The referendum on the “Fiscal Stability Treaty” will take place on Thursday 31st May.

So what do people in Delvin think of the treaty and how do they intend to vote? Your can share your views below in a totally anonymous poll.

What Locals Are Saying…

Updated at 09:20 on Saturday 19th May

Current Poll Results
Yes: 17%
No: 83%

Comments received so far…

They told us the Lisbon treaty would be great for jobs and that was a lie. Why believe them now – things are going to get worse whatever happens.

Fiscal? More like fiasco!

I’d sooner live in a country thats on its knees and still benefit the percentage of the population that’s willing to work instead of those who aren’t. I understand that there are people who genuinely cant find work but there are a lot of young lads in Delvin who dont want to work and are happy on the scratcher.

Vote ‘yes’ for 20 years of pain. It’s like putting your hand on the back of your child’s neck and submerging them slowly under water… Death by a thousand cuts springs to mind.

A ‘Yes’ vote will completely destroy our country beyond recovery. People need to stand together and not be afraid to say NO to those who have caused this mess.

We have paid enough all ready…. no more austerity!!!!! Please..it doesn’t work.

This isn’t about Irish politics any more – it’s about survival. We brought this on ourselves and should be grateful for any help offered to us by europe.

Voting NO. It’s a disgrace what the past few governments have reduced us to! We were only after getting some of our long emigrated folk back home in their village and rebuilding their lives – now they and others are having to leave. Families are living way below the poverty line, kids are going to school hungry, parents are months behind with household bills, mortgages are not being paid and families are living in fear of being evicted! Please think before you vote – don’t be bullied into “their” way! Vote NO!

More empty words from our leaders. You and those before you allowed a small group to steal from the rest of us and now you want us to sign up to a longer term debt while you all keep “your” money? F**K OFF!

Seems like a yes vote will keep us in a cycle for getting loans and trying to pay them back. We need a no vote and a clean break from the cycle.

We need an all out strike on May 31st.. everything close down.. transport, retail, banks – the lot – ALL OUT TOGETHER THE SAME DAY!!! Show them who exactly runs this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vote no to give them a message, because the treaty itself means absolutely nothing. They will carry on printing money regardless, but the global collapse caused by unpayable debt will come quicker as a result. The Euro is doomed, why should we risk or necks to save it? Anyone who asks us to do so is not acting in the best interests of the Irish people.

Would have preferred to have voted in 2008 re the bank bailout!!

All comments submitted have been published. Do you agree or disagree with what has been said? Have your say now!

Further Reading

Stability Treaty Website
Referendum Commission Website

The third annual Book Fair took place on Sunday 6th May when the Cattle Mart was again transformed in to a giant reading room.

A host of local musicians entertained literally thousands of browsers as they passed through over the course of the day and special guests read passages from a selection of books, including Dracula – theme of this year’s “Spook Trail” coming up in October.

Working through the 25,000+ books on offer was pretty hard work – even if they were carefully sorted across a maze of stalls. Fortunately, energy levels were kept up thanks to a delicious BBQ and gallons of fresh coffee. Even the weather behaved itself – just as well considering that some people struggled to fit all books they had purchased in to their cars!

Organisers have confirmed that this was the biggest and best supported yet and wish to sincerely thank everyone who supported the event and made it such a great success.

Photos From The Event

Great news! You can now access a special version of the Delvin website created for display on your iPhone, Blackberry or other mobile device.

Look up information on the move, check out what’s on nearer home and call local businesses in a single click!

To access the mobile site, please visit http://m.delvinvillage.com.

Well done to everyone who took part in the race on Monday 9th April. 138 people took part – whether running competitively, for fun or just walking with friends.

Results and times can now be viewed here.

Winners

MEN
1st Ray Hynes
2nd Vinny Conolly

WOMEN
1st Caitriona Higgins
2nd Lucy Darcy

MASTER MAN
Ollie Donnelly

MASTER WOMAN
Lucy Darcy

UNDER 18 GIRLS
Lorraine Daly

UNDER 18 BOYS
Declan Brady

UNDER 14 GIRLS
Naimh Quinn

UNDER 14 BOYS
Aidan Daly

UNDER 12 GIRLS
Shelly Smith

UNDER 12 BOYS
Eoin Quinn

Thank you to everyone who voted in this week’s special poll and who shared their views on the new household charge.

Whether you support the new charge or not, the deadline is Saturday 31st March. So how many have paid it?

Final Result
25% have paid or have an intention to pay by the deadline
75% have said that they have no intention of paying

A selection of your comments (for and against) are included below.

For more information about the Household Charge, please click here.

Your Comments

This isn’t the tax we should complain about! At least this one makes sense and ostensibly the money should be used in the correct way.

The government is having a laugh! The leaflet said the payment goes towards local amenities, maintenance and planning. Delvin doesn’t have a library or a proper park – the playground is a disaster. Don’t start me off about the planning either. Parking?!!!

The government is working on a fairer alternative. I disagree with elements of the charge and how it is being handled, but I’m biting the bullet and will pay rather than pay a fine later.

I think we’re giving the goverment enough. None of the problems in Ireland at the moment are the ordinary folk’s fault, so why does it seem we are paying for everything?

I paid but I’m not happy about it. They need to make the charge fairer and everyone should have to pay it – even those who rent.

I paid enough in stamp duty. Give me back my €20,000 and I’ll pay a household charge.

In England its called council tax. My home is a humble two bedroom cottage and my tax amounts to £72 a month with a 25% reduction for living on my own. This levey covers the cost of the police, rubbish collection, cleansing and almost all council run amenities. As it is a tax non payment could result in going to prison.

I don’t trust the government not to put it up to €500 by next year. I can afford the charge but on principle I won’t pay. I will however donate €100 to a local charity where I know the money will be used as it should be.

Delvin Community Games and Underage GAA are organising a 5k Road Race which will take place on Monday 9th April at 12 noon (registration from 10.30am). The race would suit competitive runners but fun runners and walkers of all ages are also welcome to join in.

Cost of entry will be €10 for adults €10 and €5 for juveniles.

Car parking will be available at the Delvin GAA ground. Prizes will be awarded and refreshments will be available after the race.

Please contact Assumpta Dolan on 087 993 4114 with any enquiries.

Happy St Patrick’s Day from DelvinVillage.Com! There will be plenty going on locally this bank holiday weekend, so here is a snapshot of what to expect.

The Parade

The annual parade will take place on Sunday with entertainment from 2.30pm and the main event from 3pm. Please remember that the roads will close at 2pm, so be sure to allow extra time for your journey.

To view more information about the event including parking details and maps, please select one of the following:

• Guide For Visitors
• Guide For Performers

Remember, the Parade needs you! Click to find out more about entering a float or making a donation.