The three-day weekend leading into a four-day week threw many of us off course over the last seven days but at least things will return to normal soon - or will they? As the ongoing volcanic ash cloud disruption continues to mess up travel and holiday schedules you get the sense that so much is still up in the air (excuse the pun ). Making far-off plans for the future just doesn’t seem wise with other shock events rooting us to the spot, such as the passing of 2fm DJ Gerry Ryan, which continues to resonate even one week later. This ‘Lady Di’ moment of ours obviously gave many of us cause to pause and take stock as we try to figure out whether we should continue along the current paths of our lives or change things around radically for the better.
Across the water in the UK change is certainly the order of the day today as the British election comes to a close. All going according to the polls, David Cameron should be settling in nicely to number 10 while Gordon Brown vacates the hot seat. There are always so many interesting parallels between the Irish and UK political system that you get the feeling things are set to change here soon too. Hopefully, this change, when it inevitably does come, won’t be too dramatic.
At least we haven’t descended into the horrific state of anarchy that currently prevails in cash-strapped Greece where innocent bank officials have lost their lives as a result of public riots. Witnessing the scenes of anger and frustration this week on the news was simply heart-breaking. Irish people should be applauded for keeping their cool throughout this whole horrific boom-to-bust period. Meanwhile, how interesting to see the Government promoting a new ‘buy Irish’ campaign, based on the thesis that if each of us spend €20 in our local area each week, we will survive the crash.
The real way out of this entire mess is much more about jobs than money of course. Money is something you either have or don’t have in a given moment but work, especially work of a long-term nature, is the real goal for most of us. Lurching along from one bumper week to a subsequent week where the phone rings just once, simply won’t cut it in the working world. Business needs steady flows in and out but if work is irregular and payment erratic, spending in turn becomes paralysed until finally, everything grinds to a halt.
Good on many of our senior members in the community who are certainly making sure nothing comes to a startling conclusion any time soon. This week we feature the upcoming programme for the May ‘Bealtaine’ festival, which celebrates the joys of ageing through enjoyment of the arts. Our report from the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar refers to a spritely choir member of 92 years of age participating in one of the concerts. Mayo County Council and the Mayo Sports Partnership has also certainly been playing its part in making the business of ageing a very positive experience for so many. Poor Gerry Ryan only made it to 53 and so never had the privilege of joining any ‘oldies’ club. Anyone over 55 lucky enough to be in the good of their health might now give a second thought to one of the many Over-55 activities being organised by positive action and health promotion groups in their area.
