Essential Drogheda’s FREE Social, Entertainment & Lifestyle Magazine
Drogheda
Vol 1. Issue 6. - April 2010
Pick Me Up FREE Magazine ISSN 2009-2733
PAUL BRADY 45 years on and he’s still in love with music pg 12
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
PLUS
How to design your own garden pg 28
What’s on in town this April pg 44-45
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This Month in Essential Drogheda
E Social
E Travel
6-7 Drogheda’s nightlife in pictures
22 City Slicker Breaks away to suit all budgets
E Out & About 8,11,24-25 Not-to-be missed events
E interview
E Interiors 27 Sweet Dreams Create a bedroom that will grow with your child
12 Singer-songwriter Paul Brady talks E exteriors about his new album ‘Hooba Dooba’ 28-29 Design your own garden How 46 The Best of Everything with to transform your jungle into a haven Munster rugby player Niall Ronan
E Real Life 4 Can’t Get Through The Month Without…
E Weddings
30-32 Local couples say ‘I do’
E Drive
34 Behind The Wheel & Bike Torque 10 E Happenings We spread the word on your behalf E Tech 15 Jokin Around… Locals reveal their 34 Go Gadgets favourite April Fools’ Day pranks
E Food
E Fashion
36-37 Tempting Tapas Delicious recipes from La Vida Tapas Bar
16 Flower Power What trends are in bloom this season 18 Boutique Critique E visits Sean Freeman’s, John Street
E Beauty 20 Spring Cleaning Top tips from make-up artist to the stars, Emma Woods
E Business 38-39 Small talk with Oliver Levins, Manager of The Boyne Valley Hotel
E Arts & Culture 41 What’s on in April 44-45 Event Guide Dates for your diary
editor’s letter A
dmit it, you’d give your right arm for a designer garden – but don’t have the ‘know-how’ or the ‘know-who’ to go about getting it! Well, giving celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin a run for his money in this neck of the woods is Clogherhead-based designer Andrew Christopher Dunne who over the next three months will be showing how you can transform your exterior into a dream paradise (see pages 28 & 29). This month I’d like to welcome to the Essential team, make-up artist to the stars Emma Woods. No stranger to celebs, Emma has worked with many big names including The Script, Pixie Lott and Paulo Nutini at this year’s Meteors. For top tips on spring cleaning your make-up bag, see page 20. Celebrating 45 years in the music industry is singersongwriter Paul Brady, E finds out his musical influences and what he makes of The X Factor on page 12. Finally, take inspiration this April Fools’ Day when E asks you to reveal your favourite pranks on page 15. So what if they’re a tad childish… we still love ’em! Hope you enjoy!
Carmel Riggs
Editor
On the Cover: Leanne Taaffe, Siobhan Rock, Aislinn Trodden and Keighley Kierans (lower) at the opening of The Buddha Head, Wellington Quay, Drogheda.
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Don’t Miss Our Next Issue – Out April 29th
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Essential Drogheda
Anglo House, Mell Industrial Estate, Drogheda, Co. Louth. Tel: 041 9830297. Fax: 041 9835485. e: info@essentialdrogheda.com Drogheda’s FREE Social, Entertainment, and Lifestyle Magazine Published Monthly and Distributed Free to over 17,000 Homes and Businesses in Drogheda Managing Director: Padraic Kierans e: padraic@essentialdrogheda.com Editor: Carmel Riggs Mob: 087 2248845 e: editor@essentialdrogheda.com Administration: Wendy Smith Tel: 041 98 30297 e: info@essentialdrogheda.com Advertising Sales: Terri Durnin Mob: 087 6475147 e: ads@essentialdrogheda.com
Can’t get through the month without . . . Easter fun
Taking the kids along to Newgrange Farm for egg-citing fun and games with Farmer Bill! The annual threeday event kicks off on April 3rd from 2-5pm each day. There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs too as the little ones battle it out in the Easter bonnet and painted Easter egg competitions! Visit www. newgrangefarm.com for more details.
Design & Layout: Aisling Murphy, Anglo Printers Photographer: Jimmy Weldon Mob: 086 8339022 Photo Contributors: Tony Campbell & Orlagh Finegan Contributors: Interiors: Emma Byrne 087 0552499 Exteriors: Andrew Christopher Dunne 087 6678468 Beauty: Emma Woods Published by: Essential Drogheda Publications Ltd. Printed by: Anglo Printers Ltd. Lo-Call 1890 624 624 The paper used in the production of Essential Drogheda comes from sustainable, managed sources and has been PEFC certified.
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to present all information accurately, however no liability is accepted for any articles or opinions offered, or advice given, or for omissions from the publication.
Are You In It? If you would like to see your event or photographs featured in Essential Drogheda, email us at info@essentialdrogheda.com Become a fan of Essential on
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Carmel Riggs selects the best of what April has to offer
Guitar madnes s
Joining Rick O ’Shea and the 2F M Roadcastor as broadcast live fr they om The TLT on Friday, April 9t The DJ will be h! in town to supp ort the Irish Nat Guitar Festival ional which runs from April 7th-11th Drogheda. Thi in s is the first year of the festival an is promised to be d five days of guita r heaven! The will be concerts re , product clinic s, m as as performance ter classes as wel s from some of l the world’s grea guitarists. Check test out www.irishg uitarfest.com or www.tlt.ie for m ore details.
PJ returns!
best! The Seeing PJ Gallagher do what he does when he es ienc aud Naked Camera star wowed stand-up the now performed here in December, lsberg Car the for a comedian returns to Droghed April y, rsda Thu on l Comedy Night at the d hote hotel, d the at sale on 8th. Tickets are €18.50 and tel: 041-9877700.
Castle fashion Mingling with Miriam O’Callaghan, who comperes at the ‘Fashion at the Castle’ extravaganza, which takes place in Slane Castle on Wednesday, April 14th. Local boutiques have joined forces to bring this night of glitz and glamour in aid of Stackallen Tennis and Pitch & Putt Club. Tickets are e30, to get yours call Kathleen on 086-3846707.
And they’re off…
Putting on your glad rags for a day at Fairyhouse Races! The three-day Easter festival kicks off on April 4th with the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National taking place on Easter Monday as well as the all-important Most Stylish Lady Competition. Book online at www.fairyhouseracecourse. ie and you will receive a 20 per cent discount on all adult tickets.
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IMMER BESSER
The Party: Lily Bohan’s Birthday Celebrations The Place: Harry’s Bistro The People: 1 Lily pictured with her
Social
husband Liam, sons Feargal and Cormac and daughter Lyndsey 2 Samantha and Cormac Bohan
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The Party: Operation Transformation After Party The Place: Romanza The People: 1 Marina Pacheco,
Lourdes Peree and Karen Mullen 2 Eimear Garry, Yvonne McLeer and Lisa Hughes 3 Kristina Bradvica, Catherine Baker, Yvonne McGrane and Heather Strickland
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The Party: Drogheda Chamber Women of Worth Awards The Place: The d hotel The People: 1 Jackie Tully
and Lorraine Balfe 2 Stephanie Carvin, Clodagh Corry, Caroline Kearney, Jane Kearney, Jean Kierans, Karen Kierans, Sandra Finegan and Ann-Marie Gilna
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3 The Party: East Meath United 10th Anniversary The Place: CityNorth Hotel The People: 1 Lisa
Doyle and Declan Grennan 2 Andy Doak and Shauna Browning 3 Nikki Fitzpatrick, John Aldridge and Emma McGrath
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1 photos to info@essentialdrogheda.com email your
Social The Party: Stephen McKee’s 30th Birthday Bash The Place: The Black Bull The People: 1 Irene Ring, Catherine
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McKee and Margaret Mulligan 2 Vicky Clarke and Sé Ó Beirne 3 Stephen McKee with his girlfriend Lorna Durkan
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The Party: Daffodil Day Fashion Show The Place: Westcourt Hotel The People: 1 Paula Hughes and
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Catriona Grifferty 2 Sinead Duffy 3 Susan Lally, Marie Thompson and Lisa Flannery
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The Party: Fingal Hunt Ball The Place: CityNorth Hotel The People: 1 Karen Lynch and Sarah
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O’Neill 2 Liz Hagan and Maria McCullen-Harvey
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The Party: Ciara Boyle’s Haiti Fundraiser The Place: Harry’s Bistro The People: 1 Ciara Boyle, Michael
McEvoy and Emma McDonnell 2 Laura Dyas, Olivia McCormack, Ciara Boyle, Fiona Dyas and Mary Boyle
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Out & about
Mother & Toddler Coffee Morning in The Bagel Bar The People:
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1 Susan and Ciara Connor with Jackie and Naoise Brannigan 2 Yvonne McGrane, Rachel Grimes and Susan Drumm 3 Rachel and Ruby Walsh with Janet and Nova Laymer
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Buddha Head Opening Night 1 Aislinn Trodden with her mum Rosalind and boyfriend Joey Healy 2 Siobhan Rock and Emily Doonan 3 Sandra and Linda Flanagan
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Barroco 1 Jennifer Byrne with Rachel and Melissa McManus 2 Geraldine Higgins, Jade Brennan, Donna McHugh and Sabrina Brennan 3 Elaine Hamill, Valeen Murray, Audrey and Emma Tinsley
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Charity Fashion Show in O’Neill’s, Duleek 1 Lorna Lynch, Amanda Smith and Christine McCloskey 2 Lauren, Jennifer and Joyce Hynes
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email your photos to info@essentialdrogheda.com
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Spreading the word... Fringe Festival
For the first time, the Drogheda Arts Festival on the May Bank Holiday will be complimented by a sister Fringe Festival. The Fringe Festival will kick off on Thursday, April 29th and will include a wide range of events, from visual arts to music, comedy, poetry and film. Many of the events will be free and in the main will be staged and performed by locally-based artists, writers and performers. There will also be one or two headline acts with national or international profiles to whet the appetite. The full programme will be announced after Easter and tickets for some of the events will go on sale from this time. If you would like to be involved in Drogheda’s first ever Fringe Festival, please contact the organisers at droghedafringe@gmail.com and watch out for more information on Facebook soon.
Greenhills Reunion
The ‘Class of 95’ Greenhills school reunion takes place in Bru on Saturday, April 24th. The evening kicks off at 8.30pm and tickets are €7 each. As well as good craic and fond trips down memory lane, there will be finger food and music on the night. Contact Jennifer Cooney on 087 0516722 or Glenda Gibney McCloe on 086 3984221 for more information or alternatively check out their Facebook pages.
Alz Crusade
A montage of local artist Richard Moore’s paintings is at the forefront of Liam Leddy’s latest fundraising campaign for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. ‘400 signed copies of the montage have been made and we will be holding 400 raffles over the coming weeks,’ says Liam. ‘For every 250 tickets sold there will be a raffle.’ Following the release of Alz Crusade, a charity CD featuring Chloe, Liam and David Leddy, Liam is hoping this latest appeal will be enough to open a new day care centre in Drogheda. He adds: ‘Tickets are only €5 and I am asking every organization, clubs, taxi drivers, Gardai… absolutely everyone to get involved!’ The fundraiser will be officially launched on April 6th in the TLT Theatre & Concert Hall.
SOSAD Appeal
SOSAD Ireland is looking for ladies to take part in this year’s Flora Women’s Mini Marathon on Monday, June 7th. SOSAD are based in Navan and Drogheda and provide free counselling and support to people who have been affected by suicide in the northeast. Registration for this year’s mini marathon is currently taking place and will continue until April 27th. Interested parties should contact SOSAD at sosadireland@hotmail.com or telephone 041-9848754.
Country Craft & Food Fair
The County Craft and Food Fair takes place at the Boyne Valley Hotel, Drogheda on Easter Sunday and Monday (April 4th & 5th) with a fun-filled line-up promised. A children’s entertainer will be running a kids’ corner with free face-painting to keep the little ones happy, allowing you time to concentrate on shopping at over 30 stalls of the very best crafts and foods from Louth, Meath and beyond! Exhibitors include a local oil painter, glass makers, bakers, savoury treats and chocolate makers, fair traders, jewellery and fascinator producers, designer bags, booksellers and many more. Doors open at 10am until 5pm and the entry fee is €2 for adults, children under 16 are free. email your happenings to info@essentialdrogheda.com
s s a p t Fas your way to
for only E5 available from Barroco Bar
Friday & Saturday nights Applies after 12.45pm R.O.A.R.
Out & about
Electric Avenue Gig in Bru 1 Mark Henry, Louise Clarke, Audrey Walsh and Robbie Johnson 2 Maurice and Lorraine Reay 3 Eimer McAuley, Cliodhna Mahony and Shauna Meegan
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Townhouse Spa Opening 1 Ciara McEvoy and Grace Guildea 2 Catherine Kirwan with Andrea Smith, owner of the new Townhouse Spa, Fair Street, Drogheda.
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interview He’s 45 years in the music business yet Paul Brady has never been more creative. Here, the singer/songwriter talks to Carmel Riggs about his new album, Hooba Dooba, The X Factor and his musical influences Growing up in Strabane, who were your musical influences? Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Hank Marvin, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry to name a few. What kind of music do you listen to now? All kinds, but mostly new contemporary singer-songwriters, male and female. Name your favourite Irish song? The Homes of Donegal, written by the late Sean McBride. Which of your songs are you most proud of? Nobody Knows! What inspires you? Affairs of the heart and the daftness of human nature! How long did it take to make
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your new album, Hooba Dooba? It was made between September ’08 and September ’09 but I wasn’t working on it all that time. I guess it took around four months in total. I’m only putting it out now because I didn’t want it to get lost in the Christmas ’09 rush. You’ve just celebrated 45 years in the music business – what’s the secret to staying creative? Being still in love with music and songs in particular. Having a lot of songs inside me still wanting and waiting to come out. Is there anyone you would like to work with that you haven’t worked with yet? Paul McCartney, perhaps. What annoys you most about the music industry? The fact that the people who control it don’t care about music, only money! If you were having your ideal dinner party – who would you invite, what would you serve and what music would you play? Half a dozen of my wife Mary’s and my close friends! I’d probably serve a homemade vegetable soup with barley, a nice leg of Irish lamb with roasted root vegetables and a green salad. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it! I’d stick my iPod on shuffle. There are about 4,000 songs on it so there should be something for everyone.
What is the proudest moment of your career? Still waiting for it! No, seriously… I got a bit teary hearing my son, Colm, play harmonica on the song ‘Living the Mystery’ which is on my new record. I got a thrill when Bob Dylan named me as one of his secret heroes. I enjoyed singing a duet of my song ‘Paradise Is Here’ onstage with Tina Turner in Dublin’s RDS, and I was surprised to get an honorary doctorate from the University of Ulster for my contribution to music. What advice would you give anyone starting out in the music industry? Be very clear about exactly what it is you want to achieve, then work really hard and don’t listen to critics. They’re only talking about themselves anyway. Do your best to own everything you create… every record you make. No one else will care about it the way you do and when they stop caring don’t imagine they’ll give it back to you. They won’t. Do you watch The X Factor? From time to time. It’s a bit of a mystery to me, I’m afraid. I tend to prefer the original versions the songs came in. Somehow I think it’s mostly about money, and not necessarily for the singers… more like Simon Cowell! Where is your favourite place to get away from it all? The south-west Donegal coastline. If you had to give it all up tomorrow, what would you do? I’d probably get somewhat depressed! If I had to stop performing and making records I’d probably always continue to write songs. I’d probably also write down as much of what has happened to me as I could remember, just so people could learn what not to do! Paul Brady performs in the TL T Concert Hall & Theatre on April 7th, tickets €38.50 from www.thetlt.ie
Award winning hair & make-up artist Aislinn Trodden is back with her new studio Buddha Head, 10 Wellington Quay.
Aislinn has won the Gold Award in WELLA Trend Vision & represented Ireland in Milan at the world final. She has travelled to Dallas, New York & London to do shows & photoshoots for TIGI & WELLA. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Image, U, Hot Press, Social & Personal, Irish Hairdresser & Creative Head.
She has a Diploma in make-up artistry from LA Makeup Academy, in all make-up techniques; photographic, TV, film, catwalk & special effects. She has her Master Colour Award with WELLA & was a member of the ‘WELLA Elite Style Council’ & TIGI’s Education Manager for Ireland.
But now she’s back! She looks forward to seeing all of her clients in Buddha Head for all their hair & make-up needs.
Aislinn stocks: Make-up Jane Iredale Mineral sional WELLA System Profes Sebastian ns & FLIP IN Hair Extensio
Willie McHugh, The
Real Life
Twenties ‘My friend, Keith O’Brien, told me that Ronaldo had been signed to Drogheda United. I’d forgotten that it was April Fools’ Day and I believed him for two days!’
Noel Carter,
ols Moneymore ‘One April Fo my to e in work, I went outsid will car and my friend (who I the not name) had replaced th four wheels of my car wi n be eve four bricks. I couldn’t t so jus s angry with him – it wa funny!’
Joking d n u o r a
April Got a favouritrean Fools’ Day p dsko?ut… Katie Kierans fin Sandra Iaquaniello, Dublin Road ‘It was my first day working in Eddie Rockets (April Fools is a bad day to start!) when they asked me to clean the O’Connell Statue across the road. They went on to tell me that all the new employees have to do this at least once. Of course, I did as I was told. It was only when I came back into the restaurant I realised that they’d been joking and I’d been gullable enough to believe them...’
Hannah Clayton, Beaulieu ‘My aunt came down to visit us from Donegal on April Fools’ Day a few years ago. She’d just arrived at our house in Beaulieu; I snuck outside and rang her mobile. I pretended to be a doctor calling from a hospital in Donegal. I told her that her son had been in a terrible football accident and that she needed to get back to Donegal as soon as possible. The funny thing is she believed me until then I started laughing...’ Gary O’Connor,
Ashfield ‘I told loads of people in work that one of the following were working for them, C. Lyons, Rory Lyons and G. Raff and I gave them all the number for Dublin Zoo. It was hilarious. Loads of people caught on to the idea and in the end Dublin Zoo had created an automatic answering machine so that when people rang looking for these they were told that they had been the victim of a practical joke!’
Harry Economos and Helen Campbell, Clogherhead ‘Last year, I sent Harry a
really long text explaining that I was really sorry but we needed to break up and then at the very end it said, Happy April Fools!’
Andrew Power, Bellewstown ‘I was due to go to a stag on April Fools’ Day a few years back, when one of the lads rang me and told me that the bride and groom had fallen out and the stag was cancelled. The groom didn’t want to go on his stag when his wife-to-be was annoyed with him. So I didn’t get ready and then like an hour later all the lads showed up at my door ready to go; they were falling around the place laughing at me...’
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18th June 2010
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E Drogheda
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Fashion Floral shorts €28, Next, Scotch Hall Rose printed prom dress €54, River Island, Scotch Hall
Update your Spring look with these cute floral pieces
Dress €259, Fran & Jane, Laurence Town Centre
Fashion has gone all girly with cute floral prints making a return this season. A perennial spring favourite, floral print isn’t exactly a cutting-edge trend however it will instantly bring feminine chic to your wardrobe. Whether you choose a floral print dress, or leggings and a pretty floral top, there are plenty of opportunities to add some flower power to your look. The great thing about this trend is its flexibility. Worn with a belt to accentuate your curves, the floral print dresses are ultra feminine and sexy. Or how about pairing your adorable florals with fringed boots and a leather jacket for a streetwise look? Whatever your style, bright and flowery fashions will rejuvenate your wardrobe in an instant…
Red floral tea dress €55, Evans, Scotch Hall
Multi posey dress €85, Monsoon, Scotch Hall
Vintage button skirt €11, Penneys, West St
Lace shift dress €15, worn with bleached denim jacket €15, Penneys, West St Floral bangles (two-pack) €5, Penneys, West St Floral purse €18, Evans, Scotch Hall
Clutch €40, River Island, Scotch Hall Printed floral linen mix scarf €5, Penneys , West St
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Fashion
Boutique Critique I
Egg
t’s not every business that would survive 47 years – but Sean Freeman’s is one of the exceptions. For 46 of those years, the shop was situated on Laurence Street until the decision was made to move to bigger premises on John Street last November. A brave decision, some might say, in these recessional times, but Cormac Freeman is optimistic it was the right move. ‘To be perfectly honest, it was very sad looking across the road Cormac Freeman with his mum at West Street,’ he says. ‘We weighed it all up Carmel and Tony Courtney and decided if we didn’t try we would never know! Thankfully, everything so far has been very positive. Most of our customers have followed us here and our new customers are very positive about it also.’ Cormac describes the move as having ‘given us a new lease of life’ since the sudden death of his father, Sean, 15 months ago. ‘I think Dad would be in his element with the new shop,’ he says. ‘We have much more space and customers can browse more easily. I’d love to think I can fill Dad’s shoes and if I’m around as long as he was I’d be a very happy camper!’ Described as a ‘conservative man’s shop’, Freeman’s stocks a range of quality clothing to suit the older gentleman from Magee suits to Traffic trousers. But its speciality is its wide range of wedding attire. ‘Our wedding package includes suit hire, Limousine and red carpet – we try to suit all needs,’ adds Cormac. ‘But we’ll work with couples to find what they’re looking for. If it’s a tailor-made suit they want, then that’s what they’ll get!’ Walk into Freeman’s and you will be greeted by Tony Courtney who has been working there since 1966. Both Cormac and Tony strive to provide an exceptional personal service for their customers. ‘We have earned our good reputation in the town,’ says Cormac. ‘We are continually trying to serve our customers as best we can. We will deliver clothes, pick it up – whatever has to be done, we’ll do it! ‘These are hard times but you have to move onwards and Hunt-Ad-Essential Drogheda.pdf 1 16/03/2010 16:37 upwards.’
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Tel: 086 8230190
Email: sangioretti@yahoo.ie
So please give me a call and see what I can do for you! Private/Individual Consultations Weekly weigh-ins E10
To advertise here call Terri on 087 6475147 or email ads@essentialdrogheda.com
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Beauty Make-up artist to the stars, Emma Woods shows how to give your cosmetic bag a ‘lift’
L
ike fashion, make-up trends are always changing. Just as you were getting used to wearing deep plums or even luscious reds on those beautiful lips of yours, it is time to update your look! But that does not mean throwing out your expensive new lippy or wildly priced eye-shadow you decided to indulge yourself around the festive season… No, instead check out this season’s new trends, have a good root around your make-up bag and see what might work for this season. For those products that have not made the shortlist do not throw them out as fashion does not just change, it evolves... by autumn those sexy reds and gothic plums might be back in trend, so keep them in a safe place! Most eye-shadows, lipsticks, blushers, even some foundations (mostly oil-free) have no real shelf life; they tend to last about eight months to a year. If you smell a bad odour coming from any fluid products such as mascara, this is usually a good indication that is has passed its life expectancy. If this is the case, I would strongly recommend throwing out this product as it may lead to unwanted irritations and breakouts and in some cases, skin infections. We only have to look as far as this year’s Oscars to see a trend that will most definitely have sun worshippers and fake tan lovers among us running for cover! Yes, ladies, please don’t pass out but milky, white pure skin is IN! We can take inspiration from Nicola Roberts’ and Nicole Kidman’s porcelain skin, and every other celeb on the
Spring
cleaning
red carpet that kept it amazingly white this year. This trend will most definitely prevent you from spending a small fortune on fake tan coming into 2 the summer, however if you are like me and just cannot do the milk bottle complexion, treat yourself 4 to Johnson & Johnson Holiday Skin (€7.09, Boots, Laurence Town Centre) (1). This is a gradual tanner and will build up a soft, even tan naturally and slowly. Be sure to keep texture soft this spring; minty pastel greens and soft corals will look immediately fresh on the eyes, and glossy bubblegum pinks on the lips (not altogether mind!) Keep the focus to one feature and go with that… Bourjois ‘Suivez Mon Regard’ (€9.99, Boots) (2) and Rimmel’s Colour Mousse Eye-Shadow in Splash and Mermaid (€7.25, Maher’s Chemist, West St) (3) have certainly the desired finish for this year’s spring trends. Making a comeback from last year is Lancome’s Juicy Tubes in Lychee or Sorbet De Cerise (€20.30, Maher’s Chemist, West St) (4). Compliment those lips with a pinch of colour on the cheeks; my favourite colour for this time of year is ‘Style’ blush from MAC (€21, Brown Thomas) (5) or
6 3 5
1
alternatively Fuschia’s Bouquet Blush, a blend of three playful colours all exclusively pressed in a unique rose petal shape (€38.50, Fuschia, Scotch Hall) (6). Perfection! If the ‘Pretty in Pink’ pastel colours are not what you desire this spring, fear not, as this summer looks like it is going to be heating up with strong contrasts to spring. We will see smoking eyes and deep, sparkling sandy tones making an appearance on our eye-shadow palettes, paving the way nicely into autumn.
Linda Crosby of La Spa Therapie Got a beauty dilemma? answers your questions Ever since the birth of my daughter I have been suffering with a bad back. Recently a colleague advised me to have CranioSacral Therapy. What exactly is this? Carol, Drogheda CranioSacral Therapy is a light touch manual therapy that address restrictions in the CranioSacral System (the membranes and fluids that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord). This vital system extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum, or tailbone area. It’s an alternative medicine that is used by massage therapists, naturopaths, chiropractors and osteopaths who apply a subtle gentle movement of the spinal and cranial bones to bring the central nervous system into harmony. 20
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Email Linda Crosby at info@essentialdrogheda.com with your query
I am 14 weeks pregnant and feel the need to be pampered! However, my friend told me that you can’t have massage or spa treatments during pregnancy. Is this true? Sinead, Bettystown You have to be very careful during the first 12 weeks, but following that you can get lots of treatments. You can have anything from manicures, pedicures, reflexology and pregnancy massage. There is also a specific range of maternity treatments called ‘Mama Mio’ that is now available. Just contact your local day spa for more information.
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Body warming steam, Seaweed bath, Reviver Facial, Full body massage
€145
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Offers end 30/4/2010. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion
For further information, visit our website www.LaSpaTherapie.ie or call our advice line on 041 980 3000
travel
CITY SLICKER
Dutch courage
Experience a picture-perfect view of Amsterdam from one of the 218 refurbished rooms of the Eden Hotel. When in Rome… The Eden Hotel is located in the If it’s a romantic getaway you’re bustling city centre, alongside the after, Rome is hard to beat. Spend famous Rembrandt Square. The three amazing nights in the wonderful thing is most of the premier Windrose Hotel from €419 per shops, cafes, person. With a prestigious and bars and clubs Czech mate central location in the heart of of the city are Not only does Prague possess one of Rome, the Windrose is a 3-star within your the world’s most pristine and varied hotel and offers a charming outdoor immediate collections of architecture, from Art terrace, luxurious public areas, grasp. A Nouveau to Baroque, Renaissance, spacious guestrooms and a high weekend visit Cubist, Gothic, Neo-Classical and standard of professional service. in May is €214 ultra-modern, but it also has a lively nightlife, mostly due to the Also, located just across the road, extraordinary range of beers available at nominal prices. Spend three per person with is a wonderful bistro with great food. Call Globe Travel, Laurence nights in the Prague Centre Hotel, which is just half a mile away from Arrow Tours, West Street. the major attractions, from just €309 per person with Globe Travel, Street, on 041-9837791 for more Laurence Street. information.
Looking for great city break deals? Follow Hannah Clayton’s guide for picture perfect destinations to suit all budgets
Parisian chic
Viva Las Vegas
The city that never sleeps... interested? If so, you could spend four nights in Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, a 5-star hotel, from €745 per person with Fantasy Travel, Dominic Street! Planet Hollywood has all the action you can handle with three acres of gaming, a variety of tables and slots, a huge poker room, The Playing Field race and sports book, and the scintillating Pleasure Pit! Call 041-9835020 for bookings or more information!
If you’re on a tight budget this year, why not take a trip to The Hotel Amiot in Paris? Located just opposite the Gare de l’Est station, the Hotel Amiot is strategically placed near the department stores, the Opera, Montmartre and Châtelet Les Halles. Book for May with Arrow Tours on West Street and it will only cost you €196 per person for two nights! This package also includes flights and taxes. For bookings, call 041-9831177.
Mayoral
Fantastic Range of Boys/Girls wear from 6mths - 8yrs DEPOSITS TAKEN - CLUBS WELCOME Unit 2, Meatmarket Lane, Drogheda, Co. Louth. Ph: 041 9810426
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SCOTCH HALL
Giant
Easter Bunny Hunt
& EASTER ART WORKSHOP
FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for special interactive kids workshops, FREE parking, special discounts, demonstrations and more. To join, visit the Customer Information Desk on Level 1.
SCOTCH HALL SHOPPING
Sat 3rd April Enjoy a fun fill afternoon at our 4th Annual LINDT Chocolate Easter Bunny HUNT. Visit www.scotchhall.ie for details.
ST 1 Tuesday
club
• FREE MEMBERSHIP • EXCLUSIVE OFFERS • MONTHLY DEMOS
Artisan MARKET
EVERY SATURDAY 11AM – 5PM
RE-OPENS MAY 1ST The Scotch Hall Artisan Market is moving to
Saturday, 11am - 5pm.
SAT, MAY 1ST & SUN, MAY 2ND
Spring
A mini festival of Food and the re-opening of the Scotch Hall Artisan Market. Expect to enjoy food demonstrations, Craft butchers, restaurant tastings, 'grow your own' demonstrations, wine seminars, music and entertainment plus much more.
Sat/Sun 1st May & 2nd May
P
ARTISAN MARKET
Saturday 11am-5pm. Sunday 1-5pm with children’s entertainment from 2pm.
For more information on all of these events, visit www.scotchhall.ie
PARK FOR 2 HOURS FOR JUST �1
SCOTCH HALL SHOPPING
SCOTCH HALL SHOPPING CENTRE – DROGHEDA OVER 50 STORES AND RESTAURANTS
Tel: 041 984 3319
www.scotchhall.ie
Out & about
Star Bar 1 Nicola Grove, Jennifer Keogh, Hayley Graham, Cindy Graham and Emma Brooksbank 2 Susan Upton with Mark and Amy McGuirk 3 Keelin Curran, Denise Boylan, Shireen Leonard and Melissa Brannigan 4 Stacy Carolan and Lorraine Geraghty
1
2
3
1
4
2
Grennan’s Bar ‘Well Factor”
1 Michelle Pap, Jessica Everitt and Sinead Kilroy 2 Aaron Carolan and Robyn Everitt
3
1 2
d Hotel
Young Green & Gifted 1 Mairead Gaffney, Catherine Murphy, Julie-Anne Hand and Danielle Shelvin 2 Sarah-Jane Keeley with her sisters Carol, Julie and Lynn 3 John Bowden and Ellen O’Reilly
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“Are You In It?”
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4
2
Sophia’s Shoe Shop Opening Night
1 Madeleine Brady and Catherine Lee 2 Donna Farrell and Kate Halligan 3 Yvonne Hall and Patrice Morgan 4 Mike and Geraldine Brown
1 1
1
Boyne Valley Hotel Wedding Fayre 2
1 Amanda Bannon and Karen McGovern 2 Verna Germon and Lorraine Farrell 3 Ciara Reddan
3 2
3
McPhails 1 Alan Mooney, Maria Mulholland, Alison Collier and Adrian Mooney 2 Catriona, Lorraine and Linda McWeeney 3 Maz McMahon, Michelle Cromwell and Maria Mulholland
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Interiors
Sweet
dreams
Designer Emma Byrne’s tips on how to create a bedroom that will grow with your child
W
hen I’m working with a client often the most discerning member of the family is under 10! Kids have a wonderful way of deciding very firmly what they do and don’t want in their rooms and there can be a marked difference between what the parents and the children are looking for. It’s great when everyone is happy with the end result though! Often the biggest challenge is giving the room a design that will work now and also last as the child grows. The best way to do this is to steer clear of babyish colours and prints – keep the walls and fabrics neutral and accessorise with stuff relevant to your child now. That way the ‘princess room’ won’t need a total makeover when the princess decides that black is her favourite colour aged 12! The Flexa range of furniture (available from Wogan Interiors, Shop Street) is a great buy in terms of growing with your child. The basic unit is a full-sized single bed. This can then be altered to suit the individual needs of each room, ranging from amazingly cute
knights and princesses for little people up to a ‘high-sleeper’ with a desk for homework and storage underneath as your kids grow. The basic bed starts at about €370 with a huge variety of options after that. While your child may really want go Hannah Montana or Liverpool wallto-wall, I believe that kids’ bedrooms should be as restful as possible and would strongly advise avoiding bright red if at all possible! You can still have fun with more muted colours though, as shown above with this great ‘Robot’ wallpaper, available from Peoba.ie – an online kids store based in Dundalk. Lighting can also be fun and this gorgeous ‘Doolittle Castle’ pendant light (pictured €103.29), also available at Peoba.ie, is a real showpiece in any kids’ room. One idea that’s always wonderful in a child’s bedroom is a map of the world, not only are the colours of blues and greens restful and calming but it’s great to have the map on hand to locate places where friends and relatives live and plan all their future explorations! Ikea has a fabulous huge canvas map (pictured) which is both educational and decorative for €129. Similarly with bedlinen, I think it’s better to go for simplicity and calmer colours. I find Laura Ashley to be good value and great quality which can stand the regular washing required for children’s rooms.
The Flexa range of furniture (above & below left) from Wogan Interiors, Shop St.
There is a fantastic range for both boys and girls. The ‘Esme’ bed set (pictured below left) is perfect and the calm colours of pink, green, white and lilac will fit in with most décor. Emma’s design fees start at €85 for a colour consultation on one room. She will provide suggested colour scheme, paint and wall coverings, fabrics and flooring. For more details on Ember Design, tel: 087-0552499 or email info@emberdesign.ie.
Essential Drogheda
Testimonials:
‘Great feedback from our advert! Many thanks’ Michelle, Studio Wax ‘A lot more people are aware of our shop since advertising with Essential’ Greg Tully, Puzzel ‘It’s good for us because people hold on to Essential for the month. A very positive image for Drogheda’ Eilish Murray, Chameleon
For Better Value Advertising and Greater Return on Investment
Contact Terri on 087 6475147
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Exteriors
A
dmit it, we’ve all done it – at the first sign of sun you run straight down to the garden centre, buy every plant in flower, then spend the rest of the day slaving away, planting and weeding, only to find a week later that all the flowers have finished, the weeds are back and the garden still looks like a scene from Jurassic Park! Well, this year, it will be different. This year you are going to design your garden from start to finish, before you even set foot outside. So where to start? Well, for me the secret to any good garden design is planning and keeping things simple. With this in mind you firstly need to gather some information. Try answering these four questions. Write them down as your answers will form the basis for your garden design. 1 What would you like in your garden? (patio deck, water feature, veg plot etc) 2 What do you need in the garden? (Shed, space for the bins, washing line)
your garden shed. Next you need to decide on the overall layout/ look of your garden. It is a well-kept trade secret that even the most elaborate garden designs are based around simple shapes,
Design your own garden
Spring, it seems, has finally arrived and now is the time to tackle that untamed jungle that is your garden. But where do we start? Over the next three months, award-winning garden designer Andrew Christopher Dunne will show how you can achieve the look of a professionally designed exterior
3 Who will be using your garden (children, friends and family, pets) 4 When are you likely to be in the garden (evenings, weekends, nights) The more frugal amongst you will notice question number five is missing (How much do I have to spend?) In my experience, it is a good idea to start with the ideal garden, then adjust your design to fit your budget. If you don’t do this you run the risk of ruling out every good idea before you even begin, when you may be able to simply change materials and still keep the same basic concept. Next you need to gather some ideas. Magazines and books can be useful but there are plenty of other areas to find inspiration. Try the internet (garden designer’s websites are great!) or simply take a note of any ideas you liked on the telly. At our practice, we would always gather images and put them together on a mood board and I find this really helps. Now, armed with your list and mind 28
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full of ideas, it’s time to start your garden design on paper. Don’t worry if you don’t have a degree in architecture or a masters in fine art, simply draw the boundaries of your garden together with any immovable objects or things you wish to keep in your garden, such as that nice Cherry tree in the corner or
squares, circles and rectangles. Yours should be no different and, remember, we are trying to keep things simple. Try this: draw a large square in the middle of your plan representing your lawn. Next draw another square roughly where you would like your patio to be. Remember to refer back to your list when deciding where to place the features in your garden. For
example, question two (Who will be in your garden?) tells you how big your patio needs to be and question four, (When are you likely to be in your garden?), tells you where to place it. For example, if you are only in the garden in the evenings then you will need to place your seated area in whatever part of your garden catches the evening sun. The gaps that are left around these two squares are where you can fit everything else on your wishlist, like plants and paths etc. Already you have the makings of a contemporary style garden. If you use circles in place of squares you will end up with a more informal feel to your garden, but try to stick to one or the other as this
way you will achieve a more professional look. Play around with different shapes and combinations. Be brave,try interlocking the shapes or overlapping them, then simply fill in the shapes with your chosen features. But keep it simple, I can’t stress this enough. Even when you choose materials, don’t have three types of paving and four colours of gravel. Instead, choose one or two materials and repeat them around the garden. For example, the same stone you use for the patio could also be used as a path or as edging for your lawn. Try this exercise as many times as you like and when you find a design that you are happy with, you can test it by marking out your design in your garden using string and stakes. This way you can check to see what size everything will be in reality and it will give you a real feel as to whether or not your design will work. You can still adjust
sizes and this way you have avoided making any expensive mistakes such as buying a deck that takes up half your garden! Remember, your list will only make a practical garden, but your imagination and thought is what will make a great garden. For a consultation, phone Andrew on 087 6678468. All photos courtesy of Andrew Christopher Garden Designs.
Next month: Planting tips and how to reduce the maintenance without having a bland outdoor space.
Woods Patio Centre TOWNRATH ROAD, BALLYMAKENNY, DROGHEDA, CO. LOUTH TEL: 041 9802796
Award winning garden design on your doorstep
We Sell: TOP SOIL | PATIOS | GRAVEL DECORATIVE STONE
Visit our website today and see what we can do for you
www.acdesigns.ie
All our gardens are constructed by our in house landscaping company Grassroots Landscaping
Andrew Christopher Garden Design, Clogherhead, Co. Louth. Email info@acdesigns.ie Tel: (087) 6678468
PAVING SAND | BLOCKS & CEMENT
ALL
D E H S A L S PRICES
Come & Visit our New Patio Displays
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Weddings
OWEN FOX J E W E L L E R S 39 Shop Street, Drogheda
� 041 9838357
Jonathan Byrne weds Ciara O’Brien Jonathan Byrne, Ballsgrove, took Ciara O’Brien’s hand in marriage on September 4th at the Star of the Sea Church in Mornington. The Brookville lass looked radiant in her gown from All About Brides as did her bridesmaids, sister Sinéad O’Brien and friend, Mary Leech. Jonathan’s brother, Alan Byrne was bestman while Richard Tinley and Evan Byrne were groomsmen. The couple’s daughter Leah Byrne helped out as flowergirl on the day. Their reception was held at the Fairways Hotel in Dundalk and Clockwise provided the music. The bride and groom relocated to Las Vegas for a honeymoon to remember, where the sun shone and they had the time of their lives! Photos by Tony Campbell
Colin Cooney weds Ann Fallon Christmas may be long over, but for Colin Cooney and Ann Fallon it was just the beginning of their life together as husband and wife. The couple wed on December 28th in St Brigid’s Church, Killygarry in the County of Cavan. Ann looked stunning in her dress that she bought from Edel Tuite. Two of Ann’s friends, Paula Mullen and Alma Hayes, were by her side carrying out the duties of bridesmaids. Gavin Cooney, Colin’s cousin, and John Halpenny had the honour of being bestman and groomsman. The reception was held at Farnham Estate where the band Juicer kept the crowd entertained for the night. Ann and Colin honeymooned in Argentina where they spent two and a half weeks in the sun. Photos by Orlagh Finegan
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WE D D I N G S
The Viaduct Wedding Package
at the d hotel ����
Style, Quality & Value from �45 per person Please contact our Wedding Planners on 041 9877700 or weddings@thedhotel.com
the d hotel Scotch Hall, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
www.thedhotel.com
Mark Woods weds Ethel Kiernan Ethel Kiernan and Mark Woods tied the knot on September 9th surrounded by family and friends. It was a wonderful day and following the ceremony the happy couple celebrated in the d hotel, Drogheda. Friends Brenda Tracey and Sonia Finnegan were bridesmaids while Colin Dowd and Adam Kiernan, Mark’s stepson, looked the part as bestman and groomsman. The couple’s daughter, Asha Kiernan Woods made a beautiful flowergirl on the day. For their honeymoon, the bride and groom visited Dubai and Thailand where the weather was absolutely perfect! Photos by Orlagh Finegan
Ian Devine weds Monica D’Agostino Not even an earthquake prevented Ian Devine, from Newfield, from marrying his Italian girlfriend Monica D’Agostino last August. The couple were just about to say ‘I do’ in the church of Santa Maria Assunta, in the centre of Positano in Italy, when an earthquake measuring 3.9 on the richter scale struck. In Italy, rather than having bridesmaids and groomsmen, people have witnesses, and to witness their marriage was Monica’s sister, Emanuela Mullen, her best friend, Tiaziana Chianta along with Ian’s brother, Gavin, and Monica’s brother-in-law, Gerry Mullen. A reception was held at the Villa Acquila in Settefrati and a local band kept family and friends on their toes all night! Ian and Monica travelled to the gorgeous Amalfi and Sicily for their honeymoon.
email your wedding photos to info@essentialdrogheda.com
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Weddings
George F. Mealy weds Eimear Casey Local girl Eimear Casey from Dunleer said ‘I do’ to Kilkenny man George F. Mealy from Castlecomer on December 20th. Family and friends took a trip to Cavan on this faithful day and attended the ceremony in St Mary’s Church, Staghall. Eimear turned heads in her Edel Tuite dress. Her bridesmaids Sonia Eigenheer and Alison Dinsmore also looked the part as did the bestmen Shane O’Driscoll and Stuart Wilson. When the ceremony ended, everybody made their way to the Slieve Russell Hotel, where the reception was held and Dundalk band Vertigo entertained the guests. The newly-weds escaped to London and Dominican Republic for a honeymoon never to be forgotten!
Coulter and Black Wedding Cakes our Speciality & Cakes for all occasions
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Collon Road, Tullyallen, Drogheda, Co. Louth Bakery
041 9804239 Mary Coulter
041 6851593 / 086 3388893 Bernadette Black
041 9838682 / 086 3738562
email your wedding photos to info@essentialdrogheda.com
Drive
gots Behind e g d a g The Wheel Tech
Nicky Smith of Smiths Garage, North Road
20. It was my third time lucky! I failed twice in Dundalk but I finally passed in Brentwood in Essex. Make: Volvo S80 Engine: 2.5 Petrol How much? €27,000
What would be your dream drive? Definitely a Ford Mondeo Titanium Diesel Automatic!
What was your first car and Who would be your dream what age were you? Hmmm... passenger? My wife! a Mark2 Ford Escort and I was What was the best car you 17 years old. have ever driven? Let me see... What age were you when you probably the Ford GT4 for its passed your driving test? I was power and performance.
What’s the worst thing about driving in Drogheda? Potholes at the moment! They have gotten so bad since the winter weather in December. How often do you change your car? Very often! Who is your insurer? Hibernian. I chose them for the value for money. What’s on your CD player? R.E.M. I love driving to the sheer sound of their music.
Solar Multi-Charger
Without doubt, this is the perfect summer accessory! You can charge up your iPod, phone, MP3 player and more without ever having to leave your sun lounger! This selfsufficient solar panel can charge itself up in daylight and store enough power to restore around two hours of talk time to a mobile, or six hours iPod listening time. Best of all, it’s highly portable and perfect for emergency situations. €32.99, www.pressieport.ie
iWaveCube Mini Microwave
The world’s smallest and first personal microwave is stylish, sleek and ultracompact. It comes in a host of vibrant colours and can be easily carried from the kitchen to the study, the office or the bedroom! The iWavecube takes up less than one cubic foot of space and weighs about 12 pounds and you can buy it for €73 at www.iwavecube.com.
The i-tab
Tony McDonnell, from Meadowview, is a local postman and has been riding motorcycles for nearly 10 years. What was your first bike and when did you start riding? My first bike was a Suzuki Katana 250, I was 20. The Katana was a great bike and a good learner. I also took the test for my full motorcycle license on it and I passed first time. What bike do you currently have and how long have you had it? I have a Honda CBR 900 Fireblade 1998. I also had a Kawasaki Zephyr 400 for about six months along with the Fireblade. The Blade is a great bike, for a sports bike it’s comfortable enough and very reliable. What bikes would be in your fantasy garage? A Kawasaki ZXR-1400, Suzuki GSXR-1300 Hayabusa and a Ducati 748. If I had to choose one it would have to be the Ducati!
What is your favourite race meet? Kells, it’s a great race and there are so many places that you can watch from. Who is your favourite racer of all time? Max Biaggi. He is a great racer and was great to watch in the 500 GP World Championship. If you could choose one motorcycle racer to spend a day with who would it be? It would have to be Valentino Rossi. I would love to spend a day on the track with him. You would learn so much from following him around the track, I’d also love to get a go on his bike! What habits of other road users do you find most annoying / dangerous? People not looking in their mirrors. Not being aware on the road is the most dangerous thing toward bikers.
What protective gear do you wear? I use an Arai RX7 Corsair helmet, it’s very comfortable and safe. I wear Dainese pants and a Scott jacket Would you have any suggestions for the RSA to with all the body protection. I use RST boots. improve safety for bikers? I think that everyone What type of motorcycle racing do you prefer? I should have to ride a bike or moped before being love Moto GP but I haven’t been to a race yet. I allowed to drive a car. You are much more alert go to a lot of the road racing meetings in Ireland. and aware on a bike than in a car. 34
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No matter what your ability – from absolute beginners to seasoned pros, the i-tab will sit quietly on the end of your guitar scrolling lyrics and chords in perfect time, ready for when you need a quick reminder or to help you learn a new song. Created by an Irish company based in Maynooth, the i-tab has a 5-inch colour touch screen as well as a built-in speaker.It also comes with 30 free song tabs that include U2’s Beautiful Day, Wonderwall from Oasis and The Rolling Stones’ Jumping Jack Flash. €149, www.i-tab.com
Action Sports Helmet Camera (30FPS)
If ever you wanted to record yourself skydiving, this is your chance! This lightweight, compact helmet cam will put you right in the middle of the action and will allow you to record digital video at a resolution of 640 x 480 (VGA) at 30FPS. Simply insert an SD card into the helmet camera and begin recording, it’s that simple! But beware, the helmet is not included! €50, TAS, Barrack St, Drogheda, www. tastelsys.com
Essential Guide Drogheda
Drogheda’s to Best Restaurants
Drogheda
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Tempting Tapas
Food
La Vida Tapas Wine Bar, South Quay, is renowned for its relaxed way of dining. Here, chef Billy Maher prepares the Spanish cuisine with locally-sourced ingredients
C
hef Billy Maher brings a new style of eating to Drogheda with Spanish tapas and a lot more besides. Billy, having worked as a painter and decorator for 15 years, followed his passion for food and returned to college to become a chef. He worked and lived in Barcelona for a number of years before returning to Ireland and taking up his position at La Vida. More recently, Billy has represented Ireland in the World Tapas Championships in Spain, coming fourth overall. ‘Tapas are a way of life in Spain,’ says Billy, ‘here at La Vida we are using the same concept but using more traditional Irish ingredients, and introducing more Spanish dishes. It’s a more relaxed way of eating, small portions, more dishes. I cook all dishes to order, all our ingredients are sourced locally, and we now have a takeaway service, too.’ La Vida is now open for lunch 5 days a week and open until 12midnight Thursday-Sunday. It also takes bookings for private parties of up to 60 people. For bookings, please contact Martina on 087-0520078 or 9830360.
La Vida TA PA S W I N E B A R
NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH TAKE AWAY ALSO AVAILABLE
SPECIAL OFFER
BUY 1 BOTTLE OF WINE
& GET YOUR SECOND
HALF PRICE
Offer is only valid with this coupon. Valid until 30th April 2010. Bring this coupon with you to avail of special offer.
OPENING HOURS:
WED–SUN: 11AM–12MIDNIGHT
Live Music Every Weekend Tel: 041 983 0360
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Paella (Serves 4) Ingredients: 200g squid 400g gambas 400g mussels 1litre white stock Pinch of saffron Onion, finely chopped Clove of garlic, finely chopped
Method: 1. Clean the squid, prepare the gambas by shelling the body. Shell the mussels and retain the cooking liquid. 2. Boil the white stock and mussel liquor, together infused with saffron. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. 3. Sweat the finely chopped onion in a suitable pan, without colour. Add the garlic and the peppers. 4. Sauté the chicken in olive oil until cooked and golden brown, then drain. Add the rice, onions and garlic and sweat for 2 minutes. 5. Add about 200ml of the white and mussel liquor. Throw in the thyme and bay leaf and season. Bring to the boil, and then cover with a lightly oiled greaseproof paper and lid. 6. Cook for 5-8 minutes, in a moderately hot
50g red & 50g green peppers 1 ½kg diced roast chicken, cut and sauté 60ml olive oil 200g short grain rice Pinch of thyme 1 bay leaf 200g tomatoes, skinned, deseeded Lemon wedges to finish
Healthy Tip: oven at 180C. To reduce the fat, skin the Add the squid chicken and use a little and cook for unsaturated oil to sweat the onions another 5 and fry the chicken. No added minutes. Add salt is necessary. Serve with a the tomatoes, large green salad. chicken, mussels and gambas. Still gently, cover the lid and reheat the rice in the oven. 7. Correct the consistency of the rice if necessary by adding more stock, so that it looks sufficiently moist without being too wet. Check the seasoning. 8. When all is reheated and cooked, place in a suitable serving dish, decorate with 4 gambas and 4 mussels halved and shelled. Finish with wedges of lemon.
Calamari a la Romano (Serves 1)
(Deep fried calamari sitting on a bed of spicy tomato and pesto)
Ingredients: 1 Calamari tube Teaspoon of garlic Teaspoon of turmeric (spice) 1 inch of fresh ginger, grated Juice of 1 lemon Plain flour Tomato Sauce: Tin of plum tomatoes ½ onion, finely chopped 1 bay leaf Teaspoon of sugar
Teaspoon of Tabasco sauce Seasoning, salt and pepper, clove of garlic, tablespoon of olive oil Pesto: 250g fresh basil 50g pine nuts 250ml olive oil 75g grated parmesan cheese 1 clove garlic Salt and pepper to season
Method: 1. Cut the calamari into rings, before marinating in a teaspoon of garlic, a teaspoon of turmeric (spice), the grated ginger and the juice of one lemon. Leave for 2 hours. 2. Dip the calamari rings into some flour and deep fry. 3. For the tomato sauce, sauté the onions and the garlic and add the tin of plum tomatoes. Add 1 bay leaf, a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of Tabasco sauce to taste. Season with salt and pepper. 4. Bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes, than blend to a sauce. 5. For the pesto, place all ingredients in a bowl and liquidise, season well.
Bagel Bar, Laurence Town Centre Ph: 041 9837631
This Voucher entitles the bearer to a FREE Tea or Coffee with any purchase on Sundays in April
This Voucher entitles the bearer to a FREE Tea or Coffee with any purchase on Mondays in April
This Voucher entitles the bearer to a FREE Tea or Coffee with any purchase on Tuesdays in April
This Voucher entitles the bearer to a FREE Tea or Coffee with any purchase on Wednesdays in April
SEE OUR BLACKBOARD FOR GREAT DAILY SPECIALS
Email: thegolfbag@eircom.net
✁
Voucher
✁
New store 14 North Quay, opposite Scotch Hall Foot Bridge
Voucher
Ingredients: 6 pears Sangria Litre of orange juice ½ litre of red wine Shot of brandy
Cup of brown sugar Cinnamon Cloves Lemons
Chocolate Sauce: 2 cups of cream to 1 cup of chocolate 1 espresso (coffee) Ice cream
Method: 1. Peel the pears and slice off the bottom so they can sit upright. Take the core out of the pear, place the pears in the sangria mixture and bring to the boil. Simmer for one hour. When the pears are tender reduce the liquid by half. 2. For the chocolate sauce, heat up your cream before adding the chocolate and espresso. Combine the mixture.
✁
Poached Pear in Sangria (Serves 6)
20% OFF Clothing
10% OFF Equipment
Voucher FREE Custom Fit.
Must be booked in advance. Vouchers valid until 30th April 2010 and must be produced at time of purchase. EXCLUDES ITEMS ON SALE
To serve: Stuff the poached pear with ice cream, sit the pear on the chocolate sauce, and pour the reduced liquid on top of the poached pear.
Drogheda
37
Business
‘
Small Talk with Oliver Levins
Describe your day-to-day role? Running a hotel is like managing a small town – it is completely self sufficient and every day is different. We have an energetic and highly motivated team who are committed to delivering excellence in service no matter what. How did you go about becoming a hotel manager? I started my training as a hotel manager at the age of 16. After working in a number of hotels, I moved to restaurant management and then into sales. From sales I ran a soft drinks and bottled beer firm before buying a grocery shop in my native Duleek. I returned to my first love (hotels that is!) in 2002, as Deputy Manager at the Boyne Valley Hotel. What is your work style? Hands on – I lead by doing! Do you have any pet hates in the workplace? Attitude is extremely important. A positive attitude is the most valuable asset any member of
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General Manager, Boyne Valley Hotel staff could have. Therefore, my pet hate is people who bring a poor attitude to their workplace. What was your first job and how much did you earn? I worked as a trainee hotel manager in the glory days of the Il Mulino, earning a princely £7 per week. What is your greatest professional achievement? Hotels really are my passion so to be appointed General Manager of the Boyne Valley Hotel was a great achievement for me. Who do you most admire in business? Service is a very important part of who I am and as a result I am a huge admirer of Feargal Quinn. Feargal used his dedication to service and his attention-to-detail to build a very strong retail brand that enjoys tremendous loyalty from its customers. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned over the years? Don’t assume that someone else has it covered. What is your favourite hotel and why? The Europa Hotel in Belfast – it is a fine establishment, has great service and very welcoming staff. I also admire the resilience that the hotel has – it suffered so much
during the troubles in the North yet they always held their heads high and maintained their superb standards. Has the current economic climate changed your spending habits? Yes – I was always conscious of quality, but now I also look out for value as well as quality. What was the last thing you ‘googled’? The 1911 Census – it’s fascinating what you can find out about your own people from this historical record. Do you ‘tweet’? The Boyne Valley Hotel recently just joined Twitter and I never realised how much we have to say. Type ‘BoyneValley’ into the search bar to follow us on Twitter. You can also find us on Facebook. Is there any technology you refuse to use? No – I love technological developments and it never ceases to amaze me how much they enhance our lives. What mobile phone do you use and what network are you with? I use an LG phone and am a Meteor customer. Do you have a mantra in life? Let’s just do it! Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? Running the premier hotel in Drogheda!
NEWS
Drogheda Businesses in Crisis meeting Drogheda & District Chamber of Commerce are pleased to report that the ‘Businesses in Crisis’ meeting which was held on Tuesday, March 9th at the Barbican Centre, William Street, Drogheda was a huge success with almost 250 local business owners and managers in attendance to hear the information collated by the Chamber of Commerce and to voice their own concerns and experiences to the meeting, as well as proffer their own ideas on solutions to assist businesses facing these unprecedented challenges locally. Speaking after the meeting, President Patricia Rooney said: ‘We have been inundated with correspondence following the meeting offering congratulations and support for the initiative we took as a Chamber and other words of encouragement. We have also received a great number of really practical solutions to bring forward in our action plan that we are currently drafting.’
Music
Friday 9th April 9pm €12
Ms Rooney continued: ‘The Chamber Council met again on Wednesday night to go over the minutes of the meeting and consider the next steps in the fight to assist our businesses locally to stay afloat over the coming months and bring some hope back to the area economically.’ On the night, Drogheda & District Chamber presented the results of a Member Business Survey which has attracted national media coverage, due to the stark nature of some of the statistics, (see below).
ber Become a mem
ber contact 041To join the Cham k out our website ec ch or 4 983354 chamber.com for da on www.droghe d news. daily updates an
Padraic Kierans, Chair of the Chamber Finance Committee, confirmed it was the Drogheda & District Chamber of Commerce’s intention to convene another meeting in the next couple of months to report on progress. He stated: ‘Our success lays within our own hands as a business community – we have started a process and it is incumbent on us to maintain it, and remain focused and united, and we look forward to seeing that support continue to flow from our colleagues in the manner it began at the BIC meeting.’
Does your business employ less people than this time last year? Yes: 53.1% No: 46.9% Has your business been forced to put employees on short time? Yes: 46.9% No: 53.1% Did your business incur losses in your most recent financial year? Yes: 65.4% No: 34.6% Do you think trading conditions will improve in 2010? Yes: 38.3% No: 61.7% Are you behind in payments to any of: Creditors/Banks/Revenue? Yes: 40.7% No: 59.3% Do you think the rates payable to your Local Authority are too high? Yes: 86.4% No: 13.6% What % of the current Rateable Valuation can you afford to pay? 50% Do you think your business will employ less people in the next year? Yes: 39.5% No: 60.5% Are you confident your business will survive 2010 as it currently exists? Yes: 64.2% No: 35.8%
Music
Irish African Blues Tour Saturday 10th April 9pm €20/€18
Aerial Dance Show
Jazz
Madam Silk by Fidget Feet Dance Company
Wednesday 14th April 9pm €18/€15
Tuesday 25th May 8.30pm €20/€18
Film
ÄST JS\I ZPS]LY ZJYLLU Event: Type: Date: Time:
Cloud 9 Film Club Tuesday 30th March 8pm
booking number: 041 9833946 www.droichead.com
Event: Type: Date: Time:
Sunshine Cleaning Film Club Tuesday 6th April 8pm
Calculate online all the
€100’s
you can save with a Monthly or Annual Commuter Ticket. That should add a smile to your face.
Go to TaxSaver.ie and see exactly what you’ll save on your train fare.
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Arts & Culture
what’s on in
April
Jack L & The Electric Gospel Choir Saturday, April
3rd, 8pm, The TL T Concert Hall & Theatre Jack L comes to Drogheda with The Electric Gospel Choir in what promises to be a very special night! Jack L was recently nominated for ‘Male Vocalist Of The Year’ at The Meteor Awards, which is a long overdue honour for surely the greatest contemporary voice in Ireland today? This will be a show to remember! Tickets €25, www.thetlt.ie
Paula Flynn Friday, April 9th, 9pm, Droichead Arts Centre Miss Paula Flynn began listening to country music when she was growing up in Forkhill, South Armagh. She bridges the divides between Hank Williams and Bjork, with songs that love a good story and come delivered in her trademark sultry vocal style. She released her critically acclaimed debut album in 2009 and is now working on its successor. Tickets €12, www. droichead.com
GoGoshka..K
Saturday, April 17th, 8.30pm, Droichead Arts Centre Laytown artist GoGoshKa returns to the Droichead with another cracking show, along with her fabulous band and dancers. Performing music genres such as classical crossover, boogie woogie piano along with some of her own compositions, it’s easy to see why GoGoshKa qualified for the 2010 All Ireland Talent Show finals. A mixture of live band, backing tracks and a Grand Piano on stage makes for a fast moving and enjoyable show. Tickets €15, www.droichead.com
Exhibition
Ten Miles Round by Jack Nickerson, Highlanes Gallery, continues until April 21st Ten Miles Round is an exhibition of new work by artist Jackie Nickerson. The exhibition is a portrait of a rural community in Co. Louth where the artist lives. This exhibition has been supported by the Louth County Art Office and there will be an illustrated lecture presented by Martin McCabe, DTI-Grad CAM Fellow on Saturday, April 10th at 2pm. Booking is advisable. Visit www.highlanes.ie
The Monster Roadshow
Monday, April 5th, The TL T Concert Hall & Theatre The Monster Roadshow is Ireland’s freshest underage tour, offering a secure environment for young people aged between 14 and 17 to get together and be entertained by Ireland’s biggest name DJs, dancers and entertainers. The show features rapper and singer, Proud, who has opened for the likes of Rihanna and the Westwood Party, top DJs Dave Scott and Alan Clarke and the F/X Dancers. There will be loads of giveaways on the night with plenty to go round. A strict no alcohol policy applies. Tickets for each show will be available on the door. For more details check out www.bebo.com/monsterR6
Edward Simon Trio
Wednesday, April 14th, 9pm, Droichead Arts Centre Originally from Venezuela and now living in the US, virtuoso pianist Edward Simon grew up in a family of musicians, surrounded by the sounds and rhythms of Latin and Caribbean music. While Edward may be considered as part of a new generation of ‘multilingual’musicians who have grown up studying classical, jazz and Latin American music, he is inventing a language that transcends any rigid genre. Edward is joined here by renowned international Irish jazz musicians Michael Coady (bass) and Stephen Keogh (drums). Tickets €18, www.droichead.com
Keith Barry
Sunday, April 18th, 8pm, The TL T Concert Hall & Theatre Following on from his sold-out January tour Keith Barry is back with his brand new show, The Asylum! The Asylum is unsuitable for young kids as there is adult themed material and some language in the show. The show, which involves lots of audience participation, has seen almost 80 people take part in any one show with a record of 67 people on the stage with Keith all at the one time! Prepare to be shocked… Tickets €30, www.thetlt.ie
Films @ the Droichead
- Tuesday, 6th April, 8pm:
Sunshine Cleaning: (2009, 91mins) €6 per screening, season ticket €30 - Tuesday, 13th April, 8pm:
The Black Balloon Film Club (2008, 97mins)€6 per screening, Season
Ticket €30
- Tuesday, 20th April, 8pm: Broken Embraces, (Spain 2009, 91mins) - Tuesday, 27th April, 8pm:
The Grocer’s Son (France 2008, 96mins)
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Entertainment
the
punt 51 Fair Street, Drogheda Phone: 041-9847868
April Specials
All Pints �3.50 til 8pm! Live Music Every Saturday Night Seisiún Every Monday Night Function Room Available Best Party Deals Available
McPhails OFF-LICENSE & BAR 8 & 9 Laurence Street, Drogheda
LATE BAR Every Sat in April Sat 3rd: Seducers Sun 4th: Electric Avenue Late Fri 9th: McPhails Axe FactoBar r Part of the Irish Guitar Fest
ival
Sat 10th: Soprano’s Fri 16th: Big Generator Late Bar Sat 17th: Juicer Sat 24th: Catch 22
BEER GARDEN LIVE MUSIC
Thurs-Mon Every Week
SHOWING ALL MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS
Where Olde World meets New! 42
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EVENT GUIDE 30th March 2010 3rd April 2010 5th April 2010 7th April 2010 8th April 2010
Dearbhla Collins & Guests,Tickets `15.00 Jack L & The Electric Gospel Choir,Tickets `25.00 Monster Road Show,Tickets `15.00 (Teenage Disco) Paul Brady,Tickets `36.50 Preston Reed,Ed Gerhard,Eduardo Niebla, (Part of the Irish Guitar Festival),Tickets `20.00
9th April 2010 Freddie White, Andy Irvine,John Cruz, (Part of the Irish Guitar Festival),Tickets `20.00 10th April 2010 Jimmy Smyth & Kirkland present “Allstars” (Part of the Irish Guitar Festival),Tickets `20.00 23rd April 2010 Keith Barry, Tickets `30.00 23rd April 2010 Gift Grub Live, Sold Out 24th April 2010 Gift Grub Live, Sold Out A `2 service charge may apply
Other ticket destinations: Sound shop 041 9831078 Cdworld Drogheda 041 9833879 Cdworld Dundalk 042 9352529 Musicman Cavan 049 4332131 Finlays Ardee 041 6856505 McConnons Monaghan 047 81961 East Coast Business Park, Matthews Lane, Drogheda, Co Louth Ph: +353 (0)41 9878560 Fax: +353 (0)41 6849906 Email: info@thetlt.ie Web: www.thetlt.ie
Entertainment
The Mariner 6 North Quay, Drogheda Tel: 041 9837401
BAR & FOOD
Food served from 10am - 5pm Monday - Saturday Parties catered for on request
Sat 3rd April DJ James Le ec
h
Easter Sunday 4th April Music by Niall Boyle
Food like your Mother used to make!
Lunch Served 12-3pm Mon. - Sun. Evening Menu - Sat. & Sun. 5-8.30pm. Traditional Music Every Tuesday Night. Outside catering for Parties. 48 Trinity Street, Drogheda. Tel: 041 9834891
All Major Sporting Events Live on The Big Screen
Mullen’s
CAFFREY
COACH AND MINI BUS HIRE
CABS
Our Fleet:
@ Boyne Valley Hotel Drogheda TUESDAYS Total Beginners > 8-9pm Bachata > 9-10pm
Taxis Hackneys 8 to 14 Seater Buses Fully Wheelchair Accessible Buses O
O
O
Specialising in: Corporate Travel Group Tours and Day Excursions Primary and Nursery School Trips Corporate events (multiple coaches) Hen & Stag Parties Concert and sporting events and more!
O
O
O
THURSDAYS Improvers > 8-9pm Intermediates > 9-10pm
O
57, 41, 33, 18, 14 Seaters
O
24 Hour Service
O
O
Tel: 041 9832244 041 9833502
Salsa Club from 10pm Pay as you go
Only E10 /Class Class + Club > E10 Club > E5 Private classes on request Contact Frank: 087 0613590 Email: salsa.sensation@hotmail.com Website: www.salsasensation.ie
www.mullen.ie 087 2902669
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Dates for your diary EVENTS Thurs 1st April
McPhails: Enemies Boyles of Slane: No Fool’s Day. Featuring: Mama’s of Sadness (DK) Murphys Law and many others. 8pm Boyne Valley Hotel: Salsa Sensation Classes. Improvers 8pm9pm. Intermediates 9pm-10pm. Salsa Club from 10pm. Class: €10 Class + Club: €10 Club: €5. Contact Frank 087-0613590
Monster Road Show. Under-age Disco. Tickets: €15 Newgrange Farm: Easter Egg Hunt Boyne Valley Hotel: County Craft and Food Fair. Doors open 10am until 5pm. Entry Fee: Adults €2. Children under 16 FREE. Entry fee includes free entry to a draw to win €50 in cash to spend on anything you like.
€10 Class + Club: €10 Club: €5. Contact Frank 087-0613590 Design D’Looks, Stockwell Street: Open Evening. All welcome to come along and see the fabulous range of nearly new second-hand clothing and accessories. 6pm-8pm.
Sun 11th April
Fri 9th April
McPhails: Monday Club The Punt: Seisiun Westcourt Hotel: Bridge (evening)
McPhails: McPhails Axe Factor (Irish Guitar Festival) d Hotel: Enemies Fairyhouse: Easter Racing d Hotel: Guitar Festival Festival TL T Concert Hall & Theatre: TL T Concert Hall & Theatre: Droichead Arts Centre: Jack L & The Electric Gospel Freddie White, Andy Irvine, John Sunshine Cleaning Film Club. Choir. Tickets: €25 Cruz. Part of the Irish Guitar Stockwell Street Theatre. €6 per Boyne Valley Hotel: Genesis Festival. Tickets: €20 screening. Season Ticket €30 Singles Club. 8.30pm Droichead Arts Centre: Paula Scotch Hall: Tuesday Club. The Mariner: DJ James Leech Special Interactive kids workshops. Flynn. Stockwell Street Theatre. McPhails: Seducers. Late Bar Tickets €12 FREE parking, special discounts, The Punt: Live Music Laurence Town Centre: Matt Boyles of Slane: Relax The 80’s demonstrations and more. To join Dillon Photography Launches visit the Customer Information Band Happy Faces 2010 in Drogheda. Desk on Level 1. Scotch Hall: Giant Easter Bunny People are invited to have their Foleys: Traditional Music Hunt & Easter Art Workshop. Boyne Valley Hotel: Salsa portrait taken (€25) and help raise Enjoy a fun filled afternoon at the Sensation Classes. Total Beginners money for vital isolation facilities for 4th Annual LINDT Chocolate 8pm-9pm. Bachata 9pm-10pm. people living with Cystic Fibrosis. Easter Bunny Hunt. Contact Frank 087-0613590 Happy Faces 2010 runs from April Newgrange Farm: Easter Egg Westcourt Hotel: Bridge 1st - 18th in locations all over Ireland. Hunt (evening) All the photographers involved are Parish Rooms, Julianstown: providing their services free of charge Salsa Fever Classes. Improvers: Fairyhouse: Easter Racing and all funds raised will go directly to 8.15pm – 9.15pm. Beginners: Festival 9.15pm-10.15pm. Contact Maura: the CFAI. The Mariner: Niall Boyle McPhails: Electric Avenue. Late 087-2794585 Bar d Hotel: Joe Kearns Boyles of Slane: Mowhawk Jeff. d Hotel: Guitar Festival TL T Concert Hall & Theatre: 8pm Glenside Hotel: Oriel Zone Paul Brady. Tickets: €36.50 Newgrange Farm: Easter Egg Indoor Bowling League Awards. d Hotel: Guitar Festival Hunt Westcourt Hotel: Bridge (evening) Tickets €30. Contact Eugene Boyne Valley Hotel: County McKenna 041-9831843 Meal Craft and Food Fair. Doors open starts @ 8.30pm. 10am until 5pm. Entry Fee: Adults McPhails: Sopranos. Late Bar TL T Concert Hall & Theatre: €2. Children under 16 FREE. The Punt: Live Music Preston Reed / Ed Gerhard / Entry fee includes free entry to a Boyles of Slane: Custers Last Eduardo Niebla. Part of the Irish draw to win €50 in cash to spend Band Guitar Festival. Tickets: €20 on anything you like. TL T Concert Hall & Theatre: d Hotel: PJ Gallagher with support act & DJ til late. Doors: Jimmy Smyth & Kirkland present 8pm. Tickets: €18.50 ‘Allstars’. Part of the Irish Guitar Fairyhouse: Easter Racing d Hotel: Guitar Festival Festival. Tickets: €20 Festival - Grand National McPhails: Enemies Droichead Arts Centre: World Westcourt Hotel: Keith Boyles of Slane: Gemma Hayes. Music Antonio Breschi Consuelo McDonald and his Showband in 8pm concert Nerea & Gabin Dabire. Stockwell Westcourt Hotel: Bridge (evening) Boyne Valley Hotel: Salsa Street Theatre. Tickets: €20 / €18 Sensation Classes. Improvers 8pm- Laurence Town Centre: Matt McPhails: Monday Club 9pm. Intermediates 9pm-10pm. The Punt: Seisiun Dillon Photography Happy Faces Salsa Club from 10pm. Class: TL T Concert Hall & Theatre: 2010
Sat 3rd April
Tues 6th April
Sun 4th April
Wed 7th April
Thurs 8th April
BH- Mon 5th April
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Sat 10th Apr
McPhails: Live Music d Hotel: Guitar Festival Laurence Town Centre: Matt Dillon Photography Happy Faces 2010
Mon 12th April
Tues 13th April
Droichead Arts Centre: The Black Balloon Film Club. Stockwell Street Theatre. Tickets: €6 per screening, Season Ticket €30 Foleys: Traditional Music Boyne Valley Hotel: Salsa Sensation Classes. Total Beginners 8pm-9pm. Bachata 9pm-10pm. Contact Frank 087-0613590 Westcourt Hotel: Fair Eire Events Road Show Westcourt Hotel: Bridge (evening) Parish Rooms, Julianstown: Salsa Fever Classes. Improvers: 8.15pm – 9.15pm. Beginners: 9.15pm-10.15pm. Contact Maura: 087-2794585
Wed 14th April
Droichead Arts Centre: Edward Simon Trio. Stockwell Street Theatre. Tickets: €18 / €15 Westcourt Hotel: Fair Eire Events Road Show Westcourt Hotel: Bridge (evening)
Thurs 15th April
Boyne Valley Hotel: Salsa Sensation Classes. Improvers 8pm9pm. Intermediates 9pm-10pm. Salsa Club from 10pm. Class: €10 Class + Club: €10 Club: €5. Contact Frank 087-0613590 Glenside Hotel: Coffee Morning in aid of Jack & Jill Foundation & S.O.F.T. Ireland. Admission €4. 10am – 12.30pm. Raffle tickets will be on sale. Fundraising in memory of Lily May Stanley, Darren Mellows Guildea & Ellen Butler.
Westcourt Hotel: Fair Eire Events Road Show McPhails: Enemies
Fri 16th April
d Hotel: Roy Taylor d Hotel: The Wee Trekkers.
email your event details to info@essentialdrogheda.com
All entries correct at time of going to press but may be subject to change. Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this listing, however no liability can be accepted for errors or omissions. Check with venues.
Focus Ireland Four Peaks Challenge. Raising funds for the homeless in Ireland. Fundraising 80’s Night. Charity Auction, DJ, Raffle & Spot Prizes. From 8.30pm. Tickets €10 available from Team Members & Drogheda Independent Office or contact 087-2441989
9pm. Intermediates 9pm-10pm. Salsa Club from 10pm. Class: €10 Class + Club: €10 Club: €5. Contact Frank 087-0613590 McPhails: Enemies
Fri 23rd April
d Hotel: Enemies McPhails: Big Generator. Late Bar Westcourt Hotel: Charity Night featuring Electric Avenue in aid Bru: Electric Avenue. 9pm of ABACAS, Drogheda Women’s The Barbican: Nob Nation – Comedy Night in aid of St. Oliver Refuge and Drogheda Special Plunkett’s GFC. 8pm. Tickets €25 Needs Group. McPhails: Nookie available at The Barbican. Tel.: 041-9807416
Sat 17th April
Redz: Thee Place & Redz 90’s Reunion Night from 8pm. d Hotel: Taboo Droichead Arts Centre: GoGoshka...K. Stockwell Street Theatre. Tickets: €15 / €12 McPhails: Juicer. Late Bar The Punt: Live Music
Sun 18th April
Sat 24th April
d Hotel: Joe Kearns McPhails: Catch 22. Late Bar. The Punt: Live Music
Sun 25th April
d Hotel: Traditional Irish Music McPhails: Live Music
LABFITNESS
BOOTCAMP IS BACK!!
Join the best bootcamp around for the best shape of your life!! no gimmicks, just pure military style fitness.
6 week course 3 mornings per week (mon/wed/fri) 6.30 AM to 7.30 AM Includes Navy Seal TRX training!!!
Only 10 places left for more info or to book log onto www.labfitness.com or 0876314752
Mon 26th April
McPhails: Monday Club The Punt: Seisiun Westcourt Hotel: Bridge (evening)
TL T Concert Hall & Theatre: Keith Barry. Tickets: €30 d Hotel: Traditional Irish Music McPhails: Christy Moore Tribute Droichead Arts Centre: The Grocers Son Film Club. Stockwell (Liam Byrne) Street Theatre. Tickets: €6 per screening. Season Ticket €30 Boyne Valley Hotel: Salsa McPhails: Monday Club Sensation Classes. Total Beginners The Punt: Seisiun Westcourt Hotel: Bridge (evening) 8pm-9pm. Bachata 9pm-10pm. Contact Frank 087-0613590 Foleys: Traditional Music Droichead Arts Centre: Broken Parish Rooms, Julianstown: Salsa Fever Classes. Improvers: Embraces Film Club. Stockwell 8.15pm – 9.15pm. Beginners: Street Theatre. Tickets: €6 per 9.15pm-10.15pm. Contact Maura: screening. Season Ticket €30 087-2794585 Foleys: Traditional Music Boyne Valley Hotel: Salsa Sensation Classes. Total Beginners Boyles of Slane: The Dublin 8pm-9pm. Bachata 9pm-10pm. City Ramblers Contact Frank 087-0613590 Westcourt Hotel: Bridge (evening) Boyne Valley Hotel: Salsa Sensation Classes. Improvers 8pmParish Rooms, Julianstown: 9pm. Intermediates 9pm-10pm. Salsa Fever Classes. Improvers: Salsa Club from 10pm. Class: 8.15pm – 9.15pm Beginners: 9.15pm-10.15pm. Contact Maura: €10 Class + Club: €10 Club: €5. Contact Frank 087-0613590 087-2794585
Tues 27th April
Mon 19th April
Tues 20th April
New Spring Arrivals from
Thurs 29th Apr
Wed 21st April
Westcourt Hotel: Bridge (evening)
Thurs 22nd April
Boyne Valley Hotel: Salsa Sensation Classes. Improvers 8pm-
Are You In It?
NOW IN STOCK
Fri 30th Apr
Redz: Comedy Club from 8pm d Hotel: Roy Taylor Drogheda Arts Festival: Various Venues. Starts today and runs until Monday 3rd May
12 Dyer Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth. Tel: 041 - 9846226 Fax: 041 - 9846227 www.chriscurtis.ie info@chriscurtis.ie
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interview
The Best of
Everything
with Munster and Irish rugby player
Niall Ronan Best thing about moving from Leinster to Munster: It has to be the fact that I have had a lot of game time since I have arrived in Munster.
Best read: Paul McGrath’s autobiography, Back from the Brink.
Best Munster moment: Munster v The All Blacks was an incredible game to be involved in. In all my years playing I have never experienced an atmosphere like it. Best try you ever scored: The try I scored against Clermont in Thomond Park in the European Cup. It was a chip and chase. Best Ireland game you’ve ever played: Well, I have only represented the senior team twice. So it has got to be my first senior Ireland cap against Canada in Vancouver. It was magic! Best career advice: Always have confidence in your own ability and grab your chances when they come round. Sound advice is always worth listening to and I have been lucky with all of these, particularly the support and encouragement that I have received from my parents.
Best film: The Hangover. It’s absolutely hilarious! The plot follows four friends who travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party, only to wake up the next morning not remembering a thing and missing the groom, whose wedding is scheduled to occur the next day.
and go to the dogs when it’s possible. I also like to Sky Plus Manchester United when they play, if I don’t see them live, and then watch them on TV. Best thing about being a child of the Eighties: Freedom and no responsibilities. They were my memories anyway, of growing up with all my friends and family. They were great times. Best thing about being in your twenties: Being lucky enough to have your own independence, good friends, doing something you love for a living and being fortunate to have enough money to enjoy life.
Best drink: Coors Light. Best snack: Chicken fajitas. Best way to unwind Best restaurant: La Pizzeria in Drogheda. The food after a never lets you down! match: Chill out Best hobby: Watching with my soccer. Particularly girlfriend Manchester United.
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Best hideaway: Greece. It’s a fabulous place to relax and one of my favourite places to go when I need a break.
Whitworth Casino
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Whitworth Casino is delighted to announce the opening of its New Poker Room on Thursday, 11th March. Open every Thursday to Sunday from 8.00pm till late. For details call 041 9833246 Whitworth Hall, 22 Laurence Street, Drogheda.
NITECLUB Stockwell St., Drogheda
Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday Doors Open 11.30pm
THE ONLY NITECLUB IN THE NORTH EAST OPEN ON A MONDAY
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