mature living magazine december 2013

PROMOTING A HEALTHY & POSITIVE LIFESTYLE

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE OLDER, BOLDER INDIVIDUAL

Dec 2013

Top 10 TravelDestinations

Health andWellbeing Feature

Get on top of yourDental health

Seasonal Recipesand Wine Guide

• SLIGO • MAYO • GALWAY • LEITRIM • ROSCOMMON

Thanking all our members for their loyal support in 2013 - We look forward to supporting you and your families in 2014 Wishing you a very happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year from your local Credit Union

Your Credit Union is The BestPlace to Save and Borrow thisChristmas at very Competitive

Interest RatesLOANS AVAILABLE FOR ALL PURPOSES AT ULTRA COMPETITIVE RATES

Your Local Credit Union Offices

Credit Unions are regulated bythe Central Bank of Ireland.

SavingsWhether you're saving for something in the future or just for a rainy day, regularsaving is a good idea. Regular saving with your credit union is an even betteridea. Call into your local Credit Union for more information.

LoansMost loans are from 1 to 5 years in duration. But may be repaid over a longer period ifthat best suits the borrower. From time to time individual credit unions will offer special loan rates so it is beneficial to check in with your local credit union regularly.Call into your local Credit Union for more information.

InsuranceBecause your credit union was formed solely to help its members, it aims to offer fair and reasonablerates on savings and loans. But this is not the only advantage of being a member of your local creditunion. Credit Union provides life savings and loan protection insurance at direct no cost to insurable mem-bers (terms and conditions apply) Additional insurance such as Repayment Protection Insurance or Death.Benefit Insurance is also provided by some credit unions, provided the member pays the premiums.

Why your Credit Union is the best place to Save & borrow.....• More Flexible loan terms repayable over 1-5 years

• Some of the lowest interest Rates in the market for unsecured credit• In addition, the Credit Union provides loan insurace insurance at no direct cost to the borrower

For hours and times of business please contact the local Credit Union or log onto the websitewww.creditunion.ie, CU locator section where relevant

Joining a credit unionJoing a Credit Union is very easy,just contact your local CreditUnion and they will explain howeasy it is.

What do I need to join?When applying for membershipyou will be asked for up to dateproof of ID and proof of address,for example a current passportand recent utility bill. These areneeded only to establish ifpotential members have thecommon bond. Thisdocumentation is also requiredwhen the member wishes toopen an account in the creditunion. Depending on the rulesof your credit union, to be amember there will be anentrance fee of not more than€1 and you will need to hold aminimum savings of betweenone and ten shares.

Achill Credit UnionAchill Sound, County MayoTel: 098 45959 Email: [email protected]

Ballina Credit UnionO'Rahilly Street, Ballina, CountyMayo Tel: 096 71066Website: www.ballinacu.ie Email: [email protected]

Ballinrobe Credit UnionMain Street, Ballinrobe, County MayoTelephone: 094 9541402 Email: [email protected]

Ballyhaunis & District Credit UnionClare Street, Ballyhaunis, CountyMayo Tel: 094 9630998

Website: www.ballyhauniscu.ie Email: [email protected]

Erris Credit UnionUpper Barrack Street, Belmullet,County Mayo Tel: 097 82388 Email: [email protected]

Castlebar Credit UnionCredit Union Office, Market Square,Castlebar, County Mayo • Tel: 0949022969 / Fax: 094 9022483Website: www.castlebarcu.ie /Email: [email protected]

Kiltimagh District Credit UnionMain Street, Kiltimagh, County MayoTel: 094 9381848Email: [email protected]

St. Colman's Credit UnionThe Square, Claremorris, CountyMayo Tel: 094 9371159 [email protected]

Swinford & District Credit UnionMain Street, Swinford, County MayoTel: 094 925 2266 / Fax: 094 925 2271Email: [email protected]

Westport Credit UnionLower Bridge Street, Westport, County Mayo Tel: 098 25614 Email: [email protected]

Ballaghaderreen & DistrictMain Street, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon Tel: 094 9860522 Fax: 094 9860522Website: www.ballaghcu.com Email: [email protected]

Castlerea & District Credit UnionBarrack Street, Castlerea, County Roscommon Tel: 094 9620910Website: www.castlereacu.ie Email: [email protected]

Some think Christmas is the best timeof the year, Others dread it because itrehashes too many painful memories,

And others do not know what to make of atime of the year when there is such anoutpouring of giving, goodwill, andsharing. For me I love it – the decorations, thetree, the gifts, the baking, the specialmeals, the surprises for people, and thecarols – I love it all. It’s truly my favouritetime of the year. I even love the cold

weather…and the snow when we have it. As parents, we want toestablish family traditions and make memories that our childrencan take with them all their lives. I have those specialmemories tucked away in my heart…and they help makeChristmas so very special to me. I love it!

Our One-on-One interviewee for December is BrendanShine. The Westmeath man is known throughout the land andindeed on foreign lands as the man that sings “Do you want yourauld lobby wash downed”. It must go down as one of the best-known songs ever. Inside he tells us what he is up to at themoment and how things are going for him.

This month also sees us introducing a new section intoMature Living. Health and Wellbeing incorporating Naturaltherapies gives you information on various therapies that areavailable. From yoga to Reiki to hypnotherapy

This issue takes a break from the traditional Christmaslunch and offers recipes that are different but every bit asscrumptious for those that are not too fond of the turkey.

Loneliness at Christmas is a big problem for many out there.Along with all the various groups we urge you all to look in onthat person that you know will be on their own. Five minutesout of your day will mean an awful lot to someone that has noone to talk to.

There two fantastic competitions in this months issue so youhave double the chances of winning a fabulous midweekbreakaway in either Kiltimagh or Athlone. Be sure to get yourentries in on time because you would be amazed how manyarrive late to us

There are, of course, many other interesting articles andfeatures in your December issue. Closing date for copy for ourJanuary issue is 10th January. We urge you to take care in thecolder weather and not to forget those that are less well off.

Thanks to you, our readers and advertisers, we've hadanother great year in 2013. Mature Living has continued togrow, and that's in no small part to the regular contributors whohave made our magazine the best there is. So from all of ushere we wish you all a very, very Merry Christmas wherever youare. See you in the New Year

Contentswww.matureliving.ie

Published by: IBS Publications LimitedRiverview House, Barrett Street, Ballina, Co. Mayoand Office 3, Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo.

Tel/Fax: 071-9154538 / 096-77743Web: www.matureliving.ie • Email: [email protected]

NewsJuice drinks as sugary asfizzy drinksShine on an InternationalMusic LifeHolidays and heartattacksGet on top of your DentalHealth and ComfortCats suffering from 'Tom& Jerry' syndromeMayo CompetitionAthlone CompetitionHome Heating ServicesThe Bands of ourShowband era Top 10 Travel Destinationsin World 2014: Brazil,Denmark, USA and OthersButter-roasted supremeof chicken with wildmushroom & potato gratinHealth and Wellbeing Food Allergy & IntoleranceTestingThe Benefits of ReikiAlternative TherapiesGulladoo Village AddictionTreatment CentreHotels GuideAngelscopesServices DirectoryDating

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Seamus Casey - Editor

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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.

LAST MONTH’S COMPETITION WINNERWas Marian McGloughlin, Knocknarae Villas, Sligowho has won a break to Galway at the fantastic Park HouseHotel. Congratulations!

NewsNews

Mature Living December 2013

NewsNews

New Deals Website givesback to charityA new deals website has launched which aims to helpIrish charities. Like other deals sites we have becomefamiliar with it offers brand new items at greatlyreduced prices. The added twist here, if you pickThird Age as your charity of choice when you registerwe receive 11% of any deal you purchase. So grabyourself a good deal coming up to Christmas and dosomething positive for older people across Ireland atthe same time.

Check out the deals and register herewww.dealeffect.ie

Christmas is a time for giving. AgeAction are urging you to considergiving the gift of dignity to an olderperson, to enable them live withgreater independence in 2014.

Eileen (83) is a widow. She livesalone in north Dublin. Her husbanddied 10 years ago and her onlydaughter lives in Sydney. Two yearsago Eileen had a stroke. She now

depends on an electric wheelchair tomove outside her home.

Age Actions’s Care and Repair teammaintains her garden, where she getsgreat joy, sitting outside most days.Our volunteers will put up herChristmas decorations and then takethem down in the New Year. A tutorfrom our Getting Started programmehas taught Eileen to use a computer.

She now chats with her daughterseveral times a week using Skype.But Eileen needs more thancomputer skills and our DIY serviceto remain living independently. Ouradvocacy team are working hard toprotect her pension, the number ofhours she gets from her home helpand her wheelchair accessible publictransport from being cut. There aremany older people in similarcircumstances to Eileen. With AgeAction’s help, they are living withdignity and independence in theirown homes.

Age Action needs your support tocontinue with, and expand, our workin 2014 to help older people, likeEileen. We have launched ourChristmas homebox campaign toraise urgently needed funds.

Please support out Christmascampaign by ordering a homebox andfilling with coins with family andfriends over the Christmas period.We are asking our supporters toreturn the boxes by December 31st.Alternatively, you can donate to ourChristmas campaign by clicking here

To order a homebox please [email protected] your name and address or callthe fundraising team on 01 4756989and we will post you out the box.

Give The Gift Of Dignity This Christmas

The amount of sugar found insome brands of cordial anddiluted juice drinks is the same

as, or higher, than the amount foundin fizzy drinks such as Coca-Cola and7UP, new research has shown.

The findings from Safefoodrevealed that a 200ml serving of thepopular juice drink, Capri Sun Apple& Blackcurrant, contained 20g ofsugar. This is almost the same amountfound in a 200ml serving of Coca-Cola, which contains 21.1g of sugarand 7UP, which contains 22.4g.

Furthermore, some popularsupermarket brands of cordials anddiluted juice drinks were found tocontain even higher sugar levels, withsome containing the equivalent offive cubes of sugar in only a smallglass.

According to Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan of Safefood, ‘many parentsmay be under the impression thatjuice drinks that mention the term‘fruit' are a healthier alternative fortheir children than fizzy drinks'. Theymay not realise that these drinks areoften very high in sugar as well.

Also commenting on this issue,obesity specialist, Prof Donal O'Shea,pointed out that there is now ‘clearevidence' of a link between theconsumption of sugar-sweeteneddrinks and weight problems inchildren and teenagers. There is also

evidence that if intake of thesedrinks is reduced, children canachieve a healthier weight.

"As parents, we tend to ignore thecontribution of liquids to our kidsdaily calorie intake. We need to startviewing these drinks as ‘threats nottreats' and certainly not something tobe had everyday. Milk or water arebest for our children," he said. Arecent survey by Safefood of 900parents throughout Ireland revealedthat almost half of children aredrinking soft drinks at least once aday. It also found that almost one inthree drink cordials with their meals."Reducing a child's intake of suchdrinks and replacing with water ormilk would be a practical step," DrCliodhna Foley-Nolan commented.Safefood's tips for dealing with sugarydrinks are: -Do not buy them in thefirst place.

If they are not in the house, theycannot be consumed -Do not offersoft drinks at mealtimes. Offer waterinstead -If eating out, including atthe cinema, offer water. Drinking asugary drink with foods that are highin sugar or fat is like getting a doubledose of sugar.

Safefood also reminded parentsthat a small 100ml glass of 100% fruitjuice or a smoothie with no addedsugar once a day counts as one ofchildren's five a day.

Juice drinks as sugaryas fizzy drinks

Thomas Street, Castlebar, County MayoEmail: [email protected]

Fax: 094 9022 922

Tel: 094 -9022980 / 094-9022981

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As part of our fight against digital exclusion, AgeAction's Getting Started programme deliverstraining on computers, the internet and mobilephones to people over the age of 55.

Since 2006 Age Action has trained over 14,500older people in 12 counties with the assistanceof thousand of volunteer tutors. The trainingtakes place in small classes groups and runs inlibraries, community centres, family resourcecentres, corporate offices, and housingcomplexes for older people. Funding has comefrom a variety of sources such as governmentgrants, private corporations, charitablefoundations and Dublin City Council. TheGetting Started programme has receivedgovernment funding since 2009 under theDepartment of Communication, Energy andNatural Resources BenefIT scheme for digitalinclusion. Age Action is partnering with DublinCity University, National University of IrelandGalway, IRD Duhallow and Access 2000 to train3,590 people starting in August 2013 as part ofthe BenefIT 4 scheme.

Age Action runs classes in Dublin, Wicklow,Kildare, Louth, Monaghan, Donegal, Galway,Mayo, Roscommon, Cork and Waterford. Ourpartners will run classes in Dublin, Galway,Wexford and North Cork. For more informationplease contact: Galway: 091 527831

News?

About Getting Started

Sligo Lend a Hand is a voluntaryservice, run by a committee madeup of local community organisations

and service providers. Initially run as apilot programme in 2011, it has recentlybeen relaunched in Sligo town, and willhopefully spread to further areas withthe willingness and dedication of newvolunteers, as information about theservice spreads.

Older people and vulnerable membersof our community need a handsometimes. We are all aware of this,but it’s very easy to blame our own busylives, with family and workcommitments, etc, for not reaching outto help somebody to whom just an houror so of our time could make a hugedifference. Sligo Lend a Hand is aninitiative set up to make it easier forthe interested, willing and able amongus to help those who may be in need; allyou need to do is sign up to join a pool

of voluntary handypersons and helpers,whatever your skill set or level ofexperience. And all anyone in need hasto do is contact Sligo Lend a Hand toavail of some helping hands!

The Lend a Hand Service is free ofcharge, and involves one or two of thispool of voluntary helpers visiting thehome of an elderly or less able personto do an odd job or two. Smallhousehold tasks, which are easilyaddressed in everyday life can be muchmore of a challenge to some membersof our community. The service includesminor repairs and small jobs inside andoutside of the house, such as (but notlimited to) installing locks, door chainsand bolts, small paint jobs, minorrepairs, cleaning and tidying, putting uppicture hooks, setting electricaldevices, light gardening jobs, replacingfuses/bulbs/plugs etc.

Sligo Lend a Hand is committed to the

safety and peace of mind of the peopleusing this service. To this end everyonewho visits a house in relation to servicesprovided by Sligo Lend a Hand must gothrough selection, training and vettingprocedures. Those availing of theservice can be rest assured that theycan safely allow volunteers to carry outthe work required.

At this time of year particularly, SligoLend a Hand is a very valuable servicefor those who need their community’ssupport. Whether it be a minor job or amore urgent repair, the very act ofoffering a hand can be enough tochange a vulnerable person’s wholeexperience of Christmas.

If you would like to avail of thisservice or would like to volunteer withSligo Lend a Hand please do contact thecoordinator on 0871776386 11-3pmMon-Fri or [email protected]

Sligo lend a hand

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Elderly people 'facing Christmasalone' this yearAGE groups are calling for elderlypeople to contact their support servicesrather than spend Christmas alone asresearch finds that many have no-one toturn to as the festive period approaches

More than a quarter of pensioners are

not looking forward to Christmasbecause of loneliness and concerns thatit brings back bad memories, accordingto research.

Some 26 per cent of older peoplesuggested that the festive season would

not be a time of happiness this year.It emerged that a high number of

over-65s faced the prospect ofChristmas alone while large numbers ofalso feared it “brought back too manymemories of those who had passedaway”. Research also found that almostone-in-five had concerns about notbeing able to get out because of thecold weather and shorter days.

Figures also show that 26 per centsaid they were “not looking forward toChristmas this year”.

Of those, 17 per cent said thatChristmas brought back too manymemories of those who had passedaway, while a similar figure said theywere facing the festive season alone.

Age Ireland called on older people toget in touch with their local branch,insisting the charity offered a range ofservices such as befriending, whichmight include home visits and telephonecalls for those feeling lonely or isolated.

News

By Patricia Conboy

There are seriousproblems in the privatehealth insurance market

and the consequences forolder people are potentiallydire.

The cost of healthinsurance premiums,measured in relation to theConsumer Price Index,doubled between 2007 and

2012. The percentage of the population covered by privatehealth insurance declined from 50.9 % in December 2008 to45. 7% in December 2012. The proportion of younger adultsdropping their health insurance cover is growing. Between2009 and 2012, there was a 14 % decline in the percentage ofpeople aged 18 – 50 years with health insurance. During thesame period, there was a 5 % increase in the number ofpeople aged 50 plus with health insurance.

These trends will continue. The implications for themaintenance of the principle of community rating in privatehealth insurance are grave. A community rated system isbased on a life-course approach. You pay more than you costwhen you are younger in the expectation that you, in turn,will benefit when you are older. For community rating towork in a health insurance market with multiple providers, itmust be supported by a balanced risk pool of subscribers andan effective system of risk equalisation.

The flight of younger people from private insuranceunbalances the risk pool. Younger people are typicallyhealthier and ‘cheaper’ for health insurers and older peopletend to have higher rates of illness and to make more claimson their insurance for medical treatment.

Risk equalisation is a system for managing and distributinghealth insurers’ differences in costs due to the differinghealth status of their customers. Effectively, stamp dutiesare levied on health insurers to fund credits for oldercustomers. In terms of market share of younger and oldercustomers, VHI has the largest share of older customers : 78%of all customers aged 70 – 79, compared with 9% for Aviva, 6%for Laya and 0% for GloHealth.

If the system of risk equalisation is to be effective, thelevel of compensation to an insurance company for its oldercustomer base – VHI in this case - needs to be adequate. Infact it is not. The Minister himself stated that riskequalization compensates insurers “for only a proportion ofthe higher costs of insuring older and less healthy people”and his rationale is that this will promote efficiency.

Health insurance companies with a younger market sharehave objected loudly to recently increased risk equalizationcharges and stated that these will be passed directly ontotheir customers. Increased premiums will inevitably result ina further flight of younger customers from the market. Ifcompanies are passing risk equalization charges directly ontocustomers rather than treating those charges as an integralpart of their operating cost base, this is a clear signal that thecurrent system of risk equalisation is not working.

Community rating, already fragile, is in danger. The ironyis that this is happening at a time when the Programme forGovernment promises the introduction of universal healthcare for all. In the absence of community rating, the risk of illhealth, and the costs of that risk, will be individualised ratherthan pooled as is currently the case. Older people will faceescalating health insurance costs. They will also face thepossibility that private insurance cover will becomeunavailable for certain types of care at older ages. It wouldbe a tragedy if, as a society, we were to take such abackwards step due to a failure of policy and regulation.

Visit my blog : www.patriciaconboy.com Follow me on Twitter : @patriciaconboy1

Threat to community-ratedhealth insurance


Get ‘singing and jingling’ at Moy Singers“Carols by Candlelight” Concert

A number of Mayo hoteliers andtourism enterprises attended thelaunch of Tourism Ireland’s marketingplans to promote Ireland overseas in2014 and beyond, at an eventattended by Tourism Minister LeoVaradkar. The event took place in theBallsbridge Hotel in Dublin and wasattended by Mayo tourism enterprises– including the Westport Woods Hotel,Ashford Castle and the DownhillHouse Hotel. Tourism Ireland aims tobuild on this year’s growth in

overseas tourism and to welcome25.6 million visitors to the island overthe coming three years – contributingsome €12.6 billion to the economies,north and south.

2014 looks set to be anotherexciting year for tourism, with majorevents like Limerick City of Culture,the ‘Grande Partenza’ or ‘Big Start’of the Giro d’Italia, as well as theCroke Park Classic, when theUniversity of Central Florida takes onPenn State in their college football

season opener. Promoting the WildAtlantic Way, Ireland’s first long-distance touring route stretching allthe way from the Inishowen Peninsulain Co Donegal to Kinsale in Co Cork,will be a major focus of TourismIreland’s activity around the globe in2014. Tourism Ireland’s targets for2014-16 will see the island of Irelandwelcome 8.9 million visitors per yearby 2016, representing growth of +12%over 2013. This will include almost4.3 million holidaymakers (+15% over2013). Commenting on the yearahead, Niall Gibbons said: “Next year,we will place a major focus onhighlighting the Wild Atlantic Way. Webelieve this exciting new tourismexperience – showcasing thespectacular scenery and uniqueculture of the west coast – will havetremendous appeal in our marketsaround the world. We will promotekey events, including Limerick City ofCulture, the ‘Grande Partenza’ of theGiro d’Italia and the Croke ParkClassic, encouraging prospectivetravellers to ‘book now’. We will alsocapitalise on important accessdevelopments – maximising thepromotion of new, as well as existing,flights and sailings to continue togrow overseas tourism to Ireland.”

For music lovers of allgenerations, the award-winningMoy Singers have, over decades,

always attracted sell-out audiencesto their eagerly-awaited “Carols byCandlight” concert.

This year’s concert, which takesplace in Hotel Ballina, on Sunday,15th December, at 8 p.m., is in aid ofWestern Alzheimers and will showcasethe very best of Mayo’s musicalchoral talent. Their Christmas concerthas always been an evening when thetrue spirit of Christmas really kicks in- with a wonderful feast of Christmasmusic.

Everyone has their own very

personal Christmas favourites, andthe Moy Singers have, yet again,chosen a wonderful musicalreportoire that will entertain allgenerations. Under their new musicaldirector Kathy Fahey, the choirpresent a wonderful mix of seasonalmusic -from the modern David Bowieto Bing Crosby, Aled Jones to theclassical Pachelbal’s Canon with it’smoving and unique Christmas twist.Combine that with all the Christmasstandards from “Drummer Boy” tothe touching “Oh Holy Night”,everyone will certainly be “Walking inthe Air” with the musical talentassembled for a delightful night of

Christmas Choral entertainment.The true spirit of Christmas means

nothing without children and the MoySingers are delighted to include, asguests, the wonderful voices of the50-strong Kilmoremoy ParishChildren’s Choir and also theincredibly talented and harmoniousGarvey & Garvey from Castlebar..

Share and enjoy this touchingevening of the very best of Christmasmusic with your children, extendedfamily and dearest friends. Ticketsavailable at Hotel Ballina, FoxfordRoad, (096) 23600, Caffreys Gallery,Garden St, Ballina ( 086) 3306543 andchoir members.

Mayo Hoteliers Attend Launch Of TourismIreland’s 2014-16 Marketing Plans

For more details contact us on 091-739-000Claregalway Village, Claregalway, Co. Galwaywww.thearcheshotel.ie

Have You Got A Hospital Appointment In Galway?Why not take the hassle out of it and stay with us at “The Archers Hotel”

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CLLR HUBERTKEANEYAddress: Drum Road Rathcormac, Co Sligo Phone: 071 9141090

[email protected]

Wishing Everyone a Happy Christmas & a prosperous New Year

INDEPENDENT

VERONICACAWLEY

St. Martin Rathbraughan Sligo. Tel: 071 9170267

Mobile: 087 [email protected]

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas & a prosperous New Year

CLLR JOSIE EGANNo. 18 Healy Terrace, Ardnaree, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Tel: 087-6379388Wishing Everyone a Happy

Christmas & a prosperous New Year

CLLR GERRY GINTY

Killala Rd. Ballina Phone: (096) 22614 / 70480

087-7659235 / Email: [email protected]

Merry Christmas and aHappy New year to Allfrom Cllr Gerry Ginty

CLLR MICHAELFLEMING

Address: Carrowreagh CooperTubbercurry Co SligoPhone: 071 9185264Mobile: 087 6702903


CATHAOIRLEACHCOUNCILLOR PAT

MCGR ATHArdnaglass Ballymote Co Sligo

Phone: 071 9183225Mobile: 087 6702792

Email: [email protected]


CLLR PETERCLARKE

Wishing you all a happyChristmas and a prosperous

new year Ballina town council

[email protected] Tel: 086 3930792

CLLR JOHNO’HAR A

Grove House, Bonniconlon, BallinaPhone: 087 2942949

Wishing Everyone a Happy Christmas

& a prosperous New Year


David Flynn speaks with Brendan Shine

He is one of the biggeststars on the Irish musicscene, and has spread his

talents across internationalwaters over the past fifty oddyears. He has recorded almostfifty albums, and over thirty-five hit singles, most of themNo. 1 hits. But it all began forhim in his family’s countrydancehall on the outskirts ofAthlone in the late 1950’s.

BRENDAN Shine put countiesWestmeath, Roscommon andLongford on the music map,due to his hit song, ‘Where theThree Counties Meet’ in 1973,but that was ten years after hefirst went professional as amusician, when he was just 16years old.

“I said to my mother, I’mgoing off to play a gig in KieranKelly’s band, and she asked mefor how long I was going, and I

said, six weeks, and then Istarted running,” he saidlaughing.

The now deceased KieranKelly had a successful midlandscelli band throughout the fiftiesand sixties. However the firstplace Brendan played musicwas at a maypole dance withhis father, Paddy, where heplayed button accordion – themachine that he has sincemastered to perfection in music

venues throughout the world. Brendan’s grandfather, Pat

Shine, built a dancehall inKielty, Athlone in the early1930s, and ran the popularmusic venue for almost thirtyyears. Brendan’s uncle, OwenShine, was a schoolteacher whoplayed fiddle and accordion onRadio Eireann in the 1940’s, andBrendan’s father played altosax, and was leader of thefamily band during that popular

music era. Brendan, who was born in

1947, began his music careerearly, with him first being amember of a church choir whilehe was still in national school.He was taught piano and therudiments of music while hewas in St. Aloysius School,Athlone. Fr. Willie Regan thenasked Brendan, when he wasjust 11 years old, to be theorganist in Drum church in

South Roscommon. It was arole he played until he was inhis mid-20s.

Christmas was a nice andeasy time during Brendan’schildhood and early adulthood.He remembers it being verymuch a family time and a timeof community, but also heremembers Christmas shoppingfor his family revolving mostlyaround the shops in ConnaughtStreet, Athlone and on the rest

Mature Living November 2013

of the Westside of the town.“We did our shopping in

McNeill's grocery shop, andConnaught Street was huge,and we rarely went over to theLeinster side,” said Brendan.“But I first saw a Santa Claus ineither Burgesses or Heaton’s inChurch Street when I was achild. I can’t remember which.But most of Christmas wasspent at home with family, oncethe shopping was done.”

Brendan started off as a childgetting Ludo, Snakes andLadders and Meccano atChristmas. “Then we startedgetting things with batteries,which were probably bought inEgan’s in Connaught Street,”said Brendan, who had an IrishNo. 1 hit with the song,'Christmastime in Ireland' in1974. The dancehall in Kieltywas the only place in themidlands in the late 1950'swhich had a dance on Christmasnight. “On Christmas night ofcourse the essence was aboutChristmas and they played BingCrosby’s White Christmas andJingle Bells and the rest,” saidBrendan.

On St. Stephen’s day andnight, in his teenage years,Brendan and a group of othermusicians and dancers used tohead out all over SouthRoscommon hunting the wren.

“Eight of us used to go in avan, with legs hanging out thebackdoor, and we played musicand collected money at thehouses, but most went out forthe fun, but I don’t mindsaying, I went out for the fewbob,” he said laughing.

Brendan started touring withthe Kieran Kelly band in 1963,but made sure he was alwayshome for Christmas Day. Buthis favourite Christmas memoryis the year his first child, Emily,was born on December 17th.

The first hit Brendan sangwas ‘Treat My Daughter Kindly’with the Kieran Kelly Band.The ‘B’ side of the record wasthe ‘Banks of the Roses’. Thegroup toured the Irish clubs in

England during Lent, becausethere were very few danceshere.

Brendan went solo in 1970,when he was brought onto RexLabel records in Dublin byMichael Geoghegan, who was acousin of ‘Wolf’ Geoghegan, alegendary music arranger fromAthlone. ‘Wolf’ also playedwith Brendan in the Kelly band.

“It was around 1968, andMichael took on myself andRosemary Brown (Dana) at thesame time, and in my group wehad Johnny Dawson on drums,my brother Owen on piano andbass, Larry Benson on fiddle,Bobby Dalton on accordion andme on button accordion,” saidBrendan.

Brendan’s band was originallycelli, but over the years movedto modern to country, to ‘easylistening’, with celli notforgotten. His first solo No. 1was ‘O’Brien Has Nowhere toGo’ in 1971.Brendan is married

to his childhood sweetheart,Kathleen Kildea, and the couplehave two girls, Emily andPhillipa, both of whom wereheavily involved in Brendan’smusic all of their lives.Brendan had his own televisionseries, ‘Nice and Easy’ on RTEin the early 80’s, and the girls,who were only in nationalschool at the time, sangregularly on the programme.Brendan also featured a singingduo, Eamon and Mary of ‘Two’sCompany’ as regular guests on‘Nice and Easy’.

“Kathleen and the girls havealways been part of my gigs,and they were taught musicfrom the word go, and my latebrother Owen, who was a greatmusician, was a good influenceon them,” said Brendan.“Emily works with me thesedays in music on cruise ships. Alot of my following are families,so it has always been good tohave my family as part of the

gigs.” Brendan and Kathleenhave six grandchildren, Esmae,John-Brendan, Senan, Amelia,William and Xavier.

Athlone born and worldfamous tenor of the early 19thcentury, John ‘Count’McCormack is one of Brendan’sidols, and he has an interestingstory to tell about having metsomeone who once met theCount.

“About 15 years ago I playedin Worchester, Massachusetts,USA, and there was an old man,about 90, who was retired as astage manager from the club Iwas playing in, but hecontinued to come back,” saidBrendan. “I was after singing‘The Tumble Down Shack inAthlone’, and he came up tome after and asked where I wasfrom. When I told him,Athlone, he said heremembered talking to a fellowthat came to the club, 60 or 70years previously, who wascalled McCormack!”

Although he sang on overthirty-five hit singles,Brendan’s biggest hit wasprobably, ‘Do You Want YourAuld Lobby Washed Down?’.The hit song, which was a No. 1in summer, 1979, coincidedwith the opening of RTE Radio 2(2FM), and it was the new popstation’s most requested songthat summer. The song was asurprise hit for Brendan duringthe height of the disco era. Itwas a hit across Europe duringthat hot summer of ’79, andmuch later on DJ, Vincent ‘FabVinny’ Hanley brought out hisown version of the song.

Pope John Paul 11 visitedIreland that summer, and thesong was playing when hisplane took off at ShannonAirport for his next port of callin the USA.

Brendan and his wifeKathleen had already openedtheir pub, in Baylough, Athlonein 1978, and following the hitsong they opened the lounge,and called it ‘Shine’s Lobby’.

His follow-up song, ‘Catch Me

if you Can’ in 1980, was also ahuge hit. Brendan has also beenregularly featured on Britishtelevision programmes, ‘PebbleMill at One’ for the BBC, and‘321’ for ITV.

In the late 1980s, Brendanguest-presented an RTE chatshow called ‘Saturday Live’,where he featured guest stars,Cardinal Tomas O’Fiach,comedian Noel V. Ginnity, andwriter, Monica Carr. The showincluded a satellite link up withTerry Wogan in London.

Tom Moore from Athlonewrote many hits for Brendan inthe 1980’s, such as ‘DudgeonsFrom Knockcroghery’ and‘Carrots from Clonown’.

Much of Brendan’s work takeshim abroad, particularly withpopular cruise trips, out of FortLauderdale, Florida.

“There is a spectacular sceneof Irish American music, on theinternational cruise ships,which is great to see,” saidBrendan. He is getting greatsatellite tv exposure at themoment throughout Europe,with the tv channel, IrelandWest Music television (Channel191). Brendan has recorded aChristmas special for thechannel with his daughter,Emily, and with major Irishstars such as Michael English,Jimmy Buckley, Pat Feeney andthe Conquerors. He will besinging ‘A Winter’s Tale’ andalso his 1974 Christmas hit,‘Christmastime in Ireland’. Theshow is set in the Royal Theatrein Castlebar, before a liveaudience.Brendan will also beon an upcoming ‘Glor Tire’show on TG4, which will berecorded in the Quays, Galway.

Like all enduringentertainers, this talentedmusician and singer has nointention of retiring. Music isprobably something one cannever retire from anyway . . .and we look forward toexperiencing his unique styleand presence on the home andinternational circuit for manyyears to come.

Health


More people die of heartattacks in December andJanuary than any other

time of the year. The culpritsare the usual holidaymerrymakers: rich festive feastsand more alcohol. Add to theserisks a dose of holiday stressand something perhaps evenmore dangerous — simpledenial.

Chest pain, which can be asignal of a heart attack, is alltoo easy to shrug off asindigestion, particularly duringthe holidays. After all, whowants to disrupt or dampen acelebration by overreacting to‘heartburn’? Plus, with morepeople travelling over theholiday season, people areoften reluctant to visitunfamiliar hospitals oremergency treatment centres.

The result? Precious minutesare lost.

“You have only a shortwindow of opportunity to saveheart muscle,” Dr. WilliamSuddath of Washington HospitalCenter was quoted as saying inthe Associated Press. Dr.Suddath and his 24/7 cardiacteam aim to start clearingvictims’ clogged arteries within15 minutes of their arrival inthe emergency room.

Possible causes of Christmascoronaries

Over-indulgence. High-fatmeals stress the heart and canresult in elevated bloodpressure and heart rate. Toomuch salt can cause fluidretention, requiring the heartto pump harder. And whilealcohol in moderation can beheart-healthy, overindulgencecan put extra stress on theheart. More seriously, it canlead to “holiday heart

syndrome,” where alcoholirritates the heart muscle andtriggers an irregular heartbeatcalled atrial fibrillation. This inturn can cause a stroke.

Holiday busyness. The hustleand bustle of the holidays canlead to the disruption ofhealthy eating habits andexercise programs as well aselevated stress. (Read about

how to reduce holiday stressand build more activity intoyour holidays.) Some people areso caught up in holidayactivities they forget to taketheir medications or are unableto refill them while travelling.

Cold weather. The wintryweather can constrict bloodvessels, and the extra exertionof tasks such as shoveling snowcan trigger a heart attack.Seasonal colds and flu can alsobe a burden to a stressed heart.Even so, the holiday spike inheart attacks occurs in warmclimates as well.

Hospital under-staffing.Hospitals may be short-staffedduring the holiday season —which can cause a delay in thetime it takes to diagnose aheart attack and start clearingthe blocked artery. In response,some hospitals are looking tospeed care to people sufferingfrom a heart attack with apolicy called “door to balloontime”.

The idea is to reopen blockedarteries with angioplasties orother procedures within 90minutes of arrival.

The bottom lineTo protect your heart heath thisholiday season, experts adviseto (1) watch what you eat anddrink, (2) keep to your regularexercise regimen (as much aspossible), (3) try to reducestress, and (4) seek medicalattention immediately if youexperience any symptoms of aheart attack — don’t wait, anddon’t automatically write it offas indigestion.

Warning signals of a heartattackRecognizing the signs of a heartattack can be vital in seekingtimely medical treatment. The Canadian Heart & StrokeFoundation says to be alert forthe following symptoms.Pain - sudden discomfort or painthat does not go away withrest - pain in the chest, neck,jaw, shoulder, arms or back -pain that feels like burning,squeezing, heaviness, tightnessor pressure - in women, painmay be more vague - chest painor discomfort that is brought onwith exertion and goes awaywith rest, Shortness of breath -difficulty breathingNausea - indigestion - vomitingSweating - cool, clammy skinFear - anxiety - denial

If you are experiencing any ofthese signals, the generaladvice is - Call 999 or your localemergency numberimmediately.- Stop all activity and sit or liedown, in whatever position ismost comfortable.- If you take nitroglycerin, takeyour normal dosage.- If you are experiencing chestpain, chew and swallow oneadult 325 mg ASA tablet(acetylsalicylic acid, commonlyreferred to as Aspirin®) or two80 mg tablets. Note: Painmedicines such asacetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) oribuprofen (e.g. Advil®) do notwork the same way as ASA (i.e.Aspirin®).

Rest comfortably and wait foremergency medical services toarrive.

Holidays and heart attacks

Feature with Sonya Hamill of Blue Apple Dental - Irish Dentistry’s Dental Practice of the Year 2013

‘Blueapple Dental & Implant Team’ is an award-winning dentalpractice in the village of Belcoo in Co. Fermanagh, run byhusband and wife team, James and Sonya Hamill.

Blueapple carries out all forms of dentistry under one roof, andfocuses on helping people overcome their dental challenges,to re-establish their dental health, comfort and beauty. Theybelieve that there is no-one they can’t help regain their dentalconfidence.

‘Blueapple Dental & Implant Team’ has won multiple awards,including ‘Best New Practice’, ‘Best Young Dentist in the UK &Ireland’, and most recently ‘Best Patient Care in Ireland 2012’.

Blueapple welcomes new patients. Just call 048 66386111 to make an appointment for yourconsultation.

www.blueappledental.com

‘Such encouragement and support I have never experienced before and empowered me to complete the procedure without sedation….My trust inBlueapple across all aspects of my dental experience is always upheld each time I visit the practice. I cannot emphasise enough thetransformation that has occurred in my life in terms of panic and anxiety. ‘ An anxious patient, Sligo.

Are you noticing adeterioration in yourdental health?

Perhaps gradually losing moreteeth, noticing a bit more wearappearing, experiencing morefrequent bouts of pain, teethbecoming a little loose, teethmoving, dentures not fitting likethey used to, gums feelinguncomfortable and inflamed?These are common problems aswe mature, and they are thewarning signs that maybe it istime to take action, stoppatching things up, and create aplan for the future.

What is ‘dental rehabilitation’?Like rehabilitating anything,

‘dental rehabilitation’ is theterm we use to describe theprocess for rebuilding dentalhealth and function, usuallywith the associated benefit ofmaking your teeth look great inthe process.

So, what are the obvious andnot so obvious reasons fortaking this dental journey?

1. It has health benefits whichgo further than your mouth. Your dental health has a verysignificant bearing on youroverall health. Treating dentalproblems has huge benefits foryour general sense of wellbeingand good health.

2. Looking Great with NaturalFacial Enhancement: Your teeth provide a veryimportant part of thescaffolding for your face. Theynaturally lift the skin,supporting your lips and thewhole lower face.

3.Don’t underestimate theimportance of Back Teeth:Often when people lose backteeth there is a tendency to notreplace them because peoplecan’t see them. But molarteeth are strong and powerful,specifically designed to do thedonkey work! If you lose backteeth over time, this work is

pushed towards the front teeth,which are not designed for thisdegree of rough and tumble,often doing them damage.

4. A Healthy Body:Being able to chew effectivelyand enjoy a healthy range offoods means the body can muchbetter utilise the supplies it isbeing given.

5.The Feel Good factor: For many people their teeth area source of embarrassment;they have been used to limitingor hiding their smiles. Many

studies have proven that smilingreleases happy hormones, andso being able to smile freelyprovides a wealth of goodfeeling.

At Blueapple we are a teamwidely known for our wealth ofexperience in helping peoplerebuild their smiles and dentalconfidence. With ourcommitment to advanced,proven technologies and awardwinning patient care, we offera unique service in the West ofIreland. We would love towelcome you to discuss whatyour options are.

Tackling it Head On with Ulster & Ireland’s ‘Dental Practice of the Year’ 2013

Is 2014 going to be the year you get on topof your Dental Health and Comfort?

Petcare

If you ever irritated by thesound of your spouse crinklinga packet of crisps, or rustling

with a newspaper, then spare athought for your cat.

Vets are investigating anapparently new phenomenonwhereby pet cats are sufferingseizures triggered by everydaysounds around the house.

As well as the sounds ofnewspapers and crisps packets,the animals have also beenobserved having the reaction tothe clicking of a computermouse, the tapping of a boiledegg and even the sound of a tin of

cat food being opened.The bizarre phenomenon -

likened to the cartoon Tom andJerry - has also been triggered bythe popping of pills from blisterpacks, the dropping of metalitems on tiled floors or ceramicbowls and the hammering ofnails, as well as the sounds ofowners slapping their foreheadsor clicking their tongues.

The new research began afterInternational Cat Care (ICC), afeline charity, began receivingreports from owners across thecountry reporting the strangebehaviour in their pets.

The charity passed on theaccounts to a specialistveterinary centre, which is nowinvestigating the issue, along withresearchers from the UniversityCollege London. The experts atthe organisations believes thereaction is similar to reflexepilepsy in humans.

The vets, from DaviesVeterinary Specialists, based nearHitchin, Herts, are now seekingmore cases, so they caninvestigate what trends arebehind the reactions, to establishif some cats are more prone and

some sounds more likely totrigger the response. Appeals arebeing posted in the ICC’s Cat Carejournal, as well as majorveterinary publications.

The team also want to conducttesting of affected animals, tosee if there is anything geneticwhich may make some animalsmore likely to suffer sound-induced seizures. They believe itcould even lead to greaterunderstanding of similarconditions in humans.

The seizures in cats do notappear to be related to volume,because many of the “triggersounds” are relatively quiet. Thenoises do not appear to beparticularly unexpected, either,as most are relatively familiar,such as the noise of food beingopened. Mark Lowrie, fromDavies Veterinary Specialists,said: “We want to see if othervets and owners are aware of theproblem. It could be they haven’teven associated these fits withnoise. I’m sure that a pattern willemerge. It doesn’t seem to beoccurring at times of stress. It isoften when the cats are being fed– which is probably one of their

happier times of the day.”The reactions suffered by the

animals are described as beingsimilar to a fit, with the catsdisplaying a jerking motion.Others have less severe reactions,from being jumpy to freezingsuddenly. They all recover, oncethe noise has stopped and theseizure ceased. One ownerreported their cat, Moochi, hadseizures caused by repetitiousclicking or tapping sounds, whichcaused him to convulse and losecontrol of his balance.

Another animal, Jeffrey, hasfits of around a minute in length,

caused by mouse clicks and thetapping of boiled eggs. Graciesuffered a similar reaction to thesound of a newspaper, whichcaused her to run in circles andcollide with furniture. After that,she convulses.

Claire Bessant, chief executiveof International Cat Care, said:“It is hard not to smile, becauseit does all sound rather Tom andJerry, but it would be very nice toget to the bottom of it. Peopleseem to be getting around it, bymaking sure they tip toe aroundtheir animals and try to avoidmaking the noise.”

Cats suffering from 'Tom & Jerry' syndrome


A rescue dog named Rubyloses a third of her bodyweight in six months.

A former rescue dogcalled Ruby has beencrowned Pet SlimmingChampion of the year byveterinary charity PDSAafter losing a third of herbody weight.

Ruby was an unlovedand underweight straywho was found roamingthe streets and taken into

a local animal shelter, before shewas adopted by Angela Martin andher partner Steve around four yearsago. But their desire to make up forher sad back story led them to feedher too many treats.

The extra food made Rubymorbidly obese, reaching 9.1 kg (1st6lbs) and unable to jump on a sofa.

She was enrolled onto the PDSAPet Fit Club and now weighs ahealthy 6kg.

Jack Russell named Pet Slimmer ofthe Year

Vets warn of a new phenomenon whereby cats suffer seizures triggered by everydaysounds around the house, like the clicking of a computer mouse or the tapping of aboiled egg

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Age related maculardegeneration (AMD) is theleading cause of sight loss

in people aged over 50 inIreland, with over 60,000 Irishpeople suffering from thecondition. It is a painlessdisorder that affects the macula,a tiny area at the back of theeye that you use for seeing finedetail such as reading a book.

What are the symptoms ofmacular degeneration? The symptoms of maculardegeneration include blurred,distorted or absent centralvision. Initially you may start tonotice that you experiencedifficulty in reading, watchingTV and recognising faces. Youmay see the outline of a facebut not the features. There maybe some distortion of vision sothat objects appear larger orsmaller than normal, or straightlines may appear wavy, sojudging distances and heightscan become difficult. You maynot notice this if it happens inone eye as your other eye willcompensate, so it is importantto regularly check your vision ineach eye separately. You can dothis by looking with each eyeseparately at the straight lineson a door frame. If you noticethe lines are distorted, youshould see your optician straightaway.

What is macular degeneration?AMD happens when the maculabecomes damaged. What causesthis damage is still unknown,however smoking, a familyhistory of AMD, sun exposure anda poor diet are considered to berisk factors. Broadly speaking there are twotypes of AMD, usually referred to

as ‘wet’ and ‘dry’. Only about10% of people have wet maculardegeneration. In Dry AMD the conditiondevelops very slowly causinggradual loss of central vision.Wet AMD results in a build up offluid under the retina and is amuch more aggressive from ofthe condition. Does is happen more as you getolder?The incidence increases witheach decade over the age of 50to almost 15% by the age of 75.

Is there any treatment forAMD? There is no current treatmentfor Dry AMD to prevent visionloss (although you will notcompletely loss your sight).There is evidence to prove thatwhat you eat can affect yourchances of developing AMD.Studies have shown thatvitamins A, C and E and theminerals zinc and copper whentaken together may help to slowthe progression of dry AMD in

people who already have thecondition. A balanced diet withplenty of fresh fruit andvegetables may help your eyehealth. There are a number ofvitamin products available suchas MacuShield which have beendesigned for people with AMDand you can buy these over thecounter from your optician orpharmacist. If the dry AMD is interferingwith your ability to see finedetails, you optometrist canadvise you on special magnifierswhich can help. Wet AMD can often be treated ifit is caught early enough and thisis normally done be injecting adrug into the gel inside your eye.

Can I do anything to protectmyself from getting AMD?Being overweight, having highblood pressure, smoking and afamily history of AMD are riskfactors for the condition.Prevention is aided bymaintaining a healthy lifestylewith a balanced diet, blood

pressure control, quittingsmoking. The key to all of this isearly diagnosis, people areencouraged to have sight testsevery two years.

Remember, eyesight is one ofthe most precious gifts wehave, so look after it. If youthink that you may beexperiencing symptoms of AMDhave your eyes checked this

week – acting early couldprevent further damage toyour eyesight. Contact RachelMurray Eyecare to make anappointment, or simply call inand they will look after allyour eye care needs. Over the next few months,Rachel will be writing articleson common eye conditions.Next issue, she will discusscataracts which affects overhalf of those over 65.

GardeningEye Care by Rachel Murray Eyecare - Tobergal Lane, Sligo • Tel: 071-9142860

Age related Macular degeneration

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You should have your boilerserviced every year to helpensure it is safe, that itoperates most efficiently, andto help avoid breakdowns.Modern boilers are far moreefficient and cost effectivethan older versions. Remember,it is illegal for anyone otherthan a Registered Gas Installerto service your natural gasboiler. Registered Gas Installershave completed safety training,conform to Irish standards andhave insurance. Find aRegistered Gas Installer atwww.rgii.ie

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Memories

Although definitely one of theearliest "pop bands" theFreshmen, from Ballymena,

were different from the rest of theshowbands of the early 1960's. BillyBrown, an extremely talented pianoand sax player, had been playingsince he was twelve. By the time hegot to college, he had his firstprofessional gig with the BillyMcFarland Band out of Belfast.

Two other members of theMcFarland band, bass player TorryMcGahey and sax player MauriceHenry became fast friends and they

all eventually decided it was time tostrike out on their own, although ina 1971 Spotlight interview withDavy McKnight it was reportedTory had been sacked from the bandand Billy and Maurice went withhim. One way or another, togetherthey formed The Freshmen in early1962. They recruited the best ofmusicians, each one a singer in theirown right. The original lineupincluded: Barney McKeon (vocals),Maurice (sax), Torry (bass), DamienMcIlroy (guitar), Sean Mahon(trombone), Davy McKnight

(drums-who was training to be ateacher) and Billy (sax and piano).

The band's new sound tookNorthern Ireland by storm. Theywere starting out just at the sametime as The Beatles and The BeachBoys and they were poised to ridethe crest of the "pop" wave inIreland. Before long, the bandattracted the interest of a newmanager, Peter Dempsey (bandmember Maurice Henry hadpreviously handled the band'sbookings). Peter ran dances inAndersontown and through this,

met Johnny Flynn and made a hostof connections in theSouth...uncharted territory for theFreshmen.

By 1963, they were beginning tomake inroads in the South whenBarney decided to leave. The searchwas on for a replacement and theband recruited Limerick singer,Tommy Drennan. With Tommy outfront, the band continued to prosper,garnering rave reviews from thepress and the punters. Within a yearthough, Tommy had grownhomesick and returned to Limerick,

leaving the band in bit of a bind.Billy filled in for a time, buteventually they found their idealfront man in Derek McMenamin, ahandsome, tall singer whose goodlooks, charm, and talent rivaled anyof the other leading front men of thetime.

With Derek in place, the band cutits first record in London during atour of England in February, 1964,She's The One You Love. Releasedin summer, the single faded quickly,making little impact. For a time inearly 1964, Derek left the band tocomplete his college educationwhere he was studying to become ateacher. By summer, he had takenhis finals and was back with theband. At the end of 1964, the bandannounced that Derek was changinghis last name to Dean and the bandalso changed its name to Derek andthe Freshmen.

In 1965, the band recorded andreleased more singles. The first, IStand Alone, failed to make animpression. However, theirrecording of Yenka was a top ten hitin November 1965. Over the nexttwo years, the band's reputation andstatus went from strength tostrength. They became the topNorthern Band to play the Southand at one point were ranked as thenumber four showband behind onlythe Royal, Miami and the Cadets. InAugust 1966, the band announcedthat it was changing its name onceagain and would be known as DerekDean, Billy and the Freshmen, anobvious nod to Billy's growinginfluence in the band.

In 1967, the Freshmen were partof the showband elite in Ireland.Oliver Barry took over managingthe band in mid-1967 and theirrecord, Papa-Oo-Mow-Mowreached number seven in the Irishcharts and stayed in the charts foreight weeks well into 1968. InSeptember, 1968, the bandannounced a new image...gone werethe tailored suits of the showbandera and now the band took to thestage in "mod" gear. The move wasactually seen as risky. A Spotlight

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

There were hundreds of them. Irish bands of every size,description and musical genre travelling the roads andborheens of Ireland. They travelled the length and breadth

of the country from the 1950's through the mid 1980's. Although"officially" the term showband was coined in the late fifties andwas used to describe bands that played a wide variety of musicand usually included a "show" during the night, the term wasgradually applied to all the bands that played in the 1960's. As the

Irish music scene splintered in the late sixties into pop, countrybands, the term was dropped but we still find it the best overalldescription of the bands of the "ballroom" era. In the early days,they travelled in whatever they could find...bread vans, hearses,and even cars (roof racks and all). In later years, many (if notmost) of them travelled in converted Ford Transit vans (like theone pictured right) that were normally used for delivery services.After a couple of windows were popped into the centre panels, a

row or two of old airplane seats were installed and the band wasready to travel "in style." Although style was a matter ofopinion...if you're stuck in the back of a van on a cold and rainywinter's night, it may seem like "a long way to Tipperary," but it'seven further to Castletownbere, Co. Cork!

It will be impossible to list all the bands that played the dancehalls, ballrooms, marquees, parochial halls, community centres,hotels, and town halls across Ireland but each month we are

planning to feature a band from the west with the help of GerryGallagher and www.irish-showbands.com . Apart from a few whoenjoy near mythical status (such as the Royal Showband and ahandful of others), most bands came together, played for a fewyears and then either reinvented themselves, changed their name,or just disappeared, their members either returning to civilian life,or scattering to two or three new bands.

For such a small country, it is difficult to comprehend the sheer

number of bands that the countryproduced. Almost as hard to imagine,is the number of dance halls thatonce dotted the countryside, manyout in the "middle of nowhere." Pickup next months issue for anotherblast 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 EraAll About the Freshmen (1962-1980)


article in the September 7th issuestated, "Ballroom managers wereaghast....they felt dancers wouldn'tgo for it at all."

They started a string of top tenhits and the band was doingextremely well as the money camepouring in. They released GoGranny Go, Number 12 in August1968, Just to See You Smile,Number 9 in March 1969, andHalfway to Where, Number 10 inApril 1970. In the April 26th, 1969issue of Spotlight, an articlereported that the band had claimedto have played before 16,000dancers over the Easter week andthat it must be some kind of record.Things were going well for theFreshmen.

1970 was the year the bandreleased their second album, PeaceOn Earth. The album was heraldedas an artistic masterpiece and is stillregarded by many as the greatestIrish pop album ever made. Thesame year, they performed their"Peace Concert" at the RDS inDublin which featured noted actorMicheal MacLiammoir as narrator(the role he also played on thealbum). Amid all the successthough, trouble was brewing. Theband had become too identifiedwith the Beach Boys sound and asthe Beach Boys fortunes' faded, sotoo did the Freshmen's.

In February, 1971, it was reportedin Spotlight that Billy had beensacked by the band. The article saidthat Billy had been ill for some timeand started missing dates. Billyhimself said he had been feeling illand that his doctor thought it waseither his appendix or gallstones, butthat he was going into hospitalwithin the week. In the meantime,the band voted to sack the all starsinger songwriter and was lookingfor a replacement. which they foundin Ivan Laybourne.

When Billy returned to health, hedecided to form his own group, TheBilly Brown Superband. Herecruited one of the finest lineup ofmusicians perhaps ever to play theballroom circuit. Billy was joined

by Johnny Brown (bass), DessieReynolds (drums), Keith McDonald(sax), Pascal Haverty (sax), TigerTaylor (guitar), and Mike Nolan(RIP-trumpet). The musicianshipwas excellent, but the band lackedoriginality and that "certain" spark,lasting less than a year.

The early seventies saw theFreshmen continue to slip inpopularity and earnings. Followinga false start with his superband,Billy teamed up with Mike O'Briento form Brown and O'Brien in 1972.In February 1972, original memberDavy McKnight announced he wasleaving the Freshmen to joinClubsound, however it took acouple of months for the band tofind a replacement. A follow uparticle in May announced that Davyhad joined the band who hadchanged their name to WarmSensation. The band's lineup wasDavy (drums), Eddie McCrudden,Barry McCrudden (keyboards),Harry Hickland (sax), BillyBingham (guitar) and George Jones(bass).

Although it was rumoured Davymight be replaced by RTE's IanMcGarry, it was Linsey Lunney(College Boys) who came to theband on drums. In April, 1972,founder member Maurice Henry leftthe band to move into management.In a Spotlight interview, Mauricejokingly said, "I've left theFreshmen mainly because of oldage." The first act he signed wasCathy and the Fugitives from Mayoand shortly thereafter added theSounds.

Meanwhile, Brown and O'Briendid not find the magic either and theband went to Canada. HoweverBilly returned on his own and areport in Spotlight on October 12,1972 claimed he would not berejoining the Freshmen. Of course,Billy did rejoined the Freshmenafter leaving Brown and O'Brien inOctober, 1972. He brought guitaristTiger Taylor with him who replacedoriginal member Damien McIlroy.However, Linsey Lunny left theband around the same time. A blurb

in Spotlight reported Damien wasleaving the band at the end ofSeptember, 1972 and he went toSouth Africa. A month later inOctober, keyboard player IvanLaybourne, reportedly went toScotland, but ended up joiningDamien in South Africa.

Throughout the mid to lateseventies, the Freshmen continuedto play, ending up as a six piece andtrying to make a living in a scenethat was slowly dying and well pastits prime. Around 1978, TorryMcGahey left the band, breakingthe final remaining link to the

original Freshmen lineup. AlthoughBilly Brown had been an originalmember, he had left the band forseveral years. By 1980, theFreshmen, one of the greatestcomponents of pop music inIreland, were finally no more. Afteralmost twenty years the band whohad smoothly made the transitionfrom 60's showband to 70's popgroup successfully (while stayingtrue to their legacy of producingquality music) called it quits. On therecent series "Little Bit ofShowband," Derek recounted thestory of a gig in Boyle when only a

handful of dancers showed up andthe decision was made to finish theband. And with a whimper, it wasover...the Freshmen were no more.

In the years after the showbandera ended, the late Billy Browncontinued to record, write andproduce excellent music. Hisreputation as one of Ireland's mostgifted musicians continued to grow,but on June 6, 1999, at the age ofonly 56, Billy sadly passed away,leaving the Irish music scenewithout one of the guiding lightsthat had illuminated the landscapeof the showband era.

Page 25 Mature Living December 2013

Left to right: Derek Dean (vocals), Damien McElroy (guitar), Billy Brown (keyboards/sax), Davy McKnight (drums), Maurice Henry (sax), TorryMcGahey (bass) and Sean Mahon (trombone)

The Freshmen in 1968

Memories

Although definitely one of theearliest "pop bands" theFreshmen, from Ballymena,

were different from the rest of theshowbands of the early 1960's. BillyBrown, an extremely talented pianoand sax player, had been playingsince he was twelve. By the time hegot to college, he had his firstprofessional gig with the BillyMcFarland Band out of Belfast.

Two other members of theMcFarland band, bass player TorryMcGahey and sax player MauriceHenry became fast friends and they

all eventually decided it was time tostrike out on their own, although ina 1971 Spotlight interview withDavy McKnight it was reportedTory had been sacked from the bandand Billy and Maurice went withhim. One way or another, togetherthey formed The Freshmen in early1962. They recruited the best ofmusicians, each one a singer in theirown right. The original lineupincluded: Barney McKeon (vocals),Maurice (sax), Torry (bass), DamienMcIlroy (guitar), Sean Mahon(trombone), Davy McKnight

(drums-who was training to be ateacher) and Billy (sax and piano).

The band's new sound tookNorthern Ireland by storm. Theywere starting out just at the sametime as The Beatles and The BeachBoys and they were poised to ridethe crest of the "pop" wave inIreland. Before long, the bandattracted the interest of a newmanager, Peter Dempsey (bandmember Maurice Henry hadpreviously handled the band'sbookings). Peter ran dances inAndersontown and through this,

met Johnny Flynn and made a hostof connections in theSouth...uncharted territory for theFreshmen.

By 1963, they were beginning tomake inroads in the South whenBarney decided to leave. The searchwas on for a replacement and theband recruited Limerick singer,Tommy Drennan. With Tommy outfront, the band continued to prosper,garnering rave reviews from thepress and the punters. Within a yearthough, Tommy had grownhomesick and returned to Limerick,

leaving the band in bit of a bind.Billy filled in for a time, buteventually they found their idealfront man in Derek McMenamin, ahandsome, tall singer whose goodlooks, charm, and talent rivaled anyof the other leading front men of thetime.

With Derek in place, the band cutits first record in London during atour of England in February, 1964,She's The One You Love. Releasedin summer, the single faded quickly,making little impact. For a time inearly 1964, Derek left the band tocomplete his college educationwhere he was studying to become ateacher. By summer, he had takenhis finals and was back with theband. At the end of 1964, the bandannounced that Derek was changinghis last name to Dean and the bandalso changed its name to Derek andthe Freshmen.

In 1965, the band recorded andreleased more singles. The first, IStand Alone, failed to make animpression. However, theirrecording of Yenka was a top ten hitin November 1965. Over the nexttwo years, the band's reputation andstatus went from strength tostrength. They became the topNorthern Band to play the Southand at one point were ranked as thenumber four showband behind onlythe Royal, Miami and the Cadets. InAugust 1966, the band announcedthat it was changing its name onceagain and would be known as DerekDean, Billy and the Freshmen, anobvious nod to Billy's growinginfluence in the band.

In 1967, the Freshmen were partof the showband elite in Ireland.Oliver Barry took over managingthe band in mid-1967 and theirrecord, Papa-Oo-Mow-Mowreached number seven in the Irishcharts and stayed in the charts foreight weeks well into 1968. InSeptember, 1968, the bandannounced a new image...gone werethe tailored suits of the showbandera and now the band took to thestage in "mod" gear. The move wasactually seen as risky. A Spotlight

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

There were hundreds of them. Irish bands of every size,description and musical genre travelling the roads andborheens of Ireland. They travelled the length and breadth

of the country from the 1950's through the mid 1980's. Although"officially" the term showband was coined in the late fifties andwas used to describe bands that played a wide variety of musicand usually included a "show" during the night, the term wasgradually applied to all the bands that played in the 1960's. As the

Irish music scene splintered in the late sixties into pop, countrybands, the term was dropped but we still find it the best overalldescription of the bands of the "ballroom" era. In the early days,they travelled in whatever they could find...bread vans, hearses,and even cars (roof racks and all). In later years, many (if notmost) of them travelled in converted Ford Transit vans (like theone pictured right) that were normally used for delivery services.After a couple of windows were popped into the centre panels, a

row or two of old airplane seats were installed and the band wasready to travel "in style." Although style was a matter ofopinion...if you're stuck in the back of a van on a cold and rainywinter's night, it may seem like "a long way to Tipperary," but it'seven further to Castletownbere, Co. Cork!

It will be impossible to list all the bands that played the dancehalls, ballrooms, marquees, parochial halls, community centres,hotels, and town halls across Ireland but each month we are

planning to feature a band from the west with the help of GerryGallagher and www.irish-showbands.com . Apart from a few whoenjoy near mythical status (such as the Royal Showband and ahandful of others), most bands came together, played for a fewyears and then either reinvented themselves, changed their name,or just disappeared, their members either returning to civilian life,or scattering to two or three new bands.

For such a small country, it is difficult to comprehend the sheer

number of bands that the countryproduced. Almost as hard to imagine,is the number of dance halls thatonce dotted the countryside, manyout in the "middle of nowhere." Pickup next months issue for anotherblast 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 EraAll About the Freshmen (1962-1980)

Page 24 Mature Living December 2013

article in the September 7th issuestated, "Ballroom managers wereaghast....they felt dancers wouldn'tgo for it at all."

They started a string of top tenhits and the band was doingextremely well as the money camepouring in. They released GoGranny Go, Number 12 in August1968, Just to See You Smile,Number 9 in March 1969, andHalfway to Where, Number 10 inApril 1970. In the April 26th, 1969issue of Spotlight, an articlereported that the band had claimedto have played before 16,000dancers over the Easter week andthat it must be some kind of record.Things were going well for theFreshmen.

1970 was the year the bandreleased their second album, PeaceOn Earth. The album was heraldedas an artistic masterpiece and is stillregarded by many as the greatestIrish pop album ever made. Thesame year, they performed their"Peace Concert" at the RDS inDublin which featured noted actorMicheal MacLiammoir as narrator(the role he also played on thealbum). Amid all the successthough, trouble was brewing. Theband had become too identifiedwith the Beach Boys sound and asthe Beach Boys fortunes' faded, sotoo did the Freshmen's.

In February, 1971, it was reportedin Spotlight that Billy had beensacked by the band. The article saidthat Billy had been ill for some timeand started missing dates. Billyhimself said he had been feeling illand that his doctor thought it waseither his appendix or gallstones, butthat he was going into hospitalwithin the week. In the meantime,the band voted to sack the all starsinger songwriter and was lookingfor a replacement. which they foundin Ivan Laybourne.

When Billy returned to health, hedecided to form his own group, TheBilly Brown Superband. Herecruited one of the finest lineup ofmusicians perhaps ever to play theballroom circuit. Billy was joined

by Johnny Brown (bass), DessieReynolds (drums), Keith McDonald(sax), Pascal Haverty (sax), TigerTaylor (guitar), and Mike Nolan(RIP-trumpet). The musicianshipwas excellent, but the band lackedoriginality and that "certain" spark,lasting less than a year.

The early seventies saw theFreshmen continue to slip inpopularity and earnings. Followinga false start with his superband,Billy teamed up with Mike O'Briento form Brown and O'Brien in 1972.In February 1972, original memberDavy McKnight announced he wasleaving the Freshmen to joinClubsound, however it took acouple of months for the band tofind a replacement. A follow uparticle in May announced that Davyhad joined the band who hadchanged their name to WarmSensation. The band's lineup wasDavy (drums), Eddie McCrudden,Barry McCrudden (keyboards),Harry Hickland (sax), BillyBingham (guitar) and George Jones(bass).

Although it was rumoured Davymight be replaced by RTE's IanMcGarry, it was Linsey Lunney(College Boys) who came to theband on drums. In April, 1972,founder member Maurice Henry leftthe band to move into management.In a Spotlight interview, Mauricejokingly said, "I've left theFreshmen mainly because of oldage." The first act he signed wasCathy and the Fugitives from Mayoand shortly thereafter added theSounds.

Meanwhile, Brown and O'Briendid not find the magic either and theband went to Canada. HoweverBilly returned on his own and areport in Spotlight on October 12,1972 claimed he would not berejoining the Freshmen. Of course,Billy did rejoined the Freshmenafter leaving Brown and O'Brien inOctober, 1972. He brought guitaristTiger Taylor with him who replacedoriginal member Damien McIlroy.However, Linsey Lunny left theband around the same time. A blurb

in Spotlight reported Damien wasleaving the band at the end ofSeptember, 1972 and he went toSouth Africa. A month later inOctober, keyboard player IvanLaybourne, reportedly went toScotland, but ended up joiningDamien in South Africa.

Throughout the mid to lateseventies, the Freshmen continuedto play, ending up as a six piece andtrying to make a living in a scenethat was slowly dying and well pastits prime. Around 1978, TorryMcGahey left the band, breakingthe final remaining link to the

original Freshmen lineup. AlthoughBilly Brown had been an originalmember, he had left the band forseveral years. By 1980, theFreshmen, one of the greatestcomponents of pop music inIreland, were finally no more. Afteralmost twenty years the band whohad smoothly made the transitionfrom 60's showband to 70's popgroup successfully (while stayingtrue to their legacy of producingquality music) called it quits. On therecent series "Little Bit ofShowband," Derek recounted thestory of a gig in Boyle when only a

handful of dancers showed up andthe decision was made to finish theband. And with a whimper, it wasover...the Freshmen were no more.

In the years after the showbandera ended, the late Billy Browncontinued to record, write andproduce excellent music. Hisreputation as one of Ireland's mostgifted musicians continued to grow,but on June 6, 1999, at the age ofonly 56, Billy sadly passed away,leaving the Irish music scenewithout one of the guiding lightsthat had illuminated the landscapeof the showband era.


Left to right: Derek Dean (vocals), Damien McElroy (guitar), Billy Brown (keyboards/sax), Davy McKnight (drums), Maurice Henry (sax), TorryMcGahey (bass) and Sean Mahon (trombone)

The Freshmen in 1968


Travel

Top 10 Travel Destinationsin World 2014: Brazil,Denmark, USA and Others

BrazilTravel guides publisher LonelyPlanet has named the host of2014 FIFA World Cup - Brazil - asthe top tourist destination for2014. As per the tourism ministryin Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and SãoPaulo are two of the most visiteddestinations in the country.This country is the belle of theball with the FIFA World Cupfollowed by the 2016 SummerOlympics two years later, dodgingthe recession.

DenmarkLonely Planet has rated Denmarkas the best tourist destination tovisit with one's family as it is built

for kids, especially the Legolandamusement park. "Copenhagen ishome to Tivoli, a fairy tale of acentral amusement park thatdates to 1843. There is lots offree music, nightly fireworks andsurprisingly good food," statesthe travel guide. As per theUnited Nations World TourismOrganization (UNWTO) more than8.7 million people visited thecountry in 2010.

USABe it dirt cheap Jersey Shore oryahooing cowboy country ofTexas, there's something aboutthe US that makes you feel asthough real life has morphed into

cinematography. Do not forget the New York Cityand its big yellow taxis or iconicbuildings. According to the WorldBank statistics, the US has beenthe second most visited countryby foreign tourists with TimesSquare in Manhattan, New YorkCity attracting 35 million visitorsyearly.

India"The chaos, colour and brillianceof India make it a thrilling choicefor family travel," states LonelyPlanet. There are two excellentreasons to plan the next trip to'Incredible India'. Firstly, the fallof the rupee against dollar thatcould give you the best travelvalue. Secondly, India is a hub to

all the ingredients for a specialtrip with elephants, palaces,castles, trains, beaches, junglesand wildlife parks and nature.The travel guide has anointed thestate of Sikkim as the best regionin the world to travel to in 2014,while Kerela is the touristdestination to help keepeveryone in the family happy.

Brazil

Denmark

USA

India

EcuadorThis South American country hasreportedly boosted its 2014advertising budget by 73 percentin an attempt to divert theattention from its rival Brazil.There are several shoppingpackage deals coming up thatcombine airfare, lodging, mealsand excursions.The travel website, Travelzoo,has Equador among the top five'Wow Deal Destinations', which iscertain to offer values beyond anordinary trip.

ScotlandScotland is among the top threedestinations to visit around theworld in 2014 with Glasgowhosting the XX CommonwealthGames next year in summer.The country's National TourismOrganisation has given a multi-million-pound facelift to Glasgowfor the Games with new sportsvenues, improved transport links.The Scotland government willalso be observing the 'Year of

Homecoming' to welcome theScottish diaspora back to thecountry by celebrating itsheritage, food and drink.

AustraliaLeaving Melbourne and Sydneybehind, Adelaide has been namedas one of the world's top 10 citiesto visit in 2014 for beingtransformed into the perfect hostcity. Even the Kimberley has beenspotted as one of the hottesttourist destinations in the worldwith its giant gorges and sceniccoast roads.

SwedenWith its food, culture and scaryurban legends, Sweden is amongthe top 10 countries for aneventful year. This Nordic countryis home to a number of WorldHeritage Sites."Thanks to the late Swedishauthor Stieg Larsson, most peoplehave a sense of what Sweden'slike, even in the far north - cold,beautiful and a bit scary," says

Lonely Planet.With its fresh pop-culturepersona, northern city of Umeå isthe European Capital of Culturefor 2014.

LatviaThe culture capital of Riga is

among the top 10 cities best fortravelling in 2014. "Today, withtwo decades of freedom (and arenewed status as Latvia'scapital) under its belt, the city isreclaiming its rightful title as thecosmopolitan cornerstone of theBaltic," as stated by travel guideLonely Planet.Under the Soviet Union, the cityof Riga was smothered intoobscurity, however, since pastfew years, 'hipster-chic cafeshave spread like wildfire'.

JapanJapan's Hokuriku, on Honshū's

west coast, is among the topdestinations that would inspirethe traveler through its culturalriches and captivate with itsnatural beauty."Bordered by the Sea of Japanand the magnificent Japan Alps,Hokuriku is saturated withculture, history and strikingnatural beauty," says LonelyPlanet.The travel guide also crowns thecity of Kanazawa as the 'king' ofscenic beauty on the east coastof the country,

Ecuador

Scotland

Australia

Sweden


Latvia

Japan

Prep: 40 minsCook: 1 hrServes 4

IngredientsFor the gratin600g maris piper potatoes350ml full-fat milk350ml double cream1 large garlic clove, smashed1 bay leafthyme sprigs, plus a few extrathyme leaves for sprinkling50g butter300g mixed wild mushrooms,cleaned and roughly sliced iflarge50g Comté or Gruyère cheese

For the chicken200g softened butterzest and juice 1 lemonbunch flat-leaf parsley, leavesvery roughly choppedlarge pinch paprika

4 large chicken breasts,preferably supremes with thewing bone still attached1 large shallot, sliced1 garlic bulb, roughly chopped3 thyme sprigs200ml fresh chicken stock

To serve1 tbsp olive oil24 baby leeks, trimmed to thesame size, boiled for 3 mins,then refreshed in iced water

MethodTo make the gratin, peel and

slice the potatoes no thicker thana 50p piece using a mandolin, ifyou have one. Bring the milk,cream, garlic, herbs and someseasoning to the boil in a largesaucepan, then turn down theheat and simmer for a few mins.

Slip the potatoes into the hotmilk mixture and simmer for 10mins until just cooked. Drain thepotatoes in a colander over abowl to catch the liquid – reservethe milk. While the potatoes aresimmering, heat half the butterin a frying pan until foaming. Frythe mushrooms for 2 mins untiljust wilted, season with salt andpepper and set aside.

Rub 2 small gratin dishes (or 1medium) with the remainingbutter, sprinkle over the thymeleaves and grate over some ofthe cheese. Fill the disheshalfway with potato slices,moisten with a little milk and

grate over more cheese. Fill upthe dishes with potato slices, addenough milk to cover, then topwith the mushrooms and the restof the cheese.

For the chicken, mix abouttwo-thirds of the butter with thelemon zest and half the juice,the parsley, paprika and somesalt and pepper. Lift the skinslightly away from each breast,spread or pipe the flavouredbutter under the skin, thenstretch the skin back over. Chillup to a day in advance, if youlike.

Heat oven to 220C/200Cfan/gas 7. Heat the remainingbutter in an ovenproof frying panuntil foaming. Pan-fry thechicken, basting constantly withthe butter until starting tobrown. Add the shallot, garlic,thyme and stock. Place thechicken, skin-side up in its pan,on the higher shelf of the oven,and the gratins on the lowershelf. Roast both for 25-30 mins,then remove the chicken and restfor 15 mins, while the gratinscontinue to cook.

To finish, remove the chickenfrom the pan. Place the pan back

on the heat, squeeze over theremaining lemon juice and bringeverything to a hard boil. Passthe sauce through a sieve,pressing down firmly on all thesoft shallot and garlic. Heat adrizzle of olive oil in anotherfrying pan and reheat the leeksuntil they start to colour. Withthe gratins cooked, you are now

ready to plate up.Line six leeks up in a row in the

middle of each plate. Carve the chicken on a slant

into five thick slices. Neatly fan out each chicken

breast over the leeks. Spoon thesauce over the chicken andaround the leeks, and serve withthe potato gratin.

Food and Drink


Butter-roasted supreme of chicken with wildmushroom & potato gratin

Serves 8

Venison benefits from long, slowcooking, and this Scottish dishdevelops a beautifully earthysweetness - try it as analternative to turkey

Ingredients2 carrots, roughly chopped140g turnips or swede, roughlychopped2 onions, roughly chopped3 celery sticks, roughly choppedolive oil and butter, for frying1 garlic clove, crushed1kg boned leg or shoulder ofvenison, cut into large chunks(or buy ready-cubed venison forstewing)

5 tbsp plain flour, seasoned withsalt and pepper2 tbsp redcurrant jelly (orrowan or hawthorn jelly)450ml dry red wine (Rioja isgood)450ml beef stock2 thyme sprigs1 bay leaf

MethodHeat oven to 180C/fan160C/gas 4. Fry the vegetablesin a little oil and butter in aheavy-based casserole for 4-5mins until golden. Tip in thegarlic and fry for a further min,then set aside.Put the venison into a plasticbag with seasoned flour and

shake to coat. Add a little moreoil and butter to the pan, thenfry the venison over a highheat, stirring now and then,until well browned. Don’t crowdthe pan – cook in batches ifnecessary. Set aside with thevegetables.Add the redcurrant jelly andwine to the pan, and bring tothe boil, scraping up all the bitsthat have stuck to the bottom.Pour in the stock, then add thethyme, bay leaf, meat andvegetables. Season if you likeand bring to the boil. Cover andtransfer to the oven for about1½ hrs or until tender. Removefrom the oven and check theseasoning.

Succulent braised venison

Spiced roast beef with red wine gravyServingsServes 6 with leftoversMarinade your fillet withpeppercorn, fennel and mustardseeds then roast until rare - thegravy is gluten-free too!

Ingredients2 tbsp mixed peppercorns2 tbsp mustard seeds, yellow orblack, or 1 tbsp of each2 tsp fennel seeds1½ kg fillet of beef2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp wholegrain or Englishmustard (check the brand isgluten-free)3 red onions, skins left on,thickly sliced into roundsa few thyme leaves, to serve(optional)

For the gravy2 tbsp olive oil1½-2 tbsp cornflour2 gluten- and wheat-free beefstock cubes (check the label)3-4 tbsp redcurrant jelly400ml red wine

MethodUp to 2 days before, crush

together the peppercorns andseeds using a pestle and mortar,or in a saucepan with the end ofa rolling pin or similar. Brushthe beef fillet all over with themustard, then roll in thepeppercorn mix to coat.

Cover and chill.Two hours before you are

ready to start cooking, take thebeef out of the fridge to cometo room temperature.

Heat oven to 200C/180C

fan/gas 6. Heat the oil in a panbig enough to hold the beef,and brown the beef all over,seasoning with salt. In aroasting tin, use the onions as abed to sit the beef on – pat onany spices that have fallen off.Roast for 20 mins for rare, 25mins for medium, and 35 minsfor well-done beef.

Lift the beef from the tin andrest on a platter, covered withfoil to keep it hot, for about 30mins. Set the tin with theonions and roasting juices over

the hob and stir in the oil,cornflour and crumbled stockcubes.

Mix in the jelly, thengradually stir in the wine and400ml boiling water, scraping upany stuck bits from the bottom.Simmer for 15 mins untilreduced a little.

Season, then sieve into aclean pan to keep warm,discarding the onions. Slice thebeef, scatter over the thyme, ifyou like, and serve with thegravy.

Why not try our Port atChristmas Van Zeller is a mighty namewithin the annals of Port Winehistory: its ancient ancestralroots penetrate deep into a pre-Napoleonic landscape and runparallel with the evolution ofthe modern Douro valley.Cristiano’s family establishedtheir Port Company officially in1780 and it traded non-stopuntil the 1930’s. The businesswas sold in the middle of the19th century and in 1932 wasbought back by Cristano’s great-grandfather, Luís VasconcelosPorto, owner of Quinta doNoval, for his grandsons (his only

daughter and his grandmotherRita were married to hisgrandfather, Christiano vanZeller). With the Company,various brands came to Noval,such as Van Zellers, VZ andothers. The company and brandsmerged with Quinta do Novaland were used in some countriesas Noval stock. In the 1980’s, when Cristianowas at the head of Noval, hedecided it was very important torevive the company as anindependent entity, with its ownQuinta and Port stocks. This wasdone in 1987/88 in partnershipwith his great-uncles andcousins owners of Quinta de

Roriz. With the sale of Quinta do Novalto AXA, in 1993, Van Zellers & Cºwas kept under the new ownersumbrella until his cousins Joãoand Pedro, owners of Quinta deRoriz, took it back under thefamily name. The new owners ofNoval, AXA, stopped producingand selling under the brands ofVan Zeller’s & Cº. Eventually hiscousins, decided to concentrateon one single brand, theirquinta’s name, Quinta de Roriz. The company and its brandswere in the hands of his cousinJoão van Zeller, sole owner ofQuinta de Roriz. At that stage,Van Zellers’ & Cº had no stocksand no commercial activity. In Christmas 2006 Cristianoreceived a phone call from hiscousin João offering him thecompany and all its brands(dating from the 19th century),as a Christmas present. Thiscourteous gesture left him withthe great responsibility tocontinue the old family nameand company in the winebusiness.

Port and FoodPort is traditionally consumed asan accompaniment to cheeses,with desserts or as a digestif. Itis, however, much more

versatile. Consider it as anyother wine when matching withfood.A Late Bottled Vintage Port(LBV) or a 10-year Tawny with‘gamey’ dishes, such as venison,buffalo, pheasant, andpartridge. Chill down a 20-Year Old TawnyPorto with foie gras and are alsogood with any dessertscontaining nuts and dried fruits. A heavenly match is LBV withchocolate and desserts based onstrawberries, raspberries,cherries and currants. The best and most classiccombination is Vintage Portserved with a good qualityStilton but also consider bluecheese or a Cheddar, Gloucesteror aged crumbly Parmesan. Walnuts, chestnuts, cashews,and hazelnuts all bring out thebest in port. Port can also be adessert on its own with a smallbowl of nuts or as a digestifafter dinner. It is not however awine for fast drinking. Itdemands a leisurely pace,contemplative sips and thecompany of good friends.

Styles of PortWhite Lovely served in a tallglass with crushed ice, tonicwater, a sprig of fresh mint and

a twist of lemon. Ruby Simple, young and fruitybest used in cocktails, mixers orfor cooking. Tawny Barrel/cask-aged rubyport. The aging causes the colorto change from purple to tawnybrown. Aged tawny Can be agedfor 10, 20, 30 or 40 years. Colheita Aged tawny from asingle vintage. LBV- Late Bottled Vintage Froma single year, bottled four to sixyears after harvest. Designed tobe in a vintage port style butconsumed much earlier becauseof the late bottling process.

Single quinta Made from a singleestate (quinta). Single quinta ismade the same way as vintageport but comes from grapesoriginating from only one farm.

Crusted A blend of differentyears, bottled young anddeveloping like a vintage port.

Vintage The best wine, madewith the best grapes from asingle harvest. Aged for only twoyears in wood before bottling,these wines develop slowly overa long period (20 to 60 years)and develop heavy sediments or"crusts" that should always bedecanted.

Food and Drink

WINE GUIDEwith The Wine Buff, Tobergal Lane, The Italian Quarter Tel: 071 9140020 • www.thewinebuff.com Email: [email protected]

With John Kelly of The RiverbankRestaurant, Dromahair

Ingredients For the Goose:4-5.5 kg of fresh goose 4 lemons 3 limes1 teaspoon of 5 spice powder2 teaspoons of fine sea salt

Selection of herbs; parsley,thyme and sageA little olive oil for browning 3 tablespoons of clear honey

Recipe:1. Check the inside of the goosefor any giblets or pads of fat.using the tip of a sharp knifelightly score the legs and the

breasts in a criss/cross pattern.This helps the fat to render downmore quickly during roasting. 2. Grate the zest from thelemons and limes, mix with 2teaspoons of fine sea salt, the 5spice powder and pepper totaste. Season the inside of thegoose with salt then rub thecitrus mix into the skin andsprinkle some inside aswell.3. Stuff the fruit and herbs insidethe bird and set aside for 15minutes. 4. Heat the oven to 240 degreescelsius/fan 220c/gas 9. Place birdin a roasting tin, drizzle withhoney and sprinkle with thymeleaves. Roast for the calculatedtime (see below) turning the heatdown after ten minutes to190c/fan 170c/gas 5.5. Cover the goose with foil if itsstarting to brown too much. 6. Every 30 minutes or so, baisethe bird with pan juices and pouroff the fat through a sieve into alarge heat proof bowl. This fat can be used for cookingyour roast potatoes and addingextra flavour to vegetables. 7.

At end of cooking, leave to restfor 30 minutes covered with tinfoil to allow the bird to relax andadd moisture so its easier toserve.

Tip for roasting times: after the initial ten minutes atthe high temperature, cook for20 minutes per kg for mediumrare, 25 minutes per kg formedium and 30 minutes per kgfor well done and then 30minutes for resting afterwards.

Recipe for apricot and sausagemeat stuffing

Ingredients:60 grams of dried apricotscropped120 grams of bacon pieceschopped and fried1 large onion chopped and fried100 grams of breadcrumbs250 grams of sausage meat2 tpsp of chopped parsley1 egg

Recipe:Mix all ingredients together in a

bowl and season with salt andpepper. Stuff the ingredients into theneck of the goose pushing underthe skin and cook with the goose.

Recipe for honey and clove sauce

Ingredients:4 tbsp runny honey2 tpsp dark soy sauce 2 tpsp balsamic vinegar2 tbsp tomato ketchup2 tsp whole cloves225ml beef stocksalt and black pepper

Recipe:Place all ingredients, apart fromthe seasoning, into a smallsaucepan. Bring to the boil, thenreduce the heat and simmervigorously for 5 minutes or untilthe mixture has thickened to asauce consistency which will coatthe back of the wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper totaste then pass the sauce througha sieve into a clean saucepan.Reheat gently and useimmediately or cool and store inthe fridge in a plastic container.

John's Christmas Roast Goose with apricot and sausagemeat stuffing and a honey & clove sauce

TravelHealth and Wellbeing


Health & Wellbeing

Bio energy therapy is a hands offhealing practice used to unblockspecific energy blockages in the

body, once these blockages arecleared & the body and mind start tofunction with less stress a huge re-sponse of healing can develop withinthe body. Kinesiology is a musclebased therapy often used to workwith sports injuries as well as workingon the deeper muscles of the body ina very light non intrusive manner.

Using these therapies as part of abalanced lifestyle can help maintainmaximum vitality as well as keepingthe immune system strong and bal-anced, these therapies are also verysuccessful in dealing with adult prob-lems such as sleep disorders/Headaches/ Migraine / Vertigo/ Spinalproblems / Back pain/ asthma /

Dyslexia/ A.D.D/ Depression and awide variety of ailments, as well asChildren’s problems such as colic/restlessness/ hyperactivity/ confi-dence issues/ concentration prob-lems/ Dyslexia/ Dyspraxia/ Fatigue/sleep disorders etc..

You do not need to have any illnesstoo experience the benefits of thesetherapies, it is often recommendedthat people have the therapy to main-tain the vitality they are experienc-ing,however it is proven to helpphysical, mental and emotional re-sponses which may occur at any giventime through our lives.

Alternative healthcare therapy

Training courses also available for Bio energy therapy & Kinesiology in 2014

ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE THERAPY

For more information contact Vincent Murtagh @ [email protected] • www.hiddenmind.ie

• Plexus Bio energy therapy• Kinesiology • Hidden mind corrective

sounds therapy• Relaxation techniques

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the diagnosis of food allergy and intolerance is growingfast. There are many types of ‘tests’ available and so much information is available, it is difficult to know what isreliable and scientifically sound. This article looks at various tests available for diagnosing food allergy and intolerance.

Conventional Allergy TestingThese tests are evidenced basedand performed by competenthealth professionals:

Skin prick testA small amount of dilutedallergen (suspected protein thatperson is allergic to) is placed onthe skin and the skin is thenpricked. If a small swollen lumpor ‘weal’ appears, in conjunctionwith a detailed clinical history, anIgE mediated food allergy may bediagnosed. This test is onlyperformed under medicalsupervision.

Blood testsA specific IgE test, formallyknown as RAST (Radio AllergoSorbent Test), is carried out bymeasuring the amount of IgE

antibodies to a suspect food inthe blood. The results areinterpreted with a detailedclinical history to give a diagnosisof IgE mediated food allergy. Thisblood test can be organised byyour GP or hospital clinician.There are commercial companieswho offer a similar blood testcalled MAST (Multi-AllergenScreening Test), however as thereis no detailed clinical historyavailable with this test, it’sdifficult to give an accuratediagnosis.

Food challengesVery small amounts of the suspectfood are given orally (in themouth) and symptoms areobserved. The food may be givenopenly or ‘blinded’ (when peopleare unaware they are being given

certain food). Again, this shouldonly be performed under medicalsupervision where medicalfacilities and resuscitationequipment

Food exclusion andreintroductionThe suspected food or foods areexcluded for a period of time andsymptoms observed andrecorded. If symptoms improvethen the suspect food isreintroduced. If symptoms returnthen this would indicate thatthere is a problem with thatparticular food. This can be verytime consuming and is bestcarried out under the supervisionof a registered dietitian,especially if children areinvolved. It is important to ensurea well balanced nutritional intake

Food Allergy & Intolerance Testing

TravelHealth and Wellbeing


Sligo Park Health & Leisure ClubIt’s Never Too Late to get in Shape

WHATEVER your reasons forjoining a Gym; we at the SligoPark Health and Leisure Club

are here to help you achieve yourhealth and leisure goals.Upon joining the Health and LeisureClub, our in-house fitness instructorwill carry out a comprehensive one-to-one fitness assessment, and tailor aprogramme to suit your individualneeds and requirements.The Sligo Park Health and Leisure Clubis a central and convenient place toworkout and meet friends. We offerthe highest standard fitness centrewith state of the art cardiovascularand resistance equipment.Our Health and Leisure Facilitiesinclude:

• Sauna Jacuzzi • Steam Room / Plunge Pool • 16m indoor heated swimming pool • Fitness suite offering a variety ofclasses • Tennis Courts• Hi Tech Gym offering a range ofequipment including:• Fixed Weights• Free Weights ranging from 2kgDumbbells to 20kg Olympic StandardWeights• Aerobic & Cardiovascular Equipmentincluding Treadmills, Cross Trainers,Rowing Machines and Much MoreContact us on 071 9161053 for further

details Or via Email [email protected]

during the test period and inthe design of a diet wheremajor food groups are excluded(e.g. dairy or wheat).

Alternative allergy testsThere are also manycommercially available teststhat claim they can diagnosefood hypersensitivity. Theseshould be avoided as there is noscientific basis:

IgG blood testThis blood test looks at IgGantibodies present in the blood.It’s claimed that an increase inIgG to a certain food indicatesan intolerance to that food. At

present there is no convincingevidence to support this test,and it’s not recommended as adiagnostic tool.

KinesiologyThis is based on the idea thatcertain foods cause an energyimbalance in the body which isdetected by testing theresponse of the muscle. Theclient holds the suspect foodwhich is in a glass vial and thetherapist tests the muscleresponse. The result can lead tomany foods being eliminatedfrom the diet however researchstudies show that this test is nobetter than chance.

Hair analysisA small lock of hair is sent off toa laboratory and the energyfields in the hair are scanned.The results are compared toother established data toidentify a food hypersensitivity.Although this is used in testingfor recreational drug use as wellas lead and mercury poisoning,its use in allergy testing isunproven and has no scientificbasis.

Leucocytotoxic or CytotoxictestThis is a blood test where thewhite blood cells are mixedwith the suspect food and if

they swell this would indicate aproblem with that food. Thereis no rational scientific basis forthis test.

Pulse testThe pulse is taken before eatingthe suspect food and then 15minutes afterwards. An increase of ten beats perminute would indicate foodintolerance. Research shows there is noconnection between theincreased pulse and foodintolerance.

Electrodermal (Vega) testThis test measures the

electromagnetic conductivity inthe body. An offending food will show adip in the electromagneticconductivity. Research studiesshow that this test is no betterthan chance.These alternative allergy testsmay suggest long lists of oods tobe excluded from the dietunnecessarily. Excluding amajor food group e.g. wheat ormilk, or a combination ofdifferent foods, creates manypractical difficulties. Withoutgood nutritional advice, arestricted diet can lead tosevere nutritional deficienciesleadin to malnutrition.

Health

Reiki is a gentle, yetpowerful form of healingand the benefits are felt

on all levels. As a naturalhealing system, it can benefiteveryone, from young babies to

adults and is a safe, non-invasive treatment. It can beused alongside othercomplementary therapies orconventional medicine. Reikican be given on a treatment

couch or sitting in a chair,therefore making it an easytreatment to receive.

Reiki helps the body to reachan inner state of harmony,physically, mentally andspiritually. As well as helpingmany physical ailments, it canalso promote the changing ofany negative mental habits,turning these into morepositive and productive thoughtpatterns. Once we begin tothink more positively, our livesand our health become morepositive too.

Reiki and Stress ReductionTreatments with Reiki energyreduce stress within the body,thereby inducing a state ofrelaxation. The body can thenbe allowed to begin the healingprocess. While stress is notconsidered an illness, mostpeople have experienced it.When stress is being felt for aprolonged period of time, thenthe body can begin to beaffected both physically andmentally, as it weakens theimmune system. In todaysworld many people experiencestress at a level that makesthem ill and unable to work. Inaddition, to this many people

are now taking anti-depressantsto allow them to cope with life.However, Reiki can and doeshelp with stress reduction,which has the added benefit ofboosting the immune system.

Reiki encourages andsupports positive personalchoices, such as improving diet,taking more exercise, devotingtime for rest or leisureactivities, any may reduce theneed for alcohol and tobacco.Engendering greater innerharmony and balance, regularReiki treatments promote acalmer response to life'schallenges.

Reiki's gentle energy is easilyadapted to most medicalconditions and may be usedsafely by people of all ages,including the newborn,pregnant mothers, surgicalpatients, the frail and theelderly, in any situation.

Being complementary, Reikiworks effectively alongsideorthodox healthcare andnatural remedies, expandingtreatment options.

Reiki can enhance everydayliving and regular sessions mayhelp to promote developmentof a healthier, more resourcefulstate of being.

Achieving altered states ofconsciousness can be datedback thousands of years to

early cultures where chantingand dancing were used as healingrituals. Healing through thehypnotic state can even betraced back as far as the Druidswho referred to the altered stateas "magic sleep". However, it wasnot until the mid 19th Centurythat the current methods ofcapturing a patients' totalconcentration through eyecontact and verbal suggestionwere established. Even thenseveral schools of thought weredeveloped and when Freuddecided not to use hypnosis in hisfield of psychoanalysis it wasmany years before hypnosis as atool for healing was again takenseriously. In 1955 the BritishMedical Association finallyapproved hypnosis as a valuabletechnique in the world ofhealing.

Hypnotherapy uses the powerof the mind to help heal physicalas well as emotional problems. Ithelps the patient discover theunderlying emotional andpsychological causes to theirailments. It differs from hypnosisin that there is more interactionbetween the patient and thetherapist in hypnotherapy,allowing the patient to discovermore about the emotionalbackground to his or her currentproblems. Hypnosis is moresuggestive than therapeutic.

There is no doubt that ourminds and bodies work together,when one is under stress, theother suffers. We have allexperienced it - blushing whenembarrassed, going pale withshock, having sweaty palms whennervous. These are just smallinstances of the way in which ourminds can affect our bodies.Medical literature is now full ofstudies confirming that manydiseases are psycho-somatic(caused in the mind) or stress-related. Some doctors haveestimated that as much as 75% ofmodern disorders are actuallyinduced through stress.Fortunately, the power of themind has also been shown to be aprimary factor in healing manydiseases, even cancer. It istherefore important in anyphysical or emotional healthproblem not to overlookhypnotherapy on the road backto health.

The term yoga comes from aSanskrit word which meansyoke or union.

Traditionally, yoga is a methodjoining the individual self withthe Divine, Universal Spirit, orCosmic Consciousness. Physicaland mental exercises aredesigned to help achieve thisgoal, also called self-transcendence orenlightenment. On the physical

level, yoga postures, calledasanas, are designed to tone,strengthen, and align the body.These postures are performed tomake the spine supple andhealthy and to promote bloodflow to all the organs, glands,and tissues, keeping all thebodily systems healthy. On themental level, yoga usesbreathing techniques(pranayama) and meditation

(dyana) to quiet, clarify, anddiscipline the mind. However,experts are quick to point outthat yoga is not a religion, but away of living with health andpeace of mind as its aims.

Yoga has been used toalleviate problems associatedwith high blood pressure, highcholesterol, migraineheadaches, asthma, shallowbreathing, backaches,

constipation, diabetes,menopause, multiple sclerosis,varicose veins, carpal tunnelsyndrome and many chronicillnesses. It also has beenstudied and approved for itsability to promote relaxationand reduce stress.

Yoga can also provide thesame benefits as any well-designed exercise program,increasing general health andstamina, reducing stress, andimproving those conditionsbrought about by sedentarylifestyles. Yoga has the addedadvantage of being a low-impactactivity that uses only gravity asresistance, which makes it anexcellent physical therapyroutine; certain yoga posturescan be safely used to strengthenand balance all parts of thebody. Modern psychologicalstudies have shown that evenslight facial expressions cancause changes in the involuntarynervous system; yoga utilizesthe mind/body connection. Thatis, yoga practice contains thecentral ideas that physicalposture and alignment caninfluence a person's mood andself-esteem, and also that themind can be used to shape andheal the body. Yoga practitionersclaim that the strengthening ofmind/body awareness can bringeventual improvements in allfacets of a person's life.

The Benefits of Reiki

The physical, mental and spiritual practices of Yoga


Hypnotherapy

Health and Wellbeing

Sligo Park Health & Leisure Club, Pearse Rd, SligoTel: (071) 9161053 • [email protected] • www.sligopark.com

3 Monthly Leisure and Fitness Membershipfrom Only €127 per person / €216 per Couple

It’s Never too Late to Get in Shape

(Including Selected Fitness Classes)Personalised induction and program for each new member.


Indian Head MassageCarrowgeeha, Milltown, Mayo/Galway BorderPhone: 087 940 1632 • Email: [email protected]

Noreen Maloney,

Indian Head Massage helps to increase the oxygen supply to the brainand that provides clarity of thought and concentration and in the relief of

psychological strain, helps to relax muscle and nerve fibres, massage relieves tension, pain and tiredness.

Indian Head Massage helps to relax the sympathetic nervous system, slows downthe heart rate, and reduces stress

Noreen Maloney is an Indian Head Massage Therapist serving the Mayo area, herdeep interest in energy work began in 2000 and she is a qualified practitioner in

Indian Head Massage from the Marguerite Brady School of Reflexology & Natural Medicine. Noreen treats clients that have a wide range of ailments

and conditions and is also a qualified Tera-Mai Reiki therapist.

I can only recommend Noreen and her work to each and everyone. Its a greatway of releasing everyday stress's in a nice atmosphere by a wonderful

therapist. Wishing you every success Noreen." Marian, Mayo

Aidan is the first natural healer touse thermal imaging to show thetransfer of healing energy from his

hands to the patient during his healingsessions. It is a groundbreakingachievement and it is the first timethat thermal imagining has been usedto show that there is a differencebetween Aidans hands and those ofothers. Aidan states that this willreinforce the belief and trust in the giftof the 7th Son Faith Healer. A video ofthis can be seen on his new websitewww.faithhealer.ie

The new website gives a fullbreakdown of all the conditions whichAidan treats and answers any questionsyou may have in relation to his healinggift. It outlines what you should expectfrom a visit to Aidan, it gives details ofthe venues where he holds weeklyclinics and testimonials from people

who have visited Aidan for healing.Aidan’s gift has been well

documented over the years and hasachieved extensive television and radiocoverage nationally. He has appearedon numerous television shows such asKenny Live, Davis, Open House and Earto the Ground as well as many othernewspaper articles which was writtenabout his healing gift. All of these havebeen included on his new websitewww.faithhealer.ie and can be viewedthere.

Aidan understands all of the problemsthat people encounter in their dailylives and provides healing and supportto help them to overcome theirproblems. He has much experiencedealing with the everyday pains andrashes, aches and worries that inflictstoday’s society from the infant to thesenior citizen.

Aidan is currently holding Clinics inRoscommon Town & Ballaghaderreenevery Monday and in Sligo and Bundoranevery Thursday and he is alwaysavailable to discuss, in the strictestconfidence, any problem that peoplemay have. He can be contacted at 0872423405 / 071 9631263 or by email [email protected] to confirmattendance. Please see ad on page 39for full details of Clinic Venues

Leitrim’s Seventh Son HealerAidan Wrynne AnnouncesLaunch Of New Website


Do you suffer from:Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis,Pneumonia, Bronchiectasis,Coughs, Wheezing, SmokersCough, Mucosal Oedema,Colds & Influenza, Sinusitis,Tonsillitis, Eczema, Allergies,Psoriasis, Hay Fever....

EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL HEALING POWERS OF SALT

Diamonds Car Park, Teeling Street, Ballina, Co. MayoTel: 096−73587 / 085−8501081

Salt Therapy is 100% drugfree treatment and is ascientifically proven

treatment for respiratory andskin conditions. Each session inour rooms is similar to that ofsalt caves and We have 2treatment rooms one foradults and one for children.The salt we use in the spacomes from the dead sea . Wetreat children from 6 mths andall sessions are tailored tothere needs. We also offerprivate sessions for clientswith skin conditions. We open Mon - Sat 10-6 / Con-tact us on 096 73587 or 0858501081

WHAT DOES DRY SALT IN-HALATION DO IN THE AIR-WAYS?Dry submicron particles aretransported into the airwaysby means of airflow that iscaused by inhalation, reachingfrom the sinuses in the upperairways to the bronchioli andalveoli in the lower airways.When inhaled, salt particlestravel through the throat andmain tract down into thebronchi, bronchioli and alveolias well as upper airways (si-

nuses). As soon as the dry sub-micron particles are depositedonto the lining inside the air-ways,

What can dry salt therapy dofor your airways???The tiny microscopic salt par-ticles you inhale can reach thesmallest part of your airwaysand help to:Loosen phlegm and clear

mucusReduce swelling and inflamma-tion in the airwaysStrengthen the local immunesystemImprove lung functionCleanse the respiratory systemSpeed up the elimination oftoxins

The dry particles absorb amaximum amount of humidity.which can improve the expec-toration of mucus signifi-cantly.. The dry particles canact as an active agent to de-crease infection inside the air-ways. The salt particles couldalso act as an agent to stimu-late the epithelium inside theairways to improve the trans-port of sputum out of the air-ways (mucociliary clearance).

Western SaltTherapy Spas

Aqua Aerobics classes,held at the AuraLeitrim Lesiure Centre

in Carrick-on-Shannon have,for a host of reasons, provento be one of the best exer-cise activities for senior citi-zens. The team at Aurahighlight the benefits toseniors and they’re not justphysical!Okay, let’s look at thephysics first. Aqua Aerobicsis a low-impact exercisemeaning that the buoyancyof the water protects thebody, allowing for a morefluid and relaxed aerobicsession. This also meansthat a greater range of mo-tion is possible where it maynot be with land based exer-cises.Aqua Aerobics also expendsmore energy than many landbased exercises due to theresistance of the water, al-though speeds are reduced.Classes are also proven toimprove balance and coordi-nation in this supportive en-vironment. Participants areafforded the comfort andsafety of water which alsoremoves the fear of falling.Many of Aura’s regular AquaAerobics attendees will tellyou that although this

method gives support andreassurance, it also notice-ably boosts cardiovascularhealth. This is achievedthrough an energetic rou-tine with uplifting musicand instruction from theteam at Aura.Now that we’ve coveredsome of the physical bene-fits of Aqua Aerobics, it’simportant to highlight thepsychological benefits thatoften go unattributed – thesocial benefits! There is atremendous social scenedown at Aura, where Aquamen and women oftenshare a coffee and chatwell in to lunch time. It’s awarm and welcoming at-mosphere and provides asocial routine for seniors inthe area. The benefits ofthis go without saying.If you or yours considerthemselves young at heartor fancy joining a group oflike minded seniors, whynot give Aqua Aerobics asplash. Classes are heldevery Monday, Wednesdayand Friday at 11am and8pm. Just call the friendlystaff at Aura Leitrim on 0719671771 or visit www.auraleisure.ie formore information.

Aura’s Aqua Aerobics – Give it a Splash!

Health


Massage for the elderly hasvarious physical andmental benefits, which

results in the improvement ofhealth and general well-being.The techniques used for seniorcitizens differ greatly fromthose used with youngerindividuals so massagetherapists strive to understandthose differences in order tobetter treat their patients.

With regular massage, the

quality of life is greatlyincreased, allowing the olderpatients to feel younger,healthier, and balanced.

Massage for the elderlyinvolves gentle stroking,kneading, and the applicationof light pressure on specificpoints. Studies show thatmassage facilitatescommunication and relaxation,and is therefore an effectivetherapy in the treatment of

Alzheimer’s patients. Themanipulation of specific pointson the body has also beenshown to promote the naturallubrication of joints, greatlyassisting in the painmanagement of patientssuffering from the stiffness ofarthritis.

Therapists administeringmassage for senior citizens arealso trained to incorporatestretching in the massagesession. The specific stretchingtechnique involves theapplication of just enoughpressure on the joints, softtissue, and muscles to makethe massage safe for an olderindividual while still retainingits efficacy. Patients greatlybenefit from massage bygaining an increased range ofmotion, strengthening ofmuscles while reducing tension,and a higher quality night’ssleep. Those who undergoregular massage have reportedsleeping deeper and for longer,which allows the body time toregenerate and repair itself,resulting in an overall state of

greater well-being. Massagealso improves posture andreduces tension thataccumulates in the musclesover many years. This not onlyassists seniors in obtaininghigher quality rest but alsohelps them avoid and managepainful age-related conditions,such as degenerative discdisorder and spinal stenosis.

Studies have shown that theeffects of aging take placefaster in people lacking mentalstimulation and who engage inlittle physical activity. Furtherstudies have shown a linkbetween a reduction in physicalactivity to an increase indepression, which leads tomany age-related diseases andconditions. Due to theconnection between thephysical and mental, anytreatment for the aged shouldaid in improving the balancebetween the two. Bymanipulating the body andstimulating the mind, massageprovides the perfect balanceneeded for an individual’shealth to thrive.

Would you like to feel moreenergised and aliveagain? Look no further!

Nicole Lordan - founder of BodyMind Therapy Galway - is ahugely experienced (over 15years in the complementarytherapy business), supportive andsuccessful therapist. She offerspowerful and very healingWellbeing Programmes, manyTransformational Workshops anda wide range of ComplementaryTherapies such as Massage,Reflexology, The Dorn Method (asafe and very effective ManualTherapy to align the spine andjoints), Cupping, MetamorphicTechnique.

Nicole is specialised in offeringsolutions and interventions forback- and joint pain. Herpowerful and personalisedWellbeing Programmes areunique and very popular as theyfocus on the body and the mindand also promote thedevelopment of inner skills likerelaxation, visualisation,affirmations and positivethinking. Working with the body/ mind connection reveals theemotional, mental and spiritualelements of physical dis-eases.Nicole’s supportive and veryunique approach has helpedmany people to move beyondlimitations in order to heal andto achieve better wellbeing, joyand happiness.

If you want to live life to itsfullest, contact Nicole today tomake an appointment (086 7930196). Quote ‘Mature Living’ andget 10% off your first treatmentor wellbeing programme.

Testimonial: “Nicole is anextremely professional,knowledgeable, kind and veryapproachable therapist. Hercentre in Tuam is a serene,inviting and very relaxing place.As a woman in my sixties it is thefirst time that someone actuallylistened to me and addressed myproblems. My health, wellbeingand confidence have improveddramatically with Nicole’s helpand support. Thank you, Nicole.”Mary K., Tuam

Nicole Lordan PhysicalTherapist, Vice-President IrishMassage Therapist Association(IMTA) Wellness Trainer,Wellbeing Coach, WorkshopFacilitator, Teacher Body MindTherapy, Shop Street, Tuam, CoGalway Phone: 086 7930196 Email:[email protected]

Achieve better Wellbeing, moreJoy, Happinessand Inner Peacewith NicoleLordan at BodyMind Therapy

We are all made up ofenergy, it is our lifeforce, and we have

hundreds of energy points inour bodies, the main energycentres are called the chakras,

There are seven major chakrasin our bodies and these energycentres (chakras) can getblocked causing us to be out ofbalance. Im going to discussthese chakras and the ways in

which we can balance them inthese monthly features. I willbe outlining the steps we cantake to firstly understand ourenergy centres, which bringsabout heightened awareness ,and then the actions we cantake to help get them and keepthem balanced. Using crystals isone of the ways we can balanceour energy. Crystals are verypowerful healing tools whichcan aid in our natural wellbeing. I will be discussingcrystals, their attributes anduses each month.

THE CROWN CHAKRAOur life force, energy, comes inthrough the top of our headsand goes right down throughevery cell of our body to ourfeet and out our toes. Thecrown chakra, also known asthe 7th chakra, is located aboutan inch above the top of ourhead. Its colour is violet and itis literally our connection toGod, The universe, whateveryour belief system is, this iswhere we 'connect' with allthere is. When this energy pointis balanced we feel connectedand when its out of balance wequite simply feel disconnected!The main thing that knocks thisenergy point out is when weover think! Thinking aboutthings that happened in thepast, or that have not yet

happened in the future, neitherwe can do any thing about aswe are only ever in the presentmoment. So this over thinking,or worrying, can cause ourcrown chakra to becomeunbalanced. When our crownchakra is out of sync it is oftenhard to sleep and it can be veryhard to get anything finished.

The crystal that can helpBalance the crown Chakra iscalled Amethyst. It is violet incolour (same colour as thecrown chakra). Placing anAmethyst crystal tumble stoneunder your pillow can help yousleep. Having it close to youhelps bring about a feeling ofPeace. Holding it in your handand meditating also helps tobalance the crown chakra.

Marleen DuffyReiki Master Healer andTeacher, www.angelworld.ie

Therapeutic Benefits of Massagefor the Elderly

Your natural health and well being, MADE SIMPLE!



Martin Quinn MIAAAC Accredited Professionally Qualified Counsellor • Available for Private ConsultationsGulladoo Centre, Cornafest, Co. Leitrim, Ireland Telephone: 049-4339605 Mobile: 086-8638842


Addiction Treatment Centre"Our mission is to provide a dedicated centre of excellence delivering a quality client centred approach with compassion and dignity while respecting the values and beliefs of all our clients"

Who can come to the Centre?Anyone who is concerned about their own or someoneelse's alcohol, gambling or substance use. A doctor's referral is not necessary.

What does treatment envolve?We run a 4-week residential programme. Addiction is alife threatening condition which can be effectivelytreated through timely intervention. We know thatalthough recovery is a difficult and complex process -change is achievable with the help of highly trainedprofessional staff and with feedback from otherrecovering addicts, and those concerned about recovery.

A member of my family doesn't think that he/she has aproblem! What can I do?Call us and ask to speak to one of our Counsellors. If one

is not immediately available, you can leave your contactdetails and they will return your call. Our Counsellorshave extensive experience of dealing with difficult andsensitive issues.

Can I visit someone admitted for treatment in the Centre? Yes. Vistiting is permitted for family members byarrangement on Saturdays and Sundays from 2.00p.m.to 4.30pm.

Gulladoo Village AddictionTreatment Centre"Our mission is to provide a dedicated centre of excellence delivering a quality client centred approach with compassion and dignitywhile respecting the values and beliefs of all our clients"

Do you wonder if you or aloved one has a problemwith drink, gambling or

other dependencies?Are you confused, angry, worriedabout what might happen,

wishing you knew where to gofor help? At the Gulladoo Villagethey cover every aspect ofaddiction such as co-dependency, anger management,motivational interviewing,

resentments, relapse preventionand the twelve step programme.

One to one counselling ifoffered and group therapysessions which incorporates allaspects of the programme,

enabling the client to live a lifefree from addiction. Residentialstay is for thirty days.

Situated in Cornafest,Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim,Gulladoo Addiction TreatmentCentre caters for Alcohol,Gambling and otherdependencies. Located in apeaceful, tranquil environment

ideal for the purpose it serves,the Centre offers exceptionalfacilities and expert counselling

in a completely confidentialsetting. The staff at theTreatment Centre are dedicatedto providing a quality recoveryprogramme specialising in theMinnesota Model (12 StepProgramme), CognitiveBehavioural Therapy

and Egan’s Model. Theresidential Treatment Centre willoffer a variety of approaches toindividuals gripped by theobsession of alcohol, gamblingand other dependencies.

Gulladoo Treatment Centre issituated on a hillock overlookingthe beautiful and tranquil lake ofGulladoo. An area renowned forits spectacular scenery andcharm,it is also an exceptionallocation where one isoverwhelmed by its tranquilityand serenity.

There are five houses in theTreatment Centre, all containingexcellent living facilities, diningroom, kitchen, living room

and en-suite bathrooms. Eachhouse has a spectacular view ofthe lake and grounds of theCentre. There are private roomsfor group therapy andconfidential counselling sessions.The private Castlette entranceleads to an imposing lowercourtyard which rambles alongthe lakeshore to a floating jetty,where the many passagewaysand meandering walkways givethis centreit’s soothing andinspirational appeal.

The following testimonial from an ex-clientshould give you a clearer picture of the work done at Gulladoo Village

“I came in the gates of Gulladoo on the 5th ofFeb at 3 o clock and I didn’t know what was in store for me. We began this extraordinaryprogram. To me it was like something I havenever heard of. Knew what some words meantalright, but as the program moved on it made alot of sense to me. Confronting my addiction, hearing about it and my behaviour, getting toknow about the person I was beforemy addiction took me over. Coming to Gulladootreatment centre was a great experience forme. It opened up a lot of areas of my life thatwere closed down. Very nice scenery around tooand the accommodation is just perfect. The pro-gram is working wonders for myself, so the bestof luck to all that visit Gulladoo. May everything go very well for you like it didfor me. So enjoy your stay and leave all theemotional baggage here. Take care, my regards.”- Ex-client J.

Alternative Therapies

Stress can have many negative side effects like:• Anxiety or panic attacks• Mood swings• Insomnia• Problems with concentration and focus• Digestion issues• Constant colds or illnesses, or difficulty recovering from illness• Inability to relax or enjoy life even when nothing is ‘wrong’• Memory problems

Kinesiology helps your body to restore balance by defusing the stress in your system. It can also helpyou become more aware of the underlying factors that are causing your stress. Regular Kinesiologysessions are an excellent way to ensure you manage your stress levels and enjoy optimum health.

The Kinesiology Clinic • Annette Reilly • Telephone: 085 785 8770 • www.neki.ie Kinesiology Clinics in Longford, Swinford and Ballina.

Health Benefits of Kinesiology The fight/flight (or stress) response is a feedback loop between the

hypothalamus and anterior pituitary in the brain and the adrenals. This iscalled the HPA axis. When stress is perceived the adrenals are quickly

prompted to release hormones including adrenaline and cortisol to enable thebody to quickly respond to the stress.Digestion and immune function are immediately reduced so the body can takeaction. That’s why digestive problems and regular illness are common in highlystressed people. The fight/flight response is essential if you are in immediatedanger. However in today’s fast paced society, many of us activate this responseconstantly – even if we’re not in real danger. Work pressures, traffic, deadlines,money problems, relationship stress, the list is endless … and the fight/flightresponse is not designed to work continuously. The hypothalamus, which isresponsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body becomes fatigued and stops

functioning efficiently. You literally become ‘out of balance’. Stress is sometimes called the ‘silent killer’.You can continue to live in a stressed state quite well for some time with few health issues. Living onadrenaline becomes normal. The inevitable exhaustion is addressed with short term fixes such as more coffee,sugar hits or a glass of wine. If stress continues finally everything can seem to fall apart at once.

www.faithhealer.ieis now attending

ROSCOMMON TOWN & BALLAGHADERREEN / SLIGO & BUNDORAN

7th SON FAITH HEALERAIDAN WRYNNE

Mohill, Co Leitrim

Aidan is happy to discuss in confidence any queries you may haveTelephone 071 9631263 / 087 2423405 / Email: [email protected]

Aidan is also available at his home every Monday and Thursday at Mohill, County Leitrim

Clinic times & venues available at www.faithhealer.ie or contact Aidan at 087 2423405 for an appointment

Aidan has consistent success in the treatment of Back pain, arthritis pain, skin rashes, digestive problems, colic/reflux, migraine,

warts/verrucas, asthma, sinus and many moreALL CONSULTATIONS ARE IN PRIVATE


Sanctuary Holistic Centre, Fairgreen, Westport, Co. MayoLisa Shackleton 087-9978383 • Maureen Cusack 087-4186092

Finding light and energy through growth

We offer a range of holistic therapies to suit the individual needs of each client.(Aromatherapy Massage,Angel Therapy,Angel Card Readings,Bach Flower Remedies,Crystal Healing Therapy, IET Therapy, Reiki and much more.

We have created an oasis you can come to that will nurture all senses and provide a supportive environment for therejuvenation of mind body and spirit.A dedicated space away from all distraction. We hope that Sanctuary is

somewhere where people know is going to leave them feeling brand new, relaxed and ready to face the world with asmile and a positive attitude.We are constantly updating our therapies so we can offer a wide range of healing

therapies to suit each client,we just want to make you feel amazing!!!


The Kinesiology Clinic • Annette Reilly • Telephone: 085 785 8770 • www.neki.ie Kinesiology Clinics in Longford, Swinford and Ballina.

The Kinesiology ClinicHip Pain (Testimony)

I was suffering with pain in my right hip for almost four years and in the last two yearsit got even more painful. I attended a Physiotherapist for several sessions but I was just

not progressing at all. I had hip x-rays four January’s in a row but all they showed upwas mild osteoarthritis. Mild was inconsistent with the severe pain I was experiencing.

Last year I ended up having a hip replacement but found I was still getting very badpain and soreness in the hip area. I thought once I had the operation that everythingwould be alright again and that the initial pain would be gone but unfortunately thatwas not the case. I found I wasn’t progressing with any milestones even a few months

after surgery.I attended Annette for a few sessions of Kinesiology a few months later and have had

huge improvement since. I still get soreness the odd time but nothing in comparison tothe pain I had been experiencing. I can now do all the normal things like standing,

walking or going out to the shops and my hip joint feels perfect.Anne Corkery, Ardagh, Co. Longford

TraditionalChinese Medicine

Acupuncture, Moxibustion,Dietary Therapy,

Prepared Herbal Medicine(VHI Healthcare, Laya

Healthcare, AVIVA Approved)

CAROLINE MOORELIC.TCM Cert. Prep CHM, MPRTCM

Main Street, Fairgreen,Drumsna, Co. Leitrim

[email protected]: 086-055-0342

Bio Resonance Testing At Sligo Wellness

Centre The following list is an example of some complaints thatare commonly treated using our Bio Resonance System

Contact us on 071 9153828 to find out more about thisservice. Providers: Grainne Gilmartin and Jay Kelly

• Arthritis• Gut Problems• Bowel Problems• Indigestion• Headaches• Kidney Problems• Sluggish & feeling

tired all the time• Recurring colds

and infections• Eczema• Migraines• Insomnia• Heart disease• Asthma• Hypothyroid

Bio Resonance is a health scan thatidentifies areas that are out of balance

in the body and that need treating.Treatment is provided using naturalremedies and dietary advice – all tai-

lored to individual needs.

If you can’t attend our clinic we can testusing a small hair sample.

I facilitate for you through my therapeuticway and process. A unique and profoundblending of all my spiritual gifts; of em-path, channel, psychic medium and spiri-tual healer. A transformational and deepexperience of energy psychology. My way and process is profound, simple,compassionate and non-judgmental. Work-ing on all levels; physical, emotional,mental and spiritual. You will be guided, encouraged and sup-ported in a safe way at all times. I facilitate for you and with you to enableand allow you the time and space to bebrought to awareness and to come to ac-cept and acknowledge the aspects of your-

self that are in need of healing. Truly to work through my blended processis a unique and healing experience. It is along term solution. You will never lookback at your life as lived to this point inthe same way again. You will have re-claimed your true inner strength. You willfeel empowered and confident in a calmerway. You will know and understand theemotionality of your psychology and be-come clear. I will also guide you by providing self-heal-ing tools that you can utilise daily that willassist you on your journey from this pointforward. For true, real and lasting healingis a process. My therapeutic sessions are conducted viaskype or phone. To make an appointment or for a brief in-formal discussion with myself directly. Youcan reach me on 00353 87 8093783 oremail [email protected] or visit mywebsite http://www.cathysscript.com


Seventh Sense Teoranta- Holistic Therapy Centre -

For appointments, bookings or queries, Please phone 071-916-4465 Dromahair, Co. Leitrim

Open: Tue-Fri 10am - 9pm / Saturday 11am - 6pm All treatments by appointment with Eileen Crowley

Reiki & Seichim Massage & Crystal Healing

Reflexology Healing Kinesiology and food allergy testing €60Acupuncture and Acugraph €60Filed Control Therapy (FCT) €120including test and all remedies.

Health & HealingCombined Therapies for

best ResultsNora Keane Reg. Nurse A.F.P.A

Acupuncture treatments are covered by the main Health Insurers. V.H.I. Laya Health care, Aviva,H.S.F. Hospital Saturday fund will give 50% back for each treatment.

Boleybeg West, Barna, Co. Galway

Tel: 086 8549493E-mail: [email protected]

Special discounts on courses of treatments. Complementary food allergytest and kinesiology with course of Acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture • Kinesiology • Allergy & Bioresonance Testing • FCT Testing

To make an appointment or for a brief informal discussion withmyself directly. You can reach me on 087-8093783 or

email [email protected] or visit my website www.cathysscript.com

Ifacilitate for you through my therapeutic wayand process. A unique and profound blending of all my spiritual gifts; ofempath, channel, psychic medium and spiritual healer. A transformational and

deep experience of energy psychology. My way and process is profound, simple, compassionate and non-judgmental.

Working on all levels; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. You will be guided, encouraged and supported in a safe way at all times. I facilitate for you and with you to enable and allow you the time and space to

be brought to awareness and to come to accept and acknowledge the aspects ofyourself that are in need of healing.

Truly to work through my blended process is a unique and healing experience.It is a long term solution. You will never look back at your life as lived to thispoint in the same way again. You will have reclaimed your true inner strength.You will feel empowered and confident in a calmer way. You will know andunderstand the emotionality of your psychology and become clear.

I will also guide you by providing self-healing tools that you can utilise dailythat will assist you on your journey from this point forward. For true, real andlasting healing is a process.

My therapeutic sessions are conducted via skype or phone.

Golden Escapes

Why choose a Hotel when you canhave the Luxury of a ResortPlanning a relaxing break away, the ideal location

is Breaffy House Resort which is located in theheart of Co. Mayo. Set on 90 acres of gardens

and rolling woodland. The House dates back to1890, retaining some of its original Country Houseatmosphere whilst offering all of the luxury of amodern day hotel. The Resort is renowned for itswarm welcoming staff with an excellent range offacilities. The Resort includes Spa, Leisure Centrewith 20 metre pool, Sauna and Jacuzzi. The Resortoffers deluxe rooms which include a range of suites,superior, standard rooms with all the facilities thatyour guests would require – direct dial telephone,multichannel colour T.V., radio, hairdryer, trouserpress and tea/coffee making facilities.

This year we have put together an amazing offer of4 nights Dinner B&B and 5th night B&B FREE whenyou book our Golden Breaks package. This offerincludes 3 course dinner each night in the MulberryRestaurant and breakfast each morning, along with5th Night Bed & Breakfast free. Transfers can be

arranged from local bus and train stations based onminimum numbers. Complimentary on site parkingshould you wish to drive. We have chosen a selectionof arrival dates each month which means we canprovide in-house activities such as wine tasting, tabletennis, bowling, grow your own garden and potterypainting. This is the ideal location to explore Mayo.The Hotel is just 20 mins away from the scenic townof Westport. All guests have complimentary use ofthe swimming pool, sauna, seam room, Jacuzzi, andgym. You may also take part in one of our manyclasses, which include Aqua Aerobics, Over 55’sworkout and the increasing popular Zumba. If youfancy some pampering, enjoy some time out inBreaffy Spa. Which offers a range of facial, body andmassage treatments to leave you feeling relaxed andrejuvenated. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at leisurebetween 7:30am –10:30am each morning and Dinnereach between 6:30pm – 8:45pm. The Mulberry Barserves food for 12-9pm each day for snacks, lightbites and main courses.

To Book: Call us now on 094 90 22033 or email [email protected] Bookings on line

www.breaffyhouseresort.com

4 nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast€199 pp5th Night B&B FREEOffer Available Selected Dates Only – Call for Details

Escape to Breaffy House Resort to Relax, Unwind and Revive

INCLUDES:Full complimentary daily and

nightly entertainment program Transfers local Bus & Train Station Use of the leisure centre facilities

Knock House Hotel Christmas isnearly here

Do something different thisChristmas and join us here atKnock House Hotel! Arrive to

the warmest of welcomes, feel thefestive atmosphere and relax.

During your break with us wecater to your every need , and it’s alovely opportunity to make friendsand mix with like- minded peopleduring this joyous time of year.

Our Christmas breaks run fromMonday 23rd December to Saturday28th December and you can chooseto stay for 2, 3, 4 or 5 day packageswhich includes: youraccommodation, lovely festivefood, fun, games, entertainment,present, a shopping day trip andmuch more.

Early booking is essential callKaren on 094 9388088 to requestour Christmas brochure or to makea booking.

Fiona Faery is an Irish Psychic Medium who unites people regularly with their loved ones in spirit & also offers psychic guidance withher Faery oracle card readings. She is a regular on Irish radio & has monthly columns in various publications. Fiona is known forher optimistic no-nonsense approach to life. She teaches workshops on mediumship and helps 'baby' mediums build their confi-

dence & step into their power. Her spiritual poetry has found a home on her Facebook page; Fiona Faery where she posts a dailypoem. Her poetry is aimed to motivate & empower, as Fiona believes in helping people connect with their soul purpose. She readsinternationally through her website www.fionafaery.ie

with Fiona Faery

Angelscope for December

Taur!sAriesAngel of New opportunity

This angel is an extremely auspicioussign. Good things are happening, youmay not be able to see it yet but youwill soon! This is a great card if you've

Been looking to change jobs or seek apromotion. It also may signal the end of

a dry spell i.e. your luck changing forthe better. Things

are certainlylooking up for

you! It alsocautions you to

raise yourexpectations, youdeserve the best

so expect it!Lucky Day:10th

DecLucky color:

Green

Taur!sBreaking free

One of my favoritecards. She is under ob-ligation to no one. She

is free to choose &create her own des-tiny. This card entersyour life if you havebeen feeling a bit

world weary. If the billskeep flowing in and

you feel as if you're inan endless cycle.Firstly, give thanks for the ability to be

able to pay your bills, this card also meanbreaking a cycle of debt. This card

means its time to stand on your own twofeet, take responsibility for your life. Youare the captain of your own ship, take

the helm and charter your course! LuckyDay:21st Dec Lucky color: Blue

GeminiAngel of self reliance

This Angel appears to be giving herself apat on the back. This Angel reminds youto take pleasure in the small things, little

accomplishments that might gounnoticed by others but for you are

milestones on your path to self-worth.Saying No! Making a deadline, paying abill on time! All these little things are whatmake life flow easier for you so well done!Alternatively, this also cautions you if youe been letting the little things run awaywith themselves! That little bill may turninto a nasty surprise if it

comes in on the double! Sopay attention to the little

things , sort your own affairsout first, rely on yourself and

you won't be let down ! Lucky Day:18th Dec / Lucky

color: Brown

CancerAngel of Awakening

This is my card of legal & financial af-fairs. It warrants caution in your businessdealings. It urges you to read the smallprint, look for any catches or loop holes

etc A need to re-write , re-draft or re-apply may be in order.

This is a card of delays so you may feela house sale is taking forever or a bank

is dragging its heels on a loan ap-proval.....you get the picture! Deepbreathe, realize you may have to

Amend a few things, insome cases go back tothe drawing board butknow this, this angel ishere for YOUR protec-tion! So take heed &

proceed with caution!Lucky Day:22nd Dec

Lucky color: Red

LeoTrust your intuition

This is the card of intuition, to trust your gutfeeling. You may be feeling an urge to go

to a certain place or call a certain per-son...do it! I don't believe in coincidencesonly synchronicities! You may also havealarm bells ringing over trusting a certain

person, listen....asthis is your innertruth, it will not

lead you astray.Energy never

changes, peopledo...so if you feel-

ings are goingagainst gut...listen

to your gut! Lucky Day:Dec

25thLucky color:

Purple

VirgoFamily harmony

This Angel of Harmony is a gorgeouscard to get just in time for Christmas .You can in invoke her strength for har-monious relations around Christmas , it

also means a resolution around a familysituation , if battle lines have been

drawn, step away. This will resolve itselfin time. It also

urges you to lift thephone or contacta family memberfor an overdue

catch up. As withfamily , you may

be out of sight butyour never out of

mind! Lucky Day:Dec

17th Lucky color: Silver

LibraAngel of Laughter

The joy in this cardliterally leaps fromthe page at you!She reminds you

not to take yourselfso seriously and sur-round yourself with

people who lift yourenergy and raise

your spirits. Laugh-ter is a tonic for thesoul and can makeyou feel ten timesbetter! So call a

friend , watch a funny movie etc.If others have been draining you , re-member if someone doesn't add to

your life subtract them! Lucky Day:Dec 24th

Lucky color: Gold

Scor"ioAngel of quiet time

We all need a wee but of calm & quiet-ness every now & again. Some time

away to allow our peace of mind to re-turn away from the maddening fray .Get out for a walk. Listen to a medita-tion cd. Put the do not disturb sign up!

A long soak in a hot bath can beenough to warm the cockles of your

heart! TLC is neededtoward yourself, so

take so e time out justfor you , loved oneswill reap the benefitafterward as you willbe calmer, more set-

tled and ready toface whatever life

throws at you! LuckyDay:Dec 27th

Lucky color: amber

Sagi#ariousAngel of Body Movement

This Angel is Go!Go ! Go! Christmas is atime for rushing about. Getting last

minute presents etc. This card cautionsyou not to burn yourself out! We put

ourselves out gladly for those we lovebut sometimes the martyr in us can

take it to extremes! Pace yourself! Allwill be done in perfect timing, dele-

gate, ask for help! This card also cautions you if you've

been feeling sluggish orapathetic to get out &

about! As we can fall intoa rut without being

aware, call a friend gofor coffee , look at the

Christmas lights, it's timeto restore wonder in yoursoul! Lucky Day:23rd Dec

Lucky color: white

Raising your Standards This card advises youthat you deserve thevery best. Have you

been settling? Do youfeel you're being

treated as 2nd best?Are you being over-

looked for a Job or pro-motion? We judge

people by our own stan-dards, and can feel let

Down when someone acts in a way notkeeping with our own integrity.

If you want something, it's up to you togo and get it! You show the world howto treat you! So how's about you leadby example and treat yourself in thebest possible way , others will followyour example Lucky Day:28th Dec Lucky color: pink Lucky color: Silver

AquariusRomantic partner If you're single, ro-

mance is on the wayso pucker up under

the mistletoe as you'vecaught the attentionsof someone around .

This could be an officeromance or a connec-

tion to a colleaguesfriend. It shall happen

when you least expectit, so get your Christmas

sparkle on & get ready to shine! Forthose that are in relationships , don't for-get the mistletoe as romance is so im-portant in a settled relationship . Make

time for each other and have your ownsecret Santa!

Lucky Day:22nd DecLucky color: Black

Angel of Music Rocking around the Christmas tree! Put

your favorite music on and lift your spirits! The Angel of music will lift your heart

with the soothing strains of your favoriteartist or group . It can change your

mood instantly! Try it! See his you feelafter listening to

your favorite song.Music is one of our

greatest gifts , nevertake it for granted Sit's a source of com-fort & inspiration tothose who seek it!

So turn the radio up& celebrate!

Lucky Day:30thDec Lucky color:

bright pink

Capricor$ Pisces

I would like to wish you all a very happy & magical Christmas. May all your dreams come true! Fiona Faery gives private 1-to-1 sittings at The Sligo Park Hotel on the last weekend of every month. She is also available

for private consultations or One Question readings on her website www.fionafaery.ie You can contact Fiona to Book a Private Reading @ 0863736143

Services Directory

Whitethorn & Beech Hedging Trees and more

Counsellors are professionally trained andare fully accredited or working towards

accreditation.

For appointments ring: 087-2879707, or 074-9723822

Email: [email protected] House, Drimark, Donegal Town

North West Counselling

• Relapse Programme• One-to-one Counselling• Referral system for private clients to White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre

• Addiction and General counselling available• Supervisor available for counsellorsAfternoon, evening and weekend appointments available

Helping people to recover

• Aeos & REPS Specialists• All trees and tree plants• Refridgerated trees • Trees from €2.00• All year round planting• Best Value Trees in Ireland. We pride ourselves on our truly friendly and efficient service.

Irish ShamrockTrees

Tel: 087-2743914 24 HR www.irishshamrocktrees.com

Counselling for peoplewith addictions

eg. Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling

SLIGO OIL SERVICES085-1459-300

Did you know that your boiler could becosting you extra money?

Did you know that even having 3mm deposit ofsoot on the inside of your boiler will increase oil

costs by over 8% (ref: OFTEC)

Sligo Oil Services Professional OFTEC Boiler Service Can Save You Money

We will optomise your Boiler for Maximum efficiency with reduced fuelcosts, Carry out a full Carbon Monoxide audit to ensure Family

Safety is a priority. A New Oil Nozzle fitted and we supply you with a Full detailed printout (from the latest Anton Flue Gas Analysis equipment)

GIBLIN STONE...everlastingChoosing a memorial

for a loved one is avery personal thing.

Quality • Experience• Service

GRANITE COUNTERS& FIREPLACES IN MARBLE, GRANITE

ALSO AVAILABLE, CALL US TODAYFOR DETAILS

Church Street, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo Phone: James 087 9061833

• Brian 086 1957788

www.giblinstone.com

TERRYS STOVES SLIGO

PHONE: 087-2066910 / 071-9197925www.terrysstoves.com

[email protected]

Buying a Stove???Talk to Terry first• Free Survey Available• Solid Fuel Stoves• Gas Fires

WARNING!!!Upto 80% of Heat Generated by anOpen Fire and almost 20% of Heatfrom your Central Hea!ng System

escapes up an open Chimney!Prevent this wastage!

CHIMNEY REPAIRS IRELAND

Tel : Office 1800 283067 / 087-7997671www.chimneyrepairs.ie

• 20 year guarantee • 25 years experience• Relining and rebuilding• Smoke and soot problems solved• Free estimates• Free assistance with

insurance claimsGulladoo Centre, Cornafest, Co. Leitrim

Tel: 049-4339605 Mob: 086-8638842Email: [email protected]

"Our mission is to provide a dedicated centre ofexcellence delivering a quality client centred approach

with compassion and dignity while respecting the valuesand beliefs of all our clients"

Who can come to the Centre?Anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else's

alcohol, gambling or substance use. A doctor's referral is notnecessary.

What does treatment envolve?We offer a 4 week programme. Addiction is a life threatening

condition which can be effectively treated through timelyintervention. We know that although recovery is a difficult

and complex process - change is achievable with the help ofhighly trained professional staff and with feedback from other

recovering addicts, and those concerned about recovery.

ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE

Having Difficultiespaying your Bills?

Problematic Issues explored

Sligo Road, Enniskillen. Phone: 048 66 326 327

The Biggest & Best Value Fireplace Showrooms in Ireland

Save €€€s bycalling to us

• Fireplaces • Stoves • Gas • Oil • Solid Fuel • Electric • Granite Worktop

Specialists

TOTALLY CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE AVAILABLE!Providing experienced help, writing letters and making

phone calls on your behalf. Providing support and enabling you to make

positive change. No nonsense approach. Informed legaladvice and your specific position explained. Excellent

track record of successfully helping towards realistic solutions.

Situation dependent Modest Fee. Contact 087 2058768 or 098 50872.

Feature ArticleServices Directory

• Water Analysis• Water Filtration• Water Softening• Well Drilling• Pump Supplied and Fitted• Rain Water Collection & Purification• Sewage Treatment Systems

IN THE BUSINESS FOR OVER 25 YEARS

Email: [email protected]: www.waterteck.com

Phone: 086-8072249 071-9658976

MAKERS, SUPPLIERS & FITTERSMACE MIDDLE, CLAREMORRIS.

www.mcganns.comA full listing of products and rates are available on request

• Angles • Beading • Centre Pieces

• Corbels • Corner Pieces • Cornices • Dado Rails

• Niches • Plaques

TELEPHONE: 094-9388208 MOBILE: 087-2503184

Pay €500 Less for Cavity & Attic Insulation

Pay up to €3850 less for External

Insulation

www.superiorinsulations.ieSuperior Insulations, Charlestown, Co. Mayo

Lo Call: 1890 253 221

Just pay for the cost of the insulation job less the SEAI

grant amount!

Low Cost No Joints Seamless No crackingNo reflec!ve paint required Resists algae & moss

Works on all old weathered roofs Permanently flexible over extreme temperatures Professionally applied Proven life of 30 years

Fully Insured No Hot Works

Beirne Coa!ngs Ltd, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim.

Flat Roofs Fixed For Good

FOR A FREE ROOF SURVEY WITHOUTOBLIGATION CALL 087-2698198

World’s No.1 Flat Roof Solution Now in Ireland

Furniture recovering and restoration including covering of chairs, 3 piece suites,headboards, car seats and boat seats.

Hotel and Bar seating, Office furniture and other Contract / Commercial furniture.Repair of sails, tents and other outdoor gear for sports and leisure.

We provide a service of Colour consultancy and Interior advice.

We retail upholstery fabrics and essentials. Collection and delivery can be arranged at a small fee,

depending on distance.Boradruma, Snugboro, Castlebar • Tel: 094 9023532 / 086 8350608

Open Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm Visit us online at www.boradrumaupholstery.ie

Don’t delay; call 0749736719, mobile 086-4106433for Sligo Donegal area’s…and 071-9622700, mobile

086-8361070 for Carrick on Shannon

TX Upholstery Services, based in Carrick onShannon, and Donegal ‘covers’ anything.

Domes!c, Industrial and commercial – you name it, we will cover it

Our service include:• Suites of furniture• Repairs• Replacement of

foam in cushions• Boost sea!ng• Headboards• Beanbags• Boats

Rehabilitation Cent!e specialising inthe t!eat"ent of alcohol, dr#gs, gambling and other dependencies.

Addic!on Treatment Centre

Call in confidence: 094"9256888Email: hopehouse#eircom.net

www.hopehouse.ie

Hope House... “where recover$ begins”

Foxford, Co. Mayo


WEST OF IRELAND MAN75 Living alone, 5’5” would liketo hear fom lasy without ties.Replies to Box number 1026 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 box number 1023 atthe 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 a

relationship Replies with a boxnumber 998 at the usual address.

SLIGO LADY SEEKING MALELate 50’s, likes music, dancing,walking and travel. N/S, S/D,profrssional l;ady, loving, caring,and honest. Interested in friend-ship maybe leading to a relation-ship. Replies with a blank stampedenvelope to Box number 1012 atthe usual address.

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 LADIESage 50 years onwards, my age is 55years, friendship and romance.Replies with a box number 1011 atthe usual address.

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.

To Reply to Any Box number,simply place your letter in aBlank, Stamped Envelope andthen send this into us at: Dating Section, Mature LivingMagazine, Office 3, Unit 7, NWBusiness Park, Collooney,Co.Sligo.

FREE DATING* CLASSIFIEDNO. OF ISSUES TO APPEAR IN (MAX 2) :

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

THE FOLLOWING DETAILS ARE FOR OFFICE USE ONLYAND WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED.These details MUST be completed for all adverts

NAME:

ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE NUMBER:

EMAIL:Please tick if you do not wish to avail of offers and information we may offer from time to time

WRITE YOUR ADVERT HERE:

(MAX 30 WORDS) - *Phone numbers will not be included in these adverts.

Post the completed form to Mature Living Magazine, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. SligoSTRICTLY PRIVATE ADVERTISERS ONLY - BUSINESSES CAN CALL 071-9154538AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY SALES REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT OUREXCELLENT RATES.

• Rollers • Tracks • Hinges • Door Realignment • Locks • Multilocking systems etcOver 20 years experience servicing Irish windowsand doors. Fully insured

GLASS PARTS ETC REPLACEDBrendan Gormley: 071-9183860 / 087-2562669

Expert patio door repairs!Aluminium & PVC Repairs

To windows, doors and patio doors

Services Directory

Suitable for:• People with limited mobility• People who have had hip surgery• People with back aches

For details of your local stockist Phone Noel: 087-9896948

Matt McGowanTel: 071-91 46858 Mobile: 087-206 9031

Also: Leylandii treestopped and trimmed,

Gutter Cleaning, PowerWashing & Removal ofall Green Waste (Grass,

Hedging, Trees etc)

Specs. for Planning Permission for trees &

landscaping Roof Cleaning, Supplier of

Trees and Hedges, Decorative Pea Gravel,

also supplied Hedgesand Trees

Maintenance, Landscaping,Hedge Trimming, Decorating

The Ideal

Christmas Gift

Brighten up your home

Far Finisklin Road, Sligo Tel: 071-91 61924

[email protected] • www.sligoglass.com

Glass Splashback Centre

• Heat Resistant Tempered glass • Hygenic & Easy to clean • Painted Colour of your choice• Easily fitted over existing tiles

"pride in our work"

November Special : SplashbackPrices reduced by 20%

The perfect low-impact exercise class

mature living magazine december 2013

Documents

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unsecured credit

credit unionorahilly

credit unionmain street

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local creditunion

loan protection insurance

loan insurace insurance