Senior Times Magazine May June 2019

Issue 99 May - June 2019

Times

NOW E3.00/£2.75

The magazine for people who don’t act their age

The day we went to the moon 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing

Keeping in the loop

Living with a monster

Bubbling Brits

Three circular walks

In search of Mary Shelley

English sparkling wine success

PLUS: Mary O’Rourke – Creative Writing - Competitions – Motoring – Travel – Gardening - Health - Meeting Place and much more...

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May/June 2019

Contents 6 News:

26

The day we went to the moon:

Aubrey Malone celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

80

2

6

Walking:

Conor O’Hagan takes you on three looped walks in Counties Meath, Limerick and Clare

51

Days out:

Includes a visit to Dundalk Museum and Seafari centre

60

In search of Mary Shelley:

In the latest of her literary travels, Lorna Hogg visits some of the places frequented by the creator of Frankinstein

14

Guess the year:

Another teaser from Jerry Perkins

18

Creative writing:

68

Mary’s Musings :

In her latest reflections Mary O’Rourke discusses, among other topics, Boris Johnston, BREXIT, libraries, women in politics and Ann Bronte

26

The popularity of seniors tag rugby: Jack Strapp explains

74

Northern Notes:

76

The value of older workers to employers: Recent DCU study discussed

32

Wine world:

The growing popularity of English sparkling wines

80

Golf:

Driving force. Profile of golf-mad Eddie Jordan

36

Meeting place:

82

Crossword:

84

Cosmetics:

Skin care for the older woman

Motoring:

86

Crafts:

88

40

Further education:

Senior Times looks at courses available from learning centres around the country

42

Know your rights:

46

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.,

Western Ways:

62 Happenings on the western seaboard with George Keegan

FRONT COVER Neil Armstrong plants the US flag on the moon on July 20th 1969

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 Active Retirement Ireland calls on Government to guarantee annual pensions increase the pension is triple-locked. Triple-locking means guaranteeing that the basic State pension will increase by either a minimum of 2.5 per cent, the rate of inflation, or average earnings growth, whichever is the largest. This is European best practice and provides stability and security for older people. It guarantees a minimum increase every year and gives them peace of mind.

Maureen Kavanagh: ‘Linking the rate of pension payment to the consumer price index will be worthless unless the pension is triple-locked.

Linking the old-age pension to the consumer price index (CPI) will be worthless unless the pension is ‘triple-locked’, according to Active Retirement Ireland, responding to media reports that the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty TD, is planning to link pension payments to changes in inflation.

Commenting, Maureen Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Active Retirement Ireland, said: ‘Linking the rate of pension payment to the consumer price index will be worthless unless

‘While we welcome the Government’s intention to future-proof pensions, the consumer price index is not reflective of how people spend their money and of the day-to-day costs facing older people. So simply linking the pension to this index is not an option.

‘While Fianna Fáil are quick to criticise the Government’s plans, the only alternative they are proposing is to continue playing political football each year, where pension increases are not guaranteed and have to be begged of politicians. This leads to older people facing anxiety at the time of budget announcements.

‘We’re calling on the Government to guarantee yearly increases to the State pension, based on the triple-lock model, ensuring older people can enjoy a good quality of life and appropriate healthcare supports as they age.’

‘Cost of smoking 140 times higher than spending on quit services’ The Irish Heart Foundation is urging the State to invest more in quit services, the recent National No Smoking Day aimed to reduce Ireland’s tobacco-related death toll of almost 6,000 people a year and address an imbalance which means the cost of smoking to the State is 140 times more than the amount it spends on helping smokers to quit.

In 2017 just over E11.8 million was spent on smoking cessation measures including medications, smoking cessation services, the national quitline and mass media campaigns, compared to an estimated annual cost of smoking to the State totalling E1,653 million.

And although the vast majority of Irish smokers want to quit, the amount spent on cessation services is less than 1 per cent of the almost E1,400 million they handed over in tobacco tax during the course of 2017.

By putting more resources into smoking cessation services, the State could help many more smokers quit and thereby reduce the toll of 16 deaths every day from tobacco-related illness in Ireland and the rate of 31,500 smokers who are admitted to hospital each year with tobacco-related illness, whilst also saving money on a huge scale.

The HSE estimates that around four out of every 10 smokers make a quit attempt every year and about one third who try are successful on the first attempt, although more don’t make it through the first week.

Retirement Planning Council launches new website The Retirement Planning Council of Ireland (RPCI) have just launched a new website – rpc.ie. It’s packed with detail, advice and up to date information about retirement.

Everyone is not at the same point so RPCI offer different courses grouped around: planning for retirement, mid-career financial planning and one-to-one course planning on retirement.

Its courses are held in venues throughout Ireland – Sligo, Westport, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny and Dublin. New for this year are retirement weekend courses – check them out too. You can book them directly from the website. It’s also possible to see how many 2 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

places are available so there’s no time wasting and endless back and forth.

Before booking a course, you can speak to an advisor who can talk through everything with you. One of the things that the RPCI prides itself on is the follow through for course participants.

Once you have attended a course you are entitled to free lifetime support. RPCI offer courses on related topics including: working on in retirement; genealogy and family history; start your own business; get fit, get moving.

The RPCI blog is updated regularly with news and information. One of the discoveries which

is useful on the site is the knowledge base page which includes information on a wide variety of topics and areas particularly around lifelong learning.

RPCI is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity. Take a moment, or a couple, to see what’s up there on www.rpc.ie Organisations wishing to apply to the Mná na hÉireann, Women of Ireland Fund can find details on the Social Innovation Fund website www.socialinnovation.ie/mna-na-heireann-fund with the application period open from today until 18 April 2019.

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News Hermitage pioneering wide range of cancer treatments

take people back in time to when gardens not only provided food for the soul, but food for the table too. It features a manicured formal space with box hedges and tea roses emblematic of the era, as well as a much more practical fruit and vegetable patch that provided much of what was on the menu in people’s homes at the time. For tips on stimulating reminiscence in the garden, visit the Dementia: Understand Together campaign website, www.understandtogether.ie/bloom.

The Hermitage Medical Clinic have the full range of conventional linear accelerators and brachytherapy to treat many forms of cancer. They also have the only CyberKnife on the island of Ireland. This is an extraordinary machine. It is a treatment machine, a linear accelerator on the end of a robot. This is linked to a treatment planning unit. This is where all the scans MRI and CT are fused and studied.

The plan is constructed by doctors and clinical scientists with physics backgrounds. This is fed through to the treatment unit. The unique feature is the tracking of a moving target such as a lung or prostate.

The robot is programmed to stay focused on the target. If the pattern of movement changes the machine switches off. It will recalibrate in the case of a lung tumour then resume provided it is happy with the accuracy. This means that the accuracy of a treatment is 0.3 mms.

This means Hermitage can treat volumes down to 30mm3 with complete confidence.

The machine unlike any other is constantly checking its accuracy and correcting against the plan. It is a closed system. The therapists are also monitoring to ensure accuracy as we need to be certain. The CyberKnife unit is used to treat cancer of the lung. Here the patient is able to breath normally during the treatment.

The treatment because we avoid normal tissue is delivered in 5 days other than 5-6 weeks.

Prostate cancer is also treated though here tiny gold seeds have to be inserted into the gland prior to planning. The robot focuses on these while it does its work following the movement of the gland. 5 days remains the total length of the treatment as opposed to between 4-8 weeks on conventional radiotherapy.

When specialists are treating tumours in the brain or base of skull they may be giving a single dose only. These tumours may be malignant or benign. Benign may take longer to respond because of slow cell turnover.

Hermitage also treat trigeminal neuralgia. This is an extremely debilitating condition involving severe facial pain. A single exposure may relieve the pain entirely allowing the patient to come off medication and lead a normal life.

For further information visit www.hermitageclinic.ie or contact CyberKnife & Radiotherapy Dept at 01 6459045.

Mylo, the support and ‘companion’ robot

Mylo is a new support and companion robot that has been designed for people who are living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, so they can retain independence and live at home for longer. A personal home assistant, Mylo is paired with a health sensor watch that the user wears, which provides essential functions from health to companionship. For E9 a day, less than the 4 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

cost of one hour of homecare, Mylo can help ease and alleviate the stresses and strains that family members or carers have when they are looking after a loved one with Alzheimer’s or Dementia at home.

A first to market, Mylo was created by social entrepreneur, Candace Lafleur, and the team at CR Robotics – a local robotics company based in Dundalk in Co. Louth. The team has commissioned significant research with nursing homes, care homes, and in the homes of those living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia on their requirements. Following this research, it was clear that there were 17 pain points for people who need this level of care, and so Mylo was developed specifically with key functions including: Remote Monitoring – allows families to ensure that their loved one is okay in a secure and non-invasive way.

Emergency Video Call Response – Mylo can sense a fall, locate his user within the home and, if necessary, initiate an emergency response protocol Heart Rate Emergency Response – the health sensor watch is connected to Mylo enabling him to monitor user’s heart rate and trigger an emergency video call, if required Additional features include, Visual Schedule for daily to dos, Medication Reminders so users take their medication on time, Automatic Charging so carers and users don’t need to worry about plugging Mylo in and Read Aloud, which helps with isolation issues and offers a small respite for loneliness.

For information on Mylo or to speak to a Mylo representative, visit www.heymylo.ie.

‘Memories’ show garden at Bloom

People with dementia and their families are being encouraged to visit the Dementia: Understand Together campaign’s Memories are Made of This 1950s-themed show garden at Bord Bia’s Bloom 2019. The garden festival takes place in Dublin’s Phoenix Park over the June bank holiday weekend from May 30June 3.

The garden, named after the song made famous by 1950s’ crooner, Dean Martin, aims to

The creation of award-winning designer, Robert Moore, the garden is sponsored by the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign. It is one of a wide range of initiatives being undertaken by the campaign to create an Ireland that embraces and includes people with dementia, and that displays solidarity with them and their families.

Essential tips for solo female travellers

The Tropical Medical Bureau have come up to provide some essential tips for solo female travellers.

Research the destination before you go Whether it be figuring out the culture, knowing where's best to pick up some local delicacy or simply what streets and corners to avoid understanding your destination is vital!

Knowing your surroundings, the area and the people will all pay off if you were ever to find yourself in a sticky situation.

Always check in Its always important to check in with loved ones when possible. Be it a check in on Facebook or the old-fashioned way. This will give them peace of mind and most importantly, they'll know you're safe and enjoying yourself.

Travel during the day More incidents happen at night than during the day.

So, if you're planning on heading on a long journey, try your best to travel during the day when possible. If you've no option but to travel at night, make sure you're using trusted transport.

Ooze confidence!

Solo female travellers who look lost or confused can often attract the wrong kind of attention - try your best to carry yourself with confidence.

Learning a few words in the local language, buying a local newspaper and carrying it on view and wearing outfits that don't scream 'tourist' will all help you blend in just right.

Trust your gut There's a lot to be said about the power of intuition. If something or someone gives you an uneasy vibe, simply walk away.

Listening to your gut will often help you steer away from danger into safety or help you find your way in uncertain territory.

To book an appointment for vaccinations and see a list tropical Medical Bureau base and associate clinics, please contact Tropical Medical Bureau on 00-353-1-2715-200 or visit www.tmb.ie.

Modern history

Lunar legends Aubrey Malone vividly remembers that balmy night in July 1969 when science fiction became science fact The fact that an astronaut called Alan Shepard pulled a six-iron from a golf bag on the moon in 1971 and belted a golf ball into the middle distance was perhaps a sign that, a mere two years on from the historic maiden voyage of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the world had already lost its sense of wonder about such matters. The whole thing had become show business with this lunar Tiger Woods carry-on.

But those of us of a certain age – or even an uncertain one – remember when our hearts were in our mouths on that night in July 1969 as Armstrong took those ground-breaking steps down a ladder and onto a rocky surface that looked for all the world like any other rocky surface…but wasn’t.

It was 2.56. Nineteen minutes later his colleague Buzz Aldrin followed him. They started talking the way any two men might talk. Casual banter that would have been discardable in any other context. They might have been two country club members on a walkabout on a dry summer night.

All that was missing was the sound of the crickets.

As he got to the bottom of it he uttered a sentence that entered the language: ‘That’s a small step for man,’ he said, ‘a giant leap for mankind.’ The fact that he left out a word seemed to be the only sign of his nerves: ‘ That’s a small step for man,’ he said, instead of the prepared script, ‘a small step for a man.’

In years to come he was almost asked more about that than he would about stepping out of his galaxy.

Most of the glory went to Neil Armstrong, a solemn individual who was regarded as being one of the best pilots in America. That was his first dream; being an astronaut came later.

Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 5

Modern history Were they really where they were? Were we really seeing what we were seeing? It was impossible to comprehend. You wiped your eyes to make yourself believe it was true. You pinched yourself. They made it all look ridiculously easy, ridiculously accessible.

Fifty years later we can be forgiven for asking: Was it worth it? Could world poverty have been cured for the astronomical money that was expended on the mission?

Put bluntly, we all expected some surprises from the moon. But we didn’t get any. There was nothing up there to support growth, certainly no way human life could exist there. We resisted the urge to say, ‘Yes but.’ It was like Dr Johnson said of The Giant’s Causeway: ‘Worth seeing but not worth going to see.’ Was it all even anti-climactic?

Those of an astronomical bent afterwards turned their gaze to other planets, other solar systems. They were in search of that ‘Robinson Crusoe’ feeling any explorer feeds off.

‘A magnificent sight,’ said Armstrong.

‘Magnificent desolation,’ countered the more ‘earthy’ (no pun intended) Aldrin. The phrase became the title of his subsequent autobiography. The beautiful white orb that lovers gazed adoringly at for centuries was nothing more than an arid wasteland. Was it for this that three men risked their lives and a continent practically bankrupted itself?

It’s easy to be wise in retrospect. We may laugh at the Wright Brothers as we watch a Concorde zooming across the sky but we should remember that if it wasn’t for these two pioneers there wouldn’t have been a Concorde. And if it wasn’t for the people who put Neil Armstrong where they did, maybe we wouldn’t be looking at black holes today that are billions of light years away.

Nothing in our Brave New World can capture the exhilaration one felt on that balmy night in July 1969 when science fiction became science fact, even if all those cheesy love songs about ‘The moon in June’ would never sound quite the same again. The Space Race had been won by our people, the Great White Hope of Uncle Sam beating those nasty Russians to the spectral Promised Land.

The Russians orbited the earth with Sputnik in 1957. The Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space two years later.

In 1961, Nikita Khruschev collaborated with Fidel Castro to launch an offensive against America in the Cuban missile crisis that all but accelerated World War III. For three days the world hovered on the brink of possible destruction before John F. Kennedy issued Khruschev with an ultimatum: Retreat or else. He backed down. We were all able to breathe freely again.

Kennedy promised the world he’d have a man 6 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Buzz Aldrin suffered even more than Armstrong, going through bouts of depression and alcoholism after the moon mission. His mother had committed suicide; so had his grandfather. Depression ran in his genes. Like Armstrong he found it difficult to acclimatise to life in the slow lane in the years following.

on the moon before the sixties ended. It would have been his finest hour to witness Armstrong and Aldrin doing what they did on July 20, 1969, but he’d been cruelly mown down by Lee Harvey Oswald six years earlier and was now a mere memory. His brother Robert, another possible presidential candidate, had been assassinated the year before. ‘They’re killing all the Kennedys,’ said Walter Kronkite. The only brother left was Edward. Could he carry on the baton?

The short answer was no. Two days before Armstrong and Aldrin achieved the near-impossible, a drunken Edward drove his car off a bridge and killed a woman he was probably having an affair with. We know very little about Mary Jo Kopechne today except her name but she scuppered any hopes Ted Kennedy had of reaching the White House just as surely as he snuffed out her life. Camelot was no more.

All any opposing running mate had to do now was say the word ‘Chappaquiddick’ if he said he was in the hunt to become the most important man in the world.

In a mere two days, three men went from obscurity to global stardom while another one became a national embarrassment. Three men ascended into the air and beyond it; another one plunged into water and political suicide. Conor Cruise O’Brien would have described it all succinctly in a phrase: ‘GUBU.’ That stood for grotesque, unprecedented, bizarre, unbelievable. Instead of Kennedy, Richard Mlihous Nixon got the glory. He looked like the least likely person in the world to have an interest in astronomy, or indeed anything outside a bank account. If Nixon was on the moon he’d probably have pulled out a six-iron too.

We were left with two men we would never have known about if it wasn’t for July 1969, two men who were now planted indelibly in the global psyche. ‘Neil Armstrong was the

first man to walk on the moon,’ joked Aldrin, ‘and I was the first guy to pee his pants on it.’

He was the more outgoing one of the pair but he commanded less column inches. Whoever remembers anyone who came second? Or indeed third?

Precious little is also known about Michael Collins, the third man on the mission. He shared a name with an iconic Irish republican. We had our Michael Collins and America had theirs.

Ours was killed like Kennedy. Theirs survived but he didn’t even get to step out of the mother ship. Instead he guarded it, orbiting and orbiting in the lunar abyss as he waited for his two buddies to do their thing and return.

The three of them were separated for a few tense hours and then reunited. Umbilically.

Surreally.

So near and yet so far. To be close enough to almost touch the moon but still not be allowed on it. This was the heartbreaking nature of his assignment.

Most of the glory went to Armstrong, a solemn individual who was regarded as being one of the best pilots in America. That was his first dream; being an astronaut came later.

He’d lost a daughter to brain cancer in 1962.

The tragedy made a serious man even more serious.

It was said he found it difficult to come back to earth after the Apollo 11 mission. In all senses.

The pun was clever; nothing would ever be quite the same for him again. His head was still in the clouds.

My favourite Armstrong story concerns a night he was at a party, one of the few nights this solid citizen attended a party. Everybody was chatting about where they’d been on their holidays but Armstrong stayed quiet. At the

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Modern history end of the night a woman came up to him. She said, ‘Why are you not talking? You’ve been on the moon, for God’s sake.’ Armstrong replied, ‘Yes, but I’ve hardly been anywhere else.’ (One is reminded of Ardal O’Hanlon’s quip, ‘I’d love to interview Neil Armstrong and talk to him about everything but the moon.’)

Armstrong planted waving in what seemed to be a breeze. But how could it? There’s no wind on the moon.

Paper won’t refuse ink. There will always be cynics. But there are also idealists. We can still dare to dream, even in a post-1969 cosmos.

Even in a Trump era, where everything about the presidential office screams mundanity. Is there any comparison one can draw between Trump and Kennedy? Perhaps only the Russian element.

Being an astronaut required that kind of dedication, that kind of commitment. He couldn’t live off the moon landing forever. He was a relatively young man when he touched down a few days later. There was still a life to live.

That life, unfortunately, didn’t yield too much.

He became an icon but icons suffer more than most of us. His marriage ended in divorce; he became involved in litigation with people who tried to make money from fake autographs of his that they tried to flog to any takers. He even sued a barber who sold his hair without his permission.

Aldrin suffered even more than Armstrong, going through bouts of depression and alcoholism after the moon mission. His mother had committed suicide; so had his grandfather.

Depression ran in his genes. Like Armstrong he found it difficult to acclimatise to life in the slow lane in the years following. He knew he could have died ‘up there’ if NASA was mistaken in their calculations by even a milli-second or a millimetre. Now that he hadn’t, he had to figure out what to do next. How could you top a moon landing? It was a hard act to follow. After he retired from NASA he was reduced to selling used cars to make a living.

How the mighty fall.

Today, we’re told, there’s more technology in an average mobile phone than was used to put these men on the moon. A recent film

I spent the summer of 1973 in Washington D.C. While I was there I saw the moon rock in the Smithsonian Institution. It felt almost spiritual looking at it. It didn’t need to be pretty. The fact that it came from where it came from was enough. starring Ryan Gosling (The First Man) featured scenes of such jarring cacophony and bumpiness that at times one imagined they weren’t so much in a space capsule as a rather primitive elevator shaft. Some people saw this as derisive; they chortled at its primitiveness.

For me it only strengthened my respect for the risks they knew they were taking.

The First Man – the title has Edenic overtones – was criticised for not showing Armstrong planting the American flag on the moon’s surface. This was to misinterpret the intention of the film. It wasn’t meant to be a jingoistic exercise; rather a historical document. Another film, Capricorn One, dealt with an aborted mission to Mars that resulted in NASA faking it to avoid embarrassment. Such a concept fed the imagination of conspiracy theorists. If this could happen on a Martian mission, could it not have happened on a lunar one too? Was it possible that Armstrong and Aldrin didn’t step on the moon at all? Such deluded individuals cited the fact that in 1969 we clearly saw the flag

Today we may reflect on what further frontiers astronauts can reach. And, more importantly, what they might find there. Is there extra-terrestrial life beyond the silvery moon? Is there somewhere we earthlings can go in future millennia if we become victims of a nuclear winter or some equally horrific Armageddon?

Are other planets spying on us just like we’re spying on them? Are the natives friendly, like in Steven Spielberg movies, or aggressive, like in those dystopian fifties films where Triffid-like creatures with green antennae and sprawling arms seek to destroy us?

A Cold War mentality feeds such fears; the quote unquote ‘enlightened’ world of such as Spielberg serves to allay them.

We don’t worry about being mauled by ‘The Blob”’ when we go to science fiction films today. We just worry that E.T. might not be able to phone home.

Do you remember the landing?

Where were you when astronaut, Neil Armstrong, stood on the moon? For the fiftieth anniversary of the moon landing, Colette Sheridan took to the Ballinlough and Douglas suburbs of Cork to ask people about their memories of the momentous event and the value of space exploration.

Matthew Kiely: ‘I remember it well. I was down in Crosshaven. We had a bungalow there and used to spend the summers there. We had no TV. That was a bit upmarket. But we had a radio.

I remember listening to the report. Everybody was in awe. It's not like going out to the Aran Islands. I think space exploration is fantastic.

I'm half a space buff myself. I look at all the documentaries on Mars and Venus, the whole lot. I don't think I'd like to go to Mars because it's a one way ticket! And I'd miss my grandchild.’

8 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Michael O'Donnell: ‘I was thirty-four at the time of the moon landing. My memory of it is dim by now.

But I remember a lot of excitement about it at the time but then again, you get blasé about some of these things. I saw it in Manchester. I'm confused because afterwards, there was another trip to the moon that went wrong. I think they had to get the astronauts back. One thing about growing old is that your time-scape telescopes . There's a lot of spin-offs from space explora-

tion. Back at that time, we were barely moving away from valve-based radio and we had big television sets. But all sorts of developments, like the scientific calculating machine was developed by Texas Instruments in Houston at the time. I saw one in a Euro shop the other day and was astonished to see that you could buy it for E3, whereas when the first scientific calculators came out, they cost around £100.’

Frances O'Connell: ‘I was living in Crosshaven in 1969. I should remember where I was exactly when

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Modern history it happened but I can't. I remember it was on the telly and I think it was in black and white. It was great to see Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. We were always talking about 'the man in the moon' even though we knew there was no such thing. I was in my twenties when it happened. It was a small step for man and a giant leap for mankind although you hardly believed it even though you were looking at it. I think that space exploration is very important to some people. It's their aim in life. I wouldn't like to go to Mars for the rest of my life.’

John Neville: ‘I'm 61 now so I was about eleven when the moon landing happened. I can't recall if we had a telly that day. But I remember the episode.

I was at an age when I wasn't taking much notice of that kind of thing.

But space exploration fascinated me in later life as opposed to at that time. I follow it quite a bit. We have people in Ireland who are doing scientific work for NASA and for the European Space Agency. I wouldn't go to Mars. I don't travel. I hardly go out of the country. But when (the moon landing) happened, I was living in Fairhill up in the hills of Cork. That's as near as I got to the moon!’

Brian and Eleanor Cudmore: ‘I remember the occasion,’ says Eleanor.

‘We would probably have been sailing at the time. I'd prefer to be on the water than on the moon. We probably didn't even have television at that stage. We were only just married.’

‘It was a big occasion,’ says Brian. ‘There was a big build up to it. Space travel wouldn't interest me, not at my age.’

Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael MEP) : ‘I remember the day.

I was ten. The black and white television was on. It was a big achievement for my father (the late Fine Gael minister, Peter Barry) to buy a television. I remember talking about it at school. You remember iconic events like that including when JFK was shot. The black and white television was very significant. But you didn't have rolling news like now. You watched the one bulletin which was very important. I think space exploration is very important. We actually approved the European Space Strategy in the European parliament recently. It's about cyber security and climate change. From space, you can see the planet 10 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

and how climate change is affecting it. Space exploration is about more than putting a man on the moon.’

Mark Mansfield: ‘I was about seven when the moon landing happened.

I remember watching it on a beat-up TV in Bishopstown where we lived at the time.

The family was looking at it. I didn't get the significance of the whole thing at the time but I knew it was fairly special alright. Years later, it built up and you realised how significant it was. Space exploration is important in that it can bring back information that can help the environment. I spend a lot of time on the water, sailing. Our seas are just being killed at the moment. There's a lot of plastic in the sea. The satellite imagery coming down means you can see the changes. You can see the ice melting from space.’

Una O'Leary: ‘I was in Crosshaven for the day when it happened. We were paying our ground rent in Driscolls in Crosshaven. We had a house down there.

When I went into Driscolls, I was told there's a man after landing on the moon. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't following those things. There was nothing made of it really. Then there was the time when people were killed trying to go to the moon. That was terrible. I think space travel is a waste of money. I'd be more worried about heaven and hell and where I'm going afterwards. People who go to mass every day are always very happy. I go every day since I retired. I worked in the canteens at Dunlops and Apple Computers.’

Joe McNamee (restaurant critic with the Irish Examiner.)

‘My father got me out of bed to see the moon landing. We were living in London at the time and had a black and white TV. I think that's the reason we got a telly, just to see it. I had no response whatsoever. It was like 'yeah, whatever’. I hardly knew what the moon was. I was four. I think I was more of a spacer than any of those guys in the rocket. I was a distant drifting child. The moon landing didn't impact on me at all. My mother repeatedly told me over the years that I wasn't impressed. I suppose when you're a kid of that

age and something like that happens, you think - grand. It's all ok. That's the way of it.’

Winifred Barry: ‘I remember it well. It was extraordinary seeing Neil Armstrong putting a flag on the moon.

I was at home in Monkstown (in Co. Cork). It was something that we never dreamt could happen. It was a most wonderful thing.

It probably started off a whole lot of other explorations. I absolutely would not like to go to the moon. Money for space exploration is a hard one. It's good and bad. I mean, one needs to explore but then you think of troubled countries and our own and poverty.’

Jack Lynch: ‘We lived in Blackpool at the time. I saw it on the TV. I can't remember it exactly. I'm 88.

The memory isn't as good as it should be. But it was a big thing back then. The Americans were trying to get there before the Russians. It was a bit of a race. Taking photographs was one thing but actually landing on the moon was THE thing. I was very impressed. All the activities in the world are only small compared to outer space."

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Exclusive 5-Day Escorted Trip Gardens & Chateaux of the Loire Valley with Celebrity Gardener, Peter Dowdall 11 - 15 September 2019 Peter Dowdall is the Gardening Columnist with the Irish Examiner newspaper and has been a regular on Irish TV since 1999. He currently presents the Gardening elements of the Today Show on RTE, has presented several gardening series on RTE and was the gardening presenter on TV3 for five years. “ I’m really looking forward to the trip of the Chateaux Gardens of the Loire. Much thought has gone into this itinerary and we will visit some of the finest gardens in the region, each one offering something that bit different. “

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Trip Details: Day 1: Wednesday, 11 September 2019 - Paris Depart Dublin - Arrive in Paris. Welcome to the City of Lights. Upon arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport your Travel Director and Driver will await you with a group arrival transfer. Spend your day strolling past iconic landmarks in search of hidden treasures, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and an orientation drive through the city.

Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel or similar Meal(s): Welcome Reception Day 2: Thursday, 12 September 2019 - Tours Depart Paris and venture to the Loire Valley where you’ll visit Chateau of Beauregar, with its unique gallery of portraits and 315 years of history. This jewel of French heritage, with the landscaped park of 40 ha and classified Remarkable Garden, offers an unforgettable trip full of surprises. After enjoying a packed lunch, head to Chaumont-sur-Loire to explore the Chateau de Chaumont and the International Festival of Gardens held here each year.

Hotel: Mercure Tours Nord or similar Meal(s): Buffet Breakfast, Packed Lunch Day 3 – Friday, 13 September 2019 - Tours Château de Villandry and Loire Valley Wine Tasting Excursion With a local expert. Head to Château de Villandry, the Jewel of the Loire, to visit the gardens. Ensure you don’t miss the water, ornamental and kitchen gardens. Enjoy an introduction to their wine at Leonardo da Vinci’s residence in Amboise.

You’ll taste Chenin Blanc, which is the “royal grape” according to the wine expert in Leonardo’s Caves.

Meal(s): Buffet Breakfast Day 4 – Saturday, 14 September 2019 - Nates Tours – Nantes Embark on a beautiful journey to Maulevrier where we visit Parc Oriental, the largest Japanese garden in France. Immerse yourself in the world of roses in the pretty Les Chemins de la rose garden, at Douéla-Fontaine. There are more than 1,350 varieties of the ‘queen of flowers’ planted here. Join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a memorable Farewell Dinner.

Hotel: Mercure Nantes Centre or similar Meal(s): Buffet Breakfast, Farewell Dinner Day 5 – Sunday, 15 September 2019 - Nates Depart Nantes. After breakfast a group departure transfer is included to Nantes Airport.

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Literature Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, forever associated with the Boris Carlof portrayal in the 1930s film

Living with a monster In the latest of her literary-inspired journeys Lorna Hogg visited many of the places associated with Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein A girl born to unconventional parents, whose mother died shortly after her child’s birth. A poor relationship with her new stepmother, and an unhappy childhood. Home schooling with tutors. At sixteen, a passionate romance (with seduction on her mother’s grave) with an aspiring poet, who was already married with a family, followed by an elopement, and in turn, a baby.

These days, childcare professionals might have shown some interest - but in the 1800s, Mary Shelley overcame her unpromising early upbringing. She went on to live a remarkable life as a remarkable woman – and to write one of the most famous books in our culture – Frankenstein.

Mary was born on August 30th 1797, the daughter of early feminist, activist and author, Mary Wollstencraft, and the radical philosopher William Godwin After Wollstencroft’s death from puerperal fever, Godwin swiftly married a neighbour and Mary gained a stepsister, Claire. Whilst attending formal school for only a short period, Mary was well educated, learning from tutors and her father’s library, and grew up well informed.

pregnant. However, the premature child died shortly after birth, producing deep depression in Mary.

In 1816, they accepted an invitation from Shelley’s friend Byron, to meet up in Switzerland, where Byron was taking a villa. The couple, with a newly pregnant Mary, took on the rigours of the trip through France to Geneva – along with Mary’s stepsister Claire.

Mary Shelley was the daughter of early feminist, activist and author, Mary Wollstencraft, and the radical philosopher William Godwin

At sixteen, through Godwin’s publishing business, she met the young poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, already an admirer of her father’s work. He was married, and the couple’s romance led to ostracisation and scandal. They eloped, travelling to France, and Mary returned

14 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

It was the summer of darkness, following the eruption of the Indonesian volcano Mount Tamboro. The skies darkened at noon, when birds ceased singing, and it was cold, with heavy rainfall and storms. The Shelleys visited Byron and his personal physician, John Polidori, at the lakeside Villa Diodati. Inspired by the spookiness and atmosphere of doom, Byron suggested that each guest write a ghost story.

Neither he nor Shelley produced anything of note – but two literary masterpieces did emerge - The Vampyre from John Polidori, (which influenced Bram Stoker’s Dracula) and Mary’s Frankeinstein.

Ironically, for many years it was assumed that Shelley was the author of the book, and Mary

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Literature

The Shelleys visited Byron at the lakeside Villa Diodori

Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Their life was stressful, always trying to stay one step ahead of their creditors.

and he did work together on it at at the start.

However, Mary’s wide ranging reading had introduced her to the scientific thinking of the day on the subject – Darwinism, electricity , galvinism and also the nature of life itself and animation of the body. Well researched, the book is especially powerful, in that unlike often sanitised film versions, it details the full horror of Frankenstein, a being created from sewn together pieces of stolen unearthed corpses – body snatching would become infamous by the 1820s. It also adds a sexual overtone, as Frankenstein searches for a bride.

16 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

After the summer, Byron’s travels continued, whilst Mary and Shelley returned to England, where their child William was born in late 1816.

Claire, pregnant by Byron, accompanied the couple to Bath Spa, where Frankenstein was completed. Lodgings in atmospheric Abbey Green, and New Bond Street provided added inspiration.

In December, Shelley’s wife committed suicide, jumping into the Serpentine in London. Worried about money and the future of his children - the Courts declared him a morally unfit

father,and unfit for custody, Shelley married Mary in December. Both believed in open marriage – but this proved to be mainly on Shelley’s side. However, it is believed by some that Mary was also a lover of Byron, to whom Claire’s child was duly handed over.

Their life was in reality stressful, filled with avoidance of creditors and constant moves.

Mary gave birth to a daughter, Clara in 1817, and the next year, they left for Italy, where they travelled with their circle of friends. Tragedy was to follow, as both William and Clara died.

Literature

The cottage at Marlow, Buckinghamshire, one of the many homes of the Shelleys

Percy, who would be their one surviving child, was born in 1819.

In 1822, the couple settled in the isolated Villa Magni, San Terenzo, where Mary suffered a miscarriage. In July, Shelley drowned in a boating accident on the Bay of Spezia. His body washed up at Livorno, where his friends gave him a highly emotional cremation on the beach.

In 1823, Mary returned to England, where helped by small allowances from her father and disapproving father in law, she concentrated on her writing and raising her one remaining child, Percy. Her work included enthusiastically editing and promoting Shelley’s works. However, in recent years, there has been critical interest in her own books of that period.

Mary focused on a new type of hero - a rebel against tradition, someone who attempts to take control of his fate. She drew on her own experiences - The Last Man (dealing with a world infected with plague) has characters based on Byon and Shelley. She was also influenced by Sir Walter Scott’s works – and the contemporary view of the struggle of the individual against society. Perkin Warbeck considers friendship and democracy.

Mathilda (1819) and originally entitled The Fields of Fancy, took as its theme a father’s incestuous love for his daughter. Obviously

controversial, it remained unpublished until 1959. Mary’s books celebrate feminine virtues – sharing and mutual understanding and respect, and also promote female education.

She also proved herself an adept short story writer, biographer and travel writer with Rambles through Italy and Germany.

She remained a free spirit. still attractive to men, but her main interests, however remained her son and publication of her dead husband’s work. She moved to live in Harrow on the Hill, so that Percy could attend the famed public school as a day boy. When he grew up, they travelled together, in 1840 and 1842. A bequest from Shelley’s father finally provided financial security, and Mary moved to live with Percy and his new wife in Sussex, and Chester Square in London. She continued to write, but in her last decade was overcome by headaches, which foretold a brain tumour. Mary died on 1st February 1851. She was buried in Bournemouth - with a box containing locks of her children’s hair, a notebook she had shared with Shelley, and contained in a silk parcel - his ashes and the remains of his heart.

Castle at Chillon

Poetic travels

times. Villa Diodori still remains, but is not open to the public.Visitors can, however, explore the Villa Coppet, outside Geneva where Byron attended a literary salon. The Shelleys and their friends rode and sailed in the area, and visited Cologny, Lausanne, and above all, Chillon, with its famous castle.

The Shelleys’ travels covered much of the ground of the Grand Tour – Paris, Rome, Venice and Naples, with several visits to Switzerland. Geneva and its lake drew them several

‘I saw the hideous phantasm of of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show sign of life and stir..’

Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 17

?

Looking back in time

Guess the year The latest teaser from Gerry Perkins

In IRELAND a major crackdown on pirate radio stations including then illegal - and now mainstream and licensed - names like Sunshine and Nova gets underway..The first stretch of motorway is built in the Republic in the form of the 8km stretch of the N7/Naas by pass..Air France's Concorde visits Dublin Airport..Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe embarks on a state visit to Ireland..George Bush Snr briefly visits Ireland..Quinnsworth executive Don Tidey is kidnapped by the IRA..Arts organisation Aosdรกna is formed..Gerry Adams is elected MP for West Belfast..Taoiseach Charles Haughey survives pressure after phone-tapping accusations..

Satirical political magazine The Phoenix is launched.

The US names January 20 as Martin Luther King Jr Day..Sally Ride becomes the first female astronaut to enter space via the Space Shuttle programme..McDonald's introduces the Chicken McNugget..British entrepreneur Richard Noble sets a new land speed record.

Elsewhere, Bob Hawke becomes Australia's prime minister..Neil Kinnock becomes leader of the UK Labour Party..Swatch watches are launched..

Philippines opposition leader Benigno Aquino is assassinated on returning to the country from exile.

In SPORT Dublin and Kilkenny are crowned All-Ireland Football and Hurling champions, respectively. The Republic of Ireland soccer team beats Malta 8-0 in a European Championship qualifier, which still ranks as 18 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

the team's widest margin of victory. It comes a year after suffering it's still widest losing margin - 7-0 to Brazil. Seve Ballesteros wins the Masters at Augusta and the Irish Open..Eamonn Coghlan wins the 5,000 metre gold medal at the world athletics championships in Helsinki..In more interesting times for Scottish football, Dundee United are crowned champions and Aberdeen beat Real Madrid to win the European Cup-Winners Cup. Everton are English champions and Manchester United win the FA Cup In MUSIC, it is the year of Michael Jackson's Thriller, ZZ Top's Eliminator, Culture Club's Karma Chameleon, David Bowie's Let's Dance and Every Breath You Take by The Police. Rock band Kiss famously unmasks its trademark face-paint on MTV. Thin Lizzy releases its final album Thunder and Lightning.

Big FILMS include Terms of Endearment, Flashdance, Return of the Jedi, Risky Business introducing a young Tom Cruise, Trading Places and Octopussy.

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Join Sarah Dolan and the Military Bands and Pipes of the Defence Forces

University Concert Hall, Limerick Saturday 22nd June, 8pm Tickets: E23 / Conc. E20 (Booking fee applies) Booking: 061 331549 / www.uch.ie

The mighty Military Bands and Pipes of the Defence Forces, under the baton of Captain Brian Prendergast, return to University Concert Hall for the now annual Summer Proms, performing delightful operatic arias, musical numbers and rousing military band tunes. Limerick’s Sarah Dolan (soprano) will join them for what will be a hugely enjoyable evening of music on Saturday 22nd June at 8pm. Expect beautiful, traditional songs such as I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls, Danny Boy and There Is An Isle, classical favourites including O Mio Babbino Caro and wonderful band numbers such as the French Military March, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and much, much more!

performances during the Dublin Horse Show in August of each year.

The Defence Forces School of Music was established in 1923 with four military bands being formed during the early years of the Irish state. Defence Forces Bands continue to perform at all major military and state ceremonial occasions including all Presidential Inaugurations from that of the first president of Ireland, Douglas Hyde to the present day. Defence Forces Pipe bands also play an important part in many ceremonial and sporting occasions and are probably best known from their

Captain Prendergast began his army career in 1981 as a euphonium player in the Band of the Southern Command.

From 1992 until his commissioning in 2005, Captain Prendergast was principal bassoonist with the Band of 1 Southern Brigade. He was appointed Conductor of the Band of 1 Southern Brigade in 2007. At present he is principal conductor of Cork Barrack Street Band and continues to have a keen interest in the development of amateur bands.

Sarah Dolan holds an honors Degree in Vocal Performance from the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, a Masters in Music from the San Francisco Conservatory and she was a recipient of the Thomas Moore Vocal Bursary which led her to be a featured artist on many of the recital stages throughout Ireland. She has also enjoyed many appearances both in the USA and Germany and has been described by the Washington Post as giving “a moving, authentic vocal interpretation of, ‘The Last Rose of Summer’.

Home Instead publishes free Senior Citizen Guidebook 2019 Home Instead Senior Care, Ireland’s largest provider of non-medical home care services, has released the 2019 edition of its “Bible for Older People”, The Senior Citizen & Family Carer Guidebook.

The popular annual publication aims to ensure Ireland’s older people and those who care for them have access to all the information they need to learn more about ageing in Ireland.

The Senior Citizen & Family Carer Guidebook is available free of charge.

It’s a comprehensive resource on ageing in Ireland, and the inspiration for this year’s edition is “planning for successful ageing”.

This guidebook helps Home Instead to truly honour its mission, which is to enhance the lives of older people and their families.

Home Instead’s guidebook shares experience and expertise built up from the company’s 14 years of operation in Ireland, and also contains valuable contributions from a range of experts and organisations who have Ireland’s senior citizens at heart.

The guidebook contains information on allowances and entitlements, care options, community services, home and lifestyle, nutrition, health and wellbeing and much more.

20 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Home Instead is making the guidebook available to the public in libraries, post offices, hospitals and a range of other places in local communities all over Ireland. You can order a FREE copy by phoning 1890 989 755, and a digital copy is available at www.homeInstead.ie/Guidebook2019

Culture

Maretta Dillon previews what’s on in the arts around the country in the next few months

Maytime playtime

Already a favourite from the festival circuit, director Carmel Winters film, Float Like A Butterfly, is set in 1960s Ireland. Filmed in West Cork, it features a knock out (literally) performance from newcomer Hazel Doupe as Frances

If it’s May, it’s Bealtaine, the festival that celebrates the arts and creativity as we age.

There’s plenty to choose from but here is a miniature selection: Blow the Dust Orchestra is the National Concert Hall’s resident community orchestra for older people; Growing Old Disgracefully (satirical songs/poems Cabaret Style) is based on the trials, tribulations and joys of growing older; and Beginner Creative Writing Workshop for Adults, Tullamore Central Library. See bealtaine.ie for all the details.

Music Network continue their exciting and innovative tours with the arrival of incredible French-Canadian folk super group De Temps Antan whose live shows are dosed with catchy honkytonk tunes, uncontrolled laughter, and sudden, impromptu shifts in rhythm and harmony. Three powerful vocals combine to create joyous harmonies; several of De Temps Antan’s songs also feature close-up call-andresponse vocals that date back to the work songs of Quebec’s lumber camps. In lots of venues around Ireland – musicnetwork.ie

Dublin Dance Festival is back on various stages in Dublin in May featuring an eclectic mix of dancing styles and modes for every audience. Highlights include traditional Irish dancer Colin Dunne and Flemish-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in a new collaboration and the return of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker dance company who made such an impression on their first visit to Dublin.

All this and more from dublindancefestival.ie

Writing & Ideas in Co. Carlow. Already confirmed are Christine Lamb, a UK foreign correspondent who has reported from most of the world’s hotspots starting with Afghanistan in the late 1980s; psychotherapist Phillipa Perry whose most recent experience was counselling Love Island celebrities; and poet Paul Muldoon who will publish his 13th book of poetry this autumn. Plenty of choice in a beautiful and uplifting setting – festivalofwritingandideas. com

Already a favourite from the festival circuit, director Carmel Winters film, Float Like A Butterfly, is set in 1960s Ireland. Filmed in West Cork, it features a knock out (literally) performance from newcomer Hazel Doupe as Frances, a teenage traveller coping with tragedy, hardship and prejudice. Like her hero, Muhammed Ali, Frances must fight to live her own dreams. A feminist fable about finding your place in the world. A must see from May 10.

Cork Midsummer Festival sees award-winning site-specific theatre company Corcadorca return to Cork with The Small Things by Enda Walsh, to be performed at the Old Waterworks, Lee Road, and starring Peter Gowen and Pauline McLynn. Also, at the festival is A Different Wolf, a new dance opera created by the acclaimed Junk Ensemble and innovative music-theatre company Dumbworld. The performance blends visceral movement, text and exquisite song to create a powerful visual & sonic experience for the audience.

Lots to anticipate and enjoy.

Some but not all the speakers have been announced for Borris House Festival of

22 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

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Culture

The Small Things by Enda Walsh starring Peter Gowen and Pauline McLynn.

Music Network continue their exciting and innovative tours with the arrival of incredible French-Canadian folk super group De Temps Antan

Events around the Country May/June 2019 WHERE MUSIC MEETS ART Visual Arts Curated by local artist Emma Barone and part of Birr Music Festival: a celebration of a unique relationship.

April 9 - May 17/ Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, Co. Offaly.

Information + booking: birrtheatre.com BEALTAINE Festival It’s May, it’s Bealtaine. This year’s theme is Be Our Guest: hospitality, hosting, generosity and welcome! May / various venues nationwide Information + booking: bealtaine.ie DE TEMPS ANTAN Music French-Canadian folk super group De Temps Antan interpret Quebec’s musical heritage with joie de vivre.

May 1-10 / various venues nationwide Information + booking: musicnetwork.ie DUBLIN DANCE FESTIVAL Dance A three-week celebration of brilliant, aweinspiring and thought-provoking dance from around the globe. May 1-19/ various venues Dublin Information + booking: dublindancefestival.ie FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY Film Director Carmel Winters debut film is a powerful and timely story of a girl's fight for freedom and belonging. May 10 island wide.

24 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Dublin Dance Festival is back on various stages in Dublin in May featuring an eclectic mix of dancing styles and modes for every audience. Highlights include traditional Irish dancer Colin Dunne and Flemish-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui

THE MAGIC FLUTE Opera Mozart’s much-loved opera of courage and love, serpents and magic interventions.

May 17-25 / Wexford and Limerick Information + booking: irishnationalopera.ie BECKETT POEMS Theatre Experience the poems of Samuel Beckett in a sparse, true and compelling theatrical presentation.

May 18 / Smock Alley Theatre as part of International Literature Festival Dublin Information and booking: ilfdublin.com LAVERY & OSBORNE Visual Arts Summer exhibition featuring the work of John Lavery and William Osborne.

June 1 – Sept 30 / The Hunt Museum, Limerick Information: huntmuseum.com BORRIS HOUSE FESTIVAL OF WRITING & IDEAS Festival A weekend of stimulating dialogue and discourse, gathering together intriguing minds from all over the world. June 7-9 / Borris House, Co. Carlow Information: festivalofwritingandideas.com

CORK MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL Festival Already confirmed is The Small Things by Enda Walsh starring Peter Gowen and Pauline McLynn.

June 13-23 / various venues Cork city.

Information + booking: corkmidsummer.com FREUD PROJECT 2016-2021 Visual Arts Life Above Everything: Lucian Freud and Jack B. Yeats June 28-Dec 1 / IMMA, Dublin Information and booking: imma.ie YESTERDAY Film What if you were the only person in the world to remember The Beatles? Written by Richard Curtis.

June 28 island wide.

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

Music and Lyrics by

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Mary’s Musings

In her latest observations Mary O’Rourke finds it hard to avoid Brexit and Boris Johnson, savours the long evenings, praises libraries and their value to communities, applauds women in politics and champions Anne, ‘the forgotten Bronte sister’.

‘Boris Johnston could be the next Prime Minister in the UK, which could lead to all sorts of unwelcome repercussions..’

Hello to all the readers of this lovely magazine.

It seems so long since we talked together. Last time in my column I spoke about the spring-like weather, even though it was February/March.

Now here it is coming to the end of April/early May, and again we have lovely spring-like weather – birds singing, sun shining, and in general an air of positivity abounding. I love when the weather is like this. We have the long evenings, bright until almost 9pm, and again in the morning bright when you get up. It leaves so much of the day for doing things and meeting people and talking to people, and in general brings a lift to life which I find so exhilarating.

We haven’t spoken much in this column about Brexit. This is because, truth to tell, one never knew what the next twist in the road was going to reveal, which I’m sure, like myself, all of you found very frustrating.

As we all know now, the extension for leaving the EU has been postponed until October 31, which will make it a Hallowe’en leaving of Europe, so there will be much talk of goblins and fairies and all the things that move in the night which are around at that time of year. It will no doubt lead to lots of appropriate commentary as time advances. For the moment I am glad for Irish people that the threat of an imminent no-deal Brexit or a very hard Brexit has been removed. And who knows what the prolonged extension will do? Perhaps it will reveal further ways in which Ireland can continue to explore its options if Brexit goes wrong again.

When the recent debate in the UK was at its height, Theresa May promised to her Conservative Party that she would resign if she could get her deal through the House of Commons.

As we all know, that deal did not go through the House of Commons, and still the news

26 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

abounds that she will resign and there will be a quest for a new British Prime Minister. I think that could result in someone like Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister, and if that is the scenario it could lead to all sorts of unwelcome repercussions. So, it’s a matter of wait and see what will emerge. The reason I’m going on and on about it is, of course, because it will affect Ireland, and it behoves us all to be on the watch and to be in the know.

Like many of you, I am a voracious reader and I have great recourse to the public library here in Athlone. Libraries have changed so much. They used to be quiet places with sort of a hushed atmosphere where you went in and changed your book, exchanged a word with the librarian, and made your way out. Now they are lively, pulsating places where things are always happening, extra events are being put on, and children abound in their section; all

Mary’s Musings

The Splendid Athlone Library. ‘Like many of you, I am a voracious reader and I have great recourse to the public library . Libraries have changed so much. They used to be quiet places with sort of a hushed atmosphere ..now they are lively, pulsating places where things are always happening..’

in all libraries have acquired a very interesting scheme of events within their walls. I would suggest to anyone who is not acquainted with a public library to make their way to it and ask what is on the programme for that week; they will be amazed at what they will unearth. Equally, the librarians themselves are absolutely consumed with knowledge and determined to get whatever book the caller asks about, and will go to any lengths to secure it.

To ‘improve’ myself, I started on a reading of what would be called classics – books I had read long ago, which I had not forgotten but wanted to reacquaint myself with. To that end I rang up and looked for Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I am delighted to say I got a beautiful leather-embossed complete and unabridged Treasury of World Masterpieces which contains the works of the three Bronte sisters – Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

Charlotte and Emily I had been well aware of, but of Anne I knew very little. She was reticent and retiring and lived in the shadow of her beloved sister Emily, and yet she wrote the

wonderful story of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

This beautiful green-embossed book has given me hours of reading satisfaction and contemplation of the whole Bronte family. They were so talented, and a re-read of their books would be of benefit to anyone who treasures the written word. It is a long time since I have got such pleasure out of written pages as I have out of this beautiful book from the Athlone library. So my advice to everyone is: get to know your local library – you will uncover treasures of all sorts and will be so delighted at the wonderful service given to you.

So what else is new? Here in Athlone in the last number of weeks, we had a wonderful event for the aspiring female county councillors who are running for my party (Fianna Fáil).

It was on a Sunday afternoon from 1-5pm in the Sheraton Hotel. I know that other parties are doing the same for their aspiring female councillors-to-be.

It was a wonderful event, full of wise advice and strategies, delivered in a professional way to all of the women. The room was lively with positive vibes for the whole afternoon, and of course exchanges of lasting friendship

between the members as they took off to the farthest parts of Ireland, wherever their constituency was. I do hope that events like this will propel political women of all persuasions into the field of local authorities. I always think there is real democracy at local level, and it is indeed where many people, both male and female, test the political waters before they perhaps advance up to the higher echelons.

The Local and European Elections will be held on May 24, so I urge everyone to come out and vote, and indeed to answer the door and engage in conversation with the candidates when they are going around.

Democracy is a delicate flower, and all over the world there are countries where there is no democracy, where there is a dictator in charge, and how those people would love to have the opportunity to be voting. I have no time for people who say ‘Oh I never vote, they are all the same.’ No, they are not all the same, and I have nothing but contempt for people whom I call ‘hurlers on the ditch’. They abound in every community, but don’t be one of them. Treasure your vote, and go out and use it when the card

Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 27

Mary’s Musings

‘Charlotte and Emily I had been well aware of, but of Anne I knew very little. She was reticent and retiring and lived in the shadow of her beloved sister Emily, and yet she wrote the wonderful story of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’.

comes through the post telling you where your polling station is.

After all it is only 100 years since women got the vote, and not long back before that when there was only a limited franchise everywhere.

So use your vote, and then you can be free to give out about the politician in your area, what they are doing or not doing. But if you haven’t voted, you cannot complain!

As a matter of interest to any of you who listen to Ivan Yates’ show, The Hard Shoulder, I have now started a new slot on it, once a month, on a Friday. It is recorded between 1-2pm in Newstalk and can be heard later in the evening on the programme. I have found it very interesting, with terrific lively conversations. As you know, Ivan Yates brooks no delay in animated conversation and argument. There are three of us who respond to his many points of interest and we agree or take exception, depending on the argument. I really like the programme because it is about talking and that is what I enjoy doing most, apart from reading. So I am enjoying this programme and it means I am then back in Athlone at a reasonable hour in the afternoon.

I’m sure many of the readers, like myself, have grandchildren. We had a lovely event recently when one of my son Aengus’ children, James,

was confirmed by Bishop Kevin Doran, who is the local bishop of the Elphin diocese in which they live and in which the children go to school.

It was a lovely ceremony and I was amazed at the care the bishop took with each young person, talking to them individually (not just giving them a big lecture from on high) and posing for endless selfies with the young people and their parents. To me, he gave a lovely understandable few words to each of them personally and then in a general sense, and I must say the young people were greatly chuffed at their encounter with a sort of grown-up church ceremony. I’m glad to see that there is still such a regard for confirmation. After all, it marks a step from childhood into another sphere of life, and as such is an important step for each young person. We had a lovely meal afterwards in the Hodson Bay Hotel, which was devoted to a special confirmation day, in which each of the young people got a special little gift when the meal was over.

I came home elated and happy that the continuation of a ceremony such as this would have such a bearing on young lives, and be a day they will remember in years to come, the day they were confirmed.

I have two sons, Feargal in Dublin, married to

28 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

the lovely Maeve, and they have two children.

Aengus is in Athlone, married to the lovely Lisa, and they have four children. So between all of that, there is a great variety of life unfolding almost every day when I hear the tales from Dublin and meet the young people as they call in here to me in Athlone. Oh, grandchildren are truly wonderful!

In each family the eldest – Jennifer in Dublin and Luke in Athlone – are doing transition year in their schools. All those years ago when I was Minister for Education, we consolidated the transition year and made it, not obligatory, but a feature of any secondary school that wants to do it. I am convinced that with the proper teacher in charge it can be both uplifting and ennobling, showing young people that there is much more to life than slavish attention to books or to entertainment. Transition year can be a wonderful experience for each student who undertakes it.

That’s my lot for this edition. Hope I will be able to talk with you again for the next Senior Times magazine.

In the meantime, go safely.

Slán tamall.

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Travel

EXPLORE FAR AND WIDE IN THE MAGICAL ISLE OF MAN

Affectionately known as the gem of the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man is steeped in history and makes for a perfect escape – offering an ideal mixture of spectacular scenery and remarkable history with quaint seaside towns and villages to be explored and a foodie scene just waiting to be savoured.

Soak up the fascinating rich culture and history with thousands of years of heritage and sites aplenty to be discovered across the island; including the magnificent Castle Rushen, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe, or the sprawling ruins of Peel Castle off the western coast.

The Great Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world, is another must-see destination on the island, as is Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla or the Grove Museum of Victorian Life in Ramsey. Finish with tea and cake in one of the close-by local eateries - a great way to while the day away.

There are a variety of cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants with delightful delicacies bursting with fresh local produce, including locally-caught seafood such as the national dish of Queen Scallops (known as Queenies).

Don’t forget to sample traditionally-brewed Manx beer, Manx ciders and juices too.

Heritage certainly abounds with the island’s vintage transport offering.

Dating back to 1874, the Isle of Man Steam Railway is the longest narrow-gauge steam line in Britain that still uses its original locomotives and carriages. There’s also one of the world's oldest horse drawn tramways, operating on Douglas Promenade ever since 1876.

If you want to visit higher plains then the Manx Electric Railway, which runs between Douglas and Snaefell - the island’s only mountain - is 30 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

worth the trip. At the summit on a clear day you can see the seven kingdoms; England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Heaven, Earth and Mann.

For more active explorers, there are plenty of opportunities to discover more of the island’s unique beauty. Pack your walking boots and ramble through 18 different glens or follow the 95 mile coastal pathway, known as the Raad Ny Foillan (Manx Gaelic for ‘Way of the Gull’), around the entire island. Of course, these routes can also be taken on in sections for those preferring a slower paced stroll.

Travel with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and you’ll discover the comfort and convenience of taking the ferry, you can take your car and bring as much as you need for the perfect holiday because there are no luggage fees!

Choose from a range of comfortable seating in a choice of lounges, taking the time to relax and refuel in the Coast to Coast Café as you sail.

You can pick up a magazine, book or newspaper to flick through from the on-board shop, Ocean Avenue, too.

There are many great offers to choose from when you travel by ferry with the Steam Packet Company, like the summer 5 Day Short Break offer for a car and two adults from just E127 each way.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has seasonal ferry sailings from Dublin and Belfast from April to September and regular ferry sailings from Heysham and Liverpool (Birkenhead during winter). Visit www.steam-packet.com to start planning your Isle of Man getaway.

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All at your own pace.

With its rich history, dramatic vistas, magnificent coastline, wildlife, heritage sites, Celtic antiquities, Victorian engineering and more, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Isle of Man is more of a continent than an island. But that’s the joy of this magical isle.

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Older Workers

How older workers can benefit employers

Maretta Dillon talks to Tanya Zubrzycki co-writer with Prof. Maria Slowey of a new report, Living Longer, Learning Longer - Working Longer? Implications for New Workforce Dynamics from the Higher Education Research Centre (HERC) at Dublin City University.

You include a question mark in the name of the report.

One of the research topics that the HERC focuses on is lifelong learning. We look at the question of working longer from a variety of different perspectives. There's a lot of conversation now about a change in the traditional approach to life – education, working life, then retirement. Discussion now is around how lives will consist of various transitions from one thing to another including different types of work, even different arrangements for work. This will need to be supported by lifelong learning at various stages of a person's life. The learning element is unavoidable if people want or need to work longer. Various research also shows that it's those individuals that are unemployed or lower skilled that experience more disadvantages throughout their lifetime because it's harder for them to transition into something else. So public policy must step in to support those workers, in particular.

Do employers want older workers?

What we find in our research and what we try to carry across our report is that it is important to change the mindset around people working longer. It's important to change from a focus on problems associated with longer life. Theoretically people living longer should be a good

news story. But oftentimes it’s about how we support our retired population as opposed to looking at the opportunities that are brought by people working longer. There are so many individuals who can contribute to the economy by working longer but perhaps in a different capacity.

How are employers dealing with older workers at present? What attitudes have you come across?

Unfortunately, in Ireland we don't know too much about what employers do in terms of supporting workers, most of it is anecdotal.

But we do have some international studies.

Particularly useful research has come from countries such as the United States where the mandatory retirement age was abolished as well as the UK where it was abolished in 2011.

We can learn from that and see what might be applicable for the Irish context. Also, we did try to look at it from the public policy perspective because employers will need to be supported so it doesn't fall entirely on their organisations to support longer working. Larger companies would have some advantage, and smaller companies might need additional support so that everyone can benefit.

Is this what you mean by age friendly practices and policies?

32 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Yes, it requires an approach by employers and organisations that would embrace a variety of innovative initiatives in terms of practices and policies. Older workers do represent a big talent pool of vast experience and expertise from which employers could benefit. However, as I said earlier, the mindset would need to change. Now unfortunately, there's a lot of misconceptions or myths about older workers.

These negative perceptions about older employees may limit older individuals career promotion even training opportunities which tend to decline with age.

People who are approaching 50 do say that it isn't easy at that age to get a ‘traditional’ job.

This has come up in our research. Age was cited by some people as limiting their job prospects. So again, changing that mindset and embracing age friendly policies is important.

These can and should be expressed in recruitment practices so as to make the workforce more diverse and inclusive.

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Older Workers Are employers really paying attention to the age of their employees?

One priority that had been repeated and again in different studies is that measuring the age profile in an organisation seems to be very important because ‘what gets measured gets managed’. And once you know where you stand in relation to the age perspective of employees you can do certain things to make the workplace a bit more inclusive. So, measuring age profile and including age as one of the dimensions of diversity along with gender and other measures is important. But this is not really happening within a lot of companies.

Terms like FWA (flexible working arrangements) feature in the report. Do you want to say something about these terms and the idea of transition?

One important study in Ireland is TILDA, The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing which is a national representative study. The results point to people wanting to have an option to work longer if they wish. At the same time people indicate that they would like more flexible types

of arrangements. People preferred a gradual option rather than fall off the cliff type in relation to retirement.

These options can involve working from home and limited working hours. Flexibility seems to be a key word and it comes to mind when we talk about transition. Transition seems to be a more appropriate word because this really shows this gradual change that people go through. People live longer, they experience more things in their life, they learn more things in their life. They may want to try different types of work, for example, they might wish to freelance or transition to new work altogether.

There are specific issues around women and retirement age: pension arrangements and caring for children or older relatives.

Longer working will affect certain groups more than others in terms of disadvantaging them. So, for carers of all genders, it's has been shown that it's harder for people who provide full time care to integrate back into the workforce. And because statistically, there are more women who are providing full time care or a significant number of hours per

week, this is a disadvantage. And then again there is the earnings gap and the pension gap.

Women who take some time off during their career for caring responsibilities whether it's a family member or children, usually means their pension arrangements are affected.

If you would like to read the full report, please go to HERC in Dublin City University where more information about this and other projects can be found: https://www.dcu.ie/herc/ projects.shtml

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Golf

Driving ambition Dermot Gilleece on the life and extraordinary times of Eddie Jordan Eddie Jordan lives in Monaco these days, which is something of a change from his early years in St Kevin's Gardens, just off Dartry Road on the south side of Dublin. Though his sporting associations have to do mainly with Formula One motor racing as a team owner and later a television pundit, he also developed a keen interest in golf, which can be attributed to his father, Paddy, being a one-time captain of Bray Golf Club.

Indeed an idyllic childhood encompassed school holidays of morning golf followed by sailing afternoons with Bray Sailing Club ‘in those little dinghies.’ He retained this sense of adventure into an adult life which was both varied and fulfilling.

No challenge seemed too great for him. Like in the early 1970s, when in desperate attempts at getting a business career off the floor, he sold smoked salmon to French rugby fans from a stall at the top of Grafton Street. The man has always had style, which was especially evident in his dealings with a major golf champion.

I’m thinking of an extraordinary situation at Silverstone, where Gary Anderson, the chief designer for Jordan Grand Prix, was anxious to do some testing. So it was that the track manager, Brian Pallott, was phoned to make the necessary arrangements. ‘Can't be done,’ said Pallott. ‘The track is taken up for a private day."’

Intrigued by this, Jordan wanted to know who had booked it, but Pallott wasn't saying. Typically persuasive, however, he persisted until the track manager eventually relented and revealed that Nick Faldo had taken it over to put a newly-purchased Porsche 959 through its paces. This, incidentally, was the same, ultra-exclusive car which Faldo's American 36 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

After embarking in 1991 on involvement in the ridiculously-expensive world of grand prix racing, Eddie Jordan would solemnly describe each upcoming season as ‘a make or break year in which I've got to deliver.’

girlfriend, Brenna Cepelak, severely thumped with a nine iron after the pair split up in October 1998. (As she intended, the damage was extensive and quite costly to repair).

The upshot of Jordan's persistence with Pallott was that a deal was done. If Faldo would allow the grand prix car on the track, he would receive the reward of a drive in it. And that's what happened. Jordan recalled: ‘We had to take the seat out to allow for Faldo's size and it meant there was room later for Anderson to have a spin and then for Chris Rea (the popular rock singer/guitarist] to drive it. The pay-off for me was an invitation to play a round with Nick at Sunningdale, a short while afterwards.’

He went on: ‘Now, I have had the good fortune of playing quite a bit of golf with guys like Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and the useful Jacques Laffite, but to play a private round with the winner of all those major championships would be something else. Though I was aware that ideally, Nick liked to play with low-handicap amateurs, he seemed willing to indulge me off 12. Or so I thought.

‘Sure, he was pleasant and helpful with my game and I found it fascinating to note the care he took with every shot, as he mirrored the high levels of concentration I would associate with Formula One drivers. But when it came to talking, all he seemed interested in was cars, just like his fellow professionals, Nick Price, Greg Norman and Frank Nobilo had been. Still, I'll always remember that round with Faldo, if only for the crazy circumstances which brought it about.’

Always keen to indulge his Irishness, Jordan thoroughly relished returning home for the 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club. ‘I thought they did

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Golf Nick Faldo with his Porsche 959. Not the same, model which Faldo's American girlfriend, Brenna Cepelak, severely thumped with a nine iron after the pair split up in October 1998!

Tiger Woods was put up in Eddie Jordan’s house in Wentworth during the World Matchplay tournament

a wonderful job of staging it,’ he recalled. ‘In fact it's hard to see it being surpassed as an Irish sporting spectacle. My only complaint was that Ian Woosnam [European team captain], Darren Clarke and the boys should have learned from Formula One drivers how to spray champagne more elegantly.’

He continued: ‘Great credit was due to the Irish Government for their investment and belief in the project, and to Michael Smurfit for giving us such a great venue. When I think of some of the conditions we faced in the difficult, early days of the Eddie Jordan Golf Classic at The K Club, the course looked absolutely amazing. Then there was the privilege I had of playing at various times with almost every member of the European team.

"You cannot come to Ireland and expect seven days of sunshine and the welcome made up for the weather. They reopened a couple of rooms in the Shelbourne Hotel for the Ryder Cup and I was fortunate in being one of those who stayed there to witness this great old institution reclaim its former glory. And Dublin on the Saturday night was wild, making Valderamma [1997] look decidedly muted by comparison. I've seen some big shows in my time, and the 2006 Ryder Cup stood comparison with the biggest of them.’

Indeed it extended into a memorable fortnight for Jordan, given that on the week prior to the Ryder Cup, he had Tiger Woods and his former caddie, Steve Williams, as guests at his Wentworth home, located on a corner where the end of the garden looks out on the fourth, fifth and sixth holes of the famous West Course.

‘Steve was a massive fan of Jordan Grand Prix and he told Tiger about us,’ he said. ‘The upshot was that I offered to put them up during the World Match-play Championship in Wentworth. The two of them along with a chef and other members of Tiger's team stayed in the house while myself and Marie [Jordan’s wife] moved into the annexe.

‘In the evenings, Tiger used to go out my back garden and practise on hole five where he had quite an audience by the time he reached the green. Then he'd slip away into the trees, with people probably thinking he was going to the loo. Instead, he was heading for the back entrance to my house.

‘We thought he would leave when he was beaten in the first round of the championship on the Thursday, but he stayed in the house for a full week. Then came the really interesting bit. Though Tiger's management company at the time, International Management Group, had offered to pay us £15,000 for the week, I later told them the price was double that.

Then I requested that two cheques be written for £15,000 each, one made out to the Tiger Woods Foundation and the other to my charity 38 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

CLIC [Cancel Leukaemia in Children]. When I told Tiger what I had done, he thought it was classic. A great move. He loved it. Then I explained that this was normal practice in motor racing.’

Like eager youngsters swapping stories, Jordan wondered if I still remembered Old Sotogrande all those years ago --1994, in fact -- when himself, his wife Marie, J P Fitzgerald, who would later become Rory McIlroy’s caddie, and myself played the final hole in almost total darkness, having started the round in the late afternoon. It was an occasion we liked to remind each other of from time to time, as if to cement the sort of relationship he tends to maintain with contacts in the media, even now in his 71st year.

By way of response, I reminded him of 1998, when a quintessentially British institution was filled with the plaintive note of the uileann pipes, as he put his own, personal stamp on the launch of the Jordan Mugen-Honda 198, at London's Royal Albert Hall. Meanwhile, the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane has a picture of another Jordan launch with Riverdance. ‘I always liked to give these occasions an Irish context,’ he observed.

After embarking in 1991 on involvement in the ridiculously-expensive world of grand prix racing, he would solemnly describe each upcoming season as ‘a make or break year in which I've got to deliver.’ Which didn’t always happen. Survival was the key.

These days, considerable wealth makes him a lot more comfortable, though bedroom slippers and Ovaltine are still a long way down the road for Ireland's favourite motorman.

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Tea Off!

Tulfarris is enjoying rave reviews from professionals and amateurs alike. The 18 hole championship golf course has seen an investment of over €1 million since the property was bought by PREM Group in 2016. Standing by the shores of Blessington Lakes will leave you speechless. Set across three peninsulas, renowned course architect Patrick J. Merrigan has created a stunning 18-hole championship golf course paradise at Tulfarris. Test your handicap among breath-taking surroundings where ponds and wild grasses blend into the exciting design against sweeping panoramic views.

Whether you are a leading pro or an enthusiastic beginner, Tulfarris Golf Course offers an exhilarating test in the garden of Ireland, Co. Wicklow.

Ladies Golf & Afternoon Tea Offer Tulfarris Golf Club have an exclusive offer for Lady golfers.

Enjoy 18 holes of the championship golf course followed by delicious Afternoon Tea in The Elk Bar for just €42 per person.

To book this offer, call 045 867 609 or email proshop@tulfarris.com *Subject to availability Tulfarris are proud hosts to the EuroPro Tour 2018,2019 & 2020.

Cosmetics and Beauty

Getting it right Are you using the right skin care products ? Mairead Robinson reports on some of the solutions available

and dull skin tone. So it is important to find the right product if you want results, otherwise you are wasting your money. Look out for products that say specifically they are ‘Age 40+, Age 50+ or 60+’ or ‘For mature and dull skin’. One item you should be certainly including in your skin care regime is a good booster serum under your moisturiser. Ideally choose one with Hyaluronic Acid, such as from Novexpert who are experts on mature skin care. Another ingredient in your skin care should be retinol, which helps to smooth out deep wrinkles.

Do you often think that we seem to be inundated with beauty products that promise we will look like the glamorous model on the advertisement if we just to buy them? From our early teens through to our nineties, there is a product that tells us we can look better, feel better and improve ourselves and our appearance. While we all want to make the best of ourselves, it is increasingly difficult to wade through the mass of marketing and promotion to find what actually will work well for us. The best place to start is actually age – as the anti-ageing industry targets us all to hold back the clock. But as the make-up of our skin changes as we age, so do does its need for specific products.

There is no point in using a cream targeting ‘the first signs of ageing’ when you are a post-menopausal sixty-something who wishes to minimise the appearance of wrinkles

L’oreal have a new Revitalift Energising Red cream, designed for the 40+, which contains advanced pro-retinol and red ginseng for deep action helping to fight signs of skin fatigue. Red and pink rosy glow creams are great for lifting and lightening tired skin. They also have a Rosy Radiant Eye Cream, part of their Age Perfect range which is designed for the 60+ and is anti-sagging and helps hide those dark circles. My current favourite pink eye cream comes from Lancombe, their Renergie Multi-Glow eye cream which is designed to enhance the eye’s natural glow, and is enriched with lots of active ingredients that really work. It illuminates and refreshes the eyes and evens the skin tone of thin skin.

You notice the difference immediately.

I recently attended a breakfast event hosted

by Vichy who launched their new Neovadiol Phytosculpt cream designed to firm the face and neckline. While it also reinforces the facial contours, for older women it is the wrinkly neck that gives away your age, and so is often hidden under a scarf. It is interesting to see a cream specifically targeting this area.

Used morning and night, in circular upward movements towards the jaw line, this is a welcome product as we so often don’t bring out moisturising down to the neck and throat.

This is particularly designed for menopausal skin. An interesting conversation ensued on moisturisers not only for menopause but also for the decades that follow this natural occur-

40 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

rence for woman. Vichy have been very proactive in researching the changing needs of skin as we age, and have produced different products in their Neovadiol range to suit each decade. My favourite is again the rosy cream – Rose Platinium which is great for the 60+ demographic, and for the 50+ age group the Magistral nourishing balm which re-plumps very dry mature skin post-menopause.

If you are among the growing number of people whose skin has become increasingly sensitive, and you only want to use organic products, you will be interested in a whole new range recently launched by Garnier. The demand for natural skincare has sky rocketed in recent years, but unfortunately so too have the prices, so it is encouraging to see a 100per cent certified organic skin care range that is well within even the tightest of budgets.

Garnier Organic features eleven products made from six key ingredients – lavender, argan, thyme, lemongrass, cornflower and konjac that are all100% certified organic. The range includes Facial Oil with Argan, Jojoba, Olive and Vitamin E oils which you can add to your moisturiser for a boost of glow and nourishment. Argan Hydrating Mist is another favourite of mine, and is perfect handbag staple for times when your skin just feels tight and in need of a hint of hydration. Moisturisers, cleansers and toners are all included in the range and prices start from E8.99 up to E16.99 So to ensure you are on the right course with your skincare regime, remember to read the labels carefully, talk to the professionals and find the best product to suit you at this stage of your life. Of course, as the hot weather has arrived, it is vital to use your SPF each day, we all know now that even in this country, it is vital to use sunscreen every day when we are outdoors in the summer time. Men too and those with short hair should ensure to cover their ears and faces while gardening or playing golf and use a minimum of 30 SPF. If your skin is sensitive, check out the Eucerin range – your skin will thank you for it.

SENIOR TIMES CROSSWORD No. 97

SENIOR TIMES No. 98

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Crossword number 98 solution Bottle of Graham Norton gin Trevor Byrne, Dublin

Four copies of Home to Cavendish published by Poolbeg Press Anna Twomey, Blarney, Co Cork Mary Phelan, Finglas, Dublin Dellie Keane, Milltown. Co Galway Mary Reilly, Wicklow Town

Guess The Year: 1983

National Concert Hall Launches National Health and Wellbeing Programme The National Concert Hall (NCH) recently launched its national Health and Wellbeing programme which aims to enrich the lives of those living with long-term health conditions through participation in music. Minister for Health Simon Harris TD will officially launched the programme at a special event in the NCH which includes a dementia friendly performance by the Tea Dance Tunes band.

The Health and Wellbeing Programme aims to contribute to physical and emotional wellbeing through participation in music. The programme is built on the belief in the power of music to effect positive, holistic outcomes across a broad range of areas including for mental health, in paediatric healthcare, for dementia and for recovery from acquired injuries.

music has to enhance quality of life. We are immensely grateful to all of our partners and patrons who have been vital to the success of the programme nationwide.’

Speaking about the success of the programme, Simon Taylor (CEO of the National Concert Hall) commented:

Music in Mind (Music for mental health), a programme of participative music workshops operating in sixteen centres nationally for people in the community living with mental health difficulties. The programme aims to improve quality of life and enhance mental wellbeing through active engagement with music while also providing social opportunities and a new method of self-expression.

‘As Ireland’s national cultural institution for music, our vision is to ensure everyone in Ireland has the opportunity to benefit from engagement with music far beyond our walls.

We are hugely proud of the NCH’s Health and Wellbeing Programme and the impact it has on thousands of lives across Ireland. The programme operates across twenty counties and really demonstrates the unique ability

The National Concert Hall’s programme of music for Health and Wellbeing currently operates across four initiatives:

Music in Children’s Hospitals (Music in paediat ric healthcare) is a music programme delivered with NCH partners Kids’ Classics in

eight paediatric hospitals around Ireland. The programme consists of music on the wards, workshops on the classroom and concerts for special occasions, all of which contribute to a positive hospital atmosphere and provide respite from the monotony of hospital life.

Health and Harmony (Music for dementia) brings musical performance to people living with dementia, their families and their carers in twelve centres nationally. The objective of the programme is to enhance the sensory and communication experience of those living with dementia and to reduce their anxiety and agitation.

Music in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (Music for recovery from acquired injury) brings music into the wards, common rooms and chapel of the hospital in a bid to improve the quality of life of people recovering from or living with life- altering cognitive or physical injuries.

For more information visit nch.ie

Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 41

Further Education

Life Long Learning Opportunities for studying for the 2019/20 term and beyond

The findings from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, ‘50 Plus in Ireland – 2011’ merely confirmed what many of us already know: that 80% of over 50s feel that life is full of opportunities. So, what better time to go back to the books and take up a further education course or degree?

Whether you’re preparing for a new job, starting your own business after retirement, following a hobby or just starting to catch up on missed educational chances, this is the time to grab the educational opportunities which abound all over the country.

For many, further education means college.

So, if you’re secretly nurturing an ambition for mortar boards and dreaming spires, then start looking into opportunities for mature students. The first port of call might be www. maturestudents.ie. Alternatively, consider the websites for the leading third level colleges and universities for details of the variety of courses, college life and qualifications. Try www.tcd.ie : www.ucd.ie :www.ucc.ie : www.ioti.ie : www.gomaynooth.ie : www.itcarlow.ie/LLL For details of available grants, go to www.citizensadvice.ie Open University Of course, where and how you live may make college life difficult. However, you can still study for a degree no matter where you live, with the Open University. In Ireland, 2000 students have qualified with the OU since 2000, graduating in disciplines ranging from engineering and business studies to health, law, psychology the arts and computer studies. If it all sounds too isolated, bear in mind that tutorials, optional in many cases, help to link students. Summer school residency, popular with many students through the years, is being gradually phased out, but there are still some opportunities in the arts and humanities. Some language courses also require spending a short spell abroad.

Telephone the OU in Dublin at 01 678 5399.

Distance learning is becoming increasingly important for a generation linked by social media, and well used to internet communication. Go to www.coursesdirectonline.ie, or www.theopencollege.com, to help you to explore the range of courses on offer, ranging from developing a hobby to upskilling. Check also the Irish Training and Education Centre, for details of

courses, which can range from setting up a business to developing a hobby.

For many of us, however, further education means evening classes, and the VEC is hard to beat in its sheer range of courses for qualification, training, self development, up-skilling to developing a hobby. Courses across the country range from second Level, to Further Education, courses for Adults and Evening Classes. The range is so wide that in some cases that you may not even realise what a course could do for you until you read the details! You can take courses in TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language, ideal for working or travel abroad. You can add to existing technical or professional qualifications. You can learn new crafts, explore the arts, learn to Photoshop – or computing skills for older adults, take up screenwriting, learn bridge, or discover jewellery making.

Griffith College, with campuses in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, has developed a reputation for its wide ranging courses, professional and vocational. Business skills, Accountancy, Law, Music, Drama and Design are all on offer.

Griffith Colleges are also linked to Springboard Courses, which can help the unemployed get back into training in jobs which have employer demand.

Kilroys College is known for its practical courses in skill development, and many are ideal not just for developing hobbies, but in utilising skills and interest to create opportunities in work. From budding nail technicians and beauticians, to those who want to follow up on in interest in dog grooming or photography, there is something here for a wide range of interests and requirements.

Of course, many people are held back through difficulties in reading or writing skills. The good news is that there has never been a better time to learn, or improve abilities. Check www.qualifax.ie for details of adult literary help across the country. Plus. it’s the ideal time of the year tostart to learn, follow up a new interest, gain some qualifications, further a hobby, or expand your life. A course could be the start of a new pastime or enthusiasm. It could help you into

42 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

work, or towards the work you really want to do. It could equip you to go into business, or help you to communicate, or spark an interest in lifelong learning. It could open up a life, allowing you to book travel tickets, shop, bank online, or even email or communicate with distant family and friends. Like they say at the Open University, it’s never too late to learn!

Aontas mission AONTAS as a membership organisation believes in the right of every adult to continue their learning throughout their lives. The mission of AONTAS is to advocate for the right of every adult in Ireland to quality learning.

Who are adult learners?

AONTAS estimates that there are approximately 200,000 adults involved in formal, further education programmes. These are adults availing of education through local VECs (including adult literacy, community education, Youthreach, VTOS, Back to Education I nitiative, PLC programmes and Senior Traveller Training Centres). Over the past two years over 10,000 adults have entered third level education, and there are now almost 160,000 adults on FÁS programmes. A further 30,000 adults are estimated to take part in non-formal community education.

During the boom years, it is estimated that one in every five people was employed in the construction sector in Ireland. Over the past two and a half years, employment in the construction, manufacturing and retail sector has declined dramatically. With little immediate prospects for employment, many of those employed in these sectors have no other option other than to upskill or retrain. Also an increasing number of highly skilled adults have also found themselves unemployed and adult education is providing a gateway for them to change career. This has led to a dramatic increase in the numbers of adults requesting further education.

To find out more about your current training and education options, go to www.aontas. com/whatnext and you can navigate different sections of their online booklet.

Further Education

Register now for a Lifelong Learning programme at IT Carlow

Courses are suited to individuals, who are out of touch with Irish, but are keen to brush up on their conversational Gaeilge. Moreover, the courses are attracting growing numbers of absolute beginners from Ireland and from different nationalities.

In today's competitive market every little thing counts when it comes to recruitment and promotion. Employees must always be mindful of where they are and where they want to be in the workplace and whether their employment prospects are best achieved through expanding their knowledge in a different discipline or by comple­menting their existing qualifications with new knowledge and skills in this ever-changing world economy.

The Faculty Lifelong Learning at Institute of Technology Carlow offers several post graduate opportunities on a part time basis both at Masters level in MBA, MB, MA in Child, Youth and Family Studies and MSc in Information Technology Management to name but a few and at Higher Diploma level in business, digital media, applied social studies and early childhood education and care. The Faculty also offers a wide range of under­graduate degree programmes so whether your interest is business, accountancy or law, applied social studies or early childhood education and care, there is an Honours degree, Ordinary Degree or Higher Certificate programme available to study on a part-time basis for you. As a part-time student you can study at a pace and rate that suits your situation. This means for example that you can choose to study a stage of a degree programme over two years rather than one year.

IT Carlow has always been recognised as a provider of high quality mechanical engineering and other technical programmes and there are a number of options available for those technically minded from the BSc in Management (Craft) or the BSc in Management (Energy), both one-year degree programmes designed specifically for all tradespeople wishing to upgrade their FAS qualifications to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering pro­gramme where a student can study to Higher Certificate, Ordinary degree or Honours degree. In addition a range of CAD and PLC programmes are also available.

The Lifelong Learning Centre is also pleased to offer applicants recognition of prior learning and experience. As each programme has its own entry requirements it is recommended that you contact the Lifelong Learning Centre directly on (059) 917 5280, email LLL@itcarlow.ie or check www. itcarlow.ie/LLL for further information.

The end of July Summer School flagship program offers eight levels of Irish classes every morning as well as afternoon workshops in set and sean-nós dancing and singing, tin whistle, bodhrán, hill walking and songs.

Holiday courses offered over the summer include Hill-walking on Sliabh Liag, Archaeology, Marine Painting, Landscape & Environment, Digital photography, tapestry weaving, harp, flute & bodhrán.

TORY ISLAND Oideas Gael, again this year, will present a special course on the language and cultural riches of Tory Island. The course, directed at fluent speakers, will offer an opportunity of interacting with the local community and enjoying a unique and memorable Irish welcome.

According to Director, Liam Ó Cuinneagáin, the cosmopolitan mix of attendees, is boosted by Tourism Ireland’s promotion of the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ as well as Donegal being selected as the coolest place on the Planet by The National Geographic. +353 74 973 0248 / +353 87 9173106 oideasgael@eircom.net www.oideasgael.ie

www.oideasgael.ie

Ireland’s Language & Culture

Holiday Learning with Oideas Gael in Donegal The ever-increasing interest in Ireland’s language and culture both nationally and internationally, has made Gleann Cholm Cille, Gleann Fhinne and Tory Island, in Donegal, the holiday destinations of choice for adult Irish language learners and cultural holiday enthusiasts.

In 2018, varied courses attracted people from over 30 different countries with participants from several different nationalities attending each week.

44 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Info & Brochure 2019 from

Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Dhún na nGall Fón: +353 (0)74 97 30 248

oifig@oideasgael.ie

Adult Irish Language Courses All learning levels - weekend & week-long

Cultural Activity Holidays • Hill Walking in the Donegal Highlands • Archaeology • Environment & Culture • Digital Photography • Painting & Sketching • Flute & Whistle • Beat the Bodhrán • Irish Harp • Tapestry Weaving

Social Protection

64-years-old Engedaworq Eshetu

Billy O'Keeffe - Age Action Lifelong Learning Manager

Age Action Ireland has, for many years, worked in partnership with UK based HelpAge International.

The HelpAge International network has over 130 members in 80 countries across the world.

HelpAge International supports social protection systems for people in the developing world – helping to provide secure incomes for people in old age. Pensions are a crucial form of social protection - and HelpAge is working hard for governments to bring them in for all older people.

Irish Aid is the Irish Government’s programme for overseas development. The programme is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The work done

by Irish Aid in fighting global poverty and hunger is integral to Ireland’s foreign policy.

One of its programmes is called AFFORD II, “Accountability and Fulfilment for Older Persons to Raise their Dignity”, and focuses on improving the dignity, income security and resilience of older women and men through improved social protection in old age, greater social accountability and stronger inter-linkages between relevant policy sectors. HelpAge and Age Action are funded under AFFORD II for work in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Age

Action’s involvement is around promoting this work through workshops, information sessions, and engagement with the public in Ireland.

Age Action will have a stand at the 50 Plus Expo in Limerick on May 7th and 8th so if you’d like to find out more about this project please drop by and chat to Annette or Billy.

Ethiopia is one of the countries where the AFFORD II programme is active. It is home to Africa’s second largest population, with estimates ranging from 100 million to 110 million. Despite strong economic growth that has lifted many out of poverty, many challenges remain.

HelpAge’s work in Ethiopia under AFFORD II includes capacity building and awareness-raising trainings for Older Persons Associations in 20 targeted urban districts (located in Addis Ababa, Adama, Dire Dawa and Hawassa) and evidence-based advocacy at national level.

As part of the programme, two days leadership training was held, in December 2018, for older women in Addis Ababa and Adama. The training is to empower older women and men to be aware of their rights and entitlements and to actively participate in decision making processes. The training covers leadership skills, evidence-based advocacy, ageing and gender and social accountability topics. The training equips the

participants with the skills that will encourage them to take a leading role in their local associations and promote effective and efficient ways of leadership.

Asnakech Gechu is 67 years of age and is a cashier in Addis Ketema Older People’s Association. She was one of the participants and said, ‘’I have learnt a lot from this leadership training. The knowledge and the skills that I got will increase my involvement in the older people association. It enhanced my leadership capacity and will enable me to participate better in my association. ‘’ 64-year-old Engedaworq Eshetu is a member and secretary of Kolfe Keranyo sub city’s older people association in Addis Ababa. She actively advocates for the interest of older persons in her Community.

Engedaworq says ‘Our leadership knowledge is a key tool for our voice to be heard’.

If you are interested in learning more about the work of Irish Aid, HelpAge International and Age Action’s role in development there is a workshop which we would be happy to facilitate in your area.

Contact Age Action at 01 4756989 or email ageinganddevelopment@ageaction.ie Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 45

Know Your Rights I am going abroad with some friends. What happens if I lose my passport while I am travelling?

Advice from the Citizens Information Service

Exemptions from Irish matriculation requirements may be granted, for example, to a student who was born outside Ireland, was educated wholly or partly outside Ireland or who has a specific learning disability.

This is a matter for each individual college.

All students applying for a third-level course through the Central Applications Office (CAO) should send a copy of their exemption certificate with their CAO application form.

The college may also ask the student to complete a separate exemption application form and to submit supporting documentation. You should check with the individual college for details on how to apply for an exemption.

I am planning to get married and need my birth certificate to give notice. I can’t find it. How and where do I get a new one?

If you are an Irish citizen abroad and your Irish passport is lost, stolen or misplaced, you must contact your nearest Irish embassy or consulate immediately. You will be asked to confirm the loss in writing or, if you are applying for a new passport, to include the details in your passport application.

You must also get in touch with the local police and report the loss of your passport. You should request a written statement that you have reported the loss of your passport to them. A member of the police authority in the country in which you are staying must witness this statement.

You will need this statement to get an Emergency Travel Document (valid for one journey) from an Irish embassy or consulate.

If you are travelling on a multi-stop journey, where you will pass through more than one jurisdiction, you will need a new Irish passport. Again, you must report the loss of your passport immediately to your nearest Irish embassy or consulate.

If there is no Irish embassy or consulate in the country where you are, contact the embassy of another EU member state. It will get in touch with the nearest Irish embassy on your behalf. An embassy of another EU member state cannot issue you with a new Irish passport, but can issue an Emergency Travel Document.

It may be useful to carry a photocopy of the personal data page of your passport with you when travelling or scan an image of that page and email it to yourself.

Any passport reported as lost or stolen is no longer a valid travel document and you should not try to travel on a passport which has been reported as lost or stolen My son is exempted from studying Irish. Can he still go on to study at third level?

Students must have the academic entry requirements (also called matriculation requirements) for the third level course they want to take.

You can get detailed information on these requirements directly from the universities, technological universities, institutes of technology and colleges of education.

If a certain mark in the Irish Leaving Certificate exam is a matriculation requirement, students who had an exemption from the study of Irish may also be exempted from this requirement.

46 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

If you plan to get married in Ireland, you must give 3 months’ notice. To do this, you need to book a marriage notification appointment at a civil registration service. You need to bring certain documents with you to this appointment, including a full standard birth certificate and a copy of this certificate.

You can apply for a birth, marriage or death certificate, or copies of these certificates, online, by email, by post or in person at a civil registration office or the General Register Office. There is a E20 fee for issuing birth, marriage and death certificates. There is a E4 fee for each photocopy requested (however, you can make copies of certificates yourself).

You can apply for a birth, marriage or death certificate online at lifeevents.hse.ie. You can also apply in person to any civil registration service. Contact details for civil registration services are on hse.ie.

If you wish to apply by post, you should complete an Application for certificate of Birth/Death/Marriage/Adoption/Civil Partnership (available online and at civil registration service offices) and send it to the Office of the Registrar General, Government Offices, Convent Road, Roscommon.

To apply for a certificate by email, you will need to download an Email Application for certificate of Birth/Death/Marriage/Adoption/Civil Partnership, complete the required details and email the form to GROonlinepayments@groireland.ie. When the General Register Office receives your email application, it will email you a secure payment link, allowing you to pay the fee using a debit or credit card. Certificates are printed on secure paper and must be posted.

There is more information available on welfare.ie

History

Preserving and promoting Irish history and culture The Irish Manuscripts Commission (IMC) is in its 91st year. Founded as a public body in October 1928, IMC has sought to overcome the massive loss to the study of Ireland’s documentary record caused by the destruction of the Public Record Office in the Four Courts in Dublin in 1922 through the publication of surviving manuscript sources for Irish history in print and online.

IMC’s remit is broadly based on the principles of dissemination, preservation and promotion of original source materials for the history and cultural heritage of Ireland. These materials can be in public archives and repositories or in private collections. Since 1930 the Commission has established a proud record of publication and it is recognised nationally and internationally as the premier publisher of Irish primary sources.

To date IMC has published 217 volumes, mainly editions of original manuscripts. Its serial publication, Analecta Hibernica, is devoted to the publication of shorter manuscript sources and the 49th issue was published in 2018. Out of print IMC publications are made available through the Digital Editions section of the IMC website (www.irishmanuscripts.ie).

Included in IMC editions are many primary manuscript sources of interest to family historians. These sources contain documentary evidence of family associations with parishes, property and land from the medieval period through the seventeenth century to the end of the nineteenth century. It is possible to consult copies of its publications in copyright libraries throughout Ireland.

IMC continues to promote awareness of primary sources for history among the general public through events such as Culture Night and its public lecture series — the Eoin MacNeill Lecture — but also through its website www.irishmanuscripts.ie, print advertising and social media.

IMC Senior Times adApr 2016.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2016 16:45 Page 1

IRISH MANUSCRIPTS COMMISSION COIMISIÚN LÁMHSCRÍBHINNÍ na hÉIREANN

Family history resources from the Irish Manuscripts Commission Ireland’s premier publisher of primary sources.

Our publications are an indispensable resource for the family history researcher.

They include extensive indexes of family names as well as calendars of documents in private archives.

You can also read and search our outof-print books in the Digital Editions section of our website

See our catalogue and buy our books online at

www.irishmanuscripts.ie

Know Your Rights I am a full-time carer for my mother. I don’t qualify for a medical card but I’ve heard that a GP visit card for carers is now available. How do I apply to get one?

It is an offence for an organisation to describe itself as a charity and carry out charitable activities, if it is not registered with the Charities Regulator.

The Regulator can appoint an inspector to investigate a charity’s affairs.

The charity and its trustees must co-operate fully and give the inspector all the relevant accounts and documents.

The Regulator can choose to take a charity off the register – for example, if it fails to comply with its financial obligations or give the Regulator the information it requires.

If you are concerned about a charity or its activities, you can raise a concern with the Charities Regulator.

We’re way behind with our mortgage and can’t pay our other bills either. We’re afraid that the bank will take our home – they keep sending us letters. What can we do?

The rules for GP visit cards have changed. Now everyone who is getting Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance, at full rate or half rate, is eligible for a GP visit card.

To get the GP visit card, you complete the registration form for carers.

The form does not ask for information about your income – just your personal and contact details. You also need to get the form signed by your GP. You must choose your GP from the list of participating GPs. You can get a registration form, and the list of participating GPs, on medicalcard.ie or by calling LoCall 1890 252 919. You can also register for the card online at medicalcard.ie.

When you have a GP visit card, you can visit the GP for free. It also covers visits to out-of-hours GP services. However, the GP visit card does not cover hospital charges.

Prescribed drugs are not covered by the card but, if you use the Drugs Payment Scheme, there is a limit on how much you have to pay for prescriptions each month. At present, you pay a maximum of E134 in a calendar month for approved prescribed drugs and medicines for use by yourself and your family in that month.

You can download an application form for the Drugs Payment Scheme from the Health Service Executive (HSE) website, hse.ie, or you can get an application form from your pharmacy or Local Health Office.

You can contact MABS, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, to get help under the scheme of aid and advice for borrowers in home mortgage arrears. Contact the MABS Helpline: 0761 07 2000 (9am 8pm, Mon - Fri) or your local MABS office.

This scheme is part of Abhaile, the national Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service. It provides a range of services to help you to deal with your situation, including financial advice, legal advice and insolvency advice.

Abhaile is coordinated by the Departments of Justice and Equality, and Employment Affairs and Social Protection. It is operated by MABS along with the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI), the Legal Aid Board and the Citizens Information Board. Panels of qualified and regulated professionals provide services under Abhaile.

How are charities regulated in Ireland?

You will qualify for advice and assistance under Abhaile if: The Charities Regulatory Authority (Charities Regulator) regulates charities in Ireland. It maintains a public register of charities and monitors their compliance with the Charities Act 2009. This Act sets out what an organisation must do to be recognised as a charity and the legal obligations for operating as a charity in Ireland.

To be considered a charity, an organisation must: • Operate in the Republic of Ireland (though its target group can be elsewhere) • Exist for a charitable purpose and exclusively promote this purpose (a charitable purpose is a goal that is of public benefit) • Not be an excluded body (such as a trade union, chamber of commerce etc.)

The organisation must first give the Regulator information about itself, so the Regulator can assess if it meets the requirements to be a charity.

If the Regulator approves the application, it awards the organisation charitable status, gives it a Registered Charity Number and lists it on the charities register. You can search the charities register on charitiesregister.ie.

48 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

• You are insolvent – this means that you are unable to pay your debts in full as they fall due and • You are in mortgage arrears on your home and • You are at risk of losing your home (for example, if your mortgage lender has initiated repossession proceedings or indicated that they plan to do so; if they have said that they consider you to be non-coop erating; or if they have asked you to consider selling or surrendering your home) and • The costs of staying in your home are proportionate to your reason able accommodation needs You can contact MABS to check if you are eligible for Abhaile (as eligibility is decided case by case). Read more about Abhaile on mabs.ie.

Know Your Rights has been compiled by Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information Service at 076 1074000

Legal

Estate Planning Explained

Claire Tuohy, Solicitor of Holmes O’Malley Sexton Solicitors advises on the importance of taking a holistic and continuous approach to your estate planning

Estate Planning Although estate planning is not the most pleasurable of activities, failure to engage in any planning and to provide clear direction for your family can lead to great financial stress and family disharmony.

Make a Will Estate Planning can be described as the orderly transfer of assets to the next generation. The cornerstone of estate planning is having a professionally drafted will in place, enabling you to put bespoke succession plans in place tailored to your individual family circumstances.

But don’t stop there...

A common mistake people make is putting a will in place but failing to revisit and update it as their own or their beneficiaries’ circumstances change. An out of date will which no longer reflects your wishes or circumstances can sometimes be worse than having no will at all.

Another common error is confining estate planning to the making of a will and failing to consider other aspects such as mental incapacity, tax and nursing home costs.

Nursing Home Costs Nursing home costs can severely erode the value of your estate and can have a devastating impact on your estate plan and your family’s inheritance.

For example, if you leave a gift of your house to a beneficiary in your will and the house is subsequently sold by your family to fund your care home costs, the default position is that the gift of the house in your will to the beneficiary lapses. The very beneficiary for whom you wanted to make special provision could potentially receive nothing from your estate.

Another example of the unexpected impact of nursing home costs is availing of the Nursing Home Loan, which is provided for under the Fair Deal Scheme. If you have left your house to a named beneficiaSenior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 49

Legal

ry in your will but the house is subsequently mortgaged to fund the care, that beneficiary takes the house subject to the mortgage.

By way of example if the value of the house is E200,000, the beneficiary will have to repay E45,000 if you stay in the nursing home for a three year period. If the beneficiary cannot generate the funds to repay the loan this could result in the sale of the house.

alternative is the wardship procedure, where your assets are taken under the control of the Court, often resulting in the liquidation of all assets which can impact on your estate plans and wishes.

It is however possible to structure your affairs through careful estate planning to reduce the impact of nursing home costs.

Estate planning should be a continuous exercise; you should review your plans regularly even if you feel your circumstances have not changed as there may be changes in the tax landscape of which you may not be aware which may impact your plans and negate the tax efficiency of your will, or you might miss out on potential reliefs to minimise inheritance tax.

Mental Incapacity At Holmes O’Malley Sexton we encourage our clients to plan for the possibility of mental incapacity by putting in place an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) to ensure that their wishes and plans are adhered to on the loss of mental capacity.

An EPA is a document you put in place in which you set out who is to control your affairs and make decisions on your behalf should you lose your capacity to do so yourself in the future. The EPA should be drafted so that it compliments your overall estate plan and wishes.

If an EPA is not created, and incapacity is suffered, then the only 50 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

At Holmes O’Malley Sexton we have been providing bespoke solutions for our clients for the past fifty years adopting a holistic approach to estate planning, incorporating planning not only for death but for nursing home costs, tax and mental incapacity.

With offices in Limerick, Dublin, Cork and London our specialist team of solicitors offer practical and clear advice and can guide you through what can seem like a daunting process.

We have particular insight into estate planning matters with a UK element for clients with assets or ties with the UK or thinking of relocating from the UK to Ireland.

For further information please contact us on 061 313 222 or contact the author Claire Tuohy on claire.tuohy@homs.ie or Kevin Doughan on kevin.doughan@homs.ie

Fit The indoor & outdoor activities supplement

Walking

Three looped woodland walks

Conor O’Hagan covers the country in his latest group of walks, taking in counties Meath, Limerick and Clare Dromore Wood Loop Ruan Village, Ennis, Co Clare Ascent: 30m Distance: 6km Estimated Time: 1hr 30mins - 2hrs Grade: Easy Trailhead Dromore Wood, Ruan, Co Clare Map Ref: OS 58 R353863 Terrain: Laneways, lakeshore and wooded tracks Situated in the south-eastern extremity of the Burren in Co. Clare, Dromore Woodland Nature Reserve is an area of approximately 400 hectares.

It is owned by the Irish State and was established as a nature reserve in 1985 because of the diversity and richness of its flora and fauna.

Edited by Conor O’Hagan

Dromore Wood path

This richness comes from the fact that it has many different habitat types including a river, lakes, turloughs, callows (flooded meadows), limestone pavement, fen peat, reed beds and rich woodland species.

The reserve has historical and archaeological aspects - the 17th century O’Brien Castle is still standing by the lake edge. There is also the site of Cahermacrea Castle, the site of Kilakee Church, two ring forts and a lime kiln.

Two self-guiding nature trails of approximately thread the woodland and a section of the 140km Mid-Clare Way also passes through. This loop overlaps on part of the Castle Nature Trail and the Mid-Clare Way. The loop starts at the main car park - an Information Centre opens from June to September.

Start from the village of Ruan (10km northwest of Ennis town which is on the N18 between Galway and Limerick). Dromore Wood trailhead is only 2km from Ruan and is signposted from the centre of the village.

Starting from the car park follow the purple National Loop arrow along

Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 51

Walking

Bluebell time in Glenstal Woods the tarred roadway back in the direction of the main vehicle entrance.

You will be also following the Mid-Clare Way (marked with yellow arrows and the familiar trekking man logo). After 300m the loop swings right into woodland and by the ruins of Killakee Church.

Emerging onto the main roadway again, the loop veers right continuing in the direction of the entrance before turning left into woodland just before the exit. You will leave the Mid-Clare way here. After meandering through woodland - running parallel to the boundary wall – you exit the woodland and join a sandy laneway where you turn left.

Shortly afterwards, the loop rejoins the Mid-Clare Way and wanders along the wooded edge of the reserve for almost 1km. The loop then leaves the Mid Clare Way again to follow the Castle Nature Trail (one of two established loop walks in the reserve).

This 1km section of the loop takes you onto the shore of Lough Garr and Dromore Lough - at the end of which you rejoin the Mid-Clare Way for the final section back to the trailhead.

The final 400m of the loop passes by the imposing O'Brien Castle and along a boardwalk to reach the trailhead.

Glenstal Woods Loop Murroe, Co Limerick Ascent: 300m Distance: 15km Estimated Time: 3hrs - 4hrs Grade: Moderate Terrain: Forestry tracks and minor road way Theme: Nature Trailhead: Glenstal Woods, Murroe, Co Limerick OS Sheet 59, R784 666 52 Senior Times l March - April 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

A warm Irish welcome awaits you when you arrive to the four star family owned and run Manor West Hotel Tralee.Perfectly located on the edge of town and the gateway to the Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way To book call us on +353667194500 Or email info@manorwesthotel.ie www.manorwesthotel.ie

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Walking Trailhead 46

Trailhead 51

Loop 46

Loop 51

Glenstal Woods Loop

This loop gives fine views into north Co Limerick and South Tipperary and of Keeper Hill to the north. The return section overlaps with the Slieve Felim Way - a long distance walking route which stretches almost 36km from Murroe in County Limerick to Silvermines Village in County Tipperary. Near the end the loop descends into natural woodland where in Summer, the rhododendron is spectacular.

The Slieve Felim region is an area between Limerick City (in County Limerick), Nenagh, Thurles, and Tipperary (in County Tipperary) – and so called because it is dominated by the Slieve Felim Mountains. It is a place of quiet beauty and natural rural charm. Here the visitor can enjoy the numerous villages, or the unique atmosphere in a small country pub and get close to nature among the countryside rich in fauna and flora.

With your back to the car park at the entrance to Glenstal Woods, start out along the surfaced roadway on your right. The road gently ascends towards Meentolla and, after 1km, reaches a crossroads where you veer right.

Travel 1km along this roadway to reach a barrier entrance to Glenstal Woods. Turn right here.

The loop now ascends gently for 1km before levelling out and giving fine views into north Co Limerick and South Tipperary. After descending into Gleno, it ascends again for 2km to reach its highest point at 350m - with spectacular views of Keeper Hill to the north (left). Shortly afterwards it swings south, circling the Slieve Felim Mountains and joins the long-distance Slieve Felim Way - denoted with the distinctive yellow arrows and walking man. Your loop overlaps with the Way on its return to the trailhead.

After a 4km stretch along the forested southern shoulder of Slieve Felim, the loop descends into more natural woodland.

54 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Girley Bog Loop

Drewstown Woods - Girley Bog Loop Kells, Co Meath Ascent: 20 metres Distance: 6 km Estimated Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes - 2 hours Grade: Easy Terrain: Bog roads, forestry tracks and woodland Theme: Nature Trailhead: Drewstown Woods, near Kells, Co Meath, OS Sheet 42, N695 711 Throughout most of history Irish bogs were impassable. To cross the wet, boggy terrain people built bog roads or ‘toghers’. In the 20th Century, as the bogs were exploited for fuel, thousands of important archaeological finds were made, including swords, jewellery, trumpets and human bodies (preserved by the acid nature of the bog).

Another interesting use of the bog was to keep butter cool during summer and there have been many finds of butter kept in wooden container called ‘methers’.

Girley Bog is a site of considerable conservation significance as it comprises raised bog, a rare habitat in Europe and one that is becoming increasingly scarce and under threat in Ireland. The loop covers a variety of landscape of forest and bogland and has been developed as an eco-walk with interpretive panels throughout. The early section traverses coniferous forestry planted on high bog, the trees are fast growing species (sitka spruce and lodgepole pine) that originate in North America. The main element of the loop is within the bogland where there is a wonderful variety of birdlife, plants and animals.

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Walking

Leaving the trailhead, the trail follows a forestry track for 600 metres to a crossroads from where the loop proper begins. Turn right here.

The loop travels another 1km to reach the end of an old bog road. Here it turns left onto a woodland trail.

Now the loop passes through deciduous woodland and coniferous forestry to exit onto a forestry roadway. Turn left here.

Follow the forestry roadway for 1km before turning left and joining an

access road to bogland. Climb a stile at a gateway and follow a grassy track for 300 metres before turning left, and crossing a short section of bog before joining a bog roadway where you turn right at an interpretive panel. After a short distance the loop turns sharp right and follows a track through a line of trees.

Exiting the trees, the loop turns left onto an old bog road again and for the next 2km circles a raised bog area. The loop rejoins the outward section at the crossroads mentioned at B above, where it goes straight and covers the final 600 metres to the trailhead.

Largest prostate cancer research programme in Ireland launched The largest prostate cancer research programme in Ireland has called for over 4,000 men with the disease across the country to make an unprecedented difference in improving prostate cancer care by providing information on their cancer experience.

IPCOR, the Irish Prostate Cancer Outcomes Research programme, which is funded by men’s health charity, the Movember Foundation, in partnership with the Irish Cancer Society, has called for men diagnosed with the disease in 2016 and 2017, to participate in a groundbreaking study aimed at providing unique insights into prostate cancer care in Ireland.

The research programme was set up in 2016 through the support of Movember Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society has established a nationwide prostate cancer registry capturing medical and quality of life information from newly diagnosed patients. As part of its research, IPCOR gathers clinical data from patients, including the type of treatment they receive, self-reported experiences of care, physical and mental well-being.

This registry generates robust data on a range of important clinical outcomes of men with prostate cancer and assesses processes, consistency and quality of prostate cancer care. By providing evidence-based data and recommendations to clinicians, hospitals, decision-makers and the National Cancer Control 56 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Programme, the registry promotes equal access to services and improvements in care nationally. Over time, it is envisaged that this registry will lead to the improvement of patient experiences and maximise quality of life for the 3,550 Irish men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ireland each year.

IPCOR is hoping to get more prostate cancer patients to become involved in this programme, thereby increasing real-world knowledge of the disease. In November, IPCOR released the first research report which found that four out of five Irish men with prostate cancer showed no symptoms when they were diagnosed with the disease. The study also found that one in five men diagnosed with prostate cancer are under the age of 60.

Dr David Galvin, IPCOR programme lead and

Consultant Urologist, said: “Patient engagement is at the core of our research. We want our research to be a catalyst to enhance prostate cancer care, improve patient experience and maximise quality of life for men diagnosed in Ireland and we are calling on prostate cancer patients across the country to help us gain a greater insight into the disease.”

IPCOR, which is funded for a five-year period

by Movember, is a collaborative partnership involving the Irish Cancer Society, National Cancer Registry Ireland, the HRB Clinical Research Facility in Galway, the National Cancer Control Programme and the nation’s major academic institutions represented by Clinical Research Development Ireland. IPCOR will continue to report ever year to the public, to hospitals and to doctors. Visit www.ipcor.ie for more information.

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When you write a will, you can look after your family and loved ones even after you’re gone. And if you also include The Irish Hospice Foundation, you can reach out to another family you’ve never met too.

Help us realise our vision that no-one will face death or bereavement without the care and support they need.

: Contact Anna Sadlier at 01 679 3188 or anna.sadlier@hospicefoundation.ie www.hospicefoundation.ie

Walking

A walk in the woods beats an apple a day Conor O’Hagan on the joys and benefits of a stroll through the trees Unless you're a radical urbanite (or a rurophobe, if there is such a thing), you probably subscribe to the more-or-less universal notion that a walk in the woods is a good thing.

In most cultures it’s considered a given that some form of return to nature is a therapeutic exercise; whether it’s a walk in the Black Forest, as celebrated so memorably in Horst Jankowski’s jaunty (and awful) piano hit of 1965, or the Japanese tradition of shinrin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing’.

It’s not particularly difficult to see why; of all the things that wind you up during the average working week, a walk in the woods is none of them.

Typically, it’s relaxed in pace (who rushes through the trees, except perhaps orienteers and the Last of the Mohicans?), directionless and generally unchallenging; positively inimical to target-oriented exercise.

It’s largely sheltered from whatever excesses of weather are prevailing, and it’s stimulating to anyone with the vaguest interest in the natural world. Match that up against an afternoon playing Medal of Honour.

Scientists, always keen to answer unasked questions, have probed further; advancing various theories as to the mental and physical benefits of maintaining contact with nature. One of the more interesting focuses on the way that natural environments draw our attention. A study by a Toronto institute looked at the cognitive performance of a group of subjects who took a 50 minute walk in woodland, compared with a group walking on city streets. The wood walkers showed improved ability to remember a random series of digits. According to research fellow Marc Berman at the Rotman Institute, the explanation lies in the difference between ‘voluntary’ attention, which is the sort required by our jobs and general daily life, and ‘involuntary’, which is, typically, the things that pop up around us. Voluntary attention is crucial to normal functioning in a social setting, but it can be fatigued. A walk in the woods takes the pressure off this facility.

At the wackier end of the research scale, a Japanese research group suggest that trees emit a fine mist of ‘wood essential oils’ which enhance our immune system. Elsewhere, the predominance of ‘natural’ colours has been posited as beneficial, as has the absence of man-made straight lines and perfect curves in natural landscapes.

As a frustrated man of science myself, I have a few obvious thoughts to offer; from the Freudian (womb-like surroundings, etc) to the cod-anthro58 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

pological (we’re all members of the original Sylvanian Family – woods and forests are our natural environment), but as my grant application has been refused, I won’t pursue them.

But this much is, I hope, beyond contention. Our woodlands are a rare and wonderful resource of beauty – and we are approaching the annual zenith of that cornucopia, with the springtime explosion of life and activity. From the dawn chorus to bluebells, wild garlic and all those things I don’t know the name of, the combination of walking and surroundings is at its most powerfully stimulating in the shadowy world of trees.

And these days, with so many of our best woods and forests developed for recreation, whether you walk for relaxation or for a more focused form of physical fitness, our woods are perfect playgrounds for body and mind.

Get ahead of the scientists; they’ll still be kicking this one around long after you and I are gone. In the meantime, walk in the woods. You’ll enjoy it and it’s good for you. Quod erat demonstrandum.

According to a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology, taking at least twenty minutes out of your day to stroll or sit in a place that makes you feel in contact with nature will significantly lower your stress hormone levels. That’s the finding of a study that has established for the first time the most effective dose of an urban nature experience.

‘Nature pills’ could be a low-cost solution to reduce the negative health impacts stemming from growing urbanization and indoor lifestyles dominated by screen viewing. To assist healthcare practitioners looking for evidence-based guidelines on what exactly to dispense, Hunter and her colleagues designed an experiment that would give a realistic estimate of an effective dose.

Over an 8-week period, participants were asked to take a nature pill with a duration of 10 minutes or more, at least 3 times a week. Levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, were measured from saliva samples taken before and after a nature pill, once every two weeks.

The data revealed that just a twenty-minute nature experience was enough to significantly reduce cortisol levels. But if you spent a little more time immersed in a nature experience, 20 to 30 minutes sitting or walking, cortisol levels dropped at their greatest rate. After that, additional de-stressing benefits continue to add up but at a slower rate.

Source: Science Daily

A visit to this award winning and beautifully restored venue, will engage visitors with history, spanning over 200 years.

• Soldiers based here were sent to fight in the Crimean War, the Boer War and World War 1.

• In the immediate aftermath of the 1916 Rising, over 3000 people were held here while they awaited their fate of deportation to prison camps in Britain or worse.

• The leaders of the Rising were held in the historic Gymnasium prior to their courts-martial.

• A guided tour includes a visit to the atmospheric Goldenbridge Cemetery which opened in 1829.

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 10am - 4pm Daily Tours at 11am and 2pm Booking available through Eventbrite.

Latest admission at 3pm.

Closed for Lunch 12.45-1.45pm.

Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holidays: Only pre-booked tours of at least six people at 11am. Please contact us in advance to book.

Admission fees: €3 to €17 Group rates available.

Richmond Barracks, Off Bulfin Road (Patriot’s Path), Inchicore, Dublin 8 T. +00353 1 222 8400 E: richmondbarracks@dublincity.ie

www.richmondbarracks.ie

...where stories and legends inspire www.dundalkmuseum.ie

+353 (0)

Jocelyn Street, Dundalk, A91 EFY9

visit us on facebook

42 93 92 999

a place of discovery

Days Out

Seafari Fun Eco – Nature, Seal and Eagle Watching Boat Trips Seafari is a fun filled 3 hour long, top class voyage of discovery around the Wild Atlantic Way's beautiful Kenmare Bay Special Area of Conservation. Expert local guides share their love of Kerry's history, geography, fauna and flora providing a unique and memorable Irish cultural and wildlife experience. Safari's 100 seat comfortable custom designed expedition ship explores the calm waters between the mountainous Beara and Iveragh peninsulas, past forested shorelines and islands, dotted

with castles, ancient stone circles, a countryside rich in folklore! See spectacular wildlife including Harbour seals "gathering" to have their pups and the majestic White Tailed Sea Eagles feeding on the bay's bountiful fish life.

Captain and crew will entertain you with live traditional music and song and provide sweets, lollipops, complimentary tea, coffee, cookies, "rum tot", warm rugs and binoculars assisting you in spotting the wildlife! Always bring warm clothes and don't forget your cameras!

Celebrating Louth’s Rich History The County Museum, Dundalk is one of Ireland’s best loved museums. Located in a lovingly restored late 18th Century warehouse, this award-winning Museum celebrates the story of County Louth’s rich social, cultural and industrial history from the pre-Christian era up to the present day over three galleries of permanent exhibition.

It is however is more than a museum, it celebrates the story of Louth’s development in manner that is immediate, accessible and most importantly relevant. Included among the museum’s favourite items on display are a threewheeled Heinkel motor car; a North American Tobacco Indian; and a Ducati motorbike.

The Museum’s latest exhibitions highlight two of Dundalk’s traditions – shipping and engineering. The Sinking of the SS Dundalk commemorates the 100th anniversary of the torpedoing the SS Dundalk just weeks before the end of WW1 with the loss of 20 60 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

souls. Objects of note include the ship’s very own compass which was taken from the wheelhouse in the immediate aftermath of the torpedo strike (the compass was used by survivors to plot a course in the emergency lifeboat as they awaited rescue) as well as two of the ship’s portholes.

When an Engineer Imagines highlights the career and achievement of one of Louth’s greatest unsung sons, Peter Rice the Dundalkman who was centrally involved in the construction of many of the 20th Century’s greatest building projects. This exhibition features models of some of Rice’s most famous projects including Sydney Opera House, Lloyd’s of London, the Pompidou Centre and the inverted pyramid at the Louvre. Admission to these exhibitions is free.

For more information see www.dundalkmuseum.ie or ring us at 042 9392 999.

May and June events at Dublin's Richmond Barracks

Mondays at the Mess lectures 13th May 2019 at 11am - St. Ultan's: a ground-breaking institution for its patients and staff alike!

Lecturer: Maeve Casserly, Dublin City Council, Historian-in-Residence, South East Area 10th June 2019 at 11am - Beyond 2022: Retrieving lost memories Lecturer: Dr Ciarán Wallace, Department of History, TCD Culture Date with Dublin 8 – Richmond Barracks events 18th May 2019 at 11am – Free guided tour at Richmond Barracks 18th May 2019 at 12 noon – Biodiversity Workshop with Mairéad Stack from NatureCubsIreland Musical Tour of Richmond Barracks with musicians Bernie Tynan and Tony Casey Last Wednesday of the Month 29th May 2019 at 11am 26th June 2019 at 11am

TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE MANY WAYS TO EXPERIENCE LOUGH DERG

A pilgrim path with many echoes of our Christian past along its route

From 1877 John Leslie, the landlord of the district around Lough Derg made part of the present road from Pettigo for his own purposes; later he completed it as far as the lake. This road is the principal approach to the lake today.”

OPENS SATURDAY 4th MAY

ONE DAY RETREATS 2019 May Dates: Sat 4th, Sun 5th, Mon 6th, Sat 11th, Sun 12th, Tues 14th, Sun 19th, Tues 21st, Sat 25th, Sun 26th, Mon 27th.

Readers may be familiar with the options for retreats and pilgrimage on Lough Derg, Co Donegal, but did you know that there is also a lakeshore path? While it is not part of the modern pilgrimage it is a route pilgrims followed for hundreds of years before the 1800s.

According to the first OS map of Lough Derg (1837 – 42) one of the routes to the Island was called the ‘ancient pilgrim road’. However, author Alice Curtayne in 1944 gave a clearer picture of what the term road meant then “Until 1877 pilgrims had to pick their way as best they could over a mere track…” Today this ancient pilgrim path continues to attract walkers and like other ancient

PILGRIMAGE SEASON 2019

THREE DAY PILGRIMAGE Commences on Friday 31st May 2019 and continues until Tuesday 13th August.

One can begin the pilgrimage on any day between these dates.

(Three Day Pilgrimage ends on Thursday 15th Aug 2018).

SPECIAL DAYS

St. Brigid’s Chair

St. Davog’s Seat

pilgrim paths throughout the country is open all year round.

pilgrimage. The seat is a natural rocky outcrop, but it seems to have had one or two blocks added to it, hinting that it may have once been a Bronze Age burial place.

The present pilgrim path has many echoes of our Christian past along its 12km track. Two distinctive highlights for walkers on the path are St Brigid’s Chair – The folk tradition had it that St Brigid sat here; as she waited for a boat to take her across to Station Island. It was said that whoever once sat on it was ever after preserved from accident or sudden death.

The other is St Davog’s Seat, named for the Saint remembered as the founding abbot of the monastery on Saints Island which is directly behind Station Island the place of

The goal of the Pilgrim Path is the lakeshore opposite Saints Island where one can still see the stones that formed the foundation of a wooden bridge that crossed over to the Monastic settlement.

To find out more about the Pilgrim Path at Lough Derg contact:

info@loughderg.org or 071 9861518

◗ QUIET DAYS Mon 13th May & Fri 6th Sept ◗ DAY OF FRIENDSHIP & PRAYER Wed 15th May Guest Speaker Fr Peter McVerry SJ, widely respected across the country as a tireless advocate for social justice. ◗ NEW PARISH MINISTRY DAY Sat 18th May Guest Speaker Jim Deeds has served in The Living Church leadership in Down and Connor Diocese. ◗ SENIORS AFTERNOON Tue 28th May ◗ LIVING WITH SUICIDE DAY Sat 28th Sept Guest Speaker Conor McCafferty, director of ZestNI, Northern Ireland’s leading organisation in healing the hurt of self-harm and suicide.

For more detailed information

www.loughderg.org | Tel: 00353 (0) 71 9861518

Come visit Woodstock Gardens this summer

• Beautiful, recently restored Victorian gardens • Located overlooking the River Nore in picturesque Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny • Walk through our arboretum which is home to a collection of rare and exotic trees • Visit the walled garden where fruits and vegetables are once again grown in abundance • Take time out for tea in a beautiful conservatory overlooking the flower gardens • Open all year round, daylight hours • Facilities:- Tea Rooms, Car Parking, Toilets, Children’s Playground, Mobility buggy available for less able bodied persons, please phone ahead if you wish to avail of this service (free of charge) • Guided tours available by appointment • Admission fee - €4 per car includes admission for all car occupants to the gardens • Buses and coaches strictly by prior booking.

• Price available upon request.

Contact: John Delaney - Head gardener at Woodstock on 087 8549785 or Claire Goodwin in Kilkenny County Council Parks Department on 056 7794373 or email woodstock@kilkennycoco.ie Kilkenny County Council, Parks Section, John Street, Kilkenny.

T + 353 56 7794373 F + 353 56 7794069

Western Ways George Keegan on happenings along the Western Seaboard in travel , the arts, food and entertainment The Willie Clancy Summer School in full swing beside the statue of the great man in Miltown Malbay

Willie Clancy Summer School returns for 47th year One of West’s best loved summer schools Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy will take place from 6 – 14 July in Miltown Malbay, Co.Clare. It is held every July and attracts participants from all over the world. The School was set up in 1973 as a celebration of the renowned musician Willie Clancy who was described as the greatest uilleann piper of the century. The school focuses particularly on teaching a variety of instruments, set dancing and traditional music of all kinds by way of classes, workshops and nightly entertainment in the Mill marquee, local halls and pubs. Three years ago a joint programme for students involving Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music & Dance based at the University of Limerick was launched, enabling students to gain University accreditation.

been involved in the development of this type of traditional dancing performing and giving workshops around UK and Ireland.

This year’s event will be opened by Brendan Mulkere musician and teacher of Irish Traditional Performance who recently received an award for ‘Outstanding Contribution’ at Gradam Ceoil 2019. The special dance workshop will be given by well known musician and tutor Rosie Davis and features Appalachian Clogging. Rosie has for many years

Another famous name connected with the town was Dr.Patrick Hillery, this country’s first EEC Commissioner who went on to become President of Ireland for two terms (1976-1990). During summer months locals and visitors head to the nearby small but popular White Strand beach regularly awarded a Blue flag, with a rocky shoreline.

62 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Miltown Malbay is a small town in West Clare renowned for its singers, dancers and musicians. Here the music makers of West Clare Visitor Centre attracts thousands of tourists during the summer months. Read firsthand accounts on local musicians, watch an eight minute film featuring the story behind the music and instruments played and see also a specially commissioned film featuring many of the talented musicians from the locality. The centre is open from 10am- 6pm May to September. Along the Main Street is a life size bronze statue dedicated to Willie Clancy, erected in 2013.

Why not take out a gift subscription to Ireland’s publication for people who don’t act their age?

It’s the ideal Birthday, Christmas, Retirement or Thank you gift. €40 for 8 issues, published every two months. The first issue will be sent with a card and personalised message.

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Western Ways

The new departure lounge at Ireland West Airport.

New looped drives along Shannon Estuary

At the opening of the viewing points on the looped drives on the Shannon Estuary

The Wild Atlantic Way has proved to be a real success story since being inaugurated in early 2014 with more and more tourists and Irish holidaymakers driving along the 2,600km route. However its success has resulted in traffic issues due to overcrowding with so many tour buses and cars. From a tourism prospective it is of course important the number of visitors to the West continues to grow so Failte Ireland recently launched a series of 11 new viewing points along the Shannon Estuary Way , the first of a series of Wild Atlantic Way looped drives. This is planned to encourage tourists to explore more and stay longer, driving economic growth in local communities. The new viewing points are positioned at the piers of Ringmoylan, Ballysteen , Kilteery, Glin, Knock, Killadysert, Covraghan and Clarecastle, plus Labasheeda Quay, Boland’s Meadow and Tullyglass Point. All of them have been developed with stories and imagery from local communities and constructed from locally sourced materials. The concept for the design of these points was ‘Big Skies and Sheltered Waters’ and the motif used was created to celebrate the traditional wooden fishing boats for which the river Shannon was famous.

Miriam Kennedy, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of the Wild Atlantic Way summed up the thinking behind the new venture, ‘to keep the current growth momentum of the Wild Atlantic Way going, our aim is to spread visitors across the region. The Shannon Estuary Way was designed to encourage visitors to explore the area around the Shannon estuary, which has an abundance of things to do’.

Busy times at Ireland West Airport The last six months have been a very busy period for Ireland West Airport in Knock, Co Mayo and I am not talking about flights.

64 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Runway Overlay: In October 2018 it was announced that the airport had received funding of E8.4m to support the completion of a runway overlay project. This funding represented 75% of the total estimated investment costs permitted under EU state aid guidelines for the work on the 2,400m runway. Since the opening of this runway in 1985 over 10m passengers have taken off and landed on it. Following a tender process the contract worth E11.2m was awarded to a joint venture, Lagan Airport Maintenance and Clare Civil Engineering Company Ltd. Work is expected to commence this month.

Upgrade Of Departure Hall: In February as part of an ongoing airport transformation programme work started on re-modelling and re-designing the Departures area. This included new seating, 20% increase in restaurant space plus dedicated family areas, new flooring and lighting and upgrades to bar area. An airport spokesperson points out that these upgrades will transform the Departures area providing passengers with an enhanced experience as they journey through also providing flexibility for us to provide increased capacity as the airport continues to grow passenger numbers. In 2018 a total of 771,619 passengers used the airport representing an increase of 3% on the previous year. Currently Ireland West Airport operates services to 24 International destinations, served by Aer Lingus, Flybe and Ryanair. Phase 2 is scheduled to start towards the end of this year and will include the construction of new covered walkways from the departures hall to the ramp.

Boxer Jason Quigley Comes on Board: In March 2019 Ireland West Airport announced a new partnership with professional boxer Jason Quigley from Ballybofey in Co Donegal. The 27 years old is currently listed at No 5 in the WBC (World Boxing Council) rankings and is unbeaten in 16 fights since turning pro. His last victory was in March of this year.

The new partnership will see the airport and Jason working together on several exciting campaigns this year. Supporting local upcoming sports stars is part of a new strategy by the airport aimed at further strengthening its links with the community. Commenting on his new role the boxer said “I am delighted to team up with Ireland West Airport. I always love using the airport, it has such a homely feel, but now having them part of the team makes it even more special”.

Ireland West Airport is the central gateway to eight of the fifteen official Wild Atlantic Way ‘Signature Discovery Points’.

USEFUL WEBSITES: www.scoilsamhraidhwillieclancy.com www.clare.ie/do/music-makers-west-clare www.westclare.net/miltown www.wildatlanticway.com www.failteireland.ie www.irelandwestairport.com .

It’s not too early to Book your Winter Sunshine Break on the Costa del Sol! 4* Hotel Apartments Seafront location, Benalmádena Costa 20 minutes from Málaga airport Outstanding Services & Facilities Open all year round!

Discover the Costa del Sol

Sunset Beach Club is ideally located in the heart of the Costa del Sol and many local attractions. Winter is the perfect season to take a guided excursion to visit some of Andalucía’s fabulous cities, such as Sevilla, Granada or Cordoba, or the white village of Ronda, nestled in the mountains above Marbella. There are many attractive destinations to choose from, all with English speaking tour guides. Alternatively you could hire a car for a few days and meander around the many small towns and villages of the Costa del Sol, such as Mijas, Marbella, or Ojen, to name but a few. If all this sounds great, but a bit complicated to arrange, do not despair! Sunset Beach Club’s on-site Leisure Desk is there to help you get around and make the most of your stay.

Sunset Beach Club Leisure Desk Sunset Beach Club’s Leisure Desk is open 6 days a week, Sunday to Friday.

The friendly staff can provide you with lots of free local information, and offer a convenient booking service to help you discover the main attractions on the Costa del Sol, and beyond!

• Bus & Train Timetables • Market Days & Local Events • Guided Excursions • Day Trips • Car Hire & Transfers • Tickets to local attractions • Discounted Green Fees

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Travel NEWS

Exciting Times!!

Here’s the moment you have all been waiting for – Riviera’s award winning European river cruises are now available for 2020 - get ready for an unforgettable experience!!!

Live life luxuriously and explore Europe in style on our brand new ship for 2020, the five-star, MS Geoffrey Chaucer!

Named after an English poet and author, this magnificent vessel combined with incredible itineraries is set to provide you with the ultimate travel experience!

"Buy One Get One Free" launch offer on 2020 cruise departures JMG Cruise have announced a "Buy One Get One Free" offer on their 2020 cruises as featured in their new brochure, available on bookings made before May 2019. The latest brochure offers 31 exciting itineraries sailing from Dublin, Cobh and new for 2020 - Belfast. One such cruise is the 10-night Summertime Fjordland on board Magellan, sailing from Dublin on 17 August 2020 and available from E1,839 (E920pp in the Buy One Get One Free deal).

These early booking Buy One Get One Free deals are available on all the cruises detailed in the 2020 preview brochure. With this amazing offer the first adult pays the full fare and the second adult, sharing twin accommodation, travels absolutely free.

The 2020 preview brochure features exciting new itineraries such as a Christmas/New Year 2019 sailing onboard Marco Polo on a Brand-New 16-night itinerary to the Canaries & Madeira. Sailing from Cobh (Co. Cork) and visiting Bristol, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Madeira and Lisbon before returning to Cobh.

In 2020 Magellan sails from Dublin on a new itinerary to Spain, Portugal & Morocco with a call in Casablanca, where tours can be taken to Marrakech. This exciting new Summer holiday itinerary sails 5th August 2020 for 12-nights calling La Coruna (Spain), Cadiz (Spain), Gibraltar, Casablanca for tours to Marrakech (Morocco), Lisbon (Portugal) and Liverpool before returning to Dublin. Fares are included in the Buy One Get One Free deal, the full fare is from E2,208 (E1,104pp in the Buy One Get One Free deal) The fares quoted are based on two people sharing a twin inner cabin and include delicious full board cuisine, afternoon teas and late-night snacks, Captain’s Cocktail Party, complimentary tea & coffee 6am to midnight, big show entertainment, cabarets and classical interludes, daytime activities and leisure facilities, guest speaker and arts & crafts, porterage of luggage, port to cabin and port taxes. For greater convenience CMV operate an automatic tipping system on board, so instead 66 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Magellan pool

of worrying how much and when to tip, an amount of £7pp per night (£6 for 16 nights or more) will be debited to the passenger’s on-board account.

Family-owned JMG Travel is the tour operating division of well known Donegal Coach holiday operator McGinley Coach Travel and started to offer cruise holidays in 2011. Most Irish departures will be onboard Cruise & Maritime Voyages' 1250 guest medium-sized cruise liner Magellan, which features a wide range of comfortable lounge areas, well- appointed facilities and expansive panoramic viewing ideally suited to these scenic cruise programmes.

Check www.jmgcruise.com or call 074-9135201 for a brochure

Extensive Dingle Developments Near Completion · Dangerous Trees Dismantled · Tree Surgery · Woodchipping Services · Conifer Hedge Reductions · Firewoood Logging · First Aid & Manual Handling Training

It has been an exciting Winter in Dingle, with work nearing completion on the new multimillion development at the Dingle Skellig Hotel. This development includes 32 additional guest rooms and suites as well as the upgrade and redesign of The Blaskets Bar and Bistro to include new relaxed dining spaces, which opened in February, and the landscaping of the guest carparking and public exterior areas.

Beginning last October and with a completion date of early May 2019, Kerry based Griffin Brothers secured the contract to carry out this high end development which falls on the 50th anniversary of the Hotel first opening its doors.

The new luxury bedroom addition includes 16 Deluxe King Suites, 6 Deluxe Executive Suites and 5 Deluxe Family Suites including a selection of interconnecting options. Designed with guest luxury and exceptional comfort in mind and featuring cutting edge enhancements and finished to the highest of standards, the addition also includes 5 roof top interior designed suites which will also feature private balconies making the most of the hotels amazing panoramic views across Dingle Bay.

92% of clients surveyed said they would use our service again & would refer us to friends & family.

The Senior Times Magazine team highly recommend this company.

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The first phase of the internal refurbishment took in the re development and design of The Blaskets Bar and Bistro. This area has now been transformed into 2 relaxed dining spaces – The Atrium, a light filled centre focus of the hotel and The Binn Bán Brasserie which offers a new concept in relaxed dining for both residents and non-residents.

Email: darren@kilcoynetreesurgery.com www. kilcoynetreesurgery.com

You can book a stay in one of the new rooms or suites at www.dingleskellig.com

086 106 9913

For further information please contact Dingle Skellig Hotel - 066 915 0200

Call for a FREE Quote

Creative Writing Eileen Casey

All human life is here..

Arresting exhibition of photographs by Pete Smyth

Pete Smyth with one of the images from his show Girls with buggies. Photograph by Pete Smyth

Having lived in Tallaght since the late 70s, it’s always good to see artists I knew back then become successful. There was a great sense of possibility in those early years. Thanks to organisations such as South Dublin Arts, The VEC and alternative entertainments, writers, poets and artists were given opportunities to explore and develop their craft. Part of this renaissance was Pete Smyth, then an up and coming amateur photographer who’s continued with his craft and is now a successful professional.

Tallaght, around the same time as the Liveline debate, reveal an illuminating narrative. The works in ‘Local’, collectively ‘create an intimate portrait that captures bittersweet moments of private reflection and public reverie’’. This comprehensive series of black and white images manages to write a different, arguably more truthful, version than the usual stereotypical one. Although aptly titled ‘Local’, there is a universal undercurrent in these richly textured studies, a swell of human warmth and generosity that transcends borders and boundaries.

Smyth lives in Killinarden, Tallaght and he’s spent the last thirty years documenting a community generally regarded as being on the margins. Killinarden is no stranger to headlines, both positive and not so positive. A recent conversation in the media concerned the refusal of a leading supermarket to make home deliveries into that area. This issue was hotly debated on Joe Duffy’s Liveline, but whatever the outcome, it also gave residents a chance to respond to allegations of anti-social behaviour.

Indeed, evident in the passionate defence put forward from those who know Killinarden from the inside out, is the undeniable fact that therein dwells a community largely surviving in the old tradition. A triumph of robust neighbourly kinship over sterile anonymity which is largely the norm nowadays.

If Smyth photographs horses in front gardens (a standard representation) together with scenes from a raucous night on the tiles (in a Killinarden pub during World Cup glory days), he’s also captured an unwavering insight into the lived lives of his subjects. Although photographs are by nature static, the lives on show are not ‘stilled’, there are ‘energies’ scarcely contained in these impressive portraits. Human nature possesses myriad qualities. In truth, we have the capacity for so many identities.

However, exhibitions such as Local which co-incidentally opened in Rua Red Arts Centre,

The need to conform, however, is a constant pressure. Communities such as ‘Local’ sets out to highlight and celebrate individuality. From a pigeon fancier dressed in native American costume to a young girl ‘flying without wings’, these portraits reveal what it is to, as Patrick Kavanagh so ably put it, ‘snatch out of time, the passionate transitory’. One section of the exhibition shows faces from the traveller

68 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

community, faces immediately identifiable as being from that community. There’s a strength in the features, a stoic reserve which comes from decades of living in a parallel universe but there’s something else also. Smyth manages to convey essential dualities, dualities such as power and vulnerability, courage and restraint.

Indeed, for these portraits alone, the exhibition is worthwhile.

Smyth uses an uneering instinct for what works best in terms of portrait composition.

When faced with a wall of unsmiling faces, the observer is forced to take a longer, ultimately more satisfying look. Images which feature children demonstrate elements of Blakean innocence and experience. Yet, for all the brash, provocative expressions, and although the area is labelled ‘disadvantaged’, children’s resourcefulness and enterprise rise above their surroundings. ‘Traveller’ and ‘View from the Dearth’ are shown alongside images which chart street and nightlife in and around Tallaght.

A social activist and art worker, Smyth has had a level of access to his subjects and a capacity to portray experiences denied to photographers from outside this community.

The real joy of the exhibition is that Smyth has created an unsentimental representation of an area prone to alienation yet one which trusts in its ability to transform. ‘Local’ will be staged in the Gallery of Photography in Dublin in November-December and is well worth a visit.

Health

This plant extract works wonders for your blood flow

Ginkgo biloba is a natural plant extract with active compounds that dilate your blood vessels so your blood flows more easily through your veins. The health advantages are numerous.

Good circulation is essential for literally all your body functions from head to toe, but not everyone is blessed with an effective flow of blood through their cardiovascular system. So if you have poor circulation, you may find relief in a natural plant extract called ginkgo biloba, which contains some active compounds that dilate the vessels and make blood thinner, so it flows more easily to all your different tissues.

that are typically caused by poor circulation. But there is more. Walkinginduced leg pain can also be a result of having an insufficient flow of blood through the legs. And then there is the problem with cold hands and feet, which many people suffer from.

Highly important for the brain

Ginkgo Biloba Pharma Nord

Your brain alone accounts for nearly 20 percent of your body’s entire oxygen consumption, so it is not difficult to imagine how important a wellfunctioning supply of blood to the head and brain is. All of your cognitive functions rely on a generous supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the brain cells.

If you are one of them, you may be delighted to learn that a new preparation has just hit the market. Ginkgo Biloba Pharma Nord is specifically indicated for the prevention and treatment of cold hands and feet and is a prescription-free drug that is available from pharmacies all over Ireland.

The product has won several awards for quality and purity and came out best in a British test of 18 different ginkgo biloba preparations. The test is published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Cold hands and feet anyone?

Tinnitus, dizziness, and poor concentration are just some of the problems

Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 69

Creative Writing

Arts Award from The Kerry Association for Pauline Bewick at Áras an Uachtaráin

Pauline Bewick is no stranger to the pages of Senior Times. In 2015, her 80: A Memoir (Arlen House) was featured, together with an overview of her life, loves and enormous artistic talent.

Luckily for Pauline, her mother encouraged her in her enthusiasm for painting and drawing and had the good sense to keep all of her daughter’s output, from the age of two. Pauline suffered from dyslexia as a child so instead of spelling an object, she drew it instead. Readers wishing to retrace that article can find it online via google: ‘The Lives and Loves of Pauline Bewick, Senior Times’.

I was so very delighted to see that on 18th April this year, Pauline received an award from Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. The award came about through the initiative of Kerry Association, Dublin were Pauline was cited as being one of Ireland’s most renowned and talented artists. In the press release issued by the Áras Media Centre, acknowledgement was made of the artist’s long and distinguished career. Previous recipients were writers Brendan Kennelly and Anthony Gaughan.

Pauline is the first visual artist on whom the honour is bestowed. Her wise approach to life is the bedrock on which her artistic vision is

nourished: “Look into your own soul and heart, and feelings and loves and dislikes and then be an illustrator: illustrate it, bring it out.”

Pauline’s donation of 500 pieces to the Irish Nation to mark her seventieth birthday was also lauded. Deemed by President Higgins as “an extraordinarily generous act, from which we, as a society, have and will continue to greatly benefit.”

Of her own work, the artist had the last word, describing it as ‘wishes they are wishes to be totally free. People think that it is me in my paintings but it is not – it is a wish.’

Bealtaine Delights A creative treasure chest waits to be unlocked during the month of May. Bealtaine, promoting creativity in older age, is a gallimaufry of creative delights. I heard the word gallimaufry years ago and despite being enthralled by it, I’ve never used it until now. Gallimaufry goes back to the 16th century when Middle-French speaking cooks made a meat stew called galimafree. It was a varied dish, because English speakers chose its name for any mix or jumble of things. potpourri is also a useful synonym to denote a medley. Suffice to say however that community centres, libraries, art centres etc. will be alive with the sound of poetry, music, drama, paint brushes dipped in water, coffee cups clinking, feet 70 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

tapping, hand clapping indeed, wonderful energies. For those of you who enjoy gentle exercise, music, holistic engagement and lots of laughter, my Healthy Minds and Bodies workshop (to include meditation, incense, cards, tea-leaves, inspiration music) will feature in Tallaght Library on 3rd May (01-4620073), Ballyroan Library, 9th May (01-4941900) and Lucan Library, 28th May (01-6216422). For those wishing to explore the memoir form, I’ll be facilitating a memoir workshop in Tallaght Library on Friday, 17th May (01-4620073).

Further details about other fabulous Bealtaine events can be read on the Age and Opportunity website, info@ageandopportunity.ie

Speed up your blood flow Ginkgo biloba is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to alleviate the symptoms of poor blood flow in conditions such as cold hands and feet. It is essential that you choose a preparation with a documented content of active compounds.

Warm hands and feet again One of the most convincing tests of Ginkgo biloba’s ability to improve circulation in the hands is conducted with a thermographic camera. After the test person had taken Ginkgo biloba, his hands became significantly warmer in the minutes right after they had been cooled down in very cold water.

Your bloodstream carries oxygen and nutrients to every single part of your body – from head to toe – to ensure that all your body functions work properly.

However, the flow of blood through the smallest capillaries can decrease for various reasons, and that may cause problems like cold fingers and toes.

35° C 30° C

Without Ginkgo-Biloba Pharma Nord: After 10 minutes, the skin temperature increased from 12.6° to approx.

20.0° C.

25° C 20° C 15° C 10° C 5° C

35° C 30° C

With Ginkgo-Biloba Pharma Nord: After 10 minutes, the skin temperature increased from 13.8° to approx.

30.9° C.

25° C 20° C 15° C 10° C 5° C

Cold hands and feet?

This problem may be a result of having poor blood circulation, and the solution could be tablets with Ginkgo biloba.

Every inch of the body depends on a wellfunctioning blood supply that delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells. As we humans age, our blood circulation becomes less efficient, leading to problems like cold hands and feet.

Supports your blood circulation It stands to reason that Ginkgo biloba is so popular among older people. The active compounds in the extract dilate your blood vessels, helping your blood to flow more easily through them.

IE_Biloba_Ad_SeniorTimrs_210x297_1_0319

What is Ginkgo biloba?

Ginkgo biloba is a plant extract made from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, an ancient temple tree that is also known as maidenhair tree. The extract contains a variety of biologically active compounds.

Two specific compounds – ginkgoflavone glycosides and terpene lactones – are particularly well-documented and have been shown to support good blood circulation and good cognitive function. Today,

thanks to scientific research that has delved into the underlying mechanisms of these active ingredients, it is possible to manufacture high-quality extracts that deliver the exact same amount of active compound with each tablet. Ginkgo-Biloba Pharma Nord represents this new generation of pharmaceutical-standard Ginkgo biloba products that have become increasingly popular, namely among the elderly.

Ginkgo-Biloba Pharma Nord has a high content of active compounds: The high content of active compounds makes it possible to obtain the desired effect with 1 tablet twice a day.

Traditional herbal medicinal product used to alleviate the symptoms of poor blood flow in conditions such as cold hands and feet, exclusively based upon long-standing use.

Always read the leaflet.

Tel: 01 899 1650 • Fax: 01 885 3893 ireland@pharmanord.com • www.pharmanord.ie

Creative Writing

The Lost & Found Poetry Workshop returns Finally, I’m delighted to share that my very popular The Lost & Found Poetry Workshop will take place at The Writers’ Centre, Parnell Square, Dublin, on 29th June from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 a.m. This workshop is an ideal way to explore what poetry is all about under the guidance of an experienced, published poet. The ‘lost’ element of title refers to how poetry, like any other narrative source, can be mined from life events, whether first hand or otherwise. ‘Found’ refers to poetry that is already out there in the public domain, poetry in the guise of advertisements, notices in shop windows, horoscopes, recipes, bulletin boards, legal documents, ingredients on the side of a packet of tea (for instance) or indeed, any text which doesn’t necessarily appear to possess poetic possibility.

Text is a moveable feast. I was talking to a friend recently and she happened to mention some oranges she’d just purchased. The fruit somehow lodged in my mind and before long I had written a new poem and short story. All that’s required when sourcing ‘text’ is a receptive imagination and a willingness to do the rest. The Lost & Found Workshop also encourages experimentation with form and content through the re-structuring of existing material. Opening the storehouse of memory is always a good place to begin the process.

As the great American writer Thoreau once said: ‘It’s not what you are looking at, it’s what you see’. The full day workshop is E80 (E70 for members). For more details contact info@writerscentre.ie

Four copies of The First Rose of Tralee to be won Fans of Poolbeg publications will not be disappointed with the arrival on the shelves of The First Rose of Tralee, a spellbinding account of ‘the young girl as beautiful as she was innocent and caring whose attributes live on in the annual Rose of Tralee International Festival.’ The Rose of Tralee celebrates its Diamond Anniversary this years, sixty years of festival success. Patricia O’Reilly is the author, a very popular historical fiction novelist. Her previous novels, Becoming Belle, The Signature of All Things and Love is Blind were both best sellers. O’Reilly, a former journalist and radio documentary maker, teaches fiction writing in UCD. Her current novel (due out in May from all good bookshops) is set in a mid-eighteen hundreds Ireland. A place of great riches, great poverty and political turmoil. The Mulchinocks lived in style, the O’Connors in poverty and Daniel O’Connell held monster political rallies. William Mulchinock and Mary O’Connor fall in love – their story is spellbinding, and he wrote for her the perennial Rose of Tralee Ballad, anthem of the Festival. O’Reilly has mastered her craft. The First Rose of Tralee is wonderfully told, vividly evoking the sights and sounds and characters of Ireland pre-Famine and a time when India was the jewel in the crown of the British Empire. Details regarding stockists are available from caroline@poolbeg.ie To enter the competition, answer this question: Which anniversary does the Rose of Tralee celebrate this year? Send your answers to: First Rose of Tralee, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Or email to: john@slp.ie The first four correct entries drawn are the winners. Deadline for receipt of entries is June 18th.

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Veterans sport

The Japan 2019 Veterans Tag Rugby team

It’s rugby, but not as we know it!

Jack Strapp on the growing popularity of Tag Rugby The rules of Tag Rugby are similar to seven a-side rugby where the objective is to score more tries and points than your opponents.

There are, however, no set pieces such as scrums or lineouts or kicking. The big difference with ‘real’ rugby is that there is no physical contact allowed so the only way to stop the player with the ball is to pull off one of their two tags that are attached by Velcro to the sides of their tag shorts and hopefully without pulling their shorts down !

This relatively new sport has exploded in popularity around the country. It is for all ages and is mixed genders, so boys and girls play on the same team together in what is one of Ireland’s fastest growing mixed gender sports.

The IRFU run competitions during the summer months all around the country mainly on grounds of established rugby Clubs such as Corinthians, Old Belvedere, St Marys.It is estimated that there are hundreds of players participating.

So here is where it gets interesting. There is a men’s veterans competition which is played during the summer in Old Belvedere Rugby 74 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

club on Anglesea Road, Dublin which is made up of senior players who must be over 33 years old. Many of the players were accomplished rugby players of repute in their younger years who, while they may have lost their pace and possibly some of their hair along life’s journey, have not lost their competitive spirit.

While an eligible player must be over 33, there is, for a change, a distinct advantage in being older. Tries scored by a player who is 50 years or older counts as three tries and so is worth three times more than a try scored by a younger player. Yes its ‘ageist’ but in the nicest possible way! If you are 50 or over you can ensure your team’s success so inevitably, players who are 50 or over are very much in demand on the transfer market! Their seniority is advertised somewhat cruelly - by them wearing a different coloured jersey from their younger teams mates, but these Jerseys are worn with great pride since it denotes their points value.

Our reporter caught up with one of the longest standing vet teams who have been playing Tag rugby for the last 18 years and they are now one of the oldest teams in the competition.

All but one of the 13 man squad is 50 or over so with three point tries for each player they are a

high scoring team, at least on the pitch! A few players on the team are closer to 60 than 50 and one player is 66 this year. Unfortunately there are no bonus points for over 60s!

They are called Japan 2019 which was decided on so as to incentivise themselves to keep on playing until the end of 2019 when they intend to go on tour to Tokyo to play in a vets tournament while supporting Ireland in their quest to win their first ever Rugby World Cup. The Japan 2019 vets have taken the whole Japan theme very seriously and have even been sponsored by the Yamamouri chain of Dublin Restaurants and by the tour operator, Killester Travel which specialises in packages for major sporting events around the world including the Japan World Cup in 2019.

One well-respected rugby journalist has said ’this Vets team are legends, many coming from Trinity college and the Schools cup winning side of Terenure College in 1984.They are the George Clooney’s of the Tag Rugby World!

What they lack in youth and pace they make up for in sheer determination. They might be a little slow, grumpy and argumentative on the pitch but they have never lost their great hands and instinct for champagne flowing rugby.’

Have you seen the

The Irish Garden’s new look?

A cover-to-cover re-fit of the design of the magazine has been carried out, retaining all your favourite articles, with new features and travel abroad.

The Irish Garden is Ireland's best-selling gardening magazine, packed with timely information, written by Irish gardeners for Irish gardeners!

Northern

By Debbie Orme

Notes

NI’s ‘invaluable but invisible army’ of carers

As medical care continues to improve, and more of us are living longer, the ageing population has led to a rise in the number of people in the 60+ age group, who are looking after a partner or elderly parent.

I was recently invited along to attend a course that’s run specifically for this dedicated group of carers who, for the most part, as Age UK have said, remain 'invaluable but invisible'.

The reasons why this group is referred to as ‘invaluable’ speak for themselves.

At the moment, there are around 214,000 carers in Northern Ireland – a figure that’s estimated to rise to 400,000 by 2037! These carers save the NI economy more than £4 billion a year, with a quarter of all carers providing more than 50 hours of care a week!

The course that I observed is 'Take Care': a two-week course run by Arthritis Care Northern Ireland, which is intended to provide support and emotional wellbeing to NI's own army of carers.

'The course is held over two weeks,' Mary McConville, Project Development Manager at Arthritis Care NI told me. 'As with the other UK regions, NI is faced with not only an ageing population, but also with an increase in the age of the carers themselves. The increase in the ageing population also leads to an increase in the number of people who are living with

long-term conditions, so today's carers are also responsible for aspects of caring, such as administering polypharmacy.'

The first thing that struck me about the attendees on this course was that - despite the fact that Take Care is open to both sexes - all of the attendees on this particular course were women, and all were in their late fifties, sixties and seventies.

'It's estimated that around 64 per cent of NI carers (of all ages) are female,' Mary told me, 'with around a quarter providing more than 50 hours of care per week and more than ten per cent providing more than 100 hours each week.

Little wonder then that caring takes such a toll psychologically.'

When I spoke to the women on this particular course, I was struck by how similar their stories were, and it made me realise how many people across NI must find themselves in similar circumstances. Although their family set-ups varied, the feelings of isolation and need for coping strategies were universal.

Deirdre* is a 62-year-old former civil servant, who, over the last five years, has found herself in the position of not only caring for her octogenarian parents, but latterly her husband, who was recently diagnosed with dementia.

'I think the overwhelming feeling of isolation and being alone is what gets to me most,' Deirdre

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told me. 'Like most of the women here, five years ago, I wouldn't have envisaged ending up in this position, but here I am. The most difficult aspect of caring is the fact that you're challenged both emotionally because you're looking after family members, and physically by the work that you have to do.'

Margaret*, 65, who has been caring for her elderly father for the past two years, echoed Deirdre’s views.

'Caring isn't a thankless job,' the septuagenarian is quick to point out. 'After all, these are your loved ones that you're looking for and helping to remain in their own home, but the emotional side of caring can certainly bring you down mentally. I'm often up all night with my father, who doesn't sleep well, and am therefore very tired the next day. As a result, I've found recently that I've stopped increasingly topped making plans to do anything during the day or to see friends, and that has increased my sense of isolation - both physical and emotional - which has, in turn, made the whole situation even more overwhelming.'

One thing that unites the women on this course is the fact that they feel undervalued by the care system.

'When you consider,' says Jane*, 'that it costs between £600-£700 a week for someone to be resident in a nursing home, and we're being

Northern Notes paid just over £60 per week, there's no doubt that you feel undervalued. Politicians and those in charge of the health and social care system doesn't seem to think that we are worth any more than a few pounds a week and, while we're not in the role of carer for the money, it just adds to the sense of being viewed as undervalued.'

‘Shared Space’ artwork goes on show

There was no doubt that, on the first day of the Take Care course, the women I met were definitely 'worn down' mentally by a sense of isolation and loneliness, and the overriding atmosphere was one of weariness.

'I found that I simply couldn't trust the standards of care in the local nursing home where my mother was resident,' Shirley* told me. 'I knew that my mother would need a high standard of nursing care but, very quickly, it became clear to me that due to the sheer volume of patients and patient/staff ratios, my mother wasn't receiving the level of care that I had anticipated.

I had found, for example, on occasion that my mother may have been given a jug of water on her tray on the bed but she simply was unable to pour any water into the glass and so while, certainly, she had been 'given' water, she hadn't managed a drink and I was worried about her becoming dehydrated. The only solution I could see to give myself any peace of mind was to take over the caring myself.

'What annoys me so much about the situation is the fact that, due to our own ages, we're classed as 'unemployable' and yet we're providing a very worthwhile service to the government, which is not only ensuring better standards of care for those who need it, but is also saving the government money in social care.'

This was a regular complaint among the women I spoke to. In the UK as a whole, it's estimated that £5.3bn has been wiped from the economy in lost earnings due to people, who've dropped out of the workforce to take on caring responsibilities for older or disabled loved ones, including £1bn in forgone taxes, but this figure is dwarfed by the amount of money that carers, such as these ladies, are saving the social care budget.

During this session - the first of the two that comprise the Take Care course - I realised that perhaps the biggest benefit that this type of course is that it provided the women with the opportunity to simply express their feelings to others, who were both sympathetic and empathetic.

'As you've heard,' Mary McConville told me, 'the feelings of isolation and of being alone in this caring role are a heavy burden for many. The Take Course provides an outlet for feelings to be shared without fear of reproach. These women all understand how the others feel and that, in itself, can be worth its weight in gold.'

Members of Cloughmills Crochet Group are pictured along with Amy McWilliams and Patricia Harkin from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Good Relations team.

The crochet wall hanging created by Cloughmills Crochet Group

A colourful creation made by members of Cloughmills Crochet Group has been unveiled as part of a ‘shared space’ initiative.

The project, which was delivered by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Good Relations programme, aims to raise awareness about what shared space means and encourage participants to think about how their community facilities can be welcoming, open and accessible to everyone.

The piece of art, in the form of a large hanging wall feature, depicts a large tree with roots connected at the base and symbolises branching out to those within the community, who are from different backgrounds and beliefs.

This latest project follows on from a mammoth task which saw the group raise over £11,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support after completing a crochet replica of Cloughmills village. The new piece of art will be on display in Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady before moving to Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart.

Jackie celebrates clocking up 45 years’ service with Council!

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has recognised the hard work and commitment of one of its longest-serving members of staff.

Last month saw Jackie Tennant, a Registrar for Mid and East Antrim Council, chalk up an incredible 45 years’ service, but during her career Jackie has navigated her way through almost all of the departments in Council.

Aged 20, she landed her first role as a receptionist with Larne Borough Council in 1974, before moving to Technical Services.

Over the next few years, Jackie worked as Deputy Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Finance Secretary and Town Clerk’s Secretary. In August 1980 she became the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, after the post became vacant, and has worked there ever since.

Jackie Tennant

‘I have seen many changes over the years in the Council,’ Jackie said, ‘with the biggest being the introduction of computers. When I first started we were using typewriters! The organisation has now grown so much, I have trouble trying to keep track of people’s names – although I recognise their faces. Also, there are now policies for everything, back in 1974 we had nothing.’ To mark her 45 years’ service with Council and her 65th birthday this year, Jackie enjoyed a once in a lifetime trip to New York, Toronto and Niagara Falls.

Congratulations Jackie!

* not her real name

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Northern Notes

Titanic Commemoration Service takes place at City Hall

Councillor Deirdre Hargey and Susie Millar lay wreaths in memory of those who lost their lives on the Titanic.

Last month was the 107th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and, once again, Belfast’s dignitaries joined forces to commemorate the tragedy, which saw 1512 men, women and children perish in the North Atlantic’s icy waters.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, joined Susie Millar, President of the Belfast Titanic Society, to lay wreaths at the Titanic Memorial in City Hall grounds on 15 April in memory of those who died aboard the RMS Titanic.

‘The tragedy of the Titanic is very close to home for the people of Belfast,’ Councillor Hargey said. ‘Many of our citizens were on board when she went down and are remembered by relatives who have gathered with us to mark this occasion.

‘The Olympic-class ocean liner was one of our finest, built by local crafts78 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

men and remembered across the world for her top class design and engineering. The tragedy cast a cloud on our city and it says much for our resilience that we have found a way to deal with the loss, building a poignant Memorial Garden in the City Hall grounds and our new Titanic Quarter regenerating the former shipbuilding heart of the city which we can all be proud.’

Invited guests to the Commemoration Service included members of Belfast Titanic Society and relatives of some of those on board RMS Titanic who also laid white roses at the Titanic Memorial Garden’s memorial plinth to remember loved ones.

Wine World

Brit bubbly

About 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) of southern England and Wales' best-exposed land (sheltered, south-facing slopes) are planted with vines and enjoy the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream.

The Gusbourne winery in Kent. Such has been their success in producing bottle fermented sparkling wines, that their classic production method has attracted international praise.

Mairead Robinson enjoys sparkling wine from The Garden of England When it comes to sparkling wine, no other European country can rival Champagne’s depth, intensity and finesse, although Prosecco has certainly made a big impression in this country. Personally I generally prefer a good Cava to Prosecco, although if the Prosecco is dry enough, I will be tempted. The Aussies have done quite well too, with Jacob’s Creek in particular being a respectable enough bottle of bubbles. But who would have thought that the south-east of England would have been growing the classic Champagne varieties Meunier, Chardonnay, and the notoriously contrary Pinot Noir grapes for some years now, and the resulting wines have begun to attract the attention of their French neighbours from across the water?

English wine is growing in popularity and is increasingly recognised as a premium wine-producing region, with more than 450 wineries and around 3.15 million bottles produced per year. Indeed, 2018 saw a bumper harvest with yields doubled in some places. Whilst vineyards are found across the whole of England, the climate of the South and South East makes it a particularly popular region for growing vines, Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 79

Wine World

Three Gusbourne wines which are now imported into Ireland by Classic Drinks are Blanc De Blancs; Rose and Brut Reserve.

especially in Hampshire, Sussex and Kent. Wine production in the UK has not been taken seriously historically due to the cold climate, but yet vineyards planted across Southern England and Wales and also close to the English Channel have enjoyed a level climate that has proven to be very successful.

About 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) of southern England and Wales' best-exposed land (sheltered, south-facing slopes) are planted with vines and enjoy the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream. Wine has been produced in the British Isles for centuries but the modern English wine industry dates only from the 1950s, when some landowners began to plant vines and try their hand at winemaking.

The industry today is much more professional and most wine is made by young, qualified winemakers who usually have experience of cellars in other countries. Because of England's cool climate, only early-ripening vine varieties stand a chance of reliably producing a crop. After the Champagne grapes Chardonnay, Pinots Noir and Meunier, the most planted varieties are therefore the hybrid Seyval Blanc, the German crossing Reichensteiner, Müller-Thurgau and the increasingly successful aromatic Bacchus. But there is an enormous range of white and some red wine varieties, including Dornfelder and Rondo, still occasionally ripened in special plastic tunnels. However, it is the Champagne varieties that are of real interest, and I recently had the great pleasure of trying some of the best, from Gusbourne winery in Kent. Such has been their success in producing bottle fermented sparkling wines, that their classic production method has attracted international praise. Their mission is simple yet very direct – to create the finest wines in the world! They achieve this by embracing tradition while also challenging convention – a very modern success story. Their estate dates back to 1410, however it was in 2004 when Andrew Weeber took over with a vision to create English sparkling wines that would stand up alongside the very finest offerings from across the globe and so the first vines were planted. It was not until 2016 that their debut vintages from 2010 were released earning them immediately a reputation for outstanding wines.

80 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Their three wines which are now imported into Ireland by Classic Drinks are Blanc De Blancs; Rose and Brut Reserve. The Blanc De Blancs 2013 is a direct, elegant and fresh wine and is made exclusively from their estate grown Chardonnay grapes. It is very much to my taste, with a distinct note of minerality. Winemaker Charlie Holland describes it as the ‘truest expression of our terroir with both finesse and elegance but also the requisite qualities for extended ageing.’ This wine has a bright golden colour with a delicate mousse, and aromas of green apple and citrus and a buttery richness from the lees ageing. It has received no less than thirty awards to date.

Gusbourne Brut Reserve 2014 is considered a more robust expression of this winery with a bright gold colour and aromas of cherry and strawberry. It is clean and fresh on the palate and is made with a classic Champagne blend of 60per cent Pinot Noir, 22 per cent Chardonnay and 18per cent Pinot Meunier. This is their best selling wine and spends a minimum of thirty six months on lees and three months on cork before release. This is a real winner, which equals some of the best champagne on the market.

And finally Gusbourne Rose 2015 is a delicate pink in appearance, with soft summer berries and floral notes. The palate shows bright red fruits and it has a crisp freshness and creamy, rounded texture. A wine from the heart of the English countryside, this is one for summer days ‘typical of the garden of England’. Enjoyed best with fresh salads, cheeses and of course summer fruits. It has received 13 awards to date.

Without doubt, these English sparkling wines are serious rivals to Champagne and summon up the very best of serious wine making from across the water. All are perfect to be enjoyed in summertime with outdoor food and sunshine and equally at Christmas and to welcome in the New Year. In fact any occasion at all when you want to celebrate with a special bottle. I was indeed very impressed and am mapping out all upcoming special occasions in our family calendar where we will celebrate with these wonderful wines. www.gusbourne.com

Meeting Place KILDARE WIDOWER, MID-60S, RETIRED loves country life, many interests, NS, SD, Likes to travel at home and abroad, particularly, South West, Kerry. WLTM lady for friendship/ relationship to enjoy life.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F1 NORTH WEST LADY WLTM others in the North West who are free to socialize and go out weekends. Interest include dancing, cycling, walking and country pursuits.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F2 DUBLIN GENT, MID 60s, YOUNG APPEARANCE, enjoys reading, walking, dining out, current affairs, WLTM lady for friendship/relationship. REPLY TO BOS NUMBER F3 GALWAY LADY, LATE 50s, WLTM a practical gentleman who is reliable and down to earth for companionship/romance. ND but no problem with someone someone who drinks in moderation. Not on social media. Free most weekends. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F4 NORTHSIDE DUBLIN GENT seeks lady for ballroom and latin dance practice and possibly to participate in competitions. Age not important. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F5 MONAGHAN WIDOW, 60s, looking for friendship with a genuine man from the North East area. Religion, or none, not important.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F6 YOUNG AT HEAR LADY,70, WLTM other educated people, similar age group, for friendship and socializing. GSOH essential as honesty and sincerity. No materialist people.

REPLY TO BO NUMBER F7 ROMANTIC NORTH DUBLIN GENT, cheerful, kind, caring, considerate, respectful, never married, 60s, house, car. Interests include walking, art, DIY, documentaries. Seeks life partner for permanent relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F8 SOUTHSIDE DUBLIN GENT, 65, sincere, caring and romantic, great company, GSOH. ND, NS but likes to frequent pubs for social reasons. Interests include reading, writing, eating out, cinema, theatre. WLTM lady of similar age with similar interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F9 DUBLIN LADY, 65, relaxed outlook, would love to meet a gent to share the happy times with. Interests include dancing, cinema, eating out, theatre, genealogy etc.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER F10 SINCERE, CARING, TRUSTWORTHY, VIVACIOUS lady from North East, retired professional, young in outlook, nice disposition.

Interests include reading, theatre, walking,

current affairs, seeks a warm, friendly gent for chats and friendship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H1 SOUTHSIDE DUBLIN MAN, 60, seeks pen friends of either ex. Interests include sport, reading, cycling, wildlife, music.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H2 SOUTH COUNTY DUBLIN WOMAN, 60s seeks male and female companions who like to travel by rail in Ireland, on short visits abroad and explore various cultural attractions in our cities.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H3 NORTH COUNTY DUBLIN GENT in his 80s but thinks and acts younger, well educated and travelled. NS, SD. Lives alone in a large house.

WLTM a lady that would fit into that background, Age, nationality and creed irrelevant but GSOH would be helpful. Initially for meals, chats and some travel, but who knows.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H4 YOUNG LOOKING SOUTH SIDE DUBLIN LADY, tall and elegant, late fifties, former model and Rose of Dublin. Interests include nature and animals, theatre, concerts, eating out.

WLTM a kind gent 55-60 common interests who is similarly seeking companionship and perhaps a lasting relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H5 GALWAY GENT, 55, WLTM lady aged from 50-75 for companionship and perhaps relationship. Interests include sport, keep fit, music and reading. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H6 SEMI RETIRED, PROFESSIONAL CORK LADY 60s, single, vivacious, sincere, thoughtful, good appearance and spiritual. Enjoys good conversion, sport, music, drama, history, exploring new cultures, the arts. WLTM educated, refined gent, single or widowed to share this wonderful life.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H7 TALL, FIT DUBLIN MALE, 69, no ties, NS, SD, GSOH. Would love to meet that special lady for friendship, relationship long term. ALA. Interests include walking driving, cinema, theatre, dining out, and music.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H8 SOUTH EAST LADY, 60, enjoys classical concerts, reading, writing, crafting, crosswords.

Would enjoy the friendship of a gent who is caring, genuine and financially secure. Let’s see how it goes. NS, SD, GSOH. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H9 ATHLETIC, YOUNG BLACK GUY FROM GHANA, late thirties, living in England. NS, SD, GSOH. WLTM mature, hard-working, open minded lady for friendship and perhaps more.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H10

CLARE MAN, SINGLE, EARLY 60s, semi-retired, genuine, kind and caring. Loves traditional and country and western music. SD, NS. WLTM single or widowed lady late 50s with same interests to share life in a loving relationship. Ideally from the Clare/Galway/Limerick area. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H11 CHEERFUL LEINSTER MALE MID 50s, no ties, romantic and effervescent with a playful and fun frame of mind. A gent who enjoys life and is open to new ideas. Enjoy many sports, concerts, current affairs and much more.

WLTM a broadminded lady, 50s to 60s, with similar or other interests. Let’s see how it goes.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H12 CO MEATH ACTIVE, WIDOW, RETIRED TEACHER, 79, friendly amicable, GSOH seeks a gent, 70s/80s preferably from Leinster for friendship and companionship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H13 HAPPY GO LUCKY VEGETARIAN DUBLIN GENT, interested in the holistic side of life, NS. Seeks lady for great adventures.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H14 MID 60s DUBLIN LADY WLTM man with a positive outlook for friendship/relationship.

Interests include travel, cinema, cooking, dining out. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H15 KILDARE LADY, 64, SLIM AND ATTRACTIVE WLTM kind man to share retirement years. Must be caring and enjoy life. I enjoy good movies, good banter and travel. GSOH. Life is better shared so lets bring a new journey to cross items off the bucket list!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H16 SINGLE WOMAN NEVER MARRIED, 60s, lives near Dublin. WLTM genuine man for dining and possible travel. I’m tall, told I’m attractive.

NS REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H17 ACTIVE SOUTH DUBLIN WIDOWER, LATE 70s, refined, smart appearance, well-mannered, thoughtful, easy going. WLTM a lady of similar status for companionship, travel, car trips, dancing, soirees, nice wine, bridge and fun.

I am 5ft 10in, medium build with a happy outlook on life. Get in touch please.

REPLY T0 BOX NUMBER H18 GENUINE GALWAY LADY LATE 50s, unmarried, amicable, considerate. Interests include choral singing, walking, personal development. WLTM kind, decent man of similar age for chats, laughs, romance. It could be you!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER H19 UK MALE MID-60s, Irish descent and a regular visitor to Ireland. Semi-retired professional, single, never married, no children. Presentable, romantic, affectionate, positive outlook, GSOH, NS. Interests include travel, the great outdoors, Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 81

current affairs and sport. WLTM lady for romance, travel and shared adventures. Any area, age or status – all replies answered.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E1 NORTH CO DUBLIN LADY, 65, widow, considered attractive, blonde, 5ft 5in, medium build.

WLTM nice gentleman of similar age and situation for friendship/relationship. Interests include reading, music, cinema, dining out occasionally and love walking. Caring with a positive attitude and GSOH. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E2 HAPPY DUBLIN MAN 60s, never married, country origins. Respectful, joyful, caring. Interests include watercolour painting, walking.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E3 RETIRED CO MEATH PROFESSIONAL LADY, 80, widow, GSOH, seeks a warm and friendly educated gent for friendship and companionship, preferably from midlands. Age range 75-80. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E4 SOUTH DUBLIN GENT, MID 60s, retired public servant, height 180cm, medium build, good appearance. GSOH. NS, SD, healthy lifestyle. Interests include ballroom dancing, music (play instruments), current affairs, travel at home and abroad, eating out, cinema, concerts, bridge, reading, gardening, walking sport. WLTM cheerful lady nid-50s to late 60s to share some interests.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E5 YOUNG-LOOKING DUBLIN MAN, 65, 5ft 9in, NS, SD. Slim, likes to keep fit. Enjoy reading, walking, dining out and current affairs.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E6 LITHUANIAN WOMAN, 57, LIVING IN CAVAN, 5ft 6in, NS, ND, WLTM sincere gent aged 60 or more, willing to move if necessary.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E7 NORTHSIDE DUBLIN WOMAN, 60s, with some hearing difficulties WLTM a genuine single/widowed gentleman late 60s, early 70s.

NS, SD. Recently retired from civil service.

Country origins from farming background, no ties, loves country life, reading, art, traditional and classical music. Would like to share life with someone who values the simple pleasures and joys of everyday life; Midlands/Dublin preferable. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E9 RETIRED DUBLIN WIDOWER, 60s, NS, SD, GSOH. Interests include swimming, theatre, travel, current affairs, (living the days instead of counting the years). WLTM lady late 50s-early 60s with similar interests for friendship and let’s see how it goes.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E10 PETITE SOUTH DUBLIN BRUNETTE, 50ish, with soft brown eyes, WLTM affectionate gentleman for friendship who knows how to treat a lady. Must be interested in ballroom/jive/salsa, theatre, cinema, walking and travel, REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E11

UK CATHOLIC LADY LIVING IN CORK, married with family. Interests include dressmaking, crafts, reading (especially religious titles).

WLTM other ladies for coffee and friendship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E12 CHEERFUL MAN, 60s, LIVING IN DUBLIN but country origins, never married. Joyful, retired, positive, sincere, healthy, respectful. Regular walker, landscape painter, seeks romantic permanent relationship with interesting lady.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER E13 DUBLIN FEMALE 65, 5ft 3in, slim, relaxed outlook, young at heart, would love to feel happier.

Interests include social dancing, history, genealogy. WLTM a genuine man to enjoy the usual things such as eating out, cinema, theatre.

Looking for someone easy to talk to, have fun and bring a little anticipation and spark into life.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBDER E14 NORTH DUBLIN MALE, 80, looks years younger, widower, NS, SD, no ties, medium height, WLTM lady for friendship/relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C1 DUBLIN LADY, 65, RETIRED, WLTM respectful gentleman with similar interests which include cinema, history, reading and travel. Interested in friendship and possible relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C2 ROMANTIC CO DUBLIN MALE, LATE 70s, WLTM nice lady 50s-60s with romance in mind. Interest include cinema, theatre, current affairs and coffees for a chat. Young at heart and good sense of humour.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C3 SOUTH CO DUBLIN LADY, MID 50s, NS, SD, happy, easy going, GSOH. Interests include nature, animals, dogs, theatre, outings, concerts, afternoon tea, dining out. I lead a very busy life but there is room to share quality room with a decent, kind, intelligent gentleman 55-60 with common interests who is similarly seeking friendship, companionship and perhaps a lasting relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C4

and Europe. Age range 65-75 REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C7 DO YOU LIKE TO SOCIALISE? If so let’s stay vibrant with an enthusiastic group of friends by creating a singles group for Limerick and surrounding counties. Activities could include theatre, eating out, days away, walking trips etc. Your contact and input welcome.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C8 ARE YOU THAT ‘SPECIAL LADY’?

You replied to my advert B1 in the last issue of Senior Times but you did not leave your contact details. Look forward to hearing from you!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C10 SOUTHSIDE DUBLIN GENT, 65, NS, SD, caring, romantic, sincere. Interests include reading, writing, travel, eating out and cinema. WLTM lady of similar age and interests for friendship and possible relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C11 RETIRED DOCTOR, WIDOWER, 60s, NORTHSIDE DUBLIN. Interests include travelling, walking, golf, cinema and eating out. WLTM lady with similar interests.

REPLY TO BOXC NUMBER C12 MIDLANDS LADY 60s EDUCATED, honest and considerate, loves life, chats, laughs, current affairs, music and travel. WLTM a tall gent, preferably 50s to 60s for good times and relationship. Its now or never! So if you are that special person I would like to hear from you!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C13 YOUNG LOOKING DUBLIN WOMAN, 60, looking for a kind and honest 60-65 man to enjoy the simple things of life with. Interests include dining out, cinema and walking.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B2 DUBLIN MAN, YOUNG 72, likes the simple things in life, a joke and the craic. Seeks a similar broadminded woman to spend time with and see how it goes.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B3

SLIM, LAOIS-BASED FEMALE, 52, SELF-EMPLOYED, well-travelled, seeks respectable gent, 50-60, for companionship.

I’m 5ft 7in, attractive, single with no children. My Interests include walking, swimming, weekends away, yoga, meditation and social dancing.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C5

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

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B4

NORTH MIDLANDS GENTLEMAN, LATE 60s, NS, SD, kind, caring and considerate with GSOH, likes country music, dancing, gardening, eating out and weekends away. WLTM a mature, romantic lady who values the simple things in life, aged 55-65 for lasting relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER C6

SEPARATED CO LOUTH LADY, 61, WLTM men or women for social friendship, cinema, meals out, concerts etc. Age group 58-65. NS. Interested in those from Louth, Monaghan and Dublin. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B5

NORTHSIDE DUBLIN FEMALE looking to meet males or females for trips away at home

82 Senior Times ll March March -- April April 2019 2019 l lwww.seniortimes.ie www.seniortimes.ie 82

CO DUBLIN KIWI/IRISH LADY, late 50s.

NS, GSOH, positive outlook, kind, trustworthy.

Enjoys walking, travelling, rugby. WLTM a

gentleman for friendship, possible serious long term relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B6 NORTH DUBLIN MALE, 80, looks years younger. Widower, no ties, NS, medium height.

WLTM lady for friendship/relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B7 MEATH WOMAN, 50s, recently divorced, good looking, glamorous, vivacious, works in Dublin, no ties, travel a lot. WLTM educated, genuine, attractive male, 50s, for chat, friendship, possible travel companion. Loves outdoors, fine wine, weekends at home and away.

Online not for me. Independent males only!

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B8 LATIN CO CLARE LADY, 65, WLTM my other half. REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B10 MATURE, CHEERFUL, UNASSUMING compassionate, personable, warm lady, retired professional. WLTM educated, refined gent.

75 plus, for friendship and companionship, preferably from Midlands.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B12 WEXFORD MAN, LATE 60s. Interests include reading, walking, cooking, current affairs and gardening. WLTM lady for friendship/relationship.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B13 ATTRACTIVE RETIRED CO LIMERICK WOMAN, 60s, WLTM cheerful, friendly, commonsense male companion to share leisurely walking, holidays, laughter etc. NS. Based on Kerry border.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B14

NORTHSIDE DUBLIN MAN, romantic, discreet, broadminded WLTM lady 50s to 60s.

REPLY TO BOX NUMBER B16 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 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

TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT

If you are interested in meeting someone of the opposite or same sex, send your advertisement, with four stamps (which is the average reply rate) enclosed in the envelope, to: Meeting Place, Senior Times, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Or email: john@slp.ie

IMPORTANT

Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live, noting your interests. The advertisement should not be more than 60 words.

If you are replying to the advertisement via Senior Time’s email, ensure you include your postal address for those not on the Net. (Only Senior Times will have these details). Deadline for receipt of advertisements for the next issue is 24th July 2019.

TO REPLY TO AN ADVERTISEMENT Each reply to an advertisement should be enclosed in a plain, stamped envelope, with the box number marked in pencil so that it can be erased before being forwarded to the advertiser. Send these envelopes in a covering envelope to the address , above, so that we can forward them to the advertiser. There is no limit to the amount of advertisements to which you can reply, provided each one is contained in a plain, stamped envelope. Ensure you give your approximate age and the area you live.

For those submitting their advertisements by email ensure that you also supply Senior Times with your postal address so that we can post replies from those who have replied by post. (Only Senior Times will have your postal address).

Golf, spa and much more at Castle Dargan Set on 170 acres of rolling parkland in a stunning country setting, the 4-star Castle Dargan Resort, complete with a Darren Clarke designed golf course and Icon Spa, is the ideal venue for a relaxing break. Located just a short ten minute drive from Sligo town, the resort’s centrepiece is the opulent Castle Dargan House, built in the 18th century and lovingly restored to modern standards.

Castle Dargan Resort’s championship golf course, which was designed by 2011 British Open winner Darren Clarke, offers visitors 18 spectacular holes with a short game putting facility, a putting green, a driving range, golf shop and The Middleton Bar & Terrace, which overlooks the spectacular course.

For off the course relaxation, Castle Dargan Resort’s Icon Spa is an ideal destination for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation in Sligo. Complete with panoramic views over the golf course from the spa’s relaxation suite, Icon Spa offers treatments using beautiful marine based Thalgo products

Visit www.castledargan.com for special offers this summer.

Castle Dargan Resort, Ballygawley, Sligo. Tel: 071 911 8080 www.castledargan.com

Win 3 pairs of FREE tickets to visit the Epic Museum EPIC is an entertaining, accessible and educational day of family fun for kids, adults and grandparents alike. The museum is highly interactive, with easy-to-use technology and filled with stories of Irish people who travelled the world highlighting their achievements in music, literature, sport, politics, fashion and science. Epic is located in the historic CHQ building which includes a fantastic choice of cafÊs, restaurants and shops Luas: Red line, George’s Dock stop DART: 5 minute walk from Connolly and Tara Street Station Dublin Bus: Multiple routes stopping both outside CHQ and in surrounding areas Dublin Bikes: Station no. 8, right outside the door Parking: IFSC ParkRite (3 min walk) discounted parking for up to 3 hours available For Group bookings call (0)1 906 0861 www.epicchq.com

Senior Times, in association with Epic are offering three randomly selected correct crosswords a chance to win two free tickets to visit in 2019.

Name: ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Address: ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Phone: ................................................................................................................................................................................................

If you do not wish to receive further information from us please tick this box

Email:......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

84 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Send your entry to: Crossword Competition Senior Times magazine, Unit 1, 15 Oxford Lane Dublin 6 Alternatively : Take a picture of the completed crossword and email the image to dcronin@epicchq.com The selected Winners names will appear in the next issue of Senior Times due out in the summer.

Closing date: 30th June 2019

Crossword Crossword Number 99 by Zoë Devlin

ACROSS

DOWN

1 4 7 10 13 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 27 28 29 31 34 35 37 40 44 45 49 50 51 53 55 57 59 60 62 64 66 70 71 73 76 79 80 81 83 84 87 88 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 11 12 14 15 19 21 25 26 30 31 32 33 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 46 47 48 52 53 54 56 58 59 61 62 63 65 67 68 69 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 82 85 86 89 90 91

Can you dash for this Co Wicklow village? (7) Respiratory disease, causes wheezing (6) Late BBC broadcaster, Sir Terry ___ (5) Frank .. forthright (6) Pointed tool for punching holes (3) Charlie ___, comedian and film maker (7) Go down lanes to this stadium at ___ Road (9) See 97 Across (1'8) & 24 Across. Not the worst Rugby captain! (4,4) Insect such as Deathwatch ___ (6) Women’s underwear and nightclothes (8) See 20 Across Material effigy seen in a Lido? (4) Combatant such as Katie Taylor (5) Indolent - slothful (4) Senile clans prefer this to dirtiness (11) Countries, lands, states (7) End - bring to a halt - close (9) Close observer or viewer (9) Bountiful, giving, their badge is generosity (10) Existing .. actual .. real (7) Underside or lower side of anything (6) Lamp .. Chinese or magic? (7) Keyboard instrument played by John O’Connor (5) Utmost .. highest degree .. furthest point (7) Goods carried by large vehicle (5) William Butler ___, poet and dramatist (5) Leading lady such as Saoirse Ronan (7) Mistake .. fault (5) Massively destructive tidal wave (7) Popular 1980’s starter, ___ cocktail (6) Would Al pivot or be of crucial importance? (7) Rugby Union stadium in S.London (10) Small restaurant - sounds like ladies underwear (9) Surgical procedure or business activity (9) Large structure for open-air sports (7) Home of Scottish Rugby Union (11) Surface of a healing skin lesion (4) Courageous and resolute (5) Group of people related by blood (4) Rise in the sea, twice daily (4) Feline, kitty or easygoing person (5-3) Unaffected by or resistant to disease (6) Small inlet (4) Playwright such as Beckett or Wilde (9) Any animal that feeds on flesh (9) Hero-worship - revere (7) Type of cereal grass or whisky (3) Popular numbers puzzle (6) & 18 A. Captained our rugby team 2003-12 (5,9) Travelling through the air (6) Adroitness or ___ of hand (7)

Portable box-shaped musical instrument (9) Go solo to the capital of Norway (4) Involving risk .. unsafe (9) Rented patch of ground for vegetables (9) Painful or sensitive (6) Award or decoration for achievement (5) Excessively fat (5) Suffer anguish (7) In addition ... as well (4) Territorial jurisdiction of bishop (7) Romans wrote it XX (6) Run to this large pot! (3) Musical instruments that are plucked (5) Shelter with perches for birds or fowl (5) Spiritual being such as Gabriel (5) Small informal restaurant (6) Elaborate song from an opera (4) Rip off or deprive by deceit (5) Despairing, abject, insoluble (8) Portion of a circle (3) Form of quartz found near a gate? (5) Straw man to frighten off birds (9) Coach or private instructor (5) Funny sort of liquor? (3) Male goat (5) Strong liquor flavoured with juniper berries (3) Level surface for unwary planes to take off? (6) Understand and sympathise (9) Young child or movie about little pig? (4) Travel .. proceed .. depart (2) Extremely busy - working at mad pace (6) Surface of ground with grass & roots (4) Road raised above water or marshland (8) Addictive narcotic from poppy seed (5) Large trunk artery (5) National stadium in Paris, ___ de France (5) Short little editor! (2) Hurleys are traditionally made from ___ (3) Convulsive gasp made while weeping (3) Book of prayers needed to celebrate Mass (6) Egg-shaped (5) Skill in an occupation or trade (5) Ta, Da, for the information! (4) Help or assist (3) German city, site of trials of Nazi criminals (9) Decade from 1970-79 (9) Eskimo hut (5) Spiced mixture used in pies at Christmas (9) Hushed .. subdued (5) English author of ‘Kim’, ___ Kipling (7) Imaginary line around the Earth (7) Fasten, fix or make safe (6) Dublin’s Francis Street theatre (6) French singer ___ Distel (5) Determination of person’s innocence or guilt (5) Songbird or carefree episode (4) Half a dozen .. VI in Ancient 91 Down (3) City of Seven Hills and Sistine Chapel (4) Senior Times l March - April 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 85

Motoring

New Ford Fiesta takes an ‘active’ role.

Breda Corrigan tests the toughened-up Fiesta crossover/SUV

The latest-generation Ford Fiesta has already proved to be a runaway success since going on sale here late last summer - quickly picking up where its predecessor left off, at the top of the sales charts in Ireland, and across Europe too.

Increased ride height With so many car buyers moving towards compact crossover/SUV bodystyles, it was only a matter of time before Ford jumped on the bandwagon. Having the wonderful new Fiesta as a basis to work from, Ford launched the all-new Fiesta Active to great acclaim. With the Fiesta Active, Ford has taken the Fiesta and toughened it up. As well as increasing its width by 30mm and its ride height by 18mm (when compared to the standard Fiesta’s dimensions), it has added plastic body cladding and roof rails for the full 4x4 look. Ford expects the Fiesta 86 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

Active to account for approximately 15 per cent of Fiesta sales.

Appealing new addition With the Zetec, Titanium, sporty ST-Line and the posh Vignale versions, the Fiesta has already proven itself to be a brilliant car that appeals to a number of different buyers. Having the new Active model in the line-up will certainly add even more impact to the Fiesta’s appeal.

One engine, two power outputs Just one engine is available in the all-new Fiesta Active range – a 1.0-litre EcoBoost (petrol) engine in 85PS, or 100PS guises. A six-speed manual gearbox sends power to the driving wheels at the front of the Fiesta Active, while a 5-door-only bodystyle provides the car with the utmost in practicality.

Motoring

Test car My test car was a new Fiesta Active 2, 1.0-litre EcoBoost with 100PS (or just under 99bhp, if you prefer) and mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox. Finished in Frozen White paintwork, the car looked stunning with its contrasting black body cladding and black painted roof. Available in Active, and Active 2 trim levels, a generous standard equipment level is guaranteed, no matter which you choose. Standard Active 2 specification includes 17in Shadow Black alloy wheels, black roof with black roof rails, B&O premium audio system with a 10-speaker 360-degree sound system, 8in touchscreen, cruise control, auto high-beam, driver alert, traffic sign recognition, auto wipers, auto dimming rear view mirror, front centre-armrest, illuminated front cup-holders, yellow colour theme for key interior areas, black headlining cloth, and many more comfort, convenience and safety features.

Power with economy The engine in my test car made the car very entertaining to drive, with plenty of power available when called upon. Producing 100PS, and 170Nm of torque, this sweet-revving engine is capable of propelling the car from 0-100km/h in 10.5-seconds, while consuming as little as 6.0-litres of fuel for every 100km’s driven on a combined driving cycle.

This engine truly does offer the perfect balance of power and economy in equal measure.

High quality throughout When you open the door of the Fiesta Active, you notice the slightly higher driving position over the standard car, although it's raised by only 18mm, so you don't feel like you’re climbing in. The standard Fiesta’s

brilliant driving position remains intact, but the floor of the car is slightly further off the road below – leading to a little bit more ground clearance than the regular Fiesta. Inside the car, not much feels different from the standard Fiesta, with a general feeling of high quality throughout, combined with comfortable and supportive seats. The boot is capable of carrying a 311-litre load with the rear seats in place, or up to 1093-litres with the rear seats folded.

The Fiesta Active's suspension has been tweaked to better cope with sharp jolts, so it does a really good job of smoothing out nasty surfaces.

During my time with the test car, I found that the Fiesta Active is well able to soak up road imperfections with remarkable ease, thereby making the cabin of the car a relatively serene place to be. The cars steering feels well-weighted, and provides positive feedback to the driver at all times. This is helped by the premium feel of the cars leather-bound, multi-function steering wheel, which also benefits from easy adjustment.

Thankfully, all the other traits that make the Fiesta such a terrific small car remain. A further addition to the Active is the choice of three drive modes – Normal, Eco and Slippery. The two former settings are fairly self-explanatory, while Slippery adjusts the car's traction control to help when you're driving on lower-grip surfaces, like snow or mud.

Pricing and warranty The all-new Ford Fiesta Active is priced from just E18,885 (ex-works), while the range-topping Active 2 is available from E20,150 and offers terrific value for money. The Fiesta is a brilliant small car, and the Active is a genuinely impressive variant of it. The Fiesta Active benefits from Ford’s 7-Year/100,000km warranty for total peace of mind motoring.

Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie 87

Crafts Storm Emma and The Beast from the East Connie McEvoy is snowed in and is reminded of a bigger freeze in 1947..

On opening a new diary on the night of January 1st 2019 I was pleased to pen an entry as follows: ‘A beautifully bright, mild sunny day’. Then before putting my 2018 one with the other old diaries I decided to read it from start to finish in an effort to balance the highs with the lows that were experienced as that journey was travelled. All things considered it was as normal as most years for me because there was the arrival of new babies, weddings, special birthdays, leaving and junior cert exams and graduation celebrations but sadly there was a family bereavement also when a sister-in-law passed away in February, may Kathleen rest in peace.

‘Monday February’,I wrote,’Coldest day yet, snowflakes sprinkled us all day, got kerosene for Aga and central heating. Feb 27th even colder and snow showers morning and afternoon but snowed all night, everywhere white before going to bed. Feb 28th everywhere snow covered, all schools closed bitterly cold and fierce gales. Jerome (my son) unable to return from Manchester--all planes grounded and all train stations closed. March 1st fierce weather altogether, drifts all day, north easterly wind causing havoc. March 2nd weather ditto, beast from the east and storm Emma continued all day, needed heating, fire and electric heater on and was house bound all day--luckily we didn’t lose power here.

March 3rd ditto still snow flurries, no newspapers, thaw started afternoon. My nephew Aidan’s wedding reception was cancelled today by the hotel due to the fact that it was impossible to have supplies delivered and that staff would be unable to access the venue (it was re scheduled to the month of May and we all enjoyed a beautiful celebration then).

March 4th was cold, still windy with lots of showers but at last I was able to go outdoors.

During the height of the storm the wind caused the trap door to the attic to rattle and bang loudly, so it was necessary to see if something could be done that might help to eliminate that extra annoyance and I duly climbed up there to investigate, then discovered that it possibly was as cold there as I imagined it would be outside even though it had been insulated some years ago. Having decided that there was no way that I could better the predicament myself the only option was to resign 88 Senior Times l May - June 2019 l www.seniortimes.ie

myself to endurance for the duration of this horrible storm, but in the heat of my comfortable kitchen. Just as I was about to climb down there I accidently struck the toe of my boot against an old small leather suitcase, this caused the contents to rattle and the lid to fly open and all at once I was taken back to the big snow of 1947.

This small suitcase though long forgotten and rather dusty contained seven or eight brown paper bags neatly placed lying in rows with the tops folded downwards on a large collection of very old and unusual buttons. During the big snow Grandma and Aunt Peg would spend most afternoons dressmaking, mending and darning so I was allowed to amuse myself going through their large work baskets and boxes for about six weeks and I couldn’t have been happier. They would also spend time during those long nights fixing broken necklaces, brooches, hatpins, bracelets as well as beaded purses, collars and cuffs. Aunt Peg made a beautiful bracelet for me because she was aware of the admiration that I had for the one that she had just made for herself and I wasn’t upset that she used a different colour scheme because she hadn’t enough of the beads that were used in hers.

As the cold was getting the better of me I decided to close this old suitcase and take it down the ladder to the kitchen where it would be possible to investigate further in comfort. The brown paper bags were full of old pieces of broken jewellery at various stages of repair, most of which consisted of black or jet pieces/beads with some white and amber interspersed. There is a bracelet that has been reconstructed on shirring elastic and almost ready to wear and earrings and brooches as well as a bog oak crucifix and lots of clip-- on ornaments/shoe buckles. I can still remember how Grandma laughed when I remarked that I didn’t like the black stuff, little did I think that I would be having another rummage as a way of passing my time in another snow storm during 2018.

Some of this black stuff has been arranged again by me, this time on a cushion- the brooch in the centre is in perfect condition and can be worn but I still don’t like black all that much!

AWARDtravel WINNING OFFERS luxury river cruises in Europe ................................................

We have enjoyed several holidays with Riviera but this “ was our first river cruise and we really enjoyed it. The Emily Brontë is a luxurious ship with a wonderful crew. ”

2020

NOW ON SALE

Mrs Owen

RIVER CRUISE

DURATION

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Enchanting Rhine & Yuletide Markets

5 days

€839pp

Amsterdam, Kinderdijk & the Dutch Bulbfields

5 days

€1,039pp

The Danube’s Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets

6 days

€1,019pp

Rhine Cruise to Switzerland

8 days

€1,829pp

Rhine & Moselle

8 days

€1,779pp

Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg

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€1,849pp

The Blue Danube – Vienna, Budapest & Salzburg

8 days

€1,249pp

Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence

8 days

€1,609pp

Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields

8 days

€1,419pp

The Seine, Paris & Normandy

8 days

€1,549pp

The Douro, Porto & Salamanca

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Medieval Germany

8 days

€1,779pp

NEW! Vienna, Bohemia & Treasures of the Danube

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Budapest to the Black Sea – Gems of Eastern Europe

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Holiday organised by and subject to the booking conditions of Riviera Travel, Chase House, City Junction Business Park, Malahide Road, Northern Cross, Dublin D17 (ATOL number 3430) Prices correct at time of print.