Mature Living March 2013

PROMOTING A HEALTHY & POSITIVE LIFESTYLE March 2013

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE OLDER, BOLDER INDIVIDUAL

A garden good enough to eat What is a tablet computer Holiday destinations from Knock Natural health for men History and hospitality at The Courthouse Inn

• SLIGO • MAYO • GALWAY • LEITRIM • ROSCOMMON

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Contents

www.matureliving.ie

March 2013

14

20 26 32

W

ELL, as we went to press on Wednesday for the March edition of Mature Living, it was still black smoke billowing from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney stack in Rome. Hopefully, by the time you read this the die will be cast – and the latest pontiff will be taking over the throne at St. Peter’s. Perhaps, one of the most amusing aspects of the voting procedure among the conclave was the information that sophisticated security systems were being installed to ensure the authenticity of the voting system. It prompted one commentator to remark: “if you can’t trust a bunch of cardinals, well who can you trust?

However, we can only hope the new appointment will herald a new era for the Catholic Church. In other matters, our banks are being forced to come out of the closet and make some decisions on mortgage defaulters. However, one wonders if the Government’s decision to set targets in this regard is such a good idea. It is an extremely difficult one, as the historical impact of people being evicted from dwellings in Ireland is both disturbing and should never happen as a consequence of so much economic mismanagement by governments and banks over the past decade.

In this issue we are delighted to be able to turn the focus (for a change) on the West’s (if not Ireland’s) best known and most popular photographer, Ballina-based Henry Wills. Perhaps, Henry should write a book some day (a photographic journal even), chronicling his experiences over forty years – though he is still quite a young man, I might add. Henry has always had an eye for that outstanding shot – the picture that captures a moment in time or tells a particular story. Pages 10 and 11 will be compulsive reading for those who wish to reminisce on pivotal events in the West of Ireland (and Mayo in particular) over the past forty years.

Elsewhere, we offer advice to men on how to maintain good health and wellbeing as they grow older. For women we provide some tips on how to remain young and beautiful longer. For the travel enthusiasts we include some useful tips to ensure trouble-free adventure travelling. We invite the gardening enthusiasts to come into the kitchen for a change to indulge their gardening passions there.

We have a special feature on Ballina’s historic Courthouse Hotel and if anybody has any story to tell in relation to the hotel or Ballina’s Kevin Barry Street Siobhan will be delighted to hear it. She can be contacted at 087-1203297.

For everybody out there we remind you again, of our forthcoming Mature Living Exhibition in Sligo’s Clarian Hotel, on 10th and 11th May. Put the date in your diary now. We look forward to meeting you all there.

To take out a Subscription (12 issues) contact our offices in Sligo or Ballina).The next issue of Mature Living is scheduled for 12th April and the deadline for copy is 5th April, 2012.

News Mature Living 50+ Lifestyle Show at the Clarion Hotel One-on-One with Henry Wills Competition Are you facing the extraction of your remaining teeth?

Inheritance Tax Planning Avalon Knitters become Active during Age Action Week Hearing Problems are not just About You The Bands of our Showband Era Travel Guide: Choosing a Pilgrimage Food and Drink Choosing the Right Pet A Beginners Guide to Tablet Computers Natural Health for Men Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) Destinations from Knock A Garden Good Enough to Eat - Gardening Feature Hotel Directory Spot the Ball Services Directory Dating

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10 12 14

15 16

18 24 26 28 30 31 32 34 35 36 40 42 44 47

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

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

Be healthy, be happy at Healthy Today Happy Tomorrow

Siobhan Beattie, Ashling Murphy, Eilish Barrett, Jemma Clerkin and Áine O’Reilly

I

T Sligo are teaming up with Dip in the Nip to hold a fundraising event that will take place on Sunday April 7th and will be hosted by the Radisson Blu Sligo.

The event entitled “Healthy Today Happy Tomorrow” will focus on fun alternatives for a healthy lifestyle,

focusing on the do’s rather than the don’ts in living a happy, healthy life. The event will include guest speakers and showcase a number of Irish enterprises. A number of stallholders will be on site from a number of health and wellbeing businesses in the NW

providing information, free samples and advice to attendees.

All proceeds on the day will go to the Dip in the Nip which is a charity event that supports cancer patients with an exciting number of dips along the Altlantic sea coast of Ireland every year and in particular this event will support a scalp cooler fund. Scalp Coolers are pieces of equipment that at least minimise and often prevent hair loss in chemotherapy patients.

The Dip purchased its first Scalp Cooler in 2011, which was only the 16th one in Ireland. Some of the reasons there are so few are because hair loss is not a recognised medical condition and because of their cost (each Scalp Cooler costs approximately €22,000). It is one of the aims of the Dip that within 5 years every single chemotherapy patient who wants access to a scalp cooler shall have it.

Join us on Sunday 7th April at the Radisson Blu from 2-5pm for what promises to be a fun informative afternoon. Tickets at €10 are available from the Radisson Blu and IT Sligo.

For more information follow us on www.facebook.com/pages/Healthy -Today-Happy-Tomorrow

Troubled Bachelors presented by the Cloonacool Players Date: 21 March 2013 - 24 March 2013 Time: 8.30pm Location: St Brigid's Hall, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo.

Renowned local drama group The Cloonacool Players present "Troubled Bachelors" at St Brigid's Hall, Tubbercurry for three nights on 21st, 22nd and 24th March at 8.30pm. An entertaining comedy, the play tells us that all any bachelor needs to be happy is to be left alone. However, awkward council

officials, conniving women and thieving cows contrive to make the tranquil lives of Peter (John McIntyre), Jack (Denis Ross) and Tom (Pat McCarrick) anything but tranquil! All proceeds from the raffle on the opening night, Thursday 21st of March, will go to North West Hospice.

An enjoyable night out and the opportunity to support North West Hospice? Sounds like a winning combination!

Booking 071 9185037

Palliative Care Conference

Date: 11 April 2013 Time: 08:30hrs Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo.

Palliative Care Conference: "Together is Better" Exploring how a collaborative approach between specialist palliative care and healthcare professionals in other care settings can enhance the patient journey. In working towards better outcomes for palliative care patients, North West Hospice will host a conference entitled "Together is Better" on Thursday, 11th of April, 2013, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo.

This conference is open to all healthcare professionals and anyone with a particular interest in palliative care, and will explore how the patient journey through palliative care is enhanced through

Page 4 Mature Living March 2013

interdisciplinary co-operation across hospital, hospice and community settings. Guest Speakers: Dr Karen Ryan, Palliative Medicine Consultant, St Francis Hospice, The Mater and Connolly Hospital; National Clinical Care Programme Lead; Adjunct Senior Lecturer in Palliative Medicine, UCD. Dr Una MacConville, PhD Sociologist and Visiting Fellow, Centre for Death & Society, University of Bath. Dr Paula Hickey, Consultant Physician, Geriatrician & Clinical Lead for Stroke Medicine, Sligo Regional Hospital.

Please contact Moya Geelan at North West Hospice, tel (071) 9143317, for additional details.

Keith - 085-1053588 / 071-9310787

FREE (BER)

with every house insulated this month (with this advert)

MS North West Therapy Centre are Sligo Rovers Charity of the Year The MS North West Therapy Centre has been designated as Sligo Rovers Charity of the Year for 2013. This is indeed a great honour and means that we will be able to liaise with them on many events throughout the year as well as availing of their website and publicity outlets to let people know of our upcoming events. Many thanks to Sligo Rovers Management and Team.

News

Public urged to support charity abseil down Ireland’s tallest hotel

A

ge Action, the national charity for older people, is urging the public to take part in one of Ireland’s most thrilling “walks” – down the side of the country’s tallest hotel, the city’s 17storey Clarion in Limerick city.

The adrenaline will be pumping on Saturday, April 27, when the expert abseil team running the event set up on the roof of the 200-foot high building at

Steamboat Quay. It is hoped that up to 100 people will take the opportunity for a unique abseiling experience.

“We organised the first abseil down the Clarion Hotel last year and people were blown away by the experience,” abseil organiser Mark Duggan said.

“More than 40 people did the abseil, describing it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of their life.

Thanks to sponsorship by Bluebird Care, we are offering this unforgettable adventure to more people in April, while helping to raise funds for Age Action and other charities.”

Last year, in addition to Age Action, nine other charities benefited from funds raised. Again this year, Age Action is opening the event to other charities.

To take part in this year’s abseil, participants must pay a €85 registration fee, with the rest of the funds they raise going towards their charity of choice. In return they will receive full training and equipment for the abseil.

Age Action is interested in getting clubs and charities from the region to recruit abseilers. Age Action itself currently urgently needs funds to enable it continue its work with older people.

It provides computer training course, a home DIY and visitation service, an information service, life-long learning groups and research and advocacy service for older people. Last year the charity directly helped over 30,000 older people.

If you would like further information please contact abseil organiser Mark Duggan on 01-4756989 or by email at: markd@ageaction.ie

Beachfield Healthcare open day at Connacht Gold

BEECHFIELD Healthcare is one of Irelands leading trusted providers of innovative, powerfully designed and technology driven assisted living products. Beechfield Healthcare helps people live an independent, safe,

dignified and healthy life from birth right through to ageing, respecting all abilities.

As public funding for assisted living products decreases, families in Ireland will need to take on the responsibility for the researching and purchasing of supportive products. Our customers rely on the extensive product knowledge of our product ambassadors, our caring friendly and simple order, delivery and demonstration service and perhaps even the small bit of a smile we bring to our clients day! Clients range from universities to day care centres, hospitals to private healthcare practices and public healthcare organisations.

With over 5,000 products in the Beechfield Healthcare range that improves the physical and emotional well being of people of all ages and abilities, Beechfield Healthcare have

John McNicholl & Band Date: 15 April 2013 Time: 8.00pm Location: Art Deco Theatre, Ballymote, Co Sligo John McNicholl & Band, with guests Country singer John McNicholl & Band take to the stage of the Art Deco Theatre, Ballymote, Co Sligo on Monday 15th April at 8.00pm in aid of North West Hospice. Derry-born John McNicholl has recorded five studio albums. His 2010 album, “Someone Like You”, features duets with Daniel O’Donnell, Margo and Louise

Morrissey, while his most recent album was “It’s Your Love” (2011). John is building a strong fan base on the Irish country music scene, and among his highlights to date are sharing a stage with Cliff Richard and playing support to Elton John. Tickets €20 are available from North West Hospice; Tighe's Newsagents, Ballymote; Checkout, Ballintogher and from event organiser Sheila Boles (087) 9782159. Doors open 7.15pm, show starts 8.00pm.

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what you need. We have products to help you in all areas of life from gardening to bathing, from cooking to sleeping, from caring and guiding and everything in between making assisted living solutions accessible to all.

We are delighted to partner with Connacht Gold, Deepwater Quay, Sligo which enables us to bring you a selection of our product range right to your door step. Connacht Gold is our exclusive distributor in the region and to promote our product range Connacht Gold is holding two open days on both Friday 15th & Saturday 16th March. So why not drop into Connacht Gold, Deepwater Quay, Sligo whereupon a representative from Beechfield Healthcare will be available both days to offer product advice and answer any queries you may have. We look forward to meeting you.

Mature Living 50+ Lifestyle Show at the Clarion Hotel MATURE Living Magazine are pleased to announce that they will be holding a Mature Living exhibition in Sligo on the 10th and the 11th of May..

There will be exhibitors of all kinds on the days offering the older generation the perfect chance to discover all the latest products and services targeted directly to their age group.

Unsurprisingly, the event is aimed at those over the age of 50 and offers a huge range of entertainment, including a fashion show starring “real” women and men, a garden showcase with experts answering questions, cookery demonstrations and craft sessions . For the active visitor there are also classes such as yoga and tai chi to partake in.

Such a large event is of course sure to attract a host of exhibitors with more than 70 display stands and various seminars.

What will be there...?

Professionals from the tourism sector will be on hand giving all the latest information on holidaying at home or abroad.

There will be Personal finance & Investment advisors; equity release providers, income and inheritance tax consultants, mortgage and insurance providers and other specialists will be available to explain their products to visitors.

Suppliers of various products for Home Improvements such as Wooden floors, conservatories, solar heating, hot tubs, Stira Stairs etc. will be exhibiting on the day. Other areas of interest will be Health Testing and Monitoring, Golf, Gardening, and Thai Chi experts to talk on these great hobbies. Also antiques evaluations, so why not bring along any of your small collectibles and jewellery and have them evaluated on the day. Have you being considering a new car? Then come along and check out the latest motoring ranges from Audi and Ford or maybe you want to look inside a motorhome. Visitors will be able to ask about Computing, Internet and email tuition, and lots lots more. This event is the ideal place for industry enthusiasts to network and showcase their products to their target market.

Exhibition stands are still available by calling Seamus at Mature Living on 071 9154538.

For more information on the event please visit www.maturelivingexpo.ie.

L A ST ’S MONTHTION TI C OM P E NE R W IN

Last month’s lucky winner was Helen Munn of Abbey Quarter, Sligo, who has won a stay with Dinner, Wine and Cocktails in The Mill Times Hotel, Westport

Health, Fitness and Weightloss

Get in the shape of your life with our guaranteed sásta Programme

S

ásta Fitness a popular and rapidly growing Irish Health, Fitness and Weight Loss franchise is the brainchild of Leitrim based entrepreneur Fiona Egan. We were sásta when both Fiona and her business partner Joe Whyte of Innovative Fitness Solutions hit our television screens on the popular Nationwide programme on 7th January 2013.

Why use sásta? To drop a clothes size in 4 weeks!

Short work outs, sessions only last 30 minutes, improves fitness levels, great for inch and cellulite loss and other benefits. You will get a 30 minute one to one consultation where you will receive your welcome pack, GL meal plan and body sculpting DVD. You will have weekly weigh in’s to monitor your progress.

The sásta fitness pod is a treadmill based exercise machine which utilises vacuum technology. Clients wear a special suit which seals the vacuum from the waist down resulting in the creation of negative pressure which accelerates fat burn. sásta also offers a range of free extras to complement their sásta fat burning pod workout.

Does it really work? We have the testimonials to prove it!

80 years young and delighted to be able to use sásta grandmother, Myra Leydon is a lady of determination.... Myra says " it is great to be able to exercise in a safe environment as the country roads are so busy and footpaths uneven. I look forward to my visits to sásta and the staff are lovely too”

sásta Cavan Client, Martin Donohoe credits Mary and sásta with saving his life. “She’s a guardian angel. When you arrive at her studio she is very generous with her time and her advice. She follows up and that is very important.

Too many people will take your money and they won’t follow up to see how you are. Mary has this constant craving for me to do better and improve myself.

She’s changed my mind set about food and she’s changed how I am thinking about myself. I am a new man thanks to sásta” Says a delighted and healthier Martin who presents the weekly Shannonside Northern Sound radio show The Wind that Blows.

Busy mother of three working full time, Aisling Lowe, is delighted with her results and says “having struggled with my weight over the past number of years I thought I was destined to be fat for the rest of my life. sásta has changed all that and I am trimmer, fitter and cellulite free now thanks to sásta.

Even better I am saving money as my weekly shopping bill has reduced by €30 and I have a wardrobe of clothes that now fit me.

Would you like to be your own boss?

Sisters and business partners Lisa Garvin and Joanne Cullen know all about the benefits and pleasures of running a sibling enterprise.

Lisa’s background is in retail and catering, while Joanne’s is in finance but it was their combined interest in losing some weight for a family occasion that spurred the pair into action; bringing out the entrepreneurial streak in them both.

“We have never looked back. sásta is such a rewarding business to own and

a) Short work out sessions – only las!ng 30 minutes b) Ideal for men and women up to 31 stone c) Brilliant inch and cellulite loss d) Improves blood circula!on e) Improves skin tone and other an!­ageing benefits f) Quickly improves cardiovascular fitness g) High performance athletes love sásta for resilience training operate and the assistance we get from Fiona and the team is amazing. Training, marketing campaigns and technical support are contributing to our success every day” Says Lisa; It all sounds easy however; Joanne & Lisa have worked hard for their franchise. By using the collaborative and complex bond of sisterhood as well as empathising with clients, the siblings have firmly cemented their road to success. In 2011 sásta Sligo won the Sligo Leadership Achievement in Business Award. However, it is definitely their warm relationship with clients, knowing each by name, and the ability to understand their need to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle that makes for a recipe of success.

Where can I find a sásta studio? sásta Fitness Franchise Limited have state of the art studios in Carrick on Shannon (087 2026382), Sligo (086 3791850), Cavan (087 9115301) and Athlone (090 6450005).

Please drop in to one of our studios or call us to book your FREE TRIAL and Body Composition Analysis worth €25.

Our sásta team will help you kick start your sásta journey to a healthier and fitter you.

News

From three Counties: A chat, a cuppa and some home baking

Sean McHugh, Strandhill ARA, Mary B Kerrigan, Twilight Zone ARA Ballyshannon, Celine O’Loughlin Belleek Young at Heart Group, Frank McDonnell Calry ARA, Vera Herron Cliffoney ARA, Patricia Nicolson Sligo Town ARA, Chris Davis Calry ARA, Marie McDonnell Calry ARA, Phyllis Hoey Cliffoney ARA, John Farkin Donegal House of Stories, Kathleen Rafferty Ballyshannon ARA, Peggy Finan Sligo.

O

ver 100 people came from three border counties to Cliffoney Community Hall last Sunday 3 March for an Afternoon Tea Dance. Hosted by Cliffoney Active Age Group, with the support of the Rural Peace Project, Active Age Groups came from Counties Sligo and Donegal and special

guests were the Young at Heart Active Age Group from Belleck, Co Fermanagh. The occasion was a perfect opportunity for everyone to come together and enjoy an afternoon of chat, dancing along with a cuppa and some home baking!

Commenting on the event, Jane

Golden, Development Worker on the Sligo LEADER Rural Peace Project stated: ‘This was a great opportunity for people from three different counties to get to know each other and makes links across the border’. Funded by the PEACE lll Programme through the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund, managed for the Special EU programmes Body by Sligo County Council on behalf of Sligo Peace & Reconciliation Partnership Committee, the Rural PEACE III Project reflects the diversity of rural communities in County Sligo and it is being rolled out by Sligo LEADER Partnership Company Ltd. The project works with rural communities throughout County Sligo and across the border. The many elements of the project involve activities with the farming community, the creative arts, the Protestant culture and older people. The groups involved are taking part in a series of workshops, residential, study visits and social activities. If you would like to find out more about these projects for all ages, further information is available by contacting Jane Golden at: 071-9141138 or 087-0682782 or email jgolden@sligoleader.com.

You will also get more details on our Facebook page - Sligo Rural Peace and at www.makepeacepublic.org

A Third Way for Third Age' Briefing event with Ombudsman Emily O' Reilly ON Thursday, March 7, Third Age hosted a briefing on ‘A Third Way for the Third Age’ in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 12.30pm – 2pm. Guest speaker was The Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly.

‘A Third Way for the Third Age’ aims at improving the range and quality of services available to older people through innovative public interest enterprise. The Reference Group for the initiative includes: Third Age, Southside Partnership, Cheshire Ireland, Irish Council for Social Housing, Order of Malta Ireland, Conference of Religious of Ireland, (CORI), Respond Housing Association, Genio, Crosscare, Trinity House, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Ageing Well Network.

“It is valuable to hear fresh thinking outside the public private box in which we usually couch ageing” said the Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly Speaking as a mother, daughter, friend and neighbour, she said some fortunate older people continue to live in the full glare of the sun. “But many older people are far from fulfilled and happy. Loneliness, the death of a partner can mark the end of engagement with the world. One by one the stars go out.”

Speaking at the briefing, Jean Manahan, Head of National Development Third Age, said: ““The reality is that older people who experience a crisis or a condition which requires higher level of supports have in reality only one option available to them which is long-term hospitalisation followed by institutional care. We can say categorically that all the financial incentives of our health care system favour institutional care over home care in spite of the fact that it is the avowed policy of successive governments to keep as many people as possible at home as they age.

There must be a better way.”

Third Way Project Manager, Mervyn Taylor, described what ‘A Third Way’ hopes to do: “There is a need to develop new supports and services based on identification of need. We will contribute to social and economic development by identifying opportunities for innovation and job creation, and attract additional resources through engagement with citizens, community and corporate groups. We aim to promote positive attitudes and approaches to ageing and inter-generational solidarity without denial of the inherent challenges” he said.

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British Government faces winter fuel payments for Irish pensioners

F

ine Gael TD urges OAPs now residing in Ireland, but who worked in the UK for most of their lives, to claim winter allowance.

The Treasury may have to pay out winter fuel allowances to more than 130,000 Irish pensioners even though they now live in the Republic.

Frank Feighan of the Fine Gael party is urging Irish OAPs who spent a lifetime of work in the UK to take up Britain's winter fuel payment allowance, worth up to €350 (£304) a year. This follows a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice, which ruled that the scheme must be extended to people who worked all their lives in the UK but did not avail themselves of the allowance when living there. The Fine Gael MP for Roscommon/South Leitrim said last week: "There are 131,000 Irish pensioners who are eligible for the UK's winter fuel payment and many of them are not aware of this. The tax-free annual payment ranges between £100 and £300 sterling and I would urge pensioners who spent their lives working in the UK to investigate whether they are eligible for this payment.

"Up to last year, these monies were only paid to Irish people who essentially transferred their winter fuel payments from the UK to Ireland.

"However, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice in 2012, the qualifying criteria can now be extended to returned Irish people who worked all their lives in the UK but did not avail of the allowance when living there.

"Since 2002, the UK's Department for Work and Pensions has paid out more than €9.5m [£8.2m] under this scheme to Irish people who returned to these shores after living and working all their lives in the UK. As a result of the European court of justice ruling, many more people can avail of this.

"To be eligible for this fuel payment, the only requirement is that a claimant was born on or before 5 July 1951 and have a 'genuine and sufficient link' with the UK. Having a British pension is not a strict qualifying factor but of course, it will be of enormous help when applying. Undoubtedly, many Irish people can easily prove they have lived or worked in the UK for most of their working lives."

Carers Huge Contribution to Society Lauded at Westport Conference CARERS were the very best of frontline workers and if the state had to fully fund caring the cost would amount to €billions.This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin when she addressed the Annual Conference & Respite Weekend of Caring for Carers in Westport on Saturday, March 2nd.

“The statistics for the total value of caring in Ireland was five years ago estimated to be €2.5 billion and this figure today should be considerably greater”, the Independent MEP said. Ireland’s carers constituted a band of dedicated people whose efforts on the frontline deserved considerably greater support from Government, she said.

“Instead of cutting respite and mobility funding, the Government needs to acknowledge that society could not function without carers and acknowledge this by supporting instead of reducing supports”, Marian Harkin said. She stressed that society would not function without carers as caring was fundamental to how the country’s model of society operated. “In this regard the mobility allowance is vital to lightening the load on carers because it lightens the load on those being cared for”, she said.

Referring to the need to ensure that the requirements of carers would be reflected in EU legislation, Marian Harkin said that positive developments were happening in the European Parliament deriving from the ‘Carers Interest Group’ which she had co-founded with the objective of advancing carers interests across the EU. “A major success in this respect has been the acknowledgement in the European Parliament that the role and importance of carers will be recognised in social legislation and this is reflected in the inclusion of the word ‘carers’ in relevant documentation – a situation which had not previously existed”, Marian Harkin MEP said.

Mature Living speaks with Henry Wills

Award Winning Photographer

Henry Wills A

ward-winning photographer Henry Wills has captured Popes, Presidents, politicians and some of the most iconic moments in recent Mayo history.

The Ballina native has been a familiar face on the west of Ireland media landscape for more than 40 years, as a photographer for the Western People and now as a freelancer. He is the first and only provincial photographer ever to win the National Photographer of the Year Award.

However, it could have been very different for Henry had a reporter not been reluctant to hang up his pen and pad.

“I was 19 when I started with the Western People. I was all set to be a reporter. But the man I was set to takeover from, John Anderson, kept prolonging his retirement.

Because there was no vacancy there, Jim McGuire, my editor at the time, asked me to go up to the photography department. I hadn’t a clue about photography and I was there for about three months pretending that I did! But it did become clear that I had an eye for a picture and I realised then that as a reporter you were going to be confined to one area but as a photographer you were going to cover all aspects,” said Henry.

Henry has covered most major events in Mayo life, from sporting successes and failures – “Mayo haven’t won Sam since I was born and I’m convinced they’ll win it the day after I die,” – to some of the

In 1992, Henry Wills became the first photographer from the provincial sector to win both "Provincial and National Press Photographer of the Year" in the prestigous Slattery Press Photographers Exhibition - the precursor to the current AIB/ Press Photographers' Association of Ireland's Photojournalism Awards. Former EU Commissioneer Peter Sutherland was on hand to present Henry with his national award pictured with Donal Slattery, MD, competition sponsor.

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county’s most memorable occasions, including the Papal visit, the development of Knock Airport, Mary Robinson’s inauguration and Enda Kenny’s election as Taoiseach.

Over the years he has snapped the iconic, the tragic and the sidesplitting. It was eagle-eyed Henry who spotted the then aspiring Taoiseach, the late Dr Garrett Fitzgerald, wearing two odd shoes while on the campaign trail in Enniscrone, Co Sligo, in 1982.

“He was making a speech and was just coming to the very end. I looked down and saw that one of his two shoes had been re-soled and had sort of contorted.

As he was speaking I was thinking ‘whoever did that shoe should be shot!’,” recalled Henry. “And then I

looked at the other shoe and nearly dropped dead when I realised that he was wearing two entirely different shoes!”

The picture first appeared in the Western People and Fianna Fail Minister Ray MacSharry produced a copy in the Dail during a heated debate. “He flung it across the Dail Chamber, causing absolute consternation,” said Henry. The stunning shot made the pages of every paper in the country, as well as Newsweek and TIME Magazine.

Today, politicians are stage-managed and PR prompted, but in previous years photographers as affable and persuasive as Henry could coax some of the nation’s leading figures into showing their true selves to the camera.

Since Enda Kenny's first by-election win, Henry Wills has covered and recorded all the ups and downs of Mayo General Elections over four decades. Following his election as Fine Gael Leader, both of them still took time to chat as friends during a frantic election campign in the future Taoiseach's town of Castlebar.

Former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey's interest and committment to develope the historic Ceide Fields project occurred during a visit to the pre-historic site at Belderrig, hosted by Professor Seamus Caulfield. Henry Wills captured that historic gathering in 1990 that included Minister Padraig Flynn,, Martin Joe O'Toole, P.J. Morley, County Co.Chairman, Professor Martin Downes, Liam McHale, State Solicitor, and Dr.Seamus Caulfield. That meeting convinced the Taoiseach that the Ceide Fields were worth preserving and promoting as one of Ireland's most important iconic historical sites.

“I loved covering Charlie Haughey. He had no time for reporters but photographers he got on great with. A lot of politicians now are very savvy to what photographs can do, a lot of it is controlled now, it’s PR orientated and photographers don’t have much control over what’s put in front of the camera, whereas in those days there was a freedom. You could take them as they were not necessarily as they wanted to be seen, while at the same time respecting them of course,” commented Henry.

Haughey’s party colleague Padraig Flynn was another “photographer’s dream”. “I wouldn’t go as far to say as he would do anything but some of the best pictures I’ve got were of P Flynn,” said Henry. He remembers fondly the day the towering Castlebar man stole the limelight from his party leader at the sod-turning of the Ceide Fields in Ballycastle. “The Ceide Fields was really Charlie’s baby. But on the day of the opening Padraig decided he’d show Charlie how to cut turf. But in his enthusiasm he broke the slean and left it in bits. Haughey was irate that P stole his thunder,” joked Henry.

The late Monsignor James Horan, who established the airport at Knock, was another figure who knew how to work the media.

“He was a man who appreciated the value of a good image. He let photographers do their work. Monsignor Horan was able to bring the media on side to promote the message he wanted.

I remember when he was trying to develop Knock basilica, he rang me up to tell me he wanted a photograph taken as he was having lunch with people who he hoped would give financial support.

When I arrived I came into a room of local bank managers and Monsignor Horan. One bank manager had already committed and what happened then was like a comical form of blackmail. He told them ‘Now we have Henry Wills here from the Western and I know ye haven’t all committed but we’ll have your photograph taken with the presentation of the cheque,’ and that’s how he hooked them!” said Henry.

Henry has charted the career of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny from its infancy.

The youthful Enda Kenny is cheered by supporters after winning the by-election in November 1975, succeeding his late father Henry.

From the days “when we all had long hair and wore tank tops”, to his election as the country’s leader. He has

"Fleadh Ha-Ha"!!!! Among all the music and dancing on the streets of Ballina during the National Fleadh Cheoil - Henry Wills captured in this one image the fun and enjoyment the thousands of visitors experienced during their visit to Ballina.

photographed every President since Eamon De Valera, every Taoiseach since Jack Lynch and some of the biggest names in world politics and sport.

However, it is the chronicling of community life that still sparks Henry.

“I always marveled when you went into small villages and communities and you saw the amount of people who did so much for their local area. I always tried to ensure that they were put to the fore, not necessarily the politicians or public figures. That’s the job of working in a provincial newspaper – to highlight those people.”

Technology has changed the way photographers work. “Once you would have to use the train to fast-track your images, now one click of the button and it’s gone. When we used to use darkrooms there was a magic in seeing the image come to life and leap out at you.” However, for Henry the most important aspect of photography has remained constant.

“It’s people. Mayo means so much to me, with North Mayo holding a special place in my heart. It’s about just going out with a camera and photographing people, their surroundings and circumstances. It’s based on them and the trust they give you to allow you into their lives.”

Page 11 Mature Living March 2013

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ature Living have teamed up with the Sheraton Athlone Hotel to offer one lucky reader a midweek break for two, comprising of 2 Nights Bed and Breakfast and one Dinner.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic price, simply answer the question below.

Name: Address:

Q: Which River Runs through Athlone?

Telephone: Email Address: Answer

Send your entries into us at: Sheraton Athlone Competition, IBS Publishing, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo.

T&C Apply, Closing Date for entires: 10th April 2013

SHERATON ATHLONE COMPETITION

Please tick here if you do not wish to receive offers / be contacted by Sheraton Hotel Athlone in the future

Grattan St, Sligo • www.ejsligo.com • 071-9170824 OPEN 7 DAYS THURSDAY TILL 7PM, SUNDAY 2-6PM

Feature with Sonya Hamill of Blue Apple Dental

What are your choices when you’re facing the extraction of your remaining teeth?

Having the last of your teeth extracted can be a traumatic experience, and can result in feelings of insecurity and self-consciousness.

What are the advantages of a denture?

• It gives the impression of having teeth • It can aid eating certain foods • It’s easy to look after Considerations: • After tooth removal the bone that used to support the teeth shrinks away. This can be speeded up with the use of a denture which rests on them. And then the denture can become unstable and uncomfortable to wear.

• Food can collect underneath • It may affect speech and the ability to eat certain foods • It has less support and stability than a secured option.

What is a denture supported on dental implants?

Dental implants can be used to secure and provide additional stability for a full upper or lower denture. An implant is a small titanium screw which is placed into the jaw to replace a missing tooth root.

To secure a denture can require as little as 2 implants. These then clip or click onto attachments in the denture to give a highly aesthetic, long-term and functional result.

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any people will be unprepared for the adaption they will need to make to adjust to how this will feel, even if they are already used to wearing some form of tooth replacement, such as a denture. For most, the adaption to the loss of the lower teeth is the most challenging, as this usually proves to be the biggest hurdle if a conventional denture is put in place.

In the past a denture was considered the only solution to this problem. People tended to accept that this was part of the aging process, and so any discomfort or unhappiness was, through necessity, to be stoically tolerated.

But our lives have changed dramatically since then. Now our later years can be some of the best of our lives. In our later years we do more, travel more, enjoy more, participate in

more hobbies, have more social engagements, and have a greater sense of the value of how we look and feel, than ever before.

Now when you face the removal of your last natural teeth, a variety of treatment options are available to restore your teeth in terms of both appearance and function.

What are the advantages of securing a denture on implants?

• An improved appearance • Increased functionality • Stability and reliability • An improved quality of life Considerations: • It can initially appear to cost a bit more than an ordinary denture, but it typically

works out more economical over the long term.

• You will need to remove the denture for daily cleaning of it and the implants, to keep them healthy, as you would with normal teeth.

What are Fixed teeth on dental implants?

Dental implants can be used to secure a fixed, full mouth bridge, which is a nonremovable solution, providing a highly stable and natural result. Between 4-6 implants are required to give a stable, long-term structure onto which the fixed bridge is secured. Again, this is a highly aesthetic, long-term and functional result.

What are the advantages of having fixed teeth on implants?

• A better quality of life • A natural and aesthetic appearance • Functionality is restored • A long-term solution • Stability and reliability.

Considerations: • It can initially appear to cost more, but, again, implants may offer a more economical solution in the long term.

• Good dental hygiene will be necessary to keep your dental implants healthy.

When you are facing the loss of your remaining teeth, or you have gone through this process already and are unhappy with your dental situation, looking into your options will open some doors. It is no longer necessary to put up with dental discomfort or embarrassment. The technology is available to make you confident, comfortable and smiling again.

The options are: 1. A conventional denture 2.A denture secured on dental implants 3.Fixed teeth on dental implants What is a conventional denture?

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. It is most often made of acrylic, and sometimes metal, and can be made to closely resemble natural gums and teeth.

‘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.

OVER 55’S BOWLING Thurs Mornings at 11am & Weds Nights at 8pm

Over 55’s & retired people Bowling sessions at Mayo Leisure Point

M Instructors will be here to show you how to bowl Bowling Balls abnd Shoes Provided Suitable for people who have never bowled before or who have played occassionally Complimentry Tea & Coffee also Service Go on give it a Bowl - From €8 for Bowling & Tea/Coffee

ayo Leisure Point are offering special times and prices for people who are over 55 or retired people to come in bowling and give a try. It is also an ideal social venue for people who want to come and bowl but don’t know where to start.

Bowling is a great game for all ages and it is possible to practice bowling very well at advanced ages, with many bowlers playing in their 80’s. Apart from the physical benefits, it also has social benefits, strengthening friendships or creating new ones.

Staff will be on hand to show you how to bowl, what weight ball best suits you and how to throw it to avoid an injury.

Shoes and bowling balls are provided.

Over 55’s & Retired people’s Bowling Sessions take place on Thursday mornings at 11am at a cost of €8 per person, this includes 2 games of bowling with

tea/coffee served afterwards. It also takes place on a Wednesday night’s at 8pm at a cost of €10 per person, this includes 1 hour bowling with tea/coffee afterwards also.

However if Over 55’s club, I.C.A. Groups, Active Age or any other groups are interested in trying out bowling at different times of the week please call Cora on (094) 90 25473 to avail of these offer’s.

For people who have been active and would like to stay active please call into to our over 55’s bowling sessions on Thursday mornings at 11am or Wednesday nights at 8pm. There is no need to book and bring a friend.

For further information please call Mayo Leisure Point on (094) 90 25473, info@mayoleisurepoint.ie and follow us on facebook. Mayo Leisure Point, Moneen, Castlebar

St. Michael’s Family Life centre, Sligo

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t. Michael’s Family Life Centre opened on Church Hill in 1995 and has been serving the people of Sligo and the surrounding counties since then.

The Centre is staffed by a full time coordinator, two part time office staff, one full time and one part time counsellor.

We are supported by HSE West; FSA; Parishes of Sligo area; Diocese of Elphin; Co. Sligo VEC; FAS and friends of the centre. The office is open from 9.30-4pm but the Centre remains open for many courses, counselling and support services until 10.30 on week nights and is also extensively used at weekends.

St. Michael’s Counselling service is provided by fully accredited counsellors on a donation base and is available out of normal working hours to facilitate the community. It can be accessed by contacting the Centre by phone or email.

We run a twice yearly programme of Educational courses ranging from creative such as crochet, art, knitting and cookery to parenting and bereavement courses. Recently Bridge and Pilates courses have become very popular. Personal development and stress management courses are provided regularly plus days of spirituality and reflection. These courses are advertised in our brochure which is available in early January and again in early September. All our courses are offered at low cost to make them affordable to as many as possible. We also run a number of Saturday seminars on popular topics throughout the year and are delighted to welcome Donal Spring to the centre on Saturday 23rd of March

to facilitate what promises to be a very interesting seminar, Hope in a Time of Challenge.

The centre welcomes many support groups including AA; Al Anon; GA; NA and is open to groups who can be of help to people in the community in a positive way.

We have been running the Rainbow programme for children who have suffered the loss of a significant person in their lives through either death or divorce/separation for many years. This programme is run each year from January until Easter on Tuesday evenings from 6.30-7.30 and is facilitated by trained volunteer facilitators. This year’s programme welcomed over 40 children and comes to a close shortly with a ceremony for the children and their families.

Enrolments can be taken on an on-going basis for next year’s programme.

Our senior citizens meet here on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 3pm. This group focuses on having a chat, some games and tea and refreshments and provides a social outlet for the more senior members of the community. New members are always welcome It is not an active retirement group.

We aim to be a place of welcome and inclusiveness where the community can find help either though counselling, support groups or educational courses and seminars in a warm atmosphere. Please contact us on 0719170329 or stmichaelsfamilylifecentre@eircom.net or see our website stmichaelscentre.wordpress.com.

ST. MICHAEL’S FAMILY LIFE CENTRE Church Hill, Sligo • Tel: 07191­70329 stmichaelsfamilylifecentre@eircom.net

Hope in a Time of Challenge on Saturday 23rd March 10.30­4.30p with Donal Spring will look at how best to cope with the challenging "mes we live in and how we can remain hopeful in the midst of depression by accessing our inner resources, spiritual, emo"onal and mental.

Cost: €60 which includes a light lunch.

Crea"ve Wri"ng Worshop with Maura Gilligan on Saturday 27th April has places for beginners and seasoned writers where you will have the "me and space to explore your crea"ve talents in a suppor"ve and posi"ve atmosphere. Remember if you write, you are a writer!

Cost: €50 which includes a light lunch.

Crea"ng Happiness course star"ng on Thursday 11th April at 7.30pm. The facilitator is Pernille Burns and she will use personal development techniques to help par"cipants discover how we can achieve a las"ng happiness that is not dependent on external circumstances.

Cost: €60 for 6 sessions Alexander Technique begins Thursday 11th April from 7.30­9.30pm for 7 weeks and costs €70.

This prac"cal introductory course will show how the technique can help relieve the excess tension that causes back pain, postural problems and many other musculo­skeletol disorders Contact us for further details and to enrol for any of the above.

Feature

Avalon Knitters become Active during AGE ACTION IRELAND WEEK

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mong the many activities in the Avalon Seniors Centre Chapel St. Sligo, knitting has taken off in a big way. Wool was donated by people in the local community and to date three patchwork like bed spreads have taken shape.

Because the members consider themselves very lucky at having a facility such as they have they wanted to remember those less fortunate than themselves.

Page 16 Mature Living March 2013

They thought long and hard and came up with the idea of raffling their prize bed spreads and giving the proceeds to some deserving charity. The staff and fellow members dug deep into their pockets and the raffle realised €200.

They now had to decide on a charity to which they would donate it. Looking back over their lives many were healed by the medical expertise of Mr Fintan Shannon, Orthopaedic Surgeon in Sligo General hospital. Though now retired he volunteers his services in Addis Abba, Ethiopia where the people are extremely poor. Who better than he could put the money collected to good use? Without further ado he was contacted and he arranged to visit the centre, to tell the members about the work he is doing and to be presented with the €200. Would

that it was larger. Having shared his experiences of the realities of life in Ethiopia there was no doubt about the decision to donate the proceeds to him and his work, as being the right one.

Having listen his account of the conditions in a hospital in Addis Abba we will complain less about our health services here while not condoning all that’s going on!

While the knitters exercise their fingers other members exercise their toes and voices as they sing and dance to the music of our resident musician, a club member, Jim Mulligan and volunteer musicians Brian and Walter. Strains of Molly Malone, My Bonnie lies over the Ocean, and the Whistling Gypsy Rover entertain passers-by on Chapel Hill. So much is Jim’s music appreciated that the

knitters decided to knit him a” throw” as he was not lucky in the raffle!!

Very soon we will be getting tuned up for the St Patricks and Easter festivities.

Halloween Christmas, Easter, St Patrick’s Day and birthdays are all celebrated in the Avalon centre. And during November we remember our members who have died during the year as we sing Liam Lawton’s hymn ” For all whom we remember there will ever be a place”. Bowls, Bingo and creative dance facilitated by Brenda O’Callaghan are other activities enjoyed by the members.

All agree that the Avalon Day Centre, with its dedicated staff and volunteers, is much appreciated by its users and their families. Find out for yourselves and come to visit us Tuesday to Friday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm.

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he Boyne Valley Hotel In Drogheda is a beautiful 19th century country house hotel set at the end of a tree lined avenue, featuring 16 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland. Located just 20 minutes from Dublin Airport, this 3 star Meath Hotel has so much to offer you.

For business or pleasure, a quiet break away, a meeting, a wedding or a family celebration the Boyne Valley Hotel is everything you are looking for.

A traditional warm Irish welcome from our dedicated staff. Our award-winning leisure club with swimming pool, gym and tennis courts await you.

A selection of meeting rooms to suit every purpose from small interviews to 300 delegate conferences. The hotel is a hub of local activity for events and family celebrations.

We invite you to enjoy our hospitalit! and ex"lore all the heritage, scener!, activit!, shopping and lux#r! that this region has to offer

Young at hear% Packages: 2 nights B&B including 2 dinners from only €109pps 3 nights B&B including 3 dinners from only €159pps No single supplement The above offers include:

Luxurious Accommodation with full Irish Breakfast each morning, Dinner on each evening in the Terrace Bar or Seasons Restaurant.

Welcome drink on arrival, Free Parking Complimentary access to the Leisure Centre including: Pool, Sauna, Steamroom & Jacuzzi.

The offers are valid from Sunday to Thursday or weekends at an additional cost.

Please Quote ‘Mature Living Magazine’ to avail of the Young at Heart Packages

Dublin Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth • Tel: 041 983 7737 reservations@boyne-valley-hotel.ie • www.boyne-valley-hotel.ie

Feature by Joseph Browne of Galway Hearing Care

Hearing Problems are not just About You family life comes by way of modern, hearing aid technology. In just a few short years, hearing aids have shrunk in size and amped up both volume and features that make hearing aid use a whole new living experience.

Today's digital hearing aids offer a host of features including: • Wearing comfort • A variety of types of hearing aids to suit your personal preferences • Improved sound quality (full spectrum, natural sound through the use of open ear hearing aid technology that allows natural hearing with a little boost on an "as needed" basis • Automated technology to control sound levels in various listening environments without a thought • Automated feedback suppression so you can go throughout your day without the worry of whistling

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f you are the one who is experiencing a gradual or sudden loss of hearing, you naturally think that it's your problem. After all, it's happening to you!

But the fact is......hearing loss in any family affects the entire family, not just you. Indeed, you might feel isolated. You may engage with others less because of the difficulties just to be understood.

You might feel sorry for yourself. You're the one with the problem, right?. You have a hearing loss – a hearing problem – but that hearing loss has an impact on everything from routine communications between family members and friends.

On the other hand, if you're a family member who has to cope with the hearing loss of a loved one, you have your own set of problems – frustration, the feeling of being ignored, separation from a loving, supportive spouse, and the inability to be a part of daily family life.

Whether you recognise hearing loss in yourself or others take steps to take this totally unnecessary stress factor out of everyday life Coping With Hearing Loss It starts here, with an increased awareness of the impact of hearing loss has on family life discover how to increase your awareness of hearing loss and lower the stress levels at home.

Be patient, even when patience is wearing thin. No one is at fault, here.

Use adaptive behaviours. Stand directly in front of the individual with hearing loss to provide visual clues of what you're saying with mouth movements.

Ensure you have their attention and they are aware you are speaking to them. It's the little things that deliver positive results.

Sit close to each other in crowded, noisy spaces like restaurants or parties,

and again, position yourself so eyemouth contact is easy and un-noticed by others in the group.

Don't call out from another room to an individual with hearing loss. Sound bounces from wall to wall and by the time it reaches the person with hearing loss it's a garbled, muffled noise.

What about those free or low-cost, poorly-made personal sound amplifiers advertised on TV / papers? These unregulated assisted-listening devices can cause more damage to an already weakened hearing system. Your hearing needs to be assessed by an audiologist. If you had a problem with your teeth would you prefer to visit a dentist or a ‘toothiologist’?.

Hearing loss is a physical impairment, like a broken arm. You wouldn't get annoyed at a family member with a broken arm, but because hearing loss is invisible it's easy to forget the impact that physical loss of hearing causes.

Your spouse isn't ignoring you. They may not hear you. However, these kinds of signals are often mis-construed, leading you or others in the household living with mis-communications, frustration, isolation, hurt feelings and other emotions that need some kind of outlet.

Recognise the impact hearing loss is having on other members of the family, how communications have changed – lessened. How stress has slowly crept in to become part of the daily routine.

There are numerous coping strategies you can use to help you understand your feelings and the feelings of others, whether you're the family member with hearing loss or one of the family members who must cope with hearing loss in a loved one.

Technology The simplest, most effective solution to the negative impact hearing loss has on

It starts with a visit to a qualified hearing aid professional – an audiologist or hearing aid practitioner well versed in hearing loss and hearing loss solutions.

Professionals perform an evaluation of the type and extent of hearing loss AND offers advice on whether hearing aids or

surgery is a possibility.

Through the use of today's hearing technology, you can expect improved communications on the home front – less shouting and more communication between all family members.

Hearing aids, not only improve hearing, they improve relationships – the important relationships in your life regardless of your age. Recognise that hearing loss impacts everyone – not just the person experiencing loss of hearing.

Family, friends, co-workers; everyone benefits when hearing loss is properly and effectively treated.

If you are in doubt or are concerned about your hearing or the hearing of a loved one then do not hesitate to make an appointment with Galway Hearing Care (091) 567 888 or e-mail info@galwayhearingcare.ie. Website: www.galwayhearingcare.ie. All our staff are qualified Audiologists with degrees and are currently studying part time for Masters degrees. We are not part of any franchise and are a locally owned and family run business.

HEAR THE DIFFERENCE

Address: Galway Hearing Care, 5 Commerce House, Flood Street, Galway Email: info@galwayhearingcare.ie

Page 20 Mature Living February 2013

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at!re Living have teamed up with The Fantastic Harlequinn Hotel in Castlebar, to offer one lucky reader an over#ight stay for t$o people, breakfast and dinner in the Harlequin Restaurant. The Harlequin Hotel, Castlebar's only 4 Star hotel is located in the Town cent%e ofCastlebar and the hear& of Mayo.

The Harlequin is located just away 'om the hustle and bustle of the town cent%e, yet close enough to enjoy browsing around the many local Boutiques and brand shops. There are an ar%ay of pubs, restaurants and cafes just a shor& st%oll away. Sur%ounded by all this st(le and lux!r(, it's no wonder g!ests seem a li)le reluctant to leave, and that is why the Harlequin Hotel was the 2012 /2013 Winner on Trip Advisor as one of the top Trendiest and Most Lux!rious Hotels in Ireland.

To be in with a chance of winning this brilliant prize, simply answer the ques!on below and send your entries into us on a postcard to: Harlequin Hotel Compe!!on, IBS Publishing, Office 3, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo.

Alterna!vley you can email your entries into us at info@maturelivng.ie Q: What is the name of one of Castlebar’s Finest Restaurants?

Terms & Condi!ons Apply, Closing Date 10th April 2013

To have a g%eat restaurant is an essential of any g%eat hotel, and The Harlequin Hotel in Castlebar is no exception... One of Castlebar’s finest restaurants The Harlequin Restaurant is open daily ser*ing contemporar( Irish and Inter#ational cuisine. So, check out our website for our g%eat value breaks ranging 'om Midweek & Weekend offers, Activit( Breaks, Girly Getaway Breaks as well as Theat%e Breaks where you can enjoy the facilities of the Harlequin Hotel and take in a show at the adjacent Royal Theat%e which hosts the best in National and Inter#ational acts on a reg!lar basis.

For details of our offers and rates call 094­9286200 or email info@harlequin.ie • www.harlequin.ie

Lose 1 Stone in 6 Weeks the Healthy Way with Steps4Success A Dietician Led Weight Management Programme

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olloys Lifestyle Pharmacies and Health Stores are delighted with the results of their recently launched weight management programme, Steps4Success. The eight week programme is a Dietician led initiative which aims to firstly help participants lose weight and secondly the programme will provide them with the tools they need to continue to manage their weight for the rest of their lives.

Losing weight in a healthy way and then maintaining that weight loss is not easy or straightforward, however Steps4Sucess helps address your barriers to weight loss under the guidance of registered Dietician Caroline Brosnihan. The weight loss programme commenced in January and clients have already had excellent results.

Steps4Success has no gimmicks, but is all about eating normal food, weight loss and sustainable results.

Commenting on the programme, Caroline Brosnihan, Registered Dietician, Molloys Lifestyle Pharmacies and Health Stores said: “The success of the programme has out done my expectations.

With clients’ hard work and motivation the results speak for themselves; clients are losing more than 2lbs per week. The weekly meetings allow clients to ask questions and it gives the client an opportunity to discuss any concerns in

private. Clients also can access extra recipes and motivational tips via the facebook page facebook.com/Steps4Success00. The programme is much more than seeing weight loss on the scales, it allows clients to build their confidence, increase energy and improve sleep and mood. I offer the guidance, advice and motivation to lose weight, but clients still have to put in the hard work to get the results. Overall the programme offers an opportunity to improve health.” Whether you are male or female, a bride-to-be wanting to fit into that perfect dress or whether you have a wedding coming up this summer, or want to lower cholesterol or blood pressure or you just want to improve your health, Steps4Success can help you reach your desired weight and goals.

Take the first step today! The Steps4Success Weight Management Programme is available from all Molloys Lifestyle Pharmacies and Health Stores.

Garden St, Ballina Tuesday 096-21375 Bunree Rd, Ballina Weds 096-60340 Ballaghaderreen Thursday 094-9877520 Roscommon Friday 090-6637602 Price Anyone who is interested can call Molloys Lifestyle Pharmacies to book an appointment with Caroline. The Initial 40 minute consultation is €50 which includes your starter pack. Each follow up one to one consultation is €10 which includes your weekly weigh in, progress review and advice from Caroline

Find out what you really need to give up this Lent Special Lent Offer on Food Intolerance Test

Was €120 Now €99 includes FREE Die!cian Consulta!on Offer ends Saturday 30th March 2013

For more informa$on call into your nearest Molloys Lifestyle Pharmacies and Health Stores or call: Ballina: Bunree Rd 096 60340 • Garden St 096 21375 Roscommon: Ballaghaderreen 094 987 7520 • Harrison Centre Roscommon Town 090 663 7604

Join us online www.molloyspharmacy.com

Listen out for James Geraghty, Molloys Lifestyle Pharmacies and Health Stores on Midwest Radio on the last Wednesday of every month as he Joins Paul Claffey to answer all your health ques"ons

Co Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point

Home to the annual West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship

It has been described by Peter Alliss as “…a tremendous test for the highest quality player and great fun for the modest competitor”.

The course boats 18 championship links, 9 hold bonmore links, a flood lit driving range, state of the art practice facilities and they offer membership packages to suit all levels of golfer.

Seniors Special @ Co Sligo Golf Club, Rosses Point

GREEN FEES: Apr-Oct 2013: €95 Seven Days Societies from: €60

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ituated at Rosses Point, 8 kms from Sligo on the North West coast of Ireland, Co. Sligo Golf Club is one of Ireland’s great Championship links.

Under the shadow of Benbulben, the spectacular scenery of mountain, ocean and countryside that surrounds this classic links has been immortalised by the poetry of W.B Yeats.

Established in 1894, the present course was designed by Harry Colt in the 1920s and is widely recognised as one of his finest courses.

MEMBERSHIP Full Membership from €992.00 per year Husband & Wife from €1710.00 per year Junior Full Age 25 from €617.00 per year Junior Full Age 31 from €842.00 per year Junior Full Age 33 from €917.00 per year Bomore Membership from €442.00 per year, Juvenile Membership from €193.00 per year We have different payment options in place to suit all. Contact the office on 0719177186 for details.

Email: teresa@countysligogolfclub.ie Website: www.countysligogolfclub.ie

Midweek Golf During April & May 2013 Connacht Club Golfers Special

18 Holes of Golf & Lunch €50.00 pp 18 Holes of Golf & Buggy €45.00 pp 18 Holes of Golf €35.00 pp

Tel: 071­9177186 • Fax: 071­9177460 Email: teresa@countysligogolfclub.ie Page 20 Mature Living March 2013

• 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

Clever! Mill AWARD WINNING RESTAURANT

& GUESTHOUSE

Fashion tips from EJ Menswear Sligo

Suit Yourself Just three and a half metres of fabric, some internal shaping elements, lining, buttons,and several metres of thread are all it takes to produce the jacket and trouser duet that can be seen from boardrooms to bars and wherever men meet to pontificate about the meaning of life........or the premiership!

Clevery Mill Sligo offers a truly unique dining experience. Originally a working mill, it has now been converted to an award winning family run restaurant and guesthouse.

Situated in the small Sligo village of Castlebaldwin we a"ract visitors from all over the world who come to savour our fine cuisine, superb wines and four star accommoda#on.

This is all set within our beau#ful gardens, which boast a small river and mill wheel.

When you visit Clevery Mill enjoy the genuine warm welcome, guests can relax and bask in the glow of our log fire, whilst soaking up the olde worlde atmosphere. Restored to its former glory using original flagstones, oak and stone, Clevery Mill conveys a feeling of relaxed charm and unhurried conviviality. This coupled with our dedicated staff will make sure that your experience at Clevery Mill will never be forgo"en.

Whether you require a roman#c table for two, or a larger party we can cater for all occasions. hese include Birthdays, Weddings, Christenings, Confirma#ons, Communions and Funerals.

Advance booking is advised ­ We look forward to seeing you soon

Castlebaldin, Co. Sligo • Tel: 071-9127424 clever!"ill@eircom.net • www.clever!"ill.com

Open Friday and Sat#rday 6.30 - 9.30pm & Sunday 12.30 - 3.30pm Open any day for large bookings Clevery Mill Working in partnership with there head chef Lee Mas!n, is now available to come to you!

Clevery Catering will take care of everything you need to make your day hassle free, From drop off to full catering service. Lee has previously worked in Michelin level restaurants, and also has extensive experience in the catering industry. Quality at an affordable price is our focus. Clevery Catering Covers every aspect including private dinner par#es, christenings, communions, confirma#ons, weddings, funeral's, corporate events, product launch etc. 7 days a week Anywhere in the northwest, from sandwiches to 5 course meals at a compe##ve price, Check out www.cleverymill.com

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

for just €35 per year!

Due to the massive uptake on the last issue of Mature Living Magazine, not everyone could be guaranteed a free copy in their local outlet.

However, we now offer a subscription service.

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

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by Rodney Munn of EJ Menswear Sligo

T

HE SUIT has a fascinating history from the late seventeenth century to the present day, but time and space will restrict our investigation somewhat.

There is no question that the suit has become a universal staple of a man’s wardrobe and can take on a different meaning in different sets of circumstances, it can in a way define who we are. When we think of movie stars,rock stars, heroes and villains, do gooders, presidents and gangsters, doctors, lawyers and so on, all these men and many more have dressed to impress in matching jackets and trousers and have found a suit that suits them in their respective careers.

Down through the years it has been interesting to see how television programs, muscicians and movies have had a profound impact on the type and style of suit that became popular in thier times.

For example the slim black suits with narrow lapels and narrow legs that the beatles wore,the country aristocrtic gentlemans style of the 1980s program "brideshead revisited" to the more recent "mad men"series which once again revived menswear from the early sixties. I am sure we can all think of distinct gentlemen that have portrayed a certain style that we all have aspired to, maybe like James Bond, Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant,a nd from the fashion world people like Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Georgio Armani, Paul Smith, Tommy Hilfiger and more recently Bruno Mars, Westlife and One Direction, all have been seen in two and three-piece suits.

Probably like most men of my age you may be able to remember your first suit,having three older brothers I did have one or two handed down, but I do remember my first when I was about fourteen. I had the choice of two, one was a three piece grey suit which was my favourite but it was a bit small and no

matter how much i distorted myself to look right it didnt fit, so I ended up with a green wool two-piece suit which I hated, such are the memories of life.

So at some point this year you may have a special event coming up,it could be a wedding,christening,communion,confirmat ion,graduation,debs ball,an award ceremony, whatever it is you may need a new suit...

Here at EJ menswear we cater for all ages which now includes from six year olds to 100 year olds.But as we are writing in relation to the more mature man we have a extensive range of suits in various colours and styles.

At present we have a range from "COMO" that includes navy, light grey, charcoal grey and a new french navy in two and three-piece. Their suits are cut for the fuller fit and the trousers are a litttle wider at the hem. Just a tip to remember whenever you button your suit if you have a two-piece its just the top button,a three buttoned suit just the middle button, and on a three-piece suit dont button it at all show off your waistcoat..

We have years of experience in selling and buying suits, sourcing good quality for good value, we find that a blend of fabrics wear better especially a wool/polyester mix is best wool for a bit of depth,and polyester for strength. We understand the importance of fit and which colours are best for your complexion and general look.

At this point we would like to mention we have a top class tailor that does all our alterations to both the trousers and the jackets.

So for a suit that fits well,and makes you look smart and confident come in and try out our latest ranges from REMUS,BAUMLER, COMO,LAMBRETTA. The famous saying is that clothes maketh the man but in particular its the suit that has made the man.

Memories

T

The Bands of our Showband Era

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

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

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

The Big Eight (1971-83)

Left to right: Michael Keane (keyboards), Jimmy Conway (guitar), Tom Dunphy (RIP-bass), Paddy Cole (sax), Twink (vocals), Dave Coady (trumpet), Brendan Bowyer (vocals), and Mickey O'Neill (drums).

T

he dominance of the Royal Showband from Waterford on the era is well documented but in 1971 the Irish entertainment scene was rocked when Brendan Bowyer and Tom Dunphy announced they were packing up their instruments and forming a new band. The new band would now split its time evenly between the ballroom scene in Ireland and the showrooms of Las Vegas.

In putting together the new outfit, they had musicians hired before even deciding on a name. In the August 19, 1971 issue of Spotlight, potential names for the band included Casino Royal, The Ambassadors and Page 24 Mature Living March 2013

the Big 8.

In leaving the Royal behind, Bowyer and Dunphy put together a high profile lineup, full of big names from the showband scene including Paddy Cole on sax (from The Capitol), Twink on vocals (from Maxi, Dick and Twink), Jimmy Conway on guitar (from The Bye-Laws), Michael Keane on keyboards (from the Johnny McEvoy Band), Dave Coady on trumpet (from The Real McCoy), Brendan on vocals, Tom on bass, and Mickey O'Neill (from The Capitol) on drums.

Twink and Jimmy had been playing together with Aidan Scannell, Paul Holohan and Pat Morris as Twink and the Bye-laws

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

after touring Canada as Toybox (the Bye-laws being one of the top Dublin beat groups of the late 60's.) The new band truly were The Big Eight and were, of course, a sensation from day one but their future would not be smooth sailing.

As an interesting aside, it was reported in the August 26, 1971 issue of Spotlight that Jimmy Hogan (formerly guitarist with the Capitol) who was with Pat Roper & the Spotlights, was to join the Big 8. The report said that Jimmy had posed for photographs for the new band, but backed out at the last minute and remained with the Spotlights.

The Royal Showband had played The Desert Inn in Las Vegas in 1966 and came back to Vegas in 1967, moving to the Stardust Hotel on the famous Las Vegas Strip. As popular as the band became in Vegas, they were forced to change their programme from the charts hits of the day (which they played in the ballrooms) to the fare of The Irish Showband, the name by which they would become better known in later days in Vegas.

In July, 1971, the Royal played its last gig at the Stardust and the band came home and shocked the world by announcing that they were splitting up.

When The Big Eight formed, T.J. Byrne (who had left the Royal in 1967) came back to manage the new band. The band came together and played their first gig in Manchester on Friday, September 10th, 1971.

Their first gig in Ireland would be September 24th in Navan. They played through the Fall and Christmas Holidays in Ireland before heading off to Las Vegas and debuting in the Stardust in January, 1972. They had a newer, fresher sound than the aging Royal, and the addition of a female vocalist was designed to help the band reach a wider audience. They also featured four dancers, a nod to the "norm" in Vegas...all the big stars had dancers.

Back in Ireland, the Big Eight were a huge success. Dividing their time between Vegas and home made them a scarce commodity and even more popular. The band continued to release records at home, helping to keep the fans looking for more of the band...it was a great promotional success for Byrne, Bowyer

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 - 1975 and Dunphy. However, less than three years after launching the band (July, 1974) a report in Spotlight said Twink had finally tired of the dual lifestyles necessitated by spending six months of the year away from family and friends in Vegas. It was reported she played her last gig with the band in the Stardust, Las Vegas in early July, 1974. An advert in the August 1, 1974 issue of Spotlight confirmed the story as the band were advertising for a "female vocalist with "experience in harmony essential." At the same time, however, Kelley, who had just had a hit single with The Nevada and whom Brendan and Tom knew well, was asked to fill the spot left vacant by Twink's departure and agreed without hesitation as she loved Vegas from a previous trip with Red Hurley.

However, more grief was to befall the band as before the summer was out: Paddy Cole, also tired of the traveling and the grind of the Vegas scene, left and formed the new Paddy Cole Band which he launched in September, 1974. Paddy, who had been the bandleader for The Big Eight, took most of the band with him as Jimmy Conway, Mickey O'Neill and Michael Keane joined Twink in the new outfit that would itself, undergo many changes in the years ahead. The band was completed by adding former Capitol man Mike Dalton on bass, Ray Moore (of the Plattermen) on trumpet and a young vocalist, Pat Morris (who had been Jimmy Conway and Twink in the Bye-laws) to the ranks.

Meanwhile, the Big Eight faced the daunting task of finding replacements for a set of high caliber musicians. The new Big Eight lineup was completed quickly and at the end of the year, they headed off to Vegas again.

The new lineup was Brendan Bowyer (vocals), Tom Dunphy (bass), Dave Coady (trumpet), Kelley (Nevada - vocals), Ray Doherty (guitar), Pat Chesters (Plattermen and Ray Moore's former band mate- sax), Noel Ryan (The Sands - keyboards), and Martin Branagan (drums). In January of 1975, the band left for Vegas, not knowing that six months later, everything would change.

The first six months in Las Vegas was back to "work as usual" for the band, three shows a night, six nights a week. The programme was

the same every night and Kelley was limited to singing only two numbers. She quickly became bored with the routine and had not been feeling well so she decided she would leave the band after they did their six month stint in the ballrooms in Ireland.

On Tuesday, July 29th, 1975, the band was booked to play at "The Mary From Dungloe Festival" in County Donegal. Most of the band were already in Donegal when 40-yearold Tom Dunphy was driving to the gig with keyboard player Noel Ryan as a passenger. On a curve at Drumsna, near Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim, Tom lost control of the car and was killed. Noel survived, but things would never be the same. Today, a stone monument marks the spot where one of the era's brightest stars had lost his life.

In an amazing twist of fate, the issue of Spotlight which was published on July 31st (two days after his tragic death) featured an in depth interview with Tom talking about his concerns over moving his family to the United States. The following week, they ran a full page story entitled "Tom a fully fledged Redskin from Waterford," and a few pages later, the sad notice about his death. He was at the top of his game when he died at only 40 years of age.

Tom's tragic death at such a young age devastated Brendan, the band, and the Irish music industry....but his passing would be overshadowed when just two days later, three members of the Miami showband were gunned down by terrorists while returning home from a gig in the North of Ireland.

August, 1975 was one of the darkest periods in the history of the showband era. In some ways, the events of those two days marked the end of an era of innocence that had been mirrored in the ballrooms and marquees across Ireland for nearly two decades.

The band canceled all gigs for a month while they mourned the loss of Tom. He had been one of the pillars on which the band's success was built and he would be impossible to replace. Somehow, Brendan and the band picked themselves up and carried on. Frankie Carroll, the country bass player who had previously fronted The Ranchers and spent time with the Brendan Shine Band had joined

The Country Folk after the departure of Margo just a year earlier in 1974. Joining the Big Eight was an opportunity that would change his life forever. Also coming back to the band from Paddy Cole were Jimmy Conway on guitar and Michael Keane on keyboards. Finally, Kelley also left the band and was replaced by Helen Jordan, a move announced in November, 1975, however, we think she did not join the band at that time, but would a couple of years later. Ray Doherty left the band to start up a new band, Las Vegas, which would feature Rob Strong.

When the band returned to Las Vegas in early 1976, they drafted Lola (real name Anne Mooney), formerly of the New Blues to replace Kelley, who stayed behind and formed Kelley and Klass. The band moved to the Aladdin Hotel where they stayed until 1980.

In June 1977, upon their return to Ireland, Lola left the band, but remained in Las Vegas where she still lives today. Within a couple of years, Mickey O'Neill had also returned to the band. As far as we know, Jimmy, Lola, Mickey, and Michael stayed in Las Vegas and were performing with Brendan from time to time, but sadly Mickey passed away June 15, 2010.

One of the final changes to the band was the addition of D.J. Curtin on vocals and sax who replaced Paddy Reynolds. Not only was D.J. a bona fide star in his own right, having fronted the Kerry Blues for many years, he was a double threat with both strong vocals and sax, and he also did a mean Tom Jones impersonation. In fact, between 2008 and 2010, D.J. was touring with an Elvis impersonator named Mark Lean.

In 1983, the band moved to Las Vegas year round, only returning to Ireland for occasional tours. Although Brendan and the band never duplicated the fanatical success of the Royal, they broke new ground by becoming the first Irish band to successfully thrive across two continents. Before permanently relocating to Vegas in the early 80's the band spent close to a decade dividing their time equally between Las Vegas (where they were known only as The Irish Showband), and the Irish ballroom circuit where they thrilled dancers as The Big Eight.

1. Red Hurley - Love Is All (Release) 2. Larry Cunningham & Country Blueboys - My Kathleen (3.

Brendan Grace - Combine Harvester (Solo) 4. Johnny McEvoy - Where My Eileen Is Waiting (Hawk) 5. John Glen & Mainliners - Sunny Side of the Mountain (Denver) 6. Swarbriggs - That's What Friends Are For (EMI) 7. Swarbriggs - Funny (EMI) 8. Fran O'Toole & Miami - Love Is (Emerald) 9. Spud - The Wind In the Willows [Bread and Fishes] (Philips) 10. Philomena Begley - Blanket On the Ground (Top Spin) 11. Brendan Grace - Delilah (Solo) 12. Margo - The Girls From Donegal (IRL) 13. Two's Company - You're My Best Friend (Release) 14. Gina, Dale Haze & Champions - Minnie Minnie (Release) 15. Magic & Swallows - Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen (Play) 16. Dermot O'Brien - The Boys of Killybegs (Release) 17. Chips - Love Matters (Ton) 18. Johnny McEvoy - The Rose of Allendale (Hawk) 19. Rory O'Connor & Dixies - Una Paloma Blanca (Play) 20. Ian Corrigan & Country Style - County Cavan (Release) 21. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - The Door Is Always Open (Release) 22. Brendan Shine - I'll Be Home (Play) 23. Glen Curtin - Love (Polydor) 24. Tony Kenny - Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song (Ram) 25. Dermot O'Brien - The Green Fields of Ferbane (Release) 26. Brian Coll - Mail Call (Release) 27. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - I've Loved You All Over the World (Release) 28. Magic & Swallows - Run Sampson Run (Play) 29. Brendan Shine - Dun Laoghaire (Play) 30. Dermot Hegarty - Only Her Rivers Run Free (Release) 31. Chips - Twice A Week (Rex) 32. Joe Dolan - The Most Wanted Man In the USA (Pye) 33. Swarbriggs - Shuffle Into My Heart (EMI) 34. Sonny Knowles - Not That I Care (rex) 35. Gene Stuart & Homesteaders - Where Is My Norah (Hawk) 36. Brendan Quinn - Wedding Bells (Hawk) 37. Barleycorn - Songs of Ireland (Dolphin) 38. Teddi Palmer & Rumble Band - Is Everybody Happy (Polydor) 39. Tony Kenny - I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song (Ram) 40. Paddy McGuigan - I Was Only Dreaming (Dolphin) 41. Wolfe Tones - Rock On Rockall (Dolphin) 42. Aileach - Lullaby (EMI) 43. Just 4 - Glad All Over (Play) 44. Teddi Palmer & Rumble Band - Summer Love (Polydor) 45. Geraldine - Toi [You] (EMI) 46. DJ Curtin - One More Time (Release) 47. Tony Hughes & Harvest - Rose Marie (Release) 48. Tina & Glen Curtin - All Through the Night (Polydor)

Page 25 Mature Living March 2013

Memories

T

The Bands of our Showband Era

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

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

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

The Big Eight (1971-83)

Left to right: Michael Keane (keyboards), Jimmy Conway (guitar), Tom Dunphy (RIP-bass), Paddy Cole (sax), Twink (vocals), Dave Coady (trumpet), Brendan Bowyer (vocals), and Mickey O'Neill (drums).

T

he dominance of the Royal Showband from Waterford on the era is well documented but in 1971 the Irish entertainment scene was rocked when Brendan Bowyer and Tom Dunphy announced they were packing up their instruments and forming a new band. The new band would now split its time evenly between the ballroom scene in Ireland and the showrooms of Las Vegas.

In putting together the new outfit, they had musicians hired before even deciding on a name. In the August 19, 1971 issue of Spotlight, potential names for the band included Casino Royal, The Ambassadors and Page 24 Mature Living March 2013

the Big 8.

In leaving the Royal behind, Bowyer and Dunphy put together a high profile lineup, full of big names from the showband scene including Paddy Cole on sax (from The Capitol), Twink on vocals (from Maxi, Dick and Twink), Jimmy Conway on guitar (from The Bye-Laws), Michael Keane on keyboards (from the Johnny McEvoy Band), Dave Coady on trumpet (from The Real McCoy), Brendan on vocals, Tom on bass, and Mickey O'Neill (from The Capitol) on drums.

Twink and Jimmy had been playing together with Aidan Scannell, Paul Holohan and Pat Morris as Twink and the Bye-laws

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

after touring Canada as Toybox (the Bye-laws being one of the top Dublin beat groups of the late 60's.) The new band truly were The Big Eight and were, of course, a sensation from day one but their future would not be smooth sailing.

As an interesting aside, it was reported in the August 26, 1971 issue of Spotlight that Jimmy Hogan (formerly guitarist with the Capitol) who was with Pat Roper & the Spotlights, was to join the Big 8. The report said that Jimmy had posed for photographs for the new band, but backed out at the last minute and remained with the Spotlights.

The Royal Showband had played The Desert Inn in Las Vegas in 1966 and came back to Vegas in 1967, moving to the Stardust Hotel on the famous Las Vegas Strip. As popular as the band became in Vegas, they were forced to change their programme from the charts hits of the day (which they played in the ballrooms) to the fare of The Irish Showband, the name by which they would become better known in later days in Vegas.

In July, 1971, the Royal played its last gig at the Stardust and the band came home and shocked the world by announcing that they were splitting up.

When The Big Eight formed, T.J. Byrne (who had left the Royal in 1967) came back to manage the new band. The band came together and played their first gig in Manchester on Friday, September 10th, 1971.

Their first gig in Ireland would be September 24th in Navan. They played through the Fall and Christmas Holidays in Ireland before heading off to Las Vegas and debuting in the Stardust in January, 1972. They had a newer, fresher sound than the aging Royal, and the addition of a female vocalist was designed to help the band reach a wider audience. They also featured four dancers, a nod to the "norm" in Vegas...all the big stars had dancers.

Back in Ireland, the Big Eight were a huge success. Dividing their time between Vegas and home made them a scarce commodity and even more popular. The band continued to release records at home, helping to keep the fans looking for more of the band...it was a great promotional success for Byrne, Bowyer

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 - 1975 and Dunphy. However, less than three years after launching the band (July, 1974) a report in Spotlight said Twink had finally tired of the dual lifestyles necessitated by spending six months of the year away from family and friends in Vegas. It was reported she played her last gig with the band in the Stardust, Las Vegas in early July, 1974. An advert in the August 1, 1974 issue of Spotlight confirmed the story as the band were advertising for a "female vocalist with "experience in harmony essential." At the same time, however, Kelley, who had just had a hit single with The Nevada and whom Brendan and Tom knew well, was asked to fill the spot left vacant by Twink's departure and agreed without hesitation as she loved Vegas from a previous trip with Red Hurley.

However, more grief was to befall the band as before the summer was out: Paddy Cole, also tired of the traveling and the grind of the Vegas scene, left and formed the new Paddy Cole Band which he launched in September, 1974. Paddy, who had been the bandleader for The Big Eight, took most of the band with him as Jimmy Conway, Mickey O'Neill and Michael Keane joined Twink in the new outfit that would itself, undergo many changes in the years ahead. The band was completed by adding former Capitol man Mike Dalton on bass, Ray Moore (of the Plattermen) on trumpet and a young vocalist, Pat Morris (who had been Jimmy Conway and Twink in the Bye-laws) to the ranks.

Meanwhile, the Big Eight faced the daunting task of finding replacements for a set of high caliber musicians. The new Big Eight lineup was completed quickly and at the end of the year, they headed off to Vegas again.

The new lineup was Brendan Bowyer (vocals), Tom Dunphy (bass), Dave Coady (trumpet), Kelley (Nevada - vocals), Ray Doherty (guitar), Pat Chesters (Plattermen and Ray Moore's former band mate- sax), Noel Ryan (The Sands - keyboards), and Martin Branagan (drums). In January of 1975, the band left for Vegas, not knowing that six months later, everything would change.

The first six months in Las Vegas was back to "work as usual" for the band, three shows a night, six nights a week. The programme was

the same every night and Kelley was limited to singing only two numbers. She quickly became bored with the routine and had not been feeling well so she decided she would leave the band after they did their six month stint in the ballrooms in Ireland.

On Tuesday, July 29th, 1975, the band was booked to play at "The Mary From Dungloe Festival" in County Donegal. Most of the band were already in Donegal when 40-yearold Tom Dunphy was driving to the gig with keyboard player Noel Ryan as a passenger. On a curve at Drumsna, near Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim, Tom lost control of the car and was killed. Noel survived, but things would never be the same. Today, a stone monument marks the spot where one of the era's brightest stars had lost his life.

In an amazing twist of fate, the issue of Spotlight which was published on July 31st (two days after his tragic death) featured an in depth interview with Tom talking about his concerns over moving his family to the United States. The following week, they ran a full page story entitled "Tom a fully fledged Redskin from Waterford," and a few pages later, the sad notice about his death. He was at the top of his game when he died at only 40 years of age.

Tom's tragic death at such a young age devastated Brendan, the band, and the Irish music industry....but his passing would be overshadowed when just two days later, three members of the Miami showband were gunned down by terrorists while returning home from a gig in the North of Ireland.

August, 1975 was one of the darkest periods in the history of the showband era. In some ways, the events of those two days marked the end of an era of innocence that had been mirrored in the ballrooms and marquees across Ireland for nearly two decades.

The band canceled all gigs for a month while they mourned the loss of Tom. He had been one of the pillars on which the band's success was built and he would be impossible to replace. Somehow, Brendan and the band picked themselves up and carried on. Frankie Carroll, the country bass player who had previously fronted The Ranchers and spent time with the Brendan Shine Band had joined

The Country Folk after the departure of Margo just a year earlier in 1974. Joining the Big Eight was an opportunity that would change his life forever. Also coming back to the band from Paddy Cole were Jimmy Conway on guitar and Michael Keane on keyboards. Finally, Kelley also left the band and was replaced by Helen Jordan, a move announced in November, 1975, however, we think she did not join the band at that time, but would a couple of years later. Ray Doherty left the band to start up a new band, Las Vegas, which would feature Rob Strong.

When the band returned to Las Vegas in early 1976, they drafted Lola (real name Anne Mooney), formerly of the New Blues to replace Kelley, who stayed behind and formed Kelley and Klass. The band moved to the Aladdin Hotel where they stayed until 1980.

In June 1977, upon their return to Ireland, Lola left the band, but remained in Las Vegas where she still lives today. Within a couple of years, Mickey O'Neill had also returned to the band. As far as we know, Jimmy, Lola, Mickey, and Michael stayed in Las Vegas and were performing with Brendan from time to time, but sadly Mickey passed away June 15, 2010.

One of the final changes to the band was the addition of D.J. Curtin on vocals and sax who replaced Paddy Reynolds. Not only was D.J. a bona fide star in his own right, having fronted the Kerry Blues for many years, he was a double threat with both strong vocals and sax, and he also did a mean Tom Jones impersonation. In fact, between 2008 and 2010, D.J. was touring with an Elvis impersonator named Mark Lean.

In 1983, the band moved to Las Vegas year round, only returning to Ireland for occasional tours. Although Brendan and the band never duplicated the fanatical success of the Royal, they broke new ground by becoming the first Irish band to successfully thrive across two continents. Before permanently relocating to Vegas in the early 80's the band spent close to a decade dividing their time equally between Las Vegas (where they were known only as The Irish Showband), and the Irish ballroom circuit where they thrilled dancers as The Big Eight.

1. Red Hurley - Love Is All (Release) 2. Larry Cunningham & Country Blueboys - My Kathleen (3.

Brendan Grace - Combine Harvester (Solo) 4. Johnny McEvoy - Where My Eileen Is Waiting (Hawk) 5. John Glen & Mainliners - Sunny Side of the Mountain (Denver) 6. Swarbriggs - That's What Friends Are For (EMI) 7. Swarbriggs - Funny (EMI) 8. Fran O'Toole & Miami - Love Is (Emerald) 9. Spud - The Wind In the Willows [Bread and Fishes] (Philips) 10. Philomena Begley - Blanket On the Ground (Top Spin) 11. Brendan Grace - Delilah (Solo) 12. Margo - The Girls From Donegal (IRL) 13. Two's Company - You're My Best Friend (Release) 14. Gina, Dale Haze & Champions - Minnie Minnie (Release) 15. Magic & Swallows - Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen (Play) 16. Dermot O'Brien - The Boys of Killybegs (Release) 17. Chips - Love Matters (Ton) 18. Johnny McEvoy - The Rose of Allendale (Hawk) 19. Rory O'Connor & Dixies - Una Paloma Blanca (Play) 20. Ian Corrigan & Country Style - County Cavan (Release) 21. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - The Door Is Always Open (Release) 22. Brendan Shine - I'll Be Home (Play) 23. Glen Curtin - Love (Polydor) 24. Tony Kenny - Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song (Ram) 25. Dermot O'Brien - The Green Fields of Ferbane (Release) 26. Brian Coll - Mail Call (Release) 27. Ray Lynam & Hillbillies - I've Loved You All Over the World (Release) 28. Magic & Swallows - Run Sampson Run (Play) 29. Brendan Shine - Dun Laoghaire (Play) 30. Dermot Hegarty - Only Her Rivers Run Free (Release) 31. Chips - Twice A Week (Rex) 32. Joe Dolan - The Most Wanted Man In the USA (Pye) 33. Swarbriggs - Shuffle Into My Heart (EMI) 34. Sonny Knowles - Not That I Care (rex) 35. Gene Stuart & Homesteaders - Where Is My Norah (Hawk) 36. Brendan Quinn - Wedding Bells (Hawk) 37. Barleycorn - Songs of Ireland (Dolphin) 38. Teddi Palmer & Rumble Band - Is Everybody Happy (Polydor) 39. Tony Kenny - I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song (Ram) 40. Paddy McGuigan - I Was Only Dreaming (Dolphin) 41. Wolfe Tones - Rock On Rockall (Dolphin) 42. Aileach - Lullaby (EMI) 43. Just 4 - Glad All Over (Play) 44. Teddi Palmer & Rumble Band - Summer Love (Polydor) 45. Geraldine - Toi [You] (EMI) 46. DJ Curtin - One More Time (Release) 47. Tony Hughes & Harvest - Rose Marie (Release) 48. Tina & Glen Curtin - All Through the Night (Polydor)

Page 25 Mature Living March 2013

Travel with Joe Walsh Tours - www.joewalshtours.ie Tel: 012410800

Choosing a Pilgrimage A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred destination. This journey of discovery can be internal or external. People have participated in pilgrimages for many centuries. They are a spiritual discipline that many faiths value including Muslims, Christians and Jews. Many people feel a calling to embark on a pilgrimage as a means to delve deeper in spiritual matters. There are numerous places that are considered holy to choose as a destination. Fatima, Lourdes and Jerusalem are popular choices. of the Cross. The latter also provides a focus for trips to Andalucia. Spain’s spiritual heritage is not just about places, but also the people – the Spanish sense of welcome and friendliness will make any visitor feel at home. There’s an old saying about When in Rome…If we were to follow

Grotto of Lourdes

FRANCE Pilgrimage in France may immediately bring to mind Lourdes and St Bernadette but nearer to home are regions which boast both saints and medieval cathedrals, whilst offering the full range of France's culinary and cultural attractions.

Besides Lourdes, there is much of interest to the pilgrim in France. Chartres has its magnificent Gothic cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady. Besides numerous other Marian Shrines, many other saints have made their mark on France. Lisieux of course is associated with St Therése, undoubtedly a saint for our times. Dax, in southwest France was the birthplace of St Vincent de Paul. Even St James, whose shrine is on the other side of Spain, made

“Each small task of everyday life is part of the total harmony of the universe” - Therese of Lisieux

his mark here. Many pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago began their journey in Paris and the route can still be followed today, through such great towns as Orleans, Poitiers and Tours.

Avignon provides a tour of great contrasts. On the one hand it was the centre for the Avignon Papacy in the middle ages. On the other, its Protestant presence is of great significance.

Besides the spiritual feast on offer, France has much to offer the hedonist, be it fine architecture, good food or superb wines. It is perfectly possible to combine elements of both secular and sacred on the same tour, perhaps by taking the theme of Shrines and Vines.Whether you choose a spiritual or secular theme, an ancient pilgrimage route or modern shrines, you are bound to be well satisfied with what France has to offer.

Page 26 Mature Living March 2013

SPAIN & PORTUGAL Religion has played a great part in the Iberian Peninsula’s chequered history and has also been the source of movements that have had a profound effect on the Christian world. This part of Europe may be principally known for its beaches and resorts but there is a fascinating hinterland full of history and rich in culture, relatively unknown to tourists that provides truly interesting and memorable itineraries.

There are few countries with as many hidden treasures as Spain, and so much remains undiscovered by the foreign visitor. Many of us have been to Spain’s sunny seaside resorts and maybe taken a day-trip inland to the arid plains near the coast to see little but oranges and lemons.

If this is your view of inland Spain, however, think again! Pilgrims have been coming to northern Spain to venerate the shrine of St James the Great since the middle ages and magnificent cities such as Burgos and Leon grew up to service them.

In the medieval cities of central Spain we can follow in the footsteps of the great reforming saints, Teresa of Avila and John Fatima

“The way of St James is fine but narrow, as narrow as the path of salvation. That path is the shunning of vice, the mortification of the flesh, and increasing of virtue.”

- Taken from the Liber Sancti Jacobi (The Veneranda Dies).

the Spanish themselves, we would leave the very hot southern coastal areas in the summer and explore the hidden treasures of central and northern Spain which are probably western Europe’s best kept secret. And why do the Spanish seem to keep it a secret? Find out for yourself – you won’t be disappointed!

For pilgrims, the greatest attraction in Portugal is undoubtedly Fatima, where in 1916, three children saw six apparitions by Our Lady. This small town, about 80 miles north of Lisbon, becomes thronged with tourists and religious pilgrims in mid-May and mid-October each year, around the anniversaries of the original visions.

Options for travelling to Fatima from Lisbon include by rail and by bus. Despite the town’s small size, hotels are plentiful to handle the hordes of visitors during the pilgrimage months. One may benefit from the services of an experienced pilgrimage tour operator such as Joe Walsh Tours, who has been taking Irish pilgrims on religious tours to major pilgrim destinations for more than 50 years. Relying on a bonded and experienced pilgrimage operator takes away the hassle of organising your own transport and accommodation and will include all meals, guided assistance and a comprehensive religious programme led by a spiritual director which can be followed by choice. A visit to Portugal, however can easily combine Fatima with Lisbon, coastal delights such as Nazare, or the town of Coimbra, where one of the ‘children’, Sr Lucia recently died, or Lisbon Coast. Joe Walsh Tours have combinations to satisfy both the spiritual needs and the longing for the sun and sea. Pilgrimage & sun holiday itineraries suggest four nights in Fatima with fully comprehensive religious programme included and three nights on

Medjugorje

the beautiful sun-kissed coast of Estoril, with available optional guided tours to the capital, the UNESCO World Heritage gem of Sintra and other charming towns scattered along the Lisbon coastline.

The roads of Spain and Portugal have been greatly improved over recent years, enabling some quite imaginative itineraries, such as a comprehensive 9 night pilgrimage on board comfortable airconditioned luxury coach to take in Lourdes, Santiago de Compostela with the tomb of St. James and Fatima, also run by Joe Walsh Tours.

MEDJUGORJE Medjugorje is a unique and extraordinary place of inspiration and peace. Millions have rediscovered their faith and opened their hearts to a true peace and love towards themselves and humanity. It is not easy to tell the whole story of Medjugorje which if at all possible must be experienced individually.

The main message of Medjugorje is Peace. Since 1981 Mary is said to have been appearing to several villagers and it is believed that she still visits them today.

On the 24th June 1981, on the hill known as Podbrdo (Apparition Hill) six children, Ivanka Ivankovic, Mirjana Dragicevic, Vicka Ivankovic, Ivan Dragicevic, Ivan Ivankovic and Milka Pavlovic saw a beautiful young Woman carrying a little child in her arms.

It has now been over 30 years since the first apparition and Medjugorje is drawing more and more pilgrims each year.

Medjugorje is situated in BosniaHerzegovina approximately 25 kilometres South-West of Mostar and close to the Croatian border. It is a small village and big hotels are non-existent. On a Joe Walsh Tours pilgrimage, visitors stay in comfortable purpose-built guest houses and the full religious programme includes masses, talks and prayers and visits to all related sights with a possibility of meeting with the visionaries. All pilgrimages are led by an experienced Joe Walsh Tours resident team of Irish and local guides and representatives who have indispensable knowledge of sights, shrines, background story and the environs of Medjugorje.

The climate in Medjugorje is usually mild all the year around, Summer is very hot.

From September onwards it is much cooler with temperatures around 15 - 23 degrees centigrade approx.

Food and Drink

Chicken Tikka Masala

N

ot all curries are spicy-hot—and they use different mixes of spices, not necessarily curry powder.

The word Tikka means pieces or bits.

Chicken Tikka Masala is a delicious dish in which pre-marinated pieces of chicken are grilled and then added to a thick creamy gravy. The result is a lovely smokey flavor. Serve Chicken Tikka Masala with hot Naans (leavened Tandoor-baked flatbread).

Ingredients: For marinade: 1 cup fresh yogurt 1 cup finely chopped coriander leaves 2 tbsps ginger paste 3 tbsps garlic paste 3-4 tbsps garam masala 6 peppercorns/ 2 dry red chillies 3 tbsps lemon juice 1 kg chicken breast cut into 1.5" chunks For the gravy: 2 medium-sized onions finely chopped 6 cloves garlic chopped fine 1 tin (400 gms approx) chopped tomatoes or 6 medium-sized fresh tomatoes chopped fine 2 tbsps garam masala 2 tsps soft brown sugar 1 cup single cream 3 tbsps almonds blanched and ground to a paste 3 tbsps vegetable/sunflower cooking oil Preparation: Grind the chopped coriander (keep some aside for garnishing) and all other marinade ingredients (except yoghurt) to a smooth paste in a food processor.

Pour the above mix into a large bowl and add yoghurt. Mix well. Add the chicken pieces and mix well. Cover the bowl and refrigerate. Allow to marinate overnight.

Thread the chicken onto skewers and keep ready.

Preheat your oven or grill to medium high (200C/ Gas Mark 6). Place the skewers on the grill racks in your oven with a tray underneath to catch drippings. Roast open till the chicken is browned on all sides and tender. Keep aside.

To make the gravy/sauce: Heat the oil in a deep pan on a medium flame and add the onion. Cook till soft.

Now add the garlic. Fry for 2-3 minutes.

Add the garam masala, brown sugar, tomatoes, almonds and mix well. Cook till the tomatoes are soft and a thick paste forms.

Add the grilled Chicken Tikkas (chunks/ pieces) and stir. Cook for 10 minutes.

Add the cream and mix well. Turn off the heat.

Garnish the dish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with Naans.

Tip: To get a genuine smokey restaurant taste in your homemade Chicken Tikka Masala: Make a small bowl out of aluminum foil and place on top of the cooked Chiken Tikka Masala. Now burn a golf ball-sized lump of charcoal till red hot. Place this piece of coal in the foil 'bowl' and immediately cover the chicken dish. Allow to stand for 5 minutes.

Uncover, remove coal and foil 'bowl', garnish Chicken Tikka Masala and serve.

Homemade Onion Bhaji

Homemade onion bhajis are well worth the effort, they're great as a starter for an Indian feast.An absolute must as an accompaniment to curry or wonderful as a starter for an Indian meal.

Onion Bhajis are tasty little onion balls bound together with lightly spiced and fragrant chickpea flour batter. Serve these with coriander chutney or cucumber raita. You will always be offered these on any Irish Indian restaurant menu; they also make great snacks if served with salad and assorted chutneys and spicy dips. You can lighten these up a little bit by frying them, and then allowing them to drain over a wire rack before reheating them in a medium to hot oven for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Ingredients 2 large onions, sliced thinly 200 g chickpea / gram flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 tablespoons rice flour 1 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon black onion seeds 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin, ground 1/2 teaspoon coriander, 100 ml water 750 ml vegetable oil

Directions: 1. Put the vegetable oil into a large pan and heat over a medium to high heat.

2. Make the batter: In a large bowl, add the chickpea flour, baking powder, rice flour, turmeric, black onion seeds, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt and the water. Mix together well and then add the sliced

Page 28 Mature Living March 2013

onion - mix the onion through until well coated.

3. Check the temperature of the oil by dropping a small cube of bread in - it should brown fairly slowly - not burn or go dark brown straight away.

4. Carefully drop spoons of the bhaji batter in to the oil, do NOT overcrowd as they will stick together. Fry them in small batches for 1 to 2 minutes until they are a golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and allow them to drain on a paper covered plate in a warm oven.

5. Repeat until all the bhaji batter is finished and they are all cooked.

6. Sprinkle over a little salt and serve straight away with coriander chutney or cucumber raita.

Food and Drink With Dale Barber of The Swagman Bar, Sligo

This is our original Big D hot wings recipe If You DON’T Like Hot DON’T DO THIS !!!!! salt. Place into a large plastic shopping bag, and add the flour. Shake to coat evenly.

• Remove wings from the bag, shaking off excess flour, and spread out evenly on oiled foil-lined baking pan(s). Bake for about 20 minutes, turn the wings over, and cook another 20 minutes, or until the wings are cooked through and browned.

unbeatable taste.

The real organic honey in the brew gives a gentle sweetness that appeal to a wide range of people, even those who perhaps wouldn't usually drink beer, making it a very popular choice!

With a BIG stack Of wings and a Pint of Honey Dew , You’ll Not Get Much Better Than THIS !!!!

• While the wings are baking, mix all the ingredients for the sauce in a pan, and over low heat bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.

• After the wings are cooked and crispy, transfer them to the heated sauce mixture and reduce while stirring.

YUMMMMM These are always good with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing on the side. And a Beer.!!!!!!

T

here are many Buffalo chicken wing recipes out there, but if you want to taste the "real" thing give this a try.

The chicken wings are deep-fried in our original recipe, but the hot oven works fine for the home version.

Method: Preheat your oven to 240 degrees or gas mark 5 • Cut whole wings into two pieces. In a big bowl toss the wings with the oil, and

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Makes………..4 Servings of Big D Wings (9 per person) or 2 Servings of Big D Wings (18 per person) Boom!!!

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Ingredients: • 36 chicken wing pieces • 1 tablespoon veg oil • 1 tsp salt • 1 cup Plain flour • 2 tablespoons white vinegar • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder • ¼ tea spoon Paprika • 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce • ¼ teaspoon salt • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter • celery sticks • blue cheese dressing

Page 29 Mature Living March 2013

Petcare

Choosing the Right Pet Find a furred, feathered or finned friend who is a perfect match with these 5 questions. family member with a disability -- or they have dreams of Westminster dog show glory.

Which pet you choose depends on many factors. If you have smaller children and don't have a ton of time to look after your new pet yourself, consider animals that are easiest to care for, such as fish, hermit crabs, sea monkeys or snails. If you're looking for a cat, American shorthairs, Birman and Burmese breeds are some of the most kid-friendly and happiest cats. If you're looking for dogs, golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers would be a great addition to the family, and they are some of the most energetic and faithful companions kids can find.

Brough notes that when looking at reptiles, a corn snake, leopard gecko and water turtle are best for beginners.

P

ets can be the perfect companion for both young and old, but be sure to consider every angle before choosing a cat, dog or other animal to join your family. Here are some pointers on what to look for in a new pet. Ask yourself the following five questions before making any final decisions.

Where Do You Live?

Do you live in a small apartment? If so, a large dog or even an energetic puppy would be uncomfortable in a tiny space with no room to exercise frequently. Do your research before choosing a pet.

Certain small breeds (like the parson russell terrier) are usually extremely active and need lots of room, while a large dog (like a greyhound) may be fine in an apartment home because they are often couch potatoes. A big house with a backyard might be more conducive to dog-owners.Consider getting a cat or aquarium-based pet that wouldn't mind being contained in a smaller living space. Remember that while birds won't leap through a townhouse like a Great Dane, they're often loud, and certain species can disturb your neighbors.

Who Will Take Care Of The Pet? If you are out of the house for long hours, animals such as fish or reptiles that don't require constant attention might be a better fit for you. Or if you

take trips and travel a lot, consider your options for pet sitters.

What Is Your Budget?

Caring for an animal can get expensive, so set a budget beforehand and choose your pet accordingly. You'll need to purchase toys for your pet to play with, water and food bowls and living space, such as an aquarium for fish, a cage for birds or a heat tank for reptiles. Certain animals require a specific diet, which can also increase your budget (parrots, for example, eat pellets, vegetables and nuts). Some pets may also need trainers, an added cost that can quickly add up.

You also might want to budget for pet insurance, which can sometimes be the difference between being able to keep a pet or having to give it up for adoption.

The most common insurance claims for dogs include accidents, like swallowed objects and bite wounds, and illnesses, such as skin problems and more serious concerns like cancer. Many of the top claims for cats are similar, so regardless of what type of pet you choose, getting them insured could save you from financial troubles down the road should your pet need health care.

It may be easier on your wallet to care for an older pet. When an animal is young, it will require extra attention (and money!). Slightly older dogs have "already gone through their chewing

stages; they may already be housetrained and may have been raised with children and already love them," she says. That's extra money you save by adding an already-trained animal to your house. On the flip side, older dogs can also incur added expenses, should they experience health problems. Larger breeds often develop arthritis and hip troubles as they age, and surgery and joint medications can be costly. It's important to weigh your options when considering the age of your pet and your budget.

What Other Questions Should You Ask? Many Dog and Puppy Rescue services provide a questionnaire for people looking to adopt, which can be useful no matter what type of animal you are thinking of adding to your family. For example, do you need to get permission from a landlord, what vet will you go to and do you have any allergies to consider?

Whatever kind of pet you choose, if you take the time to consider your needs, living situation and financial commitments, your new fuzzy -- or scaly, feathery or slimy -- friend will be a part of the family in no time.

What Kind of Pet Should You Bring home?

From dogs, cats and fish to rabbits, snakes and newts to even something as exotic as a bearded dragon, the possibilities abound. There are many kinds of animals that can be welcomed into your home, but they are typically broken down into three types of pets: companion, working and show animals.

Companions are those pets, like horses or dogs, which will stick with you through thick or thin. Working animals are chosen because of their special abilities, like guiding a blind person or herding sheep. And show animals often require a great deal of dedication and time, as they are being groomed for a specific purpose. Most people are looking for companion pets, unless they have a

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Travel Technology

A Beginners Guide to Tablet Computers

If you’re the kind of person who finds that technology moves faster than you can keep up, then you maybe feeling slightly in the dark when it comes to tablets. fun. Fast-forward back to the present, and the variety of tablets on the market today very much follow this trend. From the iPad (with Retina Display), to the Samsung Galaxy Tab, to the HP Touchpad (to name but a few), they’re light, versatile, and occupy the space halfway between a mobile phone and a laptop, offering the benefits of both mediums.

They’re not only practical, they’re also enjoyable.

T

o bring you up to speed, it all began in 2010 when Apple’s iPad came along and lit the touch-paper that lead to the explosion of the tablet market.

What are tablet computers?

The idea of tablets as mobile computers; lighter and more versatile than laptops, has been around for a while, but early tablets were relatively unsuccessful.

They were primarily business focussed, and operated only in a niche area of the computer market. In short, they weren’t very much fun.

In early 2010, Apple unveiled the product that would revolutionise the tablet world of computing - the iPad. Their genius stroke was to make the iPad more media focussed than its predecessors, as well as taking into account weight, battery life, and ease of use. It differed by offering a totally touchscreen desktop, and ran on Apple’s mobile operating system. Most importantly, it remembered to bring the

Why tablets?

One of the main selling points of tablets is their portability and ease of use.

Compared to laptops, which incorporate a keyboard and mousepad setup, the touchscreen of a tablet offers the advantage of one-handed browsing. You can surf the web while standing on a train, lying in bed, or even while sitting on the proverbial throne. Physical keys are replaced with a virtual keyboard on the screen so you can still type away when necessary. Handwriting recognition software (where available) can also convert letters and characters traced by either your fingers, or a stylus pen.

When it comes to web browsing, there are two ways of getting your tablet connected. The two options available are a stand-alone tablet or pay monthly tablet. A stand-alone tablet is free of SIM and contract, and will connect to the web via WiFi, meaning you can get online through your home WiFi hub, or free public hotspot. A contract tablet comes with a data bundle on a paymonthly contract similar to that of a mobile phone, and connects via 3G. Connection capabilities come built in, so unlike laptops, you’ll never have to worry about losing your dongle.

Similar to mobiles, tablets have access to the various app stores which let you purchase and download applications such as word processors, games , etc across the operating systems available.

The continued media focus of the tablet means you can download all your favourite applications and games, and then use them while away. The media capabilities don’t stop there, as most app stores also offer a range of music, movies, and also books. Similar to e-

readers such as the kindle, you can download a wide selection of titles including both classics and the current bestsellers. Tablets have also enabled your favourite magazines to go multimedia, with many monthly publications taking advantage of the format and realising iPad editions alongside the more traditional treebased release. This is not only more environmentally friendly,it means that articles which are normally accompanied by static images can come alive with video and audio.

Tablets are also great social tools.

Contract tablets often come with minute and text allowances (as well as data), and with easy access to all social network sites, it’s never been easier to stay in touch. Chose a tablet with an inbuilt cam and you can also use Skype to videocall your nearest and dearest.

Tablet choices Now that you’re up to speed, there’s no need to feel daunted by the huge range of tablets available. The desirability of the tablet has led to a wealth of choice available, and although Apple, the pioneers and trendsetters of the tablet world, still lead the market, there are many other options available in terms of size, spec, and affordability.

The iPad 2 refined the existing Apple iPad to create probably the most desirable tablet on the market, although the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 offers a similar quality, alongside a more affordable pricetag. Asus tablets offer impressive cameras, and the Blackberry Playbook boasts a sleek and compact design.

Whatever your needs, there’s a tablet to meet them, and we hope our beginner’s guide has made the tablet world a lot easier to swallow.

Buying a tablet The iPad remains the best full-spec, fullsized tablet there is. If you want the best tablet on the market, get Apple's fourth-generation iPad with Retina display: the so-called iPad 4. It is a quality device with unsurpassed build quality. And the iTunes market offers

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more quality apps than any other platform. But you pay a premium for quality, and you will find that you are pretty much locked into Apple's world when it comes to purchasing music and movies.

Apple still sells the iPad 2 at a discounted rate, by the way, and it remains a great tablet. So if you want an iPad but don't want to pay the full price it is worth checking out.

The list of alternative tablets starts with the Nexus 10. Google's new Nexus 10 Android tablet has an impressive PLS screen with a resolution of 2560x1600.

The Samsung manufactured device is also thinner and lighter than Apple's iPad, runs the latest Android operation system and is €100 less than the iPad. Samsung has two other tablets in the Android tablet market, both are solid competitors: the Galaxy Note 10.1 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. With pen input and a highly customized version of Android 4.0, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 distinguishes itself in a crowded market, but at a similar price to the iPad you'll have to really want pen input before it makes sense to choose the Note. Meanwhile the Tab 2 10.1 is like the iPad and the Nexus 10, only not as good. Unlike its predecessors, however, it is cheaper. For around €350 it will make all but the most stringent tablet fans happy.

Health & Beauty

Natural Health for Men Men today are living longer. Compared to 50 years ago, the average healthy male could have an extra 25 years to look forward to. With more life to enjoy, it’s important to try to improve and maintain good health and wellbeing.

P

oor health and illness are not an inevitable fact of the ageing process. With a little self awareness, knowledge and a few subtle lifestyle changes, your health can be improved and future problems possibly prevented.

Watch your weight Weight becomes harder to shift as we age, so the key is moderation in all things. Integrate exercise such as walking and gardening into your daily routine to burn off excess calories. Eat a healthy diet with smaller portions.

Exercise Exercise is not only important to burn off excess calories, but also for emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. When we exercise, the heart rate increases and there is a healthy supply of oxygen rich blood for cells, tissues and organs.

Carbon dioxide, waste and toxins are excreted more easily via the lymphatic, urinary and digestive systems and through the skin when we sweat.

Exercise initiates the release of endorphins into the blood circulation.

These ‘feel good’ chemicals create a feeling of euphoria and are naturally pain relieving. After a short time of exercising regularly, you will see improvement in energy levels, general health and joint mobility. The quality of your sleep and mental health will also improve.

It’s important to choose an exercise that you enjoy, are comfortable doing and won’t over exert or injure yourself.

Practice short sessions regularly (2-3 times a week) and gradually increase this if you are comfortable and feeling well.

Golf, walking in nature, swimming, yoga and tai chi are all excellent forms of exercise that are not too strenuous and

Page 32 Mature Living March 2013

will improve posture and regulate breathing.

Eat a healthy diet … most of the time!

A healthy diet is essential if you want to look and feel good. Getting the correct combination of essential vitamins and minerals each day will improve your immunity; increase your energy levels and sense of wellbeing. You should seek advice before changing your diet if you are ill or being treated for a medical problem.

Aim to cut out/reduce saturated fats and red meats. Increase your intake of good fats such as plant oils (olive, rapeseed, etc), unprocessed nuts (Brazils, hazelnuts, etc), chicken, oily fish, whole grains, pulses, legumes, pulses, fruits, vegetables and fresh herbs. Drink plenty of spring water and herbal teas and less caffeinated drinks.

Alcohol in moderation can be good for the heart, so the occasional glass of red wine is fine.

Although your diet is important, it’s okay to enjoy the occasional food from the ‘forbidden’ list (unless otherwise advised by your medical practitioner).

Depriving oneself of the occasional cake or chocolate bar can be equally detrimental to mental health. All things in moderation!

Manage stress levels Stress is a normal part of life; it motivates us and makes life interesting.

It only becomes problematic when there is no outlet for it and it becomes overwhelming and unmanageable.

Research has shown that the cause of almost 80% of hospitalised cases can be directly attributed to stress.

Unfortunately, many men feel unable to talk about stress and how it affects them. Not being able to deal with, or

manage stress can result in problems such as anxiety, depression, low self esteem, heart and circulatory problems.

Learning to manage stress daily will improve health and create a positive outlook.

For 20 minutes each day, spend quiet time alone to read or meditate.

Meditation can be as simple as lighting a candle and gazing at the flame, or imagining you are in a lovely, peaceful place like a beach or woodland. Add a few drops of sandalwood or mandarin essential oils to a bowl of hot water and gently inhale the aroma. Therapies such as massage, aromatherapy, reiki and hypnotherapy are beneficial for stress related problems.

Learn to relax and breathe correctly.

Breathe deeply and naturally from your abdomen, not short and shallow from the chest. This ensures an adequate supply of oxygen to cells and relieves anxiety and panic attacks.

Develop good communication by talking more to your partner, friends and colleagues. Deal with things calmly and try not to react in anger. Socialise and enjoy yourself on a regular basis.

Healthy heart and circulatory system Heart and circulatory problems can result from poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise, or can be genetic. Left unchecked, these can develop into serious health problems and result in heart attacks and strokes. However, there are many ways to help prevent future problems. Always seek medical advice if you are concerned, or have a diagnosed problem, before adopting any of the following. Keep cholesterol levels under check. Consuming too many saturated fats can increase the level of bad cholesterol in the blood and increase the risk of constriction of the arteries. To help prevent high cholesterol, eat a healthy diet. Decrease your intake of ‘bad’ saturated fats such as fatty meats, butter, hard cheese, lard, cakes and biscuits, and replace with unsaturated ‘good’ fats such as olive and rapeseed oil, oily fish (salmon, mackerel, etc), avocados and nuts (not processed or salted). Garlic is good for the heart and circulation. Eat fresh cloves or take a supplement daily (use as directed by manufacturer).

Be body aware Knowing and understanding yourself and your body is vital if you are serious about preventing future health problems.

Examine yourself regularly and be aware of any changes in your body shape, habits or normal functions. Look for unusual lumps, bumps or changes in moles. See your doctor immediately if you are concerned and return if the symptoms are persistent or prolonged.

Preventing high blood pressure In the UK, about half of people over 65 have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of several ‘risk factors’ that can increase your chance of developing heart disease, a stroke and other serious conditions. Causes of high blood pressure can be genetic, medical, related to lifestyle and stress. By making a few simple lifestyle changes, you can reduce the risks of developing high blood

Bones and joints Daily exercise and stretching will help maintain flexibility and suppleness in joints and muscles. Regular massage treatments are excellent for muscular and joint problems and can help with stiffness and pain.

Supplement your diet with calcium rich foods. Low fat dairy products such as skimmed milk, yoghurt and cottage cheese are low in fat, but high in essential calcium. Increase your intake of oily fish and consider taking cod liver oil, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for healthy joint maintenance. Drink nettle tea regularly.

Packed full of essential minerals and iron, this tea is good for joints and general health maintenance.

Muscular Aches and Pains Over exertion from working, poor posture, gardening or arthritis can result in tight, aching muscles. A warm aromatherapy bath is an excellent way to relax and relieve general aches and pains.

Add 2 drops each of ginger, black pepper and lavender essential oils to 10ml of full fat milk. Disperse under the warm running water and enjoy.

Health processed or cooked, because heating helps to release the lycopene from the skins and makes it easier to absorb.

The minerals zinc and selenium are reputedly useful for prostate health.

Selenium is found naturally in grains, nuts and oily fish and zinc in peas, beans, legumes, fish and meat.

Research shows that drinking 1-2 glasses of cranberry juice (or blueberry juice) a day can be beneficial for urinary tract infections, which can occur as the result of an enlarged prostate gland. You should seek medical advice before consuming cranberry juice if you are taking warfarin.

Stop smoking. Although smoking doesn’t cause prostate cancer, it may cause it to spread more quickly, so quitting is essential!

pressure, (seek advice if you are currently being treated for high blood pressure).

Eat a healthy diet (see advice above) and don’t gain too much weight. You should also try and decrease salt and caffeine intake. Cut out or decrease your alcohol intake (1 unit daily may help protect from heart disease).

If you are a smoker, it is essential to stop. Help and support is available from the HSE and through your GP. Clinical hypnotherapy and acupuncture are both beneficial therapies to help you stop smoking.

Regular Aromatherapy massage treatments can help to lower and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

You should check with your GP before receiving massage if you are being treated for high blood pressure or have a heart problem.

Foot massage can be an excellent way to reduce stress and consequently balance blood pressure. Add 2 drops each of geranium and ylang ylang essential oils to 10ml of unperfumed, natural cosmetic cream. You will need someone to massage your feet quite firmly with the blend as it doesn’t have the same effect if you do it yourself!

Prostate Problems The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and is found beneath the bladder. It resembles a walnut in shape and size and produces secretions that help nourish the sperm and aid fertility. From about the age of 40, the prostate gland naturally enlarges

(benign prostatic hypertrophy), due to testosterone changes in the body. Almost 90% of men will experience an enlarged prostate by the time they reach their 80s, but will experience little or no problems. However, some will experience problems with urination (frequency and difficulty passing urine), due to narrowing of the urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder).Although these symptoms are usually harmless, they could indicate the possibility of more serious problems and should be referred to your doctor immediately, especially if blood is present in the urine. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with most diagnosed cases being in their 70s or older. The outlook and treatment is generally good for this form of cancer, but early detection improves the chances of recovery.

Erectile Dysfunction At some point in their lives, most men experience the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. This can occur at any age and despite occurring more in older men (70s), it is not a natural consequence of ageing. For most men the problem is temporary and is often caused by tiredness or stress. For many older men (50-70) the problem may become more serious or long term and can affect relationships, cause depression and feelings of inadequacy.

The problem may be exacerbated if it is not discussed and managed appropriately. If the problem becomes persistent or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should see your GP for advice. There are many treatments available for erectile dysfunction.

There are numerous causes of erectile dysfunction in older men. The majority of problems are usually caused by certain medication, a medical or physical origin, injury or disability. Certain antidepressants may cause erectile dysfunction. If you take them, do not stop taking your medication, but discuss the problem and natural alternatives for depression with your GP. It is important to understand that erectile dysfunction is not a symptom of loss of libido (sex drive), sterility or virility. It can be the result of drinking excess alcohol, tiredness, stress, anxiety, depression and relationship issues. Some cases can be attributed to emotional and psychological causes, especially if an erection can be experienced during sleep. If the cause is psychological or stress related, then the following may be beneficial.

Self help Try and improve communication with your partner and spend quality time together. Talk and discuss the problem.

Fear of intimacy and inadequacy can exacerbate the problem. Professional counselling, cognitive and psychosexual therapy can be beneficial for individuals and couples.

Massage with your partner is a wonderful way to share intimacy and improve non verbal communication. Mix together 10ml of grapeseed oil with 3 drops each of sandalwood and rose otto essential oils.

Apply warm oil with gentle massage strokes towards the heart, avoiding varicose veins.

Do not apply this blend to the genital areas, or eyes.

Eat a healthy diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables. Reduce your alcohol intake and stop smoking.

Reduce stress levels and get adequate sleep and rest. Walk, swim, meditate and exercise regularly. Take up a new hobby that you really enjoy, socialise and laugh… a lot!

Mid Life Crisis & Depression The controversial male mid-life crisis is a series of symptoms that some men claim to experience during the middle of their life and which last around 10 years.

Although some people ridicule the idea of its existence, many experts believe that it does exist and originates from brain chemistry or hormonal changes.

Symptoms may include depression and anxiety about personal and work life.

If your life is affected by depression and anxiety, then see your GP to discuss your options.

Counselling can be helpful and St John’s Wort (herbal tablets) are reputedly good for depression. St John’s Wort is not suitable for certain people, so always check the cautions carefully before taking it and consult your GP first if you are being treated for a medical problem.

Ensure you eat a healthy diet, with plenty of fruits, vegetables, B vitamins and folic acid (cereals and green vegetables). Folic acid deficiency has recently been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and possibly depression.

A healthy diet can help to improve the balance of brain chemicals and prevent depression.

Exercise initiates the release of endorphins (‘feel good’ chemicals) into the blood circulation, improving mood and self esteem.

Helping to maintain good prostate health It’s not clear what causes prostate problems, but research shows that eating a low fat diet is beneficial. Reduce your intake of red meat, animal fats, full fat milk and dairy produce. Increase your intake of salmon, herrings and sardines (high in Omega 3), fruit, vegetables, strawberries and tomatoes. These foods are high in vitamins A, C, E and lycopene and contain protective cancer fighting antioxidants. Research has shown that eating a lot of tomatoes can lower the risk of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer. It appears that the effects are increased if they are

Page 33 Mature Living March 2013

Feature by Claudia McGloin - Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for Excessive Sweating. It is a common condition where a person sweats excessively. This is much more than the body needs to sweat in order to regulate its temperature.

Hyperhidrosis affects both men and women and can be embarrassing and distressing.

T

he inconvenience of it can also have a negative impact on the quality of life of the person affected. While there are no specific guidelines to determine what constitutes "Normal Sweating" if you feel that you sweat excessively and it has started to interfere with your everyday daily activities and social life then you may have Hyperhidrosis.

In cases of Focal Hyperhidrosis (where only certain parts of the body are affected) the most common areas of the body affected are: • Armpits • Palms of your Hands • Soles of your Feet • Face and Chest Some people may only have one area of their body affected by Hyperhidrosis whereas for others several areas can be affected. Both sides of the body are usually affected equally e.g. Both Feet or Both Hands.

Most people with Focal Hyperhidrosis have at least one episode of Excessive Sweating a week. The frequency of sweating in people with Secondary Hyperhidrosis (where the condition has an underlying cause) will depend on what the underlying cause is.

Causes of Hyperhidrosis There are two types of Hyperhidrosis Primary Hyperhidrosis and Secondary Hyperhidrosis.

Primary Hyperhidrosis Primary Hyperhidrosis is believed to be caused by problems with the Sympathetic Nervous System.

The Sympathetic Nervous System controls most of your body’s functions that do not require conscious thought such as movement of food through your body and the movement of urine out of your kidneys and into your bladder.

The Sympathetic Nervous System uses sweat like a thermostat. If it senses that you are getting too hot, it will send a signal from your brain to the millions of sweat glands in your body to produce

Page 34 Mature Living March 2013

sweat. The sweat cools on your skin and reduces the temperature of your body.

Sweat Glands, known as the Eccrine Glands, appear to be involved in Hyperhidrosis. Eccrine Glands are present in the greatest numbers on your Armpits, Hands, Feet and Face which may explain why these areas are often affected by Hyperhidrosis.

It is thought that in cases of Primary Hyperhidrosis there is a problem with the part of the Brain that regulates the sweating process that results in the Brain sending signals to the Eccrine Glands even though there is no need to cool the body.

Cases of Primary Hyperhidrosis can run in families with 1 in 4 of all those affected having a close family relative affected by the condition. This would suggest that a genetic mutation is responsible.

Secondary Hyperhidrosis Common causes of Secondary Hyperhidrosis (where there is an underlying cause) include: • Menopause • Over Active Thyroid Gland • Alcohol and/or Drug Addiction • Withdrawing from Alcohol or Drugs • Some types of Medications can also cause Excessive Sweating in some people Diagnosing Hyperhidrosis If you sweat excessively it is likely that your GP will arrange Blood and Urine Tests to help determine whether there is an underlying Medical Condition that is causing it.

Your GP will ask you about the pattern of your symptoms such as whether you sweat at night which is unusual in cases of Primary Hyperhidrosis (where there is no obvious cause) and whether your sweating only affects a specific part of your body (Focal) or all of your body (Generalised).

Focal Hyperhidrosis usually has no underlying cause (Primary Hyperhidrosis), whereas generalised or secondary Hyperhidrosis tends to occur as a result of another underlying medical condition.

A confident diagnosis of Primary Hyperhidrosis can usually be made if: • No underlying cause has been found • You have at least one episode of Excessive Sweating a week • Only specific parts of your body (rather than your whole body) are affected • Both of the affected body parts such as both Armpits or both Hands are sweaty • You do not have night sweats.

Treating Hyperhidrosis There are a few treatments available for Hyperhidrosis which are listed below. It is recommended that a person suffering with Hyperhidrosis start with the basic treatments first to see what will work before deciding on some of the major treatments.

• Lifestyle • Prescription Anti-Perspirant • Iontophoresis • Botulinum Toxin • Surgery At the Claudia McGloin Clinic we treat Hyperhidrosis and are pleased to announce that we now have a new treatment as featured on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies.

Iontophoresis Iontophoresis is an effective treatment if you have Excessive Sweating that affects

your Hands, Feet or Armpits.

If your Hands and Feet need treating, you place them in a bowl of water and a weak electric current is passed through the water.

If your Armpits need treating, then a wet contact pad is placed against each Armpit and then a current is then passed through the pad.

The current is thought to help block the Sweat Glands.

The treatment is not painful but the electric current can cause some mild, short-lived discomfort and skin irritation.

Each session of Iontophoresis lasts between 20 and 30 minutes and you will usually need to have two to four sessions a week. Your symptoms should begin to improve after a week or two, after which further treatment will be required at one-to-four week intervals depending on how severe your symptoms are.

Iontophoresis has proved to be effective in 80% to 90% of cases.

However, you will need to make regular visits to the clinic to receive treatment.

For further details on Hyperhidrosis and the treatments available at the Claudia McGloin Clinic please visit the clinic website www.claudiamcgloinclinic.com or call the clinic on 0719140728 to book a consultation.

Treatments available Monday to Friday From 10a m to 5pm Late evening and weekend appointments available on request Colonic Hydrotherapy Colonic Enemas & Vibro Plate Chemical Skin Peel (Mild or Medium) Genuine Dermaroller Stretch Marks, Acne and Scar Treatment Dermal Fillers Lip and Cheek Enhancement, Lines and Wrinkles Advanced Cosmetic Procedures Moles, Milia, Warts, Veruccas, Blood Spots, Skin Tags, Thread veins Mesotherapy Fat and Cellulite Reduction, Sports Injuries Facial Skin Rejuvenation and Skin Tightening Microsclerotherapy Thread Vein Removal Aqua Detox Foot Spa, Osteoarthritis Knee injections Medical Skin Care ...Prices on consultation

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

Tel: 071-9140728 • www.claudiamcgloinclinic.com

Holidays with Mullaney Travel, Sligo

Mallorca, The Balearic Islands ALGARVE & COSTA DEL SOL

Gran Canaria, its largest resort, is the well known Playa des Ingles with plenty of clubs, bars & restaurants and short transfer from the airport.

ALICANTE

Located on the southern tip of Portugal and Spain with expansive beaches stretching the entire coast line, these are the two most popular destinations from Knock. Although flights have already started for the year, it is really too early for guaranteed good weather. At this time of the year the temperatures will vary significantly and there is a good chance of rain, however from the end of April to mid October the temperatures will rise and you can expect excellent weather for your holiday. There is a varied choice of resorts from both Malaga and Faro airports with short or long transfers depending on your requirements.

THE CANARY ISLANDS

destination with beaches, aqua parks, history, spectacular Mountains and a beautiful city destination of Palma.

The city is a stylish, sophisticated, intimate yet bursting with life, with some of the islands best restaurants, shops and night life.

restaurants and shopping. There is an excellent choice of hotels and resorts with easy access to the city. Medugorje is within relatively easy distance of the Dubrovinik area for those who wish to spend a day or two.

CROATIA Flights to Dubrovnik from Knock are somewhat limited, just July and August are offered this year, but if you get the chance to visit the pearl of the Adriatic don’t hesitate to go. The Dubrovnik Riveria and islands are very popular with Irish holiday makers, the city is beautiful and medieval, with good range of Located on the Costa Blanca in the south east region of Spain, it has become a popular year round destination especially with the retired community. There are a lot of properties available for longer term lets, although like the Costa del Sol the weather is not always predictable in the winter months. Alicante is a good destination in its own right with plenty of beaches but it also gives easy access to Benidorm, Murcia and Valencia. The best time to visit is from May to October, don’t forget to go and see the castle of Santa Barbra when you visit Alicante.

GIRONA

Royal Caribbean International Legend of the Seas 7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise with FREE FLIGHTS from only €855pp

Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, all of these destinations are now available from Knock. The Canary Islands are located off the coast of Morocco, on the western coast of Africa in the Atlantic ocean, this combination gives the Canary Islands an all year round holiday product with a constant temperature range and persistent breeze to cool you down.

Lanzarote is a perennial favourite for the Irish holiday maker with its year round access and favourable climate, but it is the least interesting of the islands.

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands has spectacular beaches and is a golfers paradise, it is worth hiring a car to see all the the island has to offer.

Page 35 Mature Living March 2013

Located north of Barcelona, near to the Spanish /French border, it is not an area as well developed as other destinations in the south of Spain, but it is a lovely quiet area with very pleasant weather, interesting towns to visit and good camping facilities. It offers relatively easy access to Barcelona with regular trains taking from 40 minutes to 1 hr 15 minutes to the city centre.

THE BALEARIC ISLANDS MAJORCA / MALLORCA Majorca, the largest of the islands, lies in the Mediterranean - off the south east coast of Spain, a wonderfully varied

For all your Travel needs

Mullaney Travel O’Connell Street & Johnstons Court, Sligo

info@mullaneytravel.ie Telephone: 0719143278

The travel agents who cares TA0413

Gardening Home and Garden

A Garden Good Enough to Eat

There is nothing more satisfying than a summer evening in a kitchen garden when you harvest the very first produce of the year and taste it.

T

he first peas from the pod, or a succulent tomato tasted in the dying rays of the sun is as much a feast as any five star restaurant can offer.

The art of kitchen gardening is, thankfully, reviving. The French call them potagers, and in France you will still find ornate acres of pure kitchen gardens teeming with every kind of fruit, vegetable and herb imaginable. We used to have comparable grandeur adjacent to homes in these isalnds, but sadly the scale has dropped back over the years and many have been converted to other uses. A kitchen garden can equally be a humble vegetable plot. For most of us we just have to imagine the tall spired chateau in the distance, or if you half close your eyes the potting shed makes a fairytale substitute.

There are no hard and fast rules about what a kitchen garden should look like but the original concept was a geometrically designed space away from the main garden. It had to maintain an appealing all-year round look, as well as provide produce for the family kitchen.

Whether for a mansion or a modest cottage the principle is the same.

The French term potager literally means an ornamental vegetable or kitchen garden where flowers will be grown alongside herbs and flowers for

V eg et a

bl e P a c

their beauty. Many flowers can of course be eaten, for instance the pods of nasturtium are delicious in salads after their vibrant colours have finished for the season. Plants are chosen for their colour and formation and many will be climbers so maximum use is made of the ground space. A typical formation may be runner beans on a frame, giving colourful flowers for a period, with potatoes or cabbages underneath. To give the frame continued colour when the beans have set, train sweet peas between them. Scatter night scented stock on the ground and you have an alternating mix of flowers, fruiting vegetables and fragrance both from the stock and sweet peas.

As long as vegetables are given sufficient root space it is acceptable to plant flowers anywhere between them.

Potatoes are not the most beautiful of plants but brightened up with an adjacent row of African or French marigolds, Salvia Splendens (Blaze of Fire) or bedding dahlias they will become the green backcloth for appealing colours.

Herbs are best kept completely apart because of their differing cultural needs, with one exception, lavender. Lavender will flourish in sunny spots and the flowers and foliage give you the best of

both worlds, eating and visual pleasure.

The herb garden is a must these days with our increased awareness of their culinary and medicinal effects. Plant annual culinary herbs, dill and basil; perennial culinary herbs, mint, tarragon, rosemary and thyme and an assortment of many others according to your cooking or medicinal requirements.

Primroses

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Don’t forget to rotate your crops each year in the kitchen garden and feed the soil in each area according to next year’s proposed crop.

A well kept kitchen garden is a feast for your palate, your eyes and your sense of smell. Looked after it will change subtly with the seasons and serve you well for years.

Selection of great varieties for colour year after year

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4 fo r €20

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Pick up some great tips on growing your own healthy organic vegetables with well known expert Klaus Laitenberger

Saturday 30th March 2pm (Ardcarne, Boyle)

Saturday 6th April

2pm (Ardcarne Roscommon Town)

Spring into Action!

S

pring is a busy time in the garden and the experts at Ardcarne Plantsplus Garden Centre have some timely advice to get your garden in great order this year Lawns A good lawn can really enhance a garden, but it’s vital to feed the grass every year to keep it in good condition.

Regular feeding also means that the lawn is less likely to become infested with moss and weeds. We recommend HumberPalmers professional lawn fertiliser (available in 25kg bags which treat 600sq metres). If you have moss and weeds apply a 3 in 1 product such as Westland Lawn Feed, Weed and Mosskiller. Always use a lawn fertiliser spreader for even application.

Fruit & Vegetable Garden Growing your own healthy and delicious fruit and vegetables is one of the joys of gardening and now is the time to sow and plant for the year ahead. Most vegetables can be sown outdoors now or you can fast track your way to enjoying some home-grown crops with the huge range of ready-to-go baby vegetable plants at Ardcarne Plantsplus garden centre, including cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, and many more. There are over 20 different varieties of seed Potatoes to choose from including the early

varieties of Sharpes Express, Red Duke of York, Kestrel and Orla, the ever popular Rooster and blight resistant varieties of Sarpo Mira, Sarpo Axona and Blue Danube.

Fruiting plants such as currants, gooseberries, strawberries and blueberries can be planted now and will provide delicious crops even this year.

You’ll also find one of the best selections of fruit trees in the country at Ardcarne Plantsplus Garden Centre including old Irish apples and varieties that grow especially well in the West of Ireland.

Hedging If you have to replace a hedge or are putting in a new one, spring is a good time to plant. We recommend beech and laurel as strong, hardy hedges that are easy to maintain. To prevent weeds choking your new hedge use ground cover fabric when your hedge is planted. Spring is also a good time for feeding hedges and Pelleted Chicken Manure is excellent at giving them a boost.

Pots of Colour Now is a good time to re-new outdoor pots with some seasonal colour. Replace old compost with new compost – we recommend Plantsplus Professional Compost which includes slow release fertiliser to keep your plants fed for up

to 6 months. You’ll find a massive range of plants full of colour for containers at Ardcarne Plantsplus Garden Centre at this time of year, including Primroses, Pansies, Violas, dwarf daffodils and Tulips . Remember to cover plants with Horticultural fleece on cold nights or bring the whole pot indoors.

Ardcarne Plantsplus Garden Centre is located just off the N4 near Boyle and also on the Lanesboro Road, Roscommon Town.

Open every day Mon-Sat 9-6pm, Sun and Bank Holidays 1-6pm. Tel: 07196 67091(Boyle) & 09066 27700 (Roscommon Town).

Archers of Ballina to Host fundrasier in aid of Irish Cancer Society

A

rchers of Ballina invite anyone with an interest in gardening to browse their selection of seeds, plants, bulbs as-well as the extensive range of garden tools, ornaments, paving, decking and much more.

With a Garden Centre stocked for the 2013 season carrying a wide variety of bedding plants and shrubs, there is something on offer for the expert gardener as-well as those just starting out.

On Daffodil day, Friday March 22rd the Balcony Café in Archers is running a fund-raiser in aid of the Irish Cancer

Society. From 11a.m. till 3p.m. tea & coffee will be served free of charge, patrons are invited to make a donation towards Daffodil Day. In addition, Archers are contributing 10% of all gardening products sold for the week to Daffodil Day. This is the third year of the Garden Centre event, last year’s was very well supported and a donation of €600 was made to the Irish Cancer Society.

Archers would like to thank everyone who supported last year’s fund-raiser and hope this year’ events will be as successful.

Motoring

The

Gardens

Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

Tel: 071-9662688 • 086-8235287 • Open 7 Days

All your garden needs catered for

Large selection of shrubs, trees, plants, hanging baskets, window boxes and summer bedding available.

Page 39 Mature Living March 2013

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

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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 March 2013

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 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

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.

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

Mini Over 50's Holidays at Hotel West!or" 'One of Ireland's Best Loved Hotels'

2 Night's B&B + 3rd Night Dinner, Bed & Breakfast FREE Premier Room €139pp €159pps €189pps €209pps €199pp

February March April May June

Standard Room €119pp €139pps €169pps €189pps €179pp

No Single Supplement for February & June!

Valid Sunday - Friday inclusive • Single Supplement €20 per night

Complimentary access to award winning leisure facilities - Contact us NOW

A pictorial record of the Free Day Tour toofConnemara West Ireland over with Harbour Hotel Packages 15 years

T

he Harbour Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Galway City, perfect for a getaway break this Spring.

Midweek specials, to include two nights bed & breakfast, freshly baked scones served with Kylemore Abbey Jams on arrival and a three course evening meal on a night of your choice from €89 per person sharing.

Stay on our three night package and get a complimentary Day Tour to Connemara with tickets for Kylemore Abbey. Enjoy spectacular scenery on your day trip out to Connemara where you will also see Ross Errily Friary, Ballymagibbon Cairn, Glebe Stone Circle, Cong Village, Abbey & Woods, Lough Nafooey Valley Route, Leenane & Killary Harbour, Kylemore Abbey, Inagh Valley, Quiet Man

Call 098 25122 or email reservations@hotelwestport.ie

Bridge and lots, lots more..

3 Nights B&B, 2 Dinner, Tea & Scones, plus Connemara Day Tour only €169 pps, Sunday – Thursday.

The Harbour Hotel has a waterfront location, just a 3 minute stroll from Eyre Square and 5 minutes from the train station. This

allows you to be part of the hustle and bustle, however the convenient location allows you to slip away to your hotel room for a bit of peace and quiet.

Contact Aine on 091894805 or stay@harbour.ie . Full details of packages on www.harbour.ie

Page 41 Mature Living March 2013

WIN €50! WIN €50!

Congratulations to: Shane Fitzpatrick of Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim our Last Winner of Spot the Ball

The Answer was Grid Ref: N£

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B

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K

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

WIN €50!! WIN €50!!

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_______________

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

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Advertising Feature

Yeats Country Antiques the trade association which represents the leading antique dealers in Ireland and also CINOA, the organization representing the leading Art & Antiques dealers worldwide.

Their customers come from all parts of the country and a large number are repeat customers who appreciate their honest approach, depth of knowledge and genuine stock.

Why Buy Antiques?

Mervyn Blanc (Yeats Country Antiques) adjusting an unusual French Regency Brass Cathedral Clock

Y

eats Country Antiques was established by Mervyn Blanc more than 20 years ago in Sligo. Operating from a large antiques warehouse based in Rathcormack, Sligo you will find a treasure trove of fine quality antiques and a visit is a must. Recently they have also opened a beautiful new showrooms in Dublin’s famous antiques quarter, Francis Street, Dublin 8 where they showcase a selection of their finest pieces.

You will also find them at all the major Antiques Fairs in Dublin.

Specialising in fine Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian period furniture, particularly walnut, rosewood and mahogany items they also stock an extensive selection of other collectable items and provide a comprehensive restoration and upholstery service.

Yeats Country Antiques is a member of both the Irish Antique Dealers’ Association,

Victorian Dining Room Table & Chairs

1. Antiques tell a story Antiques are relics of the past: they carry the weight of bygone conversations, obsolete customs and etiquette. They are a reminder of the extravagances — and the hardships — of another era. And antiques that are inherited from your ancestors provide a tangible link to your own heritage.

4. Antiques are trend-proof While antique pieces are less likely to be super trendy they are also less likely to ever be unfashionable either. If you buy a piece with beautiful lines, curves and construction it is likely to appeal to most tastes.

5. Contrast is good. Antiques can add texture, energy and personality to even the most modern or contemporary decor. In fact, it is the contemporary room that benefits most from a few antiques. The old pieces cast a new light on the newer pieces — and vice versa. If your living room is full of mid century modern, adding a beautiful antique will only add to the charm of the room.

Top-quality Victorian Mahogany Settee in Leather

6. Antiques retain or increase in value Well-cared for antiques generally increase in value over time. While prices rise and fall (many experts say that now is the best time to invest in antiques, by the way!), antiques are a good investment over the

Large Selection of Cast Iron Seats, Gates and other outdoor furniture always in stock

Branleys yard, Rathcormac, Co. Sligo 67/68 Francis Street, Dublin 8.

2. Antiques are green!

Antiquing is the ultimate in ecofriendly shopping. Antiques are inherently recycled and reused.

And by buying an old piece, likely constructed before our dependence on oil, you are extending an already impressive life cycle! Very few products can claim such longevity.

3. Antique furniture is generally very well made and made by hand If it has lasted this long it will likely withstand the daily grind of modern life.

Of course, antiques can break and they do carry their own set of rules for maintenance and cleaning. But a table that has lasted through 200 year's worth of meals is probably pretty well made.

Moreover, scuffs and imperfections are often celebrated in antique furniture not dreaded.

long haul and this has been proved over the course of time.

In some ways a new piece of furniture is like a new car: the new models plummet in value the minute you take them home. Antique furniture, art, and collectibles tend to at least hold their value in line with inflation, if not outperform. The fact is modern furniture is a consumable good, unlike an antique item it is not an asset and you’ll be lucky to give away your flat-packed furniture after a couple of years. Not so with an antique item.

Mervyn advises that you should always ensure that you buy antiques that you like, as well as what will hold its value. Buying antique furniture isn’t like investing in shares or bonds – you actually have to live with this stuff!

A visit to Yeats Country Antiques is a must for the discerning antiques buyer, the vintage enthusiast and the bargain hunter.

Check out our web-site:www.yeatscountryantiques.ie

Fantastic Early Victorian Mahogany Half-Tester Bed and Matching Wardrobe

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

FREEPHONE: 1890-211-877 Mobile: 086 7772009 Email:northweststop@yahoo.ie

www.stopsuicide.ie

Feature Article Services Directory

JB DENTURE CLINIC Garden/Tone St, Ballina.

Boradruma, Snugboro, Castlebar

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

Tel: 096-72189 or 087-6389500

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

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

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

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

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

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

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

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

Barcastle Retail Park, Castlebar. T: 094-9026100

www.symphonykitchens.ie

MAKERS, SUPPLIERS & FITTERS • Water Analysis • Water Filtration • Water Softening • Well Drilling • Pump Supplied and Fitted • Rain Water Collection & Purification • Sewage Treatment Systems

MACE MIDDLE, CLAREMORRIS. www.mcganns.com

A full listing of products and rates are available on request

IN THE BUSINESS FOR OVER 25 YEARS

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

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

TELEPHONE: 094-9388208 MOBILE: 087-2503184

• EcoBead Cavity Wall Insulation • Attic Insulation • External Wall Insulation • Spray Foam Insulation • Free Assessment and Advice • Professional Service and NSAI Certified

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

LADY (65) LONELY Many hobbies, reading, gardening, music, cooking, cats, nature, walking - would like to meet a kind and interesting gentleman - successful in Dublin or Westport for friendship Replies with a box number 993 at the usual address.

SLIGO GENT 62 yrs, would like to hear from Ladys 50 to 65 yrs for friendship. I live alone, & am lonely. I’m N.S. S.D. I own a van, like all sports, have good sense of humour, shy type. Replies with a box number 989 at the usual address.

ROSCOMMON LADY Early 60’s outgoing, likes dancing.

Would like to meet widower only.

N.S. For friendship leading to a relationship. Replies with a box number 968 at the usual address.

MALE SEEKING FEMALE With good personality, good sense of humour, loving, caring & honest, & is interested in relationship.

Replies with a box number 974 at the usual address.

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

FREE DATING* CLASSIFIED

974 at the usual address.

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.

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

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:

NO. OF ISSUES TO APPEAR IN (MAX 2) : SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: THE FOLLOWING DETAILS ARE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY AND WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED. These details MUST be completed for all adverts NAME:

(MAX 30 WORDS) - *Phone numbers will not be included in these adverts.

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

TELEPHONE NUMBER: EMAIL:

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 March 2013

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.