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TheCorkAdvertiser l 4th December 2020

COMMENT

Is Feidir Linn

In this year of fear and uncertainty ,many of us have taken a hard look at what we value and really care about. If

there was ever a year to support family businesses , this is it! After surviving the economic impact of a global

pandemic. Family businesses are still here serving their communities, and are worthy of our support. Let’s

dive into it show up to support them this Christmas and make a difference.

Anyway, the events of this year make the value of Christmas more relevant than ever. There really isn’t

a better time of the year, is there? I think it’s safe to say most people are a little bit happier during

Christmas time. The famous words of President John F. Kennedy are appropriate at this time. “Ask not

what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” So let us sacrifice our today so

our children can have a better tomorrow. Sacrifice is part of life. It’s suppose to be. Little sacrifices, Big

sacrifices, a mother works so her son can go to school. A daughter moves home to take care of her sick

father. Without adequate effort we cannot get any results. You’ve got to go through the worst times in life

to get the best. Remember those brave men and women one hundred years ago who paid the ultimate sacrifice

for us and the freedom we love, we should thank God that such men and women lived. We can never repay the debt to

those who gave their lives for our country. The best we can do is honour, their memory, and to ensure their sacrifice is not in vain and

learn from our history.

Our country is in crisis now and people are hurting. Now is the time when we all must resist the selfish call to protect our own patch

at the cost of our country. In today’s world, hardship and sacrifice are not in the every day language, instant gratification is foremost.

It’s time to be part of the solution. This Christmas time we continue to remember those people in the frontline, who sacrifice their

own safety on a daily basis for the greater good really are very inspiring people. This Christmas, we are battling Covid 19, and are

ill equipped to handle it on our own! Take time to care for the elderly and the vulnerable during the season. We must not forget that

Christmas can be a lonely and sad time for some people, who can be feeling lost. Glitter and traditions tend to fall pretty short when

we need a sense of worth and hope. We must remember THE reason for the season. A baby born over two thousand years ago in a

shabby little cave. He just wasn’t any baby. This child was Jesus born into the world to bring Hope, Joy, Peace and love.

Put the One who has all power first to keep you safe. Put your slippers way under your bed tonight so that when you wake up in the

morning, you must go down on your knees to reach them. While you are down there say Thank You in advance. We are never left to walk

this journey alone! So as the Christmas season swirls around you, whatever it brings... STOP, take a minute to recognise the beauty

in your life. Discover all the blessings around you. From the very young to the very old, the story of the Nativity can guide our way, year

after year to fully celebrate Jesus’ birthday. As we wrap up another year, I want to give a SPECIAL THANKS to our advertising partners.

We cannot be a free publication without them. We are grateful for their support of us , as well as your support of them. As always we

thank You for being loyal readers. When you finish this advertiser, you’ll be full of the festive spirit.

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas. Large family gatherings may be few and far between this year but our love for one another is

very important. Finally thank you for reading the advertiser! Please know You are always appreciated. So as we say

goodbye to 2020, with hope for a very different 2021. Happy Christmas And remember..... WEAR THAT MASK.

God Bless..

Pat O’Callaghan

Do you believe you could make a positive contribution to the continued success of the

Cork Advertiser, YES! Email: patscorkadvertiser@gmail.com

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THERAPY & LAW

HELP TO BUY SCHEME

The Help to Buy Scheme or “HTB” Scheme allows first-time buyers in Ireland to claim a tax

rebate in respect of a proportion of the value of a new home they are buying. Changes were

recently made to the scheme in Budget 2021. The government has increased the amount

which can be claimed. The maximum refund is the lowest of the following:

• €30,000,

• 10% of the purchase price of a new home or completion value for a self-build, or

• The amount of income tax and DIRT paid in the four years before the purchase of the

property of the construction of the self-build.

The HTB tax rebate is available only to first-time buyers to help them purchase a new home

in Ireland. The home must be purchased from a qualifying contractor. A qualifying contractor

must have obtained a tax clearance certificate with the Revenue Commissioners and be

registered with the Revenue Commissioners as a contractor who is building new houses that

comply with the scheme. The scheme is aimed at people who might not be able to afford to

put down a 10% deposit. The HTB scheme is due to finish at the end of 2021. The payment

must be used towards the deposit on a qualifying house purchase.

Applications for Help to Buy Scheme

To make an application for the HTB Scheme, you must first complete Online Form 12 (if a

PAYE taxpayer) or Form 11 (if self-assessed), in respect of each of the four preceding tax

years and you must pay any outstanding taxes due. The HTB Application involves two stages:

Stage 1 is to work out the maximum relief available to you under the scheme based on the

income tax payments you made in the relevant years. House buyers may apply to the Revenue

Commissioners for the HTB scheme before choosing a house or applying for a mortgage.

Once you know the maximum HTB amount possible you can then apply for a mortgage. When

mortgages and contracts are signed you will need to complete Stage 2 of the HTB Claim. At

this stage Revenue will calculate the exact rebate based on the purchase price.

All the HTB payments by Revenue will be paid directly to the builder/developer as part of the

deposit. In the case of a self-build, the payment will be made direct to the bank providing

the mortgage.

Mortgage Issues to Consider

In order to qualify for HTB, applicants must take out a mortgage of at least 70% of the

purchase price, or in the case of a self-build, at least 70% of the valuation approved by the

mortgage provider.

Clawback of Help to Buy

The property purchased with Help to Buy must be occupied by the buyer, or at least one of the

buyers, for a period of five years from the date the property is habitable. Otherwise some or

all of the rebate will have to be repaid:

• Leave or sell within 1 year – 100% of rebate to be repaid;

• Leave or sell after one year and within 2 years – 80% of rebate to be repaid;

• Leave or sell after two years and within 3 years – 60% of rebate to be repaid;

• Leave or sell after three years and within 4 years – 40% of rebate to be repaid;

• Leave or sell after four years and within 5 years – 20% of rebate to be repaid.

This information is for guidance purposes

only. It does not constitute legal or

professional advice. Professional or legal

advice should be obtained before taking

or refraining from any action as a result of

the contents of this publication. No liability

is accepted by Hammond Good, Solicitors

& Notaries Public, for any action taken in

reliance on the information contained therein.

Any and all information is subject to change.

For further information on the subject, please

contact the author, Joyce A. Good Hammond,

at joyce@hgs.ie



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CHRISTMAS STORY

A Country Christmas

A 1 lb red candle was placed in the centre of the kitchen table. This was lit by the youngest member of the family on Christmas Eve and left lighting until

we left for Mass on Christmas morning.

In the weeks prior to Christmas, there was a lot of cleaning and tidying done in our Home. The big kitchen was white-washed with a mixture of lime and

water. My older brother Mick, was usually roped in to do the job. We were warned to keep well away while it was being done in case we would get a

spatter of white-wash in our eyes, which was both dangerous and very painful. The kitchen floor was scrubbed together with the large table and chairs.

My father brought In plenty of holly. It rarely had berries. We put in up on the ledges of the old style windows, the up and down style. Holly was also put

on top the dresser, over the fireplace and on top of the pictures.

Thu Sacred Heart Lamp was trimmed and got an extra special cleaning for the occasion. The Christmas Cards were put In and out between the holly,

over the fireplace. A 1 ib red candle was placed in the centre of the kitchen table. This was lit by the youngest member of the family on Christmas Eve at

6 o’clock and left lighting all night until we left for Mass on Christmas morning. It was lit again when we got back home.

My mother was busy on Christmas Eve preparing the goose which was killed a few days before hand and plucked by whoever offered to do the job. Then

there was the messy job of getting innards out and washing the goose. This was usually done by my mother. Then a large pot of potatoes was boiled,

peeled, seasoned and mashed and onions were chopped finely and added to the potatoes, together with the cream off the top of the milk and plenty of

butter. When cold the goose was stuffed with this mixture.

Shoes had to be polished and everything laid out for early Mass on Christmas morning. Kieran, Neill and I hung tip our stocking and went to bed early

full of excitement waiting for Santa.

We were called early next morning and as we hadn’t electricity, there were lighted candles placed round the house. There was great excitement when we

found that Santa had come. My brothers got Snakes and Ladders and Ludo and I got an apron with teddies all over it. We were delighted with whatever

we got.

Before we left for Mass, the range was lit and stoked and the goose was put in the oven to cook slowly. We walked a mile to the Church.

It was usually cold and frosty. On the way, we met many of our neighbours and wished them ‘A Happy Christmas”.

The church was packed and everyone seemed to be in good humour. Some seasonal hymns were sung by the choir. After

Mass, my mother took us to the top of the church to see the crib. We were fascinated by the figures as very few families had

cribs in those days.

We made our way home quickly as we were cold and hungry. There was no church heating in those days. After breakfast,

we played with our toys and games. We collected the Christmas Cards from the mantelpiece, learnt the verses off by heart.

They were nearly all Irish cards with nice verses by Brian O’Higgins. One of us would read out the verse and the others had

to guess from whom it came.

In the meantime, the smell of the goose cooking was all over the house. It was basted by my father periodically, with a big

spoon. The vegetables were put on to cook, on top of the range, as well as a pot of potatoes.

We were delighted to see my mother take one of the big willow pattern dishes from the dresser and put it on the

table. My father lifted out the goose, which was golden brown with the juices running out of it. It smelled delicious.

He bought it to the table and placed it on the dish, while someone made the gravy and strained the vegetables.

My father then sharpened the carving knife with an emery stone and started to crave, watched by us all He

divided the meat and stuffing as best he could and we enjoyed every morsel. We usually had trifle afterwards.

When the wash-up was done, we all relaxed and my mother played records on the gramophone.

Next day, St. Stephen’s Day, we got up early and spent our time listening for the sound of the Wren Boys’ music,

as they called on the neighbours. If it was frosty, the music could be heard quite plain in the distance. We waited

patiently for them to call to our home. Some money had to be set aside for them.

We loved to see the Clancy Bros come on their bikes with their accordions and violins over their shoulders.

They wore straw hats decorated with coloured paper and maybe with a sprig of red berry holly tucked in

somewhere. Their faces were painted with red colouring, lipstick I think. They usually played a few lively

tunes and my mother and sisters would dance round the big kitchen.

My older brothers, Mick and John, together with Tom, P.J. and Timmy went hunting the Wren themselves.

Beforehand, they tried to catch a wren. as they wanted to tie it to a holly branch and sing the followingsong

when they called on the neighbours:

“The wren, the wren, the King of all Birds, St. Stephen’s Day he was caught in the

furze, up with the kettle and down with pan. Give us a penny to bury the wren.

They traveled on bikes and some on the crossbar. They put black polish on th

faces and some wet the cover

of ‘The Messenger’ and put some red colour on their cheeks. They covered

quite a distance playing the violin,

bodhran and singing. In some housis they got tea and Christmas Cake which

was much appreciated. When it was dark they came home and had many a

yarn to tell about being attacked by cross dogs and being chased by cattle,

when they took a short-cut through the fields. We were sorry whenChristmas

was over for another year




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CHRISTMAS TRUCE

Christmas

Truce 1914

The Christmas truce (German:

Weihnachtsfrieden; French: Trêve de Noël)

was a series of widespread but unofficial

ceasefires along the Western Front around

Christmas 1914. In the week leading up to the

holiday, German and British soldiers crossed

trenches to exchange seasonal greetings and

talk. In areas, men from both sides ventured

into no man’s land on Christmas Eve and

Christmas Day to mingle and exchange

food and souvenirs. There were joint burial

ceremonies and prisoner swaps, while several

meetings ended in carol-singing. Men played

games of football with one another, giving

one of the most enduring images of the

truce. However, the peaceful behaviour was

not ubiquitous; fighting continued in some

sectors, while in others the sides settled on

little more than arrangements to recover

bodies.

The following year, a few units arranged

ceasefires, but the truces were not nearly

as widespread as in 1914; this was, in part,

due to strongly worded orders from the

high commands of both sides prohibiting

fraternisation. Soldiers were no longer

amenable to truce by 1916. The war had

become increasingly bitter after devastating

human losses suffered during the battles of

the Somme and Verdun, and the incorporation

of poison gas.

The truces were not unique to the Christmas

period, and reflected a growing mood of

“live and let live”, where infantry in close

proximity would stop overtly aggressive


behaviour, and often engage in small-scale

fraternisation, engaging in conversation or

bartering for cigarettes. In some sectors,

there would be occasional ceasefires to allow

soldiers to go between the lines and recover

wounded or dead comrades, while in others,

there would be a tacit agreement not to shoot

while men rested, exercised, or worked

in full view of the enemy. The Christmas

truces were particularly significant due to

the number of men involved and the level

of their participation – even in very peaceful

sectors, dozens of men openly congregating

in daylight was remarkable – and are often

seen as a symbolic moment of peace and

humanity amidst one of the most violent

events of human history.

Background

The first five months of World War I had seen

an initial German attack through Belgium

into France, which had been repulsed outside

Paris by French and British troops at the

Battle of the Marne in early September 1914.

The Germans fell back to the Aisne valley,

where they prepared defensive positions.

In the subsequent Battle of the Aisne, the

Allied forces were unable to push through

the German line, and the fighting quickly

degenerated into a stalemate; neither side

was willing to give ground, and both started

to develop fortified systems of trenches. To

the north, on the right of the German army,

there had been no defined front line, and both

sides quickly began to try to use this gap to

outflank one another; in the ensuing “Race

to the Sea”, the two sides repeatedly clashed,

each trying to push forward and threaten the

end of the other’s line. After several months of

fighting, during which the British forces were

withdrawn from the Aisne and sent north into

Flanders, the northern flank had developed

into a similar stalemate. By November, there

was a continuous front line running from the

North Sea to the Swiss frontier, occupied on

both sides by armies in prepared defensive

positions.

The approach to Christmas

In the lead up to Christmas 1914, there were

several peace initiatives. The Open Christmas

Letter was a public message for peace

addressed “To the Women of Germany and

Austria”, signed by a group of 101 British

women suffragettes at the end of 1914 as the

first Christmas of World War I approached.

Pope Benedict XV, on 7 December 1914,

had begged for an official truce between the

warring governments. He asked “that the

guns may fall silent at least upon the night

the angels sang.” This attempt was officially

rebuffed.

Monuments

A Christmas truce memorial was unveiled

in Frelinghien, France, on 11 November

2008. Also on that day, at the spot where,

on Christmas Day 1914, their regimental

ancestors came out from their trenches to

play football, men from the 1st Battalion,

The Royal Welch Fusiliers played a football

match with the German Battalion 371. The

Germans won 2–1.

On 12 December 2014, a memorial was

unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum

in Staffordshire, England by Prince William,

Duke of Cambridge and the England national

football team manager Roy Hodgson. The

Football Remembers memorial was designed

by ten-year-old schoolboy Spencer Turner

after a UK-wide competition.


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WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE

“I’m afraid that I didn’t obey orders that day”.

Recalling her decision to ignore the order to return

home, and instead choosing to join the fighting

during the Easter Rising, Leslie Bean de Barra offers

us a glimpse into the character of the woman who

would go on to become Director of Cumann na mBán

and chairperson and President of the Irish Red Cross,

leaving behind her an impressive legacy at both a

national and international level.

Leslie Bean de Barra (neé Price) was born in Dublin

in 1893 and went on to qualify as aIrish Red Cross

primary-school teacher in 1915. She received an

honorary degree from University College Dublin

in 1963 and later in 1978, received the Henry

Dunant medal for her contribution to the Red Cross

movement – the highest honour attributed on behalf

of the International Committee of the Red Cross

which is headquartered out of Geneva. De Barra’s

legacy is one of rebellion and leadership and her

partnership with General Tom Barry, the leader of

the IRA’s flying column in West Cork, is fitting as the

pair married in 1921. As de Barra played a role in

the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence, it can

be easy to think of her only in this context, with her

work in the Red Cross taking a back seat compared

to the nostalgia that is understandably afforded to

the Rising. In remembering the legacy of such an

important woman, however, her work and time with

the Irish Red Cross is something to be celebrated.

De Barra’s work in the Irish Red Cross began with

the inception of the Society in 1939, and paving

her way through the ranks in leadership roles, she

was subsequently nominated as Irish Red Cross

chairperson in August 1950 by president of Ireland,

Sean T. O’Kelly. De Barra was then reappointed as

chairperson of the Society in 1953 and stayed in this

position for more than two decades. De Barra’s work

with the Irish Red Cross, both important and tireless,

has resulted in her name being stitched into the very

fabric of the national Society. So much so that Shane

Lehane’s study, A History of the Irish Red Cross, has a

chapter solely dedicated to the era of Leslie Bean de

Barra. Reading about the life and work of de Barra

offers not only an insight into her professional life,

but also gives us an awareness of her character and

personality, and a portrait is quickly conjured up of

a woman of fighting character and perseverance –

no surprise then that she did indeed refuse to obey

orders that day in 1916.

De Barra did not conform with many of the gendered

stereotypes that were prevalent in mid-twentieth

century Ireland and instead dedicated her time to

championing important causes for vulnerable people

while maintaining a position of leadership and power.

Lehane, noting de Barra’s

soldiering spirit, draws

attention to her quirk of

wearing the society’s uniform

while representing the Irish Red Cross – something

which no other chairperson has done to date.

Interestingly, de Barra expressed opinions that

seemed at odds with her own actions. Speaking of

her experiences during the Rising, she said “women,

especially married women are a bit of a drag on men

who are fighting. I noticed it particularly in the North

King Street area … there were a couple of young

married women on duty and their husbands were

in the same area.” Describing her annoyance with

these women, who arrived on scene during the action

asking after their husband’s whereabouts, de Barra

remembered that she had thought at the time “the

three of you, it would be good for you to clear off”.

This no-nonsense attitude deployed by de Barra

appears to have filtered right down into her leadership

in the National Society and while on one hand critical

of her fellow female comrades, it is worth noting

women were afforded the same rank as men in the

Irish Citizen Army and can understand de Barra here

to be exercising her desire to get the job done at hand,

with no distractions interrupting her - or her fellow

comrades.

THE WORK OF LESLIE BEAN DE BARRA

De Barra worked tirelessly to champion the values

of the Red Cross and was particularly insistent

on the role of the Irish Red Cross as an auxiliary to

the armed forces during conflict and maintaining

its independence, one of the core principles to the

movement. De Barra worked to ensure that the

Department of Defence agreed that the Society could

wear the Red Cross uniform and act as an auxiliary

to the medical services of the armed forces during

conflict.

Another commendable achievement of the Irish

Red Cross, with de Barra at its helm, was the

establishment of services to address the needs of

the elderly community in Ireland. In the absence

of any state geriatric policy or funding, dialogue

was initiated with the Irish government and the

designation of the title “Our Old People’s Year” for

1965 was also introduced by the Irish Red Cross.

This provided much needed recognition for the older

community in Ireland.

Continuing on the road of championing the needs

of the more vulnerable in the community, de Barra

was also charged with leading the Irish Red Cross

in taking responsibility for refugees in Ireland in the

1950s, particularly those coming from Hungary at

the time. Considering the climate in Ireland during

this period, this was by no means an easy feat as the

Irish economy was facing great difficulties. To create

a welcoming atmosphere for refugees in Ireland is a

challenge which should be commended. Her refusal

to ignore the plight of those fleeing their home

countries in search of safety is something which we

can reflect on with pride. That de Barra could foster

and encourage this sentiment within Irish society is

a great achievement – and it is a sentiment which

is now more than ever important to keep within the

public discourse.

De Barra also initiated and chaired the “Freedom from

Hunger” Campaign which was established in 1960 to

address the long term eradication of world hunger, as

opposed to solely focusing on emergency relief in such

situations. During this time the Irish Red Cross pushed

forward with international emergency appeals, and in

light of her dedication to assisting those in need or in

vulnerable positions in the community, it is no wonder

the Cork Area Committee of the Irish Red Cross have

established a trophy in de Barra’s honour. The “Leslie

Bean de Barra Red Cross Carer of the Year” award

acknowledges the commitment of informal carers at

home and in the community, a fitting legacy in Leslie

Bean de Barra’s name.

Celebrating de Barra’s legacy in the Irish Red Cross is

hugely important in championing women’s voices and

ensuring recognition for the work and dedication that

has contributed so much to our society. It is necessary

to highlight the legacies that are left behind by

many Irish women, like Leslie Bean de Barra’s, so

that they are included in the Irish narrative that is

so often only discussed through the male voice. As

the GLOW Red Network celebrates 100 voices of Red

Cross Red Crescent women within the movement, de

Barra’s narrative deserves to be highlighted as an

influential moment in the Irish Red Cross and one

that has established standards of work and methods

of practice that should be kept to the forefront of the

National Society as we continue our work every day.



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