Senior Times Magazine July/August 2016 by SeniorTimes Ireland

Issue 82 July/August 2016

Now E3.00

The magazine for people who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t act their age

Sailing the seas Your definitive guide to cruising the world

Is bricks and mortar still a good bet?

Walking the Glen of Aherlow

George Eliot - a unique recorder of 19th century provincial life

News Review l Creative Writing l Travel l Health Fashion & Beauty l Profiles l Competitions and much more!

You get busy living We’ll get busy investing Our investment products are designed to get your money working harder to suit your ﬁnancial ambitions. Start investing today with advice from our experts who can help you make the right investment choice for you.

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Call 1800 51 52 53 to ﬁnd out more Drop into your local KBC Hub Terms and conditions apply. KBC Bank Ireland plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

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Issue 82 July - August 2016

Contents 6

NEWS:

‘Mothers ruin’ moves on:

Is bricks and mortar still a good investment?:

Mairead Robinson examines the rise in popularity of this

Karl Deeter looks at some of the concerns that are likely

classic tipple, and the growth of Irish craft gin..

to be most specific for older people

‘Overwhelming, rewarding and very moving’:

We sail the ocean waves..:

What’s on in the arts:

companies in the coming months

Mozart and more Mozart in Kilkenny 22

Muriel Bolger makes an emotional journey to Flanders

Lorna Hogg looks at what’s on offer from the cruise Epic experience:

Golf -- no bending the rules:

70 74

Dermot Gilleece recalls the many who have fallen foul of

Dublin’s newest historical attraction A unique insight into 19th century provincial life:

the rule book

In the latest in her series of literary travels Lorna visits

Northern Notes:

George Eliot ‘country’

A good time to head North:

Majestic Malta:

In the wake of Brexit and the extra value from a weaker

Mairead Robinson discovers the unique charm of this

Sterling, for now at least, there has never been a better

Mediterranean jewel

time to break for the border

Creative Writing:

Life – as a playwright—begins at 70:

Commemorative events, 1916 and the rural electrification scheme

Jack Harte came late to writing for the theatre but his first

Beauty:

play was very successful and his second is about to run

Back to basics Walking the Glen of Aherlow:

Conor O’Hagan guides you through three spectacular walks Days out – history and heritage: Senior Times’ latest suggestions for excursions Publishing Directors: Brian McCabe, Des Duggan Editorial Director: John Low Editor At Large: Shay Healy Consultant Editor: Jim Collier Advertising: Willie Fallon - willie@slp.ie Design & Production: www.cornerhouse.ie Contributors: Lorna Hogg, Dermot Gilleece, Maretta Dillon, Jim Collier, Peter Power, Matthew Hughes, Mairead Robinson, Eileen Casey, Debbie Orme, Connie McEvoy Published by S& L Promotions Ltd.,

Meeting place:

Crossword:

Crafts:

Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Tel: +353 (01) 4969028. Fax: +353 (01) 4068229 Editorial: John@slp.ie Advertising: info@slp.ie Sign up to our newsletter and be in with a chance to win some great prizes at www.seniortimes.ie Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

News Now

Anne Doyle officially launches Pulse Check with Dr John Keaney, Consultant Cardiologist, Mater Private Hospital

New Irish research shows that one in three people are not sure how to check their pulse properly, according to new research1commissioned by the Mater Private National Arrhythmia Service. The Pulse Check campaign was officially launched today by former RTÉ newsreader Anne Doyle with the aim of encouraging those aged 60 and over to incorporate a simple pulse check into their morning routine. Checking your pulse takes just thirty seconds of your day and the Pulse Check campaign recommends adopting it as part of your morning routine.

‘Travel insurance for all ages and medical conditions’ BeSure Travel Insurance ‘aim to provide cover for all ages and all types of medical conditions, including cancer, heart conditions, diabetes, stroke, epilepsy and more’. BeSure Travel Insurance noticed that there was an inconsistency in the market. People of all ages want to travel, not just those under 65. It’s well known that the average age of travellers has risen, yet there is still a barrier for those older people when it comes to getting travel insurance. Of course, you don’t have to be over 65 to avail

of BeSure. We insure travelling companions too. There is an advantage to all parties being on the same policy. It can protect accompanying friends and family against unforeseen costs resulting from a client’s medical condition. ‘BeSure also offer very competitive rates for the young and healthy – just because we insure those who ordinarily find it difficult to get insurance doesn’t mean that we don’t compete price wise’ Contact BeSure at (01) 8558347 www.besuretravelinsurance.ie.

Meath Laterlife Network Seminar

Our Voice In Europe - Older People and the European Union was the theme of the seminar 2 Senior Times lJuly - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

organised by the Meath Laterlife Network held in Navan on recently. The speakers, pictured at the event were from left: Ciaran McKinney, Manager, Active Citizenship and Lifelong Learning at Age & Opportunity; Michael Ludlow, CEO, Meath Partnership; Helen Campbell, Vice President, AGE Platform Europe; Independent MEP Marian Harkin and Jim Matthews, Chairman, Meath Laterlife Network

‘Cutting edge’ technology enables selfmanagement of chronic diseases A new, ‘cutting edge’ digital health technology project led by Trinity College Dublin will enable older people with multiple chronic diseases to self-manage their conditions and to be cared for in their own homes. The project was recently launchedMcEntee launched the new digital health research programme The ‘ProACT’ project was recently launched and has been awarded €4.87 million under the European Union’s (EU) Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme. ‘ProACT’ when complete will be the first digital solution of its kind in Ireland and Europe to specifically support home based integrated care and management for older adults (aged 65 and over) with multiple chronic health conditions. The first phase of the research programme will target integrated care for diabetes, chronic heart disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and age related cognitive decline. Through the new ‘ProACT’ system a range of new and existing care applications, sensors and healthcare technology devices will be linked. Customised interfaces will allow patients and their network of carers, GPs, pharmacists and hospital-based clinicians to access the system via their tablet, smartphone or computer, in order to input and access relevant information from one centralised location for the support of home-based, digital integrated healthcare. In Ireland, there are approximately 16,000 people aged 65 and over with ‘multi-morbidity’. The four main types of chronic diseases are cardiovascular disease (e.g. congestive heart failure), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (e.g. COPD) and diabetes.

Start Your Own Business Programme for Entrepreneurs aged 55+ Still feeling on top of your game? Looking to put your lifetime experience, talents and wisdom to good use by starting your own business?

What is Ingenuity? Ingenuity is a Start Your Own Business Programme for entrepreneurs aged 55+, led by Ireland Smart Ageing Exchange (ISAX) and sponsored by Bank of Ireland. Within the programme, you have two options: •

DCU High Potential Start-Up Pre Accelerator Programme for those with ambition to establish a large, fast-growth internationally trading company – which will be run by the DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepeneurs in Dublin. This programme will take place over a 6-week period starting September 2016.

•

Start Your Own Business Programmes – for both lifestyle and fast-growth businesses – run in collaboration with the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) in Limerick, Fingal and Dublin. This programme will take place over 8 weeks, starting in late September 2016.

For more information: isax.ie/groups/ingenuity-mature-entrepreneurs/

Dublin City Fingal Limerick

ISAX (Ireland Smart Ageing Exchange) is an independent network of industry academia and government agencies focused on fast-tracking the R&D and commercialisation of innovations for the global smart ageing economy.

To find out more, visit

www.isax.ie

Heart failure project addresses lack of resources The Heart Failure Patient Alliance (HFPA) was recently officially launched Dublin by former GAA footballer, Pat Spillane. It is spearheaded by charities the Heartbeat Trust and Croí, and is supported by Novartis Ireland Ltd.

ure of more than 50% over the next 25 years. The HFPA’s main goals are to facilitate discussion of patient needs in order to help manage their day-to-day existence with Heart Failure; to provide education to patients and their carers; to represent patient needs in developments of healthcare policy and initiatives in heart failure in Ireland; to interact with international heart failure patient forums on areas of mutual interest and importance and to encourage development of local self-care

Heart failure is one of the most prevalent chronic illnesses in the western world, being the most common chronic condition. As a consequence of an ageing population, heart failure is set to increase dramatically, leading to an increase in hospitalisations from heart fail-

Diabetes drug can halt liver diseases Researchers have found that an existing diabetes drug can be used to halt progression of another disease that is a leading cause of liver transplants. A three-year clinical trial led by University of Florida Health Researcher Kenneth Cusi, MD, found that the drug pioglitazone is safe and effective in certain patients who have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, a chronic liver disease caused by a buildup of fat.

groups to help patients and carers to manage more day-to-day issues in their illness. Symptoms include severe breathlessness, fatigue from everyday activities including climbing stairs and walking to the shops; sudden weight gain, for example two to three kilograms in a couple of days; swollen ankles and fluid build-up in the lungs and around the body. Alarmingly, approximately one in three people mistake heart failure symptoms as normal signs of ageing.

Information required on Cavan/Monaghan Protestants Trinity College researcher Daniel Purcell is looking for your help: ‘I am hoping that your good readers might be able to assist me in some research on the Protestant community in counties Cavan and Monaghan during the Irish Revolution. I am looking for personal documents such as diaries or letters that record the thoughts and experiences of Protestant ancestors during the years 1916 to 1923.

‘If any of your readers have such papers and would be good enough to share them with me I would be very much in their debt. I would equally be interested in interviewing anybody who can remember stories told to them by their parents or grandparents about the period and who is happy to talk to me’. Daniel can be contacted by email at purcelda@tcd.ie or called at 087-2184481.

Vienna Philharmonic with Keith Prowse

The findings are published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. NASH is often known as a ‘silent’ liver disease and affects 10 to 20 per cent of the population and perhaps as many as one-third of all patients with adult-onset diabetes in the United States, according to recent studies. Left unchecked, NASH can cause chronic inflammation that leads to liver cancer or cirrhosis. NASH is now the second-leading cause of liver transplants and the numbers continue to grow each year, said Cusi, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes And Metabolism in the UF College of Medicine’s department of medicine.

Keith Prowse are offering a special music and art tour to Vienna, including return flight from Dublin, airline taxes, three nights bed and breakfast in a four-star hotel, highlights of Vienna sightseeing tour, two musical evenings; a performance by the Vienna Philharmonics at Vienna’s world famous concert hall, the Musikverein and an evening with the Schonbrunn Palace Orchestra at the Schonbrunn Palace, as well as a guided tour of the Albertina Museum. Departing 10 October 2016, the tour costs €1029 per person sharing. Home to Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and Mahler, Vienna is one of Europe’s premier music destinations. Discover the classical delights of the Musikverein, Konzerthaus,

State Opera and the Volksopera, or enjoy the shopping delights of the 1st district (old city) and Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna’s longest shopping street. For further information or to book, contact Keith Prowse on (01) 878 3500 or visit www.keithprowse.ie

Fewer Irish adults reading medical product information

Extra Aer Lingus seats to the sun this autumn

A new national survey* from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) reveals trends that suggest Irish consumers are changing the ways in which they access information on medicines. One in four (26%) of adults admit that they never read product information for an over the counter medicine, with a further one in five (21%) never reading information for a prescription only medicine - a rise from 14% and 12% respectively in 2010.

Aer Lingus has announced an additional 13,000 seats to popular hot spots during September and October. Favourites such as Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Tenerife and Malaga will all enjoy thousands of extra seats from Dublin as a result of higher frequency services throughout the two months. Lanzarote will become a daily service with an additional two flights per week while Las Palmas will grow by one flight per week, becoming a five times weekly service during September and October. Tenerife will increase it frequency from five to six weekly flights while Malaga, one of the most popular sun spots, will grow from 17 to 19 services per week from Dublin.

The survey, which examines consumer attitudes towards a number of medicine related topics, also highlights the increasing influence of the internet with four out of ten people (43%) using it to source information on health issues. However, consistent with previous HPRA surveys, the findings show that GPs and pharmacists continue to be far and away the most trusted sources of advice on medicines. The survey also reveals that almost one third (31%) of Irish adults take medication on a long-term basis. The findings also show that more Irish women (33%) state they are on long term treatments compared to men (29%). 4 Senior Times l July - August l 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

One-way fares including taxes and charges start from: Dublin to Lanzarote from €94.99 Dublin to Las Palmas from €94.99 Dublin to Tenerife from €94.99 Dublin to Malaga from €49.99 For more information visit www.aerlingus.com

Clayton Whites Hotel formerly Whites of Wexford

is centrally located in Wexford Town, • only minutes from Wexford train & bus stations.

Young at Heart Special Offers 1 night dinner, bed & breakfast from €79pp 2 nights dinner, bed & breakfast from €158pp 3 nights dinner, bed & breakfast from €179pp Valid Sunday – Thursday. Subject to availability.

Clayton Whites Hotel offers: • Complimentary coffee/tea & homemade scone on arrival • Leisure Centre & Tranquillity Spa • Reductions at many of Wexford’s attractions • Excellent shopping only minutes’ walk from the hotel • Take a stroll on the quay front & nearby beaches

Book now with Amy and Sara Jane +353 53 912 2311 info.whites@claytonhotels.com claytonwhiteshotel.com

Leaving a Gift in your Will

You can change the world

Leaving a legacy in your Will to the Irish Red Cross will bring emergency relief to people suffering hunger, violence and other international crisis. And it will help people who need rescue and care here in Ireland.

Free Online Will-Writing Service The Free Wills service on www.redcross.ie offers anyone the opportunity to create or update their will. This online service allowsinyou to draft Leaving a legacy your Will to your own legal documents including making or the Irish Red Cross will bring amending your Will. Learn more about the free emergency relief to people online Will Writing Service at www.redcross.ie

suffering hunger, violence and other international crisis. And it will help people who need rescue and care in Ireland. When you change thehere world for one person

you change the world for everyone If you’d like to know more, please contact Emma on 01 642 4645 or email edoyle@redcross.ie Idomeni, Greece 2016 © N.Marton/Red Cross

www.redcross.ie

Property

Is bricks and mortar still a good investment?

There are problems throughout the Irish property market, and for different groups it means different things. Karl Deeter looks at some of the concerns that are likely to be most specific for older people.

First we’ll cover a few areas of how to ensure the tax authority doesn’t become a big beneficiary of your home, then we’ll look at downsizing (which might be something you want to do), downsizing while staying ‘home’, and last of all some thoughts on investment in property. Property matters, it’s the single largest form of wealth in the entire world, dwarfing every other market, it even dwarfs them when you add every other market together. Research from Harvard University Joint Centre for Housing shows that even when you take in a boom to bust that housing confers significant wealth. Therefore, your home is tied into your wealth whether you like it or not, and it’s a key component of total wealth, so much so that most of us will never have any other asset that compares to it in value. That many current commentators poo-poo property and imply that we should all be ‘renters’ only shows that they don’t understand money. They may be expert on sociology or some other facet of the humanities, but they are no accountants. The facts are indisputable, property is a massive form of wealth and if you don’t have it your odds of being wealthy are far lower. In this article I’m going to assume that you own your own home, and that you have little 6 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

in the way of debt on it, that is where most of the older property owners find themselves. In fact, only every second house in Ireland has any mortgage at all, many are debt free. If you aren’t in that position some of this won’t apply right now, but it may one day. I’ll assume you spent many years trying to become debt free it is natural enough that you wouldn’t want to give a large chunk of your home away for free, even in death. That is what may well happen as the only way to ensure your estate doesn’t get consumed by Capital Acquisitions Tax. The Finance Act of 2000 introduced something commonly called ‘family home relief’, specifically it’s covered in Section 86 of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003, whereby a person could receive a property free of any tax if certain rules were met. This doesn’t just apply to relations, in practice you can give property away to total strangers and they can get it tax free, the conditions are simple enough. First, the person must have occupied the property for the previous three years as their main residence or three of the previous four years if the person was also living elsewhere during this time.

At the time of the gift the person must not have an interest in any other property, so if you wanted to give a property tax free to a child you can’t do it if they already own their own home, they’d have to sell that, move into the property in question then satisfy the tenure rules. There is also a restriction if the property is your family home, if that’s the case you’d have to be infirm of of ‘old age’ which is over age 65. The person getting the property then has to stay there for at least 6 years after it is gifted to them unless they are over age 55. If you are going to do this get some professional tax advice, there are some conditions that you need to get totally correct or it may not work out. In context, a parent who has their own home, two investment properties and three kids could find a way to get each child a tax free home if they structured and timed things correctly. Assume that those properties were worth €300,000 and the rest of the estate was valued at €250,000 (pensions, pensions, deposits and other belongings), this would mean that there is a total value of €1.15 million, only the first €280,000 is tax free to a child so you are taking €310,000 out of the tax net. Downsizing This brings us to ‘downsizing’ which should be a viable choice for people in retirement. A lack of suitable stock is currently an issue, but

that will change, the good news is that the big store of wealth I mentioned at the start can be sold. When you sell a house you obtain what is known as ‘Principle Private Residence’ relief, it’s tax free. So if you sold a property for €300,000 and then bought an apartment, cottage in a town you like or somewhere abroad for €150,000 you’d have a matching €150,000 lump sum tax free. The difficulty is timing your own sale with a purchase and getting that right. For this reason it may be worth talking to the buyer about part of the agreement being that you can stay in the property for a further 6 months and either pay rent or reduce the price, by doing this you are ready to go cash buyer and it makes the move better than having to move everything to a rental property while you look for a place to buy. Alternatively, if you can secure a long lease you could just move to a property and stay there. Lease law isn’t well understood, if you sign a 20 year contract then you can stay for 20 years no matter who wants the property or if it is sold, it goes back to the idea of ‘dual ownership’ which the Land League struggled for in the 1870’s. Downsizing while staying home is another idea, to do this you’d need to have a decent size plot with space to the side or rear. What you could do is split the land folio, get planning for a granny flat and then sell the main property tax free. Alternatively you could rent it out to somebody and use that as an income – obviously you’d have to have enough to finance the building of the flat though. The tenant could even one of your kids once it’s market rates, and then in time you could do one of those section 86 transfers should you want to. This will become more attractive because it means people can stay in the area they like while in some cases also keeping their nuclear family close by, something that is not easy to value until such time as it starts to matter, for others it makes being part of their grandchildren’s life easier while still having their ‘own place’. The main thing to remember here, is that if you want to pass on a property you look at making sure it’s done in a tax efficient manner, and if not that you can always sell your home tax free – but remember to think about what comes after that. Last of all is the area of property investment, personally I have seen huge fortunes made and lost in the property investment area so I always urge caution. Let me repeat, caution. Property is a medium risk asset, it’s also an illiquid non-investment grade asset which can have huge costs to manage and transact. For this reason, I think that older people thinking about investing in property should consider

REITS, that stands for ‘real estate investment trusts’.

Hibernian who are both commercial property focused REITS.

These are listed shares of firms whose focus must be to buy, sell, and manage properties, they do all of the work and manage everything so you never have to do anything other than buy or sell their stock as it suits you. They are common and exist in almost 40 countries around the world.

If you prefer the ‘hands on’ approach to property it can also be a well performing investment, but if you are new to it you might want to consider what you are undertaking there’s a lot of rules in the area of compliance, tenancy regulations, rental regulations, Private Residential Tenancies Board requirements as well as things like energy ratings certificate requirements.

Again, they are not without risk but they are diversified as they don’t have all of their properties in one place, this means you avoid geographic concentration risk – imagine if you owned three properties in one estate and the main local employer closed, or they were all on a floodplain? That would be an example of how geographic concentration can be a problem. REITS have rules that prevent over exposure as no one property can be more than more than 40% of the value of the firm – so they can’t go buy some massive landmark and just have that, they need to diversify too. They can and do borrow but are restricted from going above 50% loan to value, meaning if they own €100 million of property they can’t have borrowings of more than €50 million. They also typically pay dividend which is always good for older investors, they have to distribute 85% of their property related income. The only tax you face is whatever tax rate you are already paying, and any gains or losses are dealt with the same as gains or losses in any regular stock or share. You can buy REITS from all over the world if you don’t want to invest in Ireland, within Ireland the main ones are IRES (residential) and then Green and

For many, with deposits paying near zero and property yielding 6% and more it makes total sense to go for the higher return, in particular as the near term outlook is that this will be accompanied by higher rents and capital values as well. Just remember that the property cycle is notoriously tricky to time so don’t buy in unless you have the ability to sit out the tough times when they come, as they always do. That means having some money set aside to cover expenses during times of voids or when repairs are needed as well as making sure you stay tax compliant along the way. Borrowing Some people want to buy property because they didn’t save for a pension and to do so with credit, I would strongly advise against borrowing in old age, this is because you don’t have working-life time to recoup the cost of making mistakes. That said, taking some risk is vital because returns are so low that the other issue of ‘longevity risk’, a problem where there’s too much month at the end of the money due to Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 7

higher costs associated with aging, or worse yet where a pension pot runs dry, is a growing concern for many retirees. Some of this may seem like dour analysis, it isn’t meant to be, it’s intended to be very clear about the role and importance of caution, thought out decision making and understanding risks. One thing that the crisis really taught me as a financial advisor is that loss hits people

different ways, for the young it can be catastrophic and make them lose years of productivity and savings from their life, but for the old it can be a financial death knell because as working years draw to a close there isn’t enough time to ‘earn your way out’. The upside is that property is an enduring asset that has always been and always will be synonymous with wealth and that for the most part it will be there in the morning in a way that the value of a firm hit with an accounting

‘Older People should be incentivised to move house’ ESRI The recently ESRI published ‘Housing and Ireland’s Older Population’, a report investigating if the housing shortage in Ireland could be alleviated by ‘incentivising residential mobility’ among older people who remain in houses that exceed their current requirements. In order to ascertain this, the study used data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), drawing on information from more than 8,000 individuals aged 50 and above. The research found very little evidence of housing mobility among older people in the period covered. In addition, the authors of this report found that a high proportion of older people living alone occupy small houses with four rooms or less, and so incentivising this group to move may have little impact on the availability of housing suitable for larger households. However, there is a reasonable proportion of older couples living in houses with seven or more rooms. Commenting on the research, Alan Barrett, Director of the ESRI, stated “While the data show scope to achieve greater availability of housing through incentivising mobility of older people, any such policy should consider the potential for social isolation among older people who move to an unfamiliar area.” Is housing under-utilised among older people? • The proportion of people living alone differs across age brackets. In the 50-59 age group, just under 20 percent of people live alone but in the 80+ age group, 63 percent of people live alone. 8 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

scandal can’t replicate. Property in the world is the number one asset of choice for good reason, just be totally sure you get good advice, take on only the risk you are comfortable with, and that you do so over a timeline you can accept. Karl Deeter is the compliance manager at www. mortgagebrokers.ie. He is a qualified financial advisor and has other qualifications in compliance, mortgages, and accountancy.

dwellings and the remainder moved into institutional settings, such as a nursing home. • Those aged 50-59 and over 80 were more likely to move than those aged 60-69. • People born in Ireland were found to be less likely to move accommodation, as were older people who were co-residing with their children or had at least one child living in the same county. • Those who were separated/divorced or widowed were more likely to move relative to single people. • People who were retired, unemployed, sick/disabled or pursuing an education/ training course were more likely to move than people in employment.

• Among people living alone, 40 percent had no children and thus were not “empty nesters”.

• As this was a time of uncertainty in the housing market, it is difficult to ascertain whether low levels of movement were a result of economic conditions or if a low level of mobility among older people is common at all times.

• In addition, people living alone tend to live in smaller houses, with 40.6% living in houses of four rooms or less.

When older people move house, do they move to smaller housing or away from urban centres?

• Just 13.9 percent of people living alone live in houses of seven or more rooms.

• Among older people who moved between private dwellings, there is little evidence of moves to smaller houses or away from urban centres.

• At just over 30 percent, the proportion of couples living in houses with seven or more rooms is greater. This figure is just slightly lower than the proportion of older people that reside with children and/or grandchildren living in houses of this size (36.4 percent). • 9 percent of people living alone were renting their accommodation.

• There is little evidence of people living alone moving into a house with other people. In the group of people living alone pre-move, almost 90 per cent of them were still living alone post-move. • There is no evidence of people moving out of Dublin or other urban areas into rural areas.

Characteristics of older people who move house

Issue of Social Isolation

• Data drawn from participants first interviewed between 2009 and 2011 and again in 2012 showed little evidence of housing mobility, with just 3.1 percent of people moving house during this time. Of this figure, 2.7 percent of people moved between private

• Economic benefits arising from increased housing mobility of older people should be offset against the cost to the wellbeing and social connectedness of people in later life. Moving out of familiar communities may increase the risk of social isolation.

heart as they help to maintain normal blood pressure and even to keep blood triglyceride levels normal. Tinned fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel are great solutions to add omega-3 to your diet. The European Food Standard Authority recommends that you try to eat oil-rich fish at least once a week. To make your own Mackerel in Black Bean Sauce, visit:

john-west.ie/our-recipes

Looking after your heart? Eat More Fish! 39840_A4_Senior_Times_Mag_Ad_Mackerel.indd 1

01/07/2016 15:02

Circulatory diseases like heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death in Ireland. As we are now surviving more heart attacks and strokes, these diseases are rapidly becoming the leading cause of disability. Luckily we have started to see a decrease in these diseases over the past few decades â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 40% of that decrease is due to improvements in medicine but over 50% are due to changes in the risk factors that can lead to heart disease. There are many risk factors that make us more likely to develop heart disease. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in fact there are over 206 risk factors for heart disease. However, some have a stronger impact than others. Being overweight, lack of exercise and eating an unhealthy diet can all increase our risk. Being fit and active, eating lots of fruit and vegetables and choosing healthier foods all help to reduce our risk. In the past being male would have been seen as being a risk factor for heart disease but we now know that heart disease just takes about 10 years longer to show up in women so the risk is essentially the same. This means that women need to look after their hearts just as much as men. Looking after what we eat is an important place to start when we want to look after our hearts. Adding fruit and vegetables is crucial as, among other nutrients, fruit and vegetables are a source of potassium. Potassium helps to keep blood pressure at normal, healthy levels. Oats contain a special type of fibre called beta-glucan and this helps to keep cholesterol levels healthy. This is why porridge is often recommended on a cholesterol lowering diet. Triglycerides are another type of fat that plays a role in heart disease. Like cholesterol we need a small amount of triglyceride but too much can increase our risk of developing heart disease. Omega-3 fats found in fish have been shown to help keep triglycerides at normal healthy levels. EPA and DHA are the main

types of omega-3s found in fish and taken together they have several benefits for our heart. EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart and they help to keep blood pressure at normal, healthy levels. To see the heart-healthy benefits of omega-3s we need to eat between 250mg and 3g of EPA and DHA per day. Tinned fish is a great place to get omega-3s. 100g of tinned sardines will give you 1200mg of Omega-3. You will get 1500mg from 100g of tinned salmon and 3900mg from 100g of tinned mackerel. Tinned fish is an easy and convenient way to add a wide range of nutrients to your healthy diet and a great way of making sure you are getting the omega-3s you and your body need.

MACKEREL IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE A delicious fish dish with an authentic Chinese flavour. PREPARATION METHOD Place a pan over a medium heat, drizzle a little oil in and add the onion along with the chilli. Allow to cook for 2 minutes then add the pak

10 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

choi and cook until it starts to wilt.Add half of the black bean sauce and cook for 1 minute, remove from the heat and set to one side. Place a pan over a medium heat and add the John West Mackerel Fillets, then pour on the remainder of the bean sauce and bring to the boil.Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from the heat.Place a pile of the pak choi in the centre of a plate and then arrange the mackerel on top. Drizzle a little of the sauce around and serve. INGREDIENTS 2 x 110g cans John West Steam Cooked Mackerel Fillets - Natural With No Added Brine 225g chopped pak choi 125g black bean sauce 1 x onion peeled and diced 1 x red chilli finely diced 1 tbs olive oil For a full range of John West Recipies go to:www.john-west.ie/our-recipes/

OMEGA-3 Oil-rich fish is a key source of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA, which are essential to the normal function of the heart as they help to maintain normal blood pressure and even to keep blood triglyceride levels normal. Tinned fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel are great solutions to add omega-3 to your diet. The European Food Standard Authority recommends that you try to eat oil-rich fish at least once a week. To make your own Mackerel in Black Bean Sauce, visit:

john-west.ie/our-recipes

Cruising

We sail the ocean waves.. Lorna Hogg examines what’s on offer from the sea and river cruise companies over the coming months What’s your idea of the perfect cruise holiday? It might be l uxury - beautiful views, high cabin standards, all inclusive top rated dining and well organised tours with informed guides. You might want a last minute bargain, with relaxing deck time, good choice of informal dining, entertainment and some port visits. If you’re an experienced cruiser, you might aim for an adventure cruise, some special inclusive excursions, or access to events like the Monaco Grand Prix, or a golf major. Love to cruise – but hate the thought of sea sickness? River cruising is the answer –with smooth travel, short sailings, luxurious accomodation, superb food and access to some of Europe’s hidden gems Uniquely Uniworld Uniworld River Cruises are special, and the product of the company’s proud belief in excellence and 6 star service for Guests. Uniworld elevates all-inclusive river cruising in Europe to a entirely new level.

rooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir of England beds, high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, European duvets and even a choice of pillow style. There is also free Internet and Wi-Fi access. Book through any Irish travel agent, or Freephone 1800 9898 www.uniworld.ie MSC Marvels If you`ve ever thought of booking a cruise, and are looking for choice and good value, but don’t really know where to start, then Travelfox, the Cork based online travel company, is a good place to start. Travelfox has been tailoring a wide variety of holidays since 2000, and can offer experienced and reliable suppliers, as well as affordable prices. They may be a web company, but are also noted for their off-line friendliness and accessibility. You can call their Cruise experts on 1890 989 802, to chat about the wide range of cruises and cruise lines on offer. If value is a top priority, MSC has some good cruise offfers this summer. The 4 day Western Mediterranean Fly/Cruise on MSC Opera starts from €529, departing Genoa on dates in September and October. Ports of call include Ajaccio in Corsica, Barcelona and Marseilles. With plenty to do onboard on board this modern and well equipped ship, entertainments and a wide range of restaurants, from casual to formal, you’ll be kept busy – even before you go portside. The price includes flights, cruising, meals, some beverages, accomodation and entertainemnt – but no shore excursions. www.travelfox.ie Tel. 021 497 6293 Celebrity Connoisseurs Contemporary luxury lives and sails on Celebrity Cruises. With signature cool, contempory design on its award-winning ships, there is an excellent range of excellent shore excursions, superb dining and attentive service.They also have some very good deals available just now.

From all dining on board with unlimited beverages (including many premium spirits such as Grey Goose, Crown Royal and Glenfiddich) to a wide choice of personalised excursions daily led by English speaking local experts, a Health and Wellness Centre onboard and daily entertainment and Signature Experiences, Uniworld is the world’s only authentic, ALL-INCLUSIVE boutique cruise line. Their offer of the month, (which saves €2044 per person), explores the beauty of France’s Bordeaux region. Uniworld `Bordeaux,Vineyards and Chateaux’ is an 8 day cruise, €2099 pps, departing 21st August 2016. It visits Bordeaux, Cadillac, Blaye, Libourne and Pauillac. Experiences included in the cruise, which visits 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France, include captivating onboard local entertainment, cultural enrichment, including 2 Signature Lectures, services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager, all transfers on arrrival and departure days, all onboard and onshore gratuities, plus Exclusive Connisseur Collection on select summer departures, and the use of bicycyles and Nordic walking sticks. The accomodations onboard River Royale are superb. The 7 night cruise offers a riverview stateroom. Lavishly appointed riverview state12 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

With a bumper collection of 2017/8 cruises on offer, you’re spoiled for choice, with five award winning ships in Europe for 2017/8. The newest, `Celebrity Reflection’, will vist the rivieras of France, Italy and Spain, onthe new 11 night ` Best of the Western Mediterranean’ sailing. The new itinerary offersfour different stops in Spain, then romantic Florence/Pisa, plus Villefrance for Nice, Gibralter and also an overnight in Barcelona. Seven night cruises on `Celebrity Equinox’ takes in iconic cities and sights, including Cannes,Salerno for the Amalfi Coast, Florence/Pisa and Santorini, plus Sete. Throughout the season, Celebrity Equinox will offer overnights in Barcelona and Ibiza. If you’re looking for a longer cruise, `Celebrity Constellation’ has a variety of 9 and 10 night Mediterranean sailings, taking in Monte Carlo and Sete. Celebrity Experiences Look forward to an emphasis on `Destination Experiences’, with new shore excursions. How about joining one of the new Chef hosted excursions? `Chef’s Market Discoveries` tours inspire foodies for that night’s dinner. On shore excursions, mingle with your own Merchant of Venice at the Rialto food market or, explore a paella lunch at a Valencia`baracca.’ You can also delve deeper into local culture. How about getting in touch with your inner Onassis on a `Celebrity Excusive’ private luxury boat tour of secluded coves and beaches in the Greek Islands?

Luxury Cruise Holidays NG

YO U

R S O N!

OLIDAY T

I C E S!

PER PE

ONLY

895

€

F RO M

ISE HO CRU LI D

Set Sail on an All Inclusive MSC Cruises Winter Voyage with Topflight, Ireland’s Cruise Specialist

If you would like to make a booking or any additional information on these cruises, contact Topflight’s Cruise Specialist, Jonathan on 01 240 1726.

Fly & Cruise Emirates & Dubai

FREE Upgrade to Oceanview with balcony cabin

What’s Included  7 nights onboard the MSC Fantasia in a Balcony Cabin  Return flights from Dublin to Dubai  Return airport transfers  FREE breakfast, lunch, dinner, evening buffet & snacks (daily)  FREE All Inclusive drinks package

Mediterranean Cruise & Stay Rome What’s Included

7 nights onboard the MSC Splendida 2 nights stay at the four star Hotel Veneto Palace in Rome Return flights from Dublin to Rome Return airport transfers FREE breakfast, lunch, dinner, evening buffet & snacks (daily) FREE onboard credit of €50 per person 20kg checked in bags & airport taxes

 All entertainment  20kg checked in bags & airport taxes

      

Ports of Call Dubai • Abu Dhabi • Muscat, Oman Khasab, Oman • Sir Bani Yas Island Dubai

Ports of Call Rome • Palermo • Valletta Barcelona • Marseille • Genoa Rome

JAN 2017 FROM

€1179PPS

Other Dates Available

FREE Onboard credit of €50 per person

JAN 2017 FROM

€895PPS

Other Dates Available

Visit topflight.ie • Call 01 240 1726

Prices & Offers are correct at time of going to print, however, they may be subject to change. Prices include flights, accommodation, transfers, taxes, 20kg checked in bags & are subject to availability. All holidays are licenced by the Commission for Aviation Regulation under Licence Nos: TO 074 & TA 055

Travel

Cruising

For total luxury, how about a shore excursion to a premier sporting event? The Celebrity Eclipse will take in the French Open – with VIP tickets to both Finals. Also on the on the lists - The British Open, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tatoo – and the Cannes Film Festival. If you can’t wait that long, ` Celebrity Eclipse’ departs Southampton on 16th October 2016, for a 13 night Fly/Cruise taking in Vigo, in Spain, Funchal for Madeira, Teneife, Gran Canaria and two days in Lisbon, before returning to Southampton. Prices start from €1479, including flights, transfers, all meals, entertainmment and taxes. `Celebrity Eclipse’ is noted for her decor, her wide choice of dining options in 10 restaurants, including innovative Qsine. There is a wealth of bars and lounges, activities for mind, body and soul, plus top entertainment and shows. To keep the fun going, drinks range from craft beers to freshly frozen drinks in s range of flavours! www.e-travel.ie Tel. 01 408 1999 Topflight temptations Many people prefer the personal touch when it comes to choosing and booking a cruise. It can be a good solution if specific requirements are involved. You might be planning a special break, a luxury cruise – or perhaps you might want to make a family or group booking – or just to know what’s new and exciting. Bear in mind that Topflight has a useful and unsurprisingly popular Cruise and Stay option. You can combine a cruise with a stay at one of the Italian Lakes, cities or a beach. One excellent offer is 7 night full board cruise on NCL Epic. Flights and transfers are included, plus a transfer from the ship to Rome after the cruise, and then 4 nights in a 4 star hotel B&B, before transfer to airport and return flight to Dublin. Prices from €1779pps Topflight’s cruise specialist, the friendly and accessible Jonathan Howitt has recently joined the company – with an impressive pedigree. He has over thirty years of travel experience, and has been cruising, which he clearly loves, since the age of six. `It was this that led me to go into the travel business myself.’’ Jonathan has escorted groups on several cruises, including the legendary QE2. Last summer, he worked on board, sailing the Adriatic, as a Loyalty and Cruise Sales Manager. With work ranging from repeat guest benefits to arranging private lunch and cocktail parties, plus future cruise queries, he is clearly not just a desk man. With first hand experience of `many of the cruise ships with our partner cruise lines - Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and MSC Cruises,’’ Jonathan has experienced the inaugural sailing of the newest and biggest cruise ship in the world,` Harmony of the Seas`’ when she sailed out of Southampton last month. He has also been on board MSC Splendida. Topfight is offering excellent value right now with a 7 night MSC Emirates Fly Cruise on MSC Fantasia, to the Arabian Sea. The Fantasia is a modern ship, comfortable, well appointed, with excellent dining and entertainment choices. Fly from Dublin to Dubai and transfer to the ship. Abu Dhabi is your first port of call – explore ancient mosques and fascinating architecture. and beaches. A day at sea takes you to glorious Muscat, an atmospheric and ancient `Arabian Nights’ destination. Next stop is seventeenth century Khasab, is noted for its fortress, and fjord. One of the cruise highlights is Sir Bani Yas, famed for its beautiful wildlife and nature reserve. Try a safari or excursion. Then it’s back to Dubai, for 2 days of shopping and/or sun. Prices start from €1249 pps, 7 night cruise, transfers, flights, full board drinks package, balcony cabin and entertainment. www.topflight.ie Tel. 01 240 1726 Cunard choices Iconic and stylish. Just the word `Cunard’ spells luxury, in terms of accomodations, entertainments, On the Pink Lady walk, one of destinations and especially, food and wine. Its three Queens – Elizabeth, Victoria and Mary2 are associated the walks in the Festival with exotic destinations, and transatlantic voyages are on many Bucket 14 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Uniworld elevates all-inclusive river cruising in Europe to a entirely new level

Lists. Luxurious it may be, but dismiss any thoughts of Cunard as `stuffy’ – which it definitely is not, rather more elegant and stylish. Unsurprising, when you remember that they’ve been organising cruises since 1840, and since 1922 have taken more world voyages and taken more passengers aound the globe than any other line. When it comes to world voyaging, who better to advise than John Galligan Travel? With background knowledge and experience gained from dealing with and sending Irish travellers on more cruise lines than any other Irish travel agent, they are the Irish experts. The only company with a regular Transatlantic service, Cunard has offered this for 176 years. This year they have 19 seven night trips, and 3 special 8 night crossings. The freshly refurbished Queen Victoria will regularly offer Fly Cruising, with 29 ports of call in the Mediterranean. These offer very good value

Win lunch onboard MSC Splendida!

Topflight in association with MSC Cruises would like to invite 5 people and their guest onboard MSC Splendida when this wonderful ship visits Dublin in August. Enjoy a tour of this very impressive ship and get to see all that MSC Splendida has to offer. You will certainly get a taste for cruising! On the day you will also savour a wonderful lunch onboard with Topflight & MSC Cruises. We look forward to welcoming you onboard on Tuesday 30th August in Dublin Port. Remember to keep an eye on www.topflight.ie to keep up to date on all the latest cruise special offers. Entering is easy: Simply tell us the name of Topflight’s Cruise Specialist? Send your entry to: Topflight Competition, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Or email to john@slp.ie The first five correct entries drawn are the winners. Deadline for receipt of entries is 12th August 2016. Winners will be notified after this date and given full joining instructions. A valid passport will be needed on the day.

We look forward to welcoming our guests onboard!

E X P E R T LY CRAF TED F IV E - S TAR R IV E R C RU ISING

THE FINEST FIVE-STAR RIVER CRUISES

2 0 17 N OW ON SA L E The Blue Danube Vienna, Budapest and Salzburg Eight days from only €1,559 per person

Departures up to October 2016 and April to October 2017

Cruise the Heart of Europe

2017 TOURS NOW ON SALE!

15 days from only €2,769 per person

WHAT’S NEW?

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

✓ Three brand-new five-star all suite ships ✓ Brand-new five-star MS Douro Elegance with extended program ✓ New 14 night Cruise the Heart of Europe Itinerary now including Bratislava

Departures from June to October 2016 and April to October 2017

Burgundy, River Rhône and Provence Eight days from only €1,499 per person

Departures up to October 2016 and April to October 2017

Eight days from only €1,819 per person Departures from May to September 2017

The Douro, Oporto & Salamanca Eight days from only €1,989 per person Departures from May to October 2017

Other itinerary’s available...

To request a brochure, check avalability or to make a booking

Call: 01

905 6321

Holiday organised by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel, Chase House, City Junction Business Park, Malahide Road, Northern Cross, Dublin D17 AK63. Fully licensed and bonded by CAR (T.O. 257)

Cruising

Reflection is the newest vessel in the Celebrity Cruises fleet

with the choice with Cruise Only, organising your own flight, or flying from a range of UK departures to port of embarkation, with transfers to the ship, at return fares starting from £149pp. Extending your stay, with hotel and land tour packages, is another option.

Iconic and stylish. Just the word `Cunard’ spells luxury, in terms of accomodations, entertainments, destinations and especially, food and wine. Its three Queens – Elizabeth, Victoria and Mary2 are associated with exotic destinations, and transatlantic voyages are on many Bucket Lists.

There are also several special event cruises, ranging from the Queen Mary2 trip to Kiel Week, the world’s largest sailing event, to Queen Elizabeth’s `Arts and Literary Tour of the UK’, plus Christmas Markets Cruises, and, of course, World Cruises. Want to sail this year? Check the Cunard website for ideas and offers. Nothing matches the view of the Manhatten skyline from the water, and a Cunard transatlantic crossing is a once (at least) in a lifetime experience. 7 night Transatlantic Fly Cruises start from £999 with Saver Fares. Julien’s Auctions Marilyn Monroe Collection`’ Transatlantic Crossing, 9th August – 16th August 2016 departs New York for Southampton. With Saver Fares of £999pp (late availability, paid in full on booking, and with no amendments and cancellation fees) you’ll fly to New York, and then cruise back, on Queen Mary 2 Roundtrip Atlantic, 15 night, 1st – 16th

Cruise the World with Travel Department The World is Waiting ...

Danube Delights River Cruise

from

€1,299pp

Transfers | 6 nights | 4* hotel | Full Board River Cruise | Expert Guides Departs 03 Oct (€1,299) 2016 This superb escorted holiday includes:  Direct return flights from Dublin to Vienna and transfers throughout with local guide.  1 night at the 4 star Parkhotel Schonbrunn in Vienna on a half board basis (post cruise)  5 nights cruising on the 4 star superior A-Rosa Donna on a full board basis. Ports of call include Vienna, Budapest & Bratislava. Free time for sightseeing at your leisure at each port of call.  A half day guided city tour of Budapest and a guided city tour of Vienna.

Adriatic & Greece Cruise including Venice

from

€1,299pp

Transfers | 8 nights | 4* hotel | Full Board River Cruise | Expert Guides Departs 15 Oct (€1,299) 2016 This superb escorted holiday includes:  Direct return flights from Dublin to Venice and transfers throughout with local guide.  1 night at the 4 star Antony Hotel in Venice (pre cruise) with breakfast and dinner included.  7 nights cruising on board the magniﬁcent ‘Norwegian Jade’ on a full board basis. Ports of call include Venice, Dubrovnik, Santorini, Piraeus and Split. Free time for sightseeing at your leisure at each port of call.  � A half day Venice city tour.

For more information about these and our other great value holidays:

Visit traveldepartment.ie or call 01 637 1636

5* UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISING

SAVE UP TO

¤2022 PER COUPLE

WHY CHOOSE A UNIWORLD RIVER CRUISE? v All onboard meals and beverages v Specialist programme of daily shore excursions & onboard entertainment v All gratuities onboard and onshore v Accommodation in an ultra-luxury riverview stateroom v Luxurious marble bathrooms v Award-winning service v Free onboard Wi-Fi v Scheduled transfers on arrival and departure days v Complimentary use of bicycles BORDEAUX, VINEYARDS & CHATEAUX

ENCHANTING DANUBE

Bordeaux to Bordeaux 8 Day | River Royale 16 Oct 2016 | CAT 3

Passau to Budapest 8 Day | River Beatrice 30 Oct 2016 | CAT 4

WAS ¤4191PPS NOW ¤2239PPS

WAS ¤3617PPS NOW ¤1988PPS

CASTLES ALONG THE RHINE

BURGUNDY & PROVENCE

Amsterdam to Basel 8 Days | River Empress 5 Oct 2016 | CAT 5

Lyon to Avignon 8 Days | S.S Catherine 30 Oct 2016 | CAT 4

WAS ¤4501PPS NOW ¤2479PPS

WAS ¤4434PPS NOW ¤2429PPS

Freephone 1800 98 98 98 or visit any Travel Agent in Ireland!

Prices featured are per person, twin share, include return flights, all taxes, transfers and are subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Book and pay in full by 31 July 2016 to avail of these offers. Full Uniworld terms & conditions apply. For more information please visit www.uniworld.com or call 1800 98 98 98. We are fully licensed and bonded by the Commission for Aviation Regulation TA 0713.

August 2016, Saver Fare from £1,499, on Queen Mary 2. Other types of less restrictive Fares are available, plus, of course choices of Eastbound and Westbound trips. www.cunard.co.uk Travel Department treat One of the benefits of cruising with Travel Department offer river or open sea, is that their holidays are fully escorted, with return flights, guided transfers, plus full board accomodation on board. Some of their cruise holidays also include hotel accomodation on arrival/departure day. For excellent value, the `Danube Delights’ 6 night cruise, full board, with an extra night in Vienna, has a city tour and also a guided city tour in Budapest, led by local experts. Cruise on the A-Rosa Donna, an elegant boutique style vessel. As river cruise ships are smaller than ocean going variety, they can take you up into the heart of a city, giving you more sightseeing time. After a Vienna city tour, you’ll board the ship for dinner. Next day is free for your own exploration, before sailing for Budapest, where you’ll have a city tour, including those famous views from the castle. You’ll have another day there at leisure –the spas and baths are must-visits Next The gardens at Highgrove comes Bratislava, famous for its Old Town, and then back to Vienna. Departure 3rd October 2016, 6 night tour, full board on the ship, half board in hotel, flights, guided transfers - prices from €1299 pps. Travel Department also offers a variety of seacruises, with an especially good deal right now with the 8 night `Adriatic and Greece’ Cruise. Flying over with Aer Lingus, you will overnight in Venice, with a half day city tour, and dinner at your hotel in Mestre, where you board NCLNorwegian Jade for your cruise. The large ship has four hot tubs, and is noted for is open deck space. There is also a jogging track, theatre and a variety of bars and restaurants. Travel Department has a wide range of river and sea cruises, and a a good choice this year with three Danube river cruises - dates in August, September and October. The Danube also features in Christmas Market Cruises. One unusual offer is a 6 night` Rhone River Cruise,’ taking in Lyon, from €1159 pps. Check their sea cruises also – in September, there is a Royal Caribbean `Jewel of the Seas’ cruise to the Greek Islands. www.traveldepartment.ie Riviera style Five star cruising all the way. From the moment you go on board, the standard of decor, international cuisine, sun deck, spa and public areas all put luxury on the menu. Start with a choice of breakfast in bed, or at the sumptuous buffet. If you’re not on a tour, relax in the spa or on deck before the lunchtime buffet. There is afernoon tea for the peckish, and then superb silver service at dinner, with a well priced wine list and including selections from local markets. Open seating means that you can sit with friends – and new friends. Highlights include a Cruise Welcome Dinner and a Gala Dinner. 18 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

The 8 day `Medieval Germany’ Cruise visits some of the country’s Most ancient and beautiful cities, towns and villages, with several UNESCO listed sites. A point worth remembering is that it can be Challenging to get to such places on your own, using public transport. Also, with river cruising, you usually walk straight from the dockside into the town centre - with no long transfers from industrial docks, which cut into your sightseeing time. You will fly to Frankfurt, with transfer to Mainz, where you’re greeted by your dedicated crew – plus a splendid dinner. Mainz is well worth exploration, including the twelfth century cathedral and town centre. Don’t miss St. Stephen’s Church, famed for its stained glass windows designed by artist Chagall, which create pools of blue light. The Gutenberg Museum is another must-see, famed for its Bible – try printing techniques at Drukladen Print Shop, leaving time to sample local beer and wines in atmospheric taverns. Next morning brings pretty Miltenberg, one of Germany’s best preserved Villages, with Fachwerk timber framed buildings, inviting lanes and alleyways, all set against forested slopes. You’ll then cruise through gentle river bends to Wertheim. Peaceful, pretty and largely off the tourist rail, it is a joy to explore. Waking up in the Baroque beauty of Wurzberg brings a change of style. It is noted for its pastel coloured buildings, perfect contrasts to is many spires and domes. Your tour visits the Fairytale Residenz Baroque Palace, and after lunch there is a choice of a cruise to Bamberg or tour to Rothenberg. Complete with narrow streets and spectacular river views, it is a UNESCO listed site. Perched over seven hills and dating from the eleventh century,and you’ll enjoy it on a guided tour. Prices start from €1629, based pps in a twin cabin. Included – flights and transfers to/from Dublin, checked bag, airport transfers to embarkation port, full board, all listed excursions and services of a Cruise Director and Manager. Some single cabins are available, supplement applicable. 2017 Riviera River Cruising.... Riviera will offer three new all-suite ships cruising the Heart of Europe plus Netherlands/Belgium, with bathrooms of boutique hotel standard – fluffy towels, rain showerheads and even more space, plus French sliding or sit-out balconies. The new MS Douru Elegance, visiting Douru, Oporto and Salamanca, now with floor to ceiling windows, has also been upgraded. The Heart of Europe cruise now takes in Bratislava, making it a 15 day cruise, starting from €1,499 pps. Riviera Travel Tel. 01 905 6321

Cruising Marble City Travel Cunard needs no introduction. The world class, world famous fleet have skilfully blended their heritage with modern day cruise line facilities defining travel in style and luxury. Queen Mary 2 or QM2 as it is affectionaly known is Cunards flagship, having replaced the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) in 2002. In 2016, QM2 has undergone a multi million pound refit and as all things Cunard refit is unjust, QM2 has been remastered. Since day one, QM2 has claimed the crown as the Queen of all oceanliners. And QM2 is technically different from all other “cruise ships”, she is a cruise liner, solid and strong. Her pedigree shows in the QM2’s interiors and fittings. There are 1,320 cabins on board and 995 of them have balconies, with an additional 60 benefitting from ocean views. All cabins are spacious and beautifully decorated. All have 24 hour room service, satellite TV, refrigerator, safe, hairdryer and telephone. All suites come with personalised stationery and a concierge service. Evoking the golden age of cruising, staterooms on the Queen Mary 2 are in different classes, which dictates which restaurant passengers can dine in. Evening entertainment is provided in one of two show lounges, including the Royal Court Theatre, the Illuminations Planetarium and Cinema and the Queen’s Room ballroom. G32 is the late night dance club and the Golden Lion pub offers karaoke. Live music is available in the Winter Garden and other lounges. Passengers can also try their luck in the on board casino or broaden their mind in the library. And there’s plenty of luxury features for adults to explore too. Book a blissful massage at the Canyon Ranch Spa, take a yoga class, attend an inspirational lecture, or savour afternoon tea served by classic white gloved stewards. Queen Mary 2 is designed to awaken, inspire and rejuvenate at every turn. By night she is alive with possibilities; enjoy an impromptu jazz recital, take in a show at the Royal Court Theatre or dance the night away at one of her swanky clubs. When you do cruise holidays onboard the QM2 she is as much a thrilling destination as any of the ports you will visit. Being Cunard of course, it’s not a cruise, it’s a voyage.

OUR WORLD, IS OUT OF THIS WORLD. MODERN LUXURY LIVES HERE

The Queen Mary 2 synonymous with world cruising 10th January 2017 (118 Nights) from €15499 per person To spend over three months seeking out incredible places always creates a reason for excitement, a feeling of being part of an exceptional event. If you’ve always wanted to ‘see the world’, in 2017 you can do so in luxury and style. Queen Mary sets off on her latest World Voyages in January 2017. Departing Southampton January 2017, Queen Mary 2 will create an experience of enormous diversity as she goes around the globe visiting intriguing ports of South America to the bustling cities of the Orient. Come with us and enjoy a themed transatlantic cruise on board this iconic ship. Call us on 0818 333901 in Ireland or 01 - 01 6523009. Cruiseparadise is bonded and licensed in Ireland. We are Cunard specialists and frequently enjoy our voyages with Cunard.

Celebrity Eclipse ® 14 night Western Mediterranean Fly Cruise 3rd September 2016 Southampton – Two days at sea – Gibraltar – At Sea – Nice (Villefranche), France – La Spezia, Italy – Rome (Civitavecchia ) – Genoa, Italy – At Sea – Malaga, Spain – Lisbon, Portugal – Two days at sea – Southampton

€1499pps

From

Celebrity Constellation ® 13 night Dubai & India Fly Cruise 27th November 2016 Abu Dhabi – Dubai (overnight) – Three days at sea – New Mangalore, India – Goa (Mormugao), India – Mumbai (Bombay), India – Two days at sea – Khasab, Oman – Abu Dhabai.

From

€1780pps

Celebrity Constellation ® 17 night Far East Fly Crurise 3rd February 2017 Singapore – At sea – Ho Chi Minh (Phu My), Vietnam – At sea – Hue/Danang (Chan May), Vietnam – At Sea – Hong Kong, China – At Sea – Manila, Philippines - Boracay, Philippines – At sea – Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – At sea – Singapore (overnight).

From Cruise prices include: Flights

Cruise

Transfers

Checked in bag

€1880pps

Interior Stateroom From €1499pps Oceanview stateroom From €2395pps Plus free classic drinks & $100 onboard spend Balcony stateroom From €3060pps Plus free classis drinks & $400 onboard spend IInterior Stateroom From €1780pps Oceanview stateroom From €2150pps Plus free classic drinks Balcony stateroom From €2850pps Plus free classis drinks Interior Stateroom From €1880pps Oceanview stateroom From €2260pps Plus free classic drinks Balcony stateroom From €2860pps Plus free classis drinks

Package prices based on two people sharing an interior stateroom, including return flights, transfers, cruise, entertainment, taxes & baggage fees. Interior stateroom do not included free drinks. Price subject to availability. T&C’s apply.

www.e-travel.ie | 01 4081999

History

Dramatic new interactive visitor experience to tell untold epic stories of Irish Diaspora 22 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Just opened in the vaults of The chq Building in the heart of Dublin’s docklands and an eight minute walk from O’Connell Bridge, Epic Ireland is a museum re-imagined. It brings togethe real-life accounts of some of the most remarkable tales of Irish men and women’s sacrifice, endurance, adventure and discovery the world has ever known and state-of-theart high-tech installations to create an unforgettable experience for all ages. Designed by Event Communications, the multi-award winning designers of Titanic Belfast, Epic Ireland tells the authentic and epic story of 10 million journeys and the roots of 70 million people. The galleries are organised into 4 compelling themes of migration, motivation, influence and connection. These themes explore the stories of adventure and tragedy that have shaped the narrative of Irish emigration - why people through the ages have left Ireland; the extraordinary influence of the Irish abroad in politics, business, science, sport and the arts; and how the technology of today has changed the emigrant experience. As well as the high tech interactive exhibition, Epic Ireland also offer a state-of-the-art genealogy centre which is operated by Eneclann, Ireland’s leading genealogical services provider, helping visitors explore their Irish roots. Epic Ireland was founded by Neville Isdell, former Chairman and CEO of Coca Cola and member of the Irish diaspora himself. Neville left Ulster with his parents for Northern Rhodesia in the mid-1950s and has subsequently lived and worked outside Ireland for more than sixty years. The chq Building is only 500 m from O’Connell Bridge and offers a wide range of cafes and bistros all under one roof plus a retail shop with lots of gifts and bespoke goods. Already #20 of 433 things to do in Dublin after only 8 weeks What they said so far ... “This is by far the most interactive tourist exhibit that I have ever been to. It brings Irish culture and heritage to life.” “Epic Ireland is one of the most wonderful additions to Dublin This is a great addition to Dublin for Irish locals, returning emigrants and anyone curious about the Irish Diaspora.” “Really magical with the use of technology, one day all museums and attractions will be like this! “

Date for Diary - Calling all secretaries of Active Retirement Groups! Visit EPIC Ireland for FREE on Monday, 25th July between 9am and 6pm to experience Dublin’s newest museum dedicated to the Irish Diaspora. We’ll even throw in a cup of tea and a scone. To book a slot email Hannah on htaylor@epicirelandchq.com or phone (01) 531 3688 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 23

Literature

A unique insight into the preoccupations and prejudices of nineteen century provincial life In the latest in her series of literary travels Lorna Hogg visits locations in the English midlands associated with one of the giants of Victorian literature, George Eliot She was a young woman, intelligent but not pretty, with few career options, who created a name and financial security for herself as an author, and lived with a married man for twenty four years. After his death, she married a man twenty years her junior. To-day, a story like this might spark some minor social media interest. In Victorian times, however, such attitudes and choices could lead to family rift, and the risk of career damage from scandal.

Such was the life of Marian Evans, who as `George Eliot’, wrote Middlemarch, one of seven novels and dubbed `the finest novel in the English language.’ Her stories reflect her experiences growing up in Warwickshire countryside, and show considerable psychological realism and insight. Many of their themes still resonate to-day - idealistic young men and women in mismatched marriages, the preoccupations and prejudices of provincial life, the role of the outsider in society, and the march of progress. She was born Mary Ann Evans, on 22nd November 1819, at Arbury Farm on Arbury Hall Estate, on the outskirts of Nuneaton, where her father, Robert Evans, was estate manager. She joined her pretty elder sister Chrissie, and her brother Isaac, to whom she was especially close, plus two half-siblings. When the family moved to Griff House, Mary Ann discovered the countryside and the busy Coventry canal, deep in wooded banks, often accompanying her father on estate business. Boarding school in Nuneaton was less happy, but The Mill on the Floss recounts the joy of her school holidays at home, playing with Isaac in the creaking attics of Griff House. Her father’s investment in her education has been partly put down to Mary Ann’s lack of beauty and the assumption that she would not marry. Her next school, Nant Glynn in Coventry, was a happier experience, cut short by her mother’s death in 1836. Whilst she kept house for him, her father’s position gave her entry to the library of Arbury Hall, and he also paid for tutoring. Observant of the extremes of wealth and poverty in her world, the clever and well read girl expanded her circle, encountering religious dissenters and liberal thinkers.

George Eliot’s friendship with George Lewes led to love and and in 1854 they decided on a life together - beginning with a trip to Europe. 24 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

At twenty one however, she was still outside the main ‘career’ for women of her times – marriage. However, when her father’s retirement to Coventry expanded their social circle, Mary Ann quickly made new

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Literature

Arbury Hall, with great links with George Eliot, is occasionally open to the public.

friends and travelled with them. Some unhappy love affairs followed, as well as some local success writing for newspapers. She also questioned her religious views and argued with her father over church attendance. Life changed completely when Robert Evans died in 1851. With her brother and sister now both married with families, Mary Ann, now with a modest income from her father’s will, decided to strike out on her own in London. Complete with a new name, Marian, she boarded with a publishing family on the Strand, becoming emotionally attached to her landlord, handsome publisher John Chapman. His wife’s jealousy led to her departure, but Chapman did offer her a job as Assistant Editor of his publication, Westminster Review. Her work allowed Marian to expand her circle and ideas, meeting writers such as Robert Browning , Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Thomas Carlyle, as well as politicans John Stuart Mill and William Gladstone and even Karl Marx. However, at 34 she remained in search of a loving and supportive relationship, and formed another embarrassing attachment with philosopher Herbert Spencer, who rejected her. However, it led Marian to her lasting partner – George Lewes. An author and editor, once dubbed `the ugliest man in London’ he had an unconventional home life, with a broken marriage. Friendship led to love, and in 1854, he and Marian decided on a life together - beginning with a trip to Europe. Back in London, they were largely rejected by their circle. Even worse, on discovery of their living together, Isaac disowned her, cutting off her family ties. Partly to help George with family expenses, Marian decided to start on some short stories. Determined not to be dismissed as another `lady novelist,’ she used the pen name George Eliot for Scenes of Clerical Life, drawing on memories of Arbury Hall. Her first novel, Adam Bede (1859) also utilised old memories, based on her father’s childhood recollections, with scenes set in Coventry’s magnificent Guildhall. Fears that discovery of her true identity and details of her private life should become known and affect sales, proved groundless. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert commissioned paintings of two scenes from it, which remain part of the Royal Collection. Marian’s thorough historical research on flood disasters, plus childhood memories of playing with Isaac by the canal at Griff featured in the 26 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

popular 1860 The Mill on the Floss. George and Marian now travelled widely, and Romola was inspired by Renaissance Florence. However, the popular Silas Marner (1861) recalled childhood memories of a linen weaver. Her most famous work, however,was Middlemarch, (1871/2) subtitled Scenes from Provincial Life. Set in times of great social change, Middlemarch was based on Coventry, then dealing with the arrival of the

Literature railways and industrial unrest, and the changes these brought. Published in eight monthly parts and a popular and critical triumph, it established Marian as one of the first novelists to write about the reality of people’s lives and work. Reality was about to change her life again. George, who was also her business manager, died suddenly in 1878. They had lived with three of his sons, and the surviving one, Charles, was her main support in her grief, worsened by the death of her publisher and friend, John Blackwood in 1879. In May 1880, at the age of 60, Marian married John Cross, a retired merchant banker who had handled her business affairs. Her brother wrote to congratulate her, which gave her much pleasure.The couple moved to a splendid new home in London’s Cheyne Walk, but sadly, Marian’s health deteriorated, and she died from a chill on December 22nd of that year. Calls for her to be buried in Westminster Abbey were ignored, but in 1980, a Memorial to her was placed in Poet’s Corner. She was buried in Highgate Cemetry, near to George Lewes’s grave.

George Eliot’s grave at Highgate Cemetery, London

George Eliot Country

George Eliot country is based around Nuneaton and the city of Coventry. Make a start at Arbury, where the magnificent Hall is occasionally open to the public. In Nuneaton, The Library is the best starting place – with an excellent selection of books, manuscripts and guides. Nearby is St. Nicholas’ Church, which featured in Scenes of Clerical Life. Cross to Church Street, well known to her, and walk across Mill Street. The pretty river bridge leads to Mill Walk and Bridge Street, and the statue to Eliot.

In Nuneaton, The Library is the best starting place to study George Eliot – it has an excellent selection of books, manuscripts and guides.

The Herbert Museum & Gallery in Coventry

On Nuneaton’s outskirts lies Chilvers Coton, site of the remaining tower of the Church attended by the family. Visit the Heritage Centre, once a school attended briefly by Isaac Evans.

in `The Mill on The Floss,’ and you can easily walk to Griff House. Now a restaurant and pub/hotel, Griff House Beefeater & Nuneaton Premier Travel Inn staff are well used to Eliot fans! Nearby lies the Round Pond, where `The Mill on the Floss’ characters Maggie and Tom used to fish.

Griff Hollows, on an old canal spur, and once a beauty spot, is nearby. This area featured

Coventry is only a short train ride away, and you can easily walk to Bird Grove, off

Foleshill Road, where Mary Ann lived with her father. Her childhood school, Nant Glynn is now 29, Warwick Road. The magnificent Guildhall is a must-see, and the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery has good background material on the author. www.arburyestate.co.uk www.georgeeliot.org www.premierinn.com Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 27

The 40/70 Rule: A Guide to Conversation for Adult Children and Their Parents

Geraldine Murphy, Active Retirement Ireland, Ed Murphy, CEO and Founder of Home Instead Senior Care Ireland and Theresa Lowe, Former RTÉ presenter, barrister and media trainer

Home Instead Senior Care Offers Free Resources to Help Bridge the Communication Gap between Adult Children and Their Senior Parents Growing older forces change. And that change often impacts areas of life such as living choices, driving, relationships and dating, financial choices, health and end of life. What if you could no longer remain at home without help? How do you tell your adult children you’re dating? What will you do if you can’t drive or you have to tell someone you love that he or she shouldn’t? Making decisions, identifying choices and conveying wishes are an important part of the road ahead. That doesn’t always happen. Why aren’t families talking? For one, it’s difficult. Research conducted by the Home Instead Senior Care network indicates that a majority of adult children (66%) surveyed described their critical conversations with parents as uncomfortable at times, difficult but necessary, or emotional with some upset.

advice to help you and your loved ones start the necessary conversations about the future and put your plan into action. With the assistance of noted experts in ageing, finances, health, end of life and communication, this resource will take the guesswork out of some of the issues that many families eventually face. Included are conversation tips and considerations for a variety of circumstances such as living alone, blended families, dementia and religious preferences – topics that so many families are dealing with in today’s world.

The 40-70 Rule Beginning these conversations is so important and doesn’t need to be daunting. Experts have said that by the time you’re approaching 40 and a loved one is around 70, you should have had the “talk” about issues so many families want to avoid. The Home Instead Senior Care network refers to that as the 40-70 Rule®, a programme launched in 2008 to address the importance of starting difficult conversations early. Home Instead Senior Care, now wants to take these conversations further and encourage individuals and families to document their wishes.

State of Affairs – Research · Living Choices - Among adult children, 66% surveyed said the need to move would be the most difficult topic to discuss. · Financial Choices - Less than half of adult children and seniors feel as though they should be fine financially in the future. · Health: 41% of adult children said their conversations were triggered by a health crisis. · Relationships and Dating: Older parents (51%) are more likely than adult children (19%) to draw a line when it comes to romantic relationship conversations. · Driving: Only 34% of seniors believe their children have a shared understanding of solutions to limit driving. · End of Life: Only 30% of adult children and 25% of seniors have had a clear discussion about what to do in the event a parent is in a nonresponsive state with no chance of recovery.

Action Plan for Successful Ageing The 40-70 Rule: An Action Plan for Successful Ageing provides expert

For more information or a copy of the action plan for successful ageing visit HomeInstead.ie or call 1890 930 013.

28 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

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30 Senior Times l My - June 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Senior Times l May - June 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 31

Travel

Majestic Malta

Mairead Robinson discovers the unique charm of this Mediterranean jewel The prestigious New York Times produced a list at the beginning of the year of the top fifty-two countries to visit in 2016. Right up at number three of this international recommended destination list is the island of Malta. That may come as a surprise to many people considering all the hundreds of exotic countries and islands full of sunshine and culture throughout the world. But here is the thing – Malta has history, heritage and culture in spades; year-round sunshine; world-class hotels and hospitality and above all – it is safe, friendly, affordable and very accessible. On a winter cruise last year, our ship docked for a day at Valletta and I was immediately fascinated with this beautiful city and decided to return in the spring of this year to discover more. Valletta is Malta’s capital city, one of the smallest capital cities I have ever come across, and was built by the Knights of the Order of St. John in 1568 and transformed over the years into the finest example of baroque. The city is studded with historical palaces, museums, churches, gardens, cafes, restaurants and shops. Valletta is built on a grid system and so it is easy to navigate, although some of the narrow steep streets will be challenging for those with mobility issues. However there is an elevator to take you from the harbour area up to the centre of town. Views are absolutely stunning, particularly over the Grand Harbour from the Barrakka Gardens and much of the centre is pedestrian access only, including the main shopping area and around St John’s Cathedral. Certainly no visit to Valletta would be complete without visiting the extraordinarily elaborate St John’s Cathedral built by the Knights of Malta between 1573 and 1578. It is

Colourful Valleta shopfronts

The Mdina ditch garden

one of the finest examples of high Baroque architecture in Europe and one of the world’s great cathedrals. It is the premier must-see in Valletta.

are up in the north of the island, in St Paul’s Bay, you are never too far from the capital and busses are very user-friendly. I particularly liked cosmopolitan St Julian’s Bay where I stayed in the lovely Meridien Hotel for a couple of nights with the seafront cafes, churches and shops on my doorstep. This is a great base for a holiday in Malta, as is popular Sliema and Paceville. All offer good resort facilities and access to all parts of the island.

One day in this city will never be enough, as other impressive attractions include the Palace Armoury – one of the world’s largest collections of arms and armour still housed in its original building; the Palace State Rooms, the official residence of the Grand Masters of the Order from 1571 and now the seat of the Office of the President of the Republic of Malta; and of course the National War Museum with exhibits dating from the Bronze Age to recent times. The Museum of Fine Arts houses beautiful paintings, statues and fine furniture and the Museum of Archaeology also houses a spectacular range of artefacts. If you are staying in the popular resorts of St Julian’s or Sliema, a bus into Valletta is only ten or fifteen minutes away, so you can visit several times during your holiday. Equally if you

32 Senior Senior Times Times ll March July - August 32 - April 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

To appreciate all that Malta has to offer, I would highly recommend taking the Hop On Hop Off bus. There is one for the North of the island and another for the South. Take the South one on a Sunday and hop off at the ancient fishing village of Marsaxlokk, home to around 70% of the Maltese fishing fleet and renowned for its seafood restaurants. It is a very relaxing and colourful place to enjoy a fabulous fresh seafood lunch and watch the men mending the fishing nets, the women cooking the fish and the Sunday market in full swing. You can also visit the beautiful Blue Grotto and the impres-

The stunning ceiling of St Johns Cathedral

sive Dingli Cliffs which are 220m high and there are some great walks south to the little Chapel of St Mary Magdalene with amazing views. The hop-on/hop-off bus gives a great running history and commentary in the language of your choice, which is really helpful as you discover the oldest temples in the world; caves dating back to 5,000 BC; the legacy of the Norman times and the spread of the Ottoman Empire in the 1560s. If you like churches, you will love Malta. They say there are 365 of them on an island of 440,000 people, but I have been told that is a conservative estimate! I have never come across more impressive Cathedrals, Churches and Convents anywhere else in the world! And as cremation is not allowed in Malta, the graveyards offer a fascinating glimpse into both the traditional and modern lives of people on the island.

Ricardo holds court at Ta-Rikkardu

For me the biggest “wow” factor in Malta is certainly the Citadel of Mdina, known as the ‘Silent City’ fortified from as long ago as 1,000 BC when the Phoenicians built a protective wall to make a place of shelter. Later the Romans built a larger town there and it was given its present name when the Arabs arrived in the 9th century – Mdina is Arabic for ‘walled city’. Situated in the centre of the island the hidden laneways offer exquisite architectural detail and in Medieval times it was the favoured residence of the Maltese aristocracy – the baroque detail has to be seen to be believed! It is from the north of the island that you can take the ferry to the islands of Gozo and

Comino. I highly recommend a day trip to Gozo – it is less than €5 return – and again you can take the bus around all the sites. It is a more exclusive island, quieter than Malta and you can enjoy the historic charm of the capital Victoria, which is crowned by the ramparts of the Citadel. There are lots of shops and cafes, and an excellent local food and wine culture. Visit the café of Ricardo – Ta-Rikkardu – in the citadel itself where you can sample his homemade cheese, ravioli, and wine and also taste his own reared goat (Gidi) and the wonderful local speciality – rabbit. Order the traditional platter to get a great flavour of the island. Ricardo also gives demonstrations of

Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 33

his cheese making, and while a quiet-spoken humble man, he has achieved some international fame and been ‘discovered’ by many others before myself! There really is so much to experience and enjoy about a holiday in Malta, and for Irish people there is a special affinity with this magical little island. You will find some Irish names locally and we both seem to share a similar sense of humour and friendliness. With everybody speaking English, the language is never a problem. I was not surprised to learn that many Irish couples are choosing to get married in Malta these days, and it is also becoming a very popular winter sun destination. With all the concern regarding some holiday destinations this year due to political unrest, and with prices in the others sky-rocketing, I know where I am heading to for my next break later this year - it has to be Malta. Further information Tour operator from Ireland to Malta: John Galligan Travel www.jgt.ie Getting there: Ryanair flies five times per week direct from Dublin to Malta International Airport in the summer and three times per week in the winter. See www.ryanair.com for best available offers. Accommodation: I stayed at Le Meridien St Julians, Radisson Blu St Julians and Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa Special thanks to the Malta Tourism Authority and Alpine Sterling www.alpinemalta.com All information on the Maltese Islands and things to do is available at www.visitmalta.com

34 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

The spectacular Valleta waterfront

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Health

Barringtons Hospital Orthopaedics – State of the Art Medical Care on your doorstep.

Barringtons Hosptial, Limerick, opened it’s state of the art Orthopaedic department in November, 2015 and is now leading the way in Orthopaedic services in the Mid-West region. Barringtons specialise in hip and knee replacements, sport injury medicine and injures of the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves. Since the establishment of the full Orthopaedics 24/7 department it has successfully completed over 80 hip and knee joint replacements. As the only private health facility providing this highly specialised services in the Mid-West region you can enjoy quality care close to home. Orthopaedics is the branch of medicine that focuses on injuries and disease of the musculoskeletal system(the body’s muscles, skeleton and related tissues), including the spine, joints, ligaments,tendons and nerves. With a top team of specialists available to see you through your surgery you can access the highest standard of service, prosthesis (artificial joint) and aftercare.

The department is being lead by a highly established and experienced Consultancy team with Mr. Maha Lingam, Mr. Denis Dartee, Mr Brendán Long and Mr Joe Sparkes. As long standing members of the Barringtons team their focus is continuously on patient care and innovation. None more evident that is the exclusive introduction of the Minimally Invasive Orthopaedic Surgery to Barringtons which merits extraordinary recovery times for patients getting them back to a full and pain Aine Lyons and the cover of her book free life quicker than ever before. Aine Lyons andThings the cover of her book In Praise of Small In Praiseservices of Small Things Their Orthopaedic are supported by Operating Theatres, Physiotherapy, Laboratory and Imaging (X-ray, Ultrasound, CT & MRI). The new joint replacement theatre is part of what has been an overall investment and extension to Barringtons Hospital that has seen a €15 Million investment.

The expansion created new patient suites designed to complement the patient’s recovery process, incorporating bright modern design with state of the art healthcare

technology, home comforts and scenic views of the historic Abbey River. In addition the hospital has grown its team now to 150 employees and over 70 consultants. This significant growth and investment in the Mid-West region has enabled Barrgintons Hospital to grow from a team of 13 in 2001 with just 8 consultants to now being one of the largest private employers in the Kings Island area of Limerick. With short waiting times, 24/7 hospital cover and an international accreditation Barringtons Hospital is now leading the way in Orthopaedics care. We have insurance cover with all health insurance companies in Ireland from entry level cover right up to the most comprehensive cover. Ask your GP to refer you to Barringtons Hospital...Quality Care Close to home www.bhl.ie or tel 061-490 500

The following consultants are offering appointments at Barrington’s Hospital. Mr. Brendán Long Speciality: Areas of interest are Sports injuries, Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction of the knee and Rotator Cuff repair of the Shoulder. Telephone: 061 490547 Fax: 061 312939 Email: consultantsuite7@bhl.ie Secretary Name: Noelle. Mr. Michael Gilmore. Speciality: Medico Legal Work Telephone: 091 587933 Fax: 061 312939 E mail info@bhl.ie Secretary Name: Maria

Mr. Denis Dartee Speciality: Specialist areas of interest are Total Hip and Knee Replacement, Sports Injuries: Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction of the knee and Rotator Cuff repair of the Shoulder: Trauma and Lower Limb Orthopaedics. Telephone: 061 490547 Fax: 061 312939 Email: consultantsuite7@bhl.ie Secretary Name: Noelle.

36 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Mr. Maha Lingam Speciality: Specialist areas of interest are Total Hip and Knee joint replacement including the innovative direct anterior approach for total hip replacement; Bikini Hip replacement. Other interests include Percutaneous Foot Surgery, Revision Hip Surgery, Revision Knee Surgery, Spinal Surgery, Sports injuries, Shoulder Surgery. Telephone: 061 490534/535 Fax: 061 312939 Email: mlingam.secretary@bhl.ie Secretary Name: Bridget.

Mr. Joe Sparkes Speciality: Hip and Knee arthroplasty, surgical and nonsurgical management of neck and back pain including spinal injections and rhizotomy. Telephone: 045 889245 Fax: 045 889141 Email orthopaedics@vistaprimarycare. com Secretary Name: Fiona

One Colour versions

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Senior Times l May-June 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 37

Creative Writing Eileen Casey

Commemorative events, 1916 and the rural electrification scheme

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So far, commemorative events for 1916 have been many and varied. Communities all over Ireland participated and continue to do so. Events are still taking place all over the country. These range from theatrical performances, photography exhibitions, poetry readings, re-enactments, un-veilings, recitals. You name it, it’s either already been done or in the process of completion. The 1916 commemoration has really shown the rich vein of ‘living’ engagement with historical fact. Facilitators and organisers have to be congratulated for the amount of energy inputted. Over the last number of months, I’ve been privileged to collaborate with diverse groups such as those located at Phoenix Clubhouse, Clondalkin and Platform One, Rua Red Arts Centre, Tallaght. Phoenix Clubhouse is an invaluable support service to adults with mental health difficulties. Now in its eleventh year, one of the Clubhouse’s many successes was the National Green Ribbon campaign in May 2013, when people were asked to wear the green ribbon to initiate a national conversation about mental health. The aim was to make the month of May of every year synonymous with breaking down barriers surrounding the various challenges associated with mental health. In June of 2016, I worked with members of the Clubhouse, aiming to make responses through creative writing, to the 1916 commemorative year. The resulting workshops produced poetry and prose of a very high calibre, the fledgling writers being powerfully drawn to the lives and times of 1916. The certainties of historical fact can be very comforting in many instances and I found that delving into this colourful history sparked vigorous debate and lively discussions. Teresa, a woman with a big heart and bubbly personality, chose the work of 0’Casey for inspiration, writing about a recent trip to the Abbey to see The Plough and The Stars. During the Rising, even though members of the Abbey Acting Company joined the ranks, the show still went on. Larry, a man of many talents, wrote about an advertisement for McGrath’s tea, popular at the time. Culture and war go hand in hand however, captured in the chilling closing lines of his poem ‘Suburban Life’....The dawn came and went to a rising, foggy day/ and of course, a big orb of a sun in the blue skies. Nora chose to remem 38 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

The idea behind ‘Reading The Lines’ comes from William Butler Yeats’ ‘Easter 1916’. Poets were invited to choose a line from this iconic work which resonated for them, either culturally, politically or historically.

-ber Thomas MacDonagh, one of the signatories of the Proclamation in a poem called ‘Resumé’....Wounded in the ankle/Unable to stand, blinded by pain/Relunctant to surrender:/Rebel leader to be executed/Thomas MacDonagh 1878-1916. Patricia struck the note of remembering...We cannot forget our ancestors/who will always linger on, in our memories. Thomas posited that it was ‘Better to die in Flander’s mud than on Dublin’s cobbled streets.’ All of the writing from members of Phoenix Clubhouse proved stirring and no wonder....after all, the Clubhouse is named for the mythical phoenix, a bird that rises from its own ashes, as a new nation also rose from the fires of war. Writers throughout South Dublin have been particularly busy. Platform One(a group who meet in Rua Red Arts Centre) have just produced ‘Reading The Lines,’ an anthology of poetry, in conjunction with ‘Live Encounters,’ an online poetry journal. The journal is co-edited by Mark Ulyseas and myself and received funding support from South Dublin County Council’s Commemorations Fund. The idea behind ‘Reading The Lines’ comes from William Butler Yeats’ ‘Easter 1916’. Poets were invited to choose a line from this iconic work which resonated for them,

Ballpoint Press have just published a book that celebrates the 70th anniversary of the start of the Rural Electrification Scheme.

either culturally, politically or historically. The chosen line was then given a new lease of poetic life, forming a transitional bridge from the now of 2016 to a century ago and the events which led up to or followed on from Ireland becoming a Republic. Because ‘Easter 1916’ is such a well known poem, certain lines have gone into public consciousness, lines such as: Are changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born. But there are equally evocative lines which also speak to both the mind and heart, lines such as: Hearts with one purpose alone, To murmur name upon name,/As a mother names her child or We know their dream; enough/ To know they dreamed and are dead. ‘Easter 1916’ as well as being an exploration of Yeats’ response to the political situation in Ireland, also reflects his fascination with numerology: it consists of two stanzas of 16 lines each and two of 24 lines, referring to the date. It’s interesting to see the various resulting perspectives in this collection. Some of the poems invoke the names of the signatories of the Proclamation; MacDonagh, Pearse, Connolly. This naming also occurs in Yeats’ poem and is ritualistic, containing within it the seeds of a sacred act. How the Rising affected children surfaces in some of the poems, poignantly conveyed by Susan Condon in ‘Sacrificial Lamb.’ One of the first casualties of the Rising was a child of tender age. Indeed, it’s the lives of real people and how they coped that occupies most of the creative space in ‘Reading The Lines.’ Yeats, in ‘Easter 1916’ uses Dublin and its streets as setting, together with its people. Colm McGlynn’s Grand-Aunt Mable, a photographer, was killed by a stray bullet. McGlynn also fondly remembers helping his father repair Kilmainham Gaol prior to the 1966 celebrations. Doreen Duffy’s poem ‘Brutal Peace,’ carries in its title an echo of Yeats’ passion for mutual incompatibilities (antinomies). There’s humour in Trish Nugent’s poem ‘Uncle Ned,’ as revealed in an innocent remark made by a five year old wanting to know where Maud (the ‘troubling’ of Yeats’ life) had ‘gone.’ The third section of ‘Easter 1916’ deal with the natural world (cloud to tumbling cloud, moor-hens, moor-cocks, stream...reflecting the flux and flow of life), imagery which surfaces throughout this collection of new works. As does an attempt to address the question Yeats himself asks in the final section, ‘Was it needless death after all?’

The poems in ‘Reading The Lines’ come from poets who form Platform One Writers’ Group (Rua Red, Tallaght). However, there are guest writers here also, writers such as Cecilia McGovern, Clairr O’Connor, Maggie O’Dwyer, Mairide Woods and Geraldine Mills. The youngest contributor is Lucy Higgins (aged 9). It’s a privilege to include them. Artists Patricia Fitzgerald and Francis Noel Duffy have abundantly given of their art. It’s extremely fitting to showcase Fitzgerald’s stunningly visual Mandalas. Yeats himself was drawn to the form (as too was William Blake) and constructed similar diagrams. He refers to them as ‘hard symbolic bones’ in his introduction to ‘A Vision,’ (published in 1925, an explanation of life founded upon the writings of Giraldus and upon certain doctrines attributed to Kusta Ben Luka). They were, in his view, ‘the living organism of imagination of which poetry is the flower.’ No less significant is the inclusion of images from Duffy’s exhibition 1916 Women Rising Up. Some of the poems are themed around two of his subjects Constance Markievicz and Maud Gonne. It’s a pleasure for the writers and artists included in this special 1916 limited edition and for Fiery Arrow Press, to be associated with Live Encounters. Indeed, when I first came across this online magazine, I knew it would make a perfect fit for the purpose of bringing new commemorative poems to a global audience. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to Mark Ulyseas. Without his endless patience and expertise in the putting together of this edition, it simply wouldn’t exist. I also wish to acknowledge funding from South Dublin County Council’s 2016 Commemorations Fund. Here in South Dublin, there continues to be an amount of interesting and varied happenings. Clondalkin’s Women’s Network researched events where women in particular participated. The Phoenix clubhouse EVE/ HSE, also in Clondalkin undertook to collaborate with ideas and stories. Saggart Heritage Group celebrated the paper making of the Proclamation. Tallaght Historical Society organised a series of Lectures, Presentations and Re-enactments. Live Encounters Reading the Lines is available directly from eileencaseyhome@eircom.net Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 39

A call for stories about Ireland’s Rural Electrification Scheme Ballpoint Press, a Bray based publishing house, are hoping to publish a book (Then There was Light) later in the year which will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the commencement of the Rural Electrification Scheme. Therefore, the editor, PJ Cunningham is seeking stories from those who remember Ireland ‘left the dark ages’ and allowed power and light into their communities, even the most remote. The book aims to provide a valuable historical and cultural snapshot of this iconic time. Senior Times readers are perfectly poised to provide these narratives so now’s your chance to share your own personal stories. The best kind of book is one that is diverse and which comes from a broad spectrum of experience. Therefore, all corners of the country are being asked to submit pieces of writing. Frank insight into the suspicions, worries and welcome that the ESB’s light brigade faced will hopefully be the outcome of the finished book. After all, this event was one of the most important undertakings in recent Irish history. The Rural Electrification Scheme brought challenges and changes and the prospect of a rapidly changing lifestyle. There will also be a documentary in conjunction with RTE. The book and documentary will be co-edited by ‘Around the Farm Gate’ editor PJ Cunningham and Dr Joe Kearney. Incidentally, I can vouch for the quality of ‘Around the Farm Gate’ as I have an inclusion myself in the publication. I wrote about my brother-in’law growing up in Mayo and the landmark day in the history of his family when none other than John Wayne, or ‘The Duke’ himself came to visit. Regarding stories themed around electrification, the more personalised and particular the story the better. The editors would rather not receive stories which merely remember gangs of workers arriving to dig up holes and put up poles. “Ideally,” said Dr Kearney, “there should be a bit of tension or fun or drama involved in what people send in to us. “Like the story of how the first big ‘switch on’ ceremony was fraught with the potentional of becoming the first switch off because of a major storm.” In November 1946 the first pole in ESB’s Rural Electrification Scheme was erected in a field in Kilsallaghan, near Oldtown, County Dublin. It took over two months before the connections were in place for throwing the first switch. That date was January 15, 1947, a cold, windy evening with patches of snow lying in the fields. The village hall was packed with local people while up on the stage sat a group of , the parish priest and senior ESB officials. There was, however, a snag of which the audience was unaware. Severe winter storms had caused a last-minute fault in the supply line and even then, as the speeches commenced, a line crew was working frantically in the pitch darkness over a mile away to put things right. Seconds before the engineer in charge, W. F. Roe was about to admit defeat, he got a signal to say that the first switch on would happen. And then there was light... How to contact editors Dr Joe Kearney (0872633041) joe.kearney@eircom.net. All stories received will be considered for inclusion in the radio documentary and book: PJ Cunningham (086 8217631) pjcunningham1@gmail.com

40 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

PYGMALION

by Bernard Shaw 2 Aug - 3 Sep | 2:30pm & 7:30pm Smock Alley presents as its sixth in-house production, Pygmalion - Bernard Shaw’s most popular and bestloved play. The theatre is offering historical tours of the building included in the ticket price. Dinner and brunch options are also available. These meals are served in the theatre’s stunning banquet hall. This hilarious classic of world literature is a satirical take on society’s notions of class, money and the struggle for personal independence. Regarded as one of the greatest comedies in the English language for it’s sharp wit, this gloriously witty and enchanting story was the inspiration for the Oscar winning film ‘My Fair Lady’, starring Audrey Hepburn + Rex Harrison. The contemporary themes of feminism and gender prove that Shaw, one of Ireland’s Nobel Laureates, was lightyears ahead of his time.

Tickets €18/€15 concession Groups of 8 or more €12 ppn Dinner + Show €30 Brunch + Show €25 Call 01-6770014 or visit www.smockalley.com for more information

Unrefined flower seller Eliza Doolittle (Anna Sheils McNamee) hears phonetics expert, Henry Higgins (Paul Meade) boasting that he can teach anyone to speak like the upper class. She asks Higgins for lessons so she can better herself and work in a respectable flower shop. Colonel Pickering makes a bet that Higgins will not be able to pass Eliza off as a duchess at a party in six months, and neither Higgins nor Pickering realises that there is more at stake than an experiment in phonetics. Pygmalion is a satire on Edwardian British society. It tackles serious social and political issues such as women’s independence and the class system. Although Shaw himself called it didactic, the play was an instant popular success when it opened. It still remains one of the most famous and beloved works by the author.

Cosmetics

Back to basics

From top to toe, and everywhere in between, your health and beauty benefit from some attention. Mairead Robinson shares some secrets. As we age, we become increasingly concerned with our health and wellbeing. Many of us spent our youth basking in our sense of indestructibility and giving little thought to preserving that health and energy for future decades. And suddenly the grey hair appears, waistlines thicken, wrinkles grow deeper and worst of all – dental issues can cause great distress. Starting with keeping our teeth and confident smiles, it is vital to protect the enamel and avoid excess enamel erosion as we age. Day after day enamel loses vital minerals, teeth become lacklustre and lose their youthful glow. In fact 80% of common dental complaints, including cavities and yellowing, can be caused by enamel erosion and acid attacks. So much of the food and drink we consume contribute to enamel erosion, weakening its structure and making it less resilient. A new breakthrough in dental care is now addressing this with a toothpaste and boosting serum called Regenerate which aims to reverse the erosion process. The toothpaste is used daily, in place of your regular toothpaste and the boosting serum is applied for three minutes on both the top and bottom teeth once a month. Check it out at Boots and Sam McCauley chemists. It is never too late to future-proof your smile! From teeth to hair – for both men and women their hair is an issue that becomes more apparent with age. We have talked about thinning previously, and Viviscal are the leaders in addressing this area – but what about regular

maintenance to keep your hair in the best condition it can be? With colouring and styling, it is important to choose shampoo and conditioner that are rich and nourishing. I have started using Pantene Expert Collection Advanced Keratin Repair Shampoo, and Age Defy conditioner, and these products which sell at €7.99 are particularly pampering for mature hair. Another great conditioning product for damaged hair is Ojon, Rare Blend Deep Conditioner. You will find these products in your local Boots store. When it comes to colouring, choose a product that is suited to you, Clairol age defy, which fights the 7 signs of ageing hair, is effective and contains nourishing Pro-V oils to give a silky finish.

42 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

So once you have protected your teeth and hair against the ravages of time, it is vital to protect your skin. We hear so much now about protecting from sun damage, and yet many of us did not use sun screens when we were younger – in fact it was usually oils to encourage tanning that we used, if anything! But we all know now that skin cancers are connected to sun exposure, and burnt dehydrated skin is very aging and so it is important to protect from both UVA rays for aging, UVB for burning and IR-A for collagen damage. A recent Irish survey has shown that people are confused about the SPF factor in their sun screen, but for Irish skin 50 is recommended, and this is particularly true

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for sensitive skin. A new high protection spray from Bioderma is very easy to use, suitable for both face and body and offers full cellular bio-protection. Another new product I have found is from SOLAIT, available through www. superdrug.com, is suitable for sensitive skin and extra water resistant so particularly good for the beach. The 30 SPF is enriched with vitamin E and helps to protect the skin against collagen breakdown which contributes to skin ageing and wrinkles. If you find your arms and legs looking unattractively white this summer, you can always opt for the self-tan route, and there are many products widely available that you can use without going to a beauty salon. Also from www.superdrug.com is Madame La La Light Tan which provides a healthy glow to the skin in just 3 hours. I particularly like this tanning product as it leaves your tan looking natural (as opposed to orange!) while adapting to your individual skin tone. It is also infused with natural hydrating skincare benefits with lots of Vitamin E. And if the skin on your face is feeling dehydrated, as it can do in the summer, make sure you use a serum under your moisturiser for added hydration. A new brand on the Irish market called BRYT have Boost Serum which is intensely a nourishing and deeply penetrating oil serum designed as part of their new skincare range for when your skin needs an extra boost. You can also use this morning and evening on its own or under your regular moisturiser. I like to use it on make-up free days, when the oil is

easily absorbed and feels deeply nourishing. Another oil that I recently discovered comes from Origins, a barrier-boosting oil that helps boost skin’s barrier against environmental assaults that damage and age the skin. It is developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, founder of the Weil foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming health care. You can get more information at www.weilfoundation.org It is interesting to discover new products, and always so exciting when you find something that really works for you. There is a lot of skin sensitivity these days when it comes to the different ingredients used, and many people find they have to be very careful when it comes to choosing what is right for them. I enjoy testing many new products as they come on the market, and often my skin care regime would incorporate several different brands. Recently however, I have been using NUXE cleanser, toner, serum, day and night creams and eye cream. I have found this brand feels really nourishing and kind on my skin, and while I have used their body lotions, sun creams and other products in the past, this is the first time that my skin care regime consisted of items totally from this brand. I do recommend that if you find a product that suits you particularly, you should try other products from that brand and enjoy an overall experience to reap the full benefits. If you would like to try some items from the Nuxe range, email me at mairead.seniorbeauty@gmail.com and I will pick one person

44 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

to receive samples from their range up to the value of €100. Skincare is important throughout the whole year, but during these summer months it is vital for health as well as beauty to protect and nourish your skin. As the lady says – ‘because your worth it!’

memories to treasure

Opera, Ballet and Classical Music Holidays

Madame Butterfly Met Opera

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• Return flight from Dublin and transfers throughout • 3 nights’ in 5* Budapest Marriott Hotel with breakfast • Two-course lunch on arrival • Highlights of Budapest sightseeing tour • Backstage tour of the Hungarian State Opera House • Wine-tasting experience • Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker in the State Opera House • Post-opera dinner at the famous Callas Cafe

Opera & Music in Budapest

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• Return flight from Dublin and transfers throughout • 4 nights in the 4* Ameron Konigshof hotel with breakfast • Romantic Rhine excursion • Wine tasting experience • Excursion to Bruhl • Excursion to Cologne • Guided sightseeing tour of Bonn • Visit to Beethoven’s House with exclusive concert • Visit the Bundeskunsthalle Museum • Concert performance by the London Symphony Orchestra

• Return flight from Dublin and transfers throughout • 4 nights in the 4* Small Grand Hotel Budapest with breakfast • Three-course lunch on arrival • Highlights of Budapest sightseeing tour • Full day Danube Bend excursion • Backstage tour of the Hungarian State Opera House • Pre-performance 2-course dinner on two evenings • Performance by the New York Philharmonic in the Palace of the Arts • Performance of Othello in the State Opera

Prague Winter Opera Tour

Opera, Art & Architecture in Paris

Departing 04 January 2017

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• Return flight from Dublin • 5 nights’ accommodation in 4* or 5* hotel with breakfast • Airport transfers • Highlights of Prague city tour • Visit to Lobkowitz Palace including Museum tour and concert • Three evening opera performances

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• Return flight from Dublin and transfers throughout • 3 nights in the four-star Mercure Paris Montmarte with breakfast • Highlights of Paris sightseeing tour • Lunch and guided tour at the Musee Jacquemart Andre • Guided tour of the Musee d’OrsayEntrance to the impressive Fondation Louis Vuitton with its exceptional contemporary art collections • Performance of Lohengrin at the Opera Bastille

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Symposium organised by ISAX identified issues affecting older people

One of the many groups who engaged with town planners, architects, transport experts, retail and other service providers to co-design solutions to specific problems. Photo Redpaw Media

We all know that getting out and about is important as we age. We also know that keeping active and engaged is vital in maintaining social links and good mental health. If that’s the case, why does our built environment – transport, public spaces, social participation, amenities - seem to be so often working against us? Ireland’s Smart Ageing Exchange or ISAX for short recently organised a co-design symposium in Limerick. Here older people identified access issues that affect them directly in their daily lives. They then worked with a larger group including town planners, architects, transport experts, retail and other service providers to co-design solutions to specific problems. Why is all this relevant? Well, in this case the statistics don’t lie. The number of people aged 65 and over is expected to double to 1.3 billion by 2040. The United Nations forecasts that the number of people aged 80 and over will treble. People can now expect to live well into their nineties. These people are the fastest growing consumer group in the world – the silver market. ISAX is a membership organisation established last year to identify both the opportunities and the challenges thrown up by an ageing population. Older people will need products and services specific to them – most of which have not even been thought of yet so that represents lots of commercial opportunities. On the other hand, Governments, in particular, will need innovative solutions to address more

demand in areas such as health, pensions and care. No one agency has all the answers. A collaborative response is needed. ISAX plans to create a network so that all the interested groups across the different sectors including: government agencies, academic institutions, the corporate economy and older adults can offer their shared experience to solve problems but also highlight opportunities. ISAX’s co-design symposium was the start of this project. In advance of the co-design day, ISAX worked with 22 older adults living in different areas of Limerick. ISAX trained the participants to observe their daily lives by recording/photographing the features and facilities that brought joy to their lives and those that were barriers to their independence and well-being in areas such as transport and mobility, public spaces, safety, social participation and access to amenities. The findings from the videos, photographs and observational studies were shown at the start of the symposium. Participants were then be divided into ten teams of 10 people – each taking one of the five ‘problems’ identified by the findings. The teams were made up of a diverse range of people with different skills sets as well as the older adults. The co-design idea is that the users, in this case, older people are at the centre of the process. Mobility was a central theme – how do we make our cities and towns more user friendly? Maybe we need to make car parking spaces

46 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

L shaped so that car doors open out fully. Or what about offering designated drop off points for cars with special “chipped disabled sticker” in central areas with parking spaces. Maybe we could staff certain car parks with City Ambassadors to provide support for older people looking to access banks, shops, offices etc. Access is not just about hard concrete and pavements, fear or inexperience with the digital world is seriously affecting older people’s daily lives. Maybe we should incentivise people in their 50s and 60s to become more digitally literate to avoid being left behind and left out. All of the ideas above were generated during the event. ISAX can now take these to their member groups to see if there is any interest in developing them further. It is the beginning of a process that will give product and service designers a deeper understanding of how older adults actually live. The hope is that any new products and services, research and information, will be based on real experiences and therefore more likely to succeed. The National Smart Ageing Cities and Towns Co-Design Symposium was held on June 14 in Limerick. The event was run by ISAX, Ireland’s Smart Ageing Exchange in partnership with Limerick City and County Council, UL (University of Limerick), LSAD (Limerick School of Art & Design) and ITC (Institute of Technology Carlow) and focused on the theme of ‘age friendly environments’ in Limerick. If you would like to know more about ISAX, its future plans and how you might get involved, check out their website www.isax.ie.

Glen of Plenty ke to the hills..

Hill walking

Tipperary’s Glen of Aherlow is the perfect centre for a walking break

The glorious Glen of Aherlow (Photo Jimmy Barry)

The statue of Christ the King Statue, Glen of Aherlow, the start of the Bianconi walk

Often overlooked among Ireland’s surfeit of natural beauties, the Glen of Aherlow, Tipperary, is something of a walker’s paradise. With an almost unmatched range of low- and high-level walks ranging from one to four hours and beyond, a breathtaking natural setting beneath the Galtee Mountains, easy access from all corners of the country and a welcome second to none, a visit to the Glen – whether for a day, a weekend or a week – should be on every walker’s bucket list.

The Galtees are Ireland’s highest inland mountain range, with a variety of peaks including Galtymore at 3,018 feet (919m). The Galtees provide the challenge required for today’s serious hill-walker and mountain climber. Loop Walks There are two national loop walk trail heads in the Glen of Aherlow – Christ the King and Lisvarrinane Village. The eight loop walks range from half an hour to four hours round-trip walking time across Slievenamuck, through miles of forest track with spectacular views over the valley and to the Galtees.

The Glen is a lush valley where the River Aherlow runs between the Galtee Mountains and the wooded ridge of Slievenamuck. Bounded by the rural villages of Bansha and Galbally, the Glen was historically an important pass between Limerick and Tipperary. Within the Glen the focal point is the Statue of Christ the King. Erected in 1950, Christ the King, overlooking the valley at its most scenic viewpoint has his hand raised in “blessing the Glen and all who pass by”, attracts thousands of visitors every year. The entrance to the Glen of Aherlow Nature Park is adjacent to Christ the King. The Nature Park is a series of loop walking trails, suitable for families, with information panels on the flora and fauna of the area, picnic tables, so take a ramble in a natural woodland at your leisure.

Lake Walks Two lake walks – Lough Curra and Lake Muskry require up to four hours for the casual walker. These routes take you onto the Galtee Mountains where you can enjoy clear air, superb views, corrie lakes, wooded foothills, mountain streams and open moorland. Within the valley and throughout the hinterland the variety of prehistoric and early Christian sites provides interest for both the casual and seasoned historian. A visit to St Pecaun’s Holy Well, St Berrihert’s Well & Kyle and St Sedna’s Well in Clonbeg Churchyard is a must to enjoy the peace and serenity of these early Christian sites.

And Beyond.. For more serious and seasoned walkers there is unlimited trekking in the Galtee Mountains. The Galtees are Ireland’s highest inland mountain range, with a variety of peaks including Galtymore at 3,018 feet (919m). There are five corrie lakes on the range, accessible only by foot.

Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 47

Walk 1

Dolmen Loop

Hill walking

Ascent: 320m Distance: 11km Time: 3hrs - 3hrs 30mins Grade: Moderate Terrain: Forestry tracks and woodland trails Start: Lisvarrinane Village Map: OS Sheet 74, R845 287 This loop is the longest of three that start and finish at the trailhead in the middle of Lisvarrinane village; a bracing but ultimately rewarding walk to the summit of beautiful Slievenamuck, with its stunning views of the Golden Vale and the surrounding mountains. En route you will pass a fine megalithic portal tomb, the Shrough Dolmen - one of the resting places of Diarmuid and Grainne. Starting from village pass the church on your left and turn left onto Carrolls Bohereen, from where the loops proper begin. After a short trek along this roadway, you reach a laneway on your right. Turn right here following the red (and green and blue) arrows. The laneway ascends to reach a forestry track where it joins the long-distance Ballyhoura Way (marked with the standard yellow walking man and arrow). The shorter green loop turns right here – you turn left following the red (and blue) arrows. Follow the forestry roadway for another 400m to reach a sharp right bend where the Ballyhoura Way turns left. You turn left here – following the Ballyhoura Way but leaving the blue loop. Follow the Ballyhoura Way for a short distance and join an old laneway (this was the old road to Galbally). A short distance later you veer right off the Ballyhoura Way and ascend Monour Mountain and then on to the summit of Slievenamuck. Here you pass close to a megalithic tomb

– and have superb views of the Golden Vale, Glen of Aherlow and the Ballyhoura Mountains. On the descent you merge with the blue loop, and then join the green loop and Ballyhoura Way at a 3-way junction. A number of loops and the Ballyhoura Way crisscross here so be careful to follow the red (and green and blue) arrows as your loop turns left and follows the Ballyhoura Way downhill. The forestry road descends to reach a T-junction of forestry roads where you turn right and shortly afterwards emerge onto a surfaced road. Continue straight here. The last section of the loop follows surfaced roadway to emerge at a T-junction at the top of Lisvarrinane village – turn right here and enjoy the 200m back to the trailhead.

Walk 2

Ballinacourty Loop Ascent: 240m Distance: 10km Estimated Time : 2hrs 30mins - 3hrs Grade: Moderate Minimum Gear: Walking boots, raingear, snack and fluid Services : Lisvarrinane (5km) Tipperary (6km) Terrain: Forestry tracks and woodlands trails Start: Christ the King Statue, Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary OS Sheet 66, R886 308 A-B. From the mapboard in the green area at Christ the King statue follow downhill to enter the Nature Park. This loop is marked with purple arrows – but overlaps with two other loops (green and light blue arrows) and the long-distance Ballyhoura Way which is marked with the familiar yellow walking man and arrows. Descend wooden steps and over a footbridge and shortly afterwards you reach a Y-junction. Veer left here and follow the woodland trail for approximately 1km to reach a wooden stile. Exiting the stile the green loop turns right – you turn left. B-C. You are now on a more substantial forestry track. Descend for 300m to reach a four-track junction where you turn right and follow a forestry track for 800m to exit at a surfaced road just uphill from the Aherlow House Hotel. Here you leave the light blue loop and turn downhill following the yellow Ballyhoura Way. C-D. Pass the hotel and follow the tarred surface downhill to reach a sharp left bend where you turn right and enter forestry again. D-E. Continue to follow the Ballyhoura Way along forestry tracks for a flat section before turning right and ascending through Ballynacourty Woods. After 1.5km you reach a T-junction where the Ballyhoura Way 48 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

turns left and you overlap with other loops that start and finish in the village of Lisvarrinane. You turn right here to begin the homeward journey. E-F. For over 2km the loop traverses the southern shoulder of Slievenamuck Mountain and rejoins the light blue loop above the Aherlow House Hotel before joining a tarred roadway. Here you veer left. F-A. Follow the tarred roadway for a short distance before turning right into forestry again. Following woodland trails, you pick up the green loop at a small stile, and after 1km reach a 3-way junction where you rejoin the outward route. Veer left and retrace your steps for 300m to regain the trailhead.

Walk 3

Bianconi Loop

Ascent: 120m Distance:4km Estimated Time: 1hr - 1hr 15mins Grade: Easy Minimum Gear :Trekking shoes, raingear and fluid Terrain: Forestry tracks and woodland trails Theme: Nature Start: Christ the King Statue, Glen of Aherlow. OS Sheet 66, R886 30 A-B. From the mapboard in the green area at the Christ the King statue follow downhill to enter the Nature Park. This loop is marked with light blue arrows – but overlaps with two other loops (green and purple arrows) and the long-distance Ballyhoura Way which is marked with the familiar yellow walking man and arrows. Descend wooden steps and over a footbridge and shortly afterwards you reach a Y-junction. Veer left here and follow the woodland trail for approximately 1km to reach a wooden stile. Exiting the stile the green loop turns right – but you turn left here. B-C. You are now on a more substantial forestry track. Descend for 300m to reach a four-track junction where you turn right. C-D. Stay on this forestry track for 800m to exit at a surfaced road just uphill from the Aherlow House Hotel. The longer purple loop and yellow Ballyhoura Way both turn left here but you turn right. D-E. About 300m along the tarred road the purple loop joins from the left and you continue for a short period before turning right and re-entering forestry. Following woodland trails you rejoin the green loop at a small stile where you turn left.

E-A. Follow this woodland trail for over 1km to reach a 3-way junction where you rejoin the outward route. Veer left and retrace your steps for 300m to regain the trailhead. This loop gains its name from Carlo Bianconi, an Italian who lived in Clonmel, and who set up the famous Bianconi coaches for both mail and passenger services throughout Ireland. Some of the coaches travelled the Old Coach Road between the Glen of Aherlow and Tipperary Town and the loop includes a short section of this road.

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Rapide GTX

www.greatoutdoors.ie

Rapide Lady GTX

Celebrating 40 happy years in business & celebrating 40 years of selling Meindl footwear too. Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 49

Information Directions From Dublin Exit the M7 Dublin to Limerick Motorway onto the M8 Dublin to Cork Motorway heading for Cahir. Exit at junction 10 onto the N24 Limerick Road and head into Bansha. From Bansha follow the R663 signposted Aherlow. From Cork Exit the M8 Cork to Dublin Motorway onto the N73 and then onto the R573 signposted Ballylanders. Exit onto the R662 and proceed through Galbally onto the R663 following signs for Tipperary town, to Aherlow. From Limerick Follow the N24 from Limerick to Tipperary town. Turn right onto Bridge Street signposted Lisvernane. Continue forward onto Station Road and at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Seallagheen Road. Follow the signs for the Glen of Aherlow Nature Park. Maps are available for the National Loop Walks and the Lake Walks from the tourist office – call 062 56331 or email info@aherlow.com Walking Festival The Glen of Aherlow hosts two annual Walking Festivals each year, the two-day Winter Walking Festival over the last weekend in January and the three-day Summer Festival over the June bank holiday weekend. Galtee Walking Club Established in January 2003 the Galtee Walking club has over 200 members. The Club meets every Sunday throughout the year for variety of mountain, road or forest track walks, led by Club Leaders, ranging from 2 – 6 hours depending on level with the added pleasure of local history and heritage. From April to September there is also a Wednesday evening walk, this is usually a three-hour walk on forest tracks. The Galtee Walking Club welcomes visiting walkers; their quarterly schedule is available from The Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society on 062 56331 or email info@aherlow.com and will also be displayed by all accommodation providers. Visit www.galteewalkingclub.ie/ for more information.

A popular ‘pit stop’ to rest your legs The Aherlow House Hotel has been a welcome place to stay for weary walkers for many years. In an Idyllic setting, this hotel in the Tipperary Mountains was renovated but kept in the original historic traditional Tudor style. Now a 29-bedroom family run property, the hotel has a warm and friendly atmosphere with a plush interior and a focus on the authentic Irish experience. All bedrooms and bathrooms are tastefully decorated to a very high standard and equipped with all of the modern comforts demanded by today’s discerning traveler. Standard features include King sized beds, TV, hairdryers, tea, coffee making facilities, safe, direct dial telephone and private parking. Also part of the hotel is “The Treetop Restaurant”, an elegant 100 seater A La Carte Restaurant with a very attractive menu

boasting the best in local and international dishes. “The Hunting Lodge Bar” is a Traditionally Irish themed bar with a good lively atmosphere in the evenings, with an extensive bar food menu that runs daily from 12pm-9.30pm. Aherlow House Hotel and Lodges. Tel: 062 56153. Email: sales@aherlowhouse.ie

Health

There are two ways of looking at fitness; it’s too late or there’s never been a better time. You’re over 60. You’re not in great shape; maybe you’ve never been in great shape, maybe you were once but that was a long time ago when it was easy and fun, when you were competitive, naturally fit, in your prime. Then life, work, children, anno domini, the way of things took over, pounds went on and you accepted a new reality – happily or reluctantly. It was pretty much what was expected of you, anyway. None of that matters; the past is a foreign country, as LP Hartley said. What matters now is getting the most from your life, starting from here. And wherever here is, raising your level of fitness is the best, surest and cheapest way to push on. It doesn’t take money. It doesn’t have to involve suffering or indignity (though if that’s your bag, it’s out there for you). The rewards are staggering and almost absurdly democratic. The normal protocol for an article like this is to cite a series of surveys or research projects conducted by doctors or scientists – usually at an American institution that sounds like somewhere you might have heard of. The results confirm or at least strongly suggest a correlation between regular exercise and a health benefit.

Fit at 60 – Why Bother? Earlier this year, and every year since years began, highly qualified and respected figures in every discipline imaginable from podiatry to neurology, surveyed every form of life outcome from birth to death, in every social group from A to Z and found that all levels, frequencies and durations of activity from toe tapping to triathlon contributed significantly to everything normally considered a Good Thing and significantly reduced the risk of Bad Things.

“What have you got?” Chances are, whoever’s behind said desk won’t laugh at, deride or ignore you. They’ll understand the question, make an instant, probably inaccurate assessment of your needs and abilities and speak. That’s a good start. You are now engaged in what could be your first personal fitness consultation and before you know it you’ll be knee-deep in Yoga, weights, Zumba, stretching and God knows what else. And divil a bit of harm any of it will do you.

You can parse, drill down into, distil or look sideways at the evidence as long as you like; but there’s only one halfways rational conclusion – up to and including a Euromillions jackpot win, the best thing that can happen to you in any decade of life is getting fit.

What Then? You may take to it like a duck to water. You may hate the first thing you try. You may catch a cold after an aquarobics session and never go back. You may walk three days in a row until it rains solidly for the next six and you forget to start again.

And you can. Almost any activity you can think of is a platform for building fitness. Every bit of activity helps. But if you want a benchmark, a definition, it’s simply this – you have to stand up to do it. Or rather, you can’t do it sitting down, with notable exceptions such as cycling and rowing. This sounds like a platitude, but it’s not – at any age, sitting is the enemy, and the simplest guidance of all in the search for a better, healthier life is probably this – Stop Sitting. From there, the world’s your oyster. Walk around the block. Walk twice around the block. Walk faster around the block. God forbid, run around the block or cheat and hop on a bike. Take a detour, walk to the nearest Sports Centre, stride purposefully to the Information Desk and repeat these words:

But you are – by definition – a grown-up, and you know that persistence pays, so you keep at it or try again, maybe something different. However slowly, you will find that you’re able to do more than on that first day. You will; it’s how your body works. Whether you’re aware of it or not, your pulse rate at a given level of effort will drop. While you’re doing whatever it is, your breathing rate and blood pressure will increase temporarily, but when you’re not doing it they’ll drop. The differences may be tiny, but remember – this could be the first time since you passed thirty that you have reversed the trend. By working your heart harder, stretching its capacity, power and efficiency your cardiovascular fitness will increase. And here’s what follows:

Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 51

More Stamina Your ability to sustain physical or mental effort – is there anything more important? The more we discover how activity improves our physical stamina, the more we find that it helps both our mind and mood. The usual recommendation is a minimum of 30 minutes of moderately intensive activity, where you are breathless but still able to talk, five times a week, but in the interests of keeping thresholds low and the tone encouraging, let’s be clear - even a few minutes each week can help build stamina. Walking at a leisurely pace (which means whatever pace you walk at) is a great way to start exercising as it will stretch and activate your muscles, particularly in your trunk, hips, thighs and calves. If you continue to walk at said leisurely pace you probably won’t build stamina or increase fitness much, but that’s not going to happen, because you’re enjoying it and you want a better life. The most obvious and direct route to where you want to go is simply increasing speed. You get more breathless the more you start to push your heart, circulation and leg muscles because you need lots more oxygen to do this. One of the long-term benefits of increasing your stamina is that you will be able to do more demanding exercise for longer before you start to get uncomfortably breathless, rather than panting at the slightest exertion. Watch

out for this – it’s the jackpot. Increased strength Strength is the force generated by your muscles working to overcome a resistance. It could be the weight of something you lift or the resistance of an elastic band that you stretch. You want to maintain strength so you can look after yourself as you get older and be able to get out of a chair unassisted. If you lay the groundwork in your 60s, then you will be stronger in your 70s and beyond. Over time, exercising against resistance makes you stronger and improves your energy, metabolism, well-being,resilience and joie de vivre. Muscle strength is critical for preventing falls (reducing the risk of fractures, which is particularly important for women after the menopause) as powerful muscles can more rapidly correct a wobble before you hit the floor. Stronger muscles stabilise joints, making them more efficient, and can help you sustain cardiovascular exercise for longer. Prevents stiffness We accept almost without question the loss of range in our movements; it’s part of our perceived norm of ageing. What typifies life after 60 more than the gentle groans accompanying getting out of bed or rising from the sofa? As we get older we get stiffen more quickly

with inactivity – and it can strike well before our 60s if we sit still for a long time. Physiologically, it’s worse for women as the structure of their connective tissue changes after the menopause, making it less elastic. But you can fight it, and again it comes down to use it or lose it. Better balance Balance is a complicated process, but it’s central to our ability to function effectively and safely; upright, mobile and stable. It requires the efficient functioning of our brains in processing information from eyes, ears, muscles and joints. When any of these sources of information is unavailable or impaired, the brain is at a disadvantage and you will need to compensate for the loss, if you can. We learned these things a long time ago as children and it can come as a nasty surprise when we have to repeat the lessons as one or more components fail us. A lot of it is about interfaces and connections, and reduced activity can disrupt these connections in ways which are sometimes repairable, sometimes permanent, in a use it or lose it sort of way. Do nothing and the nerve networks controlling movement - especially the fine details of co-ordination - do not work as efficiently, and you become less able to regain your balance if you move quickly, turn or stumble.

Win top-of-the range mens and womens walking shoes in Great Outdoors competition

Great Outdoors Dublin are giving away one men’s pair and one lady’s pair of Meindl Rapide GTX shoes. Entrants will have to pick which they are entering for and choose the correct answer from the multiple choice for the following question “In what year did Great Outdoors first start trading from their Chatham Street store?” and the competition will close at midnight on Tuesday, August 2nd with winners being announced on Wednesday, August 3rd. Entry is via the website, www.greatoutdoors.ie/meindl-giveaway

52 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Specially for

Seniors

Why do Seniors return time and time again to the Castlerosse Hotel Killarney?

Is it the fun filled daily programme which includes a guided walk in the National Park, a gardening talk or new this year, a boat trip on Killarney’s Lower Lakes is included in the half day sightseeing tour. Maybe it’s the nightly pub entertainment in Mulligans and the old time dancing and table quiz? Guests can enjoy the Leisure Centre and Spa with a 20m pool and aqua aerobics during their stay. Above all, seniors return to the Castlerosse for its magical location with spectacular views overlooking Killarney’s Lakes and Magillicuddy Reeks and its direct access to the adjoining Killarney National park. The friendly staff and excellent food also come in for high praise, all under the direction of Danny Bowe, Castlerosse’s genial General Manager. For more information visit www.castlerosse.ie Autumn Golden Breaks commence on 4th September 2016 from as little as €185 per person sharing. Single room supplement only €25.

Tel: +353 64 6631144 In Ireland callsave: 1850 77 00 00 Email: res@castlerosse.ie

Programme includes: • 3 Nights’ accommodation with full Irish Breakfast and 4 course dinner each evening • Golden Breaks Hospitality Desk to provide every assistance • Welcome drink on arrival and tea/coffee each day • Half-Day sightseeing tour including 1 hour Waterbus Lake Cruise • Day time activities including Gardening talk, a Guided walk & Aqua aerobics • Evening Entertainment – Traditional Music, Table Quiz & Old Time Dancing Hotel Facilities include: • Located on the Lakeside just 2km from Killarney town • Magnificent views of Killarney’s Lower Lake and Magillycuddy Reeks • The panoramic Grosvenor restaurant and Mulligans traditional Irish pub • Health & Leisure club including a 20m pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room & fully equipped gym • Renew Beauty Spa & Hair Salon • 9 hole, par 36, parkland golf course and floodlit tennis court

Days Out

History and heritage History and heritage are the themes of the attractions featured in Senior Times’ latest choice suggestions for days out

Aerial view of the Witnesss History attraction which is centred in the courtyard behind the façade of the GPO.

The Irish Whiskey Museum features an exclusive collection of Irish whiskey memorabilia dating back to the 1800s.

GPO Witness History visitor attraction

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This visitor centre investigates, the prelude, and aftermath of the Rising. All events are seen from the eyewitness perspective of active participants on both sides, and bystanders caught in the middle. A touch screen on every display cabinet presents the personal narrative threads of witnesses inherent in every displayed artefact. Videos present a wide spectrum of views from expert commentators. Visitors are invited to form their own analyses, and leave their own opinions. A hands-on activity area allows visitors to engage with many of the challenges seen in the immersive audiovisual space. In a dressed set of the GPO they can use:- lead type to print proclamations and bulletins; interactive maps to route military dispatches to beleaguered outposts; and morse code to proclaim the Irish Republic by radio. A pulley system lets them send messages across a barricaded street. They can explore the living conditions of a wealthy child and a tenement child trapped in the crossfire. In the Crown Alley telephone exchange they can sort letters, and monitor phone calls. They are challenged to sift fact from fiction, from the stream of rumours that ran wild throughout Easter week. Visitors can compose their own newspaper reports and evade censorship to get them onto the front pages of international journals. Touch screens catalogue the full impact of the Rising in terms of physical destruction, economic consequences, human casualties, political careers, and so forth. General Post Office, O’Connell Street Lower, Dublin 1, D01 F5P2. Tel: (0) 1 872 1916. Email: info@gpowitnesshistory.ie

With an exclusive collection of Irish whiskey memorabilia dating back to the 1800s blended with a modern twist, this is one memory you are sure to savour. Located opposite the main entrance of Trinity College, the Irish Whiskey Museum is the most centrally located visitor attraction in Dublin. Relax in our contemporary cafe bar and enjoy an Irish coffee while taking in the beautiful grounds of Trinity College from above. Whether you’re a lover of whiskey or not, you’ll love the Irish Whiskey Museum. Taste the Spirit of Ireland! Irish Whiskey Museum, Grafton Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 5250970. Email: info@irishwhiskeymuseum.ie

GAA Museum, Croke Park The GAA Museum celebrates Ireland’s unique national games of hurling and Gaelic football. The museum’s exhibition galleries vividly illustrate the rich history and development of Gaelic games from ancient times to the present, highlighting the significant contribution the GAA has made - and continues to make - to Ireland’s cultural, social and sporting heritage since its foundation in 1884.

An interactive tour offering a unique experience

Visitors can also test out their own hurling and football skills in the interactive games zone – see how fast they can react, check out their passing skills, practice a fingertip save or the art of the high catch!

Journey back through time and discover the origins of Irish whiskey, its rise to glory, its dramatic fall and of course, the current revival of new Irish whiskeys. Savour the captivating anecdotes by our entertaining guides as they bring you through the ages of Irish whiskey. Enjoy a little tipple of

The GAA Museum is also the starting point for the Croke Park Stadium tour and Etihad Skyline tour. With so much to see and do, and fun for all ages, a trip to the GAA Museum guarantees a memorable day out for family and friends.

54 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Planning your next Group Getaway? Why not Choose the Villa Rose in County Donegal!

Group Breaks Include: ● 2 Free Places Entertainment Nightly ● Welcome Refreshments ● 20% Vouchers for McElhinney's Department Store ● Free Wi-Fi, Bottled Water & Newspapers ●

Go on a journey behind-the-scenes at the home of Gaelic sport. Visit crokepark.ie/gaa-museum *Senior citizen offer for Mondays only. Offer does not apply to group bookings.

An ideal base for touring County Donegal, the Wild Atlantic Way, Glenveagh National Park & More. Call Leona on 074-9132266 to plan your break today! www.villarose.ie

Days Out

The GAA Museum celebrates Ireland’s cultural, social and sporting heritage since its foundation in 1884.

Distillery tours are given by Teeling Whiskey Ambassadors where you can witness the whiskey making process first hand.

The GAA Museum’s exhibition Ireland’s Olympians is now open - See more at: https://crokepark.ie/gaa-museum-tours/gaa-museum#sthash.uNgf9Kbi.dpuf

Belleek Castle

GAA Library and Archive The GAA Library and Archive is the national repository for the GAA’s records, archives and publications. The GAA Library and Archive holds records and archives dating from the 1880s through to the present day, while its mission is to collect a copy of every book published by the GAA and every book written about the GAA. For information contact the museum at (01) 8192323. www.crokepark.ie/gaa-museum

Teeling Whiskey distillery and visitor centre The new Teeling Distillery in Newmarket Square is the perfect destination for tourists from both home and abroad. The first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years and provides the ultimate experience for whiskey fans. Located in the city centre and minutes from top local attractions like Saint Patricks Cathedral and the Guinness Storehouse, the Teeling Whiskey Distillery is the only operational distillery in Dublin City where visitors can get up close and personal with the traditional Irish whiskey making process. Offering a selection of tour options to suit all tastes and budgets, for a starting entrance price of €14, visitors to the distillery will receive a fully guided distillery tour, rounded off with a tasting of Teeling Whiskey’s signature Small Batch and a seasonal cocktail. All guided tours are given by our Teeling Whiskey Ambassadors and between 45 minutes and an hour. The tour itself involves a walk through the exhibition area, detailing the history of Irish whiskey from the very beginning, to where it is today. From the exhibition space, the tour then ventures to the inner workings of the distillery where visitors can experience the heat and sweet smell from the stills and witness the whiskey making process first hand. Visitors will be able to see into the barrels to understand the process as it happens, every stage from grain to whiskey. The Teeling Whiskey Distillery and visitor centre at 17 Newmarket, Dublin 8, is open 7 days a week. Visitors can now access the distillery via the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, getting off at stop 12A. Visitors can simply walk in or pre-booked tours are available on TeelingWhiskey.com. 56 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Belleek Castle has ten boutiqued rooms to stay and an award-winning restaurant

A Cultural Adventure and a slice of Irish Heritage is Mayo’s hidden gem. Located in over 200 acres of woodland aged over 300 years. Situated on the banks of the River Moy the castle is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The tour is a popular choice for visitors with its extensive collection of magnificent antiquities, distinctively entertaining history and opulent architecture throughout the building. Home of the Knox-Gores from 1831-1940, restored by Marshall Doran in 1961 to its present glory, a guided tour will take you through private dining rooms and the story’s connected, including the “Armada Bar” and onward to the museum where one will be astounded by the “Fossil Room” and the impressive “Armory”. The Castle has ten boutique rooms for guests to stay and of course the award winning “Library Restaurant” where one can try the famous “Drunken Bullock” a fillet steak flambéed with Jameson whiskey on a Spanish rapier! We serve bar-food from 2:30pm day, and you can join us for a tea & Lilly’s famous scones before or after a tour as well. Whatever you decide to join us for, tour, dinner or stay, you will not be disappointed with a visit to Belleek. Guided Tours of the castle take place from 11am-4pm. Call 09622400 to make a booking. E-mail curator@belleekcastle.com for more details.

Your History. Your Heritage. Experience it. Brand New Visitor Attraction

GPO, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell St Lower, Dublin 1

To book or for further information call: +353 (0) 1 872 1916 or e: info@gpowitnesshistory.ie

www.gpowitnesshistory.ie Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Health

Top medical consultants will talk at Galway 50+ Expo The extensive presentation programme for the Galway 50+ Expo at the Radisson Blue Hotel, Galway on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September will include two clinical talks by leading consultants in their fields. Both are attached to Bon Secours Hospital, Renmore, Galway. Dr Yvonne Smith will talk on cardio vascular conditions and heart failure. Dr Yvonne Smyth graduated from NUIG in 1997. She completed her Internship and General Professional Training in Galway University Hospital. Thereafter she worked in Beaumont, the Adelaide and Meath and Cork University Hospitals before returning to Galway University Hospital to complete the Specialist Registrar Training Programme and achieve dual accreditation in both Cardiology and General Internal Medicine in 2007. Her particular areas of interest are cardiovascular imaging and heart failure. Dr Smyth undertook a subspecialty fellowship in Cleveland Clinic USA prior to being appointed as a consultant cardiologist in Bon Secours Hospital and Kerry General Hospitals Tralee. She took up a Joint Cardiology/AMU Physician post in Galway University Hospital in 2012 and was appointed as the Acute Medicine Lead for the Saolta group in 2015 and has been recently appointed as the Clinical Lead for the Acute Medicine Programme alongside Prof Garry Courtney. She has a MA in Healthcare Management, a Diploma in

Dr Yvonne Smyth & Mr John P. McCabe Clinical Education, is a fellow of the RCPI and an ACLS instructor. Dr Yvonne Smyth, Consultant Cardiologist/ General Physician, Suite 3, Consultant’s Clinic, Bon Secours Hospital, Renmore Galway. 086-0233886 email: dryvonnesmyth@gmail.com Mr John P. McCabe will talk on orthopaedic surgery, with special emphasis on hip and knee replacement as well as spinal surgery He is currently Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon (Spine, Hip and Knee Surgery) at Bon Secours Hospital and Galway University Hospitals, and a Clinical Lecturer in Orthopaedic Surgery, NUI Galway. He is President of the Irish Spine Society. Mr. McCabe graduated from the medical school of NUI Galway, in 1985. He obtained his Masters of Medical Science Degree in 1989,

followed by a Masters in Surgery Degree in 1990 also from The University. Following training in Orthopaedic Surgery, Mr. McCabe completed a fellowship in Spinal Surgery in 1995, and in 1996 a fellowship in Hip and Knee surgery. Mr. McCabe is heavily involved in the clinical practice of spinal surgery. His expertise covers the full spectrum of traumatic, degenerative and tumour spine conditions, as well as deformity conditions. He has particular expertise in the management of complex spinal conditions in the presence of prior surgery. Mr. McCabe practice also involves hip, knee and arthroplasty, in which he is fellowship trained. Mr John P. McCabe, Suite 5, The Consultant Clinic, Bon Secours Hospital, Renmore, Galway Work phone: 091 768565. Fax: 091 768621 Email: info@ortho-galway.ie

Calling all Golfers Killester Travel will be running a Golf Trip to Cadiz in Spain later this year.. Why not Join the Senior Times team and Hunter Entrainment on this low season great value golfing break … Trip taking place in Early November and guests will be staying at the Iberostar Royal Andalus Hotel Senior Times Team will have a rep travelling on this trip and music will be provided by Hunter Entertainment The package will include the following… • • • •

Direct flights Checked luggage 15 kg 7 nights at 4* Royal Andalus Hotel Fully ALL INCLUSIVE (breakfast, lunch, dinner & all snacks + all drinks alcoholic & non-alcoholic) • 3 rounds of Golf • Private transfers • All taxes and charges included Total Price

E1095 per person sharing

Sean Skeehan World of Golf at Killester Travel 165A Howth Road Dublin 3

To guarantee your place on this trip Call George on 087 2525252 no later than August 29th 2016

Weddings. Hotel. Restaurant. Museum.

it’s historic

Belleek Castle, one of Ireland’s historic stately homes, was expertly restored by the Marshall Doran. Set in the middle of Belleek Woods near Ballina (Salmon Capital of Ireland) we’re only 40 minutes drive from Knock Airport. Superb AA Rosette fine dining from master chef Stephen Lenahan. International golf courses, world class salmon fishing & shooting, scenic walking, cycling and historic sites all close by. The Castle tour includes an explanation of the origins of the Castle, the history of the Earl of Aaron: The Knox Gore family. The Castle and the Great Famine of 1845. The life of Marshall Doran and his collection at the Castle. The influence of the Spanish Armada. The Mediaeval Great Hall. The fossil collection and Grace O’Malley room. The Castle Armour Collection. See and feel up close, the weaponry of the mediaeval soldier. Enjoy the facilities of this ancestral home

of the Earl of Arran, historic and unique, intimate and magical. The Castle is informal, cosy & friendly, rich in antiquities with many open log fires to warm your steps back through half a millennium. We do not have dainty, artificial décor as many modernized castles or houses do. Our walls are stone, our antiques genuine and our armour bullet proof! Unique, Intimate and Magical. We will give you is “impact to your wedding”. A magical experience with two venues are available. For parties up to 60 the beautiful Granuaile’s Candlelight Restaurant and for weddings of up to 200 guests can be accommodates in our Mediaeval Banqueting Hall, located in the stone arched vaults, which formed part of the original Belleek Castle in the 16th century. If you want another hotel ball room wedding… Don’t come to us!

belleekcastle.com Ballina, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Tel: +353 96 22400 | info@belleekcastle.com 2 014 EuroToques

Opening our Eyes to Elder Abuse Mary was recently widowed and she sold her house to move in with her adult daughter, Eileen, her husband and their children. Mary gave Eileen and her husband the money from the sale of the home in exchange for being cared for and living with the family. Things are fine to begin with but Eileen soon starts complaining that Mary is always underfoot. She asks Mary to remain in her room and she even starts insisting that Mary eat her meals in there as well. When Mary protests, Eileen threatens to send her to a nursing home. Donal is an 86-year-old man living on his own. His nephew, Brian, calls in a few times a week to bring him groceries, pay bills and have a chat. Donal appreciates the assistance and he enjoys spending time with Brian who is good craic. Donal has recently noticed money and other valuables missing from the home after Brian’s visits. He is afraid to say anything for fear that Brian will stop calling in. He doesn’t have many friends and Brian is often the only person he sees or speaks to during the week. Molly is a 78-year-old woman with dementia living in a care facility. One day when a care attendant was preparing Molly for her bath, she started to cry and pull away from the attendant, clutching her nightgown tightly. Molly disclosed that a man who was visiting another resident had assaulted her.

Most older people do not experience abuse but for those who do, it is a scary and lonely experience. Abuse can take many forms including physical, sexual, psychological, financial as well as neglect. The HSE defines elder abuse as “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person, or violates their human and civil rights”. What can make abuse difficult to identify or talk about is that it is often perpetrated by a son or daughter; partner, husband or wife; or other family member. It may start out as small or insignificant events but build over time to more serious and harmful behaviour. If you have been a victim of abuse, or suspect someone you know is being abused, it is very important to reach out and speak to someone about it. People who you can turn to are the Gardaí, your GP, Public Health Nurse, family members, friends, the HSE Information line on 1850 24 1850 or a helpline such as the Crime Victims Helpline on Freephone 116 006. Our hours are:

Monday Tuesday through Friday Saturday Sunday

10.00 am to 19.30 10.00 to 17.00 14.00 to 16.00 Closed

Further information can also be found on our website at www.crimevictimshelpline.ie 60 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Wine World ‘Mothers ruin’ moves on!

Mairead Robinson examines the rise in popularity of this classic tipple, and the growth of Irish craft gin. We have just celebrated the second annual Irish Gin & Tonic Fest this summer, and it seems that the rise and rise of the popularity of this tipple, particularly for the craft variety, is unstoppable. If like many of us, you have always favoured a G&T, a classic martini, or even one of the many great cocktails that use gin as their main ingredient – you will be very interested to learn that gin distilleries are popping up all over Ireland and producing some really fine alcohol indeed. It seems that gin is now the most fashionable drink around – and that old term ‘mother’s ruin’ is long forgotten! Of course, it is all about the botanicals. My interest in this growing movement stemmed from learning about Bertha’s Revenge, which is made in Ballyvolane House

in Cork. Anybody who has stayed at this stunning country house run by Justin and Jenny Green will know that food takes centre stage with a keen ‘field to fork’ philosophy. With their small batch milk gin containing locally foraged and grown botanicals, they are now championing a ‘grass to glass’ approach! Established just over a year ago, I was particularly interested in the background to this gin, as ‘Bertha’ was a legendary cow who lived just a mile from our home in Kerry and we knew her and her owner well. She enjoyed two entries in the Guinness Book of Records, both for her age – she lived to be 48 years old – and the calves she had which numbered 48. Sadly, she passed away some twenty years ago! But back to the gin that bears her name, distilled from cow’s whey and infused with juniper – the key ingredient in all gins - it also contains eldeflower, coriander, cumin and almond, among many other ingredients. The result is a lovely aromatic nose with a smooth and spicy palate. I am seriously impressed with this gin, and having shared it with several tasters aged from 35 to 68, they were all extremely impressed also, and keen to have a bottle to share within their own circles. The

62 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

RRP is €49.99 and you can find a full list of stockists at ballyvolanespirits.ie Another gin from this part of the country is Dingle Original Pot Stilled Gin which is made using an old hand beaten copper still with spirit vapour passing through the flavour basket to capture the unique character and flavour of nine botanicals. Distilled from grain, with each bottle hand filled; along with the juniper other herbs include rowan berry, fuschia, bog myrtle, heather, chervil and hawthorn. They are now also producing a new product, Dingle Four Seasons Gin, a unique collection of four 200ml stacking bottles in a beautiful presentation pack. Capturing the essence of the first season is Spring which contains an intense mix of floral notes, with hints of lemon and orange peel. The summer gin is a sweet tasting gin with a creamy texture and a mint and floral undertone. With rose petal and elder flower notes for a delicate floral character. Capturing the essence of Autumn the juniper takes a back seat to a complex mix of ripe fruits and a peppery spice with a long finish of cardamom and ginger. This unique gin consists

GTI

FASCINATING ESCORTED HOLIDAYS

The Group Travel Specialists

Riches of Vietnam & Cambodia 5* Corfu Island Getaway

WW1: Flanders & The Somme

Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta & Angkor Wat

Palaiokastritsa, Corfu Town & Achilleion Palace

Follow in the footsteps of Irish soldiers

15 - 29 Oct 2016 from €2599pp 15 - 29 Mar 2017 from €2699pp

15 - 22 Oct 2016 from €999pp

From Dublin: 19 - 22 Sep 2016 & 12 - 17 May 2017 from €667pp

Fully Escorted Price Includes: • Return flights from Dublin to Ho Chi Minh with Etihad Airways including taxes & charges • Tour manager & executive coach transfers • 12 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast • 5 evening meals and 5 lunches included • Fascinating excursions to include tours of Ho Chi Minh, the Cu Chi tunnels, a boat trip through the Mekong Delta to the colourful floating market of Cai Be, the vibrant floating villages of Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, the Killing Fields of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge and the remarkable temples of Angkor Wat

Discover Magnificent Myanmar (Burma) Mandalay, Bagan, Kalaw, Inle Lake & Yangon

14 - 26 Nov 2016 from €2799pp Fully Escorted Price Includes: • Return flights from Dublin to Myanmar including taxes & charges • Tour manager and executive coach transfers • 10 nights 4* & 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast, 8 lunches and dinner each day • Fascinating excursions including guided tours of Mandalay & Yangon. Hear the evening chants at Yankin Hill. See the magnificent temples of Bagan, the old hill station of Kalaw & the 40 tons of gold leaf at the Shwedagon Pagoda. Enjoy the floating villages, markets & unique daily life on the spectacular Inle Lake

Fully Escorted Price Includes: • Return flights from Dublin to Corfu including taxes & charges plus 15kgs checked-in bag • Tour manager & executive coach transfers • 7 nights at the 5* Kontokali Bay hotel with breakfast and dinner each day • Great guided tours to include the medieval old town of Corfu which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the spectacular ancient city site of Palaiopolis, Corfu Distillery, beautiful Kanoni overlooking Mouse Island, fantastic Achilleion Palace with its fabulous gardens & statues plus visits to the villages of Lakones, Acharavi & Sinardes

From Cork: 15 - 18 Oct 2016 from €667pp Fully Escorted Price Includes: • Return flights from Dublin to Brussels including taxes and charges • Historian guide and executive coach transfers • 3 nights accommodation in the superior Novotel Ieper Centrum Hotel, Ypres, with breakfast • Guided excursions including full day visits to the Flanders Battlefields & the Somme Battlefields, a tour to the interactive In Flanders Field Museum in Ypres plus attendance at the emotive Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial

Treasures Of Portugal

WW2: Berlin & The Cold War

Lisbon, Porto & Douro River

Berlin, Sachsenhausen & Potsdam

03 - 10 Oct 2016 from €1099pp

30 Sep - 03 Oct 2016 from €697pp

Fully Escorted Price Includes: • Return flights from Dublin to Portugal including taxes & charges plus 15kgs checked-in bag • Tour manager and executive coach transfers • 7 nights 4* hotel accommodation with breakfast & dinner plus 1 lunch • Fantastic excursions to include the baroque city of Braga, memorable Guimarães, romantic Porto, historic Coimbra, the pilgrimage site of Fátima, the medieval town of Óbidos, fairy-tale Sintra & Portugal’s capital - Lisbon. Enjoy a cruise on the Douro River & wine tasting in the famous Porto Wine Cellars with plenty of free time for shopping and relaxing in pretty Estoril

Fully Escorted Price Includes: • Return flights from Dublin to Berlin including taxes & charges • Historian guide and executive coach transfers • 3 nights at the Park Inn Hotel Berlin with breakfast • Great guided excursions including a tour of Berlin covering key WW2 & Soviet sites such as the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, Alexanderplatz & the Berlin Wall, a visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, a tour of the former STASI HQ plus a visit to the beautiful city of Potsdam with a stop at the famous Bridge of Spies

MORE DESTINATIONS AVAILABLE - SEE GTI-IRELAND.COM

HAVE A GROUP TRAVELLING? GTI specialise in TAILOR-MADE tours for groups interested in Sporting, Sightseeing, Battlefield, Historical, Cultural or Relaxing Holidays. If you have a group of 15 pople or more we can put together a quote & itinerary based on any group’s requirements!

Call: 01 843 4734 │ Email: info@gti-ireland.com

WHY TRAVEL WITH GTI? 3Irish owned & operated since 2003 3Fully inclusive packages 3Experienced, friendly & welltravelled staff 3Tailor-made group itineraries to suit all budgets 324-hour emergency phone service 3Fully licensed & bonded (TA 0533)

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of locally foraged black-berries, hawthorn, rowan berries and rosehips. Finally, elderberries and hawthorn berries have been combined with seasonal spices for a distinctly winter character. What a great present for the gin-lover! For more information on where to purchase this limited edition Four Seasons Gin check out www.dingledistillery.ie or phone Dingle Distillery at 066-9150699 The most recently launched gin to arrive on the Irish market is the beautifully presented Gunpowder Gin made in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. The super-premium gin, slow distilled by hand at The Shed Distillery, is Connacht’s first ever gin. Distilled in a gleaming medieval copper pot still fired by steam; the method combines vapour distillation of fresh citrus fruits with a special selection of oriental botanicals including spiced gunpowder tea and local Drumshanbo meadow sweet. The new gin is the brainchild of P.J. Rigney, the inventor of some of Ireland’s most successful export drinks brands, including Sheridan’s Irish Cream liqueur and Boru Vodka and the founder of The Shed Distillery, Connacht’s first distillery in 101 years. Gunpowder Irish Gin is now available in select Dunnes Stores, all of the O’Brien group, Molloy’s Group and all good independent off-licences. Over in Co. Waterford Blackwater Distillery

is producing small batch Irish gin designed from top to bottom using only the botanicals imported into Ireland by White’s of Waterford during the 19th century. This includes a treasure trove of botanicals once popular, but now overlooked. The Blackwater No 5 has spicy notes of orange behind the juniper – a serious gin with great body. In the garden county of Wicklow, Glendalough Distillery are also taking inspiration from the seasons for their gin. Four times a year they produce a seasonal gin using a blend of foraged botanicals growing wild locally together with a base of six classic gin botanicals. The aim is to recapture Ireland’s lost heritage of great spirit production and create a new, exciting and contemporary brand built around these values. The small batches (3000 bottles maximum) of this award-winning seasonal gin are distilled in a Holstein copper still and then left to settle for two weeks until blended with Wicklow mountain water. In the 18th & 19th centuries there were over 200 licensed distilleries in Ireland, along with countless unlicensed ones producing diverse styles of poitín, whiskey, gin and even absinthe which, until recently, dropped to a small handful. Glendalough Distillery is now part of a revival, the ethos being to make innovative spirits while staying true to the tradition and heritage of their ancestors. These are indeed exciting times for lovers of great gin who value a top quality product that is truly artisan in nature – local and seasonal and small batch production. There is no doubt that

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in time Ireland will become as famous for its gin as it is now for whiskey. Craft Gin can join Irish Farmhouse Cheeses in becoming one of our great exports, with Gunpowder Gin already proving a huge hit in China. If you would like the opportunity to win a bottle of Bertha’s Revenge, or Gunpowder gin together with two beautiful stem-less glasses, check out www.hotelreviewsireland.com for the current promotion of these great Irish craft gins. The next time you reach for your favourite aperitif, choose an Irish product, and you will be delighted with the superior quality of these home-distilled gins. Each are priced at around €50 and they are all small-batch produced so you are getting a real flavour of time and place with every sip. You will never want to go back to the big international brands again!

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History

‘Overwhelming, rewarding and very moving..’ Writer Muriel Bolger takes an emotional journey to Flanders Five oversized poppies in the foyer grab my attention. Above them written in white against a start black background are the poignant words by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae (1872-1918). In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row. They mark our place; and in the sky The larks still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. I am in Ypres, in Belgium. Many years ago, after Leaving Cert I went to boarding school in Lille for a while, to learn French and teach English. During this sojourn I was taken on a school tour to Notre Dame de Lorette in Arras, the world’s largest French military cemetery. I was mesmerised by the acres of white stone crosses laid out, parade-like fashion, stretching in every direction, the symmetry broken in places by a Jewish Star of David. I never forgot that place or the effect it had on me as an impressionable teenager, although the delights of a week in Paris soon eclipsed those at the time. It had all happened long before I was born and didn’t really resonate then. World War 1 wasn’t a topic of conversation over our meals. Nor were the Irish who had perished alongside their British comrades. The events of 1916 and the War of Independence had seen to that. ‘Never discuss politics or religion at the table’ made for more comfortable relationships in many homes, where divided loyalties were still emotive issues. Now it was time to rectify

those gaps in my education. My upbringing was apolitical. The recent discovery that my maternal grandfather who had died before I was born, had served as a musketry officer in the South Dublin Union in 1916, and was an internee in Frangoch, focused my mind somewhat as I wandered through the sites of the infamous Battle of the Somme, which raged that same summer of 1916. It was impossible not to become absorbed in the parallel happenings of the time. Here the Easter Rising had just happened and over there the unspeakable was hotting up. I felt anger at the futility of war – all war – and I came home with very conflicting thoughts and emotions. We had the benefit of an incredibly passionate and inspiring guide, Dermot Curran, of GTI (Group Travel Specialists) who imparted his boundless knowledge in bite size, palatable portions. I don’t think I’d have had as rewarding an experience if I had tried to do this on my own. He showed us John Condon’s grave. At fourteen, this Cork lad is reputed to be the youngest battle victim of the war. He also took us to poet Francis Ledwidge’s resting place. Lance Corporal Ledwidge had been part of the Irish National Volunteers before joining the allies at the front. He was demoted and court-martialled for being drunk in uniform and overstaying his leave, but gained his stripes back in Derry and returned to the Western Front only to killed by an exploding shell in 1917. The Battle of the Somme started on July 1st 1916 and by the time it ended the following November the British Army had suffered 420,000 casualties, nearly 60,000 of those on that first day alone. The French lost 200,000 men and

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Poster in the Memorial Museum at Passchendaele.

the Germans close to 500,000. In some of the incongruities of this conflict, and there were many, they managed to organise truces so that they could recover their fallen comrades from no man’s land. By the time it was over, despite the introduction of that new-fangled warhorse, the tank, the allied forces had only advanced along a thirty-mile strip, which at its deepest was not quite seven miles. The cost had been an incredible loss of 88,000 men for every one mile they had advanced. In preparation for this attack the British had launched a week-long bombardment in which they had fired 1.6 million rounds.

Long-term support and care of older people must reflect their ‘will and preference’ A shift in priorities to enable older people live at home as long as possible was called for at a Forum on Long-Term Care for Older People held in June 2016. The Forum was organised by Sage Support and Advocacy Service for Older People, and supported by Third Age, Family Carers Ireland and Alone. Data presented to the Forum from both an Opinion Poll and a Public Consultation Process showed an overwhelming desire among all age groups to facilitate older people to continue living at home in preference to institutional care. In his preliminary report on the findings following the Public Consultation Process, Dr Michael Browne found that older people ‘experience a deep fear of institutionalisation.’ He called for extension of the principle of ‘the money follows the person’ to all services. The key findings from the Public Consultation Process include: •

a need for equality of access between care in the community and nursing home care

•

a ‘core question’ is the discrepancy that ill people can be cared for by the state at no cost to themselves while people with dementia in nursing homes have to pay

•

care in the community needs to be regulated under HIQA and stan dards need to be developed and implemented

•

there is a dearth of appropriately designed and staffed dementiaspecific accommodation

•

Home care packages need to be enhanced and the role of family carers needs to be optimised

In addition the report says the model of fee negotiation between the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and nursing homes is unsatisfactory because it fails to take account of quality of life issues. In the longer term there is a need to enable people with long-term care

needs to have these delivered in accordance with both their will and preferences and their legal and human rights. Sage plans to hold similar events around the country during 2016, and will bring the findings to the relevant Oireachtas committees, the Minister for Older People and the Ministers for Health and Housing. To read more of the research findings and presentations from the Forum on Long-Term Care go to http://www.thirdageireland.ie/ sage/resources/forum-on-long-term-care

few must sees to gain a complete overview to any such pilgrimage. The Flanders Fields Museum, in Ypres or Ieper, introduces some of the personal stories and provides a rich overview of WW1. It is a good place to start.

Poet Francis Ledwidge’s resting place

We toured around Flanders, crossing into Northern France and on the wind swept peaceful countryside, the crops were swaying in the breeze, and all looked right with the world. The only evidence that the horrors of war having been played out here were the beautifully maintained gardens of remembrance and the cemeteries, some 900 of them, and the ammunition boxes at various intervals where farmers place the unexploded bullets they harvest constantly as they work their land. Some 3,500 Irish soldiers from the 32 counties died during these events although it would be several decades before they would be properly remembered anywhere. Simple stone markers state the bold facts. ‘10th Irish Division 9,363, killed wounded and missing, 16th Irish Division 28,398, killed wounded and missing, 36th Ulster Division 32,186,’ and so it goes on. The Irish Peace Park is Messines, Ypres, is marked by a 100-foot high round tower. Constructed with stone from a former British army barracks in Tipperary and from a workhouse in Westmeath, it was opened by President McAleece in the presence of England’s Queen Elizabeth and King Albert of Belgium in 1998. Many who left Ypres to head for the front did so through the Menin Gate, and out along the Menin Road. It’s a fitting tribute that every evening since 1927 there’s a memorial service conducted here with buglers from the local fire brigade sounding the Last Post. During WW2’S German occupation this was forbidden, but it recommenced on the first day after liberation in 1944. They ran out of space to record the names of the allied soldiers who fell in battle. Some 54,896 of them are inscribed on the gate and archway, the remaining 34,888 on the Tyne Cot Memorial. The Flanders experience is overwhelming, rewarding and very moving. And there are a

To experience what the life of a Tommy, and yes, they called the Irish guys Irish Tommy’s, then don’t miss the Memorial Museum at Passchendaele. There I went six metres deep below ground into the warren of that made up a British dug-out. These burrows were the nerve centres of the front line defence. English and Welsh coal miners, specialists in tunnelling, had been used to construct them. On view there’s a communications centre, first aid post, headquarters and sleeping facilities, a kitchen, a row of anything but private privies, and a rest room for quiet and reflection. I could have spent a whole day there – a morning was not enough to study the photos, the letters, postcards, posters and exhibits. Outside a network of trenches gave some idea of how exposed these men were, not only to the elements, but to the enemy too. I also visited the German cemetery, the resting place of some 44,300 soldiers, along with two Englishmen. Only a few weeks before the remains of twenty soldiers had been interred. Such is the tragedy of the Great War that bodies are still being found in Flanders a century later. No matter whose enemy or foe they were they all had family and friends who were left behind. And in the words of the poet Laurence Binyon, ‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We shall remember them.’ And Flanders does this with dignity.

Getting there I travelled with GTI Donabate, specialists in WW1 Flanders and the Somme. Their comprehensive itinerary includes their own professional guide for the whole tour. www.gti-ireland.com We stayed at Novotel Ieper Centrum, email H3172@accor.com For further information: www.visitflanders.com www.flandersfields1418.com murielbolger@gmail.com

68 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

The Irish Peace Park is Messines, Ypres, is marked by a 100-foot high round tower. Constructed with stone from a former British army barracks in Tipperary and from a workhouse in Westmeath, it was opened by President McAleece in the presence of England’s Queen Elizabeth and King Albert of Belgium in 1998.

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Culture

Maretta Dillon reports on happenings around the country over the next few months

The Julieta of the film title is here played by Emma Suarez as a 50 something who along with her partner, are packing up and preparing to leave Madrid for a new life in Portugal.

Mozart and more Mozart at Kilkenny Willie Doherty is one of Ireland’s most influential artists. His new exhibition -Loose Ends – is part of the Arts Council’s ART:2016 Open Call and was commissioned by Donegal County Council. The project builds on Doherty’s longtime interest in the relationship between landscape and memory. It explores how people, events and places associated with the 1916 Easter Rising are remembered and imagined today. The exhibition opens at the Regional Cultural Centre Letterkenny from July

10 as part of the Earagail Arts Festival. Later at the Kerlin Gallery Dublin and Matt’s Gallery London. See regionalculturalcentre.com for more details. Galway International Arts is part of an exciting collaboration with CoisCéim Dance Theatre, Crash Ensemble, Fishamble: The New Play Company resulting in the world premiere of Invitation to a Journey. The architect and designer, Eileen Gray, inspires this new work. A

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stunning convergence of dance, theatre and music, it features an original score composed by Deirdre Gribbin, as commissioned by CoisCéim for Crash Ensemble. In the world of design, Eileen Gray’s approach to shapes, lines, textures and colours was distinctly visionary. One of the high points of her career was the E1027 house in Southern France that she built for her lover Jean Badovici with the inscription ‘invitation to a journey’ (Baudelaire). More information from giaf.ie/eileen gray.

The Irish family/social history, heritage & traditions experience

Image courtesy of The National Library of Ireland

Back To Our Past

‘A great event’ National Archives of Ireland

Interested in exhibiting? You’ll be joining prestigious names such as Ancestry. com, Findmypast.com, Epic Museum, The National Archives, The National Library, Glasnevin Museum, Titantic Centre, Eneclann, An Post GPO Witness History, Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, Familytree. DNA, Accredited Genealogists Ireland, Irish Great War Society, Genealogical Society of Ireland, North of Ireland History Society, Irish Roots Magazine, UCC, etc.

www.backtoourpast.com

Industries Hall (Anglesea Road), Royal Dublin Society, Dublin Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October, 2016 Organised by S&L Promotions Ltd., Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Dublin 6, Ireland. T: 003531 4969028 E: info@slp.ie Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 71

Culture Kilkenny Arts Festival has Mozart on its mind this year with Ireland’s largest-ever celebration of the musical genius. Running throughout the Festival’s ten days and featuring 15 concerts plus talks, this epic musical journey will range from Mozart’s grandest opera to cycles of his piano sonatas, string quartets and late symphonies. There is more with UK favourites, Footsbarn, offering something for Shakespeares’ 400th anniversary as well as Cuckoo’s Nest, their version of cult masterpiece One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, featuring their uniquely comic slant and mastery of masks. Other guests include Stephen Rea reading Seamus Heaney’s last translation with Paul Muldoon as poet in residence. More from kilkennyarts.ie Julieta was supposed to be Spanish film wizard Pedro Almodovar’s English language debut – originally Juliet – based on short stories by Canadian writer, Alice Munro. However, with the change of name, Almodovar has reverted to his roots with this elegant melodrama in his

Ricky Skaggs will be appearing at the Kilkenny Arts Festival

own inimitable style. The Julieta of the title is here played by Emma Suarez as a 50 something who along with her partner, are packing up and preparing to leave Madrid for a new life in Portugal. But a chance encounter on the street with Bea who years before had been

her daughter’s best friend throws up hidden secrets and intrigues. Opens nationwide from August 26. Plenty to see, do and engage with during our brief summer...

Events around the Country / July August 2016 THE WAKE Theatre Director Annabelle Comyn’s new adaptation of playwright Tom Murphy’s story of greed, jealousy and betrayal. June 22 – July 30 / Abbey Theatre, Dublin. Information: 01 878 7222 / abbeytheatre.ie

LOOSE ENDS Visual Arts Willie Doherty’s new exhibition explores locations in Donegal and Dublin connected with the Easter Rising. July 10- Sept 17 / Regional Cultural Centre Letterkenny. Information: regionalculturalcentre.com

KILKENNY ARTS FESTIVAL Arts Festivals Features everything from Mozart to artist Mick O’Dea, Ricky Skaggs to Olwen Fouéré. August 5-14 Information: 056 775 2175 / kilkennyarts.ie

PATRICK HENNESSY: DE PROFUNDIS Visual Arts Patrick Hennessy RHA (1915-80), one of Ireland’s most successful post war realist painters. June 24 -July 24/ Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), Dublin Information: imma.ie

INVITATION TO A JOURNEY Theatre A stunning convergence of dance, theatre and music that looks at the life and work of Irish designer Eileen Gray. From July 11 / Black Box Theatre, Galway as part of Galway International Arts Centre Booking: 091 566577 / giaf.ie/eileengray

JERRY FISH Music Touring his special brand of Rock n’ Roll and carnival madness. July 1 & 2 / The Sugar Club, Dublin and nationwide Information: ticketmaster.ie

CARRICKMACROSS ARTS FESTIVAL Arts Festival Ireland’s biggest small festival! showcasing the best original creative talents from Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Meath. Aug 11-14 /Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan Information: 086 152 8896 / carrickmacrossartsfestival.com

TOMMY EMMANUEL Music Two-time Grammy nominee Tommy Emmanuel, one of Australia’s most respected guitarist visits these shores. July 28 / Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo. Information: 071 916 1518 / hawkswell.com

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN Film Tarzan returns to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary in this new reimagining of the classic tale. July 6 nationwide FERGHAL MC CARTHY: TAKE ME TO THE RIVER Visual Arts Salvaged ephemera gathered during the river journey from Dublin to Carlow are assembled in VISUAL July 9 - Oct 16 / VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art, Carlow Information: gbshawtheatre.ie

THE VASE: FUNCTION REVIEWED Craft This very familiar object is reassessed by contemporary crafts people. August 3 – November 6 / National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny Information: nationalcraftgallery.ie/vase DONAL LUNNY AND PADDY GLACKIN Music Two of Ireland’s most renowned and respected musicians come together. July 30 / Carnegie Arts Centre Kenmare, Co. Kerry. Information: carnegieartskenmare.ie

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JULIETA Film Spanish maestro Pedro Almodovar’s new film circles around themes of yearning, memory and loss. August 26 nationwide THE WOMAN WHO SHOT MUSSOLINI Theatre In 1926, Irish aristocrat Violet Gibson (aged 49) shot Benito Mussolini. Everyone but Violet thought it was madness. August 25, 26, 27 / Mill Theatre, Dundrum Information: milltheatre.ie / 01 296 9340

Finally, if you’d like your event to feature in our list of What’s On please email: events.country@gmail.com

Fundraising

Host Your Own Tea & More for One In Four When a survivor of sexual abuse plucks up the courage to pick up the phone and reach out for help, it should be available to them immediately. Right now there are too many men and women on our waiting list. They are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters.

help us raise money to work with survivors of sexual abuse. We need to cut that waiting list down! For more details or if you are interested in organising an event please contact us on (01) 662 4070 or e-mail fundraising@oneinfour.ie. Visit www.oneinfour.ie or our Facebook page for the latest updates.

Our annual fundraising event is back...and we need YOUR help! Organise a tea party, coffee morning, movie night, wine tasting, or anything you want to

Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 73

Golf

Dermot Gilleece recalls the many who have fallen foul of the rule book

Padraig Harrington’s first notable brush with the rules as a tournament professional, occurred in the Benson and Hedges International at The Belfry in 2000, when he failed to put his signature on a card which a playing colleague had signed accidentally, after a course-record first-round. So, with a fivestroke lead and a first prize of €285,000 beckoning, he was informed he had been disqualified, three days after his error.

No bending the rules When considering the rules rumpus which threatened to dominate the final day of this year’s US Open Championship at Oakmont, the memorable words of the irrepressible Chi Chi Rodriquez, came vividly to mind. ‘I think most of the rules of golf stink,’ the Puerto Rican famously declared. ‘They were written by guys who can’t even break 100.’ He wouldn’t have got any argument from Dustin Johnson on that point, though everything eventually worked out beautifully at Oakmont for the gifted American, because of the extent of his winning margin. Others, however, including Padraig Harrington, have suffered grievously through the unyielding nature of golf’s regulations. Harrington’s first notable brush with the rules as a tournament professional, occurred in the Benson and Hedges International at The Belfry in 2000, when he failed to put his signature on a card which a playing colleague had signed accidentally, after a course-record first-round.

So, with a five-stroke lead and a first prize of €285,000 beckoning, he was informed he had been disqualified, three days after his error. Then there was American Kevin Stadler, who suffered the ultimate sanction for starting the final round of the Michelin Championship with a wedge deemed non-conforming, because of its bent shaft. The Stadler family seemed destined to fall foul of the rules, given the famous penalty imposed upon Kevin’s father Craig, for ‘building a stance’ when he knelt on a towel while playing a recovery shot off his knees. And there would be no point in Americans looking towards Europe for a more sane approach to such matters. As a result of a decision taken in 1952, the same rules apply in golf on both sides of the Atlantic, indeed world-wide. This stemmed from a meeting around a large conference table of 12 men representing the governing authorities of golf in Britain, Australia,

74 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Chi Chi Rodriquez: ‘I think most of the rules of golf stink. They were written by guys who can’t even break 100.’ Canada and the US, in a committee room of the House of Lords in London. Their objective was to ‘try to develop a code of Rules of Golf, which could be used uniformly throughout the world.’ In the main, it meant attempting to reconcile in substance and form, the differences between

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the British and American codes as represented by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the US Golf Association. As distinguished American official, Joseph C Dey, later recalled: ‘At lunch, the R and A representatives decided it would be preferable to change their position because of possible complications for the USGA. ‘That’, said Lord Brabazon of Tara, ‘is the way to negotiate: you win your point and then concede it.’ After much discussion, agreement was reached and a uniform code duly came into use worldwide.

his ball to move, Rule 18-2b does not apply.’ The most intriguing ruling I have ever encountered was that involving Pat Lyons and Arthur Pierse in the fourth round of the Irish Close Championship at Westport in 1985. And when I spoke years later to Ivan Dickson, who had the misfortune to be landed with the decision, he wholeheartedly agreed. Gutted.. Mark Roe was disqualified for signing the wrong scorecard when playing with Jesper Parnevik

Englishman Mark Roe and Sweden’s Jesper Parnevik to be disqualified from the 2003 Open Championship, after neglecting to exchange scorecards for their third round together at a time when Roe had moved into a challenging position. Other decisions on the rules are so improbable as to be a rich source of fun in idle moments at the 19th. I’ve caught out quite a few people, including a leading rules official, with this one: ‘A player’s ball accidentally strikes his caddie standing out of bounds and comes to rest out of bounds. What is the ruling?”

At a meeting of 12 men representing the governing authorities of golf in Britain, Australia, Canada and the US, the objective was to try to develop a code of Rules of Golf, which could be used uniormly throughout the world. ‘The way to negotiate’, remarked one of the 12, Lord Brabazon of Tara, ‘is you win your point and then concede it.’

There are those in golf who would argue that the rules are inherently fair insofar as they apply to everybody and can be used to a player’s advantage. Then there are others, most commonly found in societies, who treat them in a decidedly cavalier manner. While society golf has done wonders for the propagation of the game, especially among those unable to gain club membership, it has seriously undermined adherence to the rules. Players see nothing wrong in picking a ball directly off the ground for identification purposes without first marking it; the fiveminute time-limit on searching for a ball can be entirely notional and few are aware of the difference between a water hazard and a lateral hazard. Take an offender to task and you’re likely to get the dismissive response: ‘We’re not playing the bloody British Open, you know.’ On the other hand, the authorities don’t help themselves by stubbornly retaining rules which are patently unfair. Not so long ago, there was an overdue change in the rule which caused

Answer: ‘In match-play, the player loses the hole (Rule 19-2a). In stroke-play, the player incurs a penalty of two strokes and, since the ball lies out of bounds, he must proceed under Rule 27-1, incurring another penalty stroke.’ So, if the wayward ball happened to be from a drive, the player’s next shot would be his fifth off the tee. Incidentally, if the ball bounced off the caddie and back in bounds, there would be a two-stroke penalty in stroke-play and the ball would be in play. Meanwhile, Harrington was again at odds with the rules during the third round of the US Masters at Augusta National where, after addressing his ball on the 15th green, a gust of wind disturbed his concentration. As he stepped momentarily away from the ball, however, the ball subsequently moved and he was penalised a stroke and required to replace it in its original position. Though it was clear that the Dubliner had done nothing to cause the ball to move, he was still judged to have been responsible. Even more frustrating was the fact that had he marked the ball, it would have cancelled out the action of having addressed it. But as he hadn’t done so, the penalty had to be applied. In the wake of what was clearly an inequitable outcome for Harrington, this particular rule was changed in 2012 and it now states: ‘If it is known or virtually certain that the player did not cause

76 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

It happened on the treacherous, par-four 13th, where Lyons carved a three-wood second shot into dense undergrowth. He then played a provisional with the same club and, lo and behold, the ball popped obligingly into the hole. That’s my ball in the hole; I’m declaring the first one lost, he said to his rival. You can’t declare a ball lost,’ responded Pierse, who was no mug when it came to the rules. Whereupon the Tipperaryman and his wife, Margaret, and friends began searching for Lyons’s ball. And they found it within five minutes. In the absence of a referee, Dickson, the then general secretary of the GUI, was called to give a ruling. ‘I had a feeling the incident was covered by a decision, but unfortunately I didn’t have the book with me,” he recalled. “My thinking was that Lyons was entitled to a four because had his ball stopped a few inches short of the hole, he could have brought it into play by tapping it in, albeit out of turn.’ So it was that Lyons was awarded a four by Dickson, which meant that the hole was halved. But after the Corkman had gone onto win the match by 3 and 2, it transpired that the decision was wrong. The R and A later informed the GUI that for Lyons to bring the provisional ball into play, he should have gone forward and picked it out of the hole before his original ball was found. A neat, sprinting challenge, you might conclude. If the authorities can now accept the notion of a wrong name being on top of a scorecard, why not the Harrington situation of 2000, when a clearly correct, authenticated scorecard on which the player’s signature is missing? And couldn’t greater consideration have been shown for Dustin Johnson’s sensibilities during those tension-packed hours on the final afternoon of the recent US Open? When someone complained to Jack Nicklaus that golf wasn’t a fair game, he replied that it wasn’t meant to be fair. One imagines, however, that it was the unpredictable behaviour of a bouncing ball the great man had in mind, not the inflexible application of sometimes unduly picky rules.

Northern

By Debbie Orme

Notes

Care of the elderly: who cares? Mary McConville, Project Development Manager at Arthritis Care NI

The ageing population of the UK has led to an alarming rise in the number of people in the 60+ age group, who are looking after a partner or elderly parent, which leads us to ask... There’s no doubt that the statistics are alarming. In figures recently released by Age UK, it was revealed that the ranks of what the charity calls an ‘invaluable but invisible army’ of carers in their 80s has swollen by almost 40 per cent in the last seven years. It’s estimated that around 417,000 octogenarians - one in seven of this age group - now look after loved ones and this figure is set to almost double to 760,000 by the end of the next decade. This ‘greying population’ is not only enabling peers to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, but is saving the UK around £6bn a year. Recently, I was invited along to observe a course run specifically for this dedicated group of carers who, for the most part, as Age UK said, remain ‘invaluable but invisible’. ‘Take Care’ is a two-week course, which is funded by the Big Lottery and run by Arthritis Care Northern Ireland in conjunction with Carers NI. The project is intended to provide support and emotional wellbeing to NI’s own army of carers. ‘The course is held over two weeks,’ Mary McConville, Project Development Manager

at Arthritis Care NI told me. ‘As with the other UK regions, NI is faced with not only an ageing population, but also with an increase in the age of the carers themselves. The increase in the ageing population also leads to an increase in the number of people who are living with long-term conditions, so today’s carers are also responsible for aspects of caring, such as administering polypharmacy.’

‘I think the overwhelming feeling of isolation and being alone is what gets to me most,’ Deirdre told me. ‘Like most of the women here, five years ago, I wouldn’t have envisaged ending up in this position, but here I am. The most difficult aspect of caring is the fact that you’re challenged both emotionally because you’re looking after family members, and physically by the work that you have to do.’

The first thing that struck me about the attendees on this course was that - despite the fact that Take Care is open to both sexes - all of the attendees on this particular course were women, and all were in their sixties and seventies.

Deirdre’s views were reinforced by Margaret*, 65, who has been caring for her elderly father for the past two years.

‘It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of NI carers (of all ages) are female,’ Mary told me, ‘with around a quarter providing more than 50 hours of care per week and more than ten per cent providing more than 100 hours each week. Little wonder then that caring takes such a toll psychologically.’ When I spoke to the women on this particular course, I was struck by how similar their stories were, and it made me realise how many people across NI must find themselves in similar circumstances. Although their family set-ups varied, the feelings of isolation and need for coping strategies were universal. Deirdre* is a 62-year-old former civil servant, who, over the last five years, has found herself in the position of not only caring for her octogenarian parents, but latterly her husband, who was recently diagnosed with dementia.

‘Caring isn’t a thankless job,’ the septuagenarian is quick to point out. ‘After all, these are your loved ones that you’re looking for and helping to remain in their own home, but the emotional side of caring can certainly bring you down mentally. I’m often up all night with my father, who doesn’t sleep well, and am therefore very tired the next day. As a result, I’ve found recently that I’ve stopped increasingly topped making plans to do anything during the day or to see friends, and that has increased my sense of isolation - both physical and emotional - which has, in turn, made the whole situation even more overwhelming.’ One thing that unites the women on this course is the fact that they feel undervalued by the care system. ‘When you consider,’ says Jane*, ‘that it costs between £600-£700 a week for someone to be resident in a nursing home, and we’re being paid just over £60 per week (the standard rate that’s paid to carers here regardless of

Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 77

whether they’re looking caring for one person or three), there’s no doubt that you feel undervalued. Politicians and those in charge of the health and social care system doesn’t seem to think that we are worth any more than a few pounds a week and, while we’re not in the role of carer for the money, it just adds to the sense of being viewed as undervalued.’ There was no doubt that, on the first day of the Take Care course, the women I met were definitely ‘worn down’ mentally by a sense of isolation and loneliness, and the overriding atmosphere was one of weariness. ‘I found that I simply couldn’t trust the standards of care in the local nursing home where my mother was resident,’ Shirley* told me. ‘I knew that my mother would need a high standard of nursing care but, very quickly, it became clear to me that due to the sheer volume of patients and patient:staff ratios, my mother wasn’t receiving the level of care that I had anticipated. I had found, for example, on occasion that my mother may have been given a jug of water on her tray on the bed but she simply was unable to pour any water into the glass and so while, certainly, she had been ‘given’ water, she hadn’t managed a drink and I was worried about her becoming dehydrated. The only solution I could see to give myself any peace of mind was to take over the caring myself. ‘What annoys me so much about the situation is the fact that, due to our own ages, we’re classed as ‘unemployable’ and yet we’re providing a very worthwhile service to the government, which is not only ensuring better standards of care for those who need it, but is also saving the government money in social care.’ This was a regular complaint among the women I spoke to. In the UK as a whole, it’s estimated that £5.3bn has been wiped from the economy in lost earnings due to people, who’ve dropped out of the workforce to take

on caring responsibilities for older or disabled loved ones, including £1bn in forgone taxes, but this figure is dwarfed by the amount of money that carers, such as these ladies, are saving the social care budget. During this session - the first of the two that comprise the Take Care course - I realised that perhaps the major value of such a course is that it provided the women with the opportunity to simply express their feelings to others, who were both sympathetic and empathetic. ‘As you’ve heard,’ Mary McConville told me, ‘the feelings of isolation and of being alone in this caring role are a heavy burden for many. The Take Course provides an outlet for feelings to be shared without fear of reproach. These women all understand how the others feel and that, in itself, can be worth its weight in gold.’ Mary ended the first week of the course by teaching the women simple visualisation skills and carried out some chair-based exercise to provide them with much-needed relaxation. By the end of the session there was a definite feeling of moods having been lifted and everyone left with goals set for the week to come. The second week of the course provided everyone with the opportunity to relate their feedback and the stories were universally positive. Mary’s talks on healthy eating and wellbeing, emotional wellbeing and further muscle relaxation exercises were warmly received and there were definitely more smiles than tears this week. The course also ended with each attendee being given a session with a complementary therapist: a little ‘me time’ which is so often denied them. ‘The main value of the Take Care course,’ Mary said, ‘is that it provides the carers with an opportunity to simply talk and express how they’re feeling. This is very therapeutic for them and this, in conjunction with the peer support, can be very beneficial mentally and emotionally.’

With current UK estimates from the Office for National Statistics for female life expectancy at the age of 65 deemed to be 85.9 years for women and 83.4 for men, and with statistics such as ‘nearly one in five people currently in the UK will live to see their 100th birthday’ being bandied about....it doesn’t look as if the situation for carers is going to change any time soon. * not her real name

NI facts and figures One in every eight adults is a carer. There are 214,000 carers in Northern Ireland. Any one of us has a 6.6 per cent chance of becoming a carer in any year. Carers save the Northern Ireland economy over £4.4 billion a year - more than the annual NHS spend in Northern Ireland. The main carers’ benefit is worth just £61.35 for a minimum of 35 hours - £8.76 per day. Over a quarter of all carers (26 per cent) provide more than 50 hours of care per week. People providing high levels of care are twice as likely to be permanently sick or disabled as the average person. Approximately 30,000 people in Northern Ireland care for more than one person. Sixty-four per cent of carers are women; 36 per cent are men By 2037, the number of carers could have increased to 400,000.

Great news for gardeners The International Rose Garden at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in Belfast is among the best in the world and this year - from July to September - there’ll be more than 45,000 roses in bloom at the renowned venue! There’ll be a full programme of events taking place in the park during Rose Week, including music and a variety of entertainment for all ages. From the City of Belfast International Rose Trials on Thursday 21 July, to the ‘Bumbling with bees’ walk on the same day, to the summer stalls which will be on display Saturday 23 July and Sunday 24 July, the programme of events is sure to grow on you..... For more information visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk 78 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Boots UK celebrates 50 years of care in NI

Win a short break for two in the heart of Tipperary!

www.horseandjockey.com

T: 0504-44192

The Horse and Jockey Hotel is a four star, family run hotel, located on a major crossroads in Tipperary, midway between Cork and Dublin on the M8. This landmark hotel is a well known meeting point. The hotel, which gave the village it’s name, is steeped in history and has been continuously trading for 250 years. It stands at one of the great traditional crossroads of Ireland, only an hour and a half from all major cities. Members of the Boots senior management team celebrate a successful 50 years of trading in Northern Ireland at a special event held in the Europa Hotel. Northern Ireland area managers welcomed Executive Vice President of Walgreen Boots Alliance Inc and President of Boots, Simon Roberts, (back row, right) who was in Belfast to mark the special day.

In 1966, the year that David Jones became Bowie, Cassius Clay defeated Henry Cooper, Seamus Heaney published his first poetry collection ‘Death of a Naturalist’ and mini-skirts were the height of fashion, Boots opened its first store in Northern Ireland at Belfast’s Cornmarket. This year, Boots is marking a milestone, celebrating 50 years of helping customers feel good in Northern Ireland, through its 84 stores and 1,600 colleagues working in the heart of communities right across the province. ‘We are very proud of the evolution of Boots in Northern Ireland from that single pharmacy in Cornmarket to having a major presence in towns and cities across the country,’ said Simon Roberts, Executive Vice President of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and President of Boots, who was in Belfast to lead the celebrations. ‘Delivering healthcare is at the heart of what we do and our team of over 210 registered pharmacists makes us one of the largest employers of pharmacists. For the last fifty years, Boots has played an integral role both in the health, beauty and wellbeing of local people and in our contribution to the local economy. We can now look forward to the next fifty years of care for our customers with confidence.’

Comprising 67 luxurious bedrooms and offering a winning combination of comfort and style, the hotel has every modern convenience required by both the business and leisure traveller. The Horse & Jockey is now home to Silks Restaurant, the Enclosure Bar, in-house bakery & New Bakery shop, coffee bar, a conference centre and theatre, Full Spa, Q Hair Salon, leisure centre and the Gift Horse Gallery.

To win a midweek 2 night stay for two including Afternoon Tea, just answer the following question:

Where is the Horse & Jockey Hotel located ? M1 Exit 6 on M8 (midway between Cork & Dublin) M50 Email answers to marketing@horseandjockey.com Or by post to: Sinead Gleeson Horse & Jockey Hotel , Thurles Co Tipperary Deadline for receipt of entries is 22nd August 2016 First correct entry drawn is the winner

Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 79

Travel There are now guided tours of HMS Caroline, the only surviving vessel from the momentous Battle of Jutland

A good time to head North In the wake of Brexit, and the extra value from a weaker sterling, for now at least, there has never been a better time to break to the border. Awaiting is Belfast, its shopping, those murals, restaurants, pubs and the Titanic story, the walled city of Derry, the sweet Glens of Antrim, the Giant’s Causeway and those Mountains of Mourne that still sweep down to the sea. So let’s look at a few options. Driving of course will offer the most independent and unrestricted travel, but perhaps more restful and less stressful, public transport is an option too. For example the Enterprise train will take you from Dublin to Belfast in just two hours or just three and a half hours by Bus Éireann Expressway from Busarus to Derry (with a short rest stop on the way). If you are 66 or over you can use your Republic of Ireland free travel pass to travel to destinations in Northern Ireland. However here is a wee snag, you cannot use your Republic of Ireland free travel pass for free travel within Northern Ireland. There is a solution. If you wish to travel for free on transport services operating internally within Northern Ireland, then you will require a Senior SmartPass card and you get one in advance - may take up to six weeks to process your application. If you are aged 66 or over, you will need to fill in an FTNI1 application form. You will need your current Free Travel Pass/Public Services Card and evidence of your address, (for example, a gas, electricity, and phone bill or bank statement), evidence of your identity, (for example, your driver’s licence, passport or another form of photo identification) and a recent passport standard colour photograph. The forms are available at your local Social Welfare Office (these are listed on the green pages of the phone directory) or ask at your local Citizens Information Centre. This will open up a whole new freedom. For instance, enjoy a day or two in Derry, walk the wall, drop in to the Apprentice Boys’ Memorial Hall (guided tours are available on request), ramble through the once troubled Boynside

and visit the very moving Museum of Free Derry and cross over the River Foyle by the symbolic Peace Bridge. Then you could take a train between Derry and Coleraine, described by Michael Palin as “one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world” and if you use an integrated Translink bus and rail ticket, you can then take the bus from Coleraine to visit Bushmills Distillery, probably and almost certainly the oldest licensed distillery in the world - knock back a wee taster. Also visit Dunluce Castle, dare a crossing on the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and of course a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site that is The Giant’s Causeway. If you are under 66 get a Translink link – smartcard which offers you unlimited travel on all bus and rail services for the day for just £15 (a £1.50 smart-card charge applies and you can top-up your card at main stations). Belfast is a must for those they now call Titanaraks (true Titanic buffs). The Titanic Quarter is one of the world’s largest regeneration areas, but for the foot wary, there is good news, the recently introduced Wee Tram runs daily between 10am and 6pm, The Wee Tram leaves Titanic Belfast every half hour traveling a ‘figure-of-eight’ continuous loop taking in get on - get off stops at the Titanic and sister ship Olympic slipways; HMS Caroline, last surviving ship of the World War 1 Battle of Jutland; the huge Titanic dry-dock and pump room; the iconic Samson and Goliath yellow cranes under which stop for a bite at the Cast and Crew Café; the SS Nomadic, a surviving tender that transported passengers to Titanic. Tickets are valid for two days of unlimited hop-on-hop-off travel and cost £6 (adult), £5 (concession - children, students, seniors) and £20 (family - up to 2 adults/4 children). Currently running at Titanic Belfast until August 25 is their Summer Exhibition ‘Race to the End of the Earth’ - in the footsteps of Norwegian Roald Amundsen and Britain’s Robert Falcon

80 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Scott on a 1,800 mile journey to be the first to reach the South Pole. This exhibition is on loan from the American Museum of Natural History. HMS Caroline’s revival Step on board Belfast’s latest maritime attraction, and you’re on a great Naval survivor. HMS Caroline may be a 1914 Light Battle Cruiser, but she is a heavyweight in terms of naval history. The lone surviving ship from the infamous World War 1 Battle of Jutland, she narrowly missed being hit by two torpedoes. She served as naval administrative centre, and has been moored in Belfast since 1924. An Operational HQ in the Second World War, and then a training ship for naval volunteers, she was the second oldest ship inthe Royal Navy when she was de-commissioned in 2011. Then Caroline faced her toughest battle – with rust and water damage. Restored with a Heritage Lottery Grant, she is now the most accessible historic ship in the UK, blending original fitttings with state of the art realistic sound effects. In the The Exhibition Space in the original Drill Hall, you can watch the powerful screen audio visual of the Battle of Jutland. On the afternoon of December 1916, 25 ships from the two most powerful navies of the times, Britain and Germany, were sunk , and over 8000 men died. The portrayal of battle – its smoke, shouting, horror, confusion, exploding armaments and above all, its deafening noise, is excellently portrayed. The Museum, spread over thee decks, has been meticulously restored, stripped back to original basics, when it was home to 300 men. Feeling like you’ve just walked into the hustle and hum of their everyday lives in 1916, you can explore the Historic Spaces, including the Captains Quarters, complete with private bath! and the Officers Mess. See the hammock hooks where the sailors lived and then slept at night. The Mess Deck Cafe has tempting teas and light snacks, and then, thanks to state of the art interactive exhibits, you can explore Caroline’s

Win the Exclusive Belleek Experience for 4 people Prize includes the following: ‘Hand Crafted in Belleek Experience’ The focal point of the tour will be a practical demonstration of ‘the art of Belleek’ by a Master Craftsman followed by the opportunity for group members to try their hand at creating their own unique china flowers, to putting the finishing touches to the painting of a plate or the fixing of a handle to a Belleek tea cup.

a selection of sweet and savoury delights, all served on Belleek China. The group will then visit our on-site retail outlet, where they will each receive a gift each from our exclusive range at the visitor centre. To enter, simply answer this question: In which county is Belleek Pottery? Send your answers to: Belleek Pottery Competition, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Or email to: john@slp.ie

CMY

Activities include: • Audio visual presentation • Guided tour • Guest Participation • Paint your own piece

First correct entry drawn is the winner. Deadline for receipt of entries is August 20th 2016.

The group will then visit our restaurant for afternoon tea, with

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We are seeking to expand our team of Community Fundraisers in 2016.

Would you like to join us?

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Break for two at Ghan House, Carlingford T Byrne, Swords, Co Dublin €100 Portwest leisure clothing vouchers Kathleen O’Regan, Buttevant, Co Cork Grace Linehan, Newmarket, Co Cork Tom Aherne, Dublin 13

We have an opportunity for someone in your area to help us raise funds by canvassing for donors (who are willing to support us through regular monthly donations) and also to get involved in a number of other community based fundraising activities. We are looking for a committed, energetic and enthusiastic person to support our essential work. If you feel this would interest you and you have about 20 hours or more per week to spare, then this could be an ideal opportunity. We oﬀer commission and training and we are looking for the right person to join our team, in your area, for the long-term.

For further information, please contact Paul McCarthy on 086 036 7553, paul.mccarthy@hospicefoundation.ie

Guildhall Square, Derry

Belfast’s Botanic Gardens will not disappoint the green finger brigade

The Giant’s Causeway, recently visited by Queen Elizabeth, is still one of Ireland’s most popular attractions.

communications. Learn about and try out, signals, codes and Wireless Telegraphy used in 1916.

Belleek Pottery Factory Tours Visitor Centre opening - check website for hours and to enquire about Factory Tours. Factory Tour Prices - Adults £4.00, Seniors £2.00 www.belleekpottery.ie

Northern Ireland attractions this summer

HMS Caroline – Open Min – sun, 10.am – 5pm. Self guided tours can be booked online. Tickets start from £5. for children, to £12 for adults. Concession rates available. Belleek beauties.. They’re used to visitors at top attraction Belleek Pottery - well, they have hosted them since the 1860s. Ireland’s oldest pottery has a story involving a century of craftsmanship, industry, collaborationn, adaptation to markets, and recognition.To-day, it has an award winning Visitor Centre to remind us of the history that is behind the fine Parian china. It all started with an 1850s mineral survey. John Cauldwell Bloomfield, a landowner in Co. Fermanagh discovered kaolin, (china clay) plus feldspar on his land. He quickly brought in expertise from the English pottery industry, found a partner, and started a business in 1858, producing earthenware. The business thrived, and Belleek Pottery was dislayed at the Dublin Exposition in 1872. The Paris Exhibition of 1900 displayed the development of Belleek Fine China, with its trademark floral and basketweave designs. One of their proudest displays is one of the oldest and most prestigious pieces of Belleek ever made, which was displayed and won a Gold Medal at that Paris Exhibition. The urn shaped vase is decorated by flowers, Irish harps and even wolfhounds, all created by hand. Now, the award winning Visitors Centre offers free tours – summoned by the bell which once called factory workers. There is a small (excellent value) charge for the Pottery Tour, which covers the process from raw clay to the sought after gift and tableware. You can join in the fascination of watching the craftsmanship behind those distinctive designs.

An important health consideration The Ulster Independent Clinic has over 35 years’ private healthcare experience, with more than 200 consultants available across a wide range of specialities. The clinic regularly welcome patients from the Republic of Ireland, both on a private basis and increasingly through the Cross-border Healthcare Initiative. Situated in private grounds in the leafy suburbs of South Belfast, the Clinic is easily accessible from the M1 and convenient to the main train line between Belfast and Dublin. The whole team is committed to continuous improvement and development of our services to ensure that we can offer the highest level of clinical care and medical excellence across the clinic. The clinic continually invests in the most advanced diagnostic equipment and facilities to deliver a quality service to our patients in a comfortable, supportive and friendly environment. The clinic is registered with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). It is the only private hospital in Northern Ireland with an internationally recognised CHKS accreditation – which means that all processes and standards meet internationally-recognised best practice, legislation and regulatory requirements. Contact the clinic at: The Ulster Independent Clinic has over 35 years’ private healthcare experience, with more than 200 consultants available across a wide range of specialities. Supported by a highly trained, dedicated team, patient centred care is at the heart of what we do. For further information, contact the clinic at: 0044 (28) 90661212. Email: secretary@ulc.org.uk

82 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

The hop on- hop-off Wee Tram, based on the tram cars that once ran in Titanic Quarter, is a great way to see it, taking you as near to the iconic yellow Samson and Goliath cranes as you’re ever likely to get! www.theweetram.com It’s the Northern Ireland Year of Food, so what better excuse to eat as you explore? Cycle up an appetite on the `Wild Foodie Tour’, when visiting Derry. Ideal for groups. www.farandwild.org Go downhill all the way when you hire a bike for the Mourne Food and Films Cycle Tour Self guided, you’ll regularly stop off to sample artisan produce. www.enniskeenhotel.co.uk www.cycleni.com Go on a Grub Crawl in Co. Down with McCombs Coaches. www.mccombscoaches.com Serious foodies will enjoy `Belfast Bred’ and `Belfast Food Tours’ Visit a Food/Farmer’s Market – e.g. St. George’s Market Belfast, (Fri/Sat) Dungannon Farmer’s Market or Comber Farmer’s Market. Join in the ancient Auld Lammas Fair, August 29-30th, and sample Dulse and Yellow Man. www.nifoodtours. Northern Ireland: www.discovernorthernireland.com The National Museum of the Royal Navy: www.nmrn.org.uk/exhibitions-projects/ hms-caroline Skagerrak/Jutland Commemorative site www.titanicwalk.com/ CallSave: 1850 230 230

Health

Excellent care and comfort at the Ulster Independent Clinic The Ulster Independent Clinic has over 35 years’ private healthcare experience, with more than 200 consultants available across a wide range of specialities. Supported by a highly trained, dedicated team, patient centred care is at the heart of what we do. We regularly welcome patients from the Republic of Ireland, both on a private basis and increasingly through the Cross-border Healthcare Initiative. Situated in private grounds in the leafy suburbs of South Belfast, the Clinic is easily accessible from the M1 and convenient to the main train line between Belfast and Dublin. The whole team is committed to continuous improvement and development of our services to ensure that we can offer the highest level of clinical care and medical excellence across the hospital. We continually invest in the most advanced diagnostic equipment and facilities to deliver a quality service to our patients in a comfortable, supportive and friendly environment. Our hospital is registered with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). We are the only private hospital in Northern Ireland with an internationally recognised CHKS accreditation – which means that all our processes and standards meet internationally-recognised best practice, legislation and regulatory requirements. We offer extensive diagnostic services using the most technologically advanced screening equipment. Our CT scanning facilities are second

to none, ensuring the most accurate and detailed scans in a matter of minutes. We have recently installed a new Philips IQon CT scanner with spectral imaging, the second of its kind in Europe. Our excellent facilities and services means that we are the healthcare provider of choice for many of the country’s top sportspeople, who require X-ray, CT and MRI, Physiotherapy and Surgical services on an ongoing basis. We also provide a comprehensive cardiac imaging and diagnostic service. The Ulster Independent Clinic has a modern, purpose built theatre and recovery unit staffed by a highly skilled team. Surgical procedures are carried out routinely 6 days a week and we offer 24 hour emergency theatre cover 7 days a week.

PATIENT CENTRED EXCELLENCE

245 Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5JH T: +44(0)28 90 661 212 F: +44(0)28 90 381 704 E: secretary@uic.org.uk

www.ulsterindependentclinic.com The Ulster Independent Clinic is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Northern Ireland. Registered number: NI 12066. Registered office: 245 Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5JH. Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC103565

Charity

Hope Foundation launch Yoga for Hope 2016 The Hope Foundation has just launched their ‘Yoga for HOPE’ experience 2016. If you are a yoga enthusiast, come join like-minded people on a spiritual journey in India, from 1st to 15th November 2016. Pranic healing, meditation, inspirational yoga, ayurveda, sightseeing, HOPE project visits and a blessing in the foothills of the Himalaya’s are all key elements of this year’s programme. Yoga for HOPE was born in 2009 when Mella Murphy, a Yoga teacher, decided to raise funds for The Hope Foundation (HOPE), an Irish charity working with street and slum children in Kolkata, India. It was Mella’s way of saying thank you, having met her husband on HOPE’s Himalayan Walk in 2006. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their meeting, the charity is bringing Yoga For HOPE to the foothills of the Himalayas this year, as well as to Kolkata.

School finishes at the Hope Foundation sponsored at the Bengali Womens Union, Calcutta

Guided by ‘Yoga for HOPE’ group leaders Suzi von Mensenkampff and Gillian Houlihan, the programme includes a workshop with a Yoga Guru, a Pranic healing experience, Paramahansa Yogananda Trail, meditation and Yoga in the Himalayas. You will also get to visit some of HOPE‘s Projects and see your fundraising in action. Yoga for HOPE is a yoga experience unlike any other. It is a programme designed for Yoga enthusiasts and teachers to engage in a spiritual journey of healing, and to share their knowledge, passing on the gift to the children, and their carer’s, in The Hope Foundation’s protection homes. Yoga for HOPE leader Gillian Houlihan says, ‘Yoga For HOPE is a unique opportunity to share your love of Yoga and connect with like minded people. Unlike other experiences, a key aspect of this journey is visiting HOPE projects to see first-hand how your fundraised money is being put to use and meet children who have been given so little yet have so much joy to share.’ Over 250,000 children go to sleep each night on the street and in the slums of Kolkata (Calcutta), hungry and without proper shelter or protection. Over the last 16 years, The Hope Foundation has continuously worked to raise funds to support over 60 on the ground projects, helping to lift Kolkata’s most vulnerable children out of poverty, 84 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

cruelty and destitution. HOPE engages with these children, and their communities, via child protection programmes, education, nutrition, drugs rehabilitation and training centres. HOPE now employ over 500 skilled local people in West Bengal. To download an information pack visit www.hopefoundation.ie or contact Susan Forrest on (021) 4292990 or email susan@hopefoundation.ie.

Travel

Centre of attraction Pat Keenan ventured into the land-locked middle of Sicily Enna is the only province of Sicily with no outlet to the sea. It’s hilly and one-fifth of it is described as mountainous. The region’s capital, also called Enna, is 1000 metres above sea level and ranks as the highest provincial capital in Italy. So on an island surrounded by blue seas and sunny beaches, I have to ask - why go there? To be fair, nowhere in Sicily is more than one and a half hours drive from the sea, so that choice is always there, and on a practical side during the height of summer, late August and the first two weeks of September, the weather can becomes extremely hot, and it is the time of year that almost everybody in Italy goes on vacation and the beaches around the Sicilian coast can become a mite overcrowded. So a trip away from the coast, at such times, makes some sense. At another level Sicily is so different to anywhere else in Italy, steeped in a history of

so many influences, invasions and conquests from Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Byzantines, the Holy Roman Empire and Muslims, the Moors and the Spanish, even the Normans. Central Sicily remains more remote and removed from the more touristy Sicily and provides an opportunity to see how all these influences shaped Sicilians, how it fashioned their way of life, their customs, cultures and their unique foods. On the approach to Enna city you will see it gathered high on a rocky hill over some steep and sheer cliffs. No wonder, through the centuries, it was regarded as a strategic and secure fortification. This fortress city dates back to approximately 300 BC, and the Sicani, the oldest know inhabitants of Sicily. Later the Greeks and Romans warred over it and after the fall of the Roman Empire, Enna thrived for a while in the Middle Ages as an important Byzantine city. In 859 it was occupied by Muslim troops and the name changed to Qas’r Ianni and with time that evolved through the local dialect to Castro Janni, a name it held until 1927 when Prime Minister Benito Mussolini renamed it Enna.

Don’t be too surprised to hear a few carefully phrased words of praise for Mussolini, not for his fascism or his support of Hitler, but he is often credited for his campaign to destroy the Sicilian Mafia. During his time in office crime rates dropped and many Mafia leaders were imprisoned or fled to the United States and some, like Carlo Gambino and Joseph Bonanno became Mafia bosses in New York. The Allied invasion toward the end of World War II, so welcomed by most in Europe, brought mixed fortune for Sicilians. In the chaos of war many of the imprisoned Mafia emerged from prisons, presenting themselves as fascist dissidents, the black markets returned and Mussolini’s fascist mayors were often replaced by Mafioso mayors. Luckily in the intervening years the influence of the Mafia has diminished, largely through tough law enforcement, some courageous judges and the will of the Sicilian people. A visit to Castello di Lombardia in Enna is a must if only for the magnificent views. There has been a fortress here since about 300 BC. How it looks today dates to the Norman

Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 85

Pasta making classes at Tenuta del Nanfro farm

occupation and Frederick II who arrived and proclaimed himself Emperor and King of Sicily, added 20 extra towers and built his summer residence, Torre di Federico, still here opposite the Castle. The name derives from his troops, coming from Langobardia (a Lombard dominion of Calabria and Rome). Just outside the walls of the castle there is a statue of Eunus angrily breaking loose from his chains. Eunus a slave from Syria lead a brave but ultimately unsuccessful rebellion against Rome in the first of three slave revolts called the Servile Wars. For a time Eunus ruled as king in Enna. The first and second Servile Wars were in Sicily and the third was on mainland Italy, led by some chap called Spartacus. The Spanish domination of Sicily from the 15th to 17th centuries have left some remarkable traces, still very evident in Enna especially each year during their lavish and colourful Holy Week processions. As in Spain the participents parade the streets, cloaked for all the world like the malignant Klu Klux Klan in the US, but they are in fact penitents hiding their faces with hoods in order to repent their sins without being publicly identified, a tradition that dates back to the 15th Century. Almost half way between Enna (62km) and Catania (70km) is another attractive hilltop town, Caltagirone, renowned as the ‘city of Sicilian ceramics’ where just about every

The town of Caltagirone is famous for its ceramics

thing reminds of its still flourishing ceramic tradition, lots ceramic shops and everywhere, walls,floors, façades, balconies and stairways, all decorated with colorful ceramic tiles. The highlight and ‘must visit’ is the Scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte, 142 steps of hand-painted tiles taking you from Piazza Municipio to the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monte, and at the top, a view that makes it all worthwhile. My advice is take your time, there are lots of shop stops on the way up. For a look at the history of ceramics in Sicily and exhibits from the 5th century BC to present times visit Museo Regionale della Ceramica, opposite the Villa Comunale (public garden), also worth a visit.

86 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Almost 4 miles from Caltagirone we visited

Tenuta del Nanfro farm. They run cookery classes where I surprised myself by making shaped pasta - yes and good enough to eat! We ended our lesson with with an earned lunch and extended it by sampling a few good wines from their own vineyard. Nanfro, Strade Insolia uses a white grape variety called Insolia grown in Sicily, mostly used to make fortified wines but increasingly being acknowledged for white wines - drinkable on its own. Nanfro, Strade Nero d’Avola, a very dark red wine, made 100 per cent from Sicily’s signature Nero d’Avolared grape has a velvety taste with a hint of figs. (costs €14 bottle in Sicily). Nanfro Sicilia Luoghi D’Incanto Nero d’Avola, same grape, dated 2007 good with spicy food, lamb or beef, my favoured choice.

shores of Lake Pergusa our guide told us of Persephone, a goddess of fertility who was abducted by the ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ of the gods Pluto (nice god) and Hades (bad god). She was taken to the underworld where she was forced to stay. She was not at all happy about this and after three months unhappiness and the sulks, Pluto/Hades allowed her to return home to Sicily but with one condition, that she would return and live with him in the underworld for the same three months each year thereafter. This was the Greek explanation for the infertile months of winter.

A visit to Castello di Lombardia in Enna is a must if only for the magnificent views. There has been a fortress here since about 300 BC. We visited Centuripe, another small town on a hill about 61k (38ml) from Enna, known as the ‘Balcony of Sicily’ because it is regarded as a good vantage point for viewing Mount Etna, one of the worlds most active volcanoes and almost constantly active to some degree. There is a bit of Irish history here too, during the Allied liberation of Sicily in the Second World War II, Centuripe was captured in 1943 from the Germans by the 38th Irish Infantry Brigade of the British Army. While in Sicily, did the Romans invent the bikini? We visited Villa Romana del Casale a major Roman archaeologic site, just 3 km from the town of Piazza Armerina, and found possible the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. One of the feature attractions

is a mosaic floor in a room the excavators in 1959/60 called the ‘Chamber of the Ten Maidens.’ Visitors today prefer to call them ‘the bikini girls.’ The archaeologists would sooner favor ‘sportswear’ - the mosaic ladies are shown weight lifting, discus trowing and playing ballgames. Central Sicily through the ages has, and still is, a land of fertile plenty. Olive groves, fields of wheat, figs, pistachios, citrus trees, pomegranates, miles of tomatoes in white tinted glasshouses sprout from the volcanic soil provided by Mount Etna, a gift of fertility, as it were, direct from the gods. There is a story from Greek mythology, you will hear again and again. Passing along the

On a visit to the small town of Aidone we stood in front of a tall and powerful 2.2m. Greek statue from the 5th century BC but it has an even more remarkable recent history. It is labelled the Goddess of Morgantina but is, most likely, a representation of Persephone, the abducted goddess of fertility in that tale of Greek mythology. The statue was found during some illegal excavations in Sicily, later it was smuggled into Switzerland and in due course, was purchased in 1988 for $18 million by the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. From likenesses of the statue found on coins recovered at the Sicilian site of Morgantina city, archeologists in Los Angeles realized it had likely come from there, where it probably stood on a pedestal in the center of town. After long negotiations the Getty museum eventually agreed to return the disputed statue to Italy in May of 2011 is now housed in the archeology museum in Aidone, a small nearest the site of Morgantina. Well worth a visit.tint

Travel File: We travelled with Best Holidays in Italy (www.bestholidaysinitaly.com) 19 Hazel Road, Dublin, Ireland. Booking enquiries & information (01) 254 42 80 0r E-mail: info@bestholidaysinitaly.com Coffee break: If you regard yourself as a espresso buff, I defy you to find anything but the best all over the island. In Enna’s Paccamora Bio Bar, (Piazza Vittorio Emanuele 21, 94100), try the espresso, it’s almost as strong as a shot of grappa. The food is also highly recommended. Eats: Baglio Balata, Via a de Gasperi, 94100, Enna, Accommodation: We were accommodated at Frederico II Palace Hotel Spa & Congress, Strada Extraurbana Salerno, 94100 Enna EN, Italy (www.hotelfedericoenna.it/) A good modern hotel but outside the city centre. If visiting on a tour with a coach, this is not a problem but traveling independently you will require a car or a taxi. Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 87

Theatre

Life - as a Playwright begins at 70 Jack Harte came late to writing for the theatre but his first play was very successful and his second is about to run By the time I reached seventy my writing had covered a wide spectrum of genres - poem, short story, novella, novel, as well as educational text books, articles, reviews, even a biography of an artist. So I had done it all? Well, not really. I had never written a play. No, I didn’t sit down one day with a check list, ticking off what I had done, discovering I had one genre left to cover, and deciding I must write a play before I get my P45 from on high. At all stages of my writing life I responded to ideas and content rather than to the form they should take. What I wanted to write dictated how I should write it. So, if an idea was nagging me to write it, it also suggested the form: a poem, story, novel, or whatever. Ideas are dictatorial, and a writer just obeys orders. About two years ago, a former teaching colleague of mine died. He had been a pioneer of the urban development of the Irish language, 88 Senior Times July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

had founded summer colleges in the Gaeltacht and inspired thousands of young people to embrace the Irish language as part of their lives. He was enormously dedicated, energetic, and imaginative in his initiatives to promote the language. Although I was utterly opposed to his extreme republican political views and affiliations, I was enormously impressed by this man’s dedication and commitment to the cultural project. I taught in the next classroom to him for over ten years and, as he refused to speak English to anyone. I availed of the opportunity to practise my Irish. After my colleague’s death, TG4 broadcast a couple of news documentaries about him, exposing him as a serial and callous rapist of the boys he had inspired, those he had involved in his language project. Some of the people interviewed were former students of mine too, and the agony on their faces was heart-wrenching. Their pain came from the fact of their rape by someone they loved and trusted, but it was compounded by their years of silence, wrestling with their continuing loyalty to the cause this man represented and his obvious betrayal and exploitation of them as people.

It struck me that there was something universal about their dilemma. The spiritual urges that are inherent in every human being are all too often exploited and perverted by institutional religions. The idealism and aspiration of human beings for a fair and just world are all too often hijacked by political parties and leaders for their venal purposes. And I wanted to write about this. The betrayal. The suppression of the imperative to expose when such exposure would be akin to a betrayal of people and ideals that were close to one’s heart. Above all, the inability to communicate through language what is most pressing on a person’s mind. Having decided that I had to write, the form was quickly apparent. Only live drama could deal with the intensity involved in this cauldron of complex emotion, could deliver the kind of catharsis that was necessary for a satisfying resolution of the situation. A play it had to be, but I had never written a play before. I consulted two friends, Jack Gilligan and Ann Russell, who had considerable experience in the field of theatre, and enlisted their help. Over the following months I produced draft after

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draft of the play I proposed to deliver, and they organised several readings by actors who presented the draft to an invited audience. The flaws were mercilessly pointed out, but I steadily honed my play until, in August, 2015, Language of the Mute, was staged for two weeks at the New Theatre, Dublin, under the direction of Liam Halligan. Such was the success of the play and the impact on the audience that it was taken on a national tour in May of this year. Writing drama is totally different to any other form of writing. When you write a story, for example, the written text is received by the reader exactly as you have presented it. With a play, what the audience experience depends on the input of actors, the director, design team, and others. The text is the work of the writer, but the play is the work of the whole team. It was a new experience for me to be working collaboratively in the delivery of a piece of art, it was exciting, and I was enjoying it enormously.

So much so, that I quickly moved on to my second play, The Mysterious History of Things, which will be staged in the Viking Theatre, Clontarf, Dublin from 25 July to 6 August. It will be directed by Bairbre Ní Chaoimh and will feature actors, Seamus O’Rourke, and Zara Burdon Yeates. Having dealt with an emotionally fraught subject in my first play, I wanted this one to be totally different, a light-hearted comedy. Although I guarantee the audience a good laugh from start to finish, there is an intellectual edge too. It is satirical. One of the most common of human characteristics is vanity. I am always amused at the millionaire trying to buy immortality by paying for a building that will carry his name. Or the sportsman who may have enormous achievements behind him, but needs the affirmation of a book with his name on it as author - even though he has to pay 90 Senior SeniorTimes TimesJuly l May - June 2016 2016l lwww.seniortimes.ie www.seniortimes.ie 90 - August

someone to write it! Or the politician who, at the end of his career, becomes obsessed with his ‘legacy’, what people will say about him in the future, his place in History. The play satirises such vanity. I am hoping that people will come out to Clontarf to see my new play. The Viking is a lovely intimate theatre over Connollys pub - the Sheds - on the seafront. So one can combine a walk by the sea, a drink in Connollys, and an engaging play. What better way to enjoy a summer evening! To book: www.vikingtheatredublin.com More info on Jack Harte: www.jackharte.com

Actors Seamus O’Rourke and Zara Burdon Yeates star in Jack Harte’s new play, The Mysterious History of Things, which will be staged at the Viking Theatre, Clontarf, from 25th July to 6th August.

Meeting Place CORK-BASED LADY, 68 seeks gentleman for a cheerful mate, kindred spirit, sound and strong not stuck in the past when things go wrong! Having inner peace and social ease, like to dance and shoot the breeze A mum, a gran with positive view, lots of interests, and faults..well a few! NS, SD Christian and free. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W1 ATTRACTIVE, SEMI-RETIRED DUBLIN BUSINESSMAN,60s, NS, many interests, kind and caring, WLTM a warm, mature, affectionate, caring, romantic woman for mutual enjoyment, companionship and happy fun times together. Discretion assured and expected. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W2 WILD ATLANTIC KERRY LADY, early 60s, would like to share the following hobbies: theatre, drama, sailing, foreign/home holidays, dancing and fishing with an authentic man looking for companionship and friendship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W3 TALL, SLIM, HAPPY, CARING, ROMANTIC LADY. Early 60s, but young in heart and no couch potato, interested in music, art, architecture, mountains and sea, theatre and movies. WLTM tall, honest, interesting, professional man, 55-65 to share interests and dis cover new ones, to dance, to laugh and maybe to love. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W4 TALL, ATTRACTIVE DUBLIN WIDOW, 70, retired, professional, kind, romantic and sincere. Interests include travel, music, art, reading, current affairs, good conversation and outdoor life. WLTM sincere gent, 60s-70s to share the joys of life. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W5 WIDOWED LEINSTER GENTLEMAN, LATE 70s, with no ties. Outgoing personality, with many interests, including golf, fishing, boating and walking. Interested in meeting woman late 60s with similar interests with a view to companionship and relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W6 GALWAY WIDOW, NO TIES, children flown from the nest, early 60s, medium build WLTM a sincere, honest male 64-68. NS, interests include cooking sun drives, GSOH. A lot of love to give to someone special. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W7

FEMALE, 60s, SEEKS travelling companion from Munster area for guided tours and city breaks outside Ireland. Interests include culture, theatre, concerts, nature. NS, ND REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W8 EDUCATED DUBLIN LADY, 64, seeks tall, educated gent for long-term relationship. Divorced, living alone. Interests: dancing, music, walking, travel, cinema, eating out, etc. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W9 DUBLIN WOMAN, FAILING SIGHT, LATE SIXTIES, SEEKS male or female ‘guide’ for outings, eating out etc. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W10 INTELLECTUAL CONVERSATION required by lady (60s) over a cup of coffee in a café once a week in Dublin area. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R1 CORK CITY LADY, 60, PETITE, ACTIVE, outgoing personality SD, with varied interests WLTM unattached NS 60-65 kind, genuine man with GSOH. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R2. MIDLANDS WIDOW, LATE 60s, WLTM lady or gentleman with whom she could share holidays at home and abroad. Compatibility important. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R3. RETIRED CO TIPPERARY LADY, 60, would like to hear from men of similar age. Very outgoing. Hobbies include social dancing. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R5. WELL EDUCATED GALWAY WOMAN, EARLY 50s, separated. Interests include theatre, cinema, sports, outdoor activities, cycling, hiking, country walks, cultural events, history and cooking dishes from all over the world. WLTM man with similar interests, GSOH with a positive outlook on life. View to friendship and possible relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R6. SELF RELIANT CORK CITY GENT, warm, conversationally good, informed. WLTM expansive, confident, self-caring and selfresponsible lady for mature, engaging and good company. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M1

DUBLIN LADY YOUNG MID 60s, educated, divorced, petite (am told attractive) WLTM unattached male, NS, 60-70 with similar interests which are music, walking, love of nature, good conversation and general interests in life and living! REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M2 ACTIVE UNATTACHED TIP LADY, 53, semi-retired, no ties. Seeks male of female travelling companion anywhere in Ireland. Also interested in city breaks, walking holidays, cruises, anywhere off the beaten track, near or far. I’ve plenty of destinations in my ‘bucket list’ – do you? REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M3 CULTURED, PROFESSIONAL DUBLIN WIDOW, various interests include music, theatre, films, walking, and outdoor life. WLTM sincere gent to share and enjoy happy times together – the best is yet to come! REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M4 SINGLE NORTH EAST LADY, EARLY 60s, attractive, active with outgoing personality, sincere, kind and caring. Enjoy cinema, theatre, walking, hiking, restaurants and travel. WLTM sincere active man with GSOH, for friendship, travel, chatting and the simple things of life. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M5 YOUNG DUBLIN LADY, 61, interests include swimming, walking, reading, travelling, yoga, laughter, fun and GSOH, cycling, spirituality. WLTM soulmate from Dublin area. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M7 LOVELY WELL-EDUCATED GALWAY WOMAN, late 50s, 5ft 6in, slim build, charming with GSOH, NS/SD, well-travelled, kind and sincere, Taurean. Interests include art, music, painting, reading, theatre, concerts, walking, yoga, healthy lifestyle, golf and bridge. WLTM sincere, attractive mature gentleman for friendship and companionship who has good values, with similar interests and is kind and caring. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M8 DUBLIN MAN 62, tall, slim, energetically fit, good dress sense, NS, SD witty sense of humour. Likes great outdoors, hill walking, sailing, rugby, history, decent restaurants, cinema, theatre, classical and traditional music. Likes visiting different parts of the country. WLTM an active female 60/65 who enjoys and has a young outlook on life. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M9

Win tickets for Will You remember, chronicalling the life and music of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy National Concert Hall, Dublin 19th August, 2016 – 1.05 p.m. FEATURING: Sandra Oman, soprano; Simon Morgan, baritone; David Wray, piano In association with promoter Sheldon Nulty Music, Senior Times is offering three pairs of tickets for this attractive promotion featuring all the favourite songs of this much loved duo, including Rose Marie, Lover Come Back To me , Wanting You etc. To enter, simply state the time this concert will begin. Send your entry to Will You Remember Competition, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Or email to: john@slp.ie Deadline for receipt of entries is 5th August. Tickets for the concert cost €16 (€14 for concessions) and can be booked at the National Concert Hall by telephone (01) 4170000, or on line at nce.ie 92 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

SINGLE DUBLIN MAN 60 NO TIES NS SD GSOH. Interests include good conversation, travel, walking, reading. WLTM sincere down to earth lady 60-65 for friendship, good company and possible relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M10.

CORK LADY MID-60s, sincere and good sense of humour. Enjoys dancing, animals and good conversation and people with a good sense of humour. WLTM sincere single or widower teetotaller gent with a good sense of humour. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B8

DUBLIN GENT looking for lady (not too tall) to practice, waltz, quickstep, tango and foxtrot with a view to taking part in competitions. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M11

KERRY LADY EARLY 60s, NS, occasional drinker, would like to correspond with honest, caring and respectable person for friendship and companionship. Many interests, including reading, walking, gardening, wildlife, cinema, current affairs etc. Told I am a good humoured and caring person. All genuine replies welcome. Discretion assured and expected. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B9

ATTRACTIVE, ARTICULATE NEW YORK WOMAN educationalist, 60s, now living in Ireland and within the Dublin catchment area WLTM a cultured, refined man with no ties. Interests wide and varied and include love of life, good conversation, comedy, theatre, travel, reading and the arts. My life is a tapestry of colours and sharing experiences which makes it more enriching. Are you my long awaited other half? Do answer ASAP REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F1

DONEGAL WIDOWER, LATE 50s, WLTM woman, 50-65, from North West for friendship and perhaps more. Wide range of interests. SD. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P1

KERRY LADY LATE 60s, RETIRED, with no commitments, NS, SD, caring with GSOH, WLTM sincere gentleman for social life and share general interests and for friendship and possible relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M12 RESPECTABLE DUBLIN PROFESSIONAL businessman 60s, NS, tall medium build, told attractive. Many interests, very private. WLTM mature, affectionate, interesting feminine woman for friendship, romance and shared mutual enjoyment. Discretion assured and expected. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M13 SINGLE MIDLANDS TEACHER, EARLY 50, enjoys reading, history, computers, sport, foreign holidays, and WLTM interesting male for friendship/relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M14 SINGLE DUBLIN GENT, 60s, NS, ND, many interests, WLTM refined female from any part of the country. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M15 PETITE DUBLIN LADY, 60s, returned emigrant WLTM kind, cultured gentleman with a GSOH for friendship/companionship. Hobbies include reading, walking, theatre, classical music, art appreciation, travel, intelligent conversation and world politics. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B1 ATTRACTIVE SOUTH DUBLIN BUSINESSMAN, 60s, NS, semi-retired, medium build, tall, kind, considerate, WLTM an attractive, mature, affectionate, caring woman for friendship, companionship and to share special moments. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B2 SINGLE MAYO LADY, MID-50s, with many and varied interests, seeks genuine man for friendship/relationship, to spend and enjoy time together travelling, eating out, chatting, having fun and companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B3

OFFALY-BASED RETIRED BUSINESSMAN, 66, fit, good looking, SD, NS, GSOH. Varied interests. WLTM a nice lady who is caring with GSOH, SD, NS for friendship and possible relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F2 ATTRACTIVE DUBLIN LADY, 60s, widowed with no ties, very active and fit, with outgoing personality. NS, SD with many interests. Enjoy walking, dancing, dining out, lively conversation and current affairs. WLTM educated, sincere gent with GSOH, 60s, 70s for friendship/relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F3 SEPARATED, RETIRED GENT 67, medium height and build, ND, light smoker, enjoys reading, walks, films, music, WLTM female over 50 with view to a relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F4 CORK LADY 64 SINGLE, likes dancing, gardening, history, animals and walking. Good listener, GSOH, NS, SD, WLTM respectable gent, single or widower, from anywhere in Ireland for friendship/ companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F5

GALWAY GENT, 60s, UNATTACHED, with many interests, GSOH. WLTM unattached, kind, sincere lady for friendship and whatever the future holds. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B4

ATTRACTIVE, PETITE, DUBLIN LADY, single, retired professional, late 60s WLTM kind, sincere, respectable. Interests include dancing, cinema/ theatre and walking and eating out. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F6

MID-SOUTH COAST WIDOW, NS, ND, sincere, refined. Interests include baroque music, rugby, books, gardening, animals and world affairs. WLTM sincere free male/widower 68-73 to share above for friendship and companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B5

NORTH WEST DONEGAL LADY, very young 64, nature lover, enjoys going for country walks, WLTM meet either male or female for friendship, weekends away, or perhaps form a friendship group. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F7

KIND, SINCERE SOUTH COUNTY DUBLIN man, 63, 5ft 10in, good appearance medium/slim build divorced, no children, NS, ND, enjoys reading, walking, conversation, radio, own home, and car. WLTM NS lady at least 5ft 3in tall for friendship/ relationship. Phone number please. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B6 LOVELY LEINSTER LADY, 58, 5ft 4in, slim, blonde WLTM tall, well-built gentleman with Old School values, and above all honesty, and sense of humour. Very feminine, dislike outdoors, love books, theatre, fine dining and good conversation, especially about politics. Strongly business and work orientated. Don’t suffer fools or overly PC people. More Jane Austin than Sex in the City! Interested? REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B7

DUBLIN LADY 60s, retired. Interests include history, dancing, reading, cinema and travelling with gentleman with similar interests. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F8 RETIRED FEMALE PRIMARY TEACHER living in the midlands, early 50s, wishes to meet interesting man for friendship or maybe more. Enjoys reading, walking, history, sport. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F9 SINGLE TIPPERARY LADY, never married, no ties, well-travelled, own home, GSOH, loves theatre, music, sports, walking, WLTM refined, caring gent 65-75, single or widower. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F10

KERRY LADY EARLY 60s, fit, sincere, outgoing, loves nature, travelling, dancing and fishing. WLTM sincere man for friendship and companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P2 ROMANTIC DUBLIN GENTLEMAN, 60s, civilised, open, tall, no children, GSOH, positive, loyal, dependable. WLTM cheerful widow to share this wonderful world, in friendship, perhaps romance, perhaps committed relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P3 DUBLIN BASED LADY, 50s, originally from country, interested in weekends away, cinema, reading, dining out, gardening, outdoor life, music. WLTM man for friendship and possible relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER P4

TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT If you are interested in meeting someone of the opposite or same sex, send your advertisement, with four stamps (which is the average reply rate) enclosed in the envelope, to: Meeting Place, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Or email: john@slp.ie IMPORTANT Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live, noting your interests. The advertisement should not be more than 60 words. If you are replying to the advertisement via Senior Time’s email, ensure you include your postal address for those not on the Net. (Only Senior Times will have these details). Deadline for receipt of advertisements for the next issue is August 20th 2016. TO REPLY TO AN ADVERTISEMENT Each reply to an advertisement should be enclosed in a plain, stamped envelope, with the box number marked in pencil so that it can be erased before being forwarded to the advertiser. Send these envelopes in a covering envelope to the address above so that we can forward them to the advertiser. There is no limit to the amount of advertisements to which you can reply, provided each one is contained in a plain, stamped envelope. Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live. For those submitting their advertisements by email ensure that you also supply Senior Times with your postal address so that we can post replies from those who have replied by post. (Only Senior Times will have your postal address).

Crossword Crossword Number 78 by Zoë Devlin

ACROSS 1 7 11 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 28 29 32 35 36 37 40 45 46 47 49 53 54 55 58 62 63 67 68 69 70 73 76 78 79 82 85 88 91 92 94 95 100 101 102 104 105 106

Perhaps a soprano dwelt in this south Dublin racecourse? (12) Played by 11 players with a round ball (6) No longer in use ...obsolete (7) Islands, sound like ancient Egyptian rulers? (7) Christmas show, loved by children (9) Arduous, taxing to the utmost (9) Expel - throw out - depose (4) Player who gets a point in 7 Across (6) Relating to a stellar body (6) Beckon or signal with the hands (4) Ahoy Furies!! Home of the Irish Grand National (10) Live or inhabit somewhere you desire (6) Period of wooing .. not a sour pitch (9) World’s longest river (4) Consumed (3) Group of six musicians (6) Callas or Carreras - or maybe ripe oranges? (5-6) Co Kildare plain and racecourse (3,7) Presume it’s the ultimate, highest, greatest (7) May it be Huberman, Johnson or Winehouse? (3) Gusto ... relish (4) Protein found in dough, often not tolerated (6) Wiseman or culinary herb (4) Perfumed liquid lighter than cologne (3,2,8) Retired jockey, rode 9 Epsom Derby winners (6,7) Be in a huff or pout (4) A graduate from university with a manual? (6) Shout, cry, scream (4) Finish (3) See 89 Down (7) Small food elevator used in hotels (10) Racecourse which hosts Oxegen festival (11) Utilise or engage for work (6) Ultra high frequency, in short (3) Ours is not a bit sweet! (4) Youths with dress style & subculture of 50’s (5,4) Bunratty or Blarney? (6) Resistant to catching fire (10) Irritating desire to scratch (4) Hardly ever - seldom (6) Carbohydrate found in potatoes (6) Are there many of this type of talking bird? (4) He’s a jewel of a jockey! (4,5) Dancer such as Fonteyn or Darcey Bussell (9) Stone pillar or column (7) But hail! This is a large flatfish (7) Detailed inspection (6) Freedom from control or influence (12)

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 8

Initial ascent of rocket from launch pad (4-3) One third of a football chant! (3) Molecule, particle, tiny piece given to Ma? (4) Fine powdery material often on old furniture (4) Cast repeatedly in the same kind of role (8) Frosty, glacial, icy (6) Japanese art of folding paper (7)

94 Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

DOWN continued 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 24 25 26 27 30 31 33 34 35 38 39 41 42 43 44 48 50 51 52 56 57 59 60 61 62 64 65 66 68 71 72 73 74 75 77 80 81 83 84 86 87 89 90 93 96 97 98 99 103

Top line of a hill or wave (5) One who enquires and investigates scientifically (10) Dublin’s electric rail system (4) Ballad .. serenade ... anthem (4) Part of the body between pelvis and thorax (7) Type of paint or disease in animals (9) Party in the evening (6) Were there rebel pigs in this director’s movies? (9) Soluble substance for colouring hair (3) Piano piece inspired by the night (8) Nothing but a brass wind instrument! (4) Information Technology in short (1,1) Institute legal proceedings against (3) Tremendously - hugely (10) Star which is source of light and heat (3) Annoy or bother (3) Not artificially (9) Armistice or cease-fire (5) Laconic, curt or crisp (5) Timid... unsure (3) Visitor or invitee (5) Time yet to come (6) Self-importance .. the conscious mind (3) Bovine sound (3) Financial officer of club or association (9) Relating to French emperor or onion place? (10) Evergreen tree found often in graveyards (3) Region of back between ribs and hips (6) Committee for State Security in Soviet Union (1,1,1) Shop where hairdressers work (5) Humourous play on words (3) Name of work of art or composition (5) Thick sweet liquid (5) Puccini’s opera set in Paris’s Latin Quarter (2,6) Branch of physics that studies celestial bodies (9) Intestine (3) Sheep found twice in fewer jewels? (3) Facial hair growths as worn by Groucho Marx & Hitler? (10) Menagerie (3) Male head of family or tribe (9) Is it Cash On Delivery for this fish? (3) Precipitation falling as ice crystals (4) Flat pad used as floor covering (3) Obstruction or stoppage in a pipe (8) Choose or select as an alternative over another (3) Unit of sound (7) 2nd person plural Old English, always at start of year? (2) Azure ... the colour above on a good summer’s day (3-4) Heed .. hark .. pay close attention (6) & 69 Across. Italian horse-racing UK jockey (7,7) State or country (6) Hot fragment of wood or coal, in December? (5) Small piece of cotton to cleanse wound (4) Smudge or smear (4) City on the Tiber (4) Peddle or offer for sale (4) Creator of James Bond, ___ Fleming (3)

FOUR COPIES OF ALICE TAYLOR’S COUNTRY DAYS TO BE WON! In association with the publishers, The O’Brien Press, Senior Times are offering four copies of best-selling author Alice Taylor’s memoir Country Days as this issue’s crossword prize. Described by The Observer as ‘Ireland’s Laurie Lee...a chronicler of fading village life and rural rituals who sells and sells’, in this collection of stories, Alice takes her readers along the byways of Ireland and into the heart of the country. By turn comic and poignant, she explores the character of family and friends, testing the bonds of concern and kindness which hold people together. The first four correct entries drawn are the winners. Name: ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Address: ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Send your entries to: Crossword Competition, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The first three correct entries drawn are the winners. Deadline for receipt of entries is August 20th 2016.

Phone: ................................................................................................................................................................................................ Email:......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Senior Times l July - August 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 95

Connie McEvoy shows you how to make a plaited rag rug/mat

Crafts

On the mat This mat/ rug was made from strips that were cut from furnishing fabric remnants as it was intended for use on a rough tile conservatory floor, the closely woven soft but firm texture will ensure that the mat will stand up to the wear that the rug/mat is given. Other fabrics may be suitable but it would be unwise to use fabrics of different material/weight in the same project. Other requirements needed as follows: scissors, large safety pin, large sewing needle, and carpet thread (used double) also a steam iron. Begin by cutting the fabric into three strips about 5cm wide, fold and steam press both long sides of each strip towards the middle of the wrong side of the fabric and then fold again as shown in diagram 1. Pin the ends of the three strips together with a safety pin (3 different but toning colours/strips were used in this project in order to give a random/mottled effect). Start to plait the three strips, folding rather than twisting each piece over while keeping the folds of each strip pressed with your thumb as 96 Senior Times l May - June 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

shown in diagram 2. As you come to the end of each strip fold under the end and overlap this onto the next strip, join the two by making small tight over-sewing stitches using the carpet thread. If you keep each strip the same colour for at least one round of the project, attractive rings of colour will be formed. The length of the centre plait determines the difference between the width and length of an oval rug/mat like this one. For a mat which measures about 180cm x 120cm, start by making a plait 120cm long; turn it round on itself at the halfway point and stitch the two halves together side by side, to give a double centre plait about 60cm long. The completed mat will then have a 60cm difference between its width and length. (A round mat can be made by turning the plait immediately and sewing it round and round. To form an oval, stitch the plait as you go along by laying it out flat and easing it together as you stitch. Pick up a small bit of each plait with the needle and ladder-stitch the plait to itself, taking care at the bends to ease the plait out so that it lies flat. To neaten safety-pinned start of the

plait, remove the safety-pin and stitch all three ends neatly to the wrong side of the mat. To finish the mat, begin trimming and tapering the ends about 45cm before your stopping point, stitch tapered ends in to the side of the last plait. If a border is desired on the mat, a separate plait of contrasting colour can be made and stitched round the edge butting the ends together where they meet. This project would be best dry cleaned.

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