[sustran] Re: Fatima Mansions

[Alan P Howes]

Well, thanks for a scholarly and interesting reply, Pascal - I trust the
other Sustran-ers don't mind it being just slightly off topic!

Sounds to be an excellent name for the band in question - must look out for
their stuff. I'd heard of this shrine in Portugal - but of course Fatima is
also a common name in this neck of the woods. The Prophet Mohammed had a
daughter Fatimah - married Ali, the Caliph who is followed by the Shia'.
(CMIIW)

And as for "The obedience of the citizens is the happiness of the city",
that really ought to be the motto for Riyadh - or any other city in the
Magic Kingdom. Has no-one ever suggested to Dublin Corp that it is a tad
1984-ish? How about "The city is devoted to the happiness of the citizens"?

--
howesap at saptco.com.sa
Alan Howes, Special Advisor, Saudi Public Transport Company, Riyadh
+966 1 454 5000 ext. 156
Personal email: alanhowes at usaksa.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pascal Desmond" <pascal at pop.gn.apc.org>
To: <sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 7:52 PM
Subject: [sustran] [sustran] Re: Quote - and Help Wanted (Indonesia)


> >Fatima Mansions? Who They?
>
> In the 1950s and early 1960s it was the fashion for local authorities
> in Ireland to name their social housing estates/ housing projects
> after Catholic religious events / saintly people. Hence, you will
> find 'St Kevin's Park', 'St Bridgid's Parade', 'Colmcille Terrace',
> etc. in many towns and villages. In the 1960s the fashion was for
> freedom fighters/ terrorists such as Pearse, Connolly, Clarke, et al.
>
> Fatima Mansions [named after the place in Portugal where there was
> some religious vision] is a massive housing project in Dublin, owned
> by the Corporation [whose motto is Obedentia civium urbis
> felicitas*]. Fatima Mansions had a reputation for being a hard place.
> Sadly it gained notoriety in the early 1980s as one of the places
> where heroin took a frightening grip on a population without hope,
> comfort or joy in their lives. Sean Flynn's 'Smack: the criminal drug
> racket in Ireland' is an excellent read on this subject.
>
> A rock band decided to name themselves after the place where they
> lived. I'm not familiar with their music/lyrics, but would not be
> surprised if it is 'gritty urban realism'. Somehow, I can't imagine
> Celine or Whitney covering their songs.
>
> * The obedience of the citizens is the happiness of the city.
> --
> Kind regards
> Pascal Desmond.
>