Turas Siúlóra – Ó Bhriseadh go Biseach

A Hiker's Journey - From Fracture to Recovery

by | 2025/10/15 | Personal

Turas Siúlóra - Ó Bhriseadh go Biseach

The X-ray results were devastating — a broken tibia, right at the point where it connects to the ankle. I had suspected that it was something more serious than just an injured foot, as there was sharp pain in my leg, especially at night. But I had been denying the truth, which was now staring me in the face.

Accepting the Truth

Normally, recovery from a sprained ankle takes six to eight weeks, but a fracture takes almost twice as long — up to four months. Oh, damn it!

The medical boot on my leg means I won't be walking or driving until I get permission from the doctor — which places a heavy restriction on me for a long time. I feel like someone who has been sentenced to a prison term. "Four months!" says the judge, hammering his gavel on the table.

The sight of the boot reminds me of my school days in Kieran’s College, where hurling players were occasionally injured, wearing plaster of Paris covered with graffiti. Injury was a natural part of that sporting life. But I never played hurling on a team, and so I was never injured — until now.

Modern medicine has come a long way. Instead of plaster of Paris, I have a medical boot that is much easier to wear. Unlike plaster, I can remove the boot in bed.

I have lightweight aluminum crutches and a small knee scooter too — essential tools to keep weight off the leg until the bone has healed back together.

Unfamiliar Territory

I've never broken a bone before, so this whole process is completely new territory for me. Beyond the worry about the condition of the injury itself, I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to do any exercise for a while.

The irony isn't lost on me either. I had planned to take a rest day on the day of the accident. But when I was near a small mountain, I couldn't resist going up it immediately. It was meant to be an easy walk — nothing like many other hikes I've done: across the Grand Canyon and in the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Himalayas, for example. It's embarrassing that this accident happened on a small local path — but, in another way, perhaps it's a good thing too, as I managed to get down to my car, albeit walking with a limp.

The Medical Verdict

The orthopedist gave me news that was both good and bad. Fortunately, the bone fragment hadn't moved and was still in contact with the tibia. So, surgery wasn't necessary. But I wouldn't be able to put any weight on the injured leg for at least a month. If I follow his instructions carefully, however, I'll be back to my old self eventually — able to do everything as well as I could before the accident. I will achieve that goal, so that I can be back in the mountains again before long.

Different Opinions

People have different opinions regarding what happened to me. For example, my wife and I recently met a friend for lunch, with me wearing a boot and walking with crutches.

She told me that an accident like this would "humble" a person. She also said that she had told her friends about me, and they said: "Mick fell? Mick? How could Mick fall?" Those are the thoughts that stayed with me, stuck in the back of my mind.

I wasn't humbled by the accident at all. But I did regret what happened, as I had acted impulsively, and so wasn't properly prepared for the walk.

It's clear from the question "How could Mick fall" that the people who said this had unreasonable opinions. Where did they get such an idea? – not from me! In any case, anyone can be injured, no matter how much experience they have. The athlete who is never injured is a rare individual. By the way, I've fallen often on paths over the years; the difference this time is that the consequences are more severe and more visible to other people.

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

For the first time, I'll be living with a disability. Although I'm very fortunate that I'll make a complete recovery, this disability will give me a valuable perspective.

I'll have a flexible approach, being disabled for a period after the accident. I'm determined to do my utmost not to waste any time. I'll be busy with more reading and writing in Irish and English. I'll be able to spend more time learning how to play the guitar. I'll have more time to take breaks and reflect. But also, I'll have a new life — a different life — as a person with a disability. I'll have a lot to learn about that life, and I'll share those lessons with you over time.

And when I finally return to the path again with renewed energy, I hope that it won't just be my bones that are stronger — but my spirit too.

 

Mistreatment of a Long-Term US resident by immigration officials!

Mícheál Ó Duibhir, Fíor-Fhear na hAthbheochana

Michael O'Dwyer, True Renaissance Man

by | 2025/10/08 | Autobiography, Personal, Obituary

Michael O'Dwyer, True Renaissance Man

I was very happy to be a student at St Kieran’s College in Kilkenny. As a child, I had a natural curiosity about the world and the stars above. From the moment I opened a book about planets, stars, and galaxies, I was completely enchanted. In my young mind, Newton, Galileo, Descartes, and Einstein were wizards who had uncovered the hidden laws and principles of the universe. To me, science was a kind of magic—only better, because it was true and could be proven. It’s no surprise, then, that when I began my first classes in the College, I was thrilled to find physics and chemistry on the curriculum.

Although almost every teacher in the school was excellent—knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects—one stood out as the person who opened doors of possibility for me: our physics teacher, Mr. Mícheál O’Dwyer.

He began teaching at St Kieran’s College in 1967, after ten years teaching in Downpatrick, County Down. In all, he spent thirty-four years working at St Kieran’s—a long career that left a deep mark on generations of students. When I was a teenager, he was like a high priest at the altar of science.

Master Craftsman

Mr. O’Dwyer was a modest, sturdy man, full of energy and quick, playful wit. Unlike many teachers of that era, he never used corporal punishment. He created a safe space where we felt free to think independently. That’s not to say he couldn’t maintain discipline—he certainly could. He used humor and gentle mockery when needed.

I remember one day when I was chatting and laughing uncontrollably in his class while he was trying to teach. He looked straight at me, a serious gleam in his eye, and said, enunciating every word slowly and clearly:

“Now, Michael—just because your father is the vice-principal…”

He didn’t need to finish the sentence. The entire class burst out laughing; I turned crimson with embarrassment. From that day on, I was as quiet as a ghost in the physics lab.

He didn’t need to finish the sentence. The entire class burst out laughing; I turned crimson with embarrassment. From that day on, I was as quiet as a ghost in the physics lab.

When he taught us about focal length in a lens, he didn’t start with equations but with the stories of the scientists who shaped our understanding: Kepler, Huygens, Newton, Descartes, and Gauss. He impressed upon us that we were inheriting a magnificent intellectual tradition. Then he drew a clean diagram on the board, showing how parallel rays of light bend through a lens and converge, before deriving the thin-lens formula for focal length.

Watching him work was like observing a skilled craftsman at his bench—precise, patient, and completely absorbed in his subject.

The Scientific Method

He never left theory as something abstract. In the case of focal length, he divided us into pairs, each with a lens, an object, and a screen. Our task: measure, record, calculate; then test whether our result matched the formula.

In this way, the lesson wasn’t only about optics—it was about the scientific method itself: forming hypotheses, testing them rigorously, and drawing conclusions from tangible evidence. He also taught us the importance of teamwork and cooperation.

Those lessons went far beyond physics; they taught us how to approach problems methodically and how to work together effectively.

Looking back, I can say with confidence that Michael helped shape my path. He lit sparks of curiosity in me—not by telling, but by showing how the principles of physics worked.

He had a profound influence on me at a decisive moment in my life. It’s no accident that I went on to study Physics at University College Dublin, then Electrical Engineering, and finally earned a Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, San Diego.

I spent most of my career in research and development in the field of wireless communications. My professional journey traces its roots directly back to those early lessons in the physics lab—and to our teacher, Mícheál O’Dwyer.

Scientist and Historian

Many years later, I met Míchael again. By that time, I was closer to the end of my working life than the beginning. I told him plainly what he had done for me and how much he had influenced my life. He was gentle and humble, but I could see quiet gratitude in his eyes.

During that visit, he revealed his second passion: he had become an accomplished local historian. In his retirement, he devoted himself to writing about the history of Kilkenny, uncovering little-known aspects of its past.

Among his works was The History of Cricket in County Kilkenny: The Forgotten Game, a book offering a fascinating insight into the evolution of the GAA. He examined the upper classes of Kilkenny society and wrote about the very area where he himself had grown up. I was delighted to discover that the man who had once shown me the beauty of light and motion was now illuminating hidden corners of our cultural heritage.

True Renaissance Man

News of Mícheál’s passing caused me great sadness—he went on the ‘path of truth’ in February 2025. Those words “path of truth” seem fitting, for he had taught us in his classes what truth meant in science, and how that truth could be proven.

His image remains vivid in my mind—clear and precise, as if it were yesterday: standing at the front of the physics lab, chalk in hand, that kind smile on his face before the words I’ll never forget—

“Now Michael…”

I’m deeply grateful that I had the chance to thank him personally for what he had done for me, and for the lasting, positive influence he had on my life.

Reflecting on his life, I see clearly that few teachers like him exist. Forty-four years of teaching testify to his dedication. He believed passionately in the power of education to change not only the lives of his students but society itself.

I learned physics easily in his class—but I also learned something deeper: how to think logically and practically. That has served me well in every aspect of my life. Even now, when I sit down to write, I still hear echoes of his lessons—his voice in my ear offering quiet advice:

“Be precise and clear. Think logically. Approach every problem with curiosity and respect for the truth.”

As Máirtín Ó Néill wrote in an obituary in the Record 2025 (St Kieran’s College), Míchael O’Dwyer was “a Kieran’s man with many parts —a scientist and historian, truly a Renaissance man.”

Teachers rarely make headlines, but they change the world quietly and profoundly—mind by mind, generation after generation. Míchael stood as the model of a great teacher—a guiding star of knowledge for me always. I will never forget him for as long as I live.

 

Mistreatment of a Long-Term US resident by immigration officials!

Ceacht an Rúitín Casta

Lesson of the Twisted Ankle

by | 2025/10/01 | Personal, Opinion

Lesson of the Twisted Ankle

We often think our own way is better than the right way. I've written more than once about walking safety, about checklists and gear, and about the great respect you must always have for mountains. But on a certain evening recently, with an hour or two free, I broke my own rules. I started a walk on a well-known path without hiking boots, without walking poles or a first-aid kit. All I had were worn running shoes and too much self-confidence.

It didn't go well, and I soon learned the lesson.

Falling Slowly

In certain places, the path is steep and covered with fine gravel. It's a multi-use trail, and mountain bikes often scatter the gravel across it, making conditions even worse for walkers. As I was descending a steep part of the path, my right foot slipped unexpectedly to the left, my body fell to the right, and my ankle turned inward and stretched badly under the load.

The fall was like a slow-motion movement, like a tree being felled.

For a second, I was sure I had broken bones. I kept control, and stayed on the ground for a while, breathing slowly and deeply, scanning for blood or anything out of place. I then stood up, and my ankle was very painful, but I was able to walk with a limp and slowly. I began the long walk back to my car.

Temporary First Aid

Back home, I bandaged the ankle, took ibuprofen, and propped my foot up on a pillow. By morning, the situation had worsened. My right foot was badly swollen. Purple bruising appeared on the inside of my foot. Painful blisters appeared on the ankle. I cleaned them and put medical dressing on them.

so he can examine my foot and advise me about it.

Nuair a bhí mé i mo shuí le mo chos ar leac oighir agus mé ag smaoineamh faoi cad a tharla, thuig mé gan mhoill: d’fhéadfaí é seo a sheachaint. Sa deireadh, is ormsa atá an locht.

The Three Essentials I Omitted

I was injured because I didn't have three essentials:

  • Hiking boots — without them, I had no chance. It is crucial to wear hiking boots when you're on the trail.
  • Hiking poles — without them, I didn't always have good balance. Two extra points of contact are the difference between a firm stance and a sprained ankle.
  • First-aid kit — without it, I had no relief in case of an accident. It is useful, not only for serious injuries, but for bee stings or sunburn as well.

Why did I omit the essentials? It happened because of impulsiveness.

People become careless with experience. I knew the path, I had walked it often, and that put me at ease. But I quickly paid for that assumption.

The Broader Lesson

A study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine says that almost 40% of walking injuries are related to ankles. The National Park Service also reports that footwear is a factor in more than 60% of these cases.

Every experienced walker, including myself, has heard this advice already. But it needs to be applied every single time, without exception.

As I found out, the time you forget the advice is the time you'll be in trouble.

Moving Forward

The ankle will heal. I will lose a couple of weeks on the trails. But I have learned a lesson. From now on:

  1. I will be using boots and walking poles, and a first-aid kit every time on the path.
  2. The mountain will still be there tomorrow; there's no prize for going out unprepared today.

I hope I have learned the lesson well. Otherwise, the next time could be not only worse, but fateful.

Mistreatment of a Long-Term US resident by immigration officials!

Ceol sna Sléibhte!

Music in the Mountains!

by | 2025/09/03 | Personal

Music in the Mountains!

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a short guitar workshop at the Rocky Ridge Music Center in Estes Park, Colorado. We – myself, my wife Sinéad, and our friend Debbie – took a flight on August 9th from San Diego to Denver. Then we rented a car at the airport and drove up into the mountains to Estes Park.

Sinéad and I stayed in a cabin on the Rocky Ridge campus above the town of Estes Park, while Debbie was based in a hotel in the center of town. All our meals and even snacks and drinks during Happy Hour were included in the package that Sinéad and I had, which created a social and friendly atmosphere.

Workshop and Practice

The workshop started on Sunday and finished on Wednesday (August 10-13). We had six guitar students, five of us being engineers, which added color to our conversations and stories. Our instructor, Colin McAllister, was wonderful, and he is a professor at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. He himself began by studying aerospace engineering before transitioning to music as a career.

Each morning, we had "Technique Olympics" and especially exercises from the book Pumping Nylon. We learned how to hold the guitar correctly, and how to place our hands in the right position on the guitar. Then, we did exercises on the fingerboard to gain control of our fingers.

Each afternoon, we prepared for the jam session, selecting a few lively pieces in blues style. The jam itself took place late in the evening, outdoors in the same location as Happy Hour. Everyone got a chance as lead guitarist, with others playing rhythm as background. The music brought joy to the other participants, both piano students and their instructors.

The Performances

We were learning different styles in the workshop — Tibur and Mike W. practicing classical works for the performance, Paul with mandolin along with his guitar, and the other three of us focusing on other aspects - blues and rock music, for example. Our student showcase was on Tuesday evening (August 12). We played an ensemble piece together that we had prepared and practiced with Colin, and Tibur and Mike W. played a jazz song together that represented the class beautifully.

I liked everyone I met. Tibur, a man originally from Hungary, was the first person I met. He was very friendly from the start, and later in the course, he showed me a guitar pedal he had, as well as an app for making recordings. He was a very humble person, and he had the ability to play difficult songs on his guitar.

As the program drew to a close, we thanked Colin and the other students, and the program concluded on Wednesday (August 13) with the faculty concert. Colin played solo, adding variety to the events by playing classical and bluegrass numbers, which drew great applause from the audience.

Social and Natural Experience

During the course, Sinéad and Debbie spent their time exploring Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. They saw a couple of moose, many elk and deer. They went up the mountains to an altitude of 4,000 meters, and saw great mountains and beautiful views. Debbie told us that a herd of elk came into the town streets near her hotel and the police were managing them!

On our way down from Estes Park on Thursday, we stopped in Boulder, Colorado and walked along Pearl Street – a famous street there – and ate a tasty meal before returning to the airport. On the way, we had another special highlight — a black bear climbing an almost vertical rock face, jumping from rock to rock and looking down curiously from time to time at its enchanted audience.

Final Reflection

In truth, it wasn't just a workshop, but also a social event. A community spirit grew among all of us at the camp, between pianists and guitarists. We were all there as learners who had a great love for music, so there was a kind of connection between us beforehand.

Rocky Ridge gave us new insights into music and how to play our musical instruments better. But there was more to it than that. It's a special camp, located in a beautiful place up in the mountains. There isn't much WiFi available, and isn't that a wonderful thing. Additionally, nobody was talking about politics. So, we had a rural sanctuary for ourselves up in the mountains. It reminded us what it means to be human and conscious, and that the world isn't always as bad as we think.

Now that I'm back home, I'm practicing my guitar with new energy and fresh ideas. I hope to return to Rocky Ridge again as soon as possible. As Bono said: Music can change the world because it can change people.

 

 

Seanchairde!

Old Friends!

by | 2025/07/23 | Personal

Old Friends!

Retirement Celebration

I decided to take a voluntary redundancy package from my longtime employer Qualcomm almost 10 years ago, when the company announced it would have to let people go. I was ignored during the mandatory 60 days they had to keep me employed. It was like I had become a leper. When I was at my best, there would be a line outside my office, people wishing to consult with me.

Many others were in the same boat. The biggest difference between us was that most of them had no choice as they were laid off. However, we were all treated the same way – as if we didn't exist at all.

After many years of hard work and consistently long hours, this is what happened – they didn't care about us – we were discarded. This experience gave me a new understanding – don't believe the corporate stories, they're not for your benefit, but for the God of Profit!

Although my company ignored me, my valuable friends in the company did the complete opposite! Four of them organized a get-together, and one invited my wife and me to his house for a barbecue. I didn't know anyone else had been invited.

I had no expectation whatsoever of the party they had organized for me. We had a wonderful celebration, reminiscing together and sharing stories both serious and humorous. They also gave me valuable gifts, appropriate for my retirement – a gift voucher from my favorite outdoor equipment store, for example, as they knew I was an avid hiker.

Encore!

I received an invitation from the same friend again last week, 10 years after his first invitation. A friend from our group (Liam) was visiting from Atlanta, where he now lives. So three couples would be present out of the five who came together 10 years ago. The other friends no longer live in the area – one works for Amazon in Seattle, Washington, and the other is retired in Morro Bay, California. This gathering wouldn't be in my honor this time, but celebrating Liam's visit.

It was nice to come together for a late breakfast of delicious Indian food followed by ice cream. Liam and his wife are considering relocating back to San Diego. Although they're happy in Atlanta, their son lives in San Diego, and they would like to be closer to him.

Liam was laid off from Qualcomm a year and a half ago. They let go one of the most talented engineers I've ever met with, male or female, and someone who was extremely loyal to Qualcomm. After that, he has no loyalty left for the company, and is looking for positions in other companies.

So only one of us – our host, Vijay – still works at Qualcomm currently, and is doing very well there. Long may it last!

This time again, as we enjoyed cold drinks, we went down memory lane. The feelings regarding Qualcomm weren't as positive as they were 10 years ago.

Liam's son works in the same team as Vijay. Vijay is a vice president and in charge of the team, as it happens. Con (Liam's son) told us that out of a dozen engineers who started with him at the company more than three years ago, only he remains.

Leadership Secrets

During our conversation, we began discussing why so many engineers were leaving the company and why Con himself hadn't left.

Why did they leave? There was always too much work to do. And their managers never expressed appreciation for them.

And why didn't Con leave? The culture in his team wasn't the same. It was a wonderful culture.

Why? Vijay and Liam said that I had implemented that culture many years ago, and it's still there. Liam and Vijay learned the leadership style from me, and they've continued it to this day. They asked me to say a few words about it.

I said that the most important thing when you're a leader is the people themselves, and how you treat them. Put trust in them, let them run with it, and they'll do their utmost. Nobody likes to have someone constantly looking over their shoulder. Be available as a leader all the time to answer questions and solve problems, and you'll be amazed at the results you'll see. When you respect your employees, they'll respect you too, and you'll have a strong team with staff members working hand in hand.

They completely agreed with me and said it was a great pity there weren't more leaders of the same mindset.

I was surprised and delighted that they all had that feeling. It was so nice that my friends told me how they felt. I felt that we, including myself, had made important differences that are still visible in the company ten years after I left.

What differences?

  • A difference by working together instead of being separated from each other.
  • A difference through developing pioneering technology – we put high-speed broadband on the smartphone for the first time, a historic achievement.
  • A difference for Qualcomm. Although we received no recognition for it as we were leaving, Qualcomm succeeded tremendously with that new technology.

But despite that corporate indifference at the end, I am still grateful for the leadership of the founder, Irwin Jacobs, in the early days before Qualcomm became a corporate behemoth. He had faith in us and gave us the space and resources to do excellent work. Wasn't it from that wonderful man that I learned my own leadership style!

At the end of the day, I clearly understood one thing. While companies forget their employees, even before they leave, the opposite is true regarding your true friends you met there. These enduring friendships—that began in the workplace but lasted long after—are the most valuable gifts of all.

 

Saoire ar Árainn – Cuid 2!

Saoire ar Árainn – Cuid 2!

by | 2025/07/02 | Language Affairs, Personal, Opinion

Holidays on Aran island - Part 2!

During our previous visits, I was determined to speak Irish to the locals. Although they spoke Irish, they only spoke English to me – in the shops, in the restaurants, in the pub. It really bothered me that I was treated that way. I couldn't understand why the locals wouldn't speak Irish to me. I was disappointed, as I thought Irish would be the normal language of the island.

I understand now. Árainn is crowded with visitors during the summer, boat after boat discharging crowds of passengers non-stop, from the beginning to the end of the season. Tourists come from all over the world, speaking many different languages. English is the main language of world commerce – on Árainn too. In addition, many people working in the services on the island do not speak a word of Irish. For these reasons, the islanders only speak English to visitors. When they talk to each other, they speak Irish. And if they know you well, they speak Irish to you without issue. I think they do not know that they have this habit, and that it is a practical thing that has happened over time, and is now part of their culture.

This trip, we had a great week on the island. We were busy the whole time - between walks, cycling, seeing the sights, and meeting people. Here is a little taste of the fun that we had.

Blowholes
We rented a couple of bikes. Cars are not usually allowed from the mainland. You see a lot of people on bikes on the island, especially when the weather is nice. The weather was not bad during our visit and we walked and cycled every day. Our first adventure was to visit blowholes. There are a few places on the island that have blowholes, and we went to the closest ones. These holes are formed by sea caves that have tunnels up to the surface, and when the sea is rough, they blow water up through the holes. We cycled to the beginning of a path next to the low road and walked down to the bottom of the beach. There was a sudden drop in the limestone at the edge of the shore, and a little further back, the holes were visible in the stone. Looking down into them, you could see the tidal water below them. Every time the waves came in, the water rose in the holes, and blew out through the holes and up into the air. There was a terrible noise to be heard – a crashing and throbbing that occurred between the limestone and the sea below. One can only imagine what it would be like in rough weather.

Dúchathair Fort

Another fine day, we cycled to the start of the path to Dún Dúchathair and walked the steep path up to the fort. Although this fort does not have a visitor centre, unlike Dún Aonghasa, it is just as impressive in some ways.

It is set high on the cliffs above the sea and has a beautiful expansive view along the coast. You can climb over the walls of the fort and enter the inner courtyard. The courtyard is surrounded by the fort on one side and by large cliffs on the other. Spend some time in Dún Dúchathair if you get the chance.

Aran Sheep: Aransheep.ie by Máirtín Ó Flaithearta

On the path to Dún Dúchathair, there is a sign outside a house: Aransheep.ie. We know the owner, Máirtín Ó Flaithearta and he made us very welcome. He showed us around his shop, which is also a museum, in reality. There was a lot to see and Máirtín had yarn from different breeds of sheep. There are Aran sweaters, blankets and caps on display, as well as a collection of different yarns. There are interesting maps and posters on the walls, showing all sorts of things about sheep, including the distribution of sheep in different parts of the world and different breeds of sheep. There is a big screen in the room and also plenty of chairs, for playing a video or giving a lecture. Máirtín is building another room, so that he has more space. We were there for over an hour, and we really enjoyed it. It is well worth a visit if you have the chance.

Midsummer's Eve

Midsummer's Eve is celebrated on July 23rd, a day when bonfires are lit on the island. It is a remnant of an ancient pagan festival, which used to be a midsummer celebration, associated with the fertility of the land and the worship of the sun. The fire is the heart of the celebration as it is a symbol of brightness. There were specific rituals associated with the celebration but I don't have the space here to discuss them.

Anyway, we visited Seán who had a bonfire lit, which he does year after year. People were coming and going all the time, and it was a great social event. There was a nice smell of peat from the fire, and the weather was reasonably good. Seán offered us drinks and snacks, and we had a nice chat.

There were more cars than usual driving around the High Road. As it turned out, the famous actor Patrick Duffy, the star of the TV series Dallas, was on the island, and according to the rumor he was in Bunghabhla. We didn’t stand idly by either. Curiosity got the better of us, and Seán drove us around the island looking at all the other fires. Quite by accident, we drove through Bunghabhla, but there was no sign or report of the star. But of course, it was a great evening, celebrating ancient traditions with the islanders, and searching for Patrick Duffy!

Conclusion

That’s just a small taste of what we did during our visit to the island. While the island itself is excellent in terms of natural beauty and archaeology, the people of the island are the heart of the place. If you get the chance, visit Árainn – you won’t regret it.

 

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