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We met in the Sacristy of the church when I first joined and subsequently in the new scouts’ hut which we built. I edited the Troop’s newsletter ‘Daw’s Bih’. Michael Potts was our Scoutmaster, a wonderful man who, although short in stature was enormously respected and liked by all the scouts and cubs. I can still recall the order “Scouts Alert” whenever he visited one of the three troops, 3rd, 40th and 41st, under his charge. We would all immediately stand to attention and hang on his every word of advice. Willy Potts his brother was a Commissioner of Scouts at their HQ. We had some wonderful camps and hikes all around the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains. We won the Melvin Trophy at least twice, once when I was the Patrol Leader in charge of the team. We sent our semaphore messages so fast that the judges had great difficulty keeping up with them! Our campsite was a model of order and efficiency. My brother, Tony Dowling, was also a member for a few years. I became a Star Scout and had merit badges overflowing so much on my sleeve that my mother complained that there was no room for any more. Only Muiris McGonigal had more and, furthermore, he was a National Scout. He was not in my troop but in the Third. Joe Doyle, latterly Lord Mayor of Dublin, was in my troop and we both went to Lourdes to help with the sick. We also had some very memorable annual camps in Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny. My troop was led by Dan Breen with whom I am still in contact. Dan is a brilliant scholar, who subsequently became a Jesuit Priest working in South East Asia. Today he is Professor of Physics in Mahanakorn University, Bangkok, and is a Thai citizen who speaks many languages, including Thai, fluently. As for me, I did civil engineering at UCD where I took first place with first class honours in 1960. I then left for Imperial College, London where I did my PhD, and subsequently became Professor and Head of Civil Engineering. I was there for over 30 years before being appointed Vice Chancellor (President) and Chief Executive of the University of Surrey in Guildford, Surrey. I led that university for 11 years and helped increase its research standing so that in the UK 2001 Research Assessment Exercise it came fith after Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College and London School of Economics in terms of the percentage of world-class scholars returned for the Assessment. I retired in 2005 and now share my time between Guildford (75% and Wexford (25%) where we have relocated from Monkstown and Sandymount before that. You may be interested that I am a neighbour and personal friend of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell whom I see regularly as they also live in Guildford. Lessons learned as a scout leader which stood me well in later life include; I hope some of this may be of interest.
Ann, I believe the photograph of locomotive engine A14 (above) may have been taken in Barrow Street, I would also ask if that building in the background might be Boland’s Mills which lies at the end of Barrow Street. Yours as ever,
Hi again Ann, I have come across quite a few opinions. Today I had coffee with four of the lads associated with The ‘New Link’ magazine and they were all of the opinion that the site was centred around the RDS grounds in Ballsbridge, but I stuck to my guns and continued to plug for Barrow Street. However, the building on the left of the picture might well have been a barn-like structure in the grounds of the RDS, No matter, if I am wrong I will concede defeat graciously,
Dear Madam Editor Yours sincerely George Kearns’s friends and Martin Pugh are correct. The photo was indeed taken on the site of the AIB in Ballsbridge. Thanks for all the emails and letters putting me right. (Ed)
Dear Madam Editor I wanted to commend through your newspaper the great displays in Star of the Sea Church over Easter. I was so impressed by the Easter Garden and floral displays that I encouraged many neighbours and friends to drop in and see for themselves. The church gets a lot of criticism at times legitimate but it is only fair to also highlight the good done. My children love the touches at mass in Sandymount– a goldfish called Oscar swimming in the Easter waterfont(!), a chocolate mallow for all the children on Easter Day, a garden that spoke not only to the children but to us adults as well and a team of celebrants who welcome all. I want to congratulate those who were involved in this visual feast– keep up the good work. Sincerely,
Dear Madam Editor When I recently began worshipping in Star of the Sea Church I didn’t know what to expect. I was so impressed by what met me that I felt I needed to publicly mention it. I loved the Easter Garden so beautifully laid out and an apt way to celebrate new life. The church is an example of floral display at its best– the person responsible is to be congratulated. I also feel it is a very family and child friendly place– not always one’s experience of church. The church has had dark days of late and it is easy to forget that while there are struggles at Diocesan level there is much good being done at local community level by the local church. Thank you to all who go towards making Star of the Sea a place of welcome and a true sacred space. Thomas Grennan, |
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Dear Madam Editor