Dubai Irish Golf Society (DIGS), an off shoot of Dubai Irish Society, was founded in 2003. The first Captain was Colm McLoughlin followed by Paul Thornberry, Tom Barry, John Merrigan, Richard Ingram, and the present Captain is George Horan. The objective of Dubai Irish Golf Society is to provide the opportunity for golfers within the community to play at pre-arranged events on different courses throughout the year. Prior to DIGS, most golfing events for the community were arranged by Paul Thornberry. From a small beginning, there are now in excess of 200 playing in these DIGS events.

This year we have had three events.

1. Emirates Golf Club sponsored by Sharaf Industries, Dubai (thanks to John Merrigan, Chief Operating Officer)

2. Dubai Creek Golf Club sponsored by Areva T & D, Dubai (thanks to John McDonagh, Regional Sales Director Oil & Gas)

3. Arabian Ranches sponsored by Condor Scaffolding Contracting LLC, Dubai (thanks to John White, Managing Director)

The next event, sponsored by John Jameson LLC will take place on the 22nd of Jan 2009 at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa. There are also two further events scheduled:

1. The Mark Fahey Memorial Day at Four Seasons Golf Club - sponsored by Dubai Duty Free (thanks to Colm McLoughlin)

2. Captain’s Day at Dubai Creek Golf Club –sponsor (TBC)

Membership of DIGS cost Dhs100/- which entitles the member to a Greg Norman T-Shirt, very kindly sponsored by Richard Ingram of Ingram Group, Dubai.

Regards

George Horan Captain/DIGS

Presidents’ Messages

Dubai Irish Society Newsletter

January 2009

Welcome Message

As President of the Dubai Celts, I am delighted to welcome you all here to Dubai for the Gulf Gaelic Games. For those of you who are visiting Dubai for the first time, I hope that you enjoy the weekend. For those of you returning, I am sure that there are still many new attractions in Dubai that you can still enjoy.

The Dubai Celts have worked hard to ensure that this tournament is a success. Their dedication and com-mitment to promoting Irish sport overseas is admirable and I am aware of the amount of time given by the Celts to ensure that this weekend goes according to plan.

As a result of this weekend, the Dubai Celts are also putting a

spotlight on Dubai as a first class sports destination and the new Emirates Sevens facility is an ex-cellent example of what can be achieved in Dubai in a relatively short space of time. I am delighted

to see so many young people in the Gulf dedicated to Irish sport and I wish you all a successful tournament.

Colm McLoughlin, President, Dubai Celts Managing Director Dubai Duty Free

Dia Daoibh

Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh agus céad míle fáilte romhaibh chuig an gcéad eagrán de nuacht-litir Chumann Gaelach Dubai.

Erin Ní Néill is ainm dom agus is as Corcaigh dom. Táim i mo thriú bliain anseo i Dubai, ag obair san ionad Starwood, i Mina-Seyahi.

Beidh sé de chuspóir agam eolas a thabhairt daoibh faoi na heachtraí éagsúla a bheidh ar siúl i rith na bliana, chomh maith le scéalta éagsúla, nuacht srl. Bain taithneamh as.

Ní neart go cur le chéile!

Slán go fóill, Erin

Happy New Year to you and welcome to the first edition of the Dubai Irish Society's Quarterly newsletter. In case our paths have not crossed allow me steal a moment to introduce myself…. My name is Erin O'Neill and I come from Cork. This is my third year in Dubai, working at the Mina Seyahi Complex, a Starwood Resort. It is my aim to bring news & updates to you about the different events that will be happening during the year in the Irish Community here in Dubai. Also some interesting stories, news items and more. I hope that you enjoy. Remember ‘There is no strength without unity.’

Bye for now,

Erin

For those who would like to be on the DIGS circulation list, please email Ms Nida Ponce, Nida.Ponce@ddf.ae.

D.I.S. January Quote:

“People are always blaming their circumstances for where they are. I

don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world

are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want,

and if they can’t find them… they make them.”

-George Bernard Shaw

Chair, DIS

Winners of the last DIGS event at the Arabian Ranches

Iris Gaelach Dubai

Dubai Irish Society Newsletter DIS Irish Profile of the Quarter:

Brenda Cooke, Retirement Home & Rehabilitation Centre Page 2

Brenda loves horses. A passion passed from her father and one she seems to share equally with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This, coupled with growing up in an Irish family of 7 children has developed her perfectly for her current role as the Al Ruwayyah Stable Manager at Sheikh Mohammed’s Retirement Home & Rehabilitation Centre. Undoubtedly, a life devotion among a staff of 49 men and 147 horses at the stables on the border of Oman. This centre developed by the Sheikh Mohammed for retired and injured horses was in need of a soulful touch such as Brenda's to ensure these magnificent creatures were being well cared for. Having worked for over 20 years, starting with Kildangan Stud in the Emerald Isle, it was a pleasure for

Brenda to come to the sunny, warm weather and continue her services here. When asked what she misses most from home, it was fresh from the oven, big crusted ’loaf’ bread….and Cadburys chocolate!

No matter what they say it is just not the same here!

Brenda remembers starting with only 11 horses, growing to 97 beauties within two years and now at an astounding 147 beauties. Quite an achievement, I think you will agree!

On any given morning, Brenda awakes to greet the sun and each and every horse to ensure their continued health, happiness and well-being. From feeding, examining and exercising them, the care Brenda takes in these creatures is definitely more than just a morning greeting. It is a full time job and life devotion. Nothing but the absolute best for these horses, from practically luxury accommodation to the best feed and medicine money can buy. These horses get the star treatment as though they are still race winners!

A special thank you to Brenda who invited Erin & Donal into her home to share her story with the Irish Community in Dubai

Would you like to practice your Irish? Even if you've only got the 'cúpla focal' we'll have some fun any-way! There are plenty of us Irish living here in Dubai and this is a great opportu-nity to meet up and practice your ‘Gaeilge' in a social setting. We're a small, infor-mal group and this is a chance for you to make a start on spoken Irish with no pressure and no stress.

Ar mhaith leat comhrá as Gaeilge? Mura bhfuil ach cúpla focal agat beidh spórt againn ar aon chor! Tá cónaí ar go leor Éireannaigh anseo in Dubai agus is deis iontach í seo don phobal an Ghaeilge a chleachtadh ag ócáid shóisialta. Grúpa beag neamhfhoirmiúil muide agus seo seans dhuit tús a dhé-anamh ar an nGaeilge labhar-tha gan strus, gan bhrú.

The Dubai Celts GAA Club,

sponsored by Dubai Duty Free,

will play host for the third

year running to the world‟s

largest International Sevens Gaelic Football and Hurling Sevens

Tournament at the new Emirates 7s Sports Complex on Friday 23rd

and Saturday 24th January.

This year‟s tournament has attracted a truly international spread of

clubs: 6 clubs from Ireland, 1 from Brussels and 9 from Asia and

the Middle East. Up to 600 players will participate in the two day

tournament which is proudly sponsored by Dubai Duty Free. “The

Gulf Gaelic Games 2007 and 2008 were a huge success and we

expect this year‟s tournament to be bigger and better again. Not

only is it a great opportunity for the Irish in Dubai to come

together and get a feel for home, but it is also an opportunity to

showcase their unique games to the people of Dubai,” comments

Colm McLoughlin, President of the Dubai Celts and Managing

Director of Dubai Duty Free.. “It helps to bring together cultures

as well as encouraging Irish teams to visit and experience the

warm Arabian hospitality and heritage,” he added.

The tournament this year will see intense rivalry between

established clubs from Ireland and Europe against the growing

strength of the Middle East clubs including Dubai Celts. Neutral

experienced referees flown especially from Ireland will guarantee

fair play for all. Ladies and gents are catered for in equal measure

as both actively participate in the Gaelic football and hurling

competitions (called camogie for ladies).

Hurling is the oldest and fastest team field sport in the world and

this years tournament will feature an exhibition game between the

5th and 6th form students from Jumeirah College and Wellington

International School, none of whom are Irish and some of whom

only took up the game in the last 8 weeks due to the

encouragement and enthusiasm of their teacher and coach Danny

Cotterell from Co. Kilkenny. According to Danny his students

have taken to hurling „like ducks to water‟.

Dubai Celts hosts international Gaelic Sevens

Ciorcal Comhrá

Beimid ag bualadh le chéile gach tráthnóna Luain ó 8.i.n. - 9.i.n. We will meet every Monday evening 8-9 pm. Is féidir tuilleadh

eolais a fháil ó Louise: louisesmith50@gmail.com Please contact Louise for more information: louisesmith50@gmail.com

A sweet taste of Ireland

Irish business looks to the Gulf for further growth

Dubai Irish Society Newsletter

Page 3

Caption describing pic-ture or graphic.

December saw Jim Mongey and his Enterprise Ireland team settling into their new expanded Middle East/North Africa HQ, with a wonderful street address: Number One, Sheikh Zayed Road. The Enter-prise Ireland office (and the Irish Visa Facilitation Office) has moved from the Crowne Plaza to Level 4 of the office tower of the Monarch Hotel at World Trade Centre Interchange.

The EI team focuses tightly on helping Irish companies – mostly on a confidential one to one basis - to win export deals and business partners in 23 countries, primarily in the Mid-dle East and North Africa. How-ever it works most intensively in the Gulf States.

The Dubai offices were formally opened by Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan, T.D., at the conclusion of the huge (125 executives from 88 companies travelled from Ireland) Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. During her visit the Tanaiste held busi-ness development discussions with the UAE Ministers for Industry and Foreign Trade, the Secretary General of Du-bai’s Executive Council, the Chairman of Etisalat and many others to advance Ireland’s overseas business agenda. During the Mission Enterprise Ireland Clients announced contracts in excess of 40 million Euro.

The EI team is hard at work now in planning a 2009 pro-gramme, the more public manifestations of which will be: Trade Missions to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE; seminars in Ireland on construction Opportunities in the Gulf; in-ward visits to Ireland by major corporate buyers etc It will also be continuing its work to develop “Irish Business Networks” in other Gulf business capitals, building on its experience in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and many other centres across Europe, North America and Asia

According to Jim Mongey of Enterprise Ireland:

“Our year has never gotten off to a faster and more de-manding start than it has this January. Conditions in virtu-ally all traditional markets in Europe and North America are extremely difficult. Our clients in Ireland need the business more than ever – and it is widely recognised that their capabilities and experience match neatly with needs of Gulf Governments and businesses as they drive ahead with their ambitious development plans.

We are very lucky to have so many friends in our Irish Business Networks and Irish Societies who help us to spread the word about the excellence in service and prod-uct solutions that Ireland can bring to the accelerated development of the Gulf”

Bread and Butter Pudding

12 slices white bread crusts removed 2ozs/55g butter,preferably unsalted

1/2 teasp.nutmeg or cinnamon or mixed spice 7 oz./200g plump raisins or sultanas

4 large eggs beaten lightly 8 fl ozs/225ml milk

16 fl ozs/475ml cream 1 teasp pure vanilla essence

6 oz/170g castor sugar pinch of salt

1 tablesp.granulated sugar for sprinkling on top

— — — — — —

Garnish: Softly whipped cream

Pottery or china dish,8 inches /20.5cm square

— — — — — —

Butter the bread and arrange 4 slices,butter side down,in a single layer in the dish.Sprinkle the bread with half the nutmeg and half the raisins,and arrange another layer of bread,buttered side down over the raisins and sprinkle the remaining nutmeg and

raisins on top. Cover with the remaining bread,buttered side down.

In a bowl whisk together the eggs,milk,cream,vanilla es-sence,sugar and salt.Pour mixture through a fine sieve over the bread. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top and let the

mixture stand,covered loosely, at room temp.for at least 1 hour or chill overnight.

Bake in a bain-marie -the water should be half way up the sides of the baking dish.Bake the pudding in the middle of the preheated

oven,180 degreesC/350 degreesFarn/regulo4,for 1 hour approx.or until the top is crisp and golden.Serve warm with some

softly whipped cream.

Serves 6-8

Note: This pudding reheats perfectly.!!

Page 4

2006 and 2007 saw the group hone their skills and mature into competent footballers. It allowed us, for the first time ever, to run some of our juvenile players in the social section of the 2008 Dubai Duty Free Gaelic Games. In fact they probably scored more points than some of the “social players”. The 2008 tournament also saw for the first time, the participation of Dubai College and English College in the juvenile section of the tournament.

A personal goal I have had for a long time was to take the children on tour and demonstrate to all the other clubs in the region that children like and enjoy playing Gaelic football, and, given the chance they will excel at it. On the 20th of November 2008, and for the first time in the history of GAA in the Gulf, 20 children and their parents set out from Dubai to represent Dubai Celts GAA Club and play specifically in the Bahrain Gaelic Games Tournament. This turned out to be an overwhelming and memorable success for all those who took part in the tournament. Whether it will have the desired effect of generating interest in juvenile football in the re-gion still remains to be seen. It is early days yet, but I am hopeful.

Dubai Duty Free Gaelic Games 2009 will be another milestone as we will have two sec-tions, an under 10 and Under 14, with two teams competing in each. We again wel-come our friends from Abu Dhabi as the main competition, but would love to see other teams in the form of social clubs, schools, etc par-ticipate.

It must be said, however, that none of the successes of the juve-niles would be possible without the support of the parents in-volved. It takes huge commitment to attend the training sessions on a regular basis as well as driving to games in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. With all the distractions and activities now available for young people within the Emirates it is again a fantastic positive to see all the regular and new children of the club wanting to partici-pate and learn the skills of our national sports. With the up and coming young guns like Frank Doyle, and in particular Anthony Murphy who has taken on the mantle of responsibility for hurling training, the future looks good for youth GAA in the Emirate of Dubai. Long may it continue.

Declan O’Donovan

From humble beginnings back in 1996, Paul McCabe, having founded Dubai Celts as a club, set about getting the juvenile section up and running. From that time it has grown into a strong cohesive unit where there’s always a bit of craic and competition. I can remember in the early noughtys arriving at what was the former Exiles to

help out the volunteers of the day, the two Brians, Sergent and Gray, to see a hopeful group of young kids eager to learn the skills of this great game. Paul McCabe, together with these selfless vol-unteers down through the years has been the backbone of juvenile football in the UAE. Without some of the parents such as the Bruders, Mannions and Dunleavy’s the interest would not have continued. Paul and the others sowed the early seeds of interest in the parents of the juve-niles and this continues today.

Most of the competition at this time was from those who attended the regular training sessions together with a few stragglers who would turn up for the main tournaments. It was the early days and although there was fantastic commitment from all sides, training and attendance tended to be a bit haphazard. There followed a short hiatus where there was little or no training.

2005 saw a renewed interest in the juvenile section. Together with the great stalwart of Dubai Celts, Paul McCabe, we introduced a more regular structure. Donal McCarthy joined us for some time, teaching the skills of hurling and the greatness of Cork County hurl-ing in particular. The hurling skills are still being taught, it’s just a pity that Cork couldn’t stand the test of time.

We were joined in our enthusiasm by the likes of Johnny Rae, Pat English, P J Kirwan and others in Abu Dhabi. This allowed a regular series of games on a home and away basis which was great for the development of the game in the country. 2005 also saw the Brud-

ers again return to the training sessions and together with one or two other families they have remained faithful supporters of GAA in the Emirate, attending almost every training session since then.

We have been lucky in the sup-port we have received from each successive Du-bai Celts committee which

has come and gone throughout the years. Each member has actively encouraged the development of the juvenile section and supported us whenever it was needed. This has allowed the children the opportunity to participate in all the tourna-ments and sessions they have wanted to take part in.

Dubai Celts Juvenile Section

Early devotees in 2003. Dubai Celts Feb 2000

Dubai Celts Juniors March 2005

Dubai Celts Juniors 2007

Dubai Celts Juniors, Bahrain Nov 2008

Dubai Irish Society would like to welcome

our newest member,

Daniel James Hayes-Darwish.

Congratulations to

Margaret and Nabil!

Page 5

In 2008 Dubai Duty Free celebrated 25 years of retailing success and to mark the occasion, the operation commissioned a book, Fly Buy Dubai, which was written by

Dubai-based author, Graeme Wilson. The author of ‘Rashid’s Legacy’ and ‘Flight of the Future’, Wilson was perfectly placed to write this book which took two years of research both in the UAE, Ireland and around the Gulf.

The opening chapter of the book, ‘An Gort Mor’ (the big hunger), gives an insight into Wilson’s approach to what many would imagine as being a ‘corporate story’. Far from it, as Wilson takes us on a fascinating journey to the origin of the duty free industry in Shannon, West of Ireland, to modern day Dubai. He manages to weave the story of a poverty stricken Ireland of the 1940’s with the similarly poor Arabian Gulf. At that time in the Gulf, and in Dubai in particular, the wane of the region’s pearl diving industry had led to desperate times for its growing population.

Fast forward to 1983 and the foundation of modern Dubai. A visit to Shannon Airport by representatives of the Dubai Government led to an invitation to Aer Rianta (the Irish Airport Authority) to come and open a duty free in Dubai International Airport. This invitation led to the arrival of a ten-man team from Aer Rianta who had just six months in which to design, build and run Dubai Duty Free. Led by current managing director, Colm McLoughlin, the team worked around the clock and true to form, the operation opened for business on December 20th, 1983.

Dubai Duty Free has grown to become a Superbrand and one of the most successful airport retailers in the world with a turnover of US$1.1 billion in 2008. But this book goes behind the facts and figures and tells the amazing success story of a company that is mirrored in the growth of Dubai. A fascinating read for anyone interested in ‘old Dubai’ and how decisions made 25 years ago have resulted in a modern day goliath.

A chairde,

Ath bhliain faoi mhaise duit!

The Dubai Irish Society comes bearing New Year gifts exclusive to its members for 2009! Thank you for your support in times past and we look forward to your continued support in the coming months.

In reading this newsletter, then you are on the on the Dubai Irish Society database from previous years however you may not necessarily be a member of the society. A New Year hence a new start and with lots of treats in store you are just in time to enrol for the remainder of the 2009 membership year.

We are delighted to inform you that the Dubai Irish Society members this year will receive 10% discount in all MMI stores upon presenting your card in store. If you do not have an MMI (alcohol) licence please contact me for an Irish Society MMI licence application form. Additional benefits for Irish Society members include a discount on bookings with the Heritage Golf & Spa Resort in Killenard, County Laois and a great discount on tickets for the highlights of the Irish Calendar year... the St Patrick's Day Ball and Rose Ball and any other events that unfold in the year ahead.

If you would like to renew your membership for 2008-2009 (valid until September 09) please email me and I will send you the membership form. Once you return it with the application form, we will send your membership card that entitles you to these discounts! Single membership is Dhs 100 and Family membership is Dhs 150. Should you wish to confirm that you have already renewed feel free to email me on judith@irishindubai.com

May we take this opportunity to wish you and your families a happy and peaceful New Year.

Judith Murray

DIS Membership Secretary

Dubai Irish Society Membership

Fly Buy Dubai

Thanks a million! Dubai Irish Society

Dates to Remember

Dubai Irish Society Newsletter

Page 6

DIS Year Book Interested in submitting an article for

this year’s edition, have any photos from our recent events or news about recent births or weddings in our community?

com.irishindubai@YuseffPlease email before February 8th.

Saint Patrick’s Day Ball

Friday, March 13th @ 7pm

Intercontinental Festival City

475 AED Members 525 AED Members

Tickets on sale on.……

...Friday February 6th

12 noon - 3pm

Cellar Restaurant, Aviation Club Come along for brunch at the Cellar!

)com.irishindubai@Karencontact (

...Friday February 6th & 13th at the

Westin Hotel Lobby, Dubai Marina ) com.irishindubai@Erinsee (

Rose of Tralee Ball

Friday, May 22nd @ 7pm

Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi

A special go raibh mile maith agaibh!

D.I.S. continued sponsors

-John from MMI

-Claudette & Monique from Emirates

Tales of Golf

-George Horan

Dubai Celts

-Colm McLoughlin

-Donal McCarthy

-Conor, Frank & Darragh

For his report on the Celts Juveniles

-Declan O’Donovan

Enterprise Ireland

-Jim Mongey & Team

Dubai Duty Free

-Sinead El Sibai

A final thanks to all the Dubai Irish Society committee members for their time and dedication to the society ….

Erin, Karen, Declan, Judith, Yuseff, Rachel & Louise.