The Rural Hub Community eNews - Issue 3 by johnny.ruralhub

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COMMUNITY

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Social Mornings and Educational Rural Afternoons Hub

THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS 1 8-PAGE COMIC INSIDE

at The Rural Hub in Virginia

Check out the full programme on the back page

NEWS

ON WITHRural THE Hub SHOW

Vol.1, Issue 3 Online Version, 2020

V I R G I N I A l B A L LY J A M E S D U F F l O L D C A S T L E

Published by The Rural Hub, Virginia

COVID-19 UPDATE The

The fact that the online edition of the newspaper requires this update, just days after the paper version hit the streets, is a sign of how drastically and rapidly everything has changed. Just It’s weeks been ago we looked from afar at the spread of the virus in China. Now it is here and we must make radical changes years in68the way we live our everyday lives to keep ourselves well since it first and, most importantly, protect the most vulnerable members of ourtocommunity. took the The

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boards toHub offices will be closed until such times as it is The Rural n ASand WE GO TO PRESS, Ballyjamesduff, well as the towns considered responsible to re-open.asThe Rural Hub entertain safe and villages around, is a-buzz with expectation. As newspaNews will not be published in paper form during this period. newsfeeds seem full of doom and gloom, Frolics – the the local pers and However, the team will continue tomusic, workcomedy remotely and our aim annual “sparkling revue of and dance” – takes to the stageeditions once moreof for the its 68th glorious year. newspapers. community, is to provide digital forthcoming The variety show, that takes place its own. As Katie Curran, public reSo, you haveinnews, any tips for staying sane from the ‘cabin andif now St Joseph’s Hall in Ballyjamesduff, lations officer for Ballyjamesduff fever’ of beinghas atbeen home or,helpers, indeed, anything that might keep attracting cast, muMusical Society points out: “It’s FROLICS sicians and, most importantly, audi- simply a great variety show and our readers smiling and lessen the anxiety of these extreme ences for generations and, with the it’s live!” We got along to the dress times, do sendaverage them person in to:under news.ruralhub@gmail.com a bombard- rehearsal and, on our centre page IS BACK IN TOWN!

ment of entertainment options from social media and on-demand television services, Frolics is more than holding

PICTURE FEATURE Centre Pages

spread, bring you a photo special on this event that has become an integral part of local culture.

They’ve saved 9000 animals! – Pages 6 & 7

Virginia in line for free WiFi

2 THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS

n TWELVE COMMUNITY CENTRES in Cavan are to be set up as Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) under a joint initiative funded by the EU and the Irish Government.

EDITORIAL COMMENT news.ruralhub@gmail.com

n THERE HAS BEEN much written in recent times about the demise of rural towns and the closure of rural businesses. Our work on the ground in Virginia at The Rural Hub would suggest that there is a significant and vibrant antidote lurking within our own communities. The

Rural Hub

Women in business is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a new concept or even a new trend. Since the days of Florence Nightingale and before, women have played a significant role in local and national economies. When we offered entrepreneurship training for women at The Rural Hub, we were overwhelmed with the response. We really had no idea how many women were actually engaged in or interested in starting or developing their own business. From IT to craftwork; the arts to artisan food production; from holistic therapy to general health and well-being, Virginia, Oldcastle and Ballyjamesduff are alive with budding women entrepreneurs. One thing that all women we met said is that they would love to have a network of like-minded women in their local area. To support them in developing their businesses we are establishing a new women’s business network. The launch of this network will take place at 7.00pm on Friday 6th March at The Rural Hub on Main Street in Virginia. All are welcome.

Noeleen Land

Mike Keegan

Rural Hub

The

Philip Land

Future In Perspective

Sarah Keegan

The

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This publication is printed on recycled paper

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Rural Hub l Daniel Peeters, Broadband Officer for Cavan

Broadband Officers are also developing Digital Strategies for each local authority area and these will enable communities to make full use of digital technology in their daily lives. The role of the Broadband Officer is of vital importance as a local point of contact for industry and the public regarding telecoms issues. Daniel can be reached on 0879201623 or by email dpeeters@cavancoco.ie

Rural OVERCOMING Hub THE TRAUMA OF MATHS The

The

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These public locations will receive high-speed connectivity in the first year of the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan and will enable people living in the area to go to the selected location and access broadband for daily use including remote working, general access and even keeping in touch with family and friends abroad through video calling. “Successful applications have been submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development and funds in excess of €500,000 have been secured under the Digital Innovation Programme established to support Local Authority led projects that test digital solutions to local issues or address digital deficiencies,” according to Daniel Peeters, the Broadband Officer for Cavan. “The funding secured will support actions ranging from infrastructure projects, to life saving uses of digital technology; cultural promotion and tourism initiatives; to scientific research and smart street furniture”.

n QUADRATIC EQUATIONS. Pythagoras theorem. Matrices. Can you feel a slight trickle of fear? Does the thoughts of differential equations or statistics give you feelings of trepidation? For may people this may be the case. Mathematical anxiety is an issue for adults and children alike. How often do we say, or hear others saying: “I was never very good at maths” or “maths was never my strong suit”? This sort of attitude to your abilities in maths affects, not only your own well-being, but also that of your children. A study by TIMSS in 2015 showed that approximately 50% of secondary school students suffer from ‘mathematics anxiety’, beginning in the home and growing in the classroom. While steps have been taken to change the curriculum of maths in Ireland, with the introduction of Applied Maths at different levels, there are still large numbers of students that struggle with mathematics. Maths is at the core of all STEM subjects and is vital for students

who are looking to develop their future careers in the STEM areas. The IMAS project, also known as the ‘Increasing Mathematical Attainment in School’ project, aims to improve the success of mathematical teaching in schools. The sole focus of this project is to help teachers to engage students at all levels in the world of mathematics. To do this, we will develop an online e-learning platform that will contain hundreds of teaching resources for teachers to use to further the understanding of their students.

TECHNIQUES

The project will also work to create new teaching techniques for mathematics and provide in-service training as well. To find out more information, please feel free to contact Claire Beggs at clairebeggs.fipl@ gmail.com.

THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS 3

Masterclasses will form part of Summer Trad Fest

n BUILDING UPON the phenomenal success of November’s inaugural Owenie Traynor Fleadh Cheoil Weekend, May 22-24 is to see a who’s who of musicians descend upon Oldcastle for the Owenie Traynor Anniversary Summer Trad Fest. YOUNG

“The Fleadh Cheoil in November was more popular than we could have imagined,” said Martin ‘Speedy’ Smith of Owen Traynor’s Bar, “and one of the most gratifying things about it was the number of young musicians who showed up and took part.”

MASTERCLASSES

This interest from younger trad musicians is being acknowledged in the upcoming summer fest with a series of masterclasses in fiddle, accordian, tin whistle and banjo. Traynors is well established as one of the region’s key focal points for trad musicians and Ann Traynor Flynn points out that she is keen to see up-and-coming talent nurtured.

EXCITEMENT

“Traditional music and dance is at the heart of our culture but it’s something that we can’t take for granted,” she said. “We’ve got the line-up pretty much sorted at this point, and it’s been great to see how quickly the musicians have come on board – especially those who took part in November’s Fleadh Cheoil

Exclusive by

DECLAN CASSIDY l WELL RECEIVED: November’s Owenie Traynor Fleadh Cheoil Weekend was a huge success Weekend. Having seen how special that was, there’s a lot of excitement around May’s summer event with the hope of longer evenings and, fingers crossed, a bit of decent weather.” With the festival taking place in summer, to mark the second anni-

MASTERCLASSES

Trad Fest Line-Up

OWENIE TRAYNOR Summer Trad Fest

Places limited so book at 087 2046624

for beginners and players alike

hand to feed hungry stomachs. The November fleadh cheoil saw almost 3,000 euro raised for Ballinacree National School and, once more, all proceeds from May’s summer festival will go to support the school.

You heard it here first! We got a sneak-peak and this is how it looked...

for the development of young players at the

FIDDLE BANJO ACCORDIAN TIN WHISTLE

versary of Owen Traynor’s passing, an outdoor stage area is being built so that those attending the weekend can chose between acts performing in the bar or on the stage outside. While good trad music feeds the soul, hotdogs and burgers will be on

KED

LEA

FRIDAY, MAY 22 Inside Bar 6-8pm Cup of Tea Trad Band 8-10pm B & G Ceili Band 10pm-12 Lough Crew Ceili Band Outside Stage 7-9pm Open mic 9-11pm Ragairi 12-close Open Session

SATURDAY, MAY 23 Inside Back Bar Masterclasses 11-1 and 2-4 Inside Bar 4-6pm Flynn Family Band and Smith Boylan Academy of Irish Dancing 6-8pm Na Fir Sneachta Trad Band 8-10pm Pat Tierney 10pm-12 The Farrellys Trad Band Outside Stage 7-9pm Open mic 9-11pm Mad for Trad

SUNDAY, MAY 24 Inside Back Bar Masterclasses 11-1 and 2-4 Inside Bar 4-6pm The Durkan Trad Family and Smith Boylan Academy of Irish Dancing 6-8pm The Lasair Trad Band 8-10pm The Martin Cadden Trad Band Outside Stage 7-9pm Open mic 9-close Black Shamrock Trad Band

4 THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS

ENVIRONMENT

Help sought to focus on climate action!

n THE AVERAGE AIR temperature in Ireland has increased about almost one degree Celsius since 1900, according to a recent report from the Ministry of Communication, Climate Action and Environment. That may seem insignificant until we look at the consequences – for instance, the severe flooding that wreaked havoc across the country early this year, the decrease in the annual number of frost days or the extension of growing season. On a global scale, the situation looks even more drastic.

Anglo Celt’s ‘Lucy’ honoured at Ramor

l Miriam Murphy and Vanessa Flood in “Birds of a Feather”, an hilarious show written by Louise Arnold, part of a recent night celebrating the life and works of LIFE WITH LUCY. Lucy wrote a weekly column in the Anglo Celt, also narrated on the night, including one by her sister Jackie. Pic: Lolita Black

The latest Global Climate Report from National Centers for Environmental Information named 2019 as the second warmest year on record with a 1.15 Celsius degree increase in global average temperature since 1900. Fires, droughts, hurricanes and floods are just examples of serious consequences of this seemingly insubstantial temperature rise. In the face of these and other effects of climate change, building awareness and spreading information on what can be done to act against the environmental crisis are essential steps. However they are no longer enough. Climate change is happening, and people need to adjust to it. “As individuals and as a civilisation we need to learn how to adapt to the impacts of climate change. We

Focus on finding answers!

n “YOUNG PEOPLE have done wonders to bring the climate crisis to everyone’s attention, but asking questions isn’t enough,” claims Declan Cassidy, a spokesperson for Solution Not Pollution, a transnational project set up to help in the climate action fight. “Young people now have to direct that same energy into helping to find the solutions. They can’t afford to simply complain and then leave it to the older generations.”

The ‘Solution Not Pollution’ project is a collaboration between organisations in Ireland, France, Germany and Czech Republic. “What young people have helped to create is a willingness to change the way we do things, but it can be hard for people to know what changes to make,” continued Cassidy. “This project is about providing information and creating tools that youth workers and the young people they work with can use to bring their enthusiasm, skills and bright ideas to the fight for climate reversal.”

YOUTH WORK

The Solution Not Pollution Project, funded by Leargas in Ireland under the Erasmus+ programme, has a two-year plan which will see the development of training and education resources which can be used in a youth work context to help build criti-

cal thinking and social entrepreneurship skills. “Climate action has to happen throughout society – from the individual making changes in her or his daily life to businesses and governments radically changing the way that they do things,” explained Cassidy. “Young people have clearly demonstrated that they have a crucial role to play and, with radical changes come opportunities. Part of the Solution Not Pollution project’s aim is to help identify social entrepreneurship opportunities and to support young people in being at the centre of a new, environmentally responsible future for our society and, ultimately, for our planet.” The Solution Not Pollution project lays on the belief that if we want to fight pollution, we need to undertake structured effective actions on an in-

dividual and collective level aiming at changing people’s habits, adopting more environmentally friendly patterns of production and consumption and finding solutions to the climate change challenge we all now face.

CHALLENGE

The project team believes that education has a critical role to play if the protests of young people are to be leveraged into action and youth work is the perfect starting point to set the challenge to today’s young people to think of solutions to reduce the many pollutions that contribute to the pace of climate change. To get in touch with us, to lend your support to the Solution Not Pollution campaign, you can find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/solutionnotpollutionproject or Instagram at: www.instagram.com/solutionnotpollution2020.

It’s not enough to protest, young people must take action

need to gain necessary knowledge and skills to protect our families, businesses, communities and ecosystems”, says the spokesperson of the Take It project, run in Virginia’s social development company Future in Perspective (FIP). “Understanding how our world is going to change in next years and decades is crucial. However, realising what the direct consequences of this transformation are going to be, and how we can tackle them is even more important.” Take It (Real-world Education to Boost Climate Change Adaptation) aims to support people in understanding and accepting climate change as well as preparing them to take appropriate adaptation actions. “There is a saying that education is the greatest weapon,” said the spokesperson. “This holds true in relation to climate change adaptation. In Take It we decided to firstly upskill educators, trainers and community workers in their knowledge and competencies, so they could later empower and encourage individuals to improve their behavioural patterns.” As a first step in the project, the international consortium of Take It conducted broad research to identify the socio-environmental impact of climate change in nine European countries – Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Spain, UK, Cyprus, Romania, Italy and Ireland. “To better understand the true core of the challenge, we analysed the national adaptation plans and goals in each of the countries.” The Take It spokesperson added. “Now, we are working on completing a broad report from our research. Based on the results, a training programme addressed to adult educators and trainers will be developed.” The Take It team in Virginia invites community members to support the development of the training materials and resources by joining the focus group of the project. Everyone interested in learning more about the project, adaptation strategy report or willing to join the focus group is invited to contact project team at justyna. fipl@gmail.com

Technology driving education

THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS 5

n CHANGE IS UNAVOIDABLE. In the 1990s TV was a great innovation that seemed to offer unlimited possibilities for education. By the 2000s, there was a TV in most of the classrooms in Ireland – standing in the corner and collecting dust. “The access and variety of technology is one of the most visible signs of change in education, especially in more flexible settings such as adult education”, says Justyna Król from The Rural Hub (TRH) – adult education and community development centre in Virginia. “The world of education and career preparation is changing in order to respond to shifting expectations of the world of work itself,” she concludes. According to the EU Digital Economy and Society Index 2018, Ireland is ranked at sixth place in Europe in terms of general digitisation. The progress made in recent years in terms of access to internet, connectivity, availability of digital public services and level of digital skills is outstanding compared to many European countries. On the other hand, still over half of the Irish adult population is lacking basic digital skills and over 12,000 job positions remain unfilled due to a lack of ICT competencies among candidates. “Adult education nowadays faces a big challenge. Educators not only need to popularise the use of technology for learning, but also ensure that digital tools used in teaching practices indeed support learning”, comments Justyna. “For these aims to be reached, the front-line adult educators need to have knowledge, skills and competence that will enable them to face challenges related to the modern, technology driven world. In cooperation with six organisations from different European countries, we decided to develop a project that will support adult educators in strengthening their digital skills”, she states referring to the “DigitALAD” project launched this November in Virginia’s Rural Hub. “Equipping adult educators with knowledge and skills relevant in the digital world is the main aim of the project. We are going to develop training tools to advance trainers’ digital competencies and ensure that they are confident using them in their everyday practice.” According to the spokesperson

Ireland is ranked at sixth place in Europe in terms of general digitisation of The Rural Hub, the project will also develop a series of gamified learning resources available for access on a specially designed e-learning space with a draft package to promote good

the practices and achievements of the project. If you are an adult educator, interested in the project, and would like to join a focus group to share your ex-

perience or ideas on digital skills and tools used in adult education, please contact the project team by sending an e-mail to justyna.ruralhub@gmail. com

New supports for adult learning

n “ADULT EDUCATION emerged from the vision for education for the individual and common good” – that’s according to Brid Connolly’s article for RTE about the importance of adult learning for equality and prosperity of communities in Ireland. The author noticed that learning experience so easily associated with young people, should also be an essential element of adult people’s lives. Learning, at any age brings a number of benefits not only for the individual persons but for the environment that they live in. One of the most important benefits of adult learning is supporting adaptation to the changing world, Connolly underlined. Technology, communication, spread of information, lifestyles and even moral values have been changing rapidly over the course of recent decades, and they will continue to do so. To be able to live a productive and independent life, people need to keep up to date with changes and developments. Here the adults often stand on the underprivileged position, as following worldly advances may often go against their lifelong belief systems or ways of understanding surrounding issues. “On a local level, one of the most valuable benefits of adult training and learning programmes is that adults can return to the education system”, said Justyna Król from Future in Perspective (FIP) in Virginia. “Aside from undeniable benefits such as social inclusion or personal development,

...over one third of participants were dissatisfied with the quality or content of the course... adult education programmes also offer preparation for employment which gives a chance for individual transformation as well as overall change in communities.” According to a Central Statistic Office 2017 adult education survey, over 50 per cent of adults in Ireland participated in some form of life-long learning programme, which placed Ireland on 6th position in Europe. However, despite the popularity of training programmes, over one third of participants were dissatisfied with the quality or content of the course. “Teaching adults often challenges traditional education models, as it is the learner who should have a voice and an educator should only facilitate the process of knowledge transfer”,

commented Justyna. “Adult learners have their specific needs. This is especially true in smaller communities such as ours. Adults often expect more interdisciplinary knowledge presented in a flexible way. This often builds challenges for providers of adult education.” FIP decided to stand up to this challenge and in cooperation with six European partners launched a project under the agenda of ‘Developing Strategies for Adult Education Providers and Adult Educators’ that aims to improve the quality of education addressed to adult learners. “The DIMA 2.0 project is aimed at individual adult educators as well as at organisations and institutions offering formal and nonformal training and development programmes for adults”, clarified Justyna. “Our goal is to support them in better monitoring of the effectiveness of their strategies and raising the participation rates in adult learning in our local community. We invite all local adult education practitioners to join the project and support the positive change that we are trying to make!” To get involved and support the project contact local leader at justyna.fipl@gmail.com

FEATURE

6 THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS

Maire Egan’s story began when her two boys brought home a stray cat...

20 years, 9000 cats, a wing and a prayer

“WHY? IS IT IN PAIN? asked Maire Egan, when, 20 years ago, the vet to whom she’d brought the stray cat suggested ‘putting it to sleep’. “Well, no – but it’s old,” replied the vet. Maire didn’t need the pleading eyes of her two boys, who had found the sorry animal, to convince her to try a different vet. Here they left ‘Snowball’ – as they’d named the cat – to be patched up, agreeing to call back for her later. “Actually, there are two more cats here to be put to sleep,” said the vet, hopefully, when the family returned. “Do you want them?” Maire laughs, now, at the memory as she takes a break from treating and caring for the various animals – mainly feline – in Kitten Cottage to talk to The Rural Hub News. “Little did I know just how appropriate the name ‘Snowball’ was. A snowball is exactly what it all turned out to be. We’re now twenty years and 9,000 cats later!” That original ‘no kill’ policy has been at the core of the registered charity’s ethos – along with a determination to see pets neutered to

Interview by DECLAN CASSIDY

l SHY: Maire is fighting to save this kitten’s eye which was left infected. She applies drops every few hours and hopes.

l PALLIATIVE: Dobby was kept in a box for 12 years and forced to breed. She is now dying of cancer but is finally receiving an abundance of love and care with Maire at Kitten Cottage. prevent the distress suffered by unwanted animals. Kitten Cottage depends on the goodwill of the public and the support of volunteers to keep it all going, but Maire fights to save any animal, cat or otherwise, as long as it is not in pain and beyond help. As I set up my sound recorder for the interview, she is applying drops to a kitten’s eye. They must be administered at strictly regular intervals if she is to have a chance of saving the infected eye. As Maire sits down to chat with me, the tiniest of dogs snuggles, adoringly, into her lap. ‘Dobby’ looks to be no more than a pup but, according to the vet’s estimate, she is over 12 years old. Dobby has no lower jaw and has a cancer that’s too advanced to cure, so her care at Kitten Cottage is palliative. “A forestry worker called me one evening and told me that there was something outside the door with half its jaw missing but that he couldn’t tell if it was a dog or a rat,” explains Maire. “There’s a huge difference between a dog and a rat, I told him. But

when I went to see it, I wasn’t sure. She’s 3.2 kilos now but when we found her she was 1.2 kilos. She was a third of her size. It took three baths before we realised that she had a tail because her fur was so matted.” Dobby was the victim of puppy farming and the growing trend for miniature dogs, which, given their small number in Ireland, are overwhelmingly likely to be inbred. Her lower jaw is missing and this had left her unable to eat and, therefore, starving. She could not bear any bright light because she had been kept in the darkness of a box for 12 years, taken out only to force-breed. Systematic neglect and being in an almost constant state of pregnancy for over a decade has left her dying. At least, Maire’s care and that of local vet Rachel Burgress at Cavan Pet Clinic are ensuring that her final time is painless and filled with love. To help stop that kind of cruelty and put puppy farms out of business, Maire recommends that anyone looking for a pet should contact a sanctuary. “If you want a cute, cuddly dog ring a

“If you don’t neuter one cat it can produce 18 kittens in one year and kittens can start breeding at four months old so then you have their kittens breeding too...”

FEATURE

rescue service,” she urges. “If they don’t have what you want they can send you in the right direction. Or, ring a vet. They’ll tell you. If someone is bringing their puppies in to get wormed, flead and vaccinated, you know that they’re looking after them. Just don’t give your money to puppy farmers.”

IMPROVEMENT

Maire has cared for all types of animals, including swans from the local lakes, but, as the name implies, cats are the main focus of the work at Kitten Cottage. While there is still a long way to go, she has seen a huge improvement in public awareness and attitudes towards animals over her twenty years of caring for them. “People are neutering now,” she explains. “You don’t see wild cats around the towns much these days. Twenty years ago, people wouldn’t think twice about dumping a litter of kittens or pups into a bucket of water. They thought it was the humane way of doing things but it’s not. They drown and suffer. Now a lot of farmers around here will call me to tell me their cat has had kittens. I tell them I’ll take them – as long as they get their cats neutered. So, a lot of the farmers have their cats neutered now. That wouldn’t have been the case twenty years ago. The kids are much better now too. I give talks in schools about the importance of having their

pets neutered and people are neutering more now.” When wild cats are encountered they are brought to a vet, neutered and released back where they were found. “If you don’t neuter one cat it can produce 18 kittens in one year and kittens can start breeding at four months old so then you have their kittens breeding so, very quickly, it can turn into a huge problem,” explains Maire. “I had a man who rang me and said that a cat had come around. I told him to bring it to me and I’d get it neutered. He didn’t, and a year later he rang me to say he had 32 kittens from that one cat.” Maire’s average day is a busy one. It starts with feeding the animals and then a trip to the vet with any that need treatment. Then the first of two cleaning sprees start. “Cats are really clean creatures,” explains Maire. “They don’t like dirt. A dog will piddle and then sit beside it. Cats won’t. They hide what they do, so it needs to be cleaned up. On an average day, that takes about five hours.” Kitten Cottage, then, is much more than a job for one person. Maire depends on volunteers. “None of us get paid at the sanctuary at all,” she explains. “We’re a registered charity. We get a grant of €5,000 from the Agriculture Department at Christmas week and that keeps us going until February with vet bills, our litter and

THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS 7

our food. For the rest of the year we wing it.” Maire has high praise for the local vets and, thankfully, there is a lot of general goodwill towards animals and Kitten Cottage. “Last week we had two young fellas who had a pub quiz for their 18th birthday party and raised 485 euro. They brought it here because they like animals. It’s the next generation who are going to change it. Quite a lot of my volunteers are younger people who come and look after the animals.”

Other vital support comes from the Kitten Cottage Curiosity Shop in Virginia where all proceeds go directly to funding the charity and where donations can be made.

s IF YOU’RE INTERESTED in volunteering or helping in any way, you can make contact through Facebook at: facebook.com/KittenCottage or contact Maire on 087 7676714. Kitten Cottage is located at Lurganboy, Virginia A82X443.

CURIOSITY SAVED THE CAT

n THE CURIOSITY SHOP on Virginia’s main street is a treasure-trove of everything from designer hand bags and shoes to vintage vinyl and jewelry. I picked up a Prada man-bag for €15! What makes the bargains even sweeter is the knowledge that the proceeds go the Kitten Cottage animal sanctuary. The Curiosity Shop welcomes any donations of second hand items in good condition and any donations from local businesses that can be used as prizes in raffles to help raise the essential funds to keep the sanctuary up and running. The shop has only recently reopened and is depending on the local community for its success.

8 THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS n BUILDING UPON the success of a Foróige run youth diversion project in Cavan, a similar resource has been set up to serve Bailieborough, Virginia, Ballyjamesduff, Mullagh, Kingscourt, Shercock and Cootehill.

YOUTH INITIATIVE OPENS IN LOCALITY

Cavan 365 Garda Youth Diversion Project is a community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiative the main aim of which is to divert young people who mave been involved in antisocial behaviour or criminal activities by providing them with a positive place to go where they can enjoy positive activities with other young people and benefit from personal development while gaining a sense of civic responsibility and improving their future career prospects. “The young people that we work with might have had a couple of warnings from the Juvenile Liaison Officer,” explains Sharon Ivers who, with Alma McCabe, helps to run the project, “or it may just be that their older brothers or sisters are involved in crime and they’ve been identified as being at risk

because they are being influenced. A lot of them aren’t going to school – they don’t have the motivation to get up and go. A lot of them are suffering from anxiety or depression.” The new centre in Bailieborough has been up and running since the end of last year and organisisers are now reaching out to let the community know about what they can provide and who they can provide it for. There’s a range of resources for the young people who sign up for the service, from airhocky, gaming to basketball and karate. “Every young person’s different,” explains Alma. “We have special interest groups and trips to get the youngsters away from the routine of home for a while. It’s a safe space for them to hang out.”

The Italian Job

The service came about when Foròige, with decades of experience supporting youth under its belt, answered a call from the Department of Justice who, with youth criminality on the rise, had identified an urgent need for something that would identify and engage young people a risk. While young people are most often referred to the service by the Juvenile Liaison Officer, families, themselves or educators can also make referrals. The criteria for such referrals are a history of involvment in antisocial or criminal behaviour, behavioural issues at school that may have resulted in expulsion or supsension, involvement with friends who have anti-social influence, drugs or alchohol misuse, failure to engage in any organised or positive leisure time

activities, parenting or family issues, negative attitudes towards authority or other behavioural issues. The kinds of interventions that the programme provides includes one-on-one work as well as group work, life skills, mentoring, family support, drugs education, personal development, community based programmes, special interest groups, health and fitness, outdoor pursuits, day trips, seasonal programmes and brief interventions. The project motto sums up its aspirations – “empowering youth, enriching communities”. Alma or Sharon are happy to talk to anyone who wants to know more about this early intervention programme and can be contacted at alma.mccabe@foroige.ie or sharon. ivers@foroige.ie.

jobs,” explained Terry, “and unfortunately, up to now, are not very good at engaging with or employing local people. They have become our neighbours however, and we hope in the not too distant future, to convince them to get involved in their local community. Currently we’re in discussions with Google, and they do have some good ideas.” Terry and Joe presented the work on their shared organic garden and how they coordinate with St Andrews Resource Centre on projects such as, explained Terry: “street planting and hanging baskets displays in our area, we also grow a lot of our plants from seed as this is not only financially better, but also very therapeutic and we hope to expand this with city

council in the near future.” In summing up the experience Terry expressed gratitude for the opportunity, not only to learn new skills but also to give his cause a greater voice on an international stage. “Our overall aim is to improve our local and wider communities and promote environmental awareness…We shared our experience with the other NGOs and hope it was helpful, we are available if any other group or organisation would like to know more.”

n TWO MEMBERS of a Dublin residents’ association joined counterparts from across Europe in Italy, recently, as part of an EU funded project that promotes active citizenship and sustainability among adults working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Report by JOHNNY LATHAM

Terry Byrne and Joe McCann were representing Virginia based social development company “Future in Perspective” at the five days of training for the NG Environment project in the stunning Reggio Emilia region. “Overall it was an intense and very engaging course with many fine presentations”, exclaimed Terry. “It’s always good to travel and it gives you a perspective on how other people live. Italy was a wonderful venue; the history, the food and the colourful emotive Italian people. We were also blessed with all the other participants from all over Europe.”

The training, organised by Mark Beutner and staff from the University of Paderborn, was also attended by representatives from organisations based in Italy, Germany, Portugal, Malta, Spain, Romania and Greece. “As part of the training it was very inspiring to hear the stories from all over the world of dedicated, selfless, mainly young people, often putting their lives at risk helping communities cope with war, famine and all kinds of natural disasters…” Terry continued. “We are not your typical NGO setup, we are a community based resident association in Dublin, we voluntarily represent about seven hundred houses and with funding from The Aviva Stadium we run a wide variety of courses and classes, children’s summer camps, seniors and children’s parties etc.” Terry and Joe also had the chance to highlight some of the challenges facing Ireland and Dublin today. “As part of the many changes to our part of Dublin City, we find ourselves ‘under siege’ from new tech companies in our community who have replaced all the traditional

To find out more about the NG Environment project you can visit: www.ngenvironment-project.eu w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / N G E n v i r o n ment-501938536990391 To find out more about Joe and Terry’s crucial work in Dublin look up: www. badra.ie, www.facebook.com/BADRA.D4

EDUCATION

Escape room craze gives new scope for learning

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n OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, there’s been a growth in the use of educational escape rooms, with many teachers adapting the underlying challenged based learning principles to fit the needs of their students—in both physical and online learning environments.

The Great Escape

Physical escape rooms popped up in almost every major city in the world over the last decade, with a variety of challenges ranging from prison breaks, crime scenes and teambased sci-fi related puzzles. The first recreational escape room can be traced back to Japan in 2007. Because of the rise of open source software and free apps that can be deployed for use in learning environments, and with just a little sprinkling of magic and imagination, teachers have access to new and innovative ways to embed technology and critical thinking skills into the classroom. Gamification has a history of promoting engagement in more advanced learning environments, whilst employing the more collaborative elements that can help students develop crucial social and employability skills essential for further learning or the world of work. Research into game-based learning states that students are often more likely to retain knowledge when they can apply what they’ve learned, a practice often called ‘active learning’ Technology and access to stateof-the-art equipment is, and always has been, a profound challenge for most educators both at home and abroad. One of the attractive features of bringing escape rooms challenges into classrooms however, is that besides a laptop, tablet or PC - all an interested teacher needs to get started is a few free Google apps and a little imagination to develop an engaging storyline. “Storyboarding exciting and offthe-wall scenarios is a great place to start!” stated Claire, a local secondary school teacher in Cavan. “By sharing the narrative with class and getting their full attention can really bring the subjects alive, whether it’s history, geography or even maths.” “Escape rooms create a moment of passion around specific topics that then can be used as the spark to then ignite interest in something for a player to learn more about later,” ac-

cording to Scott Nicholson Professor of Game Design and Development. Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada Puzzles tend to be theme-related; escape from the museum, decode the clues, pick a lock, solve the historical cryptic puzzle etc. Turning this into a classroom activity creates a number of challenges - teachers have to grapple with constraints imposed by the traditional classroom size, facilities, not to mention curriculum standards. But with some careful planning; Google Forms, Translate, Maps and QR codes can be used to take stu-

dents on a ‘challenge-based journey’, that can contribute to work related, as well as digital skills development. With some practice and refinements, the experience has the potential to be more immersive, and the effects of experiential learning can be more effective, as there are fewer barriers between the players and the experience. Read more about some of the current Erasmus+ projects that involve escape rooms, puzzle and challenge based learning in this and future editions of The Rural Hub Community News.

Critical thinking plan n THE EU FUNDED “Luova” project uses escape rooms as an innovative way to bring technology and critical thinking into the learning environment. The benefits are twofold: games have a history of promoting engagement in the learning environment even among those for whom formal education has failed; the collaborative element helps students develop social and team-working skills. “Escape rooms are unlike other forms of games where the player controls an avatar; in escape room challenges the student is placed directly into the game and as a result the effects of experiential learning are more effective,” said a project spokesperson. Luova proposes the creation of a comprehensive suite of fully online escape room challenges to attract those on the margins of education and training, supporting them to build the key components of creative and critical thinking through a challenge-based learning approach.

IMMERSION

The key message of Luova is that learning is not a spectator sport, and the more one can achieve the immersion of the student in the learning process the higher the potential for sustainable outcomes. The objectives of the Luova pro-

ject are to promote creative and critical thinking through the development of alternative pedagogical resources using online educational escape rooms based on constructivist learning theory, encourage the development of creative and critical thinking skills in youth work environments where non-formal and informal learning can flourish, support front-line youth workers to harness the potential of mobile learning environments to build highvalue skill sets within their marginalised target groups and, finally, to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among young Europeans ensuring that they have the necessary skills to research, select, analyse, organise and present information. If you want to know more about the LUOVA Project, please contact manuella.fipl@gmail.com. Visit http://luovaproject.eu/ or look up LUOVA - Online Escape Rooms on Facebook

Learning to think outside the room

n ESCAPE ROOM challenges are everywhere these days. Frequently the venue for birthday, Christmas and even hen and stag parties. But have you ever considered using escape-rooms for learning? A team of eight organisations from across Europe are aiming to do just that! The NEURO-Guide project has developed a range of 32 online educational escape rooms, that have been designed to support young learners to develop key skills that will support them to succeed in the labour market. Have you ever consciously sat down and tried to develop your creative and critical thinking skills? The answer is probably no, but these are key skills for learners and employees of the future to have. So how can we teach these skills to young people in a fun and engaging way? Why not try to learn about creative and critical thinking by playing through a scenario based in America during prohibition? Why not learn about entrepreneurship from the mafia? What if you got sucked into your smartphone and the only way out is to develop your skills to think more like an entrepreneur? The NEURO-Guide escape room challenges aimed to make learning these important skills fun and engaging for young people. All resources are not available to test through our online gameboard. To access these challenges, please visit: www.neuro-guide. eu. If you have any feedback for us, or if you would like to find out more about the project, please feel free to email us at: sarah. fipl@gmail.com.

For this project I have chosen a small side table with a Georgian tripod pedestal base and a beautiful wood grain top that I didn’t want to lose with painting. I have chosen to make the piece interesting by giving a look inspired by a side table I saw in an antique shop which had inlaid wood. My colour choice is a soft cream “Linen GF Milk Paint” to paint the tripod base this colour will complement the wood stain I used on the table top “Antique Walnut GF Wood Stain”. Prep the surface of the table top by sanding to remove the existing

stain and varnish, tape the stencil to the table top in your required position and paint with the same colour used for the base of the table and allow drying time. With a soft brush apply an even coat of wood stain, wipe off excess stain with a lint free cloth and allow to dry for 2 hours. Using a 220 grit sanding pad lightly sand the entire surface and remove excess dust with a soft cloth and apply a further two coats of wood stain allowing drying time between each coat. To seal apply 2-3 coats of high performance or flat out flat water

hop The s : Y R O D GL l OL mesduff. ja Bally

SUS AN

base top coat. The result is amazing and you could try this technique to create a border on a wood floor using masking tape. Working with stencils is simple and effective, they allow you to bring additional colour to your piece of furniture and mask imperfection on the surface i.e. deep scratches on the

n IN THIS EDITION I’m introducing a new technique: “ how to get the look of inlaid wood with paint and stain”

A I T S N

Inlaid wood - that isn’t! 10 THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS

wood as illustrated in photo of blue table. The small foot stool is an example of how the use of the Swedish inspired stencils can embellish it perfectly If you would like to learn more about painting furniture why not sign up for one of our workshops by contacting me on 086 1752639

n WHAT WILL CLIMATE CHANGE mean for Ireland? Recent research published by the European Commission estimates that approximately 20% of Ireland’s entire coastline is at risk of erosion, caused by climate change. With the effects of global warming in the Artic, we are already seeing large ice-sheets melting into the sea, causing sea levels to rise, which will put our coastline at risk. Research published by Newcastle University estimates that by 2100, many coastal parts of Ireland could be underwater due to sea levels rising; with communities in Dublin, Galway, Waterford, Mayo and Belfast most at-risk. And that’s not all. Met Eireann have warned that our climate will change drastically. We will see more rainfall and flooding during winter months, more severe storms will be brought to our shores, and with warmer summers, drought will become commonplace. All of this means that plant, animal and marine life on the Emerald Isle will change irrevocably and this cana be foundimpact at theon Old will Susan also have negative the health and well-being of Irish

citizens. While this sounds like a dooms-day scenario, we are getting increasingly closer to what experts are calling ‘the point of no return’, where the effects of climate change on our environment cannot be reversed. So it is therefore, imperative that we take action now.

car less, using less plastic, cutting down on food packaging you use and recycling your waste properly. To learn more about how you can help fight against climate change, visit www.ice-cap.eu for more useful tips and ideas on how you and your family can change your habits and be-

But what can we do to change our habits and fight against climate change? While it is obvious to us now that global changes are required, there are many things that you and your family can do to support climate Glory action. store Some in ofBallyjamesduff these activities include saving electricity, using your

haviours to be kinder to the climate. Framed by its family learning approach, the ICE-CAP project is finalising a series of Comic Strips targeting young family members aged 6 to 10 years, on environmental themes including recycling, water conservation, ocean preservation, limiting

... many coastal parts of Ireland could be underwater due to sea levels rising; with communities in Dublin, Galway, Waterford, Mayo and Belfast most at-risk

waste and reducing the use of plastics. The project is also designing a set of challenged-based resources, including digital breakouts and WebQuests, to engage teenagers and young adults to develop a deeper understanding of these climate change issues. ICE-CAP will also involve the parents and care-givers in this wholefamily approach to learning about climate change and the circular economy, by developing a range of educational resources that will support them to become educators in their families on issues related to climate change and action. For further information on ICECAP and other climate action initiatives we are engaged in, you can contact us at: sarah.srcclg@gmail. com or you can follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/wastenotwantnot

COMICS

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“The European Commission’s support for the production of Thepublication Europeandoes Commission’s support for the production this not constitute an endorsement of the of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the Commission beonly heldofresponsible anythe use which may be made of the information contained therein. contents, which reflect cannot the views the authors,forand Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”

COMICS

Ice-cap

COMICS

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“The European Commission’s support for the production of Thepublication Europeandoes Commission’s support for the production this not constitute an endorsement of the of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views only of the authors, and the which Commission beonly heldofresponsible anythe use which may be made of the information contained therein. contents, reflect cannot the views the authors,for and Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”

COMICS

Ice-cap

ENTERTAINMENT

n AS WE GO TO PRESS, spring is in the air. So, we’ve made this week’s offering all about the season of growth...

Gardening

WORDSEARCH

TURN OFF

L FUN

YOUR PHO

PICK UP A P Created with TheTeachersCorner.net Word Search Maker

COMPOSTING MULCH VEGETABLES FERTILISER HOSE FLOWER PATCH GNOME

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.51)

OLDSCHOO Name:

Gardening

GARDENING GROW FRUITS BULBS SHOVEL POT VEGETABLE GREENHOUSE

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GERMINATE FLOWERS SEEDS TROWEL FLOWER BED WHEELBARROW WEEDS

8 9

Puzzle 3 Medium, difficulty rating 0.51 http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku

XWORD

9 4

2 1

Overall, Procreate is a fantastic tool that is definitely something that people should consider... responsive the app works with the iPad. This is mostly due to the engine on which the app has been built and how it manages responsivity. If you find yourself working with reference images, Procreate handles this extremely well. It allows you to import images to your artboard and integrates them into the layering system. Colors, shapes and values can be used from these images if desired and it really helped me speed up my work on the platform.

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Wed Feb 26 10:38:38 2020 GMT. Enjoy!

Spring

DOWN 2. This season has a bounce 3. Current predominant colour in nature 4. Migrating bird 8. Flower that’s most often yellow 9. It falls three days after Paddy’s Day this year 10. Season got left behind 12. Small signs of impending leaves 14. Aerobic exercise not on terra firma 16. General smell associated with flowers 17. Garden festival in a park 19. Home of our feathered friends ACROSS 1. A bullish sign 5. His day is celebrated by Irish and more 6. Animal just arrived in the world 7. Don’t get anyone else to do it 11. Household activity in with spring 13. Pre-leg frog 15. Flowers are doing this now 18. Getting the seeds into the ground 20. Mary had a small one of these

THE TECH REVIEW

n Procreate is not like any other drawing app on the app store. It has everything you could need for sketching, painting, illustration and animating. Its more like a studio for artists than an app, writes DYLAN HAYLES Due to it being on mobile platforms, it can be used on the go and the ability to export to the cloud and multiple file types makes your work very accessible. It boasts an impressive library of brushes with everything from pencils and inks to textures and charcoal. Each brush is customisable and with the ability to add your own, you will always have the correct brush for the work you want to accomplish. You can also import brushes that have been created by others if that is something that is important to you. Upon downloading the app, my interest was peaked with the use of “Power Moves”. These are the use of multi-touch gestures for actions such as Undo, Redo & Hide Ui. These gestures are very intuitive and help keep your workflow running smoothly. I was also impressed with how fast and

2 8

SUDOKU

Although the app can be used without the Apple Pencil, I would highly discourage this. The Apple Pencil allows you to use pressure controls when drawing which really allows the user to feel more like they are drawing instead of using a tablet. Procreate is one of the best examples of the sort of sophisticated iPad tool that plays to the hardware’s strengths. The app utilises the Apple Pencil, direct touch input, and the power of the iPad’s graphics system all in a way that is greater than the sum of its parts and uniquely an iPad experience. Overall, Procreate is a fantastic tool that is definitely something that people should consider as one of their first purchases upon picking up their new iPad. Its an easy purPrice: chase for people who just want to sketch every few days but a bargain for someone who will be using it for work purposes.

PROCREATE APP €10.99

WHEN FROLICS C

FROLICS F

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n FOR 68 YEARS Frolics has seen the arri nomic boom, economic bust and, indeed, s it endures. There’s something magical abo Musical Society that keeps cast, crew and twice a week from August until Christmas curtain rises on the first of a seven-show r

Last year saw the passing of, John McBreen, had seen in Dublin at the likes of the Gaiety, and b makes it special is that it’s live entertainment,” ex ran, who, like most of those involved, has a long f generation. It’s great for community spirit.” Indeed, people travel from miles around to att cake. The huge amount of preparation that goes o mix of people, from transition year students to retir who, Katie points out, has been a key member of t “We have a very strong male chorus this year Miserables 20 years ago and this chorus has mean with the Rocketman film out recently and we have Along with music, dance, costumes and spect crucial part in Frolics. The comedy production tea pulled out all the stops this year to leave ‘em laugh If you’re reading this hot off the press then you shows on Friday, March 6 or Saturday March 7 by or 2-4pm. Otherwise, enjoy the pictures, list marvellous it undoubted

Story/Pictures by DECLAN CASSIDY

COMES TO TOWN

FEATURE

ival of television, the years of the ‘troubles’, ecosocial media with its Youtube and Netflix – and yet out the annual variety show from Ballyjamesduff d helpers leaving the warm winter fires to practice and then twice as much after Christmas until the run in St Joseph’s Hall.

, one of the founders who took the concept of shows they brought it, with all it’s glory, to the Cavan countryside. “What xplained public relations officer and cast member Katie Curfamily association with Frolics. “It passes from generation to

tend the seven shows, but these are simply the icing on the on throughout the winter sees the involvment of a truly diverse rees, teachers to priests. Within the cast is Fr Kevin Donohue the show. r,” enthuses Musical Producer Susan Willis. “We last did Les nt that we can bring it back this year. We also have Elton John, e Madona.” tacular sets from local artist Michael Cogan, comedy plays a am, Joseph Moynagh, Patrick Farley and Adrian McCabe have hing in the aisles. Michael Callaghan is the show director. u might still have a chance to grab tickets for the last remaining contacting the booking office on 087 656 5384 from 10 to noon ten to the talk around town for the next few weeks about how dly was – and make sure to book early next year!

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MULTICULTURAL

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JUSTYNA KRÓL’S

Polish Corner

Irlandia - kraj, który pomógł mi zdecydować, jak lubię pić herbatę

n KIEDY przeprowadziłam się do Virginii około sześć miesięcy temu, moja wiedza na temat Irlandii opierała się przede wszystkim na świadomości tego, że ciągle tutaj pada, a samochody jeżdżą po niewłaściwej stronie ulicy. Wydawało się, że są to kluczowe elementy, zapewniające przetrwanie w początkowym okresie, jednak bardzo szybko poznałam inne kwestie, które okazały się być może jeszcze ważniejsze.

Ireland – the place that made me decide how I like my tea

n WHEN I moved to Virginia about six months ago, all I knew about Ireland was that it rains here a lot and cars drive on the wrong side of the road. These seemed as essentials to survive for the very beginning, however as expected it didn’t take long to realised other things that might be even more important to know when settling down in Ireland.

“jeysus” lub “d’yaknowhatimeanlike”, to już ostateczny znak, że sztukę small talku masz opanowaną do perfekcji.

Autor JUSTYNA KRÓL

Kolejnym elementem survivalu społecznego, który okazał się bardzo przydatny, było uświadomienie sobie, że czas na herbatę odgrywa tutaj bardzo ważną rolę. Chociaż może to być czasem mylące, zapamiętanie, który z twoich znajomych pije zwykłą czarną herbatę, który z nich lubi więcej mleka, a który dolewa mleko, gdy torebka wciąż jest jeszcze w kubku (fuj, wiem!) wydaje się być kluczowe. A do tego, Ty też musisz określić, w

no. A big no-no! It’s enough to say ‘fine’ and move on to some safe relation-building topic such as the weather, for example. Yes, teh good old weather, considered a conversation killer all around Europe, turns out to be a big thing for the Irish. And, if from time to time your interlocutor slips into the conversations “jeysus” or “d’yaknowhatimeanlike”, you can be sure that you’re doing your small talk right!

CZAS NA HERBATĘ

SMALL TALK

Jak można było się spodziewać, jedną z tych podstawowych rzeczy był owiany nieco złą sławą small talk. Small talk od zawsze wydawał mi się dziwną koncepcją. Po co marnować czas na zadawanie niezliczonych, nic nieznaczących pytań, jeśli można dojść do sedna sprawy za pomocą tylko jednego? Choć, być może small talk jest cechą bardziej osobistą niż narodowościową, wydaje się oczywiste, że większość Irlandczyków bardzo poważnie podchodzi do tego konceptu. Zdecydowanie poważniej niż większość Polaków. Po kilku miesiącach spędzonych w Irlandii, odkryłam w końcu, że small talk wcale nie polega na zadawaniu uprzejmych pytań dla podtrzymania rozmowy, chodzi raczej o budowanie relacji bez zbytniego wtykania nosa w nie swoje sprawy. Zajęło mi to trochę czasu, ale w końcu się nauczyłam, że odpowiedź na pytanie „jak się masz” nie wymaga opowiadania o zawale serca czyjegoś wujka, byłym chłopaku siostry czy nawet wygranej w kumulacji na loterii. Eureka! Zwykłe „w porządku” na prawdę wystarczy, a potem najlepiej przejść prosto do jakiegoś bezpieczniejszego tematu, który pozytywnie wpływa na budowanie relacji, na przykład pogody. Tak, stara dobra gadka o pogodzie, uważana za zabójcę rozmowy w większości zakątków Europy, okazuje się dla Irlandczyków całkiem poważną sprawą. A jeśli od czasu do czasu Twój rozmówca wtrąci do rozmowy

TEA-TIME

Another social survival kit element, that turned out to be very useful to realise was that tea-time is a huge deal! Although it may be confusing sometimes, remembering which of your friends drinks their tea straight black, which of them likes it more milky and which pours the milk in when the tea-bag is still in the cup (yuck, I know!) is crucial. And you also need to decide what way you like your tea, because otherwise you’ll end up pouring it yourself all the time.

A BIT OF “CRAIC”

SMALL TALK

As could be predicted, one of these essentials was small talk. Small talk always was a strange concept for me. Why should you ask all sorts of questions, when one would be enough to get to the point of the conversation? Although this probably is more personality than nationality trait, it’s clear to me that most Irish people take their small talk very seriously. Much more seriously than most of us do in Poland. A few months passed, and now I know that small talk is merely about asking polite questions. It is about building relations without snooping too much. It took me some time, but now I know that answering the “how are you” question, doesn’t require you to talk about your uncle’s heart attack, your sister’s breakup or even your lottery win at all. No-

jaki sposób lubisz pić swoją herbatę, w innym wypadku skończysz zalewając ją sobie ciągle sam.

STARA DOBRA ZABAWA

I wreszcie ostatnia, ale nie mniej ważna od pozostałych sprawa, która ułatwiła mi przetrwanie kilku pierwszych miesięcy w życia Irlandii okazała się zwykła rozrywka. Niezależnie od tego, czy wybieracie się ze znajomymi na rybę z frytkami, piwo w pubie czy pokiwać głowami w rytm starej muzyki, dobra zabawa i śmiech wydają się być zawsze w cenie dla Irlandczyków. Ta prosta obserwacja, przez kilka ostatnich miesięcy sprawiła, że niejednokrotnie zastanawiałam się jakim sposobem zwykły uśmiech i przyjacielska rozmowa mogą okazać się silniejsze niż różnice kulturowe i przeszkody w integracji. Biorąc pod uwagę ostatnie sześć

And finally, last but not least of the things that made my life in Ireland easier was a bit of “craic”. Whether it is going out for a chipper, having a pint in a pub or swinging your heads to the old tunes, having fun and a good laugh seems always to be of great value for Irish people. It always makes me wonder, how great it is that a simple smile and friendly talk can defeat any cultural differences and integrational obstacles. Having passed six months in the country, if I was asked what is the most important thing that I’ve learned in Ireland, I would say that the fact that people, whether they are Irish, Polish, French, Spanish or British are not that different, no matter the way they like their tea. s miesięcy, gdyby ktoś zapytał mnie, jaka jest najważniejsza rzecz, której nauczyłam się mieszkając w Irlandii odpowiedziałabym, że tego, iż ludzie czy to Irlandczycy, czy Polacy, Francuzi, Hiszpanie czy Brytyjczycy wcale tak bardzo się od siebie nie różnią, bez względu na to w jaki sposób piją swoją herbatę. s

COMICS

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COMICS

ENTERPRISE

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n STARTING A BUSINESS is no longer a spectator sport. A lot of people are now working for themselves, with many starting up each year. For some of these hopefuls it is the dream of a lifetime, something they have been working towards for years. Others hit upon a good idea, or spot what they believe to be a gap in the market, and set out to exploit it. For some people early retirement or a redundancy cheque provides the financial base from which to launch into the entrepreneurial world. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what they want to do, but they do know they want to do it.

By Terence Kavanagh (CGMA) Many who starts up are ill equipped to face the wide demands that running a business makes. The many businesses that go to the wall each year bears witness to that. The highest risks are in the first few years; nearly 40% of failures come within a mere four years. Some of these budding entrepreneurs lose their life savings; others end up in endless debt. A fortunate few only lose their dignity and rise phoenix-like a few years later, using their experience as a base on which to build a successful venture. Some academics believe the high failure rate is the price that has to be

The eleven deadly sins

paid in order to build a thriving new business sector - the survival of the fittest. But does everyone who is setting up in business for the first time have to take such a gamble? There is no risk-free way to a profitable business, but you can - and must - identify the dangers that lie ahead. Although every new business is to some extent different, the ones that fail do so for 11 basic reasons: 1. Lack of expertise. The first question to ask is whether you have got what it takes to run a small business. You may have run a department in a big organisation, but is that experience going to be as useful as you think? After a lifetime in large companies, many people simply cannot face life outside the cocoon. They have become specialists relying on other specialist and supporting staff to get things done. Starting a business from scratch calls for remarkable versatility. The owner-manager types the invoices with one finger in the evenings, does the books at the weekend, sells on Monday, makes from Tuesday and delivers when he can. 2. No product/market strategy. New businessmen almost always define their product in physical terms. Customers on the other hand, want their needs satisfied. Compare a Bic and a Parker. In basic physical terms they are very similar. They both write well; their caps protect your pocket from ink stains; both have clips that

hold them in place and they are comfortable to grip. But one cost around 1 Euro and the other from around 50 Euro. Customers pay the extra 49 Euro for large intangible benefits such as status or the pleasure it will bring as a gift. Bic and Parker are both successful products but the needs they satisfy are poles apart. Until businessmen can define their marketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs they cannot begin to assemble a product to satisfy them. 3. Over-optimism about market size. Entrepreneurs often either shun the rigours of market research, or simply do not know how to carry it out cheaply. Their judgement is subjective and they develop an iceberg syndrome, believing that the small number of customers that they can see is a sure indication of the mass of other customers. It is a fundamental misconception to believe that people are simply waiting to be sold to and that competitors are blind or lazy. New businesses need perception of the market they aim to satisfy and to have a well developed marketing strategy before the launch. 4. Underestimating the start-up time. Money must often be invested in premises; equipment and stock long before customers come along to buy. There are always problems getting a venture of the ground, yet new businessmen mostly count on a smooth ride; you should estimate on how long everything will take, then double it and add a bit more. If you

have to open for a certain date, say for Christmas, and you do not open until January, your business will be ruined before it begins 5. Lack of working capital. Over-optimism about market size and underestimating the time need to get started invariably leads to working capital problems. Scarce cash is tied up in stock that will not be needed for months, paying for rent and your living expenses. Until customers start buying in reasonable numbers, money is flowing in one direction only - and may run out. It is hard to get money when you need it desperately. The time to negotiate an overdraft with a good margin of safety is at the outset. A well-prepared cashflow forecast will help you to decide how much is needed and when. 6. Start-up costs too high. Every new business has to spend money on items such as fixtures, fittings and equipment. The danger lies in spending too much too soon. People from big business often have extravagantly high standards. They expect a computer and photocopier close to hand and an executive style office at the outset. These overheads have to be spread over the products to be sold and an essential competitive edge can be lost at the outset. New businesses should be lean and mean. 7. Consequences of early growth. Most people think their problems are over once customers start

to roll in. Unfortunately they may only have just begun. A business changes its shape and size very rapidly in the early weeks and months. As sales grow, ever-increasing sums of cash are needed to fuel that growth. Soon the bank is accusing the owner of over trading, growing faster than the cash resources allow. Once again a good cash flow forecast would help predict the problem and win over sceptical bankers. 8. Mistaking cash for profits. Employed people view the money that comes into their hands as being available for spending. Usually their pay cheque reaches them after a wide range of deductions have automatically been made. The reverse is true of the owner manager. Cash flows into the business intact and provision has to be made to pay income tax/prsi/usc, VAT, suppliers etc. Too often entrepreneurs yield to the temptation to use this cash to maintain their living standards in the belief that it is largely profit. When the bills come in, they cannot meet them. The Revenue Commissioners and the VAT authorities are the most active in putting businesses into liquidation. 9. Wrong Location. Where you conduct business and the rent you pay is vital. For shops and restaurants, which rely heavily on passing trade, this may seem obvious - yet many get it disastrously wrong. There

continued overleaf on p.24

The early years of a new business are the most difficult to survive...

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

24 THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS n AS HUMANS we pat ourselves on the back for our wonderful unique inventions and systems. Recycling for example has become enormously important for us as a society to deal with our waste. However, Nature developed a highly efficient and sophisticated recycling system millions of years before we even existed. This system is composting. In nature there is no such thing as waste. Everything has a place in its natural cycles. The process of organic material being transformed into soil through the action of fungi, invertebrates and bacteria, is essential to life on this planet. Soil worldwide, including Ireland, is currently under threat from human caused degradation and pollution. It is a rapidly depleting resource. One of the most powerful and beneficial things we can each do in our own homes is to learn how to compost and create our own beautiful soil. There is a lot of science behind really good composting, and it is a skill to be developed over time but you do not have to be a scientist to get started.

Here are some tips for starting a back garden compost area that uses garden waste, non-cooked food scraps and animal waste from horses, cows or chickens.

or reducing the resultant compost’s ability to grow anything. 3. Green or Brown: Know if the material is green or brown. This doesn’t relate to the colour but whether the

COMPOSTING

By Kate Egan, Market Gardener and Environmental Education Consultant

An Ghrian Glas Farm

1. Location: The compost area ideally should be placed somewhere with a reasonable access to light, where it is not completely shaded by dark trees. If possible it should have a cover, either a water proof tarp or roof. Sides are useful to keep the pile tidy and keep in heat. Having more than one bay or compartment will make keeping track of your growing compost pile easier, but it is not essential. 2. Ask questions: Choose your materials carefully, know where it comes from, if it is grass, hay or straw was any herbicide or pesticide used when it was growing? This will still have residues on the plant material and can then affect the compost. Either by killing insects, fungi or bacteria that breakdown the organic material,

material has a high carbon content (e.g. cardboard, paper, dry grass, hay, straw, woodchip, wood shavings dead leaves.) Or if it has a high nitrogen content (cow, horse or chicken manure, fresh grass and green plants, or any material with a lot of moisture like silage or rotten uncooked food like vegetable peelings etc...) 4. Layers: You will need to layer the green and brown materials...with the proportions being 75% brown to 25% green. 5. Turn up the heat: If layered correctly and the right moisture levels, not too wet, not too dry, your compost heap should begin to get hot in 5-10 days (depending on weather, season and location of compost bay). You can check this by simply putting your

Still keeping it off! n A BALLYJAMESDUFF WOMAN is living proof that it’s possible not only to shed excess weight, but to keep it off.

Rebecca O’Brien was placed in the top nine across Ireland, north and south, in the 2017 Slimming Woman of the Year competition after she lost more than five stone in just a year and a half and represented the Ballyjamesduff Slimming World group. Rebecca, who dropped from a dress size 24 to a healthy size 10, is now a life-long member of the group and, according to the organiser, Gillian, is a great inspiration to other members. “I’m so proud of Rebecca,” she said. “She’s a fantastic ambassador for Slimming World and what she’s achieved is nothing short of incredible.” Rebecca now combines Slimming World with exercise. She is an enthusiastic member of GG’s Studio in Oldcastle. The Ballyjamesduff Slimming World group is held every Thursday at 5.30pm and 7.30pm above Skelly’s shop. Gillian also runs a Slimming World group in Virginia which is held each Wednesday at 5.30pm and 7.30pm in the Show Centre. She can be contaced at 0863682507. GG’s Studio can be contacted on Facebook or on 0830349048.

BEFORE

AFTER

hand (perhaps with a glove depending on what you have used in the compost) a few centimeters into the center. Alternatively, you can use a compost thermometer (available at most garden centers). Be careful some compost heaps can get up to 50 or 60 degrees Celsius. 6. Turn, turn, turn: The form of composting described here is called aerobic digestion, which means to be efficient in breaking down the plant material the organisms need oxygen. Once your compost is layered and the area you assigned for it is full, it has reached a reasonable temperature of 30 or 40 degrees, you will need to turn it. If you have lots of time you can turn it every week, or once a month. The more it is turned the faster the composting process will take place. If you turn once a week you could possibly have homemade compost ready for roses or veggies in just 6weeks. (Theoretically!! As will all gardening we know that nothing is ever that simple). Good luck and happy composting.

For this article information was used from the Rodale institute, Charles Dowding and Jim Cronin.

The 11 deadly sins Continued from page 23

are many examples of the same class of shop opening and closing on the same site. It cannot be all down to bad management or bad luck. 10. Selecting and managing people. Big companies that employ thousands of people can afford to make mistakes in staff selection. They can even carry a few passengers. A new businessman taking on his first employees cannot afford to get it wrong. Taking on a partner is a popular alternative to employing someone. But partnerships like marriages often flounder on misconceptions and misunderstandings. 11. No management accounts. Liquidators say almost all the business they are called in to wind up have no reliable management accounts. “If only I had known the financial situation earlier” is the failed entrepreneur’s stock exclamation . New businesses of see accounting as a bureaucratic nuisance carried out for the Revenue Commissioners benefit alone. Those same people would never drive a car without a fuel gauge, speedometer or oil pressure indicator. Yet they set of at break-neck speed running their business with only the annual accounts to guide them - and break their necks. For them, the end of the first year is often the end of the business. In the coming issues we will be looking carefully at these cause of business failures and seeing how businessmen have overcome such problems

NEXT ISSUE: Do you have the experience to succeed?

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

How one decision can change your life...

THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS 25

n I WAS BORN and raised in the UK and married to Paul (who’s mum was born and raised in Ballyjamesduff). I’ve done quite a few different jobs – travel agents, air stewardess, ferries, bars, restaurants, various offices, a gym and make-up artist. I wasn’t truly happy with any of them. I’ve had my fair share of injuries too and have arthritic knees due to all the dancing and exercises I’ve done throughout my life! I was fed up of trying conventional medicine that didn’t really work, which led me to alternative therapies. I found them to be more beneficial. It was soon after that, that a friend and I decided to train in In-

By Hazel Newman dian Head Massage. We studied via distance learning so we could carry on working. I loved it so much that I went on to study other therapies and in 2013 my business, The Holistic Haven, was born. Over the next two years, I built up a great customer base, carrying on training in different therapies and I gained a teaching diploma to pass on my experience

NATURAL CURES FROM THE BACK YARD

n NATURE CAN BE your best friend. Every season has some great cures for many problems we may encounter during our lives.

One of my first encounters with the healing herbs of nature was when I was a young teenager. I experienced my first acute bladder infection. It is a truly unpleasant experience and very, very painful. The doctor put me on medication and I got better, but after that, I would regularly get returning (chronic) bladder infections. When I started taking Bearberry and drink tea of the leaves from this beautiful shrub, the returning bladder infection vanished totally.

pine is a great antiseptic...

At home, we always had pine needle cough syrup. Our local village pharmacist made it, as the knowledge of plants was still used in that time by the pharmacist. Spring is the perfect time to collect fresh, young pine sprigs (Pinus sylvestris). They are put into alcohol and preserved for the whole year to aid coughs, colds and to expel phlegm. Pine is a great antiseptic and antibacterial/microbial. The needles contain vitamin C and it also helps with depression. Pine trees clean the air and are very beneficial for opening the lungs. A walk in nature is good for your health and your mood, picking some herbs on the way, so after the walk, a warm cup of tea awaits.

ancient wisdom of healing plants...

I met an older man while picking hawthorn berries (Crataegus monogyna). He knew, perfectly, the value of the berries from this shrub that grows so abundantly in rural Ireland. He used it himself for his heart. He still knew that Hawthorn is a perfect tea for the heart, especially the weaker or older heart. The ancient wisdom of the healing plants has never been fully forgotten by the local people. However, never use this herb if you’re already taking prescribed heart medication. It will interfere with the medication. I always smile when people ask me ‘what are medicinal herbs and where can I find them? They are everywhere, in your own back yard or garden or lawn. You will certainly find plantain (Plantago major) or dandelion growing. Plantain aids colds and allergies and dandelion is diuretic (green part) and liver cleansing (roots). It’s an amazing, green world with so many stories to tell about the grace, beauty and healing powers of plants. They are so much more than simply pretty!

By Vicky Poffé If you want to learn more about herbalist tips, Vicky can be contacted at: Master herbalist Vicky Poffé, Corlough, Co.Cavan Or, at the Cottage market which takes place on the first Saturday of each month, from 1-5 pm at Cottage Market, West Cavan in the courtyard of Lizzie Buggies, Church Street, Ballyconnell, H14 FV50 Email: Wolfgardenwelcome@gmail.com Website: www.wolfgardens.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wolfgardenherbalhome

and give other people the chance to try these wonderful therapies. During this time, Paul’s parents had a lovely house built for them in Ballyjamesduff, where they lived until sadly, both passed away. We had discussed about moving to Ireland many times and it wasn’t until August 2019 that we made the decision to move. I moved into the house in Ballyjamesduff, while Paul is finishing decorating our UK house ready for selling this year, then we will be together. My sister, who lives in Ballyjamesduff too, has her own candle making business, focussing on Chakra candles. This led me to teaching her about Chakras, which gave me the idea to write an on-line course. It was only by chance that my sister (who is writing two books) said to go on a Creative Writing course at The Rural Hub in Virginia. We didn’t book, we just turned up! Suzanne opened the door and made us both feel very welcome. There were about six of us and everyone was so warm and friendly, with lovely coffee and biscuits! It was a very informal atmosphere and we learned a lot about writing. Chatting with Suzanne, giving her a brief recollection of my life and what I do, she asked if I was interested in filling in for one of the workshops/classes on Aromatherapy. Of course, I jumped at the chance, and it was the best decision I made. From there the ball started rolling and I was asked to fill in for the meditation class and now I am teaching various subjects in the next block of eight weeks!! The room in Virginia is the perfect location, it’s warm, inviting and just the right size. Everyone is made to feel welcome and the courses/workshops are very informal and also a great place to meet new people learning something new at the same time. I feel so blessed that I get to teach these fabulous therapies to lovely people in a fabulous venue. I am still able to practice my therapies, work on my on-line courses and now some books to go with those courses! I would say to everyone come and have a go at all these classes. As well as getting out of the house for a couple of hours, you might make some new friends and learn something new. Every session is free and all they ask for is a small donation that goes to the local school. Just have that confidence to walk through the door - that one decision can change your life – I know it’s changed mine and I haven’t looked back once!

26 THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Weight Matters

with Jenny Kinsella

086 2418361

www.weightmatters.ie

n TODAY I WANT to do a little visualising. I want you to think about how life will be different in one year.

Answer these questions: How will I feel in one year? Will I have more energy? Focus better? Will I smile more? Will I feel stronger? Happier? What will I look like in one year? Will I be a smaller size? Will I be excited to try clothes on? Will I wear a sundress? A swimsuit/bikini/ speedos? Jeans? What will my hair look like? Maybe as I lose weight, I will grow it? What will my face look like? Will my bum be smaller and more firm? Will I be less stressed? Will I have better work-life balance? Will I have a better relationship with my family, kids, friends, partners, spouse? Will I feel more attractive? How will I change after accomplishing such a big goal? Setting and achieving goals can and most likely will totally change your life. Will I be proud, because I always knew I had it in me? Will I have the confidence to do other things? How is this going to change me for the better? I’m sure there are other questions but basically I want you to decide what your future is going to be like?

Visualise that person

In my experience with goal-setting, and working towards your goals, visualisation is an important first step. You must be able to visualise a better life. You must see it in order to want it. More importantly, you need to believe in that vision. If you can’t visualise a better life it will be very hard to work towards those goals. You need to think beyond “I want to lose weight” you need to visualise how your life will change as a result of weight loss. After you visualise, and believe in, the person and life you want then it’s time to work backwards implementing the different steps to get there. It’s important to keep your eye on the prize (your Why) but also recognize it takes a plan and action to get there. Unfortunately, we don’t wake up to a changed life. However, you can wake up and decide to change your life and start the taking the necessary steps.

We all get off track, but the goal is to keep going. Change does not happen when things are going well. Change happens when you need to dig deep and push yourself. Did you ever hear the quote “the sweetness is in the struggle”? This is true. There is no greater motivator than to see the success of all your hard work. So, keep going. As you probably know, a year goes by in the blink of an eye. A lot can happen in a year. It’s up to you to stay focused and disciplined on the person you are aiming to become.

Motivating

Change is found in the daily habit…remember that!

Also, make room for failures but don’t be defined by them. Often, success is built on a mountain of failures. That’s what makes success happen. The people who succeed in life are the ones who kept going no matter

how many times they got knocked down. Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid to wake up a year from now being in the same place you are now because you were too afraid to fail. Learn from your mistakes, dust yourself off, and keep going. Failure is part of the process - any process.

I hope you find this motivating and encouraging as you continue to step into your weight loss journey. I can tell you that I’m the person I am today because I decided I wanted to change. I didn’t want to look back in 1 year - or 10 - and regret all the moments stolen away from me because I didn’t take control over my life. I wanted to look back with a smile knowing that I worked hard to create a healthy life that made me a happy, confident, and strong person.

THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE OF TREES n ARE TREES social beings? According to a German forester named Peter Wohlleben, it seems that trees talk to each other through an intelligent network just beneath our feet… “Dendrology” is the science and study of wooden plants such as trees, shrubs and lianas. Wohlleben, who has devoted his life to the study of trees and care of trees, seems to have sparked a revolution in the scientific understanding of trees. In his latest book, “The hidden life of tree, what they feel and how they communicate”, Wohlleben conveys his amazement to the general audience as he explains how “all the trees here, and in every forest that is not too damaged, are connected to each other through underground fungal networks. Trees share water and nutrients through the networks, and also use them to communicate. They send distress signals about drought and disease, for example, or insect attacks, and other

trees alter their behaviour when they receive these messages.” Some are calling it the “Wood Wide Web” as the fine, hairlike root tips of trees join together with microscopic fungal filaments to form the basic links of the network, which appears to operate as a symbiotic relationship between trees and fungi, or perhaps an economic exchange. Since Darwin, we have generally thought of trees as striving, disconnected loners, competing for water, nutrients and sunlight, with the winners shading out the losers and sucking them dry. The timber industry in particular sees forests as wood-producing systems and battlegrounds for survival of the fittest. There is now a substantial body of scientific evidence that refutes that idea. As a result of such interactions,

trees in a family or community are protected and can live to be very old. In contrast, solitary trees, like street kids, have a tough time of it and in most cases die much earlier than those in a group. As Wohlleben puts it:” Forest seems to be much more than what we see, a happy forest is a healthy forest” He believes that eco-friendly practices not only are economically sustainable but also benefit the health of our planet and the mental and physical health of all who live on Earth. In The Hidden Life of Trees, Wohlleben explains the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in the woodland and the amazing scientific processes behind the wonders of which we are blissfully unaware of.

An SUV that packs a punch

THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS 27

n IN THIS ISSUE, we look at one of the lightest and sportiest SUVs on the market – the Alfa Rome Stelvio. The first thing that stands out when we talk about this car is that its design attracts a lot of attention. We could say that aesthetics of the Alfa’s first SUV is one of its strengths, and this is something that can make a difference in front of its rivals.

PIC: Matti Blume / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Souper recipe from home

The Melting Pot

n Soup is so nourishing, comforting and easy to make. Why not try one of the most familiar winter soups today

POTATO LEEK AND ONION SOUP Suitable for Vegetarians, Preparation time 10 minutes, Cooking time 25 minutes Serves 4 Ingredients 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters 3 large leeks, trimmed (discarding the outer layer of the leeks) and sliced evenly 1 medium onion, sliced and chopped into small pieces 700 mls of vegetable stock Salt and pepper to taste Getting Started In a large thick based saucepan, add the vegetable stock and bring to the boil. When the stock is boiling add the potatoes leeks and onions. After two minutes turn down the temperature on the hob and let the soup simmer very gently for a further twenty minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Add the salt and pepper at this stage. Now you can ladle the soup in batches into a blender and blend until the soup is smooth and thick. Make sure you have a spare bowl handy to put the first batch of blended soup into. Now return the pureed soup into a clean saucepan and reheat gently. Taste to check the seasoning and serve into warmed bowls. Add a sprig of parsley to garnish.

n Tá anraith chomh cothaitheach, compordach agus éasca le déanamh. Cén fáth nach ndéanann tú triail as ceann de na anraithí geimhridh is coitianta sa lá atá inniu ann.

ANRAITH PRÁTAÍ LEICE AGUS OINNIÚN Oiriúnach do Vegetarians, Am ullmhúcháin: 10 nóiméad, Am cócaireachta: 25 nóiméad Feidhmíonn sé: 4 Comhábhair 2 phrátaí mheánmhéide, scafa agus gearrtha ina gceathrúna 3 cainneog mhóra, bearrtha (ag fágáil ciseal seachtrach na gcainneanna I leataobh) agus slisnithe go cothrom 1 oinniún meánach, slisnithe agus gearrtha ina bpíosaí beaga 700 ml de stoc glasraí Salann agus piobar chun blas a chur air Ag tosú I sáspan mór tiubhaithe, cuir an stoc glasraí agus fiuchadh. Nuair a bhíonn an stoc ag fiuchadh cuir na prátaí, cainneanna agus oinniúin leis. Tar éis dhá nóiméad cas an teocht ar an gcnaipe agus lig don anraith suanbhruith go réidh ar feadh fiche nóiméad eile nó go dtí go bhfuil na prátaí bog. Cuir an salann agus an piobar leis ag an bpointe seo. Anois is féidir leat an anraith a chur i mbaisceanna isteach i gcumasc agus é a chumasc go dtí go bhfuil an anraith réidh agus tiubh. Déan cinnte go bhfuil babhla spártha agat chun an chéad bhaisc den anraith chumasc a chur isteach. Anois, cuir an anraith leachta isteach i sáspan glan agus ath-theas go réidh é. Blas le seiceáil a dhéanamh ar an bplasáil agus cuir isteach i mbabhlaí téite é. Cuir sprigín peirsil leis chun garnish a dhéanamh.

Review by HAROLD GORDILLO

ALFA ROMEO STELVIO However, this is not what stands out most about Stelvio. Without a doubt, what stands out is their dynamic behaviour, it is one of the most sporting SUVs that exist today. Considering the ground clearance of 20 centimetres, the Stelvio behaves as if it were a “conventional sport” car and in an excellent way.

ALFALINK SUSPENSIONS

All this is thanks to the new generation Alfalink suspensions (like those used by the Alfa Romeo Giulia), in addition to the Stelvio engine distributing all its power to the rear axle. However, when the system detects traction losses in the rear axle, it can send up to 50% of the power to the front axle. Materials such as aluminium, carbon fiber and resistant steels have managed to reduce the weight of the car to approximately 1,600 kilos, a low weight compared to the competition. A good distribution of weights (50% to the front axle and 50% to the rear axle), the reduced weight and rear-wheel drive offers those feelings of sportsmanship at the wheel.

PREMIUM CAR QUALITIES

Another aspect that has surprised me is that the interior materials compete directly with premium car qualities of the competition. Materials such a leather, wood and aluminium are present to delight us inside the car. In addition, this car includes an 8,8-inch screen in the center console, a small size compared to some of its rivals. As for the size of the interior, the Stelvio is quite wide. Heated leather seats are quite comfortable and offer good comfort. The same goes for the rear seats, they have enough space for tall people and a quite good dis-

Regarding engines, we have the option to choose from a wide range of petrol or diesel cars... tance to the ceiling. All this is complemented by air conditioning outputs and USB ports for people traveling in the rear. (there are also several USB ports on the front)

CHOOSE THE POWER

Regarding engines, we have the option to choose from a wide range of petrol or diesel cars. All of them linked to the ZF 8-Speed Auto gearbox and with four-wheel drive. In addition, we can choose the power we want, from a range that goes from 190 HP to 280 HP in the most powerful version (Not counting the Alfa Romeo Stelvio QUADRIFOGLIO with 510 HP). As for diesel engines we find a 2.2 JDT 210 HP, a 2.2 turbo diesel 210 HP and another 2.2 turbo diesel engine 190 HP. And we can also find petrol engines like the 2.0 turbo petrol 200 HP and another 2.0 turbo petrol 280 HP.

PRICES

Finally, we find three trim: the first is the SUPER with an initial price of € 55,796. The second trim is the SPECIALE with an initial price of € 59,796 and finally we find the MILANO EDIZIONE with an initial price of € 61,796.

ENTERTAINMENT

28 THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS

DisAstral Charts & Horror-scopes for spring PISCES (February 19-March 20) You are a DREAMER and you spend your days wishing the world was a more kindly, beautiful place, just like it is in your imagination. Over the coming months, as Jupiter enters Capricorn, you can count on your true friends sticking by you… Which is all the more remarkable considering some of the vacuous quotes and corny memes you share on Facebook on a daily basis.

ARIES (March 21-April 20)

You usually have energy to spare, with the drive to get ahead to make gains. Jupiter’s influence at this time of year can bring a little star quality to your achievements, sensible planet Saturn can however put a damper on your more over-ambitious GET RICH QUICK schemes. So, perhaps, it would be prudent to hold off on that luxury weekend break to Monte Carlo and get yourself down to your financial advisor instead.

K TAURUS (April 21-May 21)

Between now and December 2020 is the ideal time to expand your knowledge and gain some fresh skills and qualifications. If you have the desire to teach, it’s the ideal time to return to study a specialist subject to share with others. But be warned, if it’s only a journey of SELF DISCOVERY you’re after, 12 months ago you tried that course and got lost on the way to the first session.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21)

As the twin sign you are known for having the ability to wheel and deal in fiscal matters, and in 2020 Jupiter’s appearance in Capricorn could help you REACH THE NEXT LEVEL. Collaboration is the key and the same goes for home life too. But, be mindful to keep business and home dealings separate, the better half and the kids don’t need to be reminded about the time you installed a taxi meter in the family Ford Mondeo in 2012.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

Just in the first part of 2020 alone, you will be presented with several opportunities and challenges that could alter the course of your life. Whether you’re married, courting or happily free-wheeling and single, relationships will play a significant part in your life and you will have to make some CRUCIAL DECISIONS by summer…and by crucial the stars don’t mean, which goes first on your scone; jam or cream, or if you can get away with staying in your PJs all day Sunday.

LEO (July 23-August 23)

You are a dutiful lion. You love to be centre stage, but the next few months are all about SERVICE TO OTHERS, working within a team and showing that you have other people’s interests at heart. The teamwork might even extend to you being happier with your working situation than you’ve been for ages. The only word of warning the stars can offer would be however, is to avoid any repetition of the nylon tracksuit idea for the tenpin bowling teambuilding that caused such ‘ruptions’ last year.

VIRGO (24 August-September 22)

Love is in the air… dooh doo doo, dooh doo doo! Be prepared to go big on romance in the next two months, Jupiter is TURNING UP THE HEAT and bringing frivolity to your otherwise seemingly empty life. Doing things differently is what will make this super romantic period extra special and one to remember. You’ll need to put in the time and effort however, and remember whether single or coupled, don’t repeat the performance with the helium balloon on Valentine’s Day when you were barred from the Lidl.

LIBRA (September 23-October 23)

You are the wise one, the proud owl who usually keeps their head when all around are losing theirs. The auspicious combination of Jupiter and Capricorn is MAGIC for you, but remember not to allow the Libran love of beauty and luxury tip the financial scales into the red. Keep sharp, your eyes peeled, and resist the omnipresent temptations that lie all around – who knows maybe Visa and your bank might even lift that online spending sanction they slapped on you last month.

MOVIE REVIEW

DOLITTLE n Robert Downey Jr. stars in the 2020 reimagining of the childhood classic ‘Doctor Dolittle’. The tale sees Dolittle and his beloved animals tackle a perilous journey in order to find a mysterious cure for the Queen.

Review by OLIVIA CARLA SMITH

LIVV FOR FILM

Despite boasting an all-star cast (Antonio Banderas, Tom Holland and Emma Thompson to name but a few), the acting falls just a bit flat, and is even cringe-worthy at times, to the point that it is only really entertaining to a younger audience – making it more of a kids’ flick, rather than a family film. Costume & make-up work well and do help to bring to life the wacky personality of the veterinarian. However, Downey’s attempt at a Welsh accent is questionable to say the least. Ultimately, the film is sprinkled with some silly moments to make you smile, but not laugh out loud, and overall, it didn’t manage to do enough to take you on an adventure and fully immerse you into the fantasy world of the quirky Doctor Dolittle.

More at Olivia’s website, including her social media contact handles: livvforfilm.com

Logainmneacha

What’s in a name?

n HAVE YOU EVER wondered where our towns got their names? Place names, or logainmneacha as Gaeilge, can hide secret tales and stories about the towns and villages we live in. In this issue, we will look at the town of Ballyjamesduff – Bhaile Shéamais Dhuibh, as Gaeilge. .

SCORPIO (October 24-November 22)

Your sign tends to ‘SAY IT LIKE IT IS’ and you have been accused in the past of having a sharp tongue. Even your social media friends and followers have been surprised with your often caustic remarks and comments. In 2020 you really need to get on better with the neighbours, and this is the only time the stars advise you hold your tongue; at least until you get back the kid’s trampoline from their garden after that stiff wind a few weeks back.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23-December 21)

Jupiter is your sign’s ruling planet, an asset that tends to make you generally a little luckier than others. For the next few months at least, you can RIDE YOUR LUCK where money is concerned whilst taking well-thought out risks could make your finances grow. Perhaps now is the time to think about long term investments such as property; the only practical guidance the stars can offer however, is to accept any losses better than during the annual Monopoly session with the in-laws at Christmas – the kids are still finding small green houses in the strangest places.

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 20)

You are the zodiac’s chosen one, now and for the next few months at least. With Jupiter in your sign, you have the opportunity to explore uncharted territory and open yourself up to challenges anew. A WHOLE NEW YOU could emerge as you become more in touch with your spiritual as well as physical side. Don’t let the naysayers deter you! Unless that is you are thinking of dusting off the leotard and joining the Cirque du Soleil again.

AQUARIUS (January 21-February 18)

Your POSITIVE STATE OF MIND is your strongest asset right now, thanks to Jupiter’s current position. You’re more able than usual to cast off old doubts or fears and lay the groundwork for launching new ideas. Building the foundations for a brighter tomorrow can be achieved one step at a time, but don’t be tempted to put off until tomorrow what you can do today for the sake of progress. The last time you did this you ended up with so much recycling you needed to order a skip.

This name in English means the town of Séamus Dubh; - which is literally translated to the town of “Black Séamus” - or the town of James Duff as it is referred to commonly in English. But who was Séamus Dubh and how did he come to lend his name to our town? It is thought that this name refers to the Scottish plantation landlord, James Duff, the Earl of Fife. James Duff

called this region his home in the early seventeenth-century during the plantation of Ulster. His descendent, Sir James Duff, later commanded English soldiers during the 1798 Rebellion, an uprising against British rule in Ireland which was led by Wolfe Tone. This made the more melancholy translation of his name – “Black Séamus” – more appropriate for local ears.

TRAVEL

n What makes a great travel destination? Affordability? Check. Outstanding architecture? Check. Incredible day trips? Check. I put to you that Krakow is one of Europe’s top destinations. Strolling around Krakow is like strolling through a Disney film, with its cobbled streets, colourful medieval building and horse-drawn carriages. It is as beautiful as it is historic. The main sightseeing spots of the Old town include the St Mary’s Basilica, Rynek Glowny (main square), and finally Wawel Castle, perched up on Wawel Hill like a sleeping dragon. You can also visit Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, made famous from the film “Schindler’s List” and it is well worth a visit. Once you leave the city, you can visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines which is home to a massive underground cathedral where everything, including chandeliers, are made out of carved salt. And of course, a visit to Auschwitz is a must, as it is home to one of history’s darkest hours. Both the Salt Mines and Auschwitz are easy to get to from the city centre and you will find a huge amount of tour operators that can bring you. So, do yourself a favour and visit one of Europe’s jewels – you will not regret it!

KRAKOW

THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS 29

Good things come in small sizes

Report by MIKE KEEGAN

Is it Expensive?

Absolutely not. Krakow is still extremely affordable in comparison to the not too distant Prague. It is possible to get a glass of beer for 1 euro in some bars. Food is plentiful, with a wide variety of cuisine to choose from. It is an extremely walkable city as well, meaning there are virtually no public transport costs. The most expensive things to do are the tours outside of the city – this is fairly standard though as with most global tourist attractions. It is also cheap enough to get there, with Ryanair flying direct daily it means you can get a return fare for between €75 and €130 if you book in advance.

Is it safe?

In general, Krakow is a safe place to be, day or night. However, it is very much a party town with a ton of stag and hen parties descending on the city at weekends like an eagle to its prey. Lots of alcohol and a lack of sleep makes Jack not a dull boy, but a pretty darn rowdy one so it is important to steer clear of any big groups of people. It needs to be said though that these groups are mainly from outside of Krakow and pests to the locals as much as a quiet tourist. Our advice is to, if possible, visit Kra-

kow after Saturday night and before Friday night.

Where should you stay?

You really should stay in the Old Town Centre, or Stare Miasto as it is called in Krakow. There are hotels, guest houses and apartments aplenty and with extremely competitive rates. It is possible to get a decent 4 star hotel for 50 euro a night if booked in advance.

What should you eat?

Traditional Polish food, while not bad, certainly isn’t a global superstar either. Another issue is the names of the dishes – they can be extremely hard to say, let alone remember for another time. We take for granted how easy it is for the word “pizza” to roll off the tongue! Luckily, there are a range of different places that serve the old favourites like Italian and American dishes, so you won’t go hungry. If you want to try something traditional then it has to be Pierogi. They are little dumplings, much like Chinese dumplings, that come filled with different things like meat, cheese and vegetable. They are quite tasty, and well worth trying out.

What should you drink?

Poland has a proud tradition of enjoying Vodka, and rightly so. For me, the must have drink when in

Krakow is Wściekły Pies, or “Angry Dog”, translated into English. It is a wonderful little shot containing Vodka, Raspberry syrup and Tabasco. For some reason, all of the flavours work extremely well together and it is must try. Just make sure to down it all in one go though, as otherwise you may get a taste of Vodka and Tabasco alone which is really not good! You can find Angry Dog in a bar called Pijalnia Wodki I Piwa. This is a really cool Communist styled bar which is a cool place to have even a beer. They also serve Pierogi too so you can kill two birds with the one stone!

When should you go?

Honestly, any time of year. Ok, in Summer it could be 30-35 degrees and in Winter it could be -10 but the city lends itself well to any weather. My personal favourite time of year is January. The city is quiet, the Christmas lights are still up and it is Baltic but a great place to wrap up and go for a wonder along its unpretentiously beautiful Town Square and connecting streets.

Top Tips

Poland does not use the Euro as it’s currency. The national currency in Poland is Złoty (pronounced zwloty). It is normally 4zl to 1 Euro at an ATM or currency exchange shop.

SPORT

30 THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS

n AS SPRING INJECTS a new burst of warmth and colour into the landscape, the idea of Sunday or evening walks begins to take on a certain appeal in our modern society where the average person moves from the glass rectangle of the car windscreen to the glass rectangle of the computer and, finally to the glass rectangle of the television – with the glass rectangle of the smartphone making frequent appearances throughout. For Virginia Ramblers, though, spring, summer, autumn or winter hold equal appeal. The walking group, that, according to chairperson Joan Keating, “grew out of an interest in walking and working with existing local interest” is entering its fourth year of existence with a spring in its step. Virginia Ramblers has a core active membership of almost 40, ranging from young adults to retirees and meets for both Sunday walks and Wednesday evening walks at its base in Virginia’s Show Centre Grounds on Lake Road. The group has a ‘repertoire’ of almost 30 walks under its belt and publishes a ‘walk calendar’ every two months so that walkers know what they can expect. Although walking is hugely popular as a low-tech fitness resource, Virginia Ramblers is about a lot more than simply putting one foot after the other. “When out walking people are connecting in a way that may not happen otherwise,” explains Joan. “There are great chats going on... great communication. You get a huge amount of local knowledge and history, environmental awareness... every kind of tree, berry, wildflower, bird sound... All kinds of exchanges take place as we walk.” The walks are also far from haphazard. “Initially, we got walk leaders trained with ‘Get Ireland Walking’ and we hold planning meeting every two months, including our AGM each may. Walks tend to naturally fall into whatever season it is. We have a wide range of walks – forest, canals, field walks, coastal walks, cliff walks and bog walks. Two volunteers guide each of our walks and make them both interesting and enjoyable. Neither is it all walking. A 10-12km walk is broken up with a half-way ‘picnic-stop’ where each walker dives into his or her backpack for their vittles which are not infrequently shared around. “We’ve been known to break into song,” laughs Joan. The invariable cup of tea comes back into play at the end of the the evening walks, when members often linger on to socialise. Virginia Ramblers has also forged warm associations with other walking groups such as the Happy Feet Walkers of Cootehill and The Ballinacree Walking Group. This leads to both walking trips outside of the normal stomping grounds as well as hosting visiting groups to show off the beauty of Virginia and its environs. “Walking through natural settings helps us all to connect with so many habitats and fosters an even greater understanding and respect for our environment,” Joan adds. Virginia Ramblers has a ‘leave no trace’ policy at the heart of its ethos. Another core value is the lack of a hierarchy

These boots were made for walking… VIRGINIA RAMBLERS have spring in their step! Report by DECLAN CASSIDY

within the membership. “Yes, you have to have a committee to run it,” explains Joan, “but there are now so many members who have taken on the role of introducing us to walks because they have the interest, willingness and local knowledge to do so. They recce the walk first with a few of us to decide if it would suit our walkers. If so, it then goes on our walk calender. The group itself is the resource, which is wonderful.” Wednesday evening walks can range from just over an hour - approximately 5km or so, while the Sunday walks are somewhat longer – approximately 10-12km. The time commitment on any walk depends on whether you meet the group at the start of the walk and leave immediately upon return or if, instead, you travel with the other members to the starting point and then stick around to socialise later.

“You get to know everywhere in a way that you have never known it before,” explains Joan. “Mullaghmeen Forest is a joy to walk in but it’s a tricky little forest if you don’t know your way and there are several ways but our leader Ollie knows it like the back of his hand.” The group has an active Facebook page at facebook.com/virginiaramblers which contains lots of photographs, information and posts that give you a real sense of what Virginia Ramblers is all about. Taking part is as easy as showing up and filling in a single form to let the committee know of any medical issues that might be helpful in – to borrow a phrase from the airlines – the unlikely case of an emergency. As far as cost in concerned, the club runs happily on little or nothing. “Everyone pays €2 per walk and that covers running costs. Member-

ship costs €10 per year so that keeps us going,” explains Joan. “We’re not interested in having money in the kitty, we just want to meet our commitments.” “If anyone wants to come along they can turn up at the Show Centre in Virginia at 6.50pm on a Wednesday afternoon or 9.50am on a Sunday morning,” says Joan, “or they can pick up a copy of the walk calendar at the Show Centre any time with all the information about times and walks.” The Virginia Ramblers walk at, what Joan describes as, “a reasonable pace” but there is always a ‘sweeper’ bringing up the rear to make sure that no stragglers get left behind. The group’s walk calendar carries a phrase that sums up Virginia Ramblers quite neatly: enjoyable, sociable, accessible and healthy. What more can one ask for?

“enjoyable, sociable, accessible and healthy...”

ON YER BIKE SPORT

THE RURAL HUB COMMUNITY NEWS 31

n “I STARTED as most of us do – riding a bike,” recalls George Allen, “and I think it’s important that people – especially other road users – remember that. As kids you just ‘rode a bike’. You weren’t ‘a cyclist’.” Georges progression to owner of Feel Good Bicycles in Virginia will be equally recognisable to many people who remember the joy of getting riding their bikes as kids. He used a bike to go too and from school, got a coveted BMX on which he spent long hours practicing tricks and jumps, before moving on to mountain biking. He “dabbled a bit” in road cycling but his current passion is for racing Enduro, which involves timed downhill stages that, to me, sounds rather like skiing on two wheels.

RESURGENCE

“I always fixed my own bike – and everybody elses as well,” says George, so taking on Feel Good Bicycles two or three years ago was a natural progression. Happily, it coincided with a resurgence of popularity in cycling. “What’s really strong is the road cycling scene,” reveals George. “It really took off, and the Bike to Work Scheme has helped that. A lot of clubs have sprung up in the past few years. Almost every town has one now.” The Bike to Work Scheme is a Government initiative that, by way of tax subsidies, enables people to save significantly on the cost of a bicycle and the necessary equipment. Encouraging people to leave the car at home and take to two wheels instead makes a lot of sense from both a fitness and a pollution-reduction viewpoint but George has recognised other benefits as well.

MENTAL HEALTH

“A less obvious benefit is the social aspect,” he points out, “especially road cycling. It’s very much done in groups. As you cycle two by two you’re pretty much chatting with people the whole time then you have a coffee and scone wherever you’re cycling too and then cycle home

l WHEELY KNOWS HIS STUFF: George Allen gets a cyclist back on the road at Feel Good Bicycles. world-wide level. They go slower and not so much in groups – it’s more individual. There are greenways and old train tracks where people go to get off the road. There’s a big uptake in mountain biking as well.”

GETTING STARTED

Interview by DECLAN CASSIDY again. Then the one that’s less visible is the mental health side. That’s a really positive thing. A lot of people, especially workers, find that they can get out on the bike and just clear their heads.” The area around Virginia, Ballyjamesduff and Oldcastle is good for cycling, says George, but, for some, there are concerns about the safety aspects of sharing the road with growing numbers of vehicles. “That’s probably one of the main barries to cycling,” reveals George, “but what we’re seeing against that at the moment is a growth in more offroad cycling. Gravel bikes are like road bikes but with bigger wider tyres and they’re getting more popular on a

Getting started is pretty straightforward. “If you have a bike and a helmet you can start,” says George. “If you don’t have a bike, depending on where you want to go, you can get started with a hybrid or something second-hand. You’d get a second hand road bike for about 400 euro or a new one for about 700. Then two essentials are a helmet and some padded shorts. You want a good helmet so that’s about 50 euro and padded shorts for 80-100 euro. Again, you want to save your bum and make it enjoyable so you need good ones.”

FACEBOOK

With so options of clubs and bicycle types somebody wanting to get involved may well need some advice. George points to the Facebook groups that each club will inevitably have as a good place to start to get a sense of whether the club is more race oriented or more social-minded, whether it has a mainly male membership or if there is a good gender

The area around Virginia, Ballyjamesduff and Oldcastle is good for cycling, says George, but, for some, there are concerns about the safety aspects of sharing the road with growing numbers of vehicles mix. Having chatted to George, as he worked busily away fine tuning somebody’s machine, to get the information for this article, my advice would be to drop in to him at the shop. He’s a mindful of information on everything to do with bicycles and cycling in all its forms. So, it’s springtime. What are you waiting for? On yer bike!

Good padded shorts are a key to making cycling enjoyable!