Ryder Cup: Bord Fáilte:
spend money more wisely
The country is awash with money, and this week, it was
awash with wealthy golfers and their fans who are
flocking to see them practicing their art. While the
world "oohs" and "aahs" at Tiger Woods' birdies, the
behemoth that is the Ryder Cup will consume vast sums of
money from the budgets of various councils and arms of
the State, such as the Garda Síochána.
As a Kildare local, it is quite bemusing to see members
of the police force out cutting hedges and directing
traffic at night-time (when there is no traffic to
direct). I have no doubt they will earn their overtime
when the weekend is out. It's just refreshing to see so
many, even if they are not there for my protection, per
se.
And what of Bord Fáilte Ireland's budget? How much
have they spent on the whole affair? Even Fianna
Fáil must be envious of the number of lamp-posts
covered with promotional material. Perhaps when they have
finished with their orgy of advertising, they might spend
a few quid looking after a few of our own monuments;
monuments that actually will be around for a few years to
come (unless they have the misfortune to lie in the path
of a motorway).
I'm thinking in particular of Tara, which is routinely
overlooked from a tourism point of view. Not by the
National Roads Authority, though. They seem to be able to
target the area quite well. What say you, the good men
and women at Bord Fáilte Ireland? If the Ryder cup
is a "hole in one" opportunity for promoting Ireland,
then the planned carnage at Tara is an own-goal.
Declan Kenny,
Leixlip,
Co. Kildare.
© Village Magazine, 28th. September 2006.
