Irish Life Guide » up

Floods: Clean-up operation underway

Irish rover — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:31:37 +0000

A clean-up operation is underway in Dublin and Kildare following flash flooding yesterday.

Gardaí say flood water has subsided in most areas, but parts of north county Dublin are still badly affected.

The N3 near Blanchardstown has now been re-opened and traffic is moving normally in both directions.

Considerable delays can still be expected on the M50 as there is still severe flooding on both northbound and southbound lanes.

The M1 at Whitehall has now been re-opened on both sides following earlier closures due to flooding.

Met Éireann has said that in the 24-hour period from midnight Friday until midnight on Saturday 76.2mm of rain was recorded at Dublin Airport.

This is a new record for the month of August.

The previous record was 73mm which was recorded in August 1986.

Celbridge floods

Kildare County Council says Celbridge experienced bad flooding also.

Eight houses in the Vanessa Close Estate were flooded with water reaching about 60cm.

It was caused by the Toni River, a tributary of the Liffey, which is backing up.

The County Council has secured a boat from the Civil Defence to try to clear the blockage that it is hoping will be completed by lunchtime.

The Clane to Celbridge Road is closed because of flooding and is expected to remain closed for most of day.

The Ardrass Road from Straffan to Celbridge is also closed and will remain so for the rest of the day.

Celbridge also experienced serious problems with sewage flooding onto the street, caused by pumps being flooded.

The pumps are now working again but Main Street is still affected by the sewage, which has also damaged some premises. 4,000 scouts in Punchestown had to spend the night indoors after being removed by the Civil Defence to the major events centre on the site.

Leixlip and Maynooth also experienced flooding, but the county council is not aware of any damage to property.

Tullamore Show cancelled

Elsewhere, in Co Laois the Ballyroan to Portlaoise Road is flooded at Cashel Cross after a river burst its banks.

In Co Offaly, the Tullamore Show, which was due to take place today, has been cancelled for the second year running due to the weather.

Meanwhile, rail services have resumed between Malahide Station and Howth Junction.

Iarnród Éireann says all its lines have now reopened and its services are running as normal today.

Dublin Fire Brigade says it had a very busy night with all areas of the capital affected by flooding.

The Fire Brigade says flooding was particularly bad in Swords and that a number of premises in the north city centre were flooded, with Drumcondra badly affected.

Houses in the Knocklyon and Firhouse areas of south Dublin were flooded.

The main drain section of Dublin City Council was called out to help ease the flooding, which was made worse by high tide.

The Civil Defence was also called in to help pump water.

On the M50 a bus full of people heading to Dublin Airport got stuck in the floods and had to be pulled using a tractor.

Racing at the Curragh has been cancelled due to a waterlogged track.

Organisers of the annual Steam Threshing Festival in Moynalty, Co Meath say it will go ahead despite last night’s heavy rainfall.

Thousands of people are expected to travel to the event, which is now in its 33rd year.

Chatting someone up

Irish rover — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:45:51 +0000

Approach scenarios

You have to create opportunities where you can subtly talk to someone without it feeling like you’re chatting them up!

This means thinking of ‘approach scenarios’ rather than just chat-up lines. Create a situation where you can start a conversation and be adventurous in the way you go about it. It doesn’t have to be in a bar, party or club, supermarkets are also ideal places to meet people.

Make sure you’re looking good; prepare yourself as if you are going out (dress accordingly, even if it’s only a supermarket you still want to look the business).

Choose a trolley rather than a basket as this offers you more mobility. Scrutinise the trolleys and baskets of fellow shoppers – when you notice the frozen meal for one or a lone bottle of chardonnay make your approach.

The wine section is always a good choice. Ice breakers you could use are: “Excuse me, sorry to interrupt but I’m cooking pasta tonight and only usually drink white wine – my guests are all into red, can you recommend something?” or “Excuse me (again ‘sorry to interrupt’ shows good manners, another attractive quality) I wonder if you can help me, I know nothing about white wine could you recommend something to go with salmon steaks?”.

Now you have instigated the conversation, the wheels are in motion!

A note for men

Take care when chatting women up that you don’t come on too strong as a woman on her own could find this intimidating. Also, women are naturally more helpful and ready to assist and don’t mind providing assistance altruistically without a need for gain or reward. While seeking advice make sure you’re getting the ‘she’s interested signals’ and not in ‘general help mode’.

A note for women

It’s important to remember that men function on a different level to women. If they’re attracted to you or interested they’ll not only talk about the wine, they’ll enquire about the dish you’re cooking and find any excuse to keep the conversation going.

Match your listener’s mood

One third of initial impressions come from how we say things. The tone, inflection and delivery are very important.

One of the key things in initiating conversation is to match your listener’s mood, even if it’s just for a moment, because misreading this can kill the conversation from the outset.

When you approach someone who’s caught your eye you have to make a quick judgement. Gauge whether they’re buoyant, quiet or bored and then adjust your tone accordingly.

Also, your approach will have to be a little different, depending on where you are. In the park for instance, you need to have a light and easy banter – “Where’s the café or pavilion?” whereas in a pub or club you can be a bit more cheeky and flirty.

Five tips for success

1. Avoid cheesy chat up lines and focus more on ‘approach scenarios’.

2. Ask questions and show a genuine interest in what the other person is saying.

3. Match your listener’s mood.

4. Having engaged your potential date in conversation don’t over-stay your welcome. Remember less is more!

5. When you’ve secured the phone number of your potential date it’s a good idea to text message them (if they have a mobile). Texting means there is no pressure on either side.

Chat up lines

Irish rover — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:36:26 +0000

Hi my name’s Doug. That’s God spelled backwards with a little bit of you wrapped in it.

Is your surname Jacobs? Because, girl, you’re a cracker.

(Break an ice cube with your teeth) Now I’ve broken the ice can I buy you a drink?

Is that a fox on your shoulder, or am i seeing double?

You must be Jamaican, because Jamaican me crazy!

Are you from Tennessee? Because you are the only ten I see!

You’re just like a parking ticket – you’ve got ‘Fine’ written all over you!

Do you know how much a polar bear weighs? Neither do I, but it broke the ice!

If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d but U and I together

Pardon me miss, I seem to have lost my phone number, could I borrow yours?

Help the homeless. Take me home with you.

Shall we talk or continue flirting from a distance?

Hi. I suffer from amnesia. Do I come here often?

(Get as close as you can to the other, then stare at his/her lips) Can you feel it? There is some kinda sexual attraction. Can you feel it, too?

Nice to meet you, I’m (your name) and you are…gorgeous!

So, what do you do for a living besides always making all the men excited and warm all over?

Apart from being beautiful, what do you do for a living?