Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

It's never too late - here 104-year-old Ivy Bean receives Internet training. Bob Collier/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Get your Ma and Da online with Google's new website

GetYourFolksOnline.ie is a tool so younger people can help their parents (and grandparents) learn how to use the Internet.

THEY GAVE YOU the world…now you can repay them with the web.

According to Google and Age Action Ireland, young people should get their parents using the Internet.

We hear you – easier said than done.

But Google and Age Action have teamed up to encourage younger people to become better teachers.

Without guidance, teenagers and young adults are generally reactive in helping their parents when it comes to online problems. Help is only given (or asked for) when the user is “stuck”, which leads to growing tensions and raised voices.

The good folk over at the search engine have developed an easy-as-you-like website to help turn that parent-child relationship around.

GetYourFolksOnline.ie aims to help younger people pass on their Internet skills to those of the previous generations – be it parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles.

And it’s not just about being able to send emails while away from home. Google’s Head of Social Action Sinéad Gibney says that it is often the case that older people know how to email but do not use other services the Internet offers such as online banking, photo sharing or social networking.

They are alien concepts.”

Making it fun

Lesson plans  for beginners – such as “using the mouse” and improvers - “shopping online” – are provided.

The basics are all covered, including the keyboard, the mouse, search engines, browsing and email but more advanced lessons are also available.

The website provides lots of tips on how to keep the student motivated during those more intricate lessons.

“Fun stuff” such as looking up their house on street view or watching a video of Joe Dolan on YouTube should be used straight away to get them engaged, the site advises.

There is also a lesson on social networking, which Google describes as:

a way to keep in touch with people, share interests and make new friends on the Internet”.

An introduction to YouTube and the RTÉ Player also come as part of the improver lesson packs.

According to ComReg’s latest data, only about 35 per cent of people over the age of 50 use the Internet, while the majority of people under 50 are online.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
19 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gareth kavanagh
    Favourite gareth kavanagh
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:21 PM

    My thoughts and prayers are with all effect by this.

    163
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Sullivan
    Favourite John O'Sullivan
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:11 PM

    What a load of crap – I’m originally from the town and was actually there on Saturday and heard the horn sounding.

    Years ago the only way to summon the fire brigade was to go to the town hall, break the glass and activate a siren that sounded all over the town – that drove all the dogs mad as well and no one complained about that.

    Mr. Fitzgerald and his council colleagues would be better exorcised trying to keep businesses open in the town which are being strangled by idiotic parking regulations and mercenary traffic wardens

    149
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard O'Callaghan
    Favourite Richard O'Callaghan
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:21 PM

    Well said. You are probably too young to remember the hooter from the Tannery – bloody thing used to wake the whole town every morning. On hols as a kid down in Carrick it used to scare the life out of me.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Sullivan
    Favourite John O'Sullivan
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:35 PM

    I remember it well – morning, lunchtime and then again in the evenings. It was a steam hooter run off the boilers in the tannery

    24
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Collie Bartley
    Favourite Collie Bartley
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:26 PM

    In fairness to the others, it is just bobby running on this , and again earlier in the year on another station related nonsense.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pubcrawler Pubcrawler
    Favourite Pubcrawler Pubcrawler
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 11:58 AM

    quiet right too. It is just politician jumping on a bandwagon to get noticed

    143
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Doyle
    Favourite Paul Doyle
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 11:57 AM

    Blow my whistle baby, whistle baby let me no

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute everlast mccarthy
    Favourite everlast mccarthy
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:04 PM

    Any chance of restricting annoying Councillor’s unnecessarily sounding off?

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Quinn
    Favourite Alan Quinn
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:07 PM

    It must be the slowest moving object on the planet. This must be the only country in the world that a public bus is faster than the train, Galway to Dublin in 4 hours but sometimes your treated to a bus ride from Athlone when it breaks down.

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William English
    Favourite William English
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:11 PM

    Train services between Galway and Dublin range from 2hrs and 35 mins to 2 hours 50 mins, quiet a bit off 4 hours…

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Quinn
    Favourite Alan Quinn
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:36 PM

    I know what its supposed to be William but my last 4 journeys were at least 3.45 – 4 hrs

    15
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William English
    Favourite William English
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 2:13 PM

    I find that hard to believe, you must have had serious terrible luck in that case. Using that line very regularly, my last ten trips on which only one was delayed by more than five mins and that was due to a medical stop where a passenger had a suspected heart attack and the train had to remain at the next station until an ambulance arrived.

    And there is no bus which will get you from Galway to Dublin in less than 2 and a half hours.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Handelaar
    Favourite John Handelaar
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 3:52 PM

    Cork Kent to Heuston by road: 2h23m (Source: Google maps). Which assumes nobody ever exceeds the limit in a car.

    Average time by scheduled rail: 30 mins more.

    We have a third-world railway.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Skellig
    Favourite Michael Skellig
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 5:52 PM

    No John, we don’t have a third world railway. We have a small country with good motorways between main cities.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Quinn
    Favourite Alan Quinn
    Report
    Jan 4th 2013, 1:02 AM

    Luck has nothing to do with it. The bus is 2.30 btings u into the city centre/ O’Connell street and costs half the price. We are one of very few western world nations using diesel trains still. And I’ve had to get a bus from athlone on 2 previous ocassions for sheep on the track or something. 3hrs min at least is the shortest journey.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard O'Callaghan
    Favourite Richard O'Callaghan
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:15 PM

    Train drivers receive instructions to sound their horns at certain spots, especially in places where the may be line works going on. Train doesn’t go through Carrick that often anyway.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donncha Lane
    Favourite Donncha Lane
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:35 PM

    As a friend of mine says: ‘SAVE YOUR HORN FOR YOUR WIFE LOVE!’…….:)

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Whearity
    Favourite Gus Whearity
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:00 PM

    I love it when the train gently takes of then slowly moves up the track gathering pace all the time. It’s getting faster now with the tunnel in sight. The train bursts with excitement as it enters the warm tunnel …… Be right back ;-)

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Creamy Hamstrings
    Favourite Creamy Hamstrings
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:03 PM

    Bursts with excitement as soon as it goes in?! I feel sorry for your missus

    307
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Whearity
    Favourite Gus Whearity
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:12 PM

    Missus ????

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sean
    Favourite sean
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 12:56 PM

    Interesting how Bobbys office is right next to the station lol, but have to agree, it is fairly disturbing at 7am. My only concern is that we only get 3 trains each way per day and one of those is already under threat. The train beats the bus hands down on comfort, speed and costs so let’s not jeopardise this.

    I think what would solve the issue amicably is the installation of an automatic barrier. No need then to blow a horn (this really is the only reason to blow a horn) and less time spent waiting for the barrier to be opened for traffic (sometimes 10 mins).

    On a side note though, working in Waterford, I’d actually like a train to arrive at 8.30 in time for me to start work! Not at 10.35 which may be ok for the occasional shopper. The last train is at 4.40 from Waterford which also makes no sense at all. Irish rail should start using some common sense and run a working schedule. Revenues would increase exponentially on the route as there are many people travelling from Clonmel and Carrick who work in Waterford. I though Irish rail wanted to make money, but I guess as a semi-state organisation that’s probably asking too much!

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Collie Bartley
    Favourite Collie Bartley
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:02 PM

    Did u verify the 100, or even ask to see if a hundred complained. this is such nonsense story – it really is

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vanessa
    Favourite vanessa
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:44 PM

    It’s great to see Bobby dealing with the real issues in Carrick-on-Suir! The rate of unemolyment in the town is huge with little sign of any new businesses or investment coming into the town but that’s obviously not a priority for this public representative!

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Collie Bartley
    Favourite Collie Bartley
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:03 PM

    This is also a councillor who complained that so0me one could die if the railgate was down when a ambulance was passing – again a once in a life time occurance,

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph O'Brien
    Favourite Joseph O'Brien
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:06 PM

    Carrick-on-suir has a high proportion of small rail crossings between fields, farms and other land. That is likely the reason for sounding the horn so often, to reduce the risk of accidents. As it is there are only three return services passing through it everyday. These will probably be the same people crying about their reduced rail service in a couple of weeks when then new Irish Rail timetable comes into effect.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MariaPiaSavoyKelly
    Favourite MariaPiaSavoyKelly
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 1:39 PM

    I can barely believe that I’m reading this…

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute _doesnotcompute
    Favourite _doesnotcompute
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 2:17 PM

    Believe it. Irish parish pump politics at it’s worst.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emr Daly
    Favourite Emr Daly
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 2:25 PM

    This story really made national news?? Yes the train is needed for Carrick, and yes the horn is there for a bloody reason… if someone was hit along the track and the train horn had not been used.. would that councillor be as quick to discuss the use of a horn then??

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tommy phelan
    Favourite tommy phelan
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 7:49 PM

    I grew up next to that station at a time when beet, mail and liner trains ran through the night. They weren’t silent rail cars back then, but noisy locos that you would hear passing thorough kilsheelan let alone carrick. No one complained back then. I’d say one person said it to bobby and he jumped on his political high horse, just like the rest of them.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Skellig
    Favourite Michael Skellig
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 5:53 PM

    I’m sure the train driver is hooting the horn out of safety considerations. People will complain about anything these days. Years ago, people like that were ignored and called moanbags.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dr.fury
    Favourite Dr.fury
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 11:30 PM

    I heard the drivers were told honk if you think Carrick on suir is full of councillors and people with too much time on there hands to actually do something useful for the town

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute rail commuter
    Favourite rail commuter
    Report
    Jan 9th 2013, 7:27 PM

    Has the learned councillor raised his concerns with the railway safety commission ? He appears to want Irish Rail to abandon long established safe working practices. Carrick must be a really quiet place if the councillor’s top issue is the sounding of a train’s hooter half a dozen times a day.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran De Bhal
    Favourite Ciaran De Bhal
    Report
    Jan 3rd 2013, 6:08 PM

    Maybe Irish Rail could replace all their horns with really loud bells and buy themselves some time and keep everyone happy in the short-term. Simple

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds