Connect Lifestyle-October Issue

STAYING HEALTHY THIS AUTUMN The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

NWAY FRANCIE CO

FREE

PLEASE TAKE ME

OC TOBER 2017

19-22nd October in Killarney

So many strings to

TOMMY’S ‘BOWE’ FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE ....Made in Kerry, for Kerry

Connect | Advertising

2 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Editor Note |Connect

EDITOR NOTE Hello, October is here, September wasn’t too bad was it? We have lots to read this month, we chat with the wonderful Tommy Bowe about rugby, his life as a dad and his fab clothing line, and he has given us some vouchers to give away so its worth checking out.

Christy Hennessey weekend is on the way this month and as it makes its way to its new home at the Ashe hotel, we catch up with one of the founding organisers, Tralee man and international sensation Francie Conway to tell us how things are with him.

It’s also Film Festival time and Maeve Mcgrath tells us what amazing films are in store for all you movie buffs.

Our Connect with your Health Feature will bring you tips and advice from the experts on getting yourself healthy. We all strive for that new lifestyle and while we want to be healthy we often need a few guidelines to get us going.

We are also launching our Makeover Competition; one lucky lady will receive a complete makeover from head to toe at our Annual Ladies Lunch, Beauty and fashion afternoon, so if you know someone who could enjoy this just email us (full details inside) ...

And of course dare we mention it.. but if you are in charge of planning the all-important Christmas party we have some advice for you on the best places to check out…

Until next month, take care and mind yourself.

Mags x Editor: Margaret Kissane Design: Laura A. Hartnett Print: Kingdom Printers Contributors: Marcus MacDomhnaill, John Canty, Ken Tobin, Marisa Reidy, Caroline McEnery Caroline Smith, Zoe O Connor, Catherine Keane, Lorraine Byrne, Stephen Roche.

Fashion Editor: Orla Diffily Beauty Editor: Romy Birdthistle For Advertising Enquiries: Margaret: 086 2408237 sales@connectpublications.ie For Editorial Enquiries: info@connectpublications.ie Website: www.connectpublications.ie Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 3

Connect | Cover Story

So many strings to

TOMMY’S ‘BOWE’

By Marisa Reidy INTERNATIONAL rugby player; clothing and footwear guru and proud dad - is there nothing Irish rugby star Tommy Bowe can’t do?

Ahead of the official launch of his latest clothing and footwear lines Lloyd & Pryce and XVKings, the Monaghan man spoke to Connect about sport, fashion and the new love in his life – his baby daughter Emma.

Jumper - Welshpool in steel knit RRP €59.99 Trousers -Fyffe in classic navy RRP €59.99

As open and friendly as his huge smile would indicate, Tommy told us that the road to his hugely successful international rugby career was not a typical one - admitting that his selection to the Ulster Academy as a wildcard gave him his big break.

“I played a lot of sport when I was younger, from athletics, tennis and football to golf to rugby, so there came a point when I needed to make a decision,” he said. “I was playing schools rugby in Armagh and didn’t even get picked on the Irish schools team. Later I did play for Ulster schools and the next step would have been the Irish academy, but that didn’t happen so I was wondering if it would ever happen for me. Then I was asked to join the Ulster Academy as a wildcard and ended up on the Ireland U21 team and was then contracted to Ulster and Ireland.”

With an international career on the horizon, Tommy put his engineering degree on the back burner and hasn’t looked back since. But for all the amazing highlights he has had on the rugby field since then, he immediately recalls his first Irish cap as his standout moment.

He made his senior international debut against the USA during the 2004 Autumn Internationals and in doing so became the first player from Monaghan to win an Ireland cap since the 1920’s.

“It was always my dream to play for Ireland so to get that nod to represent my country was, and will always be, the biggest highlight for me,” he told Connect.

Jacket - Ruthin in metal flicker RRP €69.99 Trousers - Fyffe in classic navy RRP €59.99

“Rugby was always a huge part of our household and I would regularly travel down to Landsdowne Road with my dad to watch Ireland when I was a boy, so to make it to this level was a dream come true for me. I’ve been blessed with many highlights in my career but my first cap is still the biggest.”

4 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Shirt - Tondu in cadet stripe RRP €59.99 Shoes - Lloyd & Pryce brand, style name Halfpenny in camel RRP €89.99

Anyone who knows rugby knows that Tommy has been plagued with his fair share of injury problems, but he insists he has never let those setbacks get the better of him.

“Of course these injuries make you question yourself and wonder if you can go through the grueling recovery process again, but I’m not ready to retire yet. I would miss rugby too much and as well as that, I have a lot more to do and more to give, so I am always eager to bounce back.”

In March 2012, after four years with Welsh rugby side Ospreys, Tommy returned to his beloved Ulster for the 2012/13 season and told us that he is thrilled to be back.

“Ospreys are a world class team and I saw the move as a massive challenge and an opportunity to push myself even further, so I loved the experience and met some amazing people while I was there,” he said. “Saying that, I’m delighted to be back at Ulster, the body is feeling good and the new Pro14 set up is really exciting and will pose even more new challenges for us which is great.”

But as if being a professional rugby player wasn’t challenging enough, Tommy is also the inspiration and designer behind two hugely successful footwear and clothing lines – projects he told Connect he is really proud of.

Lloyd & Pryce is a contemporary men’s footwear brand designed and inspired by the Irish and Ulster winger, with Tommy’s ‘Her’ collection for ladies and boys collection ‘Junior’ also being recently added. The range is available in over 100 leading footwear and clothing stores throughout Ireland and the UK. A collaboration with Castleblaney brothers Jim and Barry McArdle, the footwear brand has become synonymous

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 5

Connect | Cover Story

with Ireland’s leading celebrities and sports stars including GAA stars Joe Canning, Gavin O’Mahony, Darren O’Sullivan, Jackie Tyrell, Karl Lacey and Aidan O Sé as well as rugby’s Sean 0’Brien, Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Rory Best, Robbie Henshaw, Paul O’Connell to name just a few. Brand ambassadors from Kerry are Marc Ó Sé , Thomas Ó Se , James O’Donoghue.

“The whole thing came about quite randomly, “ Tommy told Connect. “A friend of mine put me in touch with Jim and Barry (Mcardle) in Monaghan who have been involved in the footwear industry for years and wanted to see if I was interested in working with them. At the time, I didn’t know much about footwear to be honest, but I saw it as a new adventure and I jumped at the opportunity. I suppose, I’m 33 now and know rugby won’t go on forever so I am always looking for other projects to get involved in and this was one that I really liked.”

Following on from the huge success of Lloyd & Pryce, Tommy broke into the clothing business with a new mens brand - XVKings Tommy Bowe Designs, which is also proving a huge hit.

Tommy has put huge effort into trying to master the art of clothing design, fabrication and sourcing, he and his team

putting together a stunning collection of polo shirts, T-shirts, long and short sleeve shirts, zip hoodies, day wear and dressy jackets, gilets and much more.

Now available in over 80 leading stores nationwide, the complete collection has been designed, sourced and distributed from Tommy ‘s home county - a fact he is very proud of.

Puffa Jacket - Bajo in electric blue RRP €79.99 Trousers - Fyffe in classic navy RRP €59.99 T-shirt - Neath in ocean steel RRP €29.99

“The work it took to get this project off the ground has been enormous, but when I see the collection being delivered to the stores and the feedback from customers I see it all has been worthwhile,” Tommy said.

“I believe strongly in creating quality garments that appeal to men like myself and I’m delighted with my collection of clothes. We are very excited about where the brand has gone in the last two and half years and hopefully it will continue and grow.”

But for all the success Tommy has had in his rugby and fashion careers, his greatest achievement, bar none, was becoming a dad earlier this year. Tommy and his wife Lucy welcomed daughter Emma back in April and he told Connect that her arrival was ‘life-changing.’

“Being a new dad has completely transformed our lives and we are so in love with her,” he said. “She’s at an age now where she is starting to develop her own little personality and it’s so much fun to watch. It was a complete shock to the system, which I suppose you don’t realise until you’re in the situation. It has been a life-changing time for us and we’re loving every minute of it.”

Jumper - Welshpool in steel knit RRP €59.99 Trousers - Fyffe in classic navy RRP €59.99 Jacket - Ospreys in Eton Blue RRP €79.99

And it seems that little Emma is being introduced to her daddy’s rugby exploits very early, with the rugby star taking to social media in August to share an adorable picture of his beautiful little girl attending her first Ulster game with her mom. How adorable!

You can check out Tommy’s current footwear and clothing collections at www.lloydandpryce.com and www.xvkings.com.

6 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Cover Image: Jacket - Aberavon in eton blue RRP €79.99 T-shirt - Bala in crimson RRP €29.99 Shoes - Lloyd&Pryce brand, style name Tuohy RRP€39.99

Shirt – Bridgend in blue weave RRP €59.99 Trousers - Fyffe in classic navy RRP €59.99

Advertising |Connect

CURB THOSE CRAVINGS Do you find yourself reaching for sweet treats mid-morning, looking for a quick fix of energy to get you through the day? Your blood sugar could be a bit wobbly and guess what will make it worse? – Sweet treats!

After you eat, your digestive system breaks down the food into its simplest units, sugar for carbohydrates, amino acids for protein and fatty acids for fats. These molecules are then absorbed into your blood and transported around the body for energy.

Now, what happens when you eat REFINED SUGAR (sugary snacks), a source of sugar in the blood causes the release of a hormone called insulin. Insulin then acts quickly to clear the sugar from your bloodstream and into your tissues. The short-term effects of this aren’t good. Refined sources of sugar very quickly enter your blood and, as a result, you experience an initial spike in blood sugar. Insulin then has to work hard to clear these elevated levels and works so frantically that you are left with a crash in your blood glucose. This leaves you feeling hungry and likely to crave something sweet, it really is a vicious circle.

Long-term consequences of a sugary diet could be even worse: insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes spring to mind....

So what can you do? Avoid refined carbohydrates, such as sweet sugary treats and white bread or pasta wherever possible. Include complex carbs such as wholegrain varieties of pasta or rice, beans and lentils.

release of any sugars into your blood and to give you a more sustained source of energy.

SO STUFF THE SWEETS AND ENJOY SOME SENSIBLE SNACKING....

3 Swap sugary treats for a low sugar protein bar.

3 Try having a square of 70% cocoa chocolate. It is richer in antioxidants and often lower than milk chocolate.

3 Have a handful of magnesium-rich pumpkin seeds.

3 Fresh avocado or a handful of walnuts which includes some beneficial omega-3.

If you need help tackling your sweet cravings... call in to any of our stores; where we are happy to help!

3 Try having a spoon of APPLE CIDER VINEGAR in a glass of water first thing in the morning.

3 Drink plenty of water, cut down your caffeine intake and try to reduce your stress levels.

3 Some supplements which can help with sweet cravings include: CHROMIUM: helps to balance sugar levels and avoid the slump which leads to you craving sugar.

CINNACHROME: a blend of Chromium and Cinnamon which helps to stabilise your sugar levels.

The B vitamins help to support the central nervous system and raise your coping and tolerance levels, keeping stress levels under control thus avoiding you grabbing the nearest chocolate bar.

Until Next Time, Stay Healthy

Deirdre x

Ensure your snacks comprise good quality protein and healthy fats – this will help to slow the

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 7

Connect | Health & Wellness

Avoiding the Winter Blues

October is fast upon us and even though we planned to get fit and healthy in September that may not have met its target, however with the weather now changing its time to take action and protect our skin, our bodies and our overall health and that of our families through the cold winter months ahead. There are so many different options out there what’s the best one for you, we have tried and tested a few things we feel will get you through those miserable months and have you glowing for the spring.

---------------------------------------------------

YOUR BEAUTY TONIC This is beauty in a box, for glowing and supple skin without Botox injections ‘Your Beauty Tonic’ is a new supplement which can help you do just that. Full of natural ingredients with a delicious fruity flavor make this part of your daily routine, I have tried it for the last 30 days and the results are amazing, Your Beauty Tonic contains Collagen, MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, Nettle, and Magnesium. The great thing about the tonic is that it contains 5,000mg of marine fish collagen per sachet which is scientifically and clinically shown to improve skin moisture level, and skin smoothness, plus it can help prevent the formation of deep wrinkles and help skin suppleness. . It also contains Vitamin A which is extremely beneficial for the mucous membranes in the body. B Vitamins which are great for skin health and Vitamin C to reduce the appearance of thread veins and is also one of the building blocks of collagen One sachet per day and complimented by extra water through the day will ensure you get positive results, a 3 month course is recommended but I have seen noticeable results after just 30 days. Cost when broken down is around 3.00 per day, which is similar to a coffee but far better for you.

For stockists www.yourtonic.com --------------------------------------------------SPORTS NUTRITION Amway, one of the leading family-owned consumer goods companies worldwide, is proud to announce the launch of the XS™ Sports Nutrition line, marking the company’s expansion in sports and performance nutrition.

As an extension of the XS brand, XS Sports Nutrition is a brand-new, complete range of high quality sports nutrition supplements, which inherited XS Power Drink colourful and positive lifestyle spirit and which infuses Amway’s product portfolio with the right energy for every step of physical performance.

8 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

XS Sports Nutrition products contain targeted nutrients to fuel the body with what it needs, when it is needed, before, during and after any sporting activity to perform at the best. XS Sports Nutrition provides all the necessary nutrients, whether training recreationally or as a competitive athlete. XS Sports Nutrition includes a variety of products, including sports drinks, protein powder, bars and minerals to help active people to ENERGIZE, REFRESH and RECHARGE, the three key steps for a top workout.

---------------------------------------------------

ALGAE ANSWER It may not sound like the most appetising addition to your diet, but the green algae chlorella has been linked to everything from helping increase athletic indurance1 to acting as a powerful anti-oxidant2.

2017 looks set to be the year the algae is propelled to superfood stardom however, as recently scientists have uncovered it could hold the key to preventing weight gain…

In the new study1, Japanese scientists looked at a specific protein found in chlorella and the effect it had when included in a fatty diet.

They discovered that the protein appeared to have an ability to reduce some of the negative effects of fat within the body, including reducing levels of triglycerides in the liver, when a high fat diet was supplemented with the chlorella extract. Perhaps most excitingly the chlorella protein appeared able to reduce the increase in size of the body’s fat cells, normally seen when eating a diet high in fat, highlighting the potential of the algae in helping prevent weight gain.

How to benefit from chlorella You don’t need to go wading through ponds with a net to be able to benefit from the algae as there are now a host of chlorella supplements available, both in granule form, to be added to smoothies and shakes, or as tablets.

Some of the most efficient products come from Sun Chlorella, whose new DYNO®-Mill technology breaks down the cell walls of the algae (without the use of heat or chemicals which can reduce the quality of the chlorella) to ensure when you use either their granules or tablets you’re getting the most nutrients possible. AVAILABLE AT HORANS HEALTH STORES

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 9

Connect | Health & Wellness

Tips for Keeping Healthy in the Winter

It’s that time of year again - we are dusting off the electric blankets and getting out the hot water bottles, hoping to ward off those winter colds and flus! We’ve already had our first colds of the season in our house, first of many over the winter I’m sure! While it can be difficult to prevent colds and flus, especially with young children in the house who pass everything on, there is lots you can do to try and stay healthy and prevent more serious illness.

Keep Warm - wear plenty of layers. It seems obvious but I think alot of people don’t wear enough in the winter months. Living in Ireland, you really need to be prepared for all eventualities, so layers are the best way to go. It often strikes me how visitors to our country seem better prepared than we are!

Eat Well- nutritious hot food is a must, plenty of root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and turnips which can be boiled, roasted or made into healthy soups. Avoid rich sugar loaded comfort foods that we can crave on those cold nights.

Try to always have a hearty breakfast, it’s hard to beat a bowl of porridge to start your day. Try it with some unsweetened almond milk and fruit.

Exercise - keeping active over the winter will help to keep you fit, keep your weight down, but please remember to keep safe if you are exercising outdoors in the dark. For some people indoor exercise may be a better option- classes, swimming and the gym, so you can’t use the weather as an excuse!

Dr Angela O’Donoghue

Handwashing - using hand sanitiser and teaching children to cough or sneeze into the crook of their elbow- these are some measures that can help to prevent the spread of viruses or bacteria Flu Vaccination - it is recommended that certain groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women or those with certain underlying health issues get the flu vaccination. Australia has just had a particularly severe flu season. Please contact your doctor regarding getting vaccinated.

Vitamin D - Vitamin D mainly comes from exposure to sunshine, and over the winter there is very little exposure to sunshine here. I would highly recommend taking a Vitamin D supplement, they are readily available at your local pharmacy.

Dont forget to check on elderly neighbours or relatives who live alone. Make sure they have adequate heating and a hot meal every day, keeping warm is even more important in this age group.

Dr Angela O’Donoghue is a GP at Fuchsia Medical Centre in Tralee

choose what protein, fillers, toppings & dressing that you would like to put in your salad!

We also have healthy hot food options coming into winter alot of which are also slimming plan friendly.

You can also order and collect your food at a time that suits you from one of our collection points around Tralee, Killarney & Killorglin.

Eating healthy also helps us fight the colds and flus through winter so we asked Kate from Krave Healthy lunches what are the options for those of us with busy days and no time to prepare ...

Food preparation is essential to our everyday diet but we know how difficult that can be so we are delighted to be introducing our Krave App to our customers.

Krave have also been working with companies supplying fresh healthy food for training days & meetings. If for example you are on a training day healthy food is so important for being productive & concentration. ‘We also supply healthy snacks to keep those bodies & brains fuelled well into the afternoon’ says Kate owner of Krave food company.

These healthy snacks & smoothies are also now available to order through our new App!

We know how busy people are and we want to make ordering a Krave lunch as simple as possible for people.

With just a few clicks you can order a delicious nutritious lunch straight to your desk.

We also have a new feature where you can “build your own bowl” you can 10 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

If you would like to receive our weekly menu or find out more please call us on 085 179 7365 email us at kravelunchdeliveries@ gmail.com or go to our website www.kravelunch.com or Download our App Today!!!

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 11

Connect | Health & Wellness

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

Hi there, I’m Maeve Ferris, owner of Ebb & Flow Yoga. I’m a certified Yoga (Vinyasa & Yin), Mindfulness & Animal Flow Teacher based here in Tralee. After my job in Dublin was made redundant unexpectedly, I moved back home to Tralee in February after living away for 17 years! Quite the leap to leave the city & the corporate working world behind but it’s been a very positive new chapter. No regrets at all! When I’m not thinking / practising or talking about yoga (total geek!), I thrive on being outdoors with my dog Molly and dining out in our fabulous local restaurants & cafes.

How did you make the decision to go down this route and practice Yoga & go on to teach it?

I came to yoga a few years ago - originally for fitness, as I was an irregular runner with a dodgy knee looking for an alternative!

I was also in a stressful, busy corporate job with a ridiculous commute and badly needed the ‘down-time’.

I got hooked on the physical benefits that yoga gave me (I lost weight, toned up and developed strength), but I unexpectedly began to find myself drawn in by the mental balance I came to enjoy (stress relief, better sleeping patterns). My interests have evolved to include a strong focus on mindfulness & meditation. Having completed training in this area, I try to practically apply these techniques in my daily life. It’s an ongoing working progress. I set up Ebb & Flow Yoga to share my passion. Having experienced the benefits myself, I want share these with others in an accessible, practical & interesting way.

I’ve been working hard to offer something a little different to new & experienced Yogis alike!

Life has got extremely busy for everyone, what tips could you give people on how to take time out for themselves?

I read a somewhat morbid article about the main regrets people have when they are faced with death. The main regrets included “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard” & “I wish I’d taken better care of my health”. Taking some conscious, simple steps can help us live our lives in a healthier way.

1. Every morning is a new start, fit things in your day that help you unwind & you enjoy. It’s different for all of us. For me it’s yoga, a cuppa with friends or walking Molly on Banna Beach. Try not to take lunch at your workspace / desk; take a break, go for a walk or read a book.

2. Practise being mindful. The art of mindfulness is quite simply focusing on what you’re doing, when you’re doing it. Give it your attention, be present, putting all other distractions aside for a few moments. This technique will help you feel less busy & overwhelmed; reducing stress & anxiety.

3. Take a minute to breathe deeply! Sounds simple but when we’re stressed, tired or feeling anxious we tend to take shallow and fast breaths. When we are relaxed we take slower, deeper breaths. This in turn helps us to feel calmer. Practice breathing 12 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

deeply & slowly down into your tummy. I like the Head Space app – short mini mindfulness sessions that encourage you to tune into your breathing for relaxation.

Yoga is very therapeutic, but some people still have Contact: Maeve 087-3679132 the perception that it’s all Email: ebbflowyogaireland@gmail.com extraordinary moves and Website: www.ebbflowyoga.ie stretches totally beyond Facebook: Search - Ebb & Flow Yoga Ireland them. Is this a myth?

Absolutely it’s a myth!

Yoga is for everyone & every body! Flexibility / fitness are not requirements to come to yoga class. There is a style of yoga to suit everyone. Chat to an experienced & qualified Yoga Teacher about what you’d like to get from yoga (e.g.) relaxation / injury recovery etc., ask them to recommend a class to suit your needs.

For this very reason, Ebb & Flow Yoga offers a range of different classes from beginners’ courses; slow, relaxing & meditative classes to the more challenging and even hot yoga. Yoga is for real people like you and me!

Have you any tips for people to begin at home before they start into a series of Yoga classes?

Firstly, consider what you might like to get from Yoga (e.g.) relaxation / flexibility etc as this will help you decide what type to try; if you’re not sure yet that’s okay too! There are lots of online apps & classes, some are free (like YouTube) and others paid for (e.g. Cody / YogaGlo). They are available 24/7 and offer a wide variety of choice & levels. However, unlike attending an actual yoga class; they can’t learn about your injuries or recommend a class to suit you. They can’t offer you hands-on adjustments or alternatives that work for your body or give you a relaxing head massage with essential oils at the end of class (yes Ebb & Flow Yoga does all this!). Some Yoga Teachers offer a pay-as-yougo option, so perhaps you can try a class before purchasing a course or a pack. In general, though, committing to a few classes will help you get the most from the experience and time to realise the benefits a yoga practice brings.

What are you looking forward to next?

So much! Since moving home, I feel sadly there is a lack of yoga workshops & events in Kerry by comparison to Dublin for example. Proactive by nature & proud of our home town, I’ve been arranging popular events over the last few months that offer something different. On the 14th & 15th October, I’m co-hosting Tralee’s Big Yoga Weekend. I’ve joined forces with Cara Wallace, a wonderful & experienced local Yoga Teacher to create ‘Golden Pear Yoga Events’ to host this fabulous weekend together. Showcasing local talent by bringing a variety of Yoga & Wellness workshops right to you, here in The Ashe Hotel, Tralee.

Our ethos is local, high quality, affordable & different! Weekend, & day tickets now on sale on Event Brite.

I’m also grateful to be working some great local companies & schools to add Workplace Yoga, Teens Yoga & Mindfulness to their wellbeing programmes.

On a personal note, though I’m a Summer Superfan, I’m looking forward to Autumn. I’m partial to the crisp days, open fires and the odd hot chocolate! Following my heart & taking the leap to come home to live a healthier lifestyle has been a great move.

I’m so glad I found the courage to do it Thank you for reading & I’m looking forward to offering health & wellbeing tips each month.

Maeve x

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 13

Connect | Health & Wellness

PREVENTION – What can we do to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk ?

It’s October- so we are thinking Pink and Breast Cancer Awareness.

Approximately 2000 Irish women develop breast cancer each year. 1:10 women will develop breast cancer at some stage in their lives. While most the illness is more common in older women, it can occur in any age. Men can also develop breast cancer, although rarely.

So can we do anything to reduce the risk of breast cancer?

Lifestyle changes are scientifically shown to help to reduce risks of breast cancer.

- Weight Management, Healthy Eating and Physical Exercise Being obese is strongly associated with developing breast cancer. There is also some evidence that women with breast cancer who are treated, but remain overweight, are more likely to develop recurrences. The best way to lose weight is with a combination of healthy eating and exercise.

The best way to do this with the assistance of a dietician or personal trainer rather than crash / fad diets.

You should be able to access dietary support via your GP. The more unprocessed foods you eat the better. Avoid high sugar foods.

By doing regular exercise such as walking or swimming you will keep your weight healthy. You will also feel better- even when the weather isn’t good there are lots of options such as classes, swimming (if you don’t swim aqua aerobics or aqua jogging are options). Always build in some strength training. If you are worried about what’s right for you or a physiotherapist can guide you on that.

- Limit Alcohol Intake Heavy alcohol intake is associated with developing breast cancer, and also other cancers.

- Cigarette Smoking - People usually associate smoking with lung cancer. However, research is now showing an association between cigarette smoking and breast cancer. By giving up smoking you will improve your general health and help to reduce your risk of osteoporosis.

Pharmacists have all the training to help you find the best aid to giving up smoking. In recent weeks, public health specialists in the UK and US have come out supporting e cigarettes as a safe tool for smoking cessation.

In some situations your GP may offer prescription medications to help you.

- Toxins -Avoiding exposure to unnecessary toxins, radiation and chemicals is important incl BPAs. - Breastfeeding - Medical research suggests that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer in the future. There are lots of supports nowadays to help women to successfully breastfeed.

What about being on the Pill?

Current medical research does not show any link between being on the Pill and developing breast cancer.

14 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

What about HRT? All international guidelines state that being on HRT, in itself, does not increase the risk of breast cancer. In cases where there is a strong family history advice from a breast cancer specialist can be sought. For women who need HRT their prescription can be reviewed at 5 years when there may be a marginal increase in risk. Vaginal oestrogen tablets are safe overall.

Is there a genetic link?

In cases where there is a strong family history of breast cancer a woman’s risk may be increased and extra checks can be put in place. In recent times there has been a lot of publicity surrounding the option of surgery to remove breast tissue in women with significant risks. This should not be undertaken lightly.

Checking Yourself Out In the end nothing beats regular self-examination by women.

Identifying lumps and bumps at an early stage is always important. Mammography is available through Breastcheck to women aged 50-64.

While prevention is always best please remember that medical treatments are now so good that breast cancer is treatable and curable.

For more information: www.cancer.ie www.breastcheck.ie

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 15

Connect | Lifestyle

FRANCIE CONWAY talks about Life and the

Christy Hennessey Festival Weekend This time of the year Tralee recognises one of its favourite Sons Christy Hennessey and we chat to founding member of the Christy Hennessey Festival Weekend Francie Conway about his own life in the entertainment industry Francie, you have strong Kerry connections but some of our readers may not be familiar with your background. Can you tell them what Kerry and Tralee mean to you?

Well I’m from Tralee number one. Born to parents Peggy and Denis Conway, my mum came from Kilmoyley and my dad from Lixnaw. My mum was one of the first ladies to run a business in Tralee and when they opened the pub in Tralee it was the first pub to have live music in Kerry. They used to have music there on a Friday and Saturday.

You were a founding member, and still a teacher, of the Rock School in Ballyfermot College of Further Education.

How important is this work to you and what do you think of the talent that is coming through those courses?

You have to imagine that I left Ireland in 1979 and I went to live in Amsterdam. Then the following summer I met, by chance, the record producer Chris White in Spain. I was a huge fan of Chris because Argent was one of my favourite bands and Hold Your Head Up was one of my favourite songs, and still is. To meet the guy who wrote the song and produced all these magnificent artists and bands was quite an honour and a thrill for me. Then he said he was writing some songs and he wanted me to sing the songs because he thought I had a unique voice and he wanted to use the voice to showcase the songs.

He went back to London at the end of the summer of 1980 with a cassette of me singing some songs and he played it to Russ Ballard, the great British songwriter, and Russ said “who’s the singer, this is a really good voice, we should look into this more” and then he and Russ Ballard brought it to the great Don Ellis from RCA Records and a couple of months later I had a major recording contract with RCA Records. Coming from Tralee to having a major deal and contract with RCA Records was an incredible jump but the reality of it was that I didn’t know what a recording contract was. I didn’t know anything about the business, I didn’t know anything about the industry, we were one of the first colleges in Europe to do ie’s contemporary music, nc Fra th wi Ronnie Drew pictured and when I came ry Ro son d mother Peggy an 16 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

back to live in Ireland it felt really interview courtesy of important for me, because I didn’t Grassroots Music want any young Irish musicians +353 (0)87 990 5975 info@GrassrootsMusic.ie heading off again to England, to America, to the countries you have to go to work internationally and be in the same position as I was. I think I signed my first contract in a carpark without even reading any of it and I swore if I could actually get involved in something that was going to help that, then this situation won’t happen to other people and it would be of benefit. The Rock School in Dublin at the moment has produced some of the most well-known and recognisable artists within the Irish music industry. Mundy recently sent me a poster from Australia from a gig last March and on the poster in a big theatre in Australia it had Mundy, Lisa O’Neill and the Young Folk and Mundy’s comment on it was “is this the Rock School on tour in Australia?”

Yesterday I was on a flight and I saw something about Damien Dempsey in Cara magazine, when I first met Damian he hadn’t written one song and now he is one of our national treasures. He’s the talent that is holding the mantle for Irish music and the direction that Irish music is going in the future.

You have a new record that is getting a lot of reaction on social media and other areas as a result and back story to how it came about. Tell us a bit about how the creation developed?

Francie and David Well it was very simple. I was in Mountain Studio in Montreux, Switzerland, Queens studio, and David Richards, from Queen, and I were working on some tracks and I was reading Alastair Campbell’s book ‘The Blair Years’. I know not really rock & roll and not very exciting but I enjoy reading political books etc. Alastair and I were friends around the same time that I met Chris, we were busking partners together in Brussels.

In the book, he was describing the first time that he met Princess Diana and he described her as “Drop dead gorgeous”.

I just said to David that she must have been something really something else for Alastair to make that comment. She must have been amazingly stunning. David said “what did you say he called her?” and I said Drop Dead Gorgeous and David turned around and said “that’s a song title mate, let’s do something with that”. So after we had finished the recording session, as we did, we took a break for dinner. On returning to the studio and we said ‘let’s try and write a song around the title Drop Dead Gorgeous’. Basically the song started that night, David and I went through a couple of different drafts of it and then with the sad story of David passing away at Christmas in 2013 everything was left there. Last

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 17

Connect | Lifestyle

year I got the music files off the computer in the studio and we opened the files and it was horribly heart-breaking to experience it. Some days I would go to the studio and would last maybe an hour or two, some days I might last a little bit more and then I’d hear David’s voice in the headphones, that was the end of the recording session. It was like a ghost in the background.

You are in Tralee next month for the 8th Year of the Celebration of Christy Hennessy Weekend in the Ashe Hotel on 3rd & 4th November. How did you come to be involved and what does the legacy of Christy mean to you?

Well how I became involved was very simple. I was approached

by IMRO saying they wanted to do something for Christy and they wanted to put something together as a tribute and in honour of Christy Hennessy. They knew me as a musician and with my work with the college, I had a good standing within the song writing community in Ireland and it started from there. They didn’t really have a view on what to do but knew that they wanted to do a song contest so as to try and bring a bit of attention to it.

They left everything entirely up to me, so I had a big decision to make, the obvious thing would be to , have had a weekend of CLUTCH - Francie Conway sba Ca ll, be mp Eamon Ca Christy Hennessy songs lliams and music but I think 0’Callaghan & Brendan Wi if you had 2 days of people singing covers of somebody’s songs it would be fairly tough going, and we certainly wouldn’t be in the eighth year.

I know that Christy Hennessy had a lot of turmoil as a song writer, he didn’t have it easy, and I think from knowing Christy the legacy of being able to celebrate Christy Hennessy in song writers. He would absolutely love that we are providing a platform for song writers both established and up and coming. As it is a weekend of course we have an opening ceremony featuring songs of Christy, but then it is showcasing song writing and giving song writers a platform so they can perform their own material. For many many years Christy Hennessy, or Christy Ross as was known Finbar Furey, Christy Dig nam around Tralee, would have and Francie Conway

given anything to have that sort of platform as a song writer. So for us to be able to do that is quite important.

Finally Francie what are the plans for the coming year and can your fans in Kerry look forward to any gigs in the next 12 months?

I’ve actually started gigging, I hadn’t actually planned on starting but Finbar Furey and I toured a lot Francie and his son Rory together as a two piece, I enjoyed that very much because Fin is one of my very best friends. I started recording a lot with Matt Kelleghan from Moving Hearts and we did ‘The Wild Atlantic Way’, we did ‘Troubadour’, we did ‘Broken Shoes’ with the legendary Jan Ackerman from Focus and then we did the record ‘Somewhere in Heaven’ with Christy Dignam from Aslan.

All that brought me back into the old world that I used to love and then of course last year I went back to Switzerland and collected the files from David and we have ‘Smoke on the Water’, ‘Peace Love & Rock & Roll’ and now we have ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ finished. The response we are getting to Drop Dead Gorgeous is, you could say surprising but it is a good sounding track. I am surprised at the power of Social Media when Francie & Jon Lord you have someone like Alastair from Deep Purple Campbell behind it. So I started (Smoke On The Water) doing shows here in Dublin and Cork Film Festival in September.

I’m also doing solo shows featuring special guests, the next gig I’m doing here in Dublin Rob Burke is going to join me.

Rob was with us in the Troubadour Club when we first started the Christy Hennessy weekend and he is a fine piano player and singer songwriter. He has written with the great Paul Williams, he’s co-written with the guys who wrote ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ for the Eagles.

It’s going to be a kinda special gig because when I was a kid and I was playing with the band Clutch in Tralee, we started getting national attention so every two weeks we used to play in Toners in Dublin which was one of the well-known rock gigs at the time. We used to stuff Toners and it was a great craic to play in and we got great attention from it.

That’s how we got gigs all over the country at the time.

CHRISTY HENNESSY Festival Weekend takes place on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th of November 2017 in the Ashe Hotel, Tralee

18 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 19

Connect | Lifestyle

The 18th Kerry Film Festival will run from 19th -22nd October 2017 bringing exceptional short films from around the world along with national and regional programmes.

The festival will also host, for the first time, a platform for first time feature film makers. These DISCOVERY FEATURES will screen on Thursday 19th October and each feature film will be preceded by a featured short film. There will be school screenings supported by the IFI and film festival exchange favourites, Nickel Film Festival Tour.

Kerry connections are plentiful in the festival. Opening night film, THE CREST saw much of the film captured in Kerry and follows two descendants of an Irish King who meet for the first time in Ireland. The Crest is a story of family, immigration and the value of tradition and culture.

Kerry Film Festival will host the Irish Premiere of LIES WE TELL starring Gabriel Byrne and Harvey Keitel. When his billionaire boss Demi (Harvey Keitel) dies, chauffeur Donald (Gabriel Byrne) is given one final job - to wipe out any evidence of Demi’s relationship with his mistress, the enigmatic and beautiful Amber (Sibylla Deen).

Unwittingly drawn into a dangerous urban underworld, he encounters dark, harrowing practices, and a sinister criminal figure who will test him to his very limits.

OTHER FEATURE FILMS TO ADD TO THE DIARY INCLUDE: Ireland’s submission for the Foreign Language category at the 90th annual Academy Awards, SONG OF GRANITE which revolves around the life of the great traditional Irish singer, Joe Heaney, will screen in Cinema Killarney on Friday 20th October.

The Irish premiere of SCORE - A FILM MUSIC DOCUMENTARY. This documentary brings Hollywood’s premier composers together to give viewers a privileged look inside the musical challenges and creative secrecy of the world’s most widely known music genre: the film score. SCORE will have a FREE screening at St. Mary’s, Church of the Sloes, Killarney on Friday 20th October.

The Methodist Church in Killarney will host the film RATH from Kerry film maker in residence, Mieke Vanmechelen. RATH is a personal story of one man’s relationship with the land and the past.

The documentary KEVIN ROCHE: THE QUIET ARCHITECT will screen on Sunday 22nd October at Cinema Killarney while the closing film of the Kerry Film Festival is the Irish Premiere of A CAPTAIN UNAFRAID from Killarney film maker Charlie O’Brien.

20 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

This year, the Kerry Film Festival will present the Maureen O’Hara Award for 2017 to Emmy nominated, multi-award winning documentary director and feature film editor, Emer Reynolds to celebrate her contribution to the film industry and in admiration for her work which continues to engage audiences and inspire fellow filmmakers. Emer’s film THE FARTHEST will screen during the festival.

Emer Reynolds

The Kerry Film Festival inaugurated the Maureen O’Hara Award in 2008 to celebrate outstanding women in cinema. The award was named in honour of O’Hara, one of Hollywood’s best loved and most inspiring actresses.

Each year, awards are presented in seven different categories at an Awards evening at the INEC. Many winners have gone on to success in other festivals and the festival has screened a significant number of films that have been nominated for Academy Awards.

Speaking about the festival, Artistic Director, Maeve McGrath noted, “We have once again had an increase in quality short films submitted to the festival and the festival was inundated with feature films this year resulting in significant feature film screenings for 2017.

There is something for everyone at the festival and the move to our hub in Killarney has allowed us to build new relationships which can only strengthen the festival. We are always extremely grateful to everyone who supports the festival from our funders, patrons and sponsors to the film makers who send in their films and the audience that come to see the finished product. We look forward to welcoming one and all to the festival in 2017” The Kerry Film festival runs from 19-22nd October in Killarney. http://www.kerryfilmfestival.com https://www.facebook.com/KerryFilmFestival/ https://twitter.com/kerryfilmfest

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 21

Connect | Advertising

BRANDS AVAILABLE INCLUDE: Heavenly Feet XTi Refresh Sprox Mod Comfys Occasion Footwear See our New Luxury Selection Spanish Leather Ankle Boots 22 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Advertising |Connect

MAIN STREET, CASTLEISLAND

Sizes up to 42

Large Selection of Handbags Gift Vouchers Available

Check out our Facebook page for updates Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 23

Connect | Lifestyle

Christmas Party Nights 2017

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

iii

iiiiiiiiiii

Welcome to part one of our Christmas party venue guide, yes its only 2 months to Christmas so time to start planning, more updates next month on all the best venues around the county.

Christmas Party Night at

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Enjoy your Christmas party night at the home of hospitality here in Dingle on Friday December 8th 2017.

Soak up the festive atmosphere on arrival with a Christmas cocktail, enjoy a four course meal in the Coastguard Restaurant and party until late with live music in the Blaskets Bar. Spot prizes and prize for most Festive attire! €45.00 per person.Overnight Special: Enjoy your party and stay the night on our special party rate which includes your party night and overnight accommodation with full Irish breakfast and late checkout. €95.00pps. Contact us for our group special.

Email: reservations@dingleskellig.com for more details.

Ballyroe Heights Hotel

Christmas Party Nights 2017 It’s that time of year again and we are so excited to announce the dates for our Christmas Party nights.

Kicking things off on Saturday 16th December, Little Creatures are back by popular demand to get the party started and on Friday 22nd December well known local band Renovator are taking to the stage for another rocking night. Tickets are €40 including a pre-dinner Jazz reception with Mulled Wine, our delicious new party night menu and disco ‘til late. We are also offering an overnight package including ticket, accommodation and late breakfast for only €85* per person sharing (*single supplement applies). So gather your friends and colleagues around and start planning now to guarantee your place at our ever successful party nights! To request a brochure or to reserve tickets please contact us on 066 7126796 or email info@ballyroe.com iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Traditional Christmas at

Meadowlands Hotel

Are you organising a Christmas party with friends, family or colleagues this Christmas Season? Enjoy a traditional Christmas Party at the family run Meadowlands Hotel. The hotel has a venue to suit all parties. The Meadowlands Hotel is hosting a Christmas Party in An Meitheal Ballroom on December 16th 2017. Group and individuals are invited to join in the festive fun with a mulled wine drinks reception, gourmet 4 course dinner with a glass of wine and party till late with Martin Williams and band followed by DJ. Private ballroom parties are also available on selected dates. An Móinéar Restaurant is the perfect setting for groups and individuals looking for a cosy and intimate Christmas dining experience followed by live music in Johnny Frank’s Bar & Lounge. Groups up to 40 guests can enjoy An Móinéar’s balcony setting. For a more casual Christmas Party, select from Meadowlands finger food menus served in Johnny Frank’s. Special stay over rates can also be arranged. To book your party or get more information contact 066 718 0444 or events@meadowlandshotel.com. Celebrate in Style this Christmas at the Traditional Meadowlands Hotel! iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Top Christmas Party Line-Up at

The Ashe Hotel

Left in charge of organising the Christmas Party this year? No need to panic, The Ashe have created a party perfect collection of festive packages for you to choose. From a top class entertainment line-up including Jack Patrick Healy, Ecelcto and Treble & Bass to the opening of their brand new restaurant Alfie’s Lounge, The Ashe is the place to be this December. To chat to a member of their events team just call 0667106300 or pop them an email sales@theashehotel.ie.

24 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Dingle Skellig Hotel

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Christmas at Lord Kenmare’s Restaurant

Lord Kenmare’s Restaurant is wellknown and well-loved in Killarney and further afield for over two decades and now they are adding some extra sparkle to the festive season. They have just announced two very special evenings of food and entertainment that are sure to go down a treat. These ‘Festive Soirées’ will take place on Wednesday 29th November and Wednesday 6th December so save the dates! Guests will be warmly welcomed with a glass of prosecco and you’ll have the opportunity to chat and catch up while you ease into the comfortable surroundings and anticipate the evening ahead a festive menu and great entertainment is guaranteed so why not call them today and check out for yourself 064 6637245. iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Christmas Time at

The Crown Restaurant

The Crown Restaurant in Castleisland are also gearing up for Christmas and will be offering some amazing menus and extras for your special celebration this Christmas, it’s their first Christmas as the new operators so it’s going to be one to remember, catering for all party sizes and tastes contact them on 066 7143699. iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Christmas Cabaret & Comedy at The Station House

Guess who’s making his way back to Blennerville?!Back by popular demand Mr. Pussy will be returning to the Station House with a special guest this time for two full nights of Christmas Cabaret and Comedy on Dec 1st and Dec 2nd!!

They are now taking bookings so don’t delay in reserving your spot as places are limited ! Call them on 066 7117517.

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 25

Connect | Fashion

26 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 27

Connect | Fashion

Fashion Trends

by Zoe O’Connor

I would like to say that I keep up to date with all the different fashion trends that rise and fall each season. If you are anything like me, then you will spend a lot of your time spent settled in various nooks and crannies, scouring the pages of Vogue or perhaps scrolling through your favourite bloggers site; searching for inspiration. Seeing what trends have been deemed fit for wear for the coming season.

But whether it be pastels or paperboy hats - do you feel pressure to follow the trends? As much as I love flicking through the months biggest fashion features or fawning over the flashiest catwalk displays; not all trends suit everyone and it is very important to remember that.

I know that Gigi and Selena can make a pyjama suit look cute on the streets of New York but maybe it isn’t best to try that particular look out in the town park!

It doesn’t mean that you should abandon the trends altogether of course! That would ruin all the fun of getting to play around with new patterns and pieces but perhaps, adapting them to suit you would be the best of both worlds, so to speak.

28 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Trends are dictated by the fashion greats, the leaders of the head fashion brands and fashion magazines alike. So they don’t always check in with the masses to see will they suit everybody… The best way to tackle this problem is to have fun with it!

I know that I would never even dream of tackling every trend that comes over the horizon; there is no point in being a slave to the fashion industry if the clothes that you wear don’t make you feel like your best self!

Fashion is art and should be worn with pride; but if it doesn’t make you feel like a million bucks… Then, honey, you’re doing it wrong.

So earmark your favourite trends and adapt them to suit your own personal style; make it your own and feel fabulous!

You deserve it,

Zoë

Advertising |Connect

Connect | Fashion

Catherine’s Fashion Fix

Hi, As we are now well into Autumn and with Winter on the horizon you may be wondering what are the trends for the current season and the winter season ahead. But, first of all ask yourself if you are actually interested in trends.

Well, if you are and before you hit the high street, I will give you a rundown on some of my favourite trends for A/W 17 plus a look at these trends currently available on the high street!

1. Red alert!

It is official; RED is the colour of the season. From scarlet to crimson, ruby to maroon, red is the colour to be seen in head to toe this a/w 17. However, it definitely takes a confident woman to wear red head to toe. I personally love wearing red, but if the thought of wearing it brings you out in a sweat then opt for a deeper shade that feels less obvious. If this is not for you then I would incorporate red into your wardrobe in the form of a handbag, scarf or footwear keeping the rest of your look neutral.

2. Modern Tartan!

When I think of tartan, images of Scottish kilts come to mind.

Tartan has made the ultimate comeback this season. Even though tartan has been used by high end designers for decades, runways have seen a lot of modern looks mixing tartan with fur, sequin and silk. This season brings colourful and bright interpretations from classic to grunge. For a classic look incorporate tartan into your wardrobe in the form of a classic coat, jacket or dress. But, if it is the grunge look you are after wear a tartan pleated mini skirt or shirt.

3. The Ruffle is back!

One of last season’s biggest trends ruffles is back again and is bigger. Ruffles are out in full force decorating necklines, skirts, blouses, trousers, dresses and even jackets. Ruffles are both girly and fashionable but many women have trouble finding the right ruffles to flatter their particular look. Whether you opt for a ruffle front skirt, a 30 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

frilled off the shoulder top or a delicately layered feminine dress there’s a ruffled look for everyone.

4. Return to the 80’s!

The 70’s and 90’s have been everywhere for the past few seasons so it is almost inevitable that the 80’s would make a comeback.

Think oversized blazers, shoulder pads, power suits and midi dresses. However, these styles have been remodelled with the modern woman in mind.

To keep yourself from looking too dated try wearing a shoulder padded blouse with some skinny jeans and killer heels.

So ladies what’s stopping you hitting the shops and picking up some key pieces for the season?

Until next time,

Catherine x

Don’t forget to follow my fashion blog on Facebook called ‘Catherine’s Fashion Fix’ 1. Red suit jacket €85/Red suit trouser €52 - Oasis. 2. Red tartan check coat €100 - River Island. 3. Asymmetric Ruffle dress €61 - Warehouse. 4. 80’s inspired midi dress €68 - Topshop

Advertising |Connect

WANT TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF

BUSINESS

The business magazine for Kerry

Call Margaret

086 2408237 sales@connectpublications.ie

A Jewel of a Day for the Ladies of

Tralee Tennis Club BY: STEPHEN ROCHE

IT was a day for strawberries and cream at Tralee Tennis club when their annual Ladies Day, sponsored by John Ross Jewellers, took place on Saturday, September 9th.

The day was one of excitement for the ladies of the club, with the event being strongly supported each year, and 2017 wasn’t any different, with thirty members joining in for some tennis, food and wine.

Elaine Larkin, Heather O’Sullivan (Ross Jeweller’s) and Sarah Fitzgibbon

The event was spilt up in two different groups, and to coincide with the Ladies US Open Final taking place the same night, each group was named after the finalists, Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens.

Ladies Captain, and organiser of the event, Gemma Lougheed, spoke about the event: “Despite the precarious weather conditions, we had a really great day. Many thanks to everyone who took part. Seeing so many of our lady members out playing quality tennis whilst having a laugh is what it is all about.”

“The atmosphere on the day was one of enjoyment and camaraderie: a testament to the wonderful Lady members we have in Tralee Tennis Club.”

Of course, with such an event, there had to be winners, and once again, John Ross Jewellers supported the day by sponsoring beautiful jewellery pieces as prices; and the

winners and runner ups were: Madison Group: Winners: Berna Waldron & Delores O’Callaghan Runners Up: Denise Brassil & Ciara Daly Sloane Group: Winners: Elaine Larkin & Sarah Fitzgibbon Runners Up: Sally Ryle & Ayesha Djemal

na Dolores O’Callaghan, Ber ey rtn Cou ne Waldron, An and Kate Falvey

The event marks the end of the Summer schedule for the club, and the beginning of a Winter one with the Club Championships taking place at the start of October.

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 31

Connect | Lifestyle

Beauty Corner Hello lovely Readers,

Hello Everyone,

Before I start thanks for all enquires to see if I was ok as I hadn’t any piece in for September issue, I am “Perfect” just was busy in shop with weddings and races.

Well I don’t know about you but I’m fed up waiting for the weather to make up its mind on what season it is - will we get an Indian summer or should we just accept the onset of autumn and winter?

Although its only October and the weather is still relatively warm our thoughts are turning to the dreaded “ Cold weather “. I am a Winter person, as waxing my extremely LONG LEGS and plastering on fake tan can be time consuming …

I decided it was best to accept the latter in good faith and now I have fully embraced my winter makeup wardrobe!

In stock at the moment we have hats and scarves that will style that coat in the back of the wardrobe. If your winter coat or jacket is one colour you can afford to team it up with a busy or print scarf, alternatively if your coat is printed a simple scarf in one of the colours in your coat is perfect.

I rarely wear jackets or coats but would always wear warm scarves / pashminas and team them up with a warm hat and I am as cozy as a bug in a rug.

This time of year people can panic slightly about finding a hat that will suit them, do not fear call in and we will make it easy for you, I have included some images of a selection of scarves now in stock .

Will sign off now until next time and always, Keep smiling and be kind,

Carmel x

32 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

First on my list to make its autumn 2017 debut was my favourite berry shade lipstick, Lancome’s Berry Noir. This gorgeous plum colour has a creamy matte finish which keeps lips hydrated while giving really long lasting results and it suits nearly everyone. For a quirky and dramatic twist I like to pair my lipstick with a soft lip liner such as shade number 132, caprice. I Apply my Berry Noir, blot onto a tissue and then apply a classic red in the centre of the lip such as shade number 197, rouge cherie in the Lancome L’absolu rouge range.

This is known as an ombré lip trend and can be done in any colours you like actually. For a balanced and sophisticated overall look I like to keep the eyes more low key while wearing a strong lip. I have found that applying a creamy nude shadow base on the lids and an eyeshadow crayon such as ‘Enchante’ gives me that soft smoky eye with a very autumnal look.

So I’ve embraced the season and embraced the makeup trends - now it’s off to the shops to check out the new clothes collections thisseason!

Bye for now,

Lorraine xxx

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 33

Connect | Beauty

Connect RECOMMENDS REVIEW BY JULIE BRICK’ September...post-summer blues and, for us teachers, it can only mean one thing…back to school! Long after your tan has faded and the SPF has been packed away for another year, your skin may be feeling the effects of a sunny summer, resulting in sun damage, skin dryness and a serious loss of radiance.

So, Transformations Day Spa was just what the doctor ordered for me. Women routinely ask if getting a facial is worth their time and money, last week I put this to the test, and I went for a Swedish Massage and an hour-long Nimue Booster Treatment.

Prior to the facial, we began with the back massage which was tailored to my own specific needs – predominantly tension in my upper back and shoulders. The use of various oils and scents were key in creating a very relaxed atmosphere. Overall, the back massage was excellent for relieving September stresses like muscle tightness and ensured I was very relaxed and ready for part two of my pampering morning.

Next up was the facial. Before I go on, I have to admit that I have never had a facial before - due to years of having very sensitive skin, I have been a little nervous about treatments and how my skin would react. Prior to the facial, I had a consultation with my therapist where I explained my main skin concerns. I was reassured that Nimue offer pharmaceutical grade ingredients, combined with superior quality antioxidants, peptides and other powerful active ingredients.

My therapist was clearly experienced as her choice of products for my skin, along with her technique, gave glowing results. After a good cleanse, my therapist steamed and exfoliated my skin. Then there was a specialised Nimue bioactive treatment and mask. While the mask was in place, my therapist gave me a relaxing neck and shoulder massage…..just to push me right into the zen zone (I am pretty sure, I was nodding off at this stage!).

The facial was excellent and, even after just one session, it delivered excellent results. Since then, my skin has felt smooth, plump, radiant and much more hydrated. It has also propelled me into getting back into a good routine at home with my own skincare, and I am testing out what else the Nimue brand has to offer. For me, the main difference I have noticed is that my makeup is now sitting more evenly on my skin and lasting longer.

Perfect for those of us with hectic lives and early morning starts!

Everyone can make as little or as much as they choose of the Nimue brand, as there is something for every skin type and condition. You can treat yourself with an occasional facial...or you can follow a Nimue skin health program.

For more information on Nimue, and to use their diagnostic tool to find out what will work best for your skin, check out http:// nimueskin.com/.

To book an appointment, contact Transformations Day Spa, 5 High street, Tralee | Tel: (066) 712 3726 Email: transformations.beauty.tralee@gmail.com

www.transformationstralee.com 34 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Having heard lots about The Chiodo Pro Hybrid nail polish range I was dying to check it out, it’s exclusive to Desire in Killarney so I took myself to see what it was all about.

Desire for those of you who haven’t visited is a haven of tranquillity and loveliness. Its setting nestled away behind Georgian windows at Cathedral Place gives you that feeling of calm and you are certainly in for a treat when you step inside the door.

Catering for Hair and Beauty the girls certainly ensure you leave looking beautiful. The pedicure room is amazing and they tell me it’s a real hit with hen parties and special occasions which I don’t doubt especially when you can relax with your girlfriends and enjoy bubbles and Canapes from the Desire Kitchen and award winning restaurant based within the building also.

Chiodo Pro is the newest hybrid nail polish on the market, that’s currently taking Europe by storm! As Ireland’s first & only distributors they are very excited to share this product that’s proving very popular with our customers.

The brand comes in three ranges, 1) Chiodo Soft 2) Chiodo Pro and 3)Chiodo Gels.

Chiodo Soft is a 14 day polish that is removed with acetone wraps.

Chiodo Pro is a 21 day polish that is also removed with acetone wraps; however the top coat is lightly filed.

Chiodo offers over 310 colours, including thermo, glow in the dark & cat eye magnetic colours.

They also have a huge selection of mermaid glitters, chrome & iridescent finishes.

I opted for the Chiodo Gels which are ​​super durable, highly pigmented & very easy to use. The Chiodo gels also come in a Cupcake & Marshmallow range, which are highly pigmented vibrant colours, such a stunning pinks, blues, purples, oranges, greens & blues. Perfect for creating a fun ombré effect nail. I absolutely love the look and the fact that its kind to my own nails causing minimum damage.

The treatment takes about an hour and a half, the usual ritual with Gel Nails happens but just before the top coat Pamela (gel nail specialist) mirrored each nail with a magnetic sign which created a colour tone going through the nails, you really do have to try it to for yourself to see the desired effect, I just loved the finish, they are doing an offer at present the chiodo treatment for €25.00 & for Ombre manicures €30.

Call the salon on 064 66 30838 to make an appointment now for this season’s hottest nail trend!

Desire, 58 New Street, Cathedral Place, Killarney.

Beauty |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 35

Connect | Music

Music in the Kingdom By: Lisa Curran

Happy October Everyone!

There is so much happening in the kingdom this month we are spoiled for choice between musicals and gigs. Also keep the eyes peeled to Connect Kerry on facebook this month as I have lots of giveaway prizes for these to be won.

Tralee Youth Musical Society presents ‘All Shook Up’ All shook up is a relatively new musical which celebrates the music of Elvis Presley. This jukebox musical with Elvis Presley music and with a book by Joe DiPietro. Set in 1950’s in a little town somewhere in the midwest America where a guitar-playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets in this hip-swiveling, lip-curling musical fantasy that’ll have you jumpin’ out of your blue suede shoes. This production by Tralee Youth Musical Society will be Oliver Hurleys fifth time directing the show so you can guarantee expert staging.

This show follows last year’s sell out production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tralee Youth Musical Society has once again gathered a super talented cast of young local talent. Oliver says he can guarantee that audiences are in for a treat as this is a show with everything. The music includes all the Elvis greats from Jailhouse Rock, Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Can’t Help Falling in Love and many more.

The music has amazing choral arrangements and our choral director Laura Crowley has put hours of work into creating a outstanding sound from the chorus. So if you want to beat the winter blues there is nothing better than a night at live theatre.

This colourful energetic musical has a feast of musical numbers and dance routines that will have you rocking in the isles.

The show runs in Siamsa Tire Theatre from 25th - 28th October and early booking is advised.

Oliver has also given us two tickets for the opening night for a giveaway on Facebook so keep your eyes peeled.

FUTURE SOUNDS FESTIVAL INEC KILLARNEY In association with SPIN South West, Future Sounds returns Sunday October 29th with Spotlight.

Building on the success of Future Sounds in February SPIN South West and the INEC Killarney are once again turning the light on talented home grown musicians already making waves on the Irish and UK music scene.

Kick-starting with Sample Answer, the London-based Dublin born singer-songwriter is coming up trumps with his music and turning heads in the last two years. His debut EP 36 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Good Boy was released in July 2015 reaching over 500,000 streams online. With performances at Latitude Festival, he has gone on to support the likes of Pete Doherty, Damien Rice and The Fratellis, Gabrielle Aplin on her sold out UK tour, and was on the road with The Milk.

SNAPCHAT: lizzieraisin INSTGRAM: lizzieraisin TWITTER: lizzieraisin FACEBOOK: Lisa Curran Soprano

Overhead, The Albatross, a six piece instrumental outfit from Dublin, are well known for their intricate yet powerful melodies and energetic stage presence. Not surprisingly their debut album Learning To Growl was nominated for the 2016 Choice Music Prize Irish Album of the year. With headlines at a number of summer festivals under their belt including Indiependence, Galway International Arts Festival, Stendhal Festival, Vantastival and regular appearances in Dublin’s Vicar St, Other Voices and The Workmans Club.

A mainstay in the Irish gigging scene, Dáithí, the fiddle-playing, beat-looping Galway native songwriter live shows are an improvised performance, creating on the spot dance music using synths, drum machines and live fiddle. A forgotten recording of his grandmother, reminiscing what it was like living in the west of Ireland for the past 90 years led to the creation of ‘Mary Keanes Introduction’, a track which captured the imagination of millions of Irish people across the world, and became one of the most successful Irish singles that year, staying no.1 in the Spotify viral charts for 6 weeks.

Championed by everyone from Annie Mac to DJ Yoda, Kormac started out as out as a hip hop scratch DJ and MPC beat-maker. His last album was nominated for the Meteor Choice Music Prize and the world took notice. Well known for his live performances audiences are in for a treat! With festivals including Glastonbury, Bestival, Electric Picnic and Sonar tours in the UK, Europe, Eastern Europe, Australia and Canada alongside luminaries Portishead, Nas, Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Snarky Puppy and a host of others. Recent TV appearances include Other Voices and The Late Late Show.

The second installement of Future Sounds promises to be no less energetic and imaginative as its predecessor paving the way for a regular occurrence in the INEC calendar.

Tickets €22.90 on sale now. Over 18’s only.

For further details and to purchase tickets visit INEC.ie or SpinSouthWest.com.

The INEC have kindly given us two tickets as a facebook giveaway so get liking and sharing when that goes up as it really is a jam packed night not to be missed and Vinny Casey from Overhead the albatross, who is a native of Caherciveen, has given us a t-shirt to go with this!

I hope ye get a chance to head to one of these fantastic productions, until next month,

Lisa x

Ladies Day at

Advertising |Connect

LISTOWEL RACES

Ann Kahraman and Betesaida Hailegeorgis

Bridget McMahon and Rita Henneberry

Margaret Kerins and Marion O’Connor

Daithi O’Se and Maura Derrane judging at the McElligott’s Honda Best Dressed Lady Day at Listowel Races on Friday. Included are the finalists from left, Carol Stanley, Charlene Brosnan, Geraldine Walsh, Joann Murphy, Jill Duggan, Killarney (winner) Tasha O’Connor, Mary Kelleher, Breda Butler, Finola Dillane and Nollaig McCarthy. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Mary C. Sullivan & Alex Dowling, Naomi Mary Stapleton,Orlagh Kelleher & Kate Dempsey Mary O’Sullivan Winters & Mary O’Halloran

Maura Doran,Cathy Kennedy, Cathy Shannon and Patricia Doran PHOTOGRAPHS: DON MACMONAGLE

Sinead Foley, Lisa Daly, Brid Bruder and Carol Stanley.

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 37

Connect | Cookery

PEARLY WHITES

Recipe With cold days fast approaching there is nothing nicer than a nice hot pie and at Ballyseedy Home and Garden their signature seafood pie is a serious favourite with the team in Connect

SEAFOOD PIE

----------------------------------------------Dill Cream Ingredients Seafood Mix Potatoes Butter

Celery Carrots Onions Garlic

Fish Stock White Wine Parsley to garnish

----------------------------------------------Method Fry onions and garlic in olive oil. Add carrots & celery and fry until soft.

Add white wine until it is reduced. Add fish stock & cream and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and add seafood and chopped dill. Let simmer for a further 10 minutes and turn off heat.

For the mashed potatoes, boil the potatoes until cooked. mash with butter, cream, salt & pepper. Place seafood mix in a small casserole dish and top with the creamy mashed potato. Cheese can be added on top and flashed under the grill for further richness. Serve with a fresh, citrusy salad and a glass of crisp, chilled white wine and enjoy!

-------------------------------------------

Recipe from Ballyseedy Garden Centre Ballyseedy, Tralee, Co. Kerry 066 7122305 www.ballyseedy.ie

-------------------------------------------

This is one of the many recipes in the “Cook for Recovery” cookbook, in aid of Recovery Haven, Kerry, Cancer Support House. Suport them by buying this wonderful cookbook. This is a cookbook with a difference as readers will be inspired by the chefs and resturants both locally and nationally who have contributed to the wealth of recipes within. It is on sale throughout the Kingdom in good bookshops, from Recovery Haven Haigs Terrace and Horans Health Stores.

38 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

AN DR MARCAS MAC DOMHNAILL

DENTAL SEDATION Beatha agus sláinte chugaibh.

Dentists often get enquiries about dental services available to treat nervous patients. There are many options available depending on the severity. Some patients may need a little extra time to do a certain procedure. The patient should be in control at all times so that they can rest or sit up for breaks. This is especially true if they have a mild gag reflex.

A full explanation of the procedure, step by step, may be helpful to avoid fear of the unknown. I find that this is especially effective when dealing with nervous children.

However, some patients may need sedation. Inhalation sedation is available in the form of Nitrous Oxide which one can breathe in through the nose. It wears off immediately once the nose piece is removed. For deeper sedation, the sedative can be given intravenously in a vein in the arm or hand. This will make the patient feel very relaxed. It can be administered in general dental practice by those dentists who have done special post-graduate training and can be offered to healthy patients between the ages of 16 and 60.

Patients outside these parameters can be referred to a hospital setting for sedation or a full general anaesthetic.

Ask your dentist for advice. Beir Bua. Dr. Marcas Mac Domhnaill.

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

Developing Insight As I wrote last month, insight is awareness and understanding of the origins and meaning of attitudes, feelings and behaviour, and developing our capacity for insight helps us in managing all of these things. There are many ways to develop insight: observation, making connections, asking questions, challenging flawed assumptions, recognizing contradictions.

All of these require a degree of mindfulness and critical thinking. When we are not mindful, we will do things without understanding or appreciating their effects. When we do not think critically, we accept the superficial or “easy” answer, and miss the opportunity to really deepen our understanding.

One way of approaching insight is through a series of questions. Originally introduced as a business management/ problem solving technique, the “Five Whys” is a method of understanding what is at the root of a given issue. For instance, if you continually yield to somebody else’s judgement, you ask yourself “why?”. Suppose the answer you give is that you lack confidence in your own opinion, you then ask why again.

What is it that undermined your trust in your own judgement?

Suppose then the answer is that you are afraid to get things wrong. The next why is “what makes you afraid of making mistakes?”. Eventually, you come to an understanding that perhaps one of your parents was very critical, and punished you for your mistakes. This is an insight, and it allows you to understand your own behaviour more clearly.

Of course, it requires honesty, courage and a willingness for self-examination to achieve this, but it is well worth pursuing, as increasing your insight increases your agency and your ability to achieve self-regulated wellbeing.

Next month, we will look at agency and what that means.

Caroline Smith, Psychotherapy Counselling www.carolinesmith.ie | 087 6444837

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 39

Connect | Lifestyle

Connect DIARY Lots happening across the Kingdom in the coming month to keep you entertained GDPR HOTEL CONFERENCE MUNSTER The GDPR Hotel Conference Munster will be held on the 17th of October in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney. It will be focused on creating awareness amongst hoteliers across the region in relation to the change in GDPR legislation and will provide participants with the knowledge necessary to comply with the biggest data protection change of these times. All non businesses that are found to be non compliant face a fine of 4% of their annual turnover. The first part of the event will be headed by Sharon O Reilly of the GDPR Coalition who will take delegates through the effects of the General Data Protection Regulation on business critical processes. The second part of the event will focus on Hacking and overall online security. A speaker from Online Security Specialists; Alien Vault along with an experienced Hacker will give insight in to how severe the threat hotels face is at this time. For Tickets go to https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/2017munster-gdpr-hotel-confere…

I’M A CELEB .... GET ME OUT OF HERE! The Stephen Lyne Foundation & Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club promise to provide people with the ‘night & fright of their lives’ when I’m a Celeb…Get Me Out of Here! comes to Killarney on October 26th, 2017.

The event is being staged in conjunction with main event sponsor - Kerry Drain Services. A number of well known individuals from Kerry have signed up as contestants, the 12 ‘Campmates’ will be put to the test by having them take part in a variety of Bush Tucker Trials. Tickets are available at the INEC box office, Easons and the Kerry GAA Store.

Further information on tickets from Anne Marie Kennelly on 087 131 1321.

PINK NAILS EVENT TO mark Breast Cancer Awareness month this October, Recovery Haven Kerry will host its annual Pink Nails event at its Tralee headquarters at 5 Haig’s Terrace on Thursday, October 19, from 11am -1.30pm. The fun event offers ladies the chance to have their nails done by a professional, while also enjoying a cuppa and a chat with other visitors throughout the morning.

Both service users of Recovery Haven Kerry and the general public are invited to attend. For more information contact Recovery Haven Kerry manager, Siobhan on 086 7038126.

40 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

– TAX RELIEF – CYCLE TO WORK SCHEME Income Tax Revenue has in recent years tried to promote a healthier workforce. The Cycle to Work Scheme has proved quite successful and continues to allow Tax Relief to be available to employees who cycle to work.

Who Qualifies All employees qualify for the scheme provided their employer participates in the scheme (Optional).

Unfortunately, Revenue haven’t extended the scheme to those who are Self-Employed.

How does it Works You select your Bike and related safety equipment to value of €1,000 (Max limit) from the Supplier and get them to invoice your employer. You will enter a salary sacrifice arrangement with your employer to deduct the amount they paid to the supplier from your pay over an agreed period (maximum period 12 months).

NB: Your Employer must pay for the Bike and safety equipment

What Tax Relief Do I Get Once your employer has paid for the Bike, the amount is deducted from your Gross Salary before deduction of Tax, USC and PRSI. This will give you tax relief at marginal rate of tax plus USC and PRSI, potentially tax relief of up to 51%.

Qualifying Journeys The main condition is that the Bike and safety equipment are used on Qualifying Journeys to and from the workplace. Employers are not obliged to monitor this but you will normally sign a statement confirming you will use the Bike and Equipment on qualifying journeys.

How Often Can I use Scheme?

The scheme can only be used once in a five-year period regardless of the amount claimed.

Advertising |Connect

Connect ONLINE

BY: KEN TOBIN

5 BALLS I read a piece recently, which I’ve shared below, which sums up precisely why Small Business Owners need to learn to delegate and outsource more. Small business owners are the world’s worst at relinquishing control of elements of their business, yet there multiple businesses around you who are there to enable you outsource elements of your work, and many will do it better than you could.

“Imagine life as a game, in which you are juggling five balls in the air – Work, Family, Health, Friends and Spirit.

Work is a rubber ball, if you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls (Family Health, Friends & Spirit) are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, damaged or even shattered – they will never be the same. You must understand and strive for it.

Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time.

Give the required time to your family, friends and have a proper rest – Value has a value only if it’s valued!”

Coca Cola CEO Bryan G Dyson WeeBiz Media are a Kerry Based Social Media Consultancy, offering Training and Social Media Management for Businesses, Groups and Organisations weebizmedia@gmail.com 086 8162105 (Ken) www.weebizmedia.com

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 41

Connect | Lifestyle

Graduation Time at - LEGISLATION UPDATE – HOURS OF WORK The Government has approved draft legislative proposals to address problems caused by the increased casualization of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious work, this proposal addresses zero hour contracts, low hour contracts, banded hours and related matters which are targeted at low-paid workers in particular.

The proposal was initial suggested by Mary Mitchell O’Connor who was the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Pat Breen who was the Minister for Employment and Small Business at the time.

This proposal address the issue of employees on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked.

The draft legislation will now be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for priority drafting of a Bill.

The draft proposal aims to address key issues which have been identified as being areas where current employment rights legislation can be strengthened to the benefit of employees, particularly low-paid, more vulnerable workers, without imposing unnecessarily onerous burdens on employers and businesses.

The proposals address the following: - Ensuring that workers are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and in particular their core terms at an early stage of their employment. Other required terms of employment should be provided within the current 2 month period.

- The proposal also provide for the creation of a new offence where an employer does not provide the proposed statement of the five core terms of employment within one month of commencement of employment.

- The Proposal also seeks to strengthen the provisions around minimum payments to low-paid, vulnerable workers who may be called in to work for a period but not provided with that work.

- Prohibiting zero hours contracts, except in cases of genuine casual work or emergency cover or short-term relief work for that employer.

- Ensuring that workers on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week than provided for in their contracts of employment, are entitled to be placed in a band of hours that reflects the reality of the hours they have worked over an extended period.

If you have HR issues you need to talk through or if you are unsure of steps you need to take to support your employees please contact the HR Suite on 066 710 2887 Photo’s by John Walsh Photography | 066 7123777 Email: info@johnwalsh.ie | www.johnwalsh.ie

42 | Connect Kerry | October 2017

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | October 2017 | 43