Mature Living Magazine October 2012

PROMOTING A HEALTHY & POSITIVE LIFESTYLE October 2012

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE OLDER, BOLDER INDIVIDUAL

Are you bored in your marriage?

Why can’t I remember things?

What are the Most Common Dental Problems?

The sneaky symptoms of women’s cancers

Healthy heart recipes

2 Night Stay for two people at the excellent Harlequin Hotel, Castlebar, County Mayo. See Page 31 for Details

• SLIGO • MAYO • GALWAY • LEITRIM • ROSCOMMON

Who we are:

Helplink South is a non-profit making organisation with charitable status providing socially monitored alarms to the elderly, disabled or anyone living alone.

Our aim is to restore confidence, independence and peace of mind and encourage people to remain in their own homes and be a member of their own community.

Helplink South provides a 24 hr monitoring service 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We supply, install and maintain the socially monitored alarm and pendant.

Simply by pressing the pendant which is worn around the client's neck or on their wrist, within seconds they are in contact with the monitoring station whose team of professional caring operators will be able to make voice to voice contact, enabling them to reassure or send for whatever help is needed.

The service makes a real difference to people’s lives, not only for those using the service to maintain their independence, but also their families and loved ones.

How can the service help you?

Benefits of the Monitored Alarm at the touch of a button • Instant response - our highly skilled operators respond to your call and take the appropriate action to get the help you need when you need it.

• Personal service - friendly and dignified service.

• Complete reassurance - 24-hour link to the control centre.

• Easy installation - wireless system so no unsightly wiring.

Who would benefit?

The service is available to anyone of any age who would like to feel safer, more protected and independent in their own home. It also provides numerous benefits for: • Older, infirm or disabled people.

• Individuals who have been dis-

charged from hospital and require additional support and assistance at home.

• People at risk of domestic violence, racial harassment, repeat victimisation or burglary.

• Those living in high crime areas. • People of any age living alone.

How is the Connect installed in my home?

The Connect is supplied with the simple installation instructions and all that is required a telephone socket within two metres of a mains power socket on the same wall.

Why choose Helplink South: Helplink South promotes regular contact with our clients through testing the pendant and staying in touch with them.

• Birthday calls to clients wishing them a "Happy Birthday".

Also, the opportunity to receive a test call and check client details.

• Two pendants can be monitored in the one home at no extra cost.

• Morning call facility available to client on request - suitable for clients who may have carers or family away from home for a period time.

If you are 65 years or over and are part of a Community Alert Group, Active Age or Neighbourhood Watch etc, you may qualify for a grant through the Seniors Alert Scheme.

The grant does not cover the monitoring fee which is as little as 25 cent per day.

• Living Independently & Safe in your own home.

• Help at the Touch of a Button.

• Peace of mind for their families and loved ones.

• Friendly and dignified service.

• Easy installation.

• Simple to use.

• Making your home the best place in which to grow older.

Contents

www.matureliving.ie

October 2012 I 18

24 29 36

T’S mid-Autumn and with the occasional morning frost Winter is waving its greeting from a distance. For all seniors it’s the time activities begin in earnest after the Summer break.

In recent weeks a plethora of activities around the country has kept us all on our toes. The Mature Living Exhibition held in Castlebar in early September was a resounding success. We sincerely thank all the exhibitors, those who attended, performed or gave of their services. The feedback was tremendous; the response to the range of activities was very encouraging; we will take all your responses on board and work to present an even better exhibition next time round. We include some photographic images from the exhibition in this issue.

Late September and early October was celebration time also with Age Action Ireland’s Positive Ageing Week, when young and old joined to enjoy hundreds of events throughout Ireland.

The 10th annual event had a special flavor and a strong intergenerational theme to mark European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. Over 1,000 events took place during the week which was sponsored by Bluebird Care and launched at the Age Action conference in Croke Park.

If that wasn’t enough to keep everybody occupied the Over50s Exhibition which took place in Dublin last week attracted numbers from across the country. It all proves, once again, that ageing can be something to celebrate, not to be feared.

In the midst of it all, of course, was the horrific murder in Sligo, when popular local man Eugene Gillespie was subjected to barbaric torture and left to die inside his own front door. His death may not be in vain, however, as it is proving to be a watershed – the public at large will not tolerate such reckless disregard for human life by a certain minority in the community. The public outpouring of grief and support following his murder is testimony to this. A timely reminder, also, not to forget to check in regularly on elderly who live alone. Some may not always appreciate interference with their independence, but a tactful approach may bring its rewards.

In this month’s offering Niamh Flynn has a very interesting and informative One-on-One with retired RTE western editor Jim Fahy, who talks about his many encounters during a long and distinguished career. She also has some positive news for Parkinsons’ sufferers from neurologist Dr. Andreas. If you are “Bored with your Marriage” it might be worth while turning to page 19. We provide some advice on Inheritance and who to consult with if you are considering making a Will. We include Winter offerings from some top hotels and we remind you of Sligo’s International Choral Festival in November.

We include our regular features and offer readers a chance to win a fabulous Weekend Away at Castlebar’s Harlequin Hotel.

Don’t forget, if you wish to take out a Subscription to Mature Living look out for the Subscription Form with this issue, e-mail us or telephone our offices in Sligo or Ballina.

Our next issue will be available early in November and the deadline for submissions is 31st October, 2012. Happy Hallowe’en to all our readers.

Seamus Casey - Editor Editor: Seamus Casey seamus@matureliving.ie Advertising: Lisa Gilmartin lisa@matureliving.ie Production & Design: Stephen Finney steve@matureliving.ie

News 42,000 Irish people are living with dementia One-on-One with Jim Fahy Sligo International Choral Festival Intestinal Parasites The Most Common Dental Problems Outdoor Fitness Parkinson’s – hope is at hand Why can’t I remember things?

Are you bored in your marriage?

The sneaky symptoms of women’s cancers Food and Drug Interactions The Bands of our Showband Era The Best will in the world Would you like a robot as your caregiver?

Healthy heart recipes Pets putting on pounds Competition Break Aways Feature Mature Living Exhibition Motoring Hotel Directory Spot the Ball Services Directory Subscriptions Dating: Meeting Place

Published by: IBS Publishing Riverview House, Barrett Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo and Office 3, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo.

Tel/Fax: 071-9154538 / 096-77743 Web: www.matureliving.ie • Email: info@matureliving.ie

4 6 10 12 13 14 16 15 18 19 20 21 24 26 27 28 30 31 32 37 38 40 42 47 47 47

News

Aran's incredible story

Please take the time to read this story which was sent in by Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre as it shows the importance of micro chipping your pets

I

would like to share a truly incredible story with you. On September 20th an elderly Collie was found straying in a park in Carrick-on-Shannon and was bought into our centre. He instantly won our hearts. We thought him to be about 15 years old and his back legs were very stiff. He immediately settled in enjoying lying on a blanket in the sunshine that we luckily had that week.

We named him Giles and he turned out to be micro chipped. The chip was registered to a name and address in Wales in the UK. There were 3 contact numbers, 2 of which were dead lines, but a lady answered when I called the third number. Unfortunately the lady I spoke to said she didn’t have a dog and knew nothing about Aran. I decided to write to the address anyway and the people were kind enough to send the information onto

the estate agents that had sold the house to them. In a stroke of luck the agents had the contact details for the previous family who lived there, Di & Albie Roberts, who had since moved all the way up to Scotland. The agents contacted Di & Albie who instantly rang our centre.

Di & Albie told us that they had been on holiday in Carrick-onShannon with the intention of spending ten days relaxing, cruising and fishing on the River Shannon. They had their 15 year old Collie, Aran, with them. They decided to stay in the boatyard for the Wednesday night and move on next day. After taking Aran for his walk before bed (slowly because of his age) they were just getting aboard and, taking their eyes off him for a couple of seconds, he disappeared. Panic set in and they scoured the boatyard and surrounding area until they were exhausted. They involved the local taxis, Gardai, vet, and all the other boatyards, so there were many people aware he was missing. As time went on they became more and more convinced that he had either fallen into the river or not survived the wet days and cold nights. They called in a diver on Friday to check he was not under the jetties or under a boat but still no sign of him. By Saturday Di & Albie were so heartbroken and convinced they had seen the last of Aran that they decided to cut the holiday short and go home to

Scotland. They said that people on the ferry must have wondered what was going on, two OAPs sitting in a corner sobbing. Going home without knowing what had happened to Aran was the worst thing.

Di & Albie took a ferry that night, drove overnight and were at our shelter for 8.00am to be reunited with Aran. This story then takes an incredible twist. Last Friday I telephoned Di & Albie and they told me that Aran had really perked up when he got home, but had since sadly passed away with liver failure.

However he was at home in Di’s arms when he passed away and it was very peaceful. Di then told me that just before Aran passed away she and Albie went to the Dogs Trust centre in Glasgow, Scotland, because they felt they needed another dog and a rescue dog at least gives another animal a chance.

They chose to take on Ellie, another Collie, who Di told me ironically came from Ireland as a stray and was classed as needing one to one care to build her confidence.

Imagine my amazement when I realised that Ellie came from our central Dogs Trust in Glasgow who had taken her from us for rehoming a month previous and she had ended up with Di & Albie. It was as if Aran was guiding this to happen! When you think of the chain of events to reunite Aran with his owners any link could have broken and they would never have him back to spend his last days at home with those he loved and who loved him dearly.

The Big Knit 2012 AGE Action are really excited to announce the launch of the innocent Big Knit 2012. For the past few years innocent Big Knit supporters have knitted thousands of little woolly hats for our smoothies, with money from every bottle sold going towards supporting older people during the chilly winter months.

Since the Big Knit with innocent we have raised over €60,000, so if you've ever picked up your needles and knitted a hat for us or bought one of the smoothies that was wearing one, thank you very much.

Age action are doing it all again this year, and 25c from every hatted innocent bottle sold will go straight to Age Action to help older people stay well and stay warm this winter. So stretch out those fingers, get your needles out and untangle that wool. It's time to get your knit (or crochet) on. Deadline for hats is 30th Nov. Knitters from across the land send us their little knitted hats between now and the 30th November. Innocent put them onto the bottles by hand and send them off to store.

They're available to buy in shops across Ireland for a few weeks from January 2013, and for every hatted bottle sold, 25c is donated to Age Action. The innocent Big Knit funding will help Age Action's winter warmth public information campaign to enable older people remain well and warm in Page 4 Mature Living October 2012

The cheque for €20,000 from innocent in 2011 being presented to Robin Webster by Richard Reid CEO and the Team at Innocent ...along with a load of our wonderful knitters!

their own homes. It will also go towards their home visitation and DIY teams which assist thousands of older people each year. If you have any old wool at home sitting in a press … get it out and send it to us … we have a team of wonderful ladies who meet for a knit and a chat every Wednesday and Saturday in our shop in Camden St.; they are always looking for more wool. Or better still, come in and join them!! 11am-1pm each morning!! To get more information - Ring Rhona on 01-4756989 or email fundraising@ageaction.ie

All You need to know about affordable home care LOCAL home care provider RHS Home Services has launched its new website www.rhshomeservices.ie.

With offices in Roscommon town, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo and Oranmore, Co. Galway, the not for profit organisation has become a resounding success story in bringing quality and affordable home care to hundreds of clients across the west and northwest. As a co-operative, RHS Home Services has rapidly expanded since 1996 across counties Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Westmeath, Leitrim, Longford and Sligo to become a preferred provider of home care for the HSE. While RHS Home Services provides hundreds of home help hours on behalf of the HSE, many clients are now choosing to supplement their HSE allocated hours with private care.

As a not for profit co-operative, our private care rates are proving to be an affordable option for those seeking a top quality service with a proven track record. www.rhshomeservices.ie has all you need to know about RHS Home Services, what we do, how we do it and how you can access our services.

RHS Home Services CEO Veronica Barrett: “More and more of our clients and their families are choosing to go online when researching home care. While RHS Home Services has expanded rapidly based on a quality service and growing reputation, we now feel that there are many families who are unaware of our not for profit service. We’re hoping that our new website, which is part of an ongoing information campaign, will change that.’

For more information see www.rhshomeservices.ie.

L A ST ’S MONTHTION TI COMPENERS W IN

Winner of the Mature Living Exhibition Entry Prize was Mary Burke of Dromore West, Co. Sligo.

And the Winner of the Harlequinn Hotel Competition is Gus Gannon of Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

Congratulations! and remember to look out for more fantastic competitions in upcoming editions of Mature Living.

Monksland, Athlone.

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News

42,000 Irish people are living with dementia 42,000 people in Ireland currently live with a form of dementia and this number is set to double within the next twenty years .

By Ann-Marie Coen

D

ementia is a progressive illness that can affect a person’s mood, personality and their ability to carry out everyday tasks. Last year, the Government announced it’s committment to the development of a National Dementia Strategy by 2013 and on 29th of August the Alzheimer Society of Ireland submitted their recommendations for this strategy to the Government.

The submission highlighted 7 key priorities Getting an early Diagnosis – the report emphasized that the most important step to getting right treatment and care for dementia is

to have a formal diagnosis that is appropriately described to the person with dementia and their loved one.

Living well in the community - It was highlighted that people with dementia and their carers are extremely socially marginalized and an invisible group in society. Better information and support services, such as dementia advisers in the local community and dementia nurse specialists nurses was recommended.

Care in acute hospital settings – Hospitals can often be frightening and disorientating places for people with dementia. Enhanced clinical outreach services was recommended to avoid hospital admission and a ‘dementia friendly hospital’ model was proposed.

Life in residential care – Transition to nursing home care can be an emotional and difficult time for people with dementia and their carers. The report advised that more facilities need to be put in place to support role of family carer during this transition, more dementia education for residential care staff and appropriate care options for people with dementia who are under 65.

End of life care – The need for skilled expertise and intervention which are appropriate to the individual with dementia was pointed

out in the report.

People with younger onset dementia – Approximately one in ten people with dementia are under 65.

The report recommended developing a number of specialist centres for diagnosis and clinical management, developing tailor made and age appropriate services and removal of age discrimination barriers in accessing services.

Addressing stigma The report acknowledged that the stigma of dementia creates a barrier to living well and being accepted in the community. It stated ‘stigma assigns a person to a ‘new social group’, associated with devaluation, mistreatment, social exclusion and loss of status’. It recommended more awareness and education programmes at national and local level. The report also recommended a commitment to ‘world class’ research on dementia and most significantly ensuring that people with dementia and their carers are involved in decision making that affects their lives.

As we have just celebrated positive aging week from 28 September to 6th October let us not forget those affected by dementia and their carers. Let’s hope that the National Dementia Strategy will play a role in positively impacting on their lives.

“Everybody Matters” to Mary

Taoiseach Enda Kenny with Mary Robinson at the launch of her book in Ballina Arts Centre. Also included at the launch are Mayo Co Manager Peter Hynes, Cathaoirleach Mayo Co Council Cyril Burke, broadcaster and journalist Olivia O'Leary, TD's Michelle Mulherin and John O'Mahony, and Ballina Town Council Mayor Willie Nolan. Picture Henry Wills

Page 6 Mature Living October 2012

Practical Tips to Volunteering for the Over 55s There are up to 25,000 local and national voluntary organisations in Ireland employing the equivalent of 65,000 fulltime workers. According to the Centre for Non-Profit Management, Trinity College, Dublin over 1.57m people volunteer a total of over 465,625 hours per year. The total estimated contribution of the sector to the Irish economy is €2.5 billion annually.

The Value of Volunteering A critical aspect of quality of life for older people is how they view and see themselves. A large body of literature documents the positive benefits of volunteerism in terms of increased psychological well-being. Voluntary work is unpaid work or service done for other people. It can be a great way to feel useful and fulfilled and there is good evidence that volunteering can help you live longer and enjoy life more.

Before starting to look for voluntary work, it is a good idea to answer the following questions: What do you enjoy doing? You may have a hobby, interest or expertise you wish to develop or share. Do you prefer working on your own, or part of a team, out there meeting people or more in the background?

How much time do you want to give?

Don’t overload yourself; give an amount of time that suits your lifestyle. You can always do more if you find you want to.

How do you know if Volunteering will suit you? When contacting the Sligo or any other Volunteer Centre, ask for a volunteer role description of what is involved. What kind of support will you have? Who will you work with? Do you need training, and will the training be made available?

The Search is on to find Ireland’s ‘Outstanding Volunteers’ The Volunteer Ireland Awards are the major annual initiative to celebrate volunteering in Ireland and are coordinated by Volunteer Ireland and supported by Panadol. Now in its fifth year, the Awards aim to celebrate and recognise the thousands of remarkable people across the country who selflessly give their time and talent to benefit others and their communities. Do you know someone who gives selflessly gives their time and energy to benefit others? Nominate a volunteer you know by filling out an online nomination form on the volunteer.ie website. There are 10 Awards categories.

These are: Arts, Culture and Media, Animals and Environment, Campaigning and Awareness Raising, Community, Children and Youth, Education and Training, Health and Disability, International Development Social Work, Sports and Recreation, Nominations can be received up to October 26th. Log on to volunteerirleand awards 2012.Category winners and an overall winner are decided at a special gala Awards ceremony.

News

The Smokey Mountain Ramblers

By Stella Carroll

O

n the night of October the 19th 1968, The Smokey Mountain Ramblers took to the stage in the Longford Arms Hotel to bring a new style of Country music to Irish audiences. Fourty four years later, to the day, the reformed Smokey Mountain Ramblers will kick off their tour in the exact same venue. Frontman, Pat Ely is excited at the prospect " We are really look forward to the tour. George Kaye , Tommy Higgins and I were in the original Smokey Mountain Ramblers, but the band broke up in 1972 and we had lost touch over the years. Recently, Tommy and George met on a social networking site and the idea was born. By coincidence, we were all free at the right time and so, before we head to that great ballroom in the sky, we thought we would go for it!" he laughs.

The Smokey Mountain Ramblers are credited with changing the direction of Irish country music with their innovative sound.

A fiddle and dobro guitar featured prominently in the original line up, and the sound was more Apalachian, bluegrass country than showband glitz. The Irish audiences were not wowed at first, almost stopping to stare and say 'Hey , you cannot dance to this! 'But the Smokey quickly converted the doubters with their buzzing shows and rocking music. This bluegrass sound can be largely attributed to George Kaye (Jerzy Kryzanowski) , a Polish lad who came to Ireland to busk but found like minded musicians and a renewed interest in country music. The Smokeys released their first single The Ballad of Amelia Earhart and soon developed a fan base which included many Irish musicians. They were hugely influential on upcoming bands.

Christy Moore is generous in his praise for the young band , he recently told The Farmers Journal, "When Planxty first went on the road, we were managed by Des Kelly from Galway. At the time Des also managed The Smokey Mountain Ramblers so I got to know the band and their music. They were blazing a trail around the 32 counties back

then and it's good to hear the news that they are coming back for some gigs." The Smokeys could boast more line up changes than the Pussycat dolls, over those few short years, but the quality of musicianship was always to the fore. Artists like Eileen Reid and Susan McCann were linked over the years. Finally, George Kaye went back to England to headline the group White Lightning and Pat Ely formed the Rocky Tops but the legend and memory of the Smokey Mountain Ramblers and their rocking good shows lives on.

For the past fourty four years, Pat, George and Tommy have continued playing and an involvement in music in some ways.

Pat explains "We have been musicians all our lives, though not on 'on the road' all the time. I have been in retail, Tommy with Ticketmaster and George has played and toured a lot." The new line-up features George Kaye on fiddle, guitar and vocals, Pat Ely (lead vocals), Francie Lenehan (lead guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals), Tommy Higgins (keyboards), Liam Gilmartin (bass, mandolin and vocals), Vinnie Baker (acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals) and Gino Berrill on drums.

Meeting up after all those years was emotional and exhilarating for the Smokey’s.

"We were like a couple of kids again” laughs Pat” We met in Dublin to record some songs and it was as if the years melted away. We know that there is a huge interest in Country music once more in Ireland, and we are really happy to meet the old fans and the new on this tour. We may be the dinosaurs now, but we were the first” Friday, 19 October, Longford Arms Hotel.

Country Club in Newry(Saturday 20th October) Carlton Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe (Sunday 21st October) The Hillimar, Kinnegad (Friday 26, October), Four Seasons, Monaghan (27), Millbrook Lodge, Ballynahinch (Wed 31), Greenhills Hotel, Limerick (Thursday, I November), Southern Hotel, Sligo (2nd) Ryandale, Moy, Tyrone (3rd) and the Gleneagle, Killarney (4th November

BALLA STOVES – Putting the warmth into Winter.

W

ITH the weather getting noticeably colder it is certainly time to consider your heating options for this Winter. It is also essential to work out the most economic alternatives, particularly with the soaring costs of heating oil.

If you haven’t done so already it is now time to consider installing a stove and when you do it is absolutely essential to consult with the professionals in this field. In this regard, BALLA STOVES, in the heart of Balla in Co. Mayo, certainly ticks all the boxes.

Located beside the Shebeen Pub on Main Street, this superb business, established in 2011, have a wide range of stoves on offer from 5 kw to 30 kw boilers. At present they can offer 6 kw stoves for €340 and 18 kw for €999.00. Inserts are also Page 8 Mature Living October 2012

available to suit all requirements.

All stoves are multi-fuel and come with a guarantee. Balla Stoves will supply and fit the stoves for customers.

A piece of good advice for readers: Call into Balla Stoves now and see the full range on offer. The opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tel. 094-9366622 or email ballastoves@yahoo.com. You will receive a WARM reception.

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Feature by Niamh Flynn

Jim Fahy Never too late to climb that mountain

The retired Western Correspondent talks to Niamh Flynn

J

IM FAHY does not so much have a spring in his step but rather a leap. When we meet in the Meryick Hotel in Galway the former Western Correspondent for RTE bounds in through the doors with such abundant energy it leaves little wonder as to how he achieved so much in his career as a journalist and broadcaster. His immense curiosity for life and for people is as apparent in person as much as it is in the unique and distensible volume of work he created while working for Ireland’s national broadcasting station.

Talking at the speed of lightening, Mr. Fahy is far more interested in

discussing the characters he has encountered along his travels than discussing his own interests or plans for the future, now that he has retired. He is adamant, and of course correct, in asserting that ‘the journalist should never become the story’. Given the great insight he has gained from years of interviewing people from all walks of life, his opinions are nonetheless likely to arouse an inquisitiveness in those who have had the pleasure of listening to or watching his documentaries and reading his reports.

His prolific radio series, ‘Looking West’ documented the lives of musicians and story-tellers in rural Ireland and its historical importance has been much acclaimed. ‘I recorded about 450 of these programmes and they are a very valuable record of the social history of rural Ireland. Those programmes brought me into contact with people who impressed me enormously through their telling of their own life stories. There were people who were the last of the generations to grow up in the big houses and I was able to convince them to tell me everything they knew about their families’ involvement. There were those who worked in the big houses also so you have a social history from both sides of the gates and that is important. I saw it as a race against time while there was still a chance to record and a large archive was built up of the stories of these people and of the Anglo-Irish families.’ Jim Fahy has a unique ability to see beauty and wonder in those facets of life which could, on

Interviewing an t-Uachtaráin

Page 10 Mature Living October 2012

first encounter, be dismissed as ordinary and banal. It could be said that where our esteemed poet, Patrick Kavanagh left off, Jim Fahy befittingly took over. His investigative inquiries have extended beyond formal boundaries in his documentation of the people who essentially surmise what rural Ireland is all about. As he speaks, words tumble from his mouth at breakneck speed. ‘That series (Looking West) brought me into contact with the most amazing people who would dazzle you with their stories, the depth of their stories, the things they were involved in, the people who fought in the first world war… There were astonishing stories of fighting during the Russian Revolution. A man from Kiltimagh, Pat Shannon, who joined the American Army and was sent to Russia and fought with the White Army which was supporting the Tsar.

It was like listening to a chapter from Dr. Zhivago, being told by a 90 year old man who survived that war, who could still speak Russian.’

Mr. Fahy’s faced his own personal race against time some eighteen years ago. ‘In ways I see myself as having lived on borrowed time. In 1994 I was diagnosed with NonHodgkins Lymphoma and I was

treated in St. Luke’s by a marvellous medical team. I started reading a book there which gave me a view on life which was very important.’ The book in question which he is referring to is by the Czech journalist Julius Fučík who, as part of the communist party of Czechoslovakia fighting against Nazi occupation, was captured and tortured. Mr. Fahy recalls the words of the Czech man who, when faced with execution said ‘I loved life and I went to battle for its beauty.’

Mr Fahy successfully survived his own personal battle and continued recording the beauty of our Irish heritage for many more years before his retirement in December 2011.

When asked if he enjoyed his time working on news items rather than documentaries he smiles broadly. ‘It gave me a ringside seat on all the events in the West of Ireland from 1974 to last year.’ ‘Many of the events were mundane but others were dramatic enough like Monsignor Horan and his attempts to build Knock airport and all the battles and campaigns he had to fight.

A younger Jim Fahy talks to Mother Teresa

Catching up with runner Paul Fallon

Bishop Caseys resignation was a major story and there were many tragedies; people lost at sea, campaigns to save railways…. I was very much involved in that for thirty years. Then in the last ten years I got the opportunity to make television documentaries. Initially a number of those focused on the West of Ireland. I remember doing a documentary on John Healy, the writer in Charlestown. I was also allowed to travel overseas and I had a particular interest in historical linkages between the west of Ireland and the outside world.’

One of these trips led him to New Ireland, an island off Papua, New Guinea. ‘I was intrigued by how this island in the South Paciific got its name and knew Ireland. It is a story

Talking to Ireland’s UN High commissioner

Jim pictured recently at the launch of former President Mary Robinson’s Memoirs in Ballina with, (from left) legendary Mayo footballer, Joe Corcoran; Mature Living’s Gerry Walsh, and Ballina Town Mayor, Willie Nolan. At front is Carmel Hughes, Ballina.

similar to a lot of islands in the South Pacific. An English Sea Faring Captain called it New Ireland because he had been to Ireland once. I was quite astonished to find a Catholic priest on the island and he turned out to be an enormously larger than life figure from Kilrush, Co. Clare. He led a powerful campaigning role to fight exploitation and give the people on the island a sense of pride and culture and history and I could talk about him until the cows came home. He was a marvellous person, typical of all the priests scattered all around the world from the 50s onwards.’

Although Jim Fahy’s career as a broadcaster and journalist may be behind him, his curiosity for

exploring the world is unquenched.

As the interview concludes, the heart of the disquisitive adventurer becomes clearer as he cautions ‘you should climb more trees as a young person. I adored climbing trees as a kid in Kilrickle. I climbed every tree I could. Every time I climbed one I could see further. It gave me a wanderlust, seeking new horizons. I was never satisfied when I was half way up the tree. I wanted to go to the top of this tree and then climb the next tree. I adore planting this idea in childrens’ minds. Our grandkids were down over the summer and my big contribution to them was to teach them how to make bows and arrows. I started them climbing trees. I think everyone should get out and climb a mountain. If you are driving along the road from Galway to Clifden you will see the mountains; you will see them as beautiful and alluring and attractive but they can also just simply be a wall that just shuts you off from what lies behind them, but if you get out of that car and you climb that mountain what you see from up there totally transforms how you will ever look at a mountain or a lake. As you drive along they are just black walls of clay rising up into the sky but you work your way up and certainly you see more.

‘I want to see the top of every mountain in Ireland. It’s something that manages to shift your perception. From there you see the tops of lakes and mountains; you see the features that you have never, never seen. If I was talking to or in any way engaging with or encouraging Mature Livers, I would say it is still certainly not too late to learn to climb trees, take any

opportunity to sail, to see Ireland from the outside. It utterly transforms your sense of understanding of how stunning a place an island like Ireland is.’

Jim Fahy was the longest-serving regional correspondent at RTÉ and was appointed its Western Editor in 2005, after taking on the role of Western Correspondent in 1974.

With a long background in journalism, he first worked as a print journalist at the Tuam Herald, from 1965 to 1974, before making the leap to television.

After he made his final report for RTÉ on the Six One News at the end of 2011, watched by people around the country. President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to his 38 years at RTÉ, commenting that he would be sorely missed and noting that . . . “every single thing that happened in the West of Ireland, be it political or cultural or international, the first thing people would say to each other was, ‘have you contacted Jim Fahy?’ “ He is best known for making his news reports from the West, but he has also worked on a large number of documentaries for radio and television on subjects such as Mother Teresa and the 9/11 victims with an Irish-American background.

His Looking West radio series gave a fascinating insight into the recent history of the West of Ireland.

Fahy’s hard work has not gone unnoticed – he has won more than 30 national and international awards for his radio and TV documentaries.

Page 11 Mature Living October 2012

Ireland’s Second Largest Choral Festival

Sligo International Choral Festival

Fans of Sligo’s Annual International Choral Festival can face the late Autumn with anticipation as this year’s festival of song will take place from Thursday, November 8th to Sunday, November 11th.

T

he organising committee are delighted that The Sligo Champion and Failte Ireland NorthWest have come on board again, as major commercial sponsors and they look forward to working with them again this year. They are also deeply

indebted to The Arts Council, Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council for their financial assistance, not forgetting their ever-loyal and generous sponsors, patrons and advertisers. “The youth of today are the adults of tomorrow” - so with

Page 12 Mature Living October 2012

that in mind and with the success of the youth and school choirs competitions in 2011, they have added even more competitions for these categories in 2012. In fact, two new confined competitions have been added for schools in Co. Sligo. The committee have also added 2 new competitions for adult choirs, viz.

The Best Overall Choir Of The Festival and a new competition for authentic Church Choirs.

The competitive element of the Festival will again move to The Mercy College and the nearby St Anne’s Church. 40 Choirs have already entered and will take part in 16 competitions over 2 days, for €5,500 in prizemoney and many splendid trophies. Taking part in the fringe events and concerts will be The Bugle Babes, The Friday Voices from London, The Sligo Concert Band, The Sligo Cathedral Choir and the Sogo African Traditional Music & Dance Group from Ghana.

It is intended to repeat the very successful Sunday afternoon “Farewell Singsong and Lunch”, where visiting choirs will get together and perform in a non-competitive setting as in 2011.

As usual, choirs will entertain shoppers on the Saturday in Sligo’s two main shopping centres and will enhance the various religious services on the Sunday. Sligo can look forward to welcoming participating choirs from many European countries and from all parts of Ireland, North and South.

The Festival Committee offers a very attractive Patron’s package, which includes 2 tickets to ALL Concerts and competitions, over the festival weekend for €50.00 – all other admission tickets are moderately priced from €5 - €10 per person.

They can be contacted at the following address:

Sligo International Choral Festival, c/o I.T.S.B.I.C., Ballinode, Sligo.

Tel: 086-259 2290 Email: sligochoralfest@eicom.net www.sligochoralfest.com.

Chairman Joe Kelly and all the committee look forward to another feast of Choral Music in November.

Feature by Claudia McGloin - Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Intestinal Parasites

This is a topic that most people don’t want to think about let alone talk about or even think that they might actually have any. The truth is we are ALL prone to getting Parasites at some point in our lives and even more shocking we don’t have to even leave Ireland to get them!

Roundworm

What is a Parasite?

A Parasite is an organism that lives off the host. Parasites can survive and live in both the small and large intestines. Some are so small they can only be seen under a microscope while others can be many feet long.

Intestinal Parasites exist throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3.5 billion people worldwide are infested with some type of Intestinal Parasites and as many as 450 million of them are sick as a result. Children are most frequently infected with these Parasites.

Parasites can be contracted from food and water, from an insect such as mosquito, flea or housefly, via the nose, mouth and skin, through sexual contact and from travel. Once they are in the gut, Parasites feed on our food supply or on us by attaching themselves to us. Parasites can stay in the gut for a very long time and they can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

There are many signs and symptoms of Parasites and at times there may be NO symptoms at all.

The list below is the likely Signs and Symptoms of Intestinal Parasites.

Please note that symptoms of an itchy anus don’t always mean there are Parasites present.

• Allergies • Abdominal Pain • Bloated Abdomen • Brittle Finger Nails • Itchy Nose • Itchy Bottom • Jaw Clenching • Joint Pain • Broken Sleep • Constipation • Cramps • Depression • Diarrhoea • Digestive Discomfort • Disturbed Appetite • Disturbed Sleep • Fatigue • Flatus/Gas • Food Sensitivity

• Foul Smelling Stools • Frequent Infections • Headaches • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) • Itchy Anus • Lethargy • Listlessness • Loose Stools and Episodes of Constipation • Lower Back Pain • Low Grade Fever • Nails with Distinctly Ridged Longitudinal Lines • Ravenous Appetite • Skin Irritation • Sugar Cravings • Teeth Grinding at Night • Candida Symptoms • Weight Loss Parasites are easy to miss and misdiagnose. Don’t feel embarrassed or freak out about them. They are very common. If you suspect that you or a family member have Parasites, then seek Medical attention or go to your Pharmacist. If left untreated, they can cause serious health issues.

There are a few different types of Parasites but the most common ones are: • Pinworms • Roundworms • Tapeworms • Hookworms Pinworm Also known as Threadworms, they are tiny parasitic worms that hatch eggs in and infect the large intestine of humans. Pinworms are the most common type of worm infection and they are particularly common in young children, infecting up to half of all children under the age of 10.

Threadworms are white and look like a small piece of thread. You may notice them around your child's bottom or in your or your child's stools (poo).

Threadworms are spread from person-to-person as a result of poor hygiene. If one member of a household is infected, there is a high risk that other members will also be infected. It is therefore necessary to treat the entire household and to practise particularly thorough hygiene for six weeks to prevent re infection.

Roundworm Roundworms are worms that can infest the human digestive tract, specifically the small intestine. A roundworm infection is also sometimes known as Ascariasis or Acaris.

Roundworms are Parasites. This means that they use the human body to stay alive, feed and reproduce. In most people, a Roundworm infection does not cause any noticeable symptoms but when symptoms do occur, they include a high temperature and dry cough 4-16 days after swallowing the eggs. You may have mild abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea later on.

A roundworm infection can occur if someone swallows ascaris eggs in contaminated food or water. It is also possible for someone to transfer eggs from their hands to their mouth if they touch contaminated soil. After the eggs mature into adult worms, the worms produce more eggs. The eggs are released from the body through the bowel and can then infect other humans. The more roundworms inside your body, the worse your symptoms are likely to be.

Roundworm infections are one of the most common health conditions in the world - around a quarter of the world’s population currently has a roundworm infection. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, an average of 80 cases of roundworm infection are reported every year.

Treatment Parasites can be successfully treated with medication and it is extremely important to ensure that re infection

does not occur! At the Claudia McGloin Clinic we offer an Anti Parasite Enema with a Colonic Hydrotherapy Treatment. It is recommended that this treatment is carried out yearly. This is an effective treatment to kill the eggs and remove the Adult Parasites from the Colon. If Parasites are present in the intestine, they will be seen going down the waste tube!

Claudia’s Tips for Prevention of Parasites • Have a Colonic Hydrotherapy treatment and a Colonic Anti Parasite Enema yearly • Hygiene is important – wash your hands thoroughly • Diet is important – eat foods that discourage parasites and eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables • Avoid RAW fish and meat • Change bed sheets and towels regularly • Take Probiotics (capsules) to top up good bacteria • Don’t walk around bare foot • Prevention of Parasites is the best treatment

Further information on Parasites and Colonic Hydrotherapy including Colonic Enemas can be found on the clinic website www.claudiamcgloinclinic.com

Treatments available Monday to Friday From 10a m to 5pm Late evening and weekend appointments available on request Colonic Hydrotherapy - €90 Colonic Hydrotherapy + Vibro Plate - €100 Course of 3 Colonic Treatments - €250 • Course of 6 - €500 Chemical Skin Peel - From €80 Genuine Dermaroller - €250

Gift Vouchers Available

Aqua Detox Foot Spa - €40 Course of 3 Treatments - €100 • Course of 6 Treatments - €200 Microsclerotherapy - Consultation - €30 We also offer: • Dermal Fillers • Hair Transplants • Facial Procedures • IA Knee Injection • Advanced Cosmetic Procedures • Mesotherapy • Skin Care products ...Prices on consultation

1st F loor, Millenniu m House, Stephen Street, Sligo

Tel: 071-9140728 • www.claudiamcgloinclinic.com Page 13 Mature Living October 2012

Feature by Sonya Hamill of Blue Apple Dental

What are the Most Common Dental Problems?

M

yself and some members of my team spent two days at this year’s Mature Living Exhibition in Castlebar.

We thoroughly enjoyed our two days for one particular reason, we met a lot of people who were actively interested in their dental health! They wanted to speak to us about the problems they are experiencing, and they had a genuine interest in considering their options for dealing with their dental problems. It was a real pleasure to chat with them about modern dentistry.There were a number of issues which came up again and again, and it is often the case that these 3 issues are at the top of the list for many people. These included unstable or uncomfortable dentures, spaces, and how to make teeth whiter. This month I would like to respond to these common questions.

1. Unstable or uncomfortable dentures.

This is a dental problem which can have a massive impact on a person’s quality of life, from social embarrassment, to daily discomfort, to an inability to enjoy foods. Quite often, as we saw at the Exhibition, the worst problem is the lower denture, as this is where the ridge is often the most inadequate for retaining a denture.

So, what can you do?

• Perhaps a new denture will help.

Often dentures are worn for many years. But during this time the shape of the ridge will have changed and often reduced, altering the fit of the denture (just like old clothes on someone who has lost weight).

Therefore, a new denture made to your current mouth shape may make a difference.

• If you want to be absolutely sure of keeping a denture in place, clipping it onto some implants, from as few as 2, gives a denture a firm, stable basis of support. The denture will not be able to unclip itself, and so you will be able to wear it with confidence. In

our practice we find this is one of the most life enhancing treatments we offer.

• If you would prefer to not have a denture at all, you can consider replacing it with an implant retained bridge. This will involve the placement of a number of implants, from as few as 4, to hold an arch of teeth in place which will stay in your mouth all the time. This is as close as you can get to having your own teeth back.

2. Spaces Spaces caused by missing teeth can have a more wide ranging impact on a person’s mouth than just the appearance, which of course is very important for most of us. Missing teeth can also cause other dental problems as time passes. Gradually losing back teeth, which are not replaced, puts additional pressure on the front teeth, which then typically start to experience problems such as chipping, breaking, and general deterioration. The teeth around a space can also start to move around and tilt into the extra room, which can lead to teeth becoming crooked and changes in your bite. Changes in your bite can cause jaw joint problems, from which discomfort, pain and headaches can result.

So, what are the options?

• A denture. This is a low cost way of replacing missing teeth. It will prevent the other teeth from moving, and overcome a number more of the problems missing teeth can cause.

The main problem many people feel about this is that its stability can be unpredictable, and they simply do not wish to wear a denture.

• A dental bridge. This is where an artificial tooth or teeth are held in place by the teeth on either side of the space. The teeth on either side are prepared for crowns, which the artificial teeth are then supported between. This generally works well but, as we discussed with many people at the Exhibition, the lifespan of

the bridge then depends on how healthy the supporting teeth remain.

A dentist will be able to help you make a judgement on this.

• A dental implant. Dental implants replace teeth without relying on other teeth for support. Having chatted to many people at the Exhibition about this option, the benefit many people like is that the implant itself can often be used again in the future if more teeth are lost. E.g. you could replace one tooth with an implant now, and if you lost more teeth in the area you could then use the implant, on its own or with others, to support a greater number of teeth. This flexibility is very attractive to many people who are making plans for their long term dental future, as is the fact that this option usually feels the most natural in your mouth.

3. How to make teeth whiter and brighter.

As we mature our teeth lose their whiteness, typically due to environmental factors e.g. drinking tea/coffee, red wine, smoking. Whitening and brightening teeth can be very straight forward. One important thing to mention is that existing crowns and bridges will not whiten more than they were when they were originally put in. That is why is it often a good idea to consider how you feel about whitening if you are having some new dental restorations carried out, as you should plan to do the whitening first (if that is what you want).

So, what can you do?

• A professional cleaning with a Dental Hygienist is a great starting point for brightening your teeth by removing obvious staining.

• Many people asked us about products for purchase in the chemist.

There are a lot types out there. Many of these will reduce some of the surface staining, and you will see some brightening of your teeth.

• Over the counter kits will not brighten your teeth as much as a pro-

fessional whitening treatment given to you by the dentist. This is simply because there are legal limits on how much of the active agents in the products can be used in off the shelf products. A dentist can use them because they will be able to carry out a dental examination to make sure you are suitable for using a stronger product.

• The first option for whitening with the dentist is a professional home whitening kit. For this custom made whitening trays (like thin, clear gum shields) are made. You typically wear these at night with whitening solution in them, usually for about 7-10 days.

• The second option is a whitening treatment which is carried out by the dentist in the surgery.

Overall, at the exhibition we were very impressed by how keen people were to explore their dental options.

It reflects a wider development in how people are approaching their dental care in modern Ireland. People are thinking about their teeth and their future. For many this means planning a strategy for being able to smile and function into their very later years. Most of us are not willing to face the dental future our parents and grandparents had, and certainly modern dentistry means that this is no longer necessary.

At Blueapple we hope to welcome many of those people we spoke to in the coming months.

‘Blueapple Dental & Implant Team’ is an award-winning dental practice in the village of Belcoo in Co. Fermanagh, run by husband and wife team, James and Sonya Hamill.

Blueapple carries out all forms of dentistry under one roof, and focuses on helping people overcome their dental challenges, to re-establish their dental health, comfort and beauty. They believe that there is no-one they can’t help regain their dental confidence.

‘Blueapple Dental & Implant Team’ has won multiple awards, including ‘Best New Practice’, ‘Best Young Dentist in the UK & Ireland’, and most recently ‘Best Patient Care in Ireland 2012’.

www.blueappledental.com

Blueapple welcomes new patients.

Just call 048 66386111 to make an appointment for your consultation.

‘Such encouragement and support I have never experienced before and empowered me to complete the procedure without sedation….My trust in Blueapple across all aspects of my dental experience is always upheld each time I visit the practice. I cannot emphasise enough the transformation that has occurred in my life in terms of panic and anxiety. ‘ An anxious patient, Sligo.

Outdoor Fitness - Visit us online www.outfit.ie

Outdoor Fitness

The Outfit installation in Collooney, Co. Sligo

Y

our health is important, right? We can all agree that being in good health is one of the most vital factors in leading a happy life. You can survive without almost anything else but take away your health and things become a lot bleaker. So why do we not value it more? We often take it for granted and it can take an accident or illness to make us realise again how important it is to be fit and healthy.

As the body ages, it becomes less resilient to its environment. That includes diseases, infections and illnesses but it also includes the

Suppliers and Installers of Top-Quality outdoor fitness equipment

If you would like to see an outdoor fitness facility in your area, then visit us at www.outfit.ie or call us on 094-9381088 or 087-9042423 for a free quotation

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physical environment. Little accidents like bumping into someone, slipping slightly on a wet tile or stumbling off a pavement all become much more dangerous as we age. The body gradually becomes less supple, less strong and less solid the older it gets.

The good news is you can combat this quite easily! Many people see exercise as something you must do to get fitter, a way to help you lose weight, or just something to pass the time. True, exercise can help you achieve these goals but regular exercise can also help to make you stronger, more balanced and ultimately safer.

Even better is that there are exercise machines specially designed to target these goals. There are machines which will strengthen your ankle, knee and hip ligaments. Having these areas stronger means you are less likely to injure yourself if you stumble. There are machines which will strengthen the shoulder muscles and loosen out the shoulder joints, meaning you are more able to grab hold of something if you begin to fall. There are machines which will improve coordination, machines to correct posture, machines to heighten balance, the list goes on!

But that’s not the best part; the best part is that all these machines are free to use, they are out in the open, they require no instruction and they can appear in your local park, along a river, anywhere really! Outdoor gyms and outdoor fitness trails are becoming more and more popular in Ireland. It won’t be long before most towns and villages have one of their own. OutFit is Ireland’s first company exclusively supplying Outdoor Fitness Equipment. They have installed sites all across the country and have seen a huge rise in demand in the past 12 months. If you want an outdoor gym in your locality, talk to your local development group, councillor or IRD group.

The benefits are countless and everyone can use them! So don’t hesitate, Get Out and Get Fit!

Machine of the Month:

Standing Rotator Function: Improves balance; strengthens ankles, knees, waist and tummy muscles. Improves flexibility all over the body.

Method: Grip upper bar with both hands.

Place feet on circular plate.

Twist body smoothly left and right.

Page 15 Mature Living October 2012

Interview by Niamh Flynn MBA MMEDSCI BA CI DHP

Parkinson’s – hope is at hand

THERE is now great hope for people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and there is a range of treatment for any stage of the disease. Niamh Flynn gets an update from Dr. Andreas on symptoms and remedies for a disease which is likely to become more prevalent with an increase in older population numbers.

H

ope is often the unsung elixir of life. And while alchemists pursue immortality with drops of liquid gold, advances in medicine pursuing alternate kinds of pills and potions have provided other means of renewed confidence for patients.

This is particularly true for patients with Parkinson’s disease. About 1% of the population over 60 and about 3% of people over 80 develop Parkinson’s.

Thirty years ago, Dr. Jahnke explains, the treatment options were far from encouraging. ‘It is not like years ago when the progressive states had no choice of therapy. Now, there is a huge range of treatment for any stage of the disease. ’ The most common reason to suspect a Parkinson’s disease would be tremor, which is only one of the major symptoms including the trias of tremor, akinesia and rigour.

He quickly points out that not every tremor is Parkinson’s and swiftly recalls a list of differential diagnoses which could explain a tremor. ‘People probably know that a tremor is a shiver or a mild shake. There are different types. It may be a holding, a resting or an intention tremor of the limbs. There are also a chin and voice tremor possible.

There can be many reasons for it so it is advisable to consult a GP or neurologist to investigate the cause.

Tremor might be something other than a Parkinson, for example like a side effect from medication, alcohol withdrawal or an overactive thyroid or just a physiological tremor.

If a person gets a shake at a young age there is a doubt that it might be due to Parkinson’s disease and that they might have a benign essential tremor instead.

The other key symptoms of Parkinson’s beside of tremor are rigor - an increased muscle tension - or akinesia, the increasing deceleration of movement which can lead to an inability to move. Especially when untreated Parkinson’s can lead to immobility, to falls, to problems with swallowing, slurred speech or a hypophonic speech and affects activities of daily life.

The quality of life for people with Parkinson’s is much better than it was thirty years ago in terms of improvement of therapy.’

Diagnosis of Parkinson’s, Dr. Jahnke notes, involves the pursuit of several avenues. ‘The clinical examination and the history are the most important thing. Diagnosis is made by history, age onset, also about the presentation of tremor, that is, whether it is a symmetrical tremor, an asymmetrical tremor, a tremor on holding or on resting. Also gait and handwriting are important. Strange enough, nightmares and vivid dreams and a reduced ability to smell could be linked to a Parkinson’s.’ There are other issues to consider also.

‘Regarding stiffness and spasticity, strokes need to be out-ruled.

To confirm the diagnosis and to outrule other diseases, a CT scan or an MRI scan and further neuroradiological exams would be helpful for investigations.

He makes note of the various types of Parkinson’s, and, encouragingly

Page 16 Mature Living October 2012

points out the vast range of different therapies available. ‘There are three different forms. There is a rigid form of Parkinson’s disease, a tremor form and a mixed form.

If the diagnosis does turn out to be Parkinson’s, Dr. Jahnke explains that there is a lot of support available and his holistic approach to medicine is evident. ‘Speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy are helpful and there are Parkinson nurses located at the universities. There is a website with information and support about Parkinsons at www.parkinsons.ie which might be helpful too.’

He smiles as he points out recent research findings which suggests that, post diagnosis, surprisingly, can be as good a time as any to put on the dancing shoes. ‘One of the latest studies indicates that set dancing might be helpful for Parkinson’s patients with a less progressive form.’ He is keen to stress that life can continue post Parkinson’s.

‘Besides medication, beside of neurosurgical solutions at certain progressive stages, physiotherapy and tai chi can be helpful, the latter particularly with respect to balance.

Also patients should drink enough fluid. This is as important as the medication. They should also stop smoking. That is definitely not helpful. The person should move as much as possible still, walk as much as suitable, drink enough fluid, keep up with social contact. They might swim if possible, too, in a shallow area, depending on how severe it is.

For any stage of Parkinson’s there is therapy available.’ He alludes to

another recent medical development but is clearly in favour of less invasive options currently available.

‘Deep Brain Stimulation is one of the latest therapies in progressive Parkinson’s disease and can be very successful then.’

People who find themselves with the unfortunate diagnosis of this unpleasant disease may find themselves far removed from a philosopher’s stone but at least a little hope is dawning given the current advances in medicine driven by neurologists who possess extensive knowledge and an optimistic outlook.

The quality of life for people with Parkinson’s is much better than it was thirty years ago in terms of improvement of therapy.’

Dr. Jahnke attends The Galway Clinic, St Josephs in Sligo, Cahercala in Ennis and St. Francis in Mullingar.

All consultations with Dr. Jahnke are by appointment only and a GP referral is necessary. His secretary, Fiona, can be contacted on 087 9403863. Fax number is 091 394057.

Feature by Dr Katherina Tobin Medical Ophthalmologist

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) A ge Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of registered blindness in the over 50 year old age category in Ireland. Indeed, it's similar to mainland Europe and indeed North America also. Despite this public awareness isn't as informed about this condition compared to other eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts. As a result public information is important to increase people's awareness of the condition and indeed what practical steps can be taken to detect it early and manage the condition.

The macula is in the centre of the retina which is a very important part of the back of the eye. It gives the sharp central vision especially when performing tasks such as reading, sewing, driving and watching television. As the name suggests, it's most common in eyes as they get older. As we age, this area at the back of the eye can become thinner and loose its natural pigments.

This process doesn't happen in every older eye and a lot of research is currently going on both in this country and abroad to find out the exact reason why this condition happens in some people and then how best to treat it.

What is known at present is that there are certain risk factors that increase the chance of developing this condition. Some of these risks factors we can alter and some can not. The first factor that is within our capacity to alter is that of

smoking. Research has extensively shown that people who smoke can be up to 5 times more likely to develop AMD than those who don't.

Apart from potentially harmful substances in smoking it also affects the blood flow to this important part of the eye. This will impair the amount of nutrients that gets to the eye and its ability to repair itself.

Nutrition is another area that is obviously important not alone to the body in general but again to this macular area in the eye.

There are particular nutrients that are specifically helpful to the eye and these include Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Mesozeaxanthin. These nutrients are found naturally in fruit and vegetables. They are particularly abundant in green vegetables such as spinach,kale and cabbage.

Other good sources include peppers and sweetcorn.

Mesozeaxanthin is found in salmon. Good diet from early childhood is important but sometimes this isn't possible but it's still never too late to improve diet. However,as one gets older our dietary preferences are more likely to become more rigid and as a result nutritional supplements are available. These can be obtained in all pharmacies.

There are many brands on the market and it's important to ensure that you have the correct supplement.

However, supplements aren't a substitute for eating well.

Another issue that we can help in avoiding the risk of getting AMD is the amount of

Lutein Omega 3 The formulation of Lutein Omega 3 contains many of the nutrients examined in the Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). This is a major study that analysed certain vitamins and minerals to establish their effect on AMD. The investigators produced evidence that these nutrients help prevent or slow the progression of macular degeneration and associated vision loss.

The product contains Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Vitamins C & E, Zinc and Copper, combined with fish oil rich in DHA (Omega 3) Lutein Omega 3 is sugar free and gluten free.

Each pack contains 2 months supply (60 capsules), with one capsule to be taken daily.

Lutein Omega 3 is available in all pharmacies and its RRP only €19.85. This shows a saving of almost 50% on other AMD supplements.

direct sunlight exposure we expose our eyes to. Over long periods of time excessive sunlight exposure especially in fair skinned people can cause damage to the macular area. As a result if one is outdoors for prolonged periods of time it's a good idea to wear a sunhat shading the eyes or wear glasses to protect against UV damage. This applies to children also.

Our general health has obvious bearing on the health of our eyes and it's always

recommended to keep blood pressure within normal range and avoid excess weight gain.

There are also factors that we as individuals have no control over. Every decade beyond the age of 50 that we live increases our risk of developing AMD. If we have a close relative who has AMD then our risk is higher than someone who has no close family history of same.

Being fair skinned makes us a higher risk than been more sallow or dark skinned.

So to be practical about it, it's a good idea when one reaches the age of 50 to have a baseline examination with your optician or eye doctor to assess your ocular health. It's sensible to wear sun glasses in the summer sun. It's sensible to have a check up with your family doctor to make sure that your general health parameters including blood pressure, cholesterol and weight are within normal range. For general wellbeing it's advisable to have a healthy diet.

Guarantee Your Copy of THE MAGAZINE FOR THE OLDER, BOLDER INDIVIDUAL

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ature Living is full to the brim with information on events, finance, travel, pets, food and drink, health, hobbies and much much more! For just €35 (to cover postage and admin costs) you can have Mature Living delivered to your door.

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Page 17 Mature Living October 2012

Memory Tips

Why can’t I remember things?

Admit it: You've searched high and low for the eyeglasses that are already on your head; you've groped for the forgotten name; and you've had the mystifying experience of standing in your closet wondering, "Why did I come in here?"

A

well-known cartoonist said: "We have to be able to poke fun at ourselves," “You can wring your hands about your lapses of memory, or you can say, 'Hey, this is it!' Be happy that you're growing older, that you're maturing, that you're smarter, that you're wiser.

Plus, all of your friends are growing older with you.”

Others may not look at it all with such humour, however. So, let’s take a look at some signs and symptoms and possible way to deal with problems.

Maybe it starts with simply forgetting something. You can't remember the route to a restaurant you've been to many times before or the birthday present a friend gave you a month ago. Then comes the worry. Is your forgetfulness a sign of something serious, like Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia?

Such brain freezes happen to most of us, to different degrees, as we age. Even experienced public speakers have their "Oops" moments, when a word or term they use on a daily basis simply refuses to come to mind. But while such common memory lapses are frustrating, they don't necessarily mean Alzheimer's is at the door. If your lapses aren't disrupting your life, there's no need to be actively worried, experts say.

"The key issue is whether cognitive changes are significantly interfering with daily activities, " says Kirk R. Daffner, M.D., chief of the division of cognitive and behavioral neurol-

ogy at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. If that's happening, you should consult your doctor. Your lapses may well have very treatable causes. Severe stress, depression, a vitamin B12 deficiency, insufficient sleep, some prescription drugs and infections can all play a role.

Even if these factors don't apply to you, your memory isn't completely at the mercy of time. Studies have shown that people who exercise, stay mentally active, socialize regularly and eat a healthy diet can minimize memory loss.

Still worried? See below for six types of normal memory lapses that are not signs of dementia — plus tips on how to counter them.

1. Absentmindedness.

Where in the world did you leave your keys? Or why the heck did you walk into the living room anyway?

Both of these very common lapses usually stem from lack of attention or focus. It's perfectly normal to forget directions to somewhere you haven't visited in a while. But "if you've lived on a block for 10 years, and you walk out the door and get lost, that's much more serious," says Debra Babcock, M.D., of the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Memory tip: Focus on what you're doing or thinking in any given moment, and you'll head off a lot of these lapses. If you find yourself in the middle of one, retracing your steps, mentally or actually, can help.

Page 18 Mature Living October 2012

2. Blocking.

This is the frustrating tip-of-thetongue moment. You know the word you're trying to say, but you can't quite retrieve it from memory. It usually happens when several similar memories interfere with each other.

A 2011 study, published in the journal Brain Research, showed that elderly participants had to activate more areas of the brain to perform a memory task than the study's young subjects. "We're all accessing the same brain networks to remember things, says Babcock, "but we have to call in the troops to do the work when we get older, while we only have to call in a few soldiers when you're younger."

Memory tip: Review mentally — or even write down — the elements or facts of a story or event before you talk about them. If you find yourself stuck in the moment, try to remember other details about the event, name or place, which often will trigger the memory you are searching for.

3. Scrambling.

This is when you accurately remember most of an event or other chunk of information, but confuse certain key details. One example: A good friend tells you over dinner at a restaurant that she is taking out a second mortgage on her home.

Later, you correctly recall the gist of her news but think she told you during a phone conversation.

Research points to the importance of the hippocampus — a region of the brain crucial in the formation of memories about events, including the particular time and place they occurred. Scientists estimate that, after the age of about 25, the hippocampus loses 5 percent of its nerve cells with each passing decade.

Memory tip: Draw on mental cues from an experience or event to trigger an accurate recollection. Focus on piecing together specific details of the memory — the time, the place, the people you saw, the reason for the event, topics of conversation.

4. Fade Out. The brain is always sweeping out older memories to make room for new ones. The more time that passes between an experience and when you want to recall it, the more likely you are to have forgotten much of it. So while it is typi-

cally fairly easy to remember what you did over the past several hours, recalling the same events and activities a month, or a year, later is considerably more difficult. This basic "use-it-or-lose-it" feature of memory known as transience is normal at all ages, not just among older adults.

Memory tip: Studies show that events we discuss, ponder over, record or rehearse are recalled in the most detail and for longest periods of time. So one of the best ways to remember events and experiences — whether everyday or life changing — is to talk or think about them.

5. Retrieval. You were just introduced to someone, and seconds later, you can't remember her name.

Or you saw a great film, but when you tell a friend about it the next day, you've completely forgotten the title. Aging changes the strengths of the connections between neurons in the brain. New information can bump out other items from shortterm memory unless it is repeated again and again.

Memory tip: This type of short-term memory loss usually can be avoided by focusing in any given moment and eliminating distractions. "Short-term memory is of limited capacity to begin with, so being focused is crucial," according to health experts.

Consciously rehearsing or forming a mental picture of a person's name or key facts about an experience, such as the movie you just saw, also helps lodge information in memory.

6. Muddled multitasking. Call it demitasking, when the number of things you can do effectively at one time diminishes. Maybe you can't watch the news and talk on the phone at the same time anymore.

Not such a bad thing, really.

Studies show that, the older we get, the more the brain has to exert effort to maintain focus. Further, it takes longer to get back to an original task after an interruption.

Memory tip: Avoid interruptions and concentrate on one task at a time.

And according to a 2009 Stanford University study, this advice holds true at any age because most multitaskers aren't truly focused. "People who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information do not pay attention, control their memory or switch from one job to another as well as those who prefer to complete one task at a time," the researchers concluded.

Relationship Advice

Are you bored in your marriage?

Some tips for putting the fun back in your relationship 5. Get up and go It sounds extreme, I know, but moving to a new locale transforms your life and makes it impossible not to grow closer together as you share new experiences. Is moving out of the question? Consider a home exchange for a year, a summer, a month or a week. Exploring a new town or a new neighborhood — to say nothing of finding new favorite things to do or places to go — will dynamically refresh your relationship.

I

t's Friday night when you look over at your spouse and it hits you: Didn't we do this exact same thing — dinner, couch, TV — last Friday night, too? Is this all there is?

As you ponder these questions, you're not feeling terrible about your domestic life. And you don't really doubt that you love your partner as much as you ever did. You're just … well, face it … kind of bored. And that's not a great way to feel. And maybe that boredom might result in something more serious unless you take steps to revitalize things . . . particularly if you are both retired, or even semi-retired.

I am pleased to report, in no uncertain terms, that it's possible to revive the fun, the feelings and the passion that you felt in the past. To start, you need to turn off the television, put away that novel and focus on revitalizing your relationship. Here are some things you can do: 1. Widen your circle New people can bring new perspectives — and new experiences — into the life you share with your partner.

So seize the opportunity to expand your social circle to see where that might take you. If you meet a new couple, for example, who sail (or knit, or cook, or whatever), ask them to show the two of you the ropes. That might inspire you and your partner to take a sailing class together. You'll be energized by learning something new as a team — and by getting to know other people who are into it, too.

2. Step up — and sign up Many people need help in the world today, so your time and talents are

likely to come in handy. Perhaps you volunteer at your church or house of worship already, but how about trying something new that will let you see your partner in a new light?

Depending on your circumstances, it could be something exotic: working to help somebody in a remote village, for example (making sure, of course, that the person in question appreciates being helped). Or the worthy cause might be right in your neighborhood, such as providing support and respite for a burned-out carer. The aim is to do it together — and the result is often an accomplishment that gives you new things to respect about each other.

3. Break free of your comfort zone Do something together you've never done before — especially if it requires you to stretch beyond your normal limits: Try some water activities, take up yoga or some form of meditation … camp out under the stars (few opportunities here for that this year, though). Not only will this force you to serve as each other's support system and confidant, you'll be building shared memories you can tap together later on.

4. Change hobbies, not hubbies It's not that his-and-hers hobbies are such a bad idea, it's just that they take you away from each other so much. So why not bond over a new, combined hobby? (Poetry writing, anyone?) Imagine the fun you could have learning to play the drums (or mix music, or sculpt) as a duo. If the two of you tackle a foreign language together, reward yourselves with a trip to the country where people seem to speak it without even trying.

6. Book it Join a book club for couples and you're bound to discover at least one or two opinions you never knew your partner held. If you can't find such a group in your area, organize one yourself. (Or a couples movie club, or a couples theater club — you get the idea.) Unless you love Proust while he's a fan of Grisham, lively and positive exchanges will most likely return to your relationship.

7. Try a Couples’ Retreat - head for the hills A couples retreat (these are more common in the US, but there are similar opportunities here in Ireland in the retirement groups) offers a more structured way to forge new bonds. These retreats may centre around yoga, walking or discussion — sight-seeing — focus on relationships - with all activities guided by a talented leader. Sceptical? Put your cynicism on hold and dive right in: Most couples return from a retreat feeling newly recommitted and regenerated, both personally and romantically.

It sounds extreme, I know, but moving to a new locale transforms your life and makes it impossible not to grow closer together as you share new experiences.

8. Get a makeover — no, make that two makeovers Image may not be everything, but it's something, so consider tweaking yours. Go to an expert hair stylist and say, "I'd like to change my look."

Or seek out a personal shopper at a department store and challenge him or her, "Make me look good!" (And don't shy away from clothes you wouldn't normally wear.) After your day of changes, meet for dinner at a restaurant and flirt. You'll be amazed how new clothes or new makeup can make you extra desirable to one another.

9. Take a second honeymoon Plan a grand romantic celebration of your relationship. Whether it's at the beach, a national park or some more exotic locale, even the toniest resorts are motivated to offer major deals in the "Autum/Winter seasons" when tourist traffic subsides. Do something wonderful to woo each other — and to remind yourselves how good it is to be not just parents or grandparents, but lovers.

A couples retreat offers a more structured way to forge new bonds Page 19 Mature Living October 2012

Health

The sneaky symptoms of women’s cancers

Don't be alarmed, but be aware. What you should know about the early warning signs of gynaecological cancers.

Ovarian cancer and other gynaecological cancers: • Pain in the lower abdomen of pelvic region. Some people also report a feeling of fullness or heaviness.

• Irregular periods and heavy bleeding.

• Irregular bleeding such as bleeding between periods, after sex or after menopause.

• Pain during sex.

• Unexplained lower back pain.

• Changes to bladder habits such as more frequent need to urinate or sudden urge to urinate.

• Unexplained weight loss or gain.

• Unusual vaginal discharge (may be “pus-like” and smell foul).

• A lump (in the case of vaginal and vulvar cancers).

Experts say it’s worth a conversation with your doctor if you experience these symptoms for longer than two to three weeks — or if they get worse.

If these signs sound familiar, don’t panic — most of the time they’re caused by common and less serious conditions. A physical exam and tests can help get to the root of the cause.

Tests that can uncover the truth There’s no single test that can easily detect women’s cancers. Diagnosing the condition may involve a variety of measures, including:

W

e wish cancer didn’t exist.

Since it does, we wish sirens and alarms would go off at the first sign of trouble. Unfortunately, many cancers aren’t caught in their earliest and most treatable stages because the symptoms can be vague — if there are symptoms at all. We see a lot of “pink” awareness efforts in the media, but other women’s cancers don’t get so much publicity — such as ovarian, endometrial (or uterine), cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers. While not as common as breast cancer, they can be even more deadly.

Our chances of developing gynaecological cancers increase as we age — and factors such as family history, being overweight or obese, smoking, hormone replacement therapy and reproductive history can increase our risk. In many cases, there aren’t

routine screening tests to help detect the issue.

However, just as we can be “breast aware” we can also be aware of the symptoms and changes to our body which could be warning signs.

Warning signs to watch for While each type of gynaecological cancer is different, they have many common symptoms. (Think about how close and interconnected our organs are down there.) Symptoms differ from person to person but can include: Ovarian cancer: • Bloating or swelling in the abdomen.

• Feeling full after eating little.

• Digestive symptoms such as gas, nausea, vomiting, constipation and loss of appetite.

Page 20 Mature Living October 2012

• A routine pap test to help detect cervical and vaginal cancers, but not ovarian or uterine cancers. Experts say women should have a pap test every 1-3 years, sometimes even if they are no longer having sex or have had a hysterectomy.

• A pelvic exam to feel for lumps or other abnormalities.

• Blood tests to look for abnormalities in the blood — like the CA-125 test which can help diagnose ovarian cancer. Doctors often check red blood cell count to see if the patient may be suffering from anemia due to bleeding.

• Imaging studies such as ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound, x-rays, CT scans or MRI scans. These studies are also used to help determine the location and size of a tumour.

Unfortunately, many cancers aren’t caught in their earliest and most treatable stages because the symptoms can be vague • A colposcopy where the doctor examines the vagina and cervix using a scope with a light and magnifier.

• A biopsy is necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. In some cases, doctors will recommend a hysteroscopy where a small tube containing a light and camera can get a look inside the uterus and take samples from any abnormal areas. A dilation and curettage (or D&C for short) allows doctors to take a sample from inside the uterus. A biopsy is also taken during a colposcopy.

If cancer is the diagnosis, doctors will do further tests to see if it has spread.

Again, it’s important to remember that symptoms of gynecological cancers are also associated with many common conditions. The message from experts is not to be alarmed if you’re experiencing them — but not to dismiss them either. Sometimes we’re a little too eager to dismiss this or that issue as being part of the “aging process”, but experts note there’s nothing normal about these symptoms. Chances are the cause is harmless, but there are still treatments and lifestyle strategies that can help.

A little good news to leave you with: overall, more people are surviving cancer thanks to better prevention, earlier detection and new treatments. Hopefully we’ll one day be able to report that women’s cancers are a thing of the past, but in the meantime new treatments and tests continue to be investigated.

For more information on women’s cancers, visit: www.cancer.ie or www.ia-cr.ie

Health Compiled by Gerry Walsh

Food and Drug Interactions Dietary factors to consider when taking meds

Seville oranges, which are commonly used for marmalade, and tangelos, can also cause similar issues. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider to see if these foods are suitable for consumption. Oranges, and their juice, lemons and limes do not have this same compound and therefore can be safely used with most drugs.

“TAKE TWO and call me in the morning.” This is a familiar axiom for medication usage. However, as many of us know, the instructions are not that simplistic. Recognizing the interactions that foods and drugs can have with one another is just as important to your health as the medicine itself. Older adults are at a higher risk for food-drug interactions because they are likely to have one or more chronic conditions that require some type of ongoing treatment with a drug. In fact, adverse drug reactions account for about 15% of the hospitalizations for older adults. By definition, a food and drug interaction is the reaction between a food, or one of its components, and the way a drug is metabolized in the

body. It is important to remember that these interactions can also go the other direction since certain drugs can also affect the use of nutrients in the body.

Grapefruit Perhaps the most widely known food and drug interactions occur with grapefruit juice. Part of the reason they are so widely known is because the juice interferes with several types of drugs, including blood pressure medications, statins (used for lowering cholesterol) and certain anti-depressants. Grapefruit juice contains a compound that blocks special enzymes in the intestines that break down many medicines. The result is higher levels of the medication remain in the body and side effects can become more likely.

Vitamin K Another common food and drug interaction occurs with the blood thinner warfarin, more commonly known by its trade name Coumadin®.

Using this medication requires careful scrutiny of foods high in Vitamin K since this vitamin helps the blood to clot and works against warfarin. Foods high in vitamin K include green leafy vegetables, cauliflower, liver and soybean oil.

Green tea also contains a fair amount of vitamin K as well. It is difficult to avoid all foods high in vitamin K so the most practical advice is to maintain consistency with your intake while on this medication.

“If patients generally do not eat a lot of foods with vitamin K then they should continue like that or if they like to have those foods then they need to make sure their doctor is aware so the dose (of warfarin) can be adjusted,” states Emily Hoffman, a leading US dietician. It is also prudent to be careful with dietary supplements while on blood thinners too. Ginseng, fish oil, garlic and ginger; in their concentrated supplemental forms can increase the overall risk of bleeding.

Nutrients and Minerals Medications can influence nutrient status by causing the body to maintain higher or lower levels of certain minerals, depending on their mechanism of action. Potassium levels are commonly impacted by many types of diuretics. Furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide are diuretics that cause the body to lose potassium and other minerals. A potassium supplement may be prescribed by

your doctor for this reason. Certain diuretics are designed to spare potassium losses therefore potassium supplementation is not always warranted. These medicines are often prescribed for high blood pressure so salt restriction is also part of the treatment plan.

Therefore, you need to check with your doctor to see if salt substitutes would be suitable for use. Salt substitutes often contain a substantial amount of potassium, in place of the sodium, and could lead to higher potassium levels than normal in the body. A half teaspoon of salt substitute can provide over 1500 mg of potassium. To put that in familiar terms – that is the potassium equivalent of four bananas.

Alcohol Alcohol is another food that can react with a variety of medications.

Most of the alcohol-drug interactions occur with pain medications such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Moderation with alcohol use, a standard mantra, is a necessity with these drugs.

Acetaminophen has been associated with liver damage, and the chances increase substantially if you consume three or more alcoholic drinks per day while using them.

NSAIDs relieve pain by interfering with enzymes called cyclooxygenase, or COX, for short. These enzymes are responsible for releasing the prostaglandin chemicals associated with inflammation. However, this enzyme also provides protection in the stomach from indigestion and ulcers. Liberal alcohol consumption while on NSAIDs substantially increases the risk of bleeding from gastric ulcers.

Alcohol also needs to be used with caution while on anticonvulsant medications and antihistamines since it can increase drowsiness in each situation. Lastly, nitrates that are used to treat chest pain often have alcohol warnings. Nitrates work by relaxing the blood vessels that lead to the heart therefore improving blood and oxygen flow. Alcohol can enhance the relaxing effect of this medicine and lead to a precariously low blood pressure.

Page 21 Mature Living October 2012

Fashion

Finesse Boutique for Mature Fashion T

HOSE who attended the recent Mature Living Exhibition at the Royal Theatre , Castlebar, would have seen first hand the quality on display from Finesse Boutique, Foxford.

The show itself demonstrated that fashion is not just for the young. As we have pointed out in these columns on many occasions you are never too old to look elegant and women of all ages are now turning heads when it comes to fashion.

The audience present were loud in their praise for the clothes presented at the Fashion Show and proprietor Maura Burke is extremely happy with the number of enquiries she has subsequently received.

While the Foxford store is gaining a reputation as the place for the mature fashion enthusiast, Finesse has something to offer all demographics and stocks labels from all leading Irish and International designers. They specialise in wedding and occasion wear, completing outfits with costume

jewellery and fascinators in sizes 8–26.

Finesse also stocks a large collection of fashionable day wear at very affordable prices. Slacks in colours white, back, brown, fawn and grey, with all-elastic waist can be purchased from €49.95. An exciting new range of dressy tops and cotton tee shirts are now in stock, something to suit every occasion. In addition, a bra measuring and fitting service is available for those who require this facility.

With a large range of stock in sizes from 32-44, Finesse can provide appropriate fashion for a wide range of clientele.

Deposits can be taken all year round and Gift Vouchers are always available – a brilliant idea for that special Christmas gift.

Finesse Boutique, Foxford, is open six days, from 10.30 to 5.30 and Maura looks forward to fitting out her many customers with fashionable outfits for parties and all other occasions this Winter.

TIMLIN’S – Ballina’s landmark business

T

IMLIN’S DRAPERY ,a landmark business in Pearse Street, Ballina, was established by Peter Timlin Snr in 1948 and the shop front still maintains its traditional appearance.

Peter had worked for Charles E. Gavin during the previous sixteen years and had built up a wealth of experience in the trade. He finally took the big step in 1948 and established his own shop. 64 years later the business is still going strong and operated by the second generation. Peter Snr., with his wife, Kathleen, established a general drapery which catered for a wide range of customer needs. The premises was a landmark on Pearse Street at the time as the bus stop was located across the street. This would have added to the hustle and bustle and this, allied to their business experience, enabled them establish a strong and loyal client base.

Many years later Peter Jnr. offers a more specialised service, but in many ways the shop has not changed much, particularly the level of service and attention the customer receives. Peter, assisted by shop manager Marion Hannick

and Yvonne and Dee, strive to ensure that all customers’ needs are met.

Stocking a large range of ladies’ and mens’ fashion, the business boasts many top brands, including Ladies’ Knitwear by Tulchan, Castle and Aran Crafts, while the men are adequately catered for with Swallow, Deerpark, Aran Crafts and Belika. Ladies can also select from a range of skirts, jackets and thermals, while the men can be fitted out in top quality shirts, jackets, trousers and thermals.

The shop also has a terrific reputation for school uniforms and various household items.

With Winter approaching it might be worthwhile visiting Timlins to see what you need to keep warm and fashionable.

Why not avail of the SPECIAL OFFER. Just pop in with the voucher attached to the advertisement on this page and get 10% OFF. Ballina is changing, but some things remain the same, particularly quality clothes at value prices. It looks like Timlin’s will be satisfying customers from its Pearse Street premises for many years to come.

Vast Range of Autumn Wear now in stock Excellent Selection including: Ladies Knitwear by Tulchan, Castle, Aran Crafts and Nua Mens Knitwear by Swallow, Deerpark, Aran Crafts and Belika Ladies Skirts, Jackets and thermals Mens Shirts, Jackets, Trousers and thermals Large range of specialist socks

On production of this voucher Ref: Mature Living

Be warm this winter - call to Timlins, Pearse Street, Ballina Pearse Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo • Telephone: 096-22320 Page 22 Mature Living October 2012

Senior Resource Feature

Battle of the Ages

New caregiver support series helps families overcome resistance of seniors who need help

J

ust when you thought that a family caregiver’s job couldn’t get more difficult, consider this: Many of the estimated 25,000 (Census 2011) carers who are caring for someone throughout Connacht are trying to help an aging relative who’d rather not have help.

A study of family caregivers who responded to a survey on caregiverstress.com, conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network, revealed that more than half of the respondents (51 percent) said that their aging relative was very resistant to care.

These seniors often object to help whether it’s from a family caregiver or a professional who tries to come into their homes to assist.

“This is a real problem for family caregivers worried about the safety of a senior loved one who might be forgetting food on the stove or neglecting to take their medications,” said Heather Gately, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care® office serving Connacht.

“Some seniors are so resistant I’ve heard stories of them calling the Garda Siochána when their family members have arranged for a caregiver to visit their home.”

But experts say that keeping fiercely independent seniors safe at home isn’t a lost cause; there are solutions for them and their family caregivers. That’s why the Home Instead Senior Care network has produced a series of helpful educational guides for the family caregiver.

This family caregiver support series addresses senior resistance to care and features a variety of topics such as choosing an in-home care provider, the signs of aging, long distance caregiving and communicating with aging parents.

Materials and videos are available at www.caregiverstress.com and family caregiver seminars are being scheduled in Mayo and Galway in early 2013.

Why do seniors resist help? “If seniors admit they need help, they feel their independence is in question,” said Gately.

“Seniors believe that once they acknowledge they need help, they’ll lose control of their affairs. They are trying to maintain dignity. Unless they feel they can trust someone, they resist change. I believe it’s the fear that life as they’ve known it will be taken away from them.”

Sometimes seniors only want help from a son or daughter, which can put undue pressure on that family caregiver who feels he or she can’t call for professional help. Most caregivers can go into “crisis mode” to rally around a loved one in the short-term, “but you can't be totally immersed in a crisis mode longterm without your own family, work and health suffering,” according to family caregiving consultant Dr. Amy D’Aprix, who holds a Ph.D. and Master’s degree in social work and is author of From Surviving to Thriving: Transforming Your Caregiving Experience.

The strain can take a particular toll on working family caregivers. Census 2011

shows that approximately 9,500 carers work 29 hours or more per week, which supports the Home Instead Senior Care study which revealed that 42 percent of caregivers spend more than 30 hours a week caregiving. That’s the equivalent of a second full-time job.

And that’s what makes countering that resistance to assistance so important.

“Many times family caregivers make assumptions but never ask: ‘Daddy, I’ve noticed that every time I bring up having someone come in to assist, you don’t want help.

Why is that?’ Sometimes the parent doesn’t realize they’re being resistant,” D’Aprix added.

“Also, reassuring a senior loved one that you have the same goal in mind will help,” D’Aprix said. “Start with: ‘My goal for you is to be independent, too.

You know I can’t be here all the time.

A little extra assistance will help you stay at home.’”

Gately said the battle to turn resistance into assistance can be fierce, like seniors who call the Gardai when a professional caregiver shows up.

“Education can help arm family caregivers with the tools they need to create a win-win for everyone.”

4. Research your options to find the best resources for your loved one.

Contact your local HSE Office, Active Retirement group or a geriatric care manager to research resources in your community. Or go to www.homeinstead.ie and find some Useful Links under the Elderly Care Resources tab. If you decide outside help is needed, reassure your parents and tell them you have researched caregivers and you are confident you have found the best one you can find to come into the home to help.

5.Respect your parent’s decisions.

Sometimes you won’t agree with your parent’s decisions and that’s O.K. As long as your loved one is of sound mind, he or she should have the final say.

A note: If your senior has dementia, seek professional assistance from a doctor or geriatric care manager.

Logic often will not work and other strategies must be employed.

About Home Instead Senior Care Founded in 1994 in Omaha, USA, the Home Instead Senior Care® network is the world's largest provider of non-medical in-home care services for seniors, with more than 875 independently owned and operated franchises in 16 countries spanning four continents.

Locally owned Home Instead Senior Care services employ over 2,000 CAREGiversSM throughout Ireland who provide more than 1 million hours of client service each year through activities including companionship, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, errands and shopping.

Home Instead Senior Care was established in Galway in 2006 and are leading advocates for senior issues in the west of Ireland.

At Home Instead Senior Care, it’s relationship before task, while continuing to provide superior quality service that enhances the lives of seniors everywhere.

Help (Not) Wanted Five strategies to help counter a senior’s resistance to assistance The following are strategies from Home Instead Senior Care® and family caregiving consultant Dr. Amy D’Aprix to help family caregivers turn resistance into assistance.

1. Understand where the resistance is coming from. Ask your parent why he or she is resisting. “Dad, I notice that every time I bring up the idea of someone coming in to help, you resist it.

Why is that?” Oftentimes older adults don’t realize they are being resistant.

2. Explain your goals. Remind your loved one that you both want the same thing. Explain that a little extra help can keep her at home longer and will help put your mind at ease as well.

Have a candid conversation with him about the impact this care is having on your life. Oftentimes seniors don’t understand the time commitment of a caregiver.

3. Bring in outside help. If a relationship with a parent is deteriorating, ask a professional, such as a geriatric care manager, for an assessment. A thirdparty professional can provide valuable input. Also, go to www.homeinstead.ie/elderly_care_resources and click on the 40-70 Rule for tips on how to talk with a loved one. If you are having problems getting through to your older adult, consider asking another family member or close friend to intervene. If you’re not making headway, perhaps there’s someone better to talk with your parents.

Page 23 Mature Living October 2012

Memories

The Bands of our Showband Era

Article and Photos courtesy of Gerry Gallagher www.irish-showbands.com

Smokey Mountain Ramblers (1968-1975 & October 2012)

Smokey Mountain Ramblers in 1968 Left to right: Paul Kenny (RIP-drums), John Cook (guitar & dobro), George Kaye (fiddle), Dave Kearney (RIP-guitar) and Martin Johnson (bass)

T

he story of the Smokey Mountain Ramblers started when Jerzy Kryzanowski (better known in Ireland as George Kaye) came to Ireland to busk, having spent time around the folk clubs of England. Instead, he found himself doing the pub scene and formed the Mitchell County Ramblers with Clive Collins. It was late 1967 and George had decided it might be time to go home when he was approached by Galway's Des Kelly of the famous Capitol Showband. Des saw the trend of country music coming to the showband scene before anyone else had a chance to react. George went home for a holiday at Christmas and returned to join a new type of band. Naming them the Smokey Mountain Ramblers, Des wanted something totally different, not like Big Tom or Larry Cunningham (both of whom were more "country n' Irish").

The original lineup of the band included: George Kaye on fiddle, Dave Kearney (RIP) on guitar and Martin Johnson (RIP) on bass (both formerly of The Movement), Paul Kenny (RIP-drums), and John Cook (guitar and dobro). The band hit the road in early 1968 and soon released their first single, "Ballad of Amelia Earhart."

Although the band garnered a lot of attention, their strong bluegrass influence did not catch on with dancers who were used to hearing the "country and Irish" music of Big Tom and Larry Cunningham.

Early on, John Cook, who worked with Aer Page 24 Mature Living October 2012

Lingus in his day job, found life on the road too demanding and decided to leave and was replaced by Lennie Power on guitar.

As the band's single, Amelia Earhart was winding down, Des decided the band needed a vocal front man and to fill out the band's sound top more of a traditional showband lineup. In the October 19th, 1968 issue of Spotlight, a small article announced Pat Ely was joining the band as its new lead singer. Pat had previously been with the Savoy Swing 7. In fact, Pat, Tommy Higgins (keyboards) and Bernie Fallon (drums) had all been with the Savoy Swing Seven, who had recently dropped the Savoy off the name and had become simply the Swing Seven who were being managed by Eamonn Hughes. Paul Kenny (RIP-drums) went to the Cotton Mills Boys. Things were not going well for the Swing 7 when Des Kelly contacted the boys looking for musicians to round out the Smokeys. Pat's addition to the band paid off with immediate success when his first single, The Little Folk, made it to number 13 in the Irish charts. In April, the band appeared alongside American star Hank Locklin at the Danny Pearse Tribute Concert in Dublin. The country boom was in full swing and the Smokeys were one of the first bands to climb to the top of the new genre. In November, 1969, the band had a scare when George Kaye collapsed on stage in Donegal. He was off the road

and hospitalized for several weeks in Dublin, but thankfully was not seriously ill. During 1970, the band continued to consolidate its position as one of the top five country bands in the country, appearing on the cover of Spotlight magazine. The band also released its first album, The Smokeys, in 1970.

In August, 1970, the Smokeys were hit by its first serious lineup change when founding member George Kaye decided to return to England and left the band after about 2 1/2 years on the road. In an article in Spotlight, co-manager Johnny Kelly reported that he would be replaced with a sax player, giving the band more versatility in their music. However a few weeks later, Johnny's brother Des Kelly responded to the crisis by announcing the Smokeys would be featuring two sax players in the future and would be featuring Cajun music in their updated programme. Joe McIntyre (Swingtime Aces and Johnny Flynn Band) and Tony Cannon replaced George and the band was now an eight piece.

As an aside, when George Kaye left the band and went to England, he formed a group there called White Lightning in the Nottingham area. In May, 1971, George returned to Ireland and brought several group members with him including his brother Thaddeus Krzyzanowski (RIP guitar), and Terry Foster (banjo). They formed a band called Real Country by adding to their ranks Bernie Fallon, (who left the Smokeys and was replaced by Alfie Merrigan), Joe Murray (lead vocals and keyboards from the Firehouse), Vinnie Baker (guitar also from the Firehouse) and Shea Cribben (bass from the Riviera Showband who broke up a few months earlier). An article in Spotlight dated October 7, 1971 reported that Eileen Reid, former lead singer with the Cadets was joining the band, which was going to drop the name Real Country and become the George Kaye Band featuring Eileen Reid.

In the end, Eileen formed a band called The 2nd Sound and George opted not to play with the new outfit, instead forming a four piece bluegrass band which played acoustic music. The band (pictured below) was George Kaye and the Bluegrass Roadshow. The band featured George (fiddle), Thad (RIP - guitar), Bernie Fallon (RIP - string bass) and Terry Foster (banjo).

Vinny Baker writes to tell us the band didn't last for more than two years, they

released one single and eventually included Jimmy Day and Eileen Reid in its ranks for about a year. By then, George had left to rejoin Pat Ely in the Rocky Tops. Thaddeus and Terry returned to England, but sadly Thaddeus was killed in an airplane crash a few years later. Vinny left in 1971 and Joe Murray joined the Smokeys before ending up with Margo's Country Folk.

Meanwhile back at the Smokey's ranch, the months after George's departure would result in massive changes to the band's lineup. The Capitol, one of the top 60's showbands on the circuit were on their last legs. They had been struggling for a couple of years and as the summer season ended, the time came for them to fold. In an article in the November 4, 1971 issue of Spotlight, Des Kelly announced that three members of the Capitol would be joining the band: Bram McCarthy (RIP - trumpet), Tony O'Leary (vocals), and Mike Dalton (bass). They would be joining Pat Ely, Joe McIntyre (sax), Dave Kearney (RIP guitar) and Alfie Merrigan (drums).

Departing would be Tommy Higgins, Martin Johnson (RIP), and Tony Cannon.

The revamped lineup of the band was pictured on Pascal Mooney's "London Calling" page in the November 18, 1971 issue of Spotlight. The band included newcomers Jimmy Murray (guitar), Tony O'Leary (vocals), Bram McCarthy (RIP trumpet), Alfie Merrigan (drums) and Mike Dalton (bass). Dave Kearney left the band at this time as well.

Tony O'Leary had first come to national prominence when he sang in the 1970 National Song which was won by Dana singing Ireland's first Eurovision winner, All Kinds of Everything. From there he had joined the Capitol as they wound down and then was picked to front the Smokeys.

(After the break up of the Smokeys, he would go on to front the Gallowglass Ceili Band.)

The Rocky Tops With the original members of the Smokeys scattered throughout Ireland, Mighty Avons' manager Charlie McBrien saw an opportunity and contacted Tommy Higgins to see if they could reunite the original band that had enjoyed so much success just a couple of years earlier. As Pat Ely was the only member remaining in the "new" Smokeys, and Tony O'Leary had joined (who could handle lead vocals as he had

done with the Capitol), it seemed like a great idea and Pat agreed to reunite with his old band mates.

The February 19, 1972 issue of Spotlight announced that the original Smokey Mountain Ramblers lineup had reformed, but under the new name of the Rocky Tops. In one of the era's most unique stories, the band (which had been chopped and changed over the years) decided it was time to get back together, but as the Smokey's name was already in use, they decided to start a "new" band. Even though an article in the March 4th issue of Spotlight reported that the original lineup was back together with the exception of one member - Tony Cannon from Donegal on sax - this was incorrect as the original lineup had included drummer Paul Kenny who had left to join the Cotton Mill Boys and had been replaced by Bernie Fallon.

Additionally, Lennie Power had decided not to join the new band. The Rocky Tops played their first date on St. Patrick's Day, 1972.

The departure of Pat Ely left the Smokeys with Tony O'Leary as their lead singer and a band that was more Capitols than Smokeys. In the Spotlight issue of July 6, 1972, an article about the Smokeys reported their new lineup. The lead singer of the band was Tony O'Leary, who would eventually go on to front the Gallowglass.

Also in the band at that time were Jimmy Murray (guitar), Joe Murray (keyboards), Bram McCarthy (RIP - trumpet), Alfie Merrigan (drums), Joe McIntyre (sax), and Mike Dalton (bass). There is some question here about Joe Murray's role as Vinny Baker told us Joe was with Real Country, but Spotlight reported he was with the Smokeys. After leaving the Smokeys in late 1971, by March of 1973 Lennie Power (RIP) was with the folk group Thatch, which also included future Miami guitarist, Des Flaherty.

Finally, a record attributed to the Smokeys featuring Anne, was released in 1975, although we are not sure of the lineup at that time. We will try to find out more.

Despite having the original Smokey's lineup, the Rocky Tops never reached the level of success they had previously enjoyed in the late 60's. In early 1974, Pat Ely was enticed away by the Tony Loughman (RIP) of the Top Rank Organisation to front a new band, the Storytellers. Frank O'Neill, who had previously been with Enniskillen's Skyrockets, was drafted in on lead vocals with the Rocky Tops and he brought in a

All editorial and photographs are kindly supplied by Gerry Gallagher from www.irish-shownbands.com Over the years Gerry has built up what can only be describe as the definitive guide to the showband era.

I would like to thank Gerry for allowing us to reproduce the articles and photos in Mature Living. If you would like to know more about your favourite band or who was number one in a particular year visit www.irish-showbands.com

guitarist he had played with previously as Dave Kearney (RIP) went with Pat to join the Storytellers.

For the Rocky Tops though, the writing was on the wall. By the end of the year, the Rocky Tops were no more, lasting just about two years. However, for the next thirty years, Pat Ely would continued to perform under the Rocky Tops banner using various lineups for gigs around the country and in England.

Although short lived in comparison to other bands of the era, the Smokeys were one of the first hugely successful country bands to break on the showband circuit.

Eventually bands like the Cotton Mill Boys, Ray Lynam's Hillbillies and Bill Ryan's Buckshot would carry the country mantel (non Country n' Irish) through the 70's and into the early 80's, but the Smokeys were one of the first.

Burning brightly for a few years, they often played 7 nights a weeks, which, according to Tommy Higgins, was one of the major reasons for their eventual downfall. "Even though we were all young men in our 20's, there was no way we could keep up the pace night after night and in the end, it took its toll on the band.

In the end, we played 49 nights in a row and were facing a run of 40 more consecutive nights and at that point, something had to give" explained Tommy recently.

My thanks to Tommy Higgins for his help in completing this story.

Left to right- Martin Johnson (RIP-bass), George Kaye (fiddle), Lennie Power (RIP-guitar), Dave Kearney (RIP-guitar), Bernie Fallon (RIPdrums), Pat Ely (vocals), and Tommy Higgins (keyboards).

Top singles - 1972

1. Barleycorn - The Men Behind the Wire (CRC) 2. John Kerr - Three Leafed Shamrock (Pye) 3. Dermot Henry & Virginians - The Gypsy (Columbia) 4. Big Tom & Mainliners - Broken Marriage Vows (Denver) 5. Joe, Sandie & Dixies - What Do I Do (play) 6. Roly Daniels & Green County - Hello Darling (Release) 7. Various - Four Great Irish Hits (Release) 8. Tommy Drennan & Top League - The Promise and the Dream 9. Larry Cunningham - Slaney Valley (Release) 10. Brendan Shine - Far Too Young (Play) 11. Sandie Jones - Ceol an Ghra (Play) 12. Paddywagon - Sunday Bloody Sunday (Columbia) 13. Brendan Quinn - Four In the Morning (Veheit) 14. Sean Dunphy & Hoedowners - Michael Collins (Dolphin) 15. Red Hurley & Nevada - Hold Me (Play) 16. Mattie Fox - Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger (Release) 17. Denis Bowler & Sun Valley Boys - The Ireland of Tomorrow 18. Gene Stuart & Mighty Avons - Kiss An Angel Good Morning 19. Times - The Entertainer (Columbia) 20. Donal Ring Sound - Beautiful City (Pye) 21. Family Pride - Give Me Your Hand (Columbia) 22. Brendan Shine - You'll Never Miss Your Mother Till She's Gone 23. Murphy & Swallows - Ned Kelly (Play) 24. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - Brand New Mr. Me (release) 25. Sean O Se - Manchester Rambler (Release) 26. Dermot Hegarty - Four Green Fields (Release) 27. Bill Ryan & Buckshot - Keys In the Mailbox (Release) 28. Brendan O'Brien & Stage 2 - Beautiful Sunday (Dolphin) 29. Brendan Shine - March of the High Kings (Play) 30. Hugo Duncan & Tall Men - Cry Cry Again (Release) 31. Tony Kearney - Bloody Sunday (Cuchulainn) 32. Wolfe Tones - Snowy Breasted Pearl (Dolphin) 33. Dermot Hegarty - Love Is Teasing (Release) 34. Cotton Mill Boys - Super Hits (Hawk) 35. Gerry Reynolds & Hi-lows - 100 Children (Release) 36. Tony & Ventures - Happy Anniversary (Release) 37. Flying Column - Four Green Fields (Emerald) 38. Wolfhound - Over the Wall (R&O) 39. Brian Coll - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (40.

Dermot Hegarty - After 21 Years (Release) 41. Philomena Begley & Rambling Men - Rambling Man (Release) 42. Rocky Tops - All I Have To Offer You Is Me (Release)

Page 25 Mature Living August 2012

Memories

The Bands of our Showband Era

Article and Photos courtesy of Gerry Gallagher www.irish-showbands.com

Smokey Mountain Ramblers (1968-1975 & October 2012)

Smokey Mountain Ramblers in 1968 Left to right: Paul Kenny (RIP-drums), John Cook (guitar & dobro), George Kaye (fiddle), Dave Kearney (RIP-guitar) and Martin Johnson (bass)

T

he story of the Smokey Mountain Ramblers started when Jerzy Kryzanowski (better known in Ireland as George Kaye) came to Ireland to busk, having spent time around the folk clubs of England. Instead, he found himself doing the pub scene and formed the Mitchell County Ramblers with Clive Collins. It was late 1967 and George had decided it might be time to go home when he was approached by Galway's Des Kelly of the famous Capitol Showband. Des saw the trend of country music coming to the showband scene before anyone else had a chance to react. George went home for a holiday at Christmas and returned to join a new type of band. Naming them the Smokey Mountain Ramblers, Des wanted something totally different, not like Big Tom or Larry Cunningham (both of whom were more "country n' Irish").

The original lineup of the band included: George Kaye on fiddle, Dave Kearney (RIP) on guitar and Martin Johnson (RIP) on bass (both formerly of The Movement), Paul Kenny (RIP-drums), and John Cook (guitar and dobro). The band hit the road in early 1968 and soon released their first single, "Ballad of Amelia Earhart."

Although the band garnered a lot of attention, their strong bluegrass influence did not catch on with dancers who were used to hearing the "country and Irish" music of Big Tom and Larry Cunningham.

Early on, John Cook, who worked with Aer Page 24 Mature Living October 2012

Lingus in his day job, found life on the road too demanding and decided to leave and was replaced by Lennie Power on guitar.

As the band's single, Amelia Earhart was winding down, Des decided the band needed a vocal front man and to fill out the band's sound top more of a traditional showband lineup. In the October 19th, 1968 issue of Spotlight, a small article announced Pat Ely was joining the band as its new lead singer. Pat had previously been with the Savoy Swing 7. In fact, Pat, Tommy Higgins (keyboards) and Bernie Fallon (drums) had all been with the Savoy Swing Seven, who had recently dropped the Savoy off the name and had become simply the Swing Seven who were being managed by Eamonn Hughes. Paul Kenny (RIP-drums) went to the Cotton Mills Boys. Things were not going well for the Swing 7 when Des Kelly contacted the boys looking for musicians to round out the Smokeys. Pat's addition to the band paid off with immediate success when his first single, The Little Folk, made it to number 13 in the Irish charts. In April, the band appeared alongside American star Hank Locklin at the Danny Pearse Tribute Concert in Dublin. The country boom was in full swing and the Smokeys were one of the first bands to climb to the top of the new genre. In November, 1969, the band had a scare when George Kaye collapsed on stage in Donegal. He was off the road

and hospitalized for several weeks in Dublin, but thankfully was not seriously ill. During 1970, the band continued to consolidate its position as one of the top five country bands in the country, appearing on the cover of Spotlight magazine. The band also released its first album, The Smokeys, in 1970.

In August, 1970, the Smokeys were hit by its first serious lineup change when founding member George Kaye decided to return to England and left the band after about 2 1/2 years on the road. In an article in Spotlight, co-manager Johnny Kelly reported that he would be replaced with a sax player, giving the band more versatility in their music. However a few weeks later, Johnny's brother Des Kelly responded to the crisis by announcing the Smokeys would be featuring two sax players in the future and would be featuring Cajun music in their updated programme. Joe McIntyre (Swingtime Aces and Johnny Flynn Band) and Tony Cannon replaced George and the band was now an eight piece.

As an aside, when George Kaye left the band and went to England, he formed a group there called White Lightning in the Nottingham area. In May, 1971, George returned to Ireland and brought several group members with him including his brother Thaddeus Krzyzanowski (RIP guitar), and Terry Foster (banjo). They formed a band called Real Country by adding to their ranks Bernie Fallon, (who left the Smokeys and was replaced by Alfie Merrigan), Joe Murray (lead vocals and keyboards from the Firehouse), Vinnie Baker (guitar also from the Firehouse) and Shea Cribben (bass from the Riviera Showband who broke up a few months earlier). An article in Spotlight dated October 7, 1971 reported that Eileen Reid, former lead singer with the Cadets was joining the band, which was going to drop the name Real Country and become the George Kaye Band featuring Eileen Reid.

In the end, Eileen formed a band called The 2nd Sound and George opted not to play with the new outfit, instead forming a four piece bluegrass band which played acoustic music. The band (pictured below) was George Kaye and the Bluegrass Roadshow. The band featured George (fiddle), Thad (RIP - guitar), Bernie Fallon (RIP - string bass) and Terry Foster (banjo).

Vinny Baker writes to tell us the band didn't last for more than two years, they

released one single and eventually included Jimmy Day and Eileen Reid in its ranks for about a year. By then, George had left to rejoin Pat Ely in the Rocky Tops. Thaddeus and Terry returned to England, but sadly Thaddeus was killed in an airplane crash a few years later. Vinny left in 1971 and Joe Murray joined the Smokeys before ending up with Margo's Country Folk.

Meanwhile back at the Smokey's ranch, the months after George's departure would result in massive changes to the band's lineup. The Capitol, one of the top 60's showbands on the circuit were on their last legs. They had been struggling for a couple of years and as the summer season ended, the time came for them to fold. In an article in the November 4, 1971 issue of Spotlight, Des Kelly announced that three members of the Capitol would be joining the band: Bram McCarthy (RIP - trumpet), Tony O'Leary (vocals), and Mike Dalton (bass). They would be joining Pat Ely, Joe McIntyre (sax), Dave Kearney (RIP guitar) and Alfie Merrigan (drums).

Departing would be Tommy Higgins, Martin Johnson (RIP), and Tony Cannon.

The revamped lineup of the band was pictured on Pascal Mooney's "London Calling" page in the November 18, 1971 issue of Spotlight. The band included newcomers Jimmy Murray (guitar), Tony O'Leary (vocals), Bram McCarthy (RIP trumpet), Alfie Merrigan (drums) and Mike Dalton (bass). Dave Kearney left the band at this time as well.

Tony O'Leary had first come to national prominence when he sang in the 1970 National Song which was won by Dana singing Ireland's first Eurovision winner, All Kinds of Everything. From there he had joined the Capitol as they wound down and then was picked to front the Smokeys.

(After the break up of the Smokeys, he would go on to front the Gallowglass Ceili Band.)

The Rocky Tops With the original members of the Smokeys scattered throughout Ireland, Mighty Avons' manager Charlie McBrien saw an opportunity and contacted Tommy Higgins to see if they could reunite the original band that had enjoyed so much success just a couple of years earlier. As Pat Ely was the only member remaining in the "new" Smokeys, and Tony O'Leary had joined (who could handle lead vocals as he had

done with the Capitol), it seemed like a great idea and Pat agreed to reunite with his old band mates.

The February 19, 1972 issue of Spotlight announced that the original Smokey Mountain Ramblers lineup had reformed, but under the new name of the Rocky Tops. In one of the era's most unique stories, the band (which had been chopped and changed over the years) decided it was time to get back together, but as the Smokey's name was already in use, they decided to start a "new" band. Even though an article in the March 4th issue of Spotlight reported that the original lineup was back together with the exception of one member - Tony Cannon from Donegal on sax - this was incorrect as the original lineup had included drummer Paul Kenny who had left to join the Cotton Mill Boys and had been replaced by Bernie Fallon.

Additionally, Lennie Power had decided not to join the new band. The Rocky Tops played their first date on St. Patrick's Day, 1972.

The departure of Pat Ely left the Smokeys with Tony O'Leary as their lead singer and a band that was more Capitols than Smokeys. In the Spotlight issue of July 6, 1972, an article about the Smokeys reported their new lineup. The lead singer of the band was Tony O'Leary, who would eventually go on to front the Gallowglass.

Also in the band at that time were Jimmy Murray (guitar), Joe Murray (keyboards), Bram McCarthy (RIP - trumpet), Alfie Merrigan (drums), Joe McIntyre (sax), and Mike Dalton (bass). There is some question here about Joe Murray's role as Vinny Baker told us Joe was with Real Country, but Spotlight reported he was with the Smokeys. After leaving the Smokeys in late 1971, by March of 1973 Lennie Power (RIP) was with the folk group Thatch, which also included future Miami guitarist, Des Flaherty.

Finally, a record attributed to the Smokeys featuring Anne, was released in 1975, although we are not sure of the lineup at that time. We will try to find out more.

Despite having the original Smokey's lineup, the Rocky Tops never reached the level of success they had previously enjoyed in the late 60's. In early 1974, Pat Ely was enticed away by the Tony Loughman (RIP) of the Top Rank Organisation to front a new band, the Storytellers. Frank O'Neill, who had previously been with Enniskillen's Skyrockets, was drafted in on lead vocals with the Rocky Tops and he brought in a

All editorial and photographs are kindly supplied by Gerry Gallagher from www.irish-shownbands.com Over the years Gerry has built up what can only be describe as the definitive guide to the showband era.

I would like to thank Gerry for allowing us to reproduce the articles and photos in Mature Living. If you would like to know more about your favourite band or who was number one in a particular year visit www.irish-showbands.com

guitarist he had played with previously as Dave Kearney (RIP) went with Pat to join the Storytellers.

For the Rocky Tops though, the writing was on the wall. By the end of the year, the Rocky Tops were no more, lasting just about two years. However, for the next thirty years, Pat Ely would continued to perform under the Rocky Tops banner using various lineups for gigs around the country and in England.

Although short lived in comparison to other bands of the era, the Smokeys were one of the first hugely successful country bands to break on the showband circuit.

Eventually bands like the Cotton Mill Boys, Ray Lynam's Hillbillies and Bill Ryan's Buckshot would carry the country mantel (non Country n' Irish) through the 70's and into the early 80's, but the Smokeys were one of the first.

Burning brightly for a few years, they often played 7 nights a weeks, which, according to Tommy Higgins, was one of the major reasons for their eventual downfall. "Even though we were all young men in our 20's, there was no way we could keep up the pace night after night and in the end, it took its toll on the band.

In the end, we played 49 nights in a row and were facing a run of 40 more consecutive nights and at that point, something had to give" explained Tommy recently.

My thanks to Tommy Higgins for his help in completing this story.

Left to right- Martin Johnson (RIP-bass), George Kaye (fiddle), Lennie Power (RIP-guitar), Dave Kearney (RIP-guitar), Bernie Fallon (RIPdrums), Pat Ely (vocals), and Tommy Higgins (keyboards).

Top singles - 1972

1. Barleycorn - The Men Behind the Wire (CRC) 2. John Kerr - Three Leafed Shamrock (Pye) 3. Dermot Henry & Virginians - The Gypsy (Columbia) 4. Big Tom & Mainliners - Broken Marriage Vows (Denver) 5. Joe, Sandie & Dixies - What Do I Do (play) 6. Roly Daniels & Green County - Hello Darling (Release) 7. Various - Four Great Irish Hits (Release) 8. Tommy Drennan & Top League - The Promise and the Dream 9. Larry Cunningham - Slaney Valley (Release) 10. Brendan Shine - Far Too Young (Play) 11. Sandie Jones - Ceol an Ghra (Play) 12. Paddywagon - Sunday Bloody Sunday (Columbia) 13. Brendan Quinn - Four In the Morning (Veheit) 14. Sean Dunphy & Hoedowners - Michael Collins (Dolphin) 15. Red Hurley & Nevada - Hold Me (Play) 16. Mattie Fox - Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger (Release) 17. Denis Bowler & Sun Valley Boys - The Ireland of Tomorrow 18. Gene Stuart & Mighty Avons - Kiss An Angel Good Morning 19. Times - The Entertainer (Columbia) 20. Donal Ring Sound - Beautiful City (Pye) 21. Family Pride - Give Me Your Hand (Columbia) 22. Brendan Shine - You'll Never Miss Your Mother Till She's Gone 23. Murphy & Swallows - Ned Kelly (Play) 24. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - Brand New Mr. Me (release) 25. Sean O Se - Manchester Rambler (Release) 26. Dermot Hegarty - Four Green Fields (Release) 27. Bill Ryan & Buckshot - Keys In the Mailbox (Release) 28. Brendan O'Brien & Stage 2 - Beautiful Sunday (Dolphin) 29. Brendan Shine - March of the High Kings (Play) 30. Hugo Duncan & Tall Men - Cry Cry Again (Release) 31. Tony Kearney - Bloody Sunday (Cuchulainn) 32. Wolfe Tones - Snowy Breasted Pearl (Dolphin) 33. Dermot Hegarty - Love Is Teasing (Release) 34. Cotton Mill Boys - Super Hits (Hawk) 35. Gerry Reynolds & Hi-lows - 100 Children (Release) 36. Tony & Ventures - Happy Anniversary (Release) 37. Flying Column - Four Green Fields (Emerald) 38. Wolfhound - Over the Wall (R&O) 39. Brian Coll - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (40.

Dermot Hegarty - After 21 Years (Release) 41. Philomena Begley & Rambling Men - Rambling Man (Release) 42. Rocky Tops - All I Have To Offer You Is Me (Release)

Page 25 Mature Living August 2012

Best Will In The World

Are you putting off the vital process of making a will?

The importance of making a will is being highlighted in the lead up to the second Best Will in the World Week which takes place from Monday 22nd - Friday 26th October.

D

uring Best Will in the World Week, organised

by MyLegacy, a coalition of over 70 Irish charities including Brainwave, solicitors across the country will offer will consultations to the general public for a flat fee of €50. Those interested in making or updating an existing will, are also being encouraged to leave a gift to their favourite charity in their will after loved ones have been looked after.

Research Findings New Amarach research findings commissioned by Mylegacy show that only 34% of people living in Ireland have made a will. Just over 30% of 1,000+ respondents said that they would like to make a donation to charity in their will, which represents a 100% increase compared to when respondents were asked the same question in 2006. Almost 70% of people who would like to leave a gift to charity in their will said that their families would be comfortable with this. The desire to leave a gift to charity is highest among 18 - 24 year old respondents.

Motivations for leaving a gift to charity differ.

Sligo

Anne Hickey, Wine st, Sligo Martin & Galvin Solicitors, Teeling St, Sligo Murphy Ballantyne Solicitors 19 Chapel St, Sligo Johnson & Johnson Solicitors, Ballymote Rochford Gallagher & Co. Teeling St, Tubbercurry

Mayo

T. Mullan & Co, Bowgate St, Ballinrobe Thomas J. Walsh, 1 Mill Lane, Main St, Castlebar Denis M Molloy Solicitors, Bridge St, Ballina Vincent Deane & Co. Solicitors, Thomas St, Castlebar Patrick J McEllin & Son, Claremorris Maguire & Brennan Glebe St, Ballinrobe & The Square, Claremorris Aileen McGing Solicitor, Main St, Charlestown

44% of respondents said they would be motivated by a family member having an illness associated with a particular charity, 33% by a personal experience of a charity (e.g. having an associated illness.), 33% by the availability of money at their disposal at the time and 34% by their belief in and support for a charity's ethos. Speaking in advance of the launch of Best Will in the World Week, Susan O'Dwyer, Chairperson, MyLegacy and CEO, Make-AWish Foundation said "Not having a will can have serious consequences for your family after you are gone. In the absence of a will, there can be bitter legal disputes and the possibility of the State having to make decisions regarding the distribution of your property and assets and we all want to avoid that. So during our Best Will in the World Week, MyLegacy has organised that solicitors right across the country offer will consultations for a flat fee of €50 to give people the opportunity to make a will or update an existing will and consider leaving a gift to charity.

"We know times are tough but Irish people are generous and continue to give what they can to Irish charities. Legacy donations in wills, regardless

Leitrim

George Lynch & Son Bridge St, Carrick-on-Shannon Collins Solicitors, Breifne House, Main St, Carrick on Shannon Kevin P. Kilrane & Co. Bridge St, Mohill McGovern & Associates Equity House, Dublin Rd, Carrick-on-Shannon George Lynch and Son Bridge St, Carrick on Shannon Patrick Duffy Solicitors, Carrick on Shannon

Roscommon

Mahon Sweeney Solicitors, Main St, Roscommon Kevin P. Kilrane & Co. Cathedral St, Ballaghaderreen Callan Tansey Solicitors, Crescent House, Boyle Henry J Wynne & Co, Elphin St, Boyle

HENRY J. WYNNE & CO. VINCENT DEANE & CO. SOLICITORS Tel: 071-9662083 / 071-9662098 Fax: 071-9662853 • DX:65 003 Boyle Paticipants in "Best Will in the World Week 2012 details at www.mylegacy.ie"

For all your legal requirements HENRY J. WYNNE PAUL W. WYNNE B.A., LL.B. JONATHAN H. WYNNE B.A., LL.B.

E-Mail: info@hjwynne.ie BOYLE, Co. ROSCOMMON

SOLICITORS Tel: 094 -9022980 / 094-9022981 Participating In Best Will In The World Week 2012 details at www.mylegacy.ie

Thomas Street, Castlebar, County Mayo Email: vincentdeane@eircom.net Fax: 094 9022 922

of how large or small are an extremely valuable source of income to charities. Every gift in a will makes a long lasting difference." said Susan O'Dwyer. MyLegacy, established in 2003 is a coalition of over 70 Irish charities that have come together to promote the importance of will making and the power of leaving a gift to your favourite charity in your will. Please visit www.mylegacy.ie for further information.

At Murphy Ballantyne, Solicitors, our service combines the personal touch of the family solicitor with a range of specialist advice relevant to clients. We provide a strictly confidential, courteous service, all at the highest professional standards.

AILEEN

MC GING SOLICITOR

Aileen Mc Ging Solicitor BCL, LLM, AITI Participating In Best Will In The World Week 2012 details at www.mylegacy.ie

Tel: 094 9255 564 / 5 Fax: 094 9255 647 Email: info@mcgingsolicitors.ie Main Street, Charlestown, Co. Mayo.

Mc Govern & Associates SOLICITORS Telephone: (071) 962 1988 / (071) 962 1881 info@mcgovsols.ie

Participating In Best Will In The World Week 2012 details at www.mylegacy.ie

Equity House, Dublin Road, Carrick-on-shannon, Co. Leitrim

Travel Technology by Seamus Casey

Would you like a robot as your caregiver?

F

rom caregiving and stroke recovery to Alzheimer’s disease, socially caring robots can help to fill the gap in the healthcare system, experts say.

It’s not just the stuff of science fiction. Experts say we are now on the cusp of a robot revolution that will mirror the explosive growth of the computer revolution, which started in the 1980s, the BBC reports.

“I think robotics technology will change who we are, just as eyeglasses and fire changed who we were before,” says Rodney Brookes, robotics entrepreneur and former director of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

Robots are already a part of our society, particularly in manufactur-

ing, industry and the military. And increasingly, they could assume the roles of teachers, housekeepers, caregivers and even surgeons, experts say.

Japanese researchers, for instance, have been pursing a robot program that addresses the needs of aging citizens who could expect to be served food by a robot, stay mobile with a voicerecognition wheel chair or even hire a private nurse fortified by a strength-enhancing robotic suit.

And at the University of Southern California Professor Maja Mataric and her research team have developed social caring robots that can help children with autism. The robots can also be used to support patients recovering from

strokes and dealing with cognitive changes, such as Alzheime’s disease.

In coming years, experts say that robots could play a larger role in meeting the challenges of a global population that is living longer and getting older.

“The question becomes: who will take care of everyone? While people will always be the best caregivers for people, there just aren’t enough people. That’s where robotic technology can really make a difference,” Professor Maja Mataric, from the University of Southern California, told the BBC. Researchers from the University of Auckland are also developing robots that can assist caregivers — and ways technology can help people aging at home.

RIBA, the new Robot for Interactive Body Assistance

Don’t Open That Email

S

cammers have taken to using the names of reputable organizations including your bank to trick you into opening and complying with email requests.

It is getting harder and harder to weed out the fraudulent email that makes its way to your computer or mobile phone inbox. Hackers and scammers have taken to using

the names of reputable organizations including your bank to trick you into opening and complying with email requests.

They also are using subject lines that seem to refer directly to your business or social activities.

One scheme warns you that your latest revenue payment was rejected while another says your bank needs information to make sure your accounts have not been compromised.

Such emails and many others of this ilk direct you to websites where you are supposed to provide your passwords, account numbers and other personal or business details. This is called ‘phishing’ in Internet terminology and is a key way in which fraudsters get information they then use to steal your

identity and, ultimately, your money.

The best protection against such tricks is not to open any email that is at all suspicious.

But it is hard to avoid email that sounds as legitimate as it can be. How do you avoid opening a message that says ‘your order has been shipped,’ or ‘thank you for your recent payment’ or other such subject lines that either correspond with a recent transaction you have made or have you saying, “I didn’t order this” or “I didn’t make any payment.”

If you do yield to temptation and open the message and its attachments, you could be importing a virus which will infect your device or, worse, providing confidential information, including your email address, to a scammer out to

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defraud you.

Be aware, first, that no revenue department or financial institution will ask you to provide confidential or security information via email or Internet forms unless they communicate with you through secure sites with logins and passwords you know have been issued by them.

If you are asked for any personal information including your email address by any site other than those processing a current transaction you are making, do not reply, access any links or submit any information to the sender.

Treat all unsolicited emails as suspect even if they come from businesses with which you have relationships such as your bank, telephone company or utility.

Food and Drink

Healthy heart recipes

A heart-healthy diet doesn't have to be difficult. In honour of World Heart Day which fell on the 1st of October, we've got five tasty recipe ideas to help.

H

ow often are we told to eat well? As we know, the foods we eat make a difference to our health — especially when it comes to lowering risk for cardiovascular disease.

Whether you follow the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop

Hypertension) diet or the Mediterranean diet, there are some basics to finding those heart-healthy options. Experts say we should choose foods that are high in fibre, low in saturated fats and free of trans fats, and low in cholesterol and sodium. It’s no surprise that lean

meats, oily fish, fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy, whole grains, nuts and seeds and legumes (dried beans and lentils) should regularly grace our plates. Food rich with antioxidants like green tea, leafy greens, berries and dark chocolate offer health benefits too.

(For more ideas, see Top foods your heart will love.) However, experts also warn that loading up on a few “super foods” isn’t the way to go — rather, a varied and balanced diet is key to getting the nutrients we need.

Here are some healthy ways to pull it all together:

Califor!ia Walnut St"ffed Salmon Cit$"s Chicken Stir Fr% Wraps A portable rice wrap that will help keep you energized throughout the day. It’s packed with the essentials – energy enhancing carbohydrates, fibre and lean protein – so you can rest assured you’re receiving the nutrients necessary to keep you moving!

Ingredients 2 tsp olive oil 1/4 cup minced onion 1 clove garlic, minced 4 cups chopped spinach 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper 1 cup cooked brown rice 2 tsp lemon zest 1/4 cup grated mature cheddar cheese 1/2 cup chopped California Walnuts 1lb/454g Salmon fillet, skinned and pin bones removed Method Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) In large non-stick frying pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onions; cook until tender but not browned, about five minutes. Stir in garlic, spinach, salt and pepper and cook just until spinach starts to wilt, about three minutes. Remove from heat.

Add cooked rice to spinach and stir in lemon zest until well combined.

Spread spinach mixture evenly over salmon and sprinkle with cheese and walnuts.

Roll up gently using butcher’s twine to secure.

Place salmon on a baking paper lined, rimmed baking tray and bake in 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven until fish is cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.

Transfer to cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with steamed seasonal vegetables or green salad.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional information per serving Calories 378, Protein 24 g, Total fat 24 g (Polyunsaturated fats 11 g, Monounsaturated fats 7 g, Saturated fats 5 g), Cholesterol 57 mg, Carbohydrate 17 g, Fibre 4 g, Sodium 419 mg

Page 28 Mature Living October 2012

Ingredients 2 cups trimmed, cut into small pieces, broccoli (may use frozen) 1 lb (500g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips 1 tbsp cornstarch 1 tbsp canola oil 6 green onions, cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup hoisin sauce 1/4 cup water 1 orange, peeled and cut into segments 1 cup cooked, long grain brown rice 4 x 10-inch (25 cm) flax seed whole grain wraps 8 sprigs, fresh Coriander Method In a small glass bowl, microwave broccoli until tender crisp, about 3 minutes. (If using frozen, thaw by placing broccoli in a colander and running it under hot tap water for about 30 seconds).

Drain.

In a small bowl, toss chicken with cornstarch until

coated. In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on all sides, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. In the same pan, add green onion, garlic, hoisin, water, oranges and broccoli.

Cook until onions soften and sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Add chicken back to the pan and remove from heat.

To assemble: divide rice over the

middle third of each wrap. Arrange chicken mixture over top and place cilantro over each. Fold in sides and roll to enclose the filling. Can be served warm, room temperature or cold.

Makes 4 servings.

PER SERVING: about 430 cal, 34 g pro, 9 g total fat (1 g sat fat), 49 g carb, 6 g fibre, 65 mg chol, 520 mg sodium. %RDI: iron 15%, calcium 6%, vit A 20%, vit C 70%

Food and Drink

Egg!lant Mediter"anean Ingredients 1 tsp. olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes Can of diced no-salt-added plum tomatoes, drained non-stick cooking spray 3 cups eggplant, cut into cubes Small can of white kidney (cannellini) beans, drained and rinsed 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley salt and pepper to taste 12 oz. dried penne pasta 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth 4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Method Add olive oil to a large saucepan and heat over medium temperature. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan and sauté until the garlic is softened, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the tomatoes to the pan, heat to a

simmer, cover pan and reduce heat to low. Coat a large non-stick frying pan with non-stick cooking spray and heat over medium temperature. Add the eggplant and sauté, stirring often, until the eggplant is lightly browned, about 4 to 6 minutes. Lightly spray the eggplant with more cooking spray as necessary to prevent sticking.

Stir the tomato mixture into the eggplant and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and simmer over low temperature for about 8 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender.

Add the beans and simmer 5 minutes more. Add the herbs, salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook the penne according to package directions. When the penne is cooked, drain it well and add to the sauce mixture. Toss to coat, adding broth as necessary to moisten. Divide between 6 plates and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Serve hot. Makes 6 servings.

Breakfast Bur"ito with Black Beans and Char"ed Cor#

Trying a new recipe is a great way to add a little spark to your breakfast routine. This wrap is loaded with flavour and the black beans offer a great source of cholesterol-lowering fibre.

Ingredients 2 tsp vegetable oil 1/3 cup finely diced onion 1/3 cup canned corn, drained 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper

1/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed 1 tsp finely chopped garlic 1 cup egg substitute (or 4 large eggs) 1/2 cup medium salsa 3 large whole wheat flour tortillas 1/2 cup shredded mature cheddar cheese Pinch salt and pepper Method 1. Heat the oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Add onion

and sauté for 3 minutes or until soft. Add corn and sauté for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the corn begins to char. Add bell pepper, beans and garlic, and sauté for 2 more minutes. Set aside.

2. Lightly coat a nonstick frying pan with cooking spray. Add egg substitute and scramble over medium heat for 2 minutes or almost set.

Fold in the beans and corn mixture and cook for 1 more minute, or until the eggs are set.

Keep warm.

3. To assemble the burritos, spread the salsa evenly over the 3 tortillas. Place onethird of the eggs along the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese and season with salt and pepper. Fold in both sides and roll. Cut in half.

4. If desired, toast the burritos in the oven or toaster oven at 400°F for 5 minutes before serving.

Serves 6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes

Mushroom and Broccoli Cr$stless Quiche

Eliminating the pastry in quiche lowers the fat and calorie count; breadcrumbs temper the egg’s sensitivity to any excess moisture from the vegetables.

Preparation Time: 15 min Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes Ingredients 1 tbsp butter 8 oz (250 g) sliced fresh Mushrooms 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 1/2 cups small broccoli florets 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup milk - Substitute evaporated milk to give a little creamier consistency 3 eggs 1 cup shredded mature cheddar or Swiss cheese 3/4 cup soft breadcrumbs 1/2 tsp Each salt and dried basil 1/4 tsp Each pepper and nutmeg 1/4 cup diced red pepper (optional) 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese

Method In a large frying pan melt butter over medium heat; sauté mushrooms and onion for 3-4 minutes or until moisture has evaporated; add broccoli and garlic, sauté until broccoli is bright green, about 2 minutes.

Spoon mushroom mixture into lightly greased 9”(22 cm) pie tray.

In mixing bowl or large measuring cup whisk milk and eggs together;

stir in cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, basil, pepper, and nutmeg.

Pour over mushroom mixture stirring lightly to combine.

Sprinkle with red pepper (if using) and Parmesan cheese. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven for 25-30 minutes or until centre is set. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 Servings Nutritional Information: Calories: 189, Protein: 11.8 g, Fat: 12.1 g, Carbohydrates: 8.9 g, Dietary Fibre: 1.0 g

Page 29 Mature Living October 2012

Petcare

Sources: Association for Pet Obesity Prevention; Canadian Veterinary Medical Association; Discovery News

Pets putting on pounds Excessive weight gain is a growing health risk not only for humans, but for our furry companions as well. If your pet is piling on too many pounds, we’ve got some tips and tricks to help.

I

s your beloved pet a little, well, portly? If so, you’re not alone.A recent US survey found that a whopping 53 per cent of cats and 55 per cent of dogs are overweight or obese. The fourth annual study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) looked at data from veterinary clinics across the country. And the results showed that our furry family members are growing — and not in a good way.

“This year’s data suggests that our pets are getting fatter,” APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward said in a release. “We’re seeing a greater per centage of obese pets than ever before.” The group began conducting nationwide veterinary surveys in 2007. Since that time it has seen a steady increase of pets that are classified as overweight or obese. (To be considered obese, a pet is at least 30 per cent above normal body weight). In 2007, for example, about 19 per cent of cats were found to be obese by their veterinarian and in 2010 that number increased to almost 22 per cent. And for dogs, obesity rates nearly doubled from just over 10 per cent in 2007 to 20 per cent in 2010. Like humans, overweight and obese dogs and cats have an increased risk for serious health problems including diabetes, osteoarthritis, kidney disease, gastrointestinal problems, high blood pressure and respiratory problems.

Diet can also affect your pet’s longevity. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2002) found that dogs fed 25 per cent less food lived longer and experienced delayed onset of chronic diseases, compared with a control group.

Shed unwanted pet pounds Want to help your fat cat or pudgy pooch shed some pounds? For many pets, unhealthy weight gain is a result of taking in too many calories and getting too little exercise. Sound familiar? In many ways, the basic

weight loss strategies for pets are much the same as for humans.

Get regular exercise Regular exercise not only helps to keep your pet (and you) fit, but it’s a great time for bonding and sharing some good old-fashioned fun. How much exercise is enough? According to the Veterinary Association, dogs should have a brisk walk at least twice daily for 15 to 20 minutes. For cats, schedule at least two 15-minute play times each day.

Tips and tricks: • Start slow. Like us, our pets need to work up to being fit, particularly if they are overweight. Carrying extra pounds puts additional strain on joints, muscles, and the heart and respiratory system. To be on the safe side, you may want to start by visiting your veterinarian for a physical examination and ask for advice on a safe workout regimen for you and your pet.

• Be cautious if you’re biking with your dog. It is a common perception that dogs are born to run, but depending on your dog’s physical condition and fitness level this may not be the case. While a miles-long bike ride on a flat surface is manageable for many people, running that distance is another matter all together. If you do bike with your dog, be alert for any signs of doggy distress such as panting or lagging — and stop to rest if necessary. Heat stroke can happen suddenly, and be fatal. Also watch that your dog’s paws are not being hurt by hard or hot pavement.

• Playtime in the water. Some dogs love to swim, and playing fetch in the water is a great form of exercise.

Some dogs, however, don’t like water and can be prone to hypothermia or even drowning. As a precaution, pet life vests — particularly when boating or swimming in deep water — are a good idea.

• Playtime at home or at the park.

Games such as blowing bubbles or hide-and-seek can be a simple way to encourage activity. For cats, laser tag, catnip toys, scratching posts, climbing trees and string ‘fishing pole’ toys offer a fun frolic and a good way to get some exercise.

(Note: Playtime with string toys should always be supervised. Cats, in particular, love to eat string, rubber bands, ribbon, tinsel, yarn and other string-like objects, which if consumed, can be deadly.) For dogs, old-fashioned games of catch and Frisbee will do the trick. Check out your pet store for new toys and gizmos that make throwing and fetching more fun.

• Change the reward. With our pets, food is often viewed as a reward or a token of affection — which can lead to unhealthy snacking and overeating. Instead, make exercise and playtime your way of rewarding your dog or cat.

Provide a healthy diet. If you notice your pet is packing on unwanted pounds, it’s a good idea to speak to your veterinarian about dietary choices, since he or she is familiar with your pet and medical history.

Tips and tricks • Scrap the table scraps. Despite the best of intentions, those yummy

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leftovers and table scraps aren’t always in the best interest of your dog or cat. Leftovers can contribute to unhealthy weight gain — and also cause pets to go off their regular food, which understandably, tastes bland in comparison.

• Control portion size. Your veterinarian can suggest a ‘reduction’ or lower calorie diet for your overweight pet, but in some cases it’s simply a matter of overfeeding at meal times and giving too many treats.

Try healthier snacks. Many pet snacks are loaded with fat, sugar, food dyes and other unhealthy ingredients.

Consider buying smaller sized treats or natural low-calorie snacks such as raw carrots and unbuttered, unsalted air-popped popcorn.

• Feed more frequently. Experts also recommend giving smaller, more frequent meals during the day to boost metabolism and burn more calories.

As with humans, you can give your pet a healthy boost by balancing better eating with daily exercise. And in case you’re still reluctant to put your pampered pet on a diet: keep in mind that an extra eight pounds on a 40-pound dog is like an extra 30 pounds on a 150-pound person!

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Sligo & Castlebar Only

Carraroe Retail Park Sligo 087-7964263 • Ballina 083-3705897 • Mooneen Ind. Park Castlebar 083-3741736

M

ature Living have teamed up with Castlebar’s excellent Harlequin 4 Star Hotel, to offer one lucky reader a two nights Bed & Breakfast in a Deluxe Room & Dinner on one evening for two people - Included in this prize, are tickets to see Steel Magnolias, in the Royal Theatre beside the Harlequin Hotel on Friday evening, 19th October.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic break, simply answer the question below and send your answer, along with your name, address, email address and telephone number into us at: Harlequin Hotel Competition, Mature Living Magazine, Office 3, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo or alternatively you can email your entries to us at: competitions@matureliving.ie

Q: What County is the Harlequin Hotel in?

A: Co. Leitrim B: Co. Mayo C: Co. Sligo

Aut!mn Escape Get away from it all and enjoy a Relaxing Break Midweek or at the Weekend with 3 nights’ Bed and Breakfast & 2 Gourmet Evening Meals in Harlequins Restaurant....

From just €149.00

pps

To avail of this great offer quote ‘Mature Living’ when making your reservation for Our Autumn Escape.

The Harlequin Hotel is located town centre beside the bus stops and just 5 minutes from the train station

Call 094-9286200 for reservations or visit www.harlequinhotel.ie

Break Aways

Golden Escapes

The Mill Times Hotel is an oasis in the heart of Westport!

T

he Mill Times Hotel is a three star oasis, centrally located in the heart of Westport town. It is a perfect location to explore the bustling town of Westport with boutique

shops & historic landscape. The 34 guest bedrooms are elegantly decorated, spacious & airy in a warm and inviting atmosphere in a home away from home.

Uncle Sams Cafe Bar is home to

Winter Sale

The perfect special occasion or Christ!as giſt Pre-dinner cocktails for t#o Evening Meal in Temptations Restaurant for 2 1 Bo$le of house wine plus... Accommodation for 2 g%ests for one night

Only €99 (room only basis)

Total for 2 g%ests sharing

Offer valid November 2012 to March 2013 Midweek, Sunday to Thursday and select Friday nights.

Offer is subkect to availabilit' ; Ter!s and conditions apply. Excludes 27th-31st Dec, 1st Januar', 14th Feb, 17th March & Bank holiday Sundays. Triple rooms or single rooms are also bookable at an alter(ative rate.

great company, impromptu weekend musical sessions, combined with a good quality & great value bar food menu.

Whether you are looking for a quick bite, or to unwind & relax, the bar is both versatile & friendly.

Temptations Restaurant, reviewed by Irish critic Paolo Tullio, is decorated with style and elegance, with its plush surroundings & exquisite lighting; it is the perfect venue for a romantic meal for two or a relaxed meal with friends.

The seasonal menu highlights the freshest of local produce offering some classic dishes with some European influences on the evening dinner menu.

Meet your favourite cartoon characters, Mickey & Minnie Mouse at the free supervised children’s Cheeky Monkeys Club

every Sunday between 1 - 5 p.m, where Sunday roasts are the speciality.

Enjoy the warm friendly atmosphere of this boutique Westport hotel offering

Christmas Parties Par*' in the West - Mill Times does it best!!

Groups large or small we cater for all Themed par*' nights @ €39 per person Sat 8th Dec -Oscars Awards Sat 15th Dec - Soaps Night Fri 21st Dec - Elvis Meets Dolly Sat 22nd Dec - Moonlight & Mistletoe

Temptations Restaurant bookings also available

November Weekends 2 Nights Bed and Full Irish Breakfast with 1 Evening Meal €129 per person sharing

Mill Street, Town Centre, Westport, Co. Mayo Phone: 098-29200 www.milltimeshotel.ie • info@milltimeshotel.ie

excellent value, with free limited basement parking, or pay & display parking adjacent to the hotel. Please take the time to read their guest reviews on Trip Advisor’s website.

Break Aways

Galway – Full of splendour and delight A

lthough most counties slow down during Autumn/Winter, Galway is always alive with an eclectic mix of festivals and events.

The theatres and playhouses are packed with audiences and tickets, even in winter, sell out fast. Traditional Irish music vibrates throughout the city with haunting voices and melodic tunes. And occasionally a seanachai can be found beside the fire in the local reminiscing of times past.

From Galway Races to Christmas Markets there is something to suit all taste and with easy access from all main routes, it couldn’t be easier to get there. Great hotel offers are available throughout the winter with Maldron Hotel Galway becoming a firm favourite amongst active retired groups.

For further details on offers contact 091 792244.

Oranmore, Galway www.maldronhotelgalway.com Tel: 091 792244

Calling All Active Retired Groups To Galway Great offers at Maldron Hotel Galway All our package includes: • 3 Nights Bed & Breakfast and 3 Evening meals • Tea/coffee & scones on arrival • Transfers to and from the train/bus station • Use of one of our meeting suites for card games • Aqua fit class on the morning of your choice • Discounts to the local cinema which is located opposite the Hotel • Music in the bar on the night of your choice

Trips along Lough Corrib , down to Cliffs of Moher or Bunratty Castle can be arranged

All this from just

€149pps This rate is based on a minimum of 20 people. No single supplement applies on the first 5 single rooms when you have 20 or more people staying.

T&C Apply. Subject to availability

For f!r"her details contact 091 792244 and speak to your dedicated g#oup advisor Page 33 Mature Living October 2012

Break Aways

Autumn Breaks at Knock House Hotel

A

NEED TIME AWAY FROM IT ALL?

3 Nights Room Only €90 Total Midweek Sunday - Thursday - Offer Subject to availability

McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, Co. Mayo Tel: 094-937 8000 • www.mcwilliampark.ie

Page 34 Mature Living October 2012

utumn is definitely here again, leaves blowing, the fire is on and the evenings are long. Why not plan ahead and arrange a stay in Knock House Hotel and have something to look forward to in the next few months. October and November are great months to catch a bargain in Knock House Hotel see our special offers.

A warm welcome always awaits you here, we treat all our guests as friends and our attention to your every need will ensure you will have a really relaxing and enjoyable break. 68 Cosy bedrooms, fine food and friendly staff have been our hallmark for over 13 years.

Knock House Hotel is superbly located in the tranquil village of Knock, Co. Mayo. Just minutes from the famous Knock Shrine, this Hotel is in the heart of the unspoilt countryside, beside 100 acres of picturesque Shrine grounds.

It is a heaven of peace and the perfect setting for a relaxing break. Knock House Hotel is just 20 minutes from “Ireland West Airport Knock” and 10 minutes from Claremorris Train Station. Our well established Four Seasons Restaurant is open all day and serves Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Meals and evening A La Carte and Table D’Hote menus each evening.

It won't be long until Christmas, this year let us do the cooking and stressing, come visit us for the holidays. We have packages that will ensure that you have a relaxing and joyful time. Nobody is alone for Christmas here at Knock House Hotel, making friends and having fun is all part of our “Christmas Experience”, there is no additional charge for single room and you will feel right at home in our Christmas Lounge.

We also have New Year's 2012/2013 packages, which this year we will be including a lovely day trip to Sligo to enjoy the “Yeats Experience” which involves a visit to Broc House overlooking Lough Gill where Damien Brennan will introduce you to the magical poetry and life of William Butler Yeats.

Gift vouchers are available at the Hotel and on our website they make the ideal Birthday and Christmas presents. If you wish to make a booking for any of our packages please call Karen on 094 9388088 also keep an eye on our website www.knockhousehotel.ie and follow us on Facebook and Twitter #knockhousehotel for special offers and competitions.

Break Aways

Over 50’s Breaks at Hodson & Galway Bay Hotels

Galway Bay Hotel

H

odson and Galway Bay Hotels are two superb options for over 50’s breaks this Autumn.

First and foremost both locations are simply spectacular, with views stretching over Lough Ree in Athlone and the stunning Galway Bay and Clare hills. The amazing locations are teamed with superb facilities, 4 star luxury and a welcoming atmosphere making the hotels ideal for your break away.

The cuisine on offer in the award winning restaurants utilises quality Irish produce and offers a superb selection of seafood and lobster fresh from the tank. Breakfast includes the old favourite ‘The full Irish’ and its variations but in addition traditional porridge, fresh fruit, pancakes, waffles, cheese, cured meats, pastries and breads are available.

Both hotels offer complimentary midweek activities including: wine tasting, aqua aerobics, ballroom dancing, Irish coffee tasting, beauty demonstrations and many more.

With these over 50’s packages, customers can also avail of a complimentary activity voucher where you can choose from an array of local activities such as a day tour or boat trip. For the golfing enthusiast both hotels have a selection of championship courses in proximity to the hotel. Hodson Bay Hotel is bordered

by Athlone Golf Course and just across the water from the renowned Glasson Golf Course, perfect to practice your swing and who can resist a championship parkland golf course with spectacular lake views. Galway Bay Hotel is within a short distance

Hodson Bay Hotel

of the West of Ireland’s premier golf courses and the hotel is happy to coordinate all your tee times so all you have to do is show up.

The Spa at Hodson Bay is sure to beckon for a pampering treat. Detox and relax in the superb Thermal Suite before your treatments, which are absolutely sublime, and then lounge in the relaxation suite, soaking up those magnificent views. The spa was awarded Best New Destination Spa 2007 in recognition of the superb facilities and service.

Galway Bay Hotel is situated on the Promenade in Salthill, just minutes from the vibrant Galway city centre where there is always something exciting and entertaining happening. From live music, theatre to arts the options to soak up culture abound.

Athlone is also a growing destination, with a wide range of activities available from boat trips on the Shannon and Lough Ree to some retail therapy in the new Athlone Towncentre.

If that is not enough to keep you and yours entertained, Hodson Bay Hotel has a state of the art health and leisure complex complete with gym, steam room and sauna. The 20m pool with hydrotherapy features and the children’s pool have double height glazing again capturing the stunning views. ... or you can simply sit back and watch the world go by...

Book now with midweek rates from €119 pps for 2 nights B&B plus 2 evening meals. www.hodsonbayhotel.com or www.galwaybayhotel.com for more information.

Page 35 Mature Living October 2012

Gardening Gardening

Autumn planting for spring flowers A little work now produces huge rewards later. Read these tips for planting bulbs.

A

lthough the gardening season will soon be coming to a close, there is still one planting activity to be done: planting bulbs for spring flowers.

While it may seem odd to plant bulbs now, the reason is that springflowering bulbs need time to develop a solid root system before winter sets in. For best results, wait until soil temperatures are below 60 degrees F before planting bulbs. That means waiting to plant until mid-September or October.

You can buy bulbs at most garden centers, or if you have enough time, order them through catalogues. By choosing different varieties, you can enjoy spring flowers from late winter to early summer. For an early glimpse of spring, plant crocuses and snowdrops. Daffodils bloom next, followed by tulips, squill, and grape hyacinth.

Indian hyacinths (Camassia) are some of the last, along with Summer Snowflakes (Leucojum).

When purchasing bulbs, buy only top quality bulbs — ones that are large, firm, and of good color. Cheap bulbs will only produce poor, or sometimes even no, flowers.

Choose a site that has good

drainage and at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. If the soil is poorly drained, consider raised beds, or planting chequered lilies (Fritillaria meleagris). To prepare planting beds, dig up six to eight inches of soil. Add peat moss or other organic matter, then mix in fertilizer containing phosphorus such as rock phosphate, superphosphate, or special bulb fertilizer.

If rodents, skunks, or other small mammals are a problem, bone meal will only attract them. You can help avoid digging problems by placing a fine wire mesh over the bulb bed. Or place sharply crushed rocks or shells you can buy for this purpose around bulbs at time of planting. You can find these at complete garden or feed stores.

I like to plant bulbs in groups or clumps rather than in rows. For a nice show of color, I plant bulbs in front of evergreen shrubs or among perennials and other flowering shrubs. Formal tulips look best planted in beds in symmetrical arrangements while daffodils should be planted in “naturalized” or informal plantings. A good method for informally arranging daffodils is to throw them over your shoulder, and plant them where they

land!

Plant bulbs upright, pointed ends up, at the recommended depth. As a rule of thumb, bulbs should be planted three times as deep as the bulb’s greatest dimension. Use a shovel, trowel, or bulb planter, and space bulbs according to size. Large bulbs such as tulips and daffodils should be placed four to six inches apart while smaller bulbs such as crocus, snowdrops, and squill should be placed one to two inches apart.

When plants emerge in spring, fertilize lightly with bulb fertilizer at least two inches from the plant. Once flower petals fade, use scissors to remove the flower parts and stem before the plant produces seed pods.

However, let the leaves remain until they have turned yellow, so the bulbs get plenty of nourishment for the following spring’s display. You can camouflage the bulb foliage by carefully planting summer annuals around the bulbs once all danger of frost is past.

I often interplant daffodils among my perennials. This provides color before the perennials emerge, and then the new perennial leaves hide the dying daffodil leaves.

Although most spring-flowering bulbs are perennials, you may need to replant tulips and hyacinths each year as these blooms aren’t as vigorous the following bloom seasons. Daffodils, scilla, and crocus, on the other hand, are stronger and spread further with each bloom season, so are best left undisturbed.

If bulbs become overcrowded, with fewer and smaller flowers, they may need dividing. Under ideal conditions this may be every two or three years.

The best time is when the foliage begins to turn yellow. Replant immediately, following the fertilizer and planting recommendations described above.

If you need to move perennial spring-flowering bulbs, it is best to do so after bloom before the foliage dies and you can’t find the bulbs! You can pot them, or “heel them in” planting in a group or in a row to allow the leaves to die back normally. To speed up the dying back of daffodil leaves, plus have them less floppy and unsightly, some gardeners double the leaves over and either tie them in a knot or with a rubber band. Just mark where the bulbs are so you can find them later.

Claregalway Garden Centre, Tuam Road, Co. Galway • Tel: 091-799769

Garden Centre just 20 mins from Galway

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Out and about at The Royal Theatre Castlebar for the...

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Motoring

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Tyre pressure

COMMERCIAL RANGE 2012 FLEET COMMERCIALS 2012 VW Crafter 2.0 LWB..............................€29,500 2012 VW Crafter 2.0 MWB ...........................€26,500 2012 VW Crafter 2.0TDI LWB H/R..................€29,500 2012 VW Amarok 163BHP 4Motion...............€35,500 2012 VW Caddy Maxi TDI 4 Motion 2.0 ........€21,500 2012 VW Caddy TDI......................................€14,500 2012 VW Transporter 2.0TDI..........................€22,500 TRANSPORTER RANGE 2012 VW Transporter 2.0TDI LWB 140BHP......€25,500 2011 VW Transporter 2.0 DSL SWB...............€19,500 2010 VW Transporter 2.5TDI 6Sp LWB............€19,500 2010 VW Transporter 1.9TDI .........................€16,500 2010 VW Transporter 2.5TDI “0” Miles...........€19,500 2010 VW Transporter 2.5 TDI SWB “0“Miles...€19,500 2009 VW Transporter 1.9TDI SWB .................€13,500 2008 VW Transporter 1.9TDI SWB................€11,500 2008 VW Transporter 2.5 LWB.........................€9,500 CADDY RANGE 2012 VW Caddy Life 7 Seater.........................€27,500 2012 VW Caddy maxi 2.0 4x4 Extras.............€21,500 2012 VW Caddy TDI Automatic with Extras.....€19,500 2012 VW Caddy Van TDI Choice...................€14,500 2010 VW Caddy Van TDI Choice...................€11,500 2010 VW Caddy TDI 7 Seater Passenger.........€19.500 2009 VW Caddy Van TDI ...............................€9,950 2008 VW Caddy TDI High Mileage..................€6,500 CRAFTER RANGE 2012 VW Crafter 3.5 MWB............................€26,500 2011 VW Crafter 3.5 LWB 0 Mileage.....€22,360+VAT 2008 VW Crafter...........................................€15,000 2008 VW Crafter 2.5 LWB HR 9000KL....€14.600+VAT 2007 VW Crafter...........................................€13,500 TOUAREG RANGE 2009 VW Touareg 2.5TDI A/T........................€16,500 2008 VW Touareg 2.5TDI A/T........................€11,500 2005 VW Touareg 2.5TDI Passenger...............€11,500 2004 VW Touareg 2.5TDI Passenger.................€9,500 MITSUBISHI RANGE 2012 Mitsubishi L 200 Kombi 5 Seat Canopy..€32,500 2010 Mitsubishi L200 Extras Canopy...............€22,500 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial............€17,000 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Commercial...........€14,500 2008 L200 kombi 5 Seater ( Full Canopy).......€15,000 2008 Mitsubishi Pajero 2.5Sports....................€13,500 2008 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 LWB......................€14,000 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0Dsl 7 Seater......€12,500 2006 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2.............................€12,500 CITROEN RANGE 2007 Citroen Berlingo......................................€5,000 2005 Citroen Berlingo DSL...............................€3,950 2005 Citroen Despatch...................................€5,000 2004 Citroen Berlingo DSL...............................€3,000 2003 Citroen Berlingo DSL...............................€2,750 MERCEDES RANGE 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 303..........................€12,500 2007 Mercedes Vito 115BHP.............................€7,500 TOYOTA RANGE 2009 Toyota Hi-Ace Van LWB...........................€9,500 2007 Toyota Hiace Van....................................€6,500 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser SWB A/T................€10,500 2006 Toyota Landcruiser SWB........................€11,000

2009 Ford Transit 280 H/R Van........................€8,000 2008 Ford Transit 350 H/R Van........................€8,000 2008 Ford Transit Connect Kombi 5Seater.......€10,500 2008 Ford Transit 260......................................€9,000 2007 Ford Transit 280......................................€7,500 ISUZU RANGE 2005 Isuzu Trooper Dsl....................................€5,000 2004 Isuzu Trooper Dsl ...................................€4,500 2003 Isuzu Trooper Dsl...................................€3,500 2002 Isuzu Trooper..........................................€2,000 PEUGEOT RANGE 2008 Peugeot 3008 1.6DSL A/T Extras...........€16,500 2007 Peugeot Partner Dsl Van..........................€5,000 2007 Peugeot 407 DSL Estate..........................€7,500 2007 Peugeot 307 1.4 5DR..............................€6,500 2007 Peugeot 307 1.6DSL Van.........................€6,500 KIA RANGE 2008 Kia Carnival DSL 7 Seater.....................€11,500 2007 Kia Sportage 2.0DSL Comm..................€7,500 2007 Kia Sorento Passenger 2.5 DSL EX Auto..€10,500 2005 Kia Sedona DSL 7 Seater.........................€7,500 2004 Kia Sedona DSL 7 Seater.........................€5,500 OPEL RANGE 2008 Opel Vivaro DSL Com LWB......................€9,000 2007 Opel Combi DSL.....................................€5,000 2007 Opel Zafari 7 Seater Dsl........................€10,500 2006 Opel Vivaro Dsl Com..............................€6,500 SUZUKI RANGE 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Dsl Pass 4x4..........€15,000 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara Dsl Passenger.........€12,500 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4 X4 Dsl Passenger€9,500 2004 Suzuki Jimmy 1.3 Petrol...........................€5,000 NISSAN RANGE 2007 Nissan Navara 2.5TDI CC Canapy...........€8,500 2007 Nissan Navara 2.5TDI CC A/T...............€10,500 2007 Nissan Pathfinder DSL A/T Passanger.......€9,500 2005 Nissan Navara 2.5TDI Crew Cab.............€7,500 2002 Nissan Navara 2.5TDI Crew Cab.............€4,500 RENAULT RANGE 2007 Renault Master 2.7 Pick up 5 Seater.........€6,500 2006 Renault Master DSL.................................€7,500 2005 Renault Master DSL.................................€6,500 LANDROVER RANGE 2007 Landrover Freelander DSL Passenger......€13,500 2006 Landrover Discovery SE 2.8 V6................€9,500 2005 Landrover Discovery 3 DSL......................€8,500 2005 Landrover Passenger 5 Seater..................€6,500 BUSES RANGE 2012 VW Shuttle 2.0DSL 9 Seater...................€39,500 2012 VW Touran 5 Seater DSL.......................€22,500 2010 VW Shuttle 1.9TDI 9 Seater....................€29,500 2009 VW Shuttle 9 Seater...............................€27,500 2009 VW Touran 7 Seater DSL A/T Extras.......€18,500 2009 VW LT 2.5TDI 15 Seater.........................€27,500 2008 VW Shuttle 1.9TDI.................................€22,500 2007 Opel Zafari DSL 7 Seater.......................€10,500 2006 VW Caravelle 2.5TDI Highline A/T ........€18,950 2006 VW Shuttle 1.9TDI 9 Seater....................€12,500 2005 Chrysler Voyager 2.0 6 SEater.................€5,000 2004 Toyota Avensis 7 Seater Dsl.....................€6,500 2005 VW Touran 1.9TDI .................................€6,000

FORD RANGE 2010 Ford Transit 280.....................................€11,500

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Tel: 090 9741390, 090 9742200

C

orrect tyre pressure can help to extend the life of your tyre, improve vehicle safety and maintain fuel efficiency.

Pressure is measured by calculating the amount of air that has been pumped into the inner lining of your tyre in pounds force(PSI) or BAR pressure.

The manufacturer of your vehicle specifies the suitable pressure, and it is your responsibility to make sure that the pressure is checked and corrected on a regular basis, at least every couple of weeks.

Maintaining correct Tyre Pressures There are three main reasons why maintaining the right tyre pressure is important. The first is safety. Tyres that are under inflated can overheat; and over inflated tyres can lead to poor vehicle handling on the road.

The second reason is economy.

Over or under inflated tyres suffer more damage than those with the correct pressure and need to be replaced more regularly. Vehicles with under-inflated tyres have increased rolling resistance that requires more fuel to maintain the same speed.

The third reason for maintaining the correct tyre pressure is the environment. Correct tyre pressures help to maintain optimum fuel efficiency. This can equate to lower Co2 emissions coming from your vehicle than those with incorrect tyre pressures and that has to be good for the environment.

It's important to check tyre pressure regularly. It's not always apparent that air is being lost, but it generally escapes at the rate of up to two pounds of air

Did you know?

Each month three out of four drivers wash their cars while only one out of seven correctly check their tyre pressure.

Check your owners manual for the recommended pressure from the manufacturer. every month. More air is usually lost during warm weather, so more regular checks are needed when temperatures rise.

Look for the tyre pressure recommended for your vehicle in your vehicle hand book or within the technical information usually found on the inside of your vehicle's front right hand door or fuel tank flap.

Always check the tyre pressure with a tyre pressure gauge when your tyres are cold. Finally, if you are using your vehicle to carry additional load or weight, always consult your vehicle handbook for the correct loaded tyre pressure.

PRE –REG CARS 0 MILEAGE 2012 VW Sharan 2.0TDI 7 Seater................................€38,500 2012 VW Touran TDI Comfortline 7 Seater Extras..........€26,500 2012 VW Touran 1.6TDI 5 Seater.................................€22,500 2012 VW Touran 1.6TDI 7 Seater................................€25,000 2012 VW Tiguan TDI Passenger Extras..........................€28,500 2012 VW Scirocco 2.0TDI 140BHP...............................€25,900 2012 VW Passat 1.6TDI C/L Est Extras..........................€28,500 2012 VW Passat CC 2.0TDI 140BHP (Silver).................€33,500 2012 VW Passat HL Silver Metallic................................€27,500 2012 VW Passat 1.6TDI Comfortline Extras...................€25,900 2012 VW Jetta 1.6TDI..................................................€21,900 2012VW Jetta 1.6 C/L Extras.......................................€23,500 2012 VW Up...............................................................€10,800 2010 /2011 FLEET RANGE 2011 VW Scirocco 2.0TDI Extras................................€23,500 2011 VW Golf 1.6 TDI Comfortline ..............................€19,500 2011 VW Fox..............................................................€10,500 2010 VW Scirocco 1.4TSI 122BHP................................€21,500 BEETLE RANGE 2008 VW Beetle 1.4 High 12KM..................................€14,000 2007 VW Beetle Cabriolet 1.4 18KM...........................€14,500 PASSAT RANGE 2011 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140BHP Comfortline 6 Speed...€23,000 2011 VW Passat 1.6TDI Highline Extras........................€25,500 2011 VW Passat 1.6TDI Estate Comfortline 0 Mileage ...€26,500 2011 VW Passat 1.6TDI Comfortline..............................€21,500 2010 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140BHP Highline.....................€21,000 2010 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140BHP Comfortline................€21,000 2010 VW Passat 1.6TDI...............................................€18,500 2010VW Passat 1.9TDI Comfortline..............................€18,500 2009 VW Passat 1.9TDI ..............................................€16,500 2009 VW Passat 2.0 TDI 140BHP Highline Leather........€18,500 2009 VW Passat 1.4TSI Comfortline A/T.......................€15,000 JETTA RANGE 2012 VW Jetta 1.6 TDI.................................................€22,500 2011 VW Jetta 1.6TDI (14K).........................................€21,500 2011 VW Jetta 1.4 TSI Comfortline €...........................€19,500 2010 VW Jetta 1.6 TDI Comfortline Extras.....................€17,000 2010 VW Jetta 1.4 TSI Petrol.......................................€15,000 2009 VW Jetta 1.6FSI Petrol.........................................€11,500 GOLF RANGE 2012 VW Golf 1.6TDI “R” Model A/T..........................€24,500 2012 VW Golf 1.6TDI Sports Model.............................€21,000 2012 VW Golf GTD 2.0TDI 170BHP Extras...................€35,000 2012 VW Golf TDI 5DR “0” mileage.............................€21,500 2012 VW Golf 1.6TDI Plus Model.................................€23,500 2011 VW Golf 1.6TDI BM Cabriolet.............................€24,500 2011 VW Golf 1.6TDI 5DR Comfortline.........................€19,500 2011 VW Golf 1.6TDI 5DR White.................................€18,500 2010 VW Golf 1.6TDI Plus Comfortline..........................€17,000 2010 VW Golf 1.4 5 Dr Comfortline.............................€15,500 2010 VW Golf 1.6TDI 5DR..........................................€16,500 2009 VW Golf 2.0TDI.................................................€15,000 2009 VW Golf 1.9TDI Plus (32K)..................................€16,500 2009 VW Golf 1.4 5Dr................................................€11,500 2009 VW Golf TDI Comfortline...................................€13,500 2008 VW Golf 1.4GT Sport ( Black).............................€10,500 2008VW Golf 1.4 Comfortline.....................................€10,500 2008 VW Golf 1.9TDI..................................................€12,500 2007 VW Golf 1.9TDI..................................................€10,500 2007 VW Golf 1.4 Petrol...............................................€8,500 POLO RANGE 2012 VW Polo 1.2 5DR................................................€13,500 2012 VW Polo 1.2TDI 5DR...........................................€16,500 2011 VW Polo 1.2TDI Comfortline................................€14,500 2011 VW Polo Petrol 5DR Choice..................................€11,500 2011 VW Polo Diesel 5DR Choice.................................€13,500 2010 VW Polo 1.2 5DR................................................€10,500 2009 VW Polo Petrol 5DR Choice..................................€8,500 2008 VW Polo 1.2 5DR Choice......................................€8,000 4 X 4 PASSENGER RANGE 2012 VW Tiguan Passenger Extras...............................€28,500 2010 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 2 Wheel Drive Passenger.......€22,500 2009 Nissan Quashqai Dsl...........................................€16,500 2008 VW Tiguan 2.0DSL 4x4 Passenger.......................€21,000 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitaro 2.0DSL 4x4 Passenger.........€15,000 2008 Hyundai Tuscan 2.0 DSL.......................................€9,500 2008 Kia Carnival 7 Seater..........................................€12,500 2008 Mitsubishi L200 Intense Model 5 Seater...............€14,950 2008 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4 Passenger................€14,500 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0DSL 7 Seater..................€12,500 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9DSL Passenger................€12,500 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero Sports Passenger...........€16,500 2006 Mitsubishi Pajero SWB Passenger.......................€12,500 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DSL Passenger...............€10,500 2005Hyundai Tuscan 2.0DSL.........................................€6,500 2005 Seat Alhambra 1.9TDI A/T 7 Seater.......................€7,500 2005 SsangYong Rexton DSL A/T Passenger...................€6,500 2000 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 7 Seater DSL ......................€3,500

ESTATE CARS 2012 VW Passat 1.6TDI Comfortline Estate...................€28,500 2011 VW Passat 1.6TDI Estate Comfortline 0 Miles........€26,500 2009 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140BHP Highline Leather........€13,500 2003 VW Passat 1.9TDI.................................................€6,500 7 SEATER RANGE 2012 VW Sharan 2.0TDI 7 Seater................................€38,500 2012 VW Touran TDI 7 Seater....................................€25,500 2012 Vw caddy Life Passenger 7 Seater........................€27,500 2010 VW Caddy Life Passenger 7 Seater......................€19,500 2009 VW Touran 1.9TDI Automatic..............................€18,500 2006 VW Sharan 130 BHP............................................€9,500 2005 VW Touran 1.9TDI 5 Seater..................................€6,500 AUDI RANGE 2010 A4 2.0TDI Extras................................................€25,500 2009 A4 2.0TDI .........................................................€22,500 2008 A4 2.0TDI..........................................................€18,500 2008 A6 2.0TDI Automatic...........................................€17,500 2008 A3 1.9TDI Sport.................................................€13,500 2007 A4 1.9TDI..........................................................€13,500 2006 A6 2.0TDI .........................................................€12,500 2006 A3 1.9TDI............................................................€9,500 VOLVO RANGE 2007 Volvo S40 1.6 DSL................................................€9,500 2006 Volvo S40 1.6DSL................................................€8,500 2004 Volvo S40 1.8 Petrol.............................................€5,000 2004 Volvo S40 1.9DSL.................................................€4,500 2002 Volvo S40 1.9DSl.................................................€3,000 TOYOTA RANGE 2009 Toyota Avensis D4D New Engine.........................€15,000 2009 Toyota Auris 1.4 3dr............................................€11,000 2009 Toyota Hiace Van.................................................€9,500 2009 Toyota Auris D4D Van Extras...............................€11,500 2008 Toyota Corolla 1.4................................................€8,000 2008 Toyota Avensis Dsl Est. Verso...............................€10,500 2008Toyota Verso 1.6 7 Seater....................................€10,500 2007 Toyota Auris 1.4 H/B............................................€8,500 2007 Toyota Auris 1.4 Dsl..............................................€9,500 2007 Toyota Hiace SWB................................................€7.500 2007 Toyota Corolla......................................................€7,500 FORD RANGE 2009 Ford 1.6 DSL Zetec.............................................€12,500 2008 Ford Focus 1.4 5DR Style......................................€8,500 2008 Ford Mondeo DSL...............................................€11,500 2008 Ford Focus 2.0 TDI ( CC Model ).........................€13,500 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.25...................................................€6,500 2008 Ford Focus 1.6DSL Saloon....................................€9,500 2008 Ford Focus 1.6 DSL Van........................................€8,500 2007 Ford Focus 1.4 5DR .............................................€6,500 2007 Ford Fusion 1.4 5DR 18K.......................................€7,500 2006 Ford Fusion 1.4 5DR.............................................€6,500 2006 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Petrol........................................€4,500 2005 Ford Mondeo Dsl.................................................€5,000 2005 Ford Focus 1.4......................................................€5,000 2004 Ford Fiesta...........................................................€3,500 2004 Ford Focus 1.4......................................................€3,500 2004 Ford Focus 1.8 DSL...............................................€4,500 2003 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Petrol........................................€3,500 OPEL RANGE 2008 Opel Corsa 1.2 5DR.............................................€6,000 2007 Opel Vectra 1.9DSl...............................................€8,500 2007 Opel Corsa 1.4 5DR.............................................€5,500 2007 Opel Zafira Dsl 7 Seater.....................................€10,500 2006 Opel Astra 1.4 5Dr...............................................€6,500 2006 Opel Vectra 1.6....................................................€6,000 2006 Opel Zafira 1.6 7 Seater.......................................€7,500 2006 Opel Vivaro 1.9 Dsl Van ......................................€6,500 2006 Opel Astra 1.7 Dsl Van.........................................€6,000 2005 Opel Astra 1.4 3DR SXL........................................€5,500 2005 Opel Corsa 1.0 5DR.............................................€5,000 2005 Opel Meriva 1.4..................................................€5,000 2004 Opel Vectra 1.6....................................................€4,000 2003 Opel Vectra Dsl....................................................€3,000 2002 Opel Zafira 7 Seater.............................................€3,000 2002 Opel Corsa 1.0 5DR.............................................€1,500 SEAT RANGE 2007 Seat Cordoba 1.4TDI Sal Extras.............................€7,500 2006 Seat Cordoba 1.4 Sal...........................................€6,000 2005 Seat Alhambra 1.9TDI A/T 7 Seater......................€6,500 2004 Seat Cordoba 1.2 Sal...........................................€3,500 2003 Seat Ibiza 1.2 5DR...............................................€3,500 2001 Seat Leon 1.4 Dsl H/B...........................................€2,000 PEUGEOT RANGE 2010 Peugeot 3008 1.6DSL A/T...................................€16,500 2009 Peugeot 407 1.6DSL Extras...................................€9,500 2007 Peugeot 307 1.6 Dsl Van.......................................€6,500 2007 Peugeot 407 Dsl Estate SW....................................€7,500 2007 Peugeot 307 1.4 5Dr............................................€6,500 2007 Peugeot 407 Dsl Solaire Model.............................€6,500 2006 Peugeot 307 1.4 5DR...........................................€6,000

2006 Peugeot 206 5DR.................................................€6,000 2005 Peugeot 206 5DR.................................................€5,000 2004 Peugeot 407 1.6 DSL............................................€5,000 2004 Peugeot 407 1.8...................................................€3,000 2003 Peugeot 206........................................................€2,500 2002 Peugeot 206........................................................€2,000

RENAULT RANGE 2006 Renault Megane 1.4 Sal.......................................€5,000 2005 Renault Clio 1.2....................................................€3,500 2004 Renault Megane ..................................................€3,000 2004 Renault Laguna 1.9 Dsl.........................................€4,500 2004 Renault Scenic 1.6................................................€3,000

HONDA RANGE 2005 Honda Civic 1.6...................................................€5,000 2005 Honda HRV 1.6....................................................€5,500 2005 Honda Accord 2.0 Petrol (35K).............................€5,000 2003 Honda Civic 1.4i...................................................€3,500 2002 Honda CRV 2.0 Petrol ( Needs Repair)..................€1,500 2002 Honda Accord 1.8................................................€1,500 2000 Honda Integra 1.6 Petrol.......................................€2,000

NISSAN RANGE 2009 Nissan Quashqai 1.5 Dsl.....................................€16,500 2008 Nissan Primera 1.6 SVE........................................€6,500 2007 Nissan Pathfinder 2.5TDI 7 Seater Passenger........€11,500 2007 Nissan Almera 1.5 Sal..........................................€6,500 2007 Nissan Navara 2.5 T/D SE 5DR A/T....................€10,500 2006 Nissan Navara 2.5TDI 4 x 4 5 Seater.....................€7,500 2006 Nissan Almera 1.5................................................€5,500 2006 Nissan Note 1.5...................................................€6,500 2005 Nissan Xtrail DSL..................................................€6,000 2005 Nissan Almera 1.5................................................€4,500 2005 Nissan Kubistar Van..............................................€4,000

BMW RANGE 2008 BMW 318 Dsl ....................................................€12,500 2007 BMW 320DSL.....................................................€11,500 2004 BMW 520 Dsl A/T Extras Leather..........................€8,500 2004 BMW 320 DSL.....................................................€6,500 2004 BMW 320 DSL Estate............................................€7,500 2002 BMW 520 DSl......................................................€4,500 2002 BMW DSL............................................................€3,500 2001 BMW DSL............................................................€2,000 2000 BMW 523 Leather................................................€2,500 MITSUBISHI RANGE 2012 Mitsubishi ASX Estate 5Dr Dsl..............................€22,500 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.8 DSL....................................€21,000 2012 Mitsubishi L200 New Model Crew Cab Canopy....€32,500 2011 Mitsubishi ASX 1.6 Petrol Estate 5DR....................€20,000 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.8 DSL.....................................€17,500 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5 Petrol..................................€16,500 2011 Mitsubishi Colt Cabrio 1.5....................................€12,500 2011 Mitsubishi Colt 5DR Automatic..............................€12,500 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5 Extras.................................€10,000 2010 Mitsubishi L200 Crew Cab Canopy......................€22,500 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0DSl Commercial..............€17,000 2010 Mitsubishi Colt 5DR Automatic (10K)....................€11,500 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0DSL Comm.....................€14,500 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5 Petrol...................................€9,000 2008 L200 Crew Cab Extras........................................€14,500 2008Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5.............................................€8,000 2008 Mitsubishi Colt 5DR..............................................€6,500 2008 Mitsubishi Pajero 2.5 DSL Sports..........................€13,500 2008 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 LWB...................................€14,000 2007Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0DSL 7 Seater...................€12,500 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.3............................................€6,500 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero 2.5 DSL Sports..........................€11,500 2007Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 LWB....................................€12,500 AUTOMATIC RANGE 2012 VW Golf 1.6TDI “R” Model A/T..........................€24,500 2012 VW Jetta 1.6TDI.................................................€24,500 2011 VW Jetta 1.6 TDI.................................................€22,500 2011 VW Golf 1.6 TDI.................................................€22,500 2011 Mitsubishi Colt 5DR A/T.......................................€12,500 2010 VW Shuttle 2.5TDI 9 Seater A/T..........................€29,500 2010 VW Golf 2.0TDI 140BHP C/LA/T ........................€19,500 2010 Mitsubishi Colt 5DR A/T (5K)...............................€11,500 2010 Peugeot 3008 1.6 Dsl A/T...................................€16,500 2009 VW Passat 1.4 TSI Comfortline............................€15,000 2008 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140BHP C/L A/T.....................€15,000 2008 VW Polo 1.4 5DR C/L...........................................€8,500 2008 VW Jetta 1.9 TDI DSG........................................€13,500 2008 Audi A6 TDI DSG Leather....................................€17,500 2006 VW Caravelle Bus A/T Highline Extras.................€18,950 2007 Skoda Octavia TDI ...............................................€7,500 2007 Kia Sorento ex Passenger A/T leather..................€10,500 2007 VW Passat 2.0 Highline DSG...............................€12,500 2007 VW Jetta 1.9TDI A/T Comfortline ......................€10,500 MINI RANGE 2005 Mini 1 1.4 ME32 ( Extras )....................................€7,000 2003 Mini 1 1.6............................................................€5,500 SUBURU RANGE 2007 Subaru Impressa 1.5 Extras...................................€5,000 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.0...............................................€5,000 2004 Subaru Forrester 2.0 A/T 4WD.............................€5,500 2000 Subaru Forrester 2.0 4WD....................................€3,000

LEXUS RANGE 2008 Lexus is220 DSL Extras........................................€13,500 2007 Lexus is220 DSL Extras........................................€11,500 FIAT RANGE 2006 Fiat Multiple 1.9 DSl 6 Seater................................€5,000 2006 Fiat Punto 3DR.....................................................€3,500 2003 Fiat Punto 5DR......................................................€1,800 MAZDA RANGE 2007 Mazda 6 2.0DSL Touring......................................€7,500 2007 Mazda 6 1.8........................................................€5,500 2002 Mazda 323..........................................................€1,800 2001 Mazda Primo 1.3 H/B...........................................€1,500 HYUNDAI RANGE 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0DSL Comm.........................€12,500 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 DSL Passenger...................€15,000 2006 Hyundai Tuscon Passenger...................................€8,500 2005 Hyundai Tuscon 2.0 DSL Passenger........................€6,000 2004 Hyundai Trajet Dsl 7 Seater...................................€4,000 2004 Hyundai Lantra 1.6...............................................€3,000 THIS WEEKS SPECIAL OFFERS 2011 VW Passat 1.6 TDI DSL........................................€19,500 2008 VW Caddy TDI.....................................................€6,500 2008 VW Jetta 1.9TDI C/L...........................................€11,000 2007 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140BHP....................................€9,000 2007 VW Polo Fox........................................................€5,000 2007 Audi A4 TDI .......................................................€11,500 2007 Ford Focus 1.4 LX.................................................€6,500 2007 VW EOS 2.0 TDI 140BHP....................................€12,500 2007 Nissan Almera 1.5................................................€6,000 2007 Chevrolet 1.2 Petrol..............................................€5,000 2007 Nissan Pathfinder 7 Seater Dsl...............................€9,500 2007 Peugeot 307 1.4 5DR...........................................€5,500 2006 VW Jetta 1.6 Comfortline......................................€6,500 2006 Nissan Almera 1.5................................................€5,000 2006 VW Sharan Tdi 130 BHP 6sp.................................€8,500 2005 Nissan Almera 1.5................................................€4,500 2005 Volvo 1.6 Dsl........................................................€5,000 2005 Citroen C5 Dsl......................................................€4,500 2005 Peugeot 206........................................................€5,000 2005 Renault Megane Dsl ...........................................€4,500 2005 Saab 9-5 2.2 Dsl..................................................€5,000 2005 Ford Mondeo DSL................................................€5,000 2005 Opel Vectra 1.6....................................................€4,500 2005 Opel Vectra DSL...................................................€6,000 2005 Peugeot 407 DSL.................................................€4,500 2005 Citroen Ca 1.4 5Dr...............................................€4,500 2005 Peugeot 307 1.4...................................................€4,000 2005 Opel Astra 1.4 3DR Extras....................................€4,500 2004 VW Bora 1.4........................................................€3,000 2004 Peugeot 307 1.4...................................................€3,000 2004 Ford Transit 350 Dsl Van.......................................€4,000 2004 MG ZR 1.5 Petrol.................................................€2,500 2004 VW Touareg 2.5 TDI Passenger 4x4......................€8,500 2004 Toyota Avensis 1.6................................................€3,000 2004 Nissan Almera 1.5................................................€3,000 2004 Toyota Avensis D4D..............................................€4,500 2004 Opel Astra 1.4 5dr...............................................€2,500 2004 Hyundai Lantra Leather.........................................€2,000 2003 Hyundai Trajet Dsl 7 Seater...................................€2,500

SKODA RANGE 2007 Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI A/T....................................€7,500 2007 Skoda Octania 1.4 Petrol......................................€6,500 2005 Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI..........................................€5,000 2004 Skoda Octavia 1.4...............................................€3,000 2003 Skoda Octavia 1.4...............................................€2,500 2003 Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI..........................................€3,000 2002 Skoda Octavia 1.4...............................................€2,000 CITROEN RANGE 2005 Citroen C5 DSL.....................................................€4,500 2004 Citroen Picasso 1.4...............................................€3,500 2003 Citroen Xsara 1.4.................................................€2,500

AL HAYES MOTORS LTD.

GALWAY RD., PORTUMNA, CO. GALWAY Tel: 090 9741390, 090 9742200 Tuam: 093 26411

www.alhayesmotors.com

AL: 086-2449645 • DAMIEN: 087 2368841 • DEREK: 086 8119141 • ALAN: 087-4153872 • NIALL: 087-6385033

Hotels

Visit the stunning Leitrim countryside offer for an unforgettable break. A family re-union can be rounded off with a lavish evening meal It is an ideal wedding venue or conference centre. The central location of the hotel in Leitrim facilitates tours and visits to the surrounding unspoiled countryside. The location facilitates visits to the many nearby lakes that comprise the Leitrim countryside and shopping in nearby Sligo or Enniskillen A visit to Lough Allen hotel & Spa in Drumshanbo is a must and there are packages to suit any budget.

Drumshanbo • Co Leitrim www.loughallenhotel.com

Mid Season Mid Week Special

2 Nights B&B and 1 Dinner Just €99 pp 3 Nights B&B for just €99pp

To Book Call 071-9640100 or email reservations@loughallenhotel.com

I

T’S summertime and one of the best places to base a home holiday or a week-end break is, undoubtedly, the Lough Allen Hotel in County Leitrim. Situated on the shores of Lough Allen, only 14 km from the bustling town of Carrick on Shannon, it is only a short walk to the town of Drumshanbo.

The 4 star hotel has offerings to compare with the top hotels in Ireland and also has the stunning Leitrim countryside. Spa treatments, leisure centre and a sumptuous candlelight dinner are all part of what’s on

Maldron Hotel Portlaoise - so different, so near

T

he Maldron Hotel Portlaoise is regarded as one of the best Laois Hotels. Value is what business and leisure travelers’ alike look for and value is what ? the Maldron Hotel in Portlaoise delivers. Comfortable and luxurious rooms, efficient friendly service and a superior product at an affordable price.

The Maldron Hotel and leisure centre Portlaoise offers ? all of this and a little bit more. Regarded as one of the finest family friendly hotels, you and your family can enjoy a great value break together at this Portlaoise hotel. Maldron Hotel Portlaoise offers a number of family rooms and interconnecting rooms that are very comfortable and spacious. The Maldron hotel Portlaoise is perfectly positioned for sightseeing breaks in Laois and for families to avail of the many local attractions for kids.

For business meetings in Laois, The Maldron Hotel excels with a dedicated conference floor offering 8 state of the art Conference suites and 4 syndicate Meeting rooms. All our rooms include complimentary Wi-Fi / Broadband, natural daylight and Air Conditioning. We also offer you complementary secure car parking making us one of the finest hotels in Portlaoise.

Our superb Club Vitae Leisure Centre offers you the chance to relax and unwind after a long day. As a guest

of ours, you will have complimentary use of the leisure centre including: 20m swimming pool, children’s pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, aerobics Studio and gym.

Stir Bar and Restaurant offers food to suit all array of tastes using only fresh ingredients. Our menus are created with you in mind and offer healthy options and vegetarian dishes making us one of the most popular restaurants in Portlaoise.

Body and Soul Treatment rooms is a luxury quaint spa setting providing an extensive range of complementary and beauty treatments tailored to suit the needs of each individual. Our therapists are highly qualified & exceptional in their field and provide an extremely high standard of treatment at affordable and competitive prices. For more info or to book check out our website www.bodyandsoultherapyrooms.com The central location of the Maldron Hotel in Laois I is ideal for exploring the beautiful sights & surrounds of the Midlands of Ireland from the picturesque Slieve Bloom Mountains www.slievebloom.ie to the monastic round towers at Timahoe and the Garden Trail of Laois there is something for both young and old alike. For corporate guests the location of this hotel in Laois is convenient when traveling to Dublin, Limerick Cork or any location in Ireland.

Family Fun *

* 2 adults & 2 children

1 night B&B inc a Fun Activity from €99

Relaxing Family* 2 Night Break 2 nights B&B & 1 Evening Meal from only €215

Excellent range of packages available for families, Midweek and Weekend breaks, groups & Events.

Tel: 057 8695900 www.maldronhotelportlaoise.com info.portlaoise@maldronhotels.com

The Heart of the Great Western Greenway

N

Newpor$, Co. Mayo • Tel: 098 41155

Mid Season Mid week-Special

ewport is known as “The Heart of the Great Western Greenway” and sits on the banks of the Black Oak River, where tranquil, undiscovered mountain trails and walkways as well as the famous Burrishoole loop walks can be found.

Your hotel has every comfort, beautiful rooms classically decorated and furnished to a high standard, with elegant antique furniture happily co-existing with contemporary comforts and facilities, satellite TV and

(Sunday-Thursday)

2BB1D.........€100.00 per person sharing 3BB2D.........€150.00 per person sharing Enjoy a 2 or 3 night stay with breakfast and a 3 course evening meal included.

(Only available until the end of June) Please quote ‘mat"re living’ when availing of this offer.

www.hotelnewportmayo.com

telephone. There is a bar and restaurant with home cooking and we offer a packed lunch service should you require this on one of your trips out.

Please visit our website where you can see a range of packages and activities, from art classes to horse riding to fishing. www.hotelnewportmayo.com.

Page 40 Mature Living October 2012

Hotels

Why choose a Hotel when you can have the Luxury of a Resort

P

4 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast and 5th night B&B FREE - €199 pp

*Dinner each evening *Full complimentary daily and nightly entertainment program *Transfers local Bus & Train Station *Complimentary tea & coffee daily *Full use of the leisure centre facilities In-House Activities: •Discount Spa Treatments •Complimentary use of Leisure Club – Pool & Gym •Complimentary Classes •Active 55’s Workout •Table Tennis •Bowling •Wine Tasting •Herbal Tea Tasting •Grow your own Garden •Classical Movies •Guilded Walking Tour •Flower Arranging Scenic Tours available on request

For Arrival - 2012 Dates • Sun 13th May • Sun 10th June • Sun 16th September • Sun 14th October • Sun 18th November • Sun 2nd Decemeber To Book: Call us now on 094 90 22033 or email to reservations@breaffyhouseresort.ie Bookings on line www.breaffyhouseresort.com

lanning a relaxing break away, the ideal location is Breaffy House Resort which is located in the heart of Co. Mayo. Set on 90 acres of gardens and rolling woodland. The House dates back to 1890, retaining some of its original Country House atmosphere whilst offering all of the luxury of a modern day hotel. The Resort is renowned for its warm welcoming staff with an excellent range of facilities. The Resort includes Spa, Leisure Centre with 20 metre pool, Sauna and Jacuzzi. The Resort offers deluxe rooms which include a range of suites, superior, standard rooms with all the facilities that your guests would require – direct dial telephone, multichannel colour T.V., radio, hairdryer, trouser press and tea/coffee making facilities.

This year we have put together an amazing offer of 4 nights Dinner B&B and 5th night B&B FREE when you book our Golden Breaks package. This offer includes 3 course dinner each night in the Mulberry Restaurant and breakfast each morning, along with 5th Night Bed & Breakfast free. Transfers can be

Go West this spring for a truly relaxing over 50s holiday ?

H

otel Westport is secluded in 7 acres of beautiful woodland in the heart of Westport. You’ll discover a uniquely friendly, comfortable and stylish hotel, abounding in warmth and relaxation.

Hotel Westport offers a variety of holidays and are renowned for their theme breaks – Golden Years (where you get an extra night’s dinner, bed and breakfast free!), Golf, Walking, Bridge and Indoor Bowling.

As part of their Golden Holiday Programme they take care of your every need! The holiday includes a full Irish Breakfast each morning (served until a leisurely 11am!), and a four course Table d’Hote dinner each evening.

They organise day tours too - Knock Shrine, Kylemore & Ballintubber Abbeys, Foxford Woollen Mills, Achill Island and The Céidé Fields (at your own expense), or for those of you wanting something a little more relaxing, book a treatment in their luxurious Ocean Spirit Spa. Choose from an array of treatments – specialised massages, soothing facials, exotic hand and foot spa treatments, luxurious body peels and wraps. They organize games and entertainment in the evenings too. You won’t want to go home!

arranged from local bus and train stations based on minimum numbers. Complimentary on site parking should you wish to drive. We have chosen a selection of arrival dates each month which means we can provide in-house activities such as wine tasting, table tennis, bowling, grow your own garden and pottery painting. This is the ideal location to explore Mayo.

The Hotel is just 20 mins away from the scenic town of Westport. All guests have complimentary use of the swimming pool, sauna, seam room, Jacuzzi, and gym. You may also take part in one of our many classes, which include Aqua Aerobics, Over 55’s workout and the increasing popular Zumba. If you fancy some pampering, enjoy some time out in Breaffy Spa. Which offers a range of facial, body and massage treatments to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at leisure between 7:30am –10:30am each morning and Dinner each between 6:30pm – 8:45pm. The Mulberry Bar serves food for 12-9pm each day for snacks, light bites and main courses.

OVER 50s Sale Weeks - 26th Aug / Sept 5DBB from €309pps * * * * *

The Hotel has 129 bedrooms with all the comforts of home. The elegant ‘Islands Restaurant’ overlooks the Carrowbeg River, while the ‘Maple Bar’ provides the perfect ambience for music and chat over drinks amongst friends. Avail of the extensive leisure facilities on hand, relax with a good book in the patio gardens or take a stroll along the Carrowbeg River into town where there is an excellent mix of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Hotel Westport is located in the perfect place to take in one or more of the many outdoor activities in the local area: Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain, Clew Bay, with 365 islands, blue flag beaches, horse riding, golf, surfing, fishing, walking and shopping - just to mention a few and the nearest Hotel to the newly opened Great Western Greenway - 42km of uninterrupted walking and cycling taking in breathtaking scenery on the way, from Westport through Newport and Mulranny and into Achill Island!

A warm, friendly welcome awaits you at Hotel Westport, “One of Ireland’s best loved Hotels”. Sale Special – 18th or 25th March 5 Nights DBB Only €229 per person sharing. Call NOW for further details

Golf Week - 16th September 5DBB + 3 Days of Golf €399pps * * * * * Bowling Week - 16th September 5DBB + Bowling €299pps * * * * *

Visit Our Stand at the Mature Living Exhibition

A pictorial record of the West of Free Trip to Kylemore Abbey Ireland over Golden Years Breaks 15 years

B

ook a 3 night midweek stay in the Harbour Hotel, Galway City this Autumn and receive a free trip to Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Garden. Experience the best of both worlds, with luxury accommodation in the heart of Galway City, just 3 minutes walk from Eyre Square – where you can explore the medieval streets and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Galway City. Then escape to an oasis of calm and serenity to Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden.

Kylemore Abbey is the perfect day out, located in the heart of Connemara. The lakeside abbey is set against a backdrop of lush green slopes and is surrounded by the sloping mountains of the Twelve Bens. Originally a castle, Kylemore is

steeped in history and tales of romance, tragedy and success. Home to Ireland’s only community of Benedictine nuns since 1920, this 1,000 acre estate has much to offer visitors. Experience the Victorian atmosphere of the restored rooms of the Abbey, miniature Gothic church and Head Gardener’s House. There are numerous nature trails, woodland and lakeshore walks. For the more adventurous, guided mountain hikes are available.

The Harbour Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Galway City, perfect for a getaway break. Each room is designed with the comfort of the guest in mind, with pillow topped mattresses and fluffy duvets with crisp, white linen. A warm welcome awaits you in the West,

with

with complimentary tea and freshly baked scones on arrival for all Golden Year Packages. Three Nights Bed & Breakfast with Dinner on Two evenings, plus a complimentary trip to Kylemore Abbey from €169pps, available Sunday to Thursday. To book contact Aine on 091 894800, stay@harbour.ie or visit www.harbour.ie.

Page 41 Mature Living October 2012

ITS A ROLLOVER! We had no winner to last months Spot the Ball Competition and so the Prize has now doubled to €100

The Answer was Grid Ref: M12

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

WIN €100!! WIN €100!!

HOW TO PLAY

The ball has been remove You have to decide where d from the picture. it was, and place a ‘X’ on the picture.

The X Should mark where you think the centre of the ball is and can only be marked in one box per entry - Only one ent ry per person will be permitted.

If more than one correct will be picked at random answer is received then the winning entry from the winning entries.

Winner will be notified by pos t. Terms and conditions apply Send entries to ‘Spot the Ball’ Mature Living Magazine, Office 3, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo

Page42 42 Mature MatureLiving LivingOctober May 2012 Page 2012

ENTRY FORM

Name____________________ ______________ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _ Telephone_______________

_____________

Ad dre ss_ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _____________________________ ____________ ___________________________ ____________ ___________________________ ____________ ________________________ _______________ Email Address______________ _____________

Services Directory

Easy Baths, Showers, Stair Lifts & Leisure All Disability Equipment Supplied & Installed - Covering Both North and South Baths • Walk in baths with door.

• Hydrotherapy, Hydraulic Riser-Lower baths.

• Bather sitting in an upright or lie down position depending upon selection of bath type.

Showers • Showers easy access, trays and enclosures, half-height, full-height doors.

• Shower stools, chairs, fold down seats, doors, curtain rails etc.

• Level access and easy access shower tray included • Slip resistant surfaces on shower base.

• Suitable for shower-chair or ambulant user.

Stair Lifts • Straight or curved, made to measure • Floor to ceiling/platform lifts • Swimming pool lifts

EAST BROTHERS GARDEN MACHINERY Doon Boyle, Co. Roscommon Tel: 071-9662710, www.eastmachinery.ie P U SH S R MOWE TRACTOR LAWN MOWERS

Chainsaws, Tillers, Outboard Motors, Power Washers, Generators, Electric Fences, Farm Machinery Spares

STRIMMERS

For more information please contact: JOHN HINDS R.O.I.: T: 048 42771652 M: 00 44 7802 298910 N.I. 028 4277 1652 M: 07802 298910

ORTH WEST EST NORTH PROTECTION ROTECTION DOGS OGS

Western Stoves

SPECIALISING IN FIREPLACES AND STOVES

Pups and Trained Dogs For Sale Have peace of mind in your home - invest in a fully trained family protection dog • IKC Registered • Microchip • Vet Checked • Flea'd, Wormed & Vaccinated • 7 Generation Certificate • 6 Weeks free insurance • Parents can be seen

We also have an excellent selection of

Gasification Boilers, Log boilers, Wood Pellet Boilers & Solar Tubes

INTRODUCING EXTERNAL AIR INTAKE STOVES BY

Ballina, Co. Mayo Tel: 085-7843837

Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, Roscommon

Tel: 094-9646824

• Made to measure Including cut-outs for sockets • Heat Resistant Tempered glass • Hygenic & Easy to clean • Painted Colour of your choice RAL or british standard paint charts • Easily fitted over existing tiles • Free quotation service Far Finisklin Road, Co. Sligo

Tel: 071-91 61924 Email: sales@sligoglass.com

www.sligoglass.com

"pride in our work"

Services Directory

For all your Home & Garden needs Now open

Free tea or coffee with this ad

MAKERS, SUPPLIERS & FITTERS MACE MIDDLE, CLAREMORRIS. www.mcganns.com

Collooney, Sligo • T: 071-913 0956 • M: 086-086 3991

www.grantwater.ie • info@grantwater.ie

Grant Water has a hot tub to suit any need and any budget.

A full listing of products and rates are available on request

• Angles • Beading • Centre Pieces • Corbels • Corner Pieces • Cornices • Dado Rails • Niches • Plaques

TELEPHONE: 094-9388208 MOBILE: 087-2503184

From the smaller to the larger, there is a Spa just your size with the legendary therapy and quality we are known for Call today and get a special discount in Conjunction with “Mature Living Magazine”

Go on treat yourself, you deserve it!

Keith - 085-1053588 / 071-9310787 Trading As Pentico Contracting Ltd. Marella, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. Office: (096) 37926 Fax: (096) 37957 Farnan: (086) 0830664 Liam: (087) 256 9959 E-mail: pentico@ireland.com

4 Holistic Living The Square Claremorris

FREE (BER)

with every house insulated this month (with this advert)

Podiatry Treatment By Deborah Sheridan Bsc Pod Med MChSI

087 9807322 Call for quotations on Steel Structure Sheds, Tanks, Houses (new build and refit), Plant Hire etc.

All Jobs, Small Jobs, Big Jobs!!

Also in attendance at Byrne`s Pharmacy, Kiltimagh on Thursdays

Deepwater Quay, Finisklin, Sligo Harbour, Sligo 071-9153360 • 071-9153362 Email: info@erin-recyclers.com

Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient

• Water Analysis • Water Filtration • Water Softening • Well Drilling • Pump Supplied and Fitted • Rain Water Collection & Purification • Sewage Treatment Systems IN THE BUSINESS FOR OVER 25 YEARS

Email: waterteck@eircom.net Website: www.waterteck.com Phone: 086-8072249 071-9658976

TRALAS INSULATIONS Spray Foam Insulation

Ph: 048-66326728 Mob: 086-0858030

www.icynene.ie

We’ll change the way you think about insulation and your building - GRANTS AVAILABLE

Tidy up around your home & garden WE BUY...

• Pvc copper, cylinders, copper piping & lead • Alumimium wheels, alumimium sheeting • Old stainless steel milk tanks • Rebar from building sites.

We also do site clearances (Metal Only)

WE WEIGH AND PAY . . . AND YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY!!

www.scrapmetalireland.com

Services Directory

ATLANTIC AUTOMATIONS

North West Counselling

Ballyneggin, Castlebar, Co. Mayo • Tel: 087-4187122 - Mob: 087-7587186 Manufacturers of quality Ornamental Gates, Railings and Stairs Specialists in Access Control Systems and Automatic Gate Systems

Counselling for people with addictions eg. Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling

• Relapse Programme • One-to-one Counselling • Referral system for private clients to White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre • Addiction and General counselling available Afternoon, evening and weekend appointments available

Counsellors are professionally trained and are fully accredited or working towards accreditation.

For appointments ring: 087-2879707, or 074-9723822 Email: taborhouse2004@eircom.net Tabor House, Drimark, Donegal Town

- Remote Control access systems - Keypad access control systems - Barrier access control systems

Helping people to recover

Visit our new SHOWROOM at Roadstone Retail park, Castlebar

Irish Shamrock Trees Cavity Wall Insulation Attic Insulation Sound Proofing Drylining Spray Foam Insulation

New & Existing Residential Commercial Industrial

Whitethorn & Beech Hedging Trees and more Suitable for: • People with limited mobility • People who have had hip surgery

• Aeos & REPS Specialists • All trees and tree plants • Refridgerated trees • Trees from €2.00 • All year round planting • Best Value Trees in Ireland.

• People with back aches

For details of your local stockist

Phone Noel: 087-9896948

We pride ourselves on our truly friendly and efficient service.

Tel: 087-2743914 24 HR www.irishshamrocktrees.com

S.T.O.P. is a registered charity, which was set up to assist and support individuals who feel suicidal, are in distress, or those who have been bereaved by suicide.

Contact: Michelle Fox Beepark Resource Centre, Newline, Manorhamilton, Co.Leitrim

Office: 071 9856070 Mobile: 086 7772009 Email:northweststop@yahoo.ie

Feature Article Services Directory

JB DENTURE CLINIC Garden/Tone St, Ballina.

Boradruma, Snugboro, Castlebar

Mon-Thu 9.30 - 6pm / Fri 9.30 - 5pm • Homes • Hospitals • Nursing Homes Appointments by arrangement

Tel: 096-72189 or 087-6389500

We repair Kitchen seats, 3pce suites, fireside chairs, bar seating, sails, motorbike seats, headboards, office chairs etc. We retail foam rubber, vinyls, velours, webbing, buttons, springs, etc. Member of the National Guild of Craftsmen.

Open Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm Tel: 094 9023532 or 086 8350608

JAMES MCGRATH WESTPORT GAS REGISTERED GAS INSTALLER • REGISTERED OIL TECHNICIAN • CALOR GAS INSTALLER

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

• Solar Panels supplied and installed • Supplier and Installer of Gas /Oil Boilers • Domestic and Industrial Service • Gas and Oil Burner Upgrades • Heating Control Upgrades • Supplier of Valiant, Glowworm and Wolf Gas Boilers and Coster Gas Detection Systems

SERVICE AGENTS FOR Aga / Rangemaster / Electrolux / Zanussi / Parkinson Cowen Speed Queen and Maytag Laundry Equipment.

TEL (098) 35266 also (086)8169023 westportgas@eircom.net Servicing Mayo and North Galway

Bar, Hotels Private Houses All Upholstery undertaken Huge Selection of fabrics Contact: 086-8361070 or 071-9622700

Barcastle Retail Park, Castlebar. T: 094-9026100

www.symphonykitchens.ie

THOMAS KEANE KITCHENS

Axis Business Park, Clara Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly Main St, Coolaney, Co. Sligo Tel: 071-9167005

• Face Frame and in-Framed kitchens · Fitted Furniture MBedroom AIN STREET , BALLA • Kitchen available Tel: DVD 094-9366622

Steel Garden Sheds, Garages & Tegkon Custom Steel Buildings

ballastoves@yahoo.com Page 46 Mature Living April 2012 www.tommykeanekitchens.homestead.com

Tel. 05793 – 51277

• Galvanised Steel Frame • PVC Coated Cladding - no painting • Variety of Colours • All Sheds come with a non-drip roof • We can supply a wooden or concrete floor.

• All sheds erected within 1-3 hours • All sheds come with at least one clear light on the roof.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS: • 3’x4’ window • Gutters and downpipes • Roller Door • Tile effect roofing

TEL: 086-240 7844 www.candssheds.ie info@candssheds.ie

Services Directory

Aluminium & PVC Repairs

CADDEN

To windows, doors and patio doors

Expert patio door repairs!

ENNISKILLEN

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

“ We cover Southern Counties at Northern Prices”

• Rollers • Tracks • Hinges • Door Realignment • Locks • Multilocking systems etc

www.caddenfunerals.com 24 hour caring funeral services • Covering all areas at competitive rates Funeral cars/Wreaths arranged EAMON OR MARY CADDEN 048-2866329938 MOBILE 00447718573502/00447752109265 “ a family concern, with a concern for the family”

Over 20 years experience servicing Irish windows and doors. Fully insured GLASS PARTS ETC REPLACED Brendan Gormley: 071-9183860 / 087-2562669

Garden Street | Ballina | Co Mayo

Your Eyes Are Precious.....

Let us look after them.

Complete Eye Exams including • Glaucoma Screening • AMD • Cataract Screening • Spectacles and Contact Lenses

The Biggest & Best Value Fireplace Showrooms in Ireland

Save €€€s by calling to us

For a full discussion and advice on all aspects of your eye health, call us and book your appointment today.

• Fireplaces • Stoves • Gas • Oil • Solid Fuel • Electric • Granite Worktop Specialists

Mon – Sat 9.30am -5.30pm

Sligo Road, Enniskillen.

Phone: 048 66 326 327

Corn & Callous Removal Nail Problems Diabetic Foot Care Verruca Treatment Insoles Home Visits

PRSI and Medical Card applications welcome

www.footworks.ie | 096 60100 | info@footworks.ie

GENTLEMAN WIDOWER 54 yrs. Landscape gardener W.L.T.M. female professional, not married. In the northwest for friendship and craic. 6ft 1', blue eyes, hair salt & pepper. Looking for lady 40 -47yrs. Longtime relationship. Replies with a blank stamped envelope to Box number 975 at the usual address.

YOUNG AT HEART LADY in mid - 60’s. w.l.t.m. genuine gentleman foor friendship. well travelled, enjoys dancing, gent of similar age. Replies with a blank stamped envelope to Box number 965 at the usual address.

OUTGOING LADY From Roscommon. Would like to meet widower, only 59 - 65. N.S. Must be free to socialize, for friendship, leading to a relationship. Replies with a blank stamped envelope to Box number 961 at the usual address.

DIVORCED LADY 60 years old. Bubbly personality, loves dancing, walking, eating out.

Like to meet honest gentleman, for companionship Replies with a blank stamped envelope to Box number 958 at the usual address.

FREE DATING* CLASSIFIED

HIGHLY EDUCATED LADY BEAUTIFUL LADY 63, Music, Gardening, Reading, Travel, Excellent Homemaker.

Looking for a partner who's kind, interested in life, and all that it offers. Middle class or upper middle class. Dublin, but can delegate.

Replies with a blank stamped envelope to Box number 956 at the usual address.

WIDOW MID 60'S Retired professional. Kind, sincere, likes C/W. Music, dancing and articulate, honest, well dressed, S.D. W.L. T.M. Nice gentleman, similar interest's. Roscommon, Longford, Sligo, own home,car, etc.

Replies to box number 946, at the usual address.

To Reply to Any Box number, simply place your letter in a Blank, Stamped Envelope and then send this into us at: Dating Section, Mature Living Magazine, Office 3, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co.Sligo.

WRITE YOUR ADVERT HERE:

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(MAX 30 WORDS) - *Phone numbers will not be included in these adverts.

ADDRESS: Post the completed form to Mature Living Magazine, Cleveragh Road, Sligo

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STRICTLY PRIVATE ADVERTISERS ONLY - BUSINESSES CAN CALL 071-9154538 AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY SALES REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT OUR EXCELLENT RATES. Please tick if you do not wish to avail of offers and information we may offer from time to time

Page 47 Mature Living October 2012

SLIGO WOOD FLOORING Lynns Dock, Sligo - Telephone: 071-9157830

To Celebrate Sligo Rovers victory there is 20% OFF all Bedding and Furniture & 10% OFF all Flooring Large Selection of Solids, Semi-Solids & Engineered Floors Laminates from €5.99 sqyd • Solids from €21 sqyd

www.sligowoodflooring.com