One-way is no-way on our streets
WAY back in the days of old BC, before coalitions, time was defined by the Sun and the Seasons. The Sun rose, we got up, the Sun at its peak we chilled, the Sun went down in Galway Bay, we ate, told stories and went to the scratcher. It was called a scratcher because of the insects with whom we shared it.
The year was divided into seasons, Imbolc, the first of February was the start of Spring, Bealtine, mouth of fire, Summer, Samhain the end of Autumn and beginning of Winter. The Summer Solstice, Litha, 21st June. Evil spirits walked around freely during the summer solstice. It is also my birthday, there’s a coincidence. December brought us the shortest day and the Winter Solstice. Then we had the Spring Equinox, Ostara and the Autumn Equinox. Lunasa in August, the harvest festival. Dowth and Knowth are aligned to the Spring and Autumn Equinox just as Newgrange is aligned to the Winter Solstice.
People rarely travelled far from home, unless it was to steal cattle or women. While the cattle raids fizzled out it was a brave man who would venture from Dooley Gate to court a woman from the Faa-side, i.e. from the Platin Rd. to Yellowbatter.
Since the Covid 19 onslaught we have made a return to the days of yore. Rising with the Sun, the days of the week have become confused and meaningless We have been locked up since the Spring Equinox and will be restricted in our movements until after Lunasa. We cannot travel much further than our ancient ancestors did and woe betide any lad who, in the first flush of youth, wants to go a courting. What may be essential travel for a 17- year young man may not be seen as essential to a 50 plus year-old Garda Sergeant.
Our world has become weird and surreal. Surreal like a Dali painting, weird like a Picasso with a touch of the Monty Pythons. We are becoming a nation of alcoholics with the amount of, necessary, alcohol-based sanitisers we are absorbing through our skin. Masks and gloves, once the uniform of the criminal class, have become part of dressing up to go out. Though until the Botox Clinics and beauty Salons open, they should be compulsory for some. If the hairdressers don’t open soon balaclavas may become popular among non-terrorists.
There is no real science behind the two-metre distance regulation. It is a figure, like the Anglo-Irish bailout monies plucked from err wherever. Though it allows people to talk, 15 minutes or less and be a wee bit safe.
There is no science or real logic behind Louth County Councils decision to make some footpaths one-way. There is little or no chance of pedestrians spreading the virus to each other as they briefly, very briefly, pass each other in the street. There is as much chance of passing it on overtaking a fellow pedestrian. LCC are creating a climate of fear amongst the population particularly among the older generation, I’m almost there, and making life difficult for the less nimble of foot. Rather than walking the length of the street, the crossing at the bottom of Shop St. appears to change only once a week, people will cross the road and run the risk of being injured or killed. Many footpaths, in Drogheda, are narrow. It was always not safe to step off the kerb without first watching for traffic. Where does this suggestion come from, some paranoid member of the public, Councillor or some Council Official working from home who used their exercise period to actually go downtown.
Let me ask the Council if they intend to make The Ramparts Walk and the Boardwalk one way? What about housing estate pathways? Who is responsible for narrowing the footpath at the Ulster Bank in West St.? The steps of St. Peter’s Church are blocked off at the moment. This is the Church co-operating with the State. The Church will decide when they come down. The Church will decide if the steps are partly open or fully opened. It is Church not public property. The Church has always led the way in terms of public health, especially in Drogheda.
“All changed changed utterly” as W.B.Yeats wrote. We have seen a great deal of unselfish giving by people and a lot of selfish behaviour by others. This virus will be around for a long time. Common sense is needed. Now knee-jerk foolishness such as one-way footpaths whit no basis in science, nature or logic.
Yours Gerry Floyd