Mature Living Leinster Edition

PROMOTING A HEALTHY & POSITIVE LIFESTYLE July 2014

FOR THE OLDER, BOLDER INDIVIDUAL IN LEINSTER

Everyday tips for great skin

Never too old to skydive!

Births to mums over 50 soaring

Inspired Planting at Bloom

2 NIGHTS LUXURIOUS STAY AT THE FORSTER COURT HOTEL IN GALWAY

www.matureliving.ie

July 2014

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HE countryside is emblazoned in beautiful sunshine as we go to press for our July edition of Mature Living.

With so many FIFA World Cup enthusiasts glued to TV screens countrywide some would wish the heat wave could be bottled until mid-July at the latest. For those of you who can enjoy it we encourage you to get out and savour the beauty of the countryside – it’s healthy and good for the

economy, too.

Our One-on-One personality, renowned Irish soprano/harpist Mary O’Hara, is somebody who appreciates beauty and nature and she spoke to our Catherine Gilmartin from her home on the Aran Islands where she lives with her husband, Patrick.

Achieving national recognition at an early age Mary went on to make an influential contribution to Irish music, but many aspect of her private life make for interesting reading as well.

Throughout her life her strong faith has been central and she thanks God for her excellent health at 78.

When it comes to health we could all look to the Royal family for guidance on longevity and readers will be interested to learn some “secrets” from the oldest reigning British monarch, Elizabeth, and her husband, Prince Philip. In the same vein we reveal that the number of women over the age of 50 having babies has doubled in the UK in the past five years. We also talk about how to retain flexibility as we get older.

As it’s summer we give some timely advice on how to enjoy yourself while protecting against some of hazards out there – like sun stroke, dehydration, bug bites and the like, while providing complementary tips to achieving great skin.

It’s gardening time, of course, and our award-winning garden designer Leonie Cornelius features some of the latest planting trends inspired by Ireland’s top designers and featured at this year’s Bloom in the Park. If you live a more sedentary life and have trouble sleeping you might be interested in looking at our advice to achieve better sleep and brain health.

In our features we highlight some of the attractions of Waterford and Wicklow – ideal holiday destinations in the beautiful south-east, with a wide range of accommodation and activity options. For the more ambitious we feature some of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites which are of major cultural and architectural interest.

We have many other articles and features of interest in our July edition. The deadline for our August edition will be 18th July and we hope all our readers and advertisers have a pleasant and enjoyable summer.

Seamus Casey - Editor

LAST MONTH’S COMPETITION WINNERS Congratulations to last months competition winners.

The breakaway to the Ashdown hotel in Gorey was won by Lucy McEvoy, Enfield Co Meath and the breakaway to Mount Falcon in Ballina was won by Tommy Daly from Elm park, Lucan.

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

News One to One with Mary O’Hara Focus on Wicklow 7 Summer health hazards 10 people whose lives began after 60 The royal secrets of longevity Births to mums over 50 soaring Inspired planting @BLOOM The Bands of our Showband era Smart Sleeping: Top tips for better sleep A functional definition of flexibility Six styles of lace to love 10 Everyday tips to achieving great skin Pets Corner Take the troubles away from adventure travelling Focus on Waterford Alternative Therapies Puzzle Page Competition A taste of France Angelscopes Technology Card Making Services Directory

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Published by: Benbulben Publishing Limited PO Box 41, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford Tel/Fax: 053-9270857 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

Three generations of George Hook's support Breakthrough Cancer Research's Drive for Dads Campaign

George Hook, Jnr, Mnr and Snr help Breakthrough Cancer Research to launch their Drive for Dads appeal. The Drive for Dads campaign focuses on the development of new treatments for the cancer’s affecting men, BCR are encouraging people to Text GOLF to 50300 to make a €4 to BCR and enter the draw to win one of 5 fantastic prizes of a year’s supply of Titleist golf balls.

Pic Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

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eorge Hook, was joined on the golf course by his son George and grandson George to help Breakthrough Cancer Research launch their Drive for Dads campaign, to fundraise for research into cancers affecting men.

The campaign is twofold, with members of the public being encouraged to text GOLF to 50300 to make a €4 donation to Breakthrough Cancer Research to support their dads, granddads, uncles, brothers, husbands and friends. While the second element of the campaign will see participating golf courses and clubs throughout Ireland add €4 to members and non-members green fees over the summer months. We have once again teamed up with Titleist #1 ball in golf, to offer golfers the chance to win 1 of 5 prizes of a

year’s supply of Titleist golf balls.

All monies raised through the Drive for Dads campaign will specifically go towards research into lung, testicular, prostate, and stomach cancers.

Currently Ireland has the highest statistics of prostate cancer in Europe with the disease affecting one in every 13 men in the country. Over 90% of those diagnosed with testicular cancer are younger than 50, and lung cancer is the cause of 20% of all cancer deaths in Ireland.

Breakthrough Cancer Research is currently working to fund research that will reduce these startling statistics.

Commenting on the appeal, George Hook Snr said, “As a proud father, golfing fanatic and supporter of Breakthrough Cancer Research, I cannot think of a better gift a dad

could receive on Father’s Day than the opportunity to help save the lives of men throughout Ireland in their fight against cancer. I’ll most certainly be joining the ‘Drive for Dads’ campaign this Father’s Day and urging everyone to text GOLF to 50300 to make a €4 donation to Breakthrough Cancer Research in honour of their dad, granddad, uncle, brother or husband. We men are notorious for not taking the correct, if any, action when it comes to our health. I am delighted to see the ‘Drive for Dads’ initiative making moves to increase awareness and carry out important research in Ireland into new treatments for cancers affecting men. ” Eoghan O'Sullivan, campaign manager at Breakthrough Cancer Research, said, “We are really looking forward to getting the ‘ball rolling’ on this year’s Drive for Dads campaign.

35,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Ireland this year, 8,500 will die because the cures to save their lives have not been developed, yet!

Our Drive for Dads campaign lets people donate to our ongoing research in as easy a way as possible, by text! All people have to do is text GOLF to 50300 to make a €4 donation to cancer research. We are delighted to once again have the support of Titleist as we drive a wedge into men’s cancers”. “The Drive for Dads campaign will not only help to spread awareness but it will raise vital funds to bring new treatments to fruition so we can dramatically reduce these frightening statistics. We are appealing to everyone to help us in our drive for a future free of cancer this Father’s Day.” So if you want to score a hole in one this Father’s Day, text GOLF to 50300 or bring your dad along to one of the participating golf courses or clubs, or play a round in memory of your loved one.

Participating clubs can be viewed on the event page www.drivefordads.ie or by calling 1890 998 998.

Phone line for former residents of mother and baby homes set up

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harlie Flanagan the minister fro children has set-up a dedicated phone line and counselling service for former residents of mother and baby homes.

The move follows the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into the high-rate of infant mortality in Catholic Church run mother and baby homes.

“There are a number of services available to those affected by the matters being considered in the context of mother and baby homes,” the minister said.

“In particular, I am conscious that there is a demand for information and my Department has worked with

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the HSE in relation to arrangements for the provision of information,” he added.

An update on the inquiry announced by the Minister includes: • An information & counselling service for former residents.

• New email address for submissions on Terms of Reference of Commission of Investigation (motherandbabyhomes@dcya.gov.ie).

• Dedicated telephone information line for people seeking information or details of support available.

The Department is seeking submissions from the public which could be relevant to the scooping exercise which will form the terms of refer-

ence.

It is specifically looking for details of mother and baby homes which could potentially be included in the inquiry.

Those seeking information on the inquiry should low call the HSE National Information Line on: 1850 24 1850 during Monday to Friday 9am to 5 pm.

Those directly affected can also contact the CONNECT free telephone out-of-hours professional counselling and support service to speak with a trained counsellor: Freephone 1800 477 477 from the Republic of Ireland and 00800 477 477 77 from Northern Ireland and the UK.

Belleek Castle: Best Hotel Restaurant in Connaught Great news for Belleek Castle, Ballina this week.

Belleek Castle took home the prestigious prize of Best Hotel Restaurant in Connaught at the Irish Restaurant Awards 2014. Also, our Restaurant Manager Daniel Mayr was awarded the Best Restaurant Manager in Connaught! The “Food Oscar” crowns the Top Restaurants in Ireland. Over 900 restaurateurs and industry players came to attend Ireland’s biggest Restaurant awards where Regional and All-Ireland Winners were announced.

Hence, the Restaurant at Belleek Castle is the only place in town that has won an RAI Award this year, and we are very proud to say we are flying the flag for Ballina! “A lot of hard work has gone into this fantastic result! The lead into 2014 has been excellent for us, also winning the Georgina Campbell's 'JUST ASK' Bord Bía Restaurant of the Year.” says Head Chef Stephen Lenahan. “It shows us that we are going in the right direction. Ballina is a great place to dine with several excellent restaurants, and Belleek Castle is setting new standards in the area.”

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News

Google Silver Surfer Awards 2014

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oogle and Age Action have joined forces once again to search for Ireland’s top Silver Surfers. The Awards celebrate and showcase older peoples’ use of the internet and technology.

Winners of each award will receive a Chrome Book.

This year we are looking for enthusiastic people over the age of 50 who have an interesting story to share about how they use their computer and the internet

and who will become a role model to inspire more older people to embrace technology.

We are calling on people across Ireland to nominate a friend, neighbour or relative who uses technology for pleasure or as a way to enhance the quality of their life.

The public can nominate someone for an award by filling in an online form here or by phoning AnneMarie on 01 475 6989. The

closing date for nominations is Sunday 5th October.

This is the sixth year of the awards and there are five award categories as follows: New to IT Award A person over the age of 50 who is new to technology and has overcome challenges to become an IT user Hobbies on the Net Award An older person who uses the Internet to pursue their passion or hobby or who uses IT for communication

and social networking IT Tutor(s) of the Year An individual or group of any age who provides voluntary support to older learners Google Silver Surfer Award An older person who embraces the Internet or technology with a sense of fun and adventure Golden IT Award An individual over the age of 80 who uses technology to enhance their life Conditions: Those who entered in previous years can enter again this year.

Winners may need to engage in promotional work for the awards.

Photographs of winners and nominees together with their names and ages may be used in publicity campaigns. The awards are open to all in the island of Ireland. An older person is defined as being over the age of 50.

The winners of the Google Silver Surfer Awards with Age Action will be announced at an awards ceremony on Monday 20th October at Google Headquarters in Dublin.

The Judging Panel is responsible for the allocation of awards and the decision of the Chairman of the Judging Panel is final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding that decision.

€240,000 transformation sees Wicklow Gaol become premier multi-sensory tourism hub

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ne of Wicklow’s most iconic tourist attractions has undergone a tremendous €240,000 transformation, which sees the ancient prison become one of the country’s most high tech virtual reality historic attractions.

The project funded by Fáilte Ireland and Wicklow Enterprise Park is designed to engage the senses and bring to life two of the most turbulent centuries of Irish history.

Holographic projections of cruel prison guards, lifelike mannequins of major historic figures and state of the art audiovisual systems recreate the sounds of the defiant cries of the 1798 rebels, the famine era the War of Independence and Civil War. The replica two-deck transportation ship now

features holographic interaction with the ship’s Captain as visitors climb aboard the torturous 200day journey to Van Diemens land.

Iconic historic figures including Robert Erskine Childers (father of President Childers) Wicklow United Irishman Billy Byrne, the tragic female transportee Eliza Davis, Fr. Eoin McPhee the first ever prisoner listed in the Gaol (arrested for saying a Rock Mass) and many other unforgettable characters have entire cells dedicated to telling their story, with imposing life-size figures and captivating audio-visual interpretation.

The Red Coats ominously occupy the main floor of the prison and Governor Edward Storey is brought to life via holographic audio visual projections.

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Designed to engage all the senses, visitors will step back in time as they journey through the original prison cells and experience a new era of life in Gaol as they move through the building.

Descend into the dungeon and see the torture methods; climb aboard the replica transportation ship for an agonizing journey to Van Diemens Land; wander through the cells and meet the notorious protagonists of the 1798 rebellion and experience the overcrowding of the famine era, ascend into the Irish War of Independence and Civil War when Wicklow Gaol finally closed its doors as a prison for good.

But not all of the prisoners left! Learn why Wicklow Gaol is worldrenowned as Ireland’s

most haunted building…

The new experience also includes audio handsets in four languages, interactive points for children and a genealogy room where Irish and overseas visitors can research their ancestry.

The new multimedia transformation at the Gaol coincides with the launch of some unique events including new teams of overnight paranormal investigators, sleepovers in the cells, Birthday parties, anniversaries and events for other special occasions.

For further information see: www.wicklowshistoricgaol. com or call 0404 61599.

Emily Cox, Cox Communications, emilycox@coxcommunicati ons.ie

Older People do not form a uniform group

By Patricia Conboy

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he bank bailout in 2008 imposed a heavy burden on Irish people. The cost has been estimated at €8,956 for every man, woman and child in the country. In addition, the effects of austerity measures have probably been felt by every family in terms of new taxes and cuts to health and social protection budgets. Inevitably, as government budgets have tightened, there has been a public debate on the impact of austerity on different sections of the population. When it comes to older people, the debate has often been skewed by an assumption that older people form a uniform group and have not suffered as badly as others. In this context, there are some points worth highlighting.

Older people are not all the same. As readers know, this is a group that differs by age, socioeconomic, health and family status. The impact of austerity measures on older people is influenced by these factors, and their experience over the lifecourse. In reality, people’s circumstances change significantly as they move from being ‘young old’(65+) to being ‘old old’(80+).

There are older people who are poor; older people who are on modest incomes; and older people who are well-off. According to the CSO, in 2011 people aged 65 and over had an average gross income of €407.28 per week. However, if we look at how income is distributed among the over 65s, we see significant differences. Those in the lowest 20 per cent of income (or quintile) had a gross income of €185.45 per week. The source of 85.6% of their income was social transfers (i.e. State Pension & related benefits). No more than 3% of income for people in this group came from occupational pensions. Those in the highest 20 per cent of income (or quintile) had a gross income of €842.14 per week.

Social transfers accounted for 37.3% of income in this group and 27% came from occupational pensions.

Inequality in early life carries into old age. For example, pension coverage in the working age population is inadequate at roughly 54%. People without pension provision will be poorer in later life.

Those with inadequate pension provision include large numbers of women, low-paid, part-time and casual workers. People need to have sufficient income to save for their pension and many cannot afford to do so; or cannot afford to save enough to secure a decent income. Government promotes pension saving through a system of tax reliefs.

However these reliefs have consistently favoured higher income earners (See Adam Larragy (2013), A Universal Pension for Ireland, Social Justice Ireland for an analysis of this and other pension issues).

We need to situate people in the context of their life-course. When people are younger, typical challenges are to get on a career ladder, access a mortgage, start a family. As people move into older old age, they face challenges such as the potential loss of independence, acquired disability, need for social, hospice or nursing home care, loss of larger numbers of family and friends to death.

If we see people in context, recognise and acknowledge the challenges that arise at different points of the life-course, our discussion of the effects of austerity will be more humane, balanced and nuanced. We may have to wear an economic straitjacket but we don’t have to ration our compassion for each other.

Twitter : @PatriciaConboy1 ; https://www.facebook.com/AgePolicyAnalysis

News

Never too old to jump from a helicopter

FORMER US president George Bush celebrated his 90th birthday by making a tandem parachute jump near his summer home in Maine.

The 41st president jumped out of a helicopter while harnessed to a retired member of the army's parachute team. Mr Bush, who can no longer use his legs, could be seen floating to the ground using a red, white and blue parachute. RIGHT: ormer first lady Barbara Bush greets her husband and former U.S. President George H.W. Bush with a kiss after his successful skydive

Dementia – A Legal Perspective

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ome Instead Senior Care in Ballsbridge recently hosted a talk on the legal aspects associated with caring for person with dementia. With an increasing number of people being diagnosed with dementia the importance of gaining relevant and practical information can not be over emphasised. Providing this information to health care professionals and personal caregivers is important to Home Instead. Presented by Bernadette Parte, a solicitor with an expertise in Mental Health Law and Elder Law the Ballsbridge office welcomed health care professionals from eight primary care teams. Topics covered included: The importance of making a will including when a person has or has not capacity to make a will.

Establishing an Enduring Power of Attorney – positive and negative considerations Advanced care directives – advantages and limitations Protecting and supporting vulnerable people in the community and the legislation that supports them.

Disclosure and reporting – responsibility and protection for all Following the talk there was a very lively and interactive question and answer session.

Is your Health Insurance Plan Due a Health Check?

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ne of the biggest concerns of the elderly is being able to afford their health cover policy with about 300,000 people having cancelled due to the annual prices increases from all 4 health insurance companies people are falling back on the already under pressure public system.

Recent figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show that there are approximately 50,000 people awaiting inpatient and day case procedures so going public isn’t an option for people who can’t afford to wait for procedures. Also you have to bear in mind going the public route isn’t exactly free unless you’re a medical card holder you will have to pay the public hospital levy of €75 per night up to a maximum stay of 10 days in any 12 months period, so that’s €750 to stay in hospital for a short to medium term.

So what can people and in particular the elderly do to help try and keep a hold of their medical insurance having paid into it for years without claim and just when they need it most they are being priced out of the market?

1- Be prepared to take a small excess on your policy, the excess is the amount you will pay for any claim it can be as little as €75 on being admitted to a private hospital or as large as €500 depending which plan and company you are with and it can bring down the cost of your annual premium. There is no excess for public hospital and check with your insurer that the excess isn’t a daily excess as that will work out very expensive.

2- Get rid of the extras, most people want to be covered for the big medical emergencies in public hospitals with access to private hospitals if needs, if your plan covers day to day expenses and you aren’t claiming them best move to a hospital only plan, day to day expenses would include getting money back for GP visits consultants etc.

3- Ask your health insurance company for the corporate plan equivalent (plans that are offered to large companies) don’t be put off by the names of the plans Company Plan etc. these plans are available to all and in a lot of cases have better benefits and cheaper premium than the plans offered to the general public. Most of the older clients I speak to are in the traditional old Plan B space that most were covered on at one stage moving from that to a Corporate Plan can mean big savings without reducing your cover.

4- Look to the newer plans that may limit your access to the high tech hospitals Blackrock, Maher etc. but still cover you for all public and a lot of other private hospitals. Depending on where you are in the country you may never end up using one of the high tech hospitals but you are paying for them with your annual premium.

5- Don’t be afraid to split cover when renewing a family plan or a plan for a couple if one member of the couple is more likely to be using a private hospital in the coming year they need to be on the correct level of cover but the other person may consider a reduced plan or taking on an increased excess to keep costs down.

Health cover is a huge concern for the elderly but if you know the right questions to ask your provider will be able to help you maintain a decent level of cover by trimming off some of the fat i.e. benefits, hospitals you may not be currently using. But as always let the buyer beware there are pitfalls when changing cover and you must understand the up-grade rule if you reduce your cover and want to go back to a higher level plan you may have to wait 2 years if you are under 65 and 5 years if you are over 65 for the higher benefits to kick in.

In my experience a lot of mature people are still on the old legacy plans and are paying for the private room in the private hospital and by switching plans you may give your policy the health check that it is long overdue. Seek out independent advice speak to your health insurance company and use the Health Authority website www.hia.ie which is a very useful guide to comparing plans.

Pictured above is Karl Schutte, Managing Director of Home Instead Senior Care in Ballsbridge with Bernadette Parte, with Parte & Associates

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Mark Gilmore is a Qualified Financial Adviser who owns Money Tree Financial Services and can be contacted on 0876788975 or by email at mark@moneytreefinancial.ie Mark Gilmore trading as money tree financial services is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

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Mary O’Hara

The Voice of an angel

Catherine Gilmartin spoke to Mary O’Hara, an Irish Soprano and Harpist from County Sligo, who has made a groundbreaking contribution to Irish music. Mary has played an influential role in shaping and promoting Irish music throughout the world for decades to come through her recordings, radio, worldwide concert tours and TV appearances.

S

ligo native, Mary, who now lives in Inis Mor, Aran Islands, was born in 1935 into a privileged family. The O’Haras go back several generations; her mother is from another ancient Galway family, Kirwan, one of the twelve tribes of Galway.

Her mother and father met when they were at Galway University.

In her autobiography Mary, the youngest of four children, felt that her mother had a preference for the eldest daughter, Joan. They had a companionship between them that was not shared by the rest

of the children. Joan and her mother would spend a lot of time together and would go out leaving Mary and her brother behind with the maid. Mary thinks her mother was not very maternal. She always felt a plain Jane as her mother always told her she was pale and it did not help that she was given her sister’s cast offs to wear, which did not suit her; because Joan was a dark beauty she looked good in dark colours so her dresses were mainly black or other dark colours which did not suit Mary who was fair and always looked pale in them. In Mary’s opinion her mother regarded Joan as an extension of herself. Apart from all this Mary had a very happy childhood and had a close relationship with her father and brother Dermot, who was just over a year older than her.

During Mary’s early years, her father joined the British Army; he became a British Officer in the Indian Army and was posted to the North West frontier for five years; his letters, full of affection were really looked forward to.

In her autobiography Mary writes that from an early age she knew there was something radically wrong with her

Page 10 Mature Living July 2014

parents’ marriage. In her mind it was a disaster and she used to pray that they would separate; her mother was very difficult to get on with. Everyone knew that Mary sided with her father in their interminable conflict, and that if they separated she would stay with him and Joan with her mother.

When her father returned from the war the disagreements

began again. Her mother drank heavily for a long time and died when Mary was just seventeen.

As she had been at boarding school she never experienced an adult relationship with her mother, so never got to know what the reasons were behind her becoming an alcoholic and her black depression.

Mary was thirteen when she was sent to boarding school,

Sion Hill, next door to Blackrock College in Dublin, where Dermot went. As Joan was also in Dublin, at the Abbey School of Acting, her parents decided to move to Dublin, so Mary left Sligo.

By this time Mary had won her first competition at eight years old - Sligo's annual Music and Drama singing competition. At the age of 16 she had a radio broadcast under her belt. She went on to perform at Edinburgh International Fringe Festival with the Dublin University Players, and appeared on BBC’s Quite Contrary and The Ed Sullivan Show before starring in her own BBC television series.

At the age of 20, Mary was introduced to American poet, Richard Selig, in July, 1955; she fell in love and married him in 1956. They moved to the United States but sadly Selig died of Hodgkins disease 15 months after their marriage, and Mary continued to tour and record for four years.

In 1962, she became a Benedictine nun at Stanbrook Abbey in England, where she stayed for 12 years. I asked her if it was loneliness that prompted her to join the nuns but she said: “No, I never felt lonely in my life, I love being on my own, I love the silence, it is one of my biggest loves”. “The reason I became a nun was because I wanted to get to Heaven quicker to be with my husband. If I had not been a Christian I would have committed suicide”. “It was also a way of saying thank you to God for 15 wonderful months of happiness”.

For health reasons Mary had to leave the monastery in 1974 and found that her musical reputation had grown. She returned to performing and in a matter of months, she become one of the biggest international recording stars Ireland has ever produced.

Former African missionary priest Pat O’Toole became her manager and close friend. Ten years after Pat left the priesthood they got married in

Mary with her husband, Patrick O’Toole.

1985 and have been very happily married for the last twenty nine years. They both have a very strong faith after having devoted much of their lives to God. Mary O’Hara thinks highly of Pope Francis and believes he will make radical changes in the Catholic Church. Her faith is of the utmost importance to her and she says that the recent revelations about the Catholic Church have not impacted her at all. She went on to say, “Yes there are sinners in the Church, but look not on our sins but on the Faith of our Church. God has an infinitely loving plan for each and every one of us. We all have free will, he just leaves it to us”. She believes in miracles and quotes St Augustine, 5th Century, “A

miracle is contrary not to nature but to what is known of nature” We moved on to the subject of the harp and her career as a musician, The harp has always been a symbol of Ireland and of Irish music and is still played by many prominent artistes. When Mary was interviewed by Russell Harty on TV, (a famous British presenter who has now died), the public response was overwhelming and led to a publishers’ bidding war calling for her to do an autobiography.

The title of her first book, an autobiography, The Scent of the Roses, is taken from one of her favourite songs; her other books include A Celebration of Love, and A Song for Ireland, followed

by Travels with my Harp in May 2012. Mary retired from singing in 1994, and went on to say:

Marys sister, Joan O’Hara playing the much loved character Eunice in Fair City

“Nothing would induce me to go back performing again; that was my decision when my voice was still at its best. “Since then circumstances have intervened and I began to transcribe the songs and their accompaniments. Pat, my husband, has been printing them on the Sibelius programme. So far, we have produced six volumes with twelve songs in each. Each song is accompanied by a CD, not just of traditional but Irish art songs and songs from other parts of the world, including France, so it has a very wide range. There is an 11th Century French song and other beautiful ones that were sung on television so we were able to retrieve them.

Unfortunately, everything had to stop when Pat got sick. He was struck down with a very rare form of cancer that only two people in a billion suffer with.

We may very well revive our plans though because I have got so many songs that people say they would love to have written down”.

Mary says her health is excellent and she puts this down to a well balanced diet. She eats a bit of everything but not too much and does not drink alcohol, “I might have one glass of white wine once in a while!” she laughs, an infectious clear and beautiful sounding laugh – like a young girl, a sound that is a pleasure to listen to and it makes me laugh too.

Mary goes on to tell me that she and her husband used to

split their time between a 17thcentury thatched cottage in Berkshire, England and the Aran Islands but now live full time on Aran which makes her husband Pat extremely happy as he was born and raised on the Island and loves it. They both speak fluent Irish, Pat was brought up on the Island and spoke Irish as his first language having to learn English when he went to school.

Mary is currently writing her 5th book which is going to be about Aran and the outsiders who come here and why they love it.

Mary’s nephew, Sebastian Barry, son of her sister, Joan, the actress, who played the role of Eunice Dunstan in Fair City (she died in 2007), is a well known novelist and his current novel is based loosely on Mary’s parents, A Temporary Gentleman. His other novel, The Secret Scripture, is being filmed this year and is set in Sligo. It was based on an Aunt and Uncle of Mary in Enniscrone.

Finally, Mary offers this advice to any young person with ambitions for a career in the Arts: “I would say that I never set out to be a professional but once I agree to do something, whether its polishing the table or giving a concert, I give it 100 plus per cent; I commit myself totally to it, so if I say yes, I aim for perfection. We never reach perfection but it is only right that we should try. If you are going to do something aim for perfection, practice, practice, practice” . . . . and I hear the lovely musical laugh once more.

Page 11 Mature Living July 2014

Wicklow

Wicklow Mountains aka “Garden County”

www.maritimemuseumarklow.com A treasure trove of maritime memorabilia and seafaring history waiting to be explored.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm Adults €5. Children and Senior Citizens €2.

Group rates on request.

Telephone us on 086 446 0784

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Guided walks & tours A great way to socialise, get fit and enjoy the amazing Wicklow Hills.

For more informa!on about these walks and others Visit www.hilltoptreks.ie email: Info@hilltoptreks.ie Or Phone 087-7849599

We Provide: • Guided day walks (For all experience levels) • Day Tours from Dublin – Wicklow – Boyne Valley.

• Short Walking Breaks • Walking Holidays • Full Moon Walks • Landscape Photography Workshops.

• Join our social Walking Club.

Page 12 Mature Living July 2014

n the east coast of Ireland lies a vast mountainous area where you will find the county of Wicklow and the Wicklow Mountains National Park, which covers approximately 20,000 hectares of the mountain range. The key goal of the Wicklow Mountains National Park is to conserve and protect the local landscape, wildlife and the local ecosystems. Every year close to one million visitors pass through the Park and it is an extremely important source of recreation for both visitors and locals.

Streams run freely into the deep calm lakes of the wood covered valleys and run into the adjoining lowlands. The forestry area and the meandering mountain roads are the only things to interrupt the gaping scenes. Heather and bog covered floors drape the round peaks and the top mountain slopes. The blanket bog areas include the Liffey Head Bog and the Lugnaquila complexes.

Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul. The stunning Glendalough Valley is one the most popular tourist areas in the Wicklow Mountains and it is here that you will discover the antiquated monastic settlement of St. Kevin. Exploring the uplands on foot requires proper equipment and a sense of adventure in a setting where you will readily find isolation and wilderness. People have been coming to the ‘valley of the two lakes’ for hundreds of years to soak up its intense history, archaeology, sumptuous scenery and its copious wildlife. The world famous Monastic site with its round tower is just one of its amazing attractions along with its luscious lakes and valleys. The selection of trails and walkways include The Wicklow Way and the area has a lot to offer every discerning visitor.

Glendalough is an incredible place that will stir the heart, fulfil the soul and calm the mind.

There are some spectacular walking trails in the Wicklow Mountains and you will find the majority of these in the Glendalough valley. You can choose from a stroll that lasts half an hour to a vigorous hill walk that will take you about four hours. There are wide selections of exciting and impressive walks to choose from – the hardest part will be picking one that suits your mood and ability on the day! Some of the trails venture to the crumbling miners’ village,

others to the Poulanass Waterfall, the cave of St. Kevin’s Bed while a visit to Reefert Church is also on the cards.

The visitor centre displays maps of the walks and the walking trails are all flagged with colour-coded arrows.

Accompanying some of the walking trails are nature trails which highlight and explore bugs, birds, flora and trees that reside in and around the Wicklow Mountains which will delight both adults and children. For the more daring and experienced adventurer, you can partake in some rock climbing on the crags of Miners’ Road. The information centre will be able to offer you any help that you need on rock climbing. You will also find that angling is allowed in some of the rivers and lakes within the park.

Brown trout are the most common fish caught, fishing is allowed from midMarch to the end of September.

Such is the special charm of the Wicklow Mountains nestled in the ‘Garden County’ that you will want to keep coming back. There’s always more to explore!

The must-see Lake in Powerscourt Gardens: The walkway that surrounds Triton Lake lets you enjoy a 360 degree view of Powerscourt at it's best. From the Winged Horses that watch over the Lake, to the sounds of the fountain beyond, this is one of the most majestic parts of Powerscourt Gardens. Don't miss a visit to the boathouse, hidden to one side of Lake where you can explore Powerscourt from a different angle!

The Glendasan river in the Wicklow Mountains, County Wicklow, Ireland.

In the background is Tonelagee, the third highest mountain in the range.

Wicklow

Wicklow Films Drives BRAVEHEART DRIVE

80km The Braveheart Drive is centred around the west of the Wicklow Mountains and covers approximately 80km. The route starts in Hollywood, film set of Dancing a Lughnasa which brought Meryl Streep and Michael Gambon to the local pub and sets off in the direction of the Wicklow Gap. Hollywood Glen was also the location of the ice valley scene King Arthur. After a couple of miles the Braveheart Drive veers off left to Ballyknockan, Lacken, film set for PS I Love You and Manor Kilbride, with a possible whistle stop bustling Blessington, set on the spectacular Blessington LAKES. From Manor Kilbride the drive brings you right through the West Wicklow Mountains past the peat bogs of the Sally Gap and Kippure Estate, which was used extensively for Braveheart.

The Sally Gap road features in many Irish made films like The General, PS I Love You, Reign of Fire, Veronica Guerin and continues past spectacular Glen-

macnass Waterfall on the villages of Laragh and Glendalough and then returns to Hollywood by the Wicklow Gap, used as location for Reign of Fire and King Arthur

Powerscourt Estate and Waterfall, famous for some Excalibur scenes and in Bray past Killruddery House and Gardens which is used as a film location so much that it’s a living set.

EXCALIBUR DRIVE – 68km This drive starts and finishes in the picturesque mountain village of Roundwood and brings you through some of the most spectacular and varied landscape in County Wicklow. The Isolated Wicklow Mountains with their domed granite peaks reach heights of over 2,500 feet, and form the largest undisturbed uplands blanket of bog in Ireland. There is an abundance of flora and fauna to be found here amongst the hidden lakes rivers and numerous waterfalls.

Look out for deer, foxes, badgers, falcons and merlins.

Lough Tay and Lough Dan have been used as film location by many of the period films and dramas such as Becoming Jane, The Tudors, Camelot, King Arthur and many more. No wonder this area is so popular with filmmakers as the scenery shows the very best of the Irish landscape. However, the mountains, towns, woods, lakes and beaches in County Wicklow Have also served as backdrop for places in countries as diverse as France, America, Russia, Italy and Germany. The Excalibur Drive also brings you past the impressive

MICHAEL COLLINS DRIVE – 72km The Michael Collins Drive starts in Wicklow Town and covers 72km while it brings you through a landscape of rolling hills and lush valleys dotted with picturesque villages. The Michael Collins Drive starts in Fitzwilliam Square in Wicklow Town, film location for the Guard with Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle and brisgs you through Rathnew and Glenealy to Rathdrum, the film capital of Ireland. Some famous scenes from the film Michael Collins with Liam Neeson and Julia Robersts were shot here. Next on the drive is the now world famous Avoca, the living television set for the BBC series Ballykissangel.

The beautiful lush Vale of Avoca brings you downs to historic Woodendbridge and next to Arklow, a seaside resort exuding a warm welcome to visitors look-

ing for entertainment and activities and location for Angela’s Ashes.

After the buzz of Arklow the drive returns to the peaceful countryside and rolling hills of Redcross, film set for Cracks, a Boarding School drama with Eva Green, and further on the mile

long golden beach of Brittas Bay used for the Count of Monte Cristo, The Tudors and Camelot.

The Michael Collins Drive brings you past Wicklow Gaol which is world famous for being one of the most haunted prisons and has been featured on countless television documentaries.

LOW SCENIC WALKS K C I W Leisurely Guided Walks on Dublin’s Doorstep

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Walks from just €20 (Group rates available)

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Explore Wicklow, Experience Dublin

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• Afternoon Tea for two on arrival (scone, sandwich, pastry, tea/coffee) • Two nights B&B and 2 course dinner on one evening of your choice • Bottle of House Wine with Dinner • Complimentary morning newspaper • Full use of The Merrill Leisure Club facilities • Concessions for Royal Bingo (one evening) • Bring the grandchildren, up to two children (u12years) share complimentary accommodation.

Complimentary Merrill’s Activity Camp starts July 1st

he Royal Hotel, set in seaside resort of Bray, offers guests the best of both worlds, only a short distance to the heart of Dublin city (30 minutes by DART) and on the border of Wicklow County guests are spoilt for choice with a range of activities, walks and places to visit.

Boasting 128 bedrooms , the hotel offers a choice of standard rooms, the recent addition of over 30 deluxe rooms which are contemporary and spacious in their design & we also have several family rooms to accommodate a family of up to five compliment the make up of our rooms.

The Quinns Bar with its olde world meeting modern day in its décor offers a sumptuous dining with our bar menu and live music every weekend with locally renowned musicians, the Quinns Bar is the perfect place to meet old friends and new.

The Heritage Restaurant serves a selection of carefully chosen Menus to suit all appetites using the finest locally produced ingredients. The Heritage Restaurant is the perfect venue for all occasions from an intimate meal for two to a family celebration.

Our recently refurbished and extended Merrill Leisure Club, exclusive to guests and members comprises of a 14 metre swimming pool, Children’s Pool, Sauna, Jacuzzi. Steam-Room, a fully equipped Gymnasium. The Merrill Beauty Rooms offers special discounts on massage and beauty treatments exclusive to our guests. Merrill’s Activity Camp, which is a complimentary service offers a wide range of activities to children aged 4 years and above.

The camp takes place daily from 10am – 1pm and 6.00pm – 9.00pm each evening, during all school holidays.

Page 13 Mature Living July 2014

Nursing Homes

Sonas Nursing Homes

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onas Nursing Homes are leading providers of care to a grown elderly population and at Sonas we develop impactful relationships with people who use our service. Since opening our first home at Cloverhill Roscommon in 2001 we have built homes with the right physical environments to ensure that people continue to live their lives to the

absolute fullest. Sonas Nursing Homes are modern, purpose built, bright and close to the local community.

Sonas Nursing Homes are well thought of in their communities, have a good track record and leaving a good experience with people who connect with Sonas. People who engage with Sonas experience a sense of family and

belonging. Our experienced and expert care has built the enduring trust with the communities we serve, with residents and their families. Sonas promotes the creation of true partnerships between staff and residents resulting in a homely and family atmosphere in all our homes. All this is achieved by listening, understanding and responding to concern, needs and desires of all parties.

At Sonas we believe in what we do and our reputation is built on how we think, everything we say and everything we do.

We strive to reassure our residents and their families that what we say and what we do is true to life and reflects all life stages of residents in our care.

Our key strengths are our, staff reflected in low turnover, well trained and personable. Our staff are empathetic and understanding and take time with families giving them all the information they need in an open fashion to enable them to make difficult decisions with confidence.

Sonas Nursing Homes provide evidence based nursing care and a variety of services including physiotherapy, activities, hairdresser and GP visits.

Sonas Nursing Homes are owner managed by a team with extensive experience in the care profession, truly understanding the nature of the challenge and giving staff the permission to be pro-active and innovative. The Sonas care team is deeply personable, understanding and compassionate, they are conscious of the difficult decisions of families and that they have real fears for their loved ones, real guilt and real doubts.

When you enter a Sonas Nursing Home you will meet welcoming and friendly staff, your initial meeting may be with the administrator, nurse or healthcare assistants or you may be greeted by housekeeping staff or maintenance person. All are trusting and competent and will guide you to the most relevant staff member ton deal with your inquiry.

Our caring team are down to earth, accessible and supportive. As you walk around Sonas Nursing Home you will notice resident involved in a variety of activities, staff going about their work in a professional but relaxed manner, you may observe our physiotherapist treating

residents and our catering staff mingling with staff in the dining rooms. Resident will be interacting or chatting to visitors in their own room or in a quiet visiting area, visitors may be making tea and enjoying light refreshments with their loved ones. On certain days residents may be attending religious service or enjoying a music and singing sessions .

While our laundry staff deliver residents clothes to their bedrooms they will chat with the residents and as many of our staff are familiar to resident they will relate to residents ‘news’ and stories from the local community.

Residents with dementia are cared for by specially trained staff making daily life as close as possible to what these residents experienced prior to living in Sonas Nursing Home.

When visiting Sonas Nursing Homes you are welcome to chat to residents and talk to them about their experience of living in the nursing home, you may also want to discuss with staff our staffing arrangements, daily routines for residents, choices that residents may have in relation to times they would choose to get up or go to bed and have their meals, or if residents are free to go out for walks or visit local town.

Sonas Nursing Home Athlon is located in Cloghanboy off the Ballymahon Road and within a short distance from the centre of Athlone. For all details on Sonas Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Accommodation please visit our website www.sonas.ie or email athlone@sonas.ie.

Mill Lane Manor Sallins Road, Naas, Co Kildare

Staff Nurses Required (Full Time/Part Time)

Sonas Nursing Home Athlone To arrange a visit call us now on : 090 6479568 or visit www.sonas.ie Page 14 Mature Living July 2014

Mill Lane Manor is seeking Staff Nurses to become part of a dedicated team of Health Professionals delivering Person Centred Care. Mill Lane Manor is a 70 bed nursing home.

Positions are available for full time and part time. Candidates must be Registered Nurses with An Bord Altranais and committed to providing the highest standards of nursing, care and support which meets the individual needs of each resident.

Applications welcome from Registered General Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Registered Intellectual Disability Nurse and Newly Qualified Nurses.

Call: 087- 9181100 • Email: recruitment@brindleyhealthcare.ie • www.brindleyhealthcare.ie Or Post CV’s to: HR Department, Brindley Healthcare, Letterkenny Rd, Convoy, Co Donegal

St. Annes Nursing home, Charlestown S

t. Anne’s Nursing Home in Charlestown aims to provide a fulfilling experience for all its residents. We recognise the varying capabilities that each individual resident may have and we strive to assist each and every one of them in realising their own potential.

The needs of each resident is carefully assessed and continually monitored through Individual Care Programmes, designed to meet their specific needs and accommodate the changes that naturally occur with the passage of time.

St. Anne’s provides security and peace of mind to its residents and strives to create an environment that honours their basic rights of independence and privacy.

We operate in a caring, safe and professional manner which strictly adheres to the Code of Practise for Nursing Homes outlined by the Department of Health. Some of the many benefits offered at St. Anne's are: • 24 hour Nursing Care • En Suite facility in all rooms • Nurse call system in all rooms • Fresh Irish home cooking • Unrestricted visiting • Private car park • Large lawn and garden • Regular visits by Chiropodist • Regular visits by Hairdresser • Spacious Reception and Dining Room • VHI Health Insurance approved • Close to all local amenities • Chapel where religious services are held regularly

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.

All Rooms Ensuite Respite Long and Shor" Ter#.

Catering for Retired, Convelescent and Geriat$ic Residents.

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

Registered Approved by

Member

Oakdale Nursing Home

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akdale Nursing Home is a purpose built, state of the art, 58 bed Nursing Home which opened in February 2009. Oakdale was built to the highest standards and consists of 40 single and 9 twin rooms all with en-suite facilities.

Oakdale is owned and managed by a group of local people. Valerie Moore RGN, the Director of Nursing is a native of Portarlington and had extensive experience in the care of the elderly prior to her current position having worked for 11 years in the Care of the Elderly Unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick. Mary Dunne, another local, is Valerie’s assistant and also worked in St. Vincent’s. Dr. Adrian Honan, the Medical Director at Oakdale, is the principal of a busy General Practice in Portarlington and has resided and practiced in the town for over 30 years. Oakdale

provides a much needed facility in the town of Portarlington and is a supportive home from home environment for those in need of long term care. Respite care and convalescence care is also available providing short term relief to families by providing care for their loved ones. For local families the availability of a facility so close to home is ideal and they can easily drop in for a visit at any time. Chiropody, Dental Care, Optical Care, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy are all available as required. There is a fully equipped hairdressing salon on the first floor and two local hairdressers visit each week to attend to the residents needs. A physiotherapist also visits weekly. Weekly activities include keep fit, art classes, community bingo, and movie night to mention a few. Music and dancing take place regularly

40 single and 9 double rooms all with en-suite facilities.

Each bedroom is furnished to the highest standard with phone line, computer data point and cable TV. Large Activation Room and Hair Dressing Salon Two Separate Sitting Rooms Internal & External Gardens Meditation Room Tullamore Rd. Portarlington, Co. Laois • Ph: 057 - 86 45282 Web: www.oakdale.ie Fully approved by HSE, Hibernian Aviva & Quinn Healthcare

Mill Lane Manor Private Nursing Home

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ill Lane Manor Private Nursing Home is a 70 bedded, purpose built Nursing Home, opened in June 2005 and is set in beautifully landscaped gardens within walking distance of Naas town centre, Co Kildare.

We can provide care for adults who are over the age of 18 years, however primarily we care for those who are over 65.

Admissions are based on preadmission assessments using accredited tools, formulating a

person centred care plan, to ensure that residents will be cared for in a holistic manner.

Care can be provided to individuals over 18 years with acquired brain injury, regardless of cause, cognitive impairment, learning disabilities, persons who experience mental health problems, those experiencing chronic illness, and individuals requiring respite, convalescence or palliative care. Our dedicated team ensure that all residents receive

the highest standard of quality care based on best practice guidelines.

We have 52 single and 9 double bedrooms. All have adjoining en-suite toilet and shower facilities. All rooms are comfortably furnished and each is equipped with a television, personal telephone and a Nurse Call System. There are four spacious lounges for residents to relax and enjoy the many in house social activities and a Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Our

Kitchen serves a large bright dining room, where meals are served. Wireless Broadband is available in the centre.

Outdoors we have large grounds, two internal furnished courtyards, one at the centre of the building and the other extending from the main sitting room. There is a path circling the building which allows access to all areas of the garden and grounds.

We extend a welcome to members of the community

who would like to call and visit with us. Currently, we are recruiting for nursing staff and offer great opportunities to nurses who would like talk with us about their career.

We can be contacted by calling: 00 353 45 874700 By emailing: milllanemanor@brindleyhealthcare.ie By visiting our website: www.brindleyhealthcare.ie and clicking the link to Mill Lane Manor

Feature

Garden Goods with Bedroom Benefits

scent and flavour of the vanilla seedpod – with particular benefit arising when paired with chocolate … ancient Aztecs mixed vanilla with chocolate to make a potent aphrodisiac drink.”

shape or aroma; stirring brain chemistry by increasing blood flow to all the right places; and a close connection in hormone makeup to our own.

“But I couldn’t ignore the fourth,” says Yoest. “A plant that promotes health and vigour – with an aphrodisiac history.”

Here’s what will turn you on.

Avocado “The Aztecs dubbed the tree āhuacatl (pronounced ah-hooah-cattle), which translates to testicle – probably due to the fruit’s tendency to grow and hang in pairs. A single avocado

M

ake your garden and your libido bloom with these four aphrodisiac

foods.

Sure, we’ve all heard that oysters are a turn on, but what about the things that make your garden and your appetite grow? We consulted with the author Helen Yoest’s new book, Plants with Benefits. Her criteria? A plant had to have one or more of three qualities that could affect our pleasure centres, such as a suggestive

Page 16 Mature Living July 2014

contains 23 per cent of the recommended daily allowance of folate (B9), and folate stimulates semen production.

Also rich in zinc, B6, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids, among an impressively long list, the avocado is one of the most nutritious fruits.”

Pomegranate “This fruit is packed with micronutrients such as polyphenols (specifically, tannins and flavonoids, which are known to increase female libido), and zinc (critical for a man’s sexual performance).”

Vanilla “The aphrodisiac qualities are believed to come from the

Garlic “has a long reputation for increasing sexual drive. In India, the ancient Laws of Manu forbade the eating of garlic by Brahmins because it stirred the passions. Today, many Eastern celibate orders, including Tibetan Buddhist monks, abstain from garlic for the same reason.” Just make sure you pack a breath mint.

Feature

7 Summer Health Hazards

W

hen summer fun becomes unhealthy. Here, what to look out for and how to protect yourself.

Skin cancer If caught early, skin cancer is usually treated easily. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (or from artificial UV light such as tanning beds) increases the risk for developing skin cancer. Other risk factors include: – Light skin, eyes or hair – Skin that burns or freckles easily – Unusual moles that are irregular in shape or larger or darker than normal moles – A family history of melanoma Protect yourself by having regular skin screenings and wearing the appropriate sunscreen. For extra protection, wear a sunhat if you plan to be outdoors for an extended period of time, and keep in mind the sun’s peak hours are between 10:00 am and 4:00pm.

While some experts advocate for short periods of unprotected sunlight to help with Vitamin D deficiency, the key here is moderation: most experts agree you should not be unprotected for more than 10 or 15 minutes.

Eye damage Sunlight can damage not only skin, but also your eyes. Long-

term exposure to UV rays can contribute to eye disease such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Bright light can damage your retina and even cause your eyes to become sunburned, a temporary but often painful condition known as photokeratitis. To protect your eyes, be sure to wear sunglasses that filter out 100 per cent of UV light, especially around water, which can reflect a tremendous amount of light to your eyes.

Food poisoning One of the great traditions of the season is cooking and eating outdoors, whether on your patio or on a picnic or camping trip.

Unfortunately, this can also mean an increase in food-borne illnesses. The most common culprit: letting the food sit outside in warm temperatures for too long. For more tips on summer food safety Bug bites Not only are they annoying and itchy, but mosquito bites can be serious if they infect you with a disease like West Nile or malaria. While the risk of getting diseases from mosquito bites is low, the annoyance factor is high indeed. Prevent bites by avoiding buggy areas when

ever possible and using a good insect repellent on your skin and clothing. Choose a product with about a 10 per cent to 30 per cent concentration of DEET, depending on how many hours of protection you need.

For extra protection, wear long pants and sleeves as well as socks, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are at their peak. To reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home, eliminate any standing water that may have collected in places such as used flowerpots. For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic’s webpage Dehydration Dehydration happens when you lose more fluid than you take in — and as a result, your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. The summer heat can cause excessive sweating – especially when being physically active or while exercising — which in turn can lead to dehydration.

If lost fluids aren’t replenished, the consequences can be serious. While you can usually reverse mild dehydration by increasing your intake of fluids, more severe dehydration requires immediate medical treatment. To prevent dehydration, drink additional water in hot or humid weather to help lower your body temperature and replace lost fluids. Remember: thirst is not always an accurate indicator of dehydration, so drink plenty even if you’re not feeling thirsty.

mal mechanisms for dealing with heat (such as sweating and temperature control) are lost, heatstroke is potentially life threatening.

The main symptom of heatstroke is a significantly elevated body temperature — generally greater than 104 F (40 C) — with changes in mental status ranging from personality changes to confusion and coma. If you suspect heatstroke, call 9-1-1 for immediate medical attention.

Other things you can do: – Move the person out of the sun to a cool or air-conditioned spot – Cover the person with damp sheets or by spraying with cool water − Use a fan or newspaper or indeed your copy of Mature Living to direct air onto the person Poor air quality The hazy days of summer may pose health risks, and not only for people with serious conditions such as asthma, heart dis-

ease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smog is actually a toxic mix of pollutants that, after long-term exposure, can damage lung cells, impair the immune system and increase risk for respiratory infection. Even short-term exposure can trigger symptoms in healthy people such as headaches, breathing difficulties, and exhaustion.

So what should you do? Stay informed on the air quality in your area through your local news or online resources. It is generally better to plan outdoor activities early in the morning or later in the evening, since the level of pollutants generally rises with the temperature.

Also, if possible, avoid traffic and heavily congested areas, especially during rush hour. On days when pollutants are high, it’s better to turn on the air conditioner and close your windows.

Heatstroke The most serious of heat-related problems, heatstroke often results from exercise or heavy work in hot environments combined with inadequate fluid intake. Because the body’s nor-

Page 17 Mature Living July 2014

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Feature

The Royal Secrets of Longevity

Here are some of the factors that are quite possibly the reasons Queen Elizabeth continues to enjoy good health.

Adopt them to improve your chances for longevity and health. Go ahead — live like the Queen. results. Even mild exercise, such as a 30-minute walk a day, can help lower blood pressure and stress levels.

H

er Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, recently celebrated her 88th birthday.

The oldest reigning British monarch, along with her husband Prince Phillip (who turned 93 on June 10, 2014), have both exceeded the life expectancy for Irish women and men – which is 83.3 and 78.8 respectively, according to the latest report from Statistics Ireland.

But Dr. Michael Gordon, program director of palliative care who trained in Scotland and met the Queen’s mother, feels that nowadays, being in your 80s is not so old. “I’m a geriatrician and, in my practice, that’s like late adolescence.

She’s not 100 yet. Her mother, the Queen Mother, lived to 101, and there’s a pretty good chance, barring the unexpected, that Elizabeth can get there herself.”

Yet even the best genetic makeup can be destroyed by external environmental factors.

Researchers say we accelerate the aging process if we smoke, eat poorly, drink heavily, don’t exercise and are overstressed.

Successful aging, says Gordon, is measured in both quantity of years and quality of life — not simply breathing but retaining vitality and enthusiasm, enough to make life well worth living.

Here are some of the factors that are quite possibly the reasons Queen Elizabeth continues to enjoy good health.

Adopt them to improve your chances for longevity and health. Go ahead — live like the Queen.

Get regular medical screenings “The Queen has regular medical screenings and access to medical care that keeps her in good health. Preventive screenings for both men and women should include measurements for blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar.

The results can catch deadly yet avoidable diseases such as heart attacks, stroke and diabetes.

Page 20 Mature Living July 2014

Men may also be advised to have an annual prostate check, and women, a regular breast examination, mammogram, pelvic exam and pap test.

Get regular exercise The Brits are big walkers, and so is the Royal Family. They’re known for their enjoyment of long walks on the grounds of Balmoral, where they stayed during their summer vacations.

The Queen Mother and the Queen both were always avid walkers.” The Queen is also known for her love of horses — she breeds horses and ponies — and horseback riding has excellent health benefits.

Longevity specialist Dr. Vincent DeMarco says that after a good diet, exercise offers the most health benefits. “It improves almost every measure of health we can devise, and there is a lot of evidence supporting the relationship between exercise and longevity.” How much exercise you need varies according to your medical and fitness history and current test

Stay mentally sharp Queen Elizabeth is still a functioning head of state involved with high-level meetings that would keep her mentally acute. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said in her memoirs, “Ministers take their regular meetings with the Queen very seriously … they are quietly business-like, and Her Majesty brings to bear a formidable grasp of current issues and breadth of experience. She is in a position of leadership and not just a figurehead for many of the foundations she’s involved with. There are residences in different parts of the country, which allow her to change her environments and be [mentally] stimulated by change. The Queen has also visited the Google headquarters in London, indicating an interest in the Internet, and is said to e-mail her grandchildren, too. Anything that challenges your mind — staying engaged at work, puzzles, strategy games, reading, dance or music classes, debate and conversation — will keep you mentally in shape as the years go by. Use it or lose it.

Manage stress By no means has the Queen had a stress-free reign or an easy time as a parent. Three of her four children — Charles, Anne and Andrew — had failed marriages ending in scandalplagued divorces that threatened the very existence of the Monarchy itself. 1992 was a year the Queen would dub “Annus horribilis,” capped by a devastating fire at Windsor Castle, destroying priceless artifacts and reaping a repair bill to the tune of a reported 40 million pounds.

As the monarch, even though she is not a policy-maker, she has had more than her share of issues to deal with — her father, George VI, was not meant to be king and, when her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated for the

love of Wallis Simpson, her family was thrust into the pressure cooker. Aside from losing her father, who succumbed to lung cancer at what we’d now consider a relatively young 56, and consequently having to take the throne at 26, she has faced wars — from surviving the Blitz, her family falling victim to the IRA, her son Andrew fighting in the Falklands, her grandson Harry serving in Afghanistan and her troops in the much-opposed war in Iraq to London being a constant target linked to the War on Terror — and social approbation, perhaps most

By no means has the Queen had a stress-free reign or an easy time as a parent. Three of her four children — Charles, Anne and Andrew — had failed marriages ending in scandalplagued divorces that threatened the very existence of the Monarchy itself.

notably her country’s outpouring of emotion in response to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the subsequent criticism of what was perceived as the Queen’s unfeeling reaction.

It’s not just a job where she sits around being nice to people.

She does live in a stressful environment, but the stresses may not all be negative,” says Gordon. He explains that ongoing stress in life gives human beings creativity, tenacity and interest in life, as long as it’s not destructive stress.

Feature Destructive stress leaves you feeling constantly, personally threatened.

Chronic destructive stress increases the risk for stroke and heart disease. Research suggests that meditation, deep breathing and chanting are helpful in reducing stress levels.

fact that she’s been with the same person for all these years has provided a very stable relationship for her. Protect or improve your emotional health by staying in touch with friends, family and the greater community.

Prince Philip, 93

Help others — help yourself Volunteering and sharing with others can be gratifying and meaningful. Charity work is quite important to Queen Elizabeth, patron of more than 600 organizations. During her Golden Jubilee in 2002, she asked that people wishing to commemorate the occasion make a donation to one of her favourite charities: Barnardo’s, Cruse Bereavement Care, I CAN (which helps children with speech and language difficulties), the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution or the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association. “The Queen is doing it [as much] for herself because it’s really good for her,” says Gordon. “The look on the faces of the recipients can’t help but make her feel good and feeling good is a good thing.”

Maintain a constant body weight Though not known for wearing revealing fashions, the Queen has never appeared overweight.

According to Dr. Walter Willett, chair of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, next to not smoking, staying lean is probably the most important thing we can do to stay healthy and live longer. This could also be the secret to the slim and trim Prince Philip’s turning 93 while still carrying on effortlessly. Leanness matters because fat cells produce hormones that raise the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Study after study confirms that extra weight, especially around the belly, cuts years off your life.

Eat a variety of healthy foods The typical British diet, by and large, has not been a healthy one because it’s heavy on fats and carbohydrates but this has certainly changed There is a better range of fresh fruits, vegetables and grains more typical of a Mediterranean diet available.” This kind of antiinflammatory diet has been linked with promoting longevity and, as noted in To Set Before a Queen, the cookbook edited by Maureen Owen based on the cookery of Alma McKee, cook to the Royal Family during the 1950s, Queen Elizabeth benefited from meals prepared with fresh vegetables, game and poultry provided by the royal estates, long before the benefits of this kind of diet came to light. Fish, too, is a staple on the royal menu, with it being served, during McKee’s time, nearly every day. And with her son Charles, Prince of Wales, a long-time leader in the organic farming movement, the Queen is tapped into eating well.

“I’m willing to assume that, because of her status, the choice of foods for her is probably pretty balanced and well-prepared,” says Gordon.

Drink a cuppa tea … and barley water High tea, taken precisely at 5 p.m., is a British ritual enjoyed

by Her Majesty. “Tea has numerous health benefits: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti–heart disease,” says DeMarco. “Various teas have various benefits. Green tea is the most widely studied and

probably the most beneficial.

The longest-living persons in First World countries come from Japan. This may be due to two factors: green tea and fish.”

Barley water, usually flavoured with lemon or other fruit, is a popular British drink and a favourite of the royal household. Owen included McKee’s recipe for barley water — 1/2 cup pearl barley, 2 1/2 quarts boiling water, two lemons, six oranges and brown sugar to taste — to which the Royal Family were apparently all “addicted.”

The Queen has been quoted as crediting it for her peaches-andcream complexion. Barley is a rich source of soluble and

“There is no question that in this family, alcohol is part of their normal activities, and small amounts of alcohol, unless there is an illness or contraindication with medication, appear to have a beneficial effect on the heart and brain,”

insoluble fibre; barley water is said to help support the kidneys, especially in times of stress, and may be therapeutic for those who have kidney and bladder ailments. A royal warrant has been bestowed on the British soft drink brand Robinsons, makers of barley water.

Alcohol … in moderation The Queen Mother was often the subject of comedic parody claiming she was tipsy from drinking whisky. “There is no question that in this family, alcohol is part of their normal activities, and small amounts of alcohol, unless there is an illness or contraindication with medication, appear to have a beneficial effect on the heart and brain,” says Gordon.

Anecdotally, he recalls a patient who attributed his longevity — he lived to be 105 — to having a nightly shot of Canadian Club whisky. Studies show evidence that having red wine — rich in the antioxidant resveratrol — in moderation is good for us.

“That’s one of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Not just fruits and vegetables, but wine as well.

Keep a pet Queen Elizabeth has a special love for dogs, especially the Pembroke Welsh corgi. In a study at State University of New York, Buffalo, stockbrokers with high blood pressure who adopted a pet showed a 50 per cent decrease in blood pressure compared with their

counterparts without a pet.

“Getting a positive response from an animal may make one feel better and likely has an effect on the metabolic system to produce higher levels of positive hormones, improving feelings of well-being.

Stay connected People who are connected to those around them — through marriage, friends, a spiritual community or other networks — tend to live longer than those without strong ties. The Queen has a rich social life. She and Prince Philip reached their 60th year of marriage in 2007, making Elizabeth the first monarch to celebrate a diamond wedding anniversary. They’ve had a long life together, engaged in raising a family of four children and now eight grandchildren. The

Have a spiritual focus Aside from her official religious role as supreme governor of the Anglican Church of England, Queen Elizabeth is said to regularly attend services. In her 2000 Royal Christmas Message to the Commonwealth, she said, “To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me, the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life.”

Organized religions “are a positive influence when they help give meaning to life, allow people to look at the world in a positive way and to forgive the weaknesses of their fellow man,” adds Gordon, “but this can also be done without organized religion. If you look at spirituality as something that drives you to do good, right and moral things, then that’s also a positive influence.”

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother lived to the age of 101

Page 21 Mature Living July 2014

Feature

Births to mums over 50 soaring Two sides to the ongoing debate

Shameless actress Tina Malone travelled to Cyprus for IVF treatment and conceived her daughter, Flame, with donor eggs, giving birth aged 50

T

he number of British women over 50 who are having babies has more than doubled in five years.

Every week in the UK around three children are born to a mother in her fifties, the latest figures show.

The dramatic increase in births to older women will deepen fears over the health of both the mothers and their babies.

Older women are more likely to have miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies while their children are more likely to be born with genetic abnormalities.

Midwives also warn that because older mothers and their offspring often require higher levels of care, extra pressure is put on the NHS. Health ministers revealed the sharp rise in older mothers in a parliamentary question. In 2012, there were 154 babies born to mothers over the age of 50, up by a third in a year.

The figure has more than doubled since 2008 when there were 69 births to women aged 50 and over. In 2000 the number was 44. The number of births to mothers aged 40 and over has also risen, up 13 per cent from 26,419 in 2008 to 29,994 in 2012.

It means one in 25 are to mothers who have turned 40.

Even someone who has a child aged over the age 35 is considered an ‘older mother’ by medical professionals.

Around 20 per cent of babies are born to women aged 35 or older, the highest proportion since records began in 1938.

At the same time, only 23 per cent of births were to women aged under 25 in 2012, down from almost half in the early 1970s. In some areas of Britain, including Windsor and Maidenhead, Brighton and East Renfrewshire, around one in

three mothers was over 35.

The trend is the result of women choosing to concentrate on their careers rather than settling down to have a family.

Changing medical advice and advances in IVF treatment also mean more are willing to risk delaying having children.

Other women are moving into new relationships later in life and are choosing to have more children with their new partner.

Earlier this year Shameless actress Tina Malone gave birth to daughter Flame at the age of 50, after travelling to Cyprus for IVF treatment. In 2007, Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross had

twin daughters in 2007 at the age of 44. Louise Silverton, director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives said: ‘There are an increasing numbers of older women who are having babies and these women tend to have more complications than younger women. ‘This is more pronounced as women have babies at increasingly greater ages. Older mothers are more likely to have increased rates of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies and genetic problems in the child and other issues such high blood pressure, diabetes and problems with the placenta.’ Last March a survey found almost three-quarters of people do not think women should receive IVF to help them conceive beyond their natural childbearing years. A quarter believe women should stop trying to bring babies into the world past the age of 40. The survey of more than 2,000 people across the UK found 31 per cent think the current age limit of 42 for IVF on the NHS is too old. Other research shows that children born to mums over 40 are healthier and brighter than those of younger women.

According to other research the offspring of older women are less likely to have accidents or need hospital care and more likely to have been vaccinated early, a study found.

Carole Hobson became Britain’s oldest mother of twins at 58 after conceiving through IVF at an Indian clinic. After four failed IVF attempts in Ukraine and Cyprus, donor embryos were implanted at a clinic in Mumbai. The single mother, now 61, spent more than £20,000 to have children and twins Frieda and Matthew were born by emergency Caesarean on Christmas Eve 2010. Nine weeks premature and each weighing 3lb 3oz, they spent two months in neo-natal are. The qualified barrister from Kent, said: ‘In Britain we need to be better at providing for women who want to be mothers later in life. It is an indescribable joy, but it’s non-stop – it is like a full-time job.’

Carole Hobson with her two-year-old twins Freida and Matthew

Page 22 Mature Living July 2014

They will also develop a broader vocabulary from a young age and achieve higher scores in IQ tests in a range of measures up to the age of five. The research, which was presented recently at The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health conference in Glasgow, is a rare piece of good news for the rising number of women who are delaying motherhood.

Previous studies have highlighted the growing infertility rates for older women and the greater risk of them developing diabetes and pre-eclampsia.

But the latest research appears to show gains for older mothers once they have given birth, possibly due to their greater experience and maturity.

Researchers at the Institute of Child Health, University College London and Birkbeck College, London, said their findings showed older mothers can make better parents.

Dr Alastair Sutcliffe, who worked on the study, said negative publicity surrounding the rise of older mothers was based on the physical risks of pregnancy and childbirth.

He said: ‘We have clear evidence that there are more desirable outcomes for children of older mothers compared with younger ages. We can reassure these older women that their children are probably better off.’

The Wellcome Foundationfunded study looked at 1,100 children born to women aged 40 and over, compared with 38,000 children born to younger women in Britain. The children’s ages ranged from nine months to five years.

Children of older mothers were less likely to be in accidents or need hospital admission, and were no more at risk of obesity.

Dr Sutcliffe said older mothers might be more risk-averse, possibly because they were less active and unable to run after their children, but they may also be better at

spotting and avoiding potentially risky situations.

The research also checked a number of outcomes linked to parenting skills, including naming vocabulary, picture and shapes identification and developmental IQ using established British assessment scales.

The findings showed greater ability among children born to older mothers once social class was taken into account.

Previous research found three times more children born to older mothers got five GCSEs compared with those born to younger women.

Dr Sutcliffe said: ‘We found a continuum which showed a link between the older ages of mothers and better outcomes. It was the effect of age per se.

‘The big question is why. Older mothers appear to have good parenting skills, they may be less impulsive, calmer and have more life experience that better equips them for the role. More women are giving birth at older ages, this isn’t going to go away, they are deferring motherhood for many reasons. ‘The evidence suggests that when the enormous difficulties of pregnancy and birth are over, they can make better mothers,’ he added.

Below: Marcia Cross, pitured here in Desperate Housewives, had twin daughters in 2007 at the age of 44

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Inspired Planting @ BLOOM Is colour the trend of the season? Award winning garden designer Leonie Cornelius outlines the latest planting trends inspired by Ireland’s top designers

I

admit it. I have the Showgarden bug. As a garden designer here in Ireland, Bloom in the Park, the festival

on the June Bank holiday weekend is the most prestigious place to exhibit your skills.

Bloom, brought to you by Bord

Page 20 Mature Living July 2014

Bia, is Ireland’s answer to the Chelsea Flower show and is a wonderful celebration of Ireland’s top Garden Design, delicious food and family fun.

I have created showgardens at the festival in both 2012 and 2013 and the competition is a true challenge with tight schedules, real budgets and all the stress associated with building a showgarden. By exhibiting here you are not only showcasing your skills to the public but the designer is also entering into a serious competition which is judged by a panel of experts in the field, including some Chelsea judges.

When the crowds start pouring in and you feel that you are creating a little bit of heaven for people to enjoy and get inspired by for their own spaces, you finally know all the stress has been worth it.

Much like the Chelsea Flowers show, Bloom visitors go to the festival to get ideas and to see what trends are happening in the garden world. It’s amazing how horticulturally knowledgeable many visitors are at Bloom. Phrases such as “I love how you have combined your Iris chysographes with your Stipa tenuissima” are not uncommon at Bloom and shows that the public loving your design is more than just a fancy.

This year I took a year out from building a showgarden and decided to visit Bloom in the Park to just enjoy it from a spectator and a writer’s point of view. Though I did have slight

Leonie Cornelius is an award winning Garden Designer, Interior Architect and TV presenter.

She is the Mentor for the 2014 Supergarden showon RTE1 www.blume.ie withdrawal symptoms, for me creating showgardens is addictive, I did enjoy seeing the inspiring designs immensely.

From urban rock star cool to the subtle natural approach, every style and trend was represented.

Bloom really has a wealth of inspiration and design ideas.

Here are some of the planting combinations and trends that particularly appealed to me.

Colour Colour was one of the main trends this year and we had two very distict schools of thought.

Where Kevin Dennis’s best in large category gold garden had limes green acers juxtaposed with the bright purples and turquoises of his graffiti and Marion Keogh’s bold and happy colour splashes were trending colour choices.

Gardening Feature Article In Chelsea I saw the Gucci garden exploring colour in just this way. The result was a rewarding combinations of joyful colour. Fun and elegantly childlike in appeal. However, there was also a different colour trend that was apparent and it was in tune with the big names at Chelsea this year, with minimal pale yellows, whites and greens being the main colour palette. The gold medal gardens by Deirdre Pender, Paul Doyle and Andrew Christopher Dunne were fine examples of these simple palleted gardens that spoke more of form, texture and feel, leaving space and depth for the viewer to be drawn in.

Attitude There was a definite trend is gardens with a bit of an edge at Bloom this year. This years winning Supergarden by Cian Hawes used hard industrial Gabion walls which were cleverly softened with mosses and alpines. The overall winner Kevin Dennis had some colourful urban graffiti and spilling paint details on his water features.

Spires and Iris As was the case with Chelsea this year, the shape of the trending plant was a spire shape with the Iris plant also strongly featured.

Foxgloves, both the native purpurea as well as the much loved Pam’s Choice as well as Lupins were featured in many gardens including Ailish Drake’s Limerick Culture Garden. Spires of elegant blue Delphiniums and lilac Salvias featured in Tim Austen’s inspiring Peoples choice garden for Barretstown while Alan and David of GardensNow featured explosions of colourful Lupins and Foxgloves for their ‘Wellbeing Wetlands’ garden. The choice of Iris ranged from an elegant pale blue scattered amongst grasses in Paul Doyle’s ‘Messenger’ garden while the native yellow flag Iris looked very much at home in Deirdre Penders ‘Idir’ garden.

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O

ne of the biggest technology trends in the 21st century has been so called “smartphones.”

A smartphone is a mobile phone with more advanced computing and networking capability, generally used to access the Internet in addition to making calls.

Anyone commuting regularly on the DART will have noticed that smartphones are absolutely everywhere these days. Incredible as it sounds, the average person checks their smartphone up to 150 times a day. But the use of smartphones hasn’t been as popular among seniors. In fact, only a third of over 55s had a smartphone in 2013, and

Simpler phones for smart people

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ature Living is full to the brim with information on events, finance, travel, pets, food and drink, health, hobbies and much much more! For just €35 (to cover postage and admin costs) you can have Mature Living delivered to your door. Mature Living is published once per month and a subscription covers 12 months. Complete the form below. You can pay by cheque or Postal Order made payable to IBS Publications I would llike to subscribe to Mature Living Magazine for 12 issues.

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many older people are not as active in using the “applications” that come with their phones, such as games, applications for watching video or listening to music.

According to the technology and finance company Deloitte, people over the age of 55 are a driving force of new smartphone sales in developed countries like Ireland and the United Kingdom. In fact, almost a half of seniors already have a smartphone by the end of this year.

Yet Deloitte has observed that one in four over-55s has never downloaded an application on their phone and many buy them only as it is increasingly difficult to find basic mobile phones.

Major technology companies are finally starting to take notice of the “silver economy.” On certain Samsung smartphones you can now activate an “Easy” mode with less clutter. A Japanese company called Fujitsu has recently launched a special phone for seniors in France and Doro, a phone company specialising in seniors, have also released their own smartphone. The most recent company to enter the sector is Dublin-based Zilta, that designs age-friendly simpler smartphones.

ince last summer, Lisa (64) and her iPad have been inseparable. “We bought it originally to do video calls with the kids, but it soon replaced my computer” Lisa says and adds “It is quicker to read my news and check my email, even when I’m watching TV. But the one thing that frustrates me is that it is designed for youngsters.

I always need my glasses to see all the small text and icons, and don’t get me started on my smartphone!”

This is familiar story in many families, but in Lisa’s family it took on special meaning, as her son Lari (31) took it as his mission to make smartphones and tablets easier to use for people of all ages. Working together with an old friend from school, Jukka (29) they created a smartphone with bigger icons and simpler options that has already been used by thousands of people across the World.

“We built this for our parents, but quickly realised that people across the World also found their smartphones equally frustrating to get started with” says Lari. “What we do is bring back the common sense in the phone design.

We let people focus on the things that really matter and put all the complicated bits in the background.”

The simpler smartphone only has 6 big icons on the screen, email, photos, contacts, Google, messages and applications. “What we found is that

many people only really want to stay in touch with friends and family and occasionally look up information on the internet, so you don’t really have to make smartphones with tens or hundreds of blinking options.” says Jukka. “By leaving a lot of things out, we were able to make text bigger, and that really helps for people with less than perfect eye-sight.”

Originally from the land of Nokia, Finland, Lari and Jukka recently moved their company to Dublin to take part in an initiative run by the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) on Crane Street. “Ireland is a great place to start a technology company and when most of our customers come from either the United States or United Kingdom, Dublin is a very central location for us.” With the help of new Irish contacts, Lari and Jukka have designed a new simpler smartphone that will be available starting December 2014. “We put a lot of care and attention into the design. It is a simple phone to use, but you will have a full internet experience on a big and easy to read 5’’ screen.”says Lari and adds “Our dream is that people of all ages can benefit from smartphones without all the hassle.”

Lari and Jukka call their phone “Zilta.” It can be pre-ordered on their website www.zilta.co for 149 Euros with postage in Ireland included in the price.

Memories

T

The Bands of our Showband Era

here were hundreds of them. Irish bands of every size, description and musical genre travelling the roads and borheens of Ireland. They travelled the length and breadth of the country from the 1950's through the mid 1980's. Although "officially" the term showband was coined in the late fifties and was used to describe bands that

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

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 Dubliners (1962-present) T

here is little than can be written about the Dubliners which has not already been recorded by hundreds of other sources across the globe. They are one of the true legends of the Irish entertainment scene and from their formation in the early 1960's, they provided a unique mix of Irish music and humour, along with the legendary exploits of their members.

Led by their rowdy front men, the late Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew, the Dubliners took the Irish folk scene by storm and in the process, set the standard for Irish "folk"

music - then and now.

The origins of the band are a little fuzzy as they really started as a loose session group which got together on the fledgling Dublin ballad scene.

The original band was called the Ronnie Drew Group. Although every source I can find on the Internet sites Luke Kelly as an original member of the group with Bob Lynch joining after Luke left in 1964, on a recent episode of Reeling In The Years on RTE television, in 1962 the Ronnie Drew Group is pictured performing McAlpine's Fusiliers and

Top left clockwise: Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke, Barney McKenna, Ronnie Drew and John Sheehan Page 28 Mature Living July 2015

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 is Bob Lynch, not Luke Kelly who is with the group. There is a possibility that the video clip was actually from 1964, not 1962.

The Dubliners started out as a four piece with Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke and Barney McKenna. It was 1962 and Irish folk or ballad music was just starting to make a comeback in the pubs in Dublin and around the country. They were originally known as the Ronnie Drew Folk Group, but Ronnie did not like the name and Luke Kelly suggested The Dubliners, after the James Joyce book of the same name.

Although the Clancy Brothers are often cited as the first folk act to "break big," they did so mainly in and from the United States.

Meanwhile the Dubliners were hard at work singing their ballads in the backroom of Paddy O'Donoghue's pub in Merrion Row. The sessions were bawdy and the air was heavy with cigarette smoke and Guinness.

In the mid 1960's the Dubliners were part of a handful of groups at the forefront of the Irish folk revival. Folk clubs sprang up all around Dublin and featured artists like the Dubliners, Johnny McEvoy, Jon Ledingham, the Johnstons, Ludlows...the list went on and on. However, it was the Dubliners who possessed a special blend of story telling, musical skills, personality and bawdiness to make them unique on the scene. Ronnie Drew and Luke Kelly were the driving forces behind the group's success and unique characters in their own right.

In 1964 Luke Kelly left the band for a short time and the late Bob Lynch was recruited to take his place. John Sheehan also joined the band at that time on fiddle and tin whistle.

Luke would return to the band a couple of years later and Bob would leave, but John Sheehan also stayed, making the band a five piece. 1967 was the year the band had their big break. Their song, Seven Drunken Nights, released in early 1967 was banned by RTE, but played extensively by the pirate station, Radio Caroline. The end result was chart success in Britain where the song eventually climbed to Number 7 on the British Charts in March and was Number 1 in Ireland. Suddenly, the Dubliners were major International stars. Their follow up single, All for Me Grog, was not nearly as successful, failing to chart in England and reaching Number 10 in Ireland. However, they followed it up with another British

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

Dubliners on stage in 1972 success, Black Velvet Band, which went to number 15 in the UK charts in August and Number four in Ireland. They also released an album, Drop of the Hard Stuff, which went to number five in the UK charts in May of 1967.

Although the band would continue to have chart success at home, these would be the only charts successes the band had in England, but it was enough to put them on the road to international acclaim. In 1967 the band was touring the English Club and ballrooms of Ireland regularly and had started to make forays into the European market, but had not yet made any attempts to try their luck in America. In a Spotlight interview in July, 1967 Luke Kelly said, "We're taking things as they come. America?

I'd love a chance to play there and just see how they'd take to us."

In 1974, an article in Spotlight announced that Ronnie Drew had left the band and was replaced by Jim McCann who had been with the band on a temporary basis, following Ciaran Bourke's illness. Jim would stay with the band until 1979 when he left to again pursue his own solo career. Ciaran remained a member of the band, but would never perform with them again and sadly passed away in 1988.

status (such as the Royal Showband and a handful of others), most bands came together, played for a few years and then either reinvented themselves, changed their name, or just disappeared, their members either returning to civilian life, or scattering to two or three new bands.

For such a small country, it is difficult

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 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...

During the 1980's the band continued to tour, record, and have the craic. Ronnie Drew would return in 1979 to the band's lineup, but Luke Kelly would be replaced by Sean Cannon in 1983. Luke had suffered a brain tumour in 1980 which was removed, and although it was hoped he would make a full recovery, he had to leave the band and sadly passed away less than a year later at age 44. Around the time of Ciaran's death in 1988, Eamonn Campbell joined the band as a permanent member.

Since our site covers the Irish entertainment scene from 1955 to basically 1985, we finish the Dubliner's feature here.

If you are interested in a detail account of the band's history since then, there are many sites on the Internet dedicated to the Dubliner's and their 50-plus year history.

The death of Barney McKenna on April 5th, 2012 brought to a close a special era in Irish folk. Barney was the last surviving original member of the band and although John Sheehan has been with the band since 1964, he was not in the original group. Barney, Luke, Ronnie and Ciaran made history and have now all passed into history, although the Dubliner's live on.

Top singles - 1963/64 1. Brendan Bowyer & Royal Showband - Kiss Me Quick

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Dickie Rock & Miami - From the Candy Store Dickie Rock & Miami - There's Always Me - (Piccadilly) Brendan Bowyer & Royal Showband - Bless You Brendan Bowyer & Royal Showband - No More (HMV) Butch Moore & Capitol - Down Came the Rain

7. Eileen Reid & Cadets - Fallen Star (Columbia) 8. Sean Fagan & Pacific - She Wears My Ring (Pye) 9. Dickie Rock & Miami - I'm Yours (Pye) 10. Joe Dolan & Drifters - The Answer To Everything 11. Butch Moore & Capitol Showband - Foolin' Time (Pye) 12. Eileen Reid & Cadets - I Gave My Wedding Dress Away 13. Pat McGeegan - Hawaiian Wedding Song (Decca) 14. Brendan O'Brien & Dixies - It's Only Makebelieve 15. Sean Fagan & Pacific - Distant Drums (Pye)

Page 29 Mature Living July 2014

Memories

T

The Bands of our Showband Era

here were hundreds of them. Irish bands of every size, description and musical genre travelling the roads and borheens of Ireland. They travelled the length and breadth of the country from the 1950's through the mid 1980's. Although "officially" the term showband was coined in the late fifties and was used to describe bands that

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

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 Dubliners (1962-present) T

here is little than can be written about the Dubliners which has not already been recorded by hundreds of other sources across the globe. They are one of the true legends of the Irish entertainment scene and from their formation in the early 1960's, they provided a unique mix of Irish music and humour, along with the legendary exploits of their members.

Led by their rowdy front men, the late Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew, the Dubliners took the Irish folk scene by storm and in the process, set the standard for Irish "folk"

music - then and now.

The origins of the band are a little fuzzy as they really started as a loose session group which got together on the fledgling Dublin ballad scene.

The original band was called the Ronnie Drew Group. Although every source I can find on the Internet sites Luke Kelly as an original member of the group with Bob Lynch joining after Luke left in 1964, on a recent episode of Reeling In The Years on RTE television, in 1962 the Ronnie Drew Group is pictured performing McAlpine's Fusiliers and

Top left clockwise: Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke, Barney McKenna, Ronnie Drew and John Sheehan Page 28 Mature Living July 2015

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 is Bob Lynch, not Luke Kelly who is with the group. There is a possibility that the video clip was actually from 1964, not 1962.

The Dubliners started out as a four piece with Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke and Barney McKenna. It was 1962 and Irish folk or ballad music was just starting to make a comeback in the pubs in Dublin and around the country. They were originally known as the Ronnie Drew Folk Group, but Ronnie did not like the name and Luke Kelly suggested The Dubliners, after the James Joyce book of the same name.

Although the Clancy Brothers are often cited as the first folk act to "break big," they did so mainly in and from the United States.

Meanwhile the Dubliners were hard at work singing their ballads in the backroom of Paddy O'Donoghue's pub in Merrion Row. The sessions were bawdy and the air was heavy with cigarette smoke and Guinness.

In the mid 1960's the Dubliners were part of a handful of groups at the forefront of the Irish folk revival. Folk clubs sprang up all around Dublin and featured artists like the Dubliners, Johnny McEvoy, Jon Ledingham, the Johnstons, Ludlows...the list went on and on. However, it was the Dubliners who possessed a special blend of story telling, musical skills, personality and bawdiness to make them unique on the scene. Ronnie Drew and Luke Kelly were the driving forces behind the group's success and unique characters in their own right.

In 1964 Luke Kelly left the band for a short time and the late Bob Lynch was recruited to take his place. John Sheehan also joined the band at that time on fiddle and tin whistle.

Luke would return to the band a couple of years later and Bob would leave, but John Sheehan also stayed, making the band a five piece. 1967 was the year the band had their big break. Their song, Seven Drunken Nights, released in early 1967 was banned by RTE, but played extensively by the pirate station, Radio Caroline. The end result was chart success in Britain where the song eventually climbed to Number 7 on the British Charts in March and was Number 1 in Ireland. Suddenly, the Dubliners were major International stars. Their follow up single, All for Me Grog, was not nearly as successful, failing to chart in England and reaching Number 10 in Ireland. However, they followed it up with another British

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

Dubliners on stage in 1972 success, Black Velvet Band, which went to number 15 in the UK charts in August and Number four in Ireland. They also released an album, Drop of the Hard Stuff, which went to number five in the UK charts in May of 1967.

Although the band would continue to have chart success at home, these would be the only charts successes the band had in England, but it was enough to put them on the road to international acclaim. In 1967 the band was touring the English Club and ballrooms of Ireland regularly and had started to make forays into the European market, but had not yet made any attempts to try their luck in America. In a Spotlight interview in July, 1967 Luke Kelly said, "We're taking things as they come. America?

I'd love a chance to play there and just see how they'd take to us."

In 1974, an article in Spotlight announced that Ronnie Drew had left the band and was replaced by Jim McCann who had been with the band on a temporary basis, following Ciaran Bourke's illness. Jim would stay with the band until 1979 when he left to again pursue his own solo career. Ciaran remained a member of the band, but would never perform with them again and sadly passed away in 1988.

status (such as the Royal Showband and a handful of others), most bands came together, played for a few years and then either reinvented themselves, changed their name, or just disappeared, their members either returning to civilian life, or scattering to two or three new bands.

For such a small country, it is difficult

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 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...

During the 1980's the band continued to tour, record, and have the craic. Ronnie Drew would return in 1979 to the band's lineup, but Luke Kelly would be replaced by Sean Cannon in 1983. Luke had suffered a brain tumour in 1980 which was removed, and although it was hoped he would make a full recovery, he had to leave the band and sadly passed away less than a year later at age 44. Around the time of Ciaran's death in 1988, Eamonn Campbell joined the band as a permanent member.

Since our site covers the Irish entertainment scene from 1955 to basically 1985, we finish the Dubliner's feature here.

If you are interested in a detail account of the band's history since then, there are many sites on the Internet dedicated to the Dubliner's and their 50-plus year history.

The death of Barney McKenna on April 5th, 2012 brought to a close a special era in Irish folk. Barney was the last surviving original member of the band and although John Sheehan has been with the band since 1964, he was not in the original group. Barney, Luke, Ronnie and Ciaran made history and have now all passed into history, although the Dubliner's live on.

Top singles - 1963/64 1. Brendan Bowyer & Royal Showband - Kiss Me Quick

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Dickie Rock & Miami - From the Candy Store Dickie Rock & Miami - There's Always Me - (Piccadilly) Brendan Bowyer & Royal Showband - Bless You Brendan Bowyer & Royal Showband - No More (HMV) Butch Moore & Capitol - Down Came the Rain

7. Eileen Reid & Cadets - Fallen Star (Columbia) 8. Sean Fagan & Pacific - She Wears My Ring (Pye) 9. Dickie Rock & Miami - I'm Yours (Pye) 10. Joe Dolan & Drifters - The Answer To Everything 11. Butch Moore & Capitol Showband - Foolin' Time (Pye) 12. Eileen Reid & Cadets - I Gave My Wedding Dress Away 13. Pat McGeegan - Hawaiian Wedding Song (Decca) 14. Brendan O'Brien & Dixies - It's Only Makebelieve 15. Sean Fagan & Pacific - Distant Drums (Pye)

Page 29 Mature Living July 2014

Health

Smart Sleeping: Top tips for better sleep and brain health A

re you getting enough sleep — or maybe too much? How long you sleep each night could determine how quickly your brain ages.

Researchers from the UK found that middle-aged adults who slept less than six hours each night — and more than eight hours — are more likely to experience cognitive decline.

And this decline in brain function is equal to being four to seven years older, researchers said.

“There is an expectation in today’s 24-hour-a-day society that people should be able to fit more into their lives,” study author Jane Ferrie, from University College London Medical School, told HealthDay News.

“The whole work/life balance struggle is causing people to trade in precious sleeping time to ensure they complete everything they feel is expected of them. Our study suggests that this may have adverse effects on their cognitive function,” she said.

For the study, which was published in Sleep, researchers looked at the data of 5,431 men and women, aged 45–69, who had taken place in long-term study known as the Whitehall II study. Participants were asked how many hours on average they slept each night and if these sleep patterns had changed over a five-year period. They were also given a battery of standard tests to evaluate memory, reasoning, vocabulary, global cognitive status and verbal fluency.

Women who slept 7 hours per night had the highest score for every cognitive measure, followed by those who got 6 hours of snooze time, the study found. For men, the findings were slightly different: those who reported sleeping six,

seven or eight hours had a similar cognitive function.

For both men and women, however, getting less than 6 hours or more than 8 hours of sleep each night were associated with lower mental performance.

While it is widely acknowledged that sleep is important for the brain to restore and revitalize itself, it is still not understood why seven hours of sleep is optimal for most people, or why longer sleeping seems to be detrimental, Ferrie said.

Other risks of a sleep-deprived lifestyle Better brain health is not the only reason to get a good night’s sleep. Not only can sleep deprivation affect mental alertness and cognitive abilities, it can have an effect on our physical and psychological health as well. Poor sleep can increase the risk for obesity and diseases such as diabetes, experts say. Studies have also shown that people with a sleepdeprived lifestyle are less satisfied with their lives overall — and getting a good night’s sleep has also been associated with better longevity.

9 Tips for better sleep Set a schedule and stick to it.

Go to bed at a set time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Disrupting this routine may interrupt your inner ‘circadian clock’ and lead to insomnia. While ‘sleeping in’ on weekends may seem like a treat, it can make it harder to wake up early on Monday morning because it re-sets your sleep cycles for a later awakening.

Watch what you eat.

The general rule is: Don’t eat for at least 2-3 hours before

your regular bedtime. Eating too much may make you less comfortable when settling down for bed. It is best to avoid a heavy meal and spicy foods too close to bedtime.

Watch what you drink. A void drinks that contain caffeine, which acts as a stimulant. This includes coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, and nonherbal teas. Alcohol tends to keep people in lighter stages of sleep, robbing them of deep and REM sleep. (Smokers also tend to sleep lightly and often wake up early because of nicotine withdrawal.)

Get regular exercise.

Try to exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day. Keep in mind, however, that while daily exercise often helps people sleep, a workout

too soon before bedtime may actually interfere with sleep. In addition to making us more alert, our body temperature rises during exercise, and takes as much as 6 hours to begin to drop. Since a cooler body temperature is associated with the onset of sleep, it is better to finish your exercise at least 5 to 6 hours before going to bed.

Establish relaxing rituals.

Leave the day’s stresses behind with a warm bath, reading or another relaxing activity. Avoid arousing activities before bedtime like working, paying bills, engaging in competitive games or family problem solving.

Make your room sleepfriendly. Select your mattress, pillow and bed linens carefully for maximum comfort. Maintain a sleep-friendly temperature in the bedroom, usually between 18-21°C (65-70 degrees F).

(Extreme temperatures may disrupt sleep or prevent you from falling asleep.) You may also wish to consider using blackout curtains, eyeshades, earplugs, ‘white noise,’ humidifiers, fans and other devices. Install soft lighting in your bedroom and bath. And when reading in bed, consider using a book light.

Try deep breathing.

If you have trouble falling to

Page 30 Mature Living July 2014

sleep, try this relaxation exercise: take deep, slow abdominal breaths, and if possible, inhale through your nose. Even if your mind is a muddle of thoughts, try to focus on the flow of your breathing, inhaling and exhaling slowly.

Count your breaths, and when you get to 10 start over again.

Don’t just lie there.

Generally it takes about 20-30 minutes to fall asleep. If you still can’t get to sleep, don’t just lie in bed. Instead try reading, watching television, or listening to calming music until you feel tired. The anxiety of being unable to fall asleep can actually contribute to your sleeplessness.

Rise with the sun.

If possible, wake up with the sun, or use very bright lights in the morning. Sunlight helps the body’s internal biological clock reset itself each day. Sleep experts recommend exposure to an hour of morning sunlight for people having problems falling asleep.

Finally, see a doctor if your sleeping problems continue.

If you have trouble falling asleep night after night, or if you always feel tired the next day, then you may have a sleep disorder and should see a physician. Most sleep disorders can be treated effectively.

Health

A Functional Definition Of Flexibility joint movements that happen in your every day life. Raking leaves, picking things up from the floor and cleaning your home all involve functional movements.

What are the activites you do day after day? And more importantly how do you do them?

Proper body mechanics helps to keep you flexible.Good posture helps maintain good flexibility.

Nutrition. For your connective tissues to remain healthy and pliable they need to be well nourished. Eat a healthy diet and avoid smoking.

Stress causes your muscles to tighten. If the stress lasts over a long period of time these muscles may shorten. Learn to deal with stress in healthy ways.

What is flexibility?

A simple definition of flexibility is having the ability to bend without breaking. If you are flexible your joints move easily and without injury. Sound like you? Or does this description fit you better?

You are aging when your actions creak louder than your words. Milton Berle

Anything from the joy of dancing and playing sports to simple things like backing out of your driveway or bending to tie your shoes can be affected by a loss of flexibility.

A Definition Of Flexibility - The Whole Picture A number of factors influence flexibility ...

Your Body's Anatomy Joints. Your body has many types of joints, including ball and socket (shoulders and hips), hinged (elbows and fingers), modified hinged (knees), and gliding (spine). Each joint has it's

specific range of motion. For example, to get something from a high cupboard your shoulder joint moves 180 degrees. Your elbow bends 145 degrees to allow you to bring food to your mouth.

Our daily activites are made of combined movements of several joints at once.

Connective Tissue. Your skin, muscle sheaths, bones, tendons, lagaments and cartilage all contain protein. Collagen, a fibrous connective tissue, makes up 30% of the protein in these tissues.

Connective tissue plays a large part in how flexible you are. It is both elastic and plastic in it's ability to stretch. Elasticity is the ability to return to it's orignal resting length following a dynamic stretch. Plasticity is the ability to assume a new, longer length following a static stretch.

Muscle spindles are located Within the fibers of your muscles.

Their job is to monitor changes in muscle length and respond to it with increased muscle activity.

Static stretching is a good way to avoid activating your muscle spindles and gain more flexibility.

Golgi Tendon Organs are found near the junctions between your muscles and tendons. They respond to increased muscle tension by creating a relaxation response. Activating your golgi tendon organs can help improve flexibility.

Your Body's Environment Body temperature. Increasing your body temperature by exer-

cisng or simply sitting in a warm bath for 10 - 15 minutes can help increase flexibility.

Furniture. The surfaces you lay, sit and work on can help or hinder proper body alignment and over time change your flexibility.

Your Lifestyle Exercise. As an adult you have approximately 604 skeletal muscles and 206 bones. Put simply, you were designed to move. With every step you take and every move you make you're stretching parts of you body. This helps keep it pliable. How active a life style you lead has a large impact on your flexibility.

Functional movements are whole body movments or multi-

What Causes Us To Lose Flexibility As We Age? No functional definition of flexibility would be complete without knowing the main reasons women over 50 become less flexible ...

Inactivity. Their are definate changes occuring in your body as you age, but ... A lot of the loss of function and flexibility associated with aging is due to being sedentary.

Changes in your connective tissues. With passing years our collagen fibers tend to stick instead of gliding easily over each other.

As a result our tendons, ligaments, joints and muscles become less flexible. Having a regular stretching program offsets these problems.

Diseases affecting your muscles and joints. Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica make it painful to

move, often leading to a less active lifestyle and increased stiffness. Injury. when your muscles and joints are injured fibrous nodules may form in the connective tissue limiting your ability to move. In addition to stretching, soft tissue techniques such as neuromuscular therapy or myofascial release may help free the area and restore flexibility.

Unfortunately when we decide to get fit, a definition of flexibility isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But staying limber means having the freedom to move, tiring less easily and decreasing or eliminating areas of pain. To make your definition of flexibility functional you need to make it relevant to you. Answer these questions for yourself Are you noticing any movements that are difficult for you to do?

Write them down.

What activites would you like to do? What movements do you need to be able to do easily to do these things? Can you do them?

Do you have areas of pain or stiffness? Make note of them.

How active and limber do you want to be a year from now? 5 years from now? Create a vision for yourself in writing.

Once you've answered the questions, compare where you are now to where you want to be. Set specific, realistic goals for improvement. Goals that matter to you. Then build a flexibility routine that meets your needs. Be sure to consult your physician or physical therapist if you have back issues, are experiencing joint pain or have other medical conditions.

At 80 years of age this Britan’s Got Talent contestant had no issues with her flexibility

Page 31 Mature Living July 2014

Fashion

Six Styles of Lace to Love

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chieving a sophisticated style is easy when adding lace to your look. If you want to spice up the way you look in an elegant way, then the trend to try this season is lace!

Lace comes in many patterns and designs, so whatever your taste may be you can find an appropriate piece to wear. Lace has a long history, starting in the 16th century when it was used in both fashion and home décor. Since then, lace has been a staple in almost every civilization and is a great fashion fabric to wear. Lace features an open pattern with holes and spacing with unique patterns throughout. The fabric is woven together or laced, hence the name. Lace in a garment is a must-have fashion piece that every woman should have in her closet.

In this article we are showcasing great lace pieces to introduce you to lace or if you’re already a fan, fun and affordable garbs to get your hands on!

1) Every Day Lace

2) Formal Lace

4) Unconventional Lace

6) Show Stopping Lace If you have a strong love affair with all things lace, then you’ll love our last pick: this Lace Off Ivory Lace Dress from LuLu’s.com features an all over lace design for those women who want to go all out. This stylish dress is made of ivory

For a work look with lace go for Hollow Out Buttons Back Lace Blouse by ChicNova.com. This bright coloured blouse features an all over hollow out lace detail and unique back button closure. The blouse makes for a classy choice to wear to work with a pair of pants or work skirt. It can transition easily to a casual weekend look when paired with the right pair of white pants or jeans.

3) Lace Accessories

Looking for a new way to wear lace? How about wearing lace on your sleeves?!

Nordstrom.com features this Stripe Lace Sleeve Tee, a nautical designed lace-sleeved shirt that can be worn every day. It’s casual enough to wear over jeans and can be dressed up for a night out. The lace sleeve tee is a new and trendy way to create a fashion forward look that will send your look sailing high.

5) Comfort Lace

Summer is upon us and there’s no better way to wear lace than on a light-colored dress with floral pattern. An everyday dress like the To Be Near You dress by LaceAffair.com is the perfect lace finished dress to wear this season, with its delicate weave complimented by its flow-y form. It’s the perfect dress to take you from day to night all season long.

but still want to show off a little lace. This fashionable lace sweater is casual enough to have handy wherever you go.

Not only that, its sassy and sophisticated style looks great on a variety of women.

Did you know that there are great jewelry finds that achieve the same great fabric lace look?

Jewelry with cutout designs mimic the same great detail achieved by lace fabric, so you get that same feminine flair that makes lace desirable. A great way to get lace in jewelry form is with this large Lace Cuff Bracelet from Emitations.com.

The gold tone design features a bohemian lace-style cutout design with a faux leather material in blue that adds a cool color combination. This cuff bracelet can be paired with the lace options above or worn separately with other garments to create a hint of lace with whatever you wear.

Page 32 Mature Living July 2014

This intricately designed popover sweater from Loft.com is a favourite for covering up when it gets chilly. Petite Lou & Grey Lace Stripe Popover is perfect for summer nights when you need a little extra warmth,

colored lace in a floral pattern that’s an absolute showstopper.

If you’re looking to really wow in your lace, this is the dress for you. I recommend wearing this to weddings and special events if you really want to work it.

The great thing about lace is that it looks great on women of all ages and body types. Lace is a must-have for all women and as we’ve just seen, it can easily be worn for a variety of occasions. There are so many lace options available to women these days; it’s just a matter of finding the look for you!

10 Everyday Tips to Achieving Great Skin tired you are. Cleanse your face in the morning with a gentle cleanser and cool water. Unlike warm water, cool water constricts blood vessels and can help diminish redness and puffiness around the eyes.

2. Apply toner to freshen up your skin.

I like to use large cotton rounds as my applicator.

3. Apply a serum to your face, neck and chest to begin keeping your skin hydrated.

Serum is the best way to bring proper nourishment to your skin.

After your serum, apply a daytime moisturizer that contains at least a 15 SPF to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Once again, apply to your face, neck and chest. I even suggest applying your SPF moisturizer to the back of your hands. They need protection, too!

4. Try to get a facial once a month.

If you can’t get a professional facial, treat yourself to an athome facial at least once a week. Use your mild cleanser, then exfoliate with a gentle scrub that contains exfoliants that are round and non-abrasive.

Larger exfoliant shapes can injure the skin and cause irritation.

W

e all know that exercise and proper nutrition are huge factors in getting and maintaining great skin, but there are some other “must dos” to get your skin as healthy and youthful-looking as you can!

Here are 10 simple, everyday tips on how to achieve great skin: 1. Keep your skin clean by using a gentle cleanser in the morning and at night.

Always go in an upward motion when cleansing your face. It’s important that you always start off with clean, moisturized skin before you apply any make-up and before you go to bed.

Ladies, do this no matter how

5. Apply a facial mask after exfoliating.

Try using simple egg whites as your mask. Apply the egg white and wait until it hardens, then rinse it off and see how shiny and smooth your face looks and feels!

6) Shorten your shower.

A long, hot shower may feel fabulous but it’s drying out your skin.

Take lukewarm, short showers.

Moisturize within 3 minutes of stepping out of the shower. By doing that, you will lock moisture into you skin.

7. Sleeping on your face can cause “sleep line” wrinkles over time.

Avoid sleeping on your stomach if you can; try sleeping on your back or side, which is best.

Definitely use a silk pillows to insure no wrinkles and keep your hair looking better, as well.

8. Get a good night’s sleep!

There’s a reason looking wellrested goes hand in hand with brighter, healthier skin. A good night’s sleep allows your skin to rejuvenate itself, repair freeradical damage, and build new collagen.

9. Put your eye cream and moisturizers in the fridge to keep them cool, which makes these products even more beneficial. When you wake up in the morning, your eyes can be puffy and dark; but once you massage the cool, soothing lotions and creams onto your face, your puffy eyes will disappear. The coldness of the fridge will not only help your eyes and face but also give your product a longer shelf life.

10. Even when you’re steering clear of the sun, or it appears to be a cloudy day, always be sure your makeup foundation or moisturizer contains at least a SPF 15 or higher…I go higher!

Tips for the more mature lady

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ost women struggle with fashion trends throughout there lives. That difficulty increases for women over 50. In fact, the phrase senior fashion sounds like an oxymoron. These simple fashion tips will help you age with grace and style.

1. Buy the best quality fabrics you can afford.

Aging skin needs the support.

2. Gather flattering accessories That have integrity, authenticity (not cute or silly) and that have presence.

3. Try not to sacrifice style for comfort …it may take some looking but you can have both.

4. Don’t confuse casual dressing with the opportunity to wear sloppy outfits.

5. Pay attention to correct fit.

Too tight or too loose and baggy, are both bad.

6. Sporty style (which alludes to vitality and youthfulness) may be your best style as you age.

7. Naturalness and a healthy appearance should be the goal.

Too much artifice only contributes to an “old” image.

8. Wear a collar prop it up 50’s style (polo shirt, cotton shirt) up to frame an aging neck.

9. Make an investment in hip, modern glasses …and wear them.

10. Consider the best (with an eye on trend as well as classicism) accessories …especially stylish, well made shoes and bags …and keep them in top condition.

Actress Wendie Malick with collar up at the premier of one of her movies

Breakaways ...With so much to choose from, what better way to spend a day or so than at the beautiful Royal Marine Hotel…

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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.

Discover the Mount Falcon Estate, Ballina

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…

Golden Years at Mount Falcon Estate €239 pp

3 nights Bed & Breakfast with 1 Bistro Dinner €25 Spa Credit (valid towards any 1 Hour Message or Facial) Complimentary use of the Estate Golf Driving Range Complimentary use of our leisure centre with 17m heated pool 100 acres of Estate woodlands, walks & river Moy Connaughts Best Restaurant 2013 (RAI)

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he fascinating history of one of Irelands finest surviving Anglo Irish grand houses awaits visitors to Mount Falcon Estate outside Ballina in County Mayo. After exploring 100 acres of mature forest and walkways, discover the archaeological remains of a 4,500 year old court tomb. A quick stroll around our 3 acre lake with resident ducks and then a few lengths in the 17 m indoor heated swimming pool, relax in our sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room and build up an appetite for traditional afternoon tea; served in opulent lounges in front of roaring open fires. Mount Falcon……something for everyone.

Transfers to local Bus & Train Station on request 10% discount at Foxford Wollen Mills Mayo on our Door Step

MOUNT FALCON, FOXFORD ROAD, BALLINA, CO. MAYO TEL: 096-74472 • FAX: 096-74473 EMAIL: EVENTS@MOUNTFALCON.COM • WEB: WWW.MOUNTFALCON.COM

Active Breaks at The Villa Rose Boutique Hotel and V-Spa 50+ Active Breaks

2B&B+2 Dinners €119pp 3B&B+3 Dinners €159pp 4B&B+4Dinners €199pp Includes Tea & Scones on arrival with Activities & Entertainment all week

Dancing for Pleasure Breaks

June 8th – 11th Inclusive €239pp 4 Nights B&B+4Dinners, Tuition & Dancing to Live Bands Nightly Anytime Golden Years Break Sunday – Thursday 3B&B+2Dinner €139pp No single Supplement on any of the above subject to availability

4 Star, Family Owned, Town Centre hotel

Reservations: 074-9132266 reservations@villarose.net • www.villarose.ie

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he Villa Rose Hotel is a 4 Star, family owned, boutique spa hotel located in the town centre of Ballybofey, Co Donegal.

Situated between Letterkenny & Donegal Town it is an ideal base from which to experience all that Donegal and the North West of Ireland have to offer.

The hotel comprises 57 beautifully appointed bedrooms, contemporary in design with the emphasis on absolute comfort acting as a home away from home. All bedrooms are ensuite and include safe, tea/coffee making facilities, complimentary bottled water, plasma screen tv & complimentary wi-fi.

Avail of free parking and complimentary newspapers each morning. Facilities include Fara’s Restaurant & Wine Bar for a delicious meal in modern and elegant surroundings, The Forge Bar with live light entertainment, The ‘Wee’ Bar serving lunch, bar food & specialty coffees overlooking Ballybofey’s bustling main street & The V Spa for pampering & relaxation.

The Villa Rose offer a wide range of holidays for the 50+ market including Ballroom & Sequence Dancing and 50+ Active Breaks including a range of

optional entertainment & activities to partake in during your stay. Whether you are looking for a relaxing break away or for an exciting trip with the possibility of meeting like minded friends then the Villa Rose is the destination for you. Contact Leona McGee – dedicated 50+ Events Marketing Coordinator at the Villa Rose for full details

Breakaways

Enjoy the beautiful views of the untouched countryside of Mayo

Join us here at Knock House Hotel and enjoy the beautiful views of the untouched countryside of County Mayo. It is a haven of peace and the perfect setting for a relaxing break. Located just 20 minutes from “Ireland West Airport Knock” and 10 minutes from Claremorris Train Station. Take up our 4 Day special Offer for February and March of €199 includes 4 Nights B&B and 4 Evening Meals.

During your break with us we cater to your every need , and it’s a lovely opportunity to make friends and mix with like- minded people. Enjoy our Four Seasons Restaurant which overlooks a beautiful garden and captures the magnificent spire of the Basilica. Over the years it has earned an enviable reputation of food, wine & service.

Knock House Hotel is within minutes of wonderful attractions including Knock Marian Shrine and Museum. Within a short drive; Fr Peyton Memorial, Museum of Country Life (Turlough ), Foxford Woollen Mills and the Western Greenway Cycling Route, and within an hour’s drive, Kylemore Abbey, Michael Davitt Museum and Ceide Fields. Local outdoor activities include hiking and walking, golf, horse riding and angling.

Enniscrone Beach is within a 40 min drive where you can swim, surf or enjoy a seaweed bath.

To book this wonderful deal please call Karen on 0949388088

Special Offer From Knock House Hotel 2 Nights Bed, Breakfast and 2 Evening meals May, June & July €160pp When you call to book Quote : Mature Living PHONE KAREN NOW! *This offer is exclusive to Mature Living Readers and can not be used in conjunc"on with any other offers. *Subject to availability *Terms and Condi"ons apply

Knock House Hotel, Knock, Co Mayo www.knockhousehotel.ie • info@knockhousehotel.ie Tel: 094 9388088 • Fax: 094 9388044

Sligo Park Hotel and Leisure Club HOTEL & LEISURE CLUB

Over 55’s Special Offer 3 B&B + 3 Dinners From

€150pps

4 and 5 Night Breaks also Available

Subject to Availability Available on Selected Dates

Pearse Road, Sligo • Tel: 071 919 0400

www.sligoparkhotel.com • Email: Sligo@leehotels.com

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warm welcome awaits you at the fourstar Sligo Park Hotel and Leisure Club, On the outskirts of Sligo Town in the Heart of Yeats’ Country set in quiet parkland and surrounded by some of the most scenic countryside in Ireland ranging from the majestic Benbulben to the gentle waters of Lough Gill. In the heart of Yeats’ country for over 40 years, the Sligo Park Hotel is a well established favourite.

Relax in the spacious lobby; take a stroll into town or venture to the nearby ancient sites including Carrowmore, Slish Wood, Dooney Rock & Knocknarea or an abundance of woodland retreats.

Wherever your interests lie, Sligo is sure to have something to offer.

Stroll along Atlantic shores taking in some stunning scenery. Why not try your hand at pottery, take a walk up Knocknarea mountain or go surfing in Strandhill?

After a days exploring, sit back and relax in the jacuzzi before savouring the atmosphere of the Rathanna bar and Garden Terrace and enjoying the creative delights in the Hazelwood Restaurant.

Sligo is surprising !

Visit the stunning Leitrim countryside 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.

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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 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

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

Please mention Mature Living Leinster when booking

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

Pets Corner

Hollybarn Dog and MARKREE CASTLE Puppy Training Collooney, Co Sligo

Pet Friendly Hotel Casual Castle Comfort 10% B&B discount to Mature Living Readers

Telephone: 071-9167800 www.markreecastle.ie

Custom Insulated Pet Homes

www.designerpethomes.com Telephone: 086-8314389 E: info@designerpethomes.com

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ollybarn Dog and Puppy Training was originally set up in the West of Ireland and is run by leading Irish Dog Trainer, Animal Behaviourist and qualified Veterinary Nurse Emma Whelan Dip VN, RVN, Dip CAPBT. Emma has over a decade and a half of experience in the Veterinary industry and the Dog Training and behaviour world. Emma qualified from UCD Dublin, Ireland before going on to study dog training and behaviour in the UK. “As a child growing up with my own Chocolate Labrador “Rommel” I realised the only thing I wanted to do was to work with animals. After working in the veterinary industry and with animals now for over 15 years my outlook still hasn’t changed. It has been, and continues to be, my only passion and an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable

part of my life.”

Emma has an unwavering passion for animals and their well being and has been involved in canine and animal behaviour, psychology and training since being very young. It is difficult to find anyone as enthusiastic, as dedicated and as knowledgeable as Emma in the Dog Training and behaviour world.

Emma has earned many academic credits to her name including being a qualified Animal Behaviourist, Veterinary Nutrition Adviser, and an Advanced Pet Health Counsellor as well as being an advisor to many dog and cat rescue centres and charities both in Ireland and the UK. This combination of skills and dedication has made her one of the most successful and well respected Dog Trainers, Animal Behaviourists and Veterinary Nurses in both

Ireland and the UK. “Everyone should have the chance to own the dog they always wanted - I help families achieve this every day and that's a great feeling!”

Emma travels Ireland providing One to One Dog and Puppy Training Sessions right at the heart of where people’s problems are - in peoples own homes. “I ran dog training classes in the past and never felt people got as much out of them as they should. One problematic dog or several different dogs with different learning speeds and people get left behind or get bored. They also run for several weeks and if you miss a week you could miss the part you really wanted. A two hour session in someone’s home is far more effective and better value for money for the

owner”For the real problem dog Emma also provides the option of Residential Training. This is a two week course where the dog actually lives in Emma’s home (no horrible cages or kennels) and is trained from dusk until dawn.

“I find the intensity of a dog being trained constantly from waking up to going to bed works incredibly well for the dog with real problems.

The satisfaction of returning a dog after two weeks and handing back just what the owner wanted is exhilarating.”

Emma also does dog boarding in her own home so no matter what problem you have even your holidays are covered.

Call 087 782 3957 or Visit www.hollybarndogtraining. com for more details

Lay your beloved pet to rest with dig!it" and care Our lovingly craſted pet burial caskets, handmade in Count" Offaly, will allow you to bur" your t&easured pet with dig!it" and care. Our caskets come in a range of sizes to suit all pets 'om the smallest bird or hamster, to a large dog. Each casket is cloth-lined inside and finished with a personalised nameplate. The caskets are also available for use with an Ur!.

Tel: 090 6454538 • 087 2376111 • 087 9332039 • www.petcoffin.ie

Pets Corner

You’re leaving me behind?!

Whether it is work or holiday, let us keep them company when you are gone. Guaranteed to wipe your guilt away.

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very day you come home to your beloved pets, their eager faces greeting you when you walk through the door.

Wherever you go, they follow, lapping up every bit of affection you give. No greeting can quite match the unadulterated joy and excitement of pets seeing their best friends after a long day apart.

Pets have become such an integral part of our families that we only want the best for them and often put their needs ahead of our own. Maybe you’ve cancelled Friday night or weekend plans because you didn’t want to leave your pets alone or you just don’t have anyone you can really trust to care for them like you do. Or, perhaps you’ve become distracted at work, worried about your dog being stuck alone in the house all day with nothing to do but get

into mischief.

You deserve to relax when you are away from home and to come home to happy, relaxed pets – whether it’s after a long day at work or a two week holiday of a lifetime.

And, now you can.

Pet Sitters Ireland, the country’s largest pet sitting and dog walking company, provides families with peace of mind, knowing their beloved pets are safe, happy, and healthy while they can’t be with them. A professional pet sitter will meet with you prior to you hiring Pet Sitters Ireland to get to know you and your pets and to get a solid understanding of how you care for your pets.

Professional pet sitters follow your specific instructions to ensure your pets receive the care to which they are accustomed when you are at home.

You’ll even receive daily

updates, while you are away, to let you know how well your pets are doing.

In addition to visits, which you can schedule once or several times a day, a professional pet sitter can provide security to your home by turning lights on and off, by bringing in the post, and by giving the appearance of someone being at home. If you’ve got a sick or an elderly pet or a pet who needs extra attention to thrive, you can schedule overnight visits.

But, a pet sitter isn’t just for those weekends or holidays away from home.

Pet Sitters Ireland is dedicated to making our clients’ lives easier, including on special occasions. So many families have begun to include their pets in weddings, for example, that we have created special Wedding Day Services that ensures your pets are cared for on your special day whether

you want us to bring them to the wedding ceremony or to spend the day at home with them.

Dogs often struggle the most with staying inside alone all day. We can help with that too. Our professional dog walkers will make sure your dog gets outside for a long walk while you are at work. The opportunity to socialize, exercise, and eliminate will leave your dog tired and happy when you return home at the end of the day. Your pets deserve the very best, even when you can’t be there. Pet Sitters Ireland is dedicated to ensuring your pets receive the best from our professional pet sitters and dog walkers, so you can enjoy your time away and arrive home to happy and relaxed pets. Please get in touch to talk to us about your Pet Care requirements on Freephone 1800 30 30 10 or visit www.PetSittersIreland.com

Specialising in natural petcare products Positive training products for your pets Enrichment feeding Fish / Fish food and products Fantastic wildlife products section Unit 7, Glenageary Shopping Centre, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Tel: 01-201-3910 info@naturenurturepetstore.com www.naturenurturepetstore.com

Hollybarn Dog & Puppy Training

Ireland’tse F a vo u r i s h o p et P e n i l n O Free Nationwide Delivery Big Brands - Small Prices!

• Toilet Training / Lead Work • Sit / Lie / Stay / Barking • Running Away / Recall • Jumping on People & Furniture • Chasing Everything • Chewing / Digging / Play Biting • Separation Anxiety • Noise Phobia / Socialisation • Aggressive Behaviour • In House Boarding / Kennels • One to One / Residential

087 782 3957 • www.hollybarndogtraining.com Page 37 Mature Living July 2014

Take the Troubles Round the world - away from UNESCO World

ADVENTURE U TRAVELLING

Heritage Trip

NESCO World Heritage Sites are known to be the most impressive cultural, architectural and natural wonders on Earth, in need of both protection and celebration. Why not take a trip around the world to discover what makes these sights so unforgettable.

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ound-the-world travel is not just for people taking a year out from studying – adventure travel is becoming more popular than ever with the over 50s, as empty nesters begin to enjoy making their own choices and strive to tick off items from their ‘I’ve always wanted to…’ list.Whether you are travelling alone or with others, once you have bought your ticket the thought of travelling can suddenly feel very daunting. Here are some top tips and advice to help fully prepare you, so that you can be confident you’ll have the trip of a lifetime.

Swot up Read as much as you can about your destinations, this way you will know more about what to expect and how to prepare yourself. It will also mean that you are less likely to miss seeing what you want.

Use trusted websites for accurate information. For instance, G Adventures has a travel guide section with information for all the popular travelling destinations, including cultural and historical information, places to see, and festivals and events. It also has practical information worth reviewing on topics such as health issues, weather information and pre departure practicalities. Supplement information from trusted websites with advice from other travellers where you can directly ask about others’ experiences. Forums can be great for getting a feel for places, but it is best to double check factual information with additional sources.

Make it easy to keep in contact Get yourself and your family Skype accounts. Skype is a cheap way to make calls abroad, and with a webcam you can also see each other (perfect for showing off the great tan you’ll have).

Bring hard copies of pictures of your family. These are more accessible and will feel more real than looking at digital versions online if you happen to miss those you’ve left behind.

If you enjoy writing, you may want to set yourself up with a blogging

Enjoy the National Parks of Western America

platform.

Wordpress accounts are easy to set up, or there are travel specific ones such as Trip Journal, Travellers Point or TravelPod which allows you to map your journey.

While you are at home with easy access to the internet, play with the design until you are happy and let people know the address, so as soon as you leave you can begin recording your experiences.

Choose a photo upload site, like Flickr, so you can upload pictures as you go – it will not only show everyone what you are up to, but it acts as a good backup should anything happen to your camera. You can also upload photos to Facebook, however, the quality is fairly low so Flickr may be a better option if you want to print them in the future.

If you have a planned itinerary, leave a copy at home so friends and relatives can feel safe knowing where you are. Mark times when you think contacting them may be difficult so they don’t worry if you don’t get in touch for a while. It is also a good idea to leave photocopies of your passport and plane tickets with an emergency contact. You should also consider providing your country’s embassy with a copy of your planned itinerary and contact information.

Get street wise It may sound geeky, but buy a money pouch. They really come in handy when you don’t have a safe place to keep your money. If you can get one that is fairly big but you are still able to sleep with, it will be useful in keeping your valuables safe overnight if the hostel has no locker.

Make sure you have different ways of accessing money. With most banks you can withdraw funds no matter where you are in the world, but it is a good idea to have a back-up way of withdrawing money (for instance travellers’ cheques).

Keep them in separate places, this way, if you lose one, you always have the other.

If you do get stranded without money, you can always have relatives transfer you some through Western Union, as long as you have ID with you, so remember to keep your emergency contact’s details handy just in case if you get stuck.

Get company If you are still worried about travelling, surround yourself with like-minded people. Group travel and tours are a fantastic way to travel where the organisation of getting from A to B, arranging accommodation and visiting highlights is all sorted for you. Many people feel much safer travelling in groups and long-lasting friendships can often be made with like-minded travellers. Research adventure travel tour operators to find a company that suits you and your needs.

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tart your trip as you mean to go on with the stunning scenery of the American West. Make your way from Seattle to San Francisco with on the Camping in Yosemite and Yellowstone tour. Start with a coffee in the original Starbucks city of Seattle before exploring the dizzying mountains and

glaciers of Montana. The geothermal activity of Yellowstone National Park is next on the list, with a visit to the stunning 'Grand Prismatic Pool' - a must see! Finish with a hike through the spellbinding sequoias of Yosemite and arrive in San Francisco for the view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

See the Angkor Wat temples and the ancient highlights of Vietnam

Temple Complexes of Angkor Wat

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n overland trip from Bangkok to Hanoi would be nothing without a visit to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and luckily our Cambodia and Vietnam on a Shoestring does just that. The Angkor Wat temples are sure to be a highlight of this round the world trip, with the stone faces of Bayon a particular favourite. Try and get to the temples at dawn for the ultimate sunrise over these ancient buildings. Moving into Vietnam, a trail of sites litter the north coast; from the quaint centre of Hoi An town to the historical citadel of Hue, just make sure you finish up in Halong

Bay, relaxing on a Chinese junk boat with a cocktail as you watch the sun go down.

Halong Bay

Follow the Andes south through Peru, Explore the rugged coastline of East Australia Bolivia and Peru

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rom Sydney to Cairns - there's an awful lot of land inbetween.

Luckily for you, there's also a wealth of amazing things to see and do, including a trip to the Blue Mountains, just 1.5 hours drive from Sydney. Hire a car or campervan and head to the Giant Stairway to catch a glimpse of the Three Sisters rocks before heading up the shoreline for some more coastal wonders. Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef are unparalleled in their natural beauty but make sure you also head north of Cairns to the wet tropics of Queensland to paddle among the mangroves of the Daintree Rainforest.

Explores the temples of Japan Arrive in Peru for your surface sector trip to Santiago on the Southern Divide tour.

The climb from the UNESCO World Heritage city of Cuzco to Machu Picchu may well leave you breathless - and not just because of the scenery! Head down south through Bolivia following a trail of some of the most beautiful colonial and

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rom Tokyo, the first stop on a UNESCO tour of Japan is sure to be Mount Fuji, the snow-capped scared mountain just outside the city.

After admiring (or climbing!) this magnificent peak, head north to the temples of Nikko before turning on your heel and moving south again to Kyoto and Himeji-jo, a 17th century castle. Pay your respects at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in the south of the country. Finally go back in time in the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama where you can experience the traditional Japanese way of life. With the Japan Rail Pass it is incredibly easy to get around so there's no excuse to miss any of the unique UNESCO sites.

pre-colonial buildings in South America.

Sucre and Potosi in Bolivia are filled with crumbling cathedrals, basilicas and oncehumming silver mines - the perfect introduction to a stunning country. Finish your South American adventure by crossing the Atacama Desert and arriving in Santiago, the capital city of Chile.

Marvel at the Moai of Easter Island

Travel overland from India to Nepal

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he Moai of Easter Island really have to be seen to be believed. This tiny island in the middle of the Pacific has 887 of the statues and is a perfect stopover between Chile and New

Zealand.

The tiny village of Orongo is also worth a visit as well as the white beach of Ovahe to watch where the bright blue surf crashes onto the sand.

he fantastic journey from India to the foot of the Himalayas (the Delhi to Kathmandu Adventure) is one you won't forget in a hurry.

Experience the enigmatic Taj Mahal in Agra as well as the Jantar Mantar in the Pink City of Jaipur. Crossing the border into Nepal make sure you pass through Lumbini, the birthplace of the Lord Buddha and Chitwan National Park, where the wildlife of Nepal is a fabulous sight. From elephants and rhinos to the elusive tiger, Nepal is a quiet and colourful country that is sure to steal your heart.

Trek the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand

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rom Auckland it's an easy drive down to Tongariro National Park on a tour of the North Island.

The Tongariro Crossing is considered by many to be the best day walk in the world. Across the top of several active volcanoes with emerald and turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks and the looming mountain of Ngauruhoe (Mt. Doom to the Lord of the Rings fans out there!), this walk is one that you will never forget as you experience the natural beauty of New Zealand's north island. For more ideas on trekking in New Zealand, read Annie's recent blog post.

Interested? If this trip, or something similar catches your eye give your local travel agent a call.

TRAMORE Holiday Homes

Focus on

Welcome to Waterford the Crystal County

2 & 3 bedroom well appointed homes

Close to beach Call 051390950 www.tramoreholidayhomes.com • Tramore, Co. Waterford

Waterford Castle at Dusk

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CO. WATERFORD Town Centre Hotel & Close To All Ameni!es

aterford City was founded by Viking traders in 914 and it has an exciting medieval flavour and riverside bustle. The Waterford Museum of Treasures tells the 1000-year-story of Waterford from the treasures of Viking Waterford at Reginald's Tower, the oldest civic urban building in Ireland, to the story of Georgian Waterford at the Bishop's Palace from 1700 to 1970.

Waterford City is the home of Waterford Crystal, a lifestyle product of exquisite craftsmanship.

A visit to the House of Crystal visitor centre includes an opportunity to choose from the world's largest selection of Waterford Crystal. The factory tour offers first hand access to all areas of traditional crystal production.

The city has a strong maritime tradition and an estimated 500,000 people enjoyed the colourful spectacle of the 2011 Tall Ships Race and festival of music and culture in the city and

Special Accommoda!on Rates Sunday - Thursday 2 Nights Bed & Breakfast & One Dinner Only... €99pps 3 Nights Bed & Breakfast & One Dinner Only... €135pps Single Supplement €10 for Groups Complimentary Car/Coach Park Complimentary Wi Fi Walking distance from Bus Stop

Tel: 058 41122. Email: info@lawlorshotel.com

One of the many beaches in Waterford

along the river Suir Estuary to Dunmore East. County Waterford offers a dazzling 147 kilometres coastline, with 49 beaches, beautiful river valleys, lakes and two dramatic ranges of very accessible mountains. Dungarvan, the administrative capital for the county, is set in a broad, magnificent bay.

In between are lively and quiet Seaside Resorts like Tramore, the spectacular Copper Coast Geopark and lovely mountain & river valley towns and villages. Houses & Gardens, where grace and beauty can be admired at leisure, are part of a rich heritage which includes Pre-Historic & Historic Sites.

The town of Lismore was originally a monastic settlement founded in the 7th Century by St. Carthage, a Heritage Town, it was the centre of ecclesiastical and temporal power for centuries.

Sophisticated fashion stores and high quality craft centres complete a holiday picture that is sure to please.

Waterford

Reginald's Tower The oldest complete building in Ireland and the first to use mortar, 12th-century Reginald's Tower is an outstanding example of medieval defences and was the city's key fortification. The Normans built its 3m- to 4m-thick walls on the site of a Viking wooden tower. Over the years, the building served as an arsenal, a prison and a mint.

The exhibits relating to the latter role include medieval silver coins, a wooden 'tally stick' with notches indicating the amount owed, a 12th-century piggy bank (smashed) and a coin balance used to determine weight and bullion value.

Architectural oddities include the toilet that drained halfway up the building.

Behind the tower, a section of the old wall has been incorporated into a new pub and restaurant complex . The two arches were sally ports, to let boats 'sally forth' into the inlet.

Bishop's Palace This interactive museum detailing Waterford's long history is in the aesthetically renovated Bishop's Palace (1741). It has dazzling displays covering Waterford's history from 1700 to 1970 and includes treasures from the city's collection, such as golden Viking brooches, jewel-encrusted Norman crosses and 18thcentury church silver.

church, also the site where the 12thcentury marriage of Strongbow and Aiofe took place. The rather grim highlight is the 15th-century tomb of James Rice , seven times Lord Mayor of Waterford: sculpted worms and frogs crawl out of the statue of his decaying body. On a jollier note, the cathedral also acts as a concert venue offering a diverse programme and superb acoustics.

Kite Design Studios Some of Waterford's best artists and craftspeople have space in this combination studio and shop. As well as the Irish Handmade Glass Company, master craftsman Sean Egan has a workshop here.

In 2013 Sean was commissioned to create an engraved bowl depicting the Famine ship which was presented to US President, Barack Obama as part of the commemorative events relating to 'The Gathering'; a year-long event that took place in 2013 aimed at celebrating Irish history, culture and genealogy.

Tour of Dromana House: The guide for this stimulating, historical and informative tour is a member of the family who live in Dromana House.

The duration of the tour is approximately one hour and carries you through 800 years (21 generations) of fascinating facts and fables incorporating both Dromana Estate and the surrounding area. The garden & looped woodland walks stretch over an area of 30 acres with outstanding views of the river below from the terraces. Within the garden is the Banqueting house built in circa 1740 and the Bastion with a grassed roof and tunnel below leading to the waters edge.

Opening times: April, May, June (2pm to 6pm) Closed Mondays Visitors welcome at other times by appointment

Christ Church Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral is Europe's only neoclassical Georgian cathedral. Designed by local architect John Roberts, it was built on the site of an 11th-century Viking

Visit our website for more details www.dromanahouse.com Tourist Office/Campervan in Tramore.

It is voluntarily run by local people and businesses.

For more details about tours please email tours@dromanahouse.com

Tel: 024-96144 or 086-8186305

Cappoquin House, Cappoquin Co. Waterford Tel: 058 54290 (mornings) 087-6704180 (mobile)

Email: charleskeane@cappoquinestate.com www.cappoquinhouseandgardens.com

House Open May, June and Heritage Week 10am - 2pm - €5 Per Person (Groups by arrangement) Gardens Open all Year round 10am - 4pm (Closed Sundays) €5 Per Person Come and Discover one of County Waterford’s lovely gardens 300 Years of Family History Only 4 miles from Lismore • 18th Century Heritage House on Castle Site • Large South Facing Hillsdie Garden • Extensive views over Blackwater Valley • Collection of old Rhododendrons, Camellias, Magnolias & Azaleas • Specimen trees, formal garden, Pear and apple walk, woodland walk

Step back in time to an oasis of calm and tranquillity at Tourin House and Gardens situated in the heart of the beautiful and historic Blackwater Valley.

Visitors are welcome to wander down garden paths that lead from the Main House built in 1840, past a camellias and rhododendrons to a Walled Garden with fruit, vegetable and a collection of over one hundred bearded Iris. The original 16th century Tower House still stands and can be seen from the garden.

Tourin House Hours of Opening: May to September 1:00pm to 5.00pm Tuesday to Saturday. Groups by Appointment.

Tel: 058-54405 Cappoquin, Co. Waterford • www.tourin-house.ie Page 41 Mature Living July 2014

Waterford Events

AUGUST: SPRAOI STREET FESTIVAL 3rd - 5th "The Biggest Street Carnival in Ireland" Fun, Fun, Fun for all the family. Waterford

City. Every August Bank Holiday Weekend the streets of Waterford city are transformed into a huge stage featuring an international cast of musicians and

street theatre performers. All events are free www.spraoi.com NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK Waterford 18th - 26th. National

SEAN KELLY TOUR OF WATERFORD Heritage Week builds awareness and education about our heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation. http://www.heritageweek.ie

SPRAOI STREET FESTIVAL

SEAN KELLY TOUR OF WATERFORD featuring the 50 km Kelly Cruise, the 90km Kelly Coast and The Kelly Comeragh Challenge which at 160 km includes two Category One climbs. www.theseankellytour.com LISMORE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL Early August, West Waterford DUNMORE EAST BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Dunmore East, Co. Waterford.

Last W/E in August, since 1994.

HORSE RACING Tramore, Co. Waterford. Tel: 051 381425, Mid August www.tramore-racecourse.com SEPTEMBER

Clonea Hotel and Beach, Dungar!an, Co. Waterford

Discover many of the amazing plants and animals of the seashore on an enter"aining and enjoyable tour.

Lear# how they live in their unusual envronment and make f$t$re visits to the shore, interesting and exciting as you share your new knowledge with %iends, children and g&andchildren...

Tour Duration is 1 and 1/2 Hours - Price €12 Adults / €10 St$dents and Seniors / €6 Children / €30 Familes

Barbara Duff • Tel: 087 4149949 • 051 291868 www.seashoretours.com www.facebook.com/seashoretoursdungarvan

SONIC ARTS WATERFORD SAW Fest 20 - 22 SAW Fest is a new indoor international festival of experimental/ambient music and electronic arts due to take place in theatres and galleries around Waterford.

WATERFORD HARVEST FESTIVAL 10th- 16th is a city wide festival celebrating food heritage and culture in Waterford with nine days of fun filled foodie events.

Waterford OCTOBER IMAGINE ARTS FESTIVAL 09th - 13th, nine mini festivals all in one theatre, film, music, comedy, dance, literature, visual, craft and children - a platform for local talent and a showcase for international artists.

The annual festival is a vibrant mix of the traditional and contemporary, well-established acts, special commissions, Irish exclusives and European premieres. www.imagineartsfestival.com NOVEMBER WATERFORD FILM FESTIVAL 9th - 11th Greyfriars Gallery.

The film festival, showcases all forms of feature film and documentary film production short, animation, experimental, student work, digital work, etc. www.waterfordfilmfestival.com THE GOLDEN YEARS FESTIVAL 12th - 14th A full and exiciting programme of events are planned to ensured the enjoyment of visitors and locals alike.

Horse Racing Tramore, Co. Waterford Tel: 051 381425 www.tramore-racecourse.com DECEMBER

ANGLING OPEN DEEP SEA COMPETITION Dungarvan, Co. Waterford 05841395 or 058-46401

CHRISTMAS IN WATERFORD 1st - 31st. Seasonal activities and events in Waterford City, including carol singing, Christmas markets, and visits to Santa Claus!

SET DANCING FESTIVAL MID SEPTEMBER Rathgormac Village County

BALLYRAFTER INTERNATIONAL FLOWER FAIR Tel: 058 53111

SONIC ARTS WATERFORD

Waterford

St Carthage’s Cathedral and Lady Louisa’s walk

Cush B+B

Failte Ireland Approved Bed & Breakfast Waterford

C

ush Bed and Breakfast is a 3 star Failte Ireland Approved, modern home situated in picturesque Duffcarrick, Ardmore in County Waterford. Situated off the N25 and adjacent to Ardmore, Cush B&B is immersed in stunning views of the bay, countryside and historic ancient sites.Your host Therese Troy prides herself on making sure that all her guests receive a warm and friendly welcome and that their stay is a comfortable, relaxing and memorable one.Therese home-bakes, grows her own organic tomatoes and eggs are provided by her own hens.

All food is guaranteed to be fresh & delicious!

Duffcarrick, Ardmore, Co Waterford • Tel: 024-94474 Mobile: 087-4141222 email: mttroy@eircom.net • www.cushbandbardmorewaterford.com

Lismore Castle Gardens and Art

St. Carthage’s Cathedral dates back as far as the 7th century, when built as a church and is named after its founder.

Though the Cathedral has been rebuilt since then, four original memorial stones remain as do sections of its 12th century incarnation. Many more interesting artefacts and a tomb are to be discovered inside. Set in a pretty location, it is a must see in the town.

For those in the mood for exercise, Lady Louisa’s walk is a must. The daughter of the 7th Duke of Devonshire, Lady Louisa created many walks in the area, however only one remains, mainly as a result of local fishermen’s use of it. The path is mostly woodland, running alongside the Blackwater. Pretty gates and stiles may be seen, as well as many forms of wildlife.

The Heritage centre offers a deal allowing you to visit the centre and gardens for just €10.

The castle gardens make for an adventure for children, with the odd turret for climbing and trees for hiding behind. Learning the different types of plants also provides great amusement.

Older visitors will enjoy the beautiful layouts, fantastic flora and the sculptures which decorate the garden.

The Castle Gallery, located by the upper garden, is a wonderful space, displaying interesting works from around the world. A knowledgeable staff further enhances this attraction.

On Sundays, outside the castle grounds, a farmer’s market offers artisan produce. An adjacent playground

will allow kids to work off excess energy, whilst parents can sit with a cup of coffee in the millennium park.

Visit Waterfords Heritage Sites Dungarvan Castle

Reginalds Tower

Castle Street, Dungarvan, Co Waterford Tel + 353 (058) 48144 The castle consists of a polygonal 12th C ,shell keep with an enclosing curtain wall, a corner tower & a gate tower, Open Late May ­ Late Sept Daily 10.00 ­ 18.00 Admission Free.

The Quay, Waterford Tel +353 (051) 304220 Restored 13th C, circular tower, originally part of the towns defences. It was later used as a mint, a prison & military store.

Open Early Mar ­ May Daily 10.00 ­ 17.00, June ­ Mid Sept Daily 10.00 ­ 18.00, Mid Sept ­ Early March Wed ­ Sunday 09.30 ­ 17.00 Admission Charges Adult €3.00, Senior/Group €2.00,Child Student €1.00, Family €8.00

Page 43 Mature Living July 2014

Therapies

Alternative Therapies

Indian Head Massage Indian Head Massage is a popular massage treatment which has been practiced in India for 1000s of years and still forms an integral part of that culture today. father to son and are still very much part of everyday life in India today.

The system of Indian Head Massage that is widely practiced in the West is known as Champissage.

Champissage was developed and introduced to the West in the 1970s by a therapist named Narendra Mehta.

Narendra, having been bought up in India, regularly enjoyed the benefits of head massage, but felt that something was missing from the treatments. The traditional massage does not include the face, shoulders, neck, or any balancing to the chakras (energy centres).

Narendra believed that by including these additional areas in the routine it

T

he earliest references to massage in India can be found in the Ayurvedic texts. This ancient healthcare system suggested that a healthy lifestyle and massage, used in conjunction with herbs and oils, helped to improve and maintain good health and wellbeing.

In Indian families, the massage is traditionally

learned by young girls from their mothers and is part of their daily routine.

Massage is regularly performed for relaxation purposes on babies, children and at times of celebration, such as weddings.

The Indian Head Massage treatment itself is traditionally called Champi and was performed differently for men and women.

Treatments for women were originally practiced to beautify and improve the condition of their hair and scalp. Different oils such as coconut, sesame, olive, etc, were massaged into the scalp and hair to nourish and invigorate.

The oil was also poured onto the hair and brushed through to the ends to create lustre. Although the treatment had many physical benefits, it also

would make the treatment more holistic and therefore more beneficial.

What are the benefits of Indian Head Massage?

There are numerous benefits to receiving Indian Head Massage. One of the main benefits is that it is extremely versatile and can be performed almost anywhere, seated and over clothing, although massage over clothes does not produce the best effects. It is also excellent for relieving stress, so for these reasons, it has become a popular treatment that may be available in waiting areas such as surgeries, clinics, etc, hospices, at work premises and in the likes of airplanes.

Indian Head Massage is

created a relaxing activity that created family bonding.

The treatment for men consisted of a more invigorating massage, with stimulating oils, to the head and scalp. These treatments were performed by the barber, who offered them as part of the service, after cutting the hair. The skills of the barber were traditionally passed from

Offering holistic therapy: Reiki treatments, Reiki workshops, Autogenic Training workshops and Mindfulness Meditation classes in the heart of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire.

Both clinics are conveniently located close to main bus routes and train stations.

Melanie Pelka is a certified and experienced Reiki therapist/teacher, Autogenic Training therapist/teacher and Mindfulness Meditation practitioner/teacher.

Appointments in Dun Laoghaire and Dublin 4 • Mobile: 087 1319891 E: info@dublinreiki.com • W: www.dublinreiki.com Page 44 Mature Living July 2014

deeply relaxing and can create a feeling of calmness and harmony. It is greatly beneficial for improving and maintaining reasonable stress levels and for all stress related conditions. It has also been found to be most helpful for treating anxiety and is an alternative massage treatment for nervous people. Indian Head Massage can be useful for alleviating headaches and improving insomnia.

The massage consists of a mixture of deep, slow movements and rapid, brisk, invigorating strokes.

This combination of movements relaxes, but also invigorates and energises the body and mind. Treatment improves localised circulation,

stimulates nerve endings and relieves tension and pain from taut, aching muscles.

The natural, moisturising oils such as coconut, sesame, mustard and almond used in treatment can improve the condition and appearance of the skin, scalp, and hair.

Indian Head Massage can also be beneficial in cases of alopecia, as the treatment relives stress, and stimulates blood circulation and nerve endings in the head and scalp.

What to expect during a treatment The most beneficial way to receive Indian Head Massage is in a professional, quiet and therapeutic environment with oil applied directly to the skin. You should also be prepared to have a series of treatments (6 approx), to experience any long term benefits.

Treatments usually last about 45 minutes and are performed whilst you are seated. The appropriate oils are selected to suit your needs and objectives and are massaged into the upper arms, neck, shoulders, head, scalp and face. After your massage, the therapist will balance your chakra (energy centres), by places their hands a few inches away from them and radiating peace and calmness. This is an important part of the treatment and should be included if possible.

The natural oils are extremely nutritional and beneficial for the skin and hair and should ideally be left on for several hours.

When is the treatment not suitable?

Indian Head Massage is not suitable for people who have migraine (currently suffering), neck, spinal or recent

head injuries. If you are being treated for a medical problem, or have a skin or scalp condition, it is advisable to seek advice from your medical practitioner before receiving Indian Head Massage.

Courses and Workshops There are many courses and workshops available for people who are interested in learning Indian Head Massage.

A practitioner training course lasts about ten weeks (one evening a week) and will qualify you to practice the massage professionally. These courses are widely available in private schools and through Further Education colleges.If you want to learn Indian Head Massage for using on friends and family, then a workshop may be a better choice.

These are usually held in Further Education Colleges, over one day, and are a great way to meet new people, learn a new skill and have fun!

Trish Willams Ayurveda I can help you find your true self, your gifts, your skills and your talents, so that you make a real difference in your business and/or personal life .... helping you to free yourself from any 'negative baggage' and empowering you to achieve this both easily and effortlessly. Imagine discovering the key that unlocks your full potential. - Carol Passemard

www.breakthroughretreat.com E: carol.passemard@gmail.com

T: 087-1413026

Specialising in Champissage Indian Head Massage and Kansa Vatki Foot Massage

www.trishwilliamsayurveda.com

Mobile Service available Dublin and Wicklow • Ph: 085-8417665 Arklow, The Arklow Natural Healing Centre, 8 St Mary’s Terrace, Arklow (Next to library in Arklow) Ph: (01) 9034210 – Allow phone to ring to get answer phone

Page 45 Mature Living July 2014

Puzzles

WIN!

â‚Ź20

To be in with a chance of winning, Solve the puzzle in the usual way, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares to form a name or word and send your completed crossword along with your name, address and telephone number to us at the address below!

Puzzle Competition, Mature Living Leinster Magazine, Unit 7 NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo

Answers on page 52

2 NIGHTS BED & BREAKFAST

We have teamed up with the Forster Court Hotel, Galway to offer you the chance to win a 2 night midweek stay for two, with breakfast.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply answer the question and send your answer, along with your name, address, email address and telephone number into us at the addess below...

Q: What is the name of the restaurant in the boutique Forster Court Hotel?

Send your entries into us at : Forster Court Competition, Mature Living Magazine, Office 3, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo Terms and Conditions Apply. Closing Date for entries is 15th July 2014 - Prize Valid Sun to Thurs from Sept to Nov

GOLDEN YEARS OFFERS 2 Nights

B&B and 2 Dinners only

3 Nights

B&B and 3 Dinners only

€149 €219 pps pps

Packages Include: Overnight Accommodation, sumptuous three course meal in Elwoods Restaurant, Full Irish Breakfast each morning and Tea & Scones upon arrival

Forster Court, Eyre Square, Galway City T: 091 564111 • F: 091 539839 E: sales@forstercourthotel.com

www.forstercourthotel.com

Food and Drink

A Taste of

P

ut a sweet twist on eggy bread with this indulgent brunchtime recipe Ingredients 50g butter 6 apricots, halved and stoned 200g/8oz caramel sauce (we used Bonne Maman confiture de caramel) 350g ready-made vanilla custard 8 small, thick slices brioche or white bread, or 4 large slices, cut diagonally Method Melt 1 tbsp butter in a medium-size frying pan.

Put in the apricots, cutside down, and gently fry for 2-3 mins. Flip over

T

he omelette is one of the most fundamental dishes in any cook's arsenal, and this recipe will teach you how to get it right every time

Ingredients 3 eggs, as fresh as possible, preferably organic and freerange, room temperature 2 knobs unsalted butter 1 tsp finely, freshly grated parmesan (or vegetarian alternative) To cook with herbs 2-3 chopped tarragon leaves 1 tbsp each snipped chives and chopped chervil or parsley To cook with cheese 3 rounded tbsp finely grated Gruyère Method Get everything ready. Warm a

20cm (measured across the top) non-stick frying pan on a medium heat. Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them with a fork so they break up and mix, but not as completely as you would for scrambled egg. With the heat on medium-hot, drop one knob of butter into the pan.

It should bubble and sizzle, but not brown. Season the eggs with the Parmesan and a little salt and pepper, and pour into the pan.

Let the eggs bubble slightly for a couple of seconds, then take a wooden fork or spatula and gently draw the mixture in from the sides of the pan a few times, so it gathers in folds in the centre. Leave for a few seconds, then stir again to lightly combine uncooked egg with cooked. Leave briefly

Page 48 Mature Living July 2014

again, and when partly cooked, stir a bit faster, stopping while there’s some barely cooked egg left. With the pan flat on the heat, shake it back and forth a few times to settle the mixture.

It should slide easily in the pan and look soft and moist on top.

A quick burst of heat will brown the underside.

Grip the handle underneath. Tilt the pan down away from you and let the omelette fall to the edge. Fold the side nearest to you over by a third with your fork, and keep it rolling over, so the omelette tips onto a plate – or fold it in half, if that’s easier.

For a neat finish, cover the omelette with a piece of kitchen paper and plump it up a bit with your fingers. Rub the other knob of butter over to glaze. Serve immediately.

and cook for 1 min more until lightly golden. Add the caramel to the pan and melt until saucy – if it’s still too thick to coat the fruit, add a splash of water. Keep warm.

Mix the custard with 4 tbsp of water to loosen, then dip in the bread slices, turning to coat thoroughly. Melt half the remaining butter in a large non-stick frying pan. Lightly shake off any excess custard mixture from half the bread slices and fry in the butter for 2 mins each side until golden. Repeat with remaining butter and bread, then serve hot with the caramel apricots.

Add walnuts if desired

Food and Drink

A

fresh way to serve a salmon fillet. Summery and light, this Niçoise is a lovely summer dish Ingredients 400g baby new potatoes, halved 2 salmon fillets, skin on, (about 140g/5oz each) small handful black olive (we like Kalamata) small handful sundried tomato, chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed

juice 1⁄2 lemon 1 tbsp olive oil 200g green beans Method Bring half a large steamer to the boil, tip the potatoes into the water, then lay the salmon fillets, skin-side down, in the steamer basket.

Cover and cook for 6-8 mins until the salmon is cooked through, then remove and set aside. Continue to cook the potatoes for another 5-8 mins until tender, adding

T

the beans for the final couple of mins. Drain the veg, then tip into a large bowl.

Add the olives and tomatoes to the potatoes and beans, then gently flake in chunks of the cooked salmon, discarding the skin.

Whisk together the garlic, lemon and oil with some seasoning, and loosen with a few drops of water.

Pour the dressing over the salad, toss well, and serve.

he staple vegetarian dish is spruced up with a citrussy sourdough crustchunkily chop your courgettes, onion, peppers and tomatoes for extra texture

Method Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp of the oil and a good sprinkling of seasoning. Set aside.

Ingredients 50g fresh sourdough breadcrumbs 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 3 courgettes, chunkily sliced 1 red pepper, cut into chunks 1 yellow pepper, cut into chunks 1 large onion, very roughly chopped 4 ripe plum tomatoes, cut into chunks 2 garlic cloves, sliced 1 tbsp chopped thyme 1 tbsp tomato purée 2 tbsp white wine vinegar zest 1 lemon

Put the courgettes, peppers, onion, tomatoes, garlic, thyme, tomato purée, vinegar and the remaining olive oil in a bowl. Season well and toss together.

Tip the vegetables into a roasting tin and spread out in a single layer. Cover with foil and bake for 20 mins. Remove the foil.

Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top and bake for another 10 mins or until golden. Remove from oven and sprinkle over the lemon zest.

S

erve this super-creamy chocolate dessert on its own, or as part of an 'assiete' of mini chocolate puddings

Ingredients 568ml pot double cream 100g Green & Black's white chocolate, broken into pieces 1 vanilla pod, split or 1 tsp vanilla extract 6 egg yolks 2 tbsp golden caster sugar, plus extra for topping Method Heat the cream, chocolate and vanilla pod in a pan until the chocolate has

melted. Take off the heat and allow to infuse for 10 mins, scraping the pod seeds into the cream. If using the vanilla extract, add straight away. Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3.

Beat yolks and sugar until pale. stir in the chocolate cream. Strain into a jug and pour into ramekins. Place in a deep roasting tray and pour boiling water halfway up the sides. Bake for 15-20 mins until just set with a wobbly centre. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hrs.

To serve, sprinkle some sugar on top of the brûlées and caramelise with a blowtorch or briefly under a hot grill.

Leave caramel to harden, then serve.

Page 49 Mature Living July 2014

Angelscope for July

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

Taur!s

Gemini

Angel of Children : The angel if children is guiding you to spend some time with your own inner child. It's time to make time for laughter in your life. Contact an old friend or ring a current one and reminisce and catch up. Do something that would make your inner child smile such as buying an ice cream or listening to a favourite song.

Things have been to serious around you as of late.

Allow the power of joy to fill your heart again as you let your inner child out to play. This can also mean an announcement of an arrival in the family.Lucky Day: 15th July Lucky colour: pink

Angel of new beginnings: It's time to turn a new page and begin a new chapter in your life. You are ready to move from the past and no longer dwell on old pain and resentment. New people and new opportunities are coming your way. It's time to rIse your hopes and expectations.

Positivity is very important around you right now. Only surround yourself with those that believe in you. Know at every ending is also a new beginning.

Lucky Day: 17th Lucky colour: Brown

Angel of retreat : Sometimes we need time alone. This angel advises you that your thoughts may have become scattered and your feel unfocused as of late. Spend time alone in nature, go for a walk, listen to some music. You are capable of making this decision on your own.

Your intuition only speaks to you in quiet moments. So make time for these quiet moments and start to listen.

Lucky Day: 21st Lucky colour: blue

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Angel of new love : For those of you that are single, have faith as love is just around the corner. You may feel guided to go somewhere new, Take up a new hobby, try a new course. This is the universes way of giving Cupid a helping hand. For those of you in relationships romance is a very important aspect of a relationship, have a date night and plan some couple time. Never forget love is the spice of life. Lucky Day: 11th Lucky colour: red

Angel of enchantment This angel guides you to stay firm on your present course. Have courage in your convictions. You may need to dig your heels in. Trust your gut and press ahead. You may need to bang very hard on the door of opportunity. Take heart for the universe is listening. September brings news of success.

Lucky Day: 18th Lucky colour: silver

Sagi#arious

Capricor$

Angel of listening The wonderful arch angel Michael makes his appearance felt in this card. You are being guided to speak your truth, you will find the courage when you seek it, for this angel is powerful ally to have by your side.

Are you also aware of what is being said around you? This angel encourages you to develop your listening skills and also helps you hear what is not being said as well...!

Lucky Day: 25th Lucky colour: navy

Angel of ideas and inspiration This cherub of inspiration sits on your shoulders at present giving you eureka moments. You can either dismiss this or act on it! If you have been feeling stuck in a rut as of late this may be your guardians way of helping you break free for it. It's time to try something new. If you've been feeling blocked, this angel is also showing you a creative solution to the current problem you face.

Lucky Day: 28th Lucky colour: jade

Angel of serenity This angel guides you to seek peace and tranquility. For you may have become caught up the drudgery that is life. Take time to smell the flowers, go for a peaceful walk, listen to some music. Your soul cries out for some peaceful/restful solitude. It's time to step back and allow things to happen around you.

Take some long awaited me time.

Lucky Day: 16th Lucky colour: white

Aquarius

Angel of forgiveness: When you forgive, you realise the real prisoner had been you all along. For the prison is anger, pain and resentment. You are not responsible for other peoples issues but you can take responsibility in how you choose to handle your current situation. The more you focus on happiness. No positivity the more you attract people and all manner of events that attract this in to your life.

On the other hand the more you focus on pain and betrayal the more people and situations of negativity will constantly barge you. It's time to let the past go and move into a happier future. Lucky Day: 19 Lucky colour: gold

Cancer

Angel of answered prayer: This beautiful angel has entered your spread to let you know heaven has heard your call.

Synchronistic events and people will enter your life as they are the universes way of answering your prayer. Try not to become to fixed or attached to how it is going to happen, simply trust that it will happen. Believe in your dreams and believe in the power of positive intentions. As the more fate and optimism you place the quicker your prayer will be answered!

Lucky Day: 29th Lucky colour: green

Scor"io

Angel of focus: This angel warns you of being over stressed and over worked. The angel of focus urges you to get your priorities in order. Notice the flowery garland in her lap, she's to pre occupied with others worries. It's time for you to look inward and focus on your own needs. It's time to clean house, start with your own!

Lucky Day: 24th Lucky colour: orange

Pisces

Angel of healing : The angel of healing comes around you, sending you blessings of abundance. The healing that is sent is emotional, physical and mental. She is also sending in a helpful friend or relative who will provide support and a shoulder to lean on. Angels come in all shapes and sizes and yours are coming in, in the shape of a trusted, loyal friend. Allow yourself to unburden you issues and develop a perspective on the issue your currently facing Lucky Day: 30th Lucky colour: moss green

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

Travel Technology

Best Apps for your budget W

hether you’re digging yourself out of debt, saving for a specific goal or trying to get a better handle on your budget, there’s an app to help you reach your financial goals. We scoured the internet to see which apps are winning the most acclaim.

Your Bank’s App Most major banks, credit card companies and investment companies now have them and experts say they’re a good place to start. Checking balances, making transfers and paying bills is just the beginning. You can check on your investments, find the nearest branch or bank machine and access a variety of other tools such as mortgage calculators.

Mint.com Personal Finance (free, available from iTunes and Android) Mint.com is the darling of the online budgeting world so it’s no surprise that the app has received so much acclaim. Like the online tool, Mint lets you connect all of your accounts in one place to track and categorize your spending, pay bills, check your balances and double-check your budget before you buy. You can also set up reminders for upcoming payments and receive low account balance notifications.

The ability to sync your account with your smart phone, tablet and computer has another bonus: you can go online to disable the app on your devices if you lose them.

Easy Envelope Budget Aid (free, iTunes and Android) Many financial experts advocate using envelopes or jars as visual aids to tame spending — but perhaps you want to go high tech? EEBA lets you create a budget system using up to 20 virtual Envelopes for regular and irregular expenses. Then, you record your spending and the app keeps a running total. You can check your Envelope balance before spending, and there’s no need to connect your bank accounts or put your information at risk.

The app can sync with multiple devices so all members of the household can work with a common budget. If you’re worried about data loss, the app automatically backs up data online too.

You Need a Budget (€2.99, iTunes and Android) Widely popular YNAB used to

be for desktops only, but now you can extend much of its functionality to your smart phone and tablet too. (You will need the latest version of the software to use the app, however.) You can check your budget and enter transactions on the go, and the app will automatically sync to your desktop when there’s an internet connection available.

Want to try it before you buy?

The YNAB software is available for a one-month trial (and costs €40 to purchase) and users can download a free version of the app known as YNAB Lite.

Receipts (99c, iTunes) Whether you’re tracking expenses for work or home, this app makes it easy to manage all those receipts. Using the camera in your device, the app lets you take a picture of the receipt or bill and enter relevant details on the spot.

Not only will it record the date and location of your transaction, it will add up expenses in different categories as well. Consider the app a digital archive of receipts that you can search, print, email and export to other programs.

If you don’t have an Apple product, there are similar apps available for other devices as well — such as Smart Receipts Pro (98c, Android). iExpenseIt (€2.99, iTunes) If you’re looking for an expense tracker that’s more robust, experts pick this app for the additional features. For example, you can use a variety of currencies, calculate vehicle mileage, track spending trends and see how much room you have left in your budget — among many other reporting features. When you need to claim expenses, you can export data to a CSV or HTML file — complete with a digital copy or your receipt.

Debt Manager (€1.99, iTunes) This app is one of many that use the “Debt Snowball” method to help you get your debts under control. Simply enter your loans and payment information, set priorities and start playing with the numbers.

You can try out some different scenarios — such as a rise in interest rates or increasing your payments, for example.

Debt Manager also lets you see how much time and interest you’re saving, plus keeps you motivated by charting your progress.

The app also has tips and instructions to guide you

through the process, plus it lets you create customized reports of your payment history.

IOU Debt Manager (free, iTunes and Android) Borrowed a few euro from a co-worker to cover lunch, or lent a friend cab fare? This app lets you keep track of debts big and small.

You add a contact or “account” and then enter the details of what is owed to you or what you owe to someone.

You can keep track of partial payments, and set up email reminders.

This app isn’t just about money — it’s a handy way to keep track of items as books, tools and movies that you borrow and lend. (You can even add a picture.) You can also note if you owe someone a phone call or an email, or whose turn it is to bring food to games night.

Bloomberg (free, iTunes and Android) There are plenty of publications offering apps that let you track the latest market

data and news affecting the markets, but this app goes one step further and helps you track your favourite companies and indices over time.

The content isn’t just articles: listen to interviews with experts, watch featured videos and tune in to the 24/7 TV network through your device.

Before you download…

These apps are just a few examples of the hundreds of options available — there’s bound to be something available that suits both your devices and your preferences.

Before you buy it or try it, consider: Does this app meet your needs? Developers can pile on the features, but the best app for you is one that you’ll use on a regular basis.

Read the user reviews, consider the screen shots and see if there are any demos or tutorials online.

Is the app available in your country?

Financial apps aren’t necessarily universal — we found many popular apps that weren’t available in Ireland and didn’t mesh with Irish banking institutions or financial regulations.

Should you pay or not?

Many apps have “free” and “pro” or “deluxe” editions.

The upgraded versions often have additional features you may or may not find useful, but they’re also free from ads.

How secure is the app and how much person information are you required to enter?

How secure is your device?

Beware of any app asking for your account passwords — they could be fraudulent or could invalidate any protections you have through your bank.

As with any technology or application, not everyone will find these apps useful or helpful.

Ultimately, it’s important to find a system that works for you — whether it’s a pen and paper or the latest app.

Page 51 Mature Living July 2014

Arts and Crafts

Card Making for Beginners C

ard Making is a hobby that is growing in popularity all the time, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s simple, inexpensive, requires very few materials, and is great fun.

Making your own cards can even be good for your bank balance – since you’ll never need to buy pricy shop-bought cards again.

If you’d like to give card making a go, but aren’t sure what you’ll need to get started, read on – this article is for you.

The basic materials you’ll need When you’re starting out in Card Making, the best approach is to keep it nice and simple.

The first thing you’ll need is some blank cards to act as a base for your designs. These are usually referred to as ‘card blanks’, and you’ll be able to find them in any good craft shop. White A6 card blanks are a nice standard size and colour, and suitable for any occasion, so you’ll probably want to start with a good quality pack of

these. Next you’ll need something to create the main design on the front of your card.

This can be either an image, some wording, or both, and there are several ways you can add this to your card.

Rubber stamps are one of the quickest and simplest ways. A stamp and ink pad will help you create a beautiful design that you can then colour in however you choose.

There are a few different types of rubber stamp, but ‘wood mounted’ stamps are the simplest to use. They feature designs mounted onto a block of wood, and are ready to use straight away – you just ink them up and stamp them straight onto your card. You might like to choose a picture design for the front of the card, and a wording stamp to add a greeting inside.

And don’t forget your ink pad for stamping. These come in a bewildering array of colours, but a small black one is all you’ll need to start with.

Next you’ll need some pens, pencils, chalks or paints for colouring your stamped image.

ProMarker pens are extremely popular for colouring stamped pictures, and very easy to use.

Their ink is semi-transparent, so you can apply them in layers until you get the shade you’re looking for, and you can also blend colours together – which means one pack will give you

hundreds of potential colours.

However, pencils, chalks and paints can work out a little cheaper, so go with whatever suits your budget.

And finally, if you want to add a message or a bit more detail to the front of your card, sheets of stickers are a great way to do it.

You can get sheets of stickers with assorted messages, as well

as sheets full of pretty decorative items like flourishes, borders, etc. All you do is peel them off the backing sheet and stick them where you want them.

And that is really all you’ll need to make your first card. As you decide to get more involved in your card making, there are plenty more things you can

experiment with – embellishments, patterned papers, glitter glues, etc – and that voyage of discovery is all part of the fun.

But for now, some card blanks, a rubber stamp or two, an ink pad, some pens and stickers is more than enough to create a beautiful card that you can be proud of.

Family History & Genealogy

F

amily History or Genealogy has seen a huge upsurge in interest in recent years. It has gone from being the preserve of the few to being almost a national pastime for the many. And why not. Our ability to research our family history has never been greater, and there is something about

these troubled times that tends to make us want to look backwards and to delve more into our own history. And even though this upsurge in interest began in better times when people seemed to have an abundance of time on their hands and limitless money in their pockets, this trend

continues today almost because of the troubled times in which we live.

If ever there was an ideal time to research our Family History, our Third Age seems as good a time as any to do it. For many of us, we have more free time than we are used to.

Hopefully the same can be said of money although the sums involved are not great at all. But it seems an ideal time not only to reflect on our lives and to discover from whence we came, but to pass on that information to the next generation so that they too have a better understanding of their own personal history.

For many of us now in our Third Age, we were not as fortunate as today’s younger generations.

Our parents were invariably busy people, many of them working five and a half or six day weeks and some of them holding down part-time jobs as well. Not only did they not have the time or the money to delve

too deeply into their family history, the facilities we have today were not at their disposal either.

On top of that, the generations that immediately preceeded ours had suffered a couple of World Wars. They did not want to look back because it invoked little but bad memories.

They only wanted to look forward to better times. So for many of us today, our family history, or at least such of it as was known by our parents, passed with their passing.

Today however, things are different. We have the opportunity and maybe even the obligation to teach our children something of our own family history so that they in turn can pass it on to their children in order that they might have a better understanding of their past than we do.

So if you would like to trace your own ancestry and leave a family tree and the history of your family to your own children, why not start today

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INDEPENDENT DUBLIN LADY (64) Would like to meet an honest, respectable, non smoking gentleman, My interestes are Dancing, Cooking, gardening and having a good chat with a nice person.

Replies with a stamped envelope to box number 1060 at the usual address.

DUBLIN WOMAN 56 would like to meet a good man for friendship and companionship and fun. I am great company, independent, single, just stuck in rut at present, can you dig me out? If you can just get in touch and we can meet and see. Replies with a box number 1042 at the usual address

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

SLIGO MAN WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM LADIES age 50 years onwards, my age is 55 years,

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

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Page 55 Mature Living July 2014