The recent Ecumenical Memorial Church Service in Star of the Sea Church in Sandymount commemorated those men who made the ultimate sacrifice during the first World War.

The event brought home the major contribution our area made to the battle fields of Europe. The Great War of 1914-1918 took a toll of at least 160 victims from our three sister parishes of Sandymount, Irishtown and Ringsend.

The names of those who died were recorded from parish records from the various churches of different denominations in our area. The call of duty for those who gave their lives knew no boundary of religion.

Local man Patrick Lynch provided the organisational and research support to make this moving ceremony the beginning of a new era of remembrance in the Star of the Sea Church.

It is planned to hold the event again next November. Part of those plans will incorporate the remembering of all those who died in World War II.

Rev. Fr. Brian Power, the Parish Priest of Star of the Sea, concelebrated with Canon Bertram, the Rector of St. Matthew’s Church, Irishtown.

The reading of the list of the dead by Rodney Devitt, Mr Seagrave and Patrick Lynch brought an eerie feeling of the devastation the news of those deaths brought to our community in the not-too-distant past of 80 years ago.

Left to Right: Mrs. Smith, Pat Dolan, James Hickie, Canon Bertram, Patrick Lynch, Father Power, James and William Seagrave, Benny Murphy.

Thursday 12th November could go down in Community Annals as the date for the demise of Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association.

A sad forecast indeed. Outgoing Chairperson, Ciaran O’Loughlin indicated to a very small turnout that due to resignations and lack of new blood coming onto the committee, the work load had become too onerous.

Unfortunately, no notifications were sent out to members to inform them of the A.G.M. meeting. The meeting which was put back to 8.30pm from its usual slot of 8.00pm was awkward timing for those who picked up on the few notices around the village.

The proposed new licensed premises in Sandymount Village was a major bone of contention in what became a heated discussion. Under current standards of operation, the Residents Association will not initiate planning appeals unless there is a groundswell of opinion from residents to-do-so.

It is planned to have a further meeting in the New Year to elect a new Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. These positions were unable to be filled from the floor on the night.

Like any voluntary organisation, it is only as good as its members’ enthusiasm and work rate.The future of Sandymount and Merrion Residents Associations is in your hands.
On a more cheerful note the residents association have come together with the localtraders to sponsor the Christmas lights on the Green. Ciaran O’Loughlin sees it as a small acknowledgment of the Tidy Towns victory again this year. This sees Sandymount as the Tidy Urban Village Award Winner for the third year in-a-row.