Northwest Express June 30th 2011

30 June 2011 Issue 16 - Volume 12 CEMETERY SERVICES & MAINTENANCE

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landlord in Boyle, Co. Roscommon is looking to jumpstart a new business, provide employment and save his property from falling into disrepair.

The world of business is all about seizing the opportunity. In that case a massive opportunity has just arisen in the town of Boyle where landlord Gerard Kelly has offered a property of his rent-free for one year.

Simultaneously figures published by a business website shows that thousands of new businesses have been set up this year, at a rate of nearly 300 a week, despite the recession.

The same website shows that 29 new companies were set up in the northwest since June 21. The amazing offer is being made as a result of the poor state of business in Boyle.

One of the highest hurdles a new business has to clear is being able to afford rent in the first few years, so anyone that takes up the offer in Boyle will have a massive advantage in these trying times. Mr. Kelly reckons that if he can help a new business get off the ground it will help the town and perhaps create a few jobs. “It’s better than having yet another shop closed up.”

This sentiment is echoed by the Boyle Chamber of Commerce who would

The premises previously known as The “Rockingham Arms” situated on the main thoroughfare in the bustling town of Boyle, Co. Roscommon

rather see a rate paying business providing employment rather than a property falling into disrepair.

The property in question is the Rockingham Arms on Bridge Street in Boyle town centre. It consists of 85 square

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metres of office space and six apartments. Any one interested will get oneyear rent free with a maximum 100 euro a week rent in the second year.

Good news for anyone contemplating setting up a business.

Also, as The Northwest Express has reported in the past people continue to establish businesses despite the recession, unemployment, taxes, rates and budget cuts.

Continued on page 2

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Scoil Naomh Éanna, Carraroe unveil their fourth green flag

Figures published by vision-net.ie show that over 7,000 companies have been setup in Ireland in the first half of 2011, the highest such number since 2008, before the crash.

Since January 1st 7,012 new businesses were established, a rate of 280 per week.

The top five sectors accounted for 60 per cent of the new start-ups. 23 per cent were in the business and professional services sector, 13 per cent were in retail, 10 per cent were in social and personal services, 7 per cent in health and social work and 7 per cent were in IT. This is despite a surge of court ordered liquidations in May and a fall off in the number of first time company directors taking the plunge.

Commercial property rents surged by 240 per cent during the boom years leaving businesses struggling to pay their way and the existence of upward only rent reviews makes it more difficult.

The previous government banned upward only rent reviews with leases granted after March 1st 2010; however this doesn’t help anyone who took out a lease before that after the inflation of the Celtic Tiger years.

Pictured are staff and pupils at Scoil Naomh Éanna, Carraroe, Sligo, raising their fourth green flag on sustainable travel. Parents were treated to a musical performance by the school band.

30% report unfair treatment during pregnancy

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Toddle team P.A.L from Coolaney took a very important challenge in the DANONE BIG TODDLE for BARNARDOS, the fun sponsored walk to help create a better start in  vulnerable   life for children their own age, on the 19th of June at the  River Walk. The team of 7 toddlers from Coolaney joined BARNARDOS to raise vital  funds  for vulnerable   children in Ireland. The Children    by Play  Group  were accompanied  and Play Group Manager Mary Hunt assistant Nuala Campbell,   along with Parents and siblings of the  Photo:  James  Burke children.

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working in organisations with few flexible arrangements.

Almost a quarter of women felt that their opportunities for promotion had decreased on returning to work after they gave birth, while one fifth felt their opportunities for training had decreased.

The study also found that women with higher earnings and better education levels were more likely to avail of extended unpaid maternity leave than women on lower incomes.

crisis. It also found a strong link between unfair treatment at work and crisis pregnancy.

30% of women reported unfair treatment related to their pregnancy and 5% reported they were dismissed, made redundant or treated so badly they had to leave their job.

Unfair treatment was more common among younger women, women expecting their second child, women working in the retail and wholesale sector and women

A new report has found more than a third of women described their pregnancy as a crisis pregnancy and half were partly because of financial concerns.

The study by the Health Service Executive's Crisis Pregnancy Programme surveyed more than 2,000 women whose children were born between July 2007 and June 2009.

It found that 27% of working women who experienced crisis pregnancy said workplace factors had contributed to the

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Residences still available for academic year 2011/2012 Premium, bright, spacious & affordable accommodation.

Accommodation on average 1,750 p.a. cheaper than in Sligo town

Use of gymnasium, broadband internet use and private car parking space included in rent

Convenience store, deli, coffee dock, laundrette and more on campus.

Submit your application for a residence not later than Friday, August 31st 2012, and enter the ‘750 club’ draw to be held on Thursday, September 20th, 2012.

The first 10 names drawn will receive a ‘rent credit’ in the sum of 750 each.

Bus Connections available to and from IT Sligo.

Late Night bus service from Sligo City. (inc. Sunday night) SASR is a Section 50, PRTB and BER Compliant Undertaking.

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O'Mahony elected Vice-Chair of new Oireachtas Committee

Pictured above: John O’Mahony TD

New Ballina Mayor

JOHN O’Mahony TD for Mayo has been elected as Vice- Chairman to the newly-formed Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

This Committee will shadow the activities of the Departments of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Marine and Food.

Speaking after his election, John O’Mahony TD said: “This Committee has responsibility for some of the most pressing areas of policy affecting the country today. I am looking forward to the task of helping to shape and influence the

agenda as well as scrutinising some of the most important activities in this sector.

“I intend to take a collaborative approach to the Committee’s work programme and work with Members from all sides to ensure that this Committee conducts its business in an effective and positive fashion. I feel that by doing so, we can have a significant impact on policy and make a real contribution to the areas under our remit,” the Mayo TD added.

The Committee will hold a meeting shortly to identify its work programme and priorities.

Nigerian mother faces deportation after Court rejects appeal

She had claimed her first-born daughter NIGERIAN asylum seeker Pamela Izevbekhai now faces deportation after the had died in Nigerian in 1994 as a result of European Court of Human Rights rejected female genital mutilation. However, it was later revealed that her claims were based her appeal.

The Sligo-based mother-of-two has been on forged documents. fighting deportation for the past six years because of her fears that her daughters, Naomi (10) and Jemima (9), would be subjected to female genital mutilation if they return to Nigeria.

She had taken her case to the European court, complaining her rights had been been violated.

Ms Izevbekhai's case has been one of the most high-profile and controversial asylum cases. Her deportation was originally ordered in September 2005 but was the subCllr Peter Clarke (pictured above) was ject of several legal challenges, culminating elected Mayor of Ballina at the authority's in a decision by the Supreme Court to rePictured above: Pamela Izevbekhai ject her claims last July. annual meeting.

The Independent member was unopposed for the positiion as was the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Willie Nolan, Fianna Fail. Cllr Clarke follows in the footsteps of his late father, Jackie, and grandfather, John, both of whom held the position of chair.

Enda Kenny TD had his first official en- Joe Brett, Fundraising and Development Cllr Clarke is an employee of the Jackie gagement in Ballina on Saturday since be- Manager Western Care Association, and Clarke Library in Ballina. coming Taoiseach when he launched the Matt Farrell, Chairman Ballina Trades inaugural Tour of Mayo Charity Cycle in Council. support of Western Care Association Staff of the Western Care Training CenServices. A large number of cyclists and tre made a presentation of Moy Chocotheir supporters gathered at the Ridgepool lates to the Toaiseach who mingled and Training Centre, overlooking the majestic met the many cylists, and their helpers and River Moy, to cheer on the cyclists and supporters before officially launching the greet An Taoiseach who has taken part in inaugural Tour of Mayo Cycle between ORVILLE Smith, a store manager for Best many charity cycles in Mayo himself over Mayo’s two largest towns, Ballina and Buy in Augusta , Georgia in the USA, told the years.

Castlebar. police he observed a male customer, An Taoiseach was welcomed on his arThe cyclists returned to Ballina in the later identified as Tyrone Jackson of Aurival in Ballina by the newly-elected Mayor, evening following the 92Km/55 miles gusta, on surveillance cameras putting a Cllr Peter Clarke, Michelle Mulherin TD, round trip. laptop computer under his jacket.

When confronted the man became irate, knocked down an employee, drew a knife and ran for the door. Outside the shop were four Marines collecting Toys for Tots program.

Smith and the Marines tried to stop the man but one of the Marines Cpl. Phillip Duggan, was stabbed in the back.

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Taoiseach launched Tour of Mayo Charity Cycle in Ballina

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Storm brews as fishing groups prepare to fight reforms

Northwest MEP Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher

IRISH fishing boats will have to record and land every fish they catch even when they are not in a saleable condition, under proposed changes to the Common Fisheries Policy due to be published within weeks.

EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki is expected to unveil details on July 13th of a comprehensive reform package which some Irish fishermen fear could set the struggling industry

back even further.

A central focus of the reforms is to eliminate discards, in response to a high-profile campaign against the practice of fishermen dumping up to half their catch back into the sea. Discards would be replaced with new quota systems to be phased in by 2016, based on how many fish are landed in port rather than how many are caught.

Fishing groups have warned that

the value of their catch will plummet if they are not allowed the choice of which fish to keep, especially in areas off the Atlantic where many target species swim together.

Northwest MEP Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher, who is lobbying the Commissioner on behalf of Irish fishermen, says “serious incentives” for fishermen are required if a ban on discards is to be effective.

Mr Gallagher says he also has strong reservations about a proposal to introduce a new system of transferable fishing rights within member states for all vessels over 12 metres. Under this scheme, skippers would be guaranteed shares of national quotas for at least 15 years, which they could trade among themselves. Concerns have been raised that this method could result in smaller fleets and lower employment in the fishing sector.

The reforms cannot be passed without the agreement of member states and MEPs.

Road accidents have major All set for bumper Ballina effect on Festival families Salmon

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BALLINA’S renowned Salmon Festival kicks off in earnest on Sunday, 10th July, and continues to July 17th.

Indeed, the frolics have already begun.

On Thursday, 16th June, 21-year-old Alisha Graham from Breaffy, Ballina, was crowned Lady of the Moy at a gala event in the Downhill Hotel. A terrific launch took place on Friday night in the beautiful Ballina Manor Hotel, overlooking the inspiring River Moy. This year the array of events will include an RNLI Raft Race, Krazy Kart Racing, Blast in the Yard, the usual Heritage Day, Mardi Gras and Fireworks Display,Teddy Bears’ Picnic for the kids and many other events.

The cream of Mayo’s talent will take to the stage on July 11th next with the

staging of the Mayo’s Got Talent Event.

Auditions have already taken place to select the best there is to compete in the Grand Final. Entrants must be a minimum of 12 years of age on July 1st, 2011 and the event is sponsored by Allure Hairdressing,Toymaster and Muintir Mhuigheo, as part of the Salmon Festival.

Speaking at the launch night Festival Chairman Benny Walkin said: “We have a fantastic town and a fantastic county and we’d like to keep it that way. Our festival is very important for all of us and I thank everybody involved”.

The enthusiasm of the organisers has to be lauded and it looks like Ballina is certainly the place to be from 11th to 17th July.

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email: info@theexpress.ie

Mixed bag on NW Sports front SLIGO Rovers set the pace for the weekend in the North West with an imnpressive 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds. It was a wet Friday evening. The game was screened live on televison, but that still did not deter the big crowd that attended.

Yesterday, Sligo GAA followers will be remembering back to last year’s

Connacht Final defeat to Roscommon in Castlebar and wondering, just how a year later their side went down to Wicklow, in the first round of the All Ireland GAA qualifier to Mick O’Dwyer managed Wicklow in Aughrim.

The biggest sporting upset in the North West was the defeat of Fermanagh to London in the All Ireland GAA qualifiers yesterday afternoon in Ruislip. It was a huge victory for the team that play each year in the Connacht Championship.

They had a good run in their game with Mayo, who were victorious over Galway on Sunday, but few would have expected them to pull off their first championship victory since 1977.

For Fermanagh, that semi final in Croke Park, when managed by Charlie

347 million have diabetes worldwide People with diabetes are at an increased risk of a range of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and damage to the retinas.

Diabetes is responsible for over three million deaths worldwide every year.

This latest study found that between 1980 and 2008, the number of adults with diabetes rose from 153 million to 347 million. Some 70% of this rise was due to population growth and ageing, with the other 30% due to higher prevalence.The proportion of adults with diabetes rose to 9.8% of men and 9.2% of women Almost 350 million adults around the world in 2008, compared with 8.3% of men and 7.5% had diabetes in 2008, more than double the of women in 1980. number in 1980, a major new international The estimated number of people with diastudy has found. betes was considerably higher than a previous The largest diabetes study of its kind study estimated in 2009 - it put the number analysed worldwide data on the condition worldwide at 285 million. since 1980 and found that in 2008, 347 million "Diabetes is one of the biggest causes of adults had it. Furthermore, it noted that the morbidity and mortality worldwide. Our study prevalence of diabetes had risen, or at best re- has shown that diabetes is becoming more mained unchanged, in virtually every part of common almost everywhere in the world.This the world over the last three decades. is in contrast to blood pressure and cholesDiabetes is a condition caused by an insuffi- terol, which have both fallen in many regions. cient or lack of production of insulin (a hor- Diabetes is much harder to prevent and treat mone) by the pancreas (a gland in the than these other conditions," commented lead abdomen). Insulin is necessary for normal researcher, Prof Majid Ezzati, of Imperial Colgrowth and energy. lege London.

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Meanwhile Donegal are into their first Ulster Senior Championship GAA final since 2006, after a last minute piece of vandalism on the Tyrone defence

by Donegal’s Dermot ‘Brick’ Molloy , who rewarded Jim McGuinness’s decision to put him into action in Clones in the 62nd minute of the game. For Donegal, it was sweet revenge after so many defeats to the Red Hands in recent years, while Tyrone were denied the potential of three Ulster championship final wins in a row.It was 56 minutes before Donegal actually took the lead in the game, again a goal from Colm McFadden, making the difference on the scoreboard. Tyrone had raced into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead in the early stages of the game, but Donegal kept cool and clawed their way back, although they were still behind at the interval, 0-6 to 0-4.

Donegal will now fancy their chances against Derry in the Ulster final, who defeated an equally Armagh last weekend in the other Ulster semi final.

Passing of Myles Staunton in Westport

FORMER Mayo Fine Gael TD, Senator and businessman, Myles Staunton, has died in Westport, at the age of 75. In recent years, Mr Staunton was a pioneer in promoting the renewable energy sector in Mayo. Minister of State Michael Ring TD has paid tribute to the late Myles Staunton. “Myles Staunton was elected to the Dáil in 1973 in the former Mayo West constituency. His election played a crucial role in securing a majority for Liam Cosgrave’s government. Myles was also elected to the Seanad on three occasions.“A prominent Westport businessman, Myles was involved in a number of ventures and was a key figure in the local community. “I would like to extend my sincere sympathies to his extended family. May he rest in peace,” Minister Ring added. His burial took place in Westport last Saturday.

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'Ireland worst in world for patient waits'

69% of GPs found that their medical card patients often experienced long waits

IRISH medical card patients have the worst access to hospital care and diagnostic tests compared to GP patients in other developed countries, according to a major new study.

The results showed that 93% of 380 GPs surveyed said their medical card patients often experienced long waits to see hospital special-

ists for an outpatient consultation, whereas only 35% said their private patients often faced long waits for consultant appointments.

The study also found that 69% of GPs found that their medical card patients often experienced long waits for hospital treatment whereas only 20% of GPs surveyed felt their fee-paying patients often

had long waiting times for treatment.

The research by a team from TCD team also found that 88% of GPs felt their medical card patients often had difficulty getting access to hospital tests whereas the equivalent figure for fee-paying patients was only 32%.

The researchers from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at TCD compared these findings with similar research among other developed countries carried out in an international survey.

The comparison reveals that the percentage of Irish GPs perceiving that their medical card patients often face long waiting times for outpatient appointments, treatment and tests was higher than for GPs' patients in any of the other 11 developed countries surveyed in the Commonwealth Fund study.

For example, while nearly 70% of GPs surveyed in Ireland felt their patient often faced long waits for hospital treatment, the equivalent figure in the other countries ranged only from 8% to 44%.

While the figure in Ireland for outpatient waits was 93%, the equivalent figures in other coun-

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tries ranged from 22% to 75%.

According to the TCD researchers, in the majority of the other countries surveyed, there is a single-tiered healthcare system with no major public-private divide.

The other countries where GPs were surveyed in the Commonwealth Fund study included Norway, Canada, the US and the Netherlands.

The TCD study also found that in Ireland, GPs felt that 40% of their private patients were often experiencing difficulty in paying for drugs and other out-of-pocket medical costs. Comparing this with the international study, only in the US did GPs perceive a higher incidence of this problem, with a figure of 58%.

The study noted that while the figures for Irish medical card patients in terms of hospital access were worse than in other countries, most countries, even those with universal access to healthcare, reported some level of patient difficulty in paying for services and with delays in getting hospital care.

The TCD study was carried out to examine chronic disease managment (diabetes, heart disease, asthma etc) in Irish general practice.

Among the findings were • 63% of GPs surveyed felt there were some good things in our healthcare system but changes were needed to improve chronic disease care.

• 99% of GPs surveyed said they provided an out-of-hours service to patients; a higher rate than that reported by their international counterparts.

• Irish GPs are interested in receiving payments for reaching set targets for the management of chronic disease.

• Only 36% said their practice was part of a primary care team.

• Irish GPs believe there is a two-tier system in terms of access to hospital care.

• GPs support the concept of shared care betwen themselves and local hospitals.

The study was carried out by Catherine Darker, Carmel Martin,Tom O'Dowd, Fergus O'Kelly, Mark O'Kelly and Brendan O'Shea of the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at TCD.

Farming a 'dangerous occupation'

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FARMING is one of the most dangerous occupations in Ireland, a major conference in Roscommon has been told.

The National Farm Safety Conference heard that last year alone, farm deaths accounted for more than half of all workplace fatalities.

Every year, around 1,500 farm accidents are reported and the resulting injuries range from minor cases to severe cases, in which the person is left with a permanent injury. The basic modern farm machine, the tractor, accounts for the highest proportion of fatalities and accidents on farms every year.

This is followed by incidents involving livestock, particularly bulls, and then falls and drowning accidents. Overall, the dairy sector has consistently seen the highest number of farm fatalities out of all farming enterprises.

Speaking at the conference, Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, urged farmers to be extremely vigilant during the summer months when school children are more likely to be playing on farms and are more likely to be around

farm machinery.

Last year, 26 people lost their lives on Irish farms, including three children.

"The resulting grief and devastation of their families, their friends and their communities is immeasurable. It's further upsetting to learn that eight farm fatalities have already been recorded for 2011," Minister Coveney commented.

However, he insisted that there is a ‘clear opportunity' for farmers to target their farm management and reduce any dangers.

"In order to save lives on farms, all farmers must change their way of thinking about farm safety. I would urge all farmers to talk about farm safety at every opportunity - at the mart, at the match, in the pub, around the dinner table.

By continuously talking about and being aware of farm safety we can together bring about a change of culture and farmer thinking," the Minister said.The conference, which was organised by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Teagasc, was held in the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon.

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Is the internet bringing out your dark side?

Do you send emails and texts without thinking? Or impulsively splurge online?

A new book says technology is changing our personalities - for the worse

B

ack in the good old days, celebrities used to get drunk at awards ceremonies, hurl insults and occasionally punches at each other. But these days the internet is the virtual bar where they brawl.

Just recently, columnist Julie Burchill accused Lily Allen of being an ‘over-privileged cry-baby’. The pop star retaliated on Twitter by accusing Julie of being ‘an ignorant and bitter old troll’.

Piers Morgan and Rio Ferdinand traded blows for four hours on Twitter while Wayne Rooney responded to a Liverpool fan’s insults by tweeting: ‘I’ll put you to sleep in ten seconds.’

But it’s not just celebrities who are

using social networking sites for public slanging matches. Cuckolded plumber Ian Puddick was cleared of harassment after he used the internet to circulate graphic details of his wife’s affair.

This might be an extreme example, but it seems online spite is a growing trend.

'The web fuels our delusions of grandeur, making us cruel, narcissistic and even childlike' So why is the internet bringing out the worst in us? Elias Aboujaoude, a doctor at Stanford University’s school of medicine in the U.S., believes it is transforming our personalities. He warns many of us are developing ‘e-personalities’ that are

Think before you click: Spending too much time on websites like Facebook could be altering your personality

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like the worst, drunken versions of ourselves.

‘Our e-personalities are an uninhibited version of who we are, a collection of personality traits that make us more child-like, impulsive, darker and narcissistic,’ he says.

‘It comes alive in our emails, tweets, texts and choice of Facebook friends. We binge-shop on Amazon and eBay because it’s so easy, routinely lie about ourselves on Facebook and get into nasty fights in chatrooms.

‘We are anonymous, so it’s so easy to think that what we say has no consequences. Online stalking of expartners is also becoming common.

It feels rewarding, until you realise you’re probably being stalked, too.

‘This distorted version of who we are doesn’t just stay online; it seeps into our real lives, too.’

CYBER BULLYING One of the more disturbing results of this mindset is online bullying.

‘We are quicker to bully each other in chatrooms or on Twitter, as there is this notion that what happens online is all a bit of a game — that it’s not real,’ says Dr Aboujaoude.

‘Cartoon graphics and childish language add to this illusion. We are often anonymous and always invisible, so we state things we would not say to people’s face.We lash out with no thought for the hurt we might cause. The speed of the internet means we act before taking time to engage our brains and consider the consequences. It’s too easy to fire off a rash email.When we are online, we bypass the part of the brain that would normally make us count to ten before reacting.’

But these incidents of lashing out aren’t just something that last moments or are confined to the internet.

‘Society is becoming more uncivil — people are ruder,’ adds Dr Aboujaoude. ‘We should ask ourselves if one reason for this is because of what we do online and how we act on our blogs and in chatrooms. How can manners be conveyed in a tweet?

‘Is this affecting the way we communicate with people in the real world?’

news source, you can specify which type of story you want on the front page and which ones you want filtered out. As we get accustomed to having even our most minor needs accommodated to this degree, we are growing more needy and feel more entitled.’

BACK TO THE PLAYGROUND While part of being mature should mean restraining our worst instincts, Dr Aboujaoude believes the internet is stopping us from doing that because it makes us more childish.

Twitter wars: Lily Allen, above, traded online insults with Julie Burchill

‘These are impulsive gestures and we live to regret them,’ says Dr Aboujaoude.

‘Online shopping, gambling and infidelity are the most common examples of impulsivity online.

‘These impulses have always been there, they’re just much easier to access now.

‘Virtual money makes it easier to be financially reckless, while dating sites make it easy for anyone — especially people in urban areas — to have casual relationships.’

ONLINE EGOMANIA The idea that everything is at our fingertips is fuelling delusions of grandeur. ‘Anything we want, from a recipe to a partner, can be found at the press of a button,’ says Dr Aboujaoude.

The notion we can accomplish anything spills into our opinion of ourselves, which is why we get frustrated when things don’t happen instantly or go our way.

‘I’ve seen people who throw away real relationships because they are living under the illusion that love is easier to find — you just log on to a dating site and have thousands of options.

‘Why work on what you have now when you can get something new?’

IT’S ALL ABOUT ME The narcissism brought on by the internet — the feeling that the world revolves around you — can make us ACT NOW,THINK LATER Another trait encouraged by the in- less inclined to make real relationternet is impulsivity. This is why we ships work.

‘The feeling that the world is our fire off rude emails without thinking and spend hundreds of pounds on audience is intoxicating.We have 300 friends on Facebook and 2,000 peoclothes we don’t need. ple following our tweets, which makes us feel the world can’t wait to hear what we say,’ says Dr Aboujaoude.

‘And then there’s the i-centric nature of the internet.

From iTunes to the iPhone, the digital world is geared for you. More than ever, technology aims to satisfy our every need.

‘Not only can you Online spite: As they can be anonymous, many people say things in chat rooms and in emails choose an online

that they would never say in real life

VIRTUAL REALITY In 2010, 60 per cent of UK adults (30.1 million people) accessed the internet every day or almost every day ‘We use e-language, which is a childlike version of adult language.

Look at your emails and compare their grammar and vocabulary with the language you were taught to use at school.

‘Look at emoticons — the smiley or sad faces people use at the ends of texts or tweets — they show we’ve become more childlike. This regression is trickling into everyday life.

‘It’s why it’s acceptable for adults to play computer games for hours instead of following more mature pursuits.’

THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK If you think that this affects only people who are on their phone and laptop day and night, think again.

‘You don’t have to be a twentysomething online all the time,’ says Dr Aboujaoude. ‘We are all behaving differently — both offline and online — because of the internet.

‘We spend about seven to eight hours a day on a computer on average and during that time we talk in a certain kind of way and follow certain principles.

‘But while we may think we are different when we’re offline, we are not as good as compartmentalising as we believe.

‘Right now, all around us is the clamour of the latest Apple or Google breakthrough, demanding more of our time, wallet and consciousness. All I am doing is raising a red flag that we need to think about this rush of changes and look at the bigger picture.

‘There is no turning back, but we have to recognise that this social experiment has consequences.

‘We have to acknowledge that we actually act differently online and see that this is affecting our real lives, too.’ So the next time you’re about to buy something you don’t need online, post a less-than-charitable comment on Facebook or fire off an email with poor grammar and no polite greeting, take a moment to consider this: what you do and the self you create online could be changing the person you really are for ever.

Think before you click.

Virtually You:The Dangerous Powers Of The e-Personality by Elias Aboujaoude (W.W. Norton, £19.99). To order a copy at £15.99 (P&P free), call 0843 382 0000.

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Newstalk Eircom Day rolls into Milltown & Breaffy GAA Club

Oisin McConville taking the young players through their paces

Eircom ambassador and Tyrone Manager Mickey Harte meeting the young members of Milltown GAA club

Following the Right Hook GAA panel – Ray Silke, George Hook, Oisin McConville, Chairman of Milltown GAA and Mickey Harte

N

ewstalk Eircom GAA Day 2011 rolled into Breaffy GAA Club and Milltown GAA Club last Friday June 24.

The event in both locations was packed with activities beginning with former Armagh footballer Oisin McConville coming on hand to put the kids through their paces. In Breaffy the Under 12s from the club trained with the help of Eircom Ambassador Donie Shine and in Milltown later that day he also coached the Under 12s.The coaching session was followed by face painting and games for all the club members.There were plenty of refreshments and give aways on the day for all who attended.

Newstalk George Hook with the young members of Milltown GAA club.

Newstalk Lunchtime Presenter Jonathan Healy broadcast live from the club in Breaffy in front of an enthusiastic crowd from 12pm till 1.30pm with a host of interesting guests. “The Right Hook” with presenter George Hook broadcast from Milltown from 4.30 pm. The show aired a special GAA all star panel with Tyrone Football manager Mickey Harte, Oisin McConnville and Former Galway captsin Ray Silke.

The young players partaking in a pre warm up session

Eircom ambassador Donie Shine, Oisin McConville and Newstalk Sports Reporter Oisin Langan after the coaching session in Breaffy GAA

Oisin McConville, Eircom Mayo Staff ambassador John e Burke and Eircom ambassador Donie Shine

Eircom ambassador Doni Shine, Newstalk Presenter Jonathan Healy, Breaffy Club Chairman Martin Greaney and former Armagh footballer Oisin McConville

Young members of Breaffy GAA prepare to be taken through their paces with former Armagh footballer Oisin McConville

Senator Susan O’Keeffe of the Labour Party

Hundreds Dip in the Nip for Irish Cancer Society

Baring all: Note the Lone Surfer out at sea as 350 naked women run towards him!

LAST Saturday morning, June 25, over 350 people did the 3rd Annual Dip in the Nip to raise money for cancer projects. They disrobed and dared to bare all before running in to the sea at Dunmoran Strand in Skreen Co. Sligo- all for the fight against cancer.

Around 50 men took part this year, dashing across the beach 100 metres away from the women. Organiser Marie Garvey said the separate starting points were to ensure women or men who were shy about showing their bodies in front of the opposite sex could take part without embarrassment. Luckily for participants, the temperature in the early morning was a bearable 14 degree.

Marie Garvey said: “The atmosphere was one of joy and celebration, despite the fact that many there had battled or are battling cancer, or had lost loved ones to cancer, many of them

Fearless participants brave the chilly weather.

young. For many, it was a big step outside their comfort zone.

What all of the first-timers experienced, without exception, was that sense of joy and liberation that comes with it, and a truly amazing sense of community.” The event was being dedicated to mother-of-five Mona Heneghan from Tourmakeady, Co Mayo. Heneghan participated in the first Dip in the Nip in 2009, and unfortunately passed away earlier this year.

All those who took part are committed to raising €100,000 by the July 29 and are well on the way. Marie has set herself a target of €1000 and you can give on €2 as little as http://www.mycharity.ie/event/ mairesligo/. While Ireland may frown upon nudity and skinny dipping, these women are dedicated to getting their kit off each year in the hopes of eradicating cancer once and for all. See P15 for more photos!

The fifty or so men kept it under wraps untill the last minute!

Is it a Bird? Is it a plane? No! its 2 naked women with wings!

Wibbly, Wobbly, I wonder who it is!

Turned Blue with cold: Geoff “the more blue I looked the less naked I feel” Seabert, pictured with Dorothy Crean.

Covering up: Edel Hynes and Maria Munnelly before the Dip

Warming up: participants wrapping up and enjoying a cup of tea after the Dip

One Woman and her Chi-wow-wow! Wilhelmina Callaghan from Co. Cavan with her pet Richard.

Protestors fry eggs on memorial flame in Ukraine

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Legoland employees turn pranksters PROTESTORS who fried sausages and eggs on an eternal flame honouring the tomb of an unknown soldier in Kiev, the Ukraine, are facing five years in jail for defacing the tribute to the country's fallen heroes.

The three women outraged officials when they were filmed barbecuing bangers and frying eggs on the flame and then posted the footage on YouTube.

TV reporter Elena Bilozerskaya - who filmed the stunt - said the women were trying to highlight the plight of living war veterans who cannot get jobs and now live on the streets. "We wanted to show the poor treatment of war veterans. The money spent on the grave could be better spent on pensions for the veterans who can't even afford to make a breakfast like this," she explained.

Ringleader Anna Sinkova is already in jail on remand facing trial while police study the video for clues on the identity of her accomplices. A police spokesman said: "Under paragraph 2, Article 297 of the Criminal code, desecration of a grave is a criminal offence.

We are examining the video to identify the faces of the other women involved."

Yoda the Chihuahua named the world’s ugliest dog

Every year, owners of ugly dogs come together to celebrate hideousness in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in California.

This year’s champion was 14-year old Chinese-crested Chihuahau called Yoda whose mix of hairless ears, fuzzy fur, cloudy eye and protruding tongue won his owner the $1,000 prize. Yoda's owner Terry Schumacher fled when she first encountered the little dog abandoned behind an apartment building in America, convinced it was a rat. But on closer inspection, she realised the diminutive ball of hair and limbs was actually a dog.

Other competitors included last year's winner, a one-eyed Chihuahua named Princess Abby, a blind 15-year-old pug called Hercules and a crowd favourite, Handsome Hector, whose owner has created a Facebook page and blog for the bald one-eyed mongrel's fans.

LEGOLAND employees decided to take a break on Monday morning by playing a prank on the amusement park's general manager - park employees replaced general

manager Peter Ronchetti’s blue Volvo with a 200,000 brick Lego version.

Ronchetti walked out of his office to go to lunch and discovered the

swap, said park spokeswoman Beth Chee, who watched and photographed the prank. He was texting while walking toward the vehicle and didn’t notice the switch until he was right next to the car.

"He finally looks and sees his car and he stops dead, there's almost no expression, then there's almost relief as he sees his (own) car parked further down the lot," Chee said.

Ronchetti then started laughing and playing with the car, pretending to unlock the doors.

He said he was surprised to see the life-size Lego Volvo in his parking spot.

"We have a very fun, creative team here at Legoland California and it really was the perfect prank," he said.

Legoland staff members enjoyed contriving the practical joke.

“We had a lot of fun with it,” Chee

said. "I think this is the biggest Lego prank we've done since I've been here.” Tim Petsche, Legoland model shop supervisor, contrived the plan with help from his colleagues.

Ronchetti’s vehicle looked similar to a Lego car that was being refurbished. The mock 2004 Volvo XC90, which contains 201,076 Lego bricks and weighs 2,935 pounds, is often displayed at the park’s front entrance gate.

On Monday morning while Ronchetti wasn’t looking, an employee borrowed his car keys to make the switch. The Lego Volvo was carried by forklift into Ronchetti’s parking spot.

This isn’t the first prank for Legoland employees, according to Chee. One year, employees turned the entertainment manager's office into an igloo. "He actually had to crawl underneath to get into his cubicle," Chee said.

Artist painted every meal he ate for a year

A graphic designer has kept a record of everything he has eaten for a year – by painting every morsel that passed his lips.

David Meldrum, 48, from Great Bardfield in Essex, decided to illustrate everything he consumed from 15 June last year.

The newly-completed project has seen him depict a cuisine ranging from TV dinners in plastic trays to food from a Vietnamese restaurant.

Mr Meldrum used acrylic, watercolour, collage, pen and ink pictures to make the pictures, which also include everything he drank with his meals and his deserts.

And the results are a shockingly honest portrait of his diet, with 305 pints of Peroni lager, 1360 cups of coffee and a sweet-toothed 122 Freddo chocolate bars consumed.

He said: "I have always kept a sketchbook as a

way of making a personal record of life around me. Food and the way it is presented through advertising, signage and packaging fascinates me, as does typography.

"I take a digital photo of everything and keep any packaging. The illustration takes anything from one-and-a-half to two hours, depending on the quantity of subject matter."

He added: "I never missed a day as I would only have been cheating myself. Its very easy to get behind with work and on occasions when there's a backlog its difficult and very time consuming to catch up.

"Now the project is over I will have time to assess and reflect on my diet!"

Teenage car thief takes flight A teenage car thief in Switzerland lost control of a stolen vehicle - and sailed 300ft through the air off a mountainside onto the roof of a house.

The 16-year-old spent hours speeding around winding mountain roads in Walemsee, Switzerland, before taking one bend too quickly.

"He spun the car through a safety barrier and it flew 30 metres through the air before it landed on a roof garden below," said one police officer.

"But the momentum kept the car going and it bounced off that roof and fell another 70 metres until it finally came to rest on a house lower down the slope."

Astonishingly the dazed driver was unhurt in the crash and was caught trying to stagger away

down the road suffering from shock.

Home-owner Thorsten Baumgartner, 48, said: "There was an enormous bang and the whole property shook.

"I thought at first it was an earthquake or that part of the hillside had collapsed on my property.

I didn't expect to see a car on the roof when I went outside.

"I thought the person must be very badly injured inside but when I got there it was empty. I thought perhaps they had been thrown out of the vehicle but then I realised that they had obviously run-off. I'm amazed that they were unhurt." Police say the 16-year-old schoolboy is being questioned in youth custody.

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Scientists develop a “Batphone” smartphone app SCIENTISTS have created a "batphone" by designing a smartphone app to help people capture the ultrasonic calls of bats in their area.

The iBats app for iPhones and Android phones aims to make it easier to monitor local bat species, by replacing three pieces of recording kit with just a phone and an ultrasonic microphone.

Researchers say it will help a network of more than 700 volunteer bat-trackers around the world who are part of a monitoring programme called iBats, a scheme funded by the UK Government's Darwin Initiative and the Leverhulme Trust, in their efforts to record bat calls in the UK, Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Russia and Japan. The app can record the calls of more than 900 species of bat which use echolocation to find food and to navigate.

Volunteers will be able to upload the calls onto the iBats website where specialist software will identify the species that have been recorded, giving scientists more information about the bats that populate our skies. Dr Kate Jones, iBats project manager at ZSL, said: "Bats are like a heart monitor for wildlife. "Their presence can tell us a lot about the health of the environment because they have an important role in terms of eating insects and acting as pollinators for many different plant species. "We hope the iBats app will encourage more people to monitor their local bats and make a contribution to the global conservation of wildlife."

science news & technology

Over 300 new species discovered

A treasure trove of hundreds of new species may have been discovered in the Philippines, including a bizarre sea star that feeds exclusively on sunken driftwood and a deep-sea, shrimp-eating shark that swells up to scare off other predators.

Scientists braved leeches and a host of venomous creatures from the mountains to the sea to uncover more than 300 species that are likely new to science. These findings include dozens of new insects and spiders, more than 50 colourful new sea slugs and a number of deep-sea armoured corals. "These corals protect themselves against predatory nibbles from fish by growing large, spiky plates," said researcher Terrence Gosliner, dean of science and research collections at the California Academy of Sciences and leader of the 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition.

Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences and their colleagues from the University of the Philippines and the National Museum of the Philippines conducted a 42day expedition this past spring to survey Luzon Island, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago, as well as its surrounding waters.

Twins drop “Social Network” lawsuit The Harvard University classmates of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, have decided to drop their lawsuit, ending the legal battle made famous by Oscar winning movie The Social Network.

After vowing to take their dispute to the Supreme Court, lawyers for the brothers Winklevoss said they will not pursue further legal action. The dispute famously started in 2004 when the Winklevoss brothers along with partner Divya Narendra claimed as undergraduate students at Harvard University, Zuckerberg stole their idea for a social network website.

In 2008, the trio signed an agreement with Zuckerberg which settled the dispute for $65 million. In exchange, the three would drop all litigation against Zuckerberg. However, shortly after the movie came out, they said the agreement was based on inaccurate valuation of the company. Instead, Facebook is worth more than they settled for and they wanted a fair share in the company's value.

The trio took their dispute to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which agreed with Facebook and Zuckerberg in April and ruled against the Winklevoss. Following this decision against them, the Winklevoss vowed to take their argument to the Supreme Court. However, they have since changed their mind citing undisclosed reasons.

"We've considered this case closed for a long time, and we're pleased to see the other party now agrees," Facebook said in a brief statement.

Existance of ‘Uncontacted’ Amazonian tribe confirmed BRAZILIAN officials have confirmed the existence of approximately 200 Indians who live in the western Amazon who have had no contact with the outside world.

This uncontacted tribe is not "lost" or unknown, according to tribal advocacy group Survival International. In fact, about 2,000 uncontacted Indians are suspected to live in the Javari Valley, near the border of Peru, where the tribe's homes were seen from the air.

In 2008, Survival International released photos of another uncontacted tribe near the Brazil-Peru border. The striking images revealed men aiming arrows skyward at the plane photographing them. Uncontacted Indian groups are aware of the outside world, a Survival International spokesperson told LiveScience at the time. But they chose to live apart, maintaining a traditional lifestyle deep in the Amazon forest. The latest images reveal that the newly confirmed tribe grows corn, peanuts, bananas and other crops.

Because the tribes are so isolated, contact with the outside world can be deadly. Survival International's website tells the story of the uncontacted Zo'e tribe. When missionaries contacted the tribe in 1987, 45 Indians died of common diseases that they had The Javari Valley is believed to be home to the largest concentration of uncontacted people in the world; an estimated 2000 uncontacted people — comprised of several small tribes — currently live in the area. Unfortunately, the area is quite close to the border of Peru where logging and oil exploration operations have intensified in recent years.

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naturalhealth

By Megan Fennell

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

How to Fuel Up During Your Workout

SUICIDE TEACH

ORGANISE PREVENT

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

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

• Support and outreach to those bereaved by suicide.

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

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

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FIGURING out exactly how much to eat and drink during a workout can be like trying to communicate to your beloved how much you appreciate the dinner he cooked but aren’t quite so thrilled about the gargantuan mess he left behind: a delicate balancing act.

After all, you want to stay energized and hydrated, but you certainly don’t want to cancel out all of those hardburned calories!

Luckily, we’ve got the expert to show us the way: Natalie Digate Muth, MD, who, in addition to being a registered dietician, is also a physician, personal trainer, and spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise. Check out her savvy tips, then find your ideal fuel-up formula in the chart below.

• Exercising for 30 minutes or less?

No need to eat or drink anything special while you sweat.

• When choosing a workout bar, chews, or gel (any of the three will work just fine), pick one with easily di-

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gestible carbs—in other words, low in fibre. Your body needs to be able to turn those carbs into energy quickly, not spend precious time and energy breaking them down.

• To keep your tummy from feeling grumpy and overloaded, divide the bar, chews, or gel so you’re eat-

ing a small amount every 20 to 25 minutes.

• Trying to lose weight? It’s OK to eat a little less than the chart recommends.

• But don’t skimp on the sips! It’s crucial to make sure you’re replacing the fluid you’re losing through perspiration, especially in these steamy summer months. Depending on how hot it is and how much you sweat, you may need more (or less) than the amounts recommended below, so let your thirst be your guide.

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5 Quick Ways to Stop Back Pain

By Megan Fennell From crunches to lunches, how to ease the ache Roughly 8 out of 10 people suffer from back pain at some point during their lives. Women, in particular, are prone to posture and back problems—thanks to toting around outrageously heavy purses, going through pregnancy, or giving one-hip rides to kids. Whether you’re in the midst of fighting the ache or just want to prevent it, here are some expert-endorsed quick-and-easy ways to wage your war.

Sleep right A harder bed may not be better for your back. A recent study in Spine found that people who slept on softer beds reported less lower-back pain than those who snoozed on harder ones.

Pillows? Yours shouldn’t raise your head out of alignment with your spine. How to tell: If you’re a back sleeper, your chin shouldn’t press into your chest. If you’re a side sleeper, it shouldn’t curve up toward your shoulder.

Pass the broccoli, please You know that calcium is key for strong bones, but Japanese researchers have identified something else you need: vitamin K. It’s believed that the vitamin, found in broccoli, spinach, and other dark leafy greens, helps calcium deposit in the bones, making them denser. The stronger your bones, the stronger your whole body—and the lower your chances of an injury that could cause back pain.

Tighten those abs Having strong core muscles (we’re talking abs here) can help protect your back from injury. Do this corestrengthening pelvic tilt 2 to 3 times per week: Lie on your back with knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and lower back flattened. Pull in your belly button toward your spine, contracting your abs; your pelvis should lift slightly off the floor.

Lighten your load If your purse or briefcase tips the scales at more than 10% of your weight, it’s too heavy. And you need to carry it right. Your best bet is a model with a long strap that lets you position it across your chest like a messenger bag. Can’t part with your shorter-strapped number? Switch shoulders every 20 minutes.

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Aim for good posture Sitting at a desk for eight (or more) hours a day can really do a number on your back. Make sure to sit with your back against your chair (get a lumbar pillow if you chair doesn’t allow this) and both feet flat on the floor. Another option:Try using a stability ball as your desk. Good posture is a must just to stay on the thing.

Start off slow (20 minutes at a time), and if it feels good, stick with it.

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The Massacre of the Friars 1642: AN invasion led by Sir Frederick Hamilton's soliders resulted in the burning of Sligo town, which left hundreds of locals dead and wounded. The British forces destroyed the interior of Sligo Abbey, setting the place alight and killing every friar in sight. The invasion was donned 'the massacre of the friars', as locals people tried to stop the British Forces from destroying the historical abbey. Legend says that worshippers saved the Abbey's silver bell, which was thrown into Lough Gill and it is thought that only those free from sin can hear its peal. The few friars that managed to escape, took shelter with local people. They eventually returned to the ruins, where they set about rebuilding and repairing the burnt out Abbey.

The forces did not stop once they destroyed the Dominican order friary, instead they proceeded to set the town on fire, killing everyone in sight. Over 300 women and children were savagely murdered by the rampaging soldiers. William Butler Yeats retells the historic story and the legends that have been passed on from generation to generation in his short story entitled; “The Curse of the Fires and of the Shadows”.

Countess Markievicz elected to parliament 1918: THE year that Countess Markievicz wins a seat in parliament as the Sinn Fein candidate for Dublin and obtains the honour of being the first woman to be elected to Parliament. The Sligo lady was born in London, but spent her childhood at Lissadell Estate. From a young age, she developed an interest in politics, joining the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies and Sinn Fein. She joined James Connolly's Irish Citizen Army, where she designed uniforms and composed the anthem. Her role in the 1916 Rising incarcerated her in Kilmainham Gaol, where she was given the death sentence; however she was released under general amnesty several months later . Just a year later, Countess Markievicz ran in the General Election and got elected. She later served as the Minister of Labour in the Irish Cabinet and was the first female member of the cabinet.

blast past

County Sligo The Mullaghmore Bombing from the

AUGUST 27th 1979, Louis Mountbatten, the uncle to Prince Philip and best known for his role as the last Viceroy of the British Indian Empire made a decision to go sailing, to check on his crab pots.

He often came on holidays to the sea-faring village of Mullaghmore, where he retreated in his own estate, Classiebawn Castle.

On that morning, Louis Mountbatten and his family set off in a 30 foot wooden boat called the Shadow V, which was moored in the small harbour at Mullaghmore.

Within minutes, a bomb planted underneath the boat’s engine by the IRA detonated, instantly killing Lord Louis Mountbatten, his grandson Nicholas, his eldest daughters,

Mother in law Lady Brabourne and a local teenager, Paul Maxwell who had a summer job helping out on the boat. Paul Maxwell was the first body to be recovered from the water.

The terrorist attack three decades ago, led to one of the biggest police investigations in Irish history.

At the time of the explosion, IRA members Thomas McMahon and Francis McGirl were 70 miles away, in Garda custody after getting stopped at a traffic checkpoint. While McGirl later was acquitted of his charges, due to insufficient evidence, Thomas McMahon did not get off. Instead, he was jailed until August 1998, where he was released as part of the Good Friday peace agreement.

Sligo’s Cholera epidemic 1832: CHOLERA reached Ireland by 1832, after gripping most of Europe in the previous years. The first case on the island was reported in Belfast, quickly followed by its arrival to Dublin. The ports of Ireland were considered to be the likely places that cholera would make their entrance to parts of the country and Sligo port was no stranger to the plague which badly hit the county. The threatened calamity that the press talked of suddenly became a reality throughout 1832.

There were more deaths in Sligo than anywhere else in Ireland. People died on the streets, whole families were wiped out, as the contagious disease spread from household to household. Cholera not only struck the destitute but the rich and no one was safe from it.

Doctors worked day and night to save people from death, but on average, they could only save 50% of victims. There was a 1 in 2 survival rate and those with any underlying

conditions were the most vulnerable. Cleanliness was promoted, as filthy houses were being blamed as the reason the disease lingered for so long in Sligo. However, soon people realised that it was containment that would save them and finally rid cholera from the county. Social gatherings were cancelled, people were advised to curtail visits to friends to avoid catching the disease and infected articles of clothing were burnt.

Local legend contends that Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula had his macabre imagination fired by his mother's accounts of the Cholera in Sligo.

She would tell him about the coffin makers who would knock on people's doors in the night, looking for corpses to bury.

Some of the people were still alive and almost being buried alive, due to people's fear of the disease spreading.

Last of Inishmurray’s residents leaves 12TH NOVEMBER 1948: The last of the residents of Inishmurray Island, just seven kilometres off the coast of County Sligo, departed to relocate to the mainland. The 228-acre island had been home to 100 people just sixty years before the last of the residents departed. However, the population began to dwindle as one by one families moved to the mainland or emigrated to Britain and the U.S.A. Saint Molaiste set up a Christian Monastery on the island in the 6th Century and today, the island has become famous as a pilgrimage destination.

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.

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

by Megan Fennell

Death penalty for selling sour wine The French Revolution started when revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison in Paris in 1789.

Meant to rid the country of the nobles once and for all, far more members of the general public than the nobles met with the guillotine. Of the approximately 16,000 people killed in the three following years, only 10% were nobles, most having escaped. A large number of people were executed on the denouncements of jealous friends or neighbours. For instance, selling sour wine was considered against national interest and the merchant was promptly executed.

WIN! 25

1. I ran non-art shop over in Clare's gateway to Ireland, which has its ups and downs. (7,7) 7. Are set in order at this rising time of the year in Ireland. (6) 9. Hit hard when good person goes to the United Nations. (4) 10. "The whole worl's in a ----- o' chassis." Seán O'Casey. (5) 12. "Too ---- for a statesman, too proud for a wit."

Goldsmith (of Edmund Burke) (4) 13. His run up leads to a sudden incursion (in Co. Dublin, near to Lusk?). (6) 15. Huge land log chopped up in Wicklow holy site where Saint Kevin built a hermitage. (11) 17. Desert rat gets rib and leg broken. (6) 19. Nore in turmoil over Nevada city of speedy unsplicing. (4) 20.Tiler in retreat having fired again. (5) 22. Dublin ullage has invalid content. (4) 23.We're disturbed about six, to pass comment on the book. (6) 24. Selling, ask Bill about Kerry Irish speaking seaside village near Waterville. (14)

Odd garbage control Although Athens, in 500 BC, was the first city to control garbage, Europeans heaved garbage out their windows until the 1300s. They also threw the contents of their pee pots out the window, simply shouting “garde a l’eau!” (“Watch out for the water!”). It is from this we get “loo” and, eventually, toilets.

Plagues in the 14th century put an end to this odd behaviour, encouraging tidier living.

Central heating was developed in warm countries Central heating was developed in warm countries.The Minoans of Crete (2700 BC – 1100 BC) devised a system of diffused heating. And around 150 BC the Romans developed the hypocaust system. This is how it worked: Tile floors were supported by columns, creating a space beneath the floor where warm gases from a central fire could circulate and escape through flues in the walls.

That also meant a demand for well-made pipes – and thus the job of the plumber was created.

DOWN 1. Lined stack risk. (anag.) In Strangford Lough, County Down, where there is a Norman castle ruin.

(8,6) 2. "Gladstone tried to guess the ------ to the Irish Question, but whenever he got warm, the Irish secretly changed the Question." W.C. Sellar (6) 3. Rowing boat propellers seen in Sligo arsenal. (4) 4. It was not long ago that the centre was rebuilt. (6) 5. Cut back spending, but dig a hole again. (8) 6.We lack monk's nod up in the Tipperary mountains above the Abbey of Mount Melleray. (14) 8. Rails a plank. (anag.) Kerry estate and hotel on the shore of the Kenmare River near Sneem. (11) 11. Panes get smashed by quivering tree. (4) 14. Naturists seen in the shifting dunes? (5)

15. Irregular soldier could lure Gail over. (8) 16. First notes taken in Gweedore mishap. (2,2,2) 18. Little to wear on the Pacific atoll of big bangs. (6) 21. "I shall be like that ----, I shall die at the top." Swift.

(4)

LAST ISSUE’S

ANSWERS

Man ate aircraft An inquest into the death of Brit Frederick Edwards in 1933 found 200 nails, 36 staples and 3 penknives in his stomach. But he didn’t even have half the appetite of Frenchman Michel Lotito, whose stage name was “Mr Eat All.” Michel ate 18 bicycles, 15 shopping carts, 7 TV sets, a computer, numerous razor blades and, believe it or not, one Cessna 150 light aircraft. The aircraft meal was not fast food, though; it took him two years, 1978 – 1980, to munch through the delight. He finished the shopping cart in four-and-a-half days.

Teeth made of hippo bones

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!!

81. gas (1) 82. ged (1) 83. gnu (1) 84. gul (1) 85. gun (1) 86. had (1) 87. hag (1) 88. has (1) 89. hug (1) 90. kue (1)

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71. dag (1) 72. dah (1) 73. dal (1) 74. dud (1) 75. due (1) 76. dug (1) 77. dun (1) 78. eds (1) 79. gad (1) 80. gal (1)

91. lad (1) 92. lag (1) 93. las (1) 94. lug (1) 95. sad (1) 96. sag (1) 97. sal (1) 98. sau (1) 99. seg (1) 100. ugh (1)

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61. sals (2) 62. saul (2) 63. slag (2) 64. slug (2) 65. sugh (2) 66. ads (1) 67. aga (1) 68. aha (1) 69. als (1) 70. auk (1)

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

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

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51. hula (2) 52. kues (2) 53. lade (2) 54. lads (2) 55. lase (2) 56. laud (2) 57. luau (2) 58. nude (2) 59. sade (2) 60. saga (2)

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41. gads (2) 42. gals (2) 43. gaud (2) 44. gaun (2) 45. geds (2) 46. gude (2) 47. guls (2) 48. gunk (2) 49. hade (2) 50. haul (2)

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

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31. auld (2) 32. dals (2) 33. dhal (2) 34. duad (2) 35. dual (2) 36. dude (2) 37. duds (2) 38. dues (2) 39. dung (2) 40. dunk (2)

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21. lauds (3) 22. laugh (3) 23. nudes (3) 24. nudge (3) 25. sades (3) 26. saugh (3) 27. sauls (3) 28. agas (2) 29. agha (2) 30. ague (2)

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11. duals (3) 12. dudes (3) 13. gauds (3) 14. gauge (3) 15. gudes (3) 16. hades (3) 17. hauls (3) 18. hulas (3) 19. lades (3) 20. lased (3)

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

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1. dunged (4) 2. gauged (4) 3. gauges (4) 4. nudges (4) 5. ungual (4) 6. ungula (4) 7. aghas (3) 8. agues (3) 9. dhals (3) 10.duads (3)

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Did you know?

Word Puzzle!

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Nowadays you can go to the dentist to have a broken tooth fixed or missing tooth replaced on the spot. In previous centuries it was not as easy.The problem of missing teeth was first discussed at length in 1728 by Pierre Fauchard in his book The Surgeon Dentist. Although gold was used to replace teeth by early cultures the 18th century dentists sometimes used ivory or hippopotamus bone instead. But the easiest way to replace     missing teeth was simply to find the teeth of dead men, which     were plentiful in supply in times of war.

             

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Who? Where?

0909

Tel: 086 4062404

1210

CROTTY & O’DONNELL ?

EXHIBITION OPENS AT THE LINENHALL

Friday 1st July sees the opening of “remnant”, a joint exhibition of paintings and mixed media work by Aidan Crotty and Conor O’Donnellat the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar.

Artists Conor O’ Donnell and Aidan Crotty met during a residency in Kerry in 2009. Both Fine Art graduates of Crawford College in Cork, they share some common threads in their subject matter but differ in their approach toward painting processes and practice. Conor’s work “is informed by changes in the rural and the suburban environments, particularly in the last decade.The conflict between the organic nature of the traditional way of life and the needs of twenty-first century living has created an aesthetic discord.”

Aidan’s paintings “derive from local  environments that border town-land, river and sea, where I 

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am drawn to solitary subjects that seem long detached from social function, as observed from life and memory.” The dialogue initiated in the studios at Cill Rialaig has continued, resulting in the juxtapositional body of work that is “remnant”.The exhibition runs until Saturday 30th July. “remnant” will be officially opened on Friday 3rd June at 7.30pm by Eamon Smith, Chairman of the Linenhall Arts Centre. All welcome.

The Linenhall Gallery is open to the general public MondayFriday from 10.00am - 5.00pm; Saturday from 11.00am-5.30pm.

Admission to exhibitions is free.

Further details from the Linenhall. Tel: 094 9023733 Website: www.thelinenhall.com The Linenhall Arts Centre acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council in making this exhibition possible. 

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BRAD PAISLEY ADDS CASTLEBAR AFTER SELLING OUT OLYMPIA SHOW

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Brad Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, which has earned him 3 GRAMMY’s, 14 Country Music Association Awards and 13 Academy of Country Music Awards. He has 18 #1 singles and has released nine critically acclaimed studio albums, the most recent Hits Alive which is a two disc release of original studio hits as well as live performances from concerts.

Paisley’s innovative and entertaining H20 World Tour played to over 879,000 fans in 2010 and placed #1 country tour for attendance by Pollstar. Paisley’s new album, This Is Country Music, is on sale now.

Hits Alive is a collection that spotlights the creative catalogue of country music’s most versatile artist. From the dark drama of “Whiskey Lullaby” to the soul-stirring power of “When I Get Where I’m Going” to the barroom bravado of “Ticks,” Paisley’s music has covered a wide spectrum of territory during his first illustrious decade, and with the release of a new studio album,This Is Country Music, in April this year, one has the feeling the best is yet to come.

“I’m really proud of country music in general and being a part of it, and being some part of its history now because I’m a fan of its history,” says Paisley. “To have had ten years of hit songs and to have been able to put out an album like this where we chronicle that and have these live things is a really proud moment for me.”

Tickets are priced at 35.60 Standing / 37.60 Seated and on sale this Saturday 8am 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

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SUMMER ART CAMPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE LINENHALL

Looking for something creative and fun for the young ones this summer?

Look no further! ARTCAMP, the Linenhall Arts Centre’s Summer Programme of quality arts activities for young people offers a line-up of week-long courses will be under the guidance of experienced community artists and teachers working with the Linenhall. And they’re great value too!

So get creative this summer and join in the fun!

Booking has been busy as usual, but there is still availability on the following: CAMP 1: CARTOONS AND RHYTHM for ages 9 years+ Monday 4th - Friday 8th July, 11.00am - 2.30pm

Be part of a creative production team and create your own animated movie!

PLUS, learn to play some high-energy percussion pieces based on rhythms form Africa, Cuba, and Brazil, with percussionist Peter Crann.

Full cost for the week is 70 euro.

CAMP 5: DRAMA GAMES AND PIRATE FUN for ages 7-9 years Monday 18th Friday 22nd July, 11.00am 2.30pm Fancy being on stage?

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THE DERRY BOAT,

This one-man show by acclaimed actor/writer Little John Nee tell the funny but poignant story of four generations of migration between Ireland and Scotland and celebrates the strong and vibrant links that have existed for generations between these two countries. The play’s title is taken from the Derry/Glasgow ferry on which emigrants and travellers sailed back and forth from Donegal to Glasgow up until the 1960’s. Directed by Padraig Breathnach with original music

by Fergal Gallagher, originally commissioned in 1998 by the Earagail Arts Festival as part of the Arts Council Scriptwriters Award.

Thursday 30th June 8pm Adm. 12/10 Booking advised. All welcome At The Ballina Arts Centre. Tel: 096 73593

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bunch of fun drama games and activities.

PLUS, get into a pirate frame of mind in this multi-project create-and-make art workshop. Full cost for the week is 65 euro.

CAMP 6: MUSIC & VISUAL ART for ages 5-6 years Monday 25th - Friday 29th July, 11.00am2.30pm Edel McDonnell’s ever popular introduction to the basics of music. PLUS, make all kinds of 2D and 3D art on the theme of flight and flying! Full cost for the week is 65 euro.

And there’s lots more too - see the Linenhall’s summer brochure for details or check out the website: www.thelinenhall.com NB: BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. Booking and further details from the Linenhall Arts Centre,Tel: 094 9023733 The Linenhall Arts Centre acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council and Mayo County Council in making these workshops possible.

The Royal Theatre is delighed to welcome back Daniel O Donnell to Castlebar. A wonderful evening of song and laughter awaits.

Why not book a pre theatre meal in our Dining Room before the show. Four Course Meal and a Glass of Wine just 25.00. Call 094 90 23111 for bookings.

Tickets are on sale now on www.ticketmaster.ie as well as from the Royal Theatre Box Office on 0818 300 000. Tickets are priced 44.50 incl. booking fee, other service charges may apply. For fur-

ther information please check the Royal Theatre website on: www.theroyal.ie or www.ticketmaster.ie

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e have teamed up with Mayo Media to offer a lucky reader 2 tickets to the Legend of Gráinne Mhaol! To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the question below and send your answers into us at info@theexpress.ie along with your name, address and telephone number alternatively you can post your entires into us at: Gráinne Mhaol Comp, Northwest Express, Cleveragh Road, Sligo.

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y t l e u r C l a m Ani elly K l e a h c a R by

but2 huge chestnut brown eyes and a cute I opened the door to be greeted by ball of fluff. This five year old Jack Russell ton nose barely peeping out from thehas already become a part of the neighcross may have only just arrived but new bourhood. led to my neighbours acquiring this It is the tragic circumstances that havecruelty of mankind? dog that prompt me to question themy neighbour set off to work she caught a s A wet, blustery Tuesday morning as p of grass on one of the busiest roadd pulle glimpse of a small dog huddled in a clum she is she that l idua indiv s cientiou around. Being the kind-hearted, consified Jack Russell dog in her arms. The realover and soon held a trembling, petr came to be here had he simply strayed ity is that we don’t know how the doglooks been abandoned without a second from his home or unfortunately as itn tired of her? thought by his owner who had growher, couldn’t have come to a better home.

Lucy, as we’ve temporarily renamed dy have a beautiful Shetland Sheepdog they Despite the fact my neighbours alreathem until her owners are traced or a new are insistent that Lucy will stay with y dogs like Lucy are not so lucky! trusted home found for her.Yet, so man struggling ISPCA are experiencing an Sadly, this is not an isolated case. The uts for abandoned and neglected animals 130% increase in the number of callo nright cruelty on the economic recessince 2006. While many blame this dowcial situation of our country as a valid excuse to y, Irish people , sion I don’t and won’t accept the finan of a bustling main road. Undoubtedl the need to ngst dump a harmless, loving pet on the side amo and re secu cially to remain finan including pet owners are struggling full-time employment and maintain family needs caring meet mortgage repayments, secure further down the list. But there are so many more alterfor an animal may in many cases be trusted you on the verge of a road. How can a dog natives than deserting a dog who has helping their human owners be expected to survive many never experiwho has lived all their life trusting and ed is as fortunate as Lucy and sadly on it’s own. Not every dog abandon ence a second home.

Not alone is this a deadly situation for most certainly dash out amongst the the petrified dog who in a frenzy of fear will altraffic in search of his owners but it fatal for road users too. If a car swerved could prove with oncoming traffic and prove cata to avoid the confused animal it may collide stro phic .

Dogs are not the only animals suffering century society. During the Celticc Tige cruelty at the hands of people in today’s 21st high. Breeding mares, dressage and comr boom years horse prices reached an all-time peting became extremely popular and anyone who could afford to bought almo an equi ne. However, as many did certain own st failed to consider how they could affor ers d to main tain the horse after the initial few years. And today, five years on it is estim ated that over ten horses, ponies or doneys are abandoned carelessly throughout a trailer onto apparently unused lane Ireland every day. While some are released from they are no longer of financial benefits many others are simply left in a field, because the news broadcasts a story on hors to the owners forgotten. Almost every week es left to starve in a muddy swamp. as human beings accept this? The hors How can we owner eye played no part in the dow e who for so many years was the apple of its’ nturn of our country’s economy and be punished for our mistakes. should not Cats and even rabbits are also been aban wander they rarely adapt to a new hom doned but because of a cats instinct to cause they have no experience of avoi e. Rabbits once released into the wild, bethe form of a plastic dish sadly, neve ding predators or sourcing food unless its I r last long.

While a dog can undoubtedly be your be discarded when financial struggle best friend it is not a piece of plastic that can s arise or when you can longer deal hairs covering your furniture. Similarily with the or foals unable to be sold they are still, because a horse may be finished competing animal you do not relieve yourself of the owners responsibility. By dumping any this responsibility you simply attempt about it. to forget I really can’t understand how anybody, can slee p at night knowing that their pet who was once a member of the family is poor reflection on the 21st century lying alone, trembling with fear, deserted. It is a society if we are willing to allow such hearted people continue with such dow hardmously quoted "We can judge the hear nright cruel behaviour.As Immanual Kant fat of a man by his treatment of animals”.

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