Northwest Express - February 21 2011

22 Feb - 10 March 2011 Issue 4 - Volume 12 CEMETERY SERVICES & MAINTENANCE

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ELECTION 2011 SPECIAL INSIDE

PAGE 24-29 24-29 PAGE

Confidence high despite gloom

Surge in new business start-ups T

By Linda Sherlock

HE number of highly-skilled, educated unemployed individuals is rising steadily in the north-west. For many, emigration is seen as the only way out of this problem; for others, however, this is not acceptable and they have opted for a more courageous, alternative solution. Not content to sit around and wait for the warring politicians to drag Ireland from the mire and get its citizens out of the dole queue, a whopping 571 people in the country have set up their own businesses in the first two weeks of February.

Enniscrone beach was alive with horses & their riders for the North Mayo Harriers Charity Hunt, where funds were raised for the Irish Kidney Association. Photo by Richenda Barrett

According to figures published in the Vision-net.ie Business Barometer, a weekly online business report, there were 1,761 business start-ups from the beginning of this year up to February 14th.

There was a 3.9 per cent increase in the number of new companies formed in the first six weeks of 2011, compared to the same period last year.

The top seven most-popular industries for start-ups in 2011 account for almost three quarters of all incorporations this year. The highest percentage of start-ups was in the Legal and Professionals Services sector at 21.7 per cent, Social and Personal Services were next at 9.8 per cent. Continued on Page 2

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Confidence high despite gloom The percentage for IT start-ups was 7.4 per cent with 6.5 per cent attributed to Hotels and Restaurants. Construction, once top of the list, has now dropped to seventh. One company which has taken the plunge in the harsh economic environment of this new year is Maigh eo Media, who launched their online television station, Mayo TV, on Monday, February 21. According to company director Mairead Ni Mhaoilchiarain they have been working on the project for the last two years and despite the difficulties they feel now is an ideal time to launch such a project. “There is so much doom and gloom at the minute but in Maigheo Media we deal with the creative and digital side of things, and by providing training in schools and working with the Western Development Commission, who are nurturing the creative sector, we will be able to create jobs in the future.” The company already employ five people and with the young people of Mayo training in areas such as animation and other creative digital processes, they hope they will have the op- portunity in the future to stream live 24 hours a day. The TV channel hopes to showcase Mayo as a fantastic place to do business and to visit as a holiday destination. According to Mairead, it cer-

Continued from front page

tainly was not an easy road and they received no and people who cannot find employment in their governmental financial help, only their own cap- industry are now looking at self employment as ital and help from a few private investors. an option.

“It was very hard but we believe in the project Another way that innovative Irish people have and the local businesses are behind us.” been utilising their existing skills and expanding Liam Kiely, assistant CEO of Sligo County En- their experience is by volunteering, with more terprise Board, agreed that there has been an in- people undertaking unpaid work as a route to cacrease in people approaching them in relation to reer change. There was a 400 per cent increase in getting grants or other support packages for busi- visitors to volunteering website vso.ie (Voluntary ness start ups in the last six weeks. The County Service Overseas) in January as people explore and City Enterprise Boards throughout Ireland new ways to develop skills and experience, which offer a range of financial support packages to could perhaps stand to them in starting a busismall businesses that are starting out as well as of- ness. Numbers attending information talks have fering mentoring programmes and running ‘Start also doubled, according to VSO. Your Own Business’ courses. supported by VSO found that 94  “Research   Having already filled one of these courses they per cent of employers agree that long term over skills and experi due totake place seas  voluntary activities broaden have nearly filled a second course   in the first week of March. According to Mr. ence, and 48 per cent claim that it increases Kiely, the reason people are now more  interested    employability” said VSO spokesperson Deirdre in starting up their own businesses Although philanthropic motivation came  is due to the Finlay.  increased number of people who have been made first, the research showed that there was a signifi redundant in the past year. Hesays the County cant realisation among jobseekers that volunteer ing could help career development in terms of Enterprise Board is trying to bolster positivity  among people and nurture the good ideas that meeting new people, learning new skills and as a people are coming up with. route to professional development.   Most people do want to work, says Mr. Kiely, Many also felt it was time for a new challenge

or wanted a change from their current role. One in ten mentioned they had been encouraged to volunteer in order to develop their professional skills or broaden their business and management skills. VSO volunteers live and work in communities in over 40 countries abroad and have all their costs covered including flights. It is not surprising then that more people are eager to get involved, particularly single people who will get a chance to travel and leave unemployment behind while honing their employment skills for when they come back.

According to the Sligo Volunteer centre website there has been a significant increase in those wishing   to volunteer in the past two years. Volunteers are now looking for roles where they can  while still gaining new exuse their existing skills perience.

The Volunteer  Centre Ireland   website lists a number of professional volunteers      who are bringing their talents and business skills to non-profit  throughout  Ireland.  These included organisations  book-keepers,  marketing managers, graphic designers and solicitors who   are giving  their time and skills but also  improving  their own CVs and future job prospects.

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Ballina-born Garda    Hero in A & E  Dash  

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          

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   Ballina-born  Garda William Horkan,

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 based in   currently   Laytown, Co.  Meath,  proved  to     bethe hero  of the     he  hour when        drove   an ambu        lance to hospital  to savea patient’s                 life.  Garda  Horkan          jumped to the aid           of stretched         paramedics as  ANDTIMBERPRODUCTS      they treated the John Crossan Business Park, Bonage, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal stricken man for 

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a massive heart attack. As they were preoccupied to save the  man’s life the officer quickly went behind the wheel and drove the ambulance to the A & E in Drogheda.

The Garda said: “Sometimes we are asked to do things outside our training in life and death situations. But the real heroes are the paramedics who worked on the man to save his life. All I did was drive the ambulance”.

The emergency pair were needed to treat man,  who was in danger of dying.The man was recov ering well this week after Sunday night’s heroics.   Garda Horkan admitted he was not trained to drive the ambulance, but the primary concern at  the time was the health of the patient.     William’s mother, Peg (Walsh), is from Eskeragh, just outside Crossmolina, while his father,     Willie, is  from Westport. They lived in Ballina   born.   some years ago, where William was

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regionalnews

WESTERN MOBILITY

Mayo to get its very own TV channel

COUNTY Mayo is set to get its very own TV channel this month with the official launch of MayoTV.ie taking place in Castlebar this coming week.

Broadcasting live over the internet 24 hours a day, MayoTV.ie will showcase county Mayo all over the world with regular news and sport updates, lifestyle features, business interviews,

entertainment news, tourism features and live studio based shows every week.

MayoTV.ie is the brainchild of Westport journalist and broadcaster Piaras Ó Raghallaigh who also founded the award winning Media Productions and Communications Company Maigh Eo Media three years ago.

“MayoTV.ie is about connect-

Swansong SWANSONG: the story of Occi Byrne by Sligo native Conor McDermottroe received much-deserved recognition at Saturday nights Irish Film and Television Awards.

In a star studded evening which saw the likes of Amy Hubermann and Saoirse Ronan receive the prestigious awards the promising Irish actor Martin McCann was announced Best Actor for his part in the Swansong film.

McCann overcame world-renowned Liam Neeson, Colm Meaney and Cillian Murphy to win the award. Despite five other nominations Swansong failed to win any direct awards.

Yet, young McCanns victory is a tribute to both the talented actor and developing McDermottroes production abilities, in this multi-million industry.

ing Mayo communities all over the world and bolstering Mayo businesses everywhere. We want to showcase Mayo to the world as a wonderful place to live in, to do business in and to visit as a holiday destination,” commented Ó Raghallaigh this week. “MayoTV.ie will give a voice and TV presence to every aspect of life in Mayo. We will

be broadcasting everything from football to farming and fishing to fashion on MayoTV.ie,” he said.

MayoTV.ie goes on air for the first time next Monday, February 21st at 8.00pm with an exclusive live political debate featuring candidates from the Mayo electoral area. Viewers who log onto www.MayoTV.ie next Monday night will be treated to lively debates, engaging discussions and insightful opinions from the Mayo candidates ahead of the General Election on Friday, February 25th. “We have already five people employed on the project and we hope to have twenty full time staff before the end of the year,” commented MayoTV.ie founder Piaras Ó Raghallaigh.

“We have already recruited some of the west’s best TV producers, directors and editors and we will be adding new presenters, researchers and reporters in the coming weeks,” he said.

On the launch night, MayoTV.ie will feature interviews with Mayo senior football team manager James Horan, International boxing star Ray Moylette, Mayo County Manager Peter Hynes, Mayo Person of the year Pat Jennings and Former Mayo Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy. MayoTV.ie goes live at 8.00pm on Monday, February 21st and you can access it by logging onto www.MayoTV.ie.

Minister warns of forest fires 2010 recorded the highest occurrence of forest fires in Ireland, in many years.

Elected farmers, the forest industry, the Fire Service, the Gardai, members of the Defence Force, Coillte, Teagasc and the National Parks and Wildlife Service formed a committee which aims to reduce the occurrence of illegal and uncontrollable burning.

2010 saw the Coillte estate suffer over 1900 acres of damage as a result of forest fires.

Minister Connick insisted “burning of vegetation poses a grave and unacceptable risk to the lives and livelihoods of farmers and forest owners”.

“Spring is generally unsuitable for burning vegetation due to dry conditions, strong wind and the presence of dry and dead vegetation” he warned.

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Devastating beginning to 2011 on Irish Roads ALTHOUGH only beginning the second month of the year, the number of fatalities on Sligo roads has already surpassed the entire total for last year with the tragic death of 30year old Patrick O’Hora at 5.30p.m on Sunday evening.

O’Hora, known in his local Foxford as “Wolf” was pronounced dead on his arrival to Sligo General Hospital following a collision involving his motorbike and a car.

It is believed Mr. O Hora was traveling to Tubbercurry, when the accident occurred between Tubbercurry and Curry on the N17.

Gerry Lundy, local FF councilor was one of the first to encounter the devastating scene and was quick to insist “if the badly needed by-pass was in place, then this bend would have been eliminated” before expressing “my sincere sympathy is with the family of the young man”.

Small Gallery promises big things Carrick-on-Shannon’s cultural infrastructure has received a major boost with the upcoming opening of the “Very Small Gallery” in the Bush Craft Yard.The official opening is scheduled for March 11th and the gallery promises to focus on the artistic talents in the local area.

Paintings and sculptures based on a diverse subject range will be exhibited and visitors to the gallery will have the opportunity to commission their chosen painting from the wide selection of artists available.

Management of the “Very Small Gallery” encourage any budding and existing artists who feel their work may be suitable for exhibition in the Gallery to contact 071-962527 or 087-2943853 or e-mail sandra@theverysmallgallery.com

Castlebar set to lose out CASTLEBARS Jobfit offices in Market Square are set to close down permanently at the end of March as a result of severely reduced funding.

Established in July 2010, Jobfit employs seven people and as area business manager David Hordle explains “was set up to target those unemployed” Previously funded by the European Social Fund and the Labour Market Activation Fund of the Department of Education, the program’s funding is set to expire on March 31st.

The program has immensely benefitted the labour force of Castlebar enabling 21participants to go on to secure employment and a further 73 pursuing education, in the form of FETAC Certificates.

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Countdown continues to inaugural Bundoran Run THE countdown is on to the much-awaited annual Cara Bundoran Run – 10 Mile Challenge which takes place on Saturday March 5th at 11am.

Following the successful launch in Bundoran Town Library on January 27th to members of the press, Tir Chonnaill AC, Cara Pharmacies and Athletics Ireland representatives, various speakers, involved in the event, spoke of the importance of this race to the local economy. Ocean FM are proviving official coverage of the popular run and information on the preparations underway can be heard on Darragh Coxs’ show.

Despite the challenging economic conditions entries for the race remain largely unaffected with many walkers, joggers and runners enrolled to participate.

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The crowd hangs on every word Enda Kenny says in his recent visit to Roscommon

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to reflect Irish culture in the parade.

The annual parade is considered a solid foundation for recognising local achievements and residents.The running cost of the parade is expected to reach 4,000, funding for which will be sought by Ballina Town Council.

If your club or society may be interested in participating in this fun-filled festival contact Ann on 096-74000.

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Preparations underway for St.Patricks Day Parade CLLR Johnnie O’Malley, chairperson of Ballina St.Patricks day parade has announced that local industry Ballina beverages will lead the 2011 parade.

Scheduled for 4.30pm on March 17th the main theme of the parade will be salmon as Ballina is Ireland’s salmon capital.

Local community groups and sports clubs are been encouraged to create original ideas

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down as club secretary. Mary who has been involved in the club for 23years has volunteered a huge amount of her time to the club’s development.

Ivor Parke, Padraig Burke, Paul Hynes,Vincent Nally and Hughie Blain were appointed to the management committee having nominated themselves while Paddy Houze and Noel McCloats hard work was recognised as they were re-elected. The major changes undergone at The Showgrounds will provide new ideas and opinions for what is set to be another equally successful year.

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Enda visits the Rossies FOLLOWING one of the most successful seasons in the clubs history, Sligo Rovers management committee has undergone major changes.

The sudden resignation of club Chairman Dr.Dermott Kelly, who was widely respected by both supporters and players alike, has led to the re-appointment of Michael Toolan, for his second stint as Chairman. Toolan previously oversaw Rovers gain our much-awaited promotion from the 1st Division and secure automatic European qualification.

The AGM also saw Mary McGowan step

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Major shake-up at the Showgrounds

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The latest survey published by the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute shows it is more difficult to sell a house in the West of Ireland than any other region.

However, the continuing economic recession the average length of time it takes to sell a house has only risen by three weeks.

A 4% rise in the number of residences advertised for sale has been recorded, however Connacht and Donegal suffered an overall 7% decline in sales.

While the East of the country struggles with an average decline of 27% the West’s sales for the last three months of the 2010 were only marginally down in comparison to the same period in 2009.

The unease within the Government and the unwelcome arrival of the IMF has caused much speculation over the future of real estate in 2011.

The local community of Bundoran along with visitors are expected to turn out in large numbers to support the participants.

Registration for the upcoming-event will be held at Water World on Bundoran seafront from Friday March 4th 6pm -9pm. Last-minute entrants can also sign-up on the Race day from 8:30am – 10:30am.

The entrants who are planning to walk the Cara Bundoran 10 Mile Challenge will begin first on the day starting at 10am.

Paddy Donoghue from SAF fitness, one of the event sponsors, will provide a warm-up session from 10.30 on the morning of March 5th to reduce the likelihood of muscle cramps and aches. More information is availible on www.bundoranrun.com and on the dedicated Facebook page!

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Ballina Civic Offices wins Accessibility Award

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Commencement of Spring Training programmes at Sligo Co Enterprise Board SLIGO County Enterprise Board is delivering a range of Spring courses and workshops for all owner/managers of small businesses (under 10 employees) and those thinking of starting a business. The focus of these programmes will mainly be in the Finance and Marketing/Sales area.The training will be posted on our website at www.sligoenterprise.ie. Businesses can also sign up to our e-mail database on the home-

Pictured was Kevin Keegan, Executive Arhitect, MCC, Aidan Mulvihill, Assistant Staff Officer, MCC, Cllr. Frances McAndrew, Mayor, Ballina Town Council, Mary Gordon, Senior Staff Officer, MCC and Paddy Mahon, Director of Services, North East Region (MCC).

MAYO County Council’s excellent level of acheivment was recognised by the National Disability Authority (NDA) in the Ballina Civic Offices in integrating accessibility into the provision of services to the public.

The Excellence through Accessibility (EtA) Awards were held at the Department of Educa-

page of our site – which will ensure that you receive a notification of each Training Programme the Board will run during 2011.

Small Businesses can also join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SligoCountyEnterpriseBoard and/or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SligoEnterprise to get updates on various business training programmes and relevant business information.

Sligo Women in Business Network

tion and Skills in Dublin. The integration of accessibility into the design and provision of services enables people with disabilities access to public services with ease.These aspcts were acclaimed as the Eta Awads were presented at the Departmen of Education and Skills in Dublin.

In order to improve accessibility within the of-

fices, low counters are now available, along with induction loops and appropriate bathroom facilities. Public terminals have been provided, some with a large-key keyboard and tracker-ball mouse for ease of use.

Sligo Women in Business Network (SWIBN) The Ballina pages of the Mayo website have focuses on 'money matters' with a new FREE also been designed with accessibility in mind. event on Tuesday February 22nd. Get answers to yourpension questions, taxconcerns and insurance issues. Our panel of specialists will be on hand to help and includes:Maura Howe of the Pensions Association, accountant Gary LEADING figures from Mayo pats to “give something back” Reynolds and insurance advisor, Siobhan Mcexpat communities all over the to their native county.

Sharry of McSharry Foley.

The will feature When:Tues world are set to descend on the   22nd  Feb   convention workshops focusing on existing old county for a major Mayo Where:The Glasshouse   Hotel    convention in May – and  the of-  and developing multi-national What time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm ficial opening will be performed enterprise in Mayo, and will ex- Whether you are new to start up or have been      Mary   plore  the prospects for energy in business for sometime,

by President of Ireland, in Busi   Sligo Women      creation.

McAleese. ness Network is here to support you. Funded        President McAleese will per- by the Sligo County Enterprise Board, mem‘Power by Land and Sea – a      Future for our People’ form the official opening on Satis the   Just   go to http://swibn.sli  of the world Mayo con- urday morning, and all bership is FREE. theme details.   register  your   attract over  interested members of the pub- goenterprise.ie/and vention which will      lic are encouraged to attend 100 worldwide delegates.  Following a long tradition of various workshop sessions that emigration, the worldwide con- will be held throughout the day.       President McAleese at her most recent visit to the Peace Park in Ballina vention reflects a desire by ex                            MAYO’S promising potential to             develop their wind-energy            prospect may be worth up to               7billion per year to the local                 economy.            The newly established Atlantic                Coast Energy Co-op, Bella          corick, Ballina has revealed that             Mayo, is considered one of Eu     ropes most suitable locations     for wind-energy generation.    ACE is a community initiative AFTER suffering the severe loss of cancer which aims to generate and sell services Sligo General Hospital received a  with Minister for Health and Chilrenewable energy produced on timely boost       local land. dren Mary Coughlan’s announcement that she It will also seek for changes to has given her approval for the HSE to request allow the development of the National Development Finance Agency to    strategic wind zones. appoint technical advisors to the proposed  ACE is encouraging Mayo vot   project. ers to challenge election candi application for the  It is hoped that planning dates on their commitment to  through   private building can be made a public developing this industry.  in  2012 for a major new partnership early With rising nationwide unem  to the hospital which structure and extension        provide 57essential surgery beds and new ployment it is hoped the hunwill   dreds of jobs can be created in accommodation for A&E departments, paediMayo alone within manufacturatrics, obstetrics and an Intensive Care and       High Dependency Unit. ing green energy.

President McAleese will open World Mayo Convention

Wind Energy could generate millions to Mayo economy

Promising Start to Sligo General Hospital Extension

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Our Customers are smiling because we are the Best!

Symphony Kitchens - a name you can Trust

SERVING THOUSANDS OF HAPPY CLIENTS SINCE 1991 Barcastle Retail Park, Castlebar. T: 094-9026100 info@symphonykitchens.ie www.symphonykitchens.ie

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John Giles Foundation Walk of Dreams Sligo/Leitrim launch

Johnny giles was a legendary player for both Manchester United, Leeds United and West Brom, as well as representing and managing the Republic of Ireland

IN an attempt to portray the vital role played by local football clubs in the wider community The John Giles Foundation in association with 3 is delighted to launch the Sligo/Leitrim ‘Walk of Dreams’, which will take place on Sunday, 27th March in Sligo at 3pm.

It will involve many of the Sligo & Leitrim football clubs to walking as the football family whilst raising funds both for the Club and the John Giles Foundation to continue the development of football in Sligo and Leitrim.

The John Giles Foundation is active in many communities, and aims to use football as a vehicle for social change to build community cohesion, increase participation and to improve health and education oppurtunities.

Brochures and sponsorship cards will be distributed to every club and it is hoped each club will appoint a ‘Walk of Dreams’ captain to manage their clubs fundraising and walk on the day. Each club will walk under their own clubs banner and are encouraged to get not only those involved in the club but as many people as possible from their community to participate.

Half of the funds raised will be retained by the football club themselves, while the other half will benefit the Foundation for community football projects. Clubs, schools or community groups can apply for funding to implement or improve football based community projects. For further information log onto www.johngilesfoundation.com

Remarkable ‘Oscar’ story with a real Ballyshannon punch FOLLOWING multiple Oscar nominations “The Fighter” has been hailed as the greatest boxing movie since Rocky and Raging Bull.

The realistic setting and culture ensures undeniable links to rural Ballyshannon.

Renowned Ballyshannon boxer Jack ‘Jackie’ Lally, who has since re-located to Boston was coaching in his local club when scouted by Director David O. Russell, to play the part of an authentic Irish boxing trainer.

Lally’s family are still deeply involved in the boxing scene in Ballyshannon as Jackie’s younger brother Gerry, trains current members of Ballyshannon Boxing Club, while another brother, Patsy, was also an accomplished boxer in his day.

Based on a true story, The Fighter ex-

Unacceptable appeal times delaying benefits – Ring INEFFICIENCIES in the social welfare system are leaving thousands of unemployed people waiting months for benefits, according to Fine Gael Mayo election candidate and Social Protection Spokesperson Michael Ring.

“Government figures published today show that almost 11,000 people lodged appeals after their claims for unemployment payments were rejected last year.

Thousands of them shouldn’t have been refused in the first place, yet they were left waiting up to a year for the decision to be overturned.

“This means that people who are out of work and struggling to make ends meet are thousands of euro out of pocket by the time their cases are settled. Why should these people be forced to get by without any support, due to inefficiencies in the system?

“The Fianna Fail-led Government has created a bloated and broken public sector over the last decade and a half.

“A key element of Fine Gael’s 5 Point Plan to get Ireland working, is to modernise our public services by rewarding innovation and penalising waste and inefficiency.

“Currently there are more than 20 Government bodies that process various citizen entitlements, including social welfare payments. Fine Gael will set up a new “One Stop Shop” Payments and Entitlements Service to make getting what you are entitled to easier, and more effective.This will help to cut down on fraud and mistakes in social welfare payments.

“A failure by Fianna Fail to improve the way our public services are delivered has given rise to this situation where genuine jobseekers can’t get the state support they need after losing their jobs. Not only will Fine Gael drive reforms to create a more customer focussed service, we also have the plan to get Ireland back to work” concluded Deputy Ring.

Devastating beginning to 2011 on Irish Roads

From Left, Jack Lally from Ballyshannon, Co Donegal; Anthony Molinari, Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in The Fighter.

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plores the inspirarional rise of Massachusetts-born, “Irish” Micky Ward. A determined boxer whose career in the ring was shepherded by loyal half-brother, Dicky, a hard living boxer turned trainer whose own ring career was almost halted due to drugs and crime. But underdog Micky comes back from a devastating series of defeats to enjoy immense success as a result of a fierce combination of determi-

nation and hard work. Jack plays the role of Shea Neary’s trainer, the world champion, who stands against Ward winning the world belt. Speaking of his experiences on set Jack admits it was a learning experience from small-town Ballyshannon to bustling Boston.

Following his experiences, Jack is looking forward to returning to his beloved Ballyshannon this summer.

This inspirational, upbeat emigrant concludes encouraging: “If I can make it anyone can - That is the great American dream, with a splash of Irish good luck”

ALTHOUGH only beginning the second month of the year, the number of fatalities on Sligo roads has already surpassed the entire total for last year with the tragic death of 30year old Patrick O’Hora at 5.30p.m on Sunday evening.

O’Hora, known in his local Foxford as “Wolf” was pronounced dead on his arrival to Sligo General Hospital following a collision involving his motorbike and a car.

It is believed Mr. O Hora was traveling to Tubbercurry, when the accident occurred between Tubbercurry and Curry on the N17.

Gerry Lundy, local FF councilor was one of the first to encounter the devastating scene and was quick to insist “if the badly needed by-pass was in place, then this bend would have been eliminated” before expressing “my sincere sympathy is with the family of the young man”.

Lollipop Day

Oil theft in North Sligo

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INCREASING oil prices have led to a spree of oil thefts in rural Sligo areas.

Grange Gardai are investigating numerous reports within the area where a recognized gang of thieves have attempted to steal home-heating oil.

Reports suggest that the same group of individuals may be responsible for the robbery of Ellens pub in Maugherow recently. It is thought that this group choose their target locations where there is little activity and no dogs nearby.

Gardai have advised all County Sligo residents to be diligent about their private property and report any suspicious activity immediately.

THE 10th annual national Lollipop Day will take place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th of February 2011.

The annual fundraiser in aid of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund involves thousands of volunteers selling lollipops throughout the country, with all proceeds going directly to the OCF. However, in order to make this worthy event a success, more volunteers are needed in Sligo.

Noelle Ryan, chairperson of the OCF, urged anyone who may be available to assist for even a few hours to contact 01-2897457 or www.lollipopday.com.

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M

ajella and Mark Carr took over the well known local landmark Muddy Burns Bar & Restaurant, situated in the picturesque village of Castleconnor on the main Ballina to Sligo road in December 2000.

It has become a popular food, drink and entertainment venue for locals and the proprietors have had great support from the people of West Sligo and East Mayo since they took over the establishment.

Their business has gone from strength to strength over the past ten years and with a fine selection of ales, stouts and top shelf liqueurs, Muddy Burns will quench your thirst, no matter what your preferred tipple is. Majella and Mark's establishment offers a warm welcome to all, whether you are a local or a stranger, and if you are looking for somewhere to meet for a social drink or even fancy a bite to eat - Muddy Burns has it all!

The large but intimate public house

Timber, Aluminium & PVC Windows, Doors and Stairs Congratulations to Majella & Mark on their last 10 years in business!

Tel: 096-22147 / 72521 Fax: 096-70366 info@carrabine.com www.carrabine.com

Sligo Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo

is a great place to come and listen to live music and to catch up with friends.The quick-witted bar staff are always ready to quench your thirst and banter with the clientele.

If you are looking for a place to watch the football, hurling or soccer, sit down in Muddy Burns and watch the game along with a lively atmosphere - Muddy Burns is always filled with friendly punters who will make you feel at home. There is always a smiling face to greet you on your arrival and to see you off.

Muddy Burns regularly hosts live music events and well known music artists such as Mike Denver, Declan Nerney, Jimmy Buckley have played there. For upcoming music events, all details are advertised through the local media. No matter what time of year it is, a trip to Muddy's is always a night of entertainment.

In just 10 years, it has become part of the heart and soul of Castleconner, supporting local events. The restaurant is a popular meeting place

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Congratulations to Majella & Mark on their last successful 10 years in business!

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with both locals & tourists alike, and it offers a consistently high standard of quality food & excellent service along with value for money, and a relaxed atmosphere.

They are open seven days a week and offer an extensive a la carte menu from 5pm as well as breakfast, daily lunch specials, sandwiches and children’s menu .

To celebrate 10 years in business, Muddy Burns are generously offering their most popular dishes at just 10.

If you are in the North Mayo / West Sligo area and you would like to book a meal for yourself, family, or a large group, why not call us to discuss your requirements - attention to detail is always guaranteed.

Majella and Mark would like to take this opportunity to thank their staff, suppliers and customers for helping to make Muddy Burns a great success. For further details on their pub or restaurant feel free to contact Mark or Majella on 096 36267 or info@muddyburns.com

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Congratulations to Majella & Mark on their last 10 years in business!

Congratulations to Majella, Mark and the staff on their last 10 years in business and the best of luck for the next 10 years!

Tel: 096-47052 or 087-2541243

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MY WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY “The toughest part of a diet isn't watching what you eat. It's watching what other people eat” This week Northwest Express is out earlier than usual because of the general elections. Hence my weigh in has been brought forward by 5 days.

Over the last 7 days Ive managed to lose just 2 pounds when really I thought that I might have done a little better than that because I really stuck to the basic meals. Maybe it had something to do with me being on antibiotics for tonsilitis for 4 or 5 days.

I think that it is time for me to call over to Kathryn and see if there is something that Im doing wrong. It could be something as simple as the candida albicans in my system not being under control. When I spoke to Kathryn last week and informed her that I was eating fruit on a regular basis she advised me to stay off it for a while because the fructose in the fruit would keep the candida alive. So since last week I have had no fruit or anything that contains sugar or so I thought up until the other day. Apparantley all breads have a certain amount of sugar in them and I have been getting yeast free from my bakers thinking that I was ok with that. But maybe Im not? I will have to ask my wife to make the bread for me from here on in minus the sugar.

Im off to Disneyland in Paris for the next 4 days with the young lad and herself so hopefully I can stay away from the fast food joints and stick more with the frogs legs etc and heres hoping that I will be down around the 19 and 1/2 mark in a fortnight.

Candida Albicans is a yeast overgrowth.Yeast is found in all manufactured citric acid and in most fruits; in vinegar, which is made of fermented wines, and in ciders from such fruits as grapes, pears, apples, and some herbs. Vinegar is used as a preservative for mustard, catsup, olives, mayonaise, many dressings, pickles, horseradish, spices, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and dried fruits.

Canned or frozen fruit juices contain yeast, only hand-squeezed and fresh juices are yeast-free.

Fruit and fruit products that are canned commercially have a higher yeast content than those that are canned at home. Melons (especially cantalopes) and oranges are loaded with mold and yeast on the outside skins. Fruit should be peeled, not cut into, because in the motion of cutting through the skin with a knife, the meat of the fruit is contaminated. Mushrooms and cheeses of all kinds contain or actually are specific types of molds or yeasts; for instance, Roquefort cheese contains the mold Penicillium Roqueforti. Other yeast-containing milk products are buttermilk, sour cream, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, ice creams, powdered milks and milk itself.

In order to eliminate Candida Albicans, one must eliminate all yeast containg foods.

Tea, pepper, coffee, coffee substitutes, many spices and tobacco acquire molds or yeast in their drying processes. Left-overs from a previous meal should be frozen for future use, as they will become mold-containing within 24 hours.

Brown spots on any food are yeasts and molds that have begun their job of breaking down that foods nutrients for their own survival. Vitamins, such as the B-comples thiamine, niacin and riboflavin are usually yeast-grown, although it is possible to obtain them with a brown rice base.

Yeast-free antibiotics such as penicillin mycin drugs, tetracylines, linococin and chloromycetin are derived from mold cultures.

Other foods that encourage Candida Albicans

are baked goods, breads, biscuits and pancake mixes, soda crackers and any other foods requiring the use of baker's yeast. Ice cream, candy, malted milk drinks and soda fountain drinks contain sugar yeast.

Some Simple Suggestions to elminate Candida Albicans Avoid any food you're allergic to for a month or two, then, because food allergy is 'like a fire that dies down', cautiously try eating a food troublemaker again. If it doesn't trigger your symptoms, eat it occasionally, but no more often than every 4 to 7 days.

Include more vegetables in your diet - vegetables of all kinds, even some you don't usually eat.

How about dairy products? Many people, including those with CRC (candida related complex) are bothered by intolerances and allergies to milk - especially whole milk. (It also contains lots of undesirable saturated fat) So use dairy products with caution. However, sugar-free fruitfree yogurt is generally well tolerated, even by some people who are sensitive to other milk products. Home-prepared yogurt (using yogurt starter) is especially good because it contains more friendly yeast-fighting lactobacilli.

How about fruits? Along with other specialists, I've found that fruits often trigger symptoms in patients with CRC. So I usually tell my patients to avoid fruits for the first three weeks, until they improve.Then begin eating them on a trial basis cautiously.

Canida albicans is among the many organisms that live in the human mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Under normal circumstances, Candida albicans lives in 80% of the human population with no harmful effects, although overgrowth results in candidiasis. To infect host tissue, the usual unicellular yeast-like form of Candida albicans reacts to environmental cues and switches into an invasive, multicellular filamentous form.

Week

Date

Current Pounds Weight -/+

-

12/11

22st 4lb

1

Total Lost

-

-

17/11 21st 10lb

-8lb

8lb

2

24/11

21st 3lb

-7lb

1st 1lb

3

1/12

21st 5lb

+2lb

13 lb

4

8/12

20st 14lb

-5lb

1st 4lb

5

15/12

20st 9lb

-5lb

1st 9lb

6

22/12 20st 11lb

+2lb

1st 7lb

7

29/12

21st 5lb

+8lb

13lb

8

5/01

21st 2lb

-3lb

1st 2lb

9

12/01 20st 10lb

-6lb

1st 8lb

10

19/01

20st 8lb

-2lb

1st 10lb

11

26/01

20st 4lb

-4lb

2st 0lb

12

02/02

20st 2lb

-2lb

2st 2lb

13

09/02

20st 1lb

-1lb

2st 3lb

14

16/02 19st 13b

-2lb

2st 5lb

15 “I don't really like the idea of putting my weight on here for everyone to see, but I think it is crucial to my success in this lifestyle change. I need to learn that it doesn't matter what people may think of my weight. I am trying to get healthier and happier and that's all that matters”

If you have any questions relating to NuTron Advanced please visit www.nutronadvanced.com or contact Kathryn on 091 797803 or 087 2219692

d l u o Sh

by Rachael

Kelly

n i a m e r h Iris sory compul ? or n ot ?

Enda Kenny that suggest if he ecent comments by Fine Gael leader,he will allow students the opch isea is successful in becoming Tao t to study Irish in secondary portunity to choose whether they wan on. ussi disc ead school, or not has sparked widespr Certificate last year I can honestly say ing Leav my ed, Having just complet although I was far from fluent in our gaeilge was my favourite subject and challenge and opportunity of learn“teanga duchais” I really enjoyed the ortant role in our identity and culing a language, that plays such an imp ds and classmates Irish was a ture.However, for many of my frien on the outdated curriculum taught continuous struggle. Yet, I blame this that “beatha teanga i a labhairt” the around the country. Despite the fact solely of a written exam.

Irish curriculum is comprised almost sly 20% of the overall grade and the The oral, which accounts for a mea result poses little problem to most students. aural, which adds a further 15% to theforce many students to lose interest in our “teanga Yet, the pros and depressing filiocht ain may be expert poets in my opinion they do litaitiul”.While “Peig” and Mairtin O Dire. tle to promote the struggling languageincluding the Aimsir Fhaistineach,Tuiseal Ginideach Likewise, the mountains of grammar levant and greatly discouraging. and Modh Coinniollach are really irre to speak Irish we will gradually understand these If we are afforded, the opportunity r. erro daunting concepts through trial and marks on the listening comprehension and oral secest high the ive rece ents stud t ing the emoMos should account for more than express tions of the exam and I believe these l Irish leavtion of isolation in a dated poem. mission introduced a Foundation Leve Recently, the State Examination Com l paper available in any of the European languages leve ing cert exam.There is no foundation ning Irish eight years longer. Surely, this raises queslear n bee all despite the fact we have tions as to how gaeilge is thought.

R

The establishment of TG4 and RnaG population practising and participating prove that there is still many members of the Irish in Regional radio station i102-104 also the Irish language. using informal Irish and English. The broadcasts “Ar Eileamh” a light-hearted show many teenagers and young people arewidespread popularity of this show proves that willi While, many adults argue that we, toda ng to participate in Irish. historic language they overlook the realiys youth have minimal interest in preserving our flock to the Gaeltacht areas in an atte ty that every summer thousands of students fines of the classroom. Certainly Irish mpt to develop their gaeilge, away from the conas a language plays a minimal role in inte affairs. While multi-national companies rnational Spanish few appreciate my beloved gaei are eagerly seeking graduates with French or lge When I began writing this article I was as a very effective means of communication. make Irish a choice yet I now realise the admittedly indifferent to Enda Kenny’s plan to only on our education system but also devastating consequences this would have not on Irish is one of the most challenging and our culture, our history. tificate so if made a choice most students difficult subjects available on the Leaving Cerwould not study Irish. If Irish is no long in an attempt to obtain the most CAO points er a mandatory in secondary schools, inevitably be little emphasis on it in prim there will ary schools.

Irish plays such a major role in our cou ancestors struggles, hardships and achi ntrys history, that without Irish much of our Our language provides our idyllic little evements will fade and be forgotten over time. island with a unique identity.

I really,really hope that Enda Kenny in the Irish education system. Instead, does not succeed in removing Irish as an obligate do all they can to preserve and promI feel and strongly hope that our new government ote If this is to be successful the Departm our native tongue. dated curriculum. By placing more emp ent of Education need to urgently address the tedious grammar that dominates the hasis on the spoken language and reducing the tinue learning Irish,The ancient poemscourse, students will be more than willing to conon students must be replaced with morand short stories that conflict so much hardship world.We are all aware of the celebrity e modern pieces, relevant to todays sonalities such as Daithi O’Se, Sile and dominated culture that we live in. Perrently raising the profile of Irish. A receGrainne Seoige and Hector are curfada” by American comedian Des Bish nt documentary “In the name of the op followed his attempts to learn Irish and attracted much media coverage. End ceeds and allows students not to stud a Kenny ,must realise that if he probe the end of Irish. And, while we as y our native language it will ultimately comprehension homework although, students sit down to tackle our Irish it may be time-consuming and challeng ing we must remember that we are an toric language. Without students lear important link in preserving our hisning Irish our country will become “tir gan teanga, tir gan ainm” I for one am extremely grateful that grammar may not be perfect and my I have learned Irish and although my tinue to use my “cupla focail” as long tenses muddled up at times, I will conpolitical leader should be allowed to as possible. I really don’t think that one deprive our future generations of our native language.

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Latest Invention: Packaging that Shows When Food is Spoiled

science news & technology

Jetď€ powered Surfboard to go on sale SCOTTISH researchers managed to create food packaging that can changes color as soon as it identifies when a food is going bad.

The packaging represents a "smart plastic" film developed at Glasgow's University of Strathclyde.

The intelligent film is going to be used together with modified atmosphere packing.

The latter is a process that prolongs the life of food by replacing the air inside its packaging with nitrogen carbon dioxide. The atmosphere packaging usually has inserted labels that show the level of freshness.

According to the researchers, their plastic could be incorporated into the production of packaging, thus eliminating the need of making and inserting labels separately.

"We hope that this will reduce the risk of people eating food which is no longer fit for consumption and help prevent unnecessary waste of food," stated the lead researcher Prof.

Andrew Mills. He added that the new packaging is expected to have "a direct and positive impact on the meat and seafood industries."

Company Develops Engine that Generates Electricity Using Sound Waves A prototype of an engine able to produce electricity at a high level of efficiency, while being more cost-friendly has been developed

by Etalim, a firm with headquarters in Vancouver.

The device can show the efficiency of a fuel cell, but cost almost like an internal combustion engine. It is about the size of a basketball. According to the company the invention can reach efficiency in excess of 40 percent. The engine is based on a number of principles of the Stirling engine, being able to turn heat into mechanical energy.

However, the most interesting thing is that the engine uses Thermoacoustics, which makes use of heat to manage the intensity of sound waves in a preserved cavity, reports Technology Review.

Etalim looks forward to making its engine for a rate of less than $1 per watt. But the company's long-term aim is 15 cents per watt.

THE Powerski Jetboard prototype originally designed in 2002 is finally ready to go into mass production.

The Jetboard is a combination surfboard/JetSki incorporating a 25 x 43 x 16 cm high, twostroke, water-cooled, 45hp engine and an axial flow jet pump into a (slightly larger than average) surfboard to deliver a stand-up ride over flat water at speeds up to 25mph. Using sophisticated CAD software and new composite production techniques, the original Jetboards featured in Gizmo have been substantially reduced in weight, improved in drag co-efficient and have improved air intakes and safety features.

The company has now deemed all Jetboards previously manufactured to be beta production boards and to be used by the dealers / distributors for promotion and marketing only. A sophisticated hand operated throttle includes a start/stop buttons, independent left and right thumb throttles, safety kill switch, plus speedometer and fuel gauges are found on a modular handle unit connected to the board via a 1.2m arm-pole made of rubber coated steel cable.

The current version weighs around 18kg but this is expected to be shaved back as the design evolves. The drive train includes gear-reduction transmission built into the bottom end of the engine that optimises the transfer of engine rpm into the jet pump. Development of an electric Jetboard is now well underway. An announcement in December 2003 flagged the formation of a joint venture between Powerski International and Global Electric to create a Powerski Jetboard'

powered with by a Lithium-ion electric motor.

Bob Montgomery , CEO of Powerski stated, 'It has always been our plan to build a futuristic Powerski Jetboard' that was smaller, lighter, quieter and cleaner than any other watercraft on the market. Offering electric power is a perfect transition for Powerski International Corp. If we can meet our design goals by utilizing the lithiumion technology of Global Electric, we can expand our sales to include such areas with strict emission standards, such as California. We could possibly increase our sales by 40% with the inclusion of clean electric power.'The Powerski Igniter 330 Jetboard made its public debut at the Miami International Boat Show on Last week.

Sony unveils 'PlayStation' phone SONY ERICSSON has announced the launch of a new gaming phone.

The Xperia Play will have a large touch screen and a pad that slides out to reveal control buttons similar to those on a Sony PlayStation Portable console.

It looks similar to the PSP Go, a version of the PlayStation Portable released in 2009.

The Play phone will run Google's Android operating system and play modified PlayStation games that will not run on other phones.

It marks the first time Sony has allowed its PlayStation games to run on hardware not made by Sony. The licence is not exclusive to Sony Ericsson, so other phone makers could follow, but Sony Ericsson will have a substantial head start.

Sony Ericsson chief executive Bert Nordberg demonstrated the phone in Barcelona, a day ahead of the opening of the Mobile World Congress trade show.

He said he did not know how much the phone will cost.

The Xperia Play will launch in April.

App helps you keep track of your sins CAN your iPad or iPhone bring you closer to God? A new application for the devices aims to help Roman Catholics who have not been to the confessional booth in a while keep track of their sins, one Commandment at a time.

The app's designers and some believers see it as a way to spur Catholics back into the habit of repenting. "There's a reason we designed it for these mobile devices: We want you to go to confession," said Patrick Leinen, one of the developers and a co-founder of the company Little iApps.

Over the last several decades, American

Catholics have been receiving the penitential sacrament less frequently, and many of them may not know how it is done.

"As somebody who's heard thousands of confessions, there are some people who get so scared coming in that they lose their train of thought and they're not able to remember everything they planned to say," said the Rev Dan Scheidt, pastor of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mishawaka, who advised the developers.

The text-based app takes the user through the Ten Commandments, with a slew of questions at-

tached to each, a process known as an examination of conscience, which penitents undergo before confession. Questions range from "Have I wished evil upon another person?" to "Have I used any method of contraception or artificial birth control in my marriage?" and users can check a box next to each sin they've committed.

Once that's done, the app lists the user's sins and displays a written act of contrition, a prayer recited by the penitent. From there, it walks the user through the rest of the steps of confession and even advises when to say "amen".

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Gardener banned from village show

w rldnews

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

Woman beats off tiger with a spoon!

A gardener has been "banned" from his village vegetable show - because he keeps winning.

David Stirzaker, 73, has won 12 cups in the past four years for his prize-winning carrots, parsnips and tomatoes but has now been asked not to exhibit.

North Cadbury and District Horticultural Society, near Yeovil, Somerset, told him his success was putting other people off entering.

Mr Stirzaker said: "This is my hobby and I have been supporting their show for four years.

"I find the request very insulting - it is a competition so I would have thought it is down to other growers to try harder if they want to beat me.

"I want nothing more to do with the society.

I won't be showing there again and I have told them that they can come and collect their trophies."

'Drink driver' pulled herself over

A US drink driver allegedly pulled herself over - after mistaking a roller skating rink's flashing sign for police car lights.

Police say Nicole Scott, 27, stopped her car after spotting lights from the Skate World theme park in Sandusky, Ohio, in her rear view mirror. But she got stuck in a snowdrift by the side of the road and a passerby, who stopped to offer help, called police after noticing she seemed intoxicated.

Police say that Scott told the passerby she had thought the flashing lights from Skate World's sign were police lights, reports the Sandusky Register. Scott denied being the driver of the vehicle to police and claimed her friend had been driving but had run off.

Officers claimed she told them the friend's name was variously Ray, Samantha, Courtney and finally Brittany. She refused a sobriety test but police say they found a half-full bottle of beer in the car and only one set of footprints near the vehicle.

They also claim Scott had trouble walking when she left the vehicle and had to be helped to a waiting police cruiser.

She was arrested and charged with drink driving and having an open container in a vehicle.

A woman rescued her husband from a tiger attack by hitting the beast over the head with a soup ladle.

The big cat pounced on Tambun Dedin while he was hunting squirrels near his home in northern Malaysia.

Luckily for the rodent catcher his 55-year-old wife Han Besau heard his screams and ran to his rescue.

Armed with just a wooden spoon she had been using to cook soup, she bashed the tiger over the head, causing it to flee.

Speaking from hospital where he was being treated for cuts Tambun paid tribute to his brave wife.

He said: "I was terrified and I used all my strength to punch the animal in the face, but it would not budge."

Tambun explained he had tried to climb a tree to try to escape but the tiger had dragged him down.

He added: "I had to wrestle with it to keep its jaws away from me, and it would have clawed me to death if my wife had not arrived."

Local wildlife officials said rangers planned to track down the tiger and chase it deeper into the jungle where it would not pose a threat to people.

'Win a Wife' contest sparks outrage A New Zealand radio station has been criticised for running a contest giving male listeners the chance to win a wife.

The winner of The Rock FM's competition will be flown to Ukraine for 12 nights to pick their future wife from a bride agency, reports Metro.

"It's actually going to happen. And oh boy are there going to be some people with their panties in a twist over this one," says the blurb on the station's website.

"The Rock is giving away a wife! But we're not going to give this opportunity to just anybody... to weed out the no-hopers and time-wasters, we've developed the application form below.

"If you're interested in holy matrimony with a potentially hot foreign chick, fill it out to the best of your abilities."

Not to be put off by the complaints, nu-

merous men have entered the competition and appear happy to have their profiles shown on the radio's website.

Defending the station, The Rock FM program director, Brad King, said the competition was "a bit of a laugh".

"At the end of the day, it's up to both people if they decide to get married and return to New Zealand. We're not actually marrying anyone or bringing women back to New Zealand," he said.

However, social activist Sue Bradford said the competition took "commercial radio to new depths".

"It is unusual and somewhat disturbing that a commercial entity would commercialise what should be one of the most meaningful human relationships and actually offer it as a prize for a radio show," she said.

Cabbies' revenge on clampers A GROUP of taxi drivers took revenge on a clamping company after one of its operators tried to extract a fine from a cab dispatcher.

Maureen Lansley's car was clamped and blocked by a clamper van, even though she had a parking permit. The clampers demanded that she paid a fine on the spot.

When Maureen, 53, phoned work to say that she'd be late and told them why, a convoy of taxis immediately rushed to the scene to help her.

Within minutes, over 20 taxis had formed a roadblock that prevented the clampers from going anywhere.

The police were called when the taxi drivers refused to shift until the clamp was removed.

Riot vans arrived but the standoff continued

until, after nine hours, Maureen's boss agreed to pay the ÂŁ80 fine.

However, the actions of the cabbies meant Maureen escaped an additional ÂŁ150 towing charge.

The clamp had been put on her car because she failed to display her permit, according to the clampers, but Maureen said that the permit was, in fact, on display, and had simply slipped behind the tax disc.

The remarkable incident highlights the anger many motorists feel towards private clamping firms. However, new Government legislation due to be announced this week could see rogue clampers go to jail.

Under new proposals due to come into effect

in 2012, clamping on private land will become a criminal offence. Those caught will be hit with a ÂŁ5,000 fine, which, if unpaid, could turn into a prison sentence.

The laws will also see fines made illegal, to prevent clampers simply switching tactics by handing out huge fines for 'illegal' parking.

More than half a million drivers are clamped on private land every year. Speaking to 'The Sun', Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone said: "I have been outraged by cases of drivers being frog-marched to cash points late at night or left stranded by rogue operators. This Government is committing rogue clampers to history and putting an end to intimidation and excessive charges once and for all."

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naturalhealth

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.

Look after your heart

By Megan Fennell The heart is designed to last a lifetime, but the way you lead your life - what you eat, your activity levels and how you spend your leisure time - can help prevent heart disease and premature death.

Get Active Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal-muscles that require energy expenditure. Physical inactivity, (a lack of physical activity) is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, and Approximately 10,000 people die each year from it.

Regular physical activity – such as walking, cycling, or dancing – has significant benefits for health. For instance, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis, help control weight, and promote psychological well-being. If you do 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity on five or more days of the week, you can halve your chance of developing heart disease. If you have a busy schedule, you can break up the recommended 30 minutes into several shorter sessions - it's the

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total time per day that you exercise that counts.

You can benefit from physical activity at any age. But it's important to build up your activity levels gradually - if you're not used to rigorous activity it can be harmful. Also, find activities you enjoy and can do safely and conveniently.

There are a wide range of options, including brisk walking, cycling, dancing, swimming or going to the gym. The more vigorous the exercise, the more you can reduce your risk of heart disease. Your activity doesn't have to be a sport - try gardening (for example, raking leaves or mowing the lawn) or just taking the stairs instead of the lift. Walk instead of driving or taking the bus. They all count.

Building activity into your daily routine can prevent it becoming a chore. Choosing an activity that you enjoy can be one of the most pleasurable ways to look after your health.

There are very few medical reasons not to be physically active, but check with your GP before starting an exercise-programme if you're in doubt. The risk of doing yourself any harm is very low if you start gently. Always build up how often you do the activity (the frequency) before you increase how hard you work during a session (the intensity).

Stop Smoking Each year, over 430,000 people die as a result of a smoking related disease. Yet, over 50 million continue to smoke, including over 3 million teens. An estimated three thousand teenagers begin to smoke each day, and1,000 of them will eventually die as a result. According to the American Lung Association, cigarette smoking leads to 87% of lung cancers, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Giving up smoking not only reduces your risk of developing heart disease, but also reduces the risk of many other serious illnesses, like cancer and emphysema.

Whatever your age, it's never too late to stop smoking. As soon as you do, your health will improve. Five years after giving up, your risk of developing heart disease will fall to a similar level as someone who has never smoked.

Giving up smoking isn't easy and it may take several attempts before you succeed. As exposure to passive smoking (inhaling smoke from nearby smokers) may also increase your risk of heart disease, you should try to prevent your exposure to this.

Manage Your Drinking Moderate consumption of alcohol (between one and two units of alcohol a day) may help to reduce the risk of ischaemic heart disease in men over the age of 40 and women after the

menopause. But we know that people who drink heavily are more likely to die of heart disease than those who don't. So, if you drink, do so in moderation.

A safe limit of alcohol for men is no more than three to four units of alcohol per day, and for women, no more than two to three units per day. If you haven't had any alcohol during the week, don't assume it's safe to drink 21 units (for men) or 14 units (for women) at the weekend.

The list below shows the number of units of alcohol in various drinks.

• A pint of ordinary strength lager or bitter contains around two units.

• A pint of ordinary strength cider contains around two units.

• A 175ml (standard) glass of red or white wine contains around two units.

• A pub measure of spirits contains around one unit.

• An alcopop contains around one and a half units.

• Try and be aware of the number of units that you drink. Some drinks may be stronger than you think. The labels of many bottled and canned drinks will tell you the number of units they contain.

Eat Healthily Eating healthily can help you prevent heart disease. Change to a low-fat, low-salt diet that includes plenty of fruit and vegetables. Remember that a healthy diet will include all the food categories.

Choose healthy cooking methods (grill, bake, steam or microwave instead of frying), trim fat off meat and remove skin from chicken. Eating more fish may help to reduce your intake of fat.

Use more fruit and vegetables every day. Vegetables taste delicious on their own, so try not to add butter or spread.

Use herbs and spices rather than salt to flavour food. Many people watch their salt intake because of raised blood pressure.

Use little or no oil when making a healthy low fat dish. All oils are 100% fat, even olive oil, so use a maximum of 2 tablespoons of pure vegetable oil for 4 portions.

The five foods that are extra healthy for your heart are Blueberries (because they contain fibre, vitamin C and anthocyanins, the antioxidant responsible for their dark blue colour), Salmon (because cold-water fish is a great source of protein and is also packed with hearthealthy omega-3 fatty acids. Try eating salmon and other omega-3 rich foods twice a week for benefits that go beyond heart health), Soy Protein (because it’s inexpensive and contains fibre, vitamins, and minerals -- all the ingredients for a heart-healthy meal. Also, a diet rich in soy protein can lower triglycerides, which help prevent cardiovascular disease and keep your heart strong and healthy).

Oatmeal (because it contains plenty of roughage, nourishing whole grains and a great source of vitamins, minerals, and cholesterol-lowering fibre), Spinach (because spinach is the powerhouse of the vegetable kingdom, it’s rich, dark colour comes from the multiple phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals especially iron that also fight disease, protect against heart disease, and preserve your eyesight).

Reducing your Cholesterol Levels Reducing cholesterol levels in your blood can help you prevent heart disease. Eat a healthy, low-fat diet. Even if you already eat healthily, you may still have high cholesterol levels, particularly if other members of your family have high levels. As a last resort, medicines can be used to reduce high cholesterol and slow or even partially reverse the progress of heart disease.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight Being overweight increases your chances of developing heart disease. Your GP will be able to advise if you need to lose excess weight. To lose excess weight you will probably need to follow an exercise programme, as well as eating healthily.

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NUGABEST

Manage the Stress in Your Life

By Megan Fennell STRESS is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset your balance in some way. When you sense danger – whether it’s real or imagined – the body's defences kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, or the stress response.

The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you.

When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life – giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. The stress response also helps you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you'd rather be watching TV. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.

Many health problems are caused or by stress.

Stress can cause anxiety, mood swings and fatigue as people try to juggle long working hours and

busy home lives. The other health problems brought on or worsened by stress include: pain of any kind, heart disease, digestive problems, sleep problems, depression, obesity, autoimmune diseases, skin conditions and lung disease caused by smoking because of stress.

So how can you reduce stress?

Recognize stress Stress Management is the ability to maintain control when situations, people, and events.

Ask for help If you feel that stress is affecting your studies a first option is to seek help through your educational counsellor.

Look around See if there really is something you can change or control in the situation.

Set realistic goals for yourself Reduce the number of events going on in your life and you may reduce the circuit overload.

Exercise regularly Exercise can relieve you of stress building up. Try getting in 30 minutes of exercise each day.

Remove yourself from the stressful situation • Give yourself a break if only for a few moments daily.

• Don't overwhelm yourself • Handle each task as it comes, or

selectively deal with matters in some priority.

• Don't sweat the small stuff • Try to prioritize a few truly important things and let the rest slide.

• Learn how to best relax yourself - Meditation and breathing exercises have been proven to be very effective in controlling stress.

Practice clearing your mind of disturbing thoughts.

Change the way you see your situation; seek alternative viewpoints • Stress is a reaction to events and problems, and you can lock yourself in to one way of viewing your situation. Seek an outside perspective of the situation, compare it with yours and perhaps lessen your reaction to these conditions.

Avoid extreme reactions Why hate when a little dislike will do? Why generate anxiety when you can be nervous? Why rage when anger will do the job? Why be depressed when you can just be sad?

Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland

If you can't remedy, nor escape from what is bothering you, flow with it and try to use it in a productive way.

Try to be positive Give yourself messages as to how well you can cope rather than how horrible everything is going to be. "Stress can actually help memory, provided it is short-term and not too severe. Stress causes more glucose to be delivered to the brain, which makes more energy available to neurons. This, in turn, enhances memory formation and retrieval. On the other hand, if stress is prolonged, it can impede the glucose delivery and disrupt memory."

Most importantly If stress is putting you in an unmanageable state or interfering with your schoolwork, social and/or work life, seek professional help at your school, local doctor’s surgery or from a friend or relative.

Do something for others Do something to help others to help get your mind off yourself.

Ivo KOLEV - President

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Get enough sleep Lack of rest just aggravates stress.

Alcohol and drugs can mask stress They don't help deal with the problems.

Try to "use" stress

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Mon-Thu 9.30 - 6pm Fri 9.30 - 5pm

So What is an Au Pair?

An Au Pair is a young person from a foreign country who comes to live in your home so they can improve their English and while doing so help with childcare and light house work. Its flexible Au Pairs work 35 hours a week including babysitting in the evenings so you can go out. They can also help with light house work such as ironing for the children. Help prepare meals etc.

The Au Pair needs a room of her own and in return she receives a minimum of 100 Pocket money per week.

Cara International is a member Of IAPA (International Au Pair Association).

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Sligo Rape Crisis Centre If you have been raped, assaulted or sexually abused recently or in the past Sligo Rape Crisis Centre offers free, professional counselling and support services.

Our counsellors are available to women, men and their friends and family.

We are specifically trained to deal with sexual violence issues.

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Constance Markievicz

blast past from the

The Sligo Rovers

CONSTANCE Gore-Booth was born into a famous Anglo-Irish family on Feb. 4, 1868 at Buckingham Gate, London. The Gore-Booths were known as model landlords in Sligo.

Raised at the Gore-Booth estate at Lissadell, Co. Sligo, Constance Gore-Booth and her sister, Eva, lived childhoods of privilege, but were taught concern for the plight of the poor.

Constance once said of her Sligo home, "We lived on a beautiful, enchanted West Coast, where we grew up intimate with the soft mists and the colored mountains, and where each morning you woke to the sound of the wild birds".

In 1887 she and Eva were presented at the court of Queen Victoria with Constance being called "the new Irish beauty" by some. But young Constance was not aspiring to the ornamental life of a "great beauty," she had ambition, she intended to be an artist and in 1893 she went to London to study at the Slade School. mistspq.gif - 1.90 K Then, in 1898, she left for Paris where she attended the Julian School. It was there in Paris that she met Count Casimir Dunin Markievicz, an artist from a wealthy Polish family that owned land in the Ukraine. Markievicz was a Catholic, and he was already married, but his wife was back in the Ukraine and seriously ill. In 1899 she died and Casimir and Constance married the recently widowed Count Casimir Dunin Markievicz on Sept. 29, 1901 becoming Countess Markievicz.

She founded the United Arts Club in 1905, but was not satisfied with this life.

In 1908 she joined Sinn Féin and Inghinidhe na hÉereann. In 1909 she founded Fianna Éireann teaching young boys military drill and the use of firearms.

Released from prison during the General Amnesty of 1917, she converted to Catholicism. and became the first woman elected to the British Parliament, running as a Sinn Féin candidate.

She did not take her seat, refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the King.

When the Irish Civil War broke out Constance was involved with the actual fighting. After the Civil War she regained her seat in the Dáil. She went on hunger strike and was released after a month. She joined Eamon de Valera's Fianna Fáil party in 1926 and was elected as one of it's candidates in 1927. However, a month later that she became sick and died.

By Rachael Kelly

N

ow one of the most successful clubs in the country Sligo Rovers Football Club was established on September 27th 1928 as a result of the amalgamation of two junior sides Sligo Town and Sligo Blues. Their first game was a 9-1 win against Ballyshannon in the Connaught cup. They eventually went out of this competition at the semifinal stage to Athlone Hibs. The club played in junior leagues following their establishment and in their first season won the Irish Free State Junior Cup. The novelty of professional football was new in Sligo and a crowd of 3,000 witnessed Rovers Cup Triumph.

This was followed by the Connaught Junior Cup in 1930 and the Miller Shield and Sunday Alliance league in 1932. From their initial formative years Sligo Rovers have called “The Showgrounds” home, and still do today. Likewise, the club have always favoured a home red kit which earned them the nickname “The Bit O’Red”.

In August 1932 Rovers entered the Leinster senior league. In their first season they finished third with notable victories against former Champions Brideville and Bohemians 'B' squads.

1933/34 was a hugely successful season for the ever-developing club, which saw Rovers win the Intermediate Cup, defeating Tramore Rookies 5-1 in the final, the Leinster Senior League and the Metropolitan Cup. Following their success the club applied for a licence to participate in Football League of the Irish Free State. Their application was accepted and they were elected to the league on June 28th 1934.

In 1934, Rovers entered the League alongside newly-established Waterford.

Bob Preston, having had brief encounters at Bray, was appointed coach to guide the club through the transition from junior to professional football. Tommy Callaghan became the first Rovers player to score in senior football as Sligo Rovers era of senior football began difficulty with the club losing 3-1 away to Crumlin. It took five games in the shield before Rovers registered their first win in

senior football against Cork. Rovers eventually finished ninth in the shield and hoped their newly sought experience would begin to act.

Rovers shield campaign of 1936/37 was no reflection on what was to follow. Despite finishing in tenth position, Rovers had gradually assembled the side which they hoped would suit the leagues style of football. Jimmy Surgeoner successfully attracted promising talents and more experienced players to The Showgrounds.

Following a great beginning,Rovers form dropped slightly in the second half of the season where they secured five wins, two draws and three more defeats. On a historic occasion The Bit O’Red were crowned League Champions of 1936/1937, prompting jubliant celebrations throughout Sligo.

The unresting economic conditions led to many of the successful league side leaving The Showgrounds in 1937/1938. The beginning of the second world war in 1938 led to the suspension of most of Europe's football leagues however Ireland's neutrality meant that play continued in the League of Ireland.

Rovers continued the season but the absence of more influential players was obvious as early Cup exits and a disappointing League finish concluded a somewhat dissappointing season.

The arrival of Dixie Dean to Sligo during the 1938/39 season inspired Rovers form. 1938/1939 was set to become one of the most enduring pieces of the club's history. Although opening the campaign with a defeat to Shelbourne, Rovers progressed on a six match unbeaten run.

Dixies’ widely recognised, as the best footballer of his generation decision to sign for a small, rural Irish club, having spent seasons with Everton was sensational. And ,true to his word, he didn’t dissapoint. His first appearance saw him score as Rovers beat Shelbourne 3 - 2.

In his seven league games for Rovers Dixie scored ten goals including five in a 7-1 win over Waterford.

Rovers eventually finished runnersup in the league nine points behind the winners Shamrock Rovers.

Dixie also played in four FAI Cup games for Rovers. Having reached the FAI Cup Final a crowd of 36,601 turned up for the historic game.

Forty-three minutes in, Dean headed Rovers into the lead. Shelbourne equalised straight from a corner with only ten minutes left to leave the score at 1 - 1. The replay was won by Shelbourne by a slender 1-0 margin.

In 1940, following another reasonably successful season Rovers announced that because of the ongoing war they were no longer in a position to participate in senior football.

They tendered their resignation to the league and the Football Association, however both refused to accept the clubs resignation.

The club then withdrew from all competitions for that year blaming financial difficulties. Eventually the

t h c a n n o C in t r o p S

league were forced to accept Rovers resignation. And despite advertising for a replacment club, a replacement was never found. Sligo Rovers were irreplacable.

The club re-emerged after the war and began raising funds for a return to league football. Applications to rejoin the league for the 1946/47 and 47/48 seasons were unsuccessful as the league decided to remain with just eight participating teams. Following facilities development in The Showgrounds, Rovers were re-elected to league for the start of the 1948/49 season.

The 1950‘s were turbulent times at The Showgrounds with the clubs inabaility to attract and maintain a manager. Although the club didnt acheive any major success during these times it still enjoyed lenghty cup runs and were constantly developing the squad.

The clubs development continued and they were eventually crowned Cup Champions in 1983 under the managment of Jim McLaughin.

The 1990‘s saw major changes for the Club. Having always received huge local support Rovers attendance peeked during the 1992/1993 and 1993/1994 seasons. Willie McStays arrival as senior manager was widely welcomed. Rovers, seemingly at last comfortable under new managment won a "treble" of the First Division title, the First Division Shield and the FAI Cup, beating Derry City in the final. In 1994 they got through the preliminary round of the European Cup Winners Cup by defeating Floriana of Malta 3-2 on aggregate in what would be the last Irish victory in Europe during the nineties. They then lost to Club Brugge in the first round, 5-2 on aggregate, after only narrowly losing the first leg 2-1 against the Belgian giants. In the summer of 1996 they drew 3-3 in a InterToto cup group game against French side FC Nantes who two months previously had played in the Champions League semi-final.

Former Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez managed the club in the 1994-95 season. Steve Cotterill, former manager of Burnley succeeded Sanchez as manager.

The late 1990‘s were troubling times for the club. Cup triumphs and League wins became a thing of the past as Sligo Rovers were relegated to the First Division under Tommy Cassidy.

Don O’Riordan was appointed club manger and despite great hopes

he failed to build a side capable of promotion. Although, he did lay a very successful youth policy which still benefits the club today.

Sean Connors career as Rovers manager began successfully as our club gained our much-awaited promotion to the Premier League in 2005. Sligo Rovers then proceeded to reach the FAI Cup semi final in the 2006 season and managed a very credible 5th place finish in their first season back in the Premier Division.

Connor left the club in controversial circumstances days after the Cup defeat having underacheived with a talented side.

Paul Cooks arrival as manager was the beginning of a new era in The Showgrounds. In Paul Cook Rovers had found what was badly missing, a motivated, success-hungry, realistic young manager.

Almost immediately the atmosphere and on-pitch performances began to improve. Having reached the FAI Cup Final Rovers were beaten 2-1 by Sporting Fingal, in what was a dissapointing performance by the club.

Paul Cooks managerial decisions for the 2010 season can only be described as brilliant. The introduction of quality players such as Cameron International Joseph Ndo and recently named Airtricity Player of the Year Richie Ryan combined with the promising talents of Gary McCabe and John Russell assured Rovers automatic European qualification.

The clubs much-awaited search for silverware also concluded in September as Rovers became EA Sports Cup Champions for the first time in history.

Paul Cooks army marched on and overcame League winners Shamrock Rovers in a tense penalty shootout to become FAI Cup Champions.

Rovers skilled performances this year has opened many eyes to the fact that quality football can be, and is played outside the boundaries of Dublin.

From their establishment in 1928, Rovers have encountered early European exits, disappointing releagtions, Cup triumphs, league wins and most recently spectacularly skilled performances on an almost weekly basis, yet one thing is certain: whether rooted on the bottom of the First Division or winning European qualifications: Sligo Rovers will always hold a special place in the hearts of Sligo people,as it has since 1928.

Word Puzzle!

Did you know?

Here is a game that you can play to test your skill. This game will present you with a matrix filled with letters. The objective is to form words by concatenating adjacent letters. Letters that are to the left, right, on top, bottom, or on a diagonal to each other are all acceptable.

Most babies born in August 19.5% of new August babies are born in India and 11.6% in China, respectively 6 and 4 times more than in the United States: approximately 2.2 million and 1.3 million vs 0.4 million. Which means two babies are born every second in India and China vs a new baby every 8 seconds in the US. World-wide, 5 beautiful new babies are born every second. The global fertility rate is 2.61 while the United States has a fertility rate of 2.05 children born per woman. One in every 31 new cuddly earthlings born globally is born in the US, thus 3% of all new births.

SAMPLE PUZZLE Here are some words that can be found in this sample matrix: any chant panel path trench Here are some words that are not valid in this puzzle: chance - uses the 'c' twice chaps - 's' is not adjacent

PUZZLE TIME ACROSS

WIN! 25

1. Kneading up in quiet Westmeath village near the Meath border. (8) 5. Confusing result in one of the four green fields of Ireland. (6) 10. One of amorous disposition in Cashel over there.

(5) 11. "Oft in the stilly night, --- Slumber's chain has bound me" Thomas Moore. (3) 13. Cap in disarray when there's a mad rush. (5) 14. Eat on the return through Ballaghaderreen ideally.

(4) 16. Nothing negative in steep Lusk environment. (4) 18. Rag us about sweetener. (5) 19. Nose I tweaked made a din. (5) 22. Far back to start with on the floater. (4) 24. A valve of a C.O. (anag.) Wicklow beauty spot much praised by Thomas Moore in song of the bright waters.

(4,2,5) 26. " ---- denial is not a virtue: it is only the effect of prudence on rascality." Shaw (4) 27. Coder unravelled the appearance of the room. (5) 29. "I am escaped with the skin of my -----" Job Chap.19 Verse 20. (5) 30. Sudden fancy in Mallow himself included. (4) 33. Building used to store crops in the Swanlinbar neighbourhood. (4) 37. Some of the Kildare Pelagians will not cause attraction. (5) 39. Infuse with colour in Limavady every day. (3) 40. Spanish friend is hidden on the way back from the bog, I'm afraid. (5) 41. Irish hunting dog who creates puzzles? (6) 42. Jumbled loss rare in Wexford resort and gateway to Ireland from Wales. (8)

DOWN 1. Key link includes north initially over in city on the Nore, once the capital of the kingdom of Ossory. (8) 2. Jack loses out initially in the main body of the church. (4) 3. "They make truth serve as a stalking horse to -----" Henry St. John. (5) 4. Cut back and enquired in stage Irish! (4) 6. Once around on your knees? (3) 7. Of sound quality in Midleton alcohol. (5) 8. Sees R.C. mingling in Connemara beauty spot with green marble quarries. (6) 9. Catch up with decimal base. (3) 12. Ferry grin O.K. (anag.) Tour route around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula. (4,2,5) 15.This provides a sound reception in the Clonea region.

(3) 16. "The famous Northern reticence, the tight gag of -----".

Seamus Heaney (5)

You blink 15 000 times a day The muscle that lets your eye blink is the fastest muscle in your body. It allows you to blink 5 times a second. On average, you blink 15 000 times a day. That’s about 10 times per minute, or more than five million times a year. Women blink more than men. Jean-Dominique Bauby, a French journalist suffering from “locked-in” syndrome, wrote the book “The Driving Bell and the Butterfly” by blinking his left eyelid – the only part of his body that could move.

One billion bicycles There are about a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as motorcars. Almost 400 million bicycles are in China. Every year some 50 million bicycles – and 20 million cars – are produced.

Although Leonardo da Vinci drew some rough sketches of a contraption that looked like a bicycle, the Frenchman De Sivrac built the first bicycle-type vehicle in 1690. It was referred to as a hobbyhorse. However, it did not have pedals. Those were added in 1840 by a Scottish blacksmith, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, who is credited with inventing the real bicycle. On a penny-farthing bicycle, one pedal gave the wheel one turn. A lot of pedalling was needed to get around! With the advent of gears, bicycles could move as fast as cars. Air-filled tyres were used on bicycles before they were used on motorcars.The bicycle as we know it today – with two wheels of the same size – looks almost exactly the same as one from 1900.

17. "Every man desires to ---- long, but no man would be old." Swift. (4) 20. Meal's over for the place where witches were very unsafe once. (5) 21. Spirited ending to 26 across. (3) 22. "He that spareth his --- hateth his son." Proverbs Chap.

13 Verse 24. (3) 23. "Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace the day's disasters in his morning ----." Goldsmith. (4) 25. Ogre Rene troubled in Louth resort at the entrance to Carlingford Lough. (8) 28.Weapons on the road out of Dublin towards Belfast, where there is a pentagonal castle. (5) 29. Open barrel put up conditionally. (3) 31.What goes to start the process in Kilorglin putatively. (5) 32. One hundred and fifty over the donkey show style. (5) 34. A religious doctor can put it together. (3) 35. Latin fiddler in Enniscrone romance. (4) 36. Greedy turn up to see the opera star. (4) 38. Rathkeale estate conceals Cork's flower. (3)

LAST ISSUE’S

ANSWERS

Birds that bark like dogs The Antpitta avis canis Ridgley is a bird that looks like a stuffed duck on stilts and barks like a dog. The bird was discovered by ornithologist Robert S. Ridgley in the Andes in Ecuador in June 1998.Thirty of these long-legged, black-and-white barking birds were found. It apparently had gone undetected because it lives in remote parts and, of course, doesn’t sing. The size of a duck, it is one of the largest birds discovered in the 20th Century.

There also are dogs that do not bark! The basenji, smallish dog with a silky copper coat, does not bark. Instead, it yodels when it get excited. Wild dogs like the African Wild Dog also do not bark.

What breaks a diamond?

To be in with a chance of winning, fill out the crossword and your your name, telephone number and address and post to Puzzle Time Competition, Northwest Express, Unit 3, Riverview House, Barret Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo. - Good Luck!!

31. neuks 32. nuke 33. nukes 34. nun 35. nuns

36. nus 37. oes 38. oke 39. okes 40. sen

41. sene 42. skene 43. sue 44. sues 45. suk

46. suks 47. sun 48. sunn 49. uke 50. ukes

51. uns 52. use 53. uses 54. zek 55. zeks

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21. goes 22. gox 23. ken 24. kens 25. kue

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16. ensues 17.eocene 18. esne 19. excuse 20. excuses

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11. cukes 12. ecu 13. ecus 14. ens 15. ensue

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6. cokes 7. cox 8. cue 9. cues 10. cuke

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 A diamond is the hardest substance on earth, but if it is  thenatural  placed in an oven and temperature is raised to about 763

1. cense 2. censes 3. cog 4. cogs 5. coke

Name:   Address:      number: Telephone   

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degrees Celsius (1405 degrees Fahrenheit), it will simply vanish, without even ash remaining. Only a little carbon dioxide will have been released. Diamonds are formed over a period of a billion or more years deep within earth’s crust – about 150km (90 miles) deep – and is pushed to the surface by volcanoes.

Most diamonds are found in volcanic rock, called Kimberlite, or in the sea after having been carried away by rivers when they were pushed to the surface. A diamond is 58 times harder than the next hardest mineral on earth, corundum, from which rubies and sapphires are formed. It was only during the 15th century that it was discovered that the only way to cut diamonds was     with other diamonds. Yet, diamonds are brittle. A diamond will     shatter or splinter If hit hard with a hammer.

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Tel: 086 4062404

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BOYZONE RETURN TO THE ROYAL THEATRE, CASTLEBAR

Following their much-anticipated reunion in 2007, Boyzone return to the Royal Theatre in Castlebar on March 17th.

One of the most successful Irish bands of all time, following the sudden,untimely death of bandmember Stephen Gately in 2009, Boyzone will perform as a four piece with Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch.

Their most recent album, Brother named in memory of Stephen, is the lads fourth studio album, their first released in

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  • Bouncing Castles with or without slides • Inflatable Boxing Ring  covers)  • Giant Slides (all with rain • Marquees of all sizes    FOR HIRE

       085-8438516    TEL:         

                        

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FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION C ASHEL HOUSE HOTEL

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twelve years.

This show will see Boyzone return to the West coast where they played some of their first shows ever. If you want to celebrate Paddys Day in what is set to be a heartfelt and emotional concert tickets are available on www.ticketmaster.ie as well as from the Royal Theatre Box Office on 0818 300 000.Tickets are 44.50 incl. booking fee, other service charges may apply. For further information please check the Royal Theatre website on: www.theroyal.ie

 BALLET THEATRE PROUDLY    PRESENTS CINDERELLA     BALLET Theatre UK's New Production of the classic ballet Cinderella tells everyone's favourite rages to riches story.

Cinderella is tormented by her spiteful stepsisters and would do anything to attend the Price's glamerous ball. Rejected upset and alone, Cinderella's Fairy Godmother intervenes and transforms  her into a glittering Princess who shall go to the ball.   Join Cinderella on her adventure  of daring magic, hansom princes,  glass slippers, and see if she can

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find her "happy ever after"....

Prokofiev'ss uplifting score together with sumptous costumes and sets conjure up the magical fantasy world of Cinderella perfectly.

Ballet Theatre UK promises to enchant you with this fairytale production of breath taking beauty and delight, showcasing a company of young and talented international dancers.   are on Sale  Tickets   now 18.00 - 20.00 on www.ticketmaster.ie.

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Sligo’s Musical Society Presents: Disneys Beauty and the Beast

FROM the 17th-26th of February, one of the most wellknown traditional fairytales will come alive onstage at the Hawkswell Theatre Sligo. Beauty and the Beast, as produced by Disney, tells the heart warming story of how appearances can be deceiving.

Belle, a beautiful princess grows tired of the small, rural life in her village and along her travels encounters the Beast, a charming young prince before being cast under a spell. In the beginning Belle views him as nothing more than a monster, he views her as difficult and stubborn. But the two soon realise that people can change and the importance of admitting your mistakes.

Performed by the hugely successful Sligo Musical Society Beauty and the Beast runs from the 17th to the 26th of February incorporating matinees on Sunday 20th and Saturday 26th. For more information visit www.hawkswelltheatre.com or e-mail sligomusicalsociety@gmail.com. Tickets are priced at 18/15 concessions.

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Scruffy Duffy Mad Science parties are a blast & suit all occasions! We come to you incounties Galway, Mayo & Roscommon!  lasers, hovercraft rides andmore Experiments,  for kids age 4-12!

Check our  website  www.madscience.org/ie

4* COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL   CONNEMARA, CO. GALWAY CANDLELIGHT, TURF FIRES AND MUCH MORE TEL: 095-31001  www.cashel-house-hotel.com  0209 0209          

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or call 091-768557 to book your party.

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086-8216484 Book today for a great nights entertainment on your special day scruffy@scruffyentertainment.com

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When?

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Marquees for Hire For all Occassions Mayo area

Call 087-6433793 or 087-9933698

The World-Renowned Tedfest

The world-renowned Tedfest on Inis Oirr, Aran Islands, Galway returns from the 24th to the 27th of Februaury.The island becomes a homage, for the three

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ANDREW MAXWELL AT THE ROISIN DUBH

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Weddings, Private Parties, Communions, etc.

Full Packages available, see Website for details Dance Floors - Bar Units - Toilets - Lighting - Tables & Chairs - Catering Nationwide Service

Catered for You

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CARNIVAL   MARQUEES 

Niall on 086-1595093  contact        

          

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   Airport Transfers   Weddings  Stag Nights  Hen  Nights    Christmas Parties     Sight Seeing 

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   

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- Suppliers of -

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John Barrett Mobile: 087-9827298 Email: jjbarrett50ie@yahoo.ie   www.cateredforyou.net  

                         

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All Events Catered For

Weddings, Communions, Confirmations, Private Parties etc

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OUTDOOR CATERING 

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Connaught Amusements

Tel: 087-2435463

Tel: 086 8773635

80‘s Where are the Parents tells the story of hard working lorry driver Joe Boyle (Eoghan MacGiollaBhride) and his wife, Bridie (Mairead Hennessy) as they attempt  to raise  a   teenage family in the eco struggling    nomic times. Fergus takes a capti   vating and unique slant on the realities of rural family life during    Where Are The Parents, is well the last Irish recession.   experience     known  actor and musician Fergus As many Irish families tribulations Clearys’   in todays     first  stage-production run- such trials and recession this emo-  ning on Thursday March 10th and 21st century      11th in The Balor Arts tional and realistic act allows many Friday March           Centre. Depicting the challenges of of the audience to empathise with         characters.  life in the impoverished family mid- the struggling

HAVING been praised as “the strongest comedian on the circuit right now” Andrew Maxwell performs for one night only on March 9th in The Roisin Dubh,  Galway.   A regular on  Panel,  RTEs’ The Maxwell needs  no introduction     to Irish audiences. This stand up comedian was recently voted Best Irish Comedian at the en  tertainment.ie awards.

Maxwell is currently one of the most sought after Irish comedians having performed a new    show at the Edinburgh Festival, completed a   complete tour of Ireland and guest appearing on ITV’s Celebrity Juice and BBC’s Have I Got News For You. Support on the night is provided by Trevor Browne and Joe Rooney. For more information or to book tickets for what promises to be a side-splittingly hilarious night go to www.roisindubh.net, where tickets are priced 15.

Pool Tables Video Jukeboxes Coin & Note Operated Machines

Ballina, Co. Mayo

This isn't so much a festival but a journey into the heart of the cult comedy programme. The last episode of Father Ted may have been made more than a decade ago, but the fans' appetite for the programme has not been quelled. This unique series set on the fictional Craggy Island is a TV sitcom that filmed its final instalment 10 years ago. The show, written by Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, sold more than 1 million DVD box sets.

A wide range of organised events are set to occur throughout the three day spectacle including a Virtual Confession service, Craggy Island Kill Bill Festival, Pirate Cruise and the Walking Tour to Amish Community. Entertainment will also be provided throughout the weekend by DJ Altered Boy DJ Sister Scratch, Father Mick Mac and Sister Assumpto along   with The Christian  Brothers. from 150 and acco  Tickets are priced  days, to the fictional Craggy Island as fes- modation  is also availible, by reservation, For more information on tival-goers come attired as nuns and on  thetruly island.  unique this festival log on to: priests, with altar-servers and bishops  www.tedfest.org  also present.

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Hotels Night Clubs parties Corporate Hospitality

Nationwide Service Tel: +353 41 6855873 Mobile: +353 87 781 4814

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Looking back at May ‘07 T

he Irish general election of 2007 took place on 24 May 2007 after the dissolution of the 29th Dáil by the President on 29 April 2007, at the request of the Taoiseach.

The electorate was given the task of choosing the members of the 30th Dáil who met on 14 June 2007 to nominate a Taoiseach and ratify the ministers of the Government of the 30th Dáil. While Fine Gael gained 20 seats, Fianna Fáil remained the largest party.

The election was considered a success for Fianna Fáil; however, Fianna Fáil's junior coalition partners in the 29th Dáil, the Progressive Democrats, lost six of their eight seats.

On 12 June 2007, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party reached agreement on a draft Programme for Government, this was subsequently ratified by the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party and Green Party members on 13 June 2007. This resulted in the formation of a coalition government on 14 June 2007 between Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats. The government was initially supported by four Independent TDs.

Rose Conway-Walsh Mayo Q1. Maritial status - Married Q2.How many children - 2 Q3.Occupation - Community Development Manager & County Councillor Q4.Type of car that you drive - Toyota Avensis Q5.Favourite food - Fish Q6.Favourite drink when socialising - Vodka and Tonic Q7.Favourite TV program (no current affairs) - RAW Q8.Favourite actress - Helen Mirren Q9.Favourite actor - Liam Neelson Q10.Favourite singer/band - Bryan Adams Q11.What music are you currently listening to - Matt Cardle Q12.What was the last movie that you rented out - Can’t remember Q13.What book are you currently reading - Lorna Siggins – Once Upon a Time in the West Q14. Sports star you admire the most - Katie Rowland Q15. If you could have dinner with five people who are either dead or alive who would your 5 be - Nelson Mandella, Mother Teresa, Ghandi, Regina Mc Nulty, Rachel Monaghan

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Changes during 30th Dail 2007 General Election      GeneralElection 24 May 2007  

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Theintentionofthispageistoshowpartygainsandlossescomparedwiththe2                   002result. Wherethese gains and losses correspond directlywitha particular           candidate, this isindicated.  

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77

Date Date

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2

5

 1

Constituency Co n s t it u e n c y

Change Change

08/04/08 08/ 04/08

Mayo Ma yo

Beverley re-admitted admitted tto o Fi Fianna anna Fái Fáill Beverley Flynn Flynn re-

07/06/09 07/ 06/09

Donegal Do negal S South o u th W West est

Election El e c t io n a as s MEP MEP o off Pat Pat ''The The Cope' Cope' Gallagher G a lla g h e r

05/08/09 05/ 08/09

Sligo Sl igo Leitrim L e it r im N North o rth

Jimmy Jimmy D Devins evins resigns resigns the th e F Fianna ia n n a F Fáil á il w whip h ip

05/08/09 05/08/09

Sligo Sl igo Leitrim L e it r im N North o rth

Eamon Eamon Sc Scanlon anlon re resigns signs the the Fianna F ia n n a F Fáil á il w whip h ip

25/11/10 25/11/10

Donegal Do negal S South o u th W West est

Election Election o off Pe Pearse arse Doherty D o h e rty

13/1/11 13/1/11

Sl igo Leitrim L e it r im N o rth Sligo North

Eamon Sc anlon re gains tthe he F ia n n a F á il w h ip Eamon Scanlon regains Fianna Fáil whip

25/1/11 25/1/11

Sl igo Leitrim L e it r im N o rth Sligo North

Jimmy D evins re gains tthe he F ia n n a F á il w h ip Jimmy Devins regains Fianna Fáil whip



Marc Mac Sharry

Martin Kenny

Sligo / North Leitrim Q1. Maritial status - Married Q2. How many children - Two Q3. Occupation - Public Representative Q4.Type of car that you drive - BMW Q5. Favourite food - Bacon & Cabbage Q6. Favourite drink when socialising- Guinness Q7. Favourite TV program (no current affairs) Deadliest Catch Q8. Favourite actress - Meryl Streep Q9. Favourite actor- Al Pacino Q10. Favourite singer/band - U2 Q11.What music are you currently listening to Everything Q12.What was the last movie that you rented out - Toy story 3 Q13.What book are you currently reading - Tony Blair autobiography Q14. Sports star you admire the most - Charlie Harrison Q15. If you could have dinner with five people who are either dead or alive who would your 5 be - Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, James Connolly, Countess Markievicz, Jack Yeats

Roscommon / South Leitrim Q1.Maritial status - Married Q2.How many children - 4_ Q3.Occupation - County Councillor and Community Worker Q4.Type of car that you drive - Mondeo Q5.Favourite food - Spuds Q6.Favourite drink when socialising - Guinness Q7.Favourite TV program (no current affairs) - The Savage Eye Q8.Favourite actress - Demi Moore Q9. Favourite actor - Mel Gibson Q10. Favourite singer/band - U2 Q11.What music are you currently listening to - U2 Q12.What was the last movie that you rented out - Inseption Q13.What book are you currently reading - The Three Laws of Performance Q14 Sports star you admire the most - Mickey Harte Q15 If you could have dinner with five people who are either dead or alive who would your5 be My Camapign Team (I think I owe them a few dinners)

Frank McBrearty Jnr

Michael Ring

Donegal South West Q1. Maritial status - Married Q2. How many children - 4, 1 boy & 3 girls Q3. Occupation Full Time public representative Q4. Type of car that you drive Range Rover Q5. Favourite food Fillet steak & Fresh Salmon Q6. Favourite drink when socialising - pint of Heineken Q7. Favourite TV program (no current affairs) Greys anatomy, Resuce me, Mrs Brown Q8. Favourite actress Nicole Kidman Q9. Favourite actor - Robert Dinero & Daniel Daylewis Q10. Favourite singer/band Michael Buble Q11. What music are you currently listening to - all types Q12.What was the last movie that you rented out - expendables Q13. What book are you currently reading - last book I read was Blue wall of silence by Vicky Conway Q14. Sports star you admire the most- Mohamid Ali and Roy Keane Q15. If you could have dinner with five people who are either dead or alive who would your 5 be Ruben Hurricane carter, Mohamid Ali, JFK, Martin Luther King and Billy Connolly

Mayo Q1.Maritial status - Married Q2.How many children - Three Q3.Occupation - Full Time Public presentative Q4.Type of car that you drive - Volkswagen Passat Q5.Favourite food - Fish Q6.Favourite drink when socialising - Water Q7.Favourite TV program (no current affairs) - Only Fools & Horses Q8.Favourite actress - Julia Roberts Q9.Favourite actor - Jack Nicholson Q10.Favourite singer/band - Christy Moore Q11.What music are you currently listening to - Anything on Midwest Radio Q12.What was the last movie that you rented out - I do not have time to rent out movies Q13.What book are you currently reading - John Giles: A Football Man My Autobiography Q14. Sports star you admire the most - Johnny Giles Q15. If you could have dinner with five people who are either dead or alive who would your 5 be - Michael Collins, Brigadier General Joe Ring, Sean O'Rourke, Diana Princess of Wales and my wife, Anne



 

Looking back at May ‘07

General General El Election: e c tio n : 2 24 4M May ay 2 2007 007 Sligeach Sligeach Li Liatroim atroim Thuai Thuaidh dh

Sligo Sligo Leitrim Leitrim North N o r th Sligo Sl igo Area Area (C (Connaught) onnaught) 3 Seats Seats Electorate: El ectorate: 57,517 57,517 Candidate Ca n d id a te

Party Pa rty

10 C Candidates andidates

1st P Pref ref

Share Sh are Qu Quota o ta

5 Counts Counts Quota: Qu ota: 9,984 9 ,9 8 4

Count Co unt Status Status

Seat Se at

§ Eamon Eamon Scanlon Scanlon

9,258 9,258

23.18% 23.

18%

0.93 0.

93

5

Made Made Quota Q u o ta

1

° John Perry Perry

7,910 7,910

19.81% 19.

81%

0.

0.79 79

5

Made Made Quota Q u o ta

2

7,102 7, 102

17.78% 17.

78%

0.

0.71 71

5

Elected Elected

3

Mi Michael chael C Comiskey omiskey

4, 4,937 937

12.36% 12.

36%

0.49 0.

49

(5) (5)

Not Not Elected Elected

Se Sean an MacManus M acM anus

684 4,684 4,

11.73% 11.

73%

0.47 0.

47

(4) (4)

Eliminated Eliminated

Im Imelda elda Henry H e n ry

2, 2,837 837

7.10% 7.

10%

0.

0.28 28

(3)) (3

Eliminated Eliminated

2

1,555 1, 555

3.

3.89% 89%

0.

0.16 16

(3)) (3

No No expenses expenses

Br Brian ian Sc Scanlon a n lo n

1,209 1, 209

3.

3.03% 03%

0.

0.12 12

(2 (2))

No No expenses expenses

353

0.

0.88% 88%

0.

0.04 04

(1)) (1

No No expenses expenses

89

0.

0.22% 22%

0.

0.01 01

(1 (1))

No No expens expenses es

To Total tal valid valid

39, 39,934 934

69.

69.43% 43%

Sp oilt vvotes Spoilt o te s

396

0.

98% 0.98%

330 40,330 40,

70.

70.12% 12%

° Ji Jimmy mmy D Devins evins

Ji Jim m Mc McGarry G a rry

2

Andy An dy McSharry McSharry Jo John hn Higgins H ig g in s

2

To Total tal poll p o ll ° outgoing outgoing TD ffor or a di different fferent ar area ea § out outgoing going S Senator enator



General General El Election: e c tio n : 2 24 4M May ay 2 2007 007 Sligeach Sligeach Li Liatroim atroim Thuai Thuaidh dh



Sligo Sl igo Leitrim Leitrim North N o r th



General General El Election: ection: 24 M May ay 2007 2007 Sligeach Li atroim Thuai dh Sligeach Liatroim Thuaidh

 

Sligo Sligo Leitrim Leitrim North N o r th

Sligo Sl igo Area Area (C (Connaught) onnaught) 3 Seats Seats 10 C Candidates andidates 5 Counts Counts El ectorate: 57,517 57,517 Quota: 9,984 9 ,9 8 4 Electorate: Quota:

Sligo Sligo Area Area (Connaught) (Connaught) Candidate Ca n d id a te

3 Seats Seats 10 C Candidates andidates 5 Counts Counts Electorate: Quota: Electorate: 57,517 57,517 Quota: 19,968 1 9 ,9 6 8

Party Pa rty

Transfer Transfer of Transfer Tr ansfer of votes ffrom rom Transfer vot es ffrom rom Transfer votes Transfer of votes Transfer of votes ffrom rom votes ffrom rom McSharry McSharry votes He Henry nry votes and Higgins Scanlon McGarry Higgins Scanlon and Mc Garry MacManus MacManus Co Count unt 1 Count Count Count Count Count 2 Count 3 Count 4 Count 5

§ Ea Eamon mon Scanlon Scanlon

° John Perry Perry

° Ji Jimmy mmy Devins Devins

Sean Se an M MacManus acM anus

Imelda Im elda Henry H e n ry

40.97% 40.97% 39.27% 39.27%

Jim Ji m McGarry McGarry

16,360 16,360

15,684 15,684

3.03% 3.03%

1,555 1,555

1,209 1,209

John Jo hn H Higgins ig g in s

1.

1.11% 11% 4, 684 4,684

+272 9, 9,662 662

+1,109 +1, 109 10,771 10,771

7, 7,910 910

+42 7,952 7, 952

+134 8, 8,086 086

+1,407 +1,407 7 9,493 9, 493

+870 10,363 10,363

7, 7,102 102

+66 7,168 7, 168

+120 7, 7,288 288

+616 7,904 7, 904

+1,283 +1,283 9,187 9, 187

4, 937 4,937

+79 5,016 5, 016

+155 155 5 5, 5,171 171

+1,561 +1, 561 6, 6,732 732

+1,025 +1, 025 7,757 7, 757

4, 684 4,684

+100 4,784 4,784

+291 5,075 5,075

+694 5, 5,769 769

Eliminated El im in a te d

2, 2,837 837

+26 2,863 2, 863

+124 2,987 2, 987

Eliminated El im in a te d

1, 1,555 555

+16 1,571 1, 571

+258 1, 1,829 829

Eliminated El im in a te d

1, 1,209 209

+31 1,240 1,240

Eliminated El im in a te d

353

Eliminated El im in a te d

89

Eliminated El im in a te d

Total To tal valid valid ° out outgoing going TD ffor or a di different fferent ar area ea outgoing Senator § out going S enator



--2,987 2,987 7

--1,829 1,829

--1,240 1,240 0

-89

2

No Non-transferable n-tr transferable papers papers not not effective efffective

442

--5,769 5,769

-353

An dy McSharry Andy McSharry

3.

3.89% 89%

+73 9, 9,390 390

2

Br Brian ian Sc Scanlon a n lo n

11.73% 11.

73%

+59 9,317 9, 317

2

Mi Michael chael C Comiskey omiskey

Party Par ty Share Share of Vote Vote in in 2007

9,258 9, 258

39,934 39,934

+23 23

+85 108

+266 374

+1,482 +1,482 1, 856 1,856

39,934 39, 934

39,934 39, 934

39, 39,934 934

39, 39,934 934

Looking back at May ‘07

General El General Election: e c tio n : 2 24 4M May ay 2 2007 007 Maigh Eo Ma ig h E o

Mayo Ma yo Ma Mayo yo A Area rea (C (Connaught) onnaught) 8 Counts 5 Seats Seats 13 Candidates Candidates Counts Electorate: El ectorate: 98,696 Quota: 98,696 Quota: 1 11,898 1 ,8 9 8

Independent

Candidate Ca n d id a te

*

En Enda da Ke Kenny nny

*

Micha Mi cha el Ring Ri ng John O'Mah O' M ah 5 ony Dara Da ra Callea Ca lle a ry



*

Beverl Beverl ey Flynn Fl ynn

*

Jo John hn 2 Carty Ca rty



Mi chell Michell e Mulher Mu lh e r in

  *

General General El Election: e c tio n : 2 24 4M May ay 2 2007 007 Maigh Maigh E Eo o

erry Jer Jerry Cowle Co wle y Frank Frank Ch am b Chamb er s ers

Mayo Mayo Ma Mayo yo Area Area (C (Connaught) onnaught)

Gerry Gerry Murray Mu rra y

Candidate Candidate

Party Party

Sh Share are Qu Quota o ta

Count Co unt St Status a tu s

Seat Se at

* En Enda da Kenny Kenny

14,717 14,717

20.62% 20.

62%

1.24 1.24

1

Made Made Q Quota u o ta

1

* Mi Michael chael Ring R in g

11,412 11,412

15.99% 15.

99%

0.96 0.96

2

Made Made Quota Q u o ta

2

6,869 6, 869

9.62% 9.62%

0.58 0.58

8

Made Made Quota Q u o ta

3

Da Dara ra Ca Calleary lle a r y

7,225 7,225

10.12% 10.12%

0.61 0.61

8

Elected Elected

4

* Beverley Beverley F Flynn ly n n

6,779 6,779

9.50% 9.50%

0.57 0.57

8

Elected Elected

5

5, 5,889 889

8.25% 8.25%

0.49 0.49

(8) (8)

Not Not E Elected lected

5,428 5, 428

7.60% 7.60%

0.46 0.46

(7) (7)

Eliminated Eliminated

3, 407 3,407

4.77% 4.77%

0.29 0.29

(6) (6)

Eliminated Eliminated

4, 345 4,345

6.09% 6.09%

0.37 0.37

(5) (5)

Eliminated El im in a t e d

3, 3,608 608

5.05% 5.05%

0.30 0.30

(4) (4)

Eliminated Eliminated

Ha rry B Harry Barrett a rre tt

831

1.16% 1.16%

0.07 0.07

(3) (3)

No No expenses expenses

Pe Peter ter En Enright rig h t

580

0.81% 0.81%

0.05 0.05

(3) (3)

No No expenses expenses

Tommy Tom my Cooke Cooke

296

0.41% 0.41%

0.02 0.02

(3) (3)

No No expenses expenses

Total To tal valid valid

71,386 71, 386

72.33% 72.33%

Sp o ilt v o te s Spoilt votes

700

0.97% 0.97%

72, 086 72,086

73.04% 73.04%

John O'Mahony O'Mahony

* Jo John hn C Carty a rty

5

2

Michelle Mulherin Mi chelle Mu lh e r in * Jerry Jerry C o w le y Cowley Frank C hambers Frank Chambers Ge rry M u rra y Gerry Murray

To tal poll p o ll Total * outgoing outgoing TD



1st P Pref ref

3

Count Co unt 1

14,717 14, 717

-2,819 -2, 2,819 11,898 11,898 +1,029 +1, 029

-543

11, 11,412 412

12,441 12,441

11, 11,898 898

+675

+215

+244

+714

+138

+732

+4, +4,149 149

6,869 6, 869

7,544 7,544

7,759 7, 759

8,003 8, 003

8,717 8, 717

8,855 8, 855

9,587 9, 587

13,736 13, 736

+23

+3

+187 7

+261

+1,104 +1, 104

+542

+1, +1,924 924

7,225 7,225

7,248 7,248

7, 7,251 251

7, 7,438 438

7,699 7, 699

8, 8,803 803

9, 9,345 345

11, 11,269 269

+352

+81

+175

+656

+1,279 +1, 279

+1,362 +1, 362

+566

6, 6,779 779

7,131 7,131

7, 7,212 212

7, 7,387 387

8,043 8,043

9,322 9, 322

10,684 10, 684

11,250 11, 250

5,889 5, 889

+37 5,926 5,926

+11 5,937 5, 937

+54 5,991 5, 991

+528 6,519 6,519

+1,306 +1,306 7, 7,825 825

+389 8, 8,214 214

+89 8,303 8,303

+449

+139

+400

+265

+82

+881

5,428 5,428

11,898 11, 898

11,898 11, 898

11,898 11,898

11,898 11, 898

11,898 11,898

11,898 11,898

11, 11,898 898

11,898 11,898

11, 898 11,898

11,898 11,898

11,898 11,898

5,877 5,877

6,016 6, 016

6,416 6, 416

6,681 6, 681

6,763 6, 763

+80

+42

+381

+874

+558

3,407 3,407

3,487 3,487

3,529 3, 529

3,910 3, 910

+41

+20

+93

+206

4,345 4,345

4,386 4,386

4, 406 4,406

4, 499 4,499

4,705 4,705

+52

+8

+177 7

3,608 3,608

3,660 3,660

3,668 3, 668

Harry Ha rry Barrett Ba rre tt

831

+65 896

+21 917

Eliminated El im in a te d

Pe Peter te r Enright En r ig h t

580

+14 594

+3 597

Eliminated El im in a te d

296

298

298

Eliminated El im in a te d

71, 71,386 386

71,386 71, 386

3

Seats 13 C andidates Counts 5 Seats Candidates 8 Counts Electorate: 98,696 98,696 Quota: 11,898 1 1 ,8 9 8 Electorate: Quota:

Party Pa rty

ansfer Transfer Tr ansfer Tr Transfer of of r p lu s surplus su rplus su surplus from fr om fr from om Kenny Ring Ke nny Ri ng Count Co unt Count Co unt 2 3

Tr ansfer of Transfer Transfer Transfer Transfer Transfer votes vot es ffrom rom Transfer Transfer Barrett Ba rrett Transfer of Transfer of and En Enrig rig votes votes of votes votes of ht votes votes fr from om vot votes es from fr om and Co Cook ok from fr om Ch Chamber am ber fr from om Mulheri Mulheri Murray Cowley n e Mu rra y s Co w le y Co Count unt Count Co unt Count Count Co unt 6 Count Co unt 4 Count 5 7 8

Tomm Tom m y Cooke Co oke Total To ta l valid va lid * out outgoing going TD

+2

71, 71,386 386

3,845 3, 845

4,784 4, 784

5, 5,342 342

7,644 7, 644

--7,644 7,644 Eliminate El im in a te d

--5,342 5,342 Eliminate El im in a te d

--4,705 4,705 5 Eliminated El im in a te d

--3,845 3,845 5 Eliminate El im in a te d

-917 7

-597 7

-298

71, 71,386 386

71, 71,386 386

71, 71,386 386

71, 71,386 386

71, 71,386 386

 

      



Looking back at May ‘07

General General El Election: e c tio n : 2 24 4M May ay 2 2007 007 Liatroim Ros Ros Comain Comain L iatroim Theas

Ro Roscommon scommon Leitrim Leitrim South S o u th Sl igo Area Area (Connaught) (Connaught) Sligo Seats 9 Candidates Candidates 3 Seats 62,437 Electorate: El ectorate: 62,437

Ge General neral El Election: e c tio n : 2 24 4M May ay 2 2007 007 Du Dun nn na an nGall Gall T Thiar hiar Theas

Ca Candidate n d id a te

Party Party

Count Count St Status a tu s

Seat Seat

9,103 9,103

19.76% 19.

76%

0.79 0.

79

4

Made Ma de Q Quota u o ta

1

Do Donegal negal South South West W est

° Mi Michael chael Finneran F in n e r a n

9,982 9,982

21.66% 21.

66%

0.87 0.

87

4

Made Made Q Quota u o ta

2

Do Donegal negal Ar Area ea (U (Ulster) lster)

nis Naughten Naughten ° De Denis

8,928 8,928

19.

38% 19.38%

0.

78 0.78

4

El e c te d Elected

3

° Jo hn E llis John Ellis

7,915 7,915

17.

18% 17.18%

0.

69 0.69

(4 (4))

Not Elected Elected Not

539 4,539 4,

9.

85% 9.85%

0.

39 0.39

(3 (3))

Eliminated Eliminated

3,876 3,876

8.41% 8.

41%

0.34 0.

34

(2)) (2

Eliminated Eliminated

Ca Candidate n d id a te

Party Pa rty

ry C Coughlan o u g h la n * Ma Mary * Pa Patt Gallagher G a lla g h e r

1

* Di Dinny nny McGinley McGinley

1st P Pref ref

Sh Share are Qu Quota o ta

Jo hn K e lly John Kelly

Co Count unt St Status a tu s

8

Martin Ma rtin Kenny Kenny

Seat Se at

Garreth Ga rreth McDaid McDaid

836

1.81% 1.

81%

0.07 0.

07

(1)) (1

No No expenses expenses

10, 10,530 530

26.

42% 26.42%

1.

06 1.06

1

Made Quota Q u o ta Made

1

Hu g h ie B a x te r Hughie Baxter

832

1.

81% 1.81%

0.

07 0.07

(1 (1))

No expenses expenses No

9, 9,606 606

24.

24.10% 10%

0.96 0.

96

2

Made Made Q Quota u o ta

2

No el O' Gara Noel O'Gara

66

0.

14% 0.14%

0.01 0.01

(1) (1)

No expenses expenses No

9,167 9, 167

23.00% 23.

00%

0.92 0.92

3

Made Made Q Quota u o ta

3 46,077 46,077

73.

80% 73.80%

Total poll p o ll Total

Pe Pearse arse Doherty D o h e rty

8,462 8,462

21.23% 21.23%

0.85 0.85

(3) (3)

Not Not Elected Elected

Seamus Se amus Rodgers R o d g e rs

1,111 1,111

2.79% 2.79%

0.11 0.11

(2) (2)

No No expenses expenses

589

1.48% 1.48%

0.06 0.06

(2) (2)

No No e expenses xpenses

388

0.97% 0.97%

0.04 0.04

(2) (2)

No expenses No e xpenses

To Total tal valid valid

39,853 39, 853

65.52% 65.

52%

Sp oilt votes Spoilt v o te s

421

1.

05% 1.05%

40,274 40,274

66.21% 66.21%

Se Sean an O Maolchallann M a o lc h a lla n n Doherty Jo John hn D o h e rty

2

To Total tal poll p o ll

° out outgoing going TD ffor or a di different fferent ar area ea § out outgoing going S Senator enator



General General El Election: e c tio n : 2 24 4M May ay 2 2007 007 Ro Ros s Co Comain m a in L Liatroim ia tro im T Theas heas

Ro Roscommon scommon Leitrim Leitrim South S o u th Sligo Sligo Area Area (C (Connaught) onnaught) 3 Seats Seats

* outgoing outgoing TD

9 Candidates Candidates

4 Counts Counts

62,437 El Electorate: ectorate: 62,437





Share Sh are Qu Quota o ta

§ Fr Frank ank Feighan Feighan

3 Seats Seats 7 Candidates Candidates 3 Counts Counts El ectorate: 60,829 60,829 Quota: 9,964 9 ,9 6 4 Electorate: Quota:



1st P Pref ref

4 Counts Counts Quota: 11,520 Quota: 1 1 ,5 2 0

Quota: 11,520 Quota: 1 1 ,5 2 0

Do Donegal negal South South West W est Do Donegal negal Ar Area ea (U (Ulster) lster) Ca n d id a te Candidate

Seats 7 Candidates Candidates Counts 3 Seats 3 Counts 60,829 Quota: 9,964 9 ,9 6 4 Electorate: Electorate: 60,829 Quota:

Ca n d id a te Candidate

Party Pa r ty

Mary C o u g h la n * Mary Coughlan

Pat Gallagher G a lla g h e r * Pat

unt 1 Co Count

10, 10,530 530

1

* Di nny McGinley Dinny McGinley

Pe a rs e D Pearse Doherty o h e rty

9,606 9,606

9, 167 9,167

8,462 8,462

+370 0 9,976 9,976 +82 2 9, 249 9,249 +89 8, 8,551 551

Count Co unt 1

§F rank Fei ghan Frank Feighan

Tr ansfer of Transfer vot es ffrom rom votes Transfer Tr ansfer of Rodgers Ro d g e rs su rplus ffrom rom and O Ma o lc h a lla n n surplus Maolchallann Co u g h la n and Do h e rty Coughlan Doherty Co unt 2 Co unt 3 Count Count -566 6 9,964 9,964

Party Pa rty

9, 964 9,964

9, 976 9,976 +1, 032 +1,032 10,281 10,281

° Michael hael Fi nneran Finneran

°D enis Na Denis Naughten u g h te n

° Jo hn E John Ellis llis

Jo hn K John Kelly e lly

+712 9, 263 9,263

1,111 1,111

+9 1, 1,120 120

589

+7 7 596

388

+9 397

Jo hn D John Doherty o h e rty

2

--1,120 1,120

To tal valid valid Total * outgoing outgoing TD

39,853 39,853

39,853 39,853

+1,644 +1,644 12,065 12,065

9, 982 9,982

+153 10,135 10,135

+394 10,529 10,529

+1,488 +1, 488 8 12,017 12,017

8,928 928 8,

+426 9,354 9,354

+316 6 9,670 9,670

+1,378 +1, 378 8 11,048 11,048

7,915 7, 915

+145 8,060 8,060

+1,287 +1,287 7 9,347 9, 347

+303 3 9, 9,650 650

4,539 4,539

+300 4,839 4,839

+683 3 5,522 5,522

Eliminated El im in a te d

3,876 3, 876

+242 4,118 4,118

Eliminated El im in a te d

836

Eliminated El imin n a te d

832

Eliminated El imin n a te d

66

Eliminated El imin n a te d

--5,522 5,522

--4,118 4,118 8

-832

-596 Eliminated El im in a te d

-397 7

-66

Noel O' Gara Noel O'Gara

Eliminated El im in a te d

+369 369

No n-tr Non-transferable transferable papers papers not not effective effective

+914 10,421 10,421

Eliminated El im in a te d

Hughie B a x te r Hughie Baxter Sean O Ma Maolchallann o lc h a lla n n

+404 9,507 9,507

-836

Ga rreth McDaid McDaid Garreth Se am us R Seamus Rodgers o d g e rs

9, 103 9,103

8

Ma r t in K Martin Kenny enny

Transfer of Transfer vot es fr om votes from Mc Daid Tr ansfer of Transfer Transfer of McDaid Transfer and Ba Baxter xter votes votes ffrom rom vot votes es ffrom rom and O'Gara O'Gara Kenny Ke lly Kenny Kelly Count 2 Count 3 Co unt 4 Count Count Count

39,853 39, 853

No n-tr Non-transferable transferable papers papers not not effective effective

To tal valid Total valid ° out outgoing going TD ffor or a di different fferent ar area ea § out going S enator outgoing Senator

46,077 46,077

+64 64

+524 588

+709 1, 297 1,297

46,077 46,077

46, 077 46,077

46, 077 46,077

• Cancer Services & Sligo General Hospital • Commercial Rates, Jobs & More Jobs • P.A.Y.E. Workers • Infrastructure • Water Charges & Domestic Meter Charges • Banks & Bankers • Home Owners in Negative Equity • Closing our Airports while exporting our People • Respect for our Senior Citizens • Garda Stations

Legal Gaps Could Disenfranchise Intellectually Disabled

By John McTigue Inclusion Ireland are worried that citizens with an intellectual disability may be disenfranchised come polling day. Due to antiquated legislation and neglect from the outgoing government people over 18 but with an intellectual disability may be denied their right to vote come polling day.

The Fianna Fail-PD government signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March 2007.

Despite this the government have still to update legislation to bring it in line with the convention.

The issue in relation to voting concerns the right of the adult individual to make their own decisions. As it stands the legislation defining the ability of an intellectually disabled person to make their own decisions dates from 1871. This legislation provides for an individual being made a ‘Ward of the Court’ in which case many of their basic rights are stripped. This legislation must be updated if it is to brought in line with the convention the government signed up to.

Inclusion Ireland, is the national association for people with an intellectual disability. They have highlighted this lack of legal support. In a press release from March 2010, the organisation identified the absence of a definition of ‘capacity’ as the crux of the issue.

“Ireland does not have any legislation that gives a definition of what capacity is and how it can be judged so it is down to individuals to decide. Inclusion Ireland is aware of people being refused access to vote, with no recourse to object to this, given that voting takes place over one day.”

They also say that there should be a presumption of capacity, that is it must be proven that an individual does not have capacity before their rights can be infringed.

The Northwest Express spoke with Inclusion Ireland who said no movement has been made on the issue.

“It’s something we’ve been crying out for and there’s been no progress.”

The absence of defining legislation means the individual presiding officer is put under immense pressure to make their own call.

Leaving such a delicate decision up to an unqualified individual without any legal reference leaves citizens with an intellectual disability open to disenfranchisement.

The National Intellectual Disability Database lists over 25,000 people in Ireland as having an intellectual disability. Many of these people live in northwest and their right to vote should be supported by law and legislation must be brought into line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilites which this nation has pledged to honour. Inclusion Ireland run voting workshops to inform people with intellectual disabilities. “The purpose of the workshops is to support people by giving them the practical information needed, in order to vote.”

A workshop will take place in Dublin on Wednesday, 23rd February. Interested people can contact Inclusion Ireland for further information. There is an online petition to take action on this lack of full legal protection for people with intellectual disabilities.

(Disclosure – this journalist signed the petition) Found at http://www.inclusionireland.ie/signup.as

Mick Wallace among high profile Independents set to do well at election Luke Ming Flanagan, a social campaigner, could be elected in Roscommon South Leitrim where he holds a massive 45 per cent of the vote, well ahead of anyone else in the poll.

Thomas Pringle could be elected in Donegal South-West where he is currently polling second behind Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty.

Elsewhere, David McCarthy, an independent in Micheál Martin’s constituency of Cork South-Central, is currently polling above the Fianna Fail leader with both set to take two of the five seats in the constituency.

In Dublin South, independent senator and business editor of the Sunday Independent, Shane Ross is leading the poll with 30.5 per cent of the vote so far. www.inclusionireland.ie/signup.as

Luke Ming Flanagan

BUILDER MICK WALLACE IS among a number of independent candidates that are set to win seats in the next Dáil when the country goes to the polls next Friday.

A virtual poll being run on Boards.ie since February 4, has accrued nearly 14,000 votes with members of the site ranking candidates in their constituency in order of preference, the same as on a ballot paper.

So far it shows that independent candidates are set to make big gains at the general election.

Wallace, a political activist whose

construction company has gained prominence from displaying his political views on its hoardings, tops the poll with a 30.4 per cent share of the vote in the five-seat Wexford constituency.

Two independents could be elected in Dublin South-East with entrepreneur Dylan Haskins currently topping the poll there with an 18.7 per cent share of the vote.

Markets analyst and economic commentator Paul Somerville could also be elected in the constituency, he is currently on 17.9 per cent.

Mick Wallace