Gong for big Gearóid

I'm impressed at how often people say to me, "read that on your blog" or "you are talking through your Erse on your blog again"; a sure sign that the proletariat are avidly following our online adventures here. The Irish News were on the blower for me today, following up my musings on the Long Kesh-Maze stadium. I didn't get a chance to get back to the reporter, but who knows they may even give pick up the idea of locating the new complex in the new city between Newry and Dundalk. If they do, you read it here first.

Today was taken up with judging for the Aisling Award for oustanding business achievement and I have to say myself, and fellow panellists, Michael Carson from sponsors PwC and last year's recipient Gerry McKernan, will have our work cut out for us in choosing a winner given the excellence of each entrant. MMC Consultancy in Poleglass is a high-tech form developing internet software for schools and is headed up by Frank McGonagle. They have a lot of interesting developments in the pipeline and recently picked up a gong at the Insipre all-Ireland awards. Darren Fusco is a third-generation chip shop and ice cream salesman. He makes his own famous ice cream in his Andersonstown store and works, on an easy week, 70 hours. John Hughes from Mail Matters in East Belfast is a former British Army bomb squad member who was once stationed on the Falls. His direct mail company is creating an entirely new business model for his industry.

We rounded off the day with Bryson Recycling, a social economy business in north Belfast, which has spanked the private sector to win recycling contracts offered by 11 Councils in the North. They collect waste paper, plastic bottles and cans, separate them out and ship them off for recycling. The 'blue bin' waste paper collection from West Belfast had just come in when we visited, and there's a phenomenal amount of Andersonstown News papers being recycled. I always thought people kept the Andytowns as heirlooms but there you go.

The recipient of this year's award will be announced at next Friday's event. The highlight of this year's gala evening will be the presentation of a special award to language veteran Gearóid Ó Cairealláin. Gearóid will be the fourth name added to the Aisling Roll of Honour. Previous recipients of this honour have been Professor Henry Halliday, whose groundbreaking work with premature and sick babies at the Royal in Belfast has saved hundreds of lives. The Filipino nurses of Belfast who are the backbone of our health service in the city (2004) and last year, Joe Higgins TD who picked up the Honour Roll accolade for his efforts on behalf of the exploited GAMA workers. The award will be presented by Berria editor Martxelo Otamendi who will join us from the Basque Country.


Bhí mé le Gearóid san otharlann Dé Sathairn seo caite agus tá sé ag treabhadh chun tosaigh i gcónaí. Tá cuid mhór 'physio' le déanamh anois aige ach fad is bhí mé leis bhí sé ag obair ar chlár nua fáisnéise s'aige maidir leis an Chairdinéal Ó Fiaich. Ní bheidh Gearóid láidir go leor le bheith i láthair ag Gradaim na hAislinge ach craolfar teachtaireacht uaidh ar an scáileán mhór.

Quote of the day:
"Students achieving Oneness will move on to Twoness."
Woody Allen