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16
GENERATION & WHOLESALE MARKETS
October/November 2012 www.esb.ie/em
Appreciation
Kevin Hennessy
The staff at Ardnacrusha recently suffered the loss of a loyal colleague and one of the station’s gentlest characters when Kevin Hennessy took his final earthly bow from us on July 15th last. His passing came after a long battle with illness borne bravely and with great fortitude and we feel a sense of deep loss both in the station and in the wider community.
Kevin joined the organisation in June 1979 and thereafter he was part and parcel of Ardnacrusha Station life, until his very recent retirement. He served in both the Mechanical and Electrical Departments and found a true outlet for his kind endeavour and courtesy when driving the transport fleet at Ardnacrusha in later years.
Kevin appreciated every day God gave him and was always very close to Nature’s ways. His work would often take him to various locations on the majestic River Shannon where Kevin would often capture the wonders of nature on his camcorder.
Kevin had a wonderful collection of cast iron cookware of yesteryear. A rare collection gathered over many years at Fairs countrywide. He took great pride in showing the collection to his colleagues in his very own purpose built showroom at his home. Kevin was the first real celebrity chef and was famous for cooking up culinary delights for family friends and workmates. Home cured back bacon won’t taste the same again.
The huge attendance at his removal and funeral Mass was testament to the high regard in which he was held. The management and staff of Ardnacrusha extend their deepest sympathy to his wife Angela, his family and to his brothers and sisters.
His passing has taken one of natures kindest. May his soul rest in peace.
Appreciation
COLMAN KERR
We received news of the sudden and unexpected passing of our colleague and good friend Colman Kerr on Thursday August 9th.
Colman was from Portsalon in North Donegal but work took him to Ballyshannon with ESB Salmara in 1992 and, latterly, ESB Fisheries. Portsalon’s loss was Ballyshannon’s gain, as Colman committed himself to his adopted town with what was to prove characteristic dedication. He joined the local GAA club and played for it for over 15 years, moving on to become a selector and a manager of underage teams as his own children became more involved in the club. He also found time to become heavily involved with the Marlins Swimming Club, as well as the Board of Management of Rockfield National School. The huge attendance at his funeral was evidence of the impact he had on his adopted community. Colman was a very proud Donegal GAA supporter and attended the Donegal-Kerry quarter-final in Croke Park on the Sunday before he passed away.
In ESB Fisheries, Colman was seen as an innovator, inducing new ideas and improved systems of work to the hatchery. He enjoyed a very close and effective relationship with his colleagues across the river in the generating station and will be remembered by them as a man who got things done quietly and without fuss. He also had the role of Safety Officer for ESB Fisheries, a role in which he excelled with his outgoing personality and willingness to be of assistance to everyone in whatever way he could. His first response whenever he was contacted was ‘how can I help you’ and his request was followed by a wholehearted effort to find a solution. In this safety role, Colman contributed enormously to the excellent safety record in Fisheries, which culminated in 1,000 days without a lost time incident (LTI) in February this year, an achievement he was very proud of. Perhaps, it will only be in the coming months, when we reach out for that helping hand that Colman would have so willingly offered, only to realise that it is no longer there, that the loss will finally hit home.
Colman particularly enjoyed showcasing the conservation work carried out at the hatchery and its contribution to the River Erne. He actively encouraged local schools and community groups to visit and was in his element answering the many difficult questions posed by the enquiring youngsters. Many children from the area will have fond memories of their visits and the help that Colman offered. Indeed, we will all remember Colman in quiet moments for a long time to come.
And yet the loss that we feel stands as insignificant against that of his family, his loving wife Deirdre, children Cliodhna and Oisín, his mother Susan, and his brother and sisters. We can only keep them in our thoughts and prayers at this time, as they try to come to terms with this grievous and incomprehensible loss.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
Beekeeping project has Poolbeg abuzz
POOLBEG’S BEEKEEPING Project started in 2011 with the installation of two hives as a result of an article that appeared in the National Geographic magazine on the growing plight of the honeybee.
The article, which outlined how bee populations have collapsed, prompted much discussion among Poolbeg staff and, with the support of management, it was agreed to locate two bee hives on site as part of a community-based sustainability initiative. Denis McCabe and Suzanne Moran were particularly supportive of the initiative, with Patsy Grogan and Derek Dempsey (Irishtown Community Garda) taking on the very important role of ongoing care for the hives.
During the peak nectar and pollen period between May and August, a bee colony consists of one queen bee, up to 50,000 female worker bees and about 800 drone male bees. At her peak, the queen bee lays up to 1,500 eggs a day to replenish the worker bee population in the hive. The queen lives for three to four years and the workers die after five weeks or so, depending on the time of season. Drone bees, who always die during winter, have the sole function of mating with young queens, and a queen bee mates once only during her lifetime.
The queen bee emits a unique scent, or pheromone, that holds the colony together. The worker bees travel distances of up to three miles in search of nectar and pollen. The colony has an instinctive tendency to divide and multiply (swarm) during the peak nectar/pollen season. The existing queen leaves the hive along with roughly half of the worker bee population and takes up residence in a new location.
Managing swarming is a critical part of the beekeeper’s role. No bee keeper wants to lose half of a worker bee population, as this has a direct effect on the potential honey crop. A healthy hive produces up to 50 jars of honey per season.
The honeybee population has experienced a considerable reduction in numbers during the last 20 years, partly due to disease and parasitic varroa mite infestations but also for reasons not fully understood. This is of major concern because bees are critical pollinators for agriculture and the ecosystem in general. Parasitic mites thrive in mild conditions and it is believed that global warming has contributed to the plight of the bee population.
These inspections are undertaken on a weekly basis to check on the general health of the hive and to also check tendency to swarm.
RETIREMENT OF LIAM THOMAS FROM RESERVED DEFENCES FORCES AFTER 40 YEARS SERVICE
Many ESB colleagues are also members of the reserved defence forces. Liam Thomas from Erne Stations is one such colleague and he recently retired from the Reserved Defence Forces after 40 years.
DUBLIN BAY POWER RAISING FUNDS FOR LAURA LYNN CHILDRENS’ HOSPICE
DUBLIN BAY Power Mechanical Fitter John Kane (pictured left) and Alstom Mechanical Section leader Les Crossley are not shaving or having their hair cut to raise money for charities! John who works at DBP in Ringsend is raising money for the Laura Lynn Childrens’ Hospice and has not shaved or had a hair cut for four months! However, he did have his hair and beard shaved off on the 28th July. Les, a long time employee of Alstom Power, who has worked many times in the Dublin power station during outages is raising money for a special school for autistic children in Stafford which a work colleague’s son attends. He has agreed not to shave or have a haircut for an entire year! Like John he will eventually have all his hair and beard completely shaved off for his chosen charity. Everyone at the station is making a contribution to both these very worthwhile causes. Photo John Hogan, DBP.
