SeniorTimes Magazine - Jan/Feb Issue

Issue 109 January - February 2021

Times

NOW E3.00/£2.75

The magazine for people who don’t act their age

Mighty Marty Mike Murphy meets the ever-popular presenter

Murder at the bridge table Infamous shooting during a rubber

86-year-old Marion publishes her first novel Former journalist pens historical country house saga

Indulge yourself in a luxury break Lift your spirits with a palatial pampering

PLUS: Mary O’Rourke, Bridge, History, Competitions, Wine, Beauty, Golf, Meeting Place And Much More..

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Senior Times wishes all it's readers and advertisers a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year!

Issue 109- January - February 2021

Contents

6

32

56

50 News:

2

Mighty Marty: Mike Murphy talks to the versatile RTE star

6

Marion Fitzgerald, 86, publishes her first novel: Former journalist and mother of seven is a descendant of the main character.

12

Loneliness and aloneness: An excerpt from The Loneliness of Illness by Fergus Shanahan

16

Dublin Dossier: Happenings around the capital reported by Pat Keenan

18

Mary’s Musings: 24 In her latest observations Mary O’Rourke recounts, among other opinions, her mother’s achievements in the world of bridge, Shane Ross’s provocative account of his time in Government, Barack Obama’s new book and her anticipation of an enjoyable festive season for all.

Indulge yourself in luxury: To lift your spirits Lorna Hogg suggests some palatial hotels you should visit – and damn the expense!

30

Don’t fall into accident trap: 36 Mairead Robinson advises how to avoid further injury after a fall.

Wine World: Sparklers for the Festive Season 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.

38

Golf: Dermot Gilleece on how private jets built the fortunes of golf’s elite

41

Western Ways: 44 George Keegan on happenings in the arts, entertainment and much more on the Western Seaboard Creative Writing: 48 Eileen’s Casey’s observations on literature and those writing it Mondrian at The National Gallery: A major retrospective of the Dutch painter’s works

50

In search of Ken Follett: 54 In her continuing series of profiles of major literary figures in these islands, Lorna Hogg profiles thriller writer Ken Follett Northern Notes:

56

Bridge: 60 Michael O’Loughlin’s tutorial for beginners and intermediates – plus a celebrated bridge murder!

Cosmetics and beauty:

64

Writing in Retirement: Marion Reynolds enjoys her creative retirement

67

Meeting place:

68

Crafts:

72

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News Now HSE and Age Action launch older-age friendly guide to COVID Tracker App The HSE and Age Action Ireland have launched an older-age friendly guide – How to Use the COVID Tracker App. The guide is part of Age Action Ireland’s Getting Started KIT which supports learning and the use of technology and digital services.

Age Action Ireland worked with the HSE to develop this resource specifically for older people who need some help with online activities so they can use the App as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pauline Matthews, from Cork, is in her 70s and is a volunteer with Age Action Ireland’s digital literacy programme. Pauline, who is also the winner of the Social Inclusion and Community Support Volunteer Ireland Award 2020, is already using the COVID Tracker App and said: ‘I find the COVID Tracker App very useful and comforting. I know it will alert

me if I have been in close contact with anybody who has tested positive. It will also alert others if, heaven forbid, I test positive myself! It’s also a great source of information on symptoms, up to date statistics on Covid-19 numbers in every county, and other helpful information. It’s an easy app to use and I am delighted that Age Action has published a guide to make it even more user-friendly. It really does make sense to download it and use it, especially over Christmas.’

You can contact Age Action Ireland by phone on 01 873 0372 and they will post a free copy of the guide to the app which also includes step by step information on how to download an app, how to use WhatsApp and how to connect to the internet. You can also sign up for one to one digital literacy coaching through Age Action’s Getting Started Programme. The information is also available online at: www.ageaction.ie/how-we-can-help/getting-started-kit

Painter’s work of his son wins Zurich Prize

Aer Lingus to fly to Greek island of Santorini for Summer 2021

A portrait capturing an eightyear-old boy and his time at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, which became the inspiration for a painting by his father, has been revealed as the winner of the National Gallery of Ireland’s Zurich Portrait Prize. Portrait of a Boy, Morning by Aidan Crotty . As well as a prize of €15,000, the artist will receive a commission worth €5,000 to produce a new work for the National Portrait Collection.

Aer Lingus will fly to the Greek island of Santorini from May 2021. Santorini Born in Waterford, Aidan Crotty currently lives and works in west Sligo. will bring the airline’s total number of Greek routes to four for Summer 2021, He graduated in 2004 with a BA in Fine Art Painting from the Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork. Crotty’s artistic practice is involved including Rhodes, Corfu and Athens with conveying the physical presence of the everyday through painting.

Primarily a painter, he has been continually developing his practice since Aer Lingus’ Dublin to Santorini, Greece summer service commences on 01 May 2021 and will operate twice weekly until 25 September 2021. One- 2005, while also teaching and working with arts in the community Further information at www.nationalgallery.ie way fares, including taxes and charges, start from €79.99. www.aerlingus.com.

2 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Galway social enterprise wins prestigious national award From left, Sharon Fitzpatrick, co-founder, Meals4Health, chef John Kelly, and Geraldine Ryan, co-founder of Meals4Health.

(Photograph taken pre-Covid).

Meals4Health, the social enterprise that provides fresh ready meals to suit the dietary needs of older people and those needing specialised nutritional support, has been announced as winner of the Social Enterprise of the Year at the Charity Impact Awards.

The Charity Impact Awards, now in their fourth year, celebrate Irish charities, community and voluntary organisations and social enterprises that have changed Ireland and the world for the better. The award ceremony was held virtually this year and hosted by Irish actor and director Tara Flynn with special appearances

by Ray D’arcy, Sonia O’Sullivan, Colm O’Regan, and Daniel O’Donnell.

Meals4Health supports older people to live independently at home within their own communities for as long as possible. The social

enterprise prepares and delivers fresh-made meals to older people in their own homes.

Established in 2018, the organisation has witnessed a 300 per cent increase in demand during the 2020 pandemic; to date Meals4Health have produced and delivered over 16,500 meals across the West of Ireland this year.

Meals can be ordered by phone or via the Meals4Health website (www.meals4health. ie), where customers, a family member or carer can browse, order, add special requirements and pay for meals easily online.

Meals are delivered by local delivery drivers or by courier anywhere in Galway, Roscommon and Mayo; Meals4Health have plans to extend their delivery service further afield in Ireland.

New group will champion the voice of nursing home residents and relatives A new group, Nursing Home Quality Initiative (NHQI) led by concerned, volunteer citizens from around Ireland, has pledged to campaign for ‘systemic change’ in the care and quality of life of older people. The group is calling for volunteers to join and become actively involved. All NHQI members either currently have or have had loved ones in nursing home care. The group is committed to monitoring compliance and enforcement of nursing home regulations and standards as well as best practices in Ireland and other jurisdictions.

Announcing the establishment of the group, Joe Boyle, NHQI said, ‘Our brief is to be a voice of residents in nursing homes and their relatives, share our own experiences, and echo concerns in the wider community about the services provided in nursing homes and the impact of the National Standards on those services. According to the Special Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 Final Report, published the 9th of October 2020, 56 percent of all deaths from COVID-19 in Ireland have related to nursing home residents. Sadly, the voices of residents and relatives have been absent from much of the subsequent debate’ Annette Condon, NHQI added, “We are also looking beyond COVID-19 to longer-term care and quality of life. There are a multitude of untold,

small things every day that collectively add up to unfulfilled lives. This is an issue that will affect us all. By 2041, it is estimated that at least one in four people in Ireland will be over the age of 60 – we need to establish the right models of care now.”

NHQI has laid out its priorities in a six-point plan, which calls for: 1. An independent complaints resolution process 2. Proper consultation with residents and relatives 3. Reform of the regulatory framework and the current inspection model 4. A new culture of quality of compliance, driv en by the regulator in consultation with ser vice users, and transparent sharing of quality management indicators with the general public 5. Improved staff to patient ratios in nursing homes, especially at night, enhanced staff training coupled with increased hygiene and infection control measures 6. A model of community clinical care and equal access to services Phone: 021 482 4351 Email: annette.condon@nhqi.ie www.nhqi.ie.

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Bord na Móna launch peatland restoration plan Bord na Móna has launched a Peatland Restoration Plan of ‘international significance’ on its land in Ireland. The plan will harness the natural power of peatlands to secure a store of over 100m tonnes of carbon in perpetuity and capture millions of tonnes more in the coming years. The announcement underscores the company’s leading role in helping deliver a carbon neutral country by 2050.

The plan was launched as the Government committed up-to €108m of new climate action funding in addition to €18million from Bord na Móna for peatland restoration and rehabilitation measures. The announcement means peatlands restoration on company and third party lands is now a core business activity for Bord na Móna.

The initiative will address another critical area of national policy by boosting biodiversity across the country. Restoration measures on raised bogs usually involves raising water levels close to the bog surface to help restore peat forming conditions and encourage the natural development of Sphagnum mosses which are the building blocks of peat.

Peat bogs are unique ecosystems teeming with wildlife. The microscopic plant and animal life living in Sphagnum mosses provide food for all other organisms living in the wet bog.

The rehabilitation plans will ultimately create a rich mosaic landscape of living bogs as well as some native woodlands, open water and grasslands. Bord na Móna is examining the appropriate amenity potential for a number of the bogs.

New on-line ‘shop’ for buying Irish Croía Ireland is Ireland’s new one-stop-shop for buying Irish brands and Irish-made products online. Croía has signed up over 100 Irish suppliers from small businesses to larger well-known brands and has curated a select range of premium products including gifts and hampers, jewellery, homeware and decor, beauty, food and drink, Irish designer clothing, artwork, and cards.

Founded by young entrepreneur Ciara Hennebry during the lockdown in early 2020, Croía Ireland saw a gap in the market to set up an online platform to support the growth of Irish brands and products - an Irish version of Asos for our own homegrown businesses. In October 2020 Google Ireland reported that searches for ‘just buy Irish’ peaked with an increase of 3,495 per cent , the search term ‘shop local Ireland’ searches increased by 540% and ‘buy Irish gifts’ searches increased by 200%. These figures illustrate the timely demand for Irish products coupled with the gap in the market to create a one-stop-shop facilitating the retail needs of Irish consumers and suppliers.

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Profile

Mighty Marty

Marty Morrissey, sports commentator and television presenter talks to Mike Murphy about his upbringing, 25 years with RTE, COVID and his love of GAA. ‘Val Doonican had a great saying - I’m an overnight success after 20 years and in some ways that’s how I see myself. I see myself as a hard worker but very much appreciative of where I am.

It hasn't been easy because when you face rejection in this business and you trying overcome it there’s a thin line between being persuasive and maybe being a pain in the arse so it can be difficult. When I was a commentator I applied to be a GAA correspondent for news in 2012 and when I went through the interviews and I got offered the job I remember being told by one of the head honchos in The Newsroom you would have to give up your commentaries. And I said you know what let me think about this and I thought about it over the weekend. But on Monday I came back and said I was not taking it because all I wanted to do was to do commentaries, to be at matches and never really cared if I never

got my face or my mug on the screen. It was never an ambition to be famous - all I wanted to do is to go to the games.

For me with commentary you've access to players and a trust which is the biggest thing I think that you can bring to the table and I felt I would be denied that. So I ended up commentating and I'm very privileged to have been the commentator on the radio for Katie Taylor's gold medal in London but a couple of years went by when Ryle Nugent who was then head of sport called me and offered me the job as GAA correspondent again only this time with the permission to continue to do my commentaries as there had been a change of attitude in RTE. So I feel I’ve had a couple of bumps along the road but overall I wouldn't change it for the world. I have to be honest RTE have been good to me to allow to work across a range

6 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

of programmes because there is a tendency across all companies to put people in boxes.

I loved Mike Murphy, Gay Byrne and Micheal O’Muircheartaigh and they were my three heroes in broadcasting but I also knew I'd never be Micheal because there was only Micheal – I had to be me.

The biggest thing I love is people, I just enjoy talking to people and there's a part of me finds the correspondence a little bit restrictive.

One of the things I’ve learnt from Covid 19 is that it has given me a different perspective on life. I could hear the birds singing again, the sharks came back to Kilkee, the fish in Venice, I even saw the stars at night because as much as I love Dublin and I'd be an adopted son of Dublin but you can't see the stars at night when there are so many lights. Its given

Rudimentaries

Your Heart Health Matters!

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ight per cent of heart disease is preventable, simply by making a few dietary and lifestyle changes! The good news is that you can reduce your cholesterol naturally in a short time by making some positive dietary and lifestyle changes.

TOP TIPS FOR CHOLESTEROL MANAGEMENT SWITCH TO HEALTHIER FATS The total amount of fat you eat, whether high or low, isn’t really linked with disease. What really matters is the type of fat you eat. The ‘bad’ fats – saturated and trans fats – increase the risk for certain diseases. The ‘good’ fats however – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats – lower disease risk. The key to a healthy diet is to include more good fats such as fatty fish, seeds such as flaxseed and seed oils, olive oil and nuts such as walnuts.

And it is important to limit saturated fats to a minimum by reducing red meat, dairy, vegetable oils, pastries, cakes, biscuits and fried foods.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS Omega-3s have been found to improve numerous heart disease risk factors. They help to reduce blood pressure, reduce triglycerides and improve blood circulation.

Omega-3 fats EPA and DHA are found in high amounts in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna and to a lesser degree in nuts and seeds. Taking a high quality pure omega-3 supplement such as Eskimo®-3 daily can help improve heart health considerably.

SOLUBLE FIBRE Foods such as oats contain soluble fibre which can reduce LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol by limiting the amount of cholesterol absorbed by your body. High fibre foods EXERCISE Your heart is a muscle and needs exercise to help keep it fit so that it your body. Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function well. Include at least 30 minutes of moderate, physical activity on most or all days of the week.

I have reduced my cholesterol from 6.6 to 4.7. I’m amazed and absolutely delighted with this three month result!

Grainne Murphy, Galway

can also help reduce blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.

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Profile Marty with his great friend and idol Micheal O’Muircheartaigh

Marty with his mother Peggy

me solace and a bit of time to reflect and I also thought you know what I didn’t feel the last 25 years going in RTE because I was in a job that I loved.

American roots

‘My attitude was if these lads are thinking about making finals and us Clare lads are just thinking about making the first round, maybe I could do something about it’.

memories of every morning rain, hail sleet or snow holding my hand across my heart and pledging my allegiance to the American flag.

So you were American Monday to Friday and then every Sunday we went to Gaelic Park and you became Irish again.

They were married for five years before I arrived but when my mother got pregnant they both decided I was going to be born in Ireland because conscription was still in States at the time

Because I was a dual citizen and my father had taken out American citizenship it meant that if I went into High School at that time, you had to do army service, so we all came back when I was 10 and my father bought a pub in Quilty, West Clare. So I came from living in the 4th floor in the Bronx in a very tiny apartment and you'd see all the lights of New York to a place where there was one light outside the pub and the only other light was the light from the Aran Islands lighthouse. Probably the best education I had was the six or seven years I had working in a pub.

And when I was born in Mallow in County Cork, three weeks later I was shipped off to America and I spent the first almost 11 years of my life in New York going to school in the Bronx with

I did microbiology and medicine in UCC because I wanted to cure the world, meet as many nurses as I possibly could and I thought I looked good in a white jacket - all the wrong

My father was from West Clare, a little place where I now live which falls under the fancy word The Wild Atlantic Way and he was teaching in Mallow in the Patrician and he rented a room in this house which was owned by cousins of a girl he fell in love with, they got married and went to America.

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reasons. So I changed to doing a H-DIP in science. I was a hard worker but I also knew I wasn't that content and playing gaelic football with UCC and getting on Sigerson Cup teams with Cork and Kerry lads gave me the idea to start training with my local team. My attitude was if these lads are thinking about making finals and us Clare lads are just thinking about making the first round, maybe I could do something about it. And from that I was approached by a new co-educational school just opening in Spanish Point to be their PE teacher and eventually a science and maths teacher as well.

My introduction to commentary was when I was contacted by our local post office man saying we're in the county final, we're going to do a video and would you do a commentary on it. Initially I laughed, I never heard my voice and it just never was an option. So I gave him a few names to ask and he came back to me on 11.30 one Saturday night before the game the next day saying none of them will do it so I'm relying on you, so please do it. So I said OK I'll do it for you and hopefully nobody will ever listen

Profile

Marty became a favourite on Dancing with the stars

to this and that was my honest feelings. That is how I started, pure fluke!

And from doing commentary for the Clare County final on the back of a tractor and trailer the end of October to three weeks later being asked to the Munster Club Hurling final in Semple Stadium and that's when I got the bug and started applying for jobs with RTE. I had three years of rejection of letters for both RTE TV and Radio before I eventually got a meeting with Frank Whelan in 1989 in Madigans pub and a few months later he rang me to know would I be available on Sunday to do a league match in Croke Park between Dublin and Roscommon to be broadcast that night, no audition, sink or swim.

As lucky as I’ve been I would be critical of me now at this stage that I didn't get the life balance right because I gave so much to my career and I also reflect now and said gosh where did that time go to. I've made very good friends over the years and I would have a set

Marty with his girlfriend Liz Kidney

of loyal friends and always kept contact with my friends at home and because of being an only child friends are so important to me, they're kind of like an extended family and I didn't miss having a brother or sister until my dad died.

I have a longstanding partner and I always kind of felt that my private life was my private life. I joke that you know that I'm a sex symbol but nobody believes me - not even myself.

Love of the GAA The GAA to me is a very special organization.

It is the heartbeat of Ireland for the urban or rural and I often say it at various gigs I do

I'd hate to see Ireland without the GAA. But we almost saw it during COVID-19 because we did'nt have any games but yet the very essence of what the GAA is about community, pride, sense of belonging all came to the floor because of COVID-19. There were people helping each other out, loads of volunteer and charity work being done so I'm very proud of being part of it.

People say how come you're so connected, how come you're not soccer or rugby fan and it’s because in my life going back and forth between Ireland and New York when I came home to West Clare I found a sense of belonging I found I was at home because of games. I made friends and being an only child I needed to have those brothers and sisters I didn't have’.

This is an edited version of Mike Murphy’s interview with Marty Morrissey on the recently-aired Senior Times podcast. To hear the interview in full visit seniortimes.ie

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 9

Health

Organ Donation Saves Lives - Please Have That Conversation Dr Catherine Motherway, Intensive Care Consultant in University Hospital Limerick and Clinical Lead for Organ Donation explains that organ donation is among the greatest gifts we can give to another Having the conversation and letting family members know our views and wishes on organ donation is really important: “The priority for all of us who work in intensive care is to save lives. However, sadly at times this is not always possible. As part of end of life care when appropriate we offer families the opportunity for their relative to donate organs. In such circumstances we approach families to ask if their loved one would have wanted to donate organs. When faced with sudden loss and grief we know that for families who have had that conversation and have talked about organ donation the decision making can be easier and less daunting when they know what their relative would have wanted.

It can bring great comfort to a family that we in the intensive care and transplant community can honour their loved ones wishes to become an organ donor and transform someone else’s life. We are constantly humbled working with families of our donors who in the midst of tragedy find the strength to help others in need. They have our deepest gratitude and sympathy.”

In 2017 Janet O Brien lost her son Luke O Reilly (20) tragically following an attack on Halloween night. Luke’s organs were donated and Janet says Luke lives on through organ donation. She said “I instinctively knew donation was what Luke would have wanted and I find solace in knowing my son has helped others.”

Rebecca Maher’s daughter Matilda passed away when she was 8 months old. Matilda was born with a major heart condition and was too sick to go on the transplant list. Matilda became an organ donor and Rebecca says for herself and her husband Brendan “It has given us huge comfort to know that Matilda has saved somebody else’s life and the life of their family” Karen Kelly’s son Josh, now 8 years old, was placed on dialysis awaiting a kidney transplant. Following a thorough testing regime, in Beaumont hospital Karen was confirmed as a suitable donor for Josh. Karen bravely donated her kidney to Josh. Her kidney surgery took place in Beaumont in October and on the same day Josh received his new kidney in Temple Street. Karen said “For me the hardest part was not being able to be with Josh during his surgery in Temple Street as I recovered in Beaumont Hospital. Josh is now a happy and healthy 8 year old and I am very proud to be an organ donor. I really want to reach out and support and anyone who may find themselves in similar circumstances and let everyone know how important organ donation is in saving and improving lives.”

10 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

For all the positive stories of successful transplant, sadly some patients do and will die each year while waiting for a transplant. Organ Donation Transplant Ireland and their extended team remain committed to increasing organ donations and transplants and urge all, to have the conversation about donation and make their wishes known.

By having the conversation ensures wherever possible the loss of one precious life can be turned to benefit many others through donation. The HSE and ODTI sincerely thank the families of deceased donors who at a time of great tragedy found the strength to offer a new lease of life to many people.

As is traditional we remember our donors in this past year and celebrate and give thanks for their selfless gift to others.

The HSE’s Organ Donation Transplant Ireland is asking people to share their views and wishes on organ donation with their families and friends over Christmas and in the New Year. We would remind all to stay safe in these difficult times.

There are three specialist transplant centres in Ireland.

The National Kidney Transplant Service is located in Beaumont University Hospital - www.beaumont.ie/kidneycentre-aboutus-nops The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital hosts the National Heart and Lung Transplant Service – www.mater.ie/services/heart-and-lung-transplant/ The National Liver Transplant Service at St. Vincent’s University Hospital - www.stvincents.ie/departments/national-liver-transplant-programme/

Literature

Marion Fitzgerald, 86, publishes her first novel Former journalist and mother of seven is a descendant of the main character

Marion Fitzgerald most definitely proves you are never too old to follow your dreams!

Honoria by Marion Fitzgerald, a descendant of the main characters, has recently been published by Poolbeg Press. Honoria’s story is based on historical facts, extensive research and, as Marion Fitzgerald says, a great deal of imagination.

Marion Fitzgerald give this background about herself and her connection to the book: Over fifty years ago, just two months after my own wedding, I went down to a wedding in Galway. A close friend of my husband was getting married. At the wedding breakfast I was sitting

beside the father of the groom. He asked me had I any Galway connections? I said I had a grandmother from Galway, Mary Anne St. George, but she had died before I was born, and I knew very little about her.

He turned out to be a solicitor, and his firm had looked after the St. George affairs for many years. He went onto tell me about the St. George family, who lived in Tyrone House near Clarenbridge in the nineteenth century and owned close on 30,000 acres of land, spread over Galway, Queen’s County and Roscommon.

Over the following years I met Gordon Mark St. George, an American, who had done a lot of research on the family, and who had written a pamphlet about the St.George’s and Tyrone

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for the Irish Georgian Society. His mother had grown up In Tyrone. I met his cousin, Mary Keegan, whose father had also grown up in Tyrone, who had accumulated a lot of family material, and was most generous in making it available to me. I was able to make a copy of a hand-written book of family recipes from another St. George descendant. AndI acquired a copy of the memoires of EIizabeth Lahiff who had emigrated to America with her husband and two young children in 1906 – her father too had grown up inTyrone.

I spent a great deal of time in the National Library, leafing through old newspapers on micro fiche. But it took me some time to get down to writing the novel I could hear in my head. Seven children and working full-time as a freelance journalist was quite demanding.

www.seniortimes.ie

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Over 150,000 listens!

In this first season, Mike’s Special Guests included Denis O’Brien, Pat Henry, Mary Louise O’Donnell, President D. Higgins, The suite runs fromMichael November 25thJohn to December 31st and includes the McColgan, Deirdre Purcell, Marty Morrisey and much-loved broadcasters Mike Murphy and Mary Kennedy, eminent author Ryan Tubridy.

John Banville, poetry fan and author Kathleen Watkins, promoter & household Plans for Series underway with a musician Liam O’Maonlaoi, name John2 are Mcwell Colgan, renowned panel of 5 new presenters joining Mike Murphy. politico Mary O’Rourke, travel expert Eoghan Corry , reporter at large Charlie So join the revolution and listen in!

Bird , classical music buff John Low, funny man Gary Cooke , popular radio historian Brendan Balfe and Gareth O’Callaghan’s Weekly Diary. in association with:

See www.seniortimes.ie for more information

Irish?

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Find out more – trace your roots at Ireland’s biggest genealogy and family history event – ONLINE

Literature My novel is made up of historical facts and a great deal of imagination. Christopher St. George, fell in love with Honoria Kane, a local girl. Family lore says she was a cook. So I have placed her in the Tyrone kitchens. They were married by a childhood friend of Honnie’s, Tom Kelly – family lore again. By marrying a Catholic girl to a Protestant man Father Tom was exposing himself to prosecution. Such a marriage was illegal until 1871.

It seems Christopher always did what Christopher wanted to do. After their marriage he and Honnie set up house in Drumacoo, — which took a lot of neck given that it was only a mile or so from Tyrone and his family. This was described as ‘St.George’s scandalous domestic arrangements’ by a contemporary. Honnie said that as far as she was concerned she was married in the eyes of God and that was all that mattered to her.

Christopher was very active in Galway county.

He was one of the founders of the Galway Blazers, a famous hunt. He was instrumental in setting up Galway race course, and later the race course in Killarney. He was a successful breeder of horses. He was a steward of the Turf Club and had his own stables at the Curragh.

He was a Member of Parliament for one term, and when he was accused of evicting people from his estates in 1848 he defended himself very effectively in the House of Commons, and his speech was printed in The Times in London.

He was never an absentee landlord.

Honnie and Christopher lived through the Night of the Big Wind, and the horror of the Famine years. Together they had twelve children, ten daughters and two sons. They were married a second time in 1852, in a Protestant Church, St. Annes in Dawson Street in Dublin.

Like most Irish landlords in the nineteenth century, the St. George family were debt ridden.

The bailiff was never far from the door. When Christopher inherited Tyrone after his father died, he also took on the debts of his father, and of his grandfather – another Christopher – as well.

Christopher died in 1877. For the last ten years of his life he was an invalid, after a fall off a horse from which he never really recovered.

Honnie outlived him by almost thirty years, dying in 1905 at the age of 96, Mrs. St. George of Tyrone House.

About the Book Local girl Honoria Kane is the scullery maid in the kitchens of Tyrone House, a job she took on reluctantly at her parents’ insistence.

Christopher St. George is heir to the magnificent house and a vast estate in County Galway. His passion is horses, while his ambition is to become a member of the Turf Club and own his own racing stables at the Curragh of Kildare.

Against all the odds they fall in love. But the road ahead is to be a long and rocky one.

Their worlds are wide apart and, if they are to be together, they will have to defy their families, social convention and the law of the land.

Christopher is Protestant and Honnie is Catholic. In 1827, marriage between them is illegal. But to live together unmarried would disgrace both their families, break their parents’ hearts and affect the marriage prospects of their siblings.

and then to University College Dublin where she did a BA degree in English and Spanish.

After she left college she got some part-time work with a trade journal and eventually went on to work for the Irish Times, first as a secretary and then as a full-time journalist. She wrote for various newspapers and magazines over the following years and did a bit of television in RTÉ’s very first days. She also did some radio work and loved it.

But Christopher is a risk-taker, both on the racing track and off, and Honnie knows she has found the love of her life. They have to find a way to be together.

Marion enjoys travelling and has always enjoyed meeting people and hearing their stories.

She counts herself lucky to have met many of the most interesting people of her time in her role as journalist.

Marion FitzGerald was born and grew up in Sandymount, Dublin. She went to school locally

Honoria by Marion Fitzgerald is published by Poolbeg Press

14 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Illness

Loneliness and Aloneness

Loneliness is an enduring whole-body affliction, not a state of being alone but a conscious feeling of social separation, as emphasised by historian Fay Bound Alberti in her Biography of Loneliness.

An excerpt from The Language of Illness by Fergus Shanahan ‘In the end you suffer alone,’ observes Lorrie Moore’s fictional mother as she frantically tries to cope with her sick child. ‘I was in this alone’ was the stark realisation of Lucy when considering her childhood experience with cancer. The ill and the disabled become society’s marginal people.

The banality of their suffering, which happens in the background, while the world looks away, is captured in W. H. Auden’s famous poem Musée des Beaux Arts: About suffering they were never wrong, The Old Masters: how well they understood Its human position; how it takes place While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along.

Similarly, in John Betjeman’s Devonshire Street W.1, ‘the sun still shines’ on a street busy with ‘merciless, hurrying Londoners’ outside the consulting room, where a man has been given a terminal diagnosis.

Tolstoy is even more direct about how quickly the ill become marginalised in The Death of Ivan Ilyich. When Ivan returns home from the doctor, and tries to tell his wife about it: 16 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

In John Betjeman’s Devonshire Street W.1, ‘the sun still shines’ on a street busy with ‘merciless, hurrying Londoners’ outside the consulting room, where a man has been given a terminal diagnosis.

‘His wife listened to him, but in the middle of the account his daughter came in with her hat on: she was going out with her mother. With an effort she sat down briefly to listen to this boring stuff, but she could not take it for long, and her mother did not hear him out in full . . . something terrible, new and so significant was happening inside Ivan Ilyich that never had he experienced anything more significant than this in his life. And he alone knew about it, while all those around him did not understand or did not want to understand and thought that everything on earth was carrying on as before. This was what tormented Ivan Ilyich more than anything’.

Illness

Tolstoy is more direct about how quickly the ill become marginalised in The Death of Ivan Ilyich, when Ivan returns home from the doctor, and tries to tell his wife about it..

For all its universality, illness is an intensely personal and lonely business. When John Donne, poet and Dean of St Paul’s, was laid low in 1623 with relapsing fever, probably typhus, he wrote one of the great accounts of illness (Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions)

For all its universality, illness is an intensely personal and lonely business.

When John Donne, poet and Dean of St Paul’s, was laid low in 1623 with relapsing fever, probably typhus, he wrote one of the great accounts of illness (Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions), published in 1624), in which he is tormented by his isolation as a patient: ‘As sickness is the greatest misery, so the greatest misery of sickness is solitude. . . Solitude is a torment which is not threatened in hell itself.’ This thought led him to ponder the connectedness of human lives, and to his famous injunction ‘No man is an island’.

expounded . . . in newspaper columns . . . and the more people feel able to express whatever they think, the more deafening the general silence that hangs over illness and ill-health’.

Loneliness close to despair was infused in the words of Jonathan Swift as he faced the prospect of illness alone (In Sickness, 1714):

Three copies of The Language of Illness to be won

‘ . . no obliging, tender Friend To help at my approaching End, My Life is now a burden grown To others, e’er it be my own’.

Friends and loved ones are the predominant resources for coping with significant illness. Sadly, awkwardness and a feeling of inadequacy often keep friends and acquaintances away from the person who is ill.

The Language of Illness by Fergus Shanahan is available from bookshops and LibertiesPress.com, priced €19.99. Readers of Senior Times can avail of a €5 discount by quoting the discount code #SENIORTIMES at checkout when ordering from LibertiesPress.com. The extract is reproduced by permission of the publishers.

The importance of staying connected with comrades was highlighted by Christopher Hitchens: ‘My chief consolation in this year of living dyingly has been the presence of friends.’ Connection and community among those who are ill or disabled was also highlighted by the Australian art critic and journalist Robert Hughes, while he was on an assignment in Lourdes. There, the sceptical Hughes encountered an Irishman with quadruple amputations who was on his ninth annual visit. In response to Hughes’s delicate enquiry regarding the disabled man’s expectations, a sharp look was returned, as if Hughes were mad: ‘What sort of fool d’you take me for? . . . I come here because I like to be with my own class of people.’

Loneliness is an enduring whole-body affliction, not a state of being alone but a conscious feeling of social separation, as emphasised by historian Fay Bound Alberti in her Biography of Loneliness. The relationship between loneliness and illness is complex and variable. In Anatomy of Illness, Norman Cousins describes the psychology of illness as a ‘conflict between the terror of loneliness and the desire to be left alone’.

Sick people spend a lot of time alone with their thoughts. Their loneliness has increased as doctors have become distanced, with less time to spend with patients, in the clinic, on the ward, and perhaps most importantly, in relation to home visits by family doctors. For literary critic Robert McCrum, ‘the terrible isolation of stroke and its aftermath’ meant time to brood: ‘All you can do while you are lying there is to organise your thoughts and make the most of your time.’ One of the paradoxes of illness, observes McCrum, is ‘the more everything is reported, analysed,

Senior Times, in association with the publishers Liberties Press are offering three copies of The Language of Illness in this competition.

p two to and a half This should make down the p ing Times, walkSenior an m er y f Send your answer to Language of Illness competition, o e ag im all at th PO Box Number 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6. co Or email john@slp.ie . age sm im er v e th se U . drawn are the winners. Deadline for lead The first three correct entries receipt of entries is 31st January ion competit2021.

To enter answer this question: When was John Donne laid low?

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 17

WE ARE

OPEN!

A

Mr Wardell was also keen to comment about the general Covid situation in Spain and the protocols currently in place at Sunset Beach Club, “The Spanish authorities have enforced social distancing, mask wearing and restricted opening times and group sizes in hostelries since the very start. We are all very accustomed to wearing masks, using hand gel on entering shops and restaurants, and these measures are very much seen as positive by our guests. Furthermore, with low hotel occupancy at the moment, there is plenty of space between our spotlessly clean sunbeds and getting around the Costa del Sol in general is We will be open no problem. Guests on site really are for the whole Winter making the most of the luxury of space, period - said Mark and we are delighted.”

lthough travel news in general continues to be grim, if you have ever considered spending an extended stay on the Costa del Sol in the Winter months, now may be a great opportunity to do that!

We recently spoke to Mark Wardell, General Manager of the popular Irishowned Sunset Beach Club hotel, to ask about the plans for the upcoming months. “Firstly and most importantly we will be open for the whole Winter period. Obviously we are expecting a much quieter season than usual, and the ambience at Sunset Beach Club is more subdued than we are accustomed to because activities and entertainment have been postponed until the Springtime. However there are still many reasons to visit us!”

Wardell, General

Sunset Beach Club is hoping to be back to Apart from the obvious fabulous Manager of Sunset full services and activities by Springtime, seafront location only 20 minutes from Beach Club. but in the meantime, it is the perfect Malaga Airport, the main attraction solution if you are looking for a selfof Sunset Beach Club in the Winter is catering Winter long stay in a safe environment in the sun. the accommodation itself, which comprises fully equipped self-catering apartments, each with their Winter room rates have been adjusted to take into own balcony. This Winter the Panorama Bar will be account reduced services, and long stay guests can the main hub for meals and drinks, and daily Happy also opt for weekly cleaning instead of daily to save Hour and live sports TV continue as usual! Other even more. For further details and bookings, visit services include 24h reception/security, and if you sunsetbeachclub.com book your stay directly with the hotel, you will also enjoy complimentary access to the indoor pool.

Sunset Beach is an exceptional resort, I felt very safe and reassured. Everything was organized so well from social distancing to hand sanitizer at every facility in the hotel. The pool area is absolutely beautiful, and was cleaned and sanitized throughout the day. The apartment was gorgeous and we had everything we needed. Spain in general is very safe, everyone wearing masks and social Guests from Dublin distancing. Can’t wait to see you all next year.

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This part of Spain has been a popular European Winter Destination for many years, not least because of the sunny weather that prevails at this time of year.

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Dublin Dossier Pat Keenan on happenings in and around the capital

Hugh Lane Gallery re-opens and promotes striking MacGonigal work

Dockers by Maurice MacGonigal at The Hugh Lane Gallery

The Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square, along with most of Dublin's galleries and museums, announced it was opening to the public again and promoted this on social media with a painting by Maurice MacGonigal. The painting titled Dockers shows three dock workers set dramatically against a red cargo ship. MacGonigal, although Dublin born and schooled by the Christian Brothers in Synge Street, is perhaps more better known for his West of Ireland landscapes and considerably less known as one of my art tutors all those years ago at the National College of Art, which at that time was crammed into the basement under the National Library in Kildare Street next door to Leinster House.

Coinciding with this opening announcement, a provocative two-part TV programme on art by classicist and broadcaster Mary Beard was rerun on BBC4. The two events within days of each other reminded me of my more innocent years.

Maurice MacGonigal was a cousin of the renowned stain-glass artist Harry Clarke and he began his painting career as an apprentice at the stained glass studio then run by his uncle Joshua Clarkes at 6-7 North Frederick Street. Sadly the studios closed in 1973.

Maurice as my Professor of Painting, would stand looking over my shoulder and suggest improvements to my drawings by taking the pencil from my hand and drawing his version on the paper beside mine. He was a man of few words. 'Put rhythm in your lines' he'd bark and walk away. It took me some time to work out what that meant. I did eventually by closely studying the drawings of the old masters in the 20 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

National Gallery in Merrion Square and it changed my understanding of art forever. Briefly, a line becomes rhythmic by different weights put on pencil when drawing - exactly as MacGonigal had shown beside my efforts.

There was to be another curt and abrupt intervention. After a few weeks pencil drawing 'from the antique'- that was the practice of copying classical white plaster and marble casts of the human body using just pencil or charcoal on white paper. Half way through a class, again looking over my shoulder he told me to pack up and leave. ‘There is not much more we can do for you here, I'll see you in Room 8’.

I thought he had dismissed me. I arrived at Room 8, opened the door and mortifyingly dropped all my pencils to the floor, rolling around the feet of a circle of students at easels around a live and real live nude woman - a life drawing class was well under way.

The BBC programme I referred to above that brought it all back was Mary Beard's Shock of the Nude. An appropriate title for all those years ago as an innocent only child stooped, picking up pencils. I left the one that rolled beside the naked foot of the model. For me art history had come of age, from ancient Greeks to all those Venuses, Botticelli, Titian, et al., to very explicit drawings of Picasso or Egon Schiele. In the TV programme we saw Mary Beard in Cork's Crawford Art Gallery bravely chiseling away at a fig leaf to discovers what lies beneath.. Which brings me back to the National College of Art in Dublin all those years ago - while the female models were nude, the males kept their trunks on.

Dublin Dossier Shortly after my departure from the college, and nothing to do with me, MacGonigal resigned as the Professor of Painting, following a revolt of students against what they called 'the conservatism of the curriculum' and which he considered would overturn ‘the professional authority of the college’. MacGonigal later would also vehemently oppose Charles Haughey's tax-free offering to artists, arguing that it would fill Ireland with the ‘art parasites of Europe’. www.hughlane.ie/ Closed Mon. Tues.-Thurs.9.45am–6pm Fri.9.45am–5pm Sat.10am–5pm Sun.11am-5pm

The Devil also works in mysterious ways An Bord Pleanála have granted planning permission for a €15 million visitor centre in the Dublin mountains at Massy’s Wood and the Hellfire Club on Montpelier Hill. But it seems the devil is in the detail, for it has fired-up the locals, well, the 170 that sent in submissions proffering: ‘deeply disappointed, shocked, preposterous, a vanity project.’

The South Dublin County Council's project team say they will take the local issues raised into account. The centre will attract approximately 300,000 people a year, have 275 individual car parking and dedicated coach parking spaces. The Hellfire Club itself will undergo some conservation work.The centre will have a cafe, shop, toilets, changing facilities, a walkers' lounge, exhibition area and an education centre including a 50 seat auditorium. I imagine the underside of all tables will have unrestricted views...so any cloven hoof will be noticed immediatley.

Two Casinos and a Castle

Part of the extensive model railway collection at Casino Railway Museum at Malahide Castle.

Malahide to Malahide Castle and Gardens. And they have come up with a hard to beat family excursion which includes a tour of the castle followed by a short walk to visit to extensive model railway collection at Casino Railway Museum.

The collection began in the Churchtown home of Cyril Fry, a railway engineer/draughtsman at the Inchicore Railway Works. The work was continued by Thomas Tighe another retired CIÉ craftsman Malahide Castle was built on lands once ruled by the Norse-Irish - Dublin Vikings until the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland. Sir Richard Talbot of Shrewsbury in England was one of Henry II's knights during the invasion of Ireland. For his loyal efforts Sir Richard was rewarded by King Richard II with the ‘lands and harbour of Malahide.’ The castle, originally built as a fortress became home to the Talbot family from 1185 until 1976. They lost possession for a short time after the Cromwellian conquests when Oliver Cromwell gave it to Miles Corbet, Chief Baron presiding over the Court of Exchequer- one of the Dublin Four Courts. Following the demise of Cromwell, the Talbot family were restored to the estate. Corbet went on the run, was eventually captured and hanged at Tyburn in London.

During over 700 years in the castle the Talbots had their ups and downs.

They backed the losing side of King James II in 1690 and fourteen members of the family died in the Battle of the Boyne.

There are lots of casinos in Dublin but only two where you can't loose your shirt or win enough to afford a Charvet replacement - recall the 1991 Moriarty Tribunal revelation that Taoiseach Charlie Haughey spent nearly £16,000 on those bespoke shirts. But I digress, these two casinos derive from the old Italian word 'casa' meaning 'little house' and have nothing to do with gambling.

The Casino at Marino, just three miles north of the city centre, was a folly but a beautiful one and one of the finest example of eighteenth-century neo-classical architecture anywhere in Europe. Currently it is closed to the public due to ongoing major restorations by the OPW Office of Public Works. At night it is magnificently illuminated.

Travel past and head to the second, the thatched roofed Casino Malahide beside the railway station. Newly opened it contains one of Europe's most extensive model railway collections. Recently renovated this large thatched house was once the hunting/shooting lodge for the Talbot family of Malahide Castle.

The castle and the casino are managed and operated by Shannon Heritage. As the name might suggest they operate many projects in the west, Bunratty Castle, Dunguaire Castle, King John's Castle, Craggaunowen Castle and Knappogue Castle but increasingly as many projects in Dublin, GPO Witness History in O'Connell Street; Newbridge House and Farm in North County Dublin. Now they have added Casino

Peter Talbot, Jesuit priest close to King Charles II and later Archbishop of Dublin

Peter Talbot, while a Jesuit priest in Portugal became close to England's King Charles II as the king was preparing to marry Princess Catherine of Portugal. Factions in the royal court were never happy about his influence with the king and forced his retirement. Back in Ireland he was Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 21

Dublin Dossier Talbot family painting in Malahide Castle - Mum with the last Lord Talbot of Malahide - Milo - the red haired boy - spy? and sister Rose who burned his papers when he died. Photo by Pat Keenan

The Oak Room in Malahide Castle featuring the secret 'Priest Hole' panels. Photo by Pat Keenan

appointed Archbishop of Dublin in 1669. Protestants in Ireland, alarmed

by Talbot’s closeness to Charles II and the prospect that the balance of power in Ireland might shift to the Catholic majority, protested vigorously resulting in even more oppressive laws against Catholics. Talbot again was forced into exile in Paris. He returned some years later, an old and ailing man, was arrested and charged with complicity in the Popish Plot.

He was imprisoned in Dublin Castle where ironically, his former rival Archbishop Oliver Plunkett was a fellow prisoner in the cell next door.

Talbot died there and is believed to be buried in the churchyard of St. Audoen's Church.

The last Lord Talbot of Malahide was Milo, listed as a British diplomat. But there were always rumours surrounding him. In Cambridge in the 1930s he was tutored by Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt. Both of them later revealed to be Soviet spies. He was never charged but his friendship with them led to his early retirement in 1956. His sister Rose inherited the estate but not the titles. And she added to the fuels to the spy whispers when following his death in 1973, she was seen burning his papers.

Malahide Castle and Gardens: open daily 9:30am to 5:30pm

The Talbots later converted to Protestantism, perhaps out of conviction, perhaps to hold on to their castle and lands. Interestingly the Talbots always claimed that there was a ‘Priest hole’ in the Castle behind secret doors in the Oak Room that led into a cupboard with a false floor which probably gave access to a safe escape tunnel.

Casino Model Railway: opens 1pm Mon.(last entry 4pm.) 10am Tues to Sun (last entry 4pm.)

22 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/

Adult €7.50 Child €5 Family €22 (2+2) Seniors €6 Book online:www.modelrailwaymuseum.ie/

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Mary’s Musings In her latest observations Mary recounts, among other opinions, her mother’s achievements in the world of bridge, Shane Ross’s provocative account of his time in Government, Barack Obama’s new book and her anticipation of an enjoyable festive season for all.

Christmas is coming and hopefully those who have family will be able to join them. All in all, I’m in very high good humour as I write this, and no tales of doom are going to down my good spirits.

Hello to all the readers of this fine magazine.

I am delighted that there is to be a Christmas edition. Yes of course Christmas will be all about family, food, conversation and some exercise. But there is always room at these times for a good magazine to be lying around, to be perused, and to lead to good conversation. So it will be with this Christmas edition of Senior Times.

My mother took to bridge avidly, and in a very quick time began to garner wins at local, provincial and finally national level.

By the way, I am delighted to see the inclusion in the magazine of a good bridge column.

There is no doubt that throughout Ireland, in small villages and towns, you will find a lively bridge club.

due to the strictures of the time, as soon as she married that was an end to that academic and productive pursuit.

I grew up in a bridge household; my mother became an early advocate of it. Living in Athlone with four young children, deprived of an interesting career, she found an outlet in the burgeoning bridge environment of Athlone. My mother was a trained secondary teacher, but

However, as I said, she turned to bridge, where there were already two bridge clubs with their weekly games, their competitions and tournaments. She took to bridge avidly, and in a very quick time began to garner wins at local, provincial and finally national level.

24 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

In fact, my mother was a bridge international, and played on several occasions for Ireland, way back in the 1950s and 60s. I so vividly remember helping her pack her case for an international competition in Switzerland. Just imagine the vistas that opened out.

For me, I started to play, but inevitably politics took over. I began my political career in town council, county council, and so on to the Se-

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Mary’s Musings

How is the book-reading going? I have just finished In Bed with the Blueshirts

by Shane Ross, and I would strongly recommend it if you are hoping to cash in a book token for Christmas for yourself, or perhaps to purchase for one of your friends.

anad and Dáil. However, I’ve never lost interest in bridge and so I am pleased to see that this magazine will be fostering throughout Ireland that continuing enthusiastic interest in the playing of that fine game.

How is the book-reading going? I have just finished In Bed with the Blueshirts by Shane Ross, and I would strongly recommend it if you are hoping to cash in a book token for Christmas for yourself, or perhaps to purchase for one of your friends.

It is an uproarious, racy, pacy read – full of anecdotes of behind-the-scenes life between Ministers, civil servants and all the many events which peopled his four years in government with Enda Kenny and the Fine Gael party.

Shane details his drink-driving laws which I have no doubt have led to many people being alive today who would not otherwise have survived. He is equally succinct and informative about the Olympic debacle, with the main players so vividly depicted – Pat Hickey here in Ireland and many of the other leaders of the European and worldwide Olympic movement.

But Shane lost the tussle on the reform of the legal courts. The bill passed the Dáil but due to lengthy filibustering, failed to make it through the Seanad.

The upshot of all that is that we now have the daily Dáil pantomime of who said what, or who did not say what, to whom, when and how.

As the readers can imagine, I am an insider in all of this and find it still highly amusing and provocative.

I am about to start Stephen Collins and Ciara Meehan’s fine book, Saving the State, which is a history of Fine Gael from the very beginning. I haven’t yet even dipped into it, but I am looking forward to that. Also, I have on hand Barack Obama’s account of the first three years of his eight-year presidency of the USA. It is 700 pages long and is winking invitingly at me, daring me to begin it, but I am determined to keep it for the quiet days when the Christmas family

Like many of the readers, I read a few years ago Michelle Obama’s wonderful book Becoming, which was a great read. I wonder will Barack better her; I guess it will be an even draw for both of them. It was rather gallant of Barack to wait until Michelle had her long days in the sun with her publication before he put pen to paper!

celebration will be over and I am alone again. It will truly make a fine read.

Like many of the readers, I read a few years ago Michelle Obama’s wonderful book Becoming, which was a great read. I wonder will Barack better her; I guess it will be an even draw for both of them. It was rather gallant of

26 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Barack to wait until Michelle had her long days in the sun with her publication before he put pen to paper!

It is a time for hope for us here in Ireland, isn’t it?

We have had a second lockdown, and now, as I compile these words, we are beginning a period of reversal back to Level 3, which will

Mary’s Musings

No Covid travel restrictions for Santa this year

Adam King captivated the enitre nation on The Late Late Toy Show with Ryan Tubridy

allow us to meet our families, particularly in the week leading up to Christmas and the week after that.

There are many doomsayers who are saying we’ll be paying for all this come January, when they say there will be another lockdown. My answer to that is I’m going to enjoy whatever small lifting of restrictions there will be to enable us to engage in the Christmas festival.

Even Simon Coveney, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has declared in the Dáil that he has given a free passage to Santa to come to Ireland and to visit all the children. Santa will not have to quarantine or to self-isolate but will be able to move freely from house to house to visit all the waiting children. I like that; it was a change from the usually very sober, authoritative talk that we hear from Simon Coveney. Of course, he has three young daughters himself who are no doubt awaiting Santa in Cork, so he was determined to give all of the anxious children a lift and a time of hope, and a fulfilment of their longings.

There’s a great mood of optimism around, what with the continuing news of the vaccines, tumbling over one another now to announce

their wares, and the hope that 2021, with the advent of the vaccine, will mean that there will be a slowing down of coronavirus. Of course, there will be people who are anti-vaccine; that’s fine, but let us who are in favour of it please get on with it so that we can live our lives again.

I loved The Late Late Toy Show. Yes, I was on my own because my four grandchildren in Athlone were watching it at home, but we were on the telephone to one another about different aspects of it. I delighted in six-year-old Adam King from Cork who wanted to be an astronaut, and to hear his childish voice saying that his health complaint was that he had brittle bones, so he wondered if would ever be able to be in space.

However, next day the space agency in the US came back to say that they had heard about Adam and yes, it didn’t matter what way his bones were, he would be most welcome there to work and to observe when he became older. So imagine that for good news to that little six-year-old!

It was also wonderful the amount of charity money for children that was raised throughout

the show. I know it will be well used, and no doubt will bring solace to many householders who have financial difficulties.

So now we’re out of Lockdown number two and we’re facing into 2021 where there are going to be vaccines. Before that, Christmas is coming and hopefully those who have family will be able to join them. All in all, I’m in very high good humour as I write this, and no tales of doom are going to down my good spirits.

My Christmas wish for all of the readers of Senior Times is that they, too, will be able to be with their family, even for the day itself, will be able to enjoy good conversation, good reading and good viewing, and will be imbued with a good spirit looking forward to 2021.

My wish for Senior Times is that it will continue on its road of good magazine editing, good articles, good writing (I’m not talking about myself!) and that it will have good fortunes in 2021.

We’ll all be glad to see the end of 2020.

Hope to talk with you all again next year.

Slán tamall.

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 27

Mindset

Let’s Make Your Future Work for You

How do you approach the New Year?

Each year, as December turns to January, we find ourselves considering the passing of time.

We might be happy to see the end of one year, or apprehensive regarding what’s to come, but taking some time to reflect and plan is an important part of looking ahead and recognising new hopes for our future.

As we start writing our appointments and birthdays into our new diary and have to balance two calendars on the hook, we can feel that we are in a time of transition. This unique time between the years is excellent for considering our opportunities, we can think about what we might do differently and perhaps choose to make some changes in the year to come.

Can You Reset Your Mindset?

For the people I speak to, looking to their year ahead brings a combination of anticipation and fear. Wouldn’t it be great if we could remove the negative concerns and build on the positive feelings of expectation and hope.

Changing your mindset, or the paradigms through which you live your life, will allow you to change the path ahead of you through focus, guidance and a clear recognition of your goals.

Create Abundance in Your Future

According to Bob Proctor, internationally recognised as America’s greatest prosperity teacher:

Let this be the year you make these changes.

Set yourself goals which put you in control of your life – a life which fills you with positivity and hope.

“When you really want something, and you couple that with an understanding of your nature, of your spiritual being, and the laws that govern you, you will keep going, regardless of what’s happened. Nothing will stop you.”

Changing your mindset will bring you opportunities you never imagined, and finding that new perspective is just one part of the process you’ll discover working with the Proctor Gallagher Institute.

You see, this isn’t about changing who you are, this is about recognising who you are and using that knowledge to create a new focus which has you achieving your goals and getting results you would never have thought possible.

Are you ready to approach 2021 with a changed mindset and the opportunity for growth? I hope so.

The fear many of us feel at the beginning of a new year might come from not knowing how to make the changes we need in our lives, being in a difficult or painful situation with no clear resolution or perhaps foreseeing endings in our future which we aren’t ready to face.

The Proctor Gallagher Institute was founded by Bob Proctor, who went from down and out to changing the world, and Sandy Gallagher, who left her role as a six-figure salaried attorney to fulfil her purpose by co-founding this global Institute - enabling individuals the world over to achieve the life they really want by realising their own potential.

Do you believe that a change in your mindset can have you seeing opportunities instead of these obstacles?

I’ve been working with the Proctor Gallagher Institute to change my own life and can support you to make the most of yours.

28 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

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This isn’t just about financial abundance – we will show you the secret science behind creating the life you want, but it all starts in your mind.

I’m Darren, having worked closely with Bob Proctor and his team and studied with them; I would like to share some ideas that Bob has shared with me; change your mindset to change your future.

There’s a science to getting rich and you can learn the formula.

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Staycations

Luxury

you can afford

There has been no better time to lift your spirit, indulge yourself and damn the expense! Lorna Hogg checks out a number of high-end hotels where you can pamper yourself in an unforgettable break.

The surprisingly spacious garden at the Merrion Hotel

Over the past ten months you have followed the government guidelines, and mostly stayed at home. No holidays, no meals out, or familar family gatherings Now, the New Year will bring vaccination, and hopefully, signs that the end of the pandemic may be in sight. So, what better way to celebrate, than with a short Irish break – and not just any short break? Ireland has more than its fair share of multi starred hotels. So, with the wide range of good deals they are offering, this is the time to treat yourself to the finest that the country has to offer.

spa with pool. The food is superb, and the hotel is famed for afternoon tea, The Cellar Bar offers relaxed informality, with light meals. The more formal airy Garden Room offers formal dining, whilst Michelin starred Patrick Guilbaud Restaurant is next door. The Merrion has very good deals right now – The Five Star Steal Voucher (ask for it as Christmas gift or treat yourself!) offers dinner for two in the Garden Room, plus overnight room with breakfast, starting from €185 pps - €370 total www.merrionhotel.com The majestic Culloden Hotel in Belfast

We all know that luxury hotels offer fine dining, splendid accomodation and good locations. However, these days many also offer activities – from golf to shopping breaks and spas. Many have lodges, allowing selfcontained acomodation. This means that vulnerable or frail visitors or family who might dismiss the idea of a break due to fear of infection, can venture out. They can accompany family members, and stay in their own space, with meals delivered.

It is also important to note that these days, all hotels understand people’s concerns, ranging from infection risk to lockdown and cancellation. All have policies which can be read on their websites, and they are happy to discuss, answer and clarify any guest issues

The Merrion Hotel, Dublin This is one of the country’s finest hotels, and famed for its food and accomodation. Opposite Government Buildings, and set in four splendid Georgian mansions, (one the birthplace of the Duke of Wellington) it discreetly hosts the great and the good. Facilities include a wellness 30 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

The Culloden Hotel, Belfast The Culloden offers the best of both worlds, in the leafy surroundings of Cultra, just a short train or taxi ride from the city. With splendid views out

Finance

Protect yourself from fraud. Think A...B...C...

FraudSMART looks at one of the most common type of scams phone scams - and advises how our ABC steps can help you to protect yourself.

A Phone Scam is where a fraudster will call pretending to be your bank.

They convince you that your money is in danger and that you urgently need to transfer it to a “safe account”. They may ask you to transfer the funds over the phone with them or go to your branch to make a transfer or even to your local post office.

A - Always Be Alert: • To unexpected calls or emails from your bank and never give out personal/banking information.

• Your bank will never ask you to carry out a test transaction online or be part of an internal investigation.

B - Bide your time:

Of course, in the cold light of day of course you would never transfer money because of an unexpected call but these fraudsters are extremely sophisticated and good at their job.

• Don’t be rushed. Take time to do your checks and know who you are talking to.

• Remember that it takes two people to terminate a phone call. You can use a different phone line to independently check the callers’ identity.

How do these fraudsters convince you to transfer your hard-earned cash?

C - Contact your Bank:

• Fraudsters may already have basic information about you in their possession (e.g., name, address, account details). Do not assume a caller is genuine because they have these details.

• Hang up and contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card.

• You should also report suspected fraud incidents to your local Garda Station.

• They use tricks such as playing call centre background noise or advise you to contact the Gardaí to add to the legitimacy of the call.

• They will create a sense of urgency around the need to protect your money. They don’t want to give you time to research or investigate their legitimacy, often saying that your bank cards have been used fraudulently.

For more information on common frauds and tips for protecting yourself visit www.fraudSMART.ie where you can find a host of information, resources and can sign up for fraud alerts.

• The caller ID number may look like your bank. However, this has been faked to hide the true origin of the call.

• The fraudster is always slick, professional and the call has an urgent tone.

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 31

Staycations over Belfast Lough, it was originally a Bishop’s Palace, but these days, comfort, its excellent spa, linear swimming pool and fine dining bring guests.

The Culloden is a short walk from the Ulster Folk and Transport Museums at Cultra, and is also within easy driving distance of beautiful Ards peninsula, and Mount Stewart Gardens.

The wide range of breaks runs from `Winter Sparkle’ - one night stay for two, from £105 pps, - up to The Finer Things, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, offering accomodation in an Executive Room, candlelit dinner in Vespers Restaurant, and breakfast, from £325 for two adults sharing a room, in Jan/Feb. 2021. www.hastingshotels.com

sited for shopping trips to the city, but also exploring the coast, down to Wicklow.

Alternately, chill with the facilities in the superb Wellness area, with its 14m heated indoor pool. So, what better way to celebrate the arrival of 2021 than with the festivities, starting with a five course meal at the Seasons Restaurant – accompanied by a `socially distanced’ jazz trio? Then join the celebrations in the Lobby Lounge, and in the small hours, home is just a lift ride away. You can enjoy a relaxed first breakfast of the year with a late check-out. New Year Residential Package from €270pps

The sumptuous entrance hall at Mount Juliet

Mount Juliet Estate, Kilkenny

Your table awaits you at Hayfield Manor

Hayfield Manor, Montenotte, Cork.

Long famed for its welcome and its food, this hotel is a peaceful haven in the busy city centre. Luxury is the buzzword here – with the friendliness matched by renowned food. There is plenty to see within easy reach shop in St. Patrick’s Steet, browse The English Market, or pop down to Kinsale.

There is a variety of deals right now, one of which is the excellent value The Active Retirement Breaks, two nights midweek for two people, including 2 nights B&B, plus full Irish breakfast and a 2 course meal in the Perrotts Garden Bistro each night, at February 2021 prices starting at €283 for two people sharing. (Prices correct at time of going to Press) www.hayfieldmanor.ie

Mount Juliet in Kilkenny is a long established luxury hotel set in 500 acres, with an emphasis on golf and riding. It is now is one of the Autograph Collection Hotels, and noted for its two golf courses, one of which was designed by Jack Nicklaus. It has been synonymous with equestrianism for 400 years, offering superb cross country trails and ride outs. Non -riders can or `meet and greet’ the horses at the Stables during their breaks. Alternatively, Try your hand at hawking, or walk the trails. Mount Juliet is just short drive from medieval Kilkenny city - if you can tear yourself away.

The wide range of offers include February Two Nights Escape at Hunter’s Yard’ deals – from €169pps (€338 per room), with breakfast and dinner for two at the The Hound Restaurant (rate at time of going to Press) www.mountjuliet.ie

Marlfield House Hotel and the Duck Restaurant, Gorey, Co. Wexford.

Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.

This modern recently opened skyscraper hotel is an oasis of calm and sophisticated luxurious comfort - along with unsurpassed city views from its skyline bar. Named for the station which brought so many visitors to the city, it now offers some excellent deals and is perfect for both short city or shopping breaks. Friendly staff will help with sightseeing advice - the city centre location means it is within easy reach of the Titanic Quarter. It also offers the famed Hastings Hotel breakfast, which showcases the best of local produce. `Stay a Little Longer’ breaks, bed and breakfast, 2 nights stay in February for 2 adults sharing, start from £152. ( Prices available at time of going to press) www.hastingshotels.com www,grandcentralhotelbelfast.com

The InterContinental Dublin

A warm welcome awaits at Marlfield House

Expect five star luxury all the way, in Dublin’s only `true five star urban resort’’ Sited on the outskirts of the city, in leafy Ballsbridge, it is well

Its name is synonymous with Mary Bowe, and linked with fine food. It is still in the family – now run by her daughters, an still linked with fine food.

32 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Speed up your blood flow Ginkgo biloba is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to alleviate the symptoms of poor blood flow in conditions such as cold hands and feet. To get the desired effects, it is essential that you choose a product with a documented content of active compounds.

Warm hands and feet again A thermo-graphic camera can be used to test ginkgo biloba's ability to improve circulation in the hands. When the test subject takes ginkgo biloba, their hands become significantly warmer in the minutes right after they have been cooled down in very cold water.

Your bloodstream carries oxygen and nutrients to every single part of your body – from head to toe – to ensure that all your body functions work properly. However, the flow of blood through the smallest capillaries can decrease for various reasons, and that may cause problems like cold fingers and toes.

35° C 30° C 25° C

Without Ginkgo-Biloba Pharma Nord: After 10 minutes, the skin temperature increased from 12.6° to approx. 20.0° C.

20° C 15° C 10° C 5° C

35° C

With Ginkgo-Biloba Pharma Nord: After 10 minutes, the skin temperature increased from 13.8° to approx. 30.9° C.

30° C 25° C 20° C 15° C 10° C 5° C

Cold hands and feet?

This problem may be a result of having poor blood circulation, and the solution could be tablets with ginkgo biloba.

Every inch of the body depends on a wellfunctioning blood supply that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells. As we humans age, our blood circulation becomes less efficient, leading to problems like cold hands and feet.

Supports your blood circulation It stands to reason that ginkgo biloba is so popular among older people. The active compounds in the extract dilate your blood vessels, helping your blood to flow more easily through them.

What is ginkgo biloba?

Ginkgo biloba is a plant extract made from the leaves of ginkgo biloba, an ancient temple tree that is also known as maidenhair tree. The extract contains a variety of biologically active compounds. Two specific compounds – ginkgoflavone glycosides and terpene lactones – are particularly well-documented and have been shown to support good blood circulation and good cognitive function. Today, thanks to scientific research that has delved into

the underlying mechanisms of these active ingredients, it is possible to manufacture high-quality extracts that deliver the exact same amount of active compound with each tablet. Ginkgo-Biloba Pharma Nord represents this new generation of pharmaceutical-standard ginkgo biloba products that have become increasingly popular, namely among the elderly.

IE_Biloba_Ad_SeniorTimes_210x297_0820

Ginkgo-Biloba Pharma Nord has a high content of active compounds: The high content of active compounds makes it possible to obtain the desired effect with 1 tablet twice a day.

Traditional herbal medicinal product used to alleviate the symptoms of poor blood flow in conditions such as cold hands and feet, exclusively based upon long-standing use. Always read the leaflet.

Tel: 01 899 1650 • Fax: 01 885 3893 ireland@pharmanord.com • www.pharmanord.ie

Staycations Marlfield, once the Dower House of the Courttown Estate, offers classic old world charm. Luxurious traditional bedrooms, plus a restored cottage for those wanting privacy or space. Meticulously cared for gardens, including a kitchen variety, peacocks and hens, walks, fresh flowers and antiques in the rooms can be expected – plus, of course, the famed Duck Restaurant.

Right now, deals include Bed, Breakfast and Dinner in the Conservatory - one night’s bed and breakfast for two with dinner in the Conservatory Restaurant – from €179.99 pps. Any leftovers will be appreciated by your (small/medium sized) pooch – who is welcome to join you. www.marlfieldhouse.com

Modern and traditional meet at Lough Erne Resort

Right now, there are some excellent deals - `Stay and Dine at The Catalina’ offers, in February midweek, include a luxury overnight stay, five course dinner at the Catalina Restaurant, breakfast, use of the infinity pool, one night from £228. 62 for two adults, (prices correct at time of going to press.) www.lougherneresort.com

Snow adds to the enchantment of Lough Eske

Lough Eske Castle Hotel, Donegal.

With a romantic castellated skyline, set in 32 acres against mountain and lough, and views oner the Bluestack Mountains, it has won award as World’s Best Luxury Country House Hotel. A subtle mix of traditional and contemporary style prevails here, through to its Lodges. There is something for all tastes here, with a wide range of eating and relaxing.

There is also an excellent spa and swimming pool Lough Eske’s history dates back to the O’Donnell clan, which gave the name to the county.

Unsurprisingly, the walks and surroundings are often what guests especially recall about their stay. Good deals right now include `Winter Getaways’ with Dinner, bed and breakfast, 2 adults sharing, plus a Welcome bottle of Prosecco, with rates from €349 per room, excluding Fri/Sat. The deal runs until March. Also look out for `3 nights for price of 2’ offers www.lougheskecastlehotel.com

Lough Erne Resort If it’s good enough for the G8 Conference.... Lough Erne Resort hosted the gathering of the financial world’s great and good in 2013. Now we can all enjoy the complex of luxury hotel and self-catering Lodges, over 600 acres on a peninsula overlooking Fermanagh lakeland.

The hotel style is a mix of modern and traditional, with two championship golf courses, one by designed by Nick Faldo whilst The Thai Spa offers treatments in true Oriental style. However, there are also surroundings to be explored, which you can easily do by water taxi A quick trip whisks you to nearby Enniskillen, a longer trip one to Devinish Island - or simply enjoy sunset a lake tour. The Marble Arch Caves, some of the most beautiful in these islands, are just 25 minutes away 34 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

For your further information..

Check and re-check before booking. Remember - it may be cheaper to pay the extra and dine in the hotel, than venture out and pay two taxi journeys, thus passing up on a relaxing excellent meal. If your chosen date is fully booked, check online for later dates, when there may be more availability.

If part of your enjoyment is staying in a sumptous traditional hotel room, bear in mind that some hotels now have extensions, e.g renovated stable blocks, extensions or new lodges – and your room may not be in the actual hotel – so check first.

Ask about spa, golf, riding or sporting activities in advance. You may need to book ahead.

Research the area, and what you want to see in advance, before booking treatments or extras.

Many luxury hotels now have self contained lodges, or have converted buildings to faciliate groups. If you have a vulnerable relative, or family member who is nervous of staying in a public hotel, a lodge could be an ideal situation, as in most cases, the hotel restaurant will deliver meals.

All prices mentioned have been checked at the time of going to press. However due to sudden events, e.g. lockdown or other changes, special offers and prices may be altered so check with the hotel concerned.

Health

Don’t fall into accident trap

Mairead Robinson advises how to avoid further injury after a fall.

In these days of Covid-19 virus, most of us are wary of attending the doctor’s surgery or a hospital, even in cases where we would have done so pre-covid. It has dragged on for months now, and our worry is no less than it was in the beginning, in fact for some us it is even more heightened. But the medical advice is not to ignore any signs of ill-health, and to contact your doctor for advice if you are having any symptoms that concern you, irrespective of it relating to the virus or not.

However, if you have an accident of some kind, you may not be a position to make that call yourself, and you may well need to go to hospital in an ambulance to be checked out.

This is what happened to me recently, and while thankfully my experience did not have a serious outcome, the care I received reassured my confidence in the health care system and those who looked after me.

I fell down the stairs. This is one of the experiences that happens to people of all ages, but can be of particular concern to those over 50

as it is often linked to dizziness, a ‘mini-stroke’ or ‘blackout’, and so can involve further investigation. In my case I could not get up, and that is very frightening, and I did not have my phone to hand. First lesson learned is to always carry your phone with you, in your pocket where you can use it in an emergency. It can also be very reassuring to carry a personal alarm button, on

your wrist or around your neck, as this will get you help immediately when you press it.

I was fortunate in having a family member call my doctor, who in turn called for an ambulance.

It arrived in forty minutes, and the paramedics were very professional, kind and thorough.

As they were concerned I might have broken

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 35

Health

some bones, I was put into a special air-filled stretcher, which supported my body weight and left me completely pain-free. Before the ambulance arrived, I had managed to get from the bottom of the stairs to the sitting room couch prior to getting help, and this was something the paramedics told me never to do. Lesson number two - if you are unfortunate to suffer a fall, stay put. Despite the adrenalin that makes you think you can move, this can compound your injury, particularly in the case of a fracture.

Once in the hospital, the paramedics stayed with me until I went for x-rays, which thankfully showed no serious fractures needing surgery.

Pain-killers, anti-inflammatory medication, rest and gentle exercise were the treatment plan, and it worked. Within one week I was feeling so much better, and after a further two weeks I was back to full health and strength. Such an experience, should it happen to you or a loved one, can provide valuable advice for the future.

Along with the two lessons learned mentioned above, keep your phone or personal alarm with you at all times, and do not attempt to move if you suspect you may have suffered a fracture.

Also it is important to be proactive about getting the right kind of medical assessment after a fall. Sometimes a fall can be a sign of a new and serious medical problem that needs treatment. For instance, something like dehydration or a serious urinary tract infection could be behind the fall. You may need your medication reviewed, and your blood pressure monitored.

Many adults are taking medications that increase fall risk. These medicines might need to be reviewed. These include blood pressure and diabetes medications, anticholinergic and opiate pain relief. It is vital that you have a full medical assessment after a fall to rule out any factors that may have contributed to the accident. So again, you should make an

appointment to review your general health and medications with your doctor following a fall.

confidence to anybody who is nervous about falling when coming down the stairs.

Even if you think you just tripped or stumbled, especially if it happens more than once, a good evaluation can uncover issues that made those trips and stumbles more likely.

It is also a good idea to go through your home and check the furniture and layout of each room. Should you fall, and feel you have not fractured any bones but want to contact somebody, make sure you can reach a comfortable place to make the call. Some people find to improve confidence and technique, it’s a good idea to practice getting up from a fall in different rooms of your house and using different types of sturdy furniture for support.

For extra confidence, check out the Seniors Alert Scheme (SAC), administered by Pobal for the HSE. It is designed to enable older people to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind by providing them with a free personal monitored alarm.

A stair lift can not only help with accessibility in a two storey house, but can also give greater

You will also get support by calling Senior Line on 1800 804591.

36 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

A local community group can organize this on your behalf. Alternatively you can contact POBAL directly at 01-5117222 for information. Further details are available on the HSE website, www.hse.ie where you will also get information on AFFINITY, the national falls and bone health project 2018-2023

Irish health authorities advise seniors to take vitamin D

All Irish Seniors aged 65 years and older are advised to take a vitamin D supplement. This recommendation was issued after the Department of Health called for a vitamin D status among older people.

Earlier this year, The Scientific Committee of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) decided to check the vitamin D status of Irish seniors.

It turned out that older people in Ireland are not getting enough vitamin D from their diets or from sunlight to support normal bone and muscle health at all times.

Hoping for an active senior life On behalf of the FSAI report, the Department of Health has now decided to recommend vitamin D supplements to everyone aged 65 years and older.

Health

Large study launched In order investigate the exact impact of taking a vitamin D supplement during the winter period, the British health authorities have launched a large study, in which 5,000 people will be given 20 or 80 micrograms of vitamin D per day for a period of five months.

Pharma Nord will be supplying vitamin D for this study.

Pharmaceutical-grade pearls that are bioavailable Several studies have already documented that BioActive D-Pearls is a supplement that the body can easily absorb. The small gelatin capsules (pearls) are available in different strengths so you can take the exact right dose according to your personal requirements, the time of year, and the amount of time you spend outdoors: Available in 38 micrograms and 75 micrograms.

The Minister for Health hopes that this blanket recommendation will help ensure better maintenance of older people’s bones and muscles so they are able to enjoy an active and prosperous senior life.

Each capsule contains biologically active vitamin D3 in cold-pressed olive oil. The product is manufactured in Denmark under strict pharmaceutical control.

The Irish recommendation follows in the wake of the British and Scottish call for offering vitamin D supplements to all citizens at risk of deficiency.

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 37

Wine World

‘Tis the season to

! e t a r b e ce l

Kylie Minogue is the latest celebrity to launch a range of wines. Very stylish bottles, cool labels and excellent wines, the only surprise is that they are French rather than Aussie wines, she being Australian herself.

Mairead Robinson picks her favourite seasonal drinks.

There was a time when champagne was the only drink to toast a celebration, but that has all changed in recent years.

Spain’s cava, Italy’s prosecco and an abundance of good sparkling wines from the New World have meant that there is plenty of choice when it comes to choosing your bubbles.

But I must admit that while I love vintage champagne, my firm favourite continues to be cava.

This may have something to do with spending the summers of my student days discovering cava in Catalonia, but for me the Macabeu, Parellada and Xarello grapes used in the traditional method – the same production method as champagne - are perfect for any occasion.

On one of my many winery visits over the years, I was very impressed with Catalunya’s Vallformosa a few years ago as they were celebrating one hundred and fifty years of great wine and cava making. During this time five generations of the same family have owned and been closely involved in all aspects of the business. They now export 85 per cent of their production to over 50 countries worldwide.

At the heart of every wine is the variety of grape used in it’s production, and Vallformo

I was very impressed with Catalunya’s Vallformosa a few years ago as they were celebrating one hundred and fifty years of great wine and cava making

sa grow thirteen different varieties for their wines, including of course the aforementioned Xarel-lo (pronounced charello), an aromatic variety traditional to the Penedes region which gives body and structure along with the other two cava grapes are Macabeo and Parellada.

Of all their current production at Vallformosa, cava makes up 90 per cent while table wines make up the remaining 10 per cent.

night temperature difference in the summer is such that the grapes can ripen slower giving the fruit more flavour, aroma and colour. As well as their relationship with the growers, Vallformosa have a very keen environmental policy where sustainability is key and the land is cultivated to obtain high quality harvests using the latest systems to foster sustainable agriculture.

Vallformosa work closely with their local growers and more than 450 local families produce grapes for them in Penedes, and most growers have worked with them for over twenty years.

Many of these vineyards are located more than 500 metres above sea level and the day-

Vallformosa Brut Reserva is a gold award winning cava which is both elegant and fruity and wonderful with food, as an aperitif, and on any occasion. It is one of the top cavas available here in Ireland. Interestingly Cava also is produced as a Brut rose, which is far superior

38 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Urgent COVID Appeal. Help Our Frontline Heroes.

Our frontline workers have been on call all the way throughout Covid-19. They have gone above and beyond what has been asked of them. Our essential services have remained operational throughout even the most severe lockdown, treating thousands of sick and injured animals.

We have never seen such a demand for the vital work that we do.

We appreciate your donation, however much you can give.

The charity’s resources are now stretched to the very limit. We are trying as best we can to keep our services open for all the sick pets who need us.

If you decide to go online, you can make a once-off, or a regular month ly donation securely at www.bluecross.ie/donate and you can read more about the pets we help!

That is why we need you. Help us keep our essential veterinary services operational and save the lives of countless pets.

You can also call one of our team on 01-416 3032 to make donation over the phone.

Thousands of Pets Need Our Help, So We need Yours.

The Irish Blue Cross is facing a huge funding shortfall, as our major fundraising drives have been cancelled or badly affected by Covid-19. We had hoped that 2020 would be a year of celebration, as the charity marked its 75th anniversary. Instead, the pandemic put a huge strain on our charity and veterinary team.

We still give the very best of care to thousands of pets. And our teams are doing this under the strictest of pandemic safety protocols. We expect to be busier still as the economic reality of Covid-19 hits home, and more and more families find the need for our services.

What keeps us going is knowing that we help pets and owners who need our low-cost care. They might not otherwise be able to afford veterinary care for their beloved pets. What also keeps us going is you. Your support means the world to us and the pets we help.

'Working on the front line as part of the Irish Blue Cross Veterinary team, I have experienced first-hand the pressures of COVID-19 on everyone; from our staff, to our patients and their owners. It is at times like this that we need your support more than ever.

'Veterinary Nurse Ellen, with Minnie

Pets are close to your heart. And ours. Help Support our vital work. Pets are amazing. They offer companionship, encourage exercise, promote responsibility and help with mental health issues. A lot of them are also very cute. The Irish Blue Cross is here for the pets that are here for you.

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Wine World

to the sweet rose wines on the market. Vallformosa also make one of my favourite sparkling wines, Brut Pinot Noir, a gorgeous fruity sparkling that also pairs well with food. Vallformosa produce another brand of wines which are available here in Ireland also. Mistinguett Brut is another award winning Cava which also comes as a Rose. The Mistinguett wines are very well priced for the quality they offer. You can find these sparklers in independent off licences including Redmonds, Jus De Vine, The Wine Centre, La Touche, Blackrock Cellar and Parting Glass.

Meanwhile, celebrity Graham Norton has added another sparkler to his wine portfolio. This time it is a pink frizzante, made in response to the growing numbers of people in Ireland seeking lighter styles of quality sparkling wine.

It is the fifth addition to his award-winning range of still and sparkling wines and is made with the Glera grape (otherwise known as the prosecco grape) and is grown and produced in the same way as prosecco. Launched just in time for Christmas, this is a fun celebratory bottle to enjoy with lovely notes of tropical flowers and strawberries, thanks to the addition of Pinot Noir in the making.

And talking of celebrities and wine, there is a new range to the Irish market this year from Kylie Minogue. Very stylish bottles, cool labels and excellent wines, the only surprise is that they are French rather than Aussie wines, she being Australian herself. However, the wines are of exceptional quality and I especially love the merlot, made with grapes grown in the Languedoc region. It is full of berry flavors cherries, plums and spice, with soft tannins. A perfect food wine. Another wine I tasted from this range was a light and fruity Sauvignon Blanc from Cotes De Gascogne. It is a crisp

fresh wine in a clean fruity contemporary style.

And at just 11.5 per cent alcohol, it is perfect for an aperitif. And finally from this collection of Kylie Minogue wines, a beautiful French Rose which is perfectly crafted from sun ripened fruits. This is summer in a bottle, and if you want to escape the cold dark days of winter, this is the wine to transport you back to the sunshine.

Enjoy it with seafood, and you will feel you are on your summer holidays!

So whatever you choice of wines this season, bubbles or celebrity specials, enjoy and celebrate as we look forward to a wonderful 2021.

Over three hours of Beethoven music in Senior Times podcast!

In the latest of the Senior Times Classical Collection podcasts, Senior Times editor John Low traces the life and work of Ludwig Van Beethoven, arguable the most influential mind in Western music.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the great man’s birth this fascinating podcast features many of his most popular works, as well as some less frequently heard compositions and rarities.

Works featured include the 4th, 6th, 8th and 9th symphonies, piano concertos, the glorious Septet, chamber and choral works –and arrangements of Irish folk songs!

A must for all Beethoven fans, this podcast can be accessed on seniortimes.ie or wherever you get your podcasts.

Win six Beethoven three-CD sets!

Senior Times, in association with Naxos Music, are offering six three-CD sets of Beethoven music featuring many of his most loved works as well as some less known ones.

To be in with a chance of winning one of these sets, simply answer this question: Which year was Beethoven born?

Send your answer to: Beethoven Competition, Senior Times, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Or email john@slp.ie The first six correct entries drawn are the winners.

Deadline for receipt of entries is 31 January 2021.

Golf

Dermot Gilleece recounts the exploits of golf’s great aviators

How private jets built the fortunes of golf’s high flyers

Though Padraig Harrington did buy that coveted plane, he didn’t keep it long. The prohibitive running costs involved simply didn’t make sense to his accountant’s mind.

On a helicopter flight we shared from Dublin to Shannon, Padraig Harrington talked to me about his future plans on tour. I imagine it was our luxurious mode of transport which prompted him to reveal his ambition to have his own private plane.

And typically forthright, he explained that he saw it as a means of lengthening his playing career.

Interestingly, this was back in 2005, two years before he made the breakthrough of winning the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie.

And by August of the following year, he had won two further Majors, by retaining the Open at Royal Birkdale and then capturing the 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, Detroit.

Though Harrington did, in fact, buy that coveted plane, he didn’t keep it long. The prohibitive running costs involved simply didn’t make sense to his accountant’s mind.

Meanwhile, memories of that chat we had, returned to me recently on reading some fascinating reflections on very different times on America’s PGA Tour, by distinguished scribe, Don Wade. Especially interesting were the

comments recounted by Tommy Bolt, who carried the sobriquet of Thunderbolt because of a notoriously brittle temper. While the red mist kept its distance, Bolt was a very fine player, so good in fact that he captured the 1958 US Open and was described by Christy O’Connor as the finest ball-striker he’d ever seen.

At a time when the motor-car was the established mode of transport to tournaments, Bolt declared: ‘Man, you couldn’t make any money on tour in the old days. You had to have a string of pigeons you could tap. One of my favourites was a man named Louis Marrow who used to come to Hot Springs to take the cure.

“He loved to play $1,500 Nassau, which was a fortune in those days. I would give him a million strokes and we would go at it. The last match we ever played was a beauty. He had a two-footer for all the money and he got the shakes so bad that the putter fell out of his hands. It was the easiest money I ever made.’

There was no handy money on tap for Bolt, however, when his car happened to break down on the way to a tournament in South

Mark McCormack was Arnold Palmer’s business manager and helped him build the South African’s fortune by suggesting he buy a private aircraft. to enable him to play in more lucrative tournaments across the US.

Carolina in 1950. The future national champion was reduced to giving golf lessons at a nearby driving range for $3 an hour, so as to gather sufficient cash to get his car back on the road.

‘Let me tell you something, pards,’said Bolt, slowly shaking his head at the memory.

‘Teaching golf to the uncoordinated is the hardest job in the world.’

Arnold Palmer also struggled for a few years during the 1950s, but ultimately, his fortunes were changed irreversibly through the guidance of his business manager, Mark McCormack. That was when private aircraft became the accepted mode of transport for McCormack’s clients Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player who became known as the ‘Big Three’

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 41

Golf

‘The Big Three’ - Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player – all pioneered the use of private planes

of golf. Money rolled in, not least through their ability to travel the world.

With time to kill on those flights, it was inevitable that mischief would ensue. Yet Palmer was approaching his 70th birthday in 1999 before McCormack felt sufficiently secure to tell some tales out of school. Like the bets they had with each other over the previous 40 years. And how none of those wagers was honoured.

McCormack recalled: ‘Years ago, when we were flying from Australia to Honolulu, I stopped on the way to the airport and ended up with the scores of all the NFL games (We were leaving Australia on a Monday, which was a Sunday in the US and were going to arrive in Honolulu on Monday morning).

‘While on the plane, we spent two hours making bets and when we got to Honolulu I told Arnold to get the newspapers and check the scores. Needless to say, I won all the games.

And the expression on his face had to be seen to be believed. Ultimately I confessed and never collected.’

Given that he became one of golf’s great aviators, it was fascinating to discover how Palmer once admitted that the possibility of being killed in an air crash was one of his greatest fears. He was clearly aware of the dangers, which would have been heightened by the tragic deaths of Tony Lema (1966) and Payne Stewart (1999) in private plane crashes, when both players were at the peak of their powers.

‘I have the same fears as everybody else about dying in an airplane,’ Palmer admitted.

‘But I still love to fly and I know it is one of the safest forms of transportation.’

Those who couldn’t afford the luxury of private flight, often had to settle for the chartered variety. A frightening experience on one such flight was recounted to me recently by the remarkable Norman Drew, who is approaching his 90th year. Drew’s premature brush with the grim reaper, had to do with a chartered flight from Los Angeles to Palm Springs for the 1959 Ryder Cup at Eldorado CC. Those players of a superstitious bent would have reason to see considerable significance in the 1959 staging just happening to be the 13th Ryder Cup. In fact as an enduring memento, 29 passengers would each have a rather special membership card which read: ‘J-L (Jolly Lucky) Long Drop Club, 5.30pm October 29th 1959.

Los Angeles to Palm Springs. Almost.’

triumphed. As Heager later reported: ‘We didn't know it then, but this was the brink of calamity.

The metallic judderings of the aircraft were beautiful noises to the grappling pilot. He had regained command of the ship. He had won his battle with the furies of the elements.’

So traumatic was the experience that Drew has little difficulty in remembering every detail, more than 60 years later. His first indication of impending danger was on their flight from Washington. ‘I was in the back of the plane, playing knock-out whist with Christy [O’Connor], Peter Mills and Eric Brown,’ he recalled.

“As we approached Los Angeles, the pilot informed us the weather was bad but if he got a break in the cloud, we’d land.’

Among the travelling golf scribes on board was Ron Heager of the Daily Express whose account on October 31st described how ‘We were tossed around like a cocktail in a shaker ..... It was like falling in a giant lift when the cable had snapped. Only ... your stomach stayed on the 10th storey. It was the Big Dipper _ without the laughs.’

He went on: ‘On touching down, we immediately transferred our stuff into another aircraft, bound for Palm Springs. What we didn’t know was that all scheduled flights had been grounded: we took off because we were a charter, little imagining what lay ahead. They gave us a runway and we headed into a ferocious storm which had come up from Mexico where, we later read, it had caused widespread fatalities.

‘I was used to flying and getting the odd bump here and there, but this time we dropped very quickly. As I was reading ‘Life’ magazine, a showerproof coat in one of the upper luggage containers, drifted down towards me like a parachute. Sandwiches and coffee went flying all over the place. Next thing, the pilot came on the blower and apologised that he was running short of fuel. We’d have to go back to Los Angeles.’

In fact the plane plummeted from 13,000 to 9,000 feet before the pilot's skills eventually

Which they did, and eventually completed the 150-mile journey by road.

Formed at the instigation of John Letters of Scotland’s Letters Golf Company, the exclusive membership included Dai Rees, Peter Alliss, Eric Brown, Ken Bousfield, Bernard Hunt, Peter Mills, Dave Thomas, Harry Weetman and the Irish pair, Christy O’Connor and Drew, all members of the visiting team. Doug Ford, a member of the American side, was also on the plane, having hitched a lift.

42 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Western Ways George Keegan on what’s happening in travel, the arts, food and entertainment along the Western Seaboard

Kenny’s of Galway, promoting the arts for over eighty years

The Kenny Art Gallery and Tom Kenny: ‘I really enjoy what I do and between working here and writing a weekly column about old Galway for The Galway Advertiser newspaper life is good’, he says.

The Kenny family have been associated with the arts in Galway for the past 80 years. Tom, a son of Des and Maureen who started the business all those years ago, is a Director of the company. I spoke to him recently in the art gallery/bookshop located at the Liosbán Industrial Estate on the Tuam Road and he gave me an insight into the business and family history. ‘My parents Des and Maureen established a bookshop at High Street in 1940 with two rented rooms, one for the shop and the other to live in’, he told me.

During that period his father started a lending library, sold books to county libraries and operated a stall at the Galway Agricultural Show.

They also sold limited editions of contemporary prints of the time. Ten years later they developed the business by selling arts and crafts such as rugs, baskets and ceramics.

The first book catalogue was also produced in the 1950’s and so began the first steps of

moving into the export market. During the following two decades of the 60s and 70s the business grew at a rapid pace. Tom’s parents converted the living room of their house into an art gallery in 1968 and five years later they opened the Séan Desmond Gallery in New York. In the mid- seventies a book bindery business was also established, as more of the family became involved.

In 1980 the family managed to get a bank loan to purchase a small theatre called the Taibhsín and later bought the whole building. However four years later they moved back to the city centre and both gallery and bookshop began trading in Middle Street. Kenny’s had become a household name synonymous with both quality of items on sale and friendly staff. So why the move to the Liosbán Industrial Estate firstly with the books in 2008 and the Gallery a year later? I asked. ‘We simply couldn’t afford to keep a big staff during the recession ‘, Tom pointed out.

44 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Today there are over one million books on the Kenny website containing new editions plus used or as Tom puts it ‘difficult to find titles’.

They ship to over 120 countries worldwide.

Over the years he became friendly with Seamus Heaney who paid many visits to the bookshop and says he once had the privilege of introducing the Nobel Prize Winner for Literature at Cúirt. He has also known President Michael D Higgins since their college days together and in 2018 former President Mary Robinson launched her book Climate Justice in their shop.

Tom recalls some surprise customers who popped in over the years with no prior warning.

They included Richard Von Weizsäcker the German President, William Randolph Hearst the newspaper tycoon and President Cathal O’Dalaigh who called in to see his mother Maureen one afternoon, causing a major traffic jam outside.

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Western Ways

But one of Tom’s favourite memories is a two day Roald Dahl book signing session which caused quite a sensation in the city with long queues outside the shop. ‘He was a really lovely man and I will always remember the way he greeted and held long conversations with the children. I myself was brought up surrounded by books from a very early age. Anytime I was sick and home from school books by children’s authors which I loved to read were left beside the bed’. Even now Tom reads a chapter or two of a book before settling down to sleep. ‘It has become something of a ritual’, he jokes.

He himself has written two books - a profile of artist Kenneth Webb and a history of his school called Jes .He is currently researching one about Old Galway pubs.

The art gallery The art gallery side of the business is now Tom’s main role in the company which specialises in contemporary Irish art with regular exhibitions by leading Irish artists and selling a range of original paintings, sculptures, stained glass and photographs.

Last February President Higgins launched the first exhibition of 2020. It was John Behan’s Migrants and one of the first events marking Galway’s designation as European Capital of Culture. Over the years works by many of this country’s finest artists have passed through the gallery. Names include Jack Yeats, Paul Henry, Sean Keating, George Campbell, Manus Walsh, Louis Le Brocquy and Robert Ballagh.

The next exhibition is scheduled for November

/ December, (date to be announced due to Covid-19). It is expected to be work by Galway artist Padraic Reaney who just recently was selected to represent Ireland at a major International exhibition celebrating 75th anniversary of United Nations.

Tom says he has no plans to retire from the business. ‘I really enjoy what I do and between working here and writing a weekly column about old Galway for The Galway Advertiser newspaper life is good’, he says. Other family members involved in the business are brothers Conor (Manager Director), Des, Gerry and sisters Jane and Monica. One thing is certain the Kenny name is set to continue for many years with the third generation now also involved in the business. www.kennygallery.ie

Two prominent Clare personalities pass away in the same week

Two nonagenarians with completely different backgrounds and talents died during a week in September and both will be fondly remembered not only along the Western Seaboard but also around the country.

Sarah Harriot Poyntz, writer and journalist Sarah Poyntz passed away on 14th September following a short illness at the age of 94. She was passionate about The Burren where she resided for 34 years. She was born and raised in New Ross, County Wexford, a fact that made her very proud throughout her life. Nobody dared to say a bad word about that county! Teaching became her career which eventually brought her to Cornwall and some years later to Cambridge.

As a hobby she began making dolls houses, which led in later life to constructing model ships. On retiring in 1986 she returned to Ireland and continued her hobby of shipbuilding. One of her favourites was the USS Constellation used to bring food to Ireland and now on display at Strokestown Famine Museum.

After setting up home in the Burren she was commissioned by The Guardian newspaper to write a monthly nature column about people 46 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

she met and places she visited in the region. The articles were not only of historical importance for future generations but also frequently humorous. The book A Burren Journal published in 2000 featured many of those articles. Ten years later a second book Burren Villages- Tales of History and Imagination was launched containing chapters compiled in their own words by local people and regular visitors which she edited herself.

Chris Droney, traditional musician Chris Droney was a multi -award winning concertina player considered by many as one of the very best who died on 9th September at 95 . I wrote an article about Chris in Western Ways for the November/ December 2019 issue. Due to Covid-19 only a few of his large family and close friends were able to attend the funeral mass. However the roads leading to St. Patrick’s Church in Bellharbour were lined with many people practising social distancing. The famous Kilfenora Céilí Band, of which he was a member for 12 years, also turned up and played outside the church. Chris learned his first tunes by ear at eight years of age and up to very recently was still playing at family functions. He released three albums during his career, Irish Dance Music(1962), The Fertile Rock (1975) and Down from Bell Harbour in 2006.

Creative Writing Eileen Casey

Riveting reads

Eileen Casey chooses books to dip into over the Festive Season

A memory of a (Lilliputian) tree and some new gifting reads There’s no doubt 2020 has been a tough year.

Those of us who’ve lost loved ones will find this Christmas particularly difficult. The empty chair at the table is an image resonating throughout the nation and indeed the world. It would be great if we could rewrite the past year, obliterate deprivations concerning family gatherings, travel. Even smaller things we’ll never take for granted again like freedom to enter a shop without queuing and wearing facemasks. Not being able to hug a grandchild is one that really touches a chord with so many of us. But we are a nation of optimists and of making the best of a bad situation. The smallest joy this Christmas will be amplified but no matter what

the present circumstance, I’ll never forget my own childhood Christmases, especially the appearance of a tree that, with each passing year, seems to grow taller in memory.

I’m the youngest of six and we were brought up in a tiny council house. As you can imagine, there wasn’t much room for giant fir trees bedecked with glitter and elaborate decorations. But I knew it was finally Christmas when mother took our tree from its shoe-box size storage. Standing about one and a half foot high (and this included its paper wrapped plant pot container), it was as wide as the arm span of a doll. The decorations for this Bonsai artificial miracle were also in miniature and involved some ingenuity on our part. We wrapped matchboxes in coloured foil and used different shades of ribbons to add a festive bow.

It has to be said however, that homemade decorations were the norm in the 1960’s, indeed, the more inventive the better. It was a matter of pride to make the everyday item magically transform from its ordinary appearance and as far as recycling went, my family and the neighbours in our street were way ahead of themselves. Which is why, nowadays I absolutely love programmes such as ‘Money

for Nothing’ (a recycler’s dream) or ‘Storage Wars,(finding treasures in the good as new shops mushrooming throughout the country). In my Christmas childhood recycling, a hand-bag size cosmetic mirror, through the power of imagination, soon became a frozen ice-covered lake in the middle of hardened icing sugar ‘snow’. Surrounded by white-washed trees and ‘matchbox framed’ houses, a wonderful village scene soon filled a corner of the hallway beneath the red hue of the Christmas star.

Strings of abundant crimson berry laden holly branches were placed around picture frames and Christmas cards with the bright breasts of robins tucked behind ornaments on the mantelpieces. This humble bird was very popular (still is) as a card option, supplanted only by images of the Holy Family at Bethlehem. A sighting of a robin in the garden around this time boded well for family well-being and friendships in the New Year.

Our Lilliputian tree was always placed beside the wireless set on the sideboard and, as soon as darkness fell, sparkling fairy lights were plugged in. That tree, miniature as it was, resplendent in tinsel and lights, might well have

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 47

Creative Writing hamper donated by all the traders of the town.

Although we never, in my recollection, ever won that hamper, my memories of Christmas and especially our little tree, bring a whole treasure trove of magical memories. Alas, the Christmas fairs and Sales of Work, a stable of Christmas are nowhere in evidence this year.

But there’s always next year and we live in hope.

NEW ISLAND

of 2020 is undoubtedly the debut NEWA highlight TITLES

have gathered a range of voices to suit every taste. With themes ranging from family and friendship to ageing, love and childhood, there is something for everyone.

27 well-known authors have contributed to this anthology of short stories, celebrating 40 years of NALA and edited by Patricia Scanlan.

Written in an accessible style and edited in plain English, each story is approx 1,000 and geared for adult readers of all levels.

poetry collection from Northern poet and novelist Lynda Tavakoli. The Boiling Point for Jam is an accomplished body of work from a poet whose reverence for nature is a constant and comforting aesthetic. In poems which explore themes of innocence and experience, Tavakoli demonstrates her empathy with smaller, everyday miracles. A finely honed lyrical sensibility is thrived from the sturdy roots of a rural upbringing and gifts glimpses into an authentic world, familiar yet fresh and original. I cannot SELLING POINTS this collection highly enough. As recommend • Painstakingly researched overproduced 15 years a work of always, Arlen House have • The of in-depth, one-on-one withfor art,result a book visually pleasing andinterviews a container majoracast crew memberspoems. I include here a hostand of prize-winning for of thebooks first time: theatruth behindpublisher all the news been the most wondrous specimen in any • Together selection from favourite the time; what thesame Dinglevein residents really great house as far as we were concerned. and rumours of mine,ofNew Island.

In the as Arlen thought; reflections of cast and crew many years later; Even the splendour of the Christmas tree House, this publisher’s books are always a • Records major turning point film history: the I in Times Square (which I saw years later) delight,aoffering diversity forinliterature lovers. dying days of the studio system, the fading glory of couldn’t compete(well maybe that’s a ‘slight’ was very pleased that ‘Tatty’ (New Island)was Making Ryan's Daughter: The myths, auteurs like David Lean; exaggeration). When all the work was done chosen as 2020 Book of the City. I read this madness and mayhem June 2020 • Captures an important moment in Irish history when we sat by the fire, our only light the twinkling one when it first came out and fell in love with it.

Category: Irish Interest, Film Studies Hollywood came to a tiny town on the wild, southwest THEMA: ATFA, ATFB, 1DDR-IE-ZA flickers of colour from the tree and the vibrant Painstakingly researched over fifteen years, edge of the island and The Troubles had just begun in 9781848407657 (PB) heat from the open door of the Stanley range. Northern with ISBN: in-depth, one-on-one interviews with It’s a Ireland real treasure, written by Christine Dwyer €17.95/£15.99 We didn’t have a television set until I was Hickey, a writer of incomparable ability. I’m major cast and crew members, Making Ryan’s C-format Paperback fourteen years old so listening to the radio or ABOUT happy see that Dermot Bolger, a favourite Daughter charts the tumultuous filming of one THEtoBOOK 370pp having conversations with sisters and brothersThe making of Ireland’s most iconic pieces of cinema. novelist, and poet publishes hisis of dramatist Ryan’s Daughter in Dingle 1969 or a visiting neighbour provided the evening’s shrouded debutincollection short stories Secrets Never myth and of sensational stories.

Hollywood entertainment. Simple times yet made more superstars Told. inIt’slate-1960s definitely one to look to. Have ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ireland, the forward Irish climate, the Paul Rowan was born in Dublin in meaningful now, when human contact is so studioa system delve inand theone books below, there’s boundallto of film’s greatest auteurs 1963. His first book, The Team That precious. be one oratwo that catches the production. eye. HappyFifty combined into troubled and fabled Jack Built, Built, was published in 1994, to hope Paul 2021Benedict brings joy and yearsChristmas on, Sunday2020.

TimesLet’s journalist Rowan considerable critical acclaim. Paul has Every time I read James Joyce’s story ‘Araby’reveals good health. in fascinating detail why David Lean’s behemoth worked for The Sunday Times for the from Dubliners, it brings to mind the midlands. holds such a unique place in movie history, bringing last 20 years, for the sport, news and County Offaly is one of the warmest places together exclusive interviews with cast and crew, as travel sections. He has been travelling to Kerry since before he can remember. in the summer, yet can be very cold in winter well as many stills photographs taken on- and off-set. pieces all into a definitive rollercoaster account time. In ‘Araby’ the weather is described thus:‘ARowan master storyteller’ – Irish Times Author location: London and Blackrock, ‘The cold air stung us and we played ‘till our of the making of one of Lean’s last films.

Co. Dublin ‘No Irish writer since McGahern has been so obsessed with bodies glowed.’ It was the same for me and Book locale: Dingle, Co. Kerry; Rome; the poetics of love, sex and death.’ – Colm Tóibín my pals as we skipped, played hopscotch or South Africa; USA Tig (hide and seek), the breath streaming out New Island Books DAC, 16 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, Tel: +353 1 278 4225, Web: www.newisland.ie POINTS of our mouths like a fog. from However, ‘Araby’ is SELLING New adult literacy collection the pioneering (Ireland): Brookside •The Representation first short collection from one ofPublishing Ireland’s Services, most Tel: +353 1 278 4225, Email: sales@brookside.ie a favourite too for its evocation of the bazaar Open Door series.

Representation (UK): Compass, Tel: +44 020 8326 5696, Email: sales@compass-ips.london beloved writers. that the hero of the story wants to go to so Distribution: Gill Distribution, Hume Ave, Park West, Dublin 12, Tel: +353 1 500 9555, Email: sales@gill.ie order toNorton, buy something special•Features stories previously aired on BBC Radio 4, Featuring desperately writing frominGraham Roddy Doyle, for the object of his affections.

At Dwyer Christmas in print here for the first time, as well as brand new, Blindboy Boatclub, Carlo Gébler, Christine time we too enjoyed fairs and bazaars the masterfully written stories.

Hickey, Ciara Geraghty, Colm O’Regan, DeirdreatPurcell, Final cover to be revealed local Marion For months beforehand we •Bolger is a household name, who will be sure to have Dermot Bolger, Donal hall.

Ryan, Emily Hourican, great publicity, and to take part in numerous events saved our pennies and as we waited for the Secrets Never Told Louise Kennedy, Martina Devlin, Melatu Uche Okorie, nationally upon publication.

September 2020 ‘open sesame’ those doors, theFreyne, atmosphere Nuala O’Connor, PatriciaofScanlan, Patrick Category: Short stories, General/ •Author is hugely connected in the Irish literary world, fever English, pitch among adults and children In hisLiterary first ever collection of short stories, DerPaul Perry,was Rachael Roisín O’Donnell, Fiction with lots of praise quotes on the way. alike.Sheila The womenfolk huddled together mot Bolger peers Ruth Gilligan, O’Flanagan, Sinead Crowley, THEMA: FYB, under FB the veneer of our lives, discussing ways ofKavanagh, making theYan turkey delves into9781848407701 the secrets that bind relationships ISBN: Sinead Moriarty, Úna-Minh Geand andham ABOUT THE BOOK even tastier than the year before. Old buggiesA widow Voices: Anweeks Open Door Book of Stories together or tear them apart, and create worlds €14.95/£12.99 Marita Conlon-McKenna. spends August 2020 haunting a cemetery, desperate where C-format and prams were taken down from attics or to track down peoplePaperback find that nothing is truly certain. an unknown woman who keeps leaving Category: For adult emergent readers, 264pp on her husband’s grave;has A daughter searches a out BOOK of the shed so that potatoes or bags of flowers Since 1998, Open Door been introducing There are always truths just beyond their ABOUT THE Forfor ELTher/ father, ESL learning, examcity trying tocourses, understand whyfinest he readers new andcertificates old to some of Ireland’s turf and briquettes could be find carted home. texts, Weforeign reach that would make sense of their lives, if Did you know that one in six Irish adults everyday inations and ABOUT THE AUTHOR disappeared forty-five years ago; A former gay lover of they only such as a bus timetable, hard to andalso, understand?

A knew there would beread a raffle a sumptuous writers.

In this our first collection of stories, we know how to unlock them.

THEMA:stands 5AX, among 4LE the crowds at his state Roger Casement Born in Finglas, North Dublin, in 1959, further 37% can read texts written in plain English, but may ISBN: 9781848407824 (PB) funeral in 1965, paying silent homage to the closeted 48 Senior Timescomplex l Januarytexts - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie Dermot Bolger is one of Ireland’s besthave difficulties with more (such as a full-length world they were forced to inhabit at the dawning of the €9.95/£8.99 known writers across a range of genres. novel). These startling statistics mean more than half the adult Irish State.

A writer Paperback at a book launch comes face to face A-format His fourteen novels include The Journey

Making Ryan’s Daughter The Myths, Madness and Mastery

Paul Benedict Rowan

NEW ISLAND NEW TITLES

NEW ISLAND NEW TITLES

Secrets Never Told

Voices

Dermot Bolger

An Open Door Book of Stories

Edited by Patricia Scanlan

Stories

TITLES

tle y of the Tribes

924

er Macken

Irish Classics

NEW ISLAND NEW TITLES

Creative Writing

A Quiet Tide Marianne Lee A beautifully intelligent and heartbreaking debut about a long-forgotten Irishwoman.

was attuned to the menacing depths that lay physical exterior’ The Irish Times SELLING POINTS

hs •Major new voice on the Irish literary scene. he hts and actions of the people in this book are•True story of a forgotten Irish woman.

•Timely themes of autonomy and equality. the Irishstrong tea they are forever drinking’ •Elegant and beautifully written debut.

York on. Times ars y BOOK HE ABOUT THE BOOK Peace After The Final Battle: The Story of ple of the city whom Macken knew and loved rial A Quiet Tide is the fictionalised account of Irish botanist es, of rich with the passion and drama which the Irish Revolution, 1912–1924 so well. Full of insight and humour, they do not Ellen ses all of Walter Macken’s writing, were romanticise the past; rather they celebrate the Hutchins who lived in Bantry in County Cork at the start 2020 by the author a thematic collection, InSeptember this as exciting new updated edition, drawing qualities of ordinary people in their struggles of the nineteenth century.

To everyone else she appears Category: Irish History/History April 202 020 0 with on new research andlife theand mostpeople recent material with poverty, political conservatism and a stunning evocation of the of m a meek and sickly young woman, tied to her once-grand THEMA: 3MPBF-IE-R Category: Categor y: Fiction/Sh Fiction/Shor ortt elements Stories in this field, John Dorney, historian and editor with the sea, ever-present in the life They9781848407800 document a time(PB) and place,family home. But in botany Ellen forges sthe a 1940s. her own way ISBN: THEMA: FBC, FYB of The Irish Story website, examines the roots of the city of the tribes. so have a €14.95/£12.99 timeless appeal in their portrayal towards selfexpression, discovering art, the natural world uly 978184840 48407 763 633 3 (PB) of the revolution, using the experiences of the ISBN: 97 C-format ple of the men city whomPaperback Macken knew and and unexpected and empowering friendships along the €11.95/£10.

5/£1 0.99 99 and women of the time. section reputation other botany enthusiasts well. insight plus and plate humour, they do not way. Her Bst Full of 382pp B-format format Paperback Pamong aperback her cousin Tom Taylor, she feels a love she e the past; rather they celebrate the qualities grows and, 32for 0pp y people in their struggles with poverty, with can never fully articulate. This is a heartbreaking story of restrained passion and unrealised potential as Ellen, onservatism and with the sea, ever-present shackled by family crises and ill-health, seeks to find ABOUT THE AUTHOR AUTHOR noyal the life ofABOUT the cityTHE of the tribes. meaning in her small but rich life Born in 19 1915, Walter Walter Macken Macken ning John Dorney is an independent historian at the outer wild edge of Europe.

NEW ISLAND NEW TITLES

Th e Bogman Walter Macken

NEW ISLAND NEW TITLES

childless and sickly, Ellen is considered an ‘unsuccessful’ woman, dutifully bound to her family’s March Mar ch 202 2once 020 0grand and isolated estate, Ballylickey Still, she glimpses a happiness BIC: FA FAHouse.

(Fiction).

THEMA: FBA she can never quite articulate and autonomy 978 184840 48 407 754for 1 (PB) as she reaches meaning and expression, €14. €1 4.9 9 5/£12.

5/£1 2.99 99 until the eruption of a long-simmering family C-format Cformat PPaperback, aperback, feud and the rise of Ellen’s own darkness – her 400pp 300pp ‘quiet tide’ – will conspire to destroy her fragile future. A Quiet Tide is a life examined, a heartbreaking, inspiring story that at last captures the essence and humanity of a long-forgotten Irishwoman.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marianne grew grew up in Tullamor Tullamore, e, Co. Offaly Of faly,, in the the hear heartt of th thee Irish midlands.

Shee studied Sh studied visual communications at thee National College of Art th Ar t and Design.

Shee has an MPhil in Creative Sh Creative Writing Writing from fr om Trinit Trinityy College, Dublin. Marianne works as a freelance freelance art ar t dir director ector and copywriter.. She copywriter She lives in Dublin with her her husband. A Quiet Tide is her h firer first st novel.

was originally and actor with the the and chief editor of The Irish Story Modern Irish Classics acken has long been one of Ireland’s most T adhbhear adhbh earc c in Galway, Galway , the th e Abbey website.

He is the author of Griffith y of A novelist This elegant and intelligent debut is beautifully written with riters. who defined in fiction the Dublin: A History of itshis Campus heatre eatre and on Broadway Broadway. . He was also “...Again,College a born story teller has shared seeing and style and Tempathy

by Marianne Lee and captures the Christine Dwyer Hickey he ‘plain people’ of the west of Ireland, he War most The Civil assistant manager manager, , and artistic ar tistic advisor words and that sing torecently his readers.”

Kirkus Reviews w feeling in(2013) essence and humanity of a long-forgotten Irishwoman. in Dublin: ter of the short story.The Fight for the Irish Capital, thaesAbbey ThOeatres eatr thOen19 1e960s.

Selectof edthe DublinTh neesCiintythe BookHis 1922–1924. novelsDublin; include Rain onCo. the theOffaly Wind , th thee ‘Comic...touching...skillfully told...ecxellent’ The Author Spectator location: Tullamore Choictrilogy e 202Seek 0 the th e Fair F air Land , T h e Silent hed posthumously in 1997, these magnificent Book Locale: Bantry, Co. Cork; Dublin he People and The Scorching Scorching Wind. He ABOUT THE BOOK now brought back to life in the Modern Irish Author location: Dublin arding, New Island Books DAC, 16 Priory d ied in Galway onOffice AprilPark, 22, 22,Stillorgan, 19 1967. Co. Dublin, Tel: +353 1 278 4225, Web: www.newisland.ie Orphaned at a young age, Cahal Kinsella returns from eries.

Book locale: Ireland SELLING POINTS gan, Representation (Ireland): Brookside Publishing Services, Tel: +353 1 278 4225, Email: sales@brookside.ie

The Bogman . an industral school in Letterfrack to the small farming Representation (UK): Compass, Tel:guarenteed +44 020 8326 •Huge Auth publicity and marketing campaign on 5696, Email: sales@compass-ips.london Author orGill location: Galway o. Dublin, +353 1 278 Web:towww.newisland.ie villageTel: of Caherlo, Co.4225, Galway his tyrannical theDistribution: Distribution, Hume Ave,2020.

Park West, Dublin 12, Tel: +353 1 500 9555, Email: sales@gill.ie back of Dublin One City One Book locale:subtle Galway s, Tel: +353 1 278 4225, sales@brookside.ie grandfather, and mustEmail: assert his individuality if he•Tatty is to isBook aOrphaned beautifullyat workage, of art, a masterpiece a young Cahal Kinsella of 326 5696, Email: sales@compass-ips.london have any hope of freedom from his misery.

Irish literature. rs returns from an industrial school in Letterfrack 16 Priory Co. Dublin, Tel: Hickey +353March 1stands 278 4225, www.newisland.ie ublin 12,DAC, Tel: +353 1 500Office 9555,Park, Email:Stillorgan, sales@gill.ie 2020 •Dwyer amongWeb: the great Irish writers. sBooks The Music of What Happens: The Purple to the small farming village of Caherlo, Co. esentation (Ireland): Brookside Publishing Services, Tel: +353new 1 278 4225, Email: sales@brookside.ie BIC: Fiction •This 2019 edition of her masterpiece features ber 2020 Septem Walter Macken paints a haunting and memorable por- Galway House Anthology of Tel: Writing. to his tyrannical grandfather, anda must s, Storie Representation (UK): Compass, +44 020 8326 5696, Email: sales@compass-ips.london THEMA: logies, Short foreword by Dermot Bolger. ays. ory: Categ trait of the hard life of Antho subsistance farming, of loveless assert his individuality if hesales@gill.ie is to(PB) have any hope Tatty 9781848407732 bution: Gill Distribution, Hume Ave, Park West, Dublin•Striking 12, Tel: +353 1ISBN: 500 9555, and well priced newEmail: paperback edition to mark Charity, Poetry arrangedPurple marriages, and of rebellion against suffucatHouse, one of Ireland’s most beloved of freedom from his misery.

Walter Macken Dublin: One City, One Book 2020 DC , JKSN1 FYB, €11.95/£10.99 Tatty's selection as Dublin One City One Book THEMA: DNT, for ing social mores. and important cancer paintsB-format a haunting and memorable portrait of Christine Dwyer Hickey’s Tatty is a devastat763 charities cele48407support 97818 ISBN: Paperback, brates its 5/£1 30th 1.99 anniversary. So valued are the the hard life of subsistence farming, of loveless ing yet hilarious depiction of a troubled Dublin €13.9 356pp PBcharity February C-Form services ofinat the so banned ubiquitous are arranged family told in2020 the vibrant, charismatic voice of Originally written 1952, andand soon in Ireland, ABOUT THE BOOKmarriages, and of rebellion against 208pp BIC:little FAgirl(Fiction). the effects of cancer that nearly 50brings Irish writers suffocating social mores.Christine Dwyer the lost within it. With brutal honesty, Funny, and unsentimental, New Island’s Modern Irish Classics series this tragic, iagnosis have contributed a story, essay or poem to Hickey’s this Tatty is a devastatingly affecting insight into Tatty tells the masterwork ABOU back to life.EDITOR THEMA: FBAstory of her beloved but feckless T THE Ireland’s the mind of a child. beautiful anthology.

A Quiet Tide dad, her tormented mam and her five siblings, three of author 9781848407619 (PB) Tanya Farrelly is the arities ABOUT THE AUTHOR including her sister with special needs. As she Black Dogs Sing When books: ed publish €11.95/£10.99 tion of this 1915, Walter Macken was andinof sometimes brutal clarity of a orig) which was longlisted for With the crystal City (Arlen Of The Tribes At theBorn time her death in 1815, twenty-ninegrows up, Tatty becomes ever more aware House arkling inally and actor with the Tadhbhearc B-format Paperback, child’s voice, Tatty tells the story of her alcoholic named and the Edge Hill Short Story Prize year-old Ellen Hutchins had catalogued over of the strange reality of her home life, and the ned prose in Galway, the Abbey Theatreofand on in age and awareness the 2017, family, as she grows Award Brien O Kate 208pp the of winner First published posthumously in 1997, these a thousand species of seaweed and plants damage wrought by alcohol on her family. First wasworld. also assistant strangenessHe of her This is a manlogical thrillers: The mutability and Broadway. two psycho as well as magnificent stories are now brought back to from ager, her native Bay. Ireland’s published in 2004, Tatty became a bestseller and Bantry artistic thefirst Abbey family,advisor and theofchild lost Behind the Lens and When Your Eyes portrait of a disintegrating Girl life in the Modern Irish Classics series.

These female botanist, Ellen was a major contributor and is a modern Irish masterpiece that is tragic, Author location: Dublin he Theatres in the 1960s. His novels inClose (Harper Collins), both of which are within it. stories, rich with the passion and drama which to nineteenth-century scientific discovery.

And funny and utterly unsentimental. clude Rain on the Wind , the trilogy Seek ours Book locale: Dublin Amazon bestsellers. characterises all of Walter Macken’s writing, yet, like many brilliant women lost inand history, theso Fair Land , The Silent People The use This extraordinary novel confirms Christine Dwyer ow as a thematic Wickl n: the locatioby wereEditor conceived author is her story that will resonate New Island books are available in most good Scorching Wind.

Hepotent died in Galway on Hickey’s itstatus aspersonal one of the most voices intoday.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR locale: Ireland Book providing April 22, 1967. collection, a stunning evocation of her remarkable debut novel, Marianne Lee outlets/Amazon etc. info@newisland.ie thethe canonInof Irish literature.

Christine Dwyer Hickey is an award-winning life and people of Galway in the 1940s. They fuses fact with fiction to imagine Ellen’s rich but novelist andPoint shortfor story She has d.iehave ewislan www.n Web: 14, Dublin ALSO AVAILABLE eagh, document a time and place, yet they also tormented inner life, repressed by the gender The Boiling Jamwriter. is available from Book Clonsk view Office Park, New Island Books DAC, 16 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, Tel: +353 1 278 4225, Web: www.newisland.ie ide.ie published eight novels, one collection of brooks sales@ Email: 380, 86 2252 Services, Tel: +353 The House Parkgate Street a timeless appeal in their portrayal of the peo andonclass confines of (9781848402904) her time. Unmarried, Depository or arlenhouse@gmail.com

Representation (Ireland): Brookside Publishing Services, Tel: +353 1 278 4225, Email: sales@brookside.ie short stories and a full-length play. She is a 020 8326 5696, Email: sales@compass-ips.london gill.ie sales@ Representation (UK): Email: Compass, Tel: +44 020 8326 5696, Email: sales@compass-ips.london +353 1 500 9555, West, Dublin 12, Tel: member of -Aosdána, Honorary Secretary 49 Senior Times l January February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie Distribution: Gill Distribution, Hume Ave, Park West, Dublin 12, Tel: +353 1 500 9555, Email: sales@gill.ie

of the Irish Pen and lives in Palmerstown with her family.

Art

First exhibition of work by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian in Ireland

Pollarded willows 1905

Composition with red, black, yellow, blue and grey, 1921

Sea after sunset, 1909

The National Gallery 4 November 2020 until 4 February 2021 Dutch painter Piet Mondrian (1872–1944), one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, is the subject of a planned major exhibition at The National Galery in Dublin.

This landmark exhibition is the first of the artist’s work to be held in Ireland. It features art from all periods of his fascinating career: from early landscapes to his distinctive abstract paintings using geometric shapes. The exhibition, featuring loans from Kunstmuseum Den Haag will also include works by De Stijl artists Theo van Doesburg, Bart van der Leck and Gerrit Rietveld.

50 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

The Royal Wax Candle Factory, 1895

NOTE

Before visiting check opening times by telephoning (01) 661513 or visiting nationalgallery.ie

Literature

Tilting at windmills After a number of false starts and living a year in Spain Henry Murphy, in his mid-sixties, has published his first novel

Henry Murphy: How on earth did I think that I could write a novel in a year.

‘What about renting a house for a year In the West, somewhere around Kilary Harbour?’

‘What on earth for?’, she replied, palpably puzzled.

In the early 70s I lived in India for a year. I was working as a teacher in a school near Calcutta. Shortly after I arrived, I received a short letter from a friend who wanted to know what I was doing there. By which I took him to mean, not what was I working at, but why was I there at all. I never replied as I didn’t really know. It had something vaguely to do with saving the world, something that was in vogue at the time, and I decided that the best way to go about it was to apply to Voluntary Service Overseas. I had neither medical nor engineering qualifications so I ticked the box that said ‘teaching’. When, at interview, they asked me where in the planet I would like to go if I had the choice, I answered India. I know not why. I knew nothing about India. I couldn’t even spell Ghandi’s name correctly.

So, I was posted to a school near Calcutta.

I lasted the year, returning two days early to attend the wedding of my letter-writing friend. I nearly didn’t last the year as all volunteers in the region, i.e. me, were put on home alert due to the outbreak of the war between India and Pakistan which led to the birth of Bangladesh and the short-lived hope on my part to be back in Grafton Street for Christmas.

The ‘something vaguely to do with saving the world’was wholly unsuccessful.

Upon my return to Dublin, I resumed where I had left off and headed down the Quays to the Law Library in the Four Courts to begin working as a barrister.

Forty years later, in my early 60s, I had a mid-life crisis which brought my wife and I to Spain for a year.

Shortly after we arrived, I received another short letter from my letter-writing friend from India days.

With the same enquiry. ‘What are you doing there?’

This time I answered stoutly. ‘I’m writing a novel’.

A number of years previously, I had written three collections of short stories which were of course a resounding success. However, my publisher had said from the outset ‘what about a novel?’ I couldn’t see why he couldn’t be happy with short stories.

‘They don’t sell’, he said. So, it’s all about the economy stupid. ‘I want a novel’. Well, a novel wasn’t just feasible at that time what with law and family so he’d just have to wait.

While he waited and I got on with life, the notion of a novel had bubbled away under the radar until eventually, with life a little more sorted, it got the better of me. One evening over a gin and tonic, rain teeming down outside, I said to my beloved,

I mentioned the novel and the fact that I needed a break.

‘You can’t in your early 60s just take a break for a year and hope to resume as normal’, she said wisely.

We talked around the thing, the pros and the cons, for the night and over the weekend and eventually there was a breakthrough.

‘I’m not really sure about the whole idea but I’m certainly not going to the West of Ireland for a year. If you’re so set and we can find a place in the sun not far from an airport count me in’ We opted for Spain and without difficulty and less research, we stumbled on a white village in the mountains of Andalucía surrounded by, not surprisingly, mountains. We even had a view of a slice of the Mediterranean. A restricted view perhaps but better than the view of Torquay had by the woman in Fawlty Towers - you didn’t have to stand on the loo to see it. We were half way more or less between Malaga and Granada, 56 km of corkscrew roads from the airport. We settled down. We settled in.

The year came. The year went. Novel barely begun. How on earth did I think that I could write a novel in a year. Tolstoy had taken six and that was only War and Peace. Why hadn’t I stayed with short stories?

I made a serious error at the outset. Spanish wasn’t easy. Andaluz impossible. About as close to Castilian as a Kerry farmer to Queen’s English. Notwithstanding the difficulties, we managed a modicum of communication and when I was asked for the umpteenth time by our neighbours what we were doing here - an inquisitive lot, the villagers - I blurted out escribiendo,.

Big Mistake. Forever after, on a daily basis, I was asked terminado? , libro?.

Absolutely no idea of how long things can take. I didn’t ask them if they had finished picking the olives. By the end of the year they had given up on me, too embarrassed to ask any more.

Was that it then? It certainly wasn’t. We were here for the long haul. The writing continued, aided by the cessation of enquiries. Eventually, some years later, a novel, done and dusted.

Tilting At Windmills is published by Orpen Press RRP €15.99, available in bookshops nationwide and online from Kennys.ie, available as a Kindle ebook also.

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 51

Health

Montessori Education for Dementia:

Bringing Joy and Purpose into Care Nestled in the beautiful seaside town of Dun Laoghaire is St Nicholas Montessori College, a teacher-training college specialised in Montessori methodology. For the past 50 years, St Nicholas Montessori Society has been training and equipping Montessori professionals in Ireland with the hopes of bringing professionalisation to the early years sector and transforming education in the Primary education sector and beyond.

Now, SNMCI is expanding the scope of Montessori to encompass all ages, through the new groundbreaking Level 6 Special Purpose Award in Montessori Education for Dementia. In an in-depth interview with Montessori Education for Dementia Programme Director and Montessori Dementia expert, Jennifer Brush, we spoke at length to learn more about how St Nicholas Montessori College is transforming the lives of all ages.

Why Montessori?

Montessori is based on the principles of free choice and purposeful activity. In a Montessori community for elders, individuals with a wide range of abilities work both individually and collaboratively on an array of activities from which they are free to choose, explore, and discover (Brush, Douglas, and Bourgeois). Elders have freedom to move within the community, and to engage in household roles and responsibilities, guided as needed by trained staff who have completed at least two days of education with an AMI trainer (AMI). The focus is on the well-being of the whole person, including physical, spiritual, social, mental, and emotional needs. Communities offer occasions for new learning, religious practices, meditation, art, music, exercise, and so forth. In addition, there are opportunities for interaction with children, friends, family, and groups outside of the care community.

52 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Montessori for adults with Dementia, How? Montessori methodology isn’t just for little ones. Although Dr. Montessori did not design environments for older adults, researchers, clinicians, and architects have contributed to a large body of evidence that has resulted in aging and dementia care guidelines. This new program combines Dr. Montessori’s philosophy of learning and living with person-centered aging and dementia care best practices.The Montessori Education for Dementia respects the older person and enables them to continue to make contributions to the community in whatever way possible, encourages caregivers to make observations in order to learn about the person, encourages independence in a specially prepared environment, provides meaningful engagement for older adults, and reminds us that learning and engagement can occur anywhere and at any age. This is a life changing approach to dementia care.

The Montessori philosophy encourages and incorporates the prepared environment, freedom of movement, hands-on activities, intrinsic motivation, concentration, independence, and mixed abilities. Most of us would hear Montessori and automatically picture children or early years settings, but read through those attributes again... This philosophy, at its core, allows for a sense of individuality and joy within the individual. Older adults and children alike can utilise these attributes and flourish in their lives. It is at this intersection that St Nicholas Montessori College is offering its unique expertise in the creation and delivery of one of the world’s only Montessori Education for Dementia programmes: Level 6 Special Purpose Award in Montessori Education for Dementia.

About the course and/or workshop SNMCI is offering the standalone introductory workshop (ideal for groups of colleagues who seek insight into this field) and a 6 month ONLINE blended course (ideal for carers, activity professionals, social workers, nursing home directors, and leaders in the field of ageing and Montessori).

Applications can be made before 1 March 2021 for the next intake on 15 April 2021: https://smsi.ie/all-courses/apply/

This course provides a powerful approach to dementia care that will change perspectives on ageing and dementia care. Students will learn how to create a dementia friendly physical and social environment that supports people with cognitive impairment to participate in meaningful activities that match their cognitive skills, interests and abilities. Students will also develop an understanding about memory loss, learning, and attention in order to best communicate with individuals living with dementia. The course will result in the tools care providers need to cope with the challenges of dementia care in order to create an environment where everyone wants to live and work.

For more information, please visit SNMCI’s website: https://smsi.ie/dementia/

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

Literature

His travels for The Evening and The Morning took him to the splendid Bayeux Tapestry, in Normandy.

As well as the famous battle, the beautiful art work shows scenes of everyday life

A champion of Europe and an epic storyteller In the latest in her series of writers in these islands, Lorna Hogg profile the hugely popular historical novelist Ken Follett He has written 36 books, of which he has sold 170 million copies in 80 countries, in 33 langauges. Three of his books have been turned into television mini series – in which he has had two cameo roles. He has been awarded a CBE, is a Fellow of University College London, and is active in many literary charities – and also an enthusiastic bass guitar player.

So, if you harbour ambitions to write a best seller, Ken Follett is one of the best authors to ask how it is done.

He is generous with press access and information on his workstyle.

At a recent presentation at the Foreign Press Association, London, he stressed how much he enjoyed the European Friendship Tour he took with three other authors in 2019, to reassure European readers that ‘we still love you’. However, it quickly becomes obvious that disciplined and demanding research and planning play a major part of his success.That fact impresses some rather patronising book reviewers, who nevertheless concede admiration for his thorough preparation.

Follett was born on 5th June 1949, in Cardiff, the son of a tax inspector. He was later joined by a brother and sister. His parents were both staunch Plymouth Bretheren believers, and Ken’s childhood contained no films or television. He enjoyed reading, and developed a stong imagination. The family later moved to London, where he applied himself to his studies, and went on to read philosophy at University College London.

He also developed strong political Centre Left convictions, which still remain in his life.

Ken Follett with his much-acclaimed Kingsbridge Sagas

to thrillers with Jackdaws, also with a World War Two setting, and The Hornet Flight (2002) His personal life was also changing. He and his wife divorced, and in 1985 he married Daphne Hubbard, who served as Labour MP for Stevenage from 1997 until 2010. Their life in Hertfordshire now includes his two childen, three step children - and two Labradors.

Epic sagas

Follett married his first wife, Mary Elson, in 1968, and they had two children. In 1970, he took a post-graduate course in journalism and joined the South Wales Echo. However, in 1973, he left to work in a small London publishing house, Everest Books of which he later became Deputy Managing Director. He has joked that he started writing to pay to fix his car - The Big Needle was his first novel. Major success followed with the 1978 spy thriller Eye of the Needle, which was set in World War Two. It sold 10 million copies and earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for `Best Novel’ from the Mystery Writers of America.

In 1989 Follett started the form of writing for which he would become internationally famous – epic novels, which in turn grew to sagas. Pillars of the Earth (1989) told the story of the building of a medieval cathedral, in a small town, Kingsbridge, in a time of social anarchy. Undoubtedly helped by his own interest in and visits to English cathedrals, it made the best selller lists, and became a TV mini-series. World without End (2007) is set a hundred and fifty seven years later, taking the story through The Black Death. Column of Fire moved the story to the religious wars of Elizabethan times, and Kingsbridge’s growth following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. His new book, The Evening and The Morning (2020) is a prequel – we go back to the Kingsbridge of 1000, the time of The Dark Ages.

Follett soon became known for spy thrillers, including The Key to Rebecca, A Dangerous Fortune and A Place called Freedom. He moved

So just how does one write a best-seller? Surprisingly, readers often offer ideas, such as ‘you ought to write about...’ or ‘I had an idea..’ However,

54 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Music

Music Network is inviting the nation to participate in the Grade-1-a-thon Challenge, in aid of the Music Network Instruments for Older People Appeal

Beat the lockdown blues and kick off the New Year with a jazzy new hobby. It’s never too late to start playing a musical instrument!

find out more about how to take part, including information on how to source an instrument and a helpful fundraising guide, see https://bit. ly/Grade-1-a-thonChallenge

Music Network is launching its Grade-1-a-thon Challenge and is calling on participants of all ages to join in and help raise the €50,000 needed to establish a national bank of musical instruments for use by people over the age of 65.

Commenting on the launch, Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston said: ‘If you’ve ever dreamed of learning to play a musical instrument, this may be your ideal opportunity to do so. Besides the enjoyment and sense of achievement that you’ll experience as you uncover your musical talent, our Grade-1-athon Challenge brings the added benefit of supporting a very worthy cause in the process.

‘Creativity is a valuable way to reconnect with ourselves and others, and we want to encourage more older people to become actively engaged in making music, after what has been a particularly difficult and isolating year for many.

Through our Instruments for Older People Appeal we’re aiming to ensure that older people in communities around Ireland are afforded the chance to participate as musical citizens.”

By taking part in the Grade-1-a-thon Challenge, participants can learn to play the musical instrument of their dreams, with the added motivation that comes from asking friends and family for sponsorship.

Music Network has teamed up with the Royal Irish Academy of Music for the Grade-1-a-thon Challenge so that participants can take their Royal Irish Academy of Music Grade 1 exams online free of charge (subject to availability).

Exams will be held in early summer 2021.

Music Network will be sharing the progress of participants along the way on its social media channels, including that of Éanna Ni Lamhna, the intrepid naturalist and broadcaster who plans to take on the flute. Éanna will receive lessons from the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s principal flautist Catriona Ryan.

Music Network is inviting people of all ages to take part in the Grade-1-a-thon Challenge, regardless of their musical experience. To

Deborah Kelleher, Director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music commented: “Setting out on a musical journey can be one of the most impactful decisions on a person’s life, and RIAM are passionate about helping to create that opportunity.

has never been more important to find ways to connect with others.’

You can help Music Network to raise the €50,000 needed to establish a collection of musical instruments for use by older people in a number of communities throughout Ireland by donating to the Instruments for Older People Appeal, sponsoring the Grade-1-athon Challenge or by taking on the Challenge yourself!

Donations to the Music Network Instruments for Older People Appeal can be made through: JustGiving, musicnetwork.ie and through Music Network’s Facebook page.

Follow #MNGrade1athon on Twitter: @MusNetIrl Facebook: @musicnetworkireland Instagram: @musnetirl Music Network is funded by the Arts Council.

‘Taking the first steps towards learning an instrument, at any stage of life, is a gateway to motivation, achievement, and wellbeing, creating shared experiences at a time when it Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 55

Literature who arrives in England to marry, finds it a shock after the civilsation of Normandy. Europeans certatinly love Follett’s books - he has inspired a statue in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country, a fact which his friends find ‘hilarious’, but of which he is very proud.

He allows for three years to produce a book. One year to research and plan – most of the research is done in the first year. ‘Then, I work on the first draft for about another year, and it is sent to friends and experts in London and New York, plus experts in history, police, scientists..having experts check my work saves me from quite a lot of errors..’

Follett points out that the idea may offer one or two dramatic incidents,but he knows that his novels needs some fifty up to one hundred dramatic scenes to move the story forward.

Next comes the edit and any re-writing. He notes, when typing it out, how sentences could be made shorter, so that the book is improved, and which will aid the all important movement of the story. He also watches out for that common problem of authors – ‘ideas bubbling around’ for future books. He avoids working on them, preferring to keep his enthusiasm focussed. And yes, he has an idea for his next book – but won’t talk about it.

On the first day of writing a new book, he sits down and thinks about its context. In the case of the Kingsbridge saga – he questions what the town was like at that stage. How did it develop? How did the market place and cathedral grow? What was the conflict like, between those who wanted development - a bigger bridge, a larger cathedral – and those who wanted things to remain as they were, or return to the old days? These ‘notions’ will produce some fifty to one hundred scenes which will drive the story forward.

On Day Two, he asks ‘what happened before and after these changes?’

The story grows organically, he explains, constantly creating dramatic scenes – so that it is constantly offering the reader something to think abous. Focus is constantly needed - from remembering a character hair and eye colour, to relationship details and dates.

Drawing in the reader Follett’s writing draws us in because he has the ability to paint a picture of the age in which it is set. That requires considerable research, on which he spends at least a year before writing. His travels for The Evening and The Morning took him to the splendid Bayeux Tapestry, in Normandy. As well as the famous battle, the beautiful art work shows scenes of everyday life. From scenes of log chopping, hawking and hunting, to the detail of passengers wading out through shallow water to board boats – images of contemporary life are formed.

He points out that we don’t have much detail remaining from the times – but admits with a grin, that ‘Historical novelists can make it up!.’ His research is wide ranging, from visits to the Viking Museum in Oslo to view the the famous dragon headed boats and contemporary carvings, to an expert in ancient coins and a forge master.

Follett admits that he has long been interested in politics and the abuse of power, and this is reflected in his work. ‘My stories are often about fighting, freedom and civil rights, right up to the Suffragettes.’ Evening and Morning is about a fight for justice, in the Dark Ages, a time when there was no rule of law, just the power of the local Chieftain or Lord. One of the themes is the conflict between the Anglo Saxons and the Vikings.

We sometimes think of the latter as romantic adventurers. However to locals, they were violent invaders, traders as well as slavers, who ‘for hundreds of years treated (what is now) the United Kingdom like a shop’.

Then there were the Normans, ‘at that time possibly the most sophisticated society in the times – waiting their moment.’

His interests and travel over the years have given him a love of Europe, and he was a vocal opponent of Brexit. He is at ease with European culture – and his heroine Ragna, in The Evening and the Morning, 56 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Ken Follett has inspired a statue in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country

He writes long books – the average is about 900 pages.. ‘Pillars of the Earth had to be a long book – think about it. But the thing about it is that it stays with people. I read a lot - and a few weeks later, I couldn’t tell you the plot. I was attracted to the idea of writing a book which would stay in people’s memories.... motto - `Never read a boring book – especially a long boring book!’’’

Northern

By Debbie Orme

Notes The intiative was the brainchild of Clara Maybin

NI Scrubs draws to a close after mammoth achievement The mammoth effort of pulling together thousands of people to sew scrubs, scrub hats and gowns for hospitals, hospices, care homes and other caring professionals has drawn to a close, with 106,000 items delivered to key workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative was the brainchild of Clara Maybin, who, at the start of the first lockdown, appealed to local men and women to start sewing when nursing and care staff were facing shortages. Very quickly, Clara had an army of 9,000 sewers, including Great British Sewing Bee contestant, Angeline Murphy!

NI Scrubs was a challenge that consumed every waking hour for Clara.

‘When I sit and think about it, it was madness,’ she says. ‘When I think of how tough it was, it was totally overwhelming. Every day got harder and harder, as more messages came through. To be honest, it was very difficult to manage. And getting fabric to people up and down the country was so hard during the lockdown.’

Angeline became involved initially to join the scrub sewing army, but then realised her TV appearance meant she could do more.

Although the hospitals now have sufficient stocks, Clare believes that NI Scrubs has started a great ball rolling.

“I initially got involved to start sewing but realised that to make an impact I would be better suited to helping raise awareness of it from my profile on Sewing Bee and social media so I was able to get my followers on my pages to help,” she explained.

‘The sheer sense of community we have created will last for a long time,’ she says ‘We have built a real sewing community in Northern Ireland where people have made friends and ask for sewing advice every day.

It is a truly invaluable group to a lot of people, in so many ways.’

And, while NI Scrubs is winding down, Angeline Murphy wants to continue supporting the sewing community.

The initiative started when Clara began collecting unused scrubs from dentists that were closing in lockdown.

‘I feel I have a duty to keep the stitchers together and use their skills for the greater good,” she said “I have formed another group - NI Big Community Sew - in line with the UK-wide campaign to make face coverings for the vulnerable in society.

‘When I said what I was doing, people started to say they could sew.

‘Overnight, we had far too many people for the WhatsApp group and I had to set up a Facebook group. The next day we had 80, the next week we had 800 and, by the end, we had nearly 9000.’

‘It was a great campaign that helped more than just the front-line staff.

It has helped thousands of stitchers to rediscover their skills, meet new friends and give back to society.’

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 57

Northern Notes

More than 600 adults waiting over a year for autism diagnosis

Meta Auden, founder of Spectra Sensory Clothing, believes that the statistics are totally unacceptable and cause great distress for many.

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Robin Swann, has revealed that more than 600 adults are waiting for over a year for autism diagnosis.

Mr Swann was answering an Assembly Written Question from South Down SDLP MLA, Colin McGrath, who also revealed that, in total, more than 1000 people were currently waiting for assessment.

The Minister also said that a planned review of adult autism services planned to begin in April of this year had been delayed as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, but that he would be asking the Executive to bring forward an interim review early in 2021.

As for Clara she said she now plans to rest, and can reflect on the Sewing Bee contestant, Angeline Murphy wider benefits of NI Scrubs.

‘The sheer sense of community we have created will last for a long time,’ she said. ‘Not only have we helped front-line staff, I have had several messages from those helping saying we have helped their mental health through lockdown, which is amazing.’

Angeline believes that it has also made a difference beyond the scrubs. ‘Together we have made a big difference and all though seen as a dying art sewing is making a comeback. It also proved that, when people work together, great things can be achieved.’ 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.

58 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Meta Auden, founder of Spectra Sensory Clothing, believes that the statistics are totally unacceptable and cause great distress for many.

‘In the case of adults,’ she told Northern Notes, ‘they seem to be forgotten, and it has to be remembered that children with autism grow up to become adults with autism.’

Mr Swann was also asked for his plans to reduce the waiting times.

‘People with Autistic Spectrum Disorder have access to a range of core health and social care services,’ he explained in his answer. ‘Support may be provided via GP and primary care in the first instance or referral onto services such as psychology or psychiatry, depending on assessed need.

‘Access to other community services where relating to mental health or learning disability support are also available where appropriate, as are services provided through the community/voluntary sector.’

Meta Auden says that lengthy waiting times for diagnosis affect all ages.

‘One of the frequently asked questions on forums is ‘is there anywhere else, where I can get my child diagnosed’?’ she says. ‘Until diagnosis they cannot access many HSC services. This means that the children are struggling at school, as no help without diagnosis. This has meant that many are having to pay.

‘One customer has private health care but it does not cover the autism spectrum, so she is going for a diagnosis to a private clinic where the cost is nearly £400.

‘There are not many who can afford this and considering that 85% of young adults with autism are unlikely to be in work compared to the rest of the young adult population the private route is not feasible.’

Northern Notes

Community Planting winners Glenarm village

Flower Power shines through The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, has presented the Mid and East Antrim in Bloom Community Awards winners with their prizes.

As the traditional Mid and East Antrim in Bloom awards ceremony was not able to go ahead this year, the Mayor instead visited the winners in their front gardens and villages across the Borough.

‘Our ‘In Bloom’ Community Competitions are an important way for us to celebrate local people, our network of volunteers, and local businesses who actively support our ‘In Bloom’ campaign and who dedicate so much time to planting floral displays, improving areas for biodiversity, keeping towns and villages clean and tidy and ‘greening the grey’ by brightening up forgotten corners,’ the Mayor said.

‘All this not only beautifies our Borough, but can help boost the economy and tourism. This year, maybe more than any other, has emphasised the vital role that gardens and outdoor spaces played – and continue to play – in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the nation

Volunteers of the Year, Jennifer and Darwin Workman from Ballymena

during lockdown and restrictions. Reports are showing that gardens, event balconies or window boxes, played a key part in stress reduction, with other benefits being time to watch and encourage wildlife, connecting with neighbours ‘over the garden gate’, and enjoying the sanctuary of outdoor spaces.

‘I am delighted the Mid and East Antrim in Bloom Community Competitions continue to be so well supported by our citizens. We had entries from all across the Borough and the time and dedication of entrants is extraordinary and a credit to all involved. Everyone who took part should be very proud of their achievements.’

Among the winners were Glenarm village, which won the Best Community Planting Scheme award and Jennifer and Darwin Workman, who were crowned Volunteers of the Year.

For a full list of winners and runners up, for more information and to keep up to date you can go to www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/inbloom

The life and times of an RUC officer in high risk, hostile, urban and rural environments throughout the province.

Now living in Indonesia, he says the book was a way to explain his experiences.

After serving for 21 years in the Royal Ulster Constabulary, now the Police Service of Northern Ireland, William Clegg, has released his story of life in the frontline as a serving officer in his début book, Crime, Comedy and Combat.

William’s book recounts his experiences from his earliest memories through to joining the force in 1978 in Enniskillen, and his heartfelt telling of his and his colleagues’ experiences during some of the darkest days in Northern Ireland’s history make compelling reading.

William regards himself as privileged to have worked in and survived the challenges inherent

‘It is an anthology for people of all ages of how life changed for a young person prior to, during and subsequent to joining the RUC,’ he says.

‘It is about how ‘we’ were during that bleak period, how we coped at that time and how the incidents and emotions resonate to this day.

‘As we now live in relatively peaceful times,’ she told Northern Notes, ‘we forget the horrors that were part of daily life. William has been able to encapsulate the experiences of so many RUC officers who had the daily job of a police officer dealing with crime, whilst also under constant threat.

‘Regardless of your allegiances, this is the human story of that time, told compassionately.’

‘I feel that anyone, whether security services or others, will have a feel of true events, episodes, characters and emotions personally experienced by me.’

In Crime, Comedy & Combat William talks about how a young person’s life changed during the Troubles, about joining the RUC, and about the incidents and emotions that coloured his life.

Tina Calder, Managing Director of publisher, Excalibur Press, says that it was a privilege to bring William’s tale to the public.

Crime, Comedy and Combat is published by Excalibur Press is available from Amazon and excaliburpress.co.uk

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 59

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

Mini Bridge

Minibridge:

MiniBridge is a simplified form of the complex card game Contract Bridge (usually shortened to Bridge). MiniBridge is designed to introduce newcomers to playing techniques without the burden of learning a detailed bridge bidding system. It was first devised in France and the Netherlands in the 1990s as a way of introducing school children to bridge but was soon found to be relevant to all ages.

1. Take one complete suit, for example, Spades and remove the Two (deuce). This leaves 12 cards in the Spade suit from the Ace down to the Three. This means that each of the 4 players will be dealt 3 cards. At this stage we remove one card so that we are left with 12 cards to ensure that each player gets the same number of cards, i.e., 3. Later on when we will be playing with a full deck of 52 cards we will add the four 2s (deuces) back in.

Card playing helps children to identify numbers, colours, similarities and sequences. Children love being clever and working things out - and winning. These are all possible when children learn to play Minibridge, but because it is a partnership game they will also learn that they need to co-operate, share information and combine as a twosome to beat the opposition.

But Minibridge is not just a game for the younger age group; it is widely used as a precursor to learning bridge for all ages and is universally found to be both effective and enjoyable and is the route into bridge recommended by the English Bridge Union, the national governing body for bridge in England.

Bridge is truly a game of two halves: Bidding and Play. To introduce everything at once is now seen as too difficult and by using MiniBridge people are enabled to play cards without a complicated bidding system getting in the way.

The four players sit at a square table facing each other: they are designated as North, South , East & West. North and South sit facing each other and are Partners; likewise East & West. It’s a Partnership game: if either North or South wins a trick, then their side has won that trick; likewise for East & West.

What is a trick and how do you win it? Four cards are played in clockwise rotation: one by each player. Whoever plays the highest card of the four cards played, wins that trick: the cards are ranked from the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3&2 with the Ace being the highest and the 2 being the lowest.

2. Shuffle the 12 cards in Spades.

3. Deal one card at a time face down to each player, beginning on the Dealer’s left and proceeding in a clock-wise direction.

4. The player on the left of the Dealer leads one of her – I’ll use the female pronoun since most bridge players are female - 3 cards face up, in front of her.

Generally the player on lead, leads her lowest card because if she were to lead an Ace, for example, the opponents would only play their lowest card on it: Don’t waste an Ace – Aces are for Faces, i.e., for capturing opponents’ Kings, Queens and Jacks.

7. Each player turns her own card face down in front of herself on the table.

8. If that player’s side has won the trick, the card is pointed vertically towards partner.

9. If that player’s side has lost the trick, the card is pointed horizontally towards the opponents.

The face down card points in the direction of the pair who has won the trick. Think of Soldiers and Corpses: Soldiers standing straight are Winners; Corpses lying flat are Losers.

The particular player who wins a trick leads to the following trick.

Let’s say that North wins the first trick. In that case North and South (North’s partner) turn their cards face down thus:

Whereas, East and West, having lost the first trick, place their cards face down thus:

Play continues in a clockwise direction.

The second person to play should also only play a low card: both the first and second players have partner who have still to play.

General principle: First and Second Play Low. The 3rd person to play should play her Highest card – otherwise the 4th player may win a cheap trick. So: First and Second play Low but 3rd plays High. The 4th player wins the trick as cheaply as possible or if she’s unable to win the trick, just plays her lowest card.

North, the particular player who won the first trick, leads a card to the second trick. Let’s say that West wins the second trick. Therefore, West leads the first card to the third trick. After the 3 cards have been played the North/South cards turned face down might look like this:

5. Each player keeps the card she has played in front of herself and doesn’t throw it into the middle of the table.

6. Everybody looks to see who has won the trick, i.e., played the highest card.

60 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Indicating that North/South won the first and third trick and lost the second trick.

For novice intermediates

Bridge In that case the East/West cards will look like this:

Extra tricks One very common way to secure extra tricks For novice - intermediates is by Length, e.g., AKQ2: if everybody at the table follows to the A-K-Q then your 2 is a winner. More often these Length winners occur when you have a 5-card suit:isAKQ32 opposite One very common way to secure extra tricks

by Length, e.g., AKQ2: if 864 for example. You expect after leading out everybody Once players become familiar with theat the table follows to the A-K-Q then your 2 is a winner. More often you Ace, King & Queen that the opponents will mechanics of playing with 1 suit,Length then, a second these winners be occur you havechance) a 5-card AKQ32 opposite 864 out ofwhen that suit (a 68% andsuit: that your suit, again minus the deuce, isexample. added. At this for You expect after leading out you Ace, King & Queen that the Extra tricks lowly 3 and 2 will be winners. stage, deal each suit separately so that each opponents will be out of that suit (a 68% chance) and that your lowly 3 and 2 player ends up with 3 cards in each One verysuit. common way toissecure tricks

by Length, There a sayingextra in Bridge that:is“Length is moree.g., AKQ2: if will be winners. everybody at the table follows toStrength”. the A-K-Q then your 2 is a winner. More often important than Players will get practice at sorting their hands There isLength ain saying in Bridge that: “Length is more important than Strength”. these into suits and arranging their cards orderwinners occur when you have a 5-card suit: AKQ32 opposite 864 Take this side-suit in aout trump contract: for example.

Youinexpect after leading you Ace, King & Queen that the within each suit. They also become Take this accusside-suit a trump contract: tomed to the requirement opponents of following suit: to will be out of that suit (a 68% chance) and that your lowly 3 and 2 ♦65432 play a card in the same suitwill as the which beone winners. has been led: if a Heart is led, then everybody Dummy must play a Heart if they have one.isInathis There saying in Bridge “Length than Strength”. ♦K J that: 9 W E is more ♦A Qimportant 10 8 instance, if a player does not have a Heart she Declarer Take this side-suit in a trump contract: may play any card she likes.

Extra tricks Indicating that East/West lost the first and third trick and won the second trick.

For novice - intermediates

♦7♦ 6 5 4 3 2

Eventually, each player at the table deals a may look far-fetched but on the expected 4-3 split as above (a Winning a trick Dummy a trick may look far-fetched but on the complete suit (with the deuces added back in), can Winning 62% chance), you set up and enjoy aabove fifth-round length winner provided expected 4-3 split as 62%Q chance), ♦K J 9 W E (a ♦A 10 8 e.g., North deals out the Spade suit, East the you have enough entries to dummy.

You’ll lose the first round of diamonds; you can set up and enjoy a fifth-round length Heart suit, South the Diamond suit and West Declarer you’ll get over to dummy (that’s one entry) to ruff a second winner provided you have enough entries to diamond; you’ll get the Club suit. This ensures that each player is ♦7the over to dummy (that’s a second entry) tofirst ruffround a third diamond; you’ll get over to You’ll lose of diamonds; dealt a hand consisting of 4 cards in 1 suit and 3 dummy.

Winning a trick mayyou’ll lookgetfar-fetched but(that’s on the expected 4-3 split as above (a over to dummy one entry) dummy a third entry) to ruff a fourth diamond.

And you’ll need a fourth cards in each of the other 3 suits. (that’s tothe ruff aup second diamond; you’ll get overlength to 62% chance), can setfifth and enjoy a fifth-round winner provided dummy entry toyou enjoy diamond. dummy a second entry) to ruff third round of diamonds; We will continue with this lesson in the enough next you have entries to (that’s dummy.

You’ll lose theafirst diamond; you’ll get over to dummy (that’s a issue. you’ll get over to dummy (that’s one entry) to ruff a second diamond; you’ll getWest’s ♥ K lead and As declarer, you win South: Dealer ♠ K J 3 third entry) to ruff a fourth diamond. And you’ll over to dummy (that’s a second entry) to ruff a third diamond; you’ll get over to12th can only come from count 11 winners.

The ♥ Jentry 4 to enjoy the fifth need a fourth dummy dummy’s 5th club.

This can be established if dummy (that’s a third entry) to ruff a fourth diamond.

And you’ll need a fourth ♦753 diamond. the suit splits 4-3, provided there are four dummy entry to enjoy the fifth diamond. ♣A 7 5 3 2 dummy entries (three ruffs plus one to get over ♠64 ♠5 to enjoy the 5th club). ♣ A, ♠ K and ♠ J are N ♠ K J 3 ♥ 10 8 7 6 ♥South: K Q 9 Dealer 52 three entries. The fourth is more elusive — it’s W♥ J 4 E ♦Q98 ♦ J 10 6 2 the ♠ 3 but only if you retain the ♠ 2.

♦ S7 5 3 ♣ Q 10 9 4 ♣A 7 5 3 2 ♠ A Q 10 9 8 7 2 ♠64 ♠5 ♥ A 3N ♥K Q 9 5 2 ♦A K 4 ♥ 10 8 7 6 W E ♦Q98 ♦ J 10 6 2 ♣6 S ♣K J 8 ♣ Q 10 9 4 West North East South ♠ A Q 10 9 8 7 2 1♠ ♥A 3 ♦AK4 ♣6 West North East South 1♠

♣K J 8

Pass 2♣ Pass 3♠ Pass 4 ♠ Pass 6 ♠ Pass Pass Pass

At trick two, lead the ♣ 6 to the ♣ A and ruff the ♣ 2 with the ♠ 7 (not with the ♠ 2). Lead the ♠ 8 (not the ♠ 2) to ♠ J (both following — a 3-0 spade split would have prevented the ♠ 3 from being an entry) and ruff the ♣ 3 with the ♠ 9.

Both opponents follow, revealing the 4-3 club split: your plan will work.

Lead the ♠ 10 to the ♠ K, ruff the ♣ 5 with the ♠ Q and at trick eight (fanfare), you lead the ♠ 2 to the ♠ 3. You cash the ♣ 7 and that’s 12 tricks and slam made. Only an unlikely opening spade lead, removing a dummy entry prematurely, would have scuppered the slam.

Free bridge emails: If you wish to receive free bridge emails which include lessons, videos & quizzes please email me: michaelolough@yahoo.com

As declarer, you win West’s ♥ K lead and count 11 winners. The 12th can only come from dummy’s 5th club. This can be established if the suit splits 4-3, l January 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 61 provided there are four dummy entries (three ruffs plusSenior oneTimes to get over- February to enjoy the 5th club). ♣A, ♠K and ♠J are three entries. The fourth is more elusive —

She lived to the gran d old age of 96. At th e time of her death in was valued at more th 1992 he an $1 million. With no direct descendants, sh lion's share of her mon e lef ey to family members of John Bennett, the had killed more than husba six decades before.

Bridge

The Bennett murder hand

The Bennett murder hand Kansas City, USA - September 1929 Kansas City, USA - September 1929

The Bennett murder occurred during a game of rubber bridge hosted The Bennett murder occurred during a game of rubber bridge hosted by John

by John and Myrtle Bennett: their friends Charles and Mayme Hoffman and Myrtle Bennett: their friends Charles and Mayme Hoffman made up the made up the foursome. The Bennetts – who had been sniping at each foursome. The Bennetts – who had been sniping at each other all evening – all to evening – were losing theevening.

Hoffmans in the evening.

The wereother losing the Hoffmans late intothe Thelate breaking point occurred breaking point occurred when John Bennett declared 4 ♠ and failed when John Bennett declared 4 and failed to make his contract. Myrtle to makeher his contract.

Myrtle chastised husband forThis beingcaused a ‘bumJohn bridge chastised husband for being a ‘bum her bridge player.’ to slap player.’ This John to his slapintention her several timestown. and announce his to cry, her several timescaused and announce to leave Myrtle began intention to leave to cry, saying but a bum saying ‘Nobody but atown. bum Myrtle would began hit a woman.’

While‘Nobody John packed, Myrtle would a woman.’

While John Myrtle grabbed .32four Colt shots, autograbbed hishit.32 Colt automatic frompacked, a bedroom dresser andhis fired killing him. matic from a bedroom dresser and fired four shots, killing him.

THETHE HAND: foreverremain remain a HAND:The Theinfamous infamousBennett BennettMurder MurderHand Handwill will forever mystery.

NoneNone of theofthree survivors remembered its exact composition, a mystery. the three survivors remembered its exact compo- and the cards were sent flying during altercation the sition, themselves and the cards themselves were sentthe flying during thebetween altercation Bennetts, making it impossible that any of the police called to the scene between the Bennetts, making it impossible that any of the police calledwould Myrtle Bennett havetohad chance to view As asuch, the to hand widely believed to have theascene would haveit.had chance view it. As such, the hand believed to have been Mr. Bennett’s as much a his beenwidely Mr. Bennett’s Waterloo is likely as muchWaterloo a fiction is aslikely the tale told by the tale told by his wife on the stand. Nevertheless, a ‘reconwifefiction on theasstand.

Nevertheless, a ‘reconstruction’ of the infamous hand began The trial made national headlines.

Myrtle struction’inofperiodicals the infamous handafter began circulate in periodicals shortly Myr tle Ben to circulate shortly thetocrime: nettand her prominent attorney, James A. Reed both wept dramatically while addressing the judge and after the crime: North jury. The defence argued that: the Bennetts were like sweethearts and Mrs. Bennett she would rather be dead than have caused the death of her husband. ªA1063 When John Bennett said he was leaving town, Myrtle dutifully went to ©1085 get the pistol that her husband normally carried on out-of-town business ¨4 trips. Unfortunately, she stumbled into a chair and the pistol accidentally §A9842 went off. The wounded John Bennett then tried to grab her arm to take West East the weapon, but the gun went off again, causing the fatal wound.

Mr. Hoffman Mrs. Hoffman ªQ72 ª4 After eight hours of deliberation, the jury declared Myrtle Bennett ©AJ3 ©Q94 innocent of murder. It has been argued that Myrtle's good looks and ¨AQ1092 ¨KJ763 tearful state swayed the jury into making a serious mistake. It probably §J6 §Q753 did not help public opinion that Myrtle thereafter qualified for a $30,000 ªKJ985 life insurance payout. ©K762 ¨85 The widow Bennett later travelled the world, working for a hotel chain, §K10 and played bridge until nearly the end of her life without any further Mr. Bennett notable incidents.

South South

Dealer: South N/S Vul Dealer: South N/S Vul South South1ª 1ª

West West 2¨ 2¨

North East North4ª East All Pass 4ª All Pass

She lived to the grand old age of 96. At the time of her death in 1992 her estate was valued at more than $1 million. With no direct descendants, she left the lion's share of her money to family members of John Bennett, the husband she had killed more than six decades before.

Four copies of Michael O’Loughlin’s best-selling The opening lead against this fictional hand was the ace of diamonds, followed The by opening lead against this fictional hand was the ace oftodiamonds, followed a shift to the jack of clubs at trick two.

According lore, after winning the The opening lead against this fictional hand was the ace of diamonds, Bridge: Basic Card play to be won! by a king shift of to clubs, the jack of clubs at supposed trick two.toAccording to lore, after winningofthe Bennett was have misguessed the location the followed by a shift to the jack of clubs at trick two.

According to lore, after kingtrump of clubs, Bennett was supposed to haveonmisguessed the of theoff from queen and from there have to establish butlocation cut himself winning king of clubs, Bennett wasgone supposed to have trump queenthe and from there have gone on toone. establish butmisguessed cut himself off from Senior Times, ins association with dummy’s good clubs, ending up down the location the trump queen and from dummy’s good of clubs, ending up down one.there have gone on to estabMichael O’Loughlin and the Contract lish but cut himself off from dummy’s good clubs, ending up down one.

Bridge Association of Ireland are offering Ely Culbertson, widely known as ‘the man who made contract bridge’ wrote in Ely Culbertson, widely ‘We known as ‘the man who made contract bridge’ wrote in four copies of Bridge: Basic Card Play in The Bridge World: have heard of lives depending on the play of a card Culbertson, widely known as ‘the who made contract bridge’ The Ely Bridge World: ‘We have heard of man lives depending onoverbid the play of hand, a cardbut so this competition. To enter simply answer and in this case it was literally true.

Mr. Bennett had his incase The Bridge World: ‘We have heard of lives on the and wrote in thiswere it was true.

Mr. Bennett haddepending overbid his hand, this question: kind the godsliterally of distribution that he might have saved his lifebut hadsohe of the a card and in this case it was literally true. Mr. Bennett had overbid kindplay were What was the gun with which Myrtle played hisgods cardsofa distribution little better.’that he might have saved his life had he his hand, but so kind were the gods of distribution that he might have played his cards a little better.’ killed her husband? saved his life had he played his cards a little better.’

Send your answer to: According to Culbertson the proper play before drawing trumps would have According Culbertson the proper playwhich beforetodrawing would have Bridge Competition, Senior Times, Box been totoestablish the club suit upon discard trumps losing hearts. to Culbertson theupon proper play before drawing trumps would beenAccording to establish the club suit which to discard losing hearts.

Number 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6. have to establish the club suitwhen upon which to discard losing hearts.

The first four correct answers drawn are Also been declarer has a tricky guess it comes to the queen of spades. Should declarer has a tricky guess when comes the queenhe offinesse spades.inShould AlsoAlso declarer a drop, tricky guess when it itcomes totoor the queen of spades. he play forhas the Eight Ever, Nine Never should the light the winners. Deadline for the receipt of he play for he theplay drop, Ever, Nine Never or should he finesse in the light Should for Eight the drop, Eight Ever, Nine Never or should he finesse of West’s overcall. entries is 31 January 2021 of West’s overcall. in the light of West’s overcall.

TheSenior trial Times made l national headlines.

Myrtle and her prominent attorney, James A. January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie The 62 trial made headlines.while Myrtle and her prominent A. Reed both national wept dramatically addressing the judge attorney, and jury. James The defence Reedargued both wept addressing the judge andwould jury. The defence that:dramatically the Bennetts while were like sweethearts and she rather be dead

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Cosmetics and beauty

can become you!

Mairead Robinson ‘heads’ to the hairdresser as soon as they reopen and tries a new colour!

This is my new look!

Back view. Something you can’t do when you treat your own hair!

Due to Covid-19 restrictions being imposed twice since last March, there was just a short window where people could enjoy a professional cut and colour at their favourite hairdressers. One of the most common changes over the last nine months, was the number of people who started cutting and colouring their own hair. As soon as the salons reopened, many of us quickly booked an appointment to avail of a professional treatment. I was fortunate to enjoy just that before hairdressers had to close again. Now that they are once again open, I strongly recommend that you book yourself a proper treatment as soon as you can get an appointment. I have no doubt that there will be a long queue!

I went to The Hair Shop in Midleton, one of Cork’s top salons, and what a great treat that was! Proprietor Rosaleen O’Donnell has a fabulous team of eight stylists, all specialist colourists who cater for every shade and style to suit all ages and tastes. I was impressed with the social distancing and hygiene measures in place, the friendliness of all the staff, the detailed consultation process, and finally the great cut and fabulous colour I experienced at the hands of the lovely Lil. One difficulty with colouring your own hair is managing the back of your head, and ensuring an even colour spread throughout your hair. To be able to colour and style your own hair is difficult enough, but to get the back of your head looking as good as the front, is almost impossible. I had a base colour done at the salon and three different high/low 64 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

lights, and together with the salon quality products, the result was a real morale boost. You can see the photo of my hair from the back when Lil was finished, and the texture, colour and style is perfect. The salon uses Schwarzkopf conditioning colours for the best hair treatment so colouring does not have to be so hard on your hair, as is often the case with many ‘across the counter’ products. I will certainly return to The Hair Studio for future cutting and colouring, as it was one of the best salon experiences in recent years. You can contact The Hair Shop at 021-4632613

Gifts

When it comes to giving gifts this year, we are all being urged to support Irish companies as much as we can. So it is worth considering a voucher for a spa treatment or hair treatment that can be used at any time over the next twelve months. If however you want to give an Irish gift, a scented candle is always very acceptable. When we were children candles were only brought out when there was a power cut, nowadays they fill every home with delightful aromas of essential oils! Luxe Irish candle brand Rossi & Rossi Candles is a range of delicately scented, beautifully handcrafted candles derived from pure plant ingredients that include soy wax and pure essential oils.

Cosmetics and beauty

The result is a natural, non-toxic, longer-lasting and clean burning sensory candle experience that does not overpower the room or irritate its occupants. They have just added a brand-new candle to its core range of six especially for Christmas called Winter. Other candles in the range include: Feuilles de Tabac, Patchouli & Rosehip, Rhubarb and Plum, Sleepy Lavender, Lime, Basil & Mandarin, and Thai Basil & Mango. The candles can be delivered anywhere in Ireland. Contact annerossi@ mail.com or phone (01) 8337021

These include their Skin Active Repair Cellular Restoration which helps to plump skin’s appearance and smooth the look of wrinkles.

Another great product is their Tri-Therapy Lifting Serum which volumizes the look of slack skin with Aminofil amino acid derivative concentrated to target skin’s hydrating matrix for a more lifted appearance. There are many other products in this brand, and I intend to try some out in the New Year. So make a promise to yourself to ‘self gift’ some treats. As they say, you are worth it!

And back to beauty. If Santa does not bring you some beautiful skin care products, then perhaps it is time to treat yourself? Neostrata have a range of anti-ageing skin care products that really nourish and hydrate mature skin.

Competition results from the last issue SENIOR TIMES CROSSWORD NO 107 SOLUTION

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Three copies of John Banville’s Snow Tony Crowley, Blarney, Co Cork Peter Power, Dublin 15 Eileen O’Sullivan, Cork

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Crossword Four copies of A Telegram from Berlin Liz Cromer, The Tipperary Inn, Toomevara, Co Tipperary Finbarr O’Driscoll, Cork Mary Browne, Athlone John Walshe, Dublin 12

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Three copies of Burren Dinners Rosy Bird, Portrane, Donabate, Co Dublin Nora Quain, Charleville, Co Cork Theresa O’Brien, Cavan

Health

How to keep well this winter - self-care Advice from the HSE We know that it’s difficult at the moment. Many older people and those with long term illnesses have been following the COVID-19 public health guidelines and the next 5 months will be tough at times.

However, being prepared and having a plan to manage your daily healthcare needs where possible and taking necessary precautions will help you get through the next months more easily and safely.

This means: • having a list of your medicines handy where anyone can find it in case you need to go to hospital or share them with an out-of-hours GP service or any other healthcare professionals.

• making sure your prescriptions are filled regularly and that you don’t run out. You can ring your doctor now for a repeat prescription and they will send them to your pharmacy for you.

• having the necessary aids and appliances such as walkers and hand rails and using them correctly. Get them serviced if necessary.

• for people with long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, arthritis or epilepsy, being aware of how to manage your condition on a daily basis and following the necessary steps. Do things that will help with them such as following the correct diet or exercising.

• Know the symptoms of COVID-19 – cough, shortness of breath, fever over 38 degrees Celsius, loss of sense of taste or smell.

• You should receive a copy of the Keeping well this winter booklet in the post. It has lots of information to help you through with guidance on COVID-19, healthy eating, physical activity and minding your mental health, (attached to email with this brief).

• Lots of information is also available on hse.ie and HSELive 1850 24 1850.

The health service is open and available when you need it. We are taking every precaution to ensure your protection from COVID-19 • Based on your personal circumstance, you may need some care from your pharmacist, GP, other primary care givers such as physiotherapists or occupational therapists. Have a list of your appointments handy and make sure that someone knows when and where they are.

Have a lift arranged in advance if you need someone to drive you.

• Some appointments can take place over the phone or by video call.

Have help available if you need someone to organise these and be with you during them.

• If you are coming into a healthcare setting, staff are taking every pre caution to protect you from COVID-19. We will be wearing face masks and we would like you to do the same except for medical reasons that you can’t. We will possibly be wearing personal protection equipment in some healthcare settings.

• Sometimes you may have to wait outside until we call you in. Arrive before your time and follow any instructions that we have sent you or that are posted at our entrances.

• Know that you will have to attend most appointments on your own but the healthcare staff will help you. They will welcome you at the en trance and bring you back again to meet your family or taxi at the exit.

• Injury units and emergency services will still operate. You can still call 999 or 199 if you need urgent assistance.

• Know the symptoms of COVID-19 – cough, shortness of breath, fever over 38 degrees Celsius, loss of sense of taste or smell.

• You should receive a copy of the Keeping well this winter booklet in the post. It has lots of information to help you through with guidance on COVID-19, healthy eating, physical activity and minding your mental health, (attached to email with this brief).

• Lots of information is also available on hse.ie and HSELive 1850 24 1850 66 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Antibiotics Take your doctor's advice on whether you need antibiotics or not. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection that is unlikely to go away without an antibiotic.

• could infect others if untreated • last a long time if not treated with antibiotics • carry a risk of complications In some cases, doctors will prescribe antibiotics if they think you're at risk of getting a bacterial infection.

When to avoid antibiotics Antibiotics don't work for viral infections. For example, colds and flu, and most coughs and sore throats.

Side effects Like any medicine, antibiotics can cause side effects. If you take antibiotics you don't need, you risk getting side effects for no reason. It's safer for you to avoid antibiotics if you don't need them.

Antibiotic resistance If you take antibiotics when you don't need them, they can become less effective in the future. This is because strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotics have emerged. We know them as 'superbugs'.

Retirement

The end of working but the beginning of fulfilment Marion Reynolds enjoys her creative retirement Retirement can be the opportunity to learn the skills you always wanted to but didn’t have time for, or it can be a time to utilise the skills you already have in order to help those less fortunate or, to give back to your community.

mer, I was struck by the fact that, although the Tidy Towns competition was cancelled due to Covid 19 restrictions, the volunteers could still be seen in their high-vis jackets as they kept their area clean and tidy.

Retirement parties are strange events. The guests envy the retiree but dread being in the same position.

The person retiring is elated at the thought of freedom from the nine to five grind but terrified of all the free time she/he will have. At my retirement party I said, ‘I am not retiring from life I am simply retiring from this job.’

I welcomed retirement but, a colleague who retired at about the same time told me that she dreaded the idea because she wouldn’t know what to do with herself. I, on the other hand was revelling in the freedom to do and learn all the things I had put off because of lack of time. Most people are in good health when they retire and have plenty of energy but that energy can go to waste if you don’t plan your retirement in advance.

Marion Reynolds: At my retirement party I said, ‘I am

The pandemic has brought out the best in most people as they looked after their elderly neighbours. I have friends who volunteer in Hospices, doing ordinary thing like making tea and having a chat, which makes all the difference to the people they meet there. People help to run youth clubs, train young sports teams, deliver meals-on-wheels, befriend the elderly who are lonely, fundraise for charities and a host of other things.

I know of one man who restores old bikes which have been donated and passes them on to people who cannot afford a bike.

was time consuming but she really enjoyed being read to and was delighted that she was the first in the family to read the book!

That experience encouraged me to volunteer to record all of my three books for the National Council for the Blind in Ireland. I won’t be able to do it until the Covid 19 rules are relaxed but I am looking forward to it.

Surveys tell us that the over sixty-fives are the happiest people in Ireland. Could this be because these are the people who are finding new, absorbing interests, or are devoting more time to the welfare of other people in their community?

By the time we retire, we will have at least one friend or relative who needs support because of bereavement or illness and it is wonderful to have the time to be there for them.

Covid 19 has made it more difficult to be supportive in person but, you can contact people by phone, letter, e mail or Zoom.

not retiring from life I am simply

retiring from this

I spent most of my career in education but I always loved writing and was a regular contributor of articles and book reviews to newspapers. Retirement allowed me to start writing my first novel, the one that had been in my head for a few years. I also joined an art class because I hadn’t done any painting since my leaving cert, but I always wanted to do so. It was a good social outlet and I sold a few paintings (for charity) when we had an exhibition. I began to brush up my Spanish online and also joined an Irish language discussion group. My Irish was good but rusty but it is amazing how quickly the words and phrases come back to you.

job.’

Many people, when they finish their working life, decide to give something back to society.

No matter where you live, there are voluntary organisations in need of volunteers. This sum-

I participated in a group who wrote regular letters or cards to people in nursing homes who were not allowed visitors and consequently, were feeling lonely. These small acts of kindness made a lot of difference to their week.

My aunt is ninety two and lives in England. She was one of the biggest fans of my first book, A Soldier’s Wife, which was based on our family history. By the time my second book Loving and Losing, was about to be published, her sight had failed so much that she could not read. We have always been close and I phone her regularly. I decided that, while I was waiting for the book to be published, I would read it to her over the phone, two chapters at a time. It

Marion Reynolds’ books A Soldier’s Wife and Loving and Losing published by Poolbeg, are available in most good bookshops, from Amazon in paperback or e book

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 67

Meeting Place DUBLIN MALE NATURIST 60 (LOOKS YOUNGER), single, WLTM a nice, broad-minded, uninhibited mature lady to join a naturist club and to travel abroad on naturalist holidays.

REPL TO BOX NUMBER K1 ROSCOMMON LADY, good-hearted and caring WLTM a widower 68-72, NS. I’m outgoing, enjoy dancing, cycling and walking REPLY TO BOXNUMBER K2 POFESSIONAL DUBLIN LADY, divorced ex-teacher, attractive 60s, WLTM gent for friendship/relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K3 GAY WIDOWER, 65 SOUTH DUBLIN/ NORTH KILDARE. GSOH, warm, friendly with many interests including the arts, gardening, current affairs, gardening, food and wine. WLTM female or male travel companion for a few much-need journeys, hopefully some time soon.

Perhaps we could meet for a coffee or a drink.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K4 PROFESSIONAL DUBLIN MALE, 75, living alone, seeks female companion (68-78) to spend time with. I am fit and healthy. Seek a companion for walks, talks and coffee, chats and meals out, as well as theatre, music and cinema outings together. Hopefully we can meet socially distant in 2021 REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K5 RETIRED DUBLIN MALE DOCTOR, 70s, WLTM lady of similar age who enjoys the good things in life, e.g. dining out, going to the theatre, concerts etc.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K6 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 for 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 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

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 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

68 Senior Times l January - February 2021 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 CARING DUBLIN GENT, 67, SINCERE, KIND, WLTM lady for relationship. Interests include travel, music, writing.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B14 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 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 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.

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 CO TIPP WIDOWER SEEKS ELEGANT LADY 70s PLUS for a life of happiness and romance.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B25 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 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

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 31st 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 January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 69

Four copies of Voices: An open door book of stories to be won!

In this latest Senior Times crossword competition we are offering four copies of Voices by New Island Publishers The Open Door series was founded by Patricia Scanlan and New Island publisher Edwin Higel in the late 90s. Eight series, and fifty-four books later, Open Door has attracted novellas by some of Ireland’s most high-profile Irish writers, including Roddy Doyle, Maeve Binchy, Joseph O’Connor, Marian Keyes and Deirdre Purcell. 2020 marks the fortieth anniversary of NALA, the National Adult Literacy Agency. To mark this occasion, New Island is publishing a once-off anthology by 27 Irish writers, written in Plain English, for emerging readers.

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70 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

Send your entry to: Crossword Competition, Senior Times, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6 Deadline for recept of entries is 31st January 2021 . The first four correct entries drawn are the winners.

Crossword Crossword Number 109 by Zoë Devlin

ACROSS 1 4 9 12 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 26 29 31 32 35 36 38 43 44 46 49 51 53 54 57 59 61 62 64 65 69 71 73 74 78 80 81 82 85 87 90 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102

Traditional Christmas meat (6) Exercises that increase need for oxygen (8) Aromatic herb or Mr Fawlty? (5) Glide .. across ice (5) Play a part in a drama (3) A good doctor has a positive ___ manner! (7) Divine guidance or fantastic idea? (11) Short composition for solo instrument (5) He is sculpted from snow by children (7) Egg whites & sugar make this sweet topping (8) Some title! You can kiss under it ! (9) Right of entry or admittance (6) Would those who atoned give to charity? (6) Free of dirt (5) Station for military aircraft (3-4) Ship that sank on maiden voyage in 1912 (7) Garment designed for lower half (8) We are now in the 21st (7) Regular route for sentry or guard (4) Get Dad on-line! He loves this yellow wildflower! (9) Knowledge acquired by learning (9) Astonishment .. something unexpected (8) Dull pain (4) Prickly weed - it’s the lithest of all! (7) Long noosed rope for catching animals (5) Prickly with red berries - goes with Ivy at Christmas (5) Word spelled by rearranging letters of another word (7) Lyric poet - or maybe Shakespeare (4) Put this hosiery out for Santa on the 24th! (8) Deadlock, impasse as in chess (9) Right side of ship or aircraft (9) Our former currency or flat-bottomed boat? (4) Light inside a case - Chinese or magic? (7) Without shoes (8) Building or structure (7) Green gemstone or this isle? (7) Talk pompously (5) Native American tent, conical in shape (6) Container for boiling water for tea (6) Persistently stubborn! Pig-headed! (9) I’d guide Sis into this camouflage! (8) Theft or stealing (7) Rascal or scallywag (5) Next to last .. or a patient mule? (11) The norm .. intermediate value .. ordinary (7) Organ of sight (3) Depleted of strength or energy (5) Could I turn in this Italian city? (5) Caribou .. Rudolph was one! (8) Go up .. rise (6)

DOWN 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 24 25 27 28 30 31 33 34 37 39 40 41 42 45 47 48 50 52 55 56 58 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 70 72 75 76 77 79 81 83 84 86 88 89 91 92 93 94

Decorated & lit up at Christmas! (4) Garden bird. He features on Christmas cards (5) Give qualities or abilities or invest (5) ...the snow lay roundabout, deep & crisp & ___ (4) Evergreen tree with edible ovoid fruits (5) Animate or enliven (7) Sharp pain inflicted by an insect (5) This wrist band is a clear bet! (8) Act of gliding through water (8) Expanse of scenery .. and places! (9) Of starlike quality (7) Grownup (5) & 42 Down. Miser in ‘A Christmas Carol’ (8,7) Roll of tobacco for smoking (5) Lyric poem (3) & 91 Down. He comes to all good boys & girls. (5,5) Soft fabric from plants (6) Can a cat herald this church? (9) Would this member of the Seanad commit treason? (7) Love intensely (5) Small crown (7) Garment worn to protect clothing (5) Decorated with frosting (4) Aromatic substance such as cinnamon or nutmeg (5) Turn or twist in a spinning motion (5) Higher in rank, like ‘___ Times’? (6) Blonde pop singer ____ Springfield (5) See 14 Down.

Beer (3) Representative acting on behalf of another (5) Can a pal’s hat be used for paving roadway? (7) ‘___, the final frontier’. It’s all around us! (5) Brass musical instrument, shorter than 31 Down! (6) Person such as biologist, botanist or chemist (9) Duct or man-made waterway (5) As yet, this is the best raising agent! (5) Brief communication, written or spoken (7) Courageous, intrepid (5) Title used before the name of knight (3) Overturn or turn turtle (7) Limbless, scaly reptile (5) Lacking funds - skint! (5) Horn of a male 101 Across. (6) Act or legal document to transfer property (4) Precious stone or gem (5) Strip laid down for dignitaries to walk on (3,6) Joe Biden is a leading one! (8) Gabriel Makhlouf is the Central Bank of Ireland’s ___ (8) Is there an almond in this stringed instrument? (8) Liquorice flavour, can be used in cooking (7) Destructive sea wave caused by earthquake (7) Starting place for each hole on golf course (3) Large black bird with straight bill (5) Refined carbohydrate used as sweetener (5) Downhill racer (5) Velocity or pep pill? (5) See 24 Down Daughter of your sibling (5) Sticky fruit or meeting arranged in advance (4) Harsh or caustic compound (4)

Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 71

Crafts

Connie McEvoy longs for the Spring

Thoughts on the power and beauty of nature Once more the trees are bare, so each morning as I draw back the curtains that drape my kitchen window the mostly rough waves of the Irish Sea now clearly visible make shiver even though the kitchen is quite warm and cosy, some times during high winter tides the noise of the waves prevent me from sleeping so I’m patiently waiting for spring and the new leaves that will block my view of the sea.

Bare trees are beautiful most evenings standing almost majestically against the skyline with gold and crimson hues of winter sunset but honestly I would settle for the sight of a snow capped Mount Leinster any morning as the

curtains are drawn. I do like rivers, streams and lakes and to prove it I have kept busy while relaxing from time to time by working some projects using water as a theme.

Two cards found among ‘the old collection’ have helped regarding inspiration! The one on the left the picture that was worked some years ago is a Christmas card of Blackrock Castle with a greeting- May you have a joyous Christmass. Number two on the right is a New Year card depicting Cork Harbour, I really like the greeting on this card which is as follows ‘O love go with us as we go’, both cards seem to have been worked using water colours and are showing their age, still I have great admiration for the artwork and colour schemes.

This small project was worked on white cotton that was finger painted with poster paints, it was then machine embroidered without using a hoop as I wanted to achieve a textured effect for the mountains/hills. Machine No 40 sewing cotton was used through-out and also for the hand embroidered flowers which were worked in stitches as follows- Lazy Daisy stitch, French Knots and Bullion Knots. Working this project whiled away about 10 hours of relaxation for me over a period of a few days, I sincerely hope that by the time when new leaves appear on the trees in spring Ireland will be free of Covid 19.

Have a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.

Connie McEvoy

72 Senior Times l January - February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 72 Senior Times l January- February 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

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