Happy Birthday, Franz Schubert

He was born on January 31st in 1797.

He died in 1828, aged just 31.

I was privileged to visit Vienna a few years ago, and I have visited his grave in the Zentralfriedhof. He is buried next to Beethoven.

Considering his short life, the amount of work he produced is simply huge.

I had difficulty making up my mind what masterpieces to put up here; probably my favourite pieces of his are the Unfinished Symphony (the 8th), and his 5th Symphony.

So first of all, here is Pavarotti singing Schubert's "Ave Maria".


And here is one of my favourite singers, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, with Alfred Brendel at the piano. This is "Gute Nacht" from Die Winterreise, a cycle of poems by Wilhelm Muller set to music by Schubert. This is nice to listen to with a nice hot cup of something in your hand.




Rest in peace.

Why does this not surprise me?

Over the weekend, some of the coverage of the Williamsongate business with the Pope and the SSPX just made me groan and throw my eyes up to the heavens.

Then earlier today I looked online at the UK Press Gazette, and read this:

Less than a fifth of British people say they trust newspapers, down from about 30 per cent last year and well below the global average, according to a new report published today.

Ladies and Gentlemen! It is my pleasure and privilege to present to you Dublin's Dumbest Criminal!

I have to admit that this made me laugh out loud:

A MAN who stole a cash box containing €40,000 was arrested after gardaí followed a trail of ink and smoke from the box's security devices to his home, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

Read the story, and you will especially notice the words "laughter from the court."

Tokyo story

I love travelling, and many years ago I made up my mind that, one day, I would visit Japan. Since I only get a certain number of Annual Leave days each year, unfortunately I cannot do as much travelling as I would like to! Though for financial reasons, that is probably a good thing!

So it was on a sunny Friday morning in September that I flew out from Dublin Airport via BMI to Heathrow then Virgin Atlantic to Narita Airport, which is actually about 60 kilometres from Tokyo city centre. To compare, imagine if Dublin Airport was actually located at Dunleer in County Louth.

Heathrow to Narita is about twelve hours; beforehand I was definitely looking forward to the in-flight entertainment, with so many hours of audio and TV/movies to pass the time, but even about half way through the flight, I started to get tired of all this.

Tired was the appropriate word, and I landed in Tokyo about 0800 local time. Then you have several train options into town. I chose the Keisei Skyliner train which would have left me about a ten minute walk from my chosen hotel, the Sutton Place Ueno Hotel.

I have no problem recommending this place to anybody, but a word of warning. Tokyo is huge, loud and noisy. Despite the Sutton Place having double-glazed windows, my room was on the street side, and I admit I could not sleep properly for either Saturday or Sunday night. Perhaps the jet-lag was also a factor, but one did not help the other. So my advice if you ever go to Tokyo is bring a pair of earplugs. They made a huge difference, and I was able to get some good sleep with them.

So here is actually the first photo I took in Tokyo: the pavement quite close to the hotel.



And here is the second:



More to follow!

Church theft

Occasionally we hear of thefts taking place in churches, especially in remote rural areas.

But this story from Russia just goes a bit too far!

One act of euthanasia of which I heartily approve!

Last Saturday, at a meeting in a hotel in Mullingar, the Progressive Democrats formally decided to disband.

I say: Goodbye, and good riddance!

The Regressive Desocrats have presented the Irish people with their vision of the future: right-wing Thatcherite economic policies mixed with left-wing liberal social policies. The vision included a draft new Constitution with all references to God removed.

And, frankly, the Irish people have finally seen through them and said: "No thanks"!

At the 2007 General Election, they went from eight seats down to two, and even the then party Leader, Michael McDowell, lost his seat, and promptly announced his retirement from politics. I admit I always had a certain respect for McDowell because he was always a conviction politician, rather than a populist politician; he was the type of man who wasn't afraid to say what he thought or what he believed was in the best interests of the country, even if it became a vote loser! And I admit I disagreed with him rather more than I agreed with him.

So the writing had been on the wall for some time. Even the party's official website, looking at it just now, hasn't been updated with news of the formal disbandment, indicating just how few people are involved with the party now.

And so the Last Rites were performed last Saturday.

Rest in Peace.

Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Limerick

The RTE series "Would You Believe" recently visited the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in the economically and socially depressed area of Moyross in Limerick city.

I thought it was a well-made programme, as it just let the friars tell their stories, and let local people tell of the impact which the friars have already made in the area.

To watch the half-hour show, click here.

Ireland's Minister for Hardship

Classic Irish comedy from the 1970s . . .

. . .But first some background. Here is comedian Eamonn Morrissey as the "Minister for Hardship", which was a humourous impersonation of Liam Cosgrave, our Taoiseach from 1973 to 1977. Back in those days, inflation was in double-digit figures; but also significant was the fact that most people in the country had only one television channel at home, RTE. And one of their most popular programmes was the humorous Hall's Pictorial Weekly.

This weekly programme was introduced and the sketches were linked by journalist and broadcaster Frank Hall, seen here introducing and closing this piece.

I believe this sketch was written and broadcast shortly after a rather "tight" Budget.

Enjoy!

Personal announcement

I am happy to announce that I am getting married.

Audrey and I will be married in 2009. Deo gratias.

Something especially for Manchester United fans

Broadcaster and historian John Bowman presents an interesting programme on RTE Radio 1 on Sunday mornings; it is mainly composed of radio archives from the past.

Last Sunday included a feature about the Munich air crash of February 1958. It includes the voice of Sir Matt Busby, and a rather moving account from Harry Gregg.

To hear the programme, go to this page, then click on the link titled "Programme 4 Sunday 27th January".

For the start of the United item, you will have to move the dial to 24 mins 30 seconds.

This made me laugh!

Sir Clement Freud, chef, former MP and grandson of Sigmund, is a strong horse racing enthusiast, racehorse owner and punter. He writes a column in the Racing Post on Saturdays titled "Eighty Plus".

Last Saturday, 12th January 2007, his column included the following lines:

Last week, in the health section of a Sunday supplement, I read of the severe dangers of heavy drinking and took appropriate action: I gave up reading the newspaper.

Businessman thinks God is more important than money!

This appears on the front page of today's Irish Examiner.

A TRADER who pioneered Sunday shop opening in 1971 has had a change of heart — and has banned all his 13 shops from opening on the Sabbath.

Devout Catholic Des Kelly, 67, reckons the decision to axe Sunday opening on religious grounds could cost his home furnishings business €600,000 in lost trade this year.

Full story here.

The business is well known in Dublin, though the man himself isn't, and frankly I don't know what he looks like. I must disclose here that I have no connection with him or the business; in fact I don't believe I have ever been in one of his shops in my life, though I live quite close to one!

Moyross Nativity with the FFRs

More about the work of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in Limerick. This is from RTE evening TV news from last Friday.

Go to here, then scroll down to "Franciscan monks bring relief to Moyross."

Franciscan Friars settling in down in Limerick

Nice piece in local paper.

THE Franciscan Friars of the Renewal based in Delmege Park, Moyross, have been awarded the Limerick Person of the Month award for their efforts in bringing a new sense of hope to the people of the area.

Full story here.

This is my first YouTube posting!

Hopefully it works. Sit back and enjoy three minutes of Heaven from Elisabeth Schwarzkopf with Gerald Moore. I think this is from 1958.

She was born in the very same week as Frank Sinatra.



A few years ago, I got Moore's memoirs out of the library. He quoted what is probably the best-ever newspaper review of a recital by a singer:

"Last night Miss Blank sang at the Wigmore Hall. Why?"

All in a day's work

There are some working days you'll never forget . . .

Two members of Dublin Fire Brigade delivered a baby boy in the back of an ambulance on the South Circular Road, Dublin, early this morning.

Full story here.

Mark Shea in Dublin

Legend of the Catholic blogosphere, Mark Shea, is currently in Ireland. On Wednesday 7th November, I went to hear him speak in University College Dublin.

It was in the Engineering Building, very close to the number 10 bus terminal. About 30 people were present, mainly students I presume.

His subject was "101 Reasons Not To Be Catholic". He went through various lists of objections to Catholicism from some Protestants, secularists, dissident Catholics, etc, and how they tend to cancel each other out. For example, for every complaint against the Church one person has, another person has the exact opposition complaint. Such as, one person might say that the Church is too dogmatic and rigid for sticking up and maintaining beliefs, such as the Assumption or the Immaculate Conception. Someone else might say that the Church is too lenient by insisting on the doctrine of free will!

In talking about atheism/agnosticism, he came up with a brilliant quote which I feel best sums up the attitude of many so-called atheists: "Why does Jesus get to be God, and not me?"

At one stage, Mark paused for effect to tell us the single most important question that has ever been asked, and ever will be asked: "Who Do You Say That I Am?"

Another line he came up with that I had to write down immediately: "The faith is an anvil that has worn out a thousand hammers".

Afterwards, I shook hands with him, so this is proof that he really does exist. Sometimes with some websites, I get the opinion that they are actually produced by a group of people, all working under the same pseudonym, like the Hardy Boys novels, for example.

His tour of Ireland is not finished yet, so here is his itinerary. Do go to hear him speak if you can.

Question about Fr. Copleston S.J.

This is an appeal for help.

I recently acquired a second-hand copy (in very good condition, I must add) of Volume Four of Fr. Frederick Copleston's famous multi-volume History of Philosophy.

My question is: could I successfully read this alone, or would I be better off to get my hands of the FULL set and start from the very beginning?

Answers in the Comments box below will be gratefully received.

Anglican bishop's wife swims across the Tiber!

Let me start be disclosing that I have never met and I do know any of the people involved here.

First, here is the story from the slightly anti-Catholic Irish Independent.

And, here is the piece in a local newspaper, the Western People.

Here is a more deep-down analysis from the Belfast Telegraph, a newspaper which has been traditionally regarded as "a Protestant paper", but is now part of the Independent News & Media group, a company which dominates the Irish newspaper scene.

Here is the online version of the latest edition of the Church of Ireland Gazette. You will have to scroll half-way down the page.

I know today is Friday, but I haven't seen this weekend's The Irish Catholic yet.

So, Mrs. Henderson, as a Catholic layman all I can say is welcome aboard the Barque of Peter. And I can promise you that it's not going to be a totally comfortable trouble-free journey.

Padre Pio story from Tipperary

From the Nenagh Guardian.

Incidentally, reference is made to the lady's husband, Des Hanafin, as a Senator. Actually, he is no longer a Senator, but her daughter, Mary, is our current Minister for Education.