Amenities. The document also deals with bilingual signage (copy available on Links at foot of the Blog). Regarding our heraldic heritage, I strongly advocate the reintroduction of an amended Genealogy & Heraldry Bill to provide a proper legal basis for the State’s delivery of heraldic services and to provide the State with a mechanism to honour meritorious citizens with a Grant of Arms. To read the article on "Honouring Our Meritorious Citizens" just scroll down to "LINKS TO ARTICLES & FURTHER INFORMATION" at the foot of this Blog.

(pictured above, viewing the restoration works on the Martello Tower at Seapoint in 2003 - I was the fund raiser for this project)

To read the Genealogy & Heraldry Bill, 2006, please click on this link http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/bills/2006/2306/b2306s.pdf