mature living leinster edition

PROMOTING A HEALTHY & POSITIVE LIFESTYLE

July 2014

FOR THE OLDER, BOLDER INDIVIDUAL IN LEINSTER

2 NIGHTS LUXURIOUS STAY AT THEFORSTER COURT HOTEL IN GALWAY

Never too old toskydive!

Everyday tips forgreat skin

Inspired Plantingat Bloom

Births to mums over 50 soaring

THE countryside is emblazoned inbeautiful sunshine as we go to pressfor our July edition of Mature Living.

With so many FIFA World Cup enthusiastsglued to TV screens countrywide somewould wish the heat wave could be bottleduntil mid-July at the latest. For those ofyou who can enjoy it we encourage you toget out and savour the beauty of thecountryside – it’s healthy and good for the

economy, too.Our One-on-One personality, renowned Irish soprano/harpist

Mary O’Hara, is somebody who appreciates beauty and natureand she spoke to our Catherine Gilmartin from her home onthe Aran Islands where she lives with her husband, Patrick.Achieving national recognition at an early age Mary went onto make an influential contribution to Irish music, but manyaspect of her private life make for interesting reading as well.Throughout her life her strong faith has been central and shethanks God for her excellent health at 78.

When it comes to health we could all look to the Royalfamily for guidance on longevity and readers will beinterested to learn some “secrets” from the oldest reigningBritish monarch, Elizabeth, and her husband, Prince Philip. Inthe same vein we reveal that the number of women over theage of 50 having babies has doubled in the UK in the past fiveyears. We also talk about how to retain flexibility as we getolder.

As it’s summer we give some timely advice on how to enjoyyourself while protecting against some of hazards out there –like sun stroke, dehydration, bug bites and the like, whileproviding complementary tips to achieving great skin.

It’s gardening time, of course, and our award-winninggarden designer Leonie Cornelius features some of the latestplanting trends inspired by Ireland’s top designers andfeatured at this year’s Bloom in the Park. If you live a moresedentary life and have trouble sleeping you might beinterested in looking at our advice to achieve better sleepand brain health.

In our features we highlight some of the attractions ofWaterford and Wicklow – ideal holiday destinations in thebeautiful south-east, with a wide range of accommodationand activity options. For the more ambitious we feature someof UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites which are of major culturaland architectural interest.

We have many other articles and features of interest in ourJuly edition. The deadline for our August edition will be 18thJuly and we hope all our readers and advertisers have apleasant and enjoyable summer.

www.matureliving.ie

NewsOne to One with Mary O’HaraFocus on Wicklow7 Summer health hazards10 people whose livesbegan after 60The royal secrets oflongevityBirths to mums over 50soaringInspired planting @BLOOMThe Bands of ourShowband era Smart Sleeping: Top tipsfor better sleepA functional definition offlexibilitySix styles of lace to love10 Everyday tips toachieving great skinPets CornerTake the troubles awayfrom adventure travellingFocus on WaterfordAlternative TherapiesPuzzle PageCompetitionA taste of FranceAngelscopesTechnologyCard MakingServices Directory

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Seamus Casey - Editor

July 2014

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Editorial: Seamus [email protected]: Stephen [email protected] Sales: Lisa [email protected]

The information in Mature Living is carefully researched and believed to be accurate, but the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Statements or opinions expressed herein are notnecessary those of the editor or publisher. Advertisements within the publication are not endorsed by the publisher. Neither are any claims made within the advertisements. Before consuming any products mentioned in the

publication readers are advised to consult with their general practitioner or equivalent professional for opinion or advice.

Published by: Benbulben Publishing LimitedPO Box 41, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

Tel/Fax: 053-9270857Web: www.matureliving.ie • Email: [email protected]

LAST MONTH’S COMPETITION WINNERSCongratulations to last months competition winners. The breakaway to the Ashdown hotel in Gorey was won by LucyMcEvoy, Enfield Co Meath and the breakaway to Mount Falcon inBallina was won by Tommy Daly from Elm park, Lucan.

News

Mature Living July 2014

PREMIER INTRODUCTORY SERVICE

Get in touch with us today for more informationCall: 01-4945993 / [email protected]

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Trying to find that someone special, particularly as we get a bitolder can be a daunting experience. The unknown of on-linedating and some of the more traditional methods aren't for

everyone. We established Unclaimed Treasures to specificallycater for the needs of the over 40s to active retired in Ireland

Here at Unclaimed Treasures we want to bring the excitementof meeting new people back to our members.

Belleek Castle: Best HotelRestaurant in Connaught

George Hook, was joined on thegolf course by his son Georgeand grandson George to help

Breakthrough Cancer Research launchtheir Drive for Dads campaign, tofundraise for research into cancersaffecting men.

The campaign is twofold, withmembers of the public beingencouraged to text GOLF to 50300 tomake a €4 donation to BreakthroughCancer Research to support theirdads, granddads, uncles, brothers,husbands and friends. While thesecond element of the campaign willsee participating golf courses andclubs throughout Ireland add €4 tomembers and non-members greenfees over the summer months. Wehave once again teamed up withTitleist #1 ball in golf, to offer golfersthe chance to win 1 of 5 prizes of a

year’s supply of Titleist golf balls.All monies raised through the Drive

for Dads campaign will specifically gotowards research into lung, testicular,prostate, and stomach cancers.Currently Ireland has the higheststatistics of prostate cancer in Europewith the disease affecting one inevery 13 men in the country. Over90% of those diagnosed withtesticular cancer are younger than50, and lung cancer is the cause of20% of all cancer deaths in Ireland.Breakthrough Cancer Research iscurrently working to fund researchthat will reduce these startlingstatistics.

Commenting on the appeal, GeorgeHook Snr said, “As a proud father,golfing fanatic and supporter ofBreakthrough Cancer Research, Icannot think of a better gift a dad

could receive on Father’s Day thanthe opportunity to help save the livesof men throughout Ireland in theirfight against cancer. I’ll mostcertainly be joining the ‘Drive forDads’ campaign this Father’s Day andurging everyone to text GOLF to50300 to make a €4 donation toBreakthrough Cancer Research inhonour of their dad, granddad, uncle,brother or husband. We men arenotorious for not taking the correct,if any, action when it comes to ourhealth. I am delighted to see the‘Drive for Dads’ initiative makingmoves to increase awareness andcarry out important research inIreland into new treatments forcancers affecting men. ”

Eoghan O'Sullivan, campaignmanager at Breakthrough CancerResearch, said, “We are really lookingforward to getting the ‘ball rolling’ onthis year’s Drive for Dads campaign.35,000 people will be diagnosed withcancer in Ireland this year, 8,500 willdie because the cures to save theirlives have not been developed, yet!Our Drive for Dads campaign letspeople donate to our ongoingresearch in as easy a way as possible,by text! All people have to do is textGOLF to 50300 to make a €4 donationto cancer research. We are delightedto once again have the support ofTitleist as we drive a wedge intomen’s cancers”. “The Drive for Dadscampaign will not only help to spreadawareness but it will raise vital fundsto bring new treatments to fruition sowe can dramatically reduce thesefrightening statistics. We areappealing to everyone to help us inour drive for a future free of cancerthis Father’s Day.” So if you want toscore a hole in one this Father’s Day,text GOLF to 50300 or bring your dadalong to one of the participating golfcourses or clubs, or play a round inmemory of your loved one.Participating clubs can be viewed onthe event page www.drivefordads.ieor by calling 1890 998 998.

Three generations of George Hook's support Breakthrough Cancer Research's Drive for Dads Campaign

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Great news for Belleek Castle, Ballina this week.Belleek Castle took home the prestigious prize of BestHotel Restaurant in Connaught at the Irish RestaurantAwards 2014. Also, our Restaurant Manager Daniel Mayrwas awarded the Best Restaurant Manager inConnaught! The “Food Oscar” crowns the TopRestaurants in Ireland. Over 900 restaurateurs andindustry players came to attend Ireland’s biggestRestaurant awards where Regional and All-IrelandWinners were announced. Hence, the Restaurant at Belleek Castle is the onlyplace in town that has won an RAI Award this year, andwe are very proud to say we are flying the flag forBallina! “A lot of hard work has gone into thisfantastic result! The lead into 2014 has been excellentfor us, also winning the Georgina Campbell's 'JUST ASK'Bord Bía Restaurant of the Year.” says Head ChefStephen Lenahan. “It shows us that we are going in theright direction. Ballina is a great place to dine withseveral excellent restaurants, and Belleek Castle issetting new standards in the area.”

Phone line for former residents of mother andbaby homes set up

Charlie Flanagan the minister frochildren has set-up a dedicatedphone line and counselling

service for former residents ofmother and baby homes.The move follows the establishmentof a Commission of Investigation intothe high-rate of infant mortality inCatholic Church run mother andbaby homes.“There are a number of servicesavailable to those affected by thematters being considered in the con-text of mother and baby homes,”the minister said.“In particular, I am conscious thatthere is a demand for informationand my Department has worked with

the HSE in relation to arrange-ments for the provision of informa-tion,” he added.An update on the inquiry announcedby the Minister includes:• An information & counselling serv-ice for former residents.• New email address for submissionson Terms of Reference of Commis-sion of Investigation ([email protected]).• Dedicated telephone informationline for people seeking informationor details of support available.The Department is seeking submis-sions from the public which could berelevant to the scooping exercisewhich will form the terms of refer-

ence.It is specifically looking for details ofmother and baby homes which couldpotentially be included in the in-quiry.Those seeking information on the in-quiry should low call the HSE Na-tional Information Line on: 1850 241850 during Monday to Friday 9am to5 pm.Those directly affected can also con-tact the CONNECT free telephoneout-of-hours professional counsellingand support service to speak with atrained counsellor: Freephone 1800477 477 from the Republic of Irelandand 00800 477 477 77 from NorthernIreland and the UK.

George Hook, Jnr, Mnr and Snr help Breakthrough Cancer Research to launchtheir Drive for Dads appeal. The Drive for Dads campaign focuses on thedevelopment of new treatments for the cancer’s affecting men, BCR areencouraging people to Text GOLF to 50300 to make a €4 to BCR and enter thedraw to win one of 5 fantastic prizes of a year’s supply of Titleist golf balls. Pic Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Google and Age Actionhave joined forcesonce again to search

for Ireland’s top SilverSurfers. The Awardscelebrate and showcaseolder peoples’ use of theinternet and technology.Winners of each award willreceive a Chrome Book.

This year we are lookingfor enthusiastic people overthe age of 50 who have aninteresting story to shareabout how they use theircomputer and the internet

and who will become a rolemodel to inspire more olderpeople to embracetechnology.

We are calling on peopleacross Ireland to nominatea friend, neighbour orrelative who usestechnology for pleasure oras a way to enhance thequality of their life.

The public can nominatesomeone for an award byfilling in an online formhere or by phoning Anne-Marie on 01 475 6989. The

closing date for nominationsis Sunday 5th October.

This is the sixth year ofthe awards and there arefive award categories asfollows:

New to IT Award A personover the age of 50 who isnew to technology and hasovercome challenges tobecome an IT user Hobbieson the Net Award An olderperson who uses theInternet to pursue theirpassion or hobby or whouses IT for communication

and social networkingIT Tutor(s) of the Year An

individual or group of anyage who provides voluntarysupport to older learners

Google Silver SurferAward An older person whoembraces the Internet ortechnology with a sense offun and adventure

Golden IT Award Anindividual over the age of80 who uses technology toenhance their life

Conditions: Those whoentered in previous yearscan enter again this year.Winners may need toengage in promotional workfor the awards.

Photographs of winnersand nominees together withtheir names and ages maybe used in publicitycampaigns. The awards areopen to all in the

island of Ireland. An olderperson is defined as beingover the age of 50.

The winners of theGoogle Silver Surfer Awardswith Age Action will beannounced at an awardsceremony on Monday 20thOctober at GoogleHeadquarters in Dublin.The Judging Panel isresponsible for theallocation of awards andthe decision of theChairman of the JudgingPanel is final. Nocorrespondence will beentered into regarding thatdecision.


News

One of Wicklow’smost iconic touristattractions has

undergone a tremendous€240,000 transformation,which sees the ancientprison become one of thecountry’s most high techvirtual reality historicattractions.

The project funded byFáilte Ireland and WicklowEnterprise Park is designedto engage the senses andbring to life two of themost turbulent centuriesof Irish history.

Holographic projectionsof cruel prison guards,lifelike mannequins ofmajor historic figures andstate of the art audio-visual systems recreatethe sounds of the defiantcries of the 1798 rebels,the famine era the War ofIndependence and CivilWar.

The replica two-decktransportation ship now

features holographicinteraction with the ship’sCaptain as visitors climbaboard the torturous 200-day journey to VanDiemens land.

Iconic historic figuresincluding Robert ErskineChilders (father ofPresident Childers)Wicklow United IrishmanBilly Byrne, the tragicfemale transportee ElizaDavis, Fr. Eoin McPhee thefirst ever prisoner listed inthe Gaol (arrested forsaying a Rock Mass) andmany other unforgettablecharacters have entirecells dedicated to tellingtheir story, with imposinglife-size figures andcaptivating audio-visualinterpretation.

The Red Coats ominouslyoccupy the main floor ofthe prison and GovernorEdward Storey is broughtto life via holographicaudio visual projections.

Designed to engage allthe senses, visitors willstep back in time as theyjourney through theoriginal prison cells andexperience a new era oflife in Gaol as they movethrough the building.

Descend into thedungeon and see thetorture methods; climbaboard the replicatransportation ship for anagonizing journey to VanDiemens Land; wanderthrough the cells and meetthe notorious protagonistsof the 1798 rebellion andexperience theovercrowding of thefamine era, ascend intothe Irish War ofIndependence and CivilWar when Wicklow Gaolfinally closed its doors as aprison for good.

But not all of theprisoners left! Learn whyWicklow Gaol is world-renowned as Ireland’s

most haunted building…The new experience also

includes audio handsets infour languages, interactivepoints for children and agenealogy room whereIrish and overseas visitorscan research theirancestry.

The new multimediatransformation at the Gaolcoincides with the launchof some unique eventsincluding new teams ofovernight paranormalinvestigators, sleepovers inthe cells, Birthday parties,anniversaries and eventsfor other specialoccasions.

For further informationsee: www.wicklowshistoricgaol.com or call 0404 61599.

Emily Cox, CoxCommunications,[email protected]

€240,000 transformation sees Wicklow Gaolbecome premier multi-sensory tourism hub

Google Silver Surfer Awards 2014

By Patricia Conboy

The bank bailout in2008 imposed aheavy burden on Irish

people. The cost has beenestimated at €8,956 forevery man, woman andchild in the country. Inaddition, the effects ofausterity measures haveprobably been felt by

every family in terms of new taxes and cuts to healthand social protection budgets. Inevitably, asgovernment budgets have tightened, there has beena public debate on the impact of austerity ondifferent sections of the population. When it comesto older people, the debate has often been skewedby an assumption that older people form a uniformgroup and have not suffered as badly as others. Inthis context, there are some points worthhighlighting.

Older people are not all the same. As readersknow, this is a group that differs by age, socio-economic, health and family status. The impact ofausterity measures on older people is influenced bythese factors, and their experience over the life-course. In reality, people’s circumstances changesignificantly as they move from being ‘youngold’(65+) to being ‘old old’(80+).

There are older people who are poor; older peoplewho are on modest incomes; and older people whoare well-off. According to the CSO, in 2011 peopleaged 65 and over had an average gross income of€407.28 per week. However, if we look at howincome is distributed among the over 65s, we seesignificant differences. Those in the lowest 20 percent of income (or quintile) had a gross income of€185.45 per week. The source of 85.6% of theirincome was social transfers (i.e. State Pension &related benefits). No more than 3% of income forpeople in this group came from occupationalpensions. Those in the highest 20 per cent of income(or quintile) had a gross income of €842.14 per week.Social transfers accounted for 37.3% of income in thisgroup and 27% came from occupational pensions.

Inequality in early life carries into old age. Forexample, pension coverage in the working agepopulation is inadequate at roughly 54%. Peoplewithout pension provision will be poorer in later life.Those with inadequate pension provision includelarge numbers of women, low-paid, part-time andcasual workers. People need to have sufficientincome to save for their pension and many cannotafford to do so; or cannot afford to save enough tosecure a decent income. Government promotespension saving through a system of tax reliefs.However these reliefs have consistently favouredhigher income earners (See Adam Larragy (2013), AUniversal Pension for Ireland, Social Justice Irelandfor an analysis of this and other pension issues).

We need to situate people in the context of theirlife-course. When people are younger, typicalchallenges are to get on a career ladder, access amortgage, start a family. As people move into olderold age, they face challenges such as the potentialloss of independence, acquired disability, need forsocial, hospice or nursing home care, loss of largernumbers of family and friends to death.

If we see people in context, recognise andacknowledge the challenges that arise at differentpoints of the life-course, our discussion of the effectsof austerity will be more humane, balanced andnuanced. We may have to wear an economicstraitjacket but we don’t have to ration ourcompassion for each other.

Twitter : @PatriciaConboy1 ;https://www.facebook.com/AgePolicyAnalysis

Older People donot form a uniform group

News


Never too old to jumpfrom a helicopter One of the biggest concerns of the

elderly is being able to afford theirhealth cover policy with about

300,000 people having cancelled due to theannual prices increases from all 4 healthinsurance companies people are fallingback on the already under pressure publicsystem. Recent figures from the National TreatmentPurchase Fund show that there areapproximately 50,000 people awaiting

inpatient and day case procedures so going public isn’t an option forpeople who can’t afford to wait for procedures. Also you have to bearin mind going the public route isn’t exactly free unless you’re amedical card holder you will have to pay the public hospital levy of€75 per night up to a maximum stay of 10 days in any 12 monthsperiod, so that’s €750 to stay in hospital for a short to medium term.So what can people and in particular the elderly do to help try andkeep a hold of their medical insurance having paid into it for yearswithout claim and just when they need it most they are being pricedout of the market?1- Be prepared to take a small excess on your policy, the excess is theamount you will pay for any claim it can be as little as €75 on beingadmitted to a private hospital or as large as €500 depending which planand company you are with and it can bring down the cost of yourannual premium. There is no excess for public hospital and check withyour insurer that the excess isn’t a daily excess as that will work outvery expensive.2- Get rid of the extras, most people want to be covered for the bigmedical emergencies in public hospitals with access to privatehospitals if needs, if your plan covers day to day expenses and youaren’t claiming them best move to a hospital only plan, day to dayexpenses would include getting money back for GP visits consultantsetc.3- Ask your health insurance company for the corporate planequivalent (plans that are offered to large companies) don’t be put offby the names of the plans Company Plan etc. these plans are availableto all and in a lot of cases have better benefits and cheaper premiumthan the plans offered to the general public. Most of the older clients Ispeak to are in the traditional old Plan B space that most were coveredon at one stage moving from that to a Corporate Plan can mean bigsavings without reducing your cover. 4- Look to the newer plans that may limit your access to the high techhospitals Blackrock, Maher etc. but still cover you for all public and alot of other private hospitals. Depending on where you are in thecountry you may never end up using one of the high tech hospitals butyou are paying for them with your annual premium.5- Don’t be afraid to split cover when renewing a family plan or a planfor a couple if one member of the couple is more likely to be using aprivate hospital in the coming year they need to be on the correctlevel of cover but the other person may consider a reduced plan ortaking on an increased excess to keep costs down.

Health cover is a huge concern for the elderly but if you know theright questions to ask your provider will be able to help you maintain adecent level of cover by trimming off some of the fat i.e. benefits,hospitals you may not be currently using. But as always let the buyerbeware there are pitfalls when changing cover and you mustunderstand the up-grade rule if you reduce your cover and want to goback to a higher level plan you may have to wait 2 years if you areunder 65 and 5 years if you are over 65 for the higher benefits to kickin.In my experience a lot of mature people are still on the old legacyplans and are paying for the private room in the private hospital and byswitching plans you may give your policy the health check that it islong overdue. Seek out independent advice speak to your healthinsurance company and use the Health Authority website www.hia.iewhich is a very useful guide to comparing plans.

Mark Gilmore is a QualifiedFinancial Adviser who ownsMoney Tree Financial Servicesand can be contacted on 087-6788975 or by email [email protected] Gilmore trading asmoney tree financial servicesis regulated by the CentralBank of Ireland

Is your Health InsurancePlan Due a Health Check?

FORMER US president George Bush celebrated his 90th birthday bymaking a tandem parachute jump near his summer home in Maine.The 41st president jumped out of a helicopter while harnessed to aretired member of the army's parachute team. Mr Bush, who can no longeruse his legs, could be seen floating to the ground using a red, white andblue parachute. RIGHT: ormer first lady Barbara Bush greets her husbandand former U.S. President George H.W. Bush with a kiss after hissuccessful skydive

Dementia – A Legal PerspectiveHome Instead Senior Care in

Ballsbridge recently hosted atalk on the legal aspects

associated with caring for personwith dementia. With an increasingnumber of people being diagnosedwith dementia the importance ofgaining relevant and practicalinformation can not be overemphasised. Providing thisinformation to health careprofessionals and personalcaregivers is important to HomeInstead. Presented by BernadetteParte, a solicitor with an expertisein Mental Health Law and Elder Lawthe Ballsbridge office welcomedhealth care professionals from eightprimary care teams. Topicscovered included:

The importance of making a will -including when a person has or hasnot capacity to make a will.

Establishing an Enduring Power ofAttorney – positive and negativeconsiderations

Advanced care directives –advantages and limitations

Protecting and supportingvulnerable people in the communityand the legislation that supportsthem.

Disclosure and reporting –responsibility and protection for all

Following the talk there was avery lively and interactive questionand answer session.

Pictured above is Karl Schutte, Managing Director of HomeInstead Senior Care in Ballsbridge with Bernadette Parte,with Parte & Associates

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Feature by Catherine Gilmartin

Sligonative,Mary,

who nowlives in InisMor, AranIslands, wasborn in1935 into aprivilegedfamily. TheO’Haras go

back several generations; hermother is from another ancientGalway family, Kirwan, one ofthe twelve tribes of Galway.Her mother and father metwhen they were at GalwayUniversity.

In her autobiography Mary,the youngest of four children,felt that her mother had apreference for the eldestdaughter, Joan. They had acompanionship between themthat was not shared by the rest

of the children. Joan and hermother would spend a lot oftime together and would go outleaving Mary and her brotherbehind with the maid. Marythinks her mother was not verymaternal. She always felt aplain Jane as her mother alwaystold her she was pale and it didnot help that she was given hersister’s cast offs to wear, whichdid not suit her; because Joanwas a dark beauty she lookedgood in dark colours so herdresses were mainly black orother dark colours which did notsuit Mary who was fair andalways looked pale in them. InMary’s opinion her motherregarded Joan as an extensionof herself. Apart from all thisMary had a very happychildhood and had a closerelationship with her father andbrother Dermot, who was justover a year older than her.

During Mary’s early years, herfather joined the British Army;he became a British Officer inthe Indian Army and was postedto the North West frontier forfive years; his letters, full ofaffection were really lookedforward to.

In her autobiography Marywrites that from an early ageshe knew there was somethingradically wrong with her

parents’ marriage. In her mindit was a disaster and she used topray that they would separate;her mother was very difficult toget on with. Everyone knewthat Mary sided with her fatherin their interminable conflict,and that if they separated shewould stay with him and Joanwith her mother.

When her father returnedfrom the war the disagreements

began again. Her mother drankheavily for a long time and diedwhen Mary was just seventeen.As she had been at boardingschool she never experienced anadult relationship with hermother, so never got to knowwhat the reasons were behindher becoming an alcoholic andher black depression.

Mary was thirteen when shewas sent to boarding school,

Mary O’HaraThe Voice of an angel

Catherine Gilmartin spoke to Mary O’Hara, an Irish Soprano and Harpist from County Sligo, who has made a groundbreaking contribution to Irish music. Mary hasplayed an influential role in shaping and promoting Irish music throughout the world for decades to come through her recordings, radio, worldwide concert toursand TV appearances.


Sion Hill, next door toBlackrock College in Dublin,where Dermot went. As Joanwas also in Dublin, at the AbbeySchool of Acting, her parentsdecided to move to Dublin, soMary left Sligo.

By this time Mary had won herfirst competition at eight yearsold - Sligo's annual Music andDrama singing competition. Atthe age of 16 she had a radiobroadcast under her belt. Shewent on to perform at EdinburghInternational Fringe Festivalwith the Dublin UniversityPlayers, and appeared on BBC’sQuite Contrary and The EdSullivan Show before starring inher own BBC television series.

At the age of 20, Mary wasintroduced to American poet,Richard Selig, in July, 1955; shefell in love and married him in1956. They moved to theUnited States but sadly Seligdied of Hodgkins disease 15months after their marriage,and Mary continued to tour andrecord for four years.

In 1962, she became aBenedictine nun at StanbrookAbbey in England, where shestayed for 12 years. I asked herif it was loneliness thatprompted her to join the nunsbut she said: “No, I never feltlonely in my life, I love being onmy own, I love the silence, it isone of my biggest loves”. “Thereason I became a nun wasbecause I wanted to get toHeaven quicker to be with myhusband. If I had not been aChristian I would havecommitted suicide”. “It wasalso a way of saying thank youto God for 15 wonderful monthsof happiness”.

For health reasons Mary hadto leave the monastery in 1974and found that her musicalreputation had grown. Shereturned to performing and in amatter of months, she becomeone of the biggest internationalrecording stars Ireland has everproduced.

Former African missionarypriest Pat O’Toole became hermanager and close friend. Tenyears after Pat left thepriesthood they got married in

1985 and have been very happilymarried for the last twenty nineyears. They both have a verystrong faith after havingdevoted much of their lives toGod.

Mary O’Hara thinks highly ofPope Francis and believes hewill make radical changes in theCatholic Church. Her faith is ofthe utmost importance to herand she says that the recentrevelations about the CatholicChurch have not impacted herat all. She went on to say, “Yesthere are sinners in the Church,but look not on our sins but onthe Faith of our Church. Godhas an infinitely loving plan foreach and every one of us. Weall have free will, he just leavesit to us”. She believes inmiracles and quotes StAugustine, 5th Century, “A

miracle is contrary not to naturebut to what is known of nature”

We moved on to the subjectof the harp and her career as amusician, The harp has alwaysbeen a symbol of Ireland and ofIrish music and is still played bymany prominent artistes. WhenMary was interviewed by RussellHarty on TV, (a famous Britishpresenter who has now died),the public response wasoverwhelming and led to apublishers’ bidding war callingfor her to do an autobiography.The title of her first book, anautobiography, The Scent of theRoses, is taken from one of herfavourite songs; her other booksinclude A Celebration of Love,and A Song for Ireland, followedby Travels with my Harp in May2012. Mary retired from singingin 1994, and went on to say:

“Nothing would induce me to goback performing again; that wasmy decision when my voice wasstill at its best. “Since thencircumstances have intervenedand I began to transcribe thesongs and theiraccompaniments. Pat, myhusband, has been printing themon the Sibelius programme. Sofar, we have produced sixvolumes with twelve songs ineach. Each song is accompaniedby a CD, not just of traditionalbut Irish art songs and songsfrom other parts of the world,including France, so it has avery wide range. There is an11th Century French song andother beautiful ones that weresung on television so we wereable to retrieve them.Unfortunately, everything had tostop when Pat got sick. He wasstruck down with a very rareform of cancer that only twopeople in a billion suffer with.We may very well revive ourplans though because I have gotso many songs that people saythey would love to have writtendown”.

Mary says her health isexcellent and she puts this downto a well balanced diet. Sheeats a bit of everything but nottoo much and does not drinkalcohol, “I might have one glassof white wine once in a while!”she laughs, an infectious clearand beautiful sounding laugh –like a young girl, a sound that isa pleasure to listen to and itmakes me laugh too.

Mary goes on to tell me thatshe and her husband used to

split their time between a 17th-century thatched cottage inBerkshire, England and the AranIslands but now live full time onAran which makes her husbandPat extremely happy as he wasborn and raised on the Islandand loves it. They both speakfluent Irish, Pat was brought upon the Island and spoke Irish ashis first language having to learnEnglish when he went to school.Mary is currently writing her 5thbook which is going to be aboutAran and the outsiders whocome here and why they love it.

Mary’s nephew, SebastianBarry, son of her sister, Joan,the actress, who played the roleof Eunice Dunstan in Fair City(she died in 2007), is a wellknown novelist and his currentnovel is based loosely on Mary’sparents, A TemporaryGentleman. His other novel,The Secret Scripture, is beingfilmed this year and is set inSligo. It was based on an Auntand Uncle of Mary in Enniscrone.

Finally, Mary offers this adviceto any young person withambitions for a career in theArts: “I would say that I neverset out to be a professional butonce I agree to do something,whether its polishing the tableor giving a concert, I give it 100plus per cent; I commit myselftotally to it, so if I say yes, I aimfor perfection. We never reachperfection but it is only rightthat we should try. If you aregoing to do something aim forperfection, practice, practice,practice” . . . . and I hear thelovely musical laugh once more.

Mary with her husband, Patrick O’Toole.

Marys sister, Joan O’Hara playing the much loved character Eunice in Fair City

On the east coast of Ireland lies avast mountainous area where youwill find the county of Wicklow

and the Wicklow Mountains NationalPark, which covers approximately 20,000hectares of the mountain range. The keygoal of the Wicklow Mountains NationalPark is to conserve and protect the locallandscape, wildlife and the localecosystems. Every year close to onemillion visitors pass through the Park andit is an extremely important source ofrecreation for both visitors and locals.Streams run freely into the deep calmlakes of the wood covered valleys andrun into the adjoining lowlands. Theforestry area and the meanderingmountain roads are the only things tointerrupt the gaping scenes. Heather andbog covered floors drape the roundpeaks and the top mountain slopes. Theblanket bog areas include the LiffeyHead Bog and the Lugnaquila complexes.

Glendalough is a remarkable placethat will still your mind, inspire yourheart and fill your soul. The stunningGlendalough Valley is one the mostpopular tourist areas in the WicklowMountains and it is here that you willdiscover the antiquated monasticsettlement of St. Kevin. Exploring theuplands on foot requires properequipment and a sense of adventure in asetting where you will readily findisolation and wilderness. People havebeen coming to the ‘valley of the twolakes’ for hundreds of years to soak upits intense history, archaeology,sumptuous scenery and its copiouswildlife. The world famous Monastic sitewith its round tower is just one of itsamazing attractions along with itsluscious lakes and valleys. The selectionof trails and walkways include TheWicklow Way and the area has a lot tooffer every discerning visitor.Glendalough is an incredible place thatwill stir the heart, fulfil the soul andcalm the mind.

There are some spectacular walkingtrails in the Wicklow Mountains and youwill find the majority of these in theGlendalough valley. You can choose froma stroll that lasts half an hour to avigorous hill walk that will take youabout four hours. There are wideselections of exciting and impressivewalks to choose from – the hardest partwill be picking one that suits your moodand ability on the day! Some of the trailsventure to the crumbling miners’ village,

others to the Poulanass Waterfall, thecave of St. Kevin’s Bed while a visit toReefert Church is also on the cards.

The visitor centre displays maps of thewalks and the walking trails are allflagged with colour-coded arrows.Accompanying some of the walking trailsare nature trails which highlight andexplore bugs, birds, flora and trees thatreside in and around the WicklowMountains which will delight both adultsand children. For the more daring andexperienced adventurer, you can partakein some rock climbing on the crags ofMiners’ Road. The information centrewill be able to offer you any help thatyou need on rock climbing. You will alsofind that angling is allowed in some ofthe rivers and lakes within the park.Brown trout are the most common fishcaught, fishing is allowed from mid-March to the end of September.

Such is the special charm of theWicklow Mountains nestled in the‘Garden County’ that you will want tokeep coming back. There’s always moreto explore!

The must-see Lake in PowerscourtGardens: The walkway that surroundsTriton Lake lets you enjoy a 360 degreeview of Powerscourt at it's best. Fromthe Winged Horses that watch over theLake, to the sounds of the fountainbeyond, this is one of the most majesticparts of Powerscourt Gardens. Don't missa visit to the boathouse, hidden to oneside of Lake where you can explorePowerscourt from a different angle!

Wicklow


www.maritimemuseumarklow.com

Telephone us on 086 446 0784

A treasure trove of maritime memorabilia and seafaring history waiting to be explored.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm Adults €5. Children and Senior Citizens €2.

Group rates on request.

The Glendasan river in the WicklowMountains, County Wicklow, Ireland.In the background is Tonelagee, thethird highest mountain in the range.

Wicklow Mountainsaka “Garden County”

We Provide:• Guided day walks (For all experience levels)

• Day Tours from Dublin – Wicklow – Boyne Valley.• Short Walking Breaks • Walking Holidays

• Full Moon Walks • Landscape Photography Workshops.• Join our social Walking Club.

Guided walks & toursA great way to socialise, get fit and

enjoy the amazing Wicklow Hills.

For more informa!on about these walks and others Visit www.hilltoptreks.ie

email: [email protected] Or Phone 087-7849599

BRAVEHEART DRIVE

80km The Braveheart Drive iscentred around the west of theWicklow Mountains and coversapproximately 80km. The routestarts in Hollywood, film set ofDancing a Lughnasa whichbrought Meryl Streep andMichael Gambon to the localpub and sets off in the directionof the Wicklow Gap. Hollywood Glen was also the

location of the ice valley sceneKing Arthur. After a couple ofmiles the Braveheart Driveveers off left to Ballyknockan,Lacken, film set for PS I LoveYou and Manor Kilbride, with apossible whistle stop bustlingBlessington, set on the spectac-ular Blessington LAKES. From Manor Kilbride the drivebrings you right through theWest Wicklow Mountains pastthe peat bogs of the Sally Gapand Kippure Estate, which wasused extensively for Braveheart.The Sally Gap road features inmany Irish made films like TheGeneral, PS I Love You, Reign ofFire, Veronica Guerin and con-tinues past spectacular Glen-

macnass Waterfall on the vil-lages of Laragh and Glendaloughand then returns to Hollywoodby the Wicklow Gap, used as lo-cation for Reign of Fire and KingArthur

EXCALIBUR DRIVE – 68km Thisdrive starts and finishes in thepicturesque mountain village ofRoundwood and brings youthrough some of the most spec-tacular and varied landscape inCounty Wicklow. The IsolatedWicklow Mountains with theirdomed granite peaks reachheights of over 2,500 feet, andform the largest undisturbeduplands blanket of bog in Ire-land. There is an abundance offlora and fauna to be foundhere amongst the hidden lakesrivers and numerous waterfalls.Look out for deer, foxes, badg-ers, falcons and merlins. Lough Tay and Lough Dan havebeen used as film location bymany of the period films anddramas such as Becoming Jane,The Tudors, Camelot, KingArthur and many more. Nowonder this area is so popularwith filmmakers as the sceneryshows the very best of the Irishlandscape. How-ever, the moun-tains, towns,woods, lakes andbeaches in CountyWicklow Have alsoserved as back-drop for places incountries as di-verse as France,America, Russia,Italy and Ger-many. The Excal-ibur Drive alsobrings you pastthe impressive

Powerscourt Estate and Water-fall, famous for some Excaliburscenes and in Bray past Killrud-dery House and Gardens whichis used as a film location somuch that it’s a living set.

MICHAEL COLLINS DRIVE –72km The Michael Collins Drivestarts in Wicklow Town and cov-ers 72km while it brings youthrough a landscape of rollinghills and lush valleys dottedwith picturesque villages. TheMichael Collins Drive starts inFitzwilliam Square in WicklowTown, film location for theGuard with Brendan Gleesonand Don Cheadle and brisgs youthrough Rathnew and Glenealyto Rathdrum, the film capital ofIreland. Some famous scenesfrom the film Michael Collinswith Liam Neeson and JuliaRobersts were shot here. Nexton the drive is the now worldfamous Avoca, the living televi-sion set for the BBC series Bal-lykissangel. The beautiful lush Vale of Avocabrings you downs to historicWoodendbridge and next to Ark-low, a seaside resort exuding awarm welcome to visitors look-

ing for entertainment and activ-ities and location for Angela’sAshes. After the buzz of Arklow thedrive returns to the peacefulcountryside and rolling hills ofRedcross, film set for Cracks, aBoarding School drama with EvaGreen, and further on the mile

long golden beach of Brittas Bayused for the Count of MonteCristo, The Tudors and Camelot.The Michael Collins Drive bringsyou past Wicklow Gaol which isworld famous for being one ofthe most haunted prisons andhas been featured on countlesstelevision documentaries.

Wicklow


• Afternoon Tea for two on arrival (scone, sandwich, pastry, tea/coffee)• Two nights B&B and 2 course dinner on one evening of your choice• Bottle of House Wine with Dinner• Complimentary morning newspaper• Full use of The Merrill Leisure Club facilities• Concessions for Royal Bingo (one evening)• Bring the grandchildren, up to two children (u12years)

share complimentary accommodation.Complimentary Merrill’s Activity Camp starts July 1st

The Royal Hotel, set in seasideresort of Bray, offers gueststhe best of both worlds, only

a short distance to the heart ofDublin city (30 minutes by DART)and on the border of WicklowCounty guests are spoilt for choicewith a range of activities, walksand places to visit.

Boasting 128 bedrooms , thehotel offers a choice of standardrooms, the recent addition of over30 deluxe rooms which are con-temporary and spacious in theirdesign & we also have severalfamily rooms to accommodate afamily of up to five complimentthe make up of our rooms.

The Quinns Bar with its oldeworld meeting modern day in itsdécor offers a sumptuous diningwith our bar menu and live musicevery weekend with locallyrenowned musicians, the QuinnsBar is the perfect place to meetold friends and new.

The Heritage Restaurant servesa selection of carefully chosenMenus to suit all appetites usingthe finest locally produced ingre-dients. The Heritage Restaurant isthe perfect venue for all occasionsfrom an intimate meal for two toa family celebration.

Our recently refurbished andextended Merrill Leisure Club, ex-clusive to guests and memberscomprises of a 14 metre swimmingpool, Children’s Pool, Sauna,Jacuzzi. Steam-Room, a fullyequipped Gymnasium. The MerrillBeauty Rooms offers special dis-counts on massage and beautytreatments exclusive to ourguests. Merrill’s Activity Camp,which is a complimentary serviceoffers a wide range of activities tochildren aged 4 years and above.The camp takes place daily from10am – 1pm and 6.00pm – 9.00pmeach evening, during all schoolholidays.

Explore Wicklow, Experience Dublin

Wicklow Films Drives

WICKLOW SCENIC WALKSLeisurely Guided Walks on Dublin’s Doorstep

Telephone: [email protected]

Delight in breathtaking scenery, walking throughforests and moorlands - From rolling hills to wildseashores, experience nature’s peace and quiet. Walks from just €20 (Group rates available)

Sonas Nursing Homes are leadingproviders of care to a grown elderlypopulation and at Sonas we develop

impactful relationships with people whouse our service. Since opening our firsthome at Cloverhill Roscommon in 2001we have built homes with the rightphysical environments to ensure thatpeople continue to live their lives to the

absolute fullest. Sonas Nursing Homesare modern, purpose built, bright andclose to the local community.

Sonas Nursing Homes are well thoughtof in their communities, have a goodtrack record and leaving a goodexperience with people who connectwith Sonas. People who engage withSonas experience a sense of family and

belonging. Our experienced and expertcare has built the enduring trust withthe communities we serve, withresidents and their families. Sonaspromotes the creation of truepartnerships between staff and residentsresulting in a homely and familyatmosphere in all our homes. All this isachieved by listening, understanding andresponding to concern, needs and desiresof all parties.

At Sonas we believe in what we do andour reputation is built on how we think,everything we say and everything we do.We strive to reassure our residents andtheir families that what we say and whatwe do is true to life and reflects all lifestages of residents in our care.

Our key strengths are our, staffreflected in low turnover, well trainedand personable. Our staff areempathetic and understanding and taketime with families giving them all theinformation they need in an open fashionto enable them to make difficultdecisions with confidence.

Sonas Nursing Homes provide evidencebased nursing care and a variety ofservices including physiotherapy,activities, hairdresser and GP visits.

Sonas Nursing Homes are ownermanaged by a team with extensiveexperience in the care profession, trulyunderstanding the nature of thechallenge and giving staff the permissionto be pro-active and innovative. TheSonas care team is deeply personable,understanding and compassionate, theyare conscious of the difficult decisions offamilies and that they have real fears fortheir loved ones, real guilt and realdoubts.

When you enter a Sonas Nursing Homeyou will meet welcoming and friendlystaff, your initial meeting may be withthe administrator, nurse or healthcareassistants or you may be greeted byhousekeeping staff or maintenanceperson. All are trusting and competentand will guide you to the most relevantstaff member ton deal with your inquiry.Our caring team are down to earth,accessible and supportive. As you walkaround Sonas Nursing Home you willnotice resident involved in a variety ofactivities, staff going about their work ina professional but relaxed manner, youmay observe our physiotherapist treating

residents and our catering staff minglingwith staff in the dining rooms. Residentwill be interacting or chatting to visitorsin their own room or in a quiet visitingarea, visitors may be making tea andenjoying light refreshments with theirloved ones. On certain days residentsmay be attending religious service orenjoying a music and singing sessions .While our laundry staff deliver residentsclothes to their bedrooms they will chatwith the residents and as many of ourstaff are familiar to resident they willrelate to residents ‘news’ and storiesfrom the local community.

Residents with dementia are cared forby specially trained staff making dailylife as close as possible to what theseresidents experienced prior to living inSonas Nursing Home.

When visiting Sonas Nursing Homes youare welcome to chat to residents andtalk to them about their experience ofliving in the nursing home, you may alsowant to discuss with staff our staffingarrangements, daily routines forresidents, choices that residents mayhave in relation to times they wouldchoose to get up or go to bed and havetheir meals, or if residents are free to goout for walks or visit local town.

Sonas Nursing Home Athlon is locatedin Cloghanboy off the Ballymahon Roadand within a short distance from thecentre of Athlone. For all details onSonas Nursing Homes and Assisted LivingAccommodation please visit our websitewww.sonas.ie or email [email protected].


Nursing Homes

Mill Lane ManorSallins Road, Naas, Co Kildare

Mill Lane Manor is seekingStaff Nurses to become part of adedicated team of HealthProfessionals delivering PersonCentred Care. Mill Lane Manoris a 70 bed nursing home.Positions are available for fulltime and part time. Candidatesmust be Registered Nurses withAn Bord Altranais and committed to providing the highest standards of nursing, care and supportwhich meets the individual needs of each resident. Applications welcome from Registered General Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, RegisteredIntellectual Disability Nurse and Newly Qualified Nurses.

Call: 087- 9181100 • Email: [email protected] • www.brindleyhealthcare.ieOr Post CV’s to: HR Department, Brindley Healthcare, Letterkenny Rd, Convoy, Co Donegal

Staff Nurses Required (Full Time/Part Time)

Sonas Nursing Home Athlone To arrange a visit call us now on : 090 6479568 or visit www.sonas.ie

Sonas Nursing Homes

Oakdale Nursing HomeOakdale Nursing Home is a purpose

built, state of the art, 58 bed NursingHome which opened in February

2009. Oakdale was built to the higheststandards and consists of 40 single and 9twin rooms all with en-suite facilities.

Oakdale is owned and managed by agroup of local people. Valerie Moore RGN,the Director of Nursing is a native ofPortarlington and had extensive experiencein the care of the elderly prior to hercurrent position having worked for 11 yearsin the Care of the Elderly Unit at St.Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick. MaryDunne, another local, is Valerie’s assistantand also worked in St. Vincent’s. Dr. AdrianHonan, the Medical Director at Oakdale, isthe principal of a busy General Practice inPortarlington and has resided and practicedin the town for over 30 years. Oakdale

provides a much needed facility in the townof Portarlington and is a supportive homefrom home environment for those in needof long term care. Respite care andconvalescence care is also availableproviding short term relief to families byproviding care for their loved ones. Forlocal families the availability of a facility soclose to home is ideal and they can easilydrop in for a visit at any time. Chiropody,Dental Care, Optical Care, Speech Therapyand Occupational Therapy are all availableas required. There is a fully equippedhairdressing salon on the first floor and twolocal hairdressers visit each week to attendto the residents needs. A physiotherapistalso visits weekly. Weekly activities includekeep fit, art classes, community bingo, andmovie night to mention a few. Music anddancing take place regularly

Mill Lane Manor PrivateNursing Home is a 70bedded, purpose built

Nursing Home, opened in June2005 and is set in beautifullylandscaped gardens withinwalking distance of Naas towncentre, Co Kildare.

We can provide care foradults who are over the age of18 years, however primarily wecare for those who are over 65.Admissions are based on pre-admission assessments usingaccredited tools, formulating a

person centred care plan, toensure that residents will becared for in a holistic manner.Care can be provided to indi-viduals over 18 years with ac-quired brain injury, regardlessof cause, cognitive impair-ment, learning disabilities,persons who experience mentalhealth problems, those experi-encing chronic illness, and indi-viduals requiring respite,convalescence or palliativecare. Our dedicated team en-sure that all residents receive

the highest standard of qualitycare based on best practiceguidelines.

We have 52 single and 9 dou-ble bedrooms. All have adjoin-ing en-suite toilet and showerfacilities. All rooms are com-fortably furnished and each isequipped with a television,personal telephone and a NurseCall System. There are fourspacious lounges for residentsto relax and enjoy the many inhouse social activities and aBlessed Sacrament Chapel. Our

Kitchen serves a large brightdining room, where meals areserved. Wireless Broadband isavailable in the centre.

Outdoors we have largegrounds, two internal furnishedcourtyards, one at the centreof the building and the otherextending from the main sittingroom. There is a path circlingthe building which allows ac-cess to all areas of the gardenand grounds.

We extend a welcome tomembers of the community

who would like to call and visitwith us. Currently, we are re-cruiting for nursing staff andoffer great opportunities tonurses who would like talk withus about their career.We can be contacted by call-ing: 00 353 45 874700By emailing:[email protected] By visiting our website:www.brindleyhealthcare.ie andclicking the link to Mill LaneManor

Mill Lane Manor Private Nursing Home

40 single and 9 double rooms all with en-suite facilities. Each bedroom is furnished to the highest standard with

phone line, computer data point and cable TV.Large Activation Room and Hair Dressing Salon

Two Separate Sitting RoomsInternal & External Gardens

Meditation Room

Tullamore Rd. Portarlington, Co. Laois • Ph: 057 - 86 45282Web: www.oakdale.ie

Fully approved by HSE, Hibernian Aviva & Quinn Healthcare

Registered

Member

Approved by

Operating on a home !omhome basis where Residents

feel at home in an oldyworldy environment.

All Rooms EnsuiteRespite Long and Shor" Ter#.

Catering for Retired, Convelescent and Geriat$ic Residents.

St. Annes Nursing home, CharlestownSt. Anne’s Nursing Home in

Charlestown aims to provide afulfilling experience for all its

residents. We recognise the varyingcapabilities that each individual residentmay have and we strive to assist eachand every one of them in realising theirown potential. The needs of each resident is carefullyassessed and continually monitoredthrough Individual Care Programmes,designed to meet their specific needsand accommodate the changes thatnaturally occur with the passage of time.St. Anne’s provides security and peace ofmind to its residents and strives tocreate an environment that honours theirbasic rights of independence and privacy.We operate in a caring, safe andprofessional manner which strictlyadheres to the Code of Practise forNursing Homes outlined by theDepartment of Health. Some of the manybenefits offered at St. Anne's are:• 24 hour Nursing Care• En Suite facility in all rooms• Nurse call system in all rooms• Fresh Irish home cooking• Unrestricted visiting• Private car park• Large lawn and garden• Regular visits by Chiropodist• Regular visits by Hairdresser• Spacious Reception and Dining Room• VHI Health Insurance approved• Close to all local amenities• Chapel where religious services are

held regularly

Sonnagh, Charlestown, Co. Mayo • Tel: 094-9254269 • [email protected]

Come and see St. Anne’s foryourself, call us today toar$ange a viewing - you willnot be disappointed!


Feature

Make your garden andyour libido bloom withthese four aphrodisiac

foods.Sure, we’ve all heard thatoysters are a turn on, but whatabout the things that makeyour garden and your appetitegrow? We consulted with theauthor Helen Yoest’s new book,Plants with Benefits. Hercriteria? A plant had to haveone or more of three qualitiesthat could affect our pleasurecentres, such as a suggestive

shape or aroma; stirring brainchemistry by increasing bloodflow to all the right places;and a close connection inhormone makeup to our own.“But I couldn’t ignore thefourth,” says Yoest. “A plantthat promotes health andvigour – with an aphrodisiachistory.”Here’s what will turn you on.

Avocado“The Aztecs dubbed the treeāhuacatl (pronounced ah-hoo-ah-cattle), which translates totesticle – probably due to thefruit’s tendency to grow andhang in pairs. A single avocado

contains 23 per cent of therecommended daily allowanceof folate (B9), and folatestimulates semen production.Also rich in zinc, B6, potassiumand omega-3 fatty acids,among an impressively longlist, the avocado is one of themost nutritious fruits.”

Pomegranate“This fruit is packed withmicronutrients such aspolyphenols (specifically,tannins and flavonoids, whichare known to increase femalelibido), and zinc (critical for aman’s sexual performance).”

Vanilla“The aphrodisiac qualities arebelieved to come from the

scent and flavour of the vanillaseedpod – with particularbenefit arising when pairedwith chocolate … ancientAztecs mixed vanilla withchocolate to make a potentaphrodisiac drink.”

Garlic“has a long reputation forincreasing sexual drive. InIndia, the ancient Laws ofManu forbade the eating ofgarlic by Brahmins because itstirred the passions. Today,many Eastern celibate orders,including Tibetan Buddhistmonks, abstain from garlic forthe same reason.” Just makesure you pack a breath mint.

Garden Goods with Bedroom Benefits


Feature

When summer fun be-comes unhealthy. Here,what to look out for and

how to protect yourself.

Skin cancerIf caught early, skin cancer isusually treated easily. Exposureto ultraviolet radiation from thesun (or from artificial UV lightsuch as tanning beds) increasesthe risk for developing skin can-cer. Other risk factors include:– Light skin, eyes or hair – Skinthat burns or freckles easily –Unusual moles that are irregularin shape or larger or darkerthan normal moles – A familyhistory of melanomaProtect yourself by having regu-lar skin screenings and wearingthe appropriate sunscreen. Forextra protection, wear a sunhatif you plan to be outdoors for anextended period of time, andkeep in mind the sun’s peakhours are between 10:00 amand 4:00pm.While some experts advocatefor short periods of unprotectedsunlight to help with Vitamin Ddeficiency, the key here is mod-eration: most experts agree youshould not be unprotected formore than 10 or 15 minutes.

Eye damageSunlight can damage not onlyskin, but also your eyes. Long-

term exposure to UV rays cancontribute to eye disease suchas cataracts and age-relatedmacular degeneration. Brightlight can damage your retinaand even cause your eyes to be-come sunburned, a temporarybut often painful conditionknown as photokeratitis. To pro-tect your eyes, be sure to wearsunglasses that filter out 100per cent of UV light, especiallyaround water, which can reflecta tremendous amount of light toyour eyes.

Food poisoningOne of the great traditions ofthe season is cooking and eatingoutdoors, whether on your patioor on a picnic or camping trip.Unfortunately, this can alsomean an increase in food-borneillnesses. The most common cul-prit: letting the food sit outsidein warm temperatures for toolong. For more tips on summerfood safety

Bug bitesNot only are they annoying anditchy, but mosquito bites can beserious if they infect you with adisease like West Nile ormalaria. While the risk of get-ting diseases from mosquitobites is low, the annoyance fac-tor is high indeed. Prevent bitesby avoiding buggy areas when

ever possible and using a goodinsect repellent on your skinand clothing. Choose a productwith about a 10 per cent to 30per cent concentration of DEET,depending on how many hoursof protection you need.For extra protection, wear longpants and sleeves as well assocks, especially during dawnand dusk when mosquitoes areat their peak. To reduce thenumber of mosquitoes aroundyour home, eliminate any stand-ing water that may have col-lected in places such as usedflowerpots. For more informa-tion, visit the Mayo Clinic’swebpage

DehydrationDehydration happens when youlose more fluid than you take in— and as a result, your bodydoesn’t have enough water andother fluids to carry out its nor-mal functions. The summer heatcan cause excessive sweating –especially when being physicallyactive or while exercising —which in turn can lead to dehy-dration.If lost fluids aren’t replenished,the consequences can be seri-ous. While you can usually re-verse mild dehydration byincreasing your intake of fluids,more severe dehydration re-quires immediate medical treat-ment. To prevent dehydration,drink additional water in hot orhumid weather to help loweryour body temperature and re-place lost fluids. Remember:thirst is not always an accurateindicator of dehydration, sodrink plenty even if you’re notfeeling thirsty.

HeatstrokeThe most serious of heat-re-lated problems, heatstrokeoften results from exercise orheavy work in hot environmentscombined with inadequate fluidintake. Because the body’s nor-

mal mechanisms for dealingwith heat (such as sweating andtemperature control) are lost,heatstroke is potentially lifethreatening.The main symptom of heat-stroke is a significantly elevatedbody temperature — generallygreater than 104 F (40 C) — withchanges in mental status rang-ing from personality changes toconfusion and coma. If you sus-pect heatstroke, call 9-1-1 forimmediate medical attention.Other things you can do:– Move the person out of the sunto a cool or air-conditioned spot– Cover the person with dampsheets or by spraying with coolwater− Use a fan or newspaper or in-deed your copy of Mature Livingto direct air onto the person

Poor air qualityThe hazy days of summer maypose health risks, and not onlyfor people with serious condi-tions such as asthma, heart dis-

ease orchronic obstructive pulmonarydisease (COPD). Smog is actu-ally a toxic mix of pollutantsthat, after long-term exposure,can damage lung cells, impairthe immune system and in-crease risk for respiratory infec-tion. Even short-term exposurecan trigger symptoms in healthypeople such as headaches,breathing difficulties, and ex-haustion.So what should you do? Stay in-formed on the air quality inyour area through your localnews or online resources. It isgenerally better to plan outdooractivities early in the morningor later in the evening, sincethe level of pollutants generallyrises with the temperature.Also, if possible, avoid trafficand heavily congested areas, es-pecially during rush hour. Ondays when pollutants are high,it’s better to turn on the airconditioner and close your win-dows.

7 Summer HealthHazards

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Feature

Her Majesty QueenElizabeth II, bornElizabeth Alexandra Mary

on April 21, 1926, recentlycelebrated her 88th birthday.The oldest reigning Britishmonarch, along with herhusband Prince Phillip (whoturned 93 on June 10, 2014),have both exceeded the lifeexpectancy for Irish women andmen – which is 83.3 and 78.8respectively, according to thelatest report from StatisticsIreland.

But Dr. Michael Gordon,program director of palliativecare who trained in Scotlandand met the Queen’s mother,feels that nowadays, being inyour 80s is not so old. “I’m ageriatrician and, in my practice,that’s like late adolescence.She’s not 100 yet. Her mother,the Queen Mother, lived to 101,and there’s a pretty goodchance, barring theunexpected, that Elizabeth canget there herself.”

Yet even the best geneticmakeup can be destroyed byexternal environmental factors.

Researchers say we acceleratethe aging process if we smoke,eat poorly, drink heavily, don’texercise and are overstressed.Successful aging, says Gordon,is measured in both quantity ofyears and quality of life — notsimply breathing but retainingvitality and enthusiasm, enoughto make life well worth living.

Here are some of the factorsthat are quite possibly thereasons Queen Elizabethcontinues to enjoy good health.Adopt them to improve yourchances for longevity andhealth. Go ahead — live like theQueen.

Get regular medicalscreenings “The Queen has regular medicalscreenings and access tomedical care that keeps her ingood health. Preventivescreenings for both men andwomen should includemeasurements for bloodpressure, cholesterol and sugar.The results can catch deadly yetavoidable diseases such as heartattacks, stroke and diabetes.

Men may also be advised tohave an annual prostate check,and women, a regular breastexamination, mammogram,pelvic exam and pap test.

Get regular exercise The Brits are big walkers, andso is the Royal Family. They’reknown for their enjoyment oflong walks on the grounds ofBalmoral, where they stayedduring their summer vacations.The Queen Mother and theQueen both were always avidwalkers.” The Queen is alsoknown for her love of horses —she breeds horses and ponies —and horseback riding hasexcellent health benefits.Longevity specialist Dr. VincentDeMarco says that after a gooddiet, exercise offers the mosthealth benefits. “It improvesalmost every measure of healthwe can devise, and there is alot of evidence supporting therelationship between exerciseand longevity.” How muchexercise you need variesaccording to your medical andfitness history and current test

results. Even mild exercise,such as a 30-minute walk a day,can help lower blood pressureand stress levels.

Stay mentally sharp Queen Elizabeth is still afunctioning head of stateinvolved with high-levelmeetings that would keep hermentally acute. Former BritishPrime Minister MargaretThatcher said in her memoirs,“Ministers take their regularmeetings with the Queen veryseriously … they are quietlybusiness-like, and Her Majestybrings to bear a formidablegrasp of current issues andbreadth of experience. She is ina position of leadership and notjust a figurehead for many ofthe foundations she’s involvedwith. There are residences indifferent parts of the country,which allow her to change herenvironments and be [mentally]stimulated by change. TheQueen has also visited theGoogle headquarters in London,indicating an interest in theInternet, and is said to e-mailher grandchildren, too. Anythingthat challenges your mind —staying engaged at work,puzzles, strategy games,reading, dance or music classes,debate and conversation — willkeep you mentally in shape asthe years go by. Use it or loseit.

Manage stress By no means has the Queen hada stress-free reign or an easytime as a parent. Three of herfour children — Charles, Anneand Andrew — had failedmarriages ending in scandal-plagued divorces thatthreatened the very existenceof the Monarchy itself. 1992 wasa year the Queen would dub“Annus horribilis,” capped by adevastating fire at WindsorCastle, destroying pricelessartifacts and reaping a repairbill to the tune of a reported 40million pounds.As the monarch, even thoughshe is not a policy-maker, shehas had more than her share ofissues to deal with — her father,George VI, was not meant to beking and, when her uncle,Edward VIII, abdicated for the

love of Wallis Simpson, herfamily was thrust into thepressure cooker. Aside fromlosing her father, whosuccumbed to lung cancer atwhat we’d now consider arelatively young 56, andconsequently having to take thethrone at 26, she has facedwars — from surviving the Blitz,her family falling victim to theIRA, her son Andrew fighting inthe Falklands, her grandsonHarry serving in Afghanistan andher troops in the much-opposedwar in Iraq to London being aconstant target linked to theWar on Terror — and socialapprobation, perhaps most

notably her country’soutpouring of emotion inresponse to the death of Diana,Princess of Wales, and thesubsequent criticism of whatwas perceived as the Queen’sunfeeling reaction.It’s not just a job where she sitsaround being nice to people.She does live in a stressfulenvironment, but the stressesmay not all be negative,” saysGordon. He explains thatongoing stress in life giveshuman beings creativity,tenacity and interest in life, aslong as it’s not destructivestress.

The Royal Secretsof LongevityHere are some of the factors that are quite possibly the reasons Queen Elizabeth continues to enjoy good health. Adopt them to improve your chances for longevity and health. Go ahead — live like the Queen.

By no means hasthe Queen had a

stress-free reign oran easy time as aparent. Three of

her four children —Charles, Anne and

Andrew — hadfailed marriages

ending in scandal-plagued divorcesthat threatened

the very existenceof the Monarchy

itself.

Feature


Destructive stress leaves youfeeling constantly, personallythreatened. Chronic destructive stressincreases the risk for stroke andheart disease. Researchsuggests that meditation, deepbreathing and chanting arehelpful in reducing stress levels.

Maintain a constant bodyweightThough not known for wearingrevealing fashions, the Queenhas never appeared overweight.According to Dr. Walter Willett,chair of the department ofnutrition at the Harvard Schoolof Public Health, next to notsmoking, staying lean isprobably the most importantthing we can do to stay healthyand live longer. This could alsobe the secret to the slim andtrim Prince Philip’s turning 93while still carrying oneffortlessly. Leanness mattersbecause fat cells producehormones that raise the risk oftype 2 diabetes.

Study after study confirms thatextra weight, especially aroundthe belly, cuts years off yourlife.

Eat a variety of healthy foods The typical British diet, by andlarge, has not been a healthyone because it’s heavy on fatsand carbohydrates but this hascertainly changed There is abetter range of fresh fruits,vegetables and grains moretypical of a Mediterranean dietavailable.” This kind of anti-inflammatory diet has beenlinked with promoting longevityand, as noted in To Set Before aQueen, the cookbook edited byMaureen Owen based on thecookery of Alma McKee, cook tothe Royal Family during the1950s, Queen Elizabethbenefited from meals preparedwith fresh vegetables, game andpoultry provided by the royalestates, long before thebenefits of this kind of dietcame to light. Fish, too, is astaple on the royal menu, withit being served, during McKee’stime, nearly every day. And withher son Charles, Prince ofWales, a long-time leader in theorganic farming movement, theQueen is tapped into eatingwell.“I’m willing to assume that,because of her status, thechoice of foods for her isprobably pretty balanced andwell-prepared,” says Gordon.

Drink a cuppa tea … and barleywater High tea, taken precisely at 5p.m., is a British ritual enjoyedby Her Majesty. “Tea hasnumerous health benefits:antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,anti-cancer, anti–heart disease,”says DeMarco. “Various teashave various benefits. Green teais the most widely studied and

probably the most beneficial.The longest-living persons inFirst World countries come fromJapan. This may be due to twofactors: green tea and fish.”Barley water, usually flavouredwith lemon or other fruit, is apopular British drink and afavourite of the royalhousehold. Owen includedMcKee’s recipe for barley water— 1/2 cup pearl barley, 2 1/2quarts boiling water, twolemons, six oranges and brownsugar to taste — to which theRoyal Family were apparentlyall “addicted.”The Queen has been quoted ascrediting it for her peaches-and-cream complexion. Barley is arich source of soluble and

insoluble fibre; barley water issaid to help support thekidneys, especially in times ofstress, and may be therapeuticfor those who have kidney andbladder ailments. A royalwarrant has been bestowed onthe British soft drink brandRobinsons, makers of barleywater.

Alcohol … in moderation The Queen Mother was oftenthe subject of comedic parodyclaiming she was tipsy fromdrinking whisky. “There is noquestion that in this family,alcohol is part of their normalactivities, and small amounts ofalcohol, unless there is anillness or contraindication withmedication, appear to have abeneficial effect on the heartand brain,” says Gordon.Anecdotally, he recalls a patientwho attributed his longevity —he lived to be 105 — to having anightly shot of Canadian Clubwhisky. Studies show evidencethat having red wine — rich inthe antioxidant resveratrol — inmoderation is good for us.“That’s one of the benefits ofthe Mediterranean diet. Not justfruits and vegetables, but wineas well.

Keep a pet Queen Elizabeth has a speciallove for dogs, especially thePembroke Welsh corgi. In astudy at State University of NewYork, Buffalo, stockbrokers withhigh blood pressure whoadopted a pet showed a 50 percent decrease in blood pressurecompared with their

counterparts without a pet.“Getting a positive responsefrom an animal may make onefeel better and likely has aneffect on the metabolic systemto produce higher levels ofpositive hormones, improvingfeelings of well-being.

Stay connected People who areconnected to those aroundthem — through marriage,friends, a spiritual communityor other networks — tend to livelonger than those without strongties. The Queen has a rich sociallife. She and Prince Philipreached their 60th year ofmarriage in 2007, makingElizabeth the first monarch tocelebrate a diamond weddinganniversary. They’ve had a longlife together, engaged in raisinga family of four children andnow eight grandchildren. The

fact that she’s been with thesame person for all these yearshas provided a very stablerelationship for her. Protect orimprove your emotional healthby staying in touch with friends,family and the greatercommunity.

Help others — help yourself Volunteering and sharing withothers can be gratifying andmeaningful. Charity work isquite important to QueenElizabeth, patron of more than600 organizations. During herGolden Jubilee in 2002, sheasked that people wishing tocommemorate the occasionmake a donation to one of herfavourite charities: Barnardo’s,Cruse Bereavement Care, I CAN(which helps children withspeech and languagedifficulties), the RoyalAgricultural BenevolentInstitution or the Soldiers,Sailors, Airmen and FamiliesAssociation. “The Queen isdoing it [as much] for herselfbecause it’s really good forher,” says Gordon. “The look onthe faces of the recipients can’thelp but make her feel good andfeeling good is a good thing.”

Have a spiritual focus Aside from her official religiousrole as supreme governor of theAnglican Church of England,Queen Elizabeth is said toregularly attend services. In her2000 Royal Christmas Message tothe Commonwealth, she said,“To many of us, our beliefs areof fundamental importance. Forme, the teachings of Christ andmy own personal accountabilitybefore God provide a frameworkin which I try to lead my life.”Organized religions “are apositive influence when theyhelp give meaning to life, allowpeople to look at the world in apositive way and to forgive theweaknesses of their fellowman,” adds Gordon, “but thiscan also be done withoutorganized religion. If you look atspirituality as something thatdrives you to do good, right andmoral things, then that’s also apositive influence.”

“There is noquestion that in

this family, alcoholis part of their

normal activities,and small amountsof alcohol, unlessthere is an illness

or contraindicationwith medication,appear to have abeneficial effecton the heart and

brain,”

Prince Philip, 93

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother lived to the age of 101

Feature

The number of British womenover 50 who are havingbabies has more than

doubled in five years.Every week in the UK around

three children are born to amother in her fifties, the latestfigures show.

The dramatic increase in birthsto older women will deepen fearsover the health of both themothers and their babies.

Older women are more likelyto have miscarriages and ectopicpregnancies while their childrenare more likely to be born withgenetic abnormalities.

Midwives also warn thatbecause older mothers and theiroffspring often require higherlevels of care, extra pressure isput on the NHS.

Health ministers revealed thesharp rise in older mothers in aparliamentary question. In 2012,there were 154 babies born tomothers over the age of 50, upby a third in a year.

The figure has more thandoubled since 2008 when therewere 69 births to women aged 50and over. In 2000 the number was44. The number of births tomothers aged 40 and over hasalso risen, up 13 per cent from26,419 in 2008 to 29,994 in 2012.It means one in 25 are to motherswho have turned 40.

Even someone who has a childaged over the age 35 isconsidered an ‘older mother’ bymedical professionals.

Around 20 per cent of babiesare born to women aged 35 orolder, the highest proportionsince records began in 1938.

At the same time, only 23 percent of births were to womenaged under 25 in 2012, downfrom almost half in the early1970s. In some areas of Britain,including Windsor andMaidenhead, Brighton and EastRenfrewshire, around one in

three mothers was over 35.The trend is the result of

women choosing to concentrateon their careers rather thansettling down to have a family.

Changing medical advice andadvances in IVF treatment alsomean more are willing to riskdelaying having children.

Other women are moving intonew relationships later in life andare choosing to have morechildren with their new partner.

Earlier this year Shamelessactress Tina Malone gave birth todaughter Flame at the age of 50,after travelling to Cyprus for IVFtreatment. In 2007, DesperateHousewives star Marcia Cross had

twin daughters in 2007 at the ageof 44. Louise Silverton, directorfor midwifery at the RoyalCollege of Midwives said: ‘Thereare an increasing numbers ofolder women who are havingbabies and these women tend tohave more complications thanyounger women. ‘This is morepronounced as women havebabies at increasingly greaterages. Older mothers are morelikely to have increased rates ofmiscarriage and ectopicpregnancies and geneticproblems in the child and otherissues such high blood pressure,diabetes and problems with theplacenta.’ Last March a surveyfound almost three-quarters ofpeople do not think womenshould receive IVF to help themconceive beyond their naturalchildbearing years. A quarterbelieve women should stop tryingto bring babies into the worldpast the age of 40. The survey ofmore than 2,000 people acrossthe UK found 31 per cent thinkthe current age limit of 42 for IVFon the NHS is too old. Otherresearch shows that children bornto mums over 40 are healthierand brighter than those ofyounger women.

According to other research theoffspring of older women areless likely to have accidents orneed hospital care and morelikely to have been vaccinatedearly, a study found.

They will also develop abroader vocabulary from a youngage and achieve higher scores inIQ tests in a range of measures upto the age of five. The research,which was presented recently atThe Royal College of Paediatricsand Child Health conference inGlasgow, is a rare piece of goodnews for the rising number ofwomen who are delayingmotherhood.

Previous studies havehighlighted the growing infertilityrates for older women and thegreater risk of them developingdiabetes and pre-eclampsia.

But the latest research appearsto show gains for older mothersonce they have given birth,possibly due to their greaterexperience and maturity.

Researchers at the Institute ofChild Health, University CollegeLondon and Birkbeck College,London, said their findingsshowed older mothers can makebetter parents.

Dr Alastair Sutcliffe, whoworked on the study, saidnegative publicity surroundingthe rise of older mothers wasbased on the physical risks ofpregnancy and childbirth.

He said: ‘We have clearevidence that there are moredesirable outcomes for childrenof older mothers compared withyounger ages. We can reassurethese older women that theirchildren are probably better off.’

The Wellcome Foundation-funded study looked at 1,100children born to womenaged 40 and over,compared with 38,000children born to youngerwomen in Britain. Thechildren’s ages rangedfrom nine months to fiveyears.

Children of oldermothers were less likelyto be in accidents orneed hospital admission,and were no more atrisk of obesity.

Dr Sutcliffe saidolder mothersmight be morerisk-averse,possiblybecause theywere lessactive andunable to runafter theirchildren,but theymay alsobebetterat

spotting and avoiding potentiallyrisky situations.

The research also checked anumber of outcomes linked toparenting skills, including namingvocabulary, picture and shapesidentification and developmentalIQ using established Britishassessment scales.

The findings showed greaterability among children born toolder mothers once social classwas taken into account.

Previous research found threetimes more children born to oldermothers got five GCSEs comparedwith those born to youngerwomen.

Dr Sutcliffe said: ‘We found acontinuum which showed a linkbetween the older ages ofmothers and better outcomes. Itwas the effect of age per se.

‘The big question is why. Oldermothers appear to have goodparenting skills, they may be lessimpulsive, calmer and have morelife experience that better equipsthem for the role. More womenare giving birth at older ages, thisisn’t going to go away, they aredeferring motherhood for manyreasons. ‘The evidence suggeststhat when the enormousdifficulties of pregnancy andbirth are over, they can makebetter mothers,’ he added.

Births to mums over 50 soaring Two sides to the ongoing debate

Below: Marcia Cross, pituredhere in Desperate Housewives,had twin daughters in 2007 atthe age of 44

Shameless actress Tina Malone travelled to Cyprus for IVFtreatment and conceived her daughter, Flame, with donor eggs,giving birth aged 50


Carole Hobson became Britain’s oldest mother of twins at 58 afterconceiving through IVF at an Indian clinic. After four failed IVFattempts in Ukraine and Cyprus, donor embryos were implanted at aclinic in Mumbai. The single mother, now 61, spent more than£20,000 to have children and twins Frieda and Matthew were bornby emergency Caesarean on Christmas Eve 2010. Nine weekspremature and each weighing 3lb 3oz, they spent two months inneo-natal are. The qualified barrister from Kent, said: ‘In Britain weneed to be better at providing for women who want to be motherslater in life. It is an indescribable joy, but it’s non-stop – it is like afull-time job.’

Carole Hobson with her two-year-old twins Freida and Matthew

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Iadmit it. I have theShowgarden bug. As a gardendesigner here in Ireland,

Bloom in the Park, the festival

on the June Bank holidayweekend is the most prestigiousplace to exhibit your skills.Bloom, brought to you by Bord

Bia, is Ireland’s answer to theChelsea Flower show and is awonderful celebration ofIreland’s top Garden Design,delicious food and family fun.

I have created showgardens atthe festival in both 2012 and2013 and the competition is atrue challenge with tightschedules, real budgets and allthe stress associated withbuilding a showgarden. Byexhibiting here you are not onlyshowcasing your skills to thepublic but the designer is alsoentering into a seriouscompetition which is judged by apanel of experts in the field,including some Chelsea judges.When the crowds start pouring inand you feel that you arecreating a little bit of heaven forpeople to enjoy and get inspiredby for their own spaces, youfinally know all the stress hasbeen worth it.

Much like the Chelsea Flowersshow, Bloom visitors go to thefestival to get ideas and to seewhat trends are happening inthe garden world. It’s amazinghow horticulturallyknowledgeable many visitors areat Bloom. Phrases such as “I lovehow you have combined your Irischysographes with your Stipatenuissima” are not uncommonat Bloom and shows that thepublic loving your design is morethan just a fancy.

This year I took a year outfrom building a showgarden anddecided to visit Bloom in thePark to just enjoy it from aspectator and a writer’s point ofview. Though I did have slight

withdrawal symptoms, for mecreating showgardens isaddictive, I did enjoy seeing theinspiring designs immensely.From urban rock star cool to thesubtle natural approach, everystyle and trend was represented.Bloom really has a wealth ofinspiration and design ideas.Here are some of the plantingcombinations and trends thatparticularly appealed to me.

ColourColour was one of the maintrends this year and we had twovery distict schools of thought.Where Kevin Dennis’s best inlarge category gold garden hadlimes green acers juxtaposedwith the bright purples andturquoises of his graffiti andMarion Keogh’s bold and happycolour splashes were trendingcolour choices.

Page 20 Mature Living July 2014

Inspired Planting @ BLOOMIs colour the trend of the season? Award winning garden designer Leonie Corneliusoutlines the latest planting trends inspired by Ireland’s top designers

Leonie Corneliusis an award winning Garden Designer,Interior Architect and TV presenter.

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Standing at an accessible height,perfect for those who strugglewith bending or kneeling, it’salso the perfect height for chil-dren who love to get outdoorsand eat what they grow!

In Chelsea I saw the Gucci garden exploringcolour in just this way. The result was arewarding combinations of joyful colour. Funand elegantly childlike in appeal. However,there was also a different colour trend that wasapparent and it was in tune with the big namesat Chelsea this year, with minimal pale yellows,whites and greens being the main colourpalette. The gold medal gardens by DeirdrePender, Paul Doyle and Andrew ChristopherDunne were fine examples of these simplepalleted gardens that spoke more of form,texture and feel, leaving space and depth forthe viewer to be drawn in.

AttitudeThere was a definite trend is gardens with a bitof an edge at Bloom this year. This years winningSupergarden by Cian Hawes used hard industrialGabion walls which were cleverly softened withmosses and alpines. The overall winner KevinDennis had some colourful urban graffiti andspilling paint details on his water features.

Spires and Iris As was the case with Chelsea this year, theshape of the trending plant was a spire shapewith the Iris plant also strongly featured.Foxgloves, both the native purpurea as well asthe much loved Pam’s Choice as well as Lupinswere featured in many gardens including AilishDrake’s Limerick Culture Garden. Spires ofelegant blue Delphiniums and lilac Salviasfeatured in Tim Austen’s inspiring Peopleschoice garden for Barretstown while Alan andDavid of GardensNow featured explosions ofcolourful Lupins and Foxgloves for their‘Wellbeing Wetlands’ garden. The choice of Irisranged from an elegant pale blue scatteredamongst grasses in Paul Doyle’s ‘Messenger’garden while the native yellow flag Iris lookedvery much at home in Deirdre Penders ‘Idir’garden.

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One of the biggest technologytrends in the 21st century hasbeen so called “smartphones.”

A smartphone is a mobile phone withmore advanced computing andnetworking capability, generally usedto access the Internet in addition tomaking calls.

Anyone commuting regularly on theDART will have noticed thatsmartphones are absolutelyeverywhere these days. Incredible asit sounds, the average person checkstheir smartphone up to 150 times aday. But the use of smartphoneshasn’t been as popular amongseniors. In fact, only a third of over55s had a smartphone in 2013, and

many older people are not as activein using the “applications” that comewith their phones, such as games,applications for watching video orlistening to music.

According to the technology andfinance company Deloitte, peopleover the age of 55 are a driving forceof new smartphone sales indeveloped countries like Ireland andthe United Kingdom. In fact, almost ahalf of seniors already have asmartphone by the end of this year.

Yet Deloitte has observed that onein four over-55s has neverdownloaded an application on theirphone and many buy them only as itis increasingly difficult to find basicmobile phones.

Major technology companies arefinally starting to take notice of the“silver economy.” On certainSamsung smartphones you can nowactivate an “Easy” mode with lessclutter. A Japanese company calledFujitsu has recently launched aspecial phone for seniors in Franceand Doro, a phone companyspecialising in seniors, have alsoreleased their own smartphone. Themost recent company to enter thesector is Dublin-based Zilta, thatdesigns age-friendly simplersmartphones.

Seniors embrace smartphones,but when will smartphonesembrace seniors?

Since last summer, Lisa (64) and heriPad have been inseparable. “Webought it originally to do video

calls with the kids, but it soon replacedmy computer” Lisa says and adds “It isquicker to read my news and check myemail, even when I’m watching TV. Butthe one thing thatfrustrates me is that it isdesigned for youngsters.I always need my glassesto see all the small textand icons, and don’t getme started on mysmartphone!”

This is familiar storyin many families, but inLisa’s family it took onspecial meaning, as herson Lari (31) took it ashis mission to makesmartphones and tabletseasier to use for peopleof all ages. Workingtogether with an oldfriend from school,Jukka (29) they createda smartphone withbigger icons and simpleroptions that has already been used bythousands of people across the World.“We built this for our parents, butquickly realised that people across theWorld also found their smartphonesequally frustrating to get started with”says Lari. “What we do is bring backthe common sense in the phone design.We let people focus on the things thatreally matter and put all thecomplicated bits in the background.”

The simpler smartphone only has 6big icons on the screen, email, photos,contacts, Google, messages andapplications. “What we found is that

many people only really want to stay intouch with friends and family andoccasionally look up information on theinternet, so you don’t really have tomake smartphones with tens orhundreds of blinking options.” saysJukka. “By leaving a lot of things out,

we were able to make textbigger, and that reallyhelps for people with lessthan perfect eye-sight.”

Originally from the landof Nokia, Finland, Lari andJukka recently movedtheir company to Dublin totake part in an initiativerun by the National DigitalResearch Centre (NDRC) onCrane Street. “Ireland is agreat place to start atechnology company andwhen most of ourcustomers come fromeither the United States orUnited Kingdom, Dublin isa very central location forus.” With the help of newIrish contacts, Lari andJukka have designed a new

simpler smartphone that will beavailable starting December 2014. “Weput a lot of care and attention into thedesign. It is a simple phone to use, butyou will have a full internet experienceon a big and easy to read 5’’screen.”says Lari and adds “Our dreamis that people of all ages can benefitfrom smartphones without all thehassle.”

Lari and Jukka call their phone“Zilta.” It can be pre-ordered on theirwebsite www.zilta.co for 149 Euroswith postage in Ireland included in theprice.

Simpler phones for smart people

Memories

There is little than can be written aboutthe Dubliners which has not alreadybeen recorded by hundreds of other

sources across the globe. They are one ofthe true legends of the Irish entertainmentscene and from their formation in the early1960's, they provided a unique mix of Irishmusic and humour, along with the legendaryexploits of their members.

Led by their rowdy front men, the lateLuke Kelly and Ronnie Drew, the Dublinerstook the Irish folk scene by storm and in theprocess, set the standard for Irish "folk"

music - then and now.The origins of the band are a little fuzzy

as they really started as a loose sessiongroup which got together on the fledglingDublin ballad scene.

The original band was called the RonnieDrew Group. Although every source I canfind on the Internet sites Luke Kelly as anoriginal member of the group with Bob Lynchjoining after Luke left in 1964, on a recentepisode of Reeling In The Years on RTEtelevision, in 1962 the Ronnie Drew Group ispictured performing McAlpine's Fusiliers and

it is Bob Lynch, not Luke Kelly who is withthe group. There is a possibility that thevideo clip was actually from 1964, not 1962.

The Dubliners started out as a four piecewith Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourkeand Barney McKenna. It was 1962 and Irishfolk or ballad music was just starting tomake a comeback in the pubs in Dublin andaround the country. They were originallyknown as the Ronnie Drew Folk Group, butRonnie did not like the name and Luke Kellysuggested The Dubliners, after the JamesJoyce book of the same name.

Although the Clancy Brothers are oftencited as the first folk act to "break big," theydid so mainly in and from the United States.Meanwhile the Dubliners were hard at worksinging their ballads in the backroom ofPaddy O'Donoghue's pub in Merrion Row. Thesessions were bawdy and the air was heavywith cigarette smoke and Guinness.

In the mid 1960's the Dubliners were partof a handful of groups at the forefront of theIrish folk revival. Folk clubs sprang up allaround Dublin and featured artists like theDubliners, Johnny McEvoy, Jon Ledingham,the Johnstons, Ludlows...the list went onand on. However, it was the Dubliners whopossessed a special blend of story telling,musical skills, personality and bawdiness tomake them unique on the scene. RonnieDrew and Luke Kelly were the driving forcesbehind the group's success and uniquecharacters in their own right.

In 1964 Luke Kelly left the band for a shorttime and the late Bob Lynch was recruited totake his place. John Sheehan also joined theband at that time on fiddle and tin whistle.Luke would return to the band a couple ofyears later and Bob would leave, but JohnSheehan also stayed, making the band a fivepiece. 1967 was the year the band hadtheir big break. Their song, Seven DrunkenNights, released in early 1967 was banned byRTE, but played extensively by the piratestation, Radio Caroline. The end result waschart success in Britain where the songeventually climbed to Number 7 on theBritish Charts in March and was Number 1 inIreland. Suddenly, the Dubliners were majorInternational stars. Their follow up single,All for Me Grog, was not nearly assuccessful, failing to chart in England andreaching Number 10 in Ireland. However,they followed it up with another British

success, Black Velvet Band, which went tonumber 15 in the UK charts in August andNumber four in Ireland. They also releasedan album, Drop of the Hard Stuff, whichwent to number five in the UK charts in Mayof 1967.

Although the band would continue to havechart success at home, these would be theonly charts successes the band had inEngland, but it was enough to put them onthe road to international acclaim. In 1967the band was touring the English Club andballrooms of Ireland regularly and hadstarted to make forays into the Europeanmarket, but had not yet made any attemptsto try their luck in America. In a Spotlightinterview in July, 1967 Luke Kelly said,"We're taking things as they come. America?I'd love a chance to play there and just seehow they'd take to us."

In 1974, an article in Spotlight announcedthat Ronnie Drew had left the band and wasreplaced by Jim McCann who had been withthe band on a temporary basis, followingCiaran Bourke's illness. Jim would stay withthe band until 1979 when he left to againpursue his own solo career. Ciaran remaineda member of the band, but would neverperform with them again and sadly passedaway in 1988.

During the 1980's the band continued totour, record, and have the craic. RonnieDrew would return in 1979 to the band'slineup, but Luke Kelly would be replaced bySean Cannon in 1983. Luke had suffered abrain tumour in 1980 which was removed,and although it was hoped he would make afull recovery, he had to leave the band andsadly passed away less than a year later atage 44. Around the time of Ciaran's death in1988, Eamonn Campbell joined the band as apermanent member.

Since our site covers the Irishentertainment scene from 1955 to basically1985, we finish the Dubliner's feature here.If you are interested in a detail account ofthe band's history since then, there aremany sites on the Internet dedicated to theDubliner's and their 50-plus year history.

The death of Barney McKenna on April 5th,2012 brought to a close a special era in Irishfolk. Barney was the last surviving originalmember of the band and although JohnSheehan has been with the band since 1964,he was not in the original group. Barney,Luke, Ronnie and Ciaran made history andhave now all passed into history, althoughthe Dubliner's live on.

Article and Photos courtesy of Gerry Gallagher www.irish-showbands.comMemories

There were hundreds of them. Irishbands of every size, descriptionand musical genre travelling the

roads and borheens of Ireland. Theytravelled the length and breadth of thecountry from the 1950's through the mid1980's. Although "officially" the termshowband was coined in the late fiftiesand was used to describe bands that

played a wide variety of music andusually included a "show" during thenight, the term was gradually appliedto all the bands that played in the1960's. As the Irish music scenesplintered in the late sixties into pop,country bands, the term was droppedbut we still find it the best overalldescription of the bands of the

"ballroom" era. In the early days,they travelled in whatever they couldfind...bread vans, hearses, and evencars (roof racks and all). In later years,many (if not most) of them travelled inconverted Ford Transit vans (like theone pictured right) that were normallyused for delivery services. After acouple of windows were popped into

the centre panels, a row or two of oldairplane seats were installed and theband was ready to travel "in style."Although style was a matter ofopinion...if you're stuck in the back of avan on a cold and rainy winter's night, itmay seem like "a long way toTipperary," but it's even further toCastletownbere, Co. Cork!

It will be impossible to list all thebands that played the dance halls,ballrooms, marquees, parochial halls,community centres, hotels, and townhalls across Ireland but each month weare planning to feature a band from thewest with the help of Gerry Gallagherand www.irish-showbands.com . Apartfrom a few who enjoy near mythical

status (such as the Royal Showband anda handful of others), most bands cametogether, played for a few years andthen either reinvented themselves,changed their name, or justdisappeared, their members eitherreturning to civilian life, or scatteringto two or three new bands.

For such a small country, it is difficult

to comprehend the sheer number ofbands that the country produced.Almost as hard to imagine, is thenumber of dance halls that once dottedthe countryside, many out in the"middle of nowhere."

Pick up next months issue foranother blast from the blast from theshowband era...


All editorial and photographs are kindly supplied by Gerry Gallagher from www.irish-shownbands.com

Over the years Gerry has built up what can only be describe as the definitive guide to the showband era.

I would like to thank Gerry for allowing us to reproduce thearticles and photos in Mature Living. If you would like to knowmore about your favourite band or who was number one in a

particular year visit www.irish-showbands.com

The Bands of our Showband Era

1. Brendan Bowyer & Royal Showband - Kiss Me Quick

2. Dickie Rock & Miami - From the Candy Store3. Dickie Rock & Miami - There's Always Me - (Piccadilly)4. Brendan Bowyer & Royal Showband - Bless You 5. Brendan Bowyer & Royal Showband - No More (HMV)6. Butch Moore & Capitol - Down Came the Rain

7. Eileen Reid & Cadets - Fallen Star (Columbia)8. Sean Fagan & Pacific - She Wears My Ring (Pye)9. Dickie Rock & Miami - I'm Yours (Pye)10. Joe Dolan & Drifters - The Answer To Everything 11. Butch Moore & Capitol Showband - Foolin' Time (Pye)12. Eileen Reid & Cadets - I Gave My Wedding Dress Away 13. Pat McGeegan - Hawaiian Wedding Song (Decca)14. Brendan O'Brien & Dixies - It's Only Makebelieve 15. Sean Fagan & Pacific - Distant Drums (Pye)

Top singles - 1963/64The Dubliners (1962-present)


Top left clockwise: Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke, Barney McKenna, Ronnie Drew and John Sheehan

Dubliners on stage in 1972

Health

Are you getting enoughsleep — or maybe toomuch? How long you sleep

each night could determine howquickly your brain ages.

Researchers from the UKfound that middle-aged adultswho slept less than six hourseach night — and more thaneight hours — are more likely toexperience cognitive decline.And this decline in brainfunction is equal to being fourto seven years older,researchers said.

“There is an expectation intoday’s 24-hour-a-day societythat people should be able to fitmore into their lives,” studyauthor Jane Ferrie, fromUniversity College LondonMedical School, told HealthDayNews.

“The whole work/life balancestruggle is causing people totrade in precious sleeping timeto ensure they completeeverything they feel is expectedof them. Our study suggeststhat this may have adverseeffects on their cognitivefunction,” she said.

For the study, which waspublished in Sleep, researcherslooked at the data of 5,431 menand women, aged 45–69, whohad taken place in long-termstudy known as the Whitehall IIstudy. Participants were askedhow many hours on averagethey slept each night and ifthese sleep patterns hadchanged over a five-yearperiod. They were also given abattery of standard tests toevaluate memory, reasoning,vocabulary, global cognitivestatus and verbal fluency.

Women who slept 7 hours pernight had the highest score forevery cognitive measure,followed by those who got 6hours of snooze time, the studyfound. For men, the findingswere slightly different: thosewho reported sleeping six,

seven or eight hours had asimilar cognitive function.

For both men and women,however, getting less than 6hours or more than 8 hours ofsleep each night wereassociated with lower mentalperformance.

While it is widelyacknowledged that sleep isimportant for the brain torestore and revitalize itself, it isstill not understood why sevenhours of sleep is optimal formost people, or why longersleeping seems to bedetrimental, Ferrie said.Other risks of a sleep-deprivedlifestyle

Better brain health is not theonly reason to get a goodnight’s sleep. Not only can sleepdeprivation affect mentalalertness and cognitive abilities,it can have an effect on ourphysical and psychologicalhealth as well. Poor sleep canincrease the risk for obesity anddiseases such as diabetes,experts say. Studies have alsoshown that people with a sleep-deprived lifestyle are lesssatisfied with their lives overall— and getting a good night’ssleep has also been associatedwith better longevity.

9 Tips for better sleep

Set a schedule and stick to it.Go to bed at a set time eachnight and get up at the sametime each morning. Disruptingthis routine may interrupt yourinner ‘circadian clock’ and leadto insomnia. While ‘sleeping in’on weekends may seem like atreat, it can make it harder towake up early on Mondaymorning because it re-sets yoursleep cycles for a laterawakening.

Watch what you eat. The general rule is: Don’t eatfor at least 2-3 hours before

your regular bedtime. Eatingtoo much may make you lesscomfortable when settling downfor bed. It is best to avoid aheavy meal and spicy foods tooclose to bedtime.

Watch what you drink. Avoid drinks that containcaffeine, which acts as astimulant. This includes coffee,chocolate, soft drinks, and non-herbal teas. Alcohol tends tokeep people in lighter stages ofsleep, robbing them of deepand REM sleep. (Smokers alsotend to sleep lightly and oftenwake up early because ofnicotine withdrawal.)

Get regular exercise. Try to exercise 20 to 30 minutesa day. Keep in mind, however,that while daily exercise oftenhelps people sleep, a workout

too soon before bedtime mayactually interfere with sleep. Inaddition to making us morealert, our body temperaturerises during exercise, and takesas much as 6 hours to begin todrop. Since a cooler bodytemperature is associated withthe onset of sleep, it is betterto finish your exercise at least 5to 6 hours before going to bed.

Establish relaxing rituals. Leave the day’s stresses behindwith a warm bath, reading oranother relaxing activity. Avoidarousing activities beforebedtime like working, payingbills, engaging in competitivegames or family problemsolving.

Make your room sleep-friendly. Select your mattress,pillow and bed linens carefullyfor maximum comfort. Maintaina sleep-friendly temperature inthe bedroom, usually between18-21°C (65-70 degrees F).(Extreme temperatures maydisrupt sleep or prevent youfrom falling asleep.) You mayalso wish to consider usingblackout curtains, eyeshades,earplugs, ‘white noise,’humidifiers, fans and otherdevices. Install soft lighting inyour bedroom and bath. Andwhen reading in bed, considerusing a book light.

Try deep breathing. If you have trouble falling to

sleep, try this relaxationexercise: take deep, slowabdominal breaths, and ifpossible, inhale through yournose. Even if your mind is amuddle of thoughts, try to focuson the flow of your breathing,inhaling and exhaling slowly.Count your breaths, and whenyou get to 10 start over again.

Don’t just lie there. Generally it takes about 20-30minutes to fall asleep. If youstill can’t get to sleep, don’tjust lie in bed. Instead tryreading, watching television, orlistening to calming music untilyou feel tired. The anxiety ofbeing unable to fall asleep canactually contribute to yoursleeplessness.

Rise with the sun. If possible, wake up with thesun, or use very bright lights inthe morning. Sunlight helps thebody’s internal biological clockreset itself each day. Sleepexperts recommend exposure toan hour of morning sunlight forpeople having problems fallingasleep.

Finally, see a doctor if yoursleeping problems continue.If you have trouble fallingasleep night after night, or ifyou always feel tired the nextday, then you may have a sleepdisorder and should see aphysician. Most sleep disorderscan be treated effectively.


Smart Sleeping: Top tips for better sleep and brain health

Health


What is flexibility?A simple definition of flexibilityis having the ability to bendwithout breaking. If you areflexible your joints move easilyand without injury. Sound likeyou? Or does this description fityou better?

Anything from the joy of dancingand playing sports to simplethings like backing out of yourdriveway or bending to tie yourshoes can be affected by a loss offlexibility.

A Definition Of Flexibility - TheWhole PictureA number of factors influenceflexibility ...

Your Body's AnatomyJoints. Your body has many typesof joints, including ball andsocket (shoulders and hips),hinged (elbows and fingers),modified hinged (knees), andgliding (spine). Each joint has it's

specific range of motion. Forexample, to get something froma high cupboard your shoulderjoint moves 180 degrees. Yourelbow bends 145 degrees to allowyou to bring food to your mouth.Our daily activites are made ofcombined movements of severaljoints at once.Connective Tissue. Your skin,muscle sheaths, bones, tendons,lagaments and cartilage all con-tain protein. Collagen, a fibrousconnective tissue, makes up 30%of the protein in these tissues. Connective tissue plays a largepart in how flexible you are. It isboth elastic and plastic in it'sability to stretch. Elasticity is theability to return to it's orignalresting length following a dy-namic stretch. Plasticity is theability to assume a new, longerlength following a static stretch.Muscle spindles are locatedWithin the fibers of your muscles.Their job is to monitor changes inmuscle length and respond to itwith increased muscle activity.Static stretching is a good way toavoid activating your musclespindles and gain more flexibility.Golgi Tendon Organs are foundnear the junctions between yourmuscles and tendons. They re-spond to increased muscle ten-sion by creating a relaxationresponse. Activating your golgitendon organs can help improveflexibility.

Your Body's EnvironmentBody temperature. Increasingyour body temperature by exer-

cisng or simply sitting in a warmbath for 10 - 15 minutes can helpincrease flexibility.Furniture. The surfaces you lay,sit and work on can help or hin-der proper body alignment andover time change your flexibility.

Your LifestyleExercise. As an adult you haveapproximately 604 skeletal mus-cles and 206 bones. Put simply,you were designed to move. Withevery step you take and everymove you make you're stretchingparts of you body. This helps keepit pliable. How active a life styleyou lead has a large impact onyour flexibility.Functional movements arewhole body movments or multi-

joint movements that happen inyour every day life. Rakingleaves, picking things up from thefloor and cleaning your home allinvolve functional movements. What are the activites you doday after day? And more impor-tantly how do you do them?Proper body mechanics helps tokeep you flexible.Good posturehelps maintain good flexibility.Nutrition. For your connectivetissues to remain healthy and pli-able they need to be well nour-ished. Eat a healthy diet andavoid smoking.Stress causes your muscles totighten. If the stress lasts over along period of time these musclesmay shorten. Learn to deal withstress in healthy ways.

What Causes Us To Lose Flexibil-ity As We Age?No functional definition of flexi-bility would be complete withoutknowing the main reasons womenover 50 become less flexible ...Inactivity. Their are definatechanges occuring in your body asyou age, but ... A lot of the lossof function and flexibility associ-ated with aging is due to beingsedentary.Changes in your connective tis-sues. With passing years our col-lagen fibers tend to stick insteadof gliding easily over each other.As a result our tendons, liga-ments, joints and muscles be-come less flexible. Having aregular stretching program off-sets these problems.Diseases affecting your musclesand joints. Osteoarthritis, osteo-porosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fi-bromyalgia and polymyalgiarheumatica make it painful to

move, often leading to a less ac-tive lifestyle and increased stiff-ness. Injury. when your musclesand joints are injured fibrousnodules may form in the connec-tive tissue limiting your ability tomove. In addition to stretching,soft tissue techniques such asneuromuscular therapy or my-ofascial release may help freethe area and restore flexibility.Unfortunately when we decide toget fit, a definition of flexibilityisn't the first thing that comes tomind. But staying limber meanshaving the freedom to move, tir-ing less easily and decreasing oreliminating areas of pain. Tomake your definition of flexibilityfunctional you need to make itrelevant to you. Answer thesequestions for yourself Are you noticing any movementsthat are difficult for you to do?Write them down.What activites would you like todo? What movements do youneed to be able to do easily to dothese things? Can you do them?Do you have areas of pain or stiff-ness? Make note of them.

How active and limber do youwant to be a year from now? 5years from now? Create a vision for yourself in writing.Once you've answered the ques-tions, compare where you arenow to where you want tobe. Set specific, realistic goalsfor improvement. Goals thatmatter to you. Then build aflexibility routine that meetsyour needs. Be sure to consultyour physician or physical thera-pist if you have back issues, areexperiencing joint pain or haveother medical conditions.

You are agingwhen your actionscreak louder than

your words. -Milton Berle

At 80 years of age this Britan’s Got Talent contestant had no issues with her flexibility

A Functional DefinitionOf Flexibility

Fashion


Achieving a sophisticatedstyle is easy when addinglace to your look. If you

want to spice up the way youlook in an elegant way, then thetrend to try this season is lace!Lace comes in many patternsand designs, so whatever yourtaste may be you can find anappropriate piece to wear. Lacehas a long history, starting inthe 16th century when it wasused in both fashion and homedécor. Since then, lace has beena staple in almost everycivilization and is a greatfashion fabric to wear. Lacefeatures an open pattern withholes and spacing with uniquepatterns throughout. The fabricis woven together or laced,hence the name. Lace in agarment is a must-have fashionpiece that every woman shouldhave in her closet.In this article we areshowcasing great lace pieces tointroduce you to lace or ifyou’re already a fan, fun andaffordable garbs to get yourhands on!

1) Every Day Lace

Summer is upon us and there’sno better way to wear lace thanon a light-colored dress withfloral pattern. An everydaydress like the To Be Near Youdress by LaceAffair.com is theperfect lace finished dress towear this season, with itsdelicate weave complimentedby its flow-y form. It’s theperfect dress to take you fromday to night all season long.

2) Formal Lace

For a work look with lace go forHollow Out Buttons Back LaceBlouse by ChicNova.com. Thisbright coloured blouse featuresan all over hollow out lacedetail and unique back buttonclosure. The blouse makes for aclassy choice to wear to workwith a pair of pants or workskirt. It can transition easily toa casual weekend look whenpaired with the right pair ofwhite pants or jeans.

3) Lace Accessories

Did you know that there aregreat jewelry finds that achievethe same great fabric lace look?Jewelry with cutout designsmimic the same great detailachieved by lace fabric, so youget that same feminine flairthat makes lace desirable. Agreat way to get lace in jewelryform is with this large Lace CuffBracelet from Emitations.com.The gold tone design features abohemian lace-style cutoutdesign with a faux leathermaterial in blue that adds acool color combination. Thiscuff bracelet can be paired withthe lace options above or wornseparately with other garmentsto create a hint of lace withwhatever you wear.

4) Unconventional Lace

Looking for a new way to wearlace? How about wearing laceon your sleeves?!Nordstrom.com features thisStripe Lace Sleeve Tee, anautical designed lace-sleevedshirt that can be worn everyday. It’s casual enough to wearover jeans and can be dressedup for a night out. The lacesleeve tee is a new and trendyway to create a fashion forwardlook that will send your looksailing high.

5) Comfort Lace

This intricately designedpopover sweater from Loft.comis a favourite for covering upwhen it gets chilly. Petite Lou &Grey Lace Stripe Popover isperfect for summer nights whenyou need a little extra warmth,

but still want to show off alittle lace. This fashionable lacesweater is casual enough tohave handy wherever you go.Not only that, its sassy andsophisticated style looks greaton a variety of women.

6) Show Stopping LaceIf you have a strong love affairwith all things lace, then you’lllove our last pick: this Lace OffIvory Lace Dress fromLuLu’s.com features an all overlace design for those womenwho want to go all out. Thisstylish dress is made of ivory

colored lace in a floral patternthat’s an absolute showstopper.If you’re looking to really wowin your lace, this is the dress foryou. I recommend wearing thisto weddings and special eventsif you really want to work it.The great thing about lace isthat it looks great on women ofall ages and body types. Lace isa must-have for all women andas we’ve just seen, it can easilybe worn for a variety ofoccasions. There are so manylace options available to womenthese days; it’s just a matter offinding the look for you!

Six Styles of Lace to Love

We all know that exerciseand proper nutrition arehuge factors in getting

and maintaining great skin, butthere are some other “must dos”to get your skin as healthy andyouthful-looking as you can!

Here are 10 simple, everydaytips on how to achieve greatskin:

1. Keep your skin clean byusing a gentle cleanser in themorning and at night.

Always go in an upward motionwhen cleansing your face. It’simportant that you always startoff with clean, moisturized skinbefore you apply any make-upand before you go to bed.Ladies, do this no matter how

tired you are. Cleanse your facein the morning with a gentlecleanser and cool water. Unlikewarm water, cool waterconstricts blood vessels and canhelp diminish redness andpuffiness around the eyes.

2. Apply toner to freshen upyour skin. I like to use large cotton roundsas my applicator.

3. Apply a serum to your face,neck and chest to beginkeeping your skin hydrated. Serum is the best way to bringproper nourishment to your skin.After your serum, apply adaytime moisturizer thatcontains at least a 15 SPF toprotect your skin from the sun’sharmful rays. Once again, applyto your face, neck and chest. Ieven suggest applying your SPFmoisturizer to the back of yourhands. They need protection,too!

4. Try to get a facial once amonth. If you can’t get a professionalfacial, treat yourself to an at-home facial at least once aweek. Use your mild cleanser,then exfoliate with a gentlescrub that contains exfoliantsthat are round and non-abrasive.Larger exfoliant shapes caninjure the skin and causeirritation.

5. Apply a facial mask afterexfoliating. Try using simple egg whites asyour mask. Apply the egg whiteand wait until it hardens, thenrinse it off and see how shinyand smooth your face looks andfeels!

6) Shorten your shower.A long, hot shower may feelfabulous but it’s drying out yourskin. Take lukewarm, short showers.Moisturize within 3 minutes ofstepping out of the shower. Bydoing that, you will lockmoisture into you skin.7. Sleeping on your face cancause “sleep line” wrinklesover time. Avoid sleeping on your stomach ifyou can; try sleeping on yourback or side, which is best.Definitely use a silk pillows toinsure no wrinkles and keep yourhair looking better, as well.

8. Get a good night’s sleep!There’s a reason looking well-rested goes hand in hand withbrighter, healthier skin. A goodnight’s sleep allows your skin torejuvenate itself, repair free-radical damage, and build newcollagen.

9. Put your eye cream andmoisturizers in the fridge tokeep them cool, which makesthese products even morebeneficial. When you wake up inthe morning, your eyes can bepuffy and dark; but once youmassage the cool, soothinglotions and creams onto yourface, your puffy eyes willdisappear. The coldness of thefridge will not only help youreyes and face but also give yourproduct a longer shelf life.

10. Even when you’re steeringclear of the sun, or it appears tobe a cloudy day, always be sureyour makeup foundation ormoisturizer contains at least aSPF 15 or higher…I go higher!

10 Everyday Tips to AchievingGreat Skin

Tips for the more mature lady

Actress Wendie Malick with collar upat the premier of one of her movies

Most women struggle with fashion trends throughoutthere lives. That difficulty increases for women over50. In fact, the phrase senior fashion sounds like an

oxymoron. These simple fashion tips will help you age withgrace and style.

1. Buy the best quality fabrics you can afford. Aging skin needs the support.

2. Gather flattering accessories That have integrity, authenticity (not cute or silly) and thathave presence.

3. Try not to sacrifice style for comfort…it may take some looking but you can have both.

4. Don’t confuse casual dressing with the opportunity towear sloppy outfits.

5. Pay attention to correct fit.Too tight or too loose and baggy, are both bad.

6. Sporty style(which alludes to vitality and youthfulness) may be your best style as you age.

7. Naturalnessand a healthy appearance should be the goal. Too much artifice only contributes to an “old” image.

8. Wear a collarprop it up 50’s style (polo shirt, cotton shirt) up to frame anaging neck.

9. Make an investment in hip, modern glasses…and wear them.

10. Consider the best (with an eye on trend as well as classicism) accessories …especially stylish, well made shoes and bags…and keep them in top condition.

Breakaways

Ashort drive along the SouthEast coast will bring you toDun Laoghaire, where over-

looking the bay you will find theRoyal Marine Hotel. Steeped inhistory, and a favorite with thelocals, this landmark hotel is animpressive sight on the DunLaoghaire skyline. A hotel hasstood here since 1828. Manycelebrities, and even royaltyhave passed through its doorsover the decades. In 2004 thismagnificent old building closedfor restoration, a painstakinglabour of love by the presentowners.

Situated in an elevated site on4 acres overlooking Dublin Bay,the hotel has stunning views thaton a clear day stretch as far awayas Howth; and yet is still only ashort journey from down-townDublin. The original hotel hasbeen extensively but sympatheti-cally renovated with precise at-tention to detail.

And it is just this same atten-tion to detail, we extend to youas our guest – whether overnightor simply joining us for a drink inour bar or dining in our restau-rant.

The large bay windows and highceilings of the Bay Lounge high-light the grandeur and historicfeel that is central to the hotelstyle. Lavishly furnished it is acomfortable and ideal venue tomeet friends and family for cof-fee, lunch or perhaps to enjoythe age-old tradition of afternoontea whilst overlooking the gar-dens, with spectacular views ofthe harbour. Our resident pianistcompletes the ambience everySaturday afternoon.

Or perhaps dine in relaxedstyle in our Dún Bistro where thedelights of the Restaurant arematched only by the professionalfriendly service and stunningviews over the harbour. Servingan Early Bird Menu, Table d’hote

and a la Carte Menus.Try out lively Hardy’s Bar for a

local drink (named after the fa-mous actors and world famouspartners Laurel & Hardy whostayed in the original Royal Ma-rine Hotel). Food served everyday until 10pm. Live music everySaturday night.

The Pier Health Club offersstate-of-the-art cardio and resist-ance equipment, free weightarea and a luxury 18 metre swim-ming pool. We are proud to offerour members a spacious, relaxedand welcoming environment inwhich to exercise. Or simply re-treat into the hushed tranquillityof the sansanaSpa (the only FailtéIreland ‘comprehensive’ spa inDublin) and choose pamperingdelights from our extensive treat-ment menu.

With so much to choose from,what better way to spend a dayor so than at the beautifully re-stored Royal Marine Hotel…

...With so much to choose from, what better way to spend aday or so than at the beautiful Royal Marine Hotel…

The fascinating history of one of Irelands finest surviving Anglo Irish grandhouses awaits visitors to Mount Falcon Estate outside Ballina in CountyMayo. After exploring 100 acres of mature forest and walkways, discover

the archaeological remains of a 4,500 year old court tomb. A quick stroll aroundour 3 acre lake with resident ducks and then a few lengths in the 17 m indoorheated swimming pool, relax in our sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room and build upan appetite for traditional afternoon tea; served in opulent lounges in front ofroaring open fires. Mount Falcon……something for everyone.

Discover the Mount Falcon Estate, Ballina Golden Years at MountFalcon Estate €239 pp

MOUNT FALCON, FOXFORD ROAD, BALLINA, CO. MAYO

TEL: 096-74472 • FAX: 096-74473EMAIL: [email protected] • WEB: WWW.MOUNTFALCON.COM

3 nights Bed & Breakfast with 1 Bistro Dinner€25 Spa Credit (valid towards any 1 Hour Message

or Facial)Complimentary use of the Estate Golf

Driving RangeComplimentary use of our leisure centre with

17m heated pool100 acres of Estate woodlands, walks & river Moy

Connaughts Best Restaurant 2013 (RAI)

Transfers to local Bus & Train Station on request10% discount at Foxford Wollen Mills

Mayo on our Door Step

The Villa Rose Hotel is a 4 Star, family owned,boutique spa hotel located in the town centreof Ballybofey, Co Donegal.

Situated between Letterkenny & Donegal Town it isan ideal base from which to experience all thatDonegal and the North West of Ireland have to offer.

The hotel comprises 57 beautifully appointedbedrooms, contemporary in design with the emphasison absolute comfort acting as a home away fromhome. All bedrooms are ensuite and include safe,tea/coffee making facilities, complimentary bottledwater, plasma screen tv & complimentary wi-fi.

Avail of free parking and complimentarynewspapers each morning. Facilities include Fara’sRestaurant & Wine Bar for a delicious meal in modernand elegant surroundings,

The Forge Bar with live light entertainment, The ‘Wee’ Bar serving lunch, bar food & specialty

coffees overlooking Ballybofey’s bustling main street& The V Spa for pampering & relaxation.

The Villa Rose offer a wide range of holidays forthe 50+ market including Ballroom & SequenceDancing and 50+ Active Breaks including a range of

optional entertainment & activities to partake induring your stay. Whether you are looking for arelaxing break away or for an exciting trip with thepossibility of meeting like minded friends then theVilla Rose is the destination for you. Contact LeonaMcGee – dedicated 50+ Events Marketing Co-ordinator at the Villa Rose for full details

Active Breaks at The Villa Rose Boutique Hotel and V-Spa

4 Star, Family Owned, Town Centre hotelReservations: 074-9132266 [email protected] • www.villarose.ie

50+ Active Breaks2B&B+2 Dinners €119pp 3B&B+3 Dinners

€159pp 4B&B+4Dinners €199ppIncludes Tea & Scones on arrival with Activities

& Entertainment all week

Dancing for Pleasure BreaksJune 8th – 11th Inclusive €239pp

4 Nights B&B+4Dinners, Tuition & Dancing toLive Bands Nightly

Anytime Golden Years BreakSunday – Thursday

3B&B+2Dinner €139ppNo single Supplement on any of the above subject to availability

One of the best places to base a home holiday ora week-end break is, undoubtedly, the LoughAllen Hotel in County Leitrim. Situated on the

shores of Lough Allen, only 14 km from the bustlingtown of Carrick on Shannon, it is only a short walk tothe town of Drumshanbo.

The hotel has offerings to compare with the tophotels in Ireland and also has the stunning Leitrimcountryside. Spa treatments, leisure centre and asumptuous candlelight dinner are all part of what’s onoffer for an unforgettable break. A family re-unioncan be rounded off with a lavish evening meal

It is an ideal wedding venue or conference centre.The central location of the hotel in Leitrim facilitates

tours and visits to thesurrounding unspoiledcountryside. The locationfacilitates visits to the manynearby lakes that comprise theLeitrim countryside andshopping in nearby Sligo orEnniskillen A visit to Lough Allenhotel & Spa in Drumshanbo is amust and there are packages tosuit any budget.

Visit the stunning Leitrim countryside

Enjoy the beautifulviews of the untouched countryside of MayoJoin us here at Knock House Hotel and enjoy the beautiful views of theuntouched countryside of County Mayo. It is a haven of peace and theperfect setting for a relaxing break. Located just 20 minutes from “IrelandWest Airport Knock” and 10 minutes from Claremorris Train Station. Takeup our 4 Day special Offer for February and March of €199 includes 4Nights B&B and 4 Evening Meals.

During your break with us we cater to your every need , and it’s a lovelyopportunity to make friends and mix with like- minded people. Enjoy ourFour Seasons Restaurant which overlooks a beautiful garden and capturesthe magnificent spire of the Basilica. Over the years it has earned anenviable reputation of food, wine & service.Knock House Hotel is within minutes of wonderful attractions includingKnock Marian Shrine and Museum. Within a short drive; Fr PeytonMemorial, Museum of Country Life (Turlough ), Foxford Woollen Mills andthe Western Greenway Cycling Route, and within an hour’s drive,Kylemore Abbey, Michael Davitt Museum and Ceide Fields. Local outdooractivities include hiking and walking, golf, horse riding and angling.Enniscrone Beach is within a 40 min drive where you can swim, surf orenjoy a seaweed bath.

To book this wonderful deal please call Karen on 0949388088

Breakaways

Knock House Hotel, Knock, Co Mayo www.knockhousehotel.ie • [email protected]

Tel: 094 9388088 • Fax: 094 9388044

Special Offer From Knock House Hotel2 Nights Bed, Breakfast

and 2 Evening meals May, June & July €160pp

When you call to book Quote : Mature Living

PHONE KAREN NOW!*This offer is exclusive to Mature Living Readers and can not be used in con-

junc"on with any other offers. *Subject to availability *Terms and Condi"ons apply

2 Nights B&B for 2 people Only €99Available Sun-Thur Only...€49.50pps

Please mention Mature Living Leinster when booking

Mid Week 2 Nights B&B Offer

Drumshanbo • Co Leitrim www.loughallenhotel.com

To Book Call 071-9640100 or [email protected]

Sligo Park Hotel and Leisure ClubAwarm welcome awaits you at the four-

star Sligo Park Hotel and Leisure Club,On the outskirts of Sligo Town in the

Heart of Yeats’ Country set in quiet parklandand surrounded by some of the most sceniccountryside in Ireland ranging from themajestic Benbulben to the gentle waters ofLough Gill. In the heart of Yeats’ country forover 40 years, the Sligo Park Hotel is a wellestablished favourite. Relax in the spacious lobby; take a stroll intotown or venture to the nearby ancient sitesincluding Carrowmore, Slish Wood, DooneyRock & Knocknarea or an abundance ofwoodland retreats.Wherever your interests lie, Sligo is sure tohave something to offer. Stroll along Atlantic shores taking in somestunning scenery. Why not try your hand atpottery, take a walk up Knocknarea mountainor go surfing in Strandhill?

After a days exploring, sit back and relax inthe jacuzzi before savouring the atmosphereof the Rathanna bar and Garden Terrace andenjoying the creative delights in theHazelwood Restaurant.

Sligo is surprising !

HOTEL & LEISURE CLUB

Pearse Road, Sligo • Tel: 071 919 0400 www.sligoparkhotel.com • Email: [email protected]

Over 55’s Special Offer

Subject to Availability Available on Selected Dates

3 B&B + 3 DinnersFrom €150pps4 and 5 Night Breaks also Available

Pets Corner

MARKREE CASTLECollooney, Co Sligo

Telephone: 071-9167800www.markreecastle.ie

Pet Friendly HotelCasual Castle Comfort

10% B&B discount to MatureLiving Readers

www.designerpethomes.comTelephone: 086-8314389

E: [email protected]

Custom InsulatedPet Homes

Lay your beloved pet to rest with dig!it" and care

Tel: 090 6454538 • 087 2376111 • 087 9332039 • www.petcoffin.ie

Our lovingly crasted pet burial caskets, handmade in Count" Offaly, will allow you to bur" your t&easured petwith dig!it" and care. Our caskets come in a range of sizes to suit all pets 'om the smallest bird or hamster, to a

large dog. Each casket is cloth-lined inside and finished with a personalised nameplate. The caskets are alsoavailable for use with an Ur!.

Hollybarn Dog andPuppy Training wasoriginally set up in

the West of Ireland and isrun by leading Irish DogTrainer, AnimalBehaviourist and qualifiedVeterinary Nurse EmmaWhelan Dip VN, RVN, DipCAPBT.

Emma has over a decadeand a half of experience inthe Veterinary industryand the Dog Training andbehaviour world. Emmaqualified from UCD Dublin,Ireland before going on tostudy dog training andbehaviour in the UK.

“As a child growing upwith my own ChocolateLabrador “Rommel” Irealised the only thing Iwanted to do was to workwith animals. Afterworking in the veterinaryindustry and with animalsnow for over 15 years myoutlook still hasn’tchanged. It has been, andcontinues to be, my onlypassion and an incrediblyrewarding and enjoyable

part of my life.”Emma has an unwavering

passion for animals andtheir well being and hasbeen involved in canineand animal behaviour,psychology and trainingsince being very young. Itis difficult to find anyoneas enthusiastic, asdedicated and asknowledgeable as Emma inthe Dog Training andbehaviour world.

Emma has earned manyacademic credits to hername including being aqualified AnimalBehaviourist, VeterinaryNutrition Adviser, and anAdvanced Pet HealthCounsellor as well as beingan advisor to many dogand cat rescue centres andcharities both in Irelandand the UK.

This combination ofskills and dedication hasmade her one of the mostsuccessful and wellrespected Dog Trainers,Animal Behaviourists andVeterinary Nurses in both

Ireland and the UK.“Everyone should have thechance to own the dogthey always wanted - Ihelp families achieve thisevery day and that's agreat feeling!”

Emma travels Irelandproviding One to One Dogand Puppy TrainingSessions right at the heartof where people’sproblems are - in peoplesown homes. “I ran dogtraining classes in the pastand never felt people gotas much out of them asthey should. Oneproblematic dog or severaldifferent dogs withdifferent learning speedsand people get left behindor get bored. They also runfor several weeks and ifyou miss a week you couldmiss the part you reallywanted. A two hour sessionin someone’s home is farmore effective and bettervalue for money for the

owner”For the realproblem dog Emma alsoprovides the option ofResidential Training. This isa two week course wherethe dog actually lives inEmma’s home (no horriblecages or kennels) and istrained from dusk untildawn.

“I find the intensity of adog being trainedconstantly from waking upto going to bed worksincredibly well for the dogwith real problems.

The satisfaction ofreturning a dog after twoweeks and handing backjust what the ownerwanted is exhilarating.”

Emma also does dogboarding in her own homeso no matter what problemyou have even yourholidays are covered.

Call 087 782 3957 or Visitwww.hollybarndogtraining.com for more details

Hollybarn Dog andPuppy Training

Pets Corner


Free Nationwide DeliveryBig Brands - Small Prices!

Ireland’sFavourite

Online Petshop

Hollybarn Dog & Puppy Training

087 782 3957 • www.hollybarndogtraining.com

• Toilet Training / Lead Work• Sit / Lie / Stay / Barking• Running Away / Recall• Jumping on People & Furniture• Chasing Everything• Chewing / Digging / Play Biting• Separation Anxiety• Noise Phobia / Socialisation• Aggressive Behaviour• In House Boarding / Kennels• One to One / Residential

Specialising in natural petcare products

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Unit 7, Glenageary Shopping Centre, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Tel: 01-201-3910info@naturenurturepetstore.comwww.naturenurturepetstore.com

Every day you comehome to your belovedpets, their eager faces

greeting you when youwalk through the door.Wherever you go, theyfollow, lapping up every bitof affection you give. Nogreeting can quite matchthe unadulterated joy andexcitement of pets seeingtheir best friends after along day apart.

Pets have become suchan integral part of ourfamilies that we only wantthe best for them andoften put their needsahead of our own. Maybeyou’ve cancelled Fridaynight or weekend plansbecause you didn’t want toleave your pets alone oryou just don’t have anyoneyou can really trust to carefor them like you do. Or,perhaps you’ve becomedistracted at work, worriedabout your dog being stuckalone in the house all daywith nothing to do but get

into mischief.You deserve to relax

when you are away fromhome and to come home tohappy, relaxed pets –whether it’s after a longday at work or a two weekholiday of a lifetime.

And, now you can.Pet Sitters Ireland, the

country’s largest pet sittingand dog walking company,provides families withpeace of mind, knowingtheir beloved pets are safe,happy, and healthy whilethey can’t be with them. Aprofessional pet sitter willmeet with you prior to youhiring Pet Sitters Ireland toget to know you and yourpets and to get a solidunderstanding of how youcare for your pets.

Professional pet sittersfollow your specificinstructions to ensure yourpets receive the care towhich they are accustomedwhen you are at home.You’ll even receive daily

updates, while you areaway, to let you know howwell your pets are doing.

In addition to visits,which you can scheduleonce or several times aday, a professional petsitter can provide securityto your home by turninglights on and off, bybringing in the post, and bygiving the appearance ofsomeone being at home. Ifyou’ve got a sick or anelderly pet or a pet whoneeds extra attention tothrive, you can scheduleovernight visits.

But, a pet sitter isn’tjust for those weekends orholidays away from home.Pet Sitters Ireland isdedicated to making ourclients’ lives easier,including on specialoccasions. So many familieshave begun to include theirpets in weddings, forexample, that we havecreated special WeddingDay Services that ensuresyour pets are cared for onyour special day whether

you want us to bring themto the wedding ceremonyor to spend the day athome with them.

Dogs often struggle themost with staying insidealone all day. We can helpwith that too. Ourprofessional dog walkerswill make sure your doggets outside for a long walkwhile you are at work. Theopportunity to socialize,exercise, and eliminatewill leave your dog tiredand happy when you returnhome at the end of theday. Your pets deserve thevery best, even when youcan’t be there. Pet SittersIreland is dedicated toensuring your pets receivethe best from ourprofessional pet sitters anddog walkers, so you canenjoy your time away andarrive home to happy andrelaxed pets. Please get intouch to talk to us aboutyour Pet Care requirementson Freephone 1800 30 3010 or visitwww.PetSittersIreland.com

You’re leaving me behind?!Whether it is work or holiday, let us keep them company when you aregone. Guaranteed to wipe your guilt away.

Round the world UNESCO World Heritage Trip

Start your trip as you mean to go onwith the stunning scenery of theAmerican West. Make your way from

Seattle to San Francisco with on theCamping in Yosemite and Yellowstonetour. Start with a coffee in the originalStarbucks city of Seattle beforeexploring the dizzying mountains and

glaciers of Montana. The geothermalactivity of Yellowstone National Park isnext on the list, with a visit to thestunning 'Grand Prismatic Pool' - a mustsee! Finish with a hike through thespellbinding sequoias of Yosemite andarrive in San Francisco for the view ofthe Golden Gate Bridge.

Enjoy the National Parks of Western America

See the Angkor Wat temples and the ancienthighlights of Vietnam

An overland trip from Bangkok toHanoi would be nothing without avisit to Angkor Wat in Cambodia,

and luckily our Cambodia and Vietnamon a Shoestring does just that. TheAngkor Wat temples are sure to be ahighlight of this round the world trip,with the stone faces of Bayon aparticular favourite. Try and get to thetemples at dawn for the ultimate sunriseover these ancient buildings. Moving intoVietnam, a trail of sites litter the northcoast; from the quaint centre of Hoi Antown to the historical citadel of Hue,just make sure you finish up in Halong

Bay, relaxing on a Chinese junk boat witha cocktail as you watch the sun go down.

Halong Bay

Temple Complexes of Angkor Wat

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are known to be the most impressive cultural,architectural and natural wonders on Earth, in need of both protection andcelebration. Why not take a trip around the world to discover what makes

these sights so unforgettable.

Take the Troubles- away from -

Round-the-world travel is not just forpeople taking a year out fromstudying – adventure travel is

becoming more popular than ever withthe over 50s, as empty nesters begin toenjoy making their own choices and striveto tick off items from their ‘I’ve alwayswanted to…’ list.Whether you aretravelling alone or with others, once youhave bought your ticket the thought oftravelling can suddenly feel verydaunting. Here are some top tips andadvice to help fully prepare you, so thatyou can be confident you’ll have the tripof a lifetime.

Swot up Read as much as you can about yourdestinations, this way you will know moreabout what to expect and how to prepareyourself. It will also mean that you areless likely to miss seeing what you want.Use trusted websites for accurateinformation. For instance, G Adventureshas a travel guide section withinformation for all the popular travellingdestinations, including cultural andhistorical information, places to see, andfestivals and events. It also has practicalinformation worth reviewing on topicssuch as health issues, weatherinformation and pre departurepracticalities. Supplement informationfrom trusted websites with advice fromother travellers where you can directlyask about others’ experiences. Forumscan be great for getting a feel for places,but it is best to double check factualinformation with additional sources.

Make it easy to keep in contact Get yourself and your family Skypeaccounts. Skype is a cheap way to makecalls abroad, and with a webcam you canalso see each other (perfect for showingoff the great tan you’ll have).Bring hard copies of pictures of yourfamily. These are more accessible and willfeel more real than looking at digitalversions online if you happen to missthose you’ve left behind.If you enjoy writing, you may want to setyourself up with ablogging

platform.

Wordpress accounts are easy to set up, orthere are travel specific ones such as TripJournal, Travellers Point or TravelPodwhich allows you to map your journey.While you are at home with easy accessto the internet, play with the design untilyou are happy and let people know theaddress, so as soon as you leave you canbegin recording your experiences.

Choose a photo upload site, like Flickr,so you can upload pictures as you go – itwill not only show everyone what you areup to, but it acts as a good backup shouldanything happen to your camera. You canalso upload photos to Facebook, however,the quality is fairly low so Flickr may be abetter option if you want to print them inthe future.

If you have a planned itinerary, leave acopy at home so friends and relatives canfeel safe knowing where you are. Marktimes when you think contacting themmay be difficult so they don’t worry if youdon’t get in touch for a while. It is also agood idea to leave photocopies of yourpassport and plane tickets with anemergency contact. You should alsoconsider providing your country’s embassywith a copy of your planned itinerary andcontact information.

Get street wise It may sound geeky, but buy a moneypouch. They really come in handy whenyou don’t have a safe place to keep yourmoney. If you can get one that is fairly bigbut you are still able to sleep with, it willbe useful in keeping your valuables safeovernight if the hostel has no locker.Make sure you have different ways ofaccessing money. With most banks youcan withdraw funds no matter where youare in the world, but it is a good idea tohave a back-up way of withdrawingmoney (for instance travellers’ cheques).Keep them in separate places, this way, ifyou lose one, you always have the other.If you do get stranded without money, youcan always have relatives transfer yousome through Western Union, as long asyou have ID with you, so remember tokeep your emergency contact’s detailshandy just in case if you get stuck.

Get company If you are still worried about travelling,surround yourself with like-mindedpeople. Group travel and tours are afantastic way to travel where theorganisation of getting from A to B,arranging accommodation and visitinghighlights is all sorted for you. Manypeople feel much safer travelling ingroups and long-lasting friendships can

often be made with like-mindedtravellers. Research adventure travel

tour operators to find a company thatsuits you and your needs.

ADVENTURE TRAVELLING

Arrive in Peru for your surface sector tripto Santiago on the Southern Divide tour.The climb from the UNESCO WorldHeritage city of Cuzco to Machu Picchumay well leave you breathless - and notjust because of the scenery! Head downsouth through Bolivia following a trail ofsome of the most beautiful colonial and

pre-colonial buildings in South America.Sucre and Potosi in Bolivia are filled withcrumbling cathedrals, basilicas and once-humming silver mines - the perfectintroduction to a stunning country. Finishyour South American adventure bycrossing the Atacama Desert and arrivingin Santiago, the capital city of Chile.

Follow the Andes south through Peru, Bolivia and Peru

Interested? If this trip, or something similar catches your eye give your local travel agent a call.

The Moai of Easter Island really haveto be seen to be believed. This tinyisland in the middle of the Pacific

has 887 of the statues and is a perfectstopover between Chile and New

Zealand. The tiny village of Orongo is also worth avisit as well as the white beach of Ovaheto watch where the bright blue surfcrashes onto the sand.

Marvel at the Moai of Easter Island

Trek the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand

From Auckland it's an easy drivedown to Tongariro National Parkon a tour of the North Island.

The Tongariro Crossing is consideredby many to be the best day walk inthe world. Across the top of severalactive volcanoes with emerald andturquoise lakes, snow-capped peaksand the looming mountain ofNgauruhoe (Mt. Doom to the Lord ofthe Rings fans out there!), this walkis one that you will never forget asyou experience the natural beauty ofNew Zealand's north island. For moreideas on trekking in New Zealand,read Annie's recent blog post.

From Sydney to Cairns - there's anawful lot of land inbetween.Luckily for you, there's also a

wealth of amazing things to see anddo, including a trip to the BlueMountains, just 1.5 hours drive fromSydney. Hire a car or campervan andhead to the Giant Stairway to catch aglimpse of the Three Sisters rocksbefore heading up the shoreline forsome more coastal wonders. FraserIsland and the Great Barrier Reef areunparalleled in their natural beautybut make sure you also head north ofCairns to the wet tropics ofQueensland to paddle among themangroves of the Daintree Rainforest.

Explore the rugged coastline of East Australia

The fantastic journey fromIndia to the foot of theHimalayas (the Delhi to

Kathmandu Adventure) is oneyou won't forget in a hurry.Experience the enigmatic TajMahal in Agra as well as theJantar Mantar in the Pink Cityof Jaipur. Crossing the borderinto Nepal make sure you passthrough Lumbini, thebirthplace of the Lord Buddhaand Chitwan National Park,where the wildlife of Nepal isa fabulous sight. Fromelephants and rhinos to theelusive tiger, Nepal is a quietand colourful country that issure to steal your heart.

Travel overland from India to Nepal

Explores the temples of Japan

From Tokyo, the first stop on aUNESCO tour of Japan is sure tobe Mount Fuji, the snow-capped

scared mountain just outside the city.After admiring (or climbing!) thismagnificent peak, head north to thetemples of Nikko before turning onyour heel and moving south again toKyoto and Himeji-jo, a 17th centurycastle. Pay your respects at theHiroshima Peace Memorial in the southof the country. Finally go back in timein the historic villages of Shirakawa-goand Gokayama where you canexperience the traditional Japaneseway of life. With the Japan Rail Pass itis incredibly easy to get around sothere's no excuse to miss any of theunique UNESCO sites.

2 & 3 bedroom well appointed homesClose to beach

Call 051390950www.tramoreholidayhomes.com • Tramore, Co. Waterford

TRAMOREHoliday Homes

Waterford City was founded byViking traders in 914 and it hasan exciting medieval flavour and

riverside bustle. The Waterford Museumof Treasures tells the 1000-year-story ofWaterford from the treasures of VikingWaterford at Reginald's Tower, the oldestcivic urban building in Ireland, to thestory of Georgian Waterford at theBishop's Palace from 1700 to 1970.

Waterford City is the home ofWaterford Crystal, a lifestyle product ofexquisite craftsmanship.

A visit to the House of Crystal visitorcentre includes an opportunity to choosefrom the world's largest selection ofWaterford Crystal. The factory touroffers first hand access to all areas oftraditional crystal production.

The city has a strong maritimetradition and an estimated 500,000people enjoyed the colourful spectacleof the 2011 Tall Ships Race and festivalof music and culture in the city and

along the river Suir Estuary to DunmoreEast. County Waterford offers a dazzling147 kilometres coastline, with 49beaches, beautiful river valleys, lakesand two dramatic ranges of veryaccessible mountains. Dungarvan, theadministrative capital for the county, isset in a broad, magnificent bay.

In between are lively and quiet SeasideResorts like Tramore, the spectacularCopper Coast Geopark and lovelymountain & river valley towns andvillages. Houses & Gardens, where graceand beauty can be admired at leisure,are part of a rich heritage which includesPre-Historic & Historic Sites.

The town of Lismore was originally amonastic settlement founded in the 7thCentury by St. Carthage, a HeritageTown, it was the centre of ecclesiasticaland temporal power for centuries.

Sophisticated fashion stores and highquality craft centres complete a holidaypicture that is sure to please.

Tel: 058 41122. Email: [email protected]

CO. WATERFORD

Town Centre Hotel &Close To All Ameni!es

Special Accommoda!on RatesSunday - Thursday

2 Nights Bed & Breakfast & One Dinner Only... €99pps

3 Nights Bed & Breakfast & One Dinner Only... €135pps

Single Supplement €10 for Groups Complimentary Car/Coach Park

Complimentary Wi FiWalking distance from Bus Stop

One of the many beaches in Waterford

Welcome to Waterfordthe Crystal County

Focus on

Waterford Castle at Dusk


Tour of Dromana House: The guide for thisstimulating, historical and informative tour is a

member of the family who live in Dromana House.The duration of the tour is approximately one hour

and carries you through 800 years (21 generations) offascinating facts and fables incorporating both

Dromana Estate and the surrounding area. The garden& looped woodland walks stretch over an area of 30acres with outstanding views of the river below from

the terraces. Within the garden is the Banqueting housebuilt in circa 1740 and the Bastion with a grassed roof

and tunnel below leading to the waters edge.

Opening times: April, May, June (2pm to 6pm) Closed Mondays

Visitors welcome at other times by appointment

Visit our website for more details www.dromanahouse.com

For more details about tours please email [email protected]

Tel: 024-96144 or 086-8186305

Tourin House Hours of Opening: May to September 1:00pm to 5.00pm Tuesday to Saturday. Groups by Appointment.

Tel: 058-54405Cappoquin, Co. Waterford • www.tourin-house.ie

Step back in time to anoasis of calm and

tranquillity at TourinHouse and Gardens

situated in the heart of thebeautiful and historic

Blackwater Valley.Visitors are welcome towander down garden

paths that lead from theMain House built in

1840, past a camellias andrhododendrons to a

Walled Garden with fruit,vegetable and a collection

of over one hundredbearded Iris. The original

16th century TowerHouse still stands and canbe seen from the garden.

Cappoquin House, CappoquinCo. Waterford

Tel: 058 54290 (mornings) 087-6704180 (mobile)

Email: [email protected]

House Open May, June and Heritage Week 10am - 2pm - €5 Per Person(Groups by arrangement)

Gardens Open all Year round 10am - 4pm (Closed Sundays) €5 Per Person

Come and Discover one of County Waterford’s lovely gardens300 Years of Family HistoryOnly 4 miles from Lismore

• 18th Century Heritage House on Castle Site• Large South Facing Hillsdie Garden

• Extensive views over Blackwater Valley• Collection of old Rhododendrons, Camellias, Magnolias & Azaleas

• Specimen trees, formal garden, Pear and apple walk, woodland walk

Reginald's Tower The oldest complete building in Ireland andthe first to use mortar, 12th-centuryReginald's Tower is an outstanding exampleof medieval defences and was the city's keyfortification. The Normans built its 3m- to4m-thick walls on the site of a Vikingwooden tower. Over the years, the buildingserved as an arsenal, a prison and a mint.The exhibits relating to the latter roleinclude medieval silver coins, a wooden'tally stick' with notches indicating theamount owed, a 12th-century piggy bank(smashed) and a coin balance used todetermine weight and bullion value.Architectural oddities include the toiletthat drained halfway up the building.Behind the tower, a section of the old wallhas been incorporated into a new pub andrestaurant complex . The two arches weresally ports, to let boats 'sally forth' into theinlet.

Bishop's Palace This interactive museum detailingWaterford's long history is in theaesthetically renovated Bishop's Palace(1741). It has dazzling displays coveringWaterford's history from 1700 to 1970 andincludes treasures from the city'scollection, such as golden Viking brooches,jewel-encrusted Norman crosses and 18th-century church silver.

Christ Church CathedralChrist Church Cathedral is Europe's onlyneoclassical Georgian cathedral. Designedby local architect John Roberts, it was builton the site of an 11th-century Viking

church, also the site where the 12th-century marriage of Strongbow and Aiofetook place. The rather grim highlight is the15th-century tomb of James Rice , seventimes Lord Mayor of Waterford: sculptedworms and frogs crawl out of the statue ofhis decaying body. On a jollier note, thecathedral also acts as a concert venueoffering a diverse programme and superbacoustics.

Kite Design StudiosSome of Waterford's best artists andcraftspeople have space in thiscombination studio and shop. As well as theIrish Handmade Glass Company, mastercraftsman Sean Egan has a workshop here.In 2013 Sean was commissioned to createan engraved bowl depicting the Famineship which was presented to US President,Barack Obama as part of thecommemorative events relating to 'TheGathering'; a year-long event that tookplace in 2013 aimed at celebrating Irishhistory, culture and genealogy.

Tourist Office/Campervan in Tramore.It is voluntarily run by local people andbusinesses.

Waterford

AUGUST:SPRAOI STREET FESTIVAL3rd - 5th "The Biggest StreetCarnival in Ireland" Fun, Fun,Fun for all the family. Waterford

City. Every August Bank HolidayWeekend the streets of Water-ford city are transformed into ahuge stage featuring an interna-tional cast of musicians and

street theatre performers. Allevents are free www.spraoi.com

NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK Waterford 18th - 26th. National

Heritage Week builds awarenessand education about ourheritage thereby encouraging itsconservation and preservation.http://www.heritageweek.ie

SEAN KELLY TOUR OF WATERFORDfeaturing the 50 km KellyCruise, the 90km Kelly Coastand The Kelly ComeraghChallenge which at 160 kmincludes two Category Oneclimbs.www.theseankellytour.com

LISMORE COMMUNITY FESTIVALEarly August, West Waterford

DUNMORE EAST BLUEGRASSFESTIVALDunmore East, Co. Waterford.Last W/E in August, since 1994.

HORSE RACINGTramore, Co. Waterford. Tel:051 381425, Mid Augustwww.tramore-racecourse.com

SEPTEMBER

SONIC ARTS WATERFORDSAW Fest 20 - 22 SAW Fest is anew indoor international festivalof experimental/ambient musicand electronic arts due to takeplace in theatres and galleriesaround Waterford.

WATERFORD HARVESTFESTIVAL 10th- 16th is a citywide festival celebrating foodheritage and culture inWaterford with nine days of funfilled foodie events.

ANGLING OPEN DEEP SEACOMPETITIONDungarvan, Co. Waterford 058-41395 or 058-46401

SET DANCING FESTIVAL MIDSEPTEMBER Rathgormac Village County

WaterfordOCTOBER

IMAGINE ARTS FESTIVAL 09th - 13th, nine mini festivalsall in one theatre, film, music,comedy, dance, literature,visual, craft and children - aplatform for local talent and ashowcase for internationalartists. The annual festival is a vibrantmix of the traditional andcontemporary, well-establishedacts, special commissions, Irishexclusives and Europeanpremieres.www.imagineartsfestival.com

NOVEMBER

WATERFORD FILM FESTIVAL9th - 11th Greyfriars Gallery.The film festival, showcases allforms of feature film anddocumentary film production -short, animation, experimental,student work, digital work, etc.www.waterfordfilmfestival.com

THE GOLDEN YEARS FESTIVAL12th - 14th A full and exicitingprogramme of events areplanned to ensured theenjoyment of visitors and localsalike.Horse Racing Tramore, Co.Waterford Tel: 051 381425www.tramore-racecourse.com

DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS IN WATERFORD 1st - 31st. Seasonal activitiesand events in Waterford City,including carol singing,Christmas markets, and visits toSanta Claus!

BALLYRAFTER INTERNATIONALFLOWER FAIR Tel: 058 53111

Barbara Duff • Tel: 087 4149949 • 051 291868www.seashoretours.com

www.facebook.com/seashoretoursdungarvan

Clonea Hotel and Beach, Dungar!an, Co. WaterfordDiscover many of the amazing plants and animals of the seashore on anenter"aining and enjoyable tour. Lear# how they live in their unusual envronment and make f$t$re visitsto the shore, interesting and exciting as you share your new knowledgewith %iends, children and g&andchildren...Tour Duration is 1 and 1/2 Hours - Price €12 Adults / €10 St$dents andSeniors / €6 Children / €30 Familes

SPRAOI STREET FESTIVAL

Waterford Events

SONIC ARTS WATERFORD

SEAN KELLY TOUR OF WATERFORD


Cush B+B Failte Ireland ApprovedBed & Breakfast

Waterford

Cush Bed and Breakfast is a 3 star Failte Ireland Approved,modern home situated in picturesque Duffcarrick, Ardmore in County Waterford. Situated off the N25 and

adjacent to Ardmore, Cush B&B is immersed in stunning views ofthe bay, countryside and historic ancient sites. Your host ThereseTroy prides herself on making sure that all her guests receive awarm and friendly welcome and that their stay is acomfortable, relaxing and memorable one. Theresehome-bakes, grows her own organic tomatoes andeggs are provided by her own hens. All food is guaranteed to be fresh & delicious!

Duffcarrick, Ardmore, Co Waterford • Tel: 024-94474 Mobile: 087-4141222 email: [email protected] • www.cushbandbardmorewaterford.com

WaterfordSt Carthage’s Cathedral andLady Louisa’s walk

St. Carthage’s Cathedral dates back asfar as the 7th century, when built as achurch and is named after its founder.Though the Cathedral has been rebuiltsince then, four original memorial stonesremain as do sections of its 12th centuryincarnation. Many more interesting arte-facts and a tomb are to be discovered in-side. Set in a pretty location, it is amust see in the town.

For those in the mood for exercise, LadyLouisa’s walk is a must. The daughter ofthe 7th Duke of Devonshire, Lady Louisacreated many walks in the area, howeveronly one remains, mainly as a result oflocal fishermen’s use of it. The path ismostly woodland, running alongside theBlackwater. Pretty gates and stiles maybe seen, as well as many forms ofwildlife.

Visit Waterfords Heritage SitesDungarvan Castle Reginalds Tower

Castle Street, Dungarvan, Co WaterfordTel + 353 (058) 48144

The castle consists of a polygonal 12th C ,shellkeep with an enclosing curtain wall, a corner

tower & a gate tower, Open Late May Late Sept Daily 10.00 18.00

Admission Free.

The Quay, Waterford Tel +353 (051) 304220

Restored 13th C, circular tower, originally partof the towns defences. It was later used as a

mint, a prison & military store. Open Early Mar May Daily 10.00 17.00,

June Mid Sept Daily 10.00 18.00, Mid Sept Early March Wed Sunday 09.30 17.00

Admission Charges Adult €3.00, Senior/Group€2.00,Child Student €1.00, Family €8.00

The Heritage centre offers a deal al-lowing you to visit the centre and gar-dens for just €10.

The castle gardens make for an ad-venture for children, with the odd tur-ret for climbing and trees for hidingbehind. Learning the different types ofplants also provides great amusement.Older visitors will enjoy the beautifullayouts, fantastic flora and the sculp-tures which decorate the garden.

The Castle Gallery, located by theupper garden, is a wonderful space,displaying interesting works fromaround the world. A knowledgeablestaff further enhances this attraction.

On Sundays, outside the castlegrounds, a farmer’s market offers arti-san produce. An adjacent playground

will allow kids to work off excess en-ergy, whilst parents can sit with a cupof coffee in the millennium park.

Lismore Castle Gardens and Art

The earliestreferences tomassage in India can

be found in the Ayurvedictexts. This ancienthealthcare systemsuggested that a healthylifestyle and massage,used in conjunction withherbs and oils, helped toimprove and maintaingood health andwellbeing.

In Indian families, themassage is traditionally

learned by young girlsfrom their mothers and ispart of their daily routine.Massage is regularlyperformed for relaxationpurposes on babies,children and at times ofcelebration, such asweddings.

The Indian HeadMassage treatment itselfis traditionally calledChampi and wasperformed differently formen and women.

Treatments for womenwere originally practicedto beautify and improvethe condition of their hairand scalp. Different oilssuch as coconut, sesame,olive, etc, were massagedinto the scalp and hair tonourish and invigorate.The oil was also pouredonto the hair and brushedthrough to the ends tocreate lustre. Althoughthe treatment had manyphysical benefits, it also

created a relaxing activitythat created familybonding.

The treatment for menconsisted of a moreinvigorating massage, withstimulating oils, to thehead and scalp. Thesetreatments wereperformed by the barber,who offered them as partof the service, aftercutting the hair. The skillsof the barber weretraditionally passed from

father to son and are stillvery much part ofeveryday life in Indiatoday.

The system of IndianHead Massage that iswidely practiced in theWest is known asChampissage.Champissage wasdeveloped and introducedto the West in the 1970sby a therapist namedNarendra Mehta.

Narendra, having beenbought up in India,regularly enjoyed thebenefits of head massage,but felt that somethingwas missing from thetreatments. Thetraditional massage doesnot include the face,shoulders, neck, or anybalancing to the chakras(energy centres).Narendra believed that byincluding these additionalareas in the routine it

would make thetreatment more holisticand therefore morebeneficial.

What are the benefits ofIndian Head Massage?There are numerousbenefits to receivingIndian Head Massage. Oneof the main benefits isthat it is extremelyversatile and can beperformed almostanywhere, seated andover clothing, althoughmassage over clothes doesnot produce the besteffects. It is also excellentfor relieving stress, so forthese reasons, it hasbecome a populartreatment that may beavailable in waiting areassuch as surgeries, clinics,etc, hospices, at workpremises and in the likesof airplanes.Indian Head Massage is


Therapies

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Appointments in Dun Laoghaire and Dublin 4 • Mobile: 087 1319891E: [email protected] • W: www.dublinreiki.com

Offering holistic therapy: Reiki treatments, Reiki workshops, Autogenic Training workshops and Mindfulness Meditation classes in

the heart of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire. Both clinics are conveniently located close to main bus routes

and train stations.Melanie Pelka is a certified and experienced Reiki therapist/teacher,

Autogenic Training therapist/teacher and Mindfulness Meditation practitioner/teacher.

Alternative TherapiesIndian Head Massage Indian Head Massage is a popular massage treatment which has been practiced in India for 1000s of yearsand still forms an integral part of that culture today.


I can help you find your true self, your gifts, your skills and yourtalents, so that you make a real difference in your business and/orpersonal life .... helping you to free yourself from any 'negativebaggage' and empowering you to achieve this both easily andeffortlessly. Imagine discovering the key that unlocks your fullpotential. - Carol Passemardwww.breakthroughretreat.comE: [email protected]

T: 087-1413026

Trish WillamsAyurveda

Mobile Service available Dublin and Wicklow • Ph: 085-8417665Arklow, The Arklow Natural Healing Centre, 8 St Mary’s Terrace, Arklow (Next tolibrary in Arklow) Ph: (01) 9034210 – Allow phone to ring to get answer phone

Specialising inChampissage IndianHead Massage and

Kansa Vatki Foot Massage www.trishwilliamsayurveda.com

deeply relaxing and cancreate a feeling ofcalmness and harmony. Itis greatly beneficial forimproving and maintainingreasonable stress levelsand for all stress relatedconditions. It has alsobeen found to be mosthelpful for treatinganxiety and is analternative massagetreatment for nervouspeople. Indian HeadMassage can be useful foralleviating headaches andimproving insomnia.The massage consists of amixture of deep, slowmovements and rapid,brisk, invigorating strokes.This combination ofmovements relaxes, butalso invigorates andenergises the body andmind. Treatment improveslocalised circulation,

stimulates nerve endingsand relieves tension andpain from taut, achingmuscles.The natural, moisturisingoils such as coconut,sesame, mustard andalmond used in treatmentcan improve the conditionand appearance of theskin, scalp, and hair.Indian Head Massage canalso be beneficial in casesof alopecia, as thetreatment relives stress,and stimulates bloodcirculation and nerveendings in the head andscalp.

What to expect during atreatmentThe most beneficial wayto receive Indian HeadMassage is in aprofessional, quiet andtherapeutic environment

with oil applied directlyto the skin. You shouldalso be prepared to havea series of treatments (6approx), to experienceany long term benefits.Treatments usually lastabout 45 minutes and areperformed whilst you areseated. The appropriateoils are selected to suityour needs and objectivesand are massaged into theupper arms, neck,shoulders, head, scalp andface. After your massage,the therapist will balanceyour chakra (energycentres), by places theirhands a few inches awayfrom them and radiatingpeace and calmness. Thisis an important part of thetreatment and should beincluded if possible.The natural oils areextremely nutritional andbeneficial for the skin andhair and should ideally beleft on for several hours.When is the treatment notsuitable?Indian Head Massage isnot suitable for peoplewho have migraine(currently suffering),neck, spinal or recent

head injuries. If you arebeing treated for amedical problem, or havea skin or scalp condition,it is advisable to seekadvice from your medicalpractitioner beforereceiving Indian HeadMassage.

Courses and WorkshopsThere are many coursesand workshops availablefor people who areinterested in learningIndian Head Massage.A practitioner trainingcourse lasts about tenweeks (one evening aweek) and will qualify youto practice the massageprofessionally. Thesecourses are widelyavailable in privateschools and throughFurther Educationcolleges.If you want tolearn Indian Head Massagefor using on friends andfamily, then a workshopmay be a better choice.These are usually held inFurther EducationColleges, over one day,and are a great way tomeet new people, learn anew skill and have fun!

Puzzles

Answers on page 52

WIN!€20

To be in with a chance ofwinning, Solve the puzzle inthe usual way, then rearrangethe letters in the shadedsquares to form a name orword and send your completedcrossword along with yourname, address and telephonenumber to us at the addressbelow!

Puzzle Competition, MatureLiving Leinster Magazine,Unit 7 NW Business Park,Collooney, Co. Sligo

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Packages Include: Overnight Accommodation,

sumptuous three course meal in Elwoods Restaurant,

Full Irish Breakfast eachmorning and Tea & Scones

upon arrival

We have teamed up with the Forster Court Hotel, Galway to offer you the chance to win a 2 night midweek stay for

two, with breakfast. To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply answer the question and send your answer,

along with your name, address, email address and telephone number into us at the addess below... Q: What is the name of the restaurant in the boutique Forster Court Hotel?

Send your entries into us at : Forster Court Competition, Mature Living Magazine, Office 3, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo

Terms and Conditions Apply. Closing Date for entries is 15th July 2014 - Prize Valid Sun to Thurs from Sept to Nov

GOLDEN YEARS OFFERS

Food and Drink


Put a sweet twist oneggy bread with thisindulgent brunch-

time recipe

Ingredients50g butter6 apricots, halved andstoned200g/8oz caramel sauce(we used Bonne Mamanconfiture de caramel)350g ready-made vanillacustard8 small, thick slicesbrioche or white bread,or 4 large slices, cut di-agonally

MethodMelt 1 tbsp butter in amedium-size frying pan.Put in the apricots, cut-side down, and gently fryfor 2-3 mins. Flip over

and cook for 1 min moreuntil lightly golden. Addthe caramel to the panand melt until saucy – ifit’s still too thick to coatthe fruit, add a splash ofwater. Keep warm.Mix the custard with 4tbsp of water to loosen,then dip in the breadslices, turning to coatthoroughly. Melt half theremaining butter in alarge non-stick fryingpan. Lightly shake offany excess custard mix-ture from half the breadslices and fry in the but-ter for 2 mins each sideuntil golden. Repeat withremaining butter andbread, then serve hotwith the caramel apri-cots.Add walnuts if desired

The omelette is one of themost fundamental dishes inany cook's arsenal, and this

recipe will teach you how to getit right every time

Ingredients3 eggs, as fresh as possible,preferably organic and free-range, room temperature2 knobs unsalted butter1 tsp finely, freshly gratedparmesan (or vegetarianalternative)To cook with herbs2-3 chopped tarragon leaves1 tbsp each snipped chives andchopped chervil or parsleyTo cook with cheese3 rounded tbsp finely gratedGruyère

MethodGet everything ready. Warm a

20cm (measured across the top)non-stick frying pan on amedium heat. Crack the eggsinto a bowl and beat them witha fork so they break up and mix,but not as completely as youwould for scrambled egg. Withthe heat on medium-hot, dropone knob of butter into the pan.It should bubble and sizzle, butnot brown. Season the eggs withthe Parmesan and a little saltand pepper, and pour into thepan.Let the eggs bubble slightly for acouple of seconds, then take awooden fork or spatula andgently draw the mixture in fromthe sides of the pan a fewtimes, so it gathers in folds inthe centre. Leave for a fewseconds, then stir again tolightly combine uncooked eggwith cooked. Leave briefly

again, and when partly cooked,stir a bit faster, stopping whilethere’s some barely cooked eggleft. With the pan flat on theheat, shake it back and forth afew times to settle the mixture.It should slide easily in the panand look soft and moist on top.A quick burst of heat will brownthe underside.Grip the handle underneath. Tiltthe pan down away from youand let the omelette fall to theedge. Fold the side nearest toyou over by a third with yourfork, and keep it rolling over, sothe omelette tips onto a plate –or fold it in half, if that’s easier.For a neat finish, cover theomelette with a piece ofkitchen paper and plump it up abit with your fingers. Rub theother knob of butter over toglaze. Serve immediately.

A Taste of

Food and Drink


Afresh way toserve a salmonfillet. Summery

and light, thisNiçoise is a lovelysummer dish

Ingredients400g baby newpotatoes, halved2 salmon fillets, skinon, (about 140g/5ozeach)small handful blackolive (we likeKalamata)small handfulsundried tomato,chopped1 garlic clove,crushed

juice 1⁄2 lemon1 tbsp olive oil200g green beans

MethodBring half a largesteamer to the boil,tip the potatoes intothe water, then laythe salmon fillets,skin-side down, inthe steamer basket.Cover and cook for6-8 mins until thesalmon is cookedthrough, thenremove and setaside. Continue tocook the potatoesfor another 5-8 minsuntil tender, adding

the beans for thefinal couple ofmins. Drain theveg, then tip into alarge bowl.Add the olives andtomatoes to thepotatoes andbeans, then gentlyflake in chunks ofthe cooked salmon,discarding the skin.Whisk together thegarlic, lemon andoil with someseasoning, andloosen with a fewdrops of water.Pour the dressingover the salad, tosswell, and serve.

The staple vegetarian dish is sprucedup with a citrussy sourdough crust-chunkily chop your courgettes,

onion, peppers and tomatoes for extratexture

Ingredients50g fresh sourdough breadcrumbs3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil3 courgettes, chunkily sliced1 red pepper, cut into chunks1 yellow pepper, cut into chunks1 large onion, very roughly chopped4 ripe plum tomatoes, cut into chunks2 garlic cloves, sliced1 tbsp chopped thyme1 tbsp tomato purée2 tbsp white wine vinegarzest 1 lemon

MethodHeat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. In asmall bowl, toss the breadcrumbs with 2tbsp of the oil and a good sprinkling ofseasoning. Set aside.

Put the courgettes, peppers, onion,tomatoes, garlic, thyme, tomato purée,vinegar and the remaining olive oil in abowl. Season well and toss together.

Tip the vegetables into a roasting tinand spread out in a single layer. Coverwith foil and bake for 20 mins. Removethe foil. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top andbake for another 10 mins or untilgolden. Remove from oven and sprinkleover the lemon zest.

Serve this super-creamy chocolatedessert on its own, or as part of an'assiete' of mini chocolate puddings

Ingredients568ml pot double cream100g Green & Black's white chocolate,broken into pieces1 vanilla pod, split or 1 tsp vanillaextract6 egg yolks2 tbsp golden caster sugar, plus extrafor topping

MethodHeat the cream, chocolate and vanillapod in a pan until the chocolate has

melted. Take off the heat and allow toinfuse for 10 mins, scraping the podseeds into the cream. If using thevanilla extract, add straight away. Heatoven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3.Beat yolks and sugar until pale. stir inthe chocolate cream. Strain into a jugand pour into ramekins. Place in a deeproasting tray and pour boiling waterhalfway up the sides. Bake for 15-20mins until just set with a wobblycentre. Chill in the fridge for at least 4hrs.To serve, sprinkle some sugar on top ofthe brûlées and caramelise with ablowtorch or briefly under a hot grill.Leave caramel to harden, then serve.

Fiona Faery is an Irish Psychic Medium who unites people regularly with their loved ones in spirit & also offers psychic guidance with her Faery or-acle card readings. She is a regular on Irish radio & has monthly columns in various publications. Fiona is known for her optimistic no-nonsenseapproach to life. She teaches workshops on mediumship and helps 'baby' mediums build their confidence & step into their power. Her spiritual

poetry has found a home on her Facebook page; Fiona Faery where she posts a daily poem. Her poetry is aimed to motivate & empower, asFiona believes in helping people connect with their soul purpose. She reads internationally through her website www.fionafaery.ie

Fiona Faery gives private 1-to-1 sittings at The Sligo Park Hotel on the last weekend of every month. She is also availablefor private consultations or One Question readings on her

website www.fionafaery.ie You can contact Fiona to Book a Private Reading @ 0863736143

Angelscope for July

with Fiona Faery

AriesAngel of Children : The angel if children isguiding you to spend some time with yourown inner child. It's time to make time forlaughter in your life. Contact an old friendor ring a current one and reminisce andcatch up. Do something that would makeyour inner child smile such as buying an icecream or listening to a favourite song.

Things have been to seri-ous around you as of late.Allow the power of joy tofill your heart again as youlet your inner child out toplay. This can also meanan announcement of anarrival in the family.LuckyDay: 15th JulyLucky colour: pink

Taur!sAngel of new beginnings: It's time to turn anew page and begin a new chapter inyour life. You are ready to move from thepast and no longer dwell on old pain andresentment. New people and newopportunities are coming your way. It's time

to rIse your hopes andexpectations.Positivity is veryimportant around youright now. Onlysurround yourself withthose that believe inyou. Know at everyending is also a newbeginning.Lucky Day: 17thLucky colour: Brown

GeminiAngel of retreat : Sometimes we need timealone. This angel advises you that yourthoughts may have become scattered andyour feel unfocused as of late. Spend timealone in nature, gofor a walk, listen tosome music. Youare capable ofmaking this deci-sion on your own.Your intuition onlyspeaks to you inquiet moments. Somake time for thesequiet moments andstart to listen. Lucky Day: 21stLucky colour: blue

CancerAngel of answered prayer: This beautifulangel has entered your spread to let youknow heaven has heard your call.Synchronistic events and people will enteryour life as they are the universes way ofanswering your prayer. Try not to becometo fixed or attached to how it is going tohappen, simply trust thatit will happen. Believe inyour dreams andbelieve in the power ofpositive intentions. Asthe more fate andoptimism you place thequicker your prayer willbe answered! Lucky Day: 29thLucky colour: green

LeoAngel of new love : For those of you thatare single, have faith as love is just aroundthe corner. You may feel guided to gosomewhere new, Take up a new hobby, trya new course. This is the universes way of

giving Cupid ahelping hand. Forthose of you inrelationshipsromance is a veryimportant aspect ofa relationship, havea date night andplan some coupletime. Never forgetlove is the spice oflife. Lucky Day: 11thLucky colour: red

Angel ofenchantmentThis angel guidesyou to stay firm onyour presentcourse. Havecourage in yourconvictions. Youmay need to digyour heels in. Trustyour gut and pressahead. You mayneed to bang veryhard on the door ofopportunity. Takeheart for the universe is listening. Septemberbrings news of success.Lucky Day: 18th Lucky colour: silver

Angel of serenity This angel guides you to seek peace andtranquility. For you may have becomecaught up the drudgery that is life. Taketime to smell the flow-ers, go for a peace-ful walk, listen tosome music. Yoursoul cries out forsome peaceful/rest-ful solitude. It's timeto step back andallow things to hap-pen around you.Take some longawaited me time.Lucky Day: 16thLucky colour: white

Scor"ioAngel of focus: This angel warns you ofbeing over stressed and over worked. Theangel of focus urges you to get your priori-ties in order. No-tice the flowerygarland in herlap, she's to preoccupied withothers worries. It'stime for you tolook inward andfocus on yourown needs. It'stime to cleanhouse, start withyour own! Lucky Day: 24thLucky colour: orange

Sagi#ariousAngel of listening The wonderful arch angel Michael makes hisappearance felt in this card. You are beingguided to speak your truth, you will find the

courage when youseek it, for this angelis powerful ally tohave by your side.Are you also awareof what is being saidaround you? Thisangel encouragesyou to develop yourlistening skills andalso helps you hearwhat is not beingsaid as well...!Lucky Day: 25thLucky colour: navy

Angel of ideas and inspirationThis cherub of inspiration sits on yourshoulders at present giving you eurekamoments. You can either dismiss this or acton it! If you have been feeling stuck in a rutas of late this maybe your guardiansway of helping youbreak free for it. It'stime to trysomething new. Ifyou've been feelingblocked, this angelis also showing youa creative solutionto the currentproblem you face.Lucky Day: 28thLucky colour: jade

AquariusAngel of forgiveness: When you forgive, yourealise the real prisoner had been you allalong. For the prison is anger, pain andresentment. You are not responsible forother peoples issues but you can takeresponsibility in how you choose to handleyour current situation. The more you focuson happiness. No positivity the more youattract people and all manner of events

that attract this in to your life.On the other hand themore you focus on painand betrayal the morepeople and situations ofnegativity will constantlybarge you. It's time to let thepast go and move into ahappier future. Lucky Day:19 Lucky colour: gold

Angel of healing : The angel of healingcomes around you, sending you blessings ofabundance. The healing that is sent isemotional, physical and mental. She is alsosending in a helpful friend or relative whowill provide support and a shoulder to leanon. Angels come in all shapes and sizes andyours are coming in, inthe shape of a trusted,loyal friend. Allowyourself to unburdenyou issues and developa perspective on theissue your currentlyfacingLucky Day: 30thLucky colour: mossgreen

Pisces

Virgo Libra

Capricor$

TravelTechnology


Whether you’re diggingyourself out of debt,saving for a specific goal

or trying to get a better handleon your budget, there’s an appto help you reach your financialgoals. We scoured the internetto see which apps are winningthe most acclaim.

Your Bank’s AppMost major banks, credit card

companies and investmentcompanies now have them andexperts say they’re a goodplace to start. Checkingbalances, making transfers andpaying bills is just thebeginning. You can check onyour investments, find thenearest branch or bank machineand access a variety of othertools such as mortgagecalculators.

Mint.com Personal Finance(free, available from iTunesand Android)

Mint.com is the darling of theonline budgeting world so it’sno surprise that the app hasreceived so much acclaim. Likethe online tool, Mint lets youconnect all of your accounts inone place to track andcategorize your spending, paybills, check your balances anddouble-check your budgetbefore you buy. You can also setup reminders for upcomingpayments and receive lowaccount balance notifications.

The ability to sync youraccount with your smart phone,tablet and computer hasanother bonus: you can goonline to disable the app onyour devices if you lose them.

Easy Envelope Budget Aid(free, iTunes and Android)

Many financial expertsadvocate using envelopes orjars as visual aids to tamespending — but perhaps youwant to go high tech? EEBA letsyou create a budget systemusing up to 20 virtual Envelopesfor regular and irregularexpenses. Then, you recordyour spending and the appkeeps a running total. You cancheck your Envelope balancebefore spending, and there’s noneed to connect your bankaccounts or put yourinformation at risk.

The app can sync withmultiple devices so all membersof the household can work witha common budget. If you’reworried about data loss, theapp automatically backs up dataonline too.

You Need a Budget (€2.99,iTunes and Android)

Widely popular YNAB used to

be for desktops only, but nowyou can extend much of itsfunctionality to your smartphone and tablet too. (You willneed the latest version of thesoftware to use the app,however.) You can check yourbudget and enter transactionson the go, and the app willautomatically sync to yourdesktop when there’s aninternet connection available.

Want to try it before you buy?The YNAB software is availablefor a one-month trial (and costs€40 to purchase) and users candownload a free version of theapp known as YNAB Lite.

Receipts (99c, iTunes)Whether you’re tracking

expenses for work or home, thisapp makes it easy to manage allthose receipts. Using thecamera in your device, the applets you take a picture of thereceipt or bill and enterrelevant details on the spot.Not only will it record the dateand location of yourtransaction, it will add upexpenses in different categoriesas well. Consider the app adigital archive of receipts thatyou can search, print, email andexport to other programs.

If you don’t have an Appleproduct, there are similar appsavailable for other devices aswell — such as Smart ReceiptsPro (98c, Android).

iExpenseIt (€2.99, iTunes)If you’re looking for an

expense tracker that’s morerobust, experts pick this app forthe additional features. Forexample, you can use a varietyof currencies, calculate vehiclemileage, track spending trendsand see how much room youhave left in your budget —among many other reportingfeatures. When you need toclaim expenses, you can exportdata to a CSV or HTML file —complete with a digital copy oryour receipt.

Debt Manager (€1.99, iTunes)This app is one of many that

use the “Debt Snowball”method to help you get yourdebts under control. Simplyenter your loans and paymentinformation, set priorities andstart playing with the numbers.You can try out some differentscenarios — such as a rise ininterest rates or increasing yourpayments, for example.

Debt Manager also lets yousee how much time and interestyou’re saving, plus keeps youmotivated by charting yourprogress.

The app also has tips andinstructions to guide you

through the process, plus it letsyou create customized reportsof your payment history.

IOU Debt Manager (free,iTunes and Android)

Borrowed a few euro from aco-worker to cover lunch, orlent a friend cab fare? This applets you keep track of debts bigand small.

You add a contact or“account” and then enter thedetails of what is owed to youor what you owe to someone.You can keep track of partialpayments, and set up emailreminders.

This app isn’t just aboutmoney — it’s a handy way tokeep track of items as books,tools and movies that youborrow and lend. (You can evenadd a picture.) You can alsonote if you owe someone aphone call or an email, orwhose turn it is to bring food togames night.

Bloomberg (free, iTunes andAndroid)

There are plenty ofpublications offering apps thatlet you track the latest market

data and news affecting themarkets, but this app goes onestep further and helps you trackyour favourite companies andindices over time.

The content isn’t justarticles: listen to interviewswith experts, watch featuredvideos and tune in to the 24/7TV network through yourdevice.

Before you download…These apps are just a few

examples of the hundreds ofoptions available — there’sbound to be somethingavailable that suits both yourdevices and your preferences.Before you buy it or try it,consider:

Does this app meet yourneeds? Developers can pile onthe features, but the best appfor you is one that you’ll use ona regular basis. Read the user reviews, considerthe screen shots and see ifthere are any demos or tutorialsonline.

Is the app available in yourcountry?

Financial apps aren’tnecessarily universal — wefound many popular apps thatweren’t available in Ireland anddidn’t mesh with Irish bankinginstitutions or financialregulations.

Should you pay or not? Many apps have “free” and“pro” or “deluxe” editions. The upgraded versions oftenhave additional features youmay or may not find useful, butthey’re also free from ads.

How secure is the app andhow much person informationare you required to enter?How secure is your device?

Beware of any app asking foryour account passwords — theycould be fraudulent or couldinvalidate any protections youhave through your bank.

As with any technology orapplication, not everyone willfind these apps useful orhelpful. Ultimately, it’s important tofind a system that works for you— whether it’s a pen and paperor the latest app.

Best Apps for your budget

Arts and Crafts

Card Making is a hobby thatis growing in popularity allthe time, and it’s easy to

understand why. It’s simple,inexpensive, requires very fewmaterials, and is great fun.Making your own cards can evenbe good for your bank balance –since you’ll never need to buypricy shop-bought cards again.If you’d like to give card makinga go, but aren’t sure what you’llneed to get started, read on –this article is for you.

The basic materials you’ll needWhen you’re starting out in CardMaking, the best approach is tokeep it nice and simple.The first thing you’ll need issome blank cards to act as abase for your designs. These areusually referred to as ‘cardblanks’, and you’ll be able tofind them in any good craftshop. White A6 card blanks are anice standard size and colour,and suitable for any occasion, soyou’ll probably want to startwith a good quality pack of

these. Next you’ll needsomething to create the maindesign on the front of your card.This can be either an image,some wording, or both, andthere are several ways you canadd this to your card.Rubber stamps are one of thequickest and simplest ways. Astamp and ink pad will help youcreate a beautiful design thatyou can then colour in howeveryou choose.There are a few different typesof rubber stamp, but ‘woodmounted’ stamps are thesimplest to use. They featuredesigns mounted onto a block ofwood, and are ready to usestraight away – you just inkthem up and stamp themstraight onto your card. Youmight like to choose a picturedesign for the front of the card,and a wording stamp to add agreeting inside.And don’t forget your ink padfor stamping. These come in abewildering array of colours, buta small black one is all you’llneed to start with.Next you’ll need some pens,pencils, chalks or paints forcolouring your stamped image.ProMarker pens are extremelypopular for colouring stampedpictures, and very easy to use.Their ink is semi-transparent, soyou can apply them in layersuntil you get the shade you’relooking for, and you can alsoblend colours together – whichmeans one pack will give you

hundreds of potential colours.However, pencils, chalks andpaints can work out a littlecheaper, so go with whateversuits your budget.And finally, if you want to add amessage or a bit more detail tothe front of your card, sheets ofstickers are a great way to do it.You can get sheets of stickerswith assorted messages, as well

as sheets full of prettydecorative items like flourishes,borders, etc. All you do is peelthem off the backing sheet andstick them where you wantthem.And that is really all you’ll needto make your first card. As youdecide to get more involved inyour card making, there areplenty more things you can

experiment with –embellishments, patternedpapers, glitter glues, etc – andthat voyage of discovery is allpart of the fun.But for now, some card blanks, arubber stamp or two, an inkpad, some pens and stickers ismore than enough to create abeautiful card that you can beproud of.

Family History or Genealogyhas seen a huge upsurge ininterest in recent years. It

has gone from being thepreserve of the few to beingalmost a national pastime forthe many. And why not. Ourability to research our familyhistory has never been greater,and there is something about

these troubled times that tendsto make us want to lookbackwards and to delve moreinto our own history. And eventhough this upsurge in interestbegan in better times whenpeople seemed to have anabundance of time on theirhands and limitless money intheir pockets, this trend

continues today almost becauseof the troubled times in whichwe live.

If ever there was an idealtime to research our FamilyHistory, our Third Age seems asgood a time as any to do it. Formany of us, we have more freetime than we are used to.Hopefully the same can be saidof money although the sumsinvolved are not great at all. Butit seems an ideal time not onlyto reflect on our lives and todiscover from whence we came,but to pass on that informationto the next generation so thatthey too have a betterunderstanding of their ownpersonal history.

For many of us now in ourThird Age, we were not asfortunate as today’s youngergenerations.

Our parents were invariablybusy people, many of themworking five and a half or sixday weeks and some of themholding down part-time jobs aswell. Not only did they not havethe time or the money to delve

too deeply into their familyhistory, the facilities we havetoday were not at their disposaleither.

On top of that, thegenerations that immediatelypreceeded ours had suffered acouple of World Wars. They didnot want to look back because itinvoked little but bad memories.They only wanted to lookforward to better times. So formany of us today, our familyhistory, or at least such of it aswas known by our parents,passed with their passing.

Today however, things aredifferent. We have theopportunity and maybe even theobligation to teach our childrensomething of our own familyhistory so that they in turn canpass it on to their children inorder that they might have abetter understanding of theirpast than we do.

So if you would like to traceyour own ancestry and leave afamily tree and the history ofyour family to your ownchildren, why not start today

Family History & Genealogy

Card Making for Beginners

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INDEPENDENT DUBLIN LADY (64)Would like to meet an honest, re-spectable, non smoking gentle-man, My interestes are Dancing,Cooking, gardening and having agood chat with a nice person.Replies with a stamped envelopeto box number 1060 at the usualaddress.

DUBLIN WOMAN 56 would like to meet a good manfor friendship and companionshipand fun. I am great company, in-dependent, single, just stuck inrut at present, can you dig meout? If you can just get in touchand we can meet and see. Replieswith a box number 1042 at theusual address

SLIGO LADY 50 BUT LOOKS 10YEARS YOUNGERWould like to meet nice, re-spectable, loving, genuine, honestman for fun and dancing and seewhat happens. Replies with a boxnumber 1023 at the usual address.

SHY SLIGO LADYlakes cinema, concerts and DVDS,Music etc. Would like to hear froma Gent 60+ with similar interestsfor a friendship maybe leading to arelationship Replies with a boxnumber 998 at the usual address.

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GENTLEMAN WIDOWER 54 yrs. Landscape gardenerW.L.T.M. female professional, notmarried. In the northwest forfriendship and craic. 6ft 1', blueeyes, hair salt & pepper. Lookingfor lady 40 -47yrs. Longtime relationship. Replies with a blankstamped envelope to Box number975 at the usual address.

SLIGO MAN WOULD LIKE TOHEAR FROM LADIES age 50 yearsonwards, my age is 55 years,

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YOUNG AT HEART LADYin mid - 60’s. w.l.t.m. genuine gen-tleman foor friendship. well trav-elled, enjoys dancing, gent ofsimilar age. Replies with a blankstamped envelope to Box number965 at the usual address.

GENTLEMAN, 50’SMany hobbies, gardening, cooking,walking, wildlife, swimming,would like to meet a kind, gen-uine, female for companionshipand romance. Replies with a blankstamped envelope to Box number1022 at the usual address.

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