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An Appreciation I knew Barry for quite a number of years. In addition to his political shrewdness he also enjoyed dancing and I often chatted with him during breaks in the revelry at the disco in the Hirschfeld Centre. These brief conversations were for me oases of sanity and refreshment in a hectic programme and I remember them with gratitude. I recall also with gratitude Barry's quietly practical assistance during my various campaigns to take a seat in Seanad Eireann. He would turn up often with Oliver and settle down without complaint to a few hours drudgery folding letters or manifestoes and putting them into envelopes. It was the unselfish and cheerfully given help of people like Barry that eventually got me the seat we all worked so hard for. We all felt enriched by our friendship with Barry - but the most remarkable thing about his brief experience was not just how he shared his life with us, but how he shared his experience of dying. As always he was both honest and intelligent in his response to the tragic discovery that he had contracted AIDS. He was in a real sense not "a victim of AIDS" but "A person living with AIDS". He demonstrated that it was possible to pass through this experience with dignity and love. In this he was aided to a remarkable degree by his family and his friends in the gay community. I visited Barry on the last day of his life and came away enriched by the cheerful and caring atmosphere surrounding him and the tranquility and graciousness of his mother, sister and brother. I may also say that I was humbled by the devotion shown by members of the gay community. Years ago in quite a different context we used to debate as to whether there was or was not, anything that could be described as a "gay community". The manner of Barry's passing has proved definitely to me at least that there is a gay community and I am proud to be a member of it. Senator David Norris

BARRY WARNER Barry Warner, academic, raconteur and former Manager of The Gym, died at his home in Dublin on Tuesday 6th September, of AIDS-related complications. He was 29 and leaves behind his mother, sister Christine, brother Shane and many close friends. The funeral on Wednesday 7th September was a simple, dignified ceremony at Glasnevin Crematorium, Dublin. Barry's closest friend Oliver Stanley spoke at the ceremony, as did Mick Quinlan of G.H.A. and Fr. Paul Lavelle. The main eulogy was delivered by Senator David Norris The Crematorium was packed with many of Barry's friends, some of whom had travelled from London. Also present were leading members of the gay movement and gay businesses in Dublin. Following the ceremony Cyril O'Brien, a former employee of Barry's and owner of The Loft, Sth. Great George's Street, held a reception for family and friends which went on until dusk.

FLIKKERS HALLOWEEN BALL The former staff of Flikkers Dance Club (Hirschfeld Centre) met recently to plan the 6th Annual Halloween Ball. The Ball has become something of an institution in Irish gay social life with many people travelling from the North and cities around the country to attend what was once referred to as "a night of debauchery". Last year's Ball attracted 460 revellers, a quarter of whom arrived in fancy dress. This year's Ball is expected to be a sell-out and tickets for the event (£5) go on sale in early October. The Ball will be held at the Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, Dublin, on Bank Holiday Sunday 30th October 1988, from 10pm. until 6am. There will be a prize of several hundred pounds and breakfast will be available to early morning party goers. A panel of celebrity judges is being compiled at the moment and will be announced towards the end of the month. Proceeds from the 6th Annual Halloween Ball will go to the National Gay Federation.