COUNTY GALWAY
Garbally View Nursing Home, Ballinasloe Marie Dolphin, Activities Co Coordinator writes: “For our main
event during Nursing Homes Week our residents experienced an afternoon of Japanese culture. The evening kicked off with children from a local Karate Club treating the residents to a display of traditional martial arts followed by a demonstration of the ancient art of weaponry. The children also provided some music for everyone to relax to. By the time the show was over our residents had worked up an appetite and were ready for an eastern food tasting session. The food and drinks were served to the residents by staff wearing the traditional Japanese Kimonos. The Japanese main course followed by Mini Dorayaki Cakes. Even if it was slightly more of a challenge using chopsticks instead of knives and forks! Whilst the green tea from Japanese tea pots was sampled by all, it was decided that nothing could replace the cup of Barry`s. No Japanese cultural event could conclude without raising a glass of Sake in a toast to health and happiness to all gathered, and this we did. Kanpai (Slainte).” Rosemount Nursing Home, Gort Stories, piseogs and old cures were compiled by activities coordinator Deborah Walsh from staff and residents in anticipation of Nursing Homes Week. This led to compilation of booklet with the stories and it was published and presented to residents and visitors. Legendary storyteller and writer Eddie Lenihan came to the nursing home to entertain all with tales of fairies, woodland creatures and the infamous Biddy Early.
COUNTY LIMERICK
St Gobnaits Nursing Home, Ballyagran Traditional music provided entertainment with Irish dancers and a Seanachi also featuring. A visit to De Valera’s Cottage in Bruree was also hosted and to coincide with the focus on the birth of a nation ‘Michael Collins’, who obliged with rebel songs, and ‘Countess Markievicz’ visited.