March 10th 2008

Volume 2 Issue 21

Compiled and edited by Angela Short

DkiT Chef scoops All Ireland Title.

It’s Election time in the Students’ Union again. Exercise your democratic right and vote!

The achievements of DkIT’s students continue with the recent success of John Killeen (Professional Cookery) from Navan. On Tuesday last in the Red Cow Moran’s Hotel, John cooked up faultless food to capture the 2008 All Ireland Junior Chef of the Year title sponsored by Villeroy & Boch. Competing against 10 of the country’s top up and coming chefs, John prepared a three course meal that would have been at home at the summit of the senior competition run the same day. A starter of pan fried hake fillet, Mediterranean vegetables with pureed fennel and celeriac was fol-lowed by a trio of pork which stood head and shoul-ders above the competition. This was all rounded off with a ‘study of local honey’ This is not John’s first taste of success, he adds this All-Ireland title to his collection of 5 other med-als he has already picked up this year including runner up in the Knorr Young Chef of the Year last month. Congratulations also to lecturers Michael Mc Na-mara and Rosemarie Leonard who tutored John and fellow student Matthew Matthews who was John's right hand man on the day.

The posters, tee shirt and lollipops will be appearing again this year as students once again go to the polls to elect their officers for the next academic Year. The nominations are and the present incumbents, President Luke McGahon and Vice Subhash Khanal are both putting their names forward for the coveted President’s role. . Matthew Hunkian, a second year Engineering student has also declared him-

self a candidate which should ensure an exciting competition.

Elections will be held in the Conference Centre from 10 a. m until 4 p.m this

Thursday, March 13th.

With almost 5,000 students in DkIT, it is hoped that as a record number of stu-dents will exercise their vote and elect the candidate of their choice. See photos

and details about the candidates on page 5.

DkiTimes

Early Perspectives; Chancellor’s family’s has close ties to Dundalk RTC. Written and Submitted by Seamus Bellew. Mr Peter Malone has recently been appointed Chancellor of Limerick University, effectively chairman of the governing authority for five years. Originally from the Carrick road, Peter attended the Friary and St Mary’s College before studying at the Shannon Hotel School. He later went on to become Chief Executive of the Jury's Doyle Hotel Group. When one examines his family background one is not surprised at Peter’s success in the catering and hotel area for both his sister and mother managed the college canteen and other family members also worked in the college. Peter’s sister, Mai (Murchnan) was the first manageress and their mother succeeded as manageress. Last year, I met with Mary who vividly recalled her family’s involvement in the college.

The Early days: In the early days ‘JD Carroll Catering’ ran the catering but this was for a brief period. The

first manageress was Mai (Malone) Murchnan who started as a receptionist in Ballymacscanlon and later joined JD Carroll and Campbell’s in Dublin. The opportunity to return to Dundalk arose, when interviewed by the CEO, she outlined how proposals for running the canteen. The college was a lovely place to work in and it had a good kitchen. The early chefs were Brian Dearey, Phonsie Savage and Patsy Byrne. The Canteen committee oversaw the running of the canteen, the committee included Sean McDonagh, Cathal Byrne and John Kerr. Cathal Byrne from the VEC was on hand on a day-to-day basis. Yoghurt was a big seller; a couple of trays were sold each day. Burgers, beans and chips as ever were the popular lunch menu among the students. The pastries came in from John Connolly and the bread from HFJ McCann, Jim Kerr a local butcher supplied the meats. Pat Carolan prepared the potato chips down town, this was a settled order, and the chipper was hard work. Gallons of oil came in drums from Dublin. Cantrell and Cor-coran supplied the minerals. Alan McGuinness’s Cash and Carry was on hand for day-to-day supplies. Other early staff included Mai’s sister Patricia, Mrs Keogh, Mrs Carolan and Mrs Cunningham. Then the junior school canteen was set up and Mrs Byrne looked after that. Mai married in 1973 and left in 1974 after her daughter was born.

The Canteen 1974-89: Before Mai Murchnan left, the canteen needed a cashier, so Mai’s mother, Mrs Mary Malone filled that position. Mai went on maternity and Mary wound up running the canteen. Phonsie Savage was a good chef who liked to be in for 7:30 when things were quiet. Cathal Byrne was a good boss; she opened a new outlet for Tea and Sandwiches and got a few ladies to do those hours. She tried to keep things as cheap as possible, a bowl of soup would be a welcome relief after a student cycled into college in the rain. Mary was affectionately known as ‘Ma’, a Ma away from home for the students. Mary’s daughter Carol used to help pour the teas in the evening for the night classes. Some of the staff who worked under Mary included: Sheila Malone, Annie Nulty, Kathleen Hoey (RIP), Olive Hughes, Mary Taggart, Claire Keane, Margaret Rogan, Michael O’Farrell, Rose Macken, Kate Smyth, Noeleen Crawley, Susan Hannaway, Kitty Farrelly and Teresa Larkin. Ruth Gunne (Kennedy) of the auctioneering family, took over as manageress in September 1989, she remained as manageress for almost a decade until her untimely death on 17 February 1997.

Chefs: The outstanding chef under Mary Malone and Ruth Gunne for many years had been local man

Phonsie Savage who later went on to McArdle's and is now retired, Pat Malone a daughter of Mary was a cook with Phonsie and she stayed on awhile after Mary left. Gerry Byrne was also a chef who left and came back in the form of Gerry’s diner. Barry Gibbs was also a chef in the diner. Dermot Byrne also che-fed for a time. Lucy Maguire was a cook in Ruth’s time. One of the changes in political correctness from the early days, men were known as chefs while the ladies were known as cooks. In more recent times Martina McArdle was a chef in Gerry’s. Declan Dowdall was an assistant chef in Ruth’s time.

The Malone Family: Mary Malone who was born in 1922 was originally Sweeney, from the well known butchering family in the town and she knew what a ‘good cut’ was! Her father had a butcher’s shop in Park Street and Mary ran the shop in Bridge Street for a time. Mary and Frank were married in 1942, sadly Frank died suddenly in 1960 leaving Mary and seven children, Carol Anne, the youngest was only three years old. Mary continued to work hard and moved to the Dublin Road, thus she was able to juggle home and work in college, Mary retired in 1989 and from then was able to enjoy visits from her family and Friday continued to be the day that the ‘hair got done’. Mary was 85 years last September and continues to live on the Dublin road, we wish Mary, Mai, Peter and the entire family well.

Students’ Union Election 2008 It is that time of year again, the candidates have been nominated, the manifestos finalised, the posters are going up and the campaigns are underway. Things are a little quieter this year, at least so far! Two candidates are running for the position of President while there is the only nomination for Vice-President. The ‘Hustings’ will take place on Wednesday (12th) at lunch time, this is the time to ask the candidates their positions on the different issues that stu-dents see as important to their participation in college life. The two candidates for President are Matthew Hunkin and

Luke McGahon, seen here just before canvassing began.

Matthew Hunkian is a second year Mechanical Engineering student who originally hails from Johannesburg and came to live in Ireland when his family moved to live in Mullagh near Kells. After doing the leaving cert in Kells, Matthew

worked in a hotel in Mullagh and also for Farrelly Brothers in Carnaross. He enjoys Rugby, Chess and sport in general.

Luke McGahon is the current President and before that just finished his degree in Management & Administration. Luke is from Harestown, Monasterboice. He did the leaving cert in St Oliver’s, Drogheda and part of his other work experience includes being a Baker in Brenda’s in Drogheda for ten years. He enjoys Soccer and Pool just to name two

sports.

Subhash Khanal is the current Vice-President and was a BAAF student before that. Subhash is seen here with his friends, Dinesh Khadka and Nagendra KC, all from Nepal. Subhash is the only nomination and the result will be de-

clared on Thursday at the Presidential Count.

Last year 1262 students voted in the SU elections, please remember to have some form of ID with you. Re-member to give Number 1 to your most preferred candidate.

Pictured left is presidential hopeful

Subhash Khanal, current Vice Presi-dent of the Student’s Union with his fel-low countrymen (Nepal) Dinesh Khadka

and Nagendra KC

Finally: Voting takes place on this Thursday (13

th)in the

Conference Centre (beside the Bank & Shop & SU), 10 am to 4 pm.

Don’t forget to bring along some form of ID.

Pictured here right are (l-r) presidential

hopefuls Luke McGahon (current Presi-

dent) and Matthew Hunkian.

Conferences and Seminars.

REMINDER: A reminder that the deadline for the submission of abstracts for the Tourism and Hospitality Re-search in Ireland Conference has been extended to Friday 7th March 2008 . We would like to ac-knowledge those who have already submitted abstracts for the conference and we would ask those working on, or considering an abstract to note the new deadline and redouble their efforts! Call for Papers for the 4th Annual Conference on Tourism and Hospitality Research in Ireland June 10th & 11th 2008.

Conference Theme is 'Reflections - Irish Tourism & Hospitality - A Success Story?'

Please take time to view the conference website at www.ittralee.ie/thric for all details of the con-ference to date. The previous three successful conferences, hosted by the University of Ulster, Waterford Institute of Technology and Dundalk Institute of Technology, have highlighted the quality research being carried out in the academic centres and business organisations throughout the island. The Institute of Technology Tralee is delighted to have the opportunity to maintain the momentum by hosting this year's event. Papers will be most welcome from academics, practitioners and undergraduates. Please contact Fiona Tobin or Feargus Dunne (Conference Organisers) at thriconference@ittralee.ie if you have any queries.

Food Sale this Thursday!

Professional Cookery Students are holding a food sale this

Thursday on the Hospitality corridor from 10.45 until 11.30.

on the Hospitality corridor from 10.45 until 11.30.

There will be range of freshly made produce on sale ranging

from of freshly made produce on sale ranging from chutneys,

flavoured oils, dressings, pestos and tapenade.

There will also be a range of breads and pastry items

available. Fresh fruit smoothies will be made to order !!

A week of workshops and talks with Augusto Boal and his son Julian

Augusto Boal visits Dublin with his son Julian to share his latest thoughts and practice with theatre-makers, youth workers, students, com-munity activists, … anyone who is interested in how Boal’s life and work have continued to evolve in a way that threads theatre through life and back again … always working for ways in which theatre can be a forum for discussion and dreams, with no separation between actor and spectator as citizens …. indeed, in some forms of his “Theatre-of-the –Oppressed”, with no separation at all …. Actors and “spectators” – those who recognise and respond, through the medium of theatre, in a rehearsal for life.

Talks: Monday – Boal the educator/trainer/guide (6-7pm Trinity College) Thursday – Boal the theatre director (1-2pm The Abbey Theatre)

Training:

Tuesday – Friday – advanced training (for practitioners who are

experienced in Boal’s techniques of Theatre of

the Oppressed) focussing how the aesthetics

and poetics of the oppressed lead to artistic

creation

Presentation/discussion:

Friday – a presentation and discussion of the week’s work in

Dublin (12 – 2pm venue tbc)

The week in detail:

Monday March 30th – 6-7pm – Trinity College Dublin

Boal the educator, trainer and guide ..

Augusto Boal discusses his work with his son Julian, from the perspective of director as facilitator/ trainer and guide. This talk is aimed at teachers, youth leaders, theatre directors, workshop leaders, community activists, students, – in fact anyone who works with groups as participant or director. It will focus on the strategies used to engage non-actors in a dialogue conducted through theatre and prepared for through theatre games

fee €5

Tuesday April 1st – Friday April 4th - Dublin

Advanced Training for theatre-makers

This training is aimed at drama practitioners experienced in using Boal’s methods in their work who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Boal’s approach to theatre-making and his latest work on the Aesthetics of the Oppressed. Participation in the training is by application only . Please contact …….for an application form.

Dates : Time:

Tuesday 1st April 2008 2 – 6pm

Wednesday 2nd April 2008 2 – 6pm

Thursday 3rd April 2008 3 – 6pm (talk in Abbey Theatre 1-2pm)

Friday 4th April2008 12 – 2pm open presentation and discussion of the week’s work.

Location: Dublin

Fee: € 300

Thursday April 3rd 1-2pm – The Abbey Theatre, Dublin

Boal the theatre director

The day before the Abbey Theatre previews The Burial at Thebes, Seamus Heaney’s version of Sophocles’ Antigone, Augusto Boal will talk about his own life as a theatre director growing up and working in times of political upheaval, military coups, censorship, imprison-ment, torture, exile and return. He talks of his work with actors and the training he developed with and for them; his choice of plays which could speak through a censored time; his production of The Plough and The Stars many years ago in Brazil - his love of Shakespeare and his commitment to new writing which can speak to a people of themselves.

part of The Abbey Talks series – entrance is free but booking is essential: 018787222

Friday April 4th 12 – 2pm – venue to be confirmed

Presentation and discussion of the week’s work, Followed by goodbyes…Please note that although the talks and presentations simply need you to book a place, there is an application process for the 35 places on the intensive workshop - deadline next Fri-day, March 14th. Decisions will be made on the 15th and 16th. Successful applicants will be told on the 18th . Application forms

for the workshops are available from cpoulter@tcd.ie . The deadline is March 14th

25/01/2008

Meeting a commitment of the Programme for Government, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D., today announced the establishment of a new scheme of fourth-level scholarships in the area of conflict resolution.

The Minister said: “Ireland can make a distinctive contribution to the resolution of conflict internationally. The Conflict Resolution Unit of my Department is actively engaged in developing Irish support for peace efforts in conflict-torn areas. Irish academia also has an important role to play in supporting the resolution of conflicts internationally. I am convinced of the importance of further developing national academic capability in this area and so I am establishing this scholarship scheme in partnership with the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences.”

The Minister said “The establishment of this scholarship scheme is an important step in developing Ireland’s academic capacity and expertise in the area of conflict resolution. In tandem with the establishment of an Academic Centre for Conflict Resolution, which will be advanced during 2008, the scheme will over time help build up Ireland’s capacity to support the resolution of con-flicts around the globe. This will add an important new dimension to our foreign policy activities.”

Note for Editors:

The Programme for Government emphasises the importance of conflict resolution as a theme in Irish foreign policy. The Conflict Resolution Unit was established within the Political Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and is leading work in the De-partment, in conjunction with Irish Aid and the Anglo-Irish Division, on enhancing Irish engagement in conflict resolution activities. In addition to the establishment of this scholarship scheme, the Conflict Resolution Unit will lead the development of an Irish Aca-demic Centre for Conflict Resolution, oversee a Stability Fund to support specific efforts in the area of conflict resolution and man-age a system of roving ambassadors to crisis regions.

The scheme will be administered in partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS). The scheme will fund an initial two researchers from 2008 to undertake research work in the area of conflict resolution leading to the award of Ph.D. degrees, with a further two scholarships being awarded on an an-nual basis. Applications for the scholarships will be invited from holders of degrees at bachelor or masters level, who will be funded for a maximum of three years’ research work, based at an Irish institution. Applications will be assessed by an interna-tional panel assembled by IRCHSS, led by a specialist in the field of conflict resolution. It is intended that recipients of the scholar-ships will have an opportunity to spend a period working with the Conflict Resolution Unit in the course of their studies.

Details of the scholarship scheme, including instructions for applicants, can be found on the websites of the Department of For-eign Affairs and IRCHSS (www.irchss.ie).

++ENDS Press Office 25/01/08

Engineers Ireland Lecture.

The North-East Region, in association with the Northern Region of Engineers Ireland, is pleased to invite its members ( and other interested parties) to attend the follow-ing evening lecture: South-North Gas Pipeline

Presented by John Walshe, BGE (Bord Gáis Eire-ann), National Construction Manager and Mark Magee, RPS Consulting Engineers Associate. Date: Wednesday, 12th March, 2008

Time: 6.30pm

Venue: Dundalk Institute of Technology

Further details available from; Johnston Bell, 028 87738521orjohnston@teagueandsally.com

All DkIT students and staff welcome

Minister for Foreign Affairs Announces New Postgraduate Scholarships in Conflict Resolution

DkiT Hospitality Students are runners up in IHI Business

Management Game 2008.

A team of 5 students, representing Dundalk Institute of Technology took 2nd place in the Irish Hospitality Institute (IHI) Business Management Game 2008 yesterday, in association with Champagne Taittinger and Fáilte Ireland. The competition attracted 11 teams represent-ing young hospitality managers of the future from all over Ireland. The 23rd IHI Business Man-agement Game, which took place in Galway, is also supported by Irish Hotels Federation and HOTS. This was Dundalk IT’s first time to enter the competition. The teams spent two days devising a strategy, planning and managing a fictitious hospitality business, operating in a simulated dynamic business environment and created by HOTS, the world s leading company in hospitality business management simulation software. Each team’s business dealt with real life issues including interaction with competitors and the wider business environment, alongside m successfully managing the many internal business issues that were presented to them.

The winning team, tutored by Maria Roddy-Freyne included Sheree Connolly, Róisín Jones, Alan Rooney, Samantha McLaughlin and Suzanne Walker. The team competed with ten others from University of Ulster, Portrush, Cork, Athlone, Waterford, Galway Mayo, and Limerick Institutes of Technology, Griffith College Dublin and Fáilte Irelands Trainee Hearty congratulations to all involved,- an exceptional result for this, DkIT’s first outing to the competition.

Farewell to the ‘Real McCoy’

Last Friday night friends, family and col-leagues of Brendan McCoy gathered to celebrate Brendan’s many years of ser-

vice to DkiT.

Seamus Bellew has kindly captured the atmos-phere on the night below.

A very enjoyable night was had by all. Kevin introduced the formal part of the night by recall-ing that it was thirty years since Brendan’s arri-val at the college and it seemed like a tea break since. Brendan was a great friend and a man of great integrity and was very loyal as well as being a wonderful tradesman. He wel-comed Patsy, Caroline, Gerard and all Bren-

dan’s family. Pictured here is the ‘ever smiling’ Brendan with friend and col-

league Joe McCreanor.

Next Joe McCreanor, another 30 year stalwart pointed out that it will take two guys to replace Brendan! The Sigerson had called the other stalwart away. No problem was ever an issue for Brendan, ‘what can we do?’ any situation would get worked around and a solution found. Pauric Duffy’s poem entitled ‘Farewell to Brendan’ raised a few laughs including the distinctive laugh! Denis considered Brendan a friend, who has seen many changes around the college; in fact he made the changes. The words honesty and integrity were echoed again and Denis also said that how would miss him. He concluded by describing how Brendan confounded the precision of some of the engineering colleagues, when hanging a door they perceived the level of tolerance to be one thousandth of an inch, when Brendan was asked what tolerance he worked to, pointed out that it would be spot-on! Pat Kennedy said it was the end of an era; Brendan was a true friend and recalled the philosophy on arriving late for work, that it could be made up for, by going home early! The Badminton, Mara Cycles, Star games and Football were recalled. Jim Halpenny a for-mer colleague was welcomed back for the occasion. He had read about Brendan’s retirement ‘do’ in the DkITimes and called to book his ticket!

Finally it was Brendan’s turn, he thanked everyone for coming and said he was proud to be a Carpenter fol-lowing in his father’s footsteps and those of his broth-ers. On being interviewed he was not sure if there were Brain Surgeons around when he was introduced to two Docs and then there was the wit surgeon. He loved hard work and learned how to have longer tea breaks. As he mentioned last week he loved the college and the craic and he will miss his involvement with the un-ion. Someone pointed out that Brendan is still coming up on Thursdays. Joe made a presentation to Brendan while Loretto presented flowers to Patsy. All the very best to Brendan & his family.

Pictured here right is Brendan with Niall O Donnell, caretaker in the town campus, who also retired on Fri-

day

The Brendan Files.

Farewell to Brendan!

Farewell to Brendan, our friend, good and true.

For near thirty years we’ve worked here with you.

With speed and with grace, a hard man to catch,

Your very sharp mind, and sharp wit to match.

A distinctive laugh that was heard far and wide,

Your friendship as reliable, as the turn of the tide.

A man of great wisdom, with the easiest of smiles,

Without finding better, you’d drive many miles.

No task could beat him, no matter its size,

And solving the problem, itself was his prize.

A man of many talents at play or at work,

And if you were in trouble he’d not leave you stuck.

Now its time for Brendan, to at last take a rest,

He’s had a year to practice, I think he passed the test.

No doubt we’ll all miss you, for your wisdom and craic,

But you know there’ll always be a warm welcome back.

So do come back and see us, and tell us your tales

Of going to far away places, of tall ships with sails.

Quaint little coffee shops serving tea and hot scones,

And going back to Malta, to get some heat in your bones.

Children Caroline and Gerard and Patsy his wife,

This tight, close knit family, the love of his life.

Not forgetting the wee cat and also the big dog,

That you used to take walking or was that a jog?

So enjoy your retirement, for it was hard earned,

And put to good use, the lessons you’ve learned.

The boots you have left here will be very hard to fill,

It will take at least two men, to try and fit that bill.

You served us in the union and the governing body

With skill and determination, your work never shoddy.

While the effort was like that of a warrior from Troy,

There was no one could beat the one “Real McCoy”

So a bientot to you Brendan, our friend, good and true.

With our best Greetings and Salutations, we bid you adieu.

From all of us here in Dundalk’s Technological Institute

We say with a raised glass, Sláinte, Prost and Salut.

©Páiric Duffy, 7 March 2008

And this week’s caption competition. Send your captions to editor@dkit.ie

"more red bull less vodka" Congrats to Con Burke, BSc 4