Islands hit hard by storms now waiting for help <\/p>\n
Monday, January 13, 2014 <\/p>\n
WE all know Christmas is a time for catching up with friends and family, even those spending the festive period abroad. <\/p>\n
CFFAM rainn Mhr (Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaochta) is a community group that manages a number of services for the 500-plus islanders, from library books to youth activities. <\/p>\n
During the week the CCFAM twitter account tweeted that Eircom customers may ring the Customer Charter on 1800 40 00 00 and can ask to get a refund of line rental for the days that they were without phone service over Christmas and New Year following the recent storms. <\/p>\n
Phone services to some homes on the island were knocked out long before Storm Christine came and caused yet more damage. The logistics of getting crews out to islands for repairs can be tricky ferries to and from rainn (also called Arranmore) were cancelled or cut some days. <\/p>\n
Its a hazard and a fact of life for many islanders who live away from the mainland, but the ferocious winds and the damage caused by huge waves has meant many inhabitants of islands from Bere to Inishbofin and beyond are totting up the cost and waiting for repairs. <\/p>\n
Writing on her Aran Islands Ireland Blog, Elisabeth Koopmans posted photographs of iche na gCoinnle beaga (Night of the little candles) and outlined how because of the ongoing chain of storms afflicting Inis Mein, the past four weeks were more or less coloured by agitation and unrest. <\/p>\n
Living on an island there always will be vivid memories too of loved ones who lost their lives because of the sea. Therefore this whole period of time kept being characterised as one of fear and insecurity. <\/p>\n
Over on Inishbofin, the island worst hit by the recent storms, the extent of the hammering dished out by the gales was best illustrated by the destruction of the lighthouse, a literal and metaphorical beacon for life on the islands. <\/p>\n
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Islands hit hard by storms now waiting for help<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Islands hit hard by storms now waiting for help Monday, January 13, 2014 WE all know Christmas is a time for catching up with friends and family, even those spending the festive period abroad. CFFAM rainn Mhr (Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaochta) is a community group that manages a number of services for the 500-plus islanders, from library books to youth activities Continue reading