Senior Times March April 2014 by SeniorTimes Ireland

SeniorTimes

Issue 68 March/April 2014 €3.95 (£3.20)

The magazine ffor or people who don’ ’t act their the eir age don’t

www.seniortimes.ie

Kenny Confidential Shay Healy interviews Pat Kenny

Remembering Luke Kelly East meets West Gardens to visit this Spring

News Review l Creative Writing l Travel l Health Wine and Food l Profiles l Competitions and much more!

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March 2014

Contents

News review: 2 Kenny Confidential: 10 Shay Healy talks to his old friend Pat Kenny about his move along the dial to Newstalk FM and much more. Where to enjoy Ireland’s garden delights: 14 Lorna Hogg guides you around some of the country’s most stunning gardens Remembering Luke Kelly: 24 On the thirtieth anniversary of his death Jim McCann remembers his late, great, fellow Dubliner Raise a glass to the Long Drop Club: 26 In this Ryder cup year, Dermot Gilleece recalls an earlier tournament when the British and Irish team were nearly lost in a plane crash. Constipation 30 Constipation can affect everyone... And now the Kerry Camino: 32 Maeve Edwards and friends walk the route from Tralee to Dingle town. Tuscan treasures: 36 Italian student Roberta Franchi guides you around her native region, highlighting its architecture, wines and food What’s on in the arts: 40 Maretta Dillon highlights some of the events taking place in the arts in March and April Food file: 48 Mairead Robinson visits Citron in the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin Creative writing: 52 Award-winning author and poet Eileen Casey examines how writers cope with the subject of grief Retirement planning: 57 Advice from the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland Hotpot of prime beef: 66 Michelin star chef Ross Lewis offers a new twist on braised beef East meets west for a value break: 72 Mairead Robinson enjoys a break in southern Turkey Know your rights: 82 Advice from the Citizens Information Service Fashion forum: 86 Senior Times’s new feature looking at fashions for the older woman Poetry Corner: 88 Two pages of diverse poetry Liquid assets for consultants: 90 Jim Collier on the saga that is Irish water Meeting place: 92 The place to meet a new partner or friend Crossword: 94 Crafts: Starring role for a pot holder: 96 Connie McEvoy show you how to make an attractive star-pattern pot holder 62 Debbie Orme, Connie McEvoy Publishing Directors: Brian McCabe, Des Duggan Published by S& L Promotions Ltd., Editorial Director: John Low Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Editor At Large: Shay Healy 64 Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Consultant Editor: Jim Collier 72 Tel: +353 (01) 4969028. Fax: +353 (01) 4068229 Advertising: Willie Fallon 74 Editorial: John@slp.ie Advertising: brian@slp.ie Design: www.cornerhouse.ie Contributors: Shay Healy, Lorna Hogg, Dermot 78 Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Gilleece, Matthew Hughes, Maretta Dillon, 80 Jim Collier, Mairead Robinson, Eileen Casey,

News... Research into over 55s provides surprise findings Advertising agency MediaVest Ireland recently undertook a large research project to better understand the over 55’s in Ireland. It followed on from a global research project which they contributed to, and the findings seemed to suggest to us something unique was happening in this country.

degree before. They don’t identify with traditional concepts of age.

Broadly speaking, they discovered three key areas of significant insight amongst this group, which present significant opportunities for almost all advertisers.

• The over 55’s ignore a huge chunk of advertising because advertisers ignore them. There is a huge opportunity for brands to engage with this group.

They were firstly; this generation is experiencing a completely new lifestage. Secondly, that this group are far more tech savvy than any brand, advertiser, or agency for that matter gives them credit, and thirdly, our research completely debunked the myth that this group are in any way brand loyal. Just because an over 55 year old bought a certain product in their 30’s doesn’t mean they will continue to do so in their 60s. Quite the opposite in fact. Research showed that 55-65 year olds are actually less brand loyal than many other groups. They are actively looking for new brands which reflect their new lifestage – but brands and advertisers ignore them completely, and as a result, they ignore advertising.

• The over 55’s are not brand loyal, contrary to many claims. As they enter a new lifestage, they are looking for new brands which reflect and understand their new position.

• We have seen several brands create SKU’s and sub brands to target a youth audience, why are we not seeing advertisers do likewise for this much larger, more lucrative group – who have a lot to offer? • The group are tech savvy, over two thirds have smart phones, roughly in line with the national average. • They see technology as an enabler, they are positive about its impacts on society and on their quality of life, and they are embracing it at every opportunity.

The summary of the key findings are as follows:

• They are a relatively wealthy group, who are less indebted, who are equipped to deal with the recession, and who have the money to spend on treating themselves and on quality brand purchases.

• This is a new lifestage; the concept of a long and healthy retirement is something relatively new, and something not experienced to this

• This is a large group, there are just under 1 million people over the age of 55 in Ireland, and that number is rising.

Page 2 Senior Times March 2014

Growing demand for Senior Help Line service in 2013

Over 28,500 calls were received in 2013 by Senior Help Line, Ireland’s only national peer to peer listening service for older people. Loneliness brought about by a lack of social contact continues to be the main reason callers contact the helpline. Among the other issues which callers cite are the cost of living, cuts to services, and instances of elder abuse and feelings of suicide. A growing trend in 2013 was the concern among older people about family members emigrating and the families they leave behind. Emigration of sons and daughters has a particularly harsh impact on many older people and one which has been largely ignored in policy debate. Senior Help Line provides a confidential listening service for older people by trained older volunteers for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland. The purpose of the service is for older people to receive an empathic response on a variety of issues. Senior Help Line is available, for the price of a local call, 365 days a year from 10am-10pm. Call 1850 440 444, all calls are handled in strict confidence. If you would like more information about Senior Help Line or if you would like to donate,Contact them at (046) 9557766 www.seniortimes.ie

Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first national homecare conference The National Homecare Ireland Conference 2014 Â takes place on Friday March 28th & Saturday 29th Â 2014 at Ballsbridge Hotel Dublin from 9:00am 5:00pm. The first Friday morning session has been designed specifically for policy makers and service providers, and will examine the sector in Ireland, Europe and the US to develop a plan for the evolution of home care in this country. The second session will address issues relevant to care professionals and will focus on the practical, evidence-based management of clinical scenarios which are common to this patient population.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

Robert Ballard will lecture on March 20 at Titanic Belfast Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard returns to Titanic Belfast Dr Robert Ballard, the legendary Ocean Explorer who discovered the wreck of RMS Titanic, will return to Titanic Belfast on March 20. The former US Navy Officer, who brought the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fascinating search for RMS Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean to a successful conclusion on September 1 1985, will take part in a number of engagements at Titanic Belfast, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest Titanic visitor attraction, including a public lecture and a unique â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Evening With Dr Ballardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; White Star Line dining experience in the venueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spectacular Titanic suite. For details on the Dr Robert Ballard public lecture at Titanic Belfast on March 20, 2014, visit: www.titanicbelfast.com

Current speakers include Dr Aegis Tsouros of the World Health Organisation on Homecare in Europe, Stephan McMahon CEO of the Irish Patients Association on Keeping the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs at the centre of home care services and Andrew McFarlane of the Netwell Centre on IT and chronic disease management â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the impact for home care. myhomecare.ie is the platinum sponsor of the National Homecare Ireland Conference 2014 and the event is been organised by Mernagh Communications and Medical Conference Management Delegate bookings are now been accepted online at www.nationalhomecareirelandconference.com or and exhibitors booking can made by calling Andrew Mernagh on 01-4440536

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News

Seafari wins Tripadvisor award

IPA’S 2014 Administration yearbook launched This is the 48th annual edition of the hardback volume, which includes an upto-date directory listing key personnel in approximately 9,000 private and public sector organisations such as North/South institutions, the Defence Forces, local government and administration, health services, state sponsored bodies, institutions and higher education bodies. It also offers extensive research information, including detailed population statistics and international comparisons in areas such as taxation and employment. The volume contains a diary in a weekto-view format, along with informative event listings drawn from the worlds of business, culture and sport.

Seafari, the family run, friendly and fun boat trip operating from Kenmare town pier has won the Tripadvisor ‘Certificate of Excellence” for the second year in a row. Seafari, Ireland’s first Seal and Eagle Watching Cruise is a cruise, operated by dedicated and committed environmentalists. Family run with a musically talented and friendly crew who share their love of nature and Kerry offering a unique, close-up, personal and inspiringly memorable Irish econature experience! The singing “Captain Ray” introduces guests to the Kenmare Bay Marine Park’s wildlife with a humorous and witty fact filled commentary. Expert local guides will introduce you to inquisitive common/ grey seals and otters. You will see foxes, deer and goats roam forested shorelines and Islands. Using the ship’s binoculars you will observe close up, prolific bird-life such as gannets, terns, cormorants, egrets and the majestic white tailed sea-eagles feasting on Gulf-Stream nourished seafood! Your pleasure and entertainment is heightened with complimentary sweets, lollipops, tea, coffee, cookies, “rum tot”, use of binoculars, guide-books, charts, “Kerry wit”, rugs and live traditional music/sing alongs with your guides. “Thrill or chill” cruising on a custom designed wildlife-watching, licensed 100 capacity expedition ship which is comfortable, roomy, weatherproof, seasick-proof, wheel-chair accessible and has full toilet facilities. The 2-3 hour, 10 mile cruise operates 3-6 trips weekly in April, May, October and 1-2 trips daily in June, July, August and September. Seafari offer very special packages/prices for Groups, Coaches, Page 4 Senior Times March 2014

Clubs, Seniors Outings(special cruise times to suit your travel plans) and assistance with accommodation locally if required.

More information about the IPA Administration Yearbook and Diary 2014 is available at www.ipa.ie.

Contact Captain Ray in Kenmare for your “special day” @ 064-664 2059. Web site: www.seafari.ie. Email: book@seafari.ie

Field guide to the wildflowers of Ireland

French courses for seniors French courses for seniors, based in Nice, Paris , Bordeaux and Biarritz , are now available from France Langue. There are a variety of courses to suit all needs and requirements. General French programs : - 20/26/30 lessons per week (Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Biarritz) - Group courses, one-to-one lessons and combined courses (Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Biarritz) Weekly or long-term courses (Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Biarritz) Themed programs : - French + fashion (Paris) - French + cooking (Nice) - French + wine / heritage (Bordeaux) - French + golf / surf (Biarritz) - Senior program (Nice/ Biarritz) - Teens program (Biarritz) There is a 20% commission rate on group tuition, and 10% commission on private tuition. Contact: Sylvie Sinnonio, France Langue, 22 Avenue Notre-Dame, 06000, Nice, France. Tel: +33493 137888. Email: s.sinnonio@france-langue.fr www.france-langue.com

The Wildflowers of Ireland - A Field Guide, by Zoe Devlin, published by the Collins Press, Cork, will shortly be available in all good bookshops. This book is a smaller book than its predecessor. It is designed to fit into the average anorak or jacket pocket and therefore can be taken out into the 'field'. It contains 1,300 images of 535 wildflowers (there were 420 in the first book) and this time the species has been catigorised by colour, rather than by family as it is not always obvious to which family a plant might belong. www.seniortimes.ie

Great NI Great Group Get aways Group Getaways

Gre valuaet ho el breatk s Titanic: Titanic: A family family a story story

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Causeway: Causeway: A big day day out

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Spirit Spiritual ual and special, the Maiden Maiden cit cityy is simply wonderful. wonderful. Cat Catch ch up on some cult culture, ure, disc discover over the city’s cit y’s rich history, history, shop in Ireland’s Ireland’s ol oldest dest d department epartment st store ore – with pl plenty enty of ttea ea and tr tray-bake ay-bake st stops ops al along ong the w way. ay.

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Titanic’s FF Tit anic’s Dock and Pump House

Tower FF T ower Museum

F F Eat Out at Smugglers Smugglers Inn

FF Tit Titanic anic W Walking alking gT Tours o ours

FF The Richmond Centr Centree

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FF The Craft Craf t Village Village

FF Enjoy Enjoy some rretail etail ther therapy apy in Coleraine Coleraine ttown own ccentre. entre.

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F F Dunluc Dunlucee Castle Castle and Car Carrick-a-rede rick-a-rede Rope Bridge. Bridge.

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News

New ombudsman Peter Tyndall marks office’s 30th anniversary The Office of the Ombudsman celebrates its 30th Anniversary in 2014 under a new Ombudsman. Peter Tyndall who was appointed on last December . Originally from Dublin, Peter previously served as Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. What does the Office of the Ombudsman do? It investigates complaints from members of the public who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies such as: • Government Departments and Offices, • the Health Service Executive (HSE), including public hospitals / health agencies providing services on behalf of the HSE, • Local Authorities Its remit was extended on 1st May 2013 to include public bodies, such as • third level educational bodies e.g. Universities, SUSI, • FÁS, National Treatment Purchase Fund, Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), • a number of other bodies which are listed on our website www.ombudsman.ie Its service is impartial, independent and free. It cannot take complaints about private bodies such as banks or insurance companies, private pension schemes, An Garda Síochána, An Post, the Labour Court, Bord Gáis and the ESB. How do I make a complaint? • by phone at LoCall 1890 22 30 30 or 01 639 5600, • online on our website, • by email to ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.ie, • in writing, or in person, at the office at 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2 You must try and solve your problem with the public body concerned beforehand. If the body has an appeals process, please use this first. If this does not resolve the problem and you feel that the public body has not treated you fairly, then you can contact us. Outreach Services In order to make the Ombudsman service more accessible staff from the Office visit Citizens Information Centres based in Cork, Limerick and Galway on a monthly basis to take complaints from members of the public. Page 6 Senior Times March 2014

Aida and Nabucco for Dublin at end of March

The cast of Aida which will be coming to the National Concert Hall Two productions of the operas Aida and Nabucco, which are coming to Dublin in March. Award-winning opera director/producer Ellen Kent is bring to life Aida's story of war, jealousy and revenge, set amid the splendour and mystery of ancient Egypt and topped off with an amazing wall of fire. Nabucco is the first opera Ellen ever directed and includes the best loved of all opera ensemble numbers - the Chorus of the Hebrew slaves. They will be the National Concert Hall in Dublin on March 29 and 30.

Novel tool for wall hanging Woodie’s DIY are the first retailer to stock the brand new Hardwall Takker throughout stores in the Republic of Ireland l for the Hardwall Takker – an ingenious handpowered device that enables you to hang pictures, mirrors, bathroom hooks and much more onto any surface in seconds, including brick, concrete, mortar, plasterboard and even ceramic tiles. Simplify the hanging process with this one stop hanging hero. Dispense with the need for electric drills, wall plugs, screws, hammers, nails. The new Hardwall Takker is the perfect tool for professionals and DIYers alike. Simple to use, the new Hardwall Takker is operated simply by turning a handle to drill a hole with a diameter of just 3mm into any surface. The whole process takes just 30 seconds. See it in action www.takker.com The Hardwall Takker kit costs just €29.99 and includes: • • • • • •

1 x Hardwall Takker 1 x Multipurpose drill bit 24 Hard wall takks 4 x Picture hooks 4 x Canvas hangers 2 x Medium multipurpose hooks

www.seniortimes.ie

Kenny Confidential

Shay Healy caught up with his friend of forty years, Pat Kenny to talk about his new career and reminisce a little When Pat Kenny jumped ship from RTE to join independent broadcaster, Newstalk Radio, he wrong-footed everybody, pundits and punters alike. The most surprised people were his colleagues, his RTE team, who had no prior notice. On paper it looked like a daft, possibly petulant decision, an extraordinary move at this stage of his career and at his age. But there is no negativity in his own view of the jump. “The real push came when I was asked to go back on Prime Time. It was the same sort of vehicle as Today Tonight was, twenty years ago. I went from Today Tonight, to Saturday Live to Kenny Live, to The Late Late Show and on to The Frontline. I wanted to keep progressing.” When the programmers decided to subsume The Frontline and its dynamic presenter into Prime Time, that was it for Pat. He loved doing The Frontline. He described his presentation of this political programme, before a “live” studio audience, as a “performance of great intensity.’ And it was. He was the conductor and the audience was his orchestra and his panel were his soloists. With his quick mind and his Page 10 Senior Times March 2014

ability to grasp the minutiae of varied complex subjects, every Monday night was a tour-de force. It might have appeared to have been a sudden decision, but it had been in gestation for a while. Any institution changes over a span of years and RTE was no different. There were waves of management, some taking early retirement. Personnel were changing. One of the things that was said to Pat, when he was leaving, was that he’d miss his team and the back-up he had in RTE, until he had a moment of clarity. “I realised the person, to whom I was being loyal, could, with a stroke of a pen, find themselves moved somewhere else.” If you are up early enough in the morning, you may catch sight of Pat Kenny, age 66, bombing along the Stillorgan Road on his way to Newstalk, his new broadcasting home. “I have the bike ten years and I ride it in every morning. The bike still wants to turn right at Donnybrook, but we move on. It beats the traffic. If I was in a car it would take me another twenty minutes from Donnybrook to get into www.seniortimes.ie

town. On the bike I fly straight there. Anyway I don’t think there are any limits to what I can do on the bike, at my age, unless somebody, some eejit, knocks me down.” The row over salaries in RTE has festered for a long time, but the prurience of the public opened the door to abrasive, garish headlines and gratuitous insults from punters who love to hate Pat, then the highest paid broadcaster. Rather than be insulted, Pat once again avoided negativity, by being both sanguine and smart about his salary, which at one time went as high as €900,000. “The money problem in RTE has ever been thus. Its always a battle. Mike Murphy will tell you. Gay Byrne will tell you, And Gerry Ryan, if he was alive, he’d tell you. The biggest problem we had here was that RTE had a monopoly. There was lack of competition, unlike Britain where they have BBC 1,2,3,4,5 and the ITV Network. In Britain there is competition for talent." Journalists like to compare Pat’s salary to that of Barack Obama, to Pat’s annoyance. “They forget that as soon as Barack publishes his first post-White House autobiography, it will make him millions.” Television is not any part of immediate interest to Pat, but he hasn’t closed the door on it completely.“Things have loosened out a little bit. Dunphy did work for other stations and RTE, but still does the football on RTE. George Hook does the rugby, so I think its happening www.seniortimes.ie

slowly that somebody can do tv and other media and still work in RTE.” What’s seldom reported in the popular press, is what a nice guy Pat Kenny is in real life. We’ve been friends for forty years, during, which time, at times we were part of the same gang, in a group that included Pat, The Johnstons Folk group, Johnny McEvoy, Gabriel Byrne, Danny Doyle, Jim McCann. We’d meet in Madigans of Donnybrook, or The Barge in Ranelagh and showband stars Keith Donald and Dave Pennefather, Aine O’Connor and John McColgan, were others in our crew. On a lot of nights, we shared a lot of laughs back in our gate lodge in Booterstown, or Pat’s mews in Rathmines. Saturday Live helped Pat break free from current affairs. At this point in this chat, I said to him, “you stole my life.” What do you mean? “I did the pilot for Saturday Live and I also did one of the broadcast shows and at the end of a thirteen week competition, presented by thirteen different celebrity hosts, one of them would get get a Saturday Night series. Pat scooped the prize and so Kenny Live was born, the producer told me, years later, that it had been a narrow thing, down to two, me and you. And you got the gig. And stole my destiny.” Competitive is a word that sums up to Pat’s approach to work and play. In the good old days, when we were young, he and I would slip out of RTE, across the road to Elm Park Golf & Tennis Club and out the back, on the hard court, we would Senior Times March 2014 Page 11

battle for hours, each of us as stubborn as the other. There was nothing between us as players and the only outcome we could be sure of was that at the end of our encounters, we’d have two, boiling, red faces on us, that made us look like two Paddies, who had stayed out in the sun too long, on the first day of their trip to Miami Beach. Its universally acknowledged that Pat is a master broadcaster on radio. His ability to absorb a brief is enviable and he changes gear from topical items, to light music, finance, politics and science, without missing a beat. Most of all he is a good, instinctive analyst and a thorough interviewer, who is not afraid to ask the hard questions when its appropriate. Being the highest paid broadcaster in RTE made Pat a bigger target for snipers and his stewardship of The Late Late came in for constant criticism for his “woodeness” and his stilted showbiz interviews, so this constant niggling must have been aggravating. “The ones that caused me trouble were the soap characters. I hadn’t a clue who they were. But there’s people who wouldn’t want me to talk to the actor about how they felt. They wanted me to interview them about their soap character and how the character would feel. I used to have to do my own briefs, because I really didn’t know anything about them”. “Anyway, it’s not about having someone on who is brilliant. You can have the most brilliant guest but if you can’t get anything out of them out of them, its no good. If it was someone like Rod Stewart or Michael Caine,I’d know their history and be more comfortable.” Pat cemented his place on the showbiz side of RTE when he became the RTE television commentator at the Eurovision Song Contest. Pat was great company for the week in The Hague. We won the contest and immediately I was whisked offto do a “live” interview for RTE Radio. When the interview was over, I looked for our gang, but failed to find them in this huge Hall. I was in a daze of delirium and joy as I wandered around. Alone, I walked through the light drizzle, across a very broad piazza, aiming for the hotel where CBS, Johnny’s record Page 12 Senior Times March 2014

company was throwing a victory party. Suddenly, out of the gloom two figures loomed. One was Pat Kenny and the other was Aine O’Connor.The three of us sat down on the kerb and giggled like bold children at the preposterousness of it all. Pat smiled as he remembered the incident. “It was one of those things. The performance was brilliant, the sax solo perfect and Johnny Logan holding the last note was the clincher”. Eight years later, Pat hosted the Eurovision from Dublin and in the aftermath he picked up quite a bit of interest from the U.K. “It was the only time I was really tempted, but the stuff they were offering was game shows and quizzes, I did one series called Intellect for BskyB when they were starting up, but I wasn’t really into it. Besides, even though I knew London well, you could be living miles from where you work.” So, are there any regrets now? “Sometimes I wonder what might have happened. The one real regret I have is that I don’t have access to my personal archive, that I built up in RTE.” As he tackles his new job in Newstalk, he feels that despite his work load, he has mellowed. "I’m working hard and I’m enjoying it. I tend to be less hotheaded. If a story I was on didn’t go the way I wanted it to, I used to jump up and down. Jumping up and down is finished.” Once known as The Thinking Woman’s Crumpet, I remember one Christmas Eve, when there was a gang over in our house and a neighbour, who is most definitely a “thinking woman,” thought she might sit on Pat’s knee. The combined weight was too much for the not really expensive antique chair and idol and idolator fell to the floor. “I don’t feel like slowing down and I believe in healthy mind, healthy body. I have two big dogs and they take me for exercise every day. And believe me, they take me.” www.seniortimes.ie

11TH WORLD FLOWER SHOW

19TH - 22ND JUNE 2014 DUBLIN, IRELAND International Competitions International Honorary Exhibits Trade Stands International & Irish Floral Demonstrations Lectures by Acclaimed Speakers For Tickets i and further information info see

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Gardens

Ireland’s garden delights..

Lorna Hogg guides you around some of the country’s most stunning gardens The walkway at Altamont

Ireland’s gardens include some of the world’s finest – including Powerscourt, Mount Congreve, Mount Stewart and Altamont. So, whether your tastes run from classical to niche, from the dedicated plantsman/woman to the armchair gardener, your inspirational garden is right here at home. WHERE AND WHAT TO SEE … Snowdrops Altamont and Huntington in Co. Carlow; Burtown House, Co. Kildare; The Argory in Co. Armagh; The National Botanical Page 14 Senior Times March 2014

Gardens, Dublin.

House Co. Galway. Glenveagh National Park

Daffodils Apple blossom Huntington Castle and Delta Sensory Gardens, Co. Carlow; Guy Wilson Gardens, University of Ulster, Derry; Tramore House Co. Waterford; Glenveagh Country Park, Donegal. Rhododendrons and Camellias Mount Usher, Co. Wicklow; Glenveagh National Park; Muckross Estate, Co. Kerry; Mount Stewart, Co. Down; Mount Congreve, Lismore Castle, Tourin House, Cappoquin House, Co. Waterford.

Manor Estate and Loughgall Country Park, Co. Armagh. (www.discovernorthernireland.com/Loughgall-CountryPark-Orchard-Walk…) Herbaceous Borders Birr Castle, Co. Offaly; Ardgillan, Co. Louth; Strokestown Park, Co. Leitrim; National Arboretum, Co. Wicklow.

Bluebells

Roses

Mount Usher; Tramore House; Renvyle

Ardgillan: Altamont; Birr Castle; Burtown www.seniortimes.ie

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The celebrated Japanese Gardens at the Irish National Stud

House Gardens; Belvedere House, Co. Westmeath; Woodstock, Co. Kilkenny. Autumn Colour Mount Usher; National Arboretum; Birr Castle; Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford; Curraghmore, Co. Waterford: Belvedere House

parentage through to death, via the Lantern and Grotto Bridge, The Guardian, and Stepping Stones, to the Zen Garden, past sounds of trickling water, floral scents, textures of wood and stone and the brilliant colours of flowers and plants. www.irishnationalstud.ie

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Free garden entry - National Botanic Gardens and National Arboretum Kilmacurragh; Ardgillan; Tramore House; Glenveagh Country Park; Duckett’s Grove, Co. Carlow (check car charges)

In Westmeath, Belvedere House and Gardens, open all year, have something for all tastes, The Georgian hunting lodge (also open to the public) on the banks of Lough Ennell, is set in superb parkland, woodland and trails, beautiful year round, and even a folly,The Jealous Wall. The Victorian Walled Gardens have springtime shows of primroses and bluebells Later, magnolias and blossoms give way to the scents from an old rose garden, and a splendid herbaceous border. There are also Faery and Herb gardens. www.belvedere-house.ie

JAPANESE STYLE The Japanese Gardens, at the National Stud in Kildare, are amongst the finest in Europe. Developed between 1906 and 1910 by Scottish Colonel William Hall Walter, and laid out by the famous Tassa Eida and his son Minoru, they exemplify Japanese garden design of the period. Among the original sensory gardens, trees, plants, flowers, lawns, rocks and water are used to signify the life of man. Walk along the Path of Life, through birth, childhood, marriage, Page 16 Senior Times January 2014

GULF STREAM GEMS Proximity to the Gulf Stream, coastal

and mountain backdrops and skilled planting have helped to make the West Cork Gardens are some of the finest in the country. There are truly gardens for every taste here, from the formality classical style to romantic and natural wildflower gardens, modern sculptural planting and island gardens. Some are open throughout the year (check dates) and there is also a Garden Trail, from 15th – 30th June, during which many gardens are open. Bantry House’s classical beauty is perfectly set against the vista of the Bay. A hundred steps gives views from balustraded terraces, sweeping down to the house. A wisteria `circle’, walled and sunken gardens entice, plus but a topiary and an interesting touch in the Walled Garden - allotments. Drishane, at Castletownsend near Skibbereen, is an eighteenth century slate fronted mansion, with romantic vistas over daffodils and bluebells, plus a tulip tree, Ginko and a magnificent cypress. Informal, romantic gardens include Lisselan, with its rustic bridges and grottos, Glebe and Glenview Gardens Heron Gallery Gardens, at Ahakista, near www.seniortimes.ie

BelvedereHouse Gardens & Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

A fascinating Georgian Estate to visit The magnificent 160 acre Lakeside Estate of Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, boasts a fully restored Georgian Villa, built in 1740 for Robert Rochfort, later Lord Belvedere. The estate has a fascinating Victorian Walled Garden, with one of Ireland's finest collections of rare and special plants. The naturalistic designed 18th century parkland, punctuated with Romantic Follies, includes the largest in Ireland “The Jealous Wall”. There is a licensed Restaurant and Gift Shop on site and there are also outdoor children’s playgrounds, a magical fairy garden & many picnic areas. Whether you are part of a gardening group, historical society, school tour, active retirement association, family gathering or group of friends, a visit to Belvedere is a superb day out with a difference. Location: 5km south of Mullingar on N52 1hour from Dublin, M4/N4 Exit 15 Sat Nav: Latitude/Longitude 53.4761, - 7.3552 Opening Times 7days a week all year round from 9.30am Seasonal closing times apply

Catoca Fine Food and Giftware Great food, great service, great location. Catering for all your special occasions and corporate events. www.catocaﬁnefood.com

Contact: John Delaney - Head gardener at Woodstock on 087 8549785 or Claire Goodwin in Kilkenny County Council Parks Department on 056 7794373 or email woodstock@kilkennycoco.ie Kilkenny County Council, Parks Section, John Street, Kilkenny. T + 353 56 7794373 F + 353 56 7794069

Tel: 044-9349060 info@belvedere-house.ie www.belvedere-house.ie

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Come visit Woodstock Gardens this summer • Beautiful, recently restored Victorian gardens • Located overlooking the River Nore in picturesque Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny • Walk through our arboretum which is home to a collection of rare and exotic trees • Visit the walled garden where fruits and vegetables are once again grown in abundance • Take time out for tea in a beautiful conservatory overlooking the flower gardens • Open all year round, daylight hours • Facilities:- Tea Rooms, Car Parking, Toilets, Children’s Playground, Mobility buggy available for less able bodied persons, please phone ahead if you wish to avail of this service (free of charge) • Guided tours available by appointment • Admission fee - €4 per car includes admission for all car occupants to the gardens • Buses and coaches strictly by prior booking. • Price available upon request.

Parking Free car parking available on site

Admission Rates Adult €8. Student/Senior €6. Child €4. Family Ticket (2 adults + 1 child) €20. Each additional child €3.

View astonishing vistas from distant planets and their moons Travel back in time to remote stars and galaxies

ARMAGH PLANETARIUM www.armaghplanet.com Check the website for opening and booking details

Tel: 028 3752 3689 Email: info@armaghplanet.com

Lupins and aliums dominate The Heron Gallery at Ahakista on the beautiful Sheeps Head Pensinsular, part of the West Cork Gardens Trail.

The attractive serpentine patterns of box hedge and gravel at Woodstock, Inistoge

Bantry, is an artists’ garden, with the mixture of quirky planting. Here you can find vegetables, a wildflower meadow and wildlife ponds as part of a garden, again set in beautiful surroundings. The Ewe is an ageless modern garden, offers a kilometre walk with “challenging games’’. Four separate gardens have Sculptural, Re-cycling, and Productive themes, while the Valley of Eden, offers superb views out to the sea. Don’t miss the sculptural ice-creams! Enjoy Italian style gardens? Ilnacullen, (ferry from Glengariff to Garinish Island), is world famous, and thanks to the Gulf Stream, supports the exotic planting. There are also splendid colourful herbaceous borders and a wild garden. One of the main attractions is the Italian Garden, designed by Peto and containing rare and beautiful plants from all over the world. With a backdrop or sea and mountain, this is truly one of Ireland’s finest gardens. www.westcorkgardentrail.com BLACKWATER BEAUTY The relatively unpublicised beauty of Page 18 Senior Times January 2014

the gardens of the Blackwater Valley only adds to their attraction. Many remain attached to their original houses, and in some cases, you may even be greeted by current family members. Most are spring gardens, set in beautiful landscapes in the heart of the Blackwater Valley. Cappoquin House is sited on an old castle at the `angled’ turn taken by the river, and the south facing garden looks up river to distant Lismore Castle, and down to Mount Congreve. The Keane family has lived there for 300 years, and the nineteenth century garden of five acres were restored in the 1950, have excellent collections of old rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas. A mixture of formal and informal, there is a sunken garden, pleasure ground and several specimen trees – as well as a peaceful woodland walk. Expect plenty of patient and knowledgeable answers to questions! Tourin House lies three miles upriver, and was built in the 1800s, and has some fine specimen trees. The five acres of gardens include a treat for loves of walled variety. Summer colour, cutting

flowers, fruit and vegetable potagers all nestle together, with a collection of Bearded Iris. Enjoy a superb collection of azaleas and camellias, planted largely by the parents of the three welcoming and well informed owners. A walk, especially beautiful in late spring afternoons, leads to the seventeenth century Tower, and site of Tourin Quay, used in early trading. Lismore Castle, Irish home of the Dukes of Devonshire, is the perfect backdrop to the magnificent seven acre gardens, set on two levels, and you can stroll along the Yew Walk which inspired Spenser to write his famous `Faerie Queen’ in the1500s. The upper level contains the formal garden, with herbaceous borders and kitchen garden, and reached by an ancient keep stairway. The lower gardens are informal, with beautiful rhododendrons and camellias and woodland. The Castle has its own Arts centre, and an excellent café. Don’t miss Tramore House Gardens, noted for its narcissi, bluebells and herbaceous borders. Travelling in a group? One excellent way to see many www.seniortimes.ie

West Cork

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One of the impressive herbaceous borders at Lismore Castle.

of the local gardens, including the beautiful Salterbridge and Ballyin Gardens, is to take a Great Days Out tour from the Lismore Heritage Centre. Mount Congreve, one of the world’s great gardens, has had a change of ownership, so check websites for opening dates. With views out over the river, the 70 acres intensely planted gardens contain over 3000 trees and shrubs, and spectacular rhododendrons and camellias. Acers, climbers and a splendid walled garden have made this a garden for all, as well as the specialists. www.waterfordgardentrail.com www.discoverlismore.com CARLOW COLOUR The Carlow Garden Trail specialises in variety. So, there is a garden for every taste, from plant havens through to classic ancient herb and modern sensory gardens, and even a Garden Village. There are also excellent garden centres, offering a variety of courses and workshops throughout the year, from hedging to `get up and grow’. With a Garden Trail from 25th July to 4th August, a packed calendar, stellar line up of festival speakers and themed weeks, there is ``a garden delight for every season.’ Altamont, that `jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown,’ created by Corona North, blends formal and informal. Snowdrops, splendid rhododendrons and camellias can be enjoyed set against avenues, mature trees, and exotic shrubs, set around the large lake. From its Ice Age Glen and Bog Garden to the varied rose collection, herbaceous borders and autumn colour, and excellent Plant Sales centre Altamont is Page 20 Senior Times March 2014

a must-see. Burtown House in nearby Athy Co. Kildare is classic Irish garden, comprised of several areas, including herbaceous borders, a rock garden a yew walk, and planting ranging from snowdrops and aconites to several old varieties of daffodils, bluebell walks and plenty of woodland and meadow walks. Huntington Castle’s formal gardens, dating from the 1600s, with a mix of formal and informal, are also at their finest in spring. Over 10,000 snowdrops give way to daffodils and later bluebells in the ancient woods and ornamental lake provide the surroundings. Duckett’s Grove has two beautifully restored walled gardens, adding to the romance of the now ruined house. Take in Kilgraney House, for a medicinal herb garden and even an interpretation of a mediaeval herb garden. Leighlinbridge – the Garden Village, has a variety of community designed gardens, reflecting village life. If inspiration strikes, there are several excellent garden centres at which to learn or purchase. Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Centre, Rathvilly Garden Centre, Rathwood and Delta Sensory Gardens and Garden Centre all have restaurants/cafes. Walkers will also enjoy the Rath Wood and Oak Park woodland/ forest walks. www.carlowgardentrail.com www.carlowtourism.com KILKENNY BEAUTY Woodstock Gardens, at Inistioge overlook the River Nore, and combine the

best of Irish garden attractions. However, due to recent storm damage, the gardens are currently closed, so check the website. Along with Champion trees, including a Redwood, Silver Fir and Bentham Cyprus, plus Yew and Monkey Puzzle Walks. There is also an excellent walled garden, filled with fruit and vegetables. Planting is both formal and informal. Take in the Rose Garden and flower terraces, and a Victorian Pond, restored from the 1840s, before tea in the splendid conservatory. www.woodstock.ie GARDEN PLANNING Ask about private tours, maybe after opening hours. Alternately, consider a guided tour. Many gardens and garden centres now have excellent restaurants and some even have`foodie’ connections e.g. Ballymaloe, Marlfield House or Mount Usher Gardens. Gardens and gardening centres have some excellent courses/talks on offer, from stone walling to `Get Up and Grow.’ Why not develop your interest in your very own patch? DUE TO THE RECENT STORM DAMAGE, SOME GARDENS ARE CLOSED INDEFINITELY, SO CHECK WEBSITES FOR DETAILS. CHECK ALSO FOR ENTRY PRICES. www.garden.ie www.opw.ie www.botanicgardens.ie www.nitb.com www.wicklowgardens.com Garden Festival dates to be confirmed. www.ringofcork.ie www.seniortimes.ie

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Lismore Heritage Centre presents the Great Days Out; a one stop shop where great group and club outings are just a simple phone call away. The original Great Day Out packaged the delights of Lismore; a guided tour of Lismore Castle Gardens and Lismore Castle Arts, the contemporary art gallery housed in the iconic castle’s west wing, with a visit to Lismore Heritage Centre and refreshments (tea/coffee and scones and lunch) in Lismore House Hotel. Such was the success of the initial Great Day Out- the ease of organisation and the close proximity of all the attractions meant the package was a hit with Active Retirement and Probus groups from places such as Wexford, Skibereen, Douglas and Killarney who all enjoyed their Great Days Out immensely- that the enterprise spread its wings to take in more of the pleasures of West Waterford. Barron’s Bakery, The Vee Gap, Mount Melleray Abbey and many others are now included in Great Day Out itineraries. Lismore Heritage Centre is proud to partner of the Waterford Garden Trail; together they invite you to enjoy the ‘Garden Day Out Package’. Visit some of the great houses and gardens of the Blackwater Valley; uncover family secrets at Dromana, home to the Villier Stuarts for over 800 years, explore the walled garden at Tourin or drink in the views at Cappoquin. Salterbridge is a Victorian family house with a 5 acre garden.. In the spring the lawns are covered in daffodils. Camellias and azaleas are a particular speciality. Interesting trees and shrubs provide year round interest with many varieties of maple and hydrangea.

Great Days Out with Lismore Heritage Centre

Ballyin Gardens are situated on the north bank of the river Blackwater just upstream from Lismore Castle. The grounds slope down to the river and thus give spectacular views of the river itself as well as the surroundingcountryside. The main features are the extensive array of mature rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias and the peaceful setting alongside the river.

At the heart of every Great Day Out is Lismore Heritage Centre. Our visitor centre and gift shop will reopen to the public in April 2014 following extensive renovations. Completely refurbished to enhance the visitor experience our centre tells the story of Lismore and what a story it is: a University City build by monks and plundered by Vikings it was crowned with its castle by Norman princes before playing host to Hollywood stars like Fred Astaire and the prince of Camelot, John F Kennedy.

The ‘Foodie Day Out Package’ will send you home sated yet hungry for more wonderful local artisan produce all at once. Visit the family dairy farms that have turned their yield into gold medal winning produce at Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese and Baldwins Ice Cream. At Barron’s Bakery meet Esther whose family has run has produced delicious crusty bread using traditional Scotch brick ovens for generations.

Our revamped gift shop carries everything from souvenir postcards to lifestyle and fashion items by Avoca and other well known Irish and international lines. Cabinets specially designed to showcase the work of local craft workers and artists remain an important feature is our redesigned centre. The cabinets have allowed participating artists to display their work in a public place; these talented artists such as Master

Page 22 Senior Times March 2014

Glass Cutter Eugene Young of Iona Crystal now join the centre for all the fun of the Great Days Out to give demonstrations of their skills. If you are feeling brave enough, you can even have a go! While the Great Days Out constantly evolve and develop, one thing remains the same: Alice at Lismore Heritage Centre is on hand to make all the arrangements for you. Feel free to pick and choose from the long list of attractions in the area to create a day out that is unique to you. Meals, accommodation, music or even a themed evening can be arranged on request. Great value is guaranteed to groups with all participating attractions offering discounted prices. Simply call Alice on 058 54975 or email adonoghue@lismoreheritage.ie to begin planning your day. www.seniortimes.ie

Cappoquin House & Gardens Home of the Keane family (originally O’Cahan from Ulster) since 1735. The house stands on the corner of the Blackwater with views up and down the river. It was built in the late 18th century, burnt by the Republicans in 1923 and rebuilt by Sir John Keane, Soldier, Banker and Senator. Found inside is good plasterwork, pictures, furniture and lots of history. Outside is an extensive garden on a south facing slope. There are plants and trees to cover all seasons. House : open to individuals in May and June and Heritage Week Garden : open all the year round : 10 am to 4 pm. Both closed Sundays Pre-booked groups welcome at almost any time. Prices charged : €10 pp for house and garden : €5 pp for garden only : €40 for guided tour by professional gardener. Teas, coffee etc for groups on demand.Tel: +353 58 54290 (mornings) Tel: +353 876 70 41 80 (mobile) Fax: +353 58 54698 Email: charleskeane@cappoquinestate.com www.cappoquinhouseandgardens.com Salterbridge is a Victorian family house with a 5 acre garden.. In the spring the lawns are covered in daffodils. Camellias and azaleas are a particular speciality. Interesting trees and shrubs provide year round interest with many varieties of maple and hydrangea. Groups are welcome by appointment all year round, and refreshments are available. Opening times for individuals: 1-31 May daily, 2-27 June closed at weekends, 23-31 August daily. Cost €5 garden + €5 house Tel. 058 54952 www.salterbridge-houseandgarden.com

Ballyin Gardens The Gardens are situated on the north bank of the river Blackwater just upstream from Lismore Castle. The grounds slope down to the river and thus give spectacular views of the river itself as well as the surrounding countryside. The main features are the extensive array of mature rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias and the peaceful setting alongside the river. Opening times. 15th April to 30th June. Weekdays 9.00am to 1.00pm. Weekends and Holidays 10.00am to 5.00pm. Closed Mondays except holidays 1st July to 30th September.By appointment Admission.€5.00. Seniors and under 12.€3.00

Tourin House and Gardens Visitors welcome - situated five miles from Lismore and Cappoquin overlooking the River Blackwater. The original Tower House was built circa 1560, the Main House in 1840 and the 5 acre garden includes a fine collection of mature trees, shrubs and a Walled Garden. Home to three Jameson sisters, including artist Andrea Jameson. Open to visitors:April to September. Tuesday to Saturday inclusive. 1.00 p.m.to 5.00 p.m. Other times and Groups by appointment. Refreshments available on request. www.tourin-house.com Tel: 05854405 Admission:House €5, Garden €5. OAPs and Children €3.

Dromana House and Gardens 800 years of history, Guided tours of house, Extensive garden and woodland walks. Perched above the Magical Blackwater River. (3.5 km south of Cappoquin) Open daily from April 1st. (excl Mon.) 2-6pm House €5 Garden €5 Light refreshments available on request.Groups and other times by appointment.. www.dromanahouse.com Tel: Barbara 086 8186305.

The Park Hotel Dungarvan Idyllically situated along the Colligan river estuary in the coastal fishing town of Dungarvan.The Hotel boasts a magical view as the coastline stretches out before you with the picturesque backdrop of the mountains in the distance.Our Facilities Include: 87 elegantly designed rooms & suites, 15 Luxury Self-Catering Holiday Homes, The Garden Room Restaurant, The Meladon Bar, Aqua & Fitness Centre with:20 meter indoor heated swimming pool, Gym, Bubble Pool, Sauna & Steam Room Separate Children’s Splash Pool. Discover the Gardens of Waterford during your stay at The Park Hotel Dungarvan.Enjoy 2 Nights B&B, plus an Evening Meal on the Night of your choice, then from your base at the hotel, travel through the Waterford Garden Trail, which features different garden attractions throughout Waterford all from only €109 per person sharing. www.seniortimes.ie

Senior Times March 2014 Page 23

Music

Remembering Luke On the 30th Anniversary of Luke Kelly’s death, Fellow Dubliner Jim McCann reveals a side of the late, great singer that not many people knew. On the evening of January 30th 1984, I was performing as part of a week-long engagement at Clontarf Castle, Dublin. In a hospital not far away, Luke Kelly was gravely ill. All day long the word was that he was in bad shape but was still hanging in there. I was preparing to go on stage at my usual time, intending to make another phone call to find out how he was just as soon as I was finished. No cell phones in those days. Just as I was about to take to the stage a friend breathlessly ran up to me and told me the awful news that Luke was gone. I was very shocked, but I felt that my years of experience would allow me to perform without the awful news affecting me until after the show. It was all going well until, after about half an hour, I introduced The Town I Loved So Well, which I always included in my set. As always I praised Luke’s version in my introduction, but I decided not to bring the audience down by telling them of his passing. They’d find out soon enough. I started to sing it and suddenly was hit by something I had never experienced before, and although I’d heard of it I didn’t really believe it existed: I got an actual lump in my throat. I mean a real, physical lump – I couldn’t breathe past it. The people in the audience were concerned and baffled by my sudden silence. Suddenly somebody (probably my friend who had brought the news) yelled out “Help him out, for Jaysus’ sake!” Some people started to sing the song, and suddenly the Page 24 Senior Times March 2014

news of Luke’s death flashed around the hall and within moments everybody was standing. Naturally I often think of some of the amazing times we had, and of some of the hilarious (with hindsight) mishaps that befell us on our travels. But now on his anniversary I remember, too. the more private moments we had, the occasional quiet times when, late at night in some Danish, Dutch or German hotel residents’ bar, I would see a side of him that he seldom allowed others to see. For example his frustration at never having had access to a further education (I can think of no-one else who would have benefited more from the university experience); his inner turmoil at being wealthy while his heart was ruled by his hard, socialist beliefs (which showed itself in his careless and cavalier attitude to money, and made him a willing target for every freeloader within miles); and his loneliness. Loneliness Yes, Luke was lonely for most of his life. Some staunch and loyal friends like Tommy Weddick watched over him from a respectful distance, but it was a thankless task in many ways. In his final years he got love and comfort from Madeleine Seiler, but up to then he was very aware of being a man alone. He would bluster and pretend that was how he liked it, but that wasn’t true. In spite of being almost universally admired, surrounded by acquaintances and glad-handers and being lionised as the greatest interpreter of a narrative ballad in our www.seniortimes.ie

Kelly..

era, he wasn’t close to anyone but always wanted to be. In the 1970s we used to do long tours, up to six weeks on the road at a time with concerts almost every night, and our return was traditionally a bit of a party in Dublin Airport. There were always quite a few ‘welcome home’ drinks in the airport bar before we headed off to our respective homes. John Sheahan’s family would be there, a huge boisterous group of Barney McKenna’s pals would be there, and my wife and a couple of my friends would be there to meet me. But there was seldom anyone there to meet Luke. My wife, possibly more perceptive than the rest of us, used to make a fuss of Luke on these occasions, and he loved it. I remember we were coming in to land after one such 37-concert marathon and Luke said to me Who’s meetin’ you, Jim? I said ‘Phyl and probably Freddie and Desi, maybe some more. Luke said, only half joking, ‘Well, can Fred and Desi be meetin’ you, and Phyl can be meetin’ me?’ I found that very revealing, and very touching. If Luke had lived, what would he be doing now? It’s hard to know. Freed from the strictures of being a Dubliner, I’d like to think he would have achieved some of his wildly varied personal goals. Maybe he would have finally tried the world of academia. He definitely would have done something in the world of theatre, with plays or musicals. I’m sure he’d still be

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singing, but from a far wider choice of musical genres. He probably would have published a collection of poems…For what died the sons of Roisin was a good start. I think he might have sponsored some competitions or permanent trophies for young sportsmen in football, or golf, or even cricket. However, I doubt if he would ever have been completely content, because that wasn’t in his mercurial nature. As the time of his death quickly recedes farther and farther into the past, his reputation has grown to mythic proportions, mainly through the constant playing of his recordings on the radio and his name being invoked by other singers and musicians as the standard by which all narrative ballad singers should be judged — The Unquiet Grave, Raglan Road, The Night Visiting Song, The Peat Bog Soldiers — we all have our favourite pieces of Luke Kelly’s vocal magic. As for Luke Kelly the man, the actual persona has become blurred and fuzzy with time. He could be hard to live with, short-tempered and sometimes infuriating, but all that has been eclipsed by the overall memory of Luke Kelly, singer supreme. And that’s fine, that’s as it should be. His legacy is safe. I am privileged to have been his friend. We won’t see his like again.

Senior Times March 2014 Page 25

Golf

Raise a glass to the Long Drop Club.. In this Ryder Cup year, Dermot Gilleece recalls an earlier tournament when the British and Irish team were nearly lost in a plane crash

As the plane approached the jagged peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains, above, it began to toss like a cork as it met the storm that lit the vivid, purple skies..

Christy O’Connor is now, remarkably, in his 90th year. And of all the honours and distinctions which have been accorded him through a richly eventful life, one stands apart as the product of unique circumstances. Among other things, it was an occasion when some of the world's greatest golfers were involved in a potentially fatal air incident. And it happened en route to the Ryder Cup which adopts a special resonance for us this year with Paul McGinley as the first Irish captain. For O'Connor, an enduring memento of the 13th staging of the event is an intriguing membership card which reads: "J-L (Jolly Lucky) Long Drop Club, 5.30pm October 29th 1959 Los Angeles to Palm Springs. Almost." Formed on October 30th, 1959 at the instigation of John Letters of the Letters Golf Company, the club's exclusive membership list included O'Connor, Dai Rees, Harry Weetman was moved to remark: ‘I bloody nearly messed my pants!’

Page 26 Senior Times March 2013

Christy O’Connor is now, remarkably, in his 90th year, but it could have been a different story..

Peter Alliss, Eric Brown, Ken Bousfield, Norman Drew, Bernard Hunt, Peter Mills, Dave Thomas and Harry Weetman, who were all members of the British and Irish line-up. Doug Ford, a member of the American team, was also on the plane, having hitched a lift. Barry Nolan of the Irish Independent, Frank Pennink of the Daily Mail and Ronald Heager of the Daily Express were among the golf scribes on board. And Heager's account in the Express of October 31st, described how "We were tossed around like a cocktail in a shaker ..... It was like falling in a giant lift when the cable had snapped. Only ... your stomach stayed on the 10th storey. It was the Big Dipper without the laughs." Then, from a distance of 18 years on, he wrote in the 1977 Ryder Cup programme: "The date carved indelibly in our minds was seven days before the team was due on the tee against the United States under Sam Snead. Behind them was a planned acclimatisation after landing in New York (on the SS Queen Elizabeth), golf in Atlantic City, Washington and Atlanta and, that morning, the big hop from Atlanta to Los Angeles. "Next there were just 140 miles and a brief flight to the www.seniortimes.ie

SVP needs volunteers all across Dublin If you would like to help please contact Claire Banks T: (01) 8198414 E: claire.banks@svpdublin.ie Please also check our website for further details www.svp.ie

Society of St Vincent de Paul

LA Airport, 1959

Northern Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Norman Drew was a member of the team

air-conditioned comfort of the Desi Arnaz Hotel at Palm Desert. That was what we thought as we filed into the plane. The reality proved to be the nightmare none of the 29 passengers would forget. 'Keep your seat-belts fastened, there may be a little rough weather ahead,' our captain warned us. Rough? A little? A few minutes away, as we approached the jagged peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains, the plane began to toss like a cork as we met the storm that lit the vivid, purple skies. "The bumps were mild at first, but sufficient to turn bronzed golfers ashen. Heads ducked down between knees. Collars were loosened. In the eye of the storm, the jolts increased in frequency and violence. We were trapped in a big lift racing up and down: berserk. And the climax was still to come." Heager went on: "It arrived with a new dimension of violence. There was a sickening, downward plunge. We were a stone dropped into a well. Anything not strapped down took off and floated to the roof of the plane. Weightless. A grinding, crunching, agonised sound of metal on metal heightened the horror. "We didn't know it then, but this was the brink of calamity. From that robots' wrestling match of sound, we inched back from the edge of disaster. The metallic judderings of the aircraft were beautiful noises to the grappling pilot. He had regained command of the ship. He had won his battle with the furies of the elements." In fact the chartered plane had plummeted from 13,000 to 9,000 feet before the pilot's skills eventually triumphed. Whereupon Weetman was moved to remark: "I bloody near messed my pants." Only to get the reply from a colleague: "I've got news for you Harry, I did." John Panton was also a member of the visiting squad for the matches at Eldorado Country Club, but he flew out on his own, having answered an SOS from the PGA, requesting cover for Page 28 Senior Times March 2014

Mills, who had back trouble. As it happened, neither of them got a game. When the pilot righted the plane, it turned back for Los Angeles with a view to another attempt at completing the trip. But as the players disembarked and several of them had gone down on their knees to kiss the ground, skipper Dai Rees insisted they would resume the journey by Greyhound Bus. In his autobiography, told to John Redmond, O'Connor talked of how the initial bumps were acceptable. Then he went on: "But the jolts increased in regularity and violence, collars were being undone. ...And once the air hostess reached for the sick bag, she started a trend. This was it, I thought to myself. I said a prayer." At that point, he turned to Brown whom he would deprive spectacularly of the Carrolls International title with an eagle, birdie, eagle finish at Royal Dublin seven years later. "I asked him if he prayed," O'Connor recalled. To which the Scot replied: "No. Will you say one for me." Later, on the trip by road, O'Connor recalled helping to ease the tension "with a rendering, though not a good one I might say, of 'Galway Bay.'" He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As time ticked by, we slowly regained our senses." The book goes on to outline the conditions of membership of the J-L Long Drop Club _ "Being a founder member ... you have a high position to uphold. To avoid the risk of dropping low in the eyes of the other cofounders, you must raise your glass and toast each and every one of them at 5.30pm on 29 October every year you remain alive, which you are jolly lucky to be at the moment." Sadly, several team members have since gone from us, the most recent being Dave Thomas, but according to O'Connor, they met for a number of annual renunions at which they would recall their personal experience of the ordeal. As a belated postscript to these happenings, Ian Wooldridge of the Daily Mail, who had also made the trip in a feature-writing www.seniortimes.ie

Eye health

See you look after your eyes

The Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO), the body for eye doctors in Ireland, are urging people to remember their eye health as part of an overall good health and wellbeing strategy, particularly as we age and for those in the higher risk categories. Explaining the significance of eye health to our general wellbeing, Eye Surgeon and President of the Irish College of Ophthalmologists, Dr Marie Hickey-Dwyer said, “The saying ‘the eyes are the window to the soul’ is very true, and often when an eye problem presents, it can be an indicator of another underlying medical condition. The eye is not an isolated unit and has complicated relationships with numerous other bodily systems and functions including that of the brain and nervous system. According to the ICO, as the incidence of eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy continues to grow among our ageing population in Ireland, funding to prevent and treat these conditions is essential.

Peter Alliss is another member of the exclusive club

capacity, did a charming little piece about 13 years later. He explained how it had to do with a locker room interview granted to himself and Heager by Snead who was, apparently, courtesy itself, even if he kept his famous hat on indoors. As Wooldridge put it: "He removed his chewing gum, refrained from spitting and asked about the health of a number of mutual acquaintances. Unfortunately, this unexpected exhibition of charm was sorely tested by an uninvited fourth party, a wealthy, middle-aged businessman who was stoned out of his senses by what could hardly have been less than a hogshead of dry Martini." It seems that every time Snead made a point, the eavesdropping businessman cried: "Shrite, Sam. You tell 'em boy." All of which was accompanied by a resounding belch. Eventually, Snead could stand it no longer and proceeded to address the businessman. "Youse a Texan, aincha?" said the proud Virginian. "Shrite, Sam, boy. Ah'm a Texan," came the reply. "Then," said Snead, "you'd better watch this." With that, Snead crossed the locker-room, removed his hat, stooped down and placed it carefully on top of a pair of shoes resting on the floor. He then returned to the businessman, jerked his head in the direction of the hat and the shoes and said: "Do you know what that is?" The befuddled intruder confessed that he didn't. "That," said Snead, "is a Texan with all the bullshit kicked out of him. Now get ya big fat ass outa here." For the record, the Americans won by 8 1/2 to 3 1/2 on what the last time that Ryder Cup matches were contested over 36 holes of foursomes and singles. But the really interesting bit is that it was also the last time a visiting British and Irish team travelled to the US by sea. The future was in the air.

There are currently 220,000 Irish people living with vision loss or blindness. As our population ages, in 5 years 50,000 more citizens (or 270,000 people in total) will have to live with reduced vision. It is very important to highlight that up to 75 per cent of age-related eye conditions in Ireland which can result in vision loss are preventable with early detection and medical intervention. According to Dr Hickey-Dwyer, the big breakthroughs in the treatment of eye diseases in recent years, in the form of Anti-VEGF injections for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye diseases, has meant eye doctors in Ireland are treating five times the number of cases than three years ago. The number of patients treated for AMD in Ireland increased from 432 in 2005 to 5,830 in 2011[2] as a direct result of the availability of Anti-VEGF injections. Dr Hickey-Dwyer explained, “This workload isn’t going to go away because we are dealing with a maintenance treatment for these patients whose numbers will increase with our ageing population. The cost of providing this treatment has not been additionally funded and has had to be absorbed through existing budgets. “These treatments can slow and stabilise progression in 95% of cases and significantly improve vision for 30-40% of patients. “The ICO is urging health policy leaders to fully understand the significant health impact and economic burden that eye disease has in this country and generate stronger support for policies that help address this important and expanding public-health issue”, Ms Hickey-Dwyer concluded. The ICO recently launched a public information campaign called ‘Your Sight, Our Vision’ to promote eye health awareness and the significance lifestyle choices have on eye health. You can download Your Sight Our Vision’ from the ICO website Irish College of Ophthalmologists, 121 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 402 2777 Fax: +353 1 402 2778 Email: info@eyedoctors.ie www.eyedoctors.ie Look out for the ICO eye survey in the next issue of Senior Times. All entrants will be entered in a prize of a break for two people at an Irish hotel.

Health

Understanding constipation

Chronic constipation can affect anybody, though studies have shown that women are more likely to suffer from it, particularly as they get older. Constipation is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It can mean that you are not passing stools regularly, or you are unable to completely empty your bowels. Constipation can also cause your stools to be hard, lumpy, large or small. The severity of constipation varies from person to person. Many people only experience constipation for a short time, but for others, constipation can be a chronic (long-term) condition that causes significant pain and discomfort and affects quality of life. How is constipation defined? Doctors define constipation in a number of ways: • opening the bowels less than three times a week • needing to strain to open your bowels on more than a quarter of occasions • passing a hard or pellet-like stool on more than a quarter of occasions When you are constipated, passing stools becomes more difficult than it used to be. Passing stools may feel more difficult for several reasons. For example, you may be going significantly less frequently or much less effectively (you feel you are unable to completely Page 30 Senior Times March 2014

empty your bowel). Passing stools may also seem more difficult because your stools are: • dry, hard and lumpy • abnormally large • abnormally small As well as causing a change in your normal bowel habits, constipation can also cause the following symptoms: • stomach ache and cramps • feeling bloated • feeling nauseous • loss of appetite Chronic constipation If you continue to experience constipation for long periods of time you may be suffering from chronic constipation. To understand chronic constipation further it is useful to learn more about how the digestive system works and how the bowel functions. The digestive system works by pushing food through the intestines which usually takes between 24 to 72 hours. Muscular contractions squeeze (peristalsis) the food through the different sections of the intestine. These different sections are separated by bands of muscles, or sphincters, which act as valves. The passage of food from one area of the intestines to another is coordinated so that food stays in a specific area for long enough for the gut to do a particular job – absorb fluids and nutrients, or process and expel waste. www.seniortimes.ie

Chronic constipation can increase the risk of faecal impaction (where dried, hard stools collect in your rectum and anus). Once you have faecal impaction, it is very unlikely that you will be able to get rid of the stools naturally. Faecal impaction worsens constipation because it makes it harder for stools and waste products to pass out of your anus as the path is obstructed. If you experience faecal impaction, it can lead to a number of other complications. These include: • • • • •

swelling of the rectum losing sensation in and around your anus faecal incontinence, when you uncontrollably leak soft or liquid stools bleeding from your anus rectal prolapse, when part of your lower intestine falls out of place and protrudes from your anus

Who does it affect? Chronic constipation can affect anybody, though studies have shown that women are more likely to suffer from it, particularly as they get older. Sufferers can be can be divided into two medical groups: Functional and Neurogenic. It should be easy to tell which group you fit into.

Functional Functional constipation is diagnosed when a person is experiencing constipation symptoms, but no specific cause for the problem can be identified. All of the organs in your body are working, but there are still signs that something is wrong. Many people who suffer from functional constipation are embarrassed to visit their GP, or worried that there might be a more serious, life-threatening condition underlying it. This is very rarely the case. However, it’s always best to speak to your GP or healthcare provider who may want to make sure that there isn’t another problem causing your symptoms. Neurogenic Neurogenic constipation is common in people who already have an underlying condition, such as spina bifda, multiple sclerosis (MS) or spinal cord injury. Neurogenic bowel is a condition that affects the body’s process for storing and eliminating solid wastes from food. Because nerve endings in the rectum help to alert people of the need to pass a stool when it enters the rectum, a lack of nervous control prevents the bowel from functioning properly. In people with spina bifda, MS or spinal cord injury, this message from the nerve to the brain may become lost or incomplete. Control of the external anal sphincter may also be disrupted, increasing the risk of incontinence.

Travel

And now..the Kerry Camino When I first suggested to my two friends that we should walk the Kerry Camino, which stretches from Tralee to Dingle town, they laughed derisively. One of them, fresh from the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the pilgrim route in the north of Spain, uttered "Three Days! It only takes three days. Sure that's nothing!" The other friend said: "That's just Kerry getting in on the Camino act!" Indeed, that’s exactly what it is. The Kerry Camino “piggybacks” on the Dingle Way, a longer route which takes in the whole of the Dingle peninsula and takes eight to nine days to traverse. The “Camino” leg takes only three days, and stretches from Tralee to Dingle town and uses the yellow Dingle Way arrows to mark the route. The Team behind The Kerry Camino project are mostly made up of committed local people who wish to encourage walkers to their beautiful part of the world. You can find them on their web site, www.kerrycamino.com. There is a wide variety of terrain covered on this three day trek. Small boreens make up a large part of the trail, and on-road walking is kept to a minimum. You are looking up at mountains rather than down from them, making the journey very manageable for a reasonably fit adult. I discussed all this with my good friends and eventually, my persistence paid off and on Saturday, 8th June we headed from Dublin to Tralee planning to begin our “Camino” the following day. We had come to a comfortable solution to all our issues. One friend and I would walk together, while the third suggested she’d drive our luggage from stop to stop! It turned out to be the perfect combination for all of us, two who liked trekking and one who didn't. We over-nighted with Tim and Mary Walsh in The Willows B & B on Clonmore Terrace, in Tralee. Mary and Tim were a lovely couple who gave us plenty of tips for our walk and told us that

Sixties something Maeve Edwards and friends walks the route from Tralee to Dingle town there were facilities available for Dingle Way or Camino walkers to have their luggage ferried for them if they weren't lucky enough, like us, to have a friend willing to do it for them. After an excellent full Irish breakfast in The Willows, we set off for Blennerville on Sunday 9th June, on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year (so far). And what a rite of passage that was. Like the Camino de Santiago, Camino cards are available from the Kerry Camino website which are stamped along the way at various stamping stations. One downside of the stamping of the card was that admission to the Blennerville windmill was required to have our first stamp applied. What a swizz, we thought! We were glad to see though that all other stamping stations along the route were freely and good humouredly applied each time we asked.

Beautiful Blennerville

On the trail

Page 32 Senior Times March 2014

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Dermot O’ Neill is one of Ireland’s best loved gardening personalities. He is editor of Garden Heaven and currently presents ‘Dermot’s Secret Garden’ on RTÉ 1. He has a long association with RTE television from Live at 3 to Open House and regularly contributes to RTÉ Radio 1’s Mooney show.

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Route blocked!

On the trail The intrepid travellers

We applied our Factor 50 sun cream in the shade of Blennerville’s lovely main street and set off to find the Camino route proper which brought us off the beaten track and onto the first leg of our journey to Camp village. Our Day 1 information leaflet told us we would be walking for 3.5 to 4.5 hours, a distance of 18km with an ascent of 200m. While the route is very well signposted, and contains stunning views of the north side of the Dingle peninsula, the terrain is stony and can be difficult underfoot and you’d want to be a long distance runner to do it in that time. The people we met along the way who had come up from one or other of the "escape routes" to picnic and enjoy the day, looked at us pityingly when our sweating figures tramped into view. “How far to Camp?” we’d cry, wiping our brows. Each of them said the same thing. "You've another two to three hours to go before you reach Camp!" Another gruelling hour would pass with the blistering sun beating down upon us, when we would meet yet another group of Sunday picnickers. "How far is it to Camp?" we’d ask again. And the answer would come back as predicted. "Oh you've another two to three hours to go before you get there." We eventually arrived tired and weary into Camp to find our driver friend sitting comfortably outside Ashe's pub, fresh as a daisy and happily reading the Sunday papers under a parasol. Having sworn we wouldn't touch a drop of alcohol on our three day trek, we unceremoniously dumped our bags and sticks, ordered three Gin and Tonics with ice and lemon and languished in the shade with the other Sunday afternoon revellers. What a treat! Day two found us on the road to Anascaul after a very pleasant evening in Kathleen Daly’s Bed and Breakfast, Finglas House, in Camp Upper and yet another full Irish breakfast the following morning. We amazed even ourselves at our powers of recuperation from our difficult first day. Not a blister or sunburn in sight. Camp to Anascaul was a breeze compared to Day 1. 17km with an ascent of 270 m, we were able to look around us, photograph the foxglove and emerging fuschia and enjoy the views of Inch beach as it appeared over the mountain. We had planned to meet our “driver” in the café on the beach as advised by our Day 2 leaflet. But Inch Beach and the car park of Sammy’s was awash with litter after the very hot day on Sunday so we took ourselves off up the hill to Joan Green's Bar and Bistro where the most delicious bowl of chowder and fresh clean facilities awaited us. When we arrived into Anascaul on Day 2, Camino professionals at this stage, a busload of Canadian women were disembarking in the pouring rain into Teach Sheaín's for "music and Irish Stew". When we returned that way an hour later, having booked into our B & B, they had been fed and "watered" and engaged us in lively conversation as we passed. "We love your Page 34 Senior Times March 2014

St Johns Church Tralee, the start of the Kerry Camino

rain," they said. "It's so soft and warm!" They'd been at the International Quilting Festival in Galway and were on a tour of Kerry before going back home to Canada. One lady said: "I've been all over the world, I was in Hawaii only last week, and Ireland is the most beautiful place I've ever been! So green and lush!" We were lured into spending a good hour with these pleasant and good humoured ladies in Teach Sheaín’s before heading down to the South Pole Inn for dinner, and partook, yet again despite our good intentions, of large lemony gin and tonics. We over-nighted in The Old Anchor Inn in Anascaul with Brian and Beata, the perfect hosts. Their B & B was warm and comfortable, with the most delicious of breakfasts, while Anascaul itself was a delight! "I bet you have a good Tidy Town Committee here,” I said to Brian the following morning as he served us our full Irish. “Trees and flowers everywhere and an air of well-being!” "You’re right!” he said. “I was just at our meeting last night!" Our third day trekking was again so easy, compared with the first. Even the rain which returned in the afternoon failed to dampen our mood. This section of the route, takes in open farmland and yet again, we were enchanted with the vistas of natural beauty along the way. Slurry spreading seemed to be the order of the day though and I kept being reminded of that Father Ted episode when Pat I shot JR Shortt pressed the red button in his truck, spraying Dougal and Ted with raw sewage. Luckily that didn't happen to us, even though our comforting yellow arrow Dingle Way signs disappeared about five miles from Dingle town. But every road leads to Dingle we learned, and so we found our way, into our last but not least, B & B of the trip, the Lantern Townhouse, wonderfully situated on Dingle’s Main Street. Like Anascaul, Dingle town was a delight. It was full of tourists, with pubs and restaurants, of which there was a mesmerising selection, filled to the brim. We spent an evening in John Benney’s and were thrilled with the guitarist and accordionist who were playing that night. Indeed, live music filtered out of every bar as we made our way back to the Lantern each evening. We spent two days in Dingle, driving out to Slea Head, marvelling at the great Blasket Interpretative Centre, walking Coumeenole Beach, and returning in the early evening to test the waters of Dick Mack’s pub or Foxy John’s where we sat happily on the “hardware” side, before having our evening meal in The Marina Inn. I am happy to report that Dingle is alive and well and sparkling with life. Not a sign of a recession anywhere. Maybe their good fortune will spread itself further north and east like St. Brendan did on his Camino all those years ago. We’ll definitely be back, this time to continue on the Dingle Way route from Dingle town all around Slea Head and onwards to one of my favourite places in the world, Cloghane. www.seniortimes.ie

Travel

Tuscan

Treasures

Italian student Roberta Franchi guides you around her native region, highlighting its architecture, wines and food

General view of Florence

Tuscany is synonymous with history, art, good food and excellent wines. This region doesn’t lack anything to satisfy the most demanding tourist: sea, mountains, hills and cities of art.

Florence Florence is the principle city, and is the real birthplace of the Renaissance and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gallery of Uffizi is a must if you want to visit the city: a wander through the archaeology, the medieval art, renaissance art, and in particular you can admire Botticelli’s Room (Spring and Birth of Venus) and Leonardo’s Room (Annunciation). The famous David of Michelangelo is in the Academy Gallery, but there is a faithful copy in Piazza Della Signoria. This is the central square, whose principal element is Palazzo Vecchio and also of note are the Loggia dei Lanzi, a kind of open-air statue gallery and the Neptune Fontain, made with the marble of Carrara. Another symbol of Florence is Ponte Vecchio, a world famous bridge. If you cross it, you can see the typical workshop on the sides of the road. They are contained in old arcade. You can enjoy in Florence: Lampredotto (typical street food) and Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Michelangelo’s David outside the Uffizi Gallery, Florence You can attend special events in this city: Saracen Joust, an annual medieval festival in the Piazza Grande, on the last Saturday in June by night, the so called San Donato Joust and on the first Sunday of September, in the afternoon, the so called September Joust; Arezzo Wave, an annual popular music and cultural festival for the rock music fans; International Guido d’Arezzo Polyphonic Contest, an annual international choir competition. If you like archaeology, you can visit the Valdichiana and the Cosentino Valleys: they are rich in Etruscan artefacts.

Arezzo Arezzo is an ancient city about 70 Kilometres southeast of Florence. It was colonised by the Etruscans and Romans. It’s the birthplace of the great poet Francesco Petrarca. Page 36 Senior Times March 2014

Specialities in Arezzo include Casentino’s famous local ham and the region’s famous Valdichiana Toscana Doc, Chianti D.O.C.G. wine. www.seniortimes.ie

Ponte Vechio, Florence

Piazza delCampo, Siena

Siena Siena is in the centre of Tuscany and has a wonderful landscape: the vineyards, the gentle hills, the olive trees. Siena is a medieval city and it seems to have stopped in time. The centre of the city is the Piazza del Campo, where the Palio di Siena takes place every year, on the 2nd of July and on the 16th of August. This square is unique for its clamshell form and also because of the Torre del Mangia, is the third tallest tower in the Italy and it’s adjacent to the Palazzo Pubblico. After the majesty of the square, the Cathedral will also amaze you. The exterior and the interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade (black and white are symbol of Siena). Also the interior of the Cathedral is also interesting: the ‘eyes’ are impressed by the pictorial effect of the black and white stripes of the wall and of the columns. For a trip outside the city, you can reach San Gimignano, a small medieval hill town. In the historic centre you can count 13 towers. There were 72 in the past, because the tower was the symbol of the power and the many important families contended to build. Since 1990 the Historic Centre of San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to the towers, to the Roman Cathedral, to the museums, the churches spread around the town. You can enjoy in Siena: Pici Senesi (typical homemade pasta), Cinta Senese (pig meat of Siena), Panforte (cake with almond and candied fruit), Ricciarelli (biscuits with almond, candied orange and honey). You can drink Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano in Siena.

Grosseto Grosseto is the most southern province of Tuscany. The oldest www.seniortimes.ie

part of the city is closed in the Medicean Wall which retains the original structure. Grosseto is situated a few kilometres from the sea and is rich in natural parks. It was an Etruscan centre, you can admire the Etruscan ruins, that are discovered in Roselle, the main city at the time of the Etruscans. If you love nature and the sea, this place is for you: the Maremma Regional Park includes areas among the most beautiful and unspoiled of the littoral and the Arcipelago Toscano Park consists of the Tuscan islands, such as the beautiful Giglio Island. You can enjoy in Grosseto: Acqua Cotta (a dish made of bread, onion, tomatoes, eggs and bread crumbs). You can drink : Ansonica, Morellino di Scansano, Sovana, Bianco di Pitigliano in Grosseto.

Isola d’ Elba It’s in the province of Livorno and is the third most extending island in the Italy, after Sicily and Sardinia. It has the crystal clear sea, different landscape and abundance of fauna and flora. The most beautiful beaches are Fetovaia, Cavoli and Lacona and it is one of the popular tourist destinations both Italian and foreign in the summer. It is accessible by ferry from the city of Piombino or by plane with regular connection from Bern (CH), Friedrichshafen (D), Les Eplatures (CH) and Zurich (CH). Don’t miss it! You can enjoy in Isola d’Elba: Schiaccia Briaca (typical cake without yeast, with raisin, dried fruit, oil and Aleatico wine). You can drink Elba Aleatico DOCG, Elba Ansonica in Isola d’Elba: Senior Times March 2014 Page 37

Pisa Pisa was an ancient Italian Maritime Republic and it’s famous for the Leaning Tower in Piazza dei Miracoli and for the oldest university. But if you want to visit this city, don’t forget to see Piazza dei Cavalieri, where is the Palazzo della Carovana, headquarters of Normale School and the characteristic Lungarno (it’s very atmospheric during the festival of patron, June 16th, when about 100,000 candles are placed on wooden frames to draw the architectural forms of churches, palaces and towers of the riverside) with Di Mezzo Bridge which leads from the oldest area to the Corso Italia, lively shopping centre. You can enjoy in Pisa: Stoccafisso alla pisana (typical stockfish). You can drink Chianti, Bianco Pisano di San Torpè in Pisa.

Lungarno, Pisa

Lucca

from the mountains is unforgettable, because you have the sea in front of you and the marble basins under you. It’s impossible not to see Colonnata, known all over the world for the lard. It’s perfect for a snack at the foot of the mountain. Moving away from Lunigiana, you can visit the Castle and important Statue Stele Museum and you can enjoy the produce of this land.

Lucca is a medieval town, that has preserved the walls, characterised by a picturesque tree-lined promenade. The medieval roads are alternating with squares. The town centre is protected from traffic, so Lucca has got an ancient atmosphere. It hosts the famous Lucca Comics and Games: International festival of comics, animation, illustration and Games. Lucca includes Viareggio in its province. Viareggio is known for the beach, the esplanade and especially for the Carnival: in this period there are many masquerades around the town. You can enjoy in Lucca: Castagnaccio (a cake made with chestnut flour), Necci (pancakes made with chestnut flour). You can drink Montecarlo Rosso, Montecarlo Bianco in Lucca.

Massa Carrara Massa Carrara is the most north westerly province of Tuscany and borders the region of Liguria. The landscape is amazing: the Apuan Alps overlooking the sea and their white marble contrast with the green vegetation and the blue sky. The view Page 38 Senior Times March 2014

You can enjoy in Massa Carrara: Lardo di Colonnata, Rice Cake (a typical cake with rice, whole milk and eggs), Lunigiana Honey, Baccalà Marinato (a codfish cooked with various spices and tomato sauce). You can drink Vermentino dei Colli di Luni Doc, Vino Candia dei Colli Apuani Doc in Massa Carrara. For further information contact: Italian National tourist Board, 1 Princes Street, London W1B 2AY Tel: 0044 207 1254 www.italiannationaltouristboard.co.uk www.seniortimes.ie

The Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel is a boutique hotel in the quaint village of Blarney. Perfect for a relaxing break in a village steeped in history and walking distance to Blarney Castle & Gardens. We offer the following exclusive 3 night Sunday Wednesday package for Active Retirement groups for just €155 pps:

3 Nights Bed & Full Irish Breakfast with a 2 course dinner for 2 in Christy’s bar on 2 evenings of your choice. Entry to set dancing with Donal Ring in our elegant Martin Suite on Sunday night. Passes to Blarney Castle & Gardens. 10% Discount in The Famous Blarney Woollen Mills Store. 2pm Check-out Wednesday with Tea/Coffee & Scone before you head home.

For bookings contact Laura Hurley on 021-4385011 www.blarneywoollenmillshotel.com

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What’s on in the Arts

We are promised that new Irish film The Stag is not this country’s answer to the hugely popular The Hangover but you’d be forgiven for wondering. It opens on 7 March

Warning: stags at play Maretta Dillon highlights some of the events taking place in the arts in March and April We are promised that new Irish film The Stag is not this countries answer to the hugely popular The Hangover but you’d be forgiven for wondering. A groom-to-be reluctantly agrees to a stag weekend with his urbane friends, wild camping in Irish countryside. What could go wrong? Throw in the brother of the bride, a crazy, unpredictable alpha male and it’s all up for grabs. Actor du jour Andrew Scott from BBC’s Sherlock leads a fresh ensemble cast of Irish stage, screen and comedy stars from March 7. Brendan Gleeson continues his successful collaboration with director John Michael McDonagh (he of The Guard fame) in the already much praised Calvary from April 11. Gleeson plays priest, Father James, ministering in the West of Ireland who has a week to put his affairs in order after being told in the confessional that he is marked for murder. This is a darkly comic thriller in which Gleeson tormented by various members of his Sligo clan faces what McDonagh refers to as his High Noon moment. Looking forward to it. Theatre is very strong over the next couple of months with a number of interesting touring productions. Mr. Foley, The Radio Operator, invites you into his world of radio waves, sorrowful partings and hilarious slapstick comedy from his colourful past. A show for all ages, it continues its extensive regional tour until early April. Elsewhere there is Dreamland – it is June 1934 in a rural pub in a village on the south coast of Ireland. As the Blueshirts march the land and fleeing German Jewish exiles arrive Page 40 Senior Times March 2014

Brendan Gleeson plays priest, Father James in the film Calvary, released on April 11.

seeking sanctuary, can returning Yank Johnny Kinnane withstand the sands of time and rekindle his belief in the liberation that is Dreamland? Written and directed by Jim www.seniortimes.ie

The Red Kettle Theatre Company’s – Dreamland begins a three venue tour in early March stopping off in Waterford, Dublin and Cork.

Nolan – formerly of Red Kettle Theatre Company – Dreamland begins a three venue tour in early March stopping off in Waterford, Dublin and Cork. Limerick- as nobody can be unaware is Ireland’s first City of Culture – and one of the visual arts treats will be the exhibition of Richard Mosse’s multi-media installation - The Enclave. Currently screening at the RHA Gallery in Dublin until March 12, it opens at Ormston House in Limerick from March 28. The Enclave is the culmination of artist Richard Mosse’s three-year exploration of the conflicted landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Employing a psychedelic palette with the deliberate use of some discontinued military reconnaissance film, he poses some disturbing questions, one of which is, what does it mean to make human suffering beautiful? Check out this and all the other stuff happening during the year at limerickcityofculture.ie Two musical options to consider finally: first up is An Evening in Concert with Johnny McEvoy – the great ballad singer is still going strong. Check tomkellypromotions.com for tour dates. And, a heads up for a stage version of movie favourite, Singin’ in the Rain, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from May 20. In this case, the rain stays firmly on the stage-not to mix my musicals.

Events around the country THE DOCK, CARRICK ON SHANNON, CO. LEITRIM Abigail O’Brien: With Bread. Artist Abigail O’Brien’s major solo exhibition examines our www.seniortimes.ie

Singin’ in the Rain comes to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin from May 20. connection with, and fascination for, bread. February 7 - April 5 Information: thedock.ie Senior Times March 2014 Page 41

ENNIS BOOK FESTIVAL, CO. CLARE This year’s guests include Martin Sixsmith, Dervla Murphy, Donal Ryan and Rachael English. The festival promises a varied programme of fiction, poetry, social comment, drama and chat. March 7- 9 Booking: 065 6843103 / glor.ie GARTER LANE ARTS CENTRE, WATERFORD Dreamland

political corruption and past mistakes. From April 8 Booking: 01 874 4045 / gatetheatre.ie CÚIRT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE, GALWAY A new prize for writers aged 12-17 is to be introduced in 2014 entitled Young Cúirt Every year the best Irish and international authors gather in Galway for a week long festival. April 8-13 Booking: 091 565886 /cuirt.ie

Returned Yank Johnny Kinnane struggles with life in 1930s Ireland March 10-15. Part of a regional tour including Project Dublin and Everyman Cork. Booking: 051 855038/ garterlane.ie ABBEY THEATRE ON TOUR Quietly

MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM, WATERFORD A series of Sunday lunchtime concerts in Waterford’s Viking triangle. Music from many different genres is featured including choral, folk, classical, jazz and traditional music. April 13- 27 Booking: 051 849501/ waterfordtreasures.com

Belfast set story of friends Jimmy and Ian who meet for the first time after a shared troubled past. March 11 in Civic Theatre, Tallaght as part of a regional tour to April 16 - see abbeytheatre.ie Booking: 01 4627477 / civictheatre.ie CORK OPERA HOUSE, CORK Aida Verdi’s much loved opera of war, jealousy and revenge complete with stunning Triumphal March. March 27 only Booking: 021 427 0022 / corkoperahouse.ie MULLINGAR ARTS CENTRE, CO. WESTMEATH Carducci Quartet with guest cellist Gemma Rosefield Based in the UK, the Carducci Quartet is recognised as one of today’s most successful string quartets. March 27. Part of a regional tour. See musicnetwork.ie for venues and dates Booking: 044 9347777 / mullingarartscentre.ie THE SOURCE ARTS CENTRE, THURLES, CO. TIPPERARY Eduardo Niebla Guitar virtuoso and composer Eduardo Niebla, acclaimed as a world leader in flamenco jazz fusion. April 4 only Booking: 0504 90204/ thesourceartscentre.ie THE GATE THEATRE, DUBLIN An Ideal Husband A new version of Oscar’s Wilde’s enduring work of blackmail, Page 42 Senior Times March 2014

MERMAID ARTS CENTRE, BRAY, CO. WICKLOW Eleanor Roosevelt Visits London In October 1942, Eleanor Roosevelt takes a dangerous trip to wartime London in this one woman show. April 30 only Booking: 01 2724030/ mermaidartscentre.ie LINENHALL ARTS CENTRE, CASTLEBAR, CO. MAYO Le Week-End A long married English couple head to Paris for a romantic weekend in this acerbic film drama. April 22 only Booking: 094 902 3733 / thelinenhall.com CORK INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL, CORK Held annually over four days in Cork's City Hall One of Europe's premier international choral festivals noted for its high competitive standards. April 30- May 4 Booking: 021 4215125/ corkchoral.ie

Finally, if you’d like your event to feature in our list of What’s On please email: events.country@gmail.com Our next listings will cover the period from the beginning of May to the end of June

www.seniortimes.ie

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Advice from Active Retirement Ireland

Popular Destinations Active Retirement Ireland gives you the lowdown on travel for the Over 50s. As summer blossoms and the days get longer, Active Retirement Ireland have been profiling the most popular destinations for older holidaymakers in Ireland. Here are some of the most popular domestic destinations for Active Retirement members.

Galway City

Waterford Waterford City is the capital of the Sunny South East and Ireland's oldest city, celebrating 1100 years in existence in 2014. The city has a medieval flavour, with Reginald’s Tower casting a stately eye over the bustling Suir. Some of the finest restaurants in the South East are snuggled in the cosy streets of Viking Waterford, and the city’s hotels have a long history of offering the best possible deals to Active Retirement groups. One particular highlight for Active Retirement members is the Golden Years Festival, organised each year by the Sacred Heart Active Retirement Association from Waterford City. The idea for a Golden Years Festival came from the late Anna Manahan, renowned Waterford actor and patron of Active Retirement Ireland. Ten years on, the event attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country every November. Don’t miss: Waterford Crystal was, for many years, the heartbeat of a vibrant city. In January 2009 its manufacturing base was closed down, but a new facility offers visitors the opportunity to take guided tours of the factory and also holds the world's largest collection of Waterford Crystal. Hidden gem: The story of Georgian Waterford often goes unheard in a city with more ancient roots, but the Bishop’s Palace give a fascinating insight into Waterford from 1700-1970. Cork The “real capital” of Ireland or just the centre of the “People’s Republic”; whatever you call Cork, the city oozes charm and style. From the smell of freshly cooked sausages in the English Market, to the sound of live music coming from every second doorway along Oliver Plunkett Street, there’s something for every group in the city by the Lee. Page 44 Senior Times March 2014

Active Retirement groups love Cork because, unlike even Dublin, it’s a city that doesn’t wait for the weekend. With nightly entertainment available less than five minutes away in every direction from the city’s hotels, you and your friends can enjoy the value of a midweek break but with all the trimmings. Don’t miss: Cork is the city of festivals, from Jazz to Lifelong Learning, to choral singing and so much more. If you can imagine it, Cork probably celebrates it. While the Jazz Festival can be quite hectic, one of the more ‘boutique’ events can provide a great getaway for individuals and groups. Hidden gem: How much do you think you know about butter? The Cork Butter Museum is a unique tourist experience that focuses on Ireland’s most important food export and even includes a collection of butter labels dating back to independence and before. Killarney Killarney is situated at the base of Ireland's highest mountain range, between the rivers Flesk and Deenagh and surrounded by three famed lakes. The picturesque little town is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations and consequently offers a great range of attractions and accommodation, as well as shopping, dining and entertainment. Killarney’s real appeal for many groups is as a touring base. Within easy reach of such stunning destinations as the Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House and Molls Gap, to name but a few, the town is the perfect location for an Active Retirement group touring with a coach and driver. Don’t miss: The Dingle Peninsula is an underrated destination for tour

groups, many of whom prefer the rugged beauty of the Ring of Kerry. One look past Slea Head to the Blasket Islands and you may change your mind. A quick stop in the Blasket Centre to examine the literary history of Peig Sayers and her fellow islanders, and your group is all set to go back to Killarney through beautiful Dingle.

becoming one of the most popular city break destinations in Western Europe. Once the home of the Irish linen industry, tobacco production, rope making and the world famous Harland and Wolff shipbuilders, the city lays claim to a unique history and there's something there for everyone.

Hidden gem: What better way to cap off a day of touring around the Lakes of Killarney, or any part of Kerry, than with a handmade Irish ice cream? Sean and Kieran Murphy started Murphy's Ice Cream in Dingle, Co. Kerry in 2000 and their Killarney store does a roaring trade in such interesting flavours as brown bread, sea salt and buttermilk. Perfect to accompany a scalding hot pot of tea after a hard day’s sightseeing.

Galway The City of the Tribes is a thriving, bohemian, cultural city on the western coast of Ireland. Along with being a popular seaside destination with beautiful beaches and long winding promenade, it also has a buzzing cosmopolitan city centre. The city boasts the highest proportion of non-Irish born residents, as well as the highest proportion of Irish speakers in the country. The resultant cultural diversity makes Galway an unforgettable place to take a relaxing city break or to use as a base for exploring rugged and beautiful Connemara.

Dublin One of the downsides to the Irish transport system is that all roads seem to lead to Dublin. Of course, if you’re planning on visiting the capital that’s great news. The most accessible destination in Ireland, Dublin has actually never been better value than now. Awash with pop-up shops and restaurants, the capital is a shopper’s delight and has hundreds of tourist attractions within its confines. Not only has a trip to Dublin become more affordable than ever, you can also enjoy so many things during your visit without spending a single euro. From museums and galleries to parks and festivals, many of the free attractions in Dublin number among the country’s finest. Don’t miss: The Guinness Storehouse is Ireland’s number one tourist destination for very good reason, as it continues to offer a very special day to visitors. While the tour involves a lot of walking, the building is fully wheelchair accessible and, when you get to the Gravity Bar, the most stunning views of Dublin await you as you sip on a freshly-poured pint of the black stuff (or a soft drink if you don’t indulge). Hidden Gem: The Chester Beatty Library is the only Irish museum to be awarded 'European Museum of the Year', and yet thousands of Dubliners don’t even know about it. This free attraction is well worth a visit as it offers a glimpse into dozens of other cultures through their art, literature and history. Belfast Belfast has undergone a dramatic and impressive transformation over the last two decades and is rapidly

Don’t miss: The city’s rejuvenation is embodied perfectly by the dynamic and attractive Titanic Quarter, which is in turn capped off by the unique Titanic Experience. Opened 100 years after Titanic left the Harland and Wolff shipyards, Titanic Belfast a visually stunning tribute, to those who built her; sailed on her; survived her sinking; and to the memory of those who perished. Hidden gem: The Belfast Ghost Tour is a guided journey into the dark shadows and alleyways of haunted Belfast, along its dark walk ways and entries you will hear ghostly tales dragged and dredged from the files of the famous Cloak and Dagger club. It’s not for the faint of heart!

Don’t miss: Galway is the Western capital of food and drink. Get yourself a portion of the best fish and chips in Connacht from McDonagh’s, all wrapped up in paper like you used to get as a youngster, and take a stroll past the dozens of pubs showcasing the best of Irish music. Galway’s nightlife varies from nightclubs heaving with young revellers to quiet café bars where couples can share a loving glance and a carafe of wine and everything in between. Hidden gem: Galway is a shopper’s paradise, from the pottery and craft boutiques of Kirwan’s Lane to the hustle and bustle of Shop Street. One of the best places to pick up something special is the Galway Market, open every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday all year round. Located in the shadow of the magnificent St. Nicholas’s Collegiate Church, the market stocks everything from organic vegetables to handmade jigsaws. Don’t miss the freshly-made donuts. They’re worth the trip. If you enjoy travelling, don’t miss the Active Retirement Ireland Trade and Tourism Show in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway, on April 8th 2014. It’s completely free to attend, and will be full of the very best deals Irish travel operators, tourist attractions and hotels have to offer. There will also be gift ideas, talks and demonstrations and even a fashion show. Don’t miss it!

To find out about your local Active Retirement group, phone 01-8733836 or visit www.activeirl.ie

A Garden For All Seasons

The Lake Hotel It can sometimes seem that the Muckross Estate in Killarney National Park is one vast garden for all seasons. In spring, you can wander past the splendid stands of rhododendrons, set against the backdrop of the lakes. Early on autumnal mornings you can hear the eerie roars of the red deer rut. There are mountain peaks, tumbling

waterfalls, and peaceful lakes and woodland trails – all within the space and peace of the Muckross Estate – and they are all free. At the heart of the Estate lies Muckross House, built in the 1840s, and now part of the Killarney National Park. Its gardens date from 1860s, but were largely laid out in the 1920s. They are

Enjoy our unique setting and a warm Huggard family welcome. Over 55’s 5% Discount (subject to availability)

the difference...family run www.lakehotel.com info@lakehotel.com : Reservations 064 66 31035 The Lake Hotel : Lake Shore : Muckross Road : Killarney : Co. Kerry

famed for the magnificent rhododendron and camellias, set against lawns and trees which sweep down to the lakeside – the Rock Garden gives good views. There are also several other gardens and trails to enjoy within the Estate. The walk by the Old Boathouse gives waterside views out over Middle Lake.

The Harry Potteresque Mossy Woods, about 2 kms from Muckross House, live up to their name and are well worth a visit, while the Stream Walk is peaceful and pretty. One of the classic spots for visitors is the Torc Waterfall, which can be visited in style with a jarvey or via the car-park. However, there is a longer circuit for `medium’ rated walkers, who have good footwear and have good fitness levels. They can explore beyond the carpark which is close to Torc Waterfall. A forest walk leads to views out over The Middle and Lower Lakes, extending to the Dingle Peninsula. The extensive Killarney National Park has plenty of other walking and cycling trails, suitable for all capabilities, from Mining Trails to mountainous river cascades. It is a gentler stroll from Muckross House (seasonal opening, and entry charges) through the grounds to the ruins of Muckross Abbey, which lies near to the main gate to Muckross Park. There are also plenty of woodland paths to explore, with glimpses of woods or lakeshore and the many small islands in the Lower Lake. The luxurious and peaceful Lake Hotel lies across the stretch of water, commanding some of the best lakeside and mountain views in Killarney, from its public rooms and bedrooms. The four star, family owned and run Lake Hotel enjoys a unique location on the lake shore, just 2 km from Killarney town and adjacent to Killarney National Park. Ideally situated on the Ring of Kerry and close to the Ring of Beara and Dingle day trips, with numerous activites available due to the proximity of the National Park, there is a vast range of options available. Operating since 1820, a long tradition of Irish warmth and hospitality awaits all who make the trip to The Lake Hotel, Killarney.

Forever Young at The Malton If you are planning an Over 55′s break to Killarney, why not come to one of Ireland’s best loved hotels, The Malton, right in the heart of the town. We are celebrating our 160th birthday this year, built originally as a railway hotel in 1854 getting to us is very easy as we are right beside the train and bus stations in Killarney, our Porters will meet you on arrival and help you with luggage, just let us know what time you are arriving and we’ll be waiting on the platform! As well as being in the heart of Killarney town we have six acres of beautiful gardens surrounding the hotel, just perfect for a stroll after dinner or in the morning before breakfast. Our packages are available from Sundays – Thursdays and include a sumptuous breakfast and delicious evening meal in our award winning restaurant, The Garden Room and a comfortable and relaxing nights rest in our beautiful guest rooms. Packages are available from €175 and available to book online at themalton.com or by phone 064 6638000. www.failteireland.ie www.discoverireland.ie www.lakehotelkillarney.com www.themalton.com www.seniortimes.ie

Senior Times March 2014 Page 47

Mairead Robinson samples the delights of the new seasonal menu at Citron at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin

Fusion of flavours How does a restaurant that is part of a hotel become more than just another hotel restaurant? Added to that, how does a restaurant make its mark when there is a Michelin Starred Restaurant situated just upstairs? Thinking there might be something of an identity crisis, we wondered what we would find when we booked into Citron at Dublin’s swish Fitzwilliam Hotel. It was hardly going to compete with Kevin Thornton’s famous eatery upstairs, yet we were pretty sure that it was not going to be boring, especially as we had sampled the new afternoon tea menu the previous Sunday. Now don’t misunderstand me, I love afternoon tea, I think it is a real treat, the most civilised of culinary pleasures. Yet we discovered that the Fitzwilliam’s new take on afternoon tea is something else altogether. Quirky is a good word to describe it, delicious is another. Instead of finger sandwiches, we had gorgeous savoury creations such as miniature wafer cones filled with shredded beef and egg and topped with tomato and watercress. Then there were little dishes of lightly smoked salmon pieces on a bed of beetroot jelly with dots of goat’s cheese and strips of fennel; melt in the mouth flavour and texture combinations. Sweet treats included a zingy lemon financier, macaroons and truffles, among other things. Great selection of teas to choose from and the whole thing finishes off with a cocktail of your choice! We loved it, at €40 Page 48 Senior Times March 2014

inclusive for two people; this is a really lovely afternoon/evening treat. So, we found ourselves back at The Fitzwilliam a few days later to sample the new dishes at Citron under chef Philip Mahon. On initial reading of the menu we were not sure what to expect. The menu was short, with four starters and four mains, and there were no ‘Specials’. However, when our food came we were honestly blown away by the flavours and originality of every dish. We started with the truffle risotto which came with aged parmesan and mascarpone. It was delicious, and we both had our spoons in the dish! The only complaint was that is quite rich and filling, so only order if you are really hungry. The other starter of salmon was a theatrical affair, with the lid being lifted off the dish at the table to reveal delectable fish with pickles, avocado, and that lovely beetroot jelly base that we had experienced at the afternoon tea some days earlier. www.seniortimes.ie

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Now the daubed of beef for the main course was outstanding. We were really impressed with the bouncy texture of the meat, the lightness and colour of it and how it went perfectly from brown to pink in the centre – expertly cooked. This had certainly been in the oven, been resting, and was treated with the sensitivity and precision that such a great cut of meat deserved. The horseradish cream was a perfect foil to the beef, giving a hint of heat to a succulent meat. Probably the best steak we have tasted in a very long time. The salmon for the main course was a fish lovers dream, it came with shellfish, olive and fennel (three of my favourite foods) and the delicate flavours were married perfectly together. Plenty of ‘oohs and ahhs’ for this one. I was delighted to see that while the menu appeared short on text, it did give provenance for all the ingredients. This is obviously a chef who cuts to the important detail – very refreshing after all the fussy ‘cheffy’ carry-on we have witnessed over the past few years. Remember all those three or four line long descriptions of each dish? They were usually tiring to read and inevitably lead to disappointment when the food arrived. The opposite is true for the menus and food at Citron. And so to service, that was excellent. We decided to have wine by the glass to best compliment each dish, and we had perfect recommendations from our server who was both knowledgeable and friendly. Service was well timed, with dishes arriving just as we were ready. Did we have desserts? Indeed we did, however I was not able to finish all my delicious Black Forest chocolate mousse, but I did manage most of it with the help of a lovely glass of French Malbec. Meanwhile, Nessa had chosen the baked apple with cinnamon shortbread and rum-and-raisin ice-cream. She had no such problem polishing it off; in fact I never even got to taste it, and the plate was cleared in no time. With coffee and petit fours rounding off a lovely evening, we were very impressed indeed with dinner. The menu costs just €39.95 (with a supplement for the beef), and it represents really good value.

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We are long past the time when we did not take notice of the price; however I have always considered that price is relative to the experience. In this instance I can honestly say that I have paid twice as much for a meal not half as good. I would certainly go back and sample the other dishes on the menu as I am pretty sure that with this style and standard of cooking, I could enjoy anything put in front of me at Citron.

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Pain and paragraphs

There are many quotes about the subject of grief: Grief is the price we pay for love, (Queen Elizabeth 11) or Poetry is about the grief – Politics is about the grievance,(Robert Frost). Coping with the loss of a loved one is a theme written extensively about by authors such as Joyce Carol Oates, A Widow’s Story, on the death of her husband, a genre that also includes Joan Didion’s Year of Magical Thinking, (2005) and Roland Barthes’s posthumous Mourning Diary, (2010). Writing about such a difficult experience can, however, reap the reward of working through a process and coming out the other side. Here are two such stories. Twice Upon a Time by Andy Halpin Andy has already been interviewed by Keelin Shanley on RTE, an interview which highlighted the worth of his new publication, Twice Upon a Time, and its source material. So, to begin at the beginning. Andy, who lives in Tallaght, lost his wife Annette in 2009 to cancer, a passing that left him devastated and lonely. Annette was a very vibrant part of the community in which she lived, becoming Tallaght Person of the Year in 1991, the highest accolade that can be achieved in a community, mainly for the Page 52 Senior Times March 2014

Andy Halpin: The memoir is in fact an open love letter to the love of his life.

work she did. For one thing, living in Tallaght myself since the late 1970’s, I personally remember a Women’s Contact Centre in the 1980’s which Annette was responsible for setting up, a lifeline to young women like myself back then, finding our feet in strange estates far away from families down the country. Andy Halpin first met Annette Kennedy in 1965, at the foot of Bray Head. And so began a relationship that ended in marriage, the birth of three children and three grandchildren, forty-four years in total spent in making a life together, with all its ups and downs. When Annette passed away, Andy turned to writing to help cope with his grief. In 2012, a beautiful memoir was published , From Bray to www.seniortimes.ie

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Eternity, where Andy truthfully and eloquently recorded the lives of two ordinary people who met, fell in love, and lived through the highs and lows that raising a family brings. The memoir is in fact an open love letter to the love of his life. In the prologue to From Bray to Eternity, Andy talks about ‘the loneliness,’ and ‘the sound of silence,’ since the passing of his beloved. However, because of the nature of their lives together, the memoir very quickly gathers momentum. Andy and Annette enjoyed wide travel together (Italy, Malta, Austria, The Holy Land, Cyprus, Tunisia, Canada, Alaska), even at one point working at a holiday camp in Les Sables D’Olonne, France. They also spent whole summers in Dingle in a mobile home, happy summers filled with laughter. Indeed, this memoir is testimony to fulfilled lives until illness cruelly denied this couple their golden years. Writing the memoir gave Andy a lot of ease however, the act of writing Annette back into his life gave him a new purpose. The proceeds from the memoir are donated to The Annette Halpin Memorial Music Bursary Awards for Young Musicians which is administered by South Dublin County Council. Annette was an accomplished composer and musician and always encouraged others. Suffice to say, when I started to read the memoir, I couldn’t put it down. I found all the hallmarks of a natural writer between the pages. Fast forward to 2014. This time around, Andy has written a really interesting time travel fantasy novel where he travels back to 1960, five years before the ‘real time’ in which he actually met Annette. As a reader, I’ve always enjoyed time travel, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, (Jules Verne) and The Time Machine, (H.G. Wells) are among my favourites. The introduction to this novel states its intention as a ‘fictitious attempt to hold onto something precious I lost, and should not be confused with reality.’ In short, Andy Halpin again turned to writing, to the possibilities that the imagination offered, in order to find all the things he lost when his dear wife passed away. Companionship, friendly advice, a shoulder to cry on, unconditional friendship, all the things we take for granted until a loved one’s passing. Andy had a saying which he often Page 54 Senior Times March 2014

quoted to Annette, “You can do anything in the movies,” and so, in a variation of this quote, he applied it to a book, “You can write anything in a book.” When Andy travels back in time (through the device of rolling down a hill in the Phoenix Park), to 1960 and becomes the young fifteen year old boy he was then, he realises that if he’s alive in this time frame, then Annette must be too. It may be a simplistic travel device but is it any more so than the children who enter the back of the wardrobe and emerge in Narnia? Although Twice Upon a Time is a novel set in a different timeframe than the memoir, friends and family members feature here also. However, because the platelets of time have shifted, the original story is filled with new energies and poignancies. For one thing, Andy knows the fate of his beautiful wife to come in 2009. On a more global scale, he also knows that President Kennedy will be assassinated – should he warn someone? Andy himself describes the novel as being about second chances, which of us wouldn’t go back and live our lives over again with a loved one? But with a new perspective. Again, when I picked up the novel, I was loathe to put it down. Andy is a beautiful writer, able to capture the moment, through atmosphere and an ability to draw from the times the novel is set in. Dances at Clery’s feature, scenes back-tracked by Sinatra’s classics (Love is lovelier the second time around), The Little Dairy in Denmark Street, Norman Wisdom films, Birds Custard, it’s all there and much more. Publisher and founder of Emu Ink, Emer Cleary says: ‘Twice Upon a Time is a wonderful story which is sure to touch the heart of anyone unfortunate enough to experience the crippling pain of loss. It is beautifully written and is, not just a lovely story but for anyone living in Dublin in the 1960’s, a fantastic trip down memory lane.’ Andy is already thinking about his next novel, this time to be told from the perspective of his beloved Annette. Now that the ‘time’ portal is open, anything is possible. www.seniortimes.ie

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Maeve Edwards recorded the progression of her sister’s illness, together with her own emotional response.

Evelyn (Original Writing) by Maeve Edwards Recently, Maeve Edward featured on Joe Duffy, Liveline. Her memoir Evelyn was hailed by the researcher as ‘one of the best she’d ever read.’ This is Maeve’s story: When Evelyn, her sister, became ill in 2007, Maeve’s coping mechanism naturally veered towards writing down what was happening. Maeve has been a member of St. Colmcille’s Writers’ Group a long number of years and writing is second nature to her. In the preface to Evelyn, Maeve talks candidly about her sister being diagnosed with cancer. However, as the diary format portrays, a consequence of her illness was that Evelyn responded to life rather than impending death and lived every moment she could amongst her beloved family and re-connecting with old friends. Evelyn’s allotted time span, from diagnoses to sad passing, was fifteen months in total. Maeve recorded the progression of her sister’s illness, together with her own emotional response. This diary format became an outlet at day’s end or early morning, a receptacle for grief, anger, joy and celebration. What’s beautiful about this diary is that it brings Evelyn alive, revealing what a great character she was, truly a unique human being. Evelyn was a hairdresser by trade and spent many years at the helm of Mai Hair Fashions on the Clontarf sea front in Dublin, years which were probably the happiest of her life. Indeed, during Evelyn’s hospitalisation, she used her hairdressing skills to make life better for others. What is so moving about Evelyn, is the absolute attention to truth. Authentic human experience, what Samuel Beckett called ‘the ballast of the ordinary,’ is balanced exquisitely with writing about the natural world, a source of solace. The writing is never less than eloquent. Here is an extract (by kind permission of the author), written on 10th May, 2008, some few months before Evelyn passed away: It is a misty dew filled morning. The birds are quiet. Two fat grey pigeons were in the garden when I came down, and one of them had got a slice of bread hooked like a necklace around his neck. I ran out to him with my camera and managed to snap him before he took flight. Ever since, I’ve been chuckling to myself, thinking of him sitting on a branch of a tree, regaling his friends with his good fortune in bringing Page 56 Senior Times March 2014

home the tea, while they peck at the bread crust around his neck. It rained last night, the garden and flower pots soaking it up so that all is now damp and moisture ridden. Yesterday, I planted the pansies, busy lizzies, lobelia and petunias in the flowerpots and they look perky and ready for growth this morning. The garden is beautiful. The photinia red robin peeping over the fence. The pear blossoms have now blown away and I peer everyday into the flower stalks to see are there any fruit forming, but I only found one, tiny and bulbous. All is ready for the concert hall tonight. Karl Jenkins, The Armed Man. I am getting the bus in at one 1 o’clock and the choir will spend the afternoon rehearsing. I’m meeting Ethna and Mac for dinner at 6.00pm and then back to the changing room for the warm up. Evelyn of course, is following the plan for tonight with zeal. She’d love to be there, but it would have been the anticipation and getting ready that she’d have loved, not the concert itself. She seems to be accepting the news that cancer cells have been found in her femur, just above her knee. “That’s the end of me working,” she said when she heard. There was no hint of self-pity or distress. “Maybe it is,” I said. “Although people still do work from wheelchairs.” “Oh yes,” she said, her voice immediately brightening. “I’d forgotten about wheelchairs. That’s what I’ll do. And actually I could have done with one this morning as my leg is quite sore. I’m going to get one so I can wheel myself up and down the corridor.” “Great idea,” I said. “You don’t want to break it again,” “And remember, I was whizzing around the Mater after my operation,” she said, “so I’ll be fine.” The tears of yesterday are gone. “Were you delighted that I was in the hospice when I got the news and not at home?” And without waiting for my reply, she forges on. “I’ll go for radiation from here and once it’s over, I’ll go home.” Copies of ‘Evelyn’ can be bought from Original Writing for €12 as follows: Web site: www.originalwriting.ie/ ‘Twice Upon a Time,’ can be purchased from Emuink.ie for €13.99 and is also available to purchase for Kindle. www.seniortimes.ie

Retirement Planning Council

Popularity of retirement planning courses set to rise again in 2014 More and more people than ever before are taking the time to plan their retirement by attending a retirement planning course. The days of saying goodbye to work colleagues over a few drinks on a Friday evening and waking up the following Monday morning with very little to do except play golf, tend to your garden or pick up the grandkids from school are becoming a thing of the past. The Retirement Planning Council of Ireland, which runs retirement planning courses for people who are about to retire, has had to increase the number of courses it gives to meet this increased demand.Figures released by the Retirement Planning Council showed that over 3000 individuals from 400 businesses and organisations in both the public and private sector attended retirement planning courses all over the country in 2013. This was an increase of 17% on 2012. And don’t worry if you think you will have to come to Dublin to attend one of courses run by the Retirement Planning Council - courses are held in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway, with Kilkenny being added to the list of course locations this year. It is never too early to start planning The courses are open to everyone - including people who have already retired - with best practice suggesting that anyone who is 12-18 months from retirement should consider taking the course. Planning for retirement helps to ease the move from one life stage into the next and while the transition from working life to retirement can be a daunting prospect, the earlier someone prepares for retirement, the better positioned they will be to have an enjoyable, prosperous and fruitful retirement. The Retirement Planning Council is very aware that everyone is unique. People’s experience of working life differs from one person to the next and similarly the experience of retiring will vary from person to person. When someone properly plans their retirement, it allows the person to take the time to consider what type of retirement they would like for themselves and what they would like to achieve. In essence, it allows the person to design a bespoke retirement plan that best suits their own individual situation and personality.

Elizabeth Carvill of the Retirement Planning Council explains the changes in retirement impact them as well. Partners are encouraged to attend the course and participants are encouraged to discuss plans with family and friends. Planning together to address the changes retirement can bring goes a long way to eliminating any concerns that might come with them. A one-stop -shop for planning your retirement More than ever, people are aware that there is huge benefit in adopting the most complete approach possible in preparing for retirement and that being ready for the emotional, physical and psychological change is equally as important as preparing for the financial change. Unlike other retirement courses which focus heavily on the financial elements of retirement, the courses offered by the Retirement Planning Council take a holistic view of the changes experienced upon retirement, including loss of status, changes to lifestyle, health as well as one’s financial situation. The fact that people are now living longer and healthier lives means that for many people, retirement can be longer than the time spent in a career and that when it comes to planning their retirement people are looking for a one-stop-shop. The Retirement Planning Council provides support throughout a person’s retirement and can give advice or guidance should the person need it by offering all attendees a lifetime access to its resource centre at no additional cost. This includes scheduling follow-up meetings with course consultants as necessary who can deal with any specific queries relating to topics covered in the course.

The majority of courses on offer with the Retirement Planning Council are carried out in a group setting and a lot of the time this in itself can provide reassurance, as people realise that there are others who are facing similar worries and are feeling the same way. Similarly, speaking to others about their plans for retirement can inspire new ideas for the future.

Responsible employers are also realising the importance of providing their staff with the tools to prepare adequately for retirement. A retirement preparation course with the Retirement Planning Council is the best lifelong retirement gift one can give their staff.

The Retirement Planning Council strongly recommends that partners or spouses are included in retirement preparations as

The Retirement Planning Council, established in 1974, is an independent not-for-profit organisation with a voluntary Board of Directors. For further information people can visit our website www.rpc.ie

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Senior Times March 2014 Page 57

Is Your Precious Heart at Risk? oxidative damage of HDL, the supposed ‘good’ cholesterol. Imagine having the insight and understanding that MPO could actually render your supposed ‘good’ HDL cholesterol ‘bad’.

On average one person every hour dies of heart disease in Ireland. Heart disease continues to be the No. 1 killer despite medicine’s best efforts. Research shows conventional cholesterol testing (‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol) can miss 50% of patients at risk for cardiovascular events. In fact, 50% of heart attack patients have ‘normal’ HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. Shockingly, sudden death is the first sign of heart disease in 1 of 3 patients. Two methods of cardiovascular risk assessment include the standard conventional paradigm and the biology-based paradigm. The conventional paradigm is cholesterol focused and population-based with little insight into individual abnormalities. The biology-based paradigm is individualised and addresses root causes connected to cardiovascular risk. It is comparatively more comprehensive than the conventional paradigm. Unfortunately, most people are not aware of the biology-based paradigm, as there are few clinics in Europe that actually provide this type of testing. In the conventional paradigm, the typical lipid panel is usually measured, which would include total cholesterol (TC), highdensity lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TG). Most of us have had these basic blood tests done at some stage but do they really reveal the complete picture? In our Cork-based clinic, along with our partnering GP, we apply the biology-based paradigm coupled with functional medicine and advanced laboratory testing which, by many standards, could be called the “next generation of medicine”. In this comprehensive approach, other important analytes would commonly be tested, such as myeloperoxidase, hs-CRP, Lp-PLA2, fibrinogen, LDL-P (low-density lipoprotein particle number), Lp(a), sdLDL, MTHFR gene, and homocysteine. These analytes, along with many others (including the standard lipid profile) provide deeper insights that can identify risks long before they ever become major cardiovascular events. Is it possible that cholesterol is not always the main culprit?

Most have had their ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL-C) tested as part of a routine standard lipid profile. However, did you know that the low-density lipoprotein particle number (LDL-P) is a more clinically reliable measure of LDL for assessing cardiovascular health? The LDL-P is tested via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology and is part of our clinic’s functional medicine approach. Evidence-based medicine has taught us that a major cause of cardiovascular disease is inflammation. Have you had your inflammation levels checked via lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)? Lp-PLA2 is a marker of vascular-specific inflammation and reflects the presence of rupture-prone plaque. The risk of stroke or myocardial infarction increases significantly as hs-CRP and Lp-PLA2 increases. An omega-3 index of 8% or more is associated with a reduction of sudden cardiac death by 90%. This can easily be evaluated via a simple bloodspot test. Other important predictors of cardiovascular health include commonly found gene polymorphisms, fasting insulin levels and specific tests for insulin resistance. Have you ever been checked for these predictors? Join me at the Over 50’s Show in Cork City Hall on Saturday, March 1st at 4:30pm or Sunday, March 2nd at 4:30pm, where I will be revealing my “Healthy Heart Secrets”. Those in attendance of this presentation will learn how functional medicine and the biology-based paradigm can be applied in your own life, and what proactive measures you can take to improve the health of your precious heart. Find out how we can help you achieve optimal health. Call Total Health Chiropractic Wellness Clinic on 021-436-0008 and ask about our Over 50's Show Introductory Special for the month of March. Dr Tim Jaeger DC, DABFM, FM-C, ROHP, RNCP Doctor of Chiropractic Diplomate of the American Board of Functional Medicine

References: To help understand the difference between conventional and biology-based paradigms, let me show you how ‘good’ cholesterol can become ‘bad’. In the biology-based paradigm of risk assessment, myeloperoxidase (MPO) would usually be tested. MPO is an enzyme released by leukocytes (white blood cells), which can cause endothelial dysfunction (a key event in the development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries). Furthermore, MPO has other negative cardiovascular effects, such as Page 58 Senior Times March 2014

• Sachdeva et al; Am Heart J; 2009 Jan;157(1):111-117.e2. • Brunzell et al; J Am Coll Cardiol; 2008 Apr 15;51(15):1512- 1524. • Lemaitre et al; Am J Clin Nutr; 2003 Feb; 77(2):319-325. • Minich DM, Bland JS; ScientificWorldJournal. 2013 Jun 26; Article ID 129841. • Laboratory Evaluations for Integrative and Functional Medicine – Revised 2nd Edition (2008); by J. Alexander Bralley, PhD and Richard S. Lord, PhD. www.seniortimes.ie

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Senior Times January 2014 Page 59

Pets

Insuring your pet is protected Lorna Hogg has been examining some of the pet insurance options available

What happens when your cat doesn't land on her feet, or when your dog doesn't jump for joy because of his arthritis? The answer could well be medical bills rising to thousands of euros. So, is your pet fully covered? If you're getting a new pet, how could you safely economise? Do you really need pet insurance, anyway? One of the especially distressing facts of the financial downturn is that many owners are being faced with the need to consider the option of putting down a much loved pet because the treatment, operations or drugs required are simply going to be too expensive to pay, especially over the long term. As with humans, the modern advantages and breakthroughs in treatment for animals means more options in terms of care. Implants, surgery, new drugs and new equipment can alleviate many conditions and make them treatable. Special diets can ease conditions and mean that many animals can deal with conditions and diseases and enjoy a good quality of life. The downside, of course is, that these advances can prove expensive for owners. There is no doubt that many vets think that pet insurance isn't just a good thing, rather that it is at the very least, a sensible investment for owners. Some owners think that they can simply put aside a lump sum to cover any necessities, and thus forgo the years of those unused regular premiums. The trouble is that you may not have enough put by. Unless you keep a regular check on treatment costs for a range of conditions to which your your pet may be susceptible, you could face some stark choices. The cost of one major incident could exceed years of premium payment. There is also the possibility that you might be sued. Your pet might cause damage, to another dog, its owner or property. If loss of earnings is involved, for a period of time, costs can mount up alarmingly. Also, seemingly simple conditions, such as an upset stomach with vomiting, or glass cuts following an innocent walk, can incur considerable charges, if bloods, fluids, overnight stays or investigations are involved. If your pet is convinced that that whatever fits in its mouth belongs in its stomach, then even minor regular vets' fees could mount up. Page 60 Senior Times March 2014

Pet protection policies There are several types of policy available, but in general, they fall into three categories. The most basic policy covers one-off incidents, e.g. small surgical requirements and short term problems. They usually offer accident cover and third party liability. However, it can be worth remembering that on average, more trips to vet involve less dramatic, rather ordinary complaints or chronic conditions, than accident damage. Mid level policies often offer cover for one-off short illness, as well Vet fees. However, some have no time limits on cover for a condition. High level cover offers cover, often lifetime, for long term illness and conditions, e.g. cataracts, arthritis, lung and skin conditions and renal problems. Animal economics If you're thinking of getting a pet, or insurance cover for your present furry friend, then it can pay to check beforehand if certain facts apply to your choice of animal. It's also important to know what choices can save you money: On many policies, dogs cost more to insure than cats. Pedigree breeds tend to cost more to insure than mongrels or cross breeds, and rare breeds can cost more again. Follow your vet's advice on necessary standard vaccinations, as you will likely need them before insuring your pet. Micro-chipping your pet can reduce premiums. It's important to insure a pet immediately you bring one home, as cover may take a week or two to commence, Also, you don't want any uninsured visits to be added to `existing conditions.' Arrange to pay by direct debit, to avoid unwitting lapse of cover. Save your pet's health and its premium costs by keeping it healthy with a good diet, (not too many treats), and plenty of exercise. www.seniortimes.ie

Pets Pet insurance companies Allianz offers a good and comprehensive all round cover policy range, covering injuries and illnesses. The website is clear and easy to understand, with a FAQ section. Pets are covered for life, a fact which is important for such conditions as eczema and arthritis. Like most companies, 8 is the maximum age for cover for a dog. www.allianz.ie/pet insurance Tel. 1890 48 48 48

Some owners consider choosing a pet policy with a high premium excess. This can cut premium costs. They save up to pay for minor complaints and vet visits themselves. This way, insurance cover is just used for major incidents and problems. Points to note before you take out insurance Get a vet's advice, check pet websites and talk to pet owning friends. You will need to know, for example, how much will insurance rise after a claim? If you want cover for your life for your pet, will your insurance give cover for the actual life of the pet, providing you continue to pay the premiums, or is there a cut off point for certain conditions? This is an especially important and also complicated issue, so make sure that you understand all the implications on the policy before you sign up - ask questions if needed, as each insurance provider may have different rules, and you can assume nothing. What is the cover for existing conditions? Do you know what is the best type of policy for your pet in terms of likely future conditions/illnesses? When should you start to plan ahead, before it is too late to change from a more basic policy? Do you understand any excess clauses contained in the policy, and how they might affect your premium? What happens if you change your vet? Age of your pet

Tesco offers good basic cover, with Value or Standard policies, and has the added plus of access to a 24 hour helpline - Vetphone, which can be a very useful asset. Clubcard points can be earned (check for conditions) and there is also a discount for Club Card customers. It is also possible to pay the premium by instalment. www.tesco.ie/finance/pet-insurance. Tel. 1890-812-133 123.ie also offers good basic cover, with Accident or Premium Pet Care policies. It also offers some discounts, including one for multiple pet cover. www.123.ie Tel. 01 241 8580 QuoteDevil.ie has teamed up with Blue Insurance, and there is plenty of information on the clear and easy to understand website, and different levels of over are well explained.. www.quotedevil.ie Tel. 01 254 1300 Blue Insurance aims to offer ``a good low cost option.'' The website is well laid out and easy t understand. Like many other providers, 8 years of age is the `cut off' point for dogs and cats. Three levels of care are offered - Essential, which includes Accident and Third Party Liability; Premier - which includes 12 month care of a medical condition and also Veterinary fees to a higher level; Premier Plus, their top level , and well worth consideration for lifetime care of your pet. www.blueinsurance.ie Tel. 0818 44 44 49 Petinsure.ie Good for all types of pet owners, as policies cover dogs, cats and rabbits, and lifetime cover is offered. As they say... ``if your pet has a condition which needs financial assistance for life, it will be provided.'' Their comprehensive website outlines requirements and displays the varying rates and information on such matters as what is involved in flat rate policies in a clear and easy to understand layout. Discounts are offered for microchipped pets, multi pet applications, and also for owners who are 60 plus. www.petinsure.ie Tel: 1890 201 201

How old is too old ? In some policies, 8 years is the number at which a dog is considered old. Is cover available, and what will you be responsible for? How will you pay bills - directly to the vet, with re-imbursement, or will bills be automatically sent to the insurance company? What are the pros and cons of each, in your case? If you pay any excess, how does that work? Remember - if the insurance does not pay, your primary contract is with the vet. Find out exactly what insurance does cover - most policies do not cover vaccinations, existing illnesses, neutering or the costs of special foods. Ask if you get discount if you insure more than one pet. Finally, it's important to remember that as will all family members, health insurance is one type you are happy to continue to pay out and not use - it is one of the costs of love.

Page 62 Senior Times March 2014

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Moving Your Business and Your Wealth to the Next Generation When we start up a family business the whole area of succession or selling on of the business at the other end are issues we do not even think about. They sort of creep up on us. My first experience of family business succession was a very unhappy one as our family business Dwyer & Co ceased to trade in the 1980s, having traded for 160 years through five generations of our family. My brother, George, had worked there as had my dad, John. So too had my grandfather, George, and his father, Walter. It was his father, James, who started the business in 1821! Dwyer’s was a much loved company in Cork, at one time employing over 2,000 people; with a sister company Sunbeam Wolsey, started by my Grandfather’s brother, Billy, employing a similar number. When you consider that there were only about 120,000 people in employment in Cork at that time you will realise how important both companies were to the local economy. And so, my first introduction to family business succession was a really sad one. I never worked in Dwyer & Co, but many of those who worked there were well known and loved by us all. Since then I have learned some lessons and resolved that my small family business, City Life: Wealth Advisors will pass substantially to one of my children, Eamon, who is now the boss at City Life. The other children will be looked after in different ways. It is now over 10 years since we started the succession process at the company I started in 1971. Together, and with the help of the other wonderful people at City Life we have successfully navigated our way through the most difficult business environment I have ever seen in over 40 years in business. Now slowly but surely we are starting to look positively forward. Page 64 Senior Times March 2014

Similarly, my brother George, who left Dwyer & Co in 1972 to form his own company Eurostyle, has now completed his succession planning and the business is now run and owned by his sons, Alan and Peter. He always maintained that it was going to be difficult to sell a small family business like Eurostyle and always said to me that if either of us had a son or daughter capable and interested in coming into the business then we would be very fortunate. George always intended to retire when he was young enough to enjoy his retirement and this he did some years ago. George also understood for the last few years that as Alan was going to take over the business, he wasn’t going to be able to sell his shares in Eurostyle on retirement. He always made sure (with my help!) that his retirement fund was large enough to give him a decent income in his retirement. So far so good! In essence the succession process in Eurostyle was planned and orderly, and George reached his selected retirement age in good health and with his sons capable, competent and willing to take over the reins and so the succession process happened smoothly and the business moved to the next generation. Many of my clients are, like me, coming to the age of considering retirement and it is my privilege to help them to plan their exit from the business and to ensure they manage their pension arrangements well in retirement. The first priority is, naturally, to have

sufficient monies in their retirement plan so that succession is financially possible. The second is to plan for succession, as most times it is quite a lengthy process rather than an event, it takes time. Our succession planning has been going on for many years and has been really worthwhile. If you are thinking of retiring soon, start thinking and talking about your succession planning as soon as possible. Don’t depend on the state or anyone else to fund your retirement plan. How much do you need to have in your fund? Well, if we assume that you require an income for life of €25,000 per year, in our experience you might need close to €500,000. If you are lucky enough to have a defined benefit pension arrangement, you might still need some good advice, based on the events of recent years. The building of a retirement fund is very tax efficient and a very good discipline. In addition, with the advent of Approved Retirement Funds in the last decade, a retired person also needs a disciplined approach. Most people would like to make sure they have enough to live on, and to hopefully leave whatever is behind to our children in as tax efficient way as possible. That is how I help my clients in City Life every day. Ted Dwyer is the Founding Director of City Life: Wealth Advisors in Cork. www.citylife.ie www.seniortimes.ie

Hotpot of

Hereford prime beef & jellied consommé and spring vegetables Michelin Star chef Ross Lewis offers a new twist on braised beef FOR THE BRAISED BEEF 1.8 Kg top rip of beef on the bone 1 onion, sliced 1 large carrot, roughly chopped 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped ½ garlic bulb, sliced in half 1 bay leaf Small handful each fresh thyme, sage and rosemary sprigs 1 litre red wine 50 ml vegetable oil 1 litre chicken stock FOR THE BEEF CONSOMMÉ 50 ml vegetable oil 2 kg boneless beef shin, cut into 2.5 cm dice 2 large onions, finely chopped 4 large carrots, finely chopped 3 celery sticks, finely chopped 8 garlic cloves, lightly crushed 375 ml Madeira 5 litres double chicken stock 1 tbsp tomato purée TO CLARIFY THE CONSOMMÉ 200 g beef trimmings 6 eggs whites 2 carrots, roughly chopped 1 onion, roughly chopped 3 celery sticks, roughly chopped 1 bunch fresh tarragon A little thickener FOR THE MUSTARD SAUCE 200 ml mayonnaise 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard 1 tbsp creamed horseradish 1 tsp lemon juice FOR THE OX TONGUE 1 pickled Hereford ox tongue 1 large onion, sliced 3 carrots, sliced Page 66 Senior Times March 2014

3 celery sticks, chopped 3 garlic cloves, lightly crushed Handful each fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs 1 bay leaf 1 tsp each black peppercorns and coriander seeds 100 ml white wine vinegar FOR THE BABY VEGETABLES 200 g prepared baby vegetables (selection of carrots, turnips, purple sprouting broccoli, broad beans and baby leeks, whatever is in a season) FOR THE PAIN DE MIE DUMPLINGS 320 g pain de mie dough TO SERVE 2 tbsp light olive oil 4 x 200 g Hereford beef fillet medallions 100 ml butter emulsion 80g baby button mushrooms SERVES 8 BRAISED BEEF Place the beef in a deep tray with the vegetables, herbs and wine, ensuring the meat is completely submerged. Chill for 24 hours. Preheat at oven to 90˚C. Drain the meat in a colander over a clean pan and bring the liquid to the boil for 2 – 3 minutes to solidify any impurities. Pass through a fine chinois. Dry the beef with kitchen paper and heat half the vegetable oil in a pan. Sauté the beef until well caramelised all over, being careful not to burn it. Meanwhile, heat the rest of the oil in a pan large enough to hold the meat, vegetable and liquid. Add the vegetables and cook over a medium to high heat,

stirring frequently, until well browned. Add the browned meat and pour over the reserved liquid and the stock. Cover the surface with greaseproof paper and wrap in 2 layers of foil, then cook in the oven for 9 – 10 hours until the beef is completely tender and the ribs can easily be pulled out. Cool to room temperature, then lift out the beef, take out the ribs and remove the connective tissue. Press the meat lightly between 2 trays with a weight on top until cold. Pass the cooking liquid through a fine chinois into a clean pan and reserve. When cold, slice the beef into 8 X 60 g portions. Chill until needed. BEEF CONSOMMÉ Heat half the oil in a large pan and thoroughly caramelise the diced beef shin, then remove from the pan and drain off the fat. Add the rest of the oil to the pan and sauté the vegetables until well browned. Remove from the pan and drain off the fat. Return the meat and the vegetables to the pan, cook for 5 minutes, then add the Madeira and simmer until reduced to a glaze. Pour in the stock and add the tomato purée. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, skimming off any fat as it collects on the surface. Strain through a chinois, then through a double layer of muslin. Leave to cool. CLARIFYNG THE CONSOMMÉ Put the beef trimmings in a blender with the egg whites, vegetables and tarragon, and the blend to a rough purée. Pour the reserved beef stock into a pan

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and whisk in the beef and egg white mixture, then slowly bring back up to a very low boil. When the egg whites have solidified on top, pass through a double layer of muslin. Thicken, a pinch at a time, until lightly jellied, and season with salt and black pepper – you will need 2.6 litres. Chill.

vinegar, and cover with fresh water. Bring back to the boil and simmer for 3 – 4 hours, topping up the water as required. Cool the tongue in the liquid, then peel and cut 8 x 50 g portions. Chill.

MUSTARD SAUCE Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl and then transfer to a squeezy bottle.

BABY VEGETABLES Scrub and trim the baby vegetables where necessary, then blanch separately in a pan of boiling salted water until just tender. Refresh in a bowl of iced water, then drain and chill until needed.

OX TONGUE Place the tongue in a pan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil, then simmer for a few minutes to clean the tongue. Discard the water and clean the pan. Put the tongue into a clean pan with the vegetables, herbs, spices and

PAIN DE MIE DUMPLINGS Break the dough into 16 x 20 g pieces and roll into dumplings. Arrange on a tray and leave to prove for 45 minutes in a warm place. Bring 500 ml of the beef consommé to a gentle simmer, drop in the dumplings and poach for around 10

Page 68 Senior Times March 2014

minutes, turning occasionally, until the dough is cooked through. Keep warm. SERVING Preheat the oven to 160˚ C. Bring 500 ml of the beef consommé to a gentle simmer in a pan. Heat the oil in a sauté pan and season the beef medallions generously with salt and black pepper. Sear until they are well caramelised all over, then remove from the pan and drop into the gently simmering beef consommé for 4 minutes. Lift out of the consommé and leave to rest in a warm place for another 4 minutes, then trim and slice each piece in half. Warm the braised beef and tongue portions in a little of the reserved braised beef cooking liquor. www.seniortimes.ie

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Lodgements by euro domestic cheque will start earning interest from the next working day. Sterling cheques drawn on UK banks and all other cheques lodged will take 5 and 8 working days respectively to avail of interest. Additional lodgements can be made up to 14 days after the investment date. If a withdrawal is required before account maturity an early withdrawal charge will apply and your account will close. Terms and conditions apply. Annual Equivalent Rate (AER) illustrates what the interest would be if interest was paid and compounded each year. Our AER calculation assumes that the account is held for a year and that the interest rate remains constant. For Interest First Fixed term deposit accounts it is also assumed that the interest received in the ﬁrst month is reinvested in the same account type at the lower interest rate. Generally interest is subject to Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) at the prevailing rate but is subject to change. Information correct as at 20/01/2014. permanent tsb p.l.c is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

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Travel

Of all the historical sites that you can visit, Aspendos is very easy to reach. Situated a little way off the AntalyaAlanya main road, it dates back to the 5th century BC.

East meets west for a value break

E K TUR

Mairead Robinson enjoyed a trip to southern Turkey Most of us love a winter break to escape the cold and dark Irish weather, and off-season breaks in sun destinations are often excellent value for the over 50s. Besides the popular resorts in Spain, Malta and Portugal, there are other destinations opening up which offer exceptional value and a unique experience. I am talking Turkey. While Irish people have for years been flocking to resorts such as Kushadasi and Bodrum on the West coast of Turkey, few have discovered the delights of the Mediterranean south. The great thing is that now you can fly direct from Dublin to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, and then it is just a one hour flight south to the port city of Antalya. The coast line from here across to Alanya to the east is littered with luxury hotels, resorts and golf courses, most of which are right on the sandy beach front. Even in January, the sky is bright and the sea is blue, so blue in fact that the word “turquoise” comes from “Turk” meaning Turkish, and was derived from the beautiful colour of the Mediterranean Sea on this Southern Turkish coast. German and Russian tourists have long enjoyed this area, and some hotels are favoured by English tour operators who charter their own flights, but it is rare to find Irish holiday makers, especially in the winter months. I expect all that will change in the coming years. The first attraction is the value for money. While you are flying further than mainland Europe, you can actually get much better value and certainly more “bang for your buck”. The flights start from around €300 return and you can check in 30 kg of luggage, and Turkish Airlines also provide complimentary food and drinks on both flights. When it Page 72 Senior Times March 2014

comes to the accommodation, the hotels are generally fivestar standard and they offer all-inclusive facilities, which means you can eat and drink as much as you like for the duration. All that is needed is a little restraint in case you over-indulge! My first visit some years ago brought me to Side, a little over an hour and a half drive from Antalya. It was founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC and was taken over and occupied by the Romans in 78BC. These civilisations developed the port and constructed an amphitheatre, a market square with arches and marble columns, and a Roman temple on the peninsula. It is now one of the most popular holiday resort areas in Turkey. Fascinated as I was by the culture and history of this region, I was determined to revisit the area and discover more of the ancient civilizations who once occupied this coastline. This year I stayed in Belek, close to Antalya, an area that has been extensively developed over the past twenty years and is now a golfer’s paradise with all-inclusive and even ultra allinclusive hotels to cater for your every need. I stayed in the exotic Spice Hotel which is beautifully designed, home to a deluxe Spa and part of this VIP ultra-inclusive concept offering outstanding value for such a high standard of luxury. One reason for choosing Belek this time was to have easy access to some of the wonderful sites that I was planning on visiting. Tours and excursions can be easily arranged, either by your tour operator, or if you are an independent traveller, the hotel concierge will be able to arrange everything with very professional companies offering luxury transport and English speaking guides. Antalya city itself is the best first tour where the old quarter, www.seniortimes.ie

Y E K TUR

Going west from Antalya, you can visit the ancient ruins at Myra, situated in Demre town. Myra used to be one of the most important Lycian cities.

Antalya city where the old quarter, Kaleici is a fascinating area down by the picturesque port.

Kaleici is a fascinating area down by the picturesque port. Its winding cobbled streets are located within the original city walls where Hadrian’s gate, constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century in honour of the Emperor Hadrian, is a highlight. The area has been regenerated in recent years, there are some lovely new boutique hotels in restored buildings, and the marina area features lots of chic bars and restaurants. If markets are your thing, besides the tourist markets which are plentiful in the summer months, you can also visit a local market, such as the Thursday market in Meltem in the northwest of the city. This is primarily for food, and what a wonderful array there is brought in by the growers and sold so cheaply – a fraction of the price that would be charged in the supermarkets. However, for bigger markets, you will not beat Manavgat, easily reached by local bus if you are staying in or near Side, or by tourist bus from Belek and other resorts. This is a wonderful market, for locals and visitors alike, with everything from clothes, electrical goods, handbags, perfumers, leather items, household goods and gadgets and of course lots and lots of fresh food and spices. Get there early in the morning and give yourself several hours. You might like to visit more than once during your stay! Of all the historical sites that you can visit, Aspendos is very easy to reach. Situated a little way off the Antalya-Alanya main road, it dates back to the 5th century BC. It is an Page 74 Senior Times March 2014

extremely well preserved Roman amphitheatre with a seating capacity of over 17,000 and is still used today to host spectacular concerts, ballets and other major events. Going west from Antalya, you can visit the ancient ruins at Myra, situated in Demre town. Myra used to be one of the most important Lycian cities. Originally a coastal city, the gradual build up of silt from the Demre stream has left it stranded several miles away from the sea. Myra was abandoned after the Arab invasions in the 9th century AD. The rock tombs and amphitheatre are well worth a visit. On the same trip, you can visit the church of St. Nicholas, who was the patron saint of children (Santa Claus was named after him, of course!) and he is also a very important saint in Russia. Russian pilgrims flock to this church in the little town of Demre. You can also take a boat trip nearby where with a glass bottom boat you can see the underwater ruins of ancient houses and chest type tombs of the Lycian Necropolis. The whole tourist experience in Southern Turkey is being developed in a very environmentally sensitive way with history, culture and the natural environment at the centre. Spectacular waterfalls, crystal clear water and miles of sandy beach, natural phenomenon including the Fires of Chimaera make for spectacular memories of a visit to this region. If you love history, culture, nature, good food and luxurious accommodation with great shopping, golf and spa facilities – you will not beat the south coast of Turkey. In fact, like me, you might wish to return several times as there is so much to see, visit and experience. Find out more on www.gototurkey.co.uk www.seniortimes.ie

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Skincare

Lines of battle

A recent study carried out on Irish woman in the 60+ age group listed their main skin ageing concerns as firstly a saggy neck (37%), followed by lines around the mouth (30%) and thirdly crow’s feet (15%). This is not a fun list, so what’s a woman to do? Boots Skincare have just extended their range of anti-ageing products with the arrival of No7 Restore & Renew aimed squarely at the older market. But do these products really work and can they deliver results? Boots Skincare Scientific Advisor, Dr Mike Bell, was in Dublin recently to talk about these new additions to the No7 brand. I began by asking him what he thought was happening in 60+ skin? He replied that, ‘in addition to wrinkles, loss of firmness and uneven skin tone, post-menopausal skin can become persistently drier, less resilient and lack luminosity due to the decline in oestrogen levels.’ However, he adds that their new products ‘can help tackle each of these issues head-on, leaving skin feeling and looking younger in just four weeks.’ These are big claims and there is certainly scepticism about just how scientific all of this is. Dr Bell comments that words like, ‘clinically proven is a bit like wallpaper nowadays, everyone uses it and it means different things’ but states that Boots adopt a rigorous scientific approach and have even Page 76 Senior Times March 2013

changed their strategy in recent years to include more research and more work with independent research institutes to develop and endorse their products. Back in the laboratory, they are continuously researching ideas which may or may not make the grade in terms of developing an actual product. Finding global products that can speak to women from different ethnicities is ‘challenging but hugely interesting.’ Asian women, for example, worry more about pigmentation but dark circles are the top concern world wide – who knew? Dr Bell is keen to stress that the serums are not aimed at making women look 10 years younger but the best they can be for their age. This is reflected in their current advertising campaign which has moved away from celebrities to embrace regular beautiful women who are not models. He is aware that promises in antiageing need to manage expectations and that loyalty to the brand – Boots have identified four different life stages in the fight against skin ageing – means people must believe in the claims if they are to buy the products potentially over a lifetime. I admitted that I am often confused about the difference between serums and creams and how they work. Dr Bell replies, ‘the serums for us are single mindedly focused on key concerns. They are designed to target the anti-ageing actives at a specific task while a day cream is more multifunctional in use.’ In the case of the serums, they are meant to be used both day and night as part of your skin maintenance regime - i.e. before applying your daytime and nigh time moisturiser. Dr Bell admits that daily and continuous use is necessary before women can expect to see real results. Lapsed users who need to be re-educated as to the benefits of serums are a key concern to Boots. When queried about the next big thing in skincare – a question he is always asked – Dr Bell believes that serums and creams will always have a place but he sees a convergence between these and cosmetic procedures in the future. Ultrasound, for example, could potentially be used at home to deliver the active ingredients in a serum or cream more efficiently. ‘Boots are not going to be launching these new devices tomorrow but next generation, it is something they will be looking at,’ comments Dr Bell. He also believes that combining supplements and creams together represent a lot of future potential and that an ‘inside out, outside in approach’ might yield benefits particularly in post- menopausal women. That may be getting a little ahead of ourselves but for the moment Boots No7 Restore and Renew Day and Night Serum – in its age appropriate lavender packaging – is on sale in the shops retailing at €33.00. Restore and Renew Day and Night Cream retails at €30.50 and €32.00 respectively. Suck it and see….

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Horseracing

Fairyhouse Racecourse – The ideal location for a great day out

Fairyhouse Racecourse has 20 race meetings in 2014, with both National Hunt and Flat racing. A day at the races is a very popular activity for an exciting day out and provides a great opportunity to socialise with both new friends and old. Senior Citizens have been great supporters of Irish Horse Racing over the years and continue to be an important group at most tracks around Ireland, adding a wealth of knowledge and experience and helping to create a really inclusive atmosphere on race days. In response to this unwavering support, Fairyhouse Racecourse in particular looks to give back to this section of the population. Discounted price tickets for every race meeting, discounted annual membership and discounted food offers at the track are just some of the benefits Fairyhouse Racecourse offer. The course is also easily accessible with a free shuttle bus from the M3 Parkway train station and plenty of parking available. The feature event at Fairyhouse Racecourse is the Easter Festival featuring the Irish Grand National. The Festival is a 2 day event this year taking place on 20th and 21st of April and looks to be as exciting as ever. Easter Sunday is a Family Day so is an ideal opportunity for some quality time with the grandchildren and the whole family in a relaxed atmosphere. Easter Monday is Ladies Day with the feature being the Carton House Most Stylish Lady competition with an amazing prize to the value of €8,000, so this presents a great opportunity to dust off your best hat and get the glad rags on and glam it up for the day. There is also a shopping village showcasing some great local products. As the Festival this year is a 2 day event, the traditional third day has been moved forward and will be on April 6th. This is billed as 5 Star Sunday and is also a Family Day. The Family Days will include a carnival for the kids with great fun fair rides, face painting and balloons. There is also 5 graded races on the day to add to the fantastic entertainment with the cream of Irish Racing including the top jockeys, trainers and horses in action. With plenty of seating, big screens, great views and a Page 78 Senior Times March 2014

wonderful Parade Ring, the set up at Fairyhouse enables you to get up close to the action, adding to the excitement of the day. To avail of some of these great offers you can call Fairyhouse on 01 825 6167 or check out www.fairyhouse.ie.

DON’T MISS A THING AT

FAIRYHOUSE IN 2014! 2014 EASTER FESTIVAL SUN 20th & MON 21st APRIL The Fairyhouse Easter Festival is a great opportunity to catch up with friends in excellent facilities with top quality entertainment.

FAMILY DAY SUNDAY 6th APRIL 2014

PREMIER JUMP RACING WEEKEND 2014 SAT 29th & SUN 30th NOVEMBER Top quality National Hunt Racing Festival over 2 days featuring the Grade 1 Hattons Grace Hurdle. A fantastic weekend not to be missed.

DISCOUNTE ADMISSIOND FOR OAP’S EVERY DAY FOR INFORMATION OR BOOKINGS CONTACT: Fairyhouse Racecourse, Ratoath, Co. Meath Web: www.fairyhouse.ie or Tel: 01 825 6167

Fairyhouse-Racecourse @fairyhouse

Free Parking

www.seniortimes.ie

24th & 25th May y Main Hall, RDS, R Dublin

wine tasting, creative writing w and much much more. The organisers, S&L Promotions have 15 years experience in marketing to the over 50’’s so are ideally placed to launch la this event which will cater for a more active older audience. Research from the hugely ely successful Over 50’’s Show in the RDS everry October show showed that while people enjoy the event there is a gap for an event which will target the 50 – 65 year old audience, people who are looking to take up a new hobby and pastime as they reach retirement’.

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Northern Ireland Travel

Explore Armagh This Spring

The Ecclesiastical Capital of Ireland, County Armagh has a rich and varied history. It may be the smallest of the six counties but it certainly has no shortage of history, culture and scenic landscape. And as the destination at the heart of celebrating the life of Saint Patrick, where better to visit this Spring. To help you plan a trip to County Armagh, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of highlights, must-see attractions and hidden gems. Clare McCoy, Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s PR Officer (ROI) said: “Armagh is a fantastic place for visitors to enjoy a historical and culture filled break. There is so much to see and do and April and May is no exception as we look forward to the Brian Boru Festival and the Giro d’Italia. The county also offers a wealth of must see tourist attractions including Navan Fort, Armagh Planetarium and Observatory, as well as a fantastic selection of accommodation offerings.” ARMAGH CITY ATTRACTIONS Explore the streets and alleys of the Ancient Cathedral City and uncover Armagh’s history, discover its myths and legends and observe its impressive Georgian architecture with Armagh Guided Tours. The city is a fine specimen of Georgian elegance and one of its best known features is its Mall, once the city's racecourse, lined by elegant houses and leafy trees. The settlement and surrounding area have much deeper roots in the past, however, as can be seen at the Armagh County Museum, which boasts a fine range of prehistoric artefacts and collections of archaeological material reflecting Armagh's leading role in early Christian Ireland. There’s plenty to entertain in Armagh with the Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre situated in the heart of Armagh City Centre. The theatre presents the best in arts and entertainment, in wonderful modern and spacious Page 80 Senior Times March 2014

surroundings. With a varied programme of events including music, theatre, dance and much more there is something to suit everyone. The Armagh Public Library, the oldest library in Northern Ireland, is a reference library and a museum, open to visitors and researchers, individuals and groups. The Library holds resources to aid family history research including Ordnance maps for all 32 counties of Ireland, parish records for the County of Armagh, census of Ireland summaries and much more. Navan Fort is thought to have been an ancient pagan ceremonial site. It comprises a large circular earthwork surrounding the summit of a drumlin hill and is the site of some fascinating archaeological discoveries. The Navan Centre explores the history and legends of the site. Enjoy the myths and legends of the Ulster Cycle in the vibrant audio visual show...Witness the Celtic Characters bring history to life in the Iron Age/Early Christian period dwelling with demonstrations of cooking, weaving, farming and much more. SAINT PATRICK’S TRAIL Armagh is at the heart of celebrating the life of Saint Patrick and no visit is complete without tracing the footsteps of Saint Patrick along the Saint Patrick’s Trail and visiting other key Christian heritage sites across the county. In Armagh alone, you will come across two cathedrals dedicated to the patron

saint. Built on the site where Saint Patrick established his first stone church in 445ad, Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral remains a focal point for those tracing the life of Ireland’s patron saint - visit the Cathedral Crypt which is part of the 13th century foundations and learn about the people that are entombed there. Also in Armagh is the Saint Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, built in honour of Saint Patrick and his connection with Armagh, regarded as one of the most impressive church structures in Ireland. Worth a visit too is No 5 Vicar’s Hill. Built in 1772 as the Diocesan Registry to hold records for the Church of Ireland, this Grade A listed building has been restored and is open to the public. Objects on display include ancient coins, gems, significant prints, early Christian artefacts and other collections and curiosities belonging to Armagh Public Library. Pay a visit to the Armagh Planetarium, a centre dedicated to astronomy education for all levels. It is the Planetarium’s unique ability to adapt to changing audience needs that has enabled it to stay at the forefront of science education since its formation. Adjacent to the Planetarium is the Armagh Observatory, a modern astronomical research institute. The Observatory's 14 acres of landscaped grounds include sundials and historic telescopes, telescope domes and the Astropark is a scale model of the www.seniortimes.ie

Universe, which you can stroll around and discover some of the amazing phenomena in our Solar System, our Galaxy, and beyond. LANDSCAPE AND COUNTRYSIDE Armagh City is home to many parks, gardens and green space, offering rural havens right in the centre of the City. Situated within walking distance of the City Centre, for over two hundred years the parkland of the Palace Demesne Public Park has been one of the glories of Armagh. Comprising some 300 acres, the walks around the Demesne vary in distance and effort and include a ‘Garden of the senses’ created to provide a sensory experience for visitors. The gardens at the Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral consist of a monastic herb garden laid out in the simple pattern employed by the early Christian monasteries. Those who enjoy the outdoors should also visit Gosford Forest Park outside Markethill, with its rare breeds of livestock, deer park, walled garden and arboretum. Further south is Slieve Gullion Forest Park which offers a scenic drive around the lower slopes of Slieve Gullion, For centuries, Armagh has been known as the Orchard County, owing to the rich apple growing country centred around Loughgall in the north of the county. Each May the countryside here comes alive with colour as the pink flowers of apple trees blanket much of the deep green landscape; an annual Apple www.seniortimes.ie

Blossom Festival celebrates the start of the season and the area's principle variety, the delicious Bramley apple. Visitors can take a tour around the apple-growing region of North Armagh, normally rich in fragrant pink blossom during May. Visit Troughton’s Apple Processing. Armagh Cider Company is owned by the Troughton family, who have been growing apples in Ballinteggart since 1898.. A tour of the cidery will give you an insight into the Orchards as well as an opportunity to see first-hand where the cider and apple juices are made. The tour concludes with some apple juice sampling and the opportunity to make your own apple juice. 2014 EVENTS There is no shortage of history in Armagh, with many of the visitor attractions and events in 2014 focussing on the rich history of the county. This April and May sees the county host a festival celebrating 1,000 years since the death of Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf. Armagh is the burial place of Brian Ború - High King of Ireland. To commemorate this significant part in Armagh's history a series of events are planned for Armagh including a warrior re-enactment, Viking long-boats, ecumenical church services, a Viking village and musical performances. Of huge excitement for 2014 is the arrival of the Giro D’Italia to the county.

Armagh will host the final stage of the Giro d’Italia Grande Partenza or ‘Big Start’ on Sunday 11th May. The Giro d’Italia will see around 200 of the world’s best cyclists from over 30 countries arriving in Northern Ireland, and Stage 3 travels through Armagh towns such as Loughall, Markethill and Newtownhamilton towards the big finish in Dublin. At the Giro D’Italia Festival Armagh there will be pre-race celebrations taking place across the weekend as the best of Armagh meets Italy in a fusion of music, food and culture. A Giro Themed Speciality Market will take place on Saturday 10th may from 12pm to 7pm in Market Square. A little piece of Italy will come to Armagh with a speciality food and craft market featuring Armagh goods and produce and Italian themed goods. The market will include a ‘big bake off’ to cook the largest pizza and the largest apple pie. A Giro Concert will finish the day off from 8pm with a pre-race concert hosted in the iconic Mall in Armagh Town. Featuring a Queen tribute band and a pink tribute band…all things cycling, pink and Italian will be celebrated. The evening will end with Armagh’s skyline turning pink as a dazzling fireworks display forms the grand finale. To find out more about Armagh and what else there is to see and do in Northern Ireland or for information on places to stay contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on callsave 1850 230 230 or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com. Senior Times March 2014 Page 81

Advice

Know Your Rights

Advice from the Citizens Information Service

I am getting Invalidity Pension. Will my payment be increased when I reach 65 years of age later this year? No. As a result of changes announced in Budget 2014, the higher payment at age 65 is no longer made. Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment for people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and who are covered by social insurance (PRSI). From 2 January 2014, in line with the abolition of the State Pension (Transition), the higher weekly Invalidity Pension rate of €230.30, paid when claimants reached age 65, has been discontinued. Previously, at age 65 the rate of payment increased to the same rate as the State Pension (Transition). The rate now payable to people aged 65 (and under) is €193.50 per week. This change applies to those claiming Invalidity Pension who reach their 65th birthday on 2 January 2014 or later. Existing 65-year-old claimants are not affected by the change. People who are getting Invalidity Pension (existing and new recipients) will continue to be automatically transferred to State Pension (Contributory) at age 66 and they will then receive a weekly rate of €230.30. There is also a change to the weekly rate payable to some qualified adults of those claiming Invalidity Pension. For those qualified adults who reach their 66th birthday on or after 2 January 2014, the weekly rate payable has been standardised at €138.10 per week. Existing qualified adults who reached the age of 66 before 2 January 2014 are not affected by the change. I heard that you no longer apply to the motor tax office for your driving licence. Where do you apply? Since October 2013, you have to apply to the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) when applying for a driving licence or learner permit. The NDLS has a network of centres throughout the State. The first time you apply to the NDLS (whether it is a new application or a renewal) you must attend in person at an NDLS centre to have your photograph taken and your identity verified. Your signature will also be digitally captured. As well as the completed application form, the fee and any other required documentation, you will need to bring documents with you that confirm you are the person who is applying for the driving licence or learner permit. If you currently have an Irish driving licence or learner permit, you Page 82 Senior Times March 2014

will need to bring the licence or permit and evidence of your PPS Number. If you do not have an Irish driving licence or learner permit, you will need to bring photographic ID, proof of your residency entitlement, evidence of your PPS Number and proof of address. Your new licence or permit will be posted to you. The next time you apply you will not have to visit an NDLS centre as your identity will already have been verified. You can choose either to continue to use the photograph taken in an NDLS centre previously (if this is less than 5 years old), or submit 2 new passport-style photographs that meet the required standards. Application forms for driving licences and learner permits are available from NDLS centres, driving test centres, driving theory test centres and Garda stations. They can also be downloaded from ndls.ie. I recently travelled to Britain by passenger ferry, however, we arrived 3 hours late. Am I entitled to compensation?

You may be entitled to compensation, depending on the circumstances. Under EU legislation you have rights similar to those of airline passengers. For example, if the departure of your passenger ferry is delayed or cancelled, you must be informed of the situation as soon as possible and no later than 30 minutes after the scheduled time of departure. If the departure is expected to be cancelled or to be delayed for more than 90 minutes, you should immediately be offered a choice between re-routing to your final destination and a refund of the ticket price. While waiting, you should be offered snacks or meals free of charge, in reasonable relation to the waiting time. Also, if a stay of 1 or more nights becomes necessary, you must be provided with adequate accommodation free of charge. However, you are not entitled to accommodation where the cancellation or delay was caused by weather conditions endangering the safe operation of the ship. While still being entitled to travel, you can request compensation if you are facing a delay in arriving at your www.seniortimes.ie

Liss Ard Country Estate in Skibbereen, Cork, is a magical estate of country manors, gardens, trails, ponds and lakes where nature, art, modern luxury and elegance come together in perfect harmony. This beautiful 200-acre estate encompasses a variety of accommodation to suits all tastes and budgets and is a ‘pet’s paradise’ where pets are most welcome. Liss Ard is a wonderful ﬁnd, just the right amount of distance off the beaten track, in a very special part of the world. The charming estate offers a very ‘home from home’ feeling ensuring an idyllic relaxed atmosphere.

Home from Home Harmony.. Liss Ard has a wonderful food philosophy of using authentic produce of the highest quality sourced from local artisans and farmers and serves them simply and deliciously. ‘We measure the distance food has travelled in metres…not miles’. Discover Liss Ard Estate for yourself at www.lissardestate.com or call 028 40000

destination of at least: 1 2 3 6

hour in the case of a journey of 4 hours or less hours in the case of a journey of between 4 and 8 hours hours in the case of a journey of between 8 and 24 hours hours in the case of a journey of more than 24 hours

The minimum compensation is 25% of the ticket price, 50% if the delay is more than double the time set out above. You are not entitled to compensation where the cancellation or delay is caused by dangerous weather conditions or by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided, such as a natural disaster. If you feel that your rights have been denied, you should submit your complaint to the ferry company within 2 months of your trip. If you are dissatisfied with the response to your complaint or you did not receive a reply within 1 month, you can make a complaint to the National Transport Authoritywww.nationaltransport.ie/public-transport-services/maritime-passengers-rights-2/" Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below. I am 72 years of age and I think I may be eligible for a medical card. How much income can I have and still qualify? To qualify for a medical card from the Health Service Executive (HSE), your weekly income must be below a certain figure. The assessment of a couple for medical card purposes is based on the age of the older person. Since 1 January 2014, the weekly income guidelines for medical cards for people aged over 70 have changed. The gross income limit for the over-70s medical card is €500 (was €600) for a single person and €900 (was €1,200) for couples. Your total income is taken into account in the means test. There are no standard deductions allowable, for example, for income tax. Pensions, earnings, interest from capital and all other sources of income are included. Savings or similar investments of up to €36,000 for a single person and €72,000 for a couple are disregarded. A notional rate of interest is applied by the HSE to the balance. Alternatively, the HSE will apply the actual rate if you provide a certificate of interest paid on savings in the last full calendar year. Property will not be assessed in the means test unless it is generating a rental income. If your income is above the limit for a medical card, you may be eligible for a GP visit card. To qualify for it, your gross weekly income must not be over €700 for a single person or €1,400 for a couple. A GP visit card allows you to visit your family doctor for free. If your income is over the above limits, you can still apply for the ordinary medical card or the GP visit card on hardship grounds, for example, if you would have difficulty meeting significant ongoing medical expenses without it. I have to retire next summer when I reach the age of 65 but I have heard I won’t get a State pension until I am 66. Is there another social welfare payment that I can get until then? Yes, you can claim a jobseeker’s payment. If you have enough social insurance contributions you can get Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB). If you are claiming JB at the age of 65 and have at least 156 PRSI contributions, you can continue to receive JB until your 66th birthday even if your claim is due to end before that date. Otherwise you may apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance which is a means-tested payment. Before 2014, people aged 65 who retired from work could Page 84 Senior Times March 2014

apply for the State Pension (Transition). This has now been abolished from 1 January 2014. If you wish you can claim a jobseeker’s payment until you are aged 66. In general, to qualify for either Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance you must be genuinely seeking work and be available for full-time employment and these conditions will continue to apply to older jobseekers. However there are special arrangements for jobseekers aged 62 and over: You will no longer be required to engage with employment, advice and training referral services and your payment won’t be affected by non-engagement with these services If you wish you can avail of a range of supports (for example, training or employment support programmes) from the Department of Social Protection. Most jobseekers aged 62 or over will be placed on an annual signing arrangement with their local social welfare office or Intreo centre (this means that they do not need to attend and sign on regularly). Also, most of them will be transferred to Electronic Fund Transfer payments so payment can be made directly into their bank account. Before you retire you can get further information about applying for a jobseeker’s payment from your local social welfare office www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/List-of-Social-Welfare-Local-and-Branch-Offices-by-County.aspx or Intreo centre www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Intreo---Contact-Information.aspx. My son was given a puppy as a Christmas present. Do I have to get a licence for it and what are the rules about keeping a dog? Yes, if the puppy is away from its mother, you must have a dog licence for it. In general, dogs over four months of age must have a dog licence. Under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 it is an offence to keep a dog unless you have a licence. You can get a dog licence at your local post office. It costs €20 and is valid for one year or there is a ‘lifetime of dog’ licence which costs €140 and is valid for the dog’s lifetime. Local authorities are responsible for the control of dogs. They have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against owners. A dog warden can ask you to produce evidence of your dog licence and if you cannot do so you may get an on-the-spot fine. When your dog is outside your house or garden, it must be accompanied by you and under your control or under the control of another responsible person. Your dog must always wear a collar that has your name and address inscribed on it or on a plate, badge or disc. Failure to have identification on a dog can result in an on-the-spot fine issued by a dog warden. You may wish to micro-chip your dog as well. You do not have to do this at present. However, a programme of micro-chipping is being planned. Under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 it is an offence to allow a dog under your control to foul a public place. Under the litter laws, complaints can be made to the District Court against an owner or person in charge of a dog who allows the dog to foul public places and who fails to act responsibly. You are liable for any injury or damage caused by your dog to people or livestock. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has detailed information www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/DogControl about the control of dogs on its website. You can get also get further information from your local authority. www.seniortimes.ie

when you pay full price for the goods. You have exactly the same rights when shopping in the sales as you do at any other time of the year. This means that anything sold in a sale:

I am a pensioner living alone. I used to get an allowance towards my telephone bill but this has stopped. Will my free TV licence be gone as well?

Must be of merchantable quality – goods should be of reasonable quality taking into account what they are meant to do, their durability and their price

No, although the Telephone Allowance has ended since 1 January 2014, there have been no changes to the rest of the Household Benefits Package. The Household Benefits Package is made up of a number of separate allowances. The first is the Electricity or Gas Allowance, which is in the form of a cash credit of €35 on your bill or a €35 cash payment to your bank or through your local post office. You can choose whichever option suits your situation. The rates have not changed for 2014. The second is the free TV licence, which is issued to you by the Department of Social Protection. The third was the Telephone Allowance, which was a payment of €4.50 a month towards your mobile phone or landline phone. It has been discontinued since 1 January 2014 for both new and existing recipients. Other benefits for pensioners include free travel, which is available on all State public transport (bus, rail and LUAS). It is also available on some private bus services. Under the National Fuel Scheme, a means-tested Fuel Allowance is payable to people who cannot provide for their heating needs from their own resources. It is paid weekly for 26 weeks from early October. As you are a pensioner living alone, you may qualify for a Living Alone Increase in addition to your social welfare pension.

Must be fit for their purpose – they must do what they are reasonably expected to do Must be as described – the buyer must not be misled into buying something by the description of goods or services given orally by a salesperson or an advertisement If an item is faulty, you are entitled to a repair, replacement or refund. However you are not entitled to an exchange (or a refund or a credit note) simply because you change your mind about something you’ve bought in a shop, whether this is during the sales or at any other time of the year. Many shops do allow you to exchange goods that you have had second thoughts about, but this is at their discretion. It’s a good idea to check the shop’s refund policy before buying anything.If you buy goods at full price but change your mind about them, and they are now on sale at a lower price, you may only be offered the reduced amount (if the shop is willing to offer your money back). You should always keep your receipts as proof of purchase and the price paid.

I bought a coat in the sales but when I got home I found the colour didn’t suit me. Can I bring it back to the shop and get a refund?

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.

When you buy goods in a sale you have the same rights as

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Fashion

Black to basics For our new fashion slot Mairead Robinson has been touring the shops and stores, and for those of us who love black and white – guess what? The monochrome look is back big time this season.

Condico purple outfit available from McElhinneys, Athboy and Vanity Fair, Newbridge

Colourful bag from Marks & Spencer €40

Tara Jarmon blue crepe short jacket from Arnotts €395 Welcome to our new style and fashion feature where we will look at trends, labels and designs that compliment and flatter today’s mature Irish woman. Forget elastic waists, woolly socks and comfy brogues, these days woman aged 50 and over can look elegant, stylish, attractive, and yes, sexy! You only have to look at Helen Mirren at the recent award ceremonies to see how she shines brighter than many a young starlet more than half her age. How does she do it, you may ask? I believe the answer involves two key ingredients – confidence and colour. Look at our own Mary Kennedy (Nationwide), now in her late 50s, she always looks bright and elegant and displays a youthful glow. So many women now hide in dull Page 86 Senior Times March 2014

browns, greys and also wear lots of black thinking they will look younger and slimmer. Yet, black drains the colour from your face, so the first thing I suggest is that you go bold, and wear colour. Back to Helen Mirren – did you see that bright green dress she wore at the Golden Globes? She looked stunning. This year’s Spring collections include lots of pastel and flowery prints, and pink figures big. The best way to incorporate pink into your wardrobe (even if the rest of your outfit is dark), is to get a soft pink Pashmina. Draped elegantly over the shoulders and around the neck will give you a contemporary stylish look and will soften the contrast with skin tone and hair. For those of us who love black and white – guess what? The monochrome look is

back big time this season. The catwalks are full of black and white combinations in dresses, skirts, shirts and coats. Most of us have smart and comfortable black trousers in our wardrobes, I advise pairing them with a white top – white against the face and neck is much more flattering than black – and of course shoes and bags are easy to pair with the monochrome look. Very Spring /Summer 2014! Now if you are a fan of the timeless, classic and elegant look, you may well be a fan of Brooks Brother and their range is stocked here in Ireland at Arnotts. Catering for both ladies and gents, the new season look from their collection draws inspiration from classic neutrals such as white-wash, sand, and pale blue contrasted with vivid corals paired with turquoise and navy. www.seniortimes.ie

Distinctive printed Fiona dress from elainecurtis.ie €450.

When it comes to weddings and special occasions, there are a few specialist shops in Ireland that cater specifically for the mature fashion conscious lady and McElhineys of Athboy is one of the best known. It is a family fun business in Co. Meath that has specialised in leading event wear labels for the elegant mature lady since 1937. With a focus on personal service, they are a one stop shop for mothers of the bride and groom, bridal wear, smart casual day wear and events and offer a broad range of trend tones as well as understated tones in a range of sizes. They are located just off exit 9 on the M3. This season’s collection for mother of the bride and groom, include pieces by Ian Stewart, Carle Ruiz, Condici, Pifer and Mayka. Another really popular shop for mother of the bride/groom outfits is Vanity Fair based in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. As www.seniortimes.ie

well as stocking top designer labels including Max Mara, Condici and John Charles, they are the only shop in the country to carry ready to wear items from Dublin designer Richard Lewis. All their labels are targeted towards women over 35 but mostly for women 50+. With a very good website, you can view their new collections on-line at www.vanityfair.ie Elaine Curtis is based in Carlow and women travel from all over the country as she carries a fabulous range of designer labels. They also are now stocking all the new season’s pieces and the website carries all information at www.elainecurtis.ie I recommend investing in a good pencil skirt – Dunnes Stores have a lovely floral printed skirt in their Savida range – as this can be matched with different accessories and tops to give you a wide range of outfits. Most designers are working with a very feminine look for this season, which is generally flattering to most of us, and much easier to carry off than the sharper more masculine/ suited look.

Marks & Spencer have for long been a popular source of smart casual separates and their Per Una label is one I always keep an eye on. The overarching mood for their SS14 collection is one of understated elegance embracing the finesse of contemporary design. Once again we are looking at lace and pastel tones to enhance feminine elegance, and something I really like about Marks & Spencer. If for any reason you don’t like to, or find it difficult to get out to the shops and try on clothes in their changing rooms, do remember that you can now look at most clothes ranges on-line, and you can order them directly from the website and try them in the comfort of your own home. Littlewoods have just launched their spring collection which includes some lovely floral prints in tunics, shirts and jackets. Free delivery and returns on all orders makes spring shopping a breeze! You can find out more on www.littlewoodsireland.ie You can also purchase on-line from Debenhams, Wallis and all the major stores. There are many catalogues you can also receive regularly in the post, and you can purchase from home that way if you prefer not to go on-line. Oxendales are very popular with ladies to who prefer to shop from home, and you can call them on 01-8300800 to have their current catalogue posted out to you. Senior Times March 2014 Page 87

Poetry

Interested in getting your poetry published?

Poetry Corner

Email your works – no more than five poems – with a short biography and a photo of yourself to: john@slp.ie

Five poems by W T Ahern W T Ahern, is an amputee who walks with two artificial limbs and two walking sticks; he is also a polio survivor and has Asperger’s Syndrome which is a type of autism. ‘All these make me what I am and even though they have placed a few limitations on me I have lived a full and satisfying life. I have been a disability activist at local and national level for over forty years and feel that the current budget cut-backs suffered by the disabled and all those on low incomes have set back policies towards us by several years. I have been writing all of my life and have been published in Britain and in this country. I write poetry, both rhymed and free verse, short stories, long stories and the occasional newspaper or magazine article’.

The Child Woman I am a child - woman I am autistic I am a child in a woman’s body I think it is normal to see life through this thick haze I am normal I see, I feel, I hurt, I enjoy, I sleep, I walk, I eat and I live I celebrate life I see how care worn my parents are becoming I worry, if anything should happen to them, I cannot bare to think of what will happen to me I am mothers shadow, she protects me, loves me and understands me I like going for walks with her I hold her hand and feel safe I am innocent I do not understand the changes happening within my body I am a child, mother says that these are normal I am normal I went for a walk with my cousin, he put his hands on me I cried and he got cross, he said that it was normal I did not feel it was right I do not like my cousin now I like people to talk to me I do not always understand what is said I like to be dressed in nice clothes, to feel the sun on my face and the smell of nice food I would like it if this haze was lifted from me I would at last be NORMAL Page 88 Senior Times March 2014

God Bless You God Bless you said the rich man with so little thought he has much wealth and power much more then he ought His mind is taken over with thoughts of goods and store his greed is so demanding he must get more and more. God Bless you said the poor man he meant it as a prayer he stood shaking in a door way his bones were almost bare he had nothing else to offer nothing else to give he had no wealth or power nor even a place to live. Which of these words are priceless which would you prefer to keep the thoughtless words of the rich man or those said with feelings

The Swans The four swans appeared to my right their snow white plumage dazzling against the grey-blue sky their bright red webbed feet tucked beneath their stream lined bodies their yellow beaks on the end of slender necks point like Cupids arrows they turn gracefully, disappearing over the roof tops. The traffic and the people rushing about their business did not have time to notice and only I sitting at rest witnessed these moments of beauty and wonder.

An Ode to the Young at Heart Look at me and you will see that I am old each line etched on my face, is a story told. My body is slow to function, my strength just saps away It sometimes seems difficult, just to make it through each day. This picture is just a falsehood, this is not the real me in my eyes you’ll find, a wild spirit waiting to be free. For in my mind I am young, a lad of twenty- three life has just started and is unexplored territory. In my imagination I roll back the years where I find love and laughter and just a few tears. Each new day I treasure, there is never time enough to do those things that need doing, that fill life’s over flowing cup. So here’s to long liveability and to the road as yet untrod we will march along to our own time, until we meet our God We must keep on marching until we reach our goal live our years with no fears and keep our spirits whole.

At seventy you think of the past and see things through a rosy glow. At seventy your memories are real because the future is uncertain At seventy you can look back and see your trials and triumphs At seventy you dispense your wisdom whether it’s wanted or not. At seventy your ideas are old fashioned to the younger generation At seventy your functions break down and things get harder to do. At seventy you look at today’s world and wonder where it’s heading. At seventy you are alive. www.seniortimes.ie

Four poems by Mae Leonard Writer/poet/broadcaster Mae Leonard is originally from Limerick and now resides in Co.Kildare. She is the winner of several literary awards both national and international. She is best known for her contributions to RTE 1 Radio’s Sunday Miscellany. I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This: poetry collection published by Doghouse 2011. Selection of Stories – Growing up in Limerick 1940s – 1960s entitled - My Home is There - pub. 1986(1) and My Home is There 2: pub: 2012 Collection published by The Limerick Writers Centre.

A Shakespeare girl

On the new by-pass

8.30am and she just stepped out of Hamlet; a little lady creeping unwillingly to school. Her nondescript uniform droops from slouched shoulders, her backpack holds her upright, albeit with a Pisa incline. Her sports sack trails like a reluctant puppy on a leash, it bumps along the ground. And her face? Oh, her face is creased into a collection of frowns. All youthful prettiness wrinkled to octogenarian. Oh that this too, too solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself into a dew. These are the words I would put into her head if she would listen. I sigh a teacher’s sigh. Youth is wasted on the young.

How were you to know? They stole your birthright Criss-crossing ancient tracks with pitch runways for marauding monsters screeching through the night. And No Quarter. Lights blazing like twin machine guns, a hedgehog has no chance nor tomcat on the prowl, crow too low, nor mesmerised rabbit. Dead. Dead. Dead. And you, badger, nothing left but your striped snout and an obscene bloody mass, fodder for crackling magpies on my morning road. Ochone. Ochone. Ochone.

Five Haiku poems by Mary Gunn Mary Gunn, a native of Fermanagh, lives in Co. Dublin. She writes short stories, short plays and haiku poetry. Her haiku has been published on the website of The Irish Haiku Society and in Shamrock Haiku Journal.

1. ‘gathering’ of aeroplanes over the Liffey – the bells of Christchurch 2. trees in their winter nakedness revealing birds’ old nests 3. soft snowflakes falling… black cat return home as black and white cat! 4. May morning − waxy magnolia petals ready to open 5. book: keeping chickens suburban supermarket – whe’re the ready meals?

The old refrain Night in the kitchen my washing machine hums sweet songs of the past. Songs of the not so long ago from my mother’s time, innocent and dreamlike. I often think of home I hear her singing, my mother, at the kitchen sink, father’s baritone softly harmonising. I sing an old refrain Tonight my fridge is humming The Old Refrain never missing a heartbeat. And it recalls for me a bygone day.

City coffee An Angela’s Ashes Day in Limerick City: Drenching rain tumbles down unchecked from lowdown grey clouds. Lured in by the scent of roasting coffee wafting from a stylish cafe, I sit behind a raindropped window pane. My coffee is disappointingly lukewarm. You don’t understand coffee, the maker scoffs, you drink it too hot in Limerick. (Her accent is decidedly East-European). I look at her and blink. I know my coffee. She doesn’t know my coffee. She will never know my Limerick.

A poem by David O’Reilly Fifty two year old Dubliner David O’Reilly is married with two young girls, Niamh & Katie (15 &11). He is an internal sales support for an engineering supply company. He s enjoy writing humorous poetry in his spare time. He is also interested in military history.

False teeth -False love His teeth were false But so was she Her tear dropped gentle sob His flashing smile concealed from her A gurnied gummy gob He wore a wig But so did she Not just for satisfaction She had to stack the odds her way The laws of sweet attraction His words were lies But so were hers She only wanted money He told her he was stinking rich She said she was his honey He lied about his love for art She told him he was great And all the while she sized him up To be her wedded mate

Many times she held his hand Many times she cried Said she lived for only him And would until she died That fateful day he told the truth He had to let it out She hit the roof and blew her top Began to scream and shout 'You lying swine!' 'I gave my all' She uttered in a sob His jaw dropped then And as it did Revealed his gummy gob His teeth were false But so was she She lorded over men They both threw out their ghastly wigs And never met again Yes. His teeth were false But so was she.

Opinion

Liquid assets for consultants Jim Collier

The more I hear and read about the Irish Water and water charges the more I think that it would make a great mystery novel. The story proceeded on its merry way unimpeded until a slip of the tongue by the managing director of the newly formed Irish Water that out of €100 million already spent, €50 million had been spent on consultants. This opened a can of worms, among ministers, backbenchers, Government and Opposition parties, many of whom had been unable to obtain any information on expenditure details. Irish Water being a State Company should be subject to Freedom of Information. In retrospect Minister Brendan Howlin has now to legislate for this. A further controversy has subsequently arisen relating to staffing cost. It has been alleged that a commitment has been given by Irish Water to cover payroll costs for 2000 council workers in water and waste water council services. This Page 90 Senior Times March 2013

needs to be verified, it was alleged that Bord Gais, to which Irish Water is a subsidiary, was given the contract on the basis that it had already the infrastructure and expertise to operate the new facility and service. So why the subsequent need to spend €50 Million on consultants? Bord Gais’s existing customers would all be part of the Irish Water customer group and were on an already established charge and payment system, not much need for consultants to restructure here! And finally the big question! How much will we have to pay for water? Apparently we will have to start paying in October 2014, and will be billed in January 2015, putting the cart before the horse again? Remember the property tax confusion! We haven’t a clue what it will cost? It looks as if there will be a basic standing charge, and a usage based on meter reading. It’s rumored

that there will be a free water allowance. This is laughable if we pay a basic standing charge! Is there going to be another team of consultants to educate the customers? Following up on my article relating to the high cost of prescription drugs in the December issue of Senior Times, it is encouraging to see the opening of the Healthwave Pharmacy in Dundrum, Dublin. Healthwave say they now offer the cheapest prescription prices in Ireland. This is at last a step in the right direction and will hopefully lead to many other such services opening which will benefit the hard pressed senior citizens, and the long-time ailment sufferers, who are by far are the biggest users of prescription drugs the country. The Healthwave service involves membership of (in the UK 80% of dg, according to Healthwave). Incidentally, those entitled to the reduced www.seniortimes.ie

prescription charge of €2.50 per item (recently increased by 400% per item from 50c) would not gain from this service.

The gravy train gathers pace.. It is not just the top-ups but the obscenely high levels of salaries that abound throughout the many business structures where those at the top are never satisfied. Salaries of €100,000 are no longer considered enough to live on, not to mind being enough as recompense for a job well done. The more those on extremely high salaries get, the more they believe they are worth more. Looking at our nearest neighbours in the up and comparing salaries with like for like and adjusting for the currency difference we find that we are well ahead in the payment stakes, for senior staff. But it is not only the executive salaries that are out of line or their pensions, we only have to look at our politicians, their enormous unvouched expenses and pensions, and at our civil service, to realise where the rot has set in, and where the high remuneration expectations have originated. It is however another kettle of fish when we come to charities where we have all come to expect that board members are part time and receive nominal salaries on the

basis that they give very little of their time to board duties and usually have full time positions elsewhere. I have always contributed to charities on this understanding. To realise that monies collected by volunteers have been siphoned off to pay board members and to to-up salaries of extremely well paid employees, has been shocking. I have no problem with decent payment for the full-time employees within charities who render very worthwhile and caring services. It is also shocking to learn that board members have not bothered to attend meetings and have not even read the minutes, shame on those! We also have had multiple situations where senior executive staff in hospital and universities, who have salaries well over €150, 000, have been given top – ups to boost their salaries.

Protecting the whistleblowers I was very disappointed with the reaction to the Garda Whistleblowers by the Garda Commissioner, when he said that their action was disgusting. It should be remembered that whistleblowers are not confined to the Gardaí; they have become a fundamental part of many industries and services. In this day and age, considering the unethical behavior of senior officials in the business and finance areas we recently experienced we need to be protected by whistleblowers. Mostly these people are honest, brave and caring and cannot keep quiet about abuses of position etc., and need to be protected from bullying. It is important that the forthcoming legislation will give them the necessary protection in doing what they think is right. The view expressed here are not necessarily those of Senior Times

4 star hotel in the heart of the garden of Ireland 30 glorious acres of Wicklows garden 70 deluxe rooms including presidential suite 9 dedicated business meeting rooms 1 award winning leisure centre 35 mins from Dublin city & 40 mins from airport The Glenview Hotel Glen O’The Downs, Delgany, Co. Wicklow. Tel: (01) 287 3399 Fax: (01) 287 7511 e-mail: reservations@glenviewhotel.com Website: www.glenviewhotel.com

Meeting Place CLASSY DUBLIN LADY, early sixties, recently returned to Ireland after living abroad for many years, engaging, fit attractive with outgoing personality. Seeks shy, sophisticated gent who is active, fit and has sound family values. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J1 DUBLIN LADY, pleasant, outgoing widow, 60s, NS, enjoy a glass of wine, WLTM a kind widower for friendship and companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J2 MID 60s DUBLIN WIDOWER WLTM a quiet type woman. Interests include writing, but don’t dance. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J3

CORK LADY, 60s, SINGLE, WLTM correspond with males and females for friendships. Interests include reading, art, animals and the simple things in life. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J12 ATTRACTIVE, ACTIVE, DUBLIN LADY, 70, NS, GSOH. Interests include tennis, ski-ing, yachting, classical music, languages and travel. WLTM refined gentleman with similar interests. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J13 MIDLANDS MAN, MID-FIFTIES seeks female companion. Interests include writing, fishing, walking, meeting people. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E1

CORK LADY, 63. Interests include animals, history, dancing, socialising, walking and nature. WLTM a kind, respectable gent, single or widower. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J4

FEMININE, ATTRACTIVE NORTH COUNTY DUBLIN woman WLTM classy, male companion 50/60s. Interests include travel, music, theatre, good conversation and laughter. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E2

CAVAN MAN, interests include the arts, reading and nature, seeks woman with similar interests for friendship, outings, etc. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J5

MEATH WOMAN, EARLY FIFTIES, WLTM men in the Dublin area aged 50-55 for friendship. Interests include reading, music and dining out. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E3

ANCIENT DUBLIN LADY seeks ancient man to hobble across the dance floor together. NS, ND, can recite a poem to amuse. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J6

GALWAY WIDOW, NS, SD, GSOH, likes music, swimming, walking, reading. WLTM honest, caring gentleman for further friendship, relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E4

WICKLOW WOMAN, 60, interests include walking, yoga, gardening and cinema, WLTM people with similar interests for friendship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J7 PROFESSIONAL DUBLIN WOMAN, 50, WLTM man, 50-60, for friendship and companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J8 ATTRACTIVE, SOUTH COUNTY DUBLIN WOMAN, late 50s, NS, SD, interests include reading, bridge, sailing, tennis, travel, walking theatre and eating out, WLTM man late 50s to mid-60s with similar interests for friendship/relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J9 ACTIVE RETIRED OFFALY WOMAN, 60s, WLTM lady and gent for travel at home and abroad. Interests include music, dancing, walking, travel. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J10 SOUTH CO DUBLIN LADY, LATE 50s, divorced, youthful. Interests include reading, sailing tennis, eating out etc. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J11 Page 92 Senior Times March 2013

WIDOWER EARLY 70s, GSOH, many interests, WLTM sincere lady with many interests who lives in North Dublin or North County Dublin, for friendship and socialising. NS, ND preferred. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E5 OFFALY WIDOW, LATE 60s, GSOH, enjoys music, dancing, reading, walking, travel, WLTM sincere gentleman with similar interests for friendship, companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E6 DUBLIN DIVORCED FEMALE, 60, intelligent, attractive, WLTM for companionship, socialising. Interests include walking, yoga, eating out, dancing. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E7 60s YOUNG WOMAN seeks male ballroom dance partner to attend social dances in the Dublin area. Having attained bronze level in both International Standard and Latin dances seeks partner who leads well; a plus if that person likes to dance the Hustle. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E8

TALL SOUTH DUBLIN RC professional lady, NS, SD, GSOH, seeks tall single RC professional gentleman, 60s with no ties, who is honest, generous and caring. Interests include travelling, dancing, theatre, concerts, cinema, cooking and sport, especially GAA. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E9 GALWAY MAN LATE FIFTIES, interests include walking, reading, travelling, hobby farming and gardening. WLTM woman of similar age and interests. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E10 DUBLIN SINGLE LADY MID 50s, slim, attractive, NS, SD. Interests include reading, walking, keep fit, theatre, cinema, music, travel, dining out and good conversation. WLTM refined gent 50-60 with similar interests in the Dublin area. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E11 SOCIABLE, ACTIVE RETIRED FEMALE NURSE, 66, from Laois WLTM new friends for travel and socialising. Interests include walking, cycling, baking, current affairs, etc. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E12 MIDLANDS MAN, EARLY 60s, who has had an interesting and varied work career to date, and has travelled extensively, interested in cinema, dining out, travel, ‘catholic’ music, seeks the company of educated, articulate people. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E13 ATTRACTIVE, WARM, SELF ASSURED North West woman, would like to connect with intelligent man in his 50s/60s who is looking for friendship/romance. Visits Dublin frequently. Interests include music, the arts, yoga, reading, good conversation and dining out. Member of Toastmasters. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E14 MIDLANDS, ACTIVE, ATTRACTIVE LADY, 53, widowed, NS, SD, GSOH. Interests include theatre, triathlons. Theatre, reading, gardening. WLTM gentleman of similar age and interests to share fun times. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E15 www.seniortimes.ie

ATTRACTIVE FEMALE 50s SOUTH DUBLIN, with outgoing personality, NS, SD horse lover and keen racegoer, enjoys dancing, travel and eating out, seeks male with similar interests. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E16 MID-50s SEPARATED MIDLANDS MAN. Interests include writing, music, fly fishing, walking. WLTM lady with similar interests.REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E17 NORTH COUNTY DUBLIN LADY, 73. Interests include theatre, bridge, reading, good company. WLTM a nice man, similar age who is warm hearted, NS, moderate drinker.REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E18 SOUTH DUBLIN WIDOW, 70s, WLTM similar aged man for companionship who is warm and kind and nice to be with. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E19 WORKING DUBLIN MAN LATE-50s interested in travel, music, sport etc. WLTM a lady in the Dublin area for friendship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E20 RETIRED CORK MAN, 60s, interested in dancing, music sessions, travel gardening. Young at heart. WLTM ladies and gents for friendship as life can be lonely. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E21 CORK LADY 60s interested in having male and female pen friends. Interests include art, reading, nature, animals, cinema, travel. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T1 ATTRACTIVE SELF ASSURED CONNAUGHT WOMAN, 60s with strong links to Dublin. Good communicator, love nature, walking.

INTERESTED? If you are interested in meeting someone of the opposite or same sex send your advertisement to: Meeting Place, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Or email:john@slp.ie Please ensure you include your postal address for those not on the Net. Deadline for advertisements for the next printed issue of Senior Times and website listings is April 20th 2014 Important: When replying to advertisements in Senior Times, please enclose a stamp for each reply. We cannot accept email advertisements which do not also provide a postal address

Interested in cities and art, love good conversation and a glass of wine. WLTM astute man 50s/60s for friendship and possibility more. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T2 MIDLANDS GENT, GSOH, NO TIES, many interests including travel, reading, walking. WLTM caring lady for friendship, companionship, relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T3 CO CORK WIDOW 60s, NS, likes the occasional drink when out. WLTM kind, caring man of similar age for friendship/relationship. Interests include walking, gardening, eating out, dancing cinema, reading and listening to country music. Genuine replies only. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A1 WIDOWER, EARLY 60s DUBLIN AREA, kind, gentle with good sense of humour. WLTM refined female to share interests in dancing, bridge, reading, cinema, music and theatre. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A2 TALL ATTRACTIVE DUBLIN WIDOW, retired professional, romantic and caring with varied interests, including reading, theatre, films, music, outdoor life and travel. WLTM since gent 60s/70s to share happy times.REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A3 ROMANTIC, CARING, ACTIVE, separated gent, mid-60s. ND. Medium height and build. Likes reading, films, walking, music. WLTM female with similar interests in Dublin area.REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A4 VERY ATTRACTIVE, SINGLE CORK PROFESSIONAL LADY 50. Warm personality, slim and well dressed with many interests including walking, dancing, especially Irish dancing, music, travel, weekends away, eating out, cooking, gardening and good conversation. WLTM refined gentleman 50 to mid-60s from the Munster area who is kind, warmhearted, genuine and caring for friendship and possible relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A5 GALWAY WOMAN, 60s. Interests include reading, walking, and going for drives in car. Would like to meet people interested in reading and good conversation. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A6 SINGLE, RETIRED, MIDLANDS MALE, 55 WLTM meet retired males/females companions for travelling trips by train in Europe. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A7 CO CORK DIVORCED WOMAN, 52, WLTM and correspond with fun loving people who have a varied interest in life. Interested in

travelling, walking, nature, dancing, music, cinema. Love talking to people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; great listener! REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y1 MIDLANDS MALE PUBLIC SERVANT, late 50s, single, NS, SD. Interests include canoeing/sailing, cycling, walking, climbing, eating out, travelling and weekends away. WLTM woman of similar age and interests. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y2 KILKENNY WIDOWER, 72, GOOD HEALTH, NS, SD. Interests include gardening, DIY, walking, reading, golf and bridge. WLTM lady with similar interests. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y3 INDEPENDENT, ATTRACTIVE LIMERICK WOMAN, 60s, NS. Returned emigrant, enjoy ceilis, literature, walking, sun holidays, lively conversation. WLTM cheerful, decent male companion from Limerick/Kerry (or from further afield if have car!). REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y4 NORTH CO DUBLIN WIDOWER, 70s. Tall, active, retired, honest trustworthy. GSOH, NS, ND. Interests include current affairs, sports in general, travel, reading and gardening. WLTM sincere lady for friendship, companionship and socialising. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y5 ATTRACTIVE FUN-LOVING DUBLIN LADY, 60, loves to set dance, golf, walk, holiday and other fun activities. WLTM young man of similar age and interests to share and enjoy together. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y6. NORTH WICKLOW LADY, LATE 50s, interests include walking, gardening, cinema, travel and yoga. WLTM likeminded females for friendship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y7 DUBLIN SINGLE GENT, 60, NS, SD. Interests include music (most varities), reading, walking, keep fit, holidays, weekends away, swimming. WLTM honest, caring lady, 50-60, with similar interests, for friendship, possibly relationship. ALA. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y8 SEPARATED PROFESSIONAL CORK LADY, loves to dance, walk, enjoy nature, and have fun. WLTM gentleman, 65+, for outings and special occasions. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y9 SINGLE MONAGHAN MAN, MID 50s, with a heart of gold, WLTM single woman with a view to companionship and friendship and perhaps more. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER Y10 Senior Times March 2014 Page 93

Crossword

Bumper Crossword (No.63) by Zoë Devlin

ACROSS

DOWN

1 6 10 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 34 36 37 39 42 43 45 46 50 51 52 53 56 57 59 60 63 64 65 66 70 71 72 74 77 79 80 81 83 87 89 90 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 23 24 29 30 31 32 33 35 38 40 41 44 47 48 49 54 55 58 59 61 62 67 68 69 73 75 76 78 82 84 85 86 88 91 92 93

Can this well-known gardener rage dryly? (5,4) Spout on building resembling animal or person (8) Load hope in Co Clare, voted best place to holiday (4,4) Long, narrow trench beside road (5) Strong liking or penchant (5) Rosy colour or flush (5) Vanish without trace (9) Computer network of internet sites AKA www (5,4,3) Zodiac sign of the Ram (5) Warm ocean current - or is it online? (2,4) Intelligence Agency in the U.S. (1.1.1) Dublin building, leaders’ HQ in 1916 (1.1.1) Music played slowly & gracefully (6) Most pleasant - like an insect? (6) Shambles or complete, humiliating failure (6) Small fruit or girl wearing voile? (5) Heavy, feather-legged breed of horse (10) U.S. pianist renowned for flamboyance (8) Brace (3) Cruel lesion on skin or internal surface (5) Munster’s wildlife park (4) Waves roar less on this Co Wexford strand (8) Belgian singer-songwriter, Jacques ___ (4) Harm or impairment (6) Conceit or excessive pride (6) Songlike cry of the Alps? (5) Co Down seaside resort on Belfast Lough (6) Urgent, insistent request (6) Low land, seasonally flooded (5) Dublin street, location of Connolly station (6) Michael Flatley or Anton du Beke? (6) Actor ___ Purcell or politician ___ Browne? (4) Mythical monster for the lower few (8) Just - free from bias or deception (4) See 12 Down. Nautically it’s toward the stern (3) Crafty, involved plot - often sinister (8) Augur or predict - perhaps we heard woofs? (10) Perfect or absolutely right for the occasion (5) Characteristic of group sharing cultural background (6) 15th century English printer, William ___ (6) In an unemotional manner (6) She may be ___ Huberman or Winehouse (3) Two of the same kind (3) Haulage vehicles (6) English actress, Judi ___ (5) Spans the Liffey, joining SCR to Conyngham (6,6) Downright, sheer, would even outdo Aunt! (3-3-3) Form of quartz used as a gemstone (5) Time of maturity when vigour is greatest (5) Platform providing access to ships (5) He presents BBC’s ‘Gardeners’ World’ (5,3) Munster visitor attraction, ___ ___ Gaol (4,4) Could the orient toy with this infamy? (9)

Page 94 Senior Times March 2013

Descend (2,4) Device for catching rodents 20th c. violinist, ___ Menuhin (6) Does Martin live in this northern county? (6) Paul McCartney sang this seedy, arty song (9) Scottish glen and G8 location, with legal genes? (10) Jockey ___ Walsh or red gemstone? (4) Slender double-reed instrument (4) City or humourous 5-line verse (8) Depose, throw out or expel (4) & 66 Across. Erected Sept 1979 in the Phoenix Pk. (5,5) Opposing forces or adversaries (7) RTE gardener or moonlit elder? (6,1'5) Unfavourable or contrary (7) Fabric with vertical ribs (8) Island off NW coast of Wales (8) Notion, thought or plan (4) Arrivals happen in this Dublin hospital (7) Is there a great drop in this large Russian city? (9) Jeer or treat with contempt (5) Rudyard Kipling’s hero (3) Not qualified - ineffective - unskilled (11) Call sign of aircraft carrying a US president (3,5,3) Boy with the magic lamp (7) There’s many a lank sari in this Asian republic (3,5) Move from one place to another (8) Stronghold or fortress - with a dialect? (7) Gradual decline (3) Keep the arc intact in this polar region (9) Much fuss about nothing, Shakespeare style (3) Stiff fibre or hair (7) Deep - unfathomed (8) In the open air (2,6) Space used by police investigating major crime (8,4) Noisy free-for-all (5) Fated heroine of ‘La Bohème’ (4) Hairy coat of a mammal (3) Doctrine or belief system (10) Large spotted dog (9) Rigid board artists use to mix colours (7) Music marked by crisp, disconnected sounds (8) Formerly Kingsbridge, renamed in 1966 (7) Intercede, liaise or arbitrate (7) Season prior to Christmas in church calendar (6) One who makes ale or beer (6) Bell tower - can be full of bats! (6) Enda or Pat? (5) Extinct flightless bird - really dead! (4) Pull or jerk (4) Abominable snowman (4) www.seniortimes.ie

Five Barrys Tea hampers to be won!! Senior Times, in association with Barrys Tea, is offering five hampers for the winners of this crossword competition. Each hamper contains large packs of Gold Blend, Classic and Green Tea, plus playing cards and a mug.

Send the completed crossword to: Crossword Competition, Senior Times, Unit1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. The first four correct entries drawn are the winners. Deadline for receipt of entries is 18th April 2014. Name:......................................................... Address:......................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... Senior Times August/September 2011 Page 71 Phone: ..........................................................Email: .......................................................................... Page 86 Senior Times September 2013 www.seniortimes.ie www.seniortimes.ie

Senior Times July 2013 Page 85

Crafts

Starring role for a pot holder Connie McEvoy shows you how to make an attractive star-pattern pot holder

squares, also one bias strip 9cm long x 4cm wide (for loop) and one bias strip 65cm long x 4cm wide for circle edge finish. From fabric B cut four 12cm squares. From fabric C cut eight 12cm squares. From fabric D cut eight 12cm squares. As all patches are arranged and stitched onto the circle of interfacing, fold the interfacing exactly in half and press. Open out and repeat three times more so that you have 16 fold lines on which to place and stitch accurately in place the folded points of the 12cm squares, it may help to mark the folds using a pencil and ruler, (diagram 1)

Requirements: 1 metre of fabric with small floral print-fabric A, remnants of 3 plain fabrics, matching green, + yellow and white were used in this project. The white fabric is referred to as fabric B, the yellow fabric is referred to as fabric C and the green is referred to as fabric D.

Following the sequence of (diagram 2), make the patches by folding each 12cm square in half and press. Find the centre of this rectangle by folding it in half and pressing. Unfold again into a rectangle. Fold the corners marked A & B to point C. This is the basic triangle with which folded star patchwork is constructed. Take the 4 triangles of fabric B/white, place them with their points at the centre of the interfacing circle (diagram 3), stitch in place with a neat row of running stitches down the centre of each triangular patch between the folds and 1 tiny stitch at each point. Tack around the outside edge of the patches in order to anchor them securely to the interfacing before attaching the next row of triangles/patches.

1 circle of interfacing such as Vilene measuring 18.5cm in diameter for backing, paper for templates (18.5cm + 12cm square), 1 spool each of white, yellow and green machine sewing thread no40, a pencil some pins and a fine needle (sharp). An iron will be needed also. From fabric A cut a circle 18.5cm in diameter for backing and eight 12cm Page 96 Senior Times March 2014

Take 8 triangles of fabric C/Yellow. Measure 1.5cm from the centre of the circle to determine the position of the points. Four of the points will be in line with the points of the first 4 triangles, (diagram 4) and the remaining 4 with their folded edges as shown in (diagram 5), stitch triangles in place as per the first layer. The eight triangles of fabric D/green are placed on top of the second layer (C) with points 3cm from the centre of the circle and attached as before, and the 8

triangles of fabric A/floral print are placed on top of the third layer fabric D/green with points 4.5 cm from the centre of the circle and stitched in place as before. Diagram 6 shows how successive rows of triangles/patches are built up from the centre. Turn the pad with interfacing side up and machine stitch around circle 6mm from the edge. Trim the excess fabric that extends beyond the interfacing. Place the circular piece of fabric A over interfacing with right side out and tack in place all around the edge. Fold the two bias strips in half lengthways and press. Take the 9cm long bias strip and fold in the raw edges, hand stitch open edges together. Fold in half to form a loop and tack raw edges to the edge of the back of the potholder. Take the 65cm long bias strip and stitch one long edge to the front edge of the potholder, with raw edges level and right sides of fabric facing. Turn remaining edge to the back of potholder and slipstitch in place.

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