Mature Living Magazine - November 2012

PROMOTING A HEALTHY & POSITIVE LIFESTYLE November 2012

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE OLDER, BOLDER INDIVIDUAL

Lowering blood pressure – naturally Atlanticus: Harnessing the power of nature What’s on your pup’s mind?

ASEA – Major Scientific Breakthrough

Five fabulous soups

He is one of Ireland's best known sports presenters, a family man, keen rally driver and all round gentleman

a weekend away for two • SLIGO • MAYO • GALWAY • LEITRIM • ROSCOMMON

Cunningham Care

Maintain Independence & Comfort

Opening Hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday Home Demonstrations

Ability Chair and Bed Specialists Monksland, Athlone • Tel: 090-6440004 / Mob: 085-8642032 • Email: cunninghamcare@gmail.com

Contents

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November 2012 I 8

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T’S NOVEMBER and your popular monthly publication is now almost a year old. We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to its contents from readers across the West and further afield. As Christmas is rapidly approaching perhaps a subscription to the popular publication would be an ideal gift to a senior person, particularly in areas of the country where a hard copy may not be easily picked up (See Subscription page inside).

Older people are also bracing themselves for the upcoming Budget and hoping that their pleas will be heard by a government under increasing pressure from outside influences to grab additional revenue from this section of the community.

The organizations representing seniors will, undoubtedly, be making their voices heard on this and many other matters as we approach year end.

There will also be consistent pressure on government to implement a National Positive Aging Strategy. Older & Bolder, Age Action and others have repeatedly emphasized that people want to be independent and self-governing whatever the age or circumstances. This hope has been expressed by older people who are active and healthy and by older people with illness and disability as well.

As we go to press, it is disconcerting to note that a District Court judge is accused of attempting to deceive a friend out of half of his estate and is facing charges in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. While the “jury is still out” on this case it surely focuses on the need to establish a system whereby elderly people can obtain good general independent advice on such legal transactions and be informed of the questions they should pose and the clarifications that are necessary in such cases. Once again, with the increasing incidents of burglaries and theft from old people in their homes we should all be vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately to the local Gardai. This month’s Mature Living is another bumper issue. Our cover and One-on-One interview brings us face to face with one of Ireland’s best known sports presenters, Michael Lyster. On health matters we provide some good advice on how we can lower blood pressure naturally; we focus on the dreaded Hepatisis C virus and Niamh Flynn’s conversations with Dr. Jahkne reveal some important indicators on the condition of Dementia.

The article on the ASEA product makes compelling reading if you wish to explore ways of improving your general health and enhance your body’s natural healing process. A new Mayobased business, Atlanticus Cosmetics, is making waves by manufacturing and distributing a new range based on the “real treasures of the sea”, seaweed and sea salt. You can learn about the benefits and order on line at www.atlanticuscosmetics.com. Our Petcare section reveals there may be more to our canine friends than meets the eye.

There is, of course, much much more in your favorite monthly magazine . . . and you can look forward to another feast of news, views and information in your December issue which will be available early in the month. Deadline for submissions is 2nd December, 2012.

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

News ASEA – Scientific Breakthrough Do you have a family mystery to solve?

One-on-One with Michael Lyster Irritable Bowel Syndrome Adult tooth straightening Outdoor Fitness Dementia – establishing its presence Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Home Security Exhibition Harnessing the power of nature An Insight into Hepatitis C Lowering blood pressure – naturally The Bands of our Showband Era Tips for travelling with the grandkids eReaders for the elderly Food and drink: Five fabulous soups What’s on your pup’s mind?

Competition Break Aways Feature Focus on Galway Motoring Hotel Directory Spot the Ball Services Directory

4 5 8 10 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 26 27 28 30 31 32 34 36 38 42 47

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

The information in Mature Living is carefully researched and believed to be accurate, but the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Statements or opinions expressed herein are not necessary those of the editor or publisher. Advertisements within the publication are not endorsed by the publisher. Neither are any claims made within the advertisements. Before consuming any products mentioned in the publication readers are advised to consult with their general practitioner or equivalent professional for opinion or advice.

News

Vitamin D linked to Alzheimer's

P

eople lacking a particular type of vitamin D may be at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests.

Vitamin D has a key role in the development and maintenance of strong teeth and bones and is thought to help

protect the body against a number of serious conditions, including some neurological diseases and cancer. This latest study relates to vitamin D2.

While most people associate vitamin D with sun exposure, vitamin D2 is actually obtained from foods, such as fish, eggs and fortified milk.

UK scientists spent six months analysing the blood samples of patients with Alzheimer's. These included people who were on medication for the condition and people who were not. All were compared with a group who did not have Alzheimer's.

The study found that those with the condition who were not on any medication had very low levels of vitamin D2.

"The vitamin was either non-existent or in such low quantities that it could barely be measured. In comparison, people in the study who were either being treated with drugs to control their Alzheimer's, or who didn't have the

condition at all, showed far higher levels," the scientists explained.

They noted that while there has been speculation for some time that vitamin D could be linked to Alzheimer's, this is thought to be the first time a specific connection with vitamin D2 has been found.

Meanwhile, the team also found that drugs used in the early stages of Alzheimer's treatment, known as Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, may help 'switch on' the body's absorption of vitamin D2.

"Further investigations are now needed to determine whether simple dietary advice or giving a specific supplement could restore beneficial levels (of vitamin D2) in Alzheimer's patients," the scientists commented.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Current Alzheimer Research.

Alzheimer's disease affects around 35,000 people in Ireland.

Elderly people scared to go out in winter due to fear of falling THOUSANDS of elderly people are unable to leave their homes because they fear falling, while more than one in 20 over75s believe no-one would notice for days if they fell at home.

A report carried out in Scotland lays bare what the older people's charity describes as the "devastating" psychological impact of falls.

It says 3250 Scottish people aged over 75 won't risk leaving their homes. Across the UK, 32% of over-75s who live alone have fallen in the last year, and 6% of those who fell were unable to get up for an hour or more.

Those who fell were injured in 62% of cases and 40% of these described their injuries as moderate or extensive.

In Scotland, 18% of older people who had suffered a fall in the last five years said they had lost their confidence, with 9% now feeling less independent.

Unsurprisingly, the problem is worse in the winter months, with almost half of older Scots (47%) saying they feel much more vulnerable to falling in winter.

These really are bleak findings and

most of the figures would ring through for the elderly here in Ireland. With winter approaching, older people have little confidence to get out and about because they fear they will fall and, as this research shows, the psychological effects of worrying about a fall can be just as debilitating and devastating as

physical injuries.

We would urge anyone who isn't feeling confident about going out to get in touch with us as we can arrange a volunteer to accompany them on trips to the shops or for volunteer-run transport services that will give them back their independence.

Focus Ireland supporters needed!

GATHER your friends together and give up a few hours this November to take part in the Focus Ireland Key to a Home Collections. Last year hundreds of Focus Ireland supporters could be seen selling key rings on the streets, bag packing in shopping centers, holding collections in local churches and fundraising events in their local club.

Together they made a difference in the lives of people who are homeless. This

November 16th-18th we need you to give us your time and energy. Sign up here to join our Key to a Home volunteer collector team and help us to continue our work to prevent homelessness throughout Ireland. We guarantee you a rewarding experience and an opportunity to meet new like-minded people who are passionate about preventing homelessness.

Sign up now by simply calling Dervla

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on 1850 204 205 or email events@focusireland.ie and we will find a suitable collection spot for you.

We are also looking for volunteer Team Leaders to help manage collections throughout the country. Please visit our Team Leader page for more information. For more information on how you can get involved contact the Events Team on 1850 204 205 or email events@focusireland.ie

4 Ways to Avoid Caregiver Depression

DEPRESSION - it's an all too common side effect of caregiving. Research conducted by Home Instead Senior Care reveals that caregivers who hide their emotions are 2.3 times more likely than other caregivers to have experienced depression since becoming a caregiver.

Home Instead Senior Care provides resources to help family caregivers understand the many emotions of caregiving.

In addition, the Home Instead Senior Care network and caregiving expert Dr. Amy D'Aprix recommend the following process to help caregivers come to grips with the rigors of caregiving and avoid depression: Acknowledge feelings. It's OK to feel conflicting emotions as a family caregiver, Dr. D'Aprix notes. "Think of it as a pie. Perhaps 30 percent of the pie is anger and 20 percent is guilt, but the rest of the pie is love. Seeing it as a pie helps caregivers realise that caregiving comes with a range of emotions, and that's OK." Release feelings in a safe way. Journaling is one effective way that family caregivers can get their feelings out. Joining a support group or talking to a therapist or non-judgmental friend are others.

Manage the situation. Oftentimes there's no other way around it: caregivers need help. If you can't find that support with family, go to trusted friends, community leader or consider professional caregiving support.

Find solutions. "Make a list of the things you enjoy doing to reduce stress," Dr. D'Aprix advises. "Reading, watching a favourite television show, exercising, visiting a museum, meeting friends and listening to music are all activities that many caregivers enjoy. Keep a list and build in mini breaks or bite-size getaways - 15 minutes at a time. It's not all or nothing."

For more information please log on to www.caregiverstress.com

Charity comes to Charlestown AS a fundraising endeavour for their group, members of Charlestown ARA opened a ‘popup’ shop selling items they had donated themselves or had been donated to them.

Initially it was for 4 weeks but proved so popular that members voted to keep it open for 8 weeks in total. They were doubly rewarded - both by the funding they raised for themselves and an award from Age Action at their 20 year Celebration Afternoon Tea at the Mount Falcon Hotel in Ballina. It was for being the most Innovative Older People’s Group in the area.

Two years ago Charlestown ARA won the Golden Years Award for the group doing the most with and for local older people. Surely there will be a hat trick – watch this space for the next one!

Health

ASEA – Scientific Breakthrough

Replenishing the body’s natural healing ability

As We Age Our Cells Produce Less of These Signaling Molecules

T

WO years ago Kathryn Duffy was presented with a major health challenge.

A routine G.P. examination, followed by a biopsy, revealed a growth in her cervix and her worst fears were confirmed.

Kathryn was obviously shocked, so she e-mailed some medical friends in the U.S. She was looking for something totally new – and she found it!

Her friends recommended ASEA. She got a supply and began to use the product. To her amazement, within the fiveweek period from the biopsy results and having the growth removed, the size of the growth had reduced considerably.

As a precaution she had all her reproductive organs removed. In the process she developed a horrendous hospital infection. However, within a short period of time she discovered that Asea helped her body heal itself.

Kathryn, now convinced of Asea’s capacity to help the body heal itself quickly, felt she had to use her experience to help others. There was one problem – the product was not available in Europe. However, thanks to Kathryn and some friends it now is and full information on how to get it can be obtained by checking out Kathryn’s website, www.teamasea.com/kathrynd.

WHAT IS ASEA AND WHAT DOES IT DO? Our bodies are programmed to heal themselves. We are born with between 75 and 100 trillion cells. Our heart, lungs, body parts . . . from the hairs on our head to the nails on our feet . . . are all made up of cells. The molecules that protect, detect and repair damaged cells in our bodies are known as redox signalling molecules.

We are born with 100% of Redox Signalling Molecules but by the time we reach the age of 12 our bodies’ ability to

reproduce these molecules begins to decrease; when we reach 70 this reproductive capacity may be as low as 10%.

In the centre of each cell is its powerhouse – the mitochondria – which produces Redox signalling Molecules and these molecules transmit information from cell to cell instructing the body to heal and repair itself.

For instance, if we mistakenly place our finger on a hot stove, information will shoot up our arm to the brain to trigger the message to pull our finger away, this all happens in mille seconds. The information has been transmitted from cell to cell and the body’s ability to communicate this information is called Redox Signalling Molecules. If we cut a finger or burn ourselves or encounter health challenge at all, the bodies’ cells will communicate with each other to bring about healing.

Until recently, science thought these molecules were just a bi-product of the cell. It has now been discovered they are actually fundamental to detecting damaged cells, producing cells for the future and repairing the damaged ones. If a cell is, in fact, damaged beyond repair, it will help it to self-destruct. The better the communication the better and faster the healing ability. When we were children we healed quickly. As we get older sores don’t heal so quickly and that is because as we age we are losing these vital molecules.

Asea expedites healing and recovery from illnesses. It even enhances the effectiveness of other medicines and supplements we may be taking – as it improves the ability of cells to transmit essential information from one to another. In short, it replenishes the body’s ability to heal itself.

This is healing at cellular level and is totally safe to use as it is

native to the body.

There are only two places you will find Redox Signalling Molecules and that is inside your body or in a bottle of ASEA. This product is backed by seventeen years of research and science and is heavily patented and unique.

Asea is not a vitamin, not an herb or mineral, not a super juice or medication. It is native to the body and helps the body do what it is supposed to do – heal itself. Healthy cells mean healthy bodies. Asea helps us to sleep, improves hair, nails – everything. It stimulates the

anti-aging process and can make us look years younger.

Kathryn’s mother (aged 89) developed a serious lung infection in recent months.

After taking Asea an improvement was apparent after 48 hours. After a short time she was back to her “old” self again and playing bingo three nights a week.

To find out how you can begin to replenish YOUR life contact Kathryn Duffy at 087-2219692 or 091-797803, or check out www.teamasea.com/kathrynd

News

National Bowls Competition 2012

A

fter two years in Mayo, the Active Retirement Ireland National Bowls Competition and Activity Break moved to the INEC and Gleneagle Hotel in picturesque Killarney this year, and was attended by over 400 members from every corner of the country.

The competition for the Active Retirement Cup and the Active Retirement Plate was fierce in both the small bowls and big bowls competitions. In the big bowls plate, a stunning comeback in their final group game saw Midleton & District ARA’s team leap from 3rd place

to qualify for the semi-final on shot difference, eventually coming up trumps in the final against Beaufort ARA of Co. Kerry. Skip Ned Reck and his team of JJ Lynch, Malcolm Taylor and Pat McEntee were delighted to head home to Cork with the Active Retirement Ireland Plate.

In the small bowls Plate competition, the destination of the trophy was confirmed when two teams from Grange Woodbine ARA in North Dublin qualified for the final. The only question that remained was whether it would be Don

Ray or Tommy Ellis who would lead their team to glory. After a convincing win, it was Ellis who held the Plate aloft, flanked by his teammates Eddie Mc Dowell, May McDowell and Marie Ellis.

In the big bowls Cup competition, defending champions Cooley ARA missed out on a semi-final place to eventual runners-up, Killarney ARA. In the end, however, it was another Kerry team that won out. Beaufort ARA played with class and great technique throughout, and the team of Gisella Gloge, Mary Grant, Elaine Scully and their skipper Tom Grant were crowned worthy champions.

In the small bowls Cup, defending champions Gorey Tigers were bidding for their third successive title. Skip Damien Goodwin had followed in Kevin Molloy’s footsteps to bring the cup back to the Wexford town in 2011, and the Tigers had played some fantastic bowls all week. They were, however, dethroned in a thrilling final by Ballinteer ARA, who were making their first ever appearance in the ARI Cup. Teresa Reinhardt led her determined team through some very tough matches and she was presented with the Cup by Mayor of Killarney Sean O’Grady, alongside her teammates Tina Torpey, Michael O’Brien and Catherine Roche.

As the new champions were crowned, the crowd capped off a wonderful week of sports and activities with a gala ball in the INEC, and all were certain that the competition will be even greater next year.

Ageing population a challenge for services IRELAND’S AGEING population presents a massive challenge for governments North and South, with an additional 45,000 older people requiring care over the next decade, according to a major new report.

Every day over the next 10 years, an additional seven older people in the Republic, and two in Northern Ireland, will require long-term residential care or home help, states the report published last month. There are serious questions about who will provide this care, especially given the likely increase in female emigration and workforce participation, according to the research funded by the Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland.

The report, authored by researchers from Trinity College Dublin and Queen’s University Belfast, also highlights significant differences in the care available north and south of the Border.

It says there is clear evidence that the care assessment system in the Republic is less effective, since it leaves a higher proportion of older people with unmet care needs.

“Although older people are living longer and in better health, Ireland will ?face substantial extra demands for care of older people every year as the population ages. If care in the community

and residential care are not developed appropriately, the pressures on the acute hospital system will be unsustainable,” said Prof Charles Normand of TCD. The report points out that, in Northern Ireland, there is a legal basis for home help services and an integrated system to assess a person’s need for care at home or placement in a care home.

In the Republic, such assessment only applies in respect of the Fair Deal scheme for placement in a home.

There is a persuasive argument for providing this legal basis and an integrated assessment system in the Republic, especially given fiscal constraints and the rising demand for long-term care, it states.

“We are now facing the challenges previously tackled by other European countries which have managed to build up more comprehensive care systems than we have,” said Maev-Ann Wren of TCD. “Population ageing is independent of migration patterns, as older people don’t tend to emigrate.”

Ms Wren, who was a part-time policy adviser to former Minister of State Róisín Shortall until the latter’s resignation last month, said the research provided a number of indications that our present care system was inadequate. The number of over-65s with a difficulty who

Page 6 Mature Living November 2012

were receiving no help stood at 14 per cent in the Republic in 2006, compared with just 2 per cent in Northern Ireland.

In addition, HSE figures showed there were 690 delayed discharges from hospitals in August, many of them due to a lack of care available outside hospitals.

“It is important to realise that there is a substantial increase not just in absolute numbers of older people but also as a proportion of the population.”

Up to now, inward migration to Ireland had masked the fact that the number of older people was increasing, she pointed out. At present, about 12 per cent of the population is aged 65 or over, but in a decade’s time this figure would be 15 per cent. Critically, the number of those aged 80 and older, who are more likely to be in need of care, will increase by 53 per cent. The number of over-85s will more than double, from 48,000 in 2006 to 106,000 in 2021.

One piece of good news to emerge is that older people are more likely to enjoy good health than before, so the proportion with a disabling condition that might require care is falling.

However, this trend is more than outpaced by the ageing of the population, so an estimated further 50,000 home care arrangements will be needed by 2021.

Walk the Camino Way in May 2013:

AGE action are organising so that people can experience the Camino Way for themselves. Our group will depart Dublin Airport on a direct Aer Lingus flight to Santiago, where it will be met by our experienced tour guide for transfer to the hotel, just over 100km away. You will start the walk on Sunday, and you will walk approximately 20km per day, finishing in Santiago on Friday. Along the route you will stay in carefully selected hotels on a half board basis. Lunch, although not provided in the cost of the trip, will be in recommended restaurants along the route. The cost of this 7 night trip is €1,800, which includes flights, accommodation on a half board basis, a tour guide along the route, and hotel transfers. For more information have a look at www.ageaction.ie/follow-camino-way-ageaction

An Garda Síochána

Home Security Exhibition

in The Park Hotel Kiltimagh Co Mayo.

Saturday 24th November 2012 from 10am – 5pm Exhibitors will cover Alarms, CCTV, Security Doors, Safes, Locksmiths, Oil Tank Security, Property Marking, Computer Security, Tracking Systems, Electric Gates, Remote Monitoring Services, Road Safety, Community Services for the Elderly. 28 Exhibitors.

Proceeds to Mayo Roscommon Hospice Palliative Care Service

All Welcome – Entry is Free

News

Do you have a family mystery to solve?

The Genealogy Roadshow is back for another series! And this year the team is coming to the North West

H

osted by Derek Mooney, RTE’s hit genealogy series The Genealogy Roadshow is returning to screens next year and once again they are keen to help as many people as possible find their place in history!

Last year The Roadshow’s crack historical and genealogical team helped hundreds of ordinary people trace their family’s roots and discover extraordinary stories from their past. The Collins family from Boston were reunited with long lost relations in Co Galway, the experts helped Paul Duffy from Co Meath trace the owner of a mysterious 1858 passport and they even found evidence of a link between Glenn Webb from Dublin and the Arctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.

There are people out there who may be related to Hollywood Legend Gene Kelly, Al Capone’s wife Mae Coughlin was from the North West of Ireland, the first captain of The New Zealand All Blacks Dave Gallaher was from Donegal and 17 American presidents have Ulster Scots heritage. Are you related?

But it’s not just family connections to politicians, entertainers or sports personalities that the Roadshow experts can help prove. Perhaps you have always wondered whether one of your relations was involved in a dramatic part of local or national history? Perhaps you need help tracing a missing branch of the family? Maybe you have a mysterious family document or an heirloom or a particular object that you just can’t explain. If there is any kind of mystery in your family tree, then the team of experts can help you solve it. You tell them the story and they’ll search for the evidence.

People who are interested in finding out more should contact the show genealogy@bigmountainproductions.com or call Ciara on 04830834046 or from Northern Ireland on 02830834046. Download a form now from www.bigmountainproductions.com

Grange company gets top award

Luke Conway (centre) owner of LC Seating, Grange, receives the Health Promotion Award at the Irish Medical and Trade Association ceremony from Alan Markey, Chairman, and John Kiernan, Quintiles.

LC SEATING, based in Grange Co Sligo, has received the top Health Promotion Award at the inaugural Irish Medical and Trade Association (IMSTA) awards ceremony. A market leader in bespoke medical seating, owner Luke Conway stated: ‘The award recognises LC Seating’s complete commitment to providing an expert service to match our customised products. We received the award in recognition of a tailored course we ran for professionals who use our seating products in their work.

The seating we provide is very specialised and we put this course in place, free of charge, to ensure that client needs are perfectly met when they consult with a medical expert. An expert physiotherapist and expert clinical scientist spent a week training occupa-

Page 8 Mature Living November 2012

tional therapists from all over Ireland. As a result of taking part in this course, participants gained a clear overview of the process involved in carrying out a clinical seating assessment for a client with complex disabilities. This particular course dealt with seating issues around postural difficulties in adults and children with complex disabilities.’ After the course participants stated it was the best seating course they had attended and that the practical nature of the course was invaluable.

LC Seating plan to run more courses over the next 12 months.

The course and the client feedback were put through an assessment process by an expert panel from IMSTA and came out on top. Conway comments: ‘This award recognises the importance of our strategy -developing the area of education within the business to help improve the care provided to the clients and to promote the benefits of our new products.’

IMSTA members, speaking at the awards ceremony, commented on how the substantial changes that the technical end of the medical industry had achieved within Irish healthcare over the last three decades had improved the quality of life for thousands of people in that time.

LC Seating is currently in the process of expanding it’s premises, so the positive profile gained from this award comes at an opportune time. The company has a staff of four, and plans to increase this number.

LC seating provides mobility products including manual and powered wheelchairs, stair lifts and daily living aids and specialises in custom made seating. For information on LC Seating log on to www.lcseating.ie, phone 071 91 63905 or email info@lcseating.ie.

• Straight and Curved Stairlifts • External Lifts • Through Floor Lifts • Disability Bathrooms • Level Access Showers • Bath Lifts

Lo-Call 1890-25-30-38 • Mob: 087-7783633

Feature by Stella Carroll

He is one of Ireland's best known sports presenters. a family man, keen rally driver and all round gentleman, Michael Lyster's cheerful and optimistic outlook have made him one of Ireland's most popular personalities.

M

ichael Lyster spent his early years, living just across the road from the GAA pitch in Barnadearg , Tuam Co Galway. His father was a member of the local Gardai and Michael grew up, with a passion for writing, for sport and a calm cheerful outlook on life.

The local sugar factory provided his first job, but he set his sights on pastures new and began a journalistic career, as a reporter with the Tuam Herald. In 1980, he heard about a job in 2FM, Radio and without any real expectations, made the journey to Dublin. Ironically he had no big ideas about a career in TV and Radio, and when the job was offered to him, he took some time to reflect on this big decision. " I was dithering for weeks over whether to take it or not and,

eventually, I decided to give it a go.

There were a lot of pirate stations setting up all over the country at that time, and I figured that I would go to RTÉ for a year and get some experience and then come back to work in Galway."

Michael is now one of Ireland's most popular presenters and has been the 'face' of the Sunday Game on RTE television for twenty eight years. A friendly, convivial reporter, he has expertly presented the thrills and heartbreaks of Irish sport to a dedicated fan base. " I am so lucky to be doing something I enjoy. It is a passion, a hobby and my work. After all these years, it is never repetitive and always interesting. Every season there are different issues, controversies and new exciting teams coming up. The Sam Maguire returning to Donegal this year, after a twenty year wait, is a case in

Page 10 Mature Living November 2012

point. There is always something exciting happening. I never take it for granted. I am always aware that the fans have paid good money to be at the game, while I am privileged to be working and in the best seats."

Coverage of the Olympic games provide a different challenge and a hectic round of unpredictable thrills.

Michael recalls the shock in 1988, when Ben Johnson won gold in the 100 meters "We were packed up and on our way home when the word came that he had tested positive for drugs, and we just turned right around and went straight back to work." His fondest memories are of covering the GAA final in 1998, when Galway won the cup for the first time in 32 years. It was not just pride in his home County, but in his home village too. "There were local lads that I had seen growing up in Kilererin and

Michael is now one of Ireland's most popular presenters and has been the 'face' of the Sunday Game on RTE television for twenty eight years.

playing in Barnadearg pitch across from my house. Good players like Padraic Joyce, whom you knew for years and were so happy to see bringing home a win. The GAA is part of the fabric of Irish life, you grow up with it around you, and you identify with it locally. "

Michael has been living in Dublin for over twenty years now. He is married to Anne and they have four children ranging in age from 16 to 23. Mark, Rebecca, Ellen, and Jack. The irregular hours of his job brings both positives and negatives. The family have never been able to take a summer holiday together. The busy season runs from Spring to Autumn, but with typical optimism Michael laughs. "The family are used to it. It is just the way it is for us and we work around it. I have been able to be home at other times.

Unsurprisingly, the children have a healthy interest in sport. Mark is a keen martial artist and Jack is an avid soccer player. All are still living at home and it is a busy household ". Michael tries to eat healthy. " I think a little bit of everything is good for you. I try to eat my five a day, vegetables, fish and salads, but sometimes I won't say no to a burger and chips. It is about balance, and there are times when you are working late, far from home when the chipper is the only option" Relaxation from work comes in a most unusual package "It is a bit of a bus man’s holiday!" says Michael. "I reported on, and followed car rallying for years. I knew that there were great people involved in the sport. So when a friend of mine suggested that we give it a go ourselves, I did, and I was very soon hooked on the sport". An enthusiastic rally driver for many years now, Michael describes it as an 'addictive disease' and is happiest when he is behind the wheel,

"I reported on, and followed car rallying for years. I knew that there were great people involved in the sport.

So when a friend of mine suggested that we give it a go ourselves, and I was very soon hooked on the sport "

make life interesting for us all. He loves what he does and this comes across in the humble and generous manner in which he does it. A frequent MC at Charity and sporting events, with a ready laugh and seemingly unending supply of enthusiasm, we can look forward to many exciting times together in the years to come. ". I'm very lucky to have hit on a career that I love and as long as RTÉ will have me, I'm happy to stay doing what I'm doing!"

rallying round the back roads of Ireland.

"There are times when I have had a bit of a spin and landed into the odd field .

Then when the car comes to a halt, and you get out and take the helmet off, there is a huge cheer from the spectators. Of course, they are all rush over to help you get back on the road. it's very good humoured, great fun."

Michael is contented to continue his career as a well informed, provocative and articulate analyst of the games that

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Home Care

Hold your TD accountable on Home Care cuts O

lder & Bolder’s campaign for the reversal of cuts to Home Care services is being stepped up with the launch of an online tool directly linking TDs and their constituents. Recently, Government TDs voted down a motion to reverse cuts to Home Help and Home Care Packages. On this page thanks to the older and bolder website you will be able find out how the TDs that represent them and their constituency have actually voted on this vital issue.

Ms. Patricia Conboy, Director of Older & Bolder said, “We have consistently asked older people and our supporters to call on their TDs to reverse the cuts to Home Care services. The results of votes on Dáil motions are a matter of public record but the details are often not widely publicised.

We want older people to actively

participate in the democratic political process and to go beyond once-off lobbies of their TDs.” Ms. Conboy continued: “Many older people are receiving standard response letters from Government TDs effectively suggesting that the home care cuts can be implemented without inflicting distress on citizens.

The reality is that the loss of 1 million hours of home help service from the system in 2012 will hurt people suffering illness, frailty and disability and their families.” She added: “Older people understand these realities and Older & Bolder is now encouraging them to give feedback to their TDs, to thank politicians who have voted to reverse the cuts to Home Care services and to continue their dialogue with politicians who have voted to retain the cuts.”

Where does your TD stand on home care cuts?

Contact Your TD

If they voted to retain home care cuts or did not vote tell them...

1. How these cuts will affect you or those close to you 2. 14% of older people in Ireland who need a home care service do not get any support** These cuts will make a disgraceful situation much worse 3. Home care cuts breach a clear promise in the Programme for Government 4. Ask your TD how they can stand over Government assurances about ‘minimising impact’ whilst cutting just under 1 million home help hours?

5. Ask them if they will reconsider and lead a reversal of home care cuts?

If they voted to reverse home care cuts, thank them and ask that they continue to prioritise this important issue

Page 12 Mature Living November 2012

Feature by Claudia McGloin - Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS as it is more commonly known is a condition of the Digestive System. It can cause bouts of Stomach Cramps, Bloating, Diarrhoea and Constipation. While Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common condition that affects both men and women, it can also be misdiagnosed!

What causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

The exact cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is unknown but it has been linked to a sensitivity of the gut. There are however several triggers that can exacerbate the condition.

Some of these are: • Stress • Intestinal Parasites • Poor Digestion • Food Sensitivity or Food Intolerance • Feeling Emotionally Low • Being Physically Run Down • Bowel Infection • Candida • Disorders of the Nervous System • Drug Side Effects • Gynaecological Problems • Inadequate Digestive Enzymes • Nutrient Deficiencies • Poor Diet • Surgery

I

rritable Bowel Syndrome can affect anyone but usually symptoms are noticed between the ages of 20-30.

People who suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome can experience these symptoms in bouts which are often during times of stress and after eating certain foods.

One major characteristic of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is fluctuating transit time. This is when food travels too quickly through the Digestive System. The undigested food particles can irritate the gut causing it to empty suddenly. Irritable Bowel Syndrome can also co-exist with Premenstrual Syndrome and has also been associated with Fibromyalgia.

The Intestine is connected to the Brain.

Signals go back and forth between the Bowel and Brain. These signals affect bowel function and symptoms. The nerves can become more active during stress causing the intestines to be more sensitive and contract more.

Bowel Syndrome your GP will not always need to order blood tests to help diagnose you.

However, in some cases they may recommend blood tests to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms such as an Infection or Coeliac Disease (a stomach condition caused by Gluten Intolerance).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is usually diagnosed by carrying out a physical examination and checking whether your symptoms match those typical of the condition.

Treatment for irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can often be reduced by changing your diet and lifestyle. In some cases, medication or psychological treatments may also be helpful.

Colonic Hydrotherapy Treatments are also very good for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They can also be combined with a Colonic Enema which has been

Diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) There are no specific tests for Irritable Bowel Syndrome because it does not cause any obvious detectable abnormalities in your Digestive System.

If you have the symptoms of Irritable

The Claudia McGloin Clinic have treated several people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome both in the UK and Ireland with excellent results.

Claudia’s tips for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): • Change your diet • Increase fibre intake • Keep a food diary • Take probiotics • Exercise • Reduce STRESS • Avoid sugar • Avoid excess alcohol • Restrict your tea and coffee intake • Restrict fizzy drinks • Eat regular meals • Avoid red meat • Avoid artificial sweeteners • Avoid fatty and fried foods • Drink plenty of water • Get a good night’s sleep • Have regular Colonic Hydrotherapy treatments

Further details on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colonic Hydrotherapy can be found on the Claudia McGloin Clinic website www.claudiamcgloinclinic.com

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can vary from person to person but most people will experience Diarrhoea, Constipation or both. The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome tend to be worse after eating and tend to come and go in bouts. Many people will have a flare up of their symptoms which can last from 1 day up to 4 days.

The most common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are: • Abdominal Pain and Cramping – which can be relieved following a bowel movement • A change in bowel habit - such as Diarrhoea, Constipation or Both • Bloating and Swelling of the Abdomen • Excessive Wind (Flatulence) • An urgent need to go to the toilet • A feeling that you need to open your bowels even if you have just been to the toilet • A feeling you have not fully emptied your bowels • Passing mucus from your back passage (bottom) Due to the embarrassment, pain and discomfort of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, many people with the condition also have feelings of Depression and Anxiety.

tailored for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome to help calm the Colon and reduce the spasms.

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 November 2012

Feature by Sonya Hamill of Blue Apple Dental

Have you ever thought about adult tooth straightening?

Who is having it done?

In the two years we have been offering these treatments, we have found it hugely popular with both men and women in equal measure.

People in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s are all seeing the difference this can make. In particular it is popular with our more mature clients because as we get older teeth can shift and drift, for a variety of reasons. It is very common for us to see people who are unhappy with this change in their teeth. This is a lovely, non-invasive way of bringing them back into line.

Are there other benefits in having straighter teeth?

One reason for straightening teeth is that they are easier to keep clean. This naturally has benefits for keeping your teeth healthier for longer because of the reduction in overlapping and tricky to clean spots. It can also be beneficial when teeth have moved into a space left by a missing tooth, and you need to move

I

t is a fact that straighter, brighter teeth make you look younger, healthier, and more confident.

For decades teenagers have been encouraged to go through a course of orthodontic treatment to set them up for later life. For many people this understandably forms their perception that tooth straightening is a treatment for teenagers and involves a mouth full of metal for 18-24 months.

But in recent years this perception has been changing. A variety of new treatment options entering the market place has brought tooth straightening further and further into the scope of adult dentistry, as the methods have become much more discreet. The re-design of fixed ortho with nice, tooth coloured materials was a dramatic, cosmetic improvement. Clear tooth aligners (like a clear gum shield) were one of the first major players in this world of adult ortho., and suddenly it was cool to be straightening your teeth.

But one of the biggest breakthroughs in the past two years has been the advent of

the tooth back out of the space to provide room to fill it with a replacement tooth or dental implant. These are just two examples, so you can see that this is a handy tool for improving a variety of dental situations.

Can it work for YOU? If you would like to know more about this treatment option, you can contact us on 048 66386111. We offer Free Fact Finder visits with our Treatment Co-ordinator, Stephanie, who can show you how the treatment works, examples of cases, and explain the pricing and payment options etc. Or you can arrange to go straight to see our dentist for a consultation, to find out exactly how it can work for YOU. *We are currently offering ‘Mature Living’ readers the option of FREE WHITENING with each Six Month Smiles case. Just quote ‘Mature Living’ when arranging to come in and see us.

the branded product ‘Six Month Smiles.’

This treatment has been taking the world by storm. At Blueapple we predict that 2013 will see more adults than ever before embracing this trend, to achieve a great smile quickly, with simple steps, minimal fuss, and cost effectively.

What is Six Month Smiles?

Six Month Smiles is simply a cosmetically focused treatment choice for those people who want to achieve a more attractive smile, with straighter, more even teeth.

In terms of what it does, its main difference from traditional orthodontics is that it focuses specifically on the six front teeth, i.e. those you smile with, and therefore is much faster, typically taking about 6 months.

It also looks good, because the brackets and wires are tooth coloured, therefore they’re very discreet. Unlike clear aligners, because it is fixed in place it can straighten more efficiently and swiftly, therefore reducing treatment time and cost.

‘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 benefits of an Outdoor Gym are more complex than “They increase fitness.”

O

• Improved self-esteem • Pride in physical accomplishments • Increased satisfaction with oneself • Improved body image • Increased feelings of energy • Improved confidence in your physical abilities • Decreased symptoms associated with depression

utdoor Gym machines, when used correctly, can give a strenuous workout to all users. There is equipment which can offer benefits to everyone from the total beginner to the fitness fanatic. An outdoor gym is different to an indoor gym in the type of training benefits it offers its users; where an indoor gym does utilise advancements in technology, supervision and instruction, an outdoor gym has a few tricks up its own sleeve: Social: One of main benefits associated with outdoor gyms is the social aspect. Outdoor Gyms encourage participation in people who would not exercise if there was no such facility available.

Neil Finlay, the Recreation Officer of Marrickville, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, was asked why he wanted to see more outdoor gym facilities in his locality and he replied: “I think it goes back to the benefits of community recreation. From a community health perspective, if your community members are healthy, active and participating, then that creates a wider benefit to the community. I think also visually, for people coming into Marrickville as well, it immediately identifies Marrickville as an active community” The Outdoors Council of Australia (OCA) considers the personal benefits gained by engaging in outdoor activity to be connecting with self, others and the surrounding environment. The OCA deems the wider benefits of outdoor activity to include enhanced physical/mental health of participants, providing value to communities, opportunities for relationship building, and significance to the economy. They note that to achieve such benefits, the provision of appropriate facilities and resources is required (Petherick 2010) It is therefore important to recognise the many social benefits that an outdoor gym will bring to a community.

Physical:

As people experience these psychological benefits, it is likely that they also will be motivated to continue exercises so that the benefits can be maintained.

General: Ramsay (2010) identifies numerous personal benefits to participating in outdoor fitness: • People who train outdoors experience higher levels of post exercise endorphins.

• Fresh air is refreshing and invigorating, improves sense of well being, increases alertness and decreases anxiety.

• Exposure to sunlight helps boost serotonin levels which helps maintain calmness.

• Increase in essential Vitamin D levels which help promote the absorption of calcium.

• Outdoor training allows exercise routines to be performed which are not possible in gyms.

To sum it all up; an outdoor gym increases participation in physical activity.

This in turn benefits the users and local community with increases in physical and mental health.

Machine of the Month: OutFit Installation Bofeenaun, Ballina, Co Mayo There are no two ways about it, exercising is good for your physical health, and the general health benefits of regular exercise are well documented and include, strength gain, muscle gain, weight loss, improved fitness, reduction in conditions associated with inactivity (heart disease, obesity, heart attacks, diabetes, strokes etc.), reduced cholesterol, improved posture and balance, improved coordination and many, many more.

Outdoor Gyms do encourage people to exercise more, and, depending on the workout goals of users, OutFit can tailor a package to suit. We have machines with low resistance - aimed at improving flexibility, balance and stability in older age groups; we have machines which can be used by anyone aged 16 to 90, which will give a medium to strenuous cardiovascular and resistance workout depending on how they are used; we have machines designed to give a tough workout to increase fitness, muscle, strength and conditioning using bodyweight and resistance - ideal for sports clubs, schools and fitness parks.

All of our machines have been designed to do a specific job, be it at the lower or higher end of the difficulty scale, and once the user learns all the workings, there’ll be no stopping them!

Lat Pulldown

Function: The lat pulldown is a multi-joint strength exercise targeting several muscle groups in your upper body, including the 'latissimus dorsi' muscles from where the machine gets its name.

Psychological: So that's the physical benefits of exercise; what about the psychological benefits? We hear less about them, yet, engaging in a moderate amount of physical activity has been shown to result in improved mood and emotional state.

The following are common psychological benefits gained through exercise.

• Improved mood • Reduced stress as well as an improved ability to cope with stress

Method: By using varying grips on the machine you can experience a different feel to the exercise as you enhance, tone and strengthen your upper arms, chest and back muscles.

Page 15 Mature Living November 2012

Interview by Niamh Flynn MBA MMEDSCI BA CI DHP

Dementia – establishing its presence

There are many signs and symptoms which mimic Dementia but the patient may not have the condition. From speaking with Dr. Jahnke Niamh Flynn achieved a greater insight into the world of Dementia and shares it here with our readers, particularly the tests which the neurologist carries out to establish the likelihood of the condition.

C

ain and Abel.. Elvis and Priscilla.. Torville and Dean… Alzheimers and Dementia .. The last pairing rolls off our tongues almost as quickly as the famous twosomes. However, Alzheimers is but one of the many diseases which can lead to impairments in memory, judgement and thinking as neurologist Dr. Jahnke points out.

Everyone knows about Alzheimers as a reason for dementia but they may not always know about diseases such as vascular dementia, HIV, syphilis, autoimmune disease such as Lupus, or Normalpressure-Hydrocephalus – an increase in cerebral spinal fluid in the brain. There are many other types of dementia which are not well known but certainly worth talking about.

This neurologists’ positive, practical attitude is reassuring.

He explains that the first step is identifying the cause of the dementia and that only then the correct treatment can be administered. In some instances, he says, it may well be as simple as rectifying a

vitamin deficiency. He notes that dementia is a very common condition but that forgetfulness does not always mean one has dementia.

‘Dementia onset normally occurs at an elder age but there are a lot of different types of dementia. The mildest form preceding a dementia is called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). This might present with some forgetfulness and inability to deal with complex problems of daily life; and sometimes these things are only notable to the patient themselves. At any stage it needs to be considered that there is forgetfulness in life. Everyone can be forgetful depending on stress levels and there is definitely progression with age. Einstein was known to be forgetful of everyday items.’

There are multiple reasons for dementia including vitamin B12 deficiency and an underactive thyroid so sometime dementia can be easy to solve and the patient will see a great improvement if treated early enough. Diabetes also needs to be ruled out. ‘Even some medications like anti-cholinergic drugs and drug abuse can cause dementia. The most important thing is to go for diagnostics which would include CT or MRI scan of the brain, neuropsychological tests and blood examinations. Sometimes an EEG is necessary to rule out non-convulsive epileptic seizures and in some cases a lumbar puncture might be necessary.’

Dr. Jahnke’s reputation for being extremely thorough in his assessment is well known and his equally exhaustive attention to the practical side of medicine is of great benefit for patients.

As we conduct the interview in The Galway Clinic at the end of a very long day he is unerringly

Page 16 Mature Living November 2012

patient as he explains the signs, symptoms and treatments for dementia. The classical bedsidetest most doctors use is the so called Mini-Mental-test where patients are asked to draw figures, to recall words, to name objects, to subtract and to do a few other tests. But sometimes tests are even easier… Pulling out a sheet of blank paper he starts to draw a circle on it explaining how he will often ask a patient to draw a clock. He illustrates several different ways in which a patient with dementia will draw the clock and what their drawings will mean. ‘An easy test is to see if they can read the time. I will ask the patient to draw a clock with a certain time – not a digital one – a classical one! You can tell a lot from their drawing even if there is a structural damage in their brain.’ It is fascinating to watch the different illustrations and to hear about how the difficulties a patient can have with drawing a common object will reveal so much about their brain physiology.

Dr. Jahnke points out the other signs of dementia which may be obvious both to the patient themselves and to those around them. ‘There will be a slowing down, often there is a personality change, of course problems with short term memory; forgetfulness, orientation becoming a problem’.

He cautions that there are many different dementias and that it is necessary to go through a lot of diagnostics to say if it is indeed dementia.

‘Take depression for example. It is one of the diseases mimicking dementia. Most people would not consider a depression to be a cause of dementia symptoms but when it is, then treatment for depression can cure the so called ‘pseudo-dementia’.

Clearly there are as many cures as there are causes and the neurologist recalls them all as quickly as one could reel off the alphabet. True to form he is quick to point out the least intrusive solutions whenever possible. ‘Sometimes even aspirin can be a help to stop progression if it is a vascular dementia and there are memory clinics around the country which can help with strategies to cope with activities of daily life.

What is important is to involve the family and friends closest to the person so they can be a positive support system. They

need to understand the disease so that they can help with basic problems’.

If you are worried that someone you know is suffering with dementia Dr. Jahnke recounts more signs to watch out for. ‘You might notice someone having problems keeping appointments. Some patients with dementia will have changes of emotion and changes of personality. It is important to notice if they are still able to do the activities of

daily life they used to do or if they need extra support. These are just a few of the signs but ones to be aware of’.

Given the broad spectrum of causes for dementia it is reassuring to know that there is an equally broad spectrum of solutions so for anyone showing signs of dementia stay calm, encourage them to consult their GP, Geriatrician or neurologist and resolution may, in some instances, be simpler than you could have perceived.

Learn To Hypnotize Others 2013 Course Dates: Galway, Ireland.

January 26th 27th 2013 • February 9th 10th 2013 March 9th 10th 2013 • April 6th 7th 2013 May 4th 5th 2013 On successful completion of the course you will receive your NGH Certified Hypnotherapist Qualification Saturday and Sunday 9am - 5pm

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 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 con-

trol 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.

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 â‚Ź19.85. This shows a saving of almost 50% on other AMD supplements.

Page 17 Mature Living November 2012

An Garda Síochána Home Security Exhbibition

Home Security Exhibition with An Garda Síochána

A

s part of the “Garda Supporting Safer Communities Campaign 2012”, An Garda Síochána in Mayo are taking a pro active approach regarding Crime Prevention and are holding a Home Security Exhibition on Saturday 24th November at The Park Hotel Kiltimagh from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free and John O’Mahoney TD will be opening the Exhibition. Superintendent Colm Fox of Swinford Garda station said that ‘There will be a number of security experts and companies that specialise in Home Security systems present on the day. We also expect to be in a position to carry out a limited engraving service. Therefore, we encourage any person with portable bulky items such as bicycles to bring them along on the day, for engraving.’’

In 2011, there were 27,439 burglaries and related incidents nationwide. 30% of all these bur-

glaries occurred through the front door making this point of entry the most common. Almost 25% of all these burglaries took place during the day, between 12 noon and 4pm. There is a Home Security ‘Checklist challenge’ available on the Garda website at www.garda.ie with some simple but effective burglary prevention advice.

The Park hotel Kiltimagh will be doing a special rate hot lunch with tea/coffee for €9 and Chantilly scones with tea/coffee for €3. We invite all readers with an interest in Home Security to join us at this exhibition. Any proceeds made on the day will go directly towards Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.

If you have any queries about this event or any other related matter please contact Garda Anne Marie Duffy at Swinford Garda Station at 0949252990.

An Garda Síochána Stop the Burglar take pleasure in supporting Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation through An Garda Siochana. We aim to provide the best security systems to protect your home, office and valuable items from the burglar. Our main focus is to STOP a burglar entering your home or office in the first instance, through using additional hardware for your doors & windows.

Tel: 01 824 9605 ~ info@stoptheburglar.ie www.stoptheburglar.ie

NORTH ORTH WEST EST PROTECTION ROTECTION DOGS OGS

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

Ballina, Co. Mayo • Tel: 085-7843837

Muintir na Tíre is a national voluntary organisation dedicated to promoting the process of community development. Canon Hayes founded the organisation in 1937. Muintir na Tíre aims to enhance the capacities of people in communities, rural and urban, to become involved in local social, economic, cultural and environmental development.

Canon Hayes House, Tipperary Town

Ph: 062 51163

Page 18 Mature Living November 2012

Home Security Exhibition in The Park Hotel Kiltimagh Co Mayo.

Saturday 24th November 2012 from 10am – 5pm Exhibitors will cover Alarms, CCTV, Security Doors, Safes, Locksmiths, Oil Tank Security, Property Marking, Computer Security, Tracking Systems, Electric Gates, Remote Monitoring Services, Road Safety, Community Services for the Elderly. 28 Exhibitors.

Proceeds to Mayo Roscommon Hospice Palliative Care Service All Welcome – Entry is Free

Atlanticus Cosmetics • www.atlanticuscosmetics.com

Harnessing the power of nature THE Ocean’s greatest treasures are not shipwrecks, diamond or gold on the ocean floor, but rather Seaweed for beauty, relaxation and general well being.

TO ORDER: Check out the Atlanticus website at www.atlanticuscosmetics.com and order your products on line. E-mail to info@atlanticuscosmetics.com Owen Goonan can be contacted directly at Atlanticus, Geesala, Ballina, Co. Mayo. 087-6531300 or 096-72619.

T

hese are the principles behind a new business and cosmetics range just launched by Geesala-native Owen Goonan which should of immense interest to people wishing to feel and look better and of particular interest to people with aging skin and those who need to relax, detox and unwind.

Atlanticus is a new beauty cosmetic company selling beauty products and natural beauty cosmetics on line. To do so they have opened the ocean’s treasure chest to bring you an array of seaweed cosmetics and natural indulgent bathing products.

Located in the North West coast of Ireland in Co. Mayo, the seaweeds are sourced from the cleanest, unpolluted waters of the north Atlantic. Seaweed bathing has been a tradition along the West coast for over 100 years. Nourished by the warm North Atlantic Drift current the seaweeds sourced here are amongst the richest in the world, high in vitamins, minerals, trace elements and, of course, Iodine. When seaweed is added to hot water it releases its array of oils containing proteins, minerals and vitamins. As heat opens the body’s pores these oils are quickly absorbed. It helps to detox, relax and unwind from the stresses of life.

Chondrus crispus algae extract is used in the Atlanticus facial cream moisturisers, face masks, soaps and face and body scrubs to protect and moisturise the skin,

leaving it soft and smooth.

Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed is combined with Dead Sea salts and essential oils to bring you an array of indulgent bathing products.

ORDER ON LINE: Many of the bath and body products, together with the skin creams are used as skin treatments because of their seaweed or algae content. You can shop on-line and order your Cosmetics, Creams, Moisturisers, Thalasso Bath Products, Seaweed Spa, Dead Sea Salts, Chondrus Crispus Face Gel, Handmade Soaps, Liquid Soaps, Shower gels, and have them delivered by courier to your door.

WHOLESALERS Atlanticus also wholesales cosmetics - face moisturiser, natural indulgent bathing products, carraigeen face gel, fragranced hand-made soaps, seaweed face mask and body scrubs to beauty shops, beauty salons, pharmacies and spa hotels in the UK, France, Germany, USA and, of course, Ireland.

Beauty salons and spa hotels have used seaweed based products during their treatments, while more and more are using the Atlanticus seaweed bath products together with their Dead Sea salts for spa at home. Spa days with natural seaweed are an ideal way to relax and detox.

Oceanus A nourishing, soothing and moisturizing face cream with skin tightening agent Chondrus crispus seaweed extract, Jojoba oil, Macadamia oil, Aloe vera, Vitamin e oil blended with Lavender and Patchouli essential oils to help moisturize, protect and rejuvenate your skin.

C O S M E T I C S

THE POWER OF NATURE Rich in Vitamins, trace elements, magnesium, potassium, calcium chloride and bromides.

Helps balance skin moisture and relax muscles

RELAX, DETOX AND UNWIND PROVIDES AN OVERALL FEELING OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Seaweed with Dead Sea Salt and Essential oils COSMETICS AND NATURAL INDULGENT BATH PRODUCTS

Order online at www.atlanticuscosmetics.com Atlanticus, Geesala, Ballina, Co. Mayo.

Tel: 087-6531300 or 096-72619. info@atlanticuscosmetics.com Page 19 Mature Living November 2012

Health

An Insight into Hepatitis C

Many of us have reached an age where we appreciate our health. We look good and feel well, and we’re just thankful those indiscretions of the past are safely behind us. But… in some cases, that peace of mind just might be misguided. avoiding alcohol and checking with your doctor before taking any prescription, herbal or over-the-counter medications.

There’s also some positive news in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Previously, a two-drug combination of interferon and ribavirin was used to treat HCV, and the medications had a response rate of about 55 percent. “Now we’ve added a third drug that is used in conjunction with the other two, and it has made a huge difference,” says Dr. Herman. With the addition of protease inhibitors, the response rate for treatment of HCV has increased to 70-80 percent.

I

n the US, for instance, over 3 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic hepatitis C (HCV), and as many as three-quarters of those infected with the virus are baby-boomers born between 1945 and 1965. Back in the days of tiedye T-shirts and flower power, boomers who snorted cocaine or dabbled in IV drug use could be carrying a memento of those “far-out” days and not even know it. Now these grandparents, neighbours and community leaders could be harboring a secret even they aren’t aware they carry.

The condition is well known in Ireland because of the scandal involving the Blood Transfusion Board’s use of contaminated anti-D blood products which infected thousands of Irish women. The State has already paid out over €250 million in compensation to some 1,300 women infected with hepatitis C. The final payout is expected to top €500 million. Hepatitis can be acute (a disease of rapid onset) or chronic (a disease of long duration, usually of gradual onset).

How is hepatitis C spread?

The main way to spread hepatitis C is through contaminated blood. This can be during a blood transfusion, or if you share needles with an infected person.

You can get it through unprotected sex.

It is also possible for hepatitis C to be passed from a mother to her baby. People who work around needles, such as health care workers, can get it if they are accidentally pricked by a contaminated needle. Those who received organ transplants prior to 1992 may be at risk.

Although currently, all blood is screened for hepatitis until that date no test was available for type C until 1990.

Understanding HCV Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease

most commonly spread through contact with infected blood. The virus has both an acute and chronic form. The majority of acute cases are symptom-free, so they often not identified and eventually become chronic. “About one-third of those with hepatitis B [another type of viral hepatitis] and hepatitis C will go on to develop cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease or liver cancer.

Chronic Hepatitis C is typically diagnosed only after liver damage has occurred. In fact, the virus is so insidious, it’s estimated 75 percent of those living with HCV may be none the wiser. Dubbed the silent epidemic, HCV has a lengthy incubation period and progresses so slowly it can take up to 30 years for symptoms to develop. “When we talk about damage from hepatitis C, we measure it not in years, but in decades,” says Dr. Herman, a fellowship-trained hepatology and liver transplant specialist in the U.S. Between 1990 and 1992, the incidence of new hepatitis C cases dropped dramatically, and the numbers have remained fairly stable since then. More public education is needed for all groups, but now the challenge lies mostly in tracking down those living with a decades-old exposure.

Testing and treatment Although vaccines are available for other types of hepatitis, including hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infections. A simple blood test can identify those who have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. If positive, additional testing may be needed to determine whether the virus is still active.

Individuals with HCV require careful medical monitoring, and steps are needed to protect the liver. This includes

Page 20 Mature Living November 2012

It is well known in Ireland because of the scandal involving the Blood Transfusion Board’s use of contaminated anti-D blood products which infected thousands of Irish women. The State has already paid out over €250 million in compensation to some 1,300 women infected with hepatitis C. The final payout is expected to top €500 million.

Herman finds the new medication may also benefit those who reacted favorably to interferon and ribavirin in the past.

“Patients who responded to the medications before, but the virus came back, now have a 90 percent response rate to the triple therapy.”

Who should get screened for chronic hepatitis B infection?

• All pregnant women.

• All foreign born people (including immigrants and internationally adopted children) from geographic areas with chronic hepatitis B virus prevalence of 2% or greater, including Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, and Eastern Europe.

• All unvaccinated U.S. born people with at least one foreign-born parent from geographic areas with chronic hepatitis B virus prevalence of 2% or greater, including Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, and Eastern Europe.

• All chronic hemodialysis patients.

• HIV-positive people.

• People with unexplained abnormal liver enzyme levels.

• Children born to hepatitis B-infected mothers after completion of the vaccine series.

Who should get screened for chronic hepatitis C infection?

• People who ever injected illegal drugs.

• People who received clotting factors made before 1987.

• People who received blood or organs before 1992.

• People who ever received long-term hemodialysis.

• People with unexplained abnormal liver enzyme levels.

• Healthcare, emergency medical, and public safety workers after needlestick or mucosal exposure to hepatitis C-positive blood.

• Children born to hepatitis C-positive mothers.

Health Compiled by Gerry Walsh

Lowering blood pressure – naturally

New science is changing the way people 50 and older judge their blood pressure, and a slew of new studies on foods and hypertension suggest it may be easier than you thought to reduce high blood pressure. natural compounds called anthocyanins that protect against hypertension, according to a recent British and American study of about 157,000 men and women published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

4. The beet goes on

2008 study of nearly 30,000 women with an average age of 54. The women who ate the most low-fat dairy products — yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, frozen yogurt, skim or low-fat milk — were 11 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure.

2. Cereal thriller

N

ow, before you rush to the medicine cabinet and begin to discard some of the medication you are on a number of factors have to be considered.

For adults under 65, it's that upper number in your blood pressure reading that may be the best indicator of future heart problems or even premature death.

A normal reading is around 120/80. If that first number is 140 or higher, you have reason for concern. It is recommended that people who are prone (or likely to inherit) the condition should keep a check on their own BP. For those 65 and older, however, it's a trickier situation. Readings may vary more and doctors need to be careful in prescribing blood pressure medication for older patients.

One safe, effective way to decrease blood pressure for all age groups is to eat foods that work naturally to dilate blood vessels so the heart doesn't have to work so hard.

Eat more of these six fabulous foods for an easy, delicious way to help lower your blood pressure numbers . . . in a safe, natural and, sometimes, enjoyable way.

Having a bowl of breakfast cereal, especially whole-grain, high-fibre cereals like oatmeal, oat squares, bran flakes or shredded wheat, can reduce your chance of developing high blood pressure, Harvard University researchers recently found. Plus, the more servings of cereal you eat a week, the greater the benefits.

Add to that the recent research on blueberries, and you could double your health rewards by topping your cereal with berries.

3. One potato, two

Drinking a glass of beet juice can lower blood pressure within just a few hours, according to a Queen Mary University of London study published last year in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension. The nitrate in the juice has the same effect as taking a nitrate tablet, the researchers found. Beet juice can be found at some health food stores and specialty groceries.

Other nitrate-rich foods include spinach, lettuce, cabbage, carrots and, of course, whole beets.

5. Got (skim) milk?

Eating low-fat dairy products can reduce a woman's risk of developing hypertension. That's the conclusion of a

6. The dark side Chocolate lovers rejoice! Eating a oneounce square of dark chocolate daily can help lower blood pressure, especially in people who already have hypertension, according to Harvard researchers who analyzed 24 chocolate studies. Dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, natural compounds that cause dilation of the blood vessels. Look for chocolates that say they contain 50 to 70 percent cacao, such as Ghirardelli 60 percent cacao dark chocolate squares These fine foods in conjunction with a regular exercise routine (walking/jogging, swimming, gym exercises, etc, and reducing stress levels can play a major part in controlling blood pressure and in some cases may reduce the need for medicines, some of which can have undesirable side effects.

1. Go blue!

Just one serving of blueberries a week can help cut your risk of high blood pressure. Blueberries, as well as raspberries and strawberries, contain

Everyone loves a baked potato, right? But did you know that a baked potato is high in potassium and magnesium, two important minerals that can help fight high blood pressure? Research shows that if people boosted their potassium intake, adult cases of high blood pressure could fall by more than 10 percent. As for magnesium, many older Americans fail to get enough in their diet, according to the National Institutes of Health. So why not kill two birds with one food. In addition to baked potatoes, here are some other foods high in both these minerals: halibut, spinach, bananas, soybeans, kidney beans and plain nonfat yogurt.

Page 21 Mature Living November 2012

Superb care from Fearna Nursing Group

M

eadowlands Nursing Home is a single story building set in landscaped grounds in the rural hinterland of Cloonfad village. The centre is warm and friendly and can accommodate up to 30 residents and caters for older people who need long term care, people who have dementia care needs, respite care and residents with disabilities. There is a reception dock located in the lobby in the main entrance and there are two sitting rooms, one located close to the main entrance and the other more spacious room is located adjacent to the dining area. There is a smoking room close to the dining and sitting room and an oratory.

There are five toilets, three of which are wheelchair accessible, located around the building and in close proximity to the dining and sitting rooms.

There is an assisted bath and an assisted shower room available for use by residents. The centre includes 18 bedrooms, a mixture of single and twin bedrooms all with en suite toilets and wash hand basins. For further information contact Meadowlands Nursing Home on 094 9646332.

Fearna Nursing Home is located on Bishops Street, Elphin and is a charming two story building which was built in 1840, which can cater for up to 34 residents.

It has been converted and modified from a convent school and many of the original features such as stonework and tiling are still in evidence. Bedrooms for residents are located on both floors and comprise of single rooms and double rooms. Assisted toilets are provided close to the communal areas on both

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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 â‚Ź35 (to cover postage and admin costs) you can have Mature Living delivered to your door.

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floors. There are stairs, a stair lift and a shaft life provided to enable access to the upper floor.

There are mature gardens and parking spaces to the front of the building while a smaller garden off the dining room provides safe outdoor space for residents.

The centre provides care to residents who have long term care needs, people with dementia, respite care and convalescence care under or over 65. A local GP provides medical support and specialist services are accessed through the HSE or privately as required.

For further information contact 071 9635424.

Fearna Manor Nursing Home is a residential setting on the Tarmon Road a short drive or walk from the town of Castlerea. Fearna Manor is a homely, welcoming and warm bungalow style modern dwelling set on a spacious site in a quiet residential area, providing care for up to 53 residents.

Accommodation is provided in 53 single and twin bedded rooms which are all fresh, bright and have ensuite shower and toilet facilities. The entrance is through a bright conservatory area that leads to the main hallways and on to communal sitting areas, a dining room, bedrooms and office areas. The main sitting room has two additional sitting areas leading off it and one of these is a designated smoking area.

There are two secure gardens with artificial grass enabling year round use.

There is plenty of parking for residents, staff and visitors available at the front and side of the building.

For further information contact 094 9620725

Senior Resource Feature

Home Instead Senior Care calls for urgent elder care funding review to free up acute hospital beds Delayed discharges costing nearly €550,000 per night

T

he HSE has begun implementing highly controversial cuts in homehelp services. The cuts were first announced ten weeks ago as part of an overall initiative aimed at generating more than €130 million in savings.

However, implementation was largely put on hold in many parts of the State pending further assessment by the Department of Health and at political level.

The HSE said that about €8 million in spending on home help hours would be cut from the beginning of October through the end of the year, adding that it intended to minimise the impact of the cuts.

Figures made public recently reveal that approximately 680 patients are occupying hospital beds around the country, despite the fact that their acute care has ended and they are medically fit to be discharged.

Almost 90% of these are elderly patients over 65 for whom alternative arrangements have not been put in place.

HSE’s own figures estimate the cost of a hospital stay per night at €800-900 amounting to a conservative total cost of at least €544,000 each night the 680 patients remain in hospital, or the equivalent to 25,000 hours of home care. The HSE report, supplied to the Public Accounts Committee, also shows that 44 patients have been waiting six months or more to be discharged. Using HSE’s own figures this could amount to a cost of €6,336,000 - over half the proposed €12.5 million cut to home care services recently announced by the HSE. The main reasons for the delay include people awaiting approval for nursing home care under the Fair Deal scheme, people waiting for home help, a home care package, access to a rehabilitation facility, or equipment from the HSE. Home Instead Senior Care is urging the Irish Government to review elder

care funding to free up acute hospital beds. The Irish Government plays a pivotal role in empowering older people.

It has been well documented that older people want to make their own care decisions and that such choice positively impacts on their quality of life; discharge delays are having the opposite effect.

Colman Gately, Owner of Home Instead Senior Care in Galway said, ‘These figures are extremely concerning. In times of difficult decisions being made, red tape and bureaucracy is leading to this massive backlog in the system, which is causing costs to snowball.

The Government needs to overhaul how we fund care for older people, and how people access that care, to give choice back to the patient and encourage a more cost-effective approach based on need and preference.

‘Delayed discharges are just one part of a much wider problem in the existing system which favours the ring-fencing of one type of care over another. The Fair Deal scheme currently accounts for over 70% of the total €1.4 billion budget despite the fact that it is stated government policy and patient’s overwhelming preference to remain in the home as long as possible. Not only could improved home care provision speed up discharges, but it could help elderly, dependent people to live longer at home.

We at Home Instead know only too well that unless health problems dictate otherwise, older people want to remain independent and continue living in their own homes for as long as possible and are happier when doing so. The Government needs to look at the bigger picture and work with the private sector to address fundamental inefficiencies, including the current commissioning system.

Home Instead Senior Care will continue to respond positively to providing high quality and professional home care in the community to meet the personal and social needs of older people.”

Page 23 Mature Living November 2012

Memories

T

The Bands of our Showband Era

here were hundreds of them. Irish bands of every size, description and musical genre travelling the roads and borheens of Ireland. They travelled the length and breadth of the country from the 1950's through the mid 1980's. Although "officially" the term showband was coined in the late fifties and was used to describe bands that played a wide variety of music and usually included a "show" during the night, the term was gradually applied to all the bands that played in the 1960's. As the

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

Irish music scene splintered in the late sixties into pop, country bands, the term was dropped but we still find it the best overall description of the bands of the "ballroom" era. In the early days, they travelled in whatever they could find...bread vans, hearses, and even cars (roof racks and all). In later years, many (if not most) of them travelled in converted Ford Transit vans (like the one pictured right) that were normally used for delivery services.

After a couple of windows were popped into the centre panels, a

Royal/New Blues Story (1963-1983)

F

ormed in Claremorris, Co. Mayo in April, 1963, the Royal Blues were one of The West's first successful top tier showbands. They were managed by the late Andy Creighton, who would later guide the fortunes of the Plattermen, Memories, and a host of other bands. The band made it big very quickly and within six weeks of being formed, went on a tour of the Irish halls in the United States. They would also tour the States every year after that during Lent, during which time the Irish dancing scene closed down.

The band was formed when four members of Pete Brown's Band of Renown from Kiltimagh left to strike out on their own. Frank Gill (sax), his brother Vincent

(trombone), Brian Carr (bass), and Doc Carroll (guitar) rounded out the new lineup with Shay O'Hara (vocals), Don Flanagan (drums), Bobby Smith (trumpet), and Brendan Arnold (guitar).

Doc, Brendan and Vincent were also featured vocalists along with Shay. Based in Claremorris, their reputation grew very quickly and in only a few months, they became one of the industry's top draws, and they were soon packing them in across the country.

Their first record in 1965 was Loves Going to Live Here which was sung by Shay O'Hara, but wasn't a great success.

However, their big break came with their next single, Old Man Trouble, which featured Doc Carroll on vocals.

The record shot straight to number 1 in the Irish charts and made the band a household name. Even though the band would never again enjoy a number one hit, they did continue to make records that reached the Irish top ten. Far Away From You featuring Doc Carroll went to number 8 in 1966, as well as Shay's Santa Natale which also reached number 8.

In April, 1968, Shay O'Hara left the band to replace Houston Wells in the Premier Aces, and manager Andy Creighton was quoted in Spotlight magazine and saying he would not be replaced. Shay was quoted in Spotlight's April 20th, 1968 issue saying, "I was unhappy with the Blues because they weren't doing enough of my kind of music." Although they continued on as a seven piece for a time, they eventually added Dublin man, Joe Quigley. In the meantime, Doc Carroll had become the main vocalist after the success of Old Man Trouble. During the mid 60's, the Royal Blues also toured the Irish dance halls in the United States on an annual basis. They were in America during the turbulent times following the assassination of Martin Carol and the The New Blues Left to right- Tommy Lyndsey (guitar), Ritchie Buckley (sax), Keith Beattie Luther King, Jr. (keyboards), Kieran Cavanagh (bass), Tommy O'In the October 3rd, 1969 issue of Connor (trumpet), Carole Wallace (vocals) and John Spotlight, the band announced they were McManus (drums). going to record a country and western Page 24 Mature Living November 2012

row or two of old airplane seats were installed and the band was ready to travel "in style." Although style was a matter of opinion...if you're stuck in the back of a van on a cold and rainy winter's night, it may seem like "a long way to Tipperary," but it's even further to Castletownbere, Co. Cork!

It will be impossible to list all the bands that played the dance halls, ballrooms, marquees, parochial halls, community centres, hotels, and town halls across Ireland but each month we are

planning to feature a band from the west with the help of Gerry Gallagher and www.irish-showbands.com . Apart from a few who enjoy near mythical status (such as the Royal Showband and a handful of others), most bands came together, played for a few years and then either reinvented themselves, changed their name, or just disappeared, their members either returning to civilian life, or scattering to two or three new bands.

For such a small country, it is difficult to comprehend the sheer

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 number of bands that the country produced. Almost as hard to imagine, is the number of dance halls that once dotted the countryside, many out in the "middle of nowhere." Pick up next months issue for another blast from the blast from the showband era...

Top singles - 1973

album, and also mentioned the addition of a new lead singer, Joe Quigley and new trombone player, Pat Lynch who was replacing manager Vincent Gill in the band.

Vincent was also quoted as saying, "Shay O'Hara, who has gone to Australia." So we know he had left the band to emigrate and, in fact recently passed away in Australia in March, 2009.

By the early seventies, the era of the big ballrooms and the big showbands was waning and the band underwent a major change. In February, 1972, Doc Carroll followed the lead of peers like Brendan Bowyer and Dickie Rock and left the Royal Blues after 10 years to form his own band, The Nightrunners. The new band would boast two future superstars in addition to Doc...Tom Allen (who became TR Dallas) and his brother Tony, who would go to worldwide fame as half of Foster and Allen.

Back to the Royal Blues....Vincent Gill left the stage to take over management of the band and the remaining members of the band carried on as the New Blues.

The New Blues take over The story of the New Blues actually starts with the final days of The Royal Blues.

Late in 1971, a relatively young (23) Glen Curtin came home to Cork after spending 3 years in England on the cabaret scene. He was recruited to front a new band called simply, Glen Curtin's Band.

Along with a 16 year old Cork girl who went under the name, Tara, the new band was managed by Matt Nodwell who had previously looked after the fortunes of Pat Lynch.

In May, 1972, an article in Spotlight reported that Glen (whose own band had not done well) had been drafted into a reconstituted New Blues along with Tara, the girl singer who had also been with his own band previously. His own band had only been on the road for nine months.

Explained Glen, "Things didn't go as well as expected and after nine months I was on the point of going back to London when

They were the first band from the West of Ireland to have a No. 1 hit with " Old Man Trouble" Our thanks to John Baird for the photo and band info.

Tommy Hayden asked me to front the New Blues." As with many bands who underwent major changes, the New Blues never quite lived up to the success of the Royal Blues, although they continued to do reasonable business and had the very talented Glen Curtin, who recorded their only chart single, I'd Love You to Want Me in 1973. In 1974 Glen was tapped to replace Red Hurley in the Nevada. His replacement in the band Bobby Magee (a stage name?) who joined Lola (Anne Mooney) as the band's two lead singers.

1975 proved to be a tumultuous year for the band. Early in the year, shakeups in the lineup lead to big changes. Kieran

Cavanagh joined the band in March 1975.

At that time Lola was still there, but Glen Curtin had just left a short time earlier. Lola departed later that year in July and an article in Spotlight announced the signing of Ballinasloe native, Nora Larkin as the band's new female lead singer. She had previously been singing in England in the Birmingham area, but returned home to take up the new position with the Blues. At the same time Lola, who was quoted in Spotlight that "singing in the dance halls was repetitive and uninteresting, moved into cabaret. There was talk of a single with Tony Kenny, but we're not sure if it was released. Frank & Vincent Gill and the

original drummer, Paddy Glynn, were still in the band. In early 1976, the "new" New blues were formed with the exception of Kieran and Tommy Lyndsey (both from Easkey, Co. Sligo), it was a new line up.

The band was then fronted by Carole Wallace from Drogheda and Keith Beattie from Dublin. Kieran Cavanagh takes up the story from a recent email, "We were together until mid 1982 when I disbanded the band as manager and bass player.

Everyone scattered to various bands and walks of life, but of course our then sax player, Ritchie Buckley, went on to great things playing with Van Morrison and other well known International artists."

1. Brendan Shine - Where the Three Counties Meet (Play) 2. Danny Doyle - A Daisy A Day (Release) 3. Big Tom & Mainliners - I Love You Still (Denver) 4. Canon Sydney McEwan & Cork Children's Choir - Suffer Little Children (Columbia) 5. Wolfe Tones - The Helicopter Song (Dolphin) 6. Roly Daniels - Funny Face (Release) 7. Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley - You're the One I Can't Live Without (Release) 8. Margo & Co - Shamrock of Glenore (Ara) 9. DJ Curtin & Kerry Blues - Almost Persuaded (release) 10. Red Hurley & Nevada - Arkansas (Play) 11. Mushroom - Devil Among the Tailors (Hawk) 12. Brendan Grace - Cushy Butterfield (Solo) 13. Sean Dunphy & Hoedowners - Pal of My Cradle Days (Dolphin) 14. Barleycorn - Sing Irishman Sing (Solo) 15. Tony Kenny - Heart of Stone (Ram) 16. Larry Cunningham - Goodbye Comes Hard To Me (Release) 17. Pat Ely & Rocky Tops - The Shores of Lough Bran (release) 18. Gene Stuart & Mighty Avons - Christmas In My Hometown (Hawk) 19. Des Smith - The Rag and Bone Man (EMI) 20. Dermot Henry & Virginians - The Old Dungarvan Oak (EMI) 21. Tommy Drennan & Top League - Beautiful Peace (EMI) 22. Kelly & Nevada - How Great Thou Art (Play) 23. Red Hurley & Nevada - I Never Said Goodbye (Play) 24. Tommy Drennan & Top League - Lead Us Through (EMI) 25. Cotton Mill Boys - Judy (Hawk) 26. Philomena Begley & Rambling Men - Light In the Window (Release) 27. Maxi & Music Box - Do I Dream (Release) 28. Gerry Black & Seasons - Meet Me Tonight In Laredo (Denver) 29. Times - It All Depends On You (EMI) 30. Planxty - The Cliffs of Dooneen (Polydor) 31. Horslips - Dearg Doom (Oats) 32. Roly Daniels & Green County - Don't Forget To Say I Love You (Release) 33. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - Borrowed Angel (Release) 34. Marylou & Harvest - The Teddybear's Song (Release) 35. Hoot'nannys - Rocking the Baby (Hawk) 36. Tommy Drennan & Top League - Love and the Country (EMI) 37. Hugo Duncan & Tall Men - Two of the Usual (Release) 38. Colm & Sundowners - You're Still the Only One I Have (Release) 39. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - I Can't Believe That You've Stopped Loving Me (Release) 40. Reform - I'm Gonna Get You (Young Blood) 41. Brian Harkin & Plainsmen - Forgive Me For Calling You Darling (Release) 42. Ronnie Griffiths & American Pie - Dingle Bay Boat Ssong (Release) 43. Margo & Co - Deepening Snow (Ara) 44. Brian Coll - The Moon Behind the Hill (Release)

Page 25 Mature Living November 2012

Memories

T

The Bands of our Showband Era

here were hundreds of them. Irish bands of every size, description and musical genre travelling the roads and borheens of Ireland. They travelled the length and breadth of the country from the 1950's through the mid 1980's. Although "officially" the term showband was coined in the late fifties and was used to describe bands that played a wide variety of music and usually included a "show" during the night, the term was gradually applied to all the bands that played in the 1960's. As the

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

Irish music scene splintered in the late sixties into pop, country bands, the term was dropped but we still find it the best overall description of the bands of the "ballroom" era. In the early days, they travelled in whatever they could find...bread vans, hearses, and even cars (roof racks and all). In later years, many (if not most) of them travelled in converted Ford Transit vans (like the one pictured right) that were normally used for delivery services.

After a couple of windows were popped into the centre panels, a

Royal/New Blues Story (1963-1983)

F

ormed in Claremorris, Co. Mayo in April, 1963, the Royal Blues were one of The West's first successful top tier showbands. They were managed by the late Andy Creighton, who would later guide the fortunes of the Plattermen, Memories, and a host of other bands. The band made it big very quickly and within six weeks of being formed, went on a tour of the Irish halls in the United States. They would also tour the States every year after that during Lent, during which time the Irish dancing scene closed down.

The band was formed when four members of Pete Brown's Band of Renown from Kiltimagh left to strike out on their own. Frank Gill (sax), his brother Vincent

(trombone), Brian Carr (bass), and Doc Carroll (guitar) rounded out the new lineup with Shay O'Hara (vocals), Don Flanagan (drums), Bobby Smith (trumpet), and Brendan Arnold (guitar).

Doc, Brendan and Vincent were also featured vocalists along with Shay. Based in Claremorris, their reputation grew very quickly and in only a few months, they became one of the industry's top draws, and they were soon packing them in across the country.

Their first record in 1965 was Loves Going to Live Here which was sung by Shay O'Hara, but wasn't a great success.

However, their big break came with their next single, Old Man Trouble, which featured Doc Carroll on vocals.

The record shot straight to number 1 in the Irish charts and made the band a household name. Even though the band would never again enjoy a number one hit, they did continue to make records that reached the Irish top ten. Far Away From You featuring Doc Carroll went to number 8 in 1966, as well as Shay's Santa Natale which also reached number 8.

In April, 1968, Shay O'Hara left the band to replace Houston Wells in the Premier Aces, and manager Andy Creighton was quoted in Spotlight magazine and saying he would not be replaced. Shay was quoted in Spotlight's April 20th, 1968 issue saying, "I was unhappy with the Blues because they weren't doing enough of my kind of music." Although they continued on as a seven piece for a time, they eventually added Dublin man, Joe Quigley. In the meantime, Doc Carroll had become the main vocalist after the success of Old Man Trouble. During the mid 60's, the Royal Blues also toured the Irish dance halls in the United States on an annual basis. They were in America during the turbulent times following the assassination of Martin Carol and the The New Blues Left to right- Tommy Lyndsey (guitar), Ritchie Buckley (sax), Keith Beattie Luther King, Jr. (keyboards), Kieran Cavanagh (bass), Tommy O'In the October 3rd, 1969 issue of Connor (trumpet), Carole Wallace (vocals) and John Spotlight, the band announced they were McManus (drums). going to record a country and western Page 24 Mature Living November 2012

row or two of old airplane seats were installed and the band was ready to travel "in style." Although style was a matter of opinion...if you're stuck in the back of a van on a cold and rainy winter's night, it may seem like "a long way to Tipperary," but it's even further to Castletownbere, Co. Cork!

It will be impossible to list all the bands that played the dance halls, ballrooms, marquees, parochial halls, community centres, hotels, and town halls across Ireland but each month we are

planning to feature a band from the west with the help of Gerry Gallagher and www.irish-showbands.com . Apart from a few who enjoy near mythical status (such as the Royal Showband and a handful of others), most bands came together, played for a few years and then either reinvented themselves, changed their name, or just disappeared, their members either returning to civilian life, or scattering to two or three new bands.

For such a small country, it is difficult to comprehend the sheer

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 number of bands that the country produced. Almost as hard to imagine, is the number of dance halls that once dotted the countryside, many out in the "middle of nowhere." Pick up next months issue for another blast from the blast from the showband era...

Top singles - 1973

album, and also mentioned the addition of a new lead singer, Joe Quigley and new trombone player, Pat Lynch who was replacing manager Vincent Gill in the band.

Vincent was also quoted as saying, "Shay O'Hara, who has gone to Australia." So we know he had left the band to emigrate and, in fact recently passed away in Australia in March, 2009.

By the early seventies, the era of the big ballrooms and the big showbands was waning and the band underwent a major change. In February, 1972, Doc Carroll followed the lead of peers like Brendan Bowyer and Dickie Rock and left the Royal Blues after 10 years to form his own band, The Nightrunners. The new band would boast two future superstars in addition to Doc...Tom Allen (who became TR Dallas) and his brother Tony, who would go to worldwide fame as half of Foster and Allen.

Back to the Royal Blues....Vincent Gill left the stage to take over management of the band and the remaining members of the band carried on as the New Blues.

The New Blues take over The story of the New Blues actually starts with the final days of The Royal Blues.

Late in 1971, a relatively young (23) Glen Curtin came home to Cork after spending 3 years in England on the cabaret scene. He was recruited to front a new band called simply, Glen Curtin's Band.

Along with a 16 year old Cork girl who went under the name, Tara, the new band was managed by Matt Nodwell who had previously looked after the fortunes of Pat Lynch.

In May, 1972, an article in Spotlight reported that Glen (whose own band had not done well) had been drafted into a reconstituted New Blues along with Tara, the girl singer who had also been with his own band previously. His own band had only been on the road for nine months.

Explained Glen, "Things didn't go as well as expected and after nine months I was on the point of going back to London when

They were the first band from the West of Ireland to have a No. 1 hit with " Old Man Trouble" Our thanks to John Baird for the photo and band info.

Tommy Hayden asked me to front the New Blues." As with many bands who underwent major changes, the New Blues never quite lived up to the success of the Royal Blues, although they continued to do reasonable business and had the very talented Glen Curtin, who recorded their only chart single, I'd Love You to Want Me in 1973. In 1974 Glen was tapped to replace Red Hurley in the Nevada. His replacement in the band Bobby Magee (a stage name?) who joined Lola (Anne Mooney) as the band's two lead singers.

1975 proved to be a tumultuous year for the band. Early in the year, shakeups in the lineup lead to big changes. Kieran

Cavanagh joined the band in March 1975.

At that time Lola was still there, but Glen Curtin had just left a short time earlier. Lola departed later that year in July and an article in Spotlight announced the signing of Ballinasloe native, Nora Larkin as the band's new female lead singer. She had previously been singing in England in the Birmingham area, but returned home to take up the new position with the Blues. At the same time Lola, who was quoted in Spotlight that "singing in the dance halls was repetitive and uninteresting, moved into cabaret. There was talk of a single with Tony Kenny, but we're not sure if it was released. Frank & Vincent Gill and the

original drummer, Paddy Glynn, were still in the band. In early 1976, the "new" New blues were formed with the exception of Kieran and Tommy Lyndsey (both from Easkey, Co. Sligo), it was a new line up.

The band was then fronted by Carole Wallace from Drogheda and Keith Beattie from Dublin. Kieran Cavanagh takes up the story from a recent email, "We were together until mid 1982 when I disbanded the band as manager and bass player.

Everyone scattered to various bands and walks of life, but of course our then sax player, Ritchie Buckley, went on to great things playing with Van Morrison and other well known International artists."

1. Brendan Shine - Where the Three Counties Meet (Play) 2. Danny Doyle - A Daisy A Day (Release) 3. Big Tom & Mainliners - I Love You Still (Denver) 4. Canon Sydney McEwan & Cork Children's Choir - Suffer Little Children (Columbia) 5. Wolfe Tones - The Helicopter Song (Dolphin) 6. Roly Daniels - Funny Face (Release) 7. Ray Lynam & Philomena Begley - You're the One I Can't Live Without (Release) 8. Margo & Co - Shamrock of Glenore (Ara) 9. DJ Curtin & Kerry Blues - Almost Persuaded (release) 10. Red Hurley & Nevada - Arkansas (Play) 11. Mushroom - Devil Among the Tailors (Hawk) 12. Brendan Grace - Cushy Butterfield (Solo) 13. Sean Dunphy & Hoedowners - Pal of My Cradle Days (Dolphin) 14. Barleycorn - Sing Irishman Sing (Solo) 15. Tony Kenny - Heart of Stone (Ram) 16. Larry Cunningham - Goodbye Comes Hard To Me (Release) 17. Pat Ely & Rocky Tops - The Shores of Lough Bran (release) 18. Gene Stuart & Mighty Avons - Christmas In My Hometown (Hawk) 19. Des Smith - The Rag and Bone Man (EMI) 20. Dermot Henry & Virginians - The Old Dungarvan Oak (EMI) 21. Tommy Drennan & Top League - Beautiful Peace (EMI) 22. Kelly & Nevada - How Great Thou Art (Play) 23. Red Hurley & Nevada - I Never Said Goodbye (Play) 24. Tommy Drennan & Top League - Lead Us Through (EMI) 25. Cotton Mill Boys - Judy (Hawk) 26. Philomena Begley & Rambling Men - Light In the Window (Release) 27. Maxi & Music Box - Do I Dream (Release) 28. Gerry Black & Seasons - Meet Me Tonight In Laredo (Denver) 29. Times - It All Depends On You (EMI) 30. Planxty - The Cliffs of Dooneen (Polydor) 31. Horslips - Dearg Doom (Oats) 32. Roly Daniels & Green County - Don't Forget To Say I Love You (Release) 33. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - Borrowed Angel (Release) 34. Marylou & Harvest - The Teddybear's Song (Release) 35. Hoot'nannys - Rocking the Baby (Hawk) 36. Tommy Drennan & Top League - Love and the Country (EMI) 37. Hugo Duncan & Tall Men - Two of the Usual (Release) 38. Colm & Sundowners - You're Still the Only One I Have (Release) 39. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - I Can't Believe That You've Stopped Loving Me (Release) 40. Reform - I'm Gonna Get You (Young Blood) 41. Brian Harkin & Plainsmen - Forgive Me For Calling You Darling (Release) 42. Ronnie Griffiths & American Pie - Dingle Bay Boat Ssong (Release) 43. Margo & Co - Deepening Snow (Ara) 44. Brian Coll - The Moon Behind the Hill (Release)

Page 25 Mature Living November 2012

Travel

Tips for travelling with the grandkids and familiar modes of travel as much as possible. Allow yourself plenty of time to get there and get around.

Involve your grandchildren in the planning. Who doesn’t love having a say?

Getting kids involved with the planning helps prepare them for the trip — and builds excitement too! Besides, your grandchildren might have some ideas you haven’t thought of, and the planning process helps them take ownership of the trip.

Allow for some downtime. You don’t have to be on the go every moment just because you’re in a new place.

Reasonable bed times, naps and quiet activities can help reserve energy and prevent vacation burnout. Settle in with a book or watch a movie — or take turns watching the grandchildren while you or your partner has a nap. Some resorts and cruises offer supervised activities to give adults a break.

N

o parents allowed! "Grand travel" is all about grandparents and grandchildren sharing the joy of travel. We've got some tips to make for a smoother journey.

Sometimes travel skips a generation.

You may have heard that multi-generation travel is one of the latest trends, but some grandparents are taking it up a notch: they’re leaving the parents behind! There’s even a buzzword for the trend: grand travel.

Travelling without the parents may require more planning, but it offers a valuable opportunity for different generations to share their interests, make memories and get to know each other better. There’s a measure of practicality here too — some parents simply don’t have the time or budget to travel with their kids.

Whether you’re exploring a new destination together or sharing a favourite place, we’ve rounded up some tips to get you started: Be realistic.

If you want the trip to go smoothly, experts suggest setting some limits. For instance, you might not want to travel with more than one or two of your grandchildren at a time — both for supervision reasons and so you can spend some quality time with the youngsters.

Some experts say the best ages to travel with grandchildren range from about 8 to 14. After all, you want your grandchildren to be old enough to enjoy and remember the trip, not to mention independent enough to be away from their parents. Teenagers can be tricky travel companions, but experts note that you can engage them with the right trip.

Start with the parents.

IIt’s all about the kids — their interests, their pace and their abilities — and parents can be a wealth of information.

They can tell you about their children’s sleeping and eating schedules, any health concerns, how to handle difficult situations and what rules are expected to be followed — along with the consequences of breaking those rules.

Most grandparents foot the bill for the entire trip, but be sure to talk money

with the parents early on if you plan to share some of the costs.

Start small.

Not sure if your grandchildren can handle a weekend or week away from home?

Expert suggest a trial run such as a day trip or overnight stay without the parents.

It’s your chance to see how the kids fare without mom and dad around (and how tired you feel at the end of the day!) If a few hours with your energetic grandchildren wears you out, experts suggest scaling back your trip plans for now.

Think like a kid.

Children function best when they know what is expected of them and when they have a familiar routine. Even on vacation, you can maintain the rules as well as the usual sleeping and eating times. Try not to leave too early or stay up too late — it’s best to stick to their normal schedule as much as possible.

While you may want to surprise your grandchildren with an activity, experts say the trip will go more smoothly if everyone knows what is ahead.

Do your research.

If its been a while since you’ve planned a family trip, do a little research on family-friendly destinations, activities and travel options such as cruises. Some travel companies offer family programs designed with grandparents and grandchildren in mind.

If you’re planning your own itinerary, you don’t have to limit yourself to kids’ stuff like theme parks. Many museums, galleries, parks and historic sites have programming options for all ages — though you may need to book ahead.

Not sure where to start? There are a wealth of family travel blogs and websites for ideas, not to mention travel review websites such as TripAdvisor.com. Many travel guide companies have guides for traveling with children too.

Plan transportation options carefully.

There’s a limit to how many hours kids will last in the car, and do you want to be tackling layovers at the airport? Experts advise to stick to direct, non-stop routes

Bring the right documentation.

Passports aren’t enough! Many countries also require a notarized letter of permission from the parents or legal guardian. (Check with the local embassy well in advance of your trip.) Kids need travel insurance too, and you’ll want to bring along any important information such as what their medical history and emergency contact information in case you need it.

Think safety too.

Don’t be paranoid, but do be prepared — staying safe can be even more challenging when travelling abroad. Take some time to brush up on safety advice before you leave and discuss it with your travel companions. For example, consider dressing everyone in bright colours or hats so you can spot each other easily in crowds, and point out to children where they can go for help if they need it (like a

train conductor or police officer.)

Another tip: have each child carry important contact information such as your mobile number and your hotel’s contact information. You should also carry a current picture of your grandchild just in case. (You can use your digital camera to snap a picture before heading out each day.)

Make sure rules and expectations are clear.

Your grandchildren may be facing situations with which they aren’t familiar — such as airplane travel, different cultural norms and new activities. Take some time to discuss what behaviour is expected and what to do if something goes wrong — such as getting separated in a crowd.

Coordinate packing with parents.

Sometimes it’s hard enough just keeping track of our own belongings! Experts advise to work with parents about what to pack and who is responsible for what.

(Packing lists can come in handy here.)

Be sure to bring extra books and games to stay entertained on trains and airplanes.

Involve your grandchildren in the journey.

It may be tempting to do everything for your grandchildren, but experts say travel can be rich with learning experiences. For example, reading maps and signs is part of the travel experience — and helps build literacy skills. Let them help you locate a landmark or attraction, and help them handle unfamiliar currency.

One last piece of advice: phone home.

Let your grandchildren check in with their parents and share their exciting experiences. Experts say staying in touch can help stave off homesickness, and keep parents reassured as well.

Travel Technology by Dawn Williams

eReaders for the elderly A useful gadget for older people

Reading in bed: Like a lot of people – I suspect – I do a lot of my reading in bed before going to sleep, and I find the ease of holding an eReader in bed is far greater than a paper book, not least the fact that once I am in position, I don’t have to keep changing my position as I move from the left hand page to the right hand page, if you see what I mean. This is a serious advantage for those older people who have little strength in their arms and wrists.

Hunted the net, and....

I have had a good snuffle around on the internet to see if I could find any specific references to how eReaders might be of special interest to older people, and found remarkably little, to my surprise.

I came across a number of sites dedicated to technology and old people, but these tended to be mainly concerned with computers and mobile phones, with the occasional reference to eBooks or eReaders. I did however come across several references to libraries, chiefly in Britain, who have purchased a few eReaders specifically for their older clients, but no large scale efforts in this direction really, which surprised me, since the various advantages of eReaders for older people seem so obvious to me – see below.

Why are eReaders “Old People” friendly devices?

There are a number of obvious advantages to old people that an eReader can offer:Scalable font size – this is an obvious one, to be able to increase and decrease the size of the font according to one’s eye sight and the light level is a real benefit for us older people.

Lightness – also a great benefit, not to have to hump a hefty great paper book around with one is wonderful!

Last read page – Now this is a real bonus

for us oldies, as I always forget where I was in a book, and whilst I have no problem with dog-earing the last page I was reading in my own books, one can’t really do this with borrowed books (libraries and friends), and when I have used bookmarks, the damn things are always falling out in my rug-sack when I take the books out with me.

Apart from these specific advantages for us, all the other advantages of eReaders over paper books that we all enjoy apply equally to us too, of course. eReaders and libraries: As I mentioned earlier in this article, an increasing number of libraries around the world are acquiring eReaders (and a good stock of lendable eBooks) specially for their older clients. These eBooks delete themselves after a couple of weeks, and apparently can’t be copied, so they function exactly as do paper library books. As far as I can gather from forum chat this is a development that many older clients appreciate very much, as well as the option to have text to voice, so when they are tired or simply can’t be bothered to actually read, the book reads itself to them.

Unlike audio books (also a very good thing) eReaders can function as both audio books and ordinary books, thus meeting the changing needs of elderly readers very well.

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Lightness and travelling: I know I mentioned the benefit of the lightness of eReaders above, but as an additional factor for the elderly (and to a lesser degree, the younger) readers, when traveling, having a good stock of books with one without the horrible weight of paper books is very beneficial.

No longer that standing at the check in counter with about 20 kilos of books in my bag over my shoulder, attempting to look as if the bag is as light as a feather to avoid problems with over weight………… A true blessing!

Food and Drink

Five fabulous soups

Need a starter for your next feast or a warm-up on a chilly night? Mature Living readers share some of their favourite soup recipes. Mmm. Nothing says comfort like a hot bowl of soup. Whether it’s the start to a great meal or the main attraction, there are many ways to tempt your taste buds.

French Chicken Vegetable Soup

Ingredients 1/2 cup each diced: onions, carrots, celery, turnips, baking potato, leek (white part only), and tomato (fresh or canned) 6 oz. chicken breast cut in cubes (optional) 4 cups vegetable broth (No added salt) 1/2 cup dry spaghetti broken into 1 inch lengths 5 oz. can navy beans 1 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves 3 garlic cloves, minced salt (optional) & pepper Method In a large pot combine vegetables, chicken and broth.

Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Cover and reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes.

Add spaghetti and 1 cup beans with their liquid.

Cover and simmer until spaghetti is soft, about 10 minutes.

Combine the remaining beans and their liquid with the basil and garlic in a food processor and puree until smooth. Add the puree to the soup and stir until blended. Heat, season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Makes 4 servings.

Calories 233, Fat 2.5 g, Carbs 36 g, Sodium 186 mg (with no added salt), Fiber 0 g. Points 5.

Page 28 Mature Living November 2012

Creamy Fennel & Potato Soup

Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 medium fennel bulbs 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 1/2 cups reducedsodium chicken broth 1 3/4 cups low-fat 1% milk 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds, crushed 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese croutons (optional)

Method Wash fennel. Snip 2 tablespoons of the leafy tops; set aside. Cut off and discard upper stalks of fennel. Remove any wilted outer layers; cut off and discard a thin slice from the base of fennel. Halve, core and chop fennel bulbs.

In a 4-quart Dutch oven, heat olive oil and chopped fennel over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add potatoes

and broth. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.

Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Mash slightly using a potato masher. Add milk, salt, pepper and caraway seeds. Heat through.

Stir in 2 tablespoons of snipped fennel tops. To serve, sprinkle individual servings with Parmesan cheese. If desired, serve with croutons.

Makes 4 servings.

Food and Drink

Mediter!anean Grilled Vegetable Soup

Ingredients 2 small zucchini (1/2 lb. total), trimmed and quartered lengthwise 2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded and quartered lengthwise 3 large vine-ripened tomatoes (1 1/4 lbs.), cored and chopped 1 red onion, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices 1 yellow pepper, cored, seeded and quartered lengthwise 1 tsp. olive oil 1 clove garlic, peeled 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/4 cup shredded basil leaves 1 Tbsp. red-wine vinegar salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Method Prepare a grill . Grill the bell peppers, skin-side toward the flame, until the skin is blackened, 5 to 10 minutes.

Place in a paper bag and set aside for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, brush zucchini and onion slices with oil and grill or boil until well browned and tender, about 5 minutes. Chop coarsely and set aside.

Peel the peppers. Coarsely chop the yellow pepper and set aside with the reserved zucchini and onions.

Place the red peppers in a food processor or blender along with tomatoes, garlic and oregano; puree until smooth.

Transfer to a bowl and stir in 1 cup water, basil, vinegar and the reserved chopped vegetables.

Season with salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes. (The soup can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.)

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Nor"hwest Chicken Onion-Barley Soup Lime Soup

Ingredients 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 clove garlic, chopped 4 cups homemade or sodium-reduced chicken broth 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon oregano 4 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin slivers

1 small avocado, peeled, pitted and diced 1/4 cup sliced green onion tops 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander 1 cup baked tortilla chips salt and freshly ground pepper hot sauce, optional Method Heat oil in a large saucepan over mediumhigh heat; add onion and garlic and sautĂŠ until soft,

about 5 to 8 minutes.

Add chicken broth, lime juice, cumin oregano and chicken; bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.

Place avocado, green onion, coriander and tortilla chips in soup bowls. Ladle soup over chips and add a dash of hot sauce, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients 3 lbs. beef short ribs 6 cups of water 3 tsp. salt 2 bay leaves 2 cans (28 oz. each) tomatoes 3 large Spanish onions, chopped 1/2 cup pearl barley 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. dried basil 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 lb. green beans (1″ pieces) or a 12oz. pkg. frozen cut beans Method Combine first 4 ingredients in a large soup kettle. Bring to boil and skim off foam. Reduce heat, cover and simmer

until meat is tender. Approx. 2 1/2 hours.

Strain ribs, saving liquid. Discard bay leaves. Return liquid to kettle and add all ingredients, except ribs and green beans. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 min.

In the meantime, discard bones and any skin and membrane from ribs. Cut meat into small chunks and refrigerate.

Add beans to soup and simmer until tender, about another 30 min. Cool soup, chill, then lift off and discard any fat on top. Return meat to soup, heat over medium heat to just boiling and serve.

Page 29 Mature Living November 2012

Petcare

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

What’s on your pup’s mind?

Hint: It’s not (just) food!

puppies only a few weeks old could interpret human signals, whereas fullygrown wolves that were raised by people could not.

I

s our sweet dog’s adoration just a way of ensuring a full bowl and a warm bed? Even those who (grudgingly) accept this unsentimental idea are likely to attribute it to survival instinct and not cold-blooded calculation. Surely our pet can’t think or plan or understand in depth.

But now research by canine cognition experts suggests a lot more is going on in a dog’s brain than we realize.

An article on Time.com looked at some recent studies on how dogs think and why they behave the way they do. The findings are startling. Dogs actually have a working vocabulary of hundreds of words. They may even be able to count.

They can learn to solve spatial problems,

Dogs actually have a working vocabulary of hundreds of words.

They may even be able to count.

such as finding the fastest route to the softest sofa. They can figure out how to operate simple mechanisms such as latches.

According to Stanley Coren, an expert on canine behaviour and human-animal bonding at the University of British Columbia, the average dog can learn about 165 words. And if you happen to have a super smart pooch, he or she can have a vocabulary of upward of 250 words. (The brainiest breeds are thought to be border collies, poodles, German shepherds, golden retrievers, Dobermans, Shetland sheepdogs and Labrador retrievers.)

And if you think your pooch truly understands you, you may be right. Dogs study us for hours on end and respond not just to our words and tone, but also our body language. Research published in the journal Biology Letters, shows that dogs often find yawns as contagious as humans and are susceptible to repeating them — a practice, experts say, that’s indicative of empathy.

The reason dogs are able to read us so well may have to do with evolution.

They are the longest domesticated species, which means they’ve had over thousands of years to become sensitized to human social cues. Another study, this one from the journal Science, found that

Counting canines?

In a recent study published in the journal Animal Cognition, researchers used a technique known as ‘preferential viewing’ to show that dogs might understand basic math calculations. The way it worked was like this: researchers showed dogs several groupings of treats and then placed the treats behind a screen, where they could manipulate them. When the number of treats changed and the screen was removed, the dogs indicated they noticed by spending a significantly longer time looking at them. Researchers say this could mean that the dogs were anticipating the outcome of the calculations they observed, suggesting a rudimentary ability to count.

While canine cognition research has been a hot topic for several years now, there’s still a long way to go. Doggy MRIs may eventually provide more insight on the workings of the canine mind. In a study published by the journal PLOS, researchers from Emory University studied which parts of a dog’s brain were

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From the moment you walk into the hotel's elegant lobby you’ll be enveloped into a sanct#ar$ of lux#r$.

Mat#re Living has teamed up with The elegant McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremor"is, to offer one lucky reader a midweek break.

The prize includes a t&o nights stay for t&o people in a Deluxe g#est room, a f#ll Irish breakfast each mor'ing and a 4 course meal one the evening of your choice at the st$lish J.G's Restaurant.

During the day you can t"eat yourself to a pampering session in Chique (not included) take a swim in the 18 met"e pool with Water Flume. There is a wide range of outdoor leisure activities available including Cr#ise on Lough Cor"ib, Horse riding and Golf.

Guests can visit some of Mayo’s top a("actions such as The Museum of Count"$ Life and Foxford Wollen Mills which are near by. Sumpt#ously st$lish and elegantly chic The Hotel is the ideal location for a shor) break this aut#mn.

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Name Telephone Number Postal Address

Answer Email Address

Send your entries into us at: MicWilliam Park Hotel Competition, IBS Publishing, Office 3, Unit 7, Northwest Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo.

Terms and Conditions apply, Closing Date for entries is 3rd December 2012

The Hotel is also open for Christ*as Day Lunch and Christ*as Residential Bookings

Claremorris, Co.Mayo • Contact 094 9378000 or www.mcwilliampark.ie

Golden Escapes

Sit!ated in the beautif!l town of Swinford, we are an ideal location to come and relax Here at the Gateway Hotel, Swinford we pride ourselves on offering top qualit# Homemade food with excellent ser$ice at a reasonable price.

Call Cathal today on 094 9252156 to avail of this unbelievable offer

Special Mature Living Reader Offer 1 Night B&B just €50.00 for 2 People Stay 2 Nights get 10% reduction Stay 3 Nights get 15% reduction

Just 15 mins from Knock Airport, The Gateway Hotel is a family run hotel in the heart of the town of Swinford.

Visit our website for the latest offers www.gatewayswinford.com

A traditional warm and friendly Irish welcome

The Midlands Premier Wedding venue

Book your wedding day with us on selected dates between January 1st 2013 - 23rd December 2013 and you will receive over €1,200 of extras FREE!!

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T

his friendly hotel is conveniently located on the main route into County Mayo in the centre of the lively country town of Swinford. The Gateway hotel only 10 minutes from Ireland West Airport Knock and is in an ideal location to tour beautiful Mayo and surrounding Counties.

A traditional warm and friendly Irish welcome awaits you at this hotel. The informal Irish hospitality will allow you to unwind and relax during your stay there.

The hotel promises high standards at great value. Their goal is that your first

stay with them at the Gateway Hotel, Swinford, will be the first of many.

Whether it is for Golf, Fishing, Walking or Heritage, they have it all here on the doorstep. The Gateway hotel is perfectly situated for touring the West of Ireland, or maybe you just want to visit family or friends or spend a relaxing break in a true country town hotel.

County Mayo has something to suit everyone and the Gateway Hotel Swinford is perfectly located for touring the beautiful sights and attractions that the county has to offer.

Page 32 Mature Living November 2012

Carvery and bar food served 7 days a week.

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Check out our award winning leisure centre with fantastic corporate rates available.

Groups of 10 or more avail of 10 * discount Groups of 15 or more avail of 15 % discount

Bookings now being taken for our Christmas Party Nights with live band, disco and late bar on all nights.

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Golden Escapes Break Aways

Fifty Years of Christmas Cheer at The Ardilaun

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elebrating fifty years in business this year, the team at The Ardilaun Hotel are busy preparing for an action packed Christmas and New Year Programme this year with a wide range of parties to choose from.

Whether it is a party night where you join in the fun with others, or party in private, or enjoy lunch or dinner in Blazers Bar & Bistro at the Ardilaun. The Ardilaun caters for parties of any size from 25 up to 380 guests, and a night to remember is guaranteed.

A special Christmas Cabaret is coming west this year featuring Paddy Cole, Sonny Knowles and Noel V Ginnity on Tuesday 11th December with lunch or dinner and show to entertain and to join

in the cabaret with dancing afterwards.

Tickets are now selling and include 4 course meal and a great excuse to stay overnight at the Ardilaun at €50 per person sharing which will give you a hearty full Irish Breakfast and the luxury of the Ardilaun leisure club facilities. The inhouse solarium and beauty salon are available for guests convenience also, with the very latest in Bio-Detox and YonKa Aroma stone massage treatments.

Blazers Bar & Bistro offers Pre-Christmas Lunches and Dinners with Festive Four Course Luncheon Menu with all of the trimmings, Monday to Friday throughout December at just €20 per person including a glass of house wine, right up until Christmas Eve. Also for

The Ardilaun Hotel, Galway www.theardilaunhotel.ie • reservations@theardilaunhotel.ie Call us now on 091 519794

larger parties the formal Camilaun Restaurant is available for parties of 30 or over with full four course lunch with a glass of house wine for €25 per person.

Ring in the New Year in style at the New Year’s Eve Banquet at the Ardilaun Hotel and enjoy a more relaxed night out with Sparkling Wine, Festive delicacies and jazz reception on arrival, 5 course Gourmet Dinner, wine with meal. Ring in the New Year with a glass of bubbly at midnight and Dance the night away to the music of the sounds of Carmel Dempsey & Band. Special accommodation packages now available online this festive season on: www.theardilaunhotel.ie, follow us on facebook or call: 091 521433 for further details.

Feature

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hopping in Galway is an interesting colourful experience with something to offer for everyone be it the shopping centres, the small craftshops, fashion shops, gift shops or the Saturday market.

Shopping can take place on a number of different levels from large cosmopolitian stores to small quality shops specialising in unique, beautiful handcrafted ware to interesting shops where you can spend hours browsing through alternative goods dealing with holistic health and new age approach to life. Bookstores and small fashion boutiques nestle around every corner waiting to be discovered by the passerby. As the regional shopping capital, shops are open Mondays to Satudays, excluding bank holiday. Most of the small craft and gift shops stay open on bankholidays and Sundays. Large shops stay open until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Many of the corner delicatessens will stay open until 11pm at night. There are any amount of shops to buy gifts, souvenirs and quality craftware that are in abundance throughout the city. Bohemian Galway is home to crafts people and artists who produce all types of wares ranging from pottery, jewellery, silkscren paintings, glassware, knitware,

handwoven goods, fine china or unusual household goods.

For those of you interested in shopping for gifts and crafts, it is useful to divide Galway up into four main shopping areas.

Eyre Square Area Shop Street / Middle Street High Street / Quay Street / Cross Street Dominick Street If you follow this guide you will pass many other shops of interest en route such as fine clothing stores to exclusive stores to pocket money boutiques or indeed any one of the quirky unusual stores such as the fine range of antique and bric a brac shops in Galway that may catch your interest along the way.

The tourist office at the lower end of Eyre Square stocks an impressive range of Irish interest books. Next door, the Aran Island tourist office is a good place to buy Aran-made crafts.

Archway Crafts and Antiques shop opposite the tourist office is stocks an excellent range of beautiful knits, unusual woollen hats, porcelain jewellery, leather work and local rush work.

Feature

The shopping mall, Eyre Square Centre has over 100 shops with everything from a needle to an anchor, with a creche to look after children for up to two hours.

Options, a shop within the centre sells some pretty glassware and pottery from North of Ireland as well as Irish style exotica such as eelskin purses.

Weekly Saturday Market in the centre of Galway city is quite simply one of those joyful, experiences of life that make you glad to be alive as well as offering a wonderful selection of foods and novel goods and gift ideas which are excellent value.It is no wonder that locals and visitors throng the market all day long every Saturday, rain, hail or shine.

Located in the laneway between Shop Street and Market Street, as you walk between the stalls every one of your senses will be arrested by the cornocopia

of smells, tastes, sounds and vision and lively atmosphere created by the interaction betwen the stall holders and browsers alike. Foods range from the fresh fruit and veg stalls, where the stall holders often throw in fresh herbs or some extra items for good measure.

Then there is the quality gourmet stands selling about 20 different types of olives, fresh pasta, cheeses, home made relishes and sauces.

Novel gift ideas are the candles of all different shapes and smells, beautiful hats, old shoes which are varnished and decorated. Dieters be warned! the aroma of fresh, often exotic gourmet foods or fresh sausages sizzling is irresistible. As are the homemade cakes and breads, and then of course there's the portions of mussels in garlic sauce.

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Gardening Gardening

Perennial care — 5 tips for Winter

M

ake sure your perennials survive the winter by following these five steps.

By autumn, most perennials are through blooming and by then you might be ready to throw in the towel, but there are still a few duties you need to do to ensure that your perennials survive the winter. Follow these tips on this checklist, and you should have an even better perennial garden next spring.

1. Make “action” notes.

Before you forget what plants should be divided, what should be moved and where, and what you need to do to certain plants next year, write it down now.

2. Should perennials be cut back now?

It depends. If you normally get little snow, you may want to leave them until

spring, so the stems can trap the snow. If you have perennials with attractive winter interest such as Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ or ornamental grasses, you may wish to leave them for winter effect. Some seedheads, such as Black-eyed Susan, may provide food for birds. If your perennials are diseased, you may wish to cut them back and destroy — don’t compost — the diseased stems and leaves.

Often gardeners in cold climates with short seasons have more time for cutting back in the autumn than spring. When cutting back, leave a couple of inches of stem to help trap the snow. If cutting back tall ornamental grasses such as Eulalia (Miscanthus), cut back a foot or more above the ground as this part of the shoot often has next year’s growth.

3. Roses.

Many gardeners have questions on overwintering these, and for more detailed information should consult other articles, books, and their garden centres on this subject. Some tips include making sure grafted roses have the graft union below ground a couple of inches, or are covered with soil; mulch only with soil if you have rodents, not with straw; and cut back only to top of mulch. Or plant some of the many hardy shrub roses. There are both new and old varieties on the market that require little or no protection.

leaves, or similar material — or else placed in a warmer microclimate site, put in pots to winter indoors, or just not grown. Other gardeners don’t feel this way, or have special perennials, in which case the rule would be to add more winter mulch.

A foot or more of loose organic material such as straw can be used. Don’t use hay as it often contains weed seeds. And don’t use such mulch if you have rodents, as this only provides them with a home with your perennials as their winter food supply.

If you don’t mulch your perennials during the growing season, you may want to provide a light layer of a couple inches of mulch for winter protection as mentioned above. This will provide 5 to 10 degrees of temperature protection to the soil in fall and spring, which may mean life or death

for certain perennials at a time when they are least hardy. And even a light layer of mulch helps prevent wide temperature fluctuations with freezing and thawing, which breaks roots. Such organic mulches, of course, will break down, adding vital organic matter to the soil, and help conserve moisture and reduce weeds during the growing season.

5. Make new beds.

If you want new perennial beds by spring, fall is a good time to start. If in hay, cut back low now. For sodded areas, strip off sod with a rented sod cutter. Or you can use a herbicide to kill the grass. Or you can just cover with black plastic, and most of the grass will be dead and composted by spring, and fairly easy to plant. Test soil and add lime now if needed.

4. Cover or mulch.

This depends in part on your philosophy.

Mine is that perennials should be able to survive with their summer mulch — a couple inches of bark mulch, shredded

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Disco

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Motoring

10TH - 15TH JUNE 2012 4TH ANNUAL WELCOME HOME FESTIVAL

SPECIAL OPENING TIME SUNDAY 12-5pm

Winter Auto Maintenance Checklist

COMMERCIAL RANGE 2012 FLEET COMMERCIALS 2012 VW Crafter 2.0 MWB............................€26,500 2012 VW Amarok 163BHP 4Motion Canopy...€35,500 2012 VW Caddy Maxi TDI 4 Motion 2.0.........€21,500

ISUZU RANGE 2005 Isuzu Trooper Dsl....................................€5,000 2004 Isuzu Trooper Dsl...................................€4,500 2003 Isuzu Trooper Dsl...................................€3,500

TRANSPORTER RANGE 2012 VW Transporter 2.0 TDI.........................€22,500 2012 VW Transporter 2.0 TDI LWB 140BHP.....€25,500 2011 VW Transporter 2.0 DSL SWB................€19,500 2010 VW Transporter 2.5 TDI 6Sp LWB...........€19,500 2010 VW Transporter 1.9 TDI.........................€16,500 2010 VW Transporter 2.5 TDI 174 BHP............€19,500 2010 VW Transporter 2.5 TDI SWB...............€19,500 2009 VW Transporter 2.5 TDI.........................€13,500

PEUGEOT RANGE 2008 Peugeot Partner Dsl Van..........................€5,500 2007 Peugeot 407 DSL Estate..........................€7,500 2007 Peugeot 307 1.4 5DR..............................€6,500

CADDY RANGE 2012 VW Caddy Van TDI Choice...................€14,500 2009 VW Caddy Van DSL................................€9,000 2008 VW Caddy TDI High Mileage..................€6,500 2007 VW Caddy TDI........................................€7,000 2004 VW Caddy TDI.......................................€3,500

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

CRAFTER RANGE 2012 VW Crafter 3.5 MWB............................€26,500 2010 VW Crafter 3.5 LWB New Model..........€18,500 2008 VW Crafter...........................................€15,000 2008 VW Crafter 2.5 LWB HR 9000KL..€14.600 + VAT 2007 VW Crafter...........................................€13,500 TOUAREG RANGE 2010 VW Touareg 2.5TDI Comm Extras...........€19,500 2009 VW Touareg 2.5TDI A/T........................€16,500 2008 VW Touareg 2.5TDI A/T........................€12,500 2007 VW Touareg 2.5TDI Comm.....................€11,500 MITSUBISHI RANGE 2012 Mitsubishi L200 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)........€14,500 2008 Mitsubishi Pajero 2.5Sports....................€13,500 2008 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 LWB......................€14,000 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0Dsl...................€11,500 2006 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2.............................€10,500 CITROEN RANGE 2007 Citroen Berlingo......................................€5,000 2006 Citroen Xsara pacasso DSL......................€7,000 2005 Citroen Berlingo DSL...............................€3,950 2005 Citroen Despatch....................................€4,500 2004 Citroen Berlingo DSL...............................€3,000 MERCEDES RANGE 2008 Mercedes Sprinter 303..........................€12,500 2007 Mercedes Vito 115BHP.............................€7,500 TOYOTA RANGE 2011 Toyota Hi –Lux 3.0 DSL Extras................€29,500 2007 Toyota Hiace Van....................................€6,500 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser SWB A/T................€10,500 2006 Toyota Landcruiser SWB........................€11,000 2005 Toyota Yaris D4D Van..............................€4,500 FORD RANGE 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 2007 Ford Transit 260......................................€6,500 2005 Ford Transit Connect Com........................€5,000

KIA RANGE 2008 Kia Carnival DSL 7 Seater.....................€11,500 2007 Kia Sorento Passenger 2.5 DSL EX auto..€10,500 2005 Kia Sedona DSL 7 Seater.........................€7,500

SUZUKI RANGE 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Dsl Pass 4x4..........€15,000 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara Dsl Pass.................€12,500 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4 X4 Dsl Pass...........€9,500 NISSAN RANGE 2007 Nissan Navara 2.5TDI C. C. Canapy........€8,500 2007 Nissan Navara 2.5TDI Crew Cab A/T......€9,500 2007 Nissan Pathfinder DSL A/T Passanger.......€9,500 2005 Nissan Navara 2.5TDI Crew Cab.............€6,000 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 2005 Landrover Passenger 5 Seater..................€6,500 2003 Landrover Discovery Pass 9 Seater A/T....€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 A/T.............€28,500 VEHICLES SOLD AS SEEN 1996 Mitsubishi Pajero 2.5 A/T.........................€1,000 2004 Renault Megane Dsl Van..........................€1,500 VEHICLES FOR €2,000 1999 Isuzu Trooper (Tested).............................€2,000 2003 Citroen Relay 2.0 Dsl Van........................€2,000 2004 Citroen Xsara Van Dsl (Tested).................€2,000 2004Renault Kangoo dsl Van...........................€2,000 VEHICLES FOR €3,500 2002 Mitsubishi Pajero SWB.............................€3,500 2003 VW Transporter......................................€3,500 2005 Toyota Yaris Van D4D (Tested).................€3,500 2005 Opel Vivaro 1.9 CDTi..............................€3,500 VEHICLES FOR €4,500 2006 Nissan Primaster 1.9 DSl..........................€4,500 2006 Nissan Interstar Dsl.................................€4,500 2006 Opel Astra Van 1.7 Dsl............................€4,500 2007 Opel Corsa Van 1.3 Dsl...........................€4,500 2008 Peugeot Partner dsl.................................€4,500 VEHICLE FOR €5,000 2005 Isuzu Trooper DSL...................................€5,000

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

AL HAYES MOTORS LTD., www.alhayesmotors.com GALWAY RD., PORTUMNA, CO. GALWAY

Tel: 090 9741390, 090 9742200

W

inter is upon us, and winter driving comes with it. While safety is an important consideration all year long, there are certainly some auto maintenance jobs and safety checks that are specific to chilled air and winter driving that are a good idea to check into before we're knee deep in the season. To be sure you don't end up a road popsicle, or even worse end up with your holiday budget on ice thanks to unexpected repairs, have a look under the hood to be sure things are ship shape. As with any change of season, you should go to your regular maintenance log to make sure you are up to date on the maintenance items that should be taken care of throughout the year. The change of seasons is a great time to go through some once-a-year or twice-a-year auto maintenance tasks.

Winter Specific Maintenance In addition to the added perils of winter driving, the change in weather can bring peril to your car's systems.

Freezing temps, salted roads and wintery precipitation can gang up on your car if you don't give it a baseball-bat sized maintenance session. These winter maintenance jobs will keep you out of trouble: Check your antifreeze Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car's winter protection. Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze.

Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50.

Inspect your tyres The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tyres.

Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tyres, so take the time to check the tread depth. Also, be sure to check your tyre pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump 'em up.

Replace your wipers Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you're also driving through that soupy muck that's left on the road once the highway department does their thing.

This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.

Check your windshield washer fluid You'll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an artic truck will have your windshield looking like a Desert if you're low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don't fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won't freeze!

Annual Maintenance Procedures On top of the checks you need to perform to ensure safe winter driving, now's a good time to do some annual maintenance. These aren't necessarily specific to winter driving, but it's a good point on the calendar to get around to doing.

SPECIAL OPENING TIME SUNDAY 12-5pm

FLEET CARS 2012 VW Passat 1.6TDI Highline..................................€26,500 2012 VW Passat 1.6TDI Comfortline.............................€24,950 2012 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140BHP Comfortline................€29,500 2012 VW Passat 1.4TSI Comfortline..............................€19,950 2012 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140BHP Highline Estate Car.....€33,500 2012 VW Passat 1.6TDI Highline Extras........................€28,500 2012 VW Passat 1.6TDI Comfortline Estate Extras..........€27,000 2012 VW Passat 1.6TDI Trendline Estate.......................€25,950 2012 VW Sharan 2.0TDI 7 Seater................................€32,500 2012 VW Touran 1.6TDI 7 Seater................................€25,500 2012 VW Caddy Life 1.6TDI 7 Seater...........................€25,500 2012 VW Shuttle 2.0TDI 9Seater..................................€39,500 2012 VW Touran 1.6TDI 5 Seater.................................€22,500 2012 VW Tiguan 2.0TDI 5Seater..................................€26,950 2012 VW Jetta 1.6TDI Automatic..................................€25,500 2012 VW Jetta 1.6TDI Comfortline...............................€23,500 2012 VW Jetta 1.6TDI Trendline ...................................€21,950 2012 VW Scirocco 2.0TDI 140BHP................................€27,950 2012 VW Scirocco 1.4TSI 122BHP................................€22,950 2012 VW Golf 2.0 TDI Highline 140BHP........................€27,950 2012 VW Golf 1.6TDI Highline.....................................€24,950 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...€24,500 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................€19,500 2010 VW Passat 1.6TDI...............................................€18,500 2010 VW 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 2009 VW Passat 1.4TSI...............................................€14,500 2008 VW Passat 2.0TDI C/L A/T..................................€15,000 2008 VW Passat 1.9TDI...............................................€12,500 2008 VW Passat 2.0TDI Comfortline 140BHP................€13,500 JETTA RANGE 2012 VW Jetta 1.6 TDI.................................................€21,950 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 2009 VW Jetta 1.9TDI Comfortline Choice....................€14,500 2008 VW Jetta 1.9TDI ................................................€12,500 2008 VW Jetta 1.9TDI Automatic................................€13,500 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...................€32,950 2012 VW Golf TDI 5DR ...............................................€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 POLO RANGE 2012 VW Polo 1.2 5DR................................................€13,500 2012 VW Polo 1.2TDI 5DR...........................................€15,500 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 2008 VW Tiguan 2.0DSL 4 Wheel DrivePassenger........€19,500 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitaro 2.0DSL 4x4 Passenger.........€14,000 2008 Hyundai Tuscan 2.0 DSL......................................€9,500 2008 Kia Carnival 7 Seater..........................................€12,500 2008 Mitsubishi L200 Intense Model 5 Seater...............€14,950 2007 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4 Passenger................€13,500 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0DSL 5 Seater..................€11,000 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9DSL Passenger................€11,500 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero Sports Passenger.......................€16,500 2006 Mitsubishi Pajero SWB Passenger.......................€12,500 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DSL Passenger.................€9,500 2005 Hyundai 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

7 SEATER RANGE 2012 VW Sharan 2.0TDI 7 Seater................................€32,500 2012 VW Touran TDI 7 Seater....................................€25,500 2012 Vw Caddy Life Passenger 7 Seater.......................€25,500 2006 VW Sharan 130 BHP............................................€9,500 2004 VW Sharan 1.9TDI 7 Seater..................................€6,500 2003 Ford Galaxy TDI 7 Seater.....................................€4,500 AUDI RANGE 2010 A4 2.0TDI Extras................................................€24,500 2009 A4 2.0TDI .........................................................€21,000 2008 A4 2.0TDI..........................................................€18,500 2008 A6 2.0TDI Automatic..........................................€16,500 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 2002 Volvo S40 1.9DSl.................................................€3,000 1999 Volvo V70 2.0 Estate............................................€1,500 TOYOTA RANGE 2011 Toyota Hi – Lux 3.0DSl Extras..............................€29,500 2009 Toyota Avensis D4D ...........................................€13,500 2009 Toyota Auris 1.4 3dr...........................................€10,000 2009 Toyota Auris D4D Van Extras...............................€10,500 2008 Toyota Corolla 1.4................................................€8,000 2008 Toyota Avensis Dsl Est. Verso...............................€10,500 2008 Toyota Verso 1.6 7 Seater.....................................€7,500 2007 Toyota Rav 4 D4D Passenger...............................€13,950 2007 Toyota Auris 1.4 H/B.............................................€7,500 2007 Toyota Hiace SWB................................................€7.500 2007 Toyota Corolla......................................................€7,500 2007 Toyota Yaris 5DR..................................................€6,500 2006 Toyota Corolla 1.4................................................€6,000 FORD RANGE 2012 Ford Kuga 2.0DSL Comm....................................€24,500 2009 Ford 1.6 DSL Zetec..............................................€11,500 2008 Ford Focus DSL H/B 5DR......................................€9,500 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 1.6 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 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 SEAT RANGE 2006 Seat Cordoba 1.4 Sal...........................................€5,000 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 2009 Peugeot 407 1.6DSL Extras Chioce........................€8,500 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 DSL 7 Seater....................................€6,500 2006 Peugeot 307 1.4 5DR...........................................€6,000 2006 Peugeot 206 5DR.................................................€6,000 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 BMW RANGE 2009 BMW 520 Dsl Sports Pack..................................€19,500 2007 BMW 320DSL ...................................................€10,500 2004 BMW 520 Dsl A/T Extras Leather..........................€6,500 2004 BMW 320 DSL.....................................................€6,500 2004 BMW 320 DSL Estate...........................................€6,500 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 2011Mitsubishi ASX 1.6 Petrol Estate 5DR.....................€20,000 2011Mitsubishi Lancer 1.8 DSL......................................€17,500

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 2010 VW Shuttle 2.5TDI 9 Seater A/T..........................€29,500 2010 Mitsubishi Colt 5DR A/T (5K)...............................€10,500 2009 VW Passat 1.4 TSI Comfortline............................€15,000 2008 VW Passat 2.0TDI 140BHP C/L A/T.....................€15,000 2008 VW Jetta 1.9 TDI DSG........................................€13,500 2008 Audi A6 TDI DSG Leather....................................€16,500 2007 Skoda Octavia TDI ...............................................€6,500 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 2007 VW Jetta 1.6 DSG................................................€8,500 2007 Kia Sorrento 7 Seater .........................................€11,500 2007 Nissan Navara 2.5 TDI A/T Extras......................€9,500 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 SKODA RANGE 2007 Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI A/T....................................€6,500 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.....................................................€3,500 2004 Citroen Picasso 1.4...............................................€3,500 2003 Citroen Xsara 1.4.................................................€2,500 2002 Citroen Saxo 1.0..................................................€1,500 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 2004 Renault Grand Scenic 7 Seater 1.6........................€4,500 2003 Renault Clio .........................................................€2,500 2001 Renault Clio................................................€1,500 Tested NISSAN RANGE 2012 Nissan Dukei 1.5 Dsl............................................€19,500 2008 Nissan Primera 1.6 SVE........................................€6,500 2007 Nissan Pathfinder 2.5TDI 7 Seater Passenger.........€9,500 2007 Nissan Pathfinder 2.5TDI Comm A/T......................€8,500 2007 Nissan Almera 1.5 Sal..........................................€5,950 2007 Nissan Navara 2.5 T/D SE 5DR A/T......................€8,500 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 2003 Nissan Almera 1.5................................................€2,500 2003 Nissan Almera 1.5 A/T.........................................€3,000 2002 Nissan Almera 1.5................................................€2,000 2001 Nissan Micra .......................................................€1,500 LEXUS RANGE 2008 Lexus is220 DSL Extras........................................€12,500 2007 Lexus is220 DSL Extras........................................€10,500 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 2000 Mazda Premacy 1.8 MPV.....................................€2,000

CARS SOLD AS SEEN CARS UNDER €1000 2002 Vw Polo 1.4 Saloon.........................................................

2001 Peugeot 206 5DR............................................................

2001 Seat Ibiza H/B.................................................................

2001 Citroen Xsara Diesel.........................................................

2001 Hyundai Accent...............................................................

2001 Chevrolet Lanos 1.4.........................................................

2001 Hyundai Matiz 1000........................................................

2001 Opel Astra 1.4 Saloon.....................................................

2000 Nissan Almera.................................................................

2000 Ford Fiesta 5DR...............................................................

2000 Opel Corsa.....................................................................

CARS UNDER €1,500 2003 Rover 45.........................................................................

2002 Vw Bora 1.9TDI...............................................................

2002 Nissan Almera.................................................................

2002 Hyundai Accent...............................................................

2002 Hyundai Getz..................................................................

2002 Ford Mondeo Petrol.........................................................

2002 Ford Fiesta 1.25 Ghia......................................................

2002 Honda Accord Petrol.......................................................

2002 Opel Corsa.....................................................................

2002 Peugeot 205 5Dr.............................................................

CARS UNDER €2,000 2004 Peugeot 407 Petrol..........................................................

2004 Hyundai Latre Petrol........................................................

2004 Hyundai Accent...............................................................

2004 MG ZR 105 Plus..............................................................

2003 Renault Megane 1.4 H/B.................................................

2003 Ford Mondeo Dsl............................................................

2003 Honda Civic 1.4...............................................................

2003 Renault Xlio.....................................................................

2003 Mitsubishi Carisma...........................................................

2003 Nissan Almera.................................................................

2003 Peugeot 206...................................................................

2003 Suzuki Liana Petrol...........................................................

CARS UNDER €2,500 2005 Renault Laguna Petrol......................................................

2005 Opel Agila 1.0 Petrol.......................................................

2004 Mazda 6 Dsl...................................................................

2004 Nissan Almera.................................................................

2004 Nissan Primera Dsl..........................................................

2004 Citroen Picasso Petrol.......................................................

CARS UNDER €3,000 2007 Chevrolet Petrol...............................................................

2006 Fiat Multiple Dsl 6 Seater passenger...............................

2005 Citroen C5 Dsl.................................................................

2005 Nissan Almera.................................................................

2005 Renault Laguna Petrol......................................................

2005 Renault Clio 1.0 5DR........................................................

CARS UNDER €3,500 2005 Toyota Corolla 1.4...........................................................

2005 Toyota Yaris D4D Van New DOE......................................

2004 Audi A4 petrol.................................................................

2004 Toyota Avensis D4D.........................................................

2003 VW Transporter 2.5TDICan New DOE..............................

2003 VW Passat 1.9TDI Comfortline..........................................

CARS UNDER €4,000 2006 Opel Vectra 1.6...............................................................

2006 Toyota Corolla ................................................................

2005 Opel Astra 1.4 5Dr..........................................................

2005 Vw Polo 1.2 Dsl ..............................................................

2005 Volve S40 Dsl Full Leather................................................

2004 Vw Passat TDI 130BHP 6Sp..............................................

CARS UNDER €4,500 2007 Mazda 6 1.8 Petrol..........................................................

2006 Ford Mondeo Petrol.........................................................

2006 Opel Astra 1.7 Dsl...........................................................

2006 Nissan Almera H/B..........................................................

2005 Seat Alhambra Dsl 7 Seater A/t.......................................

2005 Citroen C4 Petrol.............................................................

CARS UNDER €5,000 2007 Mitsubishi Colt 5DR..........................................................

2006 Ford Focus 5Dr................................................................

2006 Peugeot 206 5Dr.............................................................

HYUNDAI RANGE 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0DSL Comm.........................€12,500 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...............................................€2,500 2004 Hyundai Coupe 1.6..............................................€3,500 2003 Hyundai Santa FE 2.0 DSL Passenger.....................€4,500 2001 Hyundai Accent 1.3..............................................€1,300

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 November 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!

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

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 50's Holidays at Hotel West!or"

5 Night's Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for the Price of 4! (must start your holiday on a Sunday)

December - €209pp January - €199pp February - €209pp NO Single Supplement!

3 & 4 Night Christmas Programme Available

A pictorial record of the of Getaways Christmas West Market IrelandGalway over Harbour Hotel, 15 years

W

ith the arrival of the Continental Christmas Market once again to Eyre Square – only a 3 minute walk from the Harbour Hotel – it is the perfect time to getaway and enjoy some of the festive atmosphere, in the heart of Galway City.

At Christmas the Harbour Hotel, becomes that little bit more special.

With everything from Christmas trees dominating the bar and lobby, to warm mince pies with mulled wine, open fires, twinkly lights and garland throughout, the Harbour Hotel is full of Christmas Cheer.

The Harbour is buzzing with Christmas shoppers, office parties, family gatherings and tourists strolling back from the Christmas Market, all soaking up the festive

atmosphere.

Take the stress out of Christmas Shopping and enjoy a leisurely break in the heart of Galway City.

Christmas Market specials include Tea & Scones on arrival, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast from €59.50 per person sharing. Book direct on 091 894800 or visit www.harbour.ie/christmas The Harbour offers all the Christmas Trimmings – relax in the stylish and comfortable surroundings with your friend and colleagues before tucking into delicious food and wine.

Festive Lunch Menus are available everyday from 30th November. A 3 course menu is great value at only €22 per person, including a glass of warm, mulled wine and tea/ coffee and mince pies to top it all off!

at the

Dinner menus are priced at €27.50 per person and also include a glass of mulled wine.

For full details visit www.harbour.ie/christmas . For bookings and enquiries, contact 091 894800 or christmas@harbour.ie

Page 41 Mature Living November 2012

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

The Answer was Grid Ref: G15

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

For all your Home & Garden needs Now open

Free tea or coffee with this ad

Keith - 085-1053588 / 071-9310787

JC CARING HANDS HOMECARE LTD Now in the Mayo area OUR SERVICES ARE A REALISTIC ALTERNATIVE TO NURSING HOMES We Provide: • All personal care needs • Light housework / shopping • Respite care, day and night Our staff are experienced and also trained to provide care services for adults with intellectual disabilities

FREE (BER)

with every house insulated this month (with this advert)

Please contact Josephine or Catherine on

086-0465015 or 094-9366568 Email: jccaringhands@gmail.com

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

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

Subscribe to Due to the massive uptake on the last M

issue of Mature Living Magazine, not everyone could be guaranteed a free copy in their local outlet. However we now offer a subscription service for just €35 per year.

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. Mature Living is published once per month and a subscription covers 12 months.

Complete the form below. You can pay by cheque or Postal Order made payable to IBS Publications I Would llike to subscribe to Mature Living Magazine for 12 issues.

Name.............................................Telephone....................................

Address........................................................................................... .....................................................................................................

Alternatively, you can pay via telephone using your credit or debit card. Simply call us on 071-9154538 with your details.

Cut out this form and send it to us at: Subscriptions, Mature Living Magazine, Office 3, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo.

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 ROTECTION DOGS OGS PROTECTION

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

Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient

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

• 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"

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

Ballina, Co. Mayo Tel: 085-7843837

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

• 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

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

Axis Business Park, Clara Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Tel. 05793 – 51277

Steel Garden Sheds, Garages & Tegkon Custom Steel Buildings • 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

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

To windows, doors and patio doors

www.grantwater.ie info@grantwater.ie

Expert patio door repairs!

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

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

Over 20 years experience servicing Irish windows and doors. Fully insured

From the smaller to the larger, there is a Spa just your size with the legendary therapy and quality we are known for

GLASS PARTS ETC REPLACED

Call today and get a special discount in Conjunction with “Mature Living Magazine”

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

SEXY KIND GEORGUS GENTLEMAN 51 yrs, mayo area, seeking female for discreet adult fun. Discretion assured. Replies with a blank stamped envelope to Box number 974 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.

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.

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,

FREE DATING* CLASSIFIED

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.

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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ADDRESS: Post the completed form to Mature Living Magazine, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. 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 November 2012

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.