Senior Times Magazine - September/October

Issue 119 September - October 2022 NOW €3.50/£3.00 Times The magazine for people who don’t act their age PLUS: News, Bridge, History, Competitions, Wine, Beauty, Health, Travel, Meeting Place And Much More.. Poet of PotteriesThe Profile of writer Arnold Bennett Lighting up Ireland for 600 years Rathbone Candles still burning bright No Joelikeshowtheshow.. Remembering the great Joe Dolan Visiting neighboursthe Exploring the Island of Anglesey Berlioz and the Irish woman The composer smitten by a Co. Clare actress Secrets of Shelbourneachef Creating the perfect grills

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News: 2 There was no show like a Joe show: 6 Michael Lyster remembers the late great Joe Dolan The trouble with angels: 12 Eamonn Lynskey looks into the portrayal of these mysterious beings The poet of The Potteries: 20 Lorna Hogg profiles the English writer Arnold Bennett Visiting the neighbours: 26 George Keegan explores the island of Anglesey Bridge: 32 More tips and guidance from Michael O’Loughlin Western Ways: 48 Events and happenings on the Western Seaboard Dublin Dossier: 52 Pat Keenan reports from the capital Grill and bare it: 58 Advice from Shelbourne chef Gary Hughes Wine World: 70 Mairead Robinson tracks down some bargains for under €10 Golf: 74 When some golf courses are priceless Creative Writing: 83 Eileen Casey reviews some treats from the summer publishers’ catalogues Northern Notes: 88 Debbie Orme reports on events from north of the border Beauty and cosmetics: 92 Berlioz and the Irish woman: 96 John Low recounts the relationship between the great French composer and the actress from Co. Clare Meeting Place: 100 The Senior Times forum for meeting friends and partners Crossword: 102 Crafts: 104 Contents 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, Pat Keenan Michael O’Loughlin and Eamonn Lynskey. Published by S& L Promotions Ltd., P.O. Box Number 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6, Ireland Tel: +353 (01) 4969028. Fax: +353 (01) 4068229 Editorial: Advertising:John@slp.iewillie@slp.ie 26 96 Sign up to our newsletter and be in with a chance to win some great prizes at www.seniortimes.ie Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and don’t miss our chart topping series of podcasts! Issue 119 -September - October 2022 To subscribe to SeniorTimes call us on 01 496 9028 6 Sponsored by Senior Times does not necessarily endorse or agree with the views and claims made in articles and advertisements COVER Photograph courtesy of RTÉ ArchivesLive life with ease Now available to buy direct from Doro, simply visit www.doro.com At Doro we are dedicated to helping Seniors live a better life, to be able to communicate easily with family and friends, despite the challenges that might come with age. That’s why we develop easy-to-use mobile phones and landlines for calls you can hear wherever you are. directBuyfromdoro.com Discount code will work between 1st May and 30th June 2022 inclusive and must be added to the basket at checkout. No cash alternative is available. Use ‘ST10AUcode’ TO10%SAVE Free delivery on all orders AD DORO 8100, 5860,6820,6880_200x260.ind.indd 1 2022-06-28 16:09

VAT on defibrillators is a tax on life and must be scrapped, the Irish Heart Foundation insisted in its pre-Budget submission. The charity claims the average cost of an automated external defibrillator (AED) - €1,500 including €345 VAT - makes them unaffordable for many community Itorganisations.wantsMinister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, to remove the 23per cent tax burden levied on theportable, computerised devices in this month’s TheBudget.Foundation’s Resuscitation Manager, Brigid Sinnott, said sporting and voluntary groups are also being hit with an estimated extra €100 in VAT when they replace pads and batteries –required regularly to keep the AEDs in working order. ‘The VAT on defibrillators is a tax on saving lives and it’s time it was removed,” said Ms Sinnott, who is also a community first responder trained to administer defibrillation before paramedics arrive.

‘We in CFR Ireland have long called for VAT on AEDs to be removed and we are delighted to join the Irish Heart Foundation today. The VAT on AEDs is a barrier to saving lives and we hope the Minister will remove it in the Budget.’

shock to the heart to resume its normal rhythm. More than 8,400 people so far have signed an online petition launched by the charity as part of its drive to have the VAT on AEDs scrapped.

‘is a tax on saving lives’

Jack and Jill families across Ireland and, this October, the charity is urging people to climb or walk a local hill in solidarity with over 400 families currently under its care as part of the eighth annual Up the Hill for Jack and Jill fundraising challenge, supported by Abbott. This is a significant year for the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, as it celebrates 25 years of funding and providing specialist in-home nursing care and respite support for children with severe to profound neurodevelopmental delay, up to the age of six. This may include children with brain injury, genetic diagnosis, cerebral palsy and undiagnosed conditions. Another key part of the service is endof-life care at home for all children up to the age of six who require it, irrespective of Fordiagnosis.moreinformation on Up the Hill for Jack and Jill 2022, visit www. jackandjill.ie or telephone Jack and Jill at 045 894538. Follow on social media at Facebook @jackandjillfoundation; Instagram @jackandjillcf; Twitter @ jackandjillcf; Tik Tok @jackandjillcf; and LinkedIn @Jack and Jill Children's Foundation and use #UpTheHill22

‘The more AEDs there are available in local communities and accessible to the public, the more lives can be saved.’ In some cardiac arrests, AEDs deliver a

News Now 2 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Volunteer group Community First Responders Ireland (CFR Ireland) is also backing the Chairperson,call.John Fitzgerald, said:

Photo: Justin Farrelly.

People urged to take on a hill for Jack and Jill

To sign the AED petition, visit: aeds-it-s-a-tax-on-saving-lives.my.uplift.ie/petitions/scrap-vat-on-https://

VAT on defibrillators

Ahead of World Lung Day on Sunday September 25, the Irish Lung Health Alliance, a coalition of charities working to promote healthy lungs, has urged members of the public to take five steps to ‘Love Your Lungs’. The charities include the Alpha-1 Foundation Ireland, the Asthma Society of Ireland, COPD Support Ireland, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, the Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Physiologists, the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association, the Irish Sleep Society, and the Irish Thoracic Society. The call comes with latest statistics from the Department of Health’s National Healthcare Quality Reporting System (annual report 2020) showing alarming figures when it comes to the top three lung diseases in Ireland. World Lung Day is coordinated by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies and the European Lung Foundation. For more information on the work of the Irish Lung Health Alliance or to download the ‘Top Five Steps to Love Your Lungs’ factsheet, visit www.lunghealth. ie. Follow on social media using hashtag #WorldLungDay Health charites urges public to ‘love your lungs’

Carmel Doyle, CEO, Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation

launch outside Government buildings today of the charity's pre-Budget submission, in which it calls for VAT to be scrapped on life-saving defibrillators.

Waterford Greenway

Free display of works by Irish artist Seán Keating opens at National Gallery

The Poetry of Margaret Atwood, at the Pavilion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire. One of the world’s most renowned writers, Margaret Atwood will read , her latest collection of poetry. She will also talk about her poetry influences in conversation with author, archivist, and scholar Catriona Crowe. www.dlrcoco.ie/arts

Eight Prohibition Orders, which are under appeal, were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: Holland and Barrett (under appeal), Units 5 & 6, Cedar Drive, Dublin Airport Logistics Park, Saint Margarets Road, Saint Margarets, County Dublin

The Poetry Weekender, a twoday celebration of poetry taking place at dlr LexIcon and its environs on the 17th and 18th September 2022. Programmed by dlr Poet in Residence Jessica Traynor and Poetry Ireland, The Poetry Weekender is kindly funded by Creative Ireland. The Poetry Weekender programme includes a poetry masterclass with Costa Prize-winner Hannah Lowe, a words + music workshop for teens with musician Farah Elle, and a Gingko walk around Dún Laoghaire led by poets

Twelve enforcement orders served on food businesses in July

Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: Zing by Chaska (restaurant/café), 90 - 91 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1 Superfruit, The English Market, Cork Bamboo Foods Ltd (restaurant/café), Station Roundabout, Ramelton Road, Letterkenny, Donegal One Closure Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: Doson (take away), 10 Dorset Street Lower, Dublin 1

A new display at the National Gallery comprises nine works by Irish artist Seán Keating and one work by William Orpen. Opened in the MilltownGallery’sWing on 20 August 2022, Keating’s Allegories of Change centres around the artist’s 1924 painting An Allegory, which addresses the divisive nature of the conflict of the Irish Civil War. The display is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012Situated2023. in the Gallery’s Milltown Wing, the display is built around Keating’s An Allegory, a reflection on Ireland in the wake of the Civil War. A number of characters are featured in the painting, including Keating himself with his wife and child. Other key paintings on display include Men of the West, On the RunWar of Independence and Homo Sapiens: An Allegory of Democracy which – like many of the other works on display – is underpinned by a prevailing sense of disquiet and uncertainty. Keating’s Allegories of Change closes: 27 November 2022. Admission: Free

Rosamund Taylor and Katie Donovan.OnSundaySeptember,18th The Poetry Weekender will eventwithculminatetheheadline

Dún IrelandassociationCountyLaoghaire-RathdownCouncilinwithPoetryhasannouncedis

Culture Night Cork City 2022: One Night For All

4 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

This year’s Culture Night, on September 23rd, will see venues all over the country open their doors, late into the night. From music to the arts, to comedy, fashion, and loversentertainmentliterature,areinfor a real treat as more than 1,000 live events are planned. Cork City’s Culture Night Programme has an array of events which will appear in online listings and printed fliers around the city over the next weeks.For more information on Cork City Culture Night 2022, visit www.CorkCity.ie/culturenight. Keep up to date with programme additions by following the conversation online #CultureNight / #OícheChultúir and #CorkCultureNight. Check out Facebook\corkcityarts or Twitter and Instagram @corkcityarts

Margaret Atwood to headline Dun Laoghaire poetry event

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported that four Closure Orders and eight Prohibition Orders were served on food businesses during the month of July for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Some of the reasons for the Closure Orders in July include: live rats spotted on the premises; rat droppings found near food storage and evidence of pests gnawing foodstuffs; a very poor standard of basic hygiene in the food preparation areas posing a risk of food contamination; food handlers inadequately trained and lacking knowledge on temperature control, pest control and cleaning; high-risk cooked foods were not temperature-controlled, with chicken found to have been stored at 23 degrees Celsius; and a lack of food safety monitoring leading to unsafe food being produced and sold.

News

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI has emphasised the importance of vigorous pest control systems, which should be facilitated across all food businesses in Ireland. She also stressed that particular attention is required to ensure food is stored correctly and safely, especially during summer months when temperatures are usually higher.

Michael remembersLysterthe late great Joe Dolan

Joe Dolan on RTÉ’s Saturday Stage Photograph courtesy of RTÉ Archives

Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 5

There was no show like a Joe show..

Profile

Long before Niall Horan re-established Mullingar on the musical map there was another young man from the area who wrote the blueprint for musical success back in the 1960s and that man was Joe Dolan.

In the emerging scene that was the showband era in Ireland back in the day Joe wasn’t just a vital cog in it all but was also perhaps its biggest attraction. Yes, Brendan Bowyer and the Royal Showband were huge and The Hucklebuck remains an evergreen classic; but Joe had lasting success and popularity and to this day remains much loved and fondly remembered. Indeed, that expression; ‘There’s no show like a Joe show’ really does sum it up and, having seen him perform many times back in the golden days of the showband scene, I can vouch for that fact.

However, it didn’t take too long for Joe and his brother, Ben, to feel the draw of the music scene and by the early Sixties they were a fully fledged musical combination called Joe Dolan and the Drifters. Their first single was called The Answer to Joe Dolan and the Drifters on The Go 2 Show. Photograph courtesy of RTÉ Archives Joe with brother Ben

Joseph Francis Dolan had a bit of a rocky start to life. His father passed away when he was just ten years of age and while still in his teens he was orphaned when his mother also died. Indeed, it was she who encouraged his interest in music and got him to take up the piano.

Indeed, if you were going out at the weekend and were hoping to be where the best looking women were going to be then you checked to see if Joe and the Drifters were playing anywhere in your locality in the West of Ireland and you made that your go-to venue on the basis that you might be in with a chance (wishful thinking, most of the time!).

However, it was his distinctive voice that was his calling card. It was a high range, known as a ‘melisma’ technique that was instantly recognizable but out of the reach of most singers (although Demis Roussos had a similar reach). From the very outset Joe was destined to be different on the Irish scene. Despite his burgeoning musical talents, Joe began his career in the less glamorous life of a compositor for the Westmeath Examiner (a compositor was a person who set out in metal

the pages from which the newspaper would be printed off. (I know this because I worked in the Tuam Herald newspaper in Galway for six years!).

6 Senior Times |September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Profile Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 7

Everything and was an instant success, reaching number 4 in the Irish charts.

Part of Joe’s band at that time was a young lad called Tommy Swarbrigg who, with his brother Jimmy, went on to also have big success. Tommy was trumpet player in the Drifters and, as he described it to me, ‘It was a dream come true to be part of all that. Joe just wasn’t big in Ireland but he was big outside of Ireland as well. It was unbelievable and we had a ball’. In fact, long before Brendan Bowyer and the Royal Showband established a very successful residency in Las Vegas Joe was given that opportunity but decided to turn it down. I’m sure that was a big decision at the time but, as it turned out, there was bigger success around the corner. He was constantly on the radio in the late Sixties with records like Tar and Cement and Love of the Common People but it was in 1969 when he hit the jackpot. His recording of the Albert Hammond song, Make Me an Island not only stormed the charts around Europe but also made it to number three in Britain (kept off the top spot by Stevie Wonder and Cilla Black). Another Albert Hammond song You’re Such a Good Looking Woman also made it into the British Top Twenty the following year. Around that time Joe was approached by and signed to the MAM Agency (whose major star was Tom Jones) and by chance Joe’s next successful collaboration was borne out of that. A young Italian songwriter called Roberto Danova was in the MAM offices in London pitching some of his compositions when he got talking to Joe’s manager, Seamus Casey, who was there also and Danova offered some of his songs to the Irishman. As Roberto told me recently; ‘I knew Joe’s voice from hearing it on Radio Luxemburg but I thought he was an American blues singer. I couldn’t believe it when I heard he was from Mullingar in Ireland! So, I used to record the backing tracks in London and then Joe would come over and lay down the vocal tracks and that turned out to be a very successful process’. Their first collaboration turned out to be Sweet Little Rock ‘n’ Roller which also subsequently became a hit for Showaddywaddy. However, Joe’s biggest hit with Roberto Danova was in 1975 with a song called Lady in Blue which was a million seller and was also a number one hit in places like Canada and South Africa. Joe followed that with more international success with songs like More and More (Danova again) and It’s You It’s You It’s You. Ironically, Joe’s last big hit was a pairing with Dustin the Turkey in 1997 and a reworking of his earlier hit Good Looking Woman. Happily I don’t remember it but it did have one important landmark in that it ensured that Joe was unique amongst Irish artists in having a number one hit across four separate decades, from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and finally the 1990s. Not a bad strike rate.Joe in full flight in familiar white suit

8 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Anyway, one year, I think it was 1978, Joe was voted best vocalist, except we had a slight problem. Joe wasn’t available to show up on the night so, guess what, we had a slot but no star man. My solution was that we give the award to someone else (I won’t say) who was willing to show up in Tuam. Happy days. However, a few days later I got a phone call from Mullingar requesting that the award be sent on. I explained, bluntly, that somebody else was now the recipient and that no award was available. Anyway, a short while afterwards a couple of friends of mine were in the Dolans’ pub in Mullingar and mentioned that they knew me. Joe was there. Apparently, at the time they had one of those stags’ head launched on a plinth in the bar and Joe pronounced that he had every intention of replacing the stags’ head with mine whenever he got his hands on me. Fortunately he never followed up on that threat and the next time I met him his irritation had dissolved and we had a good it’s the mark of any great artist that you are respected and admired by your peers. Damon Albarn of Blur was a fan and at the 2009 Oxegen Festival he dedicated The Universal to

The Joe Dolan statue is situated at the Market Square Mullingar. The bronze life-size statue was unveiled in December 2008. Thousands of fans travelled to Joe’s hometown for the unveiling by his brother Ben and the Dolan Family. The statue captures the performer in a trademark stage pose, and was specially commissioned by Westmeath County Council and Mullingar Town Council.

Ichat.suppose

Joe Dolan with Colin Farrell and the late Gerry Ryan

Profile

him, Joe having recorded the song himself. Robbie Williams was another admirer; indeed, Robbie’s father, also Joe, used to open as a support act for the Drifters when they played in Manchester and the young Williams met him as a child.

I got to know Joe back in the day and, in fact, had one minor run-in with him in the 1970s which, in retrospect, was amusing. Back in the day I used to promote music concerts in the West and annually we had an awards festival in which we would assemble the cream of the Irish music industry. That was actually easy to do at the time because many of them wanted to showcase their talents to a new audience and also because it gave entertainers a rare opportunity to catch up and get to meet each other socially, something that was rarely possible on the touring scene at the time. The awards concerts were run in conjunction with the Tuam Herald in which we (the ‘we’ being myself and Tom Gilmore) would get readers to vote for their favourite singers, bands, records etc.

Joe had many firsts to his name, including being one of the first Western acts to play in Soviet Russia in 1978. However, his most peculiar claim must have been to have had the first hip bone replacement sold on eBay back in 2004! He had a hip replacement back in the day and was persuaded on the Podge and Rodge show to put his old hip up for sale for charity. It sold to a lady down in Cork and he duly signed it: ‘Mind my hip’. Unfortunately, he died in 2007. In fact, he got ill just down the road from me in Foxrock in Co. Dublin where he lived with his partner, Isabella. Happily, his music lives on. The Joe Dolan tribute show continues to tour Ireland with Ronan Collins at its core. Let’s just hope Ronan’s car doesn’t break down!

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• Dim your dashboard • Use the night setting on your rear-view mirror

1) They absorb blue light, which is one of the most damaging kinds of visible light. 2) They are capable of preventing some of the oxidative stress experienced by the delicate light receptor cells in the retina. The retina is the layer of nerve cells that sends visual information from the eye to the brain.

Does headlight glare make you anxious about driving at night?

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2006;32(1):50-5.

2. Stringham JM, O’Brien KJ, Stringham NT. Macular carotenoid supplementation improves disability glare performance and dynamics of photostress recovery. Eye Vis (Lond). 2016;3:30.

Health

1. Monestam E, Lundqvist B. Long-time results and associations between subjective visual difficulties with car driving and objective visual function 5 years after cataract surgery.

You might be surprised to know that from the day you are born, your eyes naturally gather pigments that are found in plants such as broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, and eggs, to form the macular Thesepigment.macular carotenoids consist of lutein, zeaxanthin, and mesozeaxanthin pigments. Macular carotenoids have three main functions in the eye.

• Reduce your speed

Make sure you’re eating plenty of green leafy vegetables and colourful fruit every day, as well as upping the amount of trout (the only dietary source of mesozeaxanthin) you eat every week. You could also consider taking a triple carotenoid supplement such as MacuPrime to supplement your healthy diet.

As summer comes to a close and the days become shorter, nighttime driving can become more difficult — especially if you’re older than 50. Unfortunately, as we age, our eyesight and night vision worsen. Our eyes take longer to adjust to changes in light, meaning we struggle to see in the face of glaring headlights and other bright lights. We can have difficulty with colours and contrasts in low light, plus our peripheral vision and depth perception all get worse in low-light conditions.

3. Nolan JM, Power R, Stringham J, et al. Enrichment of Macular Pigment Enhances Contrast Sensitivity in Subjects Free of Retinal Disease: Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials - Report 1. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016;57(7):3429-39.

• Difficulty seeing street signs

Common signs that you may have trouble driving at night include:

• Difficulty with oncoming headlights

These trials were conducted on people with healthy eyes and also those suffering with age-related macular degeneration. In both cases the more the macular pigment optical density increased, the greater the improvements in glare disability and contrast sensitivity.

Eyes naturally contain carotenoids

Macula Macular Pigment Meso zeaxanthin Zeaxanthin Lutein Macula Macular Pigment Meso zeaxanthin Zeaxanthin Lutein 10 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Those with early age-related macular degeneration are even more likely to report difficulty with night driving and glare, as are a high percentage of people who have had cataract surgery1.

• Needing to drive slowly

3) Carotenoids provide anti-inflammatory protection. But over time the concentration of macular carotenoids in our eyes declines with ageing, particularly if we are not getting enough of them through our diet. This reduces our contrast sensitivity, leaving our eyes vulnerable to glare, and slow to recover from sudden exposure to bright lights (say, the headlights of an oncoming car).

• Struggling to judge distance and speed

What can you do? The good news is, you don’t have to accept the end of independence and mobility as your eyes age. Numerous Irish clinical studies offer hope for those of us still driving, especially at Together,night. these studies provide evidence as to why we need to increase our intake of macular carotenoids (lutein, mesozeaxanthin and zeaxanthin), natural pigments that we must consume in order to maintain optimum macular pigment protection in our eyes, shielding our vulnerable retinal cells from degeneration with age2.

The Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials2, conducted at Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, Waterford, showed that increasing our daily intake of these pigments provides targeted benefits important to night drivers, namely, how our eyes respond to exposure to a bright light against a dark background (contrast sensitivity)3

Prepare for the darker months now So why not start preparing now for the Autumn/Winter months ahead? Focus on changing your diet to dramatically increase the amount of carotenoids you consume each day.

• Don’t look at oncoming headlights

• Trouble seeing road markings

Here are some other things you can do to make it easier to drive at •night:Make sure your windows are clean

Contains all three essential carotenoids: Lutein, Meso-Zeaxanthin & Zeaxanthin Clinically researched at Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, Diabetic-friendly,Waterford gluten and dairy free Approved by Supplement Certified One-a-day, easy-to-swallow capsule Recyclable packaging Recommended by Ophthalmologists Available in pharmacies & opticians nationwide Order direct: 051-271010 | www.macuprime.ie

Mythology The with angelstrouble

When the Christian Fathers sat in conclave at the Council of Laodicea in 363 AD they had a full agenda before them. It was still early centuries in the history of Christianity and the matters for discussion included the need to maintain order among its bishops and clerics, as well as the enforcement of modest behaviour among its laity –perennial preoccupations which would not lessen in succeeding centuries.

The Council therefore prescribed excommunication for members of cults who invoked angels in order to gather followers. However, nothing was said against the veneration of angels as messengers of God.

As with any organisation, then and now, those in charge were aware of the deleterious effects of splinter groups.

Eamonn Lynskey looks into the portrayal of these mysterious beings

There was also the question of how to deal with heretics and the need to set out regular liturgical practices. And there was the trouble with angels.

Another practice – again with no biblical or Church authority behind it – was the introduction by Renaissance masters of ‘baby angels’ in many of their works such as this celebrated image by Raphael

The Fathers were aware of an increase in the veneration of angels, the offering of prayers to them and the asking of favours from them. This was a practice that had become widespread in Christianity by the 4th century. Was there a danger that angels, the messengers and servants of God, might come to be regarded as His equals? St Paul in a letter to the Colossians had warned about ‘grovelling to angels and worshipping them’.

12 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

The debate itself is a sign of the importance of angels in the life of early Christianity. But the trouble was that these ethereal beings were never wholly amenable to church rules and regulations. Holy persons can be canonized as saints (or uncanonized, as in Vatican II in 1962); martyrdoms can be recognised; miracles can be Archangel Michael was increasingly portrayed with his foot on a dragon (Satan) and with his mighty sword held high, resembling Pallas Athena, the warlike goddess of ancient Greece.

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Mythology

Roman gods. For instance, figures like Mercury, the Roman winged messenger from Olympus, influenced depictions of Gabriel. And the Archangel Michael was increasingly portrayed with his foot on a dragon (Satan) and with his mighty sword held high, resembling Pallas Athena, the warlike goddess of ancient Greece. It was a good fit, considering Michael’s unparalleled military victory over Satan’s forces of evil, as previously Somentioned.itwasthat in the course of the centuries, angels – once depicted as human-like but ethereal creatures who dressed in simple clothes – evolved into something often quite different: substantial beings, sumptuously clad, and with wings. By the time of the Italian Renaissance many angels had acquired beautiful flowing apparel, as can be seen in the figure of Gabriel in the Annunciation paintings of such masters

adjudicated; liturgy formulated – but angels are a different matter. They are much favoured by God – being His courtiers, dedicated to praising Him and adoring Him continually in heavenly choirs. Besides, they existed before the Church did or even before humans did, according to The Book of Revelation, which describes the palace coup attempted by insubordinate angels against God and suppressed by loyal angels under the command of Archangel Michael. These rebels, incited – we are told – by their ringleader Satan were cast out of heaven and thereafter dedicated themselves to doing evil evermore to mankind, or until the Day of Judgement at least. And this of course is another trouble with angels: they are not all good. Any appearance of The Angel of Death – or his comrades Famine, War and Conquest – is never welcome. Furthermore, angels are multidenominational, appearing in other religions besides Christianity, including FromIslam.earliest times, angels have had as much a hold on the popular imagination as they have today, and even more so. This devotion to heavenly spirits had led to developments that had little – or even nothing at all – to do with Church teaching. Since 380 AD, when Christianity had been declared the State Church of the Roman Empire, the depiction in paintings and frescoes of these heavenly spirits had begun to change. One of the major changes was that angels began to acquire wings. Biblical details about these appendages are vague, particularly in the New Testament. All four of the Evangelists acknowledge the intervention of angels in human affairs, but details of their actual appearance are scant. These heavenly beings usually take the form of human-like creatures, recognisable as angels only by a glow that surrounds them. They arrive to deliver messages from on high, as in Luke’s gospel when the archangel Gabriel visits the young virgin to announce to her that she is to become the mother of Jesus Christ. And indeed, the word ‘angel’ derives from Hebrew and Greek and means ‘messenger’. Sometimes angels offer help and solace, as when an angel appears to Jesus during His agonies on the Mount of Olives: ‘Then an angel appeared to him, coming to him from Heaven, to give him strength’ says Luke, but he gives no detailed description of that angel. Nor does he give any of the heavenly beings who appear to the shepherds to tell them where to find the Holy Infant. Nor of the two strangers that the women meet at the tomb of Jesus, except to hint at their attire: ‘… two men in brilliant clothes stood at their side’. Despite this lack of scriptural authority, after the 4thcentury angels began to be pictured as having wings, as well as some other additions such as haloes and improvements in the design of their former simple attire. The acquisition of wings derived from ancient mythologies which predated the Bible, such as the supernatural winged beings of ancient Babylon and the vast array of Greek and

14 Senior Times | September - October | www.seniortimes.ie

John Keats writes about how ‘Great spirits now on earth are sojourning’, while Emily Dickinson in her poem entitled A Poor, Torn Heart declares that ‘The angels happening that way / This dusty heart espied, / Tenderly took it up from toil / And carried it to God’. Archangel Gabriel visited the young virgin to announce to her that she is to become the mother of Jesus Christ.

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Unless … Unless there has been some form of mysterious intervention. The trouble with angels is … you’ll never know for sure. you and I have a guardian angel / On high with nothing to do / But to give to you and to give to me / Love forever true …’.

Mythology

16 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie as Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) and Carlo Crivelli (1430-1495). A similar increasingly luxurious portrayal can be seen in many other works like those of Andrea Botticelli (1445-1510) where the angels are also shown to have somehow mastered the playing of a wide range of the musical instruments popular at the Thesetime. changes in the depiction of angels could have been sent from on high into the minds of these great artists but it is more likely that they are a response to the consumer demands of the period –particularly to the demands of fabulously rich merchant princes like the Medici, and a Church which had long left behind its early days as a minor and persecuted sect and had become a rich, opulent and powerful organisation. Fulsome artistic interpretations of ethereal beings were welcomed by Popes, Cardinals and Bishops who were prepared to foot the bill for even the most extravagant of statues and paintings. And in the Italy of the 1500s there was no shortage of masters like Michelangelo and Bernini to step up and supply that demand. It could be argued that the magnificent and memorable visualisations of angels by the extraordinary artists of that extraordinary period in Western art shaped the image of angels in the popular mind from that time onwards. Another practice – again with no biblical or Church authority behind it – was the introduction by these Renaissance masters of ‘baby angels’ in many of their works. These diminutive figures are descendants of the little beings prevalent in the art of ancient Greece and Rome who were often shown frolicking in the company of the pagan gods and goddesses. Their inclusion in Christian religious paintings derives from this ancient tradition, but also because of a belief that had come about in the minds of the faithful that young children who died early went straight to a heaven in which they lived a happy and playful existence. These little winged beings, once the attendants of Bacchus and Venus, came to be shown in attendance on the Madonna and the infant Jesus, as in the 17th century artist Giovanni Sassoferrato’s wonderful ‘Virgin and Child seated in Clouds’, (National Gallery of Ireland). As art historian Erika Langmuir writes: ‘When infant mortality was high, images of happy babies gambolling in Heaven helped to console bereaved parents, sustaining the popular but heretical belief that [these] angels are the ascended souls of infants who die in a state of grace’ (‘A Closer Look – Angels’, published by the National Gallery of London, 2010). This suggestion as to the origin of these baby winged figures raises the question as to the origin of so many other changes in the appearance and function of angels over the centuries. Are these changes a divine transformation by the angels themselves, constantly adapting to our needs? Or is it we, earthly beings, that bring about these changes by projecting onto these heavenly beings our needs and desires? Which of us has never wanted protection from harm? Who has never longed for a someone to look out for their interests? Or for a someone who will come to comfort them in their hour of Thesedespair?very understandable human longings could explain another popular notion regarding angels. Certainly Gabriel, Michael and Raphael are involved in important work – are members of God’s inner cabinet, so to speak – but there are a host of other less important spirits which are said to act in a protective capacity as our ‘guardian’ angels. Everyone has one, sometimes two it’s said, to guide them through life, as used to be shown in the ‘holy pictures’ that children once received as presents to insert in their prayer books. These little cards would often picture a child going too near a cliff edge, or in some other danger, and a winged spirit intervening just in time. And there is no escaping the presence of angels in everyday life. ‘You’re an angel’ we might say to someone who does us a favour. Or we might describe a piece of music as ‘angelic’. They are present too in many artworks, other than the visual.

John Keats writes about how ‘Great spirits now on earth are sojourning’, while Emily Dickinson in her poem entitled ‘A Poor, Torn Heart’ declares that ‘The angels happening that way / This dusty heart espied, / Tenderly took it up from toil / And carried it to God’. And in that old cinema classic High Society we have Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly singing ‘For you and I have a guardian angel / On high with nothing to do / But to give to you and to give to me / Love forever true …’. How comforting! But can it be so? Are we really looked after from Above? The time to start thinking about this question is the next occasion when you are dumbfounded by an extraordinary coincidence in your life, or when you barely survive a brush with something really undesirable, or perhaps when you have a sudden and totally unexpected stroke of good luck – events for which you will be at a complete loss to explain.

St Paul in a letter to the Colossians had warned about ‘grovelling to angels and worshipping them’.

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Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the flu virus. Flu affects people of all ages. In a typical flu season, up to 500 people, mainly older people, die from flu in Ireland. Flu symptoms come on suddenly with a fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. This is different from a cold which is a much less severe illness compared to flu. A cold usually starts gradually with a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose. Symptoms of a cold are generally mild compared to flu.

More information is available from your GP, Public Health Nurse or Pharmacist.

www.hse.ie/flu provides details about flu vaccination, along with answers to any questions you may have about flu.

If you are over 65 or have a long term medical condition you should also ask your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine which protects against pneumonia, if you have not previously received it. You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as the pneumococcal vaccine.

Flu is unpredictable. While anyone can catch flu, some people are more at risk of getting seriously ill or needing hospital treatment. Serious breathing complications can develop, including pneumonia and bronchitis, to which older people, younger children and those with certain chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible. Pregnant women are also at increased risk of severe complications from flu. Flu can significantly increase the risk of premature birth and even stillbirth during pregnancy.

If you have had the COVID-19 vaccine you should still get the flu vaccine. You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. The flu vaccine and administration are free from participating GPs and Pharmacies to those within the recommended groups.

This year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine protects against four common virus strains. The flu virus changes each year and this is why a new flu vaccine has to be given each flu season. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, and others from the flu. This year the free flu vaccine is recommended for you if you are in one of these groups:

· Aged 65 years and over

48 Senior Times l November - December 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie

If you are a health care worker, you may be able to get the free flu vaccine at your place of work.

· A child aged 2 to 17 years

year to be protected for the flu season. Flu vaccines have been given to millions of people worldwide and are very safe. The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. It takes 10-14 days for the vaccine to start protecting you against flu. Both flu and COVID-19 can cause serious illness. Flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses and the flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19. It is important to get both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.

· A health care worker

PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINE

· At any stage of pregnancy

· People with certain medical conditions which put them at increased risk of complications from flu e.g. heart or lung disease

Public Health Advice hse.ie/flu Flu isn’t just a Flucoldis serious Flu vaccine is free for people at protectsFluothersprotectsFluriskvaccinetoovaccineyou Flu can cause pneumonia and bronchitis and can make chronic health conditions worse. Up to 500 people die from flu every year in Ireland. Talk to your GP (doctor) or pharmacist today about getting the flu vaccine. You should get the flu vaccine if you are a healthcare worker or a carer or if you live with someone with a chronic health condition. You should get the flu vaccine if you: • are 65 years and older or • have a chronic health problem such as heart or lung disease or • are pregnant Why do you need flu vaccine? Order Code: HNI01089

Arnold Bennett: His own story was as intriguing as any of his literary plots. A period view of Markey Square in Hanley, Staffordshire where Arnold Bennett was born in 1867

Continuing her series of profiles of notable writers from these islands, and where they came from, Lorna Hogg recalls the life and works of Arnold Bennett If association with a city or area of countryside, is the lasting legacy of a fortunate few writers, then Arnold Bennett’s `patch’ is The Potteries, or Five Towns, in Staffordshire. This area in the English Midlands was the home of china during the Industrial Revolution - and of Enoch Arnold Bennett. He was born on 27th May, 1867 in Hanley, then one of the towns making up The Potteries, and his home ground produced some of his most memorable work- including Clayhanger and Anna of the Five Towns Bennett’s. own story was as intriguing as any of his literary plots. He was born the eldest child of an upwardly mobile Wesleyan family of three sons and three daughters. His father had, in addition to his drapery and pawnbroking business, trained to become a solicitor, and had high expectations for his eldest son. The boy was well educated, and harboured a desire to become an architect. This was the era at the start of free education for all, and young Arnold spent some years, with excellent teachers, at the Wedgewood Institute in Burslem, plus a spell at a Grammar School, and could have gone on to the University of Cambridge. His father, however, had other plans for him, and young Arnold joined his father’s solicitor’s firm at the age of 16 – with his tasks including rent-collection. He also started writing in his spare time, and at 21 became a clerk in a solicitor’s practice at

Arnold Bennett

:

20 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie Literature

poet of The Potteries

Lincoln’s Inn in London. His new friends there inspired him to read more widely and also to continue writing, often for magazines. In 1894, he became the Assistant Editor of Woman Magazine. He had retained his desire to publish a book, and succeeded with A Man from the North. (1898) This story of a young and innocent man’s early experiences and loves in London, it apparently brought in less money than the cost of typing the manuscript. However, Bennett learned swiftly that he would have to produce popular fiction in order to earn a living. He was promoted to editor at Woman Magazine, but still saw himself as an author, even though some of his early efforts were described as `pot boilers.’ He received good notices, however,

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22 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Arnold Bennett moved to Paris in 1903 and spent nearly ten years living in the French capital. Bennett was then 35, unmarried, shy, with little confidence around women. However, when he moved to the 5th Arrondissement, and started to mingle in ex-pat and local society, he found it easier to form relationships.

The Arnold Bennett statue outside the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley.

Literature for Anna of the Five Towns (1902), with its Stoke on Trent setting. It told the story of values and expectations of life in the backgrounds from which he came. Its heroine suddenly inherits a large sum of money on her twenty first birthday, but has to come to terms with the outlooks and standards of her surroundings. The quirky Grand Babylon Hotel was published the same year and Bennett now found some financial security. He purchased and moved to Trinity Hall Farm, where his family joined him. His father however, died shortly afterwards, and his mother moved back to Burslem. His sister was about to marry - so as a long time Francophile, now freed of family responsibilities, Bennett decided to leave for Paris. Bennett was then 35, unmarried, shy, with little confidence around women. However, when he moved to the 5th Arrondissement, and started to mingle in ex-pat and local society, he found it easier to form relationships. His literary radar remained as keen as ever. A chance observance of a beautiful young woman laughing at an older, embittered one, sparked the realisation that the latter was once young and lovely as well. That provided inspiration for The Old Wives Tale, a story of two sisters and their lifelong relationship. At this time he also became influenced by such writers as Flaubert and InBalzac.1905, Bennett became engaged to a young American girl. However, plans were suddenly cancelled when she broke off the engagement. He was helped to recover by Marguerite Soulie, an actress whom he married in 1907 – and the success of Clayhanger proved a financial and critical success for him 1910. A trilogy within one volume, it tells the story of Clayhanger, who inherits a family business in a Victorian provincial town. It pits a hard-nosed self-made man and businessman Darius, against his son Edwin, who of course has a different generational view and set of values. A gentler soul, Darius wanted to become an architect (which Bennett had wanted to do) and didn’t conform to the standards or even outlook of his father. The second volume, Hilda Lessing tells the story of Clayhanger’s wife Hilda, and her early life as a shorthand clerk in London and Brighton, and her disastrous first marriage. The third volume, These Twain highlights the differences in outlooks of the two – many inspiring marital clashes. The final volume, The Roll Call details the life of Clayhanger’s spoiled stepson George. The boy grew up in financial security, but now faces World War 1. In these stories, Bennett’s detailed observance of the standards, manners and outlook of the characters led to him being dubbed the ‘Laureate of the InCommonplace.’1911,hevisited the United States, and achieved even further financial security, with deals on book and publication rights. He could now consider himself financially secure. In 1912, he returned to England, purchased a home, Comarques, in Essexand developed his ambition to become a playwright. Milestones proved to be a popular success – telling the story of several generations of a family, and was written in collaboration with Edward Knoblock.

Finance Fraudsters are professional impersonators, they are sending text messages every day pretending to be your bank, An Post, parcel delivery service, HSE and even your utility company. The texts look very convincing and may require urgent action which is intended to make you act without thinking. With two retail banks leaving the Irish market and as thousands of people prepare to move bank accounts, fraudsters will seek to take advantage of changing situations to commit fraud. FraudSMART members are anticipating a rise in impersonation fraud attempts which will be based around the process of verifying and updating bank account details. So be on high alert in the coming weeks and months to fake text messages, emails or calls pretending to come from trusted organisations such as your bank, utility company, streaming service, mobile provider or even your employers HR Department.

• Do not respond to messages with personal information.

• Always double check before clicking links or attachments in random or unexpected emails or texts and never give away security details such as PINs or passwords to anyone.

Fraudsmart – Helping you spot the impersonators

Key advice for consumers re impersonation scams

• Do not click on links or follow directions from somebody on a call without verifying first.

• Contact your bank/service provider/employer provider directly.

• Never use contact details from a text message, always independently verify.

• A bank will never text/email/phone looking for personal information.

In particular be on alert for texts from your bank. Fraudsters will use this account transition period to obtain personal information through the guise of a problem with a customer’s new account set-up or switch. We are warning consumers to be on the lookout for text messages that flag fraud on your bank account or impending cancelation of your salary, standing orders, or direct debits to utilities and which then go on to ask for personal information or account details. We are aware that fraudsters have recently started to follow up these texts with a phone call from a number that appears to be your bank.

Telephone: +353 1 671 5311 − W: www.bpfi.ie

This recipe is from Delia's Complete How to Cook, The Delia Collection: Fish.

Add some freshly milled black pepper but don't add salt yet because the haddock can be quite salty. Then pop in the prepared fish and let it poach gently, uncovered, for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, make up the sauce: separate one of the eggs, breaking the yolk into a small bowl and reserving the white in another bowl. Add the cornflour to the yolk and whisk well. When the fish is cooked, use a draining spoon to lift it out into a sieve placed over the saucepan, to allow the liquid to drain back. Press lightly to extract every last drop of liquid, then place the sieve containing the fish on a plate. At this point pre-heat the grill to its highest setting. Now bring the liquid in the pan back up to simmering point, then pour it on to the egg yolk, whisking all the time. Then return the whole mixture to the saucepan and gently bring it back to just below simmering point or until it has thickened – no more than one or two minutes. After that, remove it from the heat and stir in the cooked haddock, tasting to see if it needs any salt. Next, whisk up the egg white to the softpeak stage and carefully fold it into the haddock mixture. Now for the omelette. First beat the 4 remaining eggs with some seasoning. Next, melt the butter and oil in a frying pan until foaming, swirling them round to coat the sides and base. When it's very hot add the eggs, let them settle for about 2 minutes, then begin to draw the edges into the centre, tilting the pan to let the liquid egg run into the gaps. When you feel the eggs are half set, turn the heat down and spoon the haddock mixture evenly over the surface of the eggs, using a palette knife to spread it. Now sprinkle the cheese over the top and place the omelette pan under the grill, positioning it roughly 5 inches (13 cm) from the heat source. The omelette will now take 2-3 minutes to become puffy, golden brown and bubbling. Remove it from the grill, let it settle and relax for 5 minutes before cutting into wedges and serving on warmed plates.

Ingredients 2 rounded tablespoons crème fraîche 8 oz (225 g) smoked haddock, skin and bones removed, cut into ½ in (1 cm) ½5chunkslargeeggslevelteaspoon cornflour ½ oz (10 g) butter 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 oz (50 g) Gruyère or Parmesan cheese, saltgratedand freshly milled black pepper Method To begin with, measure the crème fraîche into a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer.

Omelette Arnold Bennett

An easy-to-cook adaption of the classic dish by Delia Smith. Serves two or three This magnificent omelette of fresh eggs and smoked haddock was the favourite of Arnold Bennett when he resided at The Savoy Hotel, London for a period in his career and is said to have written the novel Imperial Palace during his residency. The novel is based on day to day events at a large hotel and is said to be based on life in The Savoy. It was published in 1930, the year before Arnold Bennett’s death. Omelette Arnold Bennett still features on the menu of The Savoy Grill. Omelette Arnold Bennett is an open omelette, topped with smoked haddock in a creamy sauce, and grated Parmesan cheese.

24 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Eggstra, read all about it:

Literature During World War I, Bennett joined the Ministry of Information, then run by Lord Beaverbrook, whom he knew –and who called upon him to write Allied propaganda. Bennett’s role grew with the war’s progress, and he gradually oversaw the Ministry so successfully that he was later offered, but declined, a Knighthood. Instead, he returned to his new area of work –playwriting, and had work performed at the Lyceum Theatre in London. His enthusiasm for new art forms grew – he started writing popular self-help books – including How to Become an Author and also retained his journalistic instincts. He continued to learn and be influenced by contemporary authors – such as Joyce, and felt strongly that literature should reflect the realities of modern life. His marriage, however, was quietly failing, and he separated from his wife in 1921, living the rest of his life in West Londonand became a newspaper columnist. He then met and courted a young actress, Dora Cheston. However, Marguerite refused him a divorce when he wanted to marry the pregnant Dora, so she adopted his name by Deed Poll. They had a daughter, Virginia May in 1922. Bennett’s prolific literary output continued. Overall, it included some 34 novels, seven volumes of short stories, various self help books and 13 plays (some collaborations) plus contributions to 100 newspapers and periodicals. He was also a generous supporter – and sponsor, of new talent. In January 1931 he and Dora went on a short trip to France, and Bennett unwisely drank tap water. Typhoid followed and he died on 27th March of that year. He was recognized as one of the more noteworthy novelists and forward thinking writers of his generation. However, succeeding generations have been more critical. Many modernists disliked him. It might have been due to his somewhat Victorian view of women –which of course, helped to inspire his world view and forensic representation of life and ‘patch’.

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Beaumaris Beach. Beaumaris itself is a picturesque seaside town containing a mixture of Medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The name comes from the Norman ‘beau marais’ meaning ‘fair marsh’.

Famous names: Many famous names are associated with Wales either born there or living a considerable time in the country. They include singers Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Charlotte Church and Katherine Jenkins, footballer Gareth Bale. In the world of cinema the names Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs) Catherine Zeta Jones (Chicago) spring to mind and of course poet Dylan Thomas and author Roald Dahl.

Sewin- A fish described as something between a salmon and a trout and is caught by fishermen during night time. Welsh Rarebit- The famous toasted cheese dish. Bara Brith – Meaning a speckled bread but is in fact more of a cake. Served with butter and recommended as perfect with a mid-day cuppa.

26 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie Travel Visitingneighboursthe

Recently I spent a few days exploring the island taking in a number of tourist attractions and enjoying some wonderful scenery along the way. But first let’s take a look at a few facts about Wales in general.

Symbols: the country has three main symbols- the Dragon, Daffodil and the Leek. The dragon dates from the era of King Arthur and became the official flag in 1959.The daffodil represents St. David’s Day on 1st March, while the Leek dates from the 16th century.

George Keegan enjoys a short break on the island of Anglesey

It’s a sad fact that the majority of Irish holidaymakers travelling with a car are inclined to use Anglesey Island in Wales as a passing - through destination on their way south following disembarkation at the Holyhead ferry port. They don’t know what they are missing!

The Isle of Anglesey is situated along the North Wales Way and is connected to mainland Wales by two iconic bridges, Thomas Telford’s Menai Suspension Bridge and Robert Stephenson’s Beaumaris Castle

Thomas Telford’s magnificent Menai Suspension Bridge

Food: Specialities include: Cawl – A hearty broth made from lamb or beef with seasonal vegetables. Every family has their own take on this.

Language: There are two official languages Welsh and English. The native language is used extensively particularly on Anglesey (where learning the language is compulsory for children up to 16 years). The road signs and place names here are all in Welsh reminding me of the Gaeltacht areas at home.

itself is a picturesque seaside town containing a mixture of Medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The name comes from the Norman ‘beau marais’ meaning ‘fair marsh’. There is a pier originally constructed in 1846 but required to be re-built 30 years later following extensive storm damage. However, during the 1960s the pier was considered unsafe and threatened with demolition. Thanks to an exceptional private donation by a local lady, it was saved. Today it is a short promenade ideal for taking a stroll or just sitting on a bench to relax and look out on the waters of the Menai Strait with Snowdonia in the background. The pier is used as mooring spot for boating

Almost within the town centre is a historic castle with a unique symmetrical design designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was the last fortress Edward 1 set about constructing in North Wales, but it was never completed. Other notable buildings include the courthouse built in 1614, a 14th century Tudor house (now an estate agency) regarded as one of the oldest original timber framed buildings in Britain and the hotel Bulls Head Inn (1472).

The South Stack

One of several highlights of my short break was a visit to these quite stunning gardens. The restoration work has taken place over many years due mainly to the vision and determination of owner Anthony Tavernor who purchased the estate in 1996. At the time he had sold some property and was seeking to buy another farm. Being interested in gardens, history and architecture from an early age, Plas Cadnant seemed the perfect place for him and so it has proved to be. The gardens are nestled in a valley between Beaumaris and Menai

On day two I headed up the north west coast to spend a few hours exploring the RSPB Reserve at the South Stack. The main information centre in Ellin’s tower is also used as a hide. Telescope or binoculars are provided free to visitors. Watch the many different species of sea birds including Puffins (when they come ashore to nest) and now rare choughs with their bright red beaks and feet. Around the reserve are several paths perfect for birdwatching. On an elevated site is a new RSPB shop and café, opened last year. The South Stack lighthouse is on the tiny Holy Island. By taking a 400 step staircase leading down from a cliff face you can visit and get a guided tour.

28 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

companies bringing tourists on trips. There are booking offices beside the pier for Puffin Island, rib boat tours on the Strait, or fishing excursions.

On the signposted trails you will observe in excess of 4000 plants. A full morning or afternoon should be set aside to fully explore this delightful setting. Before leaving drop into the Visitor Centre to check the gardens history. Then final stop the tea rooms serving delicious scones, cakes and light lunches, all homemade.

OK I

Two views of Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens

Britannia Bridge. The island has rolling green fields and is dotted with ancient burial sites and some mysterious Itmonuments.isquiteasmall area so around the charming seaside town of Beaumaris just 35 minutes on the A5 expressway from Holyhead is an ideal base. From here you can easily access many of the well known attractions such as the gardens at Plas Cadnant and Newydd House, Menai Bridge, the village with the longest name in Europe and South Stack, famous for Beaumarispuffins.

Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens

Bridge and the walled garden alone is worth a visit with magnificent colourful boarders, fruit trees and lawns with close clipped Yew pyramids ‘marching’ across.

Travel

admit it -there was no way I personally would have done it; however, I did witness many people climbing up and down those steps. That village --is just a few kilometres from Beaumaris and the name is siliogogogochpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwilllantyLlanfair (phew !). There are regular queues of people from around the world stopping at the old railway station having their photo taken under the name board. Good to see though the station is still operating with trains running regularly to OtherBangor.nearby noteworthy attractions are the Transport and Maritime Museums, Sea Zoo, Plas Newydd Historic House & Gardens on shores of the Strait, or perhaps drive over the bridge for a look at North Wales. Golfers can enjoy a round at the nearby Henllys Hall parkland course. Chateau Rhinfa When looking for hotel accommodation on the Isle of Anglesey you would not expect to find a French styled Chateau. But yes, situated between Menai town and Beaumaris is a Grade 11 star listed building constructed in 1849 modelled on a French Renaissance building along the Loire, complete with fish scale turrets. The history of house, estate and various owners is a fascinating read. When you enter this hotel you are stepping into old world charm at its best This is the age of ornate drawing rooms with soft sofas, decorated with gilded mirrors, walls of portraits, tapestries and centre room chandeliers. There is a music room, with piano of course, and projecting (oriel)window. Some rooms including the dining room, have quiet corners with seating for two in the turrets. The spectacular lighthouse and bird sanctuary at South StackHave your photo taken at railwaylongest-namedEurope’sstation

Accommodation for my final night on the Island was somewhat different, moving from ancient to very modern but still with an old-fashioned twist.

For his trip to Anglesey George Keegan was a guest of Visit Wales and received a complimentary crossing courtesy of Stena Line. Useful websites

Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 29 Travel

Meals are served in the downstairs Le Dragon Rouge restaurant. While breakfasts were a bit hit and miss (staff require further training), the evening meals served under the guidance of Jim the Maître d, were excellent. I enjoyed my stay here. Chateau Rhianfa is part of the Interesting Hotels group.

There are summer and winter terraces and impressive gardens overlooking the Strait. In one corner is a summer house with dove cot also French inspired, constructed to mirror the skyline of the mansion roof. The 27 bedrooms of different sizes are all individually named. My very comfortable room had a four poster bed, tall sash windows and a large modern shower room.

On the day I sailed it was extremely busy with parents and small children heading off on summer holidays or to visit relatives. Passengers seeking a more restful crossing should consider booking a cabin or entrance to the Stena Plus lounge which has comfortable seating for 140 passengers. Here you have choice of complimentary hot & cold drinks, light snacks and free newspapers. For something more substantial check the menus for breakfast lunch or dinner with a great choice of food at reasonable prices. The numerous daily crossings from Dublin to Holyhead take 3hrs 15mins.

www.stacklighthouse.co.ukwww.plascadnant.co.ukwww.bullsheadinn.co.ukwww.chateaurhianfa.co.uk/hotelwww.visitanglesey.co.ukwww.visitwales.comwww.stenaline.co.uk

The Bull Inn on the corner of Castle Street in Beaumaris is another listed building complete with wooden features, narrow stairs and corridors etc, definitely old style ambiance throughout. The owners recently purchased a rundown building across the street for extra guest bedrooms. Called The Townhouse it is ultra modern with funky lighting and colour codes used for room numbers. Furniture is minimal but the rooms are very comfortable. Breakfast and dinner are served in the hotel’s spacious restaurant named Coach Kitchen & Garden. Staff were exceptionally friendly and food was good.

With so much hassle and long delays at Dublin airport recently it was a joy to arrive in Dublin Port and calmly board the impressive Stena Adventurer. On board facilities are geared for all age groups, with free movies, Happy World play area for little ones and a Game Zone for older children. There are also restaurants and shops.

How will the Ombudsman deal with my complaint?

Next, we will decide if:

• look again at what it has done • change its decision • offer you an explanation, an apology and/or money (we do not always seek compensation or indeed receive it even if we do request it)

If we decide you have suffered and the public service provider has not taken steps to put this right, we may ask the provider to:

Usually, we handle complaints by discussing the problem with the public service provider and looking at the relevant files. If necessary, we do a detailed investigation.

In most cases, services provided to older people by public bodies such as government departments, local authorities and the HSE, and by private nursing homes, go well. However, when things go wrong you may have to make a complaint to that body. If you are unhappy with the outcome of your complaint you can then contact the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman provides a free and impartial service for dealing with complaints about most providers of public services. The Ombudsman is independent of government.

The Ombudsman can examine complaints

•about:clinical judgement, such as decisions on treatment or diagnosis • employment • complaints where the law provides for a right of appeal to a court • the complaint is, or has been, the subject of legal proceedings before the courts When should I complain to the Ombudsman? Before you complain to the Ombudsman, you must first complain to the service provider whose action or decision has affected you.

• a failure to communicate with you on time • providing you with incorrect, inaccurate or misleading information and • a failure to deal properly with your complaints

30 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Ombudsman Ger Deering says that complaints can be used to improve the delivery of public services.

First, we check that we are allowed to handle your complaint. We may ask the public service provider you have complained about to send us a report. We may examine their files and records and ask them questions. It can take time to gather the information we need.

•about:decisions you consider to be unfair and that affect you in a negative way

What can I complain to the Ombudsman about?

• your complaint should be upheld • you have suffered because of the action or decision of the public service provider

What the Ombudsman cannot examine

The Ombudsman and complaints about public services

People sometimes contact us about things we are unable to deal with. The Ombudsman cannot look at complaints

In some cases there will be a local appeals system which you should use. If you have complained to the service provider and are still unhappy, then you can contact Ombudsman.the

• a failure to give you clear reasons for decisions

You should submit your complaint within 12 months of the action or decision that has adversely affected you. However, even if more than 12 months has passed, we may still be able to help if there is a good reason for the delay. How do I complain to the Ombudsman? The easiest way to make a complaint to the Ombudsman is through our website: www.ombudsman.ie You can also write to us at: Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773. Or call us if you need any help at 01 639 5600

If so, the Ombudsman may be able to help. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about providers of public services such as: • government departments • local authorities • the HSE • nursing homes • education bodies You must have tried to resolve your complaint with the public body before contacting the Ombudsman. If you are unhappy with the response then you can complain to the Ombudsman: Online: www.ombudsman.ie In writing: 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. Call us if you need any assistance at 01 639 5600. The Ombudsman cannot take complaints about consumer matters, financial services, private pensions or An Garda Síochána. OUR SERVICE IS IMPARTIAL, INDEPENDENT & FREE Have you a complaint about a public body? Personalised Private Matchmaking Service For the over 60’s We provide a personal hands-on approach      to help you find your Life Partner. Let us introduce you to someone special. Nationwide service www.twoscompany.ie 01-4304017

Bíodh plean éalaithe agat i gcónaí.#firesafetyweek.ie Red4ready Go staitistiúil, is mó an riosca go bhfaighidh daoine aosta bás i dtine tí. Ná bí i do staitistic. 32 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

♠ 10 8 3 ♥ A J 3 ♦ 10 6 4 ♣ K Q J 10 ♠ 9 5 ♥ 9 7 2 ♦ A K J 3 ♣ 9 5 4 2 N W E S ♠ Q 2 ♥ K 10 6 4 ♦ 9 7 2 ♣ A 7 6 3 ♠ A K J 7 6 4 ♥ Q 8 5 ♦ Q 8 5 ♣ 6 Dealer: South Vul Nil All South West North East 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 33

In (A) (ii) West leads the ♦2 – leading low for like, such that if the ♦5 is played from dummy, East knows to win with the ♦10 (West must hold the ♦Q to have led low).

emailshttps://www.andrewrobson.co.uk/andrew/tips_for_intermediatesIfyouwishtoreceivethreewhichincludelessons,videos&quizzes,

hands afterwards to learn from the post If you wish to try RealBridge for free, just email michaelolough@yahoo.com

♠ 10 8 3 ♥ A J 3 ♦ 10 6 4 ♣ K Q J 10 ♠ 9 5 ♥ 9 7 2 ♦ A K J 3 ♣ 9 5 4 2 N W E S ♠ Q 2 ♥ K 10 6 4 ♦ 9 7 2 ♣ A 7 6 3 ♠ A K J 7 6 4 ♥ Q 8 5 ♦ Q 8 5 ♣ 6 Dealer: South Vul Nil All South West North East 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass

the uK because South is marked with the u InQ.(A) (ii) West leads the u2 – leading low for like, such that if the u5 is played from dummy, East knows to win with the u10 (West must hold the uQ to have led low). (B) Dummy ♣8 7 5 West ♣A K 10 2 (i) ♣Q 9 3 East (ii) ♣J 6 3 East (iii) ♣9 3 East not even make 3 received the 2 signal (throw low means no). Switching to dummy’s weaker suit (♣A will not run away), at trick two he led the ♥9. By leading high for hate, East knew to win with the ♥K after the ♥3 was played from dummy. [Had West switched to the ♥2, indicating that she had the ♥Q, East would have inserted the ♥10]. East then reverted to the u9, West winning the uJ and cashing the uK (felling South’s uQ). Finally the ♣9 was led over to East’s ♣A. Down one.

bridge. • Connect with everyone at the hands afterwards to learn from If you wish to try RealBridge for free, michaelolough@yahoo.com

♣8 7 5

In (B) (i) East signals with the ♣9, throw high means aye, and now West knows to play the ♣K and continue with a third Club.

• Connect with everyone at the table. Bid and play and go over the hands afterwards to learn from the post Ifmortem.youwish to try RealBridge for free, just email me: michaelolough@yahoo.com

In (B) (ii) East signals with the ♣3, throw low means no. In (B) (iii) East signals with the ♣9 when declarer is playing in a suit contract and whenever East wishes to trump/ruff the third round.

Dummy ♣8 7 5 West ♣A K 10 2 (i) ♣Q 9 3 East (ii) ♣J 6 3 East (iii) ♣9 3 East

(B) Dummy West 2

bridge.

(i) ♣Q 9 3 East (ii) ♣J 6 3 East (iii) ♣9 3 East

On our deal, South turned down the game invitation but found he could not even make 3♠. West led the ♦A and received the ♦2 signal (throw low means no). Switching to dummy’s weaker suit (♣A will not run away), at trick two he led the ♥9. By leading high for hate, East knew to win with the ♥K after the ♥3 was played from dummy. [Had West switched to the ♥2, indicating that she had the ♥Q, East would have inserted the ♥10]. East then reverted to the ♦9, West winning the ♦J and cashing the ♦K (felling South’s ♦Q). Finally the ♣9 was led over to East’s ♣A. Down one.

West leads the ♣A and needs to know whether to continue with the ♣K or to switch to a different suit. West is watching out for East’s signal: Throw high means aye, throw low means low.

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:€10.

/https://www.andrewrobson.co.uk/andrew/tips_for_intermediatesIn(A)(ii)Westleadsthe ♦2 leading low for like, such that if the ♦5 is played from dummy, East knows to win with the ♦10 (West must hold the ♦Q to have led low). (B) Dummy West leads the ♣A and needs to know whether to continue with the ♣K or to switch to a different suit. West is watching out for East’s signal: Throw high means aye, throw low means low. In (B) (i) East signals with the ♣9, throw high means aye, and now West knows to play the ♣K and continue with a third Club. In (B) (ii) East signals with the ♣3, throw low means no. In (B) (iii) East signals with the ♣9 when declarer is playing in a suit contract and whenever East wishes to trump/ruff the third round.

♣8 7 5 West ♣A K 10 2 (i) ♣Q 9 3 East (ii) ♣J 6 3 East (iii) ♣9 3 East

♠ 10 8 3 ♥ A J 3 ♦ 10 6 4 ♣ K Q J 10 ♠ 9 5 ♥ 9 7 2 ♦ A K J 3 ♣ 9 5 4 2 N W E S ♠ Q 2 ♥ K 10 6 4 ♦ 9 7 2 ♣ A 7 6 3 ♠ A K J 7 6 4 ♥ Q 8 5 ♦ Q 8 5 ♣ 6 Dealer: South Vul Nil All South West North East 1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass 3♠ End

♣A K 10

Bridge

emailshttps://www.andrewrobson.co.uk/andrew/tips_for_intermediatesIfyouwishtoreceivewhichincludelessons,videos

More tips for Intermediate players can be found at:

In (A) (ii) West leads the ♦2 leading low for like, such that if the ♦5 is played from dummy, East knows to win with the ♦10 (West must hold the ♦Q to have led low). (B) West leads the ♣A and needs to know whether to continue with the ♣K or to switch to a different suit. West is watching out for East’s signal: Throw high means aye, throw low means low. In (B) (i) East signals with the ♣9, throw high means aye, and now West knows to play the ♣K and continue with a third Club. In (B) (ii) East signals with the ♣3, throw low means no. In (B) (iii) East signals with the ♣9 when declarer is playing in a suit contract and whenever East wishes to trump/ruff the third round.

Let us look at the auction on this deal:

2♣, 2♦, 2♥, 2♠, 2NT;

♣,

7♠

♠ 9 7 5 3 ♥ Q 5 ♦ Q 5 ♣ A K Q 6 2 ♠ Q J ♥ 9 4 3 2 ♦ K J 7 3 ♣ J 7 3 N W E S ♠ A 10 ♥ A K 10 8 6 ♦ 10 9 4 ♣ 10 8 4 ♠ K 8 6 4 2 ♥ J 7 ♦ A 8 6 2 ♣ 9 5

each

direction.

opening bid of 1♣. East is next and bids 1♥

ranking

♠ 9 7 5 3 ♥ Q 5 ♦ Q 5 ♣ A K Q 6 2 ♠ Q J ♥ 9 4 3 2 ♦ K J 7 3 ♣ J 7 3 N W E S ♠ K 8 6 4 2 ♥ J 7 ♦ A 8 6 2 ♣ 9 5 Dealer: West South West North East Pass 1♣ 1♥ 1♠ 2♥ 2♠ Pass Pass Pass West is the dealer and having less than 12 points, Passes. The bidding like the play of the cards goes in a clockwise direction. North who is next to bid,

up to 7♣, 7♦, 7♥, 7♠, 7NT.

As in any auction (e.g., for a house) you must make a higher bid than the previous bids. If you do not wish to make a higher bid, you Pass. There is a ranking order of the suits which happens by chance to be in alphabetical order: Clubs is lowest, then Diamonds, then Hearts, then Spades. In the ranking order, No Trumps is higher than any of the four suits. Here are the rungs on the bidding ladder, starting with the lowest: 1♣, 1♦, 1♥ (short then then so on For now, the only Once You count 4 points for each Ace in your hand; you count 3 points King in your hand; you count 2 points for Queen in your hand; you count point for each Jack in your hand. Let us look at the auction on this deal: Dealer: Pass West is and having less than 12 points, Passes. The bidding like the play of the cards goes in a clockwise direction. North who is next to bid, has 12+ points – so makes the opening bid of 1 . East is next and bids 1♥ (she did not need 12 points as the bidding had already been opened by North As in any auction (e.g., for a house) you must make a higher bid than the previous bids. If you do not wish to make a higher bid, you Pass. There is a ranking order of the suits which happens by chance to be in alphabetical order: Clubs is lowest, then Diamonds, then Hearts, then Spades. In the ranking order, No Trumps is higher than any of the four suits. Here are the rungs on the bidding ladder, starting with the lowest: 1♣, 1♦, 1♥, 1♠, 1NT (short for No Trumps); then 2 2♦, 2♥, 2♠, 2NT; then 3♣, 3♦, 3♥, 3♠, 3NT; and so on up to 7♣, 7♦, 7♥, 7♠, 7NT. For now, the only stricture I will give you is that you should have 12 or more points to open the bidding. Once the bidding has been opened, you can bid with fewer than 12 points. Where do these points come from? You count 4 points for each Ace in your hand; you count 3 points for each King in your hand; you count 2 points for each Queen in your hand; you count 1 point for each Jack in your hand. Let us look at the auction on this deal:

♠ 9 7 5 3 ♥ Q 5 ♦ Q 5 ♣ A K Q 6 2 ♠ Q J ♥ 9 4 3 2 ♦ K J 7 3 ♣ J 7 3 N W E S ♠ K 8 6 4 2 ♥ J 7 ♦ A 8 6 2 ♣ 9 5

a house)

♣,

Dealer: West South West North East Pass 1♣ 1 1♠ 2 Pass Pass Pass West is the dealer and having less than 12 points, Passes. The bidding like the play of the cards goes in a clockwise direction. North who is next to bid, has 12+ points so makes the opening bid of 1 . East is next and bids 1♥ (she did not need 12 points as the bidding had already been opened by North As in any auction (e.g., for a house) you must make a higher bid than the previous bids. If you do not wish to make a higher bid, you Pass. There is a ranking order of the suits which happens by chance to be in alphabetical order: Clubs is lowest, then Diamonds, then Hearts, then Spades. In the ranking order, No Trumps is higher than any of the four suits. Here are the rungs on the bidding ladder, starting with the lowest: 1♣, 1♦, 1♥, 1♠, 1NT (short for No Trumps); then 2 2 2NT; then 3 3 3 , 3♠, 3NT; and so on up to 7 , , 7NT. For now, the only stricture I will give you is that you should have 12 or more points to open the bidding. Once the bidding has been opened, you can bid with fewer than 12 points. Where do these points come from? You count 4 points for each Ace in your hand; you count 3 points for each King in your hand; you count 2 points for each Queen in your hand; you count 1 point for each Jack in your hand. Let us look at the auction on this Dealer: West South West North East Pass 1♣ 1 1♠ 2♥ 2♠ Pass Pass Pass West is the dealer and having less than 12 points, Passes. The bidding like the play of the cards goes in a clockwise North who is next to bid, has 12+ points so makes the (she did not need 12 points as the bidding had already been by North As in any (e.g., for you must make a higher bid than the previous bids. If you do not wish to make a higher bid, you Pass. There is a order of the suits which happens by chance to be in alphabetical order: Clubs is lowest, then Diamonds, then Hearts, then Spades. In the ranking order, No Trumps is higher than any of the four suits. Here are the rungs on the bidding ladder, starting with the lowest: 1♣, 1♦, 1♥, 1♠, 1NT (short for No Trumps); then 2♣, 2♦, 2♥, 2♠, 2NT; then 3♣, 3♦, 3♥, 3♠, 3NT; and so on up to 7♣, 7♦, 7♥, 7♠, 7NT. For now, the only stricture I will give you is that you should have 12 or more points to open the bidding. Once the bidding has been opened, you can bid with fewer than 12 points. Where do these points come from? You count 4 points for each Ace in your hand; you count 3 points for each King in your hand; you count 2 points for each Queen in your hand; you count 1 point for each Jack in your hand. Let us look at the auction on this deal: has not need

♣

the dealer

12 points as the bidding had already been opened by North Absolute beginners course

1

♦,

♣

34 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

West is the dealer and having less than 12 points, Passes. The bidding like the play of the cards goes in a clockwise direction. North who is next to bid, has 12+ points – so makes the opening bid of 1♣. East is next and bids 1♥ (she did not need 12 points as the bidding had already been opened by North –it’s only the player who opens the bidding who needs 12+ points). South is able to show that Spades is her preferred suit by bidding 1♠. West likes her partner’s Hearts and raises to 2♥. North likes her partner’s Spades and raises to 2♠. Nobody is prepared to bid any higher - so 2♠ becomes the final bid. To be continued in the next issue.

, 1♠, 1NT

the bidding has been opened, you can bid with fewer than 12 points. Where do these points come from?

For now, the only stricture I will give you is that you should have 12 or more points to open the bidding. Once the bidding has been opened, you can bid with fewer than 12 points. Where do these points come from? You count 4 points for each Ace in your hand; you count 3 points for each King in your hand; you count 2 points for each Queen in your hand; you count 1 point for each Jack in your hand.

for each

♥

♥

♣, 7♦, 7♥

♥ 2♠

The game of bridge has two phases. The first is the bidding or auction. In this first phase all four players - starting with the dealer and proceeding clockwise around the table - have the opportunity to describe their cards. The bid each makes will both send a message and set a target of the number of tricks she believes her side will win. The second phase is the playing out of the cards, each person playing one of her thirteen cards to make up thirteen Fortricks.example, the bid of 1♥ sends the message to your partner that you want Hearts to be trumps because Hearts is the suit in which you have the most cards. If the bidding ends there, i.e., 1♥ followed by Passes from each of the other three players, you will have to make seven tricks (always add six to the number of the bid) with Hearts as Anothertrumps. example: If the final bid is 3♣ this means that the side which made this final bid wants Clubs to be trumps and bets that they can make nine tricks (or more) . The bid of 7 No Trumps is a bet that you can make all thirteen tricks in No Trumps (i.e., without a trump suit). As in any auction (e.g., for a house) you must make a higher bid than the previous bids. If you do not wish to make a higher bid, you Pass. There is a ranking order of the suits which happens by chance to be in alphabetical order: Clubs is lowest, then Diamonds, then Hearts, then Spades. In the ranking order, No Trumps is higher than any of the four suits. Here are the rungs on the bidding ladder, starting with the lowest: 1♣, 1u, 1♥, 1♠, 1NT (short for No Trumps); then 2♣, 2u, 2♥, 2♠, 2NT; then 3♣, 3u, 3♥, 3♠, 3NT; and so on up to 7♣, 7u, 7♥, 7♠, 7NT.

For anyone who is interested, I’ll be running a Bridge Absolute Beginners Course from the 4th – 8th of December 2022 in The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co. Clare. Also in Dromhall Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry from the 11th – 14th of December 2022. No prior knowledge of Bridge required or expected. New: Bridge Breaks commencing in Knock House Hotel in October 2022. Please contact the hotels for details or email me: michaelolough@yahoo.com

opened

♦, 2♥, 2♠,

12+ points so makes the opening bid of 1♣. East is next and bids 1♥ (she did

deal: ♠ 9 7 5 3 ♥ Q 5 ♦ Q 5 ♣ A K Q 6 2 ♠ Q J ♥ 9 4 3 2 ♦ K J 7 3 ♣ J 7 3 N W E S ♠ A 10 ♥ A K 10 8 6 ♦ 10 9 4 ♣ 10 8 4 ♠ K 8 6 4 2 ♥ J 7 ♦ A 8 6 2 ♣ 9 5

for No Trumps);

♥

auction

3♣, 3♦, 3♥, 3♠, 3NT; and

stricture I will give you is that you should have 12 or more points to open the bidding.

West South West North East Pass 1♣ 1♥ 1♠ 2♥ 2♠ Pass Pass

♣,

As she says to her husband: “You know very well why I asked them, for bridge, that’s all. They play an absolutely firstclass game. You saw the sort of people they were as well as I did. A pair of stupid climbers who think they can go anywhere just because they play good bridge." And so the scene is set.

noticed players who were suddenly competing beyond the abilities of bridge’s all-time best players.

Unlike games such as chess which provide perfect information to the competitors, bridge is a game of imperfect information: The exact contents partner's and opponents' hands remain unknown until later in the play. Players are only entitled to act upon information conveyed by calls made and cards played, along with the visible contents of their own hand (and dummy's hand when exposed).

Unauthorized information (Law 16) is any information that a player obtains by means of: partner's remarks, questions, mannerisms, hesitation, and unlawful exchange of information, e.g., a pencil’s angle could signal a strong hand, or a card placed vertically or horizontally could guide a partner as to how to play.

Mr. Hammond, the chief executive of a software consulting company, created algorithms to parse the data and assess players’ performance. He concluded that cheating pervades the game. He estimates that, based on data beginning in March 2020, about 2 to 5 percent of all pairs playing online were cheating.

Rather than spoil the story, to hear “My Lady Love, My Dove” being read please go to: watch?v=R4mmv_Tg3R4https://www.youtube.com/

When the pandemic forced players online, the possibilities for cheating greatly increased. Partners could cheat effortlessly: talking side-by-side on the sofa, chatting by phone, or using spectator accounts to see everyone’s Onlinecards. platforms not only made cheating easier, but they also left a record of every bid and card played making cheating more easily detectable. Players like Michael Kamil, the winner of nine North American championships and a player who has turned his skills toward detecting cheating. He began to analyse patterns of odd decisions that led to uncanny success. Statistical analysts like Nicolas Hammond, the author of “Detecting Cheating in Bridge,”

Cheating and illegal signalling often go hand in hand. Methods used have included holding the cards at a predetermined angle, holding a cigarette in particular way, clicking a biro, well-timed yawns, or coughs, or by foot-taps.

Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 35

One of the greatest storytellers, Roald Dahl features cheating at bridge in his short story, “My Lady Love, My Dove”. The story is told through the eyes of Arthur who is happily married to Pamela, a very wealthy yet overbearing woman. They are awaiting some weekend guests and Pamela isn’t looking forward to it.

Unlike games such as chess which provide perfect information to the competitors, bridge is a game of imperfect information: The exact contents of partner's and opponents' hands remain unknown until later in the play.

“It’s a problem. I think anybody who says it’s not a problem is probably naïve,” said A.J. Stephani, the chair of the appeals and charges committee — a kind of Supreme Court of bridge — for the American Contract Bridge League, North America’s biggest federation. “It’s a horrible statistic,” he said, and, with a backlog of prosecutions, gaming officials are “nowhere close to addressing the “Weproblem.”can’tletcheating get so out of control it drives everyone away,” Mr. Stephani said. “We’ve got to do something to rebrand the game, reinvigorate it, and we need to keep it clean along the way. If we don’t do something for the survival of the game,” he said, “it’s going to die with us.”

Players are only entitled to act upon information conveyed by calls made and cards played, along with the visible contents of their own hand (and dummy's hand when exposed).

Unauthorized information (Law 16) is any information that a player obtains by means of: partner's remarks, questions, mannerisms, hesitation, and unlawful exchange of information, e.g., a pencil’s angle could signal a strong hand, or a card placed vertically or horizontally could guide a partner as to how to play.

Cheating at Bridge

Cheating at bridge is often called “coffee -housing”, the name deriving from 18th century English coffee houses where games of whist – bridge’s predecessor - were usually in progress, and cheating seemed to be regularly practised. Coffee-housing has worked itself into the language and has come to mean any comment or mannerism or action aimed at assisting one’s

BridgeCheating at Bridge

Cheating at bridge is often called “coffeehousing”, the name deriving from 18th century English coffee houses where games of whist – bridge’s predecessorwere usually in progress, and cheating seemed to be regularly practiced.

Coffee-housing has worked itself into the language and has come to mean any comment or mannerism or action aimed at assisting one’s partner and deceiving one’s opponents. It can range from the lifting of an eyebrow to the deliberate banging down of a card on the table.

Cheating and illegal signalling often go hand in hand. Methods used have included holding the cards at a predetermined angle, holding a cigarette in a particular way, clicking a biro, welltimed yawns, or coughs, or by foot-taps.

In this context Charles Goren, known as Mr. Bridge, once played with a lady who was renowned for her coffeehousing. Even his legendary patience was tried by her exaggerated bidding. At the end of one hand Goren remarked drily, “Madam, that second hesitation certainly was an overbid”.

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Planning Packs are €5 plus shipping, or by free download, available from IHF.

• Online at www.thinkahead.ie • Ring IHF at (01) 679 3188

• Email IHF at hospicefoundation.iethinkahead@ For more information, or to have a training session for your community or workplace, contact Valerie Smith, Public Engagement Lead: Valerie.smith@Hospicefoundation.ie, or ring her at (087) 330 9292.

Lastly, using the Medical Summary Form included in the planning packs, people can summarise what has been stated in the other booklets and ask their GP, Specialist or healthcare team to make a copy for their medical file. This ensures that if the time comes, everybody who needs to know is already aware about your previously recorded choices.

Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) expands and updates Think Ahead – its comprehensive advance care planning toolkit. Think Ahead - what is it?

36 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Think Ahead simplifies and demystifies advance care planning in Ireland

Think Ahead Ahead Planning Packs are easy to read, comprehensive guides for anybody who wants to start putting their affairs in order for end of life. With Think Ahead, people can make their care wishes known, appoint somebody to act as their healthcare advocate, keep track of important documents, and much, much more. Over 100,000 have already received a version of Think Ahead, which was first printed over 10 years ago. ‘We all know stories of families who fell out because of the stress of making decisions for a parent at their end of their life, or how difficult it can be to know how a person’s life should be commemorated,’ says IHF Public Engagement Lead Valerie Smith. ‘Think Ahead helps families avoid andandwhatalreadybecauseconflict,we’vestatedwewantdon’twant,it'sinwriting.’ What’s new in the 2022 edition? Now expanded, each Think Ahead Planning Pack includes andbooklets,twoaleaflet,afolderforstorage.

reference, and—for the courageous or creative—information on what type of funeral, burial, and after-death care you would Secondly,prefer.the booklet My Advance Healthcare Directive guides users in how to refuse or request treatment for a later date, if some illness or injury means that a person cannot make or express their choices. Here, someone can also appoint a trusted friend or relative to make their healthcare decisions on their behalf in such an event. “Most people think that their ‘next-of-kin’ will make these decisions for them, but the truth is that ‘next-ofkin’ has no legal standing,” explains Valerie. “You must name a person to carry out your choices if you want someone to advocate for you.”

The first booklet, My Personal Wishes and Care, asks those completing the forms how they would like to be cared for, in the face of illness or injury. People can record where they would prefer to be—such as at home or in hospice; what is important to them—such as having visitors, spiritual or religious beliefs, and favourite music; and how to care for them—such as favourite foods or pain management. This booklet also records important legal and financial information for easy

Tel:F12Co.Knock,MayoR6Y500353 (0)94 9388088 www.knockhousehotel.ieinfo@knockhousehotel.ie

Over the years, Knock House Hotel has welcomed guests from near and far. NEW for 2022, Knock House Hotel have partnered with the renowned Bridge Tutors Michael & Marlene O’Connor and Michael O’Loughlin to run fantastic Bridge Holidays this Autumn. The team at Knock House Hotel have great experience from previous roles running Bridge Holidays and are very excited to start these holidays at Knock House Hotel. The Team at Knock House Hotel are delighted to be open again this Christmas, 2022. A wonderful program is being devised for all guests wishing to stay for Christmas to include a Complimentary night Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for all those availing of the ‘Early Booking Bonus’. To book your Christmas Holiday, please contact the team on 094 938 8088 or email reservations@knockhousehotel.ieKnockHouseHotel

Knock House Hotel is also a perfect central base to get out there and explore the magnificent scenery of the West of Ireland, follow the Wild Atlantic Way, or discover a route of your own. Westport, Galway, Sligo and Athlone are all less than one hour’s drive from the Hotel.

The perfect location for a relaxing break..

Western Ways Travel Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 37

is just 10 minutes drive from Ireland West Airport Knock and 10 minutes from Claremorris Train Station. The Hotel provides a subsidised pick-up & drop-off service from Knock bus stops, and to and from Claremorris train station on a pre-booked basis.

The Shrine of our Lady of Knock now has the same status as Lourdes or Fatima or any major Marian Shrines in the world. Knock House Hotel is architecturally designed, opened in 1999, and features an abundance of limestone, and a West of Ireland Experience that both the tourist and pilgrim will long to repeat.

The Hotel has sixty eight bedrooms consisting of single, double/twin and triple rooms. The Hotel offers accommodation, food & beverage, meeting and events services to guests. A warm welcome always awaits guests. Knock House Hotel is beautiful, boutique style Hotel where a warm welcome always awaits guests and is the perfect setting for a relaxing break. The Hotel is just a ten minute drive from Ireland West Airport, Knock and the nearest Hotel to the Connaught GAA Centre of Excellence.

This hotel nestles in 100 acres of picturesque grounds and is within walking distance of Knock Shrine & Basilica. It's the perfect location for a relaxing break. Here you will experience a uniquely friendly, comfortable and stylish Hotel with superb welcoming staff and excellent Thecuisine.Hotel

Knock House Hotel has six wheelchair accessible rooms and is noted for its excellent facilities for those with mobility needs.

Knock House Hotel is a wonderful 68 bedroom Hotel located adjacent to Ireland's International Eucharistic & Marian Shrine, in the tranquil village of Knock, Co Mayo.

We often hear the term “digital natives” for young people who grew up surrounded by technology, and are comfortable using the internet to learn, work and socialise. Many of us who grew up before these technologies were developed have learned to use them nonetheless – we have become “digital tourists” in a way. But some us are still complete strangers in the online world, and may not be able to visit – or even want to. Almost one in three older adults in Ireland don’t own or have access to a computer at home. Others may own a device but rarely, or never, use it. This means that we have a significant “digital divide” – a situation where some people can easily and comfortably find the information and connection they need on the internet, and some people can’t. This becomes a problem when local or national services and events – from banking to religious rites  - move from happening face-to-face, to happening online. Many older people become unable to access them, or have difficulty navigating them. Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated this process and increased the digital divide for many older Inpeople.AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, we advocate for the rights of all adults in Ireland to have equal access to adult and community education. We’ve been working with older adults and with partner organisations to better understand the reasons for this digital divide, and what we can do to help bridge it.

Thecertificates.learners

If you would like to get involved in the next Learners as Leaders programme, or become a member of AONTAS and support lifelong learning, please email us at mail@aontas.com

Adult Learners Combatting the Digital Divide with AONTAS

38 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

This was the focus of our recent “Learners as Leaders” project, which supports adults who have gone back to education to become leaders in their own communities. The learners become “experts by experience”, and are well placed to give advice to others who might consider returning to learning.

To find out more about learning online, we organised a project called “Creativity Takes Courage”. The learners came together online for an art class where a facilitator guided them through the process of painting a lion. Afterwards, we spoke with them about their experience of learning online. We also looked at recent research which found that having good access to the internet is not enough - more than a quarter of participants said they had good internet access but “no digital skills”. Many of this group had negative attitudes about the digital world, and no motivation to change this.

AONTAS, 83-87 Main St, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, D14 V382. www.aontas.com

This suggests that training alone is not enough. As one learnerleader told us, “It all depends on attitudes. So many people think, I don’t want to get involved in that.” Another added, “People will learn what they want to learn.” She spoke about friends of hers who didn’t engage with digital skills until they got their free travel pass. They then began to ask for help in learning how to book train tickets online, and progressed to other activities like ordering clothes or accessing vaccine

AONTAS will reflect these findings and recommendations in our strategies to support access, engagement and positive learner experience. We will report them at both national and European levels, as the Learners as Leaders programme is part of our wider project on “Inclusive Recovery and Transformation: Adult Learning Post-Covid-19”, supported by the EU’s New European Agenda for Adult Learning.  We’ll also remember the massive importance of bridging this divide – one of the participants has a degenerative disease and at some stage, she said, “the digital world will be my world.”

suggested how education providers, funders and policymakers across the country could increase digital participation among older people. “We need to work with people where they are,” said one. “Tutors need to be the same age as learners,” said another. They also suggested that older learners should be more visible on television and radio, as most ads depict younger people. We need to show people what they can do online and, as one participant put it, “we need to make online learning more fun and less stressful.”

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BioXtra products help ease the symptoms and effects of dry mouth

Her friends were horrified that she was willingly going into a nursing home, for herself, the pain was worse than the stigma of what ‘being in a nursing home’

40 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Once you stay at The Ardmore, you’re family, whether for a short term or a long term and the care team are here to make life easier for residents and their loved It’sones.important to break the stigma around nursing homes, that in large part is due to the way they were 30 years ago.

Community is so important for people of all ages, none more so than for the elderly population and for mature adults with dependency needs. The future for our elders, requires increased care and attention with options that suit everyone to have their care needs met and lifestyle choices honoured.

It’s a difficult time in a person’s life when they are faced with the choice of putting a loved one into a care home or entering one themselves. Colette was faced such a choice herself after an invasive back surgery that left her in terrible pain. She was able to reach out to her public health nurse and they recommended a stay at The Ardmore care home based on Finglas Road on the border between Finglas and Glasnevin.

Care homes, like CareChoice, are seeing this need and bridging the gap. Gone are the old days of stuffy and isolating nursing homes in Ireland. Nowadays they are a lively place full of vibrant activity, a place where loved ones can rest easy, surrounded by good company and able to continue to live their best lives possible. Residents are treated with the utmost care and respect and families of adults with dependency care needs can now return to quality time with their loved ones, allowing the care home to take care of their care.

would mean. Colette was pleasantly surprised by her stay, turning what would have been seen as a negative in the past, into a tremendous positive that helped her recover from her back surgery and get her back on her feet. People say that they don’t want to be in a nursing home unless they are faced with no other choice, but what Colette gained even more than an excellent standard of care, is a new community, new friends and a place to call ‘home’. Colette is now very much back on her feet and out back living at home, but she still visits the residents whom she made friends with during her stay at the Ardmore and is regularly invited to join in with the Care Home activities including their recent summer party.

Things have changed with the increase in transparency provided by HIQA inspections, which you can look up for any nursing home in the country and see the quality of the care that they provide.

The team at the Ardmore care home, is led by director of nursing Nichola Steen, pictured here with Colette, 80 from ForGlasnevin.moreinformation about the care options available to yourself or for a loved one contact: (01) 88 00 900 | receptionfinglas@carechoice.ie | www.carechoice.ie

Importantly, a great care home offers more than an excellent standard of care, a great care home, like the Ardmore, provides a warm welcome and a sense of belonging for all. and the company aims to strengthen these community connections on an ongoing basis. These connections with community benefit more than just Care Home residents; connections with legacy members of the community, benefit people of all ages and walks of life. We’d like to thank Colette for allowing us to share her story from her Convalescence stay at the Ardmore care home and we also offer services for long term residential, dementia friendly and respite care.

Care Care Homes - The Heart of the Community

Where do World Mission Sunday Mass collections take place? World Mission Sunday Mass collections take place in every parish where the Church is present. This means that each member of the Church family, regardless of location or

How is the Universal Solidarity Fund Shared with Mission Dioceses? Each year, representatives from each of the 120 international offices meet in Rome. During this week long meeting, funding requests from mission dioceses are reviewed, identifying those with greatest need. Each international office is then assigned specific missionary projects. Missio Ireland has a responsibility to ensure that all contributions and donations are distributed justly and transparently. To ensure this, World Mission Sunday funding is given directly from Ireland to overseas bishops,

All donations given on of World Mission Sunday become part of the Holy Father’s ‘Universal Solidarity Fund’. This is a lifeline for some of the most marginalised communities and missionaries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Mission dioceses, of which there are over 1,100, are often in remote areas, devastated by war and natural disasters. Pope Francis’s Universal Solidarity Fund offers young and impoverished dioceses the financial assistance they need to help their men, women and children survive and ultimately flourish through the actions and work of missionaries within their communities.

What is Missio Ireland? Missio Ireland is the Pope’s official charity for overseas Mission. It is part of a global network serving the Church in over 120 countries. These 120 international offices oversee World Mission Sunday celebrations around the world, and together they are the Church’s charity for overseas mission. Who organises World Mission Sunday? In Ireland, Missio Ireland is responsible for World Mission Sunday, which falls on the penultimate Sunday in October each year. This year, World Mission Sunday will be celebrated over the weekend of Sunday, 23rd October. Missio Ireland and its international offices seek to help everyone to understand and respond to the call of mission. They are driven to support overseas missionaries through all challenges, struggles and hardships, in some of the most impoverished and inaccessible areas of the world. This year’s theme is: You Will Be My Witnesses.

The needs of mission dioceses vary greatly, which can mean anything from a motorbike so a priest can celebrate Mass in a remote village, to a community hall that will allow people to gather in safety, or more urgently, providing vaccinations and medicines to protect vulnerable children in parish dispensaries.

World Mission Sunday 2022

In many of the poorer parishes in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, it is missionaries who are on the front line. These missionaries walk hand in hand with marginalised communities. Right now, overseas missionaries desperately need our help.

What does World Mission Sunday Actually Support?

Why is World Mission Sunday Important?

Visit our website! Book Direct Online!

For  a list of dementia advisors in your local area and further information on more community supports visit the Understand Together website on www.understandtogether.ie/get-support/service-finder/ Understandtogether.ie

forindependencepromotingpeople Health

Emma O’Brien, Senior Occupational Therapist and Clinical Lead for the HSE National Memory Technology Resource Rooms Ireland explains: “The Memory Technology Resource Rooms (MTRRs) are a national service established by the HSE. The MTRRs are run by occupational therapists who provide a person centred approach based on your needs, responding with practical solutions to problems you are experiencing. One key feature of the MTRRs is the wide range of assistive technology on demonstration; from basic key finders and orientation clocks to medication dispensers, telecare and home safety. These assistive technologies can help compensate where memory is affected, and promote independence, communication and safety, supporting the person to continue engaging in meaningful and daily activities. The value of the MTRR is the expert advice you’ll receive from the occupational therapist who has developed an understanding of how these technologies work, their benefits and considerations. Not all assistive technology will suit everyone and receiving a consultation at the MTRR can help find a solution that works for you."

This year’s theme, Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s, continues on from the 2021 campaign, which focused on diagnosis, the warning signs of dementia, the continued effect of COVID-19 on the global dementia community While the campaign raises awareness and understanding of dementia, it also encourages communities to take actions to include and support those affected by the condition. Staying socially active and engaged is vital for a person’s health and well-being and local community supports such as dementia cafes, the Men’s Sheds, choirs or walking groups can address this need

One of the key services which has seen recent investment and development are Memory Technology Resource Rooms (MTRR), a free national service providing practical information and advice on assistive technologies and support strategies to help people at different stages of dementia and memory loss.

Marking World Alzheimer’s Awareness month this September, the HSE Dementia: Understand Together campaign is urging people across the country who may be recently diagnosed, awaiting diagnosis, concerned about their memory or having difficulty with mental tasks to seek support. There are approximately 64,000 people in Ireland living with dementia at this time. With this number expected to more than double to 150,131 by 2045. More of us are going to find ourselves living with dementia, or supporting a loved one with Everydementia.September, people come together from all around the world to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around dementia. September 2022 marks the 11th year of this vital global awareness raising campaign.

Dementia should not only be seen as a disease affecting older people. The general public should be aware of brain health and how they work to reduce risk factors in their own day to day

"The MTRRs also provide education, practical strategies and simple solutions such as reminder signs, checklists, daily planners and much more are discussed based on your needs. Also provided is information and advice on stimulating activities and meaningful engagement and the MTRRs showcase a range of these to give you ideas and inspiration. You can download the At Home Activities Booklet here for more ideas on activities and useful apps.”

44 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Iflives.you or a loved one is concerned, you can speak to a dementia adviser at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland on Freephone 1800 341 341 (Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm). For more information on dementia and services in your county, visit www.understandtogether.ie

Pictured at the opening of the Memory Technology Room Baile Mhuire last year are, Aidan Kelly, Baile Mhuire Day Centre; Dolores McElligott, Community Worker HSE; Eibhlis Cahalane, National Services for Older People HSE; Catherine Murphy, Occupational Therapist HSE; Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler; Michael Fitzgerald Chief Officer Cork Kerry Community Healthcare HSE; Eithne McAulliffe Mental Health Services HSE and Paddy Garvey HSE. Emma O’Brien

Memory Technology Resource Rooms

People who wish to visit their local MTRR can make contact and arrange an appointment, a map of the rooms and contact details are available on the UnderstandTogether.ie website. There are over 400 types of dementia and conditions can affect people in many different ways. It’s important to acknowledge that everyone’s experience is unique and that not all treatment will be suitable for everyone.

GOLDEN YEARS MIDWEEK BREAKS The Rose Hotel, Dan Spring Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry. V92 HKA4. Email: reservations@therosehotel.com Enjoy a midweek break in Tralee, our Over 55’s breaks include Bed/Breakfast & Dinner each evening and complimentary Tea/Coffee & Scones on arrival. To book call 066 7199100 or visit www.therosehototel.com September October November & January to 2022 2022 December 2022 March 2023 2 Dinner, B&B € 1 75pps € 155pps € 1 50 pps € 1 50pps 3 Dinner, B&B € 240 pps €220.50pps € 214. 50 pps € 214. 50 pps Single Room Supplement €28 per night AUTUMN/WINTERPACKAGES www.westportwoodshotel.com Call today for bookings and full programme details. +353 (0)98 29303 f ff You’ve made the list’s and checked them twice now is the time to relax and enjoy the magic of Christmas at the   4 Star Westport Woods Hotel Arriving 23rd or 24th December 2022 3 Night Package 4 Night Package from €579.00pps from €689.00pps • Full Irish Breakfast each morning • Table D’hôte Dinner each evening in the Lake View Restaurant • Traditional Christmas Dinner followed by supper that evening • Mulled Wine and Mince Pie Receptions • Transfers to St Mary’s Church for Christmas Eve Mass • Live Nightly Entertainment

You may have lost a partner through bereavement, separation or divorce and want the opportunity to find love a second- or third time round, agencies can be instrumental in helping mature members develop new “second half Theseconnections”.daysthere

Even though agencies cater for all age groups from 30 to 80 they do have a large client base of over 60’s. Every age has its own special requirements- for instance, the thirty something’s looking for a partner with career prospects and financial security, the aim being to find a suitable partner for marriage and children, whereas older adults tend to place more emphasis on qualities and attributes; - kindness, consideration and sharing of common interests.

Isn’t it great that in today’s age of fitter, healthier and younger looking people, it’s getting more difficult to tell a person’s age Age and relationships 46 Senior Times |September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

This can be due to biochemical changes in the body. When we are socially healthy our bodies produce chemicals that help protect our health and raise happiness levels. Proven links include lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher selfesteem, greater empathy, and more trusting and cooperative relationships. Strong, healthy relationships can also help to strengthen your immune system, help you recover from disease, and lengthen your life. If you can be proactive, accept life changes, and take the time and energy to find potential partners, you are bound to succeed.

When you’re in your more mature years how do you meet a new partner?

people are unaware that Dating Agencies like Two’s Company specifically cater for the over 60’s and that you can meet others in the same situation, people who share the same values, interests, and passion for life as you do.

At the end of the day- if your heart is beating there is love out there for you, all you have to do is take the first step.

One of the most obvious benefits of age is maturity, but it goes way beyond that; it’s more to do with attitude and perspective on life.

Wanting to be in a relationship when we’re older is extremely healthy and perfectly acceptable. There is no reason to feel lonely when there are ample

With a positive “can do” attitude, people can appear more vibrant and youthful. No matter what our age we all feel we’re really 20 years younger; what goes on in the body doesn’t always reflect on the mind or the spirit.

Jennifer Haskins Managing Director Two’s Company Dating Agency www.twoscompany.ie 014304017

In real life love often gets better with age. One reason is that we’ve learned so much from past experiences. With maturity, we also tend to learn to manage our emotions and deal with conflict more positively. We enjoy the simple things in life and understand the value of each new day.

are many kinds of relationships- they are not all live-in partnerships. There are many people who prefer to keep their independence while sharing time with a significant othergoing to social events, theatre, lunch and a drive in the countryside, a nice meal in a restaurant, weekends away or holidays.

One of the keys to successful ageing is the maintenance of social contact and healthy relationships. Research has shown that being in a happy relationship can add 7.5 years to your life.

Introduction and Dating Agencies are not only for young adults, due to the fact that it’s increasingly difficult to meet someone the older one gets, they are actually very necessary for the mature Mostdater.

opportunities to find a life partner. Being able to openly look for love later in life is a choice that many of our parents never imagined or thought possible.

O’Riordain

O’Donnell

Michael Lyster Lorna Hogg

Eoghan Corry

Eric Knowles

Conor Faughnan Marie-Louise

Mairead Robinson

Marie Staunton Gary Cooke Mary Kennedy

Aodhan Paul Gorry

The Autumn/Winter lineup of Senior Times Podcast presenters is stronger than ever! Trusted, familiar voices on subjects ranging from Sport to Food & Drink - a constantlyexpanding range of topics and choice from Ireland’s No.1 Podcast platform, drawing new listeners and adding sponsor benefit. And we’re constantly adding new names, new topics and new ways to grow our unmatched following amongst Ireland’s most loyal, most discerning and fastest-growing demograph!SENIORTIMES PODCASTS - PREMIUM CONTENT FOR MATURE AUDIENCES in association with

On the 90 minute cruise you will enjoy spectacular views as you glide along the calm waters on a 270 ton catamaran named Connemara Lady, registered to carry up to 155 passengers. Facilities on board include seating on outer and inner decks, toilets, a dining area and working galley producing great Duringsnacks. the outward journey a running commentary through loudspeakers (heard best on outside decks) gives all the information you need to know regarding the geology of the fjord and the history of the area on both the Northern and Southern shores. The fjord is 14km long with a width varying from 700 metres at its widest to 42 metres and spans the counties of Mayo and Galway. On the northern side (which is the older by some 40 million years!) the landscape has ice age terraces in the form of Ordovician gritstones, shales and volcanic rocks, whereas the southern side is a special type of reef composed of Silurian sandstones and mudstone. During the cruise you will also pass Mweelrea, the highest mountain in CaptainConnaught.Gordon

Killary Fjord Boat Tours have been in operation since early 2000 when the project was set up by a group of shareholders. There are four sailings daily from June to August and 3 during months of May & September. Prices for tour are €23.50 (adults) €19.50 Seniors/Students. Special family group rates also Iavailable.enjoyed

Wilson originally from South Africa has been working with the company for 21 years and says he still loves the job.

The company also runs two visitor attractions in Dublin city centre, the Dublin Discovery Boat Tours and Tall Ship Jeanie Johnston Famine Story. Farmer Tom Nee welcomes visitors to his Connemara farm 6km from Leenane to watch sheep herding with his dog Holly, also bog cutting and lamb feeding.

the cruise very much finding it both interesting and relaxing. Members of the crew are friendly, efficient and helpful. It’s certainly a trip I would recommend for anyone visiting the area.

48 Senior Times | September -October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Western Ways

Cruising down Ireland’s only fjord

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

The Killary, as it is known locally, attracted many writers and artists including Oscar Wilde and Paul Henry. During 1989 the nearby village of Leenane was the location for the film The Field, directed by Jim Sheridan.

Along the Wild Atlantic Way you can take a trip on the only fjord in Ireland from a pier at Killary known as Nancy’s Point, just a couple of kilometres from the picturesque village of Leenane (Leenaun) in Connemara, County Galway.

“I had planned to take on the role for six months and I am still here over 20 years later,” he told me. The Connemara Lady travels along at 8 knots with a crew from 4 to 6 people depending on the day. As the fjord is quite sheltered calm conditions normally apply. On average there are usually not more than 2 days during a season when a sailing is cancelled.

NOWSALEONTICKETS +353 1 6778899 | dublintheatrefestival .ie 27 SEPT — 2 OCT ADAPTED & DIRECTED BY DAVID HORAN THE WORLDTHEATREGAIETYPREMIERE OF COLM TOIBIN'S NOVEL the difference... famil y r un ww w.lakehotel.com Lake Shore : Muckross Road :Killarney : Co Kerry : info@lakehotel com Reser vations 064 66 31035 Escape to e Lake where a wide range of Special O ers await Do you have a will in place or are you thinking about making one? If you want to know more about our Free Will Service call 086 0451 756 or (01) 499 4707 The DSPCA have partnered with our legal advisors O’Shea Barry Solicitors LLP offering a FREE Will service. O’Shea Barry Solicitors LLP is an Irish law firm established is 2007 located at 5 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. www.dspca.ie DSPCA, Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, D16 When thinking about making a Will we think about the people and the things that are of most value to us. Making a Will can often be our last opportunity to help look after our loved ones and can have a lasting impact for the causes and charities closest to our hearts. Whether you’re a pet owner, an animal lover or someone who wants to leave a legacy that will make a real difference then remember the DSPCA in your Will. DSPCA Free Will Service

Western Ways Local KillaryattractionsSheepFarm:

4th generation farmer Tom Nee welcomes visitors to his Connemara farm 6km from Leenane to watch sheep herding with his dog Holly, also bog cutting and lamb feeding. He has over 200 ewes roaming around the mountain which has wonderful views of the fjord. Tom supplies foot and rain wear if required.

Following the Covid pandemic the Mayo Dark Sky Festival returns as a live event from 4th-6th November. The event which started in 2016 is a community driven working in collaboration with the National Parks & Wildlife Service. This year the committee has again attracted a list of world class speakers such as Brother Guy Consolmagno, Head of the Vatican Observatory, Dr. Sera Markoff from the University of Amsterdam whose team was responsible for capturing the iconic first image of a black hole in 2019 and Irish botanist and broadcaster Dr Eanna ni Lamhna. The festival will take place in three villages surrounding Mayo Dark Sky Park - Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy.

Festival Director Fiona Hopkins told Senior Times she is very excited at the prospect once again of a live event, ‘We really enjoyed putting together a virtual festival two years ago when close to 1400 people from 25 countries across the globe attended the online events, but there really is nothing like meeting people face to face, old friends and new, sharing with them our passion for the night sky’. Former speakers have included Dr. Robert Thirsk (International Space Station), Prof. Mark McCaughrean (Senior science advisor European Space Agency) and John Brown OBE, (Astronomer Royal for Scotland). The patron of the Dark Sky festival is Duncan Stewart, architect, broadcaster and environmentalist. Full details of festival at www.darkskyfestival.ie

Following the Covid pandemic the Mayo Dark Sky Festival returns as a live event from 4th-6th November.

One of the stunning stained glass windows in the Blasket Islands Centre www.seniortimes.ie

The centre is now designated as one of the 16 Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Points along the 2,500km route stretching from Donegal to Cork.

50 Senior Times | September - October 2022 |

Leenane Sheep & Wool Centre: This family run enterprise was founded in 1992 and is based around the Irish sheep and woollen industry. Watch wool craft demonstrations and hear all about methods used in the area for generations in the

Adventure Centres: There are two adventure centres in the area offering many outdoor activities both on land and water and overnight accommodation is available. info@killarysheepfarm.comsheepandwoolcentre.comkillaryfjord.com

New Blasket Islands Centre A refurbished €2.9m visitor experience has just opened at Ionad Bhlascaoid in Dun Chaoin on the tip of the Dingle Peninsula in West Kerry. It is situated at the halfway point on the Slea Head drive noted for stunning views of the wild Atlantic coast and the islands. The Great Blasket Island was home to an Irish speaking community for some 300 years. These islanders had a rich history of music and storytelling but struggled to exist due to the harshness of life there. In 1953 the remaining island population was evacuated and brought to the mainland. The Blasket Centre tells the story of island life involving fishing, farming, modes of work, transport, housing and how islanders entertained themselves. The extraordinary legacy of literature is also featured in the exhibition including such classics as The Islandman, Twenty Years A Growing and of course Peig. There are interactive displays, audio visual presentations and artworks. Close to the centre is a spectacular cliff top viewing platform set up two years ago.

Mayo Dark Festival returns

Commenting on the project, Minister for State with responsibility for the OPW, Patrick O’Donovan said attention will now turn to enhancing the landing facilities on the island itself. Funding for the transformation of the Centre and exhibition space was provided by Failte Ireland, the Office of Public Works and Department of Housing, local Government and Heritage. Following the re-vamp Failte Ireland say they expect some 12,550 extra visitors annually adding to the seasonal figure of 50,000.

small museum. There are also audio presentations featuring interviews with local people about the traditions. In another part of the building is a craft /souvenir shop and a large café serving snacks, lunches and excellent coffee. The museum opens daily on the hour from 10am (except 1 & 2pm). Admission charge €10 (Seniors €7).

Athlone, Co. Westmeath T: 090 649 2601 E: info@shamrocklodgehotel.ie www.shamrocklodgehotel.ie Young at Heart invites you to join us for an like no other! From 12.30pm to 6pm, enjoy: 4 course festive dinner Comedy with Frank Forde Live music with Brendan Shine & his Super Band! Only €49 per person Tea/Coffee Reception on Arrival Live Music with Joe, Frankie and Showcase with very special guest Lorraine McDonald November & December ‘22 Overnight availablespecialsB&Balso AN INVITATION TO SELL ART We are now accepting entries for forthcoming important art auctions. Contact Peter Whyte at 01 6762888 or pw@whytes.ie Whyte’s is a renowned auction house with a reputation for selling Irish art where it sells best. Our international clientele will give generous prices for art of quality. Paul Henry LOBSTER FISHERMEN OFF ACHILL, sold at Whyte’s for €274,000 Jack Butler Yeats SHOUTING, sold at Whyte’s for €1.75 million WHERE IRISH ART IS TRULY VALUED 38 Molesworth Street Dublin 2 Ireland D02 KF80 00 3531 676 2888 | info@whytes.ie | www.whytes.ie PRSA No: 001759

Dublin was first introduced to public street lighting by the enactment of the Candlelight Law of 1616. That required every fifth house on a street had to display a lit candle in the window to cast light the footpath outside. But it took until 1697 for Dublin's first street lamps to appear. They were oil lamps using mostly whale oil, They were replaced in 1825 by gaslamps using gas from the city mains. These gas lamps required lamplighters, someone who each evening went around in all weathers on foot and later by bike, individually lighting each lamp. Next morning they would have retrace their steps to turn each lamp off again. They are long gone but there is still a reminder of them, The Lamplighter pub, still operating at 79 The Coombe in the Liberties. The pub itself used to have gas lamp but alas they are gone. The Lamplighter gets a mentioned in James Joyce's 'Ulysses'. Since Joyce had recurring eye problems for most of his life, lighting, dusk and dawn became pervasive threads in his writings.

Lighting up Dublin for 600 years

Rathborne Candles together.

52 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

and the last place I remember seeing indoor gas lamps lighting was in the Abbey Tavern, just a few yards up Abbey Street from the Howth Harbour. The old gas lamps are still there but about ten years ago were converted to electricity. The tavern dates from the 15th century when it was a seminary for local monks. Richard Tobin and Lorraine Gunne are the present owners since 2014 and thankfully have painstakingly managed to maintain its many original features including the old stone walls, flagstone floors and the turf burning open-grate fireplace. The smell of the turf, still there, reminds of days when my dad and I would come to Howth for fish to take home for Friday dinner. We'd get fish down at the harbour direct from the boats or sometimes in pubs where a fisherman might barter fish for drinks. I can't imagine this happening these days.

Pat Keenan reports on happenings in and around the capital Dublin Dossier

And then, in the gas era, there was the 'glimmerman', an fear-fannléis an insolent name given to the inspectors of the Alliance and Dublin Consumers' Gas Company to detect the use of gas in restricted periods during 'the Emergency' aka World War 2. The title 'glimmerman' derives from the many advertisements and posters urging the public not to waste gas ...not even a glimmer. In those days the use of gas in Dublin was down to five hours per day and the gas companies warned against the use of gas in 'off hours', widely referred to as the 'glimmer hours' and was regarded as breach of contract.

Rathbornes Candles, now based in Blanchardstown say they have been ‘keeping Ireland lit since 1488’ The company was founded in Winetavern Street Dublin by John G. Rathborne, a chandler from Chester in England. They claim to be the the worlds oldest candle producer. That set-up in Winetavern Street is over 150 years before the Cire Trudon candle company in Paris, the other 'oldest candle producer' claimant. During the 1630s Rathbornes supplied Dublin with candles for streets lighting, for churches and for lighthouses along the Dublin coast.

Ask your doctor for an annual stethoscope check. Heart valve disease is common, serious, but treatable. If you are over 65, having a regular stethoscope check could be the first step in the detection of Heart Valve Disease Learn more: www.croi.ie/valveweek

The potential for Dubliners and visitors to the city will be enormous. When you visit other cities with similar markets you can see the benefits. Just off the top of my head I remember the Central Market Hall in Budapest, the Mercado de La Boqueria in Barcelona, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market and of course at home the English Market in Cork.

54 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie Dublin Dossier

Good news: The Iveagh Markets will open for business again

Dublin City Council is inviting proposals that include the conservation work so urgently needed. The project should have been finished by now. Originally the city council planned for construction exactly what that meant.

The welcome news just announced in August that the the tender process for the redevelopment of the historic Edwardian red bricked Iveagh Markets, Francis Street and John Dillon Street in The Liberties is finally under way after a three year delay. It was so sad to see our impressive city centre market empty and deteriorating since it closed in 2019.

While vacant it fell victim not just to the ravages of nature, weed and damp but greatly added to by vandalism and what is politely called into antisocial behaviour. The place became an allurement for open drug abuse, even at one point the great solid wooden doors were set on fire. A conservation specialist has been appointed to identify works, methodology and specifications for expected to take less than a year to complete. The project has secured preliminary funding approval from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The city council added that they were ‘not only securing this landmark building as a market for future generations, but as a focal point in the local community and a catalyst for regeneration in the area. Fingers crossed. after renovations begins

Dublin Fruit and Vegetable Market - Mary's Lane 2019, just after closure

Keeping your Hear t Happy, Naturally!

Alongside taking plant sterols, you should increase your intake of omega-3 food sources such as oily fish (sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon), seeds such as flaxseed and nuts such as walnuts. Thousands of clinical studies have shown that increased intake of omega-3 fats EPA and DHA enhance overall cardiovascular function. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA together contribute to the normal function of the heart, reduce blood triglycerides (a major risk factor for heart disease) and reduce blood pressure if high, overall improving heart health considerably. Omega-3 fats are found in high amounts in oily fish and to a lesser degree in nuts and seeds.

GREAT REVIEW: “I found the educational material very easy to follow and informative. I loved the sample menus. I used both Zerochol and Eskimo-3 alongside making dietary changes. My cholesterol reduced from 6.2 to 4.6.” Mairead C, Co. Cavan

T here are usually no symptoms for high cholesterol, so it’s very important to get your cholesterol checked annually. The Irish Heart Foundation recommends that healthy adults should have a total cholesterol level below 5 mmol/L. A simple blood test will measure your blood cholesterol level. One of the most common causes of high cholesterol levels in the blood is eating too much saturated fat. Eighty per cent of heart disease is preventable, simply by making a few dietary and lifestyle changes! Taking plant sterols daily should be your first step in lowering LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol. Plant sterols are naturally occurring substances found in plants and are important for cholesterol lowering thanks to their ability to partially block cholesterol (produced by the body and found in food) from being absorbed into the blood stream from the gut. Normally, about 50% of cholesterol is absorbed from the digestive tract into the blood stream, but when plant sterols are taken, it drops to just 20%. This lowers cholesterol in people High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease. New research confirms that 1 6g (2 tablets) Zerochol® plant sterols can lower cholesterol by 17% in three

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) state that you need 250mg EPA and DHA daily to support heart health, while 2-3g omega-3 EPA and DHA is needed to lower blood triglycerides and blood pressure. Eating oily fish twice a week – such as salmon or sardines, provides a healthy dose of omega-3 EPA/DHA. Alternatively, you can take a high-quality omega-3 supplement such as Eskimo-3 to ensure you obtain enough omega-3 daily Lack of regular exercise, being overweight, drinking a lot of alcohol and smoking can also raise cholesterol levels, so it is important to make lifestyle changes to limit your risk.

Zerochol’s Cholesterol Lowering Program Changing habits is never easy, so we have created an online support program packed with lots of diet and lifestyle tips and reipes to help support you in your cholesterol lowering e orts. 96% of people rate the program Excellent or Very Good. Sign up today - zerochol.ie! Available in health food stores, pharmacies and online eskimo3.ie and zerochol.ie. Sign up for the 6 week program - zerochol.ie/register

Dossier

56 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Once while visiting USA someone accused me of not being Irish. The Chicagoan said my accent wasn’t Irish. To back up this supposition he announced that I didn’t remotely sound like Barry Fitzgerald. I explained that possibly Fitzgerald had a rural regional accent and I was from Dublin. Now many years later I find a wall plaque at Walworth Road Portobello, Dublin marking the birthplace in 1888 of one William Joseph Shields. This William was in fact the actor Barry Fitzgerald. William it seems was a civil servant in the Department of Industry and Commerce who decided to change his name possibly to disguise his bludgeoning moonlighting as an actor. Was this an effort to deceive his bosses and still hold on to his job for life while at the same time tread the theatre boards incognito as an actor. And did he loose his Portobello Dublin accent for the same deception or were the Quiet Man and Way accents just for Hollywood or for the Abbey Theatre's 'all Ireland' accent.Ithought it was just me but in my researches Google tells me that another Dubliner had exactly the same experience in America. Actor Colm Meany, a.k.a Chief Petty Officer Miles O'Brien in Star Trek ‘I remember many many years ago in America, being told that I didn't have an Irish accent’ and, wait for it, continues: ‘and this is because I didn't talk like Barry Fitzgerald’ 'Top o' the mornin'that's what they expect an Irish accent to be. ' Top o' the mornin' - how many times I received this well intentioned American greeting. I cannot recall anyone ever use this expression in Ireland’. Dublin

Barry Fitzgerald – a moonlighting civil servant

Top o’ the mornin’ to ye –it’s himself!

ALA is found in plant foods such as flaxseeds, rapeseeds, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, perilla seeds, and walnuts. EPA and DHA are found in oily fish, such as salmon, fresh tuna, mackerel, and herring.

Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 57

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Unsaturated fatty acids are considered as “good” fats, as they can play a number of favourable roles within the body such as increase levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), reduce inflammation, and regulate heart rhythms. The three most important types of omega-3 fatty acids are ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapenataenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

What dose of omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial?

Mori, T. (2014). Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: epidemiology and effects on cardiometabolic risk factors. Food Funct., 5(9), 2004-2019. doi: 10.1039/c4fo00393d.

• Reduce the chance of abnormal heart rhythm.

• Reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke.

Hegarty, B., & Parker, G. (2013). Fish oil as a management component for mood disorders – an evolving signal. Current Opinion In Psychiatry, 26(1), 33-40. doi: 10.1097/yco.0b013e32835ab4a7.

EPA and DHA are essential for normal brain function and development. They are abundant in the cell membranes of brain cells, helping to maintain cell membrane health and allowing brain cells to communicate with one another.

You need at least a 1000mg of fatty fish oil supplements (in addition to eating fatty fish at least once a week) to benefit from the Omega 3 fatty acids. Studies have shown for examples that consuming 1000-2000mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily can also help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Sona Omergan provides 1200mg of pure omega fatty acids per capsule, including DHA, EPA, and ALA, as well as Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA), Linoleic Acid (LA), and Oleic Acids.

Mocking, R., Harmsen, I., Assies, J., Koeter, M., Ruhé, H., & Schene, A. (2016). Meta-analysis and meta-regression of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for major depressive disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 6(3), e756-e756. doi: 10.1038/tp.2016.29.

• Lower blood pressure. • Reduce triglycerides.

What are omega-3 fatty acids?

Recent research has shown that supplementing with fish oils which contains the fatty acids EPA and DHA, may alleviate depressive symptoms in individuals who have depression, particularly in the supplements that high levels of EPA. This is believed to be primarily due to their effects on serotonin and serotonin receptors in the brain.

References Ginty, A., & Conklin, S. (2015). Short-term supplementation of acute long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may alter depression status and decrease symptomology among young adults with depression: A preliminary randomized and placebo controlled trial. Psychiatry Research, 229(1-2), 485-489. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.05.072.

• Lessen the chance of sudden cardiac death in people with heart disease

How might omega-3 fatty acids improve mental health?

• Slow the development of plaque in the arteries.

Fish oil supplements are generally deemed safe. However, it is important to mention to your doctor or pharmacist that you are supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids if you are on any medications. It is particularly important to do this if you are on any blood-thinning medication or have an upcoming surgery due to their potential impact on blood clotting.

We have long heard about the benefits of consuming oily fish and also fish oil supplements. The list of benefits has been growing year on year. It is not so long ago that only the benefits of Omega 3 on circulation and the heart were identified. Now, other than circulation, Omega 3 is also found to affect much more than only our physical health, but also our mental health.

The body must convert ALA into either DHA or EPA in order to use for anything other than energy. Unfortunately, this conversion process is inefficient in humans, as only 1–10% of ALA is converted into EPA and 0.5–5% into DHA.

Office of Dietary Supplements - Omega-3 Fatty Acids. (2021). Retrieved 10 June 2021, from 1-7.andSwanson,cmaj.071356.CanadianSurette,7(1),andRubin,Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/.https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/M.,Kim,K.,&Logan,A.(2008).Acnevulgaris,mentalhealthomega-3fattyacids:areportofcases.LipidsInHealthAndDisease,36.doi:10.1186/1476-511x-7-36.M.(2008).Thesciencebehinddietaryomega-3fattyacids.MedicalAssociationJournal,178(2),177-180.doi:10.1503/D.,Block,R.,&Mousa,S.(2012).Omega-3FattyAcidsEPADHA:HealthBenefitsThroughoutLife.AdvancesInNutrition,3(1),doi:10.3945/an.111.000893.

Findings show omega-3 fatty acids may help to:

Omega 3 Fish Oil Health

Are there any side effects to taking omega-3 fatty acids ?

58 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Garry and his family are themselves great fans of outdoor dining. He jokes that as soon as the sun comes out his wife brings out the barbeque! When I mentioned the many disasters we have had trying to make a good barbeque family meal, Garry offers the following advice. ‘We have a gas barbeque on the patio, and this tends to be easier and cleaner to use than a conventional one. But if you are using a charcoal barbeque, remember to let the coals burn off until they go white. This usually takes about forty-five minutes. Then you have a window of an hour to cook your food on the barbeque. Otherwise the meat will cook too quickly and burn’. He also said that he never uses a marinade on the meat prior to putting it on the barbeque, as it also tends to burn. The marinade can be applied after the meat is taken off the barbeque.

Garry for advice. He said he often cooks fish and the trick is to cook it en papilote. This is a cooking technique that uses built-up steam inside a folded piece of parchment paper, or aluminium foil. Basically the fish cooks in its own juices and is steamed. Garry recommends wrapping the fish in tin foil first, and then covering that in greaseproof paper before putting it on the barbeque. The fish actually cooks in the steam as the Grill En papilote. This is a cooking technique that uses built-up steam inside a folded piece of parchment paper, or aluminium foil.

Another good barbeque tip is to keep the meat in thin slices, this ensures that it will be cooked through, and not raw in the middle –another barbeque disaster for many!As a great fan of fish, but not being sure how to cook it on a barbeque, I asked

bareand

Garry Hughes, Executive Chef at Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel, is a great advocate of the BBQ but advises that carefuly planning will save a lot of hassle and cleaning up after the flames die down.

it Mairead Robinson talks to Chef Gary Hughes about ‘sunshine dining’ and extending the BBQ season Food I often think that September is the best month of ‘summer’. Things are that bit quieter and the weather is often the best of the year. The gardens and countryside are looking great too, especially with the leaves changing colours and apples and blackberries and lots of other fruits are ripe for the picking. So I spoke to Executive Chef at Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel, Garry Hughes for some ideas for summer lunches, dinners, barbeques and picnics – we just need to add the sunshine!

Senior Times | July - August 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 59

60 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie bag puffs up. Garry’s favourite fish dish cooked this way is so simple and yet so delicious. It is prawns with tomato and olive oil and a little basil. It cooks en papilote in four minutes on the barbeque, and is simply delicious. He also suggests cod, hake or even salmon can be cooked this way on the barbeque for a simple tasty summer dish. The other advantage of cooking in this way, is that it is clean – there is no big clean up of the barbeque the next day from grease and oil residue. When you place the piece of fish in the grease proof paper, you put your olive oil and herbs and spice on top, wrap the fish in the grease proof paper then wrap it in the tinfoil. Cooks perfectly without any Formess!a

Garry suggestion consists of apple, rocket and radish with a simple dressing. Goats cheese beetroot also makes a delicious salad together with iceberg lettuce. These salads are the perfect accompaniment for barbeque foods, instead of the usual coleslaw or potato salad. He also suggests coating a thick slice of sourdough bread with butter, and char-grilling that on the barbeque also. Another great accompaniment for your fish or meat dish. can also be cooked on the barbeque, courgettes, and aubergine work particularly well, suggests Garry. it is important to control the heat of the barbeque and not let it burn. The gas barbeque is easier to control, and comes up to temperature quicker, but some people prefer the taste of the charcoal coming through the food.

Other light and summer time foods, for an al-fresco lunch or dinner that Garry suggests cooking a one pot dish of olive oil, peppers, aubergines and red onions. Garlic is then added together with pesto and white beans. This makes a wonderful Mediterranean one pot dish that is perfect to serve up for a summer meal. You can serve this with fish, chicken or meat and it will remind your guests of those Spanish evening meals that they enjoyed on holidays. This can be made the day before, which makes serving up the meal in the garden so easy. White fish goes particularly well with thisAnddish.finally what to bring for a picnic on the beach. Garry tells me his wife recently invested in a small portable pizza oven and now they can make the most delicious pizzas to enjoy while taking a break from building all those sand castles! And I am pretty sure the smell of hot fresh pizza, with all the interesting favourite toppings that you can add, will make the other beach goers envious. An egg and onion sandwich and a flask of tea could hardly compete with a fresh homemade pizza! This is summer eating at its best, and without the fuss. With thanks to Garry Hughes for his great ideas and tips. Enjoy the remainder of our warm weather and get the most out of alfresco dining.

asparagus

Vegetables

Podcast Listen to Mairead Robinson’s interview with Garry Hughes in the Senior Times series of podcasts. Visit seniortimes.ie Food Competition winners from the last issue and seniortimes.ie FiveCrosswordcopiesofAgeless Ageing Bridie Healy, Kill, Co Kildare Helen Harrington, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 Deirdre Maloney, Nengh, Co Kildare Matt Lyons, Tralee, Co Kerry Tim Barry, Clonmel, Co Tipperay SENIOR TIMES CROSSWORD No. 119 1 SO 2 CC 3 ER 4 T 5 EN 6 NI 7 S 8 CA 9 MOGI 10 E 11 ST 12 OR 13 M CHA 14 RLOTAANWTO 15 AMASS 16 EPEE 17 SALVER 18 BADMINTON RRTCV 19 FIEMRLMEK 20 FOAL 21 NAVE 22 INNERA 23 IKE 24 TRUE CLNNSNLDS 25 LY 26 NETB 27 ALL 28 TEAK 29 DAIL 30 SQUA 31 SH EERHL 32 S 33 JDENL 34 I P 35 ROTA 36 TE 37 BEETHOVEN 38 P 39 INGPONG HW 40 DAK 41 IDWN 42 EX 43 CESSIVE 44 HURLIN 45 G 46 MULL 47 ET 48 GO WENFAVNEMED 49 SR 50 SERI 51 AL 52 NEEDLE 53 GANGES 54 MENACE ENRR UDMD 55 TRAGIC 56 URGIN 57 G 58 CEILIS 59 MATIN 60 S RLT 61 WIAAINA 62 SSN 63 ET 64 MARIAN 65 NARRATE 66 TWENTYTWO B 67 VSGRREA O 68 LEIN 69 STER 70 L 71 IBERAT 72 ED 73 FLO 74 RI 75 NK ENI 76 ONTNR 77 POEE 78 NECTA 79 R 80 BONO 81 RAGE 82 SHERGAR 83 BEOEI 84 C 85 LSRCL 86 RU 87 ST 88 CURS 89 AWAKE 90 SWAN 91 WIC 92 K IP 93 LKOFVMDPR 94 JGE 95 GREGORIAN 96 RUINED 97 TIDE 98 AHERN IAIEETN 99 TRDVNN 100 DARTS 101 SURGERY 102 TRALEE 103 PASTRY

light summer salad

Obviously

Improving range of motion, increasing muscle strength and managing your weight can help reduce pain and make your knees feel younger. Building up the muscles around your knees, including your outer, middle and inner thigh muscles as well as your calf muscles helps reduce the stress on your joints and support your knees.  It’s crucial to make time in our busy schedules to improve our joints and bodies. Investing just 15 minutes a day can provide a great payoff for your quality of life down the road. Try these exercises to help protect your knee joints as you age: 1

Chair pose

Fortunately there are ways to postpone knee problems or even prevent them entirely. In many cases you can delay or avoid the need for a knee replacement or other surgical intervention.

A simple yoga move to stretch the joints. Stand with your feet together and on an inhale raise your arms out to the side and above your head. Your palms should be facing inwards. Exhale and slowly bend your knees until your torso and the tops of your thighs create a right angle. Inhale and gently return to the starting position. If this is difficult for you, try using a wall for support until you feel confident enough to try it alone. Hold for 5 breaths.

2 62 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Knee pain is common in older age. Your knees absorb a huge amount of pressure with every step, usually one and a half times your body weight. That pressure plus regular wear and tear takes a toll over time. Muscles and ligaments get weaker and knee cartilage wears away (osteoarthritis).

Health Help protect your knee joints as you age with these simple exercises from qualified pilates trainer Annmarie Murray

A simple exercise to strengthen your knees, the one leg balance strengthens muscles which keep your knees stable, providing more support for your joints. Stand with your feet slightly further than shoulder width apart and shift your weight to one leg. Slowly raise your other leg, being careful not to lock your knee. Hold the position for around 30 seconds. If you find keeping your balance tricky, use something to lean on.

One leg balance

Heel and Calf Raises

Sit upright with your thigh supported in a chair. Straighten your  knee as far as possible, hold for 10 seconds. Bend your knee as far back as possible and hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. This exercise will help to strengthen your thigh muscles and regain range of motion in your knee.

The calf muscle is related to the hamstring muscle and back of your knee. Strengthening the calf muscle will greatly benefit your hamstrings and provide your knee with great support and stability. Stand barefoot. Make sure your body is balanced. You can hold onto a support such as the wall or another stabilising surface. Raise vertically up as high as possible onto your toes and slowly lower down. 10 reps and 2-3 sets. A great variation of this exercise is to turn your toes inwards (heels away from each other) and raise up vertically. This isolates and strengthens the inner part of your calf muscles. Then try turning your toes out and bring your heels close together and raise up vertically. This will isolate the outer portion of the calves.  This exercise will benefit both your knees and ankles at the same time.

Knee Extension and Knee Flexion

Annmarie Murray, qualified pilates and personal trainer, is available for private and group sessions and can be reached on mobile 087 6253840 or through her website am-fitness.ie

3 4

October during Fire Safety Week. It has such importance and potential to save your life that it featured for the first time in the 2022 National Census. There's a widely held belief that if your home catches fire, the smell of smoke will wake you up.  Nothing could be further from the truth as inhaling smoke and other toxic gases can put you in a deeper sleep. Brain death occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen for as little as three Aminutes.working smoke alarm buys you time by alerting you to the presence of smoke and giving you a chance to escape from injury and potentially death. If you haven’t got a working smoke alarm, consider fitting one today. If you have a smoke alarm then please check it to make sure it’s in good working order (smoke alarms may be tested by pressing the test button with the handle tip of a floor Dublinbrush).FireBrigade in conjunction with National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management [NDFEM] are working with a number of groups to to supply and fit Smoke Detectors in homes throughout the community including Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre Helping Hands, Ballyfermot Chapelizod Partnership, Dublin North West Partnership Care and Repair, Fingal Leader Partnership, Northside Partnership-Handy Helpers, South Dublin County Partnership, Saint Andrew’s Resource Centre and the area offices of Dublin City CouncilNorth West, South East, Central, North Central, South Central and ALONE founded by the Late Willie Bermingham a Dublin Fire Fighter. [www.alone.ie/ volunteers] In all with the help of the NDFEM and these groups 2000 detectors were supplied and hopefully by now all fitted. We hope to expand on this by working with these groups to install between 2500-3000 smoke detectors in people’s homes throughout Dublin in 2023.

The two main areas of the home where fires occur are in the living room and kitchen however there has been a growing trend in bedroom fires. The sources of these bedroom fires have been identified as coming from hair-styling tools, while still hot, being left close to bedlinen and carpets, resulting in fire.

Checking electrical appliances to make sure that the electrical cables and plugs are in good condition and not overloading sockets is another simple step to prevent fire occurring. Switching off televisions etc. at the end of the night is also advisable –did you know that when a device is in “stand-by” mode it’s still consuming 25% of the energy it would use if it was fully Haveoperational.aplanforelderly or vulnerable people or visitors in your household. Have all emergency numbers ready to call in the event of a fire. Remember 112 or 999 in an emergency.

Finally, the simplest fire safety tip is to close all doors into the kitchen/living area at night. Closed doors can reduce fire growth, limit damage to your home, keep temperatures down, and may even save your life. It’s worth checking out the “Close before you doze” campaign (www. closeyourdoor.org) to see just how Smoke Alarms Save Lives!

Safety Working

The second source, which is becoming more prevalent, is from smart phones, electronic scooters and tablets being charged overnight, resulting in the device overheating and subsequently

Fire Safety Week 2022 64 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

going on fire. You can make simple changes in your routine that can significantly reduce the risk of fire in your home. Keeping candles away from windows and curtains and extinguishing candles when leaving the room is one way to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Older people are statistically more likely to die in a housefire. Don’t be a anAlwaysstatistic.haveescapeplan. #Red firesafetyweek.ie4ready DFB_Irish Times English Final 4 Logos.indd 4 16/09/2021 07:32

First prize, a €500 gift voucher, was awarded to Helen Maloney from Athlone, a member of Athlone Camera Club, for her image capturing her own mother, Eileen, in her shop with her great granddaughter Ryleigh Maloney SecondHughes.prize, a €300 gift voucher, went to Gerry Scully from Dublin, who captured his parents in law, Aidan and Mary Ellison, having a fun moment on a family holiday in France.

The judging panel was made up of Professor Roger O’Sullivan, IPH Director of Ageing Development and Research; Eddie Lynch, Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland; Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager, Age & Opportunity; Robin Webster, Adjunct Lecturer, Irish Centre for Social Gerontology, NUI Galway and former CEO Age Action Ireland, and Maresa

of Belfast Photo Imaging Club, who captured a poignant moment during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was aptly titled ‘Sweethearts’.

How We Age photographic competiton winners announced Photography

Third prize, a £100 gift voucher, went to Mark Davison, from Lisburn who captured a poignant moment during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was aptly ‘Sweethearts’.titled

The competition invited photographers to submit images capturing older people in their everyday lives under the theme of Staying Active, Staying Social, Staying Connected. Members of the judging panel were impressed by the range and quality of images submitted in this, the first ever, photography competition hosted by IPH.

Fagan, IPH Communications Officer.

Second prize, a €300 gift voucher, went to Gerry Scully from Dublin, who captured his parents in law, Aidan and Mary Ellison, having a fun moment on a family holiday in France.

This How We Age gallery of selected images will be launched in October to mark International Day of Older Persons.

An intergenerational vignette, a moment of holiday fun, and a poignant Covid-19 snapshot – these are the prize-winning images that captured the judges attention in the Institute of Public Health’s How We Age photography competition. This allisland competition was launched in April to depict how older people are portrayed in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

66 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

From the entries received, IPH will create a gallery of stock images for use in its ongoing work to promote healthy ageing and broader public health themes, which may also be made available to partner and allied organisations as a freeto-access image resource.

Third prize, a £100 gift voucher, went to Mark Davison, from Lisburn, a member

First prize, a €500 gift voucher, was awarded to Helen Maloney from Athlone, for her image capturing her own mother, Eileen, in her shop with her great granddaughter Ryleigh Maloney Hughes.

There are a number of ways that you can check the PSP you are planning to engage is licensed:

The PSRA is also responsible for the publication of the Property Registers, namely the Residential Property Price Register and the Commercial Lease WhetherRegister. you want to check the advertised sale price for a property is accurate for the area or get a feel for the market if you are considering selling, you can do so by checking the Property Price Register.

• Checking the Register of Licensed Property Services Providers. The Register lists the name, address, Licence number and Licence type of all currently licensed PSP’s. The PSRA strongly advises to ensure that both the individual agent and their business hold a current PSRA licence.

Property Registers

Importance of using a licenced Property Services Provider No matter what the circumstance, if you are looking to buy or sell your home, rent a property, purchase an item at auction, or buy livestock at the local mart, it is of utmost importance that you engage the services of a licensed Property Service Provider (PSP). It is an offence for any agent to provide a property service if they do not hold a valid PSRA licence. Unlicensed operators should be reported to the PSRA at info@psr.ie Using a licensed PSP provides you with a number of protections such as:

68 Senior Times |September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

• Looking for the PSRA business licence, an A4 sized green coloured licence, which must be on display in the PSP’s office or at an auction.

Checking a PSP is licensed

The PSRA also maintain the Commercial Leases Register which details information in respect of all commercial and agricultural leases entered into since 1st January 2010. Further information and the Registers can be found on the PSRA website www.psr.ie

• The PSRA also maintains a Property CompensationServicesFund. The purpose of the Compensation Fund is to compensationprovidetoclients of licensees who have sustained a loss as a result of the dishonesty of a licensee. The licensee must have had a valid licence at the time the property service was provided.

It is important to note that the term “property” isn’t just bricks and mortar. Property could mean a parcel of land or site, an item bought at auction, or animals sold at a mart.

On marking the PSRA’s 10 year Anniversary recently, the PSRA’s CEO Ms. Maeve Hogan noted “In regulatory terms, the PSRA is still a organisation,young even though we have been around for 10 years. Over this time upon”.andestablishedhavefoundationsregulatorystrongbeenbuilt

• Asking to see the property services provider's PSRA licence card. This credit card sized licence contains the name and photograph of the individual licensee as well as the business name and the expiry date of the licence.

• You are entitled to make a complaint to the PSRA about improper conduct by a licensee arising from the provision of a property service. You can download a complaints form from the website www.psr.ie and submit it to the PSRA who will investigate all legitimate complaints of improper conduct.

Who we are and what we do

Maeve Hogan added “Regulation has transformed the sector in how it undertakes its transactions and engages with clients and the public. As an organisation we continually review how to further professionalise the sector”.

The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) was established on 3rd April 2012, and is the statutory body responsible for licensing and regulating the property services sector in Ireland. All Property Services Providers or “PSPs” operating in the Republic of Ireland must hold a PSRA licence to provide a property service. PSPs include estate agents, auctioneers, letting and management agents – anyone engaged in the business of buying, selling, letting and managing property for their client.

Auctioneers, estate agents, letting agents, and property management agents must hold a Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) licence. An auctioneer may auction land, fine arts, antiques or animals at a mart. When engaging an agent don’t assume that your agent is licensed. Check the PSRA Register of Licensed Agents at www.psr.ie No PSRA Licence – No PSRA Consumer Protection

Light, white and extremeIy good value Mairead Robinson finds some excellent wines in Lidl for under €10

70 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie Wine World

Personally I would recommend spending

And so to what I have found at Lidl. Not just wine that is cheaper than you will find in most outlets, but some real gems that are actually for sale at less than ten euro! Here is my choice list, starting with Chenin Blanc from Swartland in South Africa. Getting back to what I said about white wine, I have to say that Chenin Blanc from South Africa is a grape that is very underrated here. Having said that, I have spoken to friends and colleagues who all say ‘Oh yes, I love Chenin Blanc’, but why do we not hear more about it, and why is it not more readily available? I have spent the summer months extolling the merits of this Fairtrade wine from Swartland – you will recognise it from the Zebra on the label – and anybody I have shared it with has been very impressed. It has a light straw colour, an exotic fruit flavour and is just gorgeous for light fish or pasta dishes. At 13.5per cent alcohol, it has great structure and body. This wine is a steal at just €7.99 a

Of course when you are buying wine to drink at home, you have a much greater choice, and I suggest looking at different options when you go to pick up wine with your weekly groceries. Most of us shop in one of the major supermarkets, and it is certainly worth taking a look at their wine section when you are there.

Nextbottle.to that is another Chenin Blanc from Cimarosa, also with a dry fruit driven flavour, and it comes at 12.5per cemt alcohol. This wine is priced at €7.40.

Like many of us, I enjoy a nice cool glass of white wine with lunch on a summer’s day, with a light fish dinner or as an aperitif – indeed white wine tends to be my preferred choice when it comes to wine these days. Except for winter time or with a rich meal when we go for a good red, white tends to go with most things these days. However it is usually Pinot Grigio, Sauvi gnon Blanc or Chardonnay which are the three choices of grape variety we consid er. Indeed, this is often all that is on offer if you just want wine by the glass in a restaurant, rather than ordering a bottle.

The key factor when choosing wine from a supermarket, is not just to look at the special offers – although these can often be great value – but also to look at wines that they might stock that you will not find elsewhere. And these unusual wines, often little gems, can often surprise you and prove to be exceptionally good value.

Throughout each year, ISPCA Animal Welfare Inspectors respond to calls to our National Animal Cruelty Helpline, bringing abused and neglected animals to our Rescue Centres to recover. Your kindness and generosity in leaving a legacy gift will ensure that the ISPCA can continue to fund and grow these services and will have a lasting impact on thousands of animals for generations to come. Leaving a gift in your Will to the ISPCA is a wonderful way to celebrate your love of animals and the unconditional love and companionship they give to you. By doing so, you will be helping to rescue many more animals so that they can take that first step to a happy new life.

ISPCA Free Online Will Writing By making a Will, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that those you care about will be looked after and that your wishes for your loved ones, friends and family will be respected. The ISPCA’s Free Online Will Writing service can be used to make a Will for the first time or to amend an existing one. It’s available at no cost to you and with no obligation to donate. To obtain your code for the ISPCA’s Free Online Will Writing service or to find out more information on how your legacy can help please visit www.ispca.ie/Legacies or call 087 0512603 Plant a seed and grow your legacy. Leave a gift in your Will to the ISPCA.

ing the extra 59 cent and opt for the superior Fairtrade wine from Swartland – remember the zebra on the label. While Chenin Blanc is a wonderful al ternative to the usual white wine grape varieties, we are extremely fortunate to get such quality for less than €10. Pick up a few bottles next time you are in Lidl, serve it chilled as an aperitif, or with your next lunch party, and your guests will definitely be impressed.

Another great white wine buy, again from Lidl, is Gavi Docg which I have been enjoying for quite some time now. This dry white wine is made from Cortese grapes and is an exceptional wine from Italy. It has a very balanced flavour, and really appeals to those of us who favour a dry clean white wine. The alcohol is 12per cent and again it is perfect for an aperitif and with light lunches and fish dishes. Once again this wine is extraordinary good value at just These€8.99 wines disprove the notion that due to the high taxes on wine in this country, you have to pay over €10 to get a decent bottle. This is good news for wine lovers – there are bargains to be had out there. And not just on the occasional special offers – all of the wines I have chosen today are on offer all the time at these Soprices.you can try something different from your usual varieties and your discovery will come at a price that may surprise you. So while the late summer and early autumn weather lengthens the season for al-fresco dining and light lunches and dinners, this is a good time to wid en your experience of great white wines. While Chardonnay remains a favourite for many, and Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are also very popular as mentioned, this is an opportunity to explore some other great white wine varieties, without breaking the bank. So check out Semillon, Reising, Albarino, and of course Viognier – a white grape that is often used in blends to add elegance. But a bottle of 100per cent Viognier might well surprise you with its Enjoysmoothness.yourtasting.

Wine World

World COPD Day takes place this year on Wednesday November 16th. This year’s theme is Your Lungs for Life and it aims to highlight the importance of lifelong lung health. In order to highlight the chronic condition of COPD and its prevalence in Irish society, COPD Support Ireland plan on running a weeklong programme of events from Monday 14th to Friday 18th of November 2022. Throughout the week there will be pre-recorded interviews with COPD Respiratory physicians and other COPD healthcare experts as well as presentations from physiotherapists, exercise providers and occupational therapists. We plan to provide updates on what’s new in the world of COPD and information on research into COPD that is currently taking place. There will be a series of radio interviews with members of our board and a nationwide advertising campaign. Presentations will also be available about our nationwide network of support groups, online and in – person exercise classes, SingStrong classes and the COPD adviceline service. We will also have an update on the Chronic disease programme and how COPD support Ireland fits into it with the services we offer. We will hear from some of our members about their experiences of living with COPD from diagnosis through to treatment and of joining COPD support Ireland.

All of the numerous activities throughout the week will be shared on a variety of social media platforms and on our website so please check them out to keep up to date. www.copd.ie or Facebook @ COPD Support Groups Ireland or Twitter @COPDSupportIre

Throughout the week local COPD support groups will run fundraising events in their areas and your support for these events would be very much appreciated. So, if you would like to walk, cycle, run, bake, bungee jump or just meet up for a chat in order to raise some money to enable COPD support Ireland to continue to provide services throughout the country, then please let us know. We can provide you with promotional packs, T-shirts etc to use in your fundraising event. See our Facebook fundraiser page for more details.

It's shaping up to be a great week so please join us in November and make COPD Day a week to remember! groups will run fundraising events in their areas and your support for So, if you would like to walk, cycle, run, bake, bungee jump or just money to enable COPD support Ireland to continue to provide services know. We can provide you with promotional packs, T shirts etc to use fundraiser page for more details. https://www.facebook.com/fund/COPDSupportGroupsIreland/weekwillbeshared on a variety of social media platforms and on up to date. us to join our work of the integrated framework for chronic disease levels of and self management those who are undiagnosed and may want to learn a bit more about like to speak with one of our with COPD information pack. us in November and make COPD Day a week to remember!

throughout the country, then please let us know. We can provide you with promotional in your fundraising event. See our Facebook fundraiser page for more details. https://www.facebook.com/fund/COPDSupportGroupsIreland/Allofthenumerousactivitiesthroughouttheweekwillbeshared on a variety of social media our website so please check them out to keep up to date. www.copd.ie or Facebook @ COPD Ireland or Twitter @COPDSupportIre contact list to receive informational The work of COPD Ireland supplements the work of the integrated framework for chronic required to treatthattheirsupports who are undiagnosed and may ifwantyou and COPD and Exercisemailinfo@copd.ie November and make COPD Day a week Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 73 World COPD Day 2022 Health

The work of COPD Ireland supplements the work of the integrated framework for chronic disease. COPDSI can support patients and their families across all the levels of the care required to treat their COPD. Much of the work we do focuses on providing services, education and self-management techniques that supports those with COPD to live well. We also provide information for those who are undiagnosed and may want to learn a bit more about the disease and then seek help. If you would like to speak with one of our staff or if you would like to receive some of our information booklets about living with COPD, nutrition and COPD and Exercise and COPD then please contact us and we will send you out an information pack. Phone 086 0415128 or e-mail info@copd.ie

Sign up to become a member online or e-mail us to join our contact list to receive informational emails about World COPD Day and more.

COPDSupportGroupsIreland/https://www.facebook.com/fund/

From a time when the popular speculation in golf each autumn would concern the player most likely to challenge Tiger Woods for world dominance, the leading topic these days is the inexorable expansion of LIV Golf. That’s the rebel, Saudi Arabian-backed tour spearheaded by Greg Norman. For the uninitiated, it gets its name from the latin numerals for 54. That’s the number of holes in each LIV tournament, rather than the customary 72. And there’s a straight run through for the competing players, rather than a cut after 36 holes.

Golf

It was a difficult project, representing an initial investment of about $25 million. Hardly had a sod been turned when there was an environmental uproar involving a snail, indigenous to the area, by the name of vertigo angustior, plain Angus, one imagines, to its friends.

which Senator George Mitchell happened to be a board member, insisted that they didn't ‘want to disrupt anything.’ And there was a further assurance from Norman that ‘we're going to rebuild part of the dunes that were taken away more than 20 years ago.’ Which they did.

All the while, the patience of the developers was helped considerably by the knowledge that they had acquired what was considered by experts to be one of the last, great links sites in these islands. Indeed, according to local wisdom, it was a toss-up whether it, or Lahinch would be developed as a championship venue, more than 120 years ago.

Priceless. The Od Head links in Kinsale. Even Donald Trump couldn’t buy them!

74 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

of such a move has much to do with the fact that Doonbeg is owned by Donald Trump, whose support of LIV was evident in the staging of their third tournament at his course in Bedminster, New Jersey, in late July. I happened to be at Doonbeg for its official opening back in 2002 when I actually played some holes with the course designer, Norman. Apart from his presence, the occasion was also memorable for a happening at the short 14th hole. Measuring only 97 yards, the left side of the green is tucked into a towering dune and it was there that a visiting American scribe, Mike Purkey, had the venue's first ace with a perfectlystruck sand-wedge tee-shot.

Indeed, the confrontation between the Narrow Mouth Whorl Snail -- all 10 million of them --and the so-called Great White Shark, threatened to scupper the project. Which represented something of a triumph for environmentalists, given that when I laid eyes on the little chap, which measured only two millimetres, it was with the assistance of a magnifying glass.

When Jack Nicklaus was designing Mount Juliet, quite a few eyebrows were raised by the fact that he made a total of 13 visits there during the construction process. As it happened, Norman went to Doonbeg on no fewer than 22 occasions, fine-tuning a layout which follows the crescent shape of Doughmore Bay.

Dermot Gilleece recalls when even Donald Trump could not afford the Old Head Links

Ireland has become involved through former US Open champion, Graeme McDowell, as a rebel player and David Feherty’s departure from the NBC Network to lend his broadcasting skills to the venture. And indications are that the Irish element will soon be further extended through the inclusion of Doonbeg Golf Club in west Clare, as a future tournament venue, possibly in The2024.likelihood

When some golf courses are priceless..

Sun 2nd - 7th Oct €399pps / €499 Single Sun 9th - 14th Oct ������ €399pps / €499 Single Sun 16th - 21st Oct €399pps / €499 Single Sun 6th - 10th Nov €399pps / €499 Single Bridge Taster Week 2022 Sun 30th Oct - 4th Nov €399pps / €499 Single Early Years of Bridge 2023 Sun 15th - 20th Jan €370pps / €470 Single HOLIDAY INCLUDES: 5 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast, Bridge each evening, Bridge Clinics, Tour of the local area (optional extra) & much more… STAY WITH US AT KNOCK HOUSE HOTEL EMAIL: Reservations@KnockHouseHotel.ie BOOK ONLINE: www.knockhousehotel.ie BOOK TODAY: Call us on 094 938 8088 Knock House Hotel | Ballyhaunis Road | Knock | Co. Mayo | F12 ‘SeniorR6Y5Saver’ HolidaysBridge Holidays CONVENIENTLOCATION Train Station only 10 minutes away from Hotel! SubsidisedTransfersTaxi September €435pps / €475 Single October €335pps / €375 Single November €280pps NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT December €280pps NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT STAY LONGER AND SAVE ENJOY 5 NIGHTS FROM THE PRICE OF 4 Sunday Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast is with our Compliments INDIVIDUALS&GROUPSWELCOME OPEN CHRISTMASFORCALLNOWTOBOOK

76 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

‘The upshot was that Trump sent his representative to look the place over and within a few months a deal was struck.’

One of the resort’s joint owners, Patrick O’Connor, happened to be fishing at Boulakeel, close by his brother John’s home in south Kerry, when his idyll was interrupted by a phone call from the US. That was when he was informed by a mutual friend that Trump wanted to talk with Whenhim.O’Connor agreed to take the call, the ensuing conversation with Trump went something like this. ‘What do you want, Donald?’ ‘I want to buy the Old Head.’ ‘You can’t afford it.’ ‘What do you mean I can’t afford it?’ ‘It’s not for sale, therefore you can’t afford it.’ O’Connor later added: ‘He then threw a ridiculous figure at me, but I insisted it wasn’t for sale, to which he acknowledged: ‘OK, that’s fine.’ The established position of himself and his brother John, as co-owners of the property until John’s death in 2013, was that the Old Head would not be sold, no matter who came calling. And that included the man who would become America’s 45th President.

The Donald Trump-owned Doonbeg links. When Jack Nicklaus was designing Mount Juliet, quite a few eyebrows were raised by the fact that he made a total of 13 visits there during the construction process.

Two years later, Trump spectacularly extended his portfolio of Scottish golf ‘terrain’ through the purchase of Turnberry, scene of Tom Watson’s celebrated “Duel in the Sun’ Open Championship with Nicklaus in 1977. After the Turnberry deal, he turned his attention once more to Ireland in February 2014. In the aftermath of the economic collapse, he bought Doonbeg out of receivership for as little as €8.7m. When set against the figure Shannon Development paid for the land alone, this meant he had acquired the design skills of Norman, a five-star hotel lodge and seven unsold suites, all for €2.7m. Which is very small beer indeed, when set against the hundreds of millions

During Doonbeg’s early years of maturity, however, Trump was more interested in Kinsale’s Old Head Links, as a possible Irish acquisition. In fact, he attempted to buy the Cork promontory in 2004, only to be told bluntly that the property was beyond his means. Back then, the facility was battling to re-build its American business which had been rocked to the roots by the devastating effects of 9/11. Faith in the future, however, was being rewarded with steady increases in green-fee traffic.

Golf Ireland has become involved in the controversial rebel LIV tour through former US Open champion, Graeme McDowell

Trump has never been to the west Cork venue and the fact that the offer was made, sight unseen, lent telling emphasis to the international reputation of Old Head, simply through word of mouth. But that wasn’t the end of the story.

In the winter of 2004, Patrick O’Connor happened to be shooting on the Menie Estate, owned by Tom Griffen, five miles north of Aberdeen in Scotland. An American lawyer, Griffen had been in the area for 20 years, during which time he worked in the offshore oil industry. Aware of O’Connor’s involvement in the Old Head, Griffen talked of being constantly pestered by people wanting to buy or lease the land and on the coastal side of his property. While expressing the view that the site would make a magnificent links, O’Connor spoke of his exchange with Trump only a few months

So, was it worth all the trouble? The general consensus is that Norman did justice to a dramatic, golfing site. Indeed, a year prior to its official opening, the leading US magazine, Sports Illustrated, chose it at number-two it its top-10 new courses of 2001. Describing it as Norman's Mona Lisa, the magazine's expert enthused: ‘I'm not sure I've ever trespassed across a course that begins and ends with such memorable holes.’

Brian Morgan, the noted Scottish golf-course photographer who

Griffen to visit the Old Head. ‘It transpired that Patrick was otherwise engaged on the agreed date and it fell to me to show him around, given that I happened to be there at the time,’ said Morgan.He went on: ‘I eventually went to see the site in Aberdeen and did a helicopter photo-shoot of it. I then sent copies of the images to a number of leading golf architects. Eventually, a set of images were passed from Tom Fazio [leading American golf-course architect] to his nephew, Tommy, who had been doing design work for Trump at the time.

Meanwhile,previously.

So it was that a transaction reported to have been worth £7m, stemmed from Trump’s rejected overtures for the Old Head and culminated in the official launch of Trump Aberdeen in 2012.

Will you leave a gift in your will and join our community of supporters? Visit focusireland.ie/legacy Contact: Cian Dikker: 086 103 3130 cian.dikker@focusireland.ie Focus Ireland, 9 12 High Street, Christchurch, D08 E1W0 RCN: 20015107 You can ensure that families and children who need it most will always have a place to call home. Your gift will secure the future of the life-changing work started by Sr Stan over 35 years ago. Your promise of hope: leave a gift in your will to Focus Ireland This Legacy Month, will you make a pledge to a future without homelessness?

For tickets visit www.nch.ie Phil Coulter at eighty

Sunday 6 Nov 2022 Phil Coulter Sunday 27 Nov 2022

To celebrate his 80th birthday and fifty five years at the very top end of the music industry Phil Coulter is making a long awaited return to the stage of the N.C.H on Sunday the 27th of November.Thiswillbe a show with a difference, a musical journey through the highs and lows of an always colourful career, from Eurovision winners to Bay City Roller smash hits, from Luke Kelly classics to all time piano favourites. Phil’s story telling has become one of the highlights of his concerts and this show will give him ample opportunity to regale the audience with some hilarious tales.  To add a new twist he has assembled a video compilation of some never before seen footage of his famous collaborators, from Liam Neeson to Billy Connolly. Priceless.

Email your answer to info@slp.ie (please let us know which show you are entering for)

hits of Joe Dolan, bringing his own great stage presence and charisma to this fantastic show.

Saturday 1 OCT 2022 UCH, Limerick Sunday 2 Oct 2022 Millenium Forum, Derry Monday 3 Oct 2022 Cork Opera House, Cork Tues 4 Oct 2022 Vicar Street, Dublin

78 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie The Greatest Love Of All A Tribute to Whitney Houston Nationwide Tour 9 September, 1, 2, 3, 4

October 2022 Starring Belinda Davids Whitney Houston’s musical legacy is brought to life in this critically acclaimed tribute show described as “mind-blowingly spot on”. Be stunned by the breathtaking vocals of Belinda Davids – a RiSA chart-topping artist in her home country of South Africa – who has  featured on Fox TV’s Showtime at the Apollo and BBC1 TV’s Even Better Than the Real Thing. With the accompaniment of a live band, backing vocalists and choreographed dancers, plus state-of-the-art sound, lighting, vision and theatrical effects, this is a beautifully crafted tribute to one of the world’s most revered singers. The two-hour production will fill you with joy, nostalgia and wonderment as it takes you on a heartfelt journey through Houston’s greatest hits including ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’, ‘How Will I Know’, ‘One Moment in Time’, ‘I Have Nothing’, ‘Run to You’, ‘Didn’t We Almost Have It All’, ‘Greatest Love of All’, ‘I’m Every Woman’, ‘Queen of the Night’, ‘Exhale (Shoop Shoop)’, ‘Million Dollar Bill’ and more. For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.ie Ronan Collins sings Joe Dolan Joe Dolan was without doubt the most popular entertainer of the Showband era of the 60s and 70s, with international hits such as Make Me An Island and You’re Such A Good Looking Woman

3 Great Shows and 3 great chances to win a pair of tickets

There are few singers can emulate his unique vocal range – RTÉ DJ Ronan Collins being one. If you like Joe then there is simply no show like the Ronan show to bring back the brilliance of the great A long-time performer, Ronan’s knowledge of the Showband era is second to none. Along with the brilliant Sugar Cubes Showband, join Ronan for a night of nostalgia at the National Concert Hall on the 6th of November as he performs the classic

To be in with a chance to win a pair of tickets to either Phil Coulter at eighty, Ronan Collins sings Joe Dolan or The Greatest Love Of All, all you have to do is answer the following question: What Phil Coulter song about his experiences with his son's disorder did Luke Kelly sing?

Ronan Collins Sings Joe Dolan

Thursday 29 Sept 2022 INEC, Killarney

For tickets visit www.nch.ie Belinda Davids as Whitney Houston

Having played some of the most illustrious venues in the world, from Carnegie Hall to the White House, Phil is really excited to revisit the most prestigious concert hall in the country. "Can’t beat a home town gig", he He’lllaughs.be joined on stage by some of his long time musical associates, virtuoso players,  and by Special Guests, outstandingyoung tenor George Hutton, from Derry and by his lovely wife and mother of their six kids, Geraldine Branagan.

Deadline for receipt of entries is the 23rd of September

We are recruiting for a DAIRY FOOD STUDY Are you healthy? Aged 50+? BMI of 25 or over? Take part and be in with a chance to win a cheese & wine hamper* To find out more and be in with a chance to win, visit cheesestudy.ie or tel 01-7162471 The study involves: 6 weeks consuming a dairy product and giving blood samples twice at our UCD clinic *Or voucher equivalent

Grandparents can be the “one good adult” that every child needs in their life through providing love, validation, acceptance and unending support. These attributes help a grandchild cope and grow up to be independent, happy and healthy. Research by Professor Ann Buchanan, University of Oxford, showed that a high level of Grandparent involvement increases the wellbeing of children. So garden, bake, read or travel with your grandchild, it benefits you both!

80 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Health

to a harmful level or have a problem with alcohol and your grandchild is exposed to this on a regular basis, it can negatively influence a grandchild mentally, physically and emotionally. Research shows that the greatest influence on a teenager’s decision to drink or not to drink is their immediate community, parents and other influential adults, including Asgrandparents.akeyinfluencer in your grandchild’s life, you can assist their transition to adulthood by having open, honest conversations about the ups and downs of drinking alcohol. It is important that grandchildren understand the effect of alcohol, and your and their family’s expectations around it.

· Practice mindful drinking. When we drink in a mindful way, we are aware of the affect that alcohol can have on our minds & bodies, being aware of how, where and why you drink.

You as a grandparent can be a very positive influence in grandchildren’s lives as a teacher, guide and nurturer. Enjoy the wonderful experience of journeying with them, while exercising flexibility, patience and commitment and never forgetting it requires huge responsibility.

October 6th, 2022, marks Grandparents Day in Ireland and to celebrate Drinkaware is highlighting the important role grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren.

· Try swapping to alcohol-free alternatives.

· Explore new ways to socialise without alcohol. For example, taking up a hobby with your friends, or spending time in Ifnature.youdrink

Grandparents can have a long-lasting influence and effect on your grandchild’s wellbeing, both emotionally and physically. But the positive impact isn’t all one way. Grandchildren can also add significantly to the quality of your life, giving it a sense of purpose, and protecting against loneliness and depression. You will help shape the person your grandchild becomes, but they will also change you for the better!

Grandparents

As a grandparent it is important that you know that your attitude to and behaviour around alcohol impacts grandchildren and how they are going to relate to alcohol in the future. It’s important that you role model positive behaviours and attitudes towards alcohol for your grandchild:

Grandparents can play a significant role in nurturing the life of the developing grandchild. Research shows that many grandfathers are very connected with their grandchildren and aim to be more caring and involved than was the norm in previous societies. Your grandchild will grow up with a positive male figure who is affectionate and communicative if you spend time with them, benefitting them for life. As a grandparent you can be a role model to your grandchildren, giving direction and encouragement while nurturing their strengths and talents. What your grandchild observes you doing and how you live and cope with life can create expectancies. 51% of Irish drinkers cite “coping” as a reason for drinking. Children observe behaviour and learn from it. How do you cope with stress or uncomfortable feelings in your life? You are a teacher to your grandchildren, influencing what they think and do.

· Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water.

At Drinkaware we believe that alcohol should have no place in childhood. If you would like more information or resources, please visit www.drinkaware.ie

Grandparents can play a significant, positive role in the lives of grandchildren, at all stages of their development. In the 2020’s, grandparents are playing an increasing role in grandchildren’s lives. Today, you may spend longer being a grandparent than you did as a parent. Becoming a grandparent can be one of the most exciting times in life. Seeing your child becoming a parent and welcoming a new member into the family brings with it a time of new beginnings and relationships.

Celebrating Day

for every child, a future. If you choose to leave a gift in your Will to UNICEF Ireland, you will need the following details. Our Charity Number: 20008727 Registered Office: 33, Lower Ormond Quay, YouDublin.can also contact us directly to arrange a consultation with Pauline Murphy - our Gifts in Wills Manager and receive your Gifts in Wills guide. Tel. 01 878 3000 or Email: pauline@unicef.ie Founded in 1946 after World War II to provide emergency relief for children in post war times, UNICEF has worked relentlessly since then, reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children around the world. In terms of vaccines alone, UNICEF delivers over 2 billion vaccines doses each year, reaching 45% of the world’s children under five. But who will be there for children in the future?  There is a special way for you to help UNICEF so we can be there for every child. You can include a gift in your Will to UNICEF and give children the start in life they need. UNICEF is the world’s largest children’s organisation and works to create a better future for every child.

UNICEF/UNI371081/Párraga© UNICEF/UNI350358/Dejongh©

cost of living. Price increases taking ‘miracle food’ for malnourished children further out of reach

82 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

still at least 10 million severely malnourished children globally do not have access to RUTF. And with crises deepening in countries like Yemen, Somalia and Afghanistan, this year UNICEF is estimating that up to 600,000 additional children could miss out on this life-saving treatment.

UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power visits hospital ward for children suffering from malnutrition in Herat, Afghanistan in March 2022.

The opportunity for the global community to do something remarkable in fighting child malnutrition is there and UNICEF is at the forefront of this effort. Every day, more and more people from across the world are joining us and providing the critical funds that mean we can be there for children experiencing the food crisis.

The good news is that total available supply is currently not an issue. UNICEF’s network of over 20 local suppliers throughout the developing world have the capacity to produce enough RUTF. What is needed is funding. The total cost to treat a child with RUTF is only about US$100. That includes the actual food, the transportation, and the medical expertise for a typical 6-8 week treatment.

When you see a child suffering from severe malnutrition it is like looking at a shadow. It is truly frightening. Everything about them is dimmed. A child’s eyes should be bright and vibrant. But the eyes of a severely malnourished child are distant and drained. You are reaching for them. But they are only partly there.

For over a decade, I have witnessed UNICEF’s work for children in some of the most challenging environments in the world, but seeing children suffer like this is something one can never really come to terms with. No child should ever suffer for lack of food. Across the world, there are at least 13.6 million children under five suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition, or severe wasting. In this state, a child is essentially starving to death. You can see the first tell-tale signs with children who are too thin for their height. However, it is below the surface, where their immune system is slowly weakening, that the biggest danger Sometimes,lies.

dwelling on the sheer scale of the numbers can be overpowering. However, I take heart in knowing there are things we can do to protect every child. In fact, there is a very simple food which can bring children back from the brink. A food so revitalising that you can almost instantly see its impact immediately after it is given to a severely malnourished child. This 'mircle food' (as some people call it) can give every child Thishope.life-saving food is called “Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food” or RUTF. Made using a mixture of peanuts, sugar, oil, and milk powder, RUTF is remarkably effective and has saved the lives of countless children for decades. In UNICEFsupported nutrition centres 90 per cent of the children treated for severe acute malnutrition with RUTF recover. 90 per cent. An energy dense paste, it comes in easy-to-use individual sachets - containing 92 precious grammes of micronutrients. And it UNICEFworks.procures

Peter Power, UNICEF Ireland Executive Director explains why malnourished children are facing a deepening crisis as costs rise around the

Because every child, no matter where they live, has a right to get the food they need. Amid this worsening crisis, we couldn't be more thankful to our UNICEF community of supporters for offering hope to children when they need it most.

Aseel, in 2021 being measured and treated having suffered from malnutrition since he was 2 months old. Aseel, now almost three years old, is continuing to recover from severe malnutrition.

Theworld.

almost 80 per cent of the world’s RUTF, and last year delivered enough to treat an estimated 4.6 million children with severe malnutrition; a statistic we are particularly proud However,of.

That’s because our baseline cost projections (for just the next number of months) is for RUTF to increase by up to 16 per cent – without also factoring in rising shipping and delivery costs. These sachets of therapeutic paste, packed with critical protein and vitamins, are the difference between life and death for millions of children every year. And while a 16 per cent price increase may not sound catastrophic, when you are a malnourished child at the end of an over-stretched and underfunded global supply chain, the stakes could not be any higher.

©UNICEF/Yemen2022/Haleem ©UNICEF/Yemen2021/Faud ©UNICEF/Yemen2022/Fazel © UNICEF/Chad,2022/Dejonjh

our past: snapshots in time

Commemorations are respectful, often moving, always highly anticipated events. This one proved no exception.

Men who liberated Ledegem in Belgium (celebrated there each year), men who served in Gallipoli, South Africa, Central India. There are so many such heroic examples. Colonel Mark Weldon, Chair of the Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment Association provided informative links during the proceedings. The regiments represented on the day were: Connaught Rangers, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Royal

It’s not within the scope of this article to write a comprehensive history of The Leinster Regiment (1881 – 1922). Suffice to say, that information given here is an overview and hopefully, an encouragement to delve deeper into this particular historical period. In this time of centenaries, it’s worth mentioning some of The Leinster Regiment’s history and how the impact it had on life in the Irish Midlands (and beyond) is still felt today; in historical and artistic ways. On Sunday, 7th August last, I attended a ceremony on Barracks Street (Crinkle) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the disbandment of The Ulster Regiment. Its official name is The Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment, formed from what had once been two foot regiments; one based in Ireland and the other recruited in Canada, then a British colony. The barracks which housed them was built in Crinkle in 1809 -1810 (in a H-shape) mostly as a response to the Napoleonic War. The adjoining fourteen acres acted as a training ground. The Regiment’s effect on social, economic and cultural life was significant. At that time, the barracks served as a mini town in effect. It had its own church, prison, hospital, canteen. Its eventual disbandment in February, 1922, left a devastating absence in its wake. The daily life of Crinkle community suffered. The barracks had the potential to house 2,000, and when finally depleted, due to the events of Civil War, there was a noticeable economic dent.

Illuminating

Local dignitaries from religious, political and historical backgrounds, paid homage to the courage of men recruited from counties Offaly, Laois, Westmeath, Longford and Meath. Men who died in the First World War (four of whom received the Victoria Cross).

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Creative Writing

The spectacular illuminations on the wall of Crinkle Barracks

84 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

A story goes (perhaps apocryphal) that at one such military wedding, the groom got cold feet and backed out at the last minute. Rather than cause pain to the prospective bride, another man in uniform stepped forward, sparing her blushes.

On Saturday, 6th August, a visual feast took place; ‘The Luminaries’, focusing on The Leinster Regiment’s 100th anniversary since leaving Crinkle, animated by Visual Artist/Printmaker Caroline Conway. Caroline, who attended Edinburgh Arts College, specialises in creating animations which are then projected onto all sorts of ‘screens’. In this Pipers' Lament (pipers played a special commissioned piece at the commemoration ceremony).

Irish Regiment and South Irish Horse and The Leinsters. There was also representation from The Royal Munster Fusiliers. Against the backdrop of military uniform, pipers playing a lament (specially commissioned for the occasion), I noticed how nature herself seemed to bestow upon the occasion a sense of time and season. After all, when the barracks was destroyed (through fire), nature gradually overgrew what was left behind. Overhead, a lone low-flying plane from Crinkle’s airfield flew, a reminder of the acoustics of war. Swallows darted about, their streamlined bodies more than equipped for flight. I fancied a nest or two in the crumbling bricks on Military Road, returned to year after year after the long journey from Africa. A comforting imagining.

There’s laughter too. I was brought up on stories from the barracks. How, every Sunday, some of the regiment (who were Roman Catholics) walked the mile or so to Birr’s St Brendan’s Church, accompanied by their mascot goat. Pipers played and the goat danced, the whole way to town. A spectacle children came out to see. Stories about men returning from war with limbs missing. Children quaked to see them, not understanding the horrific backdrop of war, the courage these men of action proclaimed through their injuries. And of course, on Sunday 7th August, part of the ceremony included wreath laying. Beautiful red poppies were laid at the Obelisk nearby, built to honour and acknowledge, to celebrate and commemorate. Everyone was invited to lay a wreath, regardless of religious or political persuasion.

Tony Hayden leaves a wreath at the Leinster Regiment memorial

A large gathering sheltered beneath the leafy shade of an oak tree. In the distance, the inevitable sound of a dog barking contributed a domestic register. It’s sometimes easy to forget that the lives of real military men, their wives and children were played out on these Crinkle streets (and in nearby towns such as Birr). Lives that were hidden for the most part behind the walls of the Barracks. Yet, children were born, grew up, went to school here. Inevitably too, lives were lost from diseases much harder to manage then; diseases such as Cholera, Measles, Tuberculosis, among others. Celebrations took place too. Christenings, weddings.

The Regiment’s first colours were presented by the youthful Prince of Wales in 1859 before the troops were sent to serve in Gibraltar and Malta until 1866. From 1866 – 1868, they were in Canada. The Leinsters then returned to England for two years and in 1874 they went to Ireland. Their first tour of duty in India was from 1877 to 1894. There was opposition when the wearing of khaki uniforms was introduced in place of the white hot weather uniforms previously worn by the British Army. In 1887, the Countess of Dufferin presented new colours to the regiment, and the old colours with their battle honour ‘Niagara’ were sent to Canada and kept in the Library of Parliament in Ottawa.TheLeinster Regiment was disbanded on the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922. The barracks on Military Road was subsequently burnt out and destroyed by the Irregulars. Flames were seen long into the night, eventually reaching the clock in the turret. 3.30am was the time when they finally burnt out, leaving behind the ruins of an historical and military chapter.

When the ash settled, 41 years of living in Crinkle Barracks ended with all who remained of The Regiment walking up Military Road to begin their journey to Dublin (via train). Two carriages were loaded up with their possessions. Then a ship from Holyhead onto Colchester to join their military companions. ‘Birr Barracks and burials; a new military and family history record,’ is published by County Offaly Historian Stephen Callaghan. It’s well worth a read; offalyhistoryblog contains lots of relevant avenues to explore for those wishing to know more about this fascinating period of history. Although little tangible physical evidence remains of their presence (a portion of wall and entrance portal, the obelisk at Crinkle, a stained glass window in St Brendan’s Church), The Leinster Regiment stays is remembered in other ways. In exhibition form (Birr Library, Wilmer Road, among other establishments, contains an exhibition with interesting Militaria) but also, the history of The Leinster Regiment has inspired the creation of cultural engagement via the arts.

Some patients with bladder stones will have bloody urine, recurrent bladder infections and difficulty urinating. If they cause a blockage and the pet is unable to urinate, the stones can lead to a lifethreatening emergency. Bonnie was brought to our clinic in Inchicore, where our veterinary team leapt into action, giving her an X-ray and a scan. They identified that Bonnie needed urgent surgery, and thanks to our vets’ expertise and care, the operation was a success. Bonnie’s life was saved. Our vets and nurses gave Bonnie all the aftercare she needed – including the occasional belly rub, making her tail wag with Bladderhappiness!stones often require lifelong management for pets –that’s why our team have put Bonnie on special medication and a bespoke diet. She has regular check-ups at our Inchicore clinic to make sure that she is responding well to treatment.

Pets

Need Our Help, So We Need Yours

“The Irish Blue Cross is a fantastic resource, they have been so good to our two rescue dogs, but especially Bonnie, with her multiple surgeries and endless visits. We can always count on The Irish Blue Cross and we know Bonnie is in great hands with them. We appreciate all the staff so much, from the vets to the drivers of the mobile clinics.” –Bonnies ThankfullyOwner.forBonnie and her owner, The Irish Blue Cross team were there when they needed us. Today, she’s come through her ordeal, and is thriving. To support the lifesaving work that we do, you can donate online at www.bluecross.ie, or call us on 01-4163032

Senior Times | May - June 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 69Senior Times l May - June 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie Irish Blue Cross Appeal – Help Us Help Patients Like Bonnie

This is Bonnie, a 9-year-old Shih Tzu and beloved companion to her owner, Audrey. Bonnie had bladder stones caused by a bladder infection. She was suffering huge discomfort.

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Remembering the Irish Blue Cross in your will is a kind and generous gesture. It costs you nothing in your lifetime but your kindness makes a difference forever. Once loved ones are looked after in your will, consid er how else you can help. Let your love for pets live on as part of your legacy, and help safeguard the future of the Irish Blue Cross. To find out more, speak in strictest confidence with Paul at the Irish Blue Cross, on (01) 4163032 or email legacy@bluecross.ie. Have you considered leaving a legacy?

“Among Caroline Conway’s large repertoire are: ‘Mary Ward’s Amazing World of Wonder’. A scientist, microscopist and entomologist, Mary Ward came to prominence at a time when women could not aspire to membership of any learned society or obtain any degree or diploma. Mary Ward’s book Sketches with the Microscope was published privately (1857) but such was its contribution to science that a year later, Groomsbridge of London published it under the title ‘The World of Wonders as revealed by the Miscroscope’. Mary Ward was cousin to William Rosse at Birr Castle and while he looked to the stars with his Leviathan Telescope, Mary examined the minutae of life through the microscope. This project was first performed at the Mary Ward Heritage Centre, Ferbane and has subsequently been shown as part of Science Week, biodiversity Week, Maths Week, Offaly Heritage Seminar, Creative Engagements as an outdoor video mapped projection, with narration by Lalla Ward, Great Granddaughter of Mary Ward. Also, as part of the Illuminate ‘Herstory’ Festival and Vintage Luminaries.

Acknowledgements are due to Caroline Conway for access to her text and photography. To Ray Hayden (The Leinster Regiment Association) for his invaluable support re text and photography. Caroline’s work can be enjoyed on the following website;www.carolinefconway. com/-vintage-luminaries.html

case, her artistic interpretation of what happened at Crinkle Barracks was shown on what remains of the Barracks. This light show took place just as the last pinch of day ebbed away, making for a clearer viewing. It was an emotive sight; soldiers marching and also, to hear the sound of their marching boots. Plaintive pipes presented a mournful lamentation yet stirring too. It felt surreal; imagining the presence of soldiers filling the empty spaces behind the Barracks portal. Their red and blue uniforms appeared so vivid. Historical detail was effectively relayed in voice over. I was conscious of the 14 acres training ground nearby. Men preparing for war yet living peaceful lives behind the barracks walls.

86 Senior Times |September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Helen Roe, born in Mountrath, County Laois in 1895, inspired a projection onto the Old Fort Wall, County Laois.

Caroline’s illumination introduced audiences to the life of this remarkable woman and the significance of her historical achievements. During the First World War, Helen Roe joined the order of St John and enlisted in the British Red Cross as a Volunteer Aid Detachment. She served in military hospitals in Cambridge, Aldershot and Bray in County Wicklow.

Another project Caroline’s involvement has greatly enriched is ‘Cabinets of Curiosity’. The forerunners of modern museums, Cabinets of Curiosity were private collections of types of objects whose categorical boundaries were yet to be defined. Objects were collected according to chosen themes and displayed without context. The Cabinets were a form of propaganda and glorification for their patrons. In Renaissance Europe, the context was often omitted in order to include objects that did not have a justified place in the collection or to hide the fact of the collector’s lack of knowledge.

Caroline also works with children, passing on her extensive skills. An event which featured at the Dunamaise Theatre, Portlaoise on Easter Monday, 2017, as part of the Creative Ireland initiative, featured a live performance by John Spillane and Lonrach (Music Generation, Laois,) of his song for Laois, ‘One Hundred Snow White Horses’. The children of Paddock NS, worked with Caroline on this animation. Who knows what marvels will come next?

‘The Luminaries’ or Illuminations is a highly skilled art form and a very popular one. Caroline’s talent has attracted large crowds who marvel at such rich enactment while sharing a personal and collective experience. She brings the magic of history to life. Of the Luminaries at Crinkle, Ray Hayden (The Leinster Regiment Association) said: “It graphically illustrated in this snapshot, the history of this proud Irish Regiment. It brought the regiment back to life and gave a fresh perspective to a new audience who perhaps never fully appreciated the Leinster or their military prowess on the Western Front.”

The stained glass window at St Brendan’s church Members of the regiment at the commemoration ceremony

Further and more detailed information about The Leinster Regiment can be found on the Association’s website: leinsterregiment-association.org.uk/wp

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‘My gut feeling was telling me ‘something is wrong’ but I didn’t think it was cancer. Other than the hiccups I wasn’t feeling in any way ill. I could have very easily ignored it, or put it off. I think it’s important to realise that just because you don’t fit in the statistics, doesn’t mean you won’t be at risk.’

Now, five years post surgery, Noeleen has been discharged from City Hospital. ‘It’s all about perspective. My son-in-law once told me that you’re always going to be seeing the worst cases in the hospital, people going through their worst. But with charity meetups and events, I’ve been able to see people post-recovery, enjoying a great life. It’s given me a much more positive outlook.

Recognising the signs and symptoms of oesophageal cancer is crucial to early diagnosis. Consult your GP if the following symptoms have been ongoing for more than three weeks: persistent indigestion, difficulty swallowing or food sticking, heartburn acid reflux, hiccupping that won’t go away, unexplained weight loss.

For those currently undergoing treatment, Noeleen shares her words of advice: ‘Take each day as it comes. Hopefully each day you will feel better, that’s what happened to me. Try not to think too far ahead. ‘Keep in touch with groups like OG Cancer NI for advice and information, but try not to look on the ‘worst sites’try and stay positive.’

Noeleen McMorris pictured with the OGNI van at the campaign launch Notes

‘I think the campaign is very important, added Noeleen. ‘People still don’t understand that anyone can get it. Be aware of changes in swallowing, reflux or hiccups and get it checked out.

When Derry-native Noeleen McMorris found herself with a regular influx of hiccups, indigestion and a change in swallowing habits, she knew something was wrong. Believing it was a side effect of medication, a routine GP appointment and a guidelines scope referral was only the beginning. September 2016 saw Noeleen diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. Quickly becoming overwhelmed with feelings of fear, anxiety and utter dread, she started into her journey of scans, CT and ultrasounds. ‘Thankfully I was fit enough for chemotherapy,’ Noeleen told Northern Notes. ‘I was given two rounds and then had an oesophagectomy in March 2017. I was then told it was stage two cancer. ‘Although it was a big shock, I was glad I had gone to the doctor early. I could so easily have ignored it and not done anything for months. I was really grateful my GP was on the ball and pushed for an endoscopy because I had a healthy lifestyle and didn’t fit the typical statistics of being an older man, a smoker or a drinker.’ Noeleen had a reasonably uneventful recovery process, with her strength returning as the years have passed. For her, talking about it is just as much part of the progress as recovery.

OG Cancer was a great help for advice and support, and still are.’

Derry cancer survivor reveals importance of awareness

More information about the OG Cancer Mobile Unit is available on the website. For more information about Oesophago-Gastric cancer or support, go to https://ogcancerni.com/

Northern

By Debbie Orme 88 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

‘I still have some side effects of surgery in recovery, such as dumping syndrome and tiredness, but I have learnt the coping mechanisms. I eat hourly during the day and need to watch what I eat and I look at this as a small price to pay for what I have. I’m still able to meet up with friends and travel with family. Life is different, but it’s still good.

‘Overall, it has been a rollercoaster but I’m well enough down the line now to appreciate that I am healthy. I deal with the symptoms, and I know how to adjust to cope with them and I positively encourage myself to eat healthily and eat properly.’

OG Cancer NI is a Northern Ireland based charity that supports patients and carers facing an oesophageal or stomach cancer diagnosis, while also aiming to raise awareness of the early symptoms of the illness. In line with these aims, OG Cancer NI has recently launched its new mobile unit. As the unit makes its way across Northern Ireland it will serve as a support for those currently receiving treatment, worried about symptoms, or the recently diagnosed. The long-term objective of the mobile unit is to spread awareness in order to increase survival rates.

Northern

• Fermanagh & Omagh 25th/26th March 2023: One of the first programmed walks for the 2023. Walks include Gortin Lakes, Mullaghcarn, Tattynure to Bessy Bell, Sloughan Glen & Bollaght Mt.

• Mid 24th/25thUlsterSeptember 2022: In co-operation with Embrace Tours and local guides, the heartland of Mid-Ulster offers some exciting and significant walking routes. Walks include Glenaruddagh Mt, Davagh Forest, Moydamlaght Forest to Glenshane Pass over Mullaghmore, Moydamlaght Forest looped walk to Eagle’s Rock.

For further information/booking, visit: https://farandwild.org/land/or sperrins-walking-festival/www.sperrinspartnershipproject.com/https://

Aspects programmelaunchesFestival2022

90 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

• Causeway Coast & Glens 3rd/4th September 2022: Explore the natural and human history in the Northern Sperrins with two challenging walks looking at late Bronze Age to current day heritage. Walks include Banagher Dam and Donald’s Hill to Sconce Fort.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, pictured with Aspects Festival Director Patricia Hamilton and crime authors Jason Johnson and Anthony J Quinn at the launch of Aspect’s 2022 programme.

Get your walking boots ready for the first Sperrins Walking Programme taking place September 2022 and March 2023 across Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB). The programme, developed and delivered by The Sperrins Partnership and outdoor experts Far and Wild, is designed to help walkers of all abilities to enjoy this beautiful landscape as well as promoting health, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

This year’s Aspects Festival is happening from 22 September to 2 October! Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to present a return to Aspect’s first full programme since 2019. Aspects Festival has always been committed to promoting Irish writing from well-known authors, as well as showcasing local and emerging talent and this year is no different! With events celebrating historic writing, politics, sports and history, there are plenty of events on offer across all genres of literature including book launches, new writing and discussions. Author Malachi O’Doherty makes a return to Aspects to discuss his latest book and the Festival is delighted to welcome back best-selling authors Martina Devlin and Jan Carson to talk about their latest works. Jan and Martina will also be facilitating some exciting writing workshops aimed at aspiring writers, and local crime-writers Anthony J Quinn and Jason Johnson will be launching their new books at the festival. A very special Aspects extra event will take place on 9 October when, just after the main programme, Phil Coulter will appear at Bangor Castle to talk about his song-writing, his memoir and his life. ‘Aspects Festival is always such a wonderfully inspiring celebration of writing,’ said Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, ‘and we are proud that it is one of the longest running literature festivals in Ireland. With such a varied programme, there really is something on offer for everyone and I would encourage people to get their tickets and come along and enjoy these fantastic events.’

For full programme and tickets, visit aspectsfestival.com

‘The Sperrins is a diverse upland environment and superb location for walking in the heart of historic Ulster,’ says Lawrence McBride from Far and ‘ItWild.isalso a living and working landscape, where people dwell and earn their livelihoods, and have done since neolithic times. This makes it a fascinating destination for visiting and local walkers alike, replete with natural and human heritage for over 8,000 years. We are delighted to be back leading walks across 4 areas of the greater Sperrins hills, and engaging local communities and other excellent walk leaders to help deliver an insightful and fulfilling programme.’

Sperrins Walking Programme and dates are:

Best foot forward in the Sperrins

Notes

Sperrins Walking participants will not only enjoy discovering a destination filled with unique tourism experiences, but a great choice of walks ranging from leisurely strolls to more demanding longer walks, all in small groups, guided by experienced leaders.

• Derry City & Strabane 17th/18th September 2022: Sperrins & Killeter features a wide variety of walks including Balix Boardwalk and Loop, Craignamaddy Loop, Carnanelly- Oughtmore- Goles, Leitrim Hill, Derg Lodge to the Derg River, Carrickaholten- Golandun McHugh-Causeway.

Visit: concern.net/legacy

While the threat of mass starvation looms, Concern Worldwide is call ing for more people to help them protect vulnerable families like Ahmed’s from the hunger caused by drought and climate change.

Although the future looks brighter for Ahmed and his children, many families are still not safe from climate change. The World Bank predicts that the coming changes in weather patterns could force more than 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030. And by 2050, it may internally displace 143 million people from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and Latin America.

Colm, who’s leaving a gift in his Will to Concern Worldwide, Co. Galway

Seeing his crops wither before his eyes, Ahmed did everything he could to save them, but without water, it wasn’t enough. He had nothing to eat and nothing to sell at the market. The pain of hunger began to take hold of his children. Even if his family were to survive the current crisis, he could only wonder how his children would ever live through the more formi dable droughts of the future.

your Will to Concern, please contact

Miracle innovation It was in this desperate situation that Concern Worldwide, Ireland’s largest international aid charity, and their generous community of supporters, were able to provide a lifeline for Ahmed. For 54 years, the charity has been helping people from the world’s poorest communi ties to build lives free from hunger. In Ahmed’s case, escaping hunger meant achieving something that seemed impossible to him – find ing a way to turn his dusty fields green again despite the onslaught of the current drought. But thanks Life-saving innovation

Communities face the threat of mass starvation as the climate crisis worsens.

Ahmed, Somalia

POST-HARVESTMANAGEMENT When crops are harvested, more secure storage techniques can protect them from being spoiled by insects and fungi later.

Leaving a legacy of hope for future generations Siobhán O’Connor, from Concern, advises people who want to leave a gift in their Will to the charity. “The gifts that our generous supporters of a world without find out more about leaving a gift in Siobhán O’Connor at Concern Worldwide today.

Phone: 01 417 8020 E-mail: siobhan.oconnor@concern.net

“With the seeds Concern provided, I was able to harvest a lot more and help my family, it changed everything.”

Faith in the future: new miracle innovations could save thousands of lives from climate disaster

In some parts of the Horn of Africa, there hasn’t been a single drop of rain in three years. Dead cows lie decaying by the road, overcome by dehydration. Across Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, the dust-filled plains are so bare of vegetation that they don’t attract any animals. The villages are just as quiet. The hustle and bustle of families cooking or working has fallen silent. Children who haven’t eaten for days do nothing but sit still in their huts, too tired and sick to It’smove.the same dire, drought-rav aged situation across all the coun tries in the Horn of Africa. Right now, 16 million people are acutely food insecure. It’s estimated one person dies of hunger every 48 seconds. And as climate change causes more extreme weath er patterns, experts predict that droughts like these will become even more frequent, and last even longer, with devastating effects for future generations. Living in hunger Ahmed, a farmer in Somalia, and his children, live on the frontline of the climate crisis. He inherited his land from his father who was a farmer before him. But with each year that has gone by since he was a boy, he has seen less and less rain falling on the family farm. The soil has become so dry that he can no longer grow the nutritious corn and sorghum that once helped him put food on the table.

“ I am proud to know that, even when I am gone, my support will continue to save lives.”

As climate change brings the worst drought in 40 years to the Horn of Africa, Concern Worldwide supporters are helping local farmers use new techniques to save their families and communities from starvation.

leave in their Wills have the power to change so much,” Siobhán told us. She continued, “That single act of kindness goes far beyond helping one family protect them selves from hunger – it lives on through the years, from generation to generation, helping the families and children of the future survive even the deadliest drought.”

For decades, Concern Worldwide has been bringing life-saving solutions to people facing the climate crisis. The miraculous results have been nothing short of life-changing for thousands of families.

More and more compassionate people across Ireland are now moving to support Concern’s vision to build a hunger-free world. Siobhán explains, “Our community is united by a simple belief that no one should ever have to suffer the pain of hunger. If you share in this belief, I would encourage you to consider joining us today. No gift is too small or big, every donation will help build a world free from hunger.”

CROP VARIETY DIVERSIFICATION& chanceseedsDrought-resistantincreasetheofasuccessfulcrop,evenindryconditions,toprotect families from hunger. IRRIGATION When an area receives no enrichingpumpinginnovativerainfall,watersystemscanbringvital,moisturetobarrensoil.

When people leave a gift in their Will to Concern, they’re giving hope to children, families and communi ties facing future challenges of the climate crisis, by supporting this life-saving agricultural programme.

hunger If you’d like to request your free brochure to

The future threat of climate change

Find out how you can be part

climate-resilient

to supporters who left a gift in their Will to the charity, Concern has the resources to build climate-smart agricultural programmes that can support Ahmed and families like his. They provide the tools and training that, even in the driest conditions, help farmers grow nourishing food. Together, Concern and its support ers were able to provide Ahmed with a wide range of drought-re sistant seeds, and training on how to grow them. The results have been nothing short of mi raculous – today, his once-barren land is sprouting thousands of fruit-bearing trees. With the in come he’s earning from selling the

BEFORE AFTER

produce, he can afford to feed his children again. And when they’re old enough, they will learn these life-changing skills from Ahmed, which they can pass on to their own children, ensuring future gen erations live a life free from hunger.

Cosmetics and beauty Under the layers..

skin and lock in moisture. Dermalogica Hyaluronic Ceramide Mistworks really well here, particularly for mature skin as it uses four types of hyaluronic acid to help the skin hold on to water for longer lasting hydration. Next apply our serum, and again choose one that will really hydrate your skin such as Skin Veg hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum from Skingredients. Serum is very important, so whatever brand you choose, remember to tap it gently into the skin and follow with your chosen moisturiser. Next apply a rich moisturiser and finish up with a good sunscreen that has an SPF of 30. If you do all that, your skin will be glowing and well protected against the elements for whatever the day might bring.

I wrote previously about Mairead Robinson explains how you benefit by correctly applying your skin products.

Layering your skincare products is a very similar process between the morning and evening applications; however there are small changes for each. For example, in the morning or early day you would want to apply sunscreen. This would not be needed during the evenings. Additionally, adding products that include retinol should be done during the evening as contact with the sun can negate the benefits of the retinol. These products are best used before you climb into bed for the night as they can be working their magic while you sleep. And so to the morning routine. Start with cleansing, this is sometimes only considered at night time, to remove make up, but it is essential to cleanse in the morning so you have a clean base to start. This will also remove any traces of sweat on your skin. Follow this by lightly exfoliating your skin, as this will ensure all dead skin cells are removed. This should be followed by a light hydrating mist that will saturate you

Today caring for your skin no longer means just washing it and applying cream. According to the huge amount of research that has been carried out in recent years into caring for your skin, and developing anti-aging products and treatments, it is both extensive, elaborate and usually target based on your own skin concerns and needs. And so layering your skincare the right way can make all the difference when it comes to getting the most out of your products. We all know the rule of thumb is to go from thinnest to thickest and the simple reason for this is absorption. If a thicker product is applied first, it can prevent the thinner layers from absorbing into the skin and working their magic. This is why you apply your serum before your moisturiser. Also if you use a mask, this must be applied last, usually at night, and it is pointless to apply any other products on top of the mask, as they simply will not get absorbed into the skin.

92 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Then to the night routine. Of course you start by cleansing and choose a cleanser that will remove all your eye makeup too.

You may only require a small number of copies of your book. Self-publishing allows you the freedom to do this, and using Lettertec’s high-tech, modern print technology, we can provide you with this unique service. This is another example of the fact that you are in control of how your book is made when you choose to self-publish.

Re-ordering Lettertec will store your book digitally, which means we can reprint it for you at any time in the future if you wish. This service is extremely beneficial if you opt for a short first print run, only to find that your book is in high demand. You will have total control of your own story. To find out more about self-publishing your story visit selfpublishbooks.ie, or call 021 488 3370 seven reasons why self- publishing may be perfect for

Here are

Testing the market Because your book may be for a niche or specialised group, self-publishing can be a great way of ‘testing’ the market. A small number of printed books can, for example, serve as an indication of how successful a larger quantity of books would be. Some authors request ‘review copies’ for them to present to publishing houses. Lettertec’s expert advisers will help you to create and position your book in the best possible way to reach your target market.

As a self-published author, you fully own the rights to your book, whereas if one were to use a traditional publishing company, the publisher would own those rights. They may, for example, decide to stop printing and distributing your book, preventing you from printing additional copies unless you purchase the rights back. By opting to self-publish, Lettertec will simply produce your book in the way that you want, and you will retain all of the rights to your story.

Short print runs

A niche market Your book may appeal to a niche or specialised market (e.g., the history of your local sports club) and therefore may not be of interest to a large publishing house. In this case, self-publishing allows you to control the production of your book, and our advisers will assist you with reaching this niche market.

Time Going through a publishing company usually takes a very long time, with authors having to wait their turn in long publishing catalogues. Many authors spend months, or even years waiting to hear back from traditional publishing houses. Whereas, if you choose to self-publish with Lettertec your book can be ready for bookstore shelves and online within just four weeks of us receiving your print-read files.

It’s your book – the way you want it

Your story is a reflection of you, the writer. Selfpublishing gives you complete control over the direction of your book. The decisions are exclusively yours and are not limited by third parties with interests and intentions that differ from your own, such as that of traditional publishing companies. You are the sole decider, and the final product will be exactly what you want it to be, without any compromises.

Protecting your rights as an author

you. Courtesy of Lettertec 4213 657

Cleanse thoroughly, morning and night. recommended by medical experts that we use SPF every day in the Irish weather. Besides protecting against skin cancer, it will also help in the on-going battle against skin aging. Stay glowing this autumn, and be skinaware.

top releasescontinuouslytechnologyactionsleep.whileappearancethethatproducttransformsskin’syouMulti-hydrating

Cosmetics and beauty 94 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

– My Wrinkles Eye Repair Cream from This Works is just the job to treat those crow’s feet. Active ingredient Bakuchiol helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and creases while Crambe Seed Oil and antioxidant-rich Oat Extract help

sooth, hydrate and reinforce the natural lipid barrier. Slow release Vitamin C and plumping Hyaluronic Acid help under eyes appear brighter, plumped and smoothed. There are several good eye creams out there, and for mature skin it is certainly a very important product to use. And finally you need a really rich moisturiser that will feed and replenish your skin while you sleep. Image Ageless Total MasqueRetinolovernight

the benefits of double cleansing, and you will b e surprised at how your skin will benefit from this. Again follow with a good serum that will absorb into your skin and provide maximum hydration.

Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum works very well for night use. And so to one of my favourite products, and something that should never be left out in any skin care routine. A good eye cream

recommended for maximum skin care and protection. However, if you would like to just keep it simple, the important points to remember are:-

microspheres of marine collagen to lock in moisture and delivers retinol deep into the skin to support intensive collagen remodelling Whileovernight.allthis skincare might sound far too much to you – it is perfectly okay to just slim down your skin care routine to the basics. The procedure above is

THIS legacies.1todoctorsALEGACY.YOURISnewgenerationofnurses,andmidwives,trainedcareforthemostvunerable.in6projectsarefundedby Registered Number 464033 Charity Number CHY 18196 2015Nepal,Havana,OmarPhoto: A gift in your will can heal and save lives. To request your free brochure with more information please return this coupon, visit msf.ie/legacy, or phone Ruth on 01-2815184. Yes, please send me a legacy brochure County:Town:Address:Name: Eircode: Send to: Ruth Hanahoe, MSF, 9 Upper Baggot Street, Freepost F4763, Dublin 4

Thetheacclaimrolesplaying1820LanejoinedgrewherainDruryappearancefirstinLane1808.AftershakystartconfidenceandshetheDruryCompanyinandwassoonleadingtogreatfromcritics.ButTimescriticwas not impressed, describing her as ‘as a face and features well adapted to her profession but [an actress] not likely to make a great impression on a London audience, or to figure among stars of the first Shemagnitude.’madeher Paris debut in 1827 in Sheridan’s The Rivals but received negative reviews.where she left a lasting in a production of Hamlet. As one reported:newspaper ‘Miss Smithson acted the scene in which, robbed of her sanity, she takes her own veil to be her father's body with utmost grace and truth. The whole passage which seemed long and relatively insignificant and even exaggerated in reading, had tremendous impact on stage. The most remarkable feature of her acting is her pantomime; she adopts fantastic postures; and she poses the dying fall in her inflections, without ever ceasing to be natural..’ In the audience on that first night of Hamlet was, arguably, after Beethoven, the most original composer of the nineteenth century - Hector Berlioz. (1803-1869). Berlioz’s father was a doctor and it was expected Hector, too, would pursue medicine. He did attend medical school for a time before, to the consternation of his family, he decided on music as a profession. He was accepted as a student at the Paris Conservatoire but his refusal to follow the traditional rules and teachings of the ultra conservative professors soon had him labelled an enfant terrible. But he came round to toeing the establishment line which enabled him to

Harriet Smithson: for years she ignored the extraordinary advances of Hector Berlioz, but eventually in 1832 she accepted an invitation to attend one of his concerts.

John Low traces the troubled relationship between actress Harriet Smithson and Hector Berlioz

History

96 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Hector Berlioz, after Beethoven is, arguably, the most original composer of the nineteenth century

The composershistory’swhowomanIrishwontheloveofoneofgreatest

Born in 1800, Harriet Smithson was an actress from Ennis, Co Clare. Both her father and mother were actors and she made her stage debut in Dublin aged 14. Her performance received rave reviews and for the next few years she travelled the length and breadth of Ireland in various productions, playing anything from light roles to Shakespeare. Ambitious for greater challenges, she was attracted to London and made her

Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 97

win France’s premier music prize – the Prix de Rome – in 1830. In his lifetime opinion was divided for many years between those who thought him a genius and those who viewed his music as incoherent, particularly when the vast instrumental forces he often called for in his works -- including armies of brass and drums of all sizes – often resulting in an earth-shattering blaze of sounds which audiences had never heard Thebefore.first night Hamlet performance turned out to be life-changing for Smithson and Berlioz. Berlioz recalls in his memoirs: ‘I come now to the supreme drama of my life. An English company had come over to Paris to give a season of Shakespeare at the Odeon. I was at the first night of Hamlet. In the role of Ophelia I saw Harriet Smithson. The impression made on my heart and mind by her extraordinary talent, nay, her dramatic genius, was equalled only by the havoc wrought in me by the poet she so nobly interpreted.

Dramatic symphony Roméo et Juliette and the dramatic legend La Damnation de Faust Song cycle Les Nuits d’été (Summer Nights). Among his best known overtures are Le Roi Lear, Le Carnaval Romain and Le Corsaire .

Smithson eventually retired from the stage in 1836. She left their apartment in 1843, ten years after they were married. Over the next few years her health deteriorated and she suffered a series of strokes. She died in 1853. She was buried at Cimetière Saint-Vincent, Paris but Berlioz later had her body re-interred at the Montmartre Cemetery where they

She became jealous of his success and there were stories that she often physically abused him. While he continued to support her financially their relationship was now toxic and he embarked on a series of affairs before becoming seriously involved with the opera singer Marie Recio who would become his second wife.

If that were not enough his beloved son Louis died abroad with yellow fever. Berlioz died aged 66 on 8th March 1869.

Symphonie Fantastique and Harold in Italy. Choral works the Requiem and L'Enfance du Christ, His three operas Benvenuto Cellini, Les Troyens and Béatrice et Bénédict.

But while Berlioz was feted far and wide, Smithson’s career was going from bad to worse, not helped by her organising and appearing in a number of financially disastrous productions.

History

United in death.. the grave of Hector Berlioz, buried with his two wives, Harriet Smithson and Marie Recio, in Montmartre Cemetery, Paris

both rest today, along with his second wife. Like Smithson Berlioz’s final years were marred by illness no doubt brought on by an exhausting series of European tours . He also had to endure the crushing loss of Smithson – despite their battles, bitterness and break-up he always held a candle for her – as well as the sudden death of his second wife.

‘I read Moore; his melodies draw tears from me from time to time. He is her compatriot: Ireland, always Ireland! That is all I can say’. His recollections were, to put it mildly, selective. According to friends he was completely besotted with Smithson and today he would probably be arrested for stalking. Apart from writing her almost daily letters and sending her flowers he even rented an apartment close to her own so that he could follow her Formovements.yearsshe ignored his extraordinary advances, but eventually in 1832, after numerous rejections, she accepted an invitation to attend one of his concerts. They met after the concert and quickly became lovers. Berlioz soon proposed marriage and her initial reaction was lukewarm, and both families and friends were against the union. Berlioz persisted and they were married at the British Embassy in Paris on 3 October 1833. Liszt was a witness. Just over a year later the couple’s only child Louis was born. The first few years of the marriage were happy and Berlioz was enjoying huge success across Europe both as a composer and as a conductor. His works were applauded for their dramatic intensity and originally. His most celebrated composition, then and now, was the Symphonie Fantastique, an episodic work said to have been inspired by his early infatuation with Smithson. Fellow composers and critics have been in awe of him for the last one hundred and fifty years or so, despite falling out of favour in the decades following his death. César Franck once said that ‘Berlioz’s whole output is made up of masterpieces’. And there’s a story that Paganini fell at his feet and declared him the rightful successor to Beethoven. In more recent times George Bernard Shaw said: ‘Call no conductor sensitive in the highest degree to musical impressions until you have heard him in Berlioz and Mozart.’

Berlioz selected works Berlioz’s  catalogue of compositions was enormous. His music can be challenging because it is so  original but his output is well worth exploring. Here are a few suggested works:

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98 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

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Surgery Now, means Surgery in weeks, not years

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You could go private and pay out of pocket or like most unfortunates in Ireland, you just wait for a call to arrange your appointment; all too often a call that never comes. The Cross Border Directive scheme is an entitlement that allows you to get your surgery now, and it is available to all patients waiting for their treatment. This is not Turkey or Estonia, this is Spain; Europe’s most visited country and a leader in the medical sector. Surgery Now works with some of the best hospitals in the world in terms of five-star service, the quality of the facilities and the staff.

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SeniorTimes magazine is published by S&L Promotions Ltd SeniorTimes, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6 • Tel: 01 496 9028 • Email info@slp.ie It’s also the ideal gift for a friend or loved one for their birthday, retirement or other special occasion. We will even send a personalised card with the first issue. To subscribe or to find out more – Call us on 01 496 9028 or go to www.seniortimes.ie or send your cheque or postal order (made payable to SeniorTimes) to SeniorTimes, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6 €40 for 8 deliveredissuestoyourdoor Why not subscribe to Ireland’s magazine for people who don’t act their age?

DUBLIN LADY 70s GSOH, NS, SD WLTM kind, sincere gent for friendship to share and enjoy the simple pleasurers of retirement. Ideally this man will be independent, healthy, generous of spirit with general interests to include walking, talking, cooking together, going on out ings, drives in the country, cosy evenings in winter. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O12

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O9

SOUTH DUBLIN LADY MIS 60s, NS, SD, GSOH, loving, attractive, average height, very friendly, good conversa tionist. Interests include music, sailing, tennis, walking, weekends away. WLTM gent 60s to 70s.

OFFALY MAN, 70s, NS, SD, tall, looking for a romantic woman 60s -70s for socialising, interests include walking, reading and winter holidays.

NORTH WEST MALE, EARLY 70s, NS, SD, academic, interested in arts, classical music, theatre, concerts, history, country life, reading, golf. WLTM lady 60-60s with similar interests for companionship/rela tionship anywhere ins Ireland.

NOTE: When replying to advertisements give only your telephone number and/or email address. DO NOT give your postal address

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O2

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O6

‘PRETTY WOMAN’. Widow, North Co Dublin WLTM man for friendship/ relationship in his 70s and a NS for chats, outings and caring and sharing. . Warm and loyal with very GSOH and good company. NS and non-driver. I am good company. Take a chance on me!

RETIRED LADY NURSE WLTM genu ine, sincere, romantic gent aged 60s to 70s from Dublin and surrounds. Interested include reading, walking, piano music, nature and animals.

NORTH CO DUBLIN MAN 70S, GSOH, NS, ND, likes the outdoors, travel, gar dening and cooking. Courteous, friendly respectful, various interests. WLTM lady with some or similar interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O7 DOWN TO EARTH DUBLIN MALE, 69, SEPERATED. Young at heart, slim build, fairly fit, NS, SD . Neat appearance and dresses well with a GSOH. Likes the great outdoors, country walks and hikes.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A8

MUNSTER WIDOWER EARLY 60s. Re tiring soon. Tall, dark, slim. Interests in clude current affairs, sport and gardening. WLT, a nice lady with similar interests to share the good times together.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A6

CARLOW MAN, 6ft, LATE 70s, widow er with GSOH, SD. Retired professional with interests in sports, meeting people, dining out and current affairs. WLTM a lady around own age for friendship and socializing, preferably in Leinster.

QUALIFIED Massage Therapist 60 ( Dublin Based ) would like to meet mature Ladies and couples for Massage.I have my own place in Dublin 12. ( 3 miles from Dublin City Centre ) I can accommodate overnight. There is no charge for this mas sage or for accommodation. Go on why not enjoy a nice massage and do some shopping in Dublin as well.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A9

TRAVEL BUDDIES Reinvigorating. Connect with like minded people by joining established group, covering all regions, which facilitates meetups for breaks, walking trips, shows, events etc. Individual and group partners-in-travel arrangements at home and abroad are en abled. Include mobile number and email please in reply.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O10

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O13

LONELY WIDOW from Leinster, full of warmth and kindness, dignified, good appearance, keen sense of humour, family grown up. Seek a warm, personable, educated gent to share coffee and conversation. Age range 75-85.

SOUTHSIDE, FIT, MALE, 60 (looks younger!) WLTM a mature lady of simi lar age for holidays at home and abroad.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O14

PLEASANT NORTH CO DUBLIN FEMALE, 60s, NS, SD, seeks the com pany of a kind, respectful gent to share happiness in retirement years. Interests include cinema, theatre, all kinds of mu sic, afternoon drives, travel at home and abroad etc.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K1

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A7

WELSH-BORN PROFESSIONAL MALE. 69, divorced, into arts, now living in Wexford rural retreat. Seeking similar fit and intelligent lady who enjoys love, laughter, the sound of woodpeckers as much as jazz. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O4 LEINSTER WIDOW GOOD NATURED, full of the joys of life. Re tired from a profession. Lots of interests. WLTM a personable, refined, educated gent for chats. Preferably a widower 8085. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O5 COUNTY DUBLIN GENT, MID 60s, NS, SD, slim, fit and good appearance, GSOH, Interests include walking, reading, concerts, music, travel, eating out, current affairs. WLTM lady 60-70 with a GSOH.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A10

DUBLIN MALE 60 SEEKS MALE TRAVELLING COMPANION 50-70 for holiday to Thailand to enjoy the lovely weather, meet gorgeous, friendly ladies, great nightlife and food.

Meeting Place

SOUTH EAST RETIRED FEMALE, NS, own home with an additional apart ment (sleeps two). Enjoys a change of scene. Would like to explore a reciprocal exchange arrange Kilkenny City/Dun Laoghair-Rathdown with corresponding home owner (or apartment) for occasion al night or weekend. Cork or Galway cities also of interest or coastal areas close by.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A1

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REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O1

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O3

KILKENNY LADY EARLY 70s, young at heart. Interests include walking, sport, eating out and travel. Kind, attractive. WLTM gent with similar interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A2

DUBLIN LADY, 67, WLTM ladies and gents for socialising., days, trips, concerts, weekends away and general craic.

DUBLIN MALE NATURIST 60 (looks younger) single, WLTM a nice, broad minded, uninhibited, mature lady to join a naturists club and to travel abroad on naturists holidays.

100 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

Likes travelling abroad and weekends away. Likes concerts, dining out, classical music and history. WLTM a nice feminine lady with similar tastes and outlook.

SINGLE WATERFORD LADY, 64. Retired, GSOH. Interests include country music concerts, classical music, history, reading, arts and crafts, TV and radio. Seeks penfriends and soulmates currently living in the South East. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O11

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A5

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER O8

TALL SINGLE PROFESSIONAL LADY living in South Dublin WLTM a tall single NS Irish professional gent aged 68-75 for socializing and maybe a relationship. Many interest including ballroom dancing, concert going, theatre, travelling, eating out, current affairs, GAA, swimming. Must be of generous nature.

DUBLIN GENT, 60, WLTM lady of similar age from the capital or surround ing area. Enjoy the simple pleasures such as weekends away, concerts, eating out etc. If you’re a lady who likes a laugh and is a genuinely happy person we might get along great!

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). | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

REPLY TO BOX K18

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.

ATTRACTIVE WIDOW late sixties, living in Dublin, NS, SD, GSOH, enjoys playing golf, bridge, reading, music and travel. WLTM likeminded gentleman mid 60's to late 70's, for companionship and to share common interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K9

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K5 SOUTH DUBLIN WOMAN M 59, independent, straight-talking, fit, outdoors type with own unique sense of style, seeks company of like-minded professional man circa 60 to enjoy - exchanging views, sometimes walking my dogs, watching sport, dining out, occasional weekends away and holidays.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K17

101

CAVAN MAN 72 WLTM lady 60-70 from Cavan or surrounding areas. Live in the country and like most kinds of music, In terests include indoor and outdoor events, outings, dining out, dancing, theatre, cine ma. . I’m honest and since and if you are a nice genuine lady please get in touch.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K14

TO REPLY TO AN ADVERTISEMENT

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K13

SOUTH EAST FEMALE, 58, WLTM tall male who enjoys the theatre and garden. I’m interested in friendship and possible romance. I am 5 foot 7 and have English accent. Reading, theatre, sea and garden are things I enjoy must. Good sense of humour important. If anyone would like to meet up I would be delighted to hear.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K3

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K6 SOUTH DUBLIN LADY 70s, WLTM ladies/gents for friendship, Love to dance, meet for coffee, Chat, walk, and have a good laugh. This lady is fun with a good sense of humour and would like to meet likewise.

NORTH MUNSTER RETIRED WIDOW, warm and caring with a posi tive and youthful outlook enjoying varied interests & exploring new ones, WLTM a NS genuine, caring, sociable gent early 70s who has a GSOH to explore common interests and share life's adventures.

DUBLIN GENT 60s, medium height. Enjoy reading, walking, cosy nights in, eating out etc. WLTM lady from Dublin or surrounding area with a view to a long term relationship.

NORTH KILDARE LADY, 70s, NS, SD. Interests include country walks, nature, wildlife, theatre, historic buildings, and travel.WLTM gent with similar interests.

TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K15 KILDARE MAN 65 suffering from recent bereavement wishes to find a sympathetic lady to talk to. Interests include painting in oils. Have a large house with a room to accommodate a lady.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K10

PROFESSIONAL RETIRED DUBLIN MAN, 70s, WLTM nice lady from Dublin or surrounding area. ND, SD. Various interests and like to travel a lot.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K20

CLARE MAN MID 60s, single, no ties. Kind, sincere and caring, very socialable. NS, SD, love traditional and C&W music, gardening and going to events. WLTM down to earth, caring, honest lady in her early 60s with similar interests and from the same area or adjoining counties for friendship and possible relationship..

Ifwords.youare 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 23rd October 2022.

Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live, noting your interests. The advertisement should not be more than 60

If you are interested in meeting someone of the opposite or same sex, send your advertise ment, 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: IMPORTANTjohn@slp.ie

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K16 ‘HAPPY IN JEANS’. Co Meath lady, 65, WLTM gent roughly same age for coffee, or lunch and a chat. I like the seaside, going for walks and a little dancing.

SOUTH CITY CORK GENTLEMAN, single, mid 60’s, sincere, friendly, re

Senior Times

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K4 SINGLE PROFESSIONAL WOMAN 60s,NS, SD, enjoys reading, walking, for eign travel, the arts and good conversation WLTM an educated, active, refined, kind man with GSOH aged 59 - 69 with similar interests for friendship/relationship.

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REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K21

spectful, well educated, tall, athletic and considered attractive WLTM a tall lady with similar characteristics/interests for friendship/romance and long term relationship. Interests include cooking, swimming, walking, gardening, reading, dancing, music and travel at home/abroad.

ROMANTIC, SHARING, CARING DUBLIN CHAPPIE, 72, single never married. Interests include watercolour painting, art history, woodland walks, seeks commitment with positive lady.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K11 FUN LOVING CO WEXFORD LADY fifties, young at heart, would love to meet similar ladies for fun days out and general socialising. Interests include brisk walking, good music, travelling, eating out ,coffee and chats .

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K2

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K7 ATTRACTIVE WIDOW late sixties, living in Dublin, NS, SD, GSOH, enjoys playing golf, bridge, reading, music and travel. WLTM like- minded gentleman mid 60's to late 70's, for companionship and to share common interests

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K8 ARE YOU IN LIMERICK OR SUR ROUNDING AREAS? Are you interested in social interaction and 'meet ups' with other retired people for coffee and chat, dining out, shows, days and breaks away etc

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER K12

TIPPERARY MAN 6ft, WLTM a woman around my own age for friendship, maybe more. I am a retired professional and widower, GSOH. I lead an active life NS SD. Interests and hobbies include meeting friends, eating out, current affairs, sports and outdoor activities. My children are grown up and living in Dublin.

Phone:Address:Name:Email: Four  three-cd sets of Brahms symphonies to be won! Send your entry to Senior Times Crossword Competition, Senior Times, PO Box 13215, Rathmines, Dublin 6. The first four entries drawn are the winners. Deadline for receipt of entries is 20th October 2022. Senior Times, in association with Naxos Music, is offering four three-CDd sets of Brahms symphonies in this Crossword competition.  These are prize-winning recordings  of the four symphonies, starting with the dramatic 1st which he wrote when he was 43,  played by the Danish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Adam FischerSenior Times would like to send you details of special offers, competitions, future features etc. Please tick this box if you do not wish to receive this information. 102 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie EXPLORE THE JOY OF CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH “Naxos is part of every music lover’s life” – Gramophone SELECTED TITLES INSPIRED BY THE SENIOR TIMES CLASSICAL COLLECTIONCOMPLETEPODCASTBRAHMS:SYMPHONIES Available as a 3CD Adam Fischer and Danish Chamber BRAND NEW RELEASE FRIDAY 26 AUGUST8.574465-67 CDs3

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DOWN 1 Migrant bird that lays eggs in another’s nest (6) 2 Respected & of good reputation (9) 3 Dickens’s character ___ had a bit of a twist! (6) 5 Partial loss of memory (7) 6 I coarsen this outline of a play (8) 7 Dublin street or southern English county? (6) 9 Time between one event & another (7) 10 Small hole in a needle (3) 12 Migrate to hear this syncopated piano music (7) 13 Volody is ___ of Ukraine (9) 14 Zodiac sign or southern 11 Across (6) 15 Lough ___ lies north of Derry (5) 16 Portable computer (6) 17 Beverage made by steeping leaves in hot water (3) 24 Republican ___ Ceannt or Bishop ___ Casey? (6) 31 Beer that is truly regal? (5) 32 Austrian composers both named ___ Strauss (6) 33 Joke or jape (4) 34 Humorous drama with happy ending (6) 35 British singer, pianist & composer, Sir ___ John (5) 36 Da eased into this saltwater lake (4,3) 39 Worn on the head in Mexico (8) 41 Strike a pose for this author of fables (5) 42 Hang in the air like a kestrel (5) 44 Taut or closely constrained (5) 45 Amphibian such as Natterjack ___ (4) 47 Self-importance - conceit (7) 51 It’s above it! Do away with or avert (7) 52 Place used for burials (8) 54 Whatsoever .. whatever (3) 57 Runner used for gliding over snow (3) 58 Keep separate .. or eat soil! (7) 60 Of big proportions (5) 62 Watchful & vigilant (5) 63 Quadruped such as Arkle (5) 64 This ice athlete can surely streak? (6) 65 Among (4) 67 Conventional, ordinary, usual (6) 68 Author of ‘Ivanhoe’, Sir Walter ___ (5) 69 Dramatic works by actors on stage (5) 73 Cover with stone or concrete (4) 74 Backward jerk of a gun when fired (6) 76 Thirteenth century Venetian traveller (5,4) 79 Waterway linking Red & Mediterranean Seas (4,5) 80 Kirk, Spock & Scotty starred in this TV series (4,4) 82 City in N.Italy, one-time home to James Joyce (7) 84 Female character in ‘Great Expectations’ (7) 85 Small branches (6) 87 Least good-looking, unsightly (7) 89 Feverish, intensely busy (6) 91 Grass-cutting tool, not for the chesty! (6) 92 Flight of stairs for pests? (5) 93 US state of Death Valley & Las Vegas (6) 94 Field that is full of wildflowers or hay (6) 99 Let’s bring Kay to see this wild ox! (3) 101 Well it’s not him... (3)

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Crossword Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie 103

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Vegetable reputed to help with night sight (6) Butch __, pal of the Sundance Kid (7)

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Alcoholic drink made from apples (5) Circle of latitude such as 18 Across (6) Zodiac sign Dec-January (9) American aviator pioneer, Amelia ___ (7) Plant with foliage that remains throughout the year (9) Prepared cereal for making porridge (7) Castle by the banks of the Boyne (5) Seasonal fowl that don’t vote for Christmas! (6) Separate into portions (6) Cardinal number, sum of one and one (3) U.S. law enforcement agency (3) French city that pairs often visit (5) 29 Written reminder or note (4) Annoyed or irritated (5) Beer made from fermented yeast (3) 38 Port city of Ukraine on Black Sea (6) 40 Yer man, Hogan, lives in this Ulster county? (8) Beatles single & album ‘__ __ __‘ (3,2,2) Graceful, refined and tasteful (7) Irish poet, Thomas or English sculptor, Henry ___ (5) Preserve or lay aside money (4) Town & county at river Shannon’s basin (8) 53 District in France & variety of brandy (6) 55 He wrote ‘The Commitments’, ___ Doyle (5) Carrier of luggage or dark ale? (6) 57 He sang ‘Isn’t she lovely’, ___ Wonder (6) Lough ___, inlet between Inishowen & Fanad (6) 61 Civil parish & city where Graham lives? (6) 64 Capt. Kirk’s ‘final frontier’ - infinite! (5) 66 Irish times journalist, ___ O’Toole (6) 70 City & county on River Shannon (8) 71 Alcoholic beverage flavoured with hops (4) 72 Having similar characteristics (5) 73 Charles Stewart or Dublin square & street? (7) 75 Storm or Shakespeare play, ‘The ___’? (7) 77 Prestigious, reputable or highly honoured (8) 78 American poet, ___ Plath (6) 79 Timid, unsure, lacking in confidence (3) 81 Liquid in which meat & vegetables are cooked (5) 83 Where the heart is? (4) 86 Portly or strong, dark ale from barley & malt (5) 88 Small but indefinite number (3) 90 Fluid produced by inflammation (3) 95 Alien or originating in a distant country (6) 96 There’s a lustre to this northern province (6) 97 Opaque pink gem - often worn by Carol? (5) 98 Very sweet music or cane syrup? (7) Head of our government (9) Paler or useful for igniting a cigarette? (7) Made plain & comprehensible (9) 104 Craftsman who makes wooden barrels (6) 105 He wrote ‘Translations’, ___ Friel (5) 106 Playwright Samuel ___, wrote ‘Waiting for Godot’ (7) R. Barrow flows through this Leinster town & county

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During the summer of 1963 I married my husband Mickey Mc Evoy and came to live on a farm in Tubbertoby or Meaghsland as it was known in olden days, it was the way a plain was referred to then. There were no tall trees to be seen at all on the McEvoy farm just hedges of alder, blackthorn, hawthorn and furze bush. I missed seeing tall trees but never mentioned this to anyone so you can imagine how surprised I was to be given a gift of 30 saplings when we visited my family’s home that first Christmas. There were some sycamores (which would provide firing and shelter) for us in the not too distant future, also some ash and oak and one spindle sapling which would come in useful later on. Those trees are still providing shelter for the fruit trees in the orchard and firing at present and I love the sight of and listening to the birds singing from the branches.

Connie McEvoy

When we were on our knees in the fields during the summer holidays thinning beet, turnips and mangolds my Father would advise us as to the importance of trees as they provided shelter from the wind as well as chlorophyll which was vital to the environment. On the lower part of our farm there were three fields that were in pasture for as long as I can remember, below there was a wooded area of about two roods, and an Inch leading to one of our stretches of fishing rights on the river Slaney. There were all sorts of mature trees growing in that wood but we were only interested in the Hazel variety as we revelled in collecting the big fat ripe nuts each year at Halloween. At one stage my father in an effort to further our education decided to reseed the bottom (third) field nearest to the wood, and informed us of the grass mixture that he would order from Bellew’s seed merchants in Drogheda and sometimes from Twyfords. He became a customer of theirs after seeing an advertisement in a farming magazine titled The Farmer & Stockbreeder which preceded the Irish Farmers Journal As well as the usual varieties such as meadow fescue, timothy, red clover, everest and trefoil etc, he also ordered chicory to be included in that mixture instead of white clover as he feared that it caused bloating in cattle. We were all pleasantly surprised to see the blue chicory flowers + the red clover and yellow trefoil in bloom that year and there were plenty of Bees and other insects plus goldfinches, yellowhammers, tiny red velvety God’s cows, ladybirds and grasshoppers to be seen when we brought the cows home for milking and back to pasture after milking. I remember how he taught us how to pull fern branches from the grass roadside verges and swirl them over our heads in order to keep midges from attacking us on damp evenings.

The leverets seem bewildered as the birds attack, they are backed against the tree trunk with no help to be found Now stood upon hindquarters they are bravely boxing back Even though out- numbered four fore paws saved the day as the birds now all took flight and never did come back.

104 Senior Times | September - October 2022 | www.seniortimes.ie

I have included a photo of a machine embroidered autumnal tree scene that I worked a while ago for a group of adult students (night classes in a local vocational school) and another autumnal scene that I worked in acrylics. Also a few lines about the leverets plus a tree stone that I found on the lane recently which now comes in handy as a paper weight. What a wonderful colour scheme autumn is capable of presenting us with each year I am thankful that I have been able to behold and enjoy it for such a long time.

Sycamore trees are still providing shelter for the fruit trees in the orchard and firing at present and I love the sight of and listening to the birds singing from the branches.

During the month of January all farmers could be seen out skilfully coppicing spindle, blackthorn and hawthorn hedges between tall trees to further an upkeep of good fences and shelterbelts. Due to remoteness in those days we had only two fears during the winter months-hunger and cold but because most farms were self- sufficient we were never either as the trees provided us with the firing to cook the food we produced on the open fire as well as keeping us comfortably warm during the early days of my life.

There’s a plum tree in my orchard now laden down with fruit

The importance of growing more trees on farms

Crafts

Never having noticed two leverets from a nearby form, so happy with the windfalls that they always stay. As today is rather windy ripe plums keep falling down so picking fruit for the birds now seems quite a tease and it’s fairly evident that they are not well

Connie McEvoy recalls her long relationship with all types of trees

Each day pigeons, crows and magpies come in search of what might suit First gathering on nearby cables as they await a leaders cue To swoop down upon the plum tree, pick a fruit and fly away

My Plum Tree. Unrehearsed Drama.

PlanpleasedBinvolves the windfalls which involves a dive to ground

Having tuned in to Countrywide on Radio 1 at breakfast time as usual on Saturday morning December 4th 2021 I was particularly interested when Damien O'Reilly spoke of the importance of growing more trees on farms for future generations to enjoy as well as helping the environment at present. As I was born and reared on a farm near Clonegal in Co Carlow and worked there until the age of 18 years I was well acquainted with and loved the beautiful trees that surrounded my family and neighbouring farms then.

Last August two leverets spent a lot of time under a plum tree there helping themselves to the windfalls, I enjoyed watching them from the kitchen window and all was well until a lot of birds suddenly and without provocation decided to attack them. During the winter months when twilight falls I can see a cock pheasant land on the middle branches of a now bare but majestic looking Sycamore tree and settle there for the night against a beautiful crimson skyline in the background. If disturbed he kicks up a fair racket and I am warned that there is an intruder in the orchard, sometimes he is accompanied by a hen and she continues the voicemail message so to speak for at least five minutes after the cock has finished.

YEAR

SELECTED TITLES INSPIRED THE SENIOR CLASSICAL COLLECTION PODCAST VISIT INSTORE OR ONLINE AT WWW.TOWERRECORDS.IE AVAILABLE STORES: DAWSON

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“Naxos is part of every music lover’s life” – Gramophone

www.naxosmusic.co.uk

Adam Fischer and Danish Chamber Orchestra BRAND NEW RELEASE FRIDAY 26 AUGUST 2022

COMPLETEBEETHOVEN:SYMPHONIES Available as a 5CD set

Adam Fischer, Danish Chamber Orchestra & Danish National Concert Choir CDs5

COMPLETEBRAHMS:SYMPHONIES

SELECTED TITLES INSPIRED BY

THE SENIOR TIMES CLASSICAL COLLECTION PODCAST

8.574465-67

BY

JOY OF CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH NAXOS “Naxos is part of every music lover’s life” – Gramophone

NEWCDs3

BESTRECORDINGSYMPHONIC 2020 ORCHESTRALWINNER RECOMMENDED RECORDINGBUILDING A JANUARYLIBRARY2020WINNER 2020 SYMPHONIC MUSIC WINNER 2020 RECORDING OF THE BUY THE

BESTRECORDINGSYMPHONIC 2020 ORCHESTRALWINNER RECOMMENDED RECORDINGBUILDING A JANUARYLIBRARY2020WINNER 2020 SYMPHONIC MUSIC WINNER 2020 RECORDING OF THE YEAR BUY NOW

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STREET, DUBLIN, IRELAND | PHONE: (01) 671 3250 • O’CONNELL STREET, DUBLIN, IRELAND | PHONE: (01) 878 668 COMPLETEBRAHMS:SYMPHONIES Available as a 3CD set Adam Fischer and Danish Chamber Orchestra BRAND NEW RELEASE FRIDAY 26 AUGUST 20228.574465-67 NEWCDs3 “Witty, volatile and full of energy.” – The Arts Desk COMPLETEBEETHOVEN:SYMPHONIES Available as a 5CD set Adam Fischer, Danish Chamber Orchestra & Danish National Concert Choir 8.505251 CDs5 BESTRECORDINGSYMPHONIC 2020 ORCHESTRALWINNER RECOMMENDED RECORDINGBUILDING A JANUARYLIBRARY2020WINNER 2020 SYMPHONIC MUSIC WINNER 2020 RECORDING OF THE YEAR BUY NOW

EXPLORE THE JOY OF CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH NAXOS

SELECTED TITLES INSPIRED BY THE SENIOR TIMES CLASSICAL COLLECTION PODCAST www.naxosmusic.co.uk VISIT INSTORE OR ONLINE AT WWW.TOWERRECORDS.IE AVAILABLE STORES:

“Naxos is part of every music lover’s life”

DAWSON STREET, DUBLIN, IRELAND | PHONE: (01) 671 3250 • O’CONNELL STREET, DUBLIN, IRELAND | PHONE: (01) 878 668

VISIT INSTORE OR ONLINE AT WWW.TOWERRECORDS.IE AVAILABLE STORES: DAWSON STREET, DUBLIN, IRELAND | PHONE: (01) 671 3250 • O’CONNELL STREET, DUBLIN, IRELAND | PHONE: (01) 878 668

COMPLETEBRAHMS:SYMPHONIES

“Witty, volatile and full of energy.” – The Arts Desk

EXPLORE THE JOY OF CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH NAXOS

Available as a 3CD set

Available as a 3CD set Adam Fischer and Danish Chamber Orchestra BRAND NEW RELEASE FRIDAY 26 AUGUST 20228.574465-67 NEWCDs3 “Witty, volatile and full of energy.” – The Arts Desk COMPLETEBEETHOVEN:SYMPHONIES Available as a 5CD set Adam Fischer, Danish Chamber Orchestra & Danish National Concert Choir 8.505251 CDs5

FIND THE PLUS Sona will donate €30,000 to Children’s Health Foundation in support of Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght, and Connolly. Hidden inside a product from the Sona children’s range & WIN €1000 The lucky winner of the Sona Golden Ticket will get to present the cheque to Children’s Health Foundation on behalf of Sona Nutrition. The Sona Golden Ticket competition will run Oct / Nov 2022 GOLDEN TICKET Congratulations, you are the lucky winner of the €1000 cash prize Sona proudly Support S RCN: 20042462 CHY: 13534 Ir ISH v I tam I n S