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The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
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PLEASE TAKE ME NOVEMB
ER 2015
MEET CAROLINE MCENERY
INSPIRED
AN INSPIRATION
HR SPECIALIST
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SECONDS OF STYLE by Rebekah Wall
WEDDING
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FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE, MADE IN KERRY FOR KERRY
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CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
Connect | Editor note
EDITOR NOTE Hi everyone. Its November so it’s time to start thinking about Christmas, I know people have been talking about it since August but we have a rule in our house Christmas is not discussed until Halloween has ended, so I guess it’s all systems go now on preparations for the season, we have a few tips for your Christmas party night in our party guide and we also bring you some very special offers in hair and beauty to have you looking a million dollars on the night. We meet with ‘Inspired’ a fantastic group in Tralee doing great things for young adults with special needs, definitely worth paying a visit to. We are delighted to catch up with Milliner Rebekah Wall, her designs are amazing and she gives us a little background on where it all began. Rebekah will be featuring some of her creations at our upcoming Ladies Lunch and Fashion Afternoon at Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Sunday November 22nd, this is always an action packed day and this year promises lots of fun, its supporting MS Tralee / West Kerry so we would encourage you to come along and support a great cause and have a great day out too, limited tickets available so contact us now for yours. Our ‘Connect with Your Health section has some great advice on looking after yourself and your wellbeing and as its World Prematurity Month Dr Mary talks about premature babies, and the range of services available to ensure they get the best care. We are also delighted to bring you our CONNECT BUSINESS Feature, we will from the new year be launching Connect Business Quarterly to keep the business community connected so we have decided to include a snippet of what to expect, with this in mind we meet Caroline McEnery, a HR Specialist Caroline is based in Kerry and is also involved in some government boards and she tells us about being in business and supporting other businesses. So we once again have lots for you to read, and with the clocks gone back and the evenings now darker earlier sit back and enjoy your favourite monthly read, Don’t forget if you are Christmas shopping this November please think about shopping local, we need to support local and keep local jobs.
Until next month
Margaret Editor
Margaret@connectpublications.ie
Also available online:
www.connectpublications.ie
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EDITOR Margaret Brick Margaret@connectpublications.ie DESIGN Expose Design - www.exposedesign.ie PRINT Kingdom Printers CONTRIBUTORS Mark Doe, Dr.Mary McCaffrey, Caroline McEnery, Danny Leane, Marcas Mac Domhnaill, Karen O’Connor Desmond, ohn Canty, Ken Tobin PHOTOGRAPHERS: Ciara O Donnell - ciaradesignpod@gmail.com Joe Hanley - joehanley1@gmail.com John Cleary - clearysphoto@eircom.net John Walsh - info@johnwalsh.ie Don MacMonagle - info@macmonagle.com Pawel Nowak - pawel.nowak.photographer@hotmail.com Dominic Walsh - Photography FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRES Call us on 066 7123954, 086 2408237, or email sales@connectpublications.ie FOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE email info@connectpublications.ie
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Connect | Lifestyle
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
INSPIRED AN INSPIRATION If you are in the Square in Tralee some day, take a look around. Next to Ruari’s Bar you will see a shop-front and a door to the left of it, with posters and signs that all read “Inspired”. If you’ve ever wondered just what that means, you can take a closer look at the posters, and you will see photographs of a bunch of smiling, happy faces beaming at you. Climb the stairs inside the front door, and you will see more photographs – people modelling on a catwalk, and performing on stage. Further up, you will come to a number of rooms where you will meet some of the people in the photographs, all busily engaged in a variety of activities, from cooking to Zumba, from upcycling projects to photography, art and personal development. Here in the heart of Tralee, a group of inspired and inspiring people are actively participating in the life of the community, with work experience projects, community service projects and a strong sense of identity and purpose. What’s unusual about them? They are all adults with a range of learning difficulties, including Down’s syndrome and autism.
The brainchild of some of the parents of the participants, Inspired was started with the aim of providing training, skills and opportunities for learning, employment and community service, and in the short time since it started with a couple of classes in September 2014, it has grown to be a vibrant organization tailored to the needs of people who face disabling social, cultural and economic structures in their daily lives. Maree O’Connor is one of the founders of Inspired. A teacher and mother of four, she has energy and a focused commitment that drives
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the kind of workload that would make most of us quail. I asked her how she came to be involved in founding the group. “I used to run a friendship club for my daughter Labhaoise and some of her friends” she explained. “This club would meet weekly for social activities, and really enjoyed it”. As the young people in the club came closer to school leaving age, Maree became concerned about the types of further education opportunities that would exist for them. “They wanted to pursue their dreams like anybody else, to fulfil their potential and live purposeful lives as part of their communities”. Too often, it seems, adults with intellectual difficulties are sidelined, isolated from the life of society. “These adults didn’t want to be kept occupied, or minded. They wanted to work, to have longterm employment and to contribute to the community rather than be treated as only consumers of services. Inspired was set up to facilitate this.” Maree emphasises that the programmes in Inspired are chosen by the participants themselves. “They have clear views of what they want to do, in terms of the skills they learn, and want to be as employable as anybody else.” Consequently, they learn retails skills, craft skills, cookery, money management – all requested by the participants themselves – and Inspired acts as a liaison with local businesses and enterprises to help train them for all different kinds of work. I asked some of the participants what they would like to do as a career, and got a wide variety of answers, from working in a pub or cinema, to being an actor or model. Interestingly, the aspiring actor/model had already performed in a number of theatrical productions, and been a catwalk model in a fundraising fashion show! Many have experience of working in shops or hairdressers. One expressed interest in working in a library. As Inspired grows in the scope of its activities, local businesses are beginning to see the participants as reliable, capable employees who bring their own individual capacity to their work. Courtney Sheehy, who works with Inspired on secondment from Kerry Educational Services, explained “We ran a work placement programme earlier this year for four of our
participants, and two of them now have weekend work out of their placements”. Courtney is adamant that such programmes need to move on from the tokenism that usually accompanies them. “We focus on ability, active participation and meaningful contribution to the work environment. This is about allowing adults with learning challenges to use their talents and capacities in the workforce and the community”. Indeed, service in the community is one of the hallmarks of the group. The participants look for ways that they can be of service socially, and so far have planted a crab-apple tree in Pearse Park following the loss of one in the Town Park. They have also, in collaboration with Team Bramble, planted and maintained flower-boxes in the Mall and Denny Street this summer. Members have met with Tralee Municipal Council, Tralee Chamber Alliance and Tralee Rotary Club, representing the group and its ethos to these bodies, to a great reception. But it’s not all work in Inspired! The participants also love to have fun, and pursue a wide range of activities with great enthusiasm. They do art and craft projects, and go on outings on a regular basis. One of the most popular classes is Zumba, run Linda Flanagan every week. Indeed, this year the group ran a Zumbathon fundraiser, in partnership with Zumba Salsa Tralee, in the Festival Dome. They also took part in the Rose Parade, and were incredibly proud and happy to do so. Fundraising is, of course, an ongoing problem. The group is entirely self-funding, and relies heavily on the work of volunteers. Fortunately, as one volunteer pointed out to me, the rewards of working with the group are more than compensation for the time and effort involved. With a move to new premises planned shortly, it seems that Inspired will be going from strength to strength. by Caroline Smith
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
HANNONS OF CASTLEISLAND
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ONE OF IRELANDS LEADING FASHION STORES
1938 - 2015 30 Main St, Castleisland, Co. Kerry.
COOL WINTER LOOKS 2015 Now @hannonsfashionshop
Sizes 10 to 26
T: 0667141238
It’s always worth travelling to Hannons of Castleisland www.hannonsfashionshop.ie CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Cover Story
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT JOB
Ask the experts
In this issue of Connect Business we meet Caroline McEnery; a very successful Business Lady Caroline has a Masters in Human Resource Management from the University of Limerick. She is CIPD accredited and has over 15 years’ HR experience gained from her time working with the Garvey Group and Kerry Group. Caroline has been offering clients HR advice and business support since she set up The HR Suite in 2009. We had a chat with her this month, to find out how it all began and what she has to offer her clients. Tell us a little bit about yourself Caroline, how did you arrive in the business of HR? I was lucky enough to get a summer job in the HR Department in Kerry Group which I absolutely loved and they offered me the option to stay working with them and go to UL to further my studies at night which is what I did and ended up getting my Masters in Human Resources while working full time in Kerry Group which was super as I was able to put the learnings from college into practice and gain super experience during my time in Kerry Group at the same time. I really love the area of HR and feel that every business needs to focus on their people who are a key part of the business’s key competitive advantage. HR is ever changing and evolving and no two days are the same which makes it really interesting and I love seeing our advice and support really help businesses and the people working within them. What does the HR Suite offer clients? We are an outsourced HR consultancy, our belief is that all businesses need an accountant to look after their finances and they need a HR consultancy/department to look after their people as the area of HR is so core to your business and the area of employment law has got so complex now. Our key offering is we are the experts for our clients in the area of HR & employment law and includes all aspects of that area eg contracts, policies, representation at
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cases, mediation, investigations and advice to any queries employers may have in this area, we also offer training and also have a sister company the Job Suite which provides recruitment for companies and cv/ interview skills to prospective employees. We get most of our business from client referrals or from accountants or solicitors which is super. I really appreciate getting any business from any client no matter how much the value of that business is; they have trusted us with the work and begin self-employed you really appreciate that business so much and the full team ensure that all our clients are treated like VIP’s and we are really focused on ensuing we go the extra mile for them and ensure their HR problem with our help becomes no problem for them. What do you think are the ingredients of a successful business for you? Being self-employed is difficult and challenging no doubt but I feel for me your team are core to any business success or
personal work life balance for the owner. I am really lucky to have always had a super team since the business started; recruiting employees who are really interested in your business, that have emotional intelligence and are aligned to the same goals as you are trying to achieve is essential to providing a really excellent customer offering and I really feel that is core for us. Reviewing your Key Performance Indicator’s (KPI’s) weekly and monthly and knowing how our business is performing in all key areas is also essential so we know how we are doing financially, where our sales are coming from and ensuring our customers are really happy with your offering and ensuring we are meeting their needs and we are spending time working on our business through business development time rather than always in the business has been key to our growth. Do you think there are more challenges being based in Kerry providing a nationwide client offering? I am a real proud Kerry person and love being from north Kerry and so appreciate the quality of life it offers us. From a business perspective we maximise technology to ensure we meet our clients’ needs however sometimes we need to stress the fact that location is not an issue if we are tendering for work that might be based in other parts of the country but I think it’s all down to the value you can add and how you can offer a superior service that the client. We are also really lucky that our clients are our best ambassadors and because we have clients throughout the country who give us testimonials for our service this allays any concerns clients may have about location and it also assures them that our service is up there with the best in the country and we are providing a nationwide service to meet the client’s needs. You have recently been appointed to some government and national bodies can you tell us what your role involves? Our clients are small to large businesses
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The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
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tralee@thezipyard.ie The Zip Yard, Denny St, Tralee Tel - 066 7185684
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Cover Story
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
throughout the country and I feel as we are business service providers it’s important that we stay at the forefront of the area of HR and employment law. The main day job is very much looking after our clients in the HR Suite but it is great to be involved in these other areas and initiatives. I am a member of the Low Pay Commission and we are tasked at making a recommendation to the Minister on the National Minimum Wage on an annual basis. The first recommendation was this summer where we recommended that the PRSI system be changed to address anomalies for employees and employers and on that basis we recommended an increase of 50 cents to 9.15. I am an Adjudicator in the new Work Place Relations Commission (WRC) which means I hear cases on behalf of the WRC where there are cases taken by employees against their employers. I am also a lead entrepreneur of the Acorn’s initiative which is a Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and CEDRA funded programme will see up to 50 start-up female-led businesses mentored to develop and advance their enterprises which I am really enjoying due to the calibre of the participants involved. You have recently been shortlisted for one of the categories in the Image Magazine Business Woman of the year awards, what does this mean to you and to your company? Awards are a super recognition of our business and our efforts to be the best we can be in the area of HR and give these assurances to our clients and even though I am the face of the business it really is very much a team effort. Tell us what Caroline what you do to relax as you are such a busy lady? I have great family and friends and I am blessed to live near the beach and love going to Ballyheigue beach where the fresh sea air always seems to revive and rejuvenate me. I also love going on holidays and am recently back from Lanzarote which is super to get a real break away. I also love socialising, reading, cooking and have a keen interest in politics and current affairs.
Ladies Lu
n
Fashion Ach and fternoon Sunday 22nd November in Ballyroe Heights Hotel Champagne Reception at 12.30 pm
Lunch and Fashion Show Followed by our infamous after-party
Tickets €50 Best Dressed lady WINS a Designer signature skirt designed for herself by Tina Griffin
Lots of Prizes on the Day
Book your tickets now! Call Margaret Brick 086 2408237 Ballyroe 066 7126796
This event is
Unisex Hair Salon
su pp or tin g M S Tr al ee & W es t Ke rr y Br an ch
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Legal Compliance
WorkSmart: Our New Initiative
Through our work as HR Consultants it has become increasing clear that absenteeism and staff dissatisfaction at work have become a major concern for employers as well as a significant cost. Considering this The HR Suite in conjunction with Nisus Fitness’ ‘Small Wins Campaign’ have developed the Wellbeing at Work Initiative: WorkSmart. The HR Suite in conjunction with Nisus Fitness & Scotia Clinic will be holding WorkSmart: Wellbeing at Work Breakfast seminar from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the 16th of November in Tralee. Seminar attendance is Free. Aim of the Seminar The aim of the seminar is to highlight the need for more focus on health and wellbeing in the workplace. This area has been well researched and it has been found that • One sixth to one third of the working-age population in the European region experiences symptoms associated with mental ill health such as sleep disorders, fatigue, irritability and worry’ (Kuhn 2010:14-15). • The cost of absenteeism in Ireland is estimated to be €1.5 billion (IBEC 2011). • Sitting for long periods is linked to obesity, diabetes and early mortality (Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast). On average, people spend more than nine hours, or up to 80% of their waking day, sitting down which has led to sitting at work being branded “the new smoking” Who should attend? The seminar will be of interest to all employers, to anyone with an interest in improving the health and wellbeing of workers and to those that have a responsibility for health and safety in the workplace. These seminars which are suitable for small to large sized organisations aim to inform employers of the steps that they can take to ensure a healthier, happier more productive workforce. Benefits of the WorkSmart Initiative for your Organisation Attendees will be informed of the options available for improving health and wellbeing in the workplace. We will also outline the benefits to you, your company and staff of implementing a wellbeing program. The seminar will feature Joe O’ Connor from Nisus Fitness who will speak about the ‘Small Wins Campaign’ which is aimed at encouraging fitness in the workplace www.getsmallwins.com. Dr Mary McCaffrey from Scotia Clinic will also be a featured speaker on the day. Call (066)7102887 for more information and to book a Free place at the seminar.
Share the Magic
Share the Magic this Christmas at Ballyseedy Eat – Shop – Relax BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW AT
www.believeatballyseedy.com
Ballyseedy Home & Garden, Ballyseedy, Tralee, Kerry. www.ballyseedy.ie | info@ballyseedy.ie | 066-7122305
Connect CHRISTMAS PARTY GUIDE
It’s that time of the year where we choose someone in the office to get all that vital info for the staff night out, so to make life a little easier we have a selection of what’s on offer around the county for this year’s Christmas celebrations for you and your colleagues. There are many different options for the Christmas party night so put it to a vote and decide what best suits your crew preparing for a good night out.
Jacks Cromane Award winning Jacks Coastguard Restaurant located in the beautiful fishing village of Cromane is a fantastic Christmas party location for all your festive get togethers. Renowned for its delicious menus, live music and even livelier atmosphere, dining at Jacks is a must this season. Travel Bible, Lonely Planet has described this stunning event hot spot as “a local secret and justifies the trip.” So book yourself an unforgettable dining experience in one of the best restaurants in Co. Kerry. Jacks Coastguard Restaurant caters for all your dietary requests from Gluten Free, Nut Free, Diary Free to Vegetarian & Vegan as well as special needs access and facilities.
For Reservations T: 066 976 9102 or E: info@jackscromane.com
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The Meadowlands Hotel
will be celebrating in style this Christmas following the completion of a major transformation project. The hotel has been fashioned with a contemporary and stylish design while maintaining a traditional and cosy atmosphere. The hotel has prepared gourmet Christmas menus and organized entertainment throughout December. Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Ballyroe Heights Hotel
is always another favourite on the Christmas party night out list, with menus and choices to suit all, live entertainment and lots of fun guaranteed its worth checking out, their party nights are December 11th and 18th, delicious meal and music by Heart and Soul, they are also catering for smaller parties through the month of December and more information can be got on this from Mark and the team at Ballyroe.
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
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Manor West Hotel
Celebrate the rich traditions of Christmas, Bedecked in twinkling lights with festive touches everywhere Manor west has options to suit all, they provide a personal and friendly service and with party nights on Dec 4th 11th and 12th there is options to suit everyone, live music, and lots of fun, it’s a party night you won’t want to miss this year.
Cassidy’s Restaurant
Abbey Street Tralee is a must for all occasions so Christmas is no different, catering for groups of all sizes it’s the perfect way to celebrate the long year that has passed, so call Geraldine on 066 7124433 to save your seat.
The Brehon Hotel
A fifty-foot-tall Christmas Tree, open fires, mulled wine - The Brehon, Killarney just exudes Christmas cheer. And the good news is they are hosting Christmas Parties on both December 4 and 5. For just €47 per person you can enjoy a four course dinner and dancing until late. There is also a 10% reduction for groups of 10 or more. Limited availability means we expect places to book up fast.
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Advertising
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
Santa's Winter Wonderland at
From Dec 1st to
Crag Cave
23rd Book today on www.cragc ave.com
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CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
Connect | Advertising
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
Enjoy a night to remember in Manor West Hotel & Leisure Club! We have the perfect Party Night for you. You are guaranteed great music, Christmas festive décor and a gorgeous 4 course meal.
Party Night Package includes: • Arrival at 7pm • 4 course dinner menu with the best of local seasonal produce • Christmas Decor and spot prizes • Live Entertainment • Followed by DJ • Discounted rates on B&B for all party goers Book Now for Friday December 11th featuring entertainment with the Comic Book Heroes or Saturday December 12th with the John Connolly Band.
December 4th - SOLD OUT
T: +353 (0)66 719 4500 F: +353 (0)66 719 4545 E: info@manorwesthotel.ie
Unisex Hair Salon For all your hair and beauty requirements
CHRISTMAS PARTY TIME IS UPON US For group bookings late appointments available
€12
From
Wash and blow-dry
• Curly blow-dry a speciality • Our up styles are exquisite
Free Parking • One Stop Shop
Colours, Cuts, Highlights at unreal prices! Call 0667181475 to book appointment with our experienced and highly trained staff
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Lifestyle
60
SECONDS OF STYLE
Rebekah Wall is a Kerry based Irish Designer who creates Couture hats, headpieces, accessories and evening gowns. Each piece is individually designed to suit the wearers own style, taste and budget and is never replicated. Her designs are embellished using freshwater pearls, crystals, gemstones and vintage jewels which add to her classic collections. Each hand crafted high quality designs are intricately made with love and care and are cherished by her clients with some describing them as heirlooms.
people and hopes they will get behind her in this new venture. The designer feels it is very important to give back, with her long term goal being to create further employment within the business. “Kerry is such an inspirational place to be living and creating in. To have such an opportunity to have my own business in a place I call home makes me feel blessed”. A former Rose herself having represented Kerry in 1998, she saw this as an ideal opportunity to have her work seen and sponsored Maria Walsh the Philadelphia Rose who went onto become the Rose
Rebekah spent countless hours of her childhood at her Grandmother’s house in Killelton and attributes her love of sewing and fashion to so many evenings watching her Nana Sally Murphy hand crafting everything from socks to dresses. She then went on to complete a BA in Fine Art, specialising in Sculpture at Limerick school of Art and Design. Having taught primary, Secondary and lectured for 15 years she felt it was time to practice what she taught and return to her first love which was creating. Drawing on her training as a Sculptor she began to redefine the way people looked at hats inspiring her audience. Rebekah’s pieces possess an enchanting feel which is timeless and breathtaking as her materials can range from lace to antler. She fuses Art and Fashion and describes her work as wearable pieces of Art. Rebekah hails from a well-known family in Tralee and felt it was here she should set up her studio. The designer has always had the support of the local
of Tralee. Maria who wore several of Rebekah’s pieces has since been voted VIP best newcomer. Having sponsored many roses, the Ohio Centre has invited Rebekah to judge this year’s heat where the designer will also be recreating their crown. In an industry that is highly competitive Rebekah’s explains why you should invest in her pieces which she describes as very affordable. “All of my materials are
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sourced locally and finished to the highest quality standard. By purchasing one of my
pieces you are investing in your local economy and building a platform for Irish jobs to be created. Too often we have purchased pieces online which don’t fit or are not what we thought it originally looked like. If we could just take a moment to realise the wealth of creative designers right here in our county and walk away with something we can be proud to wear again and again.”
So where can we purchase one of Rebekah Walls Designs? Rebekah’s studio is based in Tralee and would welcome any enquires by phone on 0872059540 or email at rebekah13wall@gmail.com Rebekah is available to meet with clients and discuss design at her studio. For further images of her work visit her Facebook page at www. facebook.com/artistrebekahwall
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The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
c e l e b r at e i n s t y l e with friends, colleagues & family this christmas
winter wonderland Festive Party Night December 12th • Mulled Wine Reception • 4 Course Gourmet Dinner • Glass of House Wine • Christmas Cracker • Dance the night away with ‘Celebrations’ • DJ till Late
49 per person
dine in style this Christmas
In the newly renovated An Móinéar Restaurant. Indulge in festive menus reflecting Kerry’s best locally produced ingredients with a warm welcome!
27 per person 37 per person
Four Course Lunch
@™
Four Course Dinner
@™
Complimentary mulled wine reception and Christmas cracker for all Christmas lunch and dinners.
party in style this Christmas
In the newly renovated Johnny Frank’s Bar & Lounge. Entertainment every Friday and Saturday night in December to set the festive mood! Festive Finger Foods with Mulled Wine Reception @™
15 per person
@™
bookings For more information or bookings please contact 066 7180444 or info@meadowlandshotel.com s tay , d i n e , m e e t & p a rt y i n s t y l e www.meadowlandshotel.com
Join us for our Festive Evening of Fashion on Saturday December 5th Showcasing a feast of fashion tickets available now from the hotel
Christmas Party nights - Dec 12th and 19th Celebrate with your colleagues at one of our party nights, Live music, food and lots of fun guaranteed!!!
BOOKING ESSENTIAL Christmas Brunch menu available December 6th 13th 20th. T: 066-9478533 | E: hello@sealodgewaterville.ie
www.sealodgewaterville.ie CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Diary
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
Connect DIARY NOV 13th from 7pm
THEMED NIGHTS
“Join us and savour the “down home flavours” of Mississippi cuisine in the Delta that is at the core of the Mississippi Culture and History. After dinner rock the night away to the Mudcat Blues Band who have been spreading the blues message throughout Ireland for over 10 years, their set list features songs of all the blues greats including Mississippi’s own John Lee Hooker Book your place now on 066 7194500 or email: sales@manorwesthotel.ie”
An evening of Fashion
Sea Lodge Hotel Waterville, An evening of Fashion to get your Christmas Wardrobe ready , a collection of boutiques from Kerry and Cork and Hosted by UP Font Model Management a great night of fashion is guranteed.to book your tickets call 066 9478533
Nov 28th from 10 – 5
Join us for our
Set Your Voice Free Workshop
Saturda
Exploring spontaneity and joy with the Alexander Technique with visiting teacher and musician Deborah Jeanne Weitzman (New York) at Dingle Body Boost Studio, Green St. Contact info@ percussionworkshop.ie
Show
ti
Christmas Part
Whether you secretly wish to sing, dance or speak with more ease; suffer chronic pain, or feel you hold back in life, this workshop will help you find new inspiration. With tools of the Alexander Technique, Celebrate with you one can find new freedom and power in the voice, breath, movement and in who we ultimately are. www.deborahjeanne.com (Deborah is Live music, available for private sessions Nov 24 – Dec 5)
B Christmas Brunch
T: 066-9478533 | E: hello
Nov 28th
Christmas Spraoi in Tralee
will see the start of the Christmas Spraoi in Tralee. The fantastic CH Chemist parade will kick off proceedings at 2.30pm followed by the switching on of the Christmas lights at 5pm. Look out for details of lots of offers and activities in the month long Christmas Spraoi leaflets and posters.
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CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
Connect | Advertising
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
OFFER OF THE MONTH Buy two Elizabeth Arden Products one to be Superstart Skin Renewal Booster and receive
10% DISCOUNT
Helps restore the healthy look of skin’s surface layer, fortifying its natural ability to repair and renew. Used before a serum or moisturizer, it boosts the results of your skincare products. Your skin looks beautiful, resilient and refreshed, ready to face the day.
• BOOST YOUR SKIN'S NATURAL DEFENCES • BOOST YOUR SKIN'S ABILITY TO RENEW • BOOST THE RESULTS OF YOUR SKINCARE PRODUCTS APPLICATION
WORKS WONDERS WITH:
Step 1: Apply 1 pump of Elizabeth Arden SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster onto a cleansed face. Avoid eye area. Use morning and night as the first step in your regimen.
• PREVAGE® Anti-aging Daily Serum • Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum • Skin Illuminating Advanced Brightening Night Capsules
Step 2: Apply your serum and/ or moisturizer, over Elizabeth Arden SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster to boost the effectiveness of your skin care products. In fact, it’s been proven to boost the power of both PREVAGE® and Ceramide anti-aging products for even better results.
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Fashion
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
Fashion for, Race days, Weddings, all occasions
Its freezing out there • Fantastic collection of Amy Huberman Boots arriving for the Season
‘Pull your shirt over it’ Well you will need more than your shirt with the cold weather ahead this winter. A basic piece of seasonal kit of course is a good warm but stylish hat and scarf. Now if I had a euro for every time someone said to me I can’t wear a hat, it makes my face look fat or my head’s too big I would be sipping cocktails on my private yacht in the Med, or at least having a cuppa tea on the Killimer ferry.
• Autumn Winter Collctions arriving daily • Comfy Casual to Classy Occasion Wear at COCO • Find Your perfect Race Day outfit
Love style, Love
Coco
41 William Street, Listowel. Co. Kerry E: cocolistowel@gmail.com
T: 068 - 23069
EXCLUSIVE LABELS AT VALUE PRICES! Stunning collection of baby gifts Cater for Boy / Girl 0-14 years
These days there are hats to suit every taste, style and fit So this is the right time to invest in a good Hat and scarf so that you get full value for your money in the cold months ahead. We have a beautiful stylish range now in stock. Call in and check the range I am sure I will have something to suit you.
up to
Ladies labels include:
Anyway,now you know what to say when someone says ‘Its freezing out there’
Carmel CONNECT MAGAZINE
Kids labels include:
Mayoral, Tutto Piccolo, Levi's, Hatley , Joules, Me too, Lilly&Sid
Best Regards
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Derhy X, Caroline Kilkenny, Ana Sousa, Avalon, street one , Rino &Pelle, Deck, Joules.
LADIES & CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE MAIN STREET CASTLEISLAND AND CASTLE STREET TRALEE TEL: 066 7163731
November 2015
Connect | Fashion
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
CONNECT
Style
HELLO AGAIN EVERYONE, WELL THE WEATHER HAS BEEN BEAUTIFUL AND CRISP AND IS NOW GETTING COLD ENOUGH TO REACH FOR THE COMFORT AND WARMTH OF YOUR WINTER COAT. WITH ALL THE VAST NUMBERS OF STYLES,LENGTHS,DETAILED DESIGNS AND COLOURS AVAILABLE IT MAYBE A LITTLE OVERWHELMING TRYING TO FIND YOUR PERFECT WINTER COAT SO THIS MONTH I WILL TRY AND GUIDE YOU ON FINDING YOUR IDEAL COAT. THE WINTER COAT IS A VERY HARDWORKING ITEM IN ANY WARDROBE AS IT MUST COVER ALL OCCASIONS FROM BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES AND OF COURSE CHRISTMAS DAY OUTINGS.
Before investing in a new coat do your research,visit the shops and see what styles and colours are available and what would best suit your body shape,lifestyle and budget.Wide lapels or big collars can draw attention from pear shape lower bodies to the face. Don’t be afraid of wearing a big collar as worn lower on the neck can create a very flattering v neck . Hourglass and curvy figures should avoid coats with a drop waist or wide and baggy styles, but do choose cropped fitted styles or use a belt to accentuate the waist. Colour choice is an important part of selecting your coat or jacket and the classic colours such as red,navy.black or camel will go with everything in your wardrobe.For those who like a splash of colour the in colours this year are Kingfisher blue and the lovely winter warm cerise. If these are too dramatic for you,you can always add a colourful brooch,cuffs or collar and not forgetting a colourful scarf. These accessories can all transform a coat depending on the occasion and give a very unique individual look. If Jack frost bites and you’re feeling particularly chilly than add this seasons yet again must have “the cape” over a fitted jacket or coat.Instantly your quality classic coat will be given a modern look by adding the cape as well as keeping you snug as a bug. Well that’s all for now, if you want anymore advice on coat shopping don’t be afraid to pop into me at Annburys, happy shopping UNTIL NEXT MONTH
Danny
Annburys Ladies Boutique & Headpiece Specialist Styling ladies for the past 16 years 1999-2015
MASTERS OF STYLE
New autumn styles arriving daily Cool Casuals Wedding Guests Jewellery Dressy Casuals Evening bags Headpieces Mother of Bride/ Groom
get your ide al headpie ce for weddin gs
SIZES 14 to 30
KFW AWARD WINNER
NOW STOCKING ATIR SHAPE WEAR Quality, Innovation design, Top Class Service Email: danny@annburys.com Facebook: Annburys Tralee UNIT 1B, THE PLAZA, ABBEYCOURT, TRALEE TEL: 066 7117117 CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Fashion
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
RECOMMENDS Each month in Connect Recommends we endeavour to find something different to tell you about, and for the past number of weeks we have been hearing about the all new OMNILUX. Facial Treatments. Its available exclusive toe Kerry at Expose Beauty in Mounthawk Tralee are trained consultants in Kerry to this new treatment so they invited me along to try it out,
to expect, and so it began, my skin was cleansed, toned and steamed (this was amazing) followed by a gentle exfoliation, my skin was now ready for the 20 minute light therapy. The warming light was quiet bright, Sheila had told me to “get ready for the light”. I was wearing goggles to protect my eyes, but because the light was so strong I squeezed my eyes shut within minutes I realised ‘this is not so bad’, I soon fell asleep. During the 20 minute light treatment Sheila proceeded to deliver the most relaxing foot massage ever, it was heaven.
I have to admit I am a little sceptical when it comes to someone going near my face I suffer from skin problems and my skin is ultra-sensitive, but I had read some great reviews so was willing to give it a go. On arrival my therapist Sheila talked me through the process and advised what
LOGO - FULL COLOUR
colour version on white
As I said earlier I suffer from Rosacea as well as nasty breakouts and enlarged pores. Omnilux Revive dealt with my problem areas; I bet your asking how? The lamp sits over the face for 20 minutes per treatment, and is most effective following a facial or at least a good cleanse. While the first 30 or so seconds feels blinding, you’ll soon relax and either fall asleep or start imagining yourself on a sun lounger in a warm resort but this sun is the opposite of damaging —
it’s actually mending all the years you have spent not applying the correct sunscreen to protect your skin. While it is an absolutely fantastic two hour facial it is available as a course of treatments which I would highly recommend, the tone and texture of your skin after a course of treatments is very visible and I think we must remember the men in our lives too as this treatment is suited to male and female so even in young men prone to Acne based problems this is definitely worth trying out. While we all love to read about the technical side of things and want to know how Omnilux light therapy works, all you really need to know is that it is a must treatment for everyone. If you have a big occasion coming up treat yourself to a course before your wedding or any event you might have in the future, give the girls at Expose a call today for your consultation 066 7189009, and don’t forget to download their FREE APP, it’s so convenient to make your booking at a time that suits you.. Until next month
PERSONALISED EMBROIDERED GIFTS • Blankets • Bathrobes • Comforters • Rag Dolls • Towels
• Bibs • Christmas stockings • Christmas sacks • And a lot more
LOGO - GRAYSCALE
WE WORK WITH COMPANY LOGOS EG. POLO SHIRTS, T-SHIRTS, APRONS, FLEECE TOPS, JACKETS ETC.
A full selection can be viewed on Facebook page Just For You Gifts grayscale version on white
Lisa Hutchinson - Ballydavid | T: 087-3451829 or 066 - 9155521 | Justforyougifts@mail.com LOGO - BLACK AND WHITE 20
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
CASTLEISLAND FASHION CAPITAL OF KERRY FASHION EVENT
Connect | Advertising
Unique Boutique Bridal
www.uniqueboutiquebridal.ie
The store stocks stunning gowns from designers including: Franc Sarabia, Kenneth Winston, Manu Alvarez, Sophia Tolli, Dovita Bridal, Paloma Blanca, Ella Rosa and Phoenix Gowns. A great evening was had by all who attended the Castleisland Fashion Capital of Kerry Fashion event recently. In the wonderful surroundings of Nana Bees Coffee and gift shop the local fashion shops of Castleisland showcased their Autumn winter collections, the sold out event was attended by ladies from all over the county and they weren’t disappointed, music on arrival, tasty treats freshly prepared at Nana Bees and MC Orlagh Winters would have given Santa a run for his money with the amount of goodies she had in the bag to giveaway on the night, I think all attending got a prize. Well done to all involved we are looking forward to next year already Pictures courtesy of John Reidy Maine valley post and Margaret O Connell Whitespace photography.
Take a look at our website for a selection of our collection:
www.uniqueboutiquebridal.ie Call Dee now for your appointment
T: 087 1650258 The Forge, Castleisland, Co. Kerry Fb.com/UniqueBoutiqueBridal CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Weddings
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
Melissa Ryan and Martin Nix Wedding Balloonagh Church August 15th 2015 Reception Ballyroe Heights Hotel
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CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
Connect | Advertising
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
The Perfect Wedding Venue
Great offers in our Exclusive Spring Wedding Package on selected dates in January/February/March/April 2016 and our Exclusive Winter Wedding Package on selected dates in October and November 2016 Exceptional Value on Sunday – Thursday Weddings
For more information contact our management team Tel: 066 7126796 Email: info@ballyroe.com Web: www.ballyroe.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ballyroe-Heights-Hotel
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Karen is Qualified beauty therapist with a passion for make-up, skincare and waxing. Lover of natural beauty regimes and classic beauty trends. Firm believer that beauty comes from the inside out. ITEC qualification in Beauty Therapy /ITEC qualification in Facial Electrical Treatments
This month’s Beauty Buys Rimmel London Lasting Finish Primer €8.99
If you want to minimize pores, even skin texture and ensure your make-up lasts the day, you won’t be disappointed by this beauty steal. Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Primer is lightweight and feels silky on the skin, not sticky or heavy like similar products. It will mattify your skin for a shine-free, perfectly set finish. Moisturise before applying your primer under your foundation and always leave a few minutes between primer application and foundation
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Concentrated Hand Cream €5.29
As the days start getting colder and our skin is exposed to harsh weather and heating systems, it’s important to look after your skin and keep it hydrated and nourished. The skin on the hands suffers a lot in the colder months, so a good moisturiser is definitely worth the investment. If you suffer from dry, cracked, sore skin, try Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Concentrated Hand Cream. You only need to apply a small amount and it is available with or without a scent. Use as often as you feel is required.
L’Oreal Volume Million Lashes Feline Mascara €14.99
I’m a huge fan of L’Oreal’s mascaras. A high-end product at half the price, if you want amazing, dramatic, perfectly architected lashes, give this beautiful product a go. The arched brush allows every single lash to be coated with mascara for a feline flick look. Even better, the formula contains Argan and Camellia oils which condition the eyelashes for strength and shine.
VO5 Mega Hold Gel Spray €4.29
It’s that time of year when humidity, wind and rain wreak havoc with our hair. VO5’s gel spray sets your style with a mega hold that doesn’t leave that dreaded sticky, weighed down feeling. It also protects hair against the effects of humidity, so you can rock your chosen style whatever the weather without a fret.
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CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
Witch Blemish Stick €3.99
There’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning with a sore, inflamed blemish popped up on your face. While there is no way to get rid of it straight away, you can try and combat the bacteria and excess oil on the skin. Witch’s Blemish Stick does just that. Dab on to blemishes as soon as they appear and apply as often as needed. Just be careful to apply it only to the blemish as ingredients in these types of products are very drying to normal skin.
Connect | Advertising
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
TUESDAY
NOVEMBER SPECIALS
Wash&Blow-dry from €15 Don't be disappointed. Book now for your Christmas appointment MONDAY AND THURSDAY
NOVEMBER SPECIALS
CALL US - 066 7189906
ALL COLOURS 20% OFF
Expose Hair & Beauty.....for all your needs | Download our free App to book online 24/7
Winter warmers @ expose beauty lounge Wash away those winter blues with our expose signature body treatment
Treatment includes…
head to toe scrub with our detox mineral salts,detox heat treatment followed by top to toe luxurious massage. This package also includes a micro zone facial treatment.
2 hrs of indulgence €80!
LUXURY MANICURE including hand treatment with warm mitts followed by our OPI ten day polish
ONLY €25!
Book today on 0667189009 www.exposebeauty.ie or download our FREE app to book online 24/7!!
Christmas gift vouchers available treat someone you love!
New”Beauty Salon” Opening hours Monday 9.30am-6pm Tuesday/Wednesday 8am -7pm Thurs/Friday 8am - 8pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Why compromise your little bit of “me time”...extended opening hours to make juggling a little easier!!
Mounthawk Roundabout, Fenit Road, Tralee | T: 066 7189009 CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Motoring
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
CONNECT Motoring WE LOOK AT THE FORD RANGE FOR 2016
tested in Kerry included a 1.6TDCi with 115bhp and a 1.0L 3 cylinder Ecoboost that boasts 125bhp. The diesel version was a Zetec which came with sports suspension, 17” alloys and a sporty looking body kit in Race Red (including red callipers). The petrol Ecoboost Focus was more subtle looking in grey but just as much fun to drive. The new Ford Focus starts at just €20,295 and is available as a hatchback, saloon and estate. For more information visit www.ford.ie
Ford’s Focus has always been a fun car to drive and the latest incarnation certainly doesn’t disappoint!
You can follow Suzanne on Twitter at @g60girl, on Facebook as suzannekeanedesign or visit www.suzannekeane.com
The new Focus has been given a sleek exterior look with a fresh new interior designed to appeal to a wide range of consumers. While it may be a practical and economical family car its sporty looks (especially on the ST) will attract those looking for a hot hatch. Inside the cabin there’s plenty of space and the boot will easily swallow luggage for a weekend away. The seating position is excellent and all controls are within easy reach. Underneath the suspension has undergone many adjustments to improve the driving experience but despite stiffer bushes and stronger welds on the chassis it doesn’t feel too rough on the road. Cabin noise has also been reduced through the use of improved sound deadening in the wheel arches and around the cabin. On the open road the Focus is a fun car to drive with exceptional handling and around town it’s nimble and easy to manoeuvre – however the base model does feel underwhelming inside. The models
MILEHEIGHT, KILLARNEY ROAD, TRALEE. Tel: 066 71 21555. Web: kerrymotorworks.ie
SALES MON-FRI 9AM-6PM, SAT 9AM-4PM SALES: KIERAN GRIFFIN (085) 7584484 STEPHEN BENNER (085) 7584483 NICKY BENNER (087) 8370054 26
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
Connect | Advertising
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
CHICKEN WITH CRISPY ASIAN SALAD WITH MARK DOE
With an emphasis in this month’s issue on healthy living, I thought a simple, tasty and healthy salad was the order of the day. Salads don’t have to be boring and tasteless, with a little imagination they can be vibrant and packed full of flavour. Asian flavours work well in salads and make a change from the regular dressed salads. You could easily use pork steak or prawns in this recipe. When using raw beansprouts ensure they are crisp and not soggy.
Enjoy one of our limited edition hot chocolates
INGREDIENTS For the chicken 2 x skinless chicken breasts For the marinade 75ml soy sauce 75ml oyster sauce 75ml sweet chilli sauce 1 tablespoon Chinese 5 spice 2 - 3 tablespoons honey 3 cloves garlic A little freshly ground black pepper
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
For the Salad 150g watercress, washed and dried ½ bunch of spring onions, finely sliced 100g rocket, washed and dried 2 carrots, peeled and coarsely grated 250g packet beansprouts, washed and dried 1 red onion, sliced 16 cherry tomatoes 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Cut chicken strips about 1cm wide across the breast at a slight angle, about 10 strips from each. Mix all ingredients for marinade in a bowl and whisk well together. Add chicken to marinade and cover with cling film. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Stir fry the chicken strips in a wok or frying pan until cooked through. 4Place watercress, rocket and beansprouts in a bowl. Add whole cherry tomatoes, carrots and red onion. Toss gently. Serve the salad in pasta bowls and place the chicken on top. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.
now taking bookings for afternoon tea where you can enjoy: a delicious selection of homemade sandwiches, mini homemade scones and yummy sweet bites. outside catering available for birthday parties, christenings, funerals etc Come and visit us at our stand at the Castleisland Business expo event in the community centre Castleisland on Friday 13th of November @ 5pm
Asian Chicken with crisp salad – Serves 2
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Health
Connect
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
WITH YOUR HEALTH
BABIES BORN TOO SOON WHY IT HAPPENS, CAN IT BE PREVENTED? The birth of premature babies is marked on November 17th- World Prematurity Day. As medical advances improve all the time, many babies are delivered early by the obstetricians because we have concerns about either the mother or baby’s health. However, in the majority of cases babies are born early because labour starts early without warning. While many premature babies go on to lead happy, healthy lives; sadly some babies do not survive or can have long term health problems.
Approximately 8 out of 100 babies are born early. If labour and delivery happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy we call this premature labour and premature delivery. The earlier a baby is born the more likely they are to have health problems such as breathing problems, infection. Most babies born after 28 weeks will survive and very few have long term health issues. Breast milk is very helpful for premature babies and our midwifery staff support and encourage mothers to breastfeed in this situation. A woman who has a history of premature delivery has a 35-40% risk of recurrence. What Causes Premature Labour? In most cases a cause is never found but we know it is more likely to happen if: • Your waters have gone early • You have had a previous late miscarriage or premature delivery • You are carrying a multiple pregnancy • You have a short cervix-this can happen as a result of previous surgery such as LLETZ procedure.
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CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
• •
Abnormally shaped womb You are a smoker or you have chronic medical conditions A care plan could include: • You have underlying infection such • Inserting a cervical stitch – this can be as bacterial vaginosis done before pregnancy or in the early stages of a future pregnancy What Can I do if I start going into • Correcting any medical conditions Premature Labour? such as diabetes or high blood If there is any possibility that you may be pressure prior to the next pregnancy. going into early labour i.e. waters gone Starting low dose aspirin in early or contractions have started, it is vital to pregnancy. come to the hospital to be checked out. If it is likely that you may deliver your In early pregnancy an ultrasound scan baby early, two steroid injections may which would include measurements of the be given to help to mature your baby’s length of the cervix (neck of the womb), lungs and minimise complications of swabs may be taken. prematurity. Antibiotics may be given to Prescribing a hormone called progesterone you if your waters are leaking. is now known to reduce the risk of preterm The most recent advance is that a drip birth by 30-50%. of magnesium sulphate can be given to significantly reduce the risks of cerebral Key Points palsy; this treatment is most suitable for • While premature birth is not very early prematurity and if you are likely to common, early intervention is crucial deliver within 24 hours. • Do not ignore any possible symptoms A special fibronectin test involves a swab • There are so many medical from the cervix to predict the possibility interventions nowadays that seeking of going into premature labour. Swabs medical advice prior to, or in early to look for infection may also be taken pregnancy, is very helpful to institute to look for infection such as bacterial a good care plan. vaginosis or group B streptococcus. Unless you baby is likely to be extremely Remember, help is always out there so you premature, when you may be transferred can have a healthy pregnancy. to a specialist unit, you should be able to remain under the care of your local medical team. Can Premature Labour be prevented? In situations where you may be at risk of premature labour you should, ideally, attend for a pre-pregnancy consultation– at that point a detailed assessment can be made. At The Scotia Clinic the assessment would include taking a detailed history and a care plan for a future pregnancy can be outlined. In very complex cases we liaise with the Preterm Birth Clinic at The Coombe Women’s Hospital – this clinic is run by Prof. Sean Daly and is the first in Ireland. This can be done via Skype consult if couples wish.
*all advice here is general information for advisory purpose only so please consult with your own doctor for full professional advice on your concerns.
Contact us today to start a healthy lifestyle: Contact: Dr Mary Mc Caffrey reception@scotiaclinic.ie phone: (066) 7181100
Connect | Advertising
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
Ladies Lu
n
Fashion Ach and fternoon Sunday 22nd November in Ballyroe Heights Hotel
@ Scotia
Champagne Reception at 12.30 pm
Lunch and Fashion Show Followed by our infamous after-party
Tickets €50 Best Dressed lady WINS a Designer signature skirt designed for herself by Tina Griffin
Lots of Prizes on the Day
Book your tickets now! Call Margaret Brick 086 2408237 Ballyroe 066 7126796
This event is
Unisex Hair Salon
su pp or tin g M S Tr al ee & W es t Ke rr y Br an ch
Treatments: Acupuncture Cranio Sacral Therapy Homeopathy Massage Free Stress Therapy One-To-One Meditation With All Treatments
Specialising In:
Fertility, Maternity, Gynaecology, Sport Injury And All Other Ailments
Muscle therapy @ Scotia Massage treatments available:
Fert i l i t y M a t erni t y Po st n a t a l D eep t i ssu e T h era p eu t i c O nc o l o gy
NOW OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS SATURDAY'S
Gift vouchers available Keep up to date with special offers on Facebook muscle therapy Scotia clinic
Contact: Eithne 086 6066865 www.redlotusclinic.com Clinics at Scotia Clinic, Tralee, Dingle Medical Centre, Dingle and Beenoskee Holistic Clinic, Castlegregory.
Contact Details Alexandra Rowan; 0862215201 Muscletherapy.scotia@gmail.com http://muscletherapyscoti.wix.com/massage
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Lifestyle
Pearly Whites: Fáilte Romhaibh By Dr. Marcas Mac Domhnaill
There has recently been much talk in the media regarding the dental treatment of children using general anaesthetic. It has been reported to be as high as 10,000 cases per annum in Ireland. Regardless of the exact figure, it is accepted by all sides that too many children undergo dental treatment using a general anaesthetic to put them to sleep. It is everyone’s wish to reduce the general anaesthetic need in children’s dentistry. Parents, especially first time parents, are sometimes unaware of how to look after their children’s teeth. This can eventually lead to huge dental decay problems which require multiple extractions in a hospital setting. Dental anxiety and fear may also stop people from attending their dentist for treatment. This also can have a detrimental effect, not only for deciduous (baby) teeth but also for the adult teeth.
THE IMPORTANCE OF EMOTIONAL HEALTH
DEALING with DEPRESSION
Parents often ask me when children should have their first dental examination. The latest age should be two and a half years old for the first visit. Ideally it would benefit both the child and the parent if they were brought from one year onwards, once teeth are starting to erupt into the mouth. It is always amazing how good these children are during their first visit. It gets them used to the dental practice environment in a relaxed way, when they do not have dental problems. It is also important for parents to attend as a family unit. This allows the dentist to impart dental advice to them for their children, and so avoid dental problems. Cavities can be filled with fillings, when they are small. Why would one want to wait until a deep cavity causes pain with an abscess? A dental abscess is a painful swelling in the jaw surrounding a tooth that has infection. The infection usually enters the tooth through a deep cavity. Early intervention is the best medicine! If a child develops a dental abscess, it needs quick action. Initially, it may need antibiotic treatment. A decision would then be made by the dentist as to whether the tooth could be repaired or if it needs to be extracted (removed). Most cases can be dealt with in the general dental practice. If however, the child is un-cooperative for whatever reason, or if there are multiple extractions to be carried out, then general anaesthetic is an option, in the hospital setting. The choice of a general anaesthetic is not a decision to be made lightly. Most people take some time to recover from it. As always, prevention is the best cure. Remember, previous generations did not have such a wide range of dental treatment available to them. Let us at least give this generation the best dental and medical start in life that is now available to them. Tús maith, leath na hoibre. (A good start is half the work) Beir Bua. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí! Beir Bua agus Beannacht. www.macdomhnailldental.ie
MAC DOMHNAILL DENTAL TRALEE, 11 Denny Street Tralee 066 7121457, fiacloir@gmail.com
www.macdomhnailldental.ie
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CONNECT MAGAZINE September 2015
We use the term depression a lot, to cover a wide range of emotions and conditions. These can range from feeling a bit down to absolutely crippling despair, and it’s very hard to know from the outside what level of disability it creates. Most people experience some degree of depression in their lives. We go through bad patches when nothing seems to go right – relationships break up, we don’t get the job we want, we run into financial difficulties and have a hard time making ends meet – and it’s normal to feel unhappy and dissatisfied when things are going wrong for us. Sometimes we face real tragedy, like the loss of a relative or friend who meant a great deal to us, the onset of critical illness, losing our job or home. These can cause tremendous grief, and we struggle to recover from the trauma and sadness. In these cases, healing occurs through the passing of time, processing the emotions, talking things over with friends or family and finding a way to integrate the loss into our lives. Depression as a clinical condition, however, is a bit more complicated. Sometimes it is triggered by an event, and we just find it harder and harder to recover from it. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem to be connected to anything specific. People whose life seems to be perfect can suffer from depression, despite seeming to have it all. It’s important to remember that depression is not a mental illness, as such, but a mood disorder. It doesn’t mean that you are mad, and there is no stigma attached to it. However, it can be extremely distressing and have a very big impact on people’s lives. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of interest in life, sadness, anger, hopelessness, panic attacks and/or suicidal thoughts. If these symptoms do not change with a change of circumstances, then you might consider that you have depression. For instance, if you feel down because of your circumstances, and your circumstances change for the better, your mood should improve. If your circumstances improve greatly, yet you continue to feel despair, anxiety or other symptoms, think about getting help. There are many measures you can take yourself to deal with mild depression, including diet, exercise and talking with friends. However, for more serious depression, it is worth consulting a doctor or therapist. If you have persistent suicidal thoughts, please see somebody immediately, or contact The Samaritans or other helping agency. If you feel you would like to contact one of these supports please do so on ‘Samaritans’ - 116 123 24 hour support line Or call Pieta House here in Kerry on 066 7163660 Caroline Smith Caroline Smith Psychotherapy Counselling 087 6444837 e: info@carolinesmith.ie w: www. carolinesmith.ie
Connect | Advertising
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
A PROFESSIONAL AND CARING SERVICE FOR ALL THE FAMILY DEDICATED TO PROVIDING THE MOST UPTODATE MEDICAL SERVICES ON YOUR DOORSTEP
MATERNITY CARE
FERTILITY SERVICES
• Consultant delivered care • Access to experienced midwife • NIPT Harmony/Panorama Tests • Modern ultrasound service • Dedicated breastfeeding classes • Private Paediatric consultations
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GYNAECOLOGY CARE
• Rapid Access “one stop” consultations • Dedicated Menopause Clinic • Access to ultrasound scans and minor procedures “in house” • Wide range of complementary/ support services • Use of Skype / teleconference to access internationally acclaimed experts
WWW.SCOTIACLINIC.COM
SATURDAY CLINICS NOW AVAILABLE THE SCOTIA CLINIC | SCOTIA HOUSE | MANOR WEST | TRALEE | CO. KERRY PHONE: (066) 7181100 | FAX: (066) 7181156 | EMAIL: RECEPTION@SCOTIACLINIC.IE
Tara Donoghue
Tara is a progressive dynamic photographer who focuses primarily on weddings, however she additionally offers location or studio shoots for newborns, families and boudoir. More recently her husband Dave has joined the team full time, bringing a much-needed male dimension to their bridal trade. I mean lets face it, the groom is part of the package too and is often over looked. So with Dave onboard the groom and his groomsmen get the attention they truly deserve.
+35385 1555060
www.taradonoghuephotography.com
CONNECT MAGAZINE November 2015
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Connect | Business
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
BUSINESS KILLORGLIN CHAMBER ALLIANCE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!! Killorglin is the latest town in Kerry to form a Chamber Alliance, it brings together business, arts, culture, community & sports organisations under one umbrella so that Killorglin can engage more effectively with Kerry County Council and other government agencies. A new website is currently under construction www. killorglin.ie and it can also be found on Facebook.com/Killorglin chamber alliance and Twitter @killorglinca Killorglin lies in the heart of Mid Kerry and the new Chamber Alliance aims to reinforce Killorglin’s position on the enterprise map by setting up an Innovation Hub to encourage new business start-ups in the town. Indeed, the Minister for Enterprise and Jobs, Richard Bruton T.D. recently described Killorglin as a ‘shining example’ in terms of job creation in rural Ireland, citing the success of FEXCO, Astellas and Temmler. Killorglin has a history of welcoming entrepreneurs and start-ups – More than 3,500 people come across the bridge to work every day, making the town a hive of energy and creative output! This can be seen in the success of successful new festivals such as ‘KFEST’ Arts & Music Festival and ‘Flavour of Killorglin’. The Chamber Alliance also wishes to ensure its Mid-Kerry Diaspora are associated with the success of Killorglin and, to that end, the Chamber’s formal launch event on August 7th last, comprised of a Diaspora Business Network called #Killorglinworks! An event
opened by Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan with over 110 Individuals representing Companies at home and abroad. Killorglin’s diaspora is a vibrant and widely dispersed community that travelled from Dublin, Hong Kong, Dubai, San Francisco, New York, Massachusetts and London to attend the successful event. The Chamber are currently liaising with the various Community, Sporting and Voluntary Groups to ensure Killorglin maximises footfall in the town – The recent Food Festival – ‘Flavour of Killorglin’ was a huge success with big numbers flocking to the town on Sept 11th and 12th. Killorglin Tidy Towns had a great result this year and the town is a definite medal contender in the coming years; Killorglin CYMS Basketball Club are hosting National League Games this season and the spookiest Halloween parade in Kerry will take place in Killorglin on Saturday October 31st – Get your mask and costume ready – you have been warned!! The Killorglin Christmas Committee will also launch details of its Christmas Extravaganza in the coming weeks – watch this space!
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The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
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FORMER KERRY GAA LEGEND ‘SIGNS’ FOR FLOGAS LPG Former Kerry football star Darragh Ó Sé recently signed up to Flogas, converting his family’s home heating system from oil to Flogas LPG.
Darragh’s 10-year-old oil boiler had become inefficient and expensive due to high running costs, so he started looking around for alternatives. “I heard about the benefits of LPG as an alternative fuel to oil and knew of several Kerry homes that had made the transition,” says Darragh. After a free home visit and energy survey with Flogas, Darragh got a new 24kw LPG boiler installed – meaning a cleaner burning fuel, longer boiler lifespan, lower carbon tax and increased efficiency. Darragh now has a fuel supply that is secure and safe from theft and he received his first 1,200 litres free of charge. Flogas has also partnered with National Energy Assessors (NEA), who assisted in Darragh’s application for the SEAI grant of up to €700 for the installation of his new boiler. “I can’t believe how quickly the water heats up. We now have unlimited amounts of hot water for showers and switching from electric cooking to gas cooking is great,” says Darragh.
As an energy solutions specialist, Flogas can design and implement a complete turnkey solution for your home so why not avail of a no-obligation free survey from ourselves or our network of Flogas-approved and RGII/Gas Safe registered installers nationwide? We’ll analyse your existing energy costs and outline the benefits and savings you’ll enjoy by converting to Flogas LPG. 1800 320 342 (freephone number) gas@flogas.ie
Adrienne Dowd Bookkeeping and Training Services DO YOU WANT TO SAVE TIME & MONEY? ARE YOU CURRENTLY DEALING WITH A BACKLOG WITHIN YOUR BUSINESS OR NEED A BETTER PURCHASE PRICE? WHY NOT OUTSOURCE YOUR BOOKKEEPING? Adrienne Dowd Bookkeeping provides high quality, affordable bookkeeping including the following: • Purchases & Sales processing for VAT returns • Year-End & Backlog resourcing • P&L accounts & Analysis • Budgeting & Planning Assistance • Payroll processing including P30 returns & Wages queries • Med 1 & Med 2 returns View Adrienne’s website www.adriennedowdkerry.com to see some testimonials from satisfied customers to date.
STOP GETTING CAUGHT UNAWARES BY YOUR VAT BILL As a business owner you will be well
aware of when you are due to file your VAT return. Some businesses are required to do this every 2 months, others every 4 or 6 months. However some people are still taken aback when they realise the amount of VAT to be paid. This is not prudent financial planning and can very simply be avoided. If you don’t avoid this, your business will regularly have cash-flow problems and may run up liabilities and charges, due to late or non-payment of VAT. By recording the business’s Sales and Purchases as soon as is possible for your business, you will always be able to keep track of what VAT is owed at any given time. Keeping this up to date will give you an ongoing VAT total and will allow you to set aside funds on a regular basis. The VAT amount you have to pay is determined by the VAT you charged on your Sales to customers minus the VAT you paid on your business’s Purchases. (Some businesses will account for Sales VAT as the sales are made while others are liable for VAT on Sales on the basis of moneys received). Some businesses will have the use of a computerised accounting package. Others who are dealing with a smaller volume will use EXCEL to record their Purchases & Sales. Either system will produce the same results, namely what amount of money does your business need to have set aside to pay your VAT liability when due. As with all your bookkeeping records, you should maintain proper records of Sales and Purchases relevant to each VAT period. Once the VAT return is filed, these records should be kept carefully to use as future reference or to be shown in the event of an audit. Adrienne Dowd, Bookkeeping & Training Services. Tel: 087-2417021. www.adriennedowdkerry.com.
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Connect | Business
The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
CONNECT ONLINE BIN by KEN iaTO – Social WeeBiz Med Media Consultants
SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY FOR ‘KIDS’ In today’s world kids are a lot more tech savvy than some of their parents. While Social Media has huge benefits to enable students engage socially, it also poses significant risks in relation to cyber-bullying. With an abundance of affordable smart-phone choices, simply checking the home computer is no longer sufficient as a means of checking our kids activity online. While Facebook still remains the dominant force for social media activity for teenagers, smartphones have enabled a rise in teen usage of social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram. Research now suggests that 94% of teens are on Social Media daily, and up to 24% are constantly connected to at least one form of Social Media constantly throughout their day!
94% of Teens are on Social Media
So, for parents, how can we monitor our kid’s usage, and more importantly, ensure that they know how to safely use Social Media.
1. Educate Yourself
First step I always advise parents, is to educate yourself on the applications your kids are using. This does mean that you yourself must also subscribe to the Social Media network and understand how the network works and what the individual dangers are of each site.
2. Set it up with your child Each network comes with settings such as Age Limits, Location settings and Profile information. Ensure that you obey the specific age limits (13+ for most networks). You must also agree with your child that the passwords and usernames for the social networks remain unchanged from when you set them up. 3. Talk to your kids Discuss openly your concerns, and the actual risks associated with Social Media. My suggestion would be to show them some real-life cases of what has happened as a consequence of cyber-bullying. If you don’t think your child is old enough to comprehend the dangers of Social Media, then they aren’t old enough to be on these networks in the first place.
Budget 2016 A Kerry Business Perspective
As expected there was plenty of positive news for taxpayers in the pre-election Budget. In this feature, we assess the impact on local businesses of key points in Budget. Tourism & Hospitality Sector As expected the 9% VAT rate remains unchanged although it may come under more pressure next year after the general election. In addition, the tax cuts may help boost the sector due to increased spending power of individuals in our domestic economy. The increase in minimum wage, while welcome for individuals, may be a significant cost for small businesses who may already be struggling on tight margins. Self Employed The introduction of a Self-employed Tax Credit of €550 represents a long overdue relief for self-employed business owners, including farmers.
4. Open Use Policy Initially you must insist on an ‘open use’ policy in your household. Effectively what this means is that your child is only allowed use their social networks from the home. In the early stages, they must also agree to permit you access to their social media accounts should you have any concerns.
Construction The popular Home Renovation Scheme (HRI) has been extended to 31st December 2016. This has provided a much needed boost to construction activities in recent years. It allows homeowners and landlords to claim Tax Credit for certain renovations and home improvements.
5. Set Time Limits Agreeing time restrictions from the outset will ensure a healthy use of Social Media. Setting daily or weekly time limits for usage will reduce your child’s dependency on Social Media, as well as maintaining a respectable broadband bill at home! Time limits should also set out simple rules about when and where your child is allowed on social media (not at the dinner table, after homework is done, not in bed etc.)
Motor Industry The simplification of commercial motor tax will see the maximum rate now reduced to €900 compared to €5,195 formerly. This will be of huge benefit to hauliers in particular.
6. Posting Restrictions Agree from the outset with your child what you consider to be acceptable to post online. If you are not happy for them to post pictures of younger siblings or private family information, then tell them. Ensuring your child’s settings are still in place will ensure that this private information is restricted to their friends. 7. Keep checking One of the main reasons for ensuring you always know your kid’s password is to ensure that they haven’t edited their settings to divulge information you aren’t comfortable with, and also to ensure they haven’t befriended people they shouldn’t have. While growing up online does provide significant social and educational benefits to children, we must always be cognisant of the risk. Only you as a parent will know when your child is mature enough to be responsible online, when they are ready, it is your duty as a parent to be ready too! WeeBiz Media are a Kerry Based Social Media Consultancy, offering Training and Social Media Management for Businesses weebizmedia@gmail.com 0868162105 (Ken) www.weebizmedia.com
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John Canty & Co. Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 3 Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry. T: 0667127802 M: 087 9431998 E: info@jcantyaccountants.ie | www.jcantyaccountants.ie
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The lifestyle magazine for Kerry
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John Canty & Co are delighted to welcome you to our Offices on Denny Street! (opp. The Grand Hotel) Proud of our expertise in: • Specialist Tax Services • Business Start Ups
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John Canty & Co. Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 3 Denny Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry. T: 0667127802 M: 087 9431998 E: info@jcantyaccountants.ie | www.jcantyaccountants.ie
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