2017
BeCreative Content Portfolio
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Centra photo competition showcases the nation living in the moment Centra’s ‘Live Every Day’ was created in 2016 to inspire and encourage the nation to live life to its fullest. It’s all about living in the moment, and getting the most out of your day. Centra received over 1,500 images for their #LiveToday photo competition from people all over the country doing just that. The task of choosing the most inspiring images was left to a talented judging panel, led by renowned Irish photographer Barry McCall and top blogger Pippa O’Connor. The judges then narrowed it down to the 12 most captivating images, which will all feature in the Centra 2017 calendar. The calendar will be available in selected Centra stores from mid-December. Following 5,000 votes cast online, one lucky winner, Martina Corry, received the overall prize of ¤1,000.
Dare to dream Avril Egan captures Amber playing in her garden in Co Sligo.
Take time to reflect Brendan Cullen captures a couple in Mount Usher, Co Wicklow.
OVERALL WINNER MARTINA CORRY Call home! Nan O’Brien waits with excitement for the arrival of her granddaughter Martina at her home in Tulla, Co Clare. The heartwarming image was taken as Martina arrived to bring her Nana out to spend time with family and friends at a birthday party. Lean on an old friend John O’Neill captures best friends Ben and dog Hector sharing a moment on Tramore Beach, Co Waterford.
Be yourself Corrina Stone captures the happy moment of son Cillian’s birthday at the circus with siblings Seamus, Aoife and Orla.
TOO O GOODST MI Sinspiring
l ditiona chosen to d a e s e Th gs for es were 6 imag n Centra’s ba ilable o a featurehich will be avide in life, w res nationw s. in sto oming week the c
Thérèse Tutty, Dublin captures this image of her daughter in Brittas Bay.
Aideen O’Hanlon from Co Offaly with her sister as they travel the Wild Atlantic Way.
ADVERTISING FEATURE Rise and shine Breda Murphy takes inspiration from her daughter Michelle celebrating a sunrise on Killiney Hill, Co Dublin.
Float your boat Etienne Muller captures the breathtaking beauty of Skellig Michael, Co Kerry in his selfbuilt wooden kayak.
Share the love John J Chalmers walks home with his daughter Yi-Ian after taking part in the Cork mini-marathon. Aim high Sharon-Campbell Shaw captures her daughter Hayden as she reaches for the skies in Skerries.
Conquer your goals Stephen McPhilemy captures this drone image of himself and his friends at the top of Mount Errigal, Co Donegal.
Nikki George from Wexford captures her son Ronan in Kilmore Quay.
Alan Smyth from Louth captures this image of his two sons, Harry and Alfie.
Do what you love Rachel Upton captures ex-racehorse Henry on Donabate Beach.
Discover Elaine Houlihan and boyfriend Graham make new friends in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Avril Egan, Co Sligo, captures her son Mason puddle jumping.
Meghan Feeney of Castletroy, Limerick on a beautiful cliff in Dingle.
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January 22 2017 Sunday Independent
STAR DESTINATIONS
Whether it’s for work commitments or relaxation purposes, there’s no doubt that Irish celebrities love to travel. Clodagh Dooley finds out what holiday plans are on the horizon this year for some well-known personalities, as well as some of their best (and worst!) holiday memories
Maria Walsh. Image credit: Plan International
Roz Purcell
ROZ PURCELL, MODEL AND CHEF
Travel planning “I visited LA this month and I’ve booked a trip to Paris in April. I have some work commitments in the UK and US so I’ll be spending some time there during the year too. I really want to go back to South America and explore more places. Chile is top of my list. This Christmas just gone, I went to Thailand again. I visited last year with my sister and loved it there. We stayed at the Amatara Resort in Phuket which is amazing – the staff made us feel like queens during our entire stay. The food was insanely delicious, the weather couldn’t have been better and we explored lots of amazing islands during our trip. It was the most relaxing trip I’ve been on and I really didn’t want it to end.” Foodie paradise “I really like to experience different cultures when abroad, including the food – which may not always be the healthiest but I like to give it a try as I think it’s all part of the experience when travelling! Copenhagen is a great destination for healthy food. Berlin and Hong Kong are great too. However, my favourite foodie holiday is London. London is massive, with an extensive list of amazing restaurants from low to high budget. I’ve had some of my all-time favourite meals there and any time I go, I have a long list of new places to try.”
RÓISÍN O, SINGER, SONGWRITER AND MUSICIAN
Childhood cruises “Myself and my mam’s side of the family are heading on a cruise around the Caribbean in February. We’re performing on it, but mostly it’s a great holiday for us. We’ve gone on it most years since I was a kid and it’s a great way for us to hang out with our uncles and cousins who live in the States, once a
of my Rose of Tralee year. Ireland offers such beauty and characters like no other. I adored those two weeks.”
Róisín O. Image credit: Dara Munnis
year. The ship usually leaves from Miami and heads around St Thomas and the Virgin Islands. It’s the perfect time to go in early February when the cold dark nights at home start getting to you!” Hot holidays “My favourite cruise was when I was 15 and we all went to Stingray City on the Cayman Islands. However, I’ll never forget the time while on another cruise, I got so badly sunburnt, I came up in blisters all over my body. At dinner one evening, my little cousin Catriona jumped into my arms and ripped a layer of skin off my chest when she jumped
down. I spent the rest of the holiday in bed. I never forget to reapply sunblock now!”
MARIA WALSH, FORMER ROSE OF TRALEE AND BUSINESS OWNER
Unique opportunities “To step away and treat myself after my 2014/2015 Rose of Tralee year, I walked the Camino de Santiago, all 500 miles of it! And I loved it. The Camino de Santiago was a gift to myself, 30 days of walking, connecting with various nationalities, all sharing a common quest to answer ‘what is next?’. I also loved visiting all 32 counties of Ireland in a two-week period in a cold January
Travel bug “I can’t relax while sitting beside a pool so adventure and sightseeing have to be on the agenda when I travel. It is on my bucket list to visit a fitness camp somewhere in the sun but I might wait until autumn to find and experience something unique. 2016 saw a trip to Ghana with Plan International, NYC/ Boston and Philadelphia, as well as Toronto and a weekend getaway to Madrid. “I am biased towards my hometown, the City of Brotherly Love – Philadelphia. Since leaving in 2015, I have missed it dearly and encourage all who are thinking of putting it on their itinerary to please do so. Such a beautiful and historic part of the East Coast. And for all my lovely memories, it will forever remain my home away from home. I am eager to see more of the Camino routes in coming years, in particular the Northern Route, as it looks tougher. Africa and I have always had a love affair, and any time there is time well spent. I first travelled there when I was 21 and, again, in 2014 and this past May. Remarkable continent, full of rich culture. I definitely have the travel bug. Here’s to 2017 being as packed.” 2017 will see the launch of Maria’s business, Juniper & Ruby, which will cater for both corporate events and weddings. Maria will also be sharing advice at the Wedding To A Tea event across Munster and all tickets can be purchased on www.eventbrite.ie
VOGUE WILLIAMS, MODEL, TELEVISION AND RADIO PERSONALITY
Getting away “I love travelling. I recently filmed a travel series for BBC NI and RTE called ‘Getaways’, which will air in early 2017, and I got to visit
Sunday Independent January 22 2017
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Vogue Williams
Pat Divilly Image credit: Rick Barrett
Ironman booked in with some friends for Barcelona in May.”
some beautiful places. I went away over Christmas to Spain to see my mum, I love it there – it’s one of my favourite countries in the world. I also love going back to my family home in Howth; it’s the prettiest place and just a great place to relax. This month, I am in Austria filming ‘The Jump’ on Channel 4, where I’ll be for a while. I’ve been doing quite a bit of travelling recently but I’d always love to be doing more – Jamaica’s at the top of my list!” New experiences “I like to fit in as much as I can when going to a new place, I try to see everything! I
went to Iceland earlier this year which was just gorgeous, truly one of the most breathtaking countries I’ve ever visited. We went and saw this amazing waterfall and then went snow-mobiling. It was so much fun. The views are just fantastic at Iceland’s glaciers, I highly recommend visiting. I love to go to art galleries in my spare time too, so if I’m going somewhere new then I like to check out the culture. Food is always on the top of my list when I visit a new place, I love local cuisine and trying new things.” Vogue Williams is a brand ambassador for Sun Kiss fake tan (www.sunkiss.ie) and will be competing on Channel 4’s ‘The Jump’ in early
2017. ‘Getaways’ airs on BBC NI and RTE One from January 2017
PAT DIVILLY, FITNESS EXPERT, AUTHOR AND ENTREPRENEUR
New year, more travel “Travel is one of my main passions and I’ve had a busy 2016 of it, visiting close to 20 countries. I keep saying I’m going to slow down in 2017 but we’ll see if that happens! I’m speaking in Barcelona at an event at the end of October, and then I’m off to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania the next day. I’m also looking at climbing Elbrus in Russia, Europe’s highest peak, and I have a half
Adventure of a lifetime “I fell in love with Nepal last year with two trips over there in April and October. After speaking at a conference there and then hiking to Everest Base Camp, I knew it’d be a place I’ll return to for the rest of my life. I’m currently building a school out there, an hour outside of Kathmandu so that’s a place I’m excited to get back to! The views are incredible, every time you look up, it’s like looking at a postcard. Any bar or teahouse you venture into in the mountains is like a museum with such culture and history. The locals are incredibly friendly and kind and the other tourists you meet tend to have incredible stories and a true sense of adventure. Closer to home, the West of Ireland is the place to be for an adventure holiday. Leenane is incredible and I like Ballyvaughan for a quiet getaway.”
ADVERTISING FEATURE
ADVERTISING FEATURE
CALM YOUR LIFE THIS SPRING WITH SERENE GREEN FROM DFS The indoors is set to merge with the outdoors this season as interior styling takes inspiration from the natural world. Inspired by this trend, DFS brings the outside in, with some stunning sofas in a range of green shades that exude laid-back style as well as comfort
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hoosing a sofa in green helps create a peaceful, calming effect at home. In fact, a DFS study found that the colour green helped “make people feel most serene”. This natural approach will help keep your home ontrend and your life in balance. Pair with an array of exotic plants, and you’ll be transported to your own relaxing haven every time you enter your living room. Philip Watkin, DFS design director, comments on how to create the look: “This trend is perfect for escaping the pace of modern life,
regardless of whether you live in an urban or country environment. “Start with neutral colours on the walls and flooring to give a light and spacious feel, imitating the outdoors. Or alternatively, go all-out with on-trend botanical wallpaper! “With your stunning green sofa centre-stage, team with other shades of green, earthy browns or mustard yellow. Add tonal layers to your furniture with painterly scatter cushions to create a natural effect. “Accessorise your room with flora and
fauna in eclectic clay pots and vases, and pick items made from natural materials. For example, wicker baskets are great for storage and overturned wooden crates make fabulous footstools or side tables. “Finish the look with a statement plant – oversized palm leaves are the perfect way to add a touch of luxe to a space.” DFS’ design team have handpicked from their collection a selection of sofas which take inspiration from this chic design trend. Each sofa is handcrafted to order and offers great value for money, so you can get luxe for less.
The DFS Chalk with its irresistibly soft textures and generously indulgent proportions is from French Connection, exclusively at DFS. €1,595
The DFS Concerto Sofa in green combination is graceful and refined, a crushed velvet range that features finely detailed legs, opulent cushions and an elegant silhouette. €1,739
The DFS Lindsay range in green includes this gorgeous armchair. €1,158
The DFS Gower Corner Sofa in sage is from the ever-popular Country Living Collection, exclusively at DFS. This sofa’s classic silhouette and choice of natural fabrics is inspired by the timeless natural beauty of the coastline. €3,335
All of these sofas are available in a range of different colours. The DFS range can be seen in store or at DFS Blanchardstown, Dublin; DFS at The Park, Carrickmines, Dublin; DFS City Gate Park, Mahon Point, Cork; DFS Limerick, Ballysimon Road; or visit www.dfs.ie
C o m m e r c i a l
R e p o r t
Moneycorp – Ireland’s fastest-growing foreign exchange service provider Moneycorp offer non-cash foreign exchange services to companies and individuals. Traditionally this was a business controlled by banks – but Moneycorp pride themselves on offering customers a superior service and more competitive foreign exchange rates
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ince its founding in 1979, Moneycorp has become one of the largest foreign exchange specialists in the world. The company, which employs over 800 people, is headquartered in London and has branches in Dublin, Spain, France and the USA. The Irish branch of Moneycorp is based at 24 Windsor Place, Dublin 2, where there is a full-service FX dealing desk. “Our aim is to provide a high-quality, value-adding foreign exchange service to corporate and private clients,” says Bryan McSharry, managing director of Moneycorp Ireland. “Our team of dedicated financial market professionals have vast experience in providing FX hedging solutions to corporate, institutional and SME customers. We tailor bespoke FX management solutions for businesses of all sizes.” Since the Irish branch opened in January 2013, Moneycorp has established itself as the fastest-growing FX service provider in Ireland. “We have over 850 corporate clients, including some of Ireland’s biggest and best companies,” says McSharry. “Our clients in Ireland include PLCs listed in Dublin, London and New York.” Better FX rates McSharry attributes the rapid growth
market-leading online dealing and payments platform – where your account can hold 40 currencies – and more.” Moneycorp is wholly owned by Bridgepoint, a leading European private equity firm. Moneycorp was purchased by Bridgepoint in August 2014 for ¤275 million. The company transacts over ¤30 billion per annum in foreign exchange. “Our size is a big part of our success,” says McSharry. “We’re large enough to undertake the biggest transfers, but small enough to add the personal touch to every transaction.”
Bryan McSharry of the business to Moneycorp’s superior technology (their online dealing and payments platform), along with their competitive FX rates and excellent customer service. “We differentiate ourselves from the banks by offering businesses consistently better FX rates, zero payment charges, forward hedging facilities, a
An ally in changing times The world of foreign exchange and international money transfers is fastmoving. “As such, Moneycorp is always striving to anticipate the changing needs of the market, and to develop new services,” says McSharry. This approach has seen Moneycorp pioneer many of the practices and techniques that are now standard across the industry. “We know that Irish exporters and importers will welcome our service as they look to manage their financial exposures in these challenging times.” Contact Moneycorp today to find out how they can make a positive difference to your business; visit www.moneycorp. com/ireland or call (01) 901 5252
Regulation and security: Moneycorp is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK and by the Central Bank of Ireland for Conduct of Business Rules. Moneycorp is authorised under the EU Payment Services Regulations (PSRs) which came into effect on November 1, 2009. As insisted upon by the Regulator, all client funds are held in segregated client accounts which are with Barclays Bank PLC.
Moneycorp – the key advantages ■ Consistently better FX rates ■ Zero payment charges ■ Forward hedging facilities ■ A market-leading online dealing and payments platform; FX rates offered 24/7 with real-time pricing ■ A Moneycorp account holds 40 currencies ■ Direct access to the most experienced FX dealing team in Dublin Contact Moneycorp today at www.moneycorp.com/ireland or call (01) 901 5252
04 YOURHOME
Sunday Independent I February 12 2017
The First Time Buyer Help to Buy (HTB) Incentive Scheme – what you need to know The HTB scheme was announced by the Government in Budget 2017
Finding your first home Navigating the property market can be tricky, especially when you’re a first time buyer – here’s our essential five-point guide
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LIST YOUR PRIORITIES
The first step when you are looking for a home should always be to sit down – with your partner, if that’s who you’ll be buying with – and make a list of what’s important to you. Where exactly would you like to live? Is the age of the property important? Do you need to be near a school for the kids? Know what parts of a home mean the most to you. Are you a baking enthusiast who needs the kitchen space to be just right? A sports fan who needs the living room to be their home entertainment centre? Do you need a home office? A playroom or a nice garden for the children? Thinking about these things in advance will make it a lot easier to dismiss certain properties straight off, and choose those you wish to investigate further. Working directly with a real estate agent, especially a large and established company, can certainly make the search a lot simpler. Submit all your requirements to the estate agent in writing – that way, they will be very clear on your needs.
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KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURHOODS
Remember – homes don’t exist by themselves. What the neighbourhood is like is a crucial consideration. Are you going to feel happy stepping
outside your door every morning, as well as stepping back through it at night? Even more fundamentally – where does your neighbourhood need to be, for you to meet all your life commitments? Decide whether you would be happy to move outside a city or town, if this suited your budget.
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SET YOUR BUDGET
Knowing your budget is obviously a key factor. The online mortgage calculator at www.kbc.ie can help with this. You may want to look at homes currently a little above your budget, if you think the seller is likely to drop the price, or you can negotiate him or her down. However, it’s best not to go looking too far outside your budget, even out of curiosity.
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CONDUCT TOTAL RECONNAISSANCE
Set aside a day and view five or six properties at once, rather than view places ad hoc over a longer period. This way, several places will be fresh in your mind and it’s easier to compare and contrast. If you can, visit properties on a weekday, when a seller or an agent may have more time to answer questions; the weekends are bound to be more crowded with viewings. You should also visit more than once – and at different hours of the day. There can
be a completely different atmosphere – not to mention noise level – in a neighbourhood at night. Keep an eagle-eye eye out at every viewing for issues such as cracks, damp or mould. Check the light switches to make sure they work, and the doors, windows, drawers and closets, to make sure they all open and shut properly. The seller is under no obligation to tell you about any structural issues with the property, so you can save a lot in the long run by being vigilant at the outset. Take your own pictures and videos of the property with your phone – when you have seen a lot of houses, this simple recordkeeping will make recalling each property much easier. You may even spot something on film or in a photo that you didn’t notice first time around.
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LIFE IS CHANGE
Finally: think of the future. How long would you be planning to stay in this house? Is there the possibility you might renovate down the line if you have the finance? Is this the right place to bring up kids? You might not be in this home forever, but it could be a while – knowing where the property fits in your life plan, is an essential element in making sure you’re happy with whatever home you choose.
Main points: - The scheme is designed to assist first time buyers with obtaining the deposit necessary to purchase a new-build property to live in as their home. - It is a refund of income tax paid over the previous four years. - First time buyers must not have, individually or jointly with any other person, previously built or owned a property. - Loan-to-value ratio must be greater than 70%. - Purchase price must be no more than €500,000. - Refund is 5% of the purchase price, to a maximum of €20,000. - The building contractor for purchases must be registered on the Revenue website as eligible. How to apply, and what happens next: - First time buyers apply through the Revenue website (www.revenue.ie) using either PAYE or ROS access. - Applicant eligibility will be checked based on tax paid over the last four years and any outstanding tax liability. - After the application has been submitted, the Revenue will provide a confirmation number and access number for the applicant. - The applicants will be able to print off a confirmation of the amount they are eligible for based on the purchase details provided. - Grant will be paid to the property contractor once all final contracts have been signed. - The purchased property must be occupied by the applicant for five years post-completion. Impact on your KBC application: - A portion of the balance of funds may now be funded by the HTB grant. - Proof of eligibility can be provided by the customer by way of print out from the Revenue website, to be provided at application stage. - The grant is payable directly to the contractor and as such, on closing, confirmation will be needed from the customer’s solicitor that the grant has indeed been paid. Get more info at www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/ reliefs/htb/index.html
YOURHOME 05
February 12 2017 I Sunday Independent
Home is where your heart is
Ian and Sinead Hickey, from Dublin, speak to Clodagh Dooley about the search for their new home
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n a way, we have probably had the vision of our perfect home stuck in our minds all our lives. Perhaps, from your childhood years, you remember choosing houses for your toys to live in, or seeing a beautiful house on TV or from the car window, and you told yourself that you’re going to own a similar house when you’re older. But while you may have come to the realisation that you’re not going to be living in Cinderella’s castle anytime soon, that doesn’t mean you can’t have your own fairytale ending when it comes to finding a home that is both functional and attractive to live in. It’s just about finding the right time first, something Ian and Sinead Hickey know all too well. Ian and Sinead, who married in November 2013, had both been living and renting together in Dublin for about four years, before they finally decided to take the next step and buy their first home together. “From when we got married in 2013 onwards, we had started saving and keeping an eye on the property market,” says Ian. “So, in September 2016, when we felt we had enough saved and were ready to move on from renting, we started looking properly and going to viewings – we went to about 5-6 viewings most Saturdays!” “For us, location was one of the most important considerations in our search,” says Sinead. “Ian is originally from Clontarf and wanted to stay within the bay and as we are both working in Dublin 1, getting to our jobs would need to be convenient. I’m originally from the south side of Dublin and wasn’t too familiar with the north side. Ian would bring me around areas in the north side within our budget, so that I would know the area, and we would quickly know what we
liked and what areas we wanted to look in. “Baldoyle came in as one of our top choices, and when we came across a two-storey terraced three-bed house here, we fell in love. We thought it was perfect for us – location-, price- and space-wise. We only recently moved in – we got the keys back in January, on Friday 13th. So, despite superstition, it was actually a lucky day for us!”
NATURAL BOND
Ian and Sinead Hickey. Image credit: Angela Halpin
Speaking of luck, I ask Ian and Sinead if they felt luck was also on their side throughout the mortgage application process. Naturally, searching for your first home and applying for your first mortgage can all sound quite daunting – did they feel this was the case? “You hear all these stories about fear and nervousness in relation to the mortgage, but I felt at ease from the get-go,” says Ian. “I’ve been a customer of KBC since 2014 and I had always found them very helpful with any questions I had about my current account. So, when the time came to take out our mortgage, I knew I wanted to continue this relationship with KBC. “With the initial application you have to fill out online, KBC responded straight away to tell me what the next steps were and what paperwork we would need with our application. They made the whole process run smoothly and were extremely supportive. It didn’t matter how stupid you thought a question was, they made you feel comfortable to ask it and would respond as soon as possible, even if we contacted them late in the evening. “And if you feel nervous or unsure about the process at any stage, KBC will break everything down for you into simple terms so that it’s not all jargon – they make everything much easier to understand.” Sinead adds: “They made it very easy in relation to paperwork, which can be daunting for some people! They give you a checklist with everything you’re going to need, from payslips to proof of address. Scan over that and have everything easily accessible to you. My tip would be to keep everything in one file – we kept it all in Google Drive, which was accessible for both of us from anywhere.”
FUTURE PLANS
Having had their new home for about a month, what’s next on the horizon for Ian and Sinead? “We really just want to get settled in properly first,” says Sinead. “We’ve only been here a short while and we’ve been decorating quite a lot, so our goal is to put our little stamp on it now and make the house more our home. For now, it’s a blank canvas for us. “We would eventually love to put an extension out the back and have a bigger kitchen or dining area perhaps, so we’ve started saving again. There’s loads of things that we could do but at the moment there’s no rush, we’re just looking forward to settling in and enjoying our new space.” Ian adds that timing is everything when building a comfortable home life. “During the bidding process, you really need to think hard about it and make sure it is actually what you want before you go down the road of overbidding yourself, or getting into massive bidding wars. It’s so important to take your time. We were very fortunate that it happened quite quickly, but you really should narrow your choices down and do your research on the area. “Although we bought the house in Baldoyle, we drove out a couple of evenings at weekends to see what the surrounding area had to offer, and to get a better feel for the amenities. Make sure it’s the right place for you and take your time not to rush into anything.”
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Irish Independent I 2 December 2016
Christmas ALL Wrapped UP
Dear Santa… Smart thinking
The V Tech Kidizoom Smartwatch is far more than just a watch – it has plenty of motion games and activities including fitness challenges, and it’s perfect for budding photographers, with an awesome camera and plenty of memory to store photographs. New clock faces with fun designs help kids to learn how to tell the time by choosing between analogue and digital displays. V Tech Kidizoom Smartwatch, available at Hamleys, €64
Build it big
The Hydraulic Robot Arm Kit provides hours of fun and learning in one, with 229 perfectly cut and precisely engineered pieces for you to put together with your child. Only a few tools are needed to build and the illustrated instructions are easy to follow – in no time you will have constructed a magnificent mechanical masterpiece! You don’t even need batteries or motors to get it moving, as this environmentally friendly kit uses the hydraulic power generated from just half a cup of water. Hydraulic Robot Arm Kit, available at B Cool The Gadget Store, Dundrum Town Centre and Jervis St, €39.95
Cosy companions
The new Tesco F&F range of night wear is perfectly designed for these cold winter nights. Featuring relaxed styles and super-soft finishes, the cute and cosy designs mean everyone will be looking their best on Christmas morning. Bring the magic to life with their favourite characters – such as DC superheroes or Trolls. The F&F collection is available in 89 Tesco stores nationwide. Lego DC Pyjamas €15 / Trolls Pyjamas €14, available at Tesco
My first phone
This lower-cost pre-pay phone is an excellent choice for anyone thinking of getting a kid their first smartphone this Christmas. It’s affordable, and comes with solid tech specs; it’s 4G enabled and has high-speed capabilities, with a 5-megapixel rear camera – which of course is very important for the snap-happy generation! If bought on the iD network, for an additional €30, it comes with a VR headset and headphones – the perfect bundle for Christmas. Alcaltel Pixi 4, available at Carphone Warehouse, from €59.99
Brilliant brushing
Brushing is more fun with their favourite characters! These colourful, top-of-the-line kids’ electric toothbrushes from Oral-B come with the Disney Magic Timer App, which helps your child get their brushing time just right. If brushing their teeth is a chore then this could be the secret to beating the brushy blues. Oral-B Stages Power Kids Electric Toothbrush – Frozen / Star Wars, available at selected Boots stores and Debenhams, €49.99
A time-travelling journey
John and Fatti Burke’s illustrated adventure through Ireland’s history shows us the country, era by era, as never seen before. Discover how we lived, what we ate, what we wore and even what school was like! Here, too, are mythical figures and TV characters, alongside world-changing inventions from the minds of Irish scientists and explorers. So much fun, the kids won’t even know they’re learning. Historopedia: The Story of Ireland from Then Until Now, by John and Fatti Burke (published by Gill Books), available at Eason and bookshops nationwide, €24.99
Game time
Minecraft is the consummate ‘build and explore’ game – and the Xbox One S Minecraft Favourites Bundle is sure to be one of the most popular console bundles this year. You will get the 500GB Xbox One S console and an Xbox wireless controller, along with full game downloads of Minecraft for Xbox One and Windows 10, plus 13 community-favourite content packs. Fun not just for kids but the whole family. Xbox One S Minecraft Favourites Bundle, available at Smyths Toys, €299.99
Join the Resistance!
With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story set for release on December 16th, toys from a galaxy far, far away are set to be big again this Christmas – and you can’t go wrong with this remote control BB-8 droid, loyal companion to the Resistance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. BB-8 rolls in any direction and makes expressive droid sounds as you lead him into adventure! Star Wars: The Force Awakens RC BB-8, available at Argos, €93.49
Drive it home
This awesome remote control robot car will keep them occupied throughout Christmas and beyond. A super-cool take on the classic toy! Remote Controlled Robot Car, available from Flying Tiger at Liffey Valley, €50
Comedy caper
Billionaire Tom Brand (Kevin Spacey) decides to get his daughter a cat for her birthday – but a terrible accident happens, and Tom gets trapped in the cat’s body! Hilarity ensues as Tom get his comeuppance for years of neglecting his family, when he becomes his daughter’s favourite pet. Madcap family fun. Nine Lives, available at Supervalu and all good stockists from Dec 12, €14.99 on DVD, €19.99 on BluRay
Kids can be hard to please – so take our advice and choose from the great gift options below!
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SuperValu TidyTowns: Inspiring locals to improve their environment Va
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Martin Behan, Chairman of Clonmel SuperValu TidyTowns Committee, talks about how TidyTowns has brought people together in the spirit of improving the community
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n a blue-skyed summer’s day, nothing beats a walk along the quays in Clonmel. With pedestrianised streets and gorgeous shopfronts – and lovely flower boxes on display across the town – Clonmel really is a special place. Tipperary’s largest town, sitting at the base of the Comeragh Mountains and hugging the River Suir, is a hub of activity – and so Clonmel’s SuperValu TidyTowns Committee needs to be always vigilant. The work of the 20-member committee involves not only making sure Clonmel is kept litter-free and presentable on a day-to-day basis, but maintaining the environment and atmosphere of this historic town for future generations.
Wildlife
Clonmel is known for its wildlife sightings, with an abundance of resident birds including swans, signets and heron. Martin Behan, Chairman of Clonmel TidyTowns,
When we plant bulbs around the town, we make sure to use varieties that will help our wildlife to flourish
is especially proud of the wildlife-friendly work carried out by the TidyTowns team. “We’re very conscious of the impact that our work has on the environment,” he says. “When we plant bulbs around the town, for example, we make sure to use varieties that will help our wildlife to flourish. Clonmel, or Cluain Meala in Irish, means Vale of Honey. So we are particularly interested in helping bees, whose population is in decline worldwide.” TidyTowns involves individuals of all ages, recognising how important their local environment is, and coming together to preserve it. Many of Clonmel’s local schools have Green Flags for environmental awareness, and the TidyTowns committee works actively with these schools, especially transition year classes. The TidyTowns committee is involved in all aspects of life, from big projects to small. “We recently completed a few big projects, including the revamp of Denis Burke Park and work on a wildlife habitat in Toberaheena Well,” says Martin. “Along with the new Greenway, running all the way to Carrick-on-Suir, I think these initiatives have really added to life in the town.”
Support
None of what the TidyTowns committee does would be possible without the support of businesses in the area – and Martin praises highly the contribution of the local SuperValu. “Martin’s SuperValu in
(L-R) Debbie Martin, Geraldine McGrath, Martin Behan, Stuart Martin
Martin Behan, Chairman of Clonmel SuperValu TidyTowns Poppyfield is always there for us if we need any help. They sponsor flowers and plants, supply high-vis vests and litter pickers, and give us the use of their offices for our meetings. “The owners, Stuart and Debbie, also helped us nominate our committee secretary Frank O’Donoghue for a
TidyTowns Heroes Award last year. We were delighted he won, because Frank has been the backbone of TidyTowns in Clonmel since it started in 1982.” For Martin and his team, the work is constant – but well worth it. “The important thing is that we are seen out and
Frank O Donoghue, Committee Secretary for Clonmel SuperValu TidyTowns about, doing the work. This inspires everyone to take pride in the town and we’re lucky that our vibrant residents’ associations strive to enhance every part of Clonmel. “There is no doubt that it’s paying off. We are going for our ninth TidyTowns Gold Medal this year; that’s
something we’re proud of. I think the work and success have encouraged everyone to respect Clonmel and its environment. “It has had a really positive effect on life in our town.” Learn about all the important work done by SuperValu TidyTowns at www.tidytowns.ie
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