Issue 12 / March

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WE CHAT TO KILLARNEY’S FIRST LADY

BRYAN PREPARES FOR CHELTENHAM

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Connect | Editor note

EDITOR NOTE

Hello again and welcome to CONNECT, its March generally the time of year where we start looking at doing some home renovations, maybe a spot of painting or new curtains, we have some tips from the experts on how to best create your perfect look.

WHAT’S INSIDE MOTHERS DAY COMPETITION P-21

We also take a look around the county lots beginning to happen we have some news from Dingle Film Festival which is always a great weekend, Kenmare are having their lace festival and incorporating a stunning fashion show in the wonderful Park Hotel, so lots to do. We have a fantastic competition to celebrate Mother’s day so make sure and check it out and your mum could be pampered and styled by our experts.

CONNECT MOTORING

P-20

We have some very interesting interviews with Killarney’s first lady Chamber President Kate O Leary, on her role as president and we are also delighted to talk to Dr Mary McCaffrey as she celebrates 13 successful years providing modern progressive health care, We have two new contributors this month so will be bringing you updates from the world of Sport and Motoring in the coming issues. So there really is something for everyone. We are also profiling more of our nominees for our Lee Strand Connect Magazine Women in Business Awards, so if you know someone you think is worthy of this do please contact us and we will feature her.

KENMARE LACE FESTIVAL FASHION P-26

So we hope you enjoy your favourite monthly read

Until next month

Margaret

COMPETITION WINNER Congrats to Tara, who won our giveaway in last month’s Connect, Tara wins herself a lovely pamper treat courtesy of EXPOSE. Readers were invited to tell us why they deserved a treat so here’s what Tara said. Happy birthday expose, saw your competition in connect magazine and I’d love to enter!im a mom of 2 small boys aged 2 and 4, they keep me on my toes and I also work full time... I rarely get any time to myself. I’m getting married in April and to be honest I haven’t had the chance to look after myself. I’ve had a recent bereavement and I’m finding things tough especially with the wedding so close. I always see ads for expose in connect magazine and always think ... Next week il book something for me but next week never comes and if I were to win this competition I know it would give me the push I need to take some time out for the wedding.

Editor

Margaret@connectpublications.ie

Also available online:

www.connectpublications.ie EDITOR Margaret Brick Margaret@connectpublications.ie DESIGN Expose Design - www.exposedesign.ie PRINT Kingdom Printers CONTRIBUTORS Mark Doe, Dr.Mary McCaffrey, Caroline McEnery, Zoe O Connor, Deirdre Body Danny Leane, Orlagh Winters, Marcas Mac Domhnaill FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRES Call us on 066 7123954, 086 2408237, 087 2340261 or email sales@connectpublications.ie FOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE email info@connectpublications.ie

Is your mum the best?

CREDITS We would like to thank the photographers of Kerry who assist us so professionally with providing their images of all local events.

Cover Picture - Barry Murphy Photography Ciara O Donnell - ciaradesignpod@gmail.com Joe Hanley - joehanley1@gmail.com John Cleary - clearysphoto@eircom.net John Walsh - info@johnwalsh.ie David Hogan - info@davidhogan.ie Don MacMonagle - info@macmonagle.com Dominic Walsh - Photography

CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Connect | Cover Story

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Killarney’s First Lady Killarney is steeped in tourism and one could say it often sells its self now it’s done so well for years by businesses, what do you feel could be done if indeed anything needs to be done to improve the promotion Killarney gets nationally and worldwide?

W

e are delighted to catch up this month with Kate O Leary, Kate is current President of Killarney Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, and she is also a busy lady running the Laurels Pub in Killarney and Mum to two boys so how does she do it all?

Kate you’re a full time business woman running a busy pub in Killarney town centre, now that you have become Chamber President you must be really busy, what does the role of President involve?

I have always been a “doer” so taking on the presidency is a big challenge for me because I have had to pass on my two main projects in Chamber (town flags and July 4th celebrations) and become more of an overseer and delegator.

I am very fortunate to be part of an extremely proactive Chamber in a wonderfully vibrant town so there are always a lot of things going on. It could be a full time job so recognising the most appropriate person for everything that pops up is vital . A lot of my time is spent meeting people with a view to new events and new businesses for Killarney, following up on our sub-committees and of course I spend a bit of time stomping out fires ... Metaphorically!

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

We are blessed in Killarney to be surrounded by natural beauty with our lakes, mountains and parkland, but I think it is our welcome and our warmth that sets us apart There is beauty all over the world but a personal connection is what will bring people back to Killarney.

We can always sell ourselves better; I think a strong digital presence is essential and variety in our offering so that we have something for everyone. We are making great strides in both of those areas. The Chamber is a wonderful channel for information to potential visitors and we encourage people to keep us informed of upcoming events so that we can promote them We have to constantly keep our eye on the ball for new opportunities and to ensure we are getting plenty of positive media coverage.

During your role as President have you any personal goals you would like to achieve?

I sure do, I would love to see more civic space developed around the town so that the centre of the town gets spread out and places that people can sit and chat. This is something that one can see in many European towns and it makes discovering the town more interesting.

I would also like to see more monuments and to have the existing monuments lit up at night.

The Monsignor Hugh O Flaherty monument is beautifully lit and is a fine example of what I mean. There is a section of a very popular walk between Dinis and Torc waterfall that is totally unsuitable for cyclists and walkers and I would hope that we can encourage the authorities to develop this area. We are very excited about the opening of Killarney House this year and are very anxious that the wall that encloses it in on Mission Road be altered to increase visibility to the magnificence that is behind

it. We are always looking to increase our membership so too will be a big focus of mine.

You’re a busy mum of two boys, how do they feel about Mum representing the town as the president of the chamber?

The boys are great, I would never have had conventional hours so they are used to me running and racing! They are very proud of me and recognise the honour that it is to represent Killarney in this way. I think they are secretly hoping I won’t give them too many tasks though!

What’s downtime? What does Kate do to relax and chill out?

I cook and exercise. You can’t have one without the other! I am a total foodie. There is no greater pleasure for me than to feed family and friends. I love flicking through recipes and finding a recipe that just clicks with me. I go to the gym and cycle quite a bit too so I am looking forward to the long evenings so I can get out on my bike. I have a great bunch of active friends Finally you took to the dance floor recently for charity at the strictly come dancing event in Killarney, how was it for you?

OMG it was one of the best things I have done in a long time I loved every minute of it.

From the time I walked into the room to meet the other dancers and organisers, until it all finished last weekend it was just amazing, I have never experienced such goodwill and fraternity.

Joe Burkett our choreographer was fantastic and Myra Fitzgerald the main organiser did Trojan work. I had an amazing dance partner Pat O Neill, always in good form and great fun, But best of all is the delusional bubble you get into when dancing, every time I started dancing I forgot myself and thought I was five foot ten and 8 1/2 stone!!!! Sheer bliss!

I would do it again in a heartbeat. It’s great for the soul.

Hopefully with the money we raised from the great support we got we may have saved a life.

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Moments in Sport D

elighted to Welcome Padraig

Harnett to the CONNECT team, Padraig is renowned in Kerry in the sporting circles so we are looking forward to his contributions over the coming issues in his ‘Moments in Sport’ slot. First to chat with him is top jockey Bryan Cooper who is looking forward to the most important time of the year in his sport with the Cheltenham Festival taking place from March 10th to the 13th inclusive.

Bryan is just 22 and the son of trainer Tom and Geraldine Cooper and went to the Green where he completed his Junior Cert. “It was always going to be a career in racing for me. I remember my parents won a pony when I was very young and once I jumped up on Snowy’s back there was no going back. I took part in my first race at 14 and learned my trade with my father and in the yard of Dessie Hughes and Kevin Prendergast”.

Bryan’s first race on a proper racecourse was

– Bryan Cooper

on the Curragh in September 2008 and he rode his first winner on board Rossdara, a horse trained by his father in October 2009.

His career has gone from strength to strength with Cheltenham 2013 being a real highlight.

“I have been very lucky to ride some great horses and had some big wins but the 3 at Cheltenham will live long in the memory. I also finished 4th in the Grand National and the following January I joined Michael O’Leary’s Giggenstown’s Stud as their retained jockey.

However sports can be cruel and Bryan had his experience with the down side when he suffered a bad leg break following a fall in the Fred Winter during Cheltenham 2014. “Yes it was a bad break but I was well looked after and had the support of my family and friends and that was really important in my recovery.

Jockeys now receive the best possible medical treatment and I always knew I would get back racing”.

So what’s a typical day for a jockey if there is one? “Well if you are going racing that can be a long day with the work to be done before hand and of course the travelling but on a day where I am not racing I am up early and we begin riding out around 7.30am. We finish up around lunch time and then it’s a matter of getting proper rest, nutrition and enjoy a bit of down time.”

And so for the rest of the season it’s all eyes

on Cheltenham? “Yes it won’t be long coming and Giggenstown have some great horses that are being prepared for the Festival. But it is important for any sportsperson to keep focused on the immediate – for a footballer it’s the next game while for me it’s the next ride.

I do my very best on every horse and the big days will take care of themselves. I am lucky that I don’t really do pressure. It’s about mental and physical preparation and of course the joy of getting paid for doing something I love doing. Long may it continue?”

Padraig is also an experiecned MC and is available for all events. Pat Harnett Events run fundraisers such as Race Nites, Gigs and Fashion Shows and can be contacted on 087 2731321 or at patharnett16@gmail.com

The Quick Fire Section: What is your earliest sporting memory?

I loved watching the Grand National’s and the big races when I was younger. I always had a love of the sport.

What in life gets you excited?

I love the big race day experience and the crowds and the heightened atmosphere around the weighing room. The track can be the most exciting place in the world.

What is your best sporting moment in your own sport?

Without doubt it’s the 3 Festival wins two years ago. While that might be three minutes I couldn’t separate them!

What in life annoys or upsets you?

Ignorant people and those who try and bring you down. I have no time for negative people.

What is your favourite sporting moment outside of your own sport?

It would have to be Kerry winning the All Ireland last year. The way they played and the tactic’s they employed to beat all comers was a joy to watch.

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

Have you a favourite colour?

Not really. However the colour of the silks that I am wearing are my favourite at the time so now it’s mostly maroon!

Favourite Smell: The smell of a steak frying!! It is a real treat.

Noise or sound that excites you?

I love the sound of a racing yard that’s

humming with activity. The sound of the horses and the jockeys all working in harmony.

Noise or sound that annoys you?

I know it’s not original but sound of chalk on a blackboard drive me nuts.

Finally 4 people, dead or alive that you would invite to your dinner party?

Hector O’Heochagain, for the crack. The late Dessie Hughes who was an amazing mentor to me. Michael Fogarty who is a great friend and who knows without asking what I need and is always one to lighten the mood. The actress Margot Robbie (Wolf of Wall Street) to bring some glamour!!

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Connect | Weddings

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

Connect | Weddings

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Full selection of Mother of Bride and Groom Spring/Summer 2015 sizes 8 to 26

“Dress For Less” Sale Shop - DEBS DRESSES CLEARING AT €95.00

www.hannonsfashionshop.ie CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Connect | Lifestyle

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

LEE STRAND ANNUAL SOCIAL

1

2 1. Front l to r: Brendan Walsh, Chairman, Lee Strand

3

4

with Johnny & Eileen Counihan from Gurrane, Tralee, Winners of the Lee Strand Overall Milk Quality Award 2014, John O’Sullivan, General Manager, Lee Strand.

Back row: Jerry Dwyer, Mike Mangan, Kieran Savage, Donal Pierse and John Daly. 2. Teresa & John Walker, Tralee 3. Donal & Doreen Pierse Tralee 4. Sheila & Thomas McQuinn, Tralee

FILLET OF COD WITH CAPONATA WITH MARK DOE Cooking fish is alot easier than people make out and the key is not to overcook it and ensure the fish is well seasoned. Buy yourself a good Teflon coated pan and keep it just for cooking fish and this means the fish wil never stick. It also eliminates having to coat the fish in flour before cooking. White fish has a very delicate flavour that can often be masked with thick and heavy sauces, something like Caponata enhances the fish.

Caponata is a Sicilian dish that matches perfectly with white non oily fish as well as going very well with lamb or chicken. It can be served warm or cold. So purchase the freshest fish you can, buy a decent pan and start cooking the beautiful array of fish we have in Ireland

1. Heat some olive oil in a fry pan and add the onion, celery, peppers, courgette, & capers.

INGREDIENTS

4 portions of cod fillets, bones removed, skin on 3 Peppers (yellow/green/red) de-seeded and small dice 1 Courgette, small dice 1 Small onion, peeled & small diced 2 Celery sticks, peeled & small diced 50g pitted black or green olives cut in ½ 10g small capers `½ packet cherry tomatoes, cut in to ¼’s 50 mls olive oil 2 Teaspoons White wine vinegar 1 Teaspoon of caster sugar 2 Teaspoons of chopped fresh parsley Extra virgin olive oil of pesto to serve

Serves 4

2. Sweat down for 5 minutes until the vegetables are just cooked.

3. Add the vinegar and sugar and cook for a further 2 minutes.

The vegetables should be just cooked.

4. Add the tomatoes , chopped parsley, black olives and season with salt & pepper. Remove from the heat.

5. Heat a little olive oil in a good non stick or Teflon coated pan.

6. Season the cod fillets with salt & pepper.

7. Place the cod the pan skin side down and cook for 3-5 minutes until the skin is golden brown.

8. Turn the fillets over and cook for a further 3-4 minutes or you can pop the fish in a hot oven to cook through.

9. Serve the caponata (reheat if necessary) in the centre of a warm serving plate.

10. Top with the cod and drizzle with pesto or extra virgin olive oil.

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Liam O'Connor Universal Performance Academy FINAL AUDITIONS FOR ALL MUSICIANS:

● Singers ● Dancers ● Sound & Lighting.

To be part of a 12 week program from the "Dressing room to the stage". With the opportunity to perform in the Liam O' Connor Show.

Closing date for Auditions: March 30th

Contact (087) 2296000 | Info@liamoconnormusic.com

www.liamoconnormusic.com CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Connect | Lifestyle

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

FRESH IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME THIS SPRING ITS MARCH AND NORMALLY THE TIME OF YEAR WHERE WE START TO THINK ABOUT DOING SOMETHING TO REVAMP THE HOUSE, IT COULD BE JUST A FRESH PAINT TO THE ROOMS, OR MAYBE SOME NEW FURINTURE, WE MAY WANT TO REVAMP THE BATRHOOM OR PUT IN A NEW FIREPLACE, WE HAD A LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHATS AVAIALBLE TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE LOOK WONDERFUL THIS SEASON Noyeks Newmans have a lovely new range of Villeroy & Boch KronoSwiss flooring now at their store in Tralee ,4 collections with a total of 22 decors display the enormous variety of Villeroy & Boch laminate floors: perfectly reproduced wood grains and authentic stone structures and fantasy patterns: Villeroy & Boch has the optimal laminate floor for every decorating style, ambience and requirement.

The Benefits of Laminate

• Villeroy & Boch laminate flooring predominantly consists of a renewable raw material: wood from sustainably managed forests.

• Laminate floors are ideal for children’s bedrooms, as they don’t contain any plasticisers (phthalates). The German consumer magazine Ökotest even explicitly recommends them.

• A 30-year guarantee is granted on Villeroy & Boch laminate floors installed in homes.

• Because laminate is installed without nailing or gluing (as floating floors), no adhesive residues result.

• Innovative embossing processes are used to give the surfaces of modern Villeroy & Boch laminate floors authenticlooking wood grain and stone structures.

• Laminate flooring doesn’t contain any diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and therefore can’t cause any changes in hormone levels.

• At the end of the product lifecycle, laminate flooring can be unproblematically disposed of or burnt as fuel.

• The scrap resulting from the production of Villeroy & Boch laminate flooring is used as fuel.

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

The H Factor’s team are experts in the tiling industry and offer the best and appropriate advice to each and every customer. They take pride in their creatively designed showroom offering you the latest trends in tiles and bathroom furniture for the modern home. They source a wide range of porcelain ceramic and stone tiles of superior quality for you the customer ensuring you get the right product to suit your needs at affordable prices .they stock a wide range of bathroom furniture and accessories to suit your selection in tiles with ample storage and practical surfaces to give you a pleasing and practical finish. They are continuously updating the showroom to bring the freshest ideas for you to see and imagine in your home.

They have recently expanded our product range to include infrared Heating Panels which provide an ambient heat easy to install and economical to run. They also have a lovely new range of industrial style furniture with some quirky earthy pieces to add a design feature to any space in your home. The team at the H Factor are there to help take the hassle from you and give reassurance you are making the right selection in designing your home. So let the experts do the work and you take the credit. The H Factor - where good design meets affordable quality.

Lots furniture on the listowel road have a wide range of house furnishings but we were particularly interested in their collection of Mattresses, they offer top advice on what mattress to choose and will also give you tips on caring for it and when the best time is to change your mattress

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry My name is Lorraine Flanagan. I am an Interior Designer & Colour Consultant. I am here to give you advice on Colour trends for 2015!! This year it’s all about a vibrant colour. Greens that are lush as Tropical Leafs, Chameleon like Corals & Gray that is dripping with Drama!! Just by adding a splash of colour can refresh & transform your home. Whether you are putting colour on your walls, or perhaps just updating your accessories in the room.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT OFFICE IN IRELAND

AGENTS OF CHANGE Empowering women through Education Hosted by

KBN

and the

European Parliament

Celebrating International women’s Day

I am going to give you a few guidelines if your living area is small, and how we can give the illusion of it being more spacious and airy. Your sofa is the most important purchase in your living area, a sofa may last up to 10years or more so you have to choose something that is comfortable think of your sofa as an investment and you can always accessorize with less expensive accent furnishings. When you have a small space an Accent Chair can give impact in a room. You have t to think “light” anything with a heavy look or dark colours will look huge in the room.

Armless chairs like slipper chairs can be a good choice, at all costs avoid anything with a tall backrest.

When you have a small space choose furniture with clean lines so the eye won’t get stuck in one place. If you want to avail of more seating in a small area you can always use an ottoman that would double up as a coffee table or provide extra seating. Or if seating isn’t going to be a problem and you would like a coffee table it would be advisable to look for something in glass or acrylic, but steer clear of anything ornate in the room. Look for a table that is simple with delicate lines, this way it will disappear giving your room the illusion of more space. I look forward to giving you more ideas in the next issue of connect. Bye for now!!

You are invited to an evening seminar with MEP Deirdre Clune & International speaker Deirdre Bounds

at Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee, Kerry on Thursday March 5th January 2015 7.30 – 10.00 pm The event is jointly organised by The European Parliament Information Office in Ireland & Kerry Businesswomen’s Network, in honour of Business Month Kerry.

Event Open to public attendance: RSVP to Kerrybusinesswomen@gmail.com: or PH: 087 950 5998 Kerrybusinesswomen

@kerrybuswomen

#agentsofchange #europeanparliament #kbn

Connect mag & outlook 91x130.indd 1

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Connect | Lifestyle

Dingle D

International Film Festival

ingle International Film Festival is a boutique film festival, which makes room for everyone. Offering unique screening experiences with a high caliber of stars and talent attending seminars & workshops, the festival is home to The Gregory Peck Award. Recipients have included: Laura Dern; Jean-Jacques Beineix; 2-time Oscar nominated, Stephen Frears; 6-time Oscar nominated, Jim Sheridan and Golden Globe winner, Gabriel Byrne.

Dingle IFF is a sought after event, which is personal, has style and exhibits film in unique locations. These locations include: The Phoenix Cinema, built in 1937; and the fully HD 200- year- old St. James’ Church. Our festival club nights are held in a variety of traditional pubs each evening.

Some interesting picks include: SONG OF THE SEA: The festival will open this year with an industry preview of the hugely anticipated feature animated film, SONG OF THE SEA. The film is due for release here in Ireland and the UK in July. The film will be introduced by its filmmakers Tomm Moore and Paul Young. This event is supported by Kerry County Council Tourism.

THE QUIET HOUR: Feature science fiction film directed by Stephaine Joalland and shot in Tipperary. Humans are few and far between since Earth was invaded by unseen extraterrestrial machines that harvest the planet’s natural resources and relentlessly kill its inhabitants. In a remote part of the countryside, where starved humans

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

have become as dangerous as the alien machines hovering in the sky, a feisty 19 year old girl, Sarah Connolly, sets out on a desperate attempt to fight back a group of bandits and defend her parents’ farm, their remaining livestock, and the solar panels that keep them safe from extraterrestrials. St. James’ Church at 8pm Sat 14th March.

Geoff Wonfor will celebrate 40 years of Film & Television with a public interview with festival director Maurice Galway. Clips of Geoff’s work, including The Beatles Anthology which he recived a Grammy Award for, will form part of the discussion. Geoff has also worked with Muhammad Ali, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Oasis, George Michael, Mick Jagger, Fats Domino, The Neville Brothers, Sting, Ray Charles, Bono, Brian Ferry, Elton John, Little Richard, Lou Reed and many more. St. James’ Church at 5.30pm on Sunday 15th March March 12th – 15th 2015 www.dinglefilmfestival.com Animation Dingle runs in conjunction with Dingle IFF. It is a great networking opportunity for professionals and animation students to mingle with the cream of the international broadcasters, publishers, animation companies and talent from around the world.

This year also sees Animation Dingle hosting the inaugural Animation Ireland Awards ceremony which is taking place on the Friday evening.

This is Animation Irelands’ first awards ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding creative talent we have within the Irish and international Animation, VFX and gaming industries.Tomm Moore director of SONG OF THE SEA and THE SECRET OF KELLS will receive The Murakami Award on the night.

Any student interested in animation should not miss out in this unique opportunity to mix with international broadcasters and producers and have the chance to pitch their ideas and portfolio along with having a Sketch Day in Dingle with Oscar nominated Tomm Moore.

They can do all this for only €20 for an animation student pass. www.animationdingle.com

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Connect | Advertising

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sk@suzannekeane.com www.suzannekeane.com CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Connect | Fashion

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

get the look..

This month we look at friendtex, Danish smart-casual clothes in sizes xs - 3xl, this brand has a complete range of casual and not so causal so there is something for every taste and budget. Their key colours for spring summer are monochrome, aqua hues, all white and pastels. This season’s must have is the short leather look jacket we have featured here today, available in lots of colours it’s a must and can be worn over any of our key pieces chosen here. Dress it up or dress it down. We simply love the range of accessories friendtex have to offer and have chosen just a few here this issue to give you an idea of how to complete the perfect outfit Friendtex is available in Kerry only from Claire Murphy from her home shop in Banna.

Catalogues can be got from Claire by calling 087 2868607

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

CONNECT

TRAVEL Family Holidays

Travelling with kids can raise many questions: “Here are my top tips for you.

Pick a holiday that both you and your children will enjoy. Try and find something that will not only keep your children amused, but will also meets some of your own needs.

Be realistic about what you can do with children in tow, you may need to compromise some of your ambitions to ensure that your kids enjoy the holiday too, i.e. kids club or childrens activities at your resort or hotel. Prepare and plan your trip thoroughly.

Careful planning will pay off in the long run and avoid any nasty surprises and this where your personal travel counsellor will be of invaluable help.

Take things to entertain your kids, such as a favorite toy, but do check beforehand (if you are flying) what items are allowed to be taken on the plane.

Save on bulky luggage while travelling by hiring or buying things like cots, buggies etc at the destination. As push-chairs are also susceptible to in-flight damage, getting a cheap second-hand stroller might be a good idea.

To get some couple time, find out if hotel has a baby-sitting service.

Alternatively, you could invite the grandparents along or travel with some friends with kids. That way the kids have someone to play with, and the parents can take baby sitting in turns.

Passports Ensure that they are in date before your travel as there is nothing worse than arriving at the airport to find that your passport has expired.

For your own private consultation contact Noreenlane@ travelsounsellors.com or 068 44078 or please feel free to browse my website www.travelcounsellors.ie/ noreen.lane

UNWIND With the promise that all your holiday plans are in the safest possible hands.

At Travel Counsellors we’re all about you.

Your individual needs, wants and desires.

Your aspirations and dreams. So if you’re looking for a holiday to remember and a personal, caring service that you won’t find anywhere else, contact me - your local Travel Counsellor - now.

Fulfilling dreams; creating memories. We’re Travel Counsellors

Call Me: DAVID NOREEN LANE

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Travel Counsellors DAVID ASHWORTH noreen.lane@travelcounsellors.com david.ashworth@travelcounsellors.com www.travelcounsellors.ie/noreen.lane www.travelcounsellors.com/david.ashworth

CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Connect | Lifestyle

Pearly Whites

Marcas Mac Domhnaill

Dentistry for Children Fáilte Romhaibh a Chairde. Now that the days are getting longer, many people are thinking about Spring cleaning, not only for their homes but for their general medical and dental health also. With regard to the dental health of children, the seanfhocal “tús maith, leath na hoibre” comes to mind. Literally, this means a good start is half the work. How true this is.

To maintain optimum dental and oral health, children need to have regular dental visits from the age of two. This allows them to get used to the dental practice environment without any fear or anxiety.

A strong emphasis is now placed on prevention of dental problems.

The days of attending a dentist because of dental pain is thankfully not as common as it was in the past. Another advantage of regular dental examination visits for children is that the dental team can instil the importance of good oral hygiene. Positive reinforcement of good hygiene maintenance is very rewarding for the child. It also allows the dentist to treat small problems before the child suffers from tooth ache, or dental infection (dental abscess).

What preventative measures can be taken to reduce the risk of tooth decay in children?

Many things can be done. One simple method of reducing tooth decay is to place fissure sealant on the grooves of back teeth. Fissure sealant is like a varnish. It can be placed on the teeth with small brushes and it sets in place when it is dried with a special blue light. It is placed on new healthy teeth, before they have a chance to decay.

While it is mainly used on adult teeth, it can also be used on baby teeth. If one baby tooth develops tooth decay, it is often advised to seal the other back teeth as one part in the treatment plan to prevent further decay. Fissure sealants are well received by children and they do not need any anaesthetic to numb the teeth. It is simply a varnish material. It can, however, wear away over time, but is easily replaced in these circumstances.

Oral hygiene and dietary advice also need to be reinforced at regular dental visits. It is often said that after a dental visit, the patient only retains a small amount of the information that was imparted to them.

Parents become more aware of their duty to protect their children’s teeth, when the preventative message is repeated at each visit. Some items are easier to change e.g. not giving juice in a bottle.

When did you last look into your child’s mouth to inspect it?

It is a simple thing to do but many parents never do it. It allows you to check for new teeth, decayed teeth, broken teeth and gum injuries. At the age of six most children get their first adult back teeth.

Keeping these teeth clean while they grow into the mouth is difficult but extremely important. Tús maith!

Beir Bua agus Beannacht,

www.macdomhnailldental.ie

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Mens Trends W

ith the new fashion season upon us it’s time to examine our wardrobes. A big pet hate of mine is clothes that dont fit. We are all guilty of it. If you have jumped on the get fit wagon for the new year, its time to start removing those clothes that are loose and too baggy. They hide all the hard work that you’ve done up to now and they make it too easy for the weight to creep back on. Similarly if you have gained a bit of weight and are still trying to fit into clothes that are too small it is doing nothing for you. Wearing clothes that are too small just looks wrong. Its time to do something about it, either move up to the correct size or battle the bulge. When updating the wardrobe remember, invest in the key pieces such as suits and shoes. Keep them as classic as possible as trends will change and they can start to lok dated. Also remember your personal style again only add trends that will add to your style not detract from it.

GROOMING: BACK TO BASICS

We all need to wash our face every day. So here’s a very simple and easy way to get the best out of your skin. When you are washing your face first thing in the morning, its time to bring back the face cloth. Wet your face with warm water to open your pores so you can get the dirt out. Use your choice of face cleanser/ soap (whatever you prefer) and let it sit on the skin for 1 minute. Remove it all with a hot face cloth and when your finished, splash your face with cold water to close the pores again. Follow with moisturizer of your choice. It may seem simple and over time it will give you much brighter and clearer skin.

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH LOOKING GOOD DOESN’T HAPPEN

BY MAGIC. Two of my favourite face washes are No.7 Men Energising face wash, €9.75, Boots. It’s great to help brighten skin and will help you look awake and rested. The other is L’Oreal Men Expert black charcoal wash, €8.75, nationwide. This is my secret weapon when I get a little break out of spots.

It works fast and does what you will need it to do.

TILL NEXT MONTH MAC DOMHNAILL DENTAL TRALEE, 11 Denny Street Tralee 066 7121457, fiacloir@gmail.com

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

Niall x

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

CONNECT

Style

HI AGAIN EVERYONE WELL I THINK OUR SPRING IS ATTEMPTING TO BREAK OUT WITH THE LONGER STRETCH IN THE EVENINGS AND THE ODD DAFFODIL HERE AND THERE. BEFORE WE KNOW IT THE RACE SEASON WILL BE UPON US AND SOME OF THE SPRING EVENTS HAVE ALREADY LEFT THE STARTING LINE. SO WITH THIS IN MIND, THIS MONTH I WILL BE DISCUSSING DRESSING FOR THE RACES. THERE ARE A FEW SIMPLE RULES AS WELL AS PRACTICAL ONES

1 THINK LADYLIKE, remember races are generally a day or early evening event so leave the night club dress at home. Whether you are hoping to be selected to enter the best dressed category or not, too much exposed flesh is a big no-no.

2 BE COMFORTABLE, as my regular readers will know, I am a big advocate of dressing both stylishly but above all comfortably. If you are comfortable in an outfit your confidence will soar.

3 PLAN YOUR OUTFIT WELL IN ADVANCE, taking into account the racing venue. Is there a lot of walking from the car park to the track, do you have to go across grassy fields, if so put a pair of pumps in your handbag to save your heels. Keep the heels realistic as you are going to be doing a lot of standing. Keep an eye on the current trends but don’t be a slave to fashion when selecting your outfit.

4 FLORAL PRINTS ARE THE MUST HAVE PATTERN THIS SEASON and have infiltrated most designer runways. If a completely floral outfit is not for you then go for a more subtle interpretation of the trend with your accessories, which will instantly brighten any outfit and add a little bit of fun.

5 THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT YOUR HAT OR HEADPIECE

as they can totally transform the most simplest of dress.

Take your time on deciding and get advice on what suits your shaped head, whether you like to base your outfit around your headpiece or vice versa is entirely up to you, but the ladies of Kerry have never been so lucky with all the talented milliners in our beautiful county. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to headwear be it a hat, headpiece or hatinator (a hat on a band that is bigger than a headpiece).They can all add that finishing touch, be it a bit of drama or elegance. Annburys ladies boutique and headpiece specialist, Tralee have a varied selection of over 250 headpieces and expert advice on making your decision.

There are no actual rules laid down in stone when attending at Irish races but if you are lucky enough to get to Royal Ascot there is a strict dress code. Since 2012, any headpiece must have a base of more than 10cm. Dresses must be of modest length, miniskirts and bare midriffs are banned along with any strapless or halter neck dresses. Ascot it seems is fighting back against the less is best culture.

Well now you are all ready to get going, you may even back a winner!

That’s all for now, happy shopping, BEST REGARDS,

Danny

Annburys Ladies Boutique & Headpiece Specialist Styling ladies for the past 16 years 1999-2015

MASTERS OF STYLE

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Connect | Motoring

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

CONNECT Motoring WELCOME

to Connect Motoring, we are delighted to have Suzanne Keane join the team of Contributors; Suzanne is a confirmed petrol head with a soft spot for retro coupes. She has spent the last 15 years taking apart (and sometimes putting back together) her own cars. More recently she can be found behind the wheel of new models putting them through their paces both at home and abroad so over the next few issues she will be telling us what’s making waves in the motoring industry. This month she visits the Fiat showroom for us and brings us the Fiat 500

will turn heads. Despite its miniature size it does handle quite well and once you’re behind the wheel it feels like a much bigger car. On the outside the 15” alloy wheels, tinted windows and chrome exhaust hint that it’s not just your average Fiat 500. Inside the cabin the sports seats with 500s logo and red stitching don’t disappoint. The Abarth steering wheel enhances the sporty feel while integrated Bluetooth and automatic stop/start make it functional as well as fun. Economy wise the 0.9l Twinair engine will consume 4.0l/100km and produces 92g/km of CO2. Motor tax will set you back just €180/year. The Fiat 500 Sport we tested costs €17,050 (plus €450 for optional colour). For more information visit www.fiat.ie

FIAT’S GROWLING PUPPY

The Fiat 500 is an iconic car dating back to the 1950s and while the modern reincarnation retains its cute size and styling the 500 Sport we tested is more of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The 875cc Twin air engine produces 85bhp which in a car of this size won’t show you up at the traffic lights and with a top speed of 173kmph it’s not short of poke! Tipping around town the “Eco” setting is more than adequate but once you hit the open road the “Sport” setting will get the engine growling and the 2 cylinder engine has a really distinctive sound that

FIAT 500

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Forge Hill, Airport Road, Cork | Tel: 021 4320266 www.danseamanmotors.ie

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

FROM €29.77 PER WEEK

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Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Mothers day..

Yes it’s the one day of the year we all get the chance to really say thanks for being so good, but its not just for mums and there are lots of wonderful ladies out there who are not mums themselves but are more to siblings such as godchildren, nieces/nephews so be sure to remember them on March 15th too, it’s a time to treat all ladies who have looked after you or those who continue to look after your little ones, here are a few treats we thought would be nice.

Competition Time!

Is your mum the best? ur mum Win yo derful prize e! a won packag

Mothers Day..

Mother’s day is on March 15th so here in Connect we are asking you to tell us why your mum should be our Connect Mum of Kerry.

We are Connecting with some businesses around Kerry to treat your mum and make her feel extra special.

The winning mum will receive the following: • A beautiful outfit styled to suit her by Paco Boutique • A photo-shoot for her to keep as a memory forever courtesy of Martin Cleary Photographer • A luxury facial, a luxury manicure & pedicure + shampoo restyle treatment & blow dry valued at €250.00 courtesy of Danny at Changes Hair and Beauty Listowel.

• Lunch for two to celebrate in style • Flowers and chocolates courtesy of McAuliffe’s florist Listowel delivered by the Connect team Send us your story in no more than 200 words and don’t forget to include an image to: Info@connectpublications.ie Closing date for entries is Friday March 13th and the winner will be announced on Facebook and our website on Saturday March 14th

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

The Kerry

Enhancement Clinic

H A N G E S Hair & Beauty

5 Star Salon

CLEARY

PHOTOGRAPHY

CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Connect | Health

The Scotia Clinic has reached its teens

T

his issue we catch up with Dr Mary McCaffrey as the Scotia Clinic celebrates 13 successful years providing modern progressive Healthcare for all the family.

The Scotia Clinic has reached its teens!!!

Mary in the profession you are in 13 can be a milestone?

That fact hit me recently when a couple of girls I delivered in 2002 came back for a chat about “girl problems”. Often the only time we see them is at their 6 week check-up and then the occasional photo for Holy Communions and Confirmations in the newspapers. While 13 is not generally a usual landmark, for girls 13 is the new 18!! Girls mature physically and emotionally at a much younger age nowadays. Periods have usually started, hormones have kicked in. It is not unusual to meet young girls in our gynaecology clinics with hormone related issues.

What were you aiming to provide in healthcare when you opened?

The Scotia Clinic opened its doors in 2002 at a time when there was a growing need for access to new services that previously would only have been available in larger centres such as Dublin. Where possible we endeavoured to introduce newer tests such as Ovarian Reserve Testing (we were the first in Ireland to introduce this test).Liquid based smear tests / HPV DNA testing which are now routine in the health service were also introduced

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

at The Scotia Clinic before most clinics.

There are many support services in Women’s Health that need to operate side by side with traditional medicine such as acupuncture, counselling, hypnotherapythese are all part of the umbrella of services that we have introduced over the years. In recent times Non Invasive Prenatal Tests, 3D gynae scanning and an Early Pregnancy Scanning clinic have developed. A maternity service cannot survive without a Paediatrician to look after sick children and we have been so lucky to have Dr. Fergus Leahy on our team from the outset-despite retiring from his hospital post he is still in Scotia!!!! Prior to taking up my post as Consultant Obstetrician / Gynaecologist at KGH I worked in the IVF Unit at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. It is in this area that my heart always remained and it was inevitable that Fertility would be the one of my core services at The Scotia Clinic. Over a period of time the demand for fertility services has grown. With that demand we have kept up to date by developing IUI, treatments for single women etc. Ireland’s first Satellite IVF service commenced at The Scotia Clinic.

Satellite IVF means that couples who wish to undergo IVF can have all their investigations, scans etc. performed in Kerry. They only travel elsewhere for the final stage of their treatment. We now facilitate Satellite IVF to a number of clinics in Ireland, Czech Republic and other parts of Europe. This creates a range of choice and options for people.

Are there any new services planned?

Due to the growing issues with childhood obesity we have a Child Nutrition Clinicit is in its infancy but will be a very necessary service! Last week we were joined by a Consultant Psychiatrist who has a special interest in Women’s Health and there will be further additions to our team over the next few months.

As new Fertility treatments come on stream our staffs keeps up to date with all advances such as egg freezing, fertility sparing treatments for women with cancer, and surrogacy. We maintain close links with properly regulated clinics abroad for such services so that we can link our patients to services that best meet their needs. It will always be our goal to identify new advances that can be delivered locally so that people don’t have to travel to access such tests or treatments. We also try to remain aware of the financial constraints people face

so that they can access cost effective treatments. In the last while I have been forced to realise that social media has a role in our work. We have started to use Facebook to bring health advice to people on a regular basis and our website is currently undergoing a major facelift I am very lucky to have an amazing team of staff both clinical and administrative; they constantly keep up to date with new techniques. Our nurses and Healthcare Assistant are pivotal to delivering core services. One of my nurses has specialised in Menopause playing a key role in advising women in this area, while Michelle Corkery, a native of Tralee, is our Lead Fertility Nurse. Michelle is a major contact for our fertility couples as she performs most of their ultrasound scans, providing support and liaising with the other clinics/ services they attend. Our great joy is always caring for pregnant women and delivering their babies. That is one part that makes coming to work so worthwhile. There are many hundreds of babies in Kerry who started in our care.

From time to time sadness happens for expectant parents and we hope we have been able to support them through those situations as best as we could.

Have you any advice to the teenagers that you may have seen arrive as a bundle of joy through the past 13 years and are now starting to make choices on education and find their feet in life?

So much of your life lies ahead of you – at least 70 years!!! Enjoy your life!! Try to remain as healthy as you can and maintain a good work-life balance. That will be the key to a happy life. Life is never a smooth road-it has turns and bumps! They are the learning curves. But remember there are always people out there to seek advice and guidance from.

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

CYCLE AGAINST SUICIDE Cycle Against Suicide is an initiative BREAK THE CYCLE started by Irish entrepreneur, Jim Breen.

The main objective of the cycle is to raise awareness of the considerable help and supports that are available for anyone battling depression, self-harm, at risk of suicide or those bereaved by suicide. The Cycle Against Suicide community is determined to let people in every corner of the island of Ireland know that.

‘it’s OK not to feel OK and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help’.

HOMESTAY - Central to the success of Cycle Against Suicide is the Homestay Programme. People from across the island of Ireland open up their homes to the participants, provide them with a warm meal, a chance to freshen up and a bed for the night. Our feedback has shown that this has been as rewarding for the hosts as it has been for the guests. It’s a chance to lend your support in a very tangible way without having to get on a bike. If you would like to offer homestay accommodation in the greater Tralee area for Sunday night May 3rd during the 2015 cycle, please contact the home stay co-ordinator: Margaret Brick 086 2408237 and Margaret@connectpublications.ie

Join with a Friend, Save with a Friend and Succeed with a Friend!

Share the joining fee with a friend* limited availability

This March help Curves celebrate 11 successful years in business by burning calories not cash

Tips from CURVES Positive thinking this month Lent has arrived...why not make this year different instead of focusing on giving up something why not yourself to try something new challenge. Maybe each week focus on a new task e.g.

• Including an extra day in curves • Increase the amount of water you drink • Try a new fruit or vegetable or a new

healthy family recipe Stop eating 3 hours before you go to bed Make your dinners carbohydrate free Focus on doing 30 minutes of exercise everyday of lent Keep a food diary or a gratitude journal Make your goals SMART- Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time specific • Take at least one day off shop free and focus on family time and fun activities.

• • • • •

Focus on the positive not the negative. Remember affirmation is better than deprivation....

www.curves.ie

Best of luck!!

www.curves.ie

Õ

®

Curves Tralee

1st Floor, 2A Princess St, Tralee

066 712 6016

*Offer based on first visit enrolment, minimum 12 months direct debit program. New members only.

Not valid with any other offer. © Curves Europe

CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Connect | Lifestyle

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

SALON OF THE MONTH

L Complete your look!

This month we chat to Carmel on the dreaded ‘Fascinators’ No accessory causes more anxiety then the fascinator. You have bought the dress well in advance for the special occasion; you are sorted for the main part of the outfit. Now the big question is deciding what headpiece to wear with it. The reality is, like many others, you may never have worn a fascinator before in your whole life and this is one of the few occasions you ever will.

While it is easy for those seasoned racegoers, or the ladies who attend many special functions, choosing something special to complement their outfit is second nature, they need very little advice, they usually know exactly what they are looking for. But what do you do if you are in this dilemma?

The first thing I always recommend to our customers, if you have the time is to bring in the outfit with you. This will allow you try on a range of sizes and styles of headpieces, something small and tidy or a larger statement piece, what shape compliments you best and especially what are you comfortable with. Should you go with the same colour as the outfit or something different, a contrasting colour, like silver with royal blue that tones in and sets off the whole look? Yes there are lots of questions there but these decisions are easier to make if you have the outfit with you or at least some piece with the colour of the outfit.

Final piece of advice, at the end of the day it is your choice, it is a special day, something you have waited a long time for, while others can assist and advise, choose something you are happy with yourself so you will wear it well.

Enjoy your day out, and don’t forget if you have any questions that you would like me to help in creating that perfect look for you, email me on carmelrussell@gmail.com Till next time

Carmel Xxx

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inda O Shea and Edel O Neill -O Donoghue are delighted to be joining Ballybeg hair and beauty in Ballybeggan Tralee, Between them they bring a range of hair and beauty treatments and look forward to treating you for all your special occasions, Ballybeg is a cosy intimate salon in Tralee town on the corner of racecourse road and the Clash road and with ample car parking and late opening hours on Thursday and Friday it’s an ideal place to choose for your little pamper treats.

Top Stylist Edel Joins Ballybeg bringing a wealth of knowledge of the hair industry, having trained with Peter Mark in Dublin Edel has worked with high end salons, she has her own unique hairdressing techniques, exceptional hairstyling, cutting, colouring and upstyling is her promise to you in Ballybeg. 8yrs in the industry she has exceptional experience as an on trend colour technician for balyage, Edel will be bringing her own presence to the salon, she offers a full advisory service where she will do a consultation with you and ensure that your hairstyle suits you and the life you lead. She specialises in wedding styles and also has wonderful ideas for the communion season so be sure to bring your little princess for a consultation. She looks forward to welcoming you to Ballybeg Hair

Linda O’Shea Linda is looking forward, to bringing her years of experience and knowledge of the beauty and wellness industry to you. Linda is highly qualified in ITEC and CIBTAC Diplomas in Beauty Specialist, Aesthetics, Nutrition, Sports & Thai Massage, She is also trained in Reiki Healing, Fitness & Yoga Instruction.

Shanti Therapi offers you a range of luxury OPI Manicure, Pedicures, and two-week Gel polish Manicure. Facials and Massages tailored to your needs with doTERRA 100% Therapeutic Grade Essential oil Skincare range. Makeup and Spray Tan available for your special occasions with the Communion, Confirmation and Wedding season upon us. Lift and frame your face with Brow Shape, Brow Tint and Eyelash Tint. De-fuzz for your holidays with our gentle Australian Lycon Wax.

Hair Salon

&Shanti Therapi

Beauty &Wellness Centre

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

weardrobe 3/4 Market Lane, Tralee 066 7180522 82 New Street, Killarney 064 6639933

Spring has well and truly arrived and there is such a variety of styles and colours in the shops at the moment. From soft subtle pastel hues to bold brights and monochromes ...it’s sometimes hard to see the wood from the trees and with confirmation and communion season just around the corner a lot of you are wondering what to wear. Here are some of my tips…

Just as the rule “you can’t wear white to a wedding” comes to play at weddings, there’s communion and confirmation etiquette to adhere to too!

This is not a place for very short hemlines or for showing too much cleavage.

Communions, although not cocktail or wedding attire, are still quite dressy and Confirmations are a little less so.

It’s a special family day and you want to look good and feel good in your choice of outfit. Practicality needs to come into it too as with lots of home entertaining you need to be able to move comfortably.

Some outfit ideas:

Why not try a modern take on a nautical look with chic separates?

InWear have a gorgeous cerise blouson top that you could wear over a pair of softly draped wide leg trousers. Put on a bold cerise bead necklace.

Clean lines & uncomplicated shapes....Simple, yet stunning.

Oversized coats:

The weather can often play havoc so a striking coat can be a very handy option.

We have a gorgeous bold, black and stone stripe oversized coat.

Wear this over a sleek fitted black ¾ length trouser with high heels.

You can go bright citrus yellow for your top or keep it neutral…the choice is yours. When you get home flat pumps still look great with this type of trouser.

If black stripes are not for you try our soft pink coat with a navy top and navy 'tweed' look cotton tapered trousers. Navy is another one of the key colours this Spring.

Accessories:

Sometimes we feel our outfit doesn’t look as good once we have removed our gorgeous coat but a great scarf or neckpiece can keep your outfit very styled. For example if you are wearing a simple top and trousers under a great coat. Get a fabulous scarf or neckpiece so that when you remove your coat you still look super chic!

Chanel style jackets:

These never date and can be worn over a shift dress but also look very well over trousers. If you don’t want to wear a shift dress wear a blouse dipping below your jacket and try a newer style trouser… one with a little bit of fullness and perhaps some cuff detail at the hem Don't be lead by trends...Dress for your body shape.

If your waist is your best asset then a baggy top is not for you.

However If you carry weight on your tummy area then a loose top and slim fitting bottoms are for you.

Colour is important... Warm or cool...Chose the shade that suits your skin tone.

With new stock arriving in store daily there are some gorgeous pieces for you to choose from...

It is important you get something that you will wear again!!

Be sure to keep an eye on our facebook page for more ideas!

Sizes stocked 8-16 CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Connect | Diary

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Connect DIARY Just a taste of what’s happening around the county of Kerry for March Saturday, the 14th March 2015

A Kerry Health, Fitness & Beauty Expo in Kerry,

will be held on Saturday, the 14th March 2015 in Fels Point Hotel, Tralee. There are over 40 Exhibitors on the day! This event is Free of Charge and attendees will experience different demo. Workshop on the day.

Here is the list of activities on the day: • Beauty Demo throughout the Day • Zumba with Linda Flanagan from Zumba Salsa Kerry • Zumba with DJ Nat • Yoga with Linda O’Shea from Shanti Therapi • Shotokan Karate • Pilates with Marie Towsend...

And lots more for more info contact Linda on 086 4009916

Valentia Isle Festival Returns in 2015

The Valentia Isle Festival is set to return on the weekend 10 – 12 July 2015, to the stunning setting of Valentia island, off the south Kerry coast. Having run two incredibly successful festivals, attracting acts such as, the Delorentos, Walking on Cars, the Rubberbandits, Heathers, Jape and LCD Soundsystem’s Pat Mahoney and Nancy Whang, the Valentia Isle crew are back to bring you the third instalment of the festival, which they promise to be an even bigger and better event. Ben Delap, festival creative director, “This year’s festival has been moved to July to take advantage of the long summer days.

Think of skies ablaze with stars, the early sun rising over the Iveragh mountains, and setting beyond Valentia’s dramatic Atlantic cliffs, and you get the picture”, explains Delap. Limited early bird tickets for the Valentia Isle Festival are on sale now from entertainment.ie at a cost of €55 + booking fee, for three days, including camping. Check www.valentiaislefestival. com for more details or follow the festival on facebook and twitter.

Friday 17th of April 2015

Primrose Black Tie Gala Ball

in aid of Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and in memory of Tommy Brosnan, Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee, County Kerry.

The Primrose Black Tie Gala Ball in aid of Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA), and in memory of Tommy Brosnan the Spa Tralee, County Kerry. The Gala Ball is being organised by Tommy’s family and all funds will go directly to the IMNDA. Tickets to the Primrose Black Tie Gala Ball are priced at €100 and the evening will include a pre drinks reception, 5 course meal with wines, surprise celebrity guest appearances, auction and post dinner musical entertainment into the night. The night will be mc’ed by well known Newstalk presenter and journalist, Jonathan Healy. To purchase your tickets now, visit http://imnda.ie/shop/ or telephone 087 2920432. Tommy Brosnan, from The Spa, Tralee, passed away at the beginning of last summer after a 5 month battle with Motor Neurone Disease. His family have now gathered together to raise much needed funds for the IMNDA and also to raise awareness of the disease and to provide a support network for those who are currently diagnosed and their families.

Tickets are on sale now. For more information, http://imnda.ie/shop/ telephone Kate or Niamh on 087 2920432/ 087 4189788 visits or follow the Facebook page “Primrose Gala Ball.

We would like to announce our next event. In conjunction with Business Month organised by CEED and in advance of International women’s day on March 8th, KBN will host an evening seminar, Agents of Change-A New Generation. The event will be held in Ballygarry House Hotel, on Thursday March 5th at 6pm. Tickets are restricted and price includes 3-course evening meal. KBN members €20, Guests €30. A 3-course evening meal will be served at 6:30 sharp. Delivering the opening speeches, Tomas Hayes-Local Enterprise Kerry and Breda O ‘Dwyer CEED (Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development). The main event begins at 7:30 with international speaker, Deirdre Bounds, followed by MEP Deirdre Clune.

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Friday 20th of March ‘Lace and Fashion at the Park’

Kenmare Lace Festival Fashion Show Park Hotel Kenmare

The evening will also include a pre drinks & canapé reception, best dressed lady and spot prizes. Tickets are only €40 and are strictly limited to 80 places, so early booking is strongly advised. For more information or to book your tickets go to www.kenmarelacefestival.ie or telephone (0)87 234 6998. It promises to be one of the highlights in the comprehensive programme for 2015. Participating designers include such established names in the world of fashion as Helen Cody, Alice Halliday and Delphine Grandjouan and much loved local Kerry boutiques Simplicity and O Sullivan Ford, Kenmare and Annburys Tralee. Also on show will be work by the students of Sinead Doyle at The National Tailoring Academy. The show will also feature the new bridal collection from White Willow in Kenmare and lace inspired collections by Kerry based award winning designer Tina Griffin and invited milliners.

The finalists in the Kenmare Lace Festival Student Competition ‘Fashion-Able’ will also be showcased and awarded on the evening Do you need help with finding out about networking events, need a helping hand in gaining confidence & strategies with growing your business? Breaking your Networking Barriers Bootcamp coming to the Brehon Hotel, Killarney end of March - 10am - 3pm, with a georgous lunch thrown in! Anyone interested, please pm me or ring me on 087 1679283 (www. pigeonmedia.ie) - Only ten places available

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

WE ARE

13 13 Years Providing Modern Progressive Healthcare for all The Family

FERTILITY • MATERNITY • GYNAECOLOGY WWW.SCOTIACLINIC.COM

THE SCOTIA CLINIC | SCOTIA HOUSE | MANOR WEST | TRALEE | CO. KERRY PHONE: (066) 7181100 | FAX: (066) 7181156 | EMAIL: RECEPTION@SCOTIACLINIC.IE

A PROFESSIONAL AND CARING SERVICE CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

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Connect | Business

HR Expert and Female Entrepreneur Appointed to Low Pay Commission C aroline McEnery, a Kerry-based entrepreneur and HR specialist, has been appointed by the Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash T.D., to the new Low Pay Commission.

On an annual basis, this new body will advise Government on the appropriate rate for the National Minimum Wage and the commission’s first meeting is due to take place within the next two weeks.

Speaking upon her appointment, Caroline McEnery, Managing Director of The HR Suite, said: “As a member of the new commission, my core concern and focus will be to balance a basic statutory minimum pay rate that is fair, with one that is sustainable and which allows employers to continue to create quality sustainable jobs.”

Minister Nash is also appointing eight other members to serve on the Commission and they are: • Dr. Donal de Buitléir, Director of Publicpolicy.ie. (Chairperson) • Vincent Jennings, Chief Executive Officer, Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association • Patricia King, Vice President, SIPTU, incoming General Secretary of ICTU • Gerry Light, Assistant General Secretary, Mandate Trade Union • Edel McGinley, Director, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland • Mary Mosse, Lecturer in Economics, Programme Director for Postgraduate Research, WIT Business School • Tom Noonan, Chief Executive, The Maxol Group, President of IBEC (2008–2010) • Prof Donal O’Neill, Dept. of Economics, NUI, Maynooth McEnery continued: “I look forward to working alongside the other commissioners, to examine the wide range of issues that directly impact upon the minimum wage. For example, we’ll be looking at the employment and unemployment rates generally, how earnings have changed since the minimum wage was last increased and what impact a change to the minimum wage would have on employment, the cost of living and on national competiveness.”

McEnery, a Kerry native, set up The HR Suite, formally known as HR & Business Solutions, in 2009. The consultancy provides HR supports and services to employers around the country, across retail, hospitality and tourism sectors. Prior to setting up her own business, McEnery was the Operations and HR Director with the Garvey Group and worked in HR roles with The Kerry Group.

The entrepreneur is also a mentor with several Local Enterprise Offices, including Kerry, Limerick and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown.

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

CONNECT ONLINE FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESSES Are you a Business Owner operating a Private Profile for your Business?

You will Be Caught, and Tortured…………..well maybe not tortured.

Facebook, if they find you though, could delete your entire existence from Facebook!

Is the threat of deletion sufficient reason to switch to a Business Page?

No. Which is why many businesses continue to operate Private Profiles. My reasons for switching are far more sensible.

Operating Blind!

If you have a Private page for your business, you don’t know how many people really see your posts? Information is Power - Business Pages come with Insights that break down everything so you can find more customers.

They Can’t Find You!

If you run your business through a private profile, you will NOT appear on Facebook’s Graph Search. For example, search Facebook for ‘Clothes Store in Killarney’, only Clothes Stores Business Pages in Killarney show up.

You Are So Annoying!

All people want to do on Facebook is be entertained or connect with real Friends. Imagine becoming ‘Friends’ with a complete stranger who constantly talks about themselves, and tries to sell you their goods… annoying! That’s what you do when you operate a Personal Profile for Business. xGuess what, those ‘Friends’ have already blocked your business - And you don’t even know it. Think about the irreparable damage to your business by annoying what could have been loyal customers.

Get More Customers!

Facebook limits Personal Profiles to under 5,000 Friends – that’s all you can target, if they haven’t already blocked you.

Business Pages, can target Facebook’s billion+ users with ads targeting exact age, location, gender and interests.

Keeping Up Appearances!

Business Profiles are professional looking and enable customers to Check-In, Locate you and see Operating Hours. You also can access the array of Tabs and Apps, including ‘Online Sales’ Apps, Offers, Competitions and Social Media Integration tools.

Keeping it Personal!

You can still have your personal page for yourself, your Business page is separate.

Spread the Workload!

Many small business owners simply haven’t the time. Business pages allow multiple Page Admins. Having worked on numerous pages in the past, I know the importance of allowing the right skills have access to your page. With Personal Pages you have to deal with all the updates, all of the time, to the page! With Business Pages you can assign roles to trusted staff and, dare I say, Social Media Consultants.

If you need any more advice on this or any other Social Media topic, drop me a line weebizmedia@gmail.com 0868162105 – Ken www.weebizmedia.com

www.weebizmedia.com www.facebook.com/weebizmedia

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Connect | Advertising

John Canty & Co are delighted to welcome you to our New offices on Denny Street! (opp. The Grand Hotel) Proud of our expertise in: • Specialist Tax Services • Business Start Ups Check out my new website:

www.jcantyaccountants.ie

We look forward to meeting you!

nty a C n h o J

John Canty & Co. Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 3 Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry. T: 0667127802 M: 087 9431998 E: jcantyacc@gmail.com | www.jcantyaccountants.ie

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Connect | Business

VAT REGISTRATION VAT registration is an additional administration burden on businesses and can initially be quite intimidating. Generally once a business has a proper bookkeeping system, it is more a case of finding time to write up books.

Businesses must generally register for VAT if any of the following apply:

• Turnover/Sales exceeds €75,000(Goods) • Turnover/Sales exceeds €37,500(Services, and/ or Goods & Services) Exception: Farmers will generally not have to register for VAT even if the above apply.

VAT Rates Exempt: Mainly applies to medical dental and optical services, insurance services, certain banking services, educational activities, taxi services, funeral undertakers, promotion of sporting events and betting.

0% Rates: Applies to most foods, exports, oral medicine, fertilizers, some animal feedstuff and children’s clothes and footwear (under age 11).

4.8% Rate: Generally applies to livestock.

9% rate: Generally applies to Tourism sector. Examples include restaurants/ cafe food (excluding alcohol and soft drinks), hotels and holiday accommodation, tour guide services, admission to cinemas and hairdressers.

13.5% Rate: Applies mainly to services including building/ construction, cleaning, maintenance and certain heating fuels.

Examples include Marque Hire, Yoga classes, veterinary services, coal, peat, and timber.

23% rate: Applies to most goods including confectionary, luxury items, professional services etc. This is essentially the default rate. Examples include alcoholic drinks, juices (including fruit and vegetable drinks), accountancy services, clothing, furniture and advertising.

John Canty & Co. Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 3 Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry. T: 0667127802 M: 087 9431998 E: jcantyacc@gmail.com | www.jcantyaccountants.ie

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CONNECT MAGAZINE March 2015

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

KBN EXPO 2015 AT THE FELS POINT HOTEL

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

WK FITNESS Team & Group Training

www.wk-fitness.com

Business Hours: Monday - Saturday 7AM - 9PM | Sunday 9AM - 6PM

Choose Wk Fitness Training Center as your training destination in 2015 • Indoor 38m Sprint Track • Fully Functional Gym • Top Quality Equipment • Ideal for Sport & Team Training

Suitable for: • GAA Teams • Soccer Teams • Rugby Teams • Running Groups / Runners • Cycling Clubs / Cyclists • Triathlon Clubs • Corporate Team Building • Youth Athlete Squads • Talent Identification

• Strength & Conditioning (Speed, Power, Agility, Flexibility) • Injury Prevention & Pre-hab.

• Sports Specific Training Workouts & Programmes • Youth Athlete Development • Day Camps, Multiple Day Camps & Weekend Camps Available

Call Shane or Mark on 066 9150606

BEFORE

AFTER

Phone: +353 (66) 915 0606 | Email: westkfitness@gmail.com | Address: John Street, Dingle

STRENGTH TRAINING FOR WOMEN: Why It’s So Important!

Let’s face it ladies, we are

fed so much information through what health and fitness is meant to be.

Everybody knows what they are meant to be or should be doing. Yet nobody is doing it. According to most women’s fitness magazines and some coaches, women are best suited to cardio machines and stretching. The image of women’s fitness is remaining weak & frail. Look into any Women’s Fitness or Health magazine and you will find the latest celeb workout and a picture of a model posing for the picture. This isn’t realistic or its not 100% real world is it? No. The National Centre for Health Statistics have shown us that just completing 2 weights session per week can decrease body fat levels by up to 3% in just 10 weeks! Strength Training doesn’t have to be scary!

We have some girls at WK Fitness can now lift more weights than guys, and that are now much stronger than some guys! And they are proud of it! The result? They look the best they ever have in their whole life.

THE TYPES OF WORKOUTS YOU ARE DOING ARE NOT THE TYPE OF WORKOUT THAT YOU NEED. They won’t help you get toned, lose body fat or lose that extra bit of weight. In order for women to achieve maximum health and their desired body composition they need to strength train. The first thing a woman says when strength training is recommended “I don’t want to get big & bulky like a man”. You can’t. Firstly women have a totally different hormonal profile to men and women don’t produce testosterone. Secondly, strength training will help you build lean muscle and drop body fat. We have seen it time and time again. Yet there is no ideal or best training programme out there for anyone. There are some factors that come into play for example, age, weight, current training experience, range of movement & mobility. Every programme can be

BEFORE

WKFITNESS

AFTER @WESTKFTINESS

individualised for any particular person. If you can’t do an exercise, switch and do an alternative don’t just give up!

We recommend that women complete 1/2 strength session per week.

And when we say strength sessions we mean completing exercises such as squats, deadlifts, overhead press etc. There is the exception for someone return from an injury, they must start with light weights and slowly build back up!

STRENGTH TRAINING HELPS TO PRESERVE PRECIOUS LEAN MUSCLE! As muscle mass diminishes with age that effect can be counteracted with strength training! Now were not asking you to turn into a gym bunny altogether. Just 1 / 2 or even better 3 strength sessions per week can help with this problem. As you grow older your muscle mass drops and your body fat levels rise and strength training can stop this process regardless of your age! Regular strength training can also help you drop body fat and burn calories more efficiently resulting in healthy weight loss.

REDUCED RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS. As women grow older their bone density drops naturally, putting them at risk of developing osteoporosis later on in life. Regularly lifting weights can stop this degenerating process and can help the bones remain strong and healthy.

So as we can see ladies your focus needs to shift from constant slogging on the cardio machines day in and day out and just adopt a more effective training technique! Slowly add some strength training to your week and see your body transform! You won’t get big and bulky, but you will put on nice lean & toned muscle, look really good and feel confident in yourself!

If you need any help, ideas or have any questions on how to look your best and to fill yourself with confidence please don’t hesitate to contact us on Facebook!

WK FITNESS Team & Group Training

Phone: +353 (66) 915 0606 Email: westkfitness@gmail.com Address: John Street, Dingle

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CONNECT KERRY WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Awards 15 Celebrating Kerry Women in Business!

Friday June 5th

at the wonderful Ballyroe Heights Hotel

Connect Kerry & Lee Strand are delighted to honour Kerry women for their contribution to business in Kerry. The awards will recognise the achievements of women working in industry, managing a business or entrepreneurs in Kerry. To enter simply tell us your nomination, then 10 finalists will be selected for each category and the award winner will be announced on the night of the awards. Nominees will be profiled over the coming months in CONNECT.

Lee Strand Connect Kerry Women in Business Award Categories 1. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Business of Fashion Award

7. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Women in Technology Award

2. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Business of Beauty Award

8. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Retail Manager Award

3. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Business of Retail Award

9. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Hospitality Award

4. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Business of Health & Fitness Award

10. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Industrial Services Award

5. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Business of Education & Childcare Award

11. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Craft Producers Award

6. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Food Manufacturing Award

12. The Lee Strand Connect Kerry Start Up Business Award

Three other awards will be presented on the after night The Lee Strand Support to Kerry Women in Business Award The Ballyroe Heights Hotel International Kerry Business Woman Award The Editor’s Choice Award

ENTRY DETAILS

Simply tell us about your business and our judging panel will choose 10 final nominees in each catogery with overall winners announced at the gala event.

If you are a woman in business in Kerry or you know someone who you would like to nominate please e-mail us at info@connectpublcations.ie, with the following details.

Contact details for yourself and the lady, and why you nominate her (if nominating a friend or colleague) 150 words on her business and an image of the lady nominated.

For more details email us on info@connectpublications.ie Or call Connect at 066 7123954 / 086 2408237

Awards 15

CONNECT KERRY WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Karie O'Toole

Lee Parker Bond Pigeon Media, founded by Lea Parker-Bond in October 2014 aims to help, inspire and educate female entrepreneurs within Kerry and Cork to grow their business and to move forward by improving their confidence and knowledge base within website design, IT, social media, PR & Event Management The decision to start this business was due to the fact that going through personal obstacles, self-doubt and lack of confidence, that it would be worthwhile helping others who had gone through the same. After completing a degree and masters Pigeon Media was set up in October 2014. The business is run as a sole trader and much time is spent at the home office or going out to see clients at their homes. It is highly important that each client is given complete transparency of what they will expect during the time of any work or training received by Lea and there is the assurance of constant contact and help during any project.

Promotion wise, Lea attends every possible networking event, advertises on Facebook and Twitter and Linkedin as well as the occasional newspaper promotion. We welcomed sponsors EF Signs last year and hope to obtain other sponsors to support the business. Additionally, we also offer our own sponsorship with charity organisations

Geraldine Woessner Flourish Organics www.flourishorganics.com is a certified organic skincare range going and growing from strength to strength Geraldine started the range over 10 years ago just for herself and family and it evolved and is now used in 5* Hotels like The Park Hotel in Kenmare and Flourish has a loyal following of appreciative customers.

Geraldine is in business for the right reasons - To bring pleasure and joy to her customers while treating the environment and earth with kindness.

As a bonus the products are very fairly priced and she has not had a price increase in over 6 years. She also runs a business called Flourish To Life - where she teaches Meditation and complementary therapies like Reiki and Bars and she has helped a lot of customers to find balance and peace in their lives.

“A Photobook For You”.

I started my business just over 2 years ago when I saw a distinct niche in the market after creating photo books for my children when they returned home from travelling abroad. The books generated a lot of interest from those who saw them and when I looked around for a similar business, I could not find one.

My books are high quality storybooks which carry a lifetime guarantee. That’s why something like a Memory Book, capturing the images of someone who was or is, very special in your life can be handed down to generations to come. I use digital or hard copy photographs to create these books and text can be included. The Wedding Album: with a large range of books to choose from, including parent books and personalized boxes, couples can enjoy looking back at their special day in a stunning album instead of just having their images on a disc. I can create photo books for any subject including: Babies’ First Year, First Holy Communion, Any Family Occasion, and Your Trip of a Lifetime.

Photographs are a very personal thing so it is a joy to capture someone’s favorite images into one beautiful book and I love what I do. “Every great moment deserves a great photo book” www.aphotobookforyou.com

Susan Quirke -Crowley Susan Quirke-Crowley BA, PDipA, founder of Mounthawk Montessori School & Busy Bees Nursery, Mounthawk Roundabout, Fenit Road Clogherbrien for the Kerry Business of Education & Childcare Award. As a Mum of six children, the business was founded due to the lack of high quality Early Childhood Care & Education available in 1999 in Tralee. In response to this void the seed for the business was sown. The service has grown from a home based sessional Montessori Pre-school catering for 10 children , to a high quality, purpose built facility boasting 4 indoor classrooms ,as well as outdoor learning areas on an acre site, based on Susan's study trip to the Forest Kindergartens and Queen Maud University, Trondheim Norway.

Nominated by centre manager Helena she tells us ‘ I have worked as General Manager of the business since 1999 and have experienced and enjoyed the dynamic environment of change in the pursuit of high quality, as well as implementing the latest practices in Early Childhood Care & Education, within the Nursery, Montessori, Daycare & After-schools services. The business is in its sixteenth year and has evolved to meet the changing needs of children and families in Tralee and it's hinterland, offering high quality Childcare at affordable prices.

Without Susan's foresight & entrepreneurial spirit this would not have happened ‘.

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Aurelia Gorczyk

Inga Balsiene

My name is Aurelia and I am the owner of Metamorphosis Slimming Island. I have a degree in computers networks, but when I came to Ireland my career went in a bit OF A different direction. why did I decide to open this business? For more than 20 years I have been trying to lose weight, and improve my body shape. I love cooking and baking. I am always looking for new and healthy recipes. I am trying to find great taste with health benefits. I am ready to help people to find their way to a better, healthier and happier life. Obesity is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. There is high and increasing rates of obesity among children and adults. I have successfully finish training for the body shaper and Cellu RF device. I have completed a nutritional course in Poland. I have also completed a course in nutrition for weight loss recently where my assignments and projects were very highly commended.

I have been a close friend to Inga for many years and I have seen her grow both professionally and personally, Inga is in Ireland now for 10 years and set up her own business and is based with Sean Taaffe. Inga started with the Sean Taaffe group in august 2013. Inga has 3 girls working for her and set up a nail bar in Killarney as well. Inga teaches nail courses in Tralee and in Cork and she has a huge amount of Facebook followers, she is a working mom and loves spending quality time with her family on days off, she loves to travel.

Inga is very creative and takes huge pride in her work and feels very welcome in Ireland. I am nominating Inga because I believe she is and will be inspiring to anyone setting up their own business, she is a very beautiful lady both inside and out. Inga was nominated by her friend Edel.

Awards 15

CONNECT KERRY WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Ciara O'Donnell I moved to Kerry from Dublin (via Cork, but that's a glitch we didn't expect) in the summer of 2011 with John my partner and my 2 boys, George & Sammy.

John is originally from Ballyheigue and wanted to move home for many years. I set up Ciara O'Donnell Photography in 2012 once we found our feet in Tralee. With a background in TV and Film design, my photographic style is far from structured. I trained as a production designer gathering qualifications in special effects, model making and architecture along the way. My 2 degree thesis's drew heavily on film and it seemed a future in visual media was inevitable. Working in film shooting portraits of actors and presenters honed my people skills and I always knew I'd love to be a portrait photographer. Running a photographic business is hard work and like any business starting out, takes a few years to gain momentum. Having worked freelance since 2000 running my own business is a natural progression and I love it.

I feel I'm on the right road creatively finally, and am looking forward to achieving my business goals in 2015.

Edel Lawlor Eileen Whelan Eileen is retail Manager with the Carraig Donn Boutique group, She is responsible for the day to day running of the store and is doing so very successfully. She is a formidable lady who can put her mind to any task and it’s done with professionalism and dedication. As well as the day job she does a lot of voluntary work in the community fundraising and organising fashionable events to raise money for local charities. Eileen has a can do attitude and doesn’t really understand what the word no means. She is mum to one daughter and is currently manager of the store in Tralee.

Mairead Moriarty Ashmore Learning Solutions evolved from a passion for teaching and a love of all things educational. Having taken early retirement from teaching Home Economics after twenty years in Presentation Secondary School, Milltown, Co. Kerry, little did I think that just over two years later I would be embracing every aspect of the world of business. Prompted by my experiences in the classroom I design and produce Posters and Jigsaws aimed at improving literacy and numeracy and linking to the print rich environment. These resources are meeting the needs of the multiple intelligences in the classroom. We all learn in different ways and the more variety in presenting information the better so that all learning styles are catered for i.e. Auditory, Visual or Kinesthetic. The initial sales were so exciting, there was such a buzz!!

Each new order kept the adrenaline flowing, I wanted this to continue. A whole new world of business experiences was opening up to me. Ashmore Learning Solutions is now supplying these educational resources in English and Irish throughout Ireland.

Schools or individuals can order and pay on line, delivery by courier reaching them in one to two days. It is my hope that not only schools benefit by using these quality resources but also parents and families by introducing them to their children from an early age.

Future plans, well anything is possible, the business is developing at a pace that suits me and in my time. I am now working on a challenging project to develop the business overseas. I think that no matter what stage you are at in life it is never too late to change direction and explore new avenues and career paths. If you have a business idea, follow your dreams and remember that “To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart”(Sr. Thomas Watson)

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

Edel Lawlor ‘Expressive Play’ is the mother of 3 children and has been working with families for over 18 years. She left school at 16, as she was a teenage mom and wanted to stay at home with her daughter. During the first couple of years of her daughter’s life she did some part time bar work and waitressing, but then got the opportunity to apply for a community employment scheme for a year in 1996. She started in the Tralee women's refuge centre and one year turned into ten years. Edel was noticed very quickly by the management, that she had a gift for working with children. She studied by night and was employed by the refuge by day. It was very hard, as she was a full time mom as well but now Edel has a qualification in social care, play therapy, sand tray therapy and art therapy. She is currently doing her masters she left the refuge and set up her own business in 2005 called "Expressive play" - a children's therapy centre in Kilflynn. Edel's work has been published and she is known locally and nationally for her passion and creativity in working with children, she is the founder of the Kilflynn fairy festival and has a team of creative workers, that support her work. Edel was nominated by her friend Inga.

Áine Fitzgerald My name is Áine Fitzgerald, I opened AfitBody in 2007 and have never looked back since! I love the buzz of the group training sessions and the satisfaction of working one on one with people and seeing them get the results they need and deserve.

I love to Exercise and push the body. I live by what the mind believes the body achieves! My hope was to bring to the people of kerry the strenght, fun, satisfaction and happiness I achieve through and from exercise. AfitBody is a public gym based in Killorglin providing one to one, specialised and group fitness classes.

Over the years we have grown adding new ventures to the main fitness focus of the gym.Under the AFitbody umbrella we also have an events section called PuckWarriors. I organise 5km and 10km runs and a Duathlon consisting of 5km run, 15km cycle and again a 5km run.

I also organise Pole Dancing for Hen parties and promote, killorglin, killarney and all of kerry as a fun and happening destination.

Just this January we have undertaken a Franchise of Kick Start Fat Loss created by Rachel Holmes in the UK, this is a Diet club focusing on Fat Loss and incorporating the element of exercise along with nutritional advice and guidance.

I am constantly improving my knowledge base and fitness skills, I have certificates in Anti Gravity Yoga, Strenght and conditioning, kettlebells, rebounding, TRX, Spin, crossfit and Pilates.

If you would like to view more about me follow me on FB as below or log on to my website. https://www.facebook.com/AFitBodyGym www.afitbody.ie

Connect | Advertising

The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

SUPERVISED STUDY AFTER SCHOOL STUDY Mon-Fri: 4.20pm-6.00pm NIGHT OWLS STUDY Mon-Fri: 7pm-10pm SATURDAY STUDY Saturdays: 10am-5.30pm

Block Study Mon. April 6th – Fri. April 10th - Supervised Study 9am-5.30pm (Easter Break) Chemistry Saturday 25th April - One Day Intensive Revision of Organic Chemistry (This section accounts for approximately 40% of the exam paper.)

Oral Preparatory Courses March 21st Intensive One Day Intensive One Day Irish Oral Preparatory Course March 28th Intensive One Day One Day French Oral Preparatory Course March 28th Intensive One Day Intensive One Day German Oral Preparatory Course

Art History Saturday 25th April - One Day Revision Course of Art History for Leaving Cert.

Block Study Mon. May 25th - Fri. May 29th Supervised Study 9am -5.30pm (Summer Break)

March 28th Intensive One Day Intensive One Day Spanish Oral Preparatory Course Easter Revision Courses Mon. March 30th – Fri. April 3rd - Intensive Revision for Leaving and Junior Cert

Note: Information can be viewed and forms downloaded from our website (Go to application forms at top of page)

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