Senior Times Magazine November/December

Issue 108 November - December 2020

Times

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The life and many deaths of a State Pathologist Exclusive interview with Dr Marie Cassidy

A writer for all seasons Booker Prize Winner John Banville

Jimmy O’Dea and Maureen Potter Pantomime’s ‘Royal Couple’

The world’s most celebrated bridge player A profile of Omar Sharif

Mary Kennedy kicks off her Senior Times podcasts on popular women writers with her interview with Patricia Scanlan PLUS: Mary O’Rourke, Bridge, History, Competitions, Wine, Beauty, Golf, Meeting Place And Much More..

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Issue 108- November - December 2020

Contents

6

32

News:

2

The life and many deaths of a State Pathologist: Exclusive interview with Dr Marie Cassidy

6

Commemorating pantomime’s ‘Royal Couple’: Remembering Jimmy O’Dea and Maureen Potter

14

Dublin Dossier: Happenings around the capital reported by Pat Keenan

18

Mary’s Musings: 24 In her latest observations Mary O’Rourke reflects on The Budget, Level 5, Mary McAleese, the 100th anniversary of Kevin Barry’s execution, the death of poet Derek McMahon, the Leaving Cert..and Fungie.

50

Commemorating The Boys from Kilmichael: Brendan Hayes who is making a documentary to commemorate the centenary of the ambush Kilmichael, Co Cork, explains the background to this celebrated confrontation.

44

Legacies: Special feature on legacies and the numerous charities and groups to whom you can support

50

Northern Notes: Happenings in the North reported by Debbie Orme

72

Bridge: Michael O’Loughlin profiles master player Omar Sharif as well as offering tips for beginners and intermediates

76

Cosmetics and beauty: Mairead Robinson reports on new products

80

A writer for all seasons: Eileen Casey profiles John Banville, the Booker Prize-winning novelist

32

Bounty from The Burren: Recipes from the best-selling Burren Dinners

36

Meeting Place: Where to meet that special person

84

Wine World: The ageless appeal of Rioja

39

Crossword:

86

Crafts:

87

Golf: Dermot Gilleece recalls The Duel At Dollymount

41

Publishing Directors: Brian McCabe, Des Duggan Editorial Director: John Low Advertising: Willie Fallon Design & Production: www.cornerhouse.ie Contributors: Lorna Hogg, Dermot Gilleece, Maretta Dillon, Peter Power, Matthew Hughes, Mairead Robinson, Eileen Casey, Debbie Orme, Connie McEvoy, George Keegan, Michael O’Loughlin and Pat Keenan.

Published by S& L Promotions Ltd., CHANGE OF ADDRESS Please note our new address: P.O. Box Number 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6, Ireland Tel: +353 (01) 4969028.

Fax: +353 (01) 4068229 Editorial: John@slp.ie Advertising: willie@slp.ie

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News Now ‘Almost half million suffering with COPD’ COPD Support Ireland, the national umbrella group for COPD support groups nationwide, has recently hosted a virtual wellness conference for people with The conference Living Well with COPD in a COVID World took place in the same week as World COPD Day (November 18) saw speakers address a range of topics, from minding our mental health to having a better night’s sleep, from winter preparedness to singing for better lung health.

It is estimated that there are almost 500,000 people over 40 years of age living with COPD in Ireland. COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is more commonly known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and is characterised by breathlessness and persistent coughing with or without phlegm. It is the third leading cause of death globally, with exposure to tobacco smoke and other environmental toxins the main risk factors for developing the disease, alongside family history and having chronic asthma. COPD is the commonest disease-specific

cause of emergency hospital admissions among adults in Ireland. Ireland also has the highest rates of hospitalisation in OECD countries.

To coincide with World COPD Day, a COPD information pack has also been developed, incorporating a COPD & Me booklet, a Living Well with COPD During COVID-19 leaflet, and a COPD communication card. It can be ordered for postal delivery free of charge by texting the word “COPD”, plus name and address to 51444 (standard network charges apply).

For more information on COPD, including a COPD information pack, visit www.COPD.ie or call the COPD Advice Line on Freefone 1800 83 21 46 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) to receive a call-back from a specialist respiratory nurse.

The Living Well with COPD in a COVID World virtual conference has been supported by GlaxoSmithKline, A Menarini and Astra Zeneca.

Aitheantas calls for supports for adoptees and survivors of Mother and Baby Homes

‘Catholic church will be lost if it fails to honour dignity of women and LGBTI people’ – Mary McAleese If the Catholic Church fails to honour the ‘full equality and equal dignity’ of women and LGBTI people, it will ‘be lost’ in the next generation, according to former President Mary McAleese.

Speaking with Mary Kennedy on the Senior Times podcast Ms McAleese said that she feels the ‘wheels of a momentum growing within the church.

Aitheantas, the adoptee identity rights organisation, has called on the Government to immediately introduce free mental health supports for adoptees and survivors of Mother and Baby Homes.

Mary McAlleese: ‘ It’s ‘very disappointing when the Church falls short of the mark’

‘What hold me in the Church is a determination that a church that is so influential in the world, which it is, in so far as their teaching, contradicts the idea of a loving god, excludes women, excludes LGBTI, and in particular, forces young LGBTI people into the most awful tragic personal circumstances of feeling lost and alone and oppressed in this church,’she explained.

‘I think that there is a momentum growing now.

I feel the wheels of a momentum growing.

I’m not saying that it is now in first gear or anywhere near first gear, but certainly there is a building up of momentum,” she said.

She also described her joy that her son Justin, who is gay, grew up in a household which was free of homophobic comments and surrounded by campaigns for marriage equality.

She said that even though it’s ‘very disappointing’ when the Church falls short of the mark, she has stayed because she wants to “nudge it towards difference”.

The podcasts are available from the Senior Times website www.seniortimes.ie and all major podcast platforms.

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Aitheantas is the organisation behind the Repeal the Seal, Open the Archive petition, which has attracted over 200,000signatories, calling on the Government to allow adoptees and survivors to access the database prepared by the Mother and Baby Home Commission of Investigation.

Commenting, Maree Ryan-O’Brien, founder of Aitheantas, said: ‘We urgently need mental health supports in place for adoptees and survivors of Mother and Baby Homes. The debates in the Oireachtas over the past week were really difficult for our community and have caused huge distress, with severe implications for people’s mental health.

‘People have been panicked, wondering will they get their file, will files be destroyed, are they running out of time to access their personal data, will the report be published. These fears were combined with re-traumatisation and raw emotion as this issue was discussed in both Houses of the Oireachtas and played out online and in the media’.

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Mary Kennedy with Patricia Scanlon, the subject of one of the first Senior Times podcasts released

Mary Kennedy launches Senior Times podcast series on leading Irish women writers Former President Mary McAleese, Patricia Scanlon, Sheila O’Flanagan, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Liz Nugent, Cathy Kelly, Roisin Meaney and Rachel English are featured in Mary Kennedy’s Senior Times podcast on leading Irish women writers which has just been launched.

Struck by the range and the talent of contemporary Irish women writers, Mary Kennedy said: ‘For me, this is a new departure into an area which I love and which inspires me. The quality of these women’s work and the themes that they have written about – the struggle of women for equality in Ireland, their journeys to becoming successful writers, and the insight and wit that has sustained them throughout their careers – will, I hope, make for a fascinating series of podcasts.’

Starting in October with Mary McAleese and Patricia Scanlon until 1st December, a new podcast will be released each week.

‘These are strong, often brilliant women whose company it was a pleasure to share,” said Mary.

‘It was a relaxed and easy forum in which to discuss the course of their lives and careers.

They represent a changed and changing Ireland and one which I find fascinating to present to a wider audience in these podcasts with Senior Times.’

The podcasts are available from the Senior Times website www.seniortimes.ie and all major podcast platforms.

Campaign launched to improve understanding of OAB A new public health campaign called Control OAB, has been launched to improve public understanding of the medical condition overactive bladder (OAB) and encourage more women and men aged 40+ to identify and control OAB symptoms by visiting a GP or completing a self-assessment on www.oab.ie.

The condition affects around 350,000 people (both men and women) aged 40+ in Ireland, but research shows that more than third of people have no idea what OAB actually is, and one in three people think it mainly affects women, but 52 per cent of those with OAB in Ireland are men.

According to new national research conducted by Astellas, almost half (47 per cent) of the general public have stopped visiting their GPs since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic for non-Covid related medical concerns.

OAB is a medical problem that affects the way the bladder behaves by creating an involuntary and sudden contraction or squeezing of the muscle in the wall of the bladder. These contractions give rise to the symptoms associated with OAB such as urgently needing to pass urine, frequently needing to go to the toilet and in some cases accidental leakage of urine, creating daily disruptions to patients’ lives.

Research conducted amongst those diagnosed with OAB found that 7 in 10 were too embarrassed to talk to anyone about their condition when they began experiencing symptoms.

Doctor urges learning CPR after saving her father A young doctor has urged people to learn life-saving CPR after she saved her father’s life when he had a cardiac arrest while they were out cycling.

OAB can be managed effectively with the help of a healthcare professional and a suitable treatment plan.

Caoimhe Costigan was out for a bike ride with her dad Colm, when she noticed he was slowing down and had dismounted. He collapsed shortly afterwards.

‘I literally put my phone on speaker, put it on Dad’s chest and rang 999. I just started doing CPR without thinking about it really – the man on the phone was very helpful. I said to him that I was a doctor and that I was doing CPR,” said Caoimhe, from Glasnevin in Dublin’.

The first step in CPR is to call 999 or 112 and the second is to push hard and fast on the centre of the chest.

Caoimhe believes that anyone can do what she did for her dad, and that her medical training was not a factor.

‘Thousands of people die every year in Ireland from cardiac arrest and approximately 70% of those happen at home in front of a loved one,’she said.

‘If someone who knows CPR can start performing compressions quickly they can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival.

‘In 2018, 176 people survived a cardiac arrest because of the actions of somebody who knew CPR. If an extra 100,000 people learn CPR, we could potentially save an extra 60 lives a year on average’.

The Irish Heart Foundation’s campaign is supported by the global healthcare company Abbott and ESB Networks.

To find out more go to www.irishheart.ie

4 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Missyspet gets in tight to the final fence in the Mares’ Beginners’ Chase and unseats Andrew Lynch, leaving Kara Loca (far side, almost completely obscured) and Jonathan Burke clear to record an easy victory. (Photo: Healy Racing). From Thrills and Spills - Celebrating Irish Jump Racing by Healy Racing, with words

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Profile

The life and many deaths of Marie Cassidy

Marie Cassidy: ‘The chilling fact is that many people are murdered at home, by a family member, friend or acquaintance, and the motive may sometimes be money’.

Photograph by Paul Stewart

Lorna Hogg talks to the former State Pathologist

‘Those who die peacefully in their beds, of natural causes, surrounded by loved ones, are the fortunate ones.; So says Dr. Marie Cassidy, retired Irish State Pathologist, and now, author.

She should know, having spent her working life performing post mortems for medical and legal purposes, to investigate and explain what happened to the deceased. Her intent in her working life has always been to ‘give a voice to the dead.’ It has also provided her with plenty of compelling material, and some surprises, in her powerful account, Beyond the Tape – The Life and Many Deaths of a State Pathologist.

The book succeeds in combining the professionalism of her training and work with her personal warmth and dedication. True, she describes the stark reality of forensic pathology, once described by the boss of one female colleague as ‘all sex, drugs and violence.’ However, she also provides background to exactly what happens ‘beyond the tape,’ along with

some surprises. In reality, she is elegant, stylish and friendly, with a good sense of humour – something she thinks that forensic pathologists should have. This is despite the fact that she sees herself as more introverted, and likes nothing better at the end of her working than day to close the doors and relax with some TV - Coronation Street is a favourite. Crime, of course, knows no set hours and her working life included being constantly on call.

Born in 1951 in Craigneuk, near Glasgow, into to a coalman’s family, she has Irish connections through a Donegal grandmother. Young Marie learned about hard work from An early age, helping her father collect the `tick payments’ on Saturdays. Bright at school, she developed a flair for maths, and science and decided that she wanted to study medicine. This was to the horror of the nuns who taught her, foreseeing a role for their young pupil as teacher, nun, nurse, or family maker. But Marie had other ideas. Thanks to the excellent Scottish education system, she obtained a grant to attend

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university. Her father suffered a stroke, and died in her last year at school. Although she says the fact did not directly influence her, like many young medical students, she wanted to help and heal the sick. Hence, armed with the required points, at the age of seventeen, Marie started her studies in medicine at Glasgow University.

Younger and smaller than some other somewhat boisterous students, she recounts the challenges of her training, including some of her inevitable mistakes. One was syringing the ears of an elderly patient with cold, rather than hot water, producing dizziness and nausea!

She also gradually discovered, as medical students do, that doctors could not help and heal all patients, and that some died. It took Marie some time to work out her future medical speciality. Student experience of accident and emergency care ruled them out. Mother and baby care were not under consideration, and even her professor knew she was not suited to children as a speciality!

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Profile

Another day, another court appearance..

A familiar situation: at the location of a body

She was, however, suited to pathology - ‘no live patients – only little pieces in a jar..’ Hence, after graduation, Marie found herself with a degree in histopathology – the diagnosis and study of diseases of the tissues. She became a consultant forensic pathologist in 1985, at the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology in Glasgow, and as such, the first full time female forensic pathologist in the UK. Fond of high heels and with regularly changed hair colour, she was certainly a breath of fresh air in the laboratory. Marie had found her niche.

Under Scottish law, if unnatural causes were suspected in a death, the body was taken to a forensic pathologist. Marie’s Initial nerves at dissections had been overcome when a college professor had observed - `You can’t hurt him – he’s dead.’ Now, she found herself working in a mortuary building ‘which from the outside resembled a public toilet’. Inside, however, it retained an atmospheric ‘Dickensian charm.’

Clad in wipe- clean apron, hers emblazoned CAD, in sizes ranging from XL to XXL, over the next thirteen years she helped investigate crimes familiar in 1980s Glasgow, such as stabbings, gangland killings, suicides, gun crime and trauma.

Public interest in forensic science increased with TV series such as Quincy, which Marie enjoyed. She was an adviser on Taggart , which she feels that was one of the most realistic portrayals. She has ‘some allegiance’ with Sam Ryan in Waking the Dead and is delighted that women had such a good role model. Yet she also points out that in reality Sam, as pathologist, would have no part in criminal investigation of the murders.

Marie had previously encountered Professor Jack Harbison, then Ireland’s State Pathologist

and a man whom she soon discovered was a national hero. In 1997, he contacted her about a vacancy as Deputy State Pathologist in Ireland, and suggested she fly over for discussions.

Upon arrival at Dublin Airport, the Gardai awaited Marie, to escort her to the Professor, who was at a murder scene investigation in Grangegorman. Her future was sealed, and her Irish life had started – with new attitudes and different traditions. She had to become used to public interest in her role. The press played up the angle of the new blonde Deputy State Pathologist, and she found that ‘the Irish are obsessed with death – attending funerals is a national sport.’

Marie was also surprised at the ready court acceptance in Ireland of the pathologist’s findings. From the start, she was fully prepared, with copious notes, for assertive questioning such as she had experienced in Scotland.

‘I was used to aggressive questioning – in Scotland it could be quite daunting – and the Defence was well versed.’ The witness box could be a ‘lonely place’. In the Ireland of those days, the expert witness was taken at face value. Marie is glad that this has changed. ‘My evidence should be tested – I didn’t have all the facts. Eventually, the defence realised that perhaps it should be tested in court – and this is a good habit.’

Marie had joined the team at a time of unprecedented public interest in the deaths and murders which occurred at this time, and became State Pathologist on Professor Harbison’s retirement in 2004. The wide news coverage of deaths of Rachel O’Reilly, Siobhan Kearney, Robert Holohan and Tom O’Gorman made the national conversation. Marie remarks in her book that ‘ the majority of murders happen when people lose control, get involved with the

8 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

In 1997 Professor Jack Harbison, then Ireland’s State Pathologist and a man whom she soon discovered was a national hero, contacted her about a vacancy as Deputy State Pathologist in Ireland

wrong crowd, are reckless and stupid’. This begs the question - just how many murderers do get away with their crimes?

‘Oh I think that happens more than you would think.’ She feels that what is key ‘ is a question of who can keep their nerve, and their mouth shut.’ Many murderers, it would seem, cannot do that. Marie points out that in cases of true grief many people have trouble trying to express themselves at all, as they are so upset.

Seeking the limelight or forms of celebrity such as TV appearances, over-explaining, over-acting or dramatic pleas for information can appear not only odd, but raise suspicion.

In an era of DNA and ever evolving scientific advances, it is also difficult to efficiently conceal a crime. Attempted incineration, pretence of the death as an attempted suicide, or even the physical moving of a body are difficult to achieve properly, especially if the perpetrator is in a hurry. Many murderers also overlook the fact that every touch leaves a mark.

There is also however, the chilling fact many people are reported missing – some with no family or friends, and people forget, or assume that the person has moved away. Add to those figures the buried bodies that are never found – and those who slip through the net in circumstances that are not clear or cannot be proved, and we may never know the truth.

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Profile

The unveiling of her portrait with Cobh artist Jack Hickey at The National Gallery Marie Cassidy remarks in her book that ‘the majority of murders happen when people lose control, get involved with the wrong crowd, are reckless and stupid’.

How does she deal with smells, sights, shock that would cause many to vomit or faint?

‘You’re dealing with a situation that’s not normal, so you can step back from it. It is easier to deal with. When it’s close to home, that would be very different’. Ironically, she admits to being disgusted by encountering maggot infested left-over meat in the hot summer – but can stomach it in her work.

She does admit to some ‘Why am I doing this?’ moments, and the two questions she is most regularly asked are why she does her work, and what was the most gruesome case she encountered. She feels that cases when mutilation of a body is involved, perhaps with deliberate maiming, are more difficult to deal with – ‘to cause pain deliberately – that makes a murder very personal.’ She also finds deaths of children – by abuse, cot death or congenital injuries, very hard to deal with.

Marie is very aware of the fact that when a family is in court, listening to the details of what has happened to a loved one, their situation can be very painful to bear. ‘Now there is much better victim support - they are great. When the case gets to court, people can be prepared for the likes of myself. They have to sit there whilst I describe what has happened – and that is very difficult for them. Some leave the Court, when they know it going to happen. A lot want to hear it – it is quite detailed’ Marie admits that she can ‘get a lump in her throat’ when coming face to face with grieving relatives, and appreciates that the situation can tear families apart.

She has ensured, however, that relatives can contact her for further information, should they want to, and some do.

Her face changes at the mention of seventeen-year-old Swiss student Manuela Riedo, who came to Galway on a language course.

On her first evening, despite the warning of her host family, she took a shortcut along a track beside a railway cutting. Her raped and murdered body was found by a shocked dog walker. At the investigation scene, Marie and the photographer were working together, and when she stepped away to speak to a colleague, the photographer decided to keep a vigil with the dead girl, as he did not want to leave her alone. A little robin redbreast flew down and perched nearby, and he took a

photograph, which he later gave to the family, after the day in court. Manuela’s mother said that this was very strange, because back home, on a visit to the graveyard, at the obelisk above where Manuela is buried, a little robin redbreast flew down and alighted on it. Her parents referred to their only child as ‘our angel’ and sent tiny porcelain angels to the Irish team in her memory. Marie’s angel sits above her work desk, to remind her of ‘the fragility of life’.

‘That’s when it hits you hard – it wasn’t just a death in isolation – it was a death of someone so loved.’

just the irony of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, they are chilling simply because they could happen to anyone – but they do happen rarely.

Marie Cassidy has travelled the length and breadth of Ireland at the ring of a phone, but her work has also taken her further afield. She was asked to join a UN group, to search for bodies in Sierra Leone – where she identified bodies in a morgue created in an outbuilding, overlooked by trees, in which interested vultures perched.

She has also travelled to Bosnia, to investigate deaths connected with possible war crimes, and New York, after the Twin Towers explosions, to help with investigations.

So what does budding forensic scientist need to have - aside from the kit of a sharp knife, pair of scissors, saw, (electric preferred) - and a strong stomach? He or she must be the type of person ‘who always wants to get an answer.

You want to be steadfast, have huge amounts of common sense, and, as you say, a strong constitution, and to be prepared to make it your life.’

At the launch of her book in Hodge Figgis bookshop in Dublin

We still link murder to strangers, a dark night and a lonely place. The chilling fact is that many people are murdered at home, by a family member, friend or acquaintance, and the motive may sometimes be money. According to Marie, we shouldn’t be so surprised, because when we think of high profile cases, it is often the husband or wife who is involved. That is why, she feels that it is vital to identify the body in early stages, as it is- ‘crucial to the investigation’. As she points out, ‘A man may plan the murder of his partner, the perceived impediment to a better life, and so too, on occasion, a woman may see her partner as a problem to be disposed of. The difference is that they may coerce their new love interest to deal with the situation, the woman keeping her hands clean..’

She points out that most people are killed by someone they know. ‘This may be just a meeting, someone you chat to in bar – but could be full of rage, anger and hate’. `Stranger’ murders are chilling, because, as she points out, it is not

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So what of her own life now, after retirement in 2018? Admitting to retaining a childhood love of ballet, she primarily wants to spend more time with her family - husband Philip and adult children Kieran and Sarah. Home is now in London, where they work. The dedication in her book reads ‘This might explain all the times I wasn’t there. Sorry.’ Family may now be top priority, but the odds are on the chances that we have not yet heard the last of Dr. Marie Cassidy.

Beyond The Tape – the Life and Many deaths of a State Pathologist by Dr.Marie Cassidy Published by Hachette Ireland at €14.99.

Health

Taking inspiration from life’s experiences

A doctor of nutrition and researcher from Dundalk is using his diagnosis with MS as a child and a lifetime of nutritional research to launch a new plant based immunity product for the Irish market with his startup company Phytaphix.

Dr Conor Kerley’s quest for nutritional knowledge comes from his experience of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) as a child.

After waking one morning with a strange sensation along his entire left hand side, he was put under the microscope at a Dublin Hospital. ‘Over a period of 2 weeks in hospital, I slept for 18-20 hours each day – my physical strength was gone to the point where I had almost total paralysis on one side. I had to learn how to walk again, had to tie my shoe laces etc. I got sick two more times – once with facial symptoms and then a third episode with symptoms along my entire right hand side. It was only following this last episode and after several more tests including brain scans that I was diagnosed with the little understood autoimmune disease MS, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain and nerves’’.

‘I immediately began to research lifestyle and MS, eventually adopting a whole food, plant-based diet full of fruits, veg, nuts and beans. I really began to think about nutrition little different – food wasn’t just energy for sport anymore. I believe that lifestyle and nutrition plays an important role in my own MS and MS in general. Over 18 years from my first symptoms, not only am I walking unaided, I play sports and maintain a hectic lifestyle – and the science continues to support this opinion.

Conor’s diagnosis led him to want to study nutrition at university and after finishing school in Dundalk he studied human nutrition and dietetics at Trinity College, Dublin. Following his honours graduation, he undertook a clinical doctorate at Connolly hospital, Blanchardstown with the School of Medicine at UCD. During this doctorate, Conor designed, conducted, analysed and published his research on both adults and children. Along the way, Conor won many prestigious national and international awards.

During his doctorate, Conor was also diagnosed with allergic asthma!

He says, ‘thankfully both my MS and asthma are very well controlled with diet, supplements and lifestyle so I don’t take any medications’.

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Dr Conor Kerley

Conor’s background launched him on a career of scientific research as he believes that nutrition and specific nutritional supplementation can play a major role in controlling many illnesses including MS, diabetes and high blood pressure.

And now with a PhD in Human Nutrition, numerous published articles in scientific/medical journals and regular presentations at conferences worldwide, Conor is using his quest for nutritional knowledge to launch plant based products to the market with his fully Irish startup company, Phyatphix (Phyt means plant in scientific lingo).

In addition to science awards and although only new to business, Conor has own several business awards too. He was awarded Ireland’s Best

Health Young Entrepreneur in 2019 in the Louth region and then the entire North East region, He was also accepted on all three phases of New Frontiers at DKIT and DCU, an entrepreneurial program run by Enterprise Ireland. Conor and Phytaphix are proudly supported by the Louth Local Enterprise Office.

Not that Conor didn’t have his setbacks. The outbreak of COVID-19 put a lot of things on hold this year. While he had initially planned to launch Phytaphix with products aimed at helping to reduce blood pressure and blood sugars, he quickly looked for an alternative when the outbreak of COVID-19 interfered with clinical research plans. For Conor it meant postponing the launch of these nutritional products , which was due to take place in Spring 2020. However, rather than being defeated, he began developing a new product to help boost the immune system, which has just come to the market called Immune Phix.

‘COVID-19 changed everything for me and the entire world,’ says Conor who was also the only Irish finalist in the global Emerging Technologies competition of the Royal Society of Chemistry, which took place at the end of September. ‘I didn’t know whether the delay would be for a month, a year, or even more, so I decided to look at the area of immune health instead,’ he explains. ‘I’ve always had an interest in this because of having MS and asthma, and since March I have worked very hard to develop a product which will support the immune system.’

Immune Phix ‘Immune Phix is specifically formulated based on my own research and expertise to support the immune system,’ he says. The plant-based product, which is available as a pleasant berry tasting powder is suitable for children and adults, contains Vitamins B12 C, D along with essential antioxidant trace elements magnesium, selenium and zinc . Unique to this product is the high amount of plant based antioxidants and other plant nutrients (called phytonutrients) which are often lacking in modern diets as well as other nutrition products. For example, not only does a single serving of Immune Phix contain the same amount of natural vitamin C as 13 oranges and the same amount of vitamin D3 as 5 glasses of supermilk, it also naturally contains the same antioxidant power of 5 whole carrots as well as phytonutrients, including the same amount of EGC as15,000 bananas and the same amount of EGCG as 7,000 kiwifruits! A recent review of trials reported that flavonoids decreased colds, flus and other infections by 33%.

‘At Phytaphix, we get as many of the ingredients as we can from Ireland, such as Irish mushroom and marine minerals from the Irish Sea. Other ingredients, such as the berries and cherries which provide key nutrients as well as a pleasant flavour are imported’,’ says Dr. Kerley. ‘Immune Phix is designed to give people a powerful dose of key vitamins and other important nutrients to really help support all round immune health based on science. We’ve designed it to be as powerful as possible so you only need a teaspoon of the powder to get all of this nutrition which is really good for anyone who isn’t eating 7 to 10 portions of fruit and veg – which is most people in Ireland’ Immune Phix is provided as a convenient powder can be added to any food or drink such as milk, water, porridge, a yogurt or a smoothie. Adults can take 1 to 3 teaspoons per day while children should take one tea

Competition

spoon per day. Conor has designed Immune Phix powder so carefully that it has been approved by the European Food Safety Authority for 3 different health claims: 1.

2.

3.

contribute to the normal function of the immune system. contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue

Further, the product does NOT contain artificial sweeteners, colours or flavours and is fully gluten free and plant based so suitable for vegan, vegetarians and coeliac friendly.

Conor believes that supporting our immune systems will be particularly important this coming winter, as people will want to avoid colds and ‘flu, not to mention the novel coronavirus. ‘I think it would be very appropriate for older adults, those with underlying conditions, those struggling with overweight as well as anyone dealing with the public, from doctors and nurses to supermarket workers, to add it to their daily diet.’Although Immune Phix hasn’t been used in specific clinical research, the individual components have been and have shown protective effects against colds, flus and even COVID-19 especially vitamins C and D as well as selenium and flavonoids.

Eventually, Conor would like to expand his nutritional range to offer powders targeting a number of needs, such as brain health, blood pressure control blood sugar control, and sleep.

Immune Phix is manufactured and packaged in Ireland in fully recyclable materials and is available to purchase online, through www.phytaphix.ie and Phytaphix’s social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or by contacting Dr. Kerley directly on 083 145 8796 or via LinkedIn.

There are two options to enter our draw to win a free month’s supply of Immune Phix, kindly provided by Phytaphix: Option 1: Any reader who takes a picture of this article, posts to social media, tags Phytaphix and uses the two hashtags #Phytaphix and #ImmunePhix will be entered into a draw to win a free month’s supply of Immune Phix delivered to their door!

Option 2: Answer one question: Flavonoids are nutrients that have been scientific demonstrated to reduce infection risk.

A serving serving of Immune Phix contains that same amount of flavonoids as how many bananas?

Send your answer to info@slp.ie One entry per person. Closing entry date is the 5th December For full details on Phytaphix and their Immune Phix product www.phytaphix.ie

Nostalgia

Remembering Jimmy O’Dea and Maureen Potter, the King and Queen of Irish panto

Jimmy and Maureen in the late 1950’s

As we approach the panto season – in whatever form it will take – pantomime historian Thomas Myler looks back on a golden age and its two greatest artists Christmas in Dublin in 1964 was full of the festive spirit with lines of colourful fairy lights hung between the lampposts and carol singing outside the GPO. There was a huge Christmas tree in O’Connell Street, and cheery Santas were dispensing parcels in big stores like Clerys, Brown Thomas and Switzers. The traders were doing brisk business in a packed Henry Street, with cries of ‘Get the last of the cheeky Charlies.’

But one familiar figure was missing. Jimmy O’Dea would not be in the panto Sinbad the Sailor at the Gaiety. Nor was he in any other panto. He was seriously ill in Stevens’ Hospital O’Dea, the quintessential Dubliner, a man who was proud of his upbringing, had an almost broken run of Christmas shows for 27 years and many years previously at the Queens and Olympia theatres. He had brought joy and laughter to so many over the years. Now it was no more. Jimmy died on 7 January, aged 64. It was effectively the end of an era.

Writing as one who grew up in Dublin’s Liberties through the 1930s and on into the 1950s, the annual panto at the Gaiety was as much part of Christmas as the turkey and plum pudding.

I have happy memories of going to the South King Street theatre just off St Stephen’s Green with my folks and watching Jimmy and Maureen Potter, the undisputed king and queen of comedy, making us laugh for over two hours.

‘In those days, our year held two great treats, Christmas and the Gaiety panto,’ the writer and playwright Hugh Leonard once recalled. ‘In the Dublin of that time, Jimmy O’Dea was not simply a great comic, he was comedy.

As with the greatest of his kind, his eyes held an ineffable sadness, and the more mournful he became, the funnier he was.

Maureen Potter

14 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Nostalgia

The Gaiety Dublin, home for numerous O’Dea/Potter panto successes.

Jimmy O’Dea started off his career in amateur school productions where a fellow cast member was Jack Lemass, who would go into politics and become better known as the Fianna Fail Taoiseach, Sean Lemass.

was not far behind. A true Dubliner like O’Dea, how she made us laugh, too.’

With all that in mind, let us take a trip down memory lane for a little while and try to recapture some of that magic, and indeed recall some of the joy Maureen and Jimmy gave us at panto time.

Jimmy O’Dea was born in Lower Bridge Street in Dublin’s Liberties area, across from the Brazen Head, the city’s oldest pub and still standing after being originally built in 1198. As a youngster he was interested in the stage as two of his classmates in St. Mary’s College, Rathmines were involved in the theatre. He would often go to the Gaiety, the Theatre Royal, the Queens and the Olympia for plays, revues and pantos.

see a fine widow like me.

Biddy Mulligan, the Pride of the Coombe.

O’Dea’s most famous character was Biddy

I sell fish on a Friday set Mulligan, the Pride of the Coombe out on a board.

The finest you’d find in the say.

But the best of my herrings, finer Dublin Bay herrings, There’s herrings for dinner today.’

O’Dea made his panto debut not at the Gaiety but at the Queen’s theatre in Pearse Street in December 1923. The show was Cinderella, and

When he announced that he wanted to be an actor, his father, knowing full the insecurities of the business and the people in it, said, ‘I’d rather see you in your coffin first than in a shady business that’s full of rogues and vagabonds.’ He sent young Jimmy to Edinburgh where he was the apprentice to an optician.

After qualifying, he returned to Dublin and set up his own business. He would later hand over the business to his sister Rita and subsequently went into showbusiness, despite his father’s objections. Jimmy started off in amateur productions of Ibsen, Chekov and Shaw with his school friend Jack Lemass, who would go into politics and become better known as the Fianna Fail Taoiseach, Sean Lemass.

When O’Dea senior realised that Jimmy only seemed happiest on the stage and did not want to do anything else, he gave his full blessing and approval. His father would live to see Jimmy becoming an established performer on the stage. ‘I’m glad I never stood in Jimmy’s way,’ he would say. ‘He would have hated me for the rest of my life. I’m sure he would have tread the boards in any event but it’s nice to think he knew his dad was always behind him.’

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O’Dea’s most famous character was Biddy Mulligan, the Pride of the Coombe. ‘To watch Jimmy in full flow as Mrs Mulligan was a sight to behold,’ his co-comedian Maureen Potter recalled. ‘To work with him was a complete education. His attention to costume, his control of an audience and above all his comic timing made him simply the Master.’

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Nostalgia

Maureen Potter with Noel Purcell

Jimmy, like Napoleon, was short in stature and he loved to satirise the French dictator

he played Buttons. It received good reviews, and was great encouragement for him. ‘I was given no script and had to make my own laughs,’ he remembered in an interview. ‘The experience may have developed my spontaneity but it was certainly a tough experience and I really didn’t think I was funny. However, the audience must have liked it and there were rounds of applause. That’s the important thing I suppose.’

It was not until 1940 that Jimmy made his panto debut at the Gaiety as Nurse Mayo in Babes in the Wood. One of the two babes was a 15-year-old Maureen Potter, who in future years would be inextricably associated with both the Gaiety and panto, notably as O’Dea’s partner in fun. He had seen her at a concert party in Bray and encouraged her to join him in panto.

Maureen was born in Fairview, and O’Dea would joke, ‘Maureen is a northsider and I’m a southsider, and never the twain shall meet?’

Her Dublin roots were tremendously important to her. ‘I was born in 1925 and I’m a proud northsider,’ she told the Irish Times in 2001. ‘The south side is beautiful but there’s no space.

There’s lots of space on the northside. I love space. I grew up in Fairview. Sure, in the end we’re all Dubs from way back.

Before teaming up with O’Dea she worked in a troupe for the impresario Jack Hylton, initially at the Theatre Royal in Dublin and later across Britain and the Continent. She famously performed in front of Adolf Hitler at Berlin’s Scala Theater in 1938. ‘There we were at the Scala, and who’s in the audience one night? Only Hit

ler, Goebbels and Goering,’ she remembered.

Goebbels and Goering came backstage to meet her. As a farewell present she was given a silver and blue wreath. ‘It came with some words on it from Hitler himself, quite a souvenir,’ she says. Her mother was less impressed.

‘When I got home, I gave it to her and she said, “That filthy man Hitler” and threw it in the bin.

That was the end of it. A little piece of history.’

Maureen always claimed that working in panto, particularly with Jimmy O’Dea, was the best education she could have received. Though small in stature at just under five foot, she always made a big impression. The frequently bad-tempered poet Patrick Kavanagh once told her, ‘You know, Miss Potter, you’re not a bad little woman at all.’

Despite appearing confident on stage, Maureen confessed to being ‘absolutely numb and terrorised with fear before the start of every show. But I always said, “It’s the first step past the wings that’s the important one. Once you get through that past step and you’re out there, all your fears vanish like magic. Everything else is miles behind you.”

Maureen had a very successful second career as a cabaret star in later years, at a time when jumping about in panto became a bit stressful.

16 Senior Times l September - October 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

I have happy memories of seeing her shows, mainly in Clontarf Castle on her beloved northside.

She was presented with the Freedom of the City in 1984 and an honorary degree by Trinity College in 1988. In 1999, the Gaiety staged a special night to honour her, and two years later she became the first entertainer to have a bronze set of handprints embedded in the pavement outside the Gaiety. ‘If only this could have happened for Jimmy O’Dea,’ she lamented to a friend.

On her death at her home at the age of 79 on 7 April 2004, Gay Byrne said, ‘Maureen was profoundly popular. The moment she appeared on any stage, in panto or otherwise, you could feel the audience’ expectations waking up.’

Over the past century, many famous names besides O’Dea and Potter have been associated with panto - Jack Cruise at the Olympia, Danny Cummins at the Queens, Noel Purcell at the Theatre Royal, and in later years the likes of Twink at the Gaiety and June Rodgers at the Red Cow. But Jimmy O’Dea and Maureen Potter were king and queen.

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Dublin Dossier Pat Keenan on happenings in and around the capital

Dublin delivers for ‘homestays’ and more..

Luttrellstown Castle

Reprieve for ‘The Shelbourne Four’

The ‘Shelbourne Hotel four’ were, at the time of writing, due to be returned safely to their plinths, accompanied by a plaque to explain their origin and history; Dracula returned to virtually stalk a haunted capital, the White Horse pub no longer serves beer- now a Starbucks and sells coffee and I’m at home thinking of ways to spend my saved lock-down money.

Being a tourist at home is not new to me, just before the pandemic kicked in I wrote on these pages of spending a day with actual real tourists visiting Dublin to see places I’d never seen before; seeing the Book of Kells in Trinity College for the first time and entering the State Apartments in Dublin Castle and I loved every moment. (Dublin Dossier, Nov/Dec,2019, it’s also online at www.seniortimes.ie).

Dublin and environs delivers just about all you’ll need for a homestay and ‘more bang for your buck’. There are, believe it or not, over one hundred museums in Dublin and I counted up to 30 art galleries, endless shopping, pubs, restaurants, entertainment, tours and festivals just about every other week, A large choice of accommodation, too, from 5 star luxury to modest and comfortable... and since just about everyone in the country will have relations in the capital, maybe you can inflict yourself on them - present company excepted.

Afternoon tea may seem a bit English but Dublin, a long time inside the Pale, still carries on the tradition. I remember the first time I had to experience the tradition was at the Shelbourne Hotel on the invitation of visiting friends from Australia. Nowadays afternoon tea will, more than likely include the odd glass of Prosecco or Champers. Top places include The Shelbourne Hotel, Morrison Hotel, The Westbury or some afternoon you might hop on board one of the Vintage Tea Tour’s buses (www.vintageteatrips.ie).

In the last issue of the magazine I examined the shenanigans of Hellfire Club founder Simon Luttrell, the 1st Earl of Carhampton who lived in 18 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Afternoon tea never fails to delight...

great style in Luttrellstown Castle. His former home is now The Luttrellstown Castle Resort in Clonsilla on 567 acres of lush private parkland that includes a championship golf course. (www.luttrellstowncastle. com) A perfect stopover particularly for visitors from the west.

Clonsilla in the other western suburbs had handy rail and road links into the city and perfect for a getaways back west.

Due to ongoing public health restrictions always phone or check with websites I’ve included to checkout the current visiting situation. All the hotels I’ve included are fully compliant with Failte Ireland COVID19 Safety Charter. Something you should lookout for.

London calls I so regret not being able to pop over to London on a whim. I love London in much the same way once banned author Edna O’Brien loved Dublin - for her it was a place of escape for country girls during the oppressive 60s and 70s. But living in Dublin at that time for this city boy also felt repressed and London was my swinging escape. Glad to say Ireland has changed for the better now but that never interrupts regular nostalgic trips to London.

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Dublin Dossier

The top ten most visited OPW sites in Dublin 1. National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 2. Kilmainham Gaol, Inchicore Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8 3. Dublin Castle, Dame St, Dublin 2 - read more my visit to the castle at Dublin Dossier Senior Times Nov/Dec,2019, online:www.seniortimes.ie/ 4. Farmleigh Estate, White’s Rd, Phoenix Park, Dublin 15 5. Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 6. Pearse Museum, St Endas Park, Grange Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 7. St.Audoen’s Church, High St, The Liberties, Dublin 8 8. Casino Marino, Cherrymount Cresent, Marino, Dublin 3 9. Rathfarnham Castle, 153 Rathfarnham Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 10. Arás an Uachtarán, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 An OPW Heritage Card gives you free admission to every OPW-run heritage site in Dublin and in the country for a year. Adult: €40.00, Seniors(60 and over): €30. You can purchase online at www.heritageireland.ie/visit/heritage-card/

This all came to my notice with a recent news announcement that Ballymore, the developers of Old Spitalfields Market, one of my favourite districts in London, have joined with Diageo to transform the 12.6 acre St.James’s Gate site into ‘The Guinness Quarter’. They claim it will be as the first zero carbon district in Dublin and will open up the historic brewery site using new and existing buildings to create a quarter including residential, office, cultural and commercial spaces all integrated into the wider Liberties area. Sounds like a great idea, The CEO of Ballymore Sean Mulryan said: ‘working with Diageo, Ballymore, Dublin City Council and the local community we will establish a new part of Dublin City for future generations.’

Jack and Stephen Teeling toast the new Blackpitts Peated Single Malt whiskey

The Museum of Literature in Newman House on St Stephens Green is the latest addition to the vast collection of museums in Dublin

The newest of the ‘over one hundred museums’ is MoLI – Museum of Literature Ireland (www.moli.ie) contains treasures of our rich literary heritage from past to present. It’s in the historic UCD Newman House on St Stephen’s Green in the heart of Dublin. And for your convenience, next-door, Stauntons on the Green (www.stauntonsonthegreen.ie) - one of the better hotels in central Dublin. (A fuller review of both MoLI and Stauntons Hotel is in ‘Dublin Dossier’ Sept/ Oct. 2019 issue and online: www.seniortimes.ie)

Teelings reviving the art of whiskey making Teeling Whiskey have revived an ancient way of making Irish whiskey with Blackpitts, a peated single malt. Before the wide availability of coal, Irish whiskey distillers used turf/peat while malting the barley.

Teeling have taken the Blackpitts name from their backyard behind the new distillery in Newmarket in the old Liberties area of the city.

Blackpitts was home to some of the largest barley malting houses in Ireland and traditionally used turf smoke to dry the barley during the malting process, the resulting peated malt produces a distinctive smoky taste, the perfect peated single malt. Teelings are again using the same methods used for their Teelings 24-Year-Old Single Malt which was acclaimed as the ‘World’s Best Single Malt’ in 2019 at the World Whiskies Awards.

The founder and managing director of Teeling Whiskey, Jack Teeling says: ‘When we re-established Teeling Whiskey in 2012 our goal was to be the leader in driving the choice and expressions of Irish whiskey as well as to revive distilling in the city of Dublin. With our new Blackpitts Peated Single Malt we manage to achieve both’.

20 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Dublin Dossier

The RRP is €60.00 for a 70cl bottle in gift tin tube, Blackpitts Peated Single Malt is available at the Teeling Whiskey Distillery. (For more information visit www.teelingwhiskey.com) The origins of the area we still call the Blackpitts is unclear.n It may reach back to the Dyflin Viking settlement which in turn derived its name from the Duib linn - in Irish meaning black pool or mire. A moreharrowing explanation (cue: pour a double measure) takes us back to the mid-14th century when along with the rest of Europe, Dublin was badly hit by bubonic plague, better known as the Black Death. In Dublin, this they say, was where victims of the disease were buried there in mass graves.

But the explanation I think most likely comes from archaeological excavations carried out in the past ten years that found evidence of the tanning industry here. They unearthed black vats and deep dark hues

A celebrated painting of the Duke of Wellington by Goya

used by the tanners that may have stained the area.

And that historic Dublin pub no longer selling beer because it’s now a Starbucks was The White Horse on the corner 1 George’s Quay and Corn Exchange Place. In the 1950s,60s and 70s it was a popular watering hole for journalists, Brendan Behan and other literary folk. It helped that it was just across from the old Irish Press building.

There was a plaque outside the pub, long since gone, that Captain William Bligh stayed there from September 1800 for about a year. Eleven years before he was in command of the HMS Bounty in 1789 when the famous ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ occurred and he and his loyal men were set adrift in Bounty’s launch by the mutineers. After a journey of 3,618 nautical miles they all reached Timor island alive. During his stay in Dublin he set about surveying Dublin Bay and recommended the building the Bull Wall. An espresso please, a large one.

Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington who famously defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, it could be said was a Dubliner.

And there is a famous quote commonly but mistakenly attributed to the Duke about where he was born. In fact the quote actually came from, wouldn’t you know it, a Kerryman, the Great Liberator, Daniel O’Connell, who to great laughter from his audience said ‘The poor old duke what shall I say of him. To be sure he was born in Ireland, but being born in a stable does not make a man a horse.’

Well why not live it up, for around €300, maybe less, a night you could experience the luxury of that very ‘stable’ at 24 Upper Merrion Street, now the Merrion Hotel. Or if that’s too steep enjoy afternoon tea for €38. Incidentally the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park at 205 feet tall is the largest obelisk in Europe and the second tallest in the world. The Washington Monument in the US capital is significantly taller at 555 feet.

Wellington’s ‘stable’ in Merrion Street The Duke of wellington’s former home at 24 Upper Merrion Street, now the Merrion Hotel 22 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

New Irish-made DIACARE tackles Dehydration and Stomach Upset

When stomach bugs are doing the rounds, it is important to quickly deal with the unwelcome diarrhoea and stomach upset that can be especially harmful for seniors and young children.

A handy new Irish-made solution to both the dehydration and stomach upset is now available, that the whole family can take to limit the spread of illness.

MyPro DIACARE is an effective oral rehydration solution combining the benefits of a probiotic with glucose and minerals to aid recovery from diarrhoea and the dehydration that comes with it.

The orange flavoured drink helps restore natural gut flora and can be taken by children and adults suffering from diarrhoea, fever or any condition causing the loss of body fluids. Norovirus, also known as Winter Vomiting Bug, is the most common stomach bug in Ireland and is highly contagious, according to Galway GP, Dr. Laura Lenihan, who recommends acting fast to curb the spread if someone in the household is ill.

“You are most contagious once the symptoms start, and for up to two days afterwards, so stay at home and away from others during this period. The best way to prevent spreading infection is to wash your hands with soap and water, regularly and well, not unlike the Covid-19 advice”, the GP advises.

Antibiotics don’t work with a viral infection, the experts say, and the most important thing to remember is to keep hydrated, as dehydration can lead to more serious complications. Take regular sips of water or use a product such as Diacare, Dr. Laura Lenihan advises.

“I recommend Diacare because of its balanced blend of glucose, minerals and probiotics that can prevent the risk of dehydration and restore good bacteria in the gut, prompting quicker recovery”, the GP says.

Easily dissolved in water, Diacare will help shorten the duration of any diarrhoea and restore the acidic pH of the stomach, protecting against future bacterial infections. Make sure to get plenty of rest if you are unwell with a stomach bug, is the GP’s advice, and when you feel like eating again, try small amounts of plain food like soup, pasta or bread.

Each Diacare box has 12 dual sachets and can be bought online at https://www.meddirect.ie and in pharmacies at a RRP of E 14.95.

A single daily dose is administered to children, aged over three, while up to four sachets a day can be taken by adults to balance electrolytes and provide probiotic digestive care.

Easy on the Eye! Looking After Your Eye Health During a Pandemic

Earlier this month, Fighting Blindness hosted its annual conference, Retina 2020. The virtual event, supported by Novartis, saw clinicians and scientists come together with people with a vision impairment to share news of the latest exciting global developments to find treatments and cures for sight loss.

To coincide with the conference, Fighting Blindness has come up with these five ways to look after your eyes during a pandemic.

With an estimated 240,000 people in Ireland living with sight loss – 75-80 per cent of which is preventable – we need to do all we can to safeguard our sight now, and into the future.

1. Screen idol? With current restrictions, many of us may be spending more time at home in front of our laptops and TVs. It’s understandable. But to avoid eye strain, it’s important to follow the 20/20/20 rule.

Give your eyes a well-earned break every 20 minutes by looking at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

2. Feeling stressed? We know that too much stress can be bad for us, but did you know it can also impact on your eye health? Stress can give rise to high levels of adrenaline causing pressure on the eyes. In some cases, prolonged stress can lead to, or exacerbate, vision loss. Take care to mind yourself, both mentally and physically.

3. Seeing things? If you experience changes in your eyesight such as blurred or distorted vision, don’t ignore it. Recent reports have suggested a possible link between COVID-19 and the development of conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva and gives rise to red, itchy eyes, and a sticky discharge. While quite rare, if you are experiencing symptoms, talk to your optician or GP. 4. Getting cold feet? Postponing or not turning up for your appointments with your eye care specialist due to concerns about COVID-19 can put your eye health at risk. Contact your specialist if you have concerns and know that staff are taking every possible precaution to protect your general health, as well as your eye health.

5. Time for a health kick? Quitting smoking will reduce the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and limit severity of retinopathy if you have diabetes. Eating leafy green vegetables, which contain lutein, can help protect against a range of eye conditions too. Exercise outdoors, in children, can contribute to a decrease in the risk of short-sightedness too.

For more on Fighting Blindness, visit www.fightingblindness.ie

Mary’s Musings In her latest observations Mary reflects on The Budget, Level 5, Mary McAleese, the 100th anniversary of Kevin Barry’s execution, the death of poet Derek MacMahon, the Leaving Cert..and Fungie

Hello to all the readers of Senior Times.

Of course, all of us now are fully engaged in the coronavirus and the restrictions going up to Level 5 for so many weeks. Sometimes you get so fed up of the whole thing, and yet you read in the papers and see on the TV that every country in Europe is experiencing the same yo-yo, up and down, coming and going of the pandemic.

We will just have to roll with it for the time being and hope that eventually a vaccine will be found to get rid of it. I firmly believe that this is the only cure we are going to get.

So, what have we all been reading lately? I’m sure many of the readers have already read Mary McAleese’s memoir, Here’s the Story, which I was glad to read and to do a review of recently for the Sunday Independent. It’s a fine handsome book, written by herself, and her voice and her character come right through every line.

You know sometimes when you read a famous book and it’s been ghost-written by someone else, the character or the personality of the person doesn’t come through. Not so with this memoir, it is simply bursting with the enthusiastic, effervescent personality of Mary McAleese herself. It really could be four separate books.

First, her early life in Belfast and the attendant troubles and tribulations there, before the family moved to the quieter pastures of Rostrevor.

Then her life in Dublin, her legal studies, her time in RTÉ and her time as the Reid Professor of Law in Trinity.

Then her decision to go for the presidency and the campaign itself, from which we know she emerged as the winner – indeed not only for seven years but later on to run again, unopposed, for another seven years.

Then we come to the last wholly absorbing part of the story in which Mary, through her various studies in Rome and elsewhere, went on to earn a PhD in Canon Law and other academic achievements. This is riveting stuff, and equally riveting throughout the book is her description of the many encounters that she has had with Church authorities: Cardinal Law in Boston, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis in Rome, and many others. Her descriptions of

Riveting throughout Mary McAleese’s book is her descriptions of the many encounters that she has had with Church leaders Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis in Rome, and many others.

conversations and anecdotes from all of these encounters are hugely exhilarating.

To me, the most amazing part of the book was the role played by her husband Martin McAleese. He always seemed the quieter of the two whenever you would meet them. Not so. Her motto for the presidency was ‘Building Bridges’ with the North, and so together they set out to do that.

24 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Martin made so many arrangements and met so many people from all sorts of backgrounds.

Gradually, they entered into talks with them, and many of them came down to visit the two of them later on at Áras an Uachtaráin. Mary and Martin together were a very formidable team and we were so lucky that it turned out to be so, because the work of each of them was significant in the progress towards peace in Northern Ireland.

Transport for all

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Mary’s Musings

‘I’ve only begun the memoir of Kevin Barry but already I am becoming absorbed in it..’.

‘The recent Budget has been amazing in its largesse.. eventually it will all have to be paid back. I couldn’t help but think of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind; how when she was faced with a decision she didn’t like she would say ‘I’ll think about that tomorrow’ before she would flounce off to bed.

I’m sure many of the readers can put their name down for the book in their local library or perhaps buy it for the family and they can pass it around all of the members. It is a really good absorbing read and you will find yourself thinking about it so much as you read, and dwelling on it afterwards.

I have now started on a memoir of Kevin Barry, whose 100th anniversary is coming up now on November 1.

We all know the ballad Just a Lad of Eighteen Summers. His family never allowed the ballad to be sung in their home after his death. They called it ‘too maudlin’ . Of course it was maudlin, but equally important is that it was true. Now I’ve only begun the memoir but already I am becoming absorbed in it, and I am sure many of you can arrange to pick it up or order it in your local library. It seems to be a good authentic read.

So much has happened in the field of education. We had the graded Leaving Certificate results, then the whole upset about that.

Inevitably, many of those who were disappointed got their due reward when the final results were announced.

At this remove, we have no idea how the Leaving Cert of 2021 will fare out. Among my grandchildren, I have an 18-year-old, Jennifer, in Dublin doing her Leaving Certificate. Back here in Athlone, I have soon-to-be 18-year-old Luke also doing his Leaving Certificate. Naturally, all the talk when we get together is: will there be a written Leaving Certificate in the year of 2021?

I myself am beginning to cast doubts on an outcome such as that.

Pascal O'Donohue TD , Minister for Finance and Michael McGrath TD and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

However, I was glad to hear that both in Jennifer’s school in Dublin and in Luke’s school in Athlone, the Leaving Cert classes are having monthly tests in each subject, and the results are then to be sent to the parents.

In that way, if the worst comes to the worst and we do not have a written Leaving Certificate next year, these monthly tests will be so important. I have told each of them to watch out for that and to endeavour to do as much as they can for their monthly tests so that if they add up to the Leaving Cert, they will feel they have fully participated in the process.

Imagine how time gallops by; each of those 18-year-olds has now done their driving theory test and passed it satisfactorily. They are now awaiting word of when they will sit their driving tests.

26 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

The recent Budget has been amazing in its largesse for every department. This is as it should be, and of course eventually it will all have to be paid back. Both Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath made reference to that in their Budget speeches. Even so, I couldn’t help but think of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind; how when she was faced with a decision she didn’t like she would say ‘I’ll think about that tomorrow’ before she would flounce off to bed.

There will be a tomorrow for all this pay-back, but in the meantime all those small firms and businesses, young people, older people and all whose lives have been touched, and in many cases ruined, by the pandemic simply have to be replenished.

It was sad to hear recently of the unexpected death of the Irish poet Derek Mahon. His lovely

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Mary’s Musings

It was sad to hear recently of the unexpected death of the Irish poet Derek Mahon. His lovely poem 'Everything is Going to be All Right' is in its own way an anthem for people to live by during this time of the rampant coronavirus.

poem Everything is Going to be All Right is in its own way an anthem for people to live by during this time of the rampant coronavirus. Some of his words in that poem find an echo in many a heart:

for whatever fisherman spots him first as he gambols in the bay.

The sun rises in spite of everything and the far cities are beautiful and bright.

I lie here in a riot of sunlight watching the day break and the clouds flying.

Everything is going to be all right.

So I’ll say goodbye for now. Hope to talk with you all again in your next edition.

In the meantime, stay safe, stay at home as often as you can.

It’s only a lightsome thought, but something to cheer us up on these dark days.

Slán tamall.

These lines are so utterly inspirational that I have taken to saying them from time to time, particularly when the rain is falling and the darker evenings are coming. It is a good anthem to live by: Everything is going to be all right.

‘Amidst all this lofty talk of books and poetry, a very practical thought occurs to me: Where is Fungie?’

I read recently that there is going to be a new edition of Emily Dickinson’s poems. As the readers will know, she is also a wonderful inspirational poet of the 19th-century US. Some talk of her as being the best poet in the world, but of course we would all have our own ideas about that.

Amidst all this lofty talk of books and poetry, a very practical thought occurs to me: Where is Fungie? Fungie, as we all know, is the dolphin in Dingle Bay, who is such an obvious tourism attraction each year that there is consternation at his absence from the waters as I write this.

It may well be that by the time the magazine comes out, Fungie has been found. I hope so, because there is no doubt he is sorely missed.

So come back Fungie, all is forgiven. The fishermen in Dingle are out day and night looking for him, and I believe some enterprising entrepreneur has even put up a reward 28 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Emily Dickinson - new edition on the way...

Literature

Eileen Casey interviews multi-award-winning Irish writer John Banville

A writer for all seasons John Banville dismisses the notion that luck might play a part in becoming a published author; ‘There’s no such thing as luck, I believe. If work is good, and if it’s made with care and passion, it will find its audience sooner or later. There are no mute inglorious Miltons.’

Born in County Wexford (8th December, 1945), John William Banville is rightly regarded as one of the finest writers Ireland has ever produced. Acclaimed novels, screenplays, essays, literature awards (including The Booker Prize, the pinnacle of success for most writers) mark an enviably illustrious career. The prolific output of this author together with a broad array of awards and prizes, are quite stunning.

When he received the Franz Kafka Prize in 2011 Banville described the award as ‘one of the ones one really wants to get.’ Having wrestled with Kafka since adolescence, he now makes the wry remark that his bronze trophy glares at him from the mantelpiece.

However, Samuel Beckett’s ‘fail better’ quote might have been written especially for him.

‘Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fair better,’ The writer of extraordinary works such as The Newton Letter, Ghosts, The Book of Evidence, The Sea (his 2005 Booker Prize winning novel), among others, is highly critical of all his works. Surprisingly, despite a steady flow of successful writings from his pen, this complex, intelligent and engaging individual has declared that his books ‘are all a standing embarrassment’. Clearly a perfectionist, Banville doesn’t dwell on those numerous fictional treasures which satisfy readers of his work, it’s the ‘errors, the faults, the teeming flaws’ he contemplates. But perhaps, this self-deprecating approach works as a stinging fly, an incentive to come to the page with a definite aim in view, even during these terrible days of pandemic crisis? Has the current crisis upset his routine or given him ideas for novels?

Not so. Writerly rhythms, ingrained over many years, ensures it’s business as usual for Banville, even though the sight of the page makes him ‘panic stricken’. ‘I look at the blank page and I think, I don’t know how to do this; I don’t know I did it yesterday, or how I’ll do it tomorrow.’ His philosophy regarding the purpose of the artist is simple; ‘The ordinary is the artist’s subject, and his task is to show that there’s no such thing as the ordinary.’ Thankfully for his legion of readers, he does indeed overcome these feelings of ‘impossibility’ and somehow gets up and running. By mid-afternoon, he’s sunk so deep in concentration, he forgets who he is. Banville keeps office hours, pausing for a quick lunch and stopping sharp at 6pm ‘for a glass of wine – the latter helps in the task of once again pretending to be a human being, who must deal with other human beings.’ Despite the daily erosions of human liberty due to Covid-19 and its continuing interruption of what was once so much taken for granted, Banville has no intention of writing about the plague.

He makes the fair point that ‘all novels are historical novels, despite the constant clamour for art to be ‘relevant’ to its time. All good art is relevant to all times.’ He is truly a writer for all seasons.

John William Banville has been described as the ‘heir to Proust, via Nabokov’, acknowledged giants. The work of French novelist Marcel Proust is often described as an ability to see the world as it is in its extraordinary beauty and diversity. Proust’s intimate first person narrator places the reader at the centre of events and allows the reader to become the hero’s companion. Rendre Visible (to make

30 Senior Times l November- December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

visible) is Proust’s succinct definition of what an original artist does. Russian -American novelist Vladimir Nabokov, in a lecture he gave in 1948, cited a capacity for self-delusion as being one of the most inescapable fundamentals of the human condition. While there is no doubting the fact that Banville has his own inspirations when it comes to other authors, he maintains that while ‘I find Proust very difficult to read, I like the idea of him.’ It might be nearer the truth to say that he regards Henry James as his most inspirational influence, declaring James the ‘greatest novelist, whose artistic polish highlights his remarkable insight into human affairs.’ While he also admires James Joyce, it stops there. Worth noting however is that his sister gave him a copy of James Joyce’s Dubliners when he was eleven or twelve. Those stories proved to be a revelation, presenting a contrast to writings about the Wild West or Big House murders, ‘or chaps and japes in English public schools.’Joyce’s stories were about life, real life. ‘I was immediately inspired and began feverishly to write exceedingly bad imitations.’

Banville came to the conclusion however that he must try to be a writer and so ‘I worked at it, year after year. I knew I could be a writer when, at the age of 17 or 18, I wrote a little story called ‘The Party’. It wasn’t very good but when it was finished I realised it was no longer mine – that it had taken on a life of its own.’

What about poetry? Where does Yeats fit into Banville’s personal canon? ‘Yeats I revere for the daring of his rhetoric, for the seriousness of his poetic project and for the magnificent achievement of his late work.’ That said, it wasn’t a book by Yeats that the young

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Senior Times l January/February 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie 63

John Banville’s philosophy regarding the purpose of the artist is simple; ‘The ordinary is the artist’s subject, and his task is to show that there’s no such thing as the ordinary.’

Photograph by Douglas Banville

The Sea John Banville’s 2005 Booker Prize winning novel.

Banville ‘borrowed’ from Wexford Library (failing to return it). ‘I’m ashamed to say that I stole a beautiful hardback edition of the Collected Poems of Dylan Thomas. I still have it somewhere. It was such a lovely thing – books are such beautiful artefacts, aren’t they? – that I couldn’t resist it.’ However, Wexford Library will be happy to know that in recompense, Banville has left some money in his will to the library, not only for the loss of their property but because he spent so many happy and productive hours there in his boyhood.

couldn’t live without it. The view from his present day window extends from Howth Harbour to Ireland’s Eye, Joyce’s famous ‘sleeping giant’ and Lambay beyond. Writing is both his job and his pastime. There are no hobbies, writing is a twenty-four hours a day commitment. He likes a glass of wine, as mentioned previously, but can hardly describe it as a pastime. Although the literary world knows who he is and no doubt he himself has many contacts within that world, he has few friends, ‘though the ones I have I cherish, of course’.

Today, Banville has little connection with his native county, ‘The Wexford I grew up in no longer exists – when I recall those days I might be looking back to the Middle Ages.’ Nevertheless, the countryside around that town he acknowledges as being very important to him.

As a young man he was an enthusiast for the Romantics, Keats in particular and the natural world was a great inspiration. Although Wexford is very much associated with its annual Opera Festival, Banville had very little contact with the festival, not caring much for Grand Opera. Yet, music is a vital part of his life, he

He’s also an admirer of actress Glenn Close, having adapted a script for a film she starred in (Albert Nobbs). He enjoys the ‘pared-back’ nature of the script form. He remembers good advice given to him by Close regarding the script for Albert Nobbs; ‘John, you don’t need to write all these stage directions – the actors will do that stuff without being told how to do it by you.’ Close is one of the finest actors of her generation yet has never won an Oscar (although nominated several times). Banville reckons ‘There are actors and there are impersonators; Glenn Close is an actor. She’ll always

32 Senior Senior Times Times ll September November--December 2020l www.seniortimes.ie l www.seniortimes.ie 32 October 2020

lose to the other kind’. As well as writing scripts, novels, essays, he also enjoys writing reviews, especially long ones for the New York Review of Books, for instance, ‘which allow me enough space to write essays in the form of reviews.’

Current travel restrictions means confinement to our own shores, for the present in any event. If these restrictions were lifted, Italy is a country Banville would love to return to. ‘I visited Verona last year and was too ill at the time to see anything of the city or eat in any of its restaurants. I’d like to put that right.’ A love of travel for the author began when he left school (St Peter’s College, Wexford) and worked as a clerk for Aer Lingus. He availed of discounted travel rates to journey to Greece and Italy. It says a lot for his determination that he braved the terrors of plane journeys, especially as he considers himself to be ‘incurably terrified of air travel’. He eventually became a sub-editor at The Irish Press, rising to the position of chief sub-editor. Before the Irish Press collapsed in 1995, Banville became a sub-editor at The Irish Times, appointed literary editor in 1998.

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Literature

John Banville with Mike Murphy during the recordings of the hugely popular Senior Times podcast series Take Two, available on all podcast platforms as well as on seniortimes.ie

Gabriel Byrne as pathologist Quirke in the TV series based on Christine Falls, John Banville’s crime thriller, writing as Benjamin Black.

At 74 years, Banville is growing older, a state of affairs that render him both ‘furious and amused.’ Yet he is forever fascinated by human nature, ‘Our endless capacity for wickedness. And our inexplicable gaiety in the face of mortality.’ He cites a quote from Ernest Hemingway, a man Banville feels was never a deep thinker but on some occasions he managed to be profound. On being asked ‘How can we live, when we know we shall die?’ Hemingway replied, ‘Of course, one could as well say, ‘How can we not live’, knowing we shall die?’

Certainly well worth pondering upon.

Banville, under his pseudonym, Benjamin Black, is also a successful crime writer. The hero of Christine Falls, is a pathologist (Quirke) living in 1950s Dublin. This character is so well drawn that a series of ‘Quirke’ novels followed, giving the author the opportunity to show his skills in writing dark, menacing, atmospheric thrillers. Quirke (played by Gabriel Byrne) translated to the small screen also, alongside actors of the calibre of Michael Gambon among its cast. Banville likes writing crime novels because ‘it interests me to work in a clichéd form.

The effort of finding new ways to manipulate the creaking old ‘tec novel is a wonderful challenge.’ With so much horror and blood-letting in present-day crime fiction, Banville has his own opinion on crime’s televised form in

particular. ‘Every series one watches seems to open with a young woman being raped, tortured, murdered and eviscerated. If I were a woman I would lead a campaign against this appalling exploitation.’ He doesn’t make a distinction between men and women. ‘To me they are just people.’ He is in favour of women’s rights, welcoming the gradual freedom that has come about in his native land during his lifetime.

He is an admirer of women’s writings also, including Elizabeth Bowen. He contributed the introduction to Edna 0’Brien’s The Love Object: Selected Stories, praising her as ‘One of the finest writers of our time.’

John Banville contributed the introduction to Edna 0’Brien’s The Love Object: Selected Stories, praising her as ‘One of the finest writers of our time.’

Three copies of Snow to be won!

So many of our esteemed writers have produced ‘how to’ tomes on writing. Colum McCann’s Letter to a Young Writer comes to mind or Stephen Fry’s The Ode less Travelled.

Banville’s advice to an aspiring writer is to offer the same advice the Roman senator Cato the Censor gave to aspiring orators: ‘Rem tene, verbum sequentur. Seize the object, the words will follow. That is, concentrate on the object, not on your feelings about it.’ Banville dismisses the notion that luck might play a part in becoming a published author; ‘There’s no such thing as luck, I believe. If work is good, and if it’s made with care and passion, it will find its audience sooner or later. There are no mute inglorious Miltons.’

John Banville’s latest novel, Snow is already critically acclaimed: An outstanding novel and an absolute page-turner (Irish Independent).

A typically elegant country house mystery (Guardian). It’s one of the most anticipated crime books of 2020 and defined by critic Peter Swanson as being ‘immaculate, penetrating prose.’ This master stylist of English, whose writing has been described as perfectly crafted, grows from strength to strength with each work he writes. Long may his diverse talent continue to enthral the literary world.

34 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Senior Times, in association with the publisher Faber, are offering three copies of John Banville’s critically-acclaimed latest novel Snow in this competition. To enter simply answer this question: In which county was John Banville born? Send your answers to John Banville competition, SeniorTimes, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Or email john@slp.ie The first three correct entries drawn are the winners. Deadline for receipt of entries is 20th December 2020

Food

Bounty from

n e r r u B e h T

Crab and smoked salmon salad Serves 6

3 crabs, cooked and cleaned (both white and brown meat) 60 ml/2 fl oz/¼ cup mayonnaise 60 ml/2 fl oz/¼ cup vinaigrette of your liking Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Salad leaves 6 slices smoked salmon 1 pinch cayenne pepper 1 lemon, cut into 6 wedges In a bowl, fold the white crabmeat with mayonnaise to taste, season and set aside.

In another bowl, fold the brown meat together with 2 tbsp vinaigrette, season and set aside.

In a third bowl, dress the salad leaves with the remaining vinaigrette.

Divide the leaves between 6 plates, and overlay each with one slice of salmon.

Add a dollop each of white and brown crab onto the plates. Garnish with cayenne and a lemon wedge.

Niall’s goat cheese frittata Niall Hughes – Seaview House

Serves 6

For the caramelised onions 2 tbsp olive oil 3 large red onions, peeled and thinly sliced Sea salt For the frittatas Butter and oil, for frying 6 tbsp caramelised red onions (see above) 12 cherry tomatoes diced 18 mushrooms, diced 12 large eggs, free range if possible 90 ml/3 fl oz/6 tbsp milk 2 tbsp tarragon (or any herb you like), torn/minced 90 g/3 oz/6 tbsp soft goat cheese, crumbled Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper To make the caramelised onions, place a large, heavy-bottomed sauté pan over low heat and add the oil. Once warm, add the onions and a good pinch of salt. Stir to coat. Cook very slowly for 15 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the onions begin to stick, add a little water, scrape well and keep stirring until the onions are sticky and caramelised (a further 5 to 10 minutes). Remove from heat.

Either use straight away or place single tablespoon-sized scoops into a muffin tray, cover in cling film and freeze. Once frozen, remove from the tray, place in a ziplock bag and store in freezer until needed.

For each individual frittata (see note), first preheat grill (broiler) on high.

To a 12–15 cm/5–6-inch cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium–high heat add a knob of butter and 1 teaspoonful of oil. Once the butter is melted, add 1 tablespoon of the caramelised onions, 2 tomatoes and 3 mushrooms.

Sauté until the mushrooms are soft.

In a small bowl, whisk 2 eggs, 1 tbsp milk and 1 tsp tarragon (or your chosen herb). Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Add to the skillet and stir.

Reduce the heat to medium.

Once the egg mixture begins to set, dot with the crumbled goat cheese.

Place the skillet under a hot grill until it has puffed up and is golden on top.

36 Senior Times l November- December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Pierce the top of the frittata to ensure it is cooked through. If not, another minute under the grill should finish it off. Keep warm in a low oven while making the other frittatas.

Chef’s note: Niall is quite adept at turning out these individual frittatas. However, if you have a 30 cm/12-inch skillet, you could make one large frittata for the whole party. The cooking method is the same, if a bit longer, for the eggs to set. Once finished, turn out onto a board and cut into wedges.

Herb-crusted rack of lamb with confit belly John Sheedy, Sheedy’s Hotel

Serves 6

For the belly 1 lamb belly, well trimmed Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked 60 ml/2 fl oz/¼ cup olive oil 1 head garlic, sliced in half across the equator 2–3 bay leaves (fresh, if possible) 4 tbsp minced parsley 4 tbsp minced mint For the herb crust 330 g/10½ oz brioche, torn into pieces Small handful each parsley, rosemary and mint, finely chopped 160 g/5½ oz Burren Gold (or Gouda-style) cheese 150 g/5¼ oz/¾ cup butter, softened 3 full racks of lamb Sea salt and black pepper to taste Vegetable oil 80 g/3 fl oz/ 1/3 cup Dijon mustard Season the lamb belly with salt and pepper, then rub the rosemary and oil evenly over it. Transfer to a dish, cover with cling film and refrigerate overnight.

Next day, preheat oven to 140°C/250°F/Gas Mark 1. Put the lamb into a casserole (Dutch oven) with the garlic and bay leaves. Cover and place in the centre of the preheated oven for about 3 hours, until tender. Remove from the oven and uncover. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes or until you can handle it. Flake the meat and mix with the parsley and mint.

Lay out a double thickness of cling film on a flat surface. Arrange the flaked meat in a log along the bottom third, nearest to you. Roll into a tight cylinder and chill for 2 hours or overnight.

To make the herb crust, place the brioche and herbs in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 4 to 5 times to blend. Add the cheese and butter; pulse an additional 4 to 5 times. Transfer to a loaf tin, cover with cling film and refrigerate for an hour to set.

Food and prop styling by Jette Virdi Food photography by Joanne Murphy

Cathleen Connole – Burren Fine Wine and Food

Cold hands and feet are a thing of the past

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The essential blood supply Cold hands and feet are linked to poor circulation. The hands and feet are also called extremities, and it can be difficult for blood to pass through the tiny blood vessels – or capillaries - that carry oxygen and nutrients to these tissues. Cold limbs, however, are not the only problem that is linked to poor circulation.

Health

Highly important for the brain The brain, for instance, accounts for nearly 20 percent of the body’s entire oxygen consumption, so it is not difficult to imagine how important it is to have a well-functioning supply of blood to the head and brain. All of our cognitive functions rely on an adequate of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells.

People with impaired cerebral blood supply typically experience problems like · · · · ·

Failing memory Poor concentration Dizziness Headaches Tinnitus (humming or high-pitched noise in one or both ears)

You can read about Ginko-Biloba here: www.pharmanord.eu/products/ginkgo-biloba

Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie 37

Food For the racks of lamb, preheat oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas Mark 2. Set a wire rack in a rimmed baking tray.

Pat the lamb racks dry with kitchen paper (paper towels) and season with salt and pepper.

In a skillet over medium–high heat, add 1 tsp oil and heat until shimmering and ready to smoke. Place 1 rack into the skillet and cook until well browned, which will take about 2 to 4 minutes per side, on all sides (and ends). Transfer to the prepared wire rack. Pour off all but 1 teaspoon fat from skillet and repeat cooking with remaining 2 racks.

Brush the lamb all over with mustard. Slice 1.25 cm/ ½-inch thicknesses of herb crust from the loaf tin. Press the slices onto the lamb loin side and transfer to the wire rack, fat side up. Place in oven and roast until lamb registers 57°C/135°F for medium, about 40 to 50 minutes (add more or less time if you desire it more or less done).

About 20 minutes before the lamb racks are done, remove the lamb belly from the fridge. Cut into 5 cm/2-inch slices, remove cling film from each slice, place on an ovenproof plate and place into the oven with the racks of lamb.

When the meat is cooked, remove the plate of belly slices and loosely cover to keep warm. Transfer the racks to a carving board and allow to rest for 15 minutes before cutting each one into 4 double chops, serving two per person with a slice of the lamb belly.

Chef’s note: Play around with the herbs you use in this crust. The richness of brioche in the crumb and the underlying flavour of lamb can handle many herbaceous accents. Do, however, consider the season and age of the lamb. Younger spring lambs have a far more delicate flavour than older hogget lambs. The older the animal, the stronger the flavour, and the more ‘accenting’ it can take without being overpowered.

Lemon-garlic roasted chicken with lemon and thyme stuffing and madeira Jus Ronan Kelly – The Falls Hotel

Serves 6

3 cloves garlic, peeled 60 ml/2 fl oz/¼ cup olive oil 1 bunch rosemary 1 bunch thyme 3 lemons, zested and juiced Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 200 g/7 oz/¾ cup + 3 tbsp butter 1 onion, diced 720 g/25 oz/6 cups fresh breadcrumbs 150 ml/5¼ fl oz/1/3 cup chicken stock 2 x 1.5 kg/3¼ lb free-range chickens 105 g/3½ oz/7 tbsp butter (divided per method) 16g/½ oz/2 tbsp flour 500 ml/18 fl oz/2 cups chicken stock 1 small onion, finely diced 450 g/1 lb brown mushrooms, sliced 1 sprig thyme 1 bay leaf 300 ml/½ pint/1¼ cups Madeira 100 ml/3½ fl oz/1/3 cup + 4 tsp red wine 30 g/1½ oz/2 tbsp cold butter, cut into 6 pieces Preheat oven to 170°C/340°F/Gas Mark 3.

Food and prop styling by Jette Virdi Food photography by Joanne Murphy

the middle of the preheated oven for 90 to 110 minutes, rotating the pan once, until the meat in the thigh reaches 80°C/175°F. Remove from oven and place the rack over a plate to collect the juices. Loosely tent with tinfoil and set to rest for 10 minutes. Defat the cooking juices, strain and reserve.

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 30 g/1 oz/2 tbsp of the butter, then add the flour and stir.

Cook the roux for 4 to 5 minutes until it begins to look a bit dry. Pour in the cold chicken stock, increase heat to medium–high and bring just to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium–low and simmer for 20 minutes.

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining butter, add onion and sweat for 3 to 4 minutes until soft. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they become tender and release their moisture. Remove the mushroom and onion mixture with a slotted spoon and reserve.

Add the thyme, bay leaf, Madeira and red wine to the saucepan and increase heat to medium–high. Add reserved cooking juices from chickens (from both pan and plate), bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Add the thickened chicken stock and mushrooms. Continue to reduce until the sauce coats the back of a spoon. Correct seasoning, stir in the cold butter until melted and pour into a heated jug. Remove the stuffing to a heated serving dish, carve the chickens as you like and serve with the sauce.

In the bowl of a food processor, blend the garlic, olive oil and 1 sprig each of rosemary and thyme. Add the grated zest of 1 lemon and the juice of 2 of the lemons. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

In a sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter, add the onion and sweat for 3 to 4 minutes until soft.

Finely chop the remaining thyme and add to the onions. Continue to sweat for 1 to 2 minutes longer.

Place the breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl, pour in the butter and onion mixture and gently toss to mix.

Add the grated rind of the other two lemons and the juice of the third and the chicken stock. Fold to mix and adjust seasoning.

Stuff the cavities of the chickens with the bread stuffing and secure them with wooden skewers. Rub the skin of both chickens with the reserved garlic and herb mixture. Place the remaining rosemary in the bottom of a roasting tin and put the chickens on a rack over it. Roast in 38 Senior Times l November- December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Mum’s apple crumble Birgitta Hedin-Curtin – Burren Smokehouse

Serves 6

800 g/2¾ lb Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced 50 g/1¾ oz/¼ cup caster (superfine) sugar Butter, for greasing For the crumble 200 g/7 oz/1 1/3 cups plain (all-purpose) flour Pinch of salt 2 tbsp caster (superfine) sugar 100 g/3½ oz/½ cup butter, cold and cut into small chunks Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.

Toss the apples with the sugar and place in a buttered baking dish.

To make the crumble, mix the flour, salt and sugar in a bowl. Add the butter and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Alternatively, pulse in a food processor until sandy (don’t over-process). Spread the crumble over the apples in small lumps until they’re lightly covered.

Place the dish onto a baking tray and into the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden and the apples feel very soft when you insert a small, sharp knife. Leave to cool for at least 10 minutes. Serve with ice cream or a custard sauce, if desired.

Continued on Page 81

Wine World

Enjoy sunshine in a glass this winter

Rioja ageing in American barrels in the Santalba cellars

While we may not be able to travel to winter sun destinations, we can still savour the best of Spain’s wines from Rioja, suggests Mairead Robinson Not only is Spain our favourite country to visit, but Spanish wine also hits the high note with many of us when it comes to enjoying our favourite tipple. And no region is better known than Rioja in North Central Spain, 120 miles south of Bilbao. With 63,593 hectares of vineyards, the region produces 280 to 300 million litres of wine annually, of which 90 per cent is red and the rest a mixture of white and rose.

Spain’s signature grape, Tempranillo, is the key to the quality of the region’s wines. It is a black grape which gives big fruity flavour and excellent ageing capability. Rioja was also the first Spanish region to embrace barrel ageing and the American oak used integrates very well with Tempranillo. Another key to Rioja’s success is its consistency. Whereas some

The Santaalba vineyards are run by Roberto Ijalba Perez and his sister Laura

wines, like Chianti, have changed in style over the years, Rioja has stuck very closely to its winning formula.

To understand the various types and prices, we need to take into account that Rioja wine is split into four categories, based on the amount of time it has aged, with the best being the oldest. Rioja Jovan (young Rioja) has little or no ageing in oak barrels, and is certainly the least expensive. Crianza spends one year in oak and another in the bottle. Then comes Reserva, which spends a year in oak and two years in the bottle. Finally we have the most expensive, the Gran Reserva, which spends two years in oak barrels and three years ageing in the bottle. Also within the Rioja region, there are three provinces with different soil types. Rioja Alta has a big diversity of soils,

most of them limestone and clay, but in some places the soil can be rich in iron or full of pebbles. Rioja Alvesa, on the northern edge of the region has a distinctive chalky clay-limestone soil and steeply sloped landscape. While Rioja Baja province has very fertile alluvial soil and is heavy with silt.

So there a lot of factors that will determine the quality of wine in each bottle of Rioja, so don’t rush to judgement having just tasted a couple, but read the label carefully and allow yourself to try many different ones. I can tell you that I have tasted some pretty unremarkable Rioja wines, and also some absolute stunners.

Recently I was introduced to a winery called Santalba, whose wines are an exciting addition to the market here in Ireland. It is run by brother

Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie 39

Wine World and sister Roberto and Laura Ijalba Perez, who took over from their parents some years ago. It is located in the heart of Rioja Alta, surrounded by some of the best vineyards in Rioja. The winery is organic certified, and all grapes are picked by hand and transported by small tractor to the winery not more than twenty minutes away. Interestingly, they also produce natural and vegan wines, Rioja made as Amarone, cool climate Garnacha Rioja, and White Reserva.

At Santalba, they are passionate about their wines, with meticulous care and attention to each plot and vine in the vineyard. When the grapes arrive at the winery, they undergo alcoholic fermentation naturally under strictly controlled temperatures, enabling the process to function based on only the natural yeasts in the grapes. This stage comprises a slow transformation of the grape sugars into alcohol. The maceration period (the must in contact with the grape skin) provides colour and aromas, contributing complexity and character to the finished wine.

Regarding barrel aging, at Santalba the time period is from 14 to 30 months. The wine is

The Santalba range includes red, white and rosada

racked traditionally from barrel to barrel by hand using gravity, every six months. They also use French, American and European oak-barrels of different types to make each wine subtly different. Of all the excellent quality wines that Santalba produce, there are six wines available in Ireland now which include Santalba Vina Hermosa Rioja Blanco, Santalba Vina Hermosa Rioja Crianza, Santalba Vina Hermosa Rioja Reserva, Santalba Organic Rioja, Santalba Natural Rioja and finally Santalba Vina Hermosa Rioja Gran Reserva.

Considering the quality of these wines, the prices represent excellent value. For the Rioja Blanco, expect to pay circa €12, Crianza circa €13, Rioja Reserva €14 - €15, Organic circa €19, Natural Rioja circa €16 and finally the wonderful Hermosa Rioja Gran Reserva is a steal at €27 This is one for a special occasion, to lift the spirits during these dark days and enjoy with a special dinner.

You can find the Santalba wines in good off-licences around the country, including Blackrock Cellars, La Touche, Parting Glass, Wine Centre Kilkenny, Redmonds and Corkscrew.

One for Everyone: More Poems I Love Kathleen Watkins was delighted to discover that the word ‘anthology’ once referred to flower gathering - because putting together the poems for her second collection was like creating a beautiful bouquet. She wanted colour and variety, dark and light, simplicity and depth.

And that’s what she gives us in her new book ‘One for Everyone: More Poems I Love’.

There are the floaty poems that transport us - to a moonlit night in Iowa in Eavan Boland’s ‘Ghost Stories’, to a market stall in Bantry in Jane Clarke’s poem ‘Given’, or to the Rosebowl Bar in a Dublin of long ago where Paula Meehan is buying winkles. And we’re anchored to what’s familiar - the kettle boiling and what news gets spilled over a cup of tea; the arrival of a baby granddaughter; what the neighbours are getting up to; a dash through the supermarket.

Along the way, Imelda May’s poem is a rap of sound and colour for a rainbow win, Carol Ann Duffy stashes love letters, and ‘Farewell’

by Thomas Moore evokes friendship and memories. For 2020 and the year that’s in it, Dorothy Duffy tells us of her sister’s laughter and kindness, ‘underlying conditions’ that made her so much more than ‘a statistic’ in the cruelty of Covid. Catherine Sweeney reminds us of the darkness when life stopped in lockdown. And in Francis Harvey’s ‘Blessings’ we can all relate to that impulse to be outside in order to set our hearts at ease.

The book is dedicated simply. It is ‘For Gay’, and in his memory there are poems from Rita Ann Higgins, Eithne Hand, and Brendan Kennelly. They mark and honour his passing. The collection ends with Derek Mahon’s promise that ‘Everything is going to be alright’ ... and his

poem fits perfectly into the final arrangement.

More than just alright - this is a book to really enjoy!

‘One For Everyone, More Poems I Love’ by Kathleen Watkins is available in all bookstores

Golf

Dermot Gilleece recalls a memorable match between two of Ireland’s most celebrated amateurs when the ‘King’ was knocked off his throne

Joe Carr demonstrating his renowned bunker skill

The duel on Bull Island Audiences for golf in modern, non-covid times, have been dominated so much by devotees of the professional game, that it’s hard to imagine an occasion when things were different. But there was most certainly a time when amateur players, male and female, commanded the adulation of the sporting masses, especially in this country.

Like, for instance, when an inter-club golf match in Dublin attracted an attendance of 5,000 spectators. Back when the population of our capital city and its environs was close to half what it is these days, such interest was, in fact, generated by a Senior Cup clash between Sutton and Malahide, in 1959.

It could be attributed largely to the appeal of two players, one of whom was the king of amateur golf in these islands and a rival who had the skills to knock him off his throne. At the peak of his formidable powers, Joe Carr felt confident he had the measure of any challenger when the outcome really mattered, but he was forced to revise this thinking in an improbable setting of a Royal Dublin, as a neutral venue.

The outcome of an unforgettable duel on Bull Island was all the more difficult for Carr to stomach, given his conviction that any player who went three down to him, was as dead as a dodo. Tom Craddock was the player who effectively revised the Carr credo.

‘It was a conviction which had served me well in my career up to then,’ Carr later admitted.

‘During that Senior Cup match, I remember Tom saying ‘Don’t be too hard, Joe.’ And he got me, which led me to have the greatest of respect for him for the remainder of our competitive meetings.’

Nobody considered it brash of the swashbuckling Sutton man earlier that year when, as the reigning British Amateur champion, he remarked casually to Portmarnock professional, Harry Bradshaw: ‘Name the golfer who could give me three holes in nine.’ Having recorded several victories as JB’s partner in the Hermitage Foursomes, The Brad didn’t dare offer an argument.

In the meantime, the historic Dollymount links had proved to be rewarding turf for a Malahide player whose steady progress through ama-

teur ranks, earned him many admirers. Among them was a distinguished British player and administrator. Gerald Micklem thought so highly of Craddock that he corresponded regularly with Craddock from his home in Sunningdale. One such missive included a copy of an article on putting by John Jacobs, then known as Doctor Golf.

‘I gather that your putting is wonderful at present, but you might find something useful in the article,’ wrote Micklem. This was after Craddock had won the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin in 1958. Newspapers reported that when word of the victory got around, ‘bonfires were lit on Malahide Hill, to welcome home the new champion. It was the greatest day in the history of the Malahide club.’ For his part, Jimmy Nugent, the club captain, enthused: ‘We are thinking of building a new clubhouse, the cup is so big.’

So, when the Leinster Final of the Senior Cup brought their club into action against the might of Sutton the following season, there were many in Malahide who believed that Craddock could lead them to victory. And they were undeterred by the prospect of their hero facing

Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie 41

a living legend at the top of the playing order, in what would be the first match-play meeting between the pair.

A hero ‘welcome for Joe Carr after winning the 1958 British Amateur Championship.

With television effectively non-existent as a counter-attraction, fans flocked in their thousands to Royal Dublin. They would have been aware that Carr had relinquished his West of Ireland title to Billy Ferguson earlier that year and that Craddock had been denied him a fourth successive victory in the East of Ireland Championship.

In the event, we’re informed that the Sutton man had the better of the outward journey, barely missing birdies on the first two holes.

Wins came at the third, fifth and the short ninth, where he holed a 12-footer for a two, for a three-hole lead at the turn. Sparkling figures of 34 for that stretch seemed to confirm a predictable outcome.

Even Paul MacWeeney in The Irish Times was moved to observe later that Craddock was shaping ‘like a man whose fate was inevitable.’ The scribe went on: ‘And when he cut his second shot out of bounds at the 11th, with Carr at the back of the green in two mighty blows, the lead changed to four and it looked to be all over.’ If, as Carr had suggested to Bradshaw, nobody was capable of giving him three holes in nine, where was the superman who could pull back four holes in seven?

MacWeeney takes up the story: ‘Then came the incredible swing, for Craddock holed a 10-footer for a two at the short 12th and then set the spark alight. He got another back at the 13th where they both left long putts well short but whereas Carr missed from six feet, Craddock holed a five-footer.

‘At the 14th, Carr cut his second into a horrible, bare lie but played a masterly pitch with sufficient stop to give him the chance of a four. His putt stopped on the lip, however, and Craddock, on in two, holed a five-footer confidently for his third successive win.’

So, from being in an apparently hopeless position, the Malahide man was now only one down with four to play. And though Carr retained his characteristic, jaunty walk, Craddock was keenly conscious of the wounds he had inflicted.

The 15th was halved in fours, where Craddock’s uncanny accuracy with the blade despatched a five-footer with supreme confidence. Then, on the famous, reachable par-four 16th, Carr was bunkered on the left and failed to match his rival’s birdie three. Remarkably, the pair were level. And as only the best match-players can do, Craddock kept his foot firmly on Carr’s throat with a winning par on the 17th, where the Sutton man hooked his drive into an impossible lie.

Tom Craddcok after winning the 1964 Mullingar Scratch Cup with captain Roy Macken, left, and Keith Whelehan

From there, Craddock sealed the match on what was then the par-five 18th, with a superb, two-iron second shot from the middle of the fairway into the heart of the green. Carr, having hit a huge drive almost to the corner of the Garden, left his approach well short of the pin and never looked like sinking the eagle putt.

Noting that Craddock had taken only 25 strokes for the last seven holes to win five of them, MacWeeney described it as ‘wonderful golf over such a testing finish and under the big-match strain.’ Mind you, this would be Malahide’s only win. Their other four players lost to Jimmy Carroll, Mick Fitzpatrick, Teddy Firth and Tom Fitzpatrick, giving the holders a 4-1 victory.

In a broader context, however, a great, personal rivalry was born which, for the best part of a decade, captivated the cognoscenti of Irish golf. A month after that Dollymount triumph, Craddock beat Carr again, on the 38th hole of

42 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

an epic final to the Irish Close Championship at Portmarnock. Almost predictably, however, Carr was to exact revenge the following Eas ter with victory over Craddock in the final of the West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point.

‘I suppose what I admired most about Tom, was his lovely, smooth action,’ reflected Carr.

‘They say that hitters linger and swingers last.

I was a hitter and Tom was a swinger who lasted, despite all the physical problems he had later in his career.’

It would be 1965 at Ballybunion before Malahide captured the Senior Cup for the first time. And it would be a further 21 years before attendance figures for a head-to-head at Royal Dublin matched the 1959 figure. That, as it happened, was when Seve Ballesteros beat Jack Nicklaus in the glittering Toyota Challenge of Champions. Which, in itself, speaks volumes for the one-time strength of the amateur game.

Senior Join Us For Series 2 We’re On Air Now! Listen for FREE online at seniortimes.ie or wherever you source your podcasts An exciting schedule of presenters including; • Mike Murphy & John Banville’s new series Take Two • Mary Kennedy presents Presented

by Mike Presented Murphy Presentedby byMike MikeMurphy MurphyThe Senior Times Magazine Show • John Mc Colgan presents My Tunes Music, comedy & interviews • Kathleen Watkins presents Poetry Short Stories • Liam ÓMaonlaí’s presents Musings Presented

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24 Episode’s to be released he SeniorTimes The The Podcast SeniorTimes SeniorTimes SeriesPodcast Podcast with Series Serieswith withbetween November 1st and December 31st ike Murphy has Mike Mike revolutionised Murphy Murphyhas hasrevolutionised revolutionised media media media onsumption –consumption consumption and nowhere––more and andnowhere nowhere so than more moreso sothan than mongst Irish amongst Over amongst 50s.Irish IrishOver Over50s.

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The SeniorTimes Podcast Series with Mike Murphy has revolutionised esented by Mike Presented Presented Murphy by by - Mike one Mike ofMurphy Murphy Ireland’s --one one ofofIreland’s Ireland’s media consumption – and nowhere est-loved broadcasters, best-loved best-loved The broadcasters, broadcasters, Senior Times The The Senior Senior Times Timesmore so than 50s. odcast Series 1Podcast Podcast featured Series Series aamongst blend 11featured featured of Irish features, aOver ablend blend ofoffeatures, features, ews, profiles, comment, news, news,profiles, profiles, lifestyle comment, comment, and lifestyle lifestyleand and Presented Mikethat Murphy -made one of Ireland’s formation, theinformation, information, same blend the the that same same hasby made blend blend that has hasmade best-loved The Senior Times enior Times magazine Senior SeniorTimes Times Ireland’s magazine magazine No.1 broadcasters, magazine Ireland’s Ireland’sNo.1 No.1 magazine magazine Podcast Series 1 featured a blend of features, r older readers. for forolder olderreaders. readers. news, profiles, comment, lifestyle and information, the sameGuests blend this first season, InInthis this Mike’s first firstSpecial season, season,Guests Mike’s Mike’s Special Special Gueststhat has made Senior Times magazine No.1 magazine cluded Denisincluded O’Brien, includedPat Denis Denis Henry, O’Brien, O’Brien, MaryPat Pat Louise Henry, Henry,Ireland’s Mary MaryLouise Louise for older readers.

Donnell, President O’Donnell, O’Donnell, Michael President President D. Higgins, Michael Michael JohnD.D.Higgins, Higgins,John John cColgan, Deirdre McColgan, McColgan, Purcell,Deirdre Marty Deirdre Morrisey Purcell, Purcell,Marty and MartyMorrisey Morriseyand and In this first season, Mike’s Special Guests yan Tubridy. Ryan RyanTubridy.

Tubridy. included Denis O’Brien, Pat Henry, Mary Louise O’Donnell, President Michael ans for Series Plans 2Plans are well for forSeries Series underway 22are arewell with well underway aunderway with withD.aaHiggins, John McColgan, Deirdre Purcell, Marty Morrisey and anel of 5 new panel presenters panelofof55new new joining presenters presenters Mike Murphy. joining joining Mike Mike Murphy.

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History

Brendan Hayes, who is currently making a documentary to commemorate the centenary of the ambush at Kilmichael, Co Cork, explains the background to this celebrated confrontation

The stylised, retouched photograph of Tom Barry

Commemorating the Boys from Kilmichael

The hills were bleeding and the rifles were aflame. The words used by poet Sigerson Clifford to describe the turmoil that had cast a bitter shadow on Ireland during the war of independence. November 21st 1920 had seen the claret colour of blood spilled all over Dublin when Michael Collins’s clandestine ‘squad’ killed several British intelligence agents of the so called ‘Cairo gang’ Retaliations on the day saw innocent footballers and spectators shot dead in Croke park in a match between Tipperary and Dublin. This day was to become known as ‘Bloody Sunday’ That very day in a rural area of west Cork called Clogher, just north of Dunmanway town Irish revolutionary Tom Barry began organising his flying column for a day that would change their lives forever. The column that was training would come to be known as ‘The boys of Kilmichael’ . On November 24th Barry would move his men to a point closer to Ballineen Enniskeane (A twin village) for security reasons. He feared an unexpected encounter with crown forces before his plan of action had materialised. His new location was well concealed in the countryside of the surrounding villages.

In sub-zero temperatures a lone figure arrived on horseback to the house in the countryside.

As he dismounted his horse the houseful of young men were preparing themselves for the following day, however spirituality was also an imperative component. West Cork, local curate Patrick O' Connell had reached his destination to hear the confessions from each volunteer and grant them absolution. At the time, Bishop Cohalan of Cork was about to excommunicate all volunteers and deny them the sacraments, en masse. Yet, Fr. O’Connell was an unlikely candidate for the role of rebel sympathiser.

Austere and commanding, resentful of opposition or contradiction. He was a deeply religious man and it was, perhaps, this commitment that took him out in the night to save souls, whatever their political persuasion.

Upon concluding his meetings with the men Father O’ Connell approached their leader

Tom Barry and the Boys of Kilmichael in 1966

Tom Barry and said 'Are ye going to meet the Sassenach?' to which Barry replied 'Yes father' He wished them good luck and rode off on his horse into the dead of night.

After lining up for inspection by their wiry haired commander, it was to be that some would not return and those that did would have their lives changed forever. Biblically, the rain poured down upon them as they left the house just after 2 am. The obscurity of darkness meant the volunteers had significant difficulties in seeing other members in front of them. As they travelled to meet their foe a young boy Pat Deasy, only 16 years old, followed. He was determined to fight for his country like his older brother Liam.

These men and their leader were no longer willing to stand by and watch their country brutalised by a foreign enemy. They had one clear agenda and that was to send a message to crown forces that the IRA was now a force to be reckoned with.

One particular volunteer informed Barry that Deasy had been following them. Barry was not eager to include Deasy as it was said that he had been quite sick the week before the ambush and may also have been considered to be far too young. After pleading his case, he reluctantly allowed him to participate.

The column arrived shortly after 8 am and each volunteer was soaked to the bone. Despite the bitter unforgiving temperature that late November had brought, they were ready to complete their mission at the helm of their commander. They took their positions hiding covertly amongst the heather and rushes as their hearts and minds were filled with a mixture of pride, fear and uncertainty. Would this be a victory for their fellow Irish men or one of great carnage?

Tom Barry had noticed a particular coat that volunteer Paddy O Brien of the Ballinacarriga Company was wearing a few weeks earlier and tactically he procured said coat requesting that O’ Brien wear civilian clothes in the weeks prior to the ambush. He had great plans for this particular item of clothing.

Each volunteer had 35 rounds for their rifles along with a number of revolvers and grenades.

With imperturbability the volunteers waited for just over eight hours. Despite the seemingly

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History

The monument to commemorate the three volunteers who lost their lives that day. ‘They shall be spoken of among their people. The generations shall remember them and call them blessed’.

endless wait they were primed for battle and just after four that afternoon two Crossley Tenders were seen approaching from the Macroom side. In the last moments before the battle a horse and cart with a number of oblivious volunteers simultaneously approached the ambush area. This was enough to upset the whole plan. A sharp order and the men were swiftly ushered from the main road. There was no turning back now and Barry had requested his men to prepare for battle.

As the first lorry approached Barry donned O’ Brien’s coat as his mind turned the key on a plan which was one of misdirection. The purpose was to make the driver of the first lorry slow down on the assumption that Barry was a British officer.

He exhaled sharply and suddenly stood in the middle of the road with the distinctive coat creating a distraction to the oncoming auxiliaries.

Oblivious to what was going on they quickly endeavoured to decipher whether or not the lone figure was one of their own but before they could conclude he shot the driver and hurled a mills bomb grenade towards the lorry.

van were killed instantly and Deasy was mortally wounded.

Two auxiliaries managed to escape but one (Cecil Guthrie) was apprehended later and killed. He is the only auxiliary to be buried in Ireland. His wife unbeknownst of his whereabouts placed adverts in the papers pleading for his location as she was carrying his unborn daughter. After a number of years his remains were exhumed from a bog and he was re-interred in the Cork North West village of Inchageela.

Pat Deasy passed later that evening at Buttimers farm house in Gortroe and along with his fellow dead they were temporarily buried in a nearby bog. Some days later in the middle of the night Father O' Connell would again risk his life by affording them a proper burial in the church grounds of Castle Town Kenneigh.

Reprisals for Kilmichael consisted of the burning of homes nearby but one of the most notorious incidents was the murder of Dunmanway’s Canon Thomas Magner and a young man named Tadgh Crowley. Magner was 69 and had been out walking east of Dunmanway when he stopped to assist Crowley and anoth

The second lorry became aware that they were under attack and they struggled to turn around on the narrow road upon which they were travelling. Having become trapped in the grassy verges they had no choice but to alight from their vehicle and begin firing. As auxiliaries were being shot at by the volunteers it is debated that they called out ‘We surrender’ three volunteers taking them at their word stood up and paid the price with their lives.

Jim O' Sullivan, Michael McCarthy and Pat Deasy were shot upon. McCarthy and O’ Sulli46 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

er man who was having car trouble. They were set upon by crown forces and it is argued that Magner was targeted for refusing to ring the bells of St Patrick’s church Dunmanway in memory of Britain’s war dead. This tragedy created such outrage amongst the whole country and the British were said to have refrained from further attacks in the Dunmanway area. As a result Canon Magner and Tadgh Crowley became known as the ‘saviours of Dunmanway’.

On July 10th 1966 a monument was unveiled by the V. Rev. C. O’ Brien P.P Kilmichael. Inscribed on the monument are the names of the three volunteers who lost their lives that day. ‘They shall be spoken of among their people. The generations shall remember them and call them blessed’.

In September 2020 film makers Brendan Hayes and Jerry O'Mullane along with David Sullivan and Bernie O' Regan announced that they were currently working on a documentary to commemorate the centenary. The working title is 'Forget not the boys (Kilmichael 100 years later)’ the date for screenings are yet to be announced due to the current national restrictions

Film makers Brendan Hayes, left, and Jerry O'Mullane

Learning the Principles and Ideas Behind Great Prosperity – There’s a Science to it Most of us follow a certain path in life, striving to build our future success, believing that hard work will bring the results we want. Have you ever considered there may be another way? ‘If you can tell me precisely what you want, I can help you get it’ says Bob Proctor.

Bob Proctor (86) is the world’s greatest goal achievement teacher and expert in prosperity thinking. With his partner Sandy Gallagher, at the Proctor Gallagher Institute, he’s developed a number of programs to help individuals create the mindset which will bring them success. Proctor states that most people don’t know how to think correctly; however smart, intelligent and decent someone is, chances are they aren’t thinking effectively.

Most of us work for improved results in life, but don’t know how to guarantee that improvement. Bob Proctor has proven an absolute and scientific method to living an abundant life whatever your current results or the beliefs you hold.

Changing your actions won’t change your results, it’s your mindset which needs to change.

‘Getting rich is as predictable and reliable as science – and when you understand it, you can create predictable success in your life!’ adds Bob Proctor.

Let’s start by considering how our brains perform. You have an incredible mental supercomputer, yet we often neglect our brains underusing them and not recognising their amazing capacity.

We may consider our everyday habits and reactions to outside events as thinking, but they’re not.

Our behaviour is controlled by our surroundings and sense of them, as well as our body’s physical condition. These behaviours, ideas and habits get fixed, forming our paradigm, we think and act through these beliefs which then affect our goals, dreams and results. Consider how often, despite our own priorities, media negativity or outside stimuli can side-track you, clouding your thinking and negatively impacting your actions and therefore your results.

Bob Proctor’s teaching has helped millions of people find success and improve their results. Let’s look at how: Think of your car, describe it in detail. Did you think in words or images?

You thought in pictures, we all think in pictures.

Now, describe what's in your refrigerator on the second shelf down, or in the left-hand side of your sock drawer. You focused more, you mentally went there in your mind, your eyes rolled up and went off to the side. You used your creative (non-logical) mental faculties to solve a problem.

Now, we’re still talking about improving results, so answer this: What does your mind look like? Can you really describe it?

Did you picture a brain? The brain is an organ, brilliant but still part of the body like a fingernail. Our mind is the processor of thought, thinking is a mental activity. We think in pictures but have no working image for the mind, and if we can’t envision something we can’t improve it; meaning confused thinking for the individual.

Thinking differently will guarantee you better results.

‘The very best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself.’ - Wallace D. Wattles (The Science of Getting Rich) Bob Proctor’s life changed in 1961, by changing his beliefs he changed his whole life. The Proctor Gallagher Institute aims to develop the opportunities of every individual they encounter – through their coaching programs and work with the Unstoppable Foundation in areas struggling with poverty.

Success starts in your mind. If you want to improve your results then let Bob and the Proctor Gallagher Institute help you.

Find out more today: Give me a call on (Ireland): + 353 879536759 Email me at darren@become-inspire.com Or have a look at my website www.become-inspire.com

Health

Can a food supplement protect our eyesight from Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Many of us take food supplements every day to boost our diet in the hope of boosting the health of our bones, immune system and even our brain, but what about our eyes?

Read on to learn how taking one MacuPrime capsule every day can enhance your vision now and protect it from AMD in the future 1, 2.

Natural Carotenoid Antioxidants in our eyes Foods such as kale and peppers contain high levels of plant antioxidants called carotenoids.

While there are over 700 plant carotenoids, only three specific ones (Lutein, Zeaxanthin and most importantly Meso-Zeaxanthin) naturally gather and concentrate in our eyes.

Specifically, carotenoids are found at the back of our eye, in a specialised area of the retina called the macula where they are seen as a yellow pigment known as macular pigment.

Protecting the retina from AMD The protective macular pigment acts like a powerful natural sun block, filtering light inside the eyes and protecting our macula from damage. The macula controls nearly 90% of our detailed central vision (used for reading, driving, cooking and seeing faces), therefore protecting it is crucial so that we may continue to enjoy an independent lifestyle as we get older.

If not nourished with the right quantity of carotenoids, the protective barrier breaks down when exposed to blue light, sun light and oxidative stress from ageing, which can lead to AMD - the leading cause of sight loss in Ireland in people over the age of 50.

Irish Clinical Studies on Irish Patients Scientists from the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland (NRCI) at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) have proven that our eyes need 10mg Lutein, 10mg Meso-Zeaxanthin and 2mg Zeaxanthin to successfully rebuild macular pigment in our eyes, protect against AMD and improve vision 1, 2.

Sadly with the nutritional quality of food dropping world-wide, it is nearly impossible to get enough carotenoids from diet alone. For example, we’d need to eat 1.7 cups of kale, 11,904 whole trout and 1.8 cups of orange pepper every day, to get the amount of carotenoids

“We’ve tested the many supplements available on the market and the only one I would recommend is MacuPrime because it is pure, stable and effective.

Put simply, we could not get the same results with any other supplement. This formulation is unique because of its enhanced bioavailability and how it is prepared with all three carotenoids.”

Can a food supplement protect our eyesight from Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Many of usNolan, take Director, food supplements every day to boost our diet in the hope of boosting t Prof John Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, WIT and even our brain, but what about our eyes? health of our bones, immune system

that have shown to be effective the At what ageevery shouldday we take MacuPrime?

Read on been to learn how taking oneinMacuPrime capsule can enhance your vision no WIT studies and that are contained in just one1,2 When it comes to protecting our sight, prevenand protect it from AMD in the future .

MacuPrime capsule.

tion is definitely better than cure – our macular pigment suffers damage on a daily basis so it is Natural Prof John Carotenoid Nolan, DirectorAntioxidants NRCI, who has in our eyes never too early to start supplementing our diet studied such nutrition the and eyes peppers for over 20contain years, high and levels replenishing the carotenoids in ourcalled eyes. carotenoid Foods asfor kale of plant antioxidants explains,there “Our clinical studies proven While are over 700have plant carotenoids, only three specific ones (Lutein, Zeaxanthin an that taking a MacuPrimeMeso-Zeaxanthin) carotenoid suppleThe EU-funded, Central Enrichment in Tri- our eye most importantly naturally gather andRetinal concentrate als at WIT demonstrated that even individuals ment every day over a number of months is Specifically, carotenoids are found at the back of our eye, in a specialised area of the reti effective in rebuilding the protective macular with strong and healthy eyesight can called the macula where they are seen as a yellow pigment known asThe macular pigment in 100% of patients. We’ve shown that benefit from taking MacuPrime. studiespigment. showed that taking MacuPrime over a period they can enhance vision for the general population (even for people withfrom no eye problems). of 12 months, saw those with healthy eyes Protecting the retina AMD in their light insi Most importantly, the supplements have also The protective macular pigment acts like experience a powerfulsignificant naturalimprovements sun block, filtering been effective for patients afflicted with AMD contrast sensitivity and glare disability, such as the eyes and protecting our macula from damage. The macula controls nearly 90% of o we’ve been able to enhance their visual perfor- driving at night 1. detailed central vision (used for reading, driving, cooking and seeing faces), therefo mance with improved contrast sensitivity and reduced glare disability. This is a remarkable Tel: 051 - 271010 discovery given that vision normally declines in Email: info@macuhealtheurope.com patients with AMD.” www.macuprime.ie

Food Supplements should not be used to replace a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle. Always read the label.

1. Enrichment of Macular Pigment Enhances Contrast Sensitivity in Subjects Free of Retina Disease: Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials – Report 1, Nolan et al, IOVS, 2016. 2.

The Impact of Supplemental Antioxidants on Visual Function in Nonadvanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Head-to-Head Randomized Clinical Trial” Akuffo, et al IOVS, 2017.

48 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

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1. Enrichment of Macular Pigment Enhances Contrast Sensitivity in Subjects Free of Retina Disease: Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials – Report 1, Nolan et al, IOVS, 2016. 2. The Impact of Supplemental Antioxidants on Visual Function in Nonadvanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Head-to-Head Randomized Clinical Trial” Akuffo, et al IOVS, 2017. Food Supplements should not be used to replace a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.

Legacies

Have you considered when making your will to leave a legacy gift to a cause you care about?

Everyone should have a will Only three in ten Irish adults have made a will, yet making a will is one of the most important decisions that you will ever make. As a legal document, it ensures that proper arrangements are made for family and friends, and that your assets will distributed in the way you wish after you die, subject to certain rights and conditions. With so many benefits associated with this important process, the decision to make a will should be straightforward.

If your wishes are not expressed in a will, then the law (called Succession Law) determines how your estate is distributed according to strict legal rules. It can also mean that your estate might not be divided in accordance with your wishes.

Why make a will?

There are a number of important reasons why a person should make a will but the most important reason is that you decide what happens to your estate when you are gone. Your will should be prepared by a solicitor who will advise you of the tax and legal implications of your decisions and who will use your outlined instructions to draft your will. Before making an appointment with your solicitor, it is helpful to take note of the following: · · · ·

Your assets, their value and their location.

Your nearest relatives.

Your executor(s) – this is the person(s) that will administer the estate in accordance with the directions set out in the will. This person should be someone that you trust and who is responsible.

The proposed division of your estate – which refers to all of the money, property, assets, interests and things of value controlled by a person while alive.

Your solicitor can then take you through any legal restrictions (if applicable), special circumstances, inheritance tax and types of will.

It is usually a much more straightforward and cost effective process 50 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

than you might think and your solicitor will discuss what is necessary for drawing up this important personal document when you make your appointment.

Once family and friends have been looked after and all other important personal decisions have been made, deciding to leave a legacy gift to a charity is a wonderful way to support a favourite cause in the future.

Large or small, every legacy is a generous gift of hope and trust for the future.

Steps to Making a Will 1. Make An Appointment Avail of expert advice and support.

Take the first step to discuss your wishes and decisions for the future 2. Look After Loved Ones First Why a will is important.

A will provides for loved ones, assigns guardians, protects your assets and helps reduce inheritance tax 3. Consider A Legacy To Charity Your gift may be big or small and is tax free.

If you have a cause close to your heart, please consider leaving a gift to that charity in your will

The crutches that help the injured to walk

A new generation of nurses, doctors and midwives, trained to care for the most vunerable.

1 in 6 projects are funded by legacies.

A gift in your will can heal and save lives. To request your free brochure with more information please return this coupon, visit msf.ie/legacy, or phone Ruth on 01-2815184.

Yes, please send me a legacy brochure Name: Address: Town:

Registered Number 464033 Charity Number CHY 18196

Photo: Omar Havana, Nepal, 2015

THIS IS YOUR LEGACY.

County: Eircode: Send to: Ruth Hanahoe, MSF, 9 Upper Baggot Street, Freepost F4763, Dublin 4

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Legacies

When should you make a will?

To make a will you must be 18 years or older, be of sound mind and acting of your own free will. Your will must be in writing and must be signed by two witnesses for it to be valid. There are a number of key events in the course of a lifetime that act as a trigger to make a will.

These include: · When you get married · If you are going abroad · If you get divorced or separated · When you buy/inherit a house or become the owner of property or cash · When you start a family · Upon retirement, getting older or if suffering from an illness Remember, you can change your will at any time and as often as you like. In fact, it is highly recommended that you regularly review your will, especially if your circumstances have changed.

Legacy Wording Here is some useful information for a person leaving a legacy gift to charity.

It is very important to include the following information. Your charity can provide this or please consult the Charities Regulator’s website for the list of registered charities.

· Full name of charity · Registered address of charity · CHY number · Charity registration number

charity as they consider most nearly fulfils the objects of that which I intended to benefit.***

Precedent clause for a Will I GIVE the sum of €xx (sum in words) to [name of charity] [charity registration number] of [registered address of the charity]* for the general purposes** of the said charity and I direct that a receipt by the treasurer or other proper officer of the said charity shall be sufficient discharge for my executors in the payment of this legacy.

If, at the date of my death, the said charity has ceased to exist or has amalgamated or become incorporated with another charity or has changed its name, then this legacy shall not fail, but my executors shall pay the legacy to such

Notes: * A testator (person making Will) may wish to leave a gift to a particular branch of a charity and in which case the branch address should be inserted. ** If testator wants to leave a gift to a charity specifically for research and development, ensure that the charity has a research and development function. *** If a charity changes its name or becomes amalgamated into another charity, this provision allows the executors to leave the gift to a kindred charity.

I hope that,

one day,

my grandchildren will ask

“What WAS cancer?”

You can help make cancer a thing of the past by leaving a gift to the Irish Cancer Society in your Will.

To get a free legacy booklet with more information, call 1850 60 60 60 email amcdarby@irishcancer.ie or visit www.cancer.ie/legacy

for every child, a dream Do you dream of a world where every child has clean water, nutritious food, healthcare, an education and a safe environment to grow up in?

You can make your dream come true.

Did you know you can leave the gift of a better future to a child in your Will?

It is really easy and inexpensive to do and you don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference that will last a lifetime.

Please consider this very special way of ensuring your love for children lives on.

For more information, please call Justin on 01 878 3000 or go to www.unicef.ie Thank you.

Credit: UNICEF/ Bangladesh 2017/ Bindra

A gift in your Will is the precious gift of a warm secure home for generations

After 40 years, Threshold is still fighting for the most vulnerable – the people who are losing the entire foundation of their lives – their home. No other charity does what we do.

Threshold is truly a frontline service – people’s first port of call if they are losing their home. Because once a person or family falls into homelessness, it’s a frightening spiral that is incredibly difficult to break out of. So we act before that happens. We prevent. We support. We keep people in the homes they already have. That’s what makes us unique in Ireland.

Threshold pulls out all the stops – we rapidly take every possible action – offering sound and practical advice; negotiating with landlords; representing the person or family; finding ways for them to meet their rent and keep their home; helping them find an alternative home when needed; bringing sensible solutions to government.

Threshold offers a sustainable solution for those facing housing difficulties. Our work means fewer people suffer the nightmare of homelessness.

We’re there for those who need us most It was 4.30pm on a damp afternoon during the pandemic. A family of five, the Stauntons, had just done the 'big shop' in the supermarket. But when they got home they saw their entire lives scattered in the front garden – personal belongings, clothes, the kids' toys and even their pets.The men who had been sent to evict them during the Covid-19 emergency moratorium on evictions were still working, and wouldn't listen to Maggie and Christy Staunton's pleas to stop.

Maggie had already called and emailed their landlord, begging him for a temporary rent reduction. They had been threatened with an eviction if they didn't pay up.

But as both had lost their jobs, they simply couldn't.

Jack, the youngest, was already crying, watching his favourite teddy being tossed in the mud. Maggie says, “I broke. It was my most terrifying moment as a parent."

A sympathetic neighbour advised them to call Threshold. Their Housing Advisor told them the landlord’s eviction notice was invalid – he couldn’t evict them because of Covid legislation. Also, that the family qualified for rent supplement.

This is just what Maggie needed to hear. Because of public kindness, we were able to help Maggie’s family right through their battle and ultimately save their home.

There are countless stories like these that go from the brink of disaster to a happy ending. But now more than ever, families like the Stauntons need kindness like yours.

If you know of anyone who is facing an eviction or struggling to pay the rent – please tell them to contact Threshold straight away by calling our National Freephone Helpline on

1800 454 454

Leaving a Gift to Threshold in your Will In these difficult times, many are looking to the future, thinking about the legacy they want to leave on the world. Making your Will is a personal, sensitive and important thing. It’s a decision you make in your own time, when you’re ready. Naturally, your loved ones will come first when you’re making your Will. But all of us want to leave the world a better place – not just for our family and friends – but for people who have been hit by traumatic events, by bad luck or unfairness.

A gift in your Will, small or large, could help to deliver hope for children and families into the future. What an inspiring legacy that would be.

A gift in your Will is one of the most moving and powerful things you can do.

Your gift is a foundation for life We all know that homelessness is not just the absence of a home. It takes away the foundation for life. It damages health, emotional health and childhoods. So your gift will truly be a foundation for people's lives.

It’s a wonderful promise to future generations Your gift is like a wonderful promise to people, families and future generations – that no matter what homelessness problems and challenges arise in the future, Threshold can be there for those who need us most, when they need us most. So even a small gift in your Will can save people from homelessness for generations.

You define your own legacy By being so visionary and kind – by standing up for your values in this way – you are shaping your own legacy and how you wish to be remembered. But you are also being a powerful role model for family, friends and future generations of your family.

“For me making my Will was about three things that matter to me. Firstly, and most importantly, it was about the legacy I leave to my loved ones.

The second thing was more about who I am today – making a promise to my family and a charity now while I’m still living life. And third, it’s part of my own modest personal legacy – how I want to be remembered by those that matter most to me.”

– Legacy Donor

€250 A gift of €250 saves a home.

For an average stay, it is estimated that it costs €31,000 for a family to live in emergency accomodation.

Who we are When a family, couple or individual suddenly find themselves at risk of homelessness, Threshold takes immediate action to help keep them in their home.

• We offer free, confidential and expert housing advice.

• We challenge unreasonable rent increases and illegal evictions.

• We act as a point of contact to provide guidance and negotiate solutions between landlord and tenant.

• We are a frontline service for those most at risk of losing their privately rented accommodation.

Our gift to you We know that making or amending a Will can feel daunting and can be costly. This is why we have partnered up with LawOnline (www.lawonline.ie) to offer you a free Will making service. This free and simple to use service means you can make a Will for free or amend an existing Will for a significantly reduced price.

Call us today to avail of this service. We’ll assist you in every way we can. There is no obligation to leave a gift to Threshold to use the service, but of course if you do, your support will help to protect families from homelessness for generations.

To use this service, or to find out more about leaving a gift to Threshold in your Will, just contact Katie Hennessy on 01 635 3618 or email Katie at legacy@threshold.ie.

300 300 requests a day. Threshold's Housing Advisors are helping someone on the brink of homelessness every 3 minutes.

8,351 Families saved. The number of families we saved from homelessness in just one year.

This included 7,916 children.

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Urgent Covid-19 Appeal

The Irish Blue Cross was founded in Ireland in 1945 and is largely responsible for assisting over half a million disadvantaged pet owners keep their pets healthy throughout the decades. Our team of dedicated vets and nurses promote the importance of responsible ownership and educate owners on the benefits of regular vaccinations of pets, neutering and microchipping. In 2019, The Irish Blue Cross received over 20,000 visitations through the Inchicore small animal clinic and 10 mobile veterinary outreach clinics operating in the heart of various Dublin Communities.

Pets need our help. Now, more than ever, we need yours too.

All donations towards The Irish Blue Cross’ on-going work are always welcome. To find out how you can support, call 01-4163032 or email paul.halpin@bluecross.ie

This year has proved very challenging for the Charity. However, The Irish Blue Cross continues to operate and deliver essential veterinary services throughout Covid-19, helping countless sick and injured pets.

Now, as the fleet of mobile clinics are getting back on the road, The Irish Blue Cross needs the publics support more than ever, to meet a big surge in demand for its charitable work.

This is the Charity’s 75th Anniversary year and sadly all planned fundraising events and celebrations have been cancelled because of Covid-19.

Instead, supporters are being encouraged to simply make a donation to support the charity’s work, or to consider leaving something to the Irish Blue Cross in their will. In 2019, the charity was in a position to carry out extensive refurbishment of its Inchicore Clinic made possible by the generosity of just one very loyal supporter who left a significant gift to the Charity in her will. The newly laid out reception area, consultation rooms, isolation unit, all with increased capacity have proved a great asset to staff, patients, and clients during this pandemic year. Those benefits bestowed through one major act of kindness for animal care will be far reaching.

During the Covid-19 Emergency, many vulnerable people are in self-isolation, cocooning or living alone. Some are lucky enough to have pets to keep them company. Pets can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults. During Covid-19 this is more important than ever.

The Irish Blue Cross must continue to play its important role in providing care for sick pets where it is most needed. Pet owners are heavily reliant on the charity’s services and without them they would have no alternative support. It is crucial that The Irish Blue Cross’ work is supported in helping all those worst impacted by Covid-19.

The charity also operates a horse ambulance service that attends all Irish racecourses, working closely with racecourse veterinary surgeons to assist and save injured racehorses.

‘To the small animals in need, I leave..’

Remembering a charity in your will is a kind and generous gesture that costs you nothing in your lifetime. But your kindness will make a difference forever. Once loved ones are looked after in your will, consider how else you can help.

Create your legacy and make your love for pets live on.

For more information on how you can make a lasting difference, contact us today.

15A Goldenbridge Industrial Estate, Inchicore, Dublin 8 Tel: +353 1 4163032 www.bluecross.ie

Legacies

Did you know that November is Legacy Month?

We all want to leave a legacy, we want to pass something down through the generations or simply make sure our families are looked after.

Leaving a legacy can be done in many different ways but the starting point should be in the form of writing a Will. During November and December, the ISPCA are delighted to offer a Free Online Will Writing service to all Senior Times readers. Whether making a will for the first time or amending an existing one, this is available at no cost and with no obligation. So if you haven’t yet gotten round to making your will or need to update one, now is the perfect time to do it.

And by making a Will, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that those you care about will be looked after and that your wishes for your loved ones, friends and family will be respected.

The ISPCA’s free service enables you to write your Will or amend your existing Will all in the comfort of your own home, at no charge to you. Having made your Will, you also have an additional option to have it reviewed by a solicitor for very small fee should you wish. As legacies are an important source of income for all charitable organizations you can of course

include any cause that you care about but only if you are in a position to do so.

Once loved ones are looked after, many people like to leave a legacy gift for something they care deeply about.

If like us, you are an animal lover and care deeply about the welfare of all animals, then leaving a legacy gift to the ISPCA is a great way to continue to help save and protect animals who are voiceless and need your help the most . The kindness and generosity of a legacy to the ISPCA is a life-changing often life-saving gift to the hundreds of animals that we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome throughout Ireland each year, for now, and the years to come. Any legacy gift, big or small, is extremely valuable in helping to ensure we can continue to build a better future for neglected and cruelly treated animals. For more information please go to www.ispca.ie.

Home Forever - we will care for and find loving new homes for Pets It’s important to also consider the care of your

beloved pet(s) when making your wishes known. And, if family or friends are unable to care for your pet when you no longer can, then you might like to consider the ISPCA’S Home Forever Program. The ISPCA created this program to make sure we’re there to look after your pet and we will do all we can to find them a new and loving home. Home Forever gives you the peace of mind that there can still be a bright future ahead for your beloved pet. If you would like an ISPCA Home Forever pack, please fill out the online form or contact us (087) 051 2603 or email fundraising@ispca.ie.

During Legacy month this November, the ISPCA would like to thank the kindness and generosity of our supporters who have left a life-changing often life-saving gift legacy to the hundreds of animals that we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome throughout Ireland each year, now, and well into the future.

For more information please go to www.ispca.ie/Legacies or call us on 087 0512603

This is your legacy A measles vaccination campaign that can give children immunity for a lifetime. A hospital where sick and injured people can receive treatment for years to come. A new generation of nurses, doctors and midwives trained to care for the most vulnerable.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency life-saving assistance in more than 70 countries to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters or exclusion from healthcare.

MSF was awarded the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize "in recognition of the organisation's pioneering humanitarian work on several continents."

A gift in your Will can help us continue this work and have an enormous impact on the lives of those in desperate need of care.

In bringing assistance to those in greatest need, MSF staff, including many from Ireland, run hospitals and clinics, perform surgery,

battle epidemics, carry out vaccination campaigns, operate feeding centres and offer mental health care services. MSF constructs wells, dispenses drinking water and provides shelter materials.

58 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

To find out how you can support MSF’s work by leaving a gift in your Will, and to receive your free legacy leaflet, please visit www.msf.ie/ legacy, email ruth.hanahoe@dublin.msf.org or phone Ruth on 01-2815184.

Leave the legacy of a brighter future for people living with disability Help us support children and adults to live their lives with no limits If the time is right to make or update your Will, maybe you’d consider including a gift to help support children and adults living with disability?

By leaving a bequest to Enable Ireland, your kindness will make a truly life-changing impact on future generations who are born with, or acquire a disability.

Maybe you recognise our name from our shops, but did you know that we support 9,200 people in 43 locations around Ireland?

Every day, we support people with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities to fulfil their goals in life. But we need public support to help fund our vital life-changing services.

Over the 70 years we’ve been around, huge advances have been made, but our ethos has remained the same - to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be included in society and to be as independent as possible.

Registered Charity Number 20006617

A gift in your Will is a wonderful way to support the children of the future to live a happy life with no limits.

If you would like to speak confidentially about leaving a gift in your Will or request more information: Phone: Email: Write to:

Dónal on 01 866 5217 dkitt@enableireland.ie Dónal Kitt, Enable Ireland, 31A Rosemount Park Drive, Ballycoolin Rd, Dublin 11.

Visit www.enableireland.ie

Legacies

I hope that, one day, mytreatment grandchildrenand will care ask, for Improving cancer

“What WAS cancer?” generations to come Every three minutes, someone in Ireland gets a cancer diagnosis – and this rate of cancer is continuing grow. In the coming ten years we will see over 500,000 new cases of cancer occur in Ireland, making cancer one of the great health challenges of our time.

As we get better at detecting and treating cancers, the number of survivors will also increase significantly. This means that we must continue our efforts together to ensure that anyone dealing with cancer can have the best chance to overcome it and thrive afterwards.

Thanks to advancements in cancer research, cancer is no longer a death sentence. However, there is still much more that must be done.

Support for cancer research has never been more important.

With cancer patients and some survivors considered a higher risk, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought huge changes to their lives with many cocooning, alone in isolation, and others having treatment plans changed. The challenge ahead is significant and those affected by cancer need us now more than ever.

The Irish Cancer Society focuses on research that goes beyond the laboratory, asking new questions and looking for answers that will ultimately save lives and lead to improved

treatments. Scientists are always looking for the next breakthrough, the discovery that will make a vital difference to cancer patients and their families.

Many people of Ireland leave a gift in their Will to the Irish Cancer Society as their way of improving cancer treatment and care for generations to come. This will help ensure that patients diagnosed with cancer will have access to the most cutting edge treatments and the best possible care. Gifts in Wills, no matter what size, lead to enormous steps towards a future without cancer.

“Research is everything. It has made a difference to me and hundreds like me; I wouldn’t have survived without research into new and better treatments. Even if it’s not in my lifetime, there is hope that in the future people won’t have to go through this”.

Stephanie Powell, Breast Cancer Survivor.

For your free information pack please contact Aoife McDarby at 01-2316629 or on amcdarby@irishcancer.ie to find out more about how you can help make cancer a thing of the past for future generations.

You can help make cancer a thing of the past by leaving a gift to the Irish Cancer Society in your Will.

Be part of Paul Newman’s legacy

More than two decades ago, Paul Newman had a vision: imagine if children living with serious illness had the chance to simply be children. To just have fun. So he started a camp where kids could, in his words, “raise Contact Aoife McDarby at 01-2316629, email a little hell”. Initially Paul set up two camps in the USA but could clearly amcdarby@irishcancer.ie see a demand from Europe for similar services. He turned his attention or speak to your solicitor. to Barretstown Castle and the rest is history. The first European camp www.cancer.ie/legacy was founded and Paul’s legacy in Ireland began.

During Barretstown’s first year, in 1994, they served 120 campers.

25years later they now serve over 8,000 in Barretstown and across legacy_Dec_2019.indd 1 Ireland through their Outreach Programmes in hospitals, schools and communities. Their ambitions continue, as they develop their amazing site in Co Kildare and constantly strive to reach more children living with serious illness. Today, Paul’s legacy is continued as an independently financed and independently managed camp, and a proud member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network.

Barretstown is recognised as a centre of excellence in the care of children with serious and often life- threatening illness and is endorsed and supported by the medical world. One of the most powerful and lasting ways a person can support Barretstown is by considering leaving 60 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

28/11/2019 08:53:13

a gift in their Will. The charity is 98% funded by voluntary contributions. All gifts made in Wills, no matter how big or small, will be combined into their ‘Magic Fund’. This Fund is used to bring more campers to Barretstown and to invest in vital capital projects they would not otherwise be in a position to undertake.

By considering Barretstown in your Will you can be part of Paul Newman’s legacy and ensure that the Barretstown magic will always be here for generations of children to come.

Leave a priceless gift.

Please remember GOAL in your will

You do not need to re-write your will, you just need to include us in it. Doing so will help us respond to global health crises, continue to provide life saving support for families and communities struck down by disaster or conict and to feed the hungry. Founded in 1977 GOAL continues to make the world a better place. You too can help change lives.

Talk to someone in conďŹ dence.

Contact Courtenay on

01 2809779 or via email at cpollard@goal.ie

Registered Charity No. 20010980; CHY 6271, Carnegie House, Library Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Legacies

No person’s life should be limited by epilepsy

Epilepsy Ireland is the only non-profit organisation in the country who provide support services to people with epilepsy and their families; as well as providing education and awareness to the public about the condition.

Our vision is to achieve a society where no person’s life is limited by epilepsy.

There are approximately 40,000 people living with epilepsy in Ireland today. It is fair to say that most readers will be aware of someone who is living with the condition.

Despite being one of the most common neurological conditions, epilepsy is often misunderstood by the public and many people living with epilepsy feel stigmatised.

At Epilepsy Ireland, we work to improve knowledge and understanding of the condition. In 2020, we have been highlighting four common myths around epilepsy. These are: · The myth that you should put something into a person’s mouth during a seizure · The myth that there is only one type of seizure · The myth that all people with epilepsy are photosensitive · The myth that a person should be restrained during a seizure

Our support services for people with epilepsy and their families are the core of what we do at Epilepsy Ireland. We work within communities across the country to educate people with epilepsy about what their diagnosis of epilepsy means and to support them on how to best manage their condition . Our service users tell us that this support has been invaluable in helping them both come to terms with and self-manage their condition and how important it is to receive clear advice, guidance and practical support when their epilepsy can be challenging. Through our support services we strive to achieve our vision of no person’s life being limited by their epilepsy.

Research offers hope to so many people who are living with epilepsy.

Over the past 10 years, we have invested over €1 million in Irish epilepsy research to better understand the condition and lead in the quest for much-needed new epilepsy treatments.

So much of what we do at Epilepsy Ireland relies on the support and generosity of the general public. This year, Covid-19 has greatly affected fundraising efforts that support our services, training, awareness-raising and research activities.

To ensure the future of Epilepsy Ireland, you can help by making a onceoff donation or by leaving a gift in your will. Gifts from legacies enable us to develop in the future, and work to achieve our vision of a society where no person’s life is limited by epilepsy. To speak to our member of our team in confidence about this - or to discuss our work further please do not hesitate to contact 014557500 or info@epilepsy.ie.

Thank you for reading & stay safe.

We estimate that this campaign has reached over 1,00,000 people between social media, traditional media & advertising. Thanks to work like this, in recent years there have been big changes in public understanding of epilepsy and attitudes towards the condition.

62 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

www.epilepsy.ie 249 Crumlin Road, Dublin 12 | 01 4557500 | info@epilepsy.ie Registered Charity Number: 20010553

MAKE A DECISION TODAY TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. After you’ve taken care of your family in your will, think about the legacy you want to leave.

By remembering Age Action in your will, you can help ensure that older people in Ireland will always be empowered to live life as full citizens, and that they have access to services that meets their changing needs.

Your legacy could last for generations to come. Contact us today to learn how you can build a better world for your children and grandchildren.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT AGE ACTION Contact Daragh Matthews at 01 4756989 or dmatthews@ageaction.ie

Legacies

A gift in your Will is a wonderful way to celebrate childhood and invest in the future of children Barnardos is Ireland’s leading children's charity. Our mission is to deliver services and work with families, communities, and our partners to transform the lives of vulnerable children who are affected by adverse childhood experiences.

Our work is long term. It’s intensive and is focused around changing the lives of the children and families we work with. Part of our success comes from careful evaluation of all the programmes we deliver – ensuring we are delivering the right programmes to support the children and families attending our projects, while aiming to achieve the best outcomes possible.

And we could not do this without the support of the public. Here at Barnardos we truly appreciate every single donation we receive.

A gift in your Will is a wonderful way to celebrate childhood and invest in the future of children.

To find out more about leaving YOUR legacy for future generations, you can log on to www.barnardos.ie/legacy or call Ciara today on 01 453 0355 for further information. Because Childhood lasts a lifetime.

Thank you.

Tiernan’s story of how leaving a gift to GOAL can last generations.

“Clasping my hands, she looked into my eyes and thanked me, my parents and GOAL”. Retired Teacher Tiernan Dolan recounts his meeting with a woman whose life was transformed thanks to his family’s kindness and parent’s gift in their will.

Eveline and husband Dermot Dolan, a well-known Longford veterinary surgeon, left a gift to GOAL which changed the lives of a whole community in Masaka, Uganda.

“I had the incredible privilege of visiting Uganda and meeting the families who were re-homed thanks to the aid agency GOAL. First-hand I saw the immediate and positive impact my parent’s gift had.

I met with a woman who was sat outside her house with a plaque bearing the names of my late parents Dermot and Eveline Dolan. They would have been so proud of this energetic woman who never gave up hope. Clasping my hands, she looked into my eyes and thanked me, my parents and GOAL: “In our last home, we used to go to sleep not knowing whether the house would still be there when we woke. The roof was made of grass and it leaked. We had no toilet and every time we needed water we had to walk 2km to the nearest pond.”

64 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Now she has a secure brick house, a toilet and a rainwater collection system. In gratitude I was presented with some ground nuts, a bunch of bananas, four eggs and two avocados.

As I left her house, I felt happy and humbled all at the same time.

In leaving a gift to GOAL, you too will help some of the most vulnerable communities to recover from crisis and gain control over their own lives and future.

For further information please contact Courtenay, in confidence, on 01-280 9779 or email: cpollard@goal.ie

Childhood stops for seriously ill children.

At Barretstown we Press Play.

Without Paul Newman: Barretstown would not exist.

Without our supporters: Barretstown won’t continue to exist.

Be part of Paul Newman’s legacy for future generations of children living with serious illness.

One of the most powerful and lasting ways a person can support Barretstown is by considering leaving a gift in their will.

In 2020 it will cost over €6 million to run our Therapeutic Recreation camps and programmes. We must raise 98% of the funds needed from public sources.

Will you help to Press Play on childhood for a family living with serious illness?

Would you like more information about leaving a gift in your will to Barretstown?

Please feel free to make a no obligation phone call, or pop in and visit us here in Ballymore Eustace.

If you are leaving a gift in your will to Barretstown you don’t need to tell us, we know it’s a very private matter. The only reason we like to know, is so we can say thank you!

Please contact Deirdre Treacy on 045 864 115 or email: fundraising@barretstown.org

Legacies

Caring for the Carers A profession with kindness and compassion at its core, Coronavirus has made the challenging job of nurses even more difficult. Generous support from the public is helping struggling frontline workers through the toughest of times...From those who lost their lives to Coronavirus... to families who couldn’t be with their loved one at the end... to the nurses who had to speak the final words of the person they loved to distraught families — rivers of tears have been shed.

“How can I reassure my patients from behind a veil of PPE?”, that’s one of the questions heavy-hearted frontline Nurses for Night Care came to us with when Coronavirus changed the practice of nursing overnight.

Because of the public support we receive, we were able to swiftly send out new advice to help nurses care for patients in these exceptional times. A time when the human touch once relied on to reassure — a squeeze of the arm, a ready smile— were no longer safe.

These materials reached the hands of many hundreds of frontline nurses and healthcare workers across Ireland.

Inside, practical advice on how they could deliver the best possible care to patients and fearful families. Like how to use tone of voice and body language to bring comfort. And tips like pinning a photograph and name tag to the front of their scrubs to show the full face now

hidden beneath PPE. And our ‘Care and Inform’ materials aren’t just for nurses. Practical advice is also available for the bereaved at: hospicefoundation.ie/ careandinform.

We are extremely grateful for all donations which bring care and comfort to the dying, the grieving, and those who care for them in these exceptional times...

To make a donation to support this vital work visit www.hospicefoundation.ie or call 01 6793188.

Enable Ireland, supporting children and adults with disabilities during COVID-19 Enable Ireland is a national charity that provides disability services to over 9,200 children and adults in 15 counties, employing 1,200 staff.

Like many frontline healthcare workers, Enable Ireland staff are continuing to support people with disabilities across Ireland during the pandemic. Their disability services for children and adults are essential health services and remain open during Level 5 restrictions, in line with HSE guidance.

COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the children, adults and families who rely on Enable Ireland. Throughout the pandemic, Enable Ireland staff have provided essential residential, respite, community living and family support services.

Since the onset of COVID-19, clinical and therapy staff including psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists have created and compiled valuable resource packs for families which the charity has made available to everyone via their website: www.enableireland.ie/ Resources4Parents

COVID-19 has severely impacted Enable Ireland’s fundraising and the charity is now facing a loss of €1.5 million this year. Donal Kitt, National Fundraising Manager with Enable Ireland, said: “COVID-19 meant that we had to postpone many of our traditional fundraising events and temporarily close our 21 charity shops. This has led to a huge fall in income, but we still need to provide vital disability services to children

66 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

and families in our centres. That is why we are asking the public to support our work by donating what they can at www.enableireland. ie/donate”.

Another way to support Enable Ireland’s vital work is by leaving a bequest in your Will. A gift will help to create a brighter future where Enable Ireland can continue to support thousands of children and adults with disabilities to live life with no limits.

Free Will Writing By making a Will, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that those you care about will be looked after and that your wishes for your loved ones, friends and family will be respected.

The ISPCA are delighted to offer a Free Online Will Writing service.

Whether making a will for the first time or amending an exisiting one, this is available at no cost and with no obligation.

During My Legacy Month this November, the ISPCA would like to thank the kindness and generosity of our supporters who have left a life-changing often life-saving legacy gift to the hundreds of animals that we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome throughout Ireland each year.

For more information please visit www.ispca.ie/Legacies or call us on 087 0512603

Health

What is epilepsy?

Paddy McGeoghegan, Communications Officer for Epilepsy Ireland explains a condition which affects 40,000 people in Ireland

First Aid For Tonic Clonic Seizures Convulsive seizures where the body stiffens (toni c phase) followed by general muscle jerking (clonic phas e)

In medical speak, epilepsy is a neurological (brain) condition characterised by a tendency to have repeated seizures. To me, I always found that description difficult to comprehend so the way I like to describe epilepsy is to liken it to a power cut in your home.

Envisage sitting in your living room – the lights flicker, the power cuts out and in most cases, the power will come back on within a few minutes. Things won’t be as they were before as it takes time for things to get back to normal.

Your fridge is making a bit more noise than it was before the power went out, your oven clock needs reset and your microwave might be beeping but eventually, with time and care, everything will return to normal.

1. DO time the seizure

4. DO look for Epilepsy I.D.

2. DO remove any harmful objects

5. DON’T put anything in the person’s mouth

This is similar to what is happening in a person’s brain before, during and after a seizure.

I’m sure that when you saw the title of this article, you will have immediately thought of seizures. But do you know what to do in the event of a person having an epileptic seizure?

From the outset, it is important to remember that there is more than one type of seizure.

Many people will have a vision of epilepsy where a person falls to the ground unconscious and their body jerks involuntarily. And it is correct that this is one type of seizure, often called a tonic-clonic seizure or more generally, convulsive seizures.

However, there are also seizures where a person could be fully upright and conscious but may seem blank and may not be able to speak or answer questions normally. They may act in an odd way like staring, chewing or smacking their lips, wander aimlessly, appear agitated, say odd unexpected things or fiddle with their clothes. These seizures are called focal or complex-partial seizures.

7. DO turn the person on side (into recovery position) when seizure stops

Complex Partial Seizures

(Non-convulsive seizures with confusion, wandering, unusual behaviours)

8. DO stay with the person until the seizure ends and offer assistance Stay with the person Time the seizure Guide away from any danger Speak gently and calmly to reassure the person DON’T restrain the person unless in danger

6. DON’T restrain the person or move unless in danger

When to call an ambulance

If the seizure is longer than 5 minutes If one seizure follows another without stopping If you know it is the person’s first seizure If the person is injured If you are in any doubt

249 Crumlin Road, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 4557500.

Fax: 01 4557013 info@epilepsy.ie www.epilepsy.ie facebook.com/epilepsy.ie @epilep syireland

4. Protect their head by placing something soft underneath if possible 5. DO NOT put anything in the person’s mouth – a person cannot swallow their tongue as is often thought and you may hurt them, you or both!

So – what do you do if you encounter someone having a seizure? First let us deal with the convulsive seizures:

6. DO NOT restrain or pin the person down – again, you may hurt them or yourself

1. Stay calm – you cannot help anyone if you are not calm yourself

7. After the seizure ends, put the person in the recovery position

2. Time the seizure – if a seizure goes over five minutes it can be dangerous and an ambu lance should be called

8. Stay with the person after the seizure – that person in the majority of cases will feel like they have just ran a marathon; it will take time for things to get back to normal (hence the power cut analogy earlier!)

3. Move any harmful objects from around the person – if the person is in danger of hitting off a chair – move the chair, not the person

3. DO cushion the head

For focal seizures, the process is exactly the same however you need to bear in mind that

68 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

the person could be upright and potentially moving, wandering or behaving oddly. In these seizures, the instant reaction is to restrict a person’s movements but you need to gently guide them from danger and talk gently to them while applying the steps above (staying calm, timing the seizure, not restraining them & staying with the person). When the seizure ends, reassure the person and explain what happened.

Should you require any further, check out www.epilepsy.ie or please do not hesitate to contact me on pmcgeoghegan@epilepsy.ie.

Epilepsy Ireland 0858014451 www.epilepsy.ie www.facebook.com/epilepsy.ie www.twitter.com/epilepsyireland www.linkedin.com/company/brainwave-the-irish-epilepsy-association

A child’s future can be YOUR LEGACY We understand that your family and loved ones will always come first, but would you consider leaving a gift to Barnardos in your Will?

For over 50 years Barnardos has been working tirelessly to change children’s lives. A gift in your Will – big or small – is a wonderful way to celebrate childhood and invest in the future of children for generations to come.

To request your Legacy Pack, please visit www.barnardos.ie/legacy or call Ciara on 01 708 0469. Thank you.

CHY6015 RCN: 20010027

Advice

Coping with Covid-19 Some Practical Advice from Peter Kavanagh, Active Retirement Ireland

Technology has made isolation bearable for many of us, as we Skype grandchildren or take part in Zoom quizzes with the family. The Covid-19 pandemic has given many older people the opportunity to try out new skills on their computers or smartphones; in fact, it has forced many people to try using the internet regularly for the first time. While this is a daunting prospect, it can be quite an exciting time as older people discover the joys of being able to stay connected while staying at home.

Social media is a marvel of the modern age, allowing friends old and new to stay connected while staying apart. Older people with family abroad had a head start on Facebook, Skype and WhatsApp, but now Active Retirement groups across the country are using these platforms to make sure their members are happy, healthy and connected. The apps beloved of teenagers are being put to good use by our own “recycled teenagers”.

Thankfully, the recent decision to introduce social support bubbles as part of the move to level 5 restrictions has allowed older people who live alone to maintain social connections with another household. This model has been applied successfully in Canada earlier this year, and can be the difference between a healthy and active social life and total isolation and loneliness.

Active Retirement Ireland’s development team have also been checking in on local groups, keeping them updated with information about Covid-19 and making sure that our dedicated volunteers have someone looking out for them too.

· Make time to rest and relax. Set aside time each day for fun activities you enjoy.

Unfortunately, not every older person in Ireland has internet access. A recent report by Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)says internet access decreases with age. Only 38 per cent of those aged 80 and over have home internet access, compared to 86 per cent aged 50-69 years, and 66 per cent aged 70-79 years. The oldest and most vulnerable members of society are least likely to be able to turn to online solutions to avoid loneliness. The nature of a global pandemic, and their vulnerability to the disease, means that they can’t get the hands-on support they need to improve their computer skills either.

· Call your GP for support. If you are feeling overwhelmed several days in a row, ask for help from your family doctor.

Some tips for Coping with Covid · Take a break from news coverage. Watching, reading, or listening to constant news and social media stories about COVID-19 can increase stress and anxiety. · Care for your physical health. Try to maintain your personal hygiene, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.

· Stay connected with friends and family. Reach out to your trusted loved ones to share your thoughts and feelings.

Take action if strong emotions persist or worsen. If you, or a loved one, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, reach out and speak to friends or family or call a support organisation such as The Samaritans (116 123).

For many people, especially the older members of society, a phone call is still the most important gesture we can make.

The Gift of a Lifetime Be there for others after you're gone.

When you write a will, you can look after your family and loved ones. If you include Irish Hospice Foundation, you can reach out to families in a crucial time of need.

A gift in your will is a meaningful way to help us ensure no-one faces death and bereavement without the care and support they need.

Make a lasting difference today.

Email clare.martin@hospicefoundation.ie or call 01 679 3188

www.hospicefoundation.ie Registered Charity 20013554

R33 G67 B147 C100 M88 Y7 K0

R160 G30 B37 C25 M100 Y95 K20

Make a difference Leave a legacy!

Leaving a gift in your Will is one of the best ways to help fund our work.

Registered Charity Number 20006617

Enable Ireland supports 9,200 children and adults with disabilities throughout Ireland by providing therapy and supports to them and their families.

By remembering Enable Ireland in your Will you will make a lasting difference to the lives of children and adults with disabilities in Ireland.

Please contact Dónal on 01 866 5217 or post your query to: Enable Ireland Fundraising Dept. 31a Rosemount Park Drive, Rosemount Business Park, Ballycoolin Road, Dublin 11 Email: dkitt@enableireland.ie for further details.

Northern

By Debbie Orme

Notes

Mental health initiative provides solace While mental health issues have been on the increase over the last few years in general, the current pandemic is having a serious impact on the mental health of people of all ages.

Over the last seven years, however, an initiative in Toomebridge in Mid-Ulster has been working to support the emotional wellbeing and mental health of members of the community.

Toomebridge – or Toome as it’s generally known – is an area of social and economic deprivation. Indeed, the small town rated within the top 50 per cent in the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measures 2017.

Seven years ago, pharmacist Anita Gribbin – in conjunction with a patient who had lost several relatives to suicide – established Solas Toome, a community support service which provides child and adult counselling services, mental health education awareness programmes for children and bereavement counselling services.

‘Solas Toome is basically a community-driven approach to promote, educate and improve the emotional wellbeing and mental health of members of our community,’ Anita told Northern Notes. ‘We aim to provide local support to families, who have been affected by both mental health issues and by suicide.

‘Our objectives – in addition to providing individual counselling – are to promote education and resilience to prevent self harm and suicide and to build a support network by working closely with others in the community and to build links throughout the town and surrounding area. As such, we work closely with schools, groups, GPs and other healthcare providers, as well as with individuals of course. Thankfully our service now receives regular referrals from pharmacies, district nurses and local GPs. ‘Solas is based on the concept of the ‘river of life’,’ says Anita, ‘and we hope to get to people before they reach what we call the ‘waterfall’ stage. It’s not always possible to reverse the process, but we want to give everyone the best possible chance of getting help.’

When local mother of four, Sandra Corr, felt that her life was spiralling out of control, she turned to Solas.

‘It was about three years ago that I felt that my world was falling apart,’ said Sandra. ‘Mental health issues within the family were getting the better of me and I felt completely overwhelmed by my home and work life demands. I hit breaking point one morning when I literally couldn’t drive to work.’

Not knowing where to turn, Sandra called into Toome Pharmacy, where, as she says, she literally ‘dissolved in front of Anita’.

‘Anita told me about Solas,’ Sandra continued. ‘Just having the safety of having someone to go to for help made me feel supported and I began counselling.’

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Aidan Doyle, winner of the recent 5K fundraiser, with Tina Devine, Chair of Solas.

Sandra was so grateful to Solas that once she started to feel better she became involved in the initiative.

‘I just wanted to give something back,’ she said. ‘People need to be aware of services like Solas, which are totally confidential. Sometimes life in general can just become too much and people need support. I realise now that I had become very isolated. I wasn’t getting out and I needed to connect. Solas gave me the reconnection and support that I needed.’

One group that Solas is particularly keen to work with is the community’s younger people.

‘At Solas we have seen a steady rise in the number of people requiring support and from both our meetings and our local knowledge we recognise that we need to address these issues at grass roots level,’ Anita Gribbin continued.

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Northern Notes

Positive Ageing Month goes ‘virtual’ Marysia Graffin and Bridgid O’Hanlon taking part in a recent fundraiser for Solas.

‘The main requirement, we feel, comes from building, educating and promoting resilience in the under-18 age group – the five to twelveyear-old age group in particular. Indeed, it was revealed last year that referrals to Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Northern Ireland had increased by 21 per cent in three years. We feel that this is an area where we can build for the future by teaching strategies, tools and building connections to prevent future self-harm and suicide, thereby reducing the effect and influence of potential contributing factors.

‘We applied for – and received – funding from the Public Health Agency to run The Fresh Little Minds programme, for example, gives children the ability to explore and talk about emotional and mental health through creative methodologies. Our counsellors utilise various forms of therapy, such as art therapy and play therapy, during sixweek courses, which are completely free.

‘Parents are also taught the principles behind the programme through a master class. This enables them to sustain at home what their child or children have learned. We know that, when parents are proactive and empowered to carry on the Fresh Little Minds themes at home, their children’s brains grow.

‘This age group is at a difficult stage – particularly with the increasing dependence and constant use of social media. As a result, many young people suffer from low self-esteem and low self-worth, and this can lead to issues such as self-harm.

‘Once the programme is up and running again, we plan to direct this programme to the wider community as we recognise that Solas typically engages with families who have experienced higher levels of vulnerability and families, who have emotional distress.’

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Anita recognises that the work of Solas is going to be in even greater demand in months and years to come as a result of the coronavirus.

‘Over the years – and particularly over the last eight months since lockdown began, demand for Solas’ services has increased and our counsellors have never been so busy. We are increasingly aware of how vital SOLAS’ services are to the local community.

‘It’s so important that people are seen as quickly as possible – especially when they contact us. We aim to have them see our counsellors within 48 hours of them making contact, and naturally this can prove difficult given our limited resources, but we always strive to do our best.

‘Sometimes people just need to know that they are ‘normal’ and that it’s OK to feel down or depressed at times. Sometimes they simply need someone to give them permission to feel bad.’

The charity has now expanded into doing courses in primary schools: courses, which Solas has self-funded. Fortunately, the community has become increasingly involved in fundraising, and is helping to support the great work that Solas is doing for its local community.

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Lord Mayor or Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey joined Lady Mary Peters in the grounds of Belfast City Hall to launch this year’s virtual Positive Ageing Month

Positive Ageing Month went virtual this year, with the event opened by the first-ever online Age-friendly Belfast Convention!

The Covid-19 pandemic had forced organisers to think outside the box to provide a unique programme of events that took place primarily via webinars and zoom sessions.

This year’s event had been opened by Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey and Lady Mary Peters in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.

‘Older people across the city have endured some very difficult and testing times,’ Alderman McCoubrey said. ‘For their own health and safety, many have been shielding in response to the virus which has led to them having to deal with other negative issues such as social isolation and loneliness. Positive Ageing Month offered a great opportunity for them to reconnect with people and give them a sense of normality.’

This year’s virtual programme of events had something for everyone to enjoy including dancing, bingo, shared reading groups to quiz nights.

Lady Mary Peters, the golden girl of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, has been playing her own part in helping older people to stay active.

Lady Mary recently partnered with AgeNI to encourage older citizens to ‘Move with Mary’ in a series of exercises aimed at helping people keep fit and healthy within the comfort of their own home.

‘It’s so important that older citizens are not forgotten,’ she said, ‘and I was delighted to see such a wide and varied range of events taking place during Positive Ageing Month for them to enjoy.

‘Covid-19 has cast a dark cloud over our lives, but programmes such as Positive Ageing Month provide an opportunity to come together online and have a bit of fun.’

Throughout October, favourites like the Slipped Disco, the Big Quiz and Tea Dance were carried out virtually for older people to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.

Northern Notes

Councillor Peter Johnston, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, with four-time Olympic champion, Sir Mo Farah.

International events hailed as ‘tee-rrific’ for the borough Three international events, which were held in Mid and East Antrim in recent weeks have been hailed for putting the borough in the spotlight worldwide.

The staging of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, Northern Ireland Open and the Antrim Coast Half Marathon was described as a ‘resounding success’ by elected members at a recent Council meeting.

Councillors heard that more than 600 million viewers around the world are believed to have tuned into the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, which was held at Galgorm.

The Northern Ireland Open, held at the beginning of September, was also viewed by around 300 million people.

‘These are phenomenal numbers of people globally that our borough was showcased so wonderfully to,’ said Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston. ‘I have already spoken to a number of participants who have told me they will return to the area for staycations in the future.

Councillor Jim Montgomery, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council announces news of the accolade.

‘The value of these events cannot be underestimated.

‘Our goal is to build our area as a golf destination and the Chief Executive is already in contact with partners in Japan with the hope that the World ISPS Handa could potentially be held here next year.’

The Mayor also told members that engagement had continued with Sir Mo Farah following his appearance and success at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon, organised by Larne Athletics Club.

More than 1,000,000 people were reached through promotion of the event and Sir Mo’s participation.

The four-time Olympic champion has promised to return next year and spoke so highly about the ‘beauty of the coastline’ in Mid and East Antrim. Alderman Audrey Wales MBE proposed the recommendations that Council continues to engage with partners to promote Galgorm and Mid and East Antrim as a Golf Tourism Destination, and to continue engagement with Sir Mo Farah ahead of next year’s Half Marathon.

Major age friendly recognition for council Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has been accepted as a member of the World Health Organisation’s Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities.

As a member, the Council will now be part of a growing global movement of communities and cities that are striving to better meet the needs of their older residents. ‘“I am delighted that the Council has been welcomed as a member of this important and evolving network,’ said Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery.

‘This membership strengthens our commitment to sharing and promoting the values and principles central to the Age-friendly approach which includes involving older people in decision making affecting their lives.

‘As a Council, we want to foster healthy and active ageing and make it possible for our residents to continue to live their lives to the full. The fact that we are the first council in NI to apply for membership since the Northern Ireland Regional Age Friendly Network was established in December 2018 is testament to the importance that we place on making sure our Borough is a place where people of all ages can live healthy and active lives.’

Membership of this network will enable the Council to share experience and best practice with other members across the world. Well done Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council!

Michael O’Loughlin has enjoyed teaching bridge for over 40 years; his book, “Bridge: Basic Card Play” is available from the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland (01 4929666), price:E10.

Bridge

Getting started: for absolute beginners

by Michael O’Loughlin

How to Win Extra Tricks There are surprisingly only a few ways to win extra tricks in Bridge: one of them is by Force.

Force out an opponent’s high card or cards in order to establish/promote a winner or winners for yourself. If you have King, Queen and Jack of the same suit, then play one of them in order to force out an opponent’s Ace: you have given 1 trick in order to get 2 back in return: a very good exchange.

Example :

♠ Q10 ♦ J974 ♦ QJ108 ♣ A87

♠ A32 ♥ K63 ♦ A42 ♣ Q1052 NORTH WEST

EAST

SOUTH

♠ J9754 ♥ Q108 ♦ 973 ♣ 96

♠ K86 ♥ A52 ♦ K65 ♣ KJ43

South’s target is to win 9 tricks. West (the player on South’s left) is required to lead the first card. West initially places the lead she selects face down (I’ll use female pronouns throughout since most bridge players are women). Once everybody is happy that West is the correct player to lead and that the play can proceed, she turns the card face up. North now places all her cards FACE UP on the table for all to see. North arranges her cards from the highest to the lowest, in suits, in columns, facing towards her partner, South. For the duration of this deal South makes the decision as to which card to play each time from the North hand (as well as which card to play from her own hand).

Since North does not take any active role in the selection of the cards, she is known as the ‘dummy’on this deal. This sounds insulting but it’s not as bad as the French term, mort, dead.

It is South’s job on this deal to marshal her combined resources i.e., the cards in her own

hand + those in dummy. South has declared that she is going to win 9 tricks – how she has done that, we will see later. Therefore, on this deal, South is known as the ‘declarer’.

After the ♦ Q has been led and North (dummy) has spread her cards face up, South (declarer) should make a plan. How is she going to win 9 tricks? She counts 6 top tricks i.e. tricks that she can win straight away, without giving up the lead: ♠ AK,♥ AK and ♦ AK. But where are the other 3 tricks to come from? The only possible source is the Club suit. She sees that if she gives an opponent 1 trick in the Club suit i.e., ♣ A then she will have set up 3 tricks in that suit for her side. Accordingly, as soon as she wins the first trick she immediately sets about knocking out the ♣ A in order to achieve her goal of winning 9 tricks in total.

For novice – intermediates The Finesse

‘I think it was just before filming Lawrence of Arabia that I first discovered that “finesse” didn’t necessarily mean selecting the correct vintage of Dom Perignon.’ – Omar Sharif.

Finessing is that method of card promotion where you lead from the opposite hand towards the card or cards you’re trying to promote, in the hope that the opponent playing second holds the missing higher card or cards.

Examples:

North ♥ K 4

You lead the ♥ 2 or ♥ 3 towards the ♥ K. Half the time the ♥ K will be promoted into a winner (whenever West, playing second, holds the ♥ A). West is on the horns of a dilemma: either she plays the ♥ A and the ♥ K is a winner later or she holds onto her ♥ A and the ♥ K is played immediately and wins the trick: the finesse has succeeded. Of course half the time the ♥ K will lose to the ♥ A when the ♥ A is in the East hand: your 50-50 gamble failed.

But why not give yourself a 50% chance of an extra trick when you have nothing to lose.

The reason that a finesse has a chance of succeeding is because of the order in which the cards are played, i.e., clockwise around the table. West has to make up her mind as to which card to play before North makes her decision. North’s choice depends upon West’s play. The success or failure of the finesse depends upon the position of the relevant missing high card – in this case the Ace of Hearts. I think a better name for Finesse (which tells us nothing) would be Positional Play.

Now look at this:

North ♥ A Q

West ? ♥ K ?

East ?♥ K ?

West ? ♥ A ?

76 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

South ♥32

East ?♥ A?

South ♥ 32

You lead ♥ 2 or ♥ 3 to ♥ Q. Half the time the ♥ Q will be promoted (when West, playing second, holds ♥ K); half the time ♥ Q will lose to ♥ K. Your 50-50 gamble failed.

Bridge Now look at this:

North ♥ A Q 10

West ? ♥J ? or ?♥ K?

East ? ♥J ? or ? ♥ K?

The most famous bridge player of all time?

South ♥ 4 3 2

Your best way to play this suit is to take the ‘deep finesse’, trying to promote your lower card first. Lead one of your low Hearts from the South hand towards the ♥ 10. A quarter of the time, when West holds both ♥ K and ♥ J, the ♥ 10 will win. You’ll now return to the South hand in a different suit – hopefully you have an ‘entry’.and lead towards the♥ Q. If ♥ 10 draws ♥ K, you’ll have promoted ♥ Q. And if ♥1 0 loses to ♥ J, which will happen half the time, you can still lead to ♥ Q later and try a second finesse.

‘Bridge is like golf; you can never achieve perfection.’

Now look at this:

North ♥K J 2

West ♥ A Q 9 7

East ♥ 10 8 6

South

♥ 543

You can promote both of North’s honours, but only by leading from the South hand towards the ♥ J first. When this wins (lucky you – a 25% chance), you’ll return to the South hand and lead towards ♥ K. Note that swap East and West’s Hearts and you’d win not one single Heart trick. No way. It’s all about the relative position of those high cards.

Omar Sharif enjoyed a phenomenal career as an actor and bridge player. Sharif was born in Egypt in 1932, and played cricket and football as a teenager. He did not learn bridge until his acting career began at age 21. According to Sharif, he was idle on a movie set when he noticed a bridge book lying around. After reading it, he became fascinated by the game. ‘To keep my mind off the waiting, waiting, I play bridge.’

At one time he was ranked among the world's top 50 contract bridge players. At the 1964 World Bridge Olympiad he represented the United Arab Republic bridge squad and in 1968 he was playing captain of the Egyptian team in the World Team Olympiad.

His first blockbuster movie, Lawrence of Arabia, was released in 1962. However, Sharif was reportedly unhappy during filming because he had to spend 18 months in the desert without any bridge. Afterwards, he resumed playing in earnest. His acting career gained momentum in tandem. Sharif starred in the lead role of Doctor Zhivago in 1965. The film ultimately cemented his status as an internationally renowned actor.

At that stage in his career, Sharif enjoyed both the wealth and prestige to actually promote

the card game which he declared his personal passion. Having developed into an expert play er, he formed the ‘Omar Sharif Bridge Circus’ in 1967 to showcase bridge to the world and invited professional players including members of the Italian Blue team, which won 16 World championship titles, to tour and promote the game via exhibition matches including one watched by the Shah of Iran. Touring through Europe, the Circus attracted thousands of spectators who watched the matches via Bridge-O-Rama, a new technology (and predecessor to the modern-day VuGraph) that displayed bidding and card play on television monitors. Players included Benito Garozzo, (considered by many as the greatest bridge player of all time) plus his Italian compatriots Pietro Forquet and Giorgio Belladonna and Frenchman Claude Delmouly.

In 1970, Sharif and the circus went to London's famous Piccadilly Hotel for an 80-rubber match against British experts Jeremy Flint and Jonathan Cansino. The stakes were £1 per point, huge stakes even by today's standards.

The event was to present bridge as a rich, exciting spectacle and to break through into television to bring the game within the reach of millions. The Circus ultimately won the match by 5,470 points, but Sharif still incurred a net loss after paying all related expenses. In

Bridge addition he incurred a loss of £100,000 on a film of the match which was never shown to the public.

With Charles Goren, Sharif contributed to a syndicated newspaper bridge column for the Chicago Tribune.

The Circus toured Canada and the U.S. in 1970–71. Sharif's team joined with the Dallas Aces for a seven-city tour of Chicago, Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Minneapolis–St. Paul, Dallas, Detroit and Philadelphia. In each city, a team of local experts participated in the exhibition.

In 1975, sponsored by the Lancia division of Fiat, Sharif and members of the Italian Blue Team faced off in four challenge matches against American teams. Sharif's team won in Chicago, but was defeated in New York, Los Angeles and Miami.

He was also both author and co-author of several books on bridge and licensed his name to a bridge video game, Omar Sharif Bridge, initially released in 1992 and still sold in Windows and mobile platform versions. He was also the hand analyst commentator for the Epson worldwide bridge contests.

He told the press in 2006 that he no longer played bridge, explaining: ‘I decided I didn’t want to be a slave to any passion any more except for my work. I had too many passions, bridge, horses, gambling. I want to live a different kind of life, be with my family more because I didn’t give them enough time.’

The Omar Sharif World Individual Championship held in 1990 offered the largest total purse ($200,000) in the history of bridge.

In 1997, he was a member of the Committee of Honour for the Bermuda Bowl on the first time it was held in an Arab Country, Tunisia.

He competed in a truly transnational team (with French, German and Lebanese players) and finished 11th. In 1999 he played in a French senior team at the European Championships in Malta, finishing second. In 2000 at Maastricht, he joined Egypt's senior team, finishing in ninth place.

Sharif, however, continued to license his name to bridge software games, and co-authored a book with bridge writer David Bird, Omar Sharif Talks Bridge. Written in 2004, it includes some of his most famous deals and bridge stories.

Omar Sharif died of a heart attack in a Cairo hospital on July 10, 2015 at the age of 83. In retrospect, he will be remembered as one of the most famous and charismatic celebrities who ever played, promoted, and wrote about bridge.

‘Acting may be my business, but bridge is my passion.

Competition results from the last issue SENIOR TIMES No. 106 solution

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Three copies of Michael O’Loughlin’s Bridge: Basic Play Kay O’Sullivan, Bere Island, Co Cork F. Thornton, Dundalk Pauline O’Regan, Dundrum, Dublin 14 Four two-CD sets of Mozart’s music Brian Hanratty, Bettystow, Drogheda Nora Quinn, Charleville, Co Cork Marie Porter, Buncrana, Co Donegal

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Crossword Five copies of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way Kieran Fox, Foxrock, Dublin 18 Patricia M. Phelan, Bennetstown, Co Kilkenny Mary Wright, Mitchelstown, Co Cork Michael Cogan, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow William Murphy, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

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Guess the year 1988

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The other

skin

Cosmetics and beauty

The key to a glowing You may have found that all this hand washing and sanitizing is taking its toll on the condition of your hands. Also the wearing of face coverings and masks can leave your skin feeling particularly dehydrated. With these new behaviours it is now more important than ever to treat our skin with all the loving kindness you can muster. Everyday in Ireland our skin battles against a host of internal and external factors and now due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are seeing changes in our skin due to the mandatory wearing of masks and face-coverings.

While the majority of people are happy to wear masks to contain and curb the spread of Covid-19, many people are experiencing uncomfortable side effects from the introduction of

At every stage of our lives, using the correct skin care products is key to looking your best.

Mairead Robinson offers some suggestions. the effect of antioxidants, Avène’s Antioxidant Defense Serum optimis es skin’s defence against assaults from free radicals to help moisturise the skin, reduce the visibility of pores and prevent fine lines and wrinkles associated with ageing. Antioxidant Water Cream (RRP €29.00).

Avène’s Antioxidant Water Cream helps to provide a protective shield for the skin from free radicals, to help prevent signs of ageing, visible pores and improve the complexion of the skin. A high percentage of moisturising agents, including Hyaluronic Acid, ensure skin looks radiant, soft and hydrated for 24 hours.

Some extra tips for wearing masks and face-coverings;

* Always dispose of or wash your mask after use as they will harbour bacteria on them *Avoid make-up if possible under the mask * Wash or cleanse your face if possible after wearing * Introduce protective skincare * Opt for a breathable mask

face-coverings to their daily routine. The masks and coverings can create a humid and moist environment and people need to take extra measures to protect their skin during this time.

Constant daily assault on our skin results in our bodies producing free radicals which cause oxidative stress on the skin and can damage it on a cellular level. To combat these types of pollutants, Avene has two advanced products with both containing a unique combination of powerful antioxidants to neutralise free radicals and help the skin defend itself against oxidative stress. Anti Oxidant Defense Serum ( RRP €31.50) enriched with GP4G, a powerful precursor for cellular energy that boosts 80 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Of course it is not enough to use any moisturiser or hand cream on your skin, but it is vital to choose one that is specifically designed for your skin type and maturity. Starting with face creams, I regularly recommend using an age-appropriate product, however it is not always easy to find the right one. I attended a virtual event hosted by Eucerin recently, where the targeting of products to specific ages was clearly laid out, with the Silver range aimed at the first signs of aging, while the Gold range is designed for the more mature skin.

This is something I have mentioned previously. Our skin changes fundamentally post-menopause, and the loss of collagen means we need

Cosmetics and beauty

suitably moisture-rich products. While the Eucerin brand is well known for appealing to sensitive skin, since the mid-1990s they have also become leaders in anti-ageing skin care.

For those of us in our 50s, 60s and 70s, the Hyaluron-Filler+ Elasticity day and night creams are key skin care products. They plump up the appearance of deep wrinkles and improve skin’s elasticity.

The eye cream in this range stimulates collagen renewal in skin offers and visibly lightens dark circles under the eyes. Another of my favourite products in this range is the Elasticity+Filler Facial Oil which is a nourishing face oil for mature skin that delivers multiple anti-ageing benefits. It is a rich formula which makes feel firmer and leaves skin with a satin-like finish.

Food and prop styling by Jette Virdi Food photography by Joanne Murphy

During the Eucerin virtual event, Dylan Griffiths pointed out how their products are divided between three targeted stages of aging, First Signs; Progressive; and Advanced, and I was particularly interested to hear how our population is aging, and in less than two years time, by 2022, 50% of women will be over fifty years of age. It is obvious that there

Banana and maple upside-down toffee cake Karen Courtney – Stonecutters Kitchen For the toffee 60 g/2 oz/4 tbsp butter 60 ml/2 fl oz/¼ cup maple syrup

is going to be a growing interest in age-targeted skin care. The gold range, which I mentioned above, strengthens skin structure, improves elasticity, aging-related redness and microcirculation on a cellular level.

Look out for the Hyaluron-Filler+Elasticity range which along with all Eucerin products is available in pharmacies nationwide.

Meanwhile our friends in Nivea have launched a gradual tan with Q10 for firmer, sun-kissed skin. Use as a body moisturiser after the shower, and a gradual golden tan will develop as well as visibly firmer skin. You can enjoy a summer glow all winter, despite not being able to enjoy your winter sun holiday! Available in pharmacies nationwide.

And finally, to the ‘C’ word. While Christmas will undoubtedly be a different experience for us in 2020, we can still show our love and appreciation with a gift for the special people in our lives. There is nothing nicer than a gift set of our favourite beauty products and there are some beautiful choices this year from Giorgio Armani, YSL Saint Laurent, and Lancome – with my favourite fragrance, the beautiful La Vie Est Belle.

So treat yourself and those you love this winter, because after the year we have had, we all totally deserve it.

To make the cake, cream the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. While still running, add the maple syrup and brown sugar. Add the mashed banana and eggs, bit by bit, then stir in the flour.

Arrange the sliced bananas in a fan shape in the pan with the toffee sauce. Spread the batter over the bananas and place in the centre of a preheated oven for 35 minutes or until the cake feels set in the centre.

Remove to a work surface, slide a knife around the sides of the pan, place a plate on top and turn it over (the pan must still be warm). If too much toffee remains, place the pan over medium heat with 1 tablespoonful of water and whisk until the toffee dissolves, then spoon over the cake. Slice into wedges and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Burren Dinners by Trevis L. Gleason is published by The O’Brien Press at €24.99 hardback and is available from all good bookshops and at www.obrien.ie

Serves 6

30 g/1 oz/2 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp lemon juice

For the cake 100 g/3½ oz/½ cup butter, softened 60 ml/2 fl oz/¼ cup maple syrup 100 g/3½ oz/½ cup brown sugar 1 banana, mashed 3 eggs, beaten 170 g/6 oz/1 1/3 cups self-raising flour 3 bananas, peeled, halved and sliced in half lengthwise Whipped fresh cream, to serve (optional) Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.

To make the toffee, place a 25 cm/9¾-inch sauté pan over medium heat. Add the butter, brown sugar and maple syrup. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes until the toffee has thickened slightly.

Remove from the heat and sprinkle with lemon juice.

Three copies of Burren Dinners to be won!

Senior Times, in association with the publishers The O’Brien Press, is offering three copies of Burren Dinners in this competition.

To enter simply answer this question: for how many people are the recipes designed? Send your answers to: Burren Food Competition, Senior Times, PO Box No 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6.

Or email to john@slp.ie

The first three correct answers drawn are the winners. Deadline for receipt of entries is 20th December 2020

Supporting the bereaved during a Christmas like no other

We are all preparing for a Christmas like no other, but for those amongst us who are grieving it will be a very difficult time this year.

The traditional ways we mark our grief are forever changed and we still can’t come together to show our support for the bereaved like we once did. This means many continue to grieve in isolation.

At Irish Hospice Foundation, we understand the importance of care in grief and that’s why we launched Ireland’s first ever national Bereavement Support Line in June, to make sure no one faces bereavement without the care and support they need, especially in these incredibly difficult times.

Hundreds of people struggling with grief have called; a husband whose wife sadly died and is now facing life as a single father with three young children, a daughter who was separated by COVID-19 from her elderly mother as she drew her final breath in hospital and a wife grieving the sudden death of her husband of 30 years.

The Bereavement Support Line is for any adult who is bereaved. It may be a recent death; COVID-19 related or a different cause of death. A previous loss from some time ago may feel more difficult now or you may be supporting someone in your life who is grieving.

It is a freephone service 1800 80 70 77. Available Monday-Friday, 10am-1pm.

We will be a nation united in grief this Christmas. We will remember all those who have died and at Irish Hospice Foundation we will continue to support those grieving. If you would like to help someone in their grief please donate to our Never Forgotten Christmas Appeal. www.neverforgotten.ie Here you can make a crucial donation towards our work while remembering your loved one. You can also leave a message or share a memory which we will hand write in our book of remembrance.

For more information on our Bereavement Support Line in partnership with the HSE, visit hospicefoundation.ie

Support Your Immunity Through All Seasons When it comes to staying healthy we know the main components are a balanced diet and exercise. As well as this, high quality supplements are a must to ensure we meet the standard daily requirements, in particular for Omega-3, Vitamin C and Vitamin D. As we find ourselves in a winter like no other it is more important than ever to support our immunity and in turn, give ourselves peace of mind and a mental boost. This is where SOMEGA, Ireland’s newest health supplement brand comes in to its own. Co-founded by two Cork-based nutritionists and food scientists who have poured more than 30 combined years of expertise into their products, SOMEGA’s pure and natural liquid supplements are designed to be easily absorbed and highly palatable.

SOMEGA Liposomal Vitamin C supports your immune system, helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue, promotes healthy skin and helps protect cells from damage which contributes to aging and a range of health conditions. SOMEGA Liposomal Vitamin C is made using cutting-edge liposomal technology to ensure maximum absorption and health benefits, in contrast to regular Vitamin C supplements which are poorly absorbed.

SOMEGA Vitamin D supplements are available as convenient oral sprays and liquid drops for maximum absorption. Vitamin D is one of the most important immune (and bone) health vitamins. Almost half of the Irish population is deficient in this vitamin. According to Professor Rose Anne Kenny from Trinity College Dublin, new research from the U.S has found that people with good levels of Vitamin D may be less likely to become infected by Covid-19 and Covid-19 patients are 4 times less likely 82 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

to be admitted to ICU if they have normal levels of Vitamin D. Professor Kenny recommends Vitamin D supplements for all.

SOMEGA Easy Omega-3 is the tastiest way to get your daily dose of Omega-3 which is vital for a healthy brain, eyes and heart. SOMEGA’S fruity, creamy and pleasant-tasting Omega-3 can be enjoyed straight from the spoon or added to a variety of drinks and foods.

SOMEGA products are available in health food stores and pharmacies nationwide and online at gosomega.com

Looking back in time

?

Guess the year

Another teaser from Gerry Perkins World events. The wind-down of the Soviet Union begins with Mikhail Gorbachev putting in motion the Perestroika system of economic and social reform. The US was caught up in the Iran-Contra scandal and the illegal sale of arms to the Iranian rulers. Libya shoots down a Pan-Am flight from Frankfurt to Detroit over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing 270 people. George Bush Snr is elected US president. Osama Bin Laden forms terror group Al-Qaeda. McDonald’s opens its first restaurant in a communist country, when it opens in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. 167 people die in the Piper Alpha oil rig explosion in the North Sea off the Scottish coast. The Iran-Iraq war ends after one million lives are lost. Britain bans broadcast interviews with IRA members and representatives, leading to the BBC using actors’ voices. Benazir Bhutto is elected Pakistan president. 35 people die in the Clapham Junction rail crash in London.

Ireland events. RTE 2 is rebranded as Network 2 and Shay Healy’s Nighthawks talk show debuts. Dublin celebrates its millennium, partially marked by the unveiling of the Anna Livia sculpture on O’Connell Street and the Molly Malone statue on Grafton Street. Nelson Mandela is granted the freedom of Dublin. Leopardstown celebrates its 100th birthday. Paddy Power bookmakers is established. In one of the most infamous passages of the Troubles, the SAS shoots dead three unarmed IRA members in Gibraltar, followed by loyalist terrorist Michael Stone attacking mourners at their funeral at Belfast’s Milltown Cemetery and two British Army corporals being murdered after driving into the funeral cortege.

Entertainment. Popular musical The Phantom of the Opera debuts.

Australian soap Home and Away starts. U2 release their Rattle and Hum album. Roy Orbison dies. Michael Jackson plays two nights at Cork’s Páirc Ui Chaoimh as part of his Bad World Tour. Big movies of the year included Die Hard, The Accused, Rain Man, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Big, A Fish Called Wanda, and Twins.

Sport. The Republic of Ireland qualifies for the European Championship; its first major soccer tournament. The team narrowly misses out on making the semi-finals after beating England, drawing with the USSR and losing to tournament winners Holland in the group stages. In English football, minnows Wimbledon win the FA Cup, beating Liverpool in the final and Luton Town win their only major trophy to date, by beating Arsenal in the final of the League Cup. The Olympic Games are held in the South Korean capital Seoul, while the Winter games are held in Calgary in Canada. In golf, Seve Ballesteros wins the Open and Sandy Lyle wins the Masters. In tennis Mats Wilander wins three of the four men’s Grand Slams – the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open, with only Wimbledon – won by Stefan Edberg – eluding him. Steffi Graff wins the clean sweep of the Grand Slams in the women’s game before also picking up gold at the Olympics. In GAA, Meath won the football All-Ireland, with Galway winning the hurling.

Answer on page 78 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie 83

Meeting Place SOUTH DUBLIN WIDOW, 67, interests include walking, nature, gardening. Reading and music.

WLTM widower or single man 65-72.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F1 ACTIVE RETIRD TALL MAN, NS, SD WLTM active lady, preferably never married and with youthful outlook for outings, theatre, travel etc. and perhaps leading to romance. Dublin area.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F2 SICILIAN-NEW YORK RETIRED TEACHER, living in the Norther East. ‘I am blessed with the Italian good looks and quirky metropolitan humour. Culture couples with joy, happiness and laughter are my centres’. WLTM a gent 60s upwards ‘who can compose an excellent and lengthy summary is welcome’ REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F3 FRIENDLY GENT 69 looking to form a small social group for walks, coffee, chats in Dublin area.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F4 SOUTH WEST GENT, ex-teacher, 60, good conversations, friendly outlook, love dancing, walking, travel, play some golf. WLTM lady or around the same age with similar interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F5 SOUTH EAST MAN, 62, enjoys walking, keeping fit, eating out, reading, travel etc. WLTM that special lady fro company and perhaps relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F6 DUBLIN WOMAN, 64, EDCUATED AND CONSIDERATE, enjoys walking, reading, travelling, cinema and dining out. WLTM kin, considerate man, 59-69, with GSOH for friendship and possible relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F7 ROMANTIC DUBLIN MALE, 60s, medium height, interested in reading, walking dining out, cinema etc. WLTM lady 50s upwards from Dublin area for a loving relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F8 DUBLIN MALE 60 SEEKS male travelling companion 50-70 for holidays to Thailand when the time is right to enjoy lovely weather, beautiful beaches, fantastic food, great night life and gloriously friendly ladies.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F9 DUBLIN MALE NATURALIST, 60, looks younger, WLTM broadminded, uninhibited mature lady naturalist for travel companion for naturalist travel holidays abroad.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F10 MIDLANS-BASED VEGETARIAN LADY, EARLY 50s, interested in holistic health, WLT, gent with similar outlook.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F11

ATTRACTIVE, EASY GOING NORTH WEST LADY, WLTM a kind man in his 70s who shares the same outlook and quite possibly the same interests which are music, the outdoor life, and caravanning. Let’s discover the new together!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F12

retired schoolteacher, mid-60s WLTM genuine NS male with GSOH for friendship, socialising and outdoor activities. Interests include golf, hill-walking, travel and a lot of joie de vivre REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B1

MIDLANDS WIDOW, LATE 60s, genuine, romantic, lovers chats and music WLTM an attractive 60s-70s gent to enjoy trips around the country etc. Does not have to be midlands based. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F13

DUBLIN WIDOWER, 70, looks younger. Tall, active, NS, SD, GSOH. Likes walking, driving, cinema, theatre, listening to music, dining out, holidays at home and way. WLTM lady with similar interests for long term friendship/relationship would be ideal with lots of good conversation.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B2

MIDLANDS WIDOW LATE 60s .Genuine, romantic and loves chats and music. WLTM a gentleman medium build, mid 60-70s with GSOH to enjoy trips around the country, coffees, chats and going out to dinner. Doesn’t have to be from Midlands.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T1

FEMALE NORTH DUBLIN WOMAN WLTM other ladies to socialise in Dublin and surrounding areas. Interests include nature, music. Let’s meet up for coffee.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B3

ATTRACTIVE DUBLIN MALE NATURIST 60 seeks mature lady for naturists holidays abroad. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T2 GROW OLD WITH ME. Attractive North Co Dublin lady with trendy personality mid 60s, NS, SD. WLTM kind, caring gent for new beginnings.

Interests include cinema, theatre, music, eating out, conversation, nice walks and days away.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T3 100 PER CENT GENUINE CO CORK MAN, 63, single, easy to please. Interests include C&W music, sport, animals. NS, SD. Never married.

WLTM similar unattached lady aged 68-80s who genuinely wants a discreet romance to share the joys of love and life. Absolute discretion assured a and expected.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T4 SINGLE WEST OF IRELAND GAY MALE 62, sincere GSOH WLTM other males 55+ with view to friendship, socializing and possibly travelling. Interests include music of all types, outdoor life, cycling and walking and sport.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T5 TRENDY OLDER SOUTH DUBLIN WOMAN seeks companions, preferably with GSOH with spiritual and moral values.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T6 TALL MUNSTER GENTLEMAN 62, educated, NS, ND loves nature, scenic walks, cycling, eating out, cinema, cooking, holidays in Ireland/UK. WLTM pleasant, romantic lady for friendship and relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T7 GALWAY MAN LATE FORTIES lives alone WLTM other males of any age for company and maybe more.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T8 DUBLIN BASED GALWAY GIRL, attractive

84 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

SOUTH EAST GENT MID 60s slim and of youthful appearance. Interests include current affairs, reading, walking, travel, concerts, dining out. WLTM lady from Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford areas. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B5 MIDLANDS LADY 70s WIDOW. WLTM caring, warm gentleman for friendship. Enjoy walking, reading, dancing, holidays in the sun and winter breaks at home. NS SD. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B6 DUBLIN MALE 70, long time separated, happy caring with positive outlook. Interests include music, theatre, WLTM lady for friendship/relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B7 SINGLE LEINSTER GENT 60s, honest, cheerful, positive with a relaxed outlook on life. WLTM a warm-hearted lady 60s 70s who likes to enjoy laugher which is the best medicine. Wide range of interest and always open to new ideas.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B8 RESPECTFUL DUBLIN MALE 60 (looks younger) single, WLTM a nice lady 45-70 to join a naturist club and to travel abroad on naturists holidays. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B9 SINCERE, CARING TRUSTWORTHY LADY from Leinster, widow, retired from a profession.

Young at heart WLTM educated, personable gent, preferably a widower for friendship and chats. Ideal age range 80-85.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B10 EAST COAST FEMALE WLTM aspiring Fred Astaire for ballroom, Latin and social dancing.

Let’s give it a whirl!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B11 FED UP WITH AIRPORTS? Dublin semi-retired businessman, NS, divorced, good appearance, medium build. Solvent, kind, considerate, respectful, private, good fun. Interest include cinema, the arts. Would like to invite into my life a warm, kind, interesting, affectionate, tactile, warm woman 60-70 for companionship, chats,

laughs and short breaks in in Ireland.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B12 ROMANTIC GENTLEMAN, 39, DUBLIN, never married, country origin. House, car, walker, DIY, artistic. Seeks female soulmate, share joy of living, kindness of giving. Daily celebrate with romance, caring, support, laughter, fun, woodland walks, inspirational talks, lake water lapping, herons flapping, sunny lands holding hands, happy days, Atlantic bays, scenic drives, for your high fives. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B13

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B22 NORTH WEST LADY honest and sincere. Interests include social dancing and C&W music.

WLTM 65-76 for companionship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B23 OFFALY MALE, 70, GSOH, SD. Interests include travel for a few months in the winter months, reading. WLTM kind woman to enjoy life and have a bit of fun REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B24

CARING DUBLIN GENT, 67, SINCERE, KIND, WLTM lady for relationship. Interests include travel, music, writing.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B14

CO TIPP WIDOWER SEEKS ELEGANT LADY 70s PLUS for a life of happiness and romance.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B25

DUBLIN GENT, LATE 60s, NEVER MARRIED. Seeks female soulmate to share joyful living, romantic surprises and the wonderful adventure of a loving relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B15

MEATH WOMAN 58, GSOH, NS, SD, varied interests, grown up family. WLTM other single women and men (50-65) for friendship, companion, dining out, visits to concerts, theatre, cinema, short beaks. Open to pen pals. Don’t waste both our time if you are only interested in a relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B26

QUIET GALWAY GENT NS ND. Interests include sport and keep fit, all types of music.

WLTM lady 50-75 for friendship and perhaps more. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B16 KIND, SINCERE CLARE LADY, NS. Varied interests. WLTM gent 60-70 with good values, NS medium build into social dancing, music, particularly C&W, walking, animals, gardening.

Interested in gents from Co Clare and Galway.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B17 RETIRED FRIENDS GROUP. Are you retired but not tired? Still got a zest for living? Group forming in Midlands but open to all regions.

Replies invited from those with broad range of interests, including travel, films, theatre, sports etc. All suggestions welcome. Replies to include email/mobile. Whatsapp where possible.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B18 LADY BOOKWORK MUNSTER, 52 into art/literature, cooking, gardening, animals, country life and walking. If you’re done with being lonesome and would like to find someone special, I would love to hear from you. WLTM a sincere and honest man with zest for life. Waiting for your reply. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B19 DUBLIN PROFESSIONAL FEMALE EARLY 60s. RC, No children, never married. Main interests are ballroom dancing, theatre, GAA, concerts, classical music, charity work and travelling. WLTM Irish professional RC, NS, gentleman 65-75 with similar interests, especially dancing and travelling for friendship and possible relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B20 RESPECTED DUBLIN MALE NATURIST 60 (looks younger) single, WLTM nice lady 45-70 to join naturist club and to travel abroad on naturists holidays. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B21 ATTRACTIVE MIDLANDS LADY 60s, outgoing, positive attitude to life. Interests include theatre and travel. WLTM a tall man 55-70 to enjoy outings, holidays, etc.

LATE 50s LEITRIM LADY, originally from Dublin, would like to meet someone for company and to socialise with. Interests include concerts, cinema, walking, and cooking.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B27 RETIRED MEATH PROFESSIONAL WIDOW MID 60s WLTM a kind, generous man with GSOH. NS, SD. Interests include walking, reading, theatre, travel, dancing, golf.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B28 NORTH WEST LADY WLTM gent 68-75 for companionship. Interests include C/W music and dancing.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A1 DUBLIN-BASED country man, 70s, single, WLTM romantic, single lady for outings, travel etc. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A2 FOREVER YOUNG LADY, 60s, North Co Dublin, with outgoing personality, NS, SD, WLTM kind, respectful gent with no ties for initial friendship/companionship. Age group 60-70.

Interests include cinema, theatre, concerts, all types of music, eating out, conversation, travel and healthy lifestyle.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A3 SOUTH WEST IRELAND GENT late 60s, ex teacher, enjoys dancing, walking, eating out, cinema, all types of sport. GSOH, kind and sincere. Separated for many years. WLTM lady with similar or other interests. Positive outlook on life very important.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A4 TIPP LADY, 60s, NS, SD, GSOH, WLTM kind gentleman who likes walking, dancing and travel.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A5 OFFALY MAN 60, slim and single, usual interests WLTM a reasonably slim lady 50-70 with a relaxed outlook who is not afraid to show her feelings. Let’s chat and see whether there is

some common ground.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A6 DUBLIN SOUTHSIDE WIDOW late 60s, sincere, young at heart, good appearance, fit and active, GSOH. Interests include theatre, concerts, golf and country breaks. WLTM sincere, well-presented, refined, educated, outgoing gent. Age range preferably early to mid-70s to share interests and enjoy life with.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A7 NORTH DUBLIN GENT, late 60s, retired, never married. Walker, artistic. Seeks relationship full of romance, respect, high regard and support.

Where every day is an adventure in friendship to share the joy of living. High fives!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A8 TIPP GENT 63, self-employed, unattached, athletic build NS, SD, loves nature, short breaks, walking, dining out, cinema, concerts, reading.

WLTM attractive, pleasant lady Irish or foreign for friendship and relationship, preferably North Munster and Galway.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A9

TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT If you are interested in meeting someone of the opposite or same sex, send your advertisement, with four stamps (which is the average reply rate) enclosed in the envelope, to: Meeting Place, Senior Times, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6 Or email: john@slp.ie

IMPORTANT Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live, noting your interests. The advertisement should not be more than 60 words.

If you are replying to the advertisement via Senior Time’s email, ensure you include your postal address for those not on the Net. (Only Senior Times will have these details). Deadline for receipt of advertisements for the next issue is 10th January 2021.

TO REPLY TO AN ADVERTISEMENT

Each reply to an advertisement should be enclosed in a plain, stamped envelope, with the box number marked in pencil so that it can be erased before being forwarded to the advertiser. Send these envelopes in a covering envelope to the address , above, so that we can forward them to the advertiser. There is no limit to the amount of advertisements to which you can reply, provided each one is contained in a plain, stamped envelope. Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live.

For those submitting their advertisements by email ensure that you also supply Senior Times with your postal address so that we can post replies from those who have replied by post. (Only Senior Times will have your postal address).

Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie 85

Four copies of A Telegram From Berlin to be won!

Senior Times, in association with the publishers Poolbeg Press are offering four copies of A Telegram From Berlin in this issue’s crossword competition. Author Andrew O’Connor (A O’Connor) has been established as one of Ireland’s leading historical fiction writers in recent years.

In his new book Andrew brings an exciting and dramatic new story set in Ireland, London and Germany during the Second World War. With his usual forensic historical research, the novel shines a light on Ireland’s little talked about and often uncomfortable role during the war, which in Ireland was referred to only as ‘the emergency’.

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86 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

Send your entry to: Crossword Competition, Senior Times, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6 Deadline for recept of entries is 20th December 2020. The first four correct entries drawn are the winners.

Crossword Crossword Number 108 by Zoë Devlin

ACROSS

DOWN

1 5 8 11 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 29

30 31 32 38 40 41 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 53 57 59 62 64 69 70 71 72 73 74 76 79 80 81 82 88 90 91 92 96 97 98 100 101 102 103 104

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 23 26 27 28 33 34 35 36 37 39 42 43 44 48 54 55 56 58 60 61 62 63 65 66 67 68 75 77 78 79 83 84 85 86 87 89 93 94 95 99

& 98 Across. Author of ‘A Christmas Carol’ (7,7) Season for hibernating (6) Recite with musical intonation (5) Scoundrel .. scallywag (6) Health professional who cares for the sick (5) Airman such as Lindbergh (7) Garment worn to protect your clothing (5) Enthusiastic recognition .. standing or otherwise (7) Female domestic (4) Falcon that hovers in the air (7) See 29 Across.

Infant or 1995 film about a piglet (4) & 24Across, 57Across, 34Down, 104Across. Seasonal greetings (5,9,3,1,5,3,4) Plumage or a ___ in your cap? (7) There are 2 of this playing card in most decks (5) Season also known as the fall (6) Ocean bordering our west coast (8) Divided into four equal parts (9) The smartest thing to sleep on! (8) Period of time during which there is no war (9) Tool with sharp edge for chopping wood (3) High ranking police officer (9) Sailor or pitch (3) Hair growing on lower part of man’s face (5) Remove or erase (6) Person in high government office (8) Precipitation falling as ice crystals (4) See 29 Across Ruler who is unconstrained by law (8) Public building for gambling (6) Smooth brown nut from the US (5) Champion .. wizard .. virtuoso (3) Is there an intact arc in the southern hemisphere? (9) Rest on a chair (3) Card game played by one person (9) Ferry port in sunny south-east (8) Is a bare eagle this pleasant? (9) You can get a sore knee from this heating oil! (8) Father or mother (6) Gem or precious stone such as 84 Down (5) Can this be the ‘spice of life’ (7) Brendan ___ wrote ‘Borstal Boy’ (5) Water falling from the sky (4) Formal party as after a wedding (9) John ___ wrote ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ (2,5) Little balls of ice that fall from the sky (4) US child actress & singer ___ Temple (7) Strong flame that burns brightly (5) See 1 Across Hirsute .. maybe hazardous? (5) Is this eaglet a member of a legation? (6) Variety or strain of domestic animal (5) Nobel prize-winning poet ___ Heaney (6) See 29 Across (3,4)

Theatre where films are shown (6) Commercial enterprise such as Aer Lingus (7) Vegetable with long white bulb (4) One who glides in an ice-rink (6) US artist who painted his mother (8) Hard-shelled seed such as 64 Across (3) Basic monetary unit of the EU (4) Animal that feeds chiefly on plants (9) Cardinal number of 18 + 1 (8) First man (4) High quality porcelain (5) Light in a protective casing (7) Vessel propelled by sail (5) Terry ___, was radio & TV presenter (5) Retinue that might negate our cortege? (9) Tart red berry used in sauce or juice (9) A French person might sit on this! (8) Sweetened mixture of milk & eggs (7) Not consumed (7) See 29 Across Fairy that is quite mischievous (5) Average .. intermediate (6) Small islet off SW coast or speedy broadband? (7) Go away from a place (5) Astute .. sharp .. calculating (6) Those who choose .. or corselets? (9) It seems sins are a result of this disorderliness! (9) Male human offspring (3) Street of small shops in the Orient (6) Record or account of past events (7) German composer, Ludwig van ___ (9) Tall piece of kitchen furniture (7) Small amount of drink (3) Jet engine or salad crop (6) Shipwrecked person such as Robinson Crusoe (8) Man-made equipment that orbits the earth (9) Lewis Carroll’s heroine of Wonderland (5) Northernmost Europe where Santa comes from? (7) Santa’s little helpers (5) Soft cap with no brim, small tag at centre (5) Could a gander eat this large breed of dog? (5,4) The month of 24 Across (8) Hospital in Dublin 8 (2,5’1) Sunshade like an umbrella (7) Is it greed to love caviare? (7) Girl’s name, mineral and gemstone (5) Greek poet or Marge Simpson’s husband (5) Correctional instution (6) Participant in a game or a musician (6) White covering on the 24 Across cake (5) Oversupply .. surfeit (4) Boundary or guitarist in U2, The ___ (4) Melt or dissolve (4) River that flows past Cambridge (3) Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie 87

Crafts

Connie McEvoy has amassed a vast collection of thimbles over the years..

Thimbles for Christmas

During the weeks of lockdown I considered myself to be lucky that there was a garden and orchard where time could be spent weeding and planting, there was also a yard, haggard and fields that went down to the strand and the Irish sea that could be traversed without having to wear a mask or adhere to social distance rules, still as I live on my own there were times when I was very, very lonely. Gardening, walking, listening to and observing the birds and cattle can be great therapy during daytime hours and this was my routine daily until darkness fell and it was necessary to go indoors and try to imagine what sort of day those who didn’t have the same degree of freedom were managing during Covid 19 restrictions.

Once as I came indoors at twilight wondering how to keep myself occupied until bed time, while reaching for the light switch this problem was solved instantly as in a flash and right in front of me was some of my large collection of thimbles that were arranged in a display cabinet that had been incorporated into new kitchen units that had been fitted over twenty years ago. This display cabinet was filled to capacity soon after installation and was only noticed annually when the kitchen spring clean beckoned, so I decided to open the glass doors and browse through the shelves in an effort to recall all of the donors and the occasions when they were given to me as beautiful gifts. Having

spent on average at least one hour daily sewing/stitching since childhood I have never used a thimble, in fact I cannot use one but I’m convinced that my collection is both interesting and beautiful so my browse that night ensured a restful night’s sleep.

The thimble that my mother hand carved for me from sycamore taken from the haggard hedge takes pride of place together with the thimble that she used from the day she came as a young bride to Kilcarry in 1941. These two thimbles are surrounded by thimbles from many places worldwide, the one that always fascinates me is a white hand carved Meerschaum thimble from the south of Turkey.

Meerschaum means sea foam in Germany and it is known as Sea Venus and White Gold also. It is softened in water and then hand carved.

As we are nearing the festive season once more I have decided to have a selection of my Christmas Thimbles arranged and photographed in the hope that some readers of Senior Times may enjoy seeing them too! so left to right here goes.

No1 - English porcelain thimble craft by Shirley.

No2 - handcrafted from Welsh coal, I have painted a small spray of kkimmia on this one using acrylics.

88 Senior Times l November - December 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

No3 - Santa fine bone china Paul Ann made in England.

No4 - Belleek Irish Dresden December 1987 (1 of a set of 12 Thimbles representing each month of the year displayed on a stand that can be rotated in a glass dome) given to me by my late husband then, they are all beautiful miniature works of art in my opinion.

No5 - Robin Fontygary pottery Wales bone china.

No6 - Robin Birchcraft china Gt Britain.

No7 - Brass with enamelled madonna and child.

No8 - Santa bone china made in England.

No9 - Christmas tree, Spode fine bone china England.

No10- A plain white china thimble that I painted a poinsettia on using ceramic paints.

No11- Holly sprig- St Michael.

As I write this on October 6th, thankfully it seems that we have escaped another lock down session for now, but whatever happens this coming festive season will be one that hasn’t been experienced in my life time so there will be times of loneliness but I was taught to believe that there is a way around every obstacle and I intend find this way by hook or by crook-perhaps browsing through the rest of my thimble collection will help!

Happy Christmas and stay well!

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