December 2010 Edition

31 Dec - 14 Jan 2010 Issue 26 - Volume 11 CEMETERY SERVICES & MAINTENANCE

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Ajai Chopra, left, Deputy Director of the European Department of the IMF and an unidentified colleague, pass a beggar as they make their way to the Central Bank of Ireland for crucial talks with the Irish government in Dublin.

By Linda Sherlock

It is nearly time to say goodbye to another year and once again we will probably find ourselves saying the old Irish adage “where did the time go?!” For some, waving goodbye to 2010 will be a happy occasion, but whether negative or positive, one would certainly agree it was an eventful year.

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For our own little Ireland, it is a year that is ending on a sour note, with many people rightfully feeling as if they have been robbed by a government who plenty would argue is totally inept.

On November 29th of this year Brian Cowan’s Fianna Fail government accepted an €85 billion financial rescue package from the IMF and bilateral loans from the UK, Denmark and Sweden. They then went on the introduce

the harshest budget in the history of the state, once again punishing the lowest paid by bringing tens of thousands of low salaried workers into the tax net for the first time and cutting social welfare payments and child benefit across the board. For many, the ringing in of the New Year will bring anxiety for what the coming twelve months will bring, and how they will cope.

We began this year slipping and slid-

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ing as the cold snap brought an arctic chill to the New Year; fears that 2011 will bring more of the same have been brought about again with this December already leaving many people confined to their homes as snow and ice has blanketed the country.

Across the pond the general election in the UK resulted in Gordon Brown stepping down as Prime Minister in an attempt to facilitate a coalition between Labour and the Liberal Democrats; this marked the end of 13 years of Labour government.

Our own leader hasn’t been No. 1 on anyones Christmas list and his notorious Morning Ireland interview where he was described as being “half way between hung-over and drunk” did nothing to repair his damaged reputation.

Many were outraged by the interview, the news of which even made its way to the US where wisecracking talk show host Jay Leno used a picture of the Taoiseach for a satirical quiz.

In local news, Sligo Rovers took home the FAI Ford Cup in November of this year at in the largest attended cup final in recent memory. The people of Sligo and the Northwest were delighted with the win, which brought the cup home to Sligo for the first time since 1994. It was Rovers second big win of the year after becoming EA Sport Champions in September.

In the world of showbiz, Ireland and the UK’s sweetheart Cheryl Cole divorced cheating “sexter” Ashley to the delight of men (and women!) everywhere.

Continued on Page 2

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2010 - a year that history will recall

Volcanic ash cloud shuts down Irish airspace

2010 wasn’t the best year for cheating love rats, many of whom were caught in their slimy acts, and inexplicably, it seemed to be only the husbands of the most beautiful women who couldn’t remain faithful. Eva Longoria filed for divorce from husband Tony Parker after discovering over 100 saucy texts in his mobile; another man who couldn’t keep his phone in his pocket. Actress Sandra Bullock was broken hearted after her man Jesse James was revealed to be carrying out a seedy extra marital affair, a little over a week after she accepted an Oscar for movie The Blindside and Elin Nordegren divorced the one who seemed to start it all, Tiger Woods. Of course the footballers in their god like status were not free from scandal, with Wayne Rooney and Chelsea’s John Terry both caught cheating on their wives and incidentally, both taken back; must be their good looks.

It wasn’t all scandal in the sporting world though; South Africa hosted the World Cup to the sound of a million vuvuzelas and saw Europe taking home the title once again when Spain reigned triumphant. Ireland may not have made it to the World Cup (Henry is still not forgiven) but golfer Greame McDowell became the first Irish man to win the U.S. open in June of this year to the pride of the Irish nation.

X Factor mania reached dizzying heights again this year with probably the most talked about series in the show’s six years. Our own Mary Byrne did us proud as well as Mullingar lad Niall Horan who reached the semi Final with group One Direction. There were talks of bullying backstage by the controversial Wagner, strops from the mini Cheryl, Cher Lloyd, Katie Waissel was possibly the most disliked contestant in X Factor history and Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson became instant favourites to win with Matt taking the ultimate prize in the end. The winner’s song, a cover of Biffy Clyro’s Many of Horror, has already reached number one in the Irish and UK charts.

In other showbiz news, serial wom-

aniser Russell Brand wed Katy Perry this year and Prince William announced his engagement to Kate Middleton, a much less awkward affair than the engagement announcement of his parents Charles and Diana 29 years previously. Once again Apple introduced the most innovative and talked about product of the year with the launch of the iPad, a tablet computer which, following its release in April 2010, sold 3 million devices in 80 days.

There may not have been as many blockbusters in 2010 as in the previous year but a few remakes and sequels made their mark in the box office. Toy Story 3 and the return of Buzz and Woody became the highest grossing film of the year worldwide. The much anticipated Sex and the City 2 movie was released to largely negative reviews, but took in millions at the box office with women all over the world flocking to see what happened next for Carrie and Mr. Big. Tim Burton’s remake of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland delighted audiences around the world with Johnny Depp’s eccentric portrayal of the Mad Hatter stealing the show.

Despite some mixed reviews, the film grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

Continued

In world news the most Google and Yahoo searched item of 2010 was the Gulf oil spill. This occurred on April 20th when methane gas from the well of the Deep Horizon off shore oil rig shot out on to the vessel’s platform and then ignited and exploded. It was the largest marine spill in the history of the petroleum industry and caused extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. The catastrophic Haiti earthquake of 2010 devastated the Caribbean country with up to 230,000 people killed by the quake. Irish aid pledged in excess of €4 million to Irish aid agencies working in Haiti. Another of the most talked about events of the year was the Chilean mining disaster. A cave in San Jose Copper-gold mine collapsed leaving 33 men trapped underground for an amazing 69 days. The story unfolded like a soap opera with some of the miners facing difficult questions from wives who discovered other women who were claiming to be their husband’s mistresses, with some wives even finding out their husbands had second families. All men were returned to safety on October 13; well, as safe as they could be as they faced the angry women who waited for them above.

An international event that affected Ireland during the year were a series of relatively small volcanic eruptions in Iceland in April. The resulting ash cloud from the eruptions led to the closure of most of Europe’s airspace for a period of five days.

As 2010 nears an end the people of Ireland look forward to a new, fresh year, in a new decade. Once again everything will change, and in many people’s opinion it will be for the worse. We can’t yet know what 2011 will bring but no doubt there will be many more tragedies as well as triumphs, world events, deaths that will shock the nation, celebrity meltdowns and political turmoil. We will just have to wait and see.

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2010 year in review

Leitrim’s appalling road deaths record

AUGUST - Leitrim has the unenviable distinction of being at the top of the league when it comes to road deaths in Ireland.

According to a recent report, the county had the worst per capita road death record between 2007 and 2009, record-

ing a death toll six times higher than Dublin (which recorded the fewest deaths per head of population.

Some solace can be taken from the fact the county had one of its best years in 2009, with just one person killed.

However, the two previous years, 2007 and 2008, a total of twelve people lost their lives, giving the county an average annual death rate of 0.149 fatalities per 1000 population.

Of course, Donegal, the scene of such a tragic road accident in recent weeks, has a dismal record in this area; the county came in as the third worst in country with 54 deaths (.1223 per capita), just behind Cavan in second spot with 26 deaths (.1353 per head of population).The Donegal figures do not take account of the recent tragedy.

Mayo, with 29 deaths, and Roscommon with 21 over the three years, are close together on the per capita analysis,

with.078 and .073 respectively, with Galway slightly higher at .0996, the latter county recording a total of 69 deaths over the period of the research.

While the RSA is having some significant successes with its campaigns, the black spots remain and Gardai attribute factors such as: “the quality of roads, urban and rural divide, level of policing, age profile, etc., but what is, perhaps, more significant is the danger groups, i.e. those who engage in speeding, drink driving and risky driving behaviour”.

Still, the message seems to be getting through, with records showing the number of fatalities dropping to 220 in 2009, compared with 338 in 2007.

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Mayo’s Hardy Bucks moves to big time

Boyle Celtic Legends exposed for charity

Photographs: John Reynolds Photography - Tel: 086-8378848

NOVEMBER There was a full house at Daly’s Bar, Boyle, recently for the launch of the ‘Legends Exposed!’ charity calendar which features over 40s football club, Celtic Legends posing nude for various comedic photographs centred around their occupations. The idea for the calendar came about over a few pints when some of the legends decided they wanted to do something for charity. When photographer John Reynolds joined the club, the idea finally got off the ground.

All proceeds of the calendar go to the Brothers of Charity to support people with intellectual and learning disabilities. Although the calendar is a bit of fun, the cause is a serious one.The Brothers of Charity are committed to helping people with intellectual disability to earn their rightful place as equal citizens.

No one involved with the calendar charged for their services and the cost of printing materials were met by the sponsorship of local businesses, so every cent goes to the charity.

Leitrim farmer discovers Neolithic axe head AUGUST - It doesn’t happen every day of the week, but for Mohill farmer, Bernie Reynolds ,it was a pleasant shock to uncover a Neolithic axe head while checking on cattle on his

land at Cloonboney earlier in July.

An excited Bernie decided to investigate the shaped stone half he found nestling in the disturbed earth beneath a tree. He had the presence of mind to check the internet for similar stones and quickly realised that his find was at least two thousand years old. The farmer immediately contacted experts at the Irish Na-

tional Museum and sent images of the axe-head for evaluation.

Spokesperson for the Irish National Museum, Mary Cahill, confirmed they were following up on the find of "what looks like a very nice stone axe head".

Although she stressed that staff had, as yet, only viewed photos of the find, Ms Cahill said that it appeared to "generally date to the Neolithic period" (approximately between 4000BC to 2500 BC).

A geologist will now be called on to identify the type of stone used in creating the axe-head

and to also look at the wear on the head itself.

"While stone axe heads are the most common finds from this period each is unique and each has its own story to tell which sets it apart," said Ms Cahill and she said that further testing would be instrumental in discovering the history of this find.

The Museum spokeswoman stressed that anyone who finds an object of archaeological interest is obliged, under Irish Law, to report their discovery to the National Museum.

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AUGUST - It’s celebration time for a few lads for Swinford as their web-based comedy series, Hardy Bucks, has just got a slot on RTE 2’s winter schedule.

Having won RTE’s online StoryLand competition, the Hardy Bucks’ creators are thrilled to be making their TV debut.

Hardy Bucks, set among twenty-somethings in Co Mayo, was a major internet hit and now will have an even wider audience on RTE 2. The comedy series came out tops from a total of 122 applications in the RTE competition and was also shown at the San Francisco Irish Film Festival in March 2009.

The series follows the lives of four lazy but likable lads from Castletown, Co Mayo (fictional hamlet which is a depiction of Swinford) as they try and make enough money to make a fresh start in the ‘big shmoke’ – in this case, Galway.

Hardy Bucks was written by Chris Tordoff and Martin Maloney and directed/edited by Tordoff. Now in their mid twenties, Tordoff and Maloney moved to Swinford in the rural west of Ireland from Leeds and Liverpool in England when they were 11 and 12, respectively. The initial pilot footage was shot in Swinford, Co. Mayo, before it was accepted into the Storyland competition. The cast members were also presented with a Student Choice Award of the University Law Society in September, 2009.

Galway makes it to shortlist of three for Volvo Ocean Race FEBRUARY - Galway city has made it to the shortlist of just three cities to be a host for a European stage of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2012. The twoweek extravaganza which attracted crowds of almost 700,000 people to the city last summer, generated over 55m for the local economy. It has now been announced that Galway is yet again in the the running to host the race in 2012. Galway will now need strong government backing to beat off stiff competition for the race leg from Portugal's capital, Lisbon and the coastal city of Lorient in France. In Portugal and France, their respective governments are working hard to make a successful bid for the leg and if Galway wants to succeed, the government will need to give their commitment to the event.

Last year's impressive fortnight long race leg festival cost 20m, however it yielded an impressive return, pooling in over 55m. To host such an event is costly, as there is construction cost and the financial burden of entering an Irish entry. Last year Ireland entered the Green Dragon Yacht and if they succeed in the 2012 bid, they would have to fund another entry under the Volvo Ocean race regulations.

2010 year in review Tragic incident at Mullaghmore cliff

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Sligo man wins 1m on lucky gamble

JUNE - A 32-year-old building worker, understood to be from Omagh, Co. Tyrone, was killed when his car plunged over the 60-ft cliff.

A major rescue operation got under way when the car was spotted at low tide. Gardai are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of the motorist. The scene was also attended by the Sligo coastguard rescue helicopter, based in Strandhill, in addition to Bundoran RNLI and firefighters from Bundoran and Sligo.A post-mortem was later carried out at Sligo General Hospital.

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Trevor Cawley pictured with his wife Caroline, family and friends celebrating his 1,000,000 win Pic Iain White/Mac Innes

JULY - An unemployed construction worker from Sligo is on top of the world this morning as he returns home with a tax-free cheque for one-million euro, compliments of the National Lottery Sweepstake Race at the Curragh which was held yesterday.

Trevor Cawley and his wife Caroline, from Forthill in Sligo town, were ecstatic and could not believe their luck and did not realise they

had won. Still clutching his rosary beads tightly, Trevor said, "It's a bit unreal,I cannot believe it."

Trevor lost his job with John Sisk & Co eight months ago. He bought a 20 lottery ticket and 25 winners were picked out as “owners for a day” of one of the 25 horses entered in the Sweepstake race.

Trevor's horse was Invincible Ash which is owned by PJ Condron was ridden by jockey Gary Carroll and

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FEBRUARY - An animated film produced by local man Paul Young has been nominated for an Oscar in this year's Academy Awards.The Boyle native and his Kilkenny based animation company 'Cartoon Saloon' are absolutely over

the moon with news that 'The Secret of Kells' has been handpicked in the top 5 animated films of the year. Paul, a native of Warrens area, studied at Queen's University in Belfast, before furthering his education in Ballyfermot. He set up

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trained by Michael Halford.

Caroline, a care assistant in Sligo had told Trevor not to buy any more tickets. He bought his winning ticket at Declan McCrann’s Mace shop in Holborn Street Sligo.

Each of the 25 ticket holders came away with a minimum 10,000. “I was delighted with the .10,000,” says Caroline. “We were going to keep the money for our girls, Emer (15) , Rebecca (14) , Katie (13) and Abbie (10) . Maybe we’ll spend that 10,000 now. "I hope this doesn't change our lives a whole lot but makes it more comfortable.” said Caroline Their win was in the fifth race of the Irish Derby card. Almost 20,000 people turned out for the biggest and final day of the festival where entertainment included YouTube phenomenon Crystal Swing.

The main race of the day was the 1.25 million Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

It was the fifth Derby win in a row for trainer Aidan O’Brien and he recorded a 1-2-3 in the race. “I just feel privileged to be part of the whole thing and everyone worked so hard” he said.

CARRICK-ON-SHANNON has achieved a first as it can boast of having the first eggvending machine in the West.

So if you find yourself short (of eggs) when passing through the town you simply make your way to Gannon’s Eggs and Poultry on the Croghan Road, close to the railway station.

The enterprising Ray Gannon has just installed a roadside egg dispenser – believed to be the first in the West of Ireland. The facility provides a tray of free range eggs and could be “eggsactly” what the overstressed shopper needs.

This machine is insulated and chilled so the eggs are always stored properly. It operates on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year.

'Cartoon Saloon' in 1999 with business partner Tom Moore and together they have worked on the film as a labour of love for almost ten years, from concept to product. The film, based on the Book of Kells, takes its art direction from the famous book housed in Trinity College Dublin and is voiced by fellow Irish actor Brendan Gleeson.

'The Secret of Kell's' received an Irish premiere a year ago, during the 2009 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival and was promoted in the U.S by an independent distributor, who did a great job of attracting a fan base, particularly in Los Angeles.

The lads were utterly shocked to find their project listed as one of the Academy Awards nominations and have described it as an honour just to be listed with big names such as 'Fantastic Mr. Fox', 'Coraline' and 'The Princess and the Frog'.Their animated picture is now in with a one in five chance of scooping the prestigious award for best animated picture at the 82nd Academy Awards on March 7th.

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2010 year in review

Talented Laura May does it for the west FEBRUARY - Sligo's Laura May Lenehan will be performing on the All Ireland Talent Show on February 7th.The Grange native blew the judges away with her singing, sealing her place in Daithi's top 8, representing the west of Ireland. At the young age of 17, talented singer Laura May has already made her parents, town and county proud.

Having successfully made it to the top 10 in last years show, Laura is full of fighting spirit and come back with her eyes firmly set on the All Ireland medal. She is hoping to secure her place in the Semi-finals

and do it for the west, bringing an All Ireland title back to the people of Sligo.

The former student of Colaiste Columcille, Ballyshannon and Grange Vocational School is currently on a gap year, having completed her Leaving Certificate last summer. She is hoping to go on to study music, which her mother Mary describes as her dream. Laura wants to take this opportunity to thank all those who have wished her luck, sponsored her, promoted her, supported her and put up flyers all over the country.

Do not miss Laura on the All Ireland Talent Show on February 7th and help bring the All Ireland medal back to Sligo and text your votes for Laura May Lenehan.

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Shock at Death of IFA Chairman OCTOBER - Tributes have been paid to the late President of Sligo’s Irish Farmers Association, Billy Somerville, who passed away suddenly overnight last Wednesday the 6th of October. Mr Somerville, who was chairman for the past three years, was well liked among members and very popular among the local farming community.

IFA President John Byrne said “The untimely passing of the chairman of Sligo IFA has come as a great shock” and described Mr. Somerville as “one of nature’s true gentlemen.”

Regional development officer with the IFA, Adrian Leddy, too said it is a huge shock to everyone and his thoughts are with Mr. Somerville’s family. He is survived by his wife Barbara and children David and Isabel.

Flood victims suffer on Claremorris winner of curvy competition KAREN Forde from Claremorris, Co. Mayo, has been announced as Ireland’s most curvaceous woman at the Simply Be Curvy finals in Co. Meath. Simply Be, an Irish web fashion company for women size 14 to 32, launched their search to find Ireland’s most curvaceous woman in early June.

They wanted to find women who love and celebrate their curves.

More than 6,000 curvy Irish women entered to chase their dream job as a catalogue cover girl. After a series of heats, this number was whittled down to 16 finalists.

(l-r) Pat O’Brien, Trek West Tours, Foxford; Kathryn Chambers, Fáilte Ireland; Colette Moran and Geraldine McAndrew, Mill Times Hotel, Westport.

SEPTEMBER Many tourism providers from Mayo were “strutting their stuff” at Heuston Station in Dublin last week as Fáilte Ireland launched their new Discover Ireland Autumn brochure. Trek West Tours, Foxford, and the Mill Times Hotel, Westport, were just some of almost 30 tourism businesses from across the country promoting their wares and offering special offers on accommodation, activities and attractions to passing commuters. The national tourism authority is embarking on a marketing blitz to encourage more Irish people to holiday at home this autumn. Promotions and offers will feature online and through the Discover Ireland

Special Offers Autumn Brochure.

Speaking about Fáilte Ireland’s home holiday campaign, John Concannon, Director of Market Development for the national tourism development authority, stressed: “The summer is over, the weather is changing and the kids are back to school. So why not pick up the autumn edition of the Discover Ireland Special Offers brochure and plan your perfect autumn break.

“It’s never been easier to get your hands on a copy of the Discover Ireland brochure – don’t miss your copy in a selection of the national weekend papers from this weekend. Or simply pop-in to your nearest Tourist Information Office, or go to www.discoverireland.ie and download your own copy, and you will be on your way to getting all the best deals available this autumn,” added Mr Concannon.

‘Carrick-IN-Shannon’ Photograph by Tony Murphy www.tonymurphy.ie

FEBRUARY - While for many of us the November floods are nothing more than a distant memory for the people of Carrick-on-Shannon and Leitrim Village, the past three months have been trying, upsetting and stressful.

It is all too easy to drive past Carrick-on-Shannon or Leitrim Village and think that everything is honky dory, but inside many buildings, you will find the tell tale signs of a fortnight of living hell, a time when people's livelihoods were washed away. Since the river Shannon burst its banks, forcing a torrent of gushing water to swamp developments across County Leitrim, businesses and residents alike have been hard at work, salvaging contents, paper work, throwing away the irretrievable, cleaning up the huge mess left behind and conducting remedial works to make their homes and businesses safe and hospitable once again.

But three months later, a handful of traders are still closed and there are still homeowners living out of a suitcase, waiting to return to their soiled and soggy homes.

Tributes paid to Roscommon resident Betty Meyler

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NOVEMBER - Tributes have been paid to Boyle resident Betty Meyler who passed away on Sunday the 24th of October. The 79 year old was best known for her role as President of the UFO Society of Ireland. The UFO society was founded in 1998 after some mysterious sightings reported in the media encouraged the members of the West of Ireland Society to expand to encompass the whole country.

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2010 year in review

Love is in the air for GAA fans

OCTOBER - A Donegal man has put his own experiences in to business by creating a dating website with a twist. Dermot Lawless, owner of Aurora Web Design, who met his Fiancé on

a dating website four years ago, has created Ireland’s first GAA inspired dating website, loveGAA.ie.

He came up with the idea after seeing an advertisement

for a dating website during the All-Ireland Football Championship between Donegal and Clare last July.“The ad said they could find you a partner based on 29 levels of compatibility, but I thought there really is only one level of compatibility whether you partner likes GAA games or not.”

Dermot believes that dating websites will become more important in the future. “Online dating no longer has a stigma, and it makes a lot of sense.

Now that many of us are no longer socialising as much as we used to, the opportunity to

Fire damaged artifacts need at least two years to be restored FEBRUARY - Artifacts recovered from the fire at St. Mel's Cathedral in Longford town will take at-least two years to be restored, according to the National Museum of Ireland.

Over two hundred objects were recovered from the remains left at St. Mel's Cathedral, after it was destroyed by a fire which broke out in the early hours of Christmas day. The objects include a Shrine of Caillinn of Fenagh, County Leitrim. The shrine is largely intact, but needs some restoration, due to smoke damage. There is also a portion of the Crozier of St. Mel, which is being sent away to be restored to its former glory.

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Death of Former Garda Commissioner

meet someone is not what it once was. Online dating gives a refreshingly clear opportunity to meet a partner without many of the traditional stumbling blocks.”

LoveGAA.ie is open to all men and women over the age of 18 and there is no age limit “our oldest member is 69 years old, which shows you are never too old for romance.”

Features within the website include a dating diary, virtual gifts and instant messaging as well as all important personality matching to avoid any GAA related lovers tiffs.

Leitrim is one of Ireland’s well kept secrets says top tourist book FEBRUARY - County Leitrim has been described as one of Ireland's well kept secrets by one of the world's most published tour books. The Lonely Planet guide to Ireland praises County Leitrim for its traditional charm, something the author cites as lacking in Modern Ireland. Despite the country receiving criticism for becoming a cosmopolitan nation, planned and developed in between double lattes and thermal mud treatments, Leitrim is described as 'charming' and full of tradition. “Untamed landscape and rural charm are genuinely cherished by those who call it home”, writes the Author.

However, the book does mention that the people of Leitrim are not so keen

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to let people know about the county’s hidden gems such as top fishing spots.

The feature describes Leitrim as a beloved hideaway for artists and writers who wish to escape urban madness for the idylic countryside.The book gave particular praise to the county’s ruffled hills, steel grey lakes and isolated country cottages. Leitrim's county town, Carrick-onShannon was described as a charming town with great a great music scene and sites such as Hartley Manor, Costello's Chapel and the Old Courthouse were highlighted as must sees. The book also praised Cryan's for nightly entertainment, as well as Lough Rynn for accommodation and Victoria Hall, Larder Cafe,Vitto's and The Oarsman as great eateries.

APRIL - The county was saddened last week to learn of the death of former Commissioner of An Garda Siochana, Eamon Doherty.

A native of Buncrana (born in 1923) he joined An Garda Siochana in 1943 and spent 45 years in the service before retiring in 1988. Mr. Doherty was the first member of the force to train with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He subsequently was the first Training Office appointed to the then new Garda Training Centre in 1964. He was Commissioner of An Garda Siochana from November, 1987, to December, 2008.

After his retirement Mr. Doherty was the government’s nominee to the E.U.Task Force on Drugs.

He also distinguished himself through involvement in national sporting organisations, and sea rescue services.

The Garda Commissioner, Fachtna Murphy, extended his sympathies to his wife, Patricia, daughters Deirdre, Patricia and Fionnuala, sons Colm and Eamon and his extended family, including siblings, nieces, nephews and grandchildren. The Commissioner said throughout Mr. Doherty’s distinguished career he consistently demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication to the community.

Indeed, this dedication continued to be a marked feature of his life following his retirement from the force in 1988. In everything he did, he worked to make a difference to the lives of others in a spirit of public service. He will be remembered fondly by his many friends and colleagues. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

Tributes to Dermot Earley MAY - His prowess on the nation’s GAA pitches were mirrored by his service to the nation.

Many tributes have been paid this week to Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Dermot Earley, who has announced that he intends to retire in the near future.

The esteemed Roscommon man was, undoubtedly, in his time, one of the finest exponents of Gaelic football in the land, and has been at the helm of the Defence Forces since 2007. His retirement follows recent confirmation that he has been suffering from a debilitating illness in the past few months.

A native of Gorthaganny, Lt Gen Earley, joined the army in 1965 and carved out a distinguished career in the Defence Forces since then, for which he has received due recognition in recent weeks.In recent weeks, Lt Gen Earley was decorated for distinguished service by Taoiseach Brian Cowen during a private and low key ceremony at the Curragh in County Kildare.

The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a member of the military and the Lt General was awarded the medal for “outstanding qualities of leadership, resource and devotion to duty”.

2 Million in overtime for Sligo & Leitrim Gardai FEBRUARY - Gardai in Sligo/ Leitrim division received nearly 2 million in overtime in 2007. According to a report entitled: 'Resource Allocation' by the Garda Siochana Inspectorate, Gardai in the Sligo / Leitrim Division were paid an average of eleven days sick leave, eight of which for sick absence, a further two for long term sickness and less than a day for injury, as well as spending 2 million on overtime accrued in 2007.According to the report in the Sligo/Leitrim Division, there were 62,842 hours of overtime built up in 2007, which billed at 31.44 per hour, adds up to a hefty sum of 1,975,752.The report goes on to say that many of the overtime hours were linked to court attendance and investigation research and not poor staffing levels.

The whopping figure is a huge dent for one division.

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2010 year in review

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Bit O’ Red bring home the Cup

Carndonagh plunged into sadness at hit and run

GOAL keeper Ciaran Kelly was the star for Sligo Rovers as they claimed the FAI Ford Cup with a penalty shoot out victory over Shamrock Rovers at the new Aviva Stadium on Sunday last, November 14.

Kelly saved all four spot kicks from Shamrock Rovers to deny them a 7th domestic league and cup double.

Rovers’ Eoin Doyle and Gary McCabe both scored during the shoot-out as the Bit O’ Red added the FAI win to the EA Sports

JANUARY - Carndonagh was the scene of tragedy in the early hours of Sunday January 3rd, when 22 year old Joseph McLoughlin lost his life in a hit and run at Tiernaleague.

The NUIG Mechanical Engineering Student was less than a mile from home on the side road between Moss Road and the Main Carndonagh and Ballyiffen Road at approximately 4.40am, when he was struck by a vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop. A taxi driver came by minutes later and found the young man on the road.

Since hearing the news, the communities of Glasha and Tiernaleague have been plunged into utter devastation.

Joseph had recently graduated from NUIG with an engineering degree.   He was actively involved in his local sports club and was atalented GAA player. He had loads of friends and was described as outgoing, smiley and fun to be around.  carried  out  and materials A post mortem was   the accident  were sent to gathered at the scene of  for examination.   Joseph is surthe technical bureau  father   vived by his mother Mary, Willie Joe and his   Aine.   sisters Danielle, Karen and

cup triumph earlier this season. Conor O’Grady and Alan Keane both missed penalties for the team but Kelly’s proficiency more than made up for that. It was the largest cup final attendance in recent memory with 36,101 cheering for their teams in the Aviva.

Thousands made the journey to the impressive stadium and braved the cold to cheer on the Rovers. This was Sligo and Kelly’s day as they completed an impressive

season.The team and fans were elated when Sligo lifted the cup for the first time since 1994.

Thousands lined the streets of Sligo to see the Rovers return, enduring the cold once again to support and congratulate the team. They stopped in Carrick-on-Shannon, Boyle, Riverstown, Collooney, Ballisadare and finally to the Town Hall and a lap of the town to the cheers of delighted fans. Well done Rovers!

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Rovers players celebrate in the magnificent Aviva Stadium, which is captured in all of its splendeur in this photo.

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International Award in prospect for Roscommon Student A FINAL year student of University of Limerick, who hails from Roscommon town, has gone forward to complete in the highly-prestigious global James Dyson Award.

22 year-old John Burke and is among twelve Irish finalists who are in the running for the  global  James Dyson award which has  a grand prize of 12,000 plus   12,000 for the design depart-

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ment at the student's university. with the frustration and embarJohn has made the shortlist rassment of dirtying  floors and for his invention "RollClean hallways of homes  and  indoor     Wheelchair Tyre cleaning de- public spaces. “This and more     vice", a brush mechanism de   inspired me to develop the   vice that removes dirt from Roll-Clean  Wheelchair    the    Retrofit  wheels as the user operates the  Tyre Cleaning Device".

John's     serves     The product wheelchair. invention now goes forward to         to reduce major embarrassthe international stage of  the   and is in  Dyson  ment for wheelchair users as James Award      they canfreely enter a building with a chance of winning the  Award,  that with the peace of mind global James Dyson  extensive   which has a grand prize of   they  will not leave 2,000 plus 2,000 for the de dirt  marks  on the floors.

The inspiration for John's sign department of the winning project came from his experi- student's college. ence working His invention is among 13   with wheelchair  users.“I have lived and cared for Irish student inventions that wheelchair users most of my have been shortlisted for the life. A family member of mine global James Dyson Award. who suffers from Multiple ScleJames Dyson will announce rosis is permanently wheelchair the global winner on 5th Octobound and constantly battles ber.

Slump Costs Galway 8,000 Jobs JULY - Massive construction work took place in Galway city during the boom years. House prices soared and estates mushroomed across the city.

Now houses are on the market for give-away prices. The situation is even worse in Tuam and surrounding areas.

It has now been learned that a staggering 8,000 jobs have been lost in construction in County Galway over the past three years – as a direct result of the property collapse.

During the boom years it is estimated that around 9,000 people were employed in the construction trade across the city and county but with only a trickle of building taking place at the moment, that figure is down to just over 1,000. And those involved in the industry say that employment figures will not increase until the huge number of vacant new houses are sold or major infrastruc-

tural projects commence.  These vacant houses have become the subject of much dis cussion in recent times with   rumors of houses being sold at alarmingly low prices.

Some of the main building    contractors in the city and   county have been ‘comparing  notes’ on the state of the state of the construction industry and are not hopeful of an upturn in the near future.

Tuam based building contractor, Tom McHugh told The Connacht Tribune that employment in the construction industry had fallen by around 88% since 2006 and 2007 when building was at its peak.

“From discussions with colleagues in the trade and figures that are available to us, we know that there are little more than one thousand people employed in the building trade across County Galway at the moment”, he said.

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US drivers confused by roundabouts

A sharp increase in the number of roundabouts in America is creating confusion and anger among drivers, according to a report by the New York Times.

Roundabouts are commonplace in the UK but they're still a rare sight on US roads. They began to appear in the early 1990s and there are currently around 2,000 in the entire country.

Most American motorists will rarely have to use a roundabout. However, the comparative safety and environmental benefit of roundabouts compared to traffic light has seen a rise in their popularity across the Atlantic. The environmental benefit comes because roundabouts eliminate the need for electrically operated traffic lights, as well as improving traffic flow, which saves fuel.

High-speed accidents are also less likely.

But American authorities are having a hard time convincing drivers of the benefits. Residents in Quentin, Pennsylvania, started a petition to protest against the conversion of a local junction to a roundabout, which was signed by hundreds.

In 2007, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a study into public reactions to roundabouts. Called 'Long Term Trends in Public Opinion Following Construction of Roundabouts', the study showed that only a third of Americans supported roundabouts in their towns before they were actually built. Yet one year after construction was completed, 69 percent supported them, showing that attitudes can be changed. However, a roundabout opened one month ago on Mosinee, Wisconsin, highlighted the trouble that some drivers are having.

Talking the to the New York Times, 56year-old Mosinee resident Steven Grim said: "The other day I saw someone going the wrong way on it. The wife and I looked at each other like, 'Oh, that's interesting.'"

Lucky trucker's cliffhanger escape A LORRY driver survived a real life cliffhanger when his overloaded lorry balanced above a 400ft drop after its brakes failed. Police say the lorry - loaded with 40 tons of coal - was going too fast to make a turning into the exit ramp leading from a mine in Qingzhen, south west China.

And after crashing through a safety barrier, the out of control truck was only saved when it ploughed through a pile of sand being used by builders. "It was enough to slow it down.

The driver had been convinced he was going to die and took a lot of persuading to climb out of his cab and back up the truck," said a police spokesman.

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Woman dials 999 to report snowman theft A woman who dialled 999 to report the theft of a snowman from outside her home has been branded "completely irresponsible" by Kent Police.

The force said the woman, from Chatham, thought the incident required their involvement because she used pound coins for eyes and teaspoons for arms.

During the call the woman said: "It ain't a nice road but you don't expect someone to nick your snowman."

Kent Police said officers had given her advice on real 999 emergencies.

The force said the call was made at the same time as operators fielded thousands of other phone calls about the heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures in the county. During the conversation she said: "There's been a theft from outside my house. "I haven't been out to check on him for five hours but I went outside for a fag and he's gone."

Police mistook movie set for murder scene POLICE in Pittsburgh mistook a 'blood-splattered' horror movie set for a real life murder scene - for eight hours.

One officer labelled the room "the most grisly murder scene" he'd witnessed in his 35 years in law enforcement.

Firefighters responding to a call at the George Washington hotel happened upon the room, reports Metro.

They saw blood splattered everywhere, bottles of alcohol scattered about the room and "a piece of a scalp with hair still attached".

Eight hours into their investigation, police realised the 'blood' wasn't real and they were dealing with a set left over from New Terminal Hotel, a

horror film starring the late Corey Haim. According to the owner of the hotel, the set had been left untouched in case those in charge of the movie wanted to carry out re-shoots.

Billed as an exploration of

Hollywood's dark side, the film was released in March and went straight to DVD. Corey Haim, of The Lost Boys fame, died of a suspected accidental overdose in March aged 38.

Man loses 20lbs on spud diet A US man claims he has lost a stone and a half by eating nothing but potatoes for two months.

Chris Voigt, 45, head of the Washington State Potato Commission, said he was also healthier after embarking on his spud diet.

He was protesting against US authorities promoting more diverse school lunch menus replacing potatoes with other vegetables.

Mr Voigt, who was more than 14 stone at the outset, said that by eating only potatoes he had lost a

When she was asked who had gone, the woman replied: "My snowman. I thought that with it being icy and there not being anybody about, he'd be safe."

She was then asked whether it was an ornament, and answered: "No, a snowman made of snow, I made him myself.

"It ain't a nice road but at the end of the day, you don't expect someone to nick your snowman, you know what I mean?"

The operator then told her she had rung an emergency line and she should not be calling it to report the theft of a snowman.

Ch Insp Simon Black said: "This call could have cost someone's life if there was a genuine emergency and they couldn't get through.

"It was completely irresponsible.

"We have spoken to her and advised her what is a 999 call, and this clearly was not."

Andrex puppy 'killed off' ONE of the nation's best loved television animals, the Andrex puppy, is being replaced with a digital version after almost 40 years.

The Labrador retriever, which has been a fixture on screens since 1972, is being revamped in a new ÂŁ15m advertising campaign. Andrew manufacturer Kimberly Clark has confirmed the new ads will star a computer generated image instead of using a real-life puppy.

The puppy has been digitally recreated using the movements, mannerisms and 'personalities' of thousands of puppies studied by animators over the past six months. Jon White, marketing director for Kimberly Clark Europe, said while the puppy had a "huge and loyal following", the company was "refreshing" the brand.

Mr White denied introducing CGI was a cost-cutting exercise. He said the puppy would still appear on tissue packaging.

stone and a half. He also reduced his blood sugar level and his cholesterol dropped by more than one third, reports the Daily Telegraph.

He said: "I absolutely feel great.

I've always had lots of good energy on this diet, I've had no strange side effects, I sleep well at night."

During the diet he consumed 400lbs of potatoes, about 20 indi-

vidual vegetables a day.

He ate them boiled, mashed, sliced, fried and roasted. On Thanksgiving he crafted mashed potato into the shape of a turkey and carved it. Mr Voigt accepted that a diet of just potatoes was not sustainable in the long term but said his experiment had shown how "truly healthy" the vegetable is.

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science news

Vauxhall's genius 'snow sock'

Discovery of arseniceating microbe raises possibility of alien life WITH the winter snow already inches thick in some parts of the UK and Ieland, Vauxhall has released a set of 'snow socks' for tyres that are as timely as they are clever.

They're effectively a pair of fabric snow chains that slip over the driven tyres of your car to provide extra grip.

Vauxhall claims that they're more effective over ice and snow than winter tyres, but far less cumbersome than snow chains. They're made from a fabric with fibres that are: 'Arranged at right angles in the direction of travel,' to dig into the snow.

The snow socks can be used at speeds of up to 50mph, though Vauxhall says they're for vital journeys only and that drivers should 'travel substantially slower than this'.

According to the Association of British Insurers, £395 million was paid out during December 2009 and January 2010, much of which was due to snow and ice related incidents. A set of two snow socks costs £49.99 from any Vauxhall retailer, though they can be used on any make and model of car.

Scientists Develop New Birth Control Gel for Women

The widely-used contraceptive pill may soon be replaced by the new body gel that is just as effective as the most common birth control method.

The new gel should be used on a daily basis and is rubbed into the skin. The initial trials showed fewer side effects that often are common for the Pill users.

The gel contains sex hormones that enter the blood stream and work similar to the Pill.

Felisa Wolfe-Simon explains her discovery at a news conference at NASA headquarters.

A MICROBE that can live on arsenic has been discovered in a California lake in an experiment that could enhance the prospects of finding alien life.

The bacteria break what was thought to be a fundamental rule of biology, showing that life on Earth is far more diverse and flexible than scientists had appreciated. While they are not themselves aliens, they hint that other forms of "life not as we know it" might have arisen on our own planet or elsewhere in the Universe.

The discovery, at Mono Lake, near Yosemite National Park, proves that it is possible for living things to use different chemical elements from the six that are essential to other known organisms: carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur.

The bacteria, from the GFAJ-1 strain of the Halomonadaceae family, can use arsenic instead of phosphorus: the two elements are chemically similar, and arsenic is poisonous because it readily replaces phosphorus in key molecules such as DNA, disrupting their function.

This indicates that the chemical rules of life are not fixed, and that life is a possibility in environments not thought hospitable. Many more planets and moons might thus be suitable homes for extra-terrestrial life, raising the probability that it exists.

"It's really changing the fundamental way we see biology, and

what it means to be alive and our place in the Universe, if I could be so bold," said Felisa Wolfe-Simon, of the Nasa Astrobiology Institute, who led the research. "If something here on Earth can do something so unexpected, what else can life do that we haven't seen yet?"

Details of GFAJ-1's strange properties published in the journal Science, triggered internet speculation about the discovery of aliens this week when Nasa called a press conference to discuss "an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extra-terrestrial life".

GFAJ-1 is not an alien: it is based on DNA, uses some phosphorus, and belongs to the same tree of life as every other organism. Its discovery, however, has encouraged scientists who think the best place to hunt for aliens is here on Earth, by seeking evidence that life may have emerged here more than once.

Dr Wolfe-Simon and her collaborator, Paul Davies, of Arizona State University, have proposed that life forms based on arsenic instead of phosphorus could form a "shadow biosphere" that sprang from a second genesis.

"This is not it: it's not a second tree, and it's not alien in that sense," Professor Davies said. "But it shows what you can do. Maybe we will find a form where phosphorus is a poison and arsenic is obligatory."

Dr Wolfe-Simon said: "It is proof of a concept that brings an idea out of science fiction and into data-dri-

ven research."

Evidence for such a shadow biosphere would prove that life on Earth was not a one-off fluke. If life emerged several times on this planet, the chances are that it will emerge whenever the conditions are right.

"The belief that the Universe is teeming with life depends on the assumption that it forms easily in the right conditions," Professor Davies said. "That's the fashion, but it needs to be tested. The best way it is to look for other forms of life on Earth." The discovery is a personal triumph for Dr Wolfe-Simon, who

set out to test the idea that life could use arsenic, in research at Mono Lake, which is rich in the element.

"Most of my colleagues thought I was ruining my career, at times I thought I was ruining my career.

This is against dogma. As a biochemist, this disturbed my inner zen biological understanding," she said.

Professor Davies said: "I don't know of any time where anyone has predicted a new organism on theoretical grounds alone and then gone out and found it. This is an extraordinarily significant thing."

After the GFAJ-1 bacteria were isolated, Dr Wolfe-Simon grew them in a culture medium containing only traces of phosphorus but plenty of arsenic. The bacteria took up the arsenic to supplement the phosphorus and grew vigorously. "There's still phosphorus in these bacteria, and we make no claims to the contrary," she said.

"But you can't account for their growth rate through phosphorus."

Dr Wolfe-Simon now intends to widen her search for a shadow biosphere, in the hope of finding organisms in which arsenic completely replaces phosphorus.

"We've cracked open the door. I wouldn't say this validates the shadow biosphere but this validates the idea that we might be missing something around us."

Mono Lake, near Yosemite National Park

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Rise - The Iconic Label at Carraig Donn

R

ise, the iconic trend label is now available at Carraig Donn. Stand out from the party crowd with these divine dresses from Rise, at all Carraig Donn stores now. Shape, delicate fabrics and adornment characterize these knock-out dresses.The off-the-shoulder hot pink dress really makes a style statement.The long maxi dress (modeled by singer, Beverly Knight) in classic grey is a feminine fantasy.The belt line of jewels is flattering and brings sparkle and shape to the dress. It will make you feel like a silver screen goddess. The precision cut and draped fabrics make these dresses really special.

Carraig Donn has a complete collection of day and evening dresses for Christmas. From ladylike to vintage retro and heritage to military shapes, Carraig Donn has great clothes perfectly in tune with the new sophisticated trends. Colours are of the moment too - from camel to grey to warm autumnal tones. Its one of the high streets hottest store. Rise is now available in Carraig Donns 22 stores nationwide, including Sligo and Westport. www.carraigdonn.com ‘Rise’ sparkly tunic Windsor - 79

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There is a disctintly feminine stamp to their coats this season. The graceful curves of the boiled wool coat is a celebration of shape and pattern. The fabric layers and mixes add interest and drama . The short coat uses ruffles and texture to great effect. All coats shown are in this seasons grey - add a dash of colour with accessories to ensure absolute definition.

Peruzzi is Italian designed and produced to Irish size specifications. It’s a boutique collection of separates aimed at women over 35. Each piece is exquisite and builds to a workable and sophisticated wardrobe by adding to it season after season. The collection this season uses sumptuous textures and clean cuts to produce a fluid and tailored silhouette.

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“I remember when I went into it I was deluded. I thought I was going to do Hendrix, Zeppelin.

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Yo-Yo ORIGINATING around 500BC in Ancient Greece, the first Yo-Yo's were pictured on vases found by archaeologists in excavations in the 20th century. Despite its early invention, it was not until the 1920's before Yo-Yo's received commercial success by an entrepreneur named Donald Duncan, who set about making the combination of carved wood or molded plastic and string an object of quick spinning fun for children and adults all over the world.

Armed with looped-string beauties, Yo-Yo enthusiasts devised an array of complex tricks that could be done to increase their fun quotient.

Among the tricks which received worldwide acclaim were; 'Shoot the Moon', 'Walk the Dog' and 'Rock the Cradle'. Over the years, Yo-Yo's were enjoyed by children all over the world, and were jazzed up to cater for all tastes.

On the 12th of April 1985, the Yo-Yo entered into space, being a lucky object taken on the space shuttle discovery to see how it would perform in zero-gravity. The Yo-Yo could still be spun, which caused great jubilee among the crew members.

After having endured peaks and valleys over the years, Yo-Yo' culture saw a resurgence in the 1990's, with competitions and tournaments of all divisions becoming more and more popular and spawning a wave of new compulsory and freestyle tricks.

blast past from the

G.I. Joe and Action Man STAN WESTON, noting the success of Barbie, came up with the idea of a line of Barbie-sized dolls that could be marketed to boys.

In 1964, he successfully began producing a line of military themed action figures, called G.I Joe's.

Named Government Issue Joe's, the dolls represented four branches of the US armed forces; Action Soldier, Action Marine, Action Pilot and Action Sailor. Hasbro backed Weston's invention, but made the clear distinction of marketing the dolls as action figures, to distinguish them from dolls and making them more appealing to males.

With 21 moving parts, the popularity for the 30 cm action figures grew and grew steadily. G.I Joe diversified as the years went on and in various country's across the world changed from US army men to be

custom made to suit the nation in question. G.I Joe hit the Irish and UK shelves in 1982, under the name of Action Man. The lines of 'Action Man' remained popular from that time until 1994, but re-appeared again in 1997, with a newer and modified model, where a whole new generation of boys grew up adoring the heroic figures.

G.I Joe's success sparked spin off's such as comics, cartoons and films. Among one of the best well known is the 2009 blockbuster 'Rise of the Cobra', which is influenced on G.I Joe and is sure to spark new wave of interest in the action figures. To date, over 400 million G.I Joe's have been sold worldwide.

Scrabble - every word counts!

Snakes & Ladders SNAKES and Ladders was the most popular board-game in Northern Italy in 1870. The toy based on Venice, which is built on marsh swampland, was first commercially sold in Italy in the 19th century, with origins dating back to the 2nd century BC in India, where it was known as Moksha-Potamo.

The game was originally used by religious leaders to teach children about the difference between good and evil. Despite being sold in Italy in a primitive form, it was not until the 1960's before the game was transported to Irish soil. When it did eventually make it into Irish households, it fast became a firm favourite. The game could seem endless if you kept sliding down the snakes. It offered hours of entertainment and fun for all the family. The game itself has not altered much since the 1960's, instead benefitting from cooler looking boards and counters. Snakes and Ladders is still a popular board-game and can be found in all toy shops across the country!

! s t n e s e r P s a m t Chris

INVENTED in the 1930's, by an unemployed Architect Alfred Butts, who was hit badly by the great economic depression and focused his

thousands of buyers, who wanted to battle it out for the title of best 'scrabbler' and 'highest scoring scrabbler'.

The highest game score record was set in 2006, by Michael Cresta with a score of 830.

The board-game sold in 121 countries and in 29 different languages has sold 150 million sets worldwide, since it launched commercially. Scrabble has launched

various editions of the game including; Junior Scrabble for kids, Deluxe and travel editions. Tens of thousands of people play clubs games and match tournaments worldwide, many of which play for a large cash prize. The board-game is no longer confined to boards, having become popular online, where internet users play other users from all over the world in games and contests.

biggest selling Christmas presents in the early 1940's, firmly setting it as a favourite play object among children. In the 1970's, the skipping rope underwent another big craze, where adults began to use the rope as a way of exercising. It quickly became recognized as a sport, as people began to focus on their health and physical fitness in a bigger way. Techniques were quickly

developed such as; 'Criss Cross', 'Double Under' and 'Alternate Foot Jump'. Today, there are numerous jump rope tournaments held worldwide and is seen as an official sport.

However, the skipping rope itself is still a popular toy among children, who experience hours of endless fun from the simple object.

time on inventions.

The game was called Lexico , based on the lexicons used in the games. It quickly gained recognition around the world, attracting

The Skipping Rope THE SKIPPING ROPE dates back to 1600BC in Ancient Egypt, where children would fashion a rope, using vines and attempt to jump over the string or rope. It was mainly a man's game, which proved fitness, strength and displayed testosterone. However, over the years, skipping over rope became more associated with girls. For generations, girls and boys have spent hours skipping over jump rope. Not only did girls tend to play jump rope games, but they also made up rhythmic songs to accompany their games.

A Skipping Rope or Jump Rope as it was also known, was one of the

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.

Reducing Cholesterol ailments, including cardiovascular disease.

The active ingredient, guggulsterone, lowers cholesterol by increasing the rate at which the liver both takes up and breaks down LDL cholesterol from the blood.

Arthichoke leaf Artichoke leaf contains a compound called Cynarin, which increases bile production, which increases cholesterol excretion.

Red yeast rice contains high concentration levels of monocolins which lower cholesterol.

Plant sterols and stannous Plant sterol and stannous are very effective at lowering the bodies risk of cardiovascular disease. Plant sterols and stanols can be bought in health shops as a dietary supplement, but is often found added to foods such as butter, margarine and salad dressings.

OUR livers manufacture cholesterol, whether or not we eat any because our bodies need it to maintain healthy cells and to make hormones.

Most of us, aside from strict vegetarians, also get a good deal of cholesterol by way of red meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products.

High levels of LDL cholesterol eventually will contribute to atherosclerosis, a disease that hardens arteries and reduces the blood flow through our arteries.

Atherosclerosis can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Therefore it is essential that we keep out cholesterol in check and eat healthy diets that will reduce levels of cholesterol in the body.

The solution lies in cleaning up our more slothful, Homer Simpson-type habits.

Foods that lower cholesterol Garlic Garlic contains compounds that help to lower the livers production of cholesterol.

Whether you cook the garlic, add it to soup or eat it raw, its benefits do not weighn, it is one of the best foods for battling cholestrol levels.

Fruit and Vegetables You may be sick of hearing it, but those five a day portions are the best foods you can take for leading a healthy and balanced life. Strawberries, papaya, melon, grapefruit, oranges and berries are the best fruits for reducing cholesterol, as they are antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and hence reduces cholesterol. Red peppers, green peppers and brussel sprouts are also antioxidants and are highly effective in reducing the levels of cholesterol in the body.

Legumes Soy protein is extremely efficient in reducing cholesterol levels, therefore make sure you get your fill of tofu, soy beans and soya milk. Remember the schoolyard chant, “Beans, beans, good for your heart ...”? Well, it’s true, beans are also very good for the body. It is recommended that an individual get at least three portions of legumes per week.

Fibre Whole grain and fibre are very good for reducing cholesterol.

It is recommended that you eat porridge or oat grain cereal for breakfast. It is also a very good idea to add fruit to your breakfast menu, and often fruit compliments porridge and oat grain cereals.

Oat bran is a soluble fiber that increases the elimination of cholesterol in bile. In other words, cholesterol gets trapped in the intestines and is eliminated. While Olive oil, almonds, walnuts and peanuts are high in fat, they mostly are high in monounsaturated fiats which reduce cholesterol and they taste lovely too, so they work as a nice treat to your diet.

Guggul Guggul comes from the resin of the mukul myrrh tree (Commiphora mukul), native to India. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for more than 2,000 years to treat a variety of

People with borderline high cholesterol may want to add herbs and vitamins to the above regimen, and those who have documented high cholesterol may want to take a prescription medication to get their levels under control.

An individual can do more than just change their diet, but also change their lifestyle. Alcohol and cigarettes play a huge part in hardening the arteries. Moderate drinking lowers heart-disease risk, but heavy drinking (more than two drinks per day) increases the risk. Moderate drinking is about one drink per day for women; two for men. Stop or cut down smoking habits.

Among other evils, cigarette smoke injures the arterial lining, constricts coronary arteries, elevates and oxidizes LDL cholesterol, lowers HDL cholesterol, raises triglycerides and promotes clot formation.

Move your body. Exercise lowers cardiovascular risk factors by keeping weight in check, strengthening the heart, relieving stress, improving circulation, raising HDL cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Excess weight contributes to high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and diabetes — each a risk factor for heart disease. Research shows that obesity can quadruple your odds of dying from heart disease and that losing weight can lower risk factors.

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We would like to announce the relocation of our dental surgery to: 77 Main Street, Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh Our newly refurbished, state-of-the-art premises, is now located adjacent to the docors surgery & opposite the Mountview Hotel. Derrylin Dental & Implant Centre now boasts: Fully Furnished, air conditioned contempoary dental surgeries Open planned waiting rooms with children’s area Ample off-street parking Elevator to access 1st floor surgeries Also new to the surgery: ‘ZOOM’ whitening lamp - see instant tooth whitening results in surgery injust 1 hour We would like to extend our gratitude to all our patients over the years and hope for your continued support with our new venture

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Get Back into shape NOW that the Christmas holidays are coming to an end, it is time to start counting the costs of your over-indulgence. Nutrition is 80% of your fat loss journey and without proper nutrition, those Christmas pounds are not going to shift. It is time to cut out sugary, fattyand high calorie foods, that means saying goodbye to your favourite sweets, crisps and fast food treats. Plan out your meals ahead of schedule so that you know exactly what calories you are consuming. Portion control is very important. It is advised to eat small portions throughout the day.

Snacking Snacking on nice treats is a downfall for most people. To combat this, you can always keep your snack time, but change the snack from sugary foods to healthy bites. Carrot sticks, salad bowl, rice cakes, rivita or a piece of fruit can easily replace the confectionary temptation and leave you feeling refreshed. Healthy bites provide fibre and nutrients that your body needs. They will also curb the feeling of hunger before a meal, preventing overeating!

Slow chewing Eating slower and sitting down

to eat, greatly help to lose weight. Eating slower will help you lose weight fast because your brain will have enough time to get the signal from your stomach that you are 'full'.

Chewing food thoroughly before swallowing enhances digestive secretions and helps to increase the metabolic rate.

Fluids Drink lots of water, as it helps the body to reduce fat. An adult should have a minimum of two litres per day. Green tea is probably one of the best drinks for weight losers as it prevents absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.

Acai Berries Eat Acai Berries, which are full of antioxidants and great for reducing fat. Combined with a diet plan and exercise, acai berries decrease glucose levels in the blood. Decreased glucose reduces the hunger and as a result, you eat less food. The fruit contains cyanadin, which regulates the fat reserves in the body and improves the metabolism, which is your body's way of burning calories.

Acai Berries also contain fibre and as a result accelerates the digestive process.

The importance of exercise

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Exercise is absolutely paramount for shedding the pounds. Go for brisk walk for 30 minutes per day, a walk which works up a sweat, that way, you know it is working.

If you have just ate a big meal, you should consider getting exercise before going to bed to increase the metabolic rate and to start burning calories.

No matter what kinds of exercise appeals to you, it is advised to get as much exercise as possible to get the body back in shape!

Now that the New Year has arrived, you could join a new class or take up a new hobby like; spinning, cycling, running, jogging, yoga, boxercise or kickboxing etc. You can always ease your way into it with an exercise

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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.

Hold your breath Try holding your breath.

After a minute you will have used up most of the oxygen stored in your body and carbon dioxide will build up, triggering senses in your diaphragm to start breathing.

You will experience an overwhelming urge to gulp some air, something which you will not be able to resist.

On average, people can hold their breath for one minute, maybe two. The world record, however, is 11 minutes 35 seconds, set on June 8, 2009 by Stéphane Mifsud.

In that time, even if you held your breath for a minute, you would have had to breathe 170 times because you breath 23,000 times a day!

Stéphane Mifsud‘s amazing feat is the Static apnea record as established by the International Association for the Development of Free Diving. Inhalation of pure oxygen before the diving attempt is not allowed, which the Guinness World Record association does allow.They report the record for holding breath at 20 minutes 10 seconds, set on April 1, 2010 by Stig Severinsen.

Also an amazing feat.

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

Free diving Scientists used to believe that lungs would collapse at 164 ft (50m).At depths of 328 ft (100m), the underwater pressure could shrink lungs to the size of an egg, it was thought.After all, water is 800 times thicker than air and weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon (1kg per liter). Even today, advanced scuba divers have a limit of 130 ft (40m). But in 1961 Sicilian Enzo Maiorca descended to 177 ft (54m) without breathing equipment.

The first person to free-dive (with assistance but no breathing equipment) to 100m (328 ft) was Jacques Mayol, in 1976. On December 13, 2010, New Zealander William Trubridge became the first person to reach a depth of 100m without any assistance of any kind, even without fins.

Legendary free-diver Italian Umberto Pellizzari, who can hold his breath for more than 6 minutes, was the first to free-dive to 150m (492 ft), in October 1999. In 2007, current record holder Herbert Nitsch reached an astounding 214m (702 ft). Now, that should take your breath away!

1. Maud's by Jeff, all upset in Cavan village celebrated in song

by Percy French -did Paddy Reilly ever get home again? (14) 7. If Gerry Carr turns up go to Heritage Centre on the Slaney near Wexford Town. (11) 11. "With --- my heart is laden, for golden friends I had." A.E. Housman. (3) 12. "Reminiscences make one feel so deliciously aged and ---" G.B. Shaw (3) 13. He's around alright, but this isn't he! (3) 14. Tar oil spilt all over, but this man will reclothe you. (6) 15. In time this will save eight more as 14 across knows well.

(6) 16. Find some of the circle in dear Cork. (3) 18. Then I cry son, over Wexford town near where the Wexford pikemen made their last stand in 1798. (12) 21. "So pack up your troubles in your old --- bag And smile, smile smile." George Asaf. (3) 22. Or a rum cocktail will give protection. (6) 25. Confused end due to strip everything away. (6) 26. "The three worst ---s: a --- priest, a --- pig, and a --- beggar." Irish Proverb (3) 28. One of the starry twelve seen in Abbeyfeale occurrence.

(3) 29. "Most people --- into bands for three simple reasons; to --laid, to --- fame, and to --- rich." Bob Geldof. (3) 30. I deny resale (anag.) Dublin island 1 mile offshore from Howth. (8,3) 31. Let any silk neck. (anag.) Leinster city's fortification built by Strongbow, seat of the Ormondes. (6,6)

Record for most passengers on an airplane It is not clear who was the first to fly an airplane: Richard Pearse, Gustave Whitehead or Orville Wright. Whoever it may have been, the distances of their flights were only about the length of the wingspan of a Boeing 747. They probably never imagined the amount of people an aircraft will be able to carry one day.

The most passengers ever carried on one flight was in 1991 during the Operation Solomon evacuation of Ethiopian Jews during Operation Solomon. 1086 people boarded a 747 in Addis Ababa. When they landed in Jerusalem, there were 1089 passengers. Three babies were born during the flight.

Oedipus and the sphinx riddle The head of ancient Egyptian sphinxes portrayed the reigning pharaoh but also, when featuring the head of a falcon, represented the sky-god Horus or Amun-Re, with the head of a goat.When the Greeks adopted the sphinx it became a female monster.

According to Greek legend the sphinx put a riddle to all who passed by and devoured those who failed to guess it. Getting it right meant the death of the monster a claim to the throne and the hand of Queen Jocasta. After many had died, one got it right: Oedipus.

LAST ISSUE’S

DOWN . Sly cat ate burnt mixture in Clare Banquetting Hall not far from Shannon Airport. (8,6) 2. " But a -------- of happiness! No man alive could bear it: it would be hell on earth." G.B. Shaw (8) 3. " The cradle rocks above an -----" Nabokov. (5) 4. Hi Roman, back from French to avoid duty. (5) 5. Colloquially cigarette obtained a bundle of sticks. (6) 6. I.e. there first, as confused as a result of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, in the 26 counties. (5,4,5) 8. Robe taken back in British navy when reincarnated. (6) 9. Evince a rich organisation in Kerry town under Bentee Mountain, near Dan O'Connell's birthplace. (11) 10. Money due to landlord, that's torn it! (4) 16. Make a request in a Pallas kitchen. (3) 17. Small person's resting place in Torc otherwise. (3) 19. Rebel after tea seemingly, about being a soprano. (6)

ANSWERS

20. Guy set on in agitation by the most immature. (8) 23. I'd mice running around the old Florentines. (6) 24. Egg on in Lough Gur gently. (4) 26. "A pint of ----- is your only man. " Flann O'Brien. (5) 27.Yesterday tomorrow! (6)

What was the riddle that Oedipus solved?

The riddle that the sphinx put: What animal walks on four legs in the morning, on two at noon, and on three at night?

Oedipus’s answer: Man, for in the morning, the infancy of his life, he creeps on all fours; at noon, in his prime, he walks on two feet; and, when the darkness of old age comes over him, he uses a stick for better support as a third foot.

Oedipus, a mythical Greek king, was the son of Queen Jocasta and therefore had to marry his mother.

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!!

49. kino 50. knee 51. knees 52. nee 53. neg 54. neif 55. neifs 56. nene

57. nenes 58. neon 59. neons 60. noes 61. none 62. nones 63. noun 64. nouns

65. oes 66. oke 67. okes 68. one 69. ones 70. ons 71. see 72. seeing

73. seek 74. seen 75. sei 76. seif 77. seine 78. seize 79. seizin 80. seizing

81. sen 82. sene 83. sengi 84. size 85. sizing 86. sneezing 87. uns

88. unseeing 89. unseen 90. zee 91. zees 92. zein 93. zig 94. zin

95. zine 96. zines 97. zing

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41. kens 42. kief 43. kiefs 44. kin 45. kine 46. kines 47. king 48. kink

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                    

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33. inn 34. keef 35. keefs 36. keen 37. keens 38. keg 39. ken 40. keno

  

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

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25. genii 26. gie 27. gien 28. gies 29. gin 30. gink 31. ifs 32. ink

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17. fez 18. fie 19. fiz 20. gen 21. gene 22. genes 23. genie 24. genies

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9. esne 10. fee 11. feeing 12. fees 13. feign 14. fen 15. fens 16. fes

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1. eek 2. efs 3. eke 4. ekes 5. eng 6. ens 7. eon 8. eons

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

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The powerful machine inside you Your heart beats 101,000 times a day. During your lifetime it will beat about 3 billion times and pump about 800 million pints (378 million litres) of blood. A normal heart beats 70 to 80 times a minute. Over 70 to 80 years, it gives a few billion beats. It is the powerful machine inside you. A heart consists of two pumps, each made of two chambers. The right atrium squirts oxygen-depleted blood from the body into the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs. The left atrium squirts aerated blood from the lungs into the left ventricle, which pumps it out to the body. With each heartbeat, the two small atria contract together, then the two large ventricles, making the beating sound.

A typical athlete’s heart churns out 6 to 8 gallons (25 to 30 litres) of blood per minute. In comparison, the best man-made heart can pump about 2.6 gallons (10 litres) per minute and lasts for about 200 million beats – or about 5 years.

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Tel: 086 4062404

1210

TOMMY FLEMING

CHRISTY MORE WITH DECLAN SINNOTT

0310

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

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

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

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

0910

CHRISTY Moore plays The Royal Theatre Castlebar for one night only on Saturday 19th March 2011.

You’re guaranteed to hear plenty of old favorites and a few new ones from the pen of Christy Moore himself.

Anyone who has ever experienced Christy Moore live will tell you that there’ll be no end of anecdotes and hilarious stories as he connects each song with his witty personality. From the ever popular ‘Ride On’ to ‘Black Is The Colour’ to the superb ‘Don’t Forget Your Shovel’ the music is bound to have the crowd on their feet.With close to 40 years in the business, no one can hold a live audience quite like Christy

Moore. His huge album production through the decades has ensured that his music now spans generations and his fans exist throughout the world.

Overnight Packages to include Tickets to Show overnight accommodation in the TF Royal Hotel and Tickets to the show are available from 110.00 per person sharing. Bookings available thru 094 9023111 or reservations@tfroyalhotel.com Tickets are available on www.ticketmaster.ie as well as from The Royal Box Office on 0818 300 000. For further information please check the Royal Theatre & Event Centre website on: www.theroyal.ie or www.ticketmaster.ie

CONAL GALLEN COMES TO CASTLEBAR

The Royal Theatre is delighted to welcome back The Hilarious Conal Gallen to The Royal Theatre this February.

Always a great show guaranteed you will be laughing with tears running down your face!!!

Laughter is the best medicine  and Conal Gallen believes this,  his new DVD aptly titled Laugh  Laugh Laugh will have you doing just that. 

The hilarious stories he tells in his unique way will have you leaving with a smile on your face all the way home.

Catch Conal Gallen Live this February in The Royal Theatre.

Tickets on Sale now a great night of entertainment is guaranteed and at tickets priced at just 30.00.

For bookings call 094 90 23111.

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WHAT is set to be one of the most anticipated new releases of Tommy Fleming’s career to date, is announced for the 22nd October 2010 when he releases his new CD and DVD “Going Back”.

This album features nostalgic classic songs from the past 50 years and includes powerful tracks like “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel, “My Life” by Shirley Bassey, “Softly as I leave You” by Matt Munroe and, a huge musical classic from Willie Russell’s Blood Brothers, “Tell me its not true” - all sang in Tommy’s unique and powerful style backed by a full 60 piece Concert Orchestra and Tommy’s band which has resulted in one of the biggest recordings of Tommy’s album releases throughout his career. This album is one certainly not to be missed.

The CD and DVD was recorded in Ireland throughout 2010 with a special documentary / music style DVD which shows some of the making of the album recorded in studio with the Concert Orchestra.To accompany the album this programme has bonus unseen footage and will be released on DVD on 22nd October 2010 and broadcast on RTE 1 in mid-October.

“Going Back” CD & DVD will be available in all record stores from October 22nd 2010 and also available for download on iTunes.

To follow the release, Tommy Fleming has just announced his “Going Back” Irish Tour 2011 with The Irish Concert Orchestra conducted by David Brophy.

This promises to be one of the most exciting and memorable concert tours that Tommy has ever embarked on.

With over 30 musicians on stage, including his band under the direction of David Hayes (Tommy’s Musical Director for over eighteen years), this will undoubtedly be a magical experience.

The concert will feature tracks from Tommy’s new CD & DVD “Going Back” plus all the old favourites like you’ve never experienced them before with the phenomenal Irish Concert Orchestra teaming up with Tommy and his band.

Tickets are available on www.ticketmaster.ie as well as from The Royal Box Office on 0818 300 000. For further information please check the Royal Theatre & Event Centre website on: www.theroyal.ie or www.ticketmaster.ie

Dj

Scruffy Duffy FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION CASHEL HOUSE HOTEL 4* COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL CONNEMARA, CO. GALWAY CANDLELIGHT, TURF FIRES AND MUCH MORE TEL: 095-31001 www.cashel-house-hotel.com 0209 0209

Mad Science parties are a blast & suit all occasions! We come to you incounties Galway, Mayo & Roscommon!

Experiments, lasers, hovercraft rides andmore for kids age 4-12!

Check our website www.madscience.org/ie or call 091-768557 to book your party.

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

0709 0611

1210

Marquees for Hire For all Occassions Mayo area

Call 087-6433793 or 087-9933698

ON A WING AND A PRAYER THE STORY OF KNOCK AIRPORT HE extraordinary story of the life and times of the late Monsignor James Horan, builder of Knock Airport, is to be retold later this year when ‘On A Wing and a Prayer-The Musical’ takes to the stage for its premiere at the Royal Theatre, Castlebar.

Author Terry Reilly, who wrote the best-selling book On A Wing and a Prayer, has adapted the work for a stage production that will bring to life the many great undertakings and amazing achievements of Monsignor Horan, told in word and song.

Proceeds from the January shows will go to the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice which must raise in excess of 1 million euro each year through donations and fundraising efforts to maintain its palliative care service in the two counties.

Cynthia Clampett, Chief Executive Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation based at Knock, said the Palliative Care Service in Mayo and Roscommon was heavily dependent on voluntary funding.

“Unfortunately the economic downturn has impacted severely on fundraising and as the HSE continue to cut back on services the Palliative Care Teams are calling on the Foundation more and more to meet the increasing needs of patients and their families. Providentially, Terry Reilly has generously offered the proceeds from the first performances of his novel and entertaining musical and it will now be a case of all systems go to ensure its success.”

The Foundation’s Palliative Care Teams cater for patients with cancer and other life limiting illness such as Motor Neurone, Muscular Dystrophy, MS and end-stage dementia, heart failure, etc. The service is available for patients in their own homes and in hospitals and nursing homes throughout the two counties, with com fort, dignity and respect at its core.

The number of patients, both adults and

Ballina, Co. Mayo Tel: 086 8773635

children, being referred to the Service has increased annually since its inception in 1992. In 2009 565 patients were catered for by the palliative Home Care Teams alone, in Mayo 363 and in Roscommon 202. The musical traces the career of Monsignor Horan (born 1911-died 1986) whose life was spent addressing the spiritual and temporal needs of his flock. He got houses fixed, 0711 roads repaired, forests planted, took on the authorities, and course, his vision, his dream, succeeded as even built a ballroom of romance to which he said it would.

Old Nick was reputed to have paid a visit In the interim millions of people have - without paying the admission fee! used the Airport, and countless jobs are Monsignor Horan transformed Knock being created in an area once known as  in EastMayo.

Shrine into the country's major pilgrimage the Black Triangle   Said Terry Reilly: “By any measure, the attraction by building up a range of ameni ties and erecting a major Basilica, and he life of Monsignor Horan and his commitwas instrumental in bringing, in 1979, Pope ment  to his  people and the region would Paul 2 to mark the Centenary of the ApIt had everything, con be hard to surpass.  parition. cern for people, enterprise, colour, hu  His last great fight, his biggest and most mour, pathos, immense energy, unique  over adversity, and much controversial  campaign by far, was when vision, victory he started, at the  age of 70, to build an in- more. The objective of the musical is to ternational airport in 1981 on what  was transmit  this wonderful Horan package to described as 'a foggy, boggy hill'. His reason the stage in an entertaining, uplifting man for the airport was to provide badly ner. The hope is that people will enjoy a needed infrastructure for an impover- really ished, neglected region. Initially Governgood night out, full of nostalgia and in    ment blessed his enterprise, but then did spiration. Some of the Monsignor’s a series of U-turns as the tide of Dublin 4 favourite songs will be featured  together   opinion turned, forcing the withdrawal of with some new ones specially   written for  Exchequer support and leaving an ageing the occasion. parish priest to raise many millions to finLook out for further details shortly in  or by  ish his final project. local press, or on www.hospice.ie   office   at    Hesucceeded  in opening   his dream air- contacting the Foundation’s port       in 1986, but the effort hastened his 00353 94 9388666; or www.terrydemise and he passed away in Lourdes a  reilly.com *OnA Wing and  a Prayer-The        few months later. Ironically, his coffin was  Musical will be  at the  Royal    performed  the first into Knock Airport as thousands Theatre, Castlebar, from Jan 20 to 22nd     Of next.  Call 0818  300 000.   to payhomageto their hero. flocked

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

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

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Gerry Ryan

2010

osley Tom B

Stars who passed away in 2010

Sligo footballers celebrate after their win over kerry in thre junior all ireland final

alsh Ruby W

Tony Curtis

Dermot Ea

a ory on k t is h s e ma k

tou star

Will he wo nt he  shak y e ar e hands mo m

oc New kid on the bl

ent of the

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Graham McDowell , what a year he has had. Well done!

Gary Coleman

Hoey Moira Mick Lally

The m

ost ta

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abo ut g olfe r!

lsh Wa y m Tom

lke st ta o m

y his t r rle t hu u o d ab

imbledon Nadal wins W

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rs Sligo Rovers FAI Winne

st mo

James Macarthur

Lynn Redgrav

in

ullins Paddy M

lv Ga ul Pa ar ye

Blanche H

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sythe John For

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Rue McClanahan

01

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Dennis Hopper

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Shine on s connacht shine after their uccess

e ar

2010 - a year that history will recall

Volcanic ash cloud shuts down Irish airspace

2010 wasn’t the best year for cheating love rats, many of whom were caught in their slimy acts, and inexplicably, it seemed to be only the husbands of the most beautiful women who couldn’t remain faithful. Eva Longoria filed for divorce from husband Tony Parker after discovering over 100 saucy texts in his mobile; another man who couldn’t keep his phone in his pocket. Actress Sandra Bullock was broken hearted after her man Jesse James was revealed to be carrying out a seedy extra marital affair, a little over a week after she accepted an Oscar for movie The Blindside and Elin Nordegren divorced the one who seemed to start it all, Tiger Woods. Of course the footballers in their god like status were not free from scandal, with Wayne Rooney and Chelsea’s John Terry both caught cheating on their wives and incidentally, both taken back; must be their good looks.

It wasn’t all scandal in the sporting world though; South Africa hosted the World Cup to the sound of a million vuvuzelas and saw Europe taking home the title once again when Spain reigned triumphant. Ireland may not have made it to the World Cup (Henry is still not forgiven) but golfer Greame McDowell became the first Irish man to win the U.S. open in June of this year to the pride of the Irish nation.

X Factor mania reached dizzying heights again this year with probably the most talked about series in the show’s six years. Our own Mary Byrne did us proud as well as Mullingar lad Niall Horan who reached the semi Final with group One Direction. There were talks of bullying backstage by the controversial Wagner, strops from the mini Cheryl, Cher Lloyd, Katie Waissel was possibly the most disliked contestant in X Factor history and Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson became instant favourites to win with Matt taking the ultimate prize in the end. The winner’s song, a cover of Biffy Clyro’s Many of Horror, has already reached number one in the Irish and UK charts.

In other showbiz news, serial wom-

aniser Russell Brand wed Katy Perry this year and Prince William announced his engagement to Kate Middleton, a much less awkward affair than the engagement announcement of his parents Charles and Diana 29 years previously. Once again Apple introduced the most innovative and talked about product of the year with the launch of the iPad, a tablet computer which, following its release in April 2010, sold 3 million devices in 80 days.

There may not have been as many blockbusters in 2010 as in the previous year but a few remakes and sequels made their mark in the box office. Toy Story 3 and the return of Buzz and Woody became the highest grossing film of the year worldwide. The much anticipated Sex and the City 2 movie was released to largely negative reviews, but took in millions at the box office with women all over the world flocking to see what happened next for Carrie and Mr. Big. Tim Burton’s remake of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland delighted audiences around the world with Johnny Depp’s eccentric portrayal of the Mad Hatter stealing the show.

Despite some mixed reviews, the film grossed over $1 billion worldwide.

Continued

In world news the most Google and Yahoo searched item of 2010 was the Gulf oil spill. This occurred on April 20th when methane gas from the well of the Deep Horizon off shore oil rig shot out on to the vessel’s platform and then ignited and exploded. It was the largest marine spill in the history of the petroleum industry and caused extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. The catastrophic Haiti earthquake of 2010 devastated the Caribbean country with up to 230,000 people killed by the quake. Irish aid pledged in excess of €4 million to Irish aid agencies working in Haiti. Another of the most talked about events of the year was the Chilean mining disaster. A cave in San Jose Copper-gold mine collapsed leaving 33 men trapped underground for an amazing 69 days. The story unfolded like a soap opera with some of the miners facing difficult questions from wives who discovered other women who were claiming to be their husband’s mistresses, with some wives even finding out their husbands had second families. All men were returned to safety on October 13; well, as safe as they could be as they faced the angry women who waited for them above.

An international event that affected Ireland during the year were a series of relatively small volcanic eruptions in Iceland in April. The resulting ash cloud from the eruptions led to the closure of most of Europe’s airspace for a period of five days.

As 2010 nears an end the people of Ireland look forward to a new, fresh year, in a new decade. Once again everything will change, and in many people’s opinion it will be for the worse. We can’t yet know what 2011 will bring but no doubt there will be many more tragedies as well as triumphs, world events, deaths that will shock the nation, celebrity meltdowns and political turmoil. We will just have to wait and see.

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Mary Byrne on the X Factor

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