2. January Talk: Aisling Donoghue on the Simon Community Great Wall Walk.

voice for homeless persons, with a commitment to social change.

The projects are operated by full-time and part-time volunteers, community employment workers and staff members.

Dublin Simon's 5th international hike took place from the 20th -28th April 2002 and our group of 67 hikers explored China on a unique and groundbreaking adventure.

This hike took us past restored areas of the Great Wall and onto sections only seen by a handful of people over the last century. We were among the first people to tread areas of the Wall, which nestle in the most remote and stunning hills and valleys in China.

We had the opportunity to camp in a remote area of unspoiled wilderness, experience local villages and the unique solitude of this magnificent structure. Combined with the opportunity to explore the fascinating city of Beijing, this really was a most remarkable experience

3. February Talk: Living and Working in China

Miriam Donohoe

4. Botanising on the Yangtze; the Glasnevin Central China Expedition

the March Talk by Seamus O'Brien

On the 12th March ICCS members had the great pleasure of hearing about the Botanic Garden's expedition to China - more specifically, to one of the Yangtse Gorges which will soon be flooded as part of the great Dam project. (The Dam will provide downstream protective control, and hydro-electricity to meet much of China's power needs).

This flooding will eliminate a number of rare plants currently found in this area.

Seeds were collected and plants pressed for the herbariums of Botanical Gardens in Dublin, Kew gardens London and the Botanical Gardens in Wuhan, China. This expedition followed in the footsteps of the noted 19th century Irish botanist Augustine Henry; the journey was recorded by RTE television and will air sometime this year.

Seamus, with his infectious enthusiasm, gave us a talk that had everything: science, beauty, and more than a touch of adventure. The beauty was supplied by his wonderful slides, with many exquisite ones of botanical specimens.

After a thoroughly enjoyable night, he left us further in his debt by offering to show us the nearly-completed “Chinese Slope” at the Botanical Gardens, as well as the “Chinese Handkerchief Tree” and the Gingko Biloba (a prehistoric tree and a real survivor: insects won’t eat it, and it even survived the bombing of Hiroshima in the Second World War).

This walking tour will take place in late May or early June. Jane Almqvist (Tel: 4977206) will confirm the exact date of the visit to the garden, to coincide with the best possible presentation of the plants.

5. Chinese New Year Dinner Dublin 2003

The Irish-Chinese Cultural Society celebrated the Chinese New Year with a dinner at Wong's Chinese Restaurant, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.
Over 100 members and guests had a wonderful evening, with plenty of good food, good craic and some excellent entertainment.

This was a very successful night, and many thanks are due for a lot of the behind-the-scenes work carried out by your Committee to ensure that all went well on the night.

Guests of Honour were the Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Sha Halin; Mr Howard Pau, representing the Irish Chinese Society; Dr Chris Horn, Chairman of the Ireland China Association; and Dr Katherine Chan Mullen, President of The Irish Chinese Information Centre.
We were also delighted to have with us Mr John Gibson, Secretary of the Irish GO Association, and our two distinguished Ambassadors of Friendship, Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen and Dr John deCourcy Ireland.

The food was excellent and abundant, the dinner speeches were short and to the point, and short in number too, which left much more time for all the fun stuff. Plenty of volunteers braved the embarrassment and sang into the night. The surprise Grand Finale was a traditional Lion Dance; the creature pranced fiercely to a noisy accompaniment, but seemed to have a partiality for cabbage leaves from the floor.

We are especially grateful to Mr Raymond Wong and his staff for all that was done to make the occasion so very successful.

6. Irish-Chinese Contact Group New year Dinner 2003

Hi All,

Just a note to say thanks to everyone who came and made a great night of last Saturday. It was our third year celebrating the Chinese New Year since the formation of the ICCG and the second year celebrating it at The Great Southern Hotel, Cork Airport. There were 170 who attended the event including 60 children, 45 of whom were adopted.

Proceedings started about 5.30 when Michael Brennan gave the Welcome address and outlined a bit about the ICCG's activities over the last 12 months. During the Year of the Horse talks were given on adopting from China as a single adopter, adopting from Vietnam, creating a life book, racism, seminar on paperwork preparation and what to expect
when one travels to China to collect their child. Also the ICCG hosted a new parents forum on issues that arise once you return home. There were the annual celebrations of the Summer Picnic and Moon Festival as well.

Then Deputy Lord Mayor, Sean Martin then gave a very well received speech describing among other things what an important role that the ICCG plays in forging links with China and developing a more tolerant society.

The meal was then served and was scrumptious!

Michael Brennan then gave a preview of upcoming events, for the Year of the Goat or Black Sheep or Ram. The language classes begin on February 17th in the SMA hall Wilton Cork. This will be the fifth session of a very successful and worthwhile project. Depending on demand a beginners class and an improver's class will be offered. Ms. Li Lu is the instructor and more details and applications can be forwarded to Susan (newsusanryan@hotmail.com)

In March the ICCG will welcome Joan McNamara from North Carolina, USA. She will present a seminar on how to prepare siblings for adoption, topics and issues surrounding the adoption process. More details will be mailed to members soon. Maretta has more information for those interested (mbrennan@cit.ie)

Also talks on Tai Chi and possibly Speech/Linguistics Therapy are likely future events of the ICCG.

After the meal Principal social worker at the Southern Health Board, Pat O'Dwyer talked about both Domestic Intercountry adoptions. He said how pleasing it is to see the effect and results of his and his staffs hard work. He also said how important it was to have a group and that there should be more contact with other groups with a similar focus.

Then Maretta Brennan (Secretary ICCG) and special guest Xie Qin made a special presentation of Hong Bao to all our children. As was mentioned in the welcome address, this presentation was the focal point of the evenings celebrations. If it were not for our adopted daughters, there would be no celebrations, no group or valued friendships!

Chairperson of the ICCG Anne McKernan then gave her speech thanking all the guests, committee members and everyone who had contributed over the past year at all our events.

Susan Ryan (Treasurer ICCG) then provided the perfect finish to the events with some novel spot prizes.

Pat McCarthy provided some music and people sang, dance and talked the night away.

Again the event was memorable in that it provided people the chance to catch up with friends they had not had the opportunity to meet in a while. The children had a ball and made good use of the comfy chairs in the foyer and the spacious corridors.

Have a good year everyone!

Michael

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7. Chinese New year Celebrations at Citywest Hotel

Chinese New Year Celebration at Citywest Hotel.

ICCS members will be pleased to know that the newly formed Irish Chinese Information Centre held a very enjoyable Chinese New Year Eve event on 31