Senior Times Magazine Issue 90 November December 2017

Issue 90 November - December 2017

NOW E3.00/ÂŁ2.75

The magazine for people who don’t act their age

Back To Our Past Genealogy Special

Au pairing for caring

Sicilian saga

Hugh Hefner Remembered

Memories of a Liberties boy

November - December 2017

22

Contents

36

101

News:

2

Chaos in the Comeraghs:

Au pairing for caring:

6

Ronald Ferrous recalls how a pleasant walking trip turned

Have you considered an au pair for home car?

into a nightmare

Sinead Ryan reports

Eastern promise:

Sicilian saga:

22

66

68

Lorna Hogg on the wonders of our Ancient East

John Low visited Sicily, the largest and one of the most

Wine World:

interesting Mediterranean islands

Focussing on South Africa

74

Short Story:

82

Thomas Myler remembers his days in one of Dublin’s

To the manners born:

88

most renowned neighbourhoods.

Lorna Hogg on the life and work of novelist and playwright

Memories of Liberties boy:

Successex symbol supreme:

32

36

John Galsworthy

Aubrey Malone on the life and extravagant times of Hugh Heffner

Retirement and women:

96

Beauty:

42

Activity section:

101

Creative writing:

46

Walking in the Killarney National Park

Golf:

52

Meeting place:

120

Northern Notes:

58

Crafts:

128

Belfast’s first ‘honesty’ café a major attraction

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.,

Main cover photograph courtesy of The National Archives

Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Tel: +353 (01) 4969028.

Fax: +353 (01) 4068229 Editorial: John@slp.ie Advertising: willie@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 ‘Significant progress and achievement’ in 2016 - HPRA The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has published its annual report of key activities for 2016 which highlights ‘significant progress and achievement’ across a range of work programmes. The report outlines the substantial outputs delivered in respect of each health product sector as the HPRA continued to focus on its stated mission to protect and enhance public and animal health.

• A total of 209 medicine recalls, 201 relating to human medicines .

• 471 cosmetic products were sent for laboratory testing with 11% (54 products) found to be non-compliant. Among the most common areas of non-compliance were microbial contamination of talcum powers and face paints, and heavy metals in make-up and children’s products.

• 94 GMP inspections were conducted of sites manufacturing human and veterinary medicines, and active substances.

During 2016, its activities included: • The authorisation of 637 new human medicines.

According to Dr Lorraine Nolan, Chief Executive of the HPRA, 2016 was the first year of the organisation’s Strategic Plan 2016-2020.

• 108 clinical trials of human medicine products approved to commence in 2016. This is the same number of clinical trials approved in 2015.

• The individual assessment and follow up of 3,264 adverse reaction reports in relation to human medicines in . In addition, some 337 \ suspected adverse reactions and events involving veterinary medicines were reported to and reviewed by the HPRA.

The plan, which provides a roadmap for the future advancement of the HPRA, outlines its commitment to adapting and evolving alongside the rapidly changing pharmaceutical, medical device and cosmetic sectors while ensuring it continues to protect the safety of the people and animals benefiting from health products.

Food Safety Authority publishes guidelines for charities The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has published four new guidance documents for charities and donating food businesses to ensure that the highest food safety standards are maintained to protect consumer health.

Aer Lingus to start new direct Dublin to Philadelphia route next Summer Aer Lingus has announced its 2018 Dublin Summer Schedule featuring a new direct Dublin to Philadelphia route, from on 25th March , operating four times per week.

Philadelphia is the 9th most visited city in the United States welcoming over 30 million domestic and international visitors annually.

Film fans will be excited to walk around spotting scenes from their favourite movies as the city is also the backdrop to many critically-acclaimed films including Tom Hank’s Philadelphia, the Sixth Sense and of course, the Rocky movies. No trip would be complete without recreating the famous Rocky Run up the steps

of the Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art or a visit to West Philadelphia, where the Fresh Prince was born and raised.

Summer Sun Europe also remains a key focus for Aer Lingus which will operate 945,000 seats to Spain, 310,000 seats to the Canary Islands and 495,000 seats to Portugal in Summer 2018.

Fares to Philadelphia start fromE199 each-way including taxes and charges, when booked as a return trip. Fares to Europe for summer 2018 start from E34.99 one-way including taxes and charges. For more information, visit www.aerlingus.com.

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One in eight people living in Ireland are experiencing food poverty, while food waste in Irish businesses accounts for 750,000 tonnes per year, with 300,000 tonnes coming from retail and catering businesses and over 400,000 tonnes generated by the industrial food processing sector. Often this food is suitable for redistribution, so food businesses offer unsold or nonsalable food items to charities. The FSAI’s free guidance documents have been created to ensure safety procedures are followed at all times.

According to Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, the growth in awareness and the increase in food donation to reduce food waste over the past number of years is to be welcomed, but that like all operators in the food supply chain whether donating, receiving or handling donated food they must comply with the law in relation to food safety. The aim of these new guidance documents is to make it as easy as possible to comply with food law

WHERE DO YOU DISCOVER YOUR COME FROM? STORY WITH ANCESTRY

Raymond McCulloch

Pearl Jacobsen

1895-1971

1900-1961

Ralph R McCulloch 1929-2004

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How to beat the rise of the rats

Pest control provider Rentokil has warns householders to be vigilant in proofing their homes and premises from rodents. As the cold weather approaches and food becomes scarce, Rentokil predicts that, there will be an increased number of rodents invading homes over this period.

The rapid rate of reproduction amongst rats might come as a shock to some people and it is precisely for this reason, that Rentokil recommends the importance of prevention and recognising the early signs of a rat problem.

Known for their fierce survival instincts, brown rats prefer to build their burrows in urban sewers and the dwellings of humans, eating one-fifth of foodstuffs planted every year, but contaminating far more.

To avoid attracting rodents into your home, follow these simple tips: • Keep foodstuffs in metal or glass containers with tight fitting lids.

• Tidy inside the house and around the garden less clutter means less places to hide.

• Put outdoor rubbish bags in metal bins with securely fitted lids to stop them feeding from contents.

• Clean up pet food and bird seed debris, and store pet food in robust containers with fitted lids - preferably above ground level.

• Keep gardens free from debris - If you have a compost heap don’t include organic food waste, as this will attract them.’’

we have children as young as eight with high blood pressure and young people displaying the early signs of heart disease that in the past were rarely seen until middle age.’

Irish Heart has urged the Government to: • Tackle the causal link between junk food marketing to children and child obesity, particularly by regulation of digital marketing.

• Tackle the obesogenic environment through measures such as the introduction of no fry zones.

• Introduce mandatory calorie posting on menus.

• Target resources in disadvantaged areas where obesity levels are highest with particular emphasis on families and children during their first 1,000 days of life.

Programme will teach ‘how they can live to thrive’ Aware, Ireland’s organisation providing support, education and information services about depression and bipolar disorder, is urging those struggling with ‘unhelpful thoughts’ to sign up to the Aware Life Skills Group Programme.

The Life Skills Programme, nine hours, over the course of 6 weeks will teach attendees how to better recognise and manage unhelpful thoughts, learn new ways of thinking and ultimately begin the journey to a healthier and more confident life.

‘By signing up to our Life Skills Programme, attendees will learn how to greatly improve their ability to cope with the cards that life can deal us on a daily basis,’ said Brid O’Meara, Director of Services, Aware.

The Life Skills Group Programme, has been developed by the renowned cognitive behaviour therapy specialist (CBT), Dr. Chris Williams, Professor of Psychiatry and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist at the University of Glasgow, and is specifically designed to help

people learn more about how we think and how this can influence our actions in helpful or unhelpful ways.

The Life Skills Group Programme is free to attend, with a refundable 30 Euro booking deposit in place to ensure participants that really want to book a place have the opportunity to do so. The booking fee will be refunded by Aware, once all six modules in the course have been completed. Reduced booking fees are available for students, the unemployed, OAP or those in possession of a medical card.

For more information visit aware.ie

Pharmacists could hold key to improving nation’s health’ Pharmacists could play a greater role in the Irish healthcare system that would help improve the nation’s health and deliver cost savings, according to Niall Byrne, Registrar of the PSI, the pharmacy regulator. Mr Byrne says that the PSI’s recently published report ‘Future Pharmacy Practice in Ireland – meeting patient needs’ identified numerous opportunities where pharmacists could contribute more to addressing some of the significant challenges facing Irish healthcare.

Ireland’s healthcare system faces a number of challenges including a rapidly aging population and increasing demands on its services. The number of people over 65 years is expected to grow by about 3% per year over the next 10-15 years with 40% of the population forecasted to have at least one chronic illness by 2020. At present, Irish people make an estimated two million visits per year to the pharmacist, making them the most frequently accessed healthcare professional.

Mr Byrne said that pharmacists offered expertise in the area of medicines as well as an extensive country-wide network that reaches into every town and village uniquely placed to play a greater role that could assist in patient care in a safe and cost effective manner.

‘Decorator to the Stars’, Carleton redesigns Newbridge Silverware’s Restaurant

Government ‘standing still’ on national obesity policy In a statement to mark the first anniversary of the Government’s obesity policy and action plan, A Healthy Weight for Ireland, Janis Morrissey Irish Heart Health Promotion Manager said: ‘Twelve months ago, Irish Heart warned against any further implementation paralysis in tackling Ireland’s child obesity crisis. But one year on there remains a marked lack of urgency in implementing policies that will reduce rates of overweight and obesity and protect our children’s future health.

‘We have to stop tinkering around the edges of the obesity crisis and implement decisive policies that can make a difference. Already

Interior designer Carleton Varney has brought his iconic style to Newbridge Silverware. The ‘Decorator to the Stars’ who is also known in the USA as ‘Mr. Colour’ has been commissioned by Newbridge Silverware to redesign its restaurant, which is now known as ‘Café Carleton’.

Mr. Varney has a high-achieving CV that includes projects such as The White House, government buildings around the world, plush hotels and the mansions of international celebrities. He has had a magnificent career for over 50 years and remains as one of the brightest

4 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

minds in the world of interior design.

One of the restaurants highlights is the candy stripe ceiling which has a circus-like feel to it with its carousel shape and light, bright colour.

The ceiling features the trademark stripe patterns of Dorothy Draper and Company, the interior design company which Carleton heads up and which the eponymous designer uses in various projects around the world. The stripe, in a sky blue and white fits in perfectly with Newbridge Silverware’s own trademark blue, now described by many as ‘Newbridge Blue’.

transport for all

Mobility Scooter Permit To travel on Dublin Bus with your mobility scooter you must have a permit. This is because some mobility scooters are too big to fit on Dublin Bus buses.

To find out if your scooter is the correct size, contact our travel assistant, who will check your scooter to see if it will fit on to the bus. They will also give you some helpful tips on bus travel.

To contact the travel assistant email travelassist@dublinbus.ie Phone 01 7033204

Home help

Au pairing for caring John with his Au pair Angelika Werth (red cardigan) and his other help Adriana Ursu.

When you need to consider extra care supports at home, most seniors and their relatives look to the HSE or private home care agencies. Few think of an au pair.

Sinead Ryan reports

While they may have employed one when their children were small, senior au pairs are becoming popular and breach the gap between expensive ‘carer’ hours and qualifying for the Home Care Package scheme.

The added benefit of it being far cheaper than private carer hours is matched by the win-win for the au pair getting to learn English by caring for someone they can have a proper conversation with, rather than toddlers.

Cormac Maher owns AuPairIreland.ie. ‘We’ve seen a noticeable rise in popularity in senior au pairs in recent years. Live in or out, they are an affordable alternative to carers and ideal for seniors who would like companionship, help running errands, or light housework’.

‘Senior au pairs can be male or female, and range in age from early twenties, into their fifties. Most au pairs on our books are already living in Ireland, and come from within the EU. There are also a high number of au pairs from Brazil.’

Under employment law, au pairs are considered employees and have the same rights as any other worker, including the minimum wage (currently €9.25 per hour, rising to €9.55 from January 2018).

Many au pairs will also go to classes to learn English, so may not be required to work all week.

They are not HSE or FETAC trained in nursing care, so typically are beneficial for seniors who just need light support, such as cooking, tidying

6 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Home help

John is a keen painter

and ensuring their medicines are taken on time.

They can also do light housework and most importantly, provide companionship.

Websites www.grannyaupair.com, a German site, linking au pairs and seniors (the ‘granny’ applies to the au pair, not the senior, as many of the ladies are themselves mature with children, and even grandchildren of their own!). www.aupairireland.ie based in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Case study John Hanna is a sprightly 96 year old who looks many years younger. The former doctor lives in the North Dublin home he shared for 60 years with his wife, who died some years ago.

He is active, loves conversation, paints, and travels when he can. His children, although very much involved in his life, don’t live near enough to provide daily care. Instead, his au pair, Angelika Werth, a German mother-of-three provides live-in support.

‘I wanted to au pair when I was a teenager but my three children came along while I was young and the opportunity passed. Now they have left home and here I am. I dreamed to go abroad and it’s not far from home’, says Angelika.

Sinead Ryan meets John Hanna.

Having initially worked as an au pair for young children, Angelika found she wasn’t getting her conversational needs met. ‘I prefer adults as there is more conversation; I found that in John’s house. I feel like at home and a family member.

John likes to travel around and now he can enjoy it because I am the main driver. Previously he drove always. You have to be open to this concept, both the au pair and the family’, she adds.

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Angelika takes time each week for private English lessons and cooks for John too. ‘He likes traditional meals, chops, potatoes. He says he likes everything I make but if he was on his own he would probably only eat a boiled egg’.

John says there are ‘no drawbacks’ to the arrangement. ‘Angelika is my fourth au pair. It’s a very pleasant way to live. We have a joint hobby in painting but it’s hard work, there’s a lot of

Home help

concentration needed’.

Working as a GP and what he terms a ‘pioneering back manipulator’, John also trained as a dentist.

‘My mother wanted me to have something to fall back on, although I’ve never pulled a tooth’, he laughs. The Royal College of Surgeons presented him with an award for the longest service; he qualified as a doctor in 1946, something about which he is rightly proud. These days his life is less ‘

BLIN

I feel I’m contributing something. I don’t require too much minding but I know I can’t live alone and I’m not a cook’.

John and Angelika aren’t alone, however. They are joined in the house by Adriana Ursu, a Venezuelan woman who was John’s previous au pair but didn’t want to leave. She describes herself as a lodger, although both John and Angelika insist she is a huge help around the house.

‘There was no work in my country and I had a ticket home, but my father told me to stay, so I tore it up and am still here. I like people. I minded children too, but this is better’.

The three have recently returned from a holiday on Achill Island. ‘The girls wanted to swim in the Atlantic’, explains John. ‘I watched from afar. It looked cold’. The girls nod vigorously at this. ‘Our next trip will be to Donegal; we’re at the planning stage’, says Angelika.

John’s daughter Joyce approves wholeheartedly of the arrangement. “After mum got Alzheimers, dad, although independent, wasn’t as sparkly.

I’d phone every night but it’s not the same when you’re having a conversation with the same person all the time. I heard about the service on the radio; we had a French lady first, who was absolutely marvellous, her English wasn’t great, but she was a fabulous cook! Adriana and Angelika have been super and Dad loves them. Full time carers can cost a fortune and dad didn’t need them; but this is great’.

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Discover how the Irish Influenced and Shaped the World EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is a museum re-imagined. It will inspire and guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day. Over the centuries, some 10 million people have left the island of Ireland. At EPIC you can step through 20 themed galleries to find out why people left, see how they influenced the world they found, and experience the connection between their descendants and Ireland today. Immerse yourself in the stories of some of the most remarkable tales of sacrifice, endurance, adventure, and discovery the world has ever known. Suitable for all ages, EPIC brings these amazing stories to life in a unique and spectacular way.

EPIC’s founder, former Chairman and CEO of Coca Cola is a member of the Irish diaspora himself. Neville Isdell left Ulster with his parents for Northern Rhodesia in the mid-1950’s and has subsequently lived and worked outside Ireland for more than sixty years.

Designed by Event Communications, the multi-award winning designers of Titanic Belfast, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum tells the authentic and epic story of 10 million journeys and the roots of 70 million people.

Located in the beautiful vaults of the CHQ in Dublin’s Docklands, the original departure point for so many of Ireland’s emigrants. Just a short walk from O’Connell Bridge, CHQ is well serviced by bus, DART, Luas and city tour busses.

CHQ is also home to a wide variety of cafés, restaurants and retail outlets including the EPIC Museum Gift Shop.

Leading on from this world class experience at CHQ, visitors can take the opportunity to explore their Irish heritage in the Irish Family History Centre where they will have access to over 100 million Irish records. Operated by Eneclann Ireland’s leading genealogical services provider, Irish Family History Centre offer a new and exciting way to uncover your connection to Ireland while using the latest genealogical research and digital technology.

‘Whole new museum genre Beyond words!’

TRIPADVISOR

‘Unmissable’ THE MIRROR

‘Hi-tech approach really brings Ireland’s history to life!’

TRIPADVISOR

Book now at epicchq.com T:+353 (0)1 906 0861 E: info@epicchq.com Open daily from 10am - 6.45pm (last entry is 5pm) CHQ, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1.

10 Senior Times l September - October 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

Shelbourne Hall, RDS, Dublin. October 20-22 2017. 11am until 6pm daily Sponsored by GENERAL PRESENTATIONS AT BACK TO OUR PAST 2017 Friday 20 October 12 noon Researching Scottish Ancestors using Ancestry

Kirsty Wilkinson

1pm

Genealogical Resources at Glasnevin Cemetery

Lynn Brady

2pm

An Introduction to Irish Genetic Communities using AncestryDNA

Mike Mulligan

3pm Professional Q&A session – bring your genealogical questions & conundrums

With a panel of Members of Accredited Genealogists Ireland

4pm

National Archives speaker

Back to Your Own Past – an introduction to archival sources of information in the National Archives for researching your ancestors

Saturday 21 October 12 noon Finding Irish Emigrants in Ancestry’s New International Collections

Joe Buggy

1pm

Using AncestryDNA to Learn About Your Surname

Mike Mulligan

2pm

A Step-by-Step Guide to DNA TESTING for Genealogical Research

Karen Brandel Hägele, MyHeritage

3pm Professional Q&A session – bring your genealogical questions & conundrums

With a panel of Members of Accredited Genealogists Ireland

4pm

Lorna Maloney

Clans and Surnames – Irish surnames explored from the 11th century – Brian Boru to modern day

Sunday 22nd October 12 noon AncestryDNA – Basic Principles for Family History

Mike Mulligan & Eamon Healy

1pm

Documents that Speak: hearing voices in the Chief Secretary’s Office Registered Papers, 1818-1830

National Archives speaker

2pm

Making the Most of Irish Records on Ancestry

Eimer Shea & Claire Egginton

3pm

Newspapers as a Source for Genealogical Research

Georgina Scally, MAGI

4pm

Genealogical Resources at Glasnevin Cemetery

Lynn Brady

(Talks are approx. 30 minutes in length, with a ten-minute Q&A session.

Talk times and content are subject to change: check with information screen in the hall)

If you cannot visit this event you can request information on the exhibitors and presentations by emailing info@slp.ie

LIST OF EXHIBITORS Accredited Genealogists Ireland President: Máire Mac Conghail Email: info@accreditedgenealogists.ie www.accreditedgenealogists.ie Ancestry 52-55 Sir John Rogerson quay, Dublin 2.

Tel: (003531) 7651559.

Email: jslyne@ancestry.com www.ancestry.ie Clans of Surnames of Ireland Lorna Moloney, 3 Bauroe, Feakle, Co Clare.

Tel: 00353 87 21184.

Email: merrimanresearch@gmail.com Department of Arts, Culture & Heritage New Road, Killarney, Co Kerry Tel: 00353 64 6627343.

Email: tadgh.oshea@chg.gov.ie www.chg.gov.ie DNA –Worldwide The Courtyard, Commerce Park, Frome BA11 2FG Tel: 0044 1373 800130.

Email: ashley@dna-worldwide.co.uk www.dna-worldwide.com Dublin Camera Club 10 Lr Camden St., Dublin D02 NA49 Email - secretary@dublincameraclub.ie www.dublincameraclub.ie Dublin Coins Tel: 00353 86 8714880

GTI Travel Network House, Block 2, Ballisk Court, Donabate, Co Dublin K36 WE24 Tel: (003531) 8434734.

Email: niamh@gti-ireland.ie www.gti-ireland.com

North of Ireland Family History Society Unit C4, Valley Business Centre, 67 Church Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim BT36 7LS Tel: 0044 7476481066.

Email: akrobinson@lineone.net

Irish Family History Society 42 Mount Eagle Lodge, Leopardstown, Dublin 18.

Email: noelj96@gmail.com

On The Edge Ballinahinch, Ashford, Co Wicklow Tel: 0404 49129.

Email: dermot@ote.ie www.ote.ie

Irish Genealogical Research Society 6 Brighton Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6.

Tel: (003531) 4928644.

Email: steven@masseyandking.com Irish Genealogical Solutions Killeenagh Cross, Knockanore, Co Waterford Tel: 00353 87 3156807.

Email: christine-deakin@hotmail.com Irish Great War Society McKee Park, Blackhorse Ave., Dublin 7 Irish Manuscripts Commission 45 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 Tel: (003531) 676 1615 Email: cathy.hayes@irishmanuscripts.ie www.irishmanuscripts.ie Ireland’s Military Story Wesley Bourke 75 the Woodlands Castletown, Celbridge, Co. Kildare

Pauric McGroder Photographer 1 Dolphin Avenue, South Circular Road, Dublin 8.

Tel: (003531) 6570345.

Email: pauric@pauricmcgroder.com www.pauricmcgroder.com Public Record Office of Northern Ireland 2 Titanic Boulevard, Belfast BT3 9HQ Tel: 0044 28 9053 4865.

Email: janet.hancock@communities-ni.gov.uk www.nidirect.gov.uk/proni Royal Irish Academy 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 Tel: (003531) 609 0600.

Email: v.cavalli@ria.ie www.ria.ie

Enniskillen Castle Fermanagh & Omagh District Council Tel: 0044 28 6632 5000. Email: bronagh. cleary@fermanaghomagh.com

Irish Roots Magazine Blackrock, Blessington, Co Wicklow Tel: 00353 87 9427815.

Email: editor@irishrootsmagazine.ie www.irishrootsmedia.com

School of Celtic Studies Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies 10 Burlington Road, Dublin 4 Tel: (003531) 614 0100 info@celt.dias.ie www.dias.ie

EPIC Museum The CHQ Building, IFSC, Dublin 1 Tel: (003531) 5313688.

Email: info@epicirelandchq.com www.epicchq.com

Irish Whiskey Museum 37 College Green, Dublin 2 Tel: (003531) 5250970.

Email: nicola@irishwhiskeymuseum.ie www.irishwhiskeymuseum.ie

St. John Ambulance History Group Padraig Allen 50 Cherryorchard Parade Ballyfermot Dublin 10

Eric Knowles Antique Detective

More Than Books 10 Rosemount Park, Belfast BT5 7TR Tel: 0044 773 2987292.

Email: allisonmoore4@hotmail.com

The Medal Society of Ireland Patrick Casey.

St. Jude’s ,57 Wynberg Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Tel: (003531) 2805068.

FamilytreeDNA European representative: Maurice Gleeson Tel: 0044 796 7734984.

Email: maurice@mauricegleeson.com Genealogical Society of Ireland 105 Allen Park Road, Stillorgan, Co Dublin Tel: 00353 87 2486878.

Email: eddie_gahan_snr@hotmail.com www.familyhistory.ie Glasnevin Cemetery Museum Finglas Road, Dublin 11.

Tel: (003531) 8826550.

Email: akilcoyne@glasnevintrust.ie

My Heritage 3 Ariel Sharon St., Or Yehuda 60250, Israel Tel: 00972 54 9703966.

Email: mia.serra@myheritage.com www.myheritage.com National Archives Bishops Street, Dublin 8 Tel: (003531) 4072333.

Email: tquinlan@nationalarchives.ie www.nationalarchives.ie

12 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

The Memory Collectors Unit 8, Parkside Business Centre East Wall Road, Dublin 3 Tel: (003531) 8795755.

Email: info@thememorycollectors.com www.thememorycollectors.com Western Front Association c/o Ian Chambers, Chairman, Dublin Branch Email: ian1914@eircom.net

DNA writes a personal story.

Uncover yours at Ancestry.ie

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With one simple test, uncover where you came from, discover distant relatives and find new details about your unique story.

Come visit us at stand B3 at the Back To Our Past event, October 20-22, for special show discounts.

Senior Times l September - October 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie 13

AncestryDNA is offered by Ancestry International DNA, LLC

Genealogy

Discovering your ancestors through DNA.

AncestryDNA is offered by Ancestry International DNA, LLC

Advice from AncestryDNA Our DNA network is now over five million people strong. That means five million people from around the world have sent us a tube of their saliva and in return, have learnt about the hidden truths within their DNA. But what are these ‘hidden truths’? Whether it’s finding relatives you never knew you had or making contact with the missing link in your family tree, AncestryDNA and family history research can be the ultimate combination when it comes to uncovering and reconnecting with long lost family – both past and present.

But what comes first – growing your tree or taking the test?

And how can both resources help you reconnect with the missing pieces or people of your past?

If you’re new to family history, AncestryDNA can be a great way to get the ball rolling. By taking the test and providing a saliva sample, we can start to piece together the picture through your ethnicity, Cousin Matches and Genetic Communities results.

It’s not quite ‘family history in a tube’ but it’s a great starting point, with your results shaping who, what and where to start looking when it comes to understanding what your family history looks like. If you’re looking for a specific living relative and they’ve also taken the AncestryDNA test, this can be a key way to identify that connection.

While exploring your ethnicity estimate, you’ll also come across your Genetic Communities. By combining our family tree and DNA data, we’re able to give you a more precise picture of your origins. You can learn more about these specific places and the people who lived there, as well as the social, cultural and political impacts they felt throughout history.

Maybe you’re researching your family history and are struggling on one side of your tree? Maybe you’re searching for a long lost family member, or want to reach out to your extended family? This is where your AncestryDNA Cousin Matches come in.

When you take an AncestryDNA test, you join our DNA network of over five million people. We take your sample and look for other samples in our network that share your DNA. In your results, you’ll receive a list of these matches – your family members. You can then connect with

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these people online, share information and hopefully grow your family tree!

When you’re on the search for long lost family, we like to think of DNA and traditional research as being the ultimate sleuthing combo.

AncestryDNA can help transform your family tree in the same way that traditional research can help transform your AncestryDNA experience.

When it comes to building your tree from scratch, start with yourself and work backwards. Have a chat to your parents or immediate family members and find out as much as you can about what your living relatives remember about their cousins, uncles, and grandparents. Use this information to start finding those names and key dates in the records.

Link your DNA results to your tree so you can see what common ancestors you share with your AncestryDNA Matches. These results can help point you to other Matches who might be researching a similar branch and can help you add more names or colour to your tree.

If you’re well on your way with your family tree, you might be wondering what AncestryDNA can do to help you with your research. In a similar vein, AncestryDNA Matches can be an incredibly useful tool in connecting you with new resources. That particular branch you’re stumped on, or that ancestor you can’t find any more information about, might have a living relative who holds the answers you’re missing.

It won’t always be the case that the DNA test provides you with completely new ancestors that you were previously unaware of. At times, using both the DNA test and traditional research, you might see a date of birth that you didn’t have, or a marriage certificate, or a death certificate.

Even small pieces of information like that can make a tremendous difference in the search to uncover your past.

We hear success stories on a regular basis when speaking to our members - especially with how AncestryDNA and family history can complement each other when it comes to researching your ancestors.

DNA can be a wonderful tool to help open the door to the mysteries and origin of your family; and at Ancestry, our DNA tests go hand in hand with a rich collection of resources for traditional family history research.

Discovering more about your family has never been easier with Genetic Communities and cousin matching features at your fingertips, connecting you with family all over the world.

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The Reading Room where everyone is welcome

The entrance to the National Archives

Occupying a key position in the cultural and intellectual life of the nation, the National Archives holds the archives of the modern Irish State which document its historical evolution and the creation of our national identity.

Our archives hold rich and varied records relevant to genealogy and everyone is welcome to visit our Reading Room to research his or her family history.

For an idea of just some of the wide range of our records available to search, please visit our website at www.nationalarchives.ie/ genealogy1/introduction-to-genealogy, where you can view 19th and 20th century census returns online, Tithe Applotment Books, Soldiers’ Wills and much more.

National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin, D08 DF85, Ireland.

Tel: 00353-1-4072385 • Fax: 00353-1-4072333

Genealogy

Using and understanding 1901 and 1911 online census records

Tom Quinlan explains Of all the archival sources of information available to those with an interest in genealogy, census records – a survey and enumeration of all people and households at a designated point in time - are perhaps the most valuable and frequently used.

A nation’s official census of population constitutes the most complete periodic survey of information about a country’s people that government makes. Because the aim is to include everybody, the returns of information made to government provide a detailed and comprehensive snapshot of an entire population, where the same type of information has been collected on everyone at the same point in time.

Although a census is undertaken for the primary purpose of providing government with essential information on the people who make up the nation, one of the secondary uses of census return forms is by those engaged in research of their ancestors. And few richer seams of quality information on people are to be found.

A census was taken in Ireland every ten years from 1821 until 1911. No census was taken in 1921 because of the disturbed state of the county during the War of Independence. Decennial census resumed in 1926 in those twenty- six counties that comprised the Irish Free State and a census subsequently taken in 1936 and 1946. The pattern of collection then changed and a census was taken in 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1979 (the census due in 1976 was cancelled as an economy measure), 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2002, 2006, 2011 and 2016.

The State body charged with the collection and analysis of census in Ireland is the Central Statistics Office. However, before haring off in that direction to hunt for elusive ancestors in its raw data, remember that census records are closed to public access for 100 years from the date

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on which the census was taken. This means that the latest census to which there is public access is the 1911 census.

Unfortunately, most of the census returns for 1821 to 1851 were destroyed by fire and explosion in the former Public Record Office of Ireland during bombardment of the Four Courts, where the PROI was situated, at the commencement of the Civil War. Only a small quantity of returns now survives for certain portions of counties and for certain years as follows: Antrim, 1851; Belfast city (one ward only), 1851; Cavan, 1821 and 1841; Cork, 1841; Dublin city (index to heads of household only), 1851; Fermanagh, 1821, 1841 and 1851; Galway, 1813 (numerical returns for Longford barony) and 1821; King’s County (Offaly), 1821; Londonderry (Derry), 1831–34; Meath, 1821; Waterford, 1841.

So what about the census taken at ten-year intervals from 1861 to 1911?

The original census returns for 1861 and 1871 were destroyed shortly after each census was taken and the statistical reports compiled and published, while those for 1881 and 1891 were destroyed at the end of First World War in 1918. The census for 1901 and for 1911 now held in the National Archives are therefore the only complete Irish census accessible to the public. The surviving records cover all of Ireland and not only comprise the census return forms in which data was recorded, collated and summarised by census enumerators, but also the original individual household census return forms filled out and signed by the head of each household on census night. The 1901 census was taken on 31st March 1901 and the 1911 census on 2 April 1911.

For readers of Senior Times new to genealogy, it is probably surprising to learn that the census for 1901 and 1911 have been available and searchable online at http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ for less than a decade. Before this, anybody who wanted to use these invaluable archives either had to visit the National Archives Reading Room to access original census returns or else order copies by post. In both

Genealogy instances, the family historian had to be armed with information as to an ancestor’s address to have any possibility of finding census returns of potential research relevance.

The need to know an ancestor’s address for success in census research was due to the physical arrangement of the original records, which is alphabetically by county, then grouped by district electoral division. Within the records for each district electoral division, files of census returns are arranged by name of townland or town and street.

Putting the census returns online in the form of digital images of the original returns, with indexing of census data to facilitate online searching and retrieval of specific returns, revolutionised accessibility. It enabled anybody to perform the most simple of searches with a piece of information as basic as a family surname and to have presented a list of all families bearing that name, with links to other more detailed information on those families and to the digital image of the original census household return, as well as related enumerator census returns.

So, what are the census forms that can be accessed online and what kind of information do they contain?

The most useful relevant form for anybody doing family history is Form A, which is the census return for each household recording each member of the family and any visitors, boarders or servants. It was completed and signed by the head of the household. Information recorded on each individual resident in a household on census night 1901 or 1911 is name, age, sex, relationship to head of the household, religion, occupation, marital status, county or country of birth. Also recorded is information on an individual’s literacy and ability to speak the Irish language, and whether deaf, dumb, blind, idiot, imbecile or lunatic. Form A for 1911 also records the number of years for which women had been married, where relevant, and the number of children born alive and the number still living.

For the family historian, the information in Form A can be usefully supplemented with that recorded by the census enumerator on Form B1, which is a return of houses and buildings inhabited by each family in a townland or street. Form B1 provides information on the nature and class or standard of the building in which the family lived.

The enumerator was required to identify the material from which the house was built (stone/brick/concrete or mud/wood or other perishable material) and to allocate the respective numerical value of either 1 or 0 based on this. Similarly, the type of material used in the roof construction was scored as either 1 - if slate, tiles or metal was used - or as 0 - if thatch, wood or other perishable material was used. Numerical values were assigned by the enumerator to indicate the number of rooms occupied by the household and the precise number of windows in the front of the house was recorded. Based on the total of these values, the house was scored by the enumerator as either a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th class dwelling.

The enumerator even recorded the name of the landholder on whose property the dwelling house was situated and, where different from the name of the householder, this indicates whether the property was owner-occupied or rented.

Use of Form B1 in conjunction with Form B2, which is a return of out-buildings attached to a dwelling house that identifies stables, coach houses, cow houses, dairies, piggeries, barns etc. can be used to provide not only an important insight into the living conditions of all members of a particular household listed on the Form A household return, including the quality of accommodation, the appearance of the house in which the household lived, but also the relative prosperity of a household where such distinct buildings as coach houses, stables and dairies can be identified.

Finally, the census enumerator’s abstract, Form N, gives details of the number of houses in a street or townland, and the number of occupants of each house, broken down by sex. The form also tells you the religious denominations present in each household. It provides information on the

wider context in which a particular household was situated.

It is important to bear in mind that not all people recorded in the 1901 or 1911 census are to be found on the standard household Form A return.

Occupants of various institutions, for example, barracks, ships, workhouses, hospitals, colleges, orphanages, etc. were recorded on separate forms as follows: • Form B3: Shipping return.

• Form E: Workhouse return.

• Form F: Hospital return.

• Form G: College and Boarding-School return.

• Form H: Barrack return.

• Form I: Return of Idiots and Lunatics in institutions.

• Form K: Prison return.

People in institutions on census night were recorded only by their initials.

Thus, Mary Smith will be listed only as M.S. or John Murphy as J.M. Is the online census easy to search? As mentioned, putting the census online revolutionised access. It allowed the family historian to search census data to find returns for named individuals who had hitherto remained hidden.

The National Archives census website at http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ can be searched in two ways: by name or by geographic location. However, the less precise the information entered in the search boxes, the more numerous the results that have to be sifted through.

It is important to remember that the census data has been indexed as the names were written into the original census form. Spellings have not been corrected.

The basic topographical divisions for the census are: county; district electoral division; townland or street. This is a simple hierarchical structure which makes it easy to access returns for any area in the country.

The returns are arranged in clusters by townland/street within district electoral division within county.

For anybody unsure of the townland or street the person sought lived in, browsing can be done within a district electoral division of a county, which contains numbers of townlands or streets. The browse function allows searching for someone through location, and to view households surrounding that of an ancestor. It also allows for studies of particular districts.

For those who search online and get too many results, it is possible to •

• •

add any extra information in the relevant search boxes, such as age, sex, townland, street; try alternative spellings of the name; type the street/townland name into the relevant box where this is known, and it will locate all the occupants of that street/ townland.

For those who search online and get no results, this could be due to a number of factors: •

•

•

•

The name could be spelled differently, so variations of spelling or a wildcard search should be tried.

The person may not have lived where you think, so searching the name without any geographic information should be tried.

The person sought may not have been in Ireland on census night.

The person you are seeking may have been in an institution, and only listed under their initials.

Happy hunting!

Tom Quinlan is Keeper, Collection Care and Customer Service, National Archives. www.nationalarchives.ie www.census.nationalarchives.ie

Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie 17

Genealogy

DNA talks programme Friday 20th October 11.15 - Introducing DNA for family research Ann Marie Coghlan, ISOGG, IRL Why should we add DNA to our personal genealogy toolkit? Ann Marie explains the basics of DNA testing and how we can use genetic genealogy research in understanding not only our own personal family history but also our community history. This is an excellent talk for complete beginners who have never tested before, and a great refresher for those who already have.

12.00 - Making the most of autosomal DNA Debbie Kennett, ISOGG, UK Autosomal DNA testing is a useful tool for the family historian. It can be used to confirm existing genealogical relationships and to reunite us with our long lost cousins. This talk will cover some of the basic concepts of autosomal DNA testing and look at strategies for working with your results. We will also look at some of the third-party tools and resources that are available to help you.

13.00 - What do your Y-DNA Results mean?

Maurice Gleeson, ISOGG, IRL Y-DNA is extremely useful for learning more about a particular surname and where it came from. It can reconnect you with cousins on your direct male line, identify a place of ancestral origin, and even tie you in to specific genealogies in the ancient annals. In this talk, Maurice will take you through your Y-DNA results and help you understand what you are seeing. The next step will be to join the appropriate surname projects, haplogroup projects, and geographic projects. Maurice will discuss how Project Administrators analyse your results and how this can benefit your own genealogical research.

14.00 - Icelandic roots and identities: Genealogies, DNA, & personal names Prof Gisli Palsson, UoI, Iceland Gisli is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Iceland. He will be talking about the genealogical database The Book of Icelanders and the DNA testing of the people of Iceland.

Interestingly, these have helped reconstruct the genome of a runaway Caribbean slave who became an Icelandic merchant in the early 1800s. Gisli will discuss the quest of his descendants for roots and identity, a common desire for many people interested in family history. Genetic research shows that there are significant Irish signatures in the genetic makeup of modern Icelanders, thanks to Norse

travels through Ireland. Gisli will compare and contrast the approach to (and interest in) genealogy in Iceland and Ireland.

15.00 - The Genetics of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Prof Hannes Schroeder, NHM, Denmark Hannes is Assistant Professor of Archaeology at the University of Copenhagen and one of the lead investigators on the EUROTAST project which explores the genetics of the TransAtlantic Slave Trade. Hannes will discuss the work of the project, why it was started in the first place, what we have learnt, and implications for future research. The project focused on three themes: Origins, Life Cycles, and Legacies, which led to further detail on the slave trading system, but also helped demonstrate how slavery fundamentally shaped the cultural and biological experiences of people of African descent around the world.

16.00 - Ancient DNA and the Genetic History of Europeans Eppie Jones, TCD, IRL Eppie is a Research Fellow at the Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin and will discuss how the ability to recover DNA from ancient human remains is transforming our understanding of the past. In this presentation we will look at how information from millenia-old bones is harnessed and what we can learn from studies using ancient DNA. In particular, we will explore how events which happened thousands of years ago have shaped the genes and traits of people living in Europe today.

17.00 - Prehistoric genomics at the Atlantic Edge Prof Dan Bradley, TCD, IRL It is now known from ancient genomic investigation that massive migrations were part of cultural transitions in European prehistory. It is interesting to discover if Ireland and Portugal underwent these massive migrations. This lecture explores the evidence for such migrations and discusses the implications of the results for understanding the origins of modern populations and the languages they speak.

This year, the four lectures on Friday afternoon were made possible by the kind support of CITIGEN, a HERA Project. CITIGEN is an international collaborative research project that looks at the uses of modern and ancient genomic data in shaping public understandings of the past and our individual and collective identities.

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Saturday 21st October 11.15 – Autosomal DNA testing for beginners Donna Rutherford, ISOGG, UK Understanding DNA results can be confusing and complex. If people can learn how to read and understand their results, they will get the maximum benefit from their investment in a DNA test. Donna’s talk will breakdown what a DNA test is, how it works, and how to interpret the results. This will be an easy to understand overview that beginners can feel comfortable attending without any previous experience with DNA. Experienced users most welcome, and hopefully they may pick up some tips and tricks too.

12.00 - Using Y-SNP Tests in Surname & Family Projects John Cleary, ISOGG, UK It is 4 years since FTDNA introduced their new Y chromosome sequencing test, the Big Y. This talk will review how this popular test has transformed surname projects in this time, and how the ‘SNP tsunami’ has upended and transformed the shape and size of the Y chromosome haplotree. Strategies and useful utilities for making sense of the results of Big Y testing will be presented and discussed through a variety of cases where breakthroughs have been made, or new questions answered, about families, names and their origins.

13.00 - The Power of Mitochondrial DNA – a Swedish perspective Peter Sjölund, ISOGG, SWE Mitochondrial DNA, the DNA of your mother’s mother’s line, is often underrated by genealogists but has proved very useful for genealogical research in Sweden and neighbouring countries. Peter is one of the founders of the highly successful Swedish Society for Genetic Genealogy and will present success stories from Scandinavian genealogy to show you how to use mtDNA effectively in your own genealogy and how to find your prehistoric relatives.

14.00 - Ask the Experts – topical issues in Genetic Genealogy Panel Discussion Come and ask any question you want to our expert panel. Find out what are the hot topics in Irish genetic genealogy. Discover the face of the brave new world that is fast approaching and where we will be in 5 years time. Panellists include Gerard Corcoran, Katherine Borges, Debbie Kennett, John Cleary, Peter Sjölund, & Roberta Estes, among many others.

15.00 - Using Triangulation to Break through your Irish Brick Walls Maurice Gleeson, ISOGG, IRL Triangulation is a simple process whereby

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Genealogy you focus on a particular ancestor and try to break through the Brick Wall at that particular level in your family tree. It simply means testing yourself and one or more cousins who are descended from that particular ancestor. Maurice will discuss the completely unexpected breakthrough that recently resulted from using the technique in his own family tree research, and will take you through a step-by-step approach to how you can use the technique in your own genealogical research.

16.00 - Family Trees with SAPP - Automated from STRs, SNPs & Genealogies Dave Vance, ISOGG, USA How can you continue building your family tree when your ancestors run out? Dave Vance explains how he is automating the process whereby STR markers, SNPs, & known genealogies can be used to build a “Mutation History Tree” within the context of a surname project.

Soon every surname project administrator will be able to build such trees for the larger groups within their surname project. And for the individual genealogist, this means that for particular ancestral lines, the lineage will extend beyond your Brick Wall using DNA markers instead of named ancestors, potentially back to the origin of the surname itself.

17.00 - Nine Autosomal Tools at Family Tree DNA & How to Use Them Roberta Estes, ISOGG, USA Roberta is one of the most eminent genetic genealogy educators in the world. In this talk, she will cover tools to help you interpret your autosomal DNA results. Did you know that Family Tree DNA provides customers with 9 different tools for autosomal DNA matching and analysis? Did you know that you can use these in combination with each other for even more specific matches. Not only that, but within these tools there are lots of ways to utilize the various features. This talk will explore several different scenarios and different approaches to solving brick walls.

Sunday 22nd October 11.15 - DNA is Dynamite - How to Ignite your Ancestral Research Michelle Leonard, ISOGG, UK This will be a talk for beginners giving an overview of the basic information required to understand the three main types of DNA testing available for ancestral research. Michelle will explain how each test works and talk you through the first steps you should take once your results arrive. She will provide easy to follow hints and tips on how to get the most out of those results and apply them to your ancestral mysteries. Practical real-life examples will illus-

trate how DNA testing can be used to connect with previously unknown cousins and confirm the accuracy of your family tree.

15.00 - Autosomal DNA Through the Generations Roberta Estes, ISOGG, USA

12.00 - Genomic insights into the history of the Irish Travellers Gianpiero Cavalleri, RCSI

This talk will explore DNA through the ages literally! What might you be able to do with DNA matching if you had 4 generations to work with? What could you learn? Looking at how DNA is inherited through multiple generations of the same family is the perfect way to learn about the principles of inheritance. It might also pique the interest of your children or grandchildren – what a fun project to undertake with them.

Gianpiero is Associate Professor of Human Genetics at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The Irish Travellers are a population with a history of nomadism; consanguineous unions are common and they are socially isolated from the surrounding, ‘settled’ Irish people. Previous work suggests a common Irish origin between the settled and the Traveller populations. What is not known, however, is the extent of population structure within the Irish Travellers and the time of divergence from the general Irish population. This talk will discuss how genetic data can shed light on these questions, with a presentation of results from recent analysis of large genetic datasets generated from Irish Travellers, European Roma, settled Irish, British and European or world-wide individuals. No photos during this presentation please.

13.00 - Y-DNA & the Ireland yDNA Project Margaret Jordan, ISOGG, IRL Margaret is one of the Administrators of the Ireland yDNA Project which has over 6000 members with reported Irish ancestry. This presentation will discuss the evolution of the Ireland yDNA Project and the data which we are now able to extract from it. The talk will look at the major Y-DNA haplogroups found in the project and some of the smaller ones as well. This presentation will show how this Y-Geographical Project links up with relevant Y-Haplogroup Projects, other Y-Geographical Projects and Irish Surname Projects, which are all run through FamilyTreeDNA. 14.00 - The Irish DNA Atlas Project Edmund Gilbert, RCSI, IRL Edmund will be presenting the final results of the Irish DNA Atlas project, which has used genome-wide autosomal genetic data to reveal a fine scale population structure within Ireland, and found genetic evidence of historical migrations into Ireland. The Atlas is being run as a collaboration between the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Genealogical Society of Ireland. This work has provided valuable information on the history of the Irish population and compares the genetic makeup of the Irish to that in neighbouring Britain, as well as mainland Europe. It also provides fresh insights into our understanding of the role of DNA in various diseases within Ireland. No photos during this presentation please.

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16.00 - Surname DNA Projects - a holistic approach James Irvine, ISOGG, UK James is the Project Administrator of a large surname project, the Clan Irwin Surname DNA Study. There are now 450 participants, including one subgroup of nearly 300 members who all share a common ancestor within the surname era, possibly the largest such branch in any surname project. Thanks to nearly 100 of these members taking Big Y or SNP Panel tests, the project has been able to use SNP data to define a branching structure for a “family tree” which extends down to and within some conventional Scottish and Irish family trees. James will illustrate the various lines of research that a Surname Project can promote by integrating data from Y-STR tests, Y-SNP tests (single SNP and SNP Pack), Big Y tests, autosomal DNA tests, surname diaspora and conventional family trees.

17.00 - Match Making in Clare using Y-DNA & atDNA Paddy Waldron, ISOGG, IRL Lisdoonvarna in County Clare is still famous for its annual matchmaking festival. In previous centuries marriage in Clare and elsewhere was always an economic rather than a romantic transaction. Paddy will talk about some of the surprising trends in arranged marriages revealed by genetic genealogy. As co-administrator of the Clare Roots project, Paddy meets and greets members of the project when they visit Clare and introduces them, not to prospective spouses, but to long-lost cousins in Clare. Most of these meetings have provided new lessons about DNA matching which will feature in his talk. Another type of match making that genetic genealogists engage in involves matching up (a) the oral traditions passed down through the generations, (b) the archival sources used by traditional genealogists and (c) the DNA evidence that often reconciles them, but sometimes refutes the oral tradition. Paddy will include many examples illustrating these points, using both Y-DNA and autosomal DNA.

Genealogy

Preserving your family mementos Lorna Hogg looks at some of the companies specialising in preserving and restoring old family photographs and cine film What would you would seize if you had just minutes to evacuate your home in an emergency? For many of us, it would be the family photo albums, with their priceless memories, pictures, mementoes and stories.

They are part of your family history and research, to be enjoyed now and also by future generations. So how can you best protect those memories, whether you simply want to preserve your old family photographs, or use them as part of ongoing family research?

Many of us simply store our collections in boxes in the attic or spare room, for attention when there is time. When that time comes, it can be quite a shock to find that some of the colour photographs have faded, been damaged by sunlight, or marked and damaged. Loose negatives can be lost, or impossible to identify. Film and video may be in old fashioned formats, and without captions or dates.

Add to that the fact that the way we display, view and even store photographs has also changed. However, the good news is that there is a wide range of ways to store and tell both your photos and family history.

Plenty of help and advice is available, plus design and creative skills to help you restore and display your family history in the way you want.

The first step is to stop the material from deteriorating any further, and repair and store it properly, out of sunlight and damp. If you have out-dated formats, e.g. on cine film, old video or CDs, one good way to ensure essential back-up for the material is to have it transferred to digital format,which take up much less space.

Professional archivists often use acid-free paper, to stop damage to photographs and manuscripts. You might want to consider this if you have very old material. However, even if any of the material is damaged or faded, it may be possible, with modern methods such as Photoshop, to repair the damage.

a stand at the `Back to Our Past’ section at the `50 Plus Show’ in Dublin. www.irishgenealogysolutions.com Tel. 058 53874.

John Gunn Camera Shop 16, Wexford St. Dublin 2 has a well known and well established reputation for its skilled photographic printing services. They can handprint old negatives – but warn enthusiasts not to cut strips of old film into single negatives, as these are very difficult, if not impossible to print.

Tel. 01 4781226 www.johngunn.ie Various shops/outlets now offer the service of transferring old cine film, and VHS tapes to digital. However, one of the best known and professionally respected services is Fast Forward Productions, which offers a wide range of services. Friendly and informative, they will advise on your choices, and can transfer a wide range of formats e.g. old VHS tapes and cine film, to DVD or video file on USB `memory’ sticks.

Fast Forward Productions, 22,Whitehall Rd. Terenure, Dublin 6 Tel 01 4555838. www.fastforwardproductions.

Pictorium is known for its specialist skills in photoshopping . The team is particuarly informative and helpful, and with Sharon Slowey `s 25 years of experience in the area, this is the place to go for `make-overs’ for your pictures. They can do skilled `clean ups’ of old photos, repair tears and marks on prints, and can even work with old glass slides. They can also skilfully (and discreetly!) add or subtract family members to/from group pictures if requested.

As well as restoration, repair and and re-touching, design and printing, they can scan hard copy, slides and negatives. Pictorium is also popular with people who want to photoscan old pictures and photo albums to modern storage and display.

Tel. 01 284 6106 www.pictorium.ie

These days, there is no one way to display family photographs or histories. Details used to be simply recorded on gravestones and later, family bibles and documents, followed by bound family photograph albums. Now, we can tell our histories through photographs, on video or sound recordings. You might digitise your history. You could have it photocopied, and carefully displayed within bound covers. You could even create a series of books to cover several generations. So, where to start, and who can help?

The Colour Copy Centre provides much more than just copying –it also offers binding and has access to photoshopping facilities. Different weights and colours of paper are available, and the friendly and solution oriented Paddy Cribben can provide ideas for a wide range of needs.

He understands that pictures of local football clubs and villages, hobbies, pictures of local views and even pubs and cars can be as sig nificant in people’s lives as their photographs. He also knows that some people may have very few family photographs, but want to preserve a sense of family `place’ and is familiar with Irish local heritage photo collections of bygone times.

One stapled 30 page A4 booklet, with 40 reproduced items - photographs/pieces of memorabilia, would start from €80 Paddy can also add decorative `frames’ around the pictures (for extra cost.) If you would like to create a more formal book, perhaps with your family name embossed on the cover, he can advise on options.

Tel. 01 6612066 www.colourcopycentre.ie Irish Genealogy Solutions Irish Genealogy Solutions offers a range of storage – including the `Parkinson’ range of acid free storage products - including sheets, albums for photos and memorabilia, card dividers, pockets, card, photo storage for certificates and documents, and blank paper charts for creation of family trees. They also stock Irish Roots Binders and will have

Priceless treasures that belong to everyone.

Free admission to the greatest collections of Irish heritage, culture & history in the World.

Open: Tues to Sat 10am to 5pm. Sun 2pm to 5pm. Closed: Monday incl. Holidays.

Guided Tours, Lectures, Museum Shops & Cafés. Please call +353 (0)1 6777 444 Free Admission - For further details please visit us at www.museum.ie

Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie 21

Travel

Sicilian Saga The splendid view of Mount Etna from the Greek amphitheatre at Taormina.

Bellini’s tomb in St Agata’s Cathedral, Catania

John Low visited Sicily, the largest and one of the most interesting Mediterranean islands Mount Etna is Sicily. In fair and foul, it is the main player in the island’s economy as it looms over most of the landscape. Its spectacular eruptions have created a unique terrain over the centuries. And as Europe’s largest and most active volcano it nourishes the fertile soil of the orange groves, vineyards and exotic fruits – another key earner -- spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south.

Etna of course is a must on any tour itinerary and I visited it as part of a day trip which also took in the charming village of Taormina. There are two ways to get near to the summit of the volcano, from the north and south. Our group approached from the south and arrived at ‘Camp Etna’ which is a ‘village’ of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and car/ coach park set in a lunar landscape. Craters of varying sizes and depths surround you and you can walk into or around most of them. But for the more adventurous you can ascend further by a cable car or spend 65 euro for a 4 x 4 ride which takes you near to the 3000-odd metre summit.

This small village is only a landscape, yet a landscape where you can find everything to seduce your eyes, your spirit, your imagination’. Thus, the comments of French writer Guy de Maupassant.

Taormina is a hilltop village which dominates the coastline, back dropped on its southern side by incomparable views of the volcano. It is easy to see why it’s not to be missed on any visit to the Sicily with its star attraction, the Greek amphitheatre and interesting pedestrianised streets featuring every type of restaurant and bar you could desire. It’s not certain if there were as many fine eateries here when Goethe first put the place on the map in the late eighteenth century, followed by the likes of Wagner, Brahms, and Oscar Wilde. But they surely took in the historic sites which include the 13th century cathedral, the Palace of the Dukes, the ancient abbey as well as some pretty public gardens, art galleries and museums. And for retail therapists there’s elegant shopping along the celebrated Corso Umberto with its designer shops and crafts outlets.

Catania calls

Now it was time to descent from the chill slopes of Etna – walking jacket, headgear and sturdy footwear essential – to the balmy but comfortable heat of Taormina. ‘If someone should spend just one day in Sicily and ask what should I visit? I would answer without hesitating – Taormina.

22 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

Another day and this time it’s a tour of the city of Catania with its elegant, marble-paved, streets leading off the set-piece, the Piazza Duomo and Fountain of the Elephant (the city’s symbol). The Piazza is dominated

Travel

One of the many remarkable preserved mosaics at the Villa Romana at Piazza Armerina.

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St Agata Cathedral, Catania with the famous Fountain of the Elephant.

by the Cathedral of St Agata, the city’s patron saint. The building itself is a mish-mash of styles and periods with an imposing baroque façade which incorporates Roman columns taken from an amphitheatre; inside, the baroque theme continues with several ornate chapels and a fresco recording the 1693 earthquake. There are also more Roman columns holding up one of the interior walls as well Roman baths below. The cathedral is also the final resting place of Catania’s most famous son, Vincenzo Bellini, composer, among many others, of the opera Norma which features arguably the most celebrated aria in all 19th century opera Casta Diva. The opera house is also named after the composer (Teatro Massimo Bellini) as well as a museum. And if you are a Bellini fan there is also at least one of his works performed during the season from June to October. And the Bellini association continues with the signature dish of Catania, I’m told, but never tried it, Pasta alla Norma: fried chunks of aubergine in tomato sauce with ricotta cheese.

The other sides of the Piazza are equally interesting and include the Diocesan Museum and the town hall. More worthwhile attractions to consider in the city are the 17th century arch of Porta Uzeda near the port, the imposing old fortress of Castelloa Ursino, the amphitheatre in Piazza Stesicoro, and the colour and chaos of the fish market which has been going for hundreds of years. This is a most fascinating city with the grandiose rubbing shoulders with the scruffy and everything else in between, just as it should be. It deserves a long day’s visit but on this occasion, we only had a couple of hours here before moving on to the Roman villa at Piazza Armerina.

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Travel

Piazza del Duomo, Syracuse

The Villa has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 and is considered to be one of the most important examples of an official governmental residence, dating back to 320-350 A.D. Its outstanding feature is the marvellously preserved mosaics considered to be the finest of their type anywhere. Most of these were brought to light by archaeologists in the mid-eighteenth century.

Beautiful Syracuse The undoubted highlight of my trip was Syracuse, possibly one of the most beautiful places in Sicily, and on my tour, I was able to spend almost a full day here which it well deserves. Not surprisingly it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You approach the old town – Ortygia – from the ‘mainland’ via a bridge and a network of fascinating, shady, narrow streets. You turn a corner and suddenly you’re hit by the fierce light bouncing off the baroque facades – all playing second fiddle the Cathedral of the Nativity -- which line Piazza del Duomo. Continue down Corso Vittorio Emanuele and you arrive at the church of Santa Lucia alla Badia. Given its extraordinary neighbouring structures Santa Lucia is unremarkable enough, but inside it contains Ortygia’s artistic gem: Caravaggio’s Burial of Santa Lucia which lines the back of the altar, Ortygia is a marvellously refined place to wander through with its quirky shops, galleries and artists touting their wares from the pavements, restaurants for all tastes and oh-so-trendy boutique hotels in many a side lane housing noticeable quotas of the Smart Set. No wonder one travel writer recently observed: ‘It’s Manhattan on the Mediterranean’.

But it’s also easy to forget that this historic heart is only a tiny part of a commercial and industrial metropolis with a population as large as Cork.

And all the more interesting for it, unlike Taormina which, for all its charm, 24 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

The Ortega fountain in Syracuse

is essentially a-place-made-for-tourists. This one-day tour also takes in the nearby Archaeological Park which contains the largest Greek amphitheatre in Sicily. The park is divided into three main sections: the latomie (stone quarries), the Greek theatre and the Roman amphitheatre. The tour takes about two hours.

The Aeolian Islands Another day is devoted to two of the Aeolian Islands which lie off the north-east of Sicily. First, we head for Lipari where we explore the historic town of Lipari. We then continue to Vulcano to see the rock formations and caves before returning to Sicily.

Like many Mediterranean islands Sicily has had its fair share of ‘visitors’ in its long and eventful history, from the Greeks to the Romans, Phoeni-

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Travel

Couscous Trapanese

cians, Arabs, Spanish, Normans and more. As a result, it is rich in antiquities and many fascinating cities, towns and villages and resorts, with countless jaw-dropping buildings from all periods, and a varied, striking landscape.

Add to that some of the finest food and wine you will ever experience abroad and you have all the elements for a highly enjoyable break.

Escorted tour

Sicilian food and wine Like most other regions of Italy, Sicily has its own special dishes.

It majors in a wide range of appetisers, from rice croquettes to crispeddi (fried potatoes) of Catania. There are numerous unique main courses comprising fish or meat dishes. And don’t forget the famous Sicilian pastries, mainly prepared with ricotta cheese and almond paste. Much of the island’s olive oil, cheeses –such as Raqusano – sausages and grapes are protected by EC registration.

Sicily has more vineyards than any other region in Italy. Many of them produce the famous desert wine, Marsala, which gets its name from a Sicilians seaside town of the same name. But in recent years Sicilian red and white wines have been winning plaudits in international competitions.

Though grapes have grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna since the fifth century BC, there’s a lot of new interest in the area. The main white variety is carricante. Etna’s best-known red is nerello mascalese. But for the tourist the important point is that you can buy a very decent glass of wine for a modest cost in most cafes and bars as well as choosing from reasonably priced lists in restaurants.

I visited Sicily as part of one of the Travel Department’s huge selection of escorted tours. The base for my seven-night stay was the Atahotel Naxos Beach Hotel which is close to the seaside resort of Giardini Naxos.

This is a huge hotel complex with the main hotel as well as satellite apartments. It boasts an Olympic sized swimming pool as well as entertainment on most nights. The package offers four, one-day escorted tours.

Breakfast and buffet-style dinner is provided as part of the package.

The choice of food, like on all Travel Department packages, was good quality with a wide selection of choices. And the free wine with dinner was a welcome bonus. Giardini Naxos is only a fifteen minutes’ walk from the hotel. Its charms are modest enough so you might want to venture further on your couple of ‘free’ days outside the official itinerary.

The Travel Department are running an extensive programme of seven-night tours to Sicily and the Aeolian Islands in 2018 with prices ranging from 999 Euro in April to 1019 Euro in September.

They also have a seven-night ‘Highlights of Sicily’ tour, which spends two nights in Palermo, also from 999 Euro.

For further information on this and other Travel Department escorted tours, contact: The Travel Department, Harmony Court, Harmony Row, Dublin DO2 VY52.

Tel: (01) 6371650, Email: info@traveldepartment.ie www.traveldepartment.ie For further information on Sicily, contact: Italian State Tourist Office, 1 Princess Street, London W1B 2AY. Tel: 0044 207 4081254.

Email: info.london@enit.it www.enit.it 26 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Do you have a complaint about a public service provider?

Have you a complaint about a provider of a public service such as a government department, local authority, the HSE, a third level education body or a nursing home? If so, the Ombudsman Peter Tyndall, may be able to help.

The Ombudsman says that complaints can be used to improve the delivery of public services.

“When people complain it gives service providers an opportunity to put things right and to stop the same mistakes happening again.”

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

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: • Government Departments and Offices

• The Health Service Executive (HSE) • Public hospitals and health agencies providing services on behalf of the HSE • Nursing Homes (including private nursing homes) • Local Authorities • Publicly funded 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. How do I make a complaint?

You can complain to the Ombudsman: • By E mail: ombudsman@ombudsman.ie • Online: www.ombudsman.ie • 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).

Caring at Christmas

Christmas can be a wonderful time for family and friends. At the best of times it can also be overwhelming . When caring for a loved one with dementia, it can easily feel all too much. However, with some planning and some adjustments, this holiday can be enjoyable for everyone.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s factsheet for families caring at Christmas provides lots of ideas to help, top tips include: • Have realistic expectations, things may need to be different but still enjoyable for everyone.

•Talk to the person with dementia about what they think about Christmas and how they would like to be involved. Consider their past attitude to Christmas.

• Think about what you feel is possible and what you would like to do this year.

• Talk to family and friends in advance about what you both feel is needed to make the day work for everyone.

• A series of small events may work better than one large event.

• Try to stagger visitors and visiting.

• If the house is going to be busy, identify a quiet space that the person with dementia can retreat to if they are feeling tired or overwhelmed.

• On Christmas day involve the person with dementia in the preparations, for example setting the table, preparing vegetables or a festive activity such as signing carols.

• Build in time to do things you enjoy and make you smile • Congratulate yourself, focus on what is going well.

To get your free copy of the factsheet Caring at Christmas call 1800 341 341 or visit www.alzheimer.ie

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Nostalgia

Memories of a Liberties boy Thomas Myler remembers his days in one of Dublin’s most renowned neighbourhoods,

The Augustinian church on Thomas Street.

Commonly known as John’s Lane, where one side is located,

Me, middle, with my dad and brother Patrick in Phoenix Park

Here’s a question: What has this writer got in common with the likes of movie stars Brenda Fricker, Jeremy Irons and his wife Sinead Cusack, singer Imelda May, the first Taoiseach W T Cosgrave, comedian Brendan Grace, and the first Baron Ardee, Sir Edward, who was a privy councillor to Queen Elizabeth 1?

They all were either born or have homes in the Liberties of Dublin. Me? I was born and bred in this historic area, a claim of which I am very proud. I like to call myself a Liberties boy, although it has been a good few years since my long-lost youth. The point is that once a Liberties boy, always a Liberties boy and I never hesitate to tell new friends so.

My place of birth was in a tenement house in Patrick Street opposite the famous cathedral, St Patricks, the largest church in Ireland and still proudly standing after 800 years. Later we moved to Kevin Street and eventually to Marrowbone Lane flats, all still in the Liberties.

The Liberties got its name following the murder of the Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas a Becket in 1170. King Henry 11, knowing Becket’s affinity with Ireland, came to Dublin and decreed that an abbey be founded in Becket’s memory, close to the still-standing St Catherine’s church in Thomas Street.

The monks who founded it were to be freed from city taxes and rates.

They were also allowed the liberty to have their own courts of justice, their own coroners, regulate weights and measures and maintain their own fairs and markets. This liberty was eventually expanded and took in the south-west part of the inner city including Werburgh Street, Bride Street, Clanbrassil Street, Christ Church, High Street, Francis Street, 30 Senior Times November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

Meath Street, the Coombe, Thomas Street, James’s Street and extending down to the River Liffey. Hence the Liberties.

Speaking of the Coombe, which used to be the location of the hospital where I was born and which has since moved to Cork Street, many readers of a certain vintage will remember the song Biddy Mulligan, the Pride of the Coombe.

You may travel from Clare to the County Kildare, From Francis Street on to Macroom, But where would you see a fine widow like me, Biddy Mulligan, the Pride of the Coombe.

It was sung by the man considered the greatest Irish comedian of all, Jimmy O’Dea. Resident at the Gaiety Theatre on South King Street, a venue still going strong since 1871, O’Dea played the delightful Mrs Mulligan to perfection. Jimmy was born on the perimeter of the Liberties, on Lower Bridge Street. The Gaiety panto was a regular in my childhood and remains so today.

The Liberties is certainly one of Dublin’s most renowned neighbourhoods, and today it has become the centre of enterprise and commercial life, with high-tech businesses, medical, education centres, and art galleries within short walking distances of each other.

In the 1950s, many families from the Liberties moved out to the suburbs as the tenements were being pulled down but today the area has many little artisan dwellings and fancy apartments, expensive but popular with those seeking a trendy place close to the city centre.

Some historians are inclined too often to picture the Liberties of the past

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Cognitive Function It’s no surprise that omega-3 is so beneficial for a healthy brain. Omega-3 fats build brain cell membranes, reduce brain inflammation, and promote new brain cell formation. They can improve your mood and memory and give you protection against brain disorders ranging from depression to dementia. The importance of these fatty acids becomes most obvious when they’re lacking. People who don’t get enough omega-3 in their diet can become demotivated, disinterested, forgetful and may experience low mood, while serious deficiency can lead to an increased risk of developing

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‘Bang Bang,’ whose real name was Thomas Dudley, recently died

The Gravity bar at the Guinness Storehouse

as a totally deprived area with little sanitation and large families often crammed into one room. In some cases yes, but not all. Not every child went around in their bare feet, or at best rubber boots. True, some were on the bread-line but not all. Many got by, including our family.

I have happy memories of dad taking my brother Patrick and I to the nearby Phoenix Park, complete with hurleys and ball, for ‘a bit of a game,’ as he used to call it. If I remember correctly, we missed the ball more often than we hit it, but it was great fun and that was the important thing.

He also brought along a football.

I have had the pleasure from time to time of taking my five adult children down the streets I know so well, showing them my old school in Meath Street, visiting the shops in Thomas Street where my mother bought clothes for the family, and strolling down Francis Street which is now regarded as the city’s arts and antiques quarter where you can buy anything from oriental rugs to good quality furniture.

I also took them into the Augustinian church on Thomas Street. Commonly known as John’s Lane, where one side is located, the family attended 12.00 mass there every Sunday morning. It was opened in 1874 and the 12 statues in the tower niches are the work of sculptor James Pearse, the father of Irish patriots Patrick and William Pearse. ‘What a fascinating piece of history,’ said one of the offspring. Incidentally, the church steeple is the highest in Dublin, standing at over 200 feet and can be seen from many parts of the city.

The historic Iveagh Markets in Francis Street, where my aunts Nellie and Mae had clothes stalls, is to be redeveloped in a E100 million plan.

Dublin hotelier and publican Martin Keane is behind a €100 million plan to redevelop the historic Iveagh Markets in Francis Street, where my aunts Nellie and Mae had clothes stalls. The restored and extended late Victorian building, derelict since the mid-1900s, would house a food centre, a craft and clothing market, a brewery and distillery, restaurants and an exhibition/performance area.

Protected structures nearby, including the former Mother Redcaps 32 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

market, would be converted into a 97-bedroom hotel. ‘We are currently working to secure the final piece of funding that will enable work on the site to proceed,’ Martin says. ‘We expect work on the project to be completed within two years.’

The Liberties is also home to Vicar Street, one of the city’s main concert venues and located in Thomas Street. I played around Vicar Street in my young days when it was a little back street but have yet to see a show in the theatre. By the time you read this, I may well have gone, and no doubt enjoyed In days gone by, there were two cinemas in the Liberties, the Tivoli in Francis Street and the Lyric in James’s Street. The Tivoli in particular had cheap seats called ‘the woodeners’ and the dear seats were the ‘cushiners,’ and even if a dear seat or two had springs sticking up, you could always move to more comfortable ones. That is, if somebody else had not already got there first.

Another popular nearby cinema for us Liberties folk was the Phoenix just across the river on Ellis Quay. Known affectionately as the ‘Feeno,’ it was a little rougher than the Tivoli or the Lyric, and on Saturday afternoons, two jam jars was often the ‘price’ of admission if you did not have the money. I recall that some of the ushers wielded canes mercilessly to keep order in the queues. The old cinema, built in 1912, is now a furniture store.

The Liberties is also home to the iconic Guinness Brewery, where the storehouse is Ireland’s main visitor attraction and attracts 1.2 million travellers worldwide every year. A ticket allows the visitor to see the birthplace of the famed ‘black stuff’ and get a taste of it straight from the barrel - while the panoramic view from the Gravity Bar enables you to enjoy the sights all over the city and outskirts.

Jim ‘Lugs’ Branigan was the Liberties cop who, like the Mountie, always got his man. A former Leinster boxing champion, he was tough to the extreme but gentle in private life. Shouts of ‘Here’s Branigan’ was enough to send the toughest bowsies, including the feared Animal Gang, scattering like tenpins in a bowling alley. He later became a sergeant.

Then there was ‘Bang Bang,’ whose real name was Thomas Dudley.

One of the Liberties’ favourite characters, he became known in the 1950s and 1960s for his mock shoot-outs, inspired by his love of cowboy movies. Clutching a large church key, and often standing on the back platform of a bus, he would ‘shoot’ all and sundry by pointing his brass key at them and shouting ‘Bang, Bang.’ Pedestrians would often ‘shoot back’ by pointing their finger at him.

It was great fun. Today he has a cafe named after him on the city’s north side where he lived.

New dúchas.ie website and photographic collection launched The redesigned dúchas.ie website and a digitized version of the National Folklore Collection’s photographic Collection were recently launched .

The photographic collection is the latest resource to be added to the site with c.10,000 photographs from the collection now available.

Many of the photographs date from the early 20th century, but there are also more recent additions. The collection contains photographs taken by professional photographers and by collectors working with the National Folklore Commission, amongst others. They are classified under 14 different topics including: festivals; holy wells; settlement; the community; folklore collection; and games & pastimes.

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Get Moving with ZinCuFlex “I started taking ZinCuFlex after badly injuring my kneecap in a fall. Within days, swelling had reduced and I had better joint mobility.”

Joan Ahern, Kerry

In addition to this, material from each of the 26 counties that took part in the Schools’ Scheme in 1937-39 is also available on the website.

This has proved extremely popular. Meitheal Dúchas.ie, a transcription project, began in Spring 2015 and is one of the most successful crowdsourced projects of its kind in the world.

The site is popular with Irish people and the Irish diaspora alike. Users are located in Britain, the USA, Australia and Canada, as well as in many other countries. For specialist researchers in the fields of folkloristics, local history, archaeology, genealogy, linguistics, and a range of other disciplines, dúchas.ie offers considerable research potential.

The Dúchas project is the result of a partnership between the National Folklore Collection, UCD, UCD Digital Library and Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge, DCU. The objective of the project is to digitize the National Folklore Collection and make it available to the public online. The project is co-funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with support from the National Lottery and by UCD, with support from the National Folklore Foundation.

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An interesting modern link with the old Liberties is that the Luas tram runs through James’s Street before heading into the grounds of St James’s hospital and on to Tallaght on the outskirts of the city. I’ve been on that run, reliving happy memories of simpler days gone by. It is worthy of note too that St James’s is one of Ireland’s largest medical centres and teaching hospitals, and a long established feature of the Liberties.

Old Liberties or new Liberties? I wouldn’t have wanted to be born anywhere else. As Brendan Grace once said to me: ‘Like your good self, apart from being an Irish man, I’m a Dublin man – and apart from being a Dublin man, I’m a Liberties boy.’ That says it all, Brendan.

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Hugh Hefner in typical company

Successex symbol supreme Aubrey Malone on the life and extravagant times of Hugh Hefner The recent death of Hugh Hefner means women can sleep easier in their beds again. He freed them from the prudishness of the forties but at some cost. His plastic creation of ‘ideal’ women, with a staple through her navel on Playboy’s centerfold pages (which must have been painful) nailed them to a different type of template than the forties model of the prim, trim baby-maker the Eisenhower era trumped.

In a sense, Alfred Kinsey preceded him in his socalled liberalism. ‘Since Alfred got interested in sex,’ his wife once joked, ‘I haven’t seen much of him.’

Kinsey was actually a conservative man, unlike Hefner, but he rolled the stone on sexual behaviour back, unearthing a plethora of practices that had hitherto been hidden and were now there for all to see.

What Hefner did had to be done but not in the way he did it. It ultimately led to the era of the Kardashians, where people’s lives have been so dumbed down they’re in danger of spontaneously combusting.

Joan Rivers once remarked, ‘When I was young, women faked orgasms and baked real cakes. Now they’re faking the cakes and have real orgasms.’ Her comment captures the essence of the ‘transvaluation of values’ ushered in by Hefner’s ‘Sex is good’

message. He released women from one stranglehold only to plonk them promptly into another one, making them all into sex objects ready at a moment’s notice to perform any kind of actions the men in their lives – the ‘successful’ executives who had Playboy bunnies on display in their blue chip offices – desired.

Asked once what his chat-up line to women was, he replied: ‘That’s easy. It’s “Hi, I’m Hugh Hefner.” To be sure, his name opened many doors – most of them to boudoirs. It amused me in recent years to see his latest groupies, with their bowling ball boobs and legs up to their shoulders, telling reporters at the Playboy mansion, ‘I love Hef. People say he’s old but these aren’t my values. I love Hef for Hef.’ Comments like that made me think: Why do beautiful young women never fall in love with poor old men instead of rich ones? Interviews like this were carefully vetted by Hefner before being released to the public.

He may have liberated America, and by extension, the world - many people of my era remember trying to smuggle copies of Playboy through customs at airports before it went on general sale here in Ireland - from the purple veil of secrecy that surrounded all things sexual but he practiced his own forms of censorship within his hallowed portals.

36 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

He claimed to have led America out of the Dark Ages of undue chastity with his magazine. For as little as $7 a man could vicariously see Miss February gazing out at him from its glossy pages wearing nothing but a smile. He pedalled the idea that sex was a healthy activity, a bit like going to the gym except more fun. No longer did men – or women – have to fear the demons of the past. But was the cure worse than the disease? He took women out of the kitchen only to put them on the bonnets of Lamborghinis. In Hefner’s world they spent most of

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their time in such places, wearing bondage gear and killer heels as they flashed trout pouts at so many peeping toms. It was a long way from De Valera’s comely maidens dancing at the crossroads.

Maybe it’s appropriate that he died when he did.

Sales of Playboy had begun to drop in recent years, what with the explosion of pornography on the superhighway of the internet. Why would pimply adolescents choose to leaf through the pages of ‘forbidden’ magazines like this, almost out of reach on the top shelves of shops, when they could, at the press of a computer key, see much the same images in the privacy of their homes? In fact they’d see much more lurid ones, because Playboy dealt only in ‘soft’ porn, not like Penthouse or Hustler or any of those other hardcore magazines which outstripped it for graphic detail even in its heyday, or Hefday.

I don’t know where his fortune will go. Is there some wannabe starlet from Silicon Valley already with her eyes on the prize? Or more than one? You imagine a steady stream of trussed-up bunnies wearing a path to his door each day of his life, right up to his nineties – he died at the age of 91 – in search of an audience with the man who could put their name in lights, even if it was only for Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes.

The quintessence of the poisoned apple that lay at the heart of Hefner’s Garden of Eden was encapsulated in the story of Dorothy Stratten. Stratten was Playmate of the Year in 1980. He moulded her from being just another also-ran to the model of the moment but her path to ‘fame’ (if you want to call it that) came at the ultimate price. She’d been married to her manager Gary Snider but became estranged from him when her career took off. She had an affair with the film director Peter Bogdanovich afterwards and moved in with him. Snider grew enraged at this.

He stalked her, even going so far as to hire a private detective to follow her. When she started blanking him he plotted her murder. Arranging a meeting on the pretext of working out the financial arrangements surrounding their impending divorce, he shot her.

After she was dead he had sex with her. Then he shot himself. When her (nude) body was found it was connected to a home-made sexual contraption. God only knows what he did to her before he killed her.

The whole imbroglio was a huge embarrassment to Hefner. It told us what the sanitised definition of women he mainlined could lead to when it went wrong. He tried to talk his way out of it, as Hefner tried to talk his way out of any problem in which he found himself, but nobody was buying it. Bogdanovich blamed him for Stratten’s death, claiming he pushed her in a direction she didn’t want to go. He said she only married Snider to get away from Hefner, who’d

When I was young, women faked orgasms and baked real cakes. Now they’re faking the cakes and have real orgasms.’

been placing excessive sexual demands on her.

Hefner got a stroke from the stress of the scandal.

Suddenly, the patron saint of permissiveness was starting to get very tense.

Even so, the fame of the Playboy mansion continued to grow. Anyone who was anyone liked to be seen there, at least among the glitterati. It was looked on as a ticket to free sex. But as the man said, nothing costs more than free sex. (Ask Dorothy Stratten).

The point is that a ‘certain’ type of man (Charlie Sheen? Bruce Willis?) liked to be photographed with Hef’s bunnies – probably because they felt it would

38 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

lead to similar types of ‘perfect’ women seeking them out afterwards, or being presented to them on a plate by Hef. Some celebs didn’t bite. Bruce Springsteen, to name but one, rebuffed an invitation

by Hefner to go to his mansion. He felt it wasn’t the type of image he wanted people to have of him.

If Hefner didn’t exist he’d have to have been invented.

Before he appeared on the scene, Eisenhower women baked perfect pies in suburban houses with white picket fences as Dad played with ‘Junior’ in the back porch, usually with a baseball bat. ‘Yeah, right!’ he’d say as Junior hit a home run of Babe Ruth

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The fame of the Playboy mansion continued to grow. Anyone who was anyone liked to be seen there, at least among the glitterati. proportions. After which they’d both trudge into Mom’s kitchen for some of her apple pie, and maybe a peanut butter sandwich to round it off. Then they’d have 2.2 children who’d do the nine-to-five as Dad did, getting two weeks vacation in the summer. All four of them would set off for Dad’s summer house in Montana where Mom would make more cakes (and babies) for him.

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is ‘casual’ sex.? Does it exist? Billy Connolly doesn’t think so. ‘I’ve never been casual when I’m having sex,’ he says, ‘I’m usually huffing and puffing and blowing the walls down.’

Hefner told us we needed to be more chilled out about things sexual. It was like a distillation of Timothy Leary’s ‘Turn on, tune in, drop out’ philosophy. The problem was that even though it had women at its core, it didn’t offer them anything in the way of fulfilment. The ones who lived with Hefner were treated with material comforts but was he not just their glorified pimp? And were they not his glorified hookers?

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Hefner was one of the figureheads who blew that lifestyle out of the water. He turned America from black and white into colour, ushering in the idea of ‘casual’ sex as opposed to that practiced by those who only bedded when they were wedded. But what

‘A woman reading Playboy,’ Gloria Steinem famously said, ‘feels a little like a Jew reading a Nazi manual.’

Hefner begged to disagree. He said the women in his employ were happy. And when the klieg lights of the media shone on them, they seemed to be. But how did they look ‘backstage’? When the cameras were off did they revert to the role of hard-nosed gold-diggers who looked to Hef to lead them to the Promised Land of cash and trash?

‘I love them for themselves’ he told us, ‘not their bodies.’ Which is about as easy to believe as when someone tells you they read Playboy for the articles.

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Cosmetics and beauty

Ageing gracefully

Mairead Robinson suggests that with the right pampering products and a happy smile, there is no need to fear the passing of time..

It is often said that the more beautiful a woman is in her youth, the harder she finds it to accept the changes that come with ageing. Society does not help with its obsession around youth and rather unfairly views ageing in women much more negatively than it does with men. Even the language that we use within the beauty industry seems to conjure up an image of being constantly at war with time. ‘Anti-aging’ products are the most popular items on beauty shelves, as if aging itself was the enemy to be defeated rather than nurtured. Cosmetic surgical procedures such as face and eye lifts, and other drastic measures that radically transform a person’s appearance, are the extreme weapons in this war. And yet it is well known that a healthy lifestyle, plenty of sleep and hydration, together with a bright smile, is the most effective facelift that a woman can have. The great news is that these days there are ever more nourishing topical products available for women who are 50+ and these can help keep the skin in top condition as the years go by. Vanity is not restricted to the young!

While the ‘anti-aging’ industry targets women as young as twenty-five, the reality is that a woman’s skin changes substantially during and after the menopause and we should be using specific products at this time.

During menopause, lower levels of estrogen and collagen have a big impact on the skin. For example less estrogen makes skin prone to thinning, sagging, and wrinkling; while collagen helps to keep the skin plumped out. Fortunately, you can relieve some of the skin-related effects of this stage of your life by taking care of your specific skin requirements. This is why you should choose carefully when it comes to what you buy, and ensure that the products you apply are targeting your own current skin condition. Reading labels forensically is one way of finding out, but you might feel you need a degree in pharmaceutical dermatology to decipher them! The good news now is that the beauty 42 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

industry has begun to take notice and is producing age-specific products that take a lot of the guess work out of the challenge of finding what suits you best.

Vichy have always been active in age-appropriate skin care with their Slow age range of products and their new additions of Slow Age Daily Care (RRP E30) and Slow Age Eyes (RRP E24) use naturally active ingredients to help slow down and correct the appearance of ageing spots. The ingredients include a probiotic to strengthen the skin’s barrier function against pollution and stress. Their new Neovadiol Rose Platinum (RRP E32) is specifically targeted to revitalise and fortify mature skin and by using beeswax and calcium together with mineral pigments, this new day cream is a real health and wellbeing booster for the 50+ woman. It also smells wonderful with 57% rose extract giving that delicate fragrance.

I always recommend using a good serum before applying your moisturiser, and this is very important for mature skin to maximize hydration.

One of the best I have come across is from Clarins with their new Double Serum (50ml E92), a complete age control concentrate where you customize the dose required according to your skin’s needs, the climate or the season. With concentrated plant extracts, this serum delivers powerful benefits to mature skin.

Hands and eyes are the two areas that we often notice changes in our appearance, but using a good eye cream – applying gently, the skin around the eyes is very delicate – can work wonders. Try a tinted anti dark-circle correction cream to conceal and reduce the dark circles and shadows. Lierac is new to the Irish market (RRP E22) and is particularly effective due to its tint.

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Cosmetics and beauty

Unfortunately many of us neglect caring for our hands in the same way that we might care for our faces. Yet, our hands are the first places to show the signs of ageing such as sun-spots and loss of volume. Hands can be exposed to soaps, cleaning agents, and indeed chemicals on top of when we are gardening and exposing them to all sorts of damage. It is really important to moisturise your hands several a day, not just after washing-up, and find a deeply moisturising hand and cuticle cream.

AlphahL is particularly good, and Bioderma Ultra-Repair is also excellent. Do remember to always use a sunscreen on hands also to minimise sun-spots appearing.

The art of applying make-up can be a tricky one for women over fifty, as if not done correctly it can actually accentuate any wrinkles and make you look older! This happened to me once when I had my make-up done by a young beautician in preparation for a wedding. She did not realize that what she was doing for the young bride and bridesmaids, was not suitable for my more mature skin. For example, a little rouge on the cheeks of a twenty year old can look charming, while on an older woman can look far too eccentric! This should not deter you from applying the correct makeup however, and it is very possible to look as stunning as the younger ones when the right products and technique is applied.

Start by applying the correct foundation, then use bronzing powder and learn how to sculpt and contour. Isadora – www.isadora.com – have an excellent range of products and they also have tutorials on their website which show you in detail how to use them correctly. The brand was launched in Sweden in 1983 and has been part of the Irish colour cosmetics landscape since the 1990s. It has been one of the most successful fastest growing cosmetics brands internationally. They 44 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

recently launched some new products to add to the hero products at the heart of the brand. I find using their Cover Up Foundation is a great start and provides a faultless base for bronzing and highlighting to showcase great cheekbones and lift the eyes. You can transform your eye lashes with extra volume and choose what shade suits your skin tone best. Choose from black, dark brown, deep blue or even burgundy.

Finish with their Sculpting Lipstick, not forgetting the lipliner – very important for the mature mouth – and the results will be not only ageappropriate but totally stunning!

And so our approach to beauty and ageing should be one of celebration and pride and caring for our health and appearance is a positive and pampering part of our lives. True beauty and glamour, like fine wine, really does improve with age. There are so many gorgeous and inspiring older woman in the world today, there is no reason why we all can’t take our place among them.

Christmas is coming A gift of beauty products is always very acceptable, so be sure to choose the right one for each person. Gift sets are beginning to arrive in the shops now, and there is great choice across all price ranges.

Nivea and Nivea Men have stocking fillers starting at just E7 up to E25 which will be on the shelves from the beginning of November. If you are looking for special fragrances, Roger & Gallet have some lovely gift sets this Christmas. Beautiful and super-luxe Clarins gift-sets for men and women are in the shops already. La Roche Posay have a great choice of gift-sets also and is my pick for those with sensitive skin and of course check out Boots for a huge range of gift-sets stocking-fillers this year to suit all ages and all the family.

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From The Candy Store to The Galtymore

‘When the nights were long, the music was loud and everything seemed possible’

At the Launch of From The Candy Store To The Galtymore book in Dubray Bookshop, Grafton St Dublin recently were the books co-editors Dr Joe Kearney and PJ Cunningham and contributor Frances Browner.

Ballpoint Press, a Bray based publishing house, has just launched a book of essays recounting the dance mania that swept over Ireland throughout the 1950s and right up to the 1970s.. P.J. Cunningham, editor and publisher, in company with fellow editor Joe Kearney, sent out the call earlier this year for memories relating to dancing experiences within this timeframe. The response includes chance meetings and mischief together with tales that are filled with humour. On a historical level, this significant period in the social culture of Ireland was back-dropped by worldwide revolution and unrest. An era dominated by the war in Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis and which saw the assassinations of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. In Ireland, particularly during the 50s, people were dealing with crisis of a more personal nature.

There were plenty of lonely bachelors eking out a living in rural communities and the Catholic Church had a huge influence on the moral tone of the country. Interestingly, 2017 also marks the fiftieth anniversary since Patrick Kavanagh passed away, a much loved poet whose documenting of life spent working the soil, especially in works such as ‘The Great Hunger,’ is a searing portrait of loneliness and devastation resulting from the isolation that accompanies rural living. Kavanagh’s poetry and prose is a good place to begin understanding life in rural Ireland at this time.

‘From the Candy Store to the Galtymore’ is a collection of essays recounting the stories of well-known people as well as ordinary folk. There are stories here from Britain as well as Canada and New York. This inclusive element is a major strength of the book. It ensures that there’s a number of perspectives and viewpoints. Between the covers of this 46 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

From The Candy Store to Galtymore (Ballpoint Press) is available in all good bookshops at E14.99.

publication, the reader will find personalities such as Margo 0’Donnell (the ‘Queen of Country and Irish’) and Fr Brian D’Arcy, chaplain to the stars.

One of the many lovely anecdotes recalled by D’Arcy concerns a time when Brendan Bowyer toured in England and received a major musical award. At a gig in Liverpool, Bowyer was supported by the Beatles.

Lennon and McCarthy were reputed to have been ‘in awe’ of Bowyer and the Royals, particularly coveting their luxury touring wagon. When they expressed their envy and the doubt concerning whether or not they would ever be able to afford one like it, Bowyer told them to ‘keep writing your songs and who knows, maybe one day you’ll make it.’

The stories in the book come from all over the country. County Offaly is represented by myself (really thrilled to be included) and also by other Offaly kinsfolk such as ‘Ricey’ Scully, a musician turned Impresario. He tells about the night U2 played at The Garden of Eden in Tullamore. Paul McGuinness, their manager, repeatedly told Ricey that his group were going places, despite the low numbers who turned up to hear them’ The stories are not all filled with humour however. Eddie Marmion (County Louth) remembers the night of July 31st, 1975. Eddie played with a band called Country Sounds and on that night, both his band and the Miami Showband played in Banbridge. It was a fateful night as it turned out. Eddie’s session ended an hour earlier than the Miami’s. He tells of passing the spot of the massacre minutes before the illegal checkpoint was set up by loyalist para-militarists. Eddie still bears the survivor’s guilt that haunts him to this day.

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We all want to age at home and for some of us, that may require support. As the Irish population is aging, the need for assistance within the home will increase. The Majority of the over 65’s still live at home and it is our vision at Irish HomeCare that we deliver the professional and person centred care that maintains your independence so you are able to live at home for as long as possible .

The staff will support you playing an ongoing valued role in society where you will age with dignity in the comfort of their own home.

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We will provide the quality care that will promote your independence, health, wellbeing, fostering your choices to be an active member of your local community. This care will be provided by our trained health care assistants.

The work of a health care assistant is an integral part of the care needed to support and maintain your independence. A healthcare assistant will support you with your daily routines, providing personal care in a dignified

We at Irish HomeCare in partnership with the HSE are committed to delivering the highest possible care in the community.

Our commitment to a personalised care ensures we meet your needs.

That’ is why Irish HomeCare values the personal experience and respects the rights and choices of the people we care for.

We work tirelessly at Irish Homecare nationally and locally to tackle issues like aging alone and remaining independent in the community and we see care at home as positive way of maintaining peoples real quality of life for as long as is possible.

Share your smile Share your laughter Share your time Share your experience We share because we care Share your skills and talents with Irish HomeCare Full time and part time opportunities available at www.irishhomecare.ie Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie 47

Creative Writing

The ever-popular Melody Aces

The sixties may have been termed ‘swinging’ (in everywhere from London to San Francisco), yet, in Ireland, a woman’s place was still very much in the home. Who can forget the Late Late Show’s ‘Housewife of the Year’ competition? The ideal woman/wife/mother was firmly cast in the role of homemaker, the ‘Angel in the House’ concept, epitomised by the Victorian poet written by Coventry Patmore. The poem was published in 1854 but it could well refer to the role of women in sixties Ireland also. However, paradoxically, this was a time when the country jived and quickstepped the weekend away. Women removed their headscarves, sprayed on the hair lacquer and the eye-liner and slipped on their stiletto dancing shoes. While Ireland waited to enter the E.U. and become more outward looking as a nation, young men and women alike decked themselves out in their best dancehall finery each Friday, Saturday and sometimes Sunday night too.

‘From The Candy Store to the Galtymore’ is a social history document recounting those times when as many as 800 professional and semi-professional showbands criss-crossed the country. Names like Joe Dolan, Dickie Rock or Brendan Bowyer could scarcely keep up with the nation’s insatiable demand for the throbbing beat of an electric guitar or the sight of an energetic musician thrashing the life out of a set of drums. Ireland had well and truly left the Céili era behind. Electricity gave rise to amplification and this new sound, literally ‘electrified’ the listeners. It was as if the country was gripped by an obsession. Dance became the means of expression, a release from the humdrum world of farm or factory work. It gave many young people something to look forward to, something to put on the ‘glad rags’ for each weekend. There was also the hope, of course, of meeting a sweetheart and indeed, many romances began under the pulsating glitter-ball in the local ballroom.

48 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

The radio too played its role. New musical influences from across the Atlantic began to filter into Irish homes. The Showband era collided with Rock n’ Roll, jive and twist. The first popular band is credited to The Clipper Carlton (Strabane). Their style was to constantly move about the stage. Huge crowd drawing magnets were Tom Dunphy and the Royal Showband (Waterford). Brendan Bowyer’s ‘The Hucklebuck’ is an anthem of the time. Dickie Rock performed big ballads (his voice today is as good as ever to this day). In 1967 (the year Patrick Kavanagh passed away), Dickie Rock represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Other bands popular at the time included The Dixies and Donie Collins (Cork) and Billy Brown and Derek Dean (The Freshmen, Antrim).

In the late sixties and early seventies, rock, blues and soul entered the arena. The new bands were The Arrows, The Real McCoy and The Chessmen. Country n’ Western style singer Big Tom and the Mainliners, together with Larry Cunningham and the Mighty Avons provided marquee carnival dance attractions. Also, ’mega’ attractions,’ such as Margo, Philomena Begley and Brendan Shine, ensured that punters were spoilt for choice. ‘From the Candy Store to Galtymore’ is an important addition to social history in Ireland. It will be of interest to anyone who danced throughout this era when the night was filled with rhythm and excitement pulsed through veins at the prospect of a good ‘jive’. It will also chime with anyone who’s read William Trevor’s ‘Ballroom of Romance,’ a masterpiece in terms of capturing, as Kavanagh also did, the expectations and disappointments attached to the weekly escape from the daily grind and drudgery. Set in rural Ireland in the 1950s, The ‘Ballroom of Romance,’ focuses on Bridie, a woman who has been attending the local dance hall for years, hoping to find a good husband who can help work her family’s farm. However, her only prospects seem to lie with alcoholic

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Creative Writing

Bowser Egan as all the good men have either been spoken for or have emigrated.

As I’ve said, it’s a pleasure to be included in Ballpoint’s publication.

Hopefully, my own memory will resonate with readers. Can there be anything more joyous than dancing?

With permission from the publisher, I’m including an extract here from my own inclusion in the book: “……..And then, miraculously I was 16 and it was my turn to shine. For the big occasion, my sisters came down from Dublin with a new sleeveless dress and matching jacket, silky seamed nylons, make up and perfume. There was also a new pair of pointy-toed shoes with high heels. I remember the dress well. It had tiny pink roses on it and a white collar.

It didn’t seem at all odd that I wouldn’t be wearing a dress made by my mother. Although she’d often made dresses for me, on this occasion I was treated to a shop bought outfit. One of my sisters tied my hair up with pink bobbles and the other put make up on me, my first time to wear it. Blue eye-shadow and mascara set off a light dusting of face powder.

My lipstick was a bright colour and shiny but it tasted strange, like plastic, and I worried that it might stain my teeth. While I was being prepared for dancehall bliss, I was bombarded with the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of dancehall etiquette.

I was never to refuse a boy’s request to dance (I never have and never would either). I was to be careful with the slower dances and not allow any liberties. My partner’s hand could travel no lower than mid-way down my back and I was to resist any efforts to be pulled into a tight embrace.

On no account was I to accept the offer of an orange or lemonade. On the face of it, having a mineral with a boy seemed innocent enough but they assured me that it had deeper significance attached to it. That if I 50 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

were to go for the mineral, it meant the boy had another agenda. Mother had already advised me about these subtleties.

When I was completely ‘done up,’ I stood on the fitting chair in the parlour-cum-bedroom and looked at myself meticulously in the mirror over the small fireplace that every room in that council house had. I saw the backs of my legs, noting the seams of my stockings were straight. I saw that the dress came to just above my knees and when I stepped down and looked at my face and hair, I could hardly credit it was me. I thought my sister had been a little heavy-handed with the make-up but she’d assured me that by the end of the night, it would be well worn off.

As it happened, my first dance experience was in a giant marquee, erected because there was a festival on. It was late autumn and the weather had turned cold. Hugo Duncan and The Tall Men were playing.

We set off, the ‘Three Musketeers’ mother christened us. She stood at the gate waving, watching us all the way down the street…”

(Extracted From the Listening Wall to the Dancehall).

Finally, a reminder that there are a number of events planned for Patrick Kavanagh’s 50th anniversary. The Rural & Literary Resource Centre at Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan which houses an archive of Kavanagh’s work, will host readings by the poet’s graveside on 30th November.

Prominent Co. Monaghan writers will each read a favourite Kavanagh poem. The Centre, formerly St Mary’s Church, has a series of paintings which commemorate Kavanagh’s epic poem ‘The Great Hunger.’ It also has a series of panels depicting ‘A Christmas Childhood,’ one of the nation’s favourite poems. In 2000, The Irish Times listed 100 favourite Irish poems. There were ten of Patrick Kavanagh’s poems in the listing.

For information concerning workshops, talks, etc.

Email: infoatpk@eircom.net web:www.patrickkavanaghcountry.com

Golf A stroke of luck For Tiger Woods, the final round of a tournament has to be played in a red shirt, described by his mother Kultida as his power colour.

Dermot Gilleece relates the notorious superstitions of many of our top golfers For Tiger Woods, the final round of a tournament had to be played in a red shirt, described by his mother Kultida as his power colour.

For Seve Ballesteros, it was a navy-blue sweater and slacks, along with a number four golf-ball as a protection against three-putting.

Tom Weiskopf and Jack Nicklaus liked to play with three pennies [cents] in their pocket, while Weiskopf always used a broken tee on a par three.

The fact is that tournament golfers as a group are notoriously superstitious, even though Len Zaichkowsky, an American professor of sports psychology, believes it can have a damaging effect on performance.

As he puts it: ‘You are relinquishing belief in your own abilities to some ‘unknown power’ or luck.’

According to Chambers dictionary, superstition is ‘any belief or attitude based on ignorance, that is inconsistent with the known laws of science or with what is generally considered in particular society as true and rational.’ In that context, how does one categorise the beliefs of Gary Player who claimed that God had ordained he would win the modern Grand Slam of the US Open, British Open, US Masters and PGA Championship?

The great deed was actually achieved at the US Open at Bellerive, St Louis, in 1965, after a play-off with Kel Nagle. Before the championship 52 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

got under way, however, Player claimed that his name appeared, clear as daylight, in gold letters at the top of the leaderboard. And to what should we attribute this - superstition or to devout religious belief ?

Professor Zaichkowsky claims that such beliefs serve no useful purpose, even though they might have been adopted with the intention of reducing anxiety. ‘Superstitions have always been prominent among sports people,’ he says, ‘but the idea that a particular object or behaviour brings luck and causes you to play well, is a non-scientific attribution to success or failure.’

All of which is very plausible. But perhaps the good professor will riddle me this: for 71 holes of the 1970 British Open Championship, Doug Sanders stuck with his long-established practice of not using a white tee. On the fateful 72nd hole, however, he made the curious decision to place a white tee in the ground. And the rest, as they say, is history: Sanders missed a two-and-a-foot putt for the title and went on to lose an 18-hole play-off to Nicklaus.

Interestingly, Britain’s Laura Davies has a distinct preference for white tees. Indeed, she has been known, en route to a tournament venue, to drive back to her hotel so as to replenish her supply. Then there was Notah Begay, the full-blooded Native American who, before progressing

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Golf

Britain’s Laura Davies has a distinct preference for white tees. Indeed, she has been known, en route to a tournament venue, to drive back to her hotel so as to replenish her supply.

to his status as a golf pundit, put war-paint on his face before going into golf events during his college days at Stanford University. Later on tour, Begay thought it prudent to discard the paint though he continued to say the prayer associated with the ancient practice.

I remember our own Padraig Harrington regretting a score of 67 in a pre-tournament pro-am, on the grounds that it was difficult enough to shoot four good tournament rounds without ‘wasting’ one beforehand.

When I suggested, however, that play in the pro-am was of a totally relaxed nature involving relatively easy pin-placements, he began to have second thoughts on the matter.

Still, players continue to pursue that elusive edge, often against natural logic. Like Rory McIlroy sacking his long-time caddie, JP Fitzgerald, after the British Open last July, simply because he felt it might bring about a change in his competitive fortunes. Strategically, there was no reason why it should, but he decided to try it just the same.

Sports psychologists are often confronted with such illogical convictions when attempting to help champion players. And one who handled these challenges better than most, was a diminutive Belgian named Jos Vanstiphout who, sadly, is no longer with us.

I remember a fascinating meeting with him in Chicago in June 2003 on a train to the US Open at Olympia Fields. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Jos was happy to talk about his colourful career which included a spell in a pop band. Now, he proudly described himself as a mental coach who included among his clients, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, the leading South Africans of that time.

‘I’ve no diploma,’ admitted the amiable Belgian with a ready smile. Which made me all the more curious as to how he could have guided Goosen to victory in a play-off for the US Open at Southern Hills in 2001 and assisted Els to a remarkable British Open triumph, again in a play-off, at Muirfield a year later.

‘I am the garbage can into which the stressed player can deposit all his negative feelings,’ he added. As it happened, he and Goosen parted 54 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

For Seve Ballesteros, it was a navy-blue sweater and slacks, along with a number four golf-ball as a protection against three-putting.

company in November 2002, shortly after the South African had retained the European Order of Merit title. Els remained a client, however, along with Thomas Bjorn and Justin Rose. Indeed, there never seemed to be a shortage of high-profile players ready to hang on his every word.

Els, who had his own superstitions, was probably afraid to do otherwise after the experience of Muirfield. In a tradition reminiscent of San Francisco Giants baseball legend, Orlando Cepeda, he had a habit of discarding golf balls that had delivered birdies, in the belief the “good score” had been used up. Apparently, Cepeda used to throw away a bat once he got a hit with it.

However, Muirfield 2002 was especially interesting. The South African’s ultimate success there was based on an extraordinarily simple device

by Vantisphout.

Recalling the event with a wry smile, the self-styled mental coach talked of his client’s down at heel demeanor after squandering the chance of victory in the scheduled 72 holes.

Seeing the well-intentioned Vantisphout hovering around him some minutes before the play-off, Els turned angrily and barked: ‘What the f*ck do you want?’

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Golf

Tom Weiskopf always used a broken tee on a par three.

Vantisphout said nothing. He simply went off and got the South African a sandwich which he handed to him. While thoughtlessly munching the food, Els’s mood suddenly changed. Then, re-focused on his grand objective, he proceeded to beat Thomas Levet, Stuart Appleby and Steve Elkington for the title.

Of course, Woods, the defending champion, was the main focus of attention at Olympia Fields, though the title would go eventually to the little fancied Jim Furyk. In the event, Vantisphout was all ears when El Tigre came in for interview and claimed: ‘Every player I’ve played with [in the US Open] has made a mistake because it is such a pressure-packed environment.’

And the thought occurred as to the extent the great champion was reliant on superstition. From the time he burst onto America’s PGA Tour in August 1996, Woods became a familiar sight on Sundays for the wearing of red. It soon became known as his ‘victory red’ as titles piled up remorselessly on his CV, most notably the Majors, where he was 56 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

attempting to surpass the record of 18 set by Nicklaus.

‘I’ve worn red on the last day of big events, basically since my college days, or junior golf days,’ he said in a 2013 press conference. ‘I just stuck with it out of superstition, and it worked. I just happened to choose a school that actually was red, and we wore red on our final day of events.

So it worked out.’

Ten years earlier, Vantisphout told me: ‘I’ve talked with Tiger; I’ve seen him angry and I’ve seen him frustrated. But the only other sportsman I’ve seen with comparable strength to handle these emotions is the great racing driver, Michael Schumacher. In this regard, Tiger has been greatly influenced by the eastern mysticism of his [Thai] mother.’

I never discovered how seriously he chased Woods in the hope of landing him as a client. The little Belgian clearly had no fear of superstition, but eastern mysticism might have been too formidable a challenge, even for him.

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Northern

By Debbie Orme

Notes

Belfast’s first ‘honesty’ café rivals the Titanic Centre!

Situated in the shadow of Belfast’s iconic Titanic Centre (recently named as the world’s best tourist attraction!), ‘The Dock’ has become something of an icon in itself.

Belfast’s first ‘Honesty Café’ now attracts thousands of visitors every year – from near and afar – and is proving to be almost as big a draw as its next-door neighbour!

The Dock is definitely a ‘one off’ when it comes to eateries in the city! The café allows you to choose your own price and pay what you like for your food and drink into the Honesty Box? And it was because of said Honesty Box that The Dock recently hit the headlines when burglars broke in late at night and took it, along with the takings for the day.

Fortunately, the story was picked up by local media and all of those connected with the café couldn’t believe what happened next! The Dock’s founder, Chris Bennett, takes up the story.

The Dock’s founder, Chris Bennett

‘Naturally we were all devastated at what had happened,’ Chris told Senior Times. ‘But surveying the mess on Tuesday morning I never could’ve guessed I was about to have one of the most amazing few days of my life.

in touch via Facebook and we knew he was over the moon that we had found it – it was irreplaceable). We put out appeals through social media, BBC Thought for the Day, UTV Live everything we could think of!

‘Once the word started spreading, we started getting messages of support from everywhere and everybody. People were furious. WHO ROBS THE DOCK? asked one comment on Facebook and people were piling over each other to agree! We were overwhelmed by waves of love and solidarity and support. Then, people started offering donations someone started a JustGiving page Twitter users started a campaign for every Dock Cafe customer to pay double it was amazing!

‘The stuff that was stolen was just stuff – but that notebook was precious and priceless.

Was there any chance that, if we promised it could be left back anonymously, it might be returned? We couldn’t really dare to hope that much – could we?

‘As a result, a few days later, we’d not only received back what we’d lost - but more besides, thanks to the amazing generosity of so many people. It was overwhelming!’

But that wasn’t even the best part ‘Alongside the missing cash,’ Chris continues, ‘was a sketchbook, carefully set aside to return to a customer who had accidentally left it behind in the cafe the previous day. (He had been

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

‘Well – the writing’s on the wall of the café – ‘Honesty Works’ – and it turned out to be true: the sketchbook was returned and our customer was delighted. I can’t begin to tell you how much we were all taken by actions that were so much more powerful than the bad news of the day before!

‘Shortly afterwards, we had a burglar alarm installed that was offered as a gift by a local company. I’m humbled by the love of The Dock community and by the generosity of strangers.

I’m encouraged and inspired to keep trusting, keep believing the best in people. I have a renewed sense of gratitude and love for the

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Northern Notes amazing, unique movement we’ve started.’

That ‘movement’ began in 2009 when Chris had just been appointed as Chaplain to the Titanic Quarter.

vision was becoming a reality and they made the unprecedented move of offering The Dock a ‘Meanwhile Lease’ on an empty shop unit in the heart of the Titanic Quarter.’

‘At that point,’ he says, ‘the area was still mostly scaffolding, but the hope started to grow amongst the developers and early residents that with this new part of Belfast the city had been given a blank page, a fresh start.

‘Belfast is famous for separating into its different communities and (especially) churches.

We sought to provide something different – a shared gathering point – a boat on neutral waters, in which all our traditions could share the excitement of building community together.

‘So we went looking for a boat. A succession of beautiful, inspiring but utterly impractical old craft were visited, fallen for, surveyed and then discounted as the truth began to dawn – buying and restoring a rusty old boat was just way beyond our resources. We had to start with what we had: a few deckchairs, a kettle, and a desire to meet the neighbours.

The Dock Cafe opened its doors in March 2012 with little more than those deckchairs and kettle – but as the months went by, more and more donations started to fill the place, as the people who ate, relaxed, met up and chilled out in The Dock Cafe began donating sofas, dining tables, mugs, art, sculpture, games, armchairs, and a thousand other quirky little touches to make a big empty concrete space a homeaway-from-home.

‘In the open air, at Saturday morning coffee mornings and Sunday afternoon walks, the first building blocks of Life in the Titanic Quarter started to form. Neighbours met. Churches of all traditions and backgrounds worked together – so that the ‘Chaplains to the Titanic Quarter’ became a team rather than one individual.

‘And the developers, Titanic Quarter Ltd, got involved. Their tagline from the moment the first foundation was laid was, ‘Where once we built ships today we build community’. That

Every cuppa was served by an ever-growing team of volunteers from all arts and parts – many of them residents from the apartments upstairs or students from the new college across the road, all swept along by the fun of building community in their new home. And every cuppa came with no price tag attached – but with the trust that customers would donate a fair amount to the Dock Cafe’s honesty box.

The ‘Honesty Box cafe’ became a concept talked-about from Toronto to Timbuktoo, and trusting in the honesty of Belfast people still keeps the doors open and the shelves stocked to this day.

‘The cafe is a space where absolutely anybody can feel at home,’ Chris continues.

‘No-one is attacked with Bibles, tracts or evangelistic slogans when they come in through the door. At the same time, we try to provide a little bit of space for spiritual life in the Titanic Quarter – especially in the Prayer Garden, a light-

filled little oasis of greenery and peace in the corner of the cafe, and through the presence of the team of Dock Chaplains, who are just as happy to get stuck in to a deep and meaningful natter about the meaning of life as to get stuck feeding Doris the Dishwasher!

‘The sign above the door says ‘Life in the Titanic Quarter’, and we believe that life is all about: living in community with other people, living in relationship with God, and living together with people from all backgrounds.’

The Dock Café has breathed new life into the Titanic Quarter, providing a haven in the midst of the concrete and steel. And, as the recent break-in showed, it’s providing a ‘centre of hope’ for an area that was once derelict.

Museum volunteers receive prestigious award Volunteers from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Museums Service have received a prestigious award.

Alastair Harper, Betty McNerlin, Nina McNeary and Kevin McGowan were named Northern Ireland regional winners at The Marsh Awards, along with their colleagues from Mid Antrim Museums Service. The volunteers were selected for the award following their work with the ‘On the Brink: The Politics of Conflict 1914-1916 Heritage Lottery Fund’ project.

Participants achieved OCN Level 2 Tour Guide accreditation, which allowed them to research, develop and deliver inclusive tours of their local areas which explored their connections to World War One and The Easter Rising.

In acknowledging the extraordinary difference volunteers make in our museums, Describing it ‘as the best project she has worked on’ Betty McNerlin was inspired to set to develop local knowledge and support for family history research, Kevin McGowan and

Alastair Harper (front row, left), Nina McNeary (second row, left), Kevin McGowan (back row, left) and Betty McNerlin (front, third left) pictured in London for the Marsh Awards ceremony. Also included is Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Museum Services Development Manager, Helen Perry (back, second left).

Nina McNerlin have set up their own tour-guiding services, while Alistair Harper continues to research World War One history and delivers guided tours of Limavady War Memorial. The

60 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

work of the volunteers also contributed to the Museum Services ‘On the Brink 1914 – 1916’ travelling exhibitions through their original research into local stories.

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One of the delightful ‘flower carts’ that’s now dotted around the town.

Randalstown and Ballynure ‘blooming lovely’

Positive ageing event spreads positive vibes

October once again sees Belfast celebrating its older citizens, with the annual Positive Ageing Month events taking place across the city.

Celebrating success at the Translink Ulster in Bloom 2017 Awards where the announcement was made that Randalstown won the Small Town Award, pictured (L-R): Helen Fulton, Tidy Randalstown; Mary O’Kane, O’Kane’s Bar; Helen Boyd, Tidy Randalstown; Frank Hewitt, Chairman, Translink; Cllr Vera McWilliams, Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council; Alderman Freda Donnelly, Vice President, NI Local Government Association; Jane Taggart, Tidy Randalstown; Marie Devlin, O’Kane’s Bar; Ivor McMullan, Head of Parks, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, ; John O’Kane, O’Kane’s Bar and Robert Fullerton, Tidy Randalstown.

The results of the 2017 Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition have been announced officially recognising Northern Ireland’s top gardening talent and this writer is delighted to say that her town was on the receiving end of the Small Town Award!

The annual horticultural competition encourages cities, towns and villages right across Northern Ireland to look their best, boosting civic pride through beautiful plant and floral displays. Now in its 39th year, all eleven local councils participated in the 2017 competition which attracted 160 entries.

Although I always thought that the villages and towns that participated in the competition were just ‘done up’ for the judging, I was very pleasantly surprised to see that Randalstown not only looked absolutely superb once all of the flower arrangements were put in place, but that they have remained in situ since the

competition!

There’s no doubt that the competition has emphasised the community spirit of the town.

Prior to and since the competition, you can see people out every day watering and tending to the hanging baskets: a fact recognised by Translink Chairman, Frank Hewitt.

‘It’s been a highly competitive year,’ he said, ‘with such an impressive standard of entries and we’ve seen a number of new locations reach the top spots. We’d like to thank all the local councils, businesses and community groups who invest their time, effort and expertise throughout the year to make their area a more attractive place to live and visit.’

Northern Ireland has now secured eight entries going forward to the National RHS Britain in Bloom Competition 2017. For a full list of winners, visit translink.co.uk/ulsterinbloom/

62 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

More than 200 classes, workshops, events and activities, all aimed at those aged 60 and over, are being staged throughout the month.

Highlights of the month-long programme include a series of the ever popular Punjana Tea Dances at the Grosvenor Hall (Monday 23 October) and the East Belfast Network Centre (Thursday 26 October), while the City Hall hosted a ‘Big Quiz’ on Tuesday 17 October, an Age-Friendly Belfast Ambassadors’ Brunch on Friday 20 October and a screening of the movie ‘Going In Style’ on Wednesday 25 October.

‘Positive Ageing Month celebrates the contribution that older people make to both their own communities and the city of Belfast as a whole,’ said Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Sonia Copeland, who is also Chair of Belfast City Council’s All Party Reference Group on Older People, ‘and we’re looking forward to a wonderful month celebrating our older people and making Belfast a fabulous city to grow old in. Age-friendly Belfast have programmed a month of fabulous activities and events for seniors, which aim to encourage better wellbeing and reduce social isolation.’ For more information visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/seniors

Caith Súil ar Oidhreacht na hÉireann

Discover Ireland’s Rich Linguistic and Cultural Heritage

dúchas.ie

www.dúchas.ie

www.logainm.ie

Find material relating to traditional lore, crafts, customs, prayers, local history, and lots more.

You can help us transcribe material, in Irish or in English, as part of Meitheal Dúchas.ie.

Search our placenames database and discover a wealth of resources and historical records.

Record and share minor placenames in your own area using Meitheal Logainm.ie.

fógraWildAtlanticWay2018.indd 1

06/10/2017 11:37

Walking

Chaos in The Comeraghs Ronald Ferrous recalls how a pleasant walking outing turned into a nightmare It was August 2016 and the five of us huddled in the lea of a craggy outcrop of rock as the weather closed in around us. We were lost and needed saving. We had brought it on ourselves of course by ignoring the warning signs. You would think a group of sixty plus male adults would have more sense than to end up in this situation.

The looming clouds on the horizon had been the first indication, then the sudden cold wind that came in as the outrider for the incoming deluge.

We didn’t notice it, as we were too busy shooting the breeze with our charming guide and Bed and Breakfast host Derek.

When it hit, it hit hard and we faced a grey wall of cloud in every direction with furious horizontal rain saturating us within minutes and in a few more minutes we were lost and unsure. Derek was embarrassed, as it was his idea that had led his clients to this potentially perilous situation on his home turf.

Our only hope was Stewart, the Boy Scout of the group and he had remembered earlier on in the walk to “take a reading” of our position using a nearby landmark. It’s what Boy Scouts do after all.

Be prepared is their motto, and he always is. We huddled around him to steady the waterproof map and compass as he tried to work out where we were.

As the rivulets of icy water found their way into my clothing I cast my mind back to the day before when we had arrived at the charming old farm building. The sun was shining and all was well with the world. It was a million miles away from our present situation.

I had been warned in advance that I would have to share a standard size double bed with Stewart, as that was all that was available that weekend.

Much to my chagrin the other members of the team, Eric and Henry had their own beds.

It brings to mind the film Trains Planes and Automobiles, where the reluctant pair has to share a bed and one asks the other when they wake up in an intimate clinch. “Why are you holding my hand and where’s your other hand? Between two pillows” comes the reply. There is a pregnant pause, then the horrified reply; “Those aren’t pillows!” Double screams abound.

Stewart will go to sleep almost instantly but

only for a short stretch at a time. After about two hours he is wide-awake and twitching with unwanted energy. Normally at home when this happens he goes down stairs and watches some boring television until slumber calls on him again.

This he could not do in the B&B so he settled down to rummage happily in his plastic bags to while away the time. Of course he woke me up and after a few hissed exchanges and thrown

64 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

rolled up socks used for emphasis he reluctantly turned off his searchlight-strength head torch and tried to find sleep. The other two had no nocturnal disturbances and were as fresh as daisies the next morning.

After our hearty full Irish breakfast Derek approached us and asked could he show us an interesting walk on the Knockanaffrin Ridge in the Comeragh mountains that would give us a fantastic views of the surrounding countryside.

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Walking

We eagerly agreed, as we didn’t know the area that well. With the five of us crammed into Eric’s car we arrived at the foothills of the Comeraghs and set off at a brisk pace, walking poles swinging and heads bent in earnest effort.

We stopped frequently at various vantage points overlooking the plains below us and Derek would entertain us with many a tale of the locality. We stopped for a very pleasant lunch and were just packing up to head homeward bound when the sky darkened dramatically and a fat wet cloud sat on top of us.

As the wind and rain intensified and it became more apparent that our guide was just as lost as we were, mainly because we could only see about twenty feet in front of us in any direction.

Stewart just lives for these moments. The hero.

Man of the moment. The man who can read maps, and compasses, in howling gales, and zero visibility. We would never hear the end of it in the pub afterwards that’s for sure.

We held shouted conversations to hear each other over the howling wind and sometimes blundered too close to shear drops. The precious map was snatched from Stewart’s hand by the

vicious wind only to be caught by Henry’s cat-like reflexes.

There came a point when we were so wet that it didn’t matter any more and a sort of hysterical joy erupted when we saw Eric’s car in the far distance emerging from the thinning cloud. We ran down the slope like children whooping and yelling, the water streaming down our faces like a shower head on full blast.

Finally, on level ground, we splashed our way to the car. We noticed a shadowy figure on its knees amongst sods of recently cut turf. This person was stacking or footing the turf. The rain was easing off and she pushed back her rain hood revealing a young attractive woman. “I know you think I’m mad and I probably am.” We all nodded in agreement and wished her luck with her endeavors.

We gathered damply around the car and started to cool down rapidly. Derek had not prepared for this weather event and had no spare clothes to change into. It was Stewart of course who was able to give Derek a spare top and tracksuit bottoms. The Boy Scout was really earning his badges today. The smugness levels had reached the stratosphere by now.

66 Senior Times lNovember - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

Derek is well over six foot tall and Stewart is 5 foot eight at a push so Derek cut an amusing figure crammed into his spare clothes. After a brief recovery time in the B&B we finished off the day in Jeremiah Ryan’s pub in Clogheen. It must be one of the smallest in Ireland.

The bar counter itself is at chest height and barman who was on the short side had the look of a condemned man peering over a parapet.

Despite this funereal visage he served the pints with great aplomb. The pub could only hold around thirty people, so it became inevitable after a few drinks you ended up talking to complete strangers like old friends. It was a terrific way to finish an adventurous day.

We were sad to hear this year that Ryan’s pub is now closed.

“Do you think we will still be doing this in our seventies?” asked Henry this year as we lay snoozing in the scented heather digesting our well-earned lunch. It was after a hard slog up part of the Slieve Bearnagh Mountains and the group was feeling particularly mellow. The vote was unanimous. This time next year it is so, and as my grandmother used to say her quavery voice, “If I’m spared.”

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In addition to the above, if you were due to travel between 10th September and 2nd October 2017 and your flight was cancelled as a result of Ryanair’s cancellation programme, you are entitled to receive compensation.

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Finance

Joe Codd, Director of Sales ry income from the High Earners Restriction for active foresters and farmers, means that clear-felling income will be tax-free. Unfortunately there is no escaping USC or PRSI. Government supports for forestry are very favourable as forestry creates employment in rural areas whilst supporting a growing export sector worth over €355 million in 2016. Forests are also a renewable energy resource.

Owning your own forest is not just a dream fantasy!

There is something unique about walking in your own forest – firstly it is yours and that territorial feeling of looking at your trees and feeling the undergrowth beneath your feet is difficult to describe. Studies by UCD and the HSE have shown that natural forest environments promote a sense of wellbeing significantly improving mood and sleep quality.

Coupled with owning your own forest is the issue of leaving a growing lasting legacy that will produce revenue and enjoyment for your children and grandchildren and beyond.

Leaving aside the societal benefits of forestry from carbon sequestration, flood prevention, reducing soil erosion, improving biodiversity and air quality there are sound financial and economic reasons to consider forest ownership for yourself.

Looking at the cold hard facts it is easy to consider forest ownership as an investment option:

• State grants cover the cost of planting your commercial forest • Premia payments from the State are paid yearly to the forest owner for 15 years and are income tax free • Typically, Irish commercial forestry should return 5% real rate of return to the forest owner over the crop rotation of approximately 30 years • Realistically it only becomes economically viable to consider forestry investment with an investible sum of €150,000 Profit from the occupation of woodlands in the State, managed on a commercial basis is exempt from Income Taxes for individuals and companies. Grant assistance for establishment, management and reconstruction of woodlands is also exempt from income taxes as is the annual premium.

It gets better - Forestry income has been removed from the High Earners Restriction for forest owners who manage their plantations on a commercial basis. The removal of forest

68 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

47% or the Irish forestry estate is now privately owned by 21,000 forest owners.

There is no reason why you should not be one of them!

Commercial woodlands, excluding land, owned by individuals are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the growing timber. Growing timber in commercial woodlands is exempt from stamp duty but the underlying land is not.

Commercial woodlands in the State are subject to Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) on gifts to or inheritance by individuals regardless of the residence or domicile of the disposer and beneficiary. In addition to specified exempt thresholds, relief is available to commercial woodlands as agricultural property or potentially business relief.

The relief, as a reduction in market value is as follows: • A flat rate reduction of 90% applies to both inter-vivo gifts and inheritance of commercial woodlands • All gifts and inheritance between husband and wife are exempt from CAT • From 20/11/2008, the woodlands can be located in any member State of the European Union and still attract Agricultural Relief.

• Parent to Child exemption is €310,000 and the rate of tax is now 33%.

Viewed simply as an investment, forestry makes sense in the long term but viewed as a legacy it takes on a whole new meaning as it is an excellent mechanism to pass on wealth from one generation to the next.

There are few other investments that can be as engaging as that of a woodland as the forest owner can dictate whether or indeed how much or little they wish to do themselves.

With a nationwide presence, Veon Ltd is Ireland’s leading forestry management company

Finance overseeing 40,000 acres of forestry in Ireland.

Services include forestry establishment, annual management, forest roads, harvesting, investment forestry and the buying of plantations.

Clients range from forestry fund companies to farmers, woodland estate owners and private land owners. Veon also manage forestry within a number of Irish estates including Coollattin Estate, Markree Castle Estate, Coopers Hill Estate, Coolavin Estate, Brownhall Estate, Kilcooley Estate, Anaghmore Estate, Cloonalis Estate and the Perceval Estate.

We work directly with our clients to deliver the highest possible returns that contribute positively to social, economic and environmental sustainability. With our nationwide network of offices, Veon is Ireland’s largest purchaser of commercial forestry plantations for investor clients.

Minister Andrew Doyle opens Veons new Head Quarters in Leopardstown, Co. Dublin.

Whilst owning your own private forest is not something everyone can achieve, it remains a profitable rewarding choice for many people who have never considered forestry as an investment option.

Value in forestry

A brief investment example is illustrated below: Purchasing Land

34 Acres

Land Purchase Price E153,000 E4,500 per acre Income from the State

E105,060

E7,004 per year for 15 years

Timber income from year 15 to 30

E408,000

Cost incurred for total lifetime E107,000 Potential profit over 30 year term

E252,960

If you wish to have a chat about turning this dream into a reality then please contact Joe Codd on Freephone 1800 719 399 and we would be happy to discuss the available options with you.

Joe Codd, Director of Sales B.Agr.Sc.(For.) Dip.Sc.(For.) M.S.I.F. Email: jcodd@veon.ie Mobile: 087 983 7462 Freephone: 1800 719 399 or Tel: (01) 6219406 Website: www.veon.ie Veon Ltd., 1 Leopardstown Business Centre, Leopardstown, Dublin 18 D18 N578 Veon Ltd is the only private forestry company registered with the Central Bank of Ireland as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM).

Looking for ways to minimise inheritance tax?

Seeking an income Tax Free return?

Thinking of a long term legacy investment?

Think Forestry > Find out how forestry can help to provide solutions for you > Contact Veon Ltd on Freephone 1800 719 399 > Or visit our website at www.veon.ie Veon Ltd is Ireland’s leading forest management company with offices nationwide.

Minimum investment level €150k

Veon Ltd is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM).

Freephone: 1800 719 399 www.veon.ie Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie 69

Travel

Twelfth century Trim Castle was once guarded by its splendid curtain walls, external ditch and position at a fording point overlooking the river Boyne. The largest Norman Castle in Ireland, it was so secure that the Irish Parliament met here on occasions in the fifteenth century.

Eastern promise Lorna Hogg on the wonders of our Ancient East Ireland’s ancient East, with its myths, legends, Kings and saints, has been the crucible for the country’s story, and the medieval city of Carlingford has been called a `goldmine of information for antiquarians.’ The fourteenth to sixteenth centuries saw the height of its power, but its origins stretch back to the 1200s, and St. John’s Castle, overlooking the prosperous trading town, sited at the north-eastern point of The Pale.

Wander the narrrow cobbled streets and explore the Tholsel, once a tollgate, and in later centuries the town gaol. In the 1400s, mint coinage was struck in Carlingford. However, the building named for The Mint was most probably a wealthy merchant’s house – look out for its decorated limestone windows. Look also for the fragments of the town walls which divided Norman and Gael, and the site of the old Spout Gate, under which fresh mountain spring water flowed in. See how our modern shoreline has receded, at Taaffe’s Castle, a fortified merchant’s town housewhich once lay beside the old harbour front.

There are plenty of ancient myth and legends and history here, plus many Neolithic tombs pre-dating the Pyramids. Local burial chambers, both portal and wedge tombs, can be seen at Proleek, famed for its Dolmen, and accessible from the Ballymascanlon Hotel grounds. Bring your camera along, as the area is rich in landscape and many standing stones and ring forts have good views. This is legend countryside - the Cooley Brown Bull roamed here, the Black Crow of Omeath is also a local and you can visit the Long Woman’s Grave, near Windy Gap. Finn McCool’s boulder crossed the Lough from here, and now sits opposite, as the Cloughmore Stone in the Kilbroney Forest Park in the Mournes.

One of the best ways to see the countryside is on foot. From day, long hill serious climbing to gentle shorefront strolls, walking opportunities abound. Walk the city boundaries, stroll along the coastline or take in the Grange Loop. The fit and adventurous can enjoy the longer walks, taking in parts of The Tain Way, complete with spectacular vistas across the mountainside, lough and country. The Barnavave Loop rises

70 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

onto the hillside, taking in forests, Maeve’s Gap, and an old famine village. The mountains provide truly scenic views, up to Newry and out into the Irish Sea. Remember, however that no dogs are permitted to roam freely on the mountains.

Along the coast lies Omeath, with a picture perfect picnic area, and lough views down and over the water to the Haulbowline Lighthouse.

Dating from 1817, it still guards the entrance into the lough. Railway buffs will enjoy exploring the old railway line, which has now been re-incarnated as the Greenway, offering splendid walks with views across the lough and up to the Cooleys. Some of the original track route can be spotted in places, e.g. the back of the golf course at Ballymascanlon Hotel.

Carlingford’s food is as good as the views - the town is famed for its chowders and oysters.

The Bay Tree, (which has an attached B&B) Schooners, The Kingfisher Bistro, P.J. O’Hares, The Oyster Catcher Bistro and Taafe’s Castle Bar are some top choices, whilst Ruby Ellen’s Tearooms, with its china and witty table

Travel Travel

The medieval city of Carlingford has been called a `goldmine of information for antiquarians.’

decorations, is a must-visit. It’s famous for its breakfasts and mouth watering cakes, and good news for the gluten intolerant – plenty to enjoy here.

Award winning Ghan House isn’t just a top restaurant and place to stay it also offers art classes and wine tastings as well as a cookery school. www.irelandseden.ie www.carlingford.ie www.carlingfordheritagecentre.com www.carlingfordandmourne.com www.ghanhouse.com Mourne magic Across the water, and a short and scenic drive from Newry, lie Rostervor and Kilbroney Park.

Surrounded by mountain, lough, stream and valley, this beautiful Park has beautiful views before you add in the Cloughmore Trail, up to the legendary Boulder.

Kibroney is a wide ranging resource – including mountain biking trails, a campsite, a cafe and loos, orienteering and sightseeing trails. Children of all ages love the Narnia trail, which includes installations with familiar objects including That Wardrobe Door, and the four thrones of the Kings and Queens. The ultimate objective for many, however, is the Cloughmore Trail, with a short but steep walk, to see the 40 ton Cloughmore boulder, which was magically hurled across the lough by Fionn McCool.

Boyneside time travel..

Nine thousand years of history. One valley, with mythical hillside royal thrones, ancient monu

Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor

ments, underground burial chambers, ruined abbeys, castles and battlesites, felt by many to be at the core of Irish culture – they’re all part of the story of how Ireland’s ancient East has thrived over millenia.

County Meath’s Boyne Valley Drive, with some twenty visitor attractions spread over 120 kms, allows you to experience the full range, or concentrate on a few sites of the impressive story of this area. It is helped by easy access and the wide range of hotels and guesthouses, plus hotels, and excellent restaurants. You can start with any point, interest or era, but one of the natural introductions is Bru Na Boinne, in Donore, with the world famous sites of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. With an excellent visitor centre, the monuments have something for all tastes and interest. From passage tombs and solstice viewing to photographic opportunities, it’s also ideal for those interested in one of Europe’s most important megalithic sites.

The Hill of Tara, seen by many to be Ireland’s spiritual centre, is nearby. Recent research by archaeologists has identified pre-Iron Age remains, and this home to ancient High Kings and clerics is ideal for letting the imagination roam over the superb view of surrounding counties, right down to the Midlands.

The Hill of Tara, seen by many to be Ireland’s spiritual centre, is nearby. Recent ressearch by archaeologists has identified pre-Iron Age remains, and this home to ancient High Kings and clerics is ideal for letting the imagination roam over the superb view of surrounding counties, right down to the Midlands.

Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie 71

Travel

Part of The Tain Way

Twelfth century Trim Castle was once guarded by its splendid curtain walls, external ditch and position at a fording point overlooking the river Boyne. The largest Norman Castle in Ireland, it was so secure that the Irish Parliament met here on occasions in the fifteenth century. After an excellent restoration, and with good interpretation panels and walkways, it’s a must-see. The Castle has been helped in modern times, of course, by Mel Gibson’s defence, in the film `Braveheart’ which established its credentials for international `set-jetters’ to film locations.

The Great Easternm Greenway, offering splendid walks with views across the lough and up to the Cooleys. Some of the original track route can be spotted in places, e.g. the back of the golf course at Ballymascanlon Hotel.

Nearby lie the Loughcrew Cairns, passage tombs dating back to approximately 3,400 BC. It passage tombs, complete with carvings, are less crowded yet as atmospheric as Newgrange and are aligned to the Equinox sunrises. In season, collect the key from Loughcrew’s Carpark, and make the short walk up to the cairns. Next stop could be Heritage Town Kells, with its High Cross and world famous Book, and well worth a visit. It’s just a short distance from the peaceful and atmospheric ruins of Mellifont Abbey, where Cistercian monks set up the Abbey in 12th century. The Round Tower at Monasterboice is also nearby The Hill of Slane is famed as the site where St, Patrick reputedly lit the Paschal fire, in defiance of the power the the pagan High Kings. Recently, however, archaelogical discoveries have placed its origins back in pre-Iron Age times. Its spectacular views, north to Slieve Gullion, and south to Co. Wicklow’s Sugarloaf Mountain, reflect its ancient importance. Another Slane icon, its eighteenth century Castle, lies on on the river bend. If Trim Castle’s modern claim to fame is filmic, then Slane is now known for rock concerts.

What better way to conclude a Boyneside visit than an event which took place over three hundred years ago – with an outcome which still lingers for the country? The Battle of the Boyne site now has a splendid visitor centre, just a few miles from Drogheda. Oldbridge House, in whose grounds the battle was fought, has audio visual aids, weaponry and battlefield walkways, to enable understanding of how Ireland’s history hung on a judgement in strategy.

See how two Kings, James II and William

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of Orange, made their fateful decisions. After that, drive into Drogheda, to visit the excellent Museum, and the Martello Tower on the great fort at Millmount. www.discoverboynevalley.ie www.boynevalleytours.com www.heritageireland.ie www.battleoftheboyne.ie www.visitmournemountains.co.uk

Genealogy

What’s in in a What’s a name? name?

Lorna Moloney explains

Clans and Surnames of Ireland are legendary. The Irish naming system provides unique identifying markers for families from the eleventh century. Our system is one of the oldest in the world and stems from the famous Brian Boru. Brian’s first name became the surname O’Brien and there the story begins.

Woulfe tells us that clan names are older than surnames. Many families can trace the origin of place through clan names. Clan names are often formed by fixing names to place names. The names of pagan gods, the names of places, linked to goddesses or ancestors can give the names of plants.

Our history reflects Viking invasions O’Loughlin, ‘Lochlannach’, MacAuliffe, ‘Son of Olaf, Howard, Sweetman, Trant and the less obvious MacManus and Doyle. Doyle means Ó’Dubhghaill or dubh ghall, the “dark stranger or foreigner”.

The invasion by the Anglo-Normans bring us new surnames; those of DeBurgh, Fitzgerald. Fitz is derived from the French “fils”, meaning “son of”, and its use implies a family with an aristocratic origin. Gaelic Ireland comprised of many Kingdoms governed by a High King. All changed with the introduction of new ruling elite.

The hibernicisation process, that of Anglo-Normans names becoming Irish results in the DeBurgh surname becoming Burkes, Fitzbarry becoming Barry. Names that are considered Irish to the core were introduced with twelfth century conquests of Ireland. Lucy, Lynch and Lyons all bear witness to the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland Testament to the Tudor conquest, plantation and new settlers, all witnessed the introduction of surnames, the dominance of certain clans, and sometimes the changes in surnames to reflect the dominance of the English language in a Gaelic speaking world.

According to Sean J. Murphy, ‘A surname may be defined as an hereditary second or family name handed down from one generation to the next, and it can be distinguished from a first or personal name which refers only to an individual’. The Tudor conquest witnessed eldest son inheritance, which altered the Gaelic worlds of lordships, Kingdoms and Chiefries. The Clan names changed and many surnames adopted portmanteau characteristics. This means that a number of ways identified such names.

20th century. This gives rise to many variants surviving of surnames in the manuscript and state documentation. It also confuses the research er who may not realise it is the same core name or clan name dating from earlier times.

For instance, is a surname always a clan name in Ireland? Not necessarily because of the etymology of surnames. From researching the genealogy radio show we found that surnames passed down from father to son and terms meaning son of included daughter of giving a different surname. Surnames were also based on occupation. Therefore what your answers ancestors did for a living determines your surname today. We have occupation of Carpenter, Baker, Smyths and same thing happening in Irish surnames McGowan, meaning Blacksmith and it is fascinating journey Clan and surname names have meaning they can often be close to the locations of our ancestors because Clans adopted certain places and spaces. We ca where are we can see where are clan name originated.

This can bring us on a journey back in time to the place of our ancestry.

We know from our history what these plans we’re doing during various historical times in Ireland.

This dominance of the Gaelic speaking world provides vital clues in evaluating clans and surname histories. We see new surnames being introduced quickly reflecting dramatic historical events. We see the loss of the Mac and the O due to the use being outlawed. Gaelic surnames being prohibited from use under English law in Tudor and Stuart times

Our ancestral journey involves many different surnames because as we go back in time are ancestry increases. We have four grandparents, 8 great grandparents 16 great great grandparents and it is exponential.

Such a journey brings us into contact with many different names. Therefore, we may have Viking origins Anglo-Norman origins and links with lots of different counties in Ireland. As we emigrate these links, broaden into other countries other cities different realms to be explored with our Clans and surnames history. Certain surnames are very common. The surname of O’Brien for example now covers every part of the world.

O’Brien’s splintering and separating as a clan in the 13th century developed into forming different branches. The MacNamara’s of yesterday meaning Hound of the sea has also reached all over the world.

We know which Irish surnames dominate the world today. What of Clans? We have the O’Brien Clan, the Mcnemar’s, the Kelly’s.. and hundreds of them providing genealogical legacies throughout the centuries.

Just how many surnames are in Ireland?

Sources for Irish Clans exist in the annals of the four Masters, manuscripts, state papers, and official documents. the spelling differs from modern day spelling. universal surname spelling is not a feature until the

‘The Genealogy Radio Show’ produced and presented by Lorna Moloney of Merriman Research and of our Clans and Surnames events, brands and research delve into the pasts of these surnames according to location, origin and provenance. http://www.lornamoloney.com/ Lorna is a professional genealogist, and Document Content Management Specialist. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogist and the Society of Genealogists UK. Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie 73

Wine World

Discovering South African wines Mairead Robinson checks out some gems from the Southern Hemisphere

The Springfield Estate vineywards

While we talk about New World and Old World wine, we don’t often pay so much attention to wine from South Africa. Personally I am a fan of Chenin Blanc, which they do exceptionally well and it offers great value when looking for a crisp and refreshing white wine. South Africa is a country that I have never visited, but it is on my bucket list to check out the wineries there as I have tasted some great South African wines in recent years. It is one of the most prominent wine-producing countries in the Southern Hemisphere. With more than 300 years of winemaking history, it is often described as bridging the gap between the Old World and New. The majority of wines are made using New World winemaking techniques but often have more in common

stylistically with their Old World counterparts.

Since the end of apartheid South African wine has enjoyed international attention and acclaim for its wide variety of styles. Their wine industry is distributed around the lush, rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allow winemakers to produce a diverse range of styles. Vineyards are also found in the Northern Cape’s Orange River region, where the flat, barren landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa’s wine-producing regions have a Mediterranean climate, significantly influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country’s signature variety is Pinotage, an indigenous crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut that is rarely found in

74 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

quantity in any other wine-producing country.

Shiraz is widely planted also, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

However white grape varieties account for 55 percent of the country’s 96,000 hectares (237,000 acres) of vineyards. Chenin Blanc, as I mentioned above, is the republic’s most planted grape making up 18.5 percent of all plantings. While it has not retained its earlier dominance within vineyards as a source of brandy and fortified wines, it retains its number one position having largely transitioned into a role providing crisp dry white wines. More recently South African Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have become popular internationally. However South African wine fell out of favour around the world during the 20th

Back To Our Past is coming to The Titanic, Belfast

Following numerous requests from visitors and exhibitors in the UK Mainland and Northern Ireland, the hugely popular Dublin event, Back To Our Past, the genealogy family/social history show, is coming to the award-winning Titanic, Belfast.

‘A great event’ National Archives of Ireland

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Drink more, grow younger

Century, reaching an all time low when trade sanctions were placed on the country in the 1980s due to its apartheid policies. Nelson Mandela’s release in 1990 and subsequent election as President reinvigorated the industry: wines from the Rust en Vrede estate in Stellenbosch were served at his 1993 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony dinner in Oslo, Norway.

are donated to the children. This classical 2014 and 2015 blend was created using the ancient technique of fermenting uncrushed berries with the native yeast found on the grape skins.

After ageing for one year in French barrels, it was bottled without fining or filtration. A further 12 months of bottle ageing took place prior to release.

Nowadays, they are a serious wine producing country and last year, 2016, South Africa was the seventh largest producer of wine in the world in terms of overall volume, responsible for 3.9 percent of global wine output. I have chosen two wines, one white and one red to demonstrate the range and quality of South African wines available in Ireland today. I have stayed away from Pinotage and Chenin Blanc and purposely chosen something different and particularly interesting. The first is Thunderchild, a Cabernet Franc-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon blend. The story behind this wine is particularly interesting:- in 1918 in the wake of the Great Flu Epidemic, an orphanage called Die Herberg, was built by the Robertson community for the children left orphaned and destitute. In 2004 a few vines were planted on the grounds by the same community. All planting material, soil preparation and irrigation were donated. The blend continues to be made without charge by sympathetic cellars and sold in aid of the children, who today are no longer all orphans but mainly from broken homes. 100% of the profits

I have also chosen Life From Stone Sauvignon Blanc from Springfield Estate, also made by Robertson from mature thirty year old vineyards resulting in a wine that is pungent with striking minerality and a refreshing acidity of lime and passion fruit. Each year, a small crop is borne on the extremely rocky, calcareous soil of the Springfield Estate. Ripened by sunny days the grapes are picked at night in the very low temperatures unique to this area resulting in a wine of great character and concentration.

Character and complexity are at the core of these great wines, and proof that South Africa well deserves its place as one of today’s great wine producing regions. Check out the South Africa section on wine lists and off-licences and you may be surprised at the gems you will find there.

COMPETITION And if you would like to win a bottle of each of the Robertson wines mentioned here, check out the competition on www.hotelreviewsireland.com

76 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

Youth, beauty and gin – all in the one bottle?

We know that to help keep our youthful appearance we need to increase that magic ingredient, Collagen, as this decreases as we age. As well as applying it topically in our face creams, we can now imbibe it a fabulous new gin – Collagin. The brainchild of Camilla Brown, and Liz Beswick from the UK who are introducing the world’s first gin range distilled with pure collagen which is aptly named: CollaGin. CollaGin is the beauty drink du jour. With an elegant and refined taste, the unique recipe has stayed true to the principles of a classic gin but with a rejuvenating twist of skin refreshing botanicals such as star anise and pink grapefruit with the innovative addition of pure collagen.

With eleven botanicals in total, the remaining botanicals featured in the gin include vanilla, pink peppercorn, angelica and liquorice, resulting in a smooth and fresh flavour that can be enjoyed as a sipping gin, a cocktail gin or with the classic tonic water. A CollaGin G&T is best served with pink grapefruit.

Now available in Molly’s Liquour Stores Dublin, Pettitts SuperValu Wexford and selected Carry Out Off Licences.

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How Greenfeet can help you Each customer’s lawn is different. The Greenfeet expert examines the damaged lawns, analyses it and devises a plan within your budget. We can fix your lawn, replace it or create a whole new lawn for you. We’ve found that repairing a lawn is more cost effective than replacing a lawn. We have developed our own

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R

OW NEVER M N W A L YOUR AGAIN

Culture

Lovers leap

Ballet Ireland present their critically-acclaimed version of Romeo and Juliet

This Beach is a blistering satire of white western privilege made in response to the global refugee crisis, from multiaward-winning theatre company Brokentalkers.

Maretta Dillon reports on happenings in the Arts in the next few months Ballet Ireland present their critically-acclaimed version of Romeo and Juliet, the tale of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, accompanied by Prokofiev’s incredible music and performed by a cast of world-class dancers.

In this version, Shakespeare’s tragic tale is transported from the streets of medieval Verona into the classrooms of a modern-day high school and becomes a play within a play. See balletireland.ie for venues and dates.

Star of the Sea from Moonfish Theatre, based on Joseph O’Connor’s epic best-selling novel is a story of love, murder, revenge and forgiveness in the time of the Famine. A ship sails from Cobh to the promised land of New York in the winter of 1847. On board are passengers with secrets to hide - a silent maidservant, a ruined lord, and a murderer on the run - characters whose lives and fates are far more intertwined than they realise. Moonfish use their signature style of bi-lingual theatre to give voice to the characters whose first language would have been Irish. Audiences are invited to experience Irish as a theatrical language, translated continuously through subtitles, movement and song.

See moonfishtheatre.com for more info.

The beach is private. A European family owns it. They have owned it for generations. The

family is celebrating a wedding! During the celebrations, a stranger arrives on the shore of the beach. The family must decide how to deal with this stranger. This Beach is a blistering satire of white western privilege made in response to the global refugee crisis, from multi-award-winning theatre company Brokentalkers. As the sand in This Beach is dug into and the past is excavated on stage, the beach becomes in turn an appealing leisure amenity, a valuable possession, a site of invasion, and a theatre of war. More from brokentalkers.ie

by Jamie Bell). He takes her back to the care of his own mother – sympathetically played

by Julie Walters. This is a romantic love story about two very different people at opposite ends of their lives. Nationwide from November 24.

French string quartet Quatuor Voce impress not just with their musical ability but their sense of adventure. Here is an ensemble that knows the music from the inside, knows where it can be allowed to breathe a bit more and has the finesse and elegance to carry it off. The programme will include Bartók, Schubert and Beethoven. See musicnetwork.ie for more details.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Science The catastrophic as entertainment is explored in this new exhibition which includes the end of the world.

Oct 10 – Feb 2, 2018 / Science Gallery, Dublin Information: sciencegallery.com

In Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Annette Bening is Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame who finds herself, decades after she rose to fame, in a modest theatrical touring production in Lancaster, England. With her health failing, she contacts a much younger former lover, Liverpudlian actor Peter Turner (here played

78 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

Events around the Country / October November 2017

BITE ME Theatre The story of Joanne’s amaaaaaaazing diet. A comedy about a serious subject – an eating disorder.

From Oct 18 / Everyman Cork, Draiocht, Mermaid, Lyric Belfast, Axis:Ballymun, Pavilion Theatre Dun Laoghaire Information and booking: individual venues

Winter Sun on the Costa del Sol

Apartments

60€*

from

per night

If you are looking for a convenient place to stay with a fabulous location and great value Winter room rates, then the 4* Sunset Beach Club Hotel is the perfect choice!

• Seafront location, Benalmádena-Costa • Easy transfers from Malaga airport • All rooms have kitchenette & terrace • 24hr Reception & Security • Panorama Bar with daily Happy Hour • À la carte Restaurant with live music • Early Bird dinner menu also available • Walk to shops, bars, restaurants • Hotel Leisure Desk – maps, market days, bus & train routes, day trips, local information

• Free organized activities every day At Sunset Beach Club, apartment-style accommodation combines perfectly with 4* hotel services, catering and entertainment, to provide the perfect holiday experience. A selection of room upgrades are also available, such as our Prime Sea View apartments, Open-Plan Deluxe Junior Suites, or our Honeymoon Suites, all of which have guaranteed sea views.

Descriptions of all our room types can be found at www.sunsetbeachclub.com. If you have any questions about Sunset Beach Club or prefer to receive information by email, simply contact Inma Moreno by phone (+34 952 579 400 Extension 7805) or by email i.moreno@sunsetbeachclub.com. She would be delighted to hear from you!

Apartments from

60€

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*1 Bedroom Exterior Apartment 01-22 Dec 2017 / 01-31 Jan 2018

L VE TO DANCE?

Why not combine your favourite hobby with a Winter Sun holiday on the Costa del Sol? • 5 Evening Dance Sessions & 2 Morning The 4* Sunset Beach Club hotel is Tuition Sessions per week. pleased to present this fabulous • Evening Dance Programs will be opportunity to practice and improve a mixture of the latest, up-to-date your dance moves, under the guidance Sequence and 50/50 dancing and will of hosts, Chris and Pete Bradley.

When and Where?

Dancing and tuition will take place in Sunset Beach Club’s Moonlight Theatre from 7th January to 28th January 2018.

A typical weekly programme includes the following:

7 Nights

from

14 Nights

from

include Freestyle Modern Ballroom & Latin American dancing, and, the latest, popular & evergreen Sequence dances.

• Ballroom enthusiasts can practice their Quickstep, Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango, or if you are looking to work on your Latin style, there is also Jive, Cha Cha & Rumba!

21 Nights

Book this amazing dance holiday at sunsetbeachclub.com

per person

(for assistance with bookings contact Inma) Tel: +34 952 579 400 Ext. 7805 Email: i.moreno@sunsetbeachclub.com

from

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based on 2 pers sharing a 1 Bedroom Exterior Apartment

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Sunset Beach Club, Avda. del Sol 5, Benalmádena-Costa, 29630, Málaga (Spain) Tel +34 952 579 400 Ext. 7805 | Email: i.moreno@sunsetbeachclub.com

In Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Annette Bening is Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame who finds herself, decades after she rose to fame, in a modest theatrical touring production in Lancaster, England

WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA Festival Music, theatre and great singing come together during the Festival’s 18 days in the National Opera House.

Oct 19 – Nov 5 / various venues in Wexford Information: wexfordopera.com / 1850 4 OPERA

FESTIVAL OF WILD ATLANTIC WRITING Literature A former home of Poet Laureate Ted Hughes, hosts a jam-packed schedule of events to cater for every taste.

Oct 28-29 / Cashel Bay, Co. Galway Information and booking: wildatlanticwriting.com

SLIGO LIVE Music Festival Relaxed, friendly and enjoyable music festival with a blend of folk, roots, traditional, blues in ever so cool Sligo.

Oct 25-30/ various venues in Sligo Town Information: sligolive.ie

DUBLIN BOOK FESTIVAL Literature An entertaining, friendly and accessible event reflecting the liveliness of Irish publishing and its authors.

Nov 2-9 / Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin 2 Information: dublinbookfestival.com

BREATHE Film Starring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, a love story about two indomitable people who defy the odds.

October 27 island wide.

ROMEO AND JULIET Ballet Shakespeare’s tale of star crossed lovers, accompanied by Prokofiev’s incredible music in 24 venues nationwide.

Nov 3 – Dec 23/ nationwide.

Information: balletireland.ie/romeo-juliet/

MY REAL LIFE Opera Mesmerising 70 minute monologue performed

by Don Wycherley based on a play by Eoin Colfer.

Oct 27 and 28, Nov 3 and 4 / as part of Wexford Festival Opera Information: wexfordopera.com

STAR OF THE SEA Theatre A gripping story of revenge and forgiveness / Scéal díoltais agus maithiúnais Nov 7 – Dec 1/ nationwide tour Information, Venues/dates: moonfishtheatre.com/starofthesea/

80 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

THIS BEACH Theatre A blistering satire of white western privilege made in response to the global refugee crisis.

Nov 10 – Dec 1 / various venues nationwide Information, venues/dates: brokentalkers. ie/touring-2 QUATUOR VOCE Music French quartet and winner of several international awards embarks on an island wide tour.

Nov 16-26 / various venues Information /booking: musicnetwork.ie FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL Film The true story of the love affair between Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame and a young British actor.

November 24, island wide.

THE MEETING Theatre A new production, based on the life and work of the painter, Frederic William Burton, (1816 – 1900).

Nov 25 + Dec 2 / National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin.

Information and booking: nationalgallery.ie Finally, if you would like your event to feature in our list of What’s On please email: events.country@gmail.com

Escape to Mulranny FROM

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“One of the best places for walkers in Ireland”

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N26 Dublin Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo Tel: 096 23600 Email: info@hotelballina.ie

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Connect Hearing Clinics throughout Ireland have the ..

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I’m worried, “What will other people think?”

Some people believe that others will laugh at them if they were to be seen wearing a hearing instrument. Others feel that they are too young to wear a hearing instrument. This would be a dangerous error to make. I’ll explain why!

An extension to a study started in 1958 in Baltimore, U.S.A., tracked various health factors in a group of 126 people. They tracked these people for 10 years by carrying out an M.R.I. & a physical examination at regular intervals. At the beginning, 75 had normal hearing & 51 had some degree of hearing impairment. After 10 years, Dr Frank Linn discovered that the rates of brain atrophy, this is shrinkage in brain size, was greater & faster in those with untreated hearing impairment than those with normal hearing. This condition he associated with Dementia & Alzheimer’s disease. Check this link out... http://www.linresearch.org/research.html Recently this was highlighted by the science section of the Guardian newspaper; https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/ jul/17/hearing-loss-could-pose-greater-risk-ofpotential-dementia-in-later-life-study This increased the need for having your hearing tested regularly. Where hearing loss can’t be cured, it can be successfully treated. Here’s how.

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Here is the latest technology in the hearing industry & it’s from Widex. It’s the Beyond. This family of hearing instruments have the newest & fastest acting chip available in the world. This chip will sample sounds at a staggering 32,000 times per second! All well & good I hear you say, but what does this mean?

So What?

This will allow your hearing instrument to pick up sounds in a cleaner way that doesn’t include all the mumble of the other sounds, which very often are not helpful. Patients have remarked at the cleaner sharper sound especially when compared to other instruments. Using the telephone is no longer a whistling match, as wireless connectivity feeds the phone conversation clearly into both ears……like magic. With the extra headroom for sound, music no longer sounds strange, it can be adjusted because the latest technology allows for the peaks & crests in music.

Do I Have to Turn up & Down the Volume?

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ei.L

Short story

Snowed In

By Marie Gahan

With the kitchen window open on summer evenings, Ellie would listen longingly to him above in the loft. Eavesdrop on his conversation with his birds. Marvel at the gentle tone he kept just for them. But not today; as she worked at the sink, her window was a magnificent snowscape.

First thing this morning, Charlie had braved the elements and climbed the wooden steps to his territory, the place where he ruled the roost. A silver-grey pigeon with iridescent feathers circled his head and landed on his shoulder. He turned and took her onto his finger to stroke her breast and smooth her plumage.

‘There’s the girl,’ he said gently, rotating his arm to examine every inch of her. Still a healthy bird, she had been one of his best hens.

A good racer in her day, she had given him several prizewinners. But now she was getting old; no longer worth her keep. He’d ring her neck one of these days. Seed and water replenished, he stumbled on the last slippery steps to the yard, calf deep in snow. He filled the log box and shouldered his way indoors, covered in the swirling mass. Then went out again and again to fill both arms with more firewood, and stack it high against the chimney wall.

‘We’re well stocked up now,’ he shouted into the kitchen.

‘Better batten down the hatches. It’s rough out there. Never saw the like of it before, and there’s even more snow on the way according to the radio.’

By the time Ellie had finished all her chores the oatmeal biscuits were cooling on the wire rack. She turned each one upside down to speed up the drying out process. Then she chose two to go with the mugs of tea she was making.

‘Tea’s up,’ she called into the living room. ‘Come and get it.’

There was no reply. She raised her voice and tried again. Still nothing.

If he thinks I’m going to wait hand and foot on him, he has another think coming, she thought. She drank alone, leafing through the magazine he’d discarded from his paper. As she drained her cup she decided to cut 82 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

slices of bread into fingers, to make her famous cheese straws. Might as well have a few treats now they were going to be tied indoors.

She went to check on the fire inside. Just as she thought, there he was, the ould goat; lying back in the armchair, glasses on his nose and the Irish Independent open at his feet. I’ll leave him be. She poked the fire and threw on another two logs. It will give me a bit of peace. I’m sick of all that ould recession talk he listens to. Reaching for the radio, she flicked the off switch with a flourish. But as she turned back, something about the angle of his head struck her as odd. She walked over and put her hand on him. He didn’t move a muscle. No response at all. She leaned down and put her ear to his mouth. No sound of a breath.

‘Charlie, she called, her voice rising in alarm, ‘Charlie’. As she shook him vigorously, she could hear shrieks, but didn’t realize they were emanating from her. Her husband lay lifeless in his favourite chair. Oh my God, she thought. What am I going to do? Who will I turn to, stuck out here. She collapsed into the other armchair, her heart racing so fast, she found it difficult to breathe.

‘Jack, Jack, it’s your father, ‘she shouted into the phone, without any thought of a preamble. ‘He’s dead in the chair.’ Then she launched into a garbled account of their whole morning’s routine.

‘Mam, you’ll have to calm yourself. I can’t make sense of half of what you’re saying. Take a deep breath. Sit down and pour yourself a drop of Dad’s Jammy. Look, I’ll be home on the next available flight. But first I need to make a few calls for you. Stay by the phone. I’ll ring you back.’

And so began Ellie’s lonely vigil. She sat opposite Charlie on the other side of the fire, mesmerized by his vacant blue gaze. Everything was so quiet. Even though he had the newspaper in front of his face most of the time, at least there was always the companionable thump of rocker on oak flooring. She missed that now. Lord knows, it wasn’t much to miss, but God help her, she did. She glanced towards the window. It was still pelting down outside and she felt so lonely and afraid.

Make More Of It with Brian McEniff Hotels Bundoran * Sligo * Rosses Point* Westport * Dublin Leisure Breaks for Groups - Spring & Autumn Arriving on a Sunday or Monday…

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November 2017 €209 pps Jan/Feb 2018 €209 pps March/April/May/ June /Sept/Oct 2018 €229 pps Golf €20 per round per person For more details or to make a reservation Tel 071 98 42888 Email marion@bmceniffhotels.com Visit www.greatnorthernhotel.com

Relax in the comfort of the Yeats Country Hotel, Spa & Leisure Rosses Point, Co. Sligo Ideally located along the Wild Atlantic Way and the perfect location to enjoy a Fabulous Over 50’s Midweek Holiday

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She and Charlie didn’t waste words on each other, but both of them would let loose a deluge of delight whenever a visitor called. She thought of the distance that had grown between them. All those years of unsaid things! They didn’t start out like that. He was a good man. A bit of a loner, she supposed, but easy going. When Jack arrived, they couldn’t have been happier.

Her son’s voice at the other end of the phone was too calm and measured. ‘Mam, listen to me. You need to be strong. All flights are off today, due to heavy snow drifts on the runway. But I managed to get Jim Bolger and as soon as they can move out, he and Doctor Walsh will be over to you with the tractor. They’re better off going together, the way things are.

What are you doing now?’

‘I’m sitting here just looking at him.’

‘Mam, go in and make yourself a cup of tea. Jim will see to everything until I can get home.’ Until then, I’m only at the end of the phone.’

She collapsed into the chair. What the hell was Jack doing living over there anyway; the width of the Atlantic between them. If only he had settled down with an Irish girl. After he’d left, Charlie had gone in on himself even more. No one to clock in a pigeon for him. Give him a dig-out in the racing season or have the odd pint with. She rocked to and fro in an involuntary search for comfort. And what about me? It was like someone had pulled the plug on any bit of happiness I had. If we could have talked to each other, we might have been able to make some kind of fist of it. But when trust is gone, there’s nothing more to say, is there?

When the undertaker rang to say they couldn’t make it with the roads so bad, she thought she was going to lose it altogether. ‘We’re not geared for this kind of weather,’ he said. People were abandoning their cars.

Daylight was going. It would be morning before they could get a tractor into her. The enormity of her situation was overwhelming. But listening to his practical instructions pulled her back from the edge. It was all up to her now. She would do what she always did in the past. Face what was before her and get through it. Wasn’t she a strong woman after all?

The hours dragged by, broken by calls from Jack. The darkness surrounding the house increased her feeling of isolation. Imagine sitting up with a corpse! The night was long and lonely. She couldn’t get the heat into her bones, despite the roaring fire and the Foxford rug over her knees. Her eyes kept going back to him again and again. He had a sensitive face - a face she’d loved dearly in the early years. How could she be afraid of sitting with him now? All those wasted years. Closed to each other. Living separate lives in their heads.

Even to this day, she could still see the schoolgirls’ ashen faces in the witness box. Two of them couldn’t be certain that he was the man, and collapsed into tears. But the tallest of the three composed herself. Drew herself up to her full height and pointed him out across the courtroom.

Indecent exposure! Her face flamed even now with the shame of it after all this time. Guilty. The verdict went round and round in her head. He had no previous convictions. That was in his favour. An honest man. A good father. A hard worker. The fine was minimal. She walked out of that courtroom feeling tainted by association. That nun shaking her hand in the corridor. ‘You’re a good woman. You love him and please God you’ll find it in your heart to forgive him,’ she said. What would she know?

Tucked up at night in her virginal bed.

At home, he still protested his innocence. It was a case of mistaken identity. The guards needed a scapegoat. God knows she ached to believe him. It would have been so much easier. But it was always there, eating away at her. She couldn’t shake it off. After a few weeks the subject became taboo. It seemed easier that way. But as time went on, a wall went up between them. They each found separate ways of getting through the day. He extended the loft. Bought in more pigeons. Installed extra nesting boxes. Spent more time up there with them. . As they sat 84 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

together by the fire, he stonewalled her with his newspaper. She had her baby, the ICA and her knitting. The decay had set in.

At night when he reached for her, she steeled herself. But he could never ignite the old spark of passion. It was never a topic for discussion. That would entail bringing up the ugly subject again, and that was the last thing he wanted. Her hysterectomy a few years later was the excuse she needed to go into the back room. Allow her the space to heal for a few weeks. But she never returned to the marital bed. Down the line, anger and frustration took its toll on both of them. Never a soft word between them. A dearth of kindness from her. His meanness with money.

Instead, they each poured every ounce of love they had into their son.

Their reason for living. When Jack left for Boston the light had gone out of their world.

Just as dawn was breaking, she thought of what might have been. They could have been so happy together if only that thing hadn’t got in their way. She still refused to give it a name, even in her most private thoughts.

In the clarity of a snow-white world, she allowed a flash of insight into her psyche. She hadn’t done Charlie any favour by sticking with him. She should have got out, or got on with her marriage. By today’s standards, his crime would only be a minor offence. Mightn’t even get a mention in a newspaper. Now, abuse, rape, abduction, and murder all clamoured from the news stands and TVs. Even the clergy weren’t exempt from sins of the flesh. In this changing world, his weakness would be seen as pathetic. Some people might laugh at it or even pity him.

She walked over to where he lay and gently covered him with a rug, careful to tuck the sides in around his body. She looked into his face.

It had changed since yesterday. Less furrowed. More relaxed. She caught a glimpse of the young man she’d loved with all her heart, before her world shattered around her. Tears streaming down her face, she stooped and kissed his cold lips. It didn’t matter now whether he was innocent or guilty. He was the father of her son. The partner she had chosen.

‘Rest easy Charlie,’ she whispered. ‘It’s OK. It’s OK. I’ll see to your birds.

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Literary Travels

To the manners born..

John Galsworthy at his writing desk

In the latest in her series of literature-inspired travels Lorna Hogg visits areas of London made famous in the novels and plays of Nobel-Laureate John Galsworthy.

It is fifty years since one of television’s greatest success stories - The Forsyte Saga, entered the imagination of the viewing public. Initially screened in 1966, by the new station, BBC2, the Saga told the story of an upper middle class English Victorian family, set over six decades.

When BBC 1 (and RTE) screened the Saga in 1967, it drew high ratings and went on to achieve worldwide popularity over the following years as the Downton Abbey of its day.

Social life, pubs and even church services were affected, as Sunday nights were taken over by the lives of Soames and Irene and Fleur and Jon. Helped by the superb acting and production values, the nine book Saga ensured that its author John Galsworthy became known to a new generation.

John Galsworthy, the son of a wealthy businessman, grew up in this magnificent house at Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey

Galsworthy was born on 14th August 1867 and grew up in what is now known as Galsworthy House, Kingston Hill in Kingston on Thames, in leafy Surrey. The son of the comfortably wealthy businessman, he attended Harrow and Oxford,and trained as a barrister before travelling

whilst working for the family business. He realised that the law was not for him, and started writing. He initially concentrated on short stories, but self-published two novels before The Man of Property which would make his name, appeared in 1906.

86 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

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New from bestselling Irish author Alice Taylor Christmas is magical. In the darkest depths of winter, suddenly we have this glow of warmth, light and togetherness, especially for all who are home for Christmas. In her new book, Alice remembers countryside Christmases of long ago, when everyone stopped work to enjoy each other’s company, to tell stories and play games, and draws us a heartwarming picture of how she celebrates today. We visit Alice’s house as she decorates; a fat, tatty Santa or a delicate angel bring to mind stories of loved ones, maybe now grown or gone. We enter her kitchen where she prepares festive food in the traditional way, and tells of how her mother cooked for Christmas on the open fire and bastible.

This is Christmas old and new, told, as only Alice can tell it, in warm, welcoming, joyful, wonderful storytelling. A book to savour at the winter fireside.

In her eagerly-awaited twenty-fourth book, writer and storyteller Alice Taylor reflects on village and rural life, and celebrates the importance of family and community, especially at Christmas.

Says Alice: ‘I love Christmas. It’s a love affair that began in childhood and never faded.

Where I grew up, on a farm in the hills of north Cork, Christmas re

02/02/2016 15:57

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Home for Christmas E19.99 Also available as an ebook volved around the home. My mother created memorable Christmases. She believed in the sacredness of the season and celebrated it with respect for its origins. She prepared for it as for a royal visit. This is what I learned from her. Now I celebrate in a similar way here in my home in Innishannon.

Our Christmas memories, like young trees, are planted in childhood and over the years sprout many branches.

That memory tree hasgrown branches that for me trace the changing face of Christmas down through the decades.’

Literary Travels

With its magnificent rooms, views and even a picture gallery, it is easy to see where Galsworthy got his inspiration for the home of the Man of Property. Mapledurham is open to the public.

Soames’ sister Winnifred, lived in Green Street, still a fashionble part of Mayfair.

In Galsworthy’s days, carriages bowled around Hyde Park, riders paraded in Rotten Row Galsworthy was also a social commentator and campaigner – writing about class and social issues of the day. During the First World War, when turned down for military service, he worked as an orderly in France. He also turned down the offer of a Knighhood from then Prime Minister Lloyd George, claiming that the reward of writing was enough.

Many of the Forsyte books were written in the 1920s, but by then Galsworthy had also become noted for his plays. The Silver Box, and The Skin Game were acclaimed. Galsworthy became the first President of the prestigious PEN International Literary Club, and in 1932, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. He died the following year, on 31st January 1933.

He wrote of his world – the upper middle class professionals and their insularity, snobbishness, and their values. These were the people who lived in the the great mansions and apartments and worked in the City of London, in the law or banking. They were ambitious, looking for security, value for money and property ownership in a world in which a man’s property was still largely seen to include his wife. The Married Women’s Property Acts of 1870 and 1882 had only recently given women control of their own money, but they had little power or independence.

Galsworthy had first hand knowledge of the circumstances faced by many women. He fell in love with his cousin’s first wife, Ada, on whom he would base the character of Irene. Ada, sensitive and artistic, was unhappily married to his cousin Arthur, but not as unhappily as the fictional Irene. Galsworthy and Ada broke social codes by living together for ten years, until they could marry.

The ironical tone of The Man of Property, mocked the values and standards of Galsworthy’s age and class. Yet the characters and storylines sustained a series of novel about a family over two generations and six decades. Several characters, aside from Irene, were from Galsworthy’s own world – his cousin Arthur was the inspiration for Soames, even though his personality differed from the fictional character. Young Jolyon is said to have been based on himself. Old Jolyon was based on his father, and Soames went in search of his ancestry in the West 88 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

Country - where Galsworthy’s family originated.

The series provoked famous debate over Soames’s forcible `reassertion of his rights’, - in todays’ terms, marital rape, over Irene. Yet as the Saga progressed, Galsworthy came to have a grudging respect for Soames. In the post First World War novels, in a new world changed beyond recognition from the certainties of his Galsworthy’s youth, Soames is portrayed more subtly. He becomes a devoted father, protective of his daughter when she falls in love with the son of the women he had once owned.

Forsyte London In Galsworthy’s days, carriages bowled around Hyde Park, riders paraded in Rotten Row, the tube had First, Second and Third Class carriages and `pea souper’ fogs were a feature of winter life. These days, many of the fictional family homes remain. The remnants of Old Park Lane, home to Soames’s father James, still have some old houses, as well as new developments. Soames’ sister Winnifred, lived a short walk away, in Green Street, still a fashionble part of Mayfair.

Nearby Stanhope Gate, where Old Jolyon and June lived, still has some old mansions, though many houses are now offices.On the north side of Hyde Park, Bayswater, home to `the aunts’ and regular family gatherings in houses which are now hotels. Montpelier Square, Soames and Irene’s unhappy home, is still a fashionable Knightsbridge adress, close to Harrods. Smith Square, Westminster, remains within hearing distance of Big Ben’s chimes, as it did when home to the young wife and social hostess Fleur Mont and her husband Michael.

A short train ride takes you to the site of one of the most evocative houses in the series, Robin Hill. The house which Soames so disastrously employed Bosinney to create, and where the architect and Irene fell in love, is said to have been influenced by Galsworthy’s youth in Kingston.

Sweeping views out over the countryside, especially beautiful in autumn, can be seen in nearby Richmond Park, from the famous King’ Henry’s Mound.

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Literary Travels

Susan Hampshire as Fleur in The Forsyte Saga

The Forsyte Saga cast

John Galsworthy

Richmond Park was also, of course, was the setting for the courtship of Jolyon’s daughter Holly and Winnifed’s son Val Dartie. After returning from South Africa, they farmed on the South Downs, where young Fleur and Jon courted.

unchanged and atmospheric, whether on summer evenings, or in drifting autumn mists.

One of the story’s most important residences, was, of course, Mapledurham, Soames’ Thames side house. This was where he courted his second wife, Annette, where Fleur was born, where Michael Mont pursued her, and finally, where Soames died protecting her in a fire in his picture gallery.

With its magnificent rooms, views and even a picture gallery, it is easy to see where Galsworthy got his inspiration for the home of the Man of Property. Mapledurham is open to groups, throughout summer up to end of October, and the general public on Sundays. Take the train to Reading and go taxi. For a more picturesque trip, join a summer river cruise from nearby Caversham Pier to visit the house, stroll around, enjoy a cream tea and return by boat.

It was very probably based on the real Mapledurham House, an Elizabethan manor house by the Thames, and owned by a friend of Galsworthy, who regularly visited. It has remained essentialy unchanged The river landing stage, old boat house, lock and the river meadows are

www.mapledurham.co.uk www.visitsurrey.com www.visitsoutheastengland.com www.thamesrivercruises.co.uk

90 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

where Irish made treasures are found... where Irish made treasures are found... where Irish made treasures are found... where Irish made treasures are found...

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WHERE HISTORY & CULTURE LIVE ON Russborough is home to one of the most impressive private art collections in Ireland, including Gainsborough, Singer Sargent and van Ostade, which may be viewed by taking a guided tour of the house.

COME VISIT US! RHSI 18th Century Walled Garden is available for pre booked tours. * Gift Shop & Restaurant * For Family Fun there is a Maze, Fairy trail, Playground & Tree trail * Free Coach Park * €2 Car Park Location: 20 km from Dublin off the N81 and 4.5 km from Blessington, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Tel: + 353 (0)45 865239 Email: friedaoconnell@ russborough.ie www.russborough.ie Sat Nav GPS: Lat 53.135517 Long 6.572386

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Moran Park House (beside dlr Library), Queens Road, Dún Laoghaire t)

Moran Park House (beside dlr Library), Queens Road, Dún Laoghaire

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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.

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 those with long term medical conditions e.g. heart or lung disease

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

all frontline healthcare workers including carers

You have no spleen or your spleen is not working properly,

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’.

You have a medical condition causing a weakened immune system.

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.

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.

“We’ll be our own lifesavers.

We’ll get the flu vaccine.”

The flu vaccine is a lifesaver for older people and those with long term health conditions.

www.immunisation.ie

Health

Dry mouth Dry mouth or Xerostomeria is a condition affecting the salivary glands ability to produce saliva.

and waking up in the middle of the night with a feeling of dryness. If you are suffering from dry mouth you may also experience discomfort in your dentures or regularly suffer from ulcers or other oral infections. I

There are several causes of dry mouth. Patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy, patients with diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis can all experience dry mouth. A large number of commonly prescribed drugs can also lead to dry mouth. People affected by the condition often display some of the following symptoms; constantly thirsty, difficulty swallowing certain foods, persistent bad breath

The BioXtra range of mouth care products offers a complete solution to dry mouth that works throughout the day and night.

f you suffer from any of these symptoms don’t worry there is help at hand. Bioxtra has a range of products targeted specifically at relieving the symptoms of Dry Mouth. The Dry Mouth Oral Gel and the Gel Mouthspray mimic the action and feel of saliva as well as forming a moisturizing layer over dry gums, tongue and palate.

The Anti-plaque mouth rinse and the non-foaming toothpaste also mimic the action of saliva helping to reduce plague causing bacteria. All of these products are readily available from your local pharmacy without prescription.

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Prescribed and recommended by doctors and dentists

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Retirement

Retirement planning for women: the last taboo?

Every report you read suggests that women can’t catch a break in terms of retirement. Global Consulting Company Mercer released figures in June of this year which shows that Irish women typically retire on incomes that are more than 30 per cent lower than their male counterparts. This is the same for women across the EU. Maretta Dillon reports Some of this income difference is accounted for by virtue of the fact that their starting salary was lower than their male colleague. Typically, when offered a contract of employment to sign, the female’s reaction is one of, ‘Thank you very much’ and she signs the contract. The male colleague is far more likely to say, ‘Thank you very much but I was hoping for a bit more’.

In other words males typically negotiate a better starting salary where females do not. The pay gap is established at the get go and each and every percentage salary increase widens the differential!

Women can be complacent when they think about their income in retirement but the actual numbers are sobering. The full state contributory pension (formerly known as the Old Age Pension) amounts to E12,392 per annum providing the woman has an average of 48 Class

A, E, F, G, H, N or S paid and/or credited PRSI contributions from 1979/80 tax year to the end of the tax year before she reaches pension age (66 currently). This average would entitle her to the maximum pension. If you don’t have some sort of private pension to top this up, trying to live on this amount is just about possible but it’s a tough ask.

Many women do not even qualify for the full state pension as they may have taken time out to look after children – in addition women often take on the role of carer for older relatives. This results in gaps in terms of PRSI contributions as well as losing out on the time to pay into a private pension. However, they may qualify under the Homemaker’s Scheme which came into effect on 6 April 1994. Time out of the workforce caring for children or a person with disability can be disregarded when calculating

96 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

entitlement to a State Pension. A Homemaker is a man or a woman who provides fulltime care for a child under age 12 or an ill or disabled person aged 12 or over. A maximum of 20 homemaking years may be disregarded.

The ongoing pay gap between women and men is not just an RTÉ phenomenon. Plenty of surveys have shown that women doing the same work earn less than their male counterparts regardless of whether they have children or not! On top of this, women are more likely to work in low paid jobs meaning that they start saving and investing later. This is despite the fact that life expectancy for women is four to five years greater than men’s. Most retirement plans are based on the notion of 40 years continuous service which is now outdated even for men and was never very realistic for women.

Those who have stayed at home to look after

For weight loss that stays lost, you need motivation.

5 Stone Loss, 6 Years and Counting!

Melanie before she joined Motivation.

Melanie Reilly lost 5 stone back in 2011 and she has maintained that weight loss for 6 years and counting.

Those of you that have tried diets before will know that keeping the weight off is by far the biggest challenge.

Melanie’s weight loss story is probably not much different to you own situation. Her real triumph is not losing the 5-stone; even though that was a triumph in itself; it’s that she continues to do so, 6 years later.

In Melanie’s own words, “I had a very unhealthy diet and unhealthy lifestyle in general. I had no work/life balance. I was unaware of how much weight I had actually put on. I had low confidence levels and I was self-conscious of my body image.

On top of that I always felt tired and complained of no energy.

A work colleague told me about Motivation Weight Management, having joined herself and successfully lost weight. I knew I had to do something to turn my life around as my eating habits were affecting other areas of my life. I wanted to be slim, fit and healthy again and to maintain a healthy weight. I contacted the Motivation clinic in the Beacon Medial Centre.

I found the Motivation programme life changing in lots of ways. The concept was not complicated and it was so effective.

I loved the way it dealt with the emotion behind the eating and was not just ‘another diet’. And, as I’ve discovered, I made lifestyle changes that I’ve maintained for over 6 years now.

I received great support from my Motivation consultant. I built up a good relationship as things were open and relaxed and I was able to talk over any issues. I was made to feel very comfortable from day one. They kept me on track knowing that I was checking in each week. Also, the fact that all my consultations were private provided a good support structure to go through any areas I was unsure of. I got lots of hints and tips for getting through difficult times such as holidays, long or shift working hours, where food may become a potential problem if not in my normal routine.

I started to lose weight from week one and I felt really motivated by this. The food plan was very easy to stick to and I never felt hungry.

The programme consists of excellent motivational tools. I found the CDs and book that came with the initial folder particularly helpful. I read the book about 5 times, over and over. I think it helped recondition me so I could think differently about my relationship with food and the potential blockages that sat behind the overeating.

I lost 5 stone with Motivation and feel reinvented! I am much more confident, active, self-assured. I now have an active healthy lifestyle including running. Something I would not have attempted before I joined Motivation.

Motivation has changed my life for the better in so many ways. There is so much more to be gained apart from weight loss by walking through the doors of Motivation. Just take that first step!

Motivation Weight Management operate a nationwide network of weight loss clinics. So, whether you want to lose a few pounds or a few stone, we’ll give you the key to staying slim and healthy FOR LIFE. Call 1850 30 6000 or visit motivation.ie

Retirement children are particularly vulnerable. Many stay-at-home parents expect to rely on their spouse/partner’s income to see them through retirement. However, life is not always that dependable and circumstances alter. It is important that both partners have discussed the financial implications of pensions and annuities in the event of the death of the contributing spouse or partner.

Changes in relationships particularly post 50 can have serious impacts on pensions and income. Divorce whether initiated by the male or female partner usually has enormous financial consequences. Women need to be aware of their rights and entitlements with regard to pensions and spousal support particularly if they have been a stay-at-home partner supporting the full time earner.

Those women who are in paid employment should be able to opt into a company pension paid by the employer. By law, if you are not offered a company pension, your employer must offer you access to a standard PRSA (Personal Retirement Savings Account) which is a type of personal pension. Usually in the case of a company pension both the employee and the employer make contributions. The best outcome is where the employer matches the employee contribution so the more you save the more your employer puts in.

All of the above is a great and prudent idea if

you are starting out or if you are lucky enough to be in a well-paid job with a company pension. If that’s not you, it may be your daughter, granddaughter or niece, so make sure to advise them to start saving early.

For a lot of women – both older and younger – working part time and job sharing is the reality. This results in a decrease in income and pension but is a decision many women take to look after family. As a part-time worker, you are entitled to the same access to a pension as a comparable full time employee. If the part time work does pay well, try not to fall below E33,800 as you are no longer paying income tax at the higher rate - and so you cannot claim pension tax relief at the top rate either.

If, you are now an older woman who for whatever reasons does not have a private pension and does not qualify for the state pension, then you may qualify for the non-contributory state pension. But only if you meet all the criteria: aged over 66; pass the means test; meet the habitual residence condition you may qualify.

The current rate of state pension (non-contributory) is E11,804 – another scary number.

Women have to be more resourceful when thinking about retirement. First up, can you extend your working life for a little bit longer? The question of mandatory retirement at age 65 is now up for debate. If you can work for even a couple more years, if allowed, this can make a

OnL ineI nN o Ti m e This issue Keith from OnlineInNoTime is bringing you a new feature, to try to help you with all your technical problems whether you are having problems with your computer, iPad, phone or any of the peripherals that should be connecting to it.

amazing advantages to our day. From talking to the kids in foreign climes via video, ordering your shopping online, online banking or making free phone calls. Internet connectivity has so much to offer the older citizen nowadays not least massive money saving in so many areas.

OnlineInNoTime is a company that helps with all things tech. We have years of experience in helping the older generation get connected to the Internet and encourage a client led learning environment in the comfort of your own home.

So, in English, we come your home, get you connected and teach you how to stay there, at your pace. Our mentors are also Garda vetted for your assurance.

Each issue I will endeavour to help you iron out your tech difficulties, give you some top tips, point you to some great apps and websites.

There are many of you that may have tried to learn computers before and ended up in a course, out of your depth, learning things you never wanted or need. For others there may be difficulty with a formal learning environment and then there is good ol’ technophobia.

So why should I try to? There are so many advantages to having these devices at your fingertips nowadays. Whether it is a mobile phone, iPad or android tablet. They all bring

It’s a big connected world out there. Be part of it.

In the meantime, feel free to contact OnlineInNoTime to avail of the range of plans that they offer to help you get connected and stay there.

Post your tech questions viaemail: keith@onlineinnotime.ie Post: OnlineInNoTime. 141 Woodlawn Park Grove, Firhouse D24E2C7. www.OnlineInNoTime.ie Telephone: 086 6007772/ 01 5613511

98 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

big difference. Can you generate some additional income? Do you have a second property that you can rent out? If not, the rent-a-room scheme might be an option. It is possible to earn up to E14,000 per annum tax free by renting out a room or rooms in your own house to private tenants – student anyone? Essentially, you need to come up with Plan B. Talking about finances can be awkward and women are sometimes to blame by avoiding the conversation but keeping yourself informed as well as adopting a proactive approach is the best option – no more taboo.

The RPCI discuss all of these financial and legal issues in full detail as a core part of their pre-retirement courses.

Established in 1974, the RPCI is a Registered Charity, a not for profit organisation, wholly independent of all financial institutions and with a voluntary board of directors. RPCI is based at 14/15 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2 Ph: 01 478 9471 / www.rpc.ie Courses are held in Dublin and around the country on a very regular basis. Please check the website for more details.

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.

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Social planning Very few people are prepared for the death of a loved one and at this time you need the help of professionals who can handle all the necessary funeral arrangements with compassion and exceptional attention to detail.

The steps involved in organising a funeral Fanagans are one of Ireland’s longest established Funeral Directors. They provide reassurance that even the smallest detail will be attended to and that every individual requirement will be carried out in a dignified manner.

We spoke to Jody Fanagan, Managing Director, Fanagans Funeral Directors, about the steps involved in organising a funeral. He explained that due to the fact that many families are not familiar with arranging a funeral, their initial concern is what to do first. The first step depends on where the death has occurred and the circumstances.

When someone dies at home The first step will be to contact the deceased GP who will be required to visit the home to confirm that death has occurred. A Minister of their faith is also often contacted.

When someone dies in hospital, hospice or nursing home A doctor will attend to confirm that death has occurred.

When someone dies suddenly Sudden deaths, should be reported to An Garda Siochána, who will refer the death to The Coroner. A post-mortem examination may take place.

Next Steps The next step is to contact your funeral Director. At Fanagans Funeral Directors a member

of their professional team will either visit you in your own home or you may choose to visit one of their funeral homes to discuss all the options available to you. Every person is unique, so every funeral should be too. Their aim is to ensure that the final tribute is a true reflection of the families wishes.

Fanagans will discuss matters such as whether you would prefer a religious or non-religious (humanist) service and whether you would like the deceased to be buried or cremated. They will guide you through coffin options including a range of Irish made eco coffins. They assist with the selection, music, hymns, prayers, funeral service booklets and flowers. They help you with the preparation and placement of the death notice for newspapers and RIP.ie.

You may like a limousine for the family and you may choose to pass the house en-route to the church or cemetery. In addition, they liaise with the clergy on your behalf and other 3rd parties such as the graveyard or crematorium.

After the funeral As your needs do not end after the funeral has taken place, Fanagans will advise you on the follow-up of important matters such as: • Registration of the death and obtaining the official death certificate • Selection of an urn or casket for cremated ashes • Bereavement grants • A headstone or an inscription

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Jody Fanagan, Managing Director, Fanagans Funeral Directors

• They will also give you a comprehensive guide regarding the various companies and people who need to be informed following a death.

Jody Fanagan concludes “maintaining quality service standards will always be paramount in our business. We put enormous effort and thought into looking after the family themselves who are left behind at this extremely difficult time in their lives. It is our responsibility to lift the burden from their shoulders and use our experience and knowledge to help families make the most appropriate choices” For further information: Phone: 01 4167700 – This is a 24 hour service and all calls are answered personally Visit our website: www.fanagans.ie Email: Info@fanagans.ie

Fit The indoor & outdoor activities supplement

Edited by Conor O’Hagan

Hillwalking

Magic moments Conor O’Hagan walks you around Killarney National Park

Hillwalking in the autumn and winter months can be hugely rewarding; the crispness of the air and clarity of views make these amongst the best of times to be out in the wilds – as long as you’re suitably attired – and have a Plan B. And when it comes to alternatives, there are few towns better equipped to divert you when the weather turns rough than Killarney, and few towns better placed to enjoy good weather.

Beneath the wild rugged summits of Ireland’s highest mountains, Killarney is a magical location that can take your breath away. Killarney National Park is one of the most dramatically beautiful reserves in Ireland. Craggy mountains loom over brooding lakes, while native red deer roam through ancient woodland. This is where you’ll find one of Ireland’s

Knockree Estate

most important habitats. If you feel like escaping into nature for a day or a weekend, it’s the perfect base.

First established in 1932 to protect one of Ireland’s most precious natural habitats, Killarney National Park is set beneath the intimidating summits of the country’s highest mountains, and encloses the largest area of ancient woodland in Ireland.

The park and surrounding areas are packed with opportunities for walkers, but a great place to start is Muckross Estate, 5km south of Killarney town on the Ring of Kerry. Most routes centre around Muckross Lake, and the quickest circuit around the Lake takes roughly three hours.

Optional side-trips to places like the spectacular Torc Waterfall can add two or more hours.

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Hillwalking

Torc Waterfall

Muckross Lake Loop Start & Finish: Muckross House Distance: 15km Time: 4hrs – 5hrs Ascent: 100m Terrain: paved lanes and earthen footpaths Grade: moderate Map: OSi 1:50,000 Most walks begin and end at Muckross House, a large stately home dating from 1843. They involve a minimum of climbing, and include visits to the beautiful formal gardens and historic buildings of the Muckross Demesne.

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Hillwalking

Moving along the route, quiet green paths take you down to small beaches and rocky coves of Muckross Lake, where you can watch herons hunt for food. The trail then leads you across onto the Muckross Peninsula, with the spur of the land separating Muckross Lake from the larger Lough Leane. Here, you enter Reenadinna Wood, the most extensive of Europe’s three large yew woods. Vegetation changes as you pass through an ancient oak wood, complete with luxuriant carpet of moss and ferns. It’s worth keeping your eye out for red squirrels and the celebrated red deer here.

At the western end of Muckross Lake is Dinis Cottage, a 200- year old hunting lodge. Just behind the cottage, a short path leads to the Meeting of the Waters, where the waters of Killarney’s Upper Lake flow down to join the lower loughs. Lakeside tracks and wooded paths bring you back to Muckross House. Shortly before reentering the Estate, an optional side-trip leads to the top of Torc Waterfall, but this 4km circuit can also be tackled in its own right.

Muckross House itself was built for Henry Arthur and Mary Balfour Herbert by Scottish architect William Burn between 1839 and 1843. But the real work began on the exquisite gardens in the 1850s, in preparation for Queen Victoria’s visit in 1861.

Torc Waterfall Loop Start & Finish: Muckross House Distance: 4.5km Time: 2hrs Ascent: 150m Terrain: paved lanes and earthen footpaths Grade: moderate Map: OSi 1:50,000 sheet 78.

See www.osi.ie

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The trail for the Torc Waterfall turns right off the Lake Loop as you leave the Estate, and climbs through the trees to cross the sparkling Owengarriff River, just above the main falls. A series of steps then leads you back down through the woodland on the eastern side of the river to the more traditional viewpoint at the bottom of the 18m-high Torc Waterfall cascade.

The trail ends by passing through a dry tunnel in the road bridge before you rejoin the Lake Loop for the return to Muckross House. At the end of the walk, check out the carefully preserved interior of Muckross House; take a ride in a jaunting car (pony trap); or, if you’re feeling indulgent, reward yourself with a visit to any of Killarney’s profusion of pubs and restaurants.

Knockreer & Ross Castle 5 Mile Loop Distance: 8km/5 miles Time: 3hrs Terrain: Paved paths, parkland, lakeshore, riverbank Ascent: Flat throughout, steady incline/decline at beginning If you have a preference for paved paths off the beaten track, this scenic 5 mile/8 km route through Killarney National Park is a charmer.

The route is largely contained within the Knockreer area of Killarney National Park, passing Ross Castle at the 5km mark. Knockreer is located right next to Killarney town centre and brings the National Park right into the town. This route offers superb views and abundant wildlife in peaceful surrounds. All of the loop is within the boundaries of Killarney National Park, with no vehicular traffic.

Start from the Deenagh Lodge, located at the entrance to Killarney National Park directly opposite St. Mary’s Cathedral, about a ten-minute walk from Killarney town centre. A cycle path and footpath along Mission road will take you directly there.

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Hillwalking

Head up the steady incline at the rear of the Lodge towards Knockreer House and Gardens. Knockreer House is located on the site of the original Killarney House which was destroyed by fire in 1913.

The house is now home to the Killarney National Park Education Centre, and some of the original walls and steps of Killarney House can be still seen in the Gardens.

The path soon opens up to the vista of Lough Leane and the McGillycuddy Reeks behind. Crossing over the first of three cattle grids on this route is the point where you would branch off to join the Fossa Way trail.

As you continue the gentle descent, the path levels out and begins to circle back towards the starting point.

Continue on the path to a bridge where you will cross the Deenagh river and take an immediate right along the riverbank. Follow the river as it flows towards Lough Leane. The path now turns to follow the lake shore for the next couple of kilometres. The peaks of the McGillycuddy Reeks are to be enjoyed in the breaks of the tree cover. The path rises and falls with the shoreline and can be prone to flooding during times of heavy rainfall.

Along the lakeshore, look out for Innisfallen Island just offshore on Lough Leane. You will see Ross Castle across the lake. After passing over a small canal, turn right at the junction and you will soon reach the car park area of Ross Castle.

From the Ross Castle turn back around and retrace your steps back along the path towards Knockreer. Follow the path and continue past

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the junction to the lakeshore from where you started. Continue straight on through the marshy land with a thick cover of rhododendron for less than a kilometre where you now take the left turn to return towards Killarney. The path opens out again and you will see Killarney House in the distance on your right-hand side. Cross the Deenagh once more to ascend the final slope before returning to Deenagh Lodge.

Conor O’Hagan offers a buyers guide Cycling

It’s Not Cheating!

Conor O’Hagan makes the case for E-Bikes

I’m on about e-bikes again. Last year, a fascinating study appeared in the European Journal of Applied Physiology. No, really – it was interesting and, for once, surprising.

before, with lower body fat. On a more subjective level, they reported enjoying their exercise – which as you and I know, isn’t half the battle, it’s pretty much the whole battle.

Researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder (how many times have you heard that one?) were charged with investigating the effects of electrically-assisted bicycles on fitness. They gave a group of adults with below average fitness an e-bike each on which to commute, recreate or whatever else they felt moved to do.

Nobody (at least, not me) is pretending that an e-bike gives the same workout as a conventional bike. That’s physics for you; the eternal party-pooper. But just as the best form of exercise you can possibly undertake is the exercise you undertake, the best bike you can buy is the bike you’ll ride. And that, of course, is the bike you enjoy riding.

These are the kind of bikes that many regard with suspicion – as cheating, in fact, in the quasi-moral game of fitness, where only pain leads to gain and there are no free lunches. But the researchers used the kind of bikes that require the rider to pedal in order to receive motorised assistance.

Cycling addresses a huge range of exercise fundamentals, promoting cardio-vascular fitness, muscle health, bone strength and joint stability – and burning calories. And by allowing you to range further, faster, e-bikes address the all-important psychological barrier – the voice in your head that says you can’t be bothered, and you hate exercise.

The idea was to determine whether these bikes would provide a meaningful workout for the subjects, who were people unused to regular exercise. A parallel concern was whether use of e-bikes by people with no established history of cycling (at least, since childhood) would entail physical risk in the hurley-burley of road use. The project was in part funded by the city of Boulder in order to assess the safety implications of e-bike use.

Something like 80% of adults don’t get the recommended amounts of exercise per week. There are various reasons for this; four-fifths of you know at least one of them. Time, pre-existing health conditions, accessibility. Weight, of course, is a major, self-perpetuating factor, making exercise uncomfortable, difficult and sometimes even risky.

But the most powerful reason, by far, is inclination. Too many of us either don’t enjoy exercise, or have forgotten that we enjoy it – even though (and this is me) virtually every time we do it, we’re glad we did. Human nature is bizarrely, sometimes depressingly complex, and somehow, for many of us the whole benefit/reward/incentive thing doesn’t work properly when it comes to exercise and fitness.

As usual, the subjects were initially assessed for fitness, body composition, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

They were then sent forth into the world with heart rate monitors, GPS devices and instructions to use the bikes a minimum of three times a week for a month.

On returning to the lab to repeat the original tests and have their heart rate and movement data analysed, it transpired that most of the subjects had considerably exceeded the minimum levels of exercise stipulated, and had ridden at higher-than-expected intensities – at heart rates which meant that even with the benefit of an electric motor, they had been getting a moderate workout. Typically, this level equated to brisk walking or a light jog.

And no, none of them had sustained any physical injury during e-bike use. The riders were, of course, fitter and measurably healthier than 108 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

So the fact that the Colorado guinea pigs reported enjoying themselves while reducing their blood pressure, losing weight, etc. is to me by far the most significant aspect of that report in the estimable European Journal of Applied Physiology. Without it, this would be just another article beginning “Researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder” Come on down, as they say, to the RDS, Dublin on October 20-22, where the people from Cycle Superstore will be demonstrating, talking about and generally evangelising e-bikes. You’ll get the chance to throw a leg across one, ride it and even win one by entering a free draw. A really nice one, in fact. It’ll be fun.

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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

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Charity Number: CHY 6830

Thinking About Volunteering?

Comhlámh staff and board members, Ellen Regan, Charlotte Toner and Mark Cumming with Minister of State, Joe McHugh at the Irish Aid Volunteering Fair on 01 October, 2016.

Comhlámh: the Irish association of volunteers and development workers.

in the work I did. The Indian organisation I worked for had very many young volunteers, and was appreciative of more mature volunteers”.

Comhlámh is a member and supporter organisation open to anyone interested in social justice, human rights and global development issues.

Comhlámh was set-up in 1975 by a group of returned volunteers and development workers to “further international development co-operation”. We provide supports and services to volunteers and development workers and volunteer sending agencies, in order to tackle global inequality. Comhlámh strongly recommends that anyone thinking about volunteering should only travel with a volunteer sending agency that has signed up to our Code of Good Practice, which is a framework of 11 principles that ensure responsible and responsive volunteering practices.

Thinking about volunteering can be exciting, exhilarating and terrifying, which is why we in Comhlámh are here to guide you through the options and available roles you think you might be suited to. You can arrange to come into the office for a chat or we can advise you on the phone, through email or via our social media channels. If you are public servant who is thinking about a career break, we can also offer you advice on how your public service pension scheme will be managed while you are away, even if you decide to do a two year placement! Or perhaps overseas volunteering isn’t for you this year...well how about you get involved in one of our many member groups here in Dublin, Belfast or hopefully Galway in the new year?

Over the past number of years, it’s becoming evident that volunteers are going overseas for shorter and shorter periods (less than four weeks) and the volunteers themselves are getting younger and younger. In order to balance this trend, we would love to see people with more life and work experience applying for roles which will be mutually beneficial to the host project and to the volunteers themselves. Returned volunteer Sara McMurray said about her volunteering experience in India that “I had always loved to travel, but had not expected, after retirement, to be able to set out on such a great adventure as volunteering offered. I felt that, as a retired person, my experience of life was important and useful 110 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

If you would like to know more about the Code, our supports and services, our member groups or other events and activities, please follow the links below or email info@comhlamh.org to arrange to come into the office for a longer chat. We’re here to help you. www.facebook/comhlamh www.Facebook/VolOps www.comhlamh.org Telephone: 01 478 3490

Available at Dyson.ie

We need sunlight to stay healthy

It is becoming increasingly clear to scientists how widespread vitamin D deficiencies are, even among healthy people. Sunlight is an excellent source of vitamin D, but we may even need supplements to be on the safe side.

M

ost people have heard of rickets, the bone malformation that is caused by lack of vitamin D and typically associated with the dark period of Victorian England.

We think of it as a thing of the past, but fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a surprise: it has returned. In the period between 2000 and 2001, researchers at Birmingham Children’s Hospital found 24 rickets victims under the age of five. Dr Shaw, an endocrinologist, was quoted as saying: “That’s high, in that it’s a condition that was thought to have virtually disappeared.”

Sunscreen and diet

In 2010, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism showed a jaw-dropping 59 per cent of the general population in the modern world are vitamin D deficient, with a large proportion having extremely low levels of the vitamin.

One problem is that we are not getting enough of those food sources that are known to deliver the most vitamin D, typically fish. To make things worse, our extensive use of protective sunscreen blocks the natural synthesis of vitamin D that takes place in human

skin in response to sun exposure. As a result, our levels of this important nutrient drop.

The risks involved

Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of many different health problems including impaired immune function, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and several other conditions.

Here are some of the things which science has said about vitamin D in recent years:

science journal ESC Heart Failure. The research was carried out on 137 cardiac outpatients and demonstrated that half of the patients were at risk of developing cardiac failure. The researchers coul also see a clear link between the patients’ heart failure risk and their vitamin D status.

The scientists are not able to point out the exact mechanism, but they believe that it may have something to do with the fact that vitamin D suppresses certain inflammatory processes that contribute to heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases.

How much do we need?

It keeps your muscles healthy

In a study of young women aged 16-22 it was shown that nearly 60% had too little vitamin D and that they had more fat in their muscles, compared with women who had normal vitamin D levels.

It prevents the flu

Japanese scientists successfully demonstrated that school children who received a daily vitamin D supplement were nearly 60% less likely to catch the flu than those who did not get extra vitamin D.

Using an advanced computer simulation technique, American and Norwegian scientists have found that people living in a sunny climate (in this case Florida) are able to get enough sunshine all year round to cover their basic need for vitamin D. In contrast, those living in areas with limited amounts of sunshine (in this case Boston) are not able to get enough vitamin D from sunlight in the winter period. Their research is published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

In another study that was published in the Journal of Nutrition, a group of American scientists recommend that light-skinned people living north of the Equator take at least 30 micrograms of vitamin D during the winter period. Dark-skinned individuals living in similar regions should take 50-70 micrograms all year, the scientists say.

Dark skin does not synthesise vitamin D in response to UV-light as easily as light skin.

150

Low levels of vitamin D could explain why some people develop symptoms of depression, according to a team of researchers from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark.

After reviewing over 250 studies of vitamin D deficiency and its impact on human health, the research team concluded that there is a link. Apparently, patients with schizophrenia and manic depression are often born during the time of year where a mother’s vitamin D levels are low, typically in the spring and winter.

It protects your heart

People with low vitamin D levels have a 12 times greater risk of heart failure than people who have sufficient levels of the nutrient, according to a new study that is published in the

Were you aware that?

• Health authorities used to recommend 5 micrograms (200 international units) of vitamin D per day.

Now, experts suggest between 5 and 10 times as much for normal healthy people.

• Vitamin D toxicity is rare but has occurred with doses of about 50,000 international units per day (1,250 micrograms).

• The body is saturated with so-called vitamin D receptors (‘docking stations’ for vitamin D), suggesting the need for this nutrient.

• Vitamin D is absorbed more easily in the digestion process when dissolved in some sort of lipid like e.g. olive oil.

25(OH)D blood levels (nmol/L)

It prevents depression

130 nmol/L 4 × D-Pearls/day (152 mcg)

125 91 nmol/L 2 × D-Pearls/day (76 mcg)

100

75

50

53 nmol/L Placebo group 1

2

3

4

Weeks

Source: “Effect of vitamin D supplement on 25 (OH) D status” (André Colin Klæboe Baumann), University of Oslo, July 2013

Your immune system needs that winter boost During winter, we are much more susceptible to colds, flus and infections. This, experts believe, is because we get too little sunlight to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.

P

reviously it was thought that vitamin D is required only to keep our bones strong and to help our bodies absorb calcium. However, scientific research has shown that the action of this vitamin is much broader than previously believed. Among other things, it has been established that vitamin D strengthens the immune system and helps the body fight infectious respiratory diseases.

Without sufficient levels of this vitamin, the protective cells of the immune system (T cells) cannot cope with the different infections that affect the upper respiratory tract. In addition, vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can relieve the symptoms of the disease if an infection has already set in.

40% increased risk

American epidemiologists have published the results of what is considered to be the largest study, so far, of the relation between Vitamin D status and the risk of upper respiratory tract infections. A detailed medical examination of laboratory tests of 19,000 people (adolescents and adults) showed that the participants with low levels of vitamin D in the body had a 40% increased risk of colds and flu than those with high levels. At the same time, asthma patients with the lowest vitamin D levels were five times more likely to have had a recent respiratory infection. Among chronic pulmonary disease patients, respiratory infections were twice as common among those with vitamin D deficiency.

Finding the optimal level

You can find out your level of vitamin D by having a special blood test.

According to experts, the optimal level of vitamin D, which should be maintained throughout the year, is from 40 to 70 ng/ml. Scientific studies show that this concentration activates the protective mechanisms of the body and strengthens the immune system.

30 minutes a day

There are three ways to increase the content of vitamin D in your body.

First of all, there is direct exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is formed in the skin under the influence of UVB-rays. Here we should consider two important factors: the synthesis of vitamin D is blocked by 95% when using sunscreen (SPF 8 or higher) and significantly if the natural layer of skin fat is absent.

Therefore, experts recommend spending 15-30 minutes a day in the

sun without a protective cream and not taking a shower for 30-60 minutes after sunbathing to give vitamin D some time to be absorbed.

Getting enough Vitamin D

Unfortunately, in the northern latitudes, including Ireland, the level of UVBradiation may be insufficient for the synthesis of vitamin D, especially from October to April. During this period, supplements of vitamin D may come in handy. When choosing a product, pay attention to its form. Vitamin D is fat soluble, so the capsules with an oil solution are more effective than tablets.

People who avoid the sun may use vitamin D supplements all year round. A small amount of vitamin D (up to 10% of the required norm) can be obtained with food. The main sources of this vitamin are fatty fish, egg yolks and specially enriched dairy products.

Your bone structure

depends on vitamin D You must take your vitamin D status seriously if you want to maintain strong bones throughout life.

One of the really massive costs on the healthcare budget is treatment of bone fractures, a problem that typically affects the ageing population. A good place to start in terms of preventing such fractures is to encourage the general population to get adequate vitamin D from sunlight, diet and possibly, supplements. Modern science has found that the majority of us lack vitamin D and since this particular vitamin is of extreme importance to bone health, there is every reason to take action. According to published studies, as much as two thirds of Europeans, including the otherwise healthy, have insufficient vitamin D levels.

Serious problem

This is serious, as one of vitamin D’s roles is to promote healthy mineralisation, growth and remodeling of bone tissue. With too little vitamin D in your bloodstream, you are at increased risk of thin, brittle or misshaped bones.

Low mineral density

One of vitamin D’s most important functions is to maintain skeletal calcium balance by helping the digestive system to absorb calcium. At the same time it supports the embedding of calcium in bone tissue.

Lack of vitamin D may result in low bone mineral density and increased loss of bone tissue. Studies have shown a positive correlation between vitamin D levels and bone mineral density in the hip.

Large study:

You need vitamin D to stay alive People with the lowest levels of vitamin D in the body are significantly more llkely to die of cancer, cardiovascular disease and respiratory ailments, according to a large study of middle-aged and elderly Germans.

S

unshine, oily fish and supplements are all excellent ways of increasing your levels of vitamin D, a nutrient that appears to reduce your risk of dying. Reporting ahead of print in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, German researchers from the German Cancer Research Centre point to a relation between vitamin D status and mortality risk. By following a large group of 50-74-year-old men for nearly 10 years and pitching their vitamin D levels against their mortality rate, the scientists found a strong inverse relation between death risk and vitamin status.

71% increased mortality risk

Individuals who had vitamin deficiency were 71% more likely to die of any cause, compared with those who had sufficient levels of the vitamin. The risk of dying of cardiovascular disease specifically was increased by 39% among those who were vitamin D deficient and there was a 150% increase in respiratory disease mortality. All figures are significant.

Adding to the proof

The German study adds to the growing pile of studies linking low vitamin D levels to increased mortality. In 2012, a

study published in the American Journal of Cardiology pointed out that people with low vitamin D levels were 164% more likely to die of hypertension, coronary artery disease, or diabetes than those who had plenty of vitamin D in their blood.

Both the recent German study and the American study from 2012 defined vitamin D deficiency as vitamin D levels lower than 30 nmol/L. Source: “Strong associations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations with all-cause, cardiovascular, cancer, and respiratory disease mortality in a large cohort study”

How to protect yourself against preeclampsia Norwegian scientists have found a 25% lower risk of preeclampsia among women who supplement with vitamin D.

A

s many as 10 per cent of all pregnant women risk developing preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous combination of hypertension and protein excretion in the urine.

But according to researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health who have conducted a study of over 20,000 pregnant women, a vitamin D supplement may cut the risk by around 25%.

The researchers reported a 27% risk reduction among women who took daily vitamin D supplements of 10-15 micrograms compared with those who did not, but a correlation between vitamin D intake and omega-3 fatty acid intake was observed and as the scientists note: “further research is needed to disentangle the separate effects of these nutrients”.

The underlying mechanism of preeclampsia is not fully understood, but oxidative stress has been suggested as a determining factor in the pregnancy complication that is responsible for around 60,000 deaths annually on a global scale.

An increasing number of scientific studies suggest that the majority of people in Western countries lack vitamin D. Some experts claim as much as 70-75% of the population gets too little vitamin D to meet the body’s requirements. Good sources of vitamin D are oily fish, egg and liver. The vitamin is also synthesised in the skin in response to sunlight. Supplements such as D-Pearls are convenient for ensuring adequate levels of the vitamin. Each capsule provides 20 micrograms of biologically active vitamin D in ecological, cold-pressed olive oil.

Source: Epidemiology, September 2009, vol. 20;5:720-726

What is Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition characterised by a combination of hypertension and significant amounts of protein in the urine (proteinuria). Elevated blood pressure is the most visible sign of the condition, but other complications are involved such as damage to the maternal endothelium, kidneys and liver. About 5-10% of all pregnancies are complicated by pre-eclampsia and there are The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released a Scientific around 60,000 annual deaths worldwide Opinion on safe upper intake levels for vitamin D. EFSA concludes that as a result of this condition for there are no safety concerns for a daily intake of up to 100 mcg vitamin D. which there is no cure.

How to increase your vitamin D status

There are things you can do to increase your vitamin D levels. Here is some general advice: • Make sure to get a certain amount of unprotected sun exposure (sunscreen with a factor above 7-8 is known to block the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin) • Eat plenty of fish • Use supplements with vitamin D in an oil solution.

Research shows that it increases the bio-availability of the nutrient.

Get your “Sunshine vitamin” (even in Ireland!)

Did you know that: • Sunlight is our primary source of vitamin D and its very difficult to get an adequate amount from our food alone.

• We fail to get sufficient vitamin D because the sun is too weak seven months a year.

• An SPF 8 or higher blocks the production of vitamin D. • Vitamin D is important for healthy skin, bones and teeth.

• Vitamin D supports the immune system.

• Vitamin D helps maintain muscle function.

D-Pearls: • Are dissolved in cold-pressed olive oil for optimal absorption.

• Come in small, easy-to-swallow “pearls” which are also chewable.

• Available in 38ug(1520iu) and 75ug(3000iu).

• Made from lanolin – the best organic vitamin D source.

Please contact us if you would like more information on D-Pearls Pharma Nord®

+ Available in pharmacies and health food stores!

Tel: 01 899 1650 • Fax: 01 885 3893 Email: ireland@pharmanord.com Web: www.pharmanord.ie

Life and living

Breath and other reflections As he nears sixty Martin Malone takes stock and publishes another book!

Hitting the Big Four O didn’t unduly cause much ripple in my thought processes. For sure there were some realisations, as in noticing the beginning of the slowing down process, the receding hairline, how easy it was to add but not subtract weight gain, but overall I didn’t feel the years too large a burden. Hitting the Big Five O. Well the years showed their fangs in the deep excavations around the corners of my eyes and along my forehead. Teeth seem eager to flee from my gums. Diabetes Type 2 reared its ugly head and my children grew beards. A marriage died and some friends too, seemingly healthy, passed away in their late 50’s and early 60’s. Sixty is what I’m facing into this year. At times it’s a cheerless prospect – only at times.

Looking back, briefly: since I turned 40 I’ve written 11 books, a stage play, a TV script, travelled to Italy, India(2), the U.S. When I hit 50, I went to TCD as a mature student and was awarded a Masters in the Philosophy of Creative Writing, and later did a TEFL course. I suppose too, I refined my spiritual practices in the sense that I practise Japa Yoga, and have a strong sense of faith – to my mind, regarding the Creator, it takes a leap of faith to believe and a leap of faith not to ; in the end it doesn’t matter whether you believe or not; in the end nothing matters, but what matters before then is being open to love.

‘This Cruel Station is a compellingly acute chronicle of history's sly, inexorable requisitions; these surgically precise but essentially humane observations represent a collection of stories as strong as you are likely to read all year.’

Now sees me teaching English to Syrian and Iraqi refugees in a part-time capacity.

Now sees my 11th book on the shelves; I started writing in my early thirties and had my first book published when I was 43. ‘This Cruel Station’ is a collection of short stories diverse in content and style. Rita is one of four elderly women travelling to Portugal on holiday, a break that takes a turn for the worse; a husband and wife after losing their son reach the point when it’s time for them to move on; Antoine Lahad brings a baggage of dark secrets from Iraq to Ireland; another man reflects on his great grandfather’s role in the rising of 1916; a woman surrenders all to live in a closed convent...

Now, sees me at this crossroads...I have several writing projects in mind, I want to travel this year, perhaps Iceland but my partner yearns for a sunnier clime. We shall see where the ‘breath’ brings us.’

Martin Malone

Age. I am tired of hearing people espousing others to live in the ‘now;’ as it’s impossible. No one has ever lived in the now, simply because time does not stand still to allow us to achieve this. To live in the ‘now.’ means that time must stand still. So to my mind it is best to focus on the fact that none of us is guaranteed a next breath, and to overcome the fear that comes with knowing this fact. We are wired to bury this knowledge and this leads us astray from the real message – a cliché is to say to take time out to smell the roses – in essence this means: enjoy the breath,

I’m 59, but later in 2017 that might change. This is the age by father took seriously ill. This is the age when I have begun to really feel the bite of — Patrick McCabe time. This is the age when aches and pains take a while longer to shift.

This is the age of questioning and reflection. Just as you cannot predict your next breath, you cannot claim a breath back, so when reminiscing it’s important not to forget to come up for air – not to dwell there too long, neither with bad memories nor good ones, neither with mistakes nor hurts. Living in the past doesn’t work. There, there is no breath to be found.

So to the ‘now’.

The stories in This Cruel Station explore what it is like to be Irish — and new Irish — in today's society. Inspired by his observations and interactions with recently-arrived refugees from Syria and Iraq, where Martin served for one of his six tours of duty with the UN in the region, and of his fellow Irish, Malone has created a series of authentic and evocative voices that are both brave and daring, yet fearful.

9 781907 682490

118 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

stories

Doire Press

ISBN 978-1-907682-49-0

€ 13.99

THIS CRUEL STATION THIS CRUEL STATION

In my soldiering days, during my trips to the Middle East, I always took time out to study the history of the places I hoped to visit; Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Tyre, Sidon, Babylon and I do likewise before taking trips around the home country. For me, this is important, as I like to know a Doire Press www.doirepress.com little about the breaths past, to tune in with the energy that breath gives to a place. It’s an aspect, I suppose, of mindfulness - a buzz word of the moment.

These surgically precise but essentially humane observations represent a collection of stories as strong as you are likely to read all year.

—Patrick McCabe

Martin Malone

‘This Cruel Station; Stories’ is published by Doire Press, Aille, Inverin, Galway. www.doirepress.com

Meeting Place A result!

Thanks to a recent advertisement in Meeting Place, I have met a lovely lady and we meet once a week, which suits us both. The fact that Mary lives in a different county is not an issue, and never will be. I’ve been a widower now for nearly four years and it is lovely to have a companion to share things with. We both have the same interests – movies, theatre, reading, music, politics, current affairs and good conversation so there is never any problem. If we don’t go to the cinema or the theatre, we meet up in a cafe, a bar or a hotel lounge for coffee, tea or as the fellow said, whatever you’re having yourself. Mary is a divorcee and I’m a widower so now it’s happiness for us both. Life is good again, all because of Meeting Place. Thank you again, Senior Times. (Signed) Ray. CARE TO SHARE the enjoyment of retirement years with genuine, caring and sociable professional Limerick widow? I have very varied interests including current affairs, theatre, art, reading and travel. I would welcome the opportunity to share the pleasure of some of these hobbies and other new ones with a good humoured, kind and sincere gentleman age 66-72. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J1 I WILL ADORE YOU FOREVER. Gentleman, 60s, Dublin, never married. Romantic, active, happy, supportive, caring, emphatic, respectful.

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120 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

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MATURE CO WICKLOW LADY WLTM nice gent to share this coming summer. Usual interests. REPLY TO BOX F2 CO MEATH, KIND, SINCERE, ACTIVE, slim outgoing lady, 62, NS, SD, good appearance, enjoys current affairs, reading, walking/hiking, golf, travelling, theatre, concerts, dining out etc., WLTM sincere, NS gentleman of similar age and interests for friendship/relationship.

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122 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

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REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J7 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 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 24th November 2017.

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).

“Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional” Chili Davis

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Crossword Crossword Number 90 by Zoë Devlin

ACROSS 1 4 7 10 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 28 29 33 35 36 39 42 43 44 45 50 51 52 53 55 56 58 59 61 62 64 66 67 68 69 75 76 77 82 83 84 85 89 91 93 94 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104

Brown of old photos (5) Dutch painter, Vincent ___ ___ (3,4) French artist, Claude ___, sounds like cash? (5) Footballer, David ___, husband of Posh Spice (7) Container holding substance under pressure (7) Residence provided by church for parson (7) Tread carefully when you do business! (5) Pale purple colour (5) And 39 Across. Irish painter of west of Ireland landscapes (4,5) Recuperates from an illness (8) Used again or reprocessed (8) Small inlet or bay (4) Would a toiler hang around? (6) Authoritative declaration or pronouncement (6) US Actor, Kevin ___ or just stupefied? (6) Wear a straw hat through this canal (6) Giving up or admitting defeat (8) English landscape painter or police officer? (9) Coin equal to a quarter of a penny (8) See 19 Across.

Old World swine with narrow body and tusks (4) Stringed instrument or little pansy? (5) Round vegetable for an ape? (3) Inventor of the telephone (4) See 80 Down. (2,5) Slender graceful young woman (5) Tom ___, one of Hans Andersen’s tales (5) Winner of Nobel Prize for Literature, Seamus ___ (6) Products of human creativity (3) Seed of cereal grass (3) Eloquent, able to express oneself readily (6) Publication such as the Dandy or Beano? (5) Food of the gods in the Old Testament (5) Dutch painter renowned for use of light (7) Cry used to hail a ship (4) Vessel with wide mouth and no handles (3) Last letter of Greek alphabet (5) Graven image or paragon? (4) Smooth fabric of silk or rayon (5) No salami for La Gioconda (4,4) Give up, relinquish or cede (9) Bare, barren, bleak (8) US artist, leader of Pop Art movement, Andy ___ (6) Make an unbearably loud noise (6) Can Emu show this keen insight into business? (6) Light evening meal (6) Those who are voting in the negative (4) Mackintosh or waterproof (8) Revealing .. disclosing unintentionally (8) Be unsuccessful.. botch (4) Jewelled headdress worn by a woman (5) Brief, crisp and to the point (5) Jorge Mario Bergoglio, AKA Pope ___ (7) Place on a list of items (7) State of rapture or small pill? (7) Fertile tract in a desert (5) Spanish artist, Pablo ___. So aspic! (7) French painter of ballet dancers, Edgar ___ (5)

124 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 16 23 24 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 37 38 40 41 46 47 48 49 54 57 60 61 63 65 70 71 72 73 74 78 79 80 81 86 87 88 90 92 93 95 96

Thin straight surgical knife (7) Large bristly mammal .. price upon application! (9) In addition ... besides ... likewise (4) Silky densely piled fabric used in curtains (6) Drug that produces stupor or lethargy (8) Bent metal parts of angling equipment (5) Our Lord ___ lives in the Mansion House (5) Perceptible, detectable, like a botanic eel? (10) Margaret Hilda ___ or one skilled in roof making? (8) Maker of ale or beer (6) Composure or steadiness of mind (4) Expression of greeting (5) Renaissance sculptor/painter who came each long mile? (12) Invention or art - maybe a reaction? (8) Repair or patch (4) Music composed in triple time (5) Handel’s 1742 oratorio (7) Pimpernel, fever or with embarrassment (7) Similar (5) Drunkard .. can his normal state be inertia? (9) Type of vehicle found in Navan and Cavan (3) American born violinist, ___ Menuhin (6) King whose children were turned into swans (3) I await cost for this sleeveless garment (9) 17thc. Dutch old master, ___ van Rijn (9) Fictional work such as detective or crime (5) Yea, Ken, you were a Union soldier (6) Go upward with gradual progress (5) Amusing, mirthful or 59 Across (5) French singer, Maurice ___, did he leave rich? (9) Large marine mammal with tusks (6) Expel or chuck out (5) Alloy which takes the third place medal (6) Former British P.M. who loved romance? (7) Deep purplish red .. colour of a magnate? (7) My mate twenty years ago - sang ‘Stand by your man’ (5,7) Proprietor or possessor (5) Each and every ... (3) A flower for Leopold and Molly! (5) Once pounds shillings & pence, now drug of abuse (1.1.1.)

Big yellow blooms painted by 4 Across (10) Form of government whose head is not monarch (8) Burden or encumbrance, not a bonus! (4) Requesting urgently or being attractive (9) And 50 Across. Italian painter of 75 Across (8,2,5) Tooth doctors (8) Large sea waves or hair curlers? (7) Dough such as puff or short (6) Warm ocean current AKA the Christ child (2,4) Periods of time (5) Bunches of hair or grass (5) Plod or trudge (5) A tad of information or facts? (4) Group of cattle or sheep (4)

Four copies of Alice Taylor’s Home for Christmas to be won!

Senior Times, in association with the publishers, O’Brien Press, are offering four copies of the latest book from the hugely popular Alice Taylor, Home for Christmas. This is Christmas old and new, told, as only Alice can tell it, in warm, welcoming, joyful, wonderful storytelling.

A book to savour at the winter fireside.

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 2017.

Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie 125

Mistle Thrush.

Keeping a close eye on its favouriteNature bushes (Oran O’Sullivan)

The Wildlife Garden, month by month

by Oran O’Sullivan

Oran O’Sullivan, is co-author of Ireland’s Garden Birds and owner of the website and online shop www.irishgardenbirds.ie. Oran has enjoyed feeding and watching birds in his garden, for over fifty years.

November Once the clock goes back and the inevitable shut down of garden activity becomes a reality, we need to review our priorities. Growth is close to a standstill, trees and shrubs are busy shedding the last of their leaves after an autumnal show of reds and gold. A few hours in the garden can be uplifting and a few simple actions can make a difference and help garden wildlife survive the harshness of winter months to come.

Foremost on the shortened gardening list is phase 2 of bulb planting: action now will repay you in very early spring with a display for you and a show of nectar for early flying bees: try planting Crocuses and Snowdrops in winter flowering heathers, and fabulous Snakeshead Fritillaries in damp areas. Always plant in groups for maximum effect and wildlife benefit.

If you are inclined to tidy and feel a need to gather up leaves, pop them into the compost heap or bag them for leaf mould if you have a large quantity, instead of burning.

If you are not already feeding birds, get the regime up and running now: the best bird garden is the one that always has food available in the feeder. After that, it is just a matter of what choices you wish to offer your garden visitors and complementary food should always be high calorie and low in salt content. Sound management of plants in the herbaceous border is also vital. Try and retain standing perennials, at least until February: the dry and withered stalks can look good and more importantly, insects harboured in hollow stalks can provide food for Wrens and Dunnocks and provide a haven for beneficial insects such as Ladybirds. A micro climate with some cover at ground level will retain a degree or two more than an open, windswept patch of ground: Vitally important for small birds after a long, cold frosty night.

Long Tailed Tits. Small birds must feed constantly to survive low winter temperatures (pic Oran O’Sullivan) Waxwing A bird to brighten any winter day! (pic R. Coombes)

December The darkest month also brings us hope and a chance of a new beginning at its end. Depending on the severity of the winter, both here but more importantly on the continent of Europe, we can experience some very significant movements of birds. Common residents such as Chaffinches, Blackbirds and Goldcrests are joined by many more of their type from Northern and central Europe. The exodus from Scandinavia can be marked when the Rowan crop fails there: these conditions can trigger the arrival of an exotic visitor such as the Waxwing: a nomadic and irruptive species that patrols our towns and villages in search of an ornamental berry tree laden with fruit, such as Cotoneaster, Firethorn or Crab Apple, to name a few.

Blackcap This male is attracted to feed on an Apple placed on the tip of a branch (pic R. Coombes)

over a prominent Holly bush and chase away relatives, indeed all comers, with a noisy and persistent passion. The Ivy is a symbol of everlasting friendship. It should be welcomed for providing nectar in late autumn, berries into late winter, when all others are stripped and glossy foliage for cover and nesting. Like all good performers, it needs some management to keep it in check. Ivy sustains winter visitors like the Blackcap, a warbler that has adapted to winter in our towns and cities, they will also feed on wind fallen Apples and peanuts from the feeder. Ivy berries provide the late winter boost to assist in the Blackcaps return migration to central Europe.

Holly. The late berries are important food source:, not just for Christmas! (pic Oran O’Sullivan)

Two other berry bearing plants at their peak now also have a deeper significance in our countryside lore. Holly is said to hold a power over evil forces and protects and provides: especially if you are a Mistle Thrush! These barrel-chested thrushes will defend a territory

126 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

See the range, Shop on line or in store at Blooms and Rooms, Mount Usher Garden Centre, Ashford, Co Wicklow.

Follow my blog on www.irishgardenbirds.ie Read the new 2nd edition of Ireland’s Garden Birds

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Christmas Cards of Yore

Crafts

Connie McEvoy takes a seasonal look back

Evenings are drawing in now and no matter what still needs to be done in the garden twilight has a way of making one realize that tomorrow is another day, go indoors and settle down one way or another ‘till a new day dawns.

Sometimes that can take a fair while to accept if no plan has been worked out for long nights indoors beforehand. This year I have made provision for spending some interesting hours by pouring over some scrapbooks and delving into my collection of old Christmas cards that I’ve just taken down from the attic.

Four of my favourites have 1892 incorporated into the greeting/design/message,. These cards are faded and rather fragile due to age and storage in damp conditions for years before dry lining and central heating was heard of, never the less they are still pleasing to the eye and some have quite witty messages in print. It occurs to me that our ancestors must have had great eyesight in view of the fact that I needed to use a magnifying glass in order to read some of the printed messages while wearing my reading glasses, neither was I depending on oil lamps or candles!!

Christmas 1892 red & navy blue outlined in gold + gold sprigs of ivy, message inside-With Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The centre card is single in the shape of an open purse/ wallet containing coins and money notes two of which are dated 1892, message conveyed on this card- A hap-

py Christmas be yours, it was printed in Germany by W Hagelberg. I love the message printed inside this card -i t reads - A Merry Christmas.

May every joy this Christmas-tide Shine in your heart and there abide. On the outside- Good Wishes 1892 entwined in two small sprigs of holly all in gold.

Another single card with a beautiful garland of delicately painted magnolias?, together with some small white flowers- message reads-Wishing you a happy Christmas, this card seems to have been initialled (unable to read) and was printed by Raphael Tuck & Sons-copyright and is outlined in gold. In another 1892 card the figures entwine a handshake (lady & gentleman) and includes some red and green glitter and snow plus the greeting A happy Christmas be yours. There are two greetings inside this card-the1st one reads-Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to min’ Burns, 2nd one reads A right happy Christmas, my dear friend, to you, I fain would a true handshake give, But long miles divide; yet still warm in my heart. The best of all good wishes live. F. Another card sports a medallion and a pretty hand painted posy as well as the greeting- Christmas comes dear friend to thee Ever happy may it be.

Another card shows two little girls appropriately dressed for the weather (there are some tiny birds in the sky to their left) the message is as follows- A merry Christmas! Christmas-time

128 Senior Times l November - December 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie

has come at last; Little friends together Merrily are tripping past Heeding not the weather! , I thought this card was meant for Easter until I discovered that the greeting on the back informed me otherwise- A happy Christmas written clearly! RAPHAEL TUCK & SONS LONDON, PARIS, NEW YORK are the printers.

It was designed at the London studios and printed at the fine art works in Saxony, trade mark artistic series. Ditto for the onion cardthis message reads as follows A Jolly Christmas to you. Continues underneath This Onion is sent, it is proper to mention, With season-able wishes, not saucy intention. FL. Cribs, Santa, Christmas trees, holly & ivy wreaths, churches, Rudolph and stables didn’t seem to feature in festive greeting cards then even though there were many printers involved in the Christmas trade. Ernest Nister, Davidson Bros London, M H Nathun, Alexander Baird & Son Ltd, Hildesheimer & Faulkner to mention just a few. There are a number of other Christmas cards + New year, Easter and Birthday cards in my collection also so I intend to be enjoyably occupied for quite a few long winter nights this year - Happy Christmas one and all!!

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