5 MINUTES WITH - NOEL BRADLEY

Noel Bradley lives in Buncrana with his wife Rosanna and their two children Ruth and Peter. Noel was born in Buncrana but moved away for a while and worked in Nigeria as a missionary priest for The Society of African Missions. Noel has trained as a spiritual guide and pastoral counsellor in Loyola University, Chicago. He works as a community facilitator and counsellor. He is currently sending out invitations for a new workshop called the Transformation Game starting in Loreto House in Linsfort. Spiritual missionary and author Donal Dorr will co-facilitate the course which starts on Monday 1st June and runs for five days. The game was created in the International Spiritual and Holistic Centre in Findhorn, Scotland. If you are interested in participating in workshop you can contact Noel on 074 9362390
What music are you listening to at the moment?
My wife Rosanna sings with the Gateway singers here in Buncrana and tends to practice around the house a lot. That’s all the music I need to hear! The choir has just returned from a trip to Wales on an invite by the Welsh Treharris male choir, who came to Inishowen recently.
What book are you reading?
'The Recession and God' by Gerry O’Hanlon SJ. In the book he proposes a vision for a common good inspired by the values of equality, justice and solidarity. Gerry is suggesting that this is a marvellous time to question the whole economic model that has put us in this mess rather than try to patch it up and get back to 'business as usual'. He wants a more sustainable future with a place for ethics in economics.
What was your favourite childhood game?
Rounders, the Irish kids form of baseball. We used an old hurley stick instead of a bat.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
We went to see Gran Torino directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. It was about a disgruntled Korean War veteran who sets out to reform his young neighbour and ends up redeeming himself. It’s a very good film.
What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
The letters page. I like to see what topical issues people are writing in about. Literature, the church, society…It’s all interesting.
What would you never throw away?
My books…I still have all of my books from when I started reading and I still go back to them to read chapters and use them for reference.
Most embarrassing moment of your life?
The one that comes to mind was when I got caught with a ¼ stone bag of apples. I went to the chapel to pray and to ask what to do and was moved to go to his house and promise that I would never steal apples again….He took no notice and went to my parent's house to show them the spoils. My mother wanted to hit him over the head with the bag… out of embarrassment of course.

Favourite TV programme?
Questions and Answers with John Bowman, it has a good mix of celebrities and politicians.
Favourite meal?
I love salmon and a good plate of fluffy, dry potatoes.
What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be a fire fighter. I wanted to save the world and rescue people with my big ladder.
Where was your best holiday and what made it special?
My wife and I went to Florida on our honeymoon ten years ago. I remember we met Martina Hingis in a restaurant, the Swiss tennis player who was at the top of her game at the time….
What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Nelson Mandela, Mary Robinson and Seamus Heaney. All three of them have made wonderful contributions to humanity.

What do you do for a special treat?
I treat myself to a milky coffee. I try to stay clear of the chocolate digestives now though.

Favourite animal?
I like dogs and cats but an animal that I particularly like is the owl. It stands and waits patiently, taking everything in.
Biggest thrill?
When Donegal won the All Ireland final against Dublin in 1992. I was in Chicago watching it on a big screen TV and cried tears of joy. I played and loved Gaelic as a young fellow.
Biggest Challenge?
In my professional work that would probably be combining spirituality with social justice. As a parent to be a good husband and father.
What was the best present you ever got?
My wife and two children….
What was the last thing you bought just for yourself?
I bought a café latte and a big wedge of chocolate cake in a café in Letterkenny last week. It was a wet day and I couldn’t find who I was looking for so I thought “Why not?” I couldn’t get through all of the cake though….
What charities do you support?
Concern and Trocaire, both very worthy causes.
The world’s most irritating/most useful invention?
The best is the electric rice cooker we have. The worst are the election posters we are seeing everywhere. Why don’t the councillors just get together and say 'no' to putting them up. They are a pain to look at and spoil the town. It’s a waste of resources. If they can't co-operate on a little thing like that, what hope is for a new kind of politics?.

Favourite past-time?
Reading and watching television.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
Ancient Greece in the times of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. There could be loads of discussions about politics, ethics and logic.Not the time of Jesus, who knows I might have ended up on the wrong side?

What do you have for breakfast?
Porridge with raisins and toast.
Do you have a favourite comedian?
The Two Ronnies were very clever and I also enjoyed watching Harry Worth….remember him?

What was your first paid job?
I was a message boy on a bike. I worked for my dad at the Bradley’s grocery supermarket that was in Main Street, Buncrana. I got the princely sum of 2 shillings and sixpence for my work.

Best/worst household task?
The worst is taking out the ashes… very messy. The best is getting into bed.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
My mother once told me “This too will pass.”

Personal philosophy?
Try to be honest and fair. It is only with the heart that one sees properly, what is essential is invisible to the eye and that 'all shall be well, all shall well, and all manner of things shall be well..."

5 MINUTES WITH - DENISE GALLANAGH WOOD

Denise Gallanagh Wood was born in Subiaco in Perth, Western Australia. Her father, Joseph Gallanagh was originally from Buncrana and her mother, Anne is from Wexford and lives in Buncrana near her daughter. Denise’s travels took her to New Zealand, where she met her husband James. Denise worked in Human Services specialising in Community Development and on returning to Buncrana in 2003 she trained as a Life Coach. Her business STARRS focuses on Life Coaching (Business and Personal), Facilitation, (Workshops and Team Building) and Training (Personal Training, Conflict Management, Sustainable Development and Community Development).

You can contact Denise on 086 401 9987 (NI: 078 95612894 or by e-mail: info@starrsdevelopment.com

What music are you listening to at the moment?
I have eclectic tastes. I love music from the soul singers of the 1950’s and 60’s. Nina Simone, Eartha Kitt, Nancy Sinatra, they are all fabulous. I also enjoy also songs by The Cure, Smiths, Madness. There’s a band called Midnight Oil from Australia that have done some classic songs, let’s not forget the Dubliners too.

What book are you reading?
I have four books on the go. My mother in law sent me over a copy of The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie for my birthday. The book has a succession of interweaving stories by a variety of storytellers, travellers and adventurers. I have also nearly finished Carbon Detox by George Marshall, which is a is a provocative and entertaining approach to climate change. It challenges conventional thinking and offers fresh ways to understand and respond to thisglobal crisis. I am also looking though John Seymour’s book Complete Self Sufficiency. I have got Tony Kearney’s book on the go too called “Who Owns the Future?” and always have a reference book lying around to look at; at the moment it’s Edward de Bono.

What was your favourite childhood game?
I grew up with no TV or radio and lived in an isolated town with few facilities. It was very hot so we would go swimming a lot and get hooked on the latest fads, like tennis balls fixed to bats with bits of elastic. I would draw and read a lot too.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, about a man who starts to age backwards. It was a happy movie.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I tend to look at the classifieds for tendering opportunities.

What would you never throw away?
Family photo’s, they are irreplaceable.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I have enough self-confidence to not get bothered about getting embarrassed. To be embarrassed means that you have taken a risk, so I think that is a good thing and shouldn’t be avoided.

Favourite TV programme?
I usually watch things that are pretty mindless to switch off. And to think I grew up without a telly.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
At high school I wanted to be a lawyer. I think it was about fighting for the underdog though and am glad I went down the road of Community Development. Being there when people wanted something was very important to me and I like working on things that makes things better.

Where was your best holiday and what made it special?
Four years ago the family and I went on a fabulous trip to France. We took the car and travelled around for a month. There were no plans and it was the first time we were away in a country with a foreign language so we all worked really well together to cope.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Peter Garrett from Midnight Oil . In 2003 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to environment and the music industry. Rosa Parks would also be welcome. Rosa was the "Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement." On December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama she refused to obey bus driver James Blake’s order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. Parks became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation.

What do you do for a special treat?
Chocolate, wine, movies, time with James, friends, meals, I do them all and cherish every one.

Favourite animal?
Bella, our four-month-old puppy.

Biggest thrill?
Meeting up with family and friends.

Biggest Challenge?
I moved away from the disability sector of my work and set up on my own working in training and development. I also published a book called Bona Fide -True Kiwi Stories about Life as a Teen, which was a collection of short stories about growing up in New Zealand.

What was the best present you ever got?
James and the children are so good at giving me presents. My last one was a home made spice rack.

What were the last things you bought just for yourself?
A dress from a charity shop in Derry and a twill basket.

Favourite past-time?
Painting in acrylics. I used to work in a picture framers so I can mount them too.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
The Rococo period in the 18th century. The art and interior design was fantastic.

What do you have for breakfast?
Today I had two bits of toast with honey and a cup of coffee.

What was your first paid job?
That was the picture framing. I used to work late nights on Thursday and Saturday mornings at a supermarket when I was at high school

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
I have had lots of good advice. “Just trust yourself.” is one that an old boss in New Zealand told me. It was great for my self-confidence.

Personal belief?
If it’s going to be – it’s up to me…….

5 MINUTES WITH - SHANE CANNING

Shane Canning was born in Moville and has just returned there after graduating from Liverpool University with a BSc combined honours degree in Sport and Health Studies. He is a keen football player and is a football coach. He has also completed a qualification in Personal Training. This is the area where Shane is concentrating his energy and he has just set up his new business SC Health and Fitness, based in Moville. His company is unique for Inishowen as Shane comes to his customers’ home to set up individual exercise plans for his client and helps them keep on track throughout the process. The idea is great, especially for people who wouldn’t be comfortable in a gym, or if there are travelling or mobility problems or simply for people who are short on time. Shane is also running an 8-week circuit-training course from his base in the Moville Celtic Clubhouse. If you would like any more information about the services Shane is providing, you can ring him on 086 3481087 or 074 9382171


What music are you listening to at the moment?
I pretty much like all genres. I absolutely love the Kings Of Leon at the moment though. My brother put them on to me a few years ago and they just keep getting better.

What book are you reading?
I am not a big fan of reading; I don’t really have the time for it. I will breeze through the TV guide though.

What was your favourite childhood game?
I have been really obsessed with football since I have been able to kick one. So I would have to say that if it looked like a football I would be playing with it….

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
I went to see Yes Man, an enjoyable, but formulaic romantic comedy about a man who says yes to everything for a whole year. I am not a big fan of Jim Carey but I though it was very funny.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
The back pages to see what the report is of our match (Moville Celtic) at the weekend.

What would you never throw away?
Photographs. They are brilliant to look back on years after they have been taken.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
On my first day at university, there were 500 people standing and waiting to get their student card photographs. When it was my turn, I went to sit down, missed the seat and fell into a heap on the floor….. Good start….

Favourite TV programme?
All cooking programmes. I particularly enjoy Heston Blumenthol, the chef/scientist. He experiments with slow food cooking and aerating chocolate soufflés in a vacuum to make the bubbles bigger. He will also travel the world to get certain ingredients for a meal and buy and feed a live chicken for a few weeks before he eats it.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
This is very predictable for me…I wanted to play for Manchester United. I wanted to be a defender

Where was your best holiday and what made it special?
I went to America for the summer after I finished secondary school. I found it amazing to see how differently the Americans lived and it gave me a chance to see more of the world.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
Three chefs: Gordon Ramsey, Jamie Oliver and Heston Blumentol so they could all cook….

What do you do for a special treat?
My girlfriend and I really enjoy going away for the weekend.

Favourite animal?
Invisible ones. I am not a big fan of animals.

Biggest thrill?
Going fast (responsibly of course) and I have always fancied bungee jumping or sky diving… I will have to put that on my list of things to do.

Biggest Challenge?
Setting up my personal training business. I have had some great support though from family and the Inishowen Partnership.

What was the best present you ever got?
Money is always a good one.

What was the last thing you bought just for yourself?
A simple pair of trainers, nothing special.

What charity would you support?
I donate to the Foyle Hospice when I can. It’s such a worthy cause.

The world’s most irritating/most useful invention?
The mobile phone can pass for both. It’s good for keeping in touch with clients, but can ring at some very inconvenient moments.

Favourite past-time?
Playing football, especially for my team. I have played for a long time. I started off in the Inishowen Ulster Schoolboys and went to the senior team at 15.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
I like the glitz and glamour of the 1970’s

What do you have for breakfast?
I tend to keep things simple. This morning I had Weetabix, orange juice and an Actimel.

What was your first paid job?
I worked for the Centra shop in Moville when I was younger, that’s where I got my first real pay packet… I can’t remember how much it was now…

Worst household chore?
That would be an outside job… weeding. I don’t like that at all.

Personal philosophy?
Be yourself.

45TH PLATOON TRAINING AT DUNREE

"We are at war and I am the war photographer. All of a sudden it doesn’t feel like a game anymore."

“Any ideas where I could find Lieutenant Martin Crumlish?”

I am at Dunree Fort just north of Buncrana to take photographs of the 27th Infantry Battalion, 45th 2 Star Platoon who are here for a training exercise. They arrived last Monday and have come from Monaghan (It took them 6 hours to travel up - they had to avoid the North).

“He’s out to get some provisions,” said a young lad in full camouflage gear walking out of the hospital building. It has been converted into the mess for the week. “Well, he’s popped down to the chip shop, he’ll be back in a bit. Try the information building. Sgt. Cannon will fill you in on what’s happening today.” I dutifully oblige…. It must be the uniform.

Sgt Vaughan Cannon gets up from his camping bed, one of about twenty that have been put in the conference room to accommodate some of the group. His face is covered in camo cream and it looks as though I have disturbed his much needed rest. I apologise.

“Nice bed.” I say looking at the green fabric stretched between two metal poles.” “This is luxury compared to where the Privates have to sleep.” He tells me happily. “They are in one of the old buildings with no floors, tin sheeting over the windows and gaping holes in the roof. That’s luxury to them though as they have been used to sleeping under tarpaulin sheeting in woodland and living for 72 hours in dig in’s (holes in the ground, more commonly known as trenches). They are not complaining” he smiles. “What can I do for you?”

“Who are the 45th 2 Star Privates?” I ask, getting down to business.

“Well, there are 54 of us, all based in Monaghan,” he begins. “There are young recruits from the ages of 18-25 and we are all part of the 6,500 people in the Irish army. The team here is split into; 6 people on security, 27 lads, 1 girl, (the recruits), 26 support staff and 8 people who are here as ‘The Enemy’. The group are in training; they do 5 months in Dundalk, 10 weeks in Monaghan and also do on site training here and another base down in Cork. They finish their training on the 16th of October so this exercise here is the result of a lot of hard work.”

I am intrigued by his earlier comment. “What do you mean by ‘The Enemy?’” I ask.

“We are House Clearing this evening.” Sgt Cannon explains. “It’s all about combat fighting in built up areas. We are starting at the entrance to Dunree and will systematically work our way through all of the buildings, searching for The Enemy. The Enemy make the exercise more effective as they put up resistance.”

“Shall I just take some posed photo’s of the soldiers before they start?” I ask feeling a bit nervous that I too will go under the banner of “The Enemy.”

The Sergeant thinks for a minute. “It might be a better idea if you do.” He suggests, “The group can get pretty psyched up when they are on a mission, see what Lt. Crumlish has to say. He’s just turned up.”

“Thanks,” I say taking my leave. Lt Martin Crumlish is carrying a delicious smelling brown paper bag full of provisions.

“Hi Martin,” I say informally. “I’m here to take some photos for the Inishowen Independent.” I am mumbling, not knowing if its appropriate to salute. “That’s great, you’ll need these.” Martin passes me a pair of khaki muffler earphones. “It gets a bit noisy when the guns and grenades go off.”

Guns and grenades? “I was thinking of taking a few posed shots before you start.” I said, getting a bit worried. “Not at all.” Says Marin casually, “You’ll get better shots if it’s a real situation.”

Now the only shots I am comfortable with are photos and I am starting to feel a little nervous.

Lt. Martin Crumlish is from Moville and knows the area well. “We’ll be up at the gates at 1800 hours, see you there.”

It feels like the calm before the storm. But it does give me a chance to take in the atmosphere. The fort is no stranger to the military having accomadated both the British and the Irish armies in the past. Dunree, or Dun Fhraoigh in Irish means, “Fort of the Heather,” has been an important defensive site throughout history.

HISTORY
The area surrounding me along the Swilly has also been of immense historical significance. The Norsemen and later the Anglo-Normans and the mercenary soldiers, the Gallowglasses, used the Swilly when coming to Ireland. Wolfe Tone was taken under naval arrest into Buncrana in 1798 and in recent times during World War I, it stood guard whilst Admiral Lord Jellicoe’s fleet anchored in Lough Swilly prior to engaging the German Navy at the Battle of Jutland. During World War II Irish forces were stationed here to prevent the warring nations violating the country’s neutrality. I am always fascinated by the fact that although it is a military camp there are signs of quieter times with careful tender planting of aromatic daffodils and seaside shrubs, obviously planted with care by the soldiers who wanted to make the place a bit more like home.

My daydreaming in the sun is interrupted. “We’re starting” Martin calls out, “Follow me.” I do. Without question. It’s the uniform.

“Just before we go to war” I begin, “are you using live ammunition?” It’s probably the most ridiculous question I have ever come out with, but it needs to be asked.

“F*** no!” came the reply which made me feel a little better. Worryingly enough though it made me realise that I was still going ahead with the photos even if the ammunition was real….I’d like to think it was anything for a photo, but it is probably that I am used to doing what I’m told.

Like the 45th 2 Star Privates, I have no time to ponder. We are at war and I am the war photographer. All of a sudden it doesn’t feel like a game anymore.

The squad are wearing all of the gear, heavy packpacks, helmets, painted faces, hand grenades, smoke bombs, battering rams and machine guns. With military precision they are hiding in the hedgerows and undergrowth, making their way to the first building. Two smoke bombs are thrown. I am standing down wind so there’s not much chance of a picture, so I run up the hill. “Go, Go, Go!” A voices shouts as three soldiers break the door down under the cover of white smoke.

“Grenade!” Another shout. Followed by a massive bang in the building. That’s why Martin gave me the earphones… I put them on.

“What do you see?” shouts a voice to the three inside the building “Door to the left, three to the right!”

ADRENALIN
My adrenalin is pumping now and I decide to get closer. I carefully go inside the tumbledown building with the rotting floorboards and I can immediately feel the tension. As I walk past the doorways through the clearing mist from the grenades, I see the wide eyes of the team look at me through the darkness, all the more striking with the war paint. Some turn quickly and raise their guns…. I could be the enemy after all. It feels like I am in an American film where the cops have to identify innocent members of the public from the bad guys in a split second - and I am not pushing a pram.

The silence is broken “Grenade!” Another blast, this time the mufflers were on. “Clear. One enemy dead!” shouts a Private. The team assemble outside and make their way to the next building.

“There are a lot of buildings around the fort and every one of them has to be cleared,” Martin is telling me as the lads push ahead. “This will be going on until midnight.” The light is going fast and this type of work will be even scarier in the dark. “When we have finished here, the recruits will be heading to the top of the hill, where the guns are, for some night time surveillance with night vision cameras.” The Lieutenant is explaining. “The enemy will be flushed out again. You can join us if you like. We will ne starting at 0300 hours” I stammer out some excuse about finding it difficult to take photos in the dark and we move on.

The Irish army are the 6th highest contributing force in the U.N. and in a real situation I would have probably been shot in the first minute of combat. I am standing between the soldiers and the Enemy far too often. The recruits are getting into ‘the zone’ and I realise now what Sgt. Cannon meant by the privates getting psyched up in combat.

As buildings continue to be cleared, more grenades are thrown and shots are fired, the atmosphere becomes more and more charged. It’s getting really serious now… it has to. They are being trained in the event of real combat situations. And if that time comes I am sure they don’t want a civilian with a camera standing between them and the Enemy.