Senior Times Magazine November December 2016

Issue 84 November - December 2016

Now E3.00/£2.70

The magazine for people who don’t act their age

Profile of Tony Christie of ‘Amarillo’ fame ‘The Golden Girls’ reliving The Sixties Don’t ‘downsize’ and move!

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6

November - December 2016

Contents 24

NEWS: Still on the road to Amarillo: Nigel Baxter meets Tony Christie who, at 73, has no intention of retiring The Golden Girls: Marie Gahan recalls work, life and marriage in the Sixties with three of her closest friends Don’t Downsize!: Mark Keenan, Property Editor of the Irish Independent, emphatically warns about trading down in in the current skewed market conditions.

Dutch masterpiece: John Low thoroughly enjoyed a trip to Haarlem, one of Holland’s most beautiful cities Hilary, Bernie and the Bataan march: Creative Writing: A treasure trove of titles from Collins Press Belleek Visitors Centre makes a great day out: Beauty: The healing powers of the sea: Mairead Robinson experiences the invigorating treatments at Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa Genealogy: Tracing your ancestors who went to the UK Gardening: Peter Dowdall offers some suggestions for autumn displays Publishing Directors: Brian McCabe, Des Duggan Editorial Director: John Low Editor At Large: Shay Healy Consultant Editor: Jim Collier Advertising: Willie Fallon - willie@slp.ie Design & Production: www.cornerhouse.ie Contributors: Lorna Hogg, Dermot Gilleece, Maretta Dillon, Jim Collier, Peter Power, Matthew Hughes, Mairead Robinson, Eileen Casey, Debbie Orme, Connie McEvoy Published by S& L Promotions Ltd.,

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46 Golf: Dermot Gilleece on smoking golfers Improving your memory: Tips from Chester Santos Christmas sparklers: Lorna Hogg suggests come Christmas markets to visit Wine World: A beautiful Beaujolais and an Irish craft gem What’s on in The Arts: Humour: An Elf’s dilemma Northern Notes: Know your rights: Seamus Heaney Homestead opens: On the mend: Kate Garahy recounts her convalescence following hip surgery Activity supplement: Featuring a walk in Donegal Meeting place: Crossword: Crafts:

54 58 64 70 78 81 84 94 98 106

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Front cover: The Molen (windmill) de Adriaan, Haarlem. The imposing wooden tower has been a definitive feature on Haarlem’s skyline since the 18th century. See Dutch Masterpiece page 24.

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Fax: +353 (01) 4068229 Editorial: John@slp.ie Advertising: info@slp.ie Sign up to our newsletter and be in with a chance to win some great prizes at www.seniortimes.ie Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

News Now Survey reveals majority of Irish women do not know about metastatic breast cancer A new report entitled A Story Half Told, which looks at the extent of misconceptions around metastatic breast cancer (mBC), has been launched by a group of leading experts in Dublin. New survey results outlined in the report reveal that 95 per cent of women in Ireland believe breast cancer can be cured if it’s caught and treated early.

However, early detection does not help survival for metastatic breast cancer patients - average survival for women with metastatic breast cancer is 2-3 years.

The first of its kind survey was commissioned

by Pfizer as part of the A Story Half Told campaign. The campaign was launched in conjunction with Ireland’s leading cancer support groups (Europa Donna Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society and the Marie Keating Foundation) and aims to highlight the extent of misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding the most advanced stage of breast cancer, and the need to widen the conversation around breast cancer in Ireland to include metastatic breast cancer.

The new results show that a quarter of Irish women have not heard of metastatic breast cancer, despite the fact that general familiarity

with breast cancer is high in Ireland (49%) compared to kidney cancer (14%), prostate cancer (25%) and pancreatic cancer (17%).

Almost 1 in 4 (24%) have heard of mBC but don’t know what it means. 6 in 10 Irish women think breast cancer receives a lot of public attention– but well over half (70%) say metastatic breast cancer receives little to no attention.

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News

Cork children’s centre launch €7.2m fundraising appeal Daragh Cashman and Susanne Hayes help Minister Coveney turn the sod on Enable Ireland Cork’s new Children’s Centre at Curraheen in Cork. The official sod turning also marked the formal launch of Enable Ireland’s fundraising appeal for the €7 million development.

Provision (Daragh McSweeney Photographer) Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Simon Coveney T.D. officially turned the sod for Enable Ireland Cork’s Children’s Centre at Curraheen, with Enable

Ireland CEO Fionnuala O’Donovan. The event also marked the formal launch of Enable Ireland’s fundraising appeal for the €7 million development.

More than 640 children and young people with disabilities currently receiving vital therapy and support services from Enable Ireland at the Lavanagh Centre in Ballintemple. However, the building is no longer fit to accommodate the needs of these children and their families.

Boots Ireland launch shingles vaccination service Pictured at the launch of the Boots Ireland Shingles Vaccination Service with Mark Cagney are Susan O’Dwyer, Pharmacist, Boots Ireland and John Lindsay, Chairperson, Chronic Pain Ireland.

A new vaccination service to protect adults against shingles has been launched

by Boots Ireland . . Broadcaster Mark Cagney was on hand to officially launch the service and encourage over 50s to protect against the disease. New research revealed almost one in five people aged over 50 in Ireland (19%) have experienced shingles, yet 85% of those surveyed were unaware that shingles can be prevented by vaccination, including reoccurrence of the disease.

The findings also showed low levels of awareness and understanding of shingles as almost

half (47%) were unaware that people are only susceptible to shingles if they have had chicken pox1. 30% did not know about the serious health complications shingles can cause1 including long term nerve pain or damage, bacterial infection, or damage to the eyes. Of those who had experienced shingles, just 10% were aware that reoccurrence of the disease can also be prevented by vaccination1.

Shingles is caused by herpes-zoster virus, the same virus as chickenpox, and anyone who has ever had chicken pox can get shingles.

The virus remains in the body and can become

4 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

active again in later life where it develops into shingles . Over 90% of the Irish population has had chicken pox, and approximately a quarter of those will develop shingles at some stage in their life. The risk of shingles increases with age as two out of three cases of shingles develop in people aged over 50..

Susan O’Dwyer, Pharmacist, Boots Ireland said, ‘Our research proves that people in Ireland have a high level of trust in pharmacists and visit a pharmacy regularly for healthcare advice. The Boots Ireland Shingles Vaccination Service adds another dimension to our expanding vaccination portfolio’.

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Still on the road to Amarillo..

Nigel Baxter meets Tony Christie who, at 73, has no intention of retiring Tony Christie has, as you might expect, some interesting bits of trivia about Amarillo, but one piece of information stands out as surprising, if not downright baffling. It turns out the citizens of the Texan city were until relatively recently ignorant of the song which arguably put it on the musical map.

Tony, now 73, still sounds like he can’t quite believe this nugget of information, which he gleaned when the Mayor of Amarillo invited him over to bestow on him the freedom of the city.

‘It’s not a very big place,’ he begins. ‘It’s in the middle of the Texas dustbowl. It’s very famous for producing 98%, I think, of the world’s helium.

Because of the impact of the song with the video and everything [with comedian Peter Kay] it went back to number one in the charts, it impacted on the world wide web and they were getting hit by millions of people on the website so the Mayor of Amarillo invited me over and gave me the Freedom of Amarillo and gave me a cowboy hat - it’s a very cowboy town.’

Bear in mind that this wasn’t 1971, when the song first became a chart smash, but 2005, when a version released for Comic Relief featuring Peter Kay raced to number one. You really have to wonder what the Amarillans were doing all those years.

‘When it was first a hit in 1971, they’d never heard the song,’ Tony recalls of his discussion with the Mayor. ‘You’re kidding,’ I said. ‘It was written by Neil Sedaka, who’s an American, and it was a hit everywhere around the world, and you’d never heard it?’ ‘No, we know a song called Amarillo in the Morning’... And I said this

Amarillo, Texas where Tony Christie was made a Freeman by the Mayor

was a big song, I’m sure Neil Sedaka has sung in Amarillo and he said ‘Yeah, he’s been a few times to the city hall and done shows’ and I said ‘He never sang Amarillo?’, and he said ‘No’.

He sums it up like this: ‘It’s absolutely madness.’

It’s hard to disagree. While Tony has had success across various continents and over a number of decades, Amarillo is a monster of a song, a hook-laden earworm that is nigh-on unavoidable at any social gathering. As Tony ventures out on another tour, it is sure to be the song that brings the house down. Next question: does he ever get fed up of singing it?

‘No, you’d think so, wouldn’t you,’ he replies. “’ is such a great song and to be honest I wish I had five more as big as that one, as instantly recognisable. It’s a dream song - you get one of those in your lifetime.’ As Tony tells it, even co-writer Sedaka didn’t seem quite sure of the

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song’s potency. When Tony’s manager visited Sedaka to listen out for songs that might suit Tony’s voice Sedaka played him a handful of others before playing Amarillo. Tony had already had success with songs such as Las Vegas and I Did What I Did For Maria.

‘My manager said [to Sedaka] ‘why the hell didn’t you play that one first? That’s a hit.’

Sedaka said ‘well, that one’s not finished, where I’m singing that sha-la-la business, we’re trying to think of a lyric to put in there’. My manager said ‘you idiot - that is the hit bit’. The song might have been there, but it was Tony that made it a hit. Impressing people with his vocals has been a way of life since he was a young boy with the name Anthony Fitzgerald.

Mayo grandparents ‘My grandparents are from Co Mayo,’ he explains of his Irish heritage. ‘My grandfather

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Tony had numerous hit LPs in the seventies

Neil Sedaka wrote Amarillo but had to be persuaded it would be a hit

played the squeezebox and my grandmother played the fiddle in a ceilidh band, all my uncles, whatever, that were getting married when I was a little boy, any wedding I went to was an Irish wedding, Irish music was played. It was sort of ingrained in my DNA, I suppose.’

That said, any idea that Irish traditional music influenced his own vocal style is ‘stretching it a bit,’ he says. ‘I listened to all kinds of music when I was a kid. I was fortunate that my dad played the piano and my grandfather on my English side, who lived with us, played the harmonium.

One of my uncles was a very good singer - I used to compare him to John McCormack but he wasn’t that good,’ he says with a laugh.

‘Whenever my grandparents from the Irish side used to come and visit my father would stand me on a chair and play the piano and I would sign for them, whatever the hits of the day were. Things like Some Enchanted Evening, all that kind of stuff. And basically they would give me sixpence.’ He says he probably spent it on sweets. As he got older, his musical tastes expanded. “’ obviously went for the rock and roll stuff and I was a big Little Richard fan, but at the same time I was a big Little Richard fan I

was mad into Sinatra and big band stuff.

My dad was in the air force and toured around Egypt and India and all these places and he brought all these big 78 records back with him, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller and all that kind of stuff, and of course the singers who used to play with all these big bands, so I got to know Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and Sinatra and that was me, suddenly I thought ‘My God, these are real singers’, you know. ‘My favourite singer, in all the world ever, is Frank Sinatra.’

Tony is not alone in that, of course, but he is rare enough in being a musical contemporary to the Chairman of the Board. However, he never met Old Blue Eyes, although there was one ‘almost’ encounter.

‘Unfortunately that day the Turkish people living there were having a protest march and they actually stopped all the traffic. The taxi that we were in couldn’t get near the park. We had to walk for a mile and a half, my wife in high heels and dressed to the nines, and we got there just as he went on stage and his PA said ‘I’m sorry but Mr Sinatra can’t see you before the show because he’s standing in the wings waiting to go on. That was it. We sat and watched the show and never met him. He died not many months later, I think he did maybe one more show. I did get to see him live.’

‘They saw never meet your heroes. Whenever he was over here performing I never got to see him because I was always playing in Australia or New Zealand or the Far East doing my stuff. But one time we were in Hamburg and the same promoter who used to do my tours was bringing Sinatra over for an outdoor show and arranged for my wife and me to go over there and meet him before the show.

Frank’s voice was an eternal wonder and Tony’s has certainly lasted the course as well, although he freely admits that it is low maintenance. ‘Well, you’ve got to drink a lot of beer,’ he jokes, adding quickly that he is a ‘real ale man’.

‘I don’t really protect it, I suppose,’ he continues.

‘I don’t really do anything to my voice. If I’m going to work then a few days before I might do a few exercises in the car, driving around,

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Literature

Peter Kay who made Tony Christie a household name again with their Amarillo video

watching people look at me as if I am stupid because I’m doing vocal exercises, but that’s about it.

‘I’m very fortunate that I was born with it, it is a gift and I’m grateful.’

Tony’s voice is evergreen and he sounds in fine fettle in both mind and body, but he admits that ‘to be honest, I have had several peaks and troughs.

‘One of the reasons that I left the UK to live in Spain, which I did for 15 years, was because there was nothing happening in the UK at all.

Everything was happening on the continent and I said to my wife this is crazy, we had a holiday home in Spain, so we sold and moved out there. That was about 1990. Before that it was getting very quiet towards the late seventies and I was panicking and the nightclubs were closing and I was sick and tired of flying and doing tours in Australia and New Zealand, I seemed to be away all the time and my kids were growing up and I just said that’s it. ‘ My father-in-law had a nightclub and he always seemed to have money. I thought right, my mate was a pub landlord, I thought let’s open a nightclub in Sheffield, and the police closed it down because they said the neighbours were complaining about the noise. That nearly cost me my house and everything. But that’s what happens - you plough on. Anytime something happens I put my head down and go to work and hope that something will turn up.’

Invariably, it has, and due to his appeal beyond his home shores there have always been people who want to hear him perform. As he mentions, Europe and Germany in particular as long had a soft spot for his stirring vocal style, although there have been other surprise venues. He recalls playing a gig in Bulgaria in

the mid-seventies when the country was deep behind the Iron Curtain. ‘It was a place called Golden Beach, a seaside resort, and it was with a local orchestra and my musicians, which was for television, a televised show, and I didn’t realise they had taped it and put it out as an album. So it went out all across the Russian states as a live album by me, which I didn’t find out about until about 30 years later.’

Peter Kay video Despite all the ups and downs, the transformation in his fortunes a decade ago thanks to the renewed interest in Amarillo came as a bolt from the blue. Now people recall the Peter Kay video but a ‘best of’ album was already riding high in the charts when the Bolton comedian came on board.

‘I was in Spain, doing very well on the continent and my son rang me and said Universal Records, who own your back catalogue, want to put out The Very Best of ... album, but they said if you come over and do a tour they will TV advertise it. So I said to my son can you organise it because I can’t do it from here, and he said ok, 35 dates, so I came back and I started on this tour and they released the album and it started climbing the top ten.

‘Then about halfway through the tour I got a phone call from Peter Kay’s office saying Peter wants to know if you want to be in his video for Comic Relief, because he’s using Amarillo. I said of course I do.’

As it turns out, Tony was familiar with Kay’s smash hit comedy of the time, Phoenix Nights.

‘I used to watch it in Spain, I watched every episode. It was like watching my sixties doing the working men’s clubs and the social clubs and all that kind of stuff. That was what it was like.’

The Comic Relief video was a smash and grab effort, as it turned out. From the initial phone

call just a day later Tony travelled down to the video shoot, during which he had to wear Kay’s suit, even though his co-star was four stone heavier than the singer. Trousers falling down at intervals, the duo shot a take ‘which I thought was the rehearsal, and that was it’.

Tony hopped back on a train to make his next show, but within days the song was at number one, with the Best Of album climbing to the top of the album charts as well.

‘There I was, after 15 years of absolutely nothing happening for me in the UK and I have suddenly got a number one single and a number one album. It changed my life.’

Since then he has recorded with Jarvis Cocker, Roisin Murphy and Richard Hawley, to name but a few, and he has remained as level headed and philosophical about the vagaries of the trade as ever. ‘I have never pretended to be anything other than an interpreter of songs, you know,’ he says. ‘I have never pretended to be a great songwriter and all that. But I do think I can take a song and do my own interpretation of it and do what I think is a very good job of it.

‘I just take what’s offered and that’s what I’m meant to do. The big question is, I’m 73, when am you going to retire? Well I’ve always said I’ll retire when I have no voice left and people don’t want to listen to me anymore.’

His wife, Sue, has become an integral part of life on the road he says. ‘I take my wife with me, she keeps me on the track. I couldn’t do it in the early days because she was too busy bringing up the kids.’

Ultimately, it seems to be a case of ‘retirement?

Why bother’. ‘Look at Tony Bennett - he’s 90 isn’t he?’ Tony says. ‘He’s still working. If he can do it, why not? I think it keeps you young.’

Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 9

Reminiscences

‘We loved the buzz of Grafton Street with its whole array of buskers and colourful characters’.

The Golden Girls Marie Gahan recalls work, life and marriage in the Sixties with three of her closest friends There were four of us in the office: Muriel, Jo, Joyce and me. It all started in the sixties with Muriel’s wedding, when she had to leave her job because of the existing ban on employing married women. Young and naïve, we never thought to question the unfairness of her forced retirement. But there she was, at the tender age of twenty four, about to be washed up in the backwater of domesticity.

But that was the way things were then. We only knew we’d be sad to see her go. She had worn her seniority in the office lightly, yet still managed to ensure that work was done and books were balanced on time. It’s not hard to imagine the excitement her upcoming nuptials generated in the office.

We all went to the church to see her marry Alex. For Jo and me, it was the first time we had been inside a Protestant church and in those pre-ecumenical days, when we were told it was a sin to take part in a non-Catholic service, we thought we were damned for all eternity.

But Muriel was our friend and like all young girls we weren’t going to miss the excitement of her wedding.

We wanted to see her radiant in her bridal gown and witness the romance of Alex and her taking their vows. We were very fond of Muriel and she in turn, would miss the camaraderie we had together at work. So we visited

Then: from left: Marie O’Brien (author), Jo Reddy, Muriel Bailey and Joyce Foote

her in her beautiful new home several times and then made a plan to meet in town once a month to keep in touch.

as we watched the odd amorous couple who thought they had found a secluded spot away from prying eyes.

It was a first job for all of us in the bright and airy office on St Stephen’s Green. From our third floor windows, the bird’s eye view we had of the park was a welcome relief from poring over ledgers full of figures that sometimes didn’t add up. In summer we watched people lolling on blue and white canvas deck chairs amid the riotous colours of flower beds. We couldn’t wait for one o’clock to have a picnic lunch. The sun always brought out mothers pushing bouncy high pram. Sometimes, on a special occasion we could hear music coming from the bandstand and we’d open the windows wide. Voyeurs at times, we’d giggle

On dark winter evenings, the trees in their naked beauty became stark sentinels against the sky. I remember one glorious snowfall when the park became our playground. For two whole weeks, bundled up in hats and scarves, we spent our entire lunch hour each day sliding on the frozen duck pond and arriving back to work late because we just had to finish it off with a snowball fight.

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The best thing about working in the city was how much we could cram into a lunch hour. We loved the buzz of Grafton Street with its whole array of buskers and colourful characters.

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Reminiscences

Now: from left back row Joyce Griffin, Jo Donovan. Front row from left: Muriel Bryan and Marie Gahan (author)

Lured by the pungent smell of roasting coffee beans, we made BewSley’s our Friday treat.

Basking in the glory of Harry Clarke windows, we soaked up the atmosphere over coffee and a cream horn.

The lavish window displays along the street were so inviting. It wasn’t long before we were seduced inside all the stylish shops, to discover we had champagne tastes and only beer money. But as time went on our confidence grew, and we plucked up the courage to sample the goods and try them on for size, even though they were way out of our league.

Shoe shops were our favourites. We could try on as many pairs as we dared. A mannequin for the moment as the others egged me on, I’d parade in several styles of stilettos and we’d all admire the flattering length and shape they afforded my legs. Then I’d say, ‘There’s nothing here I really like,’ and that was the cue for us all to walk out of the shop, leaving the snooty assistant with half a dozen boxes or more to tidy away.

By its very nature manual book-keeping demanded concentration. Now and again, someone would begin to sing Yellow Submarine or She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah, to relieve the tension of tussling with a Trial Balance that wouldn’t work out. Someone else would join her in solidarity and by the end of the song, we’d all be singing in unison. Then, without a word we’d

‘From our third floor office we had a bird’s eye view of people relaxing in St Stephens Green’

happily return to our sober tasks, all the better for the break.

We looked forward to seeing Muriel again on our monthly girls’ night out. We’d meet in Westmoreland Street and head to the Paradiso. It was a beautiful restaurant. A handsome man in a tuxedo played soft music on a white baby grand piano as we ate. In such ambience, it was easy to be spirited to Casablanca for one magical night. Sitting there in our finery, who could blame us if we felt grown up and sophis ticated, even though some of us had barely reached twenty.

The main course was always delicious. When it

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came to desserts, we couldn’t decide whether we’d have American Apple Pie, which was hot apple pie with ice cream, a new concept for the Irish palette, or banana split, a work of art in the long narrow dish specially made for it.

We were devastated initially when the Paradiso closed down a couple of years later, but then realised that what we enjoyed most about our nights together was the chat and the laughter around the table. We just loved being in each other’s company. It was the swingin’ sixties. While Muriel was enjoying newly-wedded bliss, the rest of us were young, free and single, with heads full of music, dancing, and boyfriends.

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Reminiscences Joyce was the daring one among us and we had such fun with her. When she left to train as a nurse in the Adelaide Hospital, we knew she would be just perfect for the job. We lost her for a while, but when the time was right, she was back for our nights out and our circle was complete again. One by one, each of us married and settled down; Jo, Joyce and finally me. Like Muriel, we still had to leave our jobs, but the tide of change was slowly seeping our way as the seventies loomed.

In most firms, there was a ritual for girls leaving to get married and the brides-to-be had no choice, but to endure it. It was a tradition after all. In my mind’s eye, I can still see Jo, hair full of confetti, forced to wear a wisp of a veil and a bra on the outside of her clothes, as we put her onto her bus. Quite risqué for teatime travelling in Dublin of 1968.

There was no question of taking a taxi; that was out of our price range and besides, the whole idea was that she’d be a figure of fun amongst the rest of the workers in the rushhour journey home. Despite her mortification, she went along with it all and I think she even enjoyed it. She certainly brightened up the journey home for the other passengers, who couldn’t resist a smile or a quirky remark as they passed me and her sitting on the long seat Eventually rumour had it that some employers were beginning to take on married women, and I was hell bent on finding one. Joan Morrison’s Recruiting Agency was a new phenomenon on the employment front. As a bride, I soon ran out of things to do in my brand new house, so I made an appointment and had a job as an invoice typist next day. But it didn’t last long.

With little or no access to contraception, like most of my peers, I had a baby within the first year. We had all thought that marriage would never change us, but we didn’t reckon on the powerful force of Mother Nature and motherhood.

Our generation were the last of the stay-athome mums. Having a night off in town was fantastic. Our monthly get-togethers meant more to us now than ever. They were a lifeline; an escape from domesticity; a well- earned rest from the constant onslaught of bottles, terry nappies and sometimes isolation.

The concept of hands-on dads was inconceivable, but for a few hours in the month, our husbands, the breadwinners valiantly tried their best to hold the fort, while we shed responsibility and enjoyed just being ourselves. It was wonderful to have each other, to share the ups and downs of married life and motherhood.

By the end of the night, we were reinvigorated.

We’d had such fun and put the world to right.

Seen through the prism of good humour,

‘Lured by the pungent smell of roasting coffee beans, we made Bewley’s our Friday treat, basking in the glory of Harry Clarke windows, we soaked up the atmosphere over coffee and a cream horn’.

and our shared perspective, we had a more balanced view. Every little doubt, worry or annoyance faded away in the telling and the laughing, and we were ready and willing to go home and be the wonderful young mothers we hadn’t yet realised we were.

As our children grew more independent, we all returned to the workforce in some capacity or other. After my second daughter started school, I found my niche in writing and facilitating Creative Writing courses, which still fulfils me to this day. Over the years, our lives branched out in different directions, yet our precious friendship remained a constant force in all our lives. Then all of a sudden, there we were, showing off baby photos again, only this time they were our grandchildren.

I can’t remember exactly when we morphed into the Golden Girls. It was so gradual; it just crept up and took us unaware. I know we have Alex to thank for that. It was he who laughingly gave us the name. We never noticed ourselves growing older. Age was never an issue on our nights out. We were too busy sharing our news and laughing together.

Muriel and Alex recently celebrated their Golden Wedding. Imagine! Fifty years. And we four are still enjoying our girlie nights out together,

14 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

but these days, it’s down to half a dozen times a year. But our friendship is still as fresh and true as it was when we were young and the world was an adventure for each of us. Now with the heft of half a century behind us, it is a powerful and indestructible force in all our lives.

By now, we are ladies who lunch and we meet in cosy little restaurants around South County Dublin. It’s convenient for all of us and less hassle than going into town. Each time we meet, the years fall away and the girl inside each of us has a chance to emerge for a few wonderful hours. I always go home with a new pep in my step and a smile on my face every time.

I feel blessed to have such good and loyal friends, who remember how I was as a very young girl. We’ve celebrated life’s highs together and offered solidarity and comfort in its lows.

But when all is said and done, it is the laughter, the goodwill and understanding, and most of all the remembering that still fuels the spark between us.

Do you have a story about your earlier life? If so, why not sent in to Senior Times. Email to: john@slp.ie It should be up to 1500 words long. Include some photographs. Regrettably we cannot accept ‘hard copy’ (i.e. handwritten or typed contributions).

Senior Times 90 x 275 Glasnvevin PQ.pdf

At Age & Opportunity, we want to inspire everyone to reach their full potential as they age.

Come and talk to us at the Dublin 50 Plus Expo about the Bealtaine arts festival, Go for Life - the national sports and physical activity programme, as well as our range of education and training programmes.

Age & Opportunity T: 01 805 7709 E: info@ageandopportunity.ie

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SuperSenior16

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Health

Barringtons Hospital Orthopaedics –

Quality Care Close to Home.

Barringtons Hosptial, Limerick, opened it’s state of the art Orthopaedic department in November, 2015 and is now leading the way in Orthopaedic services in the Mid-West region.

Barringtons specialise in hip and knee replacements, sport injury medicine and injures of the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

Since the establishment of the full Orthopaedics 24/7 department it has successfully completed over 80 hip and knee joint replacements. As the only private health facility providing this highly specialised services in the Mid-West region you can enjoy quality care close to home.

Orthopaedics is the branch of medicine that focuses on injuries and disease of the musculoskeletal system(the body’s muscles, skeleton and related tissues), including the spine, joints, ligaments,tendons and nerves.

With a top team of specialists available to see you through your surgery you can access the highest standard of service, prosthesis (artificial joint) and aftercare.

The department is being lead by a highly established and experienced consultancy with Mr. Maha Lingam, Mr. Denis Dartee, Mr, Brendán Long, Mr. Joe Sparkes and Mr. Imran Sharif. As long standing members of the Barringtons team their focus is continuously on patient care and innovation. None more evident that is the exclusive introduction of the Minimally Invasive Orthopaedic Surgery to Barringtons which merits extraordinary recovery times for patients getting them back to a full and pain free life quicker than ever before.

Their Orthopaedic services are supported by Aine Lyons Physiotherapy, and the cover of her book Operating Theatres, Aine Lyons the cover of her book In Praise of Small Things Laboratory and Imagingand (X-ray, Ultrasound, In Praise of Small Things CT & MRI). The new joint replacement theatre is part of what has been an overall investment and extension to Barringtons Hospital that has seen a €15 Million investment.

The expansion created new patient suites designed to complement the patient’s recovery process, incorporating bright modern design with state of the art healthcare

technology, home comforts and scenic views of the historic Abbey River.

In addition the hospital has grown its team now to 150 employees and over 70 consultants.

This significant growth and investment in the Mid-West region has enabled Barrgintons Hospital to grow from a team of 13 in 2001 with just 8 consultants to now being one of the largest private employers in the Kings Island area of Limerick.

With short waiting times, 24/7 hospital cover and an international accreditation Barringtons Hospital is now leading the way in Orthopaedics care.

We have insurance cover with all health insurance companies in Ireland from entry level cover right up to the most comprehensive cover.

Ask your GP to refer you to Barringtons Hospital...Quality Care Close to home www.bhl.ie or tel 061-490 500

The following consultants are offering appointments at Barrington’s Hospital.

Mr. Brendán Long Speciality: Areas of interest are Sports injuries, Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction of the knee and Rotator Cuff repair of the Shoulder.

Telephone: 061 490547 Fax: 061 312939 Email: consultantsuite7@bhl.ie Secretary Name: Noelle.

Mr. Michael Gilmore.

Speciality: Medico Legal Work Telephone: 091 587933 Fax: 061 312939 E mail info@bhl.ie Secretary Name: Maria

Mr. Denis Dartee Speciality: Specialist areas of interest are Total Hip and Knee Replacement, Sports Injuries: Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction of the knee and Rotator Cuff repair of the Shoulder: Trauma and Lower Limb Orthopaedics.

Telephone: 061 490547 Fax: 061 312939 Email: consultantsuite7@bhl.ie Secretary Name: Noelle.

Mr. Maha Lingam Speciality: Specialist areas of interest are Total Hip and Knee joint replacement including the innovative direct anterior approach

16 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

for total hip replacement; Bikini Hip replacement. Other interests include Percutaneous Foot Surgery, Revision Hip Surgery, Revision Knee Surgery, Spinal Surgery, Sports injuries, Shoulder Surgery.

Telephone: 061 490534/535 Fax: 061 312939 Email: mlingam.secretary@bhl.ie Secretary Name: Rachel.

Mr. Joe Sparkes Speciality: Hip and Knee arthroplasty, surgical and non-surgical management of neck and back pain including spinal injections and rhizotomy.

Telephone: 045 889245 Fax: 045 889141

Email orthopaedics@vistaprimarycare.com Secretary Name: Fiona Mr. Imran Sharif Speciality: Specialist areas of interest are Total Hip and Knee joint replacement including the innovative direct anterior approach for total hip replacement; Bikini Hip replacement. Other interests include Percutaneous Foot Surgery, Revision Hip Surgery, Revision Knee Surgery, Spinal Surgery, Sports injuries, Shoulder Surgery.

Telephone: 061 490534 /535 Fax: 061 312939 Email: bookingsoffice@bhl.ie Secretary Name: Rachel

With BHL logo

One Colour versions

IT’S A NEW ERA IN HEALTHCARE AT BARRINGTONS HOSPITAL LIMERICK WITH OUR STATE OF THE ART ORTHOPAEDIC THEATRE.

“My GP referred me to Barringtons Hospital for my knee replacement. The Consultant talked me through the procedure making me feel at ease. In no time I was booked in for the operation, plus being local all my family could visit me. The difference is unbelievable I’ve no pain, I’m back driving and walking.

Now I’m recommending Barringtons Hospital to all my friends”

Ask your GP to refer you to Barringtons Hospital.

Quality Care Close to Home. text only

Property

Don’t downsize!

Ina recent issue of Senior Times, compliance manager Karl Deeter gave a cautious nod to downsizing . But Mark Keenan, residential property editor of The Irish Independent, emphatically warns about trading down in the current skewed market conditions .

NAMA has proposed that empty nesters be offered tax incentives to trade down from larger to smaller residences – the bad bank suggested the measure in order to provide more spaces for younger people amidst the housing crisis.

As the housing crisis worsens, property rich mature couples who find themselves alone in a family sized home with no mortgage have been made to feel almost guilty by some commentators insinuating that the occupation of a large house (your own) with surplus rooms is an almost selfish or unpatriotic act - that such homes could provide a source of accommodation solution to younger people.

Leaving the tax relief incentive proposal aside, mature couples whose children have flown the

nest will almost always consider trading down at some point - with an eye towards benefiting from the expected resulting lump sum – the difference in price between the larger and smaller property. These days such home owners may find it hard to make ends meet as careers wind down early or pensions fail to deliver what was expected.

And to be sure there are advantages to swapping a four bed detached for a two bed apartment – not least the cheaper energy costs and reduction in house cleaning and maintenance. But there are also some serious drawbacks to consider, particularly given changes which have taken place within the property market in the last few years. For six reasons I would argue that empty nesters are better off staying put:

18 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

•The trade down margin has shrunk Ireland is in the grip of the worst housing shortage in 50 years. Not only are almost no new homes being built, but fewer second hand properties are coming to the market. Just over 1pc of the housing stock is for sale at any given time, when the norm for a properly functioning market is 4pc. Competition for smaller more affordable properties is particularly fierce between three groups: first time buyers, empty nesters and investors.

Lending controls introduced by the Central Bank have also added to the demand for smaller homes while at the same time killing demand for the larger properties that empty nesters typically would be selling.

Continued on page 22

Down Cathedral was built on the ancient Hill of Down in the 12th century. It has some marvellous stained glass windows and has recently been renovated and was officially reopened on last St Patrick’s Day by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 19

Setting New Standards in Clinical Care.

Having a co-located public and private hospital all on the one campus is part of what makes St. Vincent’s Private Hospital truly unique and unrivalled in Ireland.

Our private patients have instant access to a wider range of consultants and treatments. And as we are part of St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group, the academic teaching hospital of University College Dublin, we attract and retain the highest calibre of consultants.

We also provide the most modern cardiology facilities and we are the largest private provider of cancer care specialities. Best of all, we are accessible to more insured people than any other private hospital.

View our wide range of consultants, services and departments on our new website

www.svph.ie

Setting New Standards in Clinical Care.

Having a co-located public and private hospital all on the one campus is part of what makes St. Vincent’s Private Hospital truly unique and unrivalled in Ireland.

Our private patients have instant access to a wider range of consultants and treatments. And as we are part of St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group, the academic teaching hospital of University College Dublin, we attract and retain the highest calibre of consultants.

We also provide the most modern cardiology facilities and we are the largest private provider of cancer care specialities. Best of all, we are accessible to more insured people than any other private hospital.

View our wide range of consultants, services and departments on our new website

www.svph.ie

The result is that the price gap between smaller homes and their larger equivalents has been artificially reduced and your relative ‘payback’ margin for trading down is at the lowest level it has been in memory.

Let’s imagine I am trading down to the very same terrace house I traded up from sixteen years ago. In 2000, I sold a two bed terrace home of 800 sq ft for E150,000 and bought a family three bed semi of 1,100 sq ft for E185,000. So back in 2000 if I moved in the other direction and traded down from the semi to the terrace, I would have got E35,000 left over before costs. Back then the reverse exercise earned me the equivalent of 19pc of the value of the larger property.

However, if I was to trade back down to that same terrace today I find that it is now worth E360,000 while the larger semi is valued at E425,000. Trading down gives gives me E65,000 before costs which is 15pc of the value of the larger property. The relative gap has been closed by 4pc, a substantial percentage when it comes to property value.

• The inflation tIn the lastrap To trade down you will generally have to sell your existing house first. You then end up losing much of your lump sum gain as continued house price inflation eats into your money in the months it takes to acquire a smaller home. In some parts of the country inflation is running as high as a half percent per month.

If it takes you four months to acquire another property, you lose 2pc of your overall spending power. At the height of property inflation in 2013, some vendors who tried to trade up in Dublin found themselves losing money so fast after selling up, that they couldn’t afford to buy back the house they sold.

•The hidden costs of downsizing When it comes to selling, you will have to pay an estate agent approximately 1pc-2pc of the price achieved in addition to at leas E300 in advertising costs. You will have to pay all of your outstanding property tax. A buyer pays 1pc stamp duty for houses worth less than E1m and 2pc for over the million euro mark. For a E450,000 house, that’s E4,500 in stamp duty. Allow about E1,000 for solicitors’ legal fees per transaction and E200 for every house you compete for in order to pay a surveyor to inspect it.

• Unprecedented earning opportunities Why move out of your accommodation to facilitate younger people, as NAMA suggests when you can provide them with the same accommodation, cash in big on the shortage and hold on to your property’s capital value for a “rainier” day? Rent a Room Relief allows you to let out rooms in your home for up to E1,000 per month tax free E12,000 per annum). In our cities rents have now matched or exceeded those paid at the height of the property boom.

A box room in Dublin suburb can rent for E440 per month while a double room with an ensuite can get E800.

For someone living in a larger well located home with one or two rooms vacant, particularly those struggling on a bad pension, the chance to earn this sort of money is a golden opportunity, as well as providing the opportunity of some additional company and friendships.

If you don’t fancy sharing your home year round, you can cash in on the sudden success of Airbnb which allows you to benefit from short lets (tax must be paid on these earnings however). If you can create some self contained accommodation in your larger home, all the better. A Dublin suburban Airbnb user I talked to said the one bed “granny flat” alongside his house with its own kitchen and bathroom is making E75 a day in Dublin suburbs and there has been no difficulty keeping it let on a consistent basis.

• The grass is not greener The common downsizing route of exchanging

22 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

a house for an apartment, entails annual service charges and the loss of a private outdoor space (balconies seldom compensate). With apartments there is also a loss of control over your immediate environment and much of your quality of life will be determined by who your neighbours are and how efficient the management company is. Apartment dwellers will often complain about the lifts being out of service (can you walk up all those floors?) and common areas being let go tatty.

You don’t just have neighbours on either side of you – with an apartment you will have them above and below too. And if any of them are noisy, you’ll know all about it through those paper thin partition walls.

City dwellers who trade to a cheaper home in the country (a common dream) will find themselves far from quality hospitals at a time in their life when proximity to medical facilities becomes significantly more important. They may also find themselves struggling to obtain the broadband necessary to keep in touch with their wider family and friends. And those who dream of evening walks in country lanes find themselves looking into pitch black nights in the absence of streetlights with dangerous roads that have no footpaths alongside. They will also have to deal with isolation and the “blow in” factor of having no local social network.

• It’s your home However the bottom line is that your home is your home. It’s where you have your roots, it’s where your social network is established. It’s where you feel most at home.

Travel

The Grote Markt, a square studded with edifices embracing the best of Dutch architecture over the last four hundred years.

Dutch masterpiece John Low thoroughly enjoyed a trip to Haarlem, one of Holland’s most beautiful cities If you have ever visited Amsterdam and marvelled at the buildings, canals and museums but found it, well, a bit hectic then Haarlem awaits you. It is little more than a 20-minute train journey from Amsterdam and is acknowledged as one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands with countless brick gabled buildings, and cobbled laneways all leading to the stunning city centre with the stand-out set piece being the Grote Markt, a square studded with edifices embracing the best of Dutch architecture over the last four hundred years. Notable buildings include St Bavos Church, the medieval city hall complex and the Vleeshal (Meat Hall), a former slaughter house with an arresting red brick façade.

The gothic St. Bavos Church is the star attraction of the Grote Markt, whose elaborately ornamented spire juts 249 feet into the sky. Inside, one of the notable features of the church is the silver Müller pipe organ that was once played by Mozart. The floor is made up of nearly 1,500 gravestones, marking tombs

below, including that of Frans Hals.

St. Bavos Church (31-23-553-2040; www.bavo.nl) can be visited from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (summer Sunday services, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.); admission €2.

Try to visit the church on a Saturday when The Grote Markt becomes what is acknowledged as the Netherlands finest street market, featuring numerous food stalls; try the pickled herring roll with onions – delicious!

Haarlem has been called ‘Amsterdam in miniature’ but that’s doing it a disservice as it has its own character and charm with the added bonus that you could – and who would want to? – take in most of the major attractions in a day.

The pace here is much more comfortable than in Amsterdam and you don’t risk being trampled by the masses. But watch the bikes! The Dutch are enthusiastic cyclists and none more so than the Haarlemmers, and the streets echo to the sound of ringing bells as riders come at

24 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

you from all directions. You quickly get used to it, though, once you ensure you’re not walking on a bike lane.

But overall it is a pedestrian-friendly city with cars banned from most of the most popular centre streets which allows you to enjoy the huge variety of independent shops and cool concept stores in the characteristic side lanes, offering everything from children’s clothes, books, vintage outfits and furniture, artisan foods, trendy art and design outfits and much more. In fact, Haarlem has been voted the best shopping city in the Netherlands with big brands to independent labels, as well as charming antique and curiosity shops around every corner; it’s no wonder that Haarlemmers call their shopping district ‘de Gouden Straatjes’ (streets of gold). And it’s nice to know that you are never far from fine bars, restaurants and cafes as well as coffee shops, some where customers puff away on exotic smelling cigarettes.

Haarlem is a walkers’ delight and you can

Complaints make public services better says Ombudsman Tyndall Ombudsman Peter Tyndall wants to see more people complain about services provided by public bodies such as government departments, local authorities and the HSE. The Ombudsman says that complaints can be used to improve the delivery of public services.

“In most cases the delivery of public services goes well. However, if people don’t complain when things go wrong then people will experience the same problems over and over again. When people complain it gives service providers an opportunity to put things right and to stop the same mistakes happening again.”

If you are unhappy with the response you receive from your complaint then you can contact the Ombudsman.

• The Health Service Executive (HSE) • Public hospitals and health agencies providing services on behalf of the HSE

• Government Departments and Offices

Ombudsman Peter Tyndall

• Nursing Homes (including private nursing homes)

• By E mail: ombudsman@ombudsman.ie • Local Authorities • Online: www.ombudsman.ie • Third-level education bodies, such as Universities and Institutes of Technology The Ombudsman is impartial, independent and free to use. The Ombudsman cannot take complaints about private bodies such as banks, insurance companies, private pension schemes, An Garda Síochána, An Post, the Labour Court, Bord Gáis or the ESB.

What does the Ombudsman do?

The Ombudsman investigates complaints from members of the public who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain providers of public services such as:

In addition you must have tried to resolve your complaint with the service provider before contacting the Ombudsman.

• In writing/in person: Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2 • By telephone: 01 639 5600

• By talking to Ombudsman staff at our monthly visits to Citizen Information Centres in Cork, Limerick and Galway (see www.ombudsman.ie for dates and times).

How do I make a complaint?

You can complain to the Ombudsman:

Dáil, Seanad and Committees

Saorview Channel 22 Virgin Media Channel 207 Sky Channel 574 eir Vision 504 Vodafone Channels 201, 207 & 208 or visit www.oireachtas.ie F See For Yourself

Travel The gothic St. Bavos Church is the star attraction of the Grote Markt, whose elaborately ornamented spire juts 249 feet into the sky.

follow a number of themed treks around the city (leaflets available in the Tourist Office and most hotels). Three of the more interesting take in the Haarlem monuments, hidden green oases, and ‘Bavo to Bavo’ which is a walk between two of the most important churches in the city.

The monuments tour includes 16 landmarks, and depending on your speed and how long you want to spend in each location, can take from two hours up to half a day. It starts symbolically at the Grote Markt and the City Hall (incidentally the Tourist Office is inside), and includes the Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem’s first department built in 1899 in a splendid Arts and Crafts style, Teylers Museum, the magnificent Gravestenenbrug drawbridge, before returning to the Grote Markt and the Meat Hall, ending at St Bavo’s church.

The Hidden Oases walk showcases the numerous ‘green’ areas around Haarlem which are one of the outstanding features of the city.

Once again it starts at the Grote Markt and includes the gardens of alms houses and takes you along concealed retreats revealing

The magnificent Gravestenenbrug drawbridge

stunning courtyards. Most of the alms houses date back to the 12th century and display a variety of attractive architectural styles. But, less formally, if you deter from many of the main thoroughfares you will also discover ‘green’ side streets, courtesy of the residents, vibrant with imaginative and colourful planting, and quirky sculptures, installations and street furniture.

The from Bavo to Bavo walk bookends St Bavo’s Church in the Grote Markt and the cath

26 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

olic Kathedrale Basiliek St Bavo, a remarkable building whose architectural lineage is a combination of Romanesque and early gothic, with elements of art nouveau. Along the way is Opener, a former church where Haarlem’s Open beer is brewed. Well worth a visit to try the various beers as well as admiring the interior.

Other notable stops include Niue Kirk (New Church) characterised by a striking 17th century tower, and the Stadsschouwburg (Municipal Theatre).

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Travel

Haarlem has been voted the best shopping city in the Netherlands with big brands to independent labels, as well as charming antique and curiosity shops around every corner; it’s no wonder that Haarlemmers call their shopping district ‘de Gouden Straatjes’ (streets of gold).

Frans Hals Museum One of the cultural highlights of Haarlem, the museum is housed in a most attractive building originally constructed as an alms house for old men and is named after Frans Hals who lived and worked in Haarlem and was one of the most influential painters of what is known as the Golden Age. The museum houses the largest collection of the artist’s paintings in the world which include huge group canvasses depicting the great and the good of the various civic guilds, reveal ing portraits and self-portraits, still lives, and landscapes.

You can admire the vibrant, loose brushstroke treatment of Hals’ works which are million miles from many of the stuffy works of his lesser contemporaries, particularly in some of the tavern scenes where often the subjects are decidedly worse for wear, Chronologically the collection includes religious triptychs from the early sixteenth century right through to still lives from the end of the century

The Vleeshal (Meat Hall) a former slaughter house with an arresting red brick façade.

by acknowledged masters such as the remarkable Jacob van Ruysdael.

You can easily spend half a day here, and if the weather is kind there’s a splendid courtyard adorned with box hedges and ornamental trees. Or if you wish you can relax in the pleasant café.

Frans Halsmuseum (Groot Heiligland 62; 31-23511-5775; www.franshalsmuseum.nl) is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. General admission, €7.50.

28 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Teylers Museum The Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands and it is a true treasure trove, located on the bank of the River Spaarne which runs across the city.

The initial impression is not promising as you are confronted with displays of fossils and bones, but persevere and what’s to come will knock your socks off. Because the museum houses the collection of wealthy industrialist Pieter Teyler, there is no ‘theme’ to what’s on view as ancient artefacts rub shoulders with prints and drawings – including works

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Travel

The Teylers Museum on the bank of the River Spaarne which runs across the city.

by Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Watteau--, scientific instruments, rare books, coins and medals and much more. The items range from the weird to the urbane. There are skeletons, tusks, crystals and scientific inventions, many displayed in the light-filled Oval Room.

Teylers Museum (Spaarne 16; 31-23-516-0960; www.teylersmuseum.nl) is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday; admission €7.

The Corrie ten Boom House Unlike Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam you won’t have to wait for hours to look around this house. During World War II, the ten Boom family provided a hiding place for Jewish people and members of the resistance in their home on Haarlem’s Barteljorisstraat. The family was betrayed, imprisoned and deported to concentration camps – only Corrie survived, wrote 22 books about her experiences and died in 1983 on her 91st birthday.

Her house is now a museum, the majority recreated to how it would have looked in the 1940s. Visitors to the Corrie ten Boomhuis can view the hiding place located behind a fake wall in her bedroom, used to conceal Jewish people in hiding and others on the run from the Nazis.

Corrie ten Boom Museum (Barteljorisstraat 19; 31-23-531-0823; www.corrietenboom. com) has free tours from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday to Saturday.

Close to the beach If you want to a break from sight-seeing and feel the wind in your hair, the coastal town of Zandvoort is close. Or if you are up to it you might want to try a cycle ride – cycles for hire all over the city -- through kilometres of wild dunes. You might even spot some highland cattle as you travel the winding cycle paths.

In the summer months Zandvoort throbs with activity, while in the winter it is popular with walkers.

Haarlem is at the centre of the Dutch flower-growing district and is a main export point for flower bulbs. The famous Keukenhof Gardens and flower fields of Lisse and Hillegom are nearby. It is also very close to historic Leiden, the cheese markets of Alkmaar and an hour from The Hague. This makes Haarlem an excellent base when exploring North and South Holland GETTING THERE Ryanair and Aer Lingus fly from Dublin to Amsterdam. KLM will shortly also begin flights from Dublin to Amsterdam.

You can take one of the frequent trains from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Haarlem and the journey takes around 20 minutes, costing around €10. You can also take the 300 bus from the airport and the journey takes 30-40 minutes, costing around €5. A taxi will cost you around €60. Buses stop outside Haarlem

30 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

If you deter from many of the main thoroughfares you will discover ‘green’ side streets, courtesy of the residents, vibrant with imaginative and colourful planting, and quirky sculptures, installations and street furniture.

railway station and it is then a ten-minute walk to the historic centre or you can get a taxi for about €7.

WHERE TO STAY I stayed at the very central Amrath Grand Hotel Frans Hals which is literally a stone’s throw from the Grote Markt square. This is a four-star establishment, with incredibly friendly staff and reasonable prices.

Tel: 031 23 5181818.

Email: info@hotelfranshals.nl www.hotelfranshals.nl MORE INFORMATION VVV Haarlem is the tourist body which will answer all your queries about the city, where to stay, where to eat, places to visit etc.

Tel: 031 235317325. Email: info@vvvhaarlem.nl Visithaarlem.nl

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Politics

Hillary, Bernie and the Bataan march With the US presidential campaign entering its final phase, an American commentator has, bizarely, likened Hillary Clinton’s ‘difficulty’ with Bernie Sanders to the Bataan Death March in World War Two. Eamonn Lynskey observes Because I was born in 1948, World War II and its aftermath had a huge impact on my formative years. I read avidly the comic books and stories that depicted that great conflict between the Allied and Axis powers, particularly that between the British and the German armies, navies, air forces and spies. I say ‘particularly’ but in fact I should say ‘almost exclusively’ because the only other nation I read about that was participating on the Allied side in any considerable numbers was the United States, whose contribution was always presented as being a helping hand in comparison with the herculean effort of Her Majesty’s Forces.

It was of course British publications I was reading and it was not until later that I understood that Britain actually had a comparatively subordinate part in the war, if compared to the American involvement (or indeed to Russia’s involvement, with its horrendous casualties). So it was that I had never heard of the Bataan Death March until I read an article recently

by Maureen Dowd, the New York Times columnist in which she wrote about Hillary Clinton’s difficulties en route to obtaining the Democratic Party nomination for the November US Presidential Election.

Hillary had started out the clear favourite and presumptive nominee and it all looked plain sailing. There were a few rocks here and there of course – her handling of the atrocity in Benghazi; the email controversy over her using her private computer for State business; the lingering memories of her husband’s womanising scandals (not relevant to Hillary’s candidacy of course but always in the background as a kind of Banquo’s ghost); her somewhat wooden demeanour but Hillary’s handlers could deal with these problems. The biggest rock was that pesky Bernie Sanders competing for the nomination with his tub-thumping speeches, his socialist credentials and his wild hair. But he was a bit of a joke, wasn’t he?

32 Senior Senior Times Times ll March November 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 32 - April- December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Actually, no, he wasn’t. It rapidly became clear during the early part of the campaign that, although it never looked like he could win, it also looked like he would never give up. He kept creating major upsets by winning where he shouldn’t have won and narrowly losing where he should have been roundly trounced. There was never any question that he would overcome Hillary’s lead, but it became clear as the bandwagons trundled from one state to another that Bernie was leading people to take a harder look at Hillary and to scrutinise her credentials a lot more closely.

Questions about ‘honesty’ (always a dangerous topic in politics) and ‘warmth’ and ‘ability’ began to surface more frequently, particularly when Bernie began to take off the gloves as his options grew even narrower than they always had been. Her Republican rival Donald (‘The Donald’)

Health

Half of Senior Hospitalizations Can Be Prevented

Home Instead Senior Care encourage families to take action to help keep seniors out of the hospital.

As Ireland plunges into the heart of the winter season, the risk of older people being hospitalised spikes to its highest of the year, despite the fact that almost half of these hospitalisations (49%) can be avoided with proper prevention.* According to a new study of nurses in Ireland, the winter is the height of hospitalisation season for seniors due primarily to respiratory infections, such as flu or pneumonia, and other winter hazards.

The critical factor in reducing this spike in area hospitalisations this winter is family involvement. Nearly all nurses (96.57%) surveyed say that the role families play in keeping seniors out of the hospital is just as important as the role of the medical community.

Knowing that a hospital stay can actually lead to more serious health declines, home care provider, Home Instead Senior Care, is mounting an informational campaign to educate families and decrease hospitalsations so that seniors may remain at home and healthy year-round.

“Keeping seniors safe at home and out of the hospital starts with family intervention,” said Ed Murphy, CEO and Founder of Home Instead Senior Care in Ireland. It could be as simple as making sure your parents are using assistive equipment to avoid falls or suggesting they see a doctor for any new aches or symptoms.”

The most common action by seniors that puts them at risk of hospitalisation is waiting too long to seek medical attention, according to the nurses surveyed.

“Not following doctor’s orders also puts seniors at risk,” Murphy said.

“Families play a critical role in making sure they fully understand and comply with medical instructions.”

To help families identify and act on potential warning signs, Home Instead Senior Care is offering The Five Ways to Prevent Senior Hospitalisations guide. The free guide includes information about common risk factors and the steps that families can take to help ensure a healthy lifestyle.

The recommendations include: • Make sure the older person is taking preventative health

measures – like getting a flu shot or shingles vaccination • Encourage the use of assistive equipment • Monitor and/or assist with medications • Attend doctor’s visits and be a medical advocate for your

older loved one • Assess ageing loved one’s balance • Make sure he or she is able to safely drive • Check in on ageing loved ones regularly Additional free resources can be found at HomeInstead.ie. To obtain a copy of the Five Ways to Prevent Senior Hospitalisations guide, please call 1890 930 013. * Home Instead Franchising Ltd. surveyed 205 nurses in Ireland via an online survey.

Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 33

Politics

American servicemen, who endured the Bataan march, after being liberated from their concentration camp in 1945. ‘There is no doubt that Maureen Dowd’s use of the Bataan March to highlight Hillary’s difficulties is definitely over the top. But I think we know what she means’.

Trump and his demagoguery was another ‘joke’ but even that began to sour a little when it became clear that a lot of Americans were tuning in every time he appeared on TV and many others were saying that maybe Hillary’s speeches were a little boring and that she should smile more. Entertainment plays a big part in all electioneering and in particularly American electioneering.

And so it was that when Maureen Dowd cast around for a comparison which might give something of a flavour of Hillary’s unexpectedly difficult campaign, she came up with The Bataan March, an episode from the history of the Second World War which I had never heard of, due to my Anglo-centred reading, as mentioned above. This was a march which was forced on American and Filipino prisoners of war in 1942 after their surrender to the Japanese Imperial Army in Bataan in the Philippines, one of America’s far-flung fighting fronts. The march lasted six days, all on foot, during which they received little or no food or water. It is not certain how many died en route, but rough estimates put the death toll at over 600 Americans and between 5,000 and 10,000 Filipinos. Once the prisoners reached their destination, conditions were no better. Thousands more died from starvation and disease while in concentration camps.

This much, gleaned from Wikipedia, made me want to learn more because it is always astonishing and humbling to see how people manage to survive in extreme situations, especially when at the mercy of others, and to wonder how one would cope with such conditions oneself. So it was I tracked down a first-hand account from one of the participants, of the march, a Lt. Col. William E. Dyess who detailed the experience in his book ‘Bataan Death March: A Survivor’s Account’ (Bison Books, ISBN 978-0-8032-6633-9).

This is a riveting re-telling of that traumatic experience by one who endured it. It is one of those books with a subject so fascinating and compelling in itself that there is no need for the padding-out that, unfortunately, often accompanies some historical writing. Forced to set off from their air-field in Mariveles, on the southern tip of Bataan province where they had held out during a siege some months, Dyess and his comrades had to endure the agonizing march towards a prison compound to the north. On the way he witnessed every kind of savagery inflicted on the POWs – the cold-blooded shooting of anyone who could not keep up through illness, tiredness or for whatever reason; soldiers bayoneted and beheaded on the whim of their Japanese guards; short respites in concentration camps on the way where the conditions were deplorable 34 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

and the treatment of the prisoners nothing short of bestial.

Their story is told entirely from Dyess’s point of view and there are many extremely unflattering descriptions of the Japanese. However, when one considers the inhumanity of their captors, and the abuse that Dyess and his comrades suffered, it would be nonsense to expect anything other than racist views and stereotypes from the Lt. Col. In fact, it is astonishing that, in the main, his is so dispassionate and objective an account. There is little doubt about its truthfulness (other works are listed in a bibliography in Dyess’s book) and it cannot be relegated to being just another piece of Allied propaganda, although its release in 1944 almost immediately after it was written must have ensured it did an excellent job in ramping up hostility to Japan and the Japanese. This in turn must have made it easier for the American government to continue to justify the shameful imprisonment of American-Japanese citizens in 1942 after the Pearl Harbour attack and to prepare American public opinion for the use of the atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. All history is connected.

But back to Hillary and the 2016 race for the democratic nomination.

And yes, of course there is no doubt but Maureen Dowd’s use of the traumatic Bataan March to highlight Hillary’s difficulties is definitely over the top. But I think we know what she means. Plain sailing it certainly was not for Hillary, and it should have been. She really should have seen off Bernie Sanders a lot sooner but she (and her handlers) just did not think he would be such a tough nut to crack. She was wrong.

At the time of writing this article (August 2016) Bernie has thrown in the towel and Hillary has managed to secure the nomination. And with him out of the way and The Donald so outrageous it’s a cinch from now on, right?

Wrong again! That email controversy about how she left classified documents at risk on her private e-mail account has flared up once more, this time exposing some ‘inconsistencies’ in what she had previously said about it. And other ‘leaked’ e-mails suggest that there was a concerted campaign to discredit Bernie among democratic supporters. And Bernie’s own supporters are restless and threatening to vote for The Donald. And some say she still isn’t smiling enough.

Will there ever be an end to these tortures? As morality tales go, especially ones featuring the fickleness of fortune and the thorny road to salvation, Hillary’s tortuous march towards The Big House will continue to fascinate right up to the end.

Creative Writing Eileen Casey

A treasure trove of titles from Collins Press

The Collins Press is an independent publisher based in Cork. Founded in 1989, their catalogue features a wide range of non-fiction books of Irish interest. Some recent publications caught my eye, mainly because of personal preference but also because they have a wide general appeal.

The books are of such good quality also, they’re difficult to resist and with Christmas gift time just around the corner, it’s a pleasure to feature them.

Healing Creations by Patricia Fitzgerald is described in the introduction as ‘bubble bath for the soul.’ It’s also the perfect choice for those wishing to actively engage colouring and journaling. Healing Creations offers a rich spiritual experience and it is visually sumptuous, with eye-catching full colour throughout and gorgeously vibrant mandalas which demon-

strate the finely tuned artist Fitzgerald truly is.

A Mindful-Self Practitioner, Fitzgerald uses the mandala form, a cosmic diagram which relates us to the infinite. Mandalas are a very ancient art form, the name itself coming from the Sanskrit world for ‘circle’ or ‘container of spirit.’

From Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism, ancient Chinese and Japanese culture, to Celtic traditions and Indo-European culture, mandala designs can be found in abundance.

Colouring-in the blank mandala has a deeply therapeutic effect and allows for mindfulness by focusing on the present moment. The structure of the book is designed to create a sense of tranquillity, mainly through use of blank canvas mandalas, templates which help bring out creative expression while pondering on the wisdoms of the many quotes interspersed throughout the book. Quotes such as ‘You

don’t have to work five days a week miserably earning the right to live the remaining two days as you wish. All seven days belong to you and you can live them in productive and legendary style.’

For those readers new to the mandala form, yet wishing to undertake a journey of self discovery, the book comes with an introduction which fully explains the benefit of colour therapy, the origins of mandala and generally, it’s a useful guide to getting the very best from this book. Through engaging with the forty hand-drawn mandalas, intuitively drawn by Fitzgerald and by recording thoughts, inspirations and aspirations, this journal is life affirming and joyous. Padraig 0’Morain, author of Mindfulness For Worriers, claims the book ‘Provides a deep and enduring antidote to the stresses of our age.’

Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 35

Creative Writing

Christy Moore is one of many celebrated performers who have sung songs by John Spillane and We Be Brilliant or What? Is a brilliant insight into his music

Will We Be Brilliant or What? is a must have for lovers of the music of John Spillane, a musician who has written hundreds of songs and served a myriad of musical apprenticeships. Will We Be Brilliant or What? is full of music and stories, insights into inspirations behind Spillane’s best loved songs. The man who wrote his first song when he was only sixteen has gone on to write 200 since then. Although not all of them are at the same level of excellence, Spillane maintains that ‘each one teaches you some little lesson, and maybe you have to write the small ones so you can go on and write the big ones.’

Spillane is nothing if not modest. His songs have been sung by luminaries such as Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon and Mary Black.

Indeed, it would be true to say that his songs have provided a musical backdrop to life in Ireland. Christy Moore provides the forward for this book and makes the valid point that ‘while singers need songs and songwriters need singers..John Spillane excels in both fields.’ Spillane’s book is packed with stories but there are useful tips also for the budding songwriter. ‘Decide what you are going to write about,’ ‘Write like mad for about five minutes,’ and, most importantly, ‘Defend your song.’ Spillane’s advice is very similar to the advice I received when I first started to write, which went: ‘Write the first draft in the white heat of passion, as if no-one else will ever read the work, then edit with ice in your heart.’

Hailing from Cork Hailing from Cork, Spillane attended primary school at St Joseph’s on the Mardyke and went to Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh. His mother is reputed to have told him that ‘babies come from the English Market,’ which seemed about right, what with all the turkeys, chickens, cabbages and fishes that were hanging there, and the lovely fountain surrounded by three storks. Later on, he worked in a bank when he left school. However, when he resigned the post, his letter of resignation was refused because it was deemed to be too poetic.

Musically, he learned to play on a guitar that boasted just two strings.

The notion of the full six strings still excites him! Will We Be Brilliant or What? is a treat for fans but it’s packed with colourful titbits that so full of personality that it will appeal to a wide readership. For example, John 36 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

lived near the bells of St Finbarr’s for a time so the tune of ‘The Poor Weary Wanderer’ is simply the sound of the bells falling, falling, over and over again. The sound of the bells worked its way into his consciousness. The first song he recorded and released was My Love Will Not Sing for Me, a song inspired by a girl who told Spillane he had no hope whatsoever of making it in music. In the event, his albums have sold over 100,000 copies and he went on to receive Meteor Irish Music Awards for Best Folk Act and Best Traditional Act. The Dunnes Stores Girl was written as a dare from Clare Cogan, the Dunnes Stores Girl herself and her brother Mark Gogan, the Baldy Man. Most of Spillane’s songs come from the ordinary of the everyday. He has written a lot of ‘asked-for songs,’ to include The Ballad of Patrick Murphy, My Lovely Smiling Beamish boy, and The Streets of Ballyphehane. He knows it can be a lonely enough road, the song-writing, but “the asked-for song takes you outside of yourself and makes you part of a community. It’s better to be a giver than a taker.”He believes the best is yet to come and says with a confidence that he has well and truly earned: ‘There are some beauties of songs out there waiting to fall into my lap.’

Staying in the music world, On Raglan Road promises a thoroughly enjoyable and insightful read. Great Irish love songs and the women who inspired them is the latest offering from Galway writer Gerard Hanberry.

An established poet himself, Hanberry maintains that ‘the poet and musician have always been held in high esteem in Ireland.’ He also makes the point that there are certain songs that are part of our national identity, songs that portray an intimate expression of love. The premise for the book initially came when he heard people speculating on who had inspired Patrick Kavanagh to pen ‘Raglan Road.’ Hanberry was spurred to put the record straight after hearing some of the speculations, which were so far from the truth. ‘From that seed, the oak tree grew. I realised that were many such songs inspired by interesting women that needed exploration.’

Hanberry’s On Raglan Road takes other great love songs and their origins and the book also includes biographies of the songwriters and their muses. For Hanberry, a personal focal point of interest has always

The Hunt Museum A diverse heritage. Something for everyone

Opening Times: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 2pm–5pm The Hunt Museum, The Custom House, Limerick Tel: 353 61 312833 Web : www.huntmuseum.com Email: info@huntmuseum.com

Packie Lee left a gift in his Will to Trócaire.

His grandniece Carrie travelled to Ethiopia to see the impact of his gift.

Join the Friends of the National Concert Hall Together our Friends make up a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, with a shared love of music and culture. Their collective enthusiasm and engagement enhances the work of the National Concert Hall. We invite you to become a part of this remarkable group of supporters.

Friends of the National Concert Hall enjoy exclusive benefits, such as: • Ticket discounts • Priority booking and dedicated Friends booking line • Special events, receptions and talks • Access to bespoke cultural tours at home and abroad

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Special offer: Become a Friend now for just ¤100 when you quote ‘Senior Times Offer 2016’.

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farming communities in in

Ethiopia to grow potatoes “ If you would like to know more about leaving a legacy gift to Trócaire please contact us on 00353 1 629 3333 or visit trocaire.org/legacy Trócaire Head Office, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Irish Charity No. CHY 5883

Senior Times l May-June 2015 l www.seniortimes.ie 37 Legacy Advert 132mm x 90mm.indd 1

28/09/2016 18:06

Raglan Road, by Patrick Kavanagh, was inspired by Hilda Moriarty, a young student from County Kerry studying medicine at University College Dublin one of the many fascinating facts in Gerard Hanberry’s book of the same title

Gold by Geraldine Mills

been how “the idea of the muse has always fascinated people, whether it is a mythical goddess who visits at her whim and must be courted or be it a real-life person who inspires a great love lyric.”

On Raglan Road is the perfect read for those who enjoy a collection of stories, thoroughly researched and packed with fascinating detail and curiosities. Overall, Hanberry has succeeded in filling a gap in Irish culture. This book will also answer those questions concerning whether or not there ever was a real-life ‘Nancy Spain,’ or ever wondered who the ‘Galway Girl,’ was.

To give a flavour of the book, I include two songs here: ‘Down by the Salley Gardens,’ by W.B. Yeats. “Contrary to popular belief, Maud Gonne is not the inspiration behind this beautiful lyric poem of unrequited love. Instead, it was inspired by two lovely young women the poet befriended in his late teens, a flirtatious young red-haired girl called Edith Laura Armstrong, known to her friends as Laura. She was William’s very first love. The other was the poet and author Katherine Tynan.” I find this explanation of the song of personal interest. I live in Tallaght, where Katherine Tynan also lived for a time and where she was often visited by WB Yeats, taking the early milk cart out to South Dublin. My daughter sang this song at one of her music exams so it has a very special place in my heart. It’s really lovely to know the true history of the song.

‘On Raglan Road,’ by Patrick Kavanagh. “This was inspired by Hilda Moriarty, a young student from County Kerry studying medicine at University College Dublin. She was interested in Kavanagh because he was well known about the town as a published poet and writer and she was more than a little flattered that such a man would take an interest in her. She also felt he needed some encouragement at that time as his writing was not going well.”

On Raglan Road is a gem in terms of finding out the stories behind much loved songs such as Phil Lynott’s ‘Sarah,’ Barney Rush’s ‘Nancy Spain,’ ‘Grace,’ by Sean and Frank 0’Meara, ‘To You I Bestow,’ by Mundy (a fellow native of Birr! I’m proud to say) and many many more.

38 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

No treasure trove of book recommendations would be complete without the inclusion of a children’s work. Geraldine Mills’ Gold is taking the children’s publishing world by storm, garnering rave reviews and of course, passing the greatest test of all, becoming a firm favourite with young readers, boys and girls both. Mills is already a prolific author of poetry and short stories for adults.

Gold tells the story of twin boys Esper and Starn who live in a grim world that has been almost laid waste by massive volcanic explosions.

Very little grows in Orchard, which used to be a fruit-growing area, but with the death of insects and birds, pollination of the fruit trees is a tedious and precarious undertaking.When the boys discover an intriguing old manuscript in a locked room in their apartment, which tells of gold on one of the forbidden islands the people can see from the coastline, they determine to go on gold-hunt. They manage to construct a glider that takes them far from their home territory, and so begins a whole new adventure for the boys, as they travel from island to island in search of gold. Their adventures are many and they come close to death. They do in the end, find the gold – but it is nothing like what they expected.

Mills herself says, ‘For me, like most writers, the spark of an idea comes out of an image, a chance detail, and that’s the flame that sets the imagination alight. Fuel it with ‘what if’ and soon you have a narrative running away with itself. Watching the Connemara landscape around me and knowing how easily it can all be destroyed, I wondered how we as a race would survive some environmental disaster or other.’ The cover design for Gold is by Lauren 0’Neill, a young Irish artist based in Dublin, and winner of the 2016 Children’s Books Ireland Award for Illustration.

All of the above books are available in good bookshops nationwide.

Healing Creations, (€19.99), On Raglan Road (€17.99), Will We Be Brilliant or What? (€19.99) are also directly available from The Collins Press, www.Collinspress.ie Gold (€9.99) is available directly from littleisland.ie

WITH LINDA GRAY

STYLE TO SUIT EVERY HOME

W W W. N E W B R I D G E S I LV E R W A R E . C O M

Belleek Pottery promotion

Belleek visitors centre makes a great day out Why not take a day trip with all the family, enjoy and experience what Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre has to offer. Celebrating 160 years of expert craftsmanship in 2017, Belleek Pottery is Ireland’s oldest working pottery.

Since 1857, Belleek Pottery has been welcoming visitors’ from across the world to the unique village of Belleek, nestled by the banks of Lough Erne in Co.Fermanagh.

To commemorate our 160year anniversary, Belleek have launched the ‘Belleek Archive Collection’ 1857-2017. This is a collection of 16 pieces of Belleek, representing the sixteen decades of design and craftsmanship.

Each piece takes you on a journey through the years, with each piece having a unique 2017-anniversary backstamp. The archive collection is available to view and purchase in our retail showroom in the visitor centre.

Whilst visiting the centre, we invite you to take our guided tour, bringing you on a 30 minute tour of the manufacturing process that takes place to produce Belleek. All tours have a personal guide that will firstly explain what the visitor is about to experience. From the beginning the visitors will see, hear and touch the product throughout the tour.

The Visitor Centre at Belleek Pottery offers the visitor a unique experience whilst visiting the Fermanagh Lakelands. Our museum, houses a collection of the finest Belleek every produced over the last 160 years.

The Belleek retail showroom is a modern, stylish retail outlet, displaying the vast product range of Belleek products for sale. From tableware collections to basketware, you will be sure to find a gift for any event or special occasion.

On arrival our visitors are immediately struck by the vast nature and heritage that exists within the building itself, the bell that hangs in the main reception area for the last 100 years calls time for our guided factory tour.

40 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

The guided tour takes the visitor on a 30 minute tour of the manufacturing process that takes place to produce Belleek. All tours have a personal guide that will firstly explain what the visitor is about to experience.

From the beginning the visitors will see, hear and touch the product throughout the tour.

16 individual artisans hand-crafts each piece of Belleek Pottery, a process that has changed very little since 1857. Concept and design begin the process, which leads to a mould being made for every specific piece of china. The creation of master moulds is a very slow and precise procedure and is completed by hand. Moulding a piece of Belleek can take a craftsman anything from 2 days to 2 months.

Our expert craftspeople travel the world demonstrating their skill and the traditions of Belleek Pottery. The most delicate craft in the process is Basket Making and Flowering. Complex patterns and strands, beautiful flowers; leaf by leaf, stem by stem and petal by petal mean every piece is truly unique, no two pieces are exactly the same, making the Belleek brand distinct and easily recognisable throughout the world.

We offer tax free shopping and shipping for our international customers, delivering your Belleek product straight to your door worldwide.

To finish off your visit to Belleek, our restaurant offers a selection of hot and cold food during the week and soup and sandwiches at weekends.

We also have a scrumptious selection of baked goods and sweet treats to accompany your tea and coffee and all served on Belleek tableware.

A visit to Belleek Pottery is sure to be a memorable one for all age groups, with something for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to welcoming you to Belleek.

Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre - Belleek - Co.Fermanagh - BT93 3FY Tel:+44(0)28 686 59300 / +44(0)28 686 58501 Email: takethetour@belleek.ie Web: www.belleekpottery.ie

The Hermitage Medical Clinic provides a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. We offer top quality healthcare with access to over 200 leading consultants and our hospital facilities include 112 in-patient beds, 35 day beds and 8 operating theatres.

The Hospital has particular expertise in Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics and Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology Services.

Our Orthopaedic consultants provide services in all aspects of orthopaedic surgery, from minimally invasive joint, hip and knee replacement to ankle, shoulder procedures and foot surgery.

For more information on any speciality at the Hermitage Medical Clinic please visit our website www.hermitageclinic.ie

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Beauty treatments

The seawater therapy pool

The healing powers from the sea..

Mairead Robinson experiences the invigorating treatments at Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa

I paid a visit recently to Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, located on a beautiful unspoilt beach outside Clonakilty in Co. Cork.

Since Victorian times, indeed way before then in certain cultures, ‘taking the waters’ or going to a seaside place for health and recuperation was the recommendation most commonly suggested to those recuperating from illness.

Dating back even further Mediterranean, Phoenician, Egyptian, Greek and Roman people had discovered the medicinal properties of sea water. And with our present day love of health and well being through pampering spa treatments, it seems that Thalassotherapy is one system that is tried, tested and proven to be effective and endorsed by some of the world’s leading physicians.

So what exactly is Thalassotherapy? Deriving from the Greek word Thalassa meaning Sea, it is the medical use of the sea water and sea mud or algae as a healing process by absorbing the elements through the skin. These include copper, zinc, iodine, selenium, vitamins,

Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, located on a beautiful unspoilt beach outside Clonakilty in Co. Cork.

proteins and mineral salts, all of which are indispensable to the human body.

I spoke to their Thalasso Consultant, Dr Christian Jost as I wanted to learn more about the science behind the treatments. At

42 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Inchydoney seawater is pumped directly from the Atlantic Ocean and is heated to 31 degrees in the pool. At this temperature, the pores of the skin open and absorb all of the nutrients, protein and minerals from the sea water. He explained to me how multiple studies have

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Beauty treatments

been carried out worldwide to show the ionic exchange and the increase of elimination of toxins (urea and lactic acid) between heated seawater and marine elements (algae – marine mud) through the skin.

The biological benefits of heated seawater on the human body are numerous, the heart rhythm is reduced, strength and the pulmonary capacity are improved as well as the peripheral circulation. The red blood cells are increased by 10% as well as the basal metabolism by 15% and the diuresis by 30% While a dip in the sea is certainly healthy and refreshing, a thalassotherapy pool is heated to 31 degrees, the perfect temperature for the human body to absorb all the minerals in seawater. By its high concentration on mineral salts the seawater has the property to reduce the weight to 10% of its normal value (a person of 80kg will only weigh 8kg in the thalassotherapy pool). Therefore the movements of the joints and the general mobilisation are eased and the rehabilitation becomes ten times easier than normal. By its density the sea water has a specific gradient of pressure which facilitates and improves the venous circulation. There are also different programmes in the pools to address specific physical needs and adaptive equipment (specific bars, pads, aqua belts and weights) which are used to facilitate medical rehabilitation.

As a consultant radiologist and sports injuries specialist, Dr Jost discovered the therapeutic benefits as a consultant to the French rugby team and he began to design thalasso spas with the first one opening in France in 1988. He describes Inchydoney as Ireland’s only fully accredited spa fulfilling all the necessary criteria with treatments being prescribed by medical practitioners worldwide and even covered by health insurance in some countries.

Benefits So what conditions specifically benefit from this therapy? Rheumatism or Rheumatroid Arthritis is very common as the aching commonly found in joints, such as hips, knees, spine etc., is relieved as the sulphur and iodine bring the oligoelements to used cartilage. Post Surgery benefits with bringing back all the minerals to the bones and muscles after a long stay in bed.

There is also evidence that Thalassotherapy will help the body to revitalise and will reduce the ageing process and restore energy. For those of us over 50 the heated Thalasso pool makes joint movements ten times easier and joints gain 15% of mobilisation. It also facilitates the return of the blood to the heart and increases the circulation. Athletes and sports professionals are keen fans of Thalassotherapy and are new mothers in the months after birth, those who wish to loose weight and people suffering from fatigue and stress.

I was keen to try out some of the specific treatments at Inchydoney who offer a whole range of facials, body wraps and polishes, massages and rituals. I tried out the Specific Pain Relief Algae on my upper back and shoulders. This is a treatment using red algae which is ideal for the relief of joint pain and arthritis. The algae is applied to the painful area of the body to relieve inflammation and discomfort. It is an award winning treatment excellent for sports injuries, muscle pain and backache. I also opted for an Algae Leg Wrap which is a specific cold marine algae applied to the legs to refresh and invigorate them. It is a great treatment for varicose veins, poor circulation, fluid retention and cellulite. Both treatments were preceded and followed by a period in the relaxation suite – which is one of the most deeply relaxing ‘relaxation rooms’ that I have had the pleasure of experiencing. As well as those fabulous

44 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

views over the sea, there is a well stocked juice bar with fresh fruit salad and an assortment of teas.

The really unique experience at Inchydoney is achieved by pairing a luxury hotel with gourmet food together with an internationally recognised therapeutic spa facility.

I really felt the treatments – I also had a deep muscle melt massage – were properly beneficial to me. I had a lovely room with WiFi, a balcony and magic views, I enjoyed a morning walk on the beach before a fabulous breakfast each morning, and I also had a beautiful dinner in the Gulfstream Restaurant. There is a very relaxing ambiance throughout the hotel including the lounge, bar and bistro along with contemporary natural décor. More on www.inchydoneyisland.com Meanwhile if you want to try some healthy detoxifying at home this Autumn, try the new Fabuloss Teatox, an all natural caffeine-free herbal brew formulated to help the body function at its best, burn calories faster and boost natural energy levels. Simply drinking two cups of the Fabuloss detoxifying herbal blends twice a day for two weeks help to boost the performance of your body’s digestive system. I am trying it out myself and feeling very good with it! Find it at Sam McCauley pharmacies nationwide.

For tips and suggestions regarding health, beauty and wellbeing, contact me at mairead.seniorbeauty@gmail.com

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Genealogy

Tracing your UK ancestry

Many Irish worked in the Liverpool docks in the 19th century

Lorna Hogg offers some pointers on how you can start your search for long-lost members of your family who ‘crossed the water’ Irish women working in a UK factory in the 19th century

‘Oh, he went over to England – we’re not sure exactly where’. All too often that was the cut-off point for countless Irish families tracing ancestry. Even with some knowledge of dates and regions, it has often been difficult to discover how those lives were lived. Now, with the combination of online local history archives, and the UK’s superb industrial heritage trails, there is a chance to find out. You can consult local records, and visit old steel works, coal mines, pottery works, and industrial villages to see how and where your family lived...

Where they went..

Nineteenth century Irish emigration to the UK usually meant an urban life, often in slum conditions. Pre Famine, it was often seasonal work, through the port nearest to home.

Glasgow initially attracted harvest workers, up to the 1830s.The Famine years however, saw the Irish population rise, working in mining, textiles, and on the docks.

Liverpool had a large Irish immigrant population and by the end of the Famine, over 18% of the population was estimated to be Irish. The docks, processing plants, chemical industries provided work for the Irish, who often lived in slum conditions.

The North East, famed for its iron, and later steel production, had large Irish numbers by the 1860s. Middlesborough, Newcastle and especially Consett were popular destinations.

Chemical and mining industries plus shipbuilding meant it remained a popular destination for the Irish up to the 1960s.

Manchester, the cradle of British textile industry, also drew the Irish, as `Cottonopolis’ had a skill shortage in the late 1700s. They often lived in/near Irish Town, and Little Ireland, in Ancoats.

Sheffield and its surrounding hamlets and villages drew significant numbers of Irish to its developing steel industry, right through to the 1950s. Many early immigrants lived in slums – e.g. The Crofts, and certain areas, e.g. St. Vincents, developed strong communities.

The Black Country, including Staffordshire, attracted immigrants from the 1820s onwards, making their way south from Liverpool.

Machine tooling, pottery, wrought iron, copper smelting and pot throwing brought work for the Irish.

area, along with Sparkbrook and Sparkhill in the 1950s South Wales drew Irish from Munster, and many immigrants moved down to work in the coal industry, especially in the later nineteenth century. Swansea and Newport were amongst the top spots.

London offered factory work, which was hard and dangerous with a risk of health damage, e.g. in the chemical industry. Large numbers of Irishwomen went into service, whilst the men became a powerful presence on the docks.

Many also entered the armed services.

Irish immigrants have a proud record of involvement with construction, and their work has been recognised, from the days of canals and railway projects (such as the TV series Jericho represented) up to the building booms in London of this century.

How they worked King Cotton

Birmingham, the ‘workshop of the world’ attracted many Irish, many coming from Roscommon, Mayo and Galway. Wide ranging jobs ranged from bus drivers to factory workers, and Digbeth became a popular Irish

46 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

The Irish flocked to Manchester, with its ‘dark satanic mills’ producing polluted, smoke filled and hard working conditions – as well as slum living. The more fortunate could work in a local

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Genealogy village or hamlet, which provided accomodation in fresh air and countryside. The National Trust’s Quarrybank Mill was one choice for the Irish, and some pauper children became apprentices, living in the Apprentice House.

Founded by Samuel Greg, from Belfast, in this mill workers were treated humanely, and lived in nearby Styal village, built by Greg. However, mills were dust filled, deafening and dangerous – flying shuttles and snapped machine belts produced terrible injuries. Children as young as seven also worked in mills, often scurrying in under the looms, until banned under 1842 legislation.

Mine work If factory workers faced danger from machines, miners dealt with natural disasters.

Rock falls, flooding, dynamiting disasters, toxic gases, lack of air –or a fireball which could be ignited by any spark, were ever present. As with mills, mines were often started by wealthy – or soon to be wealthy, landowners, and offered early workers little protection.

Experience their lives at the National Coal Mining Museum, near Wakefield, complete with pit ponies, the miners’ pithead shower area, and coal waggons. The highlight is the descent 120 feet underground with an ex-miner, to walk, with a light, through labrynthine passages, and experience ‘ultimate darkness’! Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the Irish also travelled to South Wales. You can get an idea of the life at the award winning Big Pit. Near Cardiff, it gives a view of more modern coal mining – with a trip 300 feet underground.

Made in Sheffield Sheffield equals steel, and metal working has been developed here since the Roman times.

The first steel came in 1709, but it was Sheffield’s 1740s development of crucible steel that literally gave it the edge.

The must-visit pretty Abbeydale hamlet lies on the city’s outskirts. With forges and workshops, it gives an idea of eighteenth century industry.

Another unmissable site is Elsecar Heritage Centre, created by powerful landowner the Earl Fitzwilliam, with its industry changing onsite Newcomen Beam Engine. For contrast, visit Wentworth Woodhouse, palatial home of Elsecar’s owner.

Kelham Island Museum is the story of Sheffield steel and a must see creation. Perhaps the first industrial park, in the 1700s it was noisy, dirty and crowded, as furnaces belched smoke and flame. View the huge Bessemer converter, (one of the three left in the world) which allowed mass production of steel, and the mighty River Don Engine, which rolled armour plate, and is fired up regularly for visitors. However, the steel craftsmen were not displaced. The Little Mesters as they were called, continue

to this day, two still making specialised hand crafted steel on Little Mesters Street.

Sheffield’s famous Templeborough steelworks, once almost a mile in length, developed open hearth furnaces, producing for heavy industry. Its fourteen furnaces - the famous ‘Fourteen Sisters’ were a landmark. However, despite setting a world production record in 1977 – 74 tons of steel per hour by electric arc power, its end came in 1993. Now, Templeborough has a new life as Magna, an enormous Science Adventure Park. One highlight is The Big Melt – a spectacular, building shaking, spark lit recreation of steel making.

ditional bottle shaped kiln factory, gives a powerful picture of conditions of the time. There is also the added bonus of excellent discount shopping in the choice of factory shops.

The city of a thousand trades..

Birmingham was famed as `the workshop of the world,’ ranging from jewellery to transport, and silver to guns. Many Irish worked here or in surrounding areas. Don’t miss the Jewellery Quarter and its excellent Museum, which gives an atmospheric sense of the small, cramped workshops of the time.

In the city centre, the National’ Trust’s `Back to Backs’ gives an idea of housing conditions and shops of the day – you can even even stay in one for the full experience. To get an idea of the general living conditions of the times, go to the famous Black Country Living Museum.

It re-creates a Victorian village of the day, complete with coal mine, canals and shops and craft workers.

Also in the area is The Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, at the site of the most famous ironworks in the world. It also also has top rated attractions, including Brunel’s famous Iron Bridge.

The Potteries The Potteries - the Six Towns, making up Stoke on Trent, were another popular destination for Irish seeking work. You’ll find Wedgewood, Aynsley and Emma Bridgewater production here – and that’s for starters. Take a factory tour and have fun throwing your own pot. The Gladstone Museum, set in an old tra

48 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

More information Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society - www.mlfhs.org.uk Irish Genealogy News.com http//familysearch.org www.glasgowlife.org.uk www.glasgowfamilyhistory.org.uk www.lineages.co.uk www.sheffield.gov.uk West Yorkshire Archive Service Local Studies Libary (Shoreham Street Sheffield) Manchester City Library – www.manchester.gov.uk www.libraryof birmingham.com www.birminghammuseums.org.uk Liverpool Library – www.liverpool.gov.uk And where to visit www.simt.co.uk www.ncm.org.uk www.visitmagna.co.uk www.visitstoke.co.uk www.stokemuseums.org.uk https//museum.wales/bigpit www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.birminghammuseums.org.uk www/bclm.co.uk www.ironbridge.org.uk

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Gardening

Seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness

Peter Dowdall offer some suggestions for autumn displays Romantic and all as Keats may have been I’m not sure if he was a gardener or not and I’m not sure how horticultural he was feeling when he penned his famous line.

Leaving that aside though his words still manage to conjure up the spirit of the Autumn season in the garden magnificently.

You can achieve a fantastic display in the garden during Autumn by using several categories of plants, the late flowering herbaceous plants, deciduous plants that show good Autumn colour, evergreen plants with good leaf colour, plants with Autumn berries and grasses which offer great colour, movement and texture in the garden. A few to look out for are Echinacea, Pennisetum rubrum, Heuchera Marmalade and Rudbeckia Goldstrum.

The Echinacea may be more familiar to people in tablet form as they swallow it to boost their immune system and keep colds and flu away, however in its natural form it is a most striking Herbceous plant with very dramatic pink or white flowers which have seemed to positively ignore the rain and are standing proud in the Autumn garden showing themselves off before they go for a long rest during the winter

Keats’ words manage to conjure up the spirit of the Autumn season in the garden magnificently

months. The Heuchera Marmalade and Rudbeckia Goldstrum are a fantastic plant combination for a small flower bed or pot. Both aptly named as one has beautiful caramel coloured leaves and the other with its bright yellow flowers and nearly black centre work very well together offer contrasting textures and complimenting each other with their colouring.

Grasses such as the Pennsteums, Miscanthus and Stipas will offer so much more than colour to any garden at all times of the year but for me it is during autumn and early winter when they come into their own. They bring colour yes and

50 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

in particular the Miscanthus will come alive with autumn colour during October but much more importantly they bring texture. That airy, whimsy texture which lightens any planting scheme. It can be difficult to get ornamental grasses like these to work on their own but when mixed with plants of contrasting texture such as dense evergreen shrubs they lighten the mood entirely, bringing life and movement to the planting scheme.

I couldn’t talk about Autumn in the garden without mentioning the king of Autumn colour and that is, of course the Japanese maple.

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You’re Amazing. Let’s keep you that way!

There are dozens of varieties of Japanese Maples and you can’t go wrong with any of them as regards a splash during the Autumn but do keep an eye out for Acer Dissectum Viridis if you want to see something really special during this season. Deciduous but with the most delicate stem structure to make it a dramatic addition even to the winter garden it has the most delicately cut dissected leaves, pale green in colour for most of the year but then during late September as the foliage reaches old age it takes on first a slightly yellow tinge developing into a bright orange which will leave you literally breathless when you look upon it in all its autumn glory. Make sure you have a spot sheltered from strong winds if you Powerscourt deerpark and waterfall want to grow this treasure.

I could write all day about deciduous trees and shrubs that offer stunning displays as their leaves develop into senescence but what I really want to write about is the creatures who call our gardens ‘home’ during the winter months.

If you have a big enough garden then please leave some areas a bit unkempt for the winter.

These areas can provide great refuge for hibernating animals. A pile of logs or hedge clippings will be a welcome, warm home for hedgehogs who will also repay you by gorging on slugs and snails next year. You don’t need the entire garden to be manicured and spotless during the winter months.

Now is design time as it is the ideal time for designing new gardens and restructuring old gardens and areas that we may no longer be satisfied with, as the trees begin to drop their leaves we can begin again to see the real skeleton of the garden and work around that. Anything that is planted now has the ideal opportunity to get established in the warm, wet soil before actively coming into growth next spring.

I couldn’t talk about Autumn in the garden without mentioning the king of Autumn colour and that is, of course the Japanese maple. There are dozens of varieties of Japanese Maples and you can’t go wrong with any of them

Those plants that cried out to be moved during the summer can be moved during the period November – February and perennials which have outgrown their space can be lifted during late autumn and winter, divided and replanted giving you a ready supply of new, free plants.

Stunning autumn/winter berries on this Pyracantha will not only bring colour to the garden in autumn but will also provide food for birds in your garden

52 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Golf

Dermot Gilleece on the golfers who could be lit up in more ways than one on the fairways Bobby Jones talked about smoking in his book, Down the Fairway. He wrote: ‘There is nothing like a good smoke especially on the golf course’.

When golf becomes a drag Could the great outdoors somehow dilute the impact of tobacco-smoke on homo sapiens?

The thought came to me when I considered the long life Arnold Palmer enjoyed before passing from us at 87 years. And only four months previously, another serious smoker from his competitive golfing years, Christy O’Connor, died at the grand old age of 91.

Both of these men quit the dreaded weed, of course, in middle-age. Still, it is interesting to note that golf is the only leading sport where players, still addicted, can puff away while competing, though they must desist before moving indoors.

Tobacco has had a long and often celebrated link with the royal and ancient game. For instance, as far back as 1867, in an account of a foursome at St Andrews, we are informed of a competitor who, after losing his ball, took out his cigar-case, lit one, and walked along contentedly smoking it, and apparently enjoying the scenery. ‘This is a fatal sign,’ the writer

Miguel Jimenez is an enthusiastic cigar smoker

concluded. ‘When a man smokes, he is either winning very easily or has given up all hope of winning.’

As Lee Trevino discovered 120 years later, the absence of those tell-tale wisps of smoke, could contain warnings more profound than Native Americans might ever have conceived.

‘I knew I was on the wrong tour when I tried to bum a cigarette during the 1987 US Open,’ said the bold Lee. ‘There were 25 pros in the locker room and none of ‘em smoked. I knew my time had gone by.’

Knowing what we know now, it can be difficult to understand golf’s love-affair with smoking, in all its forms. ‘I honestly didn’t realise what I was doing to myself until the damage was done,’ said Joe Carr, who suffered from emphysema late in life, even having broken the habit more than 30 years previously. And consider these words from Bernard Darwin, the leading golf-writer of his time : ‘ It is very hard to prove

54 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

whether tobacco does us any good, but we think it does.’

They were penned around a time of such scientific advances that tests on improving golf-ball performance through the use of gamma rays, had begun in March 1954. According to a scientist from the BF Goodrich rubber company: ‘Balls need less than two minutes’ exposure to gamma rays of high intensity and energy to increase potential distance and improve cut and scuff resistance.’

Carr, who was arguably the fittest golfer of his day, certainly in amateur ranks on this side of the Atlantic, was in august company in his addiction. Indeed we’re told that the distinguished amateur, Harold Hilton, was rarely seen without a cigarette in his mouth as he dominated championships early in the 20th century.

Then there was the pipe-smoking duo from Jersey, Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. In his fine book ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played’, which

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It was said that Jack Nicklaus was a closet smoker, who was careful never to be seen with a cigarette in public.

was published in 2002, Mark Frost tells us that ‘Harry often smoked a pipe when he played, which further enhanced his image of a man supremely at ease with himself, regardless of what was going on in his game.’

Of the corpulent Ray, he wrote: ‘He also enjoyed a good pipe although, unlike Harry, Ted’s never left his mouth, even while he played.’

This became a source of some bafflement to the writer, Darwin, who observed that Ray’s pipes had ‘if I may so express it, curly shafts.’

The scribe went on: ‘I do not know how it may be with other people, but when I have tried to play with a pipe in my mouth, I have always been afraid of hitting it with my arm, and with grave danger to my teeth, in the act of the follow-through.’

A certain member of Clontarf GC would have agreed about the hazards of pipe-smoking, but for an entirely different reason. Playing in a club competition, our North Dublin friend had endured a rather torrid time on the dreaded Quarry Holes --the 12th, 13th and 14th --a promising card was effectively wrecked.

Anyway, on arriving on the tee at the short 15th, he sought comfort in a puff of his pipe. But as he was about to rub his splendid tobacco-mix in the palm of his outstretched hand, a passing seagull discharged a formidable number-two, right on target. The golfer’s reaction is unprintable. Suffice it to say that coming after his travails in the Quarry, he was reduced to a quivering wreck.

The great Walter Travis, who was Australian-born and the first overseas winner of the

One wonders about the variety of weed to which noted smoker, Darren Clarke, may have succumbed, by way of easing the tension of his recent captaincy of the European Ryder Cup team.

British Amateur in 1904, was an inveterate cigar-smoker on the golf-course. But as the 20th century progressed, cigarettes became the puff of choice for most leading golfers, including Bobby Jones, who would light up at crucial moments and then throw it away, almost disdainfully.

Ironically, it was in a cigarette-sponsored event, the Dunhill British Masters, that Christy O’Connor Jnr—also gone from us, though at a much earlier age -- answered a question which must have bothered countless golfers over the years. Was it possible to win without the crutch of a cigarette?

One of the most beautiful pieces of descriptive writing in the annals of golf, concerns the cigarette-smoking Ben Hogan who, on his triumphant challenge in the British Open at Carnoustie in 1953, angered locals by the way he would snap his fingers at his Scottish caddie, when in need of nicotine. Reflecting on the Hawk’s triumph, Pat Ward-Thomas wrote in the Manchester Guardian: ‘Imagine him (Hogan) as he scrutinises a long, difficult stroke, with arms quietly folded, an inscrutable quarter smile on his lips, for all the world like a gambler watching the wheel spin. And then the cigarette is tossed away, the club taken with abrupt decision, the glorious swing flashes and a long iron pierces the wind like an arrow. That was Hogan. We shall never see his like again.’

Junior, who quit smoking in January 1990, recalled: ‘That was really tough. Deep down I felt I would not really have broken the habit until I could win another tournament without them. And it was amazing. As I walked up the 18th fairway at Woburn on my way to victory in June 1992, I thought ‘If I was a smoker, I’d really love a cigarette now.’ In that moment, I could fully accept that I had become a non-smoker.’

And of course the manner of his victory in a play-off with Tony Johnstone, cemented that conviction.

Though Palmer smoked, Gary Player didn’t.

And it was said that Jack Nicklaus was a closet smoker, who was careful never to be seen with a cigarette in public. All the while, Christy O’Connor was gracing the fairways of these islands, smoking Sweet Afton while competing in such tournaments as the Piccadilly Medal, Carrolls International, Gallaher Ulster Open, John Player Classic, WD and HO Wills Tournament and the Benson and Hedges International. And then he quit. And as a reflection of changed times, cigarette-sponsorship also faded gradually from the golfing scene.

56 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

More than 60 years ago, Darwin wrote: ‘The average golfer has acquired the habit of smoking a good deal in the course of his round.

Sometimes in moments of crisis to soothe his agitated feelings; sometimes in exquisite surcease [to leave off; to stop] when the crisis is over; and if he makes good resolutions, he will feel the want of tobacco fully as poignantly as any other man.’

One wonders about the variety of weed to which noted smoker, Darren Clarke, may have succumbed, by way of easing the tension of his recent captaincy of the European Ryder Cup team. Either way, it was all in the fresh, Minnesota air, which, with any luck, may have lessened its impact.

In association with

NO FLY CRUISING Holidays from Dublin

05 June 17 9 nights Fjordland Splendour 14 June 17 12 nights Iceland’s Land of Ice & Fire 26 June 17 11 nights Spain, Portugal & France 07 July 17 7 nights Summer Gardens & River Seine 14 July 17 7 nights Scottish Highlights & Faroes For a brochure call 074-9135960 or contact your Local Travel Agent For a brochure call 074-9135960 JMG Travel, Gortahork, Co. Donegal or contact your Local Travel Agent Tel: 074 91 35201 • Email: jmgtravel@eircom.net

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2 Nights Bed & Breakfast, 1 Evening Meal, Cream Tea Treat & €20 Spa Credit.

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Health

Things that are hurting your memory and what to do about it Five tips that will help you from Chester Santos Memory killers:

4 – Relying on electronic devices

1 – not getting enough sleep If for whatever reason you are not getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night, eventually it’s going to catch up with you and you’ll notice a sharp decline in your ability to remember things. Conversely, getting enough sleep will maximize your chances of fully developing your memory abilities if you also follow the other advice in this article.

Use it or lose it! If you never use your memory, you are signaling to your brain that at this point in your life it’s no longer important for you to be able to remember things, so it makes sense that you will lose this ability over time!

It’s fine to keep notes on paper or in electronic devices, but at least make an effort to commit more things to memory. Using your memory more will strengthen it. Your brain is incredibly trainable!

2 – Too much stress

5 – Lack of focus

Stress is one of the top killers of memory. If you are constantly stressed out, it’s going to take a toll on your ability to remember. You’ll find yourself not being able to remember important appointments and details. Take some steps to reduce the stress in your life. Exercise in general is a good stress reducer, and many experts recommend Yoga and meditation for stress.

3 – Poor diet A healthy body equals a healthy mind! If your diet is deficient in essentail vitamins and minerals, you might want to consider taking a daily multivitamin. Also, if you aren’t eating fish or otherwise getting your Omega-3 fatty acids, perhaps consider taking a fish oil supplement.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for proper brain function.

Yes, it may seem obvious, but it’s very difficult to remember unless you focus and pay attention. We must focus on one thing at a time and pay attention in order to remember effectively.

Multitasking is not good for your memory. You can train yourself to pay attention and become more focused with practice. Eventually it will become a habit and second nature to you.

Memory techniques for improved recall: 1 – Picture it Take whatever it is that you are trying to remember and try to turn it into a simple image or series of memorable images that you can picture in your mind. We are very good at remembering things that we see.

2 – Hear, smell, touch, and taste it Beyond visualisation, try to involve as many

58 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

additional senses as you can while trying to commit a piece of information to memory. The more senses that you involve, the more of your brain you’ll be using and the more connections in your mind to the information you’ll be building, so it will be much easier to remember.

3 – Be creative and use your imagination Next, use your creativity and imagination to make what you are seeing and experiencing in your mind crazy, unusual, extraordinary. This is important so that you can take advantage of the psychological aspect to your memory.

With putting forth little to no effort, we can all remember things that are crazy, unusual, and extraordinary in some way.

4 – Treat new information like an interesting story: While keeping the first three tips above in mind, build a story that incorporates the information that you need to remember. Let me show you what I mean by having you commit to memory the following random list of words: monkey, iron, rope, kite, house, paper, shoe, worm, envelope, pencil.

Instead of memorizing the list with brute force repetition, I’d like for you to relax and have fun while visualizing the ‘story’ that I describe.

Picture a (monkey). This monkey is dancing around making monkey noises.

Fold TeleCare 24 hour support, when you need it Fold TeleCare offers a personal alarm service for clients to call for assistance or help from anywhere in their own home - providing support and peace of mind to their friends and families.

We have recently opened a regional response centre in Dublin to handle calls from clients throughout the Republic of Ireland. Kevin McSorley, TeleCare’s Executive Director explained: “Once the alarm is triggered, one of our TeleCare Advisors will contact the individual. Our TeleCare Advisors will offer immediate reassurance, calmly assess the situation and organise whatever help is needed. This could be contacting a relative or friend or in some situations, the emergency services. It gives clients confidence to know help is at hand if they need it.”

Peace of Mind 24/7

“Fantastic service, gives us great peace of mind that dad can get help if anything was to happen” - Mrs Shaw, Dublin

To order your personal alarm or find out more call us on 01 670 4114 or visit our website at www.foldtelecare.com

Call: 01 670 4114 • www.foldtelecare.com

Fold TeleCare Dublin, Suite E, Ashtown Business Centre, Navan Road, Dublin D15 K6WR Registered Office: Fold House, 3 Redburn Square, Holywood, Co. Down BT18 9HZ

ESCAPE TO THE WEST Enjoy Active Retirement Breaks at Salthill Hotel

Join us for 3, 4 or 5 night breaks at Salthill Hotel and enjoy some local activities in the beautiful surroundings of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Your Breakaway Includes:

- Overnight accommodation in our classic double or twin rooms - 4 course evening meal daily - Full Irish breakfast daily February

March

April

May

September

October

November

5 nights

€259.00

€259.00

€279.00

€299.00

€299.00

€279.00

€259.00

4 nights

€219.00

€219.00

€239.00

€259.00

€259.00

€239.00

€219.00

3 nights

€179.00

€179.00

€199.00

€219.00

€219.00

€199.00

€179.00

Prices based on per person sharing. No Single Supplement November and February.

Rates available midweek only (Sunday to Thursday). Group discounts available - Please contact the hotel direct.

Discover Galway’s Finest Four Star Hotel

Call: 091 522711 Email: reservations@salthillhotel.com Visit: www.salthillhotel.com Salthill Hotel, Promenade, Galway.

22680_ACTIVE_RETIREMENT_ADVERT_2016.indd 1

09/02/2016 14:29

Health

Food

Beef, root vegetable and Guinness stew.

A recipe from Bernie Doe of Just Cooking

The monkey next pics up an (iron). The iron starts to fall, but a (rope) attaches itself to the iron. You look up the rope and see the other end attached to a (kite). The kite now smashes into a (house). You notice that the house is covered in (paper). A (shoe) appears out of nowhere and start to walk on the paper. The shoe smells badly, so you look inside to find a (worm) crawling around. The worm now for some reason jumps into an (envelope). A (pencil) starts to write on the envelope.

Read through the story just one more time while visualizing everything described. You wan to see it like a movie or cartoon playing in your head. Go ahead now and recite all of the random words in order by simply going through the story in your mind! My guess is that you can also recite the words backwards by going through the story in reverse! This strategy doesn’t only apply to random words. The images can remind you of the key points to a speech or presentation! They could remind you of important points discussed in a meeting, and much more!

5 – Recall names The tips you’ve learned so far can also be applied to getting better at remembering names. One of the best ways to become better with names is to learn to take a person’s name and turn it into a memorable image. Peter might become Peter Pan. Next, it’s even better if you can then visually connect the powerful visual to a unique aspect of the person’s look using a story that incorporates even more senses while also being unusual. If Peter has big ears, you could see Peter Pan flying out of one of his ears and when this happens it makes such a loud noise that it irritates your ears. I realize this might seem pretty silly at first, but this technique for remembering names is very powerful and effective. It works very well and is effective for when you next see the person because it’s all based on how the person looks.

These tips are just the beginning! Anyone can learn to better remember with just a little bit of fun training and practice. My new book, Instant Memory Training for Success is filled with entertaining exercises that can help you. Invest some time in developing your memory, and you can soon be enjoying more success in your career and personal life!

Chester Santos – ‘The International Man of Memory’ is an award-winning international speaker, U.S. Memory Champion, and author of Instant Memory Training for Success which is available from Amazon. http://bit.ly/Instant_Memory_Training_For_Success 60 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Beef and Guinness has to be one of my favourite stews. I would often cook this in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours, which means you have melt in the mouth beef. Cook in a slow cooker follow the method, but instead of leaving the stew in the saucepan, place the boiling stew into your slow cooker.

Serve with mashed potatoes with the addition of butter, cream and a little creamed horseradish sauce.

As with all stews it always tastes better the following day. It also freezes very well.

Serves 4 1 kg stewing beef, trimmed of fat 40 g flour, with salt and pepper added 2 large onions, thinly sliced 3 carrots, peeled and sliced 2 Garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 Parsnip roughly chopped 1/4 of a turnip, roughly chopped

1 tsp English mustard 400 g canned chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 sprig of fresh thyme or a pinch of dried 1 bay leaf 1 tablespoon caster sugar 500 ml Guinness olive oil

1. Cut the meat into 1 inch cubes and toss in the flour. Heat some of the olive oil in a heavy bottomed saucepan (I use cast iron cookware) and fry the beef until nicely browned on all sides. You may have to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.

2. Add a little more oil to the pan and gently fry the onions. Deglaze the pan with 50ml of the Guinness.

3. Add the carrots, turnip, garlic and parsnip. Give a quick stir and add the remaining Guinness, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, tomatoes and thyme. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer over a low heat for approximately 2 hours or until the meat is tender.

4. Taste and add salt and pepper if required. Garnish with chopped parsley when serving.

Bernie Doe, Just Cooking, Killahane, Firies, Killarney, Co. Kerry Tel. (00353) 669793660 Mobile: (00353) 86 609 5318 Email: bernie@justcooking.ie www.justcooking.ie

Opera & Ballet International presents two Ellen Kent productions featuring international soloists, a highly-praised chorus and full orchestra

‘The best La Bohème I have ever seen’ JEREMY BRIEN, THE STAGE

Starring the French soprano Olga Perrier† as Musetta and introducing the Russian soprano Ecaterina Danu† as Mimi.

Featuring Musetta’s dog, a brass band and snow effects.

Both operas sung in Italian with English surtitles. † Cast subject to change.

WINNER ‘BEST OPERA AWARD’

LIVERPOOL DAILY POST THEATRE AWARDS

Starring the French soprano Olga Perrier† and the Russian soprano Ecaterina Danu† as Aida.

With the celebrated mezzo from the Romanian National Opera Liza Kadelnik† as Amneris.

Featuring a Temple Dance and the classic Triumphal March with fire performers and cascades of glittering gold.

La Bohème: Thu 3 Nov 8pm Aida: Fri 4 Nov 8pm Box Office: 021 427 0022 www.corkoperahouse.ie

Aida: Sat 5 Nov 8pm Box Office 061 331 549 www.uch.ie (Booking fee applies)

DUBLIN

La Bohème: Sun 6 Nov 7.30pm Box Office: 01 700 7000 Book Online: thehelix.ie (Booking fee applies)

President of DCU Prof. Brian Mac Craith welcomes all to the Taste of DCU 2016

Welcome to DCU...

DCU warmly welcomed over 200 mature and older learners to the DCU campus on September 16th last, for a Taste of DCU, “despite the challenge of a bus strike, we were overwhelmed with the response and enthusiasm to the event” said Christine O’Kelly, DCU’s Age Friendly Project Coordinator.

DCU is leading a global initiative of age friendly universities and the network has grown steadily over the past two years with network members joining from Manitoba in Canada, to Arizona, Massachusetts, Australia, the UK and of course higher education institutions in Ireland. DCU’s interest in ageing stems from preparing for an ageing demographic whilst harnessing the benefits of intergenerational engagement to both traditional students and non-traditional students.

On any given day on the DCU campus older people can be seen in sportswear heading to the MedEX and Active for Life Programme in the DCU Sports Centre or equipped with folders, laptops and iPads heading off to take part in the Intergenerational Learning Programme (ILP). This Autumn the ILP have launched a new look programme and introduced a one off membership fee to cover all of the ILP courses and they have an alternative option to take part in one off courses of 2, 4 and 6 weeks duration.

to get the “campus experience” and build confidence without the worry of a major investment. Of course, DCU also offer an extensive programme of online courses under their DCU Connected Programme.

For many people facing retirement the prospect of the unknown can be a challenge.

A sense of identify and connection being lost is not unique. People have to reinvent themselves and find a new way forward.

One participant who had enjoyed a successful 40 year career as an engineer with a european based company found it very difficult to accept retirement, he said “for the first ten months I almost went crazy, if I had continued on that path I would have destroyed everything, I just found it very hard to cope with the loss of work and all that brought. Thankfully I discovered the Intergenerational Learning Programme in DCU and I haven’t looked back, I’d recommend it to anyone in my situation, I have made new friends and learned a lot, it keeps the “grey matter” intact”.

He is one a number of older people involved

in the ILP, the MedEX Programme and the Digital Photography Group who hosted a wonderful exhibition of their work at the recent Taste of DCU. In June last, DCU launched their new Advanced Transitions Programme (ATP).

This programme is aimed at engaging the talents and energy of retired or soon-to-retire professionals as they transition to their next stage in life and seek new challenges. The ATP, sponsored by Bank of Ireland, will offer a blend of academic, personal and professional development activities which will enable participants to realise a fulfilled and purposeful later-life by harnessing their extensive knowledge, expertise and experience to benefit society.

So there are plenty of opportunities to engage with DCU, age is not a barrier to participation and all are welcome. For more information on DCU Age Friendly Initiative visit www.dcu.ie/ agefriendly or contact Christine O’Kelly, Age Friendly Coordinator at christine.okelly@dcu.ie

Shay Scanlon & members of the ILP chat with DCU Student at the Photo exhibit ‘Grey Focus’, Taste of DCU 2016

Single credit bearing modules from the undergraduate programme launched in February have proved to be very successful with many enjoying the opportunity to work on a single credit towards an award. As this allows study at one’s own pace, it is ideal

62 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Galway’s Hidden Gem...

Nox Hotel Galway is an affordable yet stylish hotel experience with contemporary and atmospheric surroundings for guests to relax and unwind and comfortable rooms for restorative sleep after a long day of shopping and sightseeing.

Nox Hotel is ideally located on the Headford Road, providing quick access to Galway’s energetic city centre, Shopping Centre’s and main road routes to the city. Guests can avail of complimentary, surface car-parking and high speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

Inspired by Nox, the Roman Goddess of the Night, the hotel is all about sleep. Each of the relaxed and bright modern rooms has been tastefully designed to ensure a relaxing stay and the ideal sleeping environment with superior beds and cosy duvets.

Whether you are travelling on your own, with a friend or even with a large group, Nox Hotel will ensure your stay is one to remember with great value Over 55’s packages and an ideal atmosphere to stay in for a relaxing evening complimented by good food, or to enjoy a drink before heading out to experience the famous Galway welcome.

Nox Hotel, Liosban Road, Off Headford Road, Galway. T: +353 091 735555 • E: sleep@noxhotel.ie

www.noxhotelgalway.ie

Dates Available: • Monday 17th of October - 249pps • Sunday 20th of November - €249pps • Monday 21st of November - €249pps

Travel Christmas Markets are now firmly established in our festive celebrations, and many have adapted and developed to match our preferences. We enjoy hem in many ways – in terms of shopping, or a special treat to be enjoyed with friends or a partner. They might be enjoyed as part of a longer holiday, a weekend break or part of a winter get-away.

So, whatever your budget or requirements, whether you want a complete package, to find a bargain or create your entire trip - there’s a Market visit for your preferences...

Germany has the top choice, history, atmosphere and range of Christmas Markets. If you want candlelit choirs, medieval churches, cobbled streets leading to stalls groaning with handcrafted gifts of jewellery, gingerbread, woollen gifts, glass and Christmas decorations, they’re here. Christmas trees twinkling, the aroma of roasting almonds and frankfurters along with mulled wine all create the German market experience. It also offers a myriad of shopping experiences, foods and modern as well as traditional style markets. Cities such as Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Hamburg not only have excellent markets, but also good air connections from Ireland. Don’t forget, however, that some of the the oldest and most unspoilt German markets e.g. Wurtzburg and Nurenbergare most easily reached on an escorted coach tour or by river cruise, and there are several to choose from.

Scandinavia also has a variety of atmospheric and perhaps snow dusted markets, with stalls in narrow cobbled streets and handcrafted gifts.Stockholm is at its seasonal best, and you can cross a bridge onto the cobbled narrow streets of Old Town - Gamla Stan, to sample glogg and reindeer or elk meat before shopping for the excellent quality gifts, all in suitably seasonal style. Don’t miss Skansen, the open air folk musem which whhich has a period style market with costumed stall keepers - you could even join in the dancing.

Copenhagan is ideal for family breaks, as children of all ages love the world famous Tivoli Gardens. You can try out the ice rink, meet Santa, go on rides, roller coaster, take in the entertainment, shopping and wide selections of restaurants – pure Hans Christian Andersen.

For really good value, with a wide range of hotels and package deals, plus seasonal surroundings and atmosphere plus ample supplies of local food, beers and edible greetings, it’s hard to beat Central European cities such Krakov and Prague. They have traditional entertainment, ancient architecture carols, ancient buildings and customs,and Christmas markets filled to the brim with local products.

If you’re looking for nearer territories remember that Western Europe markets may be unfamiliar to us, but locals have been enjoying them for centuries. Amsterdamaarle has a good range, with the largest in the beautiful

Christmas sparklers Lorna Hogg suggest some Christmas markets to visit

Frankfurt Christmas market..but this is in Birmingham central Dam square. Nearby Haarlem, a short train ride away, is a must see, complete with unspoiled square, canal and windmill, plus its own picturesque Market. Belgium has one of Europe’s most beautiful, in medieval, crisscrossed by canals, filled with ancient squares and churches, romantic inns and hotels and superb restaurants. All are a perfect backdrop to the tree, choirs and ice rink – and shopping for range of local gifts, including those chocolates!

In Northern France, Lille, a beautiful city with a medieval heart, has a market surrounded by atmospheric buildings, with a large Christmas tree towering over the 80 wooden chalets selling local goods. Try the Ferris wheel – or some contemporary shopping in the the very modern top designer shops. There are available breaks from Ireland, but if you’re planning a trip to London or South East England, think about taking a Eurostar break to Lille. It’s just 1 hr 20 minutes from London and perfect for a day trip. Eurostar also has breaks to Bruges.

Nearer to home, the UK focuses on Dickensian style and two of the most atmospheric are at Bath and York. The Bath Market, just a short train ride from Bristol, is picture perfect. 170 stalls selling top quality local products, from cheeses to candles and jewellery are overlooked by the ancient Abbey.

Enjoy - with mulled wine and mince pies, in this city famous for its shops and restaurants.

YORK opts for Dickensian style, with 100 snug chalets, narrow cobbled streets, including the famous Shambles, crowded with carol singers, stalls and costumed traders.

However, one of the UK markets most popular with Irish visitors is Frankfurt Market in Birminghamham ( 17th Nov. – 29th Dec.). It has run for 50 years, and is the largest authentic German market outside that country. Here, traders set up 180 stalls overflowing with traditional gifts, from rugs to crystal, glass baubles leatherwork and handcrafted wooden toys.

With schnitzels, bratwurst and hot gluhwein,beers and hot chocolate and crepes to keep out the cold, you can enjoy the carols and carousel whilst sampling the wares.

64 Senior Times l March November - April - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Who goes where..

Perhaps more than any other type of holiday, it’s important to book early for Christmas Market trips. No only is hotel availability limited, flights can fill up very quickly. One option for Irish travellers is to extend their break by a day or so, and go via the UK. This opens options if you want to go to a Scandinavian market. It’s also worth considering, if you’re in London or the South East at the time, taking Eurostar to Lille for a day trip – just one hour and twenty minutes away.

TRAVEL DEPARTMENT offers a good variety of packages all over Europe,Berlin, Oslo, Lake garda and venice, Vienna, Prague and Krakow to Bruges, many with an inclusive city tour. Their 3 night Bruges offer, 4 star hotel and an inclusive city tour, with flight ex Dublin, departs 28th Nov, from €399pp. www.traveldepartment.ie CLICK & GO offers the `design your own holiday’ option and has a good variety, return holiday packages with centrally located hotels.

Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Cologne and are amongst Riga amongst the wide choice. The Riga 3 nights offers start from €149pp, room only and return flight, 3 star hotel - rising to 5 star hotel, inclu. B&B and return flight, from €259pp for 3 nights.

Copenhagen offers include 3 nights, 3 star hotel, €229 pp, room only, up to 5 star hotel, room only, with return flights, for 3 nights, from €449pp wwwclick&go.com ARROW TOURS is famed for its Christmas Markets deals over a full range of cities in Germany,Switzerland, Scandinavia France and Belgium, Eastern and Central Europe plus UK. For latest details, sites and dates check their website. www.arrowtours.ie LIMERICK TRAVEL Vienna,,Brussels Lille, Cologne, Nuremberg Warsaw and Strasbourg are amongst the choice, with some flights to Warsaw and Berlin from Shannon www.limericktravel.ie CASSIDY TRAVEL Very good choice, ranging from Amsterdam and Brussels to Vienna,

“I’m Calling You about a Virus on Your Computer” Have you received a call out of the blue from a person warning you about an issue with your computer that you were unaware existed until you received the call?

The caller then urges you to act now to fix the issue; otherwise you’re at major risk.

This is a scam, don’t be deceived!

How does the computer virus scam typically work?

•

You receive an unexpected call from an unknown person. The caller warns you that your computer has a virus.

•

The caller then claims that they are from a technical support area that identified the issue with your computer.

•

The caller then offers to fix the problem now for you.

•

The caller gives you directions on where to look on your computer, and in some instances asks you to download a piece of software.

•

The software downloaded could be a spyware that gives the caller remote access to your computer, including records and passwords.

Never act on an unexpected call from an unknown person who claims you have computer virus issues.

•

•

The caller helpfully shows you where the alleged virus is on your computer.

Never give your banking or credit card information to unknown individuals or businesses.

•

•

The caller then offers to sell you a six or twelve month computer service contract that he claims is meant to help protect you and your computer.

Never download software suggested by unknown callers.

•

•

If you agree, the caller requests your credit card details or asks you to pay by electronic money transfer.

Do your research. Check out the company that contacted you with trusted Government sources, such as Law Enforcement or Consumer Affairs – visit http://www.consumerhelp.ie/

•

Never send money to someone you have never met in person.

•

What you don’t realise is that there was no virus in the first place. However, the scammers may have uploaded spyware onto your computer and may now be processing transactions on your credit card.

You work hard for your money; never let a few minutes with a scammer take from you what has taken years or a lifetime to earn. Learn more on how to help protect yourself from fraud by visiting: https://www.westernunion.com/ie/en/fraudawareness.html

Tips to avoid falling victim to the computer virus scam:

Gavin Peniston-Bird, Regional Fraud Risk Manager at Western Union advises: “Awareness is the best defence against scams. These scams can be convincing, but it’s important to check with your local law enforcement or government department like the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in Ireland”.

To learn more about common scams, watch our helpful videos and gain some useful tips, visit our website at: https://www.westernunion.com/ie/en/fraudawareness.html.

© 2016 Western Union Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Rev. 02/10/2016

Hamburg and Copenhagen. Prices starting from under €150 pp. Some Cork departures are available. www.cassidytravel.ie GOHOP.IE Good site for value seekers and those who know what they want and like to put create their packages by themselves. www.gohop.ie EUROSTAR www.eurostar.com SUNWAY offers a 7 night `Christmas Markets on The Danube Cuise’, departing Nuremberg via Regensburg, Salzburg and Vienna en route to Budapest.

Departing 21st Nov. From €1698pp.

Check their variety of city breaks, with trips to Budapest, Prague and Vienna for under €260pp in Nov/Dec..

They also have an escorted tour with top company, Trafalgar, to the Christmas Markets in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Innsbruck and Lucerne are on the list. 7 nights, prices starting from €1645pp, departing 28th Nov. Return flights ex Dublin included. www.sunway.ie

Win A Break At Springfort Hall Hotel

KEITH PROWSE Great value breaks to the Brussels Christmas Markets are now available from Keith Prowse. The package, departing Friday 09 December 2016, includes return flights with Aer Lingus and three-nights’ accommodation with breakfast in a 3* or 4* city centre hotel. 3* from €179pps and 4* from €215pps. More information and bookings are available by calling (01) 878 3500 or visit www.keithprowse.ie.

PIERCE KAVANAGH COACHES With comfort, pick-up points en route, loo breaks, space and room for all your shopping, plus a competitive price, it’s no wonder that we love coach travel. Unsurprisingly, however, they are booked up quickly. Pierce Kavanagh is offering UK Christmas Shopping and also Market trips, including Liverpool, Manchester and Chester. Prices, at time of going to press, from under €200 - coach travel, return ferry crossing Dublin/Holyhead, 3 night B&B city centre hotel accomodation, and pick-ups en route.

They also offer trips to the Belfast Christmas Markets, including 2 nights accomodation and a city tour. This allows you to enjoy both the festive lights at the city central Market in the grounds of City Hall, plus the popular and varied St. George’s Market. Prices, at time of going to press, from €139pps. Kavanagh Coaches also offers a trip to Dublin , 2 nights accomodation, visits to Kildare Village and Dundrum Town centre included, from under €150pps www.kavanaghcoaches.com UNIWORLD is noted for its 5 star luxury cruises – food freshly and superbly prepared on board,with Top In Dining recognitions. You can enjoy unlimited beverages, receptions and dinners and wine tastings on luxurious vessels, including the new Maria Theresa, along with luxuriously appointed cabins, a cruise manager and excellent shore excursions. The RHINE HOLIDAY MARKETS CRUISE offers pure 5 star luxury. This 8 day Basel to Cologne cruise departs 12th December, taking in Germany, France and Switzerland. From the sophistication of the international city of Basel, on to Strasbourg, with its ancient half timbered buildings and Old Town Market, and the Baroque buildings of Koblenz, this cruise takes in 3 UNESCO Heritage Sites, with six days of shore excursions to must-see sites, including Heidelberg.

Passengers can save up to €1389pp on this cruise – the price now starts from €1829pps, all inclusive, flights not included.

Tel:- 022 21278 www.springfort-hall.com Hotel Reviews Ireland in association with Senior Times is delighted to offer two lucky readers the opportunity to win a break at the historic and much-loved Springfort Hall Country House Hotel in Mallow, Co. Cork.

Tucked away amid tranquil woodlands, Springfort Hall is a hotel for all seasons, perfect for a stress free break, excellent food at The Limetree Restaurant and Ballydaniel Bar, beautiful walks in surrounding countryside, close to Mallow Train Station and great shopping in Mallow town itself.

The hotel combines elegance and tradition with contemporary comforts and excellent WiFi throughout.

The prize consists of one night bed and breakfast and one dinner. (subject to availability)

To win this break just answer the following question:-

What is the s the name of the Restaurant at Springfort Hall Hotel, Mallow?

Email answers to stay@springfort-hall.com

Uniworld also has other excellent Christmas Markets and seasonal cruises, including the 8 day European Markets Cruise, in Germany and Austria. You can enjoy the Christmas build up in towns such as historical Nuremburg and Regensburg, along with intriguing shore excursions and trips, eg to Salzburg. www.onestoptouringshop.com/ie

Or by post to: Hotel Reviews Ireland Competition Springfort Hall Hotel, Mallow, Co. Cork

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that offers are prices includes are accurate at time of going to press, deals quickly sell out and prices and availability may change. Check websites for latest details.

First correct entry drawn is the winner. Deadline for receipt of entries is 10th November 2016

66 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Visitor Centre Guided Pottery Tours Visitor Participation Restaurant & Tea rooms ROSE ISLE GARDEN Belleek Retail Showroom Museum & Audiovisual Theatre GROUPS CATERED FOR

1857 1867 1877 Group of Fermanagh Boy & Girl Greyhounds Vase Basket Carriers

1897 1907 1917 1887 Round Tower Pig Hexagon Centrepiece Henshall Plate Basket Basket

1927 Harp Butter Plate

Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre | Belleek, Co.Fermanagh, BT93 3FY Tel:+44(0)28 686 59300/ Tel: +44(0)28 686 58501 Email: takethetour@belleek.ie | Web: www.belleekpottery.ie

1937 Shamrock Jar

1977

1957 1947 Shamrock Ribbon Vase Jug

1967 Irish Wolf 1987 2007-2017 Gaelic Hound Pappillion 1997 160th Coffee Mug Vase

Mantel Anniversary Clock Plate

Elgin Convalescence at Orwell Private

A period of illness or a stay in hospital can be a particularly stressful time and you or a loved one may require some extra nursing or rehabilitative care before returning home.

In the Elgin Convalescence Unit at Orwell Private let us take the stress and worry out of your recovery by allowing our professional team take care of your needs and assist you in preparing for your return home. Recuperation under the supervision of our nursing staff and therapy team can contribute to a speedy return to good health, an overall feeling of well-being and a safe transfer home.

Little things can make a difference to one’s recovery - not only do we provide everything to meet your nursing and care needs but within the Elgin Convalescence you will also find a tastefully furnished library, a kitchen and dining room and a beautiful sitting room, all of which deliver that home from home feel. The 13 bedrooms in the unit are all single and ensuite with nurse-call facilities, flat screen televisions, personal safes and wi-fi access.

For clients who are well enough there is access to our gardens and, of course, all the facilities which are available at Orwell Private including The Avenue where you will find our hair salon, shop, 50 seater café and rehabilitation gym.

Orwell Private provides specialist physiotherapy services in our Elgin Convalescence Unit.

Our experienced physio team will conduct an initial assessment on admission to the unit to identify your needs and a treatment plan is formulated to assist you with your recovery. Our care staff work closely with our physiotherapists to implement rehabilitation protocols, facilitating a safe discharge home.

At the Elgin Convalescence we care for post-operative patients including those recovering from joint replacements, spinal surgeries and from upper and lower extremities fractures. We also provide our services to patients recovering from general surgeries and for those who just need a little extra looking after.

Private consultations with one of our occupational therapists can also be organised. A number of holistic treatments such as massage are available on request.

Just because you’re not at home, you should not have to make any concessions in terms of the food you love. All our food is locally sourced, some from our kitchen garden, and freshly prepared. We are happy to discuss any special dietary requirements and if required can set up a meeting for you with our chef. We cater for individuals who may require specific diets, such as vegetarian, diabetic, coeliac and low fat.

For those who may require some assistance when heading home we can offer this service through Orwell Home Care. Home care ser

vices are available 365 days a year whether you require personal care, home help, companionship, dementia care, escort services or respite care. Our therapy services are also on offer on an outpatient basis.

At Orwell Private, the residential division of Orwell Healthcare, located in the heart of Dublin 6, we set the standard for compassionate and professional nursing care, catering for long-term residence, respite, palliative, dementia, acquired brain injury as well as convalescence care.

Orwell Private consists of three separate but connected buildings. Orwell House is a period home built in the 1830s with a three storey extension both of which have undergone refurbishment. The Elgin stands beautifully over four floors with bright airy rooms and fabulous boardwalks. The Raglan offers further state of the art facilities, rooms both single and double have stunning views of either the Dublin Mountains or our beautifully landscaped gardens. The Raglan is also home to our acquired brain injury unit.

The three buildings are connected via The Avenue which is the social hub at Orwell Private. For further information please call 014999000 or visit www.orwellhealthcare.ie

68 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Wine World A beautiful Beaujolais and an Irish craft gem

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Mairead Robinson discovers an Irish brandy and Burgundy’s best During the summer months we tend to eat lighter food and drink more white wine, and the

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Of course this is a huge generalisation, and there are many exceptions to this loose rule.

However, when the autumn comes along, my thoughts regarding what wine I like to drink always tend towards Beaujolais. While a Pinot Noir often fits the bill nicely for a lighter

70 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

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The famous Leopardstown Golf Centre in south County Dublin is ‘home’ to the largest community of lady golfers in Ireland and the focus for these enthusiasts is on enjoying regular gatherings with friends in a vibrant golfing environment. The centre hosts twenty-five established ladies golf societies and the ILGU-affiliated Leopardstown Ladies Golf Club, which combine to create playing opportunities and a lively social scene for a substantial number of participants every week. And the good news for lady golfers attracted by the set-up at the thriving Leopardstown Golf Centre in Foxrock is that there are membership opportunities available for the 2016 season…

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Longueville House has been fermenting cider and distilling Ireland’s only Apple Brandy now for over 30 years.

The Louis Jadot winery just outside Lyon which produces a celebrated Beaujolais

limestone. It is a pale though vivid red wine in which acidity plays a far more important role than tannin. The best Beaujolais has a juicy and thirst-quenching quality and from some of the crus or top sites (like Morgon or Moulin-aVent), it can achieve real depth and a meaty substance, though never with much tannic grip.

AC Beaujolais is the basic appellation and most of the simplest of all Beaujolais is produced in the south of the district, just outside Lyon. These vineyards also produce most of the AC Beaujolais Nouveau. By using the maceration carbonique the wineries are able to turn grapes into bottled wine in under eight weeks.

The release day is always the third Thursday in November. Thirty-eight of the better villages in the northern half of the area are allowed to sell their wines as AC Beaujolais-Villages.

Top of the hierarchy in Beaujolais are the ten villages that have the right to their very own appellations. These are often referred to as the ‘Beaujolais Crus’. The ten are Brouilly, Chenas, Chiroubles, Cote de Brouilly, Fleurie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin-a-Vent, Regnie and St-Amour.

Moulin-a-Vent is generally reckoned to be the most concentrated and structured, the nearest thing to a ‘serious Beaujolais’.

Which brings us to one of Ireland’s most popular Beaujolais wine brands – Louis Jadot - who are currently celebrating twenty years since they purchased the famous Chateau des Jacques domaine in 1996. And this year is very much a Beaujolais one for Jadot, and they marked the occasion with a tasting of older vintages of Beaujolais wines to show that the style can indeed age, contrary to popular-

ly-held opinion. The oldest was a twenty year old Moulin-a-Vent, still drinking well and with packs of energy.

If you would like to win a couple of bottles of Louis Jadot Beaujolais, check out the current competition on www.hotelreviewsireland. com Meanwhile nearer home, one of our popular country houses is making quite a name for itself with the production of their Cider and Irish Apple Brandy, both made from the fruits of their own extensive orchards. Anybody who has had the pleasure of eating at Longueville House – www.longuevillehouse.ie – will know that the food is outstanding and consists of mostly what is grown, caught or reared on it grounds. The production of cider is not a new phenomenon however as Longueville House has been fermenting cider and distilling Ireland’s only Apple Brandy now for over 30 years. They only use heritage, heirloom cider apples namely Michelin and Dabinett apples grown in their own orchards in Cork.

Longueville House Cider (ABV 5%) is all natural with no additives, no preservatives and no added sugars resulting in a really crisp, refreshing and clean cider, a real thirst quencher in the summer and equally delicious hot in the late Autumn and winter. I was interested to learn that in the States it is now popular consumed as an Apple Wine, served in a wine glass – the preferred way to enjoy a great Irish craft cider.

Longueville House Cider range has earned a reputation of quality - rapidly becoming a major hit in many restaurants and licensed premises throughout Ireland and is a gorgeously refresh-

72 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

ing drink - as far from commercially produced ‘cider’ as can be imagined.

Longueville House Apple Brandy is a double distillation (ABV 40%) of the cider using copper pot stills in their own distillery. Once the cider is made, resulting in a rich amber colour it is poured into pot stills where it is distilled into an apple brandy. The Brandy is stored in French oak barrels where it is aged for four years to mature. During the maturing process, the brandy draws out the tannins from the oak wood.

The resulting brandy is rich with the aroma of apples, smooth and full bodied on the palate. It develops a rich, dark colour after four years resting in the oak barrels. An ideal after dinner drink served straight up, or add to coffee for a unique Irish Coffee.

Finally there is the new cider Longueville Mor, the baby of the family but is punching above its weight at ABV 8% a combination of Longueville House Cider and the Apple Brandy with significantly more taste, more character, a truly delicious and unique cider.

When I visited Longueville House recently I was impressed not just with these great products which are an addition to the many home produced goodies available for sale there, but also with the eye-catching packaging. These make exceptional gifts, and for anybody thinking already of Christmas Shopping, this is the ideal place to start for the gourmet in your life. From just €11 up to €120, these are not only uniquely attractive, but also essentially affordable. More on longuevillebeverages@eircom.net or just give them a call on 022 47156

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What Do You Say To Someone Who Discloses Sexual Abuse? themselves. A non-judgemental response is essential.

Listen It’s important the survivor is given the space and time to speak openly about their experience and feelings. Try not to ask for details or direct questions. They should not feel under pressure.

At One In Four we are often contacted by family members or friends who have recently had a loved one disclose an experience of sexual abuse. It is difficult to know what to say. We can often be afraid to say the wrong thing.

It can be incredibly difficult for someone to talk about, so bear in mind they have chosen to tell you and trust you will be able to hear and understand what they have to say.

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Empathise Expressions of understanding are vital. The fear of not being believed can often be what has made it difficult for someone to disclose before now. Convey your genuine belief, give them your full attention accepting what they tell you and how they feel. Those who have experienced abuse can often have a negative view of

Explore choices Rather than giving advice explore the choices they have.

An experience of abuse takes away a person’s control and it’s important they are allowed to make decisions for themselves.

Giving someone information about support services may be helpful but it’s important they take the next step at their own pace. It is difficult to see of loved ones distressed and

we may want to them take a certain direction, however it is important to respect their decisions. Discuss how you can support them in the future.

Sexual abuse can have a devastating, long lasting impact on a person’s life. But this does not mean they are hopeless. We see our clients grow into strong competent men and women who go in to live happy and healthy lives as a result of finding way to survive their horrific experiences.

• T: (01) 662 4070 (Mon – Fri 9.30 to 5.30pm) • E: info@oneinfour.ie • 2 Holles St, Dublin 2, D02 FP40

High Cholesterol?

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Life is too short to worry about Cholesterol...

Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Ireland. However, 80% of heart disease is preventable, simply by making a few small changes in diet and lifestyle.

High cholesterol is one of the main risk factors affecting people of all ages, as it causes fatty deposits to build up in the arteries, making it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body. Scientific research has shown that plant sterols included with a heart healthy eating plan may reduce your risk for heart disease. Simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can reduce your risk considerably.

Cholesterol management Plant sterols help prevent cholesterol from being absorbed, which can lower LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol without negatively impacting HDL ‘good’ cholesterol. Including 1.6g plant sterols a day is scientifically proven to lower cholesterol.

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Heart health program While Zerochol is very effective at lowering cholesterol on its own, it has been shown that following a heart healthy diet and lifestyle may further contribute to healthy cholesterol levels and improve your overall heart health.

Changing habits is never easy, so we’re delighted to introduce a new FREE online support program which provides daily diet and lifestyle tips, healthy snack ideas and recipes to help support your cholesterol lowering efforts.

The Mediterranean diet The program is based on the heart healthy Mediterranean diet which discourages the Excellent Program “A complete healt h change...I I found the prog ramme very informative. The daily updates were encouraging . My cholesterol has reduced from 6.6 to 5.2.”

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Zerochol contains pla nt sterols. Including 1.6 g plant sterols a day is scientifically pro ven to lower cholester ol.

consumption of saturated fats and trans fats. You include more good fats such as fatty fish, seeds such as flaxseed and seed oils, olive oil, avocados, nuts and nut butters. Omega-3 fatty acids from cold water fatty fish have many benefits for heart health.

Aim to consume 2-3 portions of oily fish each week or supplement with a daily dose of high quality omega-3 fish oil such as Eskimo-3.

It is important to limit saturated fats to a minimum by reducing red meat, dairy, vegetable oils,

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Your lifestyle matters Exercising, not smoking, losing weight and reducing stress can all help reduce cholesterol and improve heart health.

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Sign up for the free program to receive daily e-mail updates with information relating to heart health, cholesterol, healthy fats, sugar and how it relates to high cholesterol, plus lifestyle tips, recipes and healthy snack ideas.

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Culture

Maretta Dillon reports on happenings in the arts over the next few months

Irish composer, Roger Doyle, considered “The Godfather of Irish Electronic Music” will present the World Premiere of Heresy, an electronic opera examining the life, works and death of Giordano Bruno, 16th Century Italian Heretic, Philosopher, Playwright, Spy and all round Renaissance Superstar. Presented as part of Project 50, celebrating 50 years of Dublin’s Project Arts Centre. Begins October 28 / booking project.ie The intriguingly titled Hot Club of Cowtown is on the Music Network circuit from October 28. They have been setting stages ablaze with their intoxicating blend of jaw-dropping virtuosity and down-home melodies, weaving together country, ragtime, big band jazz and blues to awesome effect. More info and booking from musicnetwork.ie This is always a good time for film with this year’s Palm d’Or winner, I, Daniel Blake directed by UK legend, Ken Loach opening October 21. His latest film lays bare the cruel realities for those who fall through the cracks of society. Derek Cianfrance, whose earlier films include Blue Valentine, is back with The Light Between Oceans (Nov 1) starring our own Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.

A lighthouse keeper and his wife rescue and adopt an infant girl adrift at sea. Years later, the couple discovers the child’s true parentage and are faced with the moral dilemma of their actions. Actor Ewan McGregor makes his feature debut with American Pastoral (Nov 11) based on the book by Philip Roth. This one is set in post war American when a man watches his seemingly perfect life fall apart as his daughter’s new political affiliation threatens to destroy their family.

10th Anniversary Dublin Book Festival from November 10 promises a wealth of readings, public interviews, debates, book launches and workshops celebrating Irish published authors and Irish publishing. Miriam O’Callaghan chats with Mary O’Rourke as she delves into Mary’s past and present offering an illuminating insight into one of Ireland’s best-loved figures while everyone is invited to share a laugh at Humour in Modern Ireland, with Aoife Dooley, Colm O’Regan and Colm Williamson in conversation with Damian Corless. This is but a small selection of what’s on. Most of the events take place at Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin. More info from dublinbookfestival.com Ballet Ireland gets the pre Christmas season going with their new production of The Nutcracker. The tour of this quintessential Christmas classic appeals to audiences of all

The intriguingly titled Hot Club of Cowtown is on the Music Network circuit from October 28.

Jaw-dropping virtuosity from Hot Club of Cowtown ages, with its fairytale magic, Tchaikovsky’s beloved and sumptuous score, beautiful costumes, and a tale of wondrous adventure.

Further info and tickets from balletireland.ie Not to outdone and at the other end of the dance spectrum is Bastard Amber. This ground-breaking dance production by the internationally renowned Liz Roche Company, draws inspiration from two of the great Irish artists of the modern age, WB Yeats and Patrick Scott. A stellar company of Irish and international dancers performs alongside four renowned musicians from traditional, rock and classical backgrounds. From November 15 / lizrochecompany.com

Events around the Country / October – November, 2016 DONEGAL Theatre A new musical event by playwright Frank McGuinness about family, place and country music.

Oct 6 - Nov 19 / Abbey Theatre Information: abbeytheatre.ie / 01 878 7222 CHARLES J. HAUGHEY: POWER, POLITICS AND PUBLIC IMAGE Photography Photojournalist Eamonn Farrell examines the public image of Charles J. Haughey and Desmond J. O’Malley.

Oct 8 – Nov 20 / Hunt Museum, Limerick Information: huntmuseum.com

78 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

MINISTRY, ADVOCACY AND COMPASSION: THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND 1916 History A new audio-visual exhibition chronicling the role of the Catholic Church in the events of 1916. Oct 8 – Dec 31 / St Kevin’s Chapel, Pro-Cathedral, Dublin Information: dublindiocese.ie/1916-exhibition-in-the-pro-cathedral A FEAST OF BONES Theatre Deliciously dark retelling of Henny Penny, a classic fable of survival featuring slapstick, song and theatricality.

Oct 17 – Nov 13 nationwide Information: theatrelovett.com I, DANIEL BLAKE Film A timely drama about an aged, ailing handyman’s battle to survive after being denied health benefits.

Oct 21 nationwide HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN Music A hot jazz / western swing trio who also sing in three-part harmony Oct 25 - Nov 6 nationwide Information: musicnetwork.ie HERESY Music Composer Rodger Doyle celebrates Giordano Bruno; one of the renaissance’s most brilliant and controversial figures.

Time to pack for the sun!

Going on holiday is great and here at Four Seasons Fairways you have that special feeling of being abroad at a place where you feel truly comfortable. A place you can explore and call home and where staff treat you as part of the family.

The resort is nestled in the heart of Quinta do Lago, the Algarve’s most prestigious development, just a short transfer from Faro International Airport. Our unique blend of stunning villa accommodation, safe & tranquil surroundings, first class clubhouse facilities and a genuine ‘home from home’ style of hospitality sets Fairways apart from the rest.

Spacious two or three bedroom luxury villas and apartments blend Portuguese architecture with beautifully landscaped gardens. Each unit has its own individual swimming pool or outdoor Jacuzzi situated on a private terrace with BBQ. The clubhouse has outdoor and indoor pools, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, a gym, tennis, golf shop, hairdresser with beauty & wellness centre, minimarket, and for school holidays the Childrens Fun Club. The bar and restaurant offer a weekly programme including entertainment with live music.

Book your holiday now, call: 00 351 289 357 667 or on line at: www.fourseasonsfairways.com Avenida André Jordan | Quinta do Lago | Portugal

Culture Derek Cianfrance, whose earlier films include Blue Valentine, is back with The Light Between Oceans (Nov 1) starring our own Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.

Glasnevin Cemetery and museum tours A hauntingly gorgeous Victorian Garden cemetery, with over 1.5m burials since 1832, each guide is passionate about sharing their love of heritage and history, telling the stories of Ireland’s fascinating past through daily walking tours & re-enactments, turning a learning experience into a period of magic with a careful balance of passion and sensitivity. A history lesson made fun and memorable by guides who know their stuff, with plenty of wit to spare. Be prepared to enjoy yourself.

Awarded Best Cultural Experience in Ireland by Irish Tourism Industry, Glasnevin is one of Ireland’s top attractions and is listed on Tripadvisor’s ‘Best Things to do in Dublin’ highlighting this a cemetery of historic importance.

Oct 28 –Nov 5 Information and booking: projectartscentre.ie THE LIGHT BETWEEN THE OCEANS Film Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander star in a sombre period romantic story.

Nov 1 nationwide LIGHTMOVES Dance + Film Ireland’s international festival dedicated to dance on film.

Nov 3-6 / Limerick Information: lightmoves.ie THE NUTCRACKER Dance Tchaikovsky’s wonderful music and the memorable choreography make this ballet synonymous with Christmas.

Nov 4 – Dec 23 nationwide Information: balletireland.ie DUBLIN BOOK FESTIVAL Literature Walking tours, health and wellbeing, poetry, chats with writers, children’s programme and more.

Nov 10-13 / Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin Information: dublinbookfestival.com BASTARD AMBER Dance A multi-disciplinary production, with sublime choreography, unforgettable imagery and live music.

Nov 15 – Dec 2 nationwide Information: lizrochecompany.com DUBLIN GALLERY WEEKEND Visual Arts 36 art galleries across the city throw open their doors to visitors old and new > Nov 25 - 27 / citywide Dublin Information: dublingallerymap.ie

Finally, if you’d like your event to feature in our list of What’s On please email: events.country@gmail.com 80 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Visitors learn about the harsh realities of life in Dublin, of gravediggers and grave robbers, cholera epidemics, and world wars.

Visit the graves of some of the renowned figures that shaped Ireland including Charles Stewart Parnell, Roger Casement, Eamon De Valera, Michael Collins, Constance Markievicz, and Daniel O’Connell. This is a unique opportunity to gain an understanding of Ireland’s complex and fascinating history. *** Special price for Senior of only €8 – includes entry to the exhibition, a 90 minute guided tour, a €5 genealogy voucher and 10% off at the Tower Café.

Located just 2.5km from O’Connell St, Glasnevin Cemetery covers 124 acres of glorious parkland with plenty to appreciate – perfect for those interested in exploring the legacies of Ireland’s heroes.

Finglas Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11. Tel:(01) 8826500 www.glasnevinmuseum.ie Open: 1000 – 5pm Daily Travel Department promotion

Winter sun deals from €399 It’s that time of year again, when the dark mornings creep in and there’s a chill in the air that leaves you dreaming of blue skies and warm sandy beaches. Thankfully, taking a Winter Sun getaway has never been easier, with holidays from Travel Department starting from only €399 per person including return flights and transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation, expert local guides and three guided excursions.

A top choice for Winter Sun is the island of Tenerife. The most popular of the Canary Islands has a fascinating history dating back as far as 200BC and offers sandy beaches, dramatic volcanic landscapes, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. You needn’t travel far to escape the Irish winter, though. Spain and Portugal offer some great alternatives, with temperatures in the mid-teens to low 20s during the winter months. An always popular sun destination is Portugal’s Algarve Coast, with its fabulous beaches, quaint whitewashed villages and fishing ports. Meanwhile, with departures from both Dublin and Cork, the Andalucia region of Southern Spain offers the perfect blend of sunshine, culture and cuisine. The charming town of Antequera, known as “The Heart of Andalucia”, is the ideal base from which to explore the stunning city of Seville, historic Córdoba and the incredible Alhambra palace in Granada.

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Humour

An Elf’s dilemma

By Joe Keane It was during the pre – Christmas period about ten years ago, that my pal Charlie and I were partaking of our usual drink in ‘The Old Oak’.

It was that time of year when the festival of Christmas had not yet arrived, but the spirit of the festive season was already permeating the landscape. Reality was suspended and fantasy was coming to the fore.

In the pub a number of diverse activities were clamouring for attention.

The TV was focused on a first division soccer game and some rather noisy teenagers were engaged in a game of pool. In an obscure corner of the lounge a muted version of ‘Jingle Bells’ was softly infusing the atmosphere.

The week before Christmas is quite interesting. When the actual feast day arrives, the holiday is already beginning its downward spiral. Folk are actively organising their New Year revelries. The commercial interests are busy displaying post- Christmas bargains.

Such are the vagaries of our human instincts that we treat time as if it were a never ending commodity. No sooner have we celebrated one gala occasion than we are scrambling forward to the next festivity or anniversary. But for now Charlie and I could indulge ourselves without the dreaded reality of the anticlimactic awakening.

Now my pal Charlie is a Philosopher. Not, you understand, one of those university dons who can boast a string of qualifications after his name. Charlie is a Public House Philosopher. He and I often discuss the inevitability of life, the universal mortality of Man and his never-ending quest to achieve almost impossible objectives. The transience of the life cycle appears to add to, rather than diminish, the procurement of further material gain.

But when a tall green clad stranger placed his hand on the stool beside us and enquired if it were free, he claimed our immediate attention. ‘My name is Art’ he exclaimed. ‘I am an Elf’ ‘Pull the other one’ replied Charlie ‘It has bells on it’.

‘Wait until you hear my story’ said Art ‘before jumping to conclusions’ We introduced ourselves and appraised the quaintly clad stranger. A bit tall for an Elf I thought, not that I am an authority on creatures from the middle earth or anywhere else for that matter. Art was wearing a traditional styled green tunic and red pants. His head was covered with a greenish bonnet with red highlights. His shoes were curled up and he looked quite flamboyant.

‘What’s your poison’ I enquired preparing to buy the stranger a drink. Art suddenly looked alarmed and clearly felt that we were about to do him some harm.

We hastily assured him that we were merely wishing to buy him a drink.

‘We are not allowed to drink alcohol’ Art retorted. ‘I merely wanted to sit here for a while’ ‘That’s fine’ said Charlie. ‘We just wished to treat you, it’s traditional in our country. Perhaps you will tell us something about yourself’ Art then proceeded to impart an intriguing account of his life. He belonged to a community of forest elves that lived in a remote region of Northern Sweden. It is every young Elf’s earnest ambition to enlist in that elite corps of Elves who assist Santa Claus at the North Pole’

Cartoons by Paul Steele

One day Santa dispatched his Agents to the area of Sweden where Art resided. Their quest was to recruit suitable candidates for his small retinue of assistants. When the Agents met Art, they were immediately impressed and he was sent to the North Pole. He was trained in every aspect of the work and it soon became clear that he had a flair for the business.

So for several years he continued in his career. Because he was highly intelligent he was promoted to a senior position. Throughout the year he plotted the course of the Christmas schedules. It was of paramount importance that the various house calls were not replicated and that the shortest possible journeys were undertaken to each region. Sat. Nav. Systems had not been invented. Many people do not realise the intricate planning that goes in to Santa’s Christmas duties. After all it is such a short night and there are so many houses to visit.

But trouble was looming. When Art embarked on his career he was a very young man. But he soon grew extremely tall for an Elf. Difficulties were encountered with chimneys. He could no longer hop in and out of each house as he did previously. Of course Santa himself had to relinquish such activities to others long ago.

Alas, it was decided that poor Art would have to terminate his position.

Santa is of course a very benevolent person. He felt very sorry for him but he had little option. Apart from giving him a generous redundancy package, he was also allowed to choose any of the countries he visited as his future place of retirement. Because Art had visited Ireland several times in the course of his career, he knew the Country very well. So he choose to live out his days here.

That was the spellbinding tale that he unfolded to Charlie and I that Christmas long ago. After we got our breath back we looked at our new friend in amazement. Then we saw one solitary tear rolling down his cheek. Any reservations we held about the veracity of his story, were immediately dispelled. We warmly shook his hand and assured him that we were glad that he choose our Country for his retirement.

Then Art stood up and told us that he had to go. ‘Although I am retired, I always give him a hand this time of year.’ He said. ‘The poor old fellow is Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 81

Humour

becoming very feeble’. With that he marched out the door of the pub.

For a moment looked at each other in amazement. Then we sprang to the door and looked up and down the street. But our friend was nowhere to be seen. In shock, we returned to our stools. We decided to be buy one for the road to calm our nerves. Now whenever we have a few drinks, we mentally rehearse what we are about to say to the barman. We once saw an inebriated reveller order a drink in reverse order. The barman thought he had said something obscene and barred him.

So very carefully Charlie ordered two pints. He explained that our friend who was dressed in green had to go.

‘What friend in green?’ asked the barman incredulously. ‘There was no one in your company. Yez have had enough. Ye’ll get no more alcohol’. Crestfallen we had to leave.

In the years that passed since we never told our story to a living sinner. But sometimes as the Christmas season approaches, one of us might begin to allude to that extraordinary night.

Then we stop and shake our heads. Some things are indeed stranger than fiction.

'15NLI-TourismIRE2 Sept.qxp_NLI 09/09/2015 19:16 Page 1

The National Library… where Ireland’s story is an open book Explore your family history, enjoy our free exhibitions, and relax in our beautiful café, all in the heart of Dublin.

National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 Opening Hours Mon–Wed: 9.30am–7.45pm Thur–Fri: 9.30am–4.45pm Sat: 9.30am–4.45pm Sun: 1pm–4.45pm Tel: +353 1 6030200 Email: info@nli.ie Web: www.nli.ie Follow us on

82 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Northern

By Debbie Orme

Notes

Looking on the positive side of life

Looking forward to Positive Ageing Month, members of the Greater Belfast Older People’s Forum joined Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston to launch the event which runs throughout October. (L-r): Rita Murray, Rosemary Ruddy, Lord Mayor, Pat McCann and Anne Greenan (front row).

Older people in Northern Ireland will looking on the brighter side of life this month, with thousands expected to join in almost 150 events during the second annual Positive Ageing Month.

Positive Ageing Month is a festival of events and activities for older people. Aimed at the young at heart, it offers a host of activities to join as an individual or as a member of a group, and celebrates the contribution older people make to their communities and the city of Belfast.

During Positive Ageing month older people can try everything from disco to danderball, visit exhibitions and Ulster Orchestra events, join in tours and surf the web, enjoy a movie screening of The Second Exotic Marigold Hotel at City Hall or dance the afternoon away at one of four Punjana Age-friendly Belfast Tea Dances.

‘I want as many people as possible to take advantage of all the events through Positive Ageing Month – it is great to see so many older people enjoying themselves, trying something new, grabbing opportunities and living life to the full,’ Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Brian Kingston.

84 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

‘We all look forward to being as mentally and physically active as possible as we get older and one of the best ways to do that is keep involved in what is going on around you.

‘Included in the activities will be a four-week cycle course on offer reminding people that they never forget how to ride a bike. Maybe they need a confidence booster before they get back on two wheels and this course is the way to do that,’ he added.

Positive Ageing Month is organised by the council in partnership with a range of other organisations including the Belfast Area Partnership Boards, Engage with Age and older people themselves.

‘During the festival,’ Alderman Kingston continued, ‘we would also encourage older people taking part to share their photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #positiveageingmonth

For more information visit: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/positiveageingmonth

Your legacy can make a lasting impact Most of us will be in a position to give more in our will than we could ever give while we are alive. Leaving a bequest won’t cost you anything in your lifetime but will impact well into the future and make a huge difference to people’s lives.

When making or updating your will you should of course take care of your family and friends first. But then please consider leaving something, no matter how small, of whatever is left to The Irish Hospice Foundation.

To find out more about leaving a gift in your will to The Irish Hospice Foundation, please contact Anna Sadlier on 01 679 3188 anna.sadlier@hospicefoundation.ie

www.hospicefoundation.ie

Charity Number: CHY 6830

Cross-border initiative can cut operations waiting list Last month, Dublin woman, Deborah Sheils, made her to way to the North to have a hip replacement carried out. Good news for Deborah’s hip - and even better news for Deborah’s bank balance since the operation was paid for by HSE! Deborah’s operation was carried out under a new directive - the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (CBD) - that is proving to be a real game changer but which is, to date, relatively unknown.

The directive was introduced in February of this year after initially being delayed by the Irish government. When the European Commission threatened legal action, the legislation passed into Irish law!

What the directive means is that the CBD provides for the cost of publicly funded healthcare in Ireland to be sought in a European Union state and the costs are then reimbursed HSE. Under its terms, the HSE cannot reject applicants for treatment outside Ireland.

The cost of care is reimbursed up to the same level that would have arisen if the care had been provided in a public hospital in Ireland.

The news means that patients from the south can now travel to the North and have their treatment carried out without having to factor in travel expenses to other European countries. ‘I’d been told in February this year that I would require a full left hip replacement, but, unfortunately for me, my reinstated private health care wasn’t going to cover me as this

was a preexisting issue, so I was looking at a wait of at least fifteen months. Things weren’t looking good and the whole issue was getting me down.

Deborah Sheils: ‘ Don’t remain in pain, make use of the CBD’

‘I’d been out of work since January and my full wage payment was only going to be for a short time, then I was going on to Illness benefit.

Anyway, things changed in June when I was offered a loan to cover the op to get me back to ‘living’ and so I started to make enquiries as to what were my options where to have my op? How much? This is when I discovered the EU Directive for Cross Border Treatment.

‘My son lives in England and I thought it would be great to find a hospital close to him and UK being still in the EU, this was all looking great.

Then I thought, why take flights for such a big op when I have everything only an hour and 30 minutes away in the North?

‘My first call on Cross Border Treatment was made to Joanna in Kingsbridge Private Hospital. Joanna really was so well informed on CBT, and immediately emailed me all the necessary forms required to apply to the HSE and I made my appointment with her to meet with one of their consultant, Mr Pooler Archbold.

‘My application was approved by HSE within fifteen to 20 days of it being submitted and I had my op at the beginning of September ‘From my first phone call to Joanna, to my transport back to Dublin, delivered safely to my residence of aftercare by Chris and Patrice, everyone in the nursing, physiotherapy,

catering and cleaning were only superb. Thank you will never be enough for the excellent care given to me in my five-day stay...

‘In fact, it was a five-day stay with five-star treatment! ‘Please don’t remain in pain. If it’s not for yourself, maybe it’s a relative or friend, maybe a neighbour you see struggling everyday, whoever it may be, please tell them about the Cross Border Treatment. Yes, you need the money up front, but the wonderful thing about this EU Directive is that HSE will reimburse most of the monies, leaving you with only the shortfall to cover. Don’t remain in pain!’

For more information on the directive, email crossborderdirective@hse.ie Or visit www.3fivetwo.com

The rise of the vintage volunteer Statistics have shown that the highest rates of volunteering in the UK are amongst people aged over 65, with a small increase this year in numbers volunteering aged over 75.

Hope and a Future volunteers Joan, Betty, Olive and Noel join Moore Blair (far left) in the shop - but many volunteers are going further!

But, according to new research, mature volunteers are no longer ready to accept working in their local charity shop, and are becoming far more adventurous in their quest to make a difference. The volunteers who work in Hope and a Future in Randalstown may be happy to help out in the shop, dusting the bric a brac and sorting out the clothes, but they’re equally happy to hop onto a plane and make the long journey to Ethiopia, where they’ve already built two schools and are now building a centre for children with disabilities.

just roll up our sleeves and get on with whatever needs done.’

‘I’ve made the journey quite a few times over the years,’ says 60-year-old Moore Blair, who recently retired from the local estate agency.

‘It’s great to see the number of volunteers - particularly the older members of the community - who have made the trip to Ethiopia more than once over the years and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty!

The School for Humanity is the largest school, catering for 350 children in new purpose-built facilities, and the children are provided with at least one good, nutritious meal each day something which they just simply wouldn’t get otherwise.

‘We usually go out for a week or two weeks at a time and, despite the fact that many of us may not be involved in manual trades here, we

Hope and a Future originally started out with four rented rooms in the sprawling town of Shashemene in Ethiopia, where they employed teachers to educate 160 children. Thanks to the efforts of Moore and all of the other volunteers, who have joined him to make the trek, the charity has now built two schools and educates over 600 of the poorest children from the region.

‘In addition to the educational aspect of what we do,’ Moore continues, ‘we have helped improved the children’s health simply by providing hand-washing and showering facilities which have reduced the risks of many serious skin

86 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

conditions and infections. In addition our caring staff also offer emotional and spiritual support where appropriate as we strive to give our children every opportunity of a brighter future.

‘I can totally understand this new research that shows that mature volunteers are willing to travel and get involved in projects. There are certainly many of our volunteers here, who, over the years, have made the trip, but those who aren’t physically able to do manual work are great support for all of us and are with us in spirit even if they can’t join us. When it comes to volunteering, I think it’s more a matter of doing it in whatever capacity you can, be that in a shop, delivering or, as I’ve done, travelling to far off shores to be ‘on the ground’ as it were.

We’ve all got our own part to play, but I’m delighted to see this research that shows more and more mature people are getting involved.

‘When anybody says to me ‘You’re getting too old to keep on travelling to Ethiopia,’ I just remind them that the next potential President of the United States is well into her sixties and may soon become the leader of the free world!’

Knock House Hotel, is a newly refurbished 3-star 68 bedroom, architecturally-designed Hotel located in the tranquil village of Knock. The Hotel nestles in over 100 acres of picturesque grounds and is an integral part of Knock Shrine. Patrons can experience its uniquely friendly, comfortable and stylish surroundings, with superb welcoming staff and excellent cuisine.

The well-established Four Seasons Restaurant, overlooks a beautiful garden and captures the magnificent spire of the refurbished Basilica.

The Hotels very talented Chef’s create ‘mouth watering’ dishes in abundance and you will experience warm, friendly Irish service at its best where the ‘Céad Mile Fáilte’ really does exist.

As part of the €350,000 refurbishment, all 68 bedrooms were completely refurbished to a well appointed contemporary standard, designed to ensure you have a comfortable stay. Our Residents’ Bar was re-modelled, a beautiful oak bar counter was installed which has opened up our serene Lounge, together with the installation of a 42” flat-screen TV - ideal for those exciting Sports matches - where you can soak up the atmosphere in relaxing surroundings.

Knock House Hotel is open all year round and is the ideal venue for Christmas and New Year celebrations. The hotel also hosts entertainment including performances from local country legend, John McNicholl. His next concert is on Friday December 16th.

The Hotel is located adjacent to the N17 and N5, just 20 minutes from

Ireland West Airport Knock and 10 minutes from Claremorris Train Station. A pick-up & drop off service from Knock bus stops, and to and from Claremorris train station is provided on a pre-booked basis.

This Mayo Hotel is the perfect base to explore the magnificent scenery of the West of Ireland, follow the Wild Atlantic Way, or discover your own route. Westport, Galway and Sligo are all within an hour’s drive of the hotel. Visit attractions such as The Museum of Country Life, Ballintubber Abbey, Foxford Woollen Mills, Croagh Patrick, Céide Fields and many more.

The staff at Knock House Hotel take great pride in their Hotel and over the past 17 years, have earned it a second-to-none reputation for excellent food, but just as importantly, the consistently friendly service that brings its many guests back time and time again.

You can always be assured of a warm welcome at Knock House Hotel.

E: info@knockhousehotel.ie W: www.knockhousehotel.ie T: 094 9388088

www.knockhousehotel.ie

Citizens Assembly must focus seriously on Challenges Facing Older People

The inaugural meeting of the Citizens Assembly is 15th October. The Citizens Assembly is a representative sample of the population, chaired by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy of the Supreme Court, which will discuss a number of key issues including how Ireland best responds to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population. The Citizen Assembly must allocate sufficient time to this issue, it must not be relegated to the equivalent of a coffee break discussion, Sage – the Support & Advocacy Service with Older People, warns.

Mervyn Taylor, Manager of Sage, said that “it is difficult to see how the Assembly, which will also consider Repeal of the Eighth Amendment, fixed-term Parliaments, referendums and climate change, can do its job adequately in the time allocated.”

The recently published Report of the Forum on Long-Term Care for Older People poses very serious questions for consideration by the Assembly, he said.

“A short discussion period for consideration of older people’s issues is simply not acceptable, they risk being lost in the very wide range of other topics up for discussion.

“A key question that the Citizens’ Assembly must address is: ‘why, despite decades of policy reports and recommendations to government, is there still a systemic bias towards care in congregated settings with no formal legislative basis for support and care in the community?’

“Page 84 of the Programme for Government commits to ‘a discussion on the future needs

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of, and the possibilities and opportunities for our ageing population.’

“Having organised a Forum on Long-Term Care for Older People earlier this year, and undertaken a nationwide public opinion survey on preferences for providing and funding supports and care, we now have a detailed report available to facilitate such a ‘discussion,’” he said.

“Serious and long-standing issues affecting older people must not be relegated to the equivalent of a coffee break discussion, in the midst of what may be more immediately topical or controversial topics,” Mervyn Taylor said.

To read the Report on the Forum on LongTerm Care for Older People, and more about Sage’s work go to www.sage.thirdageireland.ie

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Opinion

by Jim Collier

Health Matters

the law should be changed to confining this to where there ar no white lines. Motorists despite the increase in road deaths, continue to break the speed limits, they tailgate, they do not use their indicators, these should all be classified as traffic offences, and they use mobile phones which are traffic offences. Likewise pedestrians jaywalking. These are daily occurrences with few charges, so what will be the outcome if we have an industrial dispute among the Garda, a free for all with disastrous consequences. Other issues that have been raised are as follows:

The absence of cycle lanes, there is not enough space for these in many city areas.

Ireland top spending country on Health but outcome for patients quite consistently low. This was a statement by a leading consultant at the AGM of the Irish Hospitals Consultants, I think that we are now very much aware of the seriousness of the health services, due to the lack of hospital beds, waiting lists for seriously ill patients, and overworked nurses and doctors. Older people are now very frightened of becoming ill even if it is not a serious illness, due to the current situation, which is becoming worse.

Use of Bus Lanes

Following calls for the opening of bus lanes for private motorists during the bus strike in Dublin, Minister for Sport Shane Ross said on October the fifth that this would be against the law, despite the extreme congestion throughout the city. Yet only two weeks before Minister for Energy Denis Naughten announced that he was considering allowing Electric cars the use of bus lanes and free parking. These of course are two different issues one negative and one positive, it seems however that where there is a will there’s a way!! Maybe they should change jobs!!

Cyclists not having to pay some form of Road Tax or Insurance, while motorists have to pay all of these.

Chief Executive Appointments to State Boards The issue of Chief Executives reappointments has raised its head also recently in the cases of the Irish Board of Racing and Sports Ireland, where the vacancies have not been advertised and existing holders of the posts have been reappointed. Government guidelines state that “CO’s of State bodies should only serve a single term of seven years” In particular the appointment of the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland who has been reappointed for the third successive term of seven years seems outlandishly in breach of the guidelines. Is this another “Jobs for the Boys”

Cyclists Behaviour

Hardly a week goes by without articles appertaining to the behaviour of cyclists and indeed motorists by motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists, last Wednesday there were four such articles in the Irish Times letters page.

The articles vary, relating to the health benefits of cycling, the danger of cycling, behaviour of cyclists and motorists towards each other and towards pedestrians. Despite the incidences of road deaths among such groups, I have never seen such bad behaviour among all of them as follows. Cyclists continue to go through red lights, cycling 2 abreast (allowed) but chatting contiously where there are continous white lines,

Political agenda for the future

I remember a number of years ago in my employment where “canvassing will disqualify” was on all application forms, a senior politician who canvassed for an acquaintance, used his influence to have this requirement removed from the application form.

Competition winners from last issue SENIOR TIMES NO 79. SOLUTION

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Science

The European Science Project ProACT Maretta Dillon Speaks to Dr John Dinsmore of Trinity College who is heading up the European Science Project ProACT Dr John Dinsmore from Trinity College, Dublin is heading up a €5 million European science project and he owes it all to his Granny. Growing up in Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland, he was keenly aware that his grandmother, Maureen, who developed MS in her late twenties did not get the services or support she needed. This was not because her family and those around her weren’t willing but they lacked knowledge and intelligence about the disease.

Once when visiting his grandmother he asked her, how she coped? ‘John, you know, the bottom line is that in my head, I can run’. Dr Dinsmore developed his interest in health psychology and chronic health conditions from there. He firmly believes that ‘people should have the ability to live at home for as long as they want and to be given the tools that will enable them to do that. I also believe that people should have access or more access to their health data and that by giving them access, they can make better informed decisions.

People should be empowered to look after their own health. They can only do this if they proactively engage with managing their own health conditions’.

ProACT, his new research project aims to develop a digital solution that will allow people over 65 who have a number of chronic health conditions to stay longer in their own homes.

The idea is that they will use a programming app on their Smart phones, tablets or computers to input data about their health. They, with the support of their own network of doctors, carers, family and friends, are then more proactive in managing their health issues.

Dr Dinsmore acknowledges that this is a two way street. ‘You know, one of the challenges is that we get the health professionals in the trial to trust their patients to not only input the data correctly, but also digest the data and act on what it finds’. What Dr Dinsmore would like to see is patients being more involved by taking their own readings such as: heart rate; blood pressure; physical activity. Dr Dinsmore admits

Prof. Mary McCarron (Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, TCD), Dr. John Dinsmore, Minister for Older Persons and Mental Health Helen McEntee and the Dr. Patrick Prendergast (Provost of TCD).

that we are still at the beginning of this process but the rapid improvement in digital technology means this is the right time for this type of innovation.

ProACT, has started trials in Louth with one of its partner organisations, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, as well as a parallel trial in Belgium.

Sixty patients were selected who have one or more of the following chronic conditions: diabetes; chronic heart disease; congestive heart failure; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and age related cognitive decline. They will record their own health data in the trial, which will input into the larger research programme. If necessary, help will be given in terms of using digital technology but Dr Dinsmore has been struck by how much access the over 65s already have to new technology.

In his time as a health psychologist, he has been very aware that patients often see what happens to them medically as outside their ability to change. Recording what they do every day means that over time they can track their condition noting improvements and directly relating it back to their behaviour. ‘You have to facilitate those changes in people so you get a behaviour change, the data is one of the key things we’re looking at to help change’.

Interestingly, Dr Dinsmore rates social connectedness as extremely significant in helping people manage ongoing health conditions. In his previous work, he noted the importance of having a peer group of people who understand the disease and who can lend support and advice, ‘a lot of the people seemed to be more looking forwards to meeting their peers rather than their GPs’. He points to the work of volunteers such as Betty Sullivan and Michael McGlynn who organised exercise classes for people with COPD. Work such as this suggested the idea of ProACT to him and his team, ‘a lot of those little small projects led to ProACT

92 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

- there was a hunger for a lot of people to stay well’.

One of the issues where he hopes that ProACT can make a big difference is in the area of polypharmacy. This medical term happens when people with more than one chronic disease are trying to treat them all at the same time. ‘Our health system is built on the idea of a single disease so you treat an individual as if they had only one disease, we have very limited knowledge of how to deal with those people with multiple diseases’. In Ireland, more than 16,000 people age 65 and over are dealing with more than one chronic health condition.

The final trial will conclude in a rural part of Northern Italy. It is important that the digital solutions arrived at is useable across different languages and social/cultural expectations.

Dr Dinsmore accepts that ‘the complexity of the health system and the differences in health systems worldwide along with issues around data protection means that there are many variables before anything can be approved’.

The global population is ageing and there is increasing pressure on the health system here and across Europe. Dr Dinsmore is hopeful that ProACT will reduce the need for visits to doctors’ surgery for example. He states that ‘taking money out of the likes of hospitals for primary care is politically tough. For us to do that, we need strong leadership in the HSE to see the vision and to work with us’. He accepts that ‘a cost benefit analysis of the potential’ is needed before it will be accepted and that this must be part of any persuasive argument for ProACT. The ProACT research programme is due to conclude in 2018 with a larger roll out in 2019.

Digital technology is impacting on every aspect of our lives. Health is now in its path. If you would like to know about ProACT please visit their website proact2020.eu

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Citizens Information Service

Know Your Rights

Advice from the Citizens Information Service

I am not happy with work that I had done in my house by a builder and will have to pay for someone else to finish the job properly.

What can I do to recoup the additional expense?

I make regular donations to charity. Can I claim tax back on my donations?

The tax code provides for tax relief for “eligible charities” and other “approved bodies” including schools and educational institutions. Revenue lists bodies that have been granted a charitable tax exemption on its website.

If your original builder is unwilling to compensate you, you may be able to pursue a claim against the builder through the Small Claims procedure.

The aim of this procedure is to provide an inexpensive, fast and easy way for consumers to resolve disputes without needing to employ a solicitor. The maximum amount you can claim is €2,000. The Small Claims service is provided through local District Court offices.

Anyone who has purchased goods or services for private use from someone selling them in the course of business may submit a claim using the Small Claims procedure. You can make claims for faulty goods or bad workmanship, minor damage to property and for the non-return of rent deposits for certain kinds of rented properties. Businesses involved in disputes with other businesses can also use the Small Claims procedure.

If you make a donation of at least €250 to an eligible charity, tax relief on your donation is allowed to the charity rather than to you (the donor).

Cash donations made in instalments, such as by standing order, also qualify. The charity can claim a refund of tax on your donation at the end of the tax year. Relief is granted to the charity at a blended rate of 31% rather than the rate you actually pay. The donor is not entitled to a repayment of any part of the tax that has been repaid to the charity.

The amount repaid to a charity for any tax year cannot be more than the amount of tax actually paid by the donor for that year. For example, if your income tax liability for 2015 is €350 (which you have paid), the repayment to the charity is restricted to that amount. The minimum qualifying donation for individuals in a year of assessment is €250 and the maximum qualifying donation is €1 million. (Note that corporate donations are treated differently.)

If you are willing to allow the charity claim a refund on your donation, you need to fill out a form - either an “Annual Certificate” (CHY4) for a single tax year, or an “Enduring Certificate” (CHY3) which lasts for up to five years. You can find more information about tax refunds to charitable organisations in Revenue’s booklet about the Charitable Donation Scheme (pdf) My daughter and her partner are expecting a baby in September.

Can they claim the new Paternity Benefit? Are there any other benefits they can claim?

To make a claim, you complete an application form, which you can get from the Small Claims Registrar at your local District Court office.

You can also get help in completing the form from the Registrar. Make sure you use the correct name and address of the person or company against whom you want to make the claim. The completed form with a fee of €25 should be lodged with the Small Claims Registrar. You can also apply online at the Courts Service Online website, csol.ie.

The Registrar sends a copy of your application to the person against whom you are making the claim. If the other party does not reply within 15 days of receiving your application, your claim will be automatically treated as undisputed and you can apply for a court order in your favour.

But, if your claim is disputed, the Registrar will contact you and let you have a copy of the reasons why the other party is disputing your claim.

The Registrar will try to negotiate a settlement to the dispute. If no settlement can be reached, the matter is then set down for a court hearing in the District Court.

94 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Paternity Benefit is a new payment for employed and self-employed people who are on paternity leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI). The PRSI classes that count for Paternity Benefit are A, E, H (with the exception of serving members of the Defence Forces) and S (self-employed).

Know Your Rights By default, all hearings are held in public. However, you can request that a hearing (or part of a hearing) be held in private. To improve the transparency of the appeals process, the Appeal Commissioners are required to publish anonymised versions of all of their determinations.

Another significant change is that appeals can no longer be re-heard before a Circuit Court Judge. You can appeal to the High Court on a point of law, but not in relation to the facts.

I started a new job 3 weeks ago. Although I have been paid each week, I don’t know if I have paid any tax or PRSI. How do I find that out?

You should have been given a pay slip by your employer when you were paid. Your pay slip can be provided to you either in electronic format or in hard copy. Under the Payment of Wages Act 1991 all employees have the right to a pay slip which shows the gross pay and details of all deductions. A pay slip is essentially a written statement from the employer to the employee that outlines the total pay before tax and all details of any deductions from pay.

Certain deductions from pay are allowed under the Act. They include deductions that are required by law, for example, tax (PAYE), Universal Social Charge (USC) and social insurance (PRSI). Deductions provided for in your contract of employment, such as occupational pension contributions, are also allowed.

You should ask your employer for pay slips for the three weeks that you have already worked. If your employer fails to give you those pay slips and continues to pay you without giving you a pay slip, you may make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). To do this, you make a complaint under the Payment of Wages Act using the online complaint form available on the WRC website, workplacerelations.ie.

The Workplace Relations Commission also provides information on your rights and entitlements under employment legislation. For further information about your employment rights on pay slips and deductions from wages, you can contact its Information and Customer Service at Lo-call 1890 80 80 90 or through the website, workplacerelations.ie.

Social Protection, if you have enough PRSI contributions to qualify.

If you do not qualify for Carer’s Benefit, you may qualify for a means-tested Carer’s Allowance. If you get Carer’s Allowance, you are entitled to a Free Travel Pass. You may also qualify for the Household Benefits Package if you live with the person you are caring for.

There is also an annual Carer’s Support Grant of €1,700, formerly known as the Respite Care Grant, which is paid to full-time carers in June each year. Even if you are not getting any other social welfare payment, you can qualify for this grant if you fulfil the conditions.

My friend has been invited to take part in free cancer screening.

I haven’t received an invitation but she says it’s a national free screening programme. How do I take part?

My mother is in hospital and I will need to provide full-time care for at least 6 months when she gets out. What is available for people in my situation?

There are several entitlements available to you. In order for you to qualify, the person you are caring for (your mother) must be deemed to be in need of full-time care and attention. This decision will be made by the Department of Social Protection, based on information provided by your mother’s GP. If you are working at present and will be taking time off to care, you may be eligible for carer’s leave of up to 2 years. You must have worked for your employer for a continuous period of 12 months to qualify for this leave.

While you are on carer’s leave, you are entitled to get credited social insurance contributions to maintain your PRSI record.

You are entitled to annual leave and public holidays in respect of the first 13 weeks of carer’s leave. Your employer cannot dismiss you or victimise you for exercising your right to carer’s leave.

You may also be entitled to Carer’s Benefit from the Department of

There are free screening programmes to help detect or prevent a number of types of cancer.

BowelScreen, The National Bowel Screening Programme, aims to find bowel cancer at an early stage in people who have no symptoms. It offers free screening every two years to men and women aged 60 to 69. If you are in this age group you can ring BowelScreen on Freephone 1800 45 45 55 to check your details are on the register. If you are on the register you will receive an invitation to take part in the BowelScreen programme.

Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 95

Know Your Rights

CervicalCheck, The National Cervical Screening Programme, tests women aged 25 to 60 for changes in the cells of cervix. Early detection and treatment can prevent cervical cancer. If you are aged between 25 and 60 and have never had a Cervical Check smear test you can simply make an appointment with a GP practice or clinic registered with Cervical Check. You can find one in your area by visiting cervicalcheck.ie or by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55. A letter of invitation is not needed to make an appointment and attend for a first test.

• If your income is below €50,000 a year, you may get a grant of up to 80% of the cost, up to a maximum of €4,000 • If your income is between €50,001 and €75,000, you may get up to 50%, up to a maximum of €2,500

Breast Check, The National Breast Screening Programme, invites women to a free mammogram (x-ray of the breast) every two years. The screening has been available to women aged 50 to 64 but is currently being extended to also include women aged 65 to 69. If you have not received an invitation you can check if you are registered by visiting breastcheck.ie or by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55.

The contractor who does the work must give you the following: a current tax clearance certificate; itemised receipts; written confirmation that materials used are of appropriate quality and written confirmation that a proper standard of workmanship has been applied.

Screening can help prevent or detect cancer at an early stage in people who have no symptoms. If you have any specific concerns or symptoms you should visit your GP (family doctor). been followed correctly or if those policies are fair.

We think that the water pipes in our house are made of lead and pose a risk to our health. We can’t afford to spend a lot on replacing them. Can we get a grant?

The local authorities administer a means-tested grant scheme to help low-income households with the cost of replacing lead pipes and fittings.

You will need to provide evidence of your household’s income when applying to the local authority for the grant.

You must own the dwelling and live in it as your principal private residence (your main home). You must get the remedial work done before applying for the grant.

You must also get evidence of a risk of lead contamination in your home. This can either be: • A letter from your water supplier, advising that your water system is likely to contain lead pipes and fittings, or • A certificate from an accredited laboratory, showing that the amount of lead in your water supply is over the statutory limit You will need to enclose all these documents with your grant application.

Read more on housing.gov.ie.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, 0761 07 4000.

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Literature

Celebrating the Heaney legacy Pat Keenan visits the recently opened Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, Co Derry He has been hailed as the greatest Irish poet since William Butler Yeats. He was Harvard University’s Poet in Residence, Professor of poetry at Oxford, received too many awards to list here, was made a Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres and capped it as the recipient of the 1995 Nobel Prize for Literature. His roots are in a small village in County Derry.

To celebrate his legacy, Seamus Heaney HomePlace a new £4.25 million arts and literary centre has opened in Bellaghy, where he grew up and where many of his inspirations nurtured. At the opening, its artistic director Sean Doran said he believes it to be “the first purpose-built centre dedicated exclusively to literature on the island of Ireland” Although Bellaghy is in County Derry it is positioned just above Lough Neagh making it actually closer to Belfast than to Derry city. Seamus Heaney’s wife Marie, who was at the opening, came from Ardboe, a small village on the western shores of Lough Neagh and so it was an area Seamus got to know well and wrote of it in ‘A Lough Neagh Sequence’(Door into the Dark) and ‘Toome (Wintering Out).

HomePlace is built on the site of the former RUC station in Bellaghy.

It was designed with what the architects refer to as ‘a subtle nod to the site’s historical past’ and so included an elevated viewing platform across the surrounding countryside, a landscape which so inspired Seamus Heaney. The permanent exhibition fills two floors with personal stories, family photographs, the recorded voices of friends, cultural figures, world leaders and the voice of the poet himself reading his own words. His pen and words make exhibits hanging on nylon strings. It is all fully interactive using the technologies of video, of audio, of touch screens and there is even a recreation of the poet’s Dublin study.

He lived in Sandymount, Dublin, from 1976 until his death. The new centre includes a café and a shop selling gifts, souvenirs, arts and crafts and an opportunity to buy Seamus Heaney books. The Belfast poet 98 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Michael Longley said “This building will become an echo chamber for the poets beautiful lines.”

There isn’t a great deal to Bellaghy, I walked it. slowly, in perhaps a quarter of an hour. At one end there is Bellaghy Bawn, a fortified house dating back to the early 17th century when the town was one of many built and settled under the control of the Vintners Company of London (hence the the London in Londonderry) as part of the Plantation of Ulster.

There was the Bellaghy Temperance Masonic Lodge which seemed to be closed, so I crossed the road to Doc’s Central Bar which was open.

There we drank a toast to Seamus, who they say, enjoyed a glass or two of whiskey. Unfortunately for my research, ‘Doc’ Dotherty the owner said that as far as he knew, Seamus never set foot in the place. I told him about the bar I came across in Madrid that displayed a sign which read: ‘Hemmingway never drank here.’ With the new Seamus Heaney HomePlace centre, all may change for Bellaghy. According to Ursula Mezza of the the Mid Ulster Council, the projected target is to have 35,000 visitors per year.

The larger shopping towns in the area would be Magherafelt and Cookstown. Magherafelt bus station was fondly remembered and mentioned

by Seamus in Stepping Stones for school time reunions with his mother The Heaney home, as Seamus grew up, was not in Bellaghy town but a short distance away on a farm called The Wood. It is still a working farm and the home of Seamus’ brother Hugh. The farm and the adjacent bog land are featured in many of his poems, The Ash Plant, Bog Oak, The Other Side and in ‘Digging’ where he listens from an upstairs window as his father digs below.

Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests; snug as a gun.

Under my window, a clean rasping sound When the spade sinks into gravelly ground: My father, digging. I look down

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The Heaney family outside the new HomePlace building: son Christopher, wife Marie, daughter Catherine, son Michael

Seamus Heaney desk and schoolbag

and the poem ends with the words: But I’ve no spade to follow men like them.

Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests.

I’ll dig with it.

He was born at Mossbawn Farm near the village of Castledawson in 1939. Local Historian historian Eugene Kielt showed us where the old thatched and whitewashed house was about 30 yards in from the road where the family suffered an early tragedy. Seamus’ younger brother Christopher, age 3, was was struck by a car and died. No one was really at fault, it just happened. It was recalled by Seamus in the poem ‘Mid-Term Break’ In the porch I met my father crying – He had always taken funerals in his stride – And Big Jim Evans saying it was a hard blow.

The baby cooed and laughed and rocked the pram When I came in, and I was embarrassed By old men standing up to shake my hand And tell me they were ‘sorry for my trouble’ Whispers informed strangers that I was the eldest, Away at school, as my mother held my hand In hers and coughed out angry tearless sighs.

At ten o’clock the ambulance arrived With the corpse, stanched and bandaged by the nurses.

Next morning I went up into the room. Snowdrops And candles soothed the bedside I saw him For the first time in six weeks. Paler now, Wearing a poppy bruise on his left temple.

He lay in a four foot box, as in his cot.

No gaudy scars, the bumper knocked him clear.

A four foot box, a foot for every year.

Seamus Heaney is buried at St. Mary’s Church in a far corner of the cemetery beside an ivy topped stone wall under a sycamore tree and a hedge of snowberries. The Heaney/Scullion family graves are beside him, containing his baby brother Christopher, his mother, his father, his two aunts and his sister Anne. The parish priest, Fr Dolan, took us there.

He felt Seamus should have a place of his own and felt that this spot was suitable and fitting. One visiting journalist asked if Seamus had faith.

The priest’s answer was reflective and thoughtful and told of an essentially good man but I’m not convinced we got the answer. Maybe 100 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Artistic director Sean Doran

there is no answer but just the day before I had read and was touched by his poem ‘When all the others were away at Mass’. The poem recalls when he was at his mother’s deathbed and the priest, as he put it “went hammer and thongs at the prayers for the dying,” Seamus wanders back in thought, to peeling potatoes with his mother.

When all the others were away at Mass I was all hers as we peeled potatoes.

They broke the silence, let fall one by one Like solder weeping off the soldering iron: Cold comforts set between us, things to share Gleaming in a bucket of clean water.

And again let fall. Little pleasant splashes From each other’s work would bring us to our senses.

So while the parish priest at her bedside Went hammer and tongs at the prayers for the dying And some were responding and some crying I remembered her head bent towards my head, Her breath in mine, our fluent dipping knives– Never closer the whole rest of our lives.

The headstone is plain, has no religious iconography, just the words, ‘walk on air against your better judgement’, an epitaph from his poem ‘The Gravel Walks’ and recited by Seamus at his acceptance of the 1995 Nobel Prize for Literature.

Getting There We drove from Dublin to Belfast, switched from the M1 to M2 and joined the M22 just north of Lough Neagh and near Moneynick continued on the A6 to Toomebridge along the Hillhead Road, turned onto the Deeppark Road to Bellaghy and the Seamus Heaney HomePlace, 45 Main Street, Bellaghy (www.seamusheaneyhome.com). That drive took almost two and a half hours.

I stayed at The Ardtara Country House, secluded in 8 wooded acres near the village of Upperlands, the nearest town is Maghera.

Local historian Eugene Kielt, blue badge tour guide and Seamus Heaney enthusiast, also runs a guest house, Laurel Villa Townhouse, 60 Church Street, Magherafelt www.laurel-villa.com

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Legal

When is a will not a will?

James Noonan advises

The Estate of William Jennens – a cautionary tale!

In 1798 Mr William Jennens attended with his solicitor to sign up his last will and testament, realising he forgot his reading glasses he folded up the will and placed it unsigned in his overcoat. He passed away during the night and the unsigned will was found neatly folded in his pocket. Mr Jennens however left an estate of circa £2 Million Pounds (circa £230 million today) behind him and thus died intestate.

In 1915 (117 years later) the court cases arising from the litigation taken over who entitled to his estate came to an end and this was due to the lawyers having exhausted the full value of the estate in legal fees ! Although an extreme case it is indicative of the lengthy and expensive litigation which can arise from a dispute over a deceased person`s estate.

What should you consider in making your will ?

Thus when making your will it is important to know the circumstances under which a valid will could be challenged this helps avoid the possibility of your will being set aside or interfered with by a court.

Generally you have the freedom to dispose of your estate under your will as you see fit. However there are three categories of person generally who have a statutory right to bring a challenge to a will namely; spouses, children and co-habitants. This article focuses on situations where a person has died leaving a will only.

Spouse: Under the Succession Act 1965 your spouse has a defined share in your estate. Section 111 of the Act provides that where there are no issue (children or grandchildren) a surviving spouse is entitled to a claim half share in their late husband/wife`s estate. Where there are issue then this entitlement is reduced to a one third share. A Spouse may also have the right to seek to appropriate a dwellinghouse in which they are residing towards or in satisfaction of this share. If the dwellinghouse is valued at more than the value of share of the estate the spouse is entitled to then they will be required to pay the difference into the estate (unless it can be shown that to do so 102 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

would cause ‘hardship’ to the spouse or any infant.)

Unlike a spouse children have no automatic right to an entitlement in a deceased parent`s estate.

Children: Section 117 of the Succession Act provides that where a child can show that their parent (deceased) has failed in their moral duty to make proper provision for that child, in accordance with their means, then if that child challenges the provisions of the will the court may order that some provision for that child as the court thinks fit.

There have been a number of such challenges brought to court in recent years and it should be noted that child here has no age limit ( i.e. a 50 year old can be considered a child).

The court have a discretion in these matters and the guidelines for such cases were set down in F.M. V T.A.M. Factors as at the date of death which a court should take into account include the age of the children, number of children, their position in life, previous gifts made to the child during their lifetime by the deceased or indeed the education they were afforded, would also be considered. A child must show a need on their part and a failure in the moral duty of the parent under the aforementioned guidelines in order to succeed.

It should be noted that a claim under Section 117 cannot interfere with the share that is left to the deceased`s spouse (if such spouse is the child`s parent) Thus where a parent leaves everything to their spouse a child of that marriage cannot challenge the will no such claim can be brought. However a child born outside the marriage might be able to bring a claim if the spouse was not their parent.

Since 2010, the law recognises that a person in a co-habiting relationship with someone who dies might have a right to challenge the wll if no provision was made for the co-habitant.

Co-habitants : Cohabitants are defined in 2010 Act as two non-related adults who are not married to each other and not in a registered

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Finance

Retirement should not be when things stop!

Kintyre financial advises Today’s retirees can expect to be much more active than previous generations. In fact you can look forward to enjoying two or three decades of life after work, which is great news!

In retirement you will have 2000 extra hours a year to do something you want to do. In order to have a comfortable retirement, there are key issues from planning perspective that you should consider. These are things that we at Kintyre Financial have the skills and expertise to help you with.

civil partnership who are living together in an intimate and committed relationship.

A financially dependent cohabitant may be able to apply to the courts for redress if the relationship ends as the result of . In order to apply for redress you must have cohabited with the deceased for at least five years (or for at least 2 years if you have had a child with your partner). Cohabitants may however agree with each other to opt out of the provision of the Act. As with the case of children there are no defined shares set out in the Act and it has been up to the courts to set out what share a cohabitant should receive. It will consider a range of factors such as financial circumstances, needs and obligations of each qualified cohabitant, any spouse or dependent child. The duration of the relationship, the basis on which the parties entered the relationship and their degree of commitment. Conduct of the cohabitants, their earning capacity and any contributions they made the relationship may also be considered.

Although I have set out above the three main categories of individual who may seek a share in a testator`s estate other parties may seek to contest a will on the basis of claiming undue influence. This results where a person made a Will which was not a true reflection of their wishes due to pressure exerted on the person by another party. When a person makes their will and if they are subjected to undue influence that will can be set aside by a court.

Apart from legal challenges to a will it is also possible that a will may be challenged on the basis of it not being a valid will and not complying with the legal requirements for making a will as set out in The Succession Act, 1965. It is thus vital a will is properly executed in the correct manner and I would advise that a solicitor be contacted in this regard. The costs of drawing up a will can vary but usually would be between €125 to €250. However if specialist tax or trustee advice is required this estimate may vary.

If you require any additional information with regard to procedures involved in the above scheme or you have questions arising from the article please do not hesitate to contact the author.

James Noonan Solicitor, B.A., AITI, CTA For more information contact: John Fahy & Co., Solicitors, 6 Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, County Dublin.

Tel: (01) 2832155.

Fahysolicitors@eircom.net www.elderlaw.ie 104 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Kintyre Financial can help you. · Have you checked that your pension is on track? · Have you considered consolidating your pension into one plan? · Have you drawn up a budget? · Did you consider that you can pump up your pension contributions? · Don’t just think about pension – do you have savings/investments/ property? · Explore accessing your pension from age 50! · Think about inheritance planning! · Do you know where your money is being invested?

Sometimes the best laid plans don’t turn out as we’d hoped and even retirement isn’t free of surprises. All kind of things can happen, and this can mean changing your plans. But you always have options, and that’s where we at Kintyre Financial, as independent financial advisers, can guide you through.

Issues such as · Divorce – apart from the emotional upheaval, divorce can be expensive and eat into the financial reserves you have built up. Family home and pension assets are often the largest assets built up. There are several ways to split a pension and we can help you work through your options · Ill health – a serious illness may mean that you can take pension benefits sooner than expected. Kintyre Financial can help you work through your options, and also help you put serious illness cover in place for you. · Redundancy – possibly not what you were hoping for as you head towards retirements, but we can help you work through this in a tax efficient way Good financial planning can take the stress away from planning a comfortable and enjoyable retirement.

Kintyre Financial offers our clients a complete range of financial planning and investment solutions, whether you are a private individual, a trust, a pension fund or a business.

Our services are split into 8 distinct areas 1. General Pension Planning 2. Approved Retirement Funds 3. Approved Minimum Retirement Funds 4. Portfolio Planning 5. Estate Planning 6. Income Continuance planning 7. Critical Illness Protection 8. Family and Business Life Assurance What our clients say about us ‘Working with Kintyre financial has given me confidence as I approach my retirement’ Brian Dolan ‘Lawrence and his team offered practical solutions to my pension planning issues and a friendly, efficient service’ Diarmaid McDermott Contact us on 01 2944927 or email info@kintyrefinancial.ie www.kintyrefinancial.ie

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?

You can leave a legacy of hope, strength and joy to brave children by remembering Make-A-Wish Foundation in your will. When it comes to your will, it is only right that your family and friends come first in your thoughts. But you can also leave a gift to a cause close to your heart. You can ensure that we continue to give hope to future generations of children who truly deserve it.

Make-A-Wish Foundation strives to grant a wish to every child battling a life-threatening illness in Ireland. Wishes make memories that last many lifetimes but we can’t make them without you.

“Make-A- Wish Ireland is a fantastic organisation and does wonderful work to enrich the lives of children living with a life-threatening medical condition. The impact of a wish is immense – it can empower a child and increase the emotional strength to enable the child to fight their illness.

It creates a very special moment for both the child and the family, which is cherished by all.”

Dr. Basil Elnazir, Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician & Medical Advisor to Make-A-Wish Make-A-Wish Foundation confirms that it is signed up to the Triple Lock for Charities to ensure the highest level of transparency to donors.

Please contact Susan O’Dywer, Chief Executive, today to discuss – without commitment – the simple steps in leaving a precious gift.

Call 01 2052012 or visit www.makeawish.ie.

Charity Registration Number: CHY15267

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On the mend..

In the May/June edition of Senior Times Kate Garahy recalled her hip surgery and experience in hospital. Now she recounts her convalescence..

This story, as the title suggests, is about convalescence. The meaning of the word in the Oxford Dictionary is ‘a gradual return to health after an illness or operation’.

So to my readers I must explain: in the May/June edition of this magazine my story entitled My Left Hip gave an account of my complete hip replacement operation I have now moved forward and entered convalescence .

I leave the hospital after five days post operation. I’m packed and ready early and my transport arrives.

The ambulance driver and my nurse assist me as I’m relying on two crutches to get moving. It’s a journey to the unknown, but faith in my medics gives me confidence .

We travel on a dark December morning, my view of the city is restricted by half shaded windows of the ambulance but generally I feel safe and secure.

We arrive at my destination and I take a seat in Reception . After a short wait I retire to a private office with a lady for form filling, usual questions to register me for admission .I’m allocated a room so convalescence is real.

I’m sharing a room en suite with two other ladies..They are very welcoming so I am off to a good start.

One lady called Brigid is anxious to talk so she relates the rules and daily routine and seems happy to be first to convey this information to me.

This lady has been living in the city for decades yet her outlook on life and living is locked in rural Ireland . She did not believe in wearing a dressing gown, just a nightdress which stretched from head to toe, complete with long sleeves, modesty intact at all times .

Brigid had a big heart, good sense of humour which led to some 106 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

lively conversations regardless of our difference of opinion.

First day in convalescence went well with the support of my room companions and the helpful staff. Breakfast is served in our room, and lunch and dinner in the dining room.

I have an appointment with a doctor. No problem, he has my history so routine examination. At this stage I’m so well versed in all the medical terminology and my answers are quick and relevant .

So I join the procession of fellow crutch users all tap tapping our way to lunch. A staff member relieves me of crutches and notes my table number, so no mix up, a simple system and it works .

The atmosphere is very friendly. We chat and the conversation inevitably turns to reasons why we are here. Each person has a story. Someoneonce said there is nothing like an operation to lengthen your conversation. How right they were! After lunch I’m called to physio, which seems difficult as my mobility is restricted on my left side -- I feel like I have a wooden leg.

My bones have been replaced with a titanium prostheses held together by cement . I’m reliably informed its not the same as the one used in the building industry .

I came in contact with some interesting people during my convalescence. One lady called Jane or perhaps Lady Jane would be more appropriate.

Cartoons by Paule Steele

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She was tall of stature with a personality to match.

Liking her was difficult at times. As regards conversation Lady Jane was in the driving seat. Sometimes a casual meeting in the coffee shop could stretch to a second cappuccino.

There was a logistical problem with seating arrangements. If I was seated on an inside seat and My Lady occupied the outer chair well there was no escape . I was a virtual prisoner compelled to listen to her stories .

Letting her listener know her social status was paramount. I heard stories of her daughter and her academic achievements who sadly formed a permanent relationship with a completely useless ( according to Jane ) man.

I was tolerant at first as nobody rears a perfect family and their life path is their own. Sometimes I thought Jane was lonely. Eventually I formed other friendships and My Lady moved on to her next victim.

Evening dinner was good wholesome food like chicken and vegetables.

Now I have a problem with chicken bones.

Being fully aware this bone is needed in the said bird for its movements, but after its demise the bones on a plate is an offence where I’m concerned. I enjoy the meat trying all the time to forget the offending limb I removed and wrapped in a serviette .

A week passed and my mobility improved with the help of wonderful physiotherapist . Night staff were kind and caring no problem prescribing sleeping tablets and packs for my annoying left leg .

We had prayers mid-morning led by Sister Ann attended by a small group of devotees , mainly women of course , the men were observed entering the T.V. Room to watch some sport.

Visitors arrived most evenings bearing gifts of all descriptions.

I received cards of course , perfume, hand cream, soaps to delight any bathroom, slippers, not to forget the edibles , fancy chocolates and cake to accompany my coffee .

Flowers arrived covering my windowsill and filling the room with perfume to delight all present .

One evening a friend arrived who had travelled quite a journey to see me . She brought me books, art work to keep my mind active more chocolates .

I much appreciated this visit and showered her with questions any news ? gossip ? .My curious mind needed to be fed the intimate details .

In this department my friend passed with flying colours.

Time is coming to an end in Convalescence, two more days and I will be discharged .

There are rules to be obeyed when I leave .

Namely, no stretching, bending, stooping and no driving, ( scary ).

I must sleep on my back for six weeks, my patience will be stretched .

On the morning of my leaving I am the recipient of the following , One pair of crutches , 108 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

My Lady occupied the outer chair and there was no escape. I was a virtual prisoner compelled to listen to her stories.

A complete bag of medication , two tablets every four hours to prevent something or other and same dose to prevent the first four causing some other complaint , the mind boggles !

Next two pairs of white compression stockings to be worn for six weeks ,( Not very flattering with my Alexander Mc Queen number and Manolo Blahnik heels .) Cinderella you will not go to the Ball!

Not this year anyway. .

Next a long pole with clasp attached for picking things up , so when I’m fit again an application to the Urban Council for a job as a street cleaner will be in order .! !

Other gadgets to assist putting on your socks, knickers, these inventions are endless .!

I look forward to going home and sleeping in my own bed and seeing my friends .

My care at the centre was flawless , tireless dedication by the staff to the patients was the order of the day .My strength and positive thinking have returned, so all is well .

I face the New Year ready to dance to its tune , metaphorically speaking of course , with the help of a titanium hip. !!

In the Seasons of our lives we are the custodians of all the happenings, so I have shared some of mine with you my reader.

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Health

Vaccination is the only protection Influenza (flu) is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the flu virus. Flu affects people of all ages, with outbreaks occurring almost every year. Flu symptoms come on suddenly with a fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. Most people recover from flu in 2-7 days. This is different from a cold which is a much less severe illness compared to flu. A cold usually starts gradually with a sore throat and a blocked or runny nose. Symptoms of a cold are generally mild compared to flu.

In some instances, flu can be severe and can cause serious illness and death. Serious breathing complications can develop, including pneumonia and bronchitis, to which older people and those with certain chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible. Some people may need hospital treatment and a number of people die from flu each winter.

Flu is spread by coughing and sneezing. Anyone with flu can be infectious from 1 day before to 3-5 days after onset of symptoms. This means that you can pass on flu or the flu virus to somebody even before you know that you are sick.

Each year the seasonal (annual) flu vaccine contains three common flu virus strains. The flu virus changes each year this is why a new flu vaccine has to be given each year. This year’s flu vaccine contains the Swine Flu strain which is likely to be one of the common strains causing flu this winter.

The best way to prevent flu is to get the flu vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for all those 65 years of age and over

Pneumococcal vaccine If you are over 65 or have a long term medical condition you should also ask your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine which protects against pneumonia, if you have not previously received it. You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as your pneumococcal vaccine.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is recommended for those aged 65 years and older and those over 2 years with long term medical conditions. This vaccine protects against 23 types of pneumococcal disease including those most likely to cause severe disease.

Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection. The bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease live in the nose and throat.

A person who carries the bacteria can spread the disease by coughing, sneezing or even breathing.

Pneumococcal disease can cause serious illness including Pneumonia, Meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain) or Septicaemia (blood poisoning).

You only need to get pneumococcal vaccine ONCE after you reach 65. If you received your first dose of this vaccine before you reached 65 years of age you should receive a second dose at least 5 years after the first dose.

If you are under 65 you may need a second dose if

those with long term medical conditions e.g. heart or lung disease

You have no spleen or your spleen is not working properly,

all frontline healthcare workers including carers

You have a medical condition causing a weakened immune system.

Vaccination should ideally be undertaken in late September or October each year. Flu vaccines have been used for more than 60 years worldwide and are very safe. Flu vaccine contains killed or inactivated viruses and therefore cannot cause flu. It does, however, take 10-14 days for the vaccine to start protecting you against flu. The vaccine and consultation are free to those within the recommended groups who have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’.

GPs charge a consultation fee for seasonal flu vaccine to those who do not have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’.

More information is available GP, Public Health Nurse or pharmacist. www.immunisation.ie provides details about flu vaccination, along with answers to any questions you may have about flu.

You cannot get pneumococcal disease from the vaccine as it does not contain live bacteria.

You can get the flu vaccine at the same time as your pneumococcal vaccine.

The vaccine and consultation are free to those within the recommended groups who have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’. GPs charge a consultation fee for seasonal flu vaccine to those who do not have a ‘Medical Card’ or ‘GP Visit Card’.

More information is available from your GP or Public Health Nurse. www.immunisation.ie provides details about flu vaccination, along with answers to any questions you may have.

EVERY YEAR FLU CAUSES SEVERE ILLNESS AND DEATH. IF YOU ARE: Over 65

Have a longterm illness

Pregnant

A health care worker

GET YOUR FLU VACCINE NOW.

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on

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.i m

.ie

IT’S A LIFESAVER m u nisat

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For more information, talk to your GP or Pharmacist

Collecting

Collecting is not just about value!

Any football programmes featuring the legendary ‘Busby Babes’ bring huge amounts

By Mike Kelly

Many of the collectors I meet in my journeys around the country nearly always ask “well, what is its value?” My standard answer is usually “it’s only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it” but that’s not the true answer.

When you become a collector, whether it is coins, stamps, banknotes, model toys, military or sports medals, comics, vinyl records whatever, you enter the wonderful world of pursuit and chase! Collectors begin with a subject that is really of interest to themselves. If you are an athlete you have probably won a few medals and have become interested in who-has-won-what at local, national and even Olympic events. You may work in an office or job where post arrives stamped with colourful stamps in amazing designs from countries all over the world. It’s the same story with banknotes and even the Euro coins in our pockets.

There are many varieties and denominations from all the Eurozone countries. You begin an accumulation, then sort out the duplicates and ‘swop’ them on to other interested individuals. Your collection has begun. Now the search begins for those missing values or items to com 112 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

plete the set. You constantly have an ‘eye out’ for these items; you visit car boot sales; coin or stamp fairs and, as you get more serious, even attend an auction or two. All the time you are researching and learning more and more about your chosen collecting subject.

‘Knowledge is power’ and to a large extent that is very true in the collecting world. If you collect football programmes you will know when the unusual matches were played and why so few programmes were issued. A postcard or stamp postmark collector will be seeking the unusual views or the mark from the long closed post office. Early issued banknotes were large and nearly always got folded and creased with use, so finding a near perfect one is a bonus. Most collectors are very willing to pass on their knowledge to younger collectors and encourage the next generation to learn about the things around them old and mod-

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Collecting

The famous Liberty Head nickel recently brought over 5m million US dollars

Rather than the massive price increases you would expect over three decades, some of the rarest and most popular stamps have actually gone down in value over the past 30 years.

The United States 1930 release of the Graf Zeppelin is a notorious example. This popular and scarce set of stamps was more valuable in 1980 than it is today.

ern. Somewhere along the line you start to buy the items you no longer find common to hand.

So value and cost enter the equation. The world’s rarest coins and stamps have changed hands for millions of Euros. The collectors who purchase them have the resources to finally complete their collections.

What advice is there for the modern collector? Well you have to be interested in your subject and find out all you can about it. Collecting doesn’t have to be expensive. You can collect banana labels or beer mats for little or no cost! Always get the best possible copy of your item, damaged or torn items do not look great and if you are really interested in the re-sale value of a collection, only complete or undamaged specimens can increase in value.

Don’t start spending money on items until you find out about the scarce or rare items in your chosen field of collecting. Get the best advice from more knowledgeable collectors or, if you don’t know any, join a club or society related to your interests. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion and when you ask an expert in your collecting theme, listen to what they have to say.

If your intention is to sell your collection and profit from it, there are a few principals worth knowing. At least three factors affect the saleability of your collection: The subject popularity: how many others are interested in your chosen subject. If you are the 114 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

only person in the country collecting the subject, the chances of resale are very much diminished. Try to choose a popular theme and get to know it inside out.

Scarcity: getting scarce items for your collection is directly related to your budget.

Always buy the best possible copy within your budget, but if your budget is only a few Euro, you may have to make do with common items. Consider availability and cost when determining which area to collect.

Condition: when accepting a collection for auction, an auctioneer one told me “it’s easy to sell top quality, lower grade items are much more difficult.” Over the years the price ‘spread’ between poor quality and finest quality has increased almost beyond recognition. Only buy the best quality that you can afford.

Collecting is a very pleasurable experience. It can keep the mind astute and the senses alert. There is a certain amount of companionship in belonging to a club or organization and meeting, talking and listening to other collectors. Yes, if you collect the right items at the right time, they become valuable or rise in price in certain market circumstances.

Remember though, collecting is not just about value.

Mike Kelly is a collector and gives valuation on coins, banknotes, tokens, medals, stamps and most collectables. He attends the 50 Plus Expo and gives advice and information on consigning items to auction. He is associated with Dublin Coin Auctions, a specialist auction house in Dublin.

How to look younger

without surgery

Facelifts? So last century. These days, women and a surprising number of men are seeking ways to turn back the clock without going under the knife.

“People have always wanted to look as young as they feel,” says Neelu. “But now we’re also living longer and working longer, so it’s important , not only for our wellbeing but for our careers also.”

Neelu can help you make the most of your natural beauty. “I believe in meeting a client first and having a look at their skin and how it’s doing” she tells us. The long term care and treatment of skin is her passion. She can improve your irrespective of age, skin type or skin concern.

Neelus facials are prescriptive and firmly rooted in experience and research-backed knowledge. Her 35 years’ experience in the business helps too. Because she doesn’t use needles or injectable, she works harder to produce collagen and repair skin. Her aim is for skin to look as well and as fresh and as natural as possible for your age. “A lot of my clients are middle aged men and women who want to look like themselves but fresher”.

Using LED lights, oxygen and perfector in her prescriptive facials, Neelu is restoring natural beauty. “I get great results using natural products with no down time, no long term skin damage and no unknown damage” Her skin care lines reflect her ethos too. “I put as much care and attention in to sourcing my skincare line as I do in to the treatments I offer” she tells us.

Perfector Perfector Face Lift is a more natural, noninvasive alternative to the surgical face lift.

The Perfector delivers low frequency micro currents to heal, and regenerate tissue offering both a corrective and preventive antiaging treatment. Unlike micro-dermabrasion and chemical peels, which take off layers of the skin, the Perfector treatment actually builds up skin layers by healing and encouraging cell revival and regeneration of tissue. Unlike muscle stimulators, Perfector, offers long lasting results.

by Neelu Neelu has been working with Perfector to create a natural, effective solution to aging skin using her deep knowledge of theraupic skin care in a professional environment.

Her professional ethos causes her to seek natural, non-invasive skin solutions that yield results and Perfector offers that to her clients.

Ion Magnum Want to make getting in shape easy? Neelu uses Ion Magnum to tone muscle and so lose inches on a longer term basis. It’s hard to believe that you can lose fat and build muscle but it’s entirely possible thanks to the expertise and experience of Neelu. The Ion

Magnum is an advanced fitness system that rapidly burns fat and delivers the benefits of an intense, professional workout without the pain, physical exertion or inconvenience of conventional exercise.

It is a device based on Nanotechnology is used to deliver pure analogue multisine Waveform. It’s the only such machine in Ireland and has proven results in targeting specific areas based on an initial consultation and personal programme devised by Neelu.

Tel: (01) 280 6742 • Email: neelu@neelus-salon.com • www.neelus-salon.com Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 115

It can make sense for families to discuss funerals When someone close to us passes away, many of us who are left behind not only have to deal with the grief, heartache and often shock, but we are also faced with the task of organising the funeral. This can be a daunting task for many, particularly if you have no previous experience of it.

In the past, families often avoided having open conversations about their funeral wishes. Many would have considered it a taboo or morbid topic to be discussed and very difficult for all concerned.

Fanagans Funeral Directors, the largest Funeral Directors in Dublin, believe that this is certainly changing. They now find that when they meet with families following a death, that a lot of the decisions are already made and that the family knows their loved ones’ funeral wishes, sometimes in very fine detail.

We spoke to Jody Fanagan, MD, Fanagans Funeral Directors about this change and about the increase in Advanced Funeral Arranging. Jody stated: “When we meet with families following a death, we often find that a lot of the details regarding the actual funeral have already been openly discussed and agreed prior to death. Many people find it comforting to know that at the time of death, the burden of making decisions regarding their funeral is not left entirely to the grieving family members at such an emotional time. It has been compared to making a will, where one has time to consider the options and many people get peace of mind knowing that their wishes are expressed.

Some people have discussed their preferences in great detail which may include the selection of music, prayers and flowers. Some people like to have a contribution into the type of service and also their Eulogy, and have left a list of particular people they would like to thank.

Often families have very definite views on a burial or cremation. There has been an increase in the number of cremations

and now almost 30% of families in Dublin choose cremation over burial. In addition, some families prefer to have a nonreligious funeral or a humanist funeral.

We have the expertise to facilitate all these requests and individual preferences. Some wish to have a removal to the church in the evening, followed by a Mass or Service the following day, yet some have a preference for everything to take place on the one day”.

Fanagans, Kirwans, Nichols and Carnegies Funeral Directors are all part of the Fanagan Group and combined they looked after 1 in every 4 funerals in Dublin last year. In each of their funeral homes they offer an ‘Advanced Funeral Arranging’ service, where individuals and families can meet with their dedicated teams who will give advice and guidance on all funeral options available so that each funeral is designed unique to the families’ wishes.

These meeting can take place either in the clients own home or in one of their 10 funeral homes located throughout Dublin City and County.

Jody Fanagan understands that discussing funerals in advance in certainly not for everyone. “Unfortunately, there are also situations when families do not have the opportunity to have funeral discussions in advance, for example, in the case of a sudden and unexpected death. In such situations, we will advise on all the options available and organise a bespoke funeral all with the highest levels of professionalism, dignity and compassion one would expect” Jody believes, maintaining quality service standards will always be paramount in their business. They make sure that the final journey, whether previously discussed or not, is managed impeccably.

They put enormous effort and thought into looking after the family themselves who are left behind at this extremely difficult time in their lives.

Jody Fanagan, MD, Fanagans Funeral Directors

Interior of Fanagans Offices

Phone : 01 4754101 24 hour service with every call answered personally Email : info@fanagans.ie www.fanagans.ie

Fit The

Edited by Conor O’Hagan

indoor & outdoor activities supplement

A Walking Wonderland

Walking

With a vast range of Waymarked Ways, Looped Walks, Coastal Paths, Forest Parks and Island Loops, Ireland’s northwest corner has more to offer to walkers than almost anywhere in Ireland Away from the coast, the mountains offer unmatched views and challenges for every level of ability and experience.

Conor O’Hagan guides you round its numerous attractions which make it a genuine mecca for walkers.

Inishowen

Here’s a small selection of the diversity: Inishowen Head Loop Distance: 8km Ascent: 250m Estimated Time: 2hrs - 2.5hrs Grade: Moderate Terrain: Bog roads, laneways, rough tracks and minor roads The Inishowen Peninsula possesses such a range of sights and attractions that is often referred to as ‘Ireland in Miniature’ and this walk provides a stimulating but only modestly challenging sample. The loop starts at a car park area at a World War 2 lookout tower atop Inishowen Head. On this wild and remote loop you pass the point from where St Columba left Ireland on his way to Iona (Portkill) and a

viewing point from where, on some fine days, the west of Scotland is visible.

Starting from the car park at Inishowen Head, follow the purple arrow downhill. Straight ahead of you is the prominent Stroove lighthouse.

Pass a laneway on your right and reach a three-way junction with the R241 where you turn right.

shoulder of Crocknasmug.

Continue to follow the bog roads downhill and look ahead for the now disused farmstead of Johnny Glenanes perched on the side of Glenane Hill – it is the only sign of inhabitation on this most remote section of your walk. Pass two junctions with laneways – both on your left.

Follow the R241 for approximately 500m (passing New Road on your right) to reach Carrowtrasna Road where you turn right and begin the ascent onto the shoulder of Crocknasmug via laneways and bog roads.

The loop now sweeps right (eastward) and takes you back towards the east coast of Inishowen Head. As you travel you are treated to wonderful coastal scenery and a view over Portkill (marked by a plaque on the left of the roadway).

Follow the laneways and bog roads for over 1km to reach a T-junction where you turn right, continuing to ascend. After a further 1km, you reach the highest point of your walk on the

Along the final 500m back to the trailhead, there is another opportunity to view the wonderful scenery from a viewing point atop the cliffs.

Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 117

Walking

Ards View Ards Forest Park Distance: 13km Ascent: 100m Estimated Time: 5hrs Grade: Hard Ards Forest Park is probably the most beautiful and varied of Ireland’s forest parks. It is 480 hectares in extent and contains a large diversity of plant and wildlife forms.

The park has many features of historical and archaeological interest. The remains of four ring forts are to be seen in the park as well as a number of megalithic tombs. On the same walk there is a Mass Rock where mass was celebrated in defiance of the penal laws. There are numerous viewing points on the walks and trails with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The park covers approximately 480 hectares (1200 acres) and includes a variety of habitats, among them sand dunes, beaches, salt marshes, salt water lakes, rock face and, of course, coniferous and deciduous woodlands. There are a large number of trails in this park, giving the walker the opportunity to explore a variety of habitats from foreshore and sand dunes to semi natural oak woodlands on rock outcrops. By ‘stitching together’ a number of trails, it is possible to hike for 5/6 hours on forest tracks and trails, taking in the full circuit of the park.

There is a diverse range of flora and fauna in

the park ranging from blackberry and bramble in the oak forest to water lilies which thrive in a fen area near Lough Lilly to orchids on the sand dunes. The park is also home to a wide selection of animals and birds and the special hide at the end of the salt marsh trail allows the visitor to watch winter visitors feed on the salt marsh.

Arranmore Island Loop Distance: 14km Terrain: Quiet country roads, bog roads, hillside tracks Grade: Moderate Ascent: 190m/260m Estimated Time: 4hrs - 5hrs Three miles off Burtonport, on Donegal’s west coast, Arranmore, Árainn Mhór is the second largest of Ireland’s inhabited islands, with a population of just over 500. The island is part of the Donegal Gaeltacht.

Arranmore is served by two ferry services, a conventional ferry and a fast ferry service taking just five minutes. Both services run daily all year. Stunning views across adjoining islands and Arranmore itself and the vast Atlantic reward a relatively easy walk of 14km; a fine outing for Easter Weekend!

The walk around Arainn Mhor (Arranmore) is signposted as Sli Arainn Mhor (part of Bealach na Gaeltachta which is a National Waymarked way) and begins and ends at the Ferry Port.

118 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

The views in all directions along that walk are stunning and the western half of the route is particularly remote.

Glencolmcille Loops Drum Loop Distance: 13km Time: 4hrs Ascent: 440m Terrain: minor roads, boreens, mountain paths and tracks Grade: moderate/hard The stretch of coastline between Slieve League and Slieve Tooey in southwest Donegal is regarded by many as the finest for walking in Europe. Not only are the cliffs of Slieve League among Europe’s highest, but the entire 35km of coast bristles with jagged rock pinnacles, soaring cliffs and dramatic promontories. In the midst of all this fantastic scenery lies the village of Glencolmcille.

Glencolmcille feels wonderfully remote, a real outpost on the Atlantic, where Gaelic is still widely spoken as a first language, and traditional music and customs remain an integral part of everyday life. The village began as a settlement for Neolithic peoples, and evidence of their life can be seen in a number of fine Megalithic tombs. The area was also a stronghold of early Christianity in Ireland, with St Columba (Colmcille) founding a church here in the 6th century. Today the village and the

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Walking

Glencolmcille surrounding area is littered with early-Christian and pre-Christian monuments, and these form the basis for the annual Turas or pilgrimage.

Heading west from the church walkers come almost immediately face to face with one of the best cross-inscribed early Christian pillars in Ireland. From here the route meanders towards the beach on a quiet lane, then heads north onto a steep mountain track with wide-ranging views back across the village and Skelpoonagh Bay. Nearby, a prominent mound of stone marks Colmcille’s Well, where you’ll find a small shrine and statue.

Aranmore Island

A short detour takes you out to the breathtaking edge of Glen Head, where the cliffs drop sheer for 200m into the heaving ocean. There’s a watchtower here, built in the early 19th century to guard against French invasion, and the coastal views north towards the promontory of Sturrall are particularly impressive.

Back on the main route, the track continues over the southern shoulder of Beefan and Gaveross Mountain and then descends to a lane. A left turn here takes you onto the Drum Loop, which climbs around the heather-covered eastern summit of Beefan and Gaveross Mountain.

Win a Lowe Alpine There are fine views north to the abandoned village of Port, before Airzone you descend back towards the village through the townland of DrumHike Backpack (Droim) on a steep track, and rejoin the Tower Loop at a junction.

These beautiful, peaceful lanes are lined with old stone walls and in summer and autumn come alive with the vibrant blooms of fuchsia.

Both routes continue back into Glencolmcille via the 5,000-year old To celebrate 40 years of partnership Mannernamortee megalithic tomb, the largest of its kindwith in Ireland.

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Walkers will also pass several more cross-inscribed pillars before Visit our website for more details. www.greatoutdoors.ie ww arriving back at the starting point.

See maps for these walks on www.seniortimes.ie Useful Contacts www.govisitdonegal.com www.visitinishowen.com www.walkingandhikingireland.com www.letswalkdonegal www.irishtrails.ie www.walkingroutes.ie 120 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Win a Lowe Alpine backpack!

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Renowned concert promoter Pat Egan has, over the years, become a recognised Tribute artist promoter, developing shows specifically catering to the music tastes of the over-50s featuring the lives and music of many long departed superstars of the 50s, 60s and beyond. These include; Mario Lanza, Jim Reeves, Connie Francis, Bobby Darin, Maria Callas, Josef Locke, Gene Pitney, the Rat Pack, Ann Murray, Perry Como, and Pavarotti, to name just a few.

“I stood behind a record shop counter for twenty years, and had become very familiar with and knew all these great names, their amazing talent and popularity as great pioneering artists of the music business. I knew there was an audience out there for these great acts, some of whom passed away in their 30s, with no artists of similar talent emerging to cater to the legions of fans they left behind.

The original Tribute phenomenon began life in the 1980’s in Australia, with Bjorn Again, Australian Pink Floyd and the Doors tribute shows breaking out all over

the world. Initially, Irish and British Tribute shows were a very poor reflection of the original artists, with bad performers, no production qualities and showing little resemblance to the originals.

Times have moved on fast in the Tribute business and most of the productions now have West End production values.

When I put together our first show: The Loveliest Night of the Year, the Life and Music of Mario Lanza, it was a one-off show to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his death. The reaction we got was amazing and now, seven years on, with 15,000 tickets sold, the show returns to the National Concert Hall, Cork Opera House and Limerick in October. The first thing I did was drop the word ‘tribute’ and replaced it with ‘celebration’ which, in turn, allowed us to achieve a better ticket price. This increased return from the box office enabled us to elevate the quality of the show, the production, and the number of musicians to produce a much higher-quality concert.

In the case of the Mario Lanza show, we were thrilled to receive the congratulations of Mario Lanza’s only surviving daughter Eliza, who told us it was the best tribute show in her father’s honour she had seen anywhere in the world. We also used the recorded voice of famed Hollywood actor Christopher Lee to narrate Lanza’s life story over the audio-visual special effects.

Our biggest tour success to date has been We’ve Only Just Begun: The Life and Music of Karen Carpenter.

This show features the Carpenters greatest love songs staring Toni Lee who has managed to recapture the astounding voice of Karen Carpenter in all its original glory.”

The show is continuously touring and will break new ground in February 2017 when it tours Holland and Belgium for the first time.”

Celebration Shows To See This Winter...

Mario Lanza: The Loveliest Night of the Year 20th Oct. – Cork Opera House • 22nd Oct. – UCH Limerick • 23rd Oct. – National Concert Hall 2016 With almost 15,000 tickets sold on previous shows, this brilliant show recreates Lanza’s amazing success both on screen and with live performances. The man who brought opera to the masses is played by Galway Tenor Sean Costello, with guest Tenors Frank Naughton and Ronan Egan, and Soprano Sandra Oman with Vladimir Jablokov’s Slovak Festival Orchestra Musicians.

Callas: The Life and Music of Maria Callas National Concert Hall • 16th November, 2016 With over 12,000 tickets sold to date, Regina Nathan returns to the role of Maria Callas in a “monster hit of a show” as said by Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan. With special guests Tenor Alexander James Edwards and Baritone Simon Morgan and featuring the Casta Diva Orchestra conducted by Andrew Synott, Callas: The Life and Music of Maria Callas promises to be a fitting celebration of one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century.

The Platinum Collection: Christie Hennessy - His Life in Music National Concert Hall • 27th November, 2016 Chart-topping Irish folk singer-songwriter Christie Hennessy wrote much-loved songs such as ‘All the Lies You Told Me’ and ‘Don’t Forget Your Shovel’.

Although Hennessy had released his first recording, The Green Album, in 1972, it had little impact and sold few copies. Twenty years later, his second album, The Rehearsal, achieved triple platinum status in Ireland and outsold one of Ireland’s favourite bands, U2.

Hennessy’s song ‘Don’t Forget Your Shovel’ was Christy Moore’s first hit single, reaching number one in the Irish charts. This concert celebrates the life and music of one of Ireland’s treasured songwriters. Aonghus McAnally, the well-known Radio 1 presenter stars as Christie and brings all his best performances back to life.

Aonghus is accompanied by his musicians and singers Francis Black and Hermione Hennessy are guest stars.

Keep fit

Fitness after Fifty

It doesn’t happen by magic – it’s easier than that, and it’s too important to ignore, writes Conor O’Hagan Fitness for older adults As ‘older adults’ we need to build and maintain our fitness levels as much – in fact, more than – at any other time in our lives. Engaging in a balanced fitness programme enhances wellbeing at every age, and it’s vital for older adults, as the list of health benefits it confers matches the list of things we worry about most; blood pressure, body weight, cholesterol levels. It reduces our risk of hardened arteries, heart attack, and stroke, strengthens muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones, fights osteoporosis and reduces the risk of falling accidents and other consequences of reduced mobility. Keeping our bodies strong and flexible help us maintain the independence we prize and allows us to maintain the lifestyles we have chosen for ourselves.

How to Get It Begin with common sense; if you haven’t been physically active for a while, start slowly. For some people this is the hardest thing of all, but it pays off every time. Whatever activity you choose, build up endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility gradually. Walking for just five or 10 minutes at a time, several days each week, is a sound, sustainable way to begin. Once you can walk for 30 minutes at a time, you have constructed a platform on which you can build, by adding more challenging activities – and having some fun while you’re at it. Starting a basic strength routine while you begin your aerobic routine will help you build the strength you need to support your aerobic workouts.

More common sense: you’re probably sick of hearing this, but always talk to your doctor before beginning a new exercise regime. It’s what he/she is there for, and they can help you create a plan that suits your specific needs and goals.

Aerobic endurance Any activity that increases your heart rate helps build aerobic endurance, and is therefore at the core of what exercise and fitness can do for you. It doesn’t take long to see significant changes – at any age. After just six weeks of consistent exercise, you should feel noticeably more comfortable, both while exercising and in everyday life.

122 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

The best aerobic activities for older adults, at least to begin with, are what’s called low-impact exercises. These include (but aren’t limited to) walking, cycling, swimming, and water aerobics As with everything in life, recommendations differ, but typical advice is that at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week — or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity — is ideal.

Strength It’s not just about being able to lift bags of cement or move furniture with casual ease; even small changes to your overall muscle strength can have a huge impact on your life. Carrying shopping, climbing stairs, and getting off the sofa all require muscle strength, and you can build it with strengthening workouts – at any age.

You guessed it; start with small weights, such as 1kg dumbbells. Try to complete 10 to 15 repetitions of a variety of weightlifting exercises, such as bicep curls, triceps extensions, and chest presses. Even with no equipment at all, you can use your own body weight to provide resistance, with exercises such as lunges, squats, and (modified) push-ups.

Use a variety of activities to strengthen all your major muscle groups, including your legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms.

Here’s one to start with; the aforementioned modified push-up: Strengthens chest, upper back and shoulders: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Stand facing a wall, with your toes 12 to 18 inches away from it.

Lean forward slightly and place your palms flat on the wall at shoulder height.

Slowly bend your elbows to lower your body toward the wall until your nose nearly touches it, or get as close as you can without straining.

Slowly straighten your elbows and push back to your starting position.

Repeat this exercise 10 times. If that’s your first strength exercise in 20, 30 or 40 years, it’s a good start.

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10 Great Reasons to visit Sunset Beach Club in winter • Easy and frequent flights direct from Dublin & Cork to Málaga airport • Sunset Beach Club is a short 20 minute drive from the airport • Lots of fun organised daytime activities in the hotel • Live music every evening • Discover the Costa del Sol without the heat and hassle of the summer • Room rates from just €58 per night • Traditional Christmas Lunch with live music for just €55 • Fantastic New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner for €95 • Apartment-style accommodation with kitchenette and terrace • An average of over 5 hours sunshine per day “What will the weather be like?”

Whilst we can’t promise what the weather will be like this Winter, we can show you the actual daily temperatures and hours of sunshine per day taken from Malaga airport weather station in December 2015 and January 2016… chances are it will be warmer, drier and sunnier than most of Europe Average daily maximum Temperatures: December 2015 Daily Temperatures* 30

25

December 2015

30 25

20

20

15

15

10

10

5

5

0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

0

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January 2016

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Keep fit

Balance

help you maintain your range of motion as you age.

Falls are the bane of old age, and you don’t need me to tell you that. You may not yet be at the stage where fear of falling is a constant presence in your life, but by maintaining your balance you can go a long way towards making sure you never get there. Yoga and similar exercises help improve balance as well as flexibility.

It’s best to warm up for three to five minutes before stretching by, for instance, walking. Then slowly move your body into each stretch, holding the pose for at least 10 seconds. Continue breathing throughout the entire stretch. You can also do your stretches after you finish exercising.

A few basic exercises to improve your balance may come in handy the next time you step off a curb awkwardly or try to sit down on a moving train or bus.

Try to forget what you may have learned on a GAA pitch in the ‘70s: stretching should never be painful. If you feel sharp pain while stretching, or soreness the next day, you’re pushing too far and are probably doing more damage than good.

Try this:

Try this simple neck stretch while standing or sitting down:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Stand directly behind a sturdy chair, such as a dining room chair that won’t tip easily.

Rest one hand on the back of the chair and the other hand on your hip.

Lift your right leg, bending the knee slightly.

Hold your leg up for a count of 10. Relax for a moment.

Then do nine more repetitions on that side, before switching

legs and repeating on the other side. As your balance improves, you can do the same move without resting your hand on the back of a chair.

Flexibility

Even more than strength, flexibility is what most of us miss most as we age. Whether it’s putting on your socks in the morning, reaching for objects on high kitchen shelves or feeding the cat, so many things just aren’t as easy as they used to be Do your muscles often feel tight? You may need to add some stretches to your daily routine. Stretching is something you should do every day to 124 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Slowly turn your head toward the right until you feel a slight stretch.

Don’t tilt your head backward or forward.

Hold this pose for 10 to 30 seconds.

Then slowly turn your head to the left. Hold for another 10 to 30 seconds.

Repeat three times in each direction.

Good general fitness can be achieved and maintained in as little as 30 minutes a day – and you can spare it. Exercising daily can help prolong your life and improve the quality of it. It’s important to include aerobic activity, strength training, balance exercises, and stretching in your routine.

Start slowly and build your endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility gradually.

Hopefully, you want to know more. Start by asking your GP, at your local Sports Centre, or by searching online. Google the dreadful words ‘Senior Fitness’ (do it while no-one’s looking if you must) and wade into a torrent of information and inspiration. Reach out, connect, join and do – it could change your life and will probably lengthen it, too.

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12/08/2016 11:08

Learning can and does take on many different forms

Pat Murphy Community Garden The Men’s Health & Wellbeing Programme, a community based, lifestyle initiative, encourages men to take better care of themselves and learn how small changes in our day to day lives, for example, becoming more active, eating a balanced diet, drinking responsibly, quitting smoking and having a regular routine, can lead to positive physical and mental health outcomes. Run over 10 weeks, 4 hours per week, the programme targets men aged 30+. Since its launch in 2009, over 320 men have participated.

This programme is managed by the Larkin Centre and delivered in partnership with Celtic FC Foundation, the Health Service Executive & Pfizer Healthcare Irl, with additional support from the City of Dublin ETB and Dublin City Council.

The impact and potential of the programme is summed up by a group of past participants, “the course has given us the start we were looking for, 10 weeks is a short time to get everything sorted, but it is the starting point, we are now seeing the positive results of what can be achieved by making small changes, there is more to do, but we are heading in the right direction”.

The Men’s Health & Wellbeing Programme has been the launch pad for the establishment of the Pat Murphy Community Garden / Horticulture Programme. Opened in 2011, this programme is providing men with the opportunity to gain hands-on skills and knowledge in all aspects of growing and plant maintenance. Gardening is an ideal activity to keep fit and healthy and also by growing your own, you become better informed about food and nutrition. There are other benefits; community gardening is also a social activity, a place for men in the community to come together, to learn, share skills, ideas and enjoy each other’s company, build a sense of community and belonging. As one participant noted “this community garden has meant different things to all of us involved, but what we all share is a desire to make something of our lives regardless of age.”

126 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Men’s Health & Wellbeing Programme The Larkin Centre is a non-profit making organisation engaged in the provision of a range of services within Dublin’s North East Inner City.

Since its establishment in 1986 the Centre has worked with and on behalf of people in the area and its service provision has grown in response to community needs.

The Larkin Centre’s Community Education Programme provides a range of learning opportunities. The aim being to support adults to progress in their lives and develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and self-belief that will help each to actively engage in many areas of life, social, economic, environmental and cultural.

Address: The Larkin Unemployed Centre, 57 – 58 North Strand Road, Dublin 3 Telephone: 01 – 8365544 Website: www.larkinctr.com Contact: Community Education – Anne Flannery, Email: anneflannery@larkinctr.com Centre Manager – Maria Tyrrell, Email: maria@larkinctr.com

Information & Advice Sage provides information and advice on how to access independent support and advocacy services

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Supplements that save lives When heart researchers set out to test if the vitamin-related substance, coenzyme Q10, had the potential to strengthen chronically failing hearts they deliberately chose Pharma Nord Q10 for one specific reason: The reliable quality of this unique preparation. “Better power for a changing world� is the motto of world famous Rolls Royce. The maxim even applies to Pharma Nord Q10, a Danish preparation whose excellent quality was recently carved in stone in connection with the publication of a new and groundbreaking study. Heart researchers wanted to investigate if it was possible to power up the heart muscles of patients with chronically failing hearts simply by giving them supplements of this energy-enhancing compound coenzyme Q10. The scientists hand-picked Pharma Nord Q10 for this study exclusively because the preparation is renowned for its superior and thoroughly tested quality.

Half as many deaths Q-Symbio, as the study is officially named, was published in the esteemed Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

It has baffled doctors across the globe, mainly because it shows that a simple nutritional supplement holds the power to nearly halve mortality rates and the need for hospitalisation among heart failure patients. Another surprising aspect of

this study is that the 420 study participants already received what could reasonably be expected to be the best available conventional heart failure therapy at the time. The large reduction in deaths and the substantially lower need for hospitalisation was a bonus that is exclusively attributable to Pharma Nord Q10.

Always ask for documentation Coenzyme Q10 is found naturally in all the cells of the human body where it supports the energy metabolism. We are able to produce coenzyme Q10 in our liver, and we get a certain amount from the food we eat. In addition, one can take the substance in the form of a supplement.

It has been more than 25 years since the Danish company Pharma Nord launched its preparation, Pharma Nord Q10, on the market. Right from the beginning, the company has worked hard to develop a formula that could ensure the highest level of bio-availability of the active compound. Today, more than 100 published studies document the superior ab-

sorption, safety, and effect of Pharma Nord Q10 - a preparation that is now regarded as the best documented Q10 preparation on the market. In fact, it is because of its outstanding quality that Pharma Nord Q10 has been appointed the official science reference (gold standard) of the International Coenzyme Q10 Association (ICQA), an organization that coordinates Q10 research worldwide.

Consumers, however, who are not aware of the importance of such documentation easily end up buying inexpensive lowquality Q10 supplements that look just perfect but are actually a complete waste of money - simply because they do not get absorbed by the body but pass through the digestive system.

When Q10 forms lumps With coenzyme Q10, it is extremely important to stick with documented products. In fact, if a manufacturer does not know how to handle the Q10 raw material properly in the manufacturing process it will end up going straight through the body without getting absorbed.

This is because Q10 molecules have a natural tendency to aggregate and form large, insoluble lumps (or crystals) that are unable to pass through the intestinal barrier and enter the blood.

Unique heating treatment The manufacturer of the Q10 brand that was used in the above mentioned heart study has solved this problem with a special technique that completely prevents the formation of these lumps. Absorption studies comparing different commercially available Q10 formulas clearly show that this unique manufacturing technique ensures complete absorption of Q10 in the blood.

Q10 levels drop when we age Coenzyme Q10 is produced in the body, primarily when we are young. Levels of coenzyme Q10 in vital organs like the heart peak in our 20’s and gradually decrease from that point onward. We don’t feel this until we reach midlife and notice how our energy levels have dropped notably. A Q10 supplement can compensate for this deficiency in a natural way.

120

µg/g

100 80 60 40 20 (Source> Lipids vol. 24, no. 7 (1989))

0 0-2 years

19-21 years

39-43 years

Starting in our mid 20’s, the body’s endogenous production of coenzyme Q10 begins to dwindle. As a result, the cellular energy output decreases, and this may be one of the underlying causes of the ageing process.

All body functions depend on Q10 The entire body needs the presence of coenzyme Q10.

Besides energy production and heart muscle function, Q10 is useful for things like: Male fertility Sperm cells need massive amounts of energy to fuel their tail-wagging action that propels them forward in their race to fertilise the egg. Studies have shown that men who produce sluggish sperm cells that are unable to swim are often helped with supplements of Q10 Blood pressure Several studies have pointed to coenzyme Q10 as a worthy substitute for anti-hypertensive drugs. Coenzyme Q10 holds

the potential to reduce levels of upper and lower blood pressure. One should always consult a physician before replacing prescription drugs with Q10.

Cholesterol management Cholesterol-lowering drugs disrupt the body’s own production of Q10, sometimes leading to mitochondrial dysfunction of the muscle cells. Supplements of Q10 given together with the cholesterollowering drugs can compensate for this and prevent side effects like muscle aches and muscle fatigue.

Your cells are small “power plants”

Q10 contributes to the biochemical process in the mitochondria, that turns food into energy.

77-81 years

Coenzyme levels in a person´s vital organs peak at the age of 19-21, suggesting that this is the time of life where you have the most energy.

Every single cell in the human body is a small “power plant” that churns out energy to fuel the cell. Some cells have greater need for energy than others. For instance, cells in heart muscle tissue require enormous amounts of energy to fuel the rhythmical contractions of the heart muscle. Also, sperm cells need a lot of energy to enable them to fertilise the egg. For that reason, the mitochondrial density varies from one type of cell to another.

Statin user?

You may want to consider taking a Q10 supplement Statins do more than lower your cholesterol.

They have an array of side effects but you can effectively counteract them by taking coenzyme Q10 together with your drug.

H

as your physician told you to take cholesterol-lowering statins?

Well, it has to be said that these drugs are highly effective for lowering cholesterol. What you may not know, however, is that statins also lower levels of coenzyme Q10, a vital substance which all your cells need to produce energy. Coenzyme Q10 and cholesterol are synthesised in the liver and share the same biochemical pathway, and statins work by blocking this pathway. When levels of coenzyme Q10 go down, you risk a number of side effects that occur when the body’s cells suddenly produce too little energy to function normally.

50% reduction of Q10 levels Studies show that statins can half your circulating blood levels of coenzyme Q10 within a few weeks after starting your statin therapy. Do you know how that may affect you? Well, muscle ache is a common problem that occurs in 5-10 percent of statin users. In some cases, patients develop a rare condition known as rhabdomyolysis where muscle tissue is broken down. This condition can be rather serious and can lead to heart failure and kidney problems, unless it is diagnosed and the statin therapy stopped.

Muscle cells are highly dependent Virtually all our cells depend on coenzyme Q10, some more than

others. Coenzyme Q10 is involved in the energy turnover that takes place inside some minute cellular “powerhouses” called mitochondria and involves a biochemical conversion of nutrients where oxygen also contributes to the process. To stick with the extremes, red blood cells (as the only cells in the body) do not have any mitochondria and do not need coenzyme Q10, as the oxygen they carry would be consumed in the energy turnover. Muscle cells, on the other hand, are greatly dependent on coenzyme Q10 because they have to produce massive amounts of energy. Therefore, when statins lower coenzyme Q10 levels, it causes muscle cells to malfunction.

Q10 supplements help Can this problem be prevented?

Yes, research has shown that when people in statin therapy take supplements of coenzyme Q10 with their statin drugs it helps reduce problems like muscle aches. A US study that was published in 2007 showed that 100 mg of coenzyme Q10 daily taken in conjunction with statins reduced muscle pain by around 40%.

Just for the record, muscle aches are not the only problem that occurs in the wake of statin use. What is much worse is if the coenzyme Q10 deficiency

causes vital muscles like the heart to malfunction, rendering the heart unable to pump sufficient amounts of blood to all parts of the body or, in worse cases, leading to heart pump failure.

It is worth making a note of the somewhat ironic fact that one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the United States took out a patent on statin-coenzyme Q10 drug combination way back in the 1990s.

Some of the other problems that have been observed with statin use include: Type-2 diabetes For instance, a British study of over two million people has demonstrated that people who take statins are at increased risk of developing type2 diabetes. Their

diabetes risk increased by an alarming 57% over a five-year period. This, the scientists speculate, may be a result of the insulin-producing pancreas cells not being able to function properly due to the coenzyme Q10 deficiency.

Alternatively, it may be the inability of muscle and fat cells to respond normally to insulin (insulin resistance).

Impaired memory Taking statins may impair a person’s ability to think straight, according to studies. An American study of more than 480,000 statin users plus a similar amount of non-users has demonstrated that statin users are four times more likely to suffer acute memory loss, compared with non-users. Brain cells contain a large number of mitochondria and are therefore highly dependent on coenzyme Q10.

Contradicting study results There is no doubt that the statininduced reduction of coenzyme Q10 levels can affect us in a variety of ways.

It is therefore tempting to think that all studies testing supplements of coenzyme Q10 as a countermeasure are bound to show a beneficial effect of the intervention. This is not the case.

For instance, some studies show a positive effect of coenzyme Q10 on statin-induced muscle pain, whereas others have not been able to produce a similar outcome.

So why is it that some studies show an effect, while other don’t?

A very important aspect here is the bio-availability of coenzyme Q10.

The body has difficulty absorbing coenzyme Q10 in the first place, which means a supplement must be manufactured in such a way that it is easily absorbed in the digestive system.

Only a few of the Q10 brands on the market can document good bio-availability.

In recent years, two groundbreaking studies of coenzyme Q10 and heart health have been published in esteemed science journals. One is the Q-Symbio study, the other is known as KiSel-10. Both studies were carried out using the same Q10 supplement, a brand that was chosen exclusively because of its documented bio-availability.

More information: www.q-symbio.com www.kisel-10.co.uk

Can a capsule make you feel young again?

Researchers may have found a way to stop and reverse the ageing of muscle mass in elderly people by giving them supplements of coenzyme Q10.

It’s no surprise that most of us lose strength as we age. This has something to do with the fact that the ageing process affects our muscle fibres by gradually switching off the “slow-twitch” fibers

that are associated with aerobic work and switching on the “fast-twitch” fibres that deliver peak output, for instance in situations like lifting.

What scientists have discovered is that by giving elderly people supplements of coenzyme Q10, they can reverse the process and, increase muscle strength by boosting the efficacy of fast twitch muscle fibres.

What they found 14 men aged 57 and older took part in the study where researchers looked at muscle fibre composition of a group that supplemented with Q10 and another group which received an identical placebo. They found that in those who took 300 mg coenzyme Q10, the genes that stimulate fast-twitch fibres were activated, whereas the genes responsible for slow-twitch fibres were deactivated. In other words, the muscle mass changed in a more youthful direction.

“Energy vitamin” may combat fatigue in multiple sclerosis Sufferers of multiple sclerosis (MS) who struggle with fatigue symptoms may be helped with a supplement of the vitamin-like compound coenzyme Q10.

F

atigue is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) with around 80% of MS sufferers being affected by it, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It gets worse as the day progresses and the only known medications (amantadine hydrochloride and modafinil) have very limited effect.

This, however, is not the case with the vitamin-like compound, coenzyme Q10, an energy-enhancing and naturally occurring substance that has been seen to help battle symptoms of both fatigue and depression in a study of MS sufferers without causing any side effects.

Less fatigue and depression The study, which is published ahead of print in the Journal Of Nutritional Neuroscience in January 2015, showed a significant decrease in symptoms of both fatigue and depression in patients who were supplemented with coenzyme

Q10 compared with a control group that was given a placebo.

The patients of this double-blinded, placebo-controlled study were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg of coenzyme Q10 daily or placebo for a period of 12 weeks. The researchers assessed fatigue symptoms by means of a Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Beck Depression inventory (BDI) was used to evaluate depressive symptoms.

Significant decreases of FSS and BDI were observed in the coenzyme Q10 group. In contrast, FSS increased in the placebo group. The scientists concluded that coenzyme Q10 supplementation in a dosage of 500 mg per day may improve fatigue and depression in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Source: Coenzyme Q10 as a treatment for fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial.

Nutr Neurosci. 2015 Jan 20.

Also useful for heart conditions

Coenzyme Q10 is one of the really interesting areas of research.

The compound was originally discovered back in 1957 by American scientists and has been investigated for decades by researchers all over the world.

Its known role in the energy metabolism that takes place inside the mitochondria (small powerhouses) of the cells led researchers to study the effect of this vitamin-like compound in chronic heart failure. In 2014, a Danish study (Q-Symbio) made headlines by concluding that supplements of coenzyme Q10 given as add-on therapy to patients with chronic heart failure could lower mortality rates by 43%.

Normally, around 50% of people who are diagnosed with chronic heart failure die within a five-year period. Coenzyme Q10 has also been seen to boost male fertility, lower blood pressure, and combat gum disease.

The only really natural energy supplement There are dozens of ways people can boost their energy levels.

Or, let us rephrase that - there are dozens of things that will make you feel invigorated. Coenzyme Q10, however, is the only completely natural energy supplement based on the fact that it is a compound which is found in all our cells and which the body depends on to produce energy.

Commonly used boosters like ginseng, guarana, and caffeine are stimulants that affect the central nervous system. They effectively raise your awareness levels and make you feel refreshed, but with coenzyme Q10 it is an entirely different story. This vitamin-like compound literally intensifies the energy production that takes place in all our cells. You are actually taking “body fuel” in capsule form. That energy is required for every imaginable body function, so your entire organism benefits from the increased coenzyme Q10 intake.

ENERGY the natural way - with the original Q-Symbio Q10

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Meeting Place Let’s hear from you, gents!

Once again the ladies are severely outnumbering the gents in terms of number of advertisements. Come on lads, let’s hear from you!

70S OFFALY LADY, GSOH, WLTM respectable kind gent for friendship and to share lifes joys.

Interests include walking, dancing, cinema, eating out, weekends away, long drives in the country etc.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C1 ATTRACTIVE 60s LEINSTER LADY WLTM a man who believes we can enjoy the elements, have a laugh, dance to Van, curl up with a film or dine out on words that say we’re on the same page.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C2 DUBLIN LADY EARLY SIXTIES, WLTM a gentleman around the same age. Enjoys walking, cinema, theatre, travelling and golf. GSOH. NS. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C3 ATTRACTIVE, RETIRED MUNSTER LADY. WLTM cheerful male/female companion interested in winter sun vacations, music/dance, countryside, books. NS REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C4 PETITE,SINGLE DUBLIN LADY, late 60s, with average dancing ability, WLTM a sincere, respectable gent who likes dancing.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C5 DUBLIN WIDOW, 60s, WLTM gentleman for friendship and companionship. Interested in golf, bridge, dancing, arts and musicals.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C6 LIMERICK LADY, 60s, semi-retired, professional widow, outgoing personality, caring and sincere and having a positive outlook. Interests include travel, reading, current affairs, social interaction, restaurants and nature. WLTM unattached genuine educated, positive and interesting NS gentleman with GSOH to share enriching times.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C7 CORK-BASED LADY, 68 seeks gentleman for a cheerful mate, kindred spirit, sound and strong not stuck in the past when things go wrong! Having inner peace and social ease, like to dance and shoot the breeze A mum, a gran with positive view, lots of interests, and faults..well a few!

NS, SD Christian and free.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W1 ATTRACTIVE, SEMI-RETIRED DUBLIN BUSINESSMAN,60s, NS, many interests, kind and caring, WLTMA a warm, mature, affectionate, caring, romantic woman for mutual enjoyment, companionship and happy fun times together. Discretion assured and expected.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W2 WILD ATLANTIC KERRY LADY, early 60s, would like to share the following hobbies: theatre, drama, sailing, foreign/home holidays, dancing and fishing with an authentic man looking for companionship and friendship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W3 TALL, SLIM, HAPPY, CARING, ROMANTIC LADY. Early 60s, but young in heart and no couch potato, interested in music, art, architecture, mountains and sea, theatre and movies. WLTM

tall, honest, interesting, professional man, 55-65 to share interests and dis cover new ones, to dance, to laugh and maybe to love.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W4 TALL, ATTRACTIVE DUBLIN WIDOW, 70, retired, professional, kind, romantic and sincere.

Interests include travel, music, art, reading, current affairs, good conversation and outdoor life.

WLTM sincere gent, 60s-70s to share the joys of life. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W5 WIDOWED LEINSTER GENTLEMAN, LATE 70s, with no ties. Outgoing personality, with many interests, including golf, fishing, boating and walking. Interested in meeting woman late 60s with similar interests with a view to companionship and relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W6 GALWAY WIDOW, NO TIES, children flown from the nest, early 60s, medium build WLTM a sincere, honest male 64-68. NS, interests include cooking sun drives, GSOH. A lot of love to give to someone special.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W7 FEMALE, 60s, SEEKS travelling companion from Munster area for guided tours and city breaks outside Ireland. Interests include culture, theatre, concerts, nature. NS, ND REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W8 EDUCATED DUBLIN LADY, 64, seeks tall, educated gent for long-term relationship. Divorced, living alone. Interests: dancing, music, walking, travel, cinema, eating out, etc.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W9 DUBLIN WOMAN, FAILING SIGHT, LATE SIXTIES, SEEKS male or female ‘guide’ for outings, eating out etc.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W10 INTELLECTUAL CONVERSATION required by lady (60s) over a cup of coffee in a café once a week in Dublin area.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R1 CORK CITY LADY, 60, PETITE, ACTIVE, outgoing personality SD, with varied interests WLTM unattached NS 60-65 kind, genuine man with GSOH. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R2.

MIDLANDS WIDOW, LATE 60s, WLTM lady or gentleman with whom she could share holidays at home and abroad. Compatibility important.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R3.

RETIRED CO TIPPERARY LADY, 60, would like to hear from men of similar age. Very outgoing.

Hobbies include social dancing.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R5.

WELL EDUCATED GALWAY WOMAN, EARLY 50s, separated. Interests include theatre, cinema, sports, outdoor activities, cycling, hiking, country walks, cultural events, history and cooking dishes from all over the world. WLTM man with similar interests, GSOH with a positive outlook on life. View to friendship and possible relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER R6.

SELF RELIANT CORK CITY GENT, warm, conversationally good, informed. WLTM expansive, confident, self-caring and self-responsible lady for mature, engaging and good company.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M1

136 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

DUBLIN LADY YOUNG MID 60s, educated, divorced, petite (am told attractive) WLTM unattached male, NS, 60-70 with similar interests which are music, walking, love of nature, good conversation and general interests in life and living! REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M2 ACTIVE UNATTACHED TIP LADY, 53, semi-retired, no ties. Seeks male of female travelling companion anywhere in Ireland. Also interested in city breaks, walking holidays, cruises, anywhere off the beaten track, near or far. I’ve plenty of destinations in my ‘bucket list’ – do you?

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M3 CULTURED, PROFESSIONAL DUBLIN WIDOW, various interests include music, theatre, films, walking, and outdoor life. WLTM sincere gent to share and enjoy happy times together – the best is yet to come!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M4 SINGLE NORTH EAST LADY, EARLY 60s, attractive, active with outgoing personality, sincere, kind and caring. Enjoy cinema, theatre, walking, hiking, restaurants and travel. WLTM sincere active man with GSOH, for friendship, travel, chatting and the simple things of life.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M5 YOUNG DUBLIN LADY, 61, interests include swimming, walking, reading, travelling, yoga, laughter, fun and GSOH, cycling, spirituality. WLTM soulmate from Dublin area.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M7 LOVELY WELL-EDUCATED GALWAY WOMAN, late 50s, 5ft 6in, slim build, charming with GSOH, NS/SD, well-travelled, kind and sincere, Taurean. Interests include art, music, painting, reading, theatre, concerts, walking, yoga, healthy lifestyle, golf and bridge. WLTM sincere, attractive mature gentleman for friendship and companionship who has good values, with similar interests and is kind and caring.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M8 DUBLIN MAN 62, tall, slim, energetically fit, good dress sense, NS, SD witty sense of humour. Likes great outdoors, hill walking, sailing, rugby, history, decent restaurants, cinema, theatre, classical and traditional music. Likes visiting different parts of the country. WLTM an active female 60/65 who enjoys and has a young outlook on life.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M9 SINGLE DUBLIN MAN 60 NO TIES NS SD GSOH. Interests include good conversation, travel, walking, reading. WLTM sincere down to earth lady 60-65 for friendship, good company and possible relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M10.

DUBLIN GENT looking for lady (not too tall) to practice, waltz, quickstep, tango and foxtrot with a view to taking part in competitions.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M11 KERRY LADY LATE 60s, RETIRED, with no commitments, NS, SD, caring with GSOH, WLTM sincere gentleman for social life and share general interests and for friendship and possible relationship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M12 RESPECTABLE DUBLIN PROFESSIONAL businessman 60s, NS, tall medium build, told attractive. Many interests, very private. WLTM

Spend the weekend under the sheets.

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Singles Evening In Dublin!

We are planning a Singles Evening in Dublin in late November or early December. This will include dancing, entertainment and a table quiz and a great opportunity to meet kindred spirits!

If you would be interested in attending such a function, please let us know! If we don’t get the interest, we cannot put on this function.

Send a note to us showing your interest to: Singles Evening, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Or email: john@slp.ie See you there! mature, affectionate, interesting feminine woman for friendship, romance and shared mutual enjoyment. Discretion assured and expected.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M13 SINGLE MIDLANDS TEACHER, EARLY 50, enjoys reading, history, computers, sport, foreign holidays, and WLTM interesting male for friendship/relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M14 SINGLE DUBLIN GENT, 60s, NS, ND, many interests, WLTM refined female from any part of the country. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER M15 HAPPY DUBLIN SENIOR MALE, 68, capable, interesting, legally separated steady and secure, NS. Interests include reading, outdoors and the arts. WLTM warm, happy mature lady for friendship/relationship REPLY TO BOX NUMBER N1 NORTH COUNTY DUBLIN WIDOW, MID SIXTIES, WLTM someone special to share new experiences. Interests include leisurely cycling, dancing, theatre, travelling, etc. Enjoy good company, SD, NS REPLY TO BOX NUMBER N2 SEMI-RETIRED LADY, OFFALY LADY, MID70s, very active, NS, GSOH, WLTM respectable gent for company, friendship and to enjoy the good things in life. Interests include dancing, dining out, walking and weekends away.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER N3 66 TIPP MALE LOOKING FOR female friend around the same age or younger for chats in the Tipperary area.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER N4 ATTRACTIVE 60s LEINSTER LADY UNATTACHED WLTM who believes we can enjoy life, have a laugh, dance to Van, curl up with a film or dine out on words that say we are on the same page.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER N5 PETITE DUBLIN LADY, 60s, returned emigrant WLTM kind, cultured gentleman with a GSOH for friendship/companionship. Hobbies include reading, walking, theatre, classical music, art appreciation, travel, intelligent conversation and world politics.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B1

ATTRACTIVE SOUTH DUBLIN BUSINESSMAN, 60s, NS, semi-retired, medium build, tall, kind, considerate, WLTM an attractive, mature, affectionate, caring woman for friendship, companionship and to share special moments.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B2

companionship. Many interests, including reading, walking, gardening, wildlife, cinema, current affairs etc. Told I am a good humoured and caring person. All genuine replies welcome. Discretion assured and expected.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B9

SINGLE MAYO LADY, MID-50s, with many and varied interests, seeks genuine man for friendship/relationship, to spend and enjoy time together travelling, eating out, chatting, having fun and companionship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B3

TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT If you are interested in meeting someone of the opposite or same sex, send your advertisement, with four stamps (which is the average reply rate) enclosed in the envelope, to: Meeting Place, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Or email: john@slp.ie

GALWAY GENT, 60s, UNATTACHED, with many interests, GSOH. WLTM unattached, kind, sincere lady for friendship and whatever the future holds. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B4 MID-SOUTH COAST WIDOW, NS, ND, sincere, refined. Interests include baroque music, rugby, books, gardening, animals and world affairs.

WLTM sincere free male/widower 68-73 to share above for friendship and companionship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B5 KIND, SINCERE SOUTH COUNTY DUBLIN man, 63, 5ft 10in, good appearance medium/slim build divorced, no children, NS, ND, enjoys reading, walking, conversation, radio, own home, and car.

WLTM NS lady at least 5ft 3in tall for friendship/ relationship. Phone number please.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B6 LOVELY LEINSTER LADY, 58, 5ft 4in, slim, blonde WLTM tall, well-built gentleman with Old School values, and above all honesty, and sense of humour. Very feminine, dislike outdoors, love books, theatre, fine dining and good conversation, especially about politics. Strongly business and work orientated. Don’t suffer fools or overly PC people. More Jane Austin than Sex in the City!

Interested?

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B7 CORK LADY MID-60s, sincere and good sense of humour. Enjoys dancing, animals and good conversation and people with a good sense of humour. WLTM sincere single or widower teetotaller gent with a good sense of humour.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B8 KERRY LADY EARLY 60s, NS, occasional drinker, would like to correspond with honest, caring and respectable person for friendship and

138 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

IMPORTANT Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live, noting your interests. The advertisement should not be more than 60 words.

If you are replying to the advertisement via Senior Time’s email, ensure you include your postal address for those not on the Net. (Only Senior Times will have these details). Deadline for receipt of advertisements for the next issue is November 20th 2016.

TO REPLY TO AN ADVERTISEMENT Each reply to an advertisement should be enclosed in a plain, stamped envelope, with the box number marked in pencil so that it can be erased before being forwarded to the advertiser. Send these envelopes in a covering envelope to the address above so that we can forward them to the advertiser. There is no limit to the amount of advertisements to which you can reply, provided each one is contained in a plain, stamped envelope.

Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live. For those submitting their advertisements by email ensure that you also supply Senior Times with your postal address so that we can post replies from those who have replied by post. (Only Senior Times will have your postal address).

Crossword Crossword Number 80 by Zoë Devlin

ACROSS

DOWN continued

1 4 8 11 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 24 28 29 31 32 36 37 39 43 45 47 49 51 53 54 57 58 60 61 64 65 67 69 71 73 76 77 78 80 84 86 87 89 90 94 95 96 98 99 100 101

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 25 26 27 30 33 34 35 38 40 41 42 44 46 48 50 52 55 56 59 60 62 63 66 68 70 72 74 75 76 79 81 82 83 85 88 90 91 92 93 97

Asian republic currently in conflict (5) Senior members of church or chessmen? (7) One who follows the ideas of Marx (7) Dish of mashed potato and scallions - or winner? (5) Native of Sydney or Melbourne? (10) Yul ___ , star of ‘The King and I’ (7) And 24 & 100 Across. BBC dancing competition (8,4,7) Type of cereal used in making porridge (3) Be wary of being askew or twisted? (4) Niamh, Sinead or Sorcha? (6) Yasser ___, Palestinian statesman (6) See 16 Across Wandering, migratory - seeking a mad coin? (7) See 44 Down (5) Female fox (5) Void - empty - unoccupied (6) & 51 A. ‘___ ___ ___ ___‘ On RTE 1, reports on rural issues (3,2,3,6) Mairead McGuinness did this on 36 Across (9) Intermediary - would never dare omit anything (8) In the direction of (7) Secret words used to open up website accounts (9) Criminals who set fire to property (9) Express audibly .. emit ... articulate (5) See 36 Across. & 89 A. RTE1 current affairs programme (5,4) Gin, whiskey, brandy and vodka (7) Beats through cleverness (7) Subject matter, topic or unifying idea (5) Having beautiful scenery (6) Number of pillars of wisdom or deadly sins (5) Operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan (3,6) Take apart - with the idlest man? (9) Pablo ___, Spanish artist of cubism fame (7) Documents of authorisation or male trysts? (8) Didn’t wake up in time (9) Is a corny vet sent to this English city (8) Ruined by overcooking (6) Immature, juvenile, youthful (5) Environmentalist party or our national colour? (5) Tradition of taking remains to church (7) Is Ma going to this country, now called Thailand? (4) Hungarian/American actress ___ ___ Gabor, (3,3) Parka or windcheater-type jacket (6) See 53 Across Location of this year’s Olympics (3) Short passage or conclusion at end of literary work (8) Dutch painter of ‘Girl with Pearl Earring’ (7) Biologist who might taunt liars! (10) Is eve looking for this strainer? (5) See 1 Down.

See 16 Across Enda or Pat can be found in Kilkenny! (5)

140 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

And 99 Across. Upper house of the Oireachtas (6,7) Lake used to store water (9) Halo or nimbus (4) Adult male of domestic cattle (4) Heaney, Ennis or Mallon - I assume? (6) The wizard lived here - or was it down under? (2) Employee who takes industrial action (7) The child of this day is ‘Fair of face’ (6) Question again (2-7) Yugoslav statesman who led resistance in WWII (4) Would you itch to pay this tab? (4) Feed roast tuna to this spaceman (9) Act of paying money (7) Column of light (3) Fourth note of the tonic solfa (2) Manservant such as Jeeves (5) Productive work or political party (6) Greatest in height (7) Throughout a country or RTE1 evening programme (10) Rubber hoops that cover wheels (5) Dentition or prongs of a comb (5) Remove covering (6) Persevere or hang on and be Sir’s pet! (7) Stitched (5) Can a sister stand firm? (6) Surgical procedure or ‘ ___ Transformation’? (9) These imaginary lines on earth’s surface mean he dines late! (9) & 29 Across. Future RTE programme ‘Dancing ___ ___ ___‘ (4,3,5) Aromatic substance such as nutmeg (5) Eight legged creatures, often on the web? (7) Extinguishes or takes out male tie-ins? (10) Shaped pipe below plumbed fixture (1-4) Opposite to top (6) Fugitive or one who breaks out (7) Guarantee or make certain of (6) Gastropod who carries house on his back? (5) Adversary or one who offers opposition (7) City of 2020 summer Olympics (5) Native American tent (5) Anton ___, Russian dramatist or Star Trek character? (6) Avert rain for this story or tale (9) Caracas is capital of this republic in S.America (9) Does an idiot rant about this custom? (9) Not the best! (5) Musicians who entertain on the street (7) Stern or posterior or even collide with back or car (4,3) Large Atlantic fish with pink flesh (6) Highly seasoned dried sausage (6) Aristocracy or upper class (6) Hairpiece (3) Adult castrated bull (2) Strong line or cord (4) English river, sounds like a leak? (4) Saclike respiratory organ in the chest (4) Tough covering on trunk of tree (4) Organisation formed in 1945 to promote peace (1.1)

Four copies of On The Banks: Cork in poems and songs to be won!

Senior Times, in association with publishers The Collins Press, are offering four copies of this celebration of the city by the Lee. This captivating collection shares the best poems and songs about Cork City, from Edmund Spencer to Gerry Murphy and from ‘The Bold Thady Quilll’ to Rory Gallagher’s My Hometown. Famous characters and landmarks are evoked, as, of course is the River Lee. Name: ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Address: ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Phone: ................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email:......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Send your entries to: Crossword Competition, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

The first four correct entries drawn are the winners. Deadline for receipt of entries is 25th November

Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie 141

When Crime Arrives at Your Doorstep It seems like a good idea at the time. A nice fella arrives at your door and offers to fix your gutter for “a fiver”. While he’s up on his ladder he discovers that your roof needs extensive repair. He insists that it needs to be repaired immediately or you face leaks and potentially even a collapse. Before you know it you’ve given him €800 cash to buy materials and carry out the repairs. The only trouble is, he took your money and never returned.

quote for the work that is to be completed and the cost. If the tradesperson says that he has completed work for a neighbour, check with your neighbour to see if they were satisfied with the work. Take your time and don’t feel pressured into making a quick decision.

It can be very tempting to hire a trades person who offers his services straight away often at what appears to be a very cheap rate, but it comes with a risk.

What to do if you fall victim to a scam If you are scammed, do not be too ashamed or embarrassed to report it to the Gardaí. Bogus traders are very conniving—you will not be the first person to fall for their scam and unfortunately probably not the last.

Talk to someone about it. Don’t underestimate or downplay the impact it has had on you.

Bogus Callers, Rogue Traders and Scammers Scams take many forms but usually involve a cash payment to a doorto-door trades person and subsequently little or no work being completed. Sometimes scammers wait until after the work is complete and then use intimidation and threats to extract payment that is in excess of what was agreed. They may even offer you a lift to the bank to get more money. Other times the scammers will use the work being completed as an excuse to get inside your house to check for valuables then return to steal them at a later date.

The Real Deal If all door-to-door trades people were bogus then they would be easy to spot but there are a lot of roofers, guttering experts, painters and others who are honest professionals. You can check that a company or individual are credible by asking for a brochure or other documentation that has a contact number, address and a VAT registration number. Once you are happy that they are credible, always ask for a detailed written 142 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Above all else, trust your instincts. If your gut is telling you that something isn’t right, it probably isn’t.

If you have been the victim of a scam, or any other crime, you can ring the Crime Victims Helpline for support and information. The Crime Victims Helpline 116 006 is a free and confidential service that provides emotional support and information to victims of crime..

We can also be reached by email at info@crimevictimshelpline.ie.

Our hours are:

Monday Tuesday through Friday Saturday Sunday

10.00 am to 19.30 10.00 to 17.00 14.00 to 16.00 Closed

Further information can also be found on our website at www.crimevictimshelpline.ie

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oss stitch tag was worked on 14 count white Aida using 2 strands en thread, 2 strands of red for the berries (French knots) and 1 of grey for the lettering, it was mounted on a star shape cut from nen grained metallic craft card and gold metallic thread was ed for use as ties. A chart is for this wee project is provided olly motif was painted freehand onto white silk that was backed ron Vilene beforehand. from the cross stitch tag all other tags have been lightly padded in erture cards with cotton wool, Prittstick was the adhesive used to all motifs in the cards.

Crafts

Connie McEvoy shows you how to make a festive candle card and gift tags

Press finished work on a folded towel and stitch wadd embroidery, using Prittstick fix at back of white card using Your project is now ready to secure into the red card that sho aperture.

Christmas creations Please refer to motif outline attached below.

Press finished work on a folded towel and stitch wadding to the back of the embroidery, using Prittstick fix at back of white card Press finished work on a folded towel an using only the aperture section. embroidery, using Prittstick fix at back of wh Your project is now ready to Christmas Your project is now ready to secure into the re secure into the red card that aperture.

Candle Card should have a slightly larger Motif aperture.

ChristmasCandle Card Time 5-6 hours; expertise intermediate.

Please refer to motif outline

Please refer to motif outline attached below.

You will need Christmas gift tags A piece of green evenweave fabric 12 cm’s x 10 cm’s.

A piece of lightweight wadding : : Anchor stranded cotton as follows: Green no 269-holly fishbone stitch Red no 47-berries fishbone stitch Green no 267-fir bough tip fly stitch Pink no 40-Christmas rose satin stitch Red no 46-candle padded satin stitch (Use 2 strands throughout).

Tootal gold lurex- flame satin stitch and fir cone bullion knots (use 1 strand throughout).

Tootal silver lurex- ray back stitch and fir cone bullion knots (use 1 strand throughout).

Two cards with round apertures one white (150mm x 105mm with 80mm aperture) and one deep red (150mm x 105mm with 82mm aperture).

Fine crewel embroidery needle Some greaseproof paper Black pencil Water erasable pencil Scissors, pins and prittstick.

Instructions Begin by placing greaseproof paper over motif, trace off with black pencil, pin traced motif securely and centrally to back of green fabric, fix with masking tape to window pane and draw motif onto right side of fabric using the water erasable pencil. Remove masking tape etc, you are now ready to start embroidery.

Work the candle first using 1 row of chain stitch as padding before working satin stitch, and then work the Christmas rose petals, leaves and fir cones. A space is left to the left of the candle for a greeting such as Noel or Merry Christmas, which can be worked, in backstitch.

This little assortment of gift tags was put together by using odds and ends that were found in a remnant basket shortly after the festive season 2015, all materials used were readily available except the 3 fold aperture cards that were purchased in a craft shop. Apart from the red poinsettia tag/ card they were all worked and assembled in 1 hour, that card took about 2 hours due to the fact that the poinsettia consists of 7 green woven picots & 6 red ones as well as lots of French knots, it was worked on fine white altar linen.

The pink poinsettia & holly tag/ card was embroidered on white even-weave fabric using fishbone stitch and French knots, thread colours used- green, 2 shades of pink, red and yellow.

The cross stitch tag was worked on 14 count white Aida using 2 strands of green thread, 2 strands of red for the berries (French knots) and 1 strand of grey for the lettering, it was mounted on a star shape cut from gold linen grained metallic craft card and gold metallic thread was attached for use as ties. A chart is for this wee project is provided The holly motif was painted Christmas freehand onto white silk that was backed with iron Vilene beforehand.

gift tags

Apart from the cross stitch tag all other tags have been lightly padded in the aperture cards with cotton wool, Prittstick was the adhesive used to secure all motifs in the cards.

/// Green Cross Stitch 2 Strands I I I Grey Back Stitch 1 Strand lll French Knots 2 Strands

144 Senior Times l November - December 2016 l www.seniortimes.ie

Christmas gift tags

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