Connect Lifestyle-Issue 50-August 2018

- Meet the 2018 Roses from all over the world The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

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AUGUST 2018

Retro Flame

to judge best dressed at Rose of Tralee Fashion Even t

Kerry Rose

Celine O'Shea looks forward to her week

The Truely Talented

O’NEILL SISTERS

FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE ....Made in Kerry, for Kerry

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EDITOR NOTE Hi Everyone, Weather has taken a little change but we are still enjoying some sunshine and nice afternoons so we hope you are making the most of it.

As always we chat to our local girl representing the county as Kerry Rose, Celine O'Shea who comes from Caherciveen but is living in Cork. She tells us about life and likes and what she is looking forward to for festival week. We had lots of fun at our early morning photoshoot and enjoyed a chat and delicious breakfast at the Café, Ballyseedy Home and Garden when all was done. We wish Celine the very best in her quest to keep the crown in Kerry this year.

We also have a sneaky peek of all the other roses too in this issue so save the pages and you can follow them on TV and choose your favourite. Of course there is lots happening festival week, one of our favourites is the Rose of Tralee Fashion Show, Zoe caught up with Kerry girl Erika Fox now living in New York and making waves in the industry, as she looks forward to coming home to judge best dressed at the show.

Bowel Health Constipation can be caused by poor eating habits, lack of fibre and nutrients, eating white flour products (glue foods), overeating, bad food combining, stress, lack of exercise or general poor living habits. Constipation can cause numerous health problems if left untreated. Every system of the body can be affected through auto intoxication caused by constipation.

An increasing number of people suffer with this uncomfortable and unhealthy issue. When constipated, the colon becomes a breathing ground for bacteria’s, viruses, parasites, yeasts, moulds, etc. Avoid habit forming laxatives as they kill friendly intestinal flora.

A good balanced diet is essential Looking to increase your for healthy digestion and bowel fibre intake.... TRY THIS: health. A high fibre diet will Mix equal parts of flaxseed help to clean and completely and oat bran in water. eliminate the colon of waste Let it soak over-night and product, soon after eating. take two tablespoons in Eat whole grains, whole wheat, the morning in juice. brown rice, whole oats, buckwheat and quinoa. They contain bran rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals, as well as complex carbohydrates and protein. Chew food well and eat smaller meals. Some juices may also help with constipation, such as PRUNE, APPLE and PEACH, which have a natural laxative effect. Avoid or cut down on processed foods and sugars.

We met with the amazing O'Neill Sisters who hail from Ballyheigue, words can’t describe their talent, you really have to go and see them for yourself but Lisa had a chat to them to try and find out the magic behind their amazing voices.

Exercise and drinking plenty of water through-out the day will help with healthy bowel function.

There was lots happening around the county in July and we have all the pictures from various events in case you couldn’t make it. We are also bringing you some tips on getting back to school, it’s not too far away and you can never be prepared enough so check that out.

j MILK THISTLE or DANDELION: to enhance bile output and soften stools (available in capsule or liquid form)

In the meantime enjoy some festival fun with the family and the last month of holidays before normality resumes.

Until next month

Mags x Editor: Margaret Kissane Design: Laura Hartnett Design Print: Kingdom Printers Photography: John Walsh Photography 066 7123777 Email: info@johnwalsh.ie | www.johnwalsh.ie Contributors: Marcas Mac Domhnaill, John Canty, Ken Tobin, Marisa Reidy, Caroline McEnery Caroline Smith, Zoe O Connor, Catherine Keane, Mary Lucey, Eileen Lane, Lisa Curran.

Beauty Editor: Romy Birdthistle For Advertising Enquiries: Margaret: 086 2408237 sales@connectpublications.ie For Editorial Enquiries: info@connectpublications.ie Website: www.connectpublications.ie

Also, here are some herbal remedies which will help with bowel and overall digestive health:

j BEE POLLEN: 2 tsp to regulate intestinal function j OMEGA 3 FLAXSEED OIL CAPS: to help prevent constipation j VITAMIN C: helps to destroy toxins in the colon j MAGNESIUM: helps relax the bowel j POTASSIUM: healing for the stomach and colon j PROBIOTICS: restores healthy bacteria in the gut j B-COMPLEX: these vitamins helps regularity, protect the intestine and improve digestion. They also help to eliminate toxins from the liver j LEPICOL: combination of psyllium husk and probiotic which contributes to the maintenance of normal bowel movements j SLIPPERY ELM: helps heal the colon and aid digestion j ALOE VERA JUICE: helps to calm and sooth the bowel and helps with elimination

Until next time, stay healthy.

Deirdre x

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KERRY ROSE Celine O'Shea looks forward to her week Its tradition for us here in Connect to catch up with the lady representing the county at the Rose of Tralee International festival and this year it’s the turn of Celine O'Shea, hailing from Caherciveen but now living in Ballincollig, Celine tells us the plans for one of the most important weeks she is about to embark on.

Congrats on becoming Kerry rose was it always a dream for you?

Yes definitely. In being from Kerry, I have grown up with the festival.

Attending the festival in Tralee was one of my summer highlights for many years growing up and I’ve watched it on television every year.

I am a very proud Kerry woman and I can’t even describe how it feels to be given the opportunity to represent my family, my community and the county of Kerry in August.

Tell us a little bit about Celine your work, at home and what you like to do to relax and chill out?

I work as a dementia activities facilitator in St Luke’s Home, in Cork. I work with 38 people with varying levels of dementia. My role is to encourage positive well-being and quality of life by supporting residents to remain stimulated, engaged and happy based on their life story and what is meaningful to them. St Luke’s is an amazing place to work. I love what I do and I am so passionate about the area of dementia care. I recently completed a post grad in Ways of Understanding dementia and dementia care with Trinity College Dublin.

I grew up living with my mom, dad and 2 older brothers (Kieran & Shane)in Foilmore, a parish just outside Cahersiveen. Our house is fairly

remote which I absolutely love.!! It’s so quiet and I love going home to the open spaces and fresh air. I currently live in Ballincollig in Cork so it isn’t too much of a drive to get home. Remaining connected to my community is so important to me so I regularly make it down for various events in our local Foilmore Community Centre. Our family tree has grown over the years and I now have 2 sister's in-law (Tracey & Courtney) and 3 nephews (Jaden, Donovan and Noah).

Relaxing & chilling out – I’ve always been active. I play tag rugby every Thursday.

I love the outdoors and it’s exactly where I want to be whenever I have time to relax. Down home some of my places to go are Valentia Island, the cliffs in Portmagee or strolling around Cahersiveen. When I am in Cork, I go to East cork where my boyfriend, Dave is from and enjoy the beautiful seaside areas it offers.

You have the advantage of been the home girl and the Kerry Rose do you feel there is extra pressure on you because of this?

I don’t really see it as an added pressure! I almost feel more excited to be a part of welcoming the other Roses to Kerry and to show it off in all its glory! I have been to all the different events of the Rose of Tralee festival over the years so I am excited for the other Roses to get to experience those now!

Have you got the wardrobe sorted for the week?

I’m nearly there with it. I have some fantastic sponsors in Kerry that have been supporting me with dresses, shoes, headpieces, bags etc which is such a great help.

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So really it’s just making sure that they are all organised well to avoid any stress during the busy week in Tralee!

What’s your little bit of advice to all the ladies arriving in Tralee very soon?

Enjoy every minute of it. It is a once and a lifetime opportunity that we are all so lucky to be a part of. The Rose of Tralee is an amazing festival. We need to make the most of the experience.

What do you think your highlight for the week will be?

Is there anything in particular you are secretly looking forward to?

It is so hard to narrow it down to one thing as I really am looking forward to every single minute of it. The parade has always been magical for me when I was young and that feeling never really went away so I can’t even anticipate how I’m going to feel being on the other side of it! I’m really looking forward to the Rose Ball as all my family and my boyfriend are going. I’ve heard it is an amazing night so I’m so happy we can enjoy it together. And of course being on stage in the dome is going to be just amazing!!

What would it mean to you to win the title?

I have such admiration for the festival and what it stands for, so being selected as the 2018 Rose of Tralee would be such an honour. I am very passionate about Kerry, so being chosen to represent the amazing festival

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held in the heart and soul of Kerry would be a dream come through. Given that a Kerry Rose has never won the Rose of Tralee (a Tralee rose has) it would be a great boost for the county.

Location: Ballyseedy Home and Garden Hair: Emma Quirke Hair (Kerry Rose Hairdresser for 2018) Make-up: House of Glamour Clothes: Ivy Lane by Hannons/ Karyn Moriarty Shoot styled by: Karyn Moriarty Photography: Will Nolan Photography.

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DON O'NEILL GALA EVENT

at Ballyroe Heights Hotel, in aid of Recovery Haven Kerry Cancer Support

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Retro Flame

to judge best dressed at Rose of Tralee Fashion Event

BY: ZOE O'CONNOR

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One can’t deny that the fashion & media world has evolved massively in the past number of years. The most drastic of changes coming in the way that we consume trends, and also who we look to for inspiration. Over the past ten years, the people who were originally inspired by the fashion world, have now become the inspiration in the medium of ‘bloggers’ and ‘influencers’. These fashion savvy creatives have managed to turn a said (their) ‘passion for fashion’ into a career, with our very own - Erika Fox, who goes by her blog name ‘Retro Flame’, becoming one of the biggest Irish fashion influencers after garnering over 110 thousand followers in the past few years alone.

Recognisable by her signature foxy red locks (which coincide with her own namesake) and statement sunnies, Erika has become a connoisseur on all things fashion & style both in Ireland and New York alike. Despite living life in the Big Apple over the past number of years, ‘Retro Flame’ is coming back home to Kerry - to judge the Best Dressed at this year’s Rose of Tralee festival; which left me with the perfect excuse to catch up with her and garner some much sought after fashion info!

Since your career blossomed from a hobby to a business, has it lost some of its appeal? Or are you fortunate enough to still enjoy it in the same way as before?

Of course, since it has now become my full-time job, I definitely see it as a business but at the very same time, I'm still as passionate about it as I was when I wrote my first blog post. When a business stems from passion, you'll always enjoy working on it.

Who have been the biggest influences on your personal style; and do you believe that people’s style should evolve through the years?

My Mom definitely has been a huge influence on my style growing up. She has always loved simple, classic pieces and passed down the love to me for sure. My personal style is constantly evolving and I think that's a great thing!

Even after all the elaborate affairs you have attended in New York and internationally, are you still excited to be home for the Rose of Tralee? festival this year?

Yes, of course. That's where it all started for me and I'll always love being back.This is the first year I'll be at home for the festival in a 10 | Connect Kerry | August 2018

while and I'm so excited! It's a fantastic festival which is loved all around the world and I'm delighted to be involved this year.

Since you have been living in New York for the past several years, what do you identify as the key differences in the American v Irish approach to style?

New Yorkers love to invest in classic pieces (and they LOVE black) whereas in my opinion, Ireland is a little more trend-driven. I love that I'm able to experience both sides.

Personally, I think that an age-old tradition like the Rose of Tralee adopting the new up and coming world of bloggers and influencers is a major step in bringing the festival into the millennial age; proving that such a concept can adapt to the ever changing world. But don’t worry, to all the folks that hope to nab the illustrious title of Best Dressed this year; Erika revealed that she is looking for “A look that is classic, understated & chic but still completely unique to the person that is wearing it” - and I can’t wait to see what exciting ensembles you all come up with!

Zoë

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The Truely Talented

O’NEILL SISTERS We are absolutely spoilt with our local talent in kerry but one group I have to bring to your attention are ‘the O’Neill Sisters’ these girls are not just absolutely stunning girls but their vocal talents combined in one act is something special to hear, the blend of their voices and obvious support and love of each other mixed with their pride in their Irish music roots is something we don’t get to hear from young and vibrant voices enough in mainstream music and it is refreshing to say the least.

The O’Neill sisters are currently in residence in the racecourse Killarney every Saturday night with their show ‘Songs from Ireland’.

Now I know what you are all thinking…..

I don’t think that is for me, is it more tourist based?.....

No it is not! I had the pleasure of getting to see this production and I can hand on heart tell you all, I was mesmerised, the mix of instruments and dancers and choice of repetoire was phenomenal!

Songs such as ‘Mo ghuile mear’, ‘The parting glass’ and ‘Danny boy’ in their soft tones with such beautiful harmonies were haunting to say the least, lovely numbers like ‘P is for Paddy’ ‘Where the Blarney roses grow’ and ‘the Voice’ had the audience drawn in and clapping along while being told the stories. Then there was a lovely set of Bing Crosbie songs and a beautiful rendition of ‘hallelujah’ as well as a performance of ‘red is the rose’ which most recently was a massively viral hit for the sisters.

The band (flute, guitar, fiddle, keys, drums and uileann pipes) were a group of seriously talented local musicians and they lifted the roof with their sets of jigs and reels and a few captivating slow airs while the dancers were three world champions with countless tittles amongst them. It was an absolute honour to witness this show and be in the presence of such fantastic local talent. If you are in Killarney any Saturday night go to see this show, (the racecourse theatre 8.30-10pm) I must say apart from being extremely talented these sisters have a work ethic and drive in them that is very clear and all the while they approach everything with positivity and are just down right lovely lovely people to speak to. Here I got to speak to the Naomi (the middle sister as she calls herself) on what made them start this journey, what’s in the pipeline and 12 | Connect Kerry | August 2018

By: Lisa Curran

what advice they have for others considering making their love of music a full time career.

Let’s start at the beginning, where did you get your interest in music and how did ‘the o neill sisters’ as a group come about?

We’d have to credit our love for music and singing firstly to our mom and two aunts who were a singing sister trio in the 70’s. Growing up listening to them sing in perfect harmony certainly inspired us from a young age. Our mom was always so encouraging of the arts and brought us to every dance, singing and music class around Kerry when we were young allowing us to really grow in our performance. When Fiona, the eldest was just barely a teenager we started working with Pat Donegan in Causeway and he was such an incredible encourager of our talents and he really helped us develop a sound and learn to song write and create intricate harmonies. We decided to join together and become a group after a Dublin manager approached Fiona and told her he had seen our individual C.D’s in the 2fm offices and thought we’d be powerful as a sister act. We entered the Ardert Talent Competition the following Summer and won the grand prize of 1,500 pounds , which was a fortune for us at the time. We decided to invest it in sound gear for gigs instead of spending it on clothes or anything and we’ve been performing ever since.

Who were your biggest influences growing up? Ye have such a varied back catalogue ye seem to have interest in such a wide selection of music, but who were your absolute favourites?

As I mentioned it was certainly our mom and aunts that initially influenced us, but we also gained early inspiration from the people around us for example hearing Sharon Reidy sing in the main female lead in The King and I when I (Naomi) was just three years old, blew me away. She was to later be our singing teacher and she really helped us develop our voices further. So that dramatic musical theatre style singing and performance was and still is quite apparent in our performance I think.

We also each had our own favourite artists but definitely we all were heavily

influenced by a lot of the greats like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Elvis Presley, Lauryn Hill and even Britney!

Who didn’t want to be Britney back in the day?! And obviously The Corrs were a huge influence for us too as they were also three Irish sisters and their music and success was incredibly inspiring for us.

What has been your proudest achievement so far performance wise? I know ye recently had a massive viral hit video too, tell us all about the highlights of your journey so far.

Our proudest moment? That’s difficult to say as I feel we’ve had a lot of them.

We’ve been really blessed with the opportunities we’ve had over the years, from performing for Hilary Clinton and the american troops in New York, to travelling the world together as lead vocalists of a hit celtic show performing to thousands of people in amazing venues like Orchard Hall in Tokyo to the Teatro Municipal de Las Condes.in Santiago Chile, to being in the studio with Bruno Mars and the songwriters of the Black Eyed Peas to most recently sharing the stage at home here in our gorgeous National concert Hall in Dublin with Brian Kennedy and Chloe Agnew.

We even had our song Red is the Rose go viral with over a million views overnight when Peter Hollens (who we have been huge fans of for years) shared our song on his facebook page Legendary Vocals.

To have him recognize our voices and music was such a surreal and incredible moment for us. And of course making our latest music videos to the song Oceans on our local ballyheigue beach wearing the amazing fellow North Kerryman Don O’Neill’s Theia couture gowns was one of our favourite experiences and we’re lucky enough to have it chosen as the single from the upcoming album for the Pope’s visit “An Irish Welcome.” But I think I have to say our proudest achievement so far I feel isn’t as such one event but rather the

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fact that we, three sisters from a small village in Kerry have been able to do all of this together all over the world, to get to work together all the time, sing together and create harmony and to actually be able to call it our job. That’s the proudest achievement. Being able to do what we love with the people we love most.

How did your residency in Killarney for ‘songs from ireland come about? is there a favourite old Irish song ye love to perform?

We approached the producers of Celtic Steps to put a show together in Killarney earlier this year and from the beginning they were so incredibly supportive and enthusiastic. The show came together quite quickly and we began in May and we will be performing every Saturday night until the end of September. It’s such a pleasure to be apart of this show with such fabulous talent. The musical director Cillian O’Dalaigh put together an incredible band of Irish musicians and they do a wonderful job of fusing traditional and contemporary Irish music. We also have world champion Irish dancers to share the stage with including seven time world champion Sean Downes who is just a wonder to watch dance. It’s a great blend of music, song and dance and there is something for everyone. I think our unanimous favourite song is P stands for paddy as it’s just so fun to be able to bring the song, music and dance together all at once.

It’s a more contemporary Irish song so if we had to pick a favourite older song to perform it would probably be Red is the Rose or The Parting Glass.

What are you all looking forward to in the near future performance and tour wise?

We are really looking forward to being involved in the upcoming promotion for the Pope’s album “An Irish welcome” in August on which four of our tracks have been included, so that’s a real honor. We are in the midst of recording some more Celtic and inspirational songs and we will be making some more videos for those as we really love developing more musical content for our fans both off and online.

We are very much looking forward to headlining our first big Celtic festival in France in early October so we’ll have to start rehearsing for that soon too. We also have a few big projects in the work that we’re extremely excited about but we can’t say anything just yet because we don’t like to jinx things but we’re really looking forward to seeing how things turn out.

Apart from music, in your free time what do you all like to do? I know health, fitness and yoga are a big part of your lives too.

Yes we do love yoga, so much so that we are all certified 200 hr yoga teachers trained in India. We love all things holistic, 14 | Connect Kerry | August 2018

which I think has been largely influenced by being a part of the entertainment industry as you always need to know how to look your best so that has led us to knowing and learning a lot about nutrition, fitness and mindfulness. We would really love to find a way to mix all of this with our music and I suppose in a way we do when we choose inspirational songs to sing, but we really hope to bring the yoga and music together in a bigger way in our lives. Yoga has brought such peace and groundedness to our everyday and really helps us when we have challenging times. We also love to hike and go horse-riding, to just travel and adventure. To discover all there is to discover about not just this amazing country we live in but the world as well.

Any quotes,mantras or advice given to ye that really feel stuck with ye on your journey so far?

We love quotes and we have a few we turn to that inspire us…

This was one we got from our grandmother If you think you are beaten, you are If you think you dare not, you don't, If you like to win, but don't think you can It's almost sure you won't If you think you'll lose, you've already lost For out in the world you'll find, Success begins with a fellow's will It's all in the state of mind.

“change your thoughts, change your life.”

Or “thoughts are things” because we truly believe it all comes down to what we think, and believe about ourselves and the world that shapes our lives. We also like “you plan and God laughs” It’s so true because everytime we’ve been upset about how something turned out when we look back we see that it had to happen that way to bring us to something better.

So we’ve began to make vague plans of action, figuring out where we want to get to and then allowing God to take care of the “hows”. Let him take care of the small detaisl. It’s about trusting that we’re always being watched out for and led to our highest path.

Have you any advice to pass on to kerry musicians and vocalists either just beginning the journey or on their way that you feel would really benefit them.

Oh we could write a book on advice we would give haha but the basics are, Do not choose a career in singing or music if fame and fortune are your biggest motivations, choose it because you can’t

possibly imagine yourself doing anything else. It has to consume you and you must want to live and breathe it because there are many knocks and obstacles on this path and sometimes you may feel like giving up, but if your heart is in it for the right reasons, you will find a way to pick yourself up and keep going and the moments where everything aligns perfectly and you have even little wins and successes, that what will make all the hard work worth it. The entertainment path is not an easy one, but if its what you love and feel you were born to do then you must follow it because you wont be fulfilled until you do. You have to be willing to work harder and longer at your craft than anyone else and find the best teachers you can.

Always be kind to those around you and find ways to collaborate with others. And get online! Online is the future of music so start learning how to navigate it.

But most importantly, believe in yourself.

Because if you don’t, no one else will. You don’t have to be the best to succeed but you do need to believe it is possible for you.

Never give up. Share your gifts and follow your heart.

You can find the O’Neill sisters on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to keep up to date on their ventures, you can also stream their recordings over on Spotify and if you do anything else today let that be it, their talent and vocals will give you goosebumps and you will be hooked. We are very very lucky to be able to have these girls represent Kerry in any venture they do.

Lisa

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Fashion must haves for Festival Season

Catherine’s Fashion Fix.

By Catherine Keane

Another summer, and with festival season in full swing you need to be aware of what is trending for 2018.

Coachella seems to be the launching pad and the trend setter for all things festival fashion. Not only is Coachella about the music, it’s also about the amazing style and celeb spotting. And this year was no different as it saw an electric mix from streetwear complete with bumbags and tiny sunglasses, boho inspired looks to western vibes and a large sprinkle of sparkle on top.

Flower crowns have basically become synonymous with the festival, as have feathers and basically anything crocheted or embellished with fringe. Bodysuits and bikinis are also popular among the Coachella crowd as are capes, kimonos, boots, face paint, embellishment and neon wigs. Of course, there are also plenty of people who opt for anything but clothes. Really, anything goes.

But what trends have come to the forefront that you should be rocking this festival season!

This year we saw the return of the vintage 70s vibe and there is no better occasion to try something a little more daring than a festival. Not only will you be able to boogie to your heart's content but you'll be able to do it comfortably. Pair these pants with a super cute crop top or bodysuit. The pants are the main focus of this look so don’t overdo any other items.

Bum Bags

Whether you love it or you hate it, the bum bag is here to stay and set to steal the stage again this festival season. Embrace the 90s Green Snakeskin with a zip-up leather pack or mix it up Flared Trousers €28 with stud and fringing details. Wear with a throwback bomber jacket and a bandana head band for perfect festival styling.

The Hat

2017 saw the return of hats and these are staying around for 2018. Not only are these going to look super cool with your outfit but it's going to keep the sun or rain out of your eyes when you're grooving to your favourite artist. You can pretty much pair a hat with just about any outfit.

Western Vibes

Cowboy boots seem to be the shoe of choice as festival goers paired them with anything from floral dresses to denim cut-offs. Tassels, fringing, bandanas and studded western outerwear also were a popular fashion choice among the festival goers.

The Flare Pants

Western Star Boot €35

Body Jewels

This year it is all about the body jewels and glitter and no better place to rock this look than at a music festival. If you have a tight budget, pair these body jewels with a simple bodysuit and denim short and your festival ready.

Crochet

Yes, festival crochet is back with a bang.

Although, crochet has made an appearance year after year on the festival scene it has taken on a new vibe. Items have been jazzed up with adornments from flowers to tassels giving crochet a fresh spin for summer 2018.

Cut-off Denim Shorts

One of the more unfortunate fashion trends in my opinion of late has been the 'underbum' - ie, baring faintly obscene amounts of your rear end with festival-goers been the worst offenders. This year is no different. Many celebs and trends setters have paired this look with a simple white tee or cropped top White Crochet Halterneck Jumpsuit €50

festival jewels €8

you covered.

For your festival fix you need to look no further than online shop ‘Pretty Little Thing’ as they have

So whatever your look, it’s all about letting go, having fun and making memories that last a lifetime.

Catherine x For all your fashion questions email: info@connectpublications.ie

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Fedora Hat €15

Bright Tassel Playsuit €49

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FIRST birthday celebrations of the Serenity Spa The 1st birthday celebrations of the Serenity Spa at the Rose Hotel Tralee guests were treated to delicious bites, bubbly and lots of mini treatments, Helen of Daily Diva Diary hosted the event and it was a fun day. The spa is amazing and well worth checking out.

NOURISHING THE SKIN

By Eileen Lane

What a fabulous Summer we are having!

Temperatures have been extremely high and time spent outdoors has possibly been more than normal. While the sunshine is the most natural source of Vitamin D and a definite mood booster, it can have a rather dehydrating effect on our skin. Prolonged exposure to the sun causes water to evaporate from skin, so it is important to keep an eye on nutrition to nourish and protect the skin during this warm spell. The following are some tips:

Pictured right: Aisling Foley and Ciara Bisbee from the Rose Hotel.

Photos By Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD

Water – it is vital for your skin and is the easiest way to improve skin health. Dehydrated skin is less resilient and elastic, making it more prone to wrinkling.

Healthy fats – help to prevent skin dryness. Omega 3 rich foods, like salmon, mackerel and other oily fish help keep the skin supple and strong. Plant-based sources of omega 3 include walnuts, chia seeds and flaxseeds (also known as linseeds). Other healthy fat-containing foods such as avocado, nuts, and seeds help to moisturise from the inside.

Nuts and seeds are also a good source of vitamin E, which is an important antioxidant for skin health. Vitamin E and other antioxidants protect cells from damage.

Tara Cunningham Spa Manager, Eibhlin & Dick Henggeler Hotel Owners and Mark Sullivan Manager Rose Hotel & Spa.

Phil Daly Tralee, Aine Kelly Killarney and Mariead O'Sullivan Tralee.

Helen Murphy Daily Diva Diary, Geraldine Cantollin Tralee and Eibhlien Henggeler Hotel Owner

Vegetables & Fruit – ensure that you are eating a wide variety of vegetables and fruits to benefit from their antioxidants and Vitamin C. Antioxidants such as betacarotene and vitamins C, E, and A can help prevent damage to skin cells that causes signs of aging. Carotenoids, the antioxidants in brightly coloured orange, yellow, red, green fruit and vegetables, may help reduce the skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

Vitamin C - found in most fruit and vegetables, is important for collagen production. Collagen is the main structural protein found in skin and prevents it from sagging.

Gut Health - If the digestive system in congested, your body will eliminate toxins through the skin. Eat plenty of fibre-rich foods such as vegetables, fruit, pulses, and wholegrains to promote adequate waste elimination via the gut.

Regular meals - This warm weather may mean we are less inclined to stick to our regular meals. If you meal skipping, this can lead to lowered blood sugar levels and sugar cravings. A diet high in sugar can have a negative effect on the skin and gut health. Try as best you can to eat three healthy meals per day to keep blood sugars stable. Your skin will thank you.

Pauleen Gaffney, Brona Ringland, Geraldine Cantillon and Mary O'Sullivan from Tralee.

Alcohol - The good weather brings people together for Barbeques and various gatherings, and chances are alcohol will be in the mix. Alcohol is very high in sugar and dehydrates the skin. Ensure there is also plenty of water available to help rerehydrate.

Quality sleep – Sleep is when all parts of the body rest and repair. This includes the skin. Quality sleep is so important for skin to look its best. During this warm weather it may be difficult to sleep. Try using a fan in the room or leaving a window open. Opt for lighter sleeping attire and bed clothing.

Jamie Dillane,Eibhlin Henggeler and Joan Dillane from Tralee.

Helen Murphy Daily Diva Diary and Jill Hannon from Castleisland.

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Preparing to Return to School Its looming in the distance and much as we enjoy the holidays and in particular this year with the good weather it is time to prepare for the inevitable back to school in the coming weeks, we chat to Elaine Sparling on her advice for those returning to secondary school or college, Elaine is the CEO of the award-winning Hummingbird Learning Centre®. Based in Adare, Co Limerick and Tralee, Co Kerry, recent winner of the education training award at the Connect Women in Business Awards, she works with clients on a one to one basis and can be contacted on 087-2996054 or through their website www.hummingbirdlearning.com. In addition to their core 10 session programs, they also have a 4 session one to one Study Skills Program called Study Success for second and third level students. Call now for more information.

Creating the Study Sweet Spot Having a good study area in place before the children go back to secondary school or college is important.

One of my favourite TV programmes is The Big Bang Theory.

I love the character of Dr Sheldon Cooper. One of his many quirks is his ‘spot’ on the couch. He has a list of all the reasons why that spot on the couch is the perfect spot, & woe betide anyone who dares to sit on it.

Creating a dedicated spot in your home for students to do their work will help improve focus and develop proper study habits.

Two places that I go to for inspiration are the Ikea and Argos catalogues. A study area doesn’t have to be a very serious place. In fact a fun, quirky desk can make studying a far more pleasurable event; simply because it becomes a place you like and want to be.

TO ACHIEVE THIS, HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO CREATE THAT STUDY SWEET SPOT: 1. LOCATION Sockets: Seems like everything is plugged in these days. When deciding on a great location be sure to consider where the plug points are. You are going to need lots! Just keep the wires out of sight, they can become very messy.

Heat: The study area needs to be warm but take care not to overheat the room as this can make the student drowsy Ventilation: Fresh air is really important. If possible, open the windows for a while when the kids are at school. A good supply of oxygen will help the brain remain focused for longer.

Quiet: While our brain becomes really good at blocking out continuous background sounds over time, it is important to create a calm, and relatively quiet study area.

Lighting: Good light is essential. A bright desk lamp coupled with softer overhead lighting works really well.

2. FIXTURES & FITTINGS Plants: Plants lift the sterile look of a desk, brings actual life to the table and if you use a plant such as a Peace Lily or Spider plant, even increases the oxygen levels in the room, making plants an aid to studying.

Desk: It is really important to get a

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By: Elaine Sparling

desk that suits the child. It doesn’t have to be an office type desk. Have a look in Ikea & Argos for ideas.

Good Chair: This is vital. Your child is going to be sitting for a long time & needs to have good posture to prevent back problems in the future and also to maximise oxygen intake. If they are vertically challenged (like me), put a step under the desk for them to rest their feet on. It also helps them be more grounded/focused.

Notice Boards: These are great for keeping reminders, notes & personal items close at hand.

Storage boxes: Keep everything tidy in cool storage boxes or tins. Catalogues are full of ideas. Tesco and Dunnes have some really nice ones at the moment. You could always convert old boxes or tins you have already into something bespoke to reflect your child’s personality. A nice little project if the last week of the holidays is wet!

Clock: A silent one – no ticking but an alarm can be handy! It will help to train the student to work within time constraints – vital when doing exams.

Book shelves: Great for keeping a desk tidy& having reference books & stationery to hand 3. TECHNOLOGY Computer: There is no way of getting around this one – computers have become part & parcel of a student’s life. I recommend using a laptop though, that way it can be taken away to stop it becoming a distraction.

There are loads of applications, such as Net Nanny, available block or limit access to websites, especially social media ones!

Printer: Set up the printer at the homework station for ease of access.

Wi-Fi: Be sure to have good internet access at the homework station. If the signal is poor invest in a booster. It will repay itself over and over in hours saved from listening to moaning about bad Wi-Fi! 4. STATIONERY SUPPLIES Dictionaries: We may be in the digital age, but I still think old school is best when it comes to dictionaries.

Make sure to have ones for foreign language classes and invest in a good thesaurus dictionary. Nothing beats a thesaurus for vocabulary

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expansion.

Timetable: This is where the cork board comes in handy. Have the corkboard on the wall in front of the desk and pin the timetable to it. No excuses for not knowing what classes you have tomorrow.

Calendar: Use a type of calendar that has space for writing and fill in the school events, holidays, exam weeks etc. This forward planning means that you are organised for the year ahead.

Highlight when projects are due and work back from the date, giving milestones to hit to keep the assignment on plan.

Store Supplies: Be prepared! Avoid late night panics when supplies run out and have all of the following in a storage box; tape, staples, paperclips, pencils, biros, paper punch, poly pockets, spare folders / files, printer paper, spare copy books, writing pads & notebooks, Art supplies – glue, glitter, felt-tip pens.

Desk Supplies: Calculator, maths set, stapler, paperclips, pens, ruler, correction ink. Folder to keep completed work / ongoing projects

For more information on our 4 session, one to one, Study Skills Program called Study Success for second and third level students.

CALL NOW 087 2996054 or email elaine@hummingbirdlearning.com

Having a defined space to study creates a pattern in your brain. Just as picking up your car keys brings you into a type of automation for driving ( for example, without thinking you automatically go to the driver’s side), sitting at your homework spot immediately tells your brain I’m going studying and I need to focus.

Now, before the kids go back to school, is the perfect time to create that Study Sweet Spot.

Manor West welcomes Annual Tour de Munster to Tralee Manor West Shopping Centre and Retail Park will welcome over 100 cyclists from the 18th Annual ‘Tour de Munster’ charity cycle to Tralee on Friday, 10th August from 2pm-6pm.

The four day cycle takes place from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th August and will see cycling legend Sean Kelly and over 100 amateur cyclists cycle over 600km around the six counties of Munster, raising funds for Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) and individual beneficiaries.

This will be the second year the tour has used Manor West as its stop off point in Tralee, and Manor West and the DSI Kerry branch have planned a range of fun activities for the afternoon including

samba drummers, zumba dancing, face painting, balloon modelling and much more.

Speaking about celebrations at Manor West, Derek Rusk, Centre Manager, said, “We are proud to be supporting the Tour de Munster for the second year in a row.

It’s a phenomenal event which fundraises for fantastic charities, including DSI, and we are looking forward to giving the cyclists a big Kerry welcome on the 10th.

It’s going to be a great family day out so we’re encouraging everyone in Tralee to come along and support the tour and join in the fun!”

The Tour de Munster was established in 2001 by Paul Sheridan who is very much looking forward to another fantastic event, “Each year we are blown away with the dedication of everyone involved in the cycle and so proud of how far the event has come. We are thrilled that Manor West are supporting us once again and we’re so impressed with the fantastic welcome Derek and DSI Kerry have planned for the cyclists on the 10th.”

This year the charity cycle aims to raise €250,000 for DSI, with funds going towards providing vital services and

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Madeleine Doyle, James Doyle

and Ethan Fitzgerald

facilities for people with Down syndrome across Munster.

Madeline Rose Doyle from the DSI Kerry branch said, “We are very grateful to Paul and the Tour de Munster for selecting DSI as their chosen charity because fundraising events like these make a real difference to the lives of people with Down syndrome, as well as their friends and family. We are so thankful for the support from Derek and Manor West for adding to the already fantastic event with an afternoon of family fun and celebrations along the way in Tralee.”

For more information on Manor West Shopping Centre and Retail Park and upcoming events please visit www. manorwest.ie or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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TWIN SISTERS PEDAL POWER

CONNECT KERRY’S ONE TO WATCH FOR THE FUTURE We all loved the years watching cycling greats like Stephen Roche and Sean Kelly as they did their stuff across the world on bikes but closer to home we have two ladies making waves in the cycling world. 15 year old twin sisters Almha and Tara Russell Kissane, from Barleymount East Killarney have been involved in sport since they were three years old but its Cycle Racing they love the most. Both already have national medals with Tara's coming from Road Racing and Almha's from Road and Track, So Tara was thrilled recently when on Saturday 15th of July She took a national bronze medal for the scratch race in Sundrive Veledrome, Dublin. Both

members of the growing and very active Killarney youth Cycling Academy for the past 5 years say they love racing but they also love social aspect of the club meeting two sometimes three times a week to train and once maybe twice a week to race.

Almha whose main interest is track racing was thrilled last week when she became the latest signing to Arcane women's team and is hoping to play a roll on the women's national team pursuit and team Sprint teams for 2019. Both Almha and Tara rode to medals on Arcane bikes Almha always rides her Irish custom built Arcane bike by Bicycle Design Centre, Naas. She always says it's great to be 100% Irish.

The girl’s parents Pauline Russell and Mike Kissane say it's always nerve wrecking when they are racing, ‘accidents happen in all

sports so it’s always a worry’ but being involved means they are doing something really good for their mind, body and spirit, they are learning the benefits of being active and hopefully it will carry over throughout their lives.

They also learn a lot about discipline, disappointment and being team player all of which will stand to them going forward in life, but most of all we love the way they love their sport and are enjoying themselves right now.

Long may it continue.

CARAMBOLA – 5-STAR SCHOOL FOOD Colm O’Brien founded Carambola – 5-Star School Food out of the ashes of a significant business failure. A professional caterer since 1980, Colm has enjoyed a career at the highest levels, including a 4-year stint as General Manager of Bewley’s Grafton St in Dublin, after which he became Franchise Manager for that brand. Indeed it was a trip to Tralee on his 35th birthday (20 years ago now!) that set the scene for what has become a multimillion euro countrywide business employing close to 150 staff.

Colm can you tell us what is Carambola Kidz? Carambola – 5-Star School Food is simply that – a school meals company providing the very best school breakfasts and lunches to almost 300 primary (and a few secondary) schools across every county in Ireland. On day one in September when we all go back to school, Carambola will feed more than 35,000 children PER DAY! Parents or guardians of each child get to order online, choosing from the widest range of first class ingredients which the wonderful team at Carambola combines to create individual bespoke lunches. We partner the chosen staple, whether sandwich, pasta salad, wrap or fruit and veg pot with a drink and a piece of fruit of your choice, along with some breakfast or snack items such as a fibre-rich pancake or fresh apple slice bag. The lunch can be different every day.

How did it all begin? As I mentioned in the intro, Carambola was founded out of adversity. I was Franchise Manager for Bewley’s when a lovely young couple from Tralee came looking for a Franchise in the town. I came to visit on my 35th birthday and fell in love with them, the town and most of all the ‘lifestyle’ I saw outside the Pale. As a direct result, within 24 hours I started a conversation with the then owners of the Bewley’s Franchise in Limerick which led to us upping sticks and moving there within 10 short weeks! The Celtic Tiger put paid to that vision when rents went to a staggering €1,000 PER DAY in 2002! Because of that I was ‘looking’ and Carambola came from a fortunate meeting with a ‘Man on a Train’. Day 1 we supplied 27 lunches to kids in a school 28 | Connect Kerry | August 2018

in Limerick; September 2018; that number has grown to in excess of 35,000! I didn’t plan on the café failing and it was very painful, but it led me here so I am grateful for the experience.

Is it all over the country? Yes. Day 1, one school 27 kids, today, countrywide, 300 schools, every county, 35,000 kids What are the benefits of a school being part of it all? Most of the children we serve are schools where the Government has provided a School Meals Fund through the DEIS program.

This has huge benefits for all concerned for the students, fresh healthy, nutritious food (we have our own in-house nutrition person) supplied daily.

For the teachers, properly nourished bodies = better concentration

...

For parents, less spent on feeding the family

...

For the schools – a school with a School Meals program running has a competitive advantage over others in the area, resulting in growing numbers, teacher retention, etc.

Where do you see it going in the future? Carambola is fifteen years old this year and has led the field since inception in 2003.

Despite being fifteen, it is not an unruly teenager, more a mature business that is top of its game – and so I believe we are only starting out. I believe more and more schools will avail of such a program and Carambola will be there for many years to come to offer to help.

For more information visit www.carambola.ie and/or contact our Kerry Sales and Customer Care team led by Helena Hartnett on 087 668 7701 and Mike Sweeney (former School Principal, O’Brennan NS, Tralee – a Carambola client school) on 087 416 3428.

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KERRY COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION (KCFE) DENNY STREET CAMPUS

to Inject Life into Tralee Town Centre!

Kerry ETB’s Kerry College of Further Education (KCFE) will be instrumental in supporting the rejuvenation of Tralee Town Centre from this September. From the first week of September, the College will open its second campus in 5,6,7 and 8 Denny Street and will welcome between 150-200 students. The new building will be the Health and Social Sciences Campus and will facilitate the delivery of the Nursing Studies, Nursing with Maternity Care Skills, Carers, Youth Work, Applied Social Studies with Psychology, Emergency Care Services, Pharmacy Assistant and Health Services Supervisory Management.

This means that for the first time, Kerry College of Further (KCFE) will operate as a multi-located campus. Principal, Mary Lucey, is delighted with the new development from the perspective of both the College and Tralee town Centre.

From KCFE’s perspective, Student numbers are substantially increasing last year alone saw an increase of 20% in applications – and this development means KCFE can be in a position to offer as many students as possible the opportunity to remain

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sign up for this as they can see the great potential of the new Campus.

in Kerry to study a programme of their choice. The focus on the Health and Social Sciences programme is particularly relevant as the additional new premises will have purpose built dedicated medical stations and will facilitate the introduction of new courses on Youth Work, Emergency Care Services, Pharmacy Assistant and Health Services Supervisory Management.

From the perspective of Tralee town, it will see an introduction of 150-200 students plus staff to the town centre every day during the academic year.

The student body will inject an energy and vibrancy to the town. Not only will the atmosphere of the town be positively affected, surrounding cafes, taxis, restaurants and shops – all business no doubt, will also feel the benefit. In September 2017, the College introduced a very successful initiative “KCFEMakeCents” to support our students in College and promote local businesses, whereby businesses surrounding the Clash Campus offered a discount to students once they had their KCFE ID Card. Already, a number of town centre businesses have approached KCFE to

The ideal positioning of the Denny Street Campus will also facilitate Kerry College of Further Education (KCFE) collaborating easily with other businesses and organisations in the provision of work placements, guest lectures and workshops etc. It also places the College in an ideal position to offer up-skilling and courses for employers and employees. Currently, Kerry College of Further Education are introducing “Lunch & Learn with KCFE” providing short lunch time courses for local employers and businesses.

With the recent rebranding of Tralee and the strong positive focus on Tralee being the Capital of Kerry, Mary Lucey believes there could not be a better time for this new Denny Street development. She is looking forward to opening the doors for the first time in September, along with Carmel Kelly, Deputy Principal and the wonderful and student centred teaching staff of Kerry College of Further Education (KCFE).

If you wish to become involved with any of the initiatives mentioned above or have any further queries please do not hesitate in contacting Mary Lucey at MaryLucey@Kerryfe.ie.

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Rose of Tralee INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Sara Kate Mangan Abu Dhabi

Róisín McCloskey Antrim

Kelsey Kelleher Arizona

Sorcha Rochford Boston & New England

Shauna Ray Lacey Carlow

Rachel Cusack Cavan

Katie Callahan Chicago

Clara Burke Clare

Érinn O'Connell Cork

Émer McKenna Derry

Niamh Duggan Donegal

Ciara Kelly Down

Rebecca Egan Dubai

Tanya Feighery Dublin

Victoria Sexton Florida

Deirdre O'Sullivan Galway

Giulia Kearney Germany

Lorraine Gavin Kentucky

Celine O'Shea Kerry

Gráinne Carr Kildare

Helena Hughes Kilkenny

Gráinne Hogan Laois

Imelda Scally Leitrim

Hazel Ní Chathasaigh Limerick

Gráinne Hawkes London

Loren Katie Logan Longford

AnnMarie Duffy Louth

Amber Crean Luxembourg

Rachel Gibbons Mayo

Saoirse McGrath Meath

32 | Connect Kerry | August 2018

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Roses 2018

Bridgette Abbott Ciara Harvie Newcastle Gateshead Newfoundland & Labrador

Suzie Jackson Melbourne

Hannah Mooney Monaghan

Sarah Ward New York

Jolene McLaughlin New Zealand

Hannah Virga North Carolina

Katie Kehoe Offaly

Erin Stefancin Ohio

Laura Cannon Perth

Katie Keenan Philadelphia

Sarah Griffin-Breen Queensland

Eimear Reynolds Roscommon

Annie Powers San Francisco

Julie Patterson Sligo

Emilie Helbig South Australia

Caitlin Macinante Sydney

Kimberly Corser Texas

Laura Durkan Tipperary

Carly McGrath Toronto

Ellen Campbell Tyrone

Michelle Karkos Washington DC

Kirsten Mate Maher Waterford

Leanne Quinn Westmeath

Saoirse Walsh Wexford

Lorna Mallick Wicklow

Alana Gallagher Yorkshire Connect Kerry | August 2018 | 33

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Nightime bands this year include Swing Cats, Jake Carter and the Cosmic Funk Band as well as a host of local entertainment in all pubs over the 3 days. It really is a must for your festival calendar and has something for all the family.

Next stop is of course the Rose of Tralee Festival . . .

August is festival time in Kerry and with a month full of fun festivals all over the county where else would you want to be!

The month opened with the very popular Caherciveen Music Festival and we hope you got to spend some of the bank holiday weekend there enjoying what was on offer.

Next stop is Killorglin’s much loved Puck Fair, which runs annually from August 10th-12th, it is undeniably one of quirkiest festivals in the world, as well as being Ireland’s original and oldest ‘Gathering Festival’. The pinnacle of the celebration surrounds the crowning of a wild mountain goat as the festival's King which honours a tradition and heritage that is purported to be ancient, but can only officially be traced back to 1603 when King James I issued a charter granting legal status to the existing fair in Killorglin This coronation ceremony traditionally takes place on the first evening of the festivities.

Each day, a number of Musical, Theatrical and Comedic Street Performances take place at various times and locations throughout the town, providing free entertainment for young and old alike. In addition, a variety of mini-Workshops in a number of craft forms, such as Pipe, Drum, and Circus and so on, will provide basic instruction on a first-come basis. Information regarding specific activities, locations and times will be listed in the official Puck Fair Programme, available free of charge at the Information Office on the Plaza, from the Tourist Office, in local shops and other outlets in the town.

After the sun goes down, the entertainment cranks up! On each of the three evenings of the Festival, a Stage Truck is driven into the Square and set up in front of the Puck Stand. This Truck provides the stage venue for that evening’s Concert. Like the rest of the entertainment at Puck, these Open-air Concerts are free of charge, and everyone is welcome. Over the years, many well-known Artistes have performed in the Square, and the venue has also provided a show-case for new and emerging talent.

Midnight on the last night (12th) after the final official performance of the Festival, is marked by a massive Fireworks Display. This exhibition is conducted according to strict safety and security regulations. Its location, on a hillside close to the Laune, can be seen throughout the town.

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The Greatest Free Show is the best way to describe the street entertainment at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival from Friday 17th to Tuesday 21st August.

RTE's Dancing with the Stars Winner, Jake Carter and his band will perform for FREE on Denny Street on the opening night of the Festival, Friday 17th August. Also featured on the Denny Street Stage that night will be X Factor Finalists, Sean & Conor Price and up-and-coming Tralee singer / songwriter, Seamus Harty.

Internationally acclaimed group, The High Kings will travel in from the USA to perform especially for audiences on the streets of Tralee on Sunday 19th August with support from top Tralee contemporary ballad group, Oracle.

Hermitage Green, one of Ireland's best acoustic rock groups will prepare the crowds for Midnight Madness on Tuesday 21st August.

Big Generator, The Kilkennys, and three nostalgic acts paying tribute to Neil Diamond, Oasis and The Rolling Stones will bring The Square to life over the five nights of the Festival and again, you won't need to put your hand in your pocket to enjoy....and that's just the music! Wait until we tell you about the FREE and affordable entertainment in Tesco Family Town, The Mall and The Square! Keep an eye on the Rose of Tralee website for lots more updates.

And just when you thought it was all over the good people of Waterville invite you to share in their amazing weekend from August 23-26th. Now in its 8th year the beautiful village of Waterville is transformed into a hive of activity with film screenings, workshops, guest speakers, and lots of entertainment. And of course the highlight of the event which is the competition for filmmakers for more details check out www.chaplinfilmfestival.com So I think that’s pretty much what’s happening around the county this month, where else would you want to be than in beautiful Kerry.

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GRADUATION TIME for the Beauty Industry at The Sanctuary Beauty Academy.

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PEARLY WHITES AN DR MARCAS MAC DOMHNAILL

Fáilte Romhaibh, In recent years, there has been much emphasis on metal (amalgam) fillings (that contain mercury) in dentistry.

These are silver coloured when new but tarnish to a dark colour over the years. The E.U. has recently introduced regulation (2017/852) to implement the minimata convention to reduce the amount of mercury used in the detntal profession, and other professional sectors.

From 1st July, 2018, dental amalgam shall not be used for dental treatment of baby teeth, of children under 15 years and of pregnant or breastfeeding women. This is the first step to phase down the use of dental amalgam in dentistry.

By 1 July, 2019, each member state of the E.U. must set out a national plan concerning the measures it intends to implement to phase down the use of dental amalgam (metal fillings).

White filling materials have been improving over the last 40 years and are used now in the majority of cases where fillings are needed. Not only do they look better but they are adhesive which bonds them to the tooth structure, unlike traditional metal fillings. As always, ask your dentist about the choices that you have when filling your teeth.

Beir Bua.

Dr. Marcas Mac Domhnaill.

BDS (NUI), DIP Cons Sed (TCD) Mac Domhnaill Dental, Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Boundaries

Having established your limits by monitoring your levels of discomfort and resentment, how do you go about setting boundaries?

Start with something easy. Pick an area where you can learn to say no without it being too difficult. That might be in a situation where the other person is less known to you or not a family member. Practice saying something for a while until you are comfortable with it, getting a friend to help if necessary. For instance, if somebody at work always assumes that you are willing to come in on your day off, practice saying “I’m sorry, but I won’t be available on that day”, remembering to be direct and polite in your tone. Don’t enter into arguments or justifications, just repeat the line “I won’t be available” again until you’re heard.

This can give you confidence to tackle more difficult situations: - No, I’m not willing to babysit for the weekend - No, I don’t want to do that - No, I’m not willing to take that responsibility - Don’t speak to me like that - Don’t touch me In these more difficult situations, you may need to give yourself permission to act in a way that works for you. Sometimes our upbringing, especially for women, teaches us that we have to please everybody else, and that setting your own boundaries is selfish.

Don’t buy it. Setting boundaries is your absolute right, and you can decide for yourself what is and isn’t acceptable to you.

Caroline Smith, Psychotherapy Counselling www.carolinesmith.ie | 087 6444837 36 | Connect Kerry | August 2018

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Ladies Day at Killarney Races IT’S certainly a case of winner alright at Killarney Race Company where a top class new team has been appointed to spearhead on track and off course developments into the future.

Well hello lovely Connect Readers,

Planning a bright future for Killarney Race Company are, from left, Con O’Mahony, Director, Megan Daly Tyrell, Conference and Events Manager, Gerard Coughlan, Chairman, Killarney Race Company, Philip O'Brien, Racing Manager, Padraig Bruton, Head Greenkeeper, Jennifer Pyne, Financial Controller and Áine O’Donoghue, Director. Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan

How lucky have we all been with the super summer we are having, who needs to go on a holiday abroad with sun splitting the stones here.

August the month of races, festivals, Rose Ball, debs, weddings and the dreaded Leaving Cert results, (I went on holidays the week my results were out so my sister collected them and you know what I didn't get the points I wanted but 35 years later I challenge anyone to be happier in their work than I).

L/R: Mary Mangan, Catherine Dwyer, Esther O'Sullivan & Reidin Coughlan.

Mark O'Driscoll, Alan Butler and Jonathan Butler

India Harvey and Jade Conroy

Amelia Socharska, Lisa Engel and Ellen Sugrue

All the above events are catered for adequately in the store at the moment but unfortunately I am getting asked for headgear for the lady who is suffering from hair loss from patches to full hair loss through no fault of their own and decided to go and source more fashionable styles they too deserve to be stylish.

If there are any ladies out there who are in need of head gear please call in and talk to me you can take away samples and try them on in the privacy of your own home and if they aren't suitable you are under no pressure to buy. I can be 1 for €10 contacted on mobile 087 6675926 or 3 for €20 email carmelmrussell@gmail.com (available in 8 colours) or on our Facebook page.

Photo By Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD

On a lighter note make sure if you are lucky enough to have a ticket for the Rose ball we have all you need to make Cinders turn into Cinderella. I for one just love love love the Festival so let's get festival ready.

Enjoying the Dawn Milk Ladies Day (l to r) Sheila O'Mahony, Grainne Stack, Teresa Higgins-Walker, Dawn Milk sponsors, judges Ben Foden & Una Healy and Maria Clifford.

I will sign of now and if you are one of the students waiting for results remember "your exam results do not define you as a person or predict your future " Keep smiling

Carmel xx Fiona McSweeney from Killarney winner of the style stakes at the Dawn Milk Ladies Day in Killarney

Ian O'Connell and Michael Horgan

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TRALEE UNVEILS A NEW LOOK AND BUSINESS AMBASSADOR DICK Spring was recently appointed the Business Development Ambassador for Tralee with a view to helping Tralee Chamber Alliance in its efforts to create jobs, and to carry out this task, he needs backing of the entire business community in Kerry’s Capital.

A fresh call has gone out to businesses in the town and surrounding area to join Tralee Chamber Alliance and play their part in reshaping the future of Tralee.

To coincide with the start of Dick Spring’s new ambassadorial role, Tralee Chamber Alliance has launched a new membership drive to help in the mission to make Tralee a better place to live, work and visit.

It’s envisaged that the former Tánaiste’s experience and enthusiasm for Tralee will help open doors for Tralee Chamber Alliance to gain valuable connections both nationally and internationally.

The President of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Aidan Kelly, said: “The restructuring of Tralee Chamber Alliance over the past five months has led us to focus our attention of supporting business growth in the town. We have lots of members but, considering the size of the town, we need more members to truly portray a united approach in our effort to create jobs and attract foreign inward investment to Tralee. We have restructured our membership fees, formed focused groups of like-minded professionals from the town who are dedicated to making Tralee a better town for all its people and businesses.”

Among the exclusive offerings to Tralee Chamber Alliance members is a new Energywise Group Scheme that will help members save up to 15% on electricity bills. One member is set to enjoy a €4000 reduction in its electricity costs over the coming year.

Tralee Chamber Alliance members will receive exclusive advertising and publicity rates negotiated solely for members in local media productions and publications.

They will have access to the new Tralee Shop Local Voucher initiative that is set to raise up to €300,000 worth of revenue to the various participating sectors in the first year.

Depending on the size of the business, membership fees start from as little as €50 per quarter through a standing order.

“To function as a strong voice for Tralee, we need a strong membership representing all sectors of business in Tralee and to function as a strong business ambassador, Dick Spring needs a strong team behind him,” said Aidan Kelly.

To join Tralee Chamber Alliance, contact us at HQ2, Dominic Street, Tralee, email business@tralee.ie or call 066 7121472.

L/R: Ken Tobin, Mr Dick Spring, President of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Aidan Kelly and Paul Ruane at the launch of the new Tralee brand "Tralee Kerry’s Capital Town ".

38 | Connect Kerry | August 2018

Street entertainment is an integral part of the social and cultural fabric of Tralee and SPOT - Street Performers of Tralee – aims to promote and encourage these hardworking entertainers. The objective of best-practice street performance is to encourage quality and variety, to showcase the wide variety of talent in this corner of Ireland, while making the town centre a more appealing place to visit, increasing footfall for the many businesses.

The Jam in the Square has become very popular with locals and tourists a like.The buskers play a selection of locations in the town centre at various times throughout the week. The musicians involved are Michael Wagner and Aaron Hutchinson from Chapter 2, Mario Mannering, Dara Harkin, Gemma Goodey and Zach Brosnan to name a few. SPOT is always looking for new artists so if you wish to get involved email david@tralee.ie

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PARENTAL LEAVE The Parental Leave Act 1998, as amended by the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2006, allows parents to take parental leave from employment in respect of their children. The Act is in place to entitle an employee to take 18 weeks unpaid leave (parental leave) to enable him or her to take care of his/her child.

Entitlement: The entitlement is 18 working weeks for each child under the age of 8. In the case of a child with a disability or a long-term illness the entitlement can be taken up to the child reaching 16 years of age.

An extension may also be allowed where illness or other incapacity prevented the employee taking the leave within the normal period.

Where an employee has more than one child, parental leave is limited to 18 weeks in a 12-month period. This can be longer if the employer agrees. Parents of twins or triplets can take more than 18 weeks of parental leave in a year.

Update: The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017 was passed by the Dáil on the 13 June 2018. This Bill has raised the entitlement to allow parents take a total of 26 weeks and has extended the current threshold to the age of 12.

This bill has not yet been enacted but is due to come into effect later this year.

Service Requirement: An employee must have at least one year’s continuous service with the employer before being entitled to take parental leave. If an employee moves jobs from one company to another and has only partially used their parental leave allowance, they are entitled to use the remainder of their entitlement after one year's service with the new company if the child is still under the qualifying age.

Leave: Leave may be taken either as: • block of 18 weeks • 2 separate periods of a minimum of six weeks each. There must be a gap of at least 10 weeks between the 2 periods of parental leave per child.

If your employer agrees the employee can separate your leave into periods of days or even hours.

Pay / Annual Leave / Public Holidays: There is no entitlement to payment or social welfare payments during parental leave from the employer.

Employees on parental leave accrue annual leave and public holiday entitlement as if they were working as normal. Accrued entitlements can be taken at the end of the parental leave period.

For advice on HR related issues for employers contact The HR Suite on 066 7102887 to discuss your requirements.

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