Mature Living Connacht

PROMOTING A HEALTHY & POSITIVE LIFESTYLE June / July 2015

Things to do with your Grandchild in summer

Discover the Wild Atlantic Way

When your twentysomething hasn’t grown up...

Cleaning out a deceased loved one’s closet:

ISSN 2009-8367 (PRINT) ISSN 2009-8375 (ONLINE)

A 2 NIGHT BREAK AT THE TWIN TREES HOTEL

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June / July 2015

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IPEE! Real sunshine, and some heat, at last . . . though the experts still say the temperatures we are experiencing are a few degrees below the expected average for June. However, we all have a better chance to get out and about and the farming community will get a chance to make “hay”.

As we introduce a glossy cover to Mature Living we feature a personality that almost everybody in the west must be familiar with. Master of the airwaves, SKY music show co-host and CEO of Mid West Radio Paul Claffey is, undoubtedly a household name. But many of his listeners might be unaware that the Castlerea native has been turning ideas into ventures since he was just 12. Speaking to the enigmatic Paul, Tara King also discovered that his decision to embark on the radio route was as a result of comment from a well-known musician who directed him along the path of playing the type of music his listeners wanted to hear. It wasn’t easy in the early years.

In a revealing story he also explains how his love and natural talent for the “microphone” became a welcome escape from some of the problems he was encountering in his life.

We feature the concerns of seniors over the contents of the Government spring statement which seems to ignore older people. It is particularly disconcerting when we learn about an increase in elder abuse, notably at the hands of their children, with issues like bank accounts and property occupancy.

On a slightly different, but related, topic we provide some advice on what to do when your Twentysomething hasn’t quite grown up...

On a brighter note we introduce you to the “hot spots” along the Wild Atlantic Way and provide a glimpse of “Yeats Goldern Garden”. Also, if you are given the task of keeping a grandchild happy this summer we provide some timely advice.

In health-related issues we feature women’s health; we also highlight the most common dental problems and suggest the best foods recommended for healthy eyes. You can also read about some of the dietary factors to consider when taking medicines. Women in their 50s are usually faced with some decisions when it comes to hair-styling; so our 10 best haircuts feature might be of interest to many readers.

If we care to admit it, most of us are guilty of hoarding.

However, when it comes to the discarding of items after the death of a loved one this takes on a whole new dimension. It is never a pleasant task and we provide some ideas on how to make this painful process a little easier.

We include our usual array of features ...including cooking and recipes, visitor attractions, alternative therapies and hotels guide. Contact us if you have something to say. In the meantime enjoy the summer.

LAST MONTH’S COMPETITION WINNER Congratulations to Irene Noonan from Manorhamilton who was last months winner of the breakaway to the Harbour Hotel in Galway

Editorial: Seamus Casey seamus@matureliving.ie Design: Stephen Finney steve@matureliving.ie Advertising Sales: Lisa Gilmartin lisa@matureliving.ie

News Government spring statement ignores older people Paul Claffey - Master of the airwaves The 10 Best haircuts for Women in their 50’s What are the Most Common Dental Problems?

The Best foods for healthy eyes Things To Do With Your Grandchild This Summer The Wild Atlantic Way ‘Yeats Golden Garden’ What is elder abuse?

Travel Offers Visitors Attractions When Your Twentysomething Hasn’t Grown Up...

Competition The Bands of our Showband era Cooking & Recipes Angelscopes Solicitors Guide Alternative Therapies Hotels Guide Services Directory Dating

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Published by: IBS Publications Ltd 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

7,700+ patients on trolleys during May Highest May figure since records began Over 7,700 patients were left waiting on trolleys for an inpatient bed last month - a 31% increase on the same period last year, new figures have shown.

According to the latest ‘Trolley/Ward Watch' figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), 7,713 patients were left waiting on trolleys during May of this year compared to 5,891

during May of last year.

These are the highest May trolley figures seen since records began in 2006. In May of that year, 4,214 people were left waiting on trolleys, therefore last month's figure of 7,713 represents an 83% increase.

The hospitals with the highest number of patients on trolleys last month included Dublin's Beaumont Hospital (782), Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda (718), University Hospital Limerick (538) and University Hospital Galway (524).

The INMO pointed out that in recent weeks, two patients who were over 100 years old, were left waiting on trolleys for more than 24 hours.

However, it insisted that ‘every day is the same inside Emergency Departments

(EDs), with elderly people on trolleys lined up, head to toe, along small narrow corridors'.

The organisation said that there are not enough nurses to care for these patients and at this point, many of its members are ‘embarrassed to have to face patients and their families who have to suffer this indignity'.

INMO general secretary, Liam Doran, described the treatment of these elderly patients as ‘a damning indictment of our society'.

"While some investment has been made recently, it is only the tip of the iceberg. The Government as a whole needs to take responsibility for this ongoing crisis as we continue to see a deterioration in the figures month on month," he commented.

He added that the stated target of having a reduction in the level of daily overcrowding in EDs by October 1 ‘is merely a pipe dream', unless there is major investment in acute beds, step-down beds, community services and recruitment initiatives for nursing and other staff.

Family carers wanted for new study Family carers are being asked to take part in a new study which is focusing on what it is like to place a loved one in long-term care.

According to researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), one of the aims of this study is to ‘address the absence of the carer's voice in health research'.

"If you are a family carer of an older person and you and your family are in the process of applying for or accessing long-term care for a loved one, the research group would really like to hear from you.

"The study provides you with an opportunity to have your voice

heard. Sharing your perspective and experiences will provide invaluable information in helping to understand caregiving in Ireland and the key factors in admissions to longterm care," explained research coordinator, Nora-Ann Donnelly.

The RCSI pointed out that family carers are ‘fundamental to community care in Ireland', providing a huge level of care often in challenging circumstances. Furthermore, as people are now living longer, the population is ageing and the role of carers is becoming even more important.

"Yet carers are often invisible in

the analysis of the health system and on factors influencing older population's use of health services, particularly nursing homes. This new study on caregiving in Ireland and entry of loved ones to nursing homes aims to address this deficit," the RCSI said. Those taking part will be interviewed face-to-face at a time and place that is convenient to them. This will take no longer than an hour. All information provided will be completely confidential. If you would like to take part, contact Ms Donnelly by email at noraadonnelly@rcsi.ie or by telephone at (01) 402 2520.

Warmer homes, smaller bills The Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme (BEWH) is a programme run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for people receiving the fuel allowance to help make homes more energy efficient.

Under the scheme, the SEAI will pay to install standard energy saving measures like attic and cavity insulation, low energy light bulbs, lagging jackets and draught proofing, as well as providing general advice on how to reduce the amount of energy you use.

At a time when electric-

Page 4 Mature Living

Have you been to see the cliffs at Sliabh League yet?

The Snug offers two separate pet-friendly luxury holiday apartments in Dunkineely, a lovely quiet scenic seaside location near Donegal Town.

This is an ideal location for a relaxing holiday to enjoy the beauty of South Donegal. The Snug is beside a shop, post office and four good pubs ( with regular entertainment ).

Bus Stop at Gate . See availability, rates, guest feedback and more at www.thesnugdonegal.com or telephone Sheila on 087-6296388 to request a brochure

SEAMUS GALLAGHER MEMORIAL CARDS We provide a service which we hope can be of benefit to you when choosing a Memorial card, Bookmark, Wallet Card which reflects the life of a loved one. At a time when it is so difficult to choose a card, prayer, photograph etc, we will call with you personally, if you so wish, to advise & help you make the right decision.

We can be contacted at any time by calling 0872448642

SEAMUS GALLAGHER HEADSTONES Large selection of headstones Cleaning & restoration Inscriptions & Chippings Tel: 0872448642

Crozon park, Sligo • www.thecrozoninn.com ity and gas prices in Ireland are so high, this is something that can help save money and make your home more energy efficient.

The service is completely free, but Age Action representatives were recently told that only small numbers of people have been taking advantage of it.

If you are receiving the fuel allowance, or know of someone who might be eligible for this scheme, please contact our information team at (01) 4756989 or helpline@ageaction.ie.

Open 7 days a week, from 12pm Daily lunch, early bird, evening and traditional Sunday lunch menu.

All live sports showing Large private Function room available Catering to all sizes of Funeral Parties

Your residence of choice for Academic Year 2015/16 - book now!

The Residences, St. Angela's (SASR) offers high quality accommodation with the support of a student community and the convenience of residing on campus:

"2 minutes out of bed and into the College or 5 minutes drive to the Institute" • 3 and 4 bedroomed apartments - all rooms private en-suite • Swipe card access control to all blocks, apartments and bedrooms • Fully furnished, including study desks and chairs, sofas, television and telephone (pillows, duvets 86" x 92", mattress protectors etc also provided) • Energy allowance • Broadband internet access, fitness centre membership and parking included in the rent.

• Wifi interface in all apartments • On site facilities also include laundrette, convenience store and recreation room • Bus service available to/from Sligo town (including Sunday night) • Evening activities will include : Yoga, pilates, boxercise and much more. All included in rent

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• SASR's culture is based on the 3xS's Safety, Security and Standards • SASR is a Section 50 compliant development, SASR boasts a 24 x 7 management presence and support system • Terms & conditions apply Fully Certified/Endorsed by St. Angela's College and Institute of Technology, Sligo - For Booking Form go to: www.sasr.info ACCOMODATION RATES: Rent €3500 for payment in full on or before September 4th, 2015 €3750 for payment in full after September 4th, 2015 (Time will be of the essence) or Staged payments: €1750 in September 2015, €1075 in December 2015, and €1000 in February 2015 Booking fee - €550 (for security deposit, utilities and energy allowance) Payable in addition to rent

The Residences, St. Angela's, Sligo Contact Details: Tel: 071-9119911 or 071-9172100 • Mobile: 086-6005106 or 086-4414725 or 086-1247775 Email: info@sasr.info Website: www.sasr.info

News

Government Spring Statement ignores older people

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he much anticipated Spring Statement from the Government at the end of April contained disappointingly little for older people.

Ministers Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin set out the Government’s plans for tax cuts and spending increases in the October budget.

Minister Noonan told the Dáil that the Government expects to have between €1.2 billion and €1.5 billion to use for increased spending and tax cuts. The coalition has agreed to split this funding 50-50 between tax cuts and spending increases. Although the news that there may be scope for more funding in the budget is welcome, the absenceof concrete commitments on issues affecting older people was noticeable.

Demographic pressure

Minister Howlin did highlight some of the demographic pressures facing Irish society in the years to come, pointing out that the portion of the population over 65 “is projected to increase from 11% in 2010... to 24% in 2060”.

He went on to say that these demographic changes would cost an esti- mated €200 million per year in health spending and an additional €200 million to maintain the State pension.

However, other than a ref- erence to a working group to examine the pensions issue, there was nothing substantial from either minister.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Age Action member Ellen Reddin described the Govern- ment’s Spring Statement as a “whitewash,” saying it was aimed solely at wooing po-

• Receive your VAT back when you order a kitchen • Get 50% Off your sliding wardrobe when you order a kitchen • We remove your old kitchen Free of charge (T&C Apply) Showrooms open at Callow, Foxford, Co. Mayo by appointment

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tential voters ahead of the next general election.

Survivor’s pension “He didn’t mention that the pension at the moment is merely a survivor’s pension,” she said.

“We’re only barely able to survive on it. I receive €238 a week, but there are people out there living

on a pittance.

“They talked a lot about what they aspire to do if people vote for them – but it lacked detail. And if they privatise some of the bus routes, what will happen to my bus pass?

“He didn’t reassure the elderly – we still have the same fears as before.”

Irish Cancer Society says thanks

Pictured at the presentation in the Ballina Manor Hotel were committe members and local volunteers. Seated from left, Jennifer and Mary Morrow, Mary Martin, Sadhbh Walsh, Lorraine Toner, Bridget O'Donnell and Sandra Martin. Standing from left, Val Padden, Brian Martin, Marie Bergin, Anne Bourke, Anne Beattie, Patsy and Ivan Beattie, Pauline and Tom Bourke , Marie Gibbons and Sinead Birrane. Picture Henry Wills.

T

he Irish Cancer Society’s 28th Daffodil Day, which is kindly supported by Dell took place on Friday 27th March. On the day, people from all over North Mayo got involved – selling daffodils on the street, organising events, getting their work place or school involved, or donating online.

People went above and beyond, fundraising for Daffodil Day 2015 and the Society, and Dell, want to thank and commend these communities who supported the campaign.

The Society’s target for

Daffodil Day 2015 was €3.5 million. Money is steadily coming in from around the country and the Society is happy to announce that it looks like they will reach their ambitious target for this year.

In 2014, The Irish Cancer Society managed to raise an incredible €3.4 million on Daffodil Day. Below are just some of the services the Irish Cancer Society provides in Mayo.

- Our specialist cancer nurses supported 30,531 callers to our National Cancer Helpline (Freefone 1800 200 700), 66 of these

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calls were from people in Mayo in 2014.

- We provided 7,800 nights of care to 1,934 families, 499 nights of care were provided in Mayo in 2014.

- We provided financial aid to the value of over €1,609,947, €58,250 worth of financial aid was provided to people in Mayo in 2014.

- Care to Drive facilitated 57 journeys for 9 cancer patients in County Mayo.

- The Irish Cancer Society has two local affiliated Cancer Support Centres in Mayo. Cara Iorrais Cancer Support Centre and Mayo

Cancer Support Association - There is a Daffodil Centre in nearby University Hospital Galway which received a total of 1,955 enquiries during 2014 It’s vital that Daffodil Day reaches its ambitious fundraising target of €3.5million in order to continue to provide and expand its vital services. So to the people of North Mayo and West Sligo we thank you sincerely.

It means so much to The Irish Cancer Society and really makes a difference to people with cancer in Ireland. www.cancer.ie

Nephin View Restoration Group Vintage Show & Family Fun Day Sunday 21st June from 11-6pm • Glenhest Road, Newport, Co. Mayo All exhibits to be placed by 12.30pm, pre 1985

Music by Declan Nearney • Pat’s County Roadshow The Bumble Bee • Kevin Prendergast OTHER EVENTS: One of the largest harvest scenes in Ireland, Steam Engine, Sheep Shearing, Modified Cars, Trade Stands, Vintage Vehicles, Dog Show, Wheel Shoeing, Block Making, Craft Exhibitions, The Old School House, Photographic Display by Aidan Leonard, Kiddies Activities, Egg Throwing, Tractor Building, Horse Working Display, Silage Making, Sheep Dog Trails with a difference and lots more!

Come and See Ireland’s oldest Petrol Station & Shop An old time petrol station and shop with old style pumps, water dispensers & various oil grades on display including an old Dunlop tyre inflator. The shop will consist of all the old style bits & bobs assosicated with an era that has now passed

Nephin View Restoration Group

For more information contact Martin on 087-2303672 or Ray on 087-6085270

Sonnagh, Charlestown, Co. Mayo • Tel: 094-9254269 • kathsmyth@eircom.net

Operating on a home !om home basis where Residents feel at home in an oldy worldy environment.

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Come and see St. Anne’s for yourself, call us today to ar$ange a viewing you will not be disappointed!

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News

Help us expand Care and Repair

I

n recent years Age Action has dramatically expanded its successful Care and Repair programme, delivering a vital service across the country.

The number of community partners for the programme has increased from 20 to 34 in just three years. This has created a much bigger pool of volunteers and staff who carry out DIY jobs for hun- dreds of clients, as well as providing befriending visits

and a trade referral service.

“The experience of older people in Ireland of decreasing local services, and the increasing cost of transport, healthcare and fuel, means that growing numbers are coming to rely on Care and Repair,” said Claire Bellis of the Care and Repair programme.

“We want to develop as many new partners as possible this year and in future.”

Care and Repair is delivered

directly by Age Action offices in Cork, Dublin and Galway, as well as by com- munity partnerships in many locations nationwide.

The continued develop- ment of the programme depends on Age Action working with community groups to build Care and Repair partnerships.

“It’s our aim to deliver the programme nationwide,” said Claire. “To do that, we need help to find new com- munity partners to make it a truly national service, available to older people in every corner of Ireland.”

How you can help Age Action works to develop the programme with constituted community groups, such as Family Resource Centres and Community Development Partnerships, to deliver the service.

Board members agree to take responsibility for the development and day to day running of the pro- gramme with the support of Age Action and its dedicated Regional Develop- ment team.

So if you are a member of a community group, or have contact with one and would like to see Care and Repair in your area, please contact the team at (01) 475-6989.

Active Retirement Ireland criticises Government for lack of planning Active Retirement Ireland (ARI) has called on the Government to consider older people in their planning, as the Fiscal Council warns of poor economic foresight in the Spring Statement.

"Ireland may have the

Page 8 Mature Living

youngest population in the EU, but we still need to plan for the future," said ARI spokesperson, Peter Kavanagh, today. "Older people are conspicuous in their absence from the Governments Spring Statement. To date, the only

measure the government has taken to future proof the economy has been to implement a rise in the pensionable age. However they have neglected to protect the rights of older workers. We are looking at an untenable and harsh

situation where older workers will be forced to claim unemployment benefits instead of a pension during the ages 65 and 68, so the taxpayer saves very little and the older person's contribution as a citizen is belittled and devalued", he added.

The Fiscal Council today criticised the Government for not planning for our ageing population. Mr Kavanagh agrees: "While there is a tendency to portray older people as a drain on society, despite their many contributions, we do need to make Ireland ready for a significantly older population.

Short term gains from cuts to community care grants, home help and other services for older people will lead to long term losses as a fragile system finally gives way. There is no joined-up thinking between departments that will prepare us for the future. For all the rhetoric about turning a corner, we feel that older people are still an afterthought for our government and we still have a very unequal society."

A Cry for Help from Fishing Communities on the Mayo and Sligo coasts

W

ith respective books, Sea Change and A Step Up now published on the topics of BIM 50 and 56ft fishing boats, Ballycastle (Co. Antrim) based Pat Nolan now plans to turn his attention to another class of BIM boats – 26-footers – of which in excess of 100 were built at BIM Yards and issued to fishermen during the 1950s and 60s.

At least 50 of those boats found first homeports on the Mayo and Sligo coasts. The system of boat naming used by BIM in the vast majority of cases was that of Irish place names beginning with Cill or Loch (e.g. Cill Airne or Loch Corrib).

As with the 50 and 56-footers, if the impact made by the introduction of those boats to the Irish fishing scene is to be recorded, your help is essential in ways of ownership, registration, associated anecdotes, and indeed any relevant details whatsoever. Pat is seeking help to preserve the existence of the boats! It would be a travesty to allow the importance of the iconic BIM 26-footers to fade into oblivion, he says.

If anybody can help Pat they can make initial contact at 04820762382 or e-mail patnolan1@hotmail.com

Westport artists Solo Exhibition The first solo exhibition of artist Tracy Mulloy and fellow art student of Westport College of Further Education, Westport Co Mayo.

Is holding her first solo exhibition titled Persona, which is being held in the Louisburgh HQ, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo.

Opening night 27th 0f June 2015 running until the 17th of July 2015. Doors open at 7.30.

Donegal - Age Friendly "The HSE and other voluntary groups across Donegal deserve high praise for the fact that a higher percentage of older people are living in the community, in their own homes, in their own place than is the case in other counties." This was stated

by Independent MEP Marian Harkin at a Health and Ageing Conference in Letterkenny which was organised by the HSE and the European Parliament office.

She continued: "despite the fact that Donegal has a higher percentage of older people than nationally, there is a much lower percentage in long term residential care - 2.8% in Donegal as opposed to 4.5% at a national level. This means that there are an additional 480 older people being managed at home with appropriate supports than would be the case if the national percentages applied to Donegal.

"This is a very significant achievement and Donegal should be seen as a model of good practice in this area. It is truly remarkable that in the county with the second highest dependency ratio (Leitrim is the highest) and a county that has the highest number of oldest old people. i.e. people over the age of 75, 80 and 85, that Donegal has achieved such high numbers of older people living in their own homes. Donegal can be truly called an age friendly county", Harkin concluded.

Photo: Brendan Nugent

PAUL CLAFFEY ““Don’t tell Lynott I’m only twelve”

Page 10 Mature Living

Feature by Tara King Paul Claffey may co-host a music show on SKY, but the truth is, he should be on Dragons Den. If anyone knows a thing or two about turning ideas into ventures, and risks into rewards, it’s the ‘Castlerea kid’ who once organised massively successful entertainment events by booking an array of wellknown bands and musicians, including one Phil Lynott, to play at them. Nothing strange about that, until you consider the fact that he was only 12 at the time!

“I was running a couple of one-off events with different bands, but I couldn’t let on to the musicians that I was only a 12 year-old young kid from the west,” Paul Claffey begins. “So when I was trying to persuade them to play at the events, I would have to deepen the voice a bit to try and pass as someone older! It worked too. I ran a gig with Phil Lynott back when he was with a band called Orphanage, the forerunner to Thin Lizzy” Paul is every bit as enterprising as he is entertaining. An innovator from a young age, he never shied away from taking a chance on an idea. This admirable trait is one he inherited from his parents, in particular his mother, who started a bakery business from their home in Castlerea when the family found themselves hit by the full force of the recession. The resilient mammy Claffey felt her business idea would be the solid solution to their hard times. A young Paul was roped in to help. “Mum used to bake things like fresh brown bread and penny buns” he recalled. “Then my father and I used to go around delivering them to shops in the back of his BDI 94 Ford Cortina!

Looking back, I suppose I had a flair for business from a young age, but now in saying that, I had as many losers as I had winners. I was always one for trying things though, probably because I wasn’t ever afraid of failing.” Like his mother, Paul had a knack for finding the opportunity in every problem.

He tells a great story about how a light bulb moment made him “a nice bitteen of money” back when he was just nine years of age. This was to be his first official taste of entrepreneurial success. “I used to go to the swimming pool in Castlerea, and because I had a bike, I was always the one who was sent up to the local shop for the minerals, ice cream and sweets” he explains. “Then one day I thought, well why don’t I sell the minerals and make a profit? So I started a shop right there in the swimming pool! I’d buy a couple of hundred crates

Paul received his PPI Radio Hall of Fame award at the PPI Radio Awards Ceremony in Lyrath House Hotel pictured with his award surrounded

by Staff and Friends from Mid West Radio. Pic Iain White

of Coke Cola, as well as boxes of crisps and sweets, and sell them to people at the pool.”

After dropping out of school early, Paul and two friends started running school discos, or ‘hops’ as they were known back then. Four hops in, the three teenage tycoons-in-the-making had earned the then equivalent of around €10 each, a tidy sum back then. When the other two lads dropped out, an undeterred Paul decided to continue on his own and started organising showband dances where popular acts would play to packed out venues.

“I had a few ballrooms, and everything was going brilliantly” he begins. “This was probably around the latter part of the showband era, so I got in on the tail-end of it. The ballrooms were doing well, and I was there thinking, ‘here I am! The big success story!’ And then a piece of legislation was passed by the government that allowed hotels have a late night bar license. That one decision was the death knell for the ballrooms. It all collapsed on me after that. In January I’d had a thriving business. By April, I had nothing.”

The end of the ballroom scene was the start of a very dark time for Paul, though in hindsight, it was probably the best thing that could have happened to him as it led him straight to his next venture. Mid West Radio. One Sunday night, when a band he had booked found themselves having to play to a near-empty venue, musician Chuck Owens turned to him afterwards and suggested he start a radio

station. Paul dismissed the idea at first, explaining that he had already “tried it years ago.”

“Well,” Chuck replied, “years ago I bet you were playing the kind of music that you wanted to hear, and not the kind of music that the listeners wanted to hear.”

That one sentence changed Paul’s mind, and he still quotes it as the business philosophy by which he operates.

“When I started Mid West as a pirate radio station, I was going through a very dark time in my business life. I hadn’t a pot to p**s in, as they say!” he laughs.

“I had no money at all! We needed £1,500 to start it, and at the time, I didn’t even have 15 pence! I partnered with Chris Carroll, and I persuaded him to

come up with the £1,500 for us to start it.”

He adds: “Mid West took the area by storm from the moment it went on air. Back then, pirate radio stations only played music. When we came along, however, we reported on everything that happened in the area.”

Broadcasters usually tend to fit one of two moulds. Some are trained to do it, others are born to do it, and if the early days of Mid West Radio have shown us anything, it’s that Paul Claffey was definitely a born broadcaster. “Originally, I wasn’t meant to present any programmes” he recalls. “We’d had a presenter lined up for the show, but he backed out the night before the radio station

was to go on air. I had no experience being a presenter, none whatsoever, but when he backed out, we were stuck so I stepped in.”

As he settled into his new position, Paul was full of banter.

A natural entertainer whom the listeners loved from the get go.

There wasn’t the faintest hint of stress in his ‘radio voice’, but off air, things were very different. By his own admission, the radio allowed him to escape from his problems.

He explains further, “As soon as I switched on that microphone, I switched off from reality. I was under pressure financially, and the bank was after me for money, as were this one and that one, and so the radio became my escape from

Pictured with SKY co-presenter Gerry Glennon from Mid West Radio - Photo: Brendan Nugent

Page 11 Mature Living

those problems. That was reflected in the programme. It was a bit of craic and music, and it allowed the listeners to take a break from their own problems too. The show helped me through my own bad times as much as it helped the listeners through theirs.”

In the summer of 1988, Mid West closed temporarily. The government had announced a decision to license a number of independent radio stations, but there was a catch. In order to conform with the license application, the pirate radio stations had to first close.

Thousands of people attended a ‘farewell Mid West Radio night’.

Fortunately, the goodbye wasn’t a permanent one, and the station soon reopened, this time legally. They made money from year one, and from that day to this, they have been one of the top three local radio stations in Ireland. Paul’s own radio show is currently in the top two in the country. He also created

Page 12 Mature Living

what is now an Irish radio institution, the death notices!

“We had no internet or telephones back then, so sometimes a person would be buried before you’d even find out they had died!” Paul explains. “Despite the technology we have today, people will still tune in for the death notices. They’re a hugely important element of our daily broadcast schedule, and they are still the top rated segment in local radio each day.”

Twenty years ago, Paul set up a series of music tours, a natural extension of his life as a radio presenter and a very successful one at that. He compares the tours to “a wedding that lasts a week”, and while at first the tours were limited to Irish cities and towns such as Galway and Westport, they now travels to slightly more exotic places such as South Africa, the Caribbean, and Las Vegas. The idea came from playing bingo with Joe

Dolan. “I was over in Spain on a golf holiday with Joe and his brother Ben. We were what you would describe as golf-aholics; we got very competitive when we played, and on one particular occasion, we were in a hotel where the golf was fantastic, but the night time entertainment was nonexistent. So, Joe, Ben and myself would end up playing bingo!”

Paul adds, “At the time, I remember thinking to myself, wouldn’t it be lovely to have music at night in a beautiful hotel like this? I figured if we could fill a flight, it would be worth trying it, so straight away I booked the Conquerors from Portumna, and Joe said he would sing a few songs as well. I arranged the charter flight on the Tuesday, advertised it on Mid West Radio on Wednesday and Thursday, and by Friday, the whole thing was sold out. That was two decades ago and it’s still going strong!”

For fifteen years, Joe accompanied Paul on each tour.

Ben still goes.

“Joe always enjoyed the

camaraderie with the people on the tours.” Paul recalls. “He loved playing golf during the day and listening to the music at night, but he always insisted on paying his own way, because he didn’t want anyone to think he was there as an entertainer.

Now, on occasion he did sing a few songs, but no one ever put him under any pressure to do so. He was there for the craic, like everyone else.”

Having reached all heights of career success, one could be forgiven for assuming that a quiet life of retirement in somewhere like sunny Spain would hold a certain amount of appeal for Paul Claffey. Not so, it would seem. The grandfather of three is hanging on to his headphones.

“My philosophy is that age is just a number” he explains. “If you want proof of that, just look at Tom Jones! He’s over 70 years of age and he’s still selling out venues. You can be old if you want to be old. Age is a mindset. The body might not be as young as it used to be but you can’t let that influence your outlook on things. I see it on the tours all the time.

People of 80 years of age out dancing. You can tell they haven’t allowed themselves to feel old.”

Music is Paul’s life, no doubt about it. He looks after the career of Michael English, and along with the music tours and the radio station, he also cohosts a music programme on SKY. Paul laughs as he recalls the words of his late friend Joe Dolan.

“Joe used to say I was an entertainer in exile. I should have been a singer but I can’t sing! I’ll sing a bar of a song on a music tour if I have to, but that’s about it.”

Indeed Paul might not be able to sing, but give him an audience and he’ll sure as hell be at the top of the room drumming up the craic.

Feature with Sonya Hamill of Blue Apple Dental - Irish Dentistry’s Dental Practice of the Year 2013

What are the Most Common Dental Problems?

M

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

We thoroughly enjoyed our two days for one particular reason, we met a lot of people who were actively interested in their dental health! They wanted to speak to us about the problems they are experiencing, and they had a genuine interest in considering their options for dealing with their dental problems.

It was a real pleasure to chat with them about modern dentistry.There were a number of issues which came up again and again, and it is often the case that these 3 issues are at the top of the list for many people.

These included unstable or uncomfortable dentures, spaces, and how to make teeth whiter.

This month I would like to respond to these common questions.

be able to unclip itself, and so you will be able to wear it with confidence. In our practice we find this is one of the most life enhancing treatments we offer.

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

1. Unstable or uncomfortable dentures.

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

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

So, what can you do?

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

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

• If you want to be absolutely sure of keeping a denture in place, clipping it onto some implants, from as few as 2, gives a denture a firm, stable basis of support. The denture will not

So, what are the options?

• A denture. This is a low cost way of replacing missing teeth.

It will prevent the other teeth from moving, and overcome a number more of the problems missing teeth can cause. The main problem many people feel about this is that its stability can be unpredictable, and they simply do not wish to wear a denture.

• A dental bridge. This is where an artificial tooth or teeth are held in place by the teeth on either side of the space. The teeth on either side are prepared for crowns, which the ar-

tificial teeth are then supported between. This generally works well but, as we discussed with many people at the Exhibition, the lifespan of the bridge then depends on how healthy the supporting teeth remain. A dentist will be able to help you make a judgement on this.

• A dental implant. Dental implants replace teeth without relying on other teeth for support.

Having chatted to many people at the Exhibition about this option, the benefit many people like is that the implant itself can often be used again in the future if more teeth are lost.

E.g. you could replace one tooth with an implant now, and if you lost more teeth in the area you could then use the implant, on its own or with others, to support a greater number of teeth. This flexibility is very attractive to many people who are making plans for their long term dental future, as is the fact that this option usually feels the most natural in your mouth.

3. How to make teeth whiter and brighter.

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

So, what can you do?

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

• Many people asked us about

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

• Over the counter kits will not brighten your teeth as much as a professional whitening treatment given to you by the dentist. This is simply because there are legal limits on how much of the active agents in the products can be used in off the shelf products. A dentist can use them because they will be able to carry out a dental examination to make sure you are suitable for using a stronger product.

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

ally for about 7-10 days.

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

Overall, at the exhibition we were very impressed by how keen people were to explore their dental options. It reflects a wider development in how people are approaching their dental care in modern Ireland.

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

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

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

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

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

www.blueappledental.com

Blueapple welcomes new patients.

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

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

FASHION

The 10 Best Haircuts for Women in Their 50s

These hairstyles are glossy. They're flattering. They're cool. The best haircuts to get in your 50s happen to be short, medium-length, and long cuts you'd want at any age (with a few strategic tweaks here and there). We promise, there's not a single matronly style in the bunch.

WISPY PIXIE Sharon Stone

SPIKY & SHORT Angela Bassett

CENTER-PARTED LOB Michelle Obama Obama's longer, more modern take on the traditional bob is First Lady conservative without being stuffy or aging. Have your stylist cut the back a tiny bit shorter than the front, with long, angled layers around your face.

COLLARBONE-LENGTH Michelle Pfeiffer If your hair is naturally wavy, this cut is going to work in your favor. It's what I like to call the no-layer cut. What does she mean by that? There are "invisible layers" cut into the hair that are so subtle, they're barely noticeable in the finished style. They give the look some softness and keep it from looking too perfect, overdone, or dated.

Some supershort haircuts look severe and harsh—two adjectives not usually associated with the fountain of youth.

That's why this soft cut is so appealing.

There's just the right amount of wispiness, so it's a little messy with a modern edge .

It's also versatile: I like that it's a little longer around the ears; it gives her the choice to style it a little shaggier, or she can tuck it behind her ears.

Angela Bassett's short haircut is the anti-short short haircut: There is absolutely nothing predictable about it. This cut works on all hair textures, and it's going to draw attention to your eyes, but also to everything else—your ears, your nose, your jawline. Adding a short, side-swept fringe can make it a little more wearable—and looks really cool—but it's still going to be a daring cut.

THE BOB Jodie Foster

WAY LOB Madonna

MID LENGTH Julia Louis-Dreyfus Low-maintenance ladies, listen up: This is a really great length because it sort of styles itself. It's automatically going to have movement because it's going to break on your shoulders. It's also a great way to transition your way out of a bob.

LONG(ISH) Julianne Moore I always admire how Julianne Moore makes this length work—it's long without overdoing it. The key is that her cut is really clean and defined, which looks sophisticated.If you have fine or medium hair, ask your stylist for delineated layers from your collarbone down, with blunt ends

LONG WAVES Andie MacDowell Voluminous hair looks youthful (duh). But you might be surprised that it's not all about the roots. The fullness is concentrated toward the bottom, so [her hair] looks thicker. I think a lot of women obsess about getting height at the crown, but this is actually more youthful.

Jodie Foster, congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement Award—and also, on achieving the perfect bob. The A-line shape and length make this bob so stylish. It's ideal for fine or thinning hair (it gives limp hair instant shape) but also works on medium hair. (Just stay away if your hair is thick—it'll look too puffy.) Ask your stylist to cut blunt ends with a razor. That gives you a softer line than scissors, which tend to make bobs look like a broom.

Remember when collarbone-length hair was old-fashioned? Here's one really good clue that that's not true anymore: Madonna is wearing it. Her long, textured bob and loose waves are so much cooler than that oldschool shoulder-length hair that's smooth and voluminous and coiffed.

She has lots of uneven, piecey layers, which make this cut work —but go easy on them if you have fine hair.

CRAZY-LONG WAVES Demi Moore Moore's nearly waist-length hair is really, really long (and also kind of risky) no matter how old you are. The key to pulling it off and making it look youthful? It's all about the health and thickness of your hair. If your hair wouldn't naturally grow this long try extensions.

Drumshanbo • Co Leitrim • www.loughallenhotel.com • Tel: 071-964-0100

EARLY BIRD OFFER

3 NIGHTS BED & BREAKFAST & Dinner on one evening Only

€149.50

PER ADULT SHARING

Children Only

€25.00

PER CHILD PER STAY (3BB&1D)

Local Activities:

Kids Club running daily from 1st July - 31st August 2015 Families of up to 7 can be accommodated (in apartments)

Lough Key Forest Park www.loughkey.ie, Moorlands Equestrian Centre www.moorlands.ie, Electric Bike Trails www.electricbiketrails.com Arigna Mining Museum www.arignaminingexperience.ie, Indoor Airsoft Shooting & Archery www.carrickindoorshooting.com

Health Matters

THE Best foods for healthy eyes

Eat fatty fish at least once a week? The right kinds of fruits and vegetables? Find out how to lower your risk of serious vision loss from advanced age-related macular degeneration. the freshest, most colourful veggies and fruits you can find — think red, dark green, orange or yellow. Some top foods for your peepers include carrots, corn, kiwi, pumpkin, yellow squash, red grapes, tomatoes, spinach, kale, collard greens and green peas.

Nuts are another source of omega-3 fatty acids — and they also contain copper, which it thought to play a role in preventing age-related eye diseases.

T

he health benefits of oily fish have been widely reported including reduced risk for heart disease, depression and certain kinds of cancers. Eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids has also long been thought to be good for maintaining eye health.

Now new research from Johns Hopkins University backs up previous studies showing that fatty fish-eaters tend to have lower rates of advanced agerelated macular degeneration (AMD) — a condition where vision becomes increasingly blurry and distorted due to damage to part of retina. This can impair basic daily activities such as reading, driving or even recognizing faces.

While there is no cure for AMD, there are some treatments and lifestyle changes that can help to prevent serious vision loss.

The study, published in the journal Ophthalmology, indicates that omega-3 fatty acids — found in oily fish such as salmon, albacore tuna and mackerel — may affect the development or progression of AMD. Researchers looked at data from 2,520 adults aged 65 to 84

Page 16 Mature Living

who underwent eye exams and completed detailed dietary questionnaires. And while they found no clear relationship between participants’ reported fish intake and the risk of AMD, there was a link between higher intake of omega-3-rich fish and the odds of having advanced AMD, the most serious stage of the condition.

In fact, participants who ate one or more servings of such fish on a weekly basis were 60 per cent less likely to have advanced AMD than those who averaged less than a serving per week. However, the relationship between participant’s fish intake and the risk of AMD — as opposed to advanced AMD — was less clear.

The study took into account known risk factors such as gender, race and smoking habits, which have been previously connected with AMD. (Women face a greater risk of AMD than men, whites are at greater risk than African Americans and smokers face a higher risk than non-smokers.)

“While the current research indicates that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of late AMD in some patients, more research is still

necessary,” study leader Bonnielin K. Swenor from Johns Hopkins University told Reuters.

The fact that the study was “cross-sectional” — meaning it analyzed participants at one point in time rather than following them over time – means that its difficult to know for sure if the participants’ reported diet habits preceded the development of the eye disease.

Foods for healthy eyes In addition to fatty fish, there is growing evidence that fresh fruits and dark green, leafy vegetables — foods rich in vitamins C and E, selenium, and carotenoids (including beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin) — may delay or reduce the severity of AMD To reap the most health benefits, select

Foods to avoid A high-fat, high-cholesterol diet is not only bad for your heart, but it can lead to fatty plaque deposits in the macular vessels — which can hamper blood flow and increase the risk of AMD. Similar to guidelines for cardiovascular health, experts recommend maintaining a diet low in fat to keep your eyes healthy. Research has also shown that consuming red meat 10 times a week or more puts you at a 47 per cent higher risk for macular degeneration.

Vitamins and supplements A high-dose formulation of antioxidants

and zinc can significantly reduce the risk of advanced AMD and its associated vision loss, according to The National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). This is often recommended for people with intermediate AMD in one or both eyes.Because there can be harmful side effects, including urinary tract problems, to highdose supplements, be sure to consult with your doctor before taking supplements. Also keep in mind that some vitamins and supplements can interfere with some prescription medications.

Other preventative measures Experts also recommend making other healthy lifestyle choices to help prevent AMD: • Smoking. If you smoke, quit.

Studies have shown that people who smoke may be 3-4 times more likely to have AMD. • Exercise. Not only can physical activity reduce risk for AMD, but it may also slow progression of the disease.

• Watch your numbers. This includes controlling your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

• Adequate protection. Protect your eyes and be sure to wear sunglasses, especially in strong sunlight.

Health Matters

A Spoonful of organisation helps keep you safe & healthy of vials wondering, have I or haven’t I? You may also need some prompting mechanism to ensure you DO take those vital drugs or supplements each day.

The more pills we require, the more room for error. And although, yes, to err is human, when it comes to pharmaceuticals, mistakes can have serious consequences.

A GP from Ballina, who treats people regularly in their homes (Yes, he makes house calls), believes that when it comes to taking medication, vigilance is crucial.“Medication blunders will happen,” he says, “but they can be minimized.”

D

RUGS and medicines and food supplements have become a vital part of our lives . . . and as we grow older perhaps we begin to lose track of what is prescribed for what, or indeed, what the shape of a particular drug is . . . as some

change shape over time anyway.

Have you noticed that the contents of your medicine cabinet seem to expand over the years. And on more than one occasion, have you not found yourself standing in front of the ever-growing collection

Below is a list of his suggestions: • Keep a detailed inventory of all medicines –name, dosage and how/when it is to be taken (morning/evenings, with/without food, etc.). List all prescription/nonprescription, vitamins, herbals, nutritional supplements and over-the-counter drugs. Include other medical information such as emergency contacts, drug allergies, previous hospitalizations and insurance information. Update on a regular basis.

• Keep a copy at home and another in your purse or wallet.

Should you have to go to the emergency room or have an accident, having it with you could save your life.

• Go over the list with your GP. It is a good idea to make an appointment for that reason alone.

• Make certain you understand why your medications have been prescribed, that they are compatible with one another and that the reasons for taking them are still valid. (Just because you have been on a drug for years doesn’t necessarily mean you still need it, or that it can’t be administered in a simpler way.)

• Don’t rely solely on your memory. Use a calendar, paper or electronic, to remind you to take your medicine, and also to let yourself know what you have already taken.

• Pre-sort two-week’s worth at a time into a pill container with compartments for each day. If you have morning and evening medication, use two of them, clearly marked DAY and NIGHT. (Purchase different colors and use a marker to write across the top of each.)

• Develop a relationship with

your pharmacist. Having all your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy increases the possibility of identifying possible adverse interactions.

• Always follow instructions. (If you are to continue until the medicine is gone, don’t stop taking it as soon as you feel better, or because you don’t notice immediate results.)

• Read the directions on the label carefully, heeding warnings such as stay out of sunlight, take with food, etc.

• If you are discharged from the hospital with new medication orders, ask why changes were made before leaving. Often one medicine is substituted for another simply because the hospital pharmacy doesn’t carry a particular formulary.

• If you have concerns about how a medicine is making you feel, don’t simply stop taking it.

Contact your physician.

The local GP says: “Communication between you and healthcare professionals is so important. You should understand why the drug is recommended, how and when to take it and the consequences of not taking it as prescribed.

Ask questions. Expect answers.”

Dietary factors to consider when taking Medication “TAKE TWO and call me in the morning.” This is a familiar axiom for medication usage.

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

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

Grapefruit Perhaps the most widely known food and drug interactions occur with grapefruit juice. Part of the reason they are so widely known is because the juice interferes with several types of drugs, in-

cluding blood pressure medications, statins (used for lowering cholesterol) and certain anti-depressants. Grapefruit juice contains a compound that blocks special enzymes in the intestines that break down many medicines. The result is higher levels of the medication remain in the body and side effects can become more likely.

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

Vitamin K Another common food and drug interaction occurs with the blood thinner warfarin, more commonly known by its trade name Coumadin®. Using this medication requires careful scrutiny of foods high in Vitamin K since this vitamin helps the blood to clot and works against warfarin. Foods high in vitamin K include green leafy vegetables, cauliflower, liver and soybean

oil. Green tea also contains a fair amount of vitamin K as well.

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

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

minerals. A potassium supplement may be prescribed by your doctor for this reason.

Certain diuretics are designed to spare potassium losses therefore potassium supplementation is not always warranted. These medicines are often prescribed for high blood pressure so salt restriction is also part of the treatment plan. Therefore, you need to check with your doctor to see if salt substitutes would be suitable for use. Salt substitutes often contain a substantial amount of potassium, in place of the sodium, and could lead to higher potassium levels than normal in the body. A half teaspoon of salt substitute can provide over 1500 mg of potassium. To put that in familiar terms – that is the potassium equivalent of four bananas.

Alcohol Alcohol is another food that can react with a variety of medications. Most of the alcohol-drug interactions occur with pain medications such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Moderation with alcohol use, a standard mantra,

is a necessity with these drugs.

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

NSAIDs relieve pain by interfering with enzymes called cyclooxygenase, or COX, for short. These enzymes are responsible for releasing the prostaglandin chemicals associated with inflammation.

However, this enzyme also provides protection in the stomach from indigestion and ulcers. Liberal alcohol consumption while on NSAIDs substantially increases the risk of bleeding from gastric ulcers.

Alcohol also needs to be used with caution while on anticonvulsant medications and antihistamines since it can increase drowsiness in each situation. Lastly, nitrates that are used to treat chest pain often have alcohol warnings.

Nitrates work by relaxing the blood vessels that lead to the heart therefore improving blood and oxygen flow. Alcohol can enhance the relaxing effect of this medicine and lead to a precariously low blood pressure.

Summer Holidays

Things To Do With Your Grandchild This Summer Get ready to have some fun in the sun. There's something for every grandparent and grandchild on our list of oh-so-simple summer activities polyester-cotton tees, fabric paint, brushes, and shake-on glitter, rhinestones, buttons, or other embellishments.

Teach your grandchild a hobby you love: crocheting, guitar, woodworking, cooking, etc.

Go swimming in a body of water that your grandchild has never experienced. Usually do the pool? Try a lake.

Take photos of each other posing at local landmarks and even just places you like.

Build an outdoor tepee from old sheets and a few poles.

Catch frogs: Make one superduper ice-cream sundae — don't forget the whipped cream, cherries, and two spoons.

Do karaoke together. Sing "My Generation" and "When I'm Sixty-Four."

Scope out populated parking lots for different county license plates. Keep a list and try to find all 32.

Go on a picnic, even if you travel no farther than your backyard.

Set out a blanket, and bring portable music and a Frisbee.

Go on a nature walk, pointing out bugs, trees, birds, and butterflies. Bring binoculars.

Play Ring Around the Rosie and London Bridge barefoot in the grass or on sand.

Play catch until it's too dark to see the ball.

Decorate T-shirts. You’ll need two plain white 50/50

Take the dogs outside and play a long game of fetch. Using the ground to scratch an itch is fun for dogs and kids!

Build a birdhouse.

Ride a roller coaster. See who can scream the loudest.

Ride bicycles to someplace new or show your grandchildren around your neighbourhood.

Spend an hour in a hammock.

Borrow mystery books from the library, and take turns reading chapters out loud under the stars.

Page 18 Mature Living

Go to a museum exhibit you've never seen. The more unknown to both of you, the better.

Take a walk around your neighbourhood, picking up interesting stones and leaves as you go. Then make a natural sculpture in the backyard. If you don't have a backyard, make the sculpture in a park's grassy area.

Tour your local fire station.

Call ahead to make arrangements; ask if your

grandchild will be allowed to climb on a fire truck or sit inside and steer.

Collect seashells at the beach.

Later, paint them using watercolors and give them out as favors at the next family dinner.

Paint watercolor portraits of each other — the sillier the better.

Make up a story, taking turns one sentence at a time. You

start the story, then your grandchild continues it, you take over again, then he does, until you have an ending.

Let your grandchild bury you in the sand.

Make puppets with socks and markers, and put on an outdoor show.

Go to the park and feed the ducks some day-old bread.

Check beforehand to make sure that feeding is allowed.

a scenic campsite, or your backyard.

Get out there. The longest days of the year are a great time to teach preschoolers how to tell time. Better yet, make a sundial.

Repaint a fence. If Tom Sawyer could do it…

Play miniature golf. Once again: Play miniature golf.

Blow bubbles. When you run out of liquid that comes with the wands, use dishwashing soap and water.

Go for a scenic drive, pointing out the highlights.

Spread out an old sheet on the grass and paint your hearts out.

Pick strawberries, peaches, and raspberries from a pickyour-own farm. Bake a pie with your purchases.

Fold homemade paper airplanes and see whose goes the farthest.

Put on your bathing suits and run through a sprinkler in the backyard.

Break out the sidewalk chalk to play hopscotch and draw each other's portrait.

Bet on bug races.

Make something with glue, cardboard, and found objects from around the neighborhood.

Plant flowers or vegetables in your garden or in a window box.

Get kid-size tools and let the grandchildren get dirty.

Build sand castles and mud pies at the beach.

Watch fireworks and light your own sparklers.

Wash your car; wear swimsuits.

Fire up the barbecue grill and do a family cookout. Don't forget the chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows for s'mores.

Fly a kite.

Make your own ice cream with an empty coffee can and ice cubes.

Ride a bus. Whether you're braving crosstown traffic or off seeing Ireland, looking out the window is always entertaining in this classic mode of transportation.

Make a pitcher of iced tea. Sit under a shady tree, and talk.

And listen.

Teach your grandchild to play marbles.

Ride a carousel.

Make a hanging mobile with string, old magazine pages, straws, paper clips, and ribbon.

Hang it on the porch or out the window.

Watch horse racing in person.

Visit the newest baby animals at the zoo. Buy ice cream to celebrate the births.

Go fishing.

Get pedicures and go sandal shopping.

Climb a tree. Bring a camera.

Play “volleyball” with a balloon.

Skim pebbles, or really perfect flat rocks, across a pond or lake.

Pick wild flowers and practice arranging them in vases around the house.

Make Jewellery. Even boys like to make bracelets and necklaces with wooden beads; go for sparkly details for girls.

Then wear the bling to your next outing.

Close your eyes, spin a globe, and stick your finger on a spot.

When it stops, talk about the destination and what it would be like to live there.

Go camping - your local woods,

Have a sing-along. Youngsters all know and love "The Wheels on the Bus," "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and "If You’re Happy and You Know It." If they’re not

familiar with the songs, here’s your opportunity to teach them.

Pluck a thin, flat blade of grass.

Stick one end between the tips of your thumbs and the other between your thumb heels.

Straighten your thumbs out gradually until the grass is taut, pucker up and blow so that the air makes the grass vibrate, producing that high-pitched, piercing whistle. If that doesn't work, try two blades.

your grandchild a few euros to spend.

Name the constellations visible in the night sky or look up and view the next lunar eclipse or meteorite shower. For extra points, borrow a reference book from your local library to guide you along.

Play 20 Questions on your next car ride. Consider movie and book titles, famous sports and historical figures, foreign countries, or another family member!

Get the schedule for local concerts and theatre and bring the grandchildren.

Go bowling. If you don’t have a bowling alley near your home, set one up in your backyard, using household items — such as empty drinks cans and thin paperbacks — that you can easily knock over with an inflatable ball.

Play make-believe — a young grandchild can be the mommy or daddy and you are the baby.

Let her or him take care of you.

Browse a car boot sale, giving

Learn chess together.

Spend a day at the beach digging for sand crabs.

Go to a farmer’s market, making a game out of finding one item for each letter of the alphabet (apples, broccoli, carrots, etc.)

Find volunteer opportunities either helping people out of the heat or something outdoors. It's a great season for turning the kids on to helping others less fortunate.

Learn a foreign language together. Then find a community that speaks that language and go practice.

Have a garden tea party with your good china, aromatic tea like raspberry or mint, and muffins or scones.

Find a year-round ice-skating rink and take a cooling-off glide.

Go to a petting zoo. This is not only a great experience but an excellent photo-op.

Get on a boat. Whether you're paddling, rowing, skiing, swimming, fishing, or best of all, sailing, this is a summer imperative.

Keep a scrapbook so you’ll both remember all the special things you did together.

Go rowboating or canoeing.

Have a board-game tournament on the lawn.

Watch a sunset and a sunrise.

Page 19 Mature Living

Discover the

F

Cliffs Of Moher

rom its northernmost point in Donegal to its southernmost in Cork, the Wild Atlantic Way offers one of the world’s most diverse and spectacular coastlines. Immerse yourself in the culture, music and food found in the towns and villages along the way, climb the most breathtaking heights and experience a landscape that revives the soul.

In Seamus Heaney’s (1939 –2013) poem ‘Lovers on Aran’ he poses the question ‘Did sea define the land or land the sea?’ The Wild Atlantic coastline has intrigued and mystified visitors to Ireland and helped shape the people of the west of Ireland.

2750 KM • 160 DISCOVERY POINTS • 15 SIGNATURE DISCOVERY POINTS • 26 ISLANDS TO DISCOVER • 150 HIDDEN GEMS more impressive huge Atlantic swells battering the coast during bad weather.

Whether you find yourself wandering the Deserted Village on the Blasket Islands, foraging for local food across the Killala Bay or kayaking in Kinsale, these experiences are ones worth planning a trip around.

The Wild Atlantic Way is can be enjoyed over a few days to several weeks, with over 1,000 Attractions, over 2,500 activities

including walking, cycling, kayaking, surfing, fishing and more, over 50 Blue Flag beaches, nearly 20 long distance walks, over 120 Golf courses and over 500 festivals and events to enjoy during each year.

Wild Atlantic Way Guides by County Over the next two pages are guides to attractions for each county on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo

F

ishing, collecting seaweed, artisan foods, kayaking, swimming, walking, cycling, snorkelling, diving, adventuring, artists, story tellers, seaside towns, blue flag beaches, camping, myth and legend, folklore, islands, cottages and windswept lighthouses. The Wild Atlantic Way has everything you’ll need in a holiday and more.

From cliff top views to great hikes and from historic cities to picture perfect coastal villages

Page 20 Mature Living

and some of the best surfing in the world, the Wild Atlantic Way drive caters for visitors of all ages and tastes.

Slow down, meet the people and experience the real Ireland.

Wild Atlantic Way Facts - The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest signed coastal route in the world at 2,750 km (1,700 miles) in length with plenty side routes, loops and activities.

- the Wild Atlantic Way travels the entire west coast from the picturesque town of Kinsale in

Cork through counties Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and ends in Donegal - join the Wild Atlantic Way at any number of points along its length, complete it in either direction and enjoy the many shorter side loops and dozens of attractions and activities - The Wild Atlantic Way provides visitors with stunning scenery at every turn and letting them experience the wild nature of Irelands Atlantic shore be it glorious sunshine or the even

Take the unique boat trip to the Skellig Islands UNESCO World Heritage Site, Co. Kerry

The Wild Atlantic Way For further information please contact Visitor Services, OPW, Unit 20, Lakeside Retail Park, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland Tel 01-6476000 Email info@heritageireland.ie

For further information on the OPW Heritage Card please contact Tel: 01-6476592 email:heritagecard@opw.ie Images courtesy Dept of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht

Enjoy Ireland's Heritage Free Admission on the First Wednesday of each month

Boyle Abbey, Co Roscommon

Sligo Abbey, Co Sligo

Parke's Castle, Co Leitrim

Céide Fields, Co Mayo

Carrowmore, Co Sligo

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Wild Atlantic Way Guides by County The following are guides to attractions for each county on the Wild Atlantic Way. CORK Enjoy Great Food in Kinsale, Charles Fort and Old Head of Kinsale Seven Heads and Inchydoney Beach Walks Lough Hyne and Baltimore –

Pirates, Whale watching Sherkin and Clear Islands Mizen Head, Sheeps Head Way Walks Dursey Island and Cable car and Beara Way Walk

KERRY The Kerry Way walking trail (130km) – the world’s best long hike Skellig Islands boat trip Valentia Island – Bray Head, Culoo, Tetrapod Fossils, Fogher

Dun Aengus Fort, Aran Islands

Hogs Head, Kerry.

Cliffs and Beginish Island Cahergal, Leacanabuaile, Staigue and Loher Ancient Stone Forts Beaches Derrynane, Ballinskelligs, Glanleam, Rossbeigh, Inch, Banna and Ballybunnion MacGillycuddy Reeks Mountains and Irelands highest Mtn. Corrán

Tuathail (1,039m) Killarney National Park, Muckross, Gap of Dunloe and Torc Waterfall Dingle town, Fungi the Dolphin, Basket Islands, Mt. Brandon and Dingle Way Walk Tralee Beaches, Rose of Tralee, Aquadome, Playdium, Wetlands Centre – family friendly

Clew Bay from Croagh Patrick Mountain, Co. Mayo.

SLIGO and LEITRIM Mullaghmore Head, Beach and Surfing Queen Meaves Tomb and Benbulben Mountain

Tory Island Fanad Head and Ards Forest Park Inishowen Peninsula, Malin Head and Five Fingers Strand

DONEGAL Bundoran Beach and Surfing Sliabh League Cliffs

Photos by the great Valerie O’Sullivan, Photographer with ActiveMe.

Mizen Head, Cork CLARE Kilrush – See Dolphins Loop Head and Kilkee Beach – Snorkel the Pollock Holes natural swimming pool Cliffs of Moher, Coastal Walk and The Burren Doolin Ferry to the Aran Islands and Doolin Cave Lahinch Beach and Surfing

GALWAY Dunguaire Castle and Kinvarra Spanish Arch and Galway City Salthill Promenade and Carraroe Beach Ferry to the Aran Islands Derroura Mountain Bike Trails Killary Harbour Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey

MAYO Clare Island and Clew Bay Croagh Patrick Mountain Keem Strand Achill Island Greenway Walking and Cycling Route Ceide Fields

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Visit our website: www.fatherpeytoncentre.ie Tel: 096-45374 • Fax: 096-45375 Email: ppmc@eircom.net

'Yeats' Golden Garden Leonie Cornelius explores the stunning Bloom 2015 Showgarden by local plantswoman Lorely Forrester.

This year the North West of Ireland was once again represented at National level at Bloom in the Park which took place over the June Bank holiday Weekend.

T

he showgarden design entitled ‘Yeat’s Secret Garden in Sligo’ won a gold medal from the judges and was created by the talented plantswoman Lorely Forrester, who is also a member of the charity gardens trail, Secret Gardens of Sligo.

Lorely tells me that the original seed of the idea was brought to her by Senator Susan O’Keefe, who approached Forrester about a year ago with the idea of creating a showgarden for Bloom in the Park as part of the Yeats 2015 celebrations.

Speaking of the whole experience of Bloom Lorely says that she had never dreamed of being accepted and that creating

Page 26 Mature Living

a showgarden was absolutely thrilling but also made her quite nervous.

Lorely has been an avid gardener for 35 years and has a wealth of hands on experience from this side, she was aware though that creating a showgarden was a different thing altogether. The timelines, detail required and regulations, as well as being away from home for the challenging build are quite different from creating a private garden.

The garden is purely imaginary.

The 16 x 10 metres space is seen as a Large garden and the Yeats inspired space was designed to be a concept garden, meaning that more conceptual and abstract ideas are welcome in the judging process. Entering the concept section was a good move form Lorely’s side, taking a little of the strain away from strictly adhering to the perfection of a showgarden and allowing the space to be more ethereal and dream like.

In a sense, this is what Lorely’s aim was from the start.

Describing the concept, she says ‘I have basically just tried to bring the poem to life -so it truly is a concept, as it's a peek inside the poet's head when he was a young man. He was 25 when he wrote it, living in grey, smoggy London - and he wrote it the same year he met and fell in love with Maud Gonne’.

A strong concept makes a great showgarden and the temporary spaces are great for creating a very strong emotional reaction from the viewer. Considering it is the year of Yeats2015, what better way to allow us to connect with the emotions the young Yeats felt by creating a space that echoes those ideas?

Forrester goes on to say that she hopes that seeing the garden will spark something in the visitor and their connection to Yeats.

‘I really hope people who have only seen him in the light of their own school room experience, or as 'Ireland's most famous poet'

will make a connection with a real person when they see the garden. It is full of imperfections - Yeats wasn't a gardener or a craftsman, he was an artist - a writer and a dreamer, but he loved nature and he loved Sligo.

By his own confession all his poetry was written about Sligo, and The Lake Isle is a dream of a treasured private place. He writes a great deal about nature, trees and wildflowers, so that is what I've tried to incorporate’.

The garden shows many elements that echo the poem and the whole feel of the North West. The mural in the garden endeavours to give a feeling of

distance across the lake and has been painted by Nik Purdy, the Sligo based artist.

Lorely speaks of the support from the North West and says that local helpers and sponsors played a been a huge part in bringing this dream to fruition.

From Lucy Brennan from Sligo CoCo Parks Dept to Jack Cunnane from the fantastic Western Plant Nursery in Skreen, the garden became what it was through so much local input. Choosing more local products, Ardcarne Garden Centre supplied some of the plants. Other local helpers were Sligo Haulage, Vincent Conlon garage and of course the

principal sponsor of the garden which was Glen Dimplex.

Another major factor to making this garden really unique and truly represent the spirit of the North-West are the local artists lovingly featured in the garden.

The sculpture by Sligo-based Martha Quinn, who is also involved in the Secret Garden trail is one of the few 'modern' elements to the garden. It is called 'The Waters and the Wild' (from Yeats' poem The Stolen Child') and it forms a magical, narrow window into the garden and Lorely says it allows us to peek into Yeats' head.

The piece is really impressive and beautiful, being made from a naturally split piece of limestone, a typical stone of the West of Ireland.

The White Birds are by Colin Scott, a Sligo ceramicist, and there are two other art works in the garden as well - The Cloths of Heaven (Yeats' sunshade) by Mary Cronin and a drawing of Lissadell/Benbulben by Lorely’s husband, the artist and printmaker, Robert Forrester.

Apart from showcasing this amazing garden at Bloom, Lorely also launched another project close to her heart at Bloom- The Irish-bred rose called 'WB Yeats'.

Speaking of the project she says ‘The rose has been raised by the internationally known rose

breeder Colin Dickson in Co. Down, and is a lovely plant, worthy of our great poet’, The pure red rose will flower all season long, year on year and has already won a few awards, including a gold medal from the Royal National Rose Society in the UK, and a Certificate of Merit from the Hague International Rose Trials. Interestingly the first ever WB Yeats rose was presented to Prince Charles for Princess Charlotte on their visit in May. Lorely is funding the rose by public donation and says it does not matter whether people give a fiver or €5,000 ‘It's not often anyone can be part of naming a rose. I'd like people to be able to look back in years to come and

know that they were a part of creating a living legacy for one of Ireland's most famous poets. We are actively seeking donors as the rose has yet to be paid for’.

(Secret Gardens of Sligo, which is a garden trail in the county raising money for charity. 2015 will be their sixth season, and over the preceding five, the trail has raised more than €24,000 for the different charities supported. There are more details about the rose and the garden trail on the website: secretgardensofsligo.com and also on the Yeats2015 as well as the Yeats Society websites.

Leonie Cornelius is an award winning garden designer, TV presenter and columnist with the Irish Independent. For more creative design stories go to leoniecornelius.com

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House and Home

In Praise of Perennials

Every garden should make the most of these colourful plants say the experts at Ardcarne Plantsplus Garden Centre Perennial plants are the life and soul of borders at this time of year. They are simply packed with flowers which bring splashes of fresh and vibrant colour to the garden. There are varieties which will flower in every season, but now is the time most perennials are at their most dazzling best. If your border lacks a bit of pizzazz at the moment, then look no further than flouncy paeonias, slender blue spires of salvias, elegant irises and many other perennials for an instant show of colour.

Perennials are plants that come back every year – so you can enjoy them in the garden for many years (even generations!).

Almost all of them will naturally die down for the winter months, but they come up even better again the following spring. There was a fashion for grouping perennials together in an herbaceous border, but it’s far better to use them among shrubs, so that you maintain a bit of structure in the winter.

Planting for impact The versatility of perennials is something that can be fully exploited in the garden. You can find varieties that are suitable for

ground cover, shady areas, coastal gardens, and wet or dry soil. If like many gardeners in the west of Ireland, you have heavy wet soil or a damp area in the garden then perennials such as astilbes, hostas, arum lilies, perennial lobelias and rodgersias will all luxuriate. Ground covering perennials are extremely useful for keeping down weeds. Some of the best varieties for ground cover are ajuga, bergenia, geranium and Persicaria affinis ‘Superba’, which will knit together to form a dense carpet. For the best effect always plant perennials in groups, using 3-5 of the same variety together, or more if using them for ground cover in a large area.

Aftercare Very little aftercare is needed with most perennials, apart from cutting the old stems back in the winter. Every few years most of them will usually benefit from being dug up and divided, replanting strong pieces back into compost-enriched soil. This is best done in spring, just as new growth starts to appear. Most plants will divide easily, either by pulling pieces apart from the main crown or splitting through it with a spade or sharp knife, ensuring each piece has some roots and shoots. Dividing perennials

like this keeps them vigorous and means that they will flower even better afterwards. It also means you can make a few extra plants to replant around the garden or give to friends!

The choice of perennials at Ardcarne Plantsplus Garden Centre is one of the largest in the country and you’ll find many unusual varieties as well as the old favourites.

Our Top Ten Perennial Recommendations Geranium Rozanne – Recently voted the best plant introduction of the past 100 years! This hardy geranium has an extremely long flowering season and makes a pool of blue flowers at the front of a sunny border.

Penstemon Garnet – One of the hardiest penstemons and invaluable for its spikes of vivid garnet red ‘foxglove-like’ flowers from summer to late autumn.

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Helianthemum – Commonly called rock roses, these low evergreen perennials revel in a sunny border where they will flower all summer. Their simple satiny swirls of petals can be pink, white or burnt orange.

Astilbe – The large feathery flower plumes of this easily grown perennial open in summer in

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ – This is one of the most striking plants for the late summer border when spikes of glowing red-flowers stretch above its lush clump of swordshaped leaves.

Heuchera – Amazing foliage plants forming lush leafy rosettes of rich purple, gold or amber. The leaves are retained during the winter so are invaluable for containers.

Nepeta – Even before flowering, the low mounds of grey leaves on this aromatic perennial make a worthy contribution to a border.

By midsummer the foliage is all but hidden under a froth of lavender blue flowers.

Kniphofia – Aptly known as red

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Phlox paniculata – A reliable cottage-garden favourite producing heads of scented flowers from July to September. Colours include deep and pastel pinks, purple, blue and purest white.

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Did you know your home's design can affect your bank account and love life? Try these feng shui tips based on the ancient art of balancing energy.

Attracting Money: Don't Use Water Symbols "Drippy faucets are a sign of money going to waste," Karen says. "Whatever the state of your water, your finances mirror those." To increase your bank account, repair broken fountains and remove all stagnant water from your property. "Ever heard the expression, 'I just can't get my head above water'?" Karen asks. It's best not to display water-based artwork or mirrors higher than your nose, which carries the same significance in feng shui. For most of us, that means no mirrors or water scenes above the bed.

Attracting Money: Make Your Front Door Inviting If it's hard to find your front door or it's confusing as to how to get in, it'll be hard for opportunity to make its way into your life as well, explains Karen. Put in an archway or gate to denote the front door if you need to, and make sure the doorbell works. The welcome mat should be bright and fresh. Sweep the steps and sidewalk in front, and add a potted plant to the entryway. Karen's rule of thumb: "If a trick-ortreater can't tell where to go, your front door isn't clear enough.

Attracting Money: Lose Clutter, Add Plants and Water "To bring in more prosperity, it's important to create a vibrant, healthy, inspiring and clutter-free home," explains Laura. "Clutter jams up good energy and leads to procrastination. Bring in vibrant life forces such as plants and flowers, and don't forget to have fresh air circulating. Fountains are important wealth adjustments in feng shui because they stimulate prosperity and energy, and symbolize money."

Attracting Love: Create a Cozy Master Bedroom Oversized master bedrooms need to be cozier in order to have good relationship feng shui. Start by closing off any adjoining rooms, including a bathroom, office, patio or gym, suggests Karen. If there's no door, install curtains. If you have a sitting area, arrange the chairs toward each other, and downsize with a smaller bed — go from king to queen or queen to double. "When the space gets bigger and bigger, people tend to live further and further apart emotionally."

Attracting Money: Decorate in Red, Purple or Green "Color has a powerful impact on mood, and red is considered auspicious and powerful.

Think of walking the red carpet or wearing a red power tie," explains Laura. Purple and green are also key colors for attracting prosperity but there's a hitch. "If you really can't stand the color green, it won't work for you.

But if you do love purple, paint a wall lavender or add a violet throw to your couch.

Then tune in to how your space feels. It's not just filling your home with stuff — it's about decorating with mindfulness and enhancing the vibration and power of your own home.

Attracting Money: Keep the Kitchen Clean "Your kitchen is directly related to your ability to attract money," says feng shui consultant Suzanne Metzger. Keep your pantry and refrigerator organized and full of fresh food you actually use. To attract more money, keep the stove clean — every burner must work and be used equally. Lastly, remove all clutter from the kitchen table.

Attracting Money: Bring In New Opportunities Sometimes it doesn't take money to make money — just a yard sale. "This is a zero-cost fix," explains Karen. "Take out clutter to increase prosperity; what you don't use, don't love, don't need. Space equals opportunity."

Attracting Love: Add a Splash of Pink Because it's the color of relationships in feng shui, pink is one of the best colors to decorate a bedroom with, says Ken. Pink represents love, joy, happiness and romance. It doesn't need to be a whole room, even a splash will do. Alternatively, light blue is a positive relationship color.

Attracting Love: Focus On One Another When it comes to the master bedroom, it's not about the view or TV, explains Karen.

"The bedroom is about passion and rejuvenation." To increase intimacy in your home, install heavy, cozy drapes over large windows, remove the TV and never sleep with a laptop, iPhone or other electronics buzzing near your bed. The bedroom should be low-tech and romantic. Avoid pictures and decor featuring anyone other than the people sleeping there — wedding pictures work, but family photos don't.

Attracting Love: Arrange Dining Table in a Circle When it comes to creating more love, the dining room is the second most important space in a home, the master bedroom being the most important. Arrange the dining table so everyone can see each other, and set out enough chairs for everyone even if the family doesn't eat together every night, says Karen. Symbolically, it's important to include the whole group.

Attracting Money: Add More Fun If your bedroom is too neat or stuck with a sterile feel, "add something whimsical that makes you smile," suggests Suzanne. It could also be artwork or a photo of a couple laughing together. This can bring positive energy into the room, and in turn, improve the relationship.

Attracting Love: Put Furniture Legs on Rugs "Never put all your furniture against the walls," says Karen Rauch Carter, feng shui consultant and author of Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life.

"Furniture should be arranged to support communication, so forget where the walls are. Put at least the front legs of all furniture on the rug — not just around it — and people will sit there and talk."

Attracting Love: Add Doubles to Every Room "If you want to start a relationship, don't surround yourself with single imagery", says Laura Benko, feng shui and holistic design expert. "Avoid a single chair in the corner, solitary images in artwork and solo photographs. It's important to create the energy of partnership around you, otherwise you are continually enforcing singularity." Add a second chair to a sitting area, double up on nightstands and surround yourself with pairs of everything.

Attracting Love: Add Happy Family Photos To improve your marriage, display smiling photos of yourself as a couple and your family in the hallways, kitchen or other high-traffic areas, suggests feng shui consultant Ken Lauher. Avoid putting family photos in the master bedroom, which should only include photos of the couple.

Attracting Love: Remove Negative Symbolism "To decrease stress and arguing in your home, check your surroundings," Laura suggests.

"One couple that fought constantly had crisscross swords over their bed, and another couple had guns on their living room wall. Keep photos and artwork pleasing, inspiring and uplifting."

Attracting Love: Leave Room for Someone Else "Single people build rooms for single people," says Karen. "They have one chair, one nightstand and so on. Add another nightstand for your future someone." That goes for the closet too. "Don't fill it up with your stuff — honor the space and carve out a dresser drawer or a shelf that's not yours. You don't need to literally have enough room for two people to live there, just leave room for opportunity."

Attracting Love: Arrange Kids' Beds for Better Harmony "Feng shui applies to all the occupants in the house," explains Laura. "Children can be even more susceptible to their surrounding energies, so it's very important to make sure their beds are placed in the commanding position. They will feel easily startled and vulnerable if their backs are to the door." Laura also says electronics should never be stored or charged near a child's bed.

Did you know your home's design can affect your bank account and love life? Try these feng shui tips based on the ancient art of balancing energy.

Attracting Money: Don't Use Water Symbols "Drippy faucets are a sign of money going to waste," Karen says. "Whatever the state of your water, your finances mirror those." To increase your bank account, repair broken fountains and remove all stagnant water from your property. "Ever heard the expression, 'I just can't get my head above water'?" Karen asks. It's best not to display water-based artwork or mirrors higher than your nose, which carries the same significance in feng shui. For most of us, that means no mirrors or water scenes above the bed.

Attracting Money: Make Your Front Door Inviting If it's hard to find your front door or it's confusing as to how to get in, it'll be hard for opportunity to make its way into your life as well, explains Karen. Put in an archway or gate to denote the front door if you need to, and make sure the doorbell works. The welcome mat should be bright and fresh. Sweep the steps and sidewalk in front, and add a potted plant to the entryway. Karen's rule of thumb: "If a trick-ortreater can't tell where to go, your front door isn't clear enough.

Attracting Money: Lose Clutter, Add Plants and Water "To bring in more prosperity, it's important to create a vibrant, healthy, inspiring and clutter-free home," explains Laura. "Clutter jams up good energy and leads to procrastination. Bring in vibrant life forces such as plants and flowers, and don't forget to have fresh air circulating. Fountains are important wealth adjustments in feng shui because they stimulate prosperity and energy, and symbolize money."

Attracting Love: Create a Cozy Master Bedroom Oversized master bedrooms need to be cozier in order to have good relationship feng shui. Start by closing off any adjoining rooms, including a bathroom, office, patio or gym, suggests Karen. If there's no door, install curtains. If you have a sitting area, arrange the chairs toward each other, and downsize with a smaller bed — go from king to queen or queen to double. "When the space gets bigger and bigger, people tend to live further and further apart emotionally."

Attracting Money: Decorate in Red, Purple or Green "Color has a powerful impact on mood, and red is considered auspicious and powerful.

Think of walking the red carpet or wearing a red power tie," explains Laura. Purple and green are also key colors for attracting prosperity but there's a hitch. "If you really can't stand the color green, it won't work for you.

But if you do love purple, paint a wall lavender or add a violet throw to your couch.

Then tune in to how your space feels. It's not just filling your home with stuff — it's about decorating with mindfulness and enhancing the vibration and power of your own home.

Attracting Money: Keep the Kitchen Clean "Your kitchen is directly related to your ability to attract money," says feng shui consultant Suzanne Metzger. Keep your pantry and refrigerator organized and full of fresh food you actually use. To attract more money, keep the stove clean — every burner must work and be used equally. Lastly, remove all clutter from the kitchen table.

Attracting Money: Bring In New Opportunities Sometimes it doesn't take money to make money — just a yard sale. "This is a zero-cost fix," explains Karen. "Take out clutter to increase prosperity; what you don't use, don't love, don't need. Space equals opportunity."

Attracting Love: Add a Splash of Pink Because it's the color of relationships in feng shui, pink is one of the best colors to decorate a bedroom with, says Ken. Pink represents love, joy, happiness and romance. It doesn't need to be a whole room, even a splash will do. Alternatively, light blue is a positive relationship color.

Attracting Love: Focus On One Another When it comes to the master bedroom, it's not about the view or TV, explains Karen.

"The bedroom is about passion and rejuvenation." To increase intimacy in your home, install heavy, cozy drapes over large windows, remove the TV and never sleep with a laptop, iPhone or other electronics buzzing near your bed. The bedroom should be low-tech and romantic. Avoid pictures and decor featuring anyone other than the people sleeping there — wedding pictures work, but family photos don't.

Attracting Love: Arrange Dining Table in a Circle When it comes to creating more love, the dining room is the second most important space in a home, the master bedroom being the most important. Arrange the dining table so everyone can see each other, and set out enough chairs for everyone even if the family doesn't eat together every night, says Karen. Symbolically, it's important to include the whole group.

Attracting Money: Add More Fun If your bedroom is too neat or stuck with a sterile feel, "add something whimsical that makes you smile," suggests Suzanne. It could also be artwork or a photo of a couple laughing together. This can bring positive energy into the room, and in turn, improve the relationship.

Attracting Love: Put Furniture Legs on Rugs "Never put all your furniture against the walls," says Karen Rauch Carter, feng shui consultant and author of Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life.

"Furniture should be arranged to support communication, so forget where the walls are. Put at least the front legs of all furniture on the rug — not just around it — and people will sit there and talk."

Attracting Love: Add Doubles to Every Room "If you want to start a relationship, don't surround yourself with single imagery", says Laura Benko, feng shui and holistic design expert. "Avoid a single chair in the corner, solitary images in artwork and solo photographs. It's important to create the energy of partnership around you, otherwise you are continually enforcing singularity." Add a second chair to a sitting area, double up on nightstands and surround yourself with pairs of everything.

Attracting Love: Add Happy Family Photos To improve your marriage, display smiling photos of yourself as a couple and your family in the hallways, kitchen or other high-traffic areas, suggests feng shui consultant Ken Lauher. Avoid putting family photos in the master bedroom, which should only include photos of the couple.

Attracting Love: Remove Negative Symbolism "To decrease stress and arguing in your home, check your surroundings," Laura suggests.

"One couple that fought constantly had crisscross swords over their bed, and another couple had guns on their living room wall. Keep photos and artwork pleasing, inspiring and uplifting."

Attracting Love: Leave Room for Someone Else "Single people build rooms for single people," says Karen. "They have one chair, one nightstand and so on. Add another nightstand for your future someone." That goes for the closet too. "Don't fill it up with your stuff — honor the space and carve out a dresser drawer or a shelf that's not yours. You don't need to literally have enough room for two people to live there, just leave room for opportunity."

Attracting Love: Arrange Kids' Beds for Better Harmony "Feng shui applies to all the occupants in the house," explains Laura. "Children can be even more susceptible to their surrounding energies, so it's very important to make sure their beds are placed in the commanding position. They will feel easily startled and vulnerable if their backs are to the door." Laura also says electronics should never be stored or charged near a child's bed.

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amien and Maureen McEntire founded Superior Insulations Ltd. in March 2011. Damien is a native of Longford and Maureen is from Charlestown, Co. Mayo. The family moved home to Charlestown in 2007 from the U.S. Damien is a Master Carpenter by trade and served his apprenticeship in N.Y. Local Union 608 alongside some of the best European craftsmen in the many beautiful New York buildings. Following that, Damien moved on to home construction in residential areas in New Jersey where his attention to detail, skill and honesty was much appreciated. Damien has always had a passion for building and in recent years has become involved in the Passive House movement, always researching ways to make living more affordable for families and reduce our carbon footprint. Maureen has the fun job of bookkeeping and marketing the business and every now and again, their four children lend a hand.

Superior Insulations Ltd’s goal is to provide families and businesses the opportunity to reduce the costs of heating over the lifetime of every building that we service. Our name says it all. We have researched the market to ensure that we provide the best insulation products available – those that have served the test of time. We have two full time local employees who are also skilled in their trade and ensure that every job is completed to the high standards established by both Superior Insulations and NSAI. Superior Insulations Ltd provides NSAI approved External Wall and Cavity Wall systems, Attic Insulation, Supergrund Foundation systems, Pumped Cellulose, Spray Foam and Air Tightness Membranes.

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Health Matters

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is defined as -''A single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person or violates their human and civil rights.'' (Protecting our Future, Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse, September 2002) 65 years of age is taken as the point beyond which abuse may be considered to be elder abuse.

You are not receiving adequate liquids to drink or food to eat Your clothes are not being washed when required.

You are not being provided with appropriate clothing for the weather conditions You are being denied the aids you needs, e.g. glasses, hearing aid, dentures etc.

You are being left alone for long periods when you cannot move about easily or prepare meals with out assistance You are bed / chair bound and you are experiencing pressure sores that are not being attended to even when brought to someone's attention

What forms can Elder Abuse take?

There are several forms of abuse, any or all of which may be carried out as the result of deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance.

Psychological abuse Neglect and acts of omission Financial or material abuse Physical abuse Sexual abuse Discrimination Psychological Abuse consider the possibility of psychological abuse if: You are made feel afraid in your living accommodation You are experiencing feelings of hopelessness or helplessness because of the attitude or behaviour of others You are made feel tearful and agitated Neglect consider the possibility of neglect if: You are not receiving adequate liquids to drink or food to eat Your clothes are not being washed when required You are not being provided with appropriate clothing for the weather conditions You are being denied the aids you need, eg glasses, hearing

Page 34 Mature Living

aid, dentures etc You are being left alone for long periods when you cannot move about easily or prepare meals with out assistance You are bed/chair bound and you are experiencing significant doscomfort which is not alleviated when this is brought to someone's attention Financial Abuse consider the possibility of financial abuse if: Someone else has access to your accounts without your full permission You feel pressured to allow someone else access to your accounts Someone else makes decisions about your money without speaking with you You feel you have lost all control over your money Your money is being spent by someone else for things other than your bills, clothes, food, etc.

You feel pressured to give money to someone else Physical Abuse: consider the possibility of physical abuse if: You have been treated roughly, enough to leave marks or bruises You have been treated violently

which caused broken bones, sprains, dislocations or other injuries Someone has inflicted pain on you Sexual Abuse; consider the possibility of sexual abuse if: Someone has forced you to be intimate with them without your consent If you are experiencing any of the feelings or effects outlined above, you may need to speak with your GP, Public Health Nurse or Senior Case Worker or contact the HSE Information line on 1850 24 1850.

How to recognise if abuse is happening to you Types of abuse Psychological Abuse Consider the possibility of psychological abuse if: You are made feel afraid in your living accommodation You are experiencing feelings of hopelessness or helplessness You are made feel tearful and agitated You experience loss of appetite and/or disrupted sleep Neglect Consider the possibility of neglect if:

Financial Abuse Consider the possibility of financial abuse if: Someone else has access to your accounts without your full permission You feel pressured to allow someone else access to your accounts Someone else makes decisions about your money without speaking with you first You feel you have lost all control over your money Your money is being spent by someone else for things other than your bills, clothes, food, etc.

You feel pressured to give money to someone else Physical Abuse Consider the possibility of physical abuse if: You have been treated roughly, enough to leave marks or bruises You have been treated violently which caused broken bones, sprains, dislocations or other injuries Someone has inflicted pain on you Sexual Abuse Consider the possibility of sexual abuse if: Someone has forced you to be intimate with them without your consent Where to get help If you are experiencing any of

the feelings or effects outlined above, you may need to speak with your GP, Public Health Nurse or Senior Case Worker or contact the HSE Information line on 1850 24 1850.

How to recognise if an Older Person is being abused?

Most older people do not experience abuse. But, there are many ways in which an older person can be harmed or abused. An older person may experience more than one form of abuse at any given time If you suspect that an older person may be experiencing any of the feelings or effects outlined below then you may need to speak with a GP, Public Health Nurse or Senior Case Worker or contact the HSE Information line on 1850 24 1850.

'Protecting our Future', the report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse, published in September 2002, outlined the following possible indicators of elder abuse.

Psychological Neglect Financial Physical Sexual Demoralisation Depression Feelings of hopelessness / helplessness Disrupted appetite / sleeping pattern Tearfulness Excessive fears Agitation Resignation Confusion Unexplained paranoia Dehydration Malnutrition Inappropriate clothing Poor hygiene Unkempt appearance Under/over medicated Unattended medical needs Exposure to danger / lack of supervision Absence of required aids, including reading glasses, dentures Pressure sores

Unexplained or sudden inability to pay bills Unexplained or sudden withdrawal of money from accounts Funds diverted for someone else’s use Being charged for unsolicited work or significantly overcharged for work done Unexplained disappearance of possessions No funds for food, clothes, services Refusal to spend money Disparity between living conditions and assets Extraordinary interest by family member in person’s assets Making dramatic financial decisions Bruises or cuts, particularly to mouth, lips, gums, eyes, ears) Abrasions Scratches Burns (inflicted by cigarettes, matches, rope, iron, immersion in hot water) Sprains Dislocations Fractures Hair loss (possible hair-pulling) Missing teeth Eye injuries e.g. black eye Trauma about the genitals, breasts, rectum, mouth Injury to face, neck, chest, abdomen, thighs, buttocks Presence of sexually transmitted disease What to do if Elder Abuse is suspected?

If you are a victim of Elder Abuse, are concerned about abuse, or if you suspect someone you know may be a victim of abuse, you should contact the HSE elder abuse service, through your GP, Public Health Nurse, local Health Centre or any of your local Senior Case Worker or An Garda Siochana.

The HSE has a dedicated Elder Abuse Service, with Senior Case Workers in Elder Abuse now

working in most Local Health Office Areas.

What happens to reports of suspected Elder Abuse?

All reported cases of Elder Abuse are treated very seriously. All cases will be treated with confidentiality and, in so far as is practical, will be handled in a way that respects the wishes of the older person. The prime focus is on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the older person while providing supports to stop the unwanted behaviour and facilitate the continuation of care.

Who might abuse?

A wide range of people may abuse older people, including relatives and family members, professional staff, paid care

workers, volunteers, other service users, neighbours, friends and associates.

Where might abuse occur?

Abuse can take place in any context. It may occur when an older person lives alone or with a relative; it may occur within residential or day-care settings, in hospitals, home support services and other places assumed to be safe, or in public places.

Patterns of abuse and abusing vary and reflect different circumstances: Long-term abuse, in the context of an ongoing family relationship, such as domestic violence or sexual abuse between spouses or generations.

Opportunistic abuse, such as

theft occurring because money has been left around.

Situational abuse, which arises because pressures have built up and/or because of the difficult or challenging behaviour of the older person.

Neglect of a person's needs because those around him or her are not able to be responsible for their care; for example if the carer has difficulties because of debt, alcohol or mental health problems.

Unacceptable 'treatments' or 'programmes', which include sanctions or punishment, such as the withholding of food and drink, seclusion, the unnecessary and unauthorized use of control and restraint, or the over, or under, use of medication.

Racist, ageist and other discriminatory practices by staff, including ageism, racism and other discriminatory practices, which may be attributable to the lack of appropriate guidance.

Misappropriation of benefits and/or use of the person's money by other members of the household or by care staff.

Fraud or intimidation in connection with wills, property or other assets Abuse in a Residential / Acute Setting If you are being abused, are concerned about abuse or suspect that someone you know is being abused in a residential or acute (hospital) care setting then you should contact Your relative or friend Your GP / visiting GP Public Health Nurse The Manager of the Unit HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) Senior Case Worker General Manager in your local

health office HSE Information Line 1850 24 1850 All queries / reports will be treated with confidentiality and, in so far as is practical, will be handled in a way that respects the wishes of the older person.

Contact us for Help and Advice The HSE has a dedicated Elder Abuse Service, with Senior Case Workers now working in most Local Health Office Areas.

Please click for the list of Senior Case Workers and their contact details. You can also seek advice from the HSE Information Line HSE Information Line Monday to Saturday, 8am-8pm Call Save: 1850 24 1850 Email: info@hse.ie If you are concerned about Elder Abuse or want to get help, you can contact the HSE Information Line on 1850 24 1850. The HSE infoline is open Monday to Saturday, from 8.00 in the morning until 8.00 in the evening.

You can also contact your local Senior Case Worker for the Protection of Older People with your concern.

In an emergency, where a person is at immediate risk, you should contact the Garda Siochana or Emergency Services on 999 or 112.

Ordering materials If you would like to order copies of the Open Your Eyes information leaflets or a DVD please contact us by phone or in writing.

Services for Older People South East Wing St. Joseph's Hospital Mulgrave St Limerick City Telephone 061 461117

Page 35 Mature Living

Advertising Feature

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France has it all in May - world renowned wines, snow-capped mountains, magnificent chateaux and battlefields.

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ou’ll travel in luxurious comfort and enjoy fantastic, remarkable experiences that aren’t available on other vacations.Hallmarks of Insight Premium and luxury central hotels -Your Insight hotel is located in the city centre, not in faraway suburbs. Business class legroom – Enjoy business class seating with up to 100% more legroom, plus more window space for spectacular views from your luxury 40 seat, high- deck, WiFiequipped motor coach. Signature experiences and priority access At Insight they make sure you see those major highlights, but then guests delve more deeply into each destination with activities, sights and events that only Insight can bring you. Smaller group size - With Insight Vacations you travel in an optimum group size of maximum 40 people, giving you a real spirit of companionship butalso space and privacy whenever you need. Extensive

WiFi availability – free WiFi is available for Insight guests in most hotels and on the majority of our touring coaches.

Hotel/dining tips and luggage handling –Insight have taken care of everything, so all you need to do is relax.Featured airport transfers – all European Insight guests receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers at timesspecified in brochure.

Insight Vacations offers the world’s finest escorted tours and cruises in Europe,Eastern Mediterranean, Morocco, USA, Canada and India. With insight Vacationsyou can explore the world in many different ways.

Insight’s 37 years’ experience has taught them that guests have varied aspirations for their holidays. There are over 130 itineraries and a range of 5 tour styles; Discovery journeys, regional experiences, country roads and Easy pace. So there really issomething for everyone.

Destinations Experience Britain and Ireland with Insight. There’s always something new to discover in the eclectic charm of the British Isles’ four countries. Experience Europe with Insight. Take in Europe’s stunning sights in style, including bespoke experiences of local traditions and cultures.

Autumn Throw a coin in Rome’s Trevi

Winter Explore Germany in December.

See Germany’s traditional Christmas markets in December, an entrancing festival of light and music. Join Insight in India in January and discover the history, cultural highlights and scenic beauty. Come face to face with the Sphinx and venture deep inside the Pyramids. February is a great time to discover Egypt.

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Experience India and Asia with Insight.

See the breath-taking wonders of India,Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.Experience North Africa and Eastern Mediterranean with Insight Vacations.Enjoy the vast histories and fascinatingcultural heritage of these ancient lands in unique style.

Experience USA and Canada with Insight.Relax in unmatched comfort as youdiscover the many wonders of Canada,mainland USA and Hawaii. All year round with Insight Vacations.

The Benefits Of River Cruising with Uniworld Uniworld’s growing collection of awards and accolades from guests, travel professionals, media, and industry experts make it abundantly clear—no one does luxury river cruising better.

EFFORTLESS TRAVEL—Uniworld’s ships are floating boutique hotels with professional staff on hand to attend to guests’ every need. It’s a virtually effortless way to travel—and guests only have to unpack once.

ULTRA-CONVENIENT—Unlike large ocean-going vessels, river cruise ships can often dock in the heart of great capitals and fairytale villages. There’s no waiting in long lines to get on or off the ship and no need to tender into ports. SMOOTH SAILING—Sailing along Europe’s peaceful waterways is the journey of a lifetime. Calm waters mean guests never have to worry about motion sickness as they enjoy the world’s most scenic rivers.

EVER-CHANGING VIEWS—Guests can

Summer Experience an incredibly journey across the most diverse country in the world - the United States in June. See the brilliant green countryside, dramatic coastal scenery of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in July. Tour the sunbleached temples and time-worn towns of Greece. Then explore the most romantic islands on earth.

Fountain to ensure your return and let us show you La Dolce Vita in September. Discover Spain in October. Be inspired by the delicious food, amazing art and architecture, and unequalled appetite for life. See Israel in November. Follow in the footsteps of Jesus from birth to Crucifixion and experience this incredible journey of discovery.

savor the unforgettable, ever-changing scenery from the privacy of their stateroom or suite, as well as from their ship’s luxurious lounges, restaurants, Sun Deck, and other public spaces.

INTIMATE AMBIANCE—The modest size of river cruise ships make it easy to move around, unencumbered by crowds. Each vessel was designed with public areas ideal for socializing, and quiet nooks to read, daydream, or gaze out at the view. for more information call 1800 98 98 98 or visit www.uniworld.ie.

Uniworld’s Truly All-Inclusive Boutique River Cruises In Europe Experience the luxury of effortless travel, with everything included in your fare The world’s only authentic boutique cruise line offering one-of-a-kind luxurious ships with an average capacity of just 130 guests The highest staff-to-guest ratio in the river cruise industry, with award-winning service from the best, most engaging, and most experienced English-speaking staff on the rivers The most elegantly appointed riverview staterooms and suites afloat—many with French balconies—offering exclusive signature touches such as handcrafted beds from Savoir® of England, an array of pillow options, flat-screen TVs with infotainment centers, and spacious marble bathrooms stocked with robes, slippers, and L’Occitane en Provence bath and body products All scheduled airport transfers Expertly planned shore excursions hosted

by English-speaking local experts, with personalization options including Choice Is Yours, Go Active, Do as the Locals Do, Village Day, and Gentle Walking programs and a host of exclusive experiences designed

for Uniworld guests only All gratuities onboard and onshore for your convenience and comfort More European itineraries and choices than any other river cruise line with onshore excursions, cultural enrichment programs, and onboard entertainment designed to showcase each locale All meals onboard, impeccably prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients sourced from farmers’ markets and other local suppliers Unlimited beverages onboard, including an extensive selection of distinctive wines; craft and regional beers; spirits; cocktails; soft drinks; juices; cappuccinos, lattes, espresso, and French press coffee; fine teas; and mineral water A variety of onboard dining options and special culinary experiences with open seating and a casual-elegant dress code Ship-wide Internet and Wi-Fi access, so you can stay connected Well-equipped fitness center with exercise classes onboard and use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks for onshore enjoyment

Try to celebrate the new lifestage of emerging adulthood

M

ost people would agree, the road to adulthood is longer than it has ever been before, by any measure.Young people stay in school longer, live at home longer, marry later, become parents later and find their first job later. In fact, the transition to adulthood lasts so long some suggest that it constitutes a new life stage between adolescence and young adulthood, called "emerging adulthood," lasting from age 18 to 29.

Many parents may find themselves puzzled and dismayed at how long their kids are taking to become adults, though. We sought to capture the anxiety that many parents feel in the title of a recent book, a parents’ guide to emerging adulthood called When Will My Grown-Up Kid Grow Up? For most parents, their biggest fear as they watch their children go through emerging adulthood is that it will never end, or at least that it will go on far too long.

They see their twentysomething children undecided about which path to take, or declaring a path decisively and then abandoning it abruptly a few months later, and they worry,

"God, won't this kid ever get it together?"

Parents are usually ready to focus again on their own lives by the time their kids reach the 20s and feel their patience and wallets are being exhausted as another year passes and their emerging adult is still emerging, still on the way to an everreceding adulthood.

The downside of the longer road to adulthood is pretty obvious to most people: more anxiety on the part of emerging adults, as they struggle to find their place in the world and make many wrong turns on the way and more anxiety and expense for parents, as they end up supporting their kids (emotionally and financially) for a lot longer than they had expected.

But there is an upside to a later entry to adulthood, too. Here are some reasons to be glad if your kid is meandering through his or her 20s instead of settling down early.

Better Choices Perhaps most importantly, the extended years of emerging adulthood enhance the likelihood that young people will make good choices in love and work. The 28-year-old is a

lot better prepared to make the choice of a marriage partner than the 18-year-old or the 22year-old, having had far more years of experience with relationships and gained far more cognitive and emotional maturity.

The 28-year-old can also make a wiser choice of a career path than the 18-year-old or the 22year-old, having had more time to get a good education and gain a better sense of what his or her abilities, goals and opportunities are.

Sometimes, 18- or 22-year-olds are unusually mature and can make wise choices in love and work at a young age. But overall, the prospects of choosing well are enhanced by waiting until at least the late 20s.

More Prepared for Parenthood Experiencing emerging adulthood also makes young people better parents — eventually.

Marriage is challenging and building a career is challenging but, as all parents know, there is nothing quite so formidably challenging as having the responsibility of caring for a child.

Especially in their early years,

children stretch us to the limit of our physical endurance, our stress tolerance and our financial resources. There is no doubt that the 28-year-old is better prepared for these demands than the 18- or 22year-old.

You Only Live Once (YOLO) Another reason for parents to celebrate the new life stage of emerging adulthood is that it gives their children a window of opportunity to have experiences they couldn't have had at younger ages and most likely won’t have the chance for once they've taken on enduring adult responsibilities. They can take a shot at that musical career, volunteer for a service project in a developing country or just move to Sydney or New York City to hang out and have fun for a year while waiting tables or making lattes.

These episodes of adventure make parents nervous sometimes. "Your wee darling could be going to college, or doing an internship, or starting to make progress in a career or… something!"

That may be true, but as one of the parents in an online survey observed, "Why not prolong youth? It's already so fleeting."

Besides, most young people today have a likelihood of living to 80 or 90, so why not take advantage of their longer life span?

One Last Chance for Family Time Emerging adulthood should be embraced as one last chance for

parents and children to be close before the children become true grown-ups, preoccupied with the demands of career building, spouses and child care. True, there are things you won't miss, like urgent text messages at 3 a.m., persistent needs for cash and jarring announcements of a need to move back home for a while.

Not a few parents may find themselves thinking wryly on such occasions, "How can I miss you if you won't go away?"

But miss them you will.

This boomer generation of parents wanted to be closer to their children than they had been to their own parents, and they succeeded, by and large.

Most parents today can talk to their 20-something children as friends, about topics they never would have dreamed broaching with their own parents. The long transition of emerging adulthood allows parents to enjoy the fruits of all those strenuous child-raising years from infancy through adolescence. It won't be long until you are no longer receiving their 3 a.m. text messages.

Instead, you'll be wondering why they haven't answered the text you sent three days ago.

They'll fall in love, they'll find a partner who will become that person they rely on for support and nurturance every day, instead of you. It happens to almost everyone.

So enjoy this special closeness one last time, and try to lay a foundation of love and mutual trust that will endure in the decades to come.

Page 37 Mature Living

Technology

TOP 5 TRENDS IN TECH Your smartphone is well on its way to becoming your wallet. million of these virtual credit cards activated in its first 72 hours of service, 2015 looks to be a year when smartphone payments will dent plastic. Even Google’s counterpart, Wallet, saw transactions grow 50 per cent in the same time period.

While some U.S. retailers like Rite Aid and CVS have banned Apple Pay from their stores, for consumers the writing is clear: your smartphone is well on its way to becoming your wallet.

W

ith more than two billion users worldwide, the Internet continues to shape consumer behaviour in ways unimaginable only a few decades ago. Here, some developments you can expect to see in what will be a transformative year.

The “Sharing Economy” Will Truly Disrupt If you’re not familiar with the term “sharing economy” or “peer-to-peer economy,” you will be soon; battle lines are being

drawn up in a town near you.

Tech companies like apartmentsharing Airbnb and car service Uber are drawing the wrath of the businesses they are disrupting (in this case, hotel and taxi industries) and gaining the attention of regulators from New York to Calgary. In Paris, taxi drivers have taken to slashing the tires of Uber cars. Regardless of the resistance, the sharing economy will generate even more traction in 2015, thanks to massive consumer adoption that attracts even more investment,

growth and war chests. And new sharing categories continue to emerge like EatWith, which allows anyone to offer homecooked cuisines to foodies looking for a “local experience.”

Smartphones Will Replace Credit Cards With the launch of Apple’s iPhones 6/6 Plus and its mobile operating system iOS 8.1, the company rolled out Apple Pay, allowing consumers to use their iPhones to pay for goods in retail stores. With more than one

Web Companies Will See Record-breaking Exits Don’t call it a bubble, but the frothy climate of small U.S. startups generating sky-high acquisitions (like messaging app WhatsApp, bought by Facebook for US$19 billion) will continue and leapfrog the 49th parallel into Canada.

Leading the way are two Vancouver companies – social media platform Hootsuite now valued at $1 billion after a $60 million investment round in September 2014. And there’s Slack, a one-year old communications software startup headed by Flickr co-founder Stewart Butterfield and now valued at $1.1 billion. In Waterloo, Ont., messaging app Kik has quietly amassed 150-plus million users with only 30 staffers. You can expect to see the little app that could snapped up for a billion-plus in 2015.

Podcasting Makes a Comeback Popular during the early days of the web, podcasting experienced a dip in recent years and is set to

experience a huge resurgence in popularity. Driving (literally) the newfound buzz are smartphoneenabled cars. New cars typically come with wireless Bluetooth connectivity, allowing drivers to beam audio from their smartphones to the car’s speakers. Another option is installing a Bluetooth kit, which can be as simple as plugging into the AUX input of your car (like a cassette player). While stuck in traffic, commuters are increasingly listening to any of the free 250,000 podcasts available in Apple’s iTunes.

Broadcasters Go “Over the Top” For newbies, OTT is video service directly from the service to the end user, bypassing telco and cable providers. Led by the popular video streaming service Netflix, broadcasters everywhere are launching online video offerings of their own. In the U.S., both HBO and CBS recently announced plans for streaming channels.

In Canada, frenemy cable companies Rogers and Shaw have launched Shomi, a Netflix competitor with 30-per-cent Canadian content in its 14,000 titles and episodes.

Simultaneously, more consumers will have “connected TVs,” where they can watch web content on big screens. Thanks to inexpensive devices like Google Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and gaming consoles, the connected TV audience is projected to grow at double-digit rates right through to 2017.

KEEP PACE WITH YOUR TECH-SAVVY FRIENDS I f you are surroundedby gadget-laden millennials, you’ll want to avoid the perception that you’re a cluedout older web surfer. Here are a few tactics that might help.

Never refer to the Internet as “the World Wide Web.” Just “web” will do. On a related note, don’t use the “www” prefix when describing a website address. Just “cnn.com” will do instead of “Type in www.cnn.com, sonny.” iPhones trump Blackberrys (although the beardy hipster set is using retro handsets these days). Android devices (such as the newest Samsungs) are almost as cool as iPhones.

AdTech Ad Email is just so yesterday. Use messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or the

Ontario company Kik. Remember, Twitter users are not twits. No matter how great or fitting the temptation, they’re called “tweeters” or followers although, admittedly, in many cases twits would be accurate. The generic Internet term “user” can also be applied here.

Don’t be afraid to manhandle your computer, smartphone or tablet. Unlike PCs from yore, it’s not easy to break modern hardware. It’s also not easy to accidentally delete data. Most systems will ask you several times “Are you sure you want to erase this hard disk?” whereas in the ’80s, an accidental command like format c: *.* would wipe out your DOSformatted computer faster than you can say, “What do you mean

the accounting files on this PC haven’t been backed up?”

Putting computer files “in the cloud” doesn’t involve balloons, catapults or Cheech and Chong.

The cloud is just geekspeak for online services where you can store your files on a managed network of servers hosted somewhere, usually the U.S. DropBox, iCloud, GDrive and OneDrive are a few well-known examples. Using cloud services is generally easy, so give it a spin and impress kids with your newfound stratospheric swagger.

Above all else, whenever you encounter a buggy computer that just won’t run properly, here’s the brilliant secret that keeps countless IT professionals employed: just turn it off and on. This will take care of 99 per

cent of your problems and will make you look like a tech guru.

Given the freewheeling nature

of the Internet sector, you’ll technically be a guru by the time you finished reading this!.

WIN!

2 NIGHTS BED & BREAKFAST FOR 2 PEOPLE SHARING

This month we have teamed up with The Twin Trees Hotel in Ballina to offer one lucky reader 2 nights B&B for two people sharing, between September 2015 to May 2016 (2 nights stay valid from Sunday-Thrusday) The prize includes: Tea/Coffee & Biscuits on arrival, Complimentary use of Twin Trees Leisure Club and 15% discount on beauty packages & treatments in the Spa. To be in with a chance to winning, simply answer the question and send your answer, along with your name, address, email address and telephone number into us at the addess below...

Question: Which famour Salmon River flows through the town of Ballina?

Send your entries into us at Twin Trees Hotel Compeition Mature Living Magazine, Office 3, Unit 7, Northwest Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo Terms and Conditions Apply, Closing Date for entries is July 14th 2015.

Twin Trees Hotel offers warm hospitality, great food and service to all our customers

Whether its a family get away, romantic escape or activity break you’ll find everything you need at the Twin Trees Hotel. Relax and unwind in the Twin Trees Leisure Club or enjoy a leisurely cappuccino in the hotel foyer, while the kids play in the hotel gardens.

Whether you’re in Ballina on business or treating your family, Twin Trees Hotel is your perfect touring base, in the heart of Mayo’s Wild Atlantic Way.

Over 50's Offer - Dinner, Bed & Breakfast offer from only €49 pps per night Between September 2015 to May 2016 - Offer based of minimum 2 night stay valid from Sunday-Thrusday.

• Tea/Coffee & Biscuits on arrival. • Complimentary use of Twin Trees Leisure Club • Twin Trees Hotel in House Beauty salon, Serene Beauty offers all hotel residents

15% discounts on beauty packages & treatments.

Check out our over 50's Activity breaks on selected dates at www.twintreeshotel.ie, or contact the Twin Trees Hotel on (096) 21033, and plan your relaxing break away today. *No single supplement *subject to availability.

Twin Trees Hotel & Leisure Club, Downhill Road, Ballina, Co.Mayo Tel: 096-21033 Fax: 096-21338 Email:info@twintreeshotel.ie • www.twintreeshotel.ie

Clean and Tidy

Cleaning Out a Deceased Loved One’s Closet:

12 Tips to Make the Process a Little easier

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reparation and pacing can help make the unbearable task of sorting a deceased loved one’s belongings possible.

Before you begin the process, you will want to gather your supplies. Plenty of boxes labeled “Keep,” “Discard/Trash,” and “Donate,” permanent markers, gloves, and garbage bags. You will want to ask friends to come and support and help you with this important and difficult step of the grieving process. You will need to clear a long afternoon, setting aside time for breaks and assembling snacks and beverages before you begin. You will want to have a good night’s sleep the night before. Take a deep breath. You will survive this.

Regardless of how well you

Page 40 Mature Living

prepare, cleaning out a deceased loved one’s home, bedroom, or even closet ranks among life’s most stressful experiences. It may be many months before you are emotionally ready to tackle the project. The amount of time needed between the death and an ability to decide what to do with the belongings varies based on so many factors, including the relationship of the loss. A grandson will likely have an easier time cleaning out a beloved grandmother’s pantry than a mother would sorting through her son’s childhood stuffed animals. Remember that just as each relationship is unique, so is each grief journey.

Don’t let others judge you for how long (or short) the time period is before you feel ready

to take on this task A friend was recently telling me about her experience cleaning out her mother’s home. She felt like every time she donated one of her mother’s possessions, her pots, pans and books, she was losing another piece of her. Then she opened the quilt chest at the end of her mother’s bed and saw all of the beautiful quilts her mother and grandmother had spent years sewing together over the years.

She was overcome with memories of the two of them sitting together sewing on the front porch on late summer afternoons, as she sat at their sides learning stitches by making doll clothes. She realized that her mother was truly, permanently gone, whether or not she saved her

sweaters or glasses, and that the irreplaceable things she possessed were the memories.

She urges others that if there are no external pressures, such as needing to sell a house, wait until you feel strong enough, and ready to part with at least some of the items.

Below are some tips to help smooth the process, and hopefully create order and harmony during a stressful, heartbreaking time: Choose a place of honour to hold or display the treasured objects you keep to remember your loved one, and discard those things that aren’t either immediately useful or sentimentally important.

As you sort, clearly label the bags or boxes to donate, and set them obviously aside. Do

not let the boxes become mingled with keepsakes, or you may feel compelled to resort everything again, to make sure nothing is lost. Stick with the OHIO rule (“Only Handle It Once”).

It is not your job to find the perfect new home for every book, boot, or tennis racket. If a relative or close friend has requested something particular, or you think of an obvious new home, try to mail it that same day. If you haven’t sent the item after a week, think about donating it. Trust that the universe will find the right person who needs the items you donate.

Decide how much room you have in your own home, and set concrete limits of how much to keep, such as “20 books, one

set of dishes, six items of clothing.” By creating limits in specific categories, it will be easier to choose what is most important and hopefully not become overwhelmed with sheer quantities. This is especially true for collections — choose your favourite three of Grandma’s ceramic cats, don’t feel like you must keep all 258 kitties just because she loved them.

Tackle the project in steps.

Don’t try to do it all at once, or after eight hours you may be exhausted and traumatized and still not done, and reluctant to try again. This closet, room, or home full of things took a lifetime to gather and can’t be packed up in one day.

Do not feel guilty about discarding or donating things.

The important things to keep are your memories. The rest of the “stuff” served your loved one well, and it is not your responsibility to keep it forever and ever. Your loved one filled his or her home with objects that were pretty or useful to him or her. If they are not pretty or useful to you, donate them without guilt.

Take pictures of items you want to remember but that are not practical to keep.

Start with the items that are easiest to discard, to create momentum and clear space. Go through the house with a garbage bag and discard old socks and underwear, lidless Tupperware, soap and Q-tips, magazines and opened food items. If something is broken or stained, throw it away.

As you sort, put all papers in one box or bin to sort later.

Don’t stop and evaluate every greeting card, play program or receipt. You can download a scanner app to your phone to make electronic copies of papers you don’t need to keep physical copies of (But of course always keep paper versions of official records like birth certificates, military discharge papers, or deeds).

As you think about items to weed or to keep, reflect on the cost of keeping the items, and set limits. What is the cost to your own psychic wellbeing to fill your home with a relative’s belongings? What is the financial cost of keeping a storage unit to maintain a home’s worth of belongings, going unused? What is the time cost and physical toll of reshuffling your own storage space, and filling garages, attics, and sheds with boxes of things? Sometimes people decide to store boxes and boxes of things because they cannot bear to sort through it presently — ask yourself, “If not now, when?” before investing in storing items.

Items may not be worth as much as you think they are. The dining room table and chairs where you and Nana and Mo=um and Dad spent every Christmas may be irreplaceable to you, but be prepared to let it go if the goal is to clear out the house.

Sometimes families are unwilling to sell an antique dresser for €500 when they wanted and expected €700, and end up spending €1,500 on storage costs (at €100/month) before giving it away in exasperation.

Create a timeframe to finish the entire project. Clearing a house may take several months of weekends. You don’t want to be too rushed, but you also don’t want to let things stagnate. Plan four-hour blocks of time, with a reward at the end of it (maybe a manicure, movie, or dinner out with friends).

Your memories of your loved ones and relationships with family are more important than things, so choose only those belongings that have sentimental value to you. Pick your battles wisely when two relatives want the same item.

Try to choose things to keep that you want to display in your home, or keep in a keepsake box, perhaps in a Memory Corner with photos.

A survey found that after 50, people become increasingly less likely to give away or sell things they don’t need. And yet at least half of them admit they own too much.

“We tend to hang onto things longer as we age,” says Colette Robin, a professional organizer and coach in Dublin. “It’s all those memories.”

But there are consequences.

At minimum, it means more stuff to sort through when you downsize. If your house clutter reaches an embarrassing level, you may be reluctant to let repairmen inside or host family gatherings. There are even safety considerations: one of Robin’s senior clients experienced a special little epiphany when she tripped and fell over the junk in her house. She lay on the floor, waiting for help – and staring at the book of organizing tips she’d bought long ago.

Want to pare back possessions before it’s too late? “It’s really a change in mindset,” says Robin.

Instead of dwelling on the past, “think about your lifestyle going into the future.” If you’re no longer hitting the slopes because you spend every winter down south, do you really need your ski equipment? If you don’t wear four-inch heels anymore, why should six pairs of them live in your closet?

use? A single mum on a fixed income may be thrilled to take them.

The Warning Signs What if you’re constantly buying items you never need and saving things your neighbours throw out? Are you distressed at the idea of being parted from your possessions, even if they have little value? Is there no room to sleep in your bedroom or to use the second bathroom?

These are all signs you may have crossed the line from packrat to hoarder. Hoarding can be triggered by a traumatic event, like a divorce, or may be part of another disorder, like depression.

If these characteristics sound like you, don’t wait. The most successful approach involves working with a psychologist-and-organizer team, so both emotional and environmental issues can be dealt with.

There is help, says Robin, once you reach out.

“The earlier you get involved, the higher the chances you can change your behaviour.”

You may be clinging to these items because of what they represent. “They become memorabilia,” says Robin. You can keep the memories – in digital photos and scrapbooks – without taking up so much square footage.

You can let things go a lot more easily if you imagine someone out there without much, says Robin. “People think that if they let things go, they’ll go in the garbage – but there are many places that need things.” Your grandmother’s rocking chair can be handed down to a niece or nephew who’s just starting out. Got more bath towels than you can actually

Page 41 Mature Living

The Bands of our Showband Era Memories

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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 row or two of old airplane seats were installed and the band was ready to travel "in style." Although style was a matter of opinion...if you're stuck in the back of a van on a cold and rainy winter's night, it may seem like "a long way to Tipperary," but it's even further to Castletownbere, Co. Cork! It will be impossible to list all the bands that played the dance halls, ballrooms, marquees, parochial halls, community centres, hotels, and town halls across Ireland but each month we are planning to feature a band from the west with the help of Gerry Gallagher and www.irish-showbands.com . Apart from a few who enjoy near mythical status (such as the Royal Showband and a handful of others), most bands came together, played for a few years and then either reinvented themselves, changed their name, or just disappeared, their members either returning

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

to civilian life, or scattering to two or three new bands. For such a small country, it is difficult to comprehend the sheer 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...

All About the Freshmen (1962-1980) The Freshmen in 1968

Page 42 Mature Living

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lthough definitely one of the earliest "pop bands" the Freshmen, from Ballymena, were different from the rest of the showbands of the early 1960's. Billy Brown, an extremely talented piano and sax player, had been playing since he was twelve. By the time he got to college, he had his first professional gig with the Billy McFarland Band out of Belfast.

Two other members of the McFarland band, bass player Torry McGahey and sax player Maurice Henry became fast friends and they all eventually decided it was time to strike out on their own, although in a 1971 Spotlight interview with Davy McKnight it was reported Tory had been sacked from the band and Billy and Maurice went with him. One way or another, together they formed The Freshmen in early 1962. They recruited the best of musicians, each one a singer in their own right. The original lineup included: Barney McKeon (vocals), Maurice (sax), Torry (bass), Damien McIlroy (guitar), Sean Mahon (trombone), Davy McKnight (drums-who was

training to be a teacher) and Billy (sax and piano).

The band's new sound took Northern Ireland by storm. They were starting out just at the same time as The Beatles and The Beach Boys and they were poised to ride the crest of the "pop" wave in Ireland. Before long, the band attracted the interest of a new manager, Peter Dempsey (band member Maurice Henry had previously handled the band's bookings). Peter ran dances in Andersontown and through this, met Johnny Flynn and made a host of connections in the South...uncharted territory for the Freshmen.

By 1963, they were beginning to make inroads in the South when Barney decided to leave.

The search was on for a replacement and the band recruited Limerick singer, Tommy Drennan. With Tommy out front, the band continued to prosper, garnering rave reviews from the press and the punters. Within a year though, Tommy had grown homesick and returned to Limerick, leaving the band in bit of a bind.

Article and Photos courtesy of Gerry Gallagher www.irish-showbands.com Billy filled in for a time, but eventually they found their ideal front man in Derek McMenamin, a handsome, tall singer whose good looks, charm, and talent rivaled any of the other leading front men of the time.

With Derek in place, the band cut its first record in London during a tour of England in February, 1964, She's The One You Love. Released in summer, the single faded quickly, making little impact. For a time in early 1964, Derek left the band to complete his college education where he was studying to become a teacher. By summer, he had taken his finals and was back with the band. At the end of 1964, the band announced that Derek was changing his last name to Dean and the band also changed its name to Derek and the Freshmen.

In 1965, the band recorded and released more singles. The first, I Stand Alone, failed to make an impression. However, their recording of Yenka was a top ten hit in November 1965.

Over the next two years, the band's reputation and status went from strength to strength.

They became the top Northern Band to play the South and at one point were ranked as the number four showband behind only the Royal, Miami and the Cadets. In August 1966, the band announced that it was changing its name once again and would be known as Derek Dean, Billy and the Freshmen, an obvious nod to Billy's growing influence in the band.

In 1967, the Freshmen were part of the showband elite in Ireland. Oliver Barry took over managing the band in mid-1967 and their record, Papa-Oo-MowMow reached number seven in the Irish charts and stayed in the charts for eight weeks well into 1968. In September, 1968, the band announced a new image...gone were the tailored suits of the showband era and now the band took to the stage in "mod" gear. The move was actually seen as risky. A Spotlight article in the September 7th issue stated, "Ballroom managers were aghast....they felt dancers wouldn't go for it at all."

They started a string of top ten hits and the band was doing extremely well as the money came pouring in. They released Go Granny Go, Number 12 in August 1968, Just to See You Smile, Number 9 in March 1969, and Halfway to Where, Number 10 in April 1970. In the April 26th, 1969 issue of Spotlight, an article reported

Left to right: Derek Dean (vocals), Damien McElroy (guitar), Billy Brown (keyboards/sax), Davy McKnight (drums), Maurice Henry (sax), Torry McGahey (bass) and Sean Mahon (trombone) that the band had claimed to have played before 16,000 dancers over the Easter week and that it must be some kind of record. Things were going well for the Freshmen.

1970 was the year the band released their second album, Peace On Earth. The album was heralded as an artistic masterpiece and is still regarded by many as the greatest Irish pop album ever made. The same year, they performed their "Peace Concert" at the RDS in Dublin which featured noted actor Micheal MacLiammoir as narrator (the role he also played on the album). Amid all the success though, trouble was brewing. The band had become too identified with the Beach Boys sound and as the Beach Boys fortunes' faded, so too did the Freshmen's.

In February, 1971, it was reported in Spotlight that Billy had been sacked by the band.

The article said that Billy had been ill for some time and started missing dates. Billy himself said he had been feeling ill and that his doctor thought it was either his appendix or gallstones, but that he was going into hospital within the week. In the meantime, the band voted to sack the all star singer songwriter and was looking for a replacement. which they found in Ivan Laybourne.

When Billy returned to health, he decided to form his own group, The Billy Brown Superband. He recruited one of the finest lineup of musicians perhaps ever to play the ballroom circuit. Billy was joined by Johnny Brown (bass), Dessie Reynolds (drums), Keith McDonald (sax), Pascal Haverty (sax), Tiger Taylor (guitar), and Mike Nolan (RIP-trumpet). The musicianship was excellent, but the band lacked originality and that "certain" spark, lasting less than a year.

The early seventies saw the Freshmen continue to slip in popularity and earnings.

Following a false start with his superband, Billy teamed up with Mike O'Brien to form Brown and O'Brien in 1972. In February 1972, original member Davy McKnight announced he was leaving the Freshmen to join Clubsound, however it took a couple of months for the band to find a replacement. A follow up article in May announced that Davy had joined the band who had changed their name to Warm Sensation.

The band's lineup was Davy (drums), Eddie McCrudden, Barry McCrudden (keyboards), Harry Hickland (sax), Billy Bingham (guitar) and George Jones (bass).

Although it was rumoured Davy might be replaced by

RTE's Ian McGarry, it was Linsey Lunney (College Boys) who came to the band on drums.

In April, 1972, founder member Maurice Henry left the band to move into management. In a Spotlight interview, Maurice jokingly said, "I've left the Freshmen mainly because of old age." The first act he signed was Cathy and the Fugitives from Mayo and shortly thereafter added the Sounds.

Meanwhile, Brown and O'Brien did not find the magic either and the band went to Canada. However Billy returned on his own and a report in Spotlight on October 12, 1972 claimed he would not be rejoining the Freshmen. Of course, Billy did rejoined the Freshmen after leaving Brown and O'Brien in October, 1972.

He brought guitarist Tiger Taylor with him who replaced original member Damien McIlroy. However, Linsey Lunny left the band around the same time. A blurb in Spotlight reported Damien was leaving the band at the end of September, 1972 and he went to South Africa. A month later in October, keyboard player Ivan Laybourne, reportedly went to Scotland, but ended up joining Damien in South Africa.

Throughout the mid to late seventies, the Freshmen continued to play, ending up as a

six piece and trying to make a living in a scene that was slowly dying and well past its prime.

Around 1978, Torry McGahey left the band, breaking the final remaining link to the original Freshmen lineup. Although Billy Brown had been an original member, he had left the band for several years. By 1980, the Freshmen, one of the greatest components of pop music in Ireland, were finally no more. After almost twenty years the band who had smoothly made the transition from 60's showband to 70's pop group successfully (while staying true to their legacy of producing quality music) called it quits. On the recent series "Little Bit of Showband," Derek recounted the story of a gig in Boyle when only a handful of dancers showed up and the decision was made to finish the band. And with a whimper, it was over...the Freshmen were no more.

In the years after the showband era ended, the late Billy Brown continued to record, write and produce excellent music. His reputation as one of Ireland's most gifted musicians continued to grow, but on June 6, 1999, at the age of only 56, Billy sadly passed away, leaving the Irish music scene without one of the guiding lights that had illuminated the landscape of the showband era.

Page 43 Mature Living

a taste of the

THE AMERICAN DEEP SOUTH Makes 6 servings Ingredients 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, cut into 6 pieces 2 eggs, beaten 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons ground black pepper 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons onion powder 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil for frying Directions In a medium size bowl mix together the eggs and milk. Add ALMOST all of the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder (reserve a dash of each for sea-

This recipe starts out on the stove, and ends up in the slow cooker! Add your favorite BBQ sauce and eat plain or on a bun! Great for parties - recipe makes 6 servings Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 2 pounds boneless pork roast 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning 1 medium onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, crushed 4 cups water 1 tablespoon liquid smoke flavoring Directions Cut the pork roast into large chunks.

Season generously with the Cajun sea-

soning the chicken pieces). Set aside.

Sprinkle a dash of the remaining salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder onto both sides of the chicken pieces.

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Put the flour in a plastic bag. One piece at a time, dip the chicken into the egg/milk mixture then add to the plastic bag. Shake the bag so that the flour is covering each piece of chicken.

You can check to see if the oil is hot enough by sprinkling a little flour in the skillet. If it fries, it's hot enough! Place the chicken pieces in the skillet. After about 5 minutes, turn the chicken over.

Let chicken fry for about 15 minutes or until the meat is cooked through and the juices run clear. Enjoy!

soning. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork, and brown on all sides. Remove from the skillet, and transfer to a slow cooker. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet, and cook for a few minutes until tender. Stir in the water scraping the bottom to include all of the browned pork bits from the bottom of the pan, then pour the whole mixture into the slow cooker with the pork. Stir in liquid smoke flavoring.

Cover, and cook on High for 6 hours, or until meat is falling apart when pierced with a fork. Remove pieces of pork from the slow cooker, and shred.

Return to the slow cooker to keep warm while serving.

“This recipe from the Florida Keys has been given to almost everyone I know. It is the best marinade for chicken, and it only takes 30 minutes from prep till you can grill! It's a great blend of flavors with honey, soy sauce, and lime juice. If you have time, try marinating overnight for the fullest flavor.�

Ingredients Makes 4 servings 3 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 teaspoon lime juice

1 teaspoon chopped garlic 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves Directions In a shallow container, blend soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lime juice, and garlic. Place chicken breast halves into the mixture, and turn to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.

Lightly oil the grill grate. Discard marinade, and grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes on each side, until juices run clear.

Makes 4 steaks 4 (1/2 pound) beef cube steaks 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon black pepper 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 1 egg 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™) 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 cups vegetable shortening for deep frying 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 4 cups milk Salt and ground black pepper to taste Directions Pound the steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place 2 cups of flour in a shallow bowl. Stir together the baking powder, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a separate shallow bowl; stir in the buttermilk, egg, Tabasco Sauce, and garlic.

Dredge each steak first in the flour, then in the bat-

Spicy jambalaya with chicken and andouille sausage - makes 6 servings Ingredients 2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning 10 ounces andouille sausage, sliced into rounds 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces 1 onion, diced 1 small green bell pepper, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 (16 ounce) can crushed Italian tomatoes 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon file powder 1 1/4 cups uncooked white rice 2 1/2 cups chicken broth Directions Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a large heavy Dutch oven over medium heat. Season the sausage and chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning. Saute sausage until browned. Remove with slotted spoon, and set aside. Add 1 tablespoon peanut oil, and saute chicken pieces until lightly browned on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon, and set aside.

In the same pot, saute onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic until tender.

Stir in crushed tomatoes, and season with red pepper, black pepper, salt, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce and file powder. Stir in chicken and sausage.

Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.

ter, and again in the flour.

Pat the flour onto the surface of each steak so they are completely coated with dry flour.

Heat the shortening in a deep cast-iron skillet to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Fry the steaks until evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Place fried steaks on a plate with paper towels to drain. Drain the fat from the skillet, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid and as much of the solid remnants as possible.

Return the skillet to medium-low heat with the reserved oil. Whisk the remaining flour into the oil.

Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to release solids into the gravy.

Stir in the milk, raise the heat to medium, and bring the gravy to a simmer, cook until thick, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the gravy over the steaks to serve.

This very rich cake with coffee, rum, and chocolate is sure to become one of your favorite recipes once you taste it!

12 ounces marshmallow creme 3 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar 2 tablespoons evaporated milk

Ingredients 2 cups white sugar 1 1/2 cups butter, softened 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut 4 eggs 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 13x9 inch baking pan.

Cream together 1/3 cup of the cocoa, white sugar, and 1 cup of the butter or margarine until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and beat well.

Mix flour, baking powder, coconut, and chopped pecans together. Stir flour mixture into the egg mixture and stir until just combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 to 50 minutes. Smooth marshmallow cream over top of cake while still hot. Let cake cool completely then ice with chocolate icing.

To Make Chocolate Icing: Beat together the confectioner's sugar, the remaining 1/3 cup cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/2 cup butter or margarine.

Continue to beat and add enough evaporated milk to make icing spread on cake.

Angelscope for June

with Fiona Faery

F

iona Faery is an Irish Psychic Medium who unites people regularly with their loved ones in spirit & also offers psychic guidance with her Faery oracle card readings. She is a regular on Irish radio & has monthly columns in various publications. Fiona is known for her optimistic no-nonsense approach to life. She teaches workshops on mediumship and helps 'baby' mediums build their confidence & step into their power. Her spiritual poetry has found a home on her Facebook page; Fiona Faery where she posts a daily poem. Her poetry is aimed to motivate & empower, as Fiona believes in helping people connect with their soul purpose. She reads internationally through her website www.fionafaery.ie

Aries Angel of Body care You may be feeling self-conscious as of late Aries. It's time to stretch your limbs and get and about in the summer rays. Your angels are drawing you into outdoor activities.

Walking or even simple gardening will soon see you charged and grounded. This month follow your inner guidance and trust those hunches!

Lucky Day: 22nd June Lucky colour: Green

Leo Angel of Intention Where our intention goes, energy flows! Be aware of your thoughts this month. Are you blocking your own success?

Be realistic about your fears and be mindful of those around you pouring cold water on your dreams. Keep your intentions and circle positive.

Lucky Day: 11th June Lucky colour: Purple

Taur!s Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Angel of Nature Taurus, is time to charge ahead with those plans you've been putting on the long finger! Simple steps each day toward your goal will soon see you pave your way to victory.

Don't let your fears corner you into feeling trapped. Instead, channel your famous Tauren persistence into making your dreams a reality.

Lucky Day: 19th June Lucky colour: Pink

Angel of Blessings Happy birthday Gemini! This month sees many blessings come your way and sees you find support and encouragement from friends/loved ones. Watch out for sycronisities or lucky coincidences. You've asked the universe for a sign, now pay attention as your answer is delivered.

Lucky Day: 16th June Lucky colour: White

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Angel of Playfulness Libra, it's time to get out and have fun! Your overdue a belly laugh!

Call a friend that makes you laugh or arrange a fun date with loved ones. Life can get so serious at times that it's important we make time for fun. It's time to get serious about having fun. So don't delay it's time to play!

Lucky Day: 26th June Lucky colour: Pink

Archangel Michael This powerful Archangel as entered your life this month, to remind you that you are the one who sets the boundaries in your life. You decide who stays and who goes. You will speak your truth later this month to someone who needs a few home truths passed their way, it may not be pretty but know this powerful angel is behind you, assisting you.

Know you are safe and protected.

Archangel Michael brings clarity, courage and clears up any confusion. Lucky Day: 30th June Lucky colour: Black

Angel of Trust Your angel asks you to trust your gut feeling and intuitive vibes this month. Learn to differentiate between your fear and what is your truth. Later June will see you making a choice regarding those you trust. Listen to the voice inside as those on the outside may have their own hidden agenda.

Lucky Day: 24th June Lucky colour: Blue

Angel of Music

Cancer, your angels are sending you messages and guidance through the music you listen to presently.

Watch out for a certain song repeating itself or lyrics that seem to speak directly to you. If you haven't already asked your guides for a sign, take this as a sign to do it!

Lucky Day: 28th June Lucky colour: Brown

Sagittarious

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

Angel of Truth and Integrity Dot your I's and cross your T's as the angel of integrity has entered your spread. You will find yourself on a short fuse this month and patience will be in limited supply. Take a deep breath and know that not everyone is up to your speed. Don't sign any legal documents or binding contracts until after the 11th when the retrograde comes to an end.

Otherwise, expect changes to a certainty!

Lucky Day: 10th June Lucky colour: Orange

Angel of Emerging This month sees you making an important choice/decision about your life's path and course. For some, it will be changing direction in career and others regarding a return to education. Seek information and guidance from a professional as I feel it's lack of information that's holding you back. Know this period of frustration is coming to an end in your life.

Lucky Day: 30th June Lucky colour: Gold

Angel of Retreat Time spent in solitude is a balm for the soul. It's time to step away from any dramas or conflict you maybe feeling drawn into. Perspective is easily gained when we step back and allow ourselves to gain some distance on our current situation. Know this time will pass and allow yourself to call on the support of good friends.

Lucky Day: 29th June Lucky colour: Sapphire

Angel of Abundance Pisces your all go this month! Multi tasking shall be your middle name, just make sure you keep a healthy balance. Watch your solar plexus as I feel your highly sensitive to those around you. Wait until after Mercury retrograde on June 11th before making those vital decisions.

Lucky Day: 17th June Lucky colour: Amber

Fiona Faery gives private 1-to-1 sittings at The Sligo Park Hotel on the last weekend of every month. She is also available for private consultations or One Question readings on her website www.fionafaery.ie You can contact Fiona to Book a Private Reading @ 0863736143

Solicitors

The Role, Duties, and Powers of an Executor in the Administration of Estates A n executor is the person appointed in a will to administer the estate of a deceased person. He/she is entitled to take out a grant of probate to the estate of the deceased.

An administrator (administratix if female) extracts a grant in an intestate situation or in a testate situation where the executor has died. Both executors and administrators are known as ‘personal representatives’.

The Role of an Executor An executor’s job is to extract a grant of probate to the estate of the deceased and to administer the deceased’s estate.

The powers and duties of the executor date from the date of death of the deceased with the whole estate devolving to the executor. An executor does not have to act and may renounce but once he/she takes on the role, he/she cannot renounce at a later date.

The Duties of an Executor The first duty of an executor is to dispose of the body of the deceased. In practice, this will probably have been done by the deceased’s family.

The executor then needs to ascertain the precise value of the assets of the estate and protect them. This will involve ensuring that insurance is in place, where appropriate.

The executor must also ascertain all the liabilities of the estate such as taxes, outstanding claims, and outstanding debts. He/she must also ascertain all of the beneficiaries of the estate and check into prior gifts/inheritances that they may have received.

Then, the executor must prepare and swear an Inland Revenue affidavit which will list all assets and liabilities of the estate.

The executor then must lodge all the relevant documents in the Probate Office and extract a Grant of Probate. Once the Grant issues, he will gather in all the

VINCENT DEANE & CO.

SOLICITORS Tel: 094 -9022980 094-9022981

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

Deerpark Business Centre, Claregalway Road, Oranmore, Co. Galway

Tel: 091-795941

Email: law@obriensolicitors.ie Joan C. O’Brien, B.Comm., LL.B. John Keane, B.Comm., LL.B., Dip. Emp. Law

• Wills & Probate • Property Sales & Purchases • Personal Injury Claims* • Employment Law • Family Law • Court Attendances * In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or portion of any award or settlement.

assets and dispose of those not being given to beneficiaries.

The executor must also pay all of the debts and expenses of the estate and distribute the assets, making sure that all taxes are paid.

These taxes will include taxes due by the deceased prior to his death, all taxes arising out of the administration of the estate itself, and any inheritance taxes and capital gains taxes arising from distribution of assets.

Lastly, the executor must prepare an administration account where he accounts for all monies received and disbursed during the administration period.

Note: an executor cannot delegate his authority but may engage the services of other people to help him, eg experts such as a solicitor, accountant, taxation specialist, auctioneer to value property etc. an executor is not entitled to be paid for carrying out his duty but he is entitled to recover expenses

incurred by him in the carrying out of his duty there is no obligation on the executor to give a copy of the will to anyone before it is admitted to probate, nor to inform a beneficiary of his interest the duties of a personal representative are for life there is no limit on the number of executors that can be appointed an executor can be appointed in a will or by implication, ie according to tenor (eg no executor is appointed in the will but someone is given the function of discharging the debts of the deceased).

The Powers of an Executor An executor is given wide ranging powers by statute (the Succession Act, 1965) and by the will itself.

The statutory powers include: the power to sell all or any part of the estate to pay debts and to distribute the estate among the persons entitled the power to act as a trustee for the purposes of the Settled Land

Acts the power to appropriate any part of the estate towards satisfaction of any share in the estate (subject to the provisions of section 55 of the Succession Act, 1965) the power to appoint trustees for an infant beneficiary the power to lease property for the administration of the estate the power to mortgage the power to settle claims and disputes.

Powers typically granted in a will include the power to appropriate without serving any notices or consents the power to invest or purchase authorised securities the power to employ agents/managers.

If you are a personal representative, you would be well advised to seek the advice of a solicitor who can help advise you on all matters relating to the administration of the estate and who will explain fully all the declarations and documents that you will be required to sign.

CONOR A. MAGUIRE

SOLICITORS Conor A. Maguire BA (ES)

T: 071-9855983 • M: 087-6739454 E: mail@camsolicitors.com skype: conor.maguire31 Lower Main Street, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim (Sub Office) High Street, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim (Tuesdays 4-7pm)

Tel: 071-9144479

Elphin Street, Boyle | 19 Chapel Street, Sligo

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

Please contact John or Carol on the above number to arrange an appointment or email john@murphyballantyne.ie or carol@murphyballantyne.ie

www.mcgregorsolicitor.com Contact Mary for a quote Tel: 096-33456 Market Street, Killala • mary@mcgregorsolicitor.com

• Personal Injury Claims* • Employment • Property Sales & Purchases • Family Law • Wills & Probate • Court Attendances Efficient, Confidential & Affordable Legal Services * In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or portion of any award or settlement.

Therapies Alternative Therapies

T

he term Alternative Medicine means any form of medicine that is outside the mainstream of western medicine or conventional medicine as practiced a majority of doctors today. This term is loosely used to over all forms of medicine except allopathy. In 1973, the Medical Faculty of the University of Rome convened the first World

Congress of Alternative Medicines and the provisional program contained no less than 135 therapies. Alternative medicine exists in all cultures to some degree and terms such as traditional medicine, indigenous medicine or folk medicine etc. are used to describe such practices. These medicines date back hundred or even thousands of years

depending on the country and culture concerned. There are more than 100 systems of alternative medicines still in practice all over the world.

Every country, region or area has its own traditional system of health and medical cares such as for the Chinese it is acupuncture, for the French, magnetic healing; for the Germans, Heilpraxis; for the

English, Herbalism; for India, Ayurveda with Siddha being widely practice in the southern part of the country; for Japan, Shiatsu etc. The most popular forms of alternative medicine are Ayurveda, Homeopathy,

Naturopathy, Yoga, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Magneto therapy, Shiatsu, Herbalism, Meditation, Aromatherapy, Bach Flower Remedies, Chromo therapy, Diet therapy, Hydropathy and Reiki.

CranioSacral Therapy It’s gentle, deep and it works!

Over the next three editions of Mature Living we will be explaining different therapies each month Acupressure Similar to acupuncture, but using finger pressure rather than fine needles on specific points along the body to treat ailments such as tension and stress, aches and pains, menstrual cramps, arthritis.

Acupuncture Fine needles are inserted at specific points to stimulate, disperse, and regulate the flow of vital energy, and restore a healthy energy balance. In addition to pain relief, acupuncture is also used to improve well being and treat acute, chronic, and degenerative conditions in children and adults.

Aromatherapy Using "essential oils" distilled from plants, aromatherapy treats emotional disorders such as stress and anxiety as well as a wide range of other ailments. Oils are massaged into the skin in diluted form, inhaled, or placed in baths. Aromatherapy is often used in conjunction with massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, herbology, chiropractic, and other holistic treatments.

Astrology Astrology is a humanistic attempt at trying to understand the cycles that we share with the forces in the Universe.

The planets have corresponding rulership to certain vitamins, minerals, cell salts, herbs, metals, colors and parts of the body. Through the chart, one can look to see what natal health conditions exist. Through these precepts, we can then look at the present and into the future to see what areas of our lives are being affected and potentially how we can head off ill health and promote wellness.

Atlas Orthogonal Atlas Orthogonal is a chiropractic program to evaluate and correct subluxation based on scientific and biomechanical procedures.

By incorporating the latest advancements in scientific technology, chiropractors can calculate, in precise detail, the vectors specific to an individual subluxation pattern, and program their instrument with the specific correction vectors to deliver the adjustment without any manipulation at all.

Ayurvedic Medicine Practiced in India for more than 5,000 years, ayurvedic tradition holds that illness is a state of imbalance among the body's systems that can be detected through such diagnostic procedures as reading the pulse and observing the tongue.

Nutrition counseling, massage, natural medications, meditation, and other modalities are used to address a broad spectrum of ailments.

Auricular Therapy Ancient Egyptian writings state that pain can be relieved by stimulating certain points on the ear. In the 1800's, several publications indicated that there were several techniques of cauterization and manipulation of the ears to aid certain disorders. Many benefits can be achieved by massaging and palpating specific points on the ear.

Alexander Technique The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and

A Light touch approach to body work, addressing tensions deep into the Nervous system...

Relieves: • Stress and Tension related problems • Nerve entrapment issues • Chronic pain syndromes • Habitual patterns, insomnia Facilitating somato-emotional release work A treatment that works with the body, helping you to naturally free yourself from pain, improving vitality and general well-being.

For enquries / Appointment contact Bridget Mangan CST-T, IACST, MNRRI

Mind and Body Centre, Rosbeg, Westport Tel: 087-2544660

Holistic Therapies Aromatherapy • Massage • Reflexology

Carmel is a qualified nurse and has Diplomas in Reflexology, Therapeutic Massage & Aromatherapy coupled with Post-Graduate training in reflexology in pregnancy , working with people undergoing cancer treatment including their Carers.

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Airport Road, Strandhill, Co. Sligo Contact Carmel Clarke: 087-6323903 Page 48 Mature Living

(Holistic therapies Sligo)

Killala, Ballina, Co. Mayo • T: 096-33898 • M: 085-2404817 Develop your knowledge and self understanding, Open your mind to new possibilities, Validate who and what you are and Experience positive living.

• Personal Counselling & Psychotherapy • Relationship Counselling • Therapeutic Art/ Mindful Art • Nutritional Therapy E: info@dovehouseretreat.com • www.dovehouseretreat.com

coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body.

Autogenic Training It is a century-old European method for achieving relaxation based upon passive concentration and body awareness of specific sensations. Its effectiveness has been shown in relieving many stress-related disorders including anxiety, tension, insomnia, and examination stress.

Persons with chronic medical conditions ranging from migraine, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, to thyroid disease and many other conditions have also been shown to benefit from the practice of autogenic training.

Anthroposophical Medicine Anthroposophical Medicine involves an internationally organized group of people who think that Rudolf Steiner (an Austrian physician, 18611925) found the ultimate truth - the anthroposophy.

Steiner said: By anthroposophy, I mean a scientific investigation of the spiritual world which will bring to light the weaknessess and halftruths not only of science but also of modern mysticism. It is a method which, before attempting to investigate the spiritual worlds, first develops psychic powers not normally used in daily life or in current scientific research.

Auto-Urine Therapy This practice comes from Yoga

and is the use of one's own urine as food, medicine, restorative, transforming agent and immune system booster. It is sometimes called 'Your Own Doctor'.

Holotropic Breathwork It is a simple yet powerful technique for selfexploration and healing, based on combined insights from modern consciousness research, depth psychology and perennial spiritual practices.

The method activates non-ordinary states of consciousness which mobilize the spontaneous healing potential of the psyche. Sustained effective breathing, evocative music, focussed energy work and mandala drawing are components of this subjective journey.

'Holotropic' literally means 'moving towards wholeness'.

Biofeedback A method of monitoring minute metabolic changes in one's own body with the aid of sensitive machines. The technique is used especially for stressrelated conditions such as asthma, migraines, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Clients learn to make subtle adjustments to move toward a more balanced internal state by consciously visualizing, relaxing, or imagining while observing light, sound, or metered feedback.

Bach Flower Remedies A system of herbal remedies devised by Edward Bach, these floral remedies can supposedly alter the disharmonies of personality and emotional state that trouble us all from time to time. These remedies are mostly aimed at curing emotional states rather than physical ones.

Cellular Therapy Cellular therapy also called live cell therapy, cellular suspensions, glandular therapy, fresh cell therapy, siccacell therapy, embryonic cell therapy, and organotherapy -refers to various procedures in which processed tissue from animal embryos, foetuses or organs, is injected or taken orally. Products are obtained from specific organs or tissues said to correspond with the unhealthy organs or tissues of the recipient.

Proponents claim that the recipient's body automatically transports the injected cells to the target organs, where they supposedly strengthen them and regenerate their structure.

The organs and glands used in cell treatment include brain, pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, thymus, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, heart, ovary, testis, and parotid.

Several different types of cell or cell extract can be given simultaneously -some practitioners routinely give up to 20 or more at once.

Chromotherapay or Colour Therapy The use of colour ( usually in the form of coloured light) to produce beneficial or healing effects.

Colon Therapy The therapeutic goals of colon therapy are to balance body chemistry, eliminate waste, and restore proper tissue and organ function.

Colon therapy releases toxins, cleans the blood, stimulates the immune system, and aids in restoring the pH balance in the body.

Colon Therapy, also known as colonics, is believed to relieve a wide range of symptoms related to colon dysfunction.

Continued in next month’s Mature Living Magazine

To make an appointment please contact Steven on 086-8365411

Sligo Clinic of Herbal Medicine Now open for appointments at No. 1 Wine St, Sligo • Call Fionuala on 089-2321524

In the coming months we will be rolling out a programme of specialist clinics with talks and demonstrations from leading practitioners of all things medical, herbal and nutritional.

For further info visit our website at www.sligoherbal.com and to see what’s new, or for info on upcoming events check out our Facebook page at Sligo Clinic of Herbal Medicine.

Open 10am – 5.30pm Tuesday to Friday (Saturday morning clinic from 10.30-1pm)

P h n Spiritual Holistic Healing y a s i g o n t h a e L r a a Divine Intuitive Healing of Mind, Body and Soul Cor & Acupuncture Clinic py Cora Langan, Chartered Physiotherapist offers an holistic range of treatments.

Specialist clinical areas include acupuncture, lymphatic drainage and pilates.

3 Moy Court, Batchelor's Walk, Ballina, Mayo Tel: 087 104 6010

Here at Spiritual Holistic Healing our therapies are proven beneficial in treating: • • • •

Birth Shock • IBS • Depression • Anxiety/Stress Lack of Energy • Autism/ADHD Effects of Geopathic Stress Joint Pain

Hidden Mind Therapy is a non invasive sound corrective therapy that helps promote positive mental health.

Especially effective for people going through cancer treatments to help keep a positive mental outlook and alleviate stress in the body.

Spiritual Holistic Healing - Jacinta Hession - Phone: (087) 6433793 hession.healing@gmail.com • www.spiritualholistichealing.vpweb.ie

Motoring

Holiday check your Car B

efore you go on holiday we strongly recommend that you get your car checked for defects that might give you a break-down during your holiday.

Before you start your wellearned holiday we have some good advice for you and we have also made a list of things we recommend you bring on your holiday.

done lately. If it has been replaced recently then just check the level. If your holiday involves driving long distances on motorways we recommend that you pull your oil dipstick every time you are filling your fuel tank. The oil consumption will increase when you are loading your engine heavily for a longer period.

Mechanical controls

Cooling system: Check the coolant level. If the level is too low you should check all hoses, pipes, connections, studs and also check the radiator and the thermostat housing. This should anyway be done before a holiday.

If the car is mounted with an electrical cooling fan (which most cars are today) you should let the engine idle until the cooling fan starts. With this you have checked that it’s working properly. If the temperature gauge enters the red area and the cooling fan doesn’t start there is something wrong with the system that can cause severe consequences if you are getting caught in a queue on the highway. This has to be repaired immediately.

Brakes: The most important thing is that your brakes are in good condition. They have to brake even and you have to be sure that your brake pads and brake linings on the brake shoes are not worn down. Finally check that your brake discs are not under the minimum measures with risk of a cracked brake disc during heavy braking. Also check that your brake drums (if mounted) are not over maximum measures.

Finally you have to get your brake fluid boiling point checked. If the boiling point is too low it might cause a brake failure during heavy braking or during continuous braking in the mountains.

Engine: You ought to replace the engine oil and oil filter before your holiday if it hasn’t been

Tyres:It’s very important that the tyres are in good condition before the holiday. It varies from country to country which

minimum measures there are for the tread depth, but it’s usually about 1.6 mm. Though we recommend that you replace your tyres when there are at least 2.5 mm of tread left. Tyres are always replaced in pairs.

Check also the sides of the tyres.

No cracks or “bobbles” must occur. In case you observe one of these things replace the tyres.

Check your tyre pressure.

Consult your owners manual for the correct pressure data. Often a label is placed in one of the

doors with the pressure data.

REMEMBER to check the spare tyre too.

If the car is heavy loaded for a holiday you have to raise the tyre pressure – consult your owners manual for exact data. If you don’t raise the tyre pressure the car will be unstable and the tyres will also be worn wrongly and too fast. In worst case they might get hot and explode.

Exhaust: Before the holiday trip you should also check your

exhaust. If it is very rusty you should replace it to avoid a nonplanned stop. Use a pointed hammer to hit on the rusty parts to see if there is a hole under the rust or there is non-attacked metal. If there is a hole or the metal is easily deformed when you hit it replace this part of the exhaust system. Especially check around the clamps where two pipes are put together and check where it has been welded on the pipe. This is the places where the pipes first get bad.

Get the most from your car with these top tips...

With petrol and diesel on the increase it is as important now as it ever was to save on fuel so we have complied 12 ways to save a little 1. To maximise your fuel efficiency,try to change up a gear before you reach 2,500 revs in a petrol car, and 2,000 in a diesel car. Changing gears like this can help you achieve a 15% fuel saving.

2. Try to anticipate the road ahead as much as you can. By driving as smoothly as possible – avoiding breaking or accelerating hard – you will save fuel and reduce maintenance costs.

3. Car heaters don't, in general, use up much fuel as they recycle the heat from the engine. But the opposite is Page 50 Mature Living

true with air-conditioning. At speeds less than 40mph, opening the window slightly won't really affect fuel use, but air conditioning increases fuel use at all speeds.

4. Modern cars do not need to "warm up" before driving off.

Equally, revving or idling an engine before you move is pointless and just wastes fuel.

Drive away as soon as you start the engine. However, it can take a car up to 8km before the engine is running at maximum efficiency, meaning short journeys are far more fuel intensive per kilometre than long distance journeys.

5. Remove roof racks and boxes when not in use as they cause considerable drag.

6. Strip any excessive weight from your car – even fuel.

Every 45kg removed from the car can save 1% on fuel. It could be worth experimenting with not filling your tank to the top and instead filling more often.

7. The most efficient speed you can travel in a car in terms of achieving the best fuel economy is 55-65mph.

Any faster, though, and the fuel efficiency decreases rapidly. For example, driving at 85mph uses 40% more fuel

than at 70mph (oh, and it's illegal too).

8. Don't slip into neutral when travelling in the belief you are saving fuel. Choose the appropriate gear for your speed instead. Modern fuelinjected cars consume proportionately more fuel when in neutral as they perceive the car to be idling.

9. Plan ahead to avoid travelling during the most congested periods of traffic.

Stop-start driving is among the most fuel intensive forms of car travel. If you are motionless for any longer than

10 seconds, it is more fuel efficient to switch the engine off than to idle.

10. Under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%, so check their pressure regularly.

11. "Drafting" or slip-streaming behind other vehicles to help save fuel is a technique Formula 1 drivers adopt, but it is highly dangerous and frowned upon by road safety experts. Similarly, switching off the engine whilst moving and coasting to a stop is also deemed to be extremely reckless.

Pets

The dog days of summer

Don’t let summer fun turn deadly.

What you need to know to keep the summer months safe and comfortable for your pets.

poorly ventilated areas such as cars. When outside, your pet should have access to shade and plenty of fresh water. And remember that pets have padded feet and the sidewalk may be too hot for them.

Instead, walk them instead on the grass if possible and preferably in the early morning or evening.

Some experts also advise against shaving your pets in the effort to keep them cooler because it increases the risk of sunburn. Some pets, especially those with light-coloured noses or light-coloured fur on their ears, may require sunscreen on these areas to help prevent sunburn and skin cancer.

Animals who are suffering from heat stroke can be cooled down by applying cold water to the skin or by placing them in a bathtub filled with cool water.

Give your pet small amounts of drinking water and seek immediate veterinary attention.

S

ummer means barbecues, fireworks, family holidays and trips to the cottage, but for our furry friends it can also be a season fraught with troubles and trauma.

Summer safety hazards and ways you can keep your pets safe and comfortable Heat stroke Every summer, pets suffer from the heat including brain damage

and organ failure. Signs of excessive heat exposure in dogs include: • Exaggerated panting • Anxious or staring expression • Salivating • Weakness or lethargy • Lack of coordination • Convulsions, seizures or muscle tremors Animals more at risk of collapse or death from the heat are those who are tied up or left in

Parasite control The warm weather brings with it risks from diseasetransmitting insects such as ticks, mosquitoes or fleas.

Experts advise pet owners to inspect a pet’s fur for insects daily, either by hand or with a specialized comb. Heartworm can be spread by mosquitoes to dogs, cats and ferrets. Fleas can transmit tapeworms to dogs and cats, as well as bartonella or cat scratch fever to cats. And fire ants are often more than

just a nuisance and may cause welts and swelling for your pet.

Possible signs of infection include unusual head bobbing, lethargy and progressive weakening. Be sure to keep your pet’s medical records up to date and give monthly medication to prevent heartworm. Over the counter medications such as insect repellents and flea collars are also available to help prevent insect bites.

And avoid walking your dogs in areas with a lot of mosquitoes, say experts. Pet owners should also refrain from using insect spray on dogs because they will likely lick it off and ingest it.

Travel arrangements The skies are not always friendly for animals travelling during the summer months.

Dogs such as Pekingese and Pugs, and cats such as Persians, have shorter noses than most other breeds and can experience more difficulty breathing on an airplane, say experts.

When travelling by car, never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle. Even with the window open a crack, a car’s temperature can reach the mid 30s in a matter of moments.

Poisonous plants Many garden plants such as daffodils, marigolds and avocados can be toxic if your dog or cat eats them. Other plants that can be harmful to pets include: buttercup,

chokecherry, eggplant, foxglove, lily-of-the-valley, philodendron, tulip, rhubarb, English ivy and rhododendron.

For more information on plants that can make your pet sick, see the ISPCA’s list of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants.

Pets can also become ill from fertilizer and insecticides. Be careful applying lawn chemicals and be sure they are not near a water dish where a pet might drink them.

Fireworks displays and thunderstorms Summer fireworks and thunderstorms can scare your pet and cause them to run off or cause damage in their frightened state. Keep pets indoors where they can feel comfortable and safe. Other tips include: • Close the curtains • Provide distractions such as turning on the radio or TV or by playing with your pet. Act normal or upbeat, and reward appropriate behaviour • If pet birds are affected by the loud noise, keep them in their cage with the cover on.

Secure play areas Be sure to keep the outdoor area of your home pet safe by keeping gates closed and checking for gaps in the fencing or other means of escape.

The Best Dogs for People Over Fifty Would you buy a certain car just because you turned 50, or wear only purple hats? Then why would you base your choice of a canine companion on age? Instead, consider your personality and lifestyle, and choose a dog that fits -- like to like, birds of a feather and so on.

peak of their careers and still spending all day in the office or on the job. Maybe you'd like to skip the teething and housebreaking by choosing an older dog through a rescue service or a shelter. It's more like making a new friend than raising another child.

September Song There can be a great May-December relationship between a senior human and a young puppy, but there's more to it than puppy love. Will you have the time and energy to devote to a pup? If you're already retired, that's one thing ... but many over-50s are right at the

On the Road Again The best dog for any age is one that matches your physical abilities. If you're a senior marathon runner, by all means get a dog that enjoys roadwork, such as a vizsla or a dalmatian.

If once around the block is enough for you, choose something smaller and more mellow,

along the lines of a cavalier King Charles spaniel or a Chihuahua. If you crave a big dog, but one with low exercise needs, look to the saint Bernard or chow chow.

I Feel Pretty If glamour is your goal and you have the resources (personal or financial) to maintain it, go for a groomer's delight -- a poodle, a shih tzu, a Yorkie in full coat.

All of these can be kept in practical styles, but still require professional attention. If you're more into wash-and-wear, think low-maintenance and low-shedding short coat, found in the miniature pinscher (aka min

pin), the beagle and -- surprise -- the retired and rescued racing greyhound.

Family Ties Grandchildren can be hard on a dog, especially when they're at the puppy stage themselves.

Not many dogs enjoy having their eyes poked and their ears pulled, so if you're a dedicated granny with child-care responsibilities, you need a tolerant, easy-going dog. Toy breeds aren't usually good with toddlers but can be fine with older kids. Pugs and bulldogs are on the small side and known to be mellow, Australian shepherds are playful and big enough to

hold their own, and Newfoundlands are the original canine nanny. Golden retrievers, however, are a favorite on lists of child-friendly breeds.

Plan Ahead Depressing as it may seem, at 50-plus you have to think that your dog might outlive you, or at least your ability to take care of him. Consult friends and family about a chain of custody should this prospect loom over both your declining years. You might even consider making financial provisions in your will to prevent your buddy from landing in less than comfortable circumstances.

Page 51 Mature Living

Breakaways

Active Breaks at The Villa Rose Boutique Hotel and V-Spa

Ballybofey, the Villa Rose is an ideal base to tour around or stay put and relax for the week, read the complimentary morning papers or book in for a relaxing spa treatment. If Group Active Retirement Breaks or Dancing for Pleasure is what you are into then call Leona on 074-9132266 today to request the 50+ Active & Dancing Brochure 2015.

Spring Midweek Breaks

1 B&B + Dinner €49pps • 2 B&B + 2 Dinners €99pps 3 B&B + 2 Dinners €139pps

*Includes 2-course Dinner, Refreshments on Arrival Complimentary Spa Session & 20% Vouchers for McElhinney's Dept Store

Dancing Holidays

4 Night Ballroom Break, Feb 22-26th €239pp 3 Night Ballroom Break, May 4th - 7th €185pp 4 Night Sequence Break, May 10th - 14th €239pp Call us for an Active & Dancing Brochure Today!

G

et away from it all and experience a relaxing midweek stay at the 4 star Donegal hotel with 3 nights B&B and 2 Evening Meals (2-course), complimentary refreshments on arrival and spa thermal session for only €139pps from Sunday Thursday this Spring. The Forge bar hosts live music every Sunday night. Treat yourself to some retail therapy at McElhinneys Department Store where you can avail of 20% off as a Villa Rose Guest.

Set in the heart of Donegal in the busy town of

Spring & Summer Group Rates Available - Contact Leona for more info.

4 Star, Family Owned, Town Centre hotel

Reservations: 074-9132266

Ballybofey, Co Donegal Email: reservations@villarose.net • www.villarose.ie

Active Retirement breaks in the beautiful costal town of Donegal

T

he Abbey Hotel is located on the main square of the beautiful coastal town of Donegal. The small harbour town lies at the heart of Co. Donegal making it the ideal place to explorer the north west. The superior 3-star Hotel is right next to Donegal Castle, Donegal Bay Waterbus, Craft

village, Donegal railway and heritage centre, and a short distance from Salthill gardens, 2 blue flag beaches and some of Donegal’s top walking and hiking trails.

Comfortable bedrooms each feature a flat-screen TV, telephone and individual private bathroom. Most rooms also overlook Donegal Bay and the River Eske.

The award winning Market House restaurant has a menu of excellent international cuisine. Guests

can dine in a room full of character, and drink from the wide selection of wines.

The Eas Dun Bar, with its unique 2-tier interior design, offers regular live entertainment and music almost every night of the year.

Guests have complimentary use of the leisure centre facilities next door, including a pool, spa bath, steam room and gym.

During your visit hotel offers complementary parking, free Wi-Fi in all rooms throughout the hotel and a voucher of Tea/Coffee and scone. No single room supplement Thursday to Sunday. For weekend rates please contact reception.

Active Retirement Breaks 2015 June, July & Aug!st

2 Nights B&B & 2 Dinners - €149pps 3 Nights B&B & 3 Dinners - €209pps 4 Nights B&B & 4 Dinners - €259pps

September & October

2 Nights B&B & 2 Dinners - €119pps 3 Nights B&B & 3 Dinners - €159pps 4 Nights B&B & 4 Dinners - €199pps Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal • Tel: 074-9721014 Email: oisin@abbeyhoteldonegal.com

www.abbeyhoteldonegal.com

...With so much to choose from, what better way to spend a day or so than at the beautiful Royal Marine Hotel…

A

short drive along the South East coast will bring you to Dun Laoghaire, where overlooking the bay you will find the Royal Marine Hotel. Steeped in history, and a favorite with the locals, this landmark hotel is an impressive sight on the Dun Laoghaire skyline. A hotel has stood here since 1828. Many celebrities, and even royalty have passed through its doors over the decades. In 2004 this magnificent old building closed for restoration, a painstaking labour of love by the present owners.

Situated in an elevated site on 4 acres overlooking Dublin Bay, the hotel has stunning views that on a clear day stretch as far away as Howth; and yet is still only a short journey from down-town Dublin. The original hotel has been extensively but sympathetically renovated with precise attention to detail.

And it is just this same attention to detail, we extend to you as our guest – whether overnight or simply joining us for a drink in our bar or dining in our restaurant.

The large bay windows and high ceilings of the Bay Lounge highlight the grandeur and historic feel that is central to the hotel style. Lavishly furnished it is a comfortable and ideal venue to meet friends and family for coffee, lunch or perhaps to enjoy the age-old tradition of afternoon tea whilst overlooking the gardens, with spectacular views of the harbour. Our resident pianist completes the ambience every Saturday afternoon.

Or perhaps dine in relaxed style in our Dún Bistro where the delights of the Restaurant are matched only by the professional friendly service and stunning views over the harbour. Serving an Early Bird Menu, Table d’hote

and a la Carte Menus.

Try out lively Hardy’s Bar for a local drink (named after the famous actors and world famous partners Laurel & Hardy who stayed in the original Royal Marine Hotel). Food served every day until 10pm. Live music every Saturday night.

The Pier Health Club offers state-of-the-art cardio and resistance equipment, free weight area and a luxury 18 metre swimming pool. We are proud to offer our members a spacious, relaxed and welcoming environment in which to exercise. Or simply retreat into the hushed tranquillity of the sansanaSpa (the only Failté Ireland ‘comprehensive’ spa in Dublin) and choose pampering delights from our extensive treatment menu.

With so much to choose from, what better way to spend a day or so than at the beautifully restored Royal Marine Hotel…

Join us at the 3-star Knock House Hotel and enjoy the beautiful countryside in the heart of County Mayo.

W

ith 68 comfortable, spacious rooms, our Hotel is a haven of peace and tranquility, the perfect setting for a relaxing break. Located adjacent to the famous Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Knock, we are a 20 minute drive from Ireland West Airport Knock and just 10 minutes from Claremorris Train Station.

Knock House Hotel is ideally positioned to visit Turlough House and Museum of Country Life, Westport House and Croagh Patrick, which are all within a 45 minute drive. And of course, Knock Museum is on our doorstep, capturing the unique and compelling story of the Apparition of 1879 and the fifteen ordinary people who witnessed this extraordinary event. Visitors can read original hand-written letters by people cured at Knock and listen to pilgrims sharing stories and memories of Knock. The Apparition is also set in the context of life at that time, from living in the thatched house to working in the forge.

During your break, we are happy to cater for your every need and it gives you an opportunity to make new friends and mix with like minded people. We have 6 bedrooms specially equipped for those with limited mobility. Enjoy fine dining in the Four Seasons Restaurant which overlooks a beautiful

garden and captures the magnificent spire of the Basilica.

We have earned a great reputation over the years for our food, wine and service. Lunches, snacks, hot and cold beverages available all day in our beautiful limestone Lounge.

To book your stay and avail of our special rates, please call Karen on 094 93 88088.

Visit the stunning Leitrim countryside 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 Week 2 Nights B&B Offer 2 Nights B&B for 2 people Only €99 Available Sun-Thur Only...€49.50pps

O

Please mention Mature Living Leinster when booking

ne 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 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 offer for an unforgettable break. A family re-union can

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

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

P

4 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

€199 pp

5th Night B&B FREE

Offer Available Selected Dates Only – Call for Details

INCLUDES: Full complimentary daily and nightly entertainment program Transfers local Bus & Train Station Use of the leisure centre facilities

Escape to Breaffy House Resort to Relax, Unwind and Revive To Book: Call us now on 094 90 22033 or email to reservations@breaffyhouseresort.ie Bookings on line www.breaffyhouseresort.com Page 42 Mature Living February 2014

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.

Breakaways

The Luxury Glenlo Abbey

A

Manor to which you can become accustomed...

Galway’s 5 star luxury hotel, Glenlo Abbey, is

the ideal choice for your breakaway in Galway, with unrivalled personal service it is the perfect place for either

relaxation or an activities based holiday.

The wildness of Connemara is right on our doorstep and the

vibrancy of Galway City is only minutes away.

The ideal location for exploring the West of Ireland - With its superb dining options. including the River Room Restaurant overlooking the estate, the Oak Cellar Bar, and three elegant Receptions Rooms, where guests can enjoy a relaxing drink, afternoon tea, or take time out to relax and read the newspapers.

And the PULLMAN RESTAURANT ABOARD THE ORIENT EXPRESS, a 66 seater restaurant comprising of 2 of the original carriages from the Orient Express is a “must”

Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa

O

ffering one of the best locations in and around Dublin, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa has become known as one of the finest new hotels in Ireland. The best of both worlds allow you to easily access all that Dublin city centre and surrounding shopping has to offer and yet the tranquillity of Dunboyne Village is on the doorstep.

Seiod Spa has 18 treatment rooms and a luxurious hydrotherapy pool.

The Terrace Lounge is a delightful conservatory area overlooking the magnificent gardens and is a perfect setting to unwind with a pre-dinner drink.

The 2AA Rosette Award Winning Restaurant – The Ivy, where the journey through your taste buds takes over and for wine lovers a special treat is in store. Any visit to Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa would be incomplete without a visit to the Sadlier Bar, where locals gather and mingle with

guests in a friendly festive setting.

Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa features 145 oversized modern guest rooms; 2 junior suites featuring separate bedrooms and living room areas and two presidential suites that must be seen to be believed.

Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa – a must visit hotel with great service and stunning facilities. Visit www.dunboynecastlehotel.com and see the amazing special offers.

Harbour Hotel, Galway

T

he Harbour Hotel is the ideal venue to experience the

excitement and vibrancy of Galway. The Harbour Hotel deliver the

complete experience with their City Centre waterfront location is

right in the heart of the Galway City with ample car parking space, and unrivalled hospitality, it couldn’t be easier.

Just a 3 minute stroll from our hotel will take you to Eyre Square and the city centre, including Shop Street and the bustling bars & cafés of Quay Street. Meander along the cultured streets and enjoy the pace of life unique to the West of Ireland. You are assured of a very warm welcome upon arrival.

Our team will welcome you to our modern, comfortable, family owned hotel and take excellent care of you throughout your stay.

Services Directory

Addic!on Treatment Centre Foxford, Co. Mayo

Call in confidence: 094"9256888 Email: hopehouse#eircom.net www.hopehouse.ie

Rehabilitation Cent!e specialising in the t!eat"ent of alcohol, dr#gs, gambling and other dependencies.

Hope House... “where recover$ begins”

Westport PADRAIC CRYAN Foot Clinic STONE WORK Westport, Co. Mayo

Based in Roscommon, Padraic Cryan Stone & Blockwork Services is an Irish company with over 16 years experience in the Irish Construc!on Industry that prides itself on exceeding customer expecta!ons and delivering all work on budget and within the agreed !meframe.

Chiropodist: Martin Mc Nally Tel: 087 222 6260

Call our friendly sales team on 071-9154538 for details of our excellent rates and discounts

Contact: Tom Rogers Strokestown, Co. Roscommon SAME DAY COLLECTION SERVICE SERVICING LEITRIM & SLIGO FARMERS FOR OVER 20 YEARS

071-9634783 / 9633344 Only Licensed Knackers Yard & Service in NorthWest Lowest Prices and Daily Collection Guaranteed

Call Padraic on (086) 2867950 today for a FREE no hassle quota!on

GIBLIN STONE ADVERTISE ...everlasting

HERE!

DEAD AND WORN-OUT ANIMALS

We provide General Building work from Restora!ons to New Builds, and Stoneworks and are happy to meet you at your convenience and provide you with a quota!on.

Choosing a memorial for a loved one is a very personal thing.

Quality • Experience • Service

GRANITE COUNTERS & FIREPLACES IN MARBLE, GRANITE ALSO AVAILABLE, CALL US TODAY FOR DETAILS

Church Street, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo Phone: James 087 9061833 • Brian 086 1957788

www.giblinstone.com

ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT LOOKING FOR A JOB? ..if so here is the perfect one for you!

EARN UP TO €500 PER WEEK Working Monday to Friday, 9-5.

Selling advertising space in Mature Living

IMMEDIATE START

No experience necessary but you will need good communication skills / telephone manner.

Telephone Seamus on 085-2498067 or email seamus@matureliving.ie

Services Directory

Roll-R-Doors, Derryhillagh, Castlehill, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Tel: 096-51382 • Mob: 086-1650132 info@rollrdoors.ie • www.rollrdoors.ie

Quad Servicing & Repair

Roll-R-Doors offer a full range of Domestic and Industrial Garage Doors and Accessories. Specialising in both replacement and removal of old doors with new garage doors and installation of new garage doors, Give Roll-RDoors a call on 086 165 0132 to see what we can do for your projects needs.

Middleton Travel Shane McDonagh Middleton Travel Sligo - People on the move

FREE CONSULTATION IN YOUR HOME OR OUR SHOWROOMS. Harmony Hill, Sligo Tel: 071-91-45810

We can cater for all your trips: • Family Outings • Airport Transfers • The Races • Golfing Trips • Sporting Trips • Stag & Hen Parties • Corporate Events • Office Parties

Tone Street, Ballina Tel: 096-24763 www.tegre.ie

Middleton Travel, 11 The Elms, Woodtown Lodge, Sligo Tel: 071-9162890 • Francie: 086-8143464 Keith: 087-2918668 Email: middletontravel@eircom.net www.middletontravelsligo.com

East Brothers GARDEN MACHINERY

McGowan's FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tree Surgery and Agri Contractor

• Tree Pruning / Reduction • Tree Removal & Hedge Maintenance • Stump Grinding and Log Splitting Fully Insured

Tel: 087-2116836

TREACY COACHES BALLINA

Emmet St, Ballina, Co. Mayo Tel: 096-70669 Anytime

Email: info@ballinafuneralhome.ie Website: www.ballinafuneralhome.ie

• Petrol Chainsaws for Property Maintenance • Chainsaws for Agriculture and Horticulture • Electric / Cordless Chainsaws

BOYLE, CO. ROSCOMMON

Tel/Fax: 071-9662710 • Mobile: 086-2427554

Phone: 071-9162140 Market House, Market Yard, Sligo www.sligofuneralhome.ie info@sligofuneralhome.ie

All Services Provided Authorised representative of Horizon Funeral Planning Talk to us today for help and advice in your Pre-Need arangements

Daily Service to SLIGO departs Ballina at 7.30am and departs SLIGO IT at 5.15pm Monday to Friday * We Accept Travel Passes *

Enquiries tel: 096-22563

Services Directory

GS CONTRACTS

GORDON SHERLOCK

Specialists in tarmac & asphalt driveways Telephone: 071-91-30070 • Mob: 087-2969872

www.sligotarmac.com

Specialising in laying tarmacadam, asphalt and stone mastick asphalt.

From small household driveways to tennis courts, large industrial areas, farm roads, estates, car parks and more

• 25 years of experience in the Tarmacadam business • Free Advice and quotations • Fully insured

TEL: 096-72652 BOB: 087-9852827 • GERRY: 086-8581961

We are confident that our workmanship wil impress anyone, we can count on our past customers to verify our professionalism and attention to the finest detail.

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

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

WARNING!!!

Upto 80% of Heat Generated by an Open Fire and almost 20% of Heat from your Central Hea!ng System escapes up an open Chimney!

Prevent this wastage!

SLIGO Buying a Stove???

Talk to Terry first • Free Survey Available • Solid Fuel Stoves • Gas Fires

PHONE: 087-2066910 / 071-9197925

www.terrysstoves.com terrysstoves@gmail.com

www.ap-motors.eu

Unit 2, Ardnaree, Ballina, Co. Mayo

• • • • • •

Servicing 5% Discoun Panel Beating t Tracking • Parts Light Setting NCT Preparation Valeting • Recovery with th is Advert

Ariel Dym 096-70993 • 086-8978395

If your home looks difficult to enter the chances are a burglar will move on.

• Don’t leave spare keys outside. Use a KEY GARAGE. • Don’t leave car and house keys visible. Have you have a second car key? We can cut 90% of all car keys • Lock your back gate and install patio door locks and bolts • Find out who is calling by fitting a spy hole in the wooden front door and a door chain to a PVC or Wooden front door.

• Join your local Neighbour Watch or Community Alert scheme.

Burglars will be aware that someone maybe watching them.

For advice please call to us at Millennium House, Stephen St, Sligo Tel: 071-9144344 www.barton-smith.ie info@barton-smith.ie

Are you breathless when climbing your stairs?

Are you worried about falling on your stairs?

We can help!

Call Kieran on 087­834­3755

The Luxury FLOW 2 stairlift will glide you up & down your stairs effortlessly • Extended Warranties are available when you mention this advert.

• Call us now to arrange a FREE survey and quotation • Trust your safety on the stairs to us!

• Fully trained and manufacturer certified friendly fitters

Lo-call: 1850 818 500 Visit: www.irishstairlifts.ie

Email: homesinsula"on@yahoo.ie

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

Tel. 05793 – 51277

Steel Garden Sheds, Garages & Tegkon Custom Steel Buildings TEL: 086-240 7844 • www.candssheds.ie info@candssheds.ie

We use eZero • Powerwall External Insula"on The new genera"on Contractor ­ Grants up to €3600.00 of Insula"on • Cavity Wall / A$c Insula"on BER Grants up to €500.00 • Extensions, New Buildings, Roof, A$c Conversions, etc

‘Don’t delay, LAST chance to avail of grants’

Feature Article Services Directory

Aluminium & PVC Repairs

Professional Relationship Counselling Couples & Individuals

To windows, doors and patio doors

Expert patio door repairs!

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

Fees Based on Personal circumstances

Ballina 096-21478 accordballina@eircom.net Castlebar 094-9022214 accordcbar@eircom.net Charlestown 094-9254944 accordcharlestown@eircom.net

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

COMPOST FOR SALE

Pure Organic Compost ­ Ideal Soil Enricher

N5 Moneen Business Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Tel: 094-9026373 • Fax: 094-9024353 Email: info@walterdonoghue.com www.walterdonoghue.com

Furniture recovering and restoration including covering of chairs, 3 piece suites, headboards, car seats and boat seats.

Hotel and Bar seating, Office furniture and other Contract / Commercial furniture.

Repair of sails, tents and other outdoor gear for sports and leisure.

We provide a service of Colour consultancy and Interior advice.

We retail upholstery fabrics and essentials.

Collection and delivery can be arranged at a small fee, depending on distance.

Boradruma, Snugboro, Castlebar • Tel: 094 9023532 / 086 8350608 Open Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm Visit us online at www.boradrumaupholstery.ie

DATING CLASSIFIEDS SINGLE GENT JUST RETIRED Likes gardening, weekends away, would like to mee nice lady 60’s for friendship or relationship.

Replies with a stamped envelope to box number 1250 at the address below.

SEPERATED GENTLEMAN Wishes to meet a down to earth lady of any age. I am a gentle romantic guy and I like being outdoors. best wishes, Eddie. Replies with a stamped envelope to box

number 1255 at the address below.

LOVEABLE, SINCERE SECURE SINGLE GENT, 66 Own home, likes music, travel, reading, gardening, social drinker, non smoker would like to meet affectionate lady with no ties 55-70, Replies with a stamped envelope to box number 1260 at the address below.

FREE DATING* CLASSIFIED

YOUNG AT HEART MARRIED LADY I am in my seventies, I like music, travel and cooking. Would like to hear from Male and Female readersto share interests and friendship.

Replies with a stamped envelope to box number 1265 at the address below.

SINGLE LADY, Would like to meet man late forties - early fifties. I have m,any interests,

• 50 Litre Sealed Bags • Cubic Metre Sacks Compost / Veggie Mix • Bulk Loads Trailer pickup & can deliver

Union Wood Road, Ballisodare Call to Yard or Phone 087­9756455

love music, all osrts. Please reply if you are interested.

Replies with a stamped envelope to Box number 1201 at the address below.

MALE 60’S Enjoys swimming, walking, cooking, the outdoors, gardening, people. Would like to meet a kind sincere female for company / friendship. Life could be better with you. North Mayo area.

Please reply if you are interested.

Replies with a stamped envelope to Box number 1205 at the address below.

WRITE YOUR ADVERT HERE:

THE FOLLOWING DETAILS ARE FOR OFFICE USE ONLY AND WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED. These details MUST be completed for all adverts NAME: ADDRESS:

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

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

TELEPHONE NUMBER:

Page 58 Mature Living

STRICTLY PRIVATE ADVERTISERS ONLY - BUSINESSES CAN CALL 071-9154538 AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY SALES REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT OUR EXCELLENT RATES.

UP FOR A BIT OF CRAIC Mature prof. Lady, good sense of humour is looking for ‘kinda’ handsome, good natured, GSOH, sensible, house trained gent, 65ish plus, who likes fun date out, cosy nights in, dancing & singing to a new beginning with a happy ending. Replies with a stamped envelope to Box number 1111 at the address below.

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.

From horses to horticulture we offer a unique experience that can be enjoyed at your leisure or as part of a guided tour.

Come to the Stud and share with us one of Ireland’s true treasures.

• World Famous Japanese Gardens • St. Fiachra’s Garden • Horse Museum • Lots of newborn foals to see • New playground • Enjoy our homebaking and locally sourced foods in the restaurant • Meet our Living Legends; Beef or Salmon, Kicking King, Moscow Flyer, Rite of Passage & Hardy Eustace.

• Location: South of Dublin & the M50, off the M7, Exit 13 onto the R415 • Open 7 days a week 9.30am - 5pm • For further information contact: reservations@instourism.net or Tel: 00 353 45 521617

Produce this Advertisement and receive a 2 for the price of 1 Admission.