Connemara Journal (Issue 31, April 2015)

April 2015 Issue 31

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ARTS FEST WORTH €1.3M TO ECONOMY Two thirds of local businesses credit Clifden Arts Festival with sales bump and ‘extended’ tourist season into September

PHOTO: PATRICK HOWARD

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Aoife Ní Dhálaigh The annual Clifden Community Arts Festival is worth €1.3m to the local community, an economic impact study has revealed.

The results were presented in the Station House Theatre on April 2 by Angela Bane of Bane Mullarkey business consultants, who conducted the survey on behalf of the festival.

The Arts Festival was found to support 40 jobs and generate almost 4,000 bed nights, with an audience reach of 10,800 people. It cost €252,000 to stage, with

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ed i t or@ c on n ema r a j ou r n a l .i e

Hehirs looking at you, kid!

Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh poses for a picture with Emily and Ciara Geoghegan during last month’s visit to Hehirs of Clifden – full story page 5

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News

Back on the Western Way One of Ireland’s longest walking routes to be relaunched in Leenane – page 5 Business Expo Oughterard puts best foot forward at weekend of events to showcase all town has to offer – page 6 A callout with a difference!

Clifden RNLI crew scramble into their kit to help celebrate colleagues’ wedding day – page 7 Abbeyglen’s big screen debut Hotel scores publicity coup with Times Square takeover – page 9 Spring Pony Show Full report – page 10 Photographic Society This month’s theme is ‘Still Life’ – page 20 PLUS... all our regular arts, health and sports features, bringing you the best of Connemara

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News in brief

New vandalism threat for playground reopened after community campaign CLIFDEN Playground Committee has extended its thanks to all those who supported recent fundraisers to reopen the playground. The facility had been closed after it suffered damage during the storms of January 2014.

A statement from the committee said: ‘We would like to thank Councillor Eileen Mannion, TJ Redmond of Galway County Council and Thomas O’Sullivan, Community Warden, for helping us to secure funding which, along with monies raised locally, enabled us to reopen the playground.

‘We are in constant need of money as we, the committee, are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of our playground. Parts for the playground such as chains, links, and ropes are very expensive, as they have to be of a certain standard.

‘The playground is surveyed every month and if found to be in disrepair and below health and

l ST Cecilia Singers, a

Dublin-based mixed voice choir conducted by Sandra Ganly, will perform in Christ Church, Clifden at 8pm this Saturday (April 18).

The programme will include choral works from Renaissance to contemporary music.

Tickets cost €10, including a wine reception l A TABLE quiz takes

safety standards, could be closed.

‘Unfortunately, as of late, there have been a few issues in the playground. Floor tiles have been lifted, graffiti, including obscene language, has been discovered on the equipment and drinking cans and bottles are being strewn around. The Gar-

daí have been notified and are keeping a close eye on the playground.

‘We intend to install a CCTV system in the hope of deterring any further acts of vandalism.

‘We would also ask any locals who may be using the playground to report any damage or suspect behaviour either to the Gardaí or any of

the committee members listed below. Hopefully we can prevent any further vandalism and let the children enjoy our wonderful playground.’ l Committee Members: Lisa Glynn Mc Carthy, Lisa King, Lavinnia Bray O’Malley, Sean Heanue, Lucy Murray, Susan O’Leary, Lorraine Shanahan

Final days to help festivals reach Fundit target THERE are just a few days left to make a donation to the Sea Week and Bog Week Fundit campaign.

Due to cutbacks, the festivals’ Arts Council funding has been axed, while Leader will not be up and running until the end of year.

The festivals centre on Letterfrack and offer community

events including a family fun day, parade, music sessions, guided walks, art exhibitions and a schools programme.

Festival organiser Leo Hallissey said: ‘Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us so far. If you keep meaning to support us and keep

forgetting, now is the time. Every little helps and we have rewards starting from as little as €20.

‘You can even club together to raise the funds, and enjoy rewards including CDs from past festivals, dinner and accommodation packages in local hotels.’ l www.ceecc.org

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Ohh rowan By Gum

place tomorrow night (Friday 17) in Hamiltons Bar, Leenane, in aid of Leenane Kayak Club.

The night will also raise money for pupils representing Ireland in the First Lego League competition in the US. €20 for a table of four, raffle on the night, 8.30pm. Please come out and support. l THE seventh annual

Leenane Mountain Walking Festival takes place over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Offering a unique combination of mountain and sea along Killary Harbour, there are walks to suit all levels and a choice of walks each day. Local farmers get involved with guiding the walks and share their vast knowledge, folklore and history of the land.

Brendan O’Scannaill will also give a talk about life around Killary in the 19th and early 20th century. www.leenanevillage.com news@connemarajournal.ie

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Make a date with Duke – page 14

NEWS

Festival ‘extends the tourist season’

PHOTOS: AOIFE HERRIOTT

l from page 1

Their cup runneth over! Bra Fun 5K THE Mná Moycullen Bra Fun 5K Walk/Run takes place at 2pm this Sunday (April 19) to raise money for local charity Hand in Hand. Everyone is invited to join in the fun, with a registration fee of €15 for adults and €10 for students going to the charity.

Children and pensioners can participate free of charge.

Hand in Hand is a Galway-based charity that supports families who are affected by childhood cancer, providing practical support such as child care, domestic cleaning services and meals.

Registration starts at 1pm and there will be parking available at the GAA pitch in Moycullen.

GPO workers set for reunion ALL former workers of An Post, Telecom Eireann and Eircom are invited to a reunion in the Salthill Hotel on Friday April 24.

This is a repeat of a function that was held in

2010 in which former colleagues who had worked in General Post Office, Eglinton Street, Galway over the years came together to renew old acquaintances.

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former staff and their spouses are welcome.

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some expenditure taking place outside the local economy.

Two thirds of local businesses say the festival increases sales, and extends the season until the end of September.

Businesses report a massive drop-off in trade in October, in the days after the festival ends.

Of the 52 businesses who had an opinion, almost 90% believe that the festival impacts on business in Clifden at other times of the year. The main reasons cited are repeat or referral business and ‘putting Clifden on the map’.

In terms of customer satisfaction, the festival scored 9.1 out of 10.

Last year marked the 37th year of the festival, which takes place annually over 10 days at the end of September. The 2014 programme consisted of 103 events; 64 with an admission charge and 39 free events.

Ms Bane said the research aimed to understand the festival’s audience and get their feedback; to find out the festival’s impact on the local economy; and to offer a guide for future planning.

The results can also be used to back up any future funding or sponsorship proposals.

Information was gathered using 214 visitor surveys, ticket sales, audience counts at the Grand Parade and at the main art exhibition; and 56 interviews and surveys with local busi-

News in brief l THE first Clifden

Darkness Into Light Walk for Pieta House will take place on Saturday May 9. The walk starts at 4.15am, with all money raised going to the suicide and self harm crisis centre.

The event will be launched this Friday evening (April 17) in the Station House Hotel.

Contact Tom McEvoy on (093) 25587 l CONNEMARA MTB

Brendan Flynn, Angela Bane (Bane Mullarkey) and Niall Gibbons (CEO Tourism Ireland)

has started a series of training sessions for children aged 5-12. The hour-long mountain bike sessions will be held every second Friday from 6.30pm-7.30pm.

The first evening took place in Moycullen last Friday, April 10, at Kilrainey Woods Trail Head. There is a charge of €5 per child, with a free initial taster session. A helmet must be worn, brakes should be in good working order, and a parent or guardian must sign the child in and out. l RENVYLE’S 12th

Patrick O’Flaherty (General Manager, Ballynahinch Castle) and Rev Anthony Previtte nesses. The results were then interpreted using Fáilte Ireland-approved methodology.

The visitor survey revealed that 35% of visitors come from overseas, and 80% of those surveyed said the Arts Festival influenced their decision to be in the area at that time.

Of domestic visitors, 30% of visitors are from within 15 miles of Clifden, 14% come from Co Galway and 20% are from the rest of Ireland.

The average stay for

overseas visitors is 6.1 nights, with domestic visitors staying an average of 4.2 nights.

Speaking at the event, Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said the Clifden festival was an important ‘link in a green chain’ of events around the country.

He said that 2015 was already off to a good start, with a nationwide 10% increase in tourism in January and February.

‘Confidence is good for the season ahead,’ Mr Gibbons said.

annual sponsored walk in memory of Margaret Sammon and all members of the parish who have lost their lives to cancer takes place on Sunday, April 26. The walk starts in Tullycross village at 1pm, and sponsorship cards are available in the Angler’s Rest bar. All proceeds go to cancer research. l AN indoor ‘car boot’

and craft sale will take place from 10am on Sunday, April 26, in Letterfrack’s Ellis Hall in aid of Renvyle Cat and Dog Rescue. Call Chloe on 086-8668104 to book a table. news@connemarajournal.ie

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Large crowd welcomes Rose of Tralee to Clifden PHOTOS: PATRICK HOWARD

Tony Kiely

ROSE of Tralee Maria Walsh brightened up a grey old day in Clifden last week when she made a highly-anticipated visit to the town.

Ms Walsh, who was born in Boston, but lived for much of her childhood in Co Mayo before moving back to the US, was crowned the winner of the Rose of Tralee competition last August.

She was in Clifden to officially relaunch Hehirs shop following its recent refurbishment – but she went far beyond her ‘official’ duties with a display of warmth and generosity that will live long in the memories of everyone there.

Writing on the store’s blog, Maria Walsh, Michele Hehir and Brian Hehir Michele Hehir said: ‘Maria is one of The visit came about but I knew she was up to those special people that following Michele’s her eyes with her Rose makes you feel like chance meeting with commitments.

‘I couldn’t believe it you’ve known her for- Maria in Lettermullen last ever. She arrived into year, just after she won the when we got the call from Hehirs on a wild, wet competition: ‘I said if she the Rose Of Tralee office March afternoon, and ac- was ever in the west we’d to say we were scheduled tually lit up the street.’ love to see her in the store, for a visit and we are just delighted!’

With the visit lined up, it was all hands on deck to make sure Maria was given the warmest of Connemara welcomes.

IS BENEFICIAL IN Michele writes: ‘We had decided to make an event THE TREATMENT OF: around her visit and invited all our customers to come in and meet the Rose.

‘We also asked Canon

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Maria with Hehirs staff Maria Hickey, Maureen West, Caragh Hehir and Michele Hehir Ronayne to come down and bless the shop, and the newly-formed committee for Pieta House’s Darkness Into Light Walk used the visit to promote their event.

‘With all our friends from Ability West and across the community, the place was hopping!’

Arriving a little later than planned, Maria made up for lost time by diving into the crowd, making a beeline for young people lined up with camera phones.

Michele writes: ‘When Maria walked in with her mum Noreen, a big cheer broke out with a round of applause. Maria immediately started shaking hands and letting us take photos – we had a lot of little (and not so little!)

Roses in the crowd, gazing in adoration at this beautiful “Princess”, and Maria took their cameras and posed for selfies – making funny faces and creating memories.’

Michele added: ‘Maria made time for every single person in the shop – a few words, a photo, a hug – and we are so grateful to her for making the journey out to see us.’ l For more photos, see www.connemarajournal.ie

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Deputy Kyne said: ‘I’m delighted to see the publication of the tender contract for this important service to the Aran Islands. The air service is vital for connecting the islands with the mainland and plays an important role in a number of ways, including business, tourism and health services.

‘The early publication of the tender contract is very welcome as it will help ensure a smooth transition from the current contract to the new one.’

trail and how it can benefit the area at the launch on Friday May 1, at 7pm in Leenane. l For more, see www.leenanevillage .com or call Rosaleen on 087 737 5599

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Tender loving air for Aran Islands service SEAN Kyne has welcomed the publication of the tender for the air service to and from the Aran Islands.

The tender contract was published at the end of last month by the Office of Government Procurement on behalf of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Expressions of interest in providing the service are being sought by noon on June 8 2015.

The value of the contract is €3.68m for a duration of four years from this September.

ONE of Ireland’s longest walking routes, the Western Way, will be relaunched at this year’s Leenane Mountain Walking Festival at the start of May. Forum Connemara and South West Mayo Development Company have been working together to bring the route up to international standards by rolling out the Walk Scheme along the trail and helping to maintain it. As part of this project new map boards will be erected in coming weeks.

The hiking trail begins in Oughterard, taking in An Mám, the Inagh Valley and Killary Harbour, before finishing 200km away in Bonniconlon, Co Mayo.

It is hoped the Western Way will be able to hold its own against more established trails such as the Kerry/Wicklow Way in the near future.

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The perfect spring lamb sauce – Breaking Eggs, page 18

NEWS

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News in brief l SENATOR Trevor Ó

l Staff and students from Ballyconneely National School, who took part in National Spring Cleaning Day on March 27

l Bridie Staunton (centre) recently celebrated her 102nd birthday with friends from St Annin’s Retirement Group, Killannin

Local support for business expo OUGHTERARD hosted its Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town event over the weekend of March 27-28.

The two-day expo aimed to highlight ‘all that is good about the town’, and more than 60 businesses and 30 clubs came together in a show of community spirit that did exactly that.

All events were well attended, with a huge range and variety of exhibitors.

Visitors got the chance to take part in lots of activities, including creating

their own earthquake, getting tips from a golf pro, learning fly-tying and harp playing, and enjoying a relaxing massage.

Both days featured prominent business and sporting personalities including Pádraig Ó Céidigh, Brett Wilkinson from Connacht Rugby, Kerry All-Ireland winning captain Declan O’Sullivan, David Hickey CEO Connacht Tribune and Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council,

Mary Hoade.

The key note speakers delivered engaging talks on topics as diverse as attracting and retaining tourism, entrepreneurship and how to thrive in business in the current climate in rural Ireland.

Charismatic business veteran Pádraig Ó Céidigh captivated the audience with his engaging personal stories, while local businesses involved in the tourism industry were given plenty to consider by Marie Donoghoe

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from the Coach Tourism Transport Council of Ireland. The Discover Oughterard Committee, who were instrumental in organising the two day event with Bank of Ireland, will follow up on the points and ideas raised by Marie during her keynote speech.

Awards were also presented to St Paul’s Secondary School pupils for their participation in Bank of Ireland School Bank and local enterprise initiatives.

The business expo was brought to a close with the launch of the Discover Oughterard website, www.Discover Oughterard.com, by Cathaoirleach Mary Hoade.

This was a fitting end to the first day of the expo as the website will continue to provide a networking point for all the local businesses in the village and the surrounding areas.

Two follow-on, free workshops on social media and internet for the over 60s will run locally, with dates to be announced shortly Commenting on the initiative, Liam Doyle, Oughterard Branch Manager, said: ‘The Bank has

Catherine Cronin (Cronin Creations) and Liam Doyle (Bank of Ireland, Oughterard) with one of PHOTO: TOM BRODERICK Catherine’s bird boxes

Robert Naughton, Stephanie Gibbons, Niamh Lydon and Grace O’Toole at the expo been an active participant in the Oughterard community for a very long time and our future success is intrinsically linked with the success of the local community.

‘We were delighted

with the response from businesses and locals alike and look forward to strengthening our relationship in the years to come.’ l For more photos, see www.connemarajournal.ie

Clochartaigh will be the sole Sinn Féin candidate in Galway West at next General Election. Sinn Féin’s Group Leader on Galway City Council Mairéad Farrell said: ‘I have worked closely with Trevor since he became a member of Seanad Éireann four years ago and I am fully confident that he has the capability, drive and enthusiasm to secure a seat in Dáil Éireann.

Electing a Sinn Féin TD in Galway West will not be an easy task, but with a team of councillors and committed activists across the area who are willing to burn the midnight oil from now until polling day in order to realise the objective we have set out for ourselves, it is most certainly an achievable goal.’ l THE month of May will see a packed schedule of events on Inishbofin, with plenty to tempt and entertain both locals and vistors. The Inishbofin Arts Festival, which takes place from May 1-3, promises an eclectic mix of music, visual art, craft, heritage, dance and fun family activities, with this year’s headline acts including Damien Dempsey and Duke Special. Later in the month (May 22-24) the focus will be on the great outdoors, as the island’s annual walking festival takes place. This year’s itinerary includes walks with author and wildlife photographer Anthony McGeehan and local historian Tommy Burke, who has a vast knowledge of Bofin and Connemara. For a full preview of both events, see page 14.

news@connemarajournal.ie

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Fashion show to help send Lego champs to US finals A FASHION show fundraiser for Connemara’s prizewinning Lego team takes place in Letterfrack next Saturday (April 25), writes Aoife Ní Dhálaigh.

The national First Lego League champions from Letterfrack and Lettergesh national schools travel to the US next month to compete internationally.

The fashion show will feature Irish designers from Love Vintage, Stanleys of Clifden, Ohh! By Gum and Kylemore Abbey, as well as Beautiful You by Pat O’Toole, Captain Tortue clothing

by Brid Madden, and Stella and Dot jewellery

Get me to the launch on time!

CLIFDEN’S RNLI crew scrambled into their kit for a callout with a difference this month – when they provided a guard of honour for their two fellow lifeboat crew members, Alan Pryce and Sinéad O’Sullivan.

Alan and Sinéad, who tied the knot in Clifden’s St Joseph’s Church on March 6, met through their life-saving work volunteering as crew with Clifden RNLI, and lifeboats played a big part in their day – from the RNLI guard of honour, to the special stop at the station for a photograph with their ‘beloved lifeboat’ to a wedding cake which featured the couple dressed in their full RNLI kit.

Alan said ‘Being in the RNLI is a huge part of both of our lives so we were really delighted that we were able to incorporate it into our wedding celebrations. We both love the sea and share a passion for all water-based activities, so it was definitely one of our shared interests that resulted in us getting together.’

Sinead added ‘We were really thrilled that we could share our wedding with two of our favourite things – the Clifden lifeboat and our beloved dog Pippa!’

Sinéad joined Clifden RNLI eight years ago and is the station’s

only female crew member. A trained lifeguard, she is currently training to be a helm on the station’s D-class inshore lifeboat and a navigator on the all weather lifeboat.

Alan, a fellow Clifden native, signed up as volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew at just 17 years of age.

Since then he has become helm on the D class and Atlantic class inshore lifeboats and is one of the station’s four coxswains on the all

Sinéad O’Sullivan and Alan Pryce with (top) members of the Clifden RNLI crew

weather lifeboat, which is currently on a two year trial at the station.

After the wedding the couple enjoyed a quick honeymoon to Wicklow where they even stopped in briefly to Arklow RNLI to admire their Trent all weather lifeboat.

And now that the dust has settled and all the party clothes are put away, the newlyweds are back on service and ready to answer the call of the RNLI pagers.

May Day appeal The RNLI is issuing its own call for help this month – appealing for volunteers and fundraisers to get involved with ‘Mayday’, the national fundraising event which takes place from May 1-4.

Street collections and fundraising events will be taking place in and around county Galway, and the charity is now calling on people to show their support – either by volunteering to help with collections and events, or by taking part in a fundraising activity in aid of the RNLI. Most of the events will have a ‘welly’ theme in a nod to the yellow wellies – an essential piece of kit worn by the charity’s volunteer lifeboat crew members. Welly walks and wellythemed cake sales are just two examples of the events that will be taking place.

SEÁN Kyne has urged the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, to establish a fund to strengthen coastal defences and infrastructure – and so ‘lessen the extent of erosion and storm damage’.

Deputy Kyne said: ‘The severe storms of 2014 impacted heavily on some coastal communities in Galway and Mayo, and while excellent work has been carried out by county councils,

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using funding from the Government, the extent of the damage could have been lessened through targeted spending on defences such as rock armour.

‘By formally identifying vulnerable locations, and by establishing a national fund, we maximise the effectiveness of public money while also strengthening and protecting the coastline and the infrastructure on which communities rely.’

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by Brid Madden. There will be local entertainment and spot prizes on the night, as well as prizes for the best dressed and best hat.

The event, in the Courtyard Cafe, starts

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ALL DAY BREAKFAST

Members of the Lettergesh and Letterfrack team

^ d ϮϯƌĚ͗ ͚ ĂǁŶ Ś ^ ŚŽƌƵƐ tĂ ĂůŬ͛ ǁŝƚŚ ŶƚŚŽŶLJ DĐ'ĞĞŚĂŶ Guided early morning bird d-spotting walk ͚&Ă &ĂŵŝůLJ tĂ ĂůŬŬ͛ Ta ake a more o leisurely stroll around the island d Periim m er Wa met alk with TTo ommy Burkkee For those that arre more into walkking than strolling, take on the perimeter with Bofin Bofffin To ommy Burkke Lissten to Inishbofin at Dusk Let renowned o ornithologisst Anthony McGeehan take you fo or a late n night ramble, lissten fo or the corncra ake and other B Bofiin birdss that come alive at night SUN 24th: Lectu L re and Visit to Inishark Island d A lecture on the hisstory and archaeology of Inisharkk ffo ollowed by a boat trip and gui g ded tour of Inishark with local h hisstorian To ommy Burkke!

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editor@connemarajournal.ie

Traidphicnic line up THE line up for the fourth Traidphicnic Festival, which takes place in An Spidéal from July 3–5, has been announced. Highlights this year include performances from Ré (featuring Liam Ó Maonlaí), Taproom and The Ó Hernan Family and Friends.

The open-air festival, which is held in the Ceardlann, operates a ‘donate what you can’ ethos to help cover its costs. The festival is bilingual and organised by a voluntary committee.

A committee spokesman said: ‘All possible funding has now been applied for, and while we wait for news, we’ll continue to plough ahead with our fundraising events.

‘Last month’s primary school Disco Zumba was a great success, and as some of the parents were asking for a night themselves we held ‘Oíche Boogie on Down 4 Traidphicnic’ last weekend in Tigh Giblins, with sounds of the 70s and 80s giving everyone a chance to Boogie on Down!’ l For more information, see www.traidphicnic.com or follow the festival on Facebook and Twitter

l A retirement party was held for Dr Zita Fitzpatrick

in the Boat Inn, Oughterard, on Saturday last. Dr Zita was based in Oughterard for the last seven years and all in the community wish her well. Pictured, from left: Dr Tom McConnell, Denise O’Halloran, Dr Fitzpatrick, Michelle Joyce and Joan McConnell

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FARM Advisory Services is the new agricultural consultants office opened in Peacockes Hotel in Maam Cross. Speaking at the launch of the new office, Pat Burke said that he believes there is a need in the Connemara area for more advisers who can deal with the complex issues of hill farming and commonages.

Pat said: ‘As a hill sheep farmer myself, on mountainous commonage land in Tipperary, I am only too aware of the difficulties associated with the new GLAS scheme in commonage areas.

‘However, I think most farmers will be financially better off if they join GLAS – and with a sensible plan, many farmers will not require much change to their current farming system.’

Pat has surrounded himself with a very capable and experienced team in Connemara, including senior adviser Brendan Kilkenny, who has over 15 years’ experience of the REPS scheme throughout Co Mayo.

Farm Advisory Services have been involved in teaching the Green Cert to 22 young farmers in Letter-

l THIS year’s 10th

Kenneth Farrell, Patricia Lynch, Pat Burke and Brendan Kilkenny at the newly-opened office in Peacockes Hotel

New consultant service to help farmers deal with GLAS scheme frack for the past two years. This has been an unequivocal success, with a long waiting list for the next course.

Pat said: ‘Forum Connemara and GRETB Letterfrack are to be strongly commended for bringing this course into Connemara, as travelling long distances to Galway and beyond for these facilities is not sustainable for a rural community.’

Farm Advisory Services hopes to work with farmers to put plans in

place that allows them farm, while also protecting the environment. Pat believes if there is proper consultation with farmers from the onset, a solution to many of the issues on hill farms can be found.

Farm Advisory Services are currently preparing GLAS plans for farmers all over Connemara. Their brand new office in Maam Cross signals a long term commitment to the Connemara area. GLAS will bring in an income of

€25,000 for many hill farmers in the area.

Along with GLAS, Farm Advisory Services will also assist farmers with all farm related schemes including the Basic Payment Scheme.

Pat Burke and his colleagues are available for a no-obligation free consultation in their office in Peacockes Hotel, Maam Cross, Monday to Saturday. l Contact Farm Advisory Services at 083 1590001 or info@commonage.ie

birthday celebrations of the Connemara Mussel Festival started early, with a launch in Renvyle House Hotel on March 22. The culinary festival will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, with talks, walks, cookery demonstrations and competitions, theatre, sports and an artisan market. For photos from the launch, see www.connemarajournal.ie – full festival preview on page 15. l REGISTRATION is

now open for the Tooreeny 5k, which takes place on Saturday, May 23. Proceeds from the run go towards Scoil Cholmáin, Tuairíní, Maigh Cuilinn. Entry costs €15, and registration can be completed at www.runireland.com.

Runners can also sign up on the day between 2.15pm and 2.45pm.

Major works planned for N59 as part of roads programme

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THE Roads Programme 2015 has been passed by Galway County Council, with ‘significiant investment’ in roads for Connemara, according to councillor Eileen Mannion.

Major funding has been allocated to the N59, with €1 million for design costs for the Clifden to Maam Cross section; €4 million for works between Bunnakil and Claremount; and €3.1 million to progress the Moycullen bypass.

Road improvement grants have been approved for stretches of road at Carna-Glinsk, Casla-Maam Cross, Ardmore-Kilkieran, Tooreen-Sky Road, Coolacloy, Connemara Golf Club road, Cloonluane Garraunbaun, Shanbolard, Laragan, Morneen, Athry, MaamLeenane, Maam-Maam Cross and Roundstone Village.

Main street in Clifden has been allocated €100,000.

Surface dressing grants have also been approved for stretchs of road at Goulane, Inagh Valley, Ballafadda, Foreglas, Low RoadClifden, Garroman, Cashel, Church HillClifden, Sky road and Roundstone Village Funding for some tertiary road repairs at Ballafadda, Eyrephort, Shanaheever, Kylemore, Riverside-Clifden, Ballynew, Shannakeela and Garroman have also been included.

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She is pictured here with her mother, Marian O’Malley. news@connemarajournal.ie

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Abbeyglen Hotel makes big screen debut in Times Square CLIFDEN’S Abbeyglen Castle made its debut on the big screen in Times Square, New York, last week in a bid to woo even more North American visitors to the historic four-star hotel.

The owners enlisted the help of some of its most famous friends – including Ryan Tubridy, Brendan Grace, Mary Kennedy, Sharon Shannon, Tony Tormey and the late Tony Fenton – to star in a four-minute movie, I’m a Celebrity Get me in There.

The four-minute movie, which was screened during New York’s morning rushhour, sees the celebrities set aside their day job to step in and help the team at Abbeyglen.

Shot last year at the hotel, it was designed to ‘give New York commuters some light-

hearted holiday inspiration’ before a huge digital building wrap showing pictures of the hotel and Connemara lit up No.3 Times Square for 24 hours.

For owner Brian Hughes, the movie has a special significance as it opens with a message from the late, legendary DJ Tony Fenton.

Brian told the Journal: ‘Tony Fenton was a great friend of the hotel and I would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends.

‘Hearing his voice this morning [in New York] was a wonderful reminder of how full of life Brian Hughes – with duty manager Gilbert, perched right – in New York’s Times Square, where the hotel scored a publicity coup with its movie screening

he was, as well as some of the antics we shared at the castle.

‘Indeed, just two years ago I had the honour of awarding Tony the Freedom of Connemara.

‘It is incredible to be here in Times Square.

Approximately 330,000 people pass through here every day and all of them are seeing the great welcome and product we offer, not just at Abbeyglen Castle in Connemara, but across all of Ireland.

‘We’ve just celebrated St. Patrick’s Day which really helped set the tone for today. We’re delighted by the response from the people we’ve spoken to on the street and look forward to welcoming some of them to the castle in the future.’ l The movie is available to view at www.abbeyglen.ie.

Company ‘to motivate women in business’ STRIVE For It, the mastermind for female entrepreneurs, business owners and executives, started its intake of 2015 last Friday (April 10).

The company was founded by Galway businesswomen Gill Carroll and Lisa Regan, (pictured) and brings together a group of likeminded individuals to

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‘Our inspiration for Strive For It came from reading about the lives of powerful women such as Sheryl Sandberg and Arianna Huffington,’ said Gill Carroll.

‘But the inspiration also comes from the super women we meet on a daily basis who all are striving to live the best lives possible.

They are a common thread in us all and with Strive For It we really believe that a support network like this will help bring

est.

‘I’m so close to making my life’s dream a reality’ Voice of Ireland star Denise Morgan is through to this weekend’s semi finals on the popular RTÉ reality TV show – and is appealing to Connemara music lovers to give her their vote.

Denise, whose mother comes from Kingstown, Clifden, grew up in Manchester and travelled back to Clifden to perform a special Valentine’s Day gig in the Station House Hotel.

Denise said: ‘I really need the support of the public at this stage. I am thrilled to have gotten this far – I have been singing and songwriting for so long, and to be this close to making my dream a reality is unbelievable!

‘I am delighted and am determined to make my next performance the best one yet.’

The Voice of Ireland airs this Sunday on RTÉ One at 6.30pm

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Lisa Regan added: ‘Our mission is to support, motivate and encourage women in business. We want to make some exceptional leaders of influence.’ l www.strivefor.it

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Quayside telescope to help ramblers Bee Biodiversity Batty Clifden Tidy Towns update: Last year, Clifden Tidy Towns filled out many funding applications and were delighted when, in November, we received the news that one had been successful. The name of the application was Bee Biodiversity Batty and was for biodiversity equipment to monitor wildlife in our town and environs. This equipment can be used by

other groups/schools too and will include bat detectors and butterfly/bug monitoring kits.

Our most ambitious wish was to have permanent standalone binocular telescope at the quay to enable residents and visitors enjoy the wildlife in the bay. These of course were also the most expensive item on our ‘wish list’ and we are delighted to say that funding from Agenda

21 will start us on our way.

The binoculars should be in place by early May and we look forward to many years of ‘twitching’ in our town.

We have many projects planned for the year ahead with the schools and the community – however if anyone out there is working to enhance their community by any means, please let us know. If the action increases

knowledge and awareness of our town and its environs, we can include it in the competition entry form.

Clifden Tidy Towns Committee would like to thank Cleggan Claddaghduff Community Council, the annual Charity Pony Ride organisers and supporters, along with Joe Lynch and Supervalu for their fantastic support of Tidy Towns. Our

projects rely on match funding and we are off to a good start this year. We have plans to put Clifden firmly on the Tidy Towns ‘one to watch’ list and the support of the community is always greatly appreciated.

See you around the town! l All volunteers welcome at Super Saturday, April 25, meeting at 2pm on the Square (Clifden) – gloves, bags, pickers supplied

Focus shifts this year to mares THE Connemara Pony Spring Festival kicked off on Friday March 27 with the colt inspections in Mullingar Equestrian Centre. Six colts attained class one status. The second day of colt inspections took place in the Showgrounds, Clifden, on Saturday with another five colts attaining class one status. Full details and photos of all class one colts can be found on the Connemara Pony Breeders Society web-

site. On Saturday afternoon veterinarian Kate Murray and Sheila Ramsay gave a presentation on Hoof Wall Separation Disease, its implications, how to test for it and how to prevent it.

On Saturday afternoon, visitors and locals gathered in the Station House Theatre for the launch of An Capaillín. This year’s edition was edited by Lucinda Kelly. An Capaillín is available to purchase from the CPBS at €12. It

is also available from All Things Connemara and the Celtic Shop. Guests enjoyed some time to mingle before taking to their seats for the Bartley O’Sullivan lecture, which was given by Mrs Clare Oakes from Co Meath. Clare spoke about her time riding Connemara ponies for Stan Lynch. Stan Lynch was a writer, commentator and a Connemara pony enthusiast. He was phenomenal in his promotion and

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News in brief l MOYCULLEN artist

Pádraic Reaney is showing part of his graphic work based on WB Yeats’s Crazy Jane poems in the Coole Park restaurant as part of a series of events marking 150 years since the birth of the poet. The show runs from this Friday (April 17) to Friday May 8. The work on show will be block prints and drypoint using CD discs as printing plates.

Padraic, a native of An Cheathrú Rua, has been inspired by this series of poems since the late1980s, and will also exhibit Crazy Jane paintings and graphics in Dublin’s Sol Art Gallery in June and Clifden Arts Week in September. l AN EXHIBITION on

sales of the Connemara pony at home and abroad.

Clare shared some of her fond stories of Stan and generously raffled six Stan Lynch books (mainly on his writing of the hunting field and valued at €1,000) which were won by Patrick Curran from Moycullen, Co Galway.

The next morning the crowd gathered at 11.30am in the Showgrounds for the Stallion Parade, where 30 of the 37 stallions entered were shown. Four stallions were shown under saddle, with the final group of stallions comprising of the newly approved class one stallions.

The Spring Festival coincided with Horse Sport Ireland’s announcement that they will fund €5,000 towards running a Connemara Pony Performance Mare Championship.

It is being introduced by the CPBS as an incentive to mare owners to produce their mares for a perform-

Above: Murvey Rocco; left: CPBS President Tom MacLochlainn with An Capaillín editor Lucinda Kelly at the Station House launch ance competition with an attractive prize fund and encourage the promotion of them as performance animals.

The competition aims to promote and provide an outlet for four year old mares likely to make high class show jumpers or eventers and to identify performance mares at a young age that may be suitable for the broodmare herd.

Fifteen four year old mares will qualify for a final to take place on Wednesday August 19 during this year’s Connemara Pony Festival.

The mares will be assessed on their jumping ability, conformation and temperament/ease of working with. A large international audience travel to Clifden for the

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festival and it is anticipated that this competition will increase the export value of four year old mares.

This is a unique competition as it focuses on the ease of handling the pony as well as the pony’s jumping ability and is the first competition of its kind for Connemara ponies.

Through identifying potential show jumping or eventing mares, this competition will help breeders develop individual strategies to produce both showjumping and eventing ponies, while profiling and benchmarking the mare herd. More details are available on www.cpbs.ie

the theme of emigration and the landscape of Connemara opens in Oughterard Courthouse on Thursday April 23.

M’áit dhúchais – My Native Place is an exhibition presented by uachtarARTS and friends, and will continue until May 16. Run in collaboration with the Oughterard Heritage Group and the Heritage Office, Galway County Council, the exhibition is part of the conference, Conamara: Emigration & Landscape that runs from April 23-25. Contact uachtararts@gmail.com for further details. l THE Oughterard

Writers Group present Same Moon: Voices on the theme of Emigration at the Courthouse Oughterard on Friday April 24 from 8pm-9pm.This free event is an important creative contribution from the group in response to the theme of emigration using words, drama and song. news@connemarajournal.ie

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PHOTOS: TOM BRODERICK

l THE Six Nations tro-

phy had its first outing in the West on April 2, with a large crowd gathering in The Boat Inn to pose with Ireland’s recently reacquired silverware.

The visit was organised following an invitation extended by Adrian O’Connor (Boat Inn), and the cup was later brought to the ORFC training ground, where junior players also got a chance to have their pic- The Walsh children, Amy, Calum, Cillian and Evan tures taken.

Dara Lowry, Ture Kleefeld and James Lowry

Forum to take on ‘lot’ decision in High Court FORUM Connemara has has been granted a judicual review of last month’s controversial decision to allocate just one funding ‘lot’ to County Galway.

And while the campaign to ‘save Forum Connemara’ has not ended, the group has called a temporary halt to its protests ‘as it may prejudice the High Court proceedings’.

A Forum spokeswoman told the Journal: ‘The judicial review will be brought up [in the High Court] on May 12 – my understanding is that the judge will not hear the case that day but will set a date for a hearing.’

In separate developments, the Minister for Rural Affairs, Ann Phelan, told the Dáil her department will ‘try and find a solution’ to the controversy surrounding Forum Connemara’s loss of the tender for the social inclusion programme, SICAP. The minister’s comments followed statements from Galway West deputies Derek Nolan and Seán Kyne, and came just days staff and supporters of Forum gathered outside a meeting of Galway County Council to protest the decision to have only one ‘lot’ for the delivery of SICAP in the county.

Around 70 people joined the demonstration on March 23 at the Connemara Coast Hotel,

PHOTO: AOIFE HERRIOTT

Protesters outside last month’s council meeting in Furbo Furbo, handing a letter of protest to Cathaoirleach Mary Hoade.

Ten staff at Forum have been placed on protective notice after the County Galway Local Community Development Committee decided to reduces the ‘lots’ in the county from two to one.

Forum lost the bid to tender, meaning east-Galway based Galway Rural Development will deliver all social and community assistance programmes across the county for the next five years.

Speaking in last month’s Dáil debate Deputy Nolan said: ‘This decision [to grant one “lot” for Galway] has resulted in a wholly unacceptable situation in Connemara. During the tendering process for SICAP, it was clear that two lots of funding were

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needed for the county – one for the east of the county and one for Connemara.

‘Forum Connemara, the community development organisation in Connemara, has done immense work in the region over the years.

‘It has turned rural areas into thriving communities.

‘There is a lot of understandable worry about the future amongst staff, stakeholders and beneficiaries of the organisation. A solution must be found [and] I ask the minister to engage with her department, with the local authorities, with Pobal and with Forum Connemara to try to come to a mutual agreement.’

In response to Deputy Nolan, Minister Ann Phelan said she was con-

scious that there were some difficulties in understanding the new process and the changes in alignment. In that light, she agreed that officials in her department would meet with both Deputy Nolan and Deputy Seán Kyne to ‘figure out a way forward for all concerned’.

The Forum spokeswoman added: ‘While the judicial review is underway everything must stay the same so Forum will continue to deliver its services as normal.

‘If people are anxious as to what will happen in the future they should continue to contact their elected representatives to express their concerns.

‘We will continue to update the public through our Facebook and Twitter accounts and on www.forumconnemara.ie.’

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Ó Cuív: ‘Scale of Leader cuts highlight rural-urban divide’ ÉAMON Ó Cuív has expressed ‘outrage’ over what he describes as ‘massive funding cuts to the Leader budget’.

Deputy Ó Cuív said: ‘This massive funding cut will have a huge impact on local communities across the county.

‘Leader funds play an integral part in the roll out of community projects, creating jobs and providing essential services like childcare provision, rural transport services and social inclusion programmes.

‘This latest round of cuts will lead to harsh reductions and place these development companies under increased pressure.’

Details of the new round of Leader funding were announced by Minister Ann Phelan last month, with just over €12million allocated to Galway.

The funding was welcomed by Fine Gael deputy Seán Kyne, who said it ‘demonstrated the Government’s commitment to Galway’.

Deputy Ó Cuív, however, added: ‘The impact of the massive reduction in Leader funding cannot be overestimated. Outside of the area around [Galway] city, large parts of the county, including Connemara, are declining rural areas – and then we have the islands.

‘The county has already been singled out for substantial cuts and has been neglected by this Government in terms of investment.

‘Almost all of the major jobs announcements last year were in the Dublin and eastern region, while investment in areas west of the Shannon, and more significantly in Co Galway, have been sorely neglected.

‘This urban-rural divide is made even more obvious in this latest Leader allocation; while the funding for Galway is cut by 56%, the money awarded to rural Dublin has increased by 2%.’

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APRIL 2015 connemarajournal

Clifden centre hailed as a ‘model for all to follow’ sitions, even outside the peak tourist season.

THE tinkling of a wind Other businesses help chime echoes around where they can, with the building, announcdonations or other ofing the arrival of anfers of help. One big other service user to champion of the centre begin their day at is the Station House Criost Linn. Service Hotel, which gives the users and staff wander service users free use past the office, popping of the swimming pool in to grab materials or and leisure centre facilsay hello. There is no ities, and sponsored the PHOTOS: GERALDINE KIVENEY buzzer to access the planting of a tree at building, no lock on Criost Linn last month the door. Each individduring National Tree ual has their own Week. agenda for the day, taiMary says: ‘People lored to suit their needs with intellectual disand abilities. Some are ability want the same just stopping in before as you and me: to go they head back into the out, look well, feel community to work. well, have a chat and And now Clifden’s be part of the commuinclusive approach to nity.’ intellectual disability is Clockwise from top left: Keith O’Malley with Dermot Clancy (Gannons Sports); ‘Oh, and to get paid being hailed by um- Mary King (second from right) with Hehirs staff Maria Hickey, Michele Hehir and – I can’t put enough brella organisation Brian Hehir; SuperValu Clifden manager Joe Lynch with Mary Joyce; Chris emphasis on the finanAbility West as the Shanahan (Topaz) and Patrick Wallace; and John Conneely (EJ Kings) cial reward!’ model to which all Mary says that communities in Co Galway Many of the service users are Letterfrack has been taking peo- things have changed for the betshould aspire. familiar faces around Clifden, ple for more than 20 years, and ter in this area, with service Criost Linn covers a wide and have been making their con- is a popular option. users being paid directly and area, from Roundstone to Ren- tribution to the town for a numAt the moment, Kitty Nee and having full control of their earnvyle, as well as a wide range of ber of years. Mary Joyce has Anna Marie Ward work there ings. ages, with service users from 21- worked in Kavanagh’s Super- every Wednesday. Kitty says: ‘I ‘Years ago, money would 65 years of age. Despite this, the Valu for the past 10 years, while like it – I work shredding up pa- have been managed by parents. emphasis is firmly on meeting Mary King has been in Hehirs pers. It’s good fun and good pay. Like the rest of us, sometimes individual needs. The centre has for eight years.

Martin Coyne is the boss.’ Mary the money gets spent straight a long history of interacting with Some have retired – Hugh was says she’s first onto the bus away, sometimes it is saved.’ the community, and has been in Topaz for eight years and Anna every Wednesday morning.

At the moment some of the providing job opportunities for in Foyles Hotel for four years.

Keith O’Malley works in service users are putting their its service users for more than 20 Julia McCann now works in Gannons Sports and Steam cof- wages aside for an overnight trip years.

Foyles, where she maintains the fee shop. He also has a job in to see Mama Mia in Dublin durMary Foyle, manager at Criost foyer, while Patrick Wallace has Oliver’s Bar, Cleggan, which ing the summer.

Linn, says this would not have just started in Topaz.

Mary says he loves because he Mary says the jobs mean a lot been possible without the genPatrick describes his duties, can walk there from his house, to the service users and give erosity of individuals and busi- including stacking shelves, work within his own local com- them confidence. nesses in Clifden and the wider sweeping and setting up the tea munity and enjoy the craic in the ‘It’s remarkable the change Connemara area. and coffee station. He says: pub. you see coming over people – ‘Employers need to show ‘Chris [Shanahan] is a great John Conneely works in EJ those who are overwhelmed flexibility and kindness, and boss.’ As well as his Friday job King’s, Roisin O’Rourke in the with shyness when they arrive keep in mind the bigger picture. in the petrol station, Patrick Ivy Market, and Chloe Conneely are the ones greeting newcomers I often approach businesses and works in Guys Bar on Wednes- has just started in Pauline at the door within a year. try to make a good match and days, taking down chairs and Coyne’s hairdressers.

‘The responsibility of getting good fit. stools, setting up the tables with Mary commends the inclu- [to work], getting their job done, ‘But it’s a two-way street – milk jugs and doing the ice sive, welcoming attitude from and being paid for it is huge. We employers give a lot, and they buckets. businesses around town, most of would like to say thank you for get a lot back.’

Connemara National Park in whom try to offer year-round po- the generosity of all involved.’

@ConnemaraJ

Easter art exhibition

Aoife Ní Dhálaigh

Artist Doírín Hickey (Rosscahill), who hosted an exhibition for her students in the newly refurbished Oughterard Court House over Easter weekend. Also pictured, Sheila Walsh

Patti O'Connor with Doírín Hickey – the oil painting in the background, ‘Bowl of fruit’, was painted by Patti

Loretta Lydon with her painting, ‘The glass half full ‘

Loretta’s son, Aaron, also exhibited his painting, ‘Hungry Angus’ PHOTOS: TOM BRODERICK

Beautifully refurbished restaurant and terrace open for dinner.

Perfect for a special occasion or just an evening with friends.

Atmospheric extension added to the friendly Fisherman’s Pub, now taking reservations.

Tel 095 31006 or email info@ballynahinch-castle.com

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‘Our opinion and input is valued’

‘I wanted to see how Irish was used on a daily basis’ German professor conducts language study in Spiddal care home home was happy to facilitate the Fulbright research.

‘Nicole was, of course, here to carry out a very important study but she quickly became a member of the Áras community during her visits,’ she said.

‘Nicole got fully involved in the life of the home; she took time to chat with our residents and got to know some of them very well. Residents and staff were quite lonely on her finishing up in the Áras,’ said Katie, with Professor Müller joking: ‘I almost ended up with a job in the end because they let me help make tea and take it around and that was great fun! We had some great music sessions as well; nurse Anne Byrne came in and did the music sessions, which was always good fun, but it was also just good to come in and talk with people and have a cup of tea and just sit with folks and visit.’

The German native learned to speak Irish during a study abroad

year spent at what was then UCG in the 1980s.

Professor Müller completed her doctorate at Oxford University before becoming a professor at the University of Louisiana, but she maintained her interest in Irish down through the years.

She said she was ‘absolutely thrilled’ to be selected for the highly competitive Fulbright programme, which supports the creme-de-la creme of the academic world to conduct important research projects.

Professor Müller said during her research she could see first-hand the benefits of people receiving care through their first language. ‘It’s very important on various levels. On one level, it’s emotional: the language that we grow up with is important to us because people have an attachment to the first language that they speak. It’s part of who you are. It’s part of where you come from.

Another level is that a language is a resource and if you have other

Summer school building works announced SCHOOLS in An Spidéal, Moycullen, Clifden, Cashel, Indreabhán

and Ros Muc will receive funding under this year’s summer works scheme.

Crú Valley Nurseries, Moycullen To all my customers in Clifden, Roundstone, Letterfrack and Carna – I will not be attending the weekly markets from now on.

Business as usual in the nursery in Moycullen.

Orders taken and delivery service can be arranged.

A special word of thanks to all of my loyal customers who have supported me at the market throughout the years.

When you look at the website “Is í an Ghaeilge teanga ár dtí” is right there on the front,’ she said.

Professor Müller returned to her post at the University Hospital Linköping in Sweden last month, where she is a member of the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. She looks forward to publishing the findings from her study at Áras Chois Fharraige in the near future.

AQUA BABY CLASSES

at the Station House Leisure Centre

Cong’s Players pitch up in Clifden THE Other Abbey Players, a drama group from the Cross, Cong and The Neale area of South Mayo, will stage their latest production – Widow’s Paradise – in The Station House Hotel Clifden, this Saturday (April 18).

The Other Abbey Players are preserving a strong Mayo tradition of drama stretching back to the era when The Neale Drama Group, under the direction of the renowned Father P.V.

O’Brien, produced plays on a par with many professional troupes.

The group was formed to provide good quality drama within the community while also fundraising for repairs to St. Mary’s Church in Cong. Their first production was Bernard Farrell’s I Do Not Like Thee Dr Fell.

This is the first occasion The Other Abbey Players has taken their production outside their regular Cong venue.

BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN D

E N

S T A I O N

Paraic O’Sullivan – 091-555189 cruvalleynurseries@yahoo.com

Spidéal, Coláiste Cholmcille in Indreabhán, SN Seamus Naofa in Bearna, SN Baile Nua and Scoil Mhuire in Moycullen will all have work done on windows.

‘External environment’ work will be carried out at Scoil Naomh Iosef in Bearna, Scoil Mhuire in Clifden, and Coláiste Ghobnait on Inis Oírr.

Structural improvements will be done at SN Naomh Treasa in Cashel and Gairmscoil na bPiarsach in Ros Muc.

kinds of difficulties, whether that’s because you’ve got dementia or you’ve had a stroke or just simply because you are getting very old, then the more you can use your resources, such as language, the better,’ she said.

‘What I found very interesting was that at the Áras they are very upfront; they’re very explicit about wanting to serve the local Irish speaking population.

T

I look forward to seeing you all at the garden centre for many years to come.

The schools are part of a group of 38 primary and post-primary schools across Co Galway that will have works carried out over the summer break.

This round of investment is focused on window repair and replacement, upgrading of science and specialist rooms and external improvements such as upgrading of school perimeter fences and walls.

Scoil Éinne in An

Áras Chois Fharraige resident Jude Conneely with Fulbright Scholar Professor Nicole Müller

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A GERMAN professor with a passion for Irish has conducted an important international language study at Áras Chois Fharraige, An Spidéal, ‘I’ve always had an interest in and a love for Irish,’ said Professor Nicole Müller, who learned the language more than 30 years ago.

‘It’s been an interest of mine for so long that I actually can’t remember how it fell into place.’

The world-renowned linguist won a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to study the language use of elderly Irish speakers.

Professor Müller spent six months immersed in the life of Áras Chois Fharraige care home for the study and has said she was touched by the way she was welcomed into the local Irish-speaking community.

‘One of the highlights of my time in Ireland was the way that everybody at the Áras welcomed me; the way they took me in

and were happy to talk to me was just great. Beyond being able to do my research, it was great to encounter friendly faces on a daily basis. It wasn’t just a question of finding study participants; but also of making some real friends and that was great,’ she said.

The Professor of Speech and Language Pathology spent several days each week, from September until last month, at Áras Chois Fharraige conducting observational research and recording interviews with residents, visitors and staff. Her research was conducted in conjunction with the discipline of Speech and Language Therapy at NUIG and also with the assistance of the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology.

‘What I wanted to know is how people interact with each other on a daily basis and how they use language to do that,’ she said.

Katie Folan, activities co-ordinator at Áras Chois Fharraige, said the

C L I F

Michael McGrath

Áras Chois Fharraige resident Jude Conneely (pictured) enjoyed talking as Gaeilge with Professor Müller: ‘I really enjoyed Nicole's time with us. She was a lovely lady, very easy to talk to, very understanding and listened to what the residents had to say. I found her to be very good company and very interested in all that we do in the Áras.

‘After a fall at home and a short stay in hospital, I decided that it was time to move into our local nursing home in Spiddal. I lived alone and was becoming increasingly worried about being on my own. Being from the Gaeltacht, Irish is my native language and I knew that this would be facilitated in the nursing home.

‘From day one everybody has been so friendly and helpful and have made me feel very welcome. I can get up when I like, do whatever I like to do, eat what I like and go to bed when I like. We're treated like royalty!

‘Our opinion and input is valued. I feel very safe and well cared for and I know that should I wish for anything, I need only ask.’

H O U

S

Call the Lesire Centre at Clifden Station House on (095) 30433 or message us on Facebook

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FEATURES

With intimate gigs, international acts and a stunning setting, Inishbofin Arts Festival could well be Ireland’s most unique boutique event

AN eclectic mix of music, visual art, craft, heritage, dance and fun family activities are promised for the Inishbofin Arts Festival this May Bank Holiday weekend.

Running from Friday May 1 to Sunday May 3, limited ticket numbers, stunning scenery and the historic setting all combine to ensure a memorable and unique weekend.

Dempsey and Duke make it a Special line up An Arts Festival spokeswoman said: ‘On Friday night Inishbofin will officially celebrate its place on

the Wild Atlantic Way with a trad session featuring local Bofin musicians and an official launch by Fáilte

Ireland’s Michael Fitzsimons.

‘On Saturday night we welcome

our good friend Damien Dempsey back to Bofin. Damien has played a few gigs here before but they have been on a smaller scale so we thought it high time he featured on the Arts Festival line up!

‘On Sunday Duke Special (inset) will make a trip to Bofin – Duke has just released his new album ‘Look Out Machines’ so he’s in demand at the minute.

‘We’re delighted he is able to feature so highly in our weekend of entertainment and we look forward to the gig!’

Interactive and family events will also take place over the weekend, including: poetry, lectures, Sean Nós Dancing workshops, a market celebrating Inishbofin’s finest food and craft, a children’s fete and science workshop. There will also be craft workshops and a walk with local historian Tommy Burke. l Tickets are limited and can be booked from the box office at 095 45895

Corncrakes and craic – it can only be Bofin’s walking festival!

INISHB IN NISHBOF BOFIN ARTS FESTIVAL MAY 1ST³3RD M D 2015 FR RI: TRAD SESSIO ON SAT S AT T: DAMI DAMIEN IEN DEMP DEM MPSEY SUN: DUK KE SPECIAL T TICKET OFFICE: 095-4 0 5895 WW WW W.IN NISHBOF FIN.COM

Inishbofin Island on Fac cebook @visitinishbofin n on Twiitter

THERE’S plenty on offer for locals and tourists alike at this year’s Inishbofin Walking Festival, which runs from Friday May 22 to Sunday May 24.

The Inishbofin Island Walking Festival is a unique opportunity to enjoy a weekend of walking in this stunning location with local experts on hand to guide and help walkers discover the very best that the island has to offer.

The walking festival itinerary includes walks with author and wildlife photographer Anthony McGeehan and local historian Tommy Burke, who has a vast knowledge of Bofin and Connemara. There is also a chance to take a boat trip to Inishark and have a guided tour of the uninhabited island with Tommy.

This time of year is also a great time to hear the elusive corncrake calling – if you’re very lucky you might even catch a sight of one!

The island boasts boasts a variety of splendid walks, including three looped walks, as well as green roads, bog roads and laneways.

There are beautiful Green Coast beaches, clear waters ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving, and a diverse range of birds, wildlife, flora and fauna.

The island itself has been visited through the ages; diverse historical sites are to be found around the island

including several Bronze Age settlements. Many of its monastic sites are associated with Saint Colman, and ancient chapels and holy wells contain the memories of an early Christian settlement.

Then there is the starshaped Cromwell’s Barracks, which dominates the entrance to the harbour. You will also see Dún Gráinne, which is said to have been the site of the O’Malley castle, occupied by Grace O’Malley. Other coastal promontory forts thought to be from the

Iron Age are common on the island, the most dramatic being Dún Mór in West Quarter.

Traditional music is an integral part of Inishbofin’s culture.

Musicians and artists regularly visit for the famous sessions, which are very special, as music is the heartbeat of the island. If you like a tune, you’ll love Inishbofin. l Registration is on Friday evening at the Inishbofin Community Centre – weekend walking pass €35. More at www.inishbofin.com or call 095 45895

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John Coyle (Renvyle House), Brian Quinn (Fáilte Ireland), festival chairman Gerard Coyne, Owen Heanue and RNLI members ALL PHOTOS: AOIFE HERRIOTT

Scenes from the 2013 and 2014 festivals

Mussel Fest 2015 T he Connemara Mussel Festival is celebrating its 10th birthday this May Bank Holiday, and promises to be the best yet. Buoyed up by winning the McKenna Guides’ Megabytes Best Food Festival of 2014, the committee are determined to continue improving the festival year on year, celebrating the community, food, culture and heritage of the Renvyle peninsula.

John and Sally McKenna of the McKenna Guides are returning this year, after awarding the 2014 Best Food Festival last year with these words: ‘Tullycross became the epicentre of the West Coast in early May, as the small and splendiferous Connemara Mussel Festival took over the village and delighted everyone with great food, great demos and great dancing from the Curley School of Dancing.

You can reckon you’ve been to every festival and seen it all, and then something as small, community-focused and simple as this great weekend simply takes your breath away.

Only brilliant.’

Renowned food writer and chef Jody Eddy will be at the festival opening on Friday night, and Festival Ambassador Máirin Uí Chomáin will be on duty as head judge for the weekend.

The School of Culinary Arts at GMIT has developed an exciting food programme, with demon-

strations from Michelinstarred chef JP McMahon (Aniar, Cava and EAT restaurants in Galway) and Martin O’Donnell (West Restaurant at the Twelve Hotel, Barna).

RTÉ’s Sean O’Rourke and Mike Lally will vie for the title of Celebrity Chef – always a very entertaining competition.

Every bit as entertaining is the Amateur Chef competition, which is still open for entries if you fancy your chances at preparing a mouth-watering mussel dish.

Even in the cooking marquee the children are not forgotten. GMIT’s Jacinta Dalton will present Play Dough on both Saturday and Sunday for the younger visitors to learn from and enjoy.

And there’s loads more going on in the marquee, where culinary activities using a variety of seafood and other local produce will be happening throughout the weekend.

But of course it’s not all about cooking. There

are all sorts of other activities planned including talks on such diverse topics as W.B Yeats on the 150th anniversary of his birth, organic vegetable growing, the origins of Tullycross village, Sven Habermann from Conservation Letterfrack giving an intriguingly titled talk ‘The Good, the Bad and the

Magnificent’, and everybody’s favourite archaeologist, Michael Gibbons, will give a talk on ‘Booleys, Caves and Rock Art’ – new discoveries in Connemara and south Mayo.

There’s drama with Curlew Theatre who present ‘The Muse and Mister Yeats’ and Tegolin’s Tales, interactive storytelling for children. And, not to be missed, the RTÉ Contempo String Quartet start off the festival on Friday evening, with locally based poet Joan McBreen, performing in the Church of Christ the King, Tullycross. This will be followed by a performance from the

Now in its tenth year, the Connemara Mussel Festival is an established must-visit event for foodies and families alike

award winning Curley School of Dancing in the festival marquee and the opening ceremonies.

And then there are the walks. See the dawn come up over Killary Harbour and enjoy a mussel feast at the Devil’s Gap, join Marie Louise Heffernan from The Ecology Centre, Letterfrack on a seashore foraging walk, or go along with Michael Gibbons on an archaeological field trip.

A wide variety of craft and food produce will be available in and outside the Artisan Market in Marian Hall, Tullycross – and watch out for the magician and facepainting there as well – and the entries for the national school children’s art and short story competitions will be on display. There’s also the art exhibition in the Maol Reidh Hotel, the smallest cow in the world, Ella, will be visiting from Sligo, West Coast United 7-a-side Soccer, National Schools’ GAA Blitz, and the Galway & District Classic Motor Club Rally will park their bikes in Tullycross on Saturday while they take a lunch break.

On the Saturday the festival’s charity partners, the RNLI, will perform a sea rescue exercise, which is sure to be an exciting spectacle.

Night-time activities include a wine and beer tasting event and a 70s fancy dress disco. Street food will be available all

the while, including a pig roasted on a spit.

Festival chairman Gerry Coyne said: ‘Thank you to all the local and national businesses and individuals who have given sponsorship to the festival – it would not be possible

without you!

‘Thanks also to Fáilte Ireland and to Galway County Council whose support is absolutely invaluable. Please come along, support your local festival and above all, enjoy!’

l Further details on all events are available from www.connemaramusselfestival.com.

This year, tickets can be purchased online for the ticketed events – though most events are free of charge

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MUSIC

editor@connemarajournal.ie

Assemble an ensemble to be Galway apprentice THE Galway Music Residency is calling for applications for musicians interested in becoming its apprentice ensemble 2015-16. The programme offers a musical ensemble free dedicated tuition time and performance opportunity with Galway ensemble in residence, ConTempo Quartet.

Now in its ninth year, the programme has hosted all types of ensembles – everything from a cello duo, piano

quartet and string trio, to two saxophone quartets to a guitar quartet.

Each of these ensembles was provided with practice space and resources to further their instrumental proficiency, both as individual players and within ensemble playing. They were mentored, tutored and advised on a monthly basis

by ConTempo Quartet and also provided with a performance opportunity.

Cantairí Chonamara seek new members for packed schedule

l Application closing date is May 1, with audi-

tions in Galway during the week of May 25. For

more, see www.thegalwaymusicresidency.ie

‘Witness wealth of talent on show at Fleadh 2015’

AFTER an absence of 35 years, Galway County Fleadh returns to the city for 2015. Co-hosted by the Moycullen and Knocknacarra Comhaltas branches, it takes place in the grounds of NUIG

over the weekend of May 15 to 17, writes Maura Hynes.

The event is a coup for Moycullen Comhaltas, which was formally established in 1997 under Caomhán Ó Fátharta and

085-8613277

currently caters for 150 members. Together with the more recently established Knocknacarra branch, they invite all traditional musicians and members of the public to come along and experi-

ence the atmosphere and witness the wealth of talent which will be showcased.

The official opening of the Fleadh will be performed by Vincent Jordan, President of Comhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann, in the Bailey Allen Hall on Friday 15 at 7pm and will be followed by a concert of music, song and dance. A special section of this concert will be reserved for performances by schoolchildren drawn from national schools around Galway city and county.

Applications to take part need to be filed by this Friday (April 17) and more information can be found at www.galwayfleadh.ie

Clifden crew set to travel A LARGE contingency will be travelling from Clifden Comhaltas, writes Marie Walsh.

Last year saw a record number of entries from the branch and it’s looking like the same again this year. Practices are

ongoing and and everyone in the branch is looking forward to a great weekend of music, song and dance.

Reigning champions West Coast Groups will be taking part in the grupai cheoil and Ceili band competitions in three age groups with the hope of retaining their current five county titles. The main aim is to qualify for the the Connaught Fleadh, which takes place in Ballymote, Co Sligo in July. The All Ireland Fleadh makes a return to Sligo on the weekend of August 17.

We’d like to wish all our competitors the very best of luck for the weekend. For those who are competing at this level for the first time: go and enjoy the fleadh, because that is really what it’s all about. Yes, it’s lovely to qualify, but it’s the taking part that really counts, and the fun you have and the lifelong friends you make that are really important! l All Clifden area entries should be sent to Dave Beecher, Secretary Clifden CCE, Dooneen, Clifden, Co Galway or clifdencce@yahoo.ie. The closing date is this Friday.

CANTAIRÍ Chonamara is looking for new members ahead of some exciting performances lined up for the year ahead. The main focus for the Clifden-based choir is to be the chorus parts of Trial by Jury by Gilbert and Sullivan, light and fun pieces from the well known operetta.

A representative of the choir said: ‘Practices take place on Tuesdays in Cluid from 8pm10pm, during which we learn and practice new and older pieces while

taking time for a cup of tea and a chat half way through.

‘We sing many styles of music; classical or modern, popular or sacred, with enjoyment of harmony foremost in our mind.

‘We welcome new members to come and sing with us. You don’t have to be able to read music – a keen ear can help and fellow members are there to offer support.’ l For more, contact Marie-Noelle on 0879611267

A memorable performance, delivered with style and Grace BASED in Ballyhaunis Co Mayo, Gracenotes is a 30-strong, all-female ensemble that performs a cappella.

Their repertoire, which ranges from early music to contemporary, is delivered with both verve and soul: what a wonderful gathering of voices we enjoyed at this concert!

Under the musical direction of Laura Brogan, the choir treated us to a feast of both spiritual and haunting numbers, which included an arrangement of Agnus Dei by Ivo Antognini, followed by a 15th century rendition of How Merrily We Live

by Michael East.

There was also an uplifting Alleluia arranged by Linda Spevacek, and amongst the many other songs was a wonderful Benedictus, by Eriks Esenwalds.

The interval featured

two very talented players: Grainne Hambly (harp) who performed a melodic solo and Fiona Lavin (fiddle) who played a toe tapping Irish air.

Gracenotes’ second set did not disappoint. From soloist Moira Delany’s haunting rendition of The Deer’s Cry (inspired

by St. Patrick’s Breastplate) to the spiritual Babylon’s Fallen and the contemporary Sentimental Journey, they had the audience rapt.

Gracenotes is one of the most talented and professional choirs that have ever visited Clifden, and it’s little wonder that they have won awards and have performed at festivals in many parts of Europe.

Let’s hope that it won’t be too long before they return to Connemara.

Maureen McNall

Preview: Avital and Sidorova GRAMMY-NOMINATED mandolinist Avi Avital and accordionist Ksenija Sidorova are set to delight audiences at the Station House Theatre on April 27.

Promoted by Clifden Arts Society, the concert will offer a diverse programme of folk, classical and contemporary music, which the performers say ‘takes the instruments beyond their folk roots’. l Monday April 27, Station House Theatre, Clifden – 8pm – €12 / €10 (tickets on the door)

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Market Square circa 1890 (inset: Market Square circa 1860) n his plan for Cliflisted as William H. den, John D’Arcy Colles. Colles maintained had allocated a site what is thought to have on Market Square been the first law practice for a market house; in the town between 1840 Boyle Sports and and 1859. He sold the Tom King’s Bar occupy premises to Martin the site today. D’Arcy D’Arcy in 1859 and emimade several attempts to grated with his family to obtain public funding for Ontario, Canada. Martin the construction of the died in 1885 and was sucmarket house, but without ceeded by his son, John J. success. The building, D’Arcy, a timber merD’Arcy argued, was chant and seed dealer, needed to protect fisherwhose name can be seen men and farmers from the over the door in early severities of the weather photographs of Market on market days, when Square. they gathered to sell their Two small single-storey produce. buildings, a huckster shop It would be 1830 before and butchers shop, stood D’Arcy eventually relinnext to Gorham’s shop. quished all notions of These were pulled down erecting a market house

by John Neyland in the and instead offered the early 1860s and replaced site for housing, on the by a single three-storey, stipulation that the buildslated house similar in ings be three storeys tall style to that of his neighand have slated roofs. At bours. William Casey this time the lower end of later purchased the premMarket Street, where the ises and ran a drapery and road from Galway entered grocery store there. On the town, was thought to William’s death his be a more advantageous daughter, Mary Beatrice, location for a business inherited the family busipremises. ness.

Anthony Gorham took In 1836, John King half the site (Boyle took over what appears to Sports) and James Greany have been a vacant plot on took the remainder (Tom the corner of Market King’s Bar) at a rent of £1 Street and Main Street. per annum, paid half He built a three-storey yearly. By the end of slated house with a dis1830, both men had tinctive castellated gable erected three-storey, and named it Castle slated houses with shops House. John opened a on the ground floor and public house and grocery living quarters on the shop in the premises. upper floors. Gorham Here again the late developened a tobacconist and opment of the site left the Greany opened a bakery. building without a yard In the second of her series on the past lives of local buildings, author Because of the late develand entrance was from the and historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill looks at John D’Arcy’s bid to build a opment of the site the front only. The King famyards of both houses were ily came originally from Market House for traders in 19th century Clifden small and rear access was Roundstone and already limited to a narrow lane had a public house in the for Greany and Gorham had no rear His descendants continued premises as security town. John was followed in the busiaccess whatsoever. to run a business from the against a debt of £90 8s ness by his son and later his grandAnthony Gorham was the son of a premises, selling various 5d with Ambrose Rush son, E. J. King. E. J. married his sheep farmer from Salruck, Killary goods at one time or anand Thomas Palmer, next-door neighbour, Mary Beatrice Harbour. A native Irish speaker, at an other, until the early millers of Galway. Gre- Casey. Many years later, under new early age he was sent to Galway to 1960s. any assigned all his rights ownership, the two premises were learn English. Before opening his James Greany’s term at and interest to Rush and integrated to form E. J. King’s Bar shop in Clifden, Anthony trans- Market Square was of a Palmer, subject to re- and Restaurant. ported goods by hooker from Gal- shorter duration. Greany’s demption on payment of way to the main villages along the place of origin is unthe debt on the November www.connemaragirlpublications.com coast. He was twice married and had known, but it is known 19, 1846. But it would l For more on the early buildings six sons, four of whom qualified as that in 1830 he was marseem that Greany did not medical doctors, and five daughters. ried and had three sons, redeem his debt and the and citizens of Clifden see A Colony Anthony died in 1871 and is buried John, Martin and Patrick. premises were sold. In of Strangers: The founding & early in St Mary’s graveyard in Clifden. In 1842, Greany used his 1855 the occupier is history of Clifden

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D’Arcy’s Market House

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NEWS

BREAKING EGGS with

CLIODHNA PRENDERGAST

APRIL 2015 connemarajournal

Why do we spring forward?

Deborah Watkins examines the principle of ‘daylight saving’

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Chimichurri is an Argentinean ‘green sauce’ used to slather on meat – and the Argentineans know how to do meat. I had some of the best I have ever tasted from the ‘asado’ barbecues there.

Although it usually features large amounts of parsley, this recipe is a take on chimichurri using the wild garlic that is growing abundantly in Ireland at the moment, along with some nice fresh mint to bring an added spring freshness to it.

Perfect for your spring lamb dishes, this is best made at least an hour before serving to let the flavours mix and mellow.

Breaking Eggs has just released a new episodes, featuring spring lamb on the website so go on over and take a look.

Wild garlic

@ConnemaraJ

he end of March saw the Time on April 30, 1916. clocks put forward, giv- The motivation was the ing us the welcome conservation of coal pleasure of longer day- during wartime. light hours with the boon Britain, along with of drawn out days ahead. most of its allies and It’s as if the impatience of early spring some European neuis finally sated by the adjustment to trals, followed suit. summer time and new life is in abun- Russia and the United dance all at once. I swear that fresh States followed a coubuds and leaves sprang forth ple of years later. overnight in my own back garden.

Most of these counThe manipulation of time always tries abandoned the polstrikes me as an enormous interven- icy in the years after the tion, albeit a welcome one. Who war, although there are we to decide such a thing? were some notable exceptions, I was inspired to read about including Ireland. DST was the origins of this practice, also reintroduced in the following known as Daylight Saving decades and during the Second Time or DST. I discovered that World War. Ireland and Britain the idea was introduced in 1895 experimented with a reversion by a New Zealander called George Vernon Hudson. He Unfurling fern worked as a post office clerk but was also an accomplished entomologist, who spent much of his spare time collecting insects. The demands of his occupation and leisure interests provoked an interest in the value of after-hours daylight. In 1895, he presented a paper to the Wellington Philosophical Society proposing a two hour daylight saving shift. While the paper received a good deal of interest, particularly in Christchurch, it was not put into practice.

It took another 20 years before Germany and AustriaHungary became the first to implement Daylight Saving

to pre-daylight saving time in 1968. A significant increase in road casualties was recorded in the early hours, as the general population, including school children, had to leave their homes in the dark. It is also much colder before daylight and more difficult to begin work in darkness – builders, farmers, council workers and delivery men suffered badly.

The period coincided with the years leading up to Ireland’s accession to the EEC in 1973, when time in Ireland was the same as in the six EEC countries. This was undone in 1971 under the Standard Time (Amendment) Act. DST was widely adopted in Europe and

North America in the 1970s as a result of the energy crisis.

It is interesting that the motivation for manipulating time over the years was largely economic. Historically, there has not been much consideration for the fact that people prefer to

Lettuce seedlings

wake after sunrise. Longer daylight hours give the population more time to enjoy the natural environment and natural light has a positive effect on mental health that is widely accepted. These may not have been incentives for introducing daylight saving time, but they are the rewards.

Adjustments to DST are still being discussed in Ireland, to bring us in line with CET or Central European Time. This would mean that we would be one hour ahead, in line with Europe, but time would stay fixed all year round.

The pros and cons of this are being discussed this month in the Dáil, under the Brighter Evenings Bill 2012. l For more, see www.deborahwatkinspaintings.com l My thanks to Mark Furniss for allowing me to use his photographs. You can see more of Mark’s work on his website at www.markfurnissphotography.ie

May days are a time to revel in the beauty of life Ingredients – serves 6 60g of wild garlic 50g of fresh picked mint Zest of 1/2 lemon 130mls olive oil 15mls red wine vinegar Salt and pepper Method Chop the wild garlic and mint very finely or blitz for a minute in the food processor.

Stir in the olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.

Finally, add the red wine vinegar and stir in the lemon zest and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 – 60 minutes before serving with some grilled lamb.

Tip: When grating the zest of a lemon try not to get down to the white pith. It gets very bitter and loses the zing you are looking for. So just a little grate, and turn. l For more, visit www.breakingeggs.com, www.facebook.com/Brea kingEggs, or follow on Twitter @Cliodhnaof

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s we continue to follow the Wheel of the Year from Imbolc in February, we arrive at the Spring Equinox in March. At this time, (as in September at the Autumn Equinox), day and night are of equal length – it is as if the Earth is holding her breath just before moving into a new season. Then the days begin to grow longer and the Earth starts to warm up.

There are signs of life everywhere – buds on trees, about to open; daffodils, bluebells, primroses and cowslips appear on the verges; new lambs and little calves keep multiplying.

It is such a delightful time to take a walk outside and breathe in that fresh, enervating air.

Everywhere there is fecundity.

Fertility and new life were celebrated by our ancestors as the Earth settled into her role as Mother. This time of year was known as Ostara or Eostre in parts of

the British Isles, after a spring goddess. The egg is a symbol for the new life and rebirth that spring brings and has been regarded as such for millennia. Today, this time of year is celebrated with the Christian feast of Easter and eggs are given as gifts in age old tradition.

At Bealtaine, the first of May, we move to one of the quarter days of the Irish Fire Festivals.

Bealtaine falls between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice and in Ireland it is the beginning of summer. Bel could be derived from the word meaning bright or brilliant, shining; or, it could be referring to a sun god Beal or Bel. Taine is from the Irish tine (fire). So Bealtaine could be the fire festival of Bel the sun god or it could be the brilliant shining fire festival. Either

way, it occurs at the beginning of the summer when the sun is becoming powerful and bright and lightening the days, lifting the sap and drawing people out of their houses.

Bealtaine is the time to celebrate fertility which was of all importance in the past, and until quite recently in Ireland. Children were vital to the family and to the wider community and if the crops and animals were not fertile, food would become scarce. It is a time of

year when everything is fresh and beautiful and full of life and vigour.

The sun warms the earth and everything begins to grow. The long hard winter is over and a good way to welcome the sun and to celebrate is to have a bonfire.

It is thought that the Bealtine fires were lit on the Hill of Uisneach in the centre of the country from sacred woods chosen and set alight by the druids. All the fires around Ireland were lit from there.

Each household would put out their own hearth fires on this day and relight them with embers from their local Bealtaine fires.

This ritual would strengthen the bond within the family or clan as they all shared this flame. In some places it was thought to be bad luck to light your hearth before you had

seen smoke from some other home.

Cattle were driven through the bonfires to cleanse and purify them and to ensure their health for the coming year. It has been suggested that any parasites living on the cattle would jump off as the cattle ran through the narrow gap between two bonfires. People would also jump the fires for good health and vitality and couples hoping for a child would jump together. When the fires died down, embers would be thrown into the fields to ensure that new crops would be free from disease and would become a plentiful harvest.

The May morning dew was thought to be very beneficial to the complexion and young girls would be up early to collect it before it evaporated. In almost all parts of Ireland, up until the late 19th century, it was a tradition to decorate the house with flowers – this was called Bringing in the May –

and to decorate a lone hawthorn bush (the fairy thorn) with flowers and shells and ribbons. Often the bush would be at a holy well and the decorating of the bush would be a community effort.

Sadly Bealtaine is not celebrated today and although we do have a bank holiday it does not really capture the exuberance and joy of being alive in the way that the old celebrations did.

Make an effort this May to recapture your exuberance and revel in the beauty of life and nature all around you in Connemara.

Feel good as the warm sunlight touches your skin and meditate on the beautiful light within you and then let that shine too.

Terri Conroy l You can contact Terri on 086 3781306 for Kinesiology appointments – see www.clifdenhealthandtherapy.com for more information. l Terri’s next meditative ‘walk in nature’ will take place on Sunday May 24 at Maamean

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connemara JOURNAL

Don’t just sit and wait for prostate problems Dr Nicholas Kats

Benign Prostate hypertrophy – BPH – is a swelling of the prostate gland. This is a doughnut shaped male sexual organ that contributes fluid to semen. The urethra, which carries urine from the bladder down and out, passes through the doughnut hole. Swelling of the doughnut constricts its opening and compresses the urethra, with predictable results for urination.

Symptoms of BPH include difficulty urinating, reduced urinary stream, taking a long time to urinate, hesitancy, incontinence, sensation of incomplete urination, smaller volumes urinated, nocturia. With insufficient urination, bacteria can ascend the urethra more easily, causing bladder infections. If severe, bladder drainage can be a real problem. Also, semen passes through the urethra, and BPH can reduce ejaculation or cause retrograde motion into the bladder.

There are several procedures to help establish BPH. DRE (digital rectal exam) is the only way to directly palpate the prostate gland.

Since only the back of the gland can be felt, DRE can never be thorough. The classic finding is a swelling and sogginess of the prostate. PSA – prostate specific antigen in the blood – typically is moderately elevated. Imaging can show enlargement. Diagnosis is essentially based on the patient's symptoms.

The main thing to be aware of before diagnosing BPH is prostate cancer, which can have similar symptoms. Clinical findings are different. DRE might show a hardened nodule. Imaging is better.

PSA typically is much higher than in BPH. A rapid rise in PSA is a red flag. When PSA is rapidly increasing, biopsy is indicated.

In the past, treatment of prostate cancer (radiation, surgery) has generally been far too aggressive, and it often severely affects sexual function. Modern medicine is increasingly adopting a waitand-see approach. Exceptions to this approach are rapidly rising PSA, highly malignant tissue, and diagnosis at a young age.

Medical treatment of BPH is straightforward. The prostate is highly sensitive to DHT which is a metabolite of testosterone. An enzyme, 5 alpha reductase, converts testosterone to DHT. The class of drugs, 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, targets this enzyme, which reduces DHT. Finasteride or Proscar is in this class. Another approach is surgery to widen the urethra within the prostate.

Natural medicine has several approaches for the treatment of BPH.

There are a number of natural 5 alpha reductase inhibitors.

These include zinc and the herbs saw palmetto, Pygeum africanum and nettle root. The efficacy of saw palmetto has been well studied, with it comparing well with Finasteride.

Another angle is to reduce oxidized cholesterol, to which the prostate is highly sensitive. Supplement with the antioxidants Vitamin E, selenium, quercetin, beta carotene.

Legumes are rich in plant steroids which have a moderating effect on cholesterol and testosterone. Eat legumes often - beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas etc.

Avoid factory raised meats, meaning pigs, chickens and eggs.

One reason is that, to speed up growth and maturity, a variety of chemicals that have a powerful effect on cholesterol and its derivatives including testosterone, are given to the animals.

Because the prostate gland is highly sensitive to components of the cholesterol family, it makes sense to stop eating factoryraised animal products. From this perspective, farm raised meat and animal products are far better.

The prostate, a sexual organ, is, like all body tissues, meant to be used. Lack of sex is not good for the prostate.

Inactivity, particularly sitting, is detrimental. Sitting compresses the pelvis. This is a problem for office workers who sit all day. Desks or tables that swing up so that the person can sit or stand are available. This allows the worker to alter position often.

If energy is poor, eg chronic fatigue, the body may respond by increasing cholesterol in an effort to increase the hormones of the cholesterol family that boost energy, stamina and ability to deal with stress.

This may have a knock-on effect on testosterone and its metabolite DHT. Find a way to normalise energy.

If blood cholesterol is elevated, normalise it with a statin drug or by using a natural medicine approach.

Poor diet and obesity are other factors contributing to BPH. Natural medicine has many ways of helping BPH. Choose the most appropriate suggestions. All natural medicines can be done concurrently with the medical treatment of BPH. l Nicolas Kats ND, Lic Ac, is a US Naturopathic Doctor and licenced acupuncturist. He practices at Dooneen Clinic, Clifden, and at Health & Herbs, Galway.

086-3651590 (text only), drnkats@eircom.net

Nicolas Kats ND, Lic. Ac. Herbs. Diet. Supplements.

Acupuncture (VHI, VIVAS, BUPA) Dooneen Clinic, Clifden 086-3651590 (text only) drnkats@eircom.net

HEALTH

A good day starts with a great morning Alan King looks at the difference that grabbing an extra 30 minutes can make to your daily routine

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his month I would like to set you a challenge. I want you to get out of bed 30 minutes ahead of your current rising schedule, every day until the next issue of the Journal in May. I accept that 90% of you already have dismissed the idea.

I hope to see you next month, but for those brave enough to try it can be an extremely rewarding experience for your health and I want you to use your extra 30 minutes to create your perfect morning.

Think about your current morning routine. Be critical and honest with yourself and ask yourself: ‘Am I doing everything I can in the morning to contribute to a healthy and prosperous life?’

Write it down on paper and make suggestions about how you could improve it – look at food choices or exercise, for example. Take a look at the list and decide how you are going to make it better. Pick the ones you like best and put together your own unique morning, based on your needs and preferences.

If you are a snoozer, next time the alarm goes off and you reach for the button, imagine that by hitting that button you are negating all the hard work and positive things you did the day before.

Think of it as a reset button for all your hard work and I promise you will not hit it again.

Take the morning routine you created and commit to sticking to it for the next few weeks.

Your morning is the foundation upon which the rest of your decisions

for that day are built.

How to get up with less effort: Step 1: Set your intentions before bed. Remember that the first thought you have in the morning is usually the last thought you have at night. Keeping that in mind you need to actively create a positive expectation for the next morning. Simply telling yourself you will wake up refreshed rather than tired has been shown to have a big influence on your mind set upon awaking.

Step 2: Move your alarm clock across the room. This forces you to get out of bed and engage your body in movement.

Motion creates energy, so when you get up and out of bed it naturally wakes you up.

Step 3: Brush your teeth. Wash your teeth and possibly splash a bit of cold water on your face. This gives momentum to the waking up process.

Step 4: Drink a full glass of water. Leave the glass beside the bathroom sink before going to bed. It’s crucial you hydrate yourself first thing in the morning.

After 6-8 hours of sleep you are naturally dehydrated and dehydration causes tiredness.

Step 5: Get dressed or take a shower. The order depends if you are going to introduce exercise to your morning routine.

Let me leave you with this thought. Every day people complain to me that they have no time to exercise. I understand the problem but I also know that we cannot accept it.

The morning remains one last place where we can organise time for

Kinesiology Sessions

for gentle, non-invasive treatment which rebalances mind, body and soul...

Kinesiology can help treat Headaches, Digestive Complaints, Low Energy and Fatigue, Stress and Anxiety, Sleeping Difficulties, Food Sensitivity, Cholesterol, Weight Issues, Reading, Writing, Learning Difficulties Food testing for weight loss and food sensitivity also available

Contact Terri on 086 3781306

ourselves to look after ourselves. We need time to develop ourselves each day. You have to get into bed each night thinking I am a better version physically, mentally and emotionally than the person who got up this morning.

Your morning is your opportunity in a world with so little time. You just have to get the inspiration or desperation to get out of bed as these are the two driving forces that all change is based upon.

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.

The second best time is now – Chinese Proverb

“A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life” Charles Darwin l You can contact Alan King at kingerfitness@gmail.com if you

have any questions or follow him on Facebook at at ‘King Fitness’

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APRIL 2015

FEATURES

THE CONNEMARA SKY AT NIGHT with GERRIT NUCKTON Despite challenging weather conditions locally due to some fog and low clouds limiting visibility, last month’s partial solar eclipse on March 20 was very much a memorable event, with viewing parties in Salthill and some other places around the county being well attended.

As mentioned last month, there will not be another total solar eclipse visible in Europe until August 12, 2026, which will take place over the Iberian peninsula. In Ireland on that date, we will have a partial eclipse which will again show the Sun over 90 percent covered by the Moon. But for those in Ireland waiting for the next total solar eclipse to be visible here, a great deal of patience will be required as it won’t be until May 11, 2097.

This month, we have the usual April meteor shower to look forward to, as the Lyrids take a prominent place (the single best night of the 10 day shower) on April 22. The radiant is the apparent point of origin and is located in the constellation Lyra, near the constellation's brightest star, Alpha Lyrae (proper name Vega). The source of the meteor shower is a cloud of dust from Comet Thatcher.

Counts typically range from five to 20 meteors per hour and the meteors are usually around magnitude +2, so will be easily visible to the naked eye. However, some meteors can be brighter – these are known as ‘Lyrid fireballs’ and cast shadows for a split second and may leave behind debris trails that last a few minutes.

Mercury passed behind the Sun (an event known as ‘superior conjunction’) on April 10, and cannot be seen until later in the month. By Sunday (April 19), it should become visible very low in the NW about 45 minutes after the Sun has set at a reasonably bright –1.4 in magnitude. Mercury will gradually rise higher in the sky until May 7 when it reaches its greatest elongation east of the Sun of about 22 degrees.

Our nearest planetary neighbour, Venus, is at magnitude -4.0 all month and rises higher in the western sky after sunset as the month progresses. A telescope will show its angular size increasing from 14 to 16 arc seconds while its illuminated phase shrinks from 78% to 68%.

The Moon is new on April 18, reaches First quarter April 25 and is full on May 4.

After sunset on Monday next (April 20), and given a clear sky, you may be able to see a very thin crescent Moon forming a triangle with Mars (at magnitude 1.4) and Mercury (at magnitude negative 1.4). The separations of the three objects will be between 4 and 5 degrees of arc. The Moon will be just under two days old and this is essentially the soonest after New Moon that it is possible for our satellite to be observed.

Mars is now moving down into the Sun's glare in the West after the Sun sets and will be seen close to far brighter Mercury from the April 19 - 24. With an angular size of just 4 arc seconds, no details will be seen on its salmon pink surface without a sizeable telescope.

Jupiter is now two months past opposition to Earth but this is still a good month to observe it, high in the SW sky during the evening. Its brightness falls slightly from magnitude-2.3 to -2.1 as its angular size drops from 41.5 to 38 arc seconds. Jupiter spends the month in the constellation of Cancer, hardly moving as it ended its retrograde motion westwards on April 11 and slowly began its eastwards progress towards Leo. Saturn now rises in the mid-evening and by April’s end it will appear after 9.30 pm. It began the month about magnitude +0.3 and brightens to +0.1, whilst its diameter increases from 17.8 to 18.4 arc seconds as April progresses. It will be due south in the early hours of the morning at an elevation of roughly 22 degrees.

The constellation Leo is now prominent in the SW sky in the evening. This constellation resembles its name because its main body and head forms an arc (called the Sickle) to the upper right, with Regulus in the position of its right knee. Leo appears to be looking towards the nearby Gemini constellation which has two bright stars always close together, Castor and Pollux. In Leo, Regulus is a blue-white star, five times bigger than the Sun at a distance of 90 light years and visible to us at magnitude 1.4.

Algieba, which forms the base of the neck, is the second brightest star in Leo at magnitude 1.9. With a telescope it resolves into one of the most magnificent double stars in the night sky - a pair of orange giant stars 170 light years distant which orbit their common centre of gravity every 600 years.

Eclipse image: Tom Broderick (taken in Oughterard)

Still life This month’s Connemara Photo Society competition explored the theme ‘still life’ The winners are: 1st Dirk Van Hecke – Tranquility 2nd Maleen L’Ecluse – Zen 3rd Mark Furniss – Spoon The theme for April is ‘Coastline’ For further information, regular updates and competition deadlines, see www.facebook.com/connemaraphotosociety

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Jobseeker’s allowance payments for one-parent families

Q

I’ve been getting a One-Parent Family Payment but I will no longer qualify when my youngest child turns seven.

What is the Jobseeker’s Allowance transitional arrangement and how do I qualify?

A

If you no longer qualify for a OneParent Family Payment because your youngest child is over the age limit, you may be eligible for the Jobseeker’s Allowance transitional arrangement (often called JST). This is a social welfare payment that aims to support you into the workforce while also acknowledging that you are parenting alone and

caring for young children aged between 7 and 13. JST allows you to work part-time and still receive a partial payment (depending on your earnings).

The rules that apply to Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) and JST are similar. The means test is similar and the maximum weekly rate of payment is the same. The main differences between JA and JST are that on JST: º You do not have to be available for and genuinely seeking full-time work. This is to allow you to meet your caring responsibilities. There are childcare supports available if you do find work. º You must be capable of work but you do not have to be fully unemployed for four out of seven days. This means that you could work part-time for five days and still receive a

payment (subject to the means test). For example, you could work mornings only while your children are in school. Income from work is assessed with a €20 earnings disregard per day of employment (up to a maximum of €60 per week).

Any earnings above that are assessed at 60%. º You cannot cohabit with another person while you are getting JST. You must continue to parent alone.

When you start getting JST you will be scheduled to attend an activation meeting with a case officer. The purpose of this meeting is to identify and access supports (such as education, training and employment schemes) that will prepare you for full-time employment. If you do not participate in this process, you

may be paid a reduced rate of JST (a penalty rate) or you may be disqualified from your JST payment. If you were getting a Fuel Allowance with your OFP you can keep this when you go onto JST. l Further information is available from Clifden Citizens Information Service, which provides a free and confidential service to the public.

Tel: 0761 07 7580 / 087 1301100 Email: clifden@citinfo.ie – address, 2nd Floor, Credit Union, Clifden. Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000

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connemara

For as little as €12 per month, you can advertise your business and make sure that when our readers need something, it’s you they call. If you would like your business to appear in this directory contact sales@connemarajournal.ie or call 095-30707

To a d v e r t i s e , c o n t a c t s a l e s @ c o n n e m a r a j o u r n a l . i e o r c a l l 0 9 5 - 3 0 7 0 7

A–Z OF SERVICES

JOURNAL

Accountants Kevin Barry & Associates Receiving Farm Assist Payments or Area Aid? If you received a tax form lately it needs to be dealt with inside the next 30 days.

Call 1 800 476 984 for our FREE info leaflet on what to do. www.barryaccountants.ie Mannion, Lochrin & Company Ltd Chartered accountants. Contact us for all your business advisory and tax planning needs. Tel: (095) 30030, Fax: (095) 30031; Email: declan@mannion-lochrin.com www.mannion-lochrin.com Sinead O Flaherty – Certified Public Accountant 5 Connemara Way, Westport Road, Clifden.

Experienced accountant specialising in accounts preparation, Income Tax/VAT/PAYE/RCT Returns. Rental Income. Contact Sinead at: 083-1551059 or Email soflahertycpa@gmail.com Schley Accounting Delivering high quality service to our clients who make more profit, pay less tax and have more fun along the way. We offer traditional accounting services or our Cloud Accounting System to keep on top of your finances in an effective interactive way, saving you time and money. Contact us on (095) 30584 or 0862664542 EMail: Suzann@schleyaccounting.com

Building Services & Contractors Martin Courcey Construction Ltd No job too big, no job too small. Member of CIF with full insurance. SEAI registered contractor for insulation grants.

Knockbrack, Cleggan. Call 095 44606 or 086-8161885 McDonnell Construction C.I.F. / C.I.R.I Registered – T: 087 9633 885 – E: cormacmcdonnellconstruction@gmail.com – Aughris, Cleggan, Co Galway.

Cafés & Dining Lodge Restaurant April specials – any dessert with tea or coffee, €6 – open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (095) 41222 – www.lodge.ie O’Dowds of Roundstone Seafood Bar & Restaurant, Roundstone – Value Dining Offer: 2 Courses for €20. Take Away Menu available online at www.odowdsseafoodbar.com – Bar Food 10am to 9pm – Restaurant Open 5-9pm Daily. Seafood Chowder & Local Seafood our speciality. Local Craft Beers & large selection of Irish Whiskeys. Home-made soups, sandwiches, desserts, scones and jams.

Oliver’s on Cleggan Pier See display advert on page one for details of our lunch specials!

Chosen as one of the ‘secrets of the Wild Atlantic Way’ – oliversonclegganpier.ie – 095 44640

Carpenters Carpentry services/Property Maintenance Newman Carpentry Services. All carpentry work undertaken by experienced tradesman. Fitted doors, kitchens, stairs, decking, built in wardrobes, PVC fascia and soffit guttering, wooden floors, 2nd fixing, tiling and general property maintenance.

Bookshelves and units made to order. Contact Paddy Newman on 086-3165978 or 095-44931.

Ray McDonagh Carpentry Cabinets, kitchens, wardrobes, old-style dressers, expert house renovations, doors, flooring, wall panelling, timber ceilings.

Serving all of Galway. Call Ray on 086-8364377 or email raymc76@gmail.com

Classes, Courses & Talks An invitation Come and listen to messages from the Bible (told simply and without obligation) EACH TUESDAY 8-9pm in the Conference Room, Connemara Community Radio (beside Ellis Hall), Letterfrack. These studies are free and non-denominational.

Contact 086-8489244 Breakthrough Retreat ‘I can help you to find your true self, your gifts, your skills and your talents, so that you can make a real difference in your business

A – Z DIRECTORY and/or personal life ... helping you to free yourself from any ‘negative baggage’ and empowering you to achieve this both easily and effortlessly. Imagine discovering the key that unlocks your full potential.’ – Carol Passemard. www.breakthroughretreat.com E: carol.passemard@gmail.com, T: 087 1413 026 Yellow Door Expressive Arts New term from April 13th that includes Yoga, Ballet, Modern Theatre Dance, Drama, Singing and Performance. Classes in Oughterard and Clifden. Skills for stage, confidence for life. For more information see www.yellowdoor.ie or call Elaine on 0851544664. laineyenright@gmail.com Yoga with Aoife: Yoga Classes – new term commencing Monday 13th April, Yellow Door Studio, Clifden €120 for 10 weeks. 6.15pm Gentle Yoga (suitable for beginners) 8pm Continuation Class.

Pregnancy Yoga Classes Thursdays 6.30-7.30pm Moyard commencing 16th April €120 for 8 weeks.

For more information or to book your place phone Aoife Lydon 086 8421400 www.yogawithaoife.com Need help creating or editing your CV with a great cover letter to land that elusive job? Experienced word processor can also quickly type and format your hand-written assignments. Please call (087) 693 9902 for help at very reasonable rates

Cleaning Services MK Cleaning Services Trusted carpet cleaning professionals – commercial and domestic cleaning services. AFFORDABLE PRICES: Upholstery from €60, Carpets from €7/m2. TEL: 083 370 4776 EMAIL: MKCLEANINGSERVICE26@GMAIL.COM

Credit Unions Cashel-Connemara Credit Union Ltd Clifden Office 095 (21101); Cashel Office (095) 31128. Whatever your needs, why not consider a Loan from your Credit Union – 10% interest charged on the reducing balance. Loans are protected under our Loan Protection Scheme at no extra cost to the member. Your savings with the Credit Union are guaranteed under the Government Guarantee Scheme up to €100,000

Florists Connemara Florist Your local flower shop for all your floral needs; birthdays, thank yous, congratulations, anniversaries, new baby, weddings, funeral tributes, sympathy bouquets and much more. All budgets catered for. Clifden (095) 21565 connemaraflorist@gmail.com – Sister shop, Village Flowers, An Cearnóg Nua (beside SuperValu), Moycullen 091 556513 villageflowersmoycullen@gmail.com

Framing The Bens Framing Full picture framing service available. Bridge Street, Clifden.

T: (095) 22680 – 086 1031154 – E: johnchristopheroreilly@eircom.net

Hairdressing Bernie’s Hairdressing Salon Church Hill, Clifden – Ladies and Gents Salon. Open MondaySaturday. Late opening Thursday and Friday by appointment.

Cutting, Colour – 10mins permanent colour available.

Conditioning body waves and root lifts. Tel: (095) 21135 Curl Up and Dye Hair and Beauty, Moycullen – Clifden Rd. We offer a range of Beauty Services including Sun Beds, Spray Tan, Colours and Cuts. SUN BEDS SPECIAL OFFER 10 sessions for €50.

Call Bridget on 085-2711531. Open Thursday–Saturday.

Open late Thursday and Friday by appointment and Sundays by appointment.

Hedz Hedz Salon, Station House Courtyard. Est. March 1999 and growing still on the strength of our referrals. Don't gamble on your hair, ring Hedz on (095) 22202. Open Mon-Sat. Call in for a free consultation or see www.hedz.ie Pauline Coyne’s Hair Design.

Ladies and Gents Hair Studio.

Chapel Lane, off Main Street, Clifden. Salon Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday: 9.30-18.00 – To make an appointment telephone: 095 21927

Cycling Bike Electric Connemara Electric and Hybrid (Regular) Bike Hire & WINTER SALE. Making cycling less strenuous and more accessible to all.

Winter Opening Times 7 Days a Week 10am till 6pm.

Market Street, Clifden, #Connemara. +353 (0)95 22630 www.bikeelectric.ie

Dog Boarding Kennels Clifden Kennels County Council Approved, purpose built Dog Boarding Kennel.

Irish Boarding Kennel & Cattery Association of Ireland member. Individual kennels with large enclosed free running paddock. Located just outside Clifden. Short and Long term boarding available. Telephone: 087 281 7478 or email: Simon@clifdenkennels.com

Electricians LiveWire Electrical Domestic wiring, emergency lighting certs, periodic inspection reports for electrical installations (for fire officer or insurance companies), CCTV for cattle/sheep sheds (watch from the comfort of your own home during lambing season), fire alarms, security lighting, Internet/Ethernet cabling. Replace existing lighting with energy saving LED lighting. Saorview/satellite television installation. Safe electric member (registered & insured). Tax clearance cert.

Contact: Stephen on 086-6082612. livewire.electrical@ymail.com An annual subscription to our A-Z Directory costs just €120 plus VAT (12 issues in print, 12 months online) CALL (095) 30707 FOR DETAILS

Hardware Dowds Motor & Hardware, Galway Road, Clifden.

We stock a wide range of general hardware & household products as well as motor products. We can advise and mix your Fleetwood paint and can perfectly match any colour, just bring in the details. We also cut keys, print and press number plates and stock agri and tractor parts. Rug Doctor rental available.

Open Mon-Sat 8.30-6. 095-30615 087-2744165 www.irishnumberplates.ie Email:info@irishnumberplates.ie

Headstone Services Mongan Memorials Headstones – Sandblasting – Additional Names Engraved. Still on the Seafront on Derryinver Bay, right beside Ocean’s Alive.

Open Monday to Saturday.Tel: (095) 43473 / 087-6461189 / 087-1307752

Health & Beauty Acupuncture and Massage Therapy Ethel Feneran, Dip. Ac, Lic. Ac, Cert. Nanjing, China. Recognised by the World Health Organisation to be beneficial in the treatment of: Back pain, Sciatica, Neck Pain, Headache & Migraine, Muscle & Joint Pain, Sinusitis & Allergic Rhinitis, Insomnia, Digestive & Bowel Disorders, Depression, Anxiety and Stress, Gynecological Problems, Stroke-related complications. Dooneen Clinic, Clifden.

085 1737071 Back Pain Specialists In Moycullen!

Rolfing is a comprehensive treatment of deep tissue manipulation and movement education. We specialise in releasing chronically tightened muscles and mobilising stiff

22

APRIL 2015

For as little as €12 per month, you can advertise your business and make sure that when our readers need something, it’s you they call. If you would like your business to appear in this directory contact sales@connemarajournal.ie or call 095-30707

To a d v e r t i s e , c o n t a c t s a l e s @ c o n n e m a r a j o u r n a l . i e o r c a l l 0 9 5 - 3 0 7 0 7

A–Z OF SERVICES

A – Z DIRECTORY

o

becausedesignmatters design@rowantree.ink joints causing pain and dysfunction. Effective for back/shoulder pain, sciatica, walking difficulty, fatigue. Get back into action after injury and surgery. Regain a pain free, flexible body.

Experienced certified Rolfing practitioners, Susanne Keane, B.A., LSLT. Seamus Keane, M.A.,M.P.H. Quality treatment, clinical knowledge, personal approach. Tel 091 555221, 087 2355749 Evergreen Keep your kids healthy with Eskimo fish oils – See advert on page 19 for more. www.evergreen.ie Kinesiology Sessions for gentle, non-invasive treatment which rebalances mind, body and soul. If you suffer with: Headaches, Digestive Complaints, Low Energy and Fatigue, Stress and Anxiety, Sleeping Difficulties, Food Sensitivity, Cholesterol, Weight Issues, Reading, Writing, Learning Difficulties – Kinesiology can help. Contact Terri on 086 3781306 Nicolas Kats ND, Lic. Ac. Herbs. Diet. Supplements. Acupuncture (VHI, VIVAS, BUPA) Dooneen Clinic, Clifden. 086-3651590 (text only), drnkats@eircom.net

Marketing & Media Social Media Connemara Our mission is to help small businesses in the West develop and use social media to target their markets and develop their brand. We understand that small businesses often don't have time to work on their social media. We are here to make it happen at an affordable cost. info@socialmediagalway.com – 087 2819825 – Greenmount, Renvyle, Co. Galway www.socialmediagalway.com

Motoring Dowds Motor & Hardware, Galway Road, Clifden.

For all your general motoring needs. We can advise and supply you with the correct oil, bulbs, wipers, battery etc for your car.

We also stock all your maintenance, emergency, safety and cleaning products. We also print and press legal, custom, special event and vintage number plates in store and ship worldwide(free delivery to Ireland). Rug Doctor rental available, ideal for car upholstery and carpets. Open Mon-Sat 8.30-6. 09530615 087-2744165 www.irishnumberplates.ie Email:info@irishnumberplates.ie Kylemore Service Station Sales, Service, Repairs, 24hr Recovery Service & Tyres. Kylemore, Renvyle, Co. Galway – Tel: 095 41147 – 087 2333115 – Email: kylemore.garage@gmail.com

Music The Bens Music Shop Irish traditional folk, ballads – CDs, DVDs and books – musical instruments and accessories. Bridge Street, Clifden. T: (095) 22680, 086 1031154 – E: johnchristopheroreilly@eircom.net

Opticians Ní Ráighne Opticians April offer is buy one pair of sunglasses, get 50% off a second pair. Bridge street, Clifden – 095 30995, www.clifdenopticians.ie, info@clifdenopticians.ie

Painting and decorating Johnny Coyne Painting and decorating – interior and exterior, timber floors sanded and varnished. Residential and commercial. Powerwashing service. All areas of Connemara covered. Neat and tidy job guaranteed. Competitive rates. References available. Also offering garden and lawn maintenance service. Contact Johnny Coyne on 086-8570302 or (095) 43006

mannionplanthire@eircom.net Stonetech – The original bagged sand supplier – call Seamus on 087-6687437

Photographers

Aoife Herriott Photography Wedding and Commercial Photographer Renvyle, Connemara

www.aoifeherriottphotography.com aoifeherriottphotography@gmail.com

087 6228903

Tom Broderick Photographer Oughterard, Co Galway.

086-8861052

a new name in print and web design

Weddings, social, portraits, events, mobile studio/home sittings & PR photography

tmgbroderick@yahoo.ie

Party Hire Connemara Bouncy Castles Bouncy Castles for hire for all occasions. With rain cover.

Delivered, erected and collected. Call 095-21219

Plant Hire Micro Digger For Hire Fits through front door – comes with buckets and 4ft garden rake. Call 087 2210156

Property Connemara Lettings Holiday homes urgently required to meet demand for upcoming holiday season. Bookings already up 40% on last year!!! Contact Yvonne and the team on 087-7758579 for a FREE no obligation valuation – www.connemaralettings.ie Love Connemara Love Connemara is a new tourism company based in Connemara, offering visitors to Connemara the ability to create their own holiday and experience the real Connemara.

Holiday home owners! Avail of international marketing experience and maximise the occupancy of your holiday rental by listing with us today. Call into our office at Market Street, Clifden, or phone us on 095 – 30620. Email: info@loveconnemara.com – Web: www.loveconnemara.com

Sand, Gravel & Topsoil Mannion Quarry and Plant Hire Suppliers of High Quality Stone Products & Construction Plant Services. Road & Site Development. Serving Connemara for over 40 years. Lettershea, Clifden. 095-21264.

Satellite, Internet & Computers Keane’s Computer Services Computer and laptop repairs, smartphone and tablet repairs, website design. 085-7779018 – Market Street, Clifden, www.keanescomputerservices.ie, info@keanescomputerservices.ie Peter Keane Aerial and satellite installations. Saorview and Saorstat.

Sky Road, Clifden. 087-6687468, 095-21827

Shopping All Things Connemara Local, Crafts and Artisan Producers.

Open seven days a week 10am till 6pm.

Market Street, Clifden, #Connemara. +353 (0)95 22630.

Shop online at www.allthingsconnemara.ie @all_connemara facebook.com/allthingsconnemara Clifden Fruit and Veg We stock the largest selection of bedding plants and shrubs – 3 bags of compost for €10. Cheapest in Connemara! Call 0868365864 Grant’s GoKarts New dealership in Connemara – GoKarts come in two different styles: Two seat GoKarts or single GoKarts. Suitable for children from 5 upwards. Contact Patrick on 086 8903166 Lydon’s Moycullen The largest selection of carpets, laminate and wood flooring in Galway. (091) 555 962 Ohh! By Gum Eco-chic Boutique stocking: childrenswear, womenswear, yarn, sweets and accessories. Looking for a gift for someone near or far?

Why not buy an online gift card at ohhbygum.ie – The Courtyard, Station House, Clifden & Bridge Street (Up!Town) Tel 095-21334. www.facebook.com/OhhByGum SuperValu Market Street, Clifden. Monday - Sunday. Underground carpark available. 095 21182

Situations Vacant Connemara Blue We are looking for a nine-month JobBridge intern to join our team – for full details, go to welfare.ie (ref inte-925145)

Taxis Connemara Taxi Company Telephone (095) 30000 Day or Night

Tree Surgeons West Coast Tree Surgery: Tree pruning, crown reductions, tree removal, hedge cutting & chipping. Tree surveys and tree reports carried out. Est 1998. Contact Alan Linnane on 086-2848340 or 095 43018

Vets West Vet Galway Road, Clifden, 095-22209. Emergencies: 087-9179248 (24hr) Business Hours: Mon to Fri 9.30-5.30, Sat: 10.00-12.30

Window fitters Martin Casey Window fitting and maintenance. uPVC, aluminium windows and doors. 087-2766924

23

SPORTS l Pictured: Winners at

PHOTO: TOM BRODERICK

West Coast to enter Div 1 ‘full of confidence’ l from page 24

but the vital goal was still elusive. West Coast upped the tempo with the two full backs, Jack Kane and man of the match Josh Lydon, attacking at every opportunity. Ian Batley and Shane Lydon had a stranglehold on the centre of the pitch and, with 15 minutes remaining, the breakthrough finally arrived. Brilliant work from Sean Mullen out on the left wing and his intelligent pass found striker Tom Madden and he made no mistake from 12 yards. Galway Bohemians attacked to find

an equaliser but found the partnership of Diamond and Walsh impossible to get past.

West Coast had further attempts from Acton, Lydon and Batley but the one goal proved enough and the final whistle brought wild celebrations.

So, after 16 games and 13 victories, West Coast Utd are Division 2 champions for the first time since 1997.

They will go to Division 1 full of confidence, with a young, talented squad. Of course the standard will be higher and the teams bigger and

fitter, but it’s just the challenge the Connemara lads need at this stage of their development.

With six of the starting team under 20 and everyone a long way from retirement, the next few seasons should be exciting for West Coast Utd.

Out for the double West Coast’s quest for a league and cup double continues on April 12 when Cois Fharraige provide the opposition in the Joe Ryan cup semi final in Letterfrack. For match report see www.connemarajournal.ie

It’s been a remarkable few years for the Letterfrack-based side, with three promotions and two cup finals in the past five years.

These young players have numerous league and cup successes from under 13 up and are now filling the gaps as some of the former legends retire.

The threat of emigration always hangs over rural clubs, but with many of the players remaining in college now, we are all hopeful for the future.

Added to this, there is so much talent coming

Young boxers set sights on Championships l from page 24

and won a very competitive and close county title bout.

Darren Sutherland Memorial Tournament: On Friday March 13, Liam Seoige, Kevin Fahy and Shay Molloy took part in the Darren Sutherland Memorial Tournament in St Saviours boxing club in Dublin. It was an honour to have Oughterard boxers invited to take part in the Olympic medal winner’s home club and was great to see a display of all the photographs and honours that Darren had achieved throughout his boxing life. Darren’s father and two sisters were there to present the medals on the night.

Given the meaning of the event to the home boxers, our lads would have to be at their best.

Liam Seoige’s bout was an exhibition with no decision, and he boxed fearlessly. Next up was Kevin Fahy, who wasn't allowed to settle into his boxing style by the home boxer.

Despite Kevin’s best efforts, the home boxer was declared victor.

Shay Molloy was next

up for the club and as he has progressed through the season his performances have gone from strength to strength. Shay wasn’t going to be unsettled by the home boxer and stayed on top for the bout. Again, this was a very competitive bout and Shay was declared the winner at the end of it.

Due to his great performance, he was also awarded best away boxer at the end of the tournament. Well done to Shay and for all our boxers this was great preparation for the Connachts.

Open Girls National Boxing: On Saturday March 14, Amy O’Donavan took part in the open girls national boxing in the National Stadium.

Amy came up against a very experienced girl who has won six All Ireland titles, was a year older and stood at 6ft 4". Amy boxed well, trying to get inside the reach of her opponent and each time she did, her opponent tied her up. It wasn’t to be for Amy but well done to her on giving it her all against a very strong opponent.

Amy will now take part in the Connacht finals on March 29 Castlerea, tak-

ing on Amanda Walsh of Swinford BC as part of the national championships. For up-to-date reports on these and other bouts, see www.connemarajournal.ie Connacht Titles: On Saturday March 22, Liam, Kevin, Shay, Amy and Lizzy all weighed in for the Connachts. Lizzy was awarded a walkover as no other girls entered her age or weight category. This is Lizzy’s fourth Connacht title.

On that Saturday Liam Seoige was the first of our boxers to compete, against Jamie McDonagh from Olympic.

Liam again put in a strong performance but, despite working hard throughout the bout, it was not to be his day.

Liam has worked hard all season and can be very happy with his progress.

Next up for Oughterard was Kevin Fahy, who was up against a local opponent from Foxford, Diarmuid Brogan.

Kevin had trained hard over the past few months for these championships and from the first bell he forced his opponent on the back foot. He exchanged some great

straight lefts and landed them accurately. He kept up the high intensity for both the second and third rounds and at the end of the bout had his hand raised as victor. Kevin will now compete in the Connacht finals in Castlrea on Saturday March 28 in v Jason Butler from Ballinrobe BC. Russia and Canada: Kieran Molloy is currently in Russia as part of only an eight-man Irish team taking part in a multinational tournament with boxers from Russia, Cuba and the USA. He will spend two weeks out there. Towards the end of the month he heads to Canada to take part in Ireland v Canada International and on his return will be preparing for the National Championship.

He is again county and Connacht champion, with no-one entering his weight category.

NUIG tournament: The club will be hosting a tournament in NUIG on April 14. We would welcome as much support as possible for all our boxers. We would also like to wish all our boxers the very best in all their championships.

through the underage ranks and the challenge for us is to keep it all running smoothly.

West Coast Utd to host Galway AGM West Coast are delighted to announce we will be hosting the Galway FA AGM in Letterfrack on May 23 in the Ellis Hall.

We are very grateful to the Galway committee for agreeing to come to

Oughterard GAA awards night, on Saturday March 14: (back row) Terence Monaghan (chairman), Cormac Walsh, Paddy Geoghegan (president), Harry Walsh (manager U-12), Cian Monaghan, Paul Walsh, Thomas Finnerty, Matthew Tierney, Eoin Whittaker, Enda Tierney, Charlie Creighton, Tommy Finnerty; (front row) John Gillespie, Gareth Molloy, Ryan Monaghan, Brian Walsh, Jan Ellis, James Webb and Joey Conroy. l Naomh Feichin Hurl-

ing training continues on Fridays. All those training have been taught to Letterfrack to help us cel- hold the hurl in the corebrate our 30th anniver- rect way at this stage, sary. It’s a measure of which is the most comhow far the club has pro- mon error these days. gressed since Daniel Fla- Each training involves a herty, Terence Mullen, game, observations of Brendan Mullen, Johnny what needs to be fixed, Kane, Gerry Salmon and game stoppage to teach James Somerville laid the the skill, then the game foundations back in 1984 restarts with the skill. with the first meetings.

Progress has been great It was great for us all to and new joiners from 6 see Daniel rewarded for years and upwards are their work earlier this welcome anytime. Please season when he was watch our clifdenyouthawarded the Galway FA gaa Facebook page for ‘hall of fame’ trophy. updates.

Personal Training at the Station House Leisure Centre

Reach Your Fitness Goals Faster with a dedicated personal trainer General Fitness Weight Loss Muscle Toning Nutrition

To book your training session, enquire at reception or call (095) 30433

24

APRIL 2015

SPORTS

editor@connemarajournal.ie

085-8613277

www.connemarajournal.ie

connemarajournal

@ConnemaraJ

SOCCER

BOXING

League title is icing on the cake

Packed schedule for Oughterard boxing club

Joachim Lydon

ALREADY promoted to Division 1 for next season, West Coast Utd made no mistake when the chance to be crowned league champions came their way.

The morning kick off in Galway saw West Utd draw 1-1 with Renmore, so the Connemara lads knew a victory over Galway Bohemians would clinch the title. Galway Bohs themselves were still in the mix for promotion, so they were chasing a win for their own reasons.

It was no surprise that a tight nervous game followed, with the result in doubt until the final whistle.

West Coast Utd started brightly and, although playing against the elements, succeeded in putting the visitors under pressure. Robert Gannon played in Tom Madden

but he was taken down on the edge of the penalty box, and from the resulting free kick Conor Clarke was just off target.

Further attempts from Tom Madden, Ian Batley and Mark Gannon failed to trouble Bohs keeper Keith Fitzgerald. Gradually the Galway city side settled and had a period of sustained pressure of their own.

Despite conceding a few corners and free kicks, the West Coast Utd defensive quartet of Jack Kane, Alan Walsh, Aaron Diamond and Josh Lydon stood strong and played with a calmness developing from recent good results. The best chance of the first half came on 30 minutes when West Coast Utd playmaker Ian Batley played a superb pass to Mark Gannon, but his effort thundered off the crossbar and away to safety. The home side were happy enough to

Seán Clancy

reach the break at 0-0 knowing they would have the help of a strong breeze on the resumption.

Galway Bohs started with intent, they needed a win as much as our lads, but early efforts from

Jason Smith and Mike Carr were dealt with comfortably by the excellent Matthew McCarty in the West Coast goal. The home side eventually got a stranglehold in mid field with Cathal Acton,

Robert Gannon and Ian Batley constantly in the action. The West Coast management team of Robbie McDonagh and Neil Lydon decided to freshen the team midway through the second half,

sending Sean Mullen and Shane Lydon into the frame for Mark Gannon and Conor Clarke.

The home team were now well in control,

THE past few weeks have been very busy for Oughterard Boxing Club as we enter the championship end of the season.

County championships: We entered four male boxers and two female boxers in this year’s counties. Kevin Fahy, Amy O’Donavan and Lizzy Lydon Murphy all got walkovers in their respective age and weight categories.

Liam Seoige boxed in his first championships at Boy 1 in the counties and was beaten on the day, despite boxing at his best.

Shay Molloy contested the Boy 2 48kg category and boxed impressively against a very strong Thomas McDonagh from Lumpini BC. Shay kept his opponent on the back foot throughout the bout

l turn to page 23

l turn to page 23

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