Stamullen

NO ELECTRIC

Homes across Stamullen suffered an electricity outage or failure in the early hours of Friday morning last, October 5th. The power went off before 4am, came back on again and went off again before 7am. A call was first made to the local LMFM radio station around 9am and they had not been aware of any power-loss in the Stamullen area. I made a call then to Electric Ireland, to the emergency department that deals with electricity interruptions, where I eventually got through to speak to a `real-voice` instead of a machine.

Firstly I was asked for a 14-digit number called a mprn, apparently this is a 14-digit number which can be found on everyone`s bill. Being in the Museum in Drogheda at the time, I hadn’t got this number with me.

I was then asked for my full name and my full address, along with a contact phone number. When I pointed out that all I was doing was to try and find out why the power was off in Stamullen and when might it be restored, so I questioned why all the identity info was needed for such a simple request. “We have to be sure of what area you are enquiring about”, was the answer: I couldn’t believe it. I then asked why they had not put any info about the power outage/failure on the local radio station, LMFM, to which the reply was “you could find out more about the power supply by logging on to some website” and something further was stated to me about an app of sorts that I could check.

I responded that this was a lot of good to people who hadn’t a computer and/or smart phone, those who lived alone, the senior citizens of the parish etc. and that if they let the local radio station know about such power failures and when power might be restored, it wouldn’t cost anything to do so and would be picked up by listeners from Mullingar to the Irish Sea! I was then told that I was now becoming aggressive in my speech behaviour. So, on the point of giving up, I then asked when the power might be back on. “Before 10.30am”, I was told, to which I replied, “Why couldn’t that message have been given to me the moment I rang in and why could`nt it have been sent to LMFM before the 8am morning news”?

Anyway, the power certainly didn’t come back on at 10.30am and, a further call to the Electricity Board at around midday, received the same, ridiculous questions as earlier that morning; name, address, mprn number, contact phone number, etc. etc. only to be told after some minutes that there was now a “major breakdown and that power would not now be restored until 5pm”. The power eventually came back around 3pm. With speaking to machines, computers and to `real-people` who ask stupid questions and then tell you to `log-on` to find the answers to your queries, along with the fact that the Electric Ireland couldn’t take the time to telephone or e mail the regional radio station, does actually beggar belief. Just a simple query that needed a simple answer, that`s all, but instead, I nearly lost the will-to-live.

KNOW YOUR PARISH

On March 16th 1919, the newly formed Julianstown Dramatic Class held a concert in Julianstown village in order to raise some funding for the local group. The concert was deemed by the local Drogheda Independent newspaper as being a `huge success`. The programme on the evening consisted of songs, dances and recitations which were very ably contributed by the locals who had just recently set up the dramatic class. Acts were performed by the `Misses Whelan, Messrs Jack Doherty, Michael Quinn, P. Hodgins, Michael Clarke, John Kennedy, William King and Jack Moran, while Miss Cherry Aherne assisted on the piano.According to the local press reporter, the dramatic class `then staged two very laughable sketches which were received with load applause by the audience from every part of the spacious hall. The performances on the night finished up with the singing of ”God Save Ireland”. When the concert was over, a very successful dance was held to the joy of all present`.

HOSPICE DRIVERS NEEDED.

he East Meath Hospice Association is seeking volunteer drivers to drive patients in the area to hospital appointments in both Drogheda and Dublin hospitals. For further information, contact Lynn at 087-2100036. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

EAST MEATH BRIDGE RESULTS

Tuesday 26th Sept. N/S 1st Maire savage & Eleanor Grimes; 2nd Martina Leech & Joan Smith; 3rd Paul & Alice Kane.

E/W 1st Eveleen Higgins & Joan Lenehan; 2nd Eileen Davey & Ann Traynor;

3rd Alice O’Neill & Maida McGowan

Club winners 2017-2018, Pairs competition; Bernie McDonnell & Sean Hynes;

Player of the year Bernie McDonnell. Presidents prize Margaret Smith & Ann O’Brien

Peggy Smith Trophy Alice Smith & Rona Connolly. Frank Stack trophy, Margaret Smith & Una Smith.