"Cyber Girls’ Power” comes to Galway - Ireland’s premier Digital City
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| Mercy Secondary School students with Ina O'Murchu at 'Women in Technology' event at DERI NUIG |
Coders Needed to Make the much vaunted Knowledge Society a reality
“Ireland needs computer
programmers of both sexes to help lay the foundations of the ‘Knowledge
Economy’ and to create the jobs for a sustainable future,” says Myriam Leggieri,
DERI researcher and one of the chief organisers. “But there is in particular a serious
shortage of female IT developers in Ireland and across the world as well as in
the professions of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)
professions generally. Events such as 'Rails Girls' directly address this issue
and empower girls to take the first step in learning these in-demand skills and
acquiring the tools to conquer one of the last great frontiers of science,
namely the World Wide Web.”
The organisers comprise mainly
young female IT researchers involved in local third level colleges, businesses,
schools and volunteer digital makers’ clubs such as Coderdojo and 091Labs.
Though primarily aimed towards local female students particularly in post
primary schools and third level colleges, nevertheless there will be attendees
arriving from across Ireland and Britain. The weekend event is free, is open to
all enthusiastic girls and women, and is suitable for absolute beginners to
computer coding. No prior knowledge of programming is required.
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| Alanna from 091Labs |
This event is part of a radical technology
learning transformation of the city.
Huge Interest in Learning to Code amongst Galway's Youth
Every Saturday morning at NUI Galway and other locations in Athenry and Kinvara, hundreds of enthusiastic children and teenagers create their very own games, digital stories and web projects mentored by the young volunteer mentors of Coderdojo.
Youth-run clubs such as
091 Labs are also providing informal after-school digital
maker’s environments. Thanks to
the combined efforts of volunteer tutors from Hewlett Packard, Avaya, GMIT,
Medtronic, SAP and DERI working under the guidance of the Galway Education
Centre supported by the work of the Galway Science and Technology Forum and
Junior Achievement, approximately two thousand pupils and students in over 50 primary
and post-primary schools across counties Mayo and Galway are currently being
educated in computer programming.
Recognition of the importance of these developments
is shown by the recent inaugural ‘John
Cunningham Memorial Coderdojo Awards’ granted to young coders for
their outstanding contributions to computer programming; the Boston Scientific
‘Coding the Big Bang’ awards; and
ITAG’s new ‘IT in the Community
Award’ that was won by Coderdojo Galway city.
Huge Interest in Learning to Code amongst Galway's Youth
Every Saturday morning at NUI Galway and other locations in Athenry and Kinvara, hundreds of enthusiastic children and teenagers create their very own games, digital stories and web projects mentored by the young volunteer mentors of Coderdojo.
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| Coderdojo Class in DERI on Saturday mornings |
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| Transition Year students Davitt College Castlebar learning to code with Brendan Smith DERI |
Birth of Ireland's First Generation of Coders
The end result is that finally,
five decades after the tentative introduction of computing into Irish schools,
we are experiencing the first generation of children that can code, that are
truly ‘digital creators’ rather than just passive ‘digital users’.
Galway: Ireland's primary Science City
These developments are part of an even bigger picture of progressive change where the city can truly claim to be Ireland's oldest Digital City and probably its premier City of Science having in the process the potential to become the Silicon Valley of Ireland. See my article on this subject by clicking here
Location for leading International & National Science Research & Science Education centres.
Galway is now the location for the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland (based at DERI NUIG), the national Marine Institute, the National Aquarium (Galway Atlantaquaria), Ireland's longest (2 weeks) annual Science and Technology Festival and the world's largest semantic web research institute (DERI). It was to Galway rather than to Dublin or to Cork that CERN, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, sent their renowned interactive exhibition last September. It was hugely sucessfull and was visited by 12,000 post-primary school students from across the island.
Interestingly the DERI-based computer museum hosts an exhibit dedicated to women (hidden histories) that were pioneers in communications and computer technologies but are largely unknown by the general public.
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| Retro Gaming event Computer Museum, DERI |
Galway: Ireland's primary Science City
These developments are part of an even bigger picture of progressive change where the city can truly claim to be Ireland's oldest Digital City and probably its premier City of Science having in the process the potential to become the Silicon Valley of Ireland. See my article on this subject by clicking here
Location for leading International & National Science Research & Science Education centres.
Galway is now the location for the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland (based at DERI NUIG), the national Marine Institute, the National Aquarium (Galway Atlantaquaria), Ireland's longest (2 weeks) annual Science and Technology Festival and the world's largest semantic web research institute (DERI). It was to Galway rather than to Dublin or to Cork that CERN, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, sent their renowned interactive exhibition last September. It was hugely sucessfull and was visited by 12,000 post-primary school students from across the island.
Interestingly the DERI-based computer museum hosts an exhibit dedicated to women (hidden histories) that were pioneers in communications and computer technologies but are largely unknown by the general public.
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| Retro Gaming event Computer Museum, DERI |
Thatcher: A Destroyer of Communities
I very rarely speak ill of the recently departed. But
I have little affection for Margaret Thatcher who died today.
When she became Prime Minister in 1978, she used the words of St. Francis to define the tenets of her new government, “Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope."
When she became Prime Minister in 1978, she used the words of St. Francis to define the tenets of her new government, “Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope."
However she practiced the complete opposite
and brought division, suffering, unemployment and poverty to so many
communities across Britain and Ireland. Her political philosophy of individualism,
light touch business regulation and free markets, was anathema to me and as a
young radical in the early 1980s, I took part in many protests against her
policies including that of the H-Block prisoners.
Her government operated a
dirty war in Northern Ireland and controlled Loyalist death squads that killed
nationalist civilians. When IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands was elected MP with
a bigger mandate than she ever achieved, she had the law changed to stop
prisoners from participating in parliamentary elections. She supported right-wing
anti-democratic terror regimes in countries such as Pinochet's Chile, Saudi Arabia and apartheid South
Africa.
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| Thatcher with Pinochet |
US President Ronald Reagan and Thatcher were united in building a new expensive generation of nuclear missiles (Cruise & Pershings) that were to be placed on British and European soil. This decision spawned an international peace movement that included the huge female peace camp outside the RAF base at Greenham Common Berkshire where these weapons were to be sited.
Thatcher used all the forces of the state to destroy traditional mining communities in England.
She took away local government in London when she abolished
Greater London Council (GLC) then led by Ken Livingston. Thatcher privatised key sectors of the economy to the detriment of the British people, oversaw the loss of many of nation's manufacturing industries and the growth of the financial services. Britain no longer had an international image of being a country that made and exported things. Instead London became instead an international centre for banks and financial houses which spawned a generation of young bankers and stock traders who arrogantly portrayed themselves with a 'Greed is Good' ethic. The peoples of Northern
England particularly suffered immensely under her rule as the large manfactured industries closed down and as the new financial services gravitated towards the south.
The Poll Tax left to high levels of civil unrest.
She left Britain a deeply divided unequal society.
The Poll Tax left to high levels of civil unrest.
She left Britain a deeply divided unequal society.
"Nobody would remember the Good Samaritan if he had only good intentions. He had money as well." (Thatcher 1980)
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| Thatcher with Rupert Murdoch |
She assisted the news corporations to
undermine the media trade unions and to monopolise ownership of a press that became a mouthpiece for big business.
A quote from an interview that she gave in
1987, best summaries her life’s work, “there's no such thing as society. There
are individual men and women and there are families". Such a philosophy has little time for the weak and community
and only promotes greed, selfishness and egotism.
Revival of 'Hands-On' Traditional Skills in Ireland
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| Female and male participants at a Blacksmithy workshop in Galway city |
A recent blacksmithy workshop is part of a growing resurgence in Ireland of interest in
traditional skills and crafts that were almost wiped out by what seemed
an almost unstoppable march towards 'hands-off' modernity during the
Celtic Tiger years.
One of the protagonists in this heritage revival in Galway city is the Cumann na bhFear (Irish = 'Company of Men') volunteer group which is modeled on the Australian Men’s Shed movement with the addition of a strong community, social inclusion and heritage ethos in recognition of the interests of the membership.
The primary role of the group is to encourage retired, working and unemployed men of all ages to help each other develop, learn and/or teach skills and crafts that can benefit themselves and the wider community. There is a focus on the provision of practical skills whose existence was endangered by a modern society where the ability to make or repair everyday items was been devalued. Hence the members provide courses and workshops on traditional Irish heritage crafts such as woodturning, beekeeping, woodcarving, basket making, blacksmithing, drystone walling, nature studies as well as other areas of benefit including electronics, web design, cycle maintenance, orienteering, soldering, panel beating, metal fabrication, furniture restoration and plumbing.
Volunteers Needed for "Galway's Green and Growing Army", St. Patricks' Day Parade 2013, Galway city
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| Ballinfoile Mór Community Organic Garden at St. Patrick's Parade, Galway City, 2012 |
A Galway Green Army presence in St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Workshop & Sign Up: 7pm Friday (March 15) Cumann na bhFear. All Invited
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| Scoil BhrÃde Mionloch 'Forest' theme at St. Patrick's Parade, Galway City, 2012 |
With all of the recent controversy over the
questionable contents and false labelling of processed meats and other packaged
foodstuffs produced by corporations and sold through supermarket chains, the
Ballinfoile and Westside Community
Organic Gardens presence will show how neighbourhoods can grow their own seasonal
vegetables and fruits organically
in order not to damage soils, waterways, wildlife and the atmosphere.
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| 'High Nelly' Bikes enthusiasts on tour along the Seven Galway Castles' Trail |
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| Cumann na bhFear Float at St. Patrick's Parade, Galway City, 2012 |
The members of Cumann na bhFear (Mens’
Shed) Ballinfoile are repairing a fleet of vintage bicycles known as ‘High
Nellys’ that will be available in
a few months for visitors to communicate through the Terryland Forest Park and
along the aforementioned Slà na Caisleán and other developing Off the Beaten
Heritage Cycle trails.
Anyone interested in getting involved in
the Parade through any of these eco-community groups should attend a workshop and registration at 7pm on Friday March 15th in Cumann na bhFear premises, Unit 1B Sandy Business Park.
Hugo Chavez: Hero of the Revolution
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| Viva Chavez! La Lucha Continúa! |
Hugo Chavez's legacy of fighting against injustice, poverty and oppression will live on in Venezuela and across the world.
As former US President Jimmy Carter stated, "We came to know a man who expressed a vision to bring profound changes to his country to benefit especially those people who had felt neglected and marginalized. Although we have not agreed with all of the methods followed by his government, we have never doubted Hugo Chávez’s commitment to improving the lives of millions of his fellow countrymen... President Chávez will be remembered for his bold assertion of autonomy and independence for Latin American governments and for his formidable communication skills and personal connection with supporters in his country and abroad to whom he gave hope and empowerment. During his 14-year tenure, Chávez joined other leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean to create new forms of integration. Venezuelan poverty rates were cut in half, and millions received identification documents for the first time allowing them to participate more effectively in their country’s economic and political life."
Hugo followed in the footsteps of other great heroic Latino revolutionaries such as Simon Bolivar, Augusto Sandino, Che Guevera, Salvador Allende and Daniel Ortega who fought to free their people from colonialism, neo-colonialism, elitism, brutality & poverty.
Chavez has and will continue to be an iconic role model across the continent. His success in standing up to the oil oligarchs, their right-wing political lackeys in the USA and compliant indigenous corrupt wealthy governing elites, inspired progressive democrats in many South American countries to organise and win elections in Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador and elsewhere,
As an Irishman, I see in Chavez and other South American revolutionaries the courageous visionary patriotic spirit that imbued so many Irish rebels from Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet through to Pearse and Connolly in their struggles to free our people from brutal foreign occupation.
La Lucha Continúa
Coding Computer Games – Past, Present & the Future & World's First Popular Computer Chess
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| Coderdojo Game enthusiasts in action at the Computer Museum during the Volvo Ocean Race 2012 |
At a time when Ireland is securing a
reputation as a global development hub for online interactive gaming and providing
much needed quality home-based technology careers for our young people, this
event should interest teachers, students, parents and children alike.
The idea is to showcase some of the excellent gaming taking place at Coderdojo Galway (the future), to allow visitors to enjoy classic games such as Asteroids, Pacman, Sonic and Pong played on renowned vintage consoles and computers such as Atari, Amiga and Sinclair ZX81 in the Computer Museum (the past), and to have some of the current Galway-based commercial software developers such as Tribal City and Starcave Entertainment demonstrate their latest web-based games (the present).
The vintage gaming will take place in the Computer Museum with the Coderdojo demonstrations going on in the Conference Room and adjoining meeting rooms.
However in advance of the event, we need to get as many of the vintage games units working as is possible. There is a small room full of extra Amigas, Segas, Ataris,Playstations, BBCs and Sinclairs that needed to be tested! So any help we can get would prove invaluable!
Hence we are asking volunteers to meet at 6pm on Friday March 1st and spend one or two hours get the museum re-organised to accommodate extra gaming units for March 2nd.
If you are interested in supporting this worthy cause, please contact us at your earliest convenience.
Newsflash!! World's First Popular Computer Chess to be unveiled at the Computer Museum!
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We are
particularly pleased to announce that the world's first
popular computer chess unit will be on display at the computer museum during the
Games Extravaganza. Known as the Fidelity Chess
Challenger, it was the first chess electronic unit available to the public.
Based on a Z80 8-bit micro-processor, it started production in 1977 with its most popular model,
the Fidelity Chess Challenger 7, selling over 600,000 units.
Its inventor Sidney Samole got the idea for computer chess after watching an
episode of Star Trek.
The Hypocrisy of ICTU bosses
I joined the march because of my concern over how this government is continuing the policies of the last government in making ordinary individuals and communities pay for the greed of the bankers, property speculators, politicians and compliant trade union leaders. So i joined a protest that was made up of those that are at the front-line of the cuts, namely the teachers, nurses, firemen and community workers.
The organisers said there was 5,000 participants. I think that was too big an estimation. But it was still a good size crowd. The first speaker on the stage stated it was the largest protest parade that the city had ever seen. He was totally wrong on that sweeping statement as I have participated on many Galway marches that were much larger including the protest outside Labour Party conference in 2012.
But I was particularly angry at the hypocrisy of trade union leaders on stage in Galway and elsewhere condemning government cuts when they were an integral part of the 'old boys network' who enjoy(ed) lavish wages, pensions, expenses and membership of quango boards. In the latter, they failed to see or do anything about corruption and misuse of public funds. "See no evil, speak no evil" was their motto.
Time and time again, these overpaid mandarins have defended privilege and vested interests, from the huge wages of top civil servants to protecting the King's Birthday and Empire Days as days of rest for public service workers. So much for their republicanism and socialism!
This year we celebrate the great lockout of 1913. James Connolly and James Larkin though would have nothing but contempt for the majority of today's trade union bosses who have little in common with the lives of ordinary people, but share so much with the lifestyles of William Martin Murphy and his fellow villeins.
Saving Ireland’s Largest Urban Forest Park: Your Support is Needed to Establish a 100 Member Volunteer Club for Terryland Forest Park
The ‘Conservation Volunteers Terryland Forest Park’,
Cumann na bhFear and the Ballinfoile Mór Community Organic Garden are appealing
for your help in securing a membership of 100 volunteers who will each give a few
hours per month to get involved in park based events designed to increase
public footfall within its perimeters and protect biodiversity.
‘Conservation Volunteers Terryland Forest Park’ want
to establish a permanent presence in the park every weekend, with each
volunteer that is working onsite wearing a identifiable jacket or badge, thus
encouraging the general public to use and to enjoy what is officially known
as the Citizen’s Park and the Green Lungs of the City.
Activities include planting of trees, weeding in an
organic garden, reconstruction of drystone walls and hedgerows, building a
wildlife pond, litter clean-ups, repair of vintage (touring) bicycles, participation
in guided nature walks and heritage cycle tours.
Exciting opportunities and support mechanisms now
exist for transforming this man-made natural heritage resource into an asset
even more important to the people of Galway than the Phoenix Park is to the
population of Dublin.
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| Illegal Dumping |
A fleet of High Nelly bicycles for park touring, a 7
castle Greenway trail, school-created arts murals, community willow sculptures,
the restoration of traditional drystone walls/hedgerows, the installation of
park-wide information signage, the development of a Poet’s (Cuairt)woodland and
a corps of volunteer park rangers are amongst some of the proposals that should
come to fruition over the next year.
When it was first planted in early 2000, it was the
largest urban neighbourhood forest project in the history of the Irish state. Initiated
as a result of years of campaigning by local community groups, 120 acres were
zoned by Galway City Council for a new woodland and riverine park.
Over a five year period, approximately 100,000 native
Irish trees were planted by the people and schools of Galway city, thus
creating an expansive natural habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna
located not far from the city centre that connects into the vast Lough Corrib
waterways, one of the most cherished areas of biodiversity in the country.
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| River Corrib wetlands near Terryland Forest Park |
Within its grounds or on the park’s periphery, lies a
rich fabric of our city’s history that includes working farmlands, the ruins of
medieval castles, forgotten canals, the remains of a Georgian garden and WW2
urban allotments, Victorian railway lines and engineering waterworks.
A few months ago, a multi-sectoral steering committee
was re-established to help promote community engagement and to develop a long-term
strategic plan for this wonderful green resource. Under the auspices of Galway City
Council, it includes representatives from the City Parks’ department, Galway
Education Centre, OPW, HSE, An Taisce, Galway City Community Forum, GMIT and
NUIG.
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| Abandoned Victorian Waterworks, at entrance to Terryland Forest Park |
In the early years of its formation, a programme of
family picnic days, outdoor theatre, art workshops, community tree and school
children bulb planting days took place in the park that often attracted
thousands of participants.
2012: A Year of Progress
‘Conservation Volunteers Terryland Forest Park’ want to offer such activities once again to the students and pupils of our local schools as well as to the general public. Already, by working with other groups such as Cumann na bhFear (aka Men’s Shed), Castlegar Connect, GTU, Galway Civic Trust and the Ballinfoile Mór Community Organic Garden we held an initial series of events in 2012 that included heritage cycling tours, a multi-cultural picnic, nature detective walks, tree plantings, organic gardening digs and a harvest festival. Most notable was ‘Slà na gCaislain’, which is a pioneering pedestrian and cycling Greenway connecting Terryland Castle to six other castles that has the potential to become a world-renowned amenity to be shared by tourist and local alike.
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| 'Off the Beaten Track' Heritage Cycle Tour group, Castlegar Castle |
‘Conservation Volunteers Terryland Forest Park’ want to offer such activities once again to the students and pupils of our local schools as well as to the general public. Already, by working with other groups such as Cumann na bhFear (aka Men’s Shed), Castlegar Connect, GTU, Galway Civic Trust and the Ballinfoile Mór Community Organic Garden we held an initial series of events in 2012 that included heritage cycling tours, a multi-cultural picnic, nature detective walks, tree plantings, organic gardening digs and a harvest festival. Most notable was ‘Slà na gCaislain’, which is a pioneering pedestrian and cycling Greenway connecting Terryland Castle to six other castles that has the potential to become a world-renowned amenity to be shared by tourist and local alike.
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| 'Off the Beaten Track' Heritage Cycle tour group near Cloonacauneen Castle |
Trees are mankind’s best friend. They provide us with the oxygen for sustaining life on Earth and by absorbing the man-made carbon emissions that are the main factor in global warming today. They also act as a haven for a myriad of wildlife. A single oak tree for instance can be home to up to 450 different types of species, from fungi to large mammals.
Forests: Reclaiming Our Celtic Heritage
Ireland today has only 10% woodland cover, compared to an average of 40-45% in the rest of Europe. Yet before 16th century British colonisation destroyed our native forests to provide the raw materials for the English ship-building, iron and pipe staves industries, these habitats were an integral part of Irish culture and religion as well as of the physical landscape.
Our mythology shows that the ancient Celts revered nature; the druids used oak groves to hold religious ceremonies; many of the early Christian saints had a close affinity with creatures of the forest such as wolves and deer. The Ogham alphabet, that was our first form of writing, was based on different varieties of native trees. Under Brehon law, trees even had a honour price that had to be met if cut down. The English invaders referred to the Gaelic warriors as ‘wood kerne’ (soldiers of the woods).
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| 'Leafless Tree Detective' tour with Matthew O'Toole |
Scientific studies by experts such as Richard Louv in
his book ‘Last Child in the Woods’ has shown that alienation from nature has
caused diminished uses of the senses, serious concentration problems and higher
rates of emotional and physical illness in children.
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| Ballindooley Lough |
So we have the pleasure of involving children and adults in re-creating an ancient landscape that will introduce the joys of walking through woodlands; of experiencing the sights of meadows populated with a vibrant cornucopia of insects, animals and birds; of hearing the natural sounds of the countryside; of cycling along rural laneways; of drawing portraits of wildlife in their natural settings; of picnicking in a park with friends; of downloading an apps to journey along a local nature trail; of planting trees and hedgerows as well as in repairing traditional stonewalls.
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| Spellman's BotharÃn, Castlegar |
Much needs to be done on issues such as signposting
of woodland trails, combating illegal drinking in public green spaces, litter
dumping and habitat fragmentation by roads.
But these challenges can be overcome by a unity of purpose from all sectors of the local population. The Park can finally become a Green Jewel and a vital Ecological Corridor for the wildlife of Galway City.
Wetlands along Terryland Forest Park
But these challenges can be overcome by a unity of purpose from all sectors of the local population. The Park can finally become a Green Jewel and a vital Ecological Corridor for the wildlife of Galway City.
Draft Terryland Forest Calendar for 2013
February: Willow Planting and Harvesting (Ballinfoile Mór
Community Organic Garden)
Commencement of weekly Clean-Ups of park
Commencement of weekly Clean-Ups of park
March: Community Tree Planting Day
Classic Bikes Repair workshop
Classic Bikes Repair workshop
April: Drystone
Wall Repair (with Cumann na bhFear); Schools’
Mammal Survey (with Dr. Colin Lawton NUIG); Inauguration
of Cuairt Tree Planting Fest (with Galway City Arts Office)
The Big Spring Clean-Up Day
The Big Spring Clean-Up Day
May: Dawn
Chorus (with Birdwatch Galway); Classic
Bikes Rental launch scheme for Terryland Forest Park (Cumann na bhFear); Mammal
Detective trail (with Dr. Colin Lawton NUIG): Eco-Art Mural of park container by Galway schools(with Galway City Arts Office)
June: The
Seven Castles Cycle Trail(Slà na gCaislean); Completion
of Online 7 Castles Cycle Mapping
July: The
Seven Castles Cycle Trail(Slà na gCaislean) (with Cumann na bhFear)
Wildlife Pond Construction (Ballinfoile Mór Community
Organic Garden)
August: Drystone Wall Repair (Cumann na bhFear)
September: Harvest and Heritage Festival Ballinfoile
Mór Community Organic Garden
Scarecrow exhibition (by schools)
Scarecrow exhibition (by schools)
October: Leafless Tree Detective Walk (with Matthew O’Toole): Schools' Bulb Planting Day
November: Winter Wonderland Photographic and Arts challenge for Galway schools
December: Exhibition 'Poster Art of Terryland Forest 2000-2005' by artist Lol Hardiman, City Hall
November: Winter Wonderland Photographic and Arts challenge for Galway schools
December: Exhibition 'Poster Art of Terryland Forest 2000-2005' by artist Lol Hardiman, City Hall
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