Northwest Express September 15th 2011

15 September 2011 Issue 26 - Volume 12

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Over €1m allocated for local sports projects M

inister of State for Tourism and Sport and Mayo TD Michael Ring has announced €516,977 in funding for six sports projects in Co. Mayo and €575,000 for sports projects in Sligo. It's part of a €2.9M local authority sports scheme for 51 projects nationwide.

Knock welcomes the 4 millionth passenger

Mayo sports projects funded are: • Balla - Multi use games area: €82,800 • Ballina - Multi use games area: €68,248 • Castlebar Town Park - Multi use games area and outdoor fitness installation: €103,995 • Greenway Project, Westport – Outdoor fitness trail: €85,000 • Pollranny - Multi Use Games Area: €106,925 • Westport Leisure Park - refurbishment of changing facilities, fitness suite and active retirement room, and sports equipment: €70,009

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The Sligo project funded are: • Doorly Park Outdoor Fitness Trail Outdoor gym equipment - €140,000 • Forthill Park - Mugas, Running Track, Lighting - €354,000 • Mitchell Curley Park Fitness Trail Outdoor gym equipment - €81,000 The Minister said: "I’m delighted to be able to announce this funding, which is designed to encourage more people to get involved in sport. This money should also stimulate work, protect jobs and hopefully create new ones.

Every one of these is an excellent proj-

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Mr. Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair, Mr. Liam Scollan, Chairman, Ireland West Airport Knock, Sr. Maude Murphy, who was the 4 Millionth Passenger from Knock, Co Mayo, Mr. Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport Knock, Collette Concannon, Ryanair Station Manager, celebrating Ryanair’s 4 millionth passenger at Ireland West Airport Knock this week. See page 2 for more.

ect which will be used by the community."

Minister John Perry T.D., has welcomed the allocation of funding for Sligo. “This funding is being allocated to projects in Sligo for outdoor gym

equipment, running tracks and floodlighting.

The provision of funding for these facilities will help to boost participation in sport in the region.

“I am delighted to see that the Gov-

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ernment has rewarded sports projects in Sligo. This funding is very much needed as sport and recreation is a vital component in a healthy and active lifestyle.

Continued on Page 2

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Knock welcomes the 4 millionth passenger

John O'Mahony TD, Cllr. Austin Francis O’Malley, Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council, Michelle Mulhern TD, Mr. Niall Gibbons, CEO Tourism Ireland, Mr. Liam Scollan, Chairman, Ireland West Airport Knock, Mr. Peter Hynes, Mayo County Manager, Mr. Michael Ring TD and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Michael O’Leary, CEO Ryanair, Dr. Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Mr. Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport Knock on the runway celebrating Ryanair’s 4 millionth passenger at Ireland West Airport Knock.

KNOCK airport celebrated this week when the staff joined with Ryanair to welcome the airline's 4 millionth pas-

senger on flights to/from Ireland West Airport Knock. Transport Minister Leo Varadkar TD, and Ireland West Knock

MD, Joe Gilmore, presented the 4mth passenger, Sister Maude Murphy, from Knock, with a free holiday for 2 to Lanzarote including flights, transfers and accommodation.

To mark the occasion, Ryanair also kindly donated €4,000 to a charity of choice of Sister Murphy’s. Since Ryanair’s first flight from Knock Airport departed to London Luton in 1987 Ryanair now operates 12 routes to deliver 450k passengers per annum, supporting and sustaining 450 local jobs in the Western region. Ryanair services accounted for 67% of the record tally of 84,000 passengers in August who travelled on flights through Ireland West Airport Knock.

Commenting on the special occasion Ryanair CEO Michael O Leary said “Ryanair is proud to have carried 4m passengers to and from Ireland West Airport Knock over the past 24 years, with passengers saving over €200m by switching to Ryanair’s low fares over rival airlines high fares. Ryanair will carry over 450,000 passengers through Ireland West Knock in 2011, sustaining 400 jobs and underlining Ryanair’s commitment to and investment in tourism in the West of Ireland.”

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Over €1m allocated for local sports projects Continued from front page

The Outdoor Gym facility at Doorly Park in Sligo has been a great hit for both young and old

“It is extremely important, even now, that we continue to provide the necessary sports infrastructure and facilities, for all ages, so as to encourage active participation by as many people as possible. The benefits of participation in sport go beyond improvements in people’s fitness but contribute to developing a healthy lifestyle for all the family.

“This funding will be of fantastic benefit to the Sligo region and is a testament to the important work of volunteers who are the very heart of sporting projects and clubs in Sligo.

“This Government will continue to invest in sport in this country and I will continue to work hard to ensure that Sligo gets its fair share of this investment in the future.”

All welcome at Museum's 10th anniversary celebrations

THE award-winning National Museum of Ireland – Country Life in Turlough Park, Castlebar, will celebrate its tenth anniversary of its official opening on Monday September 19 when An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. will join the celebrations to mark the official opening

which took place on September 9 2001.

The celebration is open to the public and will include master craftsmen demonstrating their traditional skills, musical entertainment, ceramics plate painting with the Museum’s Education & Outreach Dept., vintage machinery and much more.

A special afternoon of celebration will be held from 3-5.30pm and Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who was so instrumental in the decision to locate the Museum in Turlough Park, will visit the Museum to help celebrate what has been achieved in the past ten years.

Home to the national folklife collection, the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is housed in modern, purpose-built display galleries and storage facilities, set in the beautiful grounds of the

imposing 19th century Turlough Park House.

The Museum houses – and displays – the objects used by ordinary people in rural Ireland in their every-day lives in the century or so between the end of the Great Famine and the aftermath of the Second World War. It offers a fascinating insight into these people’s lives.

In addition to the permanent displays, there is an ever-changing programme of temporary exhibitions.

Over the years, these have covered subjects as varied as childhood in the 1950s and 1960s, the dancehall scene in Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s, Aran knitwear and the way it was marketed, how Ireland was portrayed in travel posters in the middle of the 20th century – and this is only a small selection!

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‘Deviant burials’ in Roscommon first discovery of a kind in Ireland

Documentary to focus on IT Sligo lecturer’s archaeological find

TWO skeletons discovered with large stones wedged into their mouths, were buried in this way around 1300 years ago to stop them rising from their graves to haunt the living , a new documentary featured the work of archaeologists at IT Sligo will

suggested.

The skeletons, both male, were found side by side in a historic site overlooking Lough Key Co Roscommon, and according to Chris Read, lecturer of Applied Archaeology at IT Sligo, this is the only such discovery of this

kind in Ireland .

Similar discoveries have been made in Britain and other European countries. In 2006 the remains of a medieval "vampire" were discovered among the corpses of 16th century plague victims in Venice.The female skull had a rock thrust into the mouth , evidence that female "vampires" were often blamed for spreading the plague through Europe, according to experts.

Read, along with his colleague Dr Thomas Finan from St Louis University in the US, excavated 137 skeletons from a site at Kilteasheen, Knockvicar Co Roscommon during a series of digs from 2005 to 2009, in a project funded by the Royal Irish Academy.The archaeologists believe that there were close to 3,000 skeletons on the site spanning the centuries from 700 to 1400. The two skeletons with stones in their mouths were not buried at the same time but both were males – one elderly and the other a young adult.

Both are believed to have been buried in the 8th century. This puts them outside the time frame for vampires – a phenomenon which emerged in European folklore around the 1500’s.

Read explained that this remarkable discovery, which featured on Tuesday in a British

Channel 5 documentary, could reflect the ancient fear of revenants who were believed to have had the power to come back from their graves to harass their loved ones or others against whom they had a grudge.

The documentary is to be broadcast on the National Geographic channel early next year.

The IT Sligo/St Louis team became interested in the Kilteasheen site because of its links to the O’Conor kings of Connacht and also because of historical references to a Bishop’s Palace which had been constructed there in the 1200’s.They were amazed to discover that a raised platform on the land owned by John and Tina Burke from Knockvicar, was in fact a burial ground which had been used over several centuries. Initially, considerable circumstantial evidence prompted speculation that they had found a Black Death-related burial ground, but radio carbon dating ruled that theory out. Read pointed out that Kilteasheen is adjacent to the Boyle river which was a “medieval motorway” linking Lough Key with the Shannon. But the layers of history there go back much further as a number of pre-historic artefacts including stone tools and arrow heads were also found on the site.

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Contraceptive pill 'alters' memory THE use of hormonal contraception, such as the pill,‘alters' a woman's memory, a new study has found.

According to US researchers, even though some 100 million women worldwide use the pill, there is very little research into the cognitive effects of it.

This latest study shows that hormonal contraception does not damage memory, but it does alter it, ‘changing the type of information women remember'.

As part of the study, women were shown photographs of a car accident involving a mother and her son, while they listened to an audio narrative of the event.

The women were divided into two groups, those who used hormonal contraceptives and those who did not.The narrative was changed for the participants, with some being told the car had hit and seriously injured the child and others being told that the car had hit the curb.

The women were then contacted a week later and asked to recall the events of the accident.

The researchers from the University of Illinois found that women using hormonal contraceptives remembered the overall event better, such as the fact that there had been an accident, who was injured and what the

doctors did to save the victims.

However, those not using contraceptives appeared to remember smaller details better, such as what was next to the car when it crashed.

"What's most exciting about this study is that it shows the use of hormonal contraception alters memory. It's a change in the type of information women remember, not a deficit," the researchers said.

They believe that the findings

may help explain why women experience post traumatic stress syndrome more often than men.

"The fact that women on oral contraceptives remembered different elements of a story tells us that oestrogen has an influence on how women remember emotional events."

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.

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MID-LIFE SLICES - Anthology invites submissions Savouring those middle slices

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"Mid-Life Slices" the team members, with Maureen Durcan of the Sligo Cancer Support Centre

A group of Sligo women has embarked on an ambitious project to capture and celebrate the creative energies of women in mid life. They call their project “Mid-Life Slices”, as a quirky take on this time in their lives.

In the middle stage of life, invisibility seems to obscure women’s creative talents at a time when they are experiencing some of their deepest emotional upheavals.“This anthology will reflect the themes of transition, letting go, health, looking back, friendships, liberation, love and loss” says Ita Conroy of the “Mid–Life Slices” project team.

Now inviting submissions, “Mid-Life Slices” will be an anthology in praise of women in mid-life. Submissions can be poetry, short stories and photographs of all forms of visual arts (e.g. painting, sculpture, sketches, cartoons, photographs) which celebrate women’s positivity in the face of evolving family responsibil-

ities, roles and dynamics. The submissions should be from, or relate to, women in their mid-40s to mid-60s, in Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan.

The final date for submissions to be included in this anthology is 31st October 2011.

The book launch is scheduled for International Women’s Day, 8th March 2012.

The Entry Form, criteria and all other details of this project can be found on the website: http://www.mid-lifeslices.com, or from any member of the project team: Ita Conroy (087 2908522), Mary Manandhar (087 910379, Maureen Howley (087 7922898), Paula Lahiff (086 3224402), and Pete Wilcock (086 8808848). The project also has a Facebook page facebook.com/midlifeslicesbookproject All the profits from this “Mid-Life Slices” book will go to The Sligo Cancer Support Centre.

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Many with migraine face discrimination

People who suffer with migraine should be treated with fairness and dignity in the workplace, the Migraine Association of Ireland (MAI) has said.

Up to 15% of the Irish population suffer from migraine, which is usually characterised by a one-sided throbbing headache that can last hours or even days. On any given day in Ireland, over 13,000 people are enduring a migraine attack.

However, according to the MAI, many people affected by this and other headache disorders are discriminated against in their jobs.

"We hear stories from migraineurs who are unfairly receiving warnings or facing dismissals because the unseen nature of the condition means it is often not fully understood by employers and

colleagues," explained MAI information officer, Donna Ryan.

She noted that research indicates that when people are ‘pulling a sickie', migraine is the most common excuse used, ‘further compounding the problems of those genuinely affected'.

The MAI made its comments ahead of Migraine Action Week, which runs from September 12 - 18. The theme of this year's event is ‘Putting your rights to work'. It was chosen following an investigation by researchers at Trinity College Dublin into the role of EU employment laws when it comes to the protection of Irish workers.

According to Dr Caoimhin MacMaolain, director of research at Trinity's law department, international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation, recognise migraine as a disability.

"Those suffering from this condition in a manner that affects their day-to-day activities, even on a transitory basis, should therefore be covered by the existing employment laws in all of the EU member states, including Ireland," he commented.

Dr MacMaolain insisted that ‘reasonable accommodations' should be made

by employers when it comes to workers who suffer with migraine, such as good lighting and minimum noise levels where possible.

"Failure to make such adjustments may be deemed discriminatory and the onus is on the employer to show that this is not the case," he said.

According to Ms Ryan, often, the affected worker only needs a simple adjustment to reduce the potential for an attack, such as moving a desk to avoid the glare of the sun "Not only is the employer legally obliged to facilitate those affected, but it also makes business sense to ensure staff morale is high and employees are not taking avoidable sick days," she added.

The MAI said that this issue is more important now than ever before, as many companies are cutting staff numbers due to the recession.

"Not only will we use our annual awareness week to educate those who live with migraine about their rights at work, but we will also emphasise to employers, and the public, that migraine is a real, disabling brain condition affecting up to 15% of the population," Ms Ryan said.

To find out about more about migraine, including Migraine Action Week, call the Migraine Helpline on 1850 200 378.

'Patience' urged as Missal change causes confusion

IT is going to take a lot of time and effort to change the habits of a lifetime as church-goers yesterday grappled with controversial changes to the Catholic Roman Missal.

The biggest stumbling block was the response to the priest's call "the Lord be with you" with

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many congregations automatically replying with "and also with you" - rather than the new rejoinder "and with your spirit".

Congregational cards and new Missalettes have been distributed to churches around the country outlining the changes, but some of the faithful still prefer the responses they had been using for decades.

Addressing the congregation at Dublin's Pro Cathedral , parish administrator Fr Damian O'Reilly acknowledged that getting used to the changes was "going to take time" and urged everyone to "just be patient with one another".

Speaking outside the church afterwards, several Mass-goers said they had been taken by surprise with the changes.

"I prefer the old way myself. I like to keep with tradition," said one woman.

Another parishioner said while some people had a problem with the gender of the new responses, he argued that the original Latin meaning of the word 'man' encompassed both men and women.

The new Missal is meant to be a closer translation of the original Latin. However, critics have branded it sexist and archaic.

They point to the replacement in the creed of "for us and for our salvation" with "for us men, and our salvation".

Fr Brendan Hoban, a member of the Association of Catholic Priests, said the fear among priests was that the uncertainty among parishioners would "reduce our congregations to silence".

"The danger now is that, because of the changes, people will be uncertain and the response will be more muted."

A spokesman for the Irish Bishops' Conference said there had been a general welcome for the changes yesterday.

He added that congregations were appreciative of the leadership priests had provided in pointing out the new responses.

Leading Mayo businesses in running for Q Mart Awards

FOUR Mayo businesses have just been revealed to be amongst the top contenders at this year’s National Q Mark Awards.The starstudded ceremony, which will take place on October 14th at Dublin’s Burlington Hotel, will see almost 500 business owners and managers walk the red carpet amongst TV stars and the business elite to compete for the 25 biggest awards in quality and excellence.

The really great news is that our four Mayo businesses are up for big ‘Q’ Awards this year in the hotly-contested categories of Hygiene and Food Safety and Quality Management Systems.

At a time when Mayo businesses have had one of the toughest trading years ever, these four companies have kept their customers to the fore by insisting that ‘Quality Matters’ in adhering to The Q Mark criteria which ensures that they have not simply adhered to legal requirements but have actually surpassed them.

Jockeying for position in The Q Mark for Hygiene and Food Safety category are Casey’s Quickstop in Ballina and Sodexo at Ballina Beverages. Whilst in The Q Mark for Quality Management Systems Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company who provide services to the unemployed are nominated for the first time as national finalists.

The bread and confectionary manufacturer O’Hara’s of Foxford are in the enviable position of being nominated in both categories and have in fact won major Q Mark Awards in previous years.

The Q Mark is now recognised by 87% of Irish consumers, having created standards of the highest quality and excellence in Hygiene and Food Safety, Quality Management Systems, Nursing Homes, Leisure Centres and The Q Mark for Accessibility, ABLE. Mayo businesses are wished the very best of luck and we look forward to hearing that they have jumped to the top of the ‘Q’!

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Email them into us at

email: info@theexpress.ie

Bus Éireann’s Adds New Departures to its Route 64 Derry-Sligo-Galway Expressway service ON and from Sunday, 11th of September Bus Éireann will introduce a number of improvements to its route 64 Derry-Sligo-Galway coach service timetable.

The revised schedule includes the following changes: • A new Sunday morning 10:00 service from Sligo to Galway via Ireland West Airport Knock • A new 14:00 direct Friday only service from Sligo to Galway will commence • The 06:00 departure from Galway to Sligo will arrive in Sligo at 08:30 and will pick up customers in Charlestown, Tubbercurry and Ballinacarrow • The 18:00 evening departure time from Sligo to Galway will depart at the later time of 18:15 • The 15:15 from Derry to Galway via Sligo will depart at the later time of 15:30 Customers are also advised that pick up times Floriane, Stephen and Louise Raising awareness and funds for Cancer Research, Bernadette Walsh and staff at Lough Key Visitor Centre organised a Tea Party

Kids' TV programmes 'affect learning'

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IT is widely accepted that children should not be allowed to watch too much television. Now, a new study has found that the type of kids' programmes young children are exposed to may adversely affect their ability to learn and behave properly.

US researchers divided four-year-old children into three groups. The first watched nine minutes of the popular fantasy cartoon, SponeBob SquarePants. The second group watched nine minutes of a realistic, slow paced television programme, while the third group drew pictures for nine minutes.Afterwards, all of the children underwent the same psychological tests.These included tests to see how well the children were able to follow rules and solve various problems.The researchers from the University of Virginia found that those who had watched the fantasy cartoon had noticeable problems with their executive functioning.

Among children, executive functioning includes the ability to remember things, control impulses, pay attention and solve problems.This type of functioning develops rapidly between the ages of one and six.

The researchers noted that these problems with executive functioning were not found among the children who had watched the

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at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (Galway campus) have changed and so have some coach departure and arrival times at Ireland West Airport Knock. For information on timetable changes customers are advised to check out www.buseireann.ie.

“Bus Éireann is always looking at ways to improve our services and meet customer needs.

Following a review, we decided to introduce timetable changes on our route 64 Expressway service. Customers can sit back, relax and enjoy getting to their destination,” said Rory Leahy, Regional Manager, North-West, Bus Éireann.

The changes to route 64 were sanctioned by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

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other programme or had drawn pictures for nine minutes.

"It is possible that the fast pacing, where characters are constantly in motion from one thing to the next, and extreme fantasy, where the characters do things that make no sense in the real world, may disrupt the child's ability to concentrate immediately afterwards," explained lead researcher, Prof Angeline Lillard.

She said that another possibility is that young children ‘identify with unfocused and frenetic characters and then adopt their characteristics'.

Prof Lillard said that parents should take the findings into account when choosing which programmes their children can watch.

"Parents should know that children who have just watched SpongeBob Squarepants, or shows like it, might become compromised in their ability to learn and behave with self-control," she commented.

The researchers emphasised that the programmes a four-year-old watches may have long lasting consequences on their long-term behaviour and ability to learn.

At this age, behaviour is extremely important, particularly as many will start school where they will be expected to behave in a particular way - ‘sitting at a table, eating properly and being respectful of others'.

"If a child has just watched a television show that has handicapped these abilities, we cannot expect the child to behave at their normal level in everyday situations," Prof Lillard noted.

She advised parents to look to other more creative activities for their children, such as board games, arts and crafts and outdoor play.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Pediatrics.

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regionalnews Inaugural Knocknarea Arena 5k Fun Run & Walk to take place in October FANCY getting into shape before winter sets in? Or are you already feeling fit and looking for a challenge?

Hundreds of people are expected to participate in a 5k Fun Run & Walk at the Knocknarea Arena, IT Sligo on Saturday October 15th. The event is open to the public and participants are expected to cover the spectrum from couch potato to ace athlete.

Daniel Furey, staff member at the Knocknarea Arena and organiser of the event, said it is designed to encourage people to get active and to show them that whatever their fitness level, running – or walking – can be fun.

It will also be an opportunity to showcase the state of the art facilities at the Knocknarea Arena.The route, which extends in a loop around the campus from Ash Lane to Clarion road and down the Bundoran road, will end on the international standard athletics track at the arena and has been awarded an AAI Permit. The track has recently hosted such competitions as the AAI National League, Sligo Community Games, and Special Olympics Connaught and participants in the Fun Run will be able to avail of car parking, and shower facilities at the arena. Refreshments

will also be provided after the run.

The event will coincide with the prize giving ceremony for the Sligo Credit Union Road Race League which takes place in the Knocknarea Arena on the same day. Furey hopes that many of the local athletes who participated in the league will also take part in the Fun Run on the day.

While it is open to everyone, he has devised a training programme “From Couch Potato to 5K in 5 weeks” to help people who have not taken part in this type of event before. Anyone who wants to register for the event can do so online at www.runireland.com for a reduced fee of €10 while registration on the day costs €12 and takes place in the arena from 10am to noon. The event kicks off at 12.30pm. Prizes, including membership of the gym at the Knocknarea Arena, will be awarded Because it is a flat course, elite athletes may be encouraged by the opportunity to improve their “personal best” times while less competitive participants will be reassured that there are no daunting inclines. “We hope that people enjoy it and that it will become an annual event,” said Furey. To find out more contact furey.daniel@itsligo.ie or 071 9155221.

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Telephone: 09842758 Mobile: 0876472461 The Teeth Whitening Pen on Everyone’s Lips EVERYONE knows that a beautiful white smile is your instant passport to a more healthy and youthful, groomed appearance but now it’s possible to whiten your teeth anytime anywhere ....with amazing results.

It’s the teeth whitening pen that celebrities are hailing as this year’s super product.This stylish silver pen can be kept in your handbag, sports bag or grooming kit and can be used before going out for instant teeth whitening results of up to 1 shade per application. The pens were recently featured on TV3’s Xpose where presenters and viewers experi-

enced the buzz of this super quick treatment pen.

The product is ideal as a top up for those who have already had their teeth whitened with laser or trays.

But it’s also ideal to use on its own. Just wipe it onto the teeth and leave or 1 – 5 minutes. Results are instantly brighter shinier teeth which appear whiter after each application.

The product is available to buy online from Dublin Vitality Center at www.teethwhiteninghomekit.ie for the just €24.99. But if you are thinking of making a trip to Dublin in search of a more beautiful smile, Dublin Vitality Center is currently offering 60-minute laser teeth whitening for an incredible €99 (was €250) with a teeth whitening pen absolutely FREE. Call Dublin Vitality Center on 01-8201602 or visit their website www.laserteethwhiteningdublin.com

Business, Accountancy & Marketing Courses DESPITE vast changes in the business world some courses are still the bedrock on which companies operate.A business qualification provides a stepping stone not only for job opportunities and career advancement but also is a starting point to higher educational qualifications.

The Western Management Centre, based in Galway City, has been at the forefront of business training since 1984. It offers a two year evening DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS STUDIES which focuses on providing students with a firm understanding and knowledge of current business theories and practices.

Another exciting and beneficial course is the one year evening DIPLOMA IN MARKETING, ADVERTISING & PR. Once again this course

opens the door for a range of career opportunities and many past students have gone on to set up or work in award-winning businesses incorporating the skills and knowledge covered in the course.

ACCA is the global leader in accountancy qualifications and Western Management Centre offers the full suite of courses. Study as an Accounting Technician or a Professional Accountant and acquire a qualification that you can travel the world with.

Contact Western Management Centre for details on all accredited courses starting in September.

Tel: 091 528777 Email: admin@wmcgalway.com / Website: www.wmcgalway.com

Chrysalis School of Reflexology REFLEXOLOGY DIPLOMA Sligo 17th September • Letterkenny 10th September • Belfast 3rd September Cost €795

ADVANCED REFLEXOLOGY 24th & 25th September Cost €195

For information email: info@sheilanugentschoolofreflexology.com Tel: 071-9833870 or 0044-7713473951

Contact 091 846839 Josephine Cribbin for further details

Castlebar City & Guilds Shampoo and Condition (GH8) and Set and Dress Hair (GH11) Starting 5th September 2011 €700 5pm to 8.30pm

Galway 12 Month City & Guilds Course NVQ Diploma 3008 in Hairdressing Starts 27th September 2011 – 4 places remaining Full time course Tuesday to Friday Salon work on Saturdays Connaught, Kiltartan House, Forster St. Galway. Tel: 091 846 839 E-mail: info@hairdressing.ie Web: www.hairdressing.ie

Learning Curve Institute leads the way in Leaving Cert Language Revision with innovative learning In keeping with the lifestyle habits of students, West of Ireland based The Learning Curve Institute has developed a multi-platform approach to language learning and revision for the Leaving Certificate.

“Teenage life today is techno-centric. So our course content and learning approach for our Leaving Cert revision courses reflects this. By using social networking sites, podcasts and other means of interactive learning our students become really interested in the language and the whole learning process then becomes easier. This is the future of language learning” commented Liam Printer, Director and Head of Languages at The Learning Curve Institute.

In addition to its proven formula of small groups in a classroom setting, The Learning Curve makes use of web technology and mobile text messaging to give students the tools they need to achieve their potential in the exams. This multi faceted approach makes the learning process more appealing and above all it helps students to maximize grades in the Leaving Cert.

The Learning Curve Institute takes revision a step further by collecting pre-course questionnaires from each student to ensure the material covered reflects their individual needs plus a unique post course support system with direct access to lecturers for advice and a customized podcast on techniques and tips in the days leading up to the exams.

The FETAC accredited education and training provider is now taking bookings for its 5 day Leaving Cert Revision Course in Westport during the Halloween break. Spaces are extremely

limited due to the small class size of just 10-12 and the course has been completely sold out for the past two years so early booking is essential. For further information visit: www.thelearningcurve.ie or contact The LCI directly on 098 25530.

Complimentry Therapist Sheila has been working in the field for over 30 years SHEILA is a renowned Holistic Therapist; she has been working in the field of Complimentry Therapy for over 30 years.

She was one of the first Reflexology tutors to bring Reflexology into Ireland in the early 1980’s teaching in Cookstown, Belfast, Sligo and Donegal.

She has trained in many Holistic disiplines as well as Reflexology, Bach flower, Colour Therapy, Indian Head Massage,Yoga teacher, Sound Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Kinesiology, Shiatsu, Chalation and Counselling. Sheila’s courses are a great opportunity for anyone who would like to develop their skills further in the field of Complimentry Therapies.

Email: info@sheilanugentschoolofreflexology.com or Call her on 071-9833870.

Enda's opening of The Ballina Salmon Weir

Pictures by Henry Wills

Taoiseach Enda Kenny pictured after unveiling the plaque after officially opening Inland Fisheries Ireland newly restored and automated Ballina Salmon Weir on the River Moy's famous Ridge Pool.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD. opened the newly restored and automated Ballina Salmon Weir on the Rive Moy's famous Ridge Pool pictured with Inland Fisheries Ireland Chairman Brendan O'Mahony and CEO., Dr. Ciaran Byrne.

Enda Kenny pictured with Inland Fisheries Ireland CEO., Dr. Ciaran Byrne and former Minister for Fisheries Paddy O'Toole , who oversaw the state purchase of the Moy Fisheries in 1987.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny had a warm welcome for John Walkin , former Chairman of the North West Regional Fisheries Board, when he officially opened Inland Fisheries Ireland Ballina Salman Weir.

Ballina Town Council Mayor Collr Peter Clarke officially welcomes Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the Town Council to accord the Taoiseache a civic reception.

Included on the Taoiseach's arrival were Town Clerk Carmel Murphy and Town Manager and Director of Services Paddy Mahon.

Ballina Town Council bestowed the town's hightest honour in according Taoiseach Enda Kenny a civic reception in his honour.Town Council Mayor Collr., Peter Clarke make the presentation to An Taoiseach at the reception alongside Town Clerk Carmel Murphy, and Town Manager and Director of Services Paddy Mahon.

Speaking in Galway to delegates as part of The Insurance Institute of Ireland's Autumn/Winter CPD Lecture Series was Mr. William Prasifka, Financial Services Ombudsman.

Enda Kenny TD, pictured with from left, CEO Inland Fisheries Ireland Dr. Ciaran Byrne, Billy Thornton and Declan Cooke, River Moy Assistant Manager and Manager, Inland Fisheries Director Dr. John Connelly, Peter Collins Inland Fisheries Inspector, and Chairman of Inland Fisheries Ireland Brendan O'Mahony.

Photographed at The Insurance Institute of Ireland's latest Autumn/Winter Lecture was Mr. Philip Smith, President of The Insurance Institute of Ireland & CEO of RSA Insurance Ireland LTD., Hazel Morrison, President of The Insurance Institute of Galway and guest speaker, Mr. William Prasifka.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan, TD., pictured after launching Mayo's Co Council's Mayoshopfronts booklet in Foxford Woolen Mills. Included are from left Deputy Mayo Co Manager Joe Beirne, Mayo Co Council's Heritage Officer Deirdre Cunningham, Cathaoirleach Mayo Co Council Collr., Austin Francis O'Malley and Collr Jarlath Munnelly Chairman of Mayo Heritage Forum.

‘Vikings’ among starters for Oxfam’s TRAILTREKKER challenge

T

Oxfam Ireland TRAILTREKKER 2011 100km Winners, team "Dromintee 4" who completed the 100km trek in a record 15 hours and 39 minutes, arriving in Carlingford just shy of midnight Saturday (10th September 2011) after setting out from Newcastle at 8.00am that morning. The team consisted of local men Ciaran McMullan, Jude Hayes, Dermot Winters and Kevin Murray.

he annual Oxfam Ireland TRAILTREKKER event attracted more than 400 participants to set off from Donard Park in Newcastle early on Saturday morning (7am, 10th September) at the start of what is one of the most grueling charity endurance challenges. Each team had a single goal – to complete the epic 100km or alternative 50km route and reach the finishing line at Carlingford Sailing Club inside 36 or 20 hours.

Walking by day and by night through the Mournes, the Ring of Gullion and the Cooley Peninsula, some teams even go the extra mile in donning fancy dress. The Oxfam Strollers, lead by team captain Michael Sloan, dress in Viking gear appropriate for a second invasion of Carlingford.

Michael said: “With the boat crossing over Carlingord Lough, and walking through the night… it’s certainly a challenge! But it’s all worthwhile for the sense of personal achievement, as well as the satisfaction of knowing that we’ve helped Oxfam Ireland raise money for its work in Africa and around the world, such as the emergency responses to the Somalia famine.”

Hundreds of volunteers work in roles such as podiatrists, physiotherapists, massage therapists, trail marshals, parking marshals, drivers and a "sweep team" to clean up after the teams. Many more lose sleep over the weekend to act as a lifeline to each team, providing them with food, band aids, hugs, clean socks - anything they need to keep walking.

Strokestown Show 10th/11th September

Saturday:

The €5000 All-Ireland Connacht Gold Quality Feeds Beef Bullock Championship.

The €2000 Greenvale Animal Feeds All-Ireland Beef Heifer Championship.

Irish Angus All-Ireland finals.

Irish Simmental All-Ireland Finals.

Shorthorn All-Ireland Calf Classes.

Hanly's Hardware & Spar Supermarket All Ireland Calf Class.

Showing classes for cattle , sheep , crafts , cookery , farm and garden produce.

Sunday:

Family Fun Day with music and entertainment throughout the day.

Motorbike Stunt Show.

Novelty and comedy shows throughout the day.

Strokestown Show Rose competition. pony Jumping competitions, driving competitions , dog show, poultry classes, tug-o-war, baby show, most appropiately dressed lady on show day.

Glamourous granny, miss teen 12-15 years old, little miss and little master under 12 years.

All amusements are free on both days which will keep the children entertained with a large selection of amusements to suit every age group.

(L-R) Maria Stokes Board Bia, John D Molloy from Green Pastures and Nigel Barden the compere from BBC Radio.

Marian Harkin MEP pictured at the Continuing Cancer Care Conference in Brussels recently, with (from left) Joan Kelly, an ECL Board member and Nursing Services Manager at the Irish Cancer Society, Olwyn Ryan, Patient Support Groups Manager with the Irish Cancer Society.

Marian Harkin MEP signing the European Cancer Leagues' 2011 Declaration of Support for Cancer Patients, calling for "at the minimum, a definition of disability as set out by the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities, to be implemented in all member states and applied to all existing and proposed EU anti-discrimination legislation”.

Motor created from single molecule

technology news & science

The BMW that drives itself!

SCIENTISTS have created the world's smallest electric motor, made from a single molecule.

The tiny gadget is expected to lead to new devices that can be used in medicine and engineering.

The microscopic motor is just one nanometre across, about 60,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.

Team leader Dr Charles Sykes, from Tufts University in Boston, US, said: "There has been significant progress in the construction of molecular motors powered by light and by chemical reactions, but this is the first time that electrically-driven molecular motors have been demonstrated, despite a few theoretical proposals. "We have been able to show that you can provide electricity to a single molecule and get it to do something that is not just random."

The scientists, who describe their achievement in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, used a state-of-the-art low temperature scanning tunnelling microscope, which uses electrons instead of light to "see" molecules.

The microscope's metal tip provided an electrical charge to a butyl methyl sulphide molecule placed on a conductive copper surface.

This caused compass needle-like "arms" of carbon and hydrogen atoms to rotate around a central axis. Direction and speed were affected by temperature. The scientists found that a freezing minus 268C proved ideal for tracking the motor's motion. The motor span much faster at higher temperatures, making it difficult to observe and control.

Dr Sykes added: "Once we have a better grasp on the temperatures necessary to make these motors function, there could be realworld application in some sensing and medical devices which involve tiny pipes. Friction of the fluid against the pipe walls increases at these small scales, and covering the wall with motors could help drive fluids along."

One in 10 'have hacked into emails' ONE in 10 people have admitted accessing someone else's personal or work emails or on line account details without their permission, a new study has found. The most casual "hack ing" was on social network sites such as Face book, a survey of 2,000 adults by life assistance firm CPPGroup found. Many of those who ad mitted accessing someone else's account said they did it "just for fun" while others admitted they wanted to check up on a partner or work colleague, with a handful saying they did it for financial gain. Danny Harrison, an identity fraud expert from CPP, said: "People may dis miss checking up on their friend or partner's ac counts as a bit of fun, but in reality they are hacking. "Looking at someone's personal infor mation without their knowledge is a serious act and one that could have serious repercussions.

REMEMBER Herbie, KITT and the Batmobile? Apart from being famous screen cars they all had one thing in common - they could drive themselves.

We've been fascinated by the idea of a car that doesn't need a driver for years and now, BMW has built one. In fact, it's built two - a pair of autonomous 5 Series that are capable of driving independently on the motorway.

BMW has been quietly developing them since 2005 and they work by using 12 sensors that read the road around the car.

These send information to computer equipment in the boot, which processes it and sends it on to a highly advanced GPS system and upgraded versions of BMW's existing active cruise control and lane marking detection systems.

The first tests were carried out on race circuits, where engineers programmed the car to follow the best line on a track (as previously set by talented human racing drivers) and guarantee a perfect lap every time. The car can travel with near pinpoint accuracy - but faultless racing isn't all that entertaining, so BMW decided to bring it to the road. The driver remains in charge before and after joining a motorway and he or she has to be in control all the time because the car is still a prototype and legislation requires it.

Once you're cruising on the motorway, press what would normally be the steering wheel's volume button a couple of times and the car takes over. The steering instantly starts to make tiny corrections on its own, and the GPS system is so advanced that it allows the car to react to changes in the road surface, so it's very comfortable and smooth.

It's very strange to start with. You loosen your grip on the wheel but, if anything, pay more attention to the mirrors and the road ahead. Eventually, you learn to trust the car and you relax.

It hugs the inside lane by default, but will happily overtake slow moving traffic. It will never make a beeline for a gap in the traffic, instead changing lanes gently and only when there's plenty of space. The indicators give you notice when there's a lane change coming up, but you

can't help checking the blind spot a little more carefully than usual. The whole experience is thrilling, intriguing and scary at the same time.

Inside, it's pretty much a standard 5 Series, except for a monitor mounted on the centre console, displaying primitive, 1980s-style blue blocks. It's actually state-of-the-art - the blocks represent other vehicles on the road - bigger ones for lorries and smaller ones for cars.

Don't try and place an order for an autonomous 5 Series just yet, though, as the car is a long way from finished. BMW wanted us to drive from its headquarters in Munich down to Stuttgart, but road works on the route put pay to that, because the car can't recognise them yet. It's also not suitable for towns or B-roads.

This car won't make production, either. The autonomous 5 Series is a guinea pig for future driving aids that will appear on production BMWs. It has already helped to create two new gadgets that will soon be on customer cars, too.

The first is Congestion Assist, which allows the car to drive automatically at up to 25mph or so in heavy traffic, so the driver can take it easy but still remain in control. The second is Emergency Stop Assist - a system that can keep an eye on a driver's health and detect a sudden illness - like a heart attack or stroke - and independently pull the car to the side of the road and contact the emergency services.

Neither system is ready just yet, but they're not that far off. BMW says that Congestion Assist is the closer of the two, so keep an eye out for it on the next generation of the 7 Series.

Peace of mind with hi-tech car key PARENTS will be able to "control" their children's driving under a new hitech system to be introduced by the UK's biggest-selling car company, Ford.

The MyKey system allows car owners to programme a special key that can limit a vehicle's top speed and ensures seatbelts are being worn.

MyKey will also prevent young drivers from disabling any safety features in the car.

The system will deliver an earlierthan-normal low-fuel warning and limits the volume on the car audio system.

Already a success in the US, the system will be introduced in Europe by Ford next year.

Ford's system architect for MyKey, Peter Patzelt, said: "MyKey adds a new dimension to auto safety by giving drivers standard technology that encourages safer driving and limits their exposure to risk, regardless of age or experience.

"In particular, it can give parents peace of mind when they hand the keys over to their kids."

Get your advert here Telephone: 071-9154538, today!

Amazing 3 cent per litre fuel station found

w rldnews

Do You Have any news or views for us? email: info@theexpress.ie

Wife wins damages for lack of sex DRIVERS in Venezuela can fill their cars for as little as 3c per litre. The South American country tops the charts when it comes to cheap fuel.

It means that the average European family car could be filled in Venezuela for less than the price of a litre of fuel in the UK. However, despite how it might feel, we don't pay the highest prices at the pumps. Far from it, in fact. In the Norwegian capital Oslo, drivers pay an average of 164p per litre, around 35 more than in the UK. The second cheapest place in the world for fuel is Saudi Arabia, a country that holds around a quarter of the world's fuel reserves.

Drivers there pay around 8p per litre.

Compared to that, drivers in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, might feel hard done by with their lofty 12p per litre fuel costs. Don't worry too much about it, though: all drivers there are entitled to 120 litres of free fuel per month.

The top ten list of low fuel prices is as follows: Caracas, Venezuela: 3 cent per litre (average) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: 8p per litre Tripoli, Libya: 9p per litre Ashgabat, Turkmenistan: 2p per litre Manama, Bahrain: 13p per litre Kuwait City, Kuwait: 14p per litre Doha, Qatar: 15p per litre Cairo, Egypt: 19p per litre Muscat, Oman: 20p per litre Algiers, Algeria: 20p per litre

Message in a bottle sparks manhunt

A Polish woman who found a message in a bottle has set out on a romantic mission to find the lovelorn man who wrote it.

Alexandra Janica, 25, found the bottle floating in the sea as she walked on the beach during a holiday in Brzezno, Poland. Inside a note, signed simply 'Pawel', says: "I wonder if the finder of this letter is as lonely as me? "I have realised just how love can be and how despicable it is to lose. I had a love and sacrificed everything. But it has gone. "I look upon this slow evening and wonder about the meaning of life." Now Miss Janica, from Gdansk, has asked Polish media to help find the man who she believes could be her soulmate. "I would love to meet this man and contemplate life and love. I can't think of anything else," she said.

A Frenchman has been ordered to pay his ex-wife £8,500 for failing to have enough sex with her during their marriage.

The 51-year-old was fined under article 215 of France's civil code, which states married couples must agree to a "shared communal life".

A judge has now ruled that this law implies that "sexual relations must form part of a marriage", reports the Daily Telegraph.

The wife filed for divorce two years ago, blaming the break-up on her husband's lack of activity in the bedroom.

A judge in Nice granted the divorce and ruled the husband named only as Jean-Louis B. was solely responsible for the split.

But the 47-year-old ex-wife then took him back to court demanding 10,000 euros in compensation for "lack of sex over 21 years of marriage".

The ex-husband claimed "tiredness and health problems" had prevented him from being more attentive.

But a judge in Aix-en-Provence ruled: "A sexual relationship between husband and wife is the expression of affection they have for each other, and in this case it was absent.

"By getting married, couples agree to sharing their life and this clearly implies they will have sex with each other."

'Sick' asylum seekers game show

A new game show has launched in Holland in which failed asylum seekers compete for cash to spend back home after they've been deported.

'Weg van Nederland', meaning either 'Leaving the Netherlands' or 'Mad About the Netherlands', features contestants answering questions about Dutch culture.

They stand to win a £3,500 prize as 'consolation' for being denied permission to stay in the

country. Losers receive gifts such as a bouquet of tulips and a bullet-proof vest.

Women dressed as air stewardesses stand next to contestants during the show, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Holland's Refugee Support Group spokesman Wouter van Zandwijk said: "The programme is sick but, let's face it, the reality is sick too."

The editor in chief of Dutch channel VPRO,

which screened the pilot on Thursday night, commented: "The candidates are not actors, they are genuine unsuccessful asylum seekers who have to leave this country within a month or two.

"My first reaction was that this was a terrible idea, but then I realised the show was not really mocking asylum seekers but highlighting their plight through humour."

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The information provided to you on this page is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice and it is important that you do not make medical decisions without first consulting your doctor or other healthcare professional.

Nice Things You Can Do for Someone in Pain

What can I do to help?

If you care about someone in chronic pain, you probably want to help. But many people aren’t quite sure how to go about it, and sometimes a general offer of "Let me know what I can do" isn’t enough.

So we asked four people affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) about the nicest things that friends and family have done for them.

€1 59

If you have a loved one with RA or any other chronic disease, read on. You’ll be sure to find a few new ways to show you care.

Make shots less painful When Elizabeth Gallo, 41, a yoga teacher and mother of two, was preparing to take an injectable medication, her future husband went along with her to the injection training.

Even though he never wound up giving her the shots, Gallo says, just having him there made a big difference. "For some reason, it really took the pressure off," she says. "It wasn’t as scary."

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Support their dietary choices As part of dealing with RA, Gallo avoids any type of food that seems to make inflammation worse, such as dairy or tomatoes.

Her husband stands by her on the food front, too.

"He not only was willing to eat with me, but he also learned about those things too, so he wouldn’t bring home frozen yogurt," she says.

Slow down Alison Whitehead, 48, a marketing specialist and mother in Sydney, Australia,

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says one of the nicest things someone did for her was walking at her pace.

She took some group walks when her knees were just too sore to keep a faster pace, and people would give her a shoulder to lean on when she couldn’t walk on her own.

She’s also appreciated people "not laughing when I’m taking stairs on my bottom," not to mention "waiting patiently when buttons and hooks are just too fiddle-y."

Make a bed or two Changing the sheets is one of those essential household tasks that can be daunting when you’re in the throes of an RA flare-up.

"When I was in heaps of pain, the thought of changing fitted sheets and sorting out the buttons or snaps on a duvet cover made me turn cold," says Nina McLean, a 31-year-old midwife in Melbourne, Australia Don’t ask, just do it Actions do speak louder than words. So don’t ask what you can do; just go for it.

"Don’t just offer

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help," says Jean P., 52, a church secretary from Illinois. "We will probably refuse. Come over with a vacuum and mop in hand and ask where to start."

Learn and believe If someone you love has RA, he or she will appreciate your efforts to understand the illness.

It’s important to know that a person with RA may not look sick but still be in pain.

"It wasn’t until I was practically lame from hip pain that people saw I had an issue," says Jean, who fondly remembers when a friend researched RA on her own until she "truly understood" what Jean was going through.

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

Currently S.T.O.P. provide the following services • Provides bereavement support through a suicide bereavement group which meets monthly.

• Support and outreach to those bereaved by suicide.

• Promotes positive mental health and related issues by attending information evenings and also visiting (when requested) schools, communities and organisations throughout Ireland.

• Counselling for those who are feeling suicidal / depressed or have been bereaved by suicide.

If you feel that you could benefit from any of the above support please call Mary on 087-4188053.

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Planning Ahead Can Reduce Back−to−School Stress By Megan Fennell

ALTHOUGH many children anxiously anticipate the first day of school, some may be more nervous about the transition than others.

Children who are excessively worried for a prolonged period of time may have a larger problem, an expert says.

“Even though most children are anxious during a time of change, they can be quite happy and adjust to the new school within two weeks. But if a child does not adjust, there are issues beyond the transition,” childadolescent psychologist Vivian Friedman, professor in the department of psychiatry and

behavioral neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said in a university news release.

Friedman said there are ways parents can help alleviate their child’s stress as they head back to school, including: Scheduling a play date with a child from the new school.

Visiting the school playground during the summer.

Taking a tour of the school before classes start.

Above all else, Friedman added, stay positive. That means, be on time, refrain from crying, and don’t compare your children to others. That would only add to their stress.

“Character styles are persistent, not permanent. A child who approaches life with fear may also be a cautious adult,” explained Friedman. “An easy-going child is likely to continue to approach life with a positive attitude. Help your child to see the glass halffull rather than half-empty. When a child has a negative view, after acknowledging how he feels, ask him how else he might view that situation or how someone else might see it.”

Children who remain overly anxious about school for more than two weeks may suffer from trauma and need outside help, said Freidman. Children who exhibit the following symptoms may have an underlying issue: Whining.

Threatening to run away or hurt themselves.

Having nightmares or other sleep disturbances.

Renewed bedwetting.

Having generally anxious behavior or startling easily.

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BALLINA’S newly-formed Riverside Theatre group stage their debut production at Ballina Arts Centre on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th September, and it’s a real cracker.

Formed by local drama scene stalwart Ray Collins, the group will present JP Shanley's Pulitzer Prize winning play ‘Doubt: A Parable’, at Ballina Arts Centre on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th September.

Ray has high ambitions for the group, hoping to stage a number of productions each year.“I want the the company to present good quality plays, utilising local talent and offering a springboard to that talent to get experience, before moving on”, says Ray. Ray’s plans include tackling plays by playwrights such as Henrik Ibsen, Anton Checkhov, Brain Friel, Sean O’Casey, Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter. “We want to establish a varied programme of Irish and international theatre works,” Ray avers, “which will hopefully challenge the

local audience and maybe introduce them to something new. Plays which are theatrically entertaining and intellectually stimulating”.

‘Doubt: A Parable’ is set in a Catholic Church and school in the Bronx, in Autumn 1964, and focuses on head nun Sister Aloysius’ suspicions, that the young and enthusiastic Father Flynn is having an improper relationship with an African-American altar boy, Donald Muller.

The cast will include local actors Mary Halloran and Gareth Maguire (both well known to Ballina audiences), as well as newcomers to the Ballina stage Catherine Collins (daughter of Ray) and Gabrielle Marsh, making her stage debut.

The play will be directed by Ray and he is verye excitied about the challenge. “I wanted to do this play because it is a topical subject at the moment and it shows the two sides of the coin.The play doesn’t make any judgements, but rather, it leaves it to the audience to decide.”

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Tickets for ‘Doubt: A Parable’, are available from Ballina Arts Centre box office (096 73593) and booking is advised. Adm: €10 / €8 (conc). Booking advised

Top music treat: The Alan Kelly Gang with special guest Eddi Reader, performing at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Wednesday 21st September at 8pm

For a night of top-drawer Folk/Traditional music, look no further than The Alan Kelly Gang with special guest Eddi Reader, performing at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday 21st September at 8.00pm.

(formerly of Fairground Attraction) and guitarist and songwriter John Douglas.The tour will mark the release of The Alan Kelly Gang’s first official band album,“Small Towns & Famous Nights”.A dazzling night in prospect.

Fronted by Ireland’s piano accordion maestro, together with three of Ireland's finest musicians Tola Custy (fiddle), Steph Geremia (flute & vocals) and Tony Byrne (guitar), The Alan Kelly Gang deliver joyous and uplifting Trad/Folk/Worldbased music, fresh and unique with strong dynamics, driving rhythms, buoyant harmonies and plenty of passion. For this very special touring concert,‘The Gang’ is joined by iconic internationally acclaimed Scottish songstress, Eddi Reader,

The Alan Kelly Gang and Eddi Reader perform at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Wednesday 21st September at 8.00pm. Booking advised. Tel: 094 9023733 The Linenhall Arts Centre acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council in making this performance possible.

“The Kelly Gang… world class.” Irish Music Magazine “Reader's spine-tingling voice…” Sid Smith, BBC Music

Mike Nielson Quartet at Ballina Arts Centre Fans of contemporary jazz are in for a real treat when the Mike Nielson Quartet comes to Ballina Arts Centre on Thursday 22nd September.

Sligo-born guitarist Mike Nielsen is regarded as one of the pioneering figures in Irish jazz, having performed throughout the world, including all the leading Jazz festivals in Ireland and the UK. He has featured regularly with the RTE Concert Orchestra and recorded 12 albums, many of which included his own compositions.

Equally innovative on acoustic and electric guitars, Nielson has gained a reputation as one of the leading guitarists in European jazz. He has performed with international artists

including Kenny Wheeler, Larry Coryell, Kenny Werner, Jason Moran, Simon Nabatov, Eric Revis, Michael Moore, Joe Lovano and Dave Liebman with whom he toured Europe in 2001 and New Zealand/Australia in 2004. He has also performed with contemporary classical ensembles VOX21 and Crash Ensemble and was guest soloist on two occasions with the RTE Concert Orchestra.

His most recent album – Acoustic Sound Recipes – was released earlier this year.

"Mike Nielsen - the most gifted and original guitarist here" – The Irish Times Doors: 7.30pm, show starts: 8pm.

Adm: €12 / €10 (conc). Booking advised.

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