Senior Times Magazine May-June 2018

Issue 93 May - June 2018

NOW E3.00/£2.75

Times

The magazine for people who don’t act their age

My friend Picasso Major photographic exhibition at Castletown Sumatra, South East Asia’s ‘secret’ wonder Sinead Ryan’s financial tips for the year History of the Liffey swim

The mechanics of memory

Peer pressure preoccupied Padraig

Walking The Sperrins

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Smarter Living

May - June 2018

Contents 6

48

News:

2

Making a splash in the river: As it approaches its 100th anniversary, Niall O’Sullivan details the history of The Liffey Swim

6

Time to take the plunge?: Its never too late to learn to swim or get back in the water to improve an old skill. Lorna Hogg has been discovering the options available

10

Time to ‘spring clean’ your finances: Sinead Ryan advises

14

The mechanics of memory: Caoilainn Doyle explains why we remember and forget

20

Sumatra, South East Asia’s ‘secret wonder’: 24 Brendan Joy marvelled at the island with active volcanos, tropical reefs, world-class surfing and ancient virgin rainforests Top travel tips for people with dementia: This travel factsheet is specifically aimed at people with dementia and their families.

28

Within these walls: 30 Lorna Hogg traces the histories of two of Ireland’s major walled cities, Dublin and Derry Guess the year Another teaser from Gerry Perkins

40

Senior Times readers survey:

43

Visitors attractions: More to visit around the country

44

Publishing Directors: Brian McCabe, Des Duggan Editorial Director: John Low Editor At Large: Shay Healy Consultant Editor: Jim Collier Advertising: Willie Fallon 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.,

74 Whiskey galore!: Lorna Hogg has had the difficult task of visiting the growing number of whiskey distilleries around the country

48

Creative writing:

52

Walking the Sperrins: 56 Conor O’Hagan guides you on this beautiful border counties walk Eight exercises for functional fitness: The most important aspect of keeping physically active as we age is maintaining ‘functional fitness’

60

Wine world:

65

What’s on in the arts: Maretta Dillon previews happenings around the country in the next few months

66

Short story: The parting glass by Dermot Lane

72

Golf: Peer pressure preoccupied Padraig Harrington

Northern Notes: Debbie Orme reports on events from the Province

74

Meeting place: Crossword: Crafts:

82 86 88

75

FRONT COVER One of 125 photographs of Pablo Picasso by Dublin-born Edward Quinn in the exhibition My Friend Picasso at the Castletown Gallery, Castletown House, Celbridge, Co Kildare from 14th May until 2nd September.

Admission to the exhibition is included in the ticket to Castletown House

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 Report reveals inequity of access to dementia services in Ireland Dementia Specific Services in the Community: Mapping Public and Voluntary Services mapping project, which has been completed

by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the HSE and the National Dementia Office (NDO), has revealed gaps in the equity of access to services across Ireland.

This mapping project has produced a resource to access specific information about the wide-range of dementia supports and services across the country. This is the first time that this type of mapping project has been undertaken in Ireland.

The findings, which have just been released today, show that there are gaps in service provision and inconsistency of availability of types of services by both county and Community Healthcare Organisations (CHO) area.

The National Dementia Strategy (NDS), published in December 2014, outlines a commitment to critically review health and personal social services for people with dementia to

Wide range of activities at Blooming Burren festival The annual Burren in Bloom Festival is a diverse and inspiring series of walks, talks and events exploring the flora of the Burren and the myriad connections between the land, its wildlife and its people. Having maintained the tradition of herding their cattle onto winterage grasslands, farmers harvest the previous summer’s growth, ensuring the famous herbs have light and space to bloom again in spring.

The festival is multi-centred, with events taking place at selected locations throughout the 2 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

identify gaps in existing provision and prioritise areas for action in accordance with resource availability.

The organisations involved in this project undertook this joint endeavor towards the end of 2016 to identify what dementia-specific services were available in communities across Ireland.

While this mapping project has certain limitations – it did not look at the generic services which people with dementia and their families might use or examine the quality of the identified services and supports – the findings offer a valuable snapshot and baseline study, revealing who is doing what, where and when in relation to the delivery of dementia-specific services and supports.

The findings show that there are significant gaps in service provision and inconsistency of availability of types of services by both county and CHO area. The mapping exercise and this

report offers the NDO, HSE and other providers including the ASI a greater opportunity for the systematic development of new services in-line with identified local need. The findings will also assist Government in determining the locations which are most in need of developing dementia specific services.

Burren region between May 18th and 30th, culminating in the weekend of May 18th-20th.

Beginning with a Bealtaine dawn chorus, walks throughout the festival range from explorations of rare and protected habitats, through visits to gardens working with local conditions to produce unique results in sights and scents, to farm walks with the experts on the ground, the Burren farmers who tend their land and livestock for conservation of this landscape and its flora. Family walks explore how both humans and wildlife get recipes and remedies from wild plants, and the variety of seashore life on the Burren coast.

Booking is required for several events, with discounts available for Burrenbeo Trust members. Visit www.burreninbloom.com for the events programme, booking details and further information about the festival and the area in general.

18 May - 3 June 2018 www.burreninbloom.com

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FRONT COVER

News

Almost one million illegal medicines detained in 2017 One of 125 photographs of Pablo Picasso by Dublin-born Edward Quinn in the exhibition My Friend Picasso at the Castletown Gallery, Castletown House, Celbridge, Co Kildare from 14th May until 2nd September. The exhibition is a unique opportunity to see Quinn’s works for the first time in Ireland.

Edward Quinn was born in Dublin in 1920 and settled on the French Riviera in 1949, where he worked as a photographer. His friendship with Picasso greatly influenced his work and resulted in 10,000 photos, several books and films about the artist. Admission to the exhibition is included in the ticket to Castletown House Edward Quinn, edwardquinn.com

JMG launch 2019 cruise programme with special offer JMG Cruise and UK cruise company Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) have launched their 2019 No Fly cruise program from Ireland.

All cruises in 2019 will be onboard Cruise & Maritime Voyages 1,250-guest cruise ship Magellan.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has expressed its concern at the ‘significant increase’ in the number of illegal prescription medicines, intended for supply in Ireland, that were detained during 2017 and again warned the public of the risks that these unauthorised medicines pose to their health. The HPRA confirmed that its enforcement section detained some 948,915 dosage units (tablets, capsules, vials, etc.) of falsified and other illegal medicines last year as compared to 673,906 units in 2016 – an increase of more than 40%. The products detained in 2017, through both ongoing surveillance and targeted intelligence based operations, included anabolic steroids (47%), sedatives (23%) and erectile dysfunction medicines (13%). The HPRA confirms that the supply of these products into and within Ireland is illegal and stresses that consumers can have no guarantees about the safety or quality of prescription medicines they

are seeking to buy outside of the regulated pharmacy setting.

The HPRA figures for 2017 highlight that: • It was another year of significant increase in the volume of anabolic steroids being detained. 449,411 dosage units were detained in 2017, compared to 109,006 in 2016 and 38,049 in 2015; • There was a further decrease in the number of sedative products detained; 222,470 last year compared to 271,545 in 2016 and 726,164 in 2015; • The HPRA brought six prosecution cases in 2017 with a further six voluntary formal cautions issued during the year.

To inform members of the public about the dangers associated with buying prescription medicines online, the HPRA has published an advice leaflet which is available freely on its website, www.hpra.ie.

Free concert by Californian student orchestra

The 2019 cruises will commence in July ‘19 and are currently available as part of a Buy One Get One Free (BOGOF) deal. There is a varied selection of exciting cruise itineraries with very competitive fares, these include cruises to Iceland, Norwegian Fjords, Spain, Gibraltar, Canary Islands, St. Petersburg, The Mediterranean and Maderia to name but a few. Their introductory offer is valid for booking made until May 31st.

JMG and CMV joined forces in 2017 in order to offer direct cruises from Dublin. The arrangement between the companies has worked extremely well with bookings for cruise ship Magellan exceeding all expectations. James McGinley, Managing Director of JMG Cruise said ‘We are pleased to announce that following the success of the last two years we are offering nine cruises direct from Ireland in 2019.’

Family-owned JMG Cruise is the cruise operating division of McGinley Coach Travel and is one of Irelands leading coach holiday providers.

Contact JMG Travel on 00 353 74-9135201 or check out www.jmgcruise.com 4 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

Westmont College Orchestra, Santa California plays a free concert entitled the Three Rhapsodies at Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral on Thursday, 10 May 2018 starting at 8.30pm.

At Christ Church Cathedral, the orchestra will perform works including Lord of the Dance by Ronan Hardiman, Irish Rhapsody No 1 by Charles Villiers Stanford, Uilleann Sunrise by Sean O’Boyle and Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin and A Norfolk Rhapsody by R. Vaughan Williams along with show-stoppers, The Magnificent Seven, Hoe Down and The Cowboys completing this impressive musical line-up.

Westmont College Orchestra will also perform at St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny on Saturday, 12 May 2018 at 1pm – the concert is included in the usual entrance fee of E4.50, seating is unreserved, to book in advance phone 056-7764971.

The Dublin concert is free but the event will be ticketed, so you must reserve your seats in advance at www.ChristChurchTickets.com

CLEVER HUMANS GET COSY HOMES Energia’s Cosy Homes Scheme means you can get money-saving energy efficiency upgrades to your home at a fraction of the price.

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Swimming

Making a splash in the river As it approaches its 100th Anniversary Niall O’Sullivan details the history of The Liffey Swim

Imagine swimming through the heart of your city, it almost sounds romantic. Imagine swimming in the Liffey for 2.2kms – the notion is perhaps less romantic to most people, but for an increasing band of merry swimmers it is the highlight of their annual racing calendar.

going east from King’s Bridge (now Sean Heuston Bridge – the Luas goes over it) to Butt Bridge. JJ ”Jack” Kennedy was the inaugural winner.

Fagan himself came in third. No one perished, and a tradition took root amidst the backdrop of the Irish War of Independence and the Black and Tan presence in the city.

Brendan Fagan was an assistant public health analyst for Dublin City Council when he performed a bacteriological analysis of the River Liffey.

The results were passable enough to encourage a wild notion that he, Harry F. Brennan of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association and Augustus J. “Gus”’ Cullen had hatched while strolling by the river one evening. The Idea was for a swim race through the heart of Dublin... and Dublin City Council have been a key supporter and sponsor again over the years.

It was in a new Ireland in 1923 that illustrator John “Jack” Butler Yeats captured the Liffey race in oils in his famous painting “Swimming”. It won silver at the art competition in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, making JB Yeats the first Irish Free State Olympic medallist - older brother WB Yeats had of course won the Nobel Prize in Literature just a year before.

On Thursday, July 22, 1920, 27 men swam 2.4 kilometers in the Liffey, 6 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

The Irish Independent newspaper company began sponsoring the Liffey trophy in 1921, starting its count of races from then on, rather than in 1920 when the race officially began. In 20l2, Cyril Smyth, retired Trinity College professor of microbiology, and well known sports historian, saw

The Liffey Swim by Jack B Yeats, courtesy of The National Gallery of Ireland.

Swimming

an advertisement for the 92nd Liffey Swim. Befuddled as to why it was not for the 93rd race, he contacted Leinster Open Sea – the not for-profit organisers of the famous race. Smyth soon became an accidental historian of the Swim.

On top of numbering confusions, the race has featured changes of course. From 1936 to 1939, organisers sought cleaner water in Dollymount. In 1940 the course returned to the city centre but went upstream to lslandbridge from 1977 to 1979 after further pollution scares.

The race came back home once the new wastewater system at Poolbeg became operational. Because the lower Liffey is tidal it rarely looks pristine, but the reality is while murky, it is rarely dirty.

From 2012 to 2013, the course sidestepped construction on the Rosie Hackett Bridge going instead from Butt Bridge to East Link Bridge near the 3Arena, before restoration to its traditional path again in 2014.

Held in water of typically 14c to 17c The Liffey Swim is a bona fide open sea race against the incoming tide of Dublin Bay. Swimmers must complete at least six of Leinster Open Sea’s30+ other summer events to qualify. These qualifier races determine a swimmer’s handicap. In theory, everybody has a chance to win.

Women have only had this same opportunity since the 72nd race on August 31, 1991 when female participation in the classic course was finally allowed. It is likely that sponsor pressure may have played a part to ensure that common sense prevailed. Siobhán Hoare took the Ladies Challenge Cup against 46 other contestants that day.

In 2017 some 202 ladies completed the course, while 300 men swam. 44 of the ladies and 93 men were in the 50+ category (including winner Anne Marie Bourke of Dublin Swimming Club in the ladies race). A further 15 ladies and 39 men were in the 60+ category. Two former competitors Jackie Kearney (Dublin SC) and Paul Emmett (Half Moon) are believed to have swum the most Liffey Swims – probably approaching 50, but exact numbers are disputed.

The 100th Liffey Swim is getting ever closer. A new sponsor – Jones Engineering – came on board in 2017 and will continue to sponsor the race for the coming years. Company chairman Eric Kinsella swam in the race back in the 1950s and has retained a soft spot for this great race.

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 7

Swimming

Swimmers of this year’s 99th annual race and next year’s 100th will face the now ‘traditional’ 2.2km stretch from the Rory O’Moore Bridge at the Guinness factory to the Custom House. They will pass under 12 bridges including the Hapenny Bridge and brave the near darkness under the 45m long x 50m wide O’Connell St Bridge before the final section from the Loop Line Bridge to the finish. Some are there to win, for others crossing the line is the achievement.

For more information see: www.leinsteropensea.ie www.leinsteropensea.ie/liffey-swim/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Liffey_Swim

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Swimming

Time to take the plunge?

It’s never too late to learn to swim or to get back in the water to improve an old skill. Lorna Hogg has been discovering the options available We all know that swimming is good exercise, as well as promoting social links and a sense of personal achievement and enjoyment. Yet it has even more advantages, especially for healthy ageing.

Health and safety is the first one - it has been estimated that 70per cent of people who drown never intended to be in the water in the first place.

Water is denser than air, so the body has to work harder.

Swimming uses the major muscle groups, and is especially good for cardio and respiratory function. Whilst swimming, we breathe quickly and more deeply. We also use the upper body, `core’ muscles.

As muscles are suspended in water, aches and pains are eased.

Sufferers from osteoarthritis are helped to exercise, and hypertension is eased.

Swimming can also be a social activity, as well as mood lifting. Whether at participation in competitions at local swimming club, regular exercise sessions in the shallow end of the pool, or even aiming for open sea swimming, there are plenty of opportunities to meet and greet whilst you splash.

I77 swimming clubs in Ireland Ireland has some 177 swimming clubs. To find your nearest, visit www. swimireland for details, and also information on all aspects of classes, races and clubs. Check your local community information for details of water exercises.

If you’re a learner – or a re-learning swimmer, the advice is to plan and allow yourself gradual increments of progress over a couple of months. `Little and often’ is the recommendation - e.g. 30 minute sessions.

Buoyancy also is helpful to those who are considerably overweight, especially in cases where running or even walking can be painful. It also helps those suffering from back problems – and can make exercise pleasant.

Upper body strength can be increased and muscle developed.

During swimming, the body, unlike activity such as cycling, is stretched, not hunched.

10 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

Plan to attend three times a week, so that stages of progress can be continued smoothly.

Start small, for a sense of achievement. Perhaps you could aim to swim two lengths, and slowy increase until you’re aiming for a mile.

Perhaps you need the constant encouragement that a companion can

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Swimming

give you. A Swimming buddy could be your answer. Not merely the flotation aid, it also refers to someone who` has your back’, someone who is at hand, watches out for you, and can, if necessay, tell you uncomfortable training truths - as you can do for him or her.

Finding your inner water baby It may be, of course, that you have given up swimming for a variety of reasons – lack of time, illness or local facilities. You might have unhappy or traumatic memories of swimming in in childhood. Bullying or childish pranks could have involved holding your head under the water.

You might never have had the opportunity to learn – or have given up through lack of progress. However, the good news is that even if you are terrified of the water, or frightened of drowning, there is help to get you to back to a relaxed level of happy splashing.

There are widely available classes for adults. However, some people don’t like the idea of learning in a group. Some may need extra help.

If you have a real fear, experts admit that it can be difficult and time consuming to overcome a lifetime feeling of panic, especially once you leave the shallow end. You may have to regain confidence to move through the stages of feeling relaxed in the water. Then there could be the challenge of developing the confidence to swim without constant supervision and encouragement.

In some cases, individual lessons are the answer, to provide the necessary understanding and patience to help you overcome fears.

These could range from the steep learning curve of being a lifelong non-swimmer, through to someone who has developed a real fear of loss of control.

Learn-to-swim packages Several hotels and guesthouses around the country offer `learn to swim’ packages – and one of the best known and well respected is the luxurious Park Hotel Kenmare. They tell Senior Times that they have specifically designed a programme especially for people who have never learned to swim, or `have a fear of the water, or need additional lessons to build up confidence.’

Lessons are with experienced coach Marie, and the programme has four one to one sessions, over 2-3 days, in the 25 metre pool. Says Marie: ‘The pool is exclusively for the use of hotel residents. It has had wonderful results, for people who now have a lifetime hobby - and is very popular..’ Visit www.parkkenmare.com for details.

12 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

You might have seen the 2013 Nationwide segment on Learn to Swim courses, available at Ard na Ciuin Retreat, in Co. Waterford. Trevor Riches, an ex-lifeguard, and his partner Lynette saw the need for ‘an adults- only course’ ‘The majority of our swimmers are 50 plus, many with a fear of water.’

They have found that by splitting the course into three distinct categories, `Fear of Water,’ `Learn to Swim,’ and `Improvers,’ puts less pressure on participants. They have also discovered that with only one person learning, there is usually an an array of people waiting to hear how the course went, and if the client didn’t learn to swim but did conquer a fear of water – some people might see that as failure, but doing that can enable a learner to focus on one aspect of the course. Instructors are extremely patient, and work with each person on an individual basis.

Add in the small private pool at Ard Na Ciuin, plus that positive outlook, and. ‘Often clients who come to us for the Fear of Water course, end up swimming!’. Visit www.ardnaciuin.ie Still undecided? Remember - whether you decide to go for the Liffey Swim – or learn take your first unaided strokes, swimming confidently can have unexpected bonuses. A recent book, Wild Swimming in Ireland

by Maureen McCoy and Paul McCambridge, (Collins Press) highlights the inspirational spots swimmers can view. Ranging from from the Silver Strand in Donegal, to Tra an Doilin at the mouth of Galway Bay: from the Hook Lighthouse to Devenish Island . www.leinsteropensea.ie www.swimireland.ie www:swimforamile.com And remember to visit your local library which will have details on swimming clubs and learner programmes in your area.

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Personal Finance

Sinead Ryan is a well known personal finance and consumer affairs journalist with the Irish Independent. Sinead speaks at the 50 Plus Expo’s across the country and is available to answer your personal finance or consumer query. www.50plusexpo.ie

Time to ‘spring clean’ your finances Most of us will have done our Spring cleaning by now, even though we didn’t get much of a spring! Renewing and regrouping is important for your finances too.

While your New Year Resolutions about health, fitness and weight, might have gone by the wayside, don’t worry. Financial goals move all the time, and you can start to make small steps at any time of the year. It’s all about a little organisation and discipline – something Seniors are excellent at!

14 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

Sinead Ryan

Most pensioners live on fixed incomes. This makes them excellent budgeters, even if it is out of necessity rather than choice. With key outgoings like mortgages and children out of the way, it should free up more money to spend on things we want to do, but invariably the rising cost of bills makes that difficult.

Here are some areas where most of us can cut back and make better decisions so that we can get financially fitter this year.

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Personal Finance

Summer Challenge Now is the time to sort out that ‘stuff’ we all have in garages, sheds, wardrobes and cupboards and see what we can get rid of. If we can make some cash at the same time, why not?

Consider what could be sold. From a Sunday car boot sale, to eBay or DoneDeal, the costs are minimal and it’s a fun hobby. An alternative is to re-gift any things you have put away, kindly accepted but for which you have no use. However, someone else might. Just make sure you keep a note of who gave it to you so the re-gifting won’t be roundabout! Be careful with perishable goods, especially chocolate – it goes white as it goes past its best-by date, so only re-gift food that is still in date.

Budget 2018 When making a budget, don’t take your lead from the Government and do it on one day in October for the whole year. Budgets are organic and change as circumstances do.

The first thing to do is set out your income (pension, work, benefits etc) and your expenditure on paper. It’s easier to remember how much we spend at the supermarket every week, but we can forget less regular spends, like bin charges, property tax, subscriptions or even hair-dressing. Split your outgoings by time: weekly, monthly and annually – dig out old bank statements for a couple of months to see exactly where your money is going.

Can you identify all of your direct debits? If you don’t know what a bill is for, find out. You may not need that product/spend any more, or could cut back by switching.

Finally, set up two or three deposit accounts. They are free, and if you have online banking, can be done really quickly. Name them with their purpose,

e.g. summer holiday, new car or Christmas 2018! By dropping in some spare cash when you have it, you’ll build up what’s there quicker, and psychologically it’s much harder to take it out for an impulsive purchase.

Switching We are getting better at switching providers for household bills, but rates are still abysmally low. The most common products you can definitely get better value on include:

- House Insurance. It’s common to simply renew when the bill comes in and trust the insurer has worked out the premium correctly. This is not so. Indeed, if you are covered for the value of your house, you are almost certainly over-insured, especially in Dublin and other cities. The Buildings cover should only be for the ‘re-building’ cost, not the house’s value. You can find this by using the re-build calculator tool on the Chartered Surveyors website (www.scsi.ie).

- Life Insurance. We know this is an important product, but as we get older, and our financial responsibilities change, it becomes less so. If your children are grown up and your only income is a pension, you do not need the same level of cover that you had when the loss of a husband/wife would have been financially catastrophic. Call a broker and find out how much you are paying for, and realistically judge what you would actually need to supplement the rest of your life, if your spouse was no longer around.

- Health Insurance. This is expensive, but if you haven’t reviewed your policy in more than 3 years, it is likely you are over-paying for the plan you have. Under the law, insurers are not allowed cancel plans, even if they only have one customer. That leaves over 400 policies on the market, and it is confusing. Hop on to the State comparison site www.hia.ie to see what’s there, or call your insurer and ask them what is the best plan they have for your budget.

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16 16 Senior Senior Times Times l lNovember May - June- December 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 2017 l www.seniortimes.ie DentalImplantsSeniorTimes.indd 1

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Memory

The mechanics of memory Caoilainn Doyle explains why we remember and forget

‘If you want to keep your memories, you first have to live them’

Memory is what situates you in time and place. It gives you a sense of who you are, and where you are going. A particularly vivid memory for me is the day of my first communion. After the ceremony, my mother brought me to the toy shop and allowed me to buy whatever I liked. You can only imagine the bliss of a 7 year old being let loose in a toy shop with what felt like unlimited cash. I bought a skateboarding Barbie doll which brought me endless hours of enjoyment. It is true that living through this experience resulted in a memory of the event being stored. But is living through an experience enough for it to be stored as a memory?

Much of our knowledge about memory comes from a famous case study of a man named H.M, who despite living through his experiences could not store them as new memories. In 1953 at the age of 27, H.M underwent a surgical procedure which removed much of his hippocampi (plural of hippocampus) and surrounding cortices in the medial temporal lobe of his brain in an attempt to cure his intractable epilepsy (see Figure 1). Although the procedure helped with his epilepsy, the consequences for his memory function were devastating. H.M demonstrated severe anterograde amnesia as a result of the surgery which left him incapable of forming new memories of his lived experiences.

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Bob Dylan

Figure 1: Hippocampus located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain

Memory

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Before the development of technology to capture images of the brain such as fMRI, rare cases like H.M’s were the only way to learn about how the structures of the human brain related to memory. As the scientific enquiry of H.M’s peculiar case ensued, it was discovered that although H.M couldn’t create new long term memories, his ability to hold information (short-term memory) and manipulate information (working memory) over brief periods remained intact. An example of short-term memory would be briefly holding a mathematical operation (2+4-5) in your mind, while an example of working memory would be the manipulation of such information in the mind to answer the equation. H.M showed us that memory is not a unitary process. In fact, there are three different types of memory: long-term, short-term and working (see Figure 2). Because H.M’s medial temporal lobe was removed we know that this structure is important for long-term memory, but not for short-term or working memory.

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Further research on H.M’s case revealed that although he could not store new memories about events or facts he did show evidence of new motor learning (such as reduced errors on a maze tracing task).

This in turn helped us to understand that there are different types of long-term memory: declarative and non-declarative (see Figure 2).

Declarative memory corresponds to information about events and facts which we can access through conscious awareness, whereas non-declarative is memory is a type of procedural or skill based learning which cannot be accessed through conscious awareness, such as knowing how to ride a bike. This discovery helped us to understand that the hippocampi in the medial temporal lobe of the brain are important for the formation of declarative, but not non-declarative memories. As shown Figure 2, declarative memory can be further broken down into semantic memory which represents facts and concepts, such as the name of the toyshop I bought my Barbie in; and episodic memory which represents your lived experience of events, such as the day I bought my Barbie. Autobiographical memory is a type of declarative memory which corresponds to one’s memory of one’s lived experience or autobiography. Your autobiographical memory is what gives you your identity and sense of self.

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Figure 2. Different types of Memory

What is of interest with H.M is that although he had difficulty forming new long term (declarative memories), his recall of events prior to his surgery remained relatively intact. This suggests that the medial temporal lobe (in particular the hippocampi) is important for the formation of new declarative memories, but may not be the ultimate storage site of our lived experiences in the brain. This view is in line with the classical theory that memories are created in the hippocampi but over time gradually transition to other brain regions for storage, with no trace of the memory remaining in the hippocampi. However, another theory suggests that when we recall information from memory both the hippocampi and other brain regions for storage are active. It is important to note that although H.M’s case supports the classical theory, the jury is still out on which is the best explanation of memory in the brain and much remains unknown about how memory functions in the brain.

Although it is incredibly rare that we would experience a case of severe amnesia such as H.M’s, it is likely that we will experience a decline in memory function as we age. Healthy aging is associated with a decline in memory and executive control processes carried out by brains, which may negatively impact wellbeing. Executive control processes are important for the regulation of behaviours and emotions, and play a role in retrieval of true memories. Episodic autobiographical memory appears to decline more than semantic with healthy aging and this degradation can range in severity from healthy aging, to mild cognitive impairment and more severe conditions such as dementia. Autobiographical memory is not only vulnerable to the loss of true memory, but is increasingly susceptible to false memories as we age due to the decline in cognitive processes carried out by frontal brain regions. Although more marked in dementia, even healthy aging is associated with an increased susceptibility to false memories.

Given this knowledge, what can we do to protect the contents and accuracy of our true memories as we age? In a similar way to how our life experiences can be knitted into our brain structure as stored memories, so too can we use our experience to hack the brain’s memory capabilities. A phenomena known as experience dependent plasticity suggests that our brains can change in response to the experiences we engage with. Although plasticity was once thought to be possible only in the developing brains of children, recent research suggests that the aging brain is also capable of experience dependent plasticity. Intervention studies aimed at improving autobiographical memory recall suggest that engaging with activities such as music therapy, gratitude, forgiveness and mindfulness-based cognitive training, are effective for enhancing the richness of autobiographical recall.

What is of most interest though - and maybe Dylan was on to something – is the notion that reliving our experiences through structured recall can 20 Senior Times May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

enhance autobiographical richness, buffer against age-related cognitive decline, and induce observable change in the brain areas responsible for autobiographical memory. Reminiscence therapy, which involves recalling and sharing one’s personal autobiography of life, often in a group setting, has been shown to improve the richness of autobiographical memory in healthy older adults, and those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. This suggests that it may be a useful tool for protecting the accuracy and contents of our memory as we age. However, much more research is needed to establish the impact of reminiscence therapy on autobiographical memory, wellbeing, cognition and the brain in order to understand how these improvements occur and what is happening in the brain to facilitate them.

A team of researchers at Maynooth University and Trinity College Dublin are currently conducting a research project which aims to address how reminiscence therapy impacts autobiographical memory, wellbeing, cognition and the brain, to establish whether it is a useful tool to protect our memory as we age.

We are currently holding 6-week groups exploring positive memories from history and people’s pasts. If you are aged 60 years or over and would like to take part, contact Andrew Allen at Andrew.Allen@mu.ie or at 0899526518.

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after the referendum, the Pound dropped 20%. As a result, the costs of day-to-day living soared, holidays became more expensive and a retirement abroad is now a more distant dream for many. Even more importantly, as we approach our later years, health and social care, and how to fund them, are uppermost in our minds.

Retirees in the UK have been let down by underperforming annuities, a depreciating currency, and now higher inflation. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our pension pots could deliver better returns? What about using that same pension to invest, not in strange stocks and shares in markets or companies we don’t understand, but something we can own and which addresses a need we all understand?

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Care in the UK, where 1 in 4 people will be 65+ by 2050, is privately funded until £23,000 of wealth is left. Care home places are limited. Retirees often sell their home to fund care. Waiting lists are long. Fees average £700 p.w. Hospital “bed blocking” is common.

Council tax increases are mostly channelled to social care. No one questions there is huge demand.

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Travel

Sumatra, South East Asia’s ‘secret’ wonder

Trekking through the jungle at Bukit Laway

With a land mass greater than Vietnam and Cambodia, Brendan Joy marvelled at the island with active volcanos, tropical reefs, world-class surfing and ancient virgin rainforests.

canopy bowed down with the weight of gibbons. One morning we were woken by the call of, “Orangutan! Orangutan!” as a semi-wild orangutan named Jackie sat perched in our camp with her baby. In the background, steam rose from the thick canopy, a process called transpiration. Sitting there it looked like the forest was breathing. The whole place was alive.

Walking along the rim of the volcano, the stench of sulphur poured up from Mt. Sibayak’s active crater. A thunderstorm crackled in the clouds of the valley below, and that’s when I heard the grumble. Mt. Sinabung, the sister volcano that sat twenty miles to the east, started to erupt. I sat back, white-knuckled, and watched the scene unroll. I had trekked all day, camped out at the summit overnight, and woke to nature at her most powerful. I left Ireland in search of the wild and untamed. I found it in Sumatra.

Our guide, Monang, made sure we didn’t want for anything over our three days. The food was out of this world, fresh fruit salad with pineapple, mangosteen, rambutan. At night we would have sambal, a spicy dish made with anchovies, chicken rendang and nasi goreng all cooked up fresh in our camp. We came back to civilisation on Christmas Eve, tired, elated and ready for Christmas dinner!

Sitting just south of Malaysia, with a landmass greater than Vietnam or Cambodia, Sumatra is largely ignored by tourists seeking the best of South-East Asia. An island with active volcanos, tropical reefs, worldclass surfing and ancient virgin rainforests. It is diverse in culture, wildlife, religion and landscape. From the jungles of Bukit Lawang to the tropical reefs of Pulau Weh, Sumatra has something to offer every traveller.

Hiking to a volcanic summit for sunrise or diving to the ocean floor for lunch, lounging on empty beaches for days or getting lost in local culture, you will never be short on things to do.

Bukit Lawang and trekking: Bukit Lawang, a village at the fringe of Leuser National Park, borders a rainforest which is home to tigers, orangutan, rhino and countless species that cry out from the surrounding jungle. One square kilometer of rainforest holds more species than Europe and North America combined. We set out before Christmas on a three-day trek with our guide Monang. Hornbills and eagles swooped overhead, their wings so big I could hear them thumping from the ground. Ants as big as my thumb hurried about their business on the jungle floor as branches in the 22 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

Tuk-Tuk, Lake Toba Tuk-Tuk is a sleepy little village, situated on the shores of the volcanic Lake Toba, in North Sumatra. The steep mountain walls surrounding the lake stand as a relic to the super volcano which erupted there some seventy-four thousand years ago. In contrast to its violent beginnings, Tuk-Tuk is peaceful, serene, and the best part is only a handful of people seem to visit. The charm of the village is also a testament to the local Batak peoples, who themselves are friendly and incredibly musical. It was common to hear a sing-song coming from a home, shop or bar and then to be invited in!

Each night most restaurants were open but catered only to a table or two of people. The standard of food was high, despite the lack of customers. One day I ordered a fruit smoothie, only for the waitress to reach for a net and walk outside. In the garden she picked mangoes, passion fruit and bananas to prepare fresh. Pineapples even grow at the side of the road. To sweeten the deal, everything was incredibly cheap. A lakeside Batak-style bungalow was about nine euro per night, breakfast of banana pancakes, fruit salad and a coffee would set you back less than three euro. Local Batak dishes such as Saksang, a braised pork curry, were fragrant and delicious.

Mount Sibayak

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The main activity on Tuk-Tuk is inactivity. It is a place to go to bask in tranquility. The air is clean and crisp, there is little to no traffic passing by and the pace of life is so laid back it might keel over. Instead of engine noise filling the air, there is only birdsong and the sound of passing boats on the lake, and rarely, the odd car. After weeks on the road, hiking, trekking and roughing it, Tuk-Tuk offered a welcome respite to a weary traveler.

Pulau Weh and diving Located in the famous Coral Triangle, the island of Pulau Weh showcases the wonders to be seen beneath the waves. World famous for diving and its vibrant coral reef, it is an island not to be missed. I rented a bungalow on the water’s edge for about fifteen euro per night. With a snorkel, I explored the reef which was home to every sort of fish imaginable. There were surgeonfish and clownfish, known to some as Dory and Nemo from the famous Disney film. Starfish and clams were scattered on the seafloor and multi-coloured corals decorated the rest.

The water in the sea was warm and inviting, and when it got too much, there was always a hammock waiting to dry off in the sun.

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To become more familiar with Sumatra’s underwater life I went diving with Lumba Lumba Divers on Gapang beach. Bobbing along, almost ninety feet below the surface of the ocean we were treated to sightings of devil rays, moray eels and countless colourful species going about their daily business. I had heard to see the best of Indonesia, you had to go beneath the waves, what I heard was very much true.

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Pulau Weh, and the surrounding Aceh province, has been under Sharia Law since 2001. This means no pubs and no booze. This may put some people off, but for me it was a great alternative to Thai or Cambodian islands. Many South East Asian islands have been destroyed by the UV-painted, party bucket wielding hoards of drunk and belligerent tourists. In contrast Pulau Weh was easy going and relatively unspoiled.

Visitors are still reminded to be respectful of local culture. There are Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 23

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designated sections of beach where tourists can wear shorts or bikinis, but outside these zones you are expected to dress modestly. This may sound strict, but in practice it’s fairly liberal. The difference between areas under regional or Sharia law are hardly noticeable.

Transport: In Sumatra, simply getting from one location to the next can be an adventure in itself. To drive over one hundred kilometers can take up to eight hours by car, given the state of the roads. Indonesian potholes give their Irish counterparts a serious run for their money. And you can forget rules of the road. Busses overtake on blind corners, cars do too despite oncoming traffic. Public buses, ranging from one to two euros for a ten-hour journey, are a white-knuckled ride. Passengers openly smoke onboard as the driver flies on the wrong side of the road, horn blaring.

Private transport is relatively cheap, and is nowhere near as anxiety-inducing as public transport. A shared private car ranges from eight to fifteen euros and will take you just about anywhere A note on food: From Nasi Goreng to Renang Curry, Sumatra boasts some of the best food Indonesia has to offer. With both Chinese and Indian influence, the cuisine on the island is varied and delicious. Coconut milk is a staple in most curries, which themselves are flavoured with chili, star anise, cinnamon and countless other fragrant spices. Unlike the light, lemongrass scented Thai counterparts, the curries of Sumatra such as the Rendang are thicker with a noticeable Indian influence. The best dishes can be found in Warungs, Indonesian street food stalls which pop up after sunset and a hearty meal will set you back no more than two or three euro.

You can find the freshest fruit being sold on most streets, too. The North-Sumatran pineapple is claimed to be the sweetest in the world, you can buy dragon-fruit as big as your head and giant mangos to beat the band. Due to the volcanic soil, farmers can grow some of the healthiest and most flavourful fruit and vegetables I have had the pleasure of eating anywhere. One thing is certain, you will not go hungry in Sumatra.

Sumatra is an island for those seeking something different. It’s so far off the beaten track it’s easy to miss, and because of this there are times it feels like it’s only you and the locals. It isn’t all volcanoes and beautiful wildlife though. At times the journey was bittersweet. Hiking to the top of Mt. Sibayak, the path was littered with plastic rubbish nearly all the way to the summit. Leaving and entering Bukit Lawang, you can see the palm-oil industry laying siege to the remaining rainforest, with the fringes quickly being whittled into profit. Despite its shortcomings, it is one of the most inviting and exciting places I have had the privilege of visiting.

Wonderful people, beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife combine to make Sumatra a one-of-a-kind adventure destination.

Getting Around: During my travels I spoke with people anywhere from the ages of twenty to eighty. The village of Tuk-Tuk is beautiful and serene and where I stayed hosted many guests from the ages of fifty up. In Pulau Weh I was diving with an Irish couple in their sixties and met a few adventurous German retirees trekking in the jungles of Bukit Lawang.

There are numerous flights from Kuala Lumpur to Medan, the capital city of Sumatra. Air Asia operate frequent daily flights that take just under two hours and average out to cost around thirty Euro. Visas on arrival are issued for European citizens and are free of charge. Leaving Medan’s Kuala Namu international airport, private cars can be hired just outside the arrival terminal. A car and driver to Tuk-Tuk will cost no more than twenty five euro, but be prepared, the journey takes almost seven hours. Private cars are the vehicle of choice when travelling Sumatra, and cheap enough not to break the bank. There is public transport, white-knuckled bus rides with drivers that have very little regard for the rules of the road and passengers who chain smoke all the way through,

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Bukittinggi so they are best to be avoided. Tuk-Tuk and Bukit Lawang are two of Sumatra’s biggest tourist hubs, so arranging connections is done simply by contacting the reception desk of your hotel. As long as the transfers may be, you will venture through bountiful volcanic farm-land, rice paddies and pass the occasional smoking volcano.

To get to Pulau Weh requires taking an internal flight from Medan. Air Asia offer a daily service that takes under one hour and costs less than twenty euro. Flying into Sabang airport you are greeted by coconut groves and are only a short hop to the nearest beach.

Travel and accommodation Flights with British Airways and Air Asia Bukit Lawang: Accommodation: Waterstone 6 euro per night double room with riverside view Trekking - half day from 35, three day 2 night 120 all inclusive (Facebook: Bukit Lawang Trekking by Monang) Bat-Cave 1 euro Pulau Weh Accommodation: Eric’s Greenhouse 15 euro per night, bungalow on the water Snorkeling - free Lumba Lumba Divers - Dives from 30 euro - www.lumbalumba.com Tuk-Tuk Accommodation: Romlan Guesthouse 10 euro per night, double room lakeside Motorbike rental 6 euro per day Peace and quiet - priceless Visas European citizens are granted a free thirty day visa on arrival, so it’s pretty stress free. It’s a bit of a treat to visit because it has an established tourist trail and infrastructure, yet remains uncrowded!

Further information from: Indonesian Embassy, 30 Great Peter Street, Westminster, London SW1P 2BU. Tel: (0044) 207 7499 7661. Email: kbri@btconnect.com www.indonesianembassy.org.uk

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For inspiring oil rich fish recipe ideas visit www.johnwest.ie/our-recipes or the John West Ireland YouTube page. *Mackerel is rich in the omega-3s EPA and DHA that contribute to the normal function of the heart.

The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 0.25g of EPA and DHA. There is typically 1.9g of Omega-3 EPA and DHA in one pack of John West Irish Mackerel Fillets.

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Healthy Eating, Healthy Heart

Did you know that just as many Irish women die from heart disease as men? Yet many of us still think that heart disease is a man’s disease.

Although there is a lot we can do to keep our hearts healthy, the sad fact is that heart disease is still the leading cause of death in Ireland for men and women.

What can we do to look after our heart?

Love Your Fish Apart from tasting great, fish is a rich source of protein, B vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy omega-3s. Oil-rich fish like mackerel, sardines and salmon are rich in the omega-3s EPA and DHA. These special omega-3s contribute to the normal function of your heart*. The Irish Heart Foundation and Healthy Ireland recommends that we eat oil-rich fish up to twice a week and this includes salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring and trout. EPA and DHA can also help to maintain normal blood triglyceride levels**. Triglyceride is a type of fat in our blood that is linked to heart disease. Like cholesterol, triglycerides need to be kept at a healthy levels. Try some grilled salmon for dinner or a smoked mackerel salad for lunch. John West offers a convenient way to add fish and John West mackerel, salmon and sardines are all great sources of omega-3s.

If all you know how to do is fry fish then check out some new recipes for ideas. From pasta dishes to fish pies, mackerel pate to risotto, there are so many ways to add fish. If you need some help there are some great recipes at www.johnwest.ie as well as www.bordbia.ie.

Eat Veg Although we are eating more fruits and vegetables these days, most of us are still not hitting the 5-a-day we need. Don’t worry about counting portions of fruit and veg - just follow the 1/3 rule. One third of every meal should be fruit, salad or vegetables. Try making fruit up to 1/3 of your breakfast by adding chopped banana to your porridge. Add a bowl of vegetable soup or side salad to lunch. When dishing up dinner, start with the vegetables and make sure they are covering at least 1/3 of your plate.

Fibre Up Many high fibre foods are linked with lower risk of developing heart disease. Adding foods like linseeds, beans, lentils, porridge and wholegrain bread can all help to add extra fibre to your meals. Try adding linseeds/ flaxseeds to breakfast cereals; beans or lentils to soups, barley to stews and choosing wholegrain bread and cereals.

Keep Treats as Treats A treat now and again is something to really enjoy but if you are eating them every day (or more!) then it stops being a treat and starts being a problem. You don’t need to cut your favourite bar of chocolate or packet of crisps but do try to keep treat foods to a few days a week rather than every day. If you do have to snack, there are some healthier alternatives that will give you some good nutrition and not just extra calories. Try a small handful of nuts (almonds, walnuts); a piece of fruit (banana, apple, grapes); a yoghurt or add some extra protein by trying one of John West’s Infusions on wholegrain crackers.

Sit Less, Move More Being more active helps to lower blood pressure and increase your healthy (HDL) cholesterol. And being more active can make it easier for you to be a healthy weight. All good for your heart.

If you have been away from exercise for a while, then start small and build up. You might try a few different ways of being active before you find what one works Aim to get 30-40 minutes of exercise most days: walking, swimming, cycling, aqua aerobics, it all helps.

One at a Time When it comes to looking after your heart, even a small change can make a big difference. Whether you choose to move more, treat less or eat more fish, make one small change today to help your heart into the future. *The beneficial effect is seen with a daily intake of 250mg of EPA and DHA. **The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 2g of EPA and DHA. Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 27

Health

Top travel tips for people with dementia

The tips are intended to assist people with dementia, their families and carers, who may be planning a weekend away or a holiday break in ensuring that their trip is enjoyable. The tips include advice on choosing the right holiday destination and how and when to travel, suggestions as to how to make the journey more comfortable and safe, and ideas to maximise enjoyment of the holiday.

The factsheet is available online at http://www.understandtogether.ie/get-support/living-well-with-dementia/travelling-and-holidays-with-dementia/ Professor Brian Lawlor, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chair of the Dementia: Understand Together campaign, comments: ‘A diagnosis of dementia does change people’s lives, we know from talking to people with the condition that people can still live well with dementia. We can all make a difference and play our own part in making life that little bit better. While the situation of every person with dementia is different, for those who are in a position to take a break, it can offer huge benefits for both the person with dementia and their loved ones. The benefits include keeping the brain active by exploring new places and activities, maintaining social stimulation and making new friends, and enjoying physical activity such as walking, cycling or swimming. Planning is, of course, vital when it comes to going away and we hope that these tips will offer some useful guidance and support in ensuring that a trip is safe, comfortable and, most of all, enjoyable.’

The travel factsheet is published against a backdrop of 55,000 people in Ireland currently living with dementia, with approximately 4,000 people developing dementia each year – that’s 11 people every day. Half a million of us have had a family member with dementia and with the number of people living with dementia in Ireland expected to more than double by 2040, more and more of us are going to find ourselves supporting a loved one with dementia.

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This travel factsheet specifically aimed at people with dementia and their families, has been published as part of the Dementia: Understand Together awareness campaign, led by the HSE in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Genio.

Top 10 Travel Tips for People with Dementia and their Families 1. Choose the right destination and bring company: it’s always more enjoyable to share experiences, so bring a family member or friend. The experience of dementia is different for everyone so take into account the person and how they are affected when deciding on a location. If the person with dementia doesn’t find unfamiliar places disorienting, then going to a new destination may actually challenge the brain in a positive way.

2. Book the best travel time. Travel during the time of day that is best for the person with dementia. If flying, consider booking fast-track boarding to minimise stress, and avoid scheduling flights that require tight connections.

3. Get help. Ask about assistance services at your departure and arrival points and book at least 48 hours in advance. For example, Dublin Airport has a ‘meet and assist’ programme so that you can get assistance during your journey through the airport. Even if walking is not difficult, consider requesting a wheelchair so that an attendant can help. If flying, depending on the airline, you may be able to do this when booking your seats online.

4. Call ahead and research local supports. If staying in a hotel, inform the staff ahead of time of any specific needs so that they can be prepared to assist you. If you will be at a location for an extended period of time, consider contacting the local dementia service for resources and support.

Health

5. Check your medical cover: if you’re visiting another European Union or European Economic Area country, make sure to have a valid European Health Insurance Card or EHIC (formerly E111 form). This allows access to health care services in those countries, however, there may be additional charges. If you have private health insurance, check your cover abroad. If you are taking out travel insurance, be aware that some policies may not cover those who have a ‘pre-existing medical condition’, or there may be an additional premium, so it’s always wise to read the small print and to shop around.

The Dementia: Understand Together campaign is funded by the HSE and The Atlantic Philanthropies, and began in 2015. The campaign website offers a comprehensive information resource on dementia, including a service-finder detailing county-by-county the dementia supports and services available. It also offers a range of training resources for carers, and for businesses and organisations in the retail, transport, public and financial sectors. Support packs, including posters, leaflets and badges, can be ordered also. Visit www.understandtogether.ie or Freephone 1800 341 341.

6. Pack an ‘essentials’ day bag. Pack a small travel bag that includes travel itinerary, medications, a comfortable change of clothes, water, and snacks. Keep some cash handy for taxis and other travel needs. Include an important documents folder so that you can have easy-to-hand documents such as passport, travel details, insurance policy, contact information for friends, family and GP, a list of current medications and dosages, and details of food or drug allergies. Make sure to share your itinerary with emergency contacts at home.

About Dementia

7. Give yourself time. Set off on your journey early, giving plenty of time to deal with any unforeseen delays, such as traffic or queues.

8. Be prepared for security screening. If travelling to an airport, remind the person what is involved and consider advising the agent at security that the person has dementia.

9. Using facilities. Check if there are accessible toilets, changing facilities or privacy rooms available to help make your journey as easy as possible.

10. Checking out. If departure is not taking place until later in the day, for extra comfort why not consider asking for a late check-out or see if the hotel might offer a half-day rate if you need to stay longer than a couple of hours.

In addition to the travel factsheet, some of Ireland’s leading travel organisations, including the daa, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann and Irish Rural Link, have signed up as partners to the Dementia: Understand Together campaign. The campaign will continue to work with these organisations to look at ways to improve the travel experience for people with dementia and their families in 2018.

There are at least 400 different types of dementia which is caused by different diseases of the brain. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for two-thirds of cases. Vascular dementia is the second most common type and is caused by diseases which affect blood circulation in the brain. Symptoms include memory loss, confusion with time or place, difficulty communicating, issues with problem-solving, and behaviour changes. Leading a healthy lifestyle, eating healthily, not smoking, avoiding excess alcohol, getting blood pressure checked/treated and being active physically, mentally and socially can help reduce the risk of dementia. Dementia is not a normal part of aging - 9 out of 10 people over 65 do not have dementia. Two-thirds of people living with dementia in Ireland are women. One in 10 people diagnosed with dementia are under 65. Over 180,000 people in Ireland are either currently, or have been, carers for a family member or partner with dementia.

Dementia: Understand Together is one of six key elements of the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme and has been made possible through a funding partnership between the HSE’s Health and Wellbeing Division and The Atlantic Philanthropies. The funding for the campaign is E2.7m over three years; this has been augmented with additional investment and contribution in terms of staff and management resources from the HSE, and a wide range of partner organisations. Dementia: Understand Together is supported by over 30 partner organisations across Ireland, including in the retail, transport, banking, health, voluntary and community sectors. These organisations are leading the way in creating communities that actively embrace and include those living with dementia and their loved ones.

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 29

History

Within these walls..

Lorna Hogg traces the histories of two of Ireland’s major walled cities, Dublin and Derry

Dublin City Hall’s excellent Interpretative Centre Exhibition offers an excellent overview of the city’s history,

Within these walls.... lie a city’s history and defences, its origins, trade and conflicts, plus its dwellings, theatres and inns. Usually created for defence, walled cities had their gates locked each night for defence, and these gates were also useful customs barriers, where tolls plus taxes could be easily collected on goods. We are fortunate to have retained two walled cities in Ireland, which have in varying degrees survived development over the ages. Derry is internationally famed as one of the finest walled cities in Europe, whilst Dublin’s remaining sections of city wall recall a capital city’s thousand years of history Viking past Dublin was, of course, founded by the Vikings, and the walls date to around the 9th century.

The walled city that we know, however, was primarily created by the Normans, with Dublin Castle at its heart. Its Record Tower, dating from 1204 - 1228, is the last remaining medieval tower, and the medieval castle lay in the Upper Castle Yard area.

The walls were initially built to protect the city’s inhabitants from various tribes based in the Dublin mountains - but could not, of course 30 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

protect from disease. Bubonic plague – the Black Death, struck in 1438, and spread quickly in the crowded city, which had grown to around one square mile, and became home to up to up to 11,000 people. Stretching from Dublin Castle to Cooke Street, and from Bridge Street, to Dame Street, medieval Dublin was noisy, dangerous, dirty and smelly. Narrow alleyways led to bustling markets and thoroughfares, with time told by Cathedral bells, and the city gates were locked every night. Laws were upheld, and punishments were brutal - Cornmarket held public executions and floggings.

There was public pillory near to Castle Street/ Werburg Street, whilst Newgate had a jail in its watchtower.

Walking the walls..

Dame Street is an ideal starting spot for a wallwalk. It is named for Dam Gate and the ancient church of St. Marie le Dam, which name was a corruption of an ancient nearby mill dam. Visit the City Hall’s excellent Interpretative Centre Exhibition for an overview of Dublin’s history, and allow plenty of time for a visit to Dublin Castle, its splendid State Apartments and underground walkways. The splendid Bermingham and Powder Towers (largely 13th century)

remain, and nearby lie the Dubh Linn Gardens, on the site of the city’s original Black Pool, where the Danes once moored their boats.

Returning to Dame Street, cross the road to walk down to Temple Bar. It was possibly named for the London version – relating to a bar or barrier to the walled city. Walk down Essex Gate to Lower Exchange Street, through the patterns of the ancient city streets, see the remains of Isolde’s Tower, open to public view.

Many of those streets were named after trades – such as Copper Alley, Exchange Street, Blackpitts (tanning), Cow’s Lane, Skinner’s Row, Fishamble, Winetavern and Cooke Streets. High Street held the meat market, Fishamble Street the fish market. Watch out for remains of an old arched gateway, which once led to a music hall, where Handel conducted the first performance of The Messiah.

The recently refurbished Smock Alley Theatre was one of the city’s famed eighteenth century theatres.

The walled city still contains two original churches – the ancient parish church, St. Audoen (1181 -1212) and Christ Church Cathedral, the latter believed to date from around 1030. In the shadow of the latter, where the Civic

History

tinue along Grand Parade, towards Butcher’s Gate, with its atmospheric views out over the Bogside. You can walk through Butcher’s Gate, into Free Derry, where The Museum is also well worth a visit, and a short stroll from the famed Murals.

Dublin’s one remaining original city gate - St. Audoen’s Gate, and its cobbles and narrow walkway once led up and into the old City.

Offices now stand, once lay the famous area known as Hell. An early version of Monto, it was famed for drinking dens, and its statue of the Devil at the entrance. Look out for John’s Lane, one of the city’s few remaining medieval lanes, alongside the Cathedral.

Keep walking to Winetavern Street, once home to many ancient pubs, and then over to Cooke Street, where a section of the wall remains, dating to the 13th century. It was named for the ovens of the food vendors,which were sited outside the city walls to lessen fire risk.

St. Audoen’s Church, is at hand, and in its park, you’re at the height of the original battlements.

The one remaining original city gate, is sited here - St. Audoen’s Gate, and its cobbles and narrow walkway once led up and into the old City.

Brazen Head pub

Derry is synonymous with its 1689 Siege, when the Apprentice Boys slammed the city gates against King James II’s army. Inhabitants struggled for 105 days to survive, until the boom over the river Foyle was broken and relief arrived. It has been estimated that only half the population survived. Dogs, cats, rats were not so lucky – all were eaten. The Apprentice Boys Hall still stands and and the Siege Museum is another must see.

There are plenty of guided walks available, covering the history, and all traditions are represented. However, for a fresh view, it’s a good idea to initially walk the walls yourself.

Aside from the history, the building and design in the many gates, especially their arches, is superbly preserved.

The siege cannon Roaring Meg is one of the most famous landmarks, and after a full restoration, stands in Double Bastion. You’ll also notice the number of churches - St Columb’s Cathedral is a must- see, along with its Chapter House Museum. Nearby Bishop’s Gate, one of the four original entrances, has a particularly fine arch. The walled city’s layout, including its central Diamond, remains, now containing shops, excellent restaurants and cafes, including Del Mondo and Java. It’s also worth strolling down to the Playhouse, restored in 2004, after featuring in the BBC Restoration series. If you are determined to have the full `walled city experience’, the Maldron Hotel is sited within the walls.

The Guildhall has an excellent and scrupuously even-handed exhibition of the city’s history and traditions, and is just a short stroll from the Magazine Gate. Historians will enjoy The Tower Museum and its excellent exhibitions, including the nearby Armada Shipwreck. Con

www.dublincity.ie www.visitdublin.com www.fmd.ie www.discovernorthernreland.com www.visitderry.com www.derrywalls.com

from Gael, and they have been both backdrop and instrumental to the city and region’s turbulent history. Over recent years, however, they have changed from a somewhat dour reminders of conflict, to a top tourist attraction, aided by the city’s sympathetic makeover for Derry’s time as 2013 City of Culture.

Nearby lies Bridge Street and the ancient Brazen Head Pub, and also Cornmarket where hanging and floggings took place. New Gate led out onto Thomas Street. Nearby lies the atmospheric Back Lane, which contains the Tailor’s Hall, the last remaining example of Dublin’s many medieval guildhalls. Lamb Alley and Ross Street still retain sections of original wall, which continued along to Little Ship Street, at the foot of the Castle walls.

It’s well worth contacting Friends of Medieval Dublin, who run an excellent series of lunchtime lectures, and various events, and can help with most enquiries.

Derry, the Maiden City Derry/Londonderry, the Maiden City whose walls were never breached, is famed as one of the finest walled cities in Europe. Dating from 1613- 18, the walls were built to separate Planter

Derry’s is famed as one of the finest walled cities in Europe and dates from 1613- 18,.

32 Senior Times l March - April 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Genealogy

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins recently visited EPIC.

10 million Irish stories at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is located on Custom House Quay in Dublin’s Docklands, a place that has played and important role in Ireland’s history.This is where many people left our shores during the Great Famine and EPIC explores that chapter of Irish history – but and much more.

EPIC tells the stories of the Irish people who left their homeland, the challenges they faced and what they achieved. The museum is very interactive with easy-to-use technology – visitors are even issued their own souvenir passports to stamp as they walk through each gallery.

Nominated for European Museum of the Year 2018, it’s an essential place to visit for those with an interest in Irish history, culture and people.

The interactive sports gallery features Irish sporting figures who excelled in their field, as well as capturing the growth of GAA clubs worldwide.

The impact of traditional and modern Irish music is highlighted, as well as timeless and much-loved works by writers, artists and designers. With over 70 million around the world claiming Irish ancestry, strong connections remain today with Ireland’s diaspora.

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins recently visited EPIC. President Higgins is known as a long-time supporter of the Irish diaspora around the world and has often spoken on the subject: “Our diaspora is one of Ireland’s greatest resources: through the contribution our people make to the nations they migrate to; through the bonds they forge with the peoples of those countries, our migrants have allowed Ireland to have global connections far beyond our size.” Following his visit, President Higgins was presented with his family history as researched by the Irish Family History Centre which is on-site.

Many renowned political figures with Irish ancestry feature at EPIC, notably many US Presidents including John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama, as well as Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

EPIC is the perfect day out for the whole family. Located in the vaults of the beautifully restored CHQ building, EPIC is close to public parking and 34 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

has excellent public transport links. With many cafés and restaurants in CHQ, visitors can enjoy a bite to eat if they wish and re-enter the museum to complete their visit. Audio guides and guided tours are available, with the friendly and knowledgeable EPIC team on hand to help.

SPECIAL SUMMER OFFER Senior Times in association with EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum - are offering grannies and grandads on any Tuesday in June /July to bring 2 grandkids for free’!

COMPETITION

EPIC are also offering our readers and friends a prize of 4 people to visit EPIC plus lunch for 4 in Ely Restaurant situated only meters away in the CHQ, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1 To enter simply answer the following question; Approximately how many million people worldwide claim to be of Irish ancestry ( find the answer in the article above ) Is it 50 , 60 or 70 million?

Send us your entry; By Post to Unit 1 - 15 Oxford Lane,Ranelagh, D6 D06 W5K2 or by email to info@slp.ie Be sure to include your details so we can contact you if you are the lucky winner!

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Retirement

Study genealogy in your retirement

Joe McDermott: ‘What we’re hoping from the course is that people will end up with the skeleton or the bones of their own story and the ability to write a family history.’

The Retirement Planning Council of Ireland have announced a new genealogy and family history course . Maretta Dillon spoke to Joe McDermott, one of the two course leaders.

Joe, a Local History expert living in Co Mayo, is very excited about the new two-day Genealogy and Family History Course which the Retirement Planning Council of Ireland (RPCI) has just announced.

Joe and his fellow trainer, Dora Murphy, want to get people started on researching and writing their family history.

Joe makes the point that context is everything, ‘usually we do genealogy for ourselves, we want to find out where we came from, but we want to be able to tell others, hey look, at Uncle Martin who fought in the First World War or something like that, we might want to give a bit of context, what was it like in the trenches, how did people survive?’

‘This is not a kind of just pure genealogy with lists of names and dates of birth. I come from a background of writing local history and writing family history,’ explains Joe. ‘What we’re hoping from the course is that people will end up with the skeleton or the bones of their own story and the ability to write a family history.’

Using the internet to investigate the various online records is a key part of the course. For those who feel they might benefit from a brief overview of the required IT skills, they need not worry. ‘Dora is an expert on technology - that’s her role in this. She’s going to do an IT overview early in the morning for anybody who wants to get used to opening files, opening different websites and knowing how to move between them,’ adds Joe.

The course is designed for people from beginner to intermediate level.

At the end of the course, participants should know about the major sources for Irish Genealogy. They should also be comfortable about researching online sources. The idea is to work backwards from dependable sources to find historical records so from the known to the unknown. They should be able to store and save family records such as photographs. Adding historical context to their family history so that is interesting and informative but still an individual story is the aim.

36 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

The rest of the course is divided into different chapters or headings looking at: Census Data (history of Irish censuses, using the 1901 and 1911 census); Griffith’s Valuations (history of Griffith’s Valuation and Ordnance survey maps); Tithe Applotment Books (finding and understanding data from

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Retirement

these books); various Irish records available online including births, deaths and marriages; emigration and records about the Irish abroad.

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The second day begins with a recap of learning on day one before looking at the various repositories in Ireland including the National Library and National Archives of Ireland. Other places where major records of Irish interest are held include: British Parliamentary Papers; Land Records; Chief Secretary of Ireland’s Office Registered Papers; School and Folklore records. How are where to find photographs and maps will be investigated before finishing with a session on Putting It All Together. This will explore writing your story, what format and style might you choose and what is the best structure to use in terms of chapter headings etc.

Joe explains how he sees the course working for participants, ‘I will do the introduction, explain the differences between primary and secondary sources. Let’s say we talk about the census. I will explain census data and where it comes from. And then Dora will say, now folks open your laptops and go to the following sites. She will show them how to use the online sources that are there.’

Joe also adds that Dora is, ‘going to take participants through the various software programmes that are available like Ancestry.com.

She’s going to point out which ones she recommends and how best to access them. Dora will go through software you can download for free and others that you can subscribe to. She will also talk about the DNA profiling that’s going on now.’

It’s quite a lot to cover in two days but Joe stresses that both he and Dora have a lot of experience in the area. ‘Could I say that myself and Dora have been involved together in running courses here in Mayo. We have individually been involved in doing local family stuff. In 2011, I was involved in the Chambers family here in Newport where they had a get together and we produced a book on their history.

Dora has done the same with a place called Ballintubber which is quite well known among historians because of Ballintubber Abbey, so she got people together to research their own family histories and put the whole lot together into one production. I taught a Diploma Course in Local History for NUI Maynooth both here and particularly in Northern Ireland which included cross community stuff.’

Joe stressses that all through the course there will be opportunities for questions and answers as well as feedback from participants. Each course costs E250 and includes tea/coffee and lunch on both days.

The next course will take place in The Retirement Planning Council of Ireland’s training room in Camden Street, Dublin 2 on 12th & 13th June 2018. If you are interested in attending please contact RPCI on 01 4789471 or at coursebookings@rpc.ie 38 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Don’t just worry, talk to someone who understands. Call The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s free and For more information about the early signs and a name to a face or remember where the car is confidential Helpline. of Alzheimer’s and otherwhere dementias and parked. But if you are worried about changes in Everyone can symptoms be forgetful and struggle to put a name to a face or remember the car is parked. But ifhow you are worried about changes inmade memory, mood orus ability to manage daily life, it is a diagnosis is call today on memory, mood or ability to manage daily life, itimportant is to do something about it.

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Guess the year

By Jerry Perkins

For instance, where would we be without Tayto, which first saw the light of day in this year; and to a lesser extent Burger King which was established at this time?

Significant blueprints for modern rock music were also drawn up, with Bill Haley and the Comets’‘Rock Around the Clock’ and Elvis Presley’s debut single ‘That’s All Right’ going a long way to inventing rock and roll.

There was certainly no such thing as ‘fake news’ back then, with the newspapers not short of real content. Indeed, there was an addition to their ranks with the Evening Press published for the first time.

Newsworthy stories included the attack on French rule in Indochina sowing the seeds of the Vietnam War, with US vice-president Richard Nixon admitting the US might have to join the effort; the McCarthyism hearings into America’s relationship with communism continuing turning the focus to the US army; the Soviet Union recognising the sovereignty ofPDF From East Germany; Marilyn Monroe marrying Joe DiMaggio; British war code breaker Alan Turing dying; Boeing launching its new 707 jet; the list goes on.

The year also saw South Korea’s Unification Church popularly known as ‘the Moonies’ - established and the first annual meeting of the Bilderberg Group of the world’s most powerful and influential figures from the world’s of politics, industry, finance and the media.

40 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

At home, a general election saw John A Costello’s Fine Gael oust Dev’s Fianna Fáil, while 25 year-old convicted murderer Michael Manning became the last person to be executed in the State. Alfie Byrne was elected Lord Mayor of Dublin for the tenth time, plans were unveiled for Cork Airport, while an arms raid in Co Armagh signified a renewal of IRA activity after a lengthy hiatus.

The sports pages of the newspapers were a mix of what would now be viewed as normal service and bygone stuff - what with (West) Germany winning the World Cup, Cork winning the Hurling All Ireland, Meath the football and Shamrock Rovers winning the League of Ireland...but also Drumcondra lifting the FAI Cup, Wolverhamption Wanderers clinching what is now the English Premier League and West Bromwich Albion the FA Cup. This was the year European football’s governing body Uefa was born and during which Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four minute mile. US sports magazine Sports Illustrated was also born this year.

It was also a good year for culture in Ireland - Brendan Behan’s ‘The Quare Fellow’ premiering at Dublin’s Pike Theatre, Christy Brown’s ‘My Left Foot’ published and the first public celebration of ‘Bloomsday’.

Internationally, Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’ and ‘White Christmas’ were the top two highest grossing films - taking in a combined $67m - but that year’s Oscars were dominated by ‘On the Waterfront’. In England, the first episode of ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ - starring Tony Hancock and Sid James - was aired.

The year? 1954.

This was a year of notable firsts and at least one notable last.

It was also a year of notable cultural advancements which still shape our tastes to this day.

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Help us to Help You – Senior Times Readers Survey In order for us to learn more about our readers and to improve Senior Times we would appreciate it if you could complete this questionnaire by circling the appropriate answers and returning to us at the address below. We can accept photocopies or you can email your answers to info@slp.ie (Pease omit answers to questions which you feel are intrusive).

All completed surveys will be entered into a draw to win a trip to Sunset Beach Club, a wonderful hotel on the Costa Del Sol . The prize offer is a 3 night Winter Stay for 2 persons B&B (to be taken between November 2018 and February 2019) and Senior Times will pay 200 Euros towards the costs of the flights to the winner!

1. What would be your most pertinent suggestions as to how we can improve Senior Times magazine

9. How often do you change your car?

Please specify:

Every two years

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Every five years

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Every ten years or more.

2. Are you Married

Single

Widowed

Separated/Divorced

?

3. Which age group are you? (please circle) 45-54

55-64

65-74

75+

4. Are you retired or still working? ..........................................................................................

5. What are your main leisure interests or activities?

Sport

Travel

Creative writing Reading

Music

DIY

Bridge

Theatre/Cinema

Walking

Cooking

Art

Gym/yoga/exercise

No

7. Do you own investment property or overseas property?

No

8. Do you own a car?

Yes

Bank of Ireland

KBC

Permanent TSB

Ulster Bank

Other

11. Are you a member of a credit union? ..........................................................................

12. Do you have health insurance? ...........................................................................................

Genealogy

If yes, is it with a mortgage or do you own it outright?

Yes

AIB

Gardening

6. Do you own your own property?

Yes

10. With which banks or financial institutions do you have accounts?

No

If yes, which model and year? ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................

42 Senior Times l March - April 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

13. What is your preferred medium to find out general news and what’s on?

Irish Independent

Irish Times

Irish Daily Mirror

Irish Examiner

RTE Television

RTE Radio 1

Other (please specify below) ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

14. Do you own a Smart Phone?

Yes

No

Your home from home on the Costa del Sol 15. Do you own a laptop computer or tablet?

19. Where do you do your grocery shopping?

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relaxing conveniences of self-catering For Tesco a more luxurious option, why extended holiday, Sunset Beach Club & apartments. Outstanding facilities not Supervalu treat yourself to a stay in one of Marks and Spencer If you are online, who isby yourFBD Internet provider?

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Dunnes Stores & Spencer pool towels, and views and daily Happy Hour, Oasis suchMarks as bathrobes, If dissatisfied, explain why briefly: Arnottsvanity pack.

Restaurant with EarlyShaws Bird offers and welcome an extensive à la carte menu to suit Brown Thomas ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Littlewoods every taste.

AlsoOther open-plan design are the brand Pamela Scott new Garden Suites located on the ................................................................................................................................................................................................. ground floor.

Available from 21. On average how much would you spend on clothes in a March 2018, they boast generous dimensions, year? ................................................................................................................................................................................................. luxury bathroom and pool views. This room type can also be adapted for 17. Which of these type of breaks would you typically take FABULOUSinLOCATION & FACILITIES request.

22. If you are female, onwheelchair average howusers much on would you a year: Firstly, the fabulous seafront location spend on cosmetic/beauty products/hair and skin products in a year? is hard to and within easy break reachin Ireland Midbeat, week/weekend or longer as there are several daily flights direct ................................................................................................................................................................................................. from Dublin to Malaga City break in Europeall year round.

Depending on the season, there are 23. Name your favourite brands?

Sun holiday Europeregional Irish also flights from inother COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION airports to Malaga, so make sure to The accommodation itself provides ................................................................................................................................................................................................. holiday in Europe or beyond look for Winter thosesun also.

From the airport a everything you need for a comfortable 15-20 minutes taxi ride will take you to stay. Our standard one bedroom Long haul break (e.g. Florida, Australia, South Africa) Sunset Beach Club. apartments have a ................................................................................................................................................................................................. double or twin bedroom separated from the lounge Other (please specify) by sliding doors, Name: fully ............................................................................................................................................................................ equipped HOTEL ACTIVITIES kitchenette, lounge/dining area with So once you have settled in, why not Address: .................................................................................................................................................................... sofa bed for two, bathroom with join in one the free daily activities ................................................................................................................................................................................................. hairdryer, individually controlled air- organized by the hotel’s entertainment ................................................................................................................................................................................................. conditioning/heating, and terrace with team, which include stretching classes, ................................................................................................................................................................................................. table & chairs. TheyTelephone: also have free cookery lessons, darts & French boules, .............................................................................................................................................................. wifi, and TV with Irish & international amongst many more! Alternatively, you 18. On average how much would you spend on breaks in a channels. Exterior apartments have could wander to the guest library and E Mail: ............................................................................................................................................................................ year? mountain or sea views, and Prime sea help yourself to a book for a relaxing The resort itself combines the services view apartments have a guaranteed read on your terrace or by the pool. ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Senior Times, 15 Oxford Lane Ranelagh, Dublin 6 of a 4* hotel, such as 24 hour reception sea view.

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 43 Sunset Beach Club

Attractions

Lough Derg, a unique place of pilgrimage In this latest Senior Times feature offering suggestions for visits we highlight two contrasting and popular places of interest: Lough Derg and Russborough House Perhaps remarkably, Lough Derg continues to hold its appeal for young and old alike.

Pilgrims often say that what they get from the experience is something entirely unexpected. The island shrine is a meeting place where God’s healing grace is sometimes experienced in an intensity seldom encountered elsewhere. The spiritual programmes, the companionship of fellow pilgrims and the prayer tradition of the Island all make their contribution.

Coming away from everyday life offers the space to look at the past with understanding, make sense of the present and look to the shores of new possibilities.

Many people today find themselves at a new threshold in their lives, some come to reflect on a life-changing decision, to overcome a loss, to make peace with something from their past, or to thank God for joy in their life. Whatever brings people to Lough Derg, it is always a place of surprises. Pilgrims will often say that what they got out of their experience was something entirely unexpected. And this is as it should be, for God is a ‘God of surprises.

The Three Day Pilgrimage is a deeply powerful experience that requires endurance and an openness to enter deeply into the spirit of the pilgrimage – surrendering to the tried and tested.

The Three Day Pilgrimage follows the tradition of St Patrick. To come on pilgrimage to Lough Derg one walks in the spiritual footsteps of St Patrick. Today, pilgrims young and old walk side by side in this place apart in a contemplative tradition that links them with St Patrick.

The Three Day Pilgrimage is a programme of prayer, fasting (one simple Lough Derg meal each day) walking bare-footed and 24hr Vigil. Without shoes and sleep and little food in our stomachs we are confronted with the essential aspects of life, everything else is stripped away and we can often discover our hidden strengths and rediscover what really matters in life.

Generations of Irish people have ensured that Lough Derg remains a piece of living history – the current generation can help ensure its deep spiritual benefits are passed on alive. www.loughderg.org

Russborough open again after million euro restoration

The magnificently restored salon at Russborough

Russborough House at Blessington, Co Wicklow – one of Ireland’s grandest houses – has recently to the public for the 2018 season. During the winter closure, the first phase of a major refurbishment has been completed. Over E1 million has been spent as part of ongoing conservation and maintenance to ensure the future of the 300-year-old house.

44 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

WHERE HISTORY & CULTURE LIVE ON Rediscover Russborough – rich with paintings collected by the Earls of Milltown and donated to the National Gallery of Ireland in 1902, on view in their original surroundings for the first time in over 100 years.

The RHSI 18th century walled garden is available for pre booked groups For Family Fun: there is a Maze, Fairy trail, Playground & Tree Trail 2km Audio walking tour of the Demesne - Gift Shop & Restaurant

RUSSBOROUGH CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

1978 – 2018

OPENING TIMES: 1st March to December, 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm

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

* Free Coach Park * €2 Car Park Location: 20 km from Dublin off the N81 and 4.5 km from Blessington, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

MAY ON LOUGH DERG

Nature is at its most busy in Spring, every day brings changes, it is a time of renewal and growth This May there are a number of events inviting you to experience renewal in this little unspoilt corner of creation, no matter where you are on your journey with God. The island of Lough Derg is an ancient Christian place of Pilgrimage since the 5th Century. The programme includes a number of Special Day Events where you can step aside from the daily routine, from the binds of having to do, and take the time to be.

ONE DAY RETREATS MAY - Sat 5th, Sun 6th, Mon 7th, Tues 8th, Sat 12th, Sun 13th, Tues 15th, Sun 20th, Tues 22nd, Sat 26th, Sun 27th, Mon 28th One Day Retreats offer a programme of prayer and reflection.

The day concludes with the celebration of Mass in St Patrick’s Basilica.

The Retreat programme runs from 10.00am-4.30pm.

Welcome refreshments and light lunch served.

The day retreat is open to adults and not suited to children.

(Fasting and walking barefooted is not required)

To find out more information on any of the above events please contact us on T. 071 9861518 E. info@loughderg.org

www.loughderg.org

Much-needed improvements to security, electrics and building conservation have been carried out but the main attraction for visitors is the new display of major paintings, furniture and silver that previously adorned the house.

SPECIAL DAYS Each season special retreat days offer the opportunity to experience the Island in new ways. Booking essential. Boat times vary. Welcome refreshments and light lunch served. ❚ A DAY OF FRIENDSHIP & PRAYER Wednesday 16th May 2018 Neighbours and friends from across the Christian Churches delight in enjoying a special day of friendship, prayer and reflection together on the Island.

Admission €25. ❚ CARE FOR CREATION DAY Saturday 19th May 2018 This new event will explore the call of Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Sí – to care for our common home. Reflection will centre on how, in practical ways, we may make our contribution. Admission €45. ❚ QUIET DAY Friday 25th May 2018 A Quiet Day is a precious day for oneself with God, an opportunity for contemplation and spiritual nourishment. A self-guided day at your own pace. Admission €35.

(A second Quiet Day will occur on Mon 3 Sept 2018)

public 40 years ago. While that sounds impressive, the stately home needs to increase visitor numbers – currently averaging around 2,000 per month – to ensure its long-term survival. Unlike many landmark heritage properties, the house isn’t owned by the State and, while it receives some limited public funding, relies mainly on ticket sales and fundraising.

Some of the new exhibits are from the Alfred Beit Collection of art have not been seen for decades; others have been loaned back by the National Gallery of Ireland from the original ‘Milltown Collection’ and have not been seen in Russborough House for 120 years.

The former owners, the late Sir Alfred and Lady Beit, effectively gifted the house and its contents to the people of Ireland via a charitable trust called the Alfred Beit Foundation

One million people have visited Russborough since it first opened to the

www.russborough.ie

46 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

KYLEMORE ABBEY & VICTORIAN WALLED GARDEN Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden is just one hour from Galway city and one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. Situated in the heart of beautiful Connemara Kylemore Abbey is rightly known as one of Irelands best loved- and most iconic country estates. Built in 1868 as an elaborate gift for Margaret the wife of the fabulously wealthy Mitchell Henry, Kylemore has had a rich and varied history.

Kylemore’s story encompasses romance, politics, tragedy, and excess but also spirituality education and innovation. Owned by the Benedictine order of nuns since 1920, over the years Kylemore has evolved into a place of welcome

and hospitality. Experience woodland and lake shore walks, magnificent buildings and Ireland’s largest Walled Garden! Enjoy wholesome food and delicious home-baking in our Café or Garden Tea House.

History talks take place three times a day in the Abbey and tours of the Walled Garden take place throughout the summer. Browse our Craft and Design Shop for unique gifts including Kylemore Abbey Pottery and award winning chocolate handmade by the Benedictine nuns .The estate is open all year and great value accommodation is available locally,

choose from luxurious hotels, gracious guest houses and cosy B+Bs. Other nearby visitor attractions include Connemara National Park, the Derrygimlagh Alcock and Brown landing site and the endless beauty of Connemara’s’ lakes, mountains and beaches. Make Kylemore Abbey a part of your Connemara Experience! Senior rates available for over 65s.

To find our more visit: www.kylemoreabbey.com or call 095 52001

KYLEMORE ABBEY

& VICTORIAN WA L L E D G A R D E N

KYLEMORE ABBEY

& VICTORIAN WA L L E D G A R D E N

Visit beautiful Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Connemara, home to the Benedictine community since 1920.

History, nature, exploration, relaxation, shopping and dining combine to create the perfect day out at any time of year.

+353 (0) 95 52001 info@kylemoreabbey.com www.kylemoreabbey.com /KylemoreAbbeyandGarden /Kylemoretoday @Kylemoreabbey

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 47

Whiskey The striking façade of the Teelings Distillery in the heart of the Dublin Liberties

Whiskey galore!

Lorna Hogg travels the ‘Irish Whiskey Trail’ Renowned for its uisce beath - `the water of life,’ Ireland now has its own ‘Spirit Trail’, encompassing the country from Bushmills to Dingle. It includes both famous names and new entrants, offering plenty of history, tours – and the all important tastings.What is available is as varied as the distilleries. You can visit on a whim for a basic tour. You can book a group visit, or celebrate a special date with a specialist tour. Some have cafes, or full restaurants, and several have `Experience’ tours, going behind the scenes, tutoring you in the craft, and even allowing you to blend your own creation.

OLD BUSHMILLS... has it all. A few miles from the Giant’s Causeway, in a peaceful village ideally suited to Causeway Coast attractions, it lies across the road from the (now luxurious) old Bushmills Inn, famed for its food. For the Bushmills smooth whiskey, it’s all about the patient distilling and ageing in American oak used casks. Dating back to its 1608 Charter, it has survived four centuries, through fire, taxes and Prohibition, has featured on screen, been mentioned in Joyce’s Ulysses and has even featured on a banknote. There are also whiskey tastings available.

Individuals can join a first come, first served basic tour - tour groups contain up to fourteen people, on the regular walking 40 minute tours.

Groups of 15 plus can book in advance (a wise move.) There are also whiskey tastings available. Adults – £8. Seniors £7, group £6.50.

Open – Mon – Sat and Sunday afternoons. www.bushmills.com Tel. 044 28 207 33218/33272 JAMESON is one of the great Irish whiskey names, and now has two centres for enthusiasts to visit, with a wide range of available tours.

Jameson has been associated with Dublin’s Bow street for 200 years, but in 1975, the production moved to Middleton, in Cork. Now, with space to increase production, and surrounded by local barley fields, they also have a good selection of excellent tours. Enquire also about event bookings and private hire Midleton Tours include the classic `The Jameson Distillery Experience’ a 75 minute tour of distillery buildings, and glass of Jameson. 35 people maximum. Children (accomp. by adults) welcome. E20 per adult.

You can also enjoy extended and behind the scenes tours.

Jameson Bow Street Dublin, hosts 40 minute guided Distillery Tours for up to 30 people, with a free drink. 30 people max. Tickets - E20, E16 Seniors.

48 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

A fuller option, `The Whiskey Blending Class’ lasts 90 minutes, and is hosted by a Jameson Ambassador. You will visit the distillery, enjoy a tasting in Maturation, and learn how to blend your own whiskey to take home. E60 Check websites for other tours. www.jamesonwhiskey.com Tel 01 807 2355 and 021 461 3594 TULLAMORE DEW DISTILLERY... dates back to 1829, and now has a visitor centre and restaurant in the original bonded warehouses, by the Grand Canal, as testament to its history. Now, with a state of the art new distillery, a variety of tours re-creates its history. `Curious Tasters’ guided tour offers a guided tour and tutored whiskey tasting at E14 per person. `Whiskey Wise Masterclass’ offers and extended tour, for E28. The ` Ultimate Distillery Experience’ takes you behind the scenes, touring the process from still to blending and casking, with a chance to create your own blend, with lunch included.

By appointment only - 5 hrs, E150. www.tullamoredew.com Tel: 057 932 5015 DINGLE DISTILLERY come from the ideas and drive of the Porterhouse Brewing Company – Oliver Hughes, plus the skills of Liam LaHart and Peter Mosley. From pioneer craft beer, they moved to whiskey, and in 2012, they opened the boutique distillery. Copper stills and pot stills, help to create an artisan blend, and tours are now firmly placed on the local tourist trail.

Adut tours E15 www.dingledistillery.ie Tel. 066 4029011 KILBEGGAN DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE is based in a distiller in which has been on the same site for 256 years, in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath.

Complete with machinery, a water wheel and steam engine, a tour takes you back to how whiskey was made in the nineteenth century – before bringing you into the present, and how it is distilled today. Groups of 10 can enjoy the guided tours and tastings, with `The Apprentice Tour’ E14, `The Distiller Tour’ E26.

If you’re looking for something extra, then `The Connisseur Experience’, held several times a year, has some interesting features. Joint the Global Brand Ambassador, take a thorough tour, enjoy lunch, tastings and then pull a sample from an ageing cask, to take home. The tour is limited to 12 people, E85 pp. Open year round - see website for details. www.kilbeggandistillery.com Tel 057 933 2134

★★★★

OVER 50’S MIDWEEK BREAKS Enjoy a midweek break in Tralee, our Over 50’s breaks include Bed/Breakfast & Dinner each evening and complimentary Tea/Coffee & Scones on arrival.

2018

PACKAGES

January-March & November-December

April 1st-17th 20th-31st May May & October June & September

July & August

2 Dinner, B&B

€ 99 pps

€105 pps

€119 pps

€139 pps

3 Dinner, B&B

€144 pps

€150 pps

€164 pps

€184 pps

Single Room Supplement

€28 per night

The Rose Hotel, Dan Spring Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry. V92 HKA4.

Tel: +353 (0)66 719 9100 | Email: reservations@therosehotel.com

www.therosehotel.com

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Help us enable people to live well to the end with dignity and respect, in a care setting of their choice, surrounded by their loved ones.

contact Clare Martin at 01 679 3188 or clare.martin@hospicefoundation.ie www.hospicefoundation.ie

The distillery in a church.. the Pearse Lyons Distillery in the former St James Church in Thomas Street, Dublin

The ‘business end’ at Dingle Distillery

Alex Mountcharles at the entrance to Slane Distillery

Echlinville Distillery near Newtownards in Co Down

SLANE DISTILLERY is the `new distiller by the casks’, with a state of the art distillery opening at Slane Castle this year. The one hour `immersive’ tasting tour of Slane Irish Whiskey will take visitors through the process of creating their blend, with 7 tours per day. Adult E18, Seniors E16 20.

Open 7 days a week. www.slanecastle.ie/tours/distillery-tours Tel. 046 9030 600 PEARSE LYONS DISTILLERY at 121 St. James lies in the Liberties, and it’s unlikely that you’ll ever have previously been in a distillery quite like this one. It’s in an old Church, painstakingly restored, and offering a wide range of tours, and a cafe.

The basic tour costs E20, (E18 for concessions), and free to children under 10, plus 3 whiskey tastings.

A private distillery tour, for up to 30 people and a guide for the process stages, plus 4 tastings. There is also a `Food Pairing Experience’ – matching the whiskey to different foods - E65, for 25-50 people. `The Art of Whiskey Distilling’ is VIP tour, for 15 people, and includes arrival cocktails, private tour, food pairing, and then creating your own Irish whiskey from the still, to bring home. You also have the option to own the first cask strength spirit from their pot stills.

Open every day – check website for hours and tour details. www.pearselyonsdistillery.com Tel. 01 691 6000 TEELING DISTILLERY, Newmarket, Dublin, is the first new whiskey distillery in the the city for 125 years, and complete with onsite cafe.

With tastings and tours from E15 - E30, complete with samplings, it is advisable to book ahead. Open every day. www.teelingdistillery.com Tel. 01 531 0888 50 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

ECHLINVILLE DISTILLERY Kircubbin, near Newtownards in Co. Down, is the first new distillery in Northern Ireland for 125 years. The pedigree is good - they gave us the much lauded JawBox Classic Dry Gin. Now whiskey is getting the treatment. State of the art equipment is housed in a structure allowing views of the beautiful surrounding countryside – and the barley grown for the process. It allows a real insight into the workings of a modern distillery, and there is also an excellent restaurant.

Pre-booked tours include `Tour and Taste’ for £15 per person – adults only. They also have other tour experiences. www.echlinville.com Tel. 0044 28 42738 597 RADEMON ESTATE DISTILLERY, Crossgar, Co. Down is already an old historic estate, most recently famed for its Shortcross Gin, the first craft gin to be produced in Northern Ireland. Now, they have produced a malt whiskey – noted for aromatic scents of the forests and gardens on the historic estate. Like their gin, their tours are `small and carefully curated! Tours are adult only – and they will recommend local restaurants. wwwshortcrossgin.com Tel. 0044 28 4483 0001 Ones to watch..

Two centuries ago Derry was the whiskey capital of the world, due to the number of distilleries there. A century after the last one closed, the situation will be rectified, with the opening this year of of the Quiet Man Distillery.

The Dublin Liberties Distillery www.thedublinlibertiesdistillery Check websites for the latest information. While every effort has been made to mention currently available tours, dates and details can change.

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Creative Writing Eileen Casey

Highlighting the chasm between ageing women and how its presented ‘One of the few advantages of age is that you can report on it with a certain authority; you are a native now, and know what goes on here’– Penelope Lively

Dr Michaela Schrage-Fruh, Lecturer in German, NUIG.

It’s with great pleasure that I bring welcome news of a very interesting event. Held over two days, the amount of preparation in advance of the opening registration on Thursday 10th May, is clearly evident in the remarkably interesting and varied programme. This is a quality event and although focused on the new interdisciplinary field of ageing studies, it’s very much a reassessment of how cultural representations of ageing are a social and cultural construct.

This is an area where there are already well established research centres such as the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology (NUI Galway) or the Iss21 (UCC). These centres are indications of the level of active, Irish scholars in this dialogue.

Events such as this one require an amount of dynamic input and dedication. These qualities are not found wanting in either Dr Maggie O’Neill, Gender, Arc, UL and Moore Institute 52 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

Visiting Fellow or Dr Michaela Schrage-Fruh, Lecturer in German, NUIG. These eminent scholars believe that gender itself is the one aspect that would truly benefit from specific foregrounding. It is their belief that such preliminary work is pertinent because the ageing woman is obscured in so many contexts – for instance, in media representation, economic security, health and welfare. Part of this raising of awareness in this regard is the symposium in May. As well as offering a range of life affirming talks, this event marks the inaugural meeting of the Women and Ageing Research Network, WARN as well as launching a collection entitled Ageing Women in Literature and Visual Culture: Reflections, Refractions, Re-imaginings edited

by Cathy McGlynn, Maggie 0’Neill and Michaela Schrage-Fruh.

This event carries forward the momentum of the international, interdisciplinary confer

Dr Maggie O’Neill, Gender, Arc, UL and Moore Institute ence on ‘Women and Ageing: New Critical and Cultural Perspectives”, which took place in the University of Limerick in May 2015. The organisers are especially interested in the growing chasm between the experience of ageing and how it is culturally presented and

Creative Writing

perceived. A well-chosen quote from the organisers comes from Penelope Lively’s recent memoir Ammonites and Leaping Fish: A Life in Time (2013): “One of the few advantages of age is that you can report on it with a certain authority; you are a native now, and know what goes on here”. In short then, this symposium concentrates and contextualises the diversity of women’s experiences as they age which is turn counterbalances the mainly one-sided, negative re-inforcement of ageing as perpetuated by dominant cultural discourse. Over the two days, a number of highly regarded in their fields contributors will focus on a range of life writing including older women’s diaries, journals, memoirs, letters and autobiography. Digital and visual forms of life narration will also be present.

The invited speakers include experts from the areas of sociology/cultural gerontology, education studies, as well as literary and cultural studies. Selected papers of the symposium will be included in two special journal issues, one on “Women and Ageing: Private Meaning, Social Lives”, to be published in a peer-reviewed journal Life Writing, and another on “Women and Ageing in Irish Literature and Film”, to be published in the peer reviewed Nordic Irish Studies. Both issues are edited by Dr Maggie O’Niell and Dr Michaela SchrageFruh. I’m very pleased to be included on the programme with such a range of themes.

My own presentation “From Bone (Grave) to Blossom (Cradle) is on Friday, 11th May (14.00 – 15.00). reviewed journal Nordic Irish Studies.

Both issues are to be edited by Maggie O’Neill and Michaela Schrage-Früh. The organisers gratefully acknowledge the support of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, NUIG, The Moore Institute, Gender Arc, and the Irish Research Council in bringing these projects to fruition.

New writing from Ireland Another event I’m proud to be associated with is the appearance of Reading the Future: New Writing from Ireland (Arlen House),a wonderful book of poetry and prose which is published to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Hodges Figgis. In turn, Hodges Figgis is synonymous with celebrating and supporting Irish Writing. HF has sold millions of books over the centuries and is also a very reputable publisher of books and journals. HF is the official bookseller to Trinity College, the Royal Dublin Society and the Royal Society of Antiquaries. Indeed, it’s fitting that Arlen House be the publisher of this magnificent tome (over 700 pages) which includes 250 writers from all corners of the globe (include the US, UK, Italy and Singapore).

Editorial informs that the age range of the writers stretch from 23 to 93. The combined

Another event I’m proud to be associated with is the appearance of Reading the Future: New Writing from Ireland (Arlen House), a wonderful book of poetry and prose which is published to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Hodges Figgis. achievements of the writers resulted in the sale of millions of books, the winning of many awards (Booker, Kavanagh Prize, Costa and the Dublin Literary Award) and also, some of the work received the Oscar and the Bafta.

What’s really amazing about Reading the Future: New Writing from Ireland is that all the proceeds are going to a fund which will help the literary community. The cover image by Pauline Bewick, is stunning, as would befit one of our most prestigious artists. What makes this book so very attractive is the inclusion also of first time work from two literary giants. Shortly before he died (autumn 2017), J.P. Dunleavy offered a chapter from his final novel, A Letter Marked Personal, which The Lilliput Press will publish in 2018. There’s also ground-breaking drama from Maeve Binchy. Interspersed throughout the book are a series of images from HF publications from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. A short history of HF is given and the anthology ends with recommended

readings by all of the contributors. This book is well worth the purchase price of €20. Not only is it a comprehensive index of contemporary writing but it’s also a historical gem in terms of reminding us how important reading and books truly are.

Impossible Dream from Poolbeg Press Finally, new out from Poolbeg comes ‘Impossible Dream’ by Gemma Jackson. This story begins in 1898 in a Dublin orphanage. This author is no stranger to praise. Her previous books, including ‘Through Streets Broad and Narrow,’ earned five star reviews. Jackson’s new book is aptly titled. The fifth of seven children, although the family had little money, big dreams were encouraged. Reared in Dublin’s inner city, this author grew up being advised to reach for the stars while at the same time, having her ears boxed! Her early memories are around storytelling, sitting on the stairs with gangs of children while stories were being Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 53

been desperate to break free from a life of marital abuse. Help arrives in the shape of an offer from an organisation that helps women escape lives of abuse or genteel poverty. They make Georgina an offer, proposing that her house should become a school, designed to train such women to seek employment in the American West. The novel raises some interesting and intriguing questions: Can Georgina step into the unknown and lead the women under her care into a better future? The orphan maids who have heard the life changing conversation also dare to wonder if they too can have a better life for themselves. ‘Impossible Dream,’ is available in all good bookshops. I’d recommend it as a book that once it’s picked up, it’s hard to put down again.

Finally, as May is the month of Bealtaine, I’d like to wish everyone a creatively satisfying month. Over the course of the month I’ll be facilitating some ‘Love, Life and Laughter’ Workshops around South Dublin. This workshop offers a relaxing, meditative space, using calming music, Chakra balancing, oils and cards: Tuesday 1st May, (11.00am – 1.00), Ballyroan Library, Orchardstown Avenue, Rathfarnham: Friday 4th Mary (11.00 am – 1.00 pm), County Library, Library Square, Tallaght.

told. When she was seventeen, she set out to see the world. The only countries she has not visited are Australia and New Zealand.

I came across an article written by Gemma Jackson on Writing.ie. I found it inspirational in many ways. She tells us that she’d been sending out manuscripts for years and had been rejected consistently over twenty-five years.

But she never gave up her dream plus she admits that she has to write, to ‘escape into the world of my imagination. Her persistent quest for publication had its roots in her need for vindication, to receive affirmation that she could write. Her route to publication was helped by coming a member of the Romance Novelist’s Association. They offered Jackson a fabulous opportunity. In return for a yearly payment, she received expert advice and opinion. Also included was expert critique of manuscripts.

One thing she quickly learnt was that letters of interest she’d received from publishers she’d regarded as rejections. It turned out she’d never received a rejection in all her life.

Success came to her after listening to Gay Byrne’s Sunday radio program on Lyric Fm. She had a Eureka moment, noticing that listeners talked a lot about the ‘good old days’.

54 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

She realised that she was very familiar with the world they talked about and so, she started her research, reading books about the good old days until her eyes ‘practically bled.’ A theme emerged, of the Irish leaving these shores for centuries.

Tuesday, 8th May (12.00 pm – 2 pm), Clondalkin Library, Monastery Road, Clondalkin, Wednesday 9th May, (10 am – 12 pm), Lucan Library, Lucan Shopping Centre, Newcastle Road, Lucan,

Thus armed, she sat down and wrote ‘Through Streets Broad and Narrow’. It appeared in book shops on the 1st June, 2013.

Her dream had come true. Through sheer persistence and hard work, this author has found her rightful place. Some of the praise for Gemma Jackson maintains that her storytelling is ‘spellbinding, original and full of surprises. It grips from start to finish.’

Monday 28th May (10.30 am – 12.30pm),U3A, Ruah Pastoral Centre, Marian Road, Rathfarnham,

‘Impossible Dream’ is no exception. The story opens in a Dublin orphanage in 1898 when three girls leave to enter a life of domestic service. Placed in the home of a certain Captain Charles Whitmore, they soon discover that there’s more to the household than meets the eye. Charles, hoping to build up a fortune, prepares to set off on a long sea voyage.

However, he leaves behind his wife Georgina and their servants to fend for themselves in a penniless situation. Although the future looks grim, Georgina can’t help feeling pleased that her husband is leaving. For a long while she’s

Friday 15th June (11.00am – 1.00 pm), Tus Nua Meeting, SeminarRoom, County Library.

Monday 28th May (2.30 pm – 4.30 pm),Fettercairn Community Centre, Fettercairn, Tallaght, Tuesday, 31st May(2.00 pm – 4.00pm), Aras Chronain, Watery Lane, Clondalkin,

Also, to commemorate Patrick Kavanagh’s fiftieth anniversary since his passing, I’ll also be hosting a “Patrick Kavanagh, 50 years on” event in the County Library, Library Square, Tallaght on Monday, 21st May, 10 am – 12 pm.

Currently, my small press Fiery Arrow is putting together an anthology of response poems to the work of Patrick Kavanagh. The Lea-Green Down features over fifty of the finest poets working in Ireland today so watch this space!.

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Fit The indoor & outdoor activities supplement Walking

Edited by Conor O’Hagan

Border beauty

Conor O’Hagan recommends three walks in the Sperrin Mountains

The Sperrins, stretching along the border of counties Tyrone and Derry, though unchallenging to hardened mountain-lovers, are wild, untouched and unfailingly beautiful. The range offers walkers undulating hills, typically covered in heather, and includes quiet valleys, boggy uplands and plentiful and varied wildlife. There are 10 summits above 500m with the highest, Sawel Mountain, at 678m (2,224ft).

Banagher Glen

Geologically speaking, the Sperrins consist of metamorphic rocks ranging between 700 and 600 million years old. The topology results from the last great Ice Age, when the ice sheets that once covered Ireland were probably at their thickest over the Sperrins. The eventual retreat of the ice resulted in features seen in the Owenkillew and Glenelly Valley notably the eskers – but then you knew that.

The Sperrins are rich in human heritage; over 90 sets of stone circles have been found in the, including the Beaghmore Stone Circles, whose configurations reflect the movements of sun, moon and stars.

Even with all this on offer, as is so often the case in Ireland’s most beautiful landscapes, it is possible you’ll find that you have the hills entirely to yourself. But don’t ask questions, just enjoy.

All these walks – and the many more on offer in the Sperrins – are well marked, and are complemented by various nearby alternatives, should you be feeling more or less ambitious on the day. Civilisation and hospitality are never far away

Banagher Glen A short walk through the steep wooded Banagher Glen, one of the oldest ancient oak woodlands in Ireland, to Altnaheglish Reservoir and Banagher Dam. Surfaced road from car park to dam with some very steep sections.

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The reserve lies 4 miles to the south of Dungiven and can be accessed by the narrow Magheramore Rd. The gate to the car park is open from June to September 9.00 am-9.00 pm at weekends. During July and August, it is open daily from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm. However, access to the reserve is available all year round by parking just outside the reserve gate.

From the car park pass through kissing gate and continue past old filter house. At a fork in the road take a left and continue climbing along the surfaced road, crossing a number of bridges on the ascent until the dam comes into view. From here, retrace your steps to the start.

Distance: 2 miles Map: OSNi Sheet 7 or Sperrins Activity Map Nearest Town: Dungiven or Feeny Route: Linear Route Type: Woodland Terrain: Surfaced road Grid ref.: C672048

Crockbrack Way

road eventually crossing a cattle grid and becoming a mountain track underfoot.

An enjoyable circular walk that takes in the summits of Crockmore and Crockbrack in the eastern Sperrins. This trail is a ‘permissive path’, fully waymarked, though some parts of the trail are across the open hillside where no formal path is present.

As you rise the view behind extends first over Moydamlaght Forest on the slopes of Mullaghmore. A large glacial erratic sits in a rushy field to the right of the track, on closer examination this rock is around 10ft high and composed of folded, contorted and very ancient schist rock. Views of the distinctive summits of Benbradagh, Binevenagh and the Inishowen peninsula come into view as you go higher.

Trail Distance: 11km High Point: 526m Grade: Moderate to difficult Terrain: Variable - country roads, green lanes, mountain tracks, open heather covered mountain and a short stretch over boggy/eroded peat with no formal path. Stiles are provided where they are needed.

Follow the track as it leads you to Crockmore (Cnoc Mor – big hill) 478m.There are extensive deposits of blanket bog here while ahead the hidden mountain lough of Lough Ouske on the northern slopes of Slievevaddy (Sliabh an mhadaidh – mountains of the dog) is revealed.

The starting point for this walk is Mulligan’s Pub in Moneyneena, situated on the B40 Draperstown Moneyneena Road. From the pub car park cross the road and turn left up the Drumderg road following the marker posts for the Crockbrack Way.The route continues uphill along the

At this point you leave the track and start walking towards the higher

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Walking

Craig-na-Shoke, Moydamlaght summit of Crockbrack (Cnoc Breac – speckled hill) over open countryside with no formal paths.

The trail climbs up over blanket bog and moorland grasses, cross a stile and walk towards the summit, keeping a fence to your left. At the summit there is a lot of eroding blanket bog just as there was on Crockmore.

There are excellent views towards Lough Fea, Six Towns and Davagh.

Lough Fea sits in an area of quite flat but boggy ground.

Follow the fence on your left downhill for some 500m until you intersect with another fence running off to the right. Turn right and follow this fence for 1km keeping it on your left as you descend from Crockbrack just above the headwaters of the Drumderg River before climbing towards Craigbane.

On reaching the bottom of the slope,continue straight on, walking upslope again and keeping the fence to your left. Go over the stile and turn right towardsthesummitofCraigbane (there is a man-made track here).

Getting to the Start (by Car) Take the Moydamlaght Road from the village of Moneyneany, the car parking area is on the left 500m after the outskirts of the village.

This walk, lasting approximately two hours, will lead you through conifer forest on a climb up the slopes of Mullaghmore to the stunning rock face of Craig-na-shoke. The effort is rewarded with extensive views out over the surrounding hills and countryside. The return journey starts by retracing your steps before the trail branches off to the right and returns to the car park through a small stand of Beech trees.

Sperrins & Killeter Walking Festival Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th September 2018

The views from this point are superb and extend from south-east to north-east over Slieve Gallion, Draperstown,the Moyola Valley and Maghera with Lough Neagh, Lough Beg and the Bann Valley further to the east.

Continue to follow the track and on reaching another Y-junction follow the right hand path and continue downhill. You soon reach a gate which you go over and continue downhill. After you reach the first farmhouse, the track turns into a tarred road. Follow this road downhill. After crossing the bridge over the Dunlogan River you come to a junction with the B40 Feeny-Moneyneena road.Turn right here and follow the road back to the pub car park in Moneyneena.

Moydamlaght Forest – Eagle’s Rock Trail

A circular route following a gravel forest trail through conifer and native woodland, peaking beside the impressive rock face of Craig-na-shoke.

Distance: 4 miles Map: OSNi Sheet 13 Nearest Town: Draperstown Route: Circular Route Type: Forest Terrain: Forest roads Grid Ref.: H741986

58 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

The Sperrins Walking Festival offers walkers the chance to enjoy some of the finest walking and rambling, set against some of Ireland’s most spectacular and stunning scenery. The festival caters for all abilities of walkers from family & history walks, to moderate and challenging walks, all of which are guided by professional walking guides. Visit www.sperrinskilleterwalking.com for more information.

Go prepared: Waterproof clothing and strong walking boots are recommended.

Maps: A map of the area is useful but not essential. OSNI Discoverer Map Series 1:50,000 Sheet 13Ordnance Survey Sperrins Activity Map 1:25,000 Walkni.com For further information on walking trails across Northern Ireland visit walkni.com. Information is provided on a range of walks as well as downloadable maps, suggested itineraries and everything you need to know when planning a walking trip in Northern Ireland.

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Omega-3 fatty acids are the building blocks of every living cell in the human body. They are absolutely necessary for normal health and development. Without them, cells can’t function, renew, or maintain themselves properly. Omega 3s supports brain, eye, and heart health throughout life. Omega-3s also play an important role in thinning the blood and reducing inflammation throughout the body — in the blood vessels, the joints and elsewhere. The lack of good fats in our diet may explain the high incidence of several common ailments, including cardiovascular disease, stiff joints, poor blood circulation, poor memory and unhealthy skin.

Love your Heart, Everyday!

A study by Micha et al (2017) investigated the relationship between dietary factors and mortality rates due to heart disease, stroke or type 2 diabetes (cardiometabolic deaths). The study found that dietary factors were associated with 45% of cardio-metabolic deaths. The highest proportions of deaths were estimated to be related to excess sodium intake, insufficient intake of nuts/seeds, low intake of seafood omega-3 fats and high intake of processed meats.

Omega-3s have been found to improve numerous heart disease risk factors.

They help to reduce blood pressure, reduce triglycerides and improve

blood circulation. Omega-3 has also been shown to increase HDL (“good” cholesterol), thereby helping to reduce cholesterol levels, as HDL removes bad cholesterol from the body. Omega-3s also play an important role in thinning the blood and reducing inflammation throughout the body – in the blood vessels, the joints, skin and elsewhere.

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It’s no surprise that omega-3 is so beneficial to brain health. The importance of these fatty acids becomes most obvious when they’re lacking. People who don’t get enough omega-3s in their diet can become demotivated, disinterested, forgetful and may experience low mood, while serious deficiency can lead to an increased risk of developing conditions such as ADD, dyslexia, depression and Alzheimer’s.

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Health and fitness

Eight exercises for functional fitness

Pat Keenan discovers the intelligent kitchen and learns how to sauté the perfect scallop from a Michelin Star chef.

Dead bug exercise

One of the skills we acquire later in life is the ability to filter out information that either doesn’t apply to us, isn’t of interest, or just wasn’t meant for us in the first place.

For the most part, this selective deafness serves us well – who cares what Beyoncé and Jay Z have decided to name their twins, anyway? Or whether boot-cut jeans are so horribly passé that they’re about to become acceptable again? Simply knowing these things might displace something useful from my brain, like the lyrics to 24 Hours From Tulsa, for instance.

But the filtering process can cut out things we should know, but have wrongly decided, perhaps subliminally don’t concern us any more.

Like strength exercises.

On the subject of fitness, a lady in her 70s recently said to me: “I don’t need to build 60 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

Conor O’Hagan reports that physiotherapists and occupational therapists agree that the most important aspect of keeping physically active as we age is maintaining what’s called ‘functional fitness’. muscles or join a parkrun – I just need to stop falling over.”

But physiotherapists and occupational therapists agree that the most important aspect of keeping physically active as we age is maintaining what’s called functional fitness.

Functional fitness refers to exercises that improve daily activity, challenging balance and coordination while improving strength and range of motion. Rather than targetting weight and appearance, it’s focussed on performance and function, making daily activities easier and safer.

A functional exercise should be a multi-joint exercise and, ideally, should work the upper and lower body. In daily activities, we use our body as a whole, though an activity may be more upper- or lower-body in emphasis, we still rely on the other half for stability and support.

Pushing a shopping trolley, loading things into a car, and putting shopping away into cupboards are all examples of total body activities.

Functional exercises are movements that strengthen your body in a functional way, not only moving you in every direction, but also by having you lift the types of awkward weights that we tend to have to carry in daily life.

Here’s a set of eight typical functional exercises; you can try them at home, taking care not to over-stress yourself. Pain of any kind is a signal to stop immediately. Better still, ask a fitness professional at your gym or sports centre to guide you through these or other functional fitness moves.

and put your hands against it at shoulder height and shoulder-width apart. Keeping your body in a straight line, bend your elbows diagonally to your sides to lower your chest to the wall.

Let your heels come off the floor. Pause, then slowly press through your hands to straighten your elbows and return to start.

Lying Hip Bridges To strengthen the gluteals, your body’s largest muscle group

Side Lying Circles To strengthen hips and improve hip mobility

Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Flatten your lower back against the floor, squeeze your bum and push your hips up into the air. Make sure to push through your entire foot, almost as if you’re trying to push your toes through the end of your shoes. Pause, then slowly lower to start.

Squats to Chair To strengthen the lower body and core Stand with your feet hip-width apart directly in front of a chair. Keeping your chest upright, push your hips back and bend your knees to lower your body toward the chair. Either touch your bum to the chair or sit down on it. At the bottom of the squat, your upper body should be leaning forward only slightly. Pause, then push through your feet and squeeze your bum to return to start.

Wall Push-Ups To improve upper-body strength, especially arms and chest Stand about 2 feet away from the wall (move closer to the wall to make the exercise easier),

Lie on one side on the floor with your body in a straight line, your bottom arm extended straight past your head. Rest your head on your bottom arm and squeeze your abdominals to pull in your belly. Keeping your hips directly over each other, lift your top leg to about hip height and move your leg in small clockwise circles in the air. Pause, then perform the circles in counter-clockwise motion. Lower your leg to return to start, and repeat on the opposite side.

Opposite Arm and Leg Balance For improving balance, coordination and strength in the back and abdominals.

On all fours with hands directly under your shoulders and knees under your hips, keeping back flat and abdominals tight, lift one hand to reach straight in front of your shoulder while lifting your opposite foot straight behind your hip. Hold for three breaths (or for as long as you can maintain balance), then lower hand and foot toward the floor to return to start. Repeat on the opposite side.

Deadbugs Improve your core stability for greater balance and all-over strength.

Lie flat on your back with your arms and legs up in the air, your knees bent. Maintaining contact between your lower back and the floor, lower one leg until your heel just about touches the floor while also lowering the opposite arm toward the floor above your head. Lift them back up to return to start, and repeat on the opposite side. You can make this exercise harder by keeping your legs straight rather than bent.

Side Planks Improve side-to-side core stability and strengthens shoulders Start by lying on your side, propped up with your elbow directly below your shoulder. With either the sides of your feet or the sides of your knees stacked on the floor (do what’s comfortable for you), squeeze your core and lift your hips off the floor so that your body forms a straight line from your ears to either your feet or knees. Hold for as long as you can while maintaining good form. Lower your hips to return to start, and repeat on the opposite side.

Wall Angels Stand with your back flat against a wall and your feet about 3 to 6 inches from the wall.

With the back of your head touching the wall and your arms straight down by your sides, tuck your chin to your chest. Then turn your palms out and slowly raise your arms, maintaining contact with the floor or wall. Raise your arms as high as you can without your elbows bending or feeling any discomfort. Pause, then lower your arms to return to start.

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 61

Cosmetics and grooming

Brand new or tried and tested, the anti -ageing armoury now offers great choice Mairead Robinson picks some of the best products available.

I have noticed that the amount of different products aimed at improving the skin tone and texture for those of us over the age of 50 has grown phenomenally in recent years. So much so that it is confusing when we are faced with such a vast choice and it can be challenging to find the product that is right for your specific skin. However, it is encouraging to see that research is ongoing and we have so much more to choose from than our mothers had. But with anti-ageing products now aimed at women in their twenties, it is important that you choose

for your demographic in order to achieve real results with your skincare.

With that in mind, Clarins have consistently brought out products that are designed for mature skin, and their latest offering Extra Firming Jour & Nuit creams are on course to become another favourite. This new extra-firming duo provide a unique day and night action with the day cream providing extra smoothness and radiance and the night cream acts when cellular renewal is at its peak. Results are

62 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

impressive with 89% of women saying they experienced firmer skin for longer as a result of using this new duo.

Another new product on the market comes via Eminence Organic Skin Care from Hungary, and it is their delicious Chocolate Mousse Hydration Masque. This smells so good it should be edible, and in keeping with all the Eminence products, it is made entirely of fruits, vegetables and herbs, which are packed with antioxidants, stem cells and collagen-boosting

Cosmetics and grooming

phytonutrients. This is a deeply comforting and nourishing masque which is especially pampering for mature skin.

We all know that with age, features begin to sag and the face loses its firmness. Beyond this skin slackening, the skin gets thinner and micro-circulation slows down. It loses its natural colour and can look washed out, and so the regular use of age-appropriate skin care is vital if we are to look our best. L’Oreal have been very active in this area for a long time, and their ever-increasing range of products for mature skin has gathered fans and followers throughout the world.

I am currently using products from their Age Perfect Golden Age range, and love their Glow Re-Activating Essence, which is a beautifully hydrating serum that literally feels like silk on your skin and leaves it intensely hydrated, more supple and illuminated and replumped with moisture. The product is a combination of the power of Calcium, known for its fortifying properties and beautifying Rose Micro-Pearls together in an essence which is formulated for skin losing its youthful density and natural colour. A few drops applied to the face in every morning is followed by the Rosy 64 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

Re-Fortifying Day Cream which also uses calcium together with Imperial Peony extract and Iris flower. Skin is left feeling denser and firmer and more defined with skin tone looking fresh and healthy. Costing just E22.99 each, these products will not break the bank and certainly show real results. You can add to your beauty regime by using a Glycolic Peel to remove dead skin cells and boost your daily anti-ageing routine, as with age, skin renewal slows down and the accumulated dead skin cells can create a barrier that prevents your anti-ageing skincare from acting optimally.

L’Oreal Revitalift Laser Renew is an anti-ageing glycolic peel in a pre-soaked pad designed for use each night before applying serum and night cream. To restore the skin’s barrier overnight, Revitalift Cicacrem contains Centella Asiatica, which has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and is famed for its repairing abilities.

Be sure to always check that the products you use are designed for your age group, and if you are not sure, you should ask before you buy.

The Lo’Oreal products mentioned above have information on the packaging indicating the

target age. The Re-Activating essence for dull and very mature skin is aimed at the 55 to 85 group, the Re- Fortifying day cream is 60 to 80, the Cicacrem is 35 – 65.

The eyes are the first part of the face to show signs of ageing, as the skin on the contour is the thinnest, most delicate of the face. The area is fragile and therefore more exposed to the signs of ageing. Be sure to include a good eye cream in your beauty regime. Again turning to Chinese medicine for the Centella Asiatica, L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacrem anti-wrinkle+extra-recovery Eye Cream restores the skin’s barrier. It is alighweight and non-greasy cream which should be applied morning and evening along the eye contour. Always use a light touch around the eye area as the skin is so delicate, a light tapping to dab the cream while moving from the inner to the outer corner of the eye contour is best.

So after the long winter, while getting out and enjoying the improved weather, it is vital to always protect your skin with a good SPF in your moisturiser even if you think the sun is not out. A good skin care regime will ensure your skin ages beautifully.

Wine World

Wine from Chile continues to impress

Mairead Robinson applauds the quality wines from this major South American producer.

The Koyle family have exceptional vineyards Colchagua which is just nine kilometres from the Pacific Ocean Chile is an extraordinary country. It is a thin strip of land, averaging less than 180 kilometres in width yet stretching over 4,300 kilometres along South America’s southwest extremity.

Its slender territory is hemmed in between the towering peaks of the Andes in the east and the vast Pacific Ocean to the west.

The northern extremities are windswept, desiccated desert, but in the far south the air teems with rain and sea spray as the country fragments into bitter, iceberg-strewn Antarctic waters at the southernmost tip of the Americas. In between these extremes lies an

intriguing, diverse, extraordinary world.

With the arrival of the Europeans, principally the Spanish, in the seventeenth century, wine vines became part of Chile’s scenery for the first time. However it was the spread of phylloxera across Europe from the 1860s onwards devastating European wine production that lead to many winemakers heading to more promising pastures in the New World, including Chile. It was this European and Chilean cross-fertilization, backed up by newfound riches from a booming mining industry in Chile’s northern territories, which led the foundation of Chile’s modern wine industry.

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 65

Wine World

While Chile is considered a young wine industry, still in the throes of development, there is no doubt that it has come on in leaps and bounds over the past twenty-five years. Investment in research and development, a keen interest in discovering new regions and improving production quality has led to dramatic improvement from the vineyards through to the wineries and ultimately in the bottle.

Over several visits to Chile over the years, what has impressed me most is the passion and commitment behind many family owned wineries, with fourth and fifth generations bringing their education and expertise to a flourishing industry. And this brings me to the Koyle Family Vineyards, established in 1885, whose goal has been to discover the ideal terroir for each of their varietals. First they ventured into Los Lingues where they grow grapes for their Koyle Royale wines. For Koyle Costa they have found exceptional vineyards in Paredones, Colchagua which is just nine kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. I visited the Colchagua Valley on my first trip to Chile more than fourteen years ago, and it was here that I discovered the wonderful passion and enthusiasm that was going into producing quality wines in this lovely area. What I particularly love about Koyle wines is their dedication to Biodynamic agriculture to produce the purest outstanding wines while having a great respect for terroir and for nature.

Koyle Costa Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc are superb examples of the quality of wine now coming from this Colchagua Valley.

Together with Chile’s flagship wine, Carmenere, these are new to the Irish market and are brought in by Classic Drinks – www.classicdrinks.ie if you would like to learn more about this biodynamic winery and their wines you can do so at www.koyle.cl/en

The Bad news:

The Good news:

We have all heard of the devastation caused to French production due to the weather and the 2017 vintage was particularly badly hit.

While we are always being told that in Ireland we have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, World Health Organization figures for 2017 reveal that Ireland drinks the same amount Finland per capita, and we are almost on a par with Portugal and Austria. Interestingly the UK is way ahead of us, followed by France and Germany.

Eastern Europe, particularly Lithuania is the biggest consumer, and we are in 18th place in Europe regarding alcohol consumption.

Now, that’s not so bad at all, is it?

This has resulted in demand escalating, and prices escalating. Demand for the wines from the Chinese and USA markets rose sharply in 2017 and it does not look like dropping off.

So with less French wine around, we have to be prepared to pay more for the next few years.

Win gin!

Congratulations to Geoff Ryan from Limerick, who won last month’s Beara Gin, and also to D. Kelly and Sheila Campbell, both from Dublin who won South African wine from Leopard’s Leap.

Email your answers to mairead.seniorbeauty@gmail. com

This month, we have a bottle of another new Irish gin to give away to one lucky winner. If you would like to win a bottle of Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin all you need to do is tell us in what county in Ireland will you find Glendalough?

To find out more about how this fabulous gin is distilled, and how Glendalough Distillery came about, check out www.glendaloughdistillery.com

66 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

Deadline for receipt of entries is June 18th 2018 .

Culture English National Ballet kicks off the 2018 Dublin Dance Festival with Akram Khan’s breathtaking reimagining of Giselle.

(Photograph courtesy Laurent Liotardo)

Daring dance dominates Maretta Dillon previews what’s on in the arts around the country in the next few months English National Ballet kicks off the 2018 Dublin Dance Festival with Akram Khan’s breath-taking reimagining of Giselle. A heartrending story of love, betrayal and redemption performed by the full cast of 40 dancers under Artistic Director, Tamara Rojo, and accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. This is a new, contemporary interpretation by award winning choreographer Khan who is not afraid to take risks with one of the canon’s classic ballets.

Closer to home, the dance festival cheers Irish company, Junk Ensemble, and their new piece, Dolores, inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s disturbing novel Lolita. Actor Mikel Murfi and performance artist Amanda Coogan are among the cast. A welcome window each year into the world of dance, the festival doesn’t disappoint with the range of work on offer. dublindancefestival.ie Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of the big names heading to International Literature Festival (ILF) in Dublin as it comes of age in 2018. Translated into over thirty languages, her most recent novel Americanah, a powerful, tender story of race and identity has been winning her new fans and admirers. She will discuss her work and take questions from the audience at the festival’s opening night.

Other names confirmed for this exciting event are Neil Gaiman, a consummate storyteller; Ruby Wax who chats about her new book How to Be Human: The Manual; a celebration of William Trevor, one of Ireland’s greatest post-war writers, on publication of his final book Last Stories, with fellow writers including John Banville, Yiyun Li and Roy Foster; authors Melatu Uche Okorie and Nikesh Shukla lead a discussion on the migrant experience as the driving force behind their fiction as Melatu launches her debut novel which she began to write while living in the Irish direct provision system. See ilfdublin.com for more information.

Saoirse Ronan is back on our screens again, this time in writer Ian McEwan’s adaptation of his own novel, On Chesil Beach. A young couple are in love and on honeymoon in 1962.

A time somewhere between the end of the formal 1950’s but still awaiting the freedoms of the new decade. Their idyllic courtship is first explored but the wider societal pressure that accompanies physical intimacy and sex, leads to an awkward and fateful wedding night. From May 18 everywhere.

Irish director Nora Twomey film, The Breadwinner, was nominated for an Oscar as Best Animation Feature earlier this year. Parvana is an 11-year-old Afghan girl who because she is

a girl in Taliban-controlled Kabul lives a life of restriction and constraint. When her father, a teacher, is unfairly imprisoned, she disguises herself as a boy to become her family’s sole breadwinner. From May 25 everywhere.

Events around the Country / May - June 2018 EVA INTERNATIONAL / IRELAND’S BIENNIAL Visual Arts Biennial of Contemporary Art takes place across Limerick city with an expanded programme in IMMA, Dublin.

Until July 8 / various venues Limerick and Dublin Information: eva.ie FROM UNDER THE BED Theatre A pair of aging, rural, bachelor brothers arrive at a point in their lives, where big decisions need to be made.

Until June 7 / various venues countrywide Information, dates and venues: seamusorourke.com/from-under-the-bed/ Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 67

BEALTAINE FESTIVAL Arts Festival Ireland’s national festival which uniquely celebrates the arts and creativity as we age.

May 2018 / countrywide.

Information: bealtaine.ie DUBLIN DANCE FESTIVAL Dance Spectacular, entrancing and provocative dance from all over the world and across Ireland.

May 2-20 / various venues in Dublin city.

Information and booking: dublindancefestival.ie FUTURE PERFECT Visual Arts A major international touring group exhibition by sixteen artists speculating on history and the potential future.

May 5 – Jul 1/ The Model, Sligo.

Information: themodel.ie HEIDI TALBOT, BREANNDÁN Ó BEAGLAOICH, JOHN MCCUSKER, PAUL MEEHAN Music Four folk musicians at the top of their game come together for the very first time.

May 8-20 / countrywide Information and booking: musicnetwork.ie NOLDE: TALKS ON TOUR Arts A series of free illustrated talks to coincide with Emil Nolde: Colour is Life exhibition at National Gallery of Ireland.

May 8 / Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar / other venues countrywide.

Information: nationalgallery.ie/ Nolde in the community INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE FESTIVAL DUBLIN Literature With readings, discussions, debates, workshops, performance and screenings essentially a hotbed of ideas.

May 19-27 / various venues Dublin Information: ilfdublin.com DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION Music Established in 1988 and now taking place every three years with entries from 22 countries expected.

May 18-29 / Dublin city Information: dipc.ie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of the big names heading to International Literature Festival (ILF) in Dublin. (Photograph courtesy Wani Olatunde)

ON CHESNIL BEACH Film Saoirse Ronan stars with Billy Howle in Ian McEwans’ film adaptation of his own acclaimed novel. May 18 island wide MY SON MY SON Theatre My Son My Son is a new play from Veronica Dyas inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s learning play, ‘The Mother’.

May 23-26 / Project Arts Centre and venues countrywide Information: projectartscentre.ie THE BREADWINNER Film Animation feature about a young girl living under the Taliban in Afghanistan was nominated for an Oscar.

May 25 island wide.

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ASKING FOR IT Theatre World premiere of Louise O’Neill’s acclaimed novel. A young woman’s life is changed by a horrific act of violence.

June 11 -23 / Everyman Theatre, Cork.

Information and booking: everymancork.com CORK MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL Festival An annual multi-disciplinary arts festival that uses Cork city as its backdrop and inspiration.

June 15-24/ Cork Information: corkmidsummer.com

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

Five-star delights at The Merchant

Belfast’s Merchant Hotel is widely acknowledged as an architectural gem, but perhaps more importantly for its discerning guests this stunning five-star landmark delivers where it matters: comfort, gourmet food, friendly atmosphere, first-class amenities and location.

Formally the headquarters of the Ulster Bank, this Grade A listed building was designed in the Italianate style in the 1850s by the eminent Scottish architect James Hamilton. But ten years ago, it became the Merchant when a multi-million extension was added with a striking Art Deco decorative theme to complement the high-Victorian features.

Its location could not be bettered: it is situated in the heart of Belfast city centre’s historic Cathedral Quarter with numerous interesting pubs and bars, restaurants, shopping areas and transport links. And it is close by the city’s major tourist attractions, including the Titanic Quarter, The Ulster Museum, The Waterfront Hall, Botanic Gardens and Ulster Hall.

But you probably will not want to leave The Merchant! It boasts a luxury spa, a rooftop gymnasium with stunning views of the city, plus fine dining you will find hard to beat. And there are regular sessions in the jazz bar where you can listen to some of the country’s finest musicians while casually enjoying a meal from a wide-choice set menu, plus A La Carte options.

It goes without saying that the hotel’s wine selection is both extensive and impressive with a mind-boggling array of European and New World choices, But you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a tipple with your meal since the options start at a surprisingly modest price range – not that common in a five-star hotel.

For more formal or special occasions The Great Room Restaurant offers a five-star dining experience in what has to be Belfast’s grandest dining room. This is used to be the Banking Hall of The Ulster Bank and you can marvel at the preserved Victorian architecture, with the stunning ceiling being the set-piece.

Head Chef John Paul Leake has masterminded a menu of delights to do justice to the surroundings, whether its breakfast – yes this is where you start your day at the hotel – lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.

throughout your stay at our hotel ensuring it is as smooth and stress free as possible. Whether inside the hotel or out and about in Belfast and beyond, we are happy to help you make the most of your stay with a level of service that is unique to The Merchant Hotel’.

(Check out the special mid-week offers at The Merchant, many of them centered around dining options where the value will truly amaze you. www.themerchanthotel.com)

Senior Times Reader Offer

But no matter how good and fine the service and amenities are at a hotel, it can all be undone by surly and uncaring staff. And here it is hard to disagree with the hotel’s own publicity: ‘Hotels in Belfast are renowned for friendliness and at The Merchant Hotel, we always exceed expectations. Our friendly and welcoming team will take care of your every need

The Merchant Hotel, 16 Skipper Street, Belfast BT1 2DZ Tel: +44 (0) 28 9023 4888 E-mail: info@themerchanthotel.com

May - 20% off our best available B&B rate.

June - 10% off our best available B&B rate.

Rates from £220 B&B per room, and offer includes leisurely checkout until 1pm.

Available Sunday to Thursday. To book please call Reservations on 00 44 28 9023 4888 and quote Senior Times Offer.

Dining in the Great Room Restaurant 10% off 3 course set dinner menu priced at £26.50 with complimentary tea and coffee included.

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 69

Your home from home on the Costa del Sol hether you are looking for a relaxing sunshine break, or an extended holiday, Sunset Beach Club 4* hotel apartments, owned by FBD Hotels & Resorts, provide the perfect solution.

FABULOUS LOCATION & FACILITIES Firstly, the fabulous seafront location is hard to beat, and within easy reach as there are several daily flights direct from Dublin to Malaga all year round.

Depending on the season, there are also flights from other regional Irish airports to Malaga, so make sure to look for those also. From the airport a 15-20 minutes taxi ride will take you to Sunset Beach Club.

The resort itself combines the services of a 4* hotel, such as 24 hour reception Sunset Beach Club

and daily cleaning service, with the conveniences of self-catering suites & apartments. Outstanding facilities include an on-site supermarket, fitness centre & indoor pool (discounted entrance fee for hotel guests from 5€ per day), recently refurbished Panorama Bar with spectacular sea views and daily Happy Hour, Oasis Restaurant with Early Bird offers and an extensive à la carte menu to suit every taste.

COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION The accommodation itself provides everything you need for a comfortable stay. Our standard one bedroom apartments have a double or twin bedroom separated from the lounge by sliding doors, fully equipped kitchenette, lounge/dining area with sofa bed for two, bathroom with hairdryer, individually controlled airconditioning/heating, and terrace with table & chairs. They also have free wifi, and TV with Irish & international channels. Exterior apartments have mountain or sea views, and Prime sea view apartments have a guaranteed sea view.

LUXURY OPTIONS For a more luxurious option, why not treat yourself to a stay in one of Sunset Beach Club’s open-plan Deluxe Junior Suites, with kingsize bed (can be separated to twin on request), stunning sea views, renovated bathroom with walk-in shower, and little extras such as bathrobes, pool towels, and welcome vanity pack.

Also open-plan design are the brand new Garden Suites located on the ground floor. Available from March 2018, they boast generous dimensions, luxury bathroom and pool views. This room type can also be adapted for wheelchair users on request.

HOTEL ACTIVITIES So once you have settled in, why not join in one the free daily activities organized by the hotel’s entertainment team, which include stretching classes, cookery lessons, darts & French boules, amongst many more! Alternatively, you could wander to the guest library and help yourself to a book for a relaxing read on your terrace or by the pool.

LEISURE DESK Another of the hotel’s most popular features is the Leisure Desk, which is open 6 days a week. Here you can pick

up lots of local information such as bus & train timetables, maps and leaflets with ideas on places to go and things to do. You can also buy entrance tickets to many of the Costa del Sol’s museums, shows and local attractions, and guided excursions to Gibraltar, Seville, Granada, to name but a few.

Culture vultures will find plenty to keep them busy – from the museums of Malaga to the caves of Nerja, and everything in between!

Sunshine Break!

Spring & Autumn are the perfect seasons to visit the Costa del Sol! The weather is ideal for lunch on the beach, gentle strolls along the promenade, sightseeing in Málaga city, or just relaxing by the pool. Make sure to visit www.sunsetbeachclub.com, for lots of ideas about things to do and places to go during your stay!

May 99€

from

1 Bedroom Exterior Apartment

• •

Twin or Double Bedroom (separated from the lounge by sliding doors) Lounge/diner with sofa bed for 2 Exterior apartments have sea or mountain view

01-31

08-23

from

from

May

Sep

24 Sep- 06-31

5 Oct from

Oct from

99€ 126€ 104€ 90€

per night

per night

Whatever type of holiday you are looking for, you can rest assured that Sunset Beach Club is the perfect choice!

Golfers will be pleased to hear that you can book a complete golf package

Book yourself a

•

in advance, or simply a round or two during your holiday. Golf club hire is also available, so you don’t even have to bring your clubs!

per night

per night

1 Bedroom Apt Prime Sea View

Deluxe Junior Suite

Similar to 1 bedroom Exterior apartments, but with Guaranteed Sea Views, twin sofa bed, re-modelled bathroom with walk-in shower, and 42” plasma TV.

Open-plan suites with kingsize bed (can be separated into twins beds on request), Guaranteed Sea Views, twin sofa bed, re-modelled bathroom with walk-in shower, and 42” plasma TV.

01-31

08-23

24 Sep-

06-31

from

from

from

from

May

Sep

5 Oct

Oct

120€ 147€ 125€ 111€ per night

per night

per night

per night

01-31

08-23

24 Sep-

06-31

from

from

from

from

May

Sep

5 Oct

127€ 154€ 132€ 162€ per night

per night

per night

Book your stay with us at www.sunsetbeachclub.com Email booking@sunsetbeachclub.com | Tel: +34 952 579 400 Limited adapted Garden Suites now available.

Please check online for full description of this new room type.

It is not too early to book for

WINTER 2018-19!

NOV & FEB from 65€ / night

Oct

Have any questions before booking? For a quick answer, simply go to our website, and connect with our Live Chat!* *open during office hours

per night

Short Story

The Parting Glass

By Dermot Lane

You can be lonely in a crowd lads, did ye know that? Begod an’ I didn’t know it. Coming out of Mass even, that Sunday morning, with half the parish there and Fr Harris on the steps saying, “Are you alright Pat and you know where I am,” and people still shaking me hand and saying “Sorry for your trouble,” and “She’s in a better place now, God love her, and sure isn’t she reunited with young Patrick now and the two of them happy as Larry in Heaven.”

And there I was standing in the queue in Tesco one Saturday, and Trish Reilly eyin’ up me trolley, “An’ why don’t you come over for dinner some night love,” she says, an’ sure if I ever did she’d have run a mile, and the both of us knows it.

“And are you all right,” says the checkout girl then, one of the young Flaherty’s, maybe, and she all concerned, like, and “Let me bring those bags to the car for you,” she says and so she did, God bless her, with the bottles rattling like billy-o in the bag giving the game away, an’ the rest of the queue gawking at me in mock sympathy, lips pursed and shaking their heads, like there’s no hope for me now, what me being such an aul’ eejit altogether, a hopeless case.

And still...still, I went home again to an empty house, the curtains closed and no light save what came from the crucifix lamp flickering away under the sacred heart picture and the photo beside it of Peggy and the boy on his First Communion Day. No sign of me in the photos from them times, sure I was beyond digging tunnels in London with a gang of Donegal lads, and I can tell ye, it was hard going, so it was, and dangerous into the bargain. Them’s the boys could work hard, and play even harder.

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Will I tell ye now what I miss most of all about Sunday mornings? ‘Tis the smell of the rashers frying and Ciaran McMahuna on the wireless, Peggy singing along if ‘twas song she knew and the stove going full blast, the kitchen overloaded with the smell of the baking, and the curney bread – Jesus lads, you’d kill yourself eating it, coming in starving after Mass. Ah sure… an’ then after a while the smell of the Sunday roast would take over and the mouth would be watering all over again. Yerra, I’m raving now lads, but sure poor aul’ Peggy, we had our moments, an’ I do miss her all the same.

The boy was buried before I knew he was killed. Run over by a young fella driving home drunk in the middle of the day, he was, and it ate away at her that no one was ever charged for it. She was never the same after it, and I ‘spose how could she be, really?

I didn’t come home straight away, sure ‘twasnt so easy in them days and I think she never forgave me for that. Another two years ‘twas before I landed back, but things was never the same between us, then. I had money in my pocket to beat the band, but not near enough to buy the farm of land we always dreamt of, but sure I ‘spose, ‘twas only ever a fantasy.

And that was us on the slippery slope after that, anyhow. For a finish, Peggy bought a few aul’ hens off of Kitty McMahon and sure that was as close as we ever got to the farm, lads, close as we ever got.

Maybes I shouldn’t have shot her dog. Aye, there you have it. Two barrels point blank and the yapping little fecker had bared his teeth at me one last time. Peggy went quare mad altogether.

Short Story

“That’s the final straw,” she sez, “you’ve crossed the line this time and no mistake.”

He sat back into Peggy’s chair and threw back the last of his whiskey, he face glowing red now from the booze, his forehead shiny from the sweat.

“Careful what you say next,” I sez to her then, “for I’ve more cartridges in the drawer beyond.”

“’Tis history Barney,” sez I then, “leave it in the past. No need to revisit it, not a one. No looking back nor no regrets, isn’t that what we said? Didn’t we do what we had to do? If we hadn’t left the bag, someone else would’ve.”

Off she ran to the bedroom then and barricaded herself in. As if I’d really shoot her, like.

Ah the demon drink, lads, the demon drink, we were as bad as each other, so we were, an’ God help us all.

Ah Peggy, the crathur an’ God be good to her, sure ye know what happened next anyways, tisn’t that long ago, with the vodka and the Valium. I’d take it all back if I could, lads, bad an’ all as we were, ‘tis a lonely old house now without herself and sure you’d even miss the poor aul dog.

On the Sunday night the knock came on the door. I thought I was dreaming at first, but there it was again. ‘Twas too dark to see who it was and I was sorry then I never got ‘round to fixing the light in the porch. Turned out ‘twas Big Barney McDonnell. But sure ye know that, isn’t he the reason ye are here?

Anyhow, he stuck his hand out, big as a shovel, “Sorry for your loss,” he says and his grip as strong as ever and his hand calloused from the years of hard labouring, driving the tunnels under London.

I was so tongue tied lads, is that I couldn’t answer him straight. All I could do was gesture him in the door with a nod of me head.

He groaned loudly as he lowered himself down into Peggy’s chair beside the stove.

“Me aul’ bones is getting creakier be the day,” he sez, “and how’s the years been treating yourself, Pat?” Now boys, I know Barney McDonnell well enough to know he was no more here to offer condolences than the man in the moon.

“I’m grand says I, ne’er a bother on me.”

I was going to say except for the sleepless nights and the empty days, but I didn’t say it for a finish, instead it’s “Will you have a cup of tea?” I said, and I at a loss for words then.

“Divil the tea,” sez he, “I’ve a wild thirst on me, ‘tis a long drive down and I’m stiff as a poker, ye might have a wee dram about the house, maybe?”

Divil the impression that made on him anyhow, he just kept going on like he never heard me. “Not only that,” sez he then, “but the brother says I have to go to the Guards if I want to get to get through the gates of Heaven, and he won’t give me the absolution till I do it.”

I could feel the tremor rising in me all the time, lads, rising up from me gut till me whole body was a quiver. “‘Twas a war Barney an’ there’s no sin in that, sure doesn’t the Pope himself have an army? We did what we had to do.”

And sez he then, “Was it though Pat? A war? They were civilians Pat, out for a pint of a Friday night. It might have been our war, it wasn’t theirs.”

I emptied the last of the bottle into his glass and me hands were right shaking now lads, and he saw it. I went to the cupboard for another bottle and came back instead with the shotgun.

Barney laughed, “An’ will you put that toy away now,” sez he, “I’ll not be naming you, nor anyone else for that matter. ‘Tis me own soul I’m tryin’ to save and you can look after own.”

“Leave in the past Barney, like we always said we would,” and I raising the empty gun to me eye, just to threaten him, like.

Me hands were shakin’ like billy-o now lads, and I mustn’t have emptied the second shell into the dog after all because next thing I know, Big Barney’s gone flying, chair and all, with half his head gone and his brain splattered all over the Sacred Heart picture and the crucifix lamp still flickering away and the blood dripping down the boys communion photo and me ears pounding, pounding, like the Hammers of Hell.

I sat there the rest of the night and opened another bottle and waited for ye to call. What kept ye, lads? Anyhow there ye have it for a finish. He’s buried abroad in the haggard, beside the aul’ dog, though maybe ye have him found by now.

And will ye do me one favour lads? When next ye see Sargent Doyle, tell him I hold no hard feelings for what his lad done to mine, sure there’s none of us set out of a morning to deliberately do harm, is there?

Big Barney was never a man for wee drams, no more than meself. I poured two half tumblers and gave him one. Me hands were shaking, an’ sure tis no wonder I suppose. His whiskey was gone in two gulps and I poured again.

“And did she suffer in the end?” he sez and “No” sez I, “she went suddenly for a finish.”

“Sure isn’t she with the young fella now, in Heaven,” he says.

“She is,” I say then, “and happy as Larry the pair a them, as Father Harris keeps saying, anyhow.”

“What about the priest,” says Barney, “do you be talking to him much at all?

But before I could answer, he cut me off and sez he then, cool as you like, “Me own brother is a priest and I do be telling him everything.”

He caught the look I threw at him.

“Everything,” he says again, “the whole ugly shebang,” and he staring me out of it then to see my reaction.

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 73

Golf

Peer pressure preoccupied Padraig Dermot Gilleece discovers that Padraig Harrington was more interested in beating his fellow amateurs than following golfing legends

It is hard to imagine it being almost 10 years since Padraig Harrington surpassed even his own expectations by delivering a legacy of three Major championship triumphs.

Having already broken through with victory in the Open Championship of 2007 at Carnoustie, he went on to retain the title at Royal Birkdale in July 2008 before capturing the PGA Championship a mere three weeks later.

A measure of Harrington’s achievement is that he trod new ground for a European golfer in winning three Majors in 13 months. He also became the first player since Scotland’s Jock Hutchison in 1920/’21, to capture both the Open and PGA titles. All of which was completed, just about a decade ago.

For me, the achievement revived a rather special memory of events at Stackstown Golf Club in September 1983. That was when sharp, 74 Senior Times May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

autumn winds swept down from the Dublin Mountains on the 700 spectators who had gathered for the official opening of the club. Among them, out of sight to most of those present, was the eager, young face of a 12-year-old lad with a shock of black hair.

By his own admission, Harrington had little interest in the fact that legendary figures of the game, Christy O’Connor Snr and Peter Thomson, were plying their craft for the pleasure of the assembled throng. He was captivated simply by the excitement of the occasion and, as he put it, ‘chasing rabbits’.

Even into his teen years, there were no golfing posters on his bedroom wall, images which might have become the inspiration behind his remarkable triumph at Carnoustie. ‘To be honest, I lived a very insular existence back then,’ he recalled. “’ was more interested in my peers, the guys I was trying to beat in the various amateur tournaments I was involved in.

Golf

‘So, unlike most kids who eagerly followed the performances of great players such as Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo, I didn’t have an idol.

For me, the real star of 1989, for instance, was Scotland’s Colin Fraser, who beat me at number one in that Boys’ International match at Nairn.

‘Those amateur days shaped my career. After going close to winning, only to be disappointed on quite a few occasions, I was patient enough to hang around in the belief that things would change. And when I became frustrated at all my second-place finishes as a professional, I kept telling myself that things would turn around as they had done in my amateur days.’

Though he was naturally well aware of O’Connor’s prominence in Irish golf at the time, he knew nothing of Thomson. So he would have been blissfully unaware of the key role played by the Birkdale links in the career of the great Australian, who won his first and fifth Open titles there.

Nor would be have known that O’Connor had been tied second behind Thomson on the same, majestic strip of Lancashire duneland in 1965, before going on to produce sparkling golf as a partner for Peter Alliss in the Ryder Cup the same year.

Two decades on, when Harrington was an established figure in professional ranks, the Stackstown celebration took on a fascinating, fresh relevance in the wake of his play-off triumph in the Deutsche Bank Open in Hamburg. Among other things, it brought delighted surprise to Thomson.

It being May, the great man had yet to move from Australia to his summer residence in St Andrews, so I phoned him at his Melbourne home and thought it best not to remind him of the outcome of the exhibition in which he was soundly whipped 82-75 by Himself. We spoke instead about that young observer, who by this stage in 2003, was occupying eighth place in the world rankings.

Since observing Harrington get within a shot of a play-off for the Open title at Muirfield the previous July, Thomson had made a point of following the player’s progress. So he was fully aware of the German exploits.

‘That was a fine win,’ he acknowledged, ‘but unless a player can distinguish himself on a really big occasion, he can’t claim to have reached the top of the tree. If Padraig is looking to win a Major title, he can gain confidence from the knowledge that the opposition are now no better than he is. With his athletic build and warm smile, I believe he would be a popular, saleable champion. I like players who aren’t afraid to smile.’

On the Tuesday of Open week at Birkdale ‘08 -- a world removed from the concurrent Open Week for the club members at Stackstown -- he Association of Golf Writers held their annual dinner in the Royal and Ancient marquee. During the course of the evening, they presented their annual award to a player who had distinguished himself on a really big occasion. As the Open champion of 2007, Harrington became only the fourth Irishman after Joe Carr, Harry Bradshaw and O’Connor Snr, to be so honoured by the scribes. And by a charming coincidence, the man the AGW chose to present the award was none other than Thomson, prompting the suspicion of strange forces at work.

Padraig’s father, Paddy Harrington, was the honorary greens officer on the occasion of Stackstown’s official opening. In conversations I had with him before his passing in July 2005, he talked of how, as a member of An Garda, the opportunity had arisen to build a golf course for the force, on a hostile site in the Dublin Mountains.

‘Padraig and his brothers Tadhg and Columb would be with us,’ he said.

“They loved it there, chasing rabbits, watching deer and goats and, of course, hitting golf balls on the temporary nine holes we laid out. It was

Padraig Harrington with his mentor Dr Bob Rotella. Said Dr Rotella: ‘I just think Padraig is the most down to earth, level-headed good guy in the world. He has a wonderful spirit, a wonderful soul. His parents brought him up right and he was smart enough to listen to them’.

a magical place for youngsters, especially during the summer holidays.’

Paddy also recalled how he had instilled into them the importance of discipline and that where expletives couldn’t be avoided, they could use ‘Good Judas!’

As it happened, there seemed to be no need for the expression in Padraig’s vocabulary, whatever the provocation. ‘Whether it was playing Gaelic football, soccer or golf, he had a brilliant temperament,’ said his father. ‘Nothing seemed to faze him. The more knocks he got, the more determined he would be to bounce back and succeed the next time.’

Their closeness made the parting all the more painful on Paddy’s departure to divot-free fairways in the week of the ’05 Open Championship. By then, however, he had seen his son become a significant player on the world stage, with two victories to his credit in the US, earlier that year.

Evidence of the extraordinary equilibrium, so important in an aspiring Major champion, had already been displayed in the Benson and Hedges Tournament at The Belfry in May 2000. That was when, through a crushing mix-up, Harrington suffered disqualification by neglecting to sign his card for an opening 71. The error wasn’t discovered until the Sunday morning, when he was about to start the final round with a fiveshot lead.

His reaction was best described later that week by Grant Moir of the Rules of Golf Committee of the R and A. He said: ‘We’ve talked about the matter here since Sunday and I don’t think it would be inaccurate to say that everybody was incredibly impressed. I don’t think he [Harrington] can be praised highly enough for the way he handled what must have been a very difficult situation. He has come out of it with great credit.’

In celebrating Harrington’s Major achievements, it would he hard to find more appropriate words than those of his mental coach, Dr Bob Rotella.

‘I just think he’s the most down to earth, level-headed good guy in the world,’ said the distinguished American. ‘Padraig has a wonderful spirit, a wonderful soul. His parents brought him up right and he was smart enough to listen to them.’ Indeed.

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 75

Northern

By Debbie Orme

Notes

Raising the roof..

Ireland’s oldest thatched pub

Vincent Hurl (left) overseeing one of the regular re-thatchings in the 90s

Crosskeys as it is today

There’s no doubt that the tourist industry in Northern Ireland has come on leaps and bounds in the last ten years or so.

One tourist attraction which has been welcoming visitors for years, however, is Ireland’s oldest thatched pub, The Crosskeys Inn. Indeed, the inn was recently named by Lonely Planet Ireland as a must-see traditional Irish pub.

The uniqueness of The Crosskeys and its importance was recognised in 2017 when it was nominated by Pete Brown, author of the ‘The Pub’, for BBC Countryfile Country Pub of the Year. Crosskeys went on to win the title: no mean feat considering it was the first time a traditional Irish pub had even been nominated for the accolade.

Situated just off the main Randalstown to Portglenone road in Mid-Ulster, approximately 30 minutes from Belfast, The Crosskeys Inn is a stone-built cottage, which was once a coaching stop on the route between Belfast and Londonderry.

Until recently, the building was thought to have dated back to the 1740s, but, in 2010, Queen’s University in Belfast completed the dating process of dendrochronology and confirmed that the building was actually much older and, in fact, dated back to pre-1654.

A visit to Crosskeys is like taking a step back in time. As you enter through the latched door, you’re immediately struck by the aroma of turf burning in the open fire. The uneven walls, the stone floors worn down in the centre from generations and generations of footsteps, the low ceilings and various warrens of rooms with open turf fires all bear testament to the authenticity of this historic Irish pub.

‘We have really focussed on highlighting the sense of timelessness,’ says owner, Vincent Hurl, ‘but, to be honest, we don’t really need to do much, because the building does that for us.

Nevertheless, we have worked hard to showcase the inn’s history with enchanting framed pictures on the walls - mostly of past patrons

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- old men from another time, or music sessions from years gone by. We also have loads of newspaper cuttings and clippings that record the history of The Crosskeys Inn and the local area for future generations to see.’

The history of The Crosskeys Inn is pretty amazing in itself. The road on which the inn stands was first marked on a map of County Antrim prepared by John Lendrich in 1780 and a map of lands around Lough Neagh of 1785.

In 1666, Hearth Money taxation records list 16 dwellings in total within the land of Ardnaglass (then known as Carnaglass), all with a single hearth, one of which is the Crosskeys. In 1771 the Crosskeys Inn is also referenced within the townland in an advertisement for the lease of land within Ardnaglass which mentions the ‘noted publick house where Misses Boyds live’.

The 1832 ordnance survey (OS) map, meanwhile, shows what is undoubtedly the present building with its distinctive L shape.

On the revised OS map of 1857, the building

US peace builders honoured with major accolade

Northern Notes

It’s hard to believe that its 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed in Belfast.

The anniversary of this landmark agreement was celebrated recently in the historic setting of the city’s Ulster Hall, when the Freedom of the City of Belfast was conferred on President Bill Clinton and Senator George J. Mitchell; both of whom played a major role in the signing of the agreement.

The former US President and Senator Mitchell received the honour in recognition of their services to peace in Northern Ireland, and the event was celebrated with music and readings from some of the country’s most celebrated poets including Seamus Heaney, Michael Longley, Emma Must and John Hewitt.

‘Both men,’ said Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nuala McAllister, ‘played an integral role in helping to bring peace to this part of the world, and have always shown great affection towards the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland. Along with many other prominent peacebuilders, President Clinton and Senator Mitchell helped to bring our communities together, and paved the way for a brighter future for generations to come.’

‘The people of Belfast and Northern Ireland have a special place in my heart,’ President Clinton said, ‘and it remains one of the great privileges of my life that I could be part of their journey toward peace.

is shown as Crosskeys Post Office and the revision name book of the following year tells us that the property belonged to a Dr Henry Purdon of Wellington Park, Belfast and that the occupier was George Neeson. At this time the building is described as a ‘comfortable dwelling house... and over the door is the likeness of two keys crossing’ - hence the name Crosskeys.

It is thought that the name may be derived from the Papal insignia, and is possibly a link to the fact that prior to the early 17th Century the parish Grange of Ballyscullion belonged to the Augustinian Abbey of St Peter and St Paul of Armagh.

The second valuation of 1859 also lists George Neeson as the occupant and Dr Henry Purdon as the lessor. George Neeson continued to occupy the Crosskeys until his death in 1882.

In his will Mr Neeson styled himself as farmer, publican and grocer. After this, the valuations state that the pub passed to his only son, Daniel, who held it until 1888/1889 when it was acquired by John Kennedy, a local farmer. Mr Kennedy’s son bought the freehold in 1929 and

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement, the Freedom of the City of Belfast was recently conferred on President Bill Clinton and Senator George J. Mitchell, both of whom played a major role in the signing of the agreement.

‘The 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement are a testament to people’s determination to put the past behind them and move into the future together. Receiving the Freedom of the City - especially alongside Senator George Mitchell -is an honour I’ll cherish as long as I live.

The honour of the peace, however, belongs to all the people of Northern Ireland, including the women and young people who pushed to end the violence, the courageous leaders who took the risks to forge peace, and all those who have strengthened it since.’

the property remained in the family until 1966.

In 1966 the premises was purchased by Sean Stinson and passed to his son Eamon Stinson after his sudden death in 1979.

Spirits of a different type are also present at Crosskeys! With such a long and rich history, Crosskeys comes with inhabitants other than Vincent and his wife, Melanie. Rumour has it that an ‘old woman’ is in residence seated in a corner of one of the rooms: a fact corroborated by both Vincent and Warren Coates from the Northern Ireland Paranormal Society.

‘When I was at the inn talking to Vincent and his wife one day,’ said Warren, ‘they took me into the back bar where we were having tea and coffee. All of a sudden, this wee old woman walked across the corridor and stopped to look at us. Where she had walked through looked like a wall, but there had actually been a door there at one time.’

In February 2000, tragedy struck the Crosskeys Inn when it was partially damaged by fire. When it reopened a year later in May 2001 after being restored by Eamon Stinson it was purchased by the current owner, Vincent Hurl.

Vincent completed the restoration of the inn and brought it back to its formal glory.

With a keen interest in tourism development Vincent has been involved in developing the whiskey tourism offering in the North of Ireland.

‘Whiskey is a particular interest of mine,’ he says, ‘and I’ve been carrying out a lot of research into the design and development of the first whiskey tourism trails in the North. It’s for that reason that whiskey is evident throughout Crosskeys with a great selection of Irish whiskey available. Also, just recently, we’ve partnered with a local distillery and will soon be launching our own brand of Irish whiskey, which will certainly put us even more on the map.’

‘The old woman is just one of the ‘attractions’ at the inn,’ Vincent laughs. ‘The story goes that when the picture that we have on the side wall of the inn was being taken, there was no little girl in the photo. Yet, when it was developed, there she is!’

No wonder there’s plenty of ‘spirit’ at Ireland’s oldest thatched pub!

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 77

Northern Notes

Get ready, get set... go Gobbins!

The Gobbins, near Islandmagee, is a spectacular coastal walk situated on the Causeway Coastal Route, voted the number one region in the world to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet.

Isn’t it amazing what’s on your own doorstep?

While Titanic Belfast was recently named as the ‘world’s best tourist attraction’, and the Causeway Coastal Route voted the number one region in the world to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet, the province’s east coast is beginning to take on a magic of its own.

Previously viewed as simply ‘on the way to the north coast’, the coastal road on Northern Ireland’s eastern side is now becoming a major tourist attraction in itself.

One of the ‘newest’ tourist attractions is already proving highly attractive for visitors.

The Gobbins, near Islandmagee, is a spectacular coastal walk situated on the Causeway Coastal Route, voted the number one region in the world to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet.

With its coastal path, cliff path and viewing platform all open to the public, The Gobbins weaves its way along the base of dramatic basalt cliffs, giving you a close and personal experience of the spectacular coastline.

I have to admit that, until I visited The Gobbins

recently, I had no idea of the history of the area, but after taking the tour, I was amazed at the network of amazing bridges, access tunnels and narrow pathways that make up this fantastic tourist attraction. In addition to the abundance of wildlife that’s visible along the 1.2 mile-long cliff walk, you can also hear about the geology and biodiversity of the area, not to mention the history attached to the location.

The Gobbins was one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever seen in Northern Ireland and was originally built in the early 20th century.

Larne man, Mervyn McKay, Director of local tour company, Leisure Tours Northern Ireland, finds it amazing that people are still not aware of the delights provided by the east coast.

‘For years,’ he said, ‘every visitor to Northern Ireland tends to be taken ‘up the coast’ to the Giant’s Causeway and the Atlantic coast. But now, increasingly, they’re becoming more aware of the great tourist attractions that are on offer en route. The Gobbins is just one of the attractions of this area. We’re already seeing an increasing number of people taking the Game of Thrones tour, which takes in villages

78 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

such as Glenarm and Carnlough, and we’re receiving more and more interest from people who want to take a daily tour of the local area without even going as far as the north coast.

The whole area is taking on a life of its own and it’s great to see. We’re now being asked for tours of the Carrickfergus area alone and, again, this used to be just part of the Causeway Coast tour, so it’s great to see that the region is now being appreciated for more than the established scenic sights. The Gobbins is a classic example, but there’s so much more on offer in terms of craic, activities and, of course, scenery!’

Competition winners from last issue Crossword – five copies of Ireland’s Pirate Trail

by Des Elkin Niall Wynne, Drogheda, Co Louth Alison Kelly, Lusk, Co Dublin Michael Quann, Lismore, Co Waterford Clare Dollard, Limerick Richard Irwin, Glounthaune, Co Cork

Five copies of Silence Under A Stone by Norma McMaster

Mary Warde, Tuam, Co Galway Pat O’Connor, Douglas, Cork

South African wines

Patricia Macken, Clondra, Co Longford

D Kelly, Dublin

Anna Conroy, Cong, Co Mayo

Beara Gin

John Browne, Cavan

Geoff Ryan, Limerick

Sheila Campbell, Dublin

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 79

Know Your Rights

My daughter is getting Jobseeker’s Allowance and has just been offered a job. Her husband looks after their two children at home.

Can she get any social welfare assistance if she stops signing on and goes back to work?

Advice from the Citizens Information Service

I have a valid passport, but it will expire two weeks before I go on holiday. Will two weeks give me enough time to get a new one?

There is a scheme for people with children who stop claiming a jobseeker’s payment, or a one-parent family payment, because they are in – or are taking up – work or self-employment. The scheme is called the Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD).

The BTWFD is a weekly payment for up to two years after you start work. For the first year in employment, you are paid the equivalent of any Increase for a Qualified Child that you were getting on your jobseeker’s payment or one-parent family payment (up to a maximum of four children). You get half of that amount weekly for the second year.

To qualify, you must have at least one qualified child and have been getting one of the following payments: Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit (for at least 12 months), One-Parent Family Payment, or Jobseeker’s Transitional payment. You and all members of your family (including your adult dependant) must sign off all primary social welfare payments.

The BTWFD can be paid with other social welfare payments including Working Family Payment (formerly called Family Income Supplement), Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, Child Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Rent Supplement.

You can get BTWFD for up to two years if you stay in employment. If your daughter or her husband claim a primary social welfare payment within two years of her starting work, the BTWFD payment will stop. If she loses her job and claim a social welfare payment, the BTWFD stops.

However, it may restart if she gets a new job. She can get a maximum of two restarts per claim.

80 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

You don’t have to wait until your passport expires to renew it. However, if you apply for a new passport before your current one expires, your new passport is valid from when you apply, rather than from when your previous passport expires.

The website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, dfa.ie, lists the current average processing times for different types of passport applications. The quickest way to renew your passport is by using the online application service. You can use this service to renew your passport if it expires any time in the next 12 months.

You must submit a digital photo with your online application. You can get a friend to take your photo with a digital camera or smartphone or you can go to a photo provider, for example a pharmacy or a photographer, who will give you a copy of your digital photo to upload. Alternatively, you

Know Your Rights can go to one of the Irish photo booth services listed on passportphoto. ie, which will take your photo and provide you with a code. If you enter this code when applying for your passport online, you don’t need to upload the photo yourself.

Online renewal isn’t available for children’s passports, so if you want to renew your family’s passports together, you have to use Passport Express, the postal application service. There is an extra charge of E9.50 per application for using Passport Express. However, if you are renewing passports for the whole family you can use the ‘Family Application’ option for E16, where up to four passport applications can be sent in one envelope. Alternatively, you can renew your own passport online and use Passport Express to renew any passports for children.

being in prison, or if you are studying full-time in Ireland but away from the address where you are registered to vote.

You can apply to be added to the supplement to the postal voters list up to 22 days (excluding Sundays and public holidays) before polling day in a referendum. The application form for inclusion in the supplement to the postal voters list is available from your local authority or online at checktheregister.ie.

My grandson I will be sitting his Leaving Certificate this year and plans to go to college in the autumn. How does he apply for a student grant?

How do I check if I can vote in the forthcoming referendum? If I’m not in Ireland on polling day, can I still vote?

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants.

He can apply to SUSI by completing an application form online. You must have an online account with SUSI before you can make your grant application. SUSI is accepting grant applications for the 2018–2019 academic year from early April 2018.

To vote in a referendum, you must be an Irish citizen and be registered to vote. Every local authority is responsible for compiling and publishing a list of voters in its area. This is called the Register of Electors or the electoral register.

In general, Irish citizens living abroad cannot be entered on the Register of Electors and cannot vote in a referendum. The only exception to this is in the case of Irish officials on duty abroad (and their spouses) who may register on the postal voters list. If you are abroad on holiday on polling day, you cannot have a postal vote.

The current Register of Electors came into force on 15 February 2018.

You can check if you are on the register at checktheregister.ie or at your local authority, Garda station, post office or public library.

If you are not on the register, you can apply to be added to the supplement to the register. You use Form RFA2, which is available online at checktheregister.ie or from your local authority, post office or public library. To be included in the supplement used at an election or referendum, your local authority must receive your application at least 15 days before polling day. Sundays, public holidays and Good Friday are not counted as days for this purpose.

Local authorities prepare a postal voters list as part of the electoral register. You can only apply for registration as a postal voter if you cannot vote at a polling station because of illness or disability, your occupation,

He can use SUSI’s eligibility reckoner to see whether he meets the standard criteria to be considered eligible for student grant funding. He must meet the conditions of the student grant scheme. He must be an Irish, EU, EEA or Swiss national or have specific leave to remain in the State.

He must also have been ordinarily resident in Ireland or the EU for three of the last five years. His family’s means (in the previous tax year, 2017) are assessed and must be under the specified threshold. He must also be attending an approved course in an approved institution.

He must make sure that he provides complete and accurate information (date of birth, Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) and bank details in particular) to avoid any delay to the processing of his application.

His has to send hard copies of any supporting documentation to SUSI. If he is refused a grant, or are approved a grant at a rate he does not think applies to his situation, he can appeal the decision in writing to SUSI. He must appeal within 30 days of getting your decision.

Student grants are reviewed each year. If he had a grant in one academic year and is continuing his studies on the course in the following year, SUSI will be in contact with him in order to renew or re-assess his student grant for that next year.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Service at 076 1074000 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 81

Meeting Place Another result for Meeting Place!

From ‘healthy, active Waterford farmer’: ‘As a result of my advert in Meeting Place, I have met a beautiful woman 45 minutes away.

We have been on a sun holiday, weekends away, dance weekly and eat out. We like each other so much we can’t believe we met so thanks to Meeting Place’.

TALL, SLIM, ATTRACTIVE CORK FEMALE, friendly Leo, 50s, WLTM Mr. Motivator, someone who wants to start to live and enjoy life again. Interests include eating out, social drinks, music, concerts, theatre, travel, walking and much more. Must be loving and kind. GSOH essential, with positive outlook and a nice smile.

Can’t wait!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A1 DUBLIN MALE, 69, loves a non-hurried pace of life, WLTM a loving, caring female to share and enjoy retirement years. Looking for my soul mate and soul mates don’t have to live together. Ideally age range 65-75.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A2 HAPPY DUBLIN GENT, 60s, NEVER MARRIED, seeking cheerful lady, Dublin area.

Country origins but now residing North Dublin.

House, car, positive, sincere, respectful, romantic, artistic, tolerant, cultured.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A3 ATTRACTIVE, TALL, MEATH LADY, 62, educated, kind and caring. Interests include walking, theatre, eating out, current affairs, music and travel. WLTM a loving, caring, genuine gent to share interests and good times together. Preferable age range 50s to 60s.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A4 WEST MEATH BASED ENGLISHMAN, 79, WEST widower, NS, SD. Interests include driving, reading, pets, sport, all types of music.

Keen sense of humour, WLTM a lady of similar age and interests for friendship and companionship. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A5 ACTIVE, RETIRED CO LIMERICK WOMAN, CHEERFUL and chatty seeks friendly male companion to share days out, holidays and enjoy life.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A6 SOUTH DUBLIN PROFESSIONAL GENT, late 60s, NS, 5ft 11in, medium build, kind, considerate, private, good appearance, good manners and respectful, easy going. Interests include the arts, cinema, music, reading. Would like to invite into my life a special, kind, thoughtful, funny and true, romantic, affectionate mature woman who is available for trips and short breaks to explore places of interest in our beautiful country.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A7

MUNSTER LADY, QUIET, HONEST, kind, sincere, semi-retired. WLTM single, caring, trustworthy gentleman. Ideally GSOH, modest drinker with a healthy lifestyle to share happy times and, initially, friendship. Age range 60-65.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A8 SINGLE MIDLANDS LADY, no ties, working, many interests. WLTM retired, single gent or widower for theatre, concerts, walks, etc.

Midlands or Dublin area. Age range 65-75.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A9 MEATH WOMAN , 50’s , recently divorced, good looking , glamorous, vivacious , works in Dublin, no ties, travels a lot, WLTM educated, genuine , attractive male , 50’s for chat, friendship, possible travel companion. Loves indoors, fine wine, weekends at home and away. Independent males only!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A10 EDUCATED LADY, RETURNED EMIGRANT, late 60s, WLTM a companion of similar age, either male or female for European holidays.

A sense of humour and adventure essential.

Non-smoker preferred.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A11 DUBLIN-BASED FEMALE LATE 60s, NS, slim, young in outlook. Likes walking, trips away, reading, dining out, conversion etc. Seeks refined, kind, slim gent 60s-70s, with GSOH to spend time with and see how It goes.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A12 NORTH DUBLIN MAN, 61, SINGLE, romantic, broadminded, discreet. WLTM lady 59-62 age group from Dublin of from up to two hours away. NS, ND. Love weekends away, eating out, cinema, walking, Elvis, C&W, folk, brass bands. Want to meet me?

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W2 KERRY LADY, TALL, SLIM, 50, no children.

Interests include walking, reading, theatre, concerts, museums, history, pets, gardening, Sunday drives and lazy coffee, mornings. NS, ND, GSOH. WLTM kind hearted, warm, sincere gentleman to share and enjoy life with.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W3 ATTRACTIVE LEINSTER LADY YOUNG 60s WLTM man of similar vintage who can enjoy the elements, have a laugh, dance to Van, curl up with a film or dine out on words that say we’re on the same page.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W4 CORK MAN EARLY 60s, 5ft 11in, active lifestyle. Interests include walking, dining out, cinema, concerts and travelling abroad and sampling other cultures. I would make a wonderful partner for a relaxed, happy woman over 5ft 5in who wants to share my life and interests. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W5

82 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

TALL MIDLANDS, PROFESSIONAL LADY, 61, considered attractive, long time divorced.

WLTM gentleman 55-65 to have a laugh and share my interests in travel, walking, dancing, rugby, athletics, culture, good food and wine and more. Bucket list includes frequent trips around Europe in a camper van with the off five-star hotel thrown in, and walking the Camino. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W6 NORTHSIDE DUBLIN MALE, young 72, 6ft tall, average build. Like the simple things n life, a joke and the craic. Seeks a similar broadminded woman to spend time with and see how it goes.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER W7 BLONDE KILDARE LADY, 50, SINGLE, no children, never married, GSOH, NS, SD, kind, caring, medium build. Interests include meals in/out, romance, music, travel. Seeking large build, solvent, refined professional gent for friendship and possible relationship. Must be NS. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T1 LATE 60s DUBLIN WIDOWER, kind and caring, good listener and GSOH. Enjoys walking, music, bridge, reading, cinema and theatre.

WLTM lady for friendship/relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T2 KERRY LADY, 50, TALL, SLIM, no children, travelled and sincere. Interests include walking, reading, theatre, concerts, museums, history, pets, gardening, Sunday drives and lazy coffee mornings. GSOH. WLTM kind-hearted, warm, sincere gentleman to share and enjoy life with.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T3 CO DUBLIN MALE, EARLY 60s, outgoing personality, good appearance, NS, SD, enjoys reading, walking, travelling, theatre dining out, current affairs, WLTM lady for friendship/relationship.REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T4 GALWAY FEMALE EARLY 60s loves a non-hurried pace of life, lives mindfully and spiritually. Likes walking, golf, cinema, theatre, good food and dance. WLTM my female soul mate that I have searched for all my life. Where are you? I’m honest, kind, sincere and loyal.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T5 ROMANTIC DUBLIN GENT, 69, separated ND, light smoker, medium height and build.

Enjoy reading, cinema, reading, music. WLTM female Dublin area with a view to a relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T6 ATTRACTIVE YOUNG 60s LEINSTER LADY, unattached, WLTM a man to have a laugh, dance to Van, curl up with a film or dine on words that say we are on the same page.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T7

FORE! LADY GOLFER, 60 Dublin area, seeking gentleman course companion 55-65. Other interests include walking, theatre, cinema, meals out and travelling. NS, SD, GSOH. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T8 SOUTH DUBLIN WOMAN, WIDOW, late 60s, WLTM interesting, well-travelled man with broad outlook on life for conversation one day a week in a city centre coffee shop.

No meetings in pubs please. No baggage.

Interests include reading, theatre, classical music, walking and general socializing. Sense of humour essential.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T9 KILDARE WOMAN, SINGLE 50s, looking to meet nice people of either sex for occasional socializing. NS, SD. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T10 RETIRED PROFESSIONAL WOMAN, widow, 60s, NS, WLTM classy, caring gentleman for friendship. Interests include walking, reading, gardening, meditation, cinema etc.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T11 DUBLIN PROFESSIONAL MALE, LATE 60s, divorced, NS, semi-retired. Easy going, considerate. Interests include cinema, the arts, weekends away, and sport. WLTM affectionate, genuine, young at heart, positive, kind, experienced woman who wants to live life to the fullest.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T12 SINGLE PROFESSIONAL SOUTH DUBLIN LADY, late 50s, 160cm, good looking, enthusiastic, caring university degree, interested in walking, ballroom dancing, ballet, theatre, yoga, healthy lifestyle, music. WLTM single, professional caring man with similar interests, ideally a ballroom partner advanced level 55-65.

NS, SD, GSOH. For companionship leading to possible relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T13 ATTRACTIVE, LIVELY, style conscious Galway lady, interested in walking, dancing, bridge and a bit of golf. WLTM gent with some of these interests and others.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T14 TRAVEL BUDDIES: Interested in travel at home and abroad? Let’s create a group of solo travelers (with or without supplement).

Ideally Munster or South Connacht based for ease of contact. Time to socialise and explore?

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T15 MUNSTER LADY, retired professional, widowed, sincere, outgoing, emphatic with positive outlooks. GSOH and varied interests. WLTM a NS personable, caring, interesting gent in late 60s with GSOH. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T16

MIDLANDS LADY, 80, BUT LOOKS YOUNGER. Long time widow, retired teacher, slim build, outgoing personality, NS/SD. Interests include current affairs, reading, walking, theatre. WLTM educated gentleman of similar age to share coffee and conversation once or twice a week. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T17

DUBLIN-BASED FEMALE LATE 60s, NS, slim, young in outlook. Likes walking, trips away, reading, dining out, conversion etc. Seeks refined, kind, slim gent 60s-70s, with GSOH to spend time with and see how It goes.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER A12

ATLANTIC COAST LADY, ACTIVE, positive outlook, kind trustworthy, NS, WLTM females for socialising and travel companions.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER T18

NORTH WICKLOW LADY, MID 60s, retired professional, interested in reading and good wine. Interested in meeting people of either sex for social friendship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H2

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.

WLTM a never-married lady.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J2 ATTRACTIVE ROSCOMMON LADY 60s with no ties, NS, SD, active with outgoing personality. Enjoys walking, restaurants, travel and bridge. WLTM tall, honest, interesting professional man, 60s, to share interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J3

GALWAY BASED MALE, 60s, single with no ties, GSOH with many interests. Wish to meet a sincere single woman to share a nice future with.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H3 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 adver-

DUBLIN WIDOW, 70s, GSOH, enjoys walking, reading, travel, the pleasure of good food, wildlife, current affairs etc. Easy going. WLTM others for friendship, winter breaks to sunny places in Europe, sharing self-catering accommodation for leisure, enjoyment and new places, culture etc.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J4

tisement should not be more than 60 words.

ATTRACTIVE LEINSTER LADY unattached, young 60s, WLTM a man who can enjoy the elements, have a laugh, dance to Van, curl up with a film or dine out on words that say we are on the same page.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J5

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.

OFFALY LADY LATE 60s, widowed, no ties, self-employed, semi-retired professional, NS, SD, outgoing personality, sincere, caring and trustworthy. Interests include music, social dancing, sport, especially GAA, travel, dining in/out, a glass of wine and good conversation.

WLTM a sincere, caring, romantic man with outgoing personality and a GSOH to share good times together.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER J6 KILLARNEY MAN, LATE 50S, interests include gardening, dancing, music of all types, driving in the country, cinema, animals. WLTM woman with similar interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H1

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 June 20th 2018.

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).

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 83

A magical Summer Break awaits you in The Isle of Man Thinking of ideas for your summer break? A quick jaunt across the Irish Sea to the beautiful Isle of Man could be just the ticket.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s summer schedule is underway, with sailings from both Dublin and Belfast to the island.

It might be small, but you’ll find so much to do in the Isle of Man, and bringing your car is a great way to fully explore the spectacular scenery - from the heights of Snaefell Mountain to the precipitous cliffs and sandy beaches of the coastline - and will enable you to reach every nook and cranny of this nature-lovers’ delight.

Don’t worry if a trek up the mountain doesn’t appeal, because that’s what the Snaefell Mountain Railway is there for. At the top, you can grab a bite to eat in the café and enjoy the views - on a clear day it is said that you can see seven kingdoms; Mann, Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, Neptune and Heaven.

Enjoy the island at your own pace, whether that is gentle strolls around picturesque glens, long hikes through forests and over hills, nice flat cycle rides, or taking on the challenge of cycling the famous TT Mountain Circuit. Of course, when you sail by ferry, your hiking boots and bicycles can travel with you for free.

If walking is your thing, the Raad ny Foillan (Way of the Gull) is a must. It’s a 95-mile footpath around the island’s coast, but don’t be daunted, you needn’t commit to the whole thing. It can be broken down into manageable sections, and you can pick and choose which are suitable for you and your companions.

The coast is where you will see the diversity of the island’s wildlife; many birds make their home here, if only seasonally, including the Manx shearwater, Arctic terns, red kites and puffins, while the sea life is just as rich, with seals, dolphins, and basking sharks regularly seen around the coast. Indeed, if you take the short boat trip to the Calf of Man, a bird sanctuary at the southern tip of the Isle of Man, you can savour the best of both.

The island’s rich history is everywhere you look, with two superb castles - the sprawling ruins of Peel Castle, on an islet on the west coast, and Castle Rushen, which is considered one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Europe. These are two of the gems in the crown of Manx National Heritage, alongside the Great Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world, and the tranquil ruin of Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla.

speciality Manx dishes such as ‘queenies’ (queen scallops) and Manx Loaghtan lamb as well as beers and ciders from local breweries Okell’s, Bushy’s, Hooded Ram, Old Laxey Brewing Company and Manx Cider Company.

Returning to the railways, in addition to the Snaefell Mountain Railway, there is a fine heritage rail network to savour, from the Victorian narrow gauge Steam Railway, which runs from Douglas on the east coast to Port Erin in the south, to the Manx Electric Railway, which meanders along the east coast from Douglas to Ramsey in the north (branching off at Laxey for the route up Snaefell).

You can book a five-day short break with a car and two people with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company this summer from just E120 each way. If you fancy bringing the grandchildren, don’t miss this year’s Kids Go Free summer special - just book travel for a car and two people between 3rd July and 30th August and up to three children aged 4 to 15 travel for free (infants under 4 years travel free as standard).

For full details and to book visit : www.steam-packet.com

All that exercise and exploring will no doubt leave you with an appetite, this is another area where the Isle of Man is tough to beat. There are a host of cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes (and budgets), including

84 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

Accommodation-wise, the island again has something to suit all budgets, from hotels such as The Sefton and The Regency, to self-catering accommodation and campsites.

For more inspiration while planning your trip visit: www.visitisleofman.com www.manxnationalheritage.im

EX OVE HI R BIT 50 OR S

Organised by S&L Promotions Ltd. T: (01) 496 9028 E: info@slp.ie

Be Inspired When You Retire

FREE ADMISSION

Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone

Sun 8th (1-7pm) & Mon 9th (11am-5pm) July, 2018

You don’t have to be over 50 – all ages welcome...

Cooking Demos and Food Sampling

Fashion

Health Talks and Checks

Sampling and Giveaways

Volunteering

Antiques, stamps, coins valuations

Plus Government & Statutory Information, Recruitment, Senior Care, Valuations of Notes, Coins & Stamps, Home & Abroad Holidays, Arts & Crafts, Fashion Retailing & More...

Crossword Crossword Number 93 by Zoë Devlin

ACROSS 1 4 8 11 17 18 19 20 21 22 26 27 29 32 33 35 39 40 42 44 46 49 50 51 52 54 55 58 60 62 64 65 66 67 70 71 74 78 79 82 84 85 87 92 93 94 95 96 97 98

Comfort or consolation in disappointment (6) Precious stones incorporated into jewellery (6) Cubans - Fidel or Raúl (6) Upward slope sounding like an aroma? (6) Pauses between parts of a concert or play (9) Arm of the Mediterranean (8,3) Pester or irritate (5) Famous for its Rose festival in August (6) Measures atmospheric pressure in a remote bar! (9) One who plays a large string instrument (7) Clever and humorous (5) Highways that encircle an urban area (8) Dickens character who had a violet wrist? (6,5) J M Barrie character who never grew up (5,3) They are hired to fight for another country (11) Mediterranean island & Napoleon’s place of exile (4) Type of bull found in a box (2) Truck with enclosed cargo space (3) Fort on the Aran Island’s Inishmore, Dun ___ (6) Plant whose foliage remains thoughout the year (9) Cashew, Brazil or hazel? (3) Capital of South Korea (5) Trips to perform tasks or missions (7) Brian O’Nolan AKA ___ na gCopaleen (5) Laciest narrow stretchy band (7) Regard as untrustworthy (7) Was this 9-headed Greek monster quite hardy? (5) Sink, settle or descend (7) Minute life-forms which can cause bacteria (5) Partially opened flower (3) Did a Tsar reuse these gems or precious things? (9) Round fruit or pigment between red & yellow (6) Ironic, humorously sarcastic (3) A blow which renders opponent unconscious (1.1) South African prelate or short ballet skirt? (4) Boots worn by the Iron Duke (11) Not abstract - hard building material (8) Not real ..delusive .. impossible (11) There are 32 including bishops, castles & pawns (8) Manservant, gentleman’s gentleman (5) Small, single storey house (7) See 48 Down Take away, withdraw (6) Having knowledge or being cognisant (5) Eliminating or annihilating (11) Oval shaped seasonal chocolate (6,3) Does this detective hustle? (6) Abundance of money or possessions (6) Expresses in words (6) Brings together - joins (6)

86 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

DOWN 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 23 24 25 28 30 31 34 36 37 38 41 43 45 47 48 53 54 56 57 58 59 61 63 68 69 72 73 75 76 77 80 81 83 86 88 89 90 91

Small migratory birds noted for rapid flight (6) Can a tart avail of this opera by Giuseppe Verdi? (2,8) Woodworker (9) State of rapture or exaltation (7) Expand or flesh out details (9) Thoroughfares such as Grafton or St Patrick’s (7) Banner county or poet, John ___ (5) Hurried gulp or swallow (4) Red or brown oxide coating on iron (4) Gone with the Wind’s Miss O’Hara or ___Johansson? (8) Co Fermanagh town - famous for silken linen? (11) Artifacts designed to be played with (4) Browning of skin from the sun (3) Provides food and service for party (7) Push button on outer door (8) Small cube with 1 to 6 spots on 6 sides (4) Ocean which separates America from Europe (8) Ray of sunlight (3-4) Cutlery for snoops? (6) Deciduous tree with acorns (3) Cylindrical containers that holds liquids (5) Hunts for or looks to find something (8) Hero-worships or idolises (7) Imperil or turn Dan green? (8) Manliest of bodily disorders? (8) Could a gnu discharge this weapon? (3) Young geese (8) Weeps convulsively (4) & 85 Across. Met Eireann’s predictions (7,9) Conservative island off NW coast? (4) One who deliberately causes wrecks (8) Run-down, decrepit, abandoned (8) Poison found in races? (7) Guinness, Beamish or Murphy’s for instance (5) Heavy-bodied species of snake (3) Taken without owner’s consent (6) Become worse or disintegrate (11) Small amount of drink (3) A noble event or showing kindness? (10) Consumes (4) Longing for the past - or lost again? (9) Lizard whose able to change colour (9) Most unpleasant and offensive (8) Strand or curl of hair (7) Protective folds of skin above eyes (7) Furthest or highest degree of something (7) Fences formed by closely planted bushes (6) County town of Tyrone (5) Long-haired wild oxen of Tibet (4) Beckon or signal with the hands (4) Face of a clock (4) Tree from which hurleys are made (3)

Four copies of Spuds and The Spider to be won!

A treat for the grandkids or for any small people you know! This is the story of a leprechaun and a very troublesome spider.

Spuds Potsofgold lives with his wife Rose in the cosy surroundings of Toadstool Cottage. Their pet mouse Steve thinks he’s a cat, and all is well with the world. Well, all except for one thing, that is. One eight-legged, web-spinning, googly-eyed spider called Leggers McWeb who lives in the corner of Toadstool Cottage.

Leggers enjoys the finer things in life.

Senior Times, in association with the publishers Gill Books, are offering four copies of the children’s book Spuds and the Spider as prizes in this issue’s crossword competition.

Name: ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Address: ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Phone: ................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email:......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Send your entries to: Crossword Competition, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. The first five correct entries drawn are the winners.

Deadline for receipt of entries is 15th June 2018

Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie 87

This should make about a page and a half if you can use a number of the photosInvention

A novel glove to help arthritis sufferers

Invention

A novel glove to help arthritis sufferers

My granddaughter Helen has recently graduated from college and as part of her final year she created ‘Verge’, an exercise glove for peopleMy suffering from rheumatoid and went on to become a college and as part of her final granddaughter Helenarthritis, has recently graduated from National Finalist in the Dyson Awardan Competition.

I was sofor impressed year she created ‘Verge’, exercise glove people suffering from rheumatoid by herarthritis, success and I thought it would be a suitable andachievement went on tothat become a National Finalist in the Dyson Award Competition.

I was so impressed bySenior her success project to share the readers of Times. and achievement that I thought it would be a suitable

project to share with the readers of Senior Times.

Connie McEvoy.

Connie McEvoy.

If you would like more information on this glove, email Connie McEvoy at mcevoyconnie@eircom.net

If you would like more information on this glove, email Connie McEvoy at mcevoyconnie@eircom.net

The idea behind Verge is to strengthen the muscles in the hands and fingers as the fingers are clenched and released. Bands of elastic are used to create a Thefingers idea behind Verge is to Flex strengthen the muscles in the the hands and fingers as resistance on the with the motion. sensor strips monitor thefingers, fingers record are clenched and released. elastic are used movement of the the data and relay it Bands back anofapp so that the to create a theexercise fingers sessions. with the motion.

Flex sensorforstrips monitor the user can keep aresistance record of on their The glove is worn limited movement of the fingers, andbands relay are it back an app so that the time periods daily when exercise will takerecord place.the Thedata elastic changed user can keep a record of their stronger exercise sessions.

The glove. is worn for limited to increase in resistance as the user becomes from the exercise’ time periods daily when exercise will take place.

The are changed patterns handed down to her from mother, Bridgetelastic Kellybands who had been Helen writes: . to increase resistance as the user becomes strongerand from exercise’of taught the craftinfrom her mother Mary Kavanagh, a the collection ‘My grandmother Colette McLeer inspired me to design Verge as she

has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for a number of years. Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable condition that affects the muscles making them weak and painful causing them to stiffen. Verge was designed as a final year thesis project in response to the symptoms she has experienced while suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in their hands. Over time rheumatoid arthritis attacks the muscles and can make them stiff and painful to move. Verge is a way of exercising the hand muscles keeping them agile and movable as the conditions of having rheumatoid arthritis start taking its toll.

Help was sought from both sides of my family throughout the design process. While Colette helped me on the needs of the user, I turned to my grandma Connie for her knowledge of making gloves.

As a child growing up Connie taught me how to cross-stitch, and until that point that was all the stitching knowledge that I had. When I described to her what I wanted to do and what sort of help I needed Connie headed straight up to her attic to bring down a collection of glove 88 Senior Times l May - June 2018 l www.seniortimes.ie

lambskin gloves that she had previously made herself.

She was able to hand down the knowledge of the craft to me and I became the fourth generation to use this pattern. With her guidance and experience I was able to use her pattern stencils to create my own pair of gloves out of the neoprene fabric that I was using.

The idea behind Verge is to strengthen the muscles in the hands and fingers as the fingers are clenched and released. Bands of elastic are used to create a resistance on the fingers with the motion. Flex sensor strips monitor the movement of the fingers, record the data and relay it back an app so that the user can keep a record of their exercise sessions.

The glove is worn for limited time periods daily when exercise will take place. The elastic bands are changed to increase in resistance as the user becomes stronger from the exercise’.

If you would like more information on this glove, email Connie McEvoy at mcevoyconnie@eircom.net

Fresh from the bakery To helping you find your dream home abroad Having spent, and still spending, over 30 years employed in management rolls in the fast moving bakery and dairy industry in Ireland, I found myself asking the question “If I had the choice now that I am fifty three, what industry would I really like to work in”.

Strangely enough the answer came very quickly to me. My first passion is salmon fishing but instantly knew that I would be very hard pressed to earn a living at this pastime!!!

My other great interest is watching overseas property programmes which for some reason I would find myself, when time allowed, glued to numerous TV channels that are now available to us. I really enjoyed seeing the presenters taking their clients to beautiful developments on the Costa’s, Portugal, France ect, and found myself becoming jealous of how they made their living.

I have been a sales person all my life and began wondering how I could still incorporate what I love doing with something that I had grown to have an ever increasing passion for overseas property.

It was now that I began to question myself as to what was the right area to be looking at as I was aware that this industry had gained quite a questionable reputation, especially during the boom years, when unscrupulous developers had left clients in serious financial difficulties with what can only be called dodgy deals.

It was then that I came across Drew Beckett and his company, BeckettHanlon Overseas Property LTD. While scrolling through his website and especially listening to the numerous industry people who spoke about Drew, I could see that this was a person who above all ensured that any client who bought a property through his company, was buying safely.

I then arranged to meet with Drew, and from that initial meeting I knew that he himself and his company, was where I wanted to begin my new career in International Property Sales.

Everything about Drew and BeckettHanlon is geared towards ensuring that our clients get the right property for them.

We take our customers from the initial consultation, through the buying process of arranging a mortgage, if required, with our mortgage partners to dealing with all the legal aspects of buying your dream home abroad, to even sourcing furniture for their new home.

We can accompany our clients to view their new overseas property and meet the developers on site if they so wish.

We give them what we call the “BeckettHanlon Experience” To conclude I would like to say just how much I am enjoying my new role as a partner in BeckettHanlon.

I get huge satisfaction from seeing the satisfaction a client gets when we at BeckettHanlon get them their overseas dream property, and them knowing that they have bought their property – safely.

I would be only too delighted to help you find your dream property overseas also.

For a consultation on how you can achieve this dream please contact me on:

Dessy

Dessy.moen@becketthanlon.com Mobile +0044 755 4453 968 Finally , If you are interested in a Worldwide Property Franchise why not contact Drew Beckett at +0044 289 002 0700

Mobile +0044 077 5207 5994 www.becketthanlonfranchise.com

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Choose from 14 fascinating river cruises that take you to the iconic highlights as well as lesser-known gems in destinations such as Cologne, Trier, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Basel, Lucerne, Douro Valley, Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, Avignon, Arles, Bruges, Paris or Rouen.

CRUISE DESTINATION

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland Rhine & Moselle Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg The Blue Danube - Vienna, Budapest & Salzburg Cruise the Heart of Europe from the Rhine to the Danube, Vienna & Budapest Burgundy, River Rhône & Provence Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields The Seine, Paris & Normandy The Douro, Porto & Salamanca Medieval Germany Amsterdam, Kinderdijk & the Dutch Bulbfields Budapest to The Black Sea - Gems of Eastern Europe The Danube’s Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets Enchanting Rhine & Yuletide Markets

Your river cruise includes: • Exceptional cuisine with full board throughout • Extensive and fully inclusive touring programmes • Return flights, plus all hotel transfers • Beautifully appointed cabins or suites with hotel standard beds, en-suite bathrooms and river views • The services of our experienced tour manager and cruise director

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8 days 8 days 8 days 8 days 15 days 8 days 8 days 8 days 8 days 8 days 5 days 15 days 6 days 5 days

€1,829PP €1,779PP €1,839PP €1,169PP €2,709PP €1,539PP €1,349PP €1,839PP €1,569PP €1,709PP €839PP €2,849PP €1,039PP €919PP

Contact us for further details or to request a brochure Call: 01 905 6321 or visit: www.rivieratravel.ie Holiday organised by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel, Chase House, City Junction Business Park, Malahide Road, Northern Cross, Dublin D17 AK63. Fully licensed and bonded by CAR (T.O. 257) Prices correct at time of print.