Travel & Leisure

1. Haymarket, Edinburgh Haymarket might not be the rst area of the city most people would think of visiting, it’s a little way out of the centre and away from the main attractions, but it has a certain charm to it that makes it one of my favourite places to be. Haymarket feels like a separate community from the rest of the city. It has a long row of shops, its own train station, restaurants and pubs, and even its own cathedral. You could miss St Mary’s Cathedral if you didn’t know it was there. As you walk down the high street of busy shops and cafés, the cathedral rises up behind the roofs, on a side street. It’s worth seeking out if only to see the incredible Eduardo Paolozzi stained glass window.

2. Eilean Shona e private island that inspired J.M. Barrie’s “Neverland,” Eilean Shona allows guests to escape to the wilderness while enjoying both cozy croft comfort and a touch of luxury at its nine luxury boutique holiday cottages. Only a short boat ride from the mainland, over the still waters of Loch Moidart, the threemile-long island boasts 2,000 acres of pristine moor, hills, and woodland crisscrossed by tempting trails. Here, guests can walk for hours without seeing another soul and instead disconnect from the outside world and turn back the clock to a slower, gentle pace of life. Smartphones, tablets, and TVs are substituted by the stunning natural environment and the former village hall is stocked with ping-pong, board games, and books. If you want something a bit more active, Shona’s coastline is ideal for wild swimming, sea kayaking, paddle boarding, and generally messing about on boats. All the properties are within walking distance of Shoe Bay, Eilean Shona’s own secluded silver sand beach which is lapped by an aquamarine sea. It was here, during summer holidays taken in the 1920s, that the author and playwright J.M. Barrie took inspiration from the magical surroundings, the enchanted moss- covered woods, wild open hills, and white sand beaches, to create Neverland in Peter Pan.

3. Dornoch On the drive up to Dornoch, you cross water a fair few times and it’s soon clear that water forms a big part of the landscape up here. Dornoch is a town right by the sea, and the beach here is windswept and unspoiled, but what makes this place really unique is the collection of landscapes that are gathered together all in one place. Two steps over the sand dunes from the beach, the golf course rumbles out. You can walk across designated paths, as long as you listen out for the call of “fore,” which means a golf ball could be hurtling your way! If you like to play golf, you won’t nd a more beautiful place for it. A two-minute walk away is the town, where you can shop for handmade chocolates and whiskey, and see the old castle, which is now a hotel. And then there are the woodland walks that meander around the town and take you back towards the beach.

4. Bruce- eld Estate

Bruce eld Estate in Forestmill, Clackmannanshire, dates back 700 years to when it was part of the Barony of Schenbothy. e estate was rst owned by the Stewarts of Rosyth. Bruce eld Estate is now owned by Victoria Bruce-Winkler, a biologist who returned home to manage the Estate in 2012. e family has ancestry dating back to Robert the Bruce. e estate covers 420 hectares of semi-ancient birch, oak, and Scots pine woodland, pasture, and arable farmland, dotted with dry stone dyke walls. e 10-year wildlife plan monitors and manages the diverse habitats on the estate which include a wealth of wildlife including bats, barn and tawny owls, pine martens, red squirrels, rare wild owers, butter ies, and plant species. e estate is located o the A907, a 40-minute drive from Glasgow and 50 minutes from Edinburgh. e Estate is a 30-minute cycle from Alloa train station along the almost tra c-free Inner Forth Route.

5. Dundee e city of Dundee has many attractions and, in some ways, it’s an underrated, lesser-visited Scottish city, but there’s one thing in particular that makes it unique: I can’t think of any other Scottish city with the kind of street art Dundee has. You have to be a certain age to remember the comic characters Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx, but stroll through the city center of Dundee and you can see them as large as life in their sculptured form. Caught midstride through the streets, Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx play out a section from the comic strip they once inhabited. ere’s also now a sculpture of a polar bear chasing a man through the street, taken from a real life event that happened in Dundee in 1878, when a polar bear did indeed escape from a traveling show and made his bid for freedom.

5 places that are the best in Scotland

The three most tranquil spots in Europe

TO get you in the mood for some inner peace, here are the top three tranquil spots in

Europe.

3. Hvar, Croatia

is small but perfectly formed Croatian island made it into the top three because of its charming seafront location and small population. It also boasts the best hotel access in Europe, according to the study. If you’re planning a trip to this Adriatic idyll, stay in Hvar town so you can experience all the island has to o er, including glamorous nightclubs and wineries where you can sample local Dalmatian wines. Further a eld (literally) if you’re staying on Hvar in late spring and early summer, make sure to visit the island’s famous lavender elds when they’re in full bloom.

2. Gruyeres, Switzerland

If you love cheese, then Gruyeres is the ideal place for you. Nudging its way into number two due to its collection of peaceful spas, this medieval town also boasts some of the cleanest air in Europe, thanks to the snow-capped mountains that surround it. As expected, there’s plenty of cheese on o er in Gruyeres. So whether you like your cheese in the form of fondu, melted over macaroni or served in a soup (soup de chalet, made from Swiss cheese and potatoes is a local speciality), there are lots of cheesy options available. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the town is fully pedestrianised and boasts a 13th century castle.

1. Zahara de la Sierra, Spain

Strolling into the number one spot, with breathtaking views and a tiny population, is this town in the south of Spain. Sitting in a rugged mountainous region, Zahara de la Sierra overlooks a valley and a lake. It’s also close to a wide variety of luxury spas and is less well known online, meaning you can escape the usual crowds of tourists. Located in the province of Cadiz in Andalucia, the town is a pretty mix of churches, souvenir shops and bars, many of which overlook the scenery below. ere’s a 14th century castle to explore, as well as a man-made beach. If you like watersports, you can hire a kayak, or simply sit on the shores and watch the world go by while enjoying some Tortillitas de camarones (prawn fritters), one of the traditional dishes of Cadiz.

Sarah Noone is set to share her slimming secrets

A SLIMMER who transformed her life by losing 7 stone is using her success to shape a whole new career helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too.

SARAH NOONE joined her local Slimming World group in PORTLAOISE 1.5 years ago and dropped 7 stone.

SARAH NOONE has now trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation, with their national training academy. Now she is opening her own group in KILKENNY CITY at JAMES STEPHEN’S GAA CLUB on THURSDAY’S AT 7PM, opening night 4TH OF NOVEMEBR. e latest government gures reveal that around one in four adults are obese and it is estimated that, by 2034, this will increase to one in three.

She says: “Obesity is becoming such a huge issue across the UK and IRELAND. When I rst joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight but now I just can’t wait to get started. After losing 7st and completing my training, it’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to target.

“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost 7 stone without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own Consultant and group. As someone who has lost weight myself I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey. at’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun.

“Like a lot of slimmer’s, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate. I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World it was di erent. I never felt like I was on a diet. e eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, lling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and sh, you are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself.

“Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Our Body Magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people, many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced to take part in activity at school, how they can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running. Everything counts from walking to gardening to washing the car. I love running to get my Body Magic! As a Consultant it’s my role to create that warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others - it’s going to be great fun!”

Like SARAH, Slimming World Consultants are all former members who have lost weight at their local group themselves and groups are set up as micro businesses in the heart of local communities. ere are currently around 4,000 Slimming World Consultants across the UK and Ireland running 15,000 groups. Consultants receive training in Slimming World’s healthy eating and physical activity programs and learn how to use the power of group support to empower members to take control of their own weight loss journey.

ELLEN DOOLAN who runs Slimming World’s WATERFORD, DUNMORE ROAD group and manages SARAH NOONE as a Team Developer, says: “Slimming World Consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others. With SARAH’S experience of being a successful Slimming World member and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour I just know that she’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight.”

SARAH’S Slimming World group will be held at JAMES STEPHEN’S GAA CLUB every THURSDAY at 7PM from 4TH OF NOVEMBER. For more information or to join SARAH ’S group either pop along on 4TH OF NOVEMBER or call her on 087 3711855

ABOUT SLIMMING WORLD

Slimming World was founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell (OBE, FRSA) in 1969. ere are now more than 14,000 weekly groups supporting 800,000 members across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Groups are run by a network of 4,000 community-based Slimming World Consultants, who receive speci c training in the role of diet and physical activity in weight management, as well as sophisticated behaviourchange techniques.

Consultant training is delivered through the Slimming World Academy. Slimming World also invests in a comprehensive research programme to develop its support for longterm weight management. e group support provided by Slimming World is recognised as e ective by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the NHS.

For more information about Slimming World’s approach visit www.slimmingworld. co.uk or call 0344 897 8000. For the Press O ce please email public.relations@slimming-world.co.uk

Follow Slimming World on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ slimmingworld or become a Slimming World fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ slimmingworld

United to increase daily ights into New Jersey

UNITED Airlines will increase its frequency from Dublin to its New York/Newark hub from once to twice daily, starting Next April. e additional year-round service joins United’s existing seasonal direct service from Dublin to Chicago, as well as seasonal direct services from Dublin to Washington Dulles and Shannon to New York/Newark that are planned to resume in 2022. e additional ight from Dublin is part of United’s largest transatlantic expansion in its history announced today, including 10 new routes and ve new destinations – Amman, Jordan; Bergen, Norway; Azores, Portugal; Mallorca, Spain and Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands. e new routes, which are set to begin in Spring 2022, are not served by any other North American carrier.

Additionally, next year, United will add new ights to ve popular European destinations — Berlin, Dublin, Milan, Munich and Rome, as well as launch seven routes that were interrupted due to the pandemic from Bangalore, Frankfurt, Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, Nice and Zurich. Flights are subject to government approval.

“United is a valued customer serving Dublin Airport for more than two decades and we are particularly delighted to see this increase in frequency, it’s a very welcome boost to transatlantic connectivity” said Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison.

“We look forward to the full recovery of international travel and are committed to continuing to leverage our leading global network in new, exciting ways,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President International Network and Alliances.

Arts Council awards €13m. to 20 artists, & 163 bodies

THE Arts Council has announced that it is awarding 20 artists and 163 arts organisations some €12.8 million through Arts Grant Funding, a scheme under the agency’s 10- year strategy, Making Great Art Work. e council received 217 applications and was able to fund 183 recipients, making this year the biggest year for Arts Grant Funding so far. e purpose of Arts Grants Funding is to ensure that there is a breadth of high-quality arts activity and programmes throughout the country. It offers exible support for a xed period of time, and in so doing responds to the needs of those who are making, presenting and supporting work.

Maureen Kennelly, Director, Arts Council said: “ e breadth and range of applications is truly inspiring to see. Artists and organisations have su ered disproportionately through the pandemic and it is heartening to see the resilience of the arts sector. It is also encouraging to know that while we support these 20 artists and 163 organisations, they will in turn create thrilling new work and support the public as we recover together.

Prof. Kevin Rafter, Chair of the Arts Council said; “ is funding is another signi cant support for artists and arts organisations. Demand for funding was greater than it has ever been and the quality of applications was exceptionally high.” e funding will go to artists and arts organisations in 19 counties across Ireland, including Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford. ere are six new organisations that have received Arts Council funding for the rst time.

Match in the Dark is a newly registered partnership between Dani Gill and Brendan MacEvilly. It is concerned with: audience development in literature outside of the literary festival circuit, leveraging greater funding towards literature from local authorities and regional stakeholders.

Tipparary Dance Platform is responsible for a number of actions such as supporting professional dancers in Ireland, creating original dance work. Bullaun Press aims to bring to Irish readers a diverse range of literature translated into English. e press will promote the art of translation and engage with diaspora communities in Ireland.

Company Philip Connaughton is an ambitious, exciting dance company that engages with important issues to ask questions about society and the world around us.

Con Brio present national and international musicians at the top of their eld alongside emerging new talent. Whilst focussing on a classical repertoire, the series features contemporary compositions and regularly commissions new work; particularly from Irish composers.

Sans. PRESS is a project run by UL’s MA in Creative Writing alumni. eir concept is to unite di erent stories under a clear art direction, with stories by both emerging and established writers.

Win tickets to an exclusive Daniel O’Donnell concert and andovernight dinner and hotlel accommodation for fundraiser in memory of the slain McGinley children

THIRTY people will have the chance to win tickets for an exclusive Daniel O’ Donnell concert with overnight accommodation and food by Michelin chef Derry Clarke as part of a major ra e for As Darragh Did, the charity established in memory of Conor, Darragh and Carla McGinley.

Andrew McGinley created the As Darragh Did charity as one of a number of projects in memory of his late children. e McGinley children died tragically in January 2020. eir mother, Deirdre Morley, was found not guilty in relation to their deaths by reason of insanity at a trial in the Central Criminal Court earlier this year e Daniel O’ Donnell concert, taking place on June 2,2022, is part of a major fundraising drive by the As Darragh Did charity which helps support a range of community groups throughout the country. ere will be 30 winners of the ra e which is currently underway for a limited time.

Tickets are available on the website www.asdarraghdid. ie priced at €10 each with ve for €45 and ten tickets on sale for €85. Every winner gets the same prize which is for themselves plus three friends to attend an exclusive and intimate Daniel O’Donnell concert, overnight accommodation at the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel in Dublin, transport to and from the concert provided by Dualway Coaches, with food by Michelin starred chef Derry Clarke and Andrew’s

THIRTY people will have the 2,2022, is part of a major employer Sodexo. employer Sodexo. e draw is being made on December 15, a special date chosen so that 30 people get to celebrate as Andrew remembers his late daughter Carla on her fth birthday. “I wanted to create legacies in memory of my children so that their names would live on”, explained Mr McGinley. An important part of those legacies became a reality recently with the creation of the As Darragh Did charity which bears the name of Darragh, his younger son. e As Darragh Did charity has already helped community groups across the country. “We have helped Autism Supporting Diversity (ASD) Ireland who are based in Limerick and who provide socially inclusive activities socially inclusive activities for people with autism. ey asked us to help them let families know about them. In Cork we have helped with equipment for an outdoor community swimming pool in Carrignavar in recognition of the health, con dence and water safety aspects of learning and practicing swimming. In Donegal we helped with accessible swings and seating as well as a sensory den so that everyone could enjoy the outdoor space at Ray Community Centre together. ese are just a few examples,” explained Andrew. .

For further details of all Andrew’s work in memory of his children, please go to www. asdarraghdid.ie. And for those ra e tickets.

More actions ‘needed’ so as to reach 2030’s energy targets

THE need for further immediate action to reach our 2030’s energy renovation targets was stress at the Irish Green Building Council’s annual energy renovation conference.

An international study developed by E3G for the Renovate Europe Campaign analysing the share of funds in the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs) dedicated to energy renovation of buildings was launched at the conference. e study found that Ireland needed to improve its plan. In particular, Ireland failed to integrate how renovation of existing buildings could achieve multiple strategic objectives including improvement in health and wellbeing, increased employment and use of sustainable materials.

It also recommended the need for better monitoring and aggregation of data to measure impact, in short what is not counted doesn’t count. Adrian Joyce, Campaign Director at Renovate Europe said: “ e unprecedented additional injection of public funds presented by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is a golden opportunity to set our building stock rmly on the path to achieving our climate targets. But these renovations must be done properly, and the money must be spent well. And for this, we need deep (or staged deep) renovations. e Study sets out 9 recommendations that would allow Member States to implement transformative Plans and meet the Renovation Wave objectives.”

How to stop hiccups

ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST

BUDDY Holly and Michael Jackson shared the same talent for using a singing technique few artists even seriously attempt, never mind master. A vocal hiccup sounds a little like a singer struggling for air or gasping. Holly’s and Jackson’s work was full of it. It added texture to their records and cemented their place in the hearts of music a cionados of all ages. e former’s Peggy Sue and the latter’s riller are two great examples of where they utilised this sound but are far from the only demonstrations of their innate skill.

If you’re somebody with a good voice and the ability to master the vocal hiccup, maybe you should consider performing publicly. Whilst many people can carry a tune, few can add depth to their singing in this way. You could be the next Buddy or Michael!

Chances are though, your only experience of hiccupping is of the nuisance variety. All of us su er occasionally. Whether from eating too quickly, drinking too much zz, going swimming, supping a few pints or even just appearing spontaneously, hiccups can be a real pain. In fact, one of the most Googled health questions is “how can I get rid of my hiccups”?

Unfortunately, scienti c research on how to get rid of hiccups is sketchy. For a start, how would investigations be planned? It is extremely rare that anyone can make themselves hiccup at will or that they get long-term advance warning of a bout. Even the same activities produce di erent results. You could drink a litre of lemonade one day and be absolutely ne, a few sips another and you nd yourself in a full-on episode of “hic”.

Fortunately, folk cures do have some success with hiccups. ere are of course some which are wackier than others and carry somewhat less of a guarantee of working. Trying to gure out who misses you, putting wet things on your forehead and grasping your tongue with a handkerchief, preferably clean, are probably in this second category. ings which do work however include changing your breathing. Personally, I nd holding my breath usually gets rid of my hiccups. A minute or so is suf cient. Much longer than this brings a higher level of guarantee but only because you’ll probably kill more than your hiccupping. Given that’s a bit like throwing the baby out with the bathwater, you could instead try breathing into a paper bag, pulling your knees to your chest whilst leaning forward, drinking water from the opposite side of a glass whilst bending over. Getting scared, laughing spontaneously, rubbing the back of your neck and gargling with cold water are other things people use to get rid of their hiccups.

Finally, if you do nd hiccups are a persistent problem, consult your GP to nd out if there’s an underlying cause which can be treated. Alternatively, you could give something like hypnotherapy a go which has a good track record of treating minor complaints too.