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A Paddy’s Day trip through Cabo Roig
Best foot forward
BY Brendan Gormonly ON A QUIET WINTERS NIGHT in November 2010 I sat in my bar in Cabo Roig with one eye on the tv and the other on the door with the hope that at least one customer would join me and make the night pass a bit faster. We were two years into the recession and this was the first winter that Ryanair had pulled all of their winter flights from Ireland’s regional airports, keeping just a handful of flights per week from the Capital and this was really beginning to show for the businesses in the area. There is always a significant drop in trade this time of year but what I was witnessing this winter was something unseen before and it was a sign of things to come. When the door eventually did open, it wasn’t the bus load of thirsty lads on a stag that I was hoping for but an individual from a local political party with a folder full of documents that was going to try to change my fortunes. With her she carried a petition which she wanted me to sign to prevent a local market that was to take place in March in and around St. Patrick’s day in Playa Flamenca. Every year in the big car park beside Mercadona in Playa Flamenca the local government sponsored a market style fiesta on St.
Patrick’s Day and the days leading up to it to attract some tourism and give the locals something different to do. It was set up like a general market but with outdoor bars and live music from all the local artists in the area and it attracted decent amount of people especially on St. Patrick’s day itself. The petition that was in front of me was to prevent this from taking place the following March and as I was the last stop on Cabo Roig strip that night I could see that most other businesses in the area had already signed. I refused to do so, suggesting to the lady that while the market was affecting my business on St. Patrick’s day itself it was bringing people back to the area that night and overall it was actually boosting trade in the area and by preventing the market it would have an adverse effect, with tourists not traveling to the area at all because there was nothing to do. Not giving up on her argument and telling me the fact she had almost 100 signatures my argument was completely flawed, and then she decided to throw the killer insult to seal the deal, as she looked around my bar and said “this is why your bar is empty because you are a bad business man”. My response (toned down for this article) was that was that I would close the market, not with the aid of her petition but by putting on a better attraction in the Cabo Roig area for the people and that was the beginning of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Cabo Roig.
I knew I couldn’t take on something like this without a huge amount of support so my first port of call was to the unofficial mayor of Cabo Roig, Brian Keirnan, and after a phone conversation with Brian, I knew the parade was a real possibility and within hours of deciding we would push on and give it a go we had gained support from most of the business in the area and we had a date set for a meeting. By the time we had our first meeting, our biggest obstacles had surfaced, we had less than three months to organise the parade, a bank balance that registered only zeros and no permission from the local authorities along with the fact we had nothing to actually put into the parade but the overall consensus was that all this could be achieved. At the meeting was not only business owners but a lot of local residents joined us to get involved and it brought about a sense of community. We organised a group of local heavies known as “The Mary’s” lead by Mary Emphy aka “Chicken Mary”, Mary Reily and Mary Cox to start banging down doors and collect whatever money could be persuaded out of the local businesses and they rarely left empty handed. We started doing fundraising events with Jim (Bog Road), Ger (Smiling Jacks), Leo (Bar Liquid), Chris (Poco Loco), Little Joe (Bar Med) to name a few all bringing in the required funds to get the parade off the ground.. The local residents who were instrumental in getting this first parade up and running were
Dermot and Breda OToole and Dermot was the first St. Patrick to walk in the parade, Ena and Harry, Greg Daly, Treasa and Donal Raftery and we now have the Donal Raftery memorial cup which goes to the best float entered into the parade each year. When March 17th 2011 arrived we weren’t as prepared as I would have liked but with around 4000 people of all different nationalities joining us in Cabo Roig for the first ever St. Patrick’s parade in the Valenciana region, it couldn’t be called anything other than a success. Sligo Co. Councillor Jerry Lundy was the parade grand Marshall and he done his bit in telling the local government that this would not be a one-off and Irish community were here to stay. While the first Parade was a resounding success despite the limited resources we had available to us, we were far from finished. We now had a foundation we could build on and with the experience we gained from the first one we were well armed to make it bigger and better and it was decided to put a committee in place to share the workload involved. When it came to the official end of things it was myself and Brian that were at the forefront but we were just cogs in the wheel with the amount of work that was being done in the background. 2011 also brought a change in local government and Pedro Mancebo was elected councillor for the coast and he promised us all the help and funding available for the 2012 parade. CONTINUED ACROSS
This publication was designed and produced on behalf of Asociación ‘CABO ROIG STRIP’ and Ayuntamiento Orihuela by The Leader Newspaper - Tel 637 227 385
PAGE 3 Jose Antonio Garcia del Amo ‘ AKA St Patrick’
These young ladies flew in last year from Ireland especially for the parade While this was not the ethos of the parade and we wanted to keep it a locally ran event, it was a huge step forward in getting the backing of the Town Hall and this relationship would continue until the present day and the parade would not be the success it is today without this help. Each year the Town Hall helps with different local acts to participate in the parade and provides the support of the local Policia to deal with road closures and different licensing that is required to operate this event. Our present councillor for the coast is Sofía Álvarez and she has made March 17th an important day in her diary over the past few years and is a huge help to the event. 2018 saw grand marshal ex Taoiseach (prime minister) Brian Cowen visit the coast and Sofia made sure his visit was well received with a civic reception and big political welcome. Each year we select a different grand marshal to lead the parade and have had Gaa stars Joe Kiernan, Eamonn O’Hara, Charlie Nelligan and from the political world Jerry Lundy, Paudge Connolly, Eamon Scanlon and Brian Cowen have all taken the honour to lead our parade. Down through the years the committee has changed and this is necessary to get new ideas as the world evolves. The committee has been made up from local businesses with the O’Shea family been involved since its inception but also people that have no financial gain to be involved other than being part of the success story.
One such local Richie Walsh was voted in as president in 2014 and took to the job immediately. When Richie speaks, everyone listens and his nononsense approach was needed at a time when it was hard to raise money. He also brought a different style to the parade to add more colour and activity. Under his watch we have increased the annual turnout for the event to surpass 10,000 people. 2019 is the ninth parade and we have Ray Kearney as the president elect and he is preparing for his first year in charge, with a good committee around him and fundraising in full swing and we are nearing our target for what will be needed. There are different fundraising events being held over the course of the year to fund the event so check them out and participate to keep this event getting bigger and bigger. You will see events taking place in Slievenamon, The Trinity, Queen Vic, Milos, The Bog Road, O’Roirdans, Smiling Jacks, Beef or Salmon and various other business in the area. In the summer of 2013 I had the opportunity to meet Damien Teirnan, a news correspondent with RTÉ television, Ireland’s national tv station and we had a chat about getting some exposure for the parade. Damien came up with the idea of doing a documentary of the whole Orihuela Costa while incorporating the 2014 parade into it. He gave me a list of what he needed to put the whole thing together and I got to work. We have a local tv station in the area called Viva Tv who are a very professional outfit and I spoke with Richard about doing the camerawork for Rte. Richard and Trevor have every year done an out and about style video of the parade and also edit a section that is shown on the six o’clock national news each year. They were delighted to provide the assistance needed to produce the documentary. With a camera crew, a list of interviewees and a list of locations to film all in place, Damien flew to Spain to
put it all together. After two days of filming and countless hours of editing by Viva Tv and Damien we had a documentary to go to air. The piece was edited down to 15 minutes and shown on a programme called Nationwide just after the main evening news a few days after the parade. The Nationwide show in question has a huge viewership and this gave us a great opportunity to put the parade and Cabo Roig itself as a holiday destination on the map. Cabo Roig’s parade is now the biggest parade in mainland Europe and is listed by National Geographic as 9th in the top ten best parades in the world only two behind Dublin itself. Little did that nice lady know on a winters night back in 2010, while she set out trying to prevent something, she actually started something a lot bigger and along with the St Patrick’s day market dying the following year after the parade started so did the political party she was representing. Oh well!! Last year’s Grand Marshall was Brian Cowen, Taoiseach from 2008 - 2011
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YOUR GRAND MARSHALL T
he eldest of 7 children from Ringsend, Ireland, Big Joe, as he is affectionately known, has led what can only be described as a life full of great memories, people and events, but it wasn’t always easy: “I started to box, not only as my father was a keen boxer, but also to stand up to playground bullies. I had to learn to look after myself.” Joe’s start in boxing came when his father, who had been an amateur boxer, put the gloves on to see how Joe would shape up. Learning to box at the Earlsfield Amateur Boxing Club aged just 10; Joe fought hard and gave all he had. Dublin’s Phoenix Club was the venue for his first fight, but his opponent, Junior Champion Steve Collins turned out to be quite a challenge for the 12 year old: “He pounded me to a pulp, absolutely hammered me. I lost on points but I went the distance.
pair became great sparring partners and lifelong friends. By the age of 24, the 6ft 1in fighter was a Golden Gloves Champion with an impressive record of over 80 wins and 7 Irish titles to his name. Joe fought 11 times wearing the green vest of Ireland and although unfortunate not to have made the Olympics, he certainly attracted some attention going the distance with 3 times Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis in 1985. It was the win against World Heavyweight Champion Bruce Seldon in 1988, which this modern day gladiator describes as his greatest
achievement: “It was the best win of my career. I beat him on points in his hometown of Atlanta.” The fight had it all and enthralled those at the ringside. Sharing a post-fight ambulance with Joe, Raging Bull Jake LaMotta enthused: “The Heavyweight. Great fight, kid, great fight.” Joe eventually signed pro in 1990 and won his first two fights; but his boxing dreams were cruelly shattered when he was forced to quit following a serious road accident on the night of his second professional fight. Then in May 2004, after an absence of 12 years, ‘The toughest white man on the planet’ made his ring
comeback aged 38. Joe fought once, winning by technical knock-out and despite being offered a place on Mike Tyson’s undercard, retired from the sport saying: “I had nothing else to prove to anybody, nothing left to prove to myself. I’ve been hit in the chin by some of the best punches in the world but they never once knocked me down – something I can be proud of. In 2008, Joe made a successful transition from the boxing ring to movie hard man, appearing in several independent films and television dramas, including BBC One's 'Hustle'. As Joe gained experience, his acting career went from strength to strength. His big break came when he was personally approached by acclaimed filmmaker Guy Ritchie to play a part in his film 'Sherlock Holmes', a dynamic new portrayal of one of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous characters. Starring alongside Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role of the Baker Street detective and Jude Law as Dr. Watson, Joe played 'Big Joe' in the 2009 Hollywood Blockbuster and its sequel, 'Sherlock Holmes 2' in 2011.
Working hard in the gym, Joe began to make a name for himself, but struggling to get matchups, he raced through to the senior level, fighting men 10 years his senior. Aged 17 Joe travelled to the USA with the Irish Boxing Team for training in Atlantic City. It was here he met boxing legend and 2 times Heavyweight Champion, Floyd Patterson.
Quickly gaining a reputation for having a great on screen presence, Joe has appeared in more than 25 movies including 'Cass' (2008), 'Dead Man Running' (2009) and 'Freight' (2010) to name but a few.
Patterson soon discovered Joe could hold his own and asked him to stay in the States to become a sparring partner for a promising new Heavyweight Boxer called Mike Tyson. Joe joined the Catskills Boxing Gym in New York, where he lived and trained with Tyson for two years.
There is nothing more this movie hard man loves more than playing the gangster and as a youngster he always dreamed of playing the ultimate Bond villain. Watch out 007!
With the support of the great Cus D’Amato the Mike Tyson called Joe ‘The toughest white man on the planet’
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ORIHUELA COSTA The part of the Costa Blanca coastline administered by the Government of Orihuela, the Orihuela Costa, is in fact, some 40 kilometres away from the city itself, and comprises the most popular resorts in the region, attracting both holidaymakers and those seeking to relocate to sunnier climes.
“For facilities and entertainment there is nowhere better than the Orihuela Costa”
The area has an abundance of award winning beaches, including Cabo Roig, below.
The northern extreme of the Orihuela Costa is at Punta Prima, with the southern extreme at Mil Palmeras. In between these two municipalities, heading north to south along the coast are Playa Flamenca, La Zenia, Cabo Roig, and Campoamor, while just inland from the beaches are Los Altos, La Florida, Zeniamar, and the golf courses and urbanisations of Villamartin, Club de Golf Campoamor, Las Colinas and Las Ramblas. The Orihuela Costa area is renowned for its sandy beaches, the best of which are at Campoamor, La Zenia and Cabo Roig, all bearing the “Blue Flag” status. They can all get pretty busy during the hot summer months, especially July and August, when the weather is always hot and sunny, with temperatures often reaching 40 centigrade. For facilities and entertainment the Orihuela Costa is second to none, with it’s huge choice of bars and restaurants, many offering live entertainment (more common in the summer months). The main commercial centres are in Villamartin, Playa Flamenca, Punta Prima, La Zenia and Cabo Roig. Orihuela Costa Resorts North to South
PUNTA PRIMA: Situated just south of the bustling town of Torrevieja, Punta Prima is a popular Orihuela Costa coastal resort with sandy beaches and excellent facilities. There are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants along the strip on the N-332, and even more in the modern Punta Marina commercial centre across the road, with its Consum supermarket, Milar electrical outlet, JYSK homeware store and McDonald’s restaurant. Also at Punta Prima is one of the Orihuela Costa's few hotels the Torrejoven Hotel, as well as a popular attraction in the GoKart track, with karts for all ages. There is also now a paintballing venue, and a kiddies fun fair. During the summer months the area often benefits from the visit of a popular circus.
restaurants and bars, offering 5,000 free parking places to it’s customers.
Campoamor to the south, an excellent way to spend an evening after a hot day in the sun.
There is a large playground and a playroom for the children where you can leave them fully supervised while you browse around the shops. There is also the Casino del Mediterráneo and the Urban Planet trampoline Park that opened its doors just a few months ago.
AGUAMARINA: Aguamarina’s coastal area is an important natural enclave that holds many important botanical species that are now extremely rare in the Community of Valencia. There is a very good trail, although now beginning to look a little weary, along the coastal areawith a microreserve that those of you with an interest in the science of plant life will find interesting.
During the summer months the venue offers daily entertainment for children, in addition to a bowling alley, a video arcade, and play fountains in the main square. It is a shopping centre designed for the visitor to enjoy and have fun.
Behind Punta Prima is the Los Altos urbanisation, taking in areas such as La Cinuelica. Los Altos has its own commercial centre at Via Park 3.
There is a further commercial centre just off Ctra de Villamartin, beside the AP-7 motorway exit, where you will find some large stores, including Lidl and Mercadona.
ZENIAMAR: A well-loved complex, located on the Orihuela
VILLAMARTIN: The Villamartin plaza is also most certainly
Costa, between Punta Prima and Playa Flamenca, Zeniamar is a high-build standard urbanisation, with nicely landscaped garden and pool areas.
worth a mention. Originally just a square with a black and white chessboard pattern surrounded by shops, bars, cafes, banks and restaurants the area has now attracted a number of additional urbanisations, bars and restaurants. In the heat of summer the nightlife atmosphere is buzzing with life and noise.
PLAYA FLAMENCA: The next of the main centres heading south along the Orihuela Costa, Playa Flamenca, is really just a 15 minute walk from Punta Prima. It too has a couple of good sandy beaches, and several commercial centres with a huge choice of bars and restaurants. The best ones are perhaps Flamenca Beach and Via Parks 1 and 2. Playa Flamenca is a focal point for visitors on Saturday mornings as its very popular weekly street market takes place. Situated on the main street through the Playa Flamenca urbanisation, it is a pleasant market to visit, although can get very hot and crowded during the summer. Get there early, then head for the beach, is perhaps the best advice.
LA ZENIA: Another well-known Orihuela Costa resort, famous for its excellent beach, its 4 Star hotel (the La Zenia Hotel) and its Irish pubs - Paddy's Point and Gogarty’s, which attract large numbers of visitors and is especially popular with the Irish. The beach is one of the best in the area, but it can experience dangerous currents during the spring time, so be aware and do take notice of any warning flags. A Chiringuito (beach bar) occupies the beach for 9 months of the year offering an extensive daily menu as well as regular entertainment. During the holiday season there are also many water and other sport activities for holidaymakers to enjoy. La Zenia is also the best place to get off the N-332, if you are heading for Villamartin golf course and urbanisations. Zenia Boulevard: Zenia Boulevard is the largest shopping mall in the Province of Alicante. Covering 161.000 square metres, it has in excess of 150 major stores, high street shops, activity centres,
CABO ROIG: Again accessed from the N-332 coast road, Cabo Roig is very popular, largely due to the popular strip of bars and restaurants, on both sides of the main road. The area has two fine beaches Cala Capitan and Cala Caleta, the best for children would probably be Cala Capitan whilst, for all year round entertainment, it has to be the chiringuito on Cala Caleta. There is a beautiful marina, which is one of the most sought after mooring spots on this part of the coastline, it recently underwent a two million euro upgrade. From the marina, take the cliff walk in either direction, to La Zenia in the north or Aguamarina and
CAMPOAMOR: The next Orihuela Costa resort after Cabo Roig is Campoamor (signposted Dehesa de Campoamor from the N-332 and the AP-7 motorway). More popular with Spanish holidaymakers, than the other resorts, Campoamor has some fantastic sandy beaches, an excellent chiringuito for 6 months of the year, and also some very good facilities. Slightly marred by the tall apartment blocks (not seen elsewhere on the Orihuela Costa), Campoamor also gives its name to the golf course, which is situated a little inland from the resort itself. Orihuela Costa Golf - There are four fine courses located on the Orihuela Costa and they are situated close together just behind the coastal resorts, the courses are Villamartin, Campoamor, Las Colinas and Las Ramblas. Orihuela Costa Weather - Similar to the rest of the Costa Blanca, and the Costa Calida to the south, the Orihuela Costa enjoys a splendid warm and temperate Mediterranean climate with lots of sunshine and low rainfall. South of the Orihuela Costa sees the Costa Calida region, with the fantastic resorts of the Mar Menor within just a short drive, a little further south is the historic city of Cartagena, with both Carthaginian and Roman ruins, and a significant naval port. To the north of the region you will find the city of Alicante and the famous resort of Benidorm, where you can visit such amazing theme parks as Aqualandia, Mundomar and Terra Mitica.
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CABO ROIG SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE Sunday 17th March - Timetable of events Time
Activity
All Day All Day 12 Noon 1pm 1pm -4pm 1pm -4pm 1pm -4pm 1pm – 3pm 1.15pm 2pm 2.25pm 2.45pm 3pm – 4.30pm 4pm – 8.30pm 2pm – 5pm 5pm – 9pm 8pm – 10pm
Craft Market – Medical Centre Car Park - Saturday 16th Craft Market – Medical Centre Car Park - Sunday 17th Milo’s – Rosie and Noel Los Proscritos Western Shoot out at the Depot Free Face Painting – Pintas y Caritas - The Depot Free Face Painting – Susana Animadora – Beside Milo’s Free Face Painting – Prince & Princess – Banco Sabadell Big FM Music show RBL Band (Spain) – By stage 11 Cartoon Characters Leave the Depot for the Parade Cowboy shootout in front of stage Speeches from the stage The best Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Ever in Cabo Roig Auld Dubliner – Bono Tribute – Rain O’Connor Graeme Mykal Magician, moving around the crowd O’Riordan’s – Motive (Rosie and Noel) – Paul Cullen The Cabo Roig Inn – Ricky Young
THIS SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE IS THE 9TH TO BE HELD IN CABO ROIG and it has become world famous, so famous in fact that it is the best in Spain and mainland Europe and the 9th best in the world according to Mister Google. 2019’s parade will be bigger and more spectacular than ever before. We may even get moved up to 8th place after this year’s parade as there will be more dancers, more floats, more activities, more cartoon characters, more bands and much more fun. This year’s Grand Marshall is world-famous Irish Boxer and film star, Big Joe Egan, originally from Ringsend in Dublin.
Face painters will be found by the Depot, Milo’s and Banco Sabadell
Map Location 22 22 25 35 35 25 - 26 21 28 - 29 28 - 29 35 28 - 29 28 - 29 Calle Mar Lomas CR Route 1 31
Councillors Sofia Alvarez and Luisa Bone Kiss Me, I’m Irish
The Cabo Roig Saint Patrick’s Day Parade committee would like to thank Sofia Alvarez, Councillor for Tourism and also Foreign Residents in the Orihuela town hall. Each year she organizes the necessary permissions, police assistance, barriers, advertising, a number of performers, posters, scarfs, stage, seating etc. Without her help and support the Parade just wouldn’t happen. We are also very grateful for the efforts of everyone who has helped with the organisation of this St Patrick’s Day event and to the San Miguel Brewery in particular who have made an extremely generous donation toward the parade costs.
Another hard day at the office
PAGE 10 He is buried in the grounds of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick and a memorial stone, made from local Mourne Mountain granite, marks his grave. For those who celebrate its intended meaning, St Patrick’s Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal. WHEN WAS THE FIRST PARADE? Interestingly, the first St Patrick’s Day parade was not held in Ireland at all, but in Boston in the United States in 1737. This was followed by an “official” parade in New York in 1766. Ireland was a little further behind – our first parade was held in Waterford in 1903, while Dublin joined the club back in 1931. WHY 17 MARCH? Simple – the date marks the saint’s death. Patrick died in 461 in Saul, County Down. It was here that he had established his first church in a small and simple barn, after arriving nearby at the mouth of the Slaney River.
Today, the parade in Dublin is a huge, colourful, theatrical event that snakes through the historic city centre, with vivid displays and international bands. WHO INVENTED ST PATRICK’S DAY? Raise your glasses to Luke Wadding, an Irish Franciscan friar from Waterford whose persistent efforts turned March 17 into a feast day. Born in 1558, Wadding died in Rome on 1657 and his remains are interred there in the college of St Isidore’s, which he founded.
If you visit the National Gallery of Ireland, you can see a painting of the friar by Carlo Maratta, while in Waterford city he is commemorated with a statue outside the French Church (Greyfriars).
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Founded on the fun and love of dance FOOTWORK DANCE STUDIOS are a well-established dance school based in Los Montesinos and are an all round Dance and Performing Arts Centre offering an extensive range of classes for all ages and abilities from 2.5 years to adults whether it is just for fun, fitness or future!. They are a thriving, friendly and caring dance school encouraging students of all ages and ability to develop self-confidence through dance. Classes are taught in a safe and caring environment, in a fun and inspiring way, encouraging children and students to progress at their own pace, for them to fulfil their potential and develop confidence. Erica Dorrill, the Principal of Footwork Dance Studios, first started dancing at the age of two. After gaining excellent results in all her |STD, RAD & AAD Dance exams & Guildhall & LAMDA Drama exams, plus winning numerous medals, trophies and scholarships with her local dance school Erica’s talent did not go unrecognized and was offered a full scholarship to further her training at the prestigious Bush Davies School of Theatre Arts.
After graduating Erica worked professionally as a dancer, acrobat/contortionist and actress for many years around the world on cruise ships, in the UK, and also on TV.
ing part in Fiestas, local performances and performances further afield, they also support a lot of local charities raising funds through their own shows and also starring in other charity shows.
Since gaining her teaching qualifications Erica has worked as a respected teacher and choreographer for various schools in the UK as well as opening her own dance schools in Sussex, Norfolk, and finally in Derbyshire, before moving to Spain. Many pupils from Footwork in the UK & Spain have gone on to train in vocational schools in the UK such as Elmhurst, Italia Conti, Arts Educational, Tring, Hammond, LIPA, London Contempory Dance, Urdang, Performers, Millennium, Laine & Wilkes, to name a few and many students are now working as professional performers on stage around the world and in TV or have now opened their own dance schools after becoming fully qualified teachers.
2018 was their first year performing in the Cabo Roig St Patrick’s day fiesta & Parade. Principal Erica said, “What a fantastic day it was! Very well organised, started on time and our whole school were buzzing throughout, the support through the vast crowds in street was fantastic and it was a great Party atmosphere, we are looking forward to be part of it again this year and we are busy rehearsing our routines!!
Footwork Dance Studio is really somewhere you want to be, whether it be for fun, exercise, to build confidence and meet new friends or to go on to a professional career. Footwork love being a big part of the community and enjoy tak-
Footwork offer a vast range of classes to have fun, keep active and get fit & classes can start from as little as 3€! If you would like further information on the studios and their classes please contact them through face book at Footwork Dance Studios Spain, website www.footworkdancestudios.com, call Erica 662 003 823 or alternatively call in at the studios in Calle Carlos Diez 17D, Los Montesinos. We guarantee you are warm welcome and look forward to meeting you.
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Outstanding golf as well as white sandy beaches There can be few better golf destinations than the Costa Blanca with over 30 championship courses to choose from but with 5 quality courses on your doorstep, there is absolutely no need whatsoever to stray from the Orihuela Costa where, regardless of your location, you are never more than a 10 minute drive away from 18 holes of fabulous sunshine golf.
Las Ramblas is an area of incomparable beauty, as the name suggests it is designed on steep terrain surrounded by streams and lush vegetation. The course offers many attractions including magnificent views Over the Mediterranean Sea and with plenty of shade it is a nice place to play golf even in the hottest months of the year.
VILLAMARTIN GOLF COURSE
LAS COLINAS GOLF COURSE
Established in 1972 Villamartin is one of the oldest golf courses in the region.
A world apart, why not experience the Cabell
In a 330-hectare valley between hills, near the sea, in an area of great natural beauty, Las Colinas is setting new standards for golf and leisure in Spain. In addition to its par 71 18hole championship course, there is a full range of amenities around the Club House, with a golf academy, a driving range of natural grass, a putting green and an approach area.
REAL CLUB DE GOLF CAMPOAMOR The Real Club de Golf Campoamor was first opened by HRH Juan de Borbón, Count of Barcelona, in 1988, in whose honour a tournament is now played each August. Nestling in the natural beauty of the Dehesa de Campoamor landscape, between two interlocking valleys protected by small hills, this course enjoys its own special microclimate that makes it possible to play golf here at any time of the year. At 6,277 metres long with a par of 72, it is a well tended course whose strict standards of maintenance serve to further highlight the wonderful flora and fauna to be found along its length.
Almost 50 years of history, beautiful views of the Mediterranean and generous greens that hosted in a European Tour event in 1994. Severiano Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal, Ian Woosnan, Sam Torrance and many other international figures have played golf and graced this great golf course.
VISTABELLA GOLF COURSE Opened in 2009, Vistabella Golf was originally developed with just 11 holes but in 2018 the course was finally extended to its full 18 holes.
The greens at Villamartin have international fame with holes like the 17th, a par three that requires crossing a leafy, treelined boulevard to reach a huge and generous Green on two levels Villamartin The club has a large community of players from all over Europe who live in close proximity to this beautiful course.
Course designer Manuel Piñero partnered Seve Ballesteros in the 1985 Ryder Cup, and he has combined over 30 years’ experience in the world of golf with knowledge of the world’s greatest courses, and applied this know-how to Vistabella Golf.
LAS RAMBLAS GOLF COURSE Las Ramblas golf course was the second course owned by Quara Group. Designed by Pepe Gancedo, the prestigious and visionary designer it was opened in 1991.
B. Robinson designed Championship Golf Course, managed by Troon Golf, and stay at Las Colinas Golf and Country Club.
Special mention must also be made of the large and undulating greens, regarded as the most competitive in the area and the best tended.
Vistabella Golf
As well as the golf course, this sports complex also features a golf academy, paddle tennis courts, a lawn bowling green and restaurant.
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Celebrating across the globe ST. ST. PA PATRICK’S DAY DAY is celebrated across the globe and while the premier parade gets underway in Dublin there are plenty of other cities bedecked in green, white and orange, enjoying their own street parties, carnivals and fiestas. CHICAGO, USA In Chicago the highlight is the dyeing of the Chicago River. The city council actually turn the river green, usually on the day before. It really is a sight to behold.
TOKYO In Tokyo they celebrate with an ‘I Love Ireland’ festival which takes place over two days, this year on the 16th and 17th of March. On the Sunday, the parade heads along Omotesando Street, Tokyo's chic shopping district, near Harajuku Station where you can expect to see an abundance of colourful costumes, marching bands and lots of floats.
The parade itself starts at lunchtime from Balbo and Columbus. It sets of north along Columbus Drive towards the Buckingham Fountain.
Town include a visit to Robben Island, a day at the beach at Camps Bay, a wander around the V&A Waterfront and lots more. There are also plenty of Irish pubs in the city that will be opening their doors and inviting dressed-up revellers in for a good bout of drinking and some themed entertainment BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA South America’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations take place in Buenos Aires, a city with the 5th largest Irish community in the world.
Photo by Toru Watanabe on Flickr
Photo by Max Talbot-Minkin on Flickr For those who are rather more energetic you can also get involved in the annual St Patricks Day Fun Run, (5k or 8k), formerly the Leprechaun Leap, which begins in Lincoln Park on Saturday, 16 March at 9:30am and ends with Irish music, entertainment, and refreshments in the Irish American Heritage Centre.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA Another famous global landmark going green for St. Patrick’s Day this year is Table Mountain. One of the top attractions in Cape Town, Table Mountain provides a stunning backdrop to this intriguing city. Other things to do in Cape
While a parade isn’t usually part of the celebrations, the number of people that gather at the intersection of Reconquista and Marcelo T. de Alvear Streets, in the 10 block Retiro neighborhood, increases every year. What started off as a modest celebration has now developed into a huge Irish party on the streets where thousands of locals and tourists dance to Celtic music and drink exquisite beer. Courtesy of: www.hostelworld.com
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Bigger and better in 2019 Over the last few years, SPANISH “TAPA’S ROUTES” have become increasingly popular and have gained an amazing following.
Florida won first prize for “the best drink & tapa” and the Depot on the Cabo Roig Strip rounded the competition to win “the best decorated pub”.
The basic idea is that each venue along the route offers an interesting and quality tapa together with a drink for a nominal sum. Last year saw the birth of an Irish Pub Tapa Route lovingly called the “IRISH PUB AND GRUB CRAWL”.
This year those on the “Crawl” will be able to vote by special app or at ballot boxes for their favourite Irish Pub in each of the same three categories as last year.
The event was the brainchild of Sofia Alvarez, the Orihuela councillor for Tourism and foreign residents. She was delighted that so many people got involved in the first ever Irish Pub and Grub Crawl and so Easter weekend, 20th and 21st April, sees the second edition of the “Irish Pub and Grub Crawl” streamlined this year to 20 participating Irish pubs in the Orihuela Costa. Last year “the best pub atmosphere” was won by Paddy’s Point, La Zenia, the first Irish pub in Orihuela Costa (see pages 22 and 23). The Abbey Tavern in La
In 2019 fun-loving participants can join in the “Craic” at Easter as two coaches, provided and funded by the Town Hall, will ensure that everybody gets around the entire route safely. Between 1pm and 11pm on each day a coach will pass close by each of these 20 pubs approximately every 30 minutes, the schedule is printed below. Each bar will offer a drink and a tapa for just 2.50€ Orihuela Costa is a truly cosmopolitan area with residents from over one hundred different countries living here. Sofia Alvarez works hard so that all foreign nationals feel welcome and integrated into the Orihuela Costa society. The councillor said that “This
type of initiative allows us to appreciate the cosmopolitan nature of the population here in Orihuela, a municipality in which one third of our people live in the coastal zone, with almost 30,000 residents comprising 101 nationalities, and where one of the most important of which is the Irish community.” She added that “the number of Irish citizens who come to know our municipality and the attractions that it offers is increasing, thanks in part to the increasing number of publications and guided tours that the Department of Tourism is now producing in English.” Raymond Kearney would like to thank the council for their work and support to the Irish community, both for the implementation of this initiative and for the assistance that it provides with the organisation of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the area. Let’s all try to repay the hard work that the councillor does by supporting this very welcome initiative.
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Birdwatching on the Costa Blanca Birdwatching on the Costa Blanca has never been more popular and with recent initiatives launched in the last year or two by a number of local councils, aimed specifically at ornithology tourism, the number of visitors to the area who are here specifically to pursue their interest in birds will continue to grow. The landscape in the province of Alicante is a diverse mix of natural areas, making it the ideal place to observe a wide range of bird species. The region's huge variety of environments, consisting of fertile meadows and wetlands in the south, continental steppes to the west and an extensive coastline, all surrounded by the mountains in the north, shapes a complete map of natural spaces. Bird watching combined with a mild climate and an excellent network of services makes for some very successful days out in the field with the Costa Blanca undoubtedly the perfect location to enjoy such activity. The Costa Blanca coastline stretches over 244 kilometres and is home to one of the most satisfying places to observe nature. Two marine reserves, the island of Tabarca to the south and the Cabo de San Antonio headland to the north are places where it's easy to deep sea species such as the Balearic shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus and the European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus. The Ibiza Channel is a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance and a stopover location for marine mammal species like dolphins and fin Whales, Balaenoptera physalus. Either on our beaches or aboard the comfortable "llauds" (traditional boats), you’ll be able to get a unique view of what nature has to offer.
Perhaps the most famous natural environments along the Costa Blanca are the wetland reserves. Their iconic species and the farming landscape, along with its strategic location, make them fantastic places to enjoy birdwatching. There are several excellent wetland reserves from Pego Marsh in the north to La Mata in the south. In between, there are the Santa Pola Salinas, Clot de Galvany and Salinas de Calpe, all well worth a visit. Slightly inland, there is Elche’s flagship reserve El Hondo with breeding species such as the globally endangered White-headed, Marbled Ducks while the mountain region holds its own special set of species including Bonelli’s, Golden Eagle, Rock & Cirl Buntings, Black Wheatear, not forgetting the many other aquatic species that live here and that give the area its internationally protected status. Morito, Glossy Ibis
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Donations to avoid Inheritance tax Now, might be the time to help your children to avoid inheritance tax in Spain after your death.
THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT is set to change the laws on inheritance tax in Spain and harmonise them across the country. Currently inheritance tax across the world changes dramatically and you can pay 20, 40 or 70% inheritance tax in Ireland, the UK and Japan. Right now, in the Valencia region of Spain, the tax could be possibly ZERO (as there is a 100,000 euros tax free allowance for each of your children and spouses). If you were to pass ownership of your property to an adult child, and generally not a spouse or child under 18, they can in most cases expect to pay nothing. This law will not be like this in 12 months, we are pretty sure, so we are encouraging people to act on it now. There will still be the normal costs involved as
with any property transfer – legal fees, notary, etc. So get in touch and we´ll give you an estimate. P.S. It does not just apply to property but to all assets int Spain by the way. P.P.S. If you are a British citizen living in Spain, with the threat of Brexit hanging over us, you need to get this done ASAP- there are two clocks ticking. Spain may change the law for all inheritance tax plus if Westminster pulls the Brexit cord, you are no longer a citizen of Spain anyway so the tax break may not apply to you. Spanish Solutions Calle Flores, 3 Bajo C, La Zenia II 03189 Tel. +34 966761741, Fax +34 966773238 fiscal@spanishsolutions.net
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THE distinguished heritage OF ORIHUELA ing marble staircase and its elegant coloured rooms - the red room, the pink room and the yellow room. The palace is mainly used now for wedding ceremonies and is an elegant and memorable location for this purpose. Orihuela Cathedral of Salvador and Santa Maria is a cultural heritage site dating from the 13th century. It is built in Gothic style on the site of a mosque and, although one of the smallest cathedrals in Spain, it has a grand bell tower, impressive Renaissance and Valencian art works, plus a grand 18th century Baroque organ.
ORIHUELA, THE CAPITAL OF THE VEGA BAJA REGION OF THE SOUTHERN COSTA BLANCA, is perhaps best known for its magnificent churches and monasteries, of which there are many. It is also renowned for being the birthplace and home of the famous Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez (1910 - 1942). The city has a distinguished historical and cultural heritage. Impressive works of art, historic palaces and stunning Holy Week fiestas are just some of the reasons why a visit to Orihuela should be on the wish list for everyone visiting the Alicante area. The city itself has a population of approximately 34,000 inhabitants whilst there are about 75,000 living in the municipality which covers an area of 365 km2. Although lying some 20 km inland it has its own stretch of coastline (Orihuela Costa) with many fine blue flag beaches and some exclusive resorts. Orihuela has a history stretching back to the middle of the 3rd millennium BC when there were human settlements in the area. The “El Argar” culture was known to exist there during the years 1700 to 1500 BC. The Romans were evident in the region from about this time and the name Orihuela almost certainly derives from the Roman name for the town - Aurariola. Orihuela was also important during the Visigothic period when it was the capital of a large surrounding area. During the Arab conquest in the 8th Century the city, and some of its surrounding villages, were controlled by the Christian nobleman Teodomiro who halted the Muslim advance and maintained the autonomy of the territory in exchange for a tribute. In the 9th Century Orihuela was finally conquered by the Arabs who then held control until 1242 when the Christian king “Alfonso the Wise” (Alfonso X) re-conquered the city. In 1296 Orihuela became part of the Kingdom of Valencia as a provincial seat with voting rights in parliament. The Santiago church in Orihuela was the scene of a general parliament in 1488 when Catholic kings met to raise funds for the conquest of Granada - the last Muslim stronghold in Spain. In 1564 Orihuela was granted a bishopric. During the War of Spanish Succession (1703 - 1713) Orihuela was sacked and all its privileges removed as a punishment for supporting the pretender to the throne (Carlos III). Today it is a mixture of the old and the new - the more interesting for visitors definitely being the old. Despite the 1829 earthquake many of the old buildings still remain, among them, the graceful cathedral - the Colegio de Santo Domingo, built between the 16th and 18th Centuries, the charming Iglesia de Santas Just y Rufina, the Santiago church (where the famous parliament took place) and the palace of Rubalcava with its sweep-
The cathedral is open from 10.30am to 2pm and 4pm to 6.30pm on Tuesdays to Fridays and from 10.30am to 2pm on Saturdays. Admission €2. In the Sacred Art museum opposite, visitors can see impressive paintings by Velazquez, including The Temptation Of Thomas Aquinas, Nicolas de Bussy and sculptures by Francisco Salzillo from Murcia. This was once the Episcopal Palace, a Baroque building dating from the 18th century, where the Bishop of Orihuela lived. Orihuela is also the birthplace of the Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez who died in 1942. A museum dedicated to his life and work has been set up in his honour in the centre of medieval Orihuela. Hernandez was arrested several times during the Civil War for his anti-fascist views and was sentenced to 30 years in jail. His best-known poem is Onion Lullaby, written as reply to a letter from his wife in which she told him the family were living on bread and onions. Miguel Hernandez museum is on Calle Miguel Hernandez, 73, Orihuela, and is open from 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays and from 10am to 2pm on Sundays and bank holidays. Free admission. Many museums, palaces and the cathedral are within a few minutes’ walk from one another. The best place to start is at the cathedral on Calle Mayor de Ramon y Cajal The River Segura runs through the middle of Orihuela, the older part of the city being mostly north of the river. Orihuela, of course, has its share of fiestas and celebrations, one, unique to Orihuela being the Burial Procession at Easter
“The city is the birthplace and home of the famous Spanish poet and playright Miguel Hernandez (1910 - 1942). ”
time, when the “Diablesa” (the female incarnation of the devil) is paraded through the streets of the city. Agriculture has thrived, and continues to flourish, owing much to a remarkable system of irrigation channels left by the Moors (though some early ones are attributed to the Romans). Popular crops in the region are oranges, lemons, dates, almonds, hemp and corn. It is also well known for its silk and also carnations. Orihuela’s coastline, some 20 km away boasts fine sandy beaches and popular resorts such as Cabo Roig, La Zenia and Playa Flamenca. Orihuela can be easily reached via the A-7 junctions 80 and 81 or via the CV-95 from Torrevieja. Miguel Hernández House Museum interior.
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‘Letters from the Canary Islands’ Barrie Mahoney was a head teacher and school inspector in the UK, as well as a reporter in Spain, before moving to the Canary Islands to launch and edit a new English language newspaper.
He enjoys life in the sun as a columnist and author, and continues to write a series of popular novels, books for expats, as well as designing mobile apps and websites to promote the Canary Islands.
Irish Monk discovers new Canary Island but then loses it! MOST PEOPLE recognise the Canary Islands archipelago as being a cluster of eight inhabited islands. Of course, there are many more islets and rocky outcrops, which few people mention or know anything about. However, this story is about the ninth island, the ghost island, which is still being looked for… The mysterious island of San Borondón, which is the Canarian name for an Irish monk called Saint Brendan of Clonfert, the Irish patron saint of travellers who lived around 500AD. Brendan was a monk in Tralee, County Kerry, who sailed in a small boat with 14 fellow monks into the Atlantic Ocean, in search of the New World. In true Irish fashion, best retold with a glass or two of Guinness, the story goes that Brendan met with fire hurling demons, a variety of monstrous creatures, and floating crystal columns, which were possibly icebergs; they also rescued three other monks from the inhospitable waters of the Atlantic. Eventually, they landed on an island where they found trees and a great deal of vegetation; it many ways, it was a true Garden of Eden. The monks lived on the island for six years when one day, as they
were celebrating mass, the island began to move in the water, described as rather like a whale. After many trials and tribulations, Brendan eventually found his way back to Ireland with many a tale to tell over his glass of mead.
b y Bar rie Mahoney
Monument to Saint Brendan the Navigator on the Ring of Kerry in Cahirciveen, County Kerry.
At the time, it was thought that the monks had reached the shores of North America, or possibly other Atlantic islands, such as the Canary Islands. Over time, it was thought that this new island, now named San Borondón’, was an island within the Canaries archipelago, somewhere to the west of La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma. Other sailors attempted to reach it, but when they got close to its shores, the island became covered with mist and vanished. San Borondón existed in the minds of many people, with detailed accounts from sailors who claimed that they had landed and explored the island before it sank once again into the Atlantic Ocean. Indeed, in some early Atlantic treaties concerning the Canary Islands, there are references to “the islands of Canaria, already discovered or to be discovered”, just in case. Indeed, the Island of San Borondón is clearly referred to on several maps of the period. In the 18th Century, tens of thousands of witnesses declared to the authorities that they had seen the ghostly island from the mountains of El Hierro. Despite further expeditions, the island would not yield its secrets. The persistence of this legend of the voyage of Saint Brendan to the Promised Land of the Saints, the Islands of Happiness and Fortune, remains to this day. It is still possible to talk to some of the residents of El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma who claim to have seen the island briefly before it sank once again into the brilliant blue waters of the Canary Islands.
“Let the Guanche drums resound and the conch shells blow, for the mysterious island is appearing in the midst of the waves: here comes San Borondón, showing up in the mist like a queen with the surf as suite…” San Borondón – Cabrera/Santamaria If you enjoyed this article, take a look at my websites: http://barriemahoney.com and http://thecanaryislander.com or read my latest book, ‘Living in Spain and the Canary Islands’ (ISBN: 9780995602724). Available in paperback, as well as Kindle editions. Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney
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ORIHUELA’S CULINARY ROUTES Orihuela retains a number of features that have been passed down over the centuries. One of these is its culinary tradition, a vital part of the municipality’s culture and as such, a great tourist attraction. The local cuisine typically that of the Costa Blanca, which combines delicacies from both land and the Mediterranean Sea. Many civilizations have lived in this area (Celts, Iberians, Greeks, Romans, Muslims), all of which have all left their mark on the gastronomy. The diet in Orihuela is a healthy Mediterranean one; the region is rich in fish, vegetables, olive-oil, rice and fruit and the ingredients which are all used to prepare delicious, healthy dishes, such as Paella Valenciana, Arroz Negro (black rice), Arroz al horno (Oven baked rice), Arroz a banda (fish and rice stew), Arroz del Señoret (Princes rice). Evidence can be seen in the numerous bars and restaurants where visitors can enjoy many of these popular local dishes.
derful rice dishes, fried or grilled and in our emblematic salted fish delicacies. Aside from seafood, typical dishes include succulent lamb chops, rabbit in garlic, roast leg of lamb with garlic and fresh rosemary, and home made sausages and black puddings. The culinary route is completed with the traditional bakeries and convents. Of course, we also have sweets and desserts made locally, like the Arab almojabanas (buns) or pasteles de gloria (a type of marzipan). There are many international restaurants in the municipality offering a wide choice of different cuisines, both locally and from around the world. You might also try the local wine selection on offer, especially Jalon wine a which is of high quality with a lovely bouquet and can be bought at a very reasonable price. Black rice with cuttlefish and prawns with home made aioli sauce
THE EASIEST EVER PAELLA PREPARATION: COOKING TIME: EASY
5 MINS 25 MINS SERVES 4
Think paella's too much of a challenge? Think again, this easy recipe makes it foolproof and is full of wonderful flavour INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp olive oil 1 leek or onion, sliced 110g pack chorizo sausage, chopped 1 tsp turmeric 300g long grain rice 1l hot fish or chicken stock 200g frozen peas 400g frozen seafood mix, defrosted
METHOD Heat the oil in a deep frying pan, then soften the leek for 5 mins without browning. Add the chorizo and fry until it releases its oils. Stir in the turmeric and rice until coated by the oils, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 mins, stirring occasionally.
Many of the dishes also include products grown in the area or in El Palmeral, such as artichokes, hearts of palm or dates.
Tip in the peas and cook for 5 mins, then stir in the seafood to heat through for a final 1-2 mins cooking or until rice is cooked. Check for seasoning and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
The clean, transparent waters of our coastline give also provide us with fantastic sea food, to be savoured along with the won-
Now you really can’t get more simple than that!
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