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Issue 34: February 5, 2021

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WHY WE NEED TO HELP BOOST BIODIVERSITY: P12&13

VACCINE SCAM ALERT The public is being urged to be aware of several scams relating to Covid-19 vaccination, after a number of people received fraudulent calls and messages looking for personal details. Gardaí said a number of people have received messages requesting they confirm private and sensitive information, such as their address, date of birth, and PPS number.

Others have received calls requesting that they make an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccine at a random hospital. Gardaí say that in many cases, the person receiving the call will say they are not able to travel to the hospital, which allows the caller to then extract further personal details.

 Turn to page 3

Never give your details

Duhallow news

SUPPORT SARAH SUMMERLY On the 25th June 2019 Sarah Summerly was born with OEIS complex. It is a rare combination of serious birth defects resulting in her liver, intestines and bladder developing outside her body. To complicate matters, she also has a severe form of Spina Bifida and clubbed feet. Sarah is lucky she survived, is unable to walk and requires intense care. She is an amazing child that has overcome so much in a short time. She lives in Ennis, Co. Clare with her Mum Michelle and Dad Ger, her brother Tony andher sister Rosemary. Due to the level of one on one care that Sarah needs, Michelle, provides full time care. Michelle (Twomey) is one of our own, originally from Banteer, County Cork. Having beaten the odds and survived, the aim for Sarah has now shifted to improving her quality of life and providing a higher level of physical and social independence. In order to achieve these goals Sarah will undergo multiple reconstructive surgeries at different stages throughout her life. As the surgical repair is so challenging, it requires teams of doctors with specialised international expertise. Sarah will have two major surgeries this year in the United Kingdom. The first surgery is in February 2021 and will take place in the Royal Manchester Children’s hospital where they will break open Sarah's pelvis, place her liver, bladder and intestines inside her body and then complete whatever additional reconstructive surgery they can. The surgery will take up to 15 hours and will result in hospital admission and intensive care for eight to ten weeks. The second surgery is planned for later in the year in Great Ormond Street children’s hospital in London. This surgery will

Little Sarah Summerly came into the world with serious birth defects and faces two major operations in the coming months

address the damage to Sarah's spine.The second surgery presents significant risk, but it will give Sarah the best chance at sitting unaided and developing and growing. Michelle and Ger will be with her in the UK for these surgeries and this obviously brings overwhelming financial challenges. Sarah will be a lifetime wheelchair user and it is planned to provide her with a wheelchair suitable to her needs towards the end of 2021. With this in mind, Sarah’s home will be adapted to make it wheelchair accessible. This will include constructing a room suitable to Sarah’s needs. This room will contain a wet room and wash facilities. It's yet another challenge that her Mom and Dad face. Family, friends, colleagues and the wider community want to show the Summerlys that we have their backs. The challenges they face are immense and reducing the

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Sarah will have two major surgeries this year in the UK... Mum Michelle Twomey (originally from Banteer, County Cork) and Dad Ger will be with her and this obviously brings overwhelming financial challenges

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financial worries and helping them focus on their amazing daughter is what this project is all about. If you would like to support Sarah and her family, a GoFundMe page – ‘Support Sarah Summerly’ – has been established by a family friend in an effort to gather support and the finance required for Sarah’s operations. All donations, big or small, will be so appreciated.

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Duhallow news

Covid scam warning  Continued from page 1 Some people may confirm their address, and that they live on their own, leaving the scammer to then offer to come to their home. The Health Service Executive has said it will never text or call anyone asking them to give any personal

information, and also would never request payment for either a Covid19 vaccine or a test for the virus. It said the vaccine is free, and is not available privately, and the first point of contact for a jab or a test will be your local GP. Gardaí are urging people never to disclose private information over the

phone or through text messages, and that if people receive such a phone call, they should hang up. They are asking members of the community to make contact with vulnerable people and make them aware of such scams, and say that anyone affected should contact their local Garda station.

SAFER INTERNET DAY On Safer Internet Day (Tuesday, February 9th), Webwise will broadcast a short webinar for post-primary students reflecting on the role technology has played in our lives this year and explores ways to help students manage their online wellbeing. The free event will provide an opportunity to hear about the

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

experiences of leading figures from the world of entertainment, sport, cyberpsychology and the tech industry. Joining the discussion will be 2FM’s Eoghan McDermott; Cyberpsychologist Dr Nicola Fox-Hamilton; Public Policy Lead for Kids and Families at Google, Dr Alicia Blum-Ross; as well as

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All-Ireland winning Dublin Footballer Eamon Fennell. The discussion will be hosted by Webwise Youth Advisory panel member Billie Constantinou. The event will be available online via https://www.webwise.ie and can also be found on the Webwise Ireland Facebook and Twitter channels.

Community news

Banteer/Lyre notes Local support: Banteer Lyre and Districts Community Council and other community members are available to assist elderly or vulnerable people during these Covid lockdown times. This help is in the form of picking up shopping, picking up prescriptions etc. Also, all neighbors in most areas are willing to help out when asked. Contact numbers for volunteers are as follows (note, other volunteers needed also in all areas and from other local community groups): n Rory O’Driscoll 086 2557280 n Rosie Healy-Cronin 087 2227841 n Denis Withers 087 2820001 n Billy Murphy 087 9624858 n Garda Katryn Canty-O’Connor 087 4140531 n Jack Cremin (Duinch) 087 4141058 n Sheila O’Donoghue (Knockatuder) 086 6837249 n John Buckley 087 3204882 Thanks: Banteer Community Childcare thank Connie and Jacqui Tarrant of Tarrants Garage for the kind donation of €500 to the centre recently. Litter-pick: Banteer Tidy Towns members spent a lot of their own voluntary time picking litter on all the approach roads over the last week. Road users are asked to not throw litter out of your car. A number of recent littering offences have been reported. Road safety: Banteer Lyre and Districts Community Council have requested feedback on progress for Ballymaquirke Cross. The dangers of this cross were highlighted at a public meeting locally in March 2018 and it is disappointing that almost three years and many serious accidents later at the cross no solution has yet been implemented. The Community Council plan to hold another public meeting on the Ballymaquirke cross issue when Covid restrictions allow and pointed to the traffic calming work completed in Banteer village which involved installing flashing speed signs and ramps in 2019 which has made the village much safer. This work was completed in a short time by the Community Council along with Cork County Council and jointly funded by Cork County Council and the local community. Top book: Copies of ‘A View from Mount Hillary, A Chronicle History of Banteer, Lyre & Duhallow from 1886-2003’, which was researched and created by our esteemed Banteer Lyre GAA club member Pat Murphy (RIP), are available now, costing €20, with proceeds being donated to the ICU unit in the Mercy Hospital Cork. Please text Eileen Murphy at 087 7645338 if you wish to order a copy.

EXPLORE THE KETRAGH

Castlemagner Community Development Association endeavour to use the opportunity to explore what is on our doorstep as we continue to obey the current restrictions of remaining within 5km from our homes. While we are writing about our own locality, you will discover that while history may be unique to a particular area, we share much nature, animals, birds, trees and flowers with the rest of the county and indeed the whole island of Ireland. Ketragh Bridge This week we suggest that it is worth your while to look over the Ketragh Bridge (on the Cecilstown/Kanturk Road) to admire the sylvian, serene setting with the calm water that gives a picture-perfect reflection of trees, sky, the stone pump house and if really lucky a pair of graceful swans. The stone pump house is in the middle of the river and was used to pump water to Ballygiblin House in the 1800s. Ballygiblin House was the seat to the Wrixon-Becher Family. The house is now in ruins as in the early ’60s the roof was removed to avoid paying property tax. The impressive gate entrance (built

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c.1830), is near Cecilstown village. The limestone quadrant entrance gate with its fine craftmanship and ornate detailing give an idea as to how stately the house may have been. Apparently this detail was extended to the indoor plumbing, with a complex plumbing system. Ballygiblin House boasted indoor plumbing long before many of the other ‘big’ houses in County Cork. Many of the gentry called to see the wonder of this indoor running water. The workings of the pump are still intact, and it was no mean engineering feat to pump water up the hill. It’s also fantastic when you consider the bridge itself that still serves the same purpose today as when it was first built. A few of the coping stones are missing on the top of one wall but are due to be repaired in the coming year. This is a most delightful place to practice mindfulness. If this is not your forte, then maybe take in the varied number of birds that avail of this idyllic habitat. The added beauty to this viewing spot on the bridge is knowing that your presence will not interfere with the birds’ natural activities.

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Community news

Castlemagner notes Grants: Castlemagner Community Development Association (CCDA) is continuing to work on grant applications for the community. The proposed plan drawn up in consultation with the Area Engineer from Cork County Council is on display on the notice board at the Community Hall. A few small projects are already completed. As this is an aspirational plan, it is unlikely that there will be a large enough budget to have it fully realised in the next five years. However, it does give a road map to work from. Under current restrictions we are unable to hold any public meetings but will do so when restrictions lift. Meanwhile we will do our best to keep the community informed here and on our Facebook page. If you have information that may be of interest please phone Hazel on 087 6913660. Local support: Please check in on those living alone at this time. It is a very isolating and stressful time and a friendly hello may just help to brighten someone’s day. It is important that everyone feels connected. Cork County Council’s Community Call Helpline offers practical support (eg delivery of food, medication, fuel) or someone to chat to. Call 1800 805 819 or text 085 870 9010. This is a free service. Lines are open from 9am-5pm seven days a week. If concerned about a relative or friend, please ring 021 4285517. Back to nature: Birdwatch Cork have created a fantastic Stay-at-Home ‘birdwatching challenge’. Children may especially enjoy this challenge. They have colourful posters (in English & Irish) on their website which are free to help with identification. See https://birdwatchcork.com/publications/ For anyone handy, they also have instructions for making bird houses and tables.

Pictured above, Edmond Curtin from Meelin married Eileen O’Keeffe from Boherbue on Saturday 30th January in Boherbue Church Photo by Eileen Feehan Photography

Pictured right, Claire Buckley from Bettyville, Kanturk and Keith Naughton from Galway, who got engaged at Christmas Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Kids Korner preschool in Bweeng is rising to the Covid challenge with online Zoom classes for children. Twice a week they do a 30-minute Zoom call – lots of singing, dancing, reading stories and art activity. Linda, the preschool teacher, sends activity packs to families for the children to do arts and crafts at home.

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Crossword sponsored by Bob’s Bar & Restaurant, Kanturk

€20 voucher for use at Bob’s Bar & Restaurant, Kanturk To be in with a chance to win a €20 voucher from Bob’s Bar & Restaurant in Kanturk for food/drinks, complete the crossword below and post with your name & contact details to: Discover Duhallow Puzzle Competition, James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket, Co Cork Or simply scan completed puzzle or take a snap with your phone and email to: info@discoverduhallow.com

WIN! Terms & Conditions: Deadline for submissions is noon on Friday, February 12th, 2021. First correct entry drawn will win a €20 voucher, valid for three months from date of issue, to be redeemed for food / drinks from Bob’s Bar & Restaurant, Kanturk. No cash alternative. Winner will be named in subsequent issue of Discover Duhallow. No correspondence will be entered into. Voucher to be collected from Bob’s Bar & Restaurant, Kanturk.

Across 1. Anteater (8) 4. Parts of a play (4) 8. Unfathomable (7) 10. Declare invalid (5) 11. Permit (5) 12. Mariner (7) 13. Denunciation (6) 15. Polar region (6) 19. Amalgamated (7) 21. Publish (5) 23. Din (5) 24. Aromatic herb (7) 25. Hazard (4) 26. Edible snail (8)

Down 1. Intransigent (7) 2. Majestic (5) 3. Gusto (6) 5. Devise or invent (7) 6. Storage towers (5) 7. Cab (4) 9. Darned (5) 14. Dried grapes (7) 16. Salary increase (5) 17. Cigar (7) 18. Detestable (6) 19. Relating to an arm bone (5) 20. Notion (4) 22. Vernacular (5)

Solution: Issue 33, January 22, 2021

Solution in Issue 35, February 19, 2021

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WINNER! Well done to John C. Nolan, Lyreneague, Rockchapel, Mallow, Co. Cork who wins a €20 voucher from Bob’s Bar & Restaurant, Kanturk!

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Advertising

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

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Job Centre

Setting work boundaries With technology, flexible work, and ever-changing workplaces, setting healthy boundaries at work is more difficult than ever before. We invite you to join us for a 45 minute workshop on Wednesday, February 17th at 1pm to help you identify your current boundaries at work and the boundaries of others. This workshop will be very practical and will be useful for anyone who needs to be able to set boundaries around their time, workspace or any other aspect of working life. The aim of this workshop is to: n Learn why setting boundaries is important for wellbeing and protecting yourself

By JACKIE KELLY Identify your current boundaries at work and how you protect those n Design some boundaries that you think are necessary (practical exercise) n Design an assertiveness strategy to employ when one of your boundaries has been crossed (practical exercise) n Respecting the boundaries of other people. Note: Participants will not have to share any personal information. A pad and pen are necessary for the practical exercises. n

Protect your boundaries at work g For more information or to book your place please contact Jackie Kelly on 029 60633 or email: Jackie.kelly@irdduhallow.com

IRD Duhallowâ€™s SICAP-funded Job Centre offers support and guidance to people in relation to CV Preparation, the interview process, career guidance and job seeking. SICAP 2018-2022 is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with co-funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.

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Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Duhallow Career Guidance Q & A

THE LIFE OF... A SINGER ANNMARIE O'RIORDAN is a singer and songwriter who hails from Rathcoole

Annmarie O’Riordan recorded her first album in 2003, and it received airplay on local, national and international radio. By 2005 she had produced her second, much-anticipated CD, entitled ‘Melody in Harmony’. After the release of her third album ‘Ireland – Love of my Heart’, Annmarie won the nation's Best Newcomer Horizon Award at the prestigious Irish Country Music Awards in 2009. Following this, she embarked on her first US and European tour. Her fourth CD, ‘Song for the Journey’ was released in 2011 and her fifth, ‘The Joys of My Heart’ was released while she was on tour in Canada with her band in 2013. Annmarie plans to release a new album in 2021. Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Considering what career path to take? This series of Q&A interviews with Duhallow professionals offers candid insights into what the job really entails... 1. What inspired you to become a singer? I inherited a deep love of music, song and dance from my parents and grandparents. I won my first gold medal at Millstreet Féile Cheoil for my rendition of ‘Teidí Beag Álainn’ when I was five years old. Following this, I was invited to join Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and went on to win numerous accolades in Comhaltas and Scór competitions. 2. What is it like to sing in front of a crowd? The biggest crowd that I ever performed for was 82,000 people in Croke Park. This was when I sang Amhrán na bhFiann for the All-Ireland Football semi-final in 2013. I love singing, whether it be for eight people or 80,000. Singing for me is simply sharing a story through song. 3. Did you have any formal training or classes in music? From the age of three, I took classes in the button accordion and melodeon. I learned a lot of songs from my family, as well as from local talented singer Juliet O’Donoghue, but I never had any formal training. 4. What was the proudest moment in your singing career? I have performed throughout Europe, America and Canada but I must say that my proudest moment in my singing career so far has been when I was named Best Newcomer at the Irish Country Music Awards, which was held at the World Fleadh in 2009 in the Royal Theatre, in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. 5. What would you say you love most about singing? For me the most rewarding part of singing is meeting people and

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I love singing, whether it be for eight people or 80,000... The most rewarding part of singing is meeting people, hearing their stories and how my songs have impacted their lives

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hearing their stories and how my songs have impacted their lives. 6. What do you love least? In these troubling times of Covid-19, I miss performing with my musical friends. Throughout my career I have met wonderful people through music and I look forward to performing with fellow singers and musicians again soon. I am truly honoured to have performed on stage with people I grew up idolising such as Dolores Keane, Seán Keane, Margo, Foster and Allen, Louise Morrissey and Mike Denver to name a few, and it is a privilege that I now call them my friends. 7. What do you do when you’re not singing? I am a primary school teacher in the Convent of Mercy National School, Kanturk. I am also completing a Masters in Theology and Christian Leadership in Education in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. 8. Advice for students hoping for a career in your field? My advice to upcoming singers would be to always believe in yourself and enjoy embarking on your marvellous musical journey!

Community news

Kiskeam GAA draw winner

Above, DJ O’Sullivan and Annette Browne, Newmarket Motors, with Billy Dennehy and Marie Carroll, Kiskeam GAA; right, winner Laurance Keighery The Kiskeam GAA Club Draw 2020 was held on 31st December 2020 at Newmarket Motors. Congratulations to Laurance Keighery, Dublin, who won the 211 Diesel Golf. The draw was a huge success and Kiskeam GAA would like to sincerely thank everyone who bought a ticket for the draw, sold tickets or helped promote the draw in any way. A spokesperson said the club was “very humbled by the support received from people all over Ireland and the globe”. Kiskeam GAA would like to thank Newmarket Motors, The Corkman,

IN THE FRAME

Discover Duhallow and the Parish Newsletter for their assistance throughout the draw. A huge thanks was also given to the Draw Committee “who worked tirelessly to ensure this draw was a huge success during a challenging year against the backdrop of the global health pandemic brought about by Covid-19”. Meanwhile, Rebels Bounty 2021 has now been launched and the first draw is due to take place on the 25th March. The prize fund has risen to €500,000 annually with a massive 30 prizes to be won each month. Prizes range from €150 to

€20,000, with the largest prize increasing to €25,000 in April and August annually, and one lucky winner will win €100,000 in December. Tickets remain at €100 to enter the Rebels Bounty draw which can be paid either in full, monthly or by direct debit. Tickets may be purchased directly through club sellers or at https://gaacork.ie/rebelsbounty/ and it is a great opportunity to support your club for just €1.93 a week.

My niece Tara O'Connor (10) with her pony Sparrow (29) at their farm in Inch, Newmarket Photo by Andy Walsh

Readers are invited to share their photographs with us – the best will feature here. Be sure to caption your image and provide your full name and details of where the photo was taken. Email it to us at: info@discoverduhallow.com

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Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Artist in the frame

MAGIC IN THE WILD Artist JENNIFER O’CONNOR is based in County Cork Artist and illustrator Jennifer O’Connor graduated from Limerick School of Art and Design with a BA (Honours) in Fine Art specialising in Painting in 2010. Her degree work received the Revenue Commissioner's Purchase Prize Award. She says, “I usually create private commissions but have recently licensed some of my artwork for a podcast’s merchandise. “Within my personal practice, my illustrations explore the flora and fauna around us with a focus on Irish wildlife in particular and the lore and magic associated with them. I try to imbue my illustrations with a storybook-like quality, done mainly in watercolour and acrylic ink on watercolour paper. I do a detailed drawing in pen first and then slowly build up layer after layer of watercolour. These flora and fauna are innocent bystanders in this world which in turn makes them perfect windows into an often under-appreciated world. “Part of my process before starting any piece is to research some of the lore surrounding the specific flora and fauna I’m going to recreate. “Within my Fine Art practice I work in acrylic or oil paint and create whimsically bright landscapes on cradled boards that are based on sketches I’ve created while on various road trips (pre-Covid). “I also create some works digitally depending on what I am planning to use the illustration for. I also have experience in lino print and photography. My inspirations come from lore, myths, books and of course the beautiful natural world around us.”

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My illustrations explore the flora and fauna around us with a focus on Irish wildlife in particular and the lore and magic associated with them. I try to imbue my illustrations with a storybook-like quality

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Email: jenniferoc86@yahoo.com Instagram: @darkbloomillustration https://www.instagram.com/

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

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Feature

Communities training an

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Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Feature

nd planting for diversity To put it simply, biodiversity is all life in any given space, writes IAN McGRIGOR of Gortbrack Organic Farm. This is not to be confused with just the obvious animals and birds but all life. It is not simply the existence of this life but the interaction of all the living things in that space. This incredible interaction creates the air we breathe, the clean, fresh water we drink and the food chain, on which we completely depend for our existence. The balance is incredibly complex but also incredibly fragile. We mess with it at our peril. We are all aware now of the threats of climate change, loss of wilderness and wildlife... and pandemics. There is a tendency to say, “it’s all too big for me”, “nothing I can do” and yet aren’t we part of the problem? We are largely the consumers and the controllers of our own destiny. Biodiversity consists of a series of interconnected habitats. Those habitats form a web across our environment. If we allow natural habitats to form, or assist and encourage them, then nature will do the rest. In other words, we can leave the complicated stuff to the scientists, who are essential to monitor the problem, and simply permit nature to do its thing. Biodiversity is about well-being. What is good for the planet is good for us. It is important for communities to re-evaluate their environment and understand that we have created, perhaps, a very limited view of our community spaces in which order, control, and prettiness are dominant and the concept of ‘wild’ is associated with neglect and disorder. It all sounds very complicated, but at the end of the day it is about trusting our natural environment to improve our well-being and to re-create itself. The simple steps: 1. Understand the problem; 2. Create a biodiversity plan; 3. Create a timeline, as a community, to re-wild and create habitats; 4. Follow through. Maintain and enjoy the natural community that appear in your midst.

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Ian McGrigor, top left, carrying out the Community Audit in Kanturk as part of the Biodiversity Training

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Gardening tips by Rachel Budd, Horticulturist at IRD Duhallow Community Garden

GROWING TOMATOES It seems a long way from the warm days of summer, sitting under the blue sky in the blazing sun, and eating a tomato bursting with flavour, juice running down your chin, birds singing… OK, I’m dreaming now, but the reality of homegrown, juicy, tasty tomatoes starts now. As gardeners we are always looking ahead and planning for the new season and the first crops to get underway in the greenhouse or polytunnel are tomatoes and their cousins, peppers, chillies and aubergines. These plants need a long growing season if we are to get ripe fruit in our less than perfect Irish summers. (Yes I really was dreaming earlier!) So we need to sow the seeds now. Tomatoes require a temperature of 20 degrees to germinate, so you will need some sort of propagator. This can be a foil lined box on your window sill, or a soil warming cable system in your greenhouse – or my favourite, a hot box, filled with fresh, steaming horse manure. (Possibly not in your kitchen though). However you provide the heat, remember that your seedlings will grow quickly and will outgrow a small propagator long before the weather will allow them to be planted out, even in a polytunnel. Sowing tomato seeds is very easy, they are large enough to handle and tend to have a good germination rate. Simply place in module trays filled with good organic compost and cover lightly with more compost. Water well and you should see your seedlings emerging in about 7 days. Peppers and aubergines take longer to germinate and can be difficult to get going. Once established, however, they are easier plants to look after than

Part 1

Irish weather dictates that it is time to start sowing those tomato seeds now tomatoes. Once the plants have grown their true leaves and roots are emerging from the bottom of the tray, don’t forget to pot them individually into small plant pots. You may need to repot them a second time before they can reach their final home. Tomatoes will require protection throughout their lifetime in our climate so are best grown in greenhouses or polytunnels. There are some types that may ripen for you on a sunny patio outside but it is important when choosing your seed to take account of the growing environment you can provide for the plants. There are literally thousands of varieties of tomatoes to choose from. You can have tomatoes in colours ranging from reds, oranges and yellows, to purples and blacks and greens, and stripy, and round or plum shaped, or large beefsteak types or small cherry varieties, dry varieties for pastes or juicy salad tomatoes. Tomatoes also have different growing habits, with some just forming small bush-like plants and

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others growing as cordons, needing training up poles or string. Before you get carried away choosing a tomato in every colour, shape or size for your garden (like me every year!) think about what facilities you have for growing the plants. If you have a tunnel or greenhouse you have many more options, but some of the more colourful tomatoes struggle to ripen in the Irish climate, and you need to choose the larger tomatoes carefully. Salad or cherry varieties will ripen faster and can be a better choice for the beginner, and if you can, choose varieties described as early maturing. If you are growing tomatoes outside, your choice is quite limited. Look for bush varieties as they will withstand the weather better, and again cherry varieties are your best option. Whatever you choose, get started as soon as possible, and come back for Part 2 in a later issue to learn how to train and maintain your plants in order to get the best crop from them.

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Interests

FILM REVIEW: SAFE By TADHG CURTIN Julianne Moore’s paranoia about her environment making her ill is more prescient than ever in Safe (1995). I debated a number of films to review that connect to the global pandemic we are currently living through – The Seventh Seal, The Thing, Contagion. Contagion shot to the top of online streaming charts at the beginning of the pandemic. Everyone seemed to be watching Steven Soderberg’s 2011 film about a deadly global viral pandemic originating from Asia. Now, it almost feels like a documentary. Ultimately, I decided on Todd Hayne’s fantastic but criminally underseen Safe. A superb Julianne Moore stars as Carol White, a suburban housewife, who suddenly succumbs to a mysterious illness deemed environmental sickness caused by chemicals and heads off to a special retreat to seek recovery.

Carol has it all: affluence, loving husband, stepson, big house. The worst thing Carol has to deal with is the wrong sofa being delivered to their home. And then, she starts to feel unwell and her world seems to hold an inexplicable hostility towards her she has never experienced before. It’s a chilly experience, shot with a cold, objective eye. Characters are photographed in such a way as to look lost amidst a potentially harmful and cold environment. Re-watching

Safe during these times, it’s extra disturbing with its notions of quarantine, fear of heading outside, the illness of a loved one, even the debate of whether to hug that loved one or not. It’s a film where a person wheezing in a room full of people is the most anxiety-inducing of set pieces. It’s off kilter in a way of how one might feel coming out of a flu, unsure if you’re cured or not. Fear not though. Soon, we’ll be out and about once again. For Carol, it’s hard to say...

Contribute your line of poetry Poetry Ireland with the Global Brain Health Institute (Trinity College Dublin) and Neuroscience Ireland is inviting older people across the island of Ireland to write a line of poetry for a Poemathon with Older People. The contributions will be combined to form a longer poem that captures the thoughts and imaginings of older people right now in society. John Sheahan, one of Ireland’s best known musicians and member of The Dubliners, has penned the opening line of the poem: “Intrepid intruder, stalker of unwashed hands”. Submissions are welcome from people living on the island of Ireland. They should be one line of poetry, with one submission per person. Submissions are anonymised before being sent to the editor.

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

All submissions need to be in by 5pm, Friday 12th February 2021. For more information and to submit your entry please visit the Poetry

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Ireland website at poetryireland.ie If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to email education@poetryireland.ie

Agriculture

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Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Vet Corner

How to know if your pet is pudgy In my own practice, I’d estimate that seven out of ten owners of overweight pets that I speak to are surprised when I tell them that their dog or cat is overweight. It is not an owner’s fault if they have missed that their pet is overweight – it’s simply the case that because over half of the population of pets in this country are overweight or obese, we have adjusted our perception of what a ‘normal’ or ‘healthy’ pet weight is in our own heads. We think overweight pets look a ‘healthy’ weight because that is what we have become accustomed to seeing in our own homes, out dog walking and in the media. We need to recalibrate! To give you an idea of what an ideal weight should look and feel

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

g By JANE PIGOTT GP vet & Consultant Veterinary Cardiologist

like, here’s how you do a basic body condition examination of your own pets at home.

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Look at your pet from overhead – they should have a gently sloping waist behind their ribs. If you can’t see any waist, then your pet is overweight. Ribs should be easily felt, but not easily seen, having only a light covering of fat over them. You should be able to easily feel the ribs without applying any significant pressure with your fingers in a pet of a healthy weight. If you need to apply significant pressure to feel the ribs, or can’t feel them at all, your pet is overweight. If you are concerned that your pet might be overweight, contact your local veterinary practice to book in for a weight management appointment to put a plan in place to safely shed the pounds.

Health

Aid body & mind as you get active Spring into action: Exercise is great for your body and your mind, but sometimes it can be hard to start a new routine. Choose an activity to suit your body. Try to walk or run a little further every week, use a step counter to measure your progress. Keep going, it will get easier as it becomes part of your normal routine. Make a positive start: If you need some help getting started, taking a supplement can make a big difference. L-theanine is an extract from tea which is used traditionally to alleviate stress and can build positivity. It can also help with the body’s recovery after exercise. Rhodiola increases the amount of serotonin and dopamine your body produces. Those are natural “feel-good”

By MAIREAD O’KEEFFE endorphins that your body creates when you exercise. With Rhodiola, your body creates more of these endorphins and holds onto them longer. That means you'll start enjoying exercise and looking forward to it. Keep going: If you suffer cramps or stitches, try a magnesium supplement. PrizMag is a popular choice for sports people and can also help to encourage better sleep patterns.

Zest Active is a super supplement containing a wide range of beneficial ingredients to help you stay active. It contains L-theanine and magnesium along with essential vitamins and minerals to reduce tiredness and fatigue, boost immunity and boost mental and physical function. Get serious: If you get the bug and start to push yourself to your limits, you need to help your body to keep going and to recover. Keep going with Tailwind carbohydrate and electrolyte endurance fuel and help your body to recover from more extreme exercise and long distances with P4-Max. g If you would like more advice on what might suit you, call in to see us in New Leaf in Kanturk or Charleville – we are open as usual.

EXERCISE TO FORGET THE C WORD Exercise more important now than ever. We all know what is going on in the world, you don’t need me to tell you. I know for me and many of my clients, exercise has been a great outlet as we navigate 2021. Exercise releases a bunch of hormones called endorphins which are also known as our “feel-good hormones”. That is why you will often feel better after doing some exercise or getting out in fresh air for a walk. I have never heard anyone say they feel worse after doing an exercise class, except maybe in the immediate aftermath! Exercise also makes us feel better because we know we are doing something good for our bodies. The biggest benefit to exercise I am hearing from people right now

By SIOBHAN O’SULLIVAN

is it is a chance to forget about what’s going on around us. If you are doing a class, you don’t have time to think about anything else as you try to get through that last round of squats! When you are out for a walk, put on your favourite music or podcast and forget about the world around you for 30 minutes. There are podcasts out there on any topic you enjoy away from the C word. So, switch off the news, lace up

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Fitness expert Siobhan O’Sullivan

the runners, and get out for a walk or attend a class and forget about the world around you for a while. For more tips like this, you can follow me on: Instagram: sosfitnesscoaching Facebook: SOS Fitness

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Health

How to limit lockdown anxiety The current situation around Covid is worrying for many people – especially for the elderly who are receiving messages that they find particularly alarming, primarily that they are at enhanced risk from the virus. The fear and anxiety that it has created is in itself a major potential mental health problem. A major source of anxiety is the 24-hour news cycle tending to focus on disaster. It might be a good idea to limit contact with these outlets. Other ways to manage the mental health effects of self-isolation for older adults include: n Establish structure & routine – a good idea is to create a weekly planner to ensure that you have a routine about bed and waking times, food, activity and social connections via phone/computer. n Remain cognitively alert –

By GER FLEMING Psychotherapist ensure a good supply of board and word games, investigate online supports and engage in cooking, gardening and housework. n Exercise – stay active. The social distancing measures still allow you to go outside, just be careful about contact with others. n Practice meditation – if you don’t do mindfulness yet, now is the time to learn. There are many free and helpful resources online. n Stop or manage drinking – alcohol will not help. Alcohol abuse significantly contributes to mental health problems. n Help from community – another crucial step towards wellbeing is how older people can become resources for each

other. Reach out to each other and set up telephone contacts. Applications such as Zoom and Skype can be used to meet online. Arrange to meet socially in a local park, observing infection controls. Empowerment and self-efficacy are powerful tools in times when we feel so disempowered. Finally, local authorities have set up community supports. Call your local community response number if you need help with shopping, transport or medicines. For Cork, call 1800 805 819, text 085 8709010 or email covidsupport@corkcoco.ie. For Kerry, call 1800 807 009, text SUPPORT followed by your name to 50555 or email covidsupport@ kerrycoco.ie. Nothing lasts forever and so by helping ourselves and others we will eventually get through this pandemic together.

Getting our children through this As we find ourselves in our third lockdown, many of us are beginning to struggle. We are also seeing a knock-on effect on young children with increased levels of anxiety. Children’s routines have changed significantly over the last year with lots of unpredictability and yet we know that they thrive on routine and structure. However, there are many elements of daily life that are simply out of your control and therefore it is useful to draw your attention to what you can control within your home on a daily basis. Here are some simple tips to consider. Your home and family situation are completely unique so do not compare yourself to others. Some parents are trying to work from home while also attempting home schooling which is hugely challenging. Each child is very

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

By KATE MURPHY Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist

individual and some will struggle more with the changes to their environment. Consider how we as adults have experienced difficulty adapting to working from home too. Speak with your child’s teacher if you are struggling. Sometimes the workload may need to be modified for your child and remember that’s OK too. Next week try and keep things simple. Set up a visual schedule so your child fully understands their new routine. Break the day into small segments to avoid you and your child feeling overwhelmed. Be consistent with mealtimes and snack times and include these in the daily schedule. Fresh air and

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exercise are proven to help reduce stress and release happy endorphins for the whole family so try and incorporate this into your daily routine. Remember, teaching your child life skills such as house chores is also hugely educational so you can control what you want your child to learn over the coming weeks. Many children will struggle with regulating their emotions so show them that it’s OK to have a bad day or a difficult moment. Talk about your feelings as a family and recognise what helps you and your child to overcome feelings of sadness, loneliness or just feeling fed up. Last but not least, remember to do whatever works best for your individual family situation, have fun and create happy memories.

Health

HPV cervical screening – Key messages HPV cervical screening: • is a better way of cervical screening • prevents more cancers • means some people will have fewer tests • 92% of all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). • HPV cervical screening will pick up more people at risk of developing cell changes, which can lead to cancer, than the old smear test. • If you have had treatment for cell changes in the past, HPV screening is still the best way of reducing your risk of developing cervical cancer. • A further benefit of HPV screening is that fewer people will have treatments they don’t need. • Remember, cervical screening is not a test for cancer; it's a test to help prevent cancer from developing. • Screening works for many people, but it doesn’t work for everyone. Some people will still develop cervical cancer despite regular screening. • For more information and to check you’re on the register, go to hse.ie/cervicalcheck

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Issue 34 February 5, 2021

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Issue 34 February 5, 2021

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Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Sport

Duhallow Sports Greats Q & A 1. What/who inspired you to become a sportsperson in your field? At a very young age I watched my two older siblings train in boxing and they inspired me to start boxing. After two years of training I saw Katie Taylor win the Olympics in 2012 and from then on she has been my inspiration to become a better boxer. 2. What was the moment that you knew you were on the right track? When I won my first All-Ireland in 2017 at the age of 11 years old, I knew that I could only get better at this sport. 3. What is your greatest strength? Being able to read and interrupt fights, know what to do next and what I have to do if I am losing. 4. What is your greatest sporting achievement? Winning a European Silver Medal in 2019 in Tbilisi, Georgia. 5. What is your greatest personal achievement? Going to the Europeans in Bulgaria at the age of 12 years old as I was the youngest on the team and my first time away from home – although I was nervous and scared my teammates and coaches made me feel better. 6. What was the greatest challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it? Fighting in the European championships two years in a row. My first time fighting in the Europeans in Bulgaria was a whole new experience as I didn’t know what to expect and fighting in a big ring with lots of people watching and fighting a girl from Russia. My second year fighting in the Europeans was also a challenge but I knew what I was going into and what to expect in terms of weight and training.

Issue 34 February 5, 2021

Katie O’Keeffe (15) is a rising young boxer from Kanturk who started training at just nine years old. She had her first fight aged 11 and won her first All-Ireland bout at the same age, in 2017. Since then she has won four County titles, four Munster titles, six All-Irelands, two Eskers titles and is a two-time European medalist. In 2018, aged 13, she competed in her first European championship in Sofia, Bulgaria. She fought in the semi final against Russia and although she was disappointed to lose she was delighted to bring home a bronze medal. Her second year in the European championship saw her represent her country in Georgia with team Ireland in August 2019. She won

I knew from my first experience at the Europeans that I had to get in a good mindset and I also knew that if I wanted to get to the top I’d have to train to be the best I could, like running every day and training every day and eating all the right food.

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KATIE O’KEEFFE her first fight against England in the quarter final which brought her to the semi final against Italy. Katie stopped her opponent in the first round. Then at the final, fighting against Ukraine, she lost by a very close 3:2, winning a silver medal. In February last year, Katie won the cadet title which would have probably secured her a place on Team Ireland for the third year in a row but unfortunately due to the pandemic the European championship was cancelled. Katie still trains at home by running every day and doing pad work with her siblings and says she’s looking forward to one day bringing home a gold medal. 7. Who supported you the most in your career? I had a lot of support in my career from lots of people but I got most from my family and friends and my coach, they have always been there to support me. 8. What advice would you give to other young players just starting out? Well, the best advice I could give is to listen to your coaches and the people that know best, give it everything you’ve got and be patient with yourself because you will always get better at it. As I heard once, “pain is temporary victory is forever”. 9. What do you do outside of sports? I like going for runs, cooking and baking but most of all spending time with the people I love. 10. What are your goals now? I have a lot of goals going forward like going to the Olympics but I’ve a few years to get there so one I can achieve in the next year or two would be the win a gold in the European championship.

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Offers valid from Thursday 4th February - Wednesday 10th February 2021, unless otherwise stated. Prices correct at time off going to print. Offers available in participating ting stores s only, while stocks last. Customer quotas tas ma may apply. Enjoy alcohol responsibly.