Sligo Now

March 2015 • €2.00 • Issue 29

ISSN 2009-5422

FROM START TO FINISH

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Your critical guide to events, culture, attractions and going out in Sligo

A

s I write this column, outside is covered in a blanket of snow and the children are having a great time hurling snowballs at each other! It is such a pity that as adults we do not get to enjoy the snow as much as the kids do. We have the worry of getting to work in one piece, getting kids to school on time, trying not to slip on it and making sure that the house is nice and warm. Oh to be a 10 year old again with socks for gloves and an old cattle feed bag for a sleigh. Happy days!

Sligo Youth Theatre is in its seventeenth year now, gathering pace and prestige with every cycle. With rave reviews and sell-out shows in their own performance space, as well as The Hawkswell and The Factory, the young actors in question have made quite an impact on the Sligo arts scene. Kate Winter meets artistic director, Jean-Marie Perinetti and several young rising stars to discuss the lure of treading the boards.

In this month’s issue, Tríona O’Donnell shares style and beauty tips from the truly fabulous Lorraine Keane.

Tríona had the pleasure of interviewing this well-known broadcaster, journalist and presenter at Sligo Southern Hotel during a recent wedding fayre.

Inside we also speak to Fergal Quinn about his latest venture, www.henanstagsligo.ie which he hopes will bring new business flooding to the town.

Garden designer and interior architect Leonie Cornelius explores the amazing ancient plant and brings the native gems where they belong, to the heart of the Sligo estate Lisadell House.

Life coaching is a relatively new phenomenon in Ireland, with roots in sport and corporate training techniques, mainly in the US. The trend itself is catching on here, but two entrepreneurial coaching experts based in Sligo have developed their own innovative start-up businesses with a twist. Two styles of coaching, two very different approaches: We speak to Aine McDermott of "Pre-Designer" and John Graham of "John G Coaching" This month Zara McDaid had the pleasure of speaking with Designer and Milliner Emma Murphy. Emma is the owner at Locks & Lace, Hair and Millinery Studio in Strandhill. Read her story inside. On a different note I am pleased to announce that we have recently launched a Mayo Now magazine which is predominantly available in Ballina and the surrounding ares. If you know anyone from there be sure to tell them to look out for it! And as usual if you have an event coming up which you would like us to send a photographer to please be sure to get in touch with us.

Till next month...

contact us

Editor: Seamus Casey seamus@sligonow.ie Design: Stephen Finney steve@sligonow.ie Sales: Alan Gaffney alan@sligonow.ie Sales: Lisa Gilmartin lisa@sligonow.ie

contents 4 8

12 14 16 24 28 30 32

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54 60 63 64 66 68 70

Editorial: Kate Winter Leonie Cornelius Zara McDaid Tríona O’Donnell Muireann O’Connor Deborah Sherlock Oonagh McCann

Photography: Anna Leask Klaudia Gierak Elish McGowan Aaron Gorman Sarah Townsend

OUT AND ABOUT Vinters Dinner Dance @ The Clarion

THE WORLD IS A STAGE Sligo Youth Theatre is in its seventeenth year now, gathering pace and prestige every cycle. Kate Winter meets artistic director, Jean-Marie Perinetti, and several young rising stars to discuss the lure of treading the boards.

OUT AND ABOUT After Dark @ Velvet Room

ARTOPIA: by Zara McDaid Locks & Lace - Emma Murphy

OUT & ABOUT AT THE BOURBON BAR THE MONTH IN REVIEW WHATS ON IN SLIGO

A GOOD LIFE Life coaching is a relatively new phenomenon in Ireland, with roots in sport and corporate training techniques, mainly in the US.Two styles of coaching, two very different approaches: Kate Winter speaks to Aine McDermott of "Pre-Designer" and John Graham of "John G Coaching" GARDENING WITH LEONIE CORNELLIUS

HENANDSTAGSLIGO.IE We speak to Fergal Quinn about his latest venture, which he hopes will bring new business flooding to the town.

MODAFIX FASHION With Tríona O’Donnell

PUBS AND RESTAURANTS GUIDE HAIR & BEAUTY

WHATS COOKING HEALTH AND WELLBEING DIRECTORY

SERVICES DIRECTORY WINTERS NEW LEAVES

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March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 4

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e world is a stage Sligo Youth Theatre

PHOTO: ANNA LEASK

I

Sligo Youth Theatre is in its seventeenth year now, gathering pace and prestige every cycle. With rave reviews and sell-out shows in their own performance space, as well as The Hawkswell and The Factory, the young actors in question have made quite an impact on the Sligo arts scene. Kate Winter meets artistic director, Jean-Marie Perinetti and several young rising stars to discuss the lure of treading the boards.

arrive for my interview with Sligo Youth Theatre early. I let myself into the lobby of 'The Fridge', which is what their rehearsal/workshop/performa nce space is affectionately (and inappropriately, as it's actually toasty warm and positively steaming with youthful body heat) named.

I'm hastily stowing my shopping bags when JeanMarie Perinetti pokes his head out from behind a door and beams at me. They will be ready for me inside in five minutes.

The sounds muffled behind that door, as it softly closes again, are the sounds of joyful emancipation and creative energy. Roars of laughter.

Long silences, shuffling, thudding, more laughter. I desperately want to peek, but it's a sacred space. It's where, week after week, between ninety and a hundred young aspiring actors come to hone their performance skills under the watchful gaze of Mr Perinetti.

It's a magical place, I know that already and I haven't even set foot in there yet.

Then again, there's a shrieking cockatiel flying around inside

the office attached to the lobby, and several artfully aged posters of past shows hanging on the walls in the manner of a very chic theatre bar; hints of magic abounding as I await my audience with the Youth Theatre.

Once inside, I learn that the thirty or so 15-18 year olds in this group love their youth theatre and see it as an escape, a confidencebuilding ship on which they work willingly alongside their captain Perinetti to make their young lives an adventure rather than a slog. It is compared (extremely favourably) to school on several occasions, but this is a learning environment where as one young man points out "nothing is ever 'wrong'."

Jean-Marie Perinetti is certainly doing something right with these young hearts and minds. So what is his story? Predictably, it all began in quite a serendipitous and magical manner, when the Frenchman met Bob Kelly, the then director of the Sligo youth theatre, in Paris. In what he describes as a "funny story, really", Jean-Marie describes how Bob had expressed a

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 8

Jean-Marie Perinetti

Amber Hayes-Hughes - 'Arabian Nights'

Amy O'Sullivan - 'No Uglies' yearning to attend the famous Parisian drama school, Jaques Lecoque, which Jean-Marie attended, and Jean-Marie declared himself in need of a break, a change of scenery... The two men discussed their plans, and an idea was born, which led to them swapping countries, jobs, and homes for a year.

While Jean-Marie didn't have perfect English at the time (in fact, he describes it as 'terrible' and relates how he used to watch The Simpsons for six hours a day to improve) and still had to interview for Bob's position as artistic director when he arrived in Sligo, he did get the job. And by the time a year was over, the committee were crying out for him to stay longer.

Unfortunately, though, the famous Sligo-love bug didn't quite bite, and though JeanMarie did adore working in the Youth Theatre, he found the town and the social scene quite "hard to crack" and in 2009 returned to France to take up a position running a much bigger theatre venue, with over thirty employees under him. It was only then that the true value of the experience he had left behind hit Jean-Marie. As he explains, succinctly "Only after

I went away from Sligo, did I realise what I had here".

So, he came back, spending several years working as a freelance facilitator before the job at the Youth Theatre became available again. And the rest is history, with Sligo well and truly 'cracked' and a job he loved under his belt, JeanMarie settled down and started work in earnest. As he describes it, "From the first day back it was such a sigh of relief. I loved the job, the ethos of the place, and the young people involved. You get so much from them, you cannot get old. You are constantly getting wake-up calls; their outlooks on the world are so strong and so unique."

Over his years working with his students (three different groups, aged 10-12, 13-14 and 15-18) Jean-Marie has developed a particular approach, which, according to both himself and his young protégées, is definitely working. In his own words: "I don't patronise them. I never make them feel that this 'truth' comes from above, something you have to learn and obey. On the other hand I do provide some guidance and mentoring. It's not just about learning lines and

performing onstage. It's about making something great, something meaningful for the rest of the community. It's about facing challenges and stress, overcoming hurdles; they learn so much here, far beyond 'theatre' or 'drama'.

They learn about their place in the world, in a way."

Several of the more recent Youth Theatre productions have certainly had an element of self-awareness and issue-driven undertones.

And these are not the product of a team of adult writers, or a clever satirical script downloaded off the

internet. These scripts and plotlines are developed by Jean-Marie and founding member of the Youth Theatre committee, Stella Carroll, after lengthy meetings with the students themselves. For example, the youngest members recently staged a very modern version of the Cindarella story, called 'No Uglies' which came about after an in-depth chat about the original text.

"We sat down and I asked them, 'let's talk about this story'," explains Jean-Marie.

"And at first they were saying, yes, yes it's a nice love story.

Zita McLaughlin - 'Arabian Nights' (in Slovakia)

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 9

Caitlin Louise Gilmartin/ Lile Hensey/ Oscar Mulligan - 'No Uglies'

Zita McLaughlin (18)

“The first day I walked in here I experienced one of the other members holding a knife to my neck - that was explosive, and probably why I like it so much. It's changed me, in a good way”.

Oisin Sheerin (16)

“I've become more comfortable in myself. I used to be overly aware of everything, like how I would stand, laugh, speak, absolutely everything.

I'm so much more relaxed now. It's the most confidence boosting and amazing experience”.

But then I asked them, 'Really?

She gets married because of a shoe?' It started the questions coming and then they couldn't stop.

Why is it the ugly sister's fault that they are 'ugly'? And what is ugly, anyway?"

What came from this meeting, and from working in a creative and spontaneous way with the characters involved, was a minimasterpiece, the more politically or socially fun-poking aspects of which the young performers not only clearly understood, but delighted in. For a group of ten to twelve year old children, and for the other, older groups too, this is an impressive form of education indeed, and one they cannot get enough of, despite the pressures of academic life and all the other stresses and strains that go along with adolescence. In fact, speaking to the kids themselves, it's remarkable how aware they are of the role this theatre group plays in their lives, not just in terms of learning to act and applying performance skills to stage shows, but also in the holistic sense JeanMarie himself describes.

"It's changed me." Says Zita, one of the older members of the class I

catch the end of. "It's the most amazing experience" says another member, Oisin. " And Gary (18) describes it as "A safe place to express yourself".

Sligo Youth Theatre is one of the few organisations which has benefitted from Arts Council and County funding since its inception, and one can see why when given a glimpse inside the magic of the place and the people. Stella Carroll, John O'Dea and many others behind the scenes are keeping this class act exceptional, and Jean-Marie himself is clearly key to the continued success and scope of this huge, vibrant, powerful collection of young minds and hearts.

But don't let me be the one to tell you about the brilliance of these people. Don't let the parents and siblings of the performers alone enjoy all the magic, along with a few nosy journalists. Why not come along to the next show and see for yourselves? The Shakespearean classic 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is opening in late March at The Factory, and it promises to be a feast for the senses, just the right balance of light and dark. Book your tickets early, these are the stars of our future - watch them rise.

Jack Cavaliero (18)

“Youth Theatre is so good for everything in life. It gives you skills for public speaking, for school projects, for analysing texts and improving your grasp of the English language. It's also a great way to make new friends”.

Joseph Perks (16)

“One of the great things about this youth theatre is that there are no limits.

If you're doing drama or theatre in school you always know there are definite set limits, whereas in here you just never know what's going to happen from one week to the next”.

Gary Maguire (18)

“In youth theatre, nothing is ever wrong. In school, there's a tending towards stigmatising mistakes. This is always a safe place to express yourself because of that”.

Blaithin Downes - 'Like a Mammy at a Feis' Davin McGowan - 'Arabian Nights'

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 10

Sligo Youth Theatre present "Midsummer Night's Dream" @ The Factory Performance Space, Tue 31 March - Sat 4th April

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The Importance of an effective running diet

By Deborah Sherlock

Spring has sprung and more and more people are now out running and training for upcoming spring/summer events.

Did you know that everything you eat and drink has a direct impact on your sports performance and even enjoyment of the sport?

As a runner you have increased energy requirements.

The number of calories you need to consume daily depends on the duration and intensity of your workouts.

Typically you will burn about 100 calories for every mile you run depending on your size. To make sure you meet your increased energy requirements for running, it important to increase calorie intake, eat at the right time and balance extra nutrient intake with your existing diet.

Here I have compiled my best running nutrition advice and top tips on how to fuel you for your training regime.

Glucose after training to refuel glycogen stores There is a 30 minute window post exercise that allows you to optimally refuel your glycogen stores.

This means if you consume a meal within this window you will be refueled for the next day.

Scientific studies have shown that a meal with a ratio of 3:1 carbohydrate and protein is optimum. This ratio of carbohydrates to protein should be 3:1 or 4:1 (carbohydrates: protein).

This combination of carbohydrates to protein helps the body re-synthesis muscle glycogen more efficiently than carbohydrates alone. Proper nutrition during the first 30 minute window immediately

following exercise is your first step to having a better run tomorrow.

Proteins are important Adequate protein intake is as important as carbohydrate intake.

Protein is important to prevent muscle damage and strains and injury. Include lean red meats, chicken, turkey, eggs, nuts and legumes as your protein sources.

Eat complex carbohydrates Concentrate on complex carbohydrates in your normal meals. This means swopping white refined carbohydrates for brown ones. Examples of these are wholegrain pasta and bread, brown rice and bulgar wheat.

Combine carbohydrates with a protein source like lean red meat, fish and pulses. These complex carbohydrates are low G.I and allow a slower release of sustainable energy to fuel your run.

Don’t neglect good fats Many athletes assume fats are the enemy and eliminate or strip them back from their diets. This however couldn’t be more wrong. Fats are important to prevent inflammation in the body. We need fats for the synthesis of fat soluble vitamins A, C and E. Lack of fat can affect immunity and slow metabolism of carbohydrates allowing the body to store them as fat rather than allow them to be used to refuel glycogen stores.

Include good omega fats in your diet such as oily fish.

Examples of these are mackerel, herring salmon, fresh tuna, sardines and kippers. Also omega 3s can be found in flax seeds, avocados and olives.

Eating healthy snacks will help training You will find that once you begin training you will have

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 12

increased energy requirement. With this increase in metabolism it is important to fuel your appetite with healthy snacks. Include fruits, fruit smoothies, seeds, cereal bars, yogurt and sandwiches.

Don’t drastically change diet and habits It is very important that you stick to foods that you enjoy eating. Don’t drastically change your habits and diet for an event. Incorporate healthy eating and good practice into your training schedule. It is important on the day of the event that you follow similar habits to what you do on usual training days to avoid G.I disruption.

Fatigue Fatigue can be a natural consequence of training or an over committed lifestyle, however nutritional reasons should not be underestimated. Lowcarbohydrate diets, inadequate iron intake, skipping meals, inadequate fluid replacement and poor food choices can all cause fatigue. Runners should ensure that they make time to adopt healthy eating patterns and avoid cutting out entire food groups from their diet without appropriate substitutions.

Replacing fluid between training sessions is very important.

Timing of meals is very important It’s not just what you eat that’s crucial; it is also when you eat that’s important. Eating too close to the run or leaving too long of a gap between meals without snacking will impair performance. Large meals

should be eaten 2-3 hours before training. A carbohydrate rich meal or glucose drink post run is very important to refuel glycogen stores.

As a runner your nutrition requirements vary from a less active person. You need to eat more carbohydrates to refuel, more proteins to repair muscle damage and the correct balance of fats and more nutrients as a whole.

Additionally you need to consider when to consume your snacks and foods so your fuel tanks don’t run low.

Whatever your distance the food you eat will impact your exercise so try to make the right choices.

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LOCKS & LACE EMMA MURPHY T

his month I had the pleasure of speaking with Designer and Milliner Emma Murphy. Emma is the owner at Locks & Lace, Hair and Millinery Studio in Strandhill. I first came across Emma’s work at the Strandhill people’s market where she had a stand showcasing her work. I found her enthusiasm and passion for her craft infectious. Emma is an extremely creative individual, not only is she a hair stylist with twenty years experience but she also designs and makes high quality hats and headpieces for all occasions.

As well as doing both trades individually, Emma offers the unique specialized service of incorporating both hairstyles and headwear tailored to suit any outfit, style or look so that anyone can have that custom finished catwalk look at an affordable price. In this feature Emma tells us when her love of millinery began, her dream project and her most recent designs for Spring/Summer 2015.

About Emma Murphy “I began by making my own headpiece for my wedding, and just fell in love with the whole art of hat making. Not with the level of craftsmanship that I am at now, of course, but it was a beginning. That is where the creative candle was lit, and it has continued to burn brightly ever since. That first hat was made with whatever materials I had to hand, and looking back, with very limited technique. But I dreaming of becoming a milliner and searching for courses online so that I could create professionally finished products that other people would fall in love with too.

Working full time as a hairstylist, the dream of

“I love working with a broad range of materials. Fur felt for winter outfits, because it blocks like butter, and is gentle on the hands. But at this time of the year, while I am working on my summer collection, I find myself working more with straw and sinamay, for that lighter airy look. All of my hats are silk lined, to keep your head cool, and which is anti-static to prevent "hat hair” explains Emma. training as a milliner seemed to be out of reach.

But, here I am four years later and I am living my dream” says Emma.

‘in the studio’

Themes & Inspirations “Living on the scenic coastline of Strandhill, there is no shortage of inspiration, with the beautiful scenery and nature all around me.

Beautiful mountain scenes, the ocean and unmatched sunsets. It’s like a having a new canvas every morning. I always have an idea of the form that I will take with my hats, but I like to leave the final deciding look to the materials that I'm working with, allowing the materials to take on their own form. I love working this way because it leaves my hats free and unforced. I work as if I'm sculpting a one-off design with every hat that I make” she says.

Spring/Summer 2015 collection “I have just finished exhibiting at The Ultimate Weddings Live show in Castlebar, where I designed, created and styled all of the headpieces for Franc. Working alongside Franc was such a great experience and achievement. I'm still on quite a high from it. Now it's back down to earth, building my new website, putting the finishing touches to my summer collection and getting ready for the summer races” explains Emma.

Dream project “I would love to work with some established names in the fashion industry. To link up

with more creative minds and to gain the benefit of their experience.

To take part in some bigger fashion shows and high profile weddings” she explains.

Buy Emma’s work “I mainly meet one to one with clients to create their bespoke pieces. I also make a ready to wear collection each season. I sell them out of my hair and hat studio, but you can also find me at wedding fares and local charity or craft fares. I also make appointments through Facebook, telephone or email My website and online shop is currently under construction, but will be live very soon at locksandlace.com

Contact Emma: Email: locksandlace@hotmail.com Facebook: ‘Locks & Lace, Hair, Hats and Happiness’ Instagram: @locksandlace Tel.:0719122921

Contact Zara: Facebook – ‘Zara Mc Daid Art’ Email – zaramcdaid@hotmail.com Twitter & Instagram – Zara Mc Daid

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March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 18

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WATCH THIS SPACE

A BRIEF ENCOUNTER WITH SLIGO’S UP AND COMING STARS

The Craic Addicts, Trad-Fusion Band

1) When and how and why did you guys form and tell us a little bit about your band?

The Craic Addicts formed in 2012 with Miss Sarah-Jane Barry, but she has since cleaned up her act and moved to Rathlin Island to follow her solo career as "The Mulligan Triplits". She comes back the odd time and we most bitterly allow her to play with us. Figs Cunningham (Rackhouse Pilfer) was in the original line-up, but we kicked him out for not making a mistake all night. We have lots of guests and deputies that make up the Craic Addict posse.

We formed to simply play all our favourite songs with the meagre talents and abilities our lord and saviour Fionn McCool gave us. We love Trad, and we love 1980's electronic pop, What could be more symbiotic? Our weekly battle is to have these two extremes procreate and make tradfusion babies!

2) Attribute a flavour (yes, a flavour) to each member of the band and tell me why they are that flavour?

Ray - Pork Crackling (his

electro-trad solos define "guilty pleasures") Jaimie - Sweet tea with traces of fairy liquid (basslines that are both comforting & disturbing) Fionnuala - Champagne on your own (song choices that prove she doesn't give a toss) Claudia - That first delicious cigarette (stylish determination, a true addict) Peter - Milk of magnesia (he's good for you, despite everything!)

3) If The Craic Addicts have an ethos, or a vibe, can you describe it?

Twisted Trad and folked-up pop! Using the energy, pulse and drive of traditional Irish music and combining it with the nostalgic warmth of one-hit wonders and rare folk from around the world.

It's a continuous journey as we often jam around familiar Irish tunes to create brand new musical genres, such as trad-funk, which we call "Trunk", or when the Craic-addicts do rap, we call it "Crap"!

4) Where do you gig and what's your favourite moment been so far?

We play every Tuesday in The Swagman Bar. We play Spain every year and are known as "Los Addictos De Craic" over there, which is fantastico!

Favourite moment was when a festival in Mayo promoted our gig with photos of a good-looking American band instead.

Posters, flyers, Facebook and websites blasted this image with our name on it all over Mayo and the WWW... We kept quiet, because they looked really hot! We played the gig, noone noticed, I guess that means we look good, and that's the most important thing!

5) What are the upsides to being a Sligo-based band?

Not many towns have so many residencies, or even understand the benefits of them. A few pubs in Sligo give a residency to a band, allowing them to experiment, gain experience, develop and create with the audience being very much part of the process. The whole thing promotes and encourages creativity. And creativity without an outlet is pretentious twaddle! Sligo also has strength in depth, whatever the genre or instrument there is always a master musician around the corner to inspire and help and there is great camaraderie between musicians of all styles and ages.

We've used the "Sligo Musicians" Facebook page to find soundsystems, strings and advice at the last minute many, many times.

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Muireann's Here to Help…

Do you have a Beauty or Make up question you would like answered.

E-mail me at beautybymuireann@hotmail.com or find me on facebook at MakeUpbyMuireann

Q: My foundation never stays all day, is there anything I can do to make it last longer?

Eileen

A: When applying foundation make sure to apply moisturiser at least 10 minutes before and let your moisturiser dry into the skin.

You can also apply a primer to prep your skin and this will help your foundation to stay in place for longer. After the application of foundation you can then use translucent powder to set your foundation and if you have oily skin and you find your skin becoming shiny throughout the day you can use the powder to remove shine and prevent your foundation from sliding off. Setting sprays are also a useful tip however you can try the above steps first and these may be enough to help. It is important to remember that a good skin care routine is essential as foundation will also look and sit better on a good well cared for skin.

Q: I love the Armani Luminous Silk foundation which you previously recommended however it is a little pricey, can you recommend a budget alternative?

Tara A: Revlon Photo Ready is an excellent alternative and more recently I have read some rave reviews on Loreal True Match however I have personal not tried this brand yet. Both these foundations are around €20 so they are much more affordable and would be perfect for every day use

Roisin Mc Neiln, Sinead Gormley, Mary Mc Neilius, Cathy Mc Dermott, Orla Connolly, Ailis Cullinan Keown, Brenda Mc Girr, Claire Dunne, Anne Donnelly, Claire Kelly, Kate Mc Vdis.

Out on a Hen Night!

Shannon Hurd, Greta & Evelina Kumutaity

Leanne Mc Garry, Sinead Mulvey and Siobhan Jinks

Kerry Ann Mc Loughlin and David Hennesy

Martina's Hen Night

SPRING / SUMMER 2015 RANGE The Italian Wardrobe

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Sligo’s exclusive women’s Italian clothes boutique where you will find a unique combination of Italian glamour with elegance and practicality; famous labels with high quality material, in sizes from 8 to 22.

Tel: 071-9141783 • 2 Market Street, Sligo chiara@theitalianwardrobe.com • www.theitalianwardrobe.com

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 22

Katie Mc Dermott and Niamh Clancy

Veronica Cawley, Grainne Gilmartin, Angela Walsh, Jean Mc Dermott, Catherine Mc Glinchey

Carol Kivlehan, Margaret Reynolds and Mary Walsh.

Thomas, Sharon Gormely and Ciara Cawley

Ciara Taaffe, Sinead Gilhooly and Regina Walshe

With Old Traditional Skillet Pot of Shamrock Perfect Gift Ideas Adrian Gilmartin, Catherine Mc Munn and David Mc Munn.

Celina Meehan, Amanda Kilgannon, Avril Walsh

Thomas Walsh, Angela Walsh, Avril Walsh, Thomas Walsh, Grace Walsh & Ryan Walsh

Eire Gorman and Diarmuid O Brien.

Shamrock on sale on Sat 14th March in the Quayside Shopping Centre, if your hotel/cafĂŠ wish to purchase to dress your tables please contact Mary on 087 7708865.

Sun 15th March Sligo Lions Club Fashion Show at the Radisson Hotel Rosses Point – tickets on sale at North West Simon office on 23 Mail Coach Rd to support the homeless charity

bourbon bar rockwood parade

June 2014 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 25

Mary Doran and Victoria Roche

Lisa McInaw and Eddie Gorman

Caroline Cafferkey and John McManamon

Lisa Geraghty and Anthony Malone

Noreen Hackett and Vincent Kearney

Padraig Sutton and Claire Coleman

Mary Clarke (Manager) and Stephen Gaughan

Sean Donnelly, Angela Donnelly, Cameron Hill and Laura Hill

The Mill Centre, Coolaney, Co. Sligo • Email: themillpharmacy@outlook.com • Tel: 071-9133587

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Mon in Review e

T

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS WITH KATE WINTER

he most soothingly social way to start a month must be to attend one of The Model’s Informal Music Afternoons, and February 1st saw their long-awaited return with Russian harpist Ramona Sakaluskaite leading the charge, as well as popular local talents like Anna Houston, Felip Carbonell and Ferdia Durkin making beautiful music while lattes and brunch plates drifted by on the peaceful vibes of a perfect Sunday afternoon...

Not quite so peaceful was the final farewell of the ever popular Rackhouse Pilfer from their legendary Monday night residency in Tricky’s McGarrigles. The venue was jammed to capacity within an hour of the band starting their set, and though there was hardly an inch of elbow room, the crowd still bounced and bopped to the sounds of their favourite bluegrass boys.

Rackhouse aren’t retiring, have no fear, but Monday 2nd certainly saw the end of an era in Tricky’s...

One door closes and another one opens, however. It appears that the next big residency in Sligo may well be Tuesday nights, with The Craic Addicts rocking The Swagman every week since they launched on the 3rd Feb. Big, fat, sexy, irreverent trad-

fusion is the name of the game, and with some of the hottest names in Sligo music in this band, you just have to trust me when I say check em out...

Another hot, hot, HOT Swagman gig was on Thursday 5th, when Tropicana Musica brought their own very special brand of African party music to a crowd that just couldn’t stop moving. If dancing is your thing, this is the night to come out and play... Barry’s in Grange once again produced the goods on Friday 6th, with Canadian/Scottish duo Tom Terrell and Rachel Sermanni bringing together two very different voices and styles, merging at times and allowing each other to shine at others.

A few covers, a few acapellas, an enthusiastic audience and a battered old cowboy hat. Rachel blew me away with her deep, dark, sweet voice and her whimsical ramblings and Tom rocks the cowboy thang, with serious skill and depth behind a laid back demeanour. A perfect evening in county Sligo once again, thanks to Colin Gillen’s talentbooking skills... Kieran Quinn has been at it again, with another stunning theme night in Velvet. This time Motown got the Sligo treatment, and artists like Seamie O’Dowd, Sarah Crummy, Joe

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 28

Hunt, Sinead Conway, Tabby, Collette Sheerin and countless others took to the stage to give the genre their all.

A sell-out crowd packed the venue, and raised the roof, and Music-Maestro Quinn did it all again the next night with his Teen Theme Night crew, who from all reports measured up beautifully with their Love Songs... Friday 13th was certainly far from unlucky for me, as I got to attend two very special film screenings in town. The first was the Sligo opening night of ‘Patrick’s Day’ at the Gaiety Cinema, which was dedicated to the late Gabriel Rooney, the local man who worked as costume designer on the new Irish film, which tackles issues of love and mental illness. It was a privilege to enjoy the added bonus of a Q&A session with controversial director Terry McMahon directly after. And the second was a new monthly event in Fifth On Teeling, with a crowdvoted movie screening (Pulp Fiction this time round) and special drinks offers followed by dancing the night away. A winning combination, if you ask me, and something well worth getting out of your pyjamas for. Or not, I’m sure PJs are welcome too... Good old St Valentines night offered up plenty of options, with several

pop up restaurants popping up (that’s what they do) in places like McGarrigles and Heart’s Desire Cafe, and lots of gigs in town, ranging from loveythemed to rock n roll, but I opted to stay local in the wonderful village of Strandhill, where Shells Cafe pulled off a fantastic, just-the-right-amountof-tongue (in cheek) date night with four courses of divine food and pitch-perfect hosting. Followed swiftly

by Backwater Jack at The Strand, sure where else would you get it?...

The following evening, The Model hosted a band of such unique talent they defy genre.

This Is How We Fly played a gig unlike anything a Sligo audience has seen before. Combining airlight percussive dance, bold brass, the most melodic drumming imaginable and the experimental/traditiona l fiddle approach of Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh, this was one of those exceptional gigs that will stay alive in the thoughts of all those lucky enough to be there for quite some time... Sligo Musical Society pulled off another blindingly good show at The Hawkswell, selling out a series of

nights with their version of the controversial 60s musical Sweet Charity, which by turns had a spellbound crowd roaring with laughter and on the verge of tears. The amount of made-to-order talent in this town never ceases to amaze me... A new craft shop/creative space/ gallery opened in town on the night of the 20th. Inion Veigh is a new venture on John Street, combining several cosy rooms for local product display, craft supplies and workshop space. Pop in and say hello, they’re open 10-6 Monday to Saturday... The same evening saw Seamie O’Dowd joining fellow music aficionados Eddie Lee, Ken McDonald and Dave Flynn for a fabulous Friday night jam in Hargadons, and a new multi-genre music night at The Swagman, featuring a ‘wheel of fortune’, prizes and giggles galore: these Flip it Fridays might just catch on!... February also saw Rag Week ‘15 kicking off in style, with the streets of Sligo thronged with happy, rampaging students, and bars like Shenanigans and O’Neills putting on a fantastic series of day and night gigs and events. Rag Week has its critics, but for those involved it’s a real rite of passage and by all reports this year was a rip-roaring success... As was the ever popular institution that the Smash Hits band has become, with their Garavogue gig at the end of the month reminding everyone in town why they’re called The Ultimate 90s Band. If you’re after dancing, nostalgia, and the best chance of “the shift”, this is the night for you!

ASK THE PHARMACIST With Colin Lannon of Lannons Pharmacy I received a letter from the school/creche saying there is headlice. What should I do?

The most important piece of advice to remember is that head lice treatment should only be used if a live louse is seen on the head. Fine tooth combs are available for checking the hair for lice. Hair should be checked for lice in sections, over a white surface (e.g white sheet to show up lice easily) and preferably the entire family should be checked. If the person has long hair, conditioner should be applied to make combing easier. If lice are observed you should ask your pharmacist for advice on which treatment is the most suitable for your child/family remember the treatment may need to be repeated to remove lice completely.

Mythbuster: Having lice is not a sign of poor hygiene/dirty hair.

Tips to prevent getting headlice: • Tie up long hair.

• Check and treat all family members at same time if present.

• Tea Tree Shampoo can be used as a preventive measure.

A lot of children in the area have had chicken pox. If me or my child contracts chicken pox what should I do?

Chicken pox is a virus which is very easily transmitted.It is infectious for 1-2 days before the rash develops until the spots crust over. It is most common in children under 10 years of age but it is possible to contract chicken pox at any age. Once you contract chicken pox your body develops antibodies to it and you will not contract it again.

Carrick Indoor

Karting

Go karting is a versatile, fun-filled way to spend a special occasion, and it doesn’t end once you’ve crossed the finish line. Go karting circuits feature first rate catering facilities to unwind after a hard days racing – great for entertaining friends and family.

Our experienced team are dedicated to making your go karting event a truly great one. We can advise you on how to make your day include everything you want it to, and more.

Symptoms: • Very itchy red spots which turn into fluid filled blisters.

• High Temperature • Irritability • Lack of energy

Treatments: -Antihistamines can be used over the counter in children and adults aged over 2yrs to reduce itching.

-Calamine lotion or products such as Pox Clin Mousse /Vira Soothe Gel can be applied to the skin to reduce itching.

-Having a luke-warm bath can help relieve symptoms.

-Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to reduce temperature.

Chicken pox generally passes without complications however you should contact your GP if: -The blisters on the skin become infected, if they are close to the eye or in the mouth and causing difficulty with eating.

-If the child/adult has pain in their chest or difficulty breathing.

Pregnant women are advised to avoid persons with chicken pox unless they are sure they have contracted chicken pox previously or have received the Chicken Pox vaccine (Varicella Vaccine).

LANNON LATE NIGHT PHARMACY Cannings Spar, Pearse Road, Sligo • Phone: 071-9171333 Email: lannonpharmacy@hotmail.com Mon - Fri: 08:00 - 20:00 / Sat: 09:00 - 20:00 / Sun: 10:00 - 18:00

Come race in Ireland’s largest indoor karting track. Can you beat our very own Stig’s time and get free pass for a month’s racing. Hen and Stag Packages available including group and Party Packages. Setup your very own grand prix and battle your friends. Situated in Carrick On Shannon, Leitrim.

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t: 071-9621625 or 085-8667757 • e: info@carrickindoorkarting.com w: www.carrickindoorkarting.com

Bassam

Thurs 19 March, 8pm / €15/12 conc at The Hawkswell Theatre The heartfelt story of an ordinary man with an extra-ordinary decision to make.

Bassam is a powerful drama based on the true story of Bassam Aramin, co-founder of the IsraeliPalestinian peace movement Combatants for Peace. Written by Sligo based Israeli Director, Idan Meir, and performed by Donegal based Palestinian Actor, Fadl Mustapha, this performance gives an authentic perspective on the ongoing conflict in the Middle-East.

Duration 55 minutes.

This performance is followed by a post show discussion and workshop with the writer and actor, bringing the audience on an engaging journey to explore the themes of the play, and demonstrating how theatre can be used as a tool for dialogue and for taking action. The workshop is grounded in the practice of Augusto Boal’s Forum Theatre and Theatre of the Oppressed.

Professor Tim

By George Shiels - Sat 21 March, 8pm, €15/12conc. at The Hawkswell Theatre

This revival of a classic ‘kitchen comedy’ by the Cloonacool Players has all the ingredients to entertain an audience: A handsome but bankrupt young man and his distraught sweetheart. An overpowering mother of the house with her downtrodden husband. Greedy neighbours with an eye for a bargain. Loyal servants who will try anything to save their much loved master.

Snobbery deceit and loyalty…and in the middle of it all Professor Tim. Vagabond or phisosopher?

Come and join us to see will we get what every kitchen comedy deserves: A happy ending!

Charity night in conjunction with the Sligo Traditional Singers Club.

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 30

Kieran Goss

Sat 28 March, 8pm / €25/12.50 u18s / @ The Hawkswell Theatre

Following the huge success of his show here last March, we are delighted to announce that Kieran Goss will be returning to the Hawk’s Well in March 2015.

“One man, one guitar and a voice sent express mail from Heaven”...

Time Out Magazine Long hailed as one of Ireland’s leading songwriters and performers, Kieran Goss’s music has won him fans across the globe. But if his songs have made him a star, his live shows have made him a legend. Live on stage is where Kieran Goss really shines.

“I’ve toured with Kieran and watched him perform many times. I’ve seen him win the hearts of everyone in the room, not just with his great songs and instinctive musicality, but with his warmth and humour. It’s the performance of an artist at the top of his game, delivered with intelligence and integrity... Kieran Goss is one of Ireland’s national treasures.” Rodney Crowell Kieran will perform the first

half of the show solo and will be joined on stage in the second half by harmony singer Annie Kinsella.

As Time Out Magazine wrote of their performance together: “Individually, they are both gifted singers but when they sing together, magic happens… the harmonies, the chemistry… just sublime.”

Time Out Magazine

The Constant Wife

by W. Somerset Maugham / Thurs 12 – Sat 14 March, 8pm / €15/12conc./ @ The Hawkswell

The Constant Wife, is probably the most polite collection of infidelities and unfaithfulness you are ever likely to witness.

Constance Middleton’s family and friends all have her best interests at heart.

Everyone seems to know that Constance’s husband John is having an affair with her best friend Marie Louise. Everyone, that is, except Constance.

Hmmmm, the age old

question, should they tell her? However Constance is nobody’s fool. As the plot unfolds, it appears Constance knows more than they think!

Written in the 1920s, from the pen of one of the master writers of the 20th century, The Constant Wife is most definitely one of the cleverest, wittiest comedies ever written.

A fantastic evening’s entertainment guaranteed.

GIGS @ THE IRISH HOUSE

March 2015 7th Maureen O’Dowd 8th Frank Feery 14th Johnny Murphy 15th Marie & the wildlife

Little Gem

By Elaine Murphy - Thurs 26 – Fri 27 March, 8pm €18/15 conc. @ The Hawkswell Theatre

Three generations of women tell us their story of one extraordinary year. Party girl Amber has brutal indigestion that the sambuca’s won’t shift. Lorraine loses it at work and is shipped off to see the ‘head doctor’. While Granny Kay ‘toys with the idea of Kermit’ scratching an itch that Gem no longer can.

Be prepared to be enthralled and entertained in this revealing, poignant and hilarious play.

Starring the inimitable Anita Reeves and Hilda Fay with Kate Gilmore

Join me in the pines @the model

Join Me In The Pines released their debut ‘INHERIT’ on 10th October, so far JMITP have unleashed the incredible debut single ‘Joy Is A Lion’, the stunning song ‘Golden Guilt’, ‘Should Not Roam’ and now ‘At First Light’ is the fourth track to be uncovered from the album.

The man behind the moniker is Bell X1’s David Geraghty who released his debut solo album ‘Kill Your Darlings’ in 2007, to critical and fan acclaim. The album was also nominated for a Choice Music Prize that year. 2009 saw David return with his second solo offering ‘The Victory Dance’. Both of these albums were written and recorded between stints in the hectic Bell X1 touring schedule.

17th St. patricks day 3-6pm chris stapleton Evening: Mountain Fever

IF YOU WOULD

21st LIKE Jesse TO BEConlon LISTED 22nd Paddy Kelly HERE, EMAIL 28th Showband Boys info@sligonow.ie 29th Gerry Gallagher.

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 31

Life coaching is a relatively new phenomenon in Ireland, with roots in sport and corporate training techniques, mainly in the US. The trend itself is catching on here, but two entrepreneurial coaching experts based in Sligo have developed their own innovative start-up businesses with a twist. Two styles of coaching, two very different approaches: Kate Winter speaks to Aine McDermott of "Pre-Designer" and John Graham of "John G Coaching"

A

ine McDermott's background is in interior architecture, design and life coaching, and somehow the entrepreneurial Sligo woman has finally found a way to combine all three of her passions in her new business, PreDesigner. From studying architectural technology in Limerick, to Interior Architecture in Brighton, and learning her life coaching skills under the guidance of worldrenowned self-help author Martha Beck, as well as a string of high profile jobs in Abu Dhabi, London, Dublin and the US, Aine has a wealth of education and experience at her fingertips, and a genuine desire to help people create the lives they seek. As she explains: "My mission is to make it easy for people to love not just where they live but how they live too...

What I love most in the world is helping people create the environments that enable them to thrive."

Aine first started to think about the value of providing a service which bridges the gap between clients and designers when she was working as a design consultant/expert in the United Arab Emirates. The role was challenging, but rewarding, and eventually she realised that what she could offer in terms of expertise and guidance would create a true win-win situation if she carved a role for herself as a middle-man.

In her own words, "I believe all good design starts before the

designer. It starts with you, the client. However none of us are born being great clients. If you don’t know how the design process works you can fail at being a great client purely because you don’t know how to be a great client... And I know from my own experience as a designer that there's nothing better than a client who comes to you knowing exactly what they want and with the ability to clearly express that."

Aine speaks the languages of construction, architecture, design and aesthetics. Her training as a life coach also means that sometimes her clients come away with the added bonus of more clarity in their everyday lives, even if they started out discussing something as practical as a new kitchen layout. Blending these unusual career paths together under the umbrella term 'predesigner' has allowed Aine to help people around the world to find more peace, happiness and comfort in their everyday lives, but she is not adverse to working in one specific area at a time either. According to Aine, "There are definitely three strands to the business; the design side, the consultancy and the coaching. I love all three and I love to blend all three, but I'm open to working in each of them individually as well."

Working in person on a national level and via Skype internationally, sharing handy and free tips and hints around design and home improvement on her website and blog, Aine McDermott truly embraces the digital

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 32

age, albeit with a holistic flair. She insists that she can help with the biggest and smallest of jobs, "Even just choosing a new dining table" as all of the investments we make are as important as each other in their impact on our physical environment, and as such, on our lives.

If you would like a free introductory consultation with Aine, you can book through her website at www.pre-designer.com

PHOTOS BY ANNA LEASK

J

ohn Graham has vast experience in learning and development, both on business and personal levels. He has coached people from all walks of life, using a wide range of techniques he has trained in along the way, including NLP, meditation, mind detox, hypnosis, communication skills, body language and performance management. But John doesn't call himself a life coach, as he explains, "I just call myself a coach. I don't only do 'life' coaching. I find it really hard to label myself - I do business coaching, success and confidence coaching, meditation training...

Basically I teach people to free themselves up to get more of what they want out of life."He does this in a variety of ways, including one on one coaching and his 'Mind Calm' workshops, based on the modern-day meditation techniques coined by bestselling author Sandy Newbigging.

John describes the Mind Calm philosophy thus, "'Mind Calm' is very practical and useful. You can apply it to anything. That's what I really like about it. The meditation side can be seen as a bit airy fairy, but it's actually more of a training aid to help you stop getting caught up in your thoughts, and so enjoy a better experience of day to day living." John started out "just drifting from one thing to another" after school, as most young people have a tendency to do. He had several jobs, which were mostly just a slog to bring in the money needed to survive. But when he started working in a call centre in a large insurance firm in the mid 90's, and had the first small sense of actually enjoying his job, things really started moving for the young Scotsman. Helping people, even on such a basic level, awoke in him the realisation that this was what he most wanted to do with his life. He says of the subsequent training in communications and years working as a performance coach, "I'd hate to sound corny, but it was amazing to see the real difference I could make to people's lives".

In 2006, John moved to Dublin, to a job in AIB. He attributes a significant part of this decision to having had a wonderful time at Electric Picnic and feeling ready to have a new adventure. He admits that the job itself was only supposed to last two years before he struck out on his own, but that he ended up staying on for eight simply because the boom and the bust created such a dynamic working environment. " Looking back, that was an invaluable period of experience for me. Seeing huge egos crash and burn right in front of me and trying to help them pick up the pieces, it was intense. It was really rewarding on some levels, but it was also very draining, because at that stage I hadn't gotten into meditation or mind calm or anything, so it did take a toll."It was only last summer that John and his partner Kate finally made the big move west and he set up John G Coaching in earnest, which he had up until that point been running alongside his day job. Nowadays, John still works with big business, but also with an array of other customers, from sports teams, musicians, and airline pilots to one on one personal consultations and phobia treatment. Of settling into Sligo and his plans for the future of the business, he has this to say; "Sligo has a very different pace of life! I've had to learn how to do things in another way. But I'm a big believer in doing yourself whatever you're trying to get other people to do. I'm opening myself up to possibilities, whatever comes. I've not got a huge massive plan, except to enjoy what I'm doing." John's next Mind Calm For Me workshop is running on 21st March, for details check his website www.johngcoaching.com

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 33

O

n Thursday 12th February the launch of Sligo's St Patrick's Day Parade took place in the Mayor's Parlour, City Hall. Mayor Tom McSharry opened proceedings by singing the praises of previous year's parade and urging people, especially families, to continue attending and participating in these events "for the good of the town". Deirdre Heally McGowan, Chairperson of the St Patrick's Day Parade committee, spoke of the feelings of pride she experiences on the day itself, when she sits down after a long day and watches countries around the world joining in our national day of celebration. Joanna Sweeney spoke briefly about the partnership of the IT Sligo with the Parade Committee over the years and also of the new Campus Engagement Initiative which sees students working with local businesses and individuals on a variety of projects. And Damien Brennan, charismatic president of the Yeats Society gave a charming and entertaining speech to close the launch, the details of which will remain with attendees, no doubt bringing a smile to their faces with the memory.

Roddy McGuinn, Tom MacSharry, Seamus Dolan and Thomas Healy

Tommy McSharry and Ciaran Hayes

Tom MacSharry, Dorothy Clarke and Damien J Brennan

Thomas Healy and Marian Moore

Gerard Moylan, Eddie Watters, Damien Brennan, Anna Jones, Deirdre Healy McGowan, Tom MacSharry, Roddy McGuinn, Cassandra Mooney, Seamus Dolan,

Bernard Hayes, Stephanie Ripon, Gulie Dubos, Joanna Sweeney, Eden Foley, Kathy Fletcher, Ann Higgans and Catherine McGuinn

N4 Sligo Road

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THE BALTIMORE WALTZ MAKES ITS IRISH STAGE DEBUT

This tragi-comedy was American playwright Vogel's response to the death of her brother Carl, who died in 1988 from complications due to AIDS before the pair could embark on their long-anticipated road trip through Europe.

While The Baltimore Waltz has established itself as a modern American stage classic, it has never been performed in Ireland before. It won the Obie award for Best American Play in 1993, and Vogel went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for her later work How I Learned to Drive.

Call Trina on 087 9083764 or Nicky on 0876674530

Marian Harkan, Sandie Ellis and Sandy Kelly

Sean and Mary Feeney

Sandie Ellis, Sandy Kelly, Rhona Galvin, Delores Greene, Rose Tully, and Marian Harkan

Noel and Anne Costello

Lotch Lynch, Matt Tully, John Greene, Martin O Hara, Brendan Leahy

Mairead and Dara O Malley/Daly

Joan and Damian Nugent and Frank Reilly

 Chiy Beautiful, handmade, bespoke headpieces for all occasions

Now open at Water Lane, Sligo All of these pieces are one off creations and can be designed especially for you; to compliment your outfit and of course, personality.

Each piece is fabulously original, styles are never repeated which makes them as truly are as individual as you!

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Also stocking Vintage clothes.

I used to be above Ruby Lane Boutique.

So please come and say hello, you might even find that certain something, you've been looking for!

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Orla Kelly, Gemma Walsh,Ruth Walsh, Clodagh Devaney, Sheila Devaney and Rebecca Mc Gillen,

The Reilly Family, Tony, Benny,Brian, Grainne, and Triona Reilly.

Sonya Mc Nulty, Sarah Horan, Natalie O Grady, Nina Singaroyon,

Mathew and Suzana Verdon and David and Jane Gormley

Michael and Patrica Clancy

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IN G N E P REO DAY FRI 13TH H M A RC

Special Weekend Offer 2 Nights B&B and 1 Dinner only €238 Includes Full Use of Leisure Centre

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20% off all Spa treatments with all offers ( excludes special offers / t&c's apply ) Local Activities:

Lough Key Forest Park www.loughkey.ie, Moorlands Equestrian Centre www.moorlands.ie, Electric Bike Trails www.electricbiketrails.com Arigna Mining Museum www.arignaminingexperience.ie, Indoor Airsoft Shooting & Archery www.carrickindoorshooting.com

THE

Eence

Back row: Blaithin Ennis, Eddie Shanahan, Naomi Draper. front row: Heidi Higgins, Rebecca Marsden, Una Burke, Fiona Mulholland

F

ebruary 28th 2015, saw the Leitrim Design House, supported by the ‘Harnessing Creativity’ project, open its doors to a wealth of enterprising, imaginative and innovative people in the form of designers, crafts persons and artists from a variety of disciplines, representing small businesses throughout the community, the length and breath of counties Leitrim and Sligo. The DESIGN, CREATE & THE MARKETPLACE conference epitomised the Essence of Design.

Chaired by Eddie Shanahan, an independent business advisor specialising in

branding & marketing alongside new product and business development, and chairperson of the Council Of Irish fashion Designers, the conference was coordinated in order to stimulate discussions on positive ways to develop small design/arts/crafts businesses and to highlight necessary supports and potential barriers to scalability and possible job creations. The all female panel consisted of creatives highly established within their genres, Heidi Higgins, Fiona Mulholland, Rebecca Marsden, Naomi Draper, Blaithin Ennis, and Una Burke.

Heidi Hiins

Fiona Mullhoand F

iona Mullholland is a multi award winning artist who lists a series of public art commissions in her extensive portfolio of work. Her jewellery collection, developed in 2014, is an extension of her practice in sculpture. It was featured in the ‘Create’ project at Brown Thomas in its launch season and was allocated its own window on Grafton Street in tribute to its innovation and point of difference.

Recca Marsden

R

ebecca Marsden is a Sligo based fashion designer. She won both the Fashion Designer of the Year and Most Innovative Designer of the Year at the Irish Fashion innovation Awards last year. She also won a HOMI International Fashion Award in 2014. Rebecca is known for her innovative manipulation of yarns and materials. She lectures in textile design at St.Angelas College NUIG.

A

ward winning designer Heidi Higgins graduated from NCAD in 2008. Just under one year later she proudly introduced her own label to the Irish market.

Heidi’s design approach is to start with basic shapes, introducing new elements of style, ensuring that shape and fit exude femininity while adding a signature splash of colour in luxurious fabrics.

e OF DESIGN

By Oonagh B.McCann

Naomi Drar

N

aomi Draper is based in Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Her multidisciplinary practice explores the fragility of our built and natural environment, investigating what defines space and how it is lived and activated by humans and non-humans. Combining a range of mediums and processes particularly through drawing and glass, Draper examines the structures and boundries, limitations and new potentials of public and private environments.

Blaithin Ennis

Una Burke

U

na Burke is a multi-award winning Leatherworker, Accessories Designer and Artist. Native to Carrick On Shannon and now working from her south London Atelier, Úna uses traditional leather-working techniques in the development and refinement of her distinct construction identity of leather panelling joined with brass fittings. Among Úna’s clients are Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Madonna, Heidi Klum, i-D magazine & The National Museum of Ireland to name but a few.

B

laithin Ennis was recently the winner of two prestigious awards, ‘Jewellery Designer of the Year 2014' at the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards and ‘ Young Entrepreneur’ for Co.Wexford. Bláithín graduated from NCAD in 2011.

Now at 25, she is two full years in business.

She specialises in large scale fashion pieces, alongside her range of ready to wear, contemporary jewellery. Bláithín is based from her studio in north Co.Wexford where each piece is designed and made by hand.

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 41

The

Gardens Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon Tel: 071-9662688 • 086-8235287 Open 7 Days

THE BALTIMORE WALTZ MAKES ITS IRISH STAGE DEBUT

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he Baltimore Waltz, an Obie awardwinning play by Paula Vogel, hits the Irish stage for the first time with exciting new Irish theatre company, Blue Heart Theatre.In this bitter-sweet farce, Anna (played by Sligo native Niamh Denyer) and her beloved brother Carl (Mike Kunze) finally take a longplanned trip to Europe in search of a cure for her recently diagnosed terminal illness. But when they get there, nothing is as it seems.

Why is Carl always in his pyjamas? Who is the mysterious Third Man (Brian Higgins, also of Sligo)? And why do none of their holiday snaps look anything like the places they visit?

The Baltimore Waltz is both a heart-wrenching study of grief and loss, and a comically surreal farce, reflecting on the ambivalent response of the US government to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.

This tragi-comedy was American playwright Vogel's response to the death of her brother Carl, who died in 1988 from complications due to AIDS before the pair could embark on their long-anticipated road trip through Europe.

While The Baltimore Waltz has established itself as a modern American stage classic, it has never been performed in Ireland before.

It won the Obie award for Best American Play in 1993, and Vogel went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for her later work How I Learned to Drive.

Scheduled Performances The Factory Performance Space, Lower Quay Street, Sligo • Thursday, March 19th 2015 • Friday, March 20th 2015 Website: http://www.bluehearttheatre.com www.facebook.com/bluehearttheatre Twitter: @BlueHeartPlays Email: bluehearttheatre@gmail.com

Coleman Music Visi t or Centre G ,C .S urTEEn

O

liGO

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Horse Riding for all the family in Grange, Co. Sligo Open 7 Days a week 1 Hour Beach Ride 2 or 3 Hour Beach and Bog ride Unique 4 hour ride to our private Island Lessons for all ages

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IMAGES COURTESY OF IRISHPRIMROSE.COM AND COLIN GILLEN PHOTOGRAPHY

LISSADELL

the

a very special primrose

garden designer and interior architect Leonie Cornelius explores the amazing ancient plant and brings the native gems where they belong, to the heart of the Sligo estate.

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 44

F

inally the time of the year has come where small bits of colour start to show in the garden and our natural environment. Over the past few weeks I have watched with delight as the pretty Snowdrop has scattered in white drifts through gardens and small early varieties of Iris and Muscari lend a hue of blue and purple to borders. On a visit in February to the beautiful Lissadell House in Sligo, the owners Constance Cassidy and Edward Walsh were kind enough to show me around the property and its simply stunning grounds. The couple’s vision for the future of one of our country’s most unique treasures is truly inspiring and even at this time of the year the gardens were showing signs of life and colour. This, and all the other incredible attention to historical detail mixed with exciting innovation, is testament to the love and attention the whole family and staff gives to developing and maintaining the property, grounds and garden areas.

On my never-ending search for new plants to feature in my columns, I thought of a tip given to me by the Journalist Jane Powers of The Sunday Times over a year ago. Jane had recommended that I speak to the Kilkenny grower Pat Fitzgerald about his Irish Primroses, the same ones that were given to Michelle and Barack Obama in 2013. When I finally spoke to Pat about his wonderful primroses I learned that the collections have been raised from old Irish varieties through many years of conservation, breeding and selection work by Joe Kennedy and Pat FitzGerald. This makes the plants very close to our native Irish Primrose and thus very hardy and long lived.

Perfect for naturalizing in a semi-shaded spot.

The name primrose literally translates as prime rose, or first

rose and Pat tells me that they were perhaps the first plants deliberately raised, selected and planted in Ireland and were grown in small nurseries such throughout Ireland from as early as the late 1800’s. In actual fact, Lissadell nursery was amongst these nurseries and there are even records going back to 1735 of auricular and polyanthus types in the Earl of Meath’s Garden in Kilruddery, Co. Wicklow.

This ancient primrose is the sacred flower of Freya, the norse goddess of fertility and beauty and are delicate yet strong in style. The leaves and flowers of the plant are edible, I actually made frozen ice lollies with them last year! The flower has a wide variety of uses ranging from salads to tea and even primrose wine which I must try. Interestingly, the primula is still used today for medicinal purposes as well as jams, desserts and even perfume. There is also a lot of folklore attached to primroses and some say that eating the flower allows you to see fairies.

Inspired by the history and magical associations and stories of these plants I thought them just perfect for planting in a shaded border at Lissadell, on who’s grounds various types grow happily already. Some of these have naturalized themselves, meaning they have spread to become part of the natural flora, and give impressive colour displays in Spring. To my delight I found out that Pat not only grows a primula called Inishfree and Drumcliff but even has recently added a pretty yellow variety to his creations, a very close plant to our native primrose, which he has named Lissadell.

So, on a sunny day in mid February we set out to plant up a lovely border in Lissadell with a collection of the fabulous Pat Fitzgerald primroses. Joined by Edward and Constance’s son, Eddie Junior and his friend Beltran, and my own son Armando and his friend Odhran, all keen gardeners, we proceeded to plant up a small border of plants in a shaded corner of the garden. Half way

through our planting it started pouring rain, naturally, but that did not stop us and we all got satisfyingly muddy in the process. Arranging the Primroses in drifts and interspersing them with delicate Muscari, the grape hyacinth, we created a small tapestry of colour and texture under a fabulous old tree near the house. There is something very beautiful about taking a flower that has been inspired by a place, such as the ‘Lissadell’ primrose and planting it in that exact location.

In the future our hope is that these lovely plants will naturalize over time and create a small area of colour that will keep growing. Drumcliff, Inishfree and of course the perfectly named Lissadell, all growing side by side to become a small part of the bigger story of the magical place that is Lissadell.

A celebration of Yeat’s 150th birthday will take place on the 13th of June 2015 at Lissadell House and promises to be a wonderful event. For more visit: lissadellhouse.com If you would like to source some of these beautiful primroses by Fitzgerald Nurseries look out for them in limited numbers at Lidl stores nationwide the week after St. Patricks Day for one week only or ask at your local garden centres nationwide.

Primroses and imagery courtesy Fitzgerald Nurseries irishprimrose.com

Leonie Cornelius is an award winning TV Garden Designer, Interior Architect and columnist.

Catch her on the new RTE Supergarden Show starting in April. corneliusleonie@me.com @leonie_Cee

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 45

Leona Small and Shauna Owens

Nooreen Fitzpatrick, Margaret Foley, and Geraldine Lynch,

Alan and Janett Mc Courtney

Trica O Connell, Florence Gillen, and Tina O Reilly

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henandstagsligo.ie

We speak to Fergal Quinn about his latest venture, which he hopes will bring new business flooding to the town.

What is 'Hen and Stag Sligo'?

Hen and Stag Sligo is a website that packages hen and stag parties. Anything from accommodation, to daytime activity, to nights out and meals in between. Anything and everything that takes the hassle out of organising your hen or stag night or weekend. I developed the idea and got it up and running, and there are a few other members of the team who facilitate different things.

My right hand man is Shane Gillespie, who takes care of the majority of the front end queries.

The packages we offer are suggested packages but they're not set in stone. It's all completely flexible and can be tailor-made to suit all budgets and tastes.

What's the main aim of this venture?

To remove a lot of the hassle involved in the organisational side of these parties for the customer - we look after payment individually and rooming lists, bookings, everything. And on a larger scale, to bring more business to Sligo, and getting all the businesses that are of interest to hens and stags involved. We have loads of interesting activities already signed up and we are looking at bringing some more restaurants on board soon, too. We have a strong presence on all social media platforms and we advertise in all UK cities that have direct flights to Ireland West - online advertising has huge potential to further the reach of this little corner of North West Ireland.

Did you model this on another similar business you had seen elsewhere, or was it all your own brainwave?

What we had come across in the past was a series of middle-men who were offering a similar service, of sorts.

We ourselves, as late night venues,

had had difficulty dealing with them, because they want a commission on every business they use in such bookings and so they just squeeze you too tight. It wasn't really profitable for anyone involved. That was one of the reasons I decided to start up this project. We don't take commission on anything, where we benefit is that once these groups are booked into Sligo, whatever activity or

accommodation they choose, we are all guaranteed business from it.

What makes Sligo such a great destination for hens and stags?

Sligo is now known as the adventure capital of Ireland.

When you look at the amount of activities on offer here, it's incredible. I never knew there was white water rafting, kayaking, SUP, ziplining and all the rest. You have to really delve into it to see all that's on offer here. There's a very strong nightlife in Sligo too, which adds to the experience.

And the customer service here, the friendliness from the people who are working in the industry, is vital. That's what gives the whole experience, the whole package. That's the whole town coming together.

Hens and stags don't have the best reputation - is it a very volatile business to be involved in? Have you got any disaster stories?

Back in the day when stags and hens would have been viewed less positively and we might have been a bit more strict on the door, before we started Hen and Stag Sligo, I had a friend who said his very well-to-do buddy from Wexford, whose family were in the oil business, wanted to come up for his stag. There were about thirty of them and I said, yes, no problem, as long as they don't get dressed up or anything too over-the-top. On the night, thirty or so of them turned up in boiler suits and full masks and everything - but what could we do? They turned out to be ok in the end.

There is this preconception that stags and hens are always trouble but you can't tarnish them all with the same brush.

Tell me about some of the more unusual activities you have listed: Nude painting?

Pole Dancing? Boda Borg?

Strippers? How do you source all these things in Sligo?

We have a lady who does pole dancing classes upstairs in McGarrigles - we've taken a fair few bookings for that alright, though I wouldn't know what goes on myself, I've not been over!

No stags have booked that either, strangely enough...

Nude life painting is hugely popular, even though it's not cheap.

We facilitate the groups, whether it's next door in Toffs or over in Bourbon Bar, and the guy in charge comes along with a model and all the equipment and everything that's needed.

The stripper is Josie Gallagher, of course!

He's great, but to be honest we don't get so many bookings for the stripping anymore, it seems to be going out of

fashion. And Boda Borg is over at Lough Key, it's a crystal maze style thing and it's super popular with both hens and stags. It's very keenly priced too.

What's next, where would you like to see this going?

I want to see Sligo getting the numbers of hens and stags that it has the potential for. I think this business has been a bit light of late.

The late night market in Sligo needs an injection of at least one to two thousand people on weekends, especially on Saturday nights. So I would love to see this venture bringing in maybe five hundred odd of those extra bodies, and then we'll start to see people coming down and leaving with the attitude that Sligo is rocking.

We've seen what we are capable of with things like the Summerfest and the Fleadh and all, but it would be great to have that in a more steady way. So that's where we are hopefully headed.

Main Photo: Suzy McCanny Photography & Fashion Styling www.SuzyMcCanny.com

Christine Drummond, Mary McCarroll, Denise O'Brien with Mary Dillon (Christine, Mary and Denise travelled from Dublin to be there)

Ciara and Karol O'Neill

Mary Lou Higgins, Stephanie Higgins & Jacqueline Leahy

Eileen Mulcahy, Veronica Hughes and Terri Golden

Ciara Roddy abd Nicole Canning

Sinead Horan, Sarah O'Hara, Majella Coleman and Lisa McDermott

Laura Dillon (Gary Dillon's sister) and Thomas Quinn (Laura's husband)

Ingrid McLoughlin and Johnny Davey

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Amy McKeon, Sined Evans and Molly Loyde

Clodagh Devaney and Majella Coleman

Gary Feeney, Aisling Coen, Darragh McConnon, Emma Chambers, Ian O'Dowd & Chloe McDonagh

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@moda_fix with Tríona o’Donnell

thing. Peter, my husband, says I think there are 28 hours in a day – I always try to squeeze too much in!

What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far? interviewing Bono on top of the Viacom building in New York – i had exclusive access to the band performing ‘live’ on the roof-top. i still have to pinch myself when i think of that day! and gate-crashing the Governor’s Ball at the oscars with a camera crew was a pretty spectacular moment too. i chatted to all the major oscar winners that year.

What/who is your number one inspiration?

Not one… many. My parents,

I

n this month’s issue I share style and beauty tips from the truly fabulous Lorraine Keane. I had the pleasure of interviewing this well-known broadcaster, journalist and presenter at Sligo Southern Hotel during a recent wedding fayre. I really enjoyed this interview and I think you will too. Enjoy!

Describe your typical work day. i have no typical work day… every day is different, which i love. My career has always been that way. When i was working full-time with TV3 i

started and finished at different times and in different locations every day, as i was out interviewing different celebrities and attending different events.

Since i have become freelance my days are even more varied. i might be presenting for television, on-line and/or corporate, doing a photo call, or hosting an event or mc’ing a ceremony, or doing an interview, or travelling, or writing from home or doing the school run on any given day. i am never bored. even on my days off i end up running around like a mad

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 54

“My mum always told us ‘There is always room in the world for a nice person”.

T’antie Lizzie, my husband and now my girls… they inspire me to work hard, so i can afford them, haha! i can’t afford myself so i better work very hard indeed!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My mum always told us ‘There is always room in the world for a nice person’. Personally i think it’s easier to be nice and i find it attracts goodness.

Unfortunately, there are those who see kindness as a

accentuate your good bits and camouflage your trouble areas.

2. Be comfortable (within reason….haha…one must suffer on occasion darling, for one’s fashion!) Comfortable = Confident = More attractive.

3. Dress for yourself and no-one else. anything goes nowadays. express yourself through your clothes. it’s liberating aND fun!

Don’t hold back (see point 2).

Wear it with confidence and you will pull it off!

What are your current favourite beauty/skincare products? a new product that i have been asked to trial called ‘theCream’. it is from New Zealand and is 100% natural with the main ingredient being colostrum – the first milk from cows that is renowned the world over for its healing properties. i was a little apprehensive at first, but being a beauty product junkie i was

weakness. i am very kind, but very strong.

Do you have a quote you live by?

‘There, but for the grace of God, go I’. i count my blessings every day for my healthy babies and my healthy family, my healthy parents, my healthy siblings and all my healthy nieces and nephews. i travel to the developing world with an irish charity – this year World Vision ireland – as a volunteer. i have seen suffering; real suffering. i am an ambassador for Crumlin Children’s Hospital. i visit the sick children and their parents every year. it’s absolutely heart-breaking. We are a huge family and we are truly blessed. Nothing else matters but healthy babies.

Do you have a favourite designer or store? i love irish designers and therefore wear a lot of irish: Deborah Veale, Marion Murphy Cooney, Synan o’Mahony,

“Peter, my husband, says I think there are 28 hours in a day – I always try to squeeze too much in! “

“Shoes are my true fetish so I start from the feet up every day” intrigued enough to try it. i have been using it for three months now and honestly, my skin has never been better, brighter and clearer (i suffer from bouts of adult acne, so i know!). it is in limited supply at the moment and i am doing my best to get them nationwide in ireland. When i find something that i am passionate about i like to shout it from the rooftops! This is something worth 'sharing'.

For regular updates, find Lorraine on Twitter: @lorrainekeane For collaborations, email: modafixblog@gmail.com or find @moda_fix on Twitter.

Natalie B Coleman, Niamh o’Neill. i love Seagreen Boutique in Monkstown, Divine Boutique in Maynooth, www.styleikon.com, www.netaporter.com, Harvey Nichols, Lara Bohinc, Pinko, Vince, Tibi, Parker and acne.

How would you describe your own personal style?

The problem is i love it all – depending on my mood.

Some days i feel like being rock ‘n’ roll, the next vintage… then there is boho, sixties, seventies, eighties, Paris chic, cosy casual… i love it all. Shoes are my true fetish so i start from the feet up every day. i choose the shoes i want to wear first and work my way up from there!

What has been your worst fashion faux pas? (If any, of course!) a black and white cow hide coat. i still actually like it (although it’s long gone from my wardrobe!) but it photographed really badly and i looked like the bad end of a Panto cow!

Can you give us three top styling tips?

1. Wear what suits your shape.

Knowing what suits you is 90% of the battle. Pick styles that

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 55

The Farraher Family, Fergus, Fiona and Keith Farraher

Michael and Marian Barrett and Mary and Patrick Togher

Margaret Ann and Vincent Melvin, and Maureen and Joe Farrell

Phill Lynch, Gerry Munnelley, Christina Munnelley and Ronnie Gillanders

Mary, Elena and Eamon Mc Gaurn

P.J. Kelly, Michael Regan, Eileen Kelly, Brid Kelly and Brendan Kelly

Rathedmond Road, Finisklin, Sligo 071-919 2011

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March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 56

Trudi Shields, Dean Arvon Williams, and Chairman of Mayo Association Aloe Farragher

Marian and Michael Barrett

Christina Togher, Mary Mc Hale, Betty Ruddy and Mary Togher

Eamon and Margaret O Brian

A

THE TOFFS COCKTAIL MIXOLOGIST TEAM - RORY, MITKO AND COLIN Barbados sunset 50ml Bacardi 20ml fresh lime Bar spoon raspberry jam 10ml mango pure Orange & red grape juice

t Toffs Nightclub we find the consumer has becoming increasingly selective in their choice of drink and cocktails have really shot up in popularity. We have adjusted to the change in the market and now have two bars in the club with another in the Belfry that specialize in making cocktails. We have a team of cocktail mixologists that are fully trained and constantly work together in formulating new mouth-watering recipes for our customers. Mitko has won two Connaucht competitions and was runner-up in a national competition. He has been working on cocktail mixology for over 7 years now and flairing of cocktails for over a year. He loves thinking 'outside the box' making cocktails and recently came up with the very unique Rihanna cocktail presented on a dry-ice base - a really breathtaking cocktail

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 57

Slow-cooked Irish stew This Month: Traditional Irish Dishes

Middle neck or scrag end of lamb are flavoursome cuts and perfect for braising. This traditional casserole contains filling pearl barley, too. Serves 6

Ingredients 1 tbsp sunflower oil 200g smoked streaky bacon, preferably in one piece, skinned and cut into chunks 900g cheap stewing lamb like middle neck or scrag (ask at your butcher counter), cut into large chunks small bunch thyme 3 onions, thickly sliced 5 carrots, cut into big chunks 6 medium potatoes, cut into big chunks 700ml lamb stock 3 bay leaves

85g pearl barley 1 large leek, washed and cut into chunks small knob of butter

Method Heat the slow cooker if necessary, then heat the oil in a frying pan. Sizzle the bacon until crisp, tip into the slow-cooker pot, then brown the chunks of lamb in the pan. Transfer to the slow-cooker pot along with the thyme, onions, carrots, potatoes, stock, bay leaves and enough water to cover the lamb. Cover and cook on Low for 7 hrs.

Stir in the pearl barley and leek, and cook on High for 1 hr more until the pearl barley is tender.

Stir in the butter, season and serve scooped straight from the dish.

Irish soda bread

Ingredients 250g plain white flour 250g plain wholemeal flour 100g porridge oats 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp salt 25g butter, cut in pieces 500ml buttermilk Method Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C and dust a baking sheet with flour. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then rub in the

butter. Pour in the buttermilk and mix it in quickly with a table knife, then bring the dough together very lightly with your fingertips (handle it very, very gently). Now shape it into a flat, round loaf measuring 20cm/8in in diameter.

Put the loaf on the baking sheet and score a deep cross in the top.

(Traditionally, this lets the fairies out, but it also helps the bread to cook through.) Bake for 30-35

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 58

minutes until the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If it isn’t ready after this time, turn it upside down on the baking sheet and bake for a few minutes more.

Transfer to a wire rack, cover with a clean tea towel (this keeps the crust nice and soft) and leave to cool. To serve, break into quarters, then break or cut each quarter in half to make 8 wedges or slices – or simply slice across. Eat very fresh.

WINE GUIDE With Foleys Bar & Off-License T

he year is marching on and a holiday to the wine regions of France is on my to do list in the next year or two.

The Rhone Valley is one of the oldest wine producing regions of France and has existed there since 600bc. The steep terraced vineyards in Northern Rhone were the earliest French vine plantations.

Chateauneuf Du Pape is named after the period the popes lived in Avingnon. The main grape used in Rhone wines are Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mouverde. The southern Rhone region produces mainly reds and a small amount of white wine.

The House of Chapoutier use biodynamic winemaking techniques and have received many awards over the years. I particularly enjoy their Belleruche Cotes- Du -Rhone 2013 14% alc made from the Grenache / Syrah grape.

Chapoutier wines can be recognised by the use of Braille on their labels. Their white wine use a number of grapes Viognier and Marsanne are the main grapes. Cotes-Du-Rhone white 13% alc and goes particularly well with Asian food or vegetarian. Try the red with roast pork or duck, or on its own with friends!.Both of these wines are in Foleys Off licence for €15.50 Beer of the Month Kinnegar Black Bucket, Black rye Ale 6.5%ABV €3.35 Donegal based Kinnegar craft brewery is based in Rathmullen and this Brewery continues to produce some outstanding beers.. Black Bucket have

many enthuastic followers for this beer.It has,roasted malt flavour fresh hoppy aromas.

Their motto is follow the hops

Top 10 Tips: How to pick a bottle of wine Choosing the right bottle of wine can be a bit of a daunting task, particularly when you’re clueless as to the ins and outs of oenology. To help solve this common quandary feel free to put these 10 top tips into action.

1. Pick your price range.

Doing this will give you a sense of what you can and can’t afford. Seems obvious but given the hundreds of varieties on offer you’ll be surprised at how quick choosing your price bracket whittles your choices down.

2. Food or no food that is the question. Different wines work best in different settings. If you are ordering wine as an aperitif, lighter wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc work best. Once dishes come into the picture, heavier and more complicated wines including Merlot and Chiraz work best.

3. Swirl away.

When pouring your wine give it a swirl. This will release all its flavours, sometimes called the ‘notes’ of the wine to allow for maximum enjoyment.

4. Look at those legs.

Once swirled, the remaining wine will start to dripped down the sides of the glass to form what is otherwise known as ‘legs’. This indicates the concentration of the wine and hence its age. Older, more refined wines take longer time

for the legs to fall.

5. Aware of the negatives.

When wine is corked and left for long periods of time this can lead to an infection festering inside the bottle. Hence a ‘corky’ taste. Another drawback is letting the wine react with air for too long. Over oxidized wine will have a stale raisin-like taste.

6. Don’t be fooled.

Many people don’t know that the names of many wines are exactly the same as the ones we very familiar with. The French are particularly good at this. Sancere is the same as Sauvignon Blanc while Chablis is Chardonnay through and through.

7. Just right.

The perfect temperature to serve white wine is between 810ºC. If it’s too cold it hides all the flavour. No doubt a great way to make a cheap wine pass but a bad one when it comes to bringing out the best in a quality wine.

8. Mixing it up.

Although not always the case, wines which mix different grapes can be poorer in quality. If grapes for a particular vintage are in limited supply, perhaps due to poor weather conditions, they can be mixed with other varieties so they don’t get wasted.

9. Hot picks.

Gewurztraminer and Gruner Veltliner are two Austrian wines that go particularly well with spicy dishes. Merlot, Chablis aka. Chardonnay (see Tip 6) and Syrah (Shiraz) are kind to red meat. For shellfish and seafood Albarino, a Portuguese grape, is a good bet and for

fish any aperitif wines (see Tip 2) will be a great companion.

10.Ask away. With help of the Internet, restaurants sommeliers and great staff at many wine shops such as Foleys on Castle street there is always a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.

All you have to do is ask.

American Crew

2 for the Price of 1

5 Thomas St, Sligo Tel: 071-9143523

March Special

Cut, Blow Dry and Shave for only...€25

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 59

Shells is the perfect beach cafe, bright & airy with fabulous fairtrade coffee.

Br unch is a must and includes eggs benedict & freshly baked bread.

WB’s Coffee House & Deli Bar

11 Stephen Street, Sligo • 087-9757475

Sweet / Savoury Crépes Sandwiches Paninis Ice Cream Smoothies Coffee

TAKEAWAY COFFEE AND FRESHLY MADE SCONE ONLY €3

With wonderful wines and an organic Prosecco, this is a real gem. The Shells Little Shop, next door, is a treasure trove of jewellery, gifts, art and of course our Homemade range of deli delights.

Open from 8.30am every morning Serving freshly baked scones, freshly made gourmet sandwiches, homemade soup and delicious coffees

Beachfront, Strandhill Tel: 071-9122938 www.shellscafe.com

Tel: 087-9125783

Hargadon Bros. is situated at 4/5 O’Connell Street in the centre of Sligo and comprises a traditional Pub and Restaurant with a modern Wine Shop attached as part of the Johnston Court Shopping Mall. Pop into the wine shop and let our helpful staff help you choose from the widest choice of wine for any occasion.

Live Music Every Thursday & Friday from 10.00pm

Good Food Ireland Awards 2013 - Hargadon's Sligo awarded 'Best Food Pub In Ireland'

See you in Hargadons for a Pint O’Connell Street, Sligo. www.hargadons.com Michelin Eating Out In Pubs Guide 2013

Quayside Shopping Centre, Quay Street Mall, Sligo

EARLY BIRD MENU AVAILABLE 5.30pm to 7pm Beers and a Huge Selection of Wines available Open 7 Days a Week 5.30-11.30pm

Delivery Service Available Delicious dishes from all over India

7/8 Market Street, Sligo

Tel: 071-9147700 www.classicindia.ie

The Still Bar & Restaurant Dromore West Cold beer & warm atmosphere.

Live music regularly.

Food served on a daily basis and also breakfast served on weekends.

THE

Irish

HOUSE

Live Music Every Saturday & Sunday Live Games on TV

Parties Catered for

PEKING HOUSE

Phone: 086 391 3135

Bridge Street, Sligo 071-91-46799

Having a Party?

21st, Christening, After Wedding, Work parties, Hen parties, Stag Parties, Family Occasions & Graduation Pearse Road, Sligo (Opposite Garda Station) Tel: 071-9171731 • 071-9169831 • Open 4pm-1am

Delivery Service Available

Find us on Facebook: PekingHouseSligo Find us on

SHENANIGANS FOR THE COMPLETE NIGHT OUT EAT, DRINK OR DANCE!

Tel: 071-9142003 O’Connell Street, Sligo

O'Connors Bar and Lounge Friendly family run bar • Main Street, Ballysadare - Telephone: 071-9167267

Crozon park, Sligo Telephone: 071-9152670 www.thecrozoninn.com Open 7 days a week, from 12pm Daily lunch, early bird, evening and traditional Sunday lunch menu.

Join us for our regular fireside traditional music sessions.

All live sports showing.

Function room available for Birthdays, christening, Christmas parties or Any other occasion.

Under New Management

CASTLE STREET, SLIGO • OFF LICENCE TELEPHONE: 071-9138900 Stocking premium Irish, Scotch and world whiskeys, Armagnac, Quality Rums and Liqueurs Award winning wines ranging from €5 to €80 Excellent variety of quality Cuban Cigars Craft and World Beers stocked

WATCH LIVE PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL & ALL IRELAND FINALS IN THE BAR Speciality Beers and Wines

Our friendly Staff can help you choose from our extensive range of wines and spirits Traditional Music Every Friday & Saturday

Very few off licences will capture your imagination like Foleys, with its breathtaking range!

The Hair Colour Hotlist Thinking of going lighter (or darker) for the sunny months?

Don't reach for the dye without checking out our guide to the hottest hair hues of the season, first.

Use silver shampoo for an ice white hue that's free from brassy tones.

Honey hues are a dreamy accompaniment to sun-kissed skin and glossy lips.

Wear in a centre-parting for a fuss-free, ethereal look.

Experiment with plaits and braids to give sunny locks an edgier feel.

Platinum blonde locks may be prone to showing up roots, but don't feel you have to hide them - slick hair back into a low chignon to show off the contrast.

Platinum waves are a great match for a tan.

A choppy fringe will add depth and movement to one tone hair colours.

Hair

by Eimear O’ Reilly

Show off multi-tonal blondes with an intricate braided 'do.

Professional Make Up Artist In Ireland You’ll love the confidence make up gives you...

Pregnancy belly painting is growing increasingly popular. It is a beautiful and unique way to celebrate your pregnancy and capture that moment forever.

Relax for an hour or so as your belly is transformed, then take a few snapshots to keep forever.

Bridal & Photographic Makeup Bridal Party – Mother of the Groom/Bride/ Sisters/Aunts etc.

Hen Parties Makeup Lessons Shellac nails Waxing Body painting Artificial eyelash extensions - mink or silk lashes Single party bookings can also be facilitated

Phone: 0863740540 Email: vickysbeautypoint@gmail.com Website: www.vickymakeups.com

Vicky’s Make Up And Beauty Studio, 19 O’Connell Street, Sligo.

@ The Hair Station, Ballygawley

Award winning stylist and colourist catering for ladies and gents Colourist of the Year 2014 at the Bronzed Beauty & Golden Scissors Awards

Contact 086 8672970 / 071 9303030 Open: Tue-Wed: 9:00 - 19:00 • Thu-Fri: 9:00 - 20:00 Sat: 9:00 - 17:00

Warm blonde hues look just gorgeous with fair, freckled complexions.

Wear your bleach-blonde locks with plenty of volume for a rock chick feel.

'Sombre' is the new ombre - so rather than bleaching your tips, just allow your natural root regrowth to show - easy peasy.

For the ultimate in California cool, wear blonde highlighted hair in uneven centre-parted waves.

Mousy shades come alive in the summertime, as the sun will pick up both your gorgeous natural highlights and low-lights.

Flatter a porcelain complexion by dying hair a blonde with red undertones.

Treat your hair to a gloss treatment to take hair a few shades lighter or darker and to add a serious boost of shine.

Beautilicious

Brand new Skincare & Beauty Clinic based in Dromore West, Co Sligo

Beautilicious is Celebrating 2 years in business on March 8th Check out Facebook for giveaways throughout the month, including a hamper worth over €250!!!

20% Off all Dermalogica Toners for March only!

Tel: 087-2989958

Email: beautiliciousu@gmail.com

• Beauty Packages • Eye Treatments • Facial Treatments • Make-up by Royal Effem • Waxing Treatments • Tanning • Nail Bar

O’Connell Street, Ballymote. Co. Sligo t: 071-9189222 e: info@newimageballymote.com www.newimageballymote.com

Fuchsia Freelance Beauty, a beauty service that come's to you, taking the hassle out of being beautiful!

A rich caramel-brown shade will add warmth to fair complexions.

How gorgeous is this rich auburn shade? Wear it poker straight for the most striking effect.

Professional beauty therapist & make-up artist, trained in Bridal, high fashion & catwalk make-up.

Whether its a wedding, debs, special occasion or you just fancy some pampering, Fuchsia Freelance Beauty takes pride in delivering a friendly & relaxing service.

Tel: 087-9653024

fuchsiafreelancebeauty@gmail.com

A rich red-brown will give your hair the illusion of body, so is great for fine hair types.

Thinking of going red?

Why not ease yourself in with a pretty strawberry-blonde shade.

Radiance

Beauty & Body Clinic 44 O'Connell St, Sligo • Tel: 071-9146004

More than just an inch-loss wrap! ...drop a dress size

ADVERTISE HERE! Contact us on 071-9154538 for details of our excellent rates and discounts.

Say go odbye to T hread Veins! T he Revolutionary Veinwave ystemis now available.

VeinwaveTM is a revolutionary technique used by physicians around the world to eliminate spider veins and fine thread veins, known as telangiectasias. This FDA-cleared device has been used in Europe for over nine years. It is the treatment of choice for spider veins that are too small to treat with injection sclerotherapy and it is particularly effective for the treatment of facial spider veins.

Call 0871664900 for free consultation!

• Procedure carried out by a fully accredited and insured aesthetic nurse

• Fast and effective treatment

Gift Sets Now Available

• Also Providing skin analys is and medical Peels

Lydia’s Beauty Rm

Is it red, is it brown - we're not sure, but this inbetween shade looks great in loose waves.

Braid your hair in two plaits before bed and let loose come morning to recreate this effect.

• Waxing • Nail Treatments • Tanning • Make-up • Eye Treatments • Body Treatments • and more

Show off light ends and darker roots by styling hair in a slick ponytail.

Opening Hours Mon - Closed Tues & Wed - 10am - 6pm Thur & Fri - 10am - 8pm Sat - 10am - 5pm

Teeling Street, Ballymote, Co. Sligo Tel: 087 2797932 www.lydiasbeautyroom.ie Email: lydiasbeautyroom@gmail.com

Mystique

Skin Care & Beauty Salon WEDNESDAY SPECIAL OFFERS

Diamond Peel Dermabrasion €35 (usually €50) Dermalogica Skin Brightening Facial €25 (usually €40) Shellac Polish €15 (usually €20) Full Body Tan €15 (usually €20) Luxury Manicure €15 (usually €20) Luxury Pedicure €20 (usually €25)

Main Street, Collooney, Sligo Tel: 071-911 8747 • www.mystiquebeauty.ie

Natural-looking dark blonds are great if super-shiny hair is your aim.

Add a fashion-forward finish to a dark blonde locks by wearing it slicked across the crown. Be sure to set with plenty of stronghold hairspray.

Trisha’s Cutting Alley Unisex Hair Salon Special Offer

Digital Ego Evolve Dryer with Complimentry Digital Hair Iron

The Perfect gift for only €129.95

Tel: 071- 9140400 • 30 Castle Street, Sligo Visit us online www.colourbar.ie

Available to travel to sligo / mayo surrounding areas for bridal parties, hens and wedding guests.

14 years experience with recommendations from local hotels and businesses in the wedding industry.

Stocking new BE BLONDE range of products for highlighted & coloured hair.

Dromore West, Co. Sligo Tel: 09647901 - 0866602838 Anytime

The ombre trend is still going strong. Take yours in a chic bob style for a strong look.

Adelaide St, Sligo (071) 9160341 info@salon2hairdressing.ie • www.salon2hairdressing.ie

Show off light brown locks in an ethereal half-up, half-down 'do.

Winners of ‘weddingsonline Bridal Hair Stylist of the Year’ 2015 & 2014 Winners of IHF Senior Bridal Category 2014, 2013 & 2012 Sligo’s Best Stylist at Golden Scissors Awards 2015 & 2014 Meet with one of our Creative Wedding Team and discuss your dream bridal style.

Perfect Bridal Hair Care Package and fun Hen Party Packages tailored to your needs.

Salon 2 offer an in-salon package on your wedding day or you can avail of our on location package where we will travel to your home or hotel.

For appointments and further details call 071-9160341

Show off last year's sun-kissed highlights by wearing your locks loose and centre-parted.

Why not cut some face-framing layers into your locks to add body and show off multitonal browns?

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

Services Directory JDCouriers

Available for: • Courier Service • Same day delivery • 7 day service • Furniture removal • RELOCATION IRELAND & UK

“NO JOB TOO SMALL OR BIG”

PH: 089-4120397 or 087-2823472 email: jdcouriers@outlook.com

Handyman Available • Exterior House Cleaning • Attic Insulation • Eve-Runs, Gutters cleaned etc • Chimney Cleaning • Power Washing - Footpaths, Driveways etc • Drains Unblocked • Window Cleaning • Gardening, Lawns - Hedges cut and trimmed • Weed & Moss Spraying • General Tidy up • Carpentry 1st & 2nd Fix • Roofing and Repairs

Mother Earth Garden Services

Residential & Commercial property • Full garden maintenance solutions • Garden renovation • Annual maintenance programme

• New garden construction • Power washing • Trees & shrubs supplied and planted

FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE Tel: 071-9310131 • Mobile: 086-2720169 Email: tonykeaveney@me.com

CHIMNEY CLEANING SERVICE

Sunday Nov 23rd 12-6 DOMESTIC HOOVER Monday Nov 24th 10-6 (No Mess) GUTTERS & GULLIE CLEANED

CALL P. 087-7928131

Telephone: 087-9378020 / 071-9127332

BEDS • SANDING • FLOORING Lynns Dock, Sligo • Tel: 071-9157830

• Computer & Laptop Sales and Repair • Custom PC Builds • Software repairs / Virus removal • GPS Systems • Games Consoles • iPhone / iPod, iPad and iMac Mon-Fri 10am - 5pm / Sat 10am - 2pm Call Us on 087-6452450 or 087-3232439 2 Stephen Court, Stephen Street, Sligo www.repairzone.ie

Aluminium & PVC Repairs To windows, doors and patio doors

Expert patio door repairs!

• Rollers • Tracks • Hinges • Door Realignment • Locks • Multilocking systems etc

Over 20 years experience servicing Irish windows and doors. Fully insured GLASS PARTS ETC REPLACED

Brendan Gormley: 071-9183860 / 087-2562669

Laminate Floors Only €5.99 sqyd

North West Counselling

Counselling for people with addictions eg. Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling • ALSO COVERS GENERAL COUNSELLING Counsellors are professionally trained • Relapse Programme and are fully accredited or working • One-to-one Counselling towards accreditation.

• Referral system for private clients to White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre For appointments ring: 087-2879707 OR 074-9723822 • Addiction and General counselling available Afternoon, evening and weekend Email: tabourhouse2004@eircom.net Tabor House, Drimark, Donegal Town appointments available

Helping people to recover

No.1in the No.2 Business...

• Domestic Drain Cleaning • Emergency Service Call Out • Commercial Drain Cleaning • Man Hole Covers Replaced • Odours Investigated • High Velocity Water Jetting • Annual Maintenance Contracts • CCTV Drain Inspection

• Septic Tank Cleaning

Contact Damien: 087 297 4842 or 071 916 8086

Sligo Citizens Information Service Providing a free, confidential and Independent Service Have you questions about your social welfare entitlements, employment rights, medical card entitlements etc. For information, Advice and Advocacy on all your rights and entitlements contact Sligo Citizens Information.

We operate from the following locations • Rockwood Parade, Sligo • Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry • Family Resource Centre, Ballymote For further details contact 0761076390, email sligo@citinfo.ie www.citizensinformation.ie

Rathedmond

CRASH REPAIR

Rathedmond Road, Sligo • 071-9150066 Mobile: 086-8885349 Upcoming March & April Courses in Sligo Area MANUAL HANDLING: Fri 27th Mar / Fri 24th Apr

BASIC FIRST AID Fri 20th Mar

PEOPLE MOVING & HANDLING Fri 17th Apr

OCCUPATIONAL FIRST AID REFRESHER Fri 10th Apr

OCCUPATIONAL FIRST AID Thurs 9th, Thurs 16th & Thurs 23rd Apr

TRAIN THE TRAINER (LETTERKENNY) Fri 13th, Fri 20th Mar, Fri 10th, Fri 17th & Fri 24th Apr

For queries or Bookings - contact Caroline / Claire on 071-9300886 or training@safetech.ie

Abbey Insulation Carraroe, Co. Sligo • Established 1996

Cavity Wall & Attic Insulation Spray Foam Insulation Adrian 087-2357727 • Office 071-9142100

GRANGE FUELS

www.abbeyinsulation.ie

SINCE 2008

OIL & COAL DISTRIBUTORS • TEXACO QUALITY OILS • COMPETITIVE PRICES • SAME DAY DELIVERY • MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED • ELECTRONIC METERED DELIVERIES More Litres Per €uro than All Our Competitors Same Day Delivery Throughout Sligo

COAL OFFERS

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1 Bag €15.50 €16.50 €17.50 €18.50

5 Bags €75 €80 €85 €90

10 Bags €145 €155 €165 €175

Sligo / North Sligo: Trevor Farrell: 071-9173805 • 086-7273805 Christy McTiernan: 086-7779376 South Sligo / North Roscommon / East Mayo Noel: Mahon: 094-9870453 • 086-2070453

Deliveries throughout Sligo / North Roscommon / East Mayo

Like us on Facebook @ Grange Fuel Oils and Coal Distributors for news and special offers

PHYLLIS O'CONNOR

ACCOUNTING Holborn St, Sligo Phone: (071)9144713

SELF EMPLOYED? PAYE? Are you having Tax problems?

Do you have income tax / VAT / Capital Gain tax liabilities? We can help.

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Domestic & Commercial Fully Insured & Guaranteed All work carried out efficiently and effectively Call: 087-7822059 / 071-9138330

COMPOST FOR SALE Pure Organic Compost - Ideal Soil Enricher • 50 Litre Sealed Bags • Cubic Metre Sacks Compost / Veggie Mix • Bulk Loads Trailer pickup & can deliver Union Wood Road, Ballisodare Call to Yard or Phone 087-9756455

Follow Kate on Twitter @katicut Mind Calm.

It sounds good doesn't it? Well, it did to me, immune as I am to Zen in all its forms; she who snorts in the face of yoga, yer wan with the noisy head. It's funny how I keep on trying to find some peace and quiet in here, when all my previous attempts have ended up somewhere between pain and boredom.

There's something about John Graham, life coach, though. It's not just the lilting Scottish accent (don't get me wrong, it's A LOT the lilting Scottish accent: my catnip) that had me thinking I want some of what he's dealing. It's his own personal energy, the pep in his step, the twinkle in his eye. He just looks so goddamn RELAXED. He inspires confidence. He grins a lot. And he's got great hair.

So when I got the opportunity to not only interview the man, but to try one of his workshops, I jumped at the chance.

John coaches in several areas, and doesn't like to label himself as one thing or another, but the day-long workshop I attended was called "Mind Calm For Me" and involved some simple lifehacking tips, plenty of tasty nuggets of self-awareness, and lots of meditation.

Now for those of you who have read this column from way back when, it's a bit of a running joke how good I'm not at meditating. I did a ten week course in it before. I fell asleep, mostly. Or spent an entire hour silently fuming about how much racket the man to my left was making, breathing through his mind-bogglingly hairy nose. So far, not so Zen. And if I'm honest, I didn't realise quite how much meditation Mind Calm was going to involve until I got there, at which point I could hardly roll up my eyes along with my yoga mat and say, "Sorry, bit of a misunderstanding, I'm off for a fry". It didn't help matters that I had somehow registered the wrong start time, and only through a rare, useful brain-fart did I realise at five to ten that the start time was ten am, not half past.

Cue me arriving NOT-CALM-AT-ALL. I can't tell you what John taught us in the first half of the day, not because I wasn't listening (I was actually, because this mindful, live-in-the-present moment stuff is right up my street) but because that's his job and I can't give away his secrets for nuffink. Suffice it to say, I had enough lightbulb moments before lunch to make up for what promised to be an afternoon of napping and trying not to giggle after.

Side note: Have you ever got stuck in a giggle loop? Where you've come to the very quiet, solemn part in a wedding (or worse, a funeral) or a play, and you suddenly think how terrible it would be to laugh at that moment and inexplicably, you feel a giggle bubble into being in your belly? And even though you're horrified, you keep thinking how terrible it would be to laugh and how you mustn't laugh, but that makes the bubble migrate up to

your throat and start tugging at the corners of your mouth? And so begins a relentless internal battle that tickles your insides until you think you'll pass out? That's just one of the things I hate about meditation. And funerals, for that matter.

Anyway, back to Mind Calm. Which John tries to pronounce very clearly, by the way, since several people have misunderstood his accent and thought he was saying 'Mein Kampf'. Which is not what this is, at all.

After lunch, during which I had a strong coffee to keep me as alert as possible during meditative practice so as to avoid embarrassing snoring/drooling, we gathered back in the workshop space. We all got snuggled up on our yoga mats, wrapped in our blankets like fourteen little cocooning caterpillars, while John explained the specific techniques we would be using today. And surprisingly enough, though I've dabbled in several types of meditation before, I've never witnessed it explained so practically and succinctly before. We did a trial run and it was good! It was only five minutes, but I could see this working and I was very excited! Woo, look at me, I'm meditating!

Unfortunately, that little bit of success didn't instantly turn me into a Zen master, Ommmm-ing off into a place of pure "Is-ness" on my yoga mat of joy.

No. I messed up several rounds of Mind Calm meditation. A couple of times I just let go and drifted off into that awfully pleasant place between wakefulness and dreaming, the snoozebutton zone. Honestly, though, I can't say I felt bad for it because it was so nice. I'd had a very busy week, and this was a delightful way to spend my Sunday afternoon, drifting off to almostnod in a roomful of other warm, resting bodies like an overgrown crèche at naptime... Sure, what else would I be doing? And it was work, too.

"Research". All bases covered.

Except something funny happened in the final, longest stretch. We were to meditate for twenty full minutes, after a brief pep talk from himself which served to rouse me from my somewhat sedated state. We got to choose our own focus this time (sorry, can't tell you about the areas of focus, they're a secret part of the Mind Calm club) and not only did I finally nail it, I knew instantly that I really, really needed it.

John says that twenty minutes of good meditation can give you the equivalent rest benefit of four hours sleep. If this is true, I no longer need to go to bed early. Instead, I can start frequenting the T&C with my fun friends again until stupid o'clock in the morning. I can be a busy and productive writer-lady AND good craic and still be well rested. Why did nobody tell me this before?

Checkout www.johngcoaching.com for more info if you are interested in Mind Calm

March 2015 • Sligo Now Magazine • Page 70

Wonderful Walks in County Sligo

This Month: Deer Park Distance: About 3.5 km. The walk is a loop, so if you follow the wee wooden signs, you won't go far wrong.

Difficulty Level: Depending on fitness, it can be a piece of cake or a bit of a heartracer. It's not too long of a walk but there's a nice incline all the way up to the megalithic tomb at the top.

After that it's all level and downhill back to the car park. When it's icy it can be a bit slippy too, so wear sensible shoes.

Directions: Drive out just past Calry village on the R278 and it's clearly signposted on the right hand side. There's a handy car park and a lovely little picnic table to fuel you

Description: Deer Park is a forest walk, nicely sheltered and in a peaceful, pretty part of Sligo. The path meanders up through pine trees and wonderfully rugged terrain, until you reach high ground where the views are 360 degrees...

Knocknarea in the distance, Lough Gill far below... The megalithic tomb here is in remarkably good shape, and if you take a five minute rest within the stone circle (if you dare, with utmost respect to your ancestors, y'hear) you'll be astonished at the level of quiet. It's as close as I've ever got to silence in a wide open space. The occasional chirrup of a bird in the distance even sounds reverently restrained. Looping back down from the tomb, looking out over the lakes, keep your eyes peeled for several more archaeological sites nearby; raths and cashels and wedge tombs abound. This is a very special area of ancient heritage, a great place to take visitors from further afield to show them quite how old and magical our lovely land is. On a wintery day you'll be sheltered from all but the most ferocious of winds on this walk, and as snow crunches underfoot and blue skies break through the treetops and expose the occasional glimmer of green, you might even forget where you are for a little while. This is the Narnia of the North West.

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