Connect Lifestyle_June 2019_Issue 59

- Dining Out in Kerry The lifestyle magazine for Kerry

FREE

PLEASE TAKE ME JUNE 2019

Cliona Hagan

AWARD WINNING COUNTRY SINGER

Johnny Ward

From TV bad boy to family favourite FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE ....Made in Kerry, for Kerry

Connect | Advertising

2 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

Advertising |Connect

EDITOR'S NOTE Hello again and welcome to CONNECT, The time has finally arrived and we are all very excited, it’s time for The Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards which takes place this month.

We have included a list of all those who made it to the finalists stage and we look forward to meeting them on June 7th for our gala black tie event. We will bring you all the action of the night in our next issue so watch this space. Some amazing ladies and we look forward to welcoming them and their families to the Rose Hotel for a great night of celebration. As we speak we are at capacity but don’t forget you can follow all the action as we bring you the winners as they happen on our social media pages.

Marisa talks to Johnny Ward bad boy turned dance star, he talks about life as an actor and more importantly on the recent loss of his dad. She also chats to country music star Cliona Hagan she talks life, love and her success in the country music scene.

Dining out is something we all tend to do a little more of in the summer months so we had a look around to see where we can recommend to you when taking lazy Sundays to treat yourself to good food.

We had great fun at the 46th Lily of Killarney selection, I was honored to be a judge at this lovely event, I met a fantastic group of ladies, it wasn’t an easy choice and we wish Shauna Goggin a wonderful year as Lily of Killarney. We will be catching up with her later in the year to see how it’s all going for her. Huge thanks to the hardworking ladies committee of Spa GAA who organise it all.

We have lots of other summer tips on fashion, beauty and staying healthy.

Lots for you this month so as always, let the sun shine in and enjoy your read.

Enjoy Until next month

Mags x Editor: Margaret Kissane Design: Laura Hartnett Design Print: Kingdom Printers Photography: John Walsh Photography 066 7123777 Email: info@johnwalsh.ie | www.johnwalsh.ie Contributors: Marcas Mac Domhnaill, John Canty, Marisa Reidy, Caroline McEnery, Caroline Smith, Catherine Keane, Mary Lucey, Lisa Curran, Aine Fitzgerald, Dr Deirdre Fanning and Bernie Falvey Beauty Editor: Romy Birdthistle For Advertising Enquiries: Margaret: 086 2408237 sales@connectpublications.ie For Editorial Enquiries: info@connectpublications.ie Website: www.connectpublications.ie

CURB THOSE SWEET CRAVINGS Are you trying to get in shape but struggling to keep sugar cravings under control? Foods such as refined carbohydrates can play havoc with your blood sugar and can inhibit weight loss.

When you embark on a binge of biscuits, cakes, ice cream and anything else full of sugar, this causes your blood sugar to go from low to high very quickly. Sugar is toxic in the bloodstream and causes the pancreas to release a hormone called insulin. It is insulin’s job to get sugar into cells where it can be used for energy. Due to the unnatural amount of sugar in processed food the cells get too much sugar and are unable to take in anymore. So what happens to all of this excess sugar? It gets stored in fat cells – particularly around the stomach.

The temporary energy boost that chocolate bar or slice of cake gives you is short lived, when it comes to sugar the higher the high the lower the low. You may very quickly experience what is known as a sugar crash. You may get the hangry feeling (so hungry you get angry!)

What do you crave when you are hungry and feeling crappy? Yep, more fat promoting sugary foods.

This turns into a vicious cycle of blood sugar highs and lows, which can leave you feeling tired and irritable.

CHROMIUM is a mineral that is essential to insulin function, it increases the hormone’s signal allowing for more efficient transport into the cell.

HOW CAN CHROMIUM HELP STIMULATE WEIGHT LOSS? Fluctuating blood sugar levels may be a contributing factor of weight gain, Chromium may help to keep levels balanced. When your blood sugar levels are balanced you are less likely to crave the sugary foods.

Due to our depleted soils and processed foods, it can be difficult to get sufficient amounts of Chromium in our daily diets. Supplementing with Chromium may help to regulate blood sugar and keep the body from storing stubborn fat.

Some of the best quality CHROMIUM supplements you will find in-store include: VIRIDIAN, PHARMANORD, PATRICK HOLFORD and TERRA NOVA. Reducing your sugar intake may sometimes leave you feeling a little grumpy or with temporary low energy levels. To help support you through the transition it is a good idea to take a B Complex tablet daily. Some of the brands to look out for are, SOLO, MACANTA, TERRA NOVA and VIRIDIAN. As always we are happy to advise you on which one would suit your requirements best.

Until next time, stay healthy.

Deirdre x

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 3

Connect | Lifestyle

Johnny Ward From TV bad boy to family favourite

By Marisa Reidy WHEN actor Johnny Ward finally looks back on 2019, he will undoubtedly remember it as one of the toughest and most challenging of his life. It was the year that he lost his beloved dad, John; Endured the agonising break-up of his long term relationship - topped off by seeing his mother suffering a heart attack.

Weaker men would have struggled to get their head back above water after such a series of knockout blows, but the level-headed Dubliner says he has his amazing family and network of friends to thank for seeing him through the toughest time of his life.

While the 32-year-old star is probably best known for his bad boy image - having played villains Pauley and Ciarán in RTE’s Love Hate and Fair City – there’s another, softer side to Johnny Ward that came to light most when he won the hearts of even more fans during his appearance on Dancing With the Stars.

While he managed to make it to the final of the show, Johnny suffered the unbearable heartbreak of losing his father John to cancer just weeks before the show’s finale. Then came the unimaginable task of fulfilling his dad’s dying wish to continue with rehearsals and making it to the final.

Looking back now, Johnny tells Connect that while he doesn’t regret doing what his late dad has asked of him, he does regret not listening to his heart and just saying no. He wanted to do it for his dad – but he still feels guilty about not being with his family at such a horrendous time “When dad died, then it (the show) just wasn’t fun anymore and I wanted to just quit,” Johnny told Connect. “But it was my dad’s dying wish so I was doing it for him. It was so hard waking up every morning seeing my mom crying and then selfishly leaving her and heading off to rehearsals – but I had promised him.

“Looking back now, I know it wasn’t right or healthy and I probably made the wrong decision. Do I regret doing it? No - because it was his dying wish, but it wasn’t fair really. The second it was over we felt like a marathon had been run but we had run too much and lost. I just wanted to be with the rest of my family all along, and I think that’s what I should have

4 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

done. That’s what I wanted to do but you can’t argue.”

Johnny says his late dad had a huge influence on his career, and described him as his ‘right hand man.’

“He was always the first person I’d go to to learn my lines. I’d always read my lines with him and he’d be the other character, whether it was Nidge on Love Hate or Katie Fair City or whatever. There was another project I used to do called ‘Words on the Street’ – a literary festival – and my dad loved that. He helped me so much with that too. I wasn’t sure about doing it this year with all that had happened, but again I knew he would have loved it so I did it for him. In a way, his passing has made me work even harder, but life is so difficult without him around.”

Johnny describes the past few months as incredibly difficult, saying that at one point he and his two sisters wondered what more could be thrown at them.

As well as the passing of his dad to cancer, Johnny also broke up with his

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 5

Connect | Lifestyle

partner of five years, and then his mother suffered a heart attack.

Thankfully she is much better now, but it wasn’t easy dealing with everything at once.

“They say things come in threes, but we just thought how bloody much more are we expected to handle,” Johnny said. “It just seemed to go from bad to worse, but thankfully mum is much better and we are blessed to have each other for support.”

Johnny told Connect that he began acting when he was just three years old and knew from a very early age that this was the career he wanted.

While he did try his hand at dance school for a short time – he jokes about how the experience was cut short when he was booted out for biting a girl on the arm!

So a career in acting it was – and having performed on a number of TV, film and stage parts as a child and into his teens and early 20s, Johnny got his big break in 2014 when he was cast as Pauley in the hit RTE crime drama, Love Hate.

From there, he went on to become one of TV’s biggest villains, playing the part of evil kidnapper Ciarán in Fair City for two years – a job he says he throughout enjoyed.

“Say what you like about Fair City, but for an Irish actor getting a part in the show is hands down the biggest gig in the country. Ciarán’s storyline was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

But while many may still stereotype Johnny as a ‘bad boy,’ famous only for playing grim and dark characters, he says he consciously takes on other roles to show his versatility “I know some of the characters I’ve played have been a lot similar, but that’s why I love to do other things like musicals and panto. It’s also why I took on Dancing with the Stars, to show people could see a different side to me. DWTS showed 6 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

me that I can be comfortable when not completely in my comfort zone, if you know what I mean.”

Off screen, Johnny is also a drama teacher in Dublin, working with his sister’s performing arts school as well as two other schools in Leixlip and Tallaght. This side of his job is one he adores, as he gets to see children’s creative side, which he loves!

“Nowadays, children are so obsessed with social media which is horrible and, for so many, their creative side is completely lacking. So there is nothing more rewarding for me than seeing a child come into the school in September, shy and nervous, but leaving the next summer so much more confident. Seeing them evolve and develop their creative ability is a huge reward for me personally” While Johnny tells Connect that he is working on a number of projects at present, which he cannot really talk about yet, he is very excited to take to the Olympia stage in July for his next production – which may have a lot of appeal for Kerry fans!

Johnny is set to play Gino Wildes in the upcoming musical, Copper Face Jacks, in which he falls head over heels for a Kerry girl he meets in the famous city centre nightclub just days before the All-Ireland final clash between Dublin and the Kingdom. A match made in Heaven, surely?

“We go into rehearsals in the second week of June and it runs in July and August so I am so looking forward to that.

It’s a great show and is already almost sold out on most nights, which is just amazing. There’s a great buzz and it’s a really great show so that will be lots of fun.”

Copper Face Jacks: The Musical will return to the Olympia Theatre from July 10 until August 10, with tickets now on sale via Ticketmaster.

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 7

Connect | Lifestyle

Cliona Hagan AWARD WINNING COUNTRY SINGER

By Marisa Reidy AWARD –winning country singer, Cliona Hagan, is currently selling out venues across the country as her celebrity status continues to soar.

But the bubbly Tyrone star still clearly remembers the day that she sat in her car at the side of the road, crying, wondering why she and her band were giving it everything they could, often not getting paid, and ‘it just wasn’t working’ Now a star in her own right, headlining her own concerts and touring with some of country music’s most celebrated performers, Cliona tells Connect that it was a really tough slog in the early days.

She recalls another incident when she sat her kitchen table with £40 to her name, hoping it was enough to post demo CDs to the local radio stations in the hope they would play her music – and success would immediately follow!

But when she found herself at the post office with a postage bill of over £100, she had to go back home and ask her mother for the balance.

It was this sheer determination and commitment from early on that saw Cliona finally make her big break onto the country music scene. To this day, she is grateful for every opportunity she has been given and says she never takes her current success for granted.

You only have to chat to Cliona for a few minutes to know she means it – and she says she is eternally grateful for her fans who continue to spend their hard earned money to come see her perform. It is their loyalty and support that makes her want to be a better performer and ensure that she gives them a show they thoroughly enjoy.

Taking us right back to the beginning, Cliona explained that despite her parents not being musical in any shape or form, she and her two older sisters loved to perform from a very young age.

“We would sing at any chance we got, if people wanted to hear us or not!,” Cliona joked. “It’s hard to explain really, but it just came from our sheer love of music. I loved singing and went on to learn piano, guitar and did voice coaching.”

Cliona recalled when she was just nine years of age, a presenter on Radio Ulster was looking for young children to come on air and sing - and her mom encouraged her to go for it.

“I went on and sang the Sally Gardens and played the piano, and because they liked what they heard I was invited back for a Christmas Eve special and it’s so lovely, even now, to listen back to the tapes.”

All through school, Cliona continued to embrace her love of music, performing in school plays and keeping up her instruments and voice classes. She even enjoyed a special performance of The Snowman on The Late Late Toy Show when she was 11 or 12!

8 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

By the age of 18, Cliona knew that she wanted to pursue a career in music and went on to study music at university, before obtaining a teaching degree in Edinburgh.

Cliona actually taught music for a number of years in the UK, but always felt a draw to performing and tells Connect that she knew it was the only thing that would make her truly happy.

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 9

Connect | Lifestyle

“I enjoyed teaching, I really did, but it just wasn’t fulfilling me,” Cliona explained. “I came home one day and sat at the kitchen table and told my mum I wasn’t happy. I had been offered a permanent teaching job, but all I remember feeling that I was missing the stage and performing. I sat there asking myself whether or not I should take the leap...wondering if I was making a big mistake. But I just said to myself, what’s the worst that can happen?’

That was back in 2015, when Cliona set her sights on a music career of her own... and boy, was she in for a hard slog!

It was then that she relentlessly sent the demo takes to radio stations in the hope they’d like what they heard. And it was then, she and her band found themselves going from hall to hall, often not being paid, never quite being able to get the break they so badly wanted – and truly deserved.

“I have to say I was really naive when I started out. I thought my single would go out and it would be great, but it’s not like that at all,” Cliona explained. “Particularly in the country music scene, we have to hustle for what we achieve and work really hard, so from that point of view we appreciate it all the more.”

Cliona says that what helped her finally make her break was immense self belief and not being afraid of failure.

“I see now that it was a strong belief in myself and not allowing fear to hold me back that helped me break through,” Cliona says. “Eventually, after

about two to three years of hard work and going around to country music venues, more and more people stated to hear my music and radio stations started playing it. Then, I appeared on The Late Late Show country specials and a mixture of things just came together and I gained a larger fan base.”

Over the past year or two, Cliona has supported some of country music’s biggest starts, and now counts Nathan Carter among her good friends “I was so, so lucky that Nathan loved my first single and when he heard it and saw my video, he made contact and invited me to tour with him, telling me he loved it,” Cliona explained. “That was amazing and he was so supportive – and still is.”

concert tour on July 4th and August 1st. She is also set to return to the INEC’s acoustic club on October 4th.

As Cliona’s reputation continued to grow, she won a number of prestigious country music awards, while subsequent tours with the likes of Derek Ryan further propelled her into the limelight.

“I’ve done a few country music nights in Killarney before, but I’m so excited to come back and do my own show.

I love Killarney and am very, very excited to be back.”

Cliona says she is forever thankful for the support she has received from her contemporaries in the country music industry, who have been there by her side since the beginning

As a special treat, Cliona has arranged for the pupils of Holy Cross Mercy NS in Killarney to perform on stage with her during her July show.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be able to make a career out of doing something I love and it’s something I never take for granted. And it’s so wonderful to be surrounded by people who want to build you up rather than pull you down.”

Cliona’s celebrity status saw her secure a spot on this year’s Dancing with the Stars show on RTE, with the stunning singer admitting she was gobsmacked to make the final.

She says she is truly grateful for the exposure it has given her in recent months, gaining an even bigger fan base, particularly in the Republic of Ireland.

Cliona’s Kerry fans are in for a real treat later this summer when she comes to Killarney’s INEC with her headline Irish

10 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 11

Connect | Lifestyle

From breakfast to dinner,

the Kerry dining experience reigns supreme ‘One cannot think well, love well or sleep well, if one has not dined well’ - wise words indeed from English novelist, Virginia Woolf.

She may have been speaking almost 100 years ago, but let’s be honest - not much has changed since then. Dining well is something we all love to do, and where better to do in than right here in the Kingdom, where we are spoiled for choice with the fine food and fabulous choice available to us.

Whether you’re looking for a spot of breakfast with the family, a lazy brunch with friends, lunch with work colleagues or a relaxing evening meal, Kerry really does reign supreme for quality, choice and value for money.

Restaurant owners and those in the food and hospitality industry are well aware that diners nowadays are looking for that something extra special, and will settle for nothing less than the best. Quality produce, great choice and of course value for money are equally important to the modern day diner and thankfully those in the industry understand and respect that.

Kerry’s array of award-winning hotels, bars, restaurants and cafes have never been more accommodating nowadays, with owners tailoring their menus to suit every palate and budget.

While breakfast has always been, and continues to be, a firm favourite among the people of Kerry - be it a full Irish or something a little more ‘continental’ Brunch is now becoming just as popular, and those in the industry are stepping up to the plate!

A combination of breakfast and lunch, eaten usually during the late morning, brunch originated in England in the late 1800s and became popular in the United States in the 1930s. In recent years, however, Irish diners have caught on to the idea of a lazy brunch between breakfast and lunch time, and luckily in Kerry the demand is being met – and met very adequately.

Restaurants, cafes and hotels are now offering stunning brunch menus to meet everyone’s taste, with incredible choices to include everything from fruit loaded waffles, frittatas and breakfast muffins to flavoured French toast to pancakes and even breakfast pizzas.

If it’s lunch you’re after then you are truly spoiled for choice in Kerry, with so much on offer - from succulent pub grub in one of Kerry’s cosy, family run rural pubs, to tasty salads, sandwiches, paninis, roasts, casseroles, curries and so much in our restaurants, hotels and cafes.

Evening and late night diners are equally lucky, with some of the county’s finest food offered up night after night – whether it’s an early bird menu or fine dining experience you’re after.

For those particularly looking for value for money on an evening out, the ‘early bird’ option is ideal as it offers two and 12 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

three courses for an attractive, set price – while not sacrificing any of the quality.

Kerry is awash with incredible restaurants and hotels offering stunning early bird menus, often including a bottle of wine or a drink in the price. Definitely worth considering for those looking for incredible value for money!

And of course for those who love the genuine fine dining experience, Kerry is well known for its top quality, award winning restaurants – where you truly are spoiled by the quality and choice of amazing food, created by some of the county’s top chefs.

The wealth of local food producers operating here in the Kingdom also means that diners can be assured of quality, traceable food at all times – from our dedicated fishermen and vegetable growers to meat suppliers and expert fruit growers.

Their combined knowledge and experience, fused with a proud tradition of insisting on only the best produce for their customers, has become the winning combination in keeping Kerry top of the league where dining is concerned.

Another important development in the food production and hospitality industry nowadays is the focus on ‘healthy eating’ with almost every restaurant, cafe or hotel bar now offering a healthy option to those conscious of their calorie intake.

While diners can, more freely than ever before, avail of steamed or baked meats and fish instead of deep fired; boiled veg instead of the buttered variety or boiled and jacket potatoes instead of buttered mash, some establishments are going that step further by offering dedicated low fat or ‘slimmers’ options on their daily special menus. This is a wonderful development and one that you are sure to see even more of going forward.

Meanwhile, those with allergies and food intolerances are also extremely well catered for nowadays, while the vegan diet is being fast becoming a major consideration for those in the food industry who are keen to meet everyone’s specific dietary requirements.

The skill, dedication and enthusiasm of Kerry’s food industry hosts cannot be underestimated. They are a vital ingredient in the county’s winning dining experience and key to the popularity, charm and appeal of the county’s finest restaurants and eateries.

For quite a small county, we can not only hold our own when it comes to providing an award-winning dining experience, but have proven time and time again that we can compete with the best of the best!

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 13

CONNECT

Recommends

Sea Salt, the exciting dining venue and latest addition to Manor West Hotel. Sea Salt consists of a fabulous new lobby coffee shop and dining space, beautifully designed using fresh colours and mid-century vibes.

The lobby coffee shop is open at 7.30am serving coffee, Suki tea, grab & go treats, delicious cakes and pastries until 5pm.

The good people of sea salt believe in the power of a great brunch so they have created a nourishing menu packed full of great healthy dishes & classic comfort treats using the very best of local ingredients. Definitely worth checking out and if you are heading in to Tralee town don’t forget to visit their sister property in the heart of the town at the Ashe Hotel mouth-watering dishes for all tastes and the ideal location to have that family gathering.

The Wetlands Ballyseedy at Tralee Bay Wetlands opened in December 2017 and is primarily an extension of their food operation from the very popular café at Ballyseedy. Set in the stunning lakeside location at the beginning of the Dingle Peninsula, it is a culinary destination for the people of Tralee and visitors to the Wild Atlantic Way. Serving breakfast and tasty Brunch choices you are set up for the day, or maybe meeting a friend you can treat yourself to a tempting pastry all served with luxury coffee or a selection of teas to suit any palate, teamed with the sunshine there is nowhere else you would like to be on summer day.

Gregory’s Garden Castlegreogry – settled in the heart of Castlegregory village you have got to put this little gem on your list when touring for the perfect

dining out experience this summer.

Dishes served with the finest local ingredients in fact a lot grown in the restaurants own garden, Greg and his team provide you with the ultimate dining experience take a look at their Facebook reviews or the amazing tributes on trip advisor which speak for themselves, open for lunch dinner or tea/coffees it’s the ideal stop on your trip to or from west Kerry.

Kirby’s Brogue Inn - Award winning and a name firmly engraved in the town of Tralee and indeed the county of Kerry, We are delighted to include it in our trip around the best eateries, be it a family occasion, a romantic night out or a good hearty carvery you are looking for look no further, Kevin Fiona and their team will always go the extra mile to ensure your visit is enjoyable and memorable.

Open early morning till late at night the choice is yours, you won’t be disappointed.

Connie Foxes – The latest addition to delicious food houses in the county Connie Foxes will certainly satisfy those steak lovers amongst our readers, serving a steak just how you like it with a choice of mouthwatering side sauces, but I think our favourite thing about here is the freshness of the mushrooms and onions combination served with it, this side can often be served dried or overcooked but here its freshly sautéed to accompany your steak, they have many other choices on the menu too so don’t fret if you’re not a steak lover. Light tunes playing in the background whilst enjoying your food. Located at the Imperial Hotel in Denny Street Tralee it’s a must on your list this season.

The West End Fenit Award Winning Food cooked by an award winning Chef, what more could you ask for, comfort, a warm welcome and the place to go on sunny summer day- yes it ticks all those boxes too, delicious food, great atmosphere, friendly staff live entertainment at the weekends and a choice menu to suit all, the family run West End bar and restaurant is the ideal stop when taking in the breath-taking views that the small village of Feint has to offer so make sure to add it to you must visits over the summer season.

There are a few more we would recommend checking out while in Tralee - Croi of course is reliable for the best in food and ambience and the great trio of culinary experts have spread the wings and moved Croi to a new home while creating a new dining experience at the old Croi, now known as Gra- Head Chef here Paul is creating tempting new dishes all the time so worth checking out, Meadowlands, Cassidy’s, Chez Christophe all there too to look after you with good food and pleasant staff, Tralee really does have an amazing collection of restaurants coffee shops and eateries to keep you content on your trip.

Moving on to Killarney one of our favourite spots is Major Colgans pub at the Muckross Park Hotel, delicious food, live music and friendly staff you couldn’t ask for more, more restaurants along the town of Killarney include, Scott’s, Café Du Parc to name a few, while over in Ballybunion it is one of the smaller towns that can boast of the standard of culinary provisions so again worth taking a visit too It is impossible for us to include everyone so we hope that this gives you a taste of what’s on offer in our beautiful county, so when you think about taking a day out or a mini break, why not stay in Kerry it has lots to offer.

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 15

By: Jack Joy

Listowel is the ultimate Kerry destination for the month of June.

With the annual Race meeting and the Writer’s Week festival taking place over the June Bank Holiday, the North Kerry town attracts visitors from all over Ireland and far beyond. With this in mind, we decided to pay a visit to Listowel and get a true feel for the town ahead of the summer festivities.

We began our day in Listowel with breakfast at Lizzy’s Little Kitchen. Situated on William Street, the colourful café offered a wide range of healthy breakfast options along with an interesting drinks menu to choose from. Our order was taken in a timely fashion and our two servings of breakfast pancakes soon arrived. Served with maple syrup and fresh strawberries and banana, our pancakes, stacked four-high, were delicious and filling. While my companion opted for a pot of tea to accompany his meal, I chose to wash down my meal with a blueberry smoothie, a tasty and refreshing alternative to my usual early-morning coffee. Our breakfast at Lizzy’s Little Kitchen ensured we received the perfect start to our day in Listowel.

Following our marvellous breakfast, we set off exploring the town of Listowel. We headed to the town square where we admired the magnificent sight of two large churches, St. Mary’s and St. John’s, situated within 100 metres of each other. From there we ventured along the picturesque Listowel River Walk, overlooked by Listowel Castle, the walk brought us along the River Feale and soon to Listowel Town Park where we came across the Garden of Europe.

Featuring a huge variety of trees and shrubs as well as a number of fascinating monuments, including a dedication to victims of the holocaust, the garden provided a thought-provoking yet peaceful haven in which to relax and take in our natural surroundings.

Our feet weary from our travails around town, the Thyme Out Café was our next port of call. Based in Listowel Garden Centre, just off Upper Church Street, we stopped for a late afternoon break at the busy café, browsing the many plants, garden ornaments and gifts on display around the business before taking our seats. Ordering a coffee each, we were tempted by the variety of treats on offer at the counter, my friend ordering a muffin while I opted for a chocolate doughnut to accompany our hot drinks, all brought to our table by a friendly staff member.

A thoroughly pleasant experience, along with our coffees, the natural light streaming in through the large conservatory windows and the colourful paintings adorning the walls of the Thyme Out Café ensured we were relaxed and re-energised for further exploration of Listowel.

In a town so famed for its writers and literature, we simply could not pass up on a visit to the 16 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

Listowel Seanchaí Centre, housing the Kerry Writers Museum.

Adjacent to Listowel Castle, we took a tour of the museum where we were immersed in the works of some of Kerry and Ireland’s finest writers, from John B Keane to Bryan MacMahon, learning about their lives and work in the wonderful setting. As the evening began to draw in, we went in search of somewhere to eat our dinner and after a brief stroll along Market Street, we came upon Éabha Joans’ Restaurant.

A cosy yet modern space, Éabha Joans was busy for dinner but the dim lighting gave the restaurant a rather intimate atmosphere. We were soon seated at a wonderful spot by the window downstairs by a staff member who was friendly and helpful throughout our stay and we began to scan the variety of dinner options available upon our menus. Having worked up quite an appetite over the course of the day, we opted to begin dinner with some appetizers to ease ourselves into our final meal of the day. Our starters soon arrived, and having both ordered the Duo of Goats Cheese, we were extremely content with our opening dishes. Delicious and creamy, the Goats Cheese was complimented with caramelized peach and a red onion jam, resulting in a tasty opening dish and we were soon ready for our much-anticipated main course. While my friend opted for the Grilled Fillet of Salmon, served with spinach and bacon lardons and a creamy sauce, I opted for an Italian Chorizo, Prawn and Mussel pasta dish, served with Parmesan Cheese and Garlic Bread and neither dish disappointed. Both dishes well-presented, my Mediterranean-style dish was served generously, full of flavour and, judging by the polished plate opposite me, my companion’s Salmon Dish was also well received. To conclude our meal, I treated myself to a delicious Warm Chocolate Cake while my friend relaxed post-dinner with a Baileys Coffee. A fantastic dinner at Éabha Joans was yet another positive experience to add to a brilliant day spent in Listowel.

Soaking up the culture, heritage and beautiful surroundings of Listowel, our trips to just a handful of the town’s Cafés and Restaurants only further enhanced our Lovely Taste of Lovely Listowel.

Supported by Taste Kerry Taste Kerry is an organisation that promotes food and drink in Kerry. While promoting food tourism and encouraging new visitors to the Kingdom, Taste Kerry also adopts a distinctively original approach by bringing together all aspects of the food industry to encourage inter-county trade and promotion of food tourism across the county. if you would like to know more about us check out our website www.tastekerry.ie

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 17

Connect | Lifestyle

Slimmer for Summer…..

Get summer ready with some great tasting and fabulously filling food.

2 tbsp of white wine vinegar Combine ingredients in a bowl set aside.

Summer Days are upon us and sandy shores and sunshine are awaiting us…. hopefully these recipes will help take you to destination slim. You will see that these recipes call for garlic, chilli and ginger. I use the store bought ones in white wine vinegar these are very convenient and save you time and effort. Tray bakes are so convenient when you don’t have time or energy to focus on making a huge effort in the kitchen literally put everything on the tray on lob it into the oven. I always line my tray with parchment paper to save on washing up afterwards to saving you hassle! Can’t beat a lovely crispy ciabatta bread/bread roll they are so convenient and a gorgeous accompaniment to a salad.

Getting your food right is half the battle and groups are where you can get even more ideas, recipes but most importantly support, ideas, strategies that we need as slimmer’s to help us to lose and to maintain our weight loss goals. If you would like to find out more information about slimming world or how food optimising works, please pop along to any class time that suits you x.

Veg Topping: Trio of peppers Red, Green and Yellow Sweetcorn, Cherry tomatoes finely chopped Diced Red Onion 25g of reduced fat mozzarella (per person)

Spanish Omelette (Serves 4)

2 Spanish Onions 600g Baby Potatoes Cooked and quartered.

1 tsp of smoked paprika 6 eggs 120g of Grated Parmesan Cheese* 60ml of Fat Free Greek Style Yoghurt Baby Leaves to Serve.

Fry the onion until golden add the potatoes and paprika, add in the potatoes in pan until they start to brown. Whisk the eggs with the yoghurt and cheese and pour it over the potatoes and place under the grill if you have a pan with a rubber handle.

Enjoy a slice served with baby salad leaves.

Rainbow Pizza Using a wrap or pitta bread will make this a much healthier alternative to a pizza base.

Pizza Sauce Tomato Puree (half a tube) Minced Garlic 2 tsp.

Black Pepper Mixed Herbs 2 tsp 18 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

Preheat oven 180 Place the base on the baking tray Add a tbsp. of Pizza Sauce Divide the veg between the bases Sprinkle with Mozzarella Cheese Bake for 12-15mins Serve Warm or Cold.

Sticky Chicken Tray Bake 6 Chicken Breasts cut into bite sized pieces 2 large sweet potatoes cubed 8 baby sweet peppers sliced and cubed.

4 red onions peeled and quartered 2 white onions 12 unpeeled garlic cloves.

Sauce 2 bundles of fresh coriander 2 sprigs of rosemary.

1 tsp of Dijon mustard* 2tbsp of Maple Syrup* 4 Ripe Peaches Fresh Ground Black Pepper 16 Cherry tomatoes.

Preheat the oven 170 Line 2 trays with parchment paper. Place Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Peppers, Onions, Garlic Cloves on the tray. Make Sauce. To make sauce: Separate the coriander leaves from stalks. Set aside for the garnish.

Place stalks in a blender with the other ingredients apart from the cherry tomatoes.

You may need to add a tsp or 2 of water to loosen it up. Spray your chicken with frylight and sprinkle on the sauce mix, coat everything with your hands. Scatter over the cherry tomatoes on top of the chicken and bake for 45mins. Roughly chop the remaining coriander to serve.

One Pan Lemon and Garlic Chicken with Asparagus and Baby Potatoes 6 Chicken Breasts cut in to bite sized pieces Bag of Baby Potatoes Quartered.

4 Lemons, halved.

Sussed Oil 16 Cloves of Garlic Skin On. 4 sprigs of fresh Rosemary 2 tsp of ground Cumin

Black Pepper Asparagus Spears Preheat oven 160 Line 2 baking trays with parchment paper. Place chicken on trays, Slice some criss crosses on them. Squeeze the lemon halves over the chicken. Place onto the trays. The lemons will release more juice as they cook, Spray the Sussed Oil* over the chicken potatoes and scatter over the garlic cloves, sprinkle the cumin and the black pepper. Cover with foil, Bake for 25-30 mins. Remove the foil and add in the asparagus spears and bake for a further 15 mins. Plate up the meal and pour over any remaining juices in the pan over the meal, enjoy x

Ciabatta or Bread Roll Three Ways Who doesn’t love to tear into a lovely crispy bread roll with some fab ingredients on top of it. Summer days can mean days out, picnics, open farm trips and slimmers may find it hard to stay on course. Check out these lovely options you can rustle up. You can use a gluten free Ciabatta bread roll or a Promise Gluten Free Bread Roll as your healthy extra.

Tomato & Basil Ciabatta 1 Schar Ciabatta Bread Roll 1 Ripe Plum Tomato ½ tsp of minced garlic 2 basil leaves.

Heat Grill on high. Spray ciabatta with sussed oil and grill on both sides. Dice tomatoes and tear the basil. Combine with a tsp of garlic in brine with salt and pepper.

Remove the bread and top with the tomato mixture.

Creamed Goats Cheese Ciabatta: Change it up with, a tsp of Mixed herbs and 30g of goats cheese* Stir until cream and spread it over the toasted bread.

Broconcini, Mint and Chilli: In a blender blitz mint leaves and jalepeno, 2 tbsp of fat free vinaigrette and a squeeze of lemon.

Nora’s Slimming World Tralee takes place every Wednesday at the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee.

9:30am, 11:30 am, 3:30pm, 5:30 pm & 7:30 pm.

Search: Noras Slimming World Tralee on facebook or @NoraButlerSW on instagram.

Contact Nora: 087-2489838

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 19

Sunshine Ready...

Catherine’s Fashion Fix .... By Catherine Keane

You don’t need blazing sun to wear sunnies, but it’s definitely an incentive, and with summer just around the corner, it’s time for you up your game with the hottest sunglasses of the moment. Just like your clothing sunglasses are not immune to trends. There are few accessories that have the power to bring an old outfit bang up to date quite like a pair of sunglasses. So when it comes to sunglasses, we all have a favourite style that works with our face shape. Whether aviator, round, square, cat eye, rectangular or retro 2019 comes with a few trends that just might take you out of your sunglasses comfort zone.

While 2018 was all about tiny frames in 2019 you might want to give them a bit of a break as ‘chunky frames’ are here in a big way.

We know big bold frames are not up everyone’s street but if you are slightly tempted to reach for something a little more in your face then this is the time to experiment. Big frames are back in a big way. However, don’t despair if bigger and bolder frames are not your thing there is a trend for spring/summer 2019 to suit everyone. From futuristic shield sunglasses sporty and classic in shape and oversized geometrical sunnies to patterned and bedazzled shades the choice is yours. So whether you are looking to stand out from the crowd or to play it safe now is the time to get your 2019 sunnies sorted.

Extra oversized is one of the newest sunglasses trends for 2019.

In extra oversized either go for square, rectangular or blade style as these are the trendiest. If you want to try something a little different then you can go for translucent frames and coloured lens.

While we also saw cat-eye, square, rectangular and round sunglasses on the runways for 2019 the butterfly-shaped sunglasses are something a little fresh for the season. In this type, the shape of the lens looks similar to a butterfly with a slight curve at the top end.

If you have not invested in the patterned sunglasses in the last few years now is the time. We have been seeing them for past few seasons but now they’re definitely musthaves for this season. From polka dots to animal print sunglasses this trend is a good change from plain frames and are guaranteed to jazz up any outfit.

Why not ditch the boring black and brown frames and go for coloured frames this summer. From olive green to red to yellow, pick the colour of your choice and rock the summer in style. You can also match the frame colour to your outfit to make it look more gorge and with shapes like rectangular, cat-eye and 20 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

round still trendy what’s not to love.

Sunglasses usually have a curvy shape on the top but flat top sunglasses are one of the biggest trends to take over for 2019. Usually with angular details, this style is flattering for both men and women giving you a cool vibe that will surely make you stand out.

Just remember you don’t need to splurge to get on board with latest trends. There are many high street shops where you will find all the season trends at a fraction of the price.

So, with something to suit everyone this season which trend are you gonna rock?

Catherine x For all your fashion questions email: info@connectpublications.ie

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 21

Connect | Lifestyle

Keeping Healthy this Summer The summer has arrived, and we have been enjoying a few days in the sun, however those days also carry a risk. We are going to give an overview of some of the heat related illness that may happen to you from exposure to sun.

1. Heat exhaustion is when the temperature inside the body, known as the core temperature, rises to 38-40°C. At that temperature, the levels of water and salt in the body begin to drop. This causes symptoms such as nausea, feeling faint and heavy sweating. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can sometimes lead to heatstroke.

2. Heatstroke happens when a person's core temperature rises above 40°C (104°F). Cells inside the body begin to break down and important parts of the body stop working. Symptoms of heatstroke can include mental confusion, hyperventilation (rapid shallow breathing) and loss of consciousness.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If left untreated, it can cause multiple organ failure, brain damage and death.

Heat exhaustion symptoms: • Your skin feeling very hot and flushed, • Heavy sweating • Dizziness • Fatigue • Nausea • Vomiting • Tachycardia (a rapid heartbeat) • Mental confusion • Urinating less often and the colour of your urine being much darker than usual.

Heat exhaustion If you think someone has heat exhaustion, follow the advice below.

• Get them to rest in a cool place, ideally in a room with air conditioning, or at least somewhere that is in the shade.

• Give them plenty of fluids to drink. This should either be water or a rehydration drink such as a sports drink. Avoid alcohol or caffeine as this can increase dehydration.

• Cool their skin with cold water. If available, use a shower or cold bath to cool

22 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

them down. If not, then apply wet flannels to their skin.

• Loosen any unnecessary clothing, and make sure that the person gets plenty of air.

If the person does not respond to this treatment within half an hour, call 999 and ask for an ambulance Heatstroke The symptoms of classic heatstroke can develop over several days if you are spending a long time somewhere hot.

The symptoms of exertional heatstroke can appear more quickly, usually after physical activity.

Symptoms of heatstroke include: • High body temperature: having a temperature of 40°C (104°F) or above is a major sign of heatstroke • Heavy sweating that suddenly stops: if the body is unable to produce any more sweat then this is a big warning sign that the body has become over-heated and dehydrated • Tachycardia (a rapid heartbeat), • Hyperventilation (rapid breathing), and • Muscle cramps.

The extreme heat that causes heatstroke also affects the nervous system, which in turn can cause other symptoms such as: • Mental confusion • Lack of co-ordination • Seizures (fits) • Restlessness or anxiety • Problems understanding or speaking to others • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real) • Loss of consciousness.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you are worried that you or someone you know may have heatstroke symptoms, dial 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Vulnerable groups Your sweat is controlled by part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus acts like a thermostat, producing more sweat when it detects

that the body is getting hotter.

In some elderly people and people with chronic health problems such as diabetes, the hypothalamus does not work as well as it should. These people are more at risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Babies and young children are also more at risk because they sweat less.

Prevention • Keep out of the sun between 11am & 3pm.

• If you have to go out in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat and light scarf.

• Avoid extreme physical exertion.

• Wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.

Cool yourself down • Have plenty of cold drinks, but no caffeine and alcohol.

• Eat cold foods, particularly salads and fruits with a high water content.

• Take a cool shower, bath or body wash.

• Sprinkle water over the skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck.

Look out for others • Keep an eye on isolated, elderly, ill or very young people and make sure they are able to keep cool.

• Ensure that babies, children or elderly people are not left alone in parked cars.

• Check on elderly or sick neighbours, family or friends every day during a heatwave.

• Be alert and call a doctor if someone is unwell or further help is needed.

Travelling abroad The advice above also applies if you are travelling abroad in a hot country.

Another important thing to remember is that it takes the body between a week and 10 days to adjust to a hotter environment. Before that time, you will sweat less than you should do. So until then, you should avoid doing any strenuous physical activity, even if you are very fit and healthy.

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 23

Connect | Lifestyle

Hi Lovely Readers, I want to begin my piece this month by wishing the very best to all the students starting their exams and also to their parents, it is a stressful time for all in the household, but as I have said in previous issues there is something for everyone so as long as ye do ye 're best that's all ye can do.

When we opened That's Perfect over 8 years ago, our aim was to have a 1 stop shop for the lady who had her outfit and wanted the accessories to finish the look, be it a wedding, communion or races and hopefully we are succeeding.

Each time Paul goes on a purchasing trip he introduces a new line and this month he got a new range of bag that can be used for laptops, folders and catalogue, images provided and our own lovely editor Margaret was the first to get one and finds it invaluable.The price range is â‚Ź25.00 to â‚Ź40.00. These bags could be the perfect gift if your stuck for a Fathers day gift as they are suitable for both male and female. Please feel free to call in and check them out they are also suitable as carry on luggage as they have lots of pockets.

I must sign off now as preparations are in full swing for Connect Kerry women in Business Awards night and by preparations I mean my preparations nails, hair, tan, lashes and outfit......

Until next month Keep smiling and be kind,

Carmel xx

24 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 25

Connect | Lifestyle

Exercise and Wellness Hi all Áine of AfitBody Gym here again to tackle all your questions in regards to exercise and wellness.

Hello June! We are half way through 2019! How did that happen?

Time to check back on the last few months.

• What Goals did we set for the new year?

• How many did we achieve?

• What new bad habits have we picked up?

• Have we fallen back into old patterns?

It’s Time to Re-tox! Go back over those goals you set for yourself, did you achieve them, can you get yourself back on track if you didn’t. If you did how did you reward yourself?

Let’s do a January on it and have a little look at our overall lifestyle and see if there are any tweaks and changes we need to make.

FULL BODY WORKOUT!!!

Again this Month we have given you a Full body routine, with the squats & Lunges these can be done free weight or you can increase the intensity by adding weight with kettlebells or dumbbells. Engage the core throughout the workout and be mindful of your movements. Form over speed

THIS IS YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THIS MONTH

• Take 15 Minutes each day just for you, read that magazine, sip that tea or simply sit, just take that time out for you • Set yourself a fitness goal, join a new class, get out walking/ running • Take two nights a week of NO phone after 7.30pm • Drink More Water • Invest in your most precious commodity YOU

DIET CHECK!

Going back to what we said in January’s edition there is so much information and misinformation out there about diets and what we should and should not be eating, it’s confusing & also frustrating when we are following something which simply is not working. We can make this very simple, everybody is different and we need to learn to listen to our bodies and its hunger queues. Whether you use intermittent fasting, keto, low carb, high protein no matter what it is it all boils down to calorie intake versus calorie burn. If we look at our diet over a week, we need to have a balance throughout that week of what was taken in and what was burned. So we need to be honest with ourselves and have a clear picture of what we are taking in on a daily and weekly basis. Tracking your food is the ONLY way to get an accurate picture of this.

So if you do one thing for yourself this month download a free food tracker, MyFitnessPal is an excellent free option and will give you a breakdown of your Carbs, Fats and Protein Intake as well. Once you get into the habit of tracking what you are eating this will be a game changer for you! It will very clearly show you what you are taking in and you can make the right food choices to stay on track. We should be able to eat a balanced diet with no food on the banned list, if you overdo you carbs and fats one day by giving in to that pizza simply ease off on carbs and fats over the next few days so you still have a balance by the end of the week. One bad day is not a reason to throw in the towel, we simply adjust our week to cater for it. Feel Free to contact me if you have any questions

FITNESS CHALLENGE

I had my clients start this over Lent as a boost to their regime 30 Day Burpee Challenge. 50 burpees a day - 30 Days Be prepared... It’s a stinger...

26 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

MANGO & QUINOA SALAD

This cleansing salad ticks all the boxes on so many levels Powerhouse of natural medicines -packed full of antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals Delicious- abundance of tasty raw foods Quick and easy – so simple to make Looks beautiful with lots of vibrant colours Ideal for sunny summer weather Cleansing and easily digested Ingredients – quinoa, baby leaves, cherry tomatoes, mango, pomegranate, roasted pumpkin seeds, red onion, yellow and red peppers, cucumber, avocado. Herbs - mint and coriander Dressing- lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper for seasoning YUM! Give it a go.

✔

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

THE WORKOUT 10 Reps Beginner 20 Reps Intermediate 2-3 Rounds Depending on Fitness Level - KB Swings* - Squats - Press Ups - Lunges Right Leg - Clean and Press - R* - Lunges Left Leg - Clean and Press - L* - Crunches - Burpees *Kettlebell / Dumbell Required

HEALTH TIP MINDFUL EATI NG! Eat Slowly, Ch ew your food. Avoid Dis tracti such as phones ons, , TV a nd Computer, focus on the task at hand....

Fueling your b ody.

If you have any questions for Aine email us at info@connectpublications.ie

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 27

Connect | Lifestyle

28 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 29

Connect | Lifestyle

Connect Kerry

Women in Business Awards Finalists 2019 Join us Friday June 7th at the The Rose Hotel, Tralee with proceedings for this annual Black Tie Gala Event kicking off at 7.00pm. It's a ticket only event with limited tickets left.

For more information contact Mags 086 2408237.

Health and Wellness Frances Kelleher - Frances Kelleher Coaching Majella Duignan - Nutrifit for Women Magdalana Serafin - Bio Force International Ltd Paula Duggan - Balance Nutrition Jasmin Stallard - New Wave Adventure Therapy Maeve Frawley - The Arena Gym ltd.

Marketing and Events Marisa Reidy - PR and Marketing Recovery Haven Aisling Foley - Marketing and Events, The Rose Hotel Lisa Curran - Tralee Musical Services Miriam Ferriter - Marketing and Events, Dingle Skellig Hotel Laura MacSweeny - Brand Consultant

Business Services

Emily Reen - Partnership International Norma O'Neill Collins - Fealeside Finanacial Services Patricia Casey - Absolute Safety Matters Lisa Fingleton & Lisa O Flaherty Moving on Project NEKWD Majella Forde - Kuleana Training & Consultancy

30 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

Education and Childcare

Ann O'Dowd - Naionra Aine Preschool Olivia Hillard -Feileacan Preschool, Listowel Laura McKenna - Blennerville Community Playschool Mairead O'Sullivan - Education Coordinator South Kerry Development Partnership Maria Leydon - Child Services Manager Enable Ireland Deirdre Herbert - Kilflynn Preschool and Afterschool Club

Fashion Retail

Deirdre Garvey - Siopashoo, Caherciveen Diane Jeffers - Jasmine Boutique Kara Kearns - Kode Clothing.ie Eileen Whelan - Paco Retail

Lifestyle |Connect

Retail or Consumer Business

Young Business Woman

Belinda Broderick - Belinda's Puppy Salon Triona Bowler - John Ross Jewellers Keira Boyd - Keira's Grooming Boutique, Tralee Eve McKay - Eves Leaves, Caherciveen

Celene Moloney - Celene Moloney PR Yvonne Keyes - BossyB Designs Amy Smith - Tralee Pottery Club Lisa Curran - Tralee Musical Services Keira Boyd - Keira's Grooming Boutique, Tralee

Creative Design

Amy Smith - Tralee Pottery Club Geraldine Kelly - Very Vintage Occasions Michelle Keane - Mibeau Interiors Kate O'Keeffe - Art on Slate

Food Production Denise Hanbidge - Dees Delightful Bakes Jo Arbon & Claire Kelly - The Busy Botanist Doireann Barrett - The Gluten Free Kitchen Company Eileen Ashe - Annascaul Black Pudding Co. Kate Carmody - Beal Organic Cheese

New Business Award

Medical Profession Michelle Cooper - Cooper Medicare Claire Cronin Kelly - Leahys Pharmacy Oakpark and Ballinorig Meagan Ryan - Placenta Encapsulation Kerry Norma Doran - Dorans Pharmacy, Listowel Mairead O'Sullivan - Kerry Breastfeeding Support.

Technology

Yvonne Keyes - BossyB Designs Kayleigh Breen - The Wedding Wizard Martina Molyneaux - SJS Web Design Tessa & Jessica Dennison - Dennison Design

Clodagh Shannon - Nonna Diary Anne Marie Murphy - Window Style Mary Thea Brosnan - Kerry Kefir Eileen O'Connor - Eileen's Bakery and Coffee Shop Helena Bradley - Baby Sensory Kerry & Limerick Celene Moloney - Celene Moloney PR

Outstanding Manager Aine McGill - O'Shea's Arro Home & Garden, Caherciveen Tracey Kennedy - Kennedy's Pet Farm Aoife O Reilly - South Kerry Skillnet Niamh Quirke - The Scotia Clinic Marie Gutherie - Punt Roma Shaws Katie Hartnett - The Zipyard Tralee

Community Champion

Susan Lawlor - State of Mind Mental Health Mary Gardiner - Guard and Community worker Louise Quill - Tir Na Nog Organisation, Tanzania Anna Maria Foley - Adapt Kerry Womens Refuge Lisa O'Shea - Caherciveen Tidy Towns

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 31

Connect | Lifestyle

Tips for Summer Gardening...

Mulching Spreading a 2-inch-deep layer of mulch over your soil is one of the best things you can do for your garden during the summer. The mulch blankets the ground, shielding the soil from the sun. This keeps it cooler, so your plant roots are happier, and prevents moisture loss from evaporation. It will also act as a natural weed suppressor.

Happily, there's not a single best type of mulch. Anything made from organic matter -- shredded wood, pine straw, a mix of grass clippings and shredded leaves, etc will all work. We use Bord Na Mona bark mulch which is a high grade bark chipping that over-time is going to help your soil in the long run, as it decomposes and adds to your soil structure.

Many pesky weeds love summer heat and quickly take the jump from tiny to gigantic. With the combination of warm weather and moisture at the moment I’m sure many of you are seeing the weeds thrive in your garden. Try to avoid using any chemicals if possible. It's important to pull them from your garden, because weeds steal moisture and nutrients from your plants.

Many weeds also encourage insect pests and diseases to pop up in your garden at this time of year.

Weeds are easiest to pull when they're young and small. They also come out of the ground easiest when the soil is moist.

Another reason to get them while they're young: You can stop weeds from producing seeds. A single dandelion plant can produce 2,000 seeds in a year. A weed such as lamb's quarters can produce 150,000 seeds in a year. That's a lot of future weeding you can save yourself from doing!

Add some additional summer colour.

32 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

BY: BERNIE FALVEY. CEO BALLYSEEDY HOME & GARDEN, TRALEE

Once summer heat arrives, many early-blooming annuals such as pansy, viola, and osteospermums can fade. Make your garden look its best by pulling out the spent plants and replacing them with heat-loving varieties such as lobelia, lantana, ageratum, coleus, petunias, geraniums and salvias.

Your local garden centre will have a beautiful range of fresh stock at the moment and here at Ballyseedy we are bursting with colour. Heat-loving annuals grow quickly in warm temperatures and will soon provide a beautiful array of colour.

Note:Â Don't be afraid to renew colour in your pots, baskets and containers by replacing summer annuals that have been damaged by drought, pests, or diseases with some fresh plants.

A few fresh plants in your garden can prolong your summer colour right up until the end of September.

Happy Gardening!

Bernie Falvey Have you got a gardening question email: info@connectpublications.ie

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 33

Connect | Lifestyle

The 46th Lily of Killarney was held on 24th May at the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney. The event, run by Spa GAA Ladies Committee is a highlight of the social calendar in Killarney and this year saw 31 contestants take part.

The day started with each contestant being interviewed by a judging panel of 3, including Margaret Kissane of Connect Kerry, Dawn Ryan former Limerick Rose and Miriam O’Sullivan co-founder of My Access Hub. The young women were later introduced to a packed audience at the Selection Dance and the evening culminated in the announcement of the winner at midnight. This year’s winner is Shauna Goggin from Ballybunion representing local man Neily O’Connor. Spa GAA Ladies Committee chairperson Marie O’Keeffe, said “ the committee would like to congratulate Shauna on winning the 2019 Lily of Killarney. Shauna will go on to represent Spa GAA at numerous events during the year such as Killarney Regatta, Killarney/London Reunion, St Patrick’s Day celebrations. We would like to thank all the contestants and their sponsors.

They were a wonderful group of women and I wish them all well in the future. Thank you to all our sponsors, especially Killarney Credit Union our main sponsor and Killarney Outlook our media partner for your generous support. A special thank you to our judges who had a hard decision to make on the day”

34 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

Niamh Fitzgerald, Aisling O'Connor, Saoirse Holland, Connie lynch and Niamh McSweeney.

Photographs by: Ann Holland

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 35

Connect | Lifestyle

International Hotel staff: Tracy Fleming, Lisa Fleming, Roisin McCarthy and Niamh O Sullivan

Escorts for the night: Niall O'Mahony, Conor Gleeson and Pa Murphy.

Susan O Sullivan, Claire Tagney, Emma Daly and Tracey O'Mahony.

2019 Lily, Shauna Goggin pictured with 2018 Lily, Carmel O Leary.

Connie Lynch (Killarney medical Centre) receiving her engraved trophy from Helen Courtney Power (Killarney Credit Union, Main Sponsor).

Roisin Rea (Celtic Steps) with her dad David Rae.

Relationships

I thought it might be useful to write a bit about relationships, particularly our core relationship with another – boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife – which is often at the heart of the families we build.

We are sold a romantic notion of relationships, that a couple meets, falls in love and lives happily ever after. We also experience a lot of pressure to be in a relationship, often before we are ready, and consequently we can get into relationships that are neither healthy nor sustainable. I have written before about relationships that are competitive rather than collaborative, in which the parties score off each other and fight their corners instead of supporting each other and tackling problems together. This can become a toxic dynamic and needs to be addressed.

However, there are earlier situations that can be seen as red flags and may be an indicator that the relationship is not worth pursuing. I wanted to name some of those flags and look at how they can be avoided, so over the next few months, I’ll address a number of them.

The best piece of advice I can give is not to ignore them. If there are warning signs early on in a relationship, we can sometimes overlook them because we are caught up in the early excitement of attraction. If you have a little voice at the back of your head, suggesting that perhaps not everything is hunky dory, don’t ignore it and hope that it will go away. It’s there for a reason.

Either resolve the concerns, or move on.

Caroline Smith, Psychotherapy Counselling www.carolinesmith.ie | 087 6444837 36 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 37

Connect | Lifestyle

Manor West launch 2019 Food & Craft Fair Awards Celebrating Kerry’s Artisan Producers

An avid supporter of Kerry’s local artisan food and craft producers, Manor West Shopping Centre and Retail Park recently launched their 2019 Food and Craft Fair Awards in association with the Kerry Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and Connect Magazine. The launch of the awards took place at Manor West’s recent Food and Craft Fair, the first of a series of popular fairs that will take place at Manor West throughout 2019. The award will be an opportunity for Kerry’s finest food producers and craftspeople, whose thriving businesses celebrate all the county has to offer, to be recognised for their excellence and entrepreneurship .In 2018, due to the huge success of Manor West’s Food and Craft Fairs, it was decided to celebrate the outstanding producers of Kerry’s vibrant culinary and creative scene. Over the years, Kerry’s finest producers have been exhibiting their fantastic array of food and craft produce for free of charge at Manor West and in 2018, the awards were launched to provide a fantastic opportunity for the lucky winner. The award-winning craft or food producer will win the opportunity to exhibit their produce in a Pop-Up Shop once a week in the Manor West Shopping Centre free of charge (subject to terms and 38 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

conditions), as well as promotion through the Manor West Facebook and Twitter pages, and website.

The Local Enterprise Office Kerry will also present the winner with a VIP package, which includes business mentoring, a training course or courses of their choosing in 2019/2020 and a Trading Online Voucher to a maximum of €2,500 (subject to terms and conditions).

In addition to this, the winner will receive a full page advert in Connect Magazine and a double page interview in Connect Business Magazine. The winning producer in 2018 was Denise Derek Rusk, General Manager of Hanbidge of Dee’s Delightful and Retail Park with Denise Han Manor West Shopping Centre bidge of Dee’s Delightful Bakes Bakes who praised Manor West for their continued support and opportunities for Food and Craft producers. Connect Magazine for their support.”

Denise said, “The awards are a fantastic Following the completion of Manor West’s initiative by Manor West and since winning Food and Craft Fairs in December, the the title in 2018, it has provided my business public will get the opportunity to vote for with a huge boost, enabling me to continue their favourite stall on social media. Along to grow my business and reach a much larger with a final judgement, the winner will audience. Running a business on your own then be announced. For more information can be quite daunting at times, but when on Manor West Shopping Centre and Retail you have people in your corner backing you Park and the Food and Craft Fair Awards it really helps. I would like to thank Manor visit www.manorwest.ie or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

West, the Local Enterprise Office Kerry and

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 39

Connect | Lifestyle

REVENUE HELP TO BUY SCHEME BY: John Canty

The Help To Buy scheme provides a refund of income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid over the previous 4 tax years to First Time Buyers.

CONDITIONS - Applies to periods from 19 July 2016 up to 31st December 2019.

- Applies to Self-Build Homes - Mortgage must be 70% of purchase price or valuation - Must be buyers home after purchase/ self-build - Must be Tax Compliant CLAWBACK Home must be occupied for five years as primary residence or tax relief is clawed back.

40 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

HOW TO APPLY Must apply online using revenue MyAccount(Employees) or ROS(Self Employed) AMOUNT OF RELIEF - 5% of Purchase Price - No Relief on Homes over €500,000 - Max Relief €20,000

Advertising |Connect

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 41

Connect | Lifestyle

Music in the Kingdom LISA MEETS BUBBA SHAKESPEARE

Clockworks band frontman ‘Bubba Shakespeare’

The band ‘Clockworks’ are a staple in Killarney every Saturday night in Killarney Grand, they are a covers band with a twist, no Saturday night is the same as the last, the atmosphere is always electric and the crowd are sucked right in thanks to their frontman Bubba who has just recently released his own solo rap EP. I got to have a chat with him and see how he balances his life in the music world and all about his unique outlook on the world.

Hey Bubba ..... delighted to be able to have a minute to pick your brain.

By: Lisa Curran

people questioning why ...but for those who decide to go for a hug there’s always a smile and a deep thank you. You would also be very surprised in the different types of people who choose to come and give you a hug. I do feel it’s important to hug because it’s actually a very respectful way to want to greet someone. You are in it’s essence saying how are you and here is some love at the same time.while taking your time to slow down and give the person a real moment of your time.

The ability to hug shows how cool you are whitch yourself and your feelings I feel.

1. ​So firstly tell me about how you got involved with music? What drew you into the music world?

It’s my Souls purpose, the stage to me is a place of play and an opportunity to express whatever I feel. No matter what goes on in my life the stage always brings out my best and makes me feel like I’m at home. It began at an early age in the from of poetry which later turned in to rap and that brought me to the stage to discover the above. I love to entertain and engage with people and the stage is the perfect place for me to that.

2. How did you get involved with ‘Clockworks’ and can you describe to the readers what the can expect at your gigs?

They help and audtion years ago which my friend told me about so came down from Tipperary and got the job, moved to cork city and never looked back.

What you should expect from a ‘CLOCKWORKS’ show is high energy, togetherness and lots of dancing,fun, old classics, some of the latest hits and a few of our own interpretations and mash ups.

3. You’re a regular staple in the cork city busking scene apart from singing and rapping you also give out free hugs! How has that been?

That’s a very interesting experience, you see a lot of fear and sadness a lot of 42 | Connect Kerry | June 2019

4. Tell me about your own solo adventure with your EP and solo shows, what inspired your own work?

Suffering and a deep desire to inspire others to love themselves inspires my own work. I’ve come from addiction ,hunger, hopelessness,a lack of self awareness and a lack clarity to the otherside of it. Which is connection to love, purpose, clarity, and spirituality I’m still evolving, learning and growing because I know understand that it is a choice. I didn’t know how to love myself so I decided to write an E.P. expressing the journey to it . First I had to understand my shadow then I had to bring it to light which is why the E.P. is called Understanding My Shadow and now I am learning how to integrate the shadow with the light so I can live in balance and not be emotionally triggered every time I do a show and expose it. The nature of life is struggle and obstacles but it is our mindset which determines whether or not we live happily. Understanding my Shadow is an offering of Hope to the hopeless.

5. You’re a great man for uplifting and inspirational advice on social media which I feel a lot of people need in today’s world, what’s your drive behind doing that.

Thank you. When you truly come to understand something you just have to

share it, Imagine if understanding or joy or love was like water filling a glass and when the glass becomes full it all spills out everywhere… It’s like that.

When I come to see something that used to harm me I wanna share that understanding with someone else. To simplify The drive behind sharing is also an attempt to make social media a realm of wisdom rather than a realm of comparison. We all suffer so let’s just help each other I feel.

6. Where can we catch ‘clockworks’ and ‘bubba Shakespeare’ solo shows in the upcoming months?

You can catch Clockworks in The Killarney Grand every saturday night at 10.30 pm in the night club Follow me on instagram to find out about Bubba shows as I am currently in the developing stage for my next adventure Insta Bubbashakes Thank you for this interview.

We are all class, it’s just a journey to the why :) SNAPCHAT: lizzieraisin INSTGRAM: lizzieraisin TWITTER: lizzieraisin FACEBOOK: Tralee Music Services

Connect Kerry | June 2019 | 43