March 2009 Connemara View by Connemara View Publishing

Claddaghduff NS to Lose a Teacher Claddaghduff National School now stands to lose one of its three teachers as a result of the recent steps taken by the Dept. of Education and Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe, to revise pupil to teacher ratios and backdate that decision. On 30th September 2008, Claddaghduff NS had a total of 48 children on the roll, the exact number needed to retain its three teachers. However, against a backdrop of much criticised cuts in education, Minister O’Keefe made the decision nationwide to change the relevant capitation number from 48 to 49, and backdate it to September last. This means that Claddaghduff NS must now lose a teacher, as a result of being just one pupil short for the year ending September 30th 2008, despite projected figures showing that in future years, the number of pupils enrolled will be maintained around 50 or more. The Board of Management and the Parents Association have already expressed their grave concerns and reservations about this decision to both the Department of Education and local public representatives. The elation that surrounded the opening of the new school building in November 2007 has now been replaced with disillusionment and severe disappointment as one of the new school’s classrooms will now lie empty, while the entire student body will be taught by just two teachers. Senator Fidelma Healy Eames raised the issue in Seanad Eireann on February 24th, having been contacted by the Parents Association, and she called on the Minister to

intervene so the third teacher at Claddaghduff NS, Ms. Eileen O’Malley, might be kept. Senator Healy Eames outlined the situation at Claddaghduff and expressed her personal understanding of the effects of the decision, as a teacher who also previously taught at a rural school in a similar situation. While other schools in the area stand to lose language support teachers and other staff, Claddaghduff is the only school in the whole of North West Connemara to be in this position of losing a full-time classroom teacher. In his response, Deputy Sean Haughey, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, described the staffing schedule for the 2009-10 school year as being “a transparent and clear way to ensure schools are treated consistently and fairly and know where they stand. Under a system that allocates additional teachers at different step points under a common schedule, it is a fact of life that one single pupil change in enrolment can cause a school to lose or gain a teacher”. As a concluding supplementary question, Senator Healy Eames asked whether “On the basis of this school being disadvantaged and of it expecting 50 plus pupils within a year or two, are there grounds on which we can argue that Claddaghduff National School should retain this teacher?” Deputy Minister Haughey replied that it is open to Claddaghduff NS to make an appeal but that it would be unwise for him to give any further advice in regard to such an appeal at this stage. Claddaghduff NS Principal Marie Bourke has described the situation as “most unfair” and expressed that “education taken away from a child in this way simply cannot be replaced”. An appeal process, while complicated and stringent, will be pursued by the School’s Board of Management and Parents Association in an attempt to retain this much needed and valued The new Councillors met for the first time on Monday March 2nd. Photo (l-r): PK Joyce, Sheila Griffin, Julian Matz, Sean teacher for the school. Catherine Pryce Heanue, Mairtin Conroy, Bridie O’Neill, Nessa Joyce, Gerry Delaney, John Durning, Catherine Pryce.Story on page 5

Clifden & District Community Councillors Elected

REGIONAL Monster Bingo at Alcock A Monster Bingo in aid of the Croí Cowboy Challenge being undertaken by Peter Coneys and Declan Ridge, will take place at the Alcock & Brown Hotel on Sunday March 8th starting at 2pm. Entry is €20 per person and there will be a minimum payout of €2500 on the day.

Fine Gael Connemara Convention The Connemara Fine Gael Convention was held at the Station House Hotel on Sunday February 8th. At a wellattended meeting, the candidates chosen to run for local election in June, were Cllr Sean Kyne from Moycullen,

Seosamh Ó Laoí from Inverin, and Eileen Mannion from Clifden. The main feature of the convention was an election for the Northwest Connemara candidacy between Ms. Mannion and Eamon McLoughlin. Ms. Mannion won the vote by 73 to 37. Photo: Mr Pádraic McCormack TD, Seosamh Ó Laoí, Eileen Mannion, Cllr Sean Kyne and Sen. Fidelma Healy-Eames.

New Cancer Care West Clifden Service A new Clifden Outreach Service was launched by Cancer Care West at the Clifden Health Centre opposite Clifden hospital on the Racecourse Road on Thursday February 26th. The Clifden Service will operate on the fourth Thursday of every month, staffed by Cancer Care specialists who are qualified as either oncology trained nurses or psychologists. The centre will operate as a drop- in, information and support service. Director of Psychology and Support Services with Cancer Care West, Dr.Helen Greally said “We welcome all people who are affected by cancer as well as those who care for them. The fourth Thursday of every month is an opportunity to call into the out-reach centre at the Clifden Health Centre and meet the staff who are available to listen and support you through your concerns and worries. The services are designed to support and complement the care already being provided by the multi-professional team both in the hospital and in the community”.

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March 2009

Cancer Care West is a charity dedicated to supporting those whose lives have been affected by a cancer diagnosis. Many cancer patients from the Clifden and Connemara area have already availed of the comprehensive services and support provided by the Inis Aoibhinn, Cancer Care West’s Residence and Cancer Support Centre on the grounds of UCHG. It is a not for profit organisation which is now expanding its existing services to the regions as it is mindful of the need for such services in the communities where people live. A new stand alone Support and Drop-in facility is also opening in March at 72 Seamus Quirke Road in Galway City, staffed by a Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist and two experienced Oncology nurses. Services available there will include massage, reflexology and yoga, weekly relaxation classes, workshops on nutrition and stress management, living with cancer, meditation and mindfulness. Dr Helen Greally also points out that all therapies used and administered have been proven to be safe and beneficial and are recommended by experts on an individual basis. A part-time Benefits Advisor is also available to inform individuals of entitlements etc of which they may avail. The main aim of Cancer Care West is to enhance patient and family care and wellbeing in a holistic way and in support of conventional medical treatment and interventions. Clifden native Richard Flaherty is also the newly appointed C.E.O. of Cancer Care West and is very pleased that the Clifden Outreach Service has now begun. Photo (l-r): At the launch of Cancer Care West’s Clifden Outreach Service were Dr Helen Greally, Director of Psychology and Support Services and Oncology Nurse Martina Hickey.

Connemara View Newspaper

March 2009

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REGIONAL Clifden Flag Day Fundraiser Cancer Care West is organizing and holding a Flag Day collection in Clifden town centre on Friday 27th March from 9am to 6pm. Volunteers are needed to give their time for 1-2 hours each to help with the street collection. All permits, buckets, stickers, high-vis vests etc, will be provided and managed by the charity. For more details or to volunteer contact David O Donnell on 087 9088587or e-mail david@ cancercarewest.ie For more information on Cancer Care West, log on to www.cancercarewest.ie or e-mail info@ cancercarewest.ie.

Market Vendors Notice An upcoming Market Day in Cleggan/Claddaghduff is looking for vendors of local produce, food and crafts. The Dolphin Country Market, co-ordinated by the Cleggan Claddaghduff Community Council will be held on Saturdays in Cleggan Hall starting on April 11th. If you are interested in displaying and selling your products, please contact Laura on 085 121 1544 or e-mail lauradiffley@ hotmail.com.

Bullying Awareness Week The Local Education Committee comprising of parents and school representatives from North West Connemara are launching a Bullying Awareness Week running from March 30th to April 3rd 2009. The goal of this campaign is to help reduce and eventually eradicate bullying within schools and the wider community. The Awareness Week is an opportunity for people throughout the area to get involved in this issue, not by waiting for ‘someone else’ to do something but to ‘work together’ in preventing bullying in our community though education and awareness. Research would indicate that this goal can be best achieved by fostering the active involvement of teachers, education support professional, parents, students and the community in general. Bullying can cause enormous distress, often resulting in emotional damage, lack of self-esteem, depression and even suicide. As a society, we are only now coming to a deeper awareness of the extent to which bullying of every kind occurs in the community, in homes, schools and in the workplace. It takes a community to prevent bullying. Bullying Awareness Week will provide the opportunity for families, students and schools to come together to understand and work to prevent bullying. Activities such as contests (see details below), workshops, talks, drama, radio programmes, guest speakers and other events will be available during the week. Watch out for further events during Bullying Awareness Week. Support your children and support one another by taking part. Inaugural School Writing Competition

Entries are invited from applicants under a number of suggested headings: Personal essays, Letter writing, a series of diary entries, a magazine article, a poem, a rap or scenarios. There are prizes for three student categories: 1: Senior Cycle. 2: Junior Cycle 3: Primary School. The competition is open to any student attending a post-primary school or Youthreach Centre and Primary Schools students in the North and West Connemara region. Winning entries will be chosen from a shortlist. The Senior winner will receive €100, Junior winner will receive €100, and Primary School winner will receive €50. Winning entries will be published in the Connemara View paper and/or other publications. Closing date for entries is Thursday March 12th 2009. Note: The name of the entrant must not appear on the poem/short story etc. Entries must not have been published prior to entering the competition or should not appear in print or be broadcast in any form before the announcement of the competition results. The final selection will be made by at least two judges. The judges’ decision is final. Prize-winners will be notified in advance and the award ceremony will take place at a time and place to be decided on. All prize winners will be expected to attend the Award ceremony.

Station House Museum The Station House Museum will be open for the Connemara Breeders Spring Weekend from March 26th to the 30th and again for Easter, April 11th to 14th. It will also coincide with the Clifden Heritage Railway Weekend, taking place from March 27th to 29th and visitors are welcome to come and see the many items of interest to rail enthusiasts also on display in the Museum. The 2009 season will oﬃcially open on April 27th in time for those visiting the local pony inspections. It will then remain open seven days a week until the end of October. The Museum will be celebrating its tenth birthday in August this year. We hope to have a small celebration and to have special oﬀers and new promotional items on sale. Be sure to visit when you are in Clifden. Pat Lyne

Award for Connemara Brochure “Connemara - Wild at Heart”, a tourism brochure produced by Fáilte Ireland West, has been awarded “Best Tourism Brochure” at the 12th Annual Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Awards (HSMAI) held in the Burlington Hotel on Friday, January 30th. The brochure is a 36 page brochure which highlights the range of things to do in the Connemara region. It is printed in three languages, English, French and Italian and is also available to download on a new web site dedicated to Connemara, www.discoverireland.ie/connemara.

Local Playgroups Fundraiser A Christmas Fair and Fashion Show Playgroup Fundraiser held at the Alcock & Brown in December, organised by Ann Marie Conroy of Schu Concept and Fiona Fallon of Fiocco’s, raised over €5,700 for four local playgroups. Ann Marie and Fiona would like to thanks all businesses that took part, supported and sponsored prizes for the raffle, and Eileen Davis at the Alcock for hosting the event, which was a great success. Thanks also to the models who took part, Richard and Aine for sound and lighting, and all who attended and supported the event. Fiona and Ann Marie recently presented the four local playgroups, Ballyconneely, Cleggan/Claggaghduff, Clifden and Tully, with the proceeds from the event. Photos from top: Johnny Coyne of Tully Playgroup accepts the Playgroup Fundraiser proceeds from Ann Marie Conroy and Fiona Fallon. Louise Roche and Tara Sweeney accept funds on behalf of Ballyconneely Playgroup. Bernie Hughes accepts funds on behalf of Cleggan Claddaghduff Playgroup. Fiona Fallon and Ann Marie Conroy present the proceeds of the Christmas playgroup fundraiser to Kiara Mannion and Paula Bann of Clifden Playgroup. Photos courtesy of Ann Marie Conroy

Renvyle Animal Rescue Fundraiser A sale in aid of Renvyle Animal Rescue will be held in the Ellis Hall, Letterfrack on Easter Sunday April 12th from 10am to 3pm. There will be a great selection of home baking, plants, art & crafts, curios, bric a brac, jewellery, toys, books, DVDs, clothes and more. Donations of items for this sale are welcome. Please contact Judy on 087 056 6302. Many thanks to all who support.

Volunteer at St Anne’s St Anne’s is in need of some volunteers to support residents with meaningful and other leisure activities. Examples of these activities are reading, engaging in art or just talking to a resident. The support comes from a health care assistant and/or by Elisabeth Wilschut the play therapist. Before you can start, you need to ﬁll out an application form and give two references. So if you have a skill that you like to use in St. Anne’s please get in touch with Marian Hanrahan on (095) 21189 or marian.hanrahan@hse.ie or Anne Mahon for further information and an application form.

Flora Women’s Mini Marathon 2009 Entry is now open for the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon, which will take place in Dublin city on Bank Holiday Monday June 1st, 2009. If you would like to run or walk in the marathon for any charity of your choice, get prepared early and get your entry in. For more information or details on registering, go to www.womensminimarathon.ie .

Connemara Coast in Bridgestone 100 The Connemara Coast Hotel has been named as one of the top 100 places to stay in Ireland by John and Sally McKenna’s Bridgestone Guide 2009. The hotel is described as “a mini world all on its own, the Connemara Coast is a truly great getaway”. The guide also comments that the Connemara Coast Hotel is distinguished by its good staﬀ and does big business in family holidays whilst also complimenting the superb art collection housed amidst the various design styles of the public rooms. Being featured in the Bridgestone Guide is a great honour for the Connemara Coast Hotel which has also recently won an Optimus Award – Mark of Best Practice and a Green Hospitality Silver Award.

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March 2009

Connemara View Newspaper

Clifden

County Councillors Vote For Massive Clifden Rezoning The Clifden Draft Town Plan was torn asunder by Galway County Councillors at a marathon meeting on February 23rd. In eﬀorts which seek to override the recommendations of the Galway County Manager, the councillors voted to rezone a signiﬁcant numbers of properties. Galway Co Co Senior Planner, Catherine McConnell, accentuated strongly that these actions were not advisable and could result in the Government rejecting the town plan. Galway CoCo invited submissions from the public in December to the Clifden Draft Plan which was available for review online, as well as on display at the Clifden Library. Over 30 submissions were made which were then reviewed by the Galway County Manager and Galway CoCo Planners. A report responding to these submissions with recommendations was presented to Galway County Councillors in January. The councillors had the opportunity to vote for or against each submission at the February 23rd meeting. The councillors voted to approve the zoning changes for the properties listed below, even though they were NOT recommended for approval by the County Manager. Ivor Duane - Lands on the Galway (N59 South Side) be rezoned from “Agricultural” to “Light Industrial/Commercial” Ivor Duane : Lands adjoining the Galway (N59 North Side) be rezoned from “Industrial” to “Residential”. Mr. and Mrs John and Mary Joyce – Lands in Tullyvoheen be rezoned from “Industrial” to “Residential”. Padraic and Mary Hynes – Lands in Ardbear be rezoned from “Agricultural” to “Residential”. Aidan O’Halloran – Lands in Dooneen be rezoned from “Agricultural” to “Residential”. Joe McGlynn – Lands at Ardbear (overlooking Ardbear Waterfall) “Agricultural” (the 2009 Draft Plan includes rezoning this to “Recreation/Amenity”) to “Town Centre”. Vincent Finn – Lands at Tullyvoheen be rezoned from “Agricultural” to “Enterprise and Industrial”. Tom Kearns – Lands at Cloghaunard Townland (Sky Rd. near Abbeyglen) be rezoned from “Part Agricultural/Part Residential” to “Residential”. Dr. John Casey – Lands on the Beach Road be rezoned from “Agricultural” to “Residential” and “Amenity”. Josie Conneely – Lands at Killymongaun (south of the N59) be rezoned from “Agricultural” to “Residential”. Josie Conneely – Lands at Rock Glen Country House Hotel, Faul & Ardbear, be rezoned from “Agricultural” to “Low Density Residential”. Connemara County Councillor Josie Conneely has an interest in a substantial portion of the lands that were rezoned against the recommendations of the planners. Among these are 4.7 hectares located near the Rock Glen Hotel in Faul and Ardbear that Mr. Conneely requested be rezoned from agricultural to residential. Interestingly, only one Councillor, Tom Welby from Oughterard, voted against the

rezoning of this property. Eight voted in favour and one abstained. However, this is not the end of the story. An Amended Clifden Draft Town Plan will be made available shortly and the public will be invited to make submissions on the items which were changed by the councillors.

New Clifden Community Council On February 25th, a new Clifden & District Community Council was elected. One hundred and seventy nine people from the five districts voted at the Clifden Station House polling venue from 6 to 8 pm. Mary Carey and Michael Keane officiated at the elections, and Garda Eoin Hayes verified the count. The new team met as a Council for the first time on Monday, March 2nd. On the top of their agenda was the election of officers and trustees of the Ball Alley property. The individuals elected, their district and elected positions are listed below: District A - Clifden Town: Sheila Griffin (Trustee); Julian Matz (Asst. Treasurer). District B - Ballyconneely Road and environs: Mairtin Conroy (Trustee), Bridie O’Neill (Treasurer). District C - Galway Road and environs: Gerry Delaney (Trustee), PK Joyce (Asst. Secretary). District D - Sky Road and environs: Sean Heanue, (Vice-Chairman), Catherine Pryce (Secretary). District E - Westport Road and environs: John Durning (PRO), Nessa Joyce (Chairman). CDCC will be holding monthly meetings. If you have an issue that you wish to discuss, please contact the councillors in your district or Nessa Joyce, Chairman 095-21034, John Durning (PRO) 086-604-1088 or Catherine Pryce (Secretary) 086-400-6666.

Dissatisfaction at the Spires Calls have been made for the services and maintenance responsibilities of The Spires, River Falls, Racecourse Lawn and Racecourse Hills housing developments in Clifden, to be taken over by Galway Co Co. For some time now, residents have been facing very unsatisfactory maintenance of basic services such as general repairs, lighting and drainage and are lobbying local politicians and Galway Co. Co. Council on an ongoing basis in attempts to rectify the situation.

Clifden Library News February Reader of the Month: Shane Slevin. Children’s Art Competition In conjunction with Clifden Tidy Towns Committee, Clifden Library is holding an art competition for all National School children; the theme of the competition is ‘Tidy Towns’ and all entries must include the words: ‘Super Sunday Clean Up, 5th April 2009’. All entries to be in the library by 27th March ‘09 and don’t forget to include your full name, age, school and home phone number. Details from Paul or Bernie on 095-21092. The Library hosts various exhibitions and events throughout the year such as in May, the Galway County Library Musician in residence will give a recital titled ‘Galway in Song’. More details nearer the time. Library Open Hours Mon & Wed 2:30-6pm & 6:30-8:30pm; Tues Thurs & Sat 10.30-1pm & 2:30-6pm; Fri 10:30-1pm & 2:30- 6pm & 6:30-8:30pm.

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March 2009

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Clifden Playschool 80’s Disco

Clifden continued Benefit Night

A Beneﬁt Night for Chrissie Coohill will take place at the Station House Hotel on Sunday April 19th at 8:30pm. All musicians are welcome to join on the night. Tickets and details are available from Peter on 086-409-5189 and Martin on 086-832-0872.

The Clifden Community Playschool Committee would like to thank all the local businesses and individuals who sponsored, supported and attended the fundraising “Back to the 80’s Disco” on Valentine’s night

Tommy Whelan Cumann AGM The Tommy Whelan Fianna Fail Cumann A.G.M. was held on Saturday, 21st February, 2009, at J.C’s in Clifden. The newly elected Committee for 2009 is: Chairperson-Michael Gibbons, Secretary-P.K. Joyce, Treasurer-Christy Canning. Attending on the night were Minister Éamon O Cuív, Deputy Frank Fahy and Councillor Josie Conneely. A small attendance raised issues of great importance to Clifden and area, such as roads, sewage, schools, secondary school, water, planning and quite a few other problems. The new Cumann Committee is now inviting new members to join to create a strong political voice for Clifden and its surrounding areas. If you would like to be part of this new revamped force, please contact any of the Committee members above. We would especially welcome back any former members. P.K. Joyce, Secretary

Connemara Chiropractic Husband and wife team Brian and Melanie Hansen are the new faces of Connemara Chiropractic, Bridge St, Clifden. Brian and Melanie are originally from Washington Island, Wisconsin and are now living in Clifden. Brian is a Graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, and Melanie studied massage therapy, reﬂexology and aromatherapy at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois. Brian and Melanie look forward treating and getting to know the current clients of Connemara Chiropractic, and also look forward to greeting new clients. They would also like to thank Dr. Matt Kingston and his ﬁancée Larisa for introducing Chiropractic to this area, and wish them all the best in their future conquests. Photo: Brian and Melanie Hansen of Connemara Chiropractic.

International World Day of Prayer A prayer service to mark the 75th Anniversary of World Day of Prayer Services, international and interdenominational, organized by women will take place at St Joseph’s Church Clifden on Friday March 6th at 7pm. All men and women are very welcome to attend this special service.

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at the Func Room. The event raised over €1,700 for Clifden Playschool and is much appreciated by all involved. Photo: Paula Bann and Claudine Knight in high spirits at the Valentine’s 80’s Disco for Clifden Playschool.

Clifden Tidy Towns The latest Tidy Towns meeting was held in the Station House Hotel on February 23rd at 8pm. A lot of topics were discussed, amongst which was Alan and Sandra Shattock’s entry booklet for the Tidy Towns, which is very nearly complete. This is an amazing piece of work and quite soon, we will have copies available in our local Library and notice board in SuperValu for the public to view. Monica Joyce will have the maps completed for the 3 walkways for our “Golden Mile” entry ready by next month and we hope the Council will be ready then to erect on signage posts. We will enter the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, as last year, promoting our Super Sunday Clean Up which will be held on Sunday April 5th 2009. The Group decided that April would be a cleanup of the heavier stuﬀ and we will do another do another clean up again at the end of May. We had some very good and useful discussions in January with T.J. Redmond, our local engineer and Donal Nee of FAS. We have got permission from Maureen Joyce to repair the Old Jail Walk and we hope to start in the next few weeks. Our next Meeting is on March 9th, Station House Hotel at 8pm, so as ever, if you would like to take part in the Tidy Towns, please contact the Secretary, Mary O`Donnell at: cregghouse1@eircom. net. P.K. Joyce Chairperson

Chamber News St Patrick’s Day Parade Please note the starting time for the parade has been changed to 1pm on Tuesday

17th March. We look forward to seeing you all out celebrating our National Saint’s Day. Everyone is welcome to participate. Please contact Gerard King 086-818-2715 Clifden Railway Weekend The 2nd Clifden Railway Weekend runs from 27th-29th March. Minister Éamon O Cuív will be opening the weekend on Friday, 27th March at 7pm in Clifden Station House, followed by a lecture from Jim Deegan, Railtours Ireland. Saturday’s Lecture Series will include talks from Michael Gibbons, Shane Joyce, Jonathan Beaumont and Barry Carse. The weekend package including Friday’s Launch, the Lecture Series and lunch on Saturday is €25. Sunday’s walk along the old Railway line will be led by Michael Gibbons for €10. Booking is essential. Please contact Michele on 087-052-0295 or email michele@clifdenchamber.ie. Business After Hours The Chamber is launching the ﬁrst in a series of networking evenings, where local businesses can meet in a social environment and discuss common problems and solutions. The ﬁrst evening is kindly being hosted by Rachael Coyle and Shane O’Grady in Guys Bar from 6-7pm on Friday, 6th March. For more details, please contact michele@ clifdenchamber.ie. Clifden 2012 Clifden’s bicentennial celebrations are in the initial planning stages. This will be a very important time, celebrating the birth of the town, educating our present generation and leaving a record for future generations. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please contact michele@clifdenchamber.ie.

Friends of Fatima The list of winners of the Friends of Fatima Christmas Raﬄe is as follows: 1st Prize,

Electric Mixer-Cepta Stephens. 2nd Prize, Microwave Oven-Johnny Mulkerrins.3rd Prize, Dinner for 2-Carmel Laﬀey. 4th Prize, Dinner for 2-Ann Cunningham. 5th Prize, Dinner for 2-Agnes Nee. 6th Prize, Stress Relief Set-Francis Burke. 7th Prize, Bottle of Brandy-Mary Folan. 8th Prize, Bottle of Whiskey-Noreen Murphy. 9th Prize, Box of Chocolates-Lucy Murphy.

Cashel

Fianna Fail Cumann AGM The Annual General Meeting of Cashel Fianna Fail Cumann took place recently. The meeting was attended by Minister Éamon O Cuív and County Council members Josie Conneely and Seamus Walsh. The election of the Cumann Committee saw all oﬃce holders hold their position for the next twelve months. There was a good discussion of local topics of concern, mainly planning permission guidelines, roads, and the worry of the current economic downturn on local jobs and services. The County Council elections will take place in early June. Photo top of page: Back (l-r): John Joyce, Kathleen Nee, Margaret Keaney, Sean King, JJ Nee, Mary Corbett Joyce, Margaret McDonagh, Sharon Nee, Packy Lydon. Front (l-r): Minister Éamon O Cuív, Cllr Josie Conneely and Cllr. Seamus Walsh.

Carna

New Crèche The building of a new crèche in Carna on a site in the industrial estate will now potentially go ahead as the CEO of Udaras na Gaeltachta Padraig O hAolain has indicated have that it will fund a shortfall of €250,000 which had arisen in the project. Funding of €600,000 was obtained some years ago but would not cover the total cost of the project.

Kingstown NS Raise Funds in Readathon Pupils of Kingstown NS received certiﬁcates and prizes for taking part in the MS Readathon. They raised a total of €572. Photo below (l-r): Jamie Mullen, Ethan Mannion, Ian Staunton, Adam Canavan, Emma O Reilly and Steven Canavan.

March 2009

Connemara View Newspaper

Youthreach Conferring, Exhibition and 3 Year Plan Launch Over 200 people attended the launch of the Letterfrack Youthreach ‘Centre Development’ 3 year plan, (2008-2011); the conferring of certificates, an exhibition of students work and a fundraising auction for the Niall Mellon Foundation, in Ellis Hall, Letterfrack, just before Christmas. Mr Seosamh Mac Donnacha, Chief Executive Officer of County Galway Vocational Education Committee (VEC), launched the Letterfrack Youthreach ‘Centre Development Plan’, which involved consultations with the staff team, the VEC management and administration staff, students, past and present, parents, guardians, local organisations, statutory bodies and work experience employers. The planning process involved five facilitation days during which the stakeholders reviewed centre practice, prioritised areas for further development and documented action plans to be completed within a three year timeframe. The stakeholders’ contribution and commitment to the process has enabled the Letterfrack Youthreach Centre to develop what will hopefully be a very worthwhile working document. The Letterfrack Youthreach Centre Development Plan, 2008-2011, can be downloaded from the centre’s website www.youthreachletterfrack.com. After the launch, students, staff and guests were invited to the conferring of certificates in Leaving Certificate Applied, (LCA), Further Education Training Award Council (FETAC), European Computer Driving Licence, (ECDL), Irish Computer Skills (ICS) and in-house records of attendance in ‘Mind Out’ and Drive for Life’ programmes. Notably, Grace Lacey of Letterfrack and Michelle Jullier of Renvyle, received full FETAC level 5 awards in ‘Childcare’ and Kevin Ward of Coolacloy, received special awards for achieving a 99.9% full attendance over the past academic year. Further, the Letterfrack Youthreach 2008 indoor soccer team of David Spillane, Peter Wallace, Colin Connolly, Paul Duffy, Shane McDonagh, Michael King and captained by Kevin Ward, were acknowledged for the winning the Ballinrobe Youthreach perpetual cup. This was the first time the Letterfrack team have achieved success in an indoor soccer tournament, since Liam Nugent’s winning goal against Donnybrook, Dublin, in 1998. After the conferring of certificates, Sylvia O’Connor and Fiona Purcell gave the audience an electrifying demonstration of their own hip hop choreography dance. This was followed by an amazing buffet of homemade pastries, mince pies, sausages rolls and other tasty delicacies which were prepared and served to guests by students, under the care of Brid Egan, one of the Home Economic tutors. The afternoon concluded with a fundraising auction in aid of the Niall Mellon Foundation. The auctioneer, on the day, was Nigel Prendergast, Woodwork tutor. Youthreach students, past and present, donated for sale their work projects in woodwork, engineering, metal craft, batik and paintings. These much sought after items were auctioned off, and within one hour raised almost €1,000.00. John Staunton, Youthreach Mathematics, Science and Irish Tutor, will participate in a Niall Mellon project in March 2009. Youthreach is a second chance

Connemara View Newspaper

March 2009

Education and Training programme for young people between 15 and 20 years, offering a variety of certifications and qualifications in Vocational skills at FETAC levels 3, 4, and 5, also ECDL, LCA and programmes in ‘Life and Social’ skills. For further information on the Letterfrack Youthreach programme contact the Coordinator, Theresa McLoughlin, at 095 41893 or the Youthreach website www.youthreachletterfrack.com Photos from top left (l-r): Paul Duffy, Claddaghduff and Mr Seosamh Mac Donnacha, CEO Co. Galway VEC. Martin Kane, Letterfrack and Mr Seosamh Mac Donnacha, CEO, Co.Galway VEC. Gary McDonagh and Mr Seosamh Mac Donnacha, CEO, Co. Galway VEC. David Spellane, Clifden and Mr Seosamh Mac Donnacha, CEO, Co. Galway VEC. Photos and report courtesy of Teresa McLoughlin.

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Day 2009. Photo and story courtesy of Dan Wallace and Breda O Toole.

Claddaghduff A Claddaghduff Choir Classic Performance Mass on St Bridget’s Day is always a special event, but the mass celebrated by Fr. Tony Neville at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Claddaghduff on February 1st this year was more remarkable than usual. A special surprise guest, Sr. Marie Dunn from Dublin joined the Claddaghduff Children’s Choir as they performed some of her own compositions, taught to them by their music teacher Breda O’Toole. The story began when Breda and her husband visited Knock for Grandparents Day in September 2008, attended by thousands, when after Communion a young girl sang a very moving hymn called “Let the Children Come to me”. Breda was so impressed by the song that she decided to contact the choir leader of that occasion to get a copy of the music and within a matter of days she received a package from Sr Marie herself, containing CDs and the music accompaniments of various compositions. Breda said “With St. Brigit’s Day around the corner and a Children’s Liturgy in mind, I began to teach the Mass of Faith and other hymns, including “You Will be my Witnesses” (a song written for this year, the year of Vocation) and “A Stranger No More – Song of Hospitality”. To acknowledge her great compositions, I told Marie what we were doing”. Breda and the choir members learned and practiced these songs in preparation for St Bridgit’s Day and were all treated to a marvellous surprise on the evening before the mass, when Sr. Marie called Breda from Clifden, having flown down especially from Dublin to hear the Claddaghduff children perform her songs! She was accompanied by Brother Ronan Lennon O.H., a Saint John of God Brother who had travelled from Knock, where he works. Marie also directs the Saint John of God Choir (for the Irish Province), and has composed much of the music which they sing. For the special Mass, Sr. Marie accompanied the children’s choir on the organ. Speaking after the Mass she expressed her happiness and delight that the children’s choir were performing her songs. “Today is a special day for me because you have sung my music at this special Mass. I know Breda and everyone else has put a lot of work into today’s Mass, so I decided that I would come to Claddaghduff and be with you today”. She thanked Fr Neville, Breda O’Toole and the teachers, children and parents of Claddaghduff NS for the warm welcome they showed her. “The song A Stranger No More is a song of hospitality, of welcoming people and making them feel at home. I was very moved at hearing you sing this today because you have made me feel so much at home. This is my first visit to Claddaghduff, but I will be a stranger no more here and I look forward to coming back” she said. The Children’s Choir, their teacher Breda and the thoughtful Sr. Marie Dunn all came together for an event that was uplifting and deeply meaningful for all involved, and Breda concluded, “It was such an honour to have a composer of such high calibre in our midst. Coincidentally, her entire Mass of Faith was broadcast in its entirety on RTE television that same day. Hopefully, her beautiful music and powerful lyrics will spread even further as more and more choirs come to know about her. Marie, we wish you all the best!” Photo: The Claddaghduff Children’s Choir on St Bridget’s

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Pancake Tuesday The students and staff of Claddaghduff NS had great fun on Pancake Tuesday, February 24th , when they learned to mix, make and flip their own pancakes, and of course eat them all afterwards! Photo: Claddaghduff NS pupils on Pancake Tuesday with teacher Mary Gavin.

Music for this year’s event will be provided by “The Amps” from Clifden, with disco afterwards by Andrew and Jonathan. Tickets for the fundraiser cost €50 and are available from Rita 086 885 0340 or Orla 086 837 2702.

Kylemore Day Retreats The Day Retreats at Kylemore Abbey will begin again on Saturday 28th March at 10.30 am. They are free of charge and everyone is welcome.

Leitir Mór Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Aﬀairs, has announced a grant of €31,997 which has been approved for the Development Committee of Seanscoil na Trá Báine, An Trá Bháin, Leitir Móir to assist with the costs involved in upgrading the heating system and building a new store. A grant of €26,664 has been approved under the Gaeltacht Improvements Scheme and €5,333 approved under the CLÁR scheme.The centre organises various activities such as classes and exhibitions and it is also used by the local Irish college.

Letterfrack Race Night

CCTV Scheme

The Race Night originally scheduled for Valentine’s Night but cancelled due to the untimely passing of Gus Barry will now take place on Saturday March 7th in Oliver’s Bar, Cleggan, commencing at 9.30pm. The Fundraising Committee for the Claddaghduﬀ Hall would like to thank all those who contributed so generously, both in money and eﬀort, to make this fundraiser a success. All are welcome to come and support this very worthy cause.

Letterfrack Information Service

March Events at Community Hall Mondays 4:30-5:30pm: Tin Whistle lessons for juniors with Eileen O’ Malley. 8- 9:30pm: Senior indoor soccer. Tuesdays 7-8:30pm: Junior indoor Soccer (supervised). Wednesdays 4:30-5:30pm: Children’s Sean Nós dancing with Irene Cunningham. 8-10pm: Adult Art Classes with Cathal O’Malley. 8-10:30pm: Badminton Club (in Main Hall) with Stevie King. Thursdays 3-4pm: Credit Union in Cleggan Community Center. 4-4:40pm: Credit Union in Claddaghduﬀ Community Hall. 7-8pm: Senior Sean Nós Dancing with Irene Cunningham. 8-10:30pm: Badminton Club with Stevie King. Fridays 8-9:30pm: Youth Club (supervised). Sundays 11:15am-12:30pm: Children’s Badminton Club with Kenneth DeLappe. 12-4pm: Bring & Buy Book Sales every 2nd Sunday, Hall Fundraiser. 8:30-10:30pm: Bingo. Terry Minogue

Any business owners or proprietors in the Letterfrack area who are, or would be interested in putting a CCTV camera inside or outside their premises may contact Ronan Steede by post at Letterfrack Garda Station for further information. The Letterfrack information service will be available at Connemara West from 1:30 to 4:30 pm on Tuesday 10th, and Tuesday 24th of March. A wide range of application forms and booklets are available, including: Entitlements for People with Disabilities, One Parent Families Information Guide, Entitlements for the Over Sixties and Employment Rights Explained. If you have any questions about Social Welfare, Pensions, Housing, Consumer Aﬀairs, Employment, Education or any of your rights and entitlements, call us on 087-1301100 or drop in.

Tar Éis na Féile Bríde

A Dinner Dance will take place in Inishbofin House Hotel, Inishbofin Island, in aid of Clifden Lifeboat on Saturday 4th April 2009 at 8pm. Last year’s event raised over €4,500 from the sale of tickets and raffle, the prizes for which were donated by local businesses and individuals. A total of 128 people attended the dinner with another 50-60 joining the party afterwards for the band and disco. Inishbofin House Hotel are offering a special Bed and Breakfast rate of €50pp for the night, for reservations contact Adrian on 095-45809.

Tar Éis na Féile Bríde the annual festival organised by Conamara Environmental Education & Cultural Centre which takes place in Letterfrack the first weekend after St. Bridget’s Day (Feb. 18th) was an outstanding success. Highlight of the weekend was the exhibition by Oughterard based photographer Lorraine Tuck. Lorraine’s exhibition, which took place in Letterfrack NS over the weekend, dealt with the difficult and moving subject of Cillins – children’s burial grounds. (See more on page 27). Throughout the weekend there were music workshops with Frank Custy – all instruments, Yvonne Kane – fiddle and Jack Talty – concertina. There was also great music from Johnny Connolly and Marcus Hernon and family who were joined by Theresa Custy. The Galway Gospel Choir also featured and was just brilliant. Special guests on the night were ‘Some Like It Hot’ who got two standing ovations. The Cunningham family finished off the weekend with a well attended workshop and then rushed up to join Sean Tyrell and Johnny Mullins for a great afternoon’s fun at Molly’s. All in all, it was a great weekend of fun and madness and a good antidote to gloomy times. Leo Hallissey

March 2009

Connemara View Newspaper

Inishboﬁn Lifeboat Dinner Dance

Leenane

New Bridge Open to Traffic The new bridge in Leenane (see photo below) was first opened to traffic on Saturday February 28th, almost two years since torrential rain and flooding swept away the old 100 year old bridge. The new design features three arches with stone

loy, Pat Higgins, Paul Fogerty, Norman Deacy and Ger Roche.

Blessing of Lough Corrib and Boats Rev Fr Jimmy Walsh performed the annual rite of blessing Lough Corrib and the boats that use it on the afternoon of Sunday February 8th. The ceremony took place at Baurisheen on the shore of Lough Corrib. The holy water used in the ceremony was blessed beforehand in Bartly McGauley’s house nearby. Prayers were then said hoping for a good and safe year’s ﬁshing ahead.

Renvyle

Mary Gannon Retirement Party A special retirement function was held by the local branch of the INTO at the Station House Hotel, Clifden in January to mark and appreciate Mary Gannon’s service as a teacher for over 46 years. Photo: Nichola Spokes, incoming INTO Secretary, Mary Gannon, Julie Donnellan, Chairperson, INTO and Mandy Conboy, out-going Secretary.

Looking to Future

facing in keeping with the old-style architecture of the original bridge. An oﬃcial opening will take place at a future date. Photo courtesy of John Holmes.

Award for Sleepzone Connemara Sleepzone Connemara has been rated as the 8th best hostel in Ireland at the Hostelworld “Hoscars” event at the Hilton, Dublin in February. Over 800, 000 guests rated hostels on character, security, location, staﬀ, fun and cleanliness worldwide and SleepZone hostels as a group were ranked 7th internationally. SleepZone-The Burren and SleepZone Galway were also ranked as 5th and 10th best hostels in Ireland respectively. The stunning location of SleepZone Connemara will surely have been a factor in its popularity with guests and the hostel sector is likely to continue to appeal to many more budget-oriented travelers in the current economic climate.

Oughterard-it has it all! That was the message that came across at a dinner party hosted by the Connemara Gateway Hotel for all interested in the tourism and hospitality business in the Oughterard area on Friday February 27th. The dinner was attended by local people who are involved in the hospitality business and representatives from the Tourist Oﬃce. John Nolan, proprietor of the Connemara Gateway Hotel, urged the business partners in the Oughterard area to stand back and take an in depth look at what Oughterard has to oﬀer the tourists. He said there is no town in Ireland better placed than Oughterard to take advantage of the increased numbers of Irish families choosing to holiday in Ireland this year. Photo (l-r): Justin Keogh, Chairperson of the Oughterard Business Association, Christine Mulkerrins, Oughterard

Lettergesh NS at Primary Science Fair A group of students, teachers and parents from Lettergesh N.S. travelled to the Primary Science Fair at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition in January to take part and showcase their entry titled “Investigating Forces”. All participants received a trophy, sponsored and presented by an executive from the Health and Safety Authority. Pictured with their awards were (l-r): Karen Walsh, Micheál Faherty, Kate Faherty, Aoife Gibbons, Brendan Regan. Front (l-r): John Enda Gibbons and Aidan Mortimer. Photos courtesy of Mandy Conboy

Oughterard

Oughterard Show Fundraising Drive Oughterard Show Society is greatly indebted to its many sponsors, without whom the show could not take place. In this recessionary year, we expect that it will be not be easy for many businesses and individuals to continue to support the show to the same extent as in the past. In order to ensure that we do not have to cut back on either prize money or classes, a number of fundraising events are planned. Included is a Table Quiz in Faherty’s Pub at 9.00.p.m. Friday 13th March. Entry is €20 for a table of 4. A 27x9 card drive is also being organised with the ﬁnal 9x9 taking place in Keogh’s Pub, Oughterard on Sunday 5th April from 6.00 p.m. If you have an interest in card playing and would like to organise or join one of the 27 qualifying rounds, please contact Show Secretary Maria on 086 1517289 or Chairman PJ Burke on 086 8385854. Your support for either of these events will be greatly appreciated. Leslie Lyons

Tourist Oﬃce, Cllr Seamus Walsh, John Nolan, Proprietor of the Connemara Gateway Hotel, David Luskin of Corrib Cruises and Henry Keogh of Keoghs Craft Shop, Oughterard.

Oughterard Youth Arts Festival The 4th annual Oughterard Youth Arts festival took place from February 27th to March 1st and was hailed

ORFC Valentine’s Ball The annual St Valentine’s Ball and Social in aid of Oughterard Rugby Football Club took place at the Ross Lake Hotel on Saturday February 14th. Photo: The Oughterard Rugby Club Committee. Back (l-r): Mike Webb, Paul Donevan, Owen Finn, Tim Curran, Peter McWilliams, Ian Fogerty, Graham Casburn, Dave Dollimore, Seamus Lowry, Morgan O’Connor, Aiden O’Flynn, Robert Joyce and Martin Irons. Front (l-r): Tony Dixson, Owen Bresnihan, Louisa Mol-

Connemara View Newspaper

as a roaring success by participants and spectators alike. Oughterard was alive with the energy and enthusiasm of all the young people participating and enjoying the weekend, with most events centred around The Boat Inn, Farmlane Gallery and the Connemara Gateway Hotel. OYAF is organized by Clann Resource Centre and is supported by the Arts Council under the Small Festivals Scheme. Photo above: Members of Clann’s “Beat Club”. Oughterard photos courtesy of Tom Broderick.

March 2009

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Graduation Success: Mary Conneely of Errislannan graduated recently with Distinction in a Diploma in Special Needs from the College of Progressive Education, Dublin. Sign of the times?: Pictured are six lads from the Clifden Community School Leaving Cert Class of 2008

at Dublin Airport before leaving for Australia recently. (L-r): Ronan Keane, Clifden, Dean Alcock, Cleggan, Mark Walsh Glassilaun, Colin Connolly, Ballyconneely, Fiachra Coyne, Renvyle, and Thomas Madden, Claddaghduﬀ. 95th birthday: Congratulations to Bessie Pryce of

Coolacloy, Kingstown who celebrated her 95th birthday on February 17th with family and friends at Moycullen Nursing Home. Happy 50th Bríd!: Congratulations to Bríd Whelan of the Sky Road, Clifden who celebrated her 50th birthday in February with family and friends. She is pictured here with her sister Kathleen who travelled from London for the occasion.

Local Archaeology Connemara Continues To Surprise It is well known that the Connemara area is a veritable treasure trove of ancient archaeological artefacts and ritual and burial sites. However, some recent exciting discoveries have shown once again that the bogs, marshes and lands of Connemara still have many more surprises in store when it comes to archaeological discoveries. Renowned local archaeologist Michael Gibbons has outlined for us some of the fascinating discoveries made in the Connemara area in recent times. A white quartz stone pair was recently discovered by Galway botanist Cillian Roden in Botheshal, Recess and dates from the Bronze Age, 2400 bc to 6th century bc. This is one of a series of Bronze Age burial and ritual monuments in central Connemara. Another similar recently discovered site was found at Gleninagh and there are similar sites at Oorid and Gleannloise in the Maam Valley. The many series of beautiful white quartz rows and standings in Connemara, generally aligned North-South, are thought to mark both burial and ritual sites, and the few that have been excavated have uncovered cremated remains beneath and beside them. Also dating from the Bronze Age are a series of arrow heads dating back around 4,000 years, which were all found in the bogs of the West Quarter of Inishbofin. The first was found by Michael Gerard Coohill of Clifden almost five years ago on a school trip, where students explored the local archaeological history of the island with Michael, and it is now on display in the National Museum. Another two arrow heads, one white and one black, have since been found in the same area, one by Sam and Beatrice Mbogo of Dun Gibbons and the other by Michael himself. Findings of artefacts like these are extremely rare, although as Michael points out, Inishbofin has dozens of

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March 2009

prehistoric sites and is indeed one of the most visible prehistoric locations in Ireland, with the exploration and uncovering of farmhouses and cooking sites. An ancient cashel, or ringfort has also been discovered in the townland of Derrada, about halfway between Ballynahinch and Toombeola. Close to the deserted village in that area, it is thought to have been the enclosed farmstead of a local chief around 1500 years ago. In the Ballyconneely area, a group of crannógs (island dwellings) has attracted much interest. All Connemara crannógs seem to have been stone built, and a very interesting example of a terraced and walled crannog can be seen at BallyWee Lough, beneath Lehid Hill. So while it is clear that Connemara already has a wealth of known and valuable archaeological sites and discoveries, there may be many more secrets and gems out there just waiting to be uncovered in this mystical and magniﬁcent landscape we inhabit every day.

Connemara View Newspaper

Dhubh product from the Western Isles of Scotland submitted by feòladair, Charles Mac Leoid, Steonabagh, Eilean Lòdhais. Photo: Risteárd Mac Aodha, and butcher James McGeough with the certiﬁcate Céad Gradam Oiricis – Ceud-duais. News and photos courtesy of Risteárd Mac Aodha.

protect the investors and to enhance the village. Therefore, we will be going to Dublin to meet up with various Ministers, to give us the full picture, and hopefully to assign all the documents officially to Éamon Ó’Cuív’s Dept, but until such time that this is done, his hands are completely tied until he has the full consent and records from head office in Dublin. So there you have it, until we have this meeting in Dublin we do not know officially whether our project is dead or alive, there is nothing more I can say. But rest assured we will keep working at this project however long it takes, therefore we need to reiterate that the potential Roundstone Marina is not totally dead yet, as was said according to the Connacht Tribune article of last week.

Roundstone

Pastoral Council

Renvyle continued

Holiday Homes for Renvyle House Renvyle House Hotel has been given permission to build six holiday homes. An Taisce lodged a submission against the holiday homes in Renvyle with County planners over concerns about creating a linear strip of 10 houses in the landscape sensitive area. County planners have granted permission for the holiday homes in Renvyle, subject to 22 conditions.

Ros Muc

Local Girl Wins Cóilín Sheáin Dharach For the ﬁrst time since 2004, when Róisín Ní Mhainín retired from competition after winning the contest three times in a row, an individual from Ros Muc has placed “in the money”. Christina Ní Mhainnín from the townland of Ros Dubh was adjudicated the best dancer on the night by Pádraig Chóil’ Nana Pháidín from Rath Cáirn. Pádraig gave a joint second place which was shared by last year’s winner Paul Moran and Marian Ní Chonghaile from Gleann Trasna. The Cóilín Sheáin Dharach Festival is held on the last weekend in January each year. The festival organises 11 separate cultural events over the weekend and is somewhat unique in that much of the dancing is focused on the sean-nós jig which was a favourite dance

of the late Cóilín Seoige, in whose honour the festival is organised. For more information and photos of the festival go to www. damhsoir.ie. Photo: Feile Cóilín Sheáin Dharach winner 2009 Christina Ní Mhainín.

Oughterard Butcher Awarded Céad-Gradam Oiricis Award-winning Oughterad butcher, James McGeough received the bi-lingual (Gàidhlig – Gaeilge) certiﬁcate Céad Gradam Oiricis – Ceud-duais Fearta at the Pan-Celtic event to determine “the best Black Pudding in the Gaelic speaking world.” This event, which was part of the recent Cóilín Sheáin Dharach Festival in Ros Muc pitted the Putóg Dhubh of McGeough against the Clonakilty Black Pudding Co. of the Edward Twomey Butcher’s Shop in West Cork and the “Charley Barley” Maròg

Roundstone Marina It’s now time just to bring everybody up to speed as far as we know it about the potential Marina for Roundstone; you may have seen the article in last week’s Connacht Tribune. The article re the Marina for Roundstone being dead in the water is not quite the case. Here we are, as we know it: since the change of civil servants in the government in ‘08, i.e. Dept. of the Marine and Transport, it was decided to pass our request for a Marina to the Dept of Éamon Ó’Cuív. Dublin are in the process or should be, of downloading all the files to Minister Éamon Ó’Cuív’s Dept. as Minister for Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs. It’s so frustrating, as over the last 7 years we have jumped every obstacle that has been put in front of us. We have done everything that we were told to do legally to bring this project forward, and as you will appreciate as the years move on, even though more hurdles are put in front of us, we still work behind the scenes. So we are in the dark as everybody else is; the bottom line is that all we want is a commitment from the powers that be -will we have a Marina or do we put it to bed? It’s possible that we could have a marina in Roundstone, but it may be run by a governmental department. I have the feeling that this is maybe the only way to go, but from which department, I am not sure. But I can assure you of one thing, whatever the decision is, Roundstone will not have a marina this year or next year, it’s something for the future it seems. So we have to keep the paper work and the annual requirements active just to keep channels open, as we have done for the last five years, until such time that some sort of decision is made one way or another. I must also point out that whoever is talking to journalists about something they know absolutely nothing about is not being very helpful. Putting out wrong information and giving out bad vibes, if you will excuse the expression, is just a bloody nuisance. In this present climate I would have thought that maybe the time has come that we as a community should be fighting for a marina here in Roundstone to sustain the village, which will in turn enhance Connemara as a whole. I have to say our work has been over the years, a little complicated to bring this project forward with these civil servants. Our aim is now to bring something for the future, and the same time to

Connemara View Newspaper

There was another meeting of the Pastoral Council members in Roundstone on Monday 23rd February with representatives from Cashel. This meeting was just to expand on the subject “The place of the Pastoral Council in the life of the Parish” in the event of having no priest. It was more of a brain storming session, but time will tell with more information and training as to how we can keep the church alive. There is a lot of thinking and work to do in preparation for the future, starting with a meeting and training for us lay people in the Station House Hotel, Clifden on the 30th March from 8pm to 10pm.

Heritage Walk As part of the Tidy Towns 3 year plan, we have a meeting and walk about with Carol Reynolds soon, and hopefully with Emer Dolan Galway Co Co, to see if we can implement a Heritage Walk in Roundstone. At the same time, a meeting is being set up to meet Sandra Flavin from An Taisce, who is the Green Flag Education Officer, as to how we can involve the National School for a Green Flag. While we are on the subject of Tidy Towns, congratulations to all the Roundstone fishermen, just to say to them the pier looks very well, and I noticed that there is a recycle bin for old oil and a waste bin put in by the Galway County Council. Well done also to the FAS boys on the completion of the second walled garden just below Bill Whelan’s house, what a different these things make to the village.

March 2009

Birthday Wishes This weekend just gone, once again in the Shamrock bar, John Sheridan Senior celebrated his 50th; even though I am older John, join the club! At the same time John Sheridan Junior, celebrated his 21st, congratulations to you both, I heard on the grapevine your birthdays were celebrated with great style! And on the subject of birthdays, it’s our own Mary King from Kings Bar birthday this week also, one is told never to indulge in a lady’s age, but Mary, may you have many more! A very happy birthday to Marion McDonagh also who celebrated her 21st recently, another ex- youth club member now 21. Where does the time go, those few years with Marion and her contemporaries in the youth club were fun, mind you they still are!

Christenings Congratulations to the Sullivan Family of Inishnee on the christening of their son Francis and to Ashling and Maurice Ryan who also had their son christened in February. Congratulations to the parents and long life to the kids!

Phone Box Removal It was just by chance that we found a public notice recently placed in the village for the removal of the public phone booth and to withdraw the service. If this removal goes ahead, this will be another link gone with the outside world, particularly during the summer. If you have any views please submit them, either to me, which I will pass on, or write directly to the Address below. We have circulated a petition in protest for the community to sign, plus some written letters to safe guard this Payphone Service. In the past we have fought for many things, such as a dispensary, Post oﬃce etc. If we had not, Roundstone would be in the dark ages. It’s time to ﬁght again to keep what we have, and your help would be appreciated. Public Notice: 23/01/2009. Eircom proposes to withdraw the public Payphone from Roundstone on 16th March ’09. The nearest alternative payphone is located at Market Square, Clifden. Interested parties are invited to submit their views in relation to the proposed removal, in writing to J.Hargadon, Regional Payphone Manager, Eircom HQ, Rathedmond, Sligo Town, Co, Sligo, (T) 0719174174, E.mail: jhargadon@ eircom.net before the 16th March 2009. All views received will be taken into account before any decision is taken. Richard de Stacpoole

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will start at 11am and will run all day. This is a day not to be missed by any breeder as it will provide breeders with a great opportunity to view the ﬁnest of the breed and their progeny. A dressage display will also take place during the day. Colt inspections will take place in Rockmount, Claregalway on Monday 30th March at 9.30am. These will then lead into the full inspection programme for Connemara Ponies all around the country. For more information on the Spring Connemara Pony Festival visit our website www.cpbs.ie , email us at enquiries@cpbs.ie or contact us by telephone on 095-21863. Photo: Stallion at 2008 Parade

Connemara Ponies Big Pony Prices Out To Pasture The recession and the poor value of sterling at present both had an impact on prices at the recent Connemara Pony Sales in Clifden Mart. Prices fetched at this sale decreased to a level which brings them in line with other sectors of the horse world. It was a drop in prices that had been expected, but was disappointing all the same. On the bright side, sellers were in a realistic mood and many were happy to take the prices that were on offer. There were still a number of buyers looking for mares and fillies and some of the prices achieved were strong. Top price of the day was €7,100 which was fetched for an eight year old mare by the Earl of Castlefrench, sold by Liam Reilly from Castlebar. John Reddington made the journey from Dublin to buy two mares, one a 4 year old mare by Fredericksminde Hazy Match for €3,100, and the second a 9 year old mare by Robin Hood which was sold for €4,800. Another six mares fetched between €3,500 and €4,000. Two out of the three Class 1 registered stallions entered in the sale were present on the day but failed to sell. Eric Walsh’s 10 year old stallion, Lehid Canal Prince, by Oisin left the ring unsold with a bid of €11,500 on him. Later in the day, a 4 year old Class 1 stallion by Glencarrig Prince was unsold with a bid of €7,400 on him. Prices of riding ponies probably suffered most from the absence of many UK buyers due to the strength of the euro versus sterling. Well known dealer Bob Sweeney was also unable to attend. The highest price paid for a gelding, broken and ridden, was €3,500. A handful of others were sold for prices down to €1,500. Two yearling colts were purchased by a couple from Wales who hope they will make stallions to run with the 6 mares which they bought at the October 2008 sales. A regular buyer at the sales from Sheffield in the UK took home three 2 year old unbroken geldings. Yearling fillies fetched €850 to €1,500 while trade for yearling colts was generally poor. The next sale at Clifden Mart is a 2 day sale on Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th of May. Paraic Heanue

Connemara Pony Spring Festival The Connemara Pony Breeder’s Society will host its annual Spring Connemara Pony Festival Weekend in Clifden, from Thursday 26th March until Monday 30th March. The festival is now in its ﬁfth year and has grown from strength to strength. It attracts pony enthusiasts from all over Ireland,

An Capaillín Now On Sale Europe and as far a field as the United States. The festival offers visitors a chance to view a huge number of ponies and to partake in a range of pony related activities. On Thursday the 26th of March, the daughter societies of the CPBS will come together to discuss the pony and will look at the progress that has been made with the newly designed international database. Thursday evening will give people an opportunity to reminisce on old memories as they look at an exhibition of John Petch’s collection of photos in the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel at 8.30pm. The colt inspections will take place in the Showgrounds on Friday morning at 9.30am. Colts will be inspected to classify them in the studbook. It will give breeders the opportunity to see the stallions of the future. Friday night will see the return of our ever popular table quiz in the Station House Hotel at 8.30pm. Saturday will concentrate on education and training. An international judge’s clinic will be held in morning and the afternoon will be filled with educational seminars and practical workshops. Well known and respected author on Connemara Ponies, Mrs. Elizabeth Petch will give a lecture in the Station House Theatre entitled ‘The Influence of the Thoroughbred on the Connemara Pony’. This lecture promises to be of interest to any pony breeder and should not be missed. It will be followed by an auction of a painting of a Connemara Pony by Siobhan Bulfin, well known equestrian artist, who has recently been commissioned by Horse Racing Ireland to create three sculptures. On Sunday the stallions will take centre stage at the Showgrounds in Clifden. It is expected there will be 70 stallions on display at our annual stallion parade. The parade

An Capaillín, now in its eighth volume is currently available from the CPBS oﬃce at the Showgrounds, Clifden or by calling (095) 21863. Packed with national and international reports, show reports and many more features about the Connemara pony and those that breed them, it is an interesting and entertaining publication for any and all with an interest in the breed.

Broodmare Championship The Midland Connemara Pony Breeders have finalised details with Clifden Mart Sales for Sponsorship of the Midland All Ireland Broodmare Championship. Already established as one of Ireland’s premier events the final is scheduled for Sunday July 26th at Annaharvey Farm near Tullamore. Qualifiers will be held at shows in Connemara and throughout Ireland. Details of venues will be announced shortly. For further information contact: Mary Rabbitt or Ruth Rogers at the details above.

Midland Stallion Parade A parade of Connemara stallions will take place at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on Sunday March 15th. The Parade is an ideal opportunity for breeders to come together and see some of Ireland’s premier Connemara stallions in the ﬂesh. For further details contact: Mary Rabbitt 044 922 6489 or Ursula Fitzpatrick 087 628 2725 or Ruth Rogers P.R.O. rodgersruth@eircom.net.

Galway Football Masters Team 2009 A number of Connemara players feature in the Galway Football Masters side this year, who will hope to shake off a disappointing start to their new year after their 0-10 to 2-12 defeat to Dublin on Saturday February 14th in St Mary’s College, Galway. Other friendlys have been arranged with Mayo on the 29th March and also with some club sides. Photo: Back (l-r): Cyril Ryan (Mountbellew), Pat Burke (Oughterard), David Carr (Barna), Vinny Larkin (Leitir Mor), Kevin Conneely (Micheal Breathnachs), Tom Reilly (Clonbur), Paul Concannon (Claregalway), Francis Mc Walter (Monivea/Abbeyknockmoy), Tomás Greaney (Corofin), Peter Lee (Manager). Front (l-r): Séamus Glynn (Caherlistrane), Tim Flaherty (An Spidéal) Séamus Healy (Annaghdown), Ger Lee (Headford), Joe Arkins (Claregalway), Harry Walsh (Oughterard), Brian Silke (Corofin), Tadhg Ó Curaoin (Michael Breathnachs). Photo courtesy of Harry Walsh

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March 2009

Connemara SportsView

Connemara Rugby Round Up We had one game since the last issue away against Naas. We were missing a few players through injury and a couple of lads were unavailable due to work. We started well, and a couple of penalties from Sean Joyce gave us a six point lead. Then against the run of play the home side broke free and got in for a soft try. We had another couple of chances to extend our lead but failed to take them, until the 30th minute when Sean added another penalty. Another penalty five minutes later made it 12-5 but after that things went against us. The linesman made a few calls that even had the home supporters wondering what was going on. The result was two of our players going to the sin bin and he tried to get a third, but the ref thankfully didn’t agree with him. Playing with thirteen men for ten minutes took a lot out of our lads and Naas with the wind in their backs in the second half ran out comfortable winners 25-12. Next Saturday March 7th we have a big game at home against Nenagh at home with kick off at 2.30pm. All support will be most welcome. The Junior team finished off their league campaign against West Offaly Lions. The visitors won the game with the last kick to knock us off the top spot. Well done to Saul Joyce, Gerry King and all the lads on a great season. The U 18’s were unlucky in the quarter final of their cup going down to Ballina 14-10. We had a chance near the end but the home side held out. Next Sunday March 8th the U16’s play Corinthians in the quarter final of the cup kick off at 12 in the Monastery Field. On Friday Night March 6th our U10’s are playing at half time in the Connacht V Cardiff Blues game in the Sports ground. The Lotto jackpot now stands at €8250 and this Sunday March 8th we will be having the draw in Oliver’s in Cleggan. All support of the Rugby lotto is greatly appreciated. Peter Keane

West Coast U 18’s Hold out for Draw The West Coast Utd Under 18 side saw out a high scoring 4-4 draw on Sunday February 22nd in the Richard Quinn U18 League competition. Despite going three goals behind at one stage, the Renvyle side staged an impressive comeback, and a late header from Noel Varley eventually secured a hard earned point for the team.

Carna- Cashel GAA AGM The A.G.M. of Carna - Cashel G.A.A. club took place in Aras Sorcha uí Ghuaraim in January. There was a good crowd in attendance to discuss the various ideas of running the club, and elect a committee and team managers for the upcoming season. The Committee is John Folan (Chairperson), Joe Folan (Vice-Chairperson), Sean Folan (Secretary), Joe McDonagh (Vice -Secretary), Marcus Mulkerrins (Treasurer), Paraic Cloherty (Football Board Delegate), Paraic Óg Corbett (West Board Delegate). The intermediate team manager for 2009 is Pat O’Hanlon and the junior manager is Sean Nee. The club will among other things be heavily involved in helping to organise Comórtais Peil Na Gaeltacht 2009 with host club Na Piarsaigh from Rosmuc. As well as playing in the excellent venue of Na

Connemara SportsView

Piarsaigh GAA Club, some matches in the tournament will be played at the CarnaCashel home venue. Anyone wishing to help out over the weekend of the Comórtais tournament or oﬀer accomodation can contact oﬃcers of either Na Piarsaigh or Carna –Cashel GAA Clubs.

GAA Seminar A special seminar for clubs and families in the Connemara area will be held in the Station House Hotel, Clifden on Thursday March 5th at 8pm. This seminar will discuss a range of issues that impact on the GAA community and the responses that can be made to them with GAA involvement. Speakers will include Bernard Murphy, Pat Kearney and Mick Curley. Subjects that will be discussed include, Drugs and Alcohol abuse, Code of ethics re child protection,

coaching initiatives and supports, the GAA Plan and Strategy going forward, the GAA initiative on senior citizens.

Photo: The Naomh Fechin U-21 side who played Barna recently. Photo courtesy of Ann Mitchell

Connemara Inter Pub Darts Championship League Tables

Darts Peter Veldon Memorial Cup Richie McMahon was the winner of the inaugural Peter Veldon Cup which took place at the Atlantic Bar on Sunday February 15th. Photo top (l-r): Eamon Lacey, Paddy Aspell, Peter Coneys, Winner of the Peter Veldon Memorial Cup 2009 Richie McMahon, David Veldon who presented the cup, Justin Murray and Declan Ridge. Mary Canning Memorial Cup The Mary Canning Memorial Cup also took place at the Atlantic on February 15th. Photo above: Peter Coneys, Michael Canning who made the presentation, winner of the Mary Canning Memorial Cup 2009 Noirin Needham, Vincent Leggett, and Declan Ridge. Photos courtesy of Christina Conroy Atlantic Cup Mixed Doubles The inaugural Atlantic Cup Mixed Doubles Competition in aid of Grainne Mhaols GAA took place at the Atlantic Bar on Main St, Clifden on Sunday February 22nd. 20 pairs of mixed doubles competed on the day and the final was as close as possible, with Michael Connolly and Ros Coyne eventually prevailing over Mairtín Griffin and Emma Walsh. Photo top right: Atlantic Cup Mixed Doubles Winners 2009 Michael Connolly and Ros Coyne. Peter Lydon Memorial Cup Defending champion Richie McMahon retained the Peter Lydon Memorial Cup when he defeated Vincent Leggett in the final on Sunday March 1st. The presentation was carried out by Monica Lydon. Photo right:

March 2009

The Knock Out Phase of the competition begins on Friday March 6th. More details of draws and competitions will be announced on Connemara Community Radio’s Injury Time programme from 7-8pm on Friday evenings. Dates and draws information can also be accessed online at www.connemaraview.com. Paul Gannon

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Connemara Golf 08/02/09: 18 Holes Stableford. Pub LeagueRound 1. Ladies: 1st: Kathleen Burke (30) 39Pts (b6), 2nd: Katherine Pryce (32) 39pts, CSS: 36pts. Mens: 1st: Rory Sweeney (3)38pts, 2nd: Michael Gaughan (20) 37pts, Gross: Mark O’Malley (4) 30pts, 3rd: John Kelly (12) 36pts (b9), CSS: 37pts. Teams: 1st: Golf Club 235pts, 2nd: Veldons233pts, 3rd: Tom Kings231pts, 4th: O’Dowds 230pts, 5th: Mannions 227pts, 6th: Renvyle Inn 220pts, 7th: Olivers 219pts, 8th: Keoghs 216pts, 9th: Central 193pts. 15/02/09: 18 Holes Stableford, Pub League-Round 2. Ladies: 1st: Marie Bourke (29) 42pts, 2nd: Ruth Shaw(33)

40pts,Gross: Deirdre Murphy(15) 21pts,3rd: Agnes Stokes(23)38pts,CSS: 36pts. Mens: 1st: John Wallace (18) 40pts, 2nd: Mark O’Malley (5) 39pts (b9), Gross: Rory Sweeney (3) 32pts, 3rd: Paschal O’ Toole (18) 39pts (b9), CSS: 38pts. Teams: 1st: Renvyle Inn 220 + 258=478pts, 2nd: Golf Club 235 + 241=476pts, 3rd: Tom Kings 231 + 244=475pts, 4th: O’Dowds 230 + 234=464pts, 5th: Veldons 233 + 230=463pts, 6th: Olivers 219 + 23 =454pts, 7th: Mannions 227 + 225=452pts, 8th: Keoghs 216 + 231=447pts, 9th: Central 193 + 201=394pts. 22/02/09: 18 Holes Stableford. Pub LeagueRound 3. Ladies: 1st: Deirdre Murphy (15) 38pts. 2nd: Carmel Murphy (21) 33pts. 3rd: Anne Murphy (26) 32pts. CSS: 35pts. Mens: 1st: Rory Sweeney (3) 37pts back 9, 2nd: Liam Howley (18) 37pts back 9, Gross: Paddy Flaherty (6) 29pts gross (last 3). 3rd: John Fitzpatrick (16) 37pts back 9, CSS: 37pts. Teams: 1st: Renvyle Inn 220 + 258+251+ 729pts, 2nd: Golf Club 235 + 241+223+ 699pts, 2nd: O’Dowds 230 + 234+235= 699pts, 4th: Veldons 233 + 230+220= 683pts, 5th: Mannions 227 + 225+215= 667pts, 6th: Tom Kings 231 + 244+188= 663pts, 7th: Keoghs 216 + 231 +204= 651pts, 8th: Olivers 219 + 235 +156= 610pts, 9th: Central 193 + 201+187= 581pts. 01/02/09 18 Holes Single Stableford. Final of Inter Pub League. Ladies: 1st Kathleen Burke (29) Connemara 36pts, 2nd Julie Donnellan (17) Connemara 35pts (last 6),3rd Tricia Wilder (24) Connemara 35pts,CSS 37pts. Mens: 1st Stephen Heanue (26) Connemara 42pts, 2nd

Michael King (14) Connemara 41pts, 3rd John Kelly (12) Connemara 40pts, CSS 38pts. Pub League Results 1st - O’Dowds Bar, Roundstone 259 pts 2nd - Connemara Golf Club 243pts 3rd - Renvyle Inn, Renvyle 224pts 4th - Veldons Bar, Letterfrack 221pts. Photos left: Connemara Championship Captains for 2009, Tom Vaughan and Lady Captain Catherine Pryce. Photos right: O’Dowd’s Team Captain James De Courcey receives the Peter Veldon Cup 2009 from Captain Tom Vaughan and Paddy Aspell. Photos below: Michael Gaughan, Padraig Malone, Michael Dolly, James de Courcey, Carmel Gaughan, Billy Reilly, Paddy Aspell, Marie Bourke, Tom Vaughan, Michael King. Photos courtesy of Laurence Hofman

Oughterard Golf 15/02/09 15 Hole Voucher Competition. 1st Matt Donoghue (15) 38 pts (22b9, 14b6). 2nd Tom Hargrove (13) 38 pts |(22b9,13b6). Gross: Jerry Gore (8) 27 Gross pts. 3rd Kevin Blehein (28) 35 pts (20b9, 16b6). Cat A (0-12) Mairtin Lee (12) 35 pts (20b9,12b6). Cat B (13-18) Tom Concannon (14) 35 pts (18b9). Cat C (19+) Noel Bolger (2) 34 Pts.

Local Volunteer at Special Olympics

The Galway County Manager Pays A Special Visit to Connemara Golf Links Front (l-r): Galway County Manager Martina Malone, Rev. Peter Waldron. Back: Lorcan Geoghegan, John Roche, Captain Tom Vaughan, Kathleen Burke, John Kelly, Paul Hughes. Photo courtesy of Paul Hughes

Sarah Joyce from Cashel travelled as a Team Ireland Volunteer to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, Boise, Idaho, USA in February. Sarah, who was sponsored by Eircom, is pictured here with Matt English, CEO, Special Olympics Ireland at the Boise-Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area. Ireland sent 8 athletes, a ski team and 40 volunteers to this year’s event. Picture by Sportsﬁle

Buntús Play & Sport Training for Teachers Teachers from several local schools got out of school early recently and headed to the impressive Arás Nua Nead an Iolair (Eagle’s Nest NS) and togged out to take part in training to assist teachers implement the Buntús Play and Sport Programme. The programmes are rolled out through The Irish Sport’s Council’s Local Sports Partnerships. The programme recognises the importance of using an enjoyable multisport and non-competitive model in introducing children to sport that will complement and enhance school and community sports programmes. It helps develop fundamental skills such as sending, receiving and travelling with a ball and engaging in game like situations which include running, dodging, chasing and exploiting space. Geraldine McTavish was our trainer for the day. She kept us on our toes and the emphasis was very much on learning by doing. Participating schools will receive a large resource pack of sport equipment and resource cards detailing the skill development and fun activities. It was a very worthwhile and enjoyable day and teachers are looking forward to implementing the activities in their schools. Alice Freeley Photo: Buntús Primary Ed Participants pictured in Arás Nua Nead an Iolair February 26th 2009. Back Row (l to r): Geraldine McTavish (Instructor), Jacqueline Salmon (Lettergesh N.S), Martina Ní Cheallaigh (Lettergesh N.S.), Maeve Karger (Tully N.S), Mary Aspell (Cleggan N.S), Breda Ward (Cleggan N.S), Cláire Uí Thuathail (Letterfrack N.S.) Laura Dunne (Let-

Page 14

terfrack N.S.), Olivia Kerrigan (Letterfrack N.S.), Helen Faherty (Eagles Nest N.S.). Front Row (l to r): Róisín Conneely (Cleggan N.S.), Mandy Conboy (Lettergesh N.S), Barbara Warbout (Tully N.S), Alice Freeley (Leenane N.S.), Íde Tynan (Leenane N.S.), Karen Leamy (Letterfrack N.S.), Oilbhe O’Donnell (Letterfrack N.S.).Not pictured: Paul Gannon (Eagles Nest). Photo courtesy of Paul Gannon

March 2009

Connemara SportsView

Antiques & Restorations

Connemara Florist. Main St, Clifden. 095-21565. Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm. connemaraflorist@gmail.com www.connemaraflorist.net. Gifts by Grace. Courthouse Sq., Clifden. Gifts, lamps, tables, jewellery, novelties. 095-22101. Celtic Shop & Tara Jewellers. Main Street, Clifden. 09521064. info@celticshop.ie www.celticshop.ie. Loads of February specials to greet the arrival of Spring. 20% off Gold Jewellery. 20% off Silver Jewellery over €100. Up to 20 to 50% off Selected Clothing & Gifts. Homeware Plus & Shamrock Dry Cleaners. The Square, Clifden. Everything at discount prices! Household products and toiletries. Cards & gifts. Tools. So much more… 095-21348.

Prendergast Antiques. Lower Market St, Clifden. For that unique gift or special piece for your home why not peruse our extensive collection of antique furniture, silver, ceramics, collectibles, antique and reproduction glassware, prints, mirrors. Best prices, 32 county delivery, worldwide shipping, trade welcome. www.clifden.biz Phone 087-629-6195 anytime.

Catering

A la Carty Catering: For all your home catering needs contact Joe and Olive Carty. 095-22842. 087-260-5961. alacartycatering@gmail.com. Pangur Bán Catering. Award Winning Chef John Walsh is now available for catering private parties. 095-41243. pban@indigo.ie www.pangurban.com.

Computers & IT Supplies

Automotive

Two Dog Computer & Business Solutions. Website design services. Full computer repair services. 095-22194 or 086-404-3125. kennel@twodogcafe.ie Oﬃce supplies, digital cameras and printers, mobile phones. Vodafone, Meteor, 3 networks. Galway Rd, Clifden. 095-21911. sales@oﬃcechat.ie.

Omey Tyres. Connemara’s 1st complete mobile tyre ﬁtting centre. The Best Prices - Every Day – Guaranteed. 24 Hour - 7 Days. Call Out Service Throughout Connemara. March Special Oﬀer available on Saturdays only: Wholesale pricing on the following tyre sizes – 175/70/135, 175/65/14 reinforced, 195/65/15. Call Daniel Ryan on 095-44979 or 087-244-5129. D&N Auto Store. Suppliers of: Oils, parts, batteries, accessories, body kits, alloys, number plates. Now stocking tractor parts. Open 6 days 9am-6pm. Unit 4, Clifden Business Park. 095-30615. 087-274-4165.

Driver Training

John Lyden – Clifden School of Motoring. Road Safety Authority and UK Approved driving instructor. Lessons given in Toyota Yaris Diesel. Now also on Automatic Car. For details and appointments ring 095-21170.

Bicycles

Mannion’s Bikes. Bridge St, Clifden. 095-21160.

Boat Building

Employment quote. Testimonials from satisﬁed customers available. SEI grants available. Carey Solar Powered Systems. Sky Rd. Clifden. 086-603-9299. www.careysolar.com. Build your house or extension with energy-eﬃcient timber framing. Over 15 years experience timber framing. Contact Pat O’Malley for a free quotation. Full service builder. C2 registered. Limited Company. North Star Builders. 087-228-3862. 085-780-6351. northstarbuilders@live.ie.

Full-time Carer required in Letterfrack area. Apply to Box 71, Connemara View Newspaper, Clifden, Co. Galway. Pub staﬀ required for busy Irish pub in Naples, Florida, U.S.A. For details call Paddy Yank McDonagh (from Roundstone) in USA – 001-239-384-0800, 086-346-9372 in Ireland or email paddyyank@yahoo.com.

Cafés, Pubs & Restaurants

Building & Trade

Airflow Renewable Energy Solutions, Ballybrit, Galway. 091-76-47-61. www.airflowireland.ie. renewables@airflowireland.ie. Daikin Air to Water Heat Pumps. Ground Source Geothermal Heat pumps. IVT Heat Recovery Ventilation. Solar Panels. System Design & Project Support. Domestic & Commercial. SEI Approved 3 year warranty. Cut your oil bill by two-thirds with solar powered water heating. Call Michael Carey for a free no obligation

Connemara View Directory

Griffin’s Bar. Main St, Clifden. Now serving hot food on Saturdays from Noon to 3pm. Live Music Saturday Nights from 10:30pm by Michael Carey & friends. 095-21370. Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. Sky Road, Clifden. Open for dinner 7 nights a week. Early booking is advisable. Tuesday Night is Irish Night. Entertainment Nightly. Phone for special hotel rates. 095-21201. www.abbeyglen.ie. Kylemore Pass Hotel and Restaurant, Kylemore. Ideal for small weddings. Tranquillity Room suitable for Civil Weddings, & therapy-use. Restaurant for a special meal. Sailors Bar for affordable meals. Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries etc. Take friends for a drink in our unique bar. 095-41141. email: passinn@indigo.ie www.kylemorepass-hotel-connemara.com. Steam Café at the Station House Courtyard. Clifden. Mouth watering selection of Salads, Sandwiches & Desserts. All Homemade. Java Republic Coffees and teas. Dinner & desserts available to order for collection. 095-30600 Mon-Sat 10:30-5:30. Reopening in March. Mannion’s Bar. Market St., Clifden. Food served daily. Traditional Irish Music every weekend. Look at our billboard for schedule of gigs and pub quizzes. 095-21780. O’Dowds Bar & Seafood Restaurant. Roundstone Harbour. Food served daily from 10am-9:30pm. Fresh seafood daily. 095-35809.

Cards, Gifts & Flowers

An extensive selection of greeting cards and gifts. Lotto. Newspapers & Magazines. Sweets. Oﬃce Supplies. King’s Paper Shop. Main St, Clifden. 095-21119.

March 2009

Entertainment Station House Theatre, Clifden. Check out our fantastic line-up of cinema and live acts. www.stationhousetheatre. com. info@stationhousetheatre.com 095-30303. Video rental and purchase. Music. Video Games. Video Vault. Main St, Clifden. 095-22033 The Station House Museum will be open for the Connemara Breeders Spring week end March 26th through to the 30th and again for Easter April 11th - 14th.

Page 15

Fashion

Health, Hair & Beauty

Schu Concept. Bridge St., Clifden. Shoes for women, men & children. Handbags. Hat rental. 095-30606. Belle Blu. Market St., Clifden. Jewellery, fashion accessories, handbags, cosmetics and more. 095-21321. Visit our online shopping website at www.belleblu.com. Opening Hours thru March 15th Thu to Sat 11-6. From March 16th - Mon to Sat 11-6. Top Mens’ clothing lines from Remus, André, Olymp, Gabicci, Douglas, Ben Sherman, Magee, Meyer, Pierre Cardin, Camel, Active. Mens’ wedding hire service and for all black tie functions. Bree Manshop, Shop St, Westport. 098-28518. email:breesmanshop@eircom.net.

and solid oak bookcases. 091-555-962.

Financial/Legal

Information Services

Does your partner? Call you names, constantly criticise you? Control your access to money/phone/car etc? Monitor your time, threaten you and the children? If so you may be in an abusive relationship. For free, friendly, confidential advice and support call D.V.R. @ 091-866-740. Clifden Citizens Information Centre provides a free and confidential service to the public. We are in the VEC offices above the Statoil Garage, Galway Rd, Clifden, and can be contacted on 095 22000 and 087-130-1100. Thursday 7pm-8pm and Friday 10:30am- 3:30pm.

Items for Sale or Rent

Cashel-Connemara Credit Union. Clifden Oﬃce at Unit 3, Tom Barry House 095-21101. Cashel Oﬃce 095-31128. Therese Thornton, Solicitor, Clifden, Co. Galway. Professional, comprehensive legal service at reasonable rates. Call (087) 2625385 or email ThereseThornton@gmail. com for advice or a quote with no obligation.

Food & Wine

Pangur Bán. Gourmet breads and more by Award Winning Chef John Walsh. Visit our market stall in Clifden & Moycullen. Custom cookery courses available. 095-41243. pban@indigo.ie www.pangurban.com. Malone Meats. Lower Market St., Clifden. Stop in for quality and service from your local butcher. 095-21868. Clip out this ad to receive 10% off your purchase. The Connemara Hamper. Lower Market St, Clifden. Large selection of Irish and European farmhouse cheeses. Organic wines, fruit and vegetables. Freshly baked breads and baguettes. Gourmet lunches and Illy coffee to go. Open all year. Phone for opening hours. 095-21054. Jagur Organic. Emlough, Claddaghduff. Your local organic grower supplies seasonal locally grown fruit, vegetables and herbs for you to enjoy. Available at our farm or at the Clifden Market on Fridays from May to December. Box delivery service available straight to your home or workplace. 095-44855 or 087-691-0234. Kavanagh’s SuperValu. The Square, Clifden. Open daily. Free delivery service. 095-21182. Clifden Fruit & Veg. Main Street, Clifden. 086-836-5864.

Page 16

Yoga Classes – commencing Tuesday 7th April in the Func Room, JC’s, Clifden €120 for 12 weeks. 6.15pm Gentle Yoga (suitable for beginners). 8pm Continuation Class. Prenatal Yoga Classes Wednesday evenings 7-8pm Moyard €100 for 8 weeks. For more information or to book your place phone Aoife Lydon. 086-842-1400. Clifden Outreach Service by Cancer Care West at the Clifden Health Centre opposite Clifden hospital on the Racecourse Road on the fourth Thursday of every month. The centre will operate as a drop- in, information and support service. 091-545-000. www.cancercarewest.ie. The 5 Rhythms® Movement Meditation Practice of Gabrielle Roth is a movement meditation practice- simple, profound, joyful and transforming. The practice helps to free our bodies, still our minds, reduce our stress levels and alleviate depression. Caitríona Nic Ghiollaphadraig, Finisglen, Recess, Connemara, Co. Galway. 095-34664. Email: info@deorade.com Web-site: www.deorade.com Manicures/Pedicures: Anna’s Nail Bar. Bridge St., Clifden. 095-30001. Tues-Sat 10-6. Late eve, Thurs & Fri. Reiki/Seichem. Experience the calm and healing energies of this treatment which is drug free and non-invasive. These powerful energies can heal on a mental, emotional, spiritual and physical level. Qualiﬁed Reiki/Seichem Master Practitioner, call Yvonne on 086-365-3266. Counselling. Private and Conﬁdential. Psychotherapists with Tivoli Institute. http://www.tivoliinstitute.com. Enquiries to Monica Lydon at monicalydon@hotmail.com or phone 087-641-1625. Ciuin Health & Beauty. Bridge St., Clifden. 095-30205. Caci Microdermabrasion, Danne MediPedi, Dermologica Skin Care, Glominerals, Xen-Tan, Fantasy Tan, Hot Stone Massage, Hand & Foot care, Specialised Waxing. Mon-Wed 9:30-6:30. Thurs/Fri 9-8, Sat 9-4:30. An Bhean Feasa Health Store. Market St., Clifden. Health foods and products. 095-30671. Clifden Holistic Centre. Kinesiology, Food Testing, Acupuncture, Bowen Therapy, Massage and Hypnotherapy at An Bhean Fheasa Health Shop, Lr Market St, Clifden.095 30671. Open Mon-Sat 9:30-6 p.m. Ní Ráighne Opticians. Bridge St., Clifden. 095-30995. Eye exams. €35. Medical cards and PRSI welcome. Wide selection of designer frames and sunglasses. Connemara Chiropractic. Bridge St. Clifden. 095-21376.

Connemara Bouncing Castles for hire for all occasions, supplied with rain covers, delivered, erected and collected. 095-21219. Personalised Candles for weddings, christenings, memorials and anniversaries. Allow 3 weeks for personalisation and delivery. For details call (095) 22101.

Lost & Found

Lost: Photogragh Album (Personal) of Holidays in Israel Nov 2007. Lent to a friend at some stage and never returned. Have no idea who? Would appreciate if someone might have it and return it to Sandy Glynn, Ardbear Clifden. 095-22711.

Office Supplies

Oﬃce supplies, digital cameras and printers, mobile phones. Vodafone, Meteor, 3 networks. Galway Rd, Clifden. 095-21911. sales@oﬃcechat.ie.

Pets, Animals & Ponies

Home Furnishings/Appliances

Homeware Plus & Shamrock Dry Cleaners. The Square, Clifden. Everything at discount prices! Household products and toiletries. Cards & gifts. Tools. 095-21348. Creative Wood Flooring & Fireplace Warehouse. Kilroe, Inverin. Factory prices. 091-553-995. 087-285-3114. www. creativewarehouse.ie. Fireplace and Stove Sale Now On! Lydons Carpet & Furniture. Moycullen. March special oﬀers include Mexican Pine furniture, Respa Posturecare Mattresses & divan, carpets, laminate, Armstrong Vinyl

March 2009

Connemara View Directory

Pets Animal Rescue Home required for lovely kitten, vaccinated contact 087-249-9849.

Photography Services

Photos Restored, Rescued & Reprinted. Have your photos digitally scanned, burned to cd, ready for print at Video Vault. Main St, Clifden. Call 095 22033.

Large office, storage or workshop space for rent on Market Street. Reasonable rent offered. Contact 087-4104492 for details. Clifden: For rent - 2 storey-semi. Small but warm house, 1/2 mile from Clifden on Roundstone Road (within walking distance of Clifden). Very reasonable rent for good tenants. 2 double bedrooms, bathroom + shower upstairs, big hot cupboard, living room + kitchen, wood/ briquette stove downstairs, no central heating, cosy and comfy, garden and patio, car parking space. 087-7626917. Clifden: Rooms to rent in modern, new house in town centre. All mod cons. Reasonable rent. Phone: 086 837-7120. Clifden: Attractive 2-bedroomed modern cottage to let 5 minutes from town centre. OFCH. Parking. Available immediately. Contact 086-805-3760. Clifden: 2-bedroomed modern apartment to let, town centre. All mod cons. Recently refurbished to a high standard. Responsible tenants sought. Available immediately. Contact 086-805-3760. For Sale/Bargain Price. 17 Racecourse Lawns (The Spires), Clifden. €259,000. As new, 4 bed semi - 2 en suite, oil fired central heating, extra soundproofing in ceilings fitted at construction stage, oak doors, quality fittings, gardens/ small shed, quiet safe estate with large green areas. 5 mins to centre town, hospital, church, school, doctor etc. 086-254-0536 or email: malachykearns@iol.ie. Book now for your Building Energy Rating certificate which is compulsory for all homes for sale or rent from January 1st 2009 . If you are buying or renting a new house or apartment now, you are entitled to a BER. BERs will be carried out by specially trained BER assessors, registered by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). Call Sinead at Matt O’Sullivan Estate Agents on 095-21066 or e-mail property@mattosullivan.com www.mattosullivan.com. Listing properties for long term rental.

Plant Hire

Sand & Gravel

Properties Bar and restaurant facilities available for lease this coming season at the Clifden Boat Club. For more information contact Donal on 087-227-2133. Oﬃce/Shop For Rent. Prominent retail position in Clifden on Lower Market Street. Available immediately. 087-232-5557. Modern commercial unit available to let, excellent location in Clifden town. Suited to many uses. Good terms & conditions. Full details from DNG Martin O’Connor Auctioneers & Valuers Tel 091 866708 Beautiful Thatch Cottage to rent in Cashel- all mod cons, 2 bed, sky tv, phone line, oil central heating, stunning views Ring 087-240-0591. (See photo below)

The Original Bagged Sand Supplier. 5% discount with this ad until the end of March if you buy 2 or more bags. Stonetech, Clifden. Call Seamus on 087-668-7437. Just need a bag or 2 of sand, gravel, decorative chippings or bark mulch? We are now supplying 25kg, 40kg and 500kg bags. Free delivery throughout Connemara. 095-43473. 087-130-7752. 086-199-1988. Mongan’s, Derryinver, Letterfrack.

Taxi Service

Websites Website Design: Creative, professional and aﬀordable websites by Cuán Mara Design, Letterfrack, Co. Galway. For pricing and to view portfolio visit www.cuanmaradesign. com. For a competitive quote phone Caroline Herriott on 086-0791918 or email caroline@cuanmaradesign.com.

Wedding Services Wedding Videography by Pat Coyne. 095-43756. 086-406-2394. email: fiddisco@mac.com. www.fiddisco. com. Phone for a Free Demo DVD. Music for your perfect day. Connemara Weddings. ehannigan@eircom.net. 095-43928. 087-768-4921. Hat Hire. Wedding headpieces. Occasion shoes, bags, scarves & jewellery. Schu Concept. Bridge St., Clifden. 095-30606. Wedding Packages: Deluxe Manicure & Pedicure including Paraffin Wax Treatment, File & French Polish €90. Mini Manicure & Pedicure including File & French Polish €55.Anna is happy to customise her services to the special needs of the bride and wedding party. Anna’s Nail Bar. Bridge St. Clifden. 095-30001 Tues-Sat 10-5. Late eve. Thurs & Fri. Flowers for your special day from bouquets and wedding party florals, to church and reception flowers, our experienced florists will help make your wedding a beautiful and stress-free occasion. From small and intimate to large and extravagant, we can help you create your dream wedding - whatever your budget! Connemara Florist. Main St, Clifden. 095-21565. Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm. connemaraflorist@gmail.com www.connemaraflorist.net. Mens’ wedding hire service and for all black tie functions. Top mens’ clothing lines from Remus, André, Olymp, Gabicci, Douglas, Ben Sherman, Magee, Meyer, Pierre Cardin, Camel, Active. Bree Manshop, Shop St, Westport. 098-28518. email:breesmanshop@eircom.net. Wedding Invitations. Hand crafted wedding stationery. Create your very own design. Very competitive prices starting from €1.75. Phone or email to receive 10 free samples. Amanda Designs. 095-43816. 087-653-1871. info@amanda-designs.net www.amanda-designs.net

See special Wedding Section on Page 30 & 31 TV/Satellite/Broadband Wireless broadband. Basic package €200 installation. €35/ mo for 1mb. Aerial and satellite installation and repair. Peter Keane, Clifden. 095-21827. 087-668-7468.

Vehicles for Sale Opel Zaphira 2.0L Diesel 2000, 173k miles NCT to 2010. Good condition. €3000. 086-088-2941. 095-43075. Ford Focus 1.4L 2001 5DR Hatchback. 74k miles. Excellent Condition. €3600 Quick Sale. 086-088-2941. 095-43075.

Connemara View Directory

March 2009

Page 17

“Musician of the Future”

A young Connemara musician, Shannon Biondi from Recess has been making waves both nationally and internationally for some time now in the world of classical music. Shannon was recently chosen to play solo at the National Concert Hall on March 23rd for the “Musician of the Future” concert organised by the Sarabande Glenn Gould Project, who held a series of auditions in Dublin recently in order to choose the performers. As one of a selection representing the cream of the crop of young classical musicians, Shannon will perform the Mendelssohn Concerto in e minor. Shannon (18) began the violin at an early age and studied at various institutions in Ireland, including the Cork School of Music and the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she is now studying for a Diploma in Music Performance and Teaching. She has also studied abroad in renowned specialist music schools such as the C. P. E. Bach Music Gymnasium in Berlin, and the Purcell School near London where she studied under the tutelage of Simon Fischer. Throughout the years, Shannon has been the prize-winner of various competitions both national and international, including the Stefan Milenkovich International Violin Competition held in Italy and the Feis Ceoil held in Dublin, where she also won in the composition category (she was also commended in the A.J. Potter award for composers and has had works performed by the Purcell School Chamber Choir and several Chamber music groups). At the age of eleven, Shannon performed in the presence of President Mary McAleese as part of the Permanent TSB High Achiever Award, which she received for three consecutive years. She has also been broadcast on national TV and radio as part of programmes such as Nationwide and Lyric Notes (on Lyric FM), and has given solo concerts/recitals throughout Ireland, England and France. Shannon is a part of several orchestras including the R.I.A.M Symphony Orchestra (which recently performed at Carnegie Hall, New York), the Galway Chamber Orchestra (co-leader), and formerly the AMIS International Orchestra (coleader) as well as the NYOI. She is also a keen traditional music player having reached the all-Ireland final of the Fleadh Ceoil at the age of eleven. Shannon plans to continue her musical studies whilst enjoying a

Page 18

March 2009

varied performance career. The National Concert Hall ‘Musician of the Future’ concert will take place on the 23rd of March at 8:00pm in the John Field room. Tickets can be booked online at www.nch.ie or at the box oﬃce (01) 417-0000.

Connemara Faces in Galway

Connemara artist Lol Hardiman opens the exhibition of his latest paintings in Anton’s Artspace on Fr. Griﬃn Rd in Galway City on March 7th. The exhibition runs until March 28th. “Face-A Western Portrait” is an exploration of Connemara with a diﬀerence as the artist has chosen to explore the region through its people rather than its landscape.

Krapp’s Last Tape returns to Galway Town Hall

After a sell-out run last year, Connemara’s Moving Still Theatre company’s production of Beckett’s “Krapp’s Last Tape” is returning to the Town Hall, Galway from Tuesday March 3rd to Saturday March 7th at 8.30pm, and on Friday March 6th in a special late evening performance at 10.30pm. Directed by Art O Briain and acted by Fergus Cronin, the production was also extremely well received when performed at the Station House Theatre in Clifden last year also. So if you haven’t seen this excellent production of one of Beckett’s most accessible works yet, tickets for this latest run are available now at €15/€12 from the Town Hall theatre at www.tht.ie or (091) 569777.

Sean Nos Weekend

An exciting and fun new approach to introducing newcomers and improvers to the singing and dancing traditions of Sean Nós will take place at Renvyle House Hotel on Friday and Saturday, March 27th and 28th. Introductory workshops to Sean Nós dancing will be given by Emma O’Sullivan and an introductory singing workshop will be given on the Saturday by Nan Tom Taimín. There will also be reel and jig step classes, and all workshops are open to both adults and children. Group and family rates are also available, there are discounts for taking multi-workshop combinations, and no advance booking is necessary. In addition to the weekend workshops there will be a host of sessions and musical and dancing entertainment in Renvyle over the course of the weekend. Johnny Connelly, Don Stiﬀ and friends will perform on the Friday night and the Hernan family will hold a Céilí Mór at the hotel on the Saturday night so bring your dancing shoes! Mairtin Conroy and Liam Aspell will also have a session at the Renvyle Inn on Sunday March 29th from 4-6pm. Renvyle House Hotel is oﬀering an accommodation and workshop package deal for the Sean Nós Weekend, details of which can be found at www.renvyle.com. A full schedule of the workshops and events can also be found at www. goconnemara.com and to book places or more information on any events call 086 252 0672.

Connemara ArtsView

Letterfr ack Film Society

The Letterfrack Film Society is nearing the end of its 2008-2009 Season. We have two more films showing in March, so don’t miss them, as we will be taking a break until next Autumn. All films are shown on Thursday evenings at 8.30pm in the Audio-Visual Theatre of Connemara National Park in Letterfrack. The films are open to everyone: you don’t have to be a member; you can just pay at the door on the night (€6 admission or €5 unwaged). Mar 5th: Persepolis (Vincent Parronaud, France, 2007) This moving, perceptive and extremely funny film is based on Marjane Satrapi’s autobiography, where revolutionary Iran is seen through the eyes of a precocious and outspoken young girl with a taste for punk rock. An animated film like no other. Mar 12th Emma’s Bliss (Sven Taddicken, Germany, 2006): Emma lives on her small farm and cares only for her pigs until a man comes crashing (literally) into her life. Jördis Triebel is totally convincing in the role of Emma in this quirky, funny, yet thoughtprovoking movie. Plus: Between the Bridges (Gerrit Schultz, Germany, 2008). An atmospheric short film by up-and-coming German director, Gerrit Schulze.

New DVD Releases March Eagle Eye: Jerry and Rachel are two strangers thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, she pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of increasingly dangerous situa-

What’s the deal with...

tions, using the technology of everyday life to track and control their every move. Stars: Shia LeBeouf & Billy Bob Thornton. Changeling: A mother’s prayer for her kidnapped son to return home is answered, though it doesn’t take long for her to suspect the boy who comes back is not hers. Stars: Angelina Jolie. Quantum of Solace: Seeking revenge for the death nt James Bond of his love, secret agent sets out to stop an environmentalist from taking control of a country’s valuable resource. Stars: Daniel Craig & Olga Kurylenko. Body Of Lies: CIA Agent Roger Ferris uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader u e ted to be operating out suspected of Jordan, in this action movie from Ridley Scott.Stars Russel Crowe & Leonardo DiCaprio. Saw V: In the fifth installment of the Saw franchise, Detective Hoﬀman is seemingly the last person h Jigsaw Ji l alive to carry on the legacy. But when his secret is threatened, he must go on the hunt to eliminate all loose ends. Stars Tobin Bell. DVD releases courtesy of Video Vault, Main St, Clifden. (095) 22033.

During a recent visit to Dublin I decided to visit “BodiesThe Exhibition” at the Ambassador Theatre. Having already shown in New York, London, Washington, Mexico City, Amsterdam and many more international locations, I was keen to see what the Irish reaction would be. The exhibition comprises of dissected real human body specimens, parts and organs that are preserved through an innovative process called plastination. The creators of this exhibition claim that its purpose is to “take the opportunity to peer inside yourself, to better understand how your elaborate and fascinating body works, and how you can become a more informed participant in your own health care”. However, ethical concerns have been raised about the origins of some of bodies used, and personal discretion is advised if planning to attend the show, as the exhibits are very real, and very graphically dissected and displayed. One of the elements of visiting the show that stayed with me afterwards was the reaction of a child aged around ten, standing next to me with his mother. As he stared at two real pairs of lungs in glass cases, one healthy and one darkened and shrivelled by years of cigarette smoking, he turned to her and said, “Mom, this is deadly. I wanna be a surgeon when I grow up”. Her response was as follows, “Well it’s very hard to be a doctor, love, and it’s a dirty job. Come on, let’s keep going”. After overhearing the brief exchange I couldn’t help but question the eﬀects and consequences of how we respond and react to children’s expressions of ambitions and dreams. While the mother’s answer to her son was gentle, I couldn’t help but feel that it was discouraging something the child was clearly enthralled by and hugely interested in. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a question that is asked to many kids conversationally throughout their childhood and adolescence. It is not a universal question that children all over the world are asked, as in some cultures it is assumed that a son will follow in his father’s footsteps, continuing a family business or tradition in line with cultural norms and expectations. Girls and women may also have their futures planned out for them with little or no choice in the matter. Many individuals in this world have few real life changing choices to make, and expect few, often limited by constraints of their society. Here in the western world however, with increasing wealth, development and

opportunity, is important and meaningful, and opportunity the question ques reactions can significantly influence the development of a young person. Younger children amuse and entertain us with their ideas of becoming astronauts, trapeze artists, actors and so on, but sometimes a serious idea may be forming in their young minds that should be encouraged and nurtured. Instead of exasperated teachers saying “nobody’s done that before”, or a parent telling a youth to “get real”, perhaps we should encourage and allow young people to continue to dream and imagine a fascinating and fulfilling life for themselves. How many people make it to adulthood with their childhood ambitions and dreams still intact these days? Let’s imagine a girl who, by the time she is a teenager has heard enough adult comments to convince her that her goals and ambitions were foolish and unrealistic, and by her twenties is sometimes nostalgic, but generally disillusioned with adult life. The developmental process of changing from an imaginative hopeful child to a disappointed and unfulfilled young adult can be difficult terrain and have deep psychological consequences. The word vocation is most often used with regard to religious life, but it simply means a calling or suitability for a particular job or role in society. To deny a vocation is to deny an instinct, and although the vast majority of people nowadays, are likely to change careers and jobs many times throughout their lifetime, one of life’s most widely held aspirations is surely to succeed at and enjoy your working life. Another point of interest I noticed recently was a comment by local priest Fr Ray Flaherty at the opening of a new school facility at Eagles Nest National School in Renvyle, of which he is a past pupil. Expressing his pleasure and pride at participating in a celebratory Mass at his former school, he urged parents to consider encouraging and supporting their children if they ever expressed a wish to pursue a life in the Church and seek ordination. Far from being a recruitment request, his message, as I interpreted it, was simply to be aware that a child expressing an interest in religious life is not necessarily something that should be discouraged, whatever parents, friends and family members might think or say. Failure to support genuine interest and ambition can be just as damaging as coercing someone into following a career path not of their own choosing. Many of us carry

Connemara View Newspaper

March 2009

Childhood Ambitions?

An evening with Johnny McEvoy

One of Ireland’s best loved singer-songwriters Johnny McEvoy is to return to the Station House Theatre on March 14th for one night only. Known countrywide and internationally for his uplifting and enjoyable concerts, Johnny will perform all of his well known classics in his own inimitable folk and ballad style. Songs from his new album “Never Smelt the Roses” which goes on release on March 6th will also feature. So if you fancy a trip down memory lane singing along to classics like “The Boston Burglar” and “Mursheen Durkan”, don’t miss this opportunity to spend an evening with a legend of Irish music. Tickets are €25. For bookings call (095)30303 or go to www.stationhousetheatre.com.

around old buried dreams and ambitions within ourselves that were never realised, with varying degrees of wistful feelings, or maybe none at all about the issue. The old temptation for parents to live their dreams through their children’s lives is also a well trodden path, but ultimately removes the freedom from the child to live their own lives, make their own choices and make their own distinct path in life. So the next time any child babbles on about wanting to be a funeral director or a crime scene investigator, stop and think before you laugh and dismiss it casually. It might help them strengthen, rather than repress their interests, and warm approval can be an invaluable conﬁdence boost in the formative years. Who knows, it might help them close their ears to the critics and naysayers of the world, and achieve that most idealistic of aims-actually following their dreams. Catherine Pryce

Page 19

Legal Issues Debt Collection In the current economic environment, many sole traders and people in business are finding it very difficult to get paid for goods supplied or services rendered. This article will focus on the options available to creditors (the people who are owed money) against their debtors (those that owe them the money)*. The legal debt collection process in Ireland is tortuous and very technical. However, it is often the only option available to creditors. Accordingly, it should be accepted as a vital tool in carrying on business here, and not as a last resort. If someone owes money to one creditor, then it is most likely that they owe money to other people too. Delaying in taking the appropriate action may diminish the chances of recovery. The early bird catches the worm! Prevention is the best cure of course. Interim billing is also something that should be considered so that a huge bill is not allowed to accrue. It is thus worthwhile spending an hour or so putting together a general list of Terms and Conditions and tailoring these in each particular case. Have these signed. Remember that you will need also to ascertain the person that you are contracting withit may be the person with whom you are speaking or indeed it may be the company for which they work/own. Having a written agreement as to how and when payment will be made is thus good business planning. However as many people are now finding out, the terms of these contracts are being breached regularly. Where this happens and there is a debt owed to you, the first step is to send an invoice and a cover letter requesting payment within a specified timeframe. In some cases, payment will issue shortly or the debtor will contact the creditor requesting some time to pay. If the request for payment goes unheeded, one must decide whether or not it is worth pursuing the debtor. Has s/he got assets? Are they living in the Republic of Ireland? Will pursuing them be a waste of time and money? Will you be throwing good money after bad? In many cases, this is indeed the reality despite appearances (and rumours!) to the contrary. If it is decided that the debtor has assets and is “a mark”, then the creditor should decide to engage a solicitor to go through the legal debt collection process or a debt recovery company. If the creditor opts for the solicitor route, s/he should be aware that this is a long drawn out, seemingly never-ending process involving many rounds of Court proceedings and numerous court appearances. It is thus not a quick remedy. However, it may be the most effective or indeed the only remedy available in some cases. The solicitor will then take full details of the debt and the debtor. S/he will write to the debtor requesting payment within 7 or 14 days and will point out that Court proceedings will issue if payment in full is not received within the specified time frame. If no payment is received in reply to this letter, the solicitor will then have to draft the relevant Court papers. This Court application is necessary to prove the debt-i.e. get a Decree or Order from the Court stating that the debtor owes the creditor the sum stipulated. If the creditor wants to enforce the debt, s/he must first prove it, and then bring separate court proceedings to enforce it. If the debt is for a sum less than

Page 20

€6,348.69, then the appropriate application will be to the District Court area in which the debtor resides or carries on business or where the contract was made. If the sum outstanding is in excess of €6,348.69 but less than €38,092, then the court proceedings have to be taken in the Circuit Court. (If the sum owed is only marginally in excess of €6,348.69 then the creditor can opt to abandon his/her claim for the excess sum thus saving the higher Circuit Court costs.) When the debtor receives the Court papers, then s/he must decide to defend or not defend the claim. If the case is undefended, then the creditor’s solicitor will normally obtain the Court Decree through the court office, without it having to be dealt with in court. If it is defended, then the case is given a date for hearing which could be a number of months away. The creditor can look for certain documents from the debtor through a valuable and informative process called Discovery. Assuming that the decree is obtained from the Court (be it the District or Circuit), then the enforcement process can begin. Here there are a few options. Creditors will only be interested in getting payment and without incurring unnecessary costs. Thus it is vital to decide on a case by case basis what the best options are to achieve this so as not to throw good money after bad. The main options are: Instalment Order This is a separate District Court process where the debtor is ordered to pay the debt in instalments. This is the most usual recovery option taken where the debtor has other creditors and has not got many assets. If the debtor fails to meet the instalments set by the court (as is very common) then arrest and imprisonment proceedings can be taken for the payment of the unpaid instalments. Execution Order through the Sheriff The Sheriff is requested by the solicitor to attend at the premises of the debtor to recover any goods or materials that can be sold to pay off the debt. Registration of the Judgment in the Registry of Judgments When registered, the judgment also appears in Stubbs Gazette and the Irish Trade Protection Association (ITPA). It will have a negative effect on the debtor’s credit rating and this might affect his/her ability to raise finance to discharge the judgment. Thus it may not be an appropriate remedy in some cases. Judgment Mortgage and Order for Sale of the property The judgment can be registered as a mortgage over any land owned or part owned by the debtor. It prevents the property being sold and the creditor has a right to have the property sold off and the proceeds used to pay the debt. This is a very valuable remedy. It is however technical and complex. Bankruptcy This remedy applies when the debtor is an individual who has a substantial business, owes the creditor a large sum but does not have seizable assets. It may provide an effective remedy against such a debtor and the mere threat of bankruptcy may produce the required result. Garnishee Order This procedure may be effective where the creditor can prove that another person (the Garnishee) is indebted to the debtor (such as his/her employer, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, a solicitor holding the proceeds of the sale of a property). The Order will direct that all debts owing and accruing

Use and understand your local credit union In these times of financial instability there is a unique financial service that offers considerable security and control over your personal finances-the Credit Union. Credit unions have been operating in Ireland since 1958 and are the country’s most successful co-operative movement with almost 3 million people nationwide holding membership of one. Credit Unions are run by a voluntary board of directors, elected by the members at an Annual General Meeting. A credit union exists only to serve its members — not to profit from their needs. It is owned by and exists solely to serve its members and is run by volunteers (committees and board of directors) to represent members’ interests. Each member has an equal say in the running of the credit union, irrespective of how much savings he or she holds. To join a Credit Union, you must be part of the Common Bond. This simply means what the members have in common with each other in Connemara, which means being a member of the community in the locality where the Credit Union is based. So, for example, if you live or work within a 14 mile radius of Cashel-Connemara Credit Union you can become a member. Simply enquire at the Credit Union nearest you to see if you are eligible. When applying for membership you will be asked for proof of ID and proof of address, for example a current passport and recent utility bill. Depending on the rules of your particular credit union, to be a member there will be an entrance fee of not more than €1 and you will need to hold a minimum savings of between one and ten shares. Savings There are significant benefits to saving with a credit union. Security is very important when making financial decisions from such third person (the Garnishee) to the debtor shall be attached to answer the Creditor’s judgment against the Debtor. Well-Charging Order This is an option availed of by banks mainly where they hold the title deeds to a property as security for a loan and no prior judgment is necessary. Liquidation of Company This applies to companies only. A creditor may petition the High Court to request the winding up of the debtor company and a liquidator to be appointed. The liquidator must then sell all the assets of the company and distribute the proceeds to the creditors. Obviously, given the costs to the creditor, this option will not be availed of lightly. These are some of the options open to a creditor. Debt collection has always been difficult and unpleasant. During the past ten years the emphasis was on trying to keep up with all the work that was coming in. Debt collection was neither the main focus nor the major problem. Times have change and now more than ever, effective debt collection is crucial to the survival of a business. Thus, it is vital to put in place a proper debt collection policy and system to enable your business to continue to trade profitably. *The Money Advice Bureau (Galway branch 091 569349) or the Citizens Advice Service (1890 283438) provide support and advice to debtors. It is an offence to demand payment of a debt in a way designed to alarm, distress or humiliate. This offence extends to blackmail and extortion. (S.11 of the Non- Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997).

Sara Horan, Solicitor, Oughterard, Co. Galway. 091 866992 email: sara@sarahoransolicitors.ie

March 2009

nowadays, and with credit unions, savings are insured at no direct cost to the member under the Savings Protection Scheme (SPS) owned and operated by the Irish League of Credit Unions, up to €12,700.00. The Minister of Finance announced last year that the Deposit Guarantee Scheme was to be extended to cover members’ savings in Credit Unions to a maximum of €100,000 -resulting in two safety nets. There are no hidden fees or transaction charges and you will get a return on your savings each year. Every share you hold with your credit union for the year is eligible for a dividend when declared. A dividend is the return on your shares and it is paid by your credit union out of surplus. It must be noted that past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance. The amount of your dividend will depend on the amount of shares you have saved (one share is equal to €1) and the surplus income available for distribution by your credit union to members. Your savings and the savings of other members are used to make loans to you and other members of the credit union. You can withdraw your savings provided they are not pledged as security on a loan. However, you are encouraged to keep your savings intact, so that they continue to earn a dividend and continue to benefit from the Life Savings Insurance protection. Loans Credit unions will consider loan applications from members for any worthwhile purpose and the loans can be very flexible. Details of interest rates can be obtained from your local Credit Union and repayment terms to suit your particular circumstances will be arranged. For example, at CashelConnemara Credit Union, the Interest is calculated daily on the outstanding principal of the loan only, and as a result, the quicker the loan is paid the cheaper it is. Each loan application is considered on its own merit by the credit committee, which is elected by the members. Regarding repayments, you can repay the loan earlier with no penalty and additional lump sum repayments can also be accepted with no penalty. If a member falls behind on loan repayments, the credit union can step in and renegotiate the terms of the loan. If you want to alter your repayment plan, credit unions are also very flexible in accommodating changes of circumstance. The Credit Union by its very nature is a community led venture and they often sponsor and organise local School competitions and events annually to introduce it to the younger generation and entice them to get involved at a young age. The above is a general insight into how a credit union works, but to get more information you should call into your local credit union, where everything will be explained in greater detail by staff. The Credit Unions in the Connemara area are as follows: Cashel-Connemara Credit Union: Cashel Office (095)31128. Mon 1-3pm & 4-7pm, Tues 11am-1pm & 2-5pm. Clifden Office (095)21101. Thurs 10am-1pm & 2-4pm, Fri 12-3pm & 4-6pm, Sat 10am-1 & 2-4pm. Carna Sub office: Thurs 6-7pm. Tullycross Credit Union, Renvyle: (095) 43973. Mon 7-9:30pm, Tues, 10-1, 2:30-5:30, Thurs, 12-1:30pm, Fri, 10-1, 2:30-5:30, 7-9pm. Oughterard Credit Union: (091) 557014. Tues-Fri 10am-4pm. Sat 10am-2pm.

Connemara View Newspaper

Financial

Reasons to Skip Recession Gloom

In our article last month, we explored the real problems facing local businesses in Connemara and how the tightening of cashflow could mean real problems for their survival into the future. However, with RTE in overdrive with the gloomy news and the papers full of banking and financial scandals, now is probably a good time to see if there are any reasons to be hopeful, and if business in Connemara has any reasons to be more optimistic for the remainder of 2009. Recession is often as much associated with a state of mind, as the state of our bank balances. The lack of confidence erodes people’s will to spend and be positive, which in turn leads to a downward spiral of consumer confidence. As a holiday destination in particular, Connemara needs to shake off this negative mindset and to put our best side out, so that when people holiday here they find an oasis of calm and quiet confidence rather that the continual doom and gloom that is being transmitted into their living rooms every other week. So let’s list the areas where there are reasons to be cheerful in 2009 and at the very least, console ourselves with the fact that as bad as things may seem, they could be a lot worse!

Price of Oil & Gas Last June the price of oil went over $140 a barrel. In fact many commentators at the time were predicting that oil could continue to rise and could even go above $200 a barrel. Thankfully, this didn’t come to pass and the price of a barrel of oil is now down to around $40 a barrel. Since so much of our transport and energy costs are dependent on oil, this should prove to be of signiﬁcant medium term beneﬁt to Connemara consumers and motorists. Since so much of the money we spend on oil products is exported to oil producing countries, and therefore lost to our own economy, it is another reason why falling oil prices will help our national economy, by reducing the value of our imports. Why petrol remains over a euro a litre despite the fact oil has fallen by over 70% in less than a year is one of life’s great mysteries however, but that may be a subject for another day.

Interest rates down The benchmark Interest rate of the European central bank stood at 4.25% last July. Since then there have been a series of rate decreases and the rate now stands at 2%, the lowest rate since the single currency came into being. And there is probably more good news for hard pressed borrowers in the coming months as the rate is likely to fall lower. Lower interest rates take pressure oﬀ mortgage holders and overdrafts users and will allow borrowers to pay less each month to service their loans. As money gets cheaper in theory at least, it should be possible for hard pressed businesses

to access more borrowings but we will have to await the banks response to this new regime in due course.

Inflation lowest in decades Partly as a result of oil prices and interest rates, but also because of generally better prices being offered to consumers, annual inflation has tumbled to 1% down from a high last summer of 5%. Lower inflation is generally good for everyone. It stops the continued upward price pressure on many goods and services which continually erodes the value of our pay packets and savings. Lower inflation should also allow Connemara to regain a competitive edge, which many think we have lost in recent years by ever increasing prices, particularly to our visitors. We have even seen the dramatic intervention of Bord Gais into the electricity market promising to reduce domestic electricity bills by 10% and over, and hopefully this is just the first of many price reductions across telecoms, insurance and other big utility providers. By reducing the general cost of living, businesses should be able to review their prices in 2009 and become more competitive with competitor regions nationally and internationally.

All our eggs are not in one basket Connemara is fortunate, particularly in these recessionary times, to have a diverse economic and employment base. The economy in Connemara is primarily based on tourism, farming, fishing, services and construction. In Connemara, there is no major employer like Dell or Intel which could be moved overseas and devastate the local economy. Our industries have to stay put because of their nature. This diversity should mean we are well placed to ride out the worst effects of the economic downturn. In fact, there are some reasons for optimism. Failte Ireland are predicting a 10% increase in the domestic tourism market this year as increasing numbers of Irish decide to stay in Ireland for their holidays. Being one of the major tourism centres on the island could benefit greatly from this development. The darkest hour is often just before the dawn. The winter is now behind us and every month from now on will probably be busier than the previous one. Tourism is a key driver of employment in our area and with St Patrick’s Day as the traditional launch of the new season, it will be important for the tourism sector in particular to put a brave face on the difficulties and keep the sunny side up. Our visitors will have many troubles to contend with of their own without us in Connemara reminding them. So as a belated New Year’s resolution, let’s make Connemara a recession free zone for our visitors in 2009! Declan Mannion is a Chartered Accountant with Mannion Lochrin & Co., Market Street, Clifden. Telephone 095-30030 Fax 095-30031 e-mail declan@mannion-lochrin.com. See our website www.mannion-lochrin.com.

Connemara View Newspaper

PC Tips & Tricks Make Your Own Website 2 Following on from February’s article, this month I look at how websites are created using development software. Last month we saw just how simple it can be to create a website using Microsoft Word. However, this method is rather limited in terms of the features we can implement on a site, such as animations, photo galleries, contact forms, etc. And in particular Word is not particularly suitable for developing an eCommerce site. So, where do we go from here? Unsurprisingly, one of the best places to find web development tools is online. There are several criteria to consider when choosing an online website building solution. Several basic features should be included in any online web site design tool you are considering: Programming-free editor: One of the main objectives of an online site design tool is to simplify the process of designing a professional website. Reputable online site design tools include a ‘point and click’ design interface. Using this interface, you do not need any experience or knowledge of HTML to build a great site. Instead, you are provided with a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) environment that is similar to a word processing software suite, allowing you to design a website without any programming knowledge. Template styles: Most online site design tools also provide you with professional design templates to ensure a consistent, professional look and feel. An extensive template selection also decreases the chance that your site will look the same as someone else’s site. Navigation manager: As a website grows, keeping track of its organisational structure becomes increasingly difficult. The purpose of a navigation manager is to simplify the process of incorporating and maintaining the overall structure of a website. Your website design tool must have a solution to manage this complex task. Browser-based: Choosing a fully integrated, webbased solution ensures that annoying software downloads and updates are never required. Value-added options and plug-ins: Additional features that extend beyond basic website functionality can increase visitor retention and result in more time spent on your website. You need an online website design tool that offers these plug-ins, which often include maps, news and hit counters. These tools not only enhance the end user experience on a customer site, but can also generate more traffic. Scalability: An online website design tool should be able to provide you with more advanced features and solutions as your site grows. Choosing a scalable solution will ensure you can incorporate additional features into your website when required.

Here are 3 web-based web-design tools: Synthasite: The newest kid on the block is SynthaSite. It has an advanced tabbed interface that is very similar to desktop based solutions, and oﬀers a range of templates to get you started. SynthaSite is widget based and you need to drag and drop widgets to create your website. Currently not many widgets are available but that is again due to its young age. SynthaSite is in early technical preview stage and there are many quirks. It also made Firefox unresponsive on a couple of occasions. Also note that the content created during tech preview may be lost when newer versions are released. South Africa-based

March 2009

SynthaSite has ambitious plans. Expect a lot of new features in coming days. www. synthasite.com. Weebly: Weebly is yet another free WYSIWYG based web-development tool, offering a decent number of high quality templates. The editing options are displayed in a horizontal bar at the top. I was very impressed with Weebly’s interface. It is intuitive and extremely simple to use. Undoubtedly Weebly’s biggest strength is its ease of use. Every object is presented as a widget which can be dragged and dropped. You can create new columns, insert text, pictures, video, adbrite ads, feed reader, Google maps, flickr photo galleries, webforms as well as custom html. Weebly also released their own blogging platform recently. New widgets are being added constantly and Weebly plans to open up their API to allow others to create widgets. Another advantage of Weebly is that it allows you to download your website. www. weebly.com. SiteKreator: SiteKreator is an advanced platform for developing websites. It offers a large amount of templates and styles; however most of them are not available in Free account. If you decide to go for the professional package you would get access to a large gallery of stock photos, fonts and navigational menus. Professional account allows you to create galleries, forms, forums and blogs. SiteKreator sports a very simplistic interface, but it works rather well. There are tiny icons - when you hover over them you get the option to add or edit objects. Overall SiteKreator is quite an advanced solution and its not just amateurs that they are targeting. http://sitekreator.com/sitekreator/ index.html All of these services are WYSIWYG based and are excellent options for novices. Anyone can create decent looking websites with these services with just a few mouse clicks. No html knowledge is required. In fact solutions like SiteKreator are powerful enough to even satisfy the needs of corporates. Power users (with some knowledge of html) may miss the flexibility offered by powerful desktop based applications. But make no mistake, these tools can take on many desktop based Web Authoring Systems. Jimdo is another hassle-free easy to use tool for creating webpages. With Jimdo you can add RSS feeds, Youtube videos, Flickr photostreams, del.icio.us bookmarks, photogallery, web forms and flash content to your page. You can even send newsletters. However, ads are inserted automatically in pages created with Jimdo. www.jimdo.com. I hope all this has whetted your appetites – get out there and give it a try! John Claro Two Dog Computer & Business Solutions offers professional web development, hosting and maintenance services in Clifden. If you have any questions relating to web design or internet marketing, we would be more than happy to answer them for you. Phone John on 095 22194 / 086 404 3125, or email kennel@twodogcomputers.com.

Send in your news, views & photos to news@connemaraview.com Page 21

Bogman 47

Bogman Across 1 Some holly, like nettles, start out of season. (5) 4 Kept fit and went by rail? (7) 8 Side of meat – minced. (4) 9 Used to be law, to be precise. (5) 10 Actors’ flies? (4) 11 Teardrop is false for one like the crocodile. (8) 12 Fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters. (6) 14 Get this correct and you won’t even be close. (4) 16 Dear, it’s not the fellow holding Eileen’s head. (5) 18 Thus, changing 14Across will have the opposite effect. (4) 19 The most common cause of inflation? (4) 21 Blossom that ends in insubordination? (5) 23 Beams at the fishes? (4) 24 Do flip-flop and give promissory notes – how hateful. (6) 26 Got a germ involved, and paying for it for a very long time. (8) 28 Little sibling that is saying ‘Cheese!’ (4) 30 And yet, you can make poteen with it. (5) 31 Part of tree makes part of book. (4) 32 Forbid ruler in financial business. (7) 33 Super reconstruction of basic cash transporter. (5) Down 1 Guide the bullock in the right direction. (5) 2 Adam ran wild achieving a fast time around the Sahara. (7) 3 Where they have a lot more than just the ‘cúpla focal’. (9) 4 Meal-ash is said to have curative properties. (3-4) 5 Perfect place for those who live the high life? (5) 6 Clue: sun explosion is central to all matter. (7) 7 Turn up dirt on the old operating system. (3) 13 Father, in other words, mixes it with Guy who is the flashy type. (5) 15 Be bang on the money. (5) 17 For keeping the sheets together, but not in the bed-

Connemara Crossword 53

Enter crossword answers into a draw of correct answers for a voucher for Homeware Plus in Clifden by February 25th. February Crossword Winners

28. Aussie original (9) 31. Stony (5) 32. Charm, amulet (8) 33. Austrian capital (6) 34. Number (8) 35. Gladden (6) Down 1. Secure position in election (4, 4) 2. Sanitate Government position (8) 3. Adjust (9) 5. Living (5) 6. Surname of outlaw Ned (5) 7. 10 across needs this (6) 8. Food cupboard (6) 11. Writer (6) 14. Swampy loo (3)

18. Device (6) 19. Neutral, unbiased (9) 20. Large snake (8) 21. Young countenance (4, 4) 23. Urge (3) 25. See 16 across (5, 6) 26. Co. Clare town (6) 29. Insert (5) 30. Mad as hell (5)

SUDOKU

Crossword Across 1. Planet (6) 4. Tasty fish (8) 9. Member of old republican movement (6) 10. Passenger plane (8) 12. Winter sportsman (5) 13. Best before this (3, 2, 4) 15. Design (3) 16. Across and 25 down. James Bond’s motor (5, 6) 17. Scottish dish (6) 22. Ogled (6) 24. Type of bear (5) 27. Irish sports body (1, 1, 1)

Bogman 46 Colleen Gilmore, Maam West Connemara Crossword 52 Karen O’Donnell, Carraroe

Page 22

March 2009

room. (9) 20 Provides some food constituent, even though not ripe when whisked. (7) 22 Rashly mingle leader of mice with single suicidal result. (7) 23 Predictable timing in, for example, rural development. (7) 25 It upsets us, his fishy foreign food. (5) 27 Cattle and sheep and horses do it, heads down, to skin your knee. (5) 29 Polish massage? (3)

What Do You Know? Quiz 6

An excellent effort was made in solving all of the February Quiz questions. The top submission had 10 out of 12 correct answers. However, all must be correct, so the prize money is now €60 for 12 correct answers to the March Quiz. Good luck!

March Quiz Questions

Geography: In 1956, this island was renamed. What is the current and original name of the island? History: Who coined the greeting, `Hello`; first used for answering the telephone? Sport: In which sport can’t you play left handed? Maths: This author was a maths instructor at Christ Church, Oxford and used a penname throughout his career. What were his real name and his penname? Science: What male head, found in northern Europe, is dated back to 400 B.C. Cooking: Which commonly eaten item of food has a name, which literally translates as `twice cooked`? General Knowledge: Who is said to be the first serial killer? Music: As of 2001, what was the most aired video in MTV history? Art: When viewed at a certain angle, the 1553 painting: `The Ambassadors` reveals which mysterious object? Entertainment: The Spanish Eurovision entry in 1986 entitled La La La contained how many ‘la’s? Literature: How old is Juliet when she dies in Romeo and Juliet? Local Interest: Which animal became extinct in Ireland in 1766?

February Quiz Answers

Geography What country has Europe’s second largest river and what is it called? Answer: The Austrian River Danube. http://www.worldinfozone.com/country. php?country=Austria History: How many and which of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still exist? Answer: One, The great pyramid of Giza. http://www.usefultrivia.com/history_ trivia/ancient_history_trivia_006a.html Sports: At the 2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships, she won the gold medal for 60m hurdles, becoming the first Irish woman to win an indoor world athletics championship. Who is she? Answer: Derval O’Rourke. http://www.funtrivia.com/flashquiz/index. cfm?qid=255406 Math: What century did mathematicians first use plus and minus signs? Answer: The Sixteenth. http://www. triviaplaying.com/62_Math_.htm Science: Matter that does not enter chemical reactions is described as what? Answer: Inert. http://www. usefultrivia.com/science_trivia/chemistry_trivia_ index.html Cooking: Turkish coffee is made with equal amounts of what two ingredients? Answer: Coffee and sugar. http:// www.funtrivia.com/submitquiz.cfm?quiz=159499 General Knowledge: Since the beginning of the modern Olympic Games, only two countries have competed in every single one. Who are they? Answer: Greece and Australia. http://www.funs.co.uk/facts/s8.html Politics: What king of Saudi Arabia was assassinated by his nephew in 1975? Answer: King Faisal. http://www. usefultrivia.com/political_trivia/kings_and_queens_ trivia_010a.html Music: Who is the youngest artist to have a #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100? Answer: Stevie Wonder. http:// www.music-trivia-world.com/music-trivia-facts3.html Art: What art movement was Yoko Ono associated with during the 1960s? Answer: Fluxus. http://www.divagirl-parties-and-stuff.com/art-trivia.html Entertainment: Who has starred in movies by Francis Ford Coppola, Brian De Palma, Sergio Leone and Martin Scorsese? Answer: Robert De Niro. http://www. triviaplaying.com/94_movie4_Q_.htm Literature: What Irish literary figure was also a Senator? Answer: W.B. Yeats. http://www.infoplease.com/ quizzes/irish/10.html

Connemara View Newspaper

Make a St Patrick’s Day Jokes Why do frogs love St Patrick’s day? badge with a difference! Because they’re always wearing green. As a special crafts project for St Patrick’s Day, the celebration of our national saint, we at Kid’s View have decided to make our very own unique St Patrick’s shamrock badges, and share them with our readers and anyone who would like to make their own. For this project, the only things we needed were green pipe cleaners, some gold ribbon, and some safety pins to attach them to wherever you want, whether on the top you are wearing, on a hairband, or around your neck on a chain-just anywhere you think it looks cool! Maybe you’re wondering- where can I ﬁnd green pipecleaners? Keep reading-all will be revealed! So here’s how to make your own Shamrock: 1: We found that the easiest way to get it right was to measure out how much length of the pipe cleaner to use, so it would be even. Keep about 1 ½ inches at either end for the stem (See picture 1 at top). 2: As these pipe cleaners are 12 inches long that means you have about 3 inches to work with for each leaf of the shamrock. 3: Hold the bottom ends together as the stem and make a shape from which you can shape the three leaves (See picture 2). 4: Start working the shape into the three leaves of the shamrock. This may take a bit of practice to get it right, but be careful not to bend the pipe cleaner more than you have to, as it will get harder to shape the more used it is. (See picture 3) 5: Fasten the bottom stem of the shamrock with gold or white ribbon or string-whatever you can get your hands on that looks good. Then you can fasten it onto your clothes or use it as an accessory whatever way you like! (See picture 4) Shamrock badges don’t have to be perfect and they probably won’t all look the exact same, so don’t worry if think you haven’t got it right, and remember you can always ask an adult or friend for help. So now where can you ﬁnd those green pipe cleaners?! The best part of our project is that by making lots of them, and selling both pipe cleaners and readymade badges we want to help out a very special local charity. From Friday March 13th, you can buy a green pipe cleaner for €1 from the Paper Shop on Main St, Clifden. Also, on St Patrick’s Day itself we will be selling readymade shamrock badges for €2 and all the money raised will go to Ability West’s (sometimes also called Criost Linn in Clifden) houses in Clifden, where people with intellectual disabilities live and stay sometimes. So wear your Shamrock badge this St Patricks Day proudly. As well as being creative and unique, the money raised from them will go towards helping some very special people in our community!

A note on Ability West Connemara Ability West (formerly the Galway County Association for Mentally Handicapped Children) provides a range of services to over 450 adults and children with Intellectual Disability in Galway City and County. The organisation came to Clifden over 20 years ago, and opened a day service for 5 adults with intellectual disability from rented premises at the Convent. Over the years the demand for places increased and necessitated the building of a purpose built centre at the Station House Complex. This centre oﬀers a range of programmes to 15 service users based on each individual’s needs, wishes and aspirations. In 1994, a group home was opened in a rented house at Riverside. This home has since moved to Bryan Mahon Terrace on the Galway Rd, and provides a permanent home to 5 service users. This service is called Clochan Group Home. In 2006, a second house was

What is out on the lawn all summer and is Irish? Paddy O’Furniture. When is an Irish Potato not an Irish Potato? When it’s a French Fry. What does it mean when you ﬁnd a horseshoe? Some poor horse is going barefoot. What do you say to a Leprechaun? How’s the weather down there. Jokes, Wordsearch & Shamrock Badge Making by Steven Coohill, KidsView Junior Editor

opened on the Westport Road, and this provides respite breaks for a further 7 service users throughout the year. As a voluntary organization we rely on a number of branches throughout the city and county for fundraising, to supplement funding we receive from the HSE. We are very fortunate to have a vibrant branch in the Connemara area, that carries out trojan fundraising activities for services in the region ,and we are extremely grateful for their ongoing eﬀorts and support, especially in these straitened times of cutbacks. We also run a volunteering programme whereby we provide training and support for individuals who wish to volunteer some of their time to befriend a person with intellectual disability, to share interests, talents or just time with each other. If anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer they can contact Blackrock House on 091 528122. Patricia Stanley

Connemara View Newspaper

March 2009

Page 23

Healthy Living Health Problems & Natural Medicine

Q: My gynaecologist diagnosed endometriosis. Can you help?

Yes.

First let me describe endometriosis and its causes. Endometriosis comes from the word endometrium. Endometrium means the inner lining of the uterus. This lining changes with the menstrual cycle. During the week before ovulation it thickens. Menses is the sloughing off of the endometrium. These changes in the endometrium are controlled by the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. Endometriosis is the spread of this inner uterine lining to other parts of the body, typically the reproductive tract and throughout the abdomen. Pieces of the endometrium are scattered around, adhering to the vaginal walls, the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the bladder, the intestines, and the sides of the abdominal wall. These pieces follow the changes of the menstrual cycle. They are governed by the same hormones that regulate menses. If menses is heavy, there will be internal bleeding with endometriosis. If there is clotting with the menses, the pieces will clot, and this can lead to stabbing pain. And so on. In time endometriosis can lead to adhesions and scarring. Tissues may be tied together by adhesion. The fallopian tubes may close, leading to infertility. Intestines or the bladder may be affected, leading to problems with passage of feces or urine. Scar tissue in the vaginal vault may lead to pain with sexual intercourse. The symptoms vary widely. The severity of symptoms is not a good indicator of the severity of endometriosis. Severe symptoms may have mild endometriosis, while severe endometriosis may be asymptomatic. Definite diagnosis may be by gynaecological examination or laparoscopy. Medical treatment is with estrins and progestins, which are synthetic hormones. Other drugs used are those that affect the pituitary gland which regulates the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. The naturopath, medical herbalist and nutritionist will adopt much the same understanding, that endometriosis can be treated by regulating the hormones. A common cause of endometriosis is the excess of estradiol. This is one of several estrogens present in the body. It is the aggressive one, stimulating tissue growth in endometrium and breast. If present, it is important to moderate estradiol. Herbs to moderate estradiol and to normalize the hormones of the cycle are effective. Legumes – beans, chickpeas, lentils etc – contain plant sterols that have a moderating effect on estradiol, so eat often. Stabbing pain is common with endometriosis. There will be clotting with the menses, and these clots tell us what is happening with endometriosis. This calls for herbs that reduce clotting and that tonify the uterus. Acupuncture has points for both. The diet should be reviewed to minimize arachidonic acid which is proinflammatory and which will aggravate the clotting. Scarring or adhesions calls for breaking up of scar tissue. Herbs, proteolytic enzymes and acupuncture help with this. Massage may help, depending on the location of the scar tissue. Other points to consider include: elimination of industrially raised meats, because these contain aggressive estrins that speed up growth; a fibre deficient diet, because fibre helps clear out unwanted estrogen; obesity, because fatty tissue stores and produces estrogen; a high glycemic index diet, because blood sugar irregularities exacerbate hormonal irregularity; and activity, because inactivity leads to blood stagnation which aggravates blood clots. The natural medicines offer many ways to help with endometriosis. They work well. The wide range of symptoms and complications of endometriosis require a close understanding of the actual problems in the individual. This specific understanding directs the selection of the most appropriate and effective natural therapies. Nicolas Kats ND, Lic Ac, uses herbs, acupuncture, diet and supplements. He practices complementary medicine. Acupuncture is covered by VHI, Quinn Healthcare and VIVAS. Nick practices in Galway (091 5832600 and Clifden (087-7714710).

Page 24

Learning about Herbs for Men

PMS: Information & Support

Did you know that death is sexist and that men, on average, tend to die six or seven years earlier than women? Why should this be so? There are a number of reasons, including the fact that men are generally less responsible about their health than women are about theirs. The majority of men are less likely to worry about their diet or their weight and are less likely to visit a doctor or health practitioner when they do find something amiss – hoping that it will just go away. So what are the main problems facing a man of a certain age, and what steps can a man take to ensure that he has a bit longer on this beautiful planet? One of the main health problems that men face – particularly over the age of 50 – are prostate problems caused by a benign enlargement of the prostate gland (BHP). Less serious than cancer of course, this complaint can nevertheless reduce the quality of life quite substantially. How do you know if you have an enlarged prostate or BHP? The following symptoms, which some men assume are just signs of ageing, are typical of BHP. • Difficulty getting started when needing to urinate • A feeble urinary stream • Stopping and starting rather than a steady stream • Having to get up during the night to urinate • Feeling that you cannot empty your bladder completely • Loss of libido • Recurrent urinary tract infections As a man gets older his body starts changing testosterone into something called di-hydrotesterone (DHT) and it is this hormone which causes the prostate gland to enlarge due to inflammation. As a consequence of this enlargement, the urethra, a tube which brings urine from the bladder, becomes squashed and there is less room for urine to pass through. Due to the difficulty in emptying the bladder, stagnant urine pools in the bladder and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria which leads to frequent infections of the urinary tract. There are ways to remedy BHP and they are: drug medication which can leave a man impotent or with erectile dysfunction, or surgery where part of the enlarged gland is cut away and which can also cause impotence and incontinence. Not the first choices for many men I am sure. Fortunately, a simple herb offers the choice of reducing the symptoms without pain, without reducing erectile function and without any other horrible side effects. Saw Palmetto contains hormone balancing constituents which prevent testosterone changing into the inflammatory type DHT, which means that there is still plenty of testosterone, so no worries about impotence. Saw Palmetto also ensures that the prostate does not become inflamed. Less inflammation means less enlargement of the prostate, and a freer and unrestricted urine flow, which in turn means no discomfort, no urinary tract infections, no stress because of impotence and a good quality of life again. Clinical trials have been held in Switzerland, and after only four weeks symptoms had improved by an average of 35%, regardless of how bad they had been in the beginning. There are no side effects or adverse reactions with this remedy and you can take it with whatever other medication you are on for as long as you wish. If you are taking pharmaceutical drugs for BHP, consult your doctor first and definitely see a doctor if you have any blood in the urine. One final thing about looking after your prostate that should really cheer you up – sexual abstinence and withdrawing without orgasm should be avoided as it can apparently contribute to BHP! Heart disease, which affects more men than women, can also be tackled naturally. Take a little bit of exercise which will keep you fit and reduce stress and blood pressure. Increase your water intake which also assists in balancing blood pressure and eat more fruit and vegetables and fibre. Reduce your intake of fried foods, refined foods and sugar, coffee, tea and alcohol. The herbal complex HawthornGarlic clears out the muck from your arteries, increasing blood flow to the heart and can help reduce high cholesterol as well as balancing blood pressure. Call in to An Bhean Feasa for a Free booklet on Men’s Health. Please note that this article is for information only and does not replace advice from a qualified medical practitioner. Always speak to your GP. Terri Conroy

In the last issue of the Connemara View, I was very interested by the article by Nick Katz on ﬁbrocystic disease and the diet advice and natural treatments used. Nick mentioned PMT (sometimes called PMS) and this is a very common problem encountered by nearly all women.

March 2009

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) A syndrome is what the medical language calls a collection of symptoms. This one is defined by the fact that is cyclica (following a moon calendar) and that it disappears within 48 hrs of the onset of periods. The symptoms are physical and psychological. Here is the list! Physical signs: Bloating, period pains before the periods, breast pains, tenderness or enlargement, fluid retention leading to weight gain, headaches, more migraines for migraine sufferers, sweating, back pains, nausea, acne, irritable bowel, constipation. Psychological signs: irritability, anxiety, aggressivity, sadness, crying spells, mood swings, exhaustion, insomnia, poor concentration, social withdrawal, craving for sweet food. The intensity and duration of these signs may vary from extreme to very light and not bothersome but 90% of women will be aware of cyclical changes. For some women PMS is not confined to a few days before a period, they may have symptoms for two weeks out of every four.

What causes this? Exactly what causes premenstrual syndrome is unknown, but several factors may contribute to the condition. Cyclic changes in hormones seem to be an important cause, because signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome change with hormonal fluctuations and also disappear with pregnancy and menopause. Some PMS symptoms have been linked to low levels of vitamins and minerals. Other possible contributors to PMS include eating a lot of salty foods, which may cause fluid retention, and drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which may cause mood and energy level disturbances. It is as if women entered into their darkest side, seeing the glass half empty instead of half full, a true misery enters their life.

What first steps can I take? It is useful to keep a diary of symptoms for two to three months. This will make it clear as to whether the problem definitely has a cyclical pattern or not and will be very useful for your doctor Do a lifestyle audit (stresses that might be happening in your home life, work life, relationships, finances). PMS seems to be more common in women who have been under stress or have had a recent significant lifestyle event such as a bereavement or marital separation. If you have identified significant areas of stress, see if you can make changes to improve things.

Simple remedies Many people ﬁnd that life is so busy that they no longer include exercise as part of their routine. Walking for an hour three or four times a week or getting involved in sport can improve the psychological symptoms in PMS and possibly some of the physical symptoms too. Engage in at least 30 minutes of brisk walking, cycling, swimming or other aerobic activity most days of the week. Regular daily exercise can help improve your overall health and alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and a depressed mood.

Modify your diet • Eat smaller, more frequent meals each day to reduce bloating and the sensation of fullness. • Limit salt and salty foods to reduce bloating and ﬂuid retention. • Choose foods high in complex carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. • Choose foods rich in calcium. If you can’t tolerate dairy products or aren’t getting adequate calcium in your diet, you may need a daily calcium supplement (1200 mg daily). • Take a daily multivitamin supplement. • Avoid caﬀeine and alcohol. • Reduce stress • Get plenty of sleep. • Practice progressive muscle relaxation or deep-breathing exercises to help reduce headaches, anxiety or trouble sleeping (insomnia). • Try yoga or massage as ways to relax and relieve stress. Continued on next page

Connemara View Newspaper

Clifden Health Day - March 21st A jam-packed day dedicated to health and holistic wellbeing will take place at the Alcock & Brown Hotel on Saturday March 21st from 10am-6pm. A variety of speakers, workshops, therapies and relevant exhibitors will be available to advise, inform and answer questions on a multitude of health and wellbeing topics. Workshops and demonstrations will feature cookery with Mary Sheehan, yoga with Aoife Lydon, and there

will also be a drama workshop for kids aged 5-8 with Ros Coyne to keep them busy while you explore what else is on oﬀer. Therapies demonstrated will include acupuncture, kinesiology, Bowen therapy, ayurvedic healing, pranic healing, plexus bio-energy and Western and Chinese herbalism. There will also be free samples of products and food samples available to try. Admission is €10. . Under 16’s are free in. For more information on any of the events taking place on the day contact Terri at (095) 30671.

Eating for Health Vitamin B Vitamin B is the second vitamin in the alphabet line, yet the fact that it’s called B has no bearing on its importance. Vitamin B is found in 6 major forms: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12. B12 and B6 are the two most popular forms, but all of its forms are important. In this article, I am going to give an overview of Vitamin B in general, and go into depth about the functions of Vitamin B1. Vitamin B is found in a wide variety of foods, the main sources being: fruits, vegetables, meats, and whole grains. It has a massive amount of benefits, leading to the overall Vitamin being broken up into so many different categories. Vitamin B aids the body by playing key developmental roles. It is crucial for all those with heart problems as it lowers the chances of heart disease. It preserves the body’s nerves and just as importantly, it helps prevent you from losing your nerve at someone, as it “banishes the blues”. It accomplishes this by aiding in the formation of brain chemicals. Dopamine, Epinephrine, and Serotonin are all key to having stable moods and to prevent addiction, so when your feeling down, grab some B. It also plays a vital role in the development of the brain, especially before birth. B can also prevent memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease is also said to be one of the diseases Vitamin B can prevent. Now to Vitamin B1, or as it’s called in the scientific world, Thiamin, which incidentally was the first vitamin discovered by medical science. B1 has many benefits and aids the body in a number of different ways. Carbohydrates, alcohol, and fats are all metabolized by B1, and in turn produce energy from those substances. The nervous system is highly dependent on B1 to stay healthy and to remain fully functional. Cells are dependent on B1, as they cannot use oxygen to store energy without it. Beriberi, a paralytic disease of the legs is prevented by B1. As already mentioned, Vitamin B plays a big role in maintaining good mental health and B1 is the major reason for this. For those who made New Year resolutions to get into shape, B1 is also important in succeeding in exercise programs and athletic activity. It promotes growth as well, so if basketball is your dream, stock up on B1.

PMS continued • Other supplements: Magnesium. Taking 400 mg of supplemental magnesium daily may help to reduce ﬂuid retention, breast tenderness and bloating in women with premenstrual syndrome. Evening primrose oil. A daily dose of 1000 mg over several months may alleviate breast symptoms. Vitamin B-6. A daily dose of 50 to 100 mg of vitamin B-6 may help some women with troublesome PMS symptoms. Vitamin E. This vitamin, taken in 400 international units daily, may ease PMS symptoms by reducing the production of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that cause cramps and breast tenderness. Herbal remedies. Some women report relief of PMS symptoms with the use of herbs such as black cohosh, ginger, raspberry leaf, dandelion, chasteberry. Natural progesterone creams. These are derived from wild yams and soybeans. Some women report that these creams relieve symptoms. Check with your doctor before taking any herb or dietary supplement.

What can your doctor do for you? Your Doctor will help you to ascertain the diagnosis, rule out any other associated condition, conduct a check

Connemara View Newspaper

Beneficial quantities of B1 can be found in quite a few foods: • Wheat Flour (1cup sifted = 1.2mg, 81% DV) • Oats (1cup = 1.2mg, 79% DV) • Fresh Pasta (4.5oz = .9mg, 60% DV) • Oat Bran Flakes (3/4cup = 1.6mg, 110% DV) • Corn Flakes (1 1/3cup = 1.5mg, 100% DV) • Bread Stuffing, dry mix (1 package = 1mg, 68% DV) • Seaweed, spirulina, dried (1cup = 2.7mg, 178% DV) • Potatoes Mashed (1cup = .6mg, 40% DV) • Flaxseeds (1cup = 2.8mg, 184% DV) • Macadamia Nuts (1cup = 1.6mg, 107% DV) • Pistachio Nuts (1cup = 1.1mg, 71% DV) • Bacon (1cup = 6.3mg, 422% DV) • Luncheon Slices (1 slice = .6mg, 37% DV) • Veggie Burgers/ Soy burgers (1 Pattie = 1.9mg, 124% DV) • Tuna (3oz = .4mg, 28% DV) • Pork Chop (3oz = 1.1mg, 70% DV) • Pork Roast (1 piece - 238g) = 2.7mg, 177% DV) • Ham, leg, rump half (1lb = 4.9mg, 324% DV) • Lamb Kidneys (4oz = .7mg, 47% DV) • Salami (4oz = 1.1mg, 70% DV) • Frankfurter (1 link = .5mg, 30% DV) • Margarine Spread, fat-free (1cup = 2.4mg, 157% DV) Lack of B1 can be found in many different ways, some severe, but most are minor and easily remedied. Depression is one of the most common, along with your digestive system being upset. Other signs of deficiency are: fatigue, memory impairment and lack of concentration, loss of appetite, nausea, and muscle weakness. Beriberi is the most severe sign of deficiency, as it is extremely dangerous and debilitating. Constipation with abdominal pains is another warning sign. Other physical signs are tenderness in calves and legs, along with tingling and/or burning in toes, and in the soles of your feet. That wraps up Vitamin B1. Hopefully, your diet is rich in this vitamin and you don’t have to worry about reconstructing your diet, but a few minor changes can always do your body good-be healthy and enjoy it. Connor McDonough-Flynn up and advise you on certain therapies, drugs or lifestyle measures. If you suffer from the severe form of PMS called PMDD you may need some prescription drugs (not for life). Food for thought: Most women did not have PMS until the 20th century. They were pregnant nearly every year. There have been suicidal attempts, assaults, marriage breakdown and wrong diagnosis of depression or psychosis in severe PMS sufferers.Some women experience PMS even on the pill. And for a laugh: visit PMSbuddy.com a website for the boyfriends and husbands bewildered by the change in their partners! A Support Group for PMS sufferers will start in March and will run until May at the Elm Tree Centre in the evenings, every week, free and opened to all women (and men if they want). Please contact me at 0872226783 or at sophie.faherty@gmail.com for registration. The aim of group therapy in PMS is to provide support, sharing and information to help alleviate symptoms of PMS. All studies show a very important decrease in symptoms for patients attending these types of groups. You can learn a lot from others and share your experiences too. Dr Sophie Faherty

March 2009

A Guide to Children’s Eyecare All parents are aware of the importance of regular eye tests in children; as they develop, 80% of their learning is processed through the eyes. Children have a brief screening at school to assess their distance vision; however, many children may suffer from undetected visual problems with close work, which can make school life difficult. It is also important at a young age to ensure the eyes are healthy. Good eyesight is particularly important for children. If they have poor vision, they’ll find it difficult to learn at school or play sports. They will also struggle with everyday tasks, which involve hand eye coordination. Indeed clumsiness and poor academic performance may be entirely due to a problem with their sight.

How can I recognize if my child has a vision problem? It’s easy to assume your child can see properly, but sight can change quickly as the eye grows, and young children in particular may not understand or recognize that anything is wrong. It can be very diﬃcult for parents to spot the signs. In fact, research suggests that one in ﬁve school children have an undetected problem with their vision.

Behaviors That May Signify a Problem There are several key signals that indicate vision problems: rubbing of the eyes, complaining often of headaches, squinting, holding objects unusually close or far away, excessive blinking, favouring one eye by covering it or turning the head, their eyes are not aligned or are not working together, their eyes are red, swollen or encrusted.

What age can my child be tested? Many parents are reluctant to bring their child along for an eye-test, as they think because they can’t understand letters or can’t talk; the eye-test would be futile. Nothing could be further from the truth; tests have been developed using coloured lights and recognizable shapes and ﬁgures to the child. Most young children ﬁnd the experience enjoyable and are fascinated by their new surroundings.

How often should my child be tested? A child’s eyesight can also change quite quickly, much faster than that of an adult. So all children should have frequent eye tests - at least once a year, but preferably every six months. The ﬁrst examination should take place before the child’s ﬁrst birthday and be followed by regular checkups. That way any problem can be treated well before school starts. A large proportion of squints, for example, develop before the age of three. If your child starts primary or secondary school in September, it is of vital importance that they have their eyes tested before they start.

Why does my child need drops? Occasionally an optician may need to use drops to assess your child’s prescription. This will happen if a squint is present or prescription is needed.

Will my child always need glasses? If your child is long sighted they may only need glasses for close tasks such as reading and computer work. Some children need glasses to control a squint. If your child is short sighted their prescription may increase as they grow; in the majority of cases they will need glasses always for distance vision e.g. blackboard and driving. But again remember that a child’s eyesight can also change quite quickly, much faster than that of an adult. So all children should have frequent eye tests - at least once a year but preferably every six months.

Can my child wear contact lenses? It is rare for a child under 16 to be ﬁtted with lenses, usually only in special circumstances. The main reason for this is that contact lenses require a lot of maintenance and care to minimize the risk of eye infections. Occasionally daily disposables are ﬁtted, as they are clean and sterile for every use.

Choosing Frames Nowadays glasses are a fashion accessory, and many children’s frames are stylish and fashionable, as well as having the functional beneﬁt of ﬁtting well and feeling comfortable. Most children’s glasses have soft nose pads for extra comfort and sprung hinges to reduce the chances of breakage. Polycarbonate lenses are increasingly popular because they’re virtually unbreakable. The earlier an eye problem is detected, the greater the chances of it being corrected. So even if nothing appears to be wrong, it’s important to make sure your child has regular eye examinations. Ailbhe Patten, Ní Ráighne Opticans, Bridge St, Clifden, (095) 30995.

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Spring has well and truly arrived and the flowers are blooming despite the mixed weather. Daffodils are looking splendid and cheering up the garden no end. If only all other flowers were as easy to grow.

This is of course the start of your busy time in the garden, and on any fine day I like to get out and do some clearing; making new flower beds or just working on the ones that are already in existence. It is a great time to give a general top dressing to the beds. I clean the beds as best as possible, remove dead foliage, weeds and even plants which are either too big for the site or which don’t excite you as much anymore. Gardening is after all a fashion, and plants come in and then go out of style; the formal replacing the informal, herbaceous borders being replaced by shrub beds, and so on. I find

it fascinating to watch some of these garden makeover type programmes where one style replaces another. I suppose like any fashion it is important to develop your own style. Getting back to top dressing, after I have the bed cleared and the soil loosened up, I like to spread a fairly good layer of compost all over, making sure that you work it around the plants which you are leaving in place. For this dressing I like to mix my own compost. I have three old plastic bins where I store the base material, a mixture of leaf mould, sand and gravel and plenty of garden and household compost. This has been ﬁrst rotted on the compost heap and then transferred. You can add lots of other ingredients such as seaweed, or farm yard manure. Make sure that these last two are well rotted before putting around plants as they can burn tender growth. If you have been digging and have left over top soil, this can also be added. To really mix this I put the whole lot on an area of concrete and mix it thoroughly with a spade or shovel. As I was mixing this the other day, I thought that a cement mixer would be very handy. When ready, I load buckets with the dressing and pour it in heaps around the bed before spreading it into every corner. As well as tidying up the appearance it also acts as a weed suppressant and adds nutrients to the soil. This same mixture is also great for containers, tubs, boxes and pots. More about that later. Watch out for wind or frost damage. Lots of shrubs and trees can be damaged by these elements and unless care is given, the plant can get diseased and eventually die. I cut broken branches back to a healthy bud. I

often read that these cuts should be painted with various solutions, but I don’t bother with these. If you want to do this, check with a chemist or garden shop for the best product. This month is traditionally the month when roses should be pruned. I like to cut them back fairly hard, they shoot quickly and I think it gives stronger growth and flowers. The main thing to remember is to cut to just above an outward facing bud. Make sure the cut is at an angle; this allows the moisture to run off and helps prevents rot. Also this month I cut the dead heads off hydrangea. This can be a tedious job, but it really helps the plants. Sometime I only cut the stem which contains the old flower, but often I take this opportunity to cut back fairly hard long and leggy branches, or old and dying ones. Getting back to containers. These can be prepared now but I would be very wary of planting them up fully, or if you do, make sure that they are not left out for some time, until the weather improves and all chance of frost has departed. There are literally hundreds of plants which can be grown in pots and it is great to experiment with different mixtures. Don’t forget that many fruits and vegetables can be very successfully grown in containers. March is also a good time to plant trees and I bought a number of trees over the winter which I am looking forward to planting. They are all container plants and so there is no rush in getting them into the ground. Bare rooted trees are different; these should be planted as soon as possible. Site is very important in the growing of trees, and for this reason I like to keep them in pots for a while, until I am satisfied that they have established themselves. Also I like to move the tree around until I feel the tree has

found its perfect place. I have been asked about plants which had been given as Christmas presents, and particularly azaleas. Check what type of plants you had been given; some of them are house plants and wouldn’t survive outside. If they are outdoor plants, which the azaleas are, go ahead and put them out. I tend to let my ones finish flowering and then plant them out with other azaleas and rhododendron. Sometimes they will flower a second time, but you usually find that they will take a year or more to re-establish themselves. After all, they have been forced so that they produce the best show for Christmas. If the weather becomes very dry or windy, make sure that you water newly planted trees or shrubs, even in the winter or early spring. Recently at the Connemara Garden Club, Hugh Griffin talked about crop rotation and gave us very important information on the need to move different types of vegetables each year so that the soil doesn’t become tired, or that certain pests or diseases don’t build up. This is also true in ornamental gardening, and care must be taken that if a plant dies in one area, that you don’t put the same type of plant back there again. Also it pays that when you are dividing plants, you move them to other parts of the garden. Seed sowing should be well under way by now. Make sure that all containers used for the growing of seed are properly sterilised. This prevents disease destroying your emerging seed. Follow the instructions carefully on the back of seed packets as most have very different sowing and growing conditions. Indoor plants can be watered more liberally from now on especially if new growth is beginning to show and a light feed can also be given. Happy Gardening. Breandan O Scanaill

Crochet Corner Make Your Own Beautiful Handbag Crochet Handbag: With A, make 6 chain. Ss into first ch to form a ring. Work in rounds with right side facing: Round 1 3 ch 15 treble in ring, slip stitch to top ch of 3 ch. 16sts. Round 2 4 ch [1tr in next tr, 1ch] 15 times, ss to 3rd of 4 ch. Fasten off A. Round 3 Join new yarn. With B, pull loop through a ch sp, then work (3 ch, 2 tr) in that sp, 3 tr in each of next 15 ch sp, ss to top ch of 3 ch. Fasten off B. Round 4 With C, pull loop through a sp between tr groups and work 4 ch, 1 double crochet in next sp between tr groups [ 3 ch, 1 dc in next sp between tr groups, {3 ch, 1 dc in next sp between tr groups} 3 times; rep from * twice more, 4 ch, ss to first of first 4 ch. Round 5 1 ch, 2 dc in first ch sp, 3 dc in each of next 2 ch sp, * (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) in corner sp, 3 dc in each of next 3 ch sp; rep from * twice more, (3 dc, 2 ch, way. When all rows across have 3 dc) in corner sp, ss to 1 ch. Fasten off C. Make 17 been completed, join the long more squares, bringing in D and E. In some squares rows to complete the rectangle. substitute F for C in rounds 4 and 5. Fold the rectangle, wrong sides Handles: (make 2) With F, make 150 ch. Miss 2 ch, together, join side seams with dc: 1 dc in each ch to end, 2 ch, without turning work with F, working 1 dc in a pair of over, work 1 dc in each remaining strand of foundafront and back sts each time. tion ch. Fasten off. Top edging: Working in rounds Finishing: Press the squares to shape. Assemble the with right side facing: Round 1 squares in a rectangle, 3 across and 6 down. With Starting at a side seam and using right sides together, join 2 squares with double F, pull through a loop, ** 1 ch, crochet: with F, begin at corner 2-ch sp, insert hook * 1 dc in next st; repeat from * under strands of first front edge stitch and strands around front and back of bag, of corresponding back edge, yarn round hook and ss to 1 ch. Round 2 As round pull through a loop, yarn round hook again and pull 1 from **. Fasten off. Sew on it through 2 loops to make a dc. Continue to join handles. each pair of edge sts in this way, then, without fasPeggy Mannion tening off, join the next pair of squares in the same

Page 26

March 2009

Connemara View Newspaper

Children’s Burial Grounds As part of the recent Tar Éis na Féile Bríde festival in Letterfrack, accomplished Oughterard based photographer Lorraine Tuck unveiled an exhibition at Letterfrack NS entitled “Cillin”, a photographic exhibition of children’s burial grounds in Connemara. Speakers on the night included poet Mary O’Malley who has written with great insight and sensitivity on the subject and Michael Gannon, whose documentary on Cillins was broadcast on Connemara Community Radio also spoke movingly on the subject. The final speaker was Eileen Keane of Currywongane, Kylemore who lived through the period and has firsthand experience of children’s burial grounds as she has a brother and sister buried in a Cillin in Mullaghgloss. The event was a moving occasion, which dealt compassionately and honourably with a difficult subject. After speaking at the event, and congratulating Lorraine Tuck on her beautiful and meaningful exhibition, Eileen wrote the following account, saying “I have always regretted that I have never drawn attention to the neglect of those burial grounds. It’s never too late to do something and I am writing this in the hope that this will awaken some interest in people having the Cillins in their areas marked in some way, or if possible, have them blessed as they should always have been”.

I do know for certain was that there was no priest there to bless or console. Oﬃcially they were little outcasts. I often think of the sadness, and maybe bitterness my father felt at that time. My mother too, she would not have been allowed up, even when her baby was taken away. I thank God that I have lived to see such wonderful changes for the better. Today, in the community we live in, there is respect for all age groups young and old. I am particularly happy to see that all parents be they married or single, whether their children are baptised or unbaptised are loved and cherished with dignity like every other member of the community. Eileen Keane, February 2009. Image: Glenhoghan Cillin by Lorraine Tuck

Death Notices Augustine (Gus) Barry, Ross, Kingstown, Clifden Harry Conroy, Kylemore Lodge, Kylemore Nora Coyne (née Walsh), Tooreena, Renvyle Mary Kate Davis Dominski, Cleggan and New Jersey, USA, sister of Richard Davis, Cleggan John Francis Joyce, Derrada, Recess Peggy (née Keeley) Gibbons, Market St, Clifden Mary O’ Malley, Railway Cottage, Recess The Connemara View would like to extend sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased. This list is compiled from various sources and we apologise for any errors or omissions.

Connemara View Newspaper

Broadcasting 11 am to 9 pm each day on 87.8 FM & 106.1 FM Weather Forecast and Community Notices at 3 pm, 4 pm and 8 pm. Monday: 11am-12 Noon: Magazine Programme

Mullaghgloss Cillin The children’s burial grounds have always been to me, sad lonely places. Reminders of our past harsh religious beliefs. Perhaps it is because I have a brother and sister buried in the Mullaghgloss Cillin that I always feel regret that I never tried in some way to have it recognised. I always admired what Mary Sammon achieved for ‘Smearóid’, the Renvyle Cillin. She was a very courageous woman and an inspiration to us all. I visited the Mullaghgloss Cillin many times with my sister Nappy. It’s a small area of scattered stones that once marked the little graves. A wild and windswept place, with only the cry of the gulls and the sound of the crashing waves against the cliffs nearby. My family always remembered and spoke of our little brother and sister who were born in the early 20’s, almost a decade before I was born. Thomas died when he was one week old and Teresa only lived one day. My mother said Thomas was a healthy baby but he got convulsions and didn’t respond to the traditional remedies. He was baptized and also Teresa who had received lay baptism. Despite this, they were not allowed burial in the consecrated ground. This always mystified me, but the Church ruled with an iron hand then and no one dared to question it. Many at that time feared the curse of the priest. I have an older sister Kathleen who remembers clearly when they died within a couple of years of each other. A neighbour made the little wooden coffins. When Teresa was laid out in the cradle one of our aunts put a rose in her hands. Families were large, and in times of sorrow, as we still do today, united to show their care and respect for the death of even the littlest child. Kathleen recalls vividly my father leaving the house with the little coffin under his arm, a few neighbours and friends walking the long journey from Currywongane to Mullaghgloss. They most likely, on reaching Shanaveagh or Greenmount, took one or other of the shortcuts across the mountain. Possibly on arrival they dug the grave; one thing

Connemara Community Radio Weekly Schedule

O b i tu a r y Gus Barry On February 10th 2009, many people in households and villages all over Connemara were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the sudden and untimely death of Gus Barry. Gus was known far and wide for his great love of and talent for music and singing, which he shared with enthusiasm and good humour with all he met. With his easygoing and gentle nature he always had a smile and a wave for everyone he knew. A considerate, kind hearted and much loved husband, father, brother, uncle, neighbour and friend, he will be sorely missed but never forgotten. His wife Mary, son Daniel and daughter Lorraine, brothers and sisters, brothers and sistersin-law, nieces and nephews and his many friends, would like to extend sincere thanks to all who were so kind and supportive towards us throughout this sad time. We would also like to thank the emergency services, undertakers, those who travelled long distances to pay their respects, all who sent Mass Cards, made phone calls and contributed to MS Ireland and Cancer Care West; your gestures were most appreciated. A special word of thanks to Fr James Ronayne and Fr Raymond Flaherty for the beautiful service, Gus’s friends and family who played music and sang in the church and at the graveside, and those who prepared the church and his ﬁnal resting place. The guard of honour by the Junior Rugby players and pupils of Kingstown school was also much appreciated. Thanks to Eileen Davis at the Alcock for the refreshments after the burial. As it would be impossible to thank everybody, we hope that this will acknowledge all the kind words, support and gestures received since our sad loss. Month’s Mind Mass will be held in Kingstown Church on Sunday March 15th at 12pm. Always remembered and sadly missed, may he rest in peace. Photo coutesy of Mary Barry

March 2009

with Heather Heanue. 12-4pm: Repeat of previous evenings broadcast. 4-5pm: Listen Here with Pete Ball. 5.05-6pm: Hooked on Music with John Duane. 67pm: Alternative Weeks - As Gaeilge with Caitriona Nic Ghiollaphadraig OR Heyday with Sinead Mannion & Bobbi O Regan. 7-8pm: Talk Sportwith Vivian Cotter. 8pm: Roundstone Report with Richard de Stacpoole and Anne Conneely. 8.15-9pm: Ann’s Mixed Bag with Ann Conneely. Tuesday: 11am-12 Noon: Magazine Programme with Pat Walshe. 12-4pm: Repeat of previous evenings broadcast. 4-5pm: Gateway Hour with various presenters. 5.05-6pm: Jack’s Spot with Jack Tomlinson. 6- 7pm: Live with John Dunne. 7-8pm: Community Matters with Pat O’Toole. 8pm: Cashel Report with Bernard Lee. 8.30-9pm: Classical Half Hour with Pat O’Toole. Wednesday: 11am-12 Noon: Magazine Programme with Mary Roe. 12-4pm: Repeat of previous evenings broadcast. 4-5pm: Gateway Hour. 5.05-6pm: Inishbofin Live from Inishbofin Studio. 6- 7pm: My Kind of Music with Martin Conroy. 7-8pm: Lift the Latch with Michael O’ Neill and Helen King. 8pm: Clifden Report with Breandan O’Scanaill. 8.15-9pm: Music with Pat Keaney. Thursday: 11am-12 Noon: Magazine Programme with Cathy Keane and Brendan O’Malley. 12-4pm: Repeat of previous evenings broadcast. 4-5pm: Gateway Hour with Kathleen O’Brien. 5.05-6pm: Fáilte with Mary Corbett Joyce. 6- 7pm: Take it Easy with Michael O’Toole. 7-8pm: The Great Outdoors with Breandan O’Scanaill. 8 pm: Cleggan Claddaghduff Report with Mary Gordon O’Toole. 8.15-9pm: African Scene with Sam & Beatrice. Friday: 11am-12 Noon: Magazine Programme with Samantha Heanue & Priscilla Diamond. 12-4pm: Repeat of previous evenings broadcast. 4-5pm: Gateway Hour with Tonya Ni Chuirínn. 5.05-6pm: The Friday Feeling with Margaret Sheehan. 6- 7pm: It’s The Weekend with Cliona Sheehan and Liam Joyce. 7-8pm: Injury Time with Brendan Ridge. 8pm: Ballyconneely Report with John O’ Malley. 8.15-9pm: American Country with Brendan Ridge. Saturday: 1am-12 Noon: Monkeying Around with Heather Kearney. 12-4pm: Repeat of previous evenings broadcast. 4-5pm: Gateway Hour with Tonya Ni Chuirrín. 5.05-6pm: Pretty Good Day so Far! with Sean Halpenny. 6- 7pm: Blue Highways with Lol Hardiman. 7-9 pm: Music Spectacular Alternative Weeks - Shelter from the Storm with Dave O’ Halloran OR Coast to Coast with Paul Phelan. Sunday: 10-11am: Sounds a Bit Irish with Eamonn McLoughlin. 11am-12noon: Mass from Clifden. 12-4pm: Repeat of previous evenings broadcast. 4-5pm: Listen Here with Pete Ball. 5.05-6pm: Lyrical Allsorts with Linda O’Malley. 6- 7pm: Footappin’ Time with Tom Mongan. 7-8pm: Senior Side of the Street with Josephine De Courcey. 8pm: Ballinakill Report with Paddy Gannon. 8.15-9pm: Decades of Hits with Michael Coyne.

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MARCH Horoscopes Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20) It’s coming to that time of year when you are at your peak Aries, so start the defrost on your entire system and get ready for the spring. Taurus (Apr 21- May 20) From the volcano that has been erupting inside you all winter, you will now experience a new calm. Relax and let life take over again. Gemini (May 21- Jun 21) So you did not get the one thing you wanted under the tree this year, there will be plenty of opportunities to get this year. Cancer ( Jun 22- Jul 22) Which one, which way?! Stop struggling with the big choice. It’s time to make up your mind and trust in yourself to pick the right one. Leo ( Jul 23- Aug 23) This will be a very good month for you Leo. Be creative and bring new things, thoughts and ideas into the world. Virgo (Aug 24- Sep 22) It is time to set the plans that you have made into motion. You do not have to wait any longer, just get started. Libra (Sep 23-Oct 23) Stop all the ﬁghting or squabbling over something. Whatever it is, it is not as important as the people you will lose in life along the way. Scorpio (Oct 24- Nov 22) This stage of your personal growth is at an end. Rejoin the rest of us, and tell us all about what has been going on with you for the last while. Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21) What looks and sounds like doom and gloom is just a cover up for someone’s concern for you. Don’t worry about the words, watch the actions. Capricorn (Dec 22- Jan 20) You can depend on yourself this month to get through the things that have recently been going on in your life. You are that strong. Aquarius ( Jan 21- Feb 19) Ah, you are on a high from all the recent fun and festivities, so enjoy it all and soak in the adoration of those that love you. Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) Happy Birthday! It is a time of plenty for you Pisces. You can sit back and enjoy all the nice things and people who are around you.

MARCH Tarot The 6 of Cups signiﬁes that someone or something from your past has recently resurfaced in your life and is making a signiﬁcant change to your plans for the future. The 9 of Wands is warning you not to be too cautious with yourself. You have set defensive walls to keep yourself safe. It’s time to start taking them down. The World lets you know that once you have done that you can embark on a new beginning, a fresh start and that anything is possible.

MARCH runes

Possessions is a rune about fulﬁlment in all things, all aspects and areas of your life. You must look at the meaning of all that you own to see if it is needed in your life. Wholeness represents the Life Force that exists within all of us. You must trust that you are a complete person, that all that you are and can be is already there within you. Movement is Progress and once you start making it is so much easier to continue on. You will need to make some moral eﬀort and steadfastness is required.

“Face The Future”

Q: I have been employed for more than ten years, paying PRSI. I recently lost my job and wondered what social welfare supports are available. Jobseeker’s Beneﬁt ( JB) is paid to people who are out of work and who have enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions. To qualify, you must be unemployed (fully or for at least 3 days in 6), be under 66, have enough PRSI contributions, be capable of work, be available for and genuinely seeking work and have a substantial loss of employment (unemployed for at least 3 days in 6). The rate of JB depends on your earnings in the relevant tax year (for 2009, this is 2007). You may also receive increases for an adult dependant and for dependent children. If you do not qualify, you may be eligible for Jobseeker’s Allowance, which is means-tested.

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You need to bring the following with you to your local social welfare office when you apply for Jobseeker’s Benefit: Your Personal Public Service Number, details of availability for work and efforts you have made to get work, details of your income, details of your spouse/partner’s income (if any),details of your dependent children, your P45 and your P60, proof of your identity and address. Further information is available from Clifden Citizens Information Centre, which provides a free and confidential service to the public. Tel: 095 22000 / 087 1301100 / Email: clifden@citinfo.ie Address: c/o VEC, Statoil Apartments, Galway Road, Clifden. Open: Thursday 7pm-8pm and Friday 10:30am3:30pm. Citizens Information is also available online at www.citizensinformation.ie & from the Citizens Information Phone Service, LoCall 1890 777 121. Declan Weir

The Spring Equinox falls on Friday March 20th. The Sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north at 11:44. On this date, the Sun rises just after 6 am and sets just after 6 pm. After this, the days are longer than the nights – yippee! Summer Time begins on Sunday March 29th. Clocks should go one hour forward on the Saturday night. The Moon was New on Wednesday February 25th. In the ﬁrst few days of March, the crescent will be visible in the western sky after sunset. First Quarter is at 07:46 on Wednesday March 4th, when it’s in Taurus. Around this date it is rising in the north-east in the middle of the morning, it’s high in the south at sunset, and it doesn’t set in the north-west until well into the early hours of the next morning. Over the next week, as it grows from half-lit to a gibbous shape, it rises and sets a little later each day, and appears a little lower in the sky. Full Moon is at 02:38 on Wednesday March 11th, in Leo. At this phase, the Moon is on the opposite side of the sky to the Sun; so it rises in the east at sunset, shines all through the night, and sets in the west at sunrise the following morning. Then, as it wanes to gibbous again, it rises later every evening, but continues to set just after sunrise. New Moon occurs again on at 16:06 on Thursday March 26th. The new crescent Moon should be visible in the western sky after sunset, any evening from Friday 27th onwards. The Moon will be at First Quarter again on Thursday April 2nd. Mercury: Throughout March, Mercury is rising only minutes before the Sun. It’s at superior conjunction (almost directly behind the Sun) on March 31st. We’re very unlikely to see this elusive little planet this month. Venus is now coming to the end of its bright appearance as our “Evening Star”. Relative to the stars, it is tracing out a looped path in Pisces – moving north at ﬁrst, then more rapidly south-westwards. At the start of March, it’s well up in the western sky at sunset, and doesn’t set till 9:30 pm. But every night it appears a little lower, and sets a little earlier. Unlike the waxing Moon, the phase of Venus decreases during the month, from 20% to only 1% illuminated, while the disc grows from 45 to 60 arc-seconds across. This large, narrow crescent should be visible in binoculars, or possibly even with the naked eye, especially when the planet is seen in a twilight sky, so that it is not too dazzling. The real crescent Moon was a little way to the upper left of Venus on the evening of Saturday February 28th. When the Moon comes round to the same part of the sky a month later, on March 27th, it will be barely visible in the sunset;

March 2009

Venus, to the lower right, will not be visible at all. Venus is at inferior conjunction (almost directly in front of the Sun) on March 27th. At the very end of the month it is just starting to appear in the morning sky. But it won’t look as spectacular as a “Morning Star”, because it won’t appear very high in the sky. Mars: This month, Mars is still rising only a few minutes before sunrise. We won’t be getting good views of the “Red Planet” until after the summer. Jupiter, like Mars, rises less than an hour before the Sun this month. In theory, we could look for it towards the end of March, very low in the south-east just before sunrise; but it won’t be easy to see. Again, we won’t be getting good views of this giant planet until after the summer. Saturn is very well placed for viewing this month. It’s at opposition to the Sun on March 8th; so it is rising as the Sun sets, it’s due south at midnight, and it doesn’t set until sunrise. Relative to the stars, it’s moving very slowly north-westwards in Leo, well to the lower left of the bright star Regulus. But Saturn appears brighter than Regulus, and it shines with a steadier light. In the telescope, Saturn shows a disc 20 arc-seconds across; under good conditions, faint bands of cloud may be visible on its surface. Its rings appear as a very narrow oval, 45 arc-seconds wide and only 2 arc-seconds high; if the air is unsteady, the rings may seem to disappear altogether. Many of Saturn’s moons can also be seen using a telescope; the brightest one is Titan. Titan will be 190 arc-seconds to the west of Saturn around March 1st and 16th, very close to the south of the planet around March 4th and 20th, 190 arcseconds east around March 8th and 24th, and very close to the north around March 12th and 28th. Meteors: There are no major meteorshowers in March, but we may see a handful of meteors from the Virginid shower, which is usually active during March and April; they appear to radiate outwards from the constellation of Virgo. Sporadic meteors, which don’t belong to any shower, may be seen on any night and in any direction. John Claró

Connemara View Newspaper

C o n s u m e r Watch dog: H o m e I n s u r an c e & Pet r ol without question, basically, they like lazy tiating with your insurance provider, look for better value Home Insurance and amount people! It is vitally important that you do some work elsewhere, and ask for discounts when getting quotes. and find out who will offer you the best deal, as my Since so many people are beginning to feel the pinch, it Value for Money own personal experience indicates. is more important than ever that consumers begin to exerHome Insurance is yet another one of those areas where it pays to shop around. Even in these penny pinching times, the cost of insurance is anticipated to increase by 10% or more (Irish Times Dec 2008) due to poor weather and excessive flooding, to name but a few causes. As ever, insurance companies prefer you to pay up the requested

Connemara View Newspaper

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Editor-in-Chief/Publisher: Ellen McDonough News Editor: Catherine Pryce Distribution Mgr: John Dunne Ad Sales/Writer: Connor McDonough-Flynn Graphic Design/Layout/Features: Marie-Noelle Biddulph Consumer Watchdog: John Durning KidsView Junior Editor: Steven Coohill Contributors: John Amenhauser, Gareth Anthony, Paula Bann, Kathleen Burke, Rita Burke, Adele Biddulph, Tom Broderick, John Claró, Mandy Conboy, Christina Conroy, Terri Conroy, Sean Coyne, Richard de Stacpoole, Kathleen Diamond, Alice Freeley, Paul Gannon, Leo Hallissey, Paraic Heanue, Michele Hehir, John Holmes, Sara Horan, Bernie Jeﬀ ries, PK Joyce, Nick Kats, Bernard Lee, Pat Lyne, Leslie Lyons, Declan Mannion, Risteard Mac Aodha, Teresa McLoughlin, Peggy Mannion, Ailbhe Ni Raighne, Kevin O’Connor, John O’Neill, Breandan O’Scanaill, Maurice O’Scanaill, Dan Wallace, Harry Walsh, Declan Weir, Tricia Wilder.

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I received a renewal quote from the insurance wing of a major bank in this country in December 2008. They attempted to extort from me the princely sum of €1168 to cover my house and contents insurance. Having checked out other quotes on line, I rang them to verify and confirm their quote and to inform them that I had gotten much better offers online from their competitors. I was fobbed off with lines such as “They are only offering those prices to try and get you in” and “that’s just a first time offer”. I pointed out that friends had houses at a higher rebuild valuation paying less than half of what I was paying, and that the online quotes were coming in at approximately one third of their cost. Chastened by my informed knowledge, the banks representative then offered to send me a revised quote. Three days later along came the quote…. now the price was €370! A saving of just under €800. Now that was a worthwhile phone call. The Connemara View conducted their own online survey between February 16 & 20, 2009. The results are outlined in the grid on the left. Quotations were based on the following: • A house with no burglar alarm but with security locks on doors and windows and two smoke alarms. • Three levels of Rebuild Valuations in the amounts of €190k, €240k and €300k. • First policy or no claims • Contents Valuations of €45k, €75k, €90k or 30% of rebuild valuation respectively where applicable. • Quotations are based on the client being “Under 40 yrs of age” and “Over 50 yrs of age”. • An excess (amount paid by policyholder on making claim) of €100-€125 was applied except for AIG Direct where an excess of €500 is the minimum. There are three things you should always do when getting insurance: haggle when you are nego-

cise their buying power and to make better choices about financial products. As our own online survey indicates there are differences to be found in the prices offered by various companies for the same product. Do not forget to enquire from brokers as they have often been proven to be equally if not more competitive. I suggest that you check out two objective websites that were very helpful on the subject: www.itsyourmoney.ie and www.valueireland.com. It’s better to keep the money in your pocket than in someone else’s! John Durning

February Planning Applications

treatment to existing cottage (previous Pl. Ref. No. 63390); b) Converson of the existing structure and a bay window extension to the north of existing cottage as living accommodation ancillary to the main cottage; c) Relocation of the entrance 35 metres to the south of the site with new stone walls, piers and gates. 09353 Flaherty, Shane, Cashleen, 26/02/09. To construct a dwelling house, garage proprietary treatment plant, percolation area and ancillary site works. 09362 Thornton, Tom, Sheeauns. For redevelopment and extension of a semi-ruinous dwelling house and for installation of a treatment system and percolation area. 09366 Barry, Kevin & Jennifer, Clooncree, 26/02/09. For the construction of a single dwelling house, a proprietary eﬄuent treatment facility and all ancillary site works and services. 09373 Seoighe, Padraic, Maumeen, 27/02/09. Chun teach nua, garaiste, dabhach searachais agus coras eisilte meichnuil a thogail. 09380 Corbett, John Joe, Streamstown, 27/02/09. For retention of a Source: www.galway.ie garage/shed.

09173, Mannion, Eamon, Murvey, 05/02/09. For the construction of a single storey storage shed, 4.835m high x 18.820m long x 9.9m wide to the rear of existing house. 09198 Mag Aoide, Sile, Roundstone, 09/02/09. Chun sineadh foirgnimh a thogail agus athrhoiriu a dheanamh ar suiomh ﬁontraiochta ata site i lathair, le gach obair riachtanach agus fosheirbhisi san aireamh. 09240 Ui Muiri, Daibhi & Deborah, Knockbrack, 13/02/09. Chun teach soghluaiste, an coras searachais agus an obair suiomh. 09320 McFadden, Niall, Inishnee, 23/02/09. For the retention of a) the demolition of existing extensions and construction of a new extension with new stone cladding, new elevational

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Dear Madam, Having read the notice in your newspaper, and hearing the details conﬁrmed by Eamonn McLoughlin during his programme on Connemara Community Radio that morning, we went to Molly’s Bar in Letterfrack on Sunday, February 8th for the 5pm performance of Sean Tyrell and other musicians, part of the Feile Bride celebrations. The bar room was packed; a lot of people were standing around, some of whom were watching the television which was showing a soccer match. It was obvious that no Irish music would be happening for some time. Such a cavalier attitude is disrespectful both to the potential audience and, more importantly, to the artists. Yours sincerely, Christie Burton, Cleggan.

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March 2009

Page 29

Organising a wedding can be one of the busiest times and biggest events in a person’s life (usually the bride’s!). We hope that our review of trends might cast a light hearted view on the proceedings with some fun facts from weddings from the near and distant past. Of course, don’t forget that the simple message at the end of the day is that after all the aspects have been tidied up and arranged, a wedding should be a fun and joyous occasion for all involved, especially the couple!

Modern Trends

• Statistics show that 75% of couples marrying today already share a home. • Today’s median age for ﬁrst-time brides is 27 years. For grooms, it’s 29 years. • The average number of wedding guests is 165. • Tuxedoes are typically purchased 5-6 months after the wedding gown. • Bridesmaids’ gowns are generally purchased 3-4 months in advance of the event. • Modern weddings are practically limitless in scope nowadays. Chocolate fountains, unusual methods of transport to the venue, varied favours, unconventional photography and virtually endless special requests can now be achieved in Ireland. • Eloping and faux weddings are becoming more and more popular in the celebrity world in order to avoid the paparazzi madness. Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton eloped to Vegas. Brooke Shields and husband Chris Henchey pulled oﬀ a fake wedding. They set up an elaborate fake wedding using mannequins, while they were actually married at a private location.

Historical Trends

Page 30

• The wedding ring has traditionally been worn on the third finger of the left hand because it was believed that a vein in this finger ran directly to the heart. The third finger of the left hand has become the customary weddingring finger for all English-speaking cultures. • The wedding shower originated with a Dutch maiden who fell in love with an impoverished miller. Her friends “showered” her and her groom with many gifts so the couple could do without her dowry. • Life in the 1500’s: Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. Here are some “old wives tales” and old customs and traditions: • A bride is lucky if she wears old shoes. • If a cat sneezes on the day before a wedding, the bride will be lucky in her marriage. • A young bride should wear her hair long and loose as a symbol of her youth and innocence. • It was ok for a woman to propose to a man during a leap year. • If the groom drops the ring during the ceremony, the marriage is doomed. • If you see a rainbow on your wedding day, it is a good sign. • If you see a black cat on your wedding day, it is a good sign. • A Swedish bride puts a silver coin from her father and a gold coin from her mother in each shoe, to ensure that she’ll never do without. • Ancient Greeks and Romans thought the veil protected the bride from evil spirits. Brides have worn veils ever since. • In Denmark, brides and grooms traditionally crossdressed to confuse evil spirits.

Weird Wedding Facts

• For ancient Greeks and Romans, the bouquet was a pungent mix of garlic and herbs or grains. The garlic was supposed to ward off evil spirits and the herbs or grains were to insure a fruitful union. In ancient Poland, it was believed that sprinkling sugar on the bride’s bouquet kept her temper sweet. • The wedding cake has always played an important part in the wedding. Ancient Romans broke a cake over the bride’s head to symbolize fertility or abundance. • The first weddings comprised of a groom taking his bride by capture. He would take her somewhere hidden away so her relatives and villagers couldn’t find them. There they stayed for one moon phase, and drank mead, a wine make from honey, to make them more amorous. Thus, the word “honeymoon” was born. Today, the honeymoon is the time when the couple can get away for a while.

• The longest ever recorded marriage was Sit Temulji Nairman and his wide Lady Nariman, who were married at the age of ﬁve. The marriage lasted for 86 years. • The largest wedding attendance was a Jewish wedding in Jerusalem in 1993 where 30,000 people attended. • A former Baptist minister, Glynn Scotty Wolfe is famous for taking 28 brides and divorcing 27 of them. • The longest ever engagement was between Octavio Guillen and Adriana Martinez who were engaged for 67 years. • The oldest bride ever to get married is Minnie Munro from Australia who married at 102 years of age; she married a man of the age of 82 years. • The most expensive wedding ever?The marriage of Sheik Rasshid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum’s son to Princess Salama in Dubai in May 1981. The price tag-$44million! Wedding facts compiled by Connor McDonough-Flynn

Is Your Love Is In the Stars? Have you ever looked at your partner and wondered what planet they are from? When we speak of compatibility, star signs are often used as an indicator of how we get along with each other in all kinds of relationships. Love is no diﬀerent and astrologers have long associated your sign of the Zodiac with indicating your compatibility and chances of success in a romantic relationship with other signs. Many websites address

this subject. We looked at www.theholidayspot.com/valentine/zodiacs/love_compatibility/ with a view to generating a rating scale on cross-sign compatibility. Of course, there are exceptions to all rules, and our grid is aimed at entertainment rather than a hard and fast guide to selecting a partner! So don’t start the break up proceedings if you and you true love don’t score a perfect match on our fun guide above to what Zodiac sign will quench the ﬂames of your love! Connor McDonough-Flynn

March 2009

Connemara View Newspaper

“If music be the food of love, play on…” Most couples, brides in particular, spend a lot of time organising their wedding music for both the ceremony and reception. The first dance is traditionally a special moment for the couple to dance alone to a song that is special to them. Below is a selection of some of the songs chosen as the first dance by celebrity wedding couples, and some of their wedding songs. Robbie Keane and Claudine Palmer “If Tomorrow Never Comes” by Garth Brooks, performed by Robbie himself (first song). Nicky Byrne and Georgina Ahern-“I Love the Way you Love me” (first song) by Boyzone and “Because you loved me” (First dance) by Celine Dion, performed by Nadine Coyle. Michael Flatley (Lord of the Dance) and Niamh O’Brien: “Fly Me to the Moon”. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.: “Someone to Watch over Me” by Ella Fitzgerald. Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley: “Heavenly Day” by Patti Griffin. John Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette: “Forever in My Life” by Prince. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban: “At Last” by Etta James. Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives, Twin Peaks) and

Watch out - stags and hens about! A traditional element of Irish weddings in modern times is the equally dreaded and relished opportunity to go to, or hold a stag or hen party. While the origins of the phrases “hen” and “stag” are not crystal clear, the general consensus is that thee bride bride-to-be to be and her entourage resemble a clucking brood of “hens”, s”, while the macho “stag” represents a virile and single man an who has yet to enter the bind of marriage. Indeed the above groups and parties that can be seen outt on the town every weekend in villages, towns and cities all over the country and sometimess overseas, have gained somewhat of a negativee reputation for being loud, chaotic and primarily, intoxicated, so maybe those animal metaphors are more suitable than we think! Whether you’ve been on one or 10, hen nights are something that almost every woman will attend at some stage when a friend or family member is on the road to getting hitched. From a perspective of personal taste, the appetite usually ranges from om the super enthusiastic -the ones who source and buy all the L plates, devil horns, branded t-shirts, costumes etc ,to the shrinking violet who tries to wear her pink fluffy tiara or cowboy hat discreetly, as if such a thing were even possible! Since the hen party is usually arranged by a bridesmaid or close friend or family member, it is advisable to run ideas by the bride-to-be first. On the other hand, more mischievous organisers sometimes completely disregard the hen’s pleas not to be mortified by a stripper or look ridiculous, and just go for as mad and chaotic a party as possible! Some popular party ideas and elements include: • The arrival of a male stripper to a hen party, invariably leading to much shrieking, grabbing and giggling. Of course strippers and “kissagrams” who arrive in daft outfits and involve the target in deeply embarrassing activities are also a regular feature of most stags. • Themed parties, either out on the town or at home. Popular themes now include top hats and tails, cowgirl, nurse, and schoolgirl costumes accompanied by whistles, hats, and of course where would the modern hen party be without the presence of a male blow up doll... An astounding array of hen hight paraphernalia can be found at joke and costume shops or various stores online. • More low key hen parties tend to gravitate to expensive sophisticated dinner evenings or beauty and relaxation oriented spa breaks. Depending on the personalities and characters involved, many groups do not want attention drawn to the fact that they are a hen or stag party as they do not wish to be seen or treated as one for a variety of reasons. The main link between the hen and stag parties is the volume of booze consumed, but stags by their very nature can generally consume more. Guys often tend to take the crazy partying one step further than the ladies, so a groom’s fears of ending up tied to a lamppost naked or missing an eyebrow are often well founded. As with stag parties, the popularity of turning the party into a weekend has been increasing in recent years and many services are in place to accommodate this trend. Many hotels and adventure centres, perhaps looking to capitalise on the market now, offer special packages to entice groups to choose them. Here in Connemara, Killary Adventure Co. have their own dedicated website

Connemara View Newspaper

Desiree Gruber: “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra. Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz: “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes. Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman: “In a Sentimental Mood” by Duke Ellington. Carmen Electra and Dave Navarro: “By Your Side” by Sade. Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott: “Amazed” by Lonestar. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes: “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac. Eva Longoria and Tony Parker: “Book of Love” by Peter Gabriel (from the movie “Shall We Dance”). Marcia Cross (Bree from Desperate Housewives) and Tom Mahoney: “At Last” by Etta James. Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner: “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels “My Girl” by the Temptations. Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch) and Mark Wilkerson: “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS. Billy Joel and Katie Lee: “Moon River” by Andy Williams. www.irishstagsandhens.com through which they oﬀer traditional outdoor pursuits, accommodation and meals, and transfers to pubs and clubs. Viewers of the Irish version of Dragons Den on RTE One recently may also have seen the creator of www.hen-party.ie , a one stop shop and guide for hen party organisers, receive investment in h her website. O One thing is for sure; as long as there are weddings, there w will be hen and stag parties. A modern day rite of passage, they may be something to be endured as well as enjoyed, but for the sake of fun, the eemphasis should stay on the la latter. So there’s no doubt about it it, when you see a bunch of tipsy, gig giggling ladies with comedy cos costumes approaching, watch out out-the hens are about! As for a ﬁnal word w of advice for brides and grooms, if you don’t want to run the risk of crazy party antics throwing your wedding plans out of line, make sure your party will go the way you want it to, by whatever means necessary...

March 2009

Fred Savage (The Wonder Years) and Jennifer Stone: “Baby I Love You” by Aretha Franklin. Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey: “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison. Britney Spears & Kevin Federline: “City by the Bay” by Journey. List compiled by Connor McDonough-Flynn

New: Connemara Wedding Services A number of Connemara businesses have come together to provide a helpful and useful guide to anyone who plans to get married in Connemara. “Connemara Wedding Services” aims to assist brides and grooms to ﬁnd all the services they need to arrange and enjoy their wedding in Connemara. From hair and beauty to hat hire, the Connemara Wedding services brochure covers many of the elements that all come together to create the perfect Connemara wedding. The brochure, which includes details of car hire, photographers, videographers, entertainment and more is currently under production and anyone who wishes to ﬁnd out more can contact Pat Coyne 095-43756 or 086-4062394.

Page 31

Martello Tower Rossaveal

As you take the ferry to Aran, you might notice a stone tower near the shore at the back of Rossaveal Hill, this is a Martello Tower. As far as I know this is the only one of these on the Connemara coast, but not the only one in Ireland. Of course, the best known Martello Tower is the James Joyce tower at Sandycove in County Dublin. This was used as the opening for Ulysses and gives us the special date 16th June 1904, the original Bloomsday. Although associated with Joyce, it was actually rented by Oliver St. John Gogarty, who had close Connemara associations. He owned Renvyle House and is buried at Ballinakill. He paid rent of 8 pounds a year but allowed Joyce to use it. But what are Martello Towers? The origin of these structures goes back to the 15th century. They were built around the coast of Corsica to protect coastal villages and shipping lanes from attacks by North African pirates. The defence system at Mortella Point contained a particularly good example of this type of tower. In 1794 two British warships tried unsuccessfully to capture this tower. It was eventually taken by a land attack. The British military were most impressed by how easy it was to defend even against the most modern warships so it was decided to copy this as a feature of their coastal defence. As often happened the British got the wrong spelling for this place and so the towers became known as Martello rather than Mortella Towers. Another interesting fact was that these towers were build to defend England and Ireland from the French, who had as their leader Napoleon Bonaparte, who was himself from Corsica. The construction of the towers began at the beginning of the 19th century and were built to a fairly standard design. Standing between thirty to forty feet high they were generally built of brick, with stone facing or

Page 32

rendered with lines cut to simulate ashlar stonework. They could be anything up to thirteen foot thick on the seaward sides. This one was build around 1812 and had its doorway at first floor level on the north side. The outside is constructed of very finely cut limestone on a plinth of granite. The various elements are very obvious, the doorway and two barred windows, all set on the landward side of the structure. Unfortunately, there is some damage at the parapet level with a number of the stones knocked down. The interior was divided into three stories, although sometimes there was a basement. On the ground floor was the powder magazine and storeroom and a water tank. On the next floor was the living accommodation for the men and the officer. Normally, there was one officer and twenty four men. These rooms would have fireplaces built into the walls, which were used for heat and cooking. On the top storey, there was a flat roof which had one or two cannons mounted on a central pivot which allowed them to be turned 360 degrees. Water collected on the roof was channelled by a drainage system, which brought the water down into the storage tank. As Martello Towers were designed to guard against the French most of them are on the south and west coasts of England and Ireland. There were one hundred and three in England, fifty in Ireland and only three in Scotland. After about 1850, the government stopped the building of the towers, as the artillery developed at that time made them obsolete. It wasn’t only in these islands that Martello Towers were built. They were also used as coastal defences in the Caribbean, Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. The overseas country with the highest number is Canada, which had 16. These were also used in the area of the great lakes, and a friend of mine was recently telling me of one near her home in Ontario. They are fascinating structures and even after all the years since they were constructed they still show their strength. Breandan O Scanaill

March 2009

Connemara View Newspaper